The Modern Scandinavian
Translated by Ian Adams
Matthias Wahls, Karsten Muller & Hannes Langrock
The Modern Scandi...
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The Modern Scandinavian
Translated by Ian Adams
Matthias Wahls, Karsten Muller & Hannes Langrock
The Modern Scandinavian Themes, Structures & Plans in an Increasingly Popular Chess Opening
New In Chess 2011
© 2 011 New In Chess Published by New In Chess, Alkmaar, The Netherlands www.newinchess. com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval sys tem or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy ing, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. Cover design: Steven Boland Supervisor: Peter Boel Proofreading: Rene Olthof Production: Jan van de Mortel, Anton Schermer ISBN: 9 7 8-90-5 6 91-3 44-1
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Preface to the English Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 Chapter 1 : Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1. I The basic idea.
II
I. 2 White's lead in development.....................................................
12
1.3 White's advantage in space .
16
I.4 Material distribution.......................................................... I. 5 The character of the opening .........................
21 22
Chapter 2: The standard centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 29
2.1 White seizes the initiative. .. .... ....
2.3 The white bishop pair.
......... ..............
2.4 The light-square strategy.
........... ...
2.5 Castling for White and Black..
............
2.6 The black pawns.. 2.7 The Scandinavian bishop.
54
. .... ... ...... .. ............ .. ..
2.2 Weak pawns and squares in White's camp.
10 6
.................. 127 . ....... .. ...
13 3
.. ..... .... . ... ........................ 168 .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
I 72 186
2.8 The Scandinavian queen ...... .......... 2.9 The dark-squared bishop ... ...... ........
..............
1 97
2.10 White gets in f4-f5.
... .................
20 3
2.1 1 Black prevents f4 -f5
..... ....... . .... ......
............. ....
20 6 210
2.12 g2-g4 ........................................................
212
2.13 White uses the e4-square as an outpost... .... . .. . . .... ..... ............. 2.14 White transfers the queen's bishop via e1 (f2) to g3 . ... ....... ............ . 2.15 Black plays against the weak h2-square (.....11i.d 6, ...'Wc7).. ....... . 2.16 White castles kingside, Black castles queenside .
.. 2 13 .... 2 13 . .. 2 14
. . ... ....
2.17 The disadvantages of ...gxf6 ... . . . ............. . ..
2 I7
..... ....... ......... .
Chapter 3 : The dxe5 -centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 5
3. I Where does the knight go' .
23 5
3.2 Black superiority on the d-file.
.. .... . .
2 40
.... .... .
3 .3 Weak pawn on eS. 3.4 Weak square on d6......... 3 .5 A white pawn on f4 . . . .. ...
23 9
.............
. . ... .... . . . ......... .............. ............. .... .
241
. ..... .. .................
242
3.6 The endgame ............ .... .... ..... ......... .... ...... ... . .. . .... . . . . ...
245
3.7 Bishops o f opposite colours .........
247
..... . .... .... ....
3.8 The advance ...d5-d4 .. ..... ..... ... .... . ... ...... .... ........... . .... ........
250
3.9 White's majority gets rolling.
251
Chapter 4: The fxe5 -centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 3 Chapter 5 : The synunetrical centre after ... exd5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 5 Chapter 6 : The exchange centre after ... cxd5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 7 Chapter 7: The queenside majority centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 9 Chapter 8 : The isolated pawn centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 1 Chapter 9: The multi-isolani centre (d4 against e6 / c6) . . . . . . . . . . . 2 64 5
T h e M o d e rn Sc and i na v i an
Chapter 1 0 : The little centre (d3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 5 I0.1 The Scandinavian bishop is restricted
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10.2 White expands with a2-a3, b2-b4.
I0.3 Black plays ...e7 -e5 . I0.4 gxf6-structure.
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Chapter 1 1 : The fianchetto centre (d3 , g3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 69 I 1.1 Kingside expansion with f2-f4 and g3-g4
11.2 Queenside expansion with b4-b5 . 11.3 Black counterfianchetto . . . . . . . .
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Chapter 1 2 : The empty centre ( d2 , b4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 5 :bfb I and il.a3 ........... ...... ........ 27 5
12.1 White pressunzes Black s queens1de with b4 -b50
12.2 Black neutralizes the queenside pressure and achieves domination of the centre .
......... 276
Chapter 1 3 : The dynamic centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 7 I 3.I White lead in development
13.2 Black lead in development
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13.3 The discovered attack t2Jf3 xe5 . 13.4 Sacrificing a central pawn
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2 80
Chapter 1 4: The open centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 84 2 84
14.1 Black plays...e 7-e5 i n the standard centre. 14.2 White lead in development. 14.3 The bad iloc8
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14.4 Black lead in development
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14.5 The c7 -square after an exchange of queens.
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Chapter 1 5 : The Viking centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 1 15 .1 The opposition of'll¥dl/l:!d8 ................. ........ ................ .. ..... ... 2 91 15 .2 Black bursts open White's centre with . ..e7-e5 15 .3 The Viking bishop on g4
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15.4 White pushes forward with his pawns 15 .5 White plays o\il.b5
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Chapter 1 6: The Philidor centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 1 16.1 White plays il.e2 .
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16.2 The white bishop is on c4
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3 II 3 15
Chapter 1 7: Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 9 Chapter 1 8: Theoretical Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 7 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 59 New In Chess Code System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 59 Index of Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 0 Index o f Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 5
6
Preface When Modernes Skandinavisch 1 appeared nine years ago , no one could have guessed how popular the line with 2 . . . 'i¥xd5 would one day become. Moreover, at the time it was regarded to be insufficient to achieve equality, or even unsound. Fortunately, since then a lot of work has been put into this opening, especially by unprejudiced amateur chess lovers. This variation got a new chance, and , on the whole, it has not disappointed its fans. In many cases, it has become the nucleus of a repertoire for Black. Even many grandmasters will produce it from time to time as their second defence. There are, however, several reasons for its popularity with amateurs. First and foremost , there is probably the relative lack of learning which is necessary. At a time when opening theory is growing at a dizzying pace, many of the fans of this defence are extremely thankful that there is in fact one which needs so little main tenance as our Scandinavian. Otherwise one usually has to choose between high performance opening systems which necessitate huge quantities of study time, and rubbish variations which are quick to assimilate and even quicker to dispose of. The Scandinavian combines the best of both worlds : solid quality on one side, and on the other a digestible number of variations that have to be learnt by heart. The explanation for this phenomenon is in two respects based on structural grounds. When you look at the variation tree, it only takes two moves for us to be in our line: l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 (more or less forced) 2 . . . 'i¥xd5 . Voil.J. ! I know many players who take on board the enormous theoretical baggage of the Naj dorf Sicilian (in my active days I was one of them) . But I hear lots of them groaning : ' If I could only get the Naj dorf on the board ! All I seem to meet are sub-variations of the Sicil ian , 2 . c 3 and so on and so forth.' In fact as a fan of the Naj dorf, you have not solved your problems j ust because you can recite all the lines in the Poisoned Pawn by heart. Such problems do not exist in the Scandinavian : l . e4 dS and White cannot escape anymore. The second reason has to do with the pawn structure. In the majority of all cases , the same standard pawn centre appears with a white pawn on d4 and black pawns on e6 and c 6 . The stability of this pawn constellation confers a static character on the position. Sharp, forcing lines are the exception. The Scandinavian is unques tionably a model opening. General plans and strategic motifs are much more im portant than luxuriant variation trees. You can also steer the course through the opening moves relatively easily without extensive theoretical knowledge, simply by making use of patterns and structural rules. This leads us straight into the subj ect of this book. Whereas Modernes Skandinavisch 1 was essentially a book about theory, its successor is all about struc ture. Therefore it is more a book about the middlegame than about the opening. Of course, we are discussing only those typical middlegame structures which arise in the Scandinavian Defence. All the important plans , pawn structures and a multiplic7
T h e M o d e rn Sc and i na v i an
ity of strategic and tactical motifs will be presented through the medium of whole games. It has been recognized that a knowledge of the strategic plans associated with an opening and an understanding of its basic structure is more important than learn ing variations parrot-fashion. Someone with a deep knowledge of ' theory ' , but with no positional understanding , can easily be led away from the main paths and confronted with serious problems by his opponent. Even if your opponent should be cooperative, even the longest main line comes to an end at some point. Then your ' theory buff' is cast back on his own resources and starts to make mistakes. But if you are familiar with the basic ideas of a variation , the correct moves can be worked out logically at any point. Rote learning has another, decisive, disadvantage. If a person does not have a photographic memory, unstructured knowledge very quickly fades. It is as good as impossible to try to retain over a long period of time a number consisting of thirty digits , unless you are in possession of special memorizing techniques , which con fer structure 1 This circumstance is linked to the nature of the human brain. The brain organizes itself, creates patterns and a system with which to recognize the patterns. Finding your way through a game of chess is done on the basis of pre-ac quired patterns. Another advantage of the structural approach as compared to the theoretical , is the fact that it does not take up either space or time. Looking into typical central formations, for example, will also be useful for the study of similar openings. The structural relationship between two openings means that motifs from one, perhaps in a somewhat changed form , can be carried over into the other. As far as time is concerned, the knowledge of structures, unlike that of specific opening lines, is never out of date. It pervades one 's personal understanding of chess. In concrete terms this book is organized as follows : To begin with, the most important strategic themes are presented individually. These constitute the preferences and thus also the winning plans for both sides. From White 's point of view the themes are : a lead in development, an advantage in space, and the bishop pair. Black's intentions concern the exploitation of White 's weak pawns and squares, and also dynamic counterchances. The main section looks into the individual pawn structures. In fact, we have dis covered 24 different set-upsl The deviations from the standard structure with a white d4 pawn and black pawns on e 6 and c6 arise above all in sidelines , i.e. earlier alternatives for White. The so-called derivative structures are of greater importance. Here we are describing descendants of the standard structure which come into be ing as a result of an exchange of pawns or pieces. The meticulousness with which we examine the individual structures is due to the fact that the pawns really are the soul of chess. Whereas the pieces are the actual combatants , it is the pawns which define and delimit the field of play. They indicate which plans are appropriate and which are not. It is they who decide whether the pieces are heroes or bystanders. Professionals investigate with great precision the pawn structures which are typical 8
P r ef a c e
o f their favourite variations, because every pawn structure has its own laws. Only those who understand such laws as they apply to any system are able to handle it successfully. At the end you will find an appendix devoted to opening theory. This is in a way a necessary break with the style of the book which we owe to our readers. Since players with white have had to accept that the Scandinavian is an opening which must be taken seriously. they have started to work out methods to combat it. The most dangerous of these in our opinion is the Kupreichik Variation , which arises after the moves : l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 �xdS 3 . tt:lc3 't!VaS 4 . d4 c 6 S .�c4 tt:lf6 6 .�d2 . Our recommendation here is unambiguous : it is best to simply avoid it. At this point we deviate from the above move order recommended in Modernes Skandinavisch 1 and replace the move 4 . . . c6 by 4 . . . tt:lf6 . This gives Black the option, after S . �c4 , of playing S . . . tt:lc6 or S . . . �g4 in order to exploit the early decision about where to place White 's king 's bishop by playing aggressively. In contrast to my previous work, this book is a co-production of several authors. I have provided the structure and some of the sample games. Dr Karsten Muller has assembled the maj ority of the game materials and done almost all of the analytical work. He is therefore by a long chalk the main contributor. And finally, the text of the book has been revised by Hannes Langrock. The book is therefore the result of teamwork involving three players , who actually also came from a team , the Bundesliga team of the Hamburger Chess Club. My personal adventure with the Scandinavian began with that team and closes with it also on the completion of this volume. In conclusion, may I thank from the bottom of my heart the members of my team ! Without their help this book would never have been finished. Another mem ber of the team is of course my publisher, ]iir gen Daniel. who showed me an unbe lievable amount of patience. Just as much patience has been required of all of you who read the first volume and had to wait for several years for the continuation promised in it. Especially to all of you my thanks must go! I hope that you will have been rewarded for your wait and I wish you much enj oyment when you read it! Matthias Wah/s,
Summer 2 0 0 6
9
T h e M o d e rn Sc and i n a v i an
Preface to the English Edition Back in 1 9 9 7 , Matthias Wahls published Modernes Skandinavisch (referenced as in this book) , an opening book in classical format. Due to its enormous success, the second volume Modernes Skandinavisch 2 was published in 2 0 0 6 , which deals with the strategic and tactical ideas behind the Modern Scandi navian. The book that you are now reading is mainly Modernes Skandinavisch 2. However, most of our English readers will not be familiar with the first volume and miss the theoretical references of that book. Therefore for the English edition , we have included a condensed, but complete repertoire for Black that reflects the re cent theoretical developments and which allows you to play the Scandinavian right away. This repertoire can be found in Chapter 1 8 . Especially h elpful and valuable sources were Jovanka Houska 's excellent book Starting Out: The Scandinavian, Chris tian Bauer's new work Play the Scandinavian and articles and analysis by the French expert Eric Prie. Furthermore, we added a chapter with exercises so that you can test your newly acquired knowledge.
Modernes Skandinavisch 1
Finally we want to thank Christopher Lutz from Chessgate and Allard Hoogland from New In Chess for their good cooperation , and Peter Boel , Jan van de Mortel , Anton Schermer and Rene Olthof for their good j ob producing the book. We wish all our readers a lot of success with the Modern Scandinavian ! Karsten Muller and Han nes Langrock,
Summer 2 0 1 0
10
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 The basic idea
Fundamentally. in the Scandinavian Black would like to complete his development quietly in order to then slowly bring pressure to bear on White 's weaknesses. Fre quently this is not difficult for him , since many players of the white pieces do not go into this opening in any great depth and thus their actions are not particularly well focussed. Slack play by White does not present much of a danger to Black, but rather protects his compact pawn structure. In the following game, Matthias himself fell prey to this. It was the reason for him to try out the opening as Black at a later date : The interesting alternative 5 . . �g4 will be represented by a few games.
1.1
.
Matthias Wahls Curt Hansen Tastrup I 9 9 2
6 .�c4 e6 7.�d2 c6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 V&'xd 5
2 . . . t2Jf6 is a principled alternative, but is not part of the subj ect of this book. 3 .t2Jc3 'iVa5
Here too there are alternatives , 3 . . 'iVd6 and 3 . . 'iVd8 . We consider the text move to be stronger. .
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4.d4 t2Jf6 5.t2Jf3 �f5
This set-up (followed by . . . c6 and . . . e6) constitutes the nucleus of our treatment of the opening.
A typical pawn structure has arisen. It is very solid and hard to break down, es pecially if White is not decisive enough in his actions. l l
T h e M o d e rn Sc and i na v i an
8.'iVe2 �b4 9.tt:le5 tt:lbd7 1 0.tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 1 .a3 �xc3 1 2.�xc3
The exchange of bishop for knight leads to a typical piece constellation in which White has the bishop pair. By al lowing it, Black is pinning his hopes on the relatively closed position (the �c3 is hampered by the pawn on d4) and on his superiority on the light squares. 1 2 ... 'iVc7 1 3 .0-0 0-0 1 4.�a 2 ? !
The plan is �b2 , c2 -c4 and b 3 -b4. But this is all too slow. 1 7... tt:ld5 1 8.�b2 .!:!.adS 20 . .!:i.e5?
tt:lf4
1 9.'iVd2
2 0 . c4 ? ! e S ; 2 0 .'lllY c l . 20 ... tt:l g 6 ?
20 .. . f6 2 l . l:i.ee I cS with the initiative, for example 2 2 .'lllV c 3 l:id7 2 3 .'lllY x c5 �xc2 . 21 . .!:i.e3
From this point on, White moves with out a plan. Basically he wants to open the position by means of pawn advances so that he can make the most of his bishops. But things are not that simple. 14 .. Jlfe8 1 5 .llfe 1 tt:lf6 1 7.b3?
h6
1 6 .llad 1
Black already has a very pleasant posi tion. He has the more active pieces and play down the d-file. Since Hansen needed half a point to win the tournament, the game ended as a draw here.
1.2 White's lead in development
Obviously Black loses time with his early queen moves and in doing so sins against the classical principles of development. But experience has shown that this provo cation can be j ustified on account of his sound structure. That is the reason why you are now reading this book. 1 .2. 1 White plays forcefully
In some lines White tries to exploit his lead in development by forceful, aggressive play, which will demand the greatest of care of Black. In the next game, this proves too much for him. 12
C h a p t e r I: In t r o d uc t i on
1.2
Black sufficient counterplay Westerinen-Prie , Andorra 1 9 9 4 .
Viswanathan Anand Joel Lautier Biel 1 9 9 7
in
1 2 ... �g 2 ! ?
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd 5 3 .t2J c3 'iYa5 4.d4 tLlf6 5 .tLlf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.tLle5 !?
White now starts an attack on the ' Scan dinavian bishop ' . 7... e6 8.g4 �g6 9.h4
It was possible to remove the bishop from the danger zone at once : 1 2 . . . .2.d5 13 .�d3 0 - 0 - 0 14.�d2 'il¥b6 ! I 5 .t2:Jxd5 exd5 (Rublevsky-Lastin, ch-RUS 19 9 5 ) should equalize. 1 3 .l:!.e3!
After 13 .llg3 ?1 �dS there can follow . . . �d6 , winning a tempo. 1 3 ...tLl b 6 ?
Now Black gets himself into serious trouble. Eric Prie 's 13 . . . 'il¥c7 ! is much better. According to Jovanka Houska the line 14.l:!.g3 (14. f3 ? runs into 14 . . . 'i�Vh2 ) 1 4 . . . � d 5 15 . �xd5 cxd5 16 .�e2 � e 7 1 7 . � d 2 l:!. c 8 18 . 0 - 0 - 0 'iYc4 gives Black good play.
9 ...tLlbd 7 !
I n such sharp positions a knowledge o f concrete variations is a n advantage, be cause one is skating on thin ice : 9 . . . �b4? 1 0 . �d 2 tLl e 4 (10 . . . � b 6 11 .'iYe2 'iYxd4 does not give White 's initiative enough credit. Punishment was swift in Granara Barreto-Conde Ponderosa, carr. 19 9 9 : 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 13 .�xc3 'iYf4+ 14. Wb1 tLle4 1 S . l:!.d4 tbxc3 + 1 6 . bxc3 �f6 1 7 .h5 1-0) 11. f3 ' as in Campora-Cu. Hansen, Palma de Mallorca 19 8 9 (Game 2 .10 I ) is clearly better for White, since the advance h4-h5 is in the air. 1 O.t2:Jxd 7 1 2J:l h 3
t2:Jxd 7
1 1 .h5
1 4.�d 3
14.�b3 ? 0 - 0 - 0 1 5 . �d2 �b4 1 6 . a 3 �xc3 1 7 .�xc3 'it'g5 oo . 1 4 ...tLld5
.2.e4
12 . 0 - 0 �d5 13 . tLlxd5 cxd5 14.�d3 �d6 15 .c3 g 6 1 6 .�d2 'il¥d8 1 7 . W g 2 gxh5 1 8 . g 5 �e7 19 .'{ifxh5 0 - 0 - 0 gave
1 5 .f3 !
The point, burying the bishop on g 2 . 1 5 ... �b4 13
The M o d e rn Sc and i na v i an
A) I S . . . ti.lxc 3 1 6 . bx c 3 'i¥xc 3 + 1 7 .Jild2 "i¥xd4 1 8 . � f2 lilxf3 1 9 . Wxf3 ± (Anand in CBM 6 0 ) ; B ) 1 5 . . . ti.lxe 3 1 6 . .iilx e 3 .iila 3 1 7 .Jilc l Jilb4 1 8 . �fl .iilx c3 1 9 . bxc3 "i¥xc3 2 0 .Jild2 "i¥xd4+ 2 1 . Wxg2±; C) I S . . . 'i!'c7 1 6 .Wf2 'i!'h2 1 7 .ti.lxdS ( 1 7 .'l!'g l ? ? 'l!'xg l + 1 8 . �xg l ti.lxe 3 I 9 .lilxe 3 lilxf3 -+) I 7 . . . lilh3 + 1 8 . We I 'l!'g 3 + 1 9 .Wd2 cxdS 2 0 ."i¥e l ± . 1 6 .Wf2 Jilxc3 1 8J:i b 1 "i¥xd4
1 7. bxc3
20 . . . ti.lxe 3 1 2 I ..iilx e 3 "iVe S 2 2 . hxg 7 J::[g 8 2 3 .'l!'g l .iilxf3 2 4 . �xf3 (Anand) .
"i¥xc3
After 1 8 . . . ti.lxe 3 1 9 . .iilx e 3 .iilx f3 2 0 . �xf3 0 - 0 - 0 the powerful white bishops should finally come into their element. 1 9.J::[ x b7 J::[ d 8
Now Anand plays the brilliant combi nation that turned this game into an ev ergreen. Still , Black had little choice : A) 1 9 . . . lilh3 2 0 .J::[x f7 ! cS 2 I. . l:.f5 ! ! (Lautier) 2 1 . . . ti.lxe 3 2 2 .lilxe3 �b2 23 . .l:i.xc5 0-0 2 4 . Wg 3 +- (Anand) ; B) 1 9 . . . ti.lf4 2 0 . W g 3 "i¥d6 2 I .Jila3 ' ti.lxh S + ( 2 1 . . . "i¥xa3 2 2 . Jilb 5 ti.ld 3 2 3 . .iilx c6 + �f8 2 4 . �xd3 ) 2 2 . �xg2 �g 3 + 2 3 . Wfl . 20.h 6 ! ! gxh6?
21 .Jilg 6 ! !
A very beautiful discovered attack ! 21 ...ti.le7
A) 2 1 . . . "i¥xe3 + 2 2 .lilxe3 fxg6 2 3 .lilc5; B) 2 1 . . . "i¥ f6 2 2 . lilxf7 + 'i!Vxf7 2 3 . l: h f7 ti.lxe 3 2 4 . "i¥xd8 + ! �xd8 2S . .iilx e3 Jilh3 2 6 ..l ha 7 ; C) 2 I . . .'lWxd l 2 2 .J::[x e 6 + � f8 2 3 .lilxh6 + �g8 24.lilxf7 #; D) 2 l . . . ti.lxe 3 2 2 . lilxf7 + � f8 2 3 .'iWxd4 �xd4 2 4 . lilxe3 l:[d s ? ' 2 5 .lilxh6 # . 22 .i¥xd4 J::[x d4 23 . .l:i.d 3 ! ? .!::!. d 8 24.J:bd8+ wxd8 25.lild3 1 -0
2 5 . . . lilh l 2 6 .Jilb 2 .l:'.te8 2 7 .lilf6 .
1 .2.2 Black loses even more time
Because of the loss of time at the start of the game caused by the many queen moves, inherent to this system , Black cannot afford any further dilatory play. 1 .3 Mikhail Rodin Philip Piraev Kazan 1 9 95
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iWxd5 3 .t:bc3 'tWaS 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .ti.lf3 Jilf5 6 .Jilc4 e6 7.lil d 2 c6 8.i¥e2 tt:l b d 7
14
9.0-0-0 �c7 ? !
9 . . . lilb4 is required , to complete his de velopment. 1 O.tt:le5 ! tt:lxe5?
After this White gets a strong initiative on the kingside. I O . . . lilb4 is better.
C h a p t e r 1: In t r o d uc t i on
1 1 .dxe5 tLld5 1 2 .g4 tLJxc3?
This exchange also comes at a cost , be cause White is now fully mobilised and obtains a powerful initiative. 1 2 . . . gg6 would be better, even if White is better after 1 3 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 4 . .l:!. hfl . 1 3 .gxc3 gg6 1 4.f4 h 5
White should not allow Black to castle out of trouble by I 5 .h3 hxg4 I 6 . hxg4 .l:!.xh I I 7 Jhh I 0 - 0 - 0 . 1 5 .f5 !
Opens the position in textbook fashion. 1 5 ... exf5 1 6 .e6 f6 1 7.gxf5 gxf5 1 8.'ii' f 2 ! g 6 1 9 . .l:!.d 7
And the battle is over. After the forced exchange of queens , the black pieces will lack coordination. White 's passed pawn can no longer be stopped. 1 9 ...'ii' b6 20.'ii' x b6 axb6 21 .gxf6 g h G + 2 2 . W b 1 l:rf8 23 . .l:!.e 7 + wd8 24J:l d 1 + w c 8 2 5 .lled 7 .l:!.a5 26 . .l:!.d8+ .l:!.xd8 27Jbd8+ wc7 28.e7 1 -0
1 .2. 3 Black does not keep the position closed
Because he is behind in tempi, it is very much in Black's interest to keep the posi tion closed. In the following encounter he disregarded this maxim.
1 .4 Douglas Gibson Hamilton Dimitry Partsi Penrith 2 0 03
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .tLlc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tLlf3 tLlf6 G.gd2 �c7?! 7.gc4 gf5 8.tLle5 e6 1 0.0-0-0 gb4 9.�e2 tLlbd 7 1 1 .g4 tLJxe5 1 2 .gxf5 tLJxc4 1 3 .'ii' xc4 gxc3 1 4.�xc3 exf5?
This opening of the position is abso lutely fatal . The black king is now trapped in the middle. 1 4 . . . tLle4 I 5 . 'ii' f3 ( I 5 . � e 3 tLl x d 2 1 6 . .l:!.xd2 0 - 0-0 1 7 . fxe6 .l:!. h e 8 1 8 . �a3 J:!.xe 6 1 9 .�xa7 �f4�) I 5 . . . tLlxd2 1 6 . J:!.xd2 0 - 0 - 0 was better.
1 5 . .l:i. h e 1 + w d 7
A powerful attack is also set in motion after 1 5 . . . Wf8 1 6 .�c5 + W g 8 1 7 .'ii' xf5 'i¥xh2 1 8 . l:r g 1 . 1 6 .'ii' f 3 g 6
1 6 . . . 'it> c 8 1 7 . d 5 tLlxd 5 ( 1 7 . . . c x d 5 1 8.gc 3 ) 1 8.'ii' xf5 + 'i¥d7 1 9 .'ii' x d 7 + IS
T h e M o d e rn Sc a n d i n a v i a n
Wxd7 2 0 .c4 CiJc 7 2 l . �c 3 + i s lost in the long run as well. 1 7.�f4 'liaS
1 8 ... wc8 1 9.�xf7?!
1 9 . .l:.e7 would have been quicker. 1 9 ... CiJdS 20.'i¥e6+ Wd8 2 1 .�eS .!::t e a 22 .�f6+ wc7 23 .'i¥f7+ Wb6 24J:!.xe8 .ll x e8 2S .'¥Vxe8 'li'xa 2 26 .�d8+ was 27.�e1 'i¥a 1 + 28.W d 2 'i¥xb2 29.l�a 1 + WbS 1 -0
1 7 . . . 'i¥d8 1 8 . �g5 h 6 1 9 .d5 1 cS 2 0 . d 6 . 1 8.'i¥b3
This double attack decides the game.
1.3 White's advantage in space
Because of his d4 pawn White gets more space in the centre by definition. This is not yet threatening . because a surplus of space is not in itself of any value. It is only when it contributes to limiting the activity of the black pieces and enhancing the freedom of its own forces that it can be become an advantage. 1 .3 . 1 Black lets himselfbe tied up
Of course Black should be careful not to let White 's advantage in space become too great . Otherwise he is in danger of being all tied up, as seen in the next example. 1 .5 Gustavo German Raimundo Garcia Buenos Aires I 99 5
1 .e4 d S 2 .exdS 'iYxd S 3 .CiJc3 �as 4.d4 c6 S .CiJf3 CiJf6 6.�c4 �fS 7.CiJeS e6 8.g4
in doing so achieves a noticeable gain of space on the kingside. The downside of this violent plan con sists of a lasting weakening of the pawn structure. Should Black manage to fend off his op ponent's assault, the advanced white kingside pawns would be a welcome target in the endgame. 8 ... �g6 9.�d 2 CiJ b d 7 1 0.�e2 CiJxeS?
Better is I O . . . �b4. 1 1 .dxeS CiJd7 1 2 .f4 �b4
This is one of the most aggressive methods of fighting against the Scandi navian . With gain of tempo, White opens the hunt on the ' Scandinavian bishop ' and 16
Naturally Black cannot allow himself to fall even further behind in time, as wit ness the followin g vanatwn : 1 2 . . . �xc2 ? 1 3 . l:k 1 �g6 1 4 .h4 hS I S . fS �h7 ( ! S . . . exfS 1 6 . e 6 ) 1 6 . CiJdS �d8 1 7 . CiJf4 with a strong attack. 1 3 .a3 0-0-0 1 4.0-0-0 �xc3 ?!
Chapter I: Introduction
This makes things simple for White, since the advance f4-f5 can no longer be stopped. For practical consideration s , Black would have done better here to stir up some confusion. For example : 14 . . . 1ha 3 1 S . tt:lb5 (15.bxa 3 ? 'ifxa3 + 16 . �b1 tt:lb6 gives Black strong counterplay) 15 . . . �b4 16 . tt:ld 6 + bs 17 .�xb4 'Mrfxb4 1 8 . f5 'ifaS 19 . fx g 6 tt:lxeS 2 0.b1 hxg 6 2 l .c3 . 1 5.�xc3 'ifc7 1 6 .�df1 !
20.f6 !
White exploits the unprotected tt:lc4 for the decisive blow. 20 ... .!:Id7
20 . . . gxf6 21.'i¥g4+ . 2 1 .fxg 7 .t:!.g8 2 2 .e6 fxe6 2 3JU8+ .l:r.d8 24Jbg8 .t:rxg 8 25 . .t:!.f1 1 -0
In the next game, White 's expansion does not start until the middlegame : 1. 6 White rightly doesn't care about the d-file and puts all his hopes on the breakthrough f4-fS . After the exchange on fS he can bring his rooks to good use on fl and g 1 . 1 6 ...tt:lb6 1 7.f5?!
1 7 .�b 3 was more exact, for example 17 . . . h5 1 8 . f5 exfS 1 9 . gxf5 �h 7 2 0 . .t:!.hg 1 tt:ldS 2 l ..t:!.x g 7 tt:lxc3 2 2 .bxc3 �g 8 2 3 . e 6 'Mrfe 7 2 4 . �b 2 . 1 7... exf5?
Only the move 1 7 . . . tt:lxc4 would have allowed Black to continue the struggle. Nevertheless, his position would still have been quite untenable. 1 8.gxf5 �h5 1 9.'ifxh5 tt:lxc4
Klaus-Uwe Miiller Wolfgang Hassler Germany Oberliga 1 9 9 4/9 5
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'Mrfxd5 3 .tt:lc3 'Mrfa5 4.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 5.�e2 ! ?
This modest looking developing move contains an original idea : the black queen will be attacked by b 2 -b4 after Black has developed his queen's bishop. For that reason, the variation could be described as an improved version of the Mieses Gambit ( 4. b4) . This line became especially popular af ter Nigel Short's impressive victory over Ian Rogers in Tilburg 19 9 2 . In Ger many, it has been experimented with mostly by the grandmaster from Erfurt, Thomas Luther. 17
T he M odern Scandinavian
5 . ..Ci:lc6 !?
1 4 . .l'ae1 ti:lbd 7
Just like after 5 . £c4 ti:lc6 Black can try to make use of the early development of White 's king 's bishop in order to find the most active squares for his own pieces. 5 . . . £f5 ? ! 6 . b4! 'iWxb4 7 . .l:!.b 1 followed by 8 . .l:.xb 7 ; 5 . . . c 6 . 6 . 0-0 £g4 ? ! 7.h 3 ! £ h 5 8.d3
1 5 .g4!
And White kills two birds with one stone. He puts the black bishop in diffi culties and with the regrouping of his own bishop brings pressure to bear on the black queenside. 1 5 ... £g6 1 6 .£f1 0-0
Because of the inclusion of 7 .h3 ! £h5 the black queen no longer has square f5 available. Results suggest that Black has some difficulties in demonstrating full equality. Something needs to be done by the supporters of 5 . . . ti:lc6 . 8 ...e 6 9.£d 2 £e7 1 0.a3 'YWc5 1 1 . b4
After an (optically) reserved beginning of the game, White now starts an im pressive expansion strategy. 1 1 .. .'t!Yd 6 1 2 . b5 ti:lb8?!
1 2 . . . ti:le5 would be preferable. 1 3 .'i¥c1 !?
1 3 .ti:lg5 £xe2 1 4. 'YWxe2 . 1 3 ...'YWd8
1 3 . . . ti:lbd 7 7 ! 1 4 . £f4 e 5 ? 1 5 . ti:lxe 5 ! £xe2 ( 1 5 . . . ti:lxe 5 1 6 . 'YWe3 ) 1 6 . ti:lf3 'YW e 6 1 7 . .l:.e 1 . 18
1 6 . . . h5 ?! 1 7 . g 5 ti:lh 7 1 8 .£g2 intending 1 8 . 0.Jh4. 1 7.£g 2 a 6 1 8.ti:lh4
White secures the bishop pair and with it a lasting advantage. 1 8 . . .ti:lc5 1 9.ti:lxg6 h x g 6 20.a4 .l:!.e8 21 .tt:Je2 'YWca 2 2 .'YWb2 tt:J d 5 2 3 .d4 tt:J d 7 24.c4
Black is pushed back further and fur ther. 24 ... tt:J5b6 25.'YWb3 axb5 26 .axb5 tt:Jf6 27.g5 tt:J h 7 28.h4
This move paralyses the second black knight too. 28 .. Jid8 29.£e3 tt:Jf8 3 0.tt:Jc3 .ll x a 1 31 . .l:.xa 1 e5 32.d5 �g4?
A more stubborn defence would have been 3 2 . . . tt:Jbd 7 3 3 . ti:Je4 b 6 , although White 's advantage is unquestionable.
Chapter
33 .c5 tt:l b d 7 34.�a4
This move had probably been over looked by Black. 34 ...�f5 35 .tt:le4 tt:lb8 36.tt:lg3 �d 7 3 7.c6 bxc6 38. bxc6 �ea 39.tt:le4 Wh8
1:
Introduction
3 9 . . . f5 ? 40 . d 6 + . 40.l:!.a 7 tt:l h 7
40 . . . I:rc8 4 1 .�h3 . 41 . .l:lxc7
Black resigned.
1 .3.2 Space advantage as an obligation
The popularity of the Scandinavian Defence has a lot to do with the downside of a space advantage : the inevitable weakening of squares. This becomes dangerous for White when he over-extends his position and thus allows Black to make a frontal breakthrough. The games which follow are a testament to such accidents : 1 .7 Igor Bitansky Eli Vovsha Israel tt 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 'Yi'a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5.tt:lf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.a3 tt:l b d 7 1 0.0-0 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 'Yi'c7 1 2J:!ad 1
A) 1 2 .�b3 0 - 0 1 3 . .!:1ad 1 a5 t 7 1 4.CLle5 bS . Black's light-squared strategy which is linked to queenside expansion finally led to success in Nunn-Hodgson (Game 8. 2) . Of course the situation is not quite clear in this case ; B) 1 2 .!Hc 1 0-0 1 3 .CLle 5 b S 1 4 .CLlxd 7 'i¥xd 7 1 5 .�a2 aS 1 6 .:C.d 1 .I:!.fb8b8 24.tt:Jc4
2 4 . t2lxg6 �c8 2 5 .t2le5 l:rxeS 2 6 .'it'd6 + '1t>a8 2 7 .dxe5 t2lc4 + . 24 ... tt:Jxc4+ 25.'it'xc4ld:e3 !
0-1
1 .5.3 Pressure o n the d-file
Black's greatest attacking potential lies on the semi-open d-file, attacking the weak pawn on d4 , as the knight on c3 prevents it from being supported by the c-pawn. But even if White should manage to stabilize his centre with c3 , Black has active options with . . . e6-e5 and . . . c6-c5 at his disposal. 25
The M odern Scandinavian
1.13 Aivars Gipslis Matthias Wahls Berlin 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3 .tbc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6 .tuf3 e6 7. 0-0 tt:Jf6 a.t2le5 tt:J b d 7 9.tbxd 7 tt:Jxd 7 1 o.�f4 tt:Jb6 1 1 .�b3 0-0-0
Putting direct pressure on �d4 is more ambitious than l l . . . �e 7 followed by 1 2 . . . 0-0. The black king is relatively secure on the queenside, since the white pieces are getting in the way of a pawn storm. 1 2 .tt:Je2 'ifa 6 !
With this move Black prevents the ad vance c2 -c4. Also, his knight is already eyeing the c4-square. 1 3 .tt:Jg3 �g6 1 4.c3 �e7 1 5 . .tl.e1 tt:Jd5 1 6 .�d 2 c5!
This typical pawn lever is good even though Black has castled queenside, be cause the black pieces will gain more from the opening of the position than the white ones. 1 7.dxc5
1 7 . c4 ? ! tt:Jb6 plays into Black's hands. 1 7... tt:Jf4?
26
The crude I 7 . . . �xeS would b e a better option. 1 8.�c2?
1 8.'i:Yg4 .llx d2 ( 1 8 . . . tt:Jxg 2 ? 1 9 .�xe6 + Wb8 2 0 . �c4) 1 9 . 'llii' x f4 .l:!.hd8 ( 1 9 . . Jhb2 ? 20. 'llii' c l ) 20.t2le4 �xe4 (20 . . Jhb2 2 1 ..l:!.ad ! ) 2!.1:he4 l::i'.x b2 2 2 . �xf7 �xeS . 1 8 ...�xc5
Now the activity of the black pieces is obvious. Unfortunately, in what follows the advantage is given away once more as a result of some weak moves. 1 9.b4
1 9 .'ifc l 'i:Yb6 20.�e3 �xe3 2 l .l::i'.x e3 'iYc6 2 2 . llf3 e S . 1 9 ... �e7 20.tt:Je4
20.�xg 6 hxg 6 2 I . 'iff3 t2ld3 2 2 . 'iYxf7 tt:Jxe l 2 3 . .l:!.xe l �f6 .
20 ... tt:J d 3 ?
I t would be better to first play 20 . . . 'llii' c 6 , in order to increase the pres sure, e . g. 2 l .�c l ( 2 1 . � g 4 ? t2ld3 2 2 .�xd3 l::i'.x d3 2 3 .�g S f6; 2 l .f3 ?! fS 2 2 . t2l g 3 'i:Yb 6 + 2 3 . Wf l �g S ; 2 1 . �xf4 7 ! l:!.xd l 2 2 . l:laxd l l:.d8) 2 l . . . t2ld3 2 2 .�xd3 l:.xd3 2 3 .f3 .l:!.hd8. 21 .l:.e3 f5?
Chap ter I : In tro duc tion
After 2 l . . . tt::l e 5 Black is much better. 22 . .2.xd 3 J::r x d3 2 3 .tt::l c5?
Once more Black gets a chance. 2 3 Jhd3 'li'xd3 2 4 . .2.g 5 . 23 ... .2.xc5 24.bxc5 l:!.hd8 25.l:!.e2 f4? 1
2 5 . . . .2.h5 ! 2 6 . f3 e S 28.�fl e 4 .
2 7 .'iWc2 'iW g 6
26 .'iWe1 'iWc4 27.13 .2.f5?!
27 . . . �xc5 + 28. 'it>h ! 'li'c4 29 .'iff2 .2.f5 . 28.'li!Vf2 g5 30 . .2.c1 .!:!.xc5
29.liae1
l:!.3d5
3 0 . . .'i¥xc5 .
31 .g4 fxg 3?
The white bishop gets back into the game. Thus , it would be clearly better to play 3 1 . . . .2.g6 3 2 . l:!.xe6 l:!.d3 . 3 2 . hxg3 J:ra5
3 2 . . . h6 3 3 . .2.e3 . 33 . .2.xg5 l:Ig8
Black has relied on the attack down the g-file, but it is not powerful enough to break through. 34 . .2.16 �f4 35. � h 2 36 . .2.h4 l:ta4 37.�c5+
'ifh6+
3 7 .g47 b 6 . 37... �b8 38.'iWe5+ �c8
Black finally has to settle for a draw be cause of his back rank weakness. 3 8 . . . �a8?7 3 9 . 'iYxfS l:txh4+ 4 0 . gxh4 'i¥xh4+ 4 ! .'i¥h3 . 39.'i+'c5+ �b8 40.'i+'e5+ 'it>c8
Draw agreed.
1 .5 .4 Black attacks the king
In the Scandinavian there are four different possible set-ups where both sides have castled. When they have castled on opposite sides , an attack on the king is always in the air. In case of an exchange of knights on f6 , a structure with . . . gxf6 (similar to the Caro-Kann Defence) results. Black's attacking chances seriously increase if White decides to castle king side against this type of structure. 1.14 Sebastian Schmidt Schaffer Roman Vidoniak Zurich 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt::l c 3 'ifa5 4.d4 tt::l f 6 5.tt::l f 3 c6 6 . .2.d2 .2.f5 7. .2.c4 e6 8.tt::l e4 �b6
9.tt::l xf6+ gxf6 1 0 . .2.b3 a 51?
With this interesting pawn push Black dissuades his opponent from castling queenside. However, it does weaken his own queenside, where the black king is in the habit of seeking safety in this type of structure. 27
The Modern S cand i navian
1 1 .a4 tt:Ja6 1 2.0-0 �g4 1 3 . h 3 �h5 1 4 . .l:i.e1 0 - 0 - 0 1 5J�:te4?!
1 5 .'ife2.
25 .�dl? .l:i.xh4 2 6 . gxh4 'i�Vh2+ 2 7 .< .t>fl .l:i.g8 28 . �e4 �g3 ! . 25 ... .l:i.dg8 26.�d 1 ?
1 5 ... �g6 1 6 . .l:i.e3 tt:Jb4
The knight is rather unpleasant for White and is given short shrift. 1 7.�xb4 �xb4 1 8.c3 ..td6 1 9.tt:Jd2 �b8 20.tt:Jc4 f/Jc7 21 .g3 .l:i.hg8
Black makes no secret of his aggressive intentions. 22.f/Jf3
22 .�c2 ! ? fS 23 . .l:i.eS would also be worth considering. 22 ...�f5 23 . .l:i.ae1 ? !
A mistake ; after 2 3 . .l:i.c 1 ! h S (23 . . . ..txh3 ? 24.'iVxf6) 24.h4, then 24 . . . .l:i.g4 can, unlike in the game, be met with 25 .�c2 �xc2 26 Jhc2 fS 2 7 .tt:'le5 . 23 ... h5!
•
==�==�==�==�
The move 2 6 . 'iYhl would hold the po sition together, but who likes to play moves like that? 26 .. J1xh4 ! 27.gxh4 f/Jh2 28 . .l:i.e4
White tries to defend against losing the queen by 28 . . . �h3 + 29 .e2 �g4 , but her majesty is lost one way or another. 28 ... .l:i. g 3 ! 29.'i�Vxh5?
This allows a forced mate, but 29 . 'i\V xfS .l:i.gl+ 3 0. e2 .l:t.xel+ 3l. c.t>xel exfS 3 2..l::i. e 8 + d7 would not have looked nice either.
Danger approaches on tiptoe. 24.h4
24.'iYxh5 ? .l:i.h8 25 .'iVf3 .l:i.xh3 . 24 ... .l:i.g4 25.c.t>f1
28
29 ... 'iV h 1 + 30.e2 'iVxe4+ 31 .c.t>d2 �f4+ 32.tt:Je3 'ifd3+ 33.c1 �b1 + 34.c.t>d2 �xb2+ 35.�c2 �xc2#
Chapter 2 : The standard centre
II II II II ... . . ... i . ... . ... . . • • • • • • • • • • • � � �· • • • • This central formation is by far the most frequently met in the form of the Scandi navian we have chosen, and moreover, it is also typical of the Caro-Kann Defence. Black has a very solid position with more or less free play for his pieces. The main characteristic of the position is the white pawn on d4, which personi fies the advantages and disadvantages for both sides. On the one hand, it is the rea son for White's advantage in space and thus White 's claim to be able to play for an advantage. On the other hand, it is exposed on the only semi-open file available to Black and is often a cause for trouble. For his part, however, Black has no pawn weakness at all.
2 . 1 White seizes the initiative
Generally speaking, White should take energetic measures to prevent Black from simply completing his development in the context of a solid pawn structure and then slowly but surely increasing his positional pressure on the light squares on the queenside and against the pawn on d4.
2. 1 . 1 White's lead in development In the struggle for the initiative White is aided by his lead in development. On no account may Black allow this to become even greater, and he must always keep in consideration that the position may be opened in a way that is unfavourable to Black. In the next game the position is indeed opened under disadvantageous circum stances for Black.
29
The M odern Scandinavian
2. 1 Peter Svidler Lembit 011 Ter Ape! I 9 9 6
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .l2lc3 l/Wa5 4.d4 t2lf6 5.t2lf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.t2le4 !? 1/WdS?
The black queen wants to recapture on f6 , but this retreat is too passive. 8 . . . 1/Wb6 1 ? and 8. . . 'i¥c7 are the main moves. 9.t2lg3 �g 6
1 8. 1/Wf? + 'it' d ? 1 9 . �x b 5 2 0 . 'i¥f5 + 'it>e8 2 l . �c8+- . 1 2 .0-0-0 �d6 1 4.fxg 3 �xe5
1 3 .t2le5
cxb S t2lxg 3
Surrendering this bishop means capitu lation on the dark squares. 1 4 . . . h5 ? I S .t2lxg6 fxg6 1 6 .'t?Vxe 6 + +- ; 1 4 . . . t2lf6 ? 1 5 .h5 �fs 1 6 . t2lxf7 'it>xf7 1 7 . .l:!.dfl +- . 1 5.dxe5 h5 1 6.�b4! 'lWb6 1 7.'i¥e1 !
After 9 . . . �g4 1 0 .c 3 t2lbd 7 1 1 .h3 �xf3 1 2 . 'i¥xf3 ;\; Black had no compensation for the bishop pair in Bologan-Ionov, Kazan 1 9 9 5 . 1 0.h4!?
A typical way to battle the Scandinavian bishop. After this Black can no longer castle queenside. The coordination of his pieces is catastrophic. 1 7...�f5
1 7 . . . 0-0-0 1 8.�a5 1/Wcs 1 9 .'i¥c3 ! + ( ! 9 .�xd8 ? ? l/Wxc4-+) 1 9 . . ..l.:tde8 2 0 .�xd 7 ! 'it>xd7 2 !. .l:rd l �c8 2 2 .�xe6 . 1 8 ..l:U 1 1 0 ... t2l h5?!
Black loses even more time. A) I O . . . �d6 1 1 .h5 �e4 1 2 . t2lxe4 t2lxe4 1 3 .h 6 g 6 1 4.�e 3 t ; B ) I O . . . h5 ? 1 1 1 . t2le5 �h 7 1 2 .1/We2 ± . 1 1 .1/We2 t2l d 7
l l . . . t2l x g 3 1 2 . fxg3 �xc2 ? ! 3 . t2lg5 �e 7 1 4. t2lxf7 Wxf7 1 5 . 1/Wxe 6 + We8 1 6 J:tc l �a4 ( ! 6 . . . �g 6 1 7 . h 5 +- ) 1 7 . b 3 ( 1 7 .1/Wf? + 'it' d ? 1 8.b3 ±) 1 7 . . . �b5 ? 30
Now the threat is 1 9 . J:'h fS exfS 2 0 . e 6 . 1 8 ... g6
1 9 . �xf5 t2lxc4 A) 1 8 . . . t2lxe5 ? 2 0 Jhf7 �xf7 2 1. . l::r d 7 + 'it>g8 2 2 .1/Wxe 6 + 'it>h 7 2 3 .1/WfS + leads to checkmate after 2 3 ... 'it>h6 24.�d2 + t2le3 2 5 .lid6 + , or 2 3 . . . 'it>g8 2 4 .�f7 'it>h 7 2 5 .'i¥xg 7 # . B ) 1 8 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 9 .�a5 'iYcs 2 0 .'i¥c3 b 6 2 l . �b4 'iYxeS 2 2 . �a 6 + � c 7 2 3 . �xd 7 + +- .
Chapter
1 9.'�fc3 t2Jc5
1 9 .. . c5 20.�a5 'i!Yc6 2 ! ..l:!.d6 'i!Ya4 2 2. . l:!.x d 7 ( 2 ! .. . 'i!Y xg 2 ? �xd 7 2 3 .�b 5 + + - ) 2 2.�b3 �bS 2 3 .l::fd I b6 2 4 . .tlxd 7 bxaS 2 5 .�f3 0-0 2 6 . .ll b 7 �e8 2 7 . .l::!. d d 7 +-. 20JH4 t2Je4
20...0-0? 2 l .'li'a3 +-.
2:
The standard centre
21 .'/We1 .l:!. h 7 ?
2 l . .. g 5 2 2 . hxg 5 .l:!. g8 would be better, even if there can no longer be any doubt that White has a clear advantage. 2 2.�a5 24.�b4
�c5
23 .�d 3 !
t2Jxg3
Black resigned as he will lose his knight.
2 . 1 . 2 The advance d4-dS 2. 1 . 2 . 1 Strategic aims Along with f4- f5 , this advance is one White 's main pawn levers. It is danger ous because it breaks up the stable e6-c6 structure. Should the position be opened, White can of course make full use of his lead in development. The advance opens up routes into Black's position for the white pieces and increases the activity of the dark-squared bishop and of the knight on c3 , not to mention the maj or pieces. As is not difficult to see, this puts the whole opening plan adopted by Black in j eopardy. So you must be sure that you can where possible prevent this advance. If it can not be avoided, you really must have good knowledge of the theory. 2.2 Stefan Kindermann Karsten Muller Germany Bundesli g a 2 0 0 0 / 0 1
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2Jc3 'ii a 5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6.�d2 e6?! 7.d5!
White wants to prevent Black from en trenching himself in a solid position. 7...cxd5 8.t2Jxd5 �d8 9.�e 2 !
I n recent years , the dangerous Kupreichik Variation has given Black a lot of headaches. For that reason, we have brought together some methods of avoiding it in an appendix. 9 ... t2Je7?!
If you go in for this sharp line, then at this point 9 ... t2Jf6 is the move you should play. In any case, White's initiative can clearly be felt on account of the open na ture of the position, e.g. I O.t2Jxf6 + �xf6 1 1 .0-0-0 t2Jc6 ( l l . .. t2Jd7 1 2 .t2Jf3 h6 ? 1 3.�c3 �e7 1 4 . .l:i.xd7 ! �xd7 I S . .l::!. d l + 31
The Modern Scandinavian
ct>c8 1 6 . .£b5 f6 (Zelenika-Gregorc, Bled 1 99 6) 1 7 .g4! .£g6 ( 1 7 .. . .£xg4 1 8.'tWc4+-) 1 8.tt:le5 fxeS 1 9 .'tWc4+- ) n . .£c3 'tW g 6 1 3 .tt:lf3 .£ e 7 1 4 . .£bs .£f6 1 5 .tt:le5 .£xeS 1 6 .hes 0-0 1 7 . .£xc6 bxc6 1 8.f3 with advantage to White in Zwanzger-Janz, Neumiinster 1 999 . 1 0.tt:le3 tt:lbc6 1 1 .tt:lf3 'tWc7 1 2.0-0-0 0-0-0 1 3 . .£c3 �xd 1 + 1 4J:I:xd 1 ±
Black has problems with the develop ment of his kingside. 1 4 ... .£g6 1 5 . .£b5 a 6 1 6 . .£a4 'tWf4 1 7.tt:ld4 'tWc7
Thus far Kindermann has played well, but now he veers off course and allows Black to unscramble his position.
28.axb3 �c5 29.l:rd4 l:rd5 30.g4 �xd4 31 .exd4 .£e4 32.g3 .£f3 33 .g5 �d5 34.b4 �b3 35.'ii!t d 2 we 7 36. 'it>e3 1f2- 1f2
A few more examples of the advance d4-d5 will follow, since this subj ect is of central importance. In the first one, Black is well and truly rolled up: 2.3 Raj Tischbierek Thomas Kuhn Zurich 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'tWxd5 3 .tt:lc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6 .�d 2 e6?1 7.d51 'tWc5?
The queen is very exposed here, as will be seen. 7 . . . cxdS 8.tt:lxd5 'i¥d8. 8.'i¥e2 cxd5 9.tt:lxd5 tt:ld7 1 0.tt:lf3 �ca 1 1 .�b3 �d6 1 2.0-0 tt:lgf6 ?
1 2 . . . .£g4 would be better, even if Black's position does not seem to in spire much confidence. 1 3 .�b4+-
1 8.'tWd 2 ?
Better would b e 1 8.g3 , e.g. 1 8 . ..tt:lxd4 1 9 ..l:Xxd4 bS 20. .£xb5 axbS 2l.'tWxb5 tt:lc6 22. . .l:Xc4 Wd7 23 . .£as 'tWxaS 24.'tWxc6+ �e7 25 .b4 'tWa7 26 .'tWc8+- . 1 8 ...tt:lxd4 1 9.'tWxd4 b51 20 . .£b3 tt:lc6 2 1 .'tWg4 �b8 2 2.�f3 .£c51 23 . .£xg 7 l:rc8
Black's activity is full compensation for the pawn. 24.�g 3 'tWxg 3 25.hxg3 .£xe3+ 2 6 .fxe3 tt:la5 27.c3 tt:lxb3+ 32
1 3 ... 'i¥c6 1 4.tt:ld4 �g4 1 5.'i¥d3 tt:lc5 1 6 .tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 7.tt:Jxc6 tt:lxd 3 1 8.�xd6
and Black resigned 1 8 . . . lhc6 1 9 .�a4.
because
of
Chapter
Later we shall consider some examples in which Black can leave his king in the middle. However, this is only possible in cases in which Black manages to pre vent the p awn lever d4-d5 . 2 .4 Joseph Gallagher Markus Klauser Leukerbad 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .ti:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6 .tt:le5 �e6 7.�c4 �xc4 8.tt:lxc4 'W'd8 9.�g5 e6 1 o.�xf6 gxf6 1 1 .0-0 xd8
1 6 . . .'�¥c7
Since the centre has become unsafe for the black king, preparations are made to evacuate it to the queenside. The kingside will not do as a place of safety, as is proved by the following variation : 1 6 . . . 0-0 1 7 . �xe 6 ( 1 7 . tLlxe 6 7 .I:i.e8 ! ) 1 7 . . . fxe6 1 8 . .l:r g 3 W h 7 1 9 . f5 exfS 2 0 .�e3 f4 2 1 .'li'xf4 tLleS 2 2 .�h6 + Wg8 2 3 . .l:rxg 6 + tLlxg6 2 4 . �xg 6 + Wh8 2 S . ttJfs �e6+ 2 6 . Wf2 'iVf7 ( 2 6 . . . .l:r f7
2 0 . . . �xd8 ( 2 0 . . . l hd8 2 l . � f2 +- ) 2 ! .tLlxa 7 + Wc7 n . fs "f8 26 . l:tb l . Correct is 1 3 . . . g8 1 9 . �xd 7 ;l;) 1 7 . . . h6 (or 1 7 . . . i¥e5 1 8.�h6 i¥c7 ( 1 8 . . . gxh6 1 9 Jhd7 �f6 20.�e 3 ±) 1 9 . l:thg 1 �f6 20. l:txg 7 + ! �xg 7 2 1 . .l::!. g 1 +- ) 1 8.�g5 hxg S 1 9 . �h7 + ! ! 'it>h8 20. hxg 5 + (Shirov) ) 1 5 .�e4 ( 1 S . i¥c4+ d7 23 . l:thd l We7 24 . 'i¥h4 + + - ) 2 1 .'i¥b6 Wb8 22.l:tb3 l:Id7 23 . 'i¥xa6 l:thd8 24.a3 with pressure ; B) 1 5 . . . 'ii' e 5 Prie's idea, which how ever does not equalize completely ei ther. 1 6 . Wb l 'i¥c7 1 7 .�c3 f6 1 8. l:thg 1 ( 1 8. a4 'it>b8 1 9 . a5 �d6 20. a6 b i hxc6 2 7 . �xg 7 �h6 2 8 . 'i¥ e 7 ti.J e 6 2 9 . .l:!.d6+- . 41
The M o d e rn S cand i na v i an
2 . 1 .4 The demolition sacrifice on e6 The levers d4-d S and f4- fS are, as we have seen , two dangerous tools for White to use to open up the position quickly and get at the black king. However, his arsenal is not limited to these two motifs. A further, very direct method is the piece sacri fice on e 6 .
2 . 1 .4. 1 Against the king i n the middle 2. 1 1 Jacques Hogenacker Nico Forchert Germany Oberli g a ! 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 'ti'xd5 3 .tbc3 'ti'a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt::l f 3 tbf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.tbe5 e6 8.g4 �g6 9.�d 2 ! ? 'ti' b 6 ?
As this game demonstrates , Black is usually best advised to meet �d2 with the developing move . . . �b4 , even if this often means that he must give up his bishop pair. If instead he removes the queen from the e l -aS diagonal, he loses an impor tant tempo for the development of his pieces. 9 . . . tbbd 7 1 O .'ti'e2 �b4 is the main line.
A) 1 O . . . �xb 2 ? l l . llb 1 �a3 ( 1 1 . . .'i¥xc2 7 1 2 . llxb 7 �e 7 1 3 .tbxf7 ' �xf7 ( 1 3 . . . 'lt>xf7 ? 1 4 . 'ifxe 6 + W f8 1 S . �xe 7 # ) 1 4 . � d 3 +- ) 1 2 .l: h b 7 �b4 1 3 .�xe 6 ' �xc3 1 4 .�xf7 + Wd8 1 S . 0 - 0 +- ; B) 1 O . . . �.e 7 7 1 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLldS ? ' 1 2 . f4 ' 'tWd8 1 3 . llhfl tLlf6 1 4 .h4 bS 1 S .�b3 aS 1 6 .hS �xhS 1 7 . gxhS a4 1 8. tbxf7 Wxf7 1 9 .'ifxe 6 + +- , Fongers-G. David , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 98/ 9 9 ; C ) The developing move 1 O . . . tbbd 7 is probably the final chance : l l . f4 ( 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 1 7) 1 1 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 tbxeS ? ! 1 3 . dxeS tLldS 1 4 . .l:: h fl h6 ? 1 l S . fS �h 7 1 6 .llf3 �e 7 1 7 . tLlxdS cxdS 1 8 . .l:i.b3 'ifd4 1 9 .�a6 1 lld7 2 0 .�xb 7 + 1 - 0 , Trindade-Soppe, Sao Paulo zt 1 993. 1 1 .0-0-0± tb b d 7 1 2 .tbxg 6 hxg 6
1 0.'ti'e2!
In our example, White, in typical fash ion , does not bother about protecting the pawn which is being attacked, but logically sets about extending his lead in development. 1 o ... 'ti'xd4 ?!
Black takes the central pawn, after which White 's initiative rapidly turns into a storm. In any case, it is not clear whether it is possible to give Black good advice, or in fact, any advice at all , in his predica ment : 42
1 3 .�xe 6 !
The demolition sacrifice on e6 finally comes to punish Black for his negli gence. 1 3 ... 0-0-0?!
Chap t e r
If it is accepted, White recovers his ma terial with plenty of interest : 1 3 . . . fxe6 1 4 . � xe 6 + �e7 ( 1 4 . . . Wd8? 1 5 .�g 5 +-) 1 5 . .l:!.he 1 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 . 'li"xe 7 'i¥xg4 1 7 J i g 1 'li"fs 1 8.�e3 .l:rxh2 1 9 . .l:!.g 5 ± . Because of the follow-up 2 0 . tZ:l b5 1 Black cannot avoid material losses if his queen moves away. El Messiry-H. Andersen, corr. 1 9 98. 1 4.�g5 'i¥b4 1 5 .�xf7+-
and White had no problems securing the win. The piece sacrifice on e 6 also plays an important role in the . . . gxf6 structure :
2:
T h e s tand a r d c en t r e
1 1 .0-0-0
The advance 1 1 . d5 does not achieve much , since after 1 1 . . . cxd5 1 2 .�xd5 'li"b6 Black has no problem completing his development: 1 3 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 4. �e4 �xe4 1 S . 'ifxe4 fS 1 6 . 'li"c4+ �cS 1 7 . �a4 .l:rg8 1 8. b4 ? 1 'ifds + , Vouldis Tzermiadianos , Greece 1 9 98. 1 1 ... 'li"c7 ? !
Probably Papaioannou underestimated the sacrifice on e 6 . 1 I . . . tZ:lb6 1 would be safer and better. 1 2 .tZ:lh4 �g6
2. 1 2 Jorge Egger Ioannis Papaioannou Istanbul Olympiad 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'li"xd 5 3 .tZ:lc3 'liaS 4.d4 c6 5.tZ:lf3 tZ:lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.tZ:ld5 'i¥d8 9.tZ:lxf6+ gxf6 !? 1 0.'ife2
The sacrifice on e 6 was also played in the following game : 1 O . c 3 �d6 (I O ... tZ:ld7 1 ?) 1 1 .�e2 tZ:l d 7 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 'i¥ c 7 1 3 . tZ:l h4 � g 6 1 4 . �xe6 fxe 6 I S .�xe 6 + W d8 1 6 . tZ:l x g 6 hxg 6 1 7 . .l:!.he 1 b S 1 8.�h6 Wc8 1 9 .� g 7 J:[xh2 2 0 . �xf6 'II - 112 , Spasov-Ricardi , Bled Olympiad 2 0 0 2 . Here the sacrifice i s really speculative and by far and away not as conclusive as in the main game, where White steams on with his development and omits the move c2-c3 . 1 o ... tZ:l d 7
The ambitious 1 0 . . . �xc2 ! ? will b e considered i n the game Zhang Zhong Nisipeanu (Game 2 . 3 3 ) .
1 3 .�xe 6 ! fxe6 1 4.'i¥xe6+ Wd8
Not 1 4 . . . �e 7 ? on account of 1 5 . l:!.he I 0 - 0 - 0 ( I S . . . 'ifd8? 1 6 . �b4 cS 1 7 . tZ:lxg6 hxg 6 1 8. dxc 5 +- ) 1 6 . �xe 7 'li"xh2 1 7 . .l:rh l +- . 1 5 .tZ:lxg 6 hxg 6 1 6 . .l:r h e 1
For the piece he has sacrificed , White can be content with two pawns and a long-lasting initiative. In the next game extract, the loss of the right to castle will mean that Black has to struggle with problems of coordination. 1 6 ... �d6 1 7.d5 c5
The opening of the centre leads to a strong attack by White : 1 7 . . . cxd S 43
T h e M o d ern S can d i nav i an
1 8 .�xd5 :a.c8 ( 1 8 . . . Wc8 1 9 . l:[e 3 --+ ) 1 9 .�c3 �f4+ 2 0 . Wb 1 � e s 2 l .�f7 .
25 .Uxd8+?
1 8.�h 6 !
With the deadly threat o f 1 9 . �g 7 , but nevertheless it looks like a mistake, since it allows an apparently relieving exchange sacrifice. 1 8 ... �f4+?
1 8 . . . �e5 ( 1 8 . . . :a.xh6 7 ? 1 9 .Wke8#) is probably best, even if White 's compen sation after 1 9 .d6 should be more than sufficient. 1 9.�xf4 Wixf4+ 20.W b 1 ±
It will soon become evident that in this case the exchange of pieces favours only the attacker. The black bishop had an important defensive task to fulfil on d6; it was blockading the mighty pawn on dS . The latter now strides forward and becomes a nail in Black 's coffin. 2o ... wcs
20 . . . �xh2 fails to 2 1 .'i¥e7 + Wc8 2 2 .d6 l:.d8 2 3 .�d3 ! �h8 2 4 . Uc3 b6 2 5 . Uh3 �g8 2 6 .'tWe4 Wb8 2 7 .�c6+- . 21 .d6 :ads 2 2 .'i¥f7 Wig4 2 3 .t3 �a4
2 3 . . . 'it'xg 2 7 2 4 . U e 8 +- . 24 . .l:!.e8 'tWaS
44
Unfortunately, White now misses the finish he deserved for a bravely played game. The strong prophylactic move 2 5 . f4 1 would have given him the option to stop the knight from coming to e S while threatening the deadly 2 6 . llxd8 + 'i¥xd8 2 7 . .l:!.e 1 +- : 2 5 . . . llxe 8 ( 2 5 . . . b 5 2 6 .'i¥d5 �b8 2 7 . l:[de 1 +- ) 2 6 . �xe 8 + � d 8 2 7 . � e 1 b 6 2 8 . 'i¥ e 4 W b 8 2 9 .'i¥c6+- . 25 ... 'it'xd8 26.lle1 tt:le5
Black is back in business again ' 27.�e6+ Wb8
2 7 . . . tt:ld7 7 2 8 . f4+- . 28.f4 tt:lc6 29.'i¥d5 a5 30.'i¥xc5 a4 31 .�d5 .l:!.a5 32 .'i¥e6 wa7 33.a3 g5 34.�e4 f5 35.l:[c4 gxf4 36 . .l:!.xf4 �b8?
36 . . . .l:!.e5 offers good chances of saving the game, like after 3 7 . :a.xa4+ Wb8 3 8 .�g6 .l::!. d 5 1 • 3 7. .l:!.xf5 39.h4
l:[xf5
38.'tWxf5
'tWxd 6
White was able to convert his advantage into a point on move 6 4 : 39 . . .� g 3 40.�e4 �f2 41 .'tWxa4 'tWxg 2 42 .'i¥f4+ Wa7 43 .'i¥c4 �g6 44.'i¥c5+ b6 45.Wid5 'i¥f6
Chapt e r 2 : T h e s t a n d a rd c en t re
46.h5 t2:;d4 47. h 6 'lWf1 + 48.�a2 CLie2 49.'lWd 7+ �a6 50.b4 tt:lc3+ 51 .�b3 t2J b 5
.. /L_je4 5 2 . 'ii' d 3 + ilfxd3 + 5 3 . cxd3 ��J6 5 4 . �c4+- . S l
In principle a tactical error, which should normally lead to the loss of the bishop pair. I I . . . £g6 1 . 1 2 .c3 .�e 7 1 3 .-1Jg3
52.�d3 � h 1 5 3 . h 7 W b 7
53 . �a I 5 4 . Wa4 � e 5 5 5 . h 8 'i¥+- . .
.
54.'lixb5 'lixh7 55.'ii' d 5+ wa 7 56 .a4 'ii' h 3+ 57.�d3 'lWe6+ 58.'lWc4 'lWh3+ 59.wb2 'lWh8+ 60.'lWc3 � h S 61.'li'c7+ WaS
6 1 . . . �a6 6 2 .c3 'lWe 2 + 6 3 . Wa3 +- . bS 62.a5 64.'tWc5+
63 .'lWc8+
�a7 1 -0
2. 1 .4.2 As a pseudo-sacrifice As we will see in the following game, the capture on e 6 can of course also take the for m of an apparent or tempo rar y sacrifice :
2. 1 3 Martin Olivieri Guillermo Soppe B uenos Aires 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd 5 'ii' x d S �as 4.d4 c6 5 .t2Jf3 -1Jf6 si.fS 7.0-0 e6 8/ZleS 9.�e2 �b4 ! ? 1 0.CL.!xd 7 1 1 .t2:Je4 0-0?!
1 3 ... j/�g 6 ?
Here at the latest, Black should have sensed the danger and made the best of things with 1 3 . . . t2J f6 1 4. Cilx f5 'lWxfS I L�.d3 ;\; . 1 4.£xe 6 !
This pse udo-sacrifice is in no way spe cific to the Scandinavian and can turn up in many different openings. White simply wins a pawn. 1 4 ... 'ifc7
3 /Zlc3 6.£c4 t2J b d 7 t2Jxd 7
1 4 . . . fxe6 does not help much either after 1 5 . 'lWxe 6 + l::!. f7 1 6 . 'lWxd 7 ± . 1 5 .�f5 .¥ld 6 1 7.£g 5+-
1 6 .'lWf3
l:tfe8
2 . 1 . 5 g2 -g4 This aggressive advance can often he found in the Scandinavian and is thus of great significance. In general it is played with tempo and starts the hunt for the Scandina vian bishop. On account of its connection to other motifs , we will keep on coming across it throughout this book. The hunt for the bishop can take several forms : A) f4- f5 (German-Garcia, Game 1 . 5 ) B ) h4-h5 (Anand-Lautier, Game 1 . 2 ) C) Cil e 2 / h 3 -f4 (Chandler-Forster, Game 2 . 6 0 ) . 45
T h e M o d e r n S can dinavian
At this point we will present an example to warn you how quickly the game can be over if Back underestimates the looming dangers : 2. 14
1 1 ... £.xc2?
Stefan Winge Ralf Hallerod Stockholm 2 0 0 2 / 0 3
This is not good chess. l l . . . lLJd 7 . 1 2 .l:i:c1 £. h 7 1 3 .d 5 !+-
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tt.Jc3 i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5 .£.c4 £.f5 6 .£.d 2 Wic7?
A serious loss of time. 6 . . . e 6 ?1 would be the logical continuation in view of the policy of delaying development of the king's knight. In any case White can seize the initia tive with 7 . dS or 7 . g4 (see for example Chandler-Forster (Game 2 . 6 0) ) . 6 . . . tLJ f6 leads to the main variation, where White has the option of turning to 7 .Wie2 e6 8 . dS cxd S 9 . tLJxdS .
The black position is opened up like the parting of a zip fastener. Comparison of the piece activity of both sides demon strates that any organised defence is to tally out of the question. 1 3 ... e5
A) 1 3 . . . exdS 1 4 . tLJcxdS Wi e S + I S . 'it>fl £.e4 1 6.�e2 cxdS 1 7 .£.xd 5 + - ; exdS B) 1 3 . . . cxdS 1 4 . lLJcxdS £.e4 1 6 . 'it> f l 1 S . tLJ xdS �eS + 1 7 .£.bs + t2J c 6 1 8 Jhc6+- ; C) 1 3 . . . i¥eS + 1 4 .Wd l 'ifd4 1 S .tLJbS 'i¥b6 1 6 . dxe6+- .
7.g4!
The hunt begins. 7... £.g6 8.tt.Jge2 e6 1 O.t2Jf4 ikh 7 1 1 .'�' f3
9.h4!
h6
White has a powerful mmanve. He would like to castle queenside and then have a quiet think about the conse quences of a piece sacrifice on e 6 or the thrust g4-g S -g 6 with a fatal weakening of the e 6 - square. 46
1 4.0-0!
In this game, White has consistently followed important basic principles of the opening such as rapid development and centralization. The same cannot be said of Black.
Chap t er 2 : T h e s tandard c entre
After this, Black is put out of his misery rather quickly. In any case the loss was in evitable : 1 4 . . . exf4 I S .jLxf4 'iYd7 ( I S ... jLd6 l 6 .dxc6+-) 1 6 .�fe I + Wd8 1 7 .�cd l +- . or 1 4 . . . t2:lf6 I S .g S hxg S 1 6 .hxg5 exf4 1 7 JHe I jLe 7 1 8 .jLxf4+- .
1 5 .dxc6 t2Jxc6 1 6 .jLxf7 + W d 7
1 6 . . . Wxf7 1 7 .t2Jfd5 + +- . 1 Vb b5 e4 1 8.'iYd 1
Black resigned .
2 . 1 . 6 The white tt:Jes This is a natural outpost and one which is easy to reach; this knight is frequently the nucleus of White 's attacking play. It supports the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop with g 2 -g 4 , h2 -h4, it can quickly reach d6 via c4 and thanks to its pressure on c6 it renders difficult the counter-thrust . . . b 7 -bS . From his point of view, Black is well advised to swap off this monster, or at least to be ready to do so. This is generally quite possible since d 7 is the natural developing square for the black queen's knight. However, Black should ensure that the opening of the d-file after the exchange .. /2:Jxe5 , dxe S does not lead to unfavourable consequences for himself.
2. 1 . 6. 1 tLlx£7 The following game shows another fre quent motif: the knight sacrifice on f7 . If this is successful , then it is usually al ready too late for Black. The next games are a befitting example of this.
8 . . . 'iYb6 9 .�.e3 t2Jd5 I O . �.xdS exd S 1 1 . 0 - 0 jLxc 3 1 2 . bxc3 0 - 0 = . .
9.g4! £g6 1 O.h4
2. 1 5 Leonie Helm Georg Porubszki Bad Wiessee 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd 5 3 .t2:Jc3 �a5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.t2Jf3 jLf5 6 .jLc4 e6 7.t2Je5 jLb4 8.�d 2 c6?!
In Modcrncs Ska n dinavisclr 1 Matthias recommends avoiding the position which has now arisen. In any case, his repertoire suggestion is always based on the move order with 4 c 6 . so the position in this game be fore 8 . . . c6 J t is not treated. For that reason we both ought to and can make a new recommendation here : . . .
1 0 ... ..\l.e4?
The bishop will be saved, but this over looks the aforementioned tactical motif. A) I O . . . t2Jbd 7 1 is the best move. Black creates the option of exchanging the powerful knight on eS . The game could continue : l l .t2Jxd 7 Wxd 7 1 2 . h 5 £e4 (McGuire -Daniels , corr. I 993) 1 3 . t2:lxe4 t2:lxe4 1 4 . c 3 tZ_;xd2 I S .'iYxd2 �d6 and White has a slight advantage ; 47
T h e Modern Scand i n a v i a n
B ) I O . Jt.:e47 does nothing for the safety of the Scandinavian bishop : .fl.xc3 , 1 2 . bx c 3 -1:_: x c 3 l l . f3 ! 2 Campora-Cu. Hansen (Game . 1 0 I ) 1 3 .hS±; C) I O . . . �b6 7 l l .�e2 �.xc 2 ( 1 1 . . . �xd4 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 .fl.xc3 1 3 . .fl.xc3 �f4+ 1 4 . �b I .Q.e4 I S . f3 +- ) 1 2 . 0__'ixf7 0 - 0 I 3 . tL g S ± . 1 1.t2J xe4 t.L:xe4 1 2 .c3 £ e 7
1 3 .tbxf7 !+- Ci>xd 2
1 3 . . . l H8 1 4 . Jhe6 .ll x f7 I L li. xf7 + I 6 . 'fW f3 + !2J f6 I 7 . g S � d S 1 8 . l::!. h 3 +- ; Accepting the sacrifice with 1 3 . . . Wxf7 does not automatically lose material , but after 1 4 .�f3 + tLif6 I S . g S White wins the piece back and gets decisive pressure against e6 and the black king, along the lines of I S . . . cL:ld7 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 sit.d 6 ( 1 6 . . . l::. h e 8 I 7 . gxf6 tL:xf6 1 8 . .l:tde l Ji.d6 1 9 .itg S +- ) 1 7 . gxf6 -1Jxf6 I L � .g S .l:tae 8 I 9 . .�xf6 gxf6 2 0 . l::. h g I +- and Black will not survive. W x f7
1 4 . .fl.xe6 �f8 1 5 .�xd 2 ! �xf7 ? !
This leads to a quicker finish than I S . . . �b6 1 6 . � c 2 .ll xf7 1 7 . �xf7 + �xf7 1 8 . .l:tae I +- . 1 6 . .fl.xf7+ Wxf7 1 7.�b3+
Black resigned. 48
The next example shows that even after managing to castle queenside Black is not immune to the attack with ttJxf7 : 2. 1 6 Antonio Marcet Bisbale Rainer Kading Sitges 1 9 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'fWxd5 3 .t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 c6 5 /2Jf3 tLfG 6.£.c4 .fl.f5 7. .fl.d 2 e6 8.�e2 itb4 9.0-0 tL:bd7 1 O.a3 �.xc3 1 L�xc3 �c7 1 2 .tLe5 0-0 1 3 Jlad 1 l:rfd8
Black puts the rook on the semi-open d-flle, but in doing so removes it from the defence of the f7 -square. 1 3 . . .ti:.�dS ! ? activates the knight and blocks the a 2 - g 8 diagonal . Then a cap ture on f7 is no longer an option for the time being : 1 4 . c'Llxd7 �xd 7 I S . .fl.e I aS 1 6 .a4 .l:Hb 8 ' 1 7 . f3 bS 1 8 . axbS cxbS I 9 . .fl. a 2 l:!. c 8 + . Belic-Fischd ick . Dresden I 9 9 S . 1 4.f3
By now alarm bells should be ringing . . . 1 4 ... h 6 ?
. . . but they are not. 1 4 . . . �dS would still be all right, for example I S . f4 t2Jxc3 1 6 . bx c 3 tLlxe S 1 7 . fxe S cS with counterplay.
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard c en t r e
8 . . . tt:Jbd7 is the main line. 9.�d 2 �xc3??
Black gives up his dark-squared bishop with loss of tempo and without it being challenged by a2 -a3 and is instantly punished for it: 1 0.�xc3 �c7 1 1 .�b4 ! 1 5 .g4 ! � h 7 1 6 .tt:J xf7
After 1 6 . . J � e 8 Black could at least have required his opponent to show some technique in converting the winning position. But the shock was a severe one, so Black resigned.
2 . 1 .6. 2 tt:les -c4-d6 One of the greatest advantages of the Scandinavian Defence is its structural solidity. In the basic structure of the Scandinavian , Black has no weak pawns and almost no weak squares. One exception is the d 6-square and linked to it is the dark-squared complex c S , d6 , c 7 , e 7 , eS . So it is no surprise that the knight manoeuvre tLleS -c4-d6 is often very dangerous , bringing up as it does the painful subj ect of the only structural weakness in Black's camp. Generally speaking, Black should man age to protect this colour complex suf ficiently. However, in the following game he voluntarily gives up the dark squares , which is not a good idea : 2. 1 7 Jose Planells Roig Antonio Moya Pol Mallorca 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 'ii' x d5 3 .tt:Jc3 'ii' a 5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .xf2 l:.d4-+ (Emms) . 1 4 ... 'tWxd 2 1 5.tt:le3 �g6+
2. 1 9 Tatev Abrahamyan Matthew Ho Los An g eles 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .tt:lc3 'iYa5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5.tt:lf3 �f5 6 .�c4 e6 7.tt:le5 tt:lbd7 8.'ife2 ?
8. tt:lxd 7 would be better. 8 ...tt:lxe5!
Now it is actually very hard for White to avoid losing material ! 9.dxe5
9 . 'iYxe5 �b4 I O .�d2 �xc 2 + . 9 ...tt:le4
Pawn eS may soon fall off its perch . . . 1 0.0-0 'iYxe5
It is time to draw up a balance sheet: af ter the sequence 9 . . . tt:lxe5 I O . dxeS ? tt:lg4! Black has emerged from the com plications with an extra pawn and the bishop pair to boot. His position is therefore clearly better, possibly even winning. 1 6 .h4
The desperate 1 6 .�xe6 does not work: 1 6 . . . fxe 6 1 7 . 'tlfxe 6 + \t>f8 1 8 . .l:!.ad l ( 1 8 . 'iYc4 �b4) 1 8 . . . 'iYxb2 1 9 .tt:lc4 ( I 9 . .l:!.d7 .l:!.e8 2 0 .'it'g4 'tWxe S -+) 1 9 ... 'iVxf2 + 2 0 . \t>h l �fS -+ . 52
1 1 . .l:!.e1 ?
With I I . g 3 White can somehow avoid the loss of a pawn . However, after
C hapt e r 2 : T h e s tan d a r d c e n t r e
. . �d6 t 2 .�f4 'i¥d4 t 3 .t2Jbs 'i¥b6 l 4.�e3 �cS I S .�d3 �xe 3 l 6 .'i¥xe 3 �xe 3 l 7 . fxe3 'lt>e 7 + Black has a solid endgame advantage. t t
.
1 1 ... �d6+ 1 2 . 'i¥ h 5 ? ! 1 3 Jhe5 t2lxh5-+
t2lf6
and Black went on to win .
2 . 1 . 7 White advances on a broad front The plan with a massive kingside pawn advance is often intuitively and impulsively chosen by aggressive players. From Black 's point of view : keep your nerve and trust in the solid Scandinavian structure. Frequently White 's attack is beaten off; he is left with a ruined position and is a helpless spectator as the black forces counterattack mercilessly. However, as the next game shows, the uncompromising white plan is obj ectively often extremely dangerous , and you really must know what you are doing in these sharp lines :
2.20 Nath Saheli Betul Cemre Yildiz Heraklio jr 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt'lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .t2lf3 �f5 6.�c4 e6 7.t2le5
The kingside pawn advance is often hacked up by a centralized knight on e S . 7.. t2lf6 8.g4 �e4 ?! .
8 �g 6 is the correct move here, with the main line 9 .h4 tt'lbd7 l o . t2lxd 7 (the mistake l O .'iVeP tLlxe S l l . dxe S tLle4+ is another example of the topic ' disad vantages of the knight on eS ' ) l O . ..t2Jxd7 I l . hS �e4 l 2 . .l:!.h3 etc. . . .
9.0-0 ! �d5
This was the intention behind Black 's last move ; apparently the bishop is per fectly placed on d 5 . If White swaps it off, Black recaptures with the c-pawn and strengthens her influence on the centre.
1 0.�d 3 !
This move immediately makes it clear that the future for the Scandinavian bishop is not rosy. Black must always look out for the idea of t2le2 and c2 -c4. 1 0 ... �d6 1 1 .f4 g 6 ? !
Apparently Black w a s only expecting the advance f4-f5 and underestimated the game continuation . Nevertheless , the alternatives do not look all that opti mistic eithe r : I I . . . c S l 2 . g 5 cxd4 1 3 . tLl b 5 �cS 1 4 . f5 1 ! t2lc6 l S .�f4 tLlxeS l 6 . �x e 5 0 - 0 - 0 ! 1 7 . fxe 6 ! ± , Aseev-D. Konig, Munich 1 9 9 1 / 9 2 . 53
The Modern Scandinavian
1 1 . . . 'iYb6 is considered in Schipper Turcan (Game 1 . 8 ) . 1 2.g5
The knight is driven away from f6 , so that after tt:le2 and c2 -c4 Black no lon ger has the counter . . . �e4. 1 2 ... tt:lh5 1 3 .tt:le2 c5 1 4.c4 �c6 ?
Another inaccuracy. 1 4 . . . �xeS 1 5 . fxeS �c6 ± ! ± was preferable.
Black is already almost finished. She is behind in development and her pieces lack coordination , as neither knight has good short-term prospects. But rapid measures are already needed to face up to White 's initiative. White is threatening to strengthen her position decisively with 1 8 . tt:le4. After the move played in the game 1 7... 'iYc7
the logical 1 8.tt:le4
would be correct, after which Black could hardly hang on, for example
•
1 8 ... �xe5
8
1 8 . . . 0 - 0 ? loses material : 1 9 . tt:lc4+- .
1 5 . d 5 ! ± exd5 1 6 .cxd 5 �d 7
1 6 . . . �xd S ?
fails
to
1 7 . � c4 ! +- .
1 9.fxe5 'tlfxe5 20.'iYe2 21 .tt:lxc5 'iYxd5 2 2 .�e3+-
Wd8
and White has a winning position.
2 . 2 Weak pawns and squares in White's camp
The further White advances his pawns , the more potential weaknesses there are in his position. Frequently Black's counterattacking strategy ends with a targeted inva sion of the white camp. Typical plans are the light-squared strategy and pressure exerted on d4.
2 . 2 . 1 Black pressure against d4 The semi-open d-file and the threatened levers . . . c6-c5 and . . . e6-e5 give Black chances to take aim at the d4 pawn. At the same time the early positioning of the white queen's knight on c3 prevents the natural protection of the pawn on d4 by c2-c3 .
2 . 2 . 1 . 1 Doubling major pieces on the d-file In the next game Black's middlegame strategy is determined by his pressure on d4. He uses the obvious method of doubling maj or pieces on the d-file. 54
This gives extra force to the levers . . . c6-c5 and . . . e6-e5 , since the opening of the d-file can immediately be linked to an invasion of the white camp by Black's maj or pieces.
Chapte r
2.2 1 Jan Thnman Alexander Beliavsky Ubeda 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'iWxd5 3 .tt:Jc3 fla5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.tt:Jf3 c6 6 .�d2 �f5 7.tt:Jh4 ? !
This knight sortie is not convincing. The black bishop simply moves away, after which the knight has no real busi ness on the edge of the board. 7... �g4 'li'a6 !
8.�e2
�xe2
9.'i¥xe2
2:
The standa rd cent r e
able to Black. It also created a temporary misplacement of the white king 's knight. In what follows, Black logically sets about taking over the initiative. 1 3 .�b 1 1 5.a3
tt:Jb6
1 4.�g5
�b4 !
Not good is 1 5 .�xf6 gxf6 1 6 . 'it'xf6 ? �xc3 1 7 . bxc3 lLlc4 1 8 .'it'e 7 l:J.d6 and Black is winning. . 1 5 ...�xc3 1 6 .'iVxc3 l:f.d5
Black activates the rook with tempo and prepares to double major pieces on the d-file to strengthen the pressure against d4. A possible attempt on the light squares could be made by 1 6 . . . lLlbd5 1 7 .'it'b3 h6 1 8 .�c l b 5 1 9 . lLl f3 lLld7 oo . 1 7.�c1
1 7 . �xf6 gxf6 1 8 . f4 lLla4 1 9 .'ti'e3 l:J.b5 2 0 .b 3 lLlb6 t (Beliavsky in CBM 5 8 ) 1 7... l:J. h d 8 1 8.tt:Jf3 tt:Jc4 !
A good move. Black removes the possi bility of the discovered attack lLlc3 -e4 and strengthens his control over the light squares. 1 0.'iVf3
The ending after I O . 'iVxa6 tZ:lxa6 = of fers White no chances for an advan tage.
Black continues t o strengthen his posi tion.
• .1.
1 0 ... e6 1 1 .0·0-0 tt:Jbd 7 1 2 . l:J. h e 1
1 2 . g4 "ii' c 4 1 3 . g 5 lLld5 with a slight ad vantage for Black. 1 2 ... 0-0-0
Black has a very pleasant game. White 's seventh move simply led to an ex change of bishops structurally favour-
Beliavsky concentrates all his forces against the d4 pawn ; it can be attacked once more by . . . lLlf5 . 55
The M o d ern S cand i nav i an
White on the other hand is very passive, yet obj ectively speaking the position is still roughly balanced. The over-hasty 1 9 . . . e S ? runs into 2 0 . b 3 ! t>h3 only offers Black a small advantage, which cannot be converted to a win . 32 .�e4 �b6 34.Wg 2 'lt>g8
3 3 . '>t> h 3
.a:Sd6
A prophylactic measure, j ustified by the variation 34 .. Jhd4 3 S . 'flli' e 5 + Wh7 3 6 . �xd6 1 • 35.W h 3 �a 7 !
We hand over t o the player with the black pieces : ' Since my opponent was in time trouble and seemed likely to move his king again, I set him a little trap : ' 36.\t>g2? ld:xd4
' What l ay behind it was the position of our kings. Mine should not be on g 7 and his had t o b e o n the second rank .' 3 7.ttxd4 l:!.xd4 38.�xc6 .l:l: d 2 + 39.\t>h3 'flli'f 2 40.�a8+ T 0-1
' His flag fell in a losing position. After 40 . . . W g 7 4 1 .�h l Black easily wins with 4 1 . . . eS followed by . . . e4 and . . . e3 .'
2 . 2 . 2 The blocking of the c-pawn by tt:Jc3 When White i s i n search o f active play i t i s important that the white c-pawn i s fre quently blocked by its own pieces (generally by the knight on c 3 ) . As we have already seen in the question of ' Pressure against d4 ' , this circum stance prevents first and foremost the natural protection of the d4 pawn by the move c2-c3 .
2 . 2 . 2 . 1 The central square dS A frequent consequence of the blocking of the white c-pawn is that Black can park or even establish a piece on the lovely central square dS , since it ca1mot be driven off at once by c2 -c4. In the next example, the white c-pawn is no longer directly blocked when a black knight ap pears on dS . But for specific reasons it cannot chase away the knight by c2 -c4 : 2.28 Patrik Lyrberg Henrik Danielsen Copenhag en 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .t2J c3 �as 4.t2Jf3 t2Jf6 5 .�c4 c6 6.d4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.a3 t2J b d 7 1 0.0-0 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 W/c7 1 2 JUc1
66
Something along the lines o f a ' mysteri ous rook move ' , which later turns out to be a pure waste of time. White prob ably wants to prepare the advance c2 -c4 after the two bishops have moved away. 1 2 ... 0-0 1 3 .t2Je5?!
Not logical ; 1 3 .�a2 in the spirit of the aforementioned is preferable , even if not particularly troubling for Black.
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard centre
1 3 ... b5 1 4.fl tLlxe l 3 0 . �xd4 tLlc2 3 l .�e5 :c1c8 -+ . 28.cxb4 27... .!:!.xd8 29.'it>g 1 �xa 2 3 0.�e5
�b2+
Or 3 0 . bxa5 'iiV x b3 3 l .�e5 a 2 -+ . 3 0... axb4 31 .'i¥xb4 �e2 3 2 . � e 1 .!:!. d 1 1 33 . .!:!.xd 1 �xd 1 + 34. W h 2 a 2 35 .�b8+ W h 7 36.�f8 f6 3 7.�xf6 �d 7 3 8.�e5 a1 � I
White resigned. 67
The Modern Scandinavian
This once more emphasizes the impor tance of White 's error on move 1 9 . The annoying a-pawn finishes things off. White admits defeat on account of 3 9 .�xa 1 �c 7 + 4 0 . Wh l 'tWc l + -+ .
2.2.2.2 The exchange on dS 2.29 Tom Wedberg John Emms Harplin g e 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2lc3
�as 4.d4 .!Llf6 5.�c4 c6 6.'iVe2 �f5 7. .!2lf3 e6 8.�d 2 �b4
Now the main moves are 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 , 9 . t2le5 and 9 .a 3 .
]. Polgar-Magem Badals (Game 2 . 9 0 ) ) . 1 3 .�xd5 t2lc6 1 4 .�xc 6 + bxc6 1 S . g4 �g 6 1 6 .f4 0 - 0 1 7 .h4 h 6 1 8 .h5 �h 7 1 9 . g s �fs 2 0 J:thg 1 ! +- ; C ) 9 . .!2l e S tLl d S ? I O . �xdS ! cxdS l l . 'ifb S + �xbS 1 2 . t2lxb5 �xd 2 + 1 3 . Wxd2 ± , T. Kosintseva-Pratibha , Goa Wch-jr 2 0 0 2 . 9 ... .!2l d5!= 1 0.�xd5? 1
In this line, compared to the alternatives suggested on move 9 , White has more or less lost a tempo. The modest I O . .!LlxdS �xd2 + I I .'iVxd2 �xd 2 + 1 2 . Wxd2 cxdS = was to be preferred. 1 0 ... cxd5 1 1 .'�' b5+ .!Ll d 7 !
This is the point. This retort was not possible in the variations 9 .a3 .!LldS 1 O .�xdS ! and 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 .!Llds 1 O . �xdS ! . But l l . . . �xb S ? 1 2 . .!2l x b 5 t2l a 6 1 3 .�xb4 .!Llxb4 1 4 . .!2ld6+ would have handed White an advantage.
9.�b3?!
This is too slow and allows Black to equalize immediately. Black 's game continuation would not have been right against the more active main line : A) 9 . a 3 tLl d S ? I O . �xd S ! cxdS l l .'ifbS + 'ifxb S 1 2 .tLlxbS �xd 2 + 1 3 . Wx d 2 .!Ll a 6 1 4 . .!2l d 6 + r:J:J e 7 I S . tLlxfS + ± . Velikov-Spiridonov, Sofia ch-BUL 1 9 8 0 / 8 1 ; B) 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLldS ? ! and Matthias gives as the main line : I O .tLlxdS ! �xd 2 + 1 1 . t2l xd2 c x d S 1 2 . .!2l b 3 �xa2 ? ! ( 1 2 . . . 'ti'd8 1 3 .�b5 + Wf8 is better, see 68
1 2.�xb7 ?
White is not satisfied with a worse po sition coming out of the opening and runs straight to perdition. The endgame after 1 2 . .!2leS ! �xbS 1 3 . .!2lxb5 �xd 2 + 1 4 . r:J:Jxd2 We? gives some advantage to Black, but should be tenable.
Chap t e r 2 : The s tanda r d c en t r e
On the other hand, 1 2 . ttJxdS ? t .£xd 2 + 1 3 . t2Jxd2 'ii' x b S 1 4 . tb c 7 + � e 7 I S . tZ:lxbS .£xc 2 + is dubious. 1 2 ... .U b8 1 3 .'M¥c6 � e 7 !
Wedberg had possibly overlooked this move. 1 4.0-0 l:l hc8 1 5 .'M¥a4
Nor is I S . tbxdS + any different, since Black is clearly better after I S . . . exdS 1 6 .£xb4+ �xb4 1 7 .�xdS l:ibS + . 1 5 ... �xa4 1 6 .t2Jxa4 1 7.t2Jxd 2 l:lxc2 -+
.£xd 2
2 3 ... U b 2
John Emms uses h i s active rooks i n model fashion. However, the direct 23 . . . l:l 8 c 3 also wins, with a little trick at the end of a line which can easily be missed : 24.b4 l:lxf3 2 5 .a5 bxaS 2 6 . bxa5 l:lfxf2 2 7 . a 6 . Many players would stop calculating here, j udging that ' Black has no more than perpetual check' , but : 2 7 . . . l:!. g 2 + 2 8 .�fl l:lxh2 2 9 .Wg l l:lcg 2 + 3 0 . �fl l:ld2 3 1 . l:lxd2 .!::!: h i + ! 3 2 .Wg2 l:lxa l -+ . 24 . .l:la b 1
After the passive 2 4 . l:i:d3 l:lcc2 2 5 .l:lfl Black would have a free hand with his king , for example to penetrate the queenside. 24 ... .ll x b1 25.l:!.xb1 .!:!.c3 26 .'>t>f1 l:ld3 27.�e2 .!:!.xd4-+
Despite material equality, this ending can be evaluated as already won for Black. His pieces are clearly more active and White is stuck with his pawn weak nesses. 1 8.ttJf3
1 8 .t2Jb3 l:lb4 1 9 . tbc3 l:lxb 2 -+ . 1 8 .. JJ: bc8 1 9.l:!.fd 1 t2J b 6
1 9 . . . � g4 1 ? is also well worth consider ing. 20.t2Jxb6 axb6 21 .b3 .£g4 22 .a4 �xf3 23.gxf3
Now you don 't have to be Karsten Mtiller to recognise that this double rook ending is a win for Black.
Emms converts the rook ending in ma j estic fashion : 28.�e3 e5 2 9 . b4 g5 3 0.a5 bxa5 31 .bxa5 J:[a4 3 2 . l:l b 7 + 'it>e6 3 3 .l:::!. b6+ 'it>f5 34.a6 .ll a 3+ 35.'>t>e2 h 5 3 6 . h 3 e4 3 7.fxe4+ dxe4 3 8 . .!:!.c6 h4 39 . .!:!.b6 f6 40.�f1 �e5 41 .'>t>g 2 f5 4 2 J:[ g 6 �f4 43 . .l:!. h 6 l:la2 44.l:le6 l:!.a4 45JH6 l:la 1 46 . .l:.g6 l:::!. a 2 47.l:::!. e 6
69
The M o d ern S cand i na v i an
g4 48.hxg4 wxg4 49.l:tg6+ wf4 50 . .ti h 6 wg5 5 1 .::C:e6 h3+ s 2 . w g 3 h 2 s 3 .f4+ ? ! w h s o-1
2 . 2 . 2 . 3 The pawn on c2 During the standard development 'i:Ye2 , £d2 and 0 - 0 - 0 White frequently leaves the c2 pawn hanging (mostly for one move) . So the question is: is it bluff or is the pawn poisoned? 2.30 Awam Wahono Elm Supriyono Jakarta 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i:Yxd5 3J2:Jc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6.£c4 £f5 7.£d 2 e6 8.'tWe2 £b4
Taking the pawn immediately is wrong : 8 . . . £xc 2 ? 9 . d 5 £ b 4 ( 9 . . . cxd 5 7 I O .£b5 + tt:l c 6 I l . tt:l x d S 'i:Y d 8 1 2 . tt:l xf6 + 'i:Yxf6 1 3 . £xc 6 + bxc 6 1 4 .'i:Yc4+- ) I O . dxe6 0 - 0 l l . exf7 + 'it>h8 1 2 . a 3 and White has a winning position. 9.a3 tt:l b d 7
9 . . . £xc 2 ? ? loses i n the same way a s the game continuation one move later. 1 O.h3 £xc2??
This actually loses o n the spot , but in credibly, White does not see it. 1 1 .0-0??
White also retains the initiative with this move, but in principle the struggle starts all over again . Not so bad for us, since we get to see a few more motifs. White wins at once after I l . .tic I £xc 3 I L � .xc3 'tWfs 1 3 .'i:Yxc 2 +- . 1 1 ... £xc3 1 2 .£xc3 'i:Yf5
If 1 2 . . . 'ti'a4 1 3 . tt:ld2 tt:lds 1 4 .'i:Yf3 b s 1 5 .£xd5 cxd S 1 6 . ��b4 , then the per manent weakness of the black king po sition promises White has a lasting ini tiative. 1 3.d5!
The only way ! White opens the position in order to be able to get at Black's king. 1 3 ... cxd 5 1 4.£b5 'i:Ye4?!
After this the Scandinavian bishop again becomes a target. The critical test consists of 1 4 . . . £e4 1 I S . tt:ld4 ( I S . tt:le 5 1 7) I S . . 'iH4 1 6 . f3 £g6 I 7 . tbxe6 fxe 6 1 8 .'tWxe 6 + 'it>d8 1 9 .£xd 7 t2:lxd 7 2 0 .'i:Yxd5 with a strong attack for White (Wells in ChcssBasc Magazine 8 3 ) . .
1 5 .'tWd2 0-0
I S . . . £b3 1 6 . llfe l 'i:Yg6 1 7 . tt:l e s "'iVhs 1 8 . t2:l x d 7 tt:l x d 7 1 9 . £xg 7 l:t g 8 2 0 . 'i:Yb4 ! l:txg 7 2 1 . £xd 7 + Wxd 7 2 2 .'i:Yxb 7 + 'lt>d6 2 3 ."'i¥xa 8 +- . 1 6 .tt:ld4+- £a4 1 7.£xa4 e5 1 8.£c2 exd4 1 9.£xe4 dxc3 20.£xh7+ 'lt>xh7 21 ."'i¥xc3
and White won on move 3 9 . 70
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard c entre
Now another example of an over-ambi tious capture on c2 : 2.3 1 Harmen Jonkman Dennis de Vreugt Tel Aviv 2 0 0 0
1 2 .d5 cxd S 1 3 .�xd5
Black is confronted with serious diffi culties. Specifically, b 7 is hanging while at the same time the bishop on c2 con stitutes a tactical weakness (as in the previous example) .
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd 5 �xdS 3 .ttJ C3 �as 4.d4 t:Z:lf6 5 .�c4 �fS 6.t:Z:lf3 c6 7.�d 2 e6 8.t:Z:l d 5 ! ? '1Wd8 9.t:Z:lxf6+ �xf6 ? ! 1 0.'1We2
1 3 ... t:Z:lc6 ?
1 0 ... �xc2? !
This pawn grab is playing with fire, since White is ready to open the positi on with d4-d5 . Two more prudent ways to meet this dangerous variation , namely 1 O . . . t:Z:l d 7 1 ? and 1 O . . . �g4, will be looked at in more detail in the game Marciano-Prie (Game 2 . 8 ) . 1 1 .0-0!?
Finishes his development. Also worth looking at is 1 1 . d5 �xb2 1 2 . 0 - 0 � (Donev in ChessBase Magazine 5 9) and 1 l .�c3 1 ? (Finkel in Chess Base Magazine 5 9) . 1 1 ...�d 6 ? !
To justify the greed on move 1 0 , an im provement would have to be found here, because after
In the long run this secures a place in the centre of the action for the black king , though the alternatives do not promise an easy game either: After 1 3 . . . t:Z:l d 7 1 4 . �xb 7 l:!. b 8 D 1 5 .�c6 castling i s first and foremost a mere dream : I 5 . . . '1Wxb2 1 6 . '1Wc4± . The lesser evil might b e 1 3 . . . '1We 7 ' ? . The b 7 -square is protected, and the pin on the e-file lifted. If 1 4.�g5 '1Wd7 1 5 . �x e 6 ( 1 5 . �x c 2 ! ? ) 1 5 . . . 'ii' x e 6 1 6 .�xc2 Black may castle and White can hold on to the initiative despite equal material : 1 6 . . . 0 - 0 l 7 .l:!.fe l t . 1 4.�xc6+ bxc6 1 5 .�c4 �xb2 1 6 J�ac1
The immediate l 6 . �xc 6 + ! is even stronger. After 1 6 . . . '\t> e ? 1 7 . �g 5 + f6 l 8 .�c I ! White gets a decisive material advantag e : l 8 . . . �xa 1 ( 1 8 . . . �b4 l 9 . 'i¥xc2 +- ; l 8 . . . �a4 1 9 .'1Wxa 8 + - ) l 9 .'1Wb 7 + +- .
7l
The M o d ern S candinavian
1 6 ... �g6 1 8.l::!. f d 1 1
1 7.'l!Hxc6+
we7
A quiet but strong move, which threat ens 1 9 .'l!Hxd 6 + Wxd6 2 0 .�g5 with checkmate. 1 8 ... U h d 8
1 8 .. . lhd8 comes up against 1 9 .�a5 l::!. d 7 2 0 .�c7 ! ± . 1 9.�a5 f6 ? 1
This gives White more targets to attack, but 1 9 . . Jhc8 2 0 . �xd 8 + l:!.xd8 2 I . tt:ld4± would also be depressing in the long run. 20.tt:ld41 .l:(dc8?1
It's better to get unpleasant things over and done with. . . . it would not have lasted long anyway : 2 0 . . . �e8 2 l . �xd 8 + 1:1xd8 2 2 .'l!Hc4+- ; 2 0 . . . e 5 2 l .�c7 �xc 7 2 2 .'M¥xc 7 + We8 2 3 . 'l!H c 6 + We7 2 4 . 'l!Hc S + W f7 ( 2 4 . . . We8 2 S .tt:le6+-) 2 S . 'i¥c4++- .
'Never take the c 2 pawn, because a priori it is poisoned ! · If White takes things somewhat more slowly and Black is quite well devel oped, then the former should take great care of his c-pawn , as we will see in the next game : 2.32 Cao Sang Csaba Horvath Budapest 1 9 9 6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7. 0-0 e6 8.�f4 tt:l b d 7 9.'i¥e2 �e7 1 0. h 3 0-0 1 1 JHe 1 �b4 1 2 .�d 2 ?
White has obviously not developed rap idly enough to j ustify the sacrifice of the c2 pawn. Moves like h2-h3 and �c l -f4-d2 are testimony to this. The appropriate move was 1 2 .�b3 with rough equality, since 1 2 . . . �xc3 7! 1 3 .bxc3 'i¥xc3 ? fails to 1 4 .�d2 'l!Hb2 1 S . �b4± . 1 2 ... �xc2
21 .'l!Hxd 6 + !
D e Vreug t resigned , s i n c e after 2 l . . . Wxd6 2 2 . tt:l c 6 + checkmate is inev itable. Both previous examples should serve as a warning, but not quite : 72
Black attacks at once. In both previous games White 's lead in development meant he could exploit the drawbacks of this move (opening of the c-file, loss of tempo) .
Chap t e r 2 : The s tanda r d c en t r e
But here there is no lead in develop ment and we can see how positionally important the c-pawn is. Without it, d4 becomes a sickly isolani and White 's position develops serious holes on the light squares.
The situation after the pawn grab . . . �xc2 is not always so clear-cut as in the previous examples. The following variation is to this day theoretically hotly contested : 2.33
1 3 .a3 �xc3 1 4.�xc3
In the short term White gets some play for the pawn, but not enough : 1 4 .. .'iVf5
The queen could also go to the queenside : 1 4 . . . 'iVa4 ! ? 1 5 .�b4 .l:!.fd8 1 6 .l:h c 1 �b3 and Black has a clear edge.
Zhang Zhong Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu Cap d' A g de 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 'li'xdS 3 .tZ:lc3 'ifaS 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5.tZ:lf3 c6 6 .�c4 �fS 7.�d 2 e6 8.tZ:ld5 'ifd8 9.tZ:lxf6+ gxf6 1 0.'/We2
Did Zhang Zhong know who had played like this only two years previ ously? If so, why play the pawn sacrifice rather than choosing something more prophylactic ( I O . c3 or I O . �b 3 ) ?
1 5 .tZ:le5
1 0 ... �xc2 !?
1 5 ... tZ:lxe5 ?!
Black relieves his opponent of the weakness on d4 and in the game he later even had to defend against a white initiative. 1 5 . . . tZ:lb6 ' 7 1 6 . �b4 .l:.fe 8 1 7 . g4 'ife4 looks like leaving him a clear pawn ahead. 1 6 .dxe5 tZ:l d S 1 7. .l:!.ac1 1 8.b3 tZ:lf4 1 9.iYf3
�a4
White has good counterplay and the game later ended in a draw. With 1 8 . . . � b 5 1 1 9 . �x b 5 cxb S 2 0 .'li'xb5 tZ:lf4+ Black could have held on to more pleasant play because of his more active minor piece.
Nisipeanu had already had the same po sition once with white (see also the comment after move I I ) . That the new convert on the other side of the board should accept the sacrifice, shows that he cannot have specially liked the position he had against Stefanova. 1 0 . . . tZ:ld7 is the most frequently played main line, but the text move is the one stronger players like to choose. 73
The Modern S candinavian
1 1 .�c1
A new move. Of course Nisipeanu 's continuation 1 1 . 0 - 0 !li.e7 1 2 . !ii. h 6 !li.g6 1 3 .�ad l tt::l d 7 1 4 .dS ! ? either works here or never will 1 If Black can complete his develop ment, White has achieved nothing with the pawn sacrifice apart from a serious weakening of his pawn structure. 1 4 . . . cxdS I S .!li.xdS and now :
White 's compensation , if any, is hardly sufficient. Black 's king is protected by a compact pawn shield. Possibly Black was content with a draw against a higher rated opponent ; or the process of finding the decisive move could have cost too much time . . . 1 1 ...!ii. g 6 1 2.0-0 !li.e7 1 3 J:rte 1 0-0
Apart from the b8 knight Black is rela tively well developed and obj ectively speaking he should have no problem. In fact it is White who has to stretch him self a bit to prove he has compensation for the invested material. 1 4.tt::l h4
Ana lysis d i agram
A) I S . . . exdS ! ? looks risky, but is not easy to refute : 1 6 . .l:!.xdS 'iWb6 I 7 . .l:!.fd I ( 1 7 Jie I 'iWe6 and White 's compensa tion should not be enough : 1 8 . 'ti'bS ( 1 8 . 'iW d 2 !li.e4) 1 8 . . . a 6 ) 1 7 . . J l d 8 1 8 . �d6 'if c 7 1 9 . !ii. f4 ! (this i s Bauer's improvement over 1 9 .!li.g 7 ? ! ) 1 9 . . .'ti'c2 2 0 . � 6d2 'ife4 2 l .�e I and White has enough compensation for the piece but not more. If this is the most that White can achieve after I S . . . exdS . Black need not avoid this line in the future. For the queen , Black can get a rook and two bishops and thus have an advantage in material . It is hard to believe that White can do much damage with his two pieces, e.g. 2 3 .'iVeS ! ? !li.e4 ! + ; B) I S . . . 'if b 6 1 6 . !Ji.e4 ( 1 6 . !Ji.b3 ! ?) 1 6 . . . tt::l c S 1 7 .!li.xg6 hxg6 1 8 .!li.e3 aS 1 9 .'iY c 2 .l:!.c8 2 0 .tt::l d 2 ending in a draw in Nisipeanu-Stefanova, Krynica zt 1 9 9 8 . 74
1 4 ... �e8
Black gets ready for the expected attack on e 6 , though White can equalize after it anyway. 1 4 . . . 'iYxd4? is too much of a good thing : I S . tt::l x g6 hxg6 1 6 .!ii. h 6 l:te8 1 7 .!li.xe 6 ! fxe6 1 8 .'�'xe6+ 'lt> h 7 1 9 .'�f7 + 'lt>xh6 2 0 .'�'xe8 and Black fails due to underde velopment, along the lines of 20 . . . !li.cS 2 1 . 'iVh 8 + W g S 2 2 . � xc S + ! 'ifxcS 2 3 .h4++- and the black king will not escape the onslaught. Well worth considering is 1 4 . . . tt::l d 7 ! ? ( 1 4 . . . 'ti'd6 ! ?) , since after I S . tt::l x g6 hxg 6 1 6 .!ii. h 6 ( 1 6 . d S ! ?) 1 6 .. J1e8 the attack I 7 . !li.xe 6 ? does not work :
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard c en t r e
1 7 . . . fxe6 1 8 . 'i¥xe 6 + � h 7 1 9 .�h3 t/Jb6 2 0 .�f4+ � g 8 2 l .�h6 �f8 22 .�xg 6 + �g 7 2 3 .�h6 l:( e 7 24. l:(e4 �e8 2 5 .�g3 'i¥d 7 + . 1 5 .tt:l xg 6 hxg6
White needs more firepower and brings the rook into the attack. 1 8 ... 'iWd 7
Also possible would be 1 8 . . . 'i¥d5 1 9 .'iWh3 'iVhS 2 0 .'iWe6 should be met by 2 0 . . . 'i¥ d 5 ! with repetition as 20 . . . �f5 7 runs into Bauer's powerful shot 2 1 .�h6 + ! ! '.t>xh6 2 2 .'iWf7 �b4 2 3 . 'i¥xe8 � g 7 2 4 . l:rc5 and White 's at tack crashes through. 1 9.'iWe2 !
Quick and energetic action is needed ! If Black can consolidate further, the game will not be much fun for White. If our analysis is correct, obj ectively the sacrifice leads to a draw. 1 6 ...fxe6
In the case of 1 6 . . .�f8 the attack on g6 is White's justification: 1 7 .'i¥d3 and now: A) not 1 7 . . . l:!.xe 6 ? 1 8 . l:!.xe6 fxe 6 1 9 . 'MVxg 6 + � g 7 2 0 . � h 6 'iW e 7 2 1 .�xg 7 'i¥xg 7 2 2 . 'i¥e 8 + 'iW f8 ( 2 2 . . . �h7 2 3 .llc3 +-) 2 3 .'iWxe 6 + 'iWf7 24.�c 8 + +- and White wins ; B) but 1 7 . . . fxe 6 ! 8 . 'i¥xg 6 + �g 7 1 9 .�h6 l:( e 7 2 0 . l:!.xe6 . Up until here, everything after 1 6 . . . �f8 was forced. The position is in dynamic equilibrium. Our pretty main line goes : 2 0 . . . tt:ld7 2 l . � ce l ! tt:l f8 22 . .l:!.xe 7 tt:lxg6 2 3 .l:!.xg 7 + �h8 24.l:hg6 �h7 2 S . .l:i.g4 'i'aS 2 6 .l:(e7 + �xh6 27 .lle3 with a cu rious repetition of moves : 2 7 . . . 'ot>hS 28 . .l:I g 7 �h6 2 9 . � g4= . 1 7.�xe6+ � g 7 1 8.l:(c3
The tempting 1 9 .�h6 + 7 Wxh6 2 0 .'iWf7 is wrong. After 2 0 . . .l:H8 2 ! . 'i¥xe 7 �xe 7 2 2 . l:(h 3 + � g 7 2 3 . llxe 7 + .l:!. f7 2 4 . l:!.h 7 + Wxh 7 2 5 ..l:hf7 + W g 8 Black has kept his extra piece into the end game, even if it is not clear whether he will be able to prove its value against an active white rook and two pawns. 1 9 ... tt:Ja6 20.�e3 Wf7
2 0 . . . �f8 2 ! . .l:!. h 3 W g 7 2 2 . �h 7 -+ ) 2 2 . .l:!.e3 = .
( 2 1 . . . tt:l c 7 ?
2 1 .'iWc4+ 'iWd5
Here Zhang Zhong goes wrong ' After 2 2 .'iWe2 1 we could not find a promising way for Black to avoid the draw : A) 2 2 . . . 'i¥d6 2 3 . l:( e 6 'iWd7 24.'iWc4 'iYdS 2 5 .'i¥e2 'iWd8 2 6 .'Mic4 = ; 75
The M o d e rn S cand i nav i an
B ) 2 2 . . . � d 8 2 3 . h4 ! ? CiJ c 7 (not 23 . . . jLf8 ) 2 4 .l:!.xe 8 �xe 8 2 5 .�c4+ ! +- ) 2 4 . h 5 CiJdS 2 5 . hxg 6 + W g 7 2 6 . �e4 with good attacking chances , e . g. 2 6 . . . �d 7 ? 2 7 . jLh 6 + Wxh6 2 8 . �h4+ W g 7 2 9 J:th 7 + Wg8 3 0 .�h5 +- ; C) 2 2 . . . �d7 2 3 .'li'c4+ W g 7 24.�e2 Wf8 (see 20 . . . Wf8 ) . 2 2 .. ,jLb4 ? !
A better move is 2 2 . . . CiJc 7 -+ . 2 3 J :t h 3 ? !
2 3 .l: h e 8 �xe8 2 4 Jh e 8 'ft>xe 8 2 5 . �xg 6 + + promises better chances of saving the game.
2.34 Peter Kiihn Helmut Reefschlager Hamburg c h - city 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .CiJc3 �as 4.jLc4 CiJf6 5 .d4 c6 6 .CiJf3 jLfS 7.0-0 e6 8J�e1 CiJ b d 7
White 's set-up is pretty harmless and certainly not able to shatter the solid fortifications of the Scandinavian . Un doubtedly the next move is too cau tious : 9.CiJe2?!
23 ... l:!.xe 1 + 24.jLxe 1 jLfS !-+
It's all over now. 25Ji:g3 f5 26.h4 r::t. e a 27.jLc3 £d6 28JU3 � e4 29.�d 1 CiJc7 30.h5 CiJd5 31 .hxg6+ Wxg6 32 . .l:.th3 �e2 33 .�c1 jLf4
White resigned.
2.2.2.4 Making space by ttJe2 /e4-g3 In order to defend d4 in a natural way with the c-pawn , White often decides to clear the c 3 -square for it. The move CiJe4 plays an important role in some variations , see for example the game Glek-Wahls (Game 2 . 3 6) . The move CiJc3 -e2 on the other hand is generally not particularly aggressive and often turns out to be a waste of time. If the knight on c3 moves the black queen eyes all the way to e I for the time being. This circumstance is the basis for the following opening accident which hap pened to White : 76
White would like to bring his knight to g3 and have the option of backing up d4 by c 2 -c3 . At this point both players overlooked the unpleasant 9 .. ,jLg4 !
Black threatens to disrupt the oppo nent's pawn structure with I O . . . £xf3 . The decisive moment is linked to the effect the black queen is having on the a S - e I diagonal . White can already no longer hope for full equality : 1 0,jLd 2
I O . CiJ g 3 jLxf3 I l . gxf3 0 - 0 - 0 + . I O . CiJd2 avoids structural damage, but leaves White pretty passive after I 0 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 I l . c3 jLd6 + .
Chap t er
Things are similar after 1 O .'iVd2 ! ? when after 1 0 . . . .2.b4 1 1 . c3 .2.d6 Black's piece deployment looks more harmonious. 1 0 ... 'iVb6 1 Vt:lf4 0-0-0
In some circumstances , Black does not get b2 in such a good way, for example l l . . .�xb2 ? ! 1 2 . l:Ib l .2.xf3 1 3 .'i�Hxf3 'i'xd4 1 4.�e2 'i�Hd6 I 5 Jhb 7 tt:lc5 1 6 . �xf7 Wxf7 1 7 . tt:lx e 6 tt:l x e 6 1 8 . .2.xe 6 + with a n attack. On the other hand , 1 1 . . . .2.xf3 1 7 1 2 .'i�Hxf3 'i¥xd4 is worth considering. 1 2.c3 �xb2
2:
The s tand ard c entre
9 . tt:lxf6 + gxf6 variation, since in gen eral the black queen belongs on c 7 . If Black recaptures logically with the queen on f6 , it can easily become an obj ect of attack there, as was impres sively demonstrated in the next game : 2.35 Ye Jiangchuan Arnaud Hauchard Belfort 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd 5 'iVxd 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 ..2.c4 .2.f5 6 .tt:lf3 tt:lf6 7. .2.d2 e6 8.tt:ld5 'iVd8 9.tt:lxf6+ �xf6 ? ! 1 0.�e2
White is aiming for a quick d4-d5 , to turn his lead in development into something concrete. This dangerous variation will be dealt with in more de tail in the theoretical appendix . 1 o ... tt:l d 7 1 1 .o-o-o
Now with b7 protected , Black can in dulge his appetite. The white forces are not posted actively enough to represent full compensation for the pawn : 1 3 .J:tb1 'iVa3 1 4. h 3 tt:l b 6 1 5 . .2.b3 15
.
.!:!.xb 6 ? .2.xf3 + . 1 5 ... .2.f5 +
2.2.2.5 The tactical freeing of the c-pawn by tt:Jds
This motif is especially typical for the variation we are looking at here. After 8 . xdS 2 7 .'iWa S + b S 2 8 .'i¥d2 + �c6 2 9 .l:ixe 6 + +- ; 2 4 . . . Wc7 2 S .�c5 ++- i s similar to the game. 25.�c5+ 'i.t'b8 2 6 .t2l d 7+
1 -0
2 . 2 . 2 . 6 Tactically clearing space by ti:Jc3 -e4 This motif is linked to the previous one, but differs in some nuances. Its advan tages are described in more detail in the comment to move eight. 2.36 Igor Glek Matthias Wahls Germany Bundesli g a 1 9 9 6 / 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 '!Wxd 5 3 .ti:Jc3 �as 4.d4 ti:Jf6 5.ti:Jf3 c6 6 .�d 2 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.tt:Je4 !?
2:
The s tand a r d c en t r e
A further aspect of 8 . ti:Je4, and o n e o f importance from the point of view o f principle, is the mobility that White 's c-pawn gains. It can immediately go to c3 to support its neighbour, or to c4 to exert influence on the centre. All these advantages of 8 . ti:Je4 make it quite clear that Black must play with ex treme precision in order to equalize the position. 8 ... '¥Vc7
8 . . . '¥Vd8 ? ! . This move, with which the queen completes the famous ' Scandina vian triangle ' (d8-d5 -a5 -d8) , is aimed at preventing the doubling of the f-pawn. After 9 . ti:Jxf6 + ? ! + then 9 . . . �xf6 only transposes to the variation with 8 . ti:JdS . But should White choose the second of the plans described above, then of course the queen is less well posted on its initial square than on, say, c 7 . 9 . ti:J g 3 ! t . Black now has the unpleasant choice of either 9 . . . �g4 giving up his bishop pair, or 9 . . . �g6 allowing White a dangerous initiative. 8 . . . 'i'b6 ! ? . A worthy attempt to seize the initiative for himself. White is now forced to worry about his b-pawn for the future. 9.ti:Jg3
According to how the black queen re treats , the knight either takes on f6 to weaken the opposing pawn structure or heads for g 3 , from where it attacks Black's queen's bishop. If the latter then moves back to g 6 , it is faced with further disruption in the form ofh4-h5 or ti:Jf3 -e 5 .
Compared to 8 . . . 'iVd8 ?! 9 .ti:Jg3 Black now has a valuable extra tempo. An im portant alternative is 9 .ti:Jxf6 + . 9 ... �g6
9 . . . �g4 1 O .h 3 �xf3 1 l . �xf3 ti:Jbd 7 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 ;t , Lanka-M . S . Hansen , Cappelle Ia Grande 1 9 9 4 . 1 0.h4!?
79
The Modern Scand i na v i an
1 o .�e2 tLlbd7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 .h4 J ' . If you want, this is White falling into the trap. The game move is over-ambi tious and, if correctly met by Black, causes weaknesses in White 's pawn structure. After the solid 1 2 . .l:!.he 1 �d6 all the black pieces are on decent squares. The game is level. 1 2 . . . tLlh5 1 1 3 . tLl g 5 ? ! . White fights with all his resources for the h S - square, while at the same time eyeing up the sacrificial possibilities connected with the squares complex f7 I e 6 . Since this second aspect ought not to play a role if Black defends carefully, then it would have been better to play for equality with 1 3 . tLle5 . The line 1 3 .tLle4 ? 1 tLlf4:f also appears insuffi cient , as does 1 3 .lt:JxhS ?! �xhS 1 4.�g5 .l:!.e8 + . The weak g4-square should make it hard for White to lift the un pleasant pin on his knight. One black plan might now be, e.g. , I S . . . �d6 and . . . e6-e5 . 1 3 . . . t:Llxg 3 1 4. fxg3 tLlf6 + and the attack on the Scandinavian bishop is finally over. What is left are the structural weaknesses in the white camp. Borgo Wahls , Arco 1 9 9 6 .
l l .tZ'leS �h 7 1 2 .�d3 ? . A very weak move which lets Black equalize on the spot (much stronger is 1 2 .'li'e2 , by which White turns his initiative into well proven forms : 1 2 . . . .2.d6 ( 1 2 . . . �xc 2 ? 1 3 .�f4 'tWaS + 1 4 . Wfl ; 1 2 . . . tLlbd ? J ? 1 3 . tLlxf7 ) 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 1 4. l:f.he 1 ;!;) . 1 2 . . .�xd3 1 3 .tLlxd3 �d6 1 4 . .l:Ih3 tLlbd 7 1 S . 'tWe2 0 - 0 - 0 and Black already has the better ending , Spang- Krokel, St. Ingbert 1 9 8 7 . 1 0 . . . �d6 ! ? . Should Black be willing to content himself with a minimally worse ending , then he could sidestep greater complications this way. I l .hS �e4 1 2 . t:Llxe4 t:Llxe4 1 3 .�e3 tLld7 1 4.l:th4 t:Llef6 1 5 .'li'e2 0-0-0 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLl b 6 1 7 . gb3 tLlbdS 1 8 .�d2 tLl f4 I 9 .�xf4 �xf4+ with equality, Schafer Fischdick, Germany tt 1 9 9 5 / 9 6 . 1 1 .t:Lle5 t:Llxg3
I I . . .tLld7 ! ? 1 2 .lt:Jxg6 hxg 6 1 3 . tLlxhS .l:!.xhS oo . 1 2 .fxg 3
1 2 . t:Ll d 7 ! ..
1 0 ... t:Ll h5
1 O . . . h6 ? ! . We are now in the stem game of the variation with 8 . t:Lle4. 80
A ) 1 2 . . . f6 ? ! looks good only a t first glance. 1 3 . t:Llx g 6 'li'xg 3 + 1 4 . W fl 'li'xg 6 I S .�xe 6 ;!; ; B ) 1 2 . . . �d6 ? ! i s also not convincing : 1 3 .�f4 �e4 1 4. 0 - 0 f6 I S .tLld3 �dS
Chap t er 2 : The s tand a r d c entre
and in Hansel-Thomaschke (Schoneck j r 1 9 9 6) , instead of 1 6 .�b3 , White had the more direct 1 6 .�xdS cxdS 1 7 . .l:!.e 1 Wf7 1 8 .�xd6 'i¥xd6 1 9 . h 2 h 6 34.'1i' d 2 � b 3 35 ..2J2 'li'd6+ 3 6 .g8 41 .'iYe3 'li'dS 42 .£J2 aS 43 .Wg 1 a4 44J:ra 1 'li' d 6 45 .'MVc1 .l:!.a8 4 6 .'iY e 3 l::r d 8 47.'MVc1 'MVb4 48.�e1 'li'b6 49 . .2J2 .tl d 5 SO.f4 'MVc7 0-1
2 . 2 . 7 . 2 ... �d6 -f4 The manoeuvre . . . �d6 - f4 with the ex change of the dark-squared bishops is a typical relieving or equalizing motif Since Black has less space on account of his pawn structure, the exchange of pieces of the same value is generally not unfavourable to him. 2 .47 Evgeny Shaposhnikov Alexander Lastin Moscow c h - RUS 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd 5 'MVxd S 3.tZlc3 'li'aS 4.d4 -1.Jf6 S .t.i:lf3 c6 6 .�c4 JHS 7.t.i:le5 e6 8 . .2.d 2 t.i:l b d 7 9.t.i:lxd 7 t.i:l x d 7 1 0.�b3 'MVc7 1 1 .'MVe2
In A. Hernandez-Spangenberg , Guara puava jr 1 9 9 I , White decided on a positionally committal course : l l . g4 .lil.g 6 1 2 . h4 hS 1 3 . g 5 0 - 0 - 0 1 4 .'iYe2 and now our motif 1 4 . . . Qd 6 1 7 1 5 . 0 - 0 - 0 �fs 1 6 . .2.c4 �f4 1 7 . .2.e3 t.i:lb 6 gives Black decent prospects. 1 1 ... 0-0-0 1 2 .0-0-0 .2.d 6 ! ?
The ' more usual ' I L . t.i:lf6 is also OK, e.g. 1 3 . .2.g 5 �e 7 1 4 . f3 h6 I S . .2.e3 ( 1 5 . .2.h4 7 ? 'i¥f4+ 0 - 1 , Russell-Hardy, London 1 9 9 3 ) I S . J Z JdS with equality. 1 3 .t.i:le4
1 00
1 3 ... �J4 !
1 3 . . . Qxe 4 7 ' 1 4 . '1i'xe4 t.i:lf6 I S .'i¥f3 t gives White a long- term advantage on account of his bishop pair.
and now the logical 1 4 ... £.xd 2
would result in easy equality. Black has no weaknesses , and not least thanks to the exchange of two pairs of minor pieces he has free play.
2 . 2 . 7 . 3 The motif . .'iYc 7-f4 •
Unlike the bishop and the knight, the black queen rarely visits f4 , although in certain cases it can play an important role there. As well as the psychological effect of having an opposing queen in one 's own camp, there are also purely obj ective criteria . White has to struggle against increased pressure on d4 and on the kingside. 2 . 48 Neil McDonald Alan Norris Oakham 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 'MVxdS 3 .tbc3 'MVaS 4.d4 tl:Jf6 S .tbf3 c6 6 .�c4
Chap t er
�f5 VL:le5 e6 8.0-0 9.tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 0.l:!.e1
tt:l b d 7
2:
The s tand ard c entre
1 5 .a4 �adS 1 6 .a5 tt:lf6
It probably now dawned on White that d4 can hardly be protected any more. The threats are 1 7 .. .'i¥f4 and also 1 7 . . . c5 ( 1 8 .�xc5 b 6 ) . 1 7.b3?
White 's treatment of the opening is ste reotypical ; he has simply restricted himself to playing natural moves. This superficiality is often met with in praxis, and in general turns out to be anodyne against the Scandinavian, as is the case here.
White does not find the best defence. By protecting indirectly with 1 7 .�b3 ! equality could still have been reached: 1 7 . . . �f4 ( 1 7 . . . cS ? is of course point less now ; after 1 8 .�xeS b6 1 9 . axb6 axb6 2 0 . �b4 there is no bishop hang ing on c4) 1 8 . g 3 'i¥xd4 1 9 . 'i¥xd4 l:!.xd4 2 0 .�c5 �e4 2 1 .�xa7 �xe l + 2 2 . l:!.xe 1 .l:ra8 2 3 .�b6 b8 1 7 . b l tl.lb6 1 5 .tLla2 �a4 Black even gets a third pawn for the piece and can be quite content. 1 6 .�d3 �xd3 1 7 . �xd3 .l:!.xd4 1 8 .�b3 �hd 8 oo , Britton-Prie , London Paris 1 9 9 4 . 1 3 .�xc3 �c7 1 4.�f3
1 2 ...�xc3
The bishop sacrifice 1 2 . . . �xa3 ! ? is usu ally questionable, but is worth serious consideration here : 1 02
White is aiming for a transposition to an endgame by �g3 , which promises some advantage thanks to the bishop pair. Alternatives: A) 1 4 . g 3 tLlf6 I S . f3 hS 1 6 .�d2 l:Ixd4 1 7 .�f4 is the game Sziva-Polovnikova , Elista Olympiad 1 9 9 8 . Now 1 7 . . . .l:!.xf4 ! 7 makes a very good impression . After 1 8 . gxf4 'ifxf4+ 1 9 .\t>b 1 Black has two pawns and the better structure for the exchange and must be doing OK. One possibility would then be 1 9 . . . tl.ld5 2 0 .�xd5 cxdS :f with the idea of . . . Wb8 and . . . .l:!.c8 ;
Chapter 2 : The standard centre
B) 1 4.f3 tbb6 I S .�b3 tbdS 1 6 .�e l (Sammalvuo-Relange, Halle Wch-jr 1 9 9 5 ) 1 6 . . . tbf4=. 14 ...tbf6 1 5.�g3 �xg3 1 6 .hxg3
23 ... b5!
Black has to look for counterplay and finds it in the form of the light-square strategy. 24.l:le5 a5 25.f4 �d3 2 6 .f5 exf5 27.gxf5 f6? !
1 6 ...tbe4?!
This is only pseudo-activity of course. The knight will be chased away at once and White can mobilize her kingside pawns with tempo. The appropriate move here would be the one typical of this set-up : 1 6 . . . h 5 ! = . This motif i s worth remembering. The nice pawn move prevents the mobilization of the white kingside pawns and thus equalizes.
We prefer 2 7 . . . a 4 ! 2 8 .�c 2 . I n principle. exchanging the light squared bishop is unfavourable for White, because it weakens her light squares even more (specifically. after 2 8 .�d l f6 2 9 . .l:.e6 tbe7 problems arise with the defence of fS ) . After 2 8 . . . �xc2 2 9 . 'iii x c2 l:le7 Black is doing fine. 28.l:le6 xd ? .
1 2 ... �xc3? !
There is no reason for this. The white bishop pair must now be continually kept under control. 1 2 . . . "Llxe S 1 3 . dxeS "Lld7 looks better to us. White cannot do much on the kingside in this con stellation : 1 4.g4 �g 6 . If Black had al ready castled kingside, opening the g -file, then attacking would make good sense. But played like this the measure is more weakening than useful, for exam ple I S . gxhS �xhS 1 6 ."Lle4 �xd2 + 1 7 Jhd2 'iVxeS 1 8 . "Lld6+ We? + . 1 3 .�xc3 "Llxe5 1 4.dxe5 1 5 .�d4 '/Wa5 1 6 .�d 2 !
"Ll d 5
White is aiming for a n endgame, where he will have a small but lasting advan tage. 1 6 .'i'f2 7 ! is quite tempting, but this runs into 1 6 . . . "Llb4 1 7 .a3 "Llxc 2 . 1 6 . . .'ilfxd 2+ 1 7.f!xd 2 ;t b6 1 8 . .l:. h d 1 0-0-0 1 9.a3 wc7 20.b4
The only way for White to break down his opponent's fortress is by creating routes into it for his pieces. For that pawn thrusts are necessary. 20 ... .l::r d 7 21 .�f2
But not 2 1 .�e3 7 �xc2 ! and White still has a way out : 2 2 . �xb 6 + axb 6 2 3 . .!:rxc2 ( Kundin / Alterman i n Chess Base Magazine 7 2 ) . =
10 7
T h e M o d e r n S can d i nav i a n
2 2 . 'tt> b2 tt:lf4 21 .. J:r h d 8 23Jhd7+ �xd 7 24Jbd 7+ wxd 7 25 .gf1 tt:l g 6 2 6 .gg3 wc7 27.Wc3 tt:lf8
An interesting alternative plan from Kundin/ Alterman was simply to move back and forth , aiming to wait and see whether White can strengthen his at tack enough to win . 28.'tt> d 2 tt:l d 7 29.c3 c5
This looks like a slight inaccuracy, be cause opening the position generally fa vours the bishop pair. However, what Black does three moves later makes complete sense : 30.We3 cxb4 32.'it>d4 b5
31 .cxb4
Wc6
Black has managed to render the pawn structure more static and secure an out post on dS . The draw should no longer be far out of his reach. 33 .gf4 35.gg5
tt:l b 6
34.ge2
gg6
36 .g4 hxg4?
After this incomprehensible error, White cannot be prevented from creat ing a passed pawn in the long term . 3 6 . . . gg6 would have kept his hopes of a draw alive , e . g. 3 7 .ge7 tt:ld7 3 8 . f4 hxg4 3 9 . gxg4 a 6 4 0 . gf3 + '>t> c 7 4 J .gd6 + W b 6 4 2 . gd J gfs 43 . a4 g6 and it is not clear whether and how White could get a decisive break through. 3 7.fxg4 .�b1 38.h5 a6 39.ge7 tt:l d 5
39 . . . tt:ld7 40 .gf3 + Wc7 4 l . g 5 gfS 4 2 . ge4+- . 40.gf8 !
• • • . . ·� � ··· � · . . LS · � ·� . LS . • • • • . .i • • i. . • • Now the passed h-pawn decides mat ters. 40 ... g5 41 . h 6 f6 42.exf6 tt:lxf6 4 3 .ge7 tt::! h 7 44.'>t>e5 '>t>d7 45 .gc5 1 -0
2 . 3 . 1 . 2 Equality 35 ... gf5 ?
3 5 . . . tt:ld5 1 would have led to a draw. Kundin/ Alterman give the following variation : 3 6 . g 4 '>t> b 6 3 7 . f4 hxg4 3 8 . gxg4 'it>c6 3 9 . h5 gfS 4 0 . gf3 a6 4 J .ge 7 gg4 1 = . 10 8
Michael Adams now shows us a prom ising way to aim for equality with the endgame constellation of bishop plus knight against bishop pair. He gradually succeeds in setting up a fortress on squares of the colour of his own bishop :
Chap t er
2.52 Peter Svidler Michael Adams Frankfurt rapid 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 . b 1
2 0 .�b5 1 ?;!; would also b e strong, and prevent the exchange of queens. 20 ... 'fic6 !? 21 .'i¥xc6+ 2 2 .�e2 c2 a2 {iJe7
Black can only dream of an effective siege of h2 by 1 8 . . . .!:rh3 : 1 9 . £.gs .!:rdh8 2 0 .£.h4 {iJf4 2 1 .'i!Hes {iJ4dS 2 2 . £.xd5 cxdS 2 3 . £.xf6 l:r 3 h 5 2 4 . £. g s f6 2 5 .�e 2 ± with a clear advantage, be cause 2S . . . .l:.xg 5 is followed by 2 6 . g 4 1 and the rook is i n a really tight spot. 1 9.c3 'lt>b8 1 9 . . . l:rhs 2 0 . £. c 1 'lt>b8 2 1 . h4 'lt>a8 2 2 .£.g5 ± , Heyken-K. Muller, Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 2 / 9 3 .
20.h4 'lt>a8 21 .£.g5 .!:!.he8 22.�f3±
The knights have no prospects and are slowly but surely pushed back. This game is an excellent example of how worthless knights can be without out posts. 22 ... {iJeg8 23 . .!:r h e 1 l:. d 7 24.l:re5 �ed8 25 .a4 �c8 2 6 .a5 'i¥a6 27.'lt>b1 {iJ d S 28.£.d 2 {iJgf6 29.g4 !
3 2 . d 5 exd S 3 3 .cxd 5 cS 34.d 6 ! {iJxd 6 35 .£.f4 l:l: d d 8 36 . .!:red5 l:rc6 3 7.£.a4 1 -0
2 . 3 . 2 . 2 The knights have outposts In this case things of course look differ ent. If Black can keep the position closed and create safe anchorages for his knights , they can face up to any bishops. In the next game Black shows what can be done : 2.54 Mikhail Zaitsev Timo Strater Dortmun d 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 i¥xd 5 3 .{iJc3 �as 4.d4 {iJf6 S.{iJf3 c6 6 .£.d 2 £.f5 7.£.c4 e6 8.0-0 £.b4 9.a3 £.xc3 1 o.£.xc3 Wic7 1 1 .£.b4 ? !
Zaitsev is not up on the nuances of the Scandinavian structure. This move does not provoke a weakness , but presents I l l
The M o d e rn S c and ina v i an
Black with a valuable tempo for his queenside play, which will finally peak in a successful use of the light-square strategy. 1 1 ... a5 1 2 .�.d2 tt:J b d 7 1 3 .�c1 b5 14 ..2.e2 0-0 1 5 J:td 1 � d 5 1 6 .c3?!
A further inaccuracy. Now Black can paralyse the white queenside and create nice outposts for his knights. 1 6 ... a4 tbc4
1 7. � e 1
l2! 7b6
1 8. tt:J d 3
This move allows sensitive holes to ap pear in White 's camp on e 3 and g 3 . Zaitsev i s probably afraid o f . . . g 5 -g4, which however is hardly a terrible threat . Better would be 3 J . .Q,d6 and after 3 1 . . . g4 comes 3 2 . hxg4 l:!.xg4 3 3 . f3 fol lowed by 34 . .l::!. e 4. 3 1 ... .l::!. g 6 32 JJf2 f5 ! 33.�d6 .:C:d8 34.�e5 f4
The consequences of White 's 3 I st move mistake become clear. He must now al ways worry about the knight getting an effective hold on the e 3 -square. Black on the other hand needs to be careful about allowing White to sacrifice an ex change on e3 to get a draw. 35.�ee2?! �gg8 36.'it>e1 3 7. .l::!. d 2 .:e:gd8 38JHe2 39Jlf2 tt:Je3 40Jlfe2 .tl d 5
.!:!.d7 .l::r b7
The wonderful black stallions are stron ger than the white bishops. 1 9.�g5 f6 20 . .Q,h4 "Q.xd 3 ! ?
Unconventional and good. Black also gives up his second bishop, in order to he able to transpose to a favourable end game. 2 1 . .Q,xd 3 'i¥f4 2 2 ..Q,xc4 bxc4 23 .�g 3 �xc1 24.�axc1 h 5
The ' eternal ' knight on dS gives Black a clear advantage. Since at first there is nothing more to be had on the queenside (White can easily protect b2 twice) , the next step will consist of gaining more space on the kingside. 25Jk2 1:1fe8 26 .Wf1 Wf7 27.1:!.e1 g 5 28. h 3 h4 29.�h2 .!:rg8 3 0 . .l:!.ce2 .l::!. a e8 3 1 .f3? ! 1 12
Black has logically strengthened the po sition of his rooks before playing . . . -1Je3 . An exchange sacrifice on e3 is of course out of the question now, since Black can attack the b2 pawn much too quickly. 41 . .!:If2 c5 !+
The position must he opened. 4 2 J �fe2 we7 43 . .Q,h8 44.�e5 cxd4 45 . .Q,xd4 tt:JfS
.:e:bs
Chap t er
.l:!.xd 1 + 46.J�J 2 .t:i:d3 47.l:!:d 1 48.Wxd 1 e5 49.Wc2 we6 50.�d2 :trd5 51 J:[e2? S ! . l:!.xdS Wxd5 5 2 .£.b6 would have of fered better chances of survival .
51 .. Jld3 5 2 J1e4?
T h e s tandard c en t r e
In Volume 2 of the B-Encyclopedia the move 9 . a 3 is still stigmatized as inexact because of this surprising possibility ; in Volume 3 , 9 . . . £.g4 still retains its excla mation mark. But the normal 9 . . . t2Jbd7 is to be preferred, if 1 2 .d5 is actually as strong as it appears. 1 0. 0 - 0 - 0 £.xc3 1 1 .£.xc3 � h 5
A better move is 5 2 . l::t d 2 . 53 .£.b6 52 ... Wd5 54.£.xe3 fxe3 55 .Wc1
2:
tt::J e 3+
and now 55 ... We6 56 .Wc2 .l:!. d 2 + 57.'>t>c1 l:!.xg 2 58 . .l::. x e3 .l:!.g3-+
would have been easily winning.
2 . 3 . 2 . 3 White has doubled pawns One soon learns that the presence of doubled pawns favour knights , who need squares to stay, as opposed to long-striding bishops. There are more weak squares and the pawns are not so mobile. Of course this rule is not an absolute one, since in openiug theory there are numerous examples where for specific reasons one should beware of giving up a bishop for a knight and giving the op ponent doubled pawns. However, it can be a very useful rule of thumb for the middlegame and the end game, as the following game makes clear: 2.55 Laim Porter Stephen Brady Dublin ch-IRL 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .t2Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt::J f 3 tt::J f 6 6 .£.c4 £.f5 7.£.d 2 e6 8.�e2 £.b4 9.a3 £.g4? !
The point behind 9 . . . £. g 4 . Black now intends to exchange on f3 and thus de value White 's pawn structure. 1 2 .£.b4 ? !
The direct I 2 .d5 ! banks on the bishop pair and lead in development. In corre spondence games up until then Black did not look particularly well posi tioned : A) l 2 . . . cxd5 l 3 . £.xf6 £.xf3 l 4. gxf3 �h6+ I 5 . Wb l 'i'xf6 1 6 . £.xd5 t2Jc6 l 7 .£.e4 0-0 1 8 . .l::!. d 7 .ll ab 8 1 9 . l:!.hd l .l:!. fd 8 2 0 . £.xc6 bxc6 2 l .�e5 1 - 0 , D'Arruda-Hayes, corr. 1 9 9 3 ; B) 1 2 . . . £.xf3 l 3 . gxf3 t2Jxd5 l 4. £.xd5 cxd5 I 5 .'i¥b 5 + t2Jd7 l 6 .�xb 7 � g 5 + 1 7 . Wb l �d8 (Nory-Lemieux , corr. 1 9 8 8 ) 1 8 . £.xg 7 .l:;( g 8 1 9 . .l:!.xd5 ! +- . 1 2 ... £.xf3 1 3 .�xf3?
In principle a mistake. The exchange of queens considerably reduces the dy namic possibilities open to White. 113
The M o d ern S cand i nav i an
Black's static trumps now come much more strongly into their own. 1 3 ... 'f!Vxf3 1 4.gxf3 tb b d 7
20 ... l:!.xf3+ 21 .l::!. d g 1 g6 2 2 .h4 tbe5 23 .�e2 l:rf5 24 . .l:!.g5 h6 25 J::!.xf 5 exf5 2 6 . h 5 g5 27.f4 tbd5 28.�d4?
The final mistake. 2 8 .�d2 would still offer hopes of saving the game, e.g. 2 8 . . . tbxf4 2 9 .�xf4 gxf4 3 0 .l:!.fl \t>d7 3 1 . .l:!.xf4 \t>e6 3 2. \t>d2 .l:. g 8 + . 28 ... tbxf4 !-+ 29.�xe5 tbxe2+ 3 0.d 2 lle8 31 .�g 7 tbg3 3 2 .l::!. h 3 tbe4+ 33 .\t>c1 l:!.e6 34.l::!. f 3 f4 35.\t>d 1 tbg3 36 .�c3 tbxh5 0�
This position is a wonderful example of the difference slight nuances can make in chess. On his 1 3 th move White probably had in mind the general principle that the bishop pair is particularly strong in the endgame. In fact, without the doubled f-pawns White would have a clear ad vantage , but with them on the board Black's position is very pleasant. As well as the sickly pawns, Black can especially aim to use the weakened squares f4 and fS , which are ideally suited to be outposts for the two knights. And if not before, at least after a training session of several hours with the excellent Latvian trainer Zigurds Lanka, I (HL) internalized the rule : ' knights need outposts ' . 1 5 .�d6 0-0-0 1 7.�e 7 ?
1 6 .�d3
The next game takes another look at the same opening variation. This time White sensibly keeps queens on the board, but even then things are not that simple for him : 2.56 Giancarlo Franzoni Matthias Wahls Switzerland tt 1 9 9 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'f!Vxd 5 3 .tbc3 'f!Va5 4.d4 c6 5 . tbf3 tbf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'f!Ve2 �b4 9.a3
tbf8
This loses a pawn. Preferable was 1 7 .�c5 b6 1 8 .�e 7 l:f.d7 1 9 .�xf6 gxf6 2 0 . l:!.hg 1 tb g 6 + or 1 7 .�eS tb g 6 + . 1 7. . .l:.xd4 1 8.�c5 J:[f4 1 9.�xa 7 tb8d 7 20.�e3
2 0 .�e2 ? b6-+ . 1 14
9 ... �g4? !
Here there are some good and some less good alternatives :
Chapter 2 : The standard centre
A) 9 . . . ltJ d 5 ? 1 0 . �xd5 1 cxd 5 ( ! O . . . �xc3 ? 1 l .�xc 6 + ± ) 1 l . 'iib' b 5 + 'i'xb5 1 2 . tbxb5 �xd 2 + 1 3 . Wxd2 tba6 ( 1 3 . . . '>t d 8 ? 1 4 . tb d 6 +- ) 1 4 . tb d 6 + W e 7 1 5 . tbxf5 + ± with a big endgame advantage, Velikov-Spiridonov, Sofia ch-BUL 1 9 8 0 / 8 1 ; B) 9 . . . �xc2 ? 1 0 . l:!.c 1 +- winning a piece ; C) 9 . . . �e 7 ? runs into 1 0 . d 5 ! cxd5 l l .�xd5 'iib' d 8 1 2 .tbxe 7 'i¥xe 7 1 3 .�b4 'i'c7 1 4.tbd4 ! +- ; D ) 9 . . . tbbd 7 ! i s the correct choice which after 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 1 l . �xc3 Wic7 leads into the main lines of the Scandinavian. 1 0.0-0-0
I O .Wie3 ! ? . 1 o ... �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 'i¥ h 5 1 2 . h 3 ?
A pure waste of time, since Black wants to exchange on f3 anyway. We already know that the critical move is 1 2 . d5 ! . 1 2 ... �xf3 1 3 .gxf3 tb b d 7 1 4.h4 ? !
An innovation of doubtful worth. After 1 4. l:rdg 1 White 's bishop pair roughly cancels out the structural weaknesses : 1 4 . . . � b 6 ! ? ( 1 4 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 5 . � d 2 oo Psakhis-Kuraj ica , Saraj evo 1 98 1 ) I 5 .�d3 1:t g 8 1 6 .�d2 'iWd5 1 7 .c3 0 - 0 - 0 1 8 . l:!.g2 ( 1 8 J:Ig 5 'i¥ d 6 1 9 . .l:!.hg 1 g 6 ) 1 8 . . J:Ide8 ( 1 8 . . . g 6 1 9 . �g 5 ) 1 9 . .l::I h g 1 g6 2 0 .�g5 tbh5 oo . 1 4 ... tbb6 1 5 .�b3
Trying to get some play against the black queen with 1 5 . l:f.dg 1 tbxc4 1 6 . .l:!.g5 does not achieve much : ( 1 6 .Wixc4? 'i¥xf3 ) 1 6 . . . 'i¥h6 1 7 . 'i¥xc4 tZ:ld5 1 8 .�d2 'i¥f6 1 9 . .l::!. g 3 h 6 ! 2 0 .Wic5 (20 .J:!.hg 1 g6+) 20 . . . tb e 7 ! 2 1 . c 3 tbf5 22 .l:rg4 'iib' e 7 and Black is better.
Now Black takes over the initiative : 1 5 ... 'i¥ b 5 !
After its great appearance on move 1 1 , the Scandinavian queen is once again in the centre of the action. This important motif actually kills three birds with one stone : 1 . The queen is removed from a slightly exposed position (think of White 's ma noeuvre .l:!.g 1 - g 5 ) . 2 . The exchange of queens robs White of a major part of his dynamic poten tial , meaning that the static advantages of Black's position come into their own. 3 . Despite the c-pawn's capturing away from the centre, the change in the pawn structure is advantageous to Black, as it backs up his supremacy on the light squares.
Possibly it would be more sensible to do without this exchange and play 1 6 J:Ihe 1 instead. 1 6 ... cxb5 1 7.l:!.hg 1 l:rg8
Of course, not 1 7 . . . g 6 ? ? 1 8 .d5 . 1 8.�d 2
The central breakthrough 1 8 . d5 would, after 1 8 . . . tbbxd5 1 9 . �x d 5 tb x d 5 2 0 . �xg 7 We 7 , lead t o a position in 115
T h e M o d e rn S c and i na v i a n
which Black would not only have the sounder pawn structure but also a won derfully posted central knight. 1 8 ... g 6 1 9.c3 1Ic8 20.�c2 tt:Jfd 5
Getting rid of White 's isolated h-pawn will happen, it cannot be prevented. Af ter 2 0 . . . h 5 ? comes 2 l . b 3 ! tt::l fd S 2 2 .Wb2 followed by �d3 , l:i:c l and c4. Black's main concern is to control the central light squares.
28 ... ti'lxb4 29 . .2.e4 .l:Ic7 30.d 5 ? !
Obj ectively not the strongest move, of course, but a last try for a swindle. 30 ... tt:Jxd 5 31 . .2.xd 5 .l:Id8
21 . h 5 ! aS
Black's queenside advantage is of more than a static nature. 2 2 . \tl b 1 �c4
I have little fear for the bishop pair. 23 .hxg6 hxg 6 24.� h 1 �e7
32 .£.xe6!?
On account of White 's weak kingside pawns , the rook ending offers no real chances for successful defence.
If White plays 3 3 J hf7 + , then 3 3 . . . �d6 wins. A sample line : 34 . .l::r f6 �eS 3 5 . IX.xg6 !1cc2 3 6 . b 3 .l::r b 2 + 3 7 . �a l lla2 + 3 8 . �b l l:!,db 2 + 3 9 . �c l J:!,xf2 4 0 . f4+ �d4 4 1 .�b l l:!,ae2 4 2 . l:!,g l .l::. x e6 and it is over for White. 2 5 Jl h 7 ?
After m y opponent missed i n 2 5 .�g 5 + � d 6 2 6 . .l:r h 7 his last chance for counterplay, now a liquidation takes place to a structure with an isolated pawn which is disheartening for White. 25 ... tt:Jxd 2 + ! 2 6 Jb d 2 b4 27.cxb4 axb4 28.axb4?
After 2 8 . a4 .i:X.h8 29 . .ll x h8 ( 2 9 . �xg 6 7 .ld.xh 7 3 0 . .2.xh 7 fS ) 2 9 . . . .l:Ixh8 3 0 . �a2 White should still hope for salvation because of the weak b4 pawn. 1 16
33 ... g5 34 . .2.b3+ 'lt> d 6 35 . .l::r h6+ �e5 36.I:I.g6 'lt>f5 3 7J:!�g8 l:lxf2 38 . .l:If8+ �e5 39Jle8+ �f4 4Q.J:!,f8+ �g3 41 .1:1f5 �h4 42.�a2 b6 4 3 . J:I,f6
43 JlbS would be somewhat more stubborn, but even then things will soon be over: 43 . . . �a 7 + 44. �b l l:f.fl + 45 . �c2 I:l.c7 + 4 6 . �d2 .l:i.xf3 4 7 . l:Ixb6 J:!,f2 + . 43 ... J:!,a7+ 44. W b 1 g4
White resigned.
C hap t e r 2 : T h e s tand a r d c en t r e
2 . 3 . 3 The bishop pair i s halved Black's chances generally rise if he manages to exchange a white bishop without any other concessions. In the constellation tt:l + � against 2� it frequently happens that a bishop is exchanged or one 's own is made so strong that it makes practically n o difference as to whether White trades it off or not. In all of this a key role is played by the very solid black structure, which frequently allows activity to be de veloped from it.
2.3 . 3 . 1 An ending which is very favourable for Black: w"iV+w� vs. b'iV+btt:l Capablanca 's famous theory states that in the endgame the queen cooperates better with the knight than with the bishop. This is generally confirmed in Scandinavian endgames: 2.57 Alper Olcayoz Tamasz Gelashvili Ankara tt 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tt:lc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .tt:lf3 �f6 7.tt:le5 e6 8.�e2 tt:l b d 7 9 . 0 - 0 tt:lxe5 1 O.dxe5 tt:l d 7 1 1 .f4 ? !
l l . g4 is critical. The main line goes : l l . . . �g 6 1 2 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . fS exfS 1 4.gxfS �hS 1 S .�xhS 'i'!fcS + 1 6 .\t>h l Wk'xc4 1 7 . � e 3 g 6 1 8 . fx g 6 fxg 6 1 9 .'i'!Vh3 .!:.e8 and Black should b e able to hang on .
1 5 . \t> h 1 �a6
1 S . . . g 6 1 7 would also be worth consid ering. 1 6 .�e3 �xe3 1 7.�xe3 g 6 ! +
Of course Black prevents f4-fS with an opening of the position , and especially the diagonal a 2 -g 8 . In the game the white bishop will be biting on light squared granite until the very end, and eventually be unable to make a single move ! Nonetheless , Black is in no way win ning here, even if his position is already somewhat more pleasant. 1 8Jla d 1 .t!. d 7 1 9.�f3?
1 9 .c4 would offer better equalizing chances. 1 9 .. J:rhd8 20.llxd 7 .l:!.xd 7 21 .1:id 1 l:!.xd 1 + 2 2 .'i'!fxd 1 'i'!Vb5
1 1 ... 0-0-0 1 2 .tt:le4
Now 1 2 . g 4 ? fails 1 3 .�xg4 �cS + .
to
1 2 . . . �xg4
1 2 ... �xe4 1 3 .�xe4 tt:l b 6 1 4.�b3 �c5+
In the long run , White will not be able to avoid trading Black's active dark squared bishop. Then he is stuck with a weak bishop.
23.h3? 117
The Modern Scandinavian
This unnecessarily weakens the kingside. 2 3 .'ifd3 would have been better.
29.'�'f8+ wc7 30.il'xf7+ 'lt>b6 31 .'i¥d 7 tt::l e 1 32.'i¥d4+ 'i¥xd4 33 .cxd4 tt::l f 3+ 34.'lt>g2 tt:Jxd4-+
23 ... a5!+
Things can happen so quickly ! White cannot avoid the loss of a pawn. 24.a4
2 4 . c4 tt::l x c4 2 S .'i¥d4 tt::l x b2 2 6 . 'ii' x b2 a4+ ; 2 4 . ifd4 a4 2 S . c 4 'i¥b4 2 6 . �d I tt::l x c4+ . 24 .. .'iVb4 25.g3 tt::l x a4
2 . 3 . 3 . 2 Bishop against knight In this constellation, Black generally has quite good cards thanks to his sound and solid structure. In connection to this, see also the game Glascock-Taylor (Game 2 . 6 2 ) . 2.58 Daniel Fleetwood David Taylor corr. 1 9 8 6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ifxd5 3 .tt::l c 3 'ir'a5 4.d4 tt::l f 6 5.tt::l f 3 �f5 6 .�c4 e6 7.�d2 c6 8.'iYe2 �b4 9.tt::l e 5 tt::l bd 7 1 O.tt::l x d 7 �xd 7
Taylor's surprising idea is of interest even today and did not turn out to be a one-day wonder. 26 .c3?
White finally falls apart due to time and positional pressure. The queen end ing after 2 6 .�xa40 'i'Vxa4 should be won for Black, even if proving it can amount to a technically demanding task.
1 1 .0-0-0 l:tad8?!
The concrete I 1 . . . tt::l d S ! is considered more precise, see Hawley-Fries Nielsen (Game 2 . 9 9 ) . 1 2.a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'flic7
26 ... 'i/Ve4+ 27.'itt h 2
Instead of the game continuation , 2 7 . . . tt::l c S would have been even better now. 27 ... tt::l x b2 28.'it' d 6 tt::l d 3
The infamous duo mercilessly sand wich the white king. He can do no better than transpose to a patently lost minor piece ending : 118
1 4.f3?!
Chap t er 2 : T h e s tandard c entre
This move makes sense (control of the squares e4 and g4; preparation of jle 1 -g 3 ) , but passes up a tactical op portunity. After the typical break 1 4 . d5 ! , White could have made something of the tem porary weakness of the black king : 1 4 . . . tt:lxd5 ( 1 4 . . . cxd5 1 5 .�e5 'iVas 1 6 .jlbs + �c8 1 7 . .l:.d4 1 ± and the black king looks really immobile in P. Marxen-H. Kues, Germany tt 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 ) I S .jles '1W b 6 1 6 .g4 � g 6 1 7 . �xg 7 .!:rhg8 1 8 .�f6 ± , Koskivirta-B.]. Martin , carr. 1 9 9 1 (Game 2 . 9 3 ) .
Taylor seeks counterplay in the appro priate light-square strategy. At the same time he secures a nice-looking post on b6 for his queen . 1 7.�b3 J:l d 7
In Von Bulow-S. Kuhn, Germany tt 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 , there followed 1 7 . . . �b6 1 8 .�f2 tt:lds 1 9 .�b l aS 2 0 . Wa 1 a4 2 1 .�a2 b4 with nice counterplay. 1 8.�g 3 �b6
1 4 ... �c8 1 5 .g4
The immediate 1 5 .�e 1 without fitting in g2 -g4 is interesting. 1 S . . . b5 1 6 .�b3 hS 1 7 .�g3 �b6 1 8 .c3 J:ld7 1 9 .�e5 .!:rhd8 2 0 . J:lhe 1 �b 7 ;\; , Laplante Lauzon, Quebec 1 9 9 6 . Offering an exchange o f queens with 1 S .'Wie5 ! 7 is probably enough for a slight plus for White, Lodge-Holland, corr. 1 9 94. 1 5 ... �g6 1 6 .�e1
By now Scandinavian players should of course be aware of this standard plan. On the other hand, nothing much is achieved by 1 6 .h4 hS 1 7 . g S tt:ldS = . 1 6 ... b5!
1 9.�e5
1 9 . h4 hS 2 0 . g 5 tt:l d s 2 1 . '/W e s is positionally committal and looks more dangerous than it is : 2 1 . . . J:l g 8 2 2. . l:!.he 1 tt:l e 7 2 3 .c4? ' . The d4 pawn now be comes weak ( 2 3 . c 3 would be appropri ate) . 23 . . . J:lgd8 2 4 . c 5 'li'b 7 2 5 .�h2 tt:lfs 26 . .l:.e4 and here the delicate 2 6 . . . J:le 7 ! ! + would have completed Black 's strategy in Reid-Taylor, corr. 1 9 8 7 . He transfers the king to the king side via d7 -e8 and then calmly goes in for combined play on the queenside and against d4. White has made too many positional concessions and is condemned to being a passive onlooker. 1 9 ... � b 7 20.h4 h 5 ! 21 .g5 tt:le8 2 2 . l:l. h e 1 .l:rg8 23 .a4 a 6 24.axb5 axb5 119
The M o d ern S candinavian
Black dominates the light squares; his chances are not worse. 25 .c3 tt:ld6 26 .£c2
This exchange is positionally dubious , because now Black simply threatens to remain with the superior minor piece. More prudent would have been 2 6 . £xd6 .l:r.xd6 2 7 . £c2 with equality. 26 ... £xc2 27.'lt>xc2 tt:lf5 28 . .l:!. a 1 ?
Allowing Black to take full control. The dynamic 2 8 . g 6 ! is require d , e . g. 2 8 . . . fxg6 ( 2 8 . . . tt:lxh4 ? ! 2 9 . gxf7 Ilxf7 3 0 . f4 l:.h8 3 1 .£d6t) 2 9 J:[a l tt:lxh4 3 0 .£g3 ( 3 0 .'ife4 ! ?) 3 0 . . . tt:l fs 3 1 . 'i¥xe6 l:tgd8 3 2 .£f2 +=! . 28 ... g 6 ! +
34.b3 'lt> b 7 35.'lt>b2 �d8 36 .'if'e1 �d5 3 7.�f2 c5 !
A breakthrough on the dark squares frequently crowns a successful light square strategy. This is however more than logical , because if all the pawns are on light squares, the next pawn move must of necessity be on to a dark square. 38.£f6 cxd4 39.£xd4 b4
3 9 . . . eS ! ? . 40.£f6 e5 41 .'tilVe1 42 .�xc3 �d4!?
bxc3+
Taylor finally wins the ending most in structively, but things are certainly not clear-cut. Endgame lovers can go into the exciting question as to whether there is still a defence. 43 .£xe5 'if'xc3+ 44.'lt>xc3 tt:Jxh4 45.'it>d 3
After 4 S . f4 ? tt:lf3 the h-pawn will ad vance. 45 ... tt:Jxf3 46 .£f6 tt:l h 2 47.£e5
4 7 . We4 ! ? . Now all the black pawns are safely on light squares and the monster of a knight on fS has everything under con trol. White continually has to worry about the protection of the h4 pawn. 29.'ife4 .l:!.dd8 31 .l:tea 1 .l:!.xa3 33 .1:1xa8 'lt>xa8
3 0 . .l:r.a3 32 . .l:.xa3
.t!.a8 I:t.a8
As in the last game, we have reached the ending �+tt:l against � + £ . Here too White is facing a long struggle for a draw, which he does not manage even in this correspondence game. 1 20
4 7... tt:lf3 48.£f6 'lt>c6 49s�;e3 tt:l h 4 50.£c3 'it>d5 51 .'lt>d3 tt:lf3 5 2 .£f6 tt:Je5+ 5 3 .'it>e2 tt:ld7 54.£e7 'lt>d4 55.'lt>f3 'lt>c3 5 6 . b4 tt:Je5+ 57.We4 tt:Jc6 58.£d6 'it>c4 59.b5 Wxb5 60.'lt>d5 tt:Jd8 6 1 .£g3 tt:Je6 6 2 .£h4 tt:lg7 63 .£f2 tt:lf5 64.We5 wc6 65 .'lt>f6 h4!
At last things are all over. 6 6 .Wxf7 h3 67.£g 1 tt:l h 4 68.£h2 �d5 69.'lt>f6 'it>e4 0-1
Ch a p t e r 2 : T h e s t and a r d c en t r e
2 . 3 .4 The dark-squared bishop In many variations Black must play . . . �xc 3 and exchange his bishop for the white knight. White 's dark-squared bishop then often makes the difference (and not al ways in a positive fashion ! ) . The bishop is hampered by the d4 pawn . It can be acti vated with the plans we shall now explain.
2.3 .4. 1 Activation by d4-dS To open diagonals for the bishop, White frequently aims for d4-d 5 . 2.59 Salvador Gabriel Del Rio Angelis Juan Pomes Marcet Mondariz tt 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 i¥xd 5 3 .tt:Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 CiJf6 5.�c4 c6 6 .'iV e 2 £.f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.d 5 cxd 5 9.tt:Jxd 5 �d8 1 0.tt:Je3
I O .Ci .xf6 + ! 7 is the main line ( see the analysis to 9 . . . f3 f6 -+ , Klinova-Stefa nova , Elista Olympiad 1 9 9 8 ; A 2 ) l l . ti:J a 2 ? ! 'i:Va4 1 2 .£.b3 'lWa6 1 3 . bxa3 tt:Je4 1 4.�e3 'i:Vxa3 + I S . 'it>b l tt:Jxf2 + ; A 3 ) l l . ti:J b S ! is still best : l l . . . £.xb 2 + ! ( 1 1 . . . £.b4 1 2 . £.xb4 �a ! + 1 3 . 'it>d2 tt:Je4+ 1 4. e J 'i:Vxd l + l S . xd l tt:J x g 3 1 6 . ti:J d 6 + 'it>d7 1 7 .hxg3 aS 1 8 .£.c5 b 6 1 9 . tt:Jxf7 £.xf7 2 0 .£.xb6oo) 1 2 . 'it>xb2 'i¥b6 1 3 .£.a5 'iYxaS 1 4. ti:J c 7 + 'it>e7 1 5 . tt:Jxa8 ti:Jbd 7 + and with two pawns for the exchange and a more sickly king position for White, Black will have better chances. B) 9 . ti:Jge2 ti:Jf6 I O . a3 0 - 0 1 1 . 0 -0 £.xc3 1 2 .£.xc3 ;\; / = and White had the typical minimal advantage of the bishop pair in Nisipeanu-K. Muller, Hamburg 1 9 9 8 .
Chap t er 2 : The s tand ard c entre
7...�g 6 8.tt:l h 3 8 .'1:J ge2 tt:lf6 9 . tt:lf4 �b4 1 0 . f3 tt:ld5 b 1 l:!.c6+ 3 0 .�a 1 llxa6 3 1 . dS ;t / ± . 23 ..lhd5+ �e7
course the rook cannot be taken : 2 3 . . . exd5 ? 2 4 . 'i¥xd5 + �e7 2 5 .'W'c5 + We6 2 6 .'W'e5 + �d7 2 7 .'i¥d6+ �c8 2 8 .�c6+ 'i¥c7 2 9 ."'iii x c 7 # .
Of
24..!:!.xb5! 'ti'xa 2 ?
24 . . . J:!.c8 2 5 .l:!.c5 1 ? ( 2 5 . llxa5 l:!.xc 2 + llxf3 2 6 . Wb 1 l:1xf2 + 2 7 .�a 1 2 8 Jh a 7 + ± ) ; 24 . . . �xb5 ? 2 5 .'i¥a3 + �d7 2 6 .'W'd6+ Wc8 27 .'W'c 7 # . 25 .ii'c3 !
1 2 ...flxc3 1 3 .ilxc3 VJi/c7 1 4.0-0-0 0-0-0 1 5 .f3 h 5
1 5 . . . lLld5 is somewhat more precise: 1 6 . ile 1 lLlf4 1 7 .'i¥f2 and now 1 7 . . . h5 or 1 7 . . . 'i¥b6 with equality. 1 6 .ile1 h4!
Prevents the manoeuvre fle 1 -g 3 . Yet , White manages t o achieve it in the game, though at the cost of his kingside pawn structure. 1 6 . . . VJi/f4+ 1 7 . �b l .l:!.xd4 ? runs into a neat trap : 1 8 .ilg3 J:!.xd l + 1 9 . 'li'xd l ! VJi/a4 2 0 .VJii d 6+- . 1 7.ilf2 lZ:ld5 1 8.g3 b5 1 9.gxh4 'i¥f4+ 20. � b 1 ilg6 21 .ilg3
1 -0
And Black laid down his arms on ac count of 2 5 . . . �f8 ( 2 5 . . J:l c 8 ! ? 2 6 . ii'b4+ �d8 2 7 .�d6+ with an ep aulette mate) 26 . .l:!.a5 losing the queen.
2 . 3 .4. 3 �e l -g3
This manoeuvre is related to ild2 - f4 , as both aim to exert pressure on the h 2 - b 8 diagonal. 125
The Modern Scandinavian
21 .. .'iYf5?
The turning point. From here on in, White achieves a nice attacking victory. 2 I . . .'tWe 3 1 would have been much stronger. White should not be aiming to exchange queens , though with his queen having penetrated to e 3 , Black has good counterchances : 2 2 .' i:Y g 2 ( 2 2 .' � f l tt:l f4 +=t ) 2 2 . . . b4 ! 2 3 . � e 5 ( 2 3 .llhe l ? b 3 ! ! +) and now 2 3 . . . b3 leads to perpetual check: 24.�xb 3 'ti'xb3 2 S .'ti'xg6 tLlc3 + = .
Another mistake. White can now open the position advantageously. Preferable would be 2 7 . . . �g 6 , even if White has a strong attack after 2 8 .�xd5 'i:YxdS 2 9 .l:l c 3 . 28.axb5 cxb5
2 8 . . . axb5 ? 2 9 . �xd5 'tWxdS 3 0 . l:ra3 +- . 29.�xd 5+1 'ti'xd5 30.llc3
2 2 .�b3 w b 7 23.llhe1 �h5
Now we will see an instructive attack with opposite-coloured bishops : 30 ... wa7 24.'i¥d 2!?
The Israeli Tal Haimovich is playing like . . . Tal ! . Instead of bothering about f3 , he turns his attention to the weak ened black king side. 24 .. .'ii' xf3
24 . . . �xf3 ? ! 2 S . lles 'tWg6 2 6 . llfl �hs 2 7 .'tWas t . 25 .'ii'a5 ll d 7 ?
Not 2S . . . 'ti'xd l + ? ? 2 6 . llxd l �xd l 2 7 . �xd5 �xd S 2 8 .' i¥c 7 + W a 6 3 0 .b4+ Wa4 2 9 .'i hc 6 + WaS 3 l .'�a6 # . After 2S . . . �g6 Black 's de fensive chances would remain intact. 26.lld3 'ifg2 27.a4 a6? 1 26
3 0 . . . �g6 3 l .h5 ! . 31 .lle5 'ii' h 1 + 32.'it'a2 llb7
Or: 32 .. .'ii'b7 ( 3 2 . . . �f3 3 3 . llxb 5 +-) 3 3 . l:.ec5 b4 ( 3 3 . . . l:i.xd4 ? 3 4.�f2 lla4+ 3 S . 'ti'xa4 bxa4 3 6 . ll c 8 + 'i¥b6 3 7 . ll 3 c 7 #) 3 4 . ll 3 c4+- . 33.llec5
Opening things further by 3 3 .dS ! ? is well worth considering , e.g. 3 3 . . . �f3 3 4.lla3 �xdS + ( 3 4 . . . l:rb6 3 S .�f2+-) 3 S .b 3 +- . 33 ... �f3
3 3 . . . �e2 3 4. l:k 7 �c4+ 3 S . ll 3 xc4! bxc4 3 6 .'ifcS + Wa8 3 7 .llc6+- . 34.llc7?!
Chapter 2 : T h e standard c entre
34. J::I. a 3 ' llb6 3 5 .�c7 +- would decide matters at once. 34 ... �d5+ 35.b3 �b8?
3S .. .f6 3 6 .lhb 7 + �xb 7 3 7 . dS - . 36 �d6 .J::I. x c7 38.�c5+ .
3 7.'�xc7+
.J::I. b 7
And Black admitted defeat on account of the pretty checkmate which follows after 3 8 . . . Wa8 3 9 . 'fW c 8 + .l:[ b 8 40 .'tlixa6#.
2 . 3 .4.4 �b4 This motif is frequently used to prevent Black from castling queenside, thus keeping the king in the middle. If Black does not manage to stand up to it with either . . . a7 -aS and . . . b7 -b5 -b4, or cas tling queenside in favourable circum stances , things will become pretty un comfortable for his king. Examples can be found in Del Rio Angelis-Pomes Marcet (Game 2 . 5 9) and Svidler-Oll (Game 2 . 1 ) .
2 .4 The li ght-square strategy
This basic strategic concept played a key role in a series of previous games. Without it, the Scandinavian would not be what it is ! Generally, the queenside pawns ad vance : . . . b 7 -b5 and . . . a 7 -a5 then . . . a4 or . . . b4. Black secures the outpost square dS for a piece and creates a new one on c4. Frequently his active formation allows him to go over to a queenside attack. This is then supported by the Scandinavian bishop on the h 7- b I diagonal. A structure with bishop on g 6 , pawn h S against white pawns gS and h4 is pretty well a pure light -squared strategy; an example can be found in Fleetwood-Taylor (Game 2 . 5 8 ) . 2 .4. 1
. . .
b 7 -bS
This advance is often the starting signal for the light-square strategy. The advance . . . b7 -bS serves a lot of purposes , which we shall now explain individually.
2.4. 1 . 1 White's dark-squared bishop is staring into empty space This is an interesting strategic moment. Traditionally you learn to restrict an op posing bishop by putting your pawns on squares of its colour to deprive it of these squares. In the Scandinavian the opposite strategy appears : the more black pawns are on light squares , the less attacking potential is conceded to White's dark-squared bishop. You con centrate completely on the light squares and leave the, as it were, unopposed dark-squared bishop to run around on empty squares.
This method resembles the strategy of the defender in an ending with oppo site-coloured bishops. 2.62 Dennis Glascock David Taylor corr. l 9 8 5
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd5 3 .tt:lc3 'i:Ya5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5.�c4 c6 6.tt:le2 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.tt:lg3 �g6 9.l:[e1
This is illogical . 9 . f4 ! is the critical con tinuation of the line which began with tt:l e 2 -g 3 . 127
T h e Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
9 ... .2.b4 1 0.�d 2 0-0 1 1 .'IWe2
I n V okler-Reefschlag er, Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 2 / 9 3 , there followed l l . a3 �.xc3 1 2 . .ihc3 'IWc7 1 3 . .td3 .txd3 1 4 .�xd3 Cii b d7 with equality. 1 1 ...f1 tt:J d 5
For some time Black has had the initia tive, but he does not stand a lot better obj ectively speaking.
Chap t e r 2 : The s tand a r d c en t re
54.jLxg 7 ?
44.'11:V e 2
source, the database Mega Corr3 , now gives the move 44.�g 2 ? ? . But a hlunder of this calibre seems highly un likely in a correspondence game.
O ur
The final mistake. 5 4.'it>d3 ? c S 5 S . jLxg 7 tLlxd4-+ ; 5 4.jLc7 would be much tougher and first and foremost prevents the redeploying of the knight to c4. 54... �a5 55 .f4
44 ... �f7 45.�d6
+ S .h3 1 ? 'li:VfS 46 .�e4 would be more likely.
5 5 . 'it> f2 tLlc4 5 6 . 'i.t> g 3 e S �e6-+ .
5 7 . dx e 5
55 ... Wg4 56 .jLf6
45 ... �f5 46 .�g 3
+6.c 3 7 O:i'_b6 4 7 . W g 2 ti::J c 4 48 .jLb4 Wf7 + is hardly better than the game, +6.�e4 � x e 4 4 7 . fxe4 �e3 + 48 . 'it>e 2 :�"c+ 49 � c 5 � x b 2 S O .'it>f3 =l= is a n al .
ternative on the other hand.
5 6 .Wd3 'i.t>xf4 5 7 .'i.t>c3 'i.t>e4 5 8 . <Jib4 tLlb3 5 9 .jLh8 Wd3 -+ . 56 ... t2Jc4+ 57.\t>e2 'i.t>xf4 58.'i.t>f2 'i.t>e4 59.'i.t>g3 'i.t>d5 60.Wf4 t2Jxb2 6L 2.e7 b4 0-1
46 ... �xc2 !
Black heads for an ending with an extra pawn and good winning chances. Now
47.'11:V x c2
+ 7 . �xe 6 + 7 !
'it> h 7
48 .�e2 �c l +
+9 . � f2 c'L f4 + and Black wins a pawn .
47...�e3+ 48.c;&>f2 tt::J x c2 49.jLe5 �a1 50.jLf4 'ltf7 51 .'it>e3 ti::J b3 52 ..�.c7?!
5 Hte4 ' 7 , intending 52 . . . ti::J a 5 5 3 .jLd2 :Lc+ 54.jLc3 , would be good. 52 ... c;&>f6 ! 53 .jLe5+ \t>f5
2 .4. 1 . 2 Taking the steam out of a white queenside pawn storm Against a white queenside pawn storm , . . . b 7 -b5 is in fact the most important counter-measure. And once more the light-square strategy plays its part. If Black attacks a pawn formation of d4, c4, b4 with . . . b 7 -b5 , White frequently only has the choice between exchang ing on b S or the advance c4-c5 . Both leave weaknesses, above all on the light squares ( d S , c4) . 2.63 Mario Lanzani Boris Golubovic Charleville tt 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd 5 3 .t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 t2:lf6 5 .t2:lf3 c6 6 .jLc4 jLfS 7.jLd 2 e6 8.�e4 �c7 9.tLlg3 jLg4?!
Black is satisfied with a slight opening disadvantage. The move 9 . . . jLg 6 is more ambitious and better. 1 29
T h e M o d e rn S cand i na v i an
1 0. h 3 �xf3 1 1 .'i¥xf3:t tt:l b d 7 1 2 .0-o-o �dG 1 3 J a h e 1 o-o-o 1 4.tt:le4 tt:lxe4 1 5 Jh e4 tt:lf6 1 6 .J::l. e e1 h 6 1 7.�b3 'i¥e7 1 8.c4?
And we reach our subj ect. This pawn move stops any white ambitions on the queenside and at the same time strives to take over the initiative. 27. b4?!
2 7 . b3 aS 2 8 . a 3 Wb 6 + . 2 7... bxc4 a5!
28.wxc4 tt:le8
29.a4
Very strong ' Nothing will remain of the white phalanx , except weaknesses . . . 30.bxa5 l::l d 5 32 .c3 .l::r a 8 34.f4 ? ! .l:!.xa5
A mistake. Black now manages to halve the opposing bishop pair and build up pressure on d4. When one has the bishop pair, there is often the tried and tested method of taking things quietly at first and gradually strengthening one's position. For that, something along the lines of 1 8 . Wb l :t is worth considering, with a slight but lasting advantage. 1 8 . . .�b4! 1 9.�c3 �xc3 20.'i¥xc3 �c7 21 .�e3 b8 2 2 .'ii' e 5 J::l. d 7
Black doubles rooks o n the d-file and is already a bit more pleasantly placed. 23 .c2 J::l. h d 8 24.Wc3 b6 25 .�xc7+ ct/xc7 26 .�c2 b5!?
31 .l:!.e5 tt:ld6+ 33.l::l x d5 cxd5
Black is now clearly better. He has the far sounder pawn structure, in White's camp d4 and a4 above all tend to be weak. But care has to be taken that the latter does not turn into a strength. 35.g4?!
3 S . Wb4. 35 ... .l:!.a6 36.l::l f 1 ?
3 6 . fS starts counterplay on the kingside. 36 ... l::l c 6+ 3 7.Wd3 tt:le4+
Black's activity is threatening to be ex pressed in numbers. It will be difficult for White to avoid losing a pawn. 38Jk1 .l:.c3+ 39.We2
And now the blockading 39 ... g 5 ! +
would have been the most accurate. In stead, the weaker 3 9 . . . �d6 ? ! was played and White presumably lost on time. His position might still offer some drawing chances, e.g. 40 .h4 f6 4 l .aS eS 42.fxeS + fxe S 4 3 . dxe S + 'it>xeS 44.a6 l:ta3 4 S . �xe4 'it>xe4 46.l:!.c6. 1 30
Chap t er 2 : The s tandard centre
2.4. 1 . 3 Securing the outpost on dS
Another benefit of . . . b7 -bS lies in the seizing or securing of d S as an outpost. Since secure outposts are the breath of life for knights , it is worth fighting for them . An instructive example : 2 . 64 Sonke Maus Curt Hansen Hamburg I 9 9 I
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .. �c3 Wia5 4.d4 ttJfG 5 .t2lf3 �f5 6 .�d3
This is very tame; in general Black is not u n happy to swap off the light-squared bishop. 6 ... h2 'i!'xc1 31 .tZ:lxc1 .l:i b 2 3 2 . .l:if3 g5 33.\t>g3 �f7 34 . .l:ib3 .l:id2 35.tZ:ld3 �g6 36.�f3 h 5 3 7.g3 �f5 38.g4+ \t>g6 39.tZ:lc5 tZ:lf4 40.\t>e3 .l:ie2+ 41 .\t>f3 .l:ic2 4 2 . tZ:l d 7 tZ:lxh3 43 .gxh5+ \t>f5 44.�g3 tZ:lf4 45.h6 \t>g6 46 .tZ:lf8+ �xh6 47. .t:!. b 7 tZ:lh5+ 48.\t>g2 tZ:l g 7 49.J:if7 f5 50JU6+ �h5 51 .�g6 tZ:le8 5 2 Jbe6 tZ:lc7 53 .�e5 tZ:ld5 54.tZ:le6 \t>g4 55.\t>f1 tZ:lf4 56 .f3+ \t>g3 57.tZ:lxg5 .l:!.f2+ 58.�e1 tZ:ld3+ 59.�d 1 tZ:lxe5 60.dxe5 l:!.a2 0-1
It is not unusual for the light-square strategy to culminate in a logically con ducted attack on the king. 2.65 Wang Pin Natalia Zhukova Shenyan g 2 0 0 0
1 2 .tZ:le5
1 2 .�d2 7 t bS 1 3 .�d3 �xd3 1 4.'i¥xd3 0 - 0 1 S . .l:ihe 1 I:rfc8 1 6 .Wb 1 cS ! 1 7 . dxc5 tZ:lxcS 1 8 .'i¥xb 5 tZ:lce4 t, Hubner-Wahls , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 3 / 94 . 1 2 . . . b5 1 3 .�a2 �e4 !?
This manoeuvre is pure artistry. 1 4.J::. h e 1 1 6 .�d 2
�d5
1 5 .�xd 5
tZ:lxd5
1 6 . CiJxf7 7 'i¥f4+ 1 7 .�d2 'lt//i x f7 + . 1 6 ... 0-0 1 7.'i¥g4
1 7 . 'i!'d3 l:!.fc8 1 8 .'i!'g3 tLl 7 f6 1 9 . tLld3 'lt/ii x g3 2 0 . hxg 3 tZ:l d 7 = gave Black good control in Schiitt-H. Cording, corr. 1 993. 1 7... \t>hS 1 8.'i¥h3 J::. a c8 1 9.tZ:lxd 7 'lt//i x d 7 20.J::. e 4 f5 !
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i!'xd5 3 .tZ:lc3 'i!'a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tZ:lf3 tZ:lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d2
7 . tZ:le5 e 6 8 . g4 �e4 ? 1 9 . f3 ? ( 9 . 0 - 0 was played in Aseev-D. Koni g , Munich ! 9 9 1 / 9 2 , and was convincing for White. Did Hodgson have an improve ment up his sleeve ?) 9 . . . �dS I O .'i!'d3 tZ:lbd7 l ! . tZ:lxd7 tZ:lxd7 1 2 .�d2 �b4 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc4 1 4 . 'i!'xc4 �xc3 I S . �xc3 'i!'dS 1 6 .'i!'b3 bS ! 7 . f4 7 t h S ! 1 8 . .l:ihg l hxg4 1 9 Jh g 4 g 6 + . A perfect example of the light-square strategy ! White is now stuck with his weak nesses , Ansell-Hodgson , England tt 200 1 /02. 7...e 6 a:�Ve2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tZ:l b d 7 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 'lt/ii c 7 1 32
An important prophylactic measure di rected against White 's attack. Black sets up the seventh rank as a defensive barrier. Far weaker is 2 0 . . . tZ:lf6 ? 2 1 . .l:ih4 'iYdS 2 2 . g4 with a dangerous attack. 21 .l:!.h4 g 6
White 's attack looks more dangerous than it i s ; Black is in control on the light squares.
Chap t e r 2 : T h e s t an d a r d c e n t r e
22.'i�Vg3 Wg8 2 3 J:t h 3 24.'i�Vh4 .l::r f 7 2 5 . � b 1 ?!
'i�Vc7
More precise is 2 5 . .l:le I e. g. 2 5 . . . .ll e 8 2 6 J id3 c5 2 7 . dxc5 'i�Vxc5 2 8 . 'i�Vd4 with level chances. .
25 ... a5 26 . .S.e1 .ll e 8 27.c3?!
An error in principle. White weakens some light squares and gives his oppo nent points to attack. 27... c5!
Nonetheless the mighty knight on d5 secures some advantage for Black in this endgame. 28 ... C4 -+
Black quickly gets a violent attack, the white king feels neglected. 29.axb5
Or 2 9 . 'i�V g 3 'i�Vb6 3 0 . axb5 'i�Vxb5 and the black attack develops of its own vo lition : 3 1 . .\.l.c i a4 3 2 . �d6 .ll d 7 3 3 .'i�Vc5 'i�Va6 3 4 .l:!.e5 .ll b 8 -+ . 29 ... 'i�Vb8 30 . .ll g 3 'i�Vxb5 31 .'i�Vh6
After 3 1 . .\.l.f4 .l:lb7 3 2. .l:te2 'i�Vb3 3 3 . l:Ic 2 tDxf4 3 4 . 'i�Vxf4 t h e battering ram has the last word : 34 . . . a4-+ . 31 ... a4 32.h4
The pawn roller gets going and White will soon have to look to his king. On the other side of the board the rook on the seventh rank is fulfilling the defen sive tasks almost by itself. 28.a4?
of necessity White should be mod est here, 2 8 . dxc5 'i�Vxc5 2 9 .�d4 'i�Vxd4 3 0 .cxd4 would be the lesser evil .
Out
Symptomatic of the whole course of the game: White has completely overesti mated her attacking chances on the kingside. In fact the rook on f7 and the strength of the light squares held things together almost all on their own. 32 . . . a 3 33 . .\.l.c1 f4 !
The house of cards tumbles down . 34J:rt3 'i�V b 3 3 5 . h 5 a 2 + 36.�a 1 0-1 'i�Vc2 37. hxg 6 ! ? 'i�V b 1 #
2 . 5 Castling for White and Black
In this regard , the Scandinavian is highly flexible. Both sides can castle either way and often the black king gives up its right to castle entirely.
2 . 5 . 1 Queenside castling for White
This gives White a free hand for a kingside pawn storm , and at the same time the d4 pawn is safely protected. But as has been impressively shown in games like the previous one, Black quite often manages to counter on the queenside. We would like to go into one specific motif. 1 33
The M o d ern S cand i nav i an 2 . 5 . 1 . 1 . . . �xa3
In the majority of cases this piece sacri fice does not break through and this is probably the reason why it has been an unpleasant surprise to so many players with white. Here is an example, involv ing a real VIP :
1 4.ttla2 ? �b4! 1 S . �xb4 'i¥xa2 1 6 .�c3 d4 1 7 . �xd4 .l::!. d 8 + , R. Wagner-K. Friedrichs , Germany tt 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 . 1 4 ... �e6 1 5.tt:la2
I S .bxa3 ? ! 'iVxa3 + 1 6 . Wb 1 d4 1 7 .�c l �xc 3 + .
2.66 Judit Polgar Curt Hansen Gronin g en 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 '&'xd5 3 .tt:lc3 '&'a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .tt:lf3 �f5 6.tt:le5 c6 7.�c4 e6 8.�d 2 tt:lbd7 9.'&'e2 �b4 1 0.0-0-0 tt:lxe5 1 1 .dxe5 tt:ld5 1 2 .�xd 5 exd5 1 3 .a3?
Probably vaguely aware that the bishop sacrifice on a3 in the Scandinavian never works , White falls into the trap . . . 1 3 .g4 d4 ! i s the main line. 1 3 ... �xa 3 !
1 5 ... �b4!
A neat motif, which you really should remember. 1 6 .�xb4
1 6 . tt:lxb4 ? ? '&'a ! # is trivial , but at the same time a basic idea behind the �b4-motif as well as behind the bishop sacrifice on a3 . 1 6 ... 'i¥xa 2 1 7.�e3 0-0-0 1 8.�d6 b6 1 9. 'lt> d 2 'i!Hxb2 20J;l b 1 d4 21 Jbb2 dxe3+ 22 .'it>xe3 'lt> b 7 +
1 4.'ti'f3? !
1 4. bxa3 1 is the best solution, but it no longer achieves equality : 1 4 . . . �xa3 + 1 S . �b 1 '&'b 3 + (or 1 S . . . d4 ! ? 1 6 . tt:le4 �e6 + , L. Bronstein-Tempone, Buenos Aires 1 9 9 0 ) 1 6 .�a l �xc2 1 7 . .l:i.b ! ( ! 7 . .l:!.c ! d4 ! 8 . ttla 2 'i:Ya4+) 1 7 . . . �xb 1 1 8 . .l::. x b l '&'a3 + 1 9 . ttla2 + , Murphy Brandhorst, carr. 1 9 9 2 . 1 34
and the extra pawn gives Black a clear endgame advantage. The fact that the Hungarian finally managed to save the game with the opposite bishops ending is another story. In the example which now follows , the sacrifice is played instinctively, since the variations can hardly be fully calculated out. At the same time it is in a certain way a child born out of necessity.
Cha p t er
2:
The s t an d a r d c entre
2.67 Flemming Storgaard John Iver Eriksen c o r r. 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 i¥a5 4.d4 �f5 5 .�d 2 e6 6 .tt:lf3 c6 7.�c4 tt:lf6 8.'i¥e2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tt:l b d 7 1 O.tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 1 .dxe5 tt:l d 7 ?
A theoretical inaccuracy. 1 1 . . . tt:ldS is the clearly preferable subj ect of the previ ous game. 1 2 .a3 b5!?
Still the best. 1 2 . . . �xc3 ? 1 3 . �xc3 'i¥c7 1 4. g4 �g6 I S .f4± ; The immediate 1 2 . . . �xa3 ? backfires : 1 3 . tLl b 5 �b4 1 4 . �xb4 'i¥xb4 1 S .tZ:ld6+ c:l;e7 1 6 . tt:lxf5 + exfS 1 7 . e 6 1 - 0 , Gasseholm-Ingerslev, corr. 1 9 8 2 . 1 3 .�a 2 ?
Gives Black the chance to confuse mat ters with the help of the thematic bishop sacrifice. 1 3 .�d3 1 would secure a clear advantage. 1 3 ... �xa 3 ! 1 4.bxa3
Not 1 4 . tt:l d 5 ? b4 1 5 . g 4 � xc 2 ! 1 6 . tLl c 7 + 'i¥xc 7 1 7 . Wx c 2 b 3 + 1 8 . �xb3 � e 7 -+ , Visser-Math e , Groningen 1 9 9 3 . 1 4 ... 'i¥xa 3+ 1 5 . c:l; b 1 0-0
Black has only two pawns for the piece and no concrete threats. However the position is not clear : Black is threaten ing to strengthen his attack one step at a time. The following redeployment of the white bishop must be correct. 1 6 .�c1 'i¥b4+ 1 7.�b2 tt:lb6
1 8.'1:t>a 1
After this Black's compensation be comes very unpleasant. However, the apparently relieving combination 1 8 .'ti'd2 tt:lc4 1 9 . �xc4 bxc4 2 0 .tt:ldS ? meets the tactical blow 2 0 . . . �xc2 + ' and Black can continue his attack with three nice pawns for the piece. 1 8 .. JUb8
In Jansa-Taulbut, Copenhagen 1 9 8 1 , Black played the other rook, which looks a bit more natural : 1 8 . . . .l::!. ab8 I 9. t2:l b 1 tt:l c4 2 0 . � c 3 'ti'a4 2 l . �d4 � b 6 ( 2 1 . . . c5 1 ?) 2 2 . .l::!. x c4 bxc4 2 3 .'iii' x c4 'i¥xc2 24.�d4 ' with unclear play. 1 9. tt:l b 1
1 9 . l:td6 tt:lc4 2 0 .�xc4 bxc4 2 1. .l:!.b ! .l::!. b 6 2 2 .tt:la2 �a4 2 3 .�d2 h 6 � . 1 9 . . .tt:lc4 20.�c3 �a4 21 .l:ld4
2 l. . l::i. c ! l:!.b6 2 2 .�e l tt:laS . 21 ... c5 2 2 .�xc4 bxc4
Materially, two pieces against a rook and one or two pawns is about level , but the initiative from now on clearly lies with Black. 23 .�xc4?
2 3 . l::r c 1 would be exciting , and by no means clear-cut. 1 35
The M o d ern S candinavian
23 ... 'iWxc2 24.�xc5 a 5
2 S .'i!ie3 :lc8 2 6 . �d4 l:.ab 8 2 7 . tt:Ja3 + and the white pieces still hold things together more or less. 25 .. .'�Ve4-+
Now Black can crown his initiative with a material advantage ; it's all over. 26 .f3 'i!ie2 27.g4 �xb 1 28.lhb1 �xf3 29 . .l:ixb8+ a:xb8 30.�b2 �xg4 31 .�xa5 �g 1 + 32.�b1 'iWxh 2 33 .'iWc3 h 5 34.�c2 h4 35.'iWd3 g 6 0-1 25 .�d4?
2.5.2 Kingside castling for White
Kingside castling is White 's quickest way to get his king out of the middle and it of fers plenty of flexibility for future planning. White can storm forward with his pawns on the queenside or the kingside. If he castles queenside, it is very rare for White to mount a queenside pawn storm . If Black castles on the opposite side, i . e . sends his king to the queenside, a white pawn storm is an obvious possibility. But there are other methods :
2 . 5 . 2 . 1 The disaster on the h2-b8 diagonal If this diagonal falls into the hands of the white bishop and the black king is caught on c 8 , Black is in for some trou ble. One effective defensive idea, as well as the exchange of the mighty bishop, is the daring . . . b 7 -b5 and . . . t>b7 , see e.g. Fleetwood-Taylor (Game 2 . 5 8) . The next two games serve as a warning of what can happen if Black does not pay the sort of attention that is required. 2.68 Mark Tseitlin Helmut Reefschlager Biel 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tt:Jc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .tt:Jf3 tt:Jf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.a3 �g4 1 0.�e3 !?
1 36
Most chess players develop a favourite square or a favourite move over the years , based on specific games or open ing preferences. On the other hand, cer tain negative experiences are also linked to certain aversions. Try and guess for which player the move 'i!ie3 is his worst nightmare . . . 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 l l . �xc3 �hS 1 2 .d5 1 is also critical.
C h a p t e r 2 : T h e s t a nd a r d c en t r e
1 0 ... £.xf3? ! 1 1 .'li'xf3 tt:l b d 7
The player with Black later improved (or, more exactly, changed) his play with l l . . . ttldS 1 2 . 0 - 0 £.xc3 1 3 . bxc3 0 - 0 1 4 ..l:He l ttl d 7 1 5 . £. d 3 li fe 8 1 6 . lle2 tLl 5 f6 1 7 .c4t , without finding sufficient compensation for White 's hi shop pair, Schmittdiel-Reefschlager, Binz ch-GER I 9 9 4 . 1 2 .0-0-0 £.xc3 1 4.�d 2 ±
1 3 .£.xc3
'li'c7
White has a clear advantage in the end game, but he would like to win in an at tack. 1 9 ... 'li' g 6 ?
Correct is I 9 .. . '�J f4 2 0 . 'li'f3 lLl fd S 2 I .'li'xf6 lLlxf6 ± . 20.�e5
Now things are really over, White 's mating attack is decisive. 20 .. .t2Jd 7 21 .'li'd6 'li'g5+
And now the point : 2 2 .Ue3!+- 'li'e7
Bologan correctly speaks of a clear white advantage here. The bishops can hardly be restrained , and at the same time the black knights do not have se cure outposts. Compare this to the game Dolmatov Wahls (Game 2 . 5 3 ) . 1 4 ... 0-0-0?
Castling queenside deprives Black of any counterplay for a long time, and at the same time his king gets into diffi culties. Since 1 4 . . . b S ? fails to I 5 .£.xb5 , the lesser evil would be 1 4 . . . 0 - 0 1 5 .�f4 'li'd8 then . . . b 7 -b5 , . . . a 7 -a5 with an attempt to get counterplay on the queenside. 1 5 Jlhe1 tt:Jb6 1 7.�b3 tt:lfd 5 1 9.'li'h 5 ! ?
1 6 .£.f4 1 8.�g3
'li'e7 'li'f6
23 .'li'xd 5 !
1 -0
2.69 Andrey Sokolov Curt Hansen Copenhag en Wch -jr 1 9 8 2
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd 5 �xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.�c4 tt:lf6 5.d4 c6 6.l2:lf3 £.f5 7. 0-0 e6 8J�e1 l2:l b d 7 9 . h 3
White 's set-up is solid and not without venom . Hoping for a small but lasting advantage, White would like to play tlJh4 and obtain the bishop pair. 9 ... �e7 1 0.tt:lh4 .�g 6 hxg6 1 2 . .2.f4
1 1 .tt:lxg6
1 37
The M o d ern S c andina vian
1 2 . a3 0 - 0 ? ! 1 3 .�d2 Wfc7 1 4.Wif3 ;\; was played in Smirin-Cu . Hansen, Moscow 1 989. 1 2 ... 0-0-0!
A good plan. Black is striving for counterplay on the semi-open h-file. 1 3 .�f1 g5 1 4.�g3 .l:( h 6
1 4 . . . g4 1 S .'i¥d2 t2lb6 1 6 . hxg4 cS is also worth considering. 1 5 .Wid 2 ! ?
1 5 ... g4?
. . . into which Black immediately falls. The correct move would have been 1 S . . . l:!.dh8 oo , which at least would have created a flight square on d8 for the king. 1 6 . t2l b 5 ! !
The shock bites deep, as the next move shows. 1 6 ... Wib6?
This gives up the queen for two pieces, which more or less amounts to capitu lation. 1 6 . . .'illf x d2 ? 1 7 /i:Jxa 7 # and it is all over. The only chance was 1 6 . . . b 6 , even if the endgame after 1 7 . '�'xaS bxaS 1 8 .t2ld6+ �xd6 1 9 . �xd6± is pleasant for only one of the players . . . 1 7.�c7 VJ/ixc7 1 8.t2lxc7 1 9. hxg4 .l:!. d h 8 20.f3 +-
This looks like a normal developing move, but it sets a diabolical trap
wxc7
and White won on move 3 7 .
2 . S . 3 Black castles kingside If, in the constellation 'White castles queenside, Black castles queenside ' White 's play is too tame, then Black frequently manages to get some initiative by combin ing play on the queenside with play against the pawn on d4. Clearly the most dangerous white plan is a kingside pawn storm.
2 . 5 . 3 . 1 g2-g4, h2 -h4
2.70
As we have seen earlier on in this book, this version of the kingside advance of ten goes along with the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop. A warning for black players is in order here : this is extremely dangerous and as Black you should only let it happen if your own counterattack is fast enough and you manage to generate enough counterplay quickly.
Karsten Muller
1 38
Thomas Cording Hamburg 1 9 9 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 Wixd 5 3 .t2lc3 'W'a5 4.d4 t2lf6 5.t2lf3 c6 6.�c4 �f5 7.t2le5 e6 8.'ii' e 2 �b4 9.�d 2 t2l b d 7 1 0.t2lxd 7 t2lxd 7 1 1 .a3
Still the calm before the storm . But things will soon start happening !
Chap t e r
1 1 ... 0-0 1 2 . 0-0-0?!
2:
The s tand a r d c ent r e
A I ) 1 6 . . . �xg4 1 7 . � g I and now :
Ana lysis d i agram
All this was prepared in a Hamburg training group led by C. -D. Meyer. It should be pointed out that the analyses provided then have been to a large ex tent blended into these remarks. In this position, our eyes were mainly on the two possible captures . . . �xc3 and .. .iha3 ; in preparation, no attention was paid to the strong move in the game . . . With the advantage o f hindsight, 1 2 . g41 is much more precise than castling at once : 1 2 . . . � g 6 ( 1 2 . . . b 5 ? ? 1 3 .�a2+-) 1 3 .h4 ( 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 1 ?) 1 3 . . . h 5 (Or 1 3 . . . h 6 1 4.h5 �h 7 and now I 5 J:[g ] t ? looks very dangerous , e . g. I S . . . eS 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xa 3 1 7 . g S exd4 1 8 . tt:l e 4 'i:Y e S 1 9 . bxa 3 'i:Yxe4 2 0 . 'i:Yxe4 �xe4 2 l .gxh 6 ± ) 1 4. �a2 �e 7 I S . tLldS 'i:Yd8 l 6 .'�J xe 7 + 'ifxe 7 1 7 . gxh S ± . 1 2 b5! ...
Not only surprising, but obj ectively the strongest ; the alternatives give an ad vantage to White : A) 1 2 . . . �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 'i:Yc7 1 4.g4! . Energetic treatment is require d . 1 4 . . . 'iff4 + I S . 'if d 2 1 (Sievers) I S . . . 'ifxd2 + ( I S . . . 'i¥xg4 ? 1 1 6 J:! �h g l �h4 1 7 . d S -+ ) 1 6 . �xd2 . The g4 pawn is digestible, but not espe cially tasty :
A l l ) 1 7 . . . h S ? 1 8 . d 5 exdS 1 9 . h 3 dxc4 2 0 . l:Ixd 7 1 �xd 7 2 I . .tlxg 7 + Wh8 2 2 . � xf7 + Wg8 2 3 .�g 7 + Wh8 2 4 . �xd 7 + +- ; A l 2 ) 1 7 . . . tt:l b 6 ? 1 8 .d5 1 hS ( ! 8 . . . tt:lxc4 ! 9 . lhg4 tt:lxd2 2 0 .�xg 7 + 'lt>h8 2 1 Jh f7 + with checkmate t o fol low) 1 9 . � b 3 g6 2 0 . dxe6 fxe 6 2 l .�xe 6 + ± ; A l 3 ) 1 7 . . . �f5 1 8 . d 5 e S 1 9 . dxc6 bxc6 2 0 . � g 5 �h3 2 I . f4-+ ; A l 4) 1 7 . . . �f3 1 8 . d 5 e S 1 9 . dxc6 �xc6 2 0 . f4;\; . A2) 1 6 . . . �e4 1 7 . �e l �dS 1 8 .� e 2 ;\; and the pair of bishops assures White o f a slight b u t lasting advantage i n the endgame. B) 1 2 . . . �xa3 ?! comes up against : B l ) 1 3 . tt:la2 ! 'i:Ya4 1 4. �b3 'i:Yxd4 I 5 .�c3 'iff4+ . The last moves were forced . Now White must make the cor rect decision . 1 6 .'i:Yd2 1 ( this leads to a material imbalance in which White 's chances are preferable. Weaker is 1 6 .'li'e3 �d6 1 1 7 . �d4 'li'xe 3 + ! 8 . fxe 3 tt:lb6 1 ! 9 . lhd6 a S = and Black wins back the piece) 1 6 . . . � d 6 1 7 . g 3 'i:Yxd 2 + 1 8 . .tlxd2 �e4 1 9 . .l:lxd6 �xh l 2 0 . l:!.xd 7 cS 2 l . �xe 6 ;\; and two pieces are somewhat stronger than a rook and a pawn here. 1 39
The M o d ern S candinavian
Accepting the sacrifice is very promis ing for Black: B 2 ) 1 3 . bxa3 ? ! 'tWxa3 + 1 4 . Wb 1 b S 1 S .�d3 b4 1 6 .�c 1 �aS 1 7 . t2l e4 t2lb6� intending tZ:ldS -c3 . 1 3 .axb4
By trying for the most promising contin uation, White risks life and limb. Better, though ambitious is 1 3 .�b3 �xc3 1 4.�xc3 �c7 1 S . g4 'i¥f4+ 1 6 .'i¥d2 'tWxd2 + 1 7 .l:hd2 �e4 1 8 . .l:!.e 1 �dS = and White no longer has two bishops. 1 3 .. .'�Ua 1 + 1 4. t2l b 1 �g6 1 6 . h4
bxc4 1 5 .g4
B) 1 7 .'ihc4 t2l b 6 1 8 . 'i¥ b 3 �e4 1 1 9 . bxaS �dS -+ ; C) 1 7 . bxaS .l:!. fb 8 1 8 . � c 3 .l:i.xaS 1 9 .'ihc4 ( 1 9 . Wd2 l:!.xb 2 2 0 . �xb2 �xb 2 2 l . �xc4 l:!. d s - ) 1 9 . . Jh2 2 0 .Wd2 .l:!.bxb2 2 1 .�xb2 .l:!.xb2 22 . .l:!.c 1 'iVaS + - . 1 7.13 h 5
1 7 . . . aS ! ? i s still worth considering , Black must set up counter-threats ' 1 8.�xc4 hxg4 1 9. h 5 !
White opens lines with tempo and Black has lost control completely. 1 9 ... t2lxh5
1 9 . . . �xhS 2 0 . fxg4 �xg4 2 1. . l:!.dg 1 - . 20.fxg4 t2lg3?
Relatively better is 20 . . . t2lf6 , though Black's position after 2 1 . .l:!.h3 is not all that much fun : 2 1 . . . 'i¥a4D 2 2 . l:!.dh l t2lh7 2 3 .t2la3 ± . 21 . l:!. h 3 ! + -
The critical position , perhaps of the whole game. 1 6 ... t2lf6 ?
In such a sharp position , a single mis take is usually one too many. After the text move, White can develop his attack with tempo, by simply attacking the opposing minor pieces. The riposte suggested by Alexey Shirov is much stronger: 1 6 . . . aS ! and in all lines Black gets an extremely dangerous attack : A) 1 7 .hS axb4 1 8 .�xb4 .ll a 2 1 9 .�c3 ( 1 9 .�a3 c3 2 0 .hxg6 l:!.xb2 and mate) 1 9 . . . l:!.b8 ! -+ and the threatened capture on b2 cannot be parried successfully; 1 40
21 . . .�a 2 ! ?
A nice j oke ! 2 2 J:td h 1
2 2 .�xa2 would not be s o good. 22 ... �xc4 23.l:!.h8#
1 -0
C hap t e r
2:
T h e s ta n d a r d c e n t r e
2 . 5 .4 Both sides castle kingside In this constellation White, who at first is better developed, must decide on which wing he intends to look for the initiative. As we already know, it is rarely advisable to advance on both sides of the board.
2 . 5 .4. 1 White plays on the queenside with c2-c4 and b2 -b4 Generally Black will and must meet this with . . . h 7 -h 5 (see for example Maus Hansen (Game 2 . 6 4) ) or after b4-b5 turn to . . . c6-c5 . The game which now follows illustrates what can happen when the thrust b4-b5 is allowed and Black has no relevant counter-measures :
1 3 .t2Jh4 �g6 1 4.�e2 0-0 1 5 .0-0 f5 1 6 .g3 t2Jf6 1 7.�f3 �fd8 1 8.'iVe2 a5 1 9JUd 1 'iVe7 20J::t a b 1 axb4 21 .axb4
2.7 I Lj ubomir Ljubojevic Lembit Oll Antwerp 1 9 9 4
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'iVxd5 3 .tt::l c 3 'iVa5 4.tt::l f 3 tt::l f 6 5.d4 £f5 6 .£d2 e6 7.a 3
Ljubomir Lj uhojevic is not known as an expert in or fetishist of main line theory. 7... c6 7 . . tt:lhd7 8 . £e2 c6 9 . �c l £e 7 1 0 . 0 - 0 0 - 0 I J . �J4 t2J d 5 1 2 . t2Jxd5 cxdS 1 3 . c 3 Sfc 8 1 4 . .l::t d l 'iV d 8 I S . t2Je5 t2Jxe 5 '/2 - 1/2 , Houston-Sifrer, corr. 1 9 9 6 . .
8.t2Je4 'iVb6?!
Black should have played 8 . . . 'iVd8 and avoided the doubled pawns, with rough equality. 9.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 O.b4 ! ;!;
This move fulfils several good purposes. As well as the desired gain of space, the direct threat to b2 is fended off and a queenside initiative is started. 10 ... t2J d 7 1 1 .c4 £g 7 1 2 .£e3 'iVc7
Unlike Black, White has achieved an ad vantageous set-up. Black does not have the two typical ways to meet White 's queenside advance. Both . . . h 7 -b5 and . . . c6-c5 fail due to the riposte b4-b5 . 21 ... t2Je8?
White now fully develops his queenside offensive. 2 l . . . t2Je4 would at least de prive White of the pleasure of the bishop pair : 2 2 . tt::l x g6 hxg 6 2 3 . £xe4 fxe4 2 4 . 'iVg4;!; ( 2 4 . h 5 ) . 2 2 . b 5 ! cxb5 2 3 Jb b 5
Now b 7 is horribly weak . 23 ... tt::l d 6 24Jl b b 1 l:t d 7 25 .c5 t2Je4 26 .£xe4 fxe4 27.tt::l x g6 hxg6 28.�g4 .l:.ad8 29.'iVxe4±
The pressure on the q ueenside has earned White a clear extra pawn and good winning chances. Ljuboj evic brings home the whole point relatively easily : 141
T h e M o d e rn S c and i na v i an
2.72 Yehuda Gruenfeld Klaus Berg Gausdal 1 9 8 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 i¥xd 5 3 .t:L:lc3 i¥a5 4.�c4 t:L:lf6 5 .d4 c6 6 .t:L:lf3 �f5 7. 0-0 e6 8.i¥e2 t:L:l bd7 9.�d 2 2a-�d5 3Q�dc1 �8d 7
3 0 . . . �xd4 ? ! 3 l . �xd4 �xd4 3 2 . 'i¥xb 7 l:r d l + 3 3 . �xd l l:rxd l + 3 4 . '>t> g 2 'i¥xb 7 + 3 S . l:rxb 7 lie ! 3 6 . .r1c 7 ± . 31 .l:.C4 'iY d 8 32.h4 �f6 33. '>t>g2 W g 7 34J:Icb4 'iWc8
3 4 . . . �xd47 1 3 5 . �xd4+ �xd4 3 6 . .l:rxd4 .l:t.xd4 3 7 . 'i¥xb 7 WHaS 3 8 . llc l ± . 9 ... �b4?!
3 5 . 1:!. 1 b 3 e5?!
It would be tougher to wait and see with 35 . . . W g 8 ± . 36.dxe5 .l:!.xe5 37.i¥f3 .!:ItS 38.�f4 .!:!:xf4 39.'i¥xf4 .!:!: d 5 ? ! 4 0 . � b 6 �e5 ? !
Better is 40 . . . �d8 . 41 .'i¥e4 'i¥d7 4 2 . I1 d 6
1 -0
2 . 5 .4.2 White plays on the kingside with tt:Jes , f2-f4, g2 -g4 This attacking set-up also occurs quite often when White castles kingside. Generally speaking the white king can not be attacked directly. However, there is a considerable long term risk attached to this plan. If White 's initiative gets bogged down , the resulting weaknesses usually be come noticeable later. The structure arising after t:L:lxeS I dxeS I f4-f5 can be very dangerous for Black. 1 42
Giving up the bishop pair of his own volition is absolutely not necessary. After 9 . . . �xc 2 7 I O . dS Black logically falls on his own sword. On the other hand 9 . . . i¥c7 I O . tLleS �d6 ( I O . . . t:L:lxe5 1 7 ) I l . g 4 �xeS 1 2 . gxfS �xh2 + 1 3 . '>t> g 2 �f4 1 4. fxe6 fxe 6 I S .'i¥xe6 + '>t>d8 is preferable, with unclear play in Sawatzki-K. Muller, DHMM 1 9 9 5 . 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 2 .�b3 0-0
1 1 .�xc3
Wic7
I 2 . . . �e4 ! ? . 1 3 .t:L:le5!
White is now planning to continue with g 2 -g4 and f2 -f4-fS . It is not so easy to find a satisfactory defence to this. 1 3 ... t:L:lxe5
I 3 . . . t:L:le4 1 4 . g 4 1 t:L:lxc3 I S . bxc3 �g6 1 6 . f4 l:!.ae8 ! 7 ..l::i: a e l t:L:lxeS 1 8 . dxeS
Chap t er 2 : The s tan d ard c e n tre
Wfe 7 1 9 . 'lt>h ! 'i¥h4 2 0 . f5 exfS 2 1 . gxf5 �hS 2 2 .'�e3 �g4 2 3 . l::!. f4;t , Solo zhenkin-Tikkanen. J yvaskyla I 9 9 7 . 1 4.dxe5 tt:Je4?!
14 . . . tt:ld5 is more precise as I 5 .g4 �g6 1 6 . f4 can be met by 1 6 . . . 'li'b 6 + 1 7 . Wh l 'li'e3 with counterplay. 1 5 .g4! tt:Jxc3 1 6 .bxc3 �g6 1 7.f4
23 ... g 6 24.'lt>h4 'lt> g 7 2 5 .f6+ '>t> h 6 2 6 . 'lt> g 3 g 5 27.J:!.e4 .l:!. a d 8 28.h4 gxh4+?
After this mistake, Black must always be aware of mating motifs. Much more re sistance could have been put up by 2 8 . . . l:. g 8 . 29Jbh4 l:!.xe5 31 .'lt>f4 .l:(g5
30.�xf7
.l:!.f8
1 7... l:!.fe8
The rook move indirectly prevents f4-f5 by bringing the pawn on e S within its reach. 1 7 .. . '�1c8 7 t ! 8 .'�' f3 fS 1 9 . exf6 .l:!.xf6 2 0 . J:!.ae I �f7 2 l . g 5 l:!.fs 2 2 .'li'e3 �f8 2 3 .�xe 6 ± . 1 8.l:!.ae1
1 8 .f5 7 exfS 'i'a5 1 - + .
1 9 . gxf5 l:.xeS 2 0 .'li'g4
1 8 ... 'li'e7
1 8 ... h6 7 ! 1 9 .f5 �h7 2 0 .f6 does not make a particularly confidence-inspiring im pression either: 2 0 . . . '¥Vb6 + ( 2 0 . . . g 5 2 l .h4-) 2 l .Wg2 g S (2 1 . . .g 6 2 2 .g5±) 2 2 .h4 l:rad8 2 3 .hxgS hxgS 24.l:!.h 1 - . 1 9.f5 exf5 20.gxf5 'i¥g5+ 21 .'¥Vg2 '¥Vxg 2+ 2 2 /oti'xg 2 �h5 23.'lt>g 3 !
Gruenfeld plays the whole game ener getically and impressively.
32.J:!.g 1 ! !
The decisive blow. 3 2 .. J:!.c5
3 2 . . Jhf7 3 3 . l h g s J:!.xf6 + 3 4 . .l:t fs .l:!.xfS + 3 S . 'lt>xf5 b 6 3 6 . .l:!.h ! +- ; 3 2 . . . l:.xg l ? 3 3 . �xh 5 # . 3 3 Jb h 5 + .l:!.xh5 34.�xh5 'lt>xh5 35.'lt>f5 1 -0
We will now have an example of the structure . . . tt:lxe S , fxeS . This is not all that common in the Scandinavian. 2.73 John Enuns Angus Dwmington London 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tt:lc3 'li'a5 4.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 5.d4 c6 6 .�d2 �f5 7.�c4 e6 8.tt:le4 !?
1 43
The M o d e rn S c an d i na v i an
Conquest, Hastings 1 9 9 6 / 9 7 ) 1 1 . 0 - 0 � g 6 1 2 . d5 cxd5 1 3 . �xd5 t2J c 6 oo (Nunn) ; B 3 ) I O . c 3 t2J d 7 l l . � e 2 . Psakhis gives White an advantage here, though after 1 1 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . t2Jh4 �g6 1 3 . g3 (Bologan-Von Gle i c h , Riga 1 9 9 5 ) 1 3 . . . c5 ! we d o not agree with this as sessment. 9.t2Jg3 �g6 8 ... 'ii¥ d 8?!
The move 8 . . . 'ii¥ b 6 ?! is also imprecise, since after 9 . t2Jxf6 + gxf6 1 0 . 0 - 0 ( I O .�b3 ! 7 should suffice for a small plus) taking the b2 pawn is very risky : I O . . . �xb2 l l . .!:!.b l 'li'xc2 1 2 .'ii' x c2 �xc2 1 3 . .!:!.xb 7 with the initiative, e . g. 1 3 . . . �e4 1 4 . .!:i:e l ! ? �xf3 1 5 .�xe 6 ' ! fxe 6 1 6 . .l::!. x e 6 + � d 8 1 7 . � a 5 + + (Wahls) . The correct counter to White 's set-up is 8 . . . 'ii¥ c 7 1 : A) 9 . t2J g 3 7 ! �g6 doesn 't give Black any special problems with his queen on c7 : A I ) I O . h4 t2J h 5 ! l l . t2J e 5 t2J x g 3 1 2 . fxg3 t2Jd7 1 3 .�f4 t2Jxe5 1 4 . �xe5 �d6 1 5 .'ii¥ e 2 h5 1 6 . 0 - 0 - 0 �f5 1 7 . '1i'e3 and in Glek-Wahls (Game 2 . 3 6 ) , I 7 . . J � g 8 ! would have led to equality af ter 1 8 . �xd6 'ii¥ x d6 1 9 . �e2 g 6 2 0 . �b l 0-0-0=; A 2 ) I O .'iVe2 t2Jbd7 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 �d6 = , Psakhis-Pomes Marcet, Andorra 1 9 9 6 . B ) 9 . t2Jxf6 + gxf6 . I n this structure the queen is generally correctly placed on c7: B l ) I O . t2Jh4 � g 6 l l . f4 ! ? runs into I 1 . . . f5 ! +Z (Wahls) ; B 2 ) ! O . 'ii¥ e 2 t 7 �xc2 t 7 ( I O . . . t2J d 7 7 ! 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 2 . t2Jh4 � g 6 1 3 .�b3 �d6 1 4. g 3 ! .!:!.he8 I 5 . .l:i.he I f5 ? 1 6 . t2J g 2 �b8 ? 1 7 .�f4 f6 1 8 . �xe6 ! +- , Nunn1 44
9 . . . �g4 I O . c3 is safe, but not very am bitious on Black's part : A) I O . . . t2Jh5 l l .'li'b3 t2Jxg 3 1 2 .hxg3 �xf3 1 3 .'�' x b 7 ( 1 3 . gxf3 '€W b 6 ;!; ) 1 3 . . . � x g 2 1 4. lih 2 t2Jd7 1 5 . lhg2 'ii¥ c 8 1 6 .�a6 'i¥xb 7 1 7 . �xb 7 l:!.b8 1 8 . �xc6 .!:i: x b 2 1 9 . �a4± , Golod-Serg eev, Hlohovec 1 9 9 4 ; B) I O . . . t2J b d 7 l l . h3 �xf3 1 2 .'1i'xf3 with a slight advantage according to Donev. White has the bishop pair and an advantage in space. 1 0.h4!
The plan starting with 8 . t2Je4 is an ag gressive one. Black must now decide how best to meet the threat of h4-h5 . I O .c3 t2Jbd7 1 1 . 0 - 0 �e7 1 2 .'€We2 t2Jd5 1 3 . .t:.ad l 0-0 1 4.�c l Vlii c 7 1 5 .t2Je5 t2Jxe5 1 6 . dxe5 .l:!.ad8 = , Goldberg Jackelen, Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 3 / 94.
1 0 ... h 6 ? !
Chap t e r
1 O . . tLlhS is possible, but cannot solve the problems either. After 1 1 . 'i¥e2 tLld7 .
1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 it becomes clear that Black cannot avoi d opening the f- file. 1 2 . . . �d6 1 3 .tLle5 tLlxg 3 1 4 . fxg3 �xeS 1 5 . dxe5 h 5 ( 1 5 . . . h 6 1 6 . h 5 � h 7 1 7 .�g4t) 1 6 . �b4± , see Svidler-Oll (Game 2 . 1 ) . 1 O . . . h5 1 1 .�g5 tLlbd 7 1 2 .'1We2 ;!; . 1 1 .tLle5 � h 7
1 1 . . . �xd4 1 2 .tLlxg 6 fxg 6 1 3 .'i¥e2 is probably something Black cannot afford to do, e.g. 1 3 . . . 'i¥xb2 1 4.'1Wxe 6 + Wd8 1 5 . .l:!.d ! tt::l b d7 1 6 .�a5 + b6 1 7 .tLle4� . 1 2 .�e2 This position is somewhat reminiscent
of the Caro-Kann trap l . e4 c6 2 . tLlc3 dS
3 . tt::l f3 dxe4 4 . tLlxe4 � fS ? ! 5 . tLl g 3 £.g6 7 ! 6 .h4 ' h6 7 . tLle5 �h 7 8 . 'i¥h5 g 6 9 .�c4 e6 1 o . 'i¥e2 . In both cases things are very hard for Black. The first threat is the lethal tLlxf7 . 1 2 ... tLJd5 tt::l x e5
1 3 .0-0-0
tLl d 7
1 4.f4
1 4 . . . �e7 7 ! 1 5 . tLlh5 0 - 0 1 6 .'i¥g4 g 6 1 7 . tt::l g 3 ± is awful for Black. There are the deadly threats of h4-h5 and f4-f5 , without even mentioning the bishop on
2:
The s tand a r d c en t r e
Now w e have reached the structure mentioned at the start. White has good chances of building up pressure down the f-file. Equally strong i s 1 5 . dx e 5 'i¥ c 7 1 6 . .ii h fl t 0 - 0 - 0 1 7 . fS �xfS 1 8 . tLlxf5 exfs 1 9 ..l:hfs g 6 2 0 .l:H3 �g 7 2 l . e 6 ± , Arakhamia-Olbrich , Yerevan Olympiad 1 996. 1 5 ... "iWc7 1 6 . .f:.hf1 0-0-0 1 7JU3 b5 1 8.�d 3 �g8?
An understandable move. Black has completely j ustified worries about his f-pawn , but does it really make sense to transform his bishop voluntarily into something less than a pawn? 1 8 . . . �xd3 1 9 . '1Wxd3 fS 2 0 . exf6 gxf6 ;!; was preferable. 1 9.c4 bxc4 21 .tLle4
20.�xc4
�e7
All the white pieces head to the queenside. 21 ... tLlb6 2 2 .�a5 �xh4 2 3 .I:i.c3
And here Black admitted defeat, some what prematurely. After 2 3 J:ic 3 �h7 2 4 . �b 5 �xe4 2 5 .'1Wxe4 �g 5 + 2 6 . Wb 1 Wb8 2 7 . .t:i.xc6 White is better, but not yet winning.
h7.
1 5 .fxe5!?
The next admonishing example under lines once more the potential dangers of the . . . tLlxe 5 / fxe5 structure : 2 . 74 Vsevolod Kosenkov Alexander Serebrysky carr. 1 9 6 9
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'i¥xd 5 3 .tLJc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5.�e2 tLJf6 6 . tLlf3
1 45
The M o d e rn S cand inavian
�g4 Vt:Je5 �xe2 8.'li'xe2 e6 9.�d 2 'li'c7?
If not forced to play like this, you should in general not do so. There is no reason to increase White 's lead in devel opment! Better is 9 . . . t2Jbd7 . 1 0.0-0-0 ttJ b d 7 1 1 .f4 tt:Jxe5
The opening of the f-file in conj unction with Black's backward development is highly suicidal . 1 2 .fxe5 tt:J d 7 1 3 J�hf1 ±
1 8 . . . �d8 1 9 . �xb 7 VfJxg S + 2 0 . 'lt>b l exdS 2 I ..l:tfe l + Wf7 2 2 .'lWxd 7 + �e7 2 3 .Sxe 7 + V/iJxe 7 2 4 JHI + +- . 1 9.4Jf6+
1 -0
2 . 5 .4. 3 Black plays on the queenside When both sides castle kingside, Black often gets the chance to develop com bined play on the queenside and in the centre. In the next game, this expresses itself in the lever . . . c6-c5 : 2.75 Filip Ljubicic Josko Mukic Kastav 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'lWxd 5 3 .tbc3 VfJa5 4.d4 c6 5.�f4 �f5 6 .�d3 e6 7.a3 �xd 3 8.�xd 3 tt:Jf6 9.4Je2 tt:J b d 7 1 0.0-0 �da 1 V 2Jg3 �e7 1 2 J::r a e 1 0-0 1 3 .�c1 ? ! Wic7 1 4.f4 1 3 ... c5? !
This is very committal.
Black goes on breaking one opening principle after the other. Backward de velopment and an opening of the posi tion seldom make good companions. Better is 1 3 . . . 4Jb6 1 4.ttJe4 .l:rd8 l S . ttJgS .l:!.d7 1 6 .'ifhS g 6 1 7 .'lif3 �g 7 1 8 . 4Je4 l:rxd4 1 9 .4Jd6+ llxd6 2 0 . exd6 �d7 ± . 1 4. d 5 ! �xe5 1 5 .�b5 1 6 .dxe6 fxe6 1 7.�g5
VfJc7
White 's attack is already decisive. 1 7... a 6
1 7 . . . �c6 1 8 .'lie2 �e 7 1 9 .'li'hS + g 6 2 0 . VfJh4 �xg S + 2 I . 'li x g 5 � f8 2 2 .4Jd5 +- . 1 8.4Jd5 'li'e5 ? !
1 46
1 4 ... llad8 1 5 .�f3
I S .tt:Jfs exfS 1 6 . Sxe 7 �d6 1 7 . lle2 llfe 8 gives Black nice play on the light squares. At the same time, the white bishop is hardly an obj ect of envy. 1 5 ... �b6 1 6 .t[jce2 c5 !
Chapter
Of course Black needs some counter play before White 's kingside attack really gets underway. The effect of the lever . . . c 6 -c5 is strengthened by the weakness of the g 1 -a 7 diagonal which arose on move 1 4 . 1 7.c3 cxd4 1 9.t2Je2 e5
1 8.t2Jxd4
gcs
Black decides to open the centre com pletely. Both sides are more or less equally ready for this measure. 1 9 . . J�c8 is also worth considering . e . g. 2 0 .b4 gxd4+ 2 1 . t2Jxd4 l:f.c4 with good control on the light squares. 20.fxe5 t2Jxe5 22.Wh 1 ? 1
21 .'it'g3
t2J g 6
The standard centre
30.t2Jxf5??
This piece sacrifice j ust does not work. After the correct 3 0 . g 4 ! t2Jd3 3 1 J:td 1 tDeS 3 2 . gxfS oo matters would have been anything but clear. 30 ... gxf5 3 1 J hf5 'iWg6-+ 3 2 Jbe4 'iYxf5 33 .l:f.g4+ W h 8 34.'ti'h 6 'ii' x g4 35 .�d4+ �xd4 0-1
Now a further example of Black seeking and finding salvation on the queenside. This time both the c- and the b-pawns are set in motion: 2.76 Frans Helmond
This natural move was made quickly, but allows Black to seize the initiative. Better is 2 2 .ggs gd6 2 3 .'it'd3 � e S 2 4 . 'iV b S with equality. 22 ... t2Je4 2 3 .'it'f3 f5 1 24.�e3 t2Je5 25.�h3 t2Jd3
2S . . . t2:lg4 1 ? + . 26J�d 1 gxd4
26 . . . � a 6 2 7 .b4 is not clear, e . g. 2 7 . . . �xd4 2 8 . t2Jxd4 t2Jxc3 2 9 . b 5 t2Jxb5 3 0 . t2lxf5 Wh8 3 1 . t2Jxg 7 Wxg 7 3 2 . a4oo . 27.t2Jxd4 'iWa6 29J�de1 g 6
2:
28.gg 1
t2Jxb2
Heleen de Greef Netherlands tt 1 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'ifxd 5 3 .t2Jc3 'iYa5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5.t2Jf3 gfs 6 .�c4 c6 7.0-0 e6 8.�d 2 �b4 ? I
Of her own free will she gives White the bishop pair and a reason to fight for an advantage. 9.a3 �xc3 1 0.�xc3 Wic7 1 1 .a4 0-0 1 2 .a5 t2J b d 7 1 3 .t2Jh4 �g 6 ? !
1 3 . . . �e4 with roughly equal prospects. 1 4.ttJXQ6 hxg6
.� .
1 47
The M o d ern S candinavian
Once again we have the theme of the bishop pair against the knight pair. White must be better off, since the knights do not have any safe outposts. 1 5 .f4?
Strategically exactly the wrong move ! White gives a more static character to the pawn structure, and this is j ust what Black wants. The knights now scent an unexpected chance of firm outposts. For instance, the move . . . f7 -fS would secure square e4 permanently. Better is 1 S .Vi'f3 with a clear advantage to White. 1 5 ... .l:!.ad8
I S . . . tiJdS ! ? 1 6 .£d2 tiJ 7 f6 followed by . . . c6-c5 would possibly be more accurate. 1 6 .'�e 1 ?!
The attack on the king initiated by this move does not achieve very much. The more ' central' 1 6 .'i¥f3 on the other hand would still have offered good prospects of an advantage. 1 6 ... c5 1 7.�d 3 tt:J d 5 1 8.'i¥h4 c4 !
Secures the outpost on dS . 1 9.£e2 b5!?
play on the queenside and in the centre. A prophylactic approach is 1 9 . . . 4Je3 2 0 . .l:!.f3 tt:Jfs 2 1 .Vi¥f2 4Jf6 oo . 20.axb6 axb6 21 J!U3 22 . .l:!.af1 .l:!.fe8 2 3 J l h 3
l:ra8
And now 23 .. .f5 !+
should have followed. This makes the pawn formation static to suit the knights and takes the e4-square under control. Instead Black made a mistake with 2 3 . . . f8 ? , which gave White the chance to give the position a more open character with 2 4 . 'i¥h 8 + W e 7 2 S . 'i¥xg 7 tiJ 7 f6 2 6 .£e 1 and t o turn his bishop pair into a weapon . Another measure consists of sending forth the a- and b-pawns to seize the initiative on the queenside. This method is naturally more often used af ter White has already got in a2 -a3 : 2.77 Emil Szalcinczy Ralf Lau Vienna 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd 5 3 .4Jc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5 .4Jf3 c6 6 .£c4 £f5 7.£d2 e6 8.'iY e 2 £b4 9.a3 4J b d 7 1 0.0-0 £xc3 1 1 .£xc3 'i¥c7 1 2 J�[a d 1 0-0 1 3 .�d 3?!
Giving up the bishop pair is not very ambitious. However, Ralf Lau also did OK against the stronger 1 3 .£b4: 1 3 .. JHe8 1 4.4Jes .l:.ad8 1 5 .£b3 h6 1 6 .h3 7 ! tt:Je4 1 7 . 4Jd3 aS 1 8 .£e ! = , Milanollo-Lau , Vienna 1 9 9 8 . Correctly, Black does not fear his oppo nent's attack and counts on his own 1 48
1 3 ... £xd 3 1 4.'iVxd3 a S ! 1 5 J:i:fe1 b5 1 6.4Jg5?!
Chap t er
Whilst Black develops his queenside play logically, White limits himself to pseudo-activity. 1 6 .. .J::!Jd 8 1 7.�f3 f3 ( 3 I .'it>h 1 'i¥ g 3 ) 3 I . . .�g 3 + 3 2 . We 2 'lWg 2 + 3 3 .'it>d3 lig3 + 34 . .l:!.e3 'i¥e4+-+ .
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c e n t r e
1 O .�f4 0 - 0 1 1 .a 3 tt::l d5 1 2 .�d2 tt::l x c3 1 3 . �xc3 �c7=, Mischustov-Bocks berger, Germany tt 1 9 9 4 / 95. 1 o...�g6 1 1 .tt::lxg6 hxg6
If Black has already castled kingside, opening up the h-file is generally quite harmless for White. But if Black is still able to castle queenside, then things sometimes look quite different . . . 1 2.tt::le4 tt::lxe4 1 4.'iWd3 0-0-0
1 3.'iWxe4
l:rh4!
Black has seized the initiative. His pieces are more actively placed and there is the direct threat of 1 5 . . . tt::l e5, winning. 1 5.c3
1 5 'iVf3 'iWf5 1 6 . � xf5 gxf5 1 7 . c 3 c5+. 28...�h4! 29.cxb7+ 'it>b8 30.'it>f1 .C.dg8 31 .I:i.ab1
1 5... tt::le5 1 6.'ii'e2 tt::lxc4 1 7.'ii' xc4 g5!
3 I .'iWh3 l:rxg 2 3 2 .'ii'x h4 �c4+ 3 3 Jie2 .tlg 1 #. 0-1
31 ..J:H4!
In the next game too, White's h2 -h3
later turns out to be a welcome point of attack. And as in Istratescu-Wahls (Game 2 . 7 9 ) , Black manages to make good use of the semi-open file arising after tt::lx g6 hxg 6 . 2.80 Stephan Berndt Johanne s Steckner
Dortmund
1992
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt::lc3 'ii'a5 4.�c4 tt::lf6 5.d4 c6 6.tt::lf3 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.'iWe2 tt::lbd7 9.h3?! �e7 1 O.tt::lh4 ?!
1 8.f3
This may not look very pretty, but . . . g5-g4 constitutes a threat to be taken seriously, for example 1 8 . �e 3 7 g4--+ 1 9 .hxg4 �d6 2 0 . g 3 I:!.xg4 2 l . W g 2 �f5 2 2 .'iWe2 'iWg6 2 3 .'iWf3 f5 and Black is winning. 1 8...'lWf5 1 9J:re1 �g3 21 .J::re 2?
�d6
20.�f1
1 53
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i navi a n
The final error. This fails due t o the un protected queen on fl. 2 I .l:Id I+ is better. 21 ...g4!-+
This lever now decides matters. 22. .lle4
22..J�dh8 23.iie3 gxh3 24Jlxh4 �xh4 25.gxh3 l:rxh3 26.�g2 0-1 �c7 27..i�J2 �xf3
2.8 1 Sergey Salov Karsten Miiller
tt
1 7JHd1
1 7 . �c2 �h2 + 1 8 . Wh l g S --+.
2 2 . hxg47 l:Idh8 ! 2 3 . gxf5 l:Ih I#. The reason why 2 l . .l::!: e 2 7 is insufficient can be seen most clearly in the variation 2 2 . fxg47 .li.h2 + 2 3 . Wxh2 �xfl -+ .
Bremen
White is already in serious difficulties. How does he proceed against the sim ple attacking plan . . . g 6 - g 5 -g4 followed by the deadly opening of the h-file 7
1 999
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.iid2 e6 8.h3?! tt:lbd7 9.0-0 �c7 1 0.tt:lh4?!
Once more this exchange is premature , since Black has not yet castled kingside. 1 0...�g6 1 1 .tt:lxg6 hxg6 1 2.�f3 0-0-0 1 3.�b3 �h4! 1 4.tt:le2 �d6 1 5.c3?
1 7...g5 1 8.Ji.c2 .l:Idh8
Black 's whole army is mobilized; prob ably when you get down to it, White is already lost. 1 9.g3 tt:lxg3
1 9 . . Jhh3 2 0 . iixe4 g4 2 1 .�g2 llh2 2 2 . �xh2 .l::!: x h2 2 3 . Wxh2 tt:lxe4+ is also well worth considering. 20.fxg3 .llxh3 21 .�f2
2 1 .�xg5 tt:lhs 2 2 . Wf2 tt:lxg 3 --+. 21 ...tt:lh5?!
Even stronger is 2 1 . . . g4 2 2 .�g2 �a5 1 , after which the threat 2 3 . . . � h S forces White to play 2 3 . d5 . After 23 . . . cxd 5 + Black has three pawns and the initiative for his piece. 22.Wg2 tt:lf4+
Bauer's I S . .l::!: ad I to stop . . . tt:le4 is needed. 1 5... tt:le4 1 6.iie3 tt:ldf6-
23.gxf4?
White parts with his queen , but this is not enough to stop Black 's attack . !54
C h a p t e r 2: T h e sta n d a r d c e n t r e
Best is likely 23.�fl
l:lhl + 2 4/Llgl
lZlhS 2S.g4 ltJf4t, but 2 3.tLlxf4? is inad equate: 23 ...lih2+ 24.�fl gxf4 2S.gxf4 �xf4 26.�b3 1:!.8h3 27.'i¥g4 �e3-+, and Black presses home his attack.
The more moderate 1 6...lLldS would also be worth thinking about.
17.b5 ltJh5 18.l:Ub1 tbf4 19.'fif1 llh6!
23... .!:rxf3 24.�xf3 gxf4 25.l:lh1 l:!.g8! 26.lih5?! g5 27.l:lg1 'fia5 28.:!:!:g4? f5 0-1
h7-h5-h4
2.5.5.3
...
A black attack on the kingside is also possible without the target on h3. In such cases the attack can be introduced by piece play instead of the advance of
In for a penny, in for a pound. The
the g-pawn. In the following chaotic
queenside can no longer be kept closed:
game
Emil
Sutovsky
gets,
after
...h7-hS-h4, his pieces into position with ...tLlhS-f4 and ... l::rh6-g6. 2 .82
19 ... cS7!
2 0.aS
'fid6
( 2 0 ... cxd4
2l.b6-) 21.b6 a6 2 2 .�xa6-.
20.bxc6 22 . .l:!:ab1
'iWxc6
21.l:lb5
b6
White sticks up for his rights. The text
Uriel Zak Emil Sutovsky
move is stronger than the obvious
Ramat Aviv tt 2 000
22.aS?
l:lg6
.lhg2 +
2 S.�hl
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'fixd5 3.ltJc3 'iWa5 4.d4 ttJf6 5.ttJf3 c6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'fie2 �b4 9.ttJe5 tt:Jbd7 1 O.ttJxd7 ttJxd7 11.a3 0-0-0 12.0-0 �xc3 13.�xc3 'fic7 14.b4 ltJf6
2 7 . .l:!:xc6+
23.axb6
axb6
24. .l:!:a6
_;g;d6 26.�aS bxaSI
l:!.xc6
2 8 . .l:IxaS
.l:Ixc 2
2 9 ..l:h 8+ '>t>d7 30..l:!:a7+ t>e8 31.�bS '>t>f8 32 .�xc6 �h3+.
22 ... .l:!:g6 23.llc5!
14 ...tt:Jb6 is also worth considering.
1 5.f3 White takes control of the e4-square, but at the same time weakens his king side pawn structure. Another interest ing possibility is 1S .�b2!?.
1 5...h5 16.a4 h4!? Sutovsky
is in an uncompromising
mood, as he often is, and logically
The quite spectacular idea behind the
pushes on with his plan.
previous move. ISS
T he M o de r n S c a n d i n a v i a n
With this temporary rook sacrifice, Zak starts opening up routes towards the black king and conjures up some hair raising complications. 23 .aS? is once more, and especially now, really too slow: 23...�h3 24.l:hb6 axb6 2S.lhb6 �xb6 26.axb6 l:Ixg2+ 2 7 .'1t;;>hi l:rxh2+ 28.'1t;;>xh2 �xfl-+. 23 ... bxc5 24.�a6+ wc7 25 .�a5+ Wd6 26 .�xd8 �h3
26 ... l:rxg2+ (26... cxd41 ?) 2 7 .Wh 1 l:rxc2 28.dxcS+ �xeS is also unclear.
B) 2 7 .. Jhg2+ 28.'1t;;> h 1 cxd4! 29.�b4+ 'l.t>es 30.'ti'el+ 'l.t>fs 3 I.�b7 and now Black must give the perpetual check: 3 I...lhh2+ 32.Wgl (32.Wxh27 �xc2+-+) 32..J:tg2+ 33.Whl=. 27... �xg 2
And White admitted defeat in view of the continuation 28.dxc6 lZ:lh3#.
2 . 5 . 5 .4 The battery �b8 , 'iYc 7 This motif does not occur often, but would not like to keep it from you.
we
2.83 Vladimir Bu.kal Jr. Stefan Bucker Dortmund l 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .l2Jc3 'i¥a5 4.�c4 l2Jf6 5.d4 c6 6 .t2Jf3 �f5 7.0-0 e6 8.a3 �d6 9.l:re1 lZ:lbd 7 1 O.h3?1 0-0-01?
27.d5?
And now we see what happens at some point in most David vs. Goliath duels: the underdog makes a mistake. After this blunder, the game is over at once, just when it was really getting going. As our analysis shows, here the one and only move is 2 7. 'iVe1! . It kills two birds with one stone. White brings his queen to safety and at the same time uses it as an enormous strengthening of his own attack. Both kings are in acute danger and - somehow logically - our main lines end in perpetual check: A) 2 7...f6 28. .l:i.b 7 �dS 29.�e 7+ (Not 29.�c 7+? Wc6 30.�xf4 'ti'xd4+ 3 I.�e3 l:rxg2+ 32.Wh1 'iWeS 33.f4 �dS-+) 29...Wc6 30.l:rc 7+! Wxc 7 3 I.'ti'as Wb8 32.'ifbs '1t;;>c 7 33.�aS+=; I S6
I0...0-0 1 I.lZ:lh4 �g6 12.lZ:lxg6 hxg6 13.�e3 gave White a slight plus in Sighirdjian-Fontaine, Cannes 199S. 1 1 .'ti'e2 �b81?
Very original and very much Stefan Bucker. 1 2. b4 Wic7 1 3 .�g5 l2Jb6
Now both c2 and d4 are hanging.
Chapter
1 4.�d3?! Possibly slightly unsettled by his oppo nent's extravagant play,
White goes
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c en t r e
1 5.�b3 tl:ld5 1 6.�b2 1 1.'f!le3 tl:ld5 1 8.'ii'f3!
tl:lf4
Against his higher rated opponent,
wrong. 14..l::!.ad 1 protects d4 and asks
White avoids the possible repetition of
the question whether it is so easy to
moves with 18 .'f!le2.
take c2:
14...tt:Jxc4
15.1�hc4
�xc2
16.:U.cI followed by b4-b5.
1 4.. J:!.xd4 1 5.�xf5 exf5 1 6.�xf6 gxf6+
2.5.5.5
b2 -b4, �b 3 , �b2 , c2 -c4
1 8...g5? And there it is, the 'slight' inaccuracy with not such slight consequences ... Since White has not weakened his posi tion with h2-h3, advancing the g-pawn does not achieve much.
In the constellation with heterogeneous
Much stronger is 18 ...hS!, e.g. I9 .c4
castling both sides are usually try ing to
�g4 20.�e4 �fs 2I.'ifel tl:lf4 and the
attack the opposing king. Logic is nec
rook also gets into play quickly
essary, since a single inaccuracy can
h6-g6.
have serious consequences:
via
1 9.c4 g4 20.'f!le2 tl:lf4 21 .'f!le3±
2.84
Didier Collas Eric Prie Cappelle Ia Grande 19 95
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tl:lc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6.tl:lf3 c1 aS 27.h6 '>t>f7 28.h5 'iYxa 2-+
and Black won on move 3 5 . If White pushes his kingside pawns for
ward to put pressure on the Scandina vian bishop, this of course leaves weak nesses and gives Black a chance to strike back. In the following game this happens in the shape of the counter-thrust . . . c6-c5 : 2. 1 00 Gojko Laketic Simon }acob Mendrisio 1 9 8 9
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 iYxd S 3.tbc3 'iVaS 4.�c4 tbf6 5 .d4 c6 6.tbf3 �fS 7.0-0 e6 8.�d 2 'ifc7 1 9.�e1 �d6 1 0.�b3 0-0 1 1 .tbe5 tb bd 7 1 2 .'it'e2 a 6 !
Black would like t o play . . . c 6 - c 5 some time without running into tbbS . 1 3.h3!?
2:
The s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
Prepares g 2 -g4, which i s not yet possi ble : 1 3 . g4? �xe S 1 4. gxf5 ( 1 4.dxe5 tbxg4+) 1 4 . . . �xh2 + I S . 'it> g 2 exfS 1 6 .'i!ff3 g 6 + . 1 3 ... �fe8
White 's aggressive plan looks somewhat risky due to having castled kingside. At the same time, it is not happening in the optimal form , since for concrete reasons White will be forced to play h 2 -h3 -h4 rather than h2 -h4 in one move. So it is not surprising that Black has more than one way to handle the problems of the position : A) 1 3 . . . c5 ! ? 1 4.tbxd7 'tlfxd 7 I S . tba4 �b8 1 6 . dxc5 'tlfc7 1 7 . f4 tbe4 1 8 .�e3 �a 7 � ; B ) 1 3 . . . tbd5 1 4.g4 �g6 1 5 . h4 �xe5 1 6 . dxe5 h 6 oo ; C) The simplest is perhaps 1 3 . . . h6 1 4 . g 4 �h 7 with equality, since I S . tbxf7 ? fails to I S .. Jhf7 1 6 . �xe6 tbf8 + . 1 4.g4 �g6 1 5.h4
.� .
Now the deadly h4-h5 is actually threatened. But instead of losing his nerve with I 5 . . . hS ? , Black coolly turns to the lever 1 5 ... c51
with good play in all variations : 1 75
T he M o de r n S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 6 .t2jxd 7
1 6 .h5 cxd4 1 7 . t2:lxd7 �xd7 1 8 .hxg6 dxc3 1 9 . gxh7 + ( 1 9 . gxf7 �x£7 2 0 . �xc3 Ci:JdS=i=) 1 9 . . . t2:lxh7 2 0 .£xc3 tbg s + . 1 6 ... �xd 7 1 7.dxc5 �xc5 1 8. h 5 �e4
Or the peaceful 1 8 . . . �d6 1 ? 1 9 . hxg6 �g 3 t . 1 9.g5 �d6 20.�e3 �xe3 21 .�xe3 t2Jg4 2 2 .�g3 �xg 3+ 2 3 .fxg 3 �c6 oo
2 . 7.2.2 White cuts off the bishop's retreat with f2-f3 2. 1 0 1 Daniel Campora Curt Hansen Palma de Mallorca 19 89
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3.t2Jc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5 .t2Jf3 t2Jf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.t2Je5 e6 8.g4
The downside of this violent procedure lies in the delay of developing his pieces and above all in a lasting weakening of the pawn structure. Should Black manage to fend off his op ponent's storm , the advanced white pawns on the kingside will usually rep resent welcome objects of attack in the endgame. 8 ... �g6 9.h4
A position has appeared that is similar to that from the line l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 �xdS 3 . t2:lc3 �aS 4.d4 t2:lf6 S . tt:lf3 �g4 6 . h3 �hs 7 .g4 �g6 8 . t2:le5 e6 9 . �g2 c6 I O .h4. But here White 's king 's bishop is on g 2 . from where i t controls the important e4-square. 9 ... �b4?
This is a theoretical mistake, but on Curt Hansen 's side it must be said that the variation with 8 . g4 was practically unknown when this game was played' 9 . . . t2Jbd 7 1 is the correct move, see also Anand-Lautier (Game 1 . 2 ) . 1 o.�d 2 t2:le4 1 1 .f3!
This introduces one of the most aggres sive ways of combating the Scandina vian . With gain of tempo White opens the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop. and this achieves a considerable gain of space on the kingside. 1 76
Very strong. The Scandinavian bishop is starting to run out of air. 1 1 ... t2Jxc3
Chapter
1 1 . ..t2:lxd2 1 2 . 'ifxd2 and his play against the bishop on g 6 gives White a clear advantage, e . g. 1 2 . . . c5 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 1 4.'ti'xc 3 +- .
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
1 8 . . . exd5 1 9 .hxg 6 'iYxc6 2 0 . gxf7 + Wxf7 2 1 . g 5 +1 9.�xd 5 exd 5
1 2 .bxc3 �xc3 1 3 J:r b 1
13 .hS ! ? is also well worth considering. 1 3 ... b5 1 4.�b3 tt:l d 7 ? !
Black returns the pawn and hopes for chances against the exposed white king. Another pawn sacrifice would be better: 1 4 . . . f6 ! finally solves the problem of the bishop and after 1 5 . tt:l x g 6 hxg 6 1 6 .�xe6 tt:ld 7 ;l; White is somewhat better, but Black's position is quite playable. 1 5 .tt:lxc6 �xd 2+ 1 6 .'ifxd 2 'ti'c7 1 7.d5
20.'iYe3+?
This mistake lets his opponent get back into the game. After 2 0 . tt:ld4 White 's aggressive play could have had a successful conclusion : 2 0 . . . 0 - 0 2 1 .hxg6 �ae 8 + 2 2 .Wf2 fxg 6 2 3 .�xb 5 +- . 20 ... �e4 1 21 .fxe4 0-0
Now White's technical task is very diffi cult. His king is just as weak as most of his pawns. 2 2 .tt:l b4 �fe8 2 3 .tt:lxd5 'i!Yxc2 24.�c1 'iYxe4 2 5 .'ifxe4 �xe4+ 26 .�f2 �xg4;!; 1 7... tt:lf6
Black now decides to sacrifice the Scan dinavian bishop. A plan born more out of necessity than anything else, as can be seen from the very unpleasant alter natives : A) 1 7 . . . tt:l e S 1 8 . tt:l x e 5 'if xe S + 1 9 .Wf2 hS 2 0 . dxe6 0 - 0 2 l . gxh5 'ti'xhS 2 2 .'iVg5 ± ; B ) 1 7 . . . h 6 1 8 .h5 �h 7 1 9 . dxe6 fxe 6 20 .tt:ld4± . 1 8. h 5 tt:lxd 5
Black has three pawns for the piece in this ending, but White still has the better prospects. Hansen defended stub bornly in the rest of the game, which was drawn after 5 2 moves.
2 . 7.2.3 White hunts the bishop with tt:Jf4, g2 -g4, h2 -h4 The game which now follows demon strates in a graphic way how dangerous the hunt for the Scandinavian bishop can be : 177
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2. 1 02
1 5 ... t2Jd5 1 6 .gxd5 cxd 5
David Gross Eduard Baklunatov Bad Zwesten 2 0 0 I
Black resigned in view of 1 7 .�f2 t2lc6 1 8 .l:!.c 1 tLlxd4 1 9 . 't�We 3 +- .
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'li'xd5 3 .tLlc3 'ii' a 5 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .gc4 gg4 6 .f3 gh5 7.gd2 c6?
In this case the first mistake is one too many !
9 . . . h 5 1 0 . g 5 tLl fd 7 1 1 . tLl d 5 'i:Vd8 1 2 .tLlf4± Cherepkov-Kotlerman, Odessa 1 955. 'ii' b 6?!
And another one on the same theme : 2. 1 03 Jiirgen Krebs Karl-Friedrich Nieke c o r r.
8.g4 gg6 9.h4 h 6
1 0. tLl h 3 1 2 .'t�We2
1 -0
1 1 .tLlf4
gh7
1 993
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'li'xd5 3 .b3 l:rd2 46 .�a3 ld.xf2 47.�g3 g 5 0-1
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
2. 7.4 Typical bishop moves or manoeuvres Next we should like to take a closer look at some typical black bishop moves and manoeuvres.
2. 7 .4. 1 . . �fs -g4 to pin the knight on f3 .
Black frequently follows this up with . . . �aS -fS or . . . �aS -hS , in order to take on f3 and inflict doubled f-pawns on his opponent. 2. 1 07 I.M.Curle Chris O'Bee corr.
1 995
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 �xd5 3 .tZ:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5 .tZ:lf3 �f5 6 .�c4 c6 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.0-0 �g4? 1
1 1 . 'i¥xf3 'i¥d8 ( 1 1 . . . tZ:lbd7 1 2 . a 3 �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 �c7 1 4..l:He 1 0 - 0 1 S . l::[ a d l l::[ fe 8 1 6 .�b3 aS 1 7 . a4 l::[ a d 8 1 8 .�d2 = / ;!; , Reinecker-Lomer, Schles wig-Holstein 1 9 94) 1 2 . trad l tZ:lbd7 ( 1 2 . . . �d6 1 3 . l:f. fe 1 0-0 1 4. tZ:le4 �e 7 1 5 .�d3 tZ:lbd7 1 6 . c4 l:t.e8 1 7 .�c3 ;!; / ± , Tolnai - Kuraj ica , Oberwart 1 9 9 0 ) 1 3 JHe 1 0 - 0 1 4.�g 5 l:t.e8 1 5 .�d3 �e7 1 6 . �c I ;!; , Brynell-M . S . Hansen , Tj alfe 1 99 5 . 10 ... �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 � h 5
Not a good choice if White reacts ap propriately. 9 . . . tZ:lbd7 is the main move. 1 0.a3?!
Black will take on f3 and destroy the opposing pawn structure. White may then have a bishop pair against the pair of knights , but because of the weakened white structure the steeds will have no difficulty finding suitable outposts. After this inaccuracy Black can realize the positional plan mentioned at the start. The bishop should be challenged im mediately by I 0 .h3 ! . White obtains the bishop pair and the advantag e : I O . . . �xf3 ( I O . . �hS l l . g4 � g 6 1 2 . a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 �c7 1 4.tZ:leS ;!; , Bondar chuk-Jurkiewicz , Polanica Zdr6j 1 9 9 6 ) .
1 2 .�e5?1
White forces matters , but this is hardly in his favour. 1 2 . �b4 tZ:lbd7 1 3 J He 1 tZ:lb6 1 4.�b3 tZ:lbdS 1 5 .�d2 �xf3 1 6 .�xf3 �xf3 1 7 .gxf3 0 - 0 - 0 + Gotz Oaker, corr. 1 9 9 4 . 1 2 . . .�xf3 1 3 .g xf3 'tW g 6 + 1 4.'iYg3 'i¥xc2 1 5 . � h 1
1 83
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
I S . �c7 0 - 0 1 6 . �xb 7 tLlbd 7 1 7 ..lh c l �fS 1 8 . �xc6 t2Jb6 is also slightly better for Black. 1 5 ... 0-0
1 5 . . . tt:lbd7 ! ? . 1 6 J:t g 1 g 6 1 7.d5?!
This sacrifice is dubious , but it is hard to suggest sensible alternatives. Still , when you get down to it, it is simply not correct. 1 7... cxd 5 1 8J:tac1
After 1 8 .Ji.xf6 dxc4 I 9 Jhd I then 1 9 . . . �f5 -+ holds things together for Black . 1 8 ... �f5 1 9.Ji.a2 tt:l b d 7 20.Ji. b 1 �h5 21 .h4 .ll fc8 2 2 .Ji.d3 e 5 23 J:rce1 d4 24.£d 2 h 6 25 .f4
2 . 7 .4.2 ... �f5 -e4-d5 We know this motif from our consider ation of the light-square strategy. Here is another successful use of it: 2. 1 08 Sascha Mareck Paris Klerides Batumi Ech 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d 5 �d5!?
2.tLlc3
dxe4
3.tt:Jxe4
Black absolutely wants to get into the Scandinavian main lines . . . 4.tt:lc3 �as
. . . and makes it, one move later than usual. 5.d4 tt:lf6 6 .Ji.c4 Ji.f5 7.t2Jf3 c6 8.�e2 e6 9.Ji.d 2 Ji.b4 1 0.0-0-0 tt:lbd7 1 1 .a3 Jt.xc3 1 2 .£xc3 �c7 1 3 .tt:le5 b5 1 4 ..�b3
1 4 .Ji.d3 is the alternative, with the stem game Almasi-Dautov (comments to Game 2 . 1 46) .
25 ... e4 !-+
A tried and trusted technique for the re alization of a winning position . With the text move Black returns his extra pawn and there is not much of a white attack left. 26 .£xe4 tt:Jxe4 27..l:be4 � d 5 28.f3 J::t c 2 2 9.f5 t!.xd 2 30.�f4 J::t x b2 31 .fxg6 f5 3 2 .'ii' x h6 tLlf6 3 3 . g 7 'ii' a 2
White resigned. 1 84
1 4 ... £e4 !
Black transfers the bishop to dS to in crease control of the light squares. The plan has worked very well in praxis and in the game too White does not manage to put a dent in it - quite the contrary :
Chapter
1 5 .tL:Jxd 7 'iYxd 7 1 6 .� b4
I 6 .'tWe3 �ds l:tfc8 = / + .
1 7 .'tWg3 0 - 0 1 8 .�b4
1 6 ... �d5
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
2 . 1 09 'Der Bock' Matthias Wahls Telephone chess , I 996
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd 5 3 . t2lc3 Wa5 4.d4 c6 5 .t2lf3 t2lf6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'iYe2 �b4 9.0-0 t2l b d 7
This is more flexible than the immedi ate 9 . . . 0 - 0 . 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 W/c7 1 2 .t2le5 0-0 1 3 .t2lxd 7 'tWxd 7 1 4.�b3 a 5 1 5 .1:r.fd 1 �e4?
1 7.c4 ? !
By opening the position like this White unnecessarily creates difficulties for himself. Better options would have been : A) 1 7 .'iVe3 a S 1 8 .�c5 t2le4= ; B) 1 7 . 'iVeS aS 1 8 .�c5 �xb3 1 9 .cxb3 'tifdS 2 0 . 'ii' g 3 tLlhS 2 l . 'ii' c 7 'tW d 7 2 2 .'iYe5 'tWdS = ; C ) 1 7 . �xdS WfxdS 1 8 . 'ii' e 5 'ii' x e S 1 9 .dxe 5 tLldS = . 1 7... bxc4 1 8.�xc4 a 5 1 9.�c5
In the game Black continued with 1 9 . . . t2le4 2 0 . 1:r.he l lLlxcS 2 l . dxc5 0 - 0 . Instead , there i s also the principled 1 9 ... �xc4 !? 20.'iYxc4 'i¥d 5 +
with an advantage for Black.
No matter how subtle the manoeuvre . . . �e4-d5 may be, you have to be aware of the existence of the tactical trick that Matthias had to deal with in the follow ing game, played by telephone.
Matthias later improved his play with I S . . . lLJdS 1 6 . a4 7 ! ( 1 6 .�e l a4 1 7 . �a2 b S = ) 1 6 . . . t2lxc3 1 7 . bxc3 '1Wc7 1 8 J:te l 1:r.fd8 1 9 . �ad I �ac8 2 0 .c4 c S 2 l .d5 exdS 2 2 . cx d 5 c4 2 3 . � a 2 '1Wd7 24.�xc4 l:re8 2 S . ifxe 8 + l:rxe8 2 6 .�b5 l:rxe l + 2 7 . 1:r.xe l 'i¥d8 2 8 . l:r e 8 + Wxe 8 2 9 . �xe 8 �xc2 3 0 . d6 Wf8 3 l .�b5 �e4 3 2 . f3 �c6-+ , ' Der Bock' -Wahls , Telephone chess , I I I 1 9 9 6 . Thinking o f the light-square strategy Black would like to trade bishops, but. . . 1 6.d5!
A nasty surprise. This tactical blow wins material. 1 6 ... �xd 5 1 7.�xf6 g xf6 1 8.c4 +-
1 85
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2 . 7.4. 3 �xc2 As we have already seen in several ex amples, the capture on c2 is often very risky. Black, who is generally behind in development , opens the c-file for his opponent and gives him tempi for the attack. On the other hand , the pawn grab on c2 can be very strong in the long term if it is not quickly punished. Not only does Black win a pawn , he also destroys White 's structure. After the loss of the c-pawn holes appear on the light squares and the d4 pawn becomes weak .
The loss of the c-pawn has created light-squared holes in White 's position. The knights will not find it difficult to find nice squares and are the equal of the bishop pair. What remains in the fi nal assessment is Black 's extra pawn.
2. 1 1 0 Jan Timman Jeroen Piket Amsterdam I 996
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt:l c3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tZ:lf6 5 .t2Jf3 �f5 6 .�c4 e6 7.�d 2 c6 8.'i¥e2 �b4
Not 8 . . . �xc 2 ? on account of 9 . d 5 ± . 9.a3 t2J b d 7 1 0.t2Jh4?
Maybe Timman is unconsciously rely ing on the fact that the c2 pawn can never be taken. Not so ! 1 o ... �xc2! 1 1 .0-0 �xc3 1 2.�xc3 'i¥ h 5 1 3 . 'i¥xc2 'i¥xh4+
1 4.f4
1 4 . .l:!.ae l t2Jb6 I S . g 3 'i¥h3 1 6 . .Q.d3 0 - 0 + Stanke - Hermann , Germany Bundesliga B I 9 9 4 / 9 5 . 1 4 ... tZ:l b 6 1 5 .�a6 ? ?
Possibly shocked by the way the ope ning has gone, Timman overlooks a simple defence. After I S .�d3 tZ:lbdS Black can still put up a fight. 1 5 ... bxa 6 1 6 .�e1 1 7.'i¥xc6+ t2Jfd 7
'i¥h5
White resigned .
2 . 8 The Scandinavian queen
In this section we shall take a closer look at the Scandinavian queen.
A justification for ... c7 -c6 . . . c 7 -c6 is a rather unobtrusive ' little ' move. But this makes it no less important for the basic concept of the modern Scandinavian. The move . . . c 7 -c6 strengthens the control over dS and b S , but above all secures a retreat for the queen . Doing without it has already led to countless catastrophes , of which the follow ing is one : 1 86
Chapter
2. 1 1 1 Mikhail Kozakov Engin Bolcan Halkidiki tt 2 0 0 2
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
8 ... 'ife6+ 9.l2Je3 �g4
9 . . . � g6 I O .ds 'ifb6 l l .l2Jc4+- . Now 1 0.f3 !
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ifxd5 3.tbc3 'ifa5 4.d4 �f5 5 .tbf3 l2Jf6 6.l2Je5 tt:l b d 7 ?
A typical mistake. The black queen now gets into such bad trouble, that White can already achieve a winning advantage (6 . . . c6 ! ) . 7.l2Jc4 1 �a6 8.�f4
The threat is 9 .l2Jd 6 + .
would have been even stronger than the game continuation I O . d S . After I O . f3 ' White gets a decisive material advan tage by force : 1 0 ... l2J h 5
I O . . . � h S l l .d S 'ifb6 1 2 . l2Jc4 'if c S I L �.e 3 'if b 4 1 4.a3 +- . 1 1 .�c4 'iYc6 1 2.�b5 'ife6 1 3 .d5 'ifb6 1 4.l2Jc4 'iff6 1 5 .�e5+-
2.8. 1 Tactical strikes against the queen The Scandinavian queen enters the fray unusually early and gets closer to the op posing camp. It should come as no surprise that it is often subj ected to tactical at tacks. 2. 1 1 2
2.8 . 1 . 1 tt:Jds In the typical position with white bishops on d 2 and c4, this active knight move creates a winning attack on 'iVa S . White would like to exchange his knight advantageously for the knight on f6 , or transfer it to a better square , as is demonstrated in the following game :
Viktor Kupreichik John Montgomery Batumi Ech-tt 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ifxd 5 3.l2Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 l2Jf6 5 .�c4 �f5 6.�d2 c6 7.'ife2 e6 8.l2Jd5
8 .d5 ! ? cxdS 9 . l2Jxd5 'ifd8 I O .l2Je 3 ? ! ( I O . l2Jxf6 + ! ) I O . . . � g6 I I .l2Jf3 l2Jc6 = , Pilgaard-Auchenberg, Copenhagen 1 9 9 0 . 1 87
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
4.e5 cS S .a3 iii.x c3 + 6 . bxc3 tbe7 7 .'li'g4 'iYc7 8 .'iYxg 7 l:Ig8 9 . 'it'xh7 cxd4 etc. there is far more counterplay for the pawns than here ! The simple 1 6 . . . .t:lg 8 ! would have been correct. Black continues with . . . 'iY c 7 , . . . 0 - 0 - 0 and a t least i t i s not obvious how White can get something solid out of his space advantage. 1 6 . . . �f8 ? ! 1 7 . .t:lh3 t on the other hand is very dangerous.
8 .. .'ifd8 9 .tt:J e 3 1 ?
The positioning of the knight on e 3 is unusual , but not without merit, as it controls some important squares. 9 . tt:Jxf6 + 'li'xf6 I 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 ti:Jd7 I l . ti:Jf3 i1Lg4 is a transposition to the Shirov Variation, which is looked at in more detail in the game Marciano-Prie (Game 2 . 8 ) .
1 7.'it'xg 7 0-0-0 1 8.'ii' xf7 'li'xe5 1 9.�xd5 exd 5 20.�c3+-
9 ... iii. g 6 1 0.0-0-0 iii. e 7
I O . . . 'iVxd4 ? is too dangerous : l l .iii. a S 'ife4 1 2 . .t:ld8 + � e 7 1 3 .'iYd2 -+ . White wins the exchange ; it's all over.
1 1 .h4!? h 6
Now the d8-square i s protected and l l . . . 'i¥xd4 ! ? is no longer as easy to re fute : 1 2 . h 5 �e4 1 3 . �b4 'iYb6 1 4.i1Lxe 7 Wxe 7 I S .h 6 oo . 1 2.ti:Jf3 tt:J b d 7 1 4.dxe5
1 3 .tt:Je5
tt:Jxe5
White enj oys a nice advantage in space. Whether this is enough to give him the better position is another question . 1 4 ... tt:Jd5 'li' c 7 ?
1 5.h5
�h7
1 6 .'if g 4
The underdog cannot stand the pressure and sacrifices material, Winawer style. But in that variation of the French De fence - l .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 .ti:Jc3 iii. b 4 1 88
20 ... d4
20 . . . 'ife4 ! ? 2 1 .iii. x h8 .t:lxh8 2 2 .'ifg7 .l:. g 8 2 3 .'iYc3 �gS 24J:ld2+- . 21 Jhd4 l:[df8
2 1 . . . .t:lxd4 2 3 .'iVxe 7 +- .
2 2 . �xd4
'i¥xd4
2 2 .'ifc4 .t:lxf2 23 . .t:ld8+ ! .tlxd8 24.�xe5 �g5 25 . .t:le1 �xc2
Or: 2 S . . . .t:ld5 ( 2 5 . . . .l::f. e 8 2 6 . �d4+-) 2 6 . iii. g 3 .t:lxc 2 + 2 7 . 'li'xc2 �xc 2 2 8 . �xc2 +- . 2 6 .'ife6+ .t:l d 7 27.�g 3 28.'ti'g8+ .t:ld8 29.'ifxg5
.t:lxg2 1 -0
On account of 2 9 . . . hxg 5 3 0 .tbxg 2 + - .
Chapter
2.s. 1 .2 tt:lbs As in our sample game, this motif often appears as a knight sacrifice :
2:
T h e s t a n d a r d c en t r e
1 5 . t2J b 5 ! !
2. 1 1 3 Stuart Conquest Julian Hodgson Germany Bundesliga 199 5 /9 6
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iV x d 5 3 .t2Jc3 Wia5 4 . .2.c4 t2Jf6 5 .d4 c6 6 . .2.d 2 Wic7 7.t2Jf3 .2.g4? ! 8.h3 .2.xf3 9.W/xf3
The line chosen by Black is pretty un ambitious. The bishop pair guarantees White a nice, long term advantage. 9 ... e6 1 0.0-0-0
White has scored over 80% from this position . 1 o ... t2J bd 7 1 1 .g4! ttJ b G 1 2.�f1
Conquest would like to keep the bishop on its home diagonal fl -a6 . 1 2 . .2.b3 ! ? is the main line, with which White has scored very well. 1 2 .. J:[d8?
After this error, Black will have a long term problem with his king. It now has to remain in the middle or castle kingside, which does not appear very appealing on account of the white pawn storm. 1 2 . . . h6 or 1 2 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 would b e clearly preferable.
This deeply calculated sacrifice is a forced win ; Black goes down due to his lack of development. 1 5 ...cxb5 1 6 . .2.xb5+ t2Jd7
After 1 6 .. .g4 CiJe7 29.t.L!f2 CiJf5 30.�c2 1f2-V2 J:rgh8 31 .�xf5 exf5+
2 . 8 . 2 . 3 ... 'i'b6 The move . . . �b6 is a common motif in the Scandinavian. The black queen steps away from �d2 and attacks the pawns on d4 and b 2 . But you have to be clear about the possible consequences of grabbing one of these pawns. The ma noeuvre . . . �a 5 -b6xd4 (b2) puts Black further behind in development and of ten for the price of a single pawn White gets a powerful attack . Here are two warning sample games, which should however not create the impression that these pawns can never be taken 1 In the first game Black takes on b2 , and in the second he gobbles up d4.
Chapter
2. 1 1 7 Joel Benj amin Joshua Waitzkin New York 1 99 8
1 .e4 d S 2.exdS 'iVxdS 3 .tt:lc3 �as 4.d4 c6 S .tt:lf3 �fS 6 .�c4 tt:lf6 7.�d 2 e6 8.tt:le4 !? �b6!?
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c e n t r e
We are not s o keen o n this liquidation. 1 1 . . . �xf3 ! ? , on the other hand, is still interesting here : 1 2 . �xf3 ( 1 2 . gxf3 tt:l bd 7 +=t ; 1 2 . . . a4 1 3 . �xa4 'iY x b 2 1 4 . l:r b 1 'iY a 3 I S .l: h b 7 oo ) 1 2 . . . a4 1 3 . �c4 �xb 2 1 4 .We2 fg . 1 2 .�xa4 'iYxb2 1 3 . l:r b 1
While Black does not win a pawn , he is still facing an unpleasant initiative. 1 3 ... 'iYa3
Perhaps the best move would still be 1 3 . . . �xf3 1 4 Jh b 2 ( 1 4 . gxf3 ! ?) 1 4 . . . �xd 1 1 5 . �xd 1 b S ;l;: with an endgame advantage to White. 1 3 . . . 'iY xa 2? on the other hand is very bad : 1 4 . l:r a 1 'ti'xa 1 ( 1 4 . . . 'iY b 2 ? 1 5 . �xc6 + + - ) 1 S . 'ii' x a 1 b S 1 6 . tt:l e 5 ± . Joshua Waitzkin has a predilection for this move in the Scandinavian. After l .e4 dS 2 . exd5 'ti'xdS 3 . tt:lc3 'ti'aS 4 . d4 c6 S .�c4 tt:lf6 6 .�d2 in a game against Karsten in the Bermuda tournament he also played 6 . . . 'iYb6 . 8 . . . 'ti'c 7 i s the main line.
Of course, play against the pawn struc ture is possible: 9 . tt:lxf6 + gxf6 I O .�b3 as for example in Stabolewski-K. Muller, Hamburg 1 9 9 7 (Igor Glek likes to play the pawn sacrifice I 0 . 0 - 0 ! ?) . 9 ... �g4 1 o.�b3 a s
I 0 . . �xf3 ! ? is in our opinion the logi cal reason behind the move 8 . . . �b6 . But the position after 1 1 .'ifxf3 'i¥xd4 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 tt:lbd7 would not be to every one 's taste. White has a large lead in development and compensation for the pawn. .
1 1 .c3 a4?!
1 4.�b3 �d6 1 S . h 3
1 S ... �xg 3 ?
This is a really serious error. White ob tains the bishop pair, a semi-open h-file and the possibility of g 3 -g4-g 5 - g 6 . All in all : a dangerous attack on the king. 1 S . . . �xf3 1 6 . 'iYxf3 tt:lbd 7 1 7 . 0 - 0 ;!;: is not quite what you might call worth aiming for, but at least it is playable. 1 6 .hxg4! �c7 1 7.gS ttJdS
1 7 . . . tt:le4 1 8 . g 6 fxg 6 ( 1 8 . . .lt:lxd2 ? 1 9 .gxf7 +- ) 1 9 .'iYe2 tt:lxd2 2 0 .tt:lxd2 ± . 1 93
T h e Mod ern Sca n d i n a v i a n
1 8. g 6 !
Depriving e6 of its roots. 1 8 ...fxg 6 1 9/i:Jg5 'i¥e7 20.'i!Ve2?!
Computers are computers , and so here we recommend 2 0 . tt:l xh 7 1 W d 8 2 ! . l:.h 3 ± . 20 ... '1¥t d 7
2 0 . . . tt:lxc3 1 ? 2 1 . �xc3 'iVxg S 2 2 .�xe 6 Wd8 2 3 . Wfl --+ . 21 .Wf1 h 6 2 2 J:t e 1 .l:le8 2 3 .�xd 5 1
The obvious 2 3 . tt:l e4 is not good on ac count of 2 3 . . . tt:la6 .
2 6 . . . .l:lh8 ! ? is a straightforward trap, which does not change much : 2 7 .'i¥g4! ( 2 7 .�xe 6 + ? ? 'iVxe6 2 8 .l:he 6 ? l::. h ! #) and White clearly keeps the upper hand: 2 7 . . . .2.f4 ( 2 7 . . . .l:lfS 2 8 . .2.xe 6+ Wd8 2 9 . �xf5 .l:.h l + 3 0 .'1¥te2 gxfS 3 1 . 'i¥ f3 g4 3 2 . .l:. e 8 + '1¥t x e 8 3 3 .'iYe3 + +- ) 2 8 Jhe6 l::[ h J + 2 9 .'1¥te2 .l:.xe I + 3 0 .�xe I 'iVfS 3 1 .'iVxf5 gxfS 3 2 . .l:. g 6 +- . 27.c4 ! .l:lh8 28.'i¥g4+ 'i¥f5
2 8 . . . Wd8 ? 29 . .l:lf3 .l:lh l + 3 0 .We2 .l:lh4 3 J . .l:lxf6 .l:lxg4 3 2 . rlf8 + +- . 29.'�' xf5+ gxf5 3 0.�xa5 �xa5 31 . .l:l d 1
23 ... hxg5D
23 . . . cxd5 ? 24.'ti'b 5 + tt:lc6 25 . .l:lxe6+- . 24 . .tb3±
3 1 ...e4? !
A more stubborn try was 3 I . . . .l:lh I + 3 2 .We2 .l:lxd l 3 3 . Wxd l exd4 3 4 . .l:le5 �d8 3 5 . l:txf5 .2.f6 ± . Strictly speaking, Black has an extra pawn, but it is not hard to evaluate the position correctly. All of White 's pieces are actively posted and Black's pawn structure will make you sigh or smile. 24 .. .'�f6 25 . .l:l h 3
The pressure on e 6 is cranked up to its maximum. 25 ... .l:la5 26 . .l:le3 e5
1 94
3 2 .f3 exf3 34.:!.h3+-
33 . .l:lxf3
g6
The rest is just a question of technique for Joel Benjamin: 34. . . .l:l h 5 35.'0t>e2 .2.b6 36 .c5 �d8 3 7.�f7 .l:lxh3 38.gxh3 �f6 39. '>td3 tt:la6 40.i.xg6 f4 41 . .2.f5+ '1¥tc7 42.'1¥tc4 '1¥tb8 43.d5 tt:lc7 44.dxc6 bxc6 45 .�e4 1 -0
Chapter
2. 1 1 8 Jan Thnman Loek van Wely Breda m 1 99 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt:lc3
'tWaS 4.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 5.d4 �f5 6.�d 2 e6 7.tt:le5 'ifb6 8.'iff3
After 8 .'ife2 ? ! Black takes neither pawn but plays the strong 8 . . . tt:lc6 ! , swapping off the pride of White 's position and advancing his own development , 9 . tt:lxc6 'iYxc6 I O . 'iYb S 0 - 0 - 0 l l .'iVxc6 bxc6 1 2 .�a6 + Wb8 + . Santo Roman Prie, Clichy 1 9 9 3 . 8 ... 'iVxd4?
2:
The s t a n d a rd cen t r e
Obviously Van Wely overlooked o r un derestimated this check, or else he would certainly have played 8 . . . c 6 . 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 is actually the standard reply when Black plays 'ifxd4. And it would also be possible here, even though the knight is left hanging : 9 . . .'ihe S ? I O . 'iVxb 7 . However, Black has stronger possibili ties on move 9 , and the game continua tion 9 .�bS + is very convincing. 9 ... tt:l b d 7
An admission. Black returns the pawn (only one move after winning it ! ) with a clear disadvantage . In any case, the al ternatives are in no way pleasant: A) 9 . . . W e 7 I 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 c6 ( I O . . . 'iYxe S ? l l .'iVxb 7 +- ) l l .�f4 t . B) 9 . . . c6 I O . tt:lxc 6 ! tt:lxc6 l l.. �xc6 + tt:l d 7 ( l l . . . '>t> e 7 1 2 .�e 3 -+) 1 2 .�e3 'iVb4 1 3 .�xd 7 + '>t>xd 7 1 4. 0 - 0 - 0 + -+ . 1 0.tt:lxd 7 tt:lxd 7 1 2.0-0-0± 'iYb6
1 1 .'it'xb7
l:ld8
1 2 . . .'ii' xf2 ? 1 3 . �xd 7 + l:lxd7 1 4 .'ii' c 8 + l:ld8 I S .'iVxd8 + ! '>t>xd8 1 6 .�e 3 + +- . Black can also choose for two other pawns. But in fact none of the three seems particularly appetizing : 8 . . . 'tWxb2 ? ? j ust does not work : 9 J:tb I 'tlfxc2 I O . 'i'xb7 +- . The consequences of 8 . . . �xc2 ? ! are a bit more complicated : 9 .l:lc I �g6 (9 . . . �xd4 ? I O . �b S + We7 l l .'iVxb7 'i'xe S + 1 2 .�e2+- ; 9 . . . �fS I O . tt:lc4 'ii' c 6 l l . tt:l d 6 + ! ± ) I O . tt:lxg 6 hxg 6 l l . tt:l a4 'iYxd4 1 2 . 'iY x b 7 'iYe4+ I 3 . 'if xe4 tt:lxe4 1 4 . l:lxc 7 tt:lxd 2 I S . Wxd 2 t and White retains the initia tive, even without the queens. The safe 8 . . . c6 was appropriate. 9. � b5+!
1 3 .�xb6 cxb6 1 4.�f4+-
Now the threat is the deadly I S .�c7 , winning the exchange. There is no sat isfactory defence. 1 4 ... �c5
1 95
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
Nor does 1 4 . . . a 6 I S . .2.c6 solve Black 's problems. 1 5 . .2.c7 c:J5le7 1 6 .�xd8+ 1 7.f3
l:lxd8
Timman won comfortably with his extra exchange : H... h 5 1 8.llhe1 tLlf6 1 9Jlxd8 c:J5lxd8 20.�d 3 g 6 21 .a3 We7 2 2 .£xf5 gxf5 2 3 . c:J5l d 2 h4 24.CiJb5 a6 2 5 . b4 £xb4+ 26 .axb4 axb5 27.l:!.a1 t2Jd5 28.c3 f4 29.:tla8 tLie3 30.c:J5ld3 f5 31 ..ll b8 h3 3 2 .gxh3 tbc4 33.h4 wf7 34.h5 rJl g 7 35.J:le8 Wf7 36 . .ll c 8 CL;e5+ 3 7.'it>e2 Wg 7 38.:tle8 'it>f7 39.l:i.b8 t2Jc4 40J:tb 7 + c:J;; f 6 41 . h 6
Black resigned. Other thematic queen moves available to Black to look out for are . . . 'Wic7 , . . . 'Wid8 , . . . 'WtbS and . . . 'Wia 6 . . . . 'Wic7 and . . . 'Wid8 are often seen as re actions to direct attacks on the queen. They are in competition in the line l . e4 dS 2 . exd5 'Wixd S 3 . tLlc3 'WtaS 4 . d4 c6 S . tLlf3 ttJf6 6 . ii.d2 �fs 7 . ii.c4 e6 8 .t2J e4 ! ? , where 8 . . . 'Wic7 is preferable to 8 . . . 'Wid8 ? 1 • For the strategic motif . . . 'tWb S , see the game Bologan-Wahls (see comments to Game 2 . 5 3 ) .
2 . 8 .2.4 . . .'tWa6 We already know this move from Timman-Beliavsky (Game 2 . 2 1 ) . There it helped Black to transpose to a pleas ant endgame. In the following example it occurs in the middlegame and puts White 's pawn weaknesses under pressure : 1 96
2. 1 1 9 Andrew Karklins Patrick Wolff North Bay I 996
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'Wtxd5 3 .tt:Jc3 'Wia5 4.d4 c6 5 .£f4 t2Jf6 6 .'Wid2 .�f5 7.tbf3 tt:l b d 7 ! ? 8.£d 3 �xd 3 9.'Wixd 3 t2J d 5 1 0.�g3 e6 1 1 .0-0 h l J:lxe 7 should also win , but was probably not clear enough for Hector. 1 99
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
3 5 .... iLd8 36.�xf4 't1Vh3?! 3 7.ii.f5 �xc3 38.ii.xc8 f6 39.g6 hxg6 40.hxg6 Jda8 41 .ii.f5
Black resigned . 2. 1 2 1 Heinz Georg Matthias Wahls Neue hate! 199 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .4Jc3 'iVa5 4.d4 c6 5 .t2lf3 t2lf6 6 . h 3 �f5 7.ii.d3 t2l b d 7 8 . 0 - 0 e6 9.�f4 £.e7 1 0J:te1 ii.xd 3 1 1 .�xd3 0-0 1 2 .tt'le4 I:rad8 1 3 .t>h2 �eS + + ; 2 2 . tLl xd4 .Hxd4 2 3 . .t!.xd4 l't x d 4 2 4 . 1hd4 � e I + comes t o the same thing. 22 ... �f5 23 .t2lxd4 .t!.xd4 24Jbd4 .t!.xd4 25 .�e2 c5
Black has a clear extra pawn and an ac tive position . Matthias converts his ad vantage with reliable technique : Psychology. This move hints at . . . llbS to provoke a loosening of the white posi tion. 1 8.c4?
And he bites! The d4 pawn must now do without the support of another pawn, and in fact it falls only a few moves later. 200
2 6 . b4 �f4 27. g 3 't/;Vf5 28.wg 2 h5 2 9 . ll d 2 e5 30. bxc5 bxc5 3 1 J :t b 2 �e6 3 2 Jh b 7 l::r x c4 3 3 . l:!. b8+ '>t> h 7 34.� d 2 l::r d 4 35.�g5?
3 5 .�c3 c4 3 6 . �f3 h4-+ . 35 ... �d5+ 3 6 . '>t> h 2 l:!. d 1
0-1
C h a pt e r
2:
T h e st a n d a r d c e n t r e
The standard centre with c 3
White often moves his knight from c 3 to support the d4 pawn with c2-c3 . This re sults in the standard centre with c3 . There are two thematic levers used against this , . . . c6-cS and . . . e6-eS . In the next game Black uses these with power and effectiveness. 2. 1 22 Janos Rigo Antoaneta Stefanova Bo1zano 1999
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .tt..l c 3 '{WaS 4.d4 c6 5 .tt..l f 3 �f5 6.�c4 e6 7.tt..l e 5 tt..l f 6 8.g4 �g6 9.�d 2 tZJ b d 7 1 0.CL.Jxg6
The awkward I O . tLldS �d8 1 1 .tLlf4 ? ! was played i n H . P Bennett-Spain , Ham ilton ch-NLZ 1 9 9 8 and could be pun ished with I I . . . tt..l x e S 1 2 . dxe S �d4 1 + . The main move I O .�e2 i s best met by : A) 1 O . . . �b4 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 ( 1 1 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 see Smiri n - Ricardi (Game 1 . 1 2 ) ; 1 I .t2:Jxd7 tt:lxd7 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . a3 .� xc 3 1 4 . �xc3 � c 7 1 S . h4 h S = , Barfoed-}. 0. Fries Nielsen , corr. 1 9 94) 1 1 . . . tl:JxeS 1 2 . dxe S tLldS = , Bauer-Teske , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 6 / 9 7 ; B ) 1 O . . . tt..l xe S 7 ! i s dangerous : 1 l . dxe S h8 2 2 .c4) 2 1 .'li'xe6 fxe6 2 2 .tLlxd8 . 1 9 ... 'li' d 5 ?
Chapter
Black does not find the best defence, whic h , however, is far from obvious for a human being. . . 1 9 . . . h 6 1 protects the g S -square and is significantly tougher. Then something like the tactical line 2 0 . t'L'J d6 �ds 2 1 Jhfs �e6 2 2 . Ihf7 '1Wxe 7 2 3 Jhe 7 tiJb6 2 4 . t2:lxb 7 �de 8 ± would b e possible and this endgame looks like a demanding technical task. 20.�g 5+ '>t>h8 21 Jbf5 f6 2 2 .I;Ixd 5 fxg5 2 3 Jbg5 l2Jf6 24.t2Je5+-
2:
T h e sta n d a rd c en t re
Creating the direct threat of 2 5 .�a3 , winning. Ideas like d4-d5 still remain. 24 ...c5 25.d5 h6
25 .. Jhd5 2 6 . t2:lf7 + l'J.xf7 27 . .!:f.xd 5 + - . 26.t2Jg6+ 28.t2Jxf8 3 0 . .2.c 1
Wg8 t2Je3
27JH5 t2Jxd5 29JH3 t2J d 1
3 0 .�g 7 ! ? . 31 . .!:t.xf8+ 3 0 .. Jbf8 3 2 .�xh 6 + �f7 3 3 .�d2
'lt>xf8 1 -0
2. 1 0 . 3 Black king in the middle 2. 1 25 Luba Kristol Tatiana Morozova
Grozny 1 969 1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3.t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 t2Jf6 5 .�c4 c6 6.t2Je2 .2.f5 7.0-0 e6 8.t2Jg 3 �96 9.'�e2 .2.e7 1 0.f4 �d8!?
In no way a bad move. Black protects :li.e 7 . which enables kingside castling after the opening of the e-file. 1 1 .f5 exf5 1 2 .t2Jxf5 For 1 2 . �e3 0 - 0 1 3 . g2 .!:lfe8 28.f1 'li'c8
White resigned.
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
2 . 1 1 . 3 The knight outpost eS White often plays f2-f4 to secure a strong outpost for the knight on eS . Generally it is hard for Black to swap it off advantageously, since after . . . tZ:lxe S , fxeS the f-file is opened. In Goater-Hodgson (Game 2 . 1 2 8 ) Black more or less ignored the white knight and set up his own play by exploiting the numerous light-square weaknesses. Another typical method consists of undermining the white centre by the coun ter-thrust . . . c6-c5 : 2. 1 29 Robert Rabiega Ralf Lau Dresden 2 0 0 0
But Black's counterplay is also in good time. 1 9 ... c5le7
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd c en t re
1 o ... 'i¥c7
Black fights for the advantage and aims for the aggressive set-up 'i¥c 7 , �d 6 . 1 0 . . . 'i¥b4 ! ? . 1 1 .h 3 0-0-0! 1 2 .�g5
1 2 . � e l h 6 1 1 3 .�e 3 g 5 1 4 . 'i¥e 2 ? 1 g4 1 5 .h4 g 3 1 6 . f3 tt::l h 5 + . Bauer-Jancu , Montpellier ch-FRA B 1 9 9 1 . 1 2 ... �d6 gxf6 t
1 3 J:te3
h6
1 4.�xf6
The semi-open g-file drastically in creases Black 's attacking potential . At the same time there is no sign of any counterplay for White. 1 5 .tt::l e2 .trhg8 1 6 .�d 3 !
Halving Black 's bishop pair offers the best chances for successful defence. 1 6 ... �g6 1 7.�xg 6 l::r x g6 1 8.c4 ? !
This gives his opponent more points to attack. It would be better to support the d4 pawn with I 8 . c 3 . 1 8 .. .f5 1 9.'i¥f1 c5!
2. 1 6 . 1 . 2 ... c6-c5 to mobilize the central p awn mass 2 . 1 34 Yu Shaoteng Matthias Wahls
Beij ing 1 993 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3 .tbc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .tt::l f 3
6 . �d2 1 ? . 6 ... tt::l f 6 7.0-0 e6 8 . .l:!.e1 9.tt:Je5? tt:Jxe5 1 O J:txe5
t2J b d 7
I O . dxe5 tt::l g 4! + is already known to us from M.Pribyl-Michaelsen (Game 2 . 1 8) .
After the exchange of c- for d-pawn , Black 's central pawns can be rendered mobile. 20.l:.d3 l::r d g8 21 J:tad 1 a 6
215
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
A prophylactic move. Black wants to take on d4 without allowing tLld4-b5 . The white g -pawn will not run away. 22.a3
An understandable move ; White has his eye on counterplay on the queenside. However this pawn will later become weak. 2 2 . \t>h l is more precise. 2 2 ... cxd4 2 3 .tt:Jxd4 �e5 1 24.b3 i¥c5 25 .tt:Jf3
2 5 .b4? �xc4 26 . .l:!.c l .l:!.xg 2 + -+ . 2 5 ... �c7 26.tt:Jh4
2 6 . a4 U xg 2 + 2 7 . �x g 2 2 8 . \t>xg2 e S 2 9 .Ud5 �e 7 i .
U xg 2 +
2 6 ... U6g7 27.b4 �e7 28.tt:Jf3 e5+
3 0 ...f4 !
would be appropriate. Instead, Matthias played 3 0 . . . e4 ? , allowing White to acti vate his knight. After 3 1 . tLld4 Uxg2+ 3 2 .'i h g 2 Uxg 2 + 3 3 . \t>x g 2 �g6+ 3 4 . \t>fl the position is unclear, since 3 4 . . . f4 is answered with 3 5 .tL:lfs oo . 31 . '1it h 1 Uxg 2 33.'1itxg 2 e4
3 2 .'ti#'xg 2
Uxg2
and Black's attack should be decisive.
2. 1 6 . 1 . 3 The f4-square In the gxf6 -structures the f4-square of ten serves as an operational base for the black pieces. Especially if White has played h2-h3 . 2. 1 35 Nine moves after the introductory 1 9 . . . c5 ! the pawns get moving. White's defensive problem is probably insoluble. 29.Ud5 i¥e6
The queen secretly eyes up the h3 pawn. It was also possible to continue rollin g forward: 2 9 . . . e4 ! ? 3 0 . tLl d4 l:.xg 2 + 3 l . 'iVxg 2 Uxg 2 + 3 2 .'1itxg2 li'g s + 3 3 . \t>fl fVhs + . 30.Ue1 ? 1
3 0 .tbe I would offer better defensive chances. And now 216
Ivan Hausner
Michal Konopka Prague 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 i¥xd5 3 .tt:Jc3 i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:Jf3 tt:Jf6 6 .�d3 �g4 7.h 3 jLhS 8.�d 2 e 6 ! ?
This strai ght away provokes the gxf6 -structure. Also possible is the more solid 8 . . . tt:J b d 7 9 . 'i¥ e 2 e 6 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 �b4 l l . g4 � g 6 1 2 . �b l 0 - 0 - 0 = , Lutz-Wahls , Biel 1 9 9 2 . 9.tt:Je4 "i/c7 1 0.tt:Jxf6+ gxf6 1 1 .0-0
Chapter
Hausner asks to be shown and aims for a position with castling on opposite sides. This plan is not risk-free and thus in creases the significance of the semi open g-file. l l . �e2 intending to castle queenside later is more prudent and possibly also objectively stronger. 1 1 . ./2:Jd 7 1 2 . .t:.e1 .Q.d6 1 3 .c4 0-0-0 1 4. b4 .Q.f4 1 5 . .Q.c3 .tl.hg8 1 6 .a4 Ug7
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd centre
Continuing his own offensive with 1 7 . b S was critical . After, e . g. , 1 7 . . . .tl.dg 8 1 8 . .Q.fl cS l 9 . d5 tZ:l e S 2 0 . .Q.xe 5 .Q.xe S 2 l . l:ta3 the outcome of the struggle is in no way certain. 1 7... .Q.c1 ! !
A super move 1 The fact that taking the bishop now loses is quite trivial . The actual point is the clearing of the f4-square for the queen , with tempo. The f4-square is the turning point and the key square in Black 's attack. 1 8J 1 b 3
1 8 . �xc l ? �xf3 l 9 . g4 ( 1 9 . .Q.fl .Q.xg 2 2 0 . .Q.xg 2 l:tdg 8 - + ) 1 9 . . . h 5 -+ . 1 8 ... �f4 -+
The intervention of the queen is deci sive, White no longer has a defence. 1 9 . .Q.f1
The natural way. Black prepares to dou ble rooks on the g-file. However, the tactical solution , l 6 . . .tt::l e 5 ! 7 1 7 . dxe 5 .Q. g 6 oo i s also worth considering. 1 7J�a3?
An interesting thought. The rook turns a prophylactic X-ray eye on f3 . How ever, this idea fails to a fantastic ma noeuvre .
1 9 .Wh l l:txg 2 1 2 0 . '1t>xg 2 .l:lg 8 + 2 1 . wfl .Q.xf3 2 2 . �xc l �h2 -+ . I 9 . .Q.e 2 l:rdg 8 and the white bishop is overloaded and cannot protect both g 2 and f3 a t t h e same time : 2 0 . g 3 l:txg 3 + -+ . 1 9 ... tZ:le5! 20.dxe5 l:txd 1 21 .1:txd 1 .Q.xf3 2 2 .1:td4 .Uxg 2+ 23 . .Q.xg 2 �g5 24 . .l:Ig4 MXQ4
White resigned.
2. 1 7 The disadvantages of ... gxf6
We now turn to the downsides of the gxf6 -structure. These are not only positional . If Black does not manage to create sufficient activity, he is often left with his pawn weaknesses. In such a case he has nothing but a long and j oyless defence to look forward to. The next three games look at two typical methods for White to combat the gxf6 -structure. 217
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
2 . 1 7 . 1 The advance d4-dS This can open the position favourably and/ or shatter Black 's pawn structure. In the following game it provides White with the long-term advantage of a protected passed pawn. 2. 1 36 Vasily Emelin Karsten Miiller Hamburg 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 "1Vxd5 3 .ttJc3 'iYa5 4.d4 ttJf6 5 .ttJf3 c6 6 .�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.ttJd5 'ti'd8 9.ttJxf6+ gxf6 !? 1 0.0-0 �g4 1 1J:r e1 ttJ d 7
But not 1 l . . .�xf3 ? 1 2 .'ihf3 't!lfxd4? 1 3 . �xe 6 ! fxe 6 1 4 . .l::l. x e6 + + - .
He would really not like to allow the opening of the position by dxc6 , but af ter the game continuation White gets a protected passed pawn . There are also good chances of some advantage after 1 7 .cS ! ? , for example 1 7 . . . exd4 1 8 .'ti'd3 �g6 1 9 .'i¥a3 tt:leS 2 0 .�f4 �g 7 2 1 . l:rad 1 d 3 22 . .l::l. e 3 and White has a small advantage. 1 7. . .c 5 1 8.ttJh4 cxb4 �xb4 20.'iYxb4;t
1 9.�xb4
1 2 .�f1 'fic7
1 2 . . . 'iYb6 ! ? . 1 3 .c4 0-0-0 1 4.b4
1 4 ... e5?!
1 4 . . . l:rg 8 ! offers far better prospects of deciding the opening duel in his favour, or at least not in his opponent's . 1 5 .h3 �h5
1 S . . . �xf3 ? 1 6 . 'iYxf3 exd4 1 7 .c 5 is clearly better for White. 1 6 .'ifb3 l:rg8 1 7.d5
This is very unpleasant for Black. 218
Things now look a bit clearer. The ope ning duel has gone in White 's favour. He has the better pawn structure and chances on the semi-open b-file. Black 's central pawns are not very mobile at the moment, since White is controlling the fS -square. Yet , the position is very hard to play. Black will put his knight on cS and hopes either after or during a successful defence of the queenside that he will get in . . . �g 6 , . . . f6-f5 , . . . e 5 -e4 and some play on the kingside. In the end , Emelin won after a hard struggle, where Black missed some drawing chances.
Chapter
2: T h e s t a n d a r d c e n t r e
2 . 1 7 . 2 Play against the Scandinavian bishop In the gxf6 -structure , play against the Scandinavian bishop sometimes turns out to be very promising ; here are two examples :
2. 1 7.2 . 1 With t/.Jg3, ( IDl6) , h4-hS •..
1 4.�h 6 !
2. 1 3 7 Drazen Sermek Victor Manuel Vehi Bach Groningen I 994
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'i¥xd5 3.t2lc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .�d2 t2lf6 7.t2l d 5 'i¥d8 8.tt:Jxf6+ gxf6 9.c3 !? e6 1 O.tt:le2 �d 6 ? !
It is nice how principles should never be seen as dogmas , but they do some times hold true. Here, as every beginner knows, the knight should be developed before the bishop ; better is I O . . . t2ld7 . 1 1 .t2lg3
Also good is l l . �f4 ! 7 ;!; , which high lights the problems with the previous move by Black. Since Black wishes to develop some activity as compensation for the weakened pawn structure, he is generally not interested in exchanging pieces of equal value. The fewer pieces on the board , the fewer dynamic chances. (Another principle which can lay no claim to general validity. ) 1 1 . . .� g 6 1 2 .i¥f3 t2:J d 7 1 3 .0-0-0 'i¥e7?
The queen now becomes a tactical lia bility on the e-file. The problem with the more natural 1 3 . . . 'i¥c7 is 1 4. t2l h 5 ! , which attacks f6 . After 1 4 . . . �xh5 I S . iYxhS White 's ad vantage is incontestable; yet it would be clearly preferable to the game continuation .
A pretty idea , which has become possi ble because the g7 pawn is now on f6 . White simply blocks the h-pawn and threatens the unpleasant h4-h5 . 1 4 ... 0-0-0?
There would be more resistance after 1 4 . . . .!:l g 8 intending 1 5 . h4 �x g 3 1 6 . fx g 3 �f5 1 • But with I S . .l::!. h e l 1 White can thwart Black 's plans , 1 5 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 1 6 . h4 �xg 3 1 7 . fxg 3 CiJb6 ( I 7 . . . �fS fails to I 8. ihfs , the point behind I S . l:i.he i ' ) 1 8 . �b3 �d7 1 9 . g4 fS 2 0 . g 5 +- . 1 5 .h4 �xg3 1 6 .fxg 3 1 7. h 5 ! �f5 1 8.l:Ih4!+-
.l::!. hg8
The bishop is trapped . 1 8 ... tt:J b 6 1 9.�e2
1 -0
Black capitulated on account of 1 9 . . . t2ld5 2 0 J �d2 1 followed by g4. On the other hand , 2 0 . g 4 7 1 is inaccurate since after the trick 20 . . . �e4 2 1 . 'iYxe4 fS 2 2 . gxf5 'i¥f6 ± Black can resist some more and drag out the game. 219
The Mod ern Sca n d i n a v i a n
2 . 1 7.2.2 With t2Jh4, f2 -f4 2. 1 38 Matthew Turner Jim Burnett
Torquay ch-GBR 2 0 0 2 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iWxd 5 3.tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .�c4 c6 6 .�d 2 �f5 7.tt:lf3 e6 8.tt:ld5 �d8 9.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 ?
For 9 . . . �xf6 , see for Marciano-Prie (Game 2 . 8 ) . 1 0.�b3 tt:l d 7 1 2 .�f3 _.Q.d 6 ? 1
example
1 1 .tt:lh4
Time for a summing up. Black has not managed to compensate for his static disadvantages by activity. On the con trary : his kingside pawns have been completely devalued by the success of the plan f4-f5 . At the same time , he can only get rid of the strong fS knight at the cost of the bishop pair, creating an other positional problem. In the game there followed 1 8 ... �c7
1 8 . . . �xf5 1 9 . gxf5 tLldS ± . �g6
Preferable is 1 2 . . . �c7 1 3 .�h3 �g 7 ;!; , Chekhov-Polovnikova , Moscow 1 9 9 9 . 1 3 .�h31
A very effective square. The queen keeps an eye on e6 and supports the plan g 2 -g4, f2 -f4-f5 . 1 3 .. Ji:g8 1 4.0-0·0 �e7
Not 1 4 . . . �c7 ? I S . �xe 6 ± . 1 5 .g4 0-0-0 1 6 .f4
A further advantage of having the queen on h 3 is that , since tLlh4 is protected, Black does not have the reply .. . f6-f5 . 1 6 ... tt:l b 6 1 7.f5 exf5 1 8.tt:lxf5±
1 9.g5
1 9 .�f3 ! ? �xfS ( 1 9 . . . �xh 2 ? 2 0 Jhh2 �xh2 2 J .gf4+-) 2 0 .�xf5 + �d7 2 1 . �xf7 ± . 1 9 ... '0t>b8 21 .l;lhf1
20.tt:lxd 6
�xd6
With a clear advantage to White.
Black resp onds with ... f6 -fS In Turner-Burnett (Game 2 . 1 3 8 ) , thanks to his favourable set-up (�h3 , g 2 -g4) , White manages to avoid the re sponse . . . f6-f5 to his plan of tLlh4 , f4-f5 . Generally speaking , however, White cannot achieve such a favourable set- up and Black can play . . . fS : 2. 1 39 Branimir Jukic Tomaz Marinsek
Ljubljana 1 996 1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 � x d 5 3 .tt:lc3 �a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .tt:lf3 c6 6 .�d2 gf5 7.gc4 e6 8.tt:le4 1 ? �c7 9.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 1 O.tt:lh4 gg6 1 1 .f4 1?
White can hardly be faulted for his straightforward play. Yet , after 220
Chapter
1 1 .. .f5 !
2:
The s t a n d a rd cen t re
In principle, White can still play g 2 - g 3 , t>b l l:f.he8 1 8 . l:f.he l tbb6 1 9 . f4 gave White the initiative, Bosiocic-Bauer, Zurich 2 0 0 9 ) 1 7 . �xd4 �cS 1 8 . l:f.he I �xd4 1 9 Jhd4 tbcS = (Prie) . Instead , Jovanka Houska prefers I S . . . tbb6 ! ? 1 6 . �a5 cS 1 7 . d5 �h6 + 1 8 . 'lt> b l exdS 1 9 . �x b 6 'ifxb6 2 0 . �xd5 �he8 with counterplay.
the material) 1 9 . . . tbe5 2 0 .�e2 tt:l f3 2 l . �xf3 �xf3 2 2 J:tde 1 �xd S = . Ragger-Zelcic, Zadar 2 0 0 6 . C ) I S .tbxg 6 ! ? hxg6 1 6 .h4 might be the critical test of Black's set-up : 1 6 . . .f5 ( 1 6 . . . 'lt>b8 1 ?) 1 7 .'lt>b l ( 1 7 .�g5 l:f.de8 1 8 .h5 gxhS 1 9 . .ll xh 5 , Kasimdzhanov Papaioannou, Bled Olympiad 2 0 0 2 , and now Black should have played 1 9 . . . f4 ! . e.g. 2 0 .l:rdh 1 l:lhg8 2 1 .�xf4 (2 1 .'lt>b I fxg 3 2 2 . fxg3 �xg 3 2 3 . 'iff3 (Prie) 23 .. .f5 =) 2 1 . . . �xf4+ 2 2 .gxf4 'ifxf4+ 2 3 .'ti'e3 l:f.g4 24.c3 tbf6 = , Saric-Savic, Vogosca 2 0 0 7 ) 1 7 . . . J::!. h e8 1 8 .�g5 ( 1 8 .c4 cS 1 9 .dxc5 tbxcS 2 0 .�c2 �eS 2 1 .�g5 f6 2 2 .�e3 'lt>b8 2 3 .f4 �d6 24.b4 tt:le4 with counterplay) 1 8 . . . �e7 1 9 .�f4 �d6 2 0 . � g 5 �e 7 2 1 .�f4 �d6 '/2-1/2 , Bittencourt-Vescovi, Porto Alegre 2 0 0 8 . 1 5 ... l:f. h e8 1 6 J i h e 1 Wb8!?
Radjabov transfers his king to a 8 . This sets him up against White's attacking plan of c2 -c4 and d4-d5 and for counterplay of his own by . . . l:lc8 and . . . c6-c5 . 1 5 . '>t> b 1
A) I S . l:f.he l 'lt> b 8 1 6 . '>t> b l l:lc8 1 7 .�c3 ( 1 7 .tbxg6 hxg 6 1 8 .h4 Wa8 1 9 . l:f.h l 1/2- 1/2 , Fedorov-Papaioannou, Leon Ech-tt 200 I ) I 7 . . . l:f.hd8 1 8 .'iff3 fS 1 9 .�d2 tbf6 2 0 .tbxg6 hxg 6 2 1 .�g5 �e7 2 2 .�f4 �d6 2 3 .�g5 £e 7 24.'ife 2 Loffler-Konig . Passau 2 0 0 0 , 24 . . . tbe4= ; B) After I S . tb g 2 Black has the reply I S . . . cS 1 6 . d 5 c 4 , e . g. 1 7 . 'ifxc4 ( 1 7 . �xc4 exdS 1 8 . �d3 tbcS 1 9 .�xg6 hxg 6 2 0 . � e 3 'ti' c 6 = ) 1 7 . . . 'ifxc4 1 8 . �xc4 �e4 ( 1 8 . . . tbb6 1 9 . �e2 �e4 2 0 . f3 �xdS is another good option, Peptan-Fierro Baquero , Benasque 2 0 0 1 ) 1 9 . l:f.hg l ( 1 9 . dxe 6 tb e S 2 0 .�fl fxe 6 gives Black good compensation for 2 24
1 7.a3 Wa8 1 8.�f3 l:f.c8 1 9.ttJXg6 hxg6 20.h4 f5 21 . h 5 ? !
An inaccuracy. Black now gets an active knight on e4 and sufficient counterplay. 2 1 .�g 5 l:f.h8 2 2 . c4i is minimally better for White, but Black's position is very solid.
Chapter
2: T h e s t a n d a rd centre
21 ... gxh5 2 2 .ifxh5 CL.Jf6 23 .'�Vf3 tl:! e4 24.�e3
After Black castles queenside, White should set up a queenside attack. I l . b4' would therefore be more appropriate.
Adams will have thought this out when playing his 2 I st move ; there is now the unpleasant threat of g 3 -g4.
1 1 ...0-0-0 1 2 .Ci.J h4 �Q.g 6 1 3 . b8 36.'tt> a 2 !
White 's better king position compen sates for the positional disadvantage. 36 . .l:!. c 7 'i¥xc 7 3 7 . �x f8 + 'f!V c 8 3 8 .�d6+ 'tt> a 8 3 9 . b4 a 6 + . 36 . .Jk 8 37.�h 1 ! a 6 38.:ct.h4 �c7 39.'�Vf6 'tt> a 7 40.:ct.d4 �e7 41 .�e5 .l:ld7 42 J:tc4 .Rd5 43.'�Vc3 'ii' d 6 44.e4 112- 112
In this position with castling on oppo site sides, the structure after �xg6 hxg 6 naturally favours Black. T h e kingside pawns are very mobile and she can use the semi-open h-file for an attack. 1 4.�e3 �c7 1 5 .g3?!
Better is I S .h 3 . 1 5 .. .f5 1 6 .�e2 f3 'ifdSI-+
.l::t 8 h2+
With the idea . . . 'iYh8 -h5 . Without a care in the world, Black brings the queen into the attack, while the rook on h I is taboo on account of the checkmate on f2 . 26.g6 fxg 6 27.�xe6+ 'it>b8 2 8 . d 5 'ti' b 6 29.'iYe1 .l::t xf1 + 30.'iWxf1 .l::tf 2+ 0-1
The standard centre with . . . cxbS
This central formation is much rarer in praxis than others. However, it is significant in some specific lines and necessary for a complete understanding of the light square strategy. The next three games on this theme are also directly linked to the light-square strategy. 2 . 1 43 Tom Wedberg Pontus Sj odahl Harplinge I 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iYxd5 3 .tt:J c 3 'iW a 5 4 . d 4 c6 5 .�c4 �f5 6 .�e2 e6 7.t2Jf3 tt::l f 6 8.�d 2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tt::l b d 7 1 0.'it>b1
This variation can be quite dangerous if Black doesn't know what he is doing. 1 0 ... tt::l b 6 1 1 1 .�b3 �xc3 ! 1 2.�xc3 �b5 1 3 .'iYxb5 cxb5
226
We have now reached the thematic cen tral formation. Black intends to play on the light squares.
Chapter
Above all the manoeuvre . . . �e4-d5 will play an important part, as will the ad vance of the a-pawn , and the semi-open c-file. 1 4.d5?1
An all too understandable reaction. White would not like to be blockaded on the light squares and decides to open the game at once with a pawn sac rifice. The disadvantage of this idea is simply that the complications turn out to be in Black's favour in the long run. The less risky 1 4. lLl e 5 is the theme of the next game. 14 ... lL:l bxd5 1 5 .�xf6 lL:lxf6 1 6.tbd4 �e4 1 Vbxb5 �xg 2 1 8J:t h g 1 .if3 1 9.l2Jc7+ we7 20.l:i.de1 l:!.ag8 21 .l2Jxe6 fxe6 22 .l:i.xe6+ Wf8
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t re
Now Wedberg brings out an interesting novelty, which however does not alter the general evaluation of the line. 23.l:i.d 6 ! ? N
In the stem game we mentioned, after 2 3 . l:i. g e l the ' inhuman ' 2 3 . . . � f7 ! would have led to an advantage for Black: 2 4 . l:i.e 7 + Wg6 2 S .�xg 8 lhg 8 + (Wahls) . 2 3 ... �c6 !
This move consolidates Black's position and is the only way to fight for an ad vantage. After 23 . . . We? White has at least 2 4 . l:i. e 6 + Wf8 2 S .l:i.d6 with a repetition of moves . The attempt 2 3 . . . lLl e 4 ? 2 4 . l:i.d4 ! ± is b a d because White obtains an advantage in material. 24.l:i.e1 lLle81
Black's primary goal is to free his rooks. So logically he aims for . . . g7 - g S . 25 .l:i.d4 g 5 26 .�xg8 l:i.xg8 27.c4 l:i. g 7 28.b4 l:i.e7 29.l:i.xe7 wxe 7 =F
For the moment White has only a pawn for the piece, but he will be able to win the exchange on g 8 . The decisive ques tion is whether he can create something concrete from his temporary lead in de velopment, or whether Black will man age to consolidate and retain a slight ma terial advantage. So far both players fol lowed the variation l l . . . �xc3 ! 1 2 .�xc3 'i{fbs from the game Bologan-Wahls (see comments to Game 2 . 5 3 ) .
Things have calmed down a bit. In the resulting endgame of .l:f. + � against lLl + � only Black has winning chances, however White 's prospects of a draw can be evaluated as somewhat higher on account of the reduced material . 227
T h e M o d e rn Scand i n a v i a n
30.�c2 a 6 31 . b 3 �c7 3 2 .a4 ti:1e6 3 3 . I! d 2 a 5 ! ?
This positional pawn sacrifice creates squares for the black pieces and de prives the white queenside pawn ma j ority of its mobility. But White will have an important defensive motif in a5 -a6 . 34.bxa5 CiJc5+ 3 5 . � b4 t2Ja6+ 36.�c3 'tt> e 6 37.�d4 �f5 38.�e3 .sixa4 39.f3
3 9 . l::r d 5 + is more precise, as 3 9 . . . � g4 is not really dangerous : 4 0 . f3 + �h4 4 1 Jid6 hS 42 . l::r d 4+ g4 (42 . . . �h3 43 . l::r d 5 ) 43 . fxg4 hxg4 44 . .l::!. d 6 + . 39 ... ..G,c6 40J�.d6 h 5 41 J:!: h 6 h 4 4 2 J l h 8 ti:J b4 43 . .ll h 6 ti:Jc2+ 44.� d 3 �e1 + 45.�e3 tt.Jc2+
Not 45 . . . tb g 2 + 7 4 6 . �f2 o.iJf4 47 .a6+- . 4 6 : it> d 3 tt.J b4+ 47.�e3 48.llh8 ..tJc5 49 . .l::!. c8 50 . .l::!. g 8 t2Je6
t2Ja6 \t>e5
Now the knight has reached its ideal square. It protects the king, defends the kingside pawns and can quickly be come active against the weakness on f3 . In spite of all this, the likelihood of a draw is in no way lessened . 51 . .ll g 6 \t>d6 52 . .ll f 6 �e5 53 . .l::!. g 6 Qd7 54J1g8?!
This makes things unnecessarily com plicated. The black king now invades on the queenside and White only j ust hangs on to the draw. After 5 4 . l::r h 6 1 ? it is not clear how Black can make progress , e . g. 54 . . . �d6 ( 5 4 . . . �d4 5 5 . l::r g 6 + ) 55 . .l:!.h7 .�c6 5 6 . l::r h 6 + . 5 4 ... � d 6 55Jlg6 �c5
228
56.'-.t> e4 !
Active defence . White 's game depends on this counterattack. 56 . . . �xc4 57.we5 ..tJ d4!?
57 . . . �c5 ? 1 5 8 . I:l.xe 6 �.xe6 5 9 .c>he6 WbS 6 0 . � f5 = ; 5 7 . . . Wb5 7 1 5 8 . Wd6 WxaS 5 9 . l:t. g 8 = . 58.�d6 ..tJxf3+ 59.We4 ..G,g4
5 9 . . . .ii. c 6 + 77 fails to 6 0 . l::r x c6 + +- . 60. h 3 ! .ii. xh 3
6 0 . . . .sihS ! ? 6 1 . .l::!. h 6 tZ�d 2 + 6 2 . \t> fs ' + . 61 .'tt> xf3 \t> b 5 6 2 . .l::!. b6+
Draw agreed. The fc>llowing game is a perfect model of a successful application of the light square strategy. Our tip : simply play through the game and enj oy it. 2 . 1 44 Johann Hj artarson Curt Hansen
Reykjavik zt 1 99 5 1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2Jc3 't�Va5 4.d4 �f6 5 .t2Jf3 .iilf 5 6 .�c4 e6 7..1i.d 2 c6 8.'t�Ve2 .sib4 9.0-0-0 � bd 7 1 0. \t> b 1 � b 6 ! 1 L �,b3 ..G,xc3 ! 1 2 .�xc3 �b5
Chapter
2:
T h e s t a n d a rd cen t r e
B a d i s 1 6 . . . �xg 2 ? 1 7 . .l:!. g 1 � e 4 1 8 . .l:!.xg 7 � g 6 1 9 . .l:!.g l t , a s 1 9 . . . �f8 ? fails to 2 0 . 1:!. 1 xg6 fxg 6 2 1 ..l:!.f7 + +- . 1 7.f3 �d5 1 8.�xd 5 tt:Jfxd5
The exchange of light-squared bishops not only secures the dS -square for the black knight, but also enables an ending with good knight versus bad bishop. And now in the words of the player with Black : 'As so often in the Scandinavian De fence, Black tries to increase his influ ence on the light squares. Here Black even goes so far to do two important things to achieve that. He exchanges �b4 for tt:Jc3 , though this does not usually happen until White has played a2-a3 . And he accepts doubled pawns on the b-file.' (Curt Hansen on the ChessBase Scandinavian -CD) 1 3 .'i:Yxb5 cxb5
So far we have been following Wedberg -Sjodahl (Game 2 . 1 43 ) . 1 4.tt:Je5
1 9.�d 2 tt:Jc4
20.�c1
2 0 . tt:Jxc4 bxc4 is no better for White. Black has an eternal knight on d S and is threatening to advance the b-pawn and go full steam ahead on the queenside. White should probably go in for 2 1 .a4! and then : 2 l . . . b 5 ! ? 2 2 . axb5 I:l.fb 8 2 3 .�a2 ( 2 3 . c3 ? .l:!.xbS 2 4 . �c2 I:l.ab8 2 5 . �c 1 a4 2 6 . .l:!.e5 .l:!.b3 2 7 . f4 a 3 -+) 23 . . . .l:!.xb5 2 4 . � a 3 .l:!.ab8 2 5 . � c 3 �f8 =F . 2 0... .l:!.fc8 21 .f4 b41?
A natural move, White places his knight on an active square. But from now on Curt Hansen gives a perfect example of the light-square strategy: 1 4. . .a 5 ! 1 5 .a3 �e4 ! 1 6 . .l:!.he1 0-0
But well-placed pieces are not enough to win a game on their own ! Black opens up the queenside and in doing so undoubles his pawns. 22.tt:Jxc4 .l:!.xc4 23 . .l:!.d3
In case of 2 3 .axb4? axb4+ the threat . . . .l:!.c6-a6 would be very unpleasant for White. 229
T h e Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
2 3 ... bxa 3 24J:lxa 3 b 5 25.f5 !
White really must get some counter play. 25 ... b4 2 6 J:t d 3
3 5 .. J:t:xd4 36Jk7+ we6 37.Jic1 .l:i. d 1 3 8 J:tcc3 l:red2 39J'J.f4 tLd3 40J:tc6+ 'ttt d 5 41 .llfxf6 l:rxb2+ 42 .'it>a 1 .!:rb5 43J:!.fd 6 + we5
White resigned.
2 6 . l:ta4 l:la6=F / + . 2 6 ... exf5 27J::t e 5 l:rd8 28Jhf5 a4
' Black is forced to use his rook to keep the knight on the strong d S - square. He is now in a position to bring his king into the game by the manoeuvre . . . f7 -f6 and . . . Wg8 -f7 -e 6 (and if neces sary . . . g 7 -g 6 ) . Then the white rook will have to leave the fifth rank and . . . l::!. d 8 - c 8 would further increase Black 's pressure.' (Cu . Hansen) 29.gd 2 f6 30.h3 'ttt f 7 31 .g4 g6 3 2 . l:rff3 l:te8
••• • •• • i i. • • . ·�· . i.. ·�· • · :t:!: · :t:l: · � � . . . ·�· . .
•
•
•
2 . 1 45
's-Henogenbosch 1 999
3 3 .c3?
3 3 . b 3 axb3 3 4 . cxb3 .l:!.c6 3 S JH2 + was necessary. 34.cxb4
t2Jxb4
And here only the continuation 3 S .gxb4 .!:f.xb4 3 6 . b 3 would offer White any drawing chances. 230
Now a final example of a successful use of the light-square strategy in the cxbS central formation . In this case the c-file plays a significant role:
Friso Nijboer Ian Rogers
The pressure now becomes even greater; the threat is 34 . . . .l:!.e2 .
33 ... l:re2 35 . .l:!.c3?!
In this instructive game a key part was played by important motifs from the light-square strategy: I . The advance of the a-pawn 2 . The manoeuvre . . . ge4-d5 3 . The occupation of dS and c4 by knights 4. And last but not least, the endgame ' good knight versus bad bishop ' .
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .Ci'c3 �a5 4.d4 t2Jf6 s .gc4 c6 6.Ji.d 2 gf5 7.t2Jf3 e6 8.�e2 Ji.b4 9.0-0-0 t2J b d 7 1 0. '>t b 1 t2J b 6 ! 1 1 .xd 7 1 7 . l:!. d l + Wc8 7 1 8 .'fixc6 + ! bxc6 1 9 .�a6 # . 1 5 ... 'fia5
White 's position may look good with all his pieces on really active squares. But this is not enough to shatter the solid foundations of the Scandinavian ; and what is left in the long run is Black's extra pawn . 1 6 .tt:Jb5?
White burns his bridges. Despite being a pawn down , White had every chance to fight for a draw. 1 6 ... cxb5 1 7.'iVxf5 �e 7 !
Not only a good, but also the only satis factory move. Now White does not manage to set his kingside pawns in motion, since he first has to care for the eS and c2 pawns which are under at tack. On the other hand, l ! . . .ltJ d S ? ! runs directly into 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 1 3 . g4 �g6 1 4. f4 ;l; . 1 2 .0-0-0?
This p awn sacrifice is too rash . 1 2 .�f4= (D. Schneider-Bhat, USA jr 238
This cool defensive move secures Black of a clear material advantage. Of course, not 1 7 . . . exf5 ? ? 1 8 J �he 8 + Wc7 1 9 . �d8 + +- . Also bad is 1 7 . . . �b4 ? on account of 1 8 . 'iYxf7 ± . 1 8.�xe6
Or 1 8 .�xb 5 exfS 1 9 .�xd 7 + b8 25.gxf5 26 . .t:. a b 1 'iVc7 27.'iVe5
�hS
White is structurally clearly worse, but could seek safety in a complicated end game. Braun 's later suggestion 27.. J:td 1 !+
would now have been the best practical decision . The idea is to exchange off all the maj or pieces , after which Black has very good chances to make something of the white pawn weaknesses , without having his plans crossed by some possi ble counterplay.
3 . 3 Weak p awn on eS
The eS pawn on one hand gives White a spatial advantage. but can also become a weakness. A) If Black plays . . . t2Jg4, this is generally based on the tactical susceptibility of the eS pawn , see also Labuckas-Jurkiewicz (Game 3 . 3 ) . B) In the following game the e S pawn i s lost because o f the tactical weakness of the bishop on d 2 : 3.6
A tactical mistake.
Ullrich Skorna Matthias Wahls
Neuchatel
1 2 ... t2Jxe5 1 3 .dxe5 t2J d 7
I 994
1 .e4 d S 2 .exd5 �xdS 3 .t2Jc3 �as 4.d4 c6 5 .t2Jf3 t2Jf6 6.�c4 �JS 7. 0-0 tb b d 7
Interestingly, the same motif as in the game occurred in S. Lalic-Mellado Trivino, Zaragoza 1 9 9 5 : 7 . . . e6 8 .h 3 t2J b d 7 9 . .si. d 2 �c7 l O . ll e l h6 l l..il b3 0 - 0 - 0 l 2 . t2Je 5 ? t2Jxe5 l 3 . dxe 5 t2Jd7 l 4.�e2 J �xe S with a clear extra pawn , which Black went on to convert safely. 8.£b3 e6 9Jle1 Jl.e7 1 0.Ji.d 2 �c7 1 1 .h 3 0-0-0 1 2 .t2Je5?
240
1 4.�e2?
Probably played quickly. not smelling a rat. The pawn could only be held by l 4 .�f4 , though the position after
Chapter
l 4 . . . g 5 I S .�g3 h5 1 6 .'ife2 h4 1 7 .�h2 .Uhg 8 t is not much fun for White.
1 4 ... 'i¥xe5 1+ And a pawn has simply gone ! Of course Black takes on eS with the queen ; Skorna had probably been counting on l 4 . . . tLJxeS I S .�f4.
3:
The dxeS - centre
1 5.'iYf3 I S .'iheS tLJxe S 1 6 JheS ? l:[xd2 -+ . 1 5 .. .'ti'c7 1 6 . .if4 .id6 1 7.ihd 6 'ifxd6 1 8.l:[ad 1 'ifc7 1 9.'ife3 Wb8+ and Black won later on.
3 .4 Weak square on d6
One of the plus points of the dxeS -centre for White is the control he has j ust gained over the d6-square. The Scandinavian structure with black pawns on e 6 and c6 means that this square can no longer be controlled by a black pawn . So it usually becomes very unpleasant if a white piece finds a nest there.
3.4. 1 . ..tt:J e 4-d6 3.7 Joe Feagin Robert Felber corr.
1 996
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i\Yxd5 3.t2Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.t2Jf3 t2Jf6 6.t2Je5 �f5 7.�d3 �xd3 8.'ti'xd 3 e6?1 More precise is 8 . . . tLJ bd 7 .
'ifxd 7 1 3 .'i!Yf3 �e 7 (Breyther-Wahls , Bern 1 9 9 5 ) 1 4. �f4;!; . 1 2.dxe5 t2Jd7 1 3.�f4 1 White overprotects e S and threatens the unpleasant and unavoidable t2Je4-d6 . 1 3 ... 0-0-0 1 4.t2Je4 h 6 1 5.t2Jd6+ �xd6 1 6.exd6±
9.0-0 t2Jbd7 1 0.'�'g3 'ifc7 1 1 .l:[e1
11 ... t2Jxe5?! The positional transformation does not sit well here. Better is l l . . . g6 1 2 .t2Jxd7
This pawn is like a thorn in Black's flesh, while the pawn on g 7 is hanging. 1 6 ... 'iYa5 1 7.'ifxg 7 'iff5 1 8.'ifd4 and later 1 - 0 . 24 1
T h e M o d e rn Scand i n a v i a n
3 .4.2 .. Jld6 3.8 Sven Helms Hans Christian Schalliick Hamburg 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tZ:lc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.�c4 �f5 6.tZ:lf3 tZ:lf6 7.0-0 e6 8.tZ:le5 tZ:lbd7 9.�e2 tZ:lxe5 1 0.dxe5 tZ:ld7 1 1 .�f4 �e7 1 2 . .l:t.ad 1 �c7
1 5 ... 0-0-0 1 6 .tZ:ld6+ 1 7J:[xd6! tZ:lb6
�xd6
1 7 . . . f6 ? 1 8 . exf6 e S 1 9 Jh d 7 ! l:rxd7 2 0 . fx g 7 �xg 7 2 I .'ifxe 5 + - . 1 8.c4 Wb8 1 9.�fd 1 tZ:lc8 20.�g5
A better try is the ambitious 1 2 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! 1 3 .a3 g S 1 4.�g3 h S I S .h3 h4+=t , Blasl Niedermayr, Linz 1 9 9 7 . 1 3.�d3 �g6 1 3 . . . �xd3 1 4 . l::t. x d3 0 - 0 - 0 I S J Hd l ! . 1 4.�xg6 hxg6 20 .. .f6? Black collapses under the pressure and sacrifices a pawn , without getting any thing in return. 2 0 . . . tZ:lxd6 2 l .�xd8 l:!.xd8 2 2 .'iYdH followed by 2 3 . exd6 may be better for White, but Black can still put up tough resistance.
1 5.tZ:le4! Off to d 6 ! Black probably relied on the fact that the e S pawn is now hanging. But the structure after I S . . . tZ:lxeS ? ! 1 6 .tZ:lc3 f6 1 7 .�xe S �xeS 1 8 . �xe S fxe S I 9 . tZ:le4 is not much fun . White has a nice central knight and Black's kingside pawns are all weak.
3.5
A
white pawn on f4
21 Jbd8 �xd8 22.exf6 �x d 1 + 23 .'�xd 1 gxf6 24.�xf6 �f4 25.�d4± e5 26.�c3 �xc4?! 26 . . . Wc 7 ± would be more stubborn . 27.�xe5+ was 28.h3+- 'iYd5 29.'iYxd5 cxd5 30.g4 tZ:le7 31 .h4 b5 32.h5 gxh5 33.gxh5 Wb7 34.h6 'ific6 35.h 7 Black resigned.
White often turns to f2 - f4 in the dxe 5 -centre. This protects eS and from time to time leads to play against the Scandinavian bishop with g4 and fS . 242
Chapter
3:
T h e d x e 5 - c en t re
3 . 5 . 1 Play against the Scandinavian bishop with g2-g4 and f4-fS 3.9 Friso Nijboer Julian Hodgson Netherlands tt 1 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3 .t2lc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.t2lf3 t2Jf6 6 . .2.c4 .2.f5 7.'�e2 e6 8 . .2.d2 �b4 9.a3 t2Jbd7 1 0.0-0-0 .2.xc3 1 1 . .2.xc3 Wic7 1 2.t2Je5 t2Jxe5 1 3.dxe5 t2Jd5 1 4.�d 2
1 4 ... 0-0-0 1 4 . . . h 5 ? ! prevents g 2 -g4, but gives up the g 5 -square, which is more impor tant : 1 5 . .2. g 5 b5 1 6 . .2. d 3 .2.xd 3 1 7 . l::i. x d3 .C:b8 1 8 . .l:!.hd I cS 1 9 . l::i. h 3 c4 2 0 . c 3 b4 2 1 . axb4 a S 2 2 . b 5 ± , Schonthier-Forchert, Germany Oberliga ! 995 /96. 1 5.g4 .2.g6 1 6.f4 h 5 1 7.h3 The critical position , White is planning to play .l:thfl and f4-fs . 1 7... 'iYb6?! Black should remove a pair of rooks to in crease counterplay: 1 7 . . . hxg4! 1 8 .hxg4 .!::tx h l 1 9 ..l h h ! 'i¥b6 2 0 . l::i. f l Wid4 2 l..�. b3 (2 1 .c3 'i1i'e4 2 2 .f5 exfS 2 3 .gxf5 �xf5 24.Wixe4 �xe4 2 S . .l:i.xf7 l::i. h 8oo,
Golubovic-Wahls, Bern 1 99 5 ) 2 l . . .l::i. e 8 2 2 .'i1Vh2 �e4 2 3 .l::i. e ! l::i. d 8 24.'tWe2 (Morovic Fernandez-Wahls, Cienfuegos 1 996) 24 . . . �g6 2 5 .'i/Vf3 l::i. h 8 b 8 3 0 . b 3 'it> a 8 (Psakhis-Wahls , Baden-Baden 1 9 9 2 ; 3 0 . . . g 6 3 l . e 6 + 'tWxg 3 3 2 . l::i. x g3 gxfS 3 3 . l::r h 1 fxe 6 3 4 . l::i. g 5 ± , Bucker) 3 1 .'ifxg4 �xg4 32 . .l::i. c 7 .l:IxeS 3 3 . l::i. x f7 b 6 3 4 . �c 3 � e 2 3 5 . l::i. x g 7 l::i. h h2 3 6 . Wb l ! +- (Konikowski) ; B) The apparently active 1 9 . . . 'tWd4 (Kir. Georg iev-Henrichs , Reckling hausen 1 9 9 8 ) is simply m e t by 2 0 .�b3 ! . The position of the queen on d4 then turns out to be unfavourable. Things would have looked different if Black had removed a pair of rooks from the board at the correct time . . . 20.l::i. d e1 ?! White starts to leave the strait and nar row and is harshly punished for it. 243
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
Emms ' idea 2 0 . fS ! exfS 2 1 . e6 ! --+ i s very strong, leaving Black problems with his king and unable to equalize. A practical example is 2 l . . . f4 2 L�xdS cxdS 2 3 . ex f7 f3 7 2 4 . 'ti' e 7 'ti' c 7 2 S .'i¥e 6 + 1 - 0 , Van den Doel-Guedon, Antwerp 1 9 9 7 . 20 ... 'i¥d4 21 .. �a2? Better is 2 l .�b3 .
21 ... l:rxa3!! Nice, but not unexpected. After this tac tical blow, Hodgson does not give his opponent another chance : 22.�b1 2 2 . b xa 3 ? 'lii a l + 2 4 . Wd l CiJc3 # .
2 3 .�b l
'i¥xa 3 +
22 . . .'ti!Ya4 23 .f5 l:t a 1 24.c3 exf5 25.gxf5 �h5! 26.'i¥xh5? 2 6 . 'i¥ e 4 tt::l x c 3 2 7 . 'i¥xa4 ( 2 7 . bxc3 'i¥a3 + 2 8 . Wc2 l:ta2 + 2 9 .�xa2 'ir'xa2+ 3 0 . Wc l 'i¥xd 2 + 3 ! . W b l l:rdS -+) 27 . . . l:txb l + 2 8 .Wc2 CiJxa4 2 9 . l:txb l �e2 3 0 . �b4 �d3 + -+ . 2 6. ..'iYa2 27.'>ii c 2 'ti'c41 28.b3 tt::l b4+ 29.'itt c 1 l:txb1 + 0-1
3 . 5 . 2 Black plays ... g7-gS Against the pawn constellation eS and f4, the counter-thrust . . . g7 - g S is quite fre quently a tried and trusted method to contest White 's centre : 3.10 Ivo Timmermans
Marc Dutreeuw Liechtenstein 1 9 9 7
The standard plan 1 3 . g4 �g6 1 4.f4i would gain the initiative for White. 1 3 ... h4
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i¥xd5 3.tt::l c 3 'iYa5 4.d4 CiJf6 5.CiJf3 �f5 6.�c4 c6 7.�d2 'ti'c7 8.tt::l e 5 e6 9.'ti'e2 CiJbd7 1 0.0-0-0 h5?! 1 1 .h3?! l l .�gS ! is the way to go - see the theo retical appendix . 1 1 ... CiJxe5?1 I I . . . h4 ' is much better, to act against White 's kingside advance. 1 2.dxe5 CiJd7 1 3.f4? 244
After mutual mistakes, Black now has a better kingside structure.
Chapter
White can no longer play g 2 -g4, he cause of . . . hxg3 en passant. As a result, the f4 pawn cannot he helped by pawn g2 and White 's centre is shaky in the long term . 1 4.�e3 �b4 1 6 .t2Je4 tt:l b 6 1 8.a3 Ji.e7
1 5 .�d4 1 7.£xb6
0-0-0 axb6
Black now has the bishop pair and suffi cient control over the d6-square.
3:
The dxeS -centre
29.f5
2 9 . Wf! �xf3 3 0 . gxf3 gxf4 3 l .�xf4 �cS i and the difference is king safety. 29 ... �d5 30.fxe6
3 0 . f6 �cS 3 l .�xg 5 £xf3 + 3 2 . gxf3 �d4-+ . 30 ... �xe6 31 .�e4 �c5 �b6
3 2 . b4
1 9.�e3 'itb8 20J:rxd8+ �xd8 2Uid 1 .l:rxd 1 + 2 2 .'itxd 1 �d8+ 23.'ite2 Jll g 6 24.�d3 �h8 25 .�e3 b5 26 .£d 3 �d8 27.tt:lg5 �h5+ 28.t2Jf3
33.�h 7 ?
White collapses. 3 3 . �fS =F I + is better.
28 ... g 5 ! +
Thematic , undermining the centre.
33 ... �xe5+ 34.W d 1 �xf3+ 35.gxf3 �a 1 +-+ 36.We2 �g 1 3 7.�xf7 �f2+ 38.Wd 1 £.e3 39.£e2 �g 1 +
White resigned.
3 . 5 . 3 White gets problems on the g l -a7 diagonal A major disadvantage of f2 -f4 is that the g l -a 7 diagonal is weakened . This can cause White problems , especially if he castles kingside. There is an example in the game Olcayoz-Gelashvili (Game 2 . 5 7 ) .
3 . 6 The endgame
In the dxe S -structure, Black frequently has the better practical chances in the end game. The more pieces are exchanged, the more susceptible the e S pawn often be comes. And if White decides to protect it with f2 -f4, further weaknesses arise in hi s camp. 245
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
3.I I Williams David Taylor corr. 1 9 8 5
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 'ifaS 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt::l f6 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.'ti'e2 9.0-0-0 tt:lbd7 1 O.tt:leS 1 1 .dxe5 tt:ldS 1 2.tt:le4 1 3.'iVxe4 �xd 2+
3.tt::l c 3 6.�c4 �b4 tt:JxeS �xe4
1 3 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 gives White the option of playing 1 4 . c 3 ! ? and retaining the bishop pair. 1 4Jbd 2 0-0-0= 1 5 . .!:!.hd1
22 .. Jbd 2 23 . .!:!.xd2 .!:!.xd2 24.Wxd 2 't!Vb6t Now things slowly start to become un pleasant for White, as the black queen will irrevocably invade on the king side. 25.b4 �g 1 26.'ife2 tt:lh6
1 5 ... g6 Also good is I S ... tt:lb6 , and after the ex change of rooks the position is easier to play for Black since his pawns are not so vulnerable: 1 6 . �b3 .!:!.xd2 1 7 . .!:!.xd2 .!:!.d8 1 8 .c3 'ifbS ! 1 9 .'iff4 ? ! 'iff! + 2 0 . Wc2 'ifxg 2 2 1 . l:!. xd 8 + Wxd8 2 2 . 'YWx f7 tLl d 7 2 3 . �x e 6 'if e 4 + 2 4 . Wd 2 tt::l x e S 2 S . 'il' f8 + W c 7 2 6 . 'ife 7 + ? W b 6 + , Sveshnikov-Sutovsky, Bled I 9 9 7 . 1 6.'ifh4 'ifc7 1 7.'ife4 .!:!.d7 1 8.�b3 .!:!.hd8 1 9.f4 hS! 20.g3 tt:le 7 21 .c3 tt:lfS 22.�c2?1 22 . .!:!.xd 7 .!:!.xd 7 2 3 . lh d 7 2 4 . �c2 = was more exact. 246
'if x d 7
27.gd 1 ? This is too passive. 2 7 . b S ! strives for counterplay and promises White good prospects of a draw. 27... tt::l g 4+ 28.h3?1 2 8 . Wc l is more stubborn, although in the long run Black should be able to win after 2 8 . . . tt:lxh2 2 9 .'il'd3 tt:lfl 3 0 .'ti'd6 'ife3 + 3 1 .Wc2 �b6 + . 2 8... tt:lf2 29.g4 tt::l x h3 30.f5 h4 With a winning position for Black.
Chapter
3:
T h e dxe 5 - cen t re
Piece exchange on dS with cxdS
If in the dxe 5 -structure the black knight pops up on d S . this often brings about a further exchange of pieces. Possible and typical consequences of this are at the heart of the next five games.
3 . 7 Bishops of opposite colours
Frequently mass exchanges lead to a set-up with bishops of opposite colours. Then the position of Black's king and whether he can get the queens off the board is of utmost importance.
3. 7. 1 Black king in the middle after .. �b4 .
3.1 2 Praveen Mahadeo Thipsay K. V. Shantharam Hyderabad ch-IND 1 9 94
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.tt:lc3 'iYa5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:lf3 tt:lf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.'iYe2 �b4 9.0-0 tt:lbd7 1 O.tt:le5 tt:lxe5!? 1 1 .dxe5 tt:ld5 1 2.�xd5 cxd5 1 3.a3 �xc3 1 4.�xc3 'it'a4?
strong tendency to a draw. Black's slight structural disadvantage is not relevant, since he has an active position. 1 6 .. J lc8 ( ! 6 . . . �d7 1 7 J Hd l l:[hc8 1 8 . .l:!.d4 l:Ic5 1 9 . l:[a4 l:[ c 6 2 0 . �f l .l::!. b 8 = , Solozhenkin-Bagirov, Jyvaskyla 1 9 94) l ? . l:[ fd l 0 - 0 1 8 . l:[ d 2 .!:tc4 '/2 - 1/2 , Grischuk-Rainfray, Menorca j r 1 9 9 6 .
An instructive error. Black's king now gets problems it will not be able to solve in time. A much stronger idea is the exchange of queens with 1 4 . . . 'it'a6 ! 1 5 .'iYxa6 . I f White moves the queen away. Black finds time to castle kingside. I S . . . bxa6 1 6 Jhc I . In this ending the bishops of opposite colours signify a 247
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 5 .�b4 ! -+
Bishops of opposite colours strengthen an attack , as witness this game. 1 5 ... a 5
21 ... a4 22.�e1 h5 2 3 . l:!.a d 1 �c2 24.1:!:d2 �.b3 25 .exf6 gxf6?
Better is 25 . . . 'i¥xc4± . 26 . .ll x e6 !+-
1 5 . . . 'i¥xc2 ? ! 1 6 . 'i¥e3 aS 1 7 . �d6 -+ ; 1 5 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ! ? 1 6 . b 3 'i¥c6 1 7 . c4 d4 1 8 . �d6 ;!; / ± . 1 6 .�d 6 'i¥c6
1 6 . . . 'i¥xc2 ?! 1 7 .'i¥e3 -+ . 1 7.l:!.fc1
In the long run the opening of the posi tion cannot be avoided. With his next move, Black tries to bring the monarch to safety on the kingside.
26 ... �xe6 27J�e2+ Wf5
1 7.. .16
27 . . . �d7 28 . .Ue 7 + Wc8 2 9 . 'i¥xf6 .!:!.d8 3 0 .'i¥f5 'i¥d7 3 l .'i¥c5 + 'i¥c6 3 2 . .ll c 7 +
1 7 . . . b5 1 8 . a4 bxa4 1 9 . c4t . 1 8.c4 d4?!
- .
28.'i¥d3+ '>t>g5 29.h4+ '>t> h 6
Better is 1 8 . . . llc8 . 1 9.'i¥h5+ �g6 21 .'i¥xd4±
The decisive blow. The poor black king is marked out for death .
20.'i¥g4
Wf7
Now White has an extra pawn in addi tion to the initiative.
2 9 . . . �xh4 ? 3 0 . 'i¥g 3 # . 30.�14+ Wg7 32.�d6 :!:rd8
31 .l:i.e7+
Wf8 1 ·0
After 3 3 .'i¥g6 checkmate is unstoppable.
3 . 7 . 2 White plays for a draw The constellation with bishops of opposite colours favours a draw in the endgame. However, even then there is still a chance of outplaying the opponent. The start of the next game does not quite fall into our subj ect , since the exchange on e S does not happen till after tLldS . However, the structure after White 's 1 6th move is inter esting in the present context. 3. 1 3 Martin Fette Matthias Wahls Cannes 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'i¥xd5 3 .tt:lc3 'i¥a5 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 .tt:lf3 c6 6 .�c4
248
�f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'i¥e2 �b4 9.a 3 �xc3 1 0.�xc3 'i¥c7 1 1Jt:; e5 tt:l b d 7 1 2 .13 ?! � d 5 ! 1 3 .�xd5 cxd 5 1 4.g4 �g6 1 5 .h4 tt:lxe5 1 6 .dxe5 h5! 1 7.iYb5+ iYc6 1 8.iYxc6+ bxc6
Chapter
3:
The dxe5 - centre
A t first sight, the position does look like a successful dark-squared blockade. But Black still has two trumps in his hand : the lever . . f7 -f6 and the activa tion of the king by . . . '�h 7 - g 6 -f5 . .
26 ... a4 27.l:rf4
27... l:rd8 28.l:rd4? Black was allowed to escape into a pleasant endgame (strong Scandinavian bishop, sickly white kingside struc ture) , but this may still be tenable due to the bishops of opposite colours. 1 9.�d4? White sacrifices a pawn and plans to blockade the position to go for a draw. But this does not at all turn out to be a simple task. It is actually recommend able to hold on to material : 1 9 J ih2 cS 2 0. b4 should be a draw. 1 9 ... �xc2 20J:tc1 �a4 21 J:tc5 a5 22.g5 0-0 23.�c3 l:rfb8 24.l:rh2 l:rb3 25.l:rd2 �b5 26.l:rd4
Now Black sends his king on a j ourney on the light squares. 2 8 .�d4 l:rd3 2 9 . 'it>f2 =F / + is needed. 28 ... 'it>h7 29.'it>d2 'it>g6 30.'it>c2?! 3 0 .'it>e3 f6 + is better. 3 0 . l:rf4 ? d4-+ on account of 3 1 . l:rxd4 l:rxd4+ 3 2 ..�.xd4 l:rd3 + . 3 0... 'it>f5 31 .'it>c1 l:rg8 32.'it>b1 ?! There is a strong whiff of time trouble about White 's moves. 32 ... l:rf8 33.l:rd 1 ? �f4-+ It's all over now. 34 . .tb4 l:rd8
0-1
Piece exchang e on dS with . . . exdS
249
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
This leads t o a pawn distribution which promises tension. White gets a 4: 3 kingside majority and Black a similar one on the other side of the board. Much will depend on whose is the faster moving majority.
3 . 8 The advance ... dS -d4 3. 14 Nelson Gonzalez Rabago Soren Peschardt corr. 1 9 8 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.tt::l c 3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.tt::l f 3 tt::l f6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8."ife2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tt::l bd7 1 O.tt::l e 5?1 tt::l x e5 1 1 .dxe5 tt::l d 5 1 2.�xd5 exd5 Black is more or less forced to take like this, since 1 2 . . . cxd5 1 3 .'ifb5 + ! 'ifxb5 1 4. tt::l x b5 results in an advantageous endgame for White. 1 3.g4
1 3 ... �e6?1 1 3 . . . d4! is stronger and the subject of the next game. 1 4.a3? Overlooks an obvious blow. For 1 4.f4 see Nijboer-Stehouwer (Game 3 . 1 6) . 1 4 ... �xa3! 1 5.tt::l x d5 1 5 . bxa 3 ? simply fails to 1 5 . . . 'ifxa 3 + 1 6 . �b l d4-+ . 1 5 ... �xb2+ 1 6.�xb2 'ifxd5-+ and Black has two extra pawns , which he later converted into a win. 3.1 5 Shannon David Taylor carr. 1 9 8 8
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tt::l c 3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5.tt::l f 3 tt::l f6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.'ti'e2 �b4 9.0-0-0 tt::l bd 7 1 O.tt::l e 5?! tt::l x e5 1 1 .dxe5 tt::l d 5 This is the idea at the heart of the I O . tt::l e 5 line. White 's kingside majority should get rolling. 1 3 .a3 ? �xa3 ! 1 4.'ti'f3 ( 1 4.bxa3 'ifxa3 + 1 5 .�b l d4 1 6 .tt::l e 4 �e6 1 7 .tt::l d 6+ Wf8 1 8 .c40 dxc3 -+ , L. Bronstein-Tempone (see comments to Game 2 . 66)) 1 4 . . . �e6 I 5 .tt::l a 2 �b4 1 6 .�xb4 'ifxa2 1 7 .'ife3 0-0-0 1 8 .�d6 b6 1 9 .�d2 'ti'xb2 2 0 . J:lb l d4 2 1 Jhb2 dxe 3 + 2 2 .�xe3 �b7 + . ]. Polgar-Cu. Hansen (Game 2 . 1 1 6) . 250
Chapter
The move ttJdS (after dxe S ) is mainly well worth considering when it attacks a white knight on c3 . This often leads to a relieving exchange for Black, and also from time to time to the improvement of his pawn structure. The alternative I I . . . tt:J d n would be too timid here , and after I 2 . a 3 1 Black already has s p e c i fi c d i ffi culti e s : 1 2 . . . b S ( 1 2 . . . �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 'i¥ c 7 1 4 .�b4 ! ± ; 1 2 . . . �xa 3 1 3 . t2J b S �b4 1 4 . �x b 4 'i¥xb4 I S . t2J d 6 + � e 7 1 6 . tLl x fS + e x fS 1 7 .e6 1 -0, Gasseholm-Ingerslev (see comments to Game 2 . 6 7 ) ) 1 3 . �d3 ! with a clear advantage to White.
White gives up his bishop for the black knight, so as not to lose time and to be able to attack at once. The alternatives I O . tLlxdS and I O . t2Je4 are rather unam bitious, but safer. 1 2 ... exd 5 1 3 .g4 d4! This strong intermediate move calls White 's plan into question. The point is that the knight has to move to the unat tractive square b l . 1 3 . . . �e6 ? 1 was dis cussed in the previous game. 1 4.t2Jb1 A) 1 4 . gx fS ? dxc 3 I S . �x c 3 ( I S . bxc3 ? ? �a3 + 1 6 . 'lto> b l �b 6 + ) 1 5 . . . �xc3 1 6 . bxc3 'ti!Yxa 2 + ; B ) Neither i s 1 4.t2Je4? any good : 1 4 . . . �xe4 I S . 'ti!Yxe4 ( I S .�xb4 fails to I S . . . �dS t 1 6 . l:thg l �f3 -+ ) I S . . . �xd 2 + 1 6 . .!:lxd2 �xa 2 + .
3:
The dxeS - centre
1 4 ... �e6 1 5.a3 �xd 2+ 1 6.t2Jxd 2 This looks natural , but 1 6 . lhd2 + has its advantages, since then White 's king position is quite well secured by tt:Jb I . After the text move, Black 's kingside castling followed by an attack against the white king is an obvious plan . 1 6 ... 0-0! 1 7.f4 1 9.J:lhe1 b4-+
b5
1 8.f5 �d5
20.t2J b 1 A serious concession, which brings into question the quality of move 1 6 . 20 ... c5 21 .f6 bxa3 .I:tab8 23.fxg 7 .I:tfe8
22.t2Jxa3
White already has a pawn on g 7 , but it is only helping the black king ! 24.1:.d3 c4 ! 25 . .I:txd4 .I:txb2!-+ The decisive move. 26.t2Jxc4 2 6 . c;t>xb2 c3 + and checkmate. 26 ... �xc4 27. .I:txc4 .I:ta2 White resigned.
3 . 9 White's majority gets rolling
Of course Black does not always have the better of it in this structure. The next game again features the same line as in the two previous games : 2S I
The Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
3. 1 6 Friso Nijboer Coen Stehouwer N e therlands tt
1 99 5/96
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iii x d5 'ii' a 5 4.d4 c6 5.tZlf3 tZlf6 �f5 7.�d2 e6 8.�e2 9.0-0-0 tZlbd7 1 O.tZle5?! 1 1 .dxe5 tZld5 1 2.�xd5 1 3 .g4 �e6?!
3 .tZlc3 6.�c4 �b4 tZlxe5 exd5
1 9 J ihfl d4 2 0 . e 6 fxe 6 2 ! . fxe6 �e8 2 2 . .l:!.f7 d 3 =l= ) 1 9 . . . fxe6 2 0 . fxe 6 �e8 2 l .�c3 �g 6 ! 2 2 .�xg 7 .l:!.hg 8 oo . The white passed pawn is strong . but well blockaded by the black bishop, and Black has the bishop pair. 1 7.�xb4 �xa2 1 8.f5 �d7 1 9.e6 �e8 20.�e5t
1 3 . . . d4! = , Shannon-Taylor (Game 3 . 1 5 ) . 1 4.f4 0-0-0 1 5.a3 Also possible is the very interesting pawn sacrifice I 5 . tZl b 1 1 ? �xd 2 + ! 6 .l: h d 2 'Wxa 2 . The knight on tZlb I de fends the queenside and the white kingside majority starts to roll forward : I 7 . fs �d7 1 8 . e 6 �e8 1 9 . e 7 l:rd7 2 0 . g S d 4 ( 2 0 . . . h6 2 l . f6 hxg S ? ( 2 1 . . . g 6 oo ) 2 2 . fxg7 l:.g8 2 3 .�h5 d 4 24.�h7 f6 2 5 . b 3 1 �f7 2 6 . �xg 8 + +- ) 2 1. . �hd l �dS 2 2 .�g4 cS 2 3 . f6 'ti'c6 2 4 . fxg 7 l:!. g 8 2 5 . c 3 l:rxg 7 2 6 .'ii' f5 b 6 2 7 . cxd4 Wb7 2 8 .�e5 .ti.g6 2 9 . d5 ± , Boom Pedersen, corr. 1 9 8 5 . 1 5 ... gxa31 In Gonzalez Rabago-Peschardt (Game 3 . 1 4) this blow decided the game, here it gives Black sufficient counterplay. 1 6.tZla2 �b4? This move wins a pawn, but White 's kingside majority becomes too power ful . 1 6 . . . �a4! was needed : 1 7 . fS ( 1 7 . bxa3 d4 1 8 . tZlb4 �xa 3 + 1 9 . Wb l d3 -+) 1 7 . . . �e7 (Paramos Dominguez Fames Marcet, Spain tt 2 0 0 1 ) 1 8 . Wb l �d 7 . The critical position ; Black 's chances are good : 1 9 . e 6 ( ! 9 .�c3 ! ? cS ! 2 0 Jh d 5 �c6 2 I . .ti.xd 8 + .ti.xd8 2 2 . b3 �e4 2 3 . �xe4 �xe4 24J:te l �f3 oo ; 252
Black's extra pawn is irrelevant here. White is totally dominant thanks to the powerful e6 pawn , choking Black. 20 .. .f6? Positionally bad, making e6 a protected passed pawn. 20 . . .fxe6 is needed, e.g. 2 l .�e 7 .f.td7 2 2 .�xg 7 �a I + 2 3 .Wd2 �aS 24.b4 �b6 2 5 .Wc l exfS 2 6 . .ti.de l i , although Black can still defend. 21 .�d4 Now the threat is simply winning the exchange with 2 2 .�e 7 , and nothing can stop it. 21 ... wb8 22.�f4+ wca Nor does 2 2 . . . �a8 intending 2 3 .�e 7 .l::t c 8 work here because of 2 3 .�c7 + -. And now 23.�e7+would have been even stronger than the game continuation 2 3 .�d4.
Chapter
4: The fxeS -centre
II • II II i ll II i i ll i ll i ll II II II II II II II 11 11 11 11 � � II II � 11 11 11 11 If White plays tLleS and f2 -f4 , in the majority of cases Black should not take on e S , since a white attack down the opened f-file can become very dangerous. Instead, Black usually tries to prevent the advance f4- f5 , and to exploit the weak nesses created in White 's camp by f2 - f4. For this idea see the section ' Standard cen tre with f2 -f4 ' on page 2 0 2 . But since we know that exceptions prove the rule, there are also cases i n which it is OK for Black to allow the fxe S -centre. This applies above all when Black can quickly attack the white centre with . . . f7 -f6 or . . . c6-c5 :
4. 1 Michel Balms Pierre Lafaurie Paris 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 ii'xd5 3.t2Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 c6 5 ..ic4 .if5 6.t2Jf3 e6 7.t2Je5 t2Jf6 8.0-0 t2Jbd7 9.f4 ?!
'White 's 8 th move looks unambitious. But he still wants the initiative. The pos itive side of the game move is that it increases control over the important e S -square. But there are also negative aspects : the possibility of activity for the bishop on c 1 is seriously restricted by the pawns on d4 and f4.' (Curt Hansen) 9 ... �e7 For 9 . . . �d8 ! ? , see Morovic Fernandez Cu. Hansen (Game 1 . 1 0) in the afore mentioned section about the standard centre with f2 - f4 . 1 0.'it;> h 1 1 O . g4 ? tLl x e S 1 1 . fxe5 t2:lxg4+ . 253
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 o ... tt:lxe5 !? 1 1 .fxe5 l l . dxeS tt:ldS 1 2 . tt:lxd5 cxdS is abso lutely no problem for Black: 1 3 .�d3 �xd3 1 4.�xd3 g6 I S . c3 l:tc8 = Mi . Kierzek- R . Grunberg , Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 . 1 1 ... tt:ld5 1 2.tt:le2 0-0
1 6.�a5? After this error, the pride of White 's po sition, the centre, is taken apart. The supporting 1 6 .�c3 ! would have gained an advantage, as the following variations show : 1 6 . . . tt:ld7 ( 1 6 . . . �g4 1 7 .'iYe l �xe2 ( 1 7 . . . c5 1 8 . dxc5 �xeS 1 9 . tt:l g 3 �d4 2 0 .h 3 ) 1 8 . VJ/ixe 2 cS 1 9 .dS exdS 2 0 . cxd5 tt:lxdS 2 l .�xd5 l:t x d S 2 2 . � f3 ± ) 1 7 . tt:l g 3 tLlxe S 1 8 . tt:lxf5 exfS 1 9 . l:txf5 t . 1 6 ... c5 ! 1 7.d5 VJ/ixe5 1 8.tt:lg3 It is a minor miracle that after 1 6 . . . c5 White is still in the game. Thanks to the semi-open f-file he manages to obtain a certain initiative for the pawn.
White 's centre looks good and he has a free game, though there is always the possibility of the two levers . . . f7 -f6 and . . . c6-c5 .
1 8 ... �g6 1 9.1Wf3 exd5 20.cxd5 'ti'd6 21 .tt:lf5 �xf5 22.�xf5 'ti'g6
1 3.�d2 VJ/ic7 1 4.�b3 .l:rfd8?! An inaccuracy, because without the rook on f8 the move . . . f7 -f6 is less ef fective. 1 4 . . . l:tad 8 ! is stronger; the game continuation I S .c4 tt:lb6 1 6 .�c3 can then be met by 1 6 .. . f6 +2 . 1 5.c4 tt:lb6 23.'iYf2? 2 3 . d 6 ! VJ/ixfS 24 . .l:rxf5 �xd6 2 S .�xf7 + and White should be able to hold the draw.
Now White 's d-pawn is reliably block aded and Black has an extra pawn. White resigned on move 3 9 .
254
Chapter S : The symme trical centre after . . . exdS
To some extent this is a French Exchange centre, in which Black's c-pawn stands on c6. Just as in the French Exchange, the symmetrical centre does not mean an imme diate draw. A decisive part is played by the open e-file. If all the rooks are exchanged on it, the game can in fact be extremely drawish. However, in the following game Matthias managed to get control of the e-file and use it to exert decisive pressure : 5.1 Volker Meier Matthias Wahls Germany tt 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.t2lc3 'tWaS 4.d4 c6 5 .ti:lf3 t2lf6 6.t2le5 �f5 6 . . . �e6 ! ? is also worth considering here. 7.�d3 �xd3 8.'iYxd 3 t2l bd 7 ! 8 . . . e 6 ? ! would b e inaccurate, since after 9 . 0 - 0 t2lbd 7 1 O .'ti'g3 ! White maintains the knight on e5 and temporarily pre vents the development of the f8 bishop because of the pressure on g 7 . 9.t2lxd 7 t2lxd 7 1 O . .id2?1 Too stereotyped. The bishop is less ef fective on d2 , since there is no prospect of a dangerous discovered attack by the
white knight. It is better to put the bishop on f4 : I 0 . 0 - 0 e6 l l .�f4 . 1 o ...e 6 1 1 .0-o-o o-o-o The pressure against d4 is already giv ing Black a slight initiative. 1 2J�he1 1 2 . b l ? ! t2l e 5 1 2 .�f4 ? ! .ib4 t .
1 3 . 'iY e 4
t2l c 4 f ;
1 2 ... t2lf6 1 3.'li'c4 .id6 Not a bad move, but it gives the oppo nent a chance to simplify. Especially when you are the favourite, you should sometimes keep an eye open for alter native moves which do not allow your opponent any chance to reduce your own potential for a win. Worth looking at in this sense was swinging the queen over with 1 3 . . . 'iff5 ! ? . 255
T h e Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
2 i . tt:Je4 will put up more o f a fight.
1 4.h3?! The aforementioned chance for simpli fication consisted of 1 4. tt:J e4 1 ? 'iYdS I S . 'iVxdS cxdS 1 6 . tt:Jxd 6 + l::!. x d6 = and it is a hard business to conj ure up win ning chances from this position.
21 ... exd5! Black decides on the symmetrical cen tre. Meier had probably mainly counted on 2 1 . . . .l:!.xdS . which is more typical of the Scandinavian. 22.'iYc3 �e8 24.'iYg 1 �g3+
1 4 ... �c7 !
23.'iYe1
�de7
The decision to change to a symmetri cal centre depended not least on this possibility. Black now has absolute con trol of the e-file. 25.wa2 2 5 .�f2 'iYgs 2 6 JB d2 l:te 2 + . 25 .. J:re6 An excellent square for the bishop ! From c 7 it looks at the kingside , but can also later be deployed on squares b6 and aS . Of course, most importantly it clears the d-file. In most Scandinavian positions playing . . . �c 7 is not a good idea , since the black queen needs an escape to c7 or d8 . Here though the queen has the 5 th rank available. 1 5.Wb1 1 5 . tt:Je4 't/Vfs 1 6 . tt:Jxf6 gxf6 ! 1 7 J :te2 ( 1 7 .�e 3 .l:!.dg8 1 8 . g4 'iYf3 1 9 J 1h l h S t) I 7 . . . �hg8 1 8 . f3 h S and Black has a more active position.
The position is further strengthened by doubling rooks on the d-file. 1 8.�d3
h5!
Now White 's kingside pawns are fixed. 20.a3 tt:Jd5 21 .tt:Jxd5? 256
26.b3?? 'i¥f6?? Black is too much taken up with his own plan . 2 6 . . J he 3 2 7 . llxe 3 'i¥xc2 + -+ would have decided the game at once. 27Jt1 d2 �d8 28J::rc3 f5 29.lld 1 'iVe7 30.�d 2 .tie2 Things slowly become uncomfortable. 31 .�d3 'iYf6 32.'0t>b2?
1 5 .. .'iYf5 1 6 .f3 �d7
1 7.�e3 �hd8 1 9.�ed 1 h4
The next step towards the strengthen ing of the position is taken : tripling the major pieces. Of course not 25 . . . 'iYe6 , since the queen belongs behind the rooks or at least behind one of them .
White was in extreme time trouble, which is the only explanation for this blunder. 3 2 JHI + would still hold out. 32 ...�f2 33.'i¥f1 �xd4-+ 34.�c3 �xc3+ 35.�xc3 �8e3 0-1 White lost on time.
Chapter 6: The exchange centre after ... cxdS
II II II i .t ll i ll II ll i ll II II II II II � � II � II II II II This transformation of the position is not bad for Black as far as the pawn structure is concerned. The centre is strengthened and Black obtains the semi-open c-file. Additionally, there now is a chance for a queenside minority attack: 6. 1 Finn Gasseholm Jens Ove Fries Nielsen corr. ! 9 9 2
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tt:Jc3 'ifa5 4.d4 tt:Jf6 5.tt:Jf3 �f5 6.�c4 c6 7. .id2 e6 8.'ife2 �b4 9.tt:Je5 tt:Jbd7 1 0.tt:Jxd 7 �xd 7 1 1 .0-0-0 tt:Jd51
1 S . 'if e S 'ifxe S 1 7 . .l:.hd 1 �e 7 = .
1 6 . dxe 5 +
1 2 ... �xd 2+ 1 3 . .1:.xd 2 1 4.�b5+ �e7 1 5.�b1
tLl d S cxd5
.� . . . i .. , . . .,. . i. . , • • • • • • • • • • !::, !J:, lt 'if !::, • �• • • n 1 5 ... h51?
1 2.tt:Jxd5 Also leading to equality is 1 2 . tt::l e 4 .ixe4 1 3 .'ifxe4 �xd 2 + 1 4. lhd2 tt::l f6
Black would like to make play difficult for White on the kingside and gain space there. 1 5 . . . .l:.hc8 is the more natural choice. 1 6.�d3 g6 1 7.f3 h4 1 8 . .1:.c1 .l:.ac8 1 9.g4 257
T h e Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
1 9 .�xf5 gxf5 2 0 J:t d 3 l:!.c4 2 1. .l:!.a3 'ii b 6 2 2 .llb3 fie ? = . 1 9 ... hxg3 20.hxg3 .l:!.c6 21 .g4 �xd3 22 . .l:!.xd3 'iVc7=i=
36.'1t>e3? After this Black has real winning chances; perhaps Gasseholm took mat ters too lightly? 3 6 . 'it> d 3 stays i n touch with the b3 -square, and after 3 6 . . . e5 3 7 .dxe5 'lt>e6 3 8 . .l:!.h2 'lt>xe 5 3 9 . .l:!.h8 White holds on. 36 ... b3! That is the problem. Now all the white pawns turn into weaknesses. 37.cxb3 .l:!.b4 38 . .l:!.c2 .l:!.xb3+
The idea I 5 . . . h 5 ! ? has turned out posi tively, because Black now controls the open h-file. 23.'l!\Ye3 .l:!.h3 24 . .l:!.dd1 25 . .l:!.d2 .l:!.h3 26.'1Wg5+ 27. .l:!.f2 'iVg3 28. .l:!.cf1
.l:!.h2 'lt>d7
Fries Nielsen liquidates to an advanta geous rook ending. The fact that he can win it in a correspondence game, shows that White 's task is in no way an easy one. 28 ...'ihf2 29Jbf2 .l:!. h 1 + 30.'ti'c1 .l:!.xc1 + 31 .'1t>xc1 'lt>e7=i= 32.g5 b5 The minority attack begins. 33.a3 aS 34.'1t>d2 b4 35.a4 .l:!.c4
39.'1t>e2? 3 9 . .l:!. c 3 ! would have been much tougher, because after 3 9 . . . llxb2 J (better is 3 9 . . . .l:!.b4) White has the counter 40 . .l:!.c5 . 39 ... .l:!.b4 40.'1t>e3 'lt>d6 41 .f4 .l:!.xa4+ 42 . .l:!.c5 .l:!.a 1 43 . .l:!.b5 'lt>c6 44 . .l:!.b8 .l:!.e1 + 45.'1t>f3 .l:!.b1 46 . .l:!.f8?1 .l:!.xb2 47Jlxf7 a4 48.l:.f6 a3 49 . .l:!.xe6+ 'lt>bS 50.l:te8 .l:!.b3+ 51 .'1t>e2?1 a2 52 . .l:!.a8 .l:!.h3 and White admitted defeat in view of the continuation 5 3 . fS llh I 54 . .l:!. xa 2 .l:!.h2 + -+ .
258
Chapter
7:
The queenside majority centre
• • • • . ,. ·· � · • ••• • • • • • • • • • II II II II � � �· � • • • • When the black c-pawn is exchanged for White 's d-pawn, we get the queenside maj ority centre. White gets a 3 : 2 queenside majority, Black a kingside 4 : 3 maj ority. In the following game these plans and events play an important part: I . Black queenside minority attack 2. Badly placed �b3 3. Play against this bishop with tt::l c S . 7. 1
This move looks somewhat strange, but threatens 9 . d S , after which Black no longer has the tactical reply . . . 'it c S .
Uwe Kaminski Karsten Miiller Germany Bundesli g a
1 992/93
1 .e4 d5 2 .exd5 'i!Vxd5 3.tt::l c 3 'tWaS 4.d4 �f5 5.tt::l f3 tt::l f6 6.�d 2 c6 7.�c4 e6
8 ... 'tWc7 9.'tWe2 tt:Jbd7 1 O.h3?1 In what follows White 's play is too ste reotyped and Black gets a very comfort able game. 1 0 ... �d6 1 1 .0-0-0 0-0-0 1 2J�he1 a61 The correct plan. Black prepares . . . c6-c5 , to play against the bishop on b3 . 1 3.tt::l e 5 �g6 1 4.tt::l c4 �f4
8.�b3
The exchange of the dark-squared bishop by tt::l x d6 should not be allowed here. Without a counterpart White 's dark-squared bishop would become very strong (h2-b8 diagonal , the square complex b 6 , cS , d 6 , e S ) . 259
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 5.'>t>b1 �xd 2 1 6.l::i. x d 2 b5 1 6 . . . c5 7! would be premature because of 1 7 .d5 ! , since after 1 7 . . . exd5 1 8 . tt:lxd5 tt:lxdS 1 9 Jhd5 b S 2 0 .tt:ld6+ �b8 White gets an advantage with 2 l .tt:lxb5 ! , for example 2 l . . . axb5 2 2 .'ii' x b5 + 'i¥b6 (2 2 . . .'ii' b 7 2 3 .'ii' x b7 + �xb7 2 4 . .ll e 7 ! l::i. h e 8 ( 2 4 . . . �c 6 7 2 5 . l::i. dxd 7 .ll x d 7 2 6 . �a4 + +- ; 2 4 . . . �c8 2 5 . '>t>c l ± l::i. h e 8 ? 2 6 . l::i. d xd 7 +- ) 2 5 . l::i. d xd 7 + .l:rxd7 2 6 . .l:!.xd 7 + Wc8 2 7 . l::i. d l .l:re2 2 8 . l::i. f l ±) 2 3 Jhc5 ;!; . 1 7.tt:le3?1 After this White 's position becomes too passive. Preferable was 1 7 . tt:l e S tt:lxeS 1 8 . dxe5 l::i. x d2 1 9 . 'lWxd2 l:td8 2 0 .'iYe3 tt:ld7 2 l . f4 �b6 = 1 + with only a minimal advantage to Black. 1 7... c51 1 8.dxc5 1 8 . d 5 fails to 1 8 . . . tt:lb6 1 with the deadly threat 1 9 . . . c4 ( but not 1 8 . . . c 4 7 1 9 . tt:lxc4 bxc4 2 0 .if.xc4 tt:lcS 2 l . dxe6 .l::!: x d2 2 2 . 'iWxd2 fxe 6 2 3 .�xe 6 + oo) 1 9 . dxe6 c4 2 0 . lhd8 + l:[xd8 2 l . e 7 l:te8 with a clear advantage for Black. 1 8 ... tt:lxc5=F
••
• .t .
The knight o n cS i s dominating the bishop on b 3 ; Black has a solid and last ing advantage . 1 9 . .l:i.ed 1 'ii' c 6 20.l::i. x d8+ l::t x d8 21 .l::i. x d8+ '>t>xd8 22.f3 �c8 23.'it>c1 h5 24.a3 With this White allows his queenside majority to be devalued, but what else can he do 7 In any case, �a2 is now an extra possibility, so Black goes for the pawn structure . . . 24 ... tt:lxb3+ 25.cxb3 . . . only to go on and lose the fruits of his hard work with two inaccurate moves: 25 ... tt:ld7?1 25 . . . h41 would have retained the advan tage and kept his opponent going for some time yet. 26.b4 tt:le5?1 Overlooks the following liquidation. 27.tt:ld51 tt:ld3+ Nor does 27 . . . 'iYd6 2 8 .tt:le 7 + '>t>d7 2 9 .tt:lxg6 tt:lxg6 3 0 .'ii' e 3 +% help Black. 28.'�xd3 �xd3 29.tt:le7+ wd7 30.tt:lxc6 wxc6 31 .h4 e5 32.wd2 �f5 33.�e3= Despite Black's kingside maj ority, this ending is clearly drawn ; the white knight is doing a good j ob. 33 .. .f6 34.g3 '>t>d6 35.a4 36.t>d3 wd6 52.wc4 wc6 0-1 8.2 John Nunn Julian Hodgson Netherlands tt 1 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.t2Jc3 �a5 4.d4 c6 5.tt:Jf3 tt:Jf6 6.�c4 �f5 7.�d 2 e6 8.�e2 �b4 9.0-0 tt:Jbd7 1 0.a3 �xc3 1 1 .�xc3 �c7 1 2.�b3 0-0 1 3 J:t.ad1 a5 1 4.t2Je5 b5 1 5.£d2? Sacrificing the c2 pawn is always dou ble-edged. If White does not obtain a strong initiative by force, the loss of this pawn turns out to be horriflc from a positional point of view. Finally, as well as the weakening of some light squares, the d4 pawn also becomes isolated. 15 ... a4! 1 6 .�a 2 �xc2 1 7Jlc1 �e4 1 8.�g5 £d5! 1 9.�xf6 tt:Jxf6 20.�xd5 tt:Jxd5 21 Jhc6 �b7 22.l::tfc1 b4+
White cannot stand the pressure and goes wrong. 3 7 . e4 �e7 3 8 .�b2 is correct . 37 .. Jk2+ 38.�g 1 �f5 ! With this double attack Black forces White into a completely lost queen , and eventually, pawn endgame. 262
Chapter
White has won back the pawn. What is left is the isolated pawn d4. 23.h3 h6 25.tt:J xf7?!
24.axb4
'tWxb4
White sacrifices a piece, which does not change the fact that he is fighting for a draw. A more appropriate try would be 2 S J:t 6 c 5 'i¥b 7 ( 2 5 . . . 'ifxd4 ? ? 2 6 . .l::r ! c4+- ) 2 6 . l:r. ! c4+ and the activ ity of his pieces gives White something, though not sufficient compensation for the bad pawn structure.
8:
The isola ted pawn cen tre
31 ... J::rf 7+ Black has a clear advantage, but as Rob ert James Fischer said about this in his day : + implies, in contrast to -+ , that objectively speaking the position could be drawn. 32.J::r a 3 .l::r g 8
33.g4?
25 ... tt:Jf4! A) 2 5 . . . 'l.t;>xf7 ? ? 2 6 .'f!ll x e6 # . B) 2 5 . . Jhf7 ? 2 6 . l:k 8 + .!:l x c 8 2 7 . l:!.xc8 + 'l.t;> h 7 2 8 . 'tWe4+ l:.fs 2 9 . g4±. 26.tt:Jxh6+ gxh6 27.'ik'g4+ h8 28.'tWh4 'ik'b7 29.'ik'xh6+ 'tlfh7 30.'t!Yxh 7 + 'it>xh 7 31 .J::r a 1 Materially speaking , White is OK. He has three pawns for the knight, but all three are very susceptible.
White hangs on to the material , but it would be far more important to nullify his opponent's winning potential . 3 3 . g 3 ! l2Jxh3 + 3 4 . '1t> g 2 l2Jxf2 3 5 . .l::r x e6 with good prospects of a draw, because Black will find it hard to win without pawns. 33 ... J::r b 8 34.J::r x a4? And here 3 4 . l:!.c4 .l::r x b2 3 5 . .l::r c xa4 would be much tougher. 34 ... J::r x b2 35 . .l::r a 3 tt:Je2+ 36.h1 Ilg8 1 9.'iYf3 �g4 t 20 . .ll g 1 f5 21 .tt:Jd2 tt:Jd4 22 . .ihd4 'iYxd4 23.t2:Jb3? White seeks counterplay in vain and sacrifices a pawn . But he is simply not active enough for an attack and now has to put up with a material disadvantage as well as a bad position .
I 0:
Chapter
There were better chances for success ful resistance after 2 3 . �e 2 + . which protects b2 indirectly in view of 23 . . . �xb2 ? 1 2 4 .t2'l c4.
26.�e2?! f3?
3 3 . . . .l:!. g 8 + �g S -+ .
Better is 3 3 J:rg 6 + .
3 4 . Wh 3 �c l
3 5 . tt:lxd6
34.�e7 �xd 3 35.tt:le3 .l:rg8+ 36.\t>h3 £d6 3 7.�e6 �e2 38 . .l:!.xf5 .!::l: g 1 39.�xh6
After great confusion Black is even better, but now decides to allow a per petual check . Probably a wise decision after missing so many chances . . . 3 9... �xf2?! 40.� h8+ 41 .�d4+ \t>b8 4 2 . � h 8 +
2 6 .. Jhg 2 27 Jhg 2 f3 -+ would be easily winning. 27.gxf3 l:rxg 1 + 28Jbg 1 exd 3 29.cxd 3 �b8 30.Ug 7 £d6 31 .a5 a 6 32.'it>g 2 ? ! �c3 33 .l:rf7?
(d 3 )
33 ... £f4?
23 ... �xb2 24.t2Ja 5 �b4 25.tt:lc4 e4
White is on the verge of defeat, but goes on to make the most of the fact that his opponent does not exploit some good chances:
T h e l i t t l e c en t re
wa7 1f2- 1f2
As a consequence of this draw, the win ner of the Dahne Cup had to be decided by blitz games. After five drama-filled games, Karsten was fortunate enough to emerge as the winner.
1 0 .4 gxf6-structure
As the next game makes clear, the gxf6 -structure is not a very appealing choice against the d 3 - centre. This is not so surprising , since in the gxf6 -structure Black is mainly aiming to compensate for his structural disadvantage by dynamic counterplay. In the central formations with d2 -d4 this often takes place on the light squares , which is very difficult against the solid light-square set-up of c2 , d3 . 1 0.2
V2�d 5 ! �d8 8.tt:lxf6+ gxf6 9.tt:le2 tt:l d 7 1 O.t2Jg3 �g6 1 1 .f4 f5
Erling Mortensen Curt Hansen Graested
1990
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3.tt:lc3 �a5 4.£c4 tt:lf6 5 . d 3 c6 6 .£d2 £f5? !
ll
. . . e 6 7 1 2 . f5 1 ± . 1 2 .£c3;t
Black should not allow the gxf6 -struc ture. One of the two prophylactic queen moves, 6 . . . �b6 or 6 . . . �c 7 . would have been preferable , e . g. 6 . . . �c7 7 .tt:lf3 bS 8 . £b 3 e 6 9 . 0 - 0 £e 7 and the Scandina vian bishop can now be developed to b 7 . This is well worth thinking of against the ' little centre ' . 267
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
White i s clearly better here : the Scandi navian bishop is not involved and Black has no counterplay against the pawn set-up c2 , d3 . The gxf6 -structure is not ideal to combat the d 3 - centre then! 1 2 .. Jig8 1 3.h4 h6 1 4.�f3 e6 1 5.0-0-0 �c7 1 6.tbe2 0-0-0 1 7.g3 �d6 1 8.a4 l:[ge8?! White has handled this phase of the game inaccurately, but it is hard to say where this actually happened. In any case, after the active 1 8 . . . g8 42.£xg6 !Ixf4 43.h5 �xg4+ 44.'lt>xh6 �h3 45.!Ic8+ .!:l.f8 46.£h7+ 'lt>f7 47.!Ic3 �f5? This really is a bitter pill. After the ope ning Black had a difficult position which he defended excellently. Now he deprives himself of his due reward with one bad move. 4 7 . . . �g2 would have held the draw. 48.!Ic7+ 'lt>e8 49.'lt>g 7 1+The point. 49 ... �xh 7 49 . . . Wd8 S O . Wxf8 Wxc 7 5 l .�xfS exf5 5 2 . e 6 +- .
C h a p t e r I I : T h e fi a n c h e t t o c en t re ( d 3 , g 3 )
50 . .l:rc8+ 52JH7+ 54 . .l:te7+
r:Jile7 �d8
51 . .l:txf8 �f5 53.'it>f6 we a
White now simply liquidates into a won pawn ending. 54 ... 'lt>f8 55 . .l:txe6
1 -0
s s . . . �xe 6 5 6 . 'lt>xe6 r:Jile8 5 7 . Wd6 Wd8
5 8 . e 6 r:Jile8 5 9 . e 7 Wf7 6 0 . Wd 7 +- . 1 1 .3 Alexander Shabalov Artashes Minasian
New
York 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt:Jc3 �a5 4.g3 tt:Jf6 5 .�g2 c6 6.tt:Jf3 �f5 7.b4 !? The same idea again, which cannot re ally be all that wrong. 7 . 0 - 0 and 7 .d3 are quieter alternatives. 7.. :fii c 7 8.0-0 e6 9 . .l:tb1 �e7 9 . . . �d6 I O . d3 0 - 0 l l . a3 a6 1 2 . tbd2 tt:Jbd7 1 3 . tbc4;l; , Hickl-Krokel, Bad Ragaz 1 9 9 3 . 1 0.b5 0-0 1 1 .d3 tt:Jbd7 1 2.bxc6 bxc6 1 3 .t2Jd4;t
Scandinavian bishop is biting on gran ite and does not cut a particularly good figure, as is so often the case in this structure. 1 3 ... �g4 1 4.�e1 tt:Jd5 1 5.tt:Jxd5?! White wants to win a pawn and retain his fianchettoed bishop . . . too optimis tic. He should give up his darling : I S . �x d 5 1 cxd S 1 6 . tb x d 5 exdS 1 7 . 'ti'xe 7 ld.fe 8 1 8 . �f4 and Black is left without sufficient compensation for the pawn . 1 5 ... cxd5 1 6 .h3 Shabalov probably reckoned with 1 6 . . . �h5 I 7 . tbxe6 1 , and Black can al most resign. The line 1 6 .�xd5 .l:tab8 is not so clear, but in any case more fa vourable for Black than I S .�xd S ! . 1 6 ... i�J6 ! Practically forced compared to the avail able alternatives; this piece sacrifice is not at all easy to refute. 1 7.tt:Jb5 'fii x c2 1 9.hxg4 .l:tfc8
1 8.tt:Ja3
'fii x a2
Black has only two pawns for the bishop, but the effective range of the white pieces is heavily restricted. Har mony and coordination are also lack ing , especially tba3 and White 's pride and j oy on g 2 have problems. 20.�a5?1 2 0 .�e3 t ? . 20 ... tt:Jc5 21 .g5 2 1 . .l:td i tbb3 2 2 .�a6 tbd4� .
Once more White is doing better on the queenside, with pressure down the long diagonal and on the c6 pawn. The
21 ... �e5 22.�e3?! tt:Jxd3 23 . .l:tfd 1 �c3! 24.'fii a 6 tt:J b4 25.'t1Va4 a5 26 . .l:tb3? 273
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
2 6 .'t!¥b3 + .
2 8 . �bxc3 7 l'hc3 2 9 . l:!:xc3 'tWa 1 + -+ .
2 6 ... t2:Jc2 27J:!.c1 ?! 2 7 J:tdb l tZ:lxe 3 2 8 . fxe 3 �b4+ . 27... t2:Jxe3 28.fxe3
28 ... 'iYd2 29.I:!.c2 'iYxe3+-+ Black now has four pawns for the bishop and after eleven more moves in time trouble he won the game : 0 - 1 .
1 1 . 3 Black counterfianchetto
The fianchetto system has a sound positional basis and is very dangerous if you have nothing up your sleeve to counter it. But it is certainly not a refutation of the Scandinavian. The next game shows a good set-up against the fianchetto variation, one which has been effective up till now. 1 1 .4 Sergei Tiviakov Pablo Ricardi
Buenos Aires 1 996
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iYxdS 3.t2:Jc3 'iYaS 4.g3 t2:Jf6 5.�g2 g6!?
6 . h3 1 7 takes control of g4 and also aims to counter the idea . . . 'iYhS . But after 6 . . . �g 7 7 . tZ:lf3 0 - 0 8 . 0 - 0 c S 9 . d3 tLlc6 I O . �e3 .l:ld8 Black has equalized . 6 ... �g7 7.0-0 0-0 8.d3 'il'hS! Swinging the queen over like this se cures control of the light squares on the kingside and achieves at least equality. 9.t2:Jd2 �g4 1 0.f3 �h3 1 1 .�xh3 'iYxh3 Black's position is already somewhat more comfortable, since there are some holes in White 's structure. But in what follows , he does not push for an advan tage and is satisfied with a draw :
This move scores about 50 percent in praxis, better than any of the alterna tives. To quote Matthias : 'White has not yet found anything effective against the very modern "Argentinian Variation " of the g 3 -system . Its flexibility is partic ularly striking. The two sensible replies 6 . . . �g 7 and 7 . . . 0 - 0 give Black a lot of time before he has to decide upon a (Modernes set-up.' specific Skandinavisch 1 , page 8 0 ) 6.tZ:lf3 274
1 2.t2:Jc4 t2:Jc6 1 2 . . . c5 ! ? 1 3 .�e3 b6 1 4.'iYe2 tZ:lc6 . 1 3 .�f4 tZ:lhS 1 4.�e3 But not 1 4. �xc 7 ? �d4+ I S . Wh l .l:lac8 1 6 .g4 lhc7 1 7 . gxhS 'iYxh S + . 1 4 ... t2:Jxg3= 1 4 . . . .l::. a d8 1 7 _ 1 5 .hxg3 '/Wxg3+ 1 �t2:Jxb5
1 6 .Wh 1
b5 �-�
Chapter
1 2:
The empty centre ( d2 , b4)
II II II II � i ll ll i � i ll i ll i ll II Ill II II II II II II II II II II � �� � � � � � . 11 11 11 This central formation can be seen in both sample games in a special form of the fianchetto system. White firstly does without moving the d-pawn to start play on the queenside more quickly. The dark-squared bishop can be developed to b2 or a 3 . This is not without interest, though generally sooner or later White has to make a move with his d-pawn, after which play drifts into more usual channels.
1 2. 1 White pressurizes Black's queenside with b4-b5 , nb 1 and �a3 1 2. 1 Yoav Lederer Igor Bitansky Tel Aviv ch-ISR 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'tWxd5 3.tt:Jc3 'tWaS 4.g3 tt:Jf6 5.�g2 c6 6.tt:Jf3 .2.g4 7.h3 �h5 8.b4!? Wic7 9.b5 e6 1 0.0-0 �d6 1 1 .bxc6 bxc6
By logical play on the queenside, Black has been saddled with a weakness on c 6 . 1 2.d4 A critical decision. White decides to move his d-pawn anyway, gaining space and to open up more prospects for his dark-squared bishop. However, this also weakens the c4-square. I 2 . d 3 ! ? is typical in the fianchetto system and does not weaken the light squares. 1 2 ...tt:Jbd7 1 3.g4 �g6 1 4.tt:Jh4 tt:Jd5 1 5 .tt:Je2 �c8? increases. advantage White 's I S . . . ttJ 7 b 6 ! emphasizes the weakness of square c4 : 1 6 . f4 0-0 1 7 . tt:Jxg6 fxg 6 � . 1 6.c4! tt:Jf4 1 7.tt:Jxf4 �xf4 1 8.d51 cxd5 1 9.tt:Jxg6 hxg6 20.cxd5 t 275
The Modern Scan d i navian
The position has been opened, White 's lead in development and bishop pair are now the decisive factors.
24.'ifd 3 ! �h6 25.g5!
20 ... t2Jc5
20 . . . exd5 ? 2 1 .£a3 is too dangerous , e.g. 2 1 . . . £h 2 + 2 2 . Wh I £d6 2 3 .�c l tLlcS 2 4 . �e l + Wf8 2 5 .�xd 5 +- .
2 1 .. . fxe6 was ugly, but necessary. �a5?!
White quickly finished the job: 25 .. .fxg 5
2 5 . . . £xg 5 2 6 .'ifd6+- ; 2 5 . . . tL'lxg5 2 6 . llae I + £e 5 2 7 .�d6+- .
21 .dxe6 t2Jxe6 ? !
2 2 .£a 3 .-.
Black 's position is hard to hold in any case, but this is too weakening. After
2 3 .'iff3
f6?
26.I;lae1 £e5 28.£d6+-
27.�b3
Wf7
1 2 .2 Black neutralizes the queenside pressure and achieves domination of the centre In the next game, Black does better. 1 2.2 Vladimir Baldan Tamaz Gelashvili
Batumi
Ech
2002
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 �xd5 3 .t2Jc3 �a5 4.t2Jf3 ttlf6 5.g3 c6 6 .£g2 £g4 7.b4 �c7 8.0-0 e6 9.b5 a6!
This forces the trade of the b-pawn and avoids later annoyance by tL'lbS . 1 O. bxc6 t2Jxc6oo
on the h l -a8 diagonal . On the other hand , Black has good chances of achieving counterplay in the centre. 1 1 .h 3 �h5 1 V2.Je2 £d6 1 3 .�b2 e5! 1 4.d4?!
Dissolving the centre is only to Black's advantage , since he is left with the s u perior queenside pawn structure. Better is 1 4. tL'lh4 tL'l e 7 I S J:tb l llb8 = . 1 4 ... 0 - 0 1 5 .g4 £ g 6 1 6 .dxe5 ttlxe5 1 7.ttlxe5 £xe5 1 8.£xe5 'ifxe5 1 9J:te1
The b7 pawn is poisoned: 1 9 . .£xb 7 ? �ad8 2 0 .�e I llfe8 2 I .£xa6 lla8 and White struggles to hold things together, e.g. 2 2 . .£b 7 lla3 2 3 .�b4 llxh3 24.t2Jg3 .l:f.xg 3 + 2 5 .fxg3 'ifxg 3 + 2 6 .£g2 �e4 2 7 .'ifd2 ttlxg4 2 8 ..l:rfe l h6-+ .
This is the structure Black was aiming for with his 9 th move. White has the semi-open b-file and potential pressure 276
1 9 ... �ad8+ 20.'ifc1 '1Wc5=/+
b5 2 1 .tbf4
A better pawn structure gives Black some advantage ; the game was later drawn.
Chapter 1 3 : The dynamic centre
The dynamic centre can appear in the late opening or in the middlegame. In the variation 1 .e4 dS 2 . exd5 ifxdS 3 . d4 eS it comes up after only three moves. It is distinguished by the d4 and eS pawns being diagonally opposite each other. Since either side can capture, it can quickly change to an open centre. So it is important not to fall too far behind in development.
1 3 . 1 White lead in development 13.1 Tim Eifler Paul Noll Speyer jr 1 9 9 7
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.d4 e5 4.tt::l f3 .ig4?
White quickly castles kingside and gains an important tempo by attacking the black queen. Better is 4 . . . exd4 .
5.�e2 exd4 6.tt::l c 31 �b4 Queen retreats fall short too : A) 6 . . . ifd7 7 . tt::l x d4 tt::l f6 8 . 0 - 0 �e 7 9 . itxg4 ifxg4 1 O . 'ti'xg4 tt::l xg4 1 1 .t2lfs ± ; B ) 6 . . . ifhs 7 . t2lb5 ! tt::l a 6 8 . 'ifxd4 �xf3 9 .'ife3 + 1l.e7 I O .ifxf3 ifxf3 I I .il.xf3 c6 1 2 .�e3 tt::l f6 ( 1 2 . . . cxbS 1 3 . itxb 7 tt::l c 7 1 4.1l.c 6 + \t>f8 I S .1l.xa8 tt::l x a8 1 6 .a4±) 1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 cxbS ( 1 3 . . . 0 - 0 1 4.tt::l d 6±) 1 4.�xb 7 tt::l c 7 1 5 .1l.c 6 + f8 1 6 .�xa8 tt::l x a8 1 7 .1l.xa 7 ± .
7.0-0t This natural-looking move is a serious mistake.
'With a dangerous initiative ' (Matthias in Modernes Skandinavisch 1 ) . 277
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
I n fact Black must already take care not to be crushed in only a few moves. 7... .2.xc3 7 . . . �d8 8 . l2:Jxd4 .2.xc3 ? (8 . . . .2.c8 ± ) 9 . bxc3 and White is already winning ! : 9 . . . .2.xe 2 ? ! ( 9 . . . .2. c 8 I O . .!:f. e 1 l2:J e 7 1 1 ..2.b 5 + c6 1 2 . .2. a 3 +- ) I O .�xe 2 + � e 7 1 1 .�g4 1 - 0 , Helmert-Krieglstein , Germany tt 1 9 9 7 / 9 8 . 8.bxc3 l2:Jc6? This second mistake is one too many. Striving to castle kingside has absolute priority : 8 . . . l2:Jf6 9 . cxd4 0 - 0 I O . c4± .
There is as little doubt about White 's clear advantage as there is about the fact that Black is barely alive. 9.l2:Jxd4 ! .2.xe2 1 0.�xe2+ The king can no longer get out of the middle and White wins material . 1 o ... l2:Jge7 1 0 . . . l2:Jce7 1 1 .l2:Jb5 �c6 ( 1 1 . . . 0-0-0 1 2 . .2.f4+-) 1 2 . .2.f4+- . 1 1 . .2.a3 0-0 1 2 . .2.xe7 �xd4 1 3.cxd4 .!:f.fe8 1 4J:tfe 1 +and little later: 1 - 0
1 3 . 2 Black lead in development
Of course we prefer this theme, but at first the reader might be surprised. The Scan dinavian and a lead in development for Black - can that be true 7 Yes , it can : 1 3.2 Jean Paul Ritscher Helmut ReefschHiger
Hamburg ch-city
1 994
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.d4 e5 Unlike in Scandinavian main lines after 3 . l2:Jc3 �aS , Black is not suffering from a lack of development. This j ustifies the opening of the centre with the advance 3 . . . eS and is based not least on the fact that 4.l2:Jc3 can be met with 4 ... .2.b4! How quickly White can be crushed here, if he neglects his development , is demonstrated by former Hamburg champion IM Dr. Helmut Reefschlager as he metes out highly instructive and effective punishment: 278
5.a3? Better is 5 . l2:J f3 . 5 ... .2.xc3+ 6.bxc3 l2:Jc6 7.�e3 l2:Jf6 8.c4? White is obviously not particularly in terested in completing his own devel opment. Once more 8 . l2:Jf3 would be preferable. 8 ... �a5+ 9 ..2.d2 �a4!?
C h a p t e r 1 3 : T h e d y n a m i c c en t re
In the French Winawer, Black often places his queen on a4, so it was not for nothing that the good Doctor played the French for years. 9 . . . 'iYb6 is also worth considering. 1 0.d5 t2Jd4 1 L �.d3 �f5? An inaccuracy. Much stronger is I I . . . e4! 1 2 .c3 'iYb3 1 3 .'iYc l exd3 1 4.cxd4 0-0 I S .tLlf3 lle8+ 1 6 .tLleS b S + . 1 2.r:!.a2?! And here I 2 .�c3 ! offers very good de fensive chances, since the following liq uidation does not achieve much for Black: 1 2 . . . t2lxc 2 + 1 3 .'tWxc2 �xc2 1 4.�xc2 �xc2 1 S .�xe S oo . 1 2 ... 0-0-0 1 3.�c3?! Better is I 3. tLle 2 . 1 3 ... e4 !+
1 3.3
Now it is difficult for White. The bishop must go back home and the decisive opening of the position draws near. 1 4.�f1 1 4 . �xd4 ? ! exd3 I S . cxd 3 1 6 . Wxd l �xd 3 - + .
'iYxd I +
1 4 ... c5 1 5.'ifd2?! e3 1 6.fxe3 t2Jxc2 1 7Jbc2 �xc2-+ 1 8.�xf6 gxf6 1 9.t2lf3 llhe8 20.�d3 �xd3 0-1 21 .'ifxd3 .l::r x e3+!
The discovered attack tt:Jf3xe5
This motif is known from numerous openings , above all those starting with the King's Pawn. One example of many : l . e4 eS 2 . t2lf3 t2lc6 3 . t2lc3 d6 4.�c4 .2.g4 S .h3 �h 5 7 6 . t2lxe 5 1 tLlxe S (6 . . . �xd l ? 7 .�xf7 + We7 8 . t2ld5 #) 7 .'ifxh5 and White was simply a pawn up in Rellstab-Oechslein , Konigsfeld 1 9 6 9 , since 7 . . . t2lxc4 is met by 8 . 'ifb5 + . In the Scandinavian , this motif i s rather rare, but i n the dynamic centre where Black plays . . . �g4 it is relevant : 1 3 .3 Helmut Kracht Klaus Peterwitz
Hamburg 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 i¥xd5 3.d4 e5 4.t2lf3 .2.g4? 5.�e2 t2Jc6?! S . . . e4 6.c4 1 ;!; , but not 6 . t2le 5 ? �xe2 7.'iYxe2 'iYxd4 8 .'iVbS + t2ld7 9 . t2lxd7 0-0-0 ! + , which can easily be overlooked. 5 . . . exd4 can be seen in the game Eifler-Noll (Game 1 3 . 1 ) .
6.c4 't/Va5+?1 A) 6 . . . 'ti!Vd7 1 is preferable. The discov ered attack is then less effective and White 's advantage is not too big : 7 .dS ! ( 7 .t2lxe5 �xe2 8 . 'iYxe2 t2lxd4 9 . 'tlie4 t2lf6 +=t ; 7 .dxeS 't/Vxd I + 8 . �xd I 0 - 0 - 0 9 . 0-0 �xf3 I O . �xf3 tLl xe S = , Leschinsky-Grosse Frintrop, Germany tt 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 ) 7 . . . �xf3 8 . �xf3 t2ld4 9 . 0 - 0 ;!; . B ) 6 . . . 'tWe4? 279
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
And now he strikes: 8.tLJxe5 !± White gains an advantage in material by force. 8 ... tLJxe5
Ana lysis d i agram
The queen has no business being here and is soon caught in the crossfire of White's forces. Generally in the dynamic centre, the queen, when attacked, should go to d7 or aS . Other squares need to be treated with care . . . 7 . tLJc3 (or 7 .d5 ! ? tLJb4 8 .tLJc3 'iVfs 9 . 0 - 0 ±) 7 . . . £b4 8 . 0- 0 £xc3 9 .bxc3 0 - 0 - 0 ? (better is 9 . . . exd4 I 0 . cxd4 0 - 0 - 0 I I .£b2 tLJf6 I 2 . .l::r e i l:!.he8 I 3 .dS t) I O .£g 5 ! tLJf6 ? ( I O . . . tLJce7 I I .l::!. e i ±) I I .£d3 +- , Amigo Barberan-Pinazo Donoso, Paretana I 9 9 9 . 7.£d2 £b4
8 . . . �xd 2 + 9 . 'ii' x d2 'ii' x d2 + I O . tLJxd2 £xe 2 I I . tLJxc6 �hS I 2 . tLJ e S ± . or 8 . . . �xe 2 9 . tLJxc6 �xd 2 + I O . tLJxd2 �xd i I I . tLJxaS ± , in both cases with an extra pawn for White in the end game. 9.£xg4 tLJd3+ 1 0.Wf1 tLJxb2? This j ust loses. After I O . . . £xd2 ! there must be a way to a clear advantage for White, but Black still has practical chances, for example after I l . tLJxd2 tLJxb2 I 2 . 'ifc2 tLJa4 1 3 .'i¥e4+ tLJe7 1 4.l:f.e l 'ii' b 4 1 S . a3 'ifxa3 1 6 .c5 0 - 0 . 1 1 .'ii' e 1 ++- wd8 1 2.£xb4 'ii' g 5 1 3.�e2 a5 1 4.�a3 tLJ a 4 1 5.tLJd2 'ii'f6 1 6 .tLJe4 'ii' x d4 Black resigned.
1 3 .4 Sacrificing a central pawn
In Eifler-NoH (Game 1 3 . I ) White manages to open lines by a temporary sacrifice of the d4 pawn , and makes use of his lead in development. The next two games feature a line full of prospects in which Black uses a 'real ' pawn sacrifice in the struggle for the initiative. 1 3 .4 Ziga Zvan Tomaz Marinsek Kranj
tt
I 999
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.d4 e5 4.dxe5 'lWxd 1 +!? Now let us listen to the thoughts about this position of Matthias in Modernes Skandinavisch 1 : ' Black sacrifices a pawn for quick development and play against 280
the king which i s stranded i n the mid dle. Although this position is in dynamic balance, the results up till now are un ambiguously in favour of Black 's coura geous plan. The old thesis that it is (psychologically) easier to attack than to defend, seems to be proven once more.' 5.'it>xd 1 tLJc6
C h a p t e r 1 3 : T h e d yn a m i c c en t r e
1 2.ld.e1 jLh5 1 3 .'0tt c 1 ?I There are better defensive chances after 1 3 . g4 �f7 1 4.�bS jLds 1 s .jLxc6 �xc6 1 6 . tt::l e S ld.he 8 t .
1 3 ... jLf2 1 4.ld.f1 ld.he8 1 5.�d3
' In principle, White now has two ways to defend the pawn : 1 . With the help of pieces. In doing this White tries to make up for his lack of development as quickly as possible, but has to reckon with the loss of the pawn before long. Black should get the better of the play after recovering the pawn, even if his initiative is no longer strong enough to seriously put White in danger. 2 . By 6 . f4. If White wants to win, this is the only way. The extra pawn is reli ably protected and at the same time the white f-pawn moves out of a possible attack by . . . �cS or . . . tt::l g 4. The down side of this plan consists of Black's in creased lead in development and in the weakening of some of White's own squares.' (Wahls)
A) 1 S . g 4 ? tt::l x d2 1 6 . ld.xf2 tt::l x f3 1 7 . gxhS ( 1 7 . tt::l c 3 ld.d2+) 1 7 . . . tt::l c d4 1 8 . tt::l c 3 tt::l x e2 + 1 9 . ld.xe2 ( 1 9 . tt::l x e2 tt::l g 1 -+ ) 1 9 . . . ld.xe 2 2 0 .tt::l x e2 ld.d2 -+ ; B) 1 S .�d l ? �xf3 1 6 . gxf3 ( 1 6 .�xf3 ? tt::l x d2 1 7 . tt::l x d2 jLe3 -+ ) 1 6 . . . tt::l x d2 1 7 . ld.xf2 tt::l xb 1 1 8 . ld.xb 1 ld.e 1 + .
1 5 ... jLxf3 1 6 .jLxe4? This overlooks a tactical point in Black's attack. Tougher resistance could be put up after 1 6 . gxf3 tt::l x d2 1 7 . ld.xf2 tt::l x b 1 1 8 .jLe4 ! . After 1 8 . . . tt::l b 4 1 9 .a3 tt::l d S 2 0 . �xb 1 tt::l xf4 2 1 .h4 Black's endgame advantage is indubitable, but White 's drawing chances are real.
1 6 ... ld.xe4
6.f4 f6 6 . . . jLfs is the subject of the next game.
7.exf6?1 tt::l xf6 8.tt::l f3 �g4 9.�e2 �c5 1 o.�d 2 o-o-o With the exception of the rook on h8 all of Black's pieces are already on active squares. It is not hard to realize that things will soon become highly un pleasant for White.
1 1 .h3 tt::l e4 1 1 . . . jLfS ! 7 .
1 7.ld.xf2? 1 7 . gxf3 ld.e2 -+ .
1 7... ld.e1 + I
0-1
You should not miss the following dra matic game. It is part of the basic his tory of the Scandinavian. 28 1
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 3.S Nick de Firmian Julio Granda Zuniga Amsterdam 1 9 9 6
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iYxd5 3.d4 e5 4.dxe5 'iYxd 1 +!? 5.'iit> x d 1 tt::l c 6 6.f4 �f5 Equally interesting , if a little more one sided, is the game Graf-Hardy, carr. 1 9 9 0 . After 6 . . . �g4+ ! ? 7 .�e2 0 - 0 - 0 + 8 .�d2 tt::l h 6 9 .h3 �xe 2 + 1 O . tt::l xe2 tt::l fS l l . g4 tt::l e 3 + 1 2 . Wc l �cS 1 3 .c3 aS 1 4.b3 ? (Better is 1 4. tt::l g 3 ) 1 4 . . . g S ! I S .fxgS tt::l x eS 1 6 . tt::l f4 tt::l f3 1 7 .a3 �he8 Black's dominance in terms of squares is self-evident.
h 6 ! ?f) 9 . . . gxf4 1 0 . �xc6 bxc 6 1 I . tt::l f3 tt::l e 7 1 2 . 'ttt e 2 � g 8 1 3 . W f2 tt:l g 6 1 4. tt::l b 3 �g4 White would find himself in a rather difficult position.
8 ...f6 ! 9.�b5 9 .tt::l f3 ? ! fxeS I O .fxe S tt::l x eS l l . tZ:lxeS .l:!.e8 f ; 9 . exf6 ? tt::l x f6+ with a maj or lead in development.
9 ...fxe5 9 . . . �e4 ! ? .
1 o.�xc6 1 2.tt::l f 3?1
bxc6
1 1 .fxe5
�c5
This normal-looking move loses its ap peal on account of Black's strong reply. According to Granda it would be better replaced by 1 2 .tt::l d 2 and then : 1 2 . . . �c2 1 3 .b4 �b6 1 4.a4 tt::l h 6 I S . tra2 1 �g6 ( 1 S . . . �d3 ? 1 6 .aS �e3 1 7 .tt::l b 3 tt::l g 4 1 8 .�xe3 tt::l x e3 1 9 . tt::l d 4 ! ±) 1 6 .aS �e3 1 7 . tt::l b 3 �d3 f . 1 2 .b4 ! ? �xg l ( 1 2 . . . �e 7 1 3 . tt::l f3 ;;!;) I 3 . �xg I �e8 1 4 .�f4 tt::l e 7 oo (Ftacnik) .
1 2 ... tt::l f6 !
7.c3?! This protects squares d4 and b4, but it was certainly not inappropriate to play a move with a piece . . . just for a change. 7 . tt::l f3 0 - 0 - 0 + 8 .�d2 �cS (worth con sidering is 8 . . . tt::l b 4 9 . tt::l a 3 tt::l d S t ?) 9 .�bS tt::l g e7 (9 . . . tt::l b 4 1 0 .tt::l a 3 tt::l h 6 1 l . Wc l f6) I O . tt::l c 3 tt::l d 4 ! 1 1 .tt::l x d4 �xd4 1 2 . Wc l gS ! 3 .fxgS �xeS and Black's compensation lies in the tempo rary passivity of the rook on a I .
7... 0-0-0+ 8.'iit> e 1 After 8 .tt::l d 2 ? ! g S ( 8 . . . f6 ! ?) 9 .�bS ( 9 . fxgS tt::l x eS 1 0 .We 1 �e8 1 l .�e2 282
Black manages to fully mobilize his troops with the help of tactics. It is well worth seeing the intensity with which the Peruvian super-grand master attacks his opponent. The moves speak for themselves:
C h a p t e r 1 3 : T h e d yn a m i c c e n t r e
1 3.�g5?! 1 3 . b4 ( 1 3 . exf6 ? l:rhe 8 + 1 4 . � e 3 l:rxe 3 + I S . � f2 l:r xc 3 + 1 6 . � g 3 l:rc4-+ ) 1 3 . . .� b 6 ( 1 3 . . . �xb l ? 1 4 . l::t. x b l tbe4 l S . bxcS tbxc3 1 6 .�b2 tbxb l 1 7 . �e2 ± ; 1 3 . . . �c2 ? 1 4.�d2 l:lhe8 I S . bxcS tbg4 1 6 . tba3 tbxe S 1 7 .�f2 tbxf3 1 8 .�f4±) 1 4.c4 c5 ! 1 I S . exf6 l:lhe 8 + 1 6 . �f2 cxb4+ 1 7 . �g3 gxf6 1 8 .h3 ( 1 8 .�f4 �d3 oo) 1 8 .. J�e2 f (Granda Zuniga) .
H e would b e bought off far too cheaply by 1 9 . . . �xb l 7 2 0 . llaxb l tbxe S 2 1 . tt:J fS ! ? trhg 8 + 2 2 . �h 3 l:!. g s + . 20.tt:Jf3 2 0 . l:r e I .i:Xd3 + 2 l . tZ'l f3 tb e 3 + ; 2 0 . tba 3 l:lhg 8 + 20 ... l:rhg8
1 3 ... h6 1 4.�h4 After 1 4. �xf6 gxf6 I S . tbbd2 fxe S the bishop pair secures Black a clear advan tage according to Granda. 1 4 ... g5 1 5.�f2 A) I S . exf6 ? ? l:rhe 8 + 1 6 . �fl �d3 # ; B ) I S . �g 3 7 ! tb g 4 1 6 . tb a 3 tbe 3 + (Ftacnik) . 1 5 ... �xf2+ 1 7.�g3
1 6.�xf2
tt:Jg4+
1 7 .�e I ? l:rhe 8 -+ . 1 7... h5! 1 8.h4 1 8 .tbxg 5 ? h4+ 1 9 . �f3 ( 1 9 .�f4 l:rdf8 t with a strong initiative , for example 2 0 . tb d 2 ( 2 0 . l:r g I ? �e 6 + 2 1 . W e 4 �d S + 2 2 . W d 3 tZ'l xe S + 2 3 . �d4 l:rf4+-+) 20 . . . �e6 + 2 l . �e4 �dS + n . �d3 .l:!. fs 2 3 . tt:J g f3 h3+) 1 9 . . J :thf8 -+ (Granda Zuniga) . 1 8 ... gxh4+ 1 9.tt:Jxh4 A) 1 9 . l::!. x h4 ? l:!.d 1 1 2 0 . tb fd 2 tbxe S -+ (Ftacnik) ; B) 1 9 . �xh4 ? tb e 3 ( 1 9 . . . l:r dg 8 ! 7 ) 2 0 . � g 5 ( 2 0 .tba3 l:rhg 8 -+ , Petursson) 2 0 . . . �g4+ . 1 9 ... �h 7 1
The white king can no longer with stand the crossfire of the black pieces. 21 Jbh5 This makes it really simple for his opponent, but Black 's attack crashes through in all variations anyway : A) 2 1 . �h4 tbf2 ' 2 2 . �xh5 �d 3 -+ ; B) 2 1 . e 6 tb e 3 + 2 2 . tZ'l g 5 ( 2 2 . Wf2 l::t x g 2 + ! 2 3 . �xe3 l:rd3 + 2 4 f4 l:rg4+ 2 5 .'>t>e5 l:!.xf3 2 6 . e 7 .tle4# ; 2 2 . �h4 tbxg 2 + 2 3 . �xh5 �e4-+) 22 . . J hg 5 + 2 3 . '>t>f4 l::t b 5 1 2 4 . �xe3 Ud3 + 2 5 .'>t>f2 l:!.xb2 + 2 6 . '>t> g I l:rd I + 2 7 .Wh2 l:rxh I + 2 8 .�xh l l:rxb l + -+ ; C) 2 l . tZ'lbd2 tb e 3 + 2 2 . �f2 l:rxg 2 + 2 3 . '>t>xe3 l:rd3 + 2 4 . �f4 l:[g4# ; D) 2 1 . l:te l tbe3 + 2 2 . �h2 llxg 2 + 2 3 . �h l lhb2 2 4 . tbbd2 l:rd 3 -+ . 21 ... tt:Jf6+ 2 2 . .t:.g5 tt:Je4+-+ 23.'>t>h4 tt:Jxg5 24.tt:Jxg5 l:rd1 25.e6 l:rg1 26.tt:Jd2 l:rxa 1 27.tt:Jdf3 �e4 28.tt:Jd4 c5 29.tt:Jb3 l:rg1 0-1 283
The Mod ern Scandinavian
Chapter 1 4: The open centre
In open centres the d- and e-pawns of both sides are exchanged. Since this opens two central files much depends on whose pieces are more active. Black is often be hind in development in the Scandinavian and therefore he should really know what he is doing before going in for this central formation.
1 4. 1 Black p lays ... e 7 -eS in the standard centre
In the early stages of the opening we rarely see an open centre like this. We often see the direct . . . e7 -eS (as in the line 1 . e4 dS 2 . exd5 'ti'xdS 3 .d4 e S ) , or Black plays . . . e6-e5 in the middle game after the complete mobilization of his forces.
1 4.2 White lead in development
Handling an open position demands exact play, especially when one is behind in development.
1 4. 1 Rashit Ziatdinov Gerard Welling Amsterdam 1 9 94
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ti'xd5 3.d4 e5 Unlike in the Anderssen variation ( 3 .tLlc3 'i!VaS 4.d4 e S ? ! ) , this advance opening the centre is well motivated here, since White does not have a lead in development. There is an excellent alternative in 3 . . . tLl c 6 , which leads to the Nimzowitsch Opening. 284
4.dxe5 'iYxe5+ In spite of the symmetrical pawn struc ture, Black's path to equality is strewn with some hurdles. Some precise moves are needed now to avoid falling further behind in develop ment.
5.�e2 ii.g4 ! White 's threat was of course 6 .tLlf3 .
6.ii.e3! ii.xe2 7.'iYxe2
Chapter 1 4 : T h e open cen tre
1 O . . . �d6 ! ? also looks playable : 1 I . l:tfe 1 ( 1 I . tLJb5 �f4) 1 l . . .a 6 ! 1 2 .tLJ g 5 'ii' g 6 1 3 . tLJ ge4 � e 5 1 4.tLJc5 tLJf6 1 5 .tLJxa 6 ? tLJ g 4 ) 1 l . a 3 � x c 3 1 2 . bx c 3 tLJ f6 1 3 .l:tab 1 tLJe4 1 4.'ti'b5 tLJd6 1 5 .'iYb2 'if c4 and Black can look forward to the endgame. 8.tZJc3 tZJ bc6 1 0.0-0-0±
9.tLJf3
'ii' e 6
This is one of the key positions in the 3 . . . e5 variation. The black king is ill at ease on the e-file, leaving as the only way to equality a rapid flight to the queenside. 7...CDe7? This move is very bad. Black can no lon ger castle queenside and also blocks the f8 bishop, which makes flight to the other side j ust as impossible. A) 7 . . . �b4+ ? ! 8 . c3 �d6 9 . tLJd2 tLJc6 I O .t2Jc4 'ii' e 7 l l .tLJxd 6 + cxd6 1 2 .tLJf3 and the better pawn structure gave White a solid advantage in Lochte Olbrisch, Dortmund 1 9 9 2 ; B) 7 . . . �d6 ? ! 8 . tLJf3 'ii' e 7 9 . tLJc3 tLJf6 I 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 tLJc6 l l . tLJ b 5 t , Bangiev Michaelsen, DSEM 1 9 9 4 ; C ) 7 . . . tLJc6 ! is the only correct way. Black aims to castle queenside as quickly as possibl e : 8 . tLJ f3 'ti' e 6 ( 8 . . . 'ife 7 ? ! blocks i n the f8 bishop, 9 .t2lc3 0 - 0 - 0 I 0 . 0 - 0 t Kufa-Borovicka, Czech tt- 2 2 0 0 6 / 0 7 ) 9 . 0 - 0 ( 9 . tLJ g 5 this move possibly stopped Black in his cal culations of 7 . . . t2Jc6 ! . But looking at it more closely shows that after 9 . . . 'ti'g6 White has no promising discovered at tack with the bishop, e . g. 1 O .�xa7 + ? :ile7 1 1 .�e3 tLJb4 ! 1 2 . 0 - 0 ( 1 2 .tDa3 lha3 ) 1 2 . . . tLJxc2 1 3 .'ii' b 5 + 'ii' c 6+) 9 ... 0 - 0 - 0 1 O . t2Jc3 and now 1 O . . . �b4 ! is the simplest ( I O . . . tLJ f6 ? ! 1 I . tLJ g 5 1 ;
The black king is stuck in the middle and it can be predicted that it will soon be subj ected to a violent attack. Obj ec tively, Black is probably already lost af ter 8 . . . t2J e 7 ? , harsh proof of how pre cise you must be in open positions. 1 0 ... a6 1 0 . . . tLJf5 1 1 . l:the 1 tLJxe 3 ? ! 1 2 .'iYxe 3 ! 'ii' xe3 + 1 3 . l:txe3 + �e 7 1 4.tLJd5 +- . 1 1 .l:the1 l:td8 1 2.l:txd8+ wxd8?1 1 2 . . . tLJxd8 is a bit more stubborn. However, after 1 3 . tLJ g 5 'i!Vc6 1 4. l:td 1 tLJe6 1 5 . 'iV d 3 ± Black's undeveloped position can hardly be held. 1 3.tZJg5 1 5.�f4
'ti'g6
1 4.'iVc4
wes
1 5 .'ii' f4 ! ? . 1 5 ... h6 1 6.tZJge4 Wd8 1 7.tZJc5 Wc8 1 8.tZJxa6!+285
The Mod ern Scand i navian
Decisive ; Black i s lacking defenders. 1 8 ... bxa6 1 8 . . . �xg 2 1 9 .tt::l e 4+- . 1 9.�xa6+ '>tb8
1 9 . . . '>td7 2 0 J:td 1 + '>te6 2 1 . 'ilYc4+ Wf6 2 2 . tLl e 4 + � fs 2 3 . tLl g 3 + W f6 2 4 .'ii' c 3 + �e6 2 5 .�xc 7 + - . 20.�xc7+ ..txc7 21 .tZ:lb5+ 'it>d7 22.'Yib7+ �e8 23 .'iWc8+ 1 -0
1 4. 3 The bad �c8
There can also be problems with the Scandinavian bishop in open positions. Only this time it is not because it is hunted down , but because it cannot find a good square. 1 4. 2 Enrico Sevillano Matthias Wahls Biel
1 993
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'i'Vxd5 3.d4 e5 4.tZ:lf3 exd4 5.tZ:lxd4!?
Once more, because he is slightly be hind in development, Black is obliged to play a few precise moves in order to be able to equalize fully. 5 ... tZ:lf6? This normal move is refuted by the sub tle queen check on the 7 th move. 5 . . . tbc6 should be played to challenge the proud tLld4 at once : 6 . �e 3 ! ( 6 . tLlxc6 �xc6 ( 6 . . . 'tWxd i + t 7 7 . Wxd l bxc 6 oo ) 7 . tb c 3 �d 7 = ) 6 . . . tZ:l f6 ( 6 . . . �b4 + ? ! 7 .c 3 �e 7 8 . 'i'Va4 �d 7 9 . tLl b 5 ; 6 . . . tZ:lxd4 ? ! 7 . tLl c 3 ! tZ:lxc 2 + 286
( 7 . . . �b4 8 .'tWxd4 'il¥xd4 9 .�xd4±) 8 .�xc2 �aS 9 . �c4 �b4 I O .'�i'b3 with an attack) 7 . tZ:lc3 �b4 8 .�e 2 ' . This wonderfully dynamic move demands the greatest precision of Black. ( 8 . tLlb 5 ? ! 'iY e S ! ; 8 . 'iY d 2 ? ! tt:lxd4 9 . tZ:lx d 5 �xd 2 + 1 O . �xd2 tt:lf3 + 1 1 l . gxf3 tZ:lxdS 1 L �,d4 f6 = ) 8 . . . tt:lxd4 (8 . . . �xc3 + ? ! 9 . bxc3 tZ:lxd4 1 o . fixd4 'ifxg 2 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 �fs 1 2 .'i¥e 5 + �e6 1 3 J:Ihg l 'iYe4 1 4 . 'Yi g 5 ; 8 . . . tt:l e 4 ? ' 9 . tb b 5 ; 8 . . . 'i'V a 5 ? ! 9 . 0 - 0 ) 9 .'�' xd4 ( 9 . �x d 4 ? 'i'Vxg 2 I O . �f3 'Yi h 3 ) 9 . . . 'Yixd4 1 0 .�xd4 � e 6 l l . a3 £as 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 ( 1 2 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 3 .£xa7 ; 1 2 . . . �b6 ? 1 3 .�xb6 axb6 1 4.tLlb5 l:Ic8 1 5 .�f3 ) and Black holds on : 1 3 .£[3 c6 1 4.�xf6 gxf6 1 5 .tLle4 � g 7 1 6 .tt:lc5 l::r a b8 1 7 .tZ:ld7 �xd 7 1 8 .l: h d 7 �b6 =. 6.tZ:lc3 �b4 If Black could now castle kingside, he would clearly take the initiative thanks to his active piece placement. But next comes . . . 7.'i'Ve2+! . . . and Black has to make concessions. 7... 'ife4? Better is 7 . . . �e 6 8 . tZ:lxe 6 �xc3+ 9 . bxc3 'ik'xe6 1 o .'iWxe 6 + fxe6 t .
C h a p t e r 1 4 : T h e o p e n c en t re
8.£d 2 'iWxe2+ 9.£xe2 ±
Several points come together here : White 's lead i n development, Black's shaky queenside and the way tLld4 dominates £c 8 . In the game, Black was unable to overcome all these problems.
The pawn on fS restricts the Scandina vian bishop even more. Black cannot free himself and will suffer similar to many of Anatoly Karpov's victims : you struggle for hours with no prospect of active counterplay and have to admit defeat in the end .
9 ... c6
1 6 ... .Ue8 1 7.�d 3 .!:! b8 1 8 . .!:! h e 1 £ d 7 1 9.a2 l:tc1 38.£d4 �f8 39 . .l:ia7 l:rh1 40Jba5 .!:l:xh3 41 .g5 l:tg3 42.£f6 �f3 43.£d8 l:rf2 44/�tb3 c5 45.�a8 Wf7 46.a4 Jl"g 7 47. .!:!a7+ 'it>g8 48.c3 c4+ 49.Wxc4 llxb2 50.a5+- .ld.c2 51 .£f6 .ll.xf6 52.gxf6 .llf 2 53 . .ll g 7+ 'it>h8 54.a6 llxf6 55.a7 1 -0
1 4.4 Black lead in development
IfWhite plays too timidly, Black too can obtain a lead in development . 1 4. 3 Peter Dengler Karsten Miiller
trol of the game to the opponent and in open positions that is very impor tant.
Munich 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'iWxd5 3.d4 e5 4.dxe5 'lWxe5+ 5.'iWe2?
Obviously White is aiming for a draw and for that reason would like to ex change the queens. But this gives con-
5 . . . 'iWxe2+ 6 ..�xe2 £f5 7.c3 fl tt:lxh 2 + 1 4 . \t> g l 'iYxd l + 1 5 Jh d l tt:lg4 1 6 . f3 tt:l e 5 1 7 . ld.e l f6 1 8 . a 3 ( 1 8 . �xe 5 ? 1 �d6 = ) 1 8 . . . 'it>d 7 , Rog ers-Smerdon , Canberra 2 0 0 5 . Accord ing to Kritz, White now gets a slight advantage by playing 1 9 . ld.e3 . 7... tt:lf6 ! 29 1
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
7 . . . e 5 ? allows White t o shake off the pressure in the centre : 8 . d5 e4 9 . lud4 �xe2 1 O . 'ifxe 2 'i¥xe2 I I . lLlxe2 lLle5 I 2 . b 3 oo . Camouflaged a s a normal developing move, Black has now set a trap. . . 8.h3? . . . into which the opponent promptly falls. Also bad is 8 .lLlc3 ? lLlxd4 9 . lLlxd4 �xe 2 I O . tLlcxe 2 e 5 + . The critical move on the other hand is 8 .�e 3 e5 9 .h3 ; see Sixtensson-West (Game I 5 . 5 ) .
After this very convincing example for Black, it must be said that the win of the d4 pawn does not always lead to such a clear advantag e ; sometimes it can also be very risky. This is because in the Vi king centre Black generally postpones the development of the kingside ; . . . lLlc6 , . . . �g4 and . . . 0 - 0 - 0 are all moves with pieces on the queenside. If Black wins the d4 pawn , but ex changes a large part of his developed forces while doing so, he can easily end up with a problem for his lonely king: 1 5.2 Gregory Shahade Martha Lorena Fierro Baquero Paget Parish 2 0 0 I
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.tt:Jf3 �g4 4.�e2 tt:Jc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 'iff5 7.�e3
8 ... tt:Jxd4 !+ The result is that Black wins at least a pawn . The tactical blow . . . lLlxd4 occurs often in the Viking centre, with various intentions. 9.hxg4? The lesser evil would be 9 . lLlxd4. After 9 . . . �xe2 I O . 'li'xe2 l:rxd4+ a further point of 7 . . . lLlf6 becomes clear; the queen is now protected. 9 ... tt:Jxg4 Now the lethal lLlxf3 is threatened , so White must return the material with heavy interest. 1 0.tt:Jh4 tt:Jxe2+ 1 1 .'li'xe2 'li'xh4 1 2.�f4 e6-+ and Black is winning. 292
The following tactical trick may win the d4 pawn, but costs valuable time. 7... �xf3 8.�xf3 tt:Jxd4 9.�xd41 'iYe6+ 1 0.�e2 'iYe4 1 1 .0-0 'iYxd4 Also after I I . . . l:rxd4 I 2 .'ifa4 White gets a dangerous attack, e . g. 1 2 . . . 'ifxe2 1 3 .'i¥xa7 'ifxb2 ( I 3 . . J:td l ? does not work because of 1 4 . 'ifa 8 + Wd7 1 5 .'iYa4++-) I 4.lLla3 Wd7 ( I 4 . . . l:rd3
Chapter
I S . �a 8 + 'it> d 7 1 6 J hd ! �xd l 1 7 . �xd l + \t>e6 1 8 .'i¥xf8 -+ ) I S . tt:lbS l:rd2 1 6 . �b 8 -+ . 1 2.'ifa4
Black has won a pawn, but in return has major problems with her development. The white attack is threatening to de velop very rapidly after 1 3 . tt:lc3 . 1 2 ... 'i¥xb2? This is going too far. Any feeling for the game should have put an end to serious consideration of this move, which does not even win material. It would be high time to start develop ing the kingside. Obj ectively, after 1 2 . . . e 6 ! things are not so clear at all , even if White should have very good compensation : 1 3 .tt:lc3 and now : A) 1 3 . . . �d6 A I ) 1 4.tt:lb5 'i!VeS 1 S . tt:lxd6 + cxd6 1 6 .�f3 \t>b8 1 7 .�fe l 't!Wcs 1 8 . b4 'iVc7 1 ( 1 8 . . . 'ifxc4 ? 1 9 .�xb 7 ! tt:le 7 , Brunello Prie , Arvier 2 0 0 7 . 2 0 .�a6 ! 'iVc6 2 l .b 5 �b6 2 2 . .l::!. a c l ± Kritz) 1 9 . ld.ac l tt:l e 7 2 0 J �e 3 'i!Yd7 2 1 .'i¥d 1 l:l: c 8 2 2 . c5 l:Ihd8 23 .l:rd3 'ifc7 + , D ' Amore-Prie, Arvier 20 0 7 ; A2) 1 4 . .l:. fd 1 'iV e S I S . g 3 'it> b 8 ( ! S . . . a6 ? ! , Robson-Figler, Boca Raton 2 0 0 8 , 1 6 . c 5 ! 'ifxcS ( 1 6 . . . �xc 5 1 7 . .!:.xd 8 + \t> x d 8 1 8 . �d I + � d 6
1 5:
T h e Vi k i n g c e n t r e
1 9 .�f3 tt:l f6 2 0 . �xb 7 t) 1 7 . tt:le4 'i¥b6 1 8 . tt:lx d 6 + cxd6 1 9 . l:r ac l + 'it> b 8 2 0 . ld.d4± Kritz) 1 6 .tt:lb5 a 6 1 7 . tt:lxd6 cxd6 1 8 .�f3 tt:l f6 1 9 . ld.d3 tt:ld7 (block ing the dangerous bishop by I 9 . . . dS ! 7 might be an improvement) 2 0 . I:f.b 3 tt:lcs 2 I .'i¥b4 �d7 2 2 . .:!.e3 'i¥f6 2 3 . .:!.d ! .l::t. c 8 2 4.'iVa3 and White had a strong initiative, Michna-Prie, San Sebastian 2009. B ) 1 3 . . . 'ifb6 1 4J lad i l:t.xd l I S . �xd l tt:lf6 1 6 . b4 ! �xb4 (another try is 1 6 . . . c5 , intending 1 7 . tt:le4 'iVa6 e . g. 1 8 .'i!Yc2 tt:lxe4 1 9 . b 5 'ti'b6 2 0 .'ti'xe4 �e 7 2 l .�f3 �f6 2 2 . a4 'ti'c7 2 3 . a 5 .l:i d 8 = ) 1 7 . � b l a S 1 8 . a 3 .Q. x c 3 1 9 Jh b 6 cxb6 2 0 . c 5 bxcS , Branden burg -Tiviakov, Hilversum ch-NED 2 0 0 8 . Now 2 l .�f3 ! �d8 2 2 .'ti'b5 tt:ldS 2 3 .'ti'xc5 + \t>b8 2 4 . g 3 ! b 6 2 S .'i¥b5 \t>b7 2 6 .'i!Vd3 �f6 27 .'ifxh7 gives White a slight advantage according to Kritz. 1 3.'i¥xa 7 e6 1 3 . . . 'ifxa I ? I S . l:rd i + +- .
1 4.�a8 +
\t> d 7
1 4.�f3 Black 's 1 2 th-move desperado attack has quickly led to a predicament that can not be escaped. Because of the weakness of the b7 pawn , the deadly I S .tt:lc3 is now simply threatened. 1 4 ... tt:lf6 1 4 . . . c6 I S . tt:l c 3 ! 'ti'xc3 ( ! S . . . 'ti' a 3 1 6 .tt:la4+- ) 1 6 . �ab I �b4 1 7 .'ti'b6 'ifd4 1 8 . 't!Wxb4 'ti'a7 1 9 .�b3 -+ and Black should not survive here either. 1 5.tt:lc3 �xc3 1 6.�a d 1 Here many ways lead t o Rome. There was a somewhat easier win with 293
The Mod ern Sca n d i navian
1 6 . �xb 7 + W d 7 1 7 . � c 6 + 1 8 .�xc 7 + tLld 7 1 9 . .l::!. a d l +- .
We7
1 6 ... �d6 1 7.c5 tLld5 1 7 . . . �xh 2 + 1 8 . �xh2 �e S + 1 9 .�g l c6 2 0 . .l::!. d 6 1 ! +- .
1 8Jbd5 and Black admitted defeat. The end could be : 1 8 . . . �xh 2 + ( 1 8 . . . exd5 7 1 9 .�g4+) 1 9 . Wxh2 .l::!. x dS 2 0 . Sbd5 exdS 2 1 .'i¥a8 + +- .
1 S . 1 . 2 The vulnerable d S pawn Even when the pawn under attack advances to d S , i t i s still anything but safe. The main reasons for this are the opposition of �d I and lld8 and other tactical ele ments , not in the least the thrust . . . e 5 -e4: 1 5.3 Bernd Probat Christian Erharter St Veit 1 9 9 8
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd 5 'ti!Yxd5 3 .tLlf3 �g4 4.�e2 tLlc6 5.d4 o-o-o 6 .tLlc3 '\Wh5 7.�e3 e5 8.0-0 tLlf6 9.d5? e4 !
In this specific case, the dS pawn is at tacked once more after . . . e 5 -e4, while at the same time the displacement of the knight gives Black attacking possi bilities on the king side. 1 O.tLlg5? This move runs straight into tactics. Only slightly better might be I O .tbd 4 7 tLlxd4 l l .�xd4 (not I l . �xg4+ ? tLlxg 4 1 2 .h3 tLlf3 + ! 1 3 Sith l ( 1 3 . gxf3 tLlxe3 1 4 . fxe 3 'i¥xh3 -+) 1 3 . . . i¥e5 1 4 . g 3 tLlxe3 I S . fxe 3 �xg 3 -+ ) l l . . . £xe2 1 2 . tLlxe 2 tLlxd S + with a sound extra pawn for Black. On the other hand , the damage is limited by I O . tLld2 �xe2 1 1 . '\W x e 2 'i!Vxe 2 1 2 . tLl x e 2 lL!xdS ( I 2 . . . llxdS ! ?) I 3 . ll:! xe4 tLlxe 3 14 . fxe3 tLleS + . 1 o .. J:i.xd5!
The knight on f3 is an important de fender of the white centre and king. So it comes as no surprise that if it is chased away by . . . e 5 -e4, there are often unpleasant consequences.
Unfortunately, in the game Black did not notice this possibility and played I O . . . �d6 ? l l .�xg4+ tLlxg4 1 2 .h3 ± . 1 1 .tLlxd5 �xe2 1 2.'i!Vd2 �xf1 -+
1 5 . 2 Black bursts open White's centre with ... e7 -eS
This lever and the Viking centre go together like a horse and carriage. But care is needed in using it: Black can also be swept away ! 294
Chapter 1 5 : The Viking
c en t re
1 5 .2 . 1 White replies d4-d5 Here a lot depends on how the d5 pawn is protected. If it is defended by tt'lc3 , Black generally has good tactical possibilities for play against the d5 pawn . The next three games show examples in which it is protected by the c4 pawn; this is beneficial for the safety of the d5 pawn .
1 5 . 2 . 1 . 1 The knight on c6 has no good squares 1 5 .4 Viesturs Meijers Rune Djurhuus Biel 1 9 9 3
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd 5 'ifxd5 3.h1 .l:i.d6 1 7.'ti'c2
I 5:
.ih2+
This move is directed against the threat I 7 . . . �f4+ 1 8 . '>t>g I .l:i.h6 , after which 1 9 . �xe4 could now be played. 1 7 .tLlc3 �f4+ 1 8 .-;t>g l .l:i.h6-+ ; 1 7 . g S h6 ! 1 8 . g 6 .l:i.xg 6 -+ . 1 7... 'iYf3+ The quickest way to win is 1 7 . . . .l:i.g6 ! with the threat of 1 8 . . . �f4+ 1 9 .-;t>g l .l:i.xg4# .
And White required no further proof of the win after 23 . .ih6 .l:i.xh 6 + 2 4 . 'iYxh6 'tWxe l + 2 S . W g 2 'li' e 2 + 2 6 . W g l 'iYxb 2 -+ and resigned.
1 5 .2 . 1 . 3 Mutual majority attack After . . . e6 -eS I d4-dS each side has a majority on one wing. If both maj ori ties are set loose, play becomes very sharp and every tempo is important: I 5.6 Vyacheslav Klyuner Janusch Koscielski Duisburg 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d 5 2 .exd5 'ti'xd5 3 .tt:Jf3 �g4 4.�e2 tt:Jc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c3 e5 7.c4
1 8.'1t>xh2
7... 'i!Ya5+
1 8 ... g5! 1 8 . . . hS ? 1 9 . g 5 +- . 1 9.�xg5 21 .'1t>h1
h5
20.'ti'c3
2 1 . Wh3 7 hxg4+ 2 2 . '1t>xg4 fS # . 21 ...f6 22.'ti'e3 2 2 .�h6 hxg4-+ .
'ti'xf2+
7 . . . 'iYe4! is even stronger as after 8 . tLlbd2 .ib4 9 .d S tLld4 I O . tLlxd4 exd4 l l . f3 Black has l l . . .�xf3 ! ! 1 2 . gxf3 �h4+ 1 3 .Wfl (Krulich-Sulskis, Bad Wiessee 2 0 0 3 ) 1 3 . . . 'ifh3 + ! with a win ning attack according to Bauer. 8.�d 2 �b4 9.d5 �xf3 1 o.�xf3 gxd 2+ 1 1 .tt:Jxd 2 tt:Jd4 1 2.0-0 Worth considering is 1 2 .a3 ! ? , intend ing to mobilize the pawn majority with 297
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
tempo, but then Black also has good counterplay after l l .. . fS 1 3 . 0 - 0 e4 1 4.ge2 tt:lf6 I S .b4 'fla6 1 6 Jle I 'ild6 . 1 2 .. .'tWb4 1 The queen was not well placed on a S and Black solves the problem with tempo, by attacking a white pawn. A) 1 2 . . . tt:l f6 ? ! 1 3 . a 3 t ; B ) l l . . . fS ? ! 1 3 .tt:lb3 ! tt:lxb3 1 4. axb3 'ti'b6 I S .'flc2 and c4-c5 is in the air.
1 3 . ..f5 1 4.a3 'if d 6 1 6.�e2 tt:lf6
1 5.b4 e4
Black's position is wonderfully central ized. Also, the thrust c4-c5 can hardly be forced through because of the white d-pawn's need for protection . 1 7.tt:lb3 tt:lxe2+ 1 8.'ifxe2 tt:lg4 1 9.g3 'ti'h6 20.f4 2 0 .h4 g S 2 I . tt:ld4 'iff6 2 2 .tt:le6 gxh4 2 3 . tt:lxd8 .l:i.xd8 2 4 . 'it> g 2 .l:i. g 8 -+ .
• • � 1 3.b3 Now Black's last move pays off, because this pawn must and, of course, wants to go to b4. White should not hang on to this pawn. He has two more dangerous possible lines , which involve pawn sac rifice (s) . In any case Black should be able to hang on : A) 1 3 . .l:i.e ! ! ? tt:l f6 1 4. b 3 .l:i.he8 I S .a 3 'tWc3 ! = Predoj evic-Sermek, Portoroz 2005; B) 1 3 .tt:lb3 ! ? 'ifxc4 1 4.tt:lxd4 'ifxd4 I S .'ii' c 2�. e.g. : 1 S . . . tt:lf6 ( I S . . . tt:le? ? ! 1 6 . .!:f.fe l f6 1 7 . .l:i.ac l 'tWb6 1 8 .:e3 -+) I 6 .l::t fd 1 'ilf4 1 7 .d6 .l:i.d7 I 8 .'tWcs �b8 1 9 .dxc7 .l:i.xc7 2 0 .'iVd6 .!:f.c8 2 1 ..l:i.e l tt:lg4 (or 2 l ... 'ild4 2 2 .'flxe5 'tWxeS 2 3 . .U.xe5 .!::t e l 24 . .l:i.e l .!:f.xa l 2 S . .l:i.xa l l:k2 2 6 .b4=) 2 2...�.x g4 'tWxg4 23 .'ifxeS f6 24.'ii' d 6 'tWd7 2 S .'ifg3 a6 2 6 .h3 1/z- 1/z, Rog ers-Matamoras Franco, Hamburg 1 99 9 . 298
Now Black tried the sledgehammer ap proach, but after 2 0 . . . g 5 ? 2 I . tt:ld4 gxf4 2 2 . .!:f.xf4± it was not White 's king, but Black's who was suffering. Instead, the obvious opening of the centre with 20 ... exf3 would give him a nice initiative. 21 . .!:f.xf3 .!:f.he8 22.'iYc2 g6 White must be very careful, as his posi tion contains numerous weak points : 23.tt:lc5 2 3 .tt:ld4? .l:i.e4 2 4 . l:l.d ! 'tWhS ! - + . 2 3 ... b 6 24.tt:ld3 2 4 . tt:l e 6 ? .!:f.xe 6 -+ . 24 ... .!:f.e3 25 . .!:f.af1 .!:f.de8t
Chapter
I 5:
T h e Vi k i n g c e n t r e
1 5 .2 . 2 White does not answer ... e 7 -eS with d4-dS In this case Black 's e-pawn is often exchanged for White 's d-pawn and both central files are opened. After that things get heated quickly and thanks to Black 's active piece position , White often pulls the short end of the stick. I 5.7 Thorsten Cmiel Hannes Langrock
German Amateur Cham p ionshi p 2 0 0 2
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 �xd5 3.tt:lc3 �as 4.d4 tt:lf6 5 ..2.c4 .2.g4 6.tt:le2 6 . f3 is the main move.
White should turn to 7 . f3 ! now, if not sooner. 7... e5 This lever is very powerful here. Black's pieces are active, the enormous pres sure against the white centre can even be cranked up by . . . 0 - 0 - 0 and . . . .2.b4. 8 . .2.b5 0-0-0+
9 . .2.xc6 bxc6 1 0.�d 3 I O . f3 fails to I O . . . exd4 1 1 . tt:lxd4 c 5 - + . 1 0 ... .2.xe2? This surrenders a considerable part of his advantage. After the straightforward I O . . . cS White would have nothing better than l l . dS l::r x dS 1 2 . �c4 .2.e 6 + . 1 1 .�xe2 exd4 1 2 . .2.xd4 �h5+ 1 3. �f1 .2.c5 1 4.tt:le2! But not 1 4.�a6+ 'it>b8 I S . .2.xf6 .l:!.d2 1 1 6 .tt:le2 gxf6 + . 1 4 ... l::r h e8 Black still exerts some pressure , but the problem is his open king position. 1 5 .c3 � b 7 1 6. b4? Correct is 1 6 . a4, with control over the bS -square. 1 6 ... .2.xd4 1 7.tt:lxd4 �b5!+ Cmiel had overlooked this. Black now achieves a clear endgame advantage. 1 8.�xb5+ 1 8 . l:Id l �xd 3 + 1 9 Jh d 3 tt:ldS + ; 1 8 . c4? �e5 1 9 J�d l l::r x d4-+ . 1 8 ... cxb5+
When you get down to it, Black may possibly already be winning ! This is a good example of how dangerous the Viking variations are. White makes a less than obvious mistake and is imme diately confronted with difficult or even insoluble problems.
White is still struggling with develop ment problems , and at the same time there is the direct threat of I 9 . . . tt:le4, winning a pawn . 1 9.g3 wb6? 1 9 . . . tt:le41 is much stronger. 299
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
20.a4 bxa4 21.i;>g2 tt::l e4 22J:thc1 tt::l xc3 23.l:i.xc3 l:i.xd4 24.l:i.xa4+ White has managed to seek safety in a double rook endgame a pawn down.
It is difficult to say which is greater, Black 's winning chances or White 's drawing chances. Thorsten Cmiel finally managed to hold the draw, with some help from Hannes.
1 S . 3 The Viking bishop on g4
The Scandinavian bishop on g4 is a quite important component of Black's play against the white centre and on the kingside. In the Viking centre, unlike in most other central formations , the bishop does not belong on fS , because Black's play would then be short of the necessary pressure.
1 5 . 3 . 1 Black offers his bishop on g4 as a sacrifice This is a typical motifif White has castled kingside. 1 5.8 David Mrdjen Sasa Horvat Pula 1 9 9 9
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ili'xd5 3 .d4 tt::l c 6 While considering this line, we have included passages from Modernes Skandinavisch 1 . We decide to take these over almost complete, because by using them we can make clear some impor tant patterns and motifs connected with the Viking structure. 4.tt::l f3 �g4 5.tt::l c 3 'ili'h5!? The h S -square may be the most active post for the queen , but at the same time it is also the least secure, just like in the proverb : 'No rose without a thorn ' . As soon as �e2 and 0 - 0 have been played, White is threatening to chal lenge �g4 with h2 -h3 . If the latter had to be exchanged on f3 for the white knight, not only would the bishop pair have gone west but the queen would also have to move again . The benefit of the move 5 . . . 'i!VhS ! ? is thus quite simply dependent on whether 300
Black has sufficient tactical means at his disposal to meet the positional threat of h2-h3 in an appropriate fashion. 6 .�e2 0-0-0 7.0-0 e5 With this move Black makes the best possible use of his aggressive piece placement. 8.h3 tt::l f6 ! As already hinted at in the commentary to Black's 5 th move, this variation must always be played with a certain swagger. 8 . . . �xh3 ? ? 9 . tt::l x e 5 +- . 9.d5 A) 9 .hxg 4 ? ! tt::l x g4
An a lysi s d i agram
Chapter
Despite the extra piece White 's position is uncomfortable. The key square h2 is still protected by the king 's knight. Un derstandably, now Black goes all out to remove the royal bodyguard. I O .dS and now : A I ) I O . . . fS ! White 's king 's knight is to be roughed up by l l . . . e4. I I .�gS ! ? This move looks a bit strange, since the bishop will immediately have to go into reverse. But are there any valid alterna tives? l l . . .e4 ( 1 1 . . .xb 7 1 6 . �xd l c6-+ ; C 2 ) 1 2 . tt:le2 ? tt:lb4 1 3 . c4 tt:lc2 1 4 . .!::t c l tt:lxe 3 I S . fxe3 e4+ ; C 3 ) 1 2 .l:f.e l �b4 ( 1 2 . . . tt:lb4 ? ! 1 3 . l::t c l c 6 1 4.�d2 tt:lfxdS I S .tt:lxdS tt:lxdS 1 6 . �aS ) 1 3 .�d2 tt:ld4 1 4.lheS tt:lxf3 + ( 1 4 . . .'ihc2 I S . 'ifxc2 tt:lxc2 1 6 . l::t c ! tt:ld4 1 7 .�d l .!::t h e8=F) I S .'ifxf3 'ifxc2 =F ; C 4 ) 1 2 . � e 2 tt:l b 4 1 3 . .!::t ac l �e 7 ( 1 3 . . . tt:lbxdS ? ? 1 4 . tt:l x d S tt:l x d S I S J H d l c 6 1 6 . c4) 1 4 . .!::t fd l e4 I S . tt:lxe4 tt:lfxd S = ; C S ) 1 2 . a 3 tt:le7 and now : C S ! ) 1 3 . tt:lbS ? a6 ( 1 3 . . . tt:lc8 7 1 4. c4) 1 4 . d 6 cxd6 I S . �a 7 + ( ! S . tt:l xd 6 ? tt:lc8-+) I S . . . 'it>a8 1 6 .�b6 �d7 + ; ( 1 3 . . .c6?! C S 2 ) 1 3 . l:f. e l tt:l fS ! 1 4. �d 2 ) C S 2 1 ) 1 4 . � c l � c S ! ( 1 4 . . . .Q. d 6 I S .tt:le4 1 oo ) 1 S . tt:la4 .Q. d 6 1 6 .c4 tt:lh4 1 7 . g 3 ( 1 7 . cS e4) 1 7 . . . e4- ; C S 2 2 ) 1 4 . .Q.d2 .Q. c s ( ! 4 . . . tt:ld4 I S . .!::t xe S tt:lxf3 + 1 6 . 'ifxf3 'ifxc2 1 7 . .Q.g s ) I S .tt:le4 �b6 1 6 . c4 .Q.d4 1 7 . l::t b ! tt:lh4 1 8 . �c3 .!::t h e8 . 1 2 . .Q.e2 ( 1 2 . . . tt:l x e 4 ? 1 2 . tt:l xe4 tt.:J x d S 1 3 . .Q.hs ± ) 1 3 .'ife2 tt:lxe 3 1 4.'ifxe3 tt:ld 4 1 S . .l:t.ad I tt:lxf3 + I 6. 'if xf3 .Q.e 7 302
and with his superior minor piece Black should have a slight advantage. 1 2 ... .Q.b4 The d S pawn can no longer be held. 1 3 .'ifc1 tt:lxd5 1 4.tt:lxd5 �xd5+ 1 5.c4 .!::t d d8 1 6.a3?! 1 6 . c S ! ? g ives more chances of counterplay, even if after 1 6 . . . tZld4 1 7 .'ti'c4 tt:lxe 2 + 1 8 .'tWxe2 c6 Black can claim a clear advantage. 1 6 ... .Q.e7 1 7.b4 ttJd4 1 7 . . . .Q.f6 ! ? . 1 8 . .Q.xd4 20 . .!::t a 2
.!::t x d4
1 9 .!::t d 1 .
�f6
Better is 2 0 . 'iff4. 20 ... .!::t h d8 21 . .!::t x d4 .Q.xd4 22.c5 f5 23.b5?! Better is 2 3 . c 6 . 2 3 ... e3!
:a • • Black opens up the position against the white king. The bishops of opposite colours guarantee excellent attacking chances. 24.fxe3 'ifg5 25.'lt> h 1 26.'i'Vc3 .Q.d4 27.'iff3 28.�f1 �xc5-+ 29.a4
�xe3 'ifc1 + 0-1
Chapter 1 5 : The
Vi k i n g c en t re
1 5 . 3 . 2 Black sacrifices the bishop on h3 Unlike the sacrifice on g4, after h2-h3 this works only in the rarest o f cases. Discov ered attacks by the knight on f3 often cancel out Black's advantage.
1 5 . 3 . 3 White gets the bishop pair If after h3 Black cannot leave the bishop in place, then he often has nothing better
than giving up the bishop pair by . . . �xf3 . Care must always be taken against the bishops. In any case, White should not be allowed to slowly but surely take control over the game. 1 5 .9 Igor Efimov Eloi Relange Nice 1 9 94
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'i!Vxd 5 3.tl:lf3 �g4 4 ..�e2 tl:lc6 5.h31?
7 .. .'�xe2+ 8.�xe2 0-0-0 Black has a lead in development as a counterweight to White 's bishop pair; he also has better control of the centre, and last but not least more space. 9.0-0 e5 1 O.d3 tl:lf6
I 0 .. . f5 1 ? . 1 1 .tl:ld2 tl:ld5 1 2.a3 �e7 1 3.tl:lc4 h5?1 1 3 .. . f5 1 4 . .l::. e l �f6 is better. 1 4J::t e 1 f6t By inaccurate play. Black has incurred chronic weaknesses on the light squares. Of the alternatives to 5 . d4, the move 5 .h3 is certainly the most sustainable.
Above all it has a clear direction : White would like to secure the advantage of the bishop pair, and thereafter an ad vantage because of his superiority on the light squares. 5 ... �xf3 Black can hardly avoid this exchange of minor pieces. After 5 . . . �h 5 his queen would not be able to retreat to h5 or fS if attacked . 6.�xf3 'iYe5+ 7.'li'e2 7 .�e2 tl:ld4= .
1 5.�d 2 'it>b8 1 6.b4 This queenside expansion is an impor tant part of White 's strategy. The tl:lc6 will now have problems finding an at tractive new position. 1 6 ... g5?! Better counterchances were promised by 1 6 . . . tl:ld4 ! , even if after 1 7 . .id l g 6 1 8 . c3 White 's position has more poten tial on account of the bishop pair. There could follow : 1 8 . . . tLlb5 1 9 . llc l tl:lb6 2 0 . tl:lxe 5 fxe S 2 ! . lhe 5 l:!.xd3 2 2 .. �e l tl:lxc3 2 3 .�xc3 �f6 2 4 . l:!.c5 �xc3 2 5 . ll 5 xc3 t . 303
The Mod ern Scandinavian
1 7.c3
White skilfully blends a tactical idea ( 2 1 . c4) with the positional one of transferring the knight to b 3 , from where it scans the c 5 - and d4-squares. 2 0 .�xg 5 ! ? fxg 5 2 I .tt:lxe 5 'iti>c8 2 2 .c4 tt:lf6 2 3 .tt:lxd7 tt:lxd 7 2 4 . d4± . 20 ... b6 21 .tt:lb3 tt:lg6 22.d4
This move quite specifically threatens to win a piece. It is interesting to notice how White, step by step, strengthens his control over the centre. 1 7... �f8 1 7 . . . tt:Jf4 ? 1 8 .b 5 + - . 1 8J;:(ad 1 l:id7?! Better is 1 8 . . . �g 7 . 1 9.�f3 tt:lce7?1 20.tt:la5
After the opening of the position , Black will be in a difficult situation because of his miserable piece coordination and his weakness on the light squares. But that is of course far from being a reason to throw the game away with a single move. 22 ... �h6? 22 . . . �g 7 ± would be correct. 23.�xh5 tt:lgf4 24.�g4 l:if7 25.dxe5 fxe5 26.l:ixe5 �g7 1 -0 27.l:ixd5 tt:lxd5 28.�e6 An instructive game, which casts light on the plan with 5 .h3 ! ? .
1 5 . 3 .4 The motif tt:Jf3 (x) eS This idea frequently crops up in the Viking structure, at least implicitly, and is then thought of as a discovered attack on the bishop on g4, or the queen on h 5 . The idea of 'implicit' hints at the fact that in most cases the motif does not work. Above all , when White has not yet castled he must take care not to head the ball into his own net: 15.10 Vladimir Hrivnak Milan Babula Kecskemet 1 9 8 7
1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 'ii' x d5 3.tt:lf3 �g4 4.ge2 tbc6 5 .d4 0-0-0 6.c3 e5 7.c4 'ii' a 5+ 8.�d 2 �b4 9.tt:lxe5? This tactical blow finds a tactical response. 9 .d5 �xf3 I O .�xf3 �xd2+ I I .tt:lxd2 tt:ld4, Klyuner-Koscielski (Game 1 5 . 6) . 3 04
9 ... �xe2 1 O.tt:lxc6
C h a p t e r I S : T h e Vi k i n g c e n t r e
Now both queen and rook are under at tack and the white position seems to be OK, for example after I O . . . bxc6 l l .�xe2 .l::I x d4 1 2 . 0 - 0 , or I O . . . £.xd l I l . tLixaS . 1 0 .. J�e8!
The surprising refutation , White cannot avoid losing material . 1 1 .ttJxa5 £.xc4+ 1 2 .�e2 .l:lxe2+ 1 3 .wd 1 £.xa5 1 4.£.xa5 J::!. x f2
1 S .4
The fact that I O . . . l:!.e8 1 can easily be over looked explains why the same position arose again. In Rogovskoy-Spal, Litomysl 1 9 9 6 , there followed 1 4 . . Jhb2 1 5 J:te J 7 ! t2Jf6 1 6 . tLi d 2 l::!. x a2 1 7 . .l:t.c l l:!.xaS 1 8 .t2Jxc4 l:rd5 -+ and Black won. 1 5 .b3 £.d5 1 6 .ttJc3 £.xg2 1 7J:tg 1 ttJf6 -+ 1 8 . .l:lc1 b6 1 9.£.b4 £.f3+ 20.We1 .l:lxh2 21 . .!:1xg 7 t2Jg4 22 . .!:1xf7 .l:le8+ 23 . .!:1e7 .C:xe7+ 24.£.xe7 h 5 0-1
White pushes forward with his pawns
A typical plan against the Viking centre consists of a pawn storm against Black 's queenside castled position. Here it depends on whether Black is in a position to de velop sufficient counterplay in the centre or (more rarely) on the kingside.
1 5 .4. 1 c2 -c4 and b2 -b4 I5.1 1 Fred Hedke Nils Michaelsen
Bad Wildbad ch-GER 1 9 9 3 1 .e4 d 5 2.exd5 �xd5 3 .ttJf3 £.g4 4.£.e2 tt.Jc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6 .£.e3!?
In Modernes Skandinavisch 1 Matthias Wahls considers this move the most dangerous. In principle White leaves open the question as to whether he will play with t2Jc3 or with c2 -c4. 6 ... ttJf6 7.0-0
Now we slowly realize what White 's plan is. After the completion of his de velopment by t2Jbd2 , the initiative is to he seized on the queenside and in the centre by c2 -c4, a2-a3 and b2 -b4. To prevent this, Black must get in the free ing advance . . . e 7 -eS under favourable circumstances. Since this does not work
at once (7 . . . e S ? 8 . c4 and d4-d5 with an advantage for White) , it is first of all necessary to bring the queen to a less exposed square. 7... e6?!
This is too timid. Black is dreaming of a future initiative on the kingside, but this plan does not meet the needs of the position . The lever . . . e 7 -eS is necessary and it is also worth giving up the bishop pair for : 7 . . . Jhf3 ' 8 . £.xf3 �d7 9 . c3 e S � . 8.h3
8 . c4 �d7 9 . tt:Jbd2 �.b4 I O . t2Jb3 £.e 7 ;\; , Schurade- H . Cordin g . Germany Oberliga 1 9 9 I / 9 2 . 8 ... £.h5 9.c4 �d7 1 0. ttJ b d 2 h 6 ? !
Better is I O . . . £.b4 I I . t2Jb3 £.e 7 ;\; and at least the white knight is hindering the plan a2-a3 and b2 -b4 for now. 305
The Mod ern Scan d i navian
1 1 .a3 g5 1 2.b4
White 's attack on the wing is more sus tainable. 1 2 ... �xf3 I 2 . . . g4 I 3 . tLleS tLlxe S I 4. dxe S tLle8 I S .hxg4± . 1 3 .t2Jxf3 g4 I 3 . . . t2.:le7 I 4. tLl e S 'i¥e8 I S . b S -+ with a strong attack, for example I S . . . tLlfS I 6 . 'iYa4 b 8 1 3.l:txd 1 c6 14 ..2.xc6 'tt> c 7 1 5.l:td7+ 'tt> x c6 1 6.b8t2l# 1 -0 1 5. 1 3
7... .2.xf3? This is nicely and convincingly refuted by White. Logical and critical is the attempt at un dermining the centre by 7 . . . e 6 . How ever, that does not promise full equality either as can be seen in the next game.
Duncan Reed Graham. Reid London 2 0 0 0
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'iYxdS 3.t2lf3 .2.g4 4 . .2.e2 t2lc6 5.d4 0-0-0 6.c4 'ti'h5?1 7.d5 1 e6 8.t2lg51
8.�xf3 �e5+ Now Black probably only counted on 9 . 'ife 2 , when all is fine after 9 . . . 'ti'xe 2 + I O . �xe 2 t2ld4. But there followed the strong reply 9 . .2.e3! 'i¥xb2 1 0.0-0
307
T h e M o d ern S c a n d i n a v i a n
This i s the actual point behind 7 . d S ! . The game illustrates nicely the idea of the move : I . The opposition of the .l:td8 and the 'iY d I is taken out of the equation. 2. Because of the weakness of the f7 pawn Black cannot take on d S . 3 . Black 's plan o f undermining the d S pawn fails. After the weaker 8 .h3 ? Black has no prob lem successfully undermining the dS pawn: 8 . . . �xf3 9 . �xf3 �eS + I 0 . .2.e3 �b4+ I J . ttlc3 ttl f6 1 2 . 0 - 0 �xc 3 1 3 .bxc3 exdS 1 4.cxd5 ttlxdS 1 5 .�d2 7 (Better is 1 5 .'l�Vb3) 1 5 . . . ttlxc3 1 6 .'l�Vc2 ttle2+ 1 7 .Wh l ? ttlcd4 1 8 .�e4 ttlxf3 0- 1 , Rachon-Kapitaniak, Poland 1 9 7 9 . 8... �b4+ 8 . . . ttlf6 7 9 .�xg4 ttlxg4 I O . h 3 ' Black has many problems with the coordina tion of his own pieces , leaving him no time to win the dS pawn . The compli cations are clearly in favour ofWhite : A) 1 O . . . �b4+ 1 1 .ttlc3 ttlce S 1 2 . 0 - 0 h6 ( 1 2 . . . ttl f6 1 3 . 'ii' x h 5 ttl x h S 1 4. l:te 1 ±) 1 3 .hxg4 ttlxg4 1 4 . ttl f3 ± ; B ) 1 0 . . . ttlce5 1 1 . 0-0 �d6 1 2 .hxg4 (or 1 2 .�f4 ttlxc4 1 3 .hxg4 'l�Vg6 1 4.ttlh3 ±) 1 2 . . . ttlxg4 1 3 .ttlh3 exdS 1 4.cxd5 �h2 + 1 5 .Wh 1 l:txd5 1 6 .�a4 1la5 1 7 .�c2 ± .
9.ttlc3 �xe2 1 0. 'l�Vxe2 �xc3+ 1 1 .bxc3 'lWxe2+ 1 2. c;tJxe2 ttle5
Black has managed to limit the damage to an acceptable level . Now 1 3 . f4 would secure the advantage for White, e.g. 1 3 . . . h6 1 4 . fxe 5 hxg S 1 5 . �xg 5 f6 1 6 . exf6 gxf6 1 7 .�e3 exdS 1 8 . cxd5 J::!. x dS t . Instead , the move played i n the game was 1 3.dxe6? f6! 1 4.ttlf7 1 4. f4 fxg S 1 5 . fxe5 lle8 1 6 . 1lfl ttlh6 1 7 . .2.xg 5 l:txe 6 1 8 .�xh6 gxh6 1 9 . l:rfS l:the 8 = . 1 4 ... ttlxf7 1 5.exf7 ttl e 7 1 6.�a3 1ld7 1 7.l:tad1 l:rf8 With equality and later a draw.
1 S .S White plays �bS
This move has some advantages against the Viking set-up. Black's pressure on the centre is lessened by the pin on ttlc6 and some squares are taken away from il'aS . On the other hand , the pin on ttlf3 is more important, since White can no longer remove it (or only with loss of tempo) by �e 2 .
1 S .S . 1 White exchanges on c 6 ( �xc6 bxc6) This exchange leads to a weakening of Black's pawn structure and lessens, at least temporarily, the pressure on White 's centre. However, besides the possible lever . . . c6-c5 . Black gets the bishop pair, which in many cases promises him sufficient counterchances. 308
C h a p t e r 1 5 : T h e V i k i n g c en t re
1 5. 1 4 Zigurds Lanka Algirdas Bandza Lvov 1 9 8 4
1 3 . 0 - 0 - 0 e6) I O . . . c4 ' l l .'il'e3 tt::l x d5 1 2 . tt::l x d5 llxd5 1 3 .'i¥e4 .£h5 1 4.b4 'i¥b5 1 5 . a4 'i¥b 7 1 6 . tt::l e 5 e 6 1 7 .c 3 oo . 8 .. .'iYh5!
1 .e4 d5 2.exd5 'ifxd5 3.d4 tt::l c 6 4.tt::l f3 �g4 5.tt::l c 3 'if as The old main line. Black has plenty al ternatives , above all 5 . . . 'ifh5 ! ? . 6.�b5 0-0-0! Black's play in the Viking centre is based on the principles of power, tempo and dynamism ! Moves like 6 . . . e6 are sel dom appropriate, see also the game Hedke-Michaelsen (Game 1 5 . I I ) . 7.�xc6 bxc6
In return for his disfigured king posi tion , Black has pressure against the d4 pawn. White now tries to shake this off as soon as possible. 8.h3 8 .'il'd3 ! ? c5 ! 9 . d5 , and now : A) 9 . . . e 6 ? ! is inaccurate : 1 0 . 0 - 0 with advantage to White, since I 0 . . . exd 5 ? is met by l l . tt::l e 5 ± and l l . . . c4 1 2 .'il'g3 �e6 1 3 . tt::l c 6 'ifb6 1 4. tt::l x d8 �xd8 1 5 .�e3 d4 1 6 . .£xd4 1 - 0 , Lyrberg Hartzell , Stockholm 1 9 9 2 ; B ) 9 . . . tt::l f6 ! I 0 . 0 - 0 ( I O . �d2 c4 l l . 'ifxc4 .£xf3 1 2 . gxf3 tt::l x d 5
The mirror method, or tit for tat. For his part , Black is planning to give up the bishop pair and weaken White 's pawn structure, not an unusual plan after �xc6 bxc 6 . The alternatives are clearly weaker: A) 8 . . . �h5 ? 9 . g 4 �g6 I O . tt::l e 5 ± Hanasz-Sygulski , Jachranka tt 1 9 8 7 ; B ) 8 . . . .£xf3 ? 9 . 'i¥x f3 llxd4 I O .'i¥xc 6 ± , Jahn-Seidemann, Cottbus ch-DDR 1 9 8 3 . C ) 8 . . . e 5 ? 9 .hxg4 exd4 I O . llh5 c5 l i .tt::l e 5 lle8 1 2 .'1i'f3 +- , Miroslaw Heberla, Straszecin 1 9 9 9 . 9.'ifd3 9 .'iYe2 .£xf3 I O . gxf3 tt::l f6 i 1 ..£e3 e6 ( I I . . .'>itb7 1 2 .tt::l e 4 e6) 1 2 .0-0-0 �b7 1 oo ( 1 2 . . . tt::l d 5 1 3 .tt::l e 4i , Negulescu-Carroll, Mount Vernon 1 999) . 9 ... .£xf3 1 O.gxf3 If Black now continues to play quietly, he must reckon on simply finishing up with the weaker king position when White castles queenside. So active mea sures are called for : 1 0 ... e5! 1 1 .'iYa6+ 3 09
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
l l .d5 t2l e 7 ! 1 2 . 'i!Va 6 + Wd 7 oo G.Fischer-Porth , Germany Bundesliga B 1 987/88. 1 1 ... Wb8 1 2.dxe5 A) 1 2 . d 5 ? cxd 5 1 3 . � b 5 + W c 8 1 4.�a6 + Wd7 ' . No draw ' 1 5 .'i¥b5 + We6 =F , Dreev-Ivanchuk, USSR 1 9 8 4 ; B ) 1 2 .�xc 6 ? ! exd4 1 3 .�f4 �d6 1 4 .�xd6 .!:lxd6 1 5 .�e8 + Wb7 =F . 1 2 ... �xe5+ It is obvious that neither king has an easy life awaiting. The position is un clear. 1 3 .'�f1 1 3 .�e3 �c5 1 4.�a5 �d4oo . 1 3 ... �c5 !
It is more important to aim for the best possible piece placement , than to hang on to the c6 pawn. 1 3 .. . 'tWf6 ? ! was the game continuation , but after 1 4.�e3 c5 1 5 . �b5 + 'lt>c8 ( 1 5 . . . 'tWb6 1 6 .a4; 1 6 .' ii'c4 . . . b4) comes the very strong 1 6 . 'lt>e 2 1 , intending :C.d I . Not least because of the underde veloped kingside (a recurring motif in the Viking centre ! ) Black finds it hard to stand up to White 's initiative : 1 6 . . . 'i¥e6 ( 1 6 . . . t2lh6 1 7 . l:hd 1 �e 7 1 8 . tLl d 5 ) I 7 .t2le4! fs 1 8 . t2lg5 'MVg6 1 9 . :C.hd l ile 7 2 0 .l: hd 8 + �xd8 2 1 .l:rd l �xg 5 2 2 .�xg 5 ± and the bishop cannot be taken on account of 2 2 . . . �xg 5 ? 2 3 .'\i' c 6 ! 'lt>b8 2 4 . :C.d 7 +- . 1 4.'ifxc6 �b6 1 6.�xb6 axb6�
1 5.�e3
e6 The decisive blow. 1 5 ... �xe5 1 6 .f4 tt:Jxc2 I 6 . . . 'i¥b6 I 7 . fxe S tt::l x c2 + I 8 . '>t>h I tt::l e 3 I 9 . .l:lf3 +- .
This position is reminiscent of the well known line I . e4 eS 2 . tLlf3 tt::l c 6 3 .�c4
1 7Jlac1 'li'b6+ 1 9.'i¥xe5+ '>t>f7 21 .�xd5 tt:Jxd5 23.'i¥h5+ '>t>f6 25.l::r c e1 tt:Jxf4 27.l::r e4
1 8.'>t>h 1 20J:rte1 22.'ifg5+ 24.l::r e 8 26.'i1Ve5+
tt:Je3 '>t>g6 'iit f 7 'iWb4 'iit g 6 1 -0
3IS
The Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
1 6.2.2 Black gets problems with his e-pawn When he is behind in development, Black's centre can easily turn out to be ex posed : 1 6.S Dirk Daniel van Geet Ake Sandklef corr. 1 9 8 2
1 .tt:Jc3 d 5 2.e4 dxe4 3.tt:Jxe4 e5?! Here Black has some better and less risky continuations at his disposal. One such is 3 . . . 'iWdS ! ? , so as, after 4.ti:Jc3 , to steer into familiar waters with 4 . . . 'iY aS . 4.�c4 tt:Jc6 5.d3 fi.e7 6.tt:Jf3 h6?
In Lutton-McNally, Port Erin 2 0 0 1 , Black tried to solve the e S -problem by 7 . . . �g4 8 .h3 fi.xf3 9 .'ifxf3 'ifd7 . But giving up the bishop pair is hardly convincing and after 1 0 . � g 3 ! . Black would be out of the frying pan and into the fire : 1 O . . J�:rh7 1 1 . �xc6 'ti'xc6 1 2 . 'iYxeS 'ti'xc2 1 3 .'iYbS 'iYc6 1 4.'ti'xc6 bxc6 1 S .�e3 ± . 8.c4 'iVe6 9.0-0 9 . �xc6 + ' ? bxc6 1 0 . 0 - 0 ti:Jf6 1 1 . l::t e 1 was also worth considering. 9 ... �d7 9 . . . ti:Jf6 ? 1 O . ti:Jxf6 + �xf6 ( 1 O . . . gxf6 1 1 . d4±) 1 1 .�xc 6 + bxc6 1 2 .'iVe 1 ± .
Black correctly fears 6 . . . ti:Jf6 ? 7 .tLlfg S (Casden-Taylor (Game 1 6 . 4) ) . But his move is simply too slow and is punished on the spot. 7.fi.b5! This strong move presupposes a certain amount of unconventional thinking , since it is known that no piece should be moved twice in the opening. Here in the first place it is about pressure on e S , and in concrete terms it is very difficult for Black to defend it sensibly. Protect ing it with . . . f7-f6 is no longer an op tion after his last move. 7... �d5 316
1 0.l::t e 1 ? An inaccuracy. With 1 O .d4 ! the lead in development could be exploited : 1 O . . . exd4 1 1 . tLlcS �xeS 1 2 . l:re 1 ± . 1 0 ... 0-0-0 1 1 .tt:Jc3 'iYg6 1 2.tt:Jd5 �h3 1 2 . . . fi.d6 1 3 .�xc6 fi.xc6 ( 1 3 . . . bxc6? 1 4.cS cxdS 1 S . cxd6 cxd6 1 6 .'iYc2 + c;t> b 7 1 7 . 'iYb 3 + c;t> a 6 1 8 . 'ii x d S ± ) 1 4 . tLlxeS �xeS 1 S . l::t x eS fi.xdS 1 6 .cxd5 ti:Jf6 1 7 .'ifb3 t .
C h a p t e r 1 6 : T h e P h i l i d o r c en t re
1 3.g3 f6? Black has no more time to shore up his centre like this ; White 's attack now be comes very powerful. Better is 1 3 . . . �d6 , planning to develop the knight on g 8 . The position would then not be clear at all , e . g. 1 4. 'iVa4 �d 7 ( 1 4 . . . 'iVxd 3 ? 1 5 . �x c 6 bxc6 1 6 .'ifxc6 'ifxf3 ? fails to 1 7 . tt::l e 7 + +- ) 1 5 .�xc6 �xc6 1 6 .'ifxa 7 'i:Y h S 1 7 . tt::l d 2 tt::l f6 1 8 . tt::l xf6 gxf6 1 9 . tt::l e 4 'iff3 oo . 1 4.�xc6 1 bxc6 1 5.'ifa4! 'iYxd3 A) 1 5 . . . cxd5 7 1 6 . 'i¥ a 6 + 1 7 . tt::l x e 5 +- ; B) 1 5 . . . .::t d 6 1 6 . tt::l b 4± ; C ) 1 5 . . . �d6 ? 1 6 .'ih c6+- . 1 6.'iYxc6
�b8
1 -0
In spite of this being a correspondence game, resigning was a bit premature since the endgame after 1 6 . . Jhd5 0 ( 1 6 . . . �d6 ? 1 7 .�e3 �e6 ( 1 7 . . . tt::l e 7 1 8 . tt::l x e 7 + �xe 7 1 9 . 'ii a 6 + � d 7 2 0 .l:l.ad 1 +- ) 1 8 .'ifa6 + �d7 1 9 . l:l.ad 1 'ii' fs 2 0 . tt::l x c 7 +- ; 1 6 . . . 'ifxf3 ? ? 1 7 .'ii' x c 7 #) 1 7 .'ifxdS 'i¥xd5 1 8 .cxd5 �d6 ± still needs a lot of work to be won .
1 6 . 2 . 3 White opens the centre with the lever d3 -d4 1 6.6 Ove Ekebjaerg Sven-Gwmar Samuelsson corr. 1 9 8 8
1 .tt::l c 3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.tt::l xe4 e5?1 4.�c4 tt::l c 6 5.d3 �e7 6.tt::l f3 �g4 7.h3 �h5 8.tt::l g 3 �g6 9.0-0 'tlfd7 1 0.�b5 f6
Black is behind in development, but is planning to look into this problem in the next few moves. So the time has come to make use of the lever: 1 1 .d4! 0-0-0 1 2.c3 a6 1 3.�a4 h5 Accepting the pawn offer shows sui cidal tendencie s : 1 3 . . . b 5 7 ! 1 4 .�b3 exd4 1 5 . cxd4 tt::l x d4 1 6 .tt::l x d4 'ii' x d4 1 7 .'ti'f3 �b8 1 8 . l:l.d 1 -+ with a strong attack. 1 4.dxe5!? White decides to transform his dy namic advantage into a static one. He does not bother with attacking chances and liquidates to an endgame with a solid positional advantage . Another way of doing things would be 1 4.l:l.e I h4 I S . tt::l e 4 t . 317
T h e M o d e rn S c a n d i n a v i a n
1 4. ..'�!Vxd 1 1 5Jbd 1 tt:lxe5 1 6Jhd8+ �xd8 1 7.tt:lxe5 fxe5;t
and White later converted his advan tage.
1 6.2.4 Black gets problems with his king Of course it is quite bad if the king cannot get out of the middle. Then an impor tant role is usually played by the lever d3 -d4. 1 6.7 Anke Koglin Svetlana Semina Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 4 / 9 5
1 .tt:lc3 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.tt:lxe4 e5?! 4.�c4 tt:lc6 5.d3 �e7 6.tt:lf3 .2.g4 7.h3 �h5 8.tt:lg3 �g6 9.0-0 a6 1 0.l:i.e1 'tWd6
With three pieces for the queen Black's long-term prospects are not bad; next came 1 4 . f4 0 - 0 - 0 1 s . 'i¥f3 ttlfS 1 6 . tLlxfS .2.xf5 1 7 .l:i.eS �d7 1 8 . c3 �d6 1 9 . l:i.ee 1 tt:lf6 with unclear play. 1 1 .. .f6 1 2.tt:lh41± The point behind White 's idea is that the black king can, for tactical reasons, no longer get out of the middle : 1 2 . . . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 3 .'i¥g4+ �b8 1 4.tt:lxg6 hxg 6 I S . 'it'xg 6 ± . 1 2 ... tt:ld4 1 3.'iYd 1
The critical position. White must now find the correct way to increase her ini tiative (which is based largely on a lead in development) , or to turn it into something concrete, such as a static or material advantage. 1 1 .'iYe2! In the game White played the tempting but weaker l i .tLlxe S ? ! tt:lxeS 1 2 .�f4 tt:lxc4 ! (not 1 2 . . . f6 ? 1 3 . d4 'ti'b4 1 4 . �xg 8 l:i.xg 8 1 S . c3 'iYc4 1 6 . b 3 'if x c 3 1 7 . dxe S l:i. d 8 1 8 . 'tW g 4 ± ) 1 3 .�xd6 tt:lxd 6 .
However, Black is not much better off here either. The opening of the position with c2 -c3 and d3 -d4 cannot be pre vented in the long run. On the other hand , 1 3 .'ii g 4 is met by 1 3 . . .'ti'd7 . 1 3 ... b5 1 4.�xg8 l:i.xg8 1 5.c3 tt:lc6 1 6 .tt:lgf5 'ii d 5 1 7.tt:lxg6 hxg6 1 8.tt:lxe7 tt:lxe7 1 9.d4 t
C h a p t e r I 7 : E x e r c i s es
Chapter 1 7 : Exercises The following exercises show typical traps and motifs that you should be familiar with when playing the Scandinavian. Take your time and use board and pieces to make sure that you understand the key points. When checking the solutions, go back to the relevant chapters and review the lines and themes. Another tip for training , apart from solving these exercises and thoroughly studying this book : play theme games against friends or a computer program , start ing from the main positions of the Scandinavian. For many people, training is most effective when in a competitive setting. But now you should get started with the first exercise. Have fun !
Exercises 1 7. 1
White to move
How to use White 's lead in development? 1 7.2
Black t o move
Which king is safer?
1 7.3
Black to move
What to do against White 's central pawns ? 1 7.4
Black to move
White's last move 1 4.a3 was a serious inaccuracy. How to exploit it? 319
The Mod ern Scand i n a v i a n
1 7.5
Black t o move
White has overextended his position, hasn't he? 1 7.6
White to move
How did Howell exploit Black's king in the centre? 1 7. 7
Black to move
What was the point of Black's last move 6 �g4 ? . . .
320
1 7.8
Black to move
How to deal with White 's plan to advance on the kingside ? 1 7.9
Black to move
How to deal with White's initiative ?
1 7. 1 0
Black to move
Black has an important resource available here. Which is it?
Chapter I 7. I I
Black to move
I 7. I 2
Black can of course play 1 1 . . .�g 6 . But he has a more promising alternative. Find it!
I 7:
Exerci ses
Black to move
How to defend against White 's danger ous attack?
Solutions And now 2 5 .�g 7 ! (Macieja in Chess Informant 8 1 I ( 6 6 ) ) wins on account of 2 5 . . J:tfe8 ( 2 5 . . .l2ld5 2 6 . 'ti'e4+-) 2 6 .'ti'f7 + - . Instead. after the game continuation
1 7.1 Alexei Shirov Bartlomiej Macieja Bydgoszcz rapid 2 0 0 I
25.J::r g 3? g51 Black had some counterchances, but Shirov managed to win the game anyway. 1 7.2 Aydin Duman Emre Karadeniz Istanbul 2 0 0 3
20.�xe6+1 A typical tactical blow. which works due to Black's offside queen and open king.
20 ... fxe6 21 .'ti'xe6+ 22.'ti'e7+ � b8
�c7
2 2 . . . .l::r d 7 ? 2 3.. � xd 6 + �c8 24.'ti'e5 plays into White 's hand.
23 . .ixd6+ �as 24.�e5 J::r hf8 321
The Mod ern Scan d i n a v i a n
24.�e4
1 9 ... b5! Black starts a very dangerous attack. 20.axb5 cxb5 21 .'iYxb5 22.c4 l:r.fb8 23.c5
0-0
2 3 .�a4 c8 1 9.'ife7 'lt>b8 20.g3 �xc2+ 21 .'lt>a 1 'iYc7 22.'i¥xc7+ 'lt>xc7 23 . .l:.c1
7... 0-0·0! 8.fxg4 ?! 8 . �d2 �e6 9 .�xe 6 + fxe 6 1 0 .lLlge2 eS 1 1 .lLle4 is the lesser evil. 8 ... l::t x d4 9.'iYf3 9 .'iYe2 l:i.e4 1 O .�e3 lLlxg4 1 1 . 0 - 0-0 l:[xc4+ . 9 ... l::t xc4 1 0.lLle2 e5 1 1 .�g5 Now 1 1 . . . e4 1 2 .'iff5 + 'iYxfS 1 3 . gxf5 �e 7 1 4. 0 - 0 - 0 lLlg4 1 S .�xe 7 CiJxe7 1 6 .b3 l::t c 6 1 7 .lLlxe4 lLlxf5-+ is even stronger than the game continuation 1 1 ... lLld4 which won the game nevertheless.
Howell has a much better rook ending : 23 ... 'lt>c6 24.l::t d 4 'lt>c5 25.l::t d 7 l::t a d8 26.l:l.xc2+ wb6 27.l::t xf7 l::t hf8 28.l::t h 7 l:l.h8 29.l::t x h8 l::t x h8 30.l::t e 2 �h6 31 .l::t. e4 l:l.g6 32.l::t e 6+ wc5 33.l::t e 7 wc6 34.h4 l::t h 6 35.wb1 a5 36.wc2 b5 37.l::tf 7 wd5 38.wd3 a4 39.l::tf8 wd6 40.we4 l::t g 6 41 .l::t h 8 l::t g 4+ 42.wd3 b4 43.l::t. x h5 b3 1 -0 44.l::t f5 I:!.xg3+
1 7.8 Annika Frowis Rhian Hughes Fermo jr 2 0 0 9
1 7.7 Catarina Leite Antonio Augusto Silva Faro 1 9 9 8
1 6 ... c5! 1 7.dxc5 1 7 . d S ? runs into I 7 . . . c4 1 8 . �a4 lLlcS 1 9 .�b5 exdS 2 0 . 'iYxd5 c3 ! 2 1 .�e3 a6 2 2..�d3 lLla4 with a vicious attack. 1 7... lLlxc5 1 8.'iYxf6? This careless capture is refuted at once. After the normal 1 8 . g 3 fS 1 9 . .ie3 �eS White has no advantage due to Black's activity. 3 24
C h a p t e r I 7 : E x e r c i ses
1 8 ... �e5 1 9.'ii'f3 tt.ld3+ 20.'.t>b1 tt.lxb2 21 .l:rde1 l:rxd2 and Black went on to win. I 7 .9 Jonathan Ady Eric Prie Brussels 2 0 0 6
26 ...l:rxd4 27.'ii' e 5 'ii' d 8 28.b3 a6 29J:If2 tt.le4 30.l:rg2 .:ads 31 .g4 3 I . �xe4 f6 3 2 .'ii' c 3 fxe4 3 3 . .&:!.d2 .:axd2 3 4 . 'ii' x d2 'ii' b 6 (Prie) . 31 ...f6 32.'ii' b 2 'ii' b 6 33.'ti'a3 'ii' e 3+ 34.'.t>b2 'i¥d4+ 35.wc1 c5 36.gxf5 exf5 37.'ti'a5 wa7 38 . .:ag7 'ii' a 1 + 39.�b1 .l:(d2 0-1 I 7. I 0 Konstantin Landa Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu Germany Bundesliga 2 0 0 6 / 0 7
1 7.. .f5 ! Black should not allow that White plays f4-fS himself. After the text move Black's bishop will come to life on h S . 1 8.c4?! Weakens d4 permanently. 1 8 ... tt.lf6 1 9.�c2 �h5 20.tt.lf3 l:rd7 21 .l:rd3 l:rhd8 22.l:rhd 1 c 8) to castle artifi cially : 1 1 . 0 - 0 - 0 and now l l . . . ttJd5 ! , preventing any d4-d5 ideas , i s about equal as the games Hawley-Fries Niel sen (Game 2 . 9 9 ) and Gasseholm-Fries Nielsen (Game 6 . 1 ) demonstrate. I I . . . l:Iad8 ?! is inaccurate as it allows the thematic 1 2 .a3 �xc3 1 3 .�xc3 'ifc7 1 4 . d 5 ! t , see the game Koskivirta B.]. Martin (Game 2 . 9 3 ) . 1 1 .a3
9.0-0-0
The main line, but there are three other important moves: A) 9 .a3 ttJbd 7 ! usually transposes to : 9 . 0 - 0 - 0 ttJbd 7 I O .a3 after 1 0 . 0 - 0 - 0 , and t o 9 . 0 - 0 ttJbd7 I O .a3 in case of I 0 . 0 - 0 . Black should avoid 9 ... �g4?! , a move which had been recommended in the past. After 1 0.0-0-0 (also possible is I O .'ife3 preventing the idea . . . 'ifh5 by stepping out of the pin ; after 328
Ana lysis d i agram
B I ) 1 1 . �xc 3 ? ! is not necessary as long as White has not castled. Also, it allows 1 2.�xc 3 'iYc7 1 3 .dS ! 1 3 . 0 - 0 ? ! •.
C h a p t e r 1 8 : T h e o r e t i c a l Appen d i x
0-0=
Wahls-Hansen
(Game
I.I). and the bishop pair in an open position gives White an advantage, see Kindermann Hansen (Game I . 9 ) ; B2) l i ... 0 - 0 - 0 ? ! allows White to cas tle to the other side and play for the at tack: I 2 . 0 - 0 ! Instead , 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 gives Black a pleasant choice between the standard I 2 . . .�xc3 and the bishop sac rifice I 2 . . .�xa3 ! ? see Trabert -Olbrich (Game 2 . 49 ) . 1 2 ... �xc 3 1 3 .�xc 3 'ifc7 I 4.b4 ! ? with better chances for White after I 4 ... tt:lf6 , Vogt-Wahls (Game 2 . 4 6 ) as well as after I 4 ... tt:lb6 , Collas-Prie (Game 2 . 8 4) ; B 3 ) I I . 0 - 0 ? ! i s dealt with in Muller-Cording 2.70). (Game 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 ? 1 is strongly met by the sur prising I 2 . . . b S 1 , but I 2 .g4 ! is promis ing for White, which is shown in the game Stefansson-Zubarev (Game 2 . 8 8 ) ; B4) I I . .. tt:lb6?? loses a piece after 1 3 ... cxd5 I 4.�xd5 0 - 0 1 S .�f3
h e can g o for trades with I 0 . . . tt:lxe S ! ? 1 l .dxe S tt:ldS 1 2 .�xdS cxdS 1 3 . a 3 �xc3 1 4 .�xc3 'i¥a6 ! , s e e Thipsay Shantharam (Game 3 . 1 2 ) . I O �xc 3 •••
I I .�xc 3 'i¥c7
•••
Ana lysi s d i agram
• .
1 2.0-0! tt:lxc4 1 3 .axb4 �xb4 I 4.l:ta4+
Chandler-Rogers (Game 2 . 1 1 S ) ; B S ) I I . . .tt:lf6 ! = The most flexible and best move. I 2 . 0 - 0 1 2 . 0 - 0 - 0 �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 'i¥c7 1 4. f3 0 - 0 - 0 = ; 1 2 .�a2 forces Black to exchange on c3 , but it makes more sense for White to achieve the same goal by castling. 1 2 . . . �xc3 1 3 . �xc3 'i¥c7 1 4. 0 - 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 with equal chances in Haimovich-Vovsha (Game 2 . 6 1 ) . 1 2 ... �xc 3 1 3 .�xc 3 �c7 is about equal . After 1 4. l:tad l 0 - 0 I S . �d3 ? ! �g 6 t 1 6 . �xg6 hxg 6 1 7 . l::t d 3 l:.fd8 1 8 J H d I aS ! 1 9 .�d2 b S Black already had a more pleasant position in Hermann Wahls (Game 2 . 2 7 ) . C) A solid line i s 9 . 0 - 0 tt:lbd7 I O .a3 , forcing Black to give up the bishop pair. With I O . tt:leS White cannot fight for an advantage. If Black is happy with a draw,
As White has castled kingside, Black has to worry less than usual about an ad vance of White 's kingside pawns. White has the bishops, but Black's con trol over the light squares enables him to equalize. White has several options now : C I ) 1 2 .l:tad i 0 - 0 = does not offer White chances of an opening advantage as the games Bitansky-Vovsha (Game 1 . 7 ) and Szalanczy-Lau (Game 2 . 7 7 ) demonstrate ; C 2 ) For 1 2 J H c I 0 - 0 1 3 . tt:l e 5 b S I 4. tt:l x d 7 'i¥xd 7 I S .�a2 a S
