Opening for White According to Anand 1.e4, Volume 11 (Repertoire Books)

Open-ng forWhite accord-ng

Editorial Panel:

GM M.Makarov, GM R.Ovetchkin 1M S.Klimov, 1M I.Smikovski 1M S.Soloviov, S.Pligin

Technical Editor:

1M Semko Semkov

Translation by:

GM Evgeny Ermenkov

Author Khalifman's photograph by Elisabeth Karnazes Cover design by Kalojan Nachev

Copyright © Alexander Khalifman 2009

Printed in Bulgaria by "Chess Stars" Ltd. - Sofia ISBN13: 978 954 8782 69-2

Opening for White According to Anand 1.e4

Book XI 1.e4 c5 2.lLlf3 lLlc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lLlxd4 g6 5.lLlc3 Accelerated Dragon 1.e4 c5 2.lLlf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lLlxd4lLlf6 5.lLlc3 g66.Ae3 Dragon Variation

Alexander Khalifman 14th World Chess Champion

Bibliography Easy Guide to the Dragon by M.Golubev, Everyman Chess 1999 Chess Openings for Black, Explained by L.Alburt, R.Dzindzichashvili, & E.Perelshteyn, Chess Information and Research Center 2006 The Accelerated Dragon by AGreet, Everyman Chess 2008

Other CHESS STARS Books Repertoire books: Opening for White According to Kramnik 1.liJf3 by A Khalifman Volume la: Old Indian, rare lines in the Classical Variation, 2006 Volume Ib: The Classical Variation, 2006 Volume 2: Anti-Nun-Ind, Anti-Queen's Indian, English, Knight Tango, 2008 Volume 3: Maroczy, English (l ...c5), Modem, Dutch Volume 4: Queen's Gambit Accepted, Slav, Semi-Slav Volume 5: Queen's Gambit Declined Opening for White According to Anand 1.e4 by A Khalifman Volume 6: The French Defence 3.ltJc3 dxe4, 3 ... ltJf6, 2006 Volume 7: The French Defence 3.ltJc3 .Ab4, 2006 Volume 8: The Sicilian, Paulsen-Kan and rare lines, 2006 Volume 9: The Sicilian, Paulsen-Taimanov and other lines, 2007 Volume 10: The Sicilian, Svesbnikov, 2007 Opening for Black According to Karpov by Khalifman Current theory and practice series: Challenging the Sicilian with 2.a3! by Bezgodov, 2004 An Expert's Guide to the 7.Bc4 Gruenfeld by Sakaev, 2006 The Sharpest Sicilian by Kiril Georgiev and At Kolev, 2007 The Safest Sicilian by Delchev and Semkov, 2nd rev.ed. 2008 The Queen's Gambit Accepted by Sakaev and Semkov, 3rd. rev. ed., 2008 The Easiest Sicilian by Kolev and Nedev, 2008 The Petrosian SystemAgainsttbe QID by Beliavsky and Mikhalchishin, 2008 Gamescollections My One Hundred Best Games by Alexey Dreev, 2007 Bogoljubow. The Fate of a Chess Player by S. Soloviov, 2004 Super Tournaments 2003, 456 pages + colour photos Super Tournaments 2002, 556 pages + colour photos Shirov's 100 Wms by So1oviov316 p., interviews, biography, oolourpboms, 2003 Leko's 100 Wms by Soloviov 340 pages, biography, colour photos, 2003 More details at www.chess-stars.com

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Contents Preface .............................................. 6

Part 1. The Accelerated Dragon 1.e4 c5 V~~f3 ~c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 g6 5.~c3 1 various; 5 ...Ag7 6.J.e3 various; 6... ~f6 7..tc4without 7...d6, 7...YlYaS and 7... 0-0 ...................... 10 2 5 ...ig7 6.Ae3 ~f6 7..ic4 d6 8.f3 without 8 ...,td7........... 25 3 5 ...ig7 6.,te3 ~f6 7.,tc4 d6 8.f3 ,td7 ................. 46 4 5...ig7 6.,te3 ~f6 7..tc4 1!iaS ............................ 73 5 5...ig7 6..te3 ~f6 7..tc4 0-0 8.,tb3 without 8 ... aS......... 92 6 5 ...ig7 6.J.e3 ~f6 7..tc4 0-0 8..tb3 as................... 124 Part 2. The Sicilian Dragon 1.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 ~f6 5.~c3 g6 6.Ae3 7 various without 6 ...ig7 ..............................139 8 6...ig7 7.f3 various without 7...~c6 and 7... 0-0 .............150 9 6.. .ig7 7.f3 ~c6 8.YlYd2 various without 8 .. id7 and 8 ... 0-0...167 10 6 ...ig7 7.f3 ~c6 8.W1d2 J.d7 9.0-0-0 without 9 .. J:~c8 ........195 11 6 ...ig7 7.f3 ~c6 8.W1d2 id7 9.0-0-0 gc8 .................. 224 12 6 ...ig77.f3 0-0 8.W1d2 various; 8 ...~c6 9..tc4 various without 9 ... ~xd4, 9 ...W1aS and 9 ...,td7 ......... 251 13 6.. .ig77.f3 0-0 8.W1d2 ~c6 9..tc4 ~xd4 .................. 269 14 6.. .ig77.f3 0-0 8.W1d2 ~c69..tc4~d7 .......................288 15 6...ig77.f3 0-0 8.W1d2 ~c6 9..tc4 ,td710.J.b3 various without 10 ... ~xd4, 10...YlYaS and 10 ... gc8............300 16 6 ...ig77.f3 0-0 8.YlYd2 ~c6 9 ..tc4 .id7 10ib3 ~xd4 .........338 17 6 .. .ig77.f3 0-0 8.YlYd2 ~c6 9..tc4 ,td7 10ib3 YlYa5 .........348 18 6...ig77.f3 0-0 8.W1d2 ~c6 9 ..tc4 ,td7 10ib3 gc8 11.0-0-0 various without 11... ~e5 .....................366 19 6.. .ig77.f3 0-0 8.ti'd2 ~c6 9.,tc4 ,td710..tb3 gc8 11.0-0-0 ~e5 1V;t.b1 without 12 ... ge8 and 12 ... ~c4 ......377 20 6 ...ig77.f3 0-0 S.W1d2 ~c6 9.,tc4 ,td7 10.,tb3 gc8 11.0-0-0 ~e512.~b1 geS............................394 21 6...ig77.f3 0-0 S.W1d2 ~c6 9.,tc4 J.d710 ..Ab3 gc8 11.0-0-0 ~e5 1v;t.b1 ~c4 13.,txc4 ~c4 14.g4 various ..... .408 22 6...ig77.f3 0-0 S.W1d2 ~c6 9..tc4 ,td7 lOib3 gcS 11.0-0-0 ~e512.~b1 ~c413.,txc4 ~c414.g4 b5 .......... .431 Index of Variations .................................. 440 _

!i

Preface Dear readers, You are holding in your hands book 11 from the series "Opening for White According to Anand - 1.e4". We have analyzed in it different modifications of the Dragon variation i.e. systems in the Sicilian Defence in which Black fianchettoes his dark-squared bishop. In fact, the Dragon variation is not just an opening system, it is quite original chess philosophy. The point is that there has never been a single moment in which the theoreticians (as well as the majority of the practical players, though ... ) have considered it as 100% correct. At first (Oh, yes, there were times like that...) the entire Sicilian Defence provoked a rather pessimistic attitude in general. Later this evaluation changed gradually, but during the 30ies of the past century the outstanding theoretician Vsevolod Rauzer suggested a plan of development for White connected with the set-up .ie3, £3, YllId2, followed by castling long and a direct attack against Black's monarch. The evaluation of this system has not changed much since then.. .Is this system correct for Black? It might be, but it is terribly risky for him. Small wonder that since then the leading grandmasters in the world do not like playing the Dragon too often. Naturally, there have always been several non-conformists, prepared to face the danger; nevertheless the Dragon has never been popular at the highest level. On the other hand, it has always had numerous adherents among the chess fans and in correspondence games. All this can be easily explained: Black's strategical concept is quite simple and it practically does not depend on the nuances in White's set-up. The bishop on g7 and the semi-open c-file provide Black with chances of active counterplay practically always. White can fight for a real advantage only by entering sharp lines with opposite sides castling and· that is not to everyone's liking. This makes the great difference between the Dragon and the other Sicilian systems. In this book we have analyzed the sharp variations, which have always been the focus of White's ambitions to refute the Dragon in a concrete and swift fashion (following the famous thesis of Robert Fischer: h2-h4-h5 and a checkmate... ). We do not assert that the Dragon has

6

been refuted, but we are practically convinced that Black has great problems to solve in all the variations and the players for the White side, who have studied this book thoroughly will be completely prepared to face all possible intricacies of this opening system. In the first part of the book we have dealt with the Accelerated Dragon, this is the order of moves 2... ~c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 g6. We should mention here that by playing like this Black allows his opponent to enter the rather unpleasant Maroczy system (5.c4), in which Black's prospects of creating active counterplay are just minimal in comparison to the classical Dragon variation. I would recommend book 3a of the series "Opening for White According to Kramnik - 1.~f3" to players who are interested in the correct treatment of the Maroczy system. In this book we have analyzed the more aggressive plan 5.~c3 ig7 6.J.e3 ~f6 7.J.c4 (Yugoslav Accelerated Dragon), which usually leads to the main lines of the Yugoslav Attack in the Dragon variation. Black has some options to avoid similar developments and he can even force White to castle short in some variations. Still, all this is usually connected with a loss of tempi for him, or positional concessions and Black fails to solve his opening problems in this fashion as a rule. In the second part of the book we have dealt with the main lines of the Dragon variation, that is the order of moves 2...d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 ~f6 5.~c3 g6. We recommend to White to play 6.J.e3 J.g7 7.f3 0-0 (We have also analyzed some relatively modern lines connected with 7...a6.) 8."ffd2 ~c6 9.J.c4. Our task has become more complex lately, because at the beginning of the year 2008 the Dragon variation attracted the attention of the Norwegian genius Magnus Carlsen and there have appeared numerous interesting games every month since. We hope that even in the most fashionable lines, some of which we have had to add to the book almost in an on-line regime, we have succeeded in pointing out the most promising concepts for White. A.Khalifman 14th World Chess Champion

Partl 1.e4 c5 2.~f3 ~c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 g6

5.~c3

The majority of the adherents to the Dragon variation dislike presenting White with the additional possibility of playing the Maroczy system with the move 5.c4 and they prefer to enter the variation with the move-order with 2...d6. 5 •••.tg7 6 •.le3 ~f6 Black could have avoided playing these logical developing moves, now or on the previous move, but this would not have brought him anything promising at all (see Chapter 1).

7..lc4

This position is reached practically unavoidably if Black plays the Dragon variation with 2... ~c6.

White fails to arrange his pieces comfortably, analogously to the variations in Part 2 (£3, 1Yd2 and only then if necessary - .lc4). In case of 7.£3, Black replies with 7... 0-0 and he will counter 8.Wd2 will 8 ...dS, while if White covers this square with 8 ..tc4, then Black has the resource 8 ...

1Yb6! 7 ••• 0-0 After 7...d6 8.£3 0-0 9.ti'd2, Black can transpose to the varia-

tions from Part 2, but it is even more principled for him to follow with 8 ....id7, with the idea to organize swift queenside counterplay (see Chapter 3). The other rarely played alternatives for Black are analyzed in Chapter 2. If he plays 7...\WaS (Chapter 4), Black forces his opponent to castle short (White's e4-pawn is banging and he has no other comfortable way of protecting it, for example: 8.\Wd2? c!Llxe4; 8.£3 ~b4 9..ib3 c!Llxe4). Still, after 8.0-0 0-0 9.c!Llb3! Black has numerous problems to worry about.

8 ..lb3 (diagram) 8 ••• aS This is the strongest and the

most principled move for Black (Chapter 6). After 8 ... d6 9.£3, the game transposes most often to the normal Dragon variation. About the ways for Black to avoid this, as well as about the seldom played lines for him on move eight - see Chapter 5.

Chapterl

l.e4 c5 2.~f3 ~c6 g65.~c3

3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4

6 ...WaS 7.~b3 Wd8 8.£3 .tg7 9.'9"d2 or 7...Wc7 8.£3.tg7 9.Wd2 -seelinea; 6 ...dS? - Black is still not well prepared for active actions in the centre. 7..tbS .Ad7 8.exdS ~b4 9 ..tc4 WaS 10.~b3 Wc7, Noguera Navarro - Caballero Suarez, Aragon 1997, 1l.~c5+-; 6 ...e5? - This move weakens the important dS and d6-squares 5 •• ..tg7 and it does not combine well with S...d6 6.ie3 ~h6?! (About 6 ... 4 ...g6. 7.~dbS .tb4 (Black loses ig77.Wd2 - see S...ig7; 6 ... ~f6- after 7...d6 8 ..tgS l3b8 9.~dS+­ see Chapter 7; 6 ....td7 7.'9"d2 ig7 muukki - Hossa, Internet 1998; 8.0-0-0 - see line b; 6 ...a6 7.Wd2 it would hardly be better for him ig7 8.0-0-0 - see line b; 7... ~f6 to try instead 7...a6 8.~d6+ .txd6 8.£3 - see variation b in Chapter 9.Wxd6±, since his dark squares 7.) - Black needs now plenty of are practically defenceless, time to activate this knight. 7.h3 Gonzalez Roca - Vivas Peleteif5 8.Wd2 ~fl, M.Davydov - Hev- ro, Vilagarcia de Arousa 2006.) endehl, Potsdam 1997, White can 8.~d6+ me7, Lorinc - Ouellette, continue here with 9.exfS gxf5 Email 1995, White can continue 1O.f4 ig7 1l.0-0-0± and he ex- here with 9.a3! .txd61O.igS± and erts powerful pressure along the he regains unavoidably his piece central files. with a great lead in development; S... ~f6 (This position is usu6 ... ~xd4?! 7..txd4 .tg7, Vo ally reached after 4 ...~f6 S.~c3 Thuy - Phan Bui Nhat, Phu Dong g6) 6 ..te3 and now: 2004 (In answer to 7... d6, Abra6 ...d6 7.£3 - see Chapter 7, ham - Prosch, Hamburg 1999, variation a; White can try 8 ..tbS+.Ad7 9 ..txf6 10

4.liIxd4 g6 S.liIc3 ,Ag76..Ae3

exf6 10.ti'd5± and he destroys crete line: 6.liIdb5! liIf6 (6 ...ti'aS his opponent's pawn-structure, 7..Ad2±) 7..Ag5.Ag7 S.e5! - deprivestablishing his knight on the ing Black's queen of the e5-square. excellent dS-outpost.) and now S...liIxeS 9 ..Axf6 .Axf6 10.liId5 White obtains a great lead in de- ti'c5 (l0 ... Y;Yc6 l1.liIbc7+ c,t>dS 12. velopment and firm control over liIxaS+-) 11.b4 ti'c6 12.liIbc7+ the centre with the line: S.e5 liIh5 c,t>dS 13.liIxaS+- White has won 9.ti'f3 f6 10.exf6 liIxf6 11.0-0-0 a rook, although at the end Black will probably manage to capture 0-0 12 ..tc4+ c,t>hSI3J~hel±; 6...a6?! 7.liIxc6 bxc6 S.e5 liIgS White's knight on as. 9..Ac4 .Ag7 10.f4± Black lags con5...e5?! 6.liIdb5 a6 (The altersiderably in development and natives lose for Black: 6 ... d6? 7. he fails to complete it with natu- liId5+- Kul - Kokalj, Internet ral moves: 10 ...e6? l1.liIe4+- Ly 2004; 6....Ab4?! 7..lc4 a6 S. Hong - Bui Thi My, Dong Thap ti'd5+- Ruwette - Laine, England 1999; 1992; 6 ... liIf6?! 7..Ag5 d6 S..Axf6 In response to 6... e6?!, Vega ti'xf6 9.liIc7+ dS 10.liIxaS+Viejo - Castano Garzon, Asturias Iermito - Gomez Lira, Buenos 1992, White wins a pawn with Aires 2004.) 7.liId6+ hd6 S. 7.liIdb5 d6 S.ig5 ie7 9.liIxd6+ ti'xd6± We have analyzed similar positions in our book 9, Chapter hd610ixf6 ti'xf611.ti'xd6±; 6 ...ti'c7?!, Paukstat - Klasen, 3, but without the move g7-g6, Germany 1996, White can exploit which loses time and weakens the here the premature development dark squares, Del Barrio Garcia of his opponent's queen by play- Alderete Diez, Madrid 2002; 5...liIxd4?! - Black activates ing 7.liIdb5! ti'a5 (It is not better for Black to opt for 7... ti'dS S.liId5 his opponent's queen with this liIxdS 9.exd5 a6 10.liIc3 liIbS 11. move and he slows down his own liIa4+-) S..td2! WldS 9.liIdS liIxd5 development. 6.ti'xd4 f6 (After 6 ... 10.exd5 a6 11..Ac3 f6 12.liIa3 liIeS liIf6 7.e5, it is bad for Black to play 13.f4 liIfl 14.liIc4± Black has nu- 7... liIgS S..ig5 ig7, Reinschmidt merous weaknesses to worry - Pliete, Hiddenhausen 2003, about and he has problems com- 9.0-0-0 f6 10.exf6 liIxf6 l1.ic4, as well as 7... liIh5, Drbohlav pleting his development. The rest alternatives for Black Krupkova, Czech Republic 1999, S..tc4 liIg7 9.0-0 liIe6 10.ti'e4 are clearly worse: 5...ti'b6? Vuorimies - Kaup- ig7 l1.ie3+- and White ends pila, Finland 1996, This queen- up with a great lead in developsortie is obviously premature and ment in both cases.) 7..Ac4 liIh6 White can pose great problems (Black would not fare any better to his opponent with the con- after 7...e6 S..Ae3 b6 9.0-0-0

Chapter 1

.ic5 10. ~d3+- Gahn - Ruthsatz, Schloss Schney 1996.) 8.lLld5 lLlf7 9.~c5+- and he suffers material losses, Keres - Raud, Tartu 1932; 5...e6?! - Black compromises the dark squares with this move. 6.lLldb5 a6 (After 6 ... d6 7..tf4 e5 8.lLld5, he loses following 8 ... exf4 9.lLlbc7+ <j;ld7 10.lLlxa8 lLlf6 11.lLlac7+- Chapman - Peake, Adelaide 2002, as well as after 8 ....ie6 9.lLlbc7+ <j;ld7 10.lLlxa8 ~xa8 11..ie3+- Browne - Chavez Chavez, Skopje 1972 and White wins the exchange in both variations. In answer to 6 ....ib4, Bernard - Pressl, Czech Republic 2003, White can force the exchange of his opponent's important bishop with 7.a3! hc3+ 8.bxc3±) 7.lLld6+ hd6 8.ti'xd6 ~e7 9 ..if4 e5 (9 ...ti'xd6 10.hd6 lLlge7 11.a4± Vehre - Wilkins, corr. 1979.) 10.ti'xe7+ lLlgxe7 11. .ig5 f5 12.0-0-0 b5 13.lLld5± White has a noticeable lead in development and the two-bishop advantage, Tartakower - Wegemund, Barmen 1905. 6 •.le3

12

Besides the main line c) 6 •.. ICf6, we will analyze here a) 6 ••• • as and b) 6 •••d6. The alternatives for Black are worse: 6 •.. e5? - This move loses. 7. lLldb5 (7...a6 8.lLld6+-; 7... lLlf6 8. ~d6+-; 7... lLld4 8.lLlxd4 exd4 9 ..b:d4+- Jackson - Yassine, Manila 1992; 7...d6 8.lLlxd6+ 'iWB 9. .ic4+- S.Petrosian - Dorsch, Baunatal 1999; 7...'iWB 8 ..ic5+ lLlge7 9.ti'f3 b6 10..lc4+- Peck Treklas, Email 1995; 7... lLlge7 8.lLld6+ 'iWB 9 ..ic4+- Wauer Graffenberger, Germany 2006) 7 ...MB 8.lLld5 .ib4+ (8 ...f5 9. lLldc7+-) 9.c3 .ia510.b4+- Napier - Ruth, New York 1896;

6 •....,6? - Blackwastes acoupIe of tempi with this try. 7.lLldS ~d8 (After 7...ti'xb2 8JTh1, he loses following 8 •..'frxa2 9.lLlxc6 bxc6 10.lLlc7+ 'iWB 11.lLlxa8+- Garcia Romero - Martin, Spain 2004, as well as after 8 ...~a3 9.lLlxc6 bxc6 10.lLlc7+- Cabarkapa - Witthaus, Meschede 1961; it is not preferable for him to opt for 7...ti'a5+ 8 ..ld2 ti'd8 9.lLlb5 'iWB10 ..ic3lLlf6 11.lLlxf6 .lxf6 12..ixf6 exf6, Ruzanov - Baboyan, Berdsk 2008, and after 13.ti'd2± Black will have long term problems with the protection of his d7-pawn.) 8.lLlb5 'iWB, Tuscher - Peters, Bochum 1989 (but not 8 ....b:b2, Butenco - Mascarenhas, Brazil 2001, 9.lLlbc7+ 'iWB 10.lLlxa8+-) and

4. ~xd4 g6 5. ~c3 .ig76. .ie3 after 9.c3 ~f6 1O.Yfa4 d6 11..ib6± White discoordinates his opponent's pieces for long;

7... dS - This move loses a pawn. B.exd5 exdS (After B•.. .ixc3+ 9.bxc3, Black loses with the line: 9 ... ~ce7 1O.d6 ~d5 6 ••• b6 7.Yfd2 .ib7 B.O-O-O 11..id4 ~gf6 12.c4+- Nguyen ~kB 9.g4 ~e5 1O.f3 ~c4 11..ixc4 Minh Thanh - Tran Quang Sang, gxc4 12.h4 h5 13.g5± Parligras - Phu Dong 2004, as well as following 9 ... exdS 10..if4 rtlfB 11.~c7 Khurtsilava, Nikea 2003; gbB 12.~xd5 gaB, Xia - Iv, Brant6 ••• lCe5, G.Jones - Eldridge ford 2005 and here White wins at Smith, Sydney 2002, 7.f4 ~c6 least the exchange by continuing with 13.~c7 Yfxdl+ 14.gxdl gbB B•.ic4 d6 9.0-0 ~f6 10.h3±; 15..ib5+-) 9.~xdS .ie5 10.f4 a6 6 •••e6? - This move com- 11..ib6+- Jirjis - June, Detroit promises the dark squares and 1990; Black's position becomes very dif7...MB B.i.f4 e5 9.~d5± Black has no satisfactory defence ficult after it. 7.~db5 against the check from the c7square, Kempe - Rudolph, Oberhofl99B; 7... ~ge7 8.~d6+ f8 9.%Yd2± Black will hardly manage to coordinate his forces any time soon, Lasfuentes - Sanjose Torres, Aragon 199B; 7... a6 8.~d6+ f8 9.%Yd2 ~f6 10 ..le2± Seyb - Grasser, Nuremberg 2004; and then: 7...YfaS B.Yfd2 - see 6...Yfa5; In answer to 7... ~f6, 7....ie5 B.f4 .ibB 9.~d6+ .ixd6 Lazhevskaya - McIntosh, Bir10.Yfxd6 a6 (White's lead in de- mingham 2001, White's fastvelopment is so great that Black is est road to victory is B..tcS .ifB helpless after 10...~ge7 11.0-0-0 9..ld6+-; a6 12.g4+- Medvegy - Zsom, 7....ixc3+ B.bxc3! a6 (B ...d5 Paks 1994, as well as following 9.exd5 - see 7...d5 B.exd5 J.xc3 10 ...Yfe7 11.~b5 Yfxd6 12.~xd6+ 9.bxc3; it is not any better for Black rtle7 13..ic5+- GaUob - Spanz, to try B... ~f6 9. Yfd6 Yfa5 10 ..lg5 Feffernitz 199B) 11..ie2 ~ge7 12. ~xe4 11.~c7+ %Yxc7 12.%Yxc7+g4+- and White's kingside at- J.Low - R.San, Da Nang 200B) tack is victorious, Frota - Ribeiro, 9.~d6+ rtle7 10 ..lc5+- and he Caxias do Sul1975; suffers heavy material losses, 13

Chapter 1 Movsisyan - Lovelace, Norman 2004;

6 ••• tJb6?! - Black's knight will remain passive for long on this square. 7.f3 fS (He loses quickly after 7...~b6? 8.tLlfS ~xb2 9)iJxg7+ ~d8 10.~d2 tLlg8 11. a3+- Wittmann - Wellens, corr. 1982; in answer to 7... 0-0?, Kirchmann - Strzelczyk, Darmstadt 1996, White wins with 8.tLlxc6 dxc6 9.~c1 eS 10.h4+-) 8.~d2 tLlxd4 9.,bd4 ,bd4 10. ~xd4 0-0 11.0-0-0± and his pieces were much more active in the game Koskinen - Bostrom, corr.1973; 6 ••• tJxd4 - Black will lag considerably in development after this exchange. 7.,bd4 eS (7... ,bd4 8.~xd4 tLlf6 9.eS tLlhS10.00-0 e6 11.tLle4± - White controls the centre, Penttinen - Karppinen, Helsinki 1993; in response to 7... tLlf6, Townsend - Woods, Parsippany 1999, it would be very good for White to continue with 8.eS tLlhS 9.~f3 f6 1O.exf6 .bf6 11.0-0-0 0-0 12..Axf6 tLlxf6 13..tc4+ ~g7 14J~hel± and he has powerful pressure along the central files.) 8.i.e3 tLlf6, Sohl - Benedikt, Bad Zwesten 2003 (In answer to 8 ...~a5, Vieira - Shirley, Lisbon 1999, White can force the trade of queens after 9.WfdS lWxdS 10.tLlxdS c;t>d811.0-0-0±; 8 ... tLle7, Howard - Khury, Email 2000 and here it be quite reasonable

for him to slow down the development of Black's queenside with 9.~d6 0-0 10.0-0-0 tLlc6 11.h4 tLld4 12.tLldS±), and after 9.~d6 ~e7 1O.tLlbS ~xd6 11.tLlxd6+ ~f8 12 ..tc4+- White wins his opponent's f7-pawn;

6 ••• a6? - This move compromises the b6-square and White can exploit this immediately with 7.tLldS! tLlxd4 (Here, Black's most tenacious defence is the transfer of his bishop to c7 in order to protect the b6-square. It has not been tested in practice yet... : 7... .teS! 8.tLlf3 .tc7 9 ..te2± - Black does not lose outright indeed, but his position remains very difficult. The alternatives however lead to his swift demise: 7...d6? 8.tLlxc6 bxc6 9 ..lb6 ~d7 10.tLlc7+ ~ 11.tLlxa8 ~b7 12..td4+- and White should win easily with an extra rook, Muslija - Zilic, Kastav 2004; 7... e6? 8.tLlxc6 bxc6 9 ..tb6 ~4 10.tLlc7+ ~f8 11..tc5+ tLle7 12.tLlxa8+- Vazquez Moreno Gutierrez, Email 1998; 7.. J~b8? 8.tLlfS d6 9 ..tb6 ~d7 1O.tLlxg7+ ~f8 11.tLlhS gxhS 12.lWxhS+White has an extra pawn, a bishop-pair and a lead in development, Hechtlinger - Levine, Aspen 1968; in answer to 8 ...WfaS+, Keast - Trachsel, Perth 1977, his most convincing line is 9 ..td2 ~d8 1O.tLlxg7+-; it would be bad for Black to try 8 ...bS 9.tLlxg7+ ~f810.tLlhS gxhS11.~xhS+- Canneva - Milosevic, France 2000)

4.tiJxd4 g6 S.ttJc3 .ig76•.ie3

B..ixd4 .hd4 (It is even worse for him to opt for B...ti'a5+? 9.b4 ti'a4 10..ixg7+- Szekely - Berec00, Hungary 2002.) 9.ti'xd4 ttJf6 10.ttJb6 gbB 11.eS ttJh5 12 ..ie2! ttJg7 13.e6 f6 (Black's best defence here is 13... 0-0! 14.exd7 ttJf515.dxcBti' ti'xd416.ti'c7 ti'h4+ 17.c3 ti'xb2 IBJ~dl ti'xa2, but even then after 19.ti'e5± White will solve the problem with the safety of his king and his extra bishop should be sufficient to win the game.) 14.exd7+ hd7 IS.0-0-0 1-0 Baron - Debehaigne, Malakoff2007. a) 6 •••11a5 7.1Id2

7 ••• ~f6 7...e6 8.ttJdbS ttJf6 (Black would not fare better after B•.. AfS 9 ..if4 eS 10.J.g5 f6 11..ie3 ti'dB 12.ttJd5+- Simeonov - Penov, Borovetz 2003.) 9..icS .if8 10.ttJd6+ hd6 11.hd6+- and he is helpless to protect the vulnerable dark squares in his camp, Wiman - Manley, Copenhagen 2000.

7... ttJxd4 B.hd4 ttJf6, Bilek Haag, Budapest 19S9, after 9.e5 ttJd5 10.e6 hd4 11.ti'xd4 ttJf6 12.exf7+ wxf7 13.0-0-0± White will preserve his control over the centre for long. 7... a6 B.ttJb3 hc3 (In answer to B...ti'c7, Bertrand - B.Mayer, Rheinstetten 1997, it would be very good for White to continue with 9.ttJdS ti'bB 10..ib6±) 9.bxc3 ti'c7 10 ..id3 d6 11.0-0 .id7, Ailasmaa - Rehn, Jyvaskyla 200B, Black has compromised his opponent's pawn-structure indeed, but his king is bound to remain stranded in the centre for longl2. h3 ttJf6 13..ih6± 7...d6 B.ttJb3 ti'b4 (About B.•. ti'dB 9.0-0-0 ttJf6 10.£3 - see 7... ttJf6; after B...hc3 9.ttJxa5 hd2+ 10.hd2 ttJxa5 11.ha5 ttJf6 12.£3;1;, White's two-bishop advantage provides him with a slight, but stable edge.) 9.a3 hc3 10.axb4 hd2+ 11.hd2 ttJf6, Variniac Boos, Bischwiller 1999 and here after 12.bS ttJdB 13..ld3± Black has problems with the protection of his a7-pawn. After 7...ti'h4 8.0-0-0 ttJf6 9.£3 0-0 10.g4i, the idea behind the transfer of Black's queen to b4 is hard to comprehend, Frish Petersammer, Nuremberg 200S. 8.~b3! ftc7 B... ttJxe4? - Black blunders a piece with this move. 9.ttJxe4 ti'xd2+ 1O.Wxd2 hb2 11.gbl h3 12.ttJd4+- Teixeira - Mathow, Rio de Janeiro 2007.

Chapter 1 S ...tfe5?! - The queen comes under attack with tempi on this square. 9 ..tf4 tfhs 10..te2 .!LIg4 11.h3+- Tuominen - Maid Uuro, Tampere 1994. S...tfdS 9.f3 d6 10.0-0-0 see Chapter 9, S ...tfaS. 9.f3d6 It is not better for Black to try here 9 ... aS 10..!LIbS tfdS 11.tff2 a4 12 ..tb6+- Dunne - Fang, Philadelphia 1993. 10.0-0-0 0-0 10....td7 11.g4 - see Chapter 10, 9 ...tfaS 10 ..!LIb3 tfc711.g4. After 1O... a6 11.g4 .te6 12. 'i!7b1 .!LIeS 13.gS .!LIhS14.f4 .!LIc41S.i.xc4 .hc4 16..td4t, White neutralises Black's most dangerous piece his dark-squared bishop, preserving his kingside threats, Esquivel - Lossin, Internet 2004. 1l.g4

Following l1 ... aS, Santos Gonzalez - IJoveras Hernanz, Gijon 2002, it is again strong for White to continue with 12.gS .!LId713 ..!LIdS tfdS14.a4± 12.g5 ~d7 White's position is again preferable after 12 ... .!LIhS 13.f4 l:UcS 14..!LIbS tfdS lS.'i!7bli Rossiter R.Webb, Portsmouth 2002. 13.h4a5 The endgame is very difficult for Black after 13.. .i.xc3 14.tfxc3 ~fcS lS.'i!7b1 .!LIb4 16.tfxc7 ~c7 17.c3;!; Krueger - Ristic, Email 2002. 14.~b5 tfc8 15.~bl ~de5 16.~3d4 ~c4 17•.txc4 .txc4 18.h5± White's king is safer than its counterpart and his initiative develops much faster, Smirin Altennan, Haifa 1993.

b) 6 •.. d6 7.'I'd2

1l•.•.le6 In answer to 11... .!LIe5, Bolon - Caoili, Menorca 1996, it seems logical for White to continue with his pawn-offensive 12.gS .!LIfd7 13. .!LIdS tfdS14.f4 .!LIc61S.h4± 16

7•••.ld7 About 7... .!LIf6 S.f3 or 7...hS 8.0-0-0 .!LIf6 9.f3 - see Chapter

9.

4.l£lxd4 96 5.l£lc3 .t976..te3

7 •••e5? - This move loses after B.~db5!and Black has no satisfactory response: B...tiB 9. ~dS+-; B... a6 9.~xd6+ 1!?f8, Mueller - Friedrich, Ueberlingen 2000, 1O.J.c4+-; B....te6 9.~xd6+ l!?e7 10 ..tcS+- Haeckler - Zrenner, Nuremberg 200S and White's material gains are quite sufficient to win the game in all the variations. 7 ••• Yfb6? Visschedijk - Gokyigit, Szeged 1994, Black loses material after this move, B.l£le6! .ih6 (After B.. :~xb2 9.~xg7+ 1!?f8 10. rlb1 ti'a3 11.rlb3 ti'aS 12 ..ih6+White ends up with an extra piece.) 9..ixh6 ~xh6 10.l£la4 ti'b4 11.l£lc7+ I!?dB 12.l£lc3!+- and numerous black pieces are hanging. 7 •••e6? B.l£ldbS.ieS 9.f4 ixc3 10.ti'xc3 l£lf6 11.0-0-0+- Black has exchanged deliberately his important bishop and now he loses his d6-pawn, Proulx - Degroot, Wmnipeg 2003. 7 ••• ~d4 B.hd4 hd4?! (Black should better play B... l£lf6 9.£3 - Chapter 9, variation a; after B...eS? 9 ..tbS+ .td7 10..te3 a6 11. txd7+ ti'xd7 12.rld1+- he loses his d6-pawn, Villares Galiano Mundet Riera, Mataro 199B.) 9.ti'xd4 l£lf6 10..tb5+ old7 11. txd7+ ti'xd712.l£ldS 0-0, Gonzalez Coto - Pujales, Spain 1991, White settles the issue now with the simple tactical strike: 13.ti'xf6!

exf6 14.l£lxf6+ f8

see Chapter 4; 7... 0-0 8.i.b3 see Chapters S-6. He has also tried in practice: 7... ~xd4 8.hd4 0-0 (8... d6 9.fJ - see Chapter 2, 8 ...~xd4 9.hd4) 9 ..ib3 - see Chapter S, 8 ... ~xd4 9.,bd4; in response to 7 •••e5?!, Lavoie - Chapleau, corr. 1974, White should better continue with the standard line: 8.~dbS 0-0 9.~d6±;

7... ~xe4? - This exchange combination is unsatisfactory for Black. 8.~xe4 dS 9 ..ibS dxe4 (He loses after 9....id7? 1O.~cS ,bd4 11.hd4 ti'a5+ 12.c3 ti'xbS, Black has regained his piece indeed and he hopes to remain with a pawn for the exchange, but after 13.a4! ~aS 14.~b3 ti'c7 lS..ixh8+- he was left with a rook down in the game Sievers - Schlick, Germany 1994.) 10.~xc6 bxc6 (Black loses even faster after 10•..ti'xdl + lU~xd1 +- Koster - Roberson, Email 1998, or 10 ...ti'c7 IV~e5+ 20

7••• e6?! 8.~dbS 0-0 (It is clearly worse for Black to try 8 ...a6 9.~d6+ c,t>f8, Tantsiura Davitjan, Nikolaev 2004, 10.f4± and White ends up with an overwhelming lead in development; after 8 ...dS 9.exdS exdS 10.~xdS ~xdS 11. ~xdS 0-0, Milliet Seps, Istanbul 2003, White is not obliged to be in a hurry to trade queens, because it is unavoidable anyway. 12.c3±) 9..icS ~e7 10.t:rd6 ~c6, Biemans - Anink, Hengelo 2001 and now it deserves attention for White to try 11.t:rd2! ~e7 12.eS ~e8 13.t:rgS!? f6 14.t:rd2! fxeS lS.,be6+ 'ibh8 16.0-0-0± and he has a clear cut plan for actions against his opponent's weak pawns; 7••• aS, Bluvshtein - E.Perelshteyn, New York 2003, Black's last move is a loss of time and it looks attractive for White to

4.~xd4 g65.~c3

follow with the aggressive line: B.~c6 bxc6 9.eS!? dS! (After 9...~g4 10.'lfxg4 dS 1l.'lff.3 dxc4 12.'lfxc6+ J.d7 13.'lfxc4 .ixe5 14. ,ld4± White ends up with a solid extra pawn. It is hardly preferable for Black to opt for 9 ... ~gB 10.'lff.3 e6 1l.J.f4 ~e7 12.~e4 0-0 13. 0-0-0 ~dS 14.J.gS± and White bas excellent attacking chances, because of Black's weak kingside pawns.) 10.exf6 J.xf6 1l.~xdS cxdS 12.J.xdS ~a6 (After 12 ... ~B 13.J.c6+ .ad7 14.J.xd7+ 'lfxd7 lS.'lfxd7+ Wxd7 16.0-0-0+ ~c6 17.b3 a4 1B.J.d4+- White should win easily with his extra pawn.) 13.0-0 0-0 (It would be worse for Black to continue with 13... ~d6 14.c4 J.b71S.'lfa4+ 'lfd716.'lfxd7+ ~d7 17.J.xb7 ~b7 1B.~ab1 ~b2 19.~b2 J.xb2 20J!b1 J.e5 21.~7± and the pawns are temporarily equal indeed, but not for long, or 13 ....ixb2 14.gb1 J.g7 lS.c4 0-0 16.c5± White has a dangerous passed pawn.) 14.c4 J.xb2 lS.~b1 J.e5 16.c5 'lfc7 (l6 ...gf6 17.'lfd2±) 17.f4 J.g7 1B.'lff.3 gdB 19.9fdl± White's pieces are much more active; 7 ••• tJg4 - The exchange ofthe knight on f6 for the knight on d4 is in favour of White, because this fortifies his control over the important dS-outpost. B. 'lfxg4 ~xd4 (It is worse for Black to opt for B...dS 9.'lfe2 dxc4 10.~xc6 bxc6 1l.'lfxc4 0-0 12.0-0± and White has a solid extra pawn. 12 ...'lfc7?

J.g76.J.e3

13.~dS 'lfb7 14.'lfxc6+- Wach Gheng, Germany 2003.) 9.'lfd1

Black's situation will be even worse after 9 ...e5 10.0-0 0-0 (l0 ...'lfc7?!, Dorrington - Gravett, Les Dicqs 2003, White has gained a couple of tempi and he should act aggressively: 1l.'lfd3 0-0 12.~dS 'lfdB 13.f4±) 11.~dS d6 12.c3 ~e6 13.'lfd2t - He has obtained a stable advantage thanks to his control over the dS-square and his harmoniously deployed pieces, Santos - D'lsrael, Sao Paulo 2000. it is not preferable for Black to continue with 9 ... ~e6 10.0-0 0-0 1l.f4 d6 12.15 ~c7, Garcia Rios Parra, Bogota 1992, it would be advantageous for White here to trade the last defender of Black's kingside 13.J.d4 ~eB 14.~dS± 9 ...~c6 10.'lfd2 d6 (It is worse for Black to opt for 10... 'lfc7?! 11.0-0-0 0-0 12.J.h6 ~eS 13.J.b3 J.xh6 14.'lfxh6 d6 15.~dS 'lfd7 16.f.3 b6 17.h4+- he has lost plenty of time and White's attack is decisive, Bukovec - Skrlep, Novo mesto 2003; after 10...'lfaS 1l.J.h6 J.xc3 12.bxc3 d6 13.gb1

Chapterl 1fe514.0-o± Black's king cannot find a safe haven anywhere, Zemerov - Krutti, Harkany 1998; it is equally bad for Black to try 10... 0-0 1l..ih6 e6 12.0-0-0 a6 13.h4± White has a great lead in development and he creates dangerous threats effortlessly, Godlauskas - Murtez, Warsaw 2005) 11..lh6 0-0 12.h4 ixh6 13.1fxh6 e6 14.0-0-0 a6 15.f4+- Kapengut - van Soom, Sinaia 1965;

7 ..."'6 - This is a worse version of the variation 7...d6 8.f3 fNb6, because White has saved a tempo for the move f3. 8.~f5 1fxb2 9JLJxg7+ ~, Kostadinova - Villmv, Slavianovo 1995 and here White should better continue with 10.~d5 c;t>xg7 11.0-0 1fe5 12.fuf"61fxf613.1fd2 ~e814.f4 d6 15..ld5~ - Black's extra pawn is absolutely immaterial, while the activity of White's bishop-pair is the decisive factor for the evaluation of the position in his favour; 7 ••• a6 8 ..tb3 ~a5, van Doom Graf, corr. 1995 (8 ...d6 9.f3 - see Chapter 2; 8 ... 0-0 - see Chapter 5; 8 ...1fa5 9.f3 0-0 10."9"d2, transposing to the basic scheme of development.) and in order to obtain a great advantage White is not obliged to sacrifice at all. Instead, he needs to consolidate his lead in development and to occupy additional space. He should better do that by playing 9.e5

22

~xb3 (Black loses his queen after 9 ... ~g8 10..lxf7+ ~xfll1.~e6+-; in case of 9 ... ~h5 10.g4 ~xb3 1l.~xb3 .be5 12.gxh5+- he has no compensation for his knight at all.) 10.exf6 ~xa111.fxg7 ~g8 (It would be worse for Black to opt for 11 .•• ~xc2+ 12.1fxc2 ~g813 ..ih6+and he is helpless to cope with his opponent's g7-pawn.) 12.1fxa1 ~713.0-0± White's light pieces are considerably stronger than his opponent's rook, mostly because Black lags obviously in development;

7•••~e5 8 ..lb3 ~eg4 (About 8 ... 0-0 - see Chapter 5; 8 ...d6 9.f3, while if Black plays later 0-0, then see Chapter 12, if.ld7 - Chapter 3; in answer to 8 ...b6, Aleksic - Aglietti, Viareggio 2001, it looks very good for White to follow with the aggressive line: 9.f4 ~eg4 - or 9 ... ~c6 10.e5 ~h5 11.g4+- and he wins a knight - 10.Ag1 J.b711.1fe2 e5 12.~db5 fNb8 13.0-0-0 0-0 14.h3 ~h6 15.g4± Black's knight has been roaming allover the entire board, but it has landed on a very dubious square and might be lost, or 8 ...a6, Jooss - Reck, Stuttgart 2001, 9.f4 ~eg4 10.J.g1 e5 or 10...d6 11.h3 ~h6 12.g4± and Black is forced to fall behind catastrophically in his development in order to save his knight - 1Uxe5 ~xe5 12.~f3± White leads in the mobilization of forces and he is better centralized too, while Black has problems with the protec-

4. ~xd4 g6 5. ~c3 j,g7 6. j,e3 tion of his d7-pawn.) 9..icl YlYb6 10.0-0 d5 (In answer to 10...YlYc7, J{ositsin - A.Kostin, Socbi 2007, White should continue in aggressive style 11.f4 d6 12.h3± and Black's attempt to create checkmating threats fails after 12 ... e5 13.~db5 ft'c5+ 14.'if.>hl ~h5, because of White's simple reaction 15.bxg4 ~g3+ 16.'if.>h2 ~xfl+ 17.ti'xfl a618.~a3 ,ixg419.~c4+­ and his light pieces are considerably stronger than Black's rooks.) 11.h3 ~xe4, Ankerst - Kavcic, Bled 1998, and there arises by force an endgame with an extra pawn for White and a bishoppair after 12.~xd5 YlYxd4 13.bxg4 ti'xd114.~dl 0-0 15.~xe7+ 'if.>h8 16.~c8 gaxc8 17.c3+-;

' ...•e'

8 ..ib3 a6 (8 ...d6 9.£3see Chapter 2, 8 ...ti'c7 9 ..ib3) 9.f3 ~e5 (It would be hardly better for Black to try 9 ...b5 10.ti'd2 .ib7 11.0-0-00-0 12.h4 gfc813.h5t, White's initiative is tremendously dangerous after 13...~a5 14.bxg6 ~xb3+ 15.axb3 fxg6 16.'if.>bl e5 17.~de2 .ic6 18..ig5± he occupies unavoidably the d5-outpost, Pilnik - J.Rubinetti, Buenos Aires 1964; 9 ...h5 10.YlYd2 d6 11.0-0-0 ~a5 12.'if.>bl ~c4 13.,ixc4 YlYxc4, Black has obtained the two-bishop advantage, but this is hardly a sufficient consolation for him, since he loses by force after 14.b3! Vfb4 15.e5! dxe5 16.~db5! ti'aS 17.Ab6! YlYxb618.~a41-0 Arnlind - Bernstein, COIT. 1965.) 10.YlYe2

d6 11.g4 h6 12.0-0-0 b5, L.Stein - Arooin, Yerevan 1962, White can continue now with 13.a3 .ib7 14.h4±, impeding Black's queenside counterplay, while his own initiative develops faster and effortlessly.

8 ..lxf'7+! This move was well familiar still in pre-computer times, but then it went undeservedly into oblivion. Both Anand and then Yan Nepomniashchy in their games against Savchenko forgot about it. 8 •••mxf7 9.e5 d5

9 ...~e8? 10.~e6 1-0 Mischke - Miarczynski, COIT. 1981. 9 ... .!iJc4 10.exf6 .ixf6 (After 10... ~xe3 11.fxe3 .ixf6, Westman - Rabassa, Krakow 1964, White plays 12.0-0 gfS 13.~d5 'if.>g8 14. YlYd3 d6 15.gf4± and he centralizes his pieces, creating dangerous kingside threats.) 11.0-0 .!iJxb2, Hotbinder - Holiak, Moscow 1963, it deserves attention for White here to try to capture Black's knight, stranded on the b2-square: 23

Chapterl 12.~e2! ~aS (or 12 ... dSI3.YlYbS eS 14.~f3 d4 IS.~e4 dxe3 16.fxe3±

and White regains his piece maintaining the tremendous activity of his pieces.) 13.~e4 dS 14.~xf6 exf6 ISJ!fel ge8 16.~bS! ~xb5 17.~xbS ~c4 18.llJc7± 10.exf6 .txf611.Vf3 ~c6 It would be hardly advisable for Black to try 1l... e6 12.0-0-0 ~g7 13.h4 ~c6 14.hS eS IS.h6+ 'ibf7 16.~db5 d4 17.~e4± and he ge8 IS.~xc6 bxc6 16.~e4 'ibg8 has great problems with the safe- 17.~6+ Vxf6 18.f4± and he ty of his king, Y.Shaposbnikov - has excellent attacking chances, Altshuler, corr. 1963. exploiting the w1nerable dark (diagram) squares on Black's kingside. The 12.0-0-0 e6, Ivkov - presence of opposite coloured Soos, Varna 1962, White can fol- bishops on the board will even inlow now with 13.g4 'ibg7 14.Vg3 crease the effect of the attack. Conclusion In this chapter, we have analyzed Black's possible attempts to deviate from the main variations. For example, his wish to save time for the move ~g8-f6, leads only to problems with his development and he fails to create any real Black is trythreats against White's king. In the variation a) 6... ing to develop his queenside first, but meanwhile his queen ends up on the c7-square and there it impedes the eventual action of his own rook, for which the c-file is its usual field of activity. This important nuance only facilitates White's task to create threats. In the variation b) 6 ...d6 Black is trying to organize a swift queenside offensive. His pieces however, are not sufficient to accomplish this effectively and the abundance of space for White leads to an evaluation of the position clearly in hisfavour. In the variation c) 6... ~f6 7.J.c4 Black must choose one ofthe main lines (7•.. d6, 7... ~aS, or 7... 0-0), while here we analyze his attempt to organize some counterplay with the move 7... ~aS, trying to occupy the c4-square. White's sharp reaction 8.J.xj7! creates great problems for Black, since his king is bound to remain stranded in the centre for long and thanks to this White establishes a great lead in development.

vaS

24

Chapter 2

1.e4 c5 2.~f3 ~c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 g6 5.~c3 J.g7 6.J.e3 ~f6 7.J.c4 d6 8.f3

attention for him to try 8 .. :ll;\'b6 and this is in fact what this chapter is mainly devoted to. After 8 ... ~e5 9 ..tb3, if Black plays later 0-0, then see Chapter 12, if .td7 - Chapter 3. The other possibilities for him are not so popular. The early move 8 •••••5 is connected with the threat 'M>4 and White should not ignore that possibility at all. In the game Stein - Forster, Vorarlberg 1996, Black equalized after 9.~d2?! 'Il;\'b4 10 ..tb3 clL\xd4 1l.clL\xc6 ~xc3 1l.~xd4 ~xd4 12.i.xd4 0-0=. White should play accurately - 9..tb3 and this enables him to reach safely the main lines: 9 ... 0-0 10.~d2 - see Chapter 12, 9....id71O.'Il;\'d2 - see Chapter 3.

8 ..•trb6 Here, Black's most natural and popular move is 8 ... 0-0. The positions arising after it are analyzed in Chapters 12-22. He often tries in practice 8 ....td7. In case Black follows that later with castling short, then the game transposes to Chapters 15-22. There arise original positions in this case only if Black refrains from castling short in the next few moves with the idea to organize queenside It is useless for Black to try counterplay as soon as possible. We analyze similar developments to mix up the ideas of the Chelyabinsk variation and the Dragon in Chapter 3. Among the numerous possibil- with the move - 8 ••• e5? After ities for Black on move 8, next to 9.clL\dbS 0-0, Talukdar - Arauz, the popular alternatives 8 ... 0-0 Email 2002 (Black is in a big and 8 ....id7, it deserves a serious trouble after 9 ....ifB 10..tgS .te7

Chapter 2

11.J.xf6 J.xf6 12.~xd6+- Gorissen - Howie, Email 1998.) 10.Yfxd6 a611.Yfxd8 ~d812.~c7 l3b8 13.~3d5± - he loses a pawn without any compensation whatsoever. The attempt to create a hybrid between the Scheveningen variation and the Dragon after 8 •••e6, will be justified only if White attacks immediately Black's d6pawn with the move 9.~db5 and this would enable Black to obtain some counterplay after 9... 0-0 (but not 9...dS?! 10.exdS exdS 11. J.~) 10.Yfxd6 (10.~xd6 Yfe7! 11.Yfd2l3d812.0-0-0 ~e8=) 10... a6 11.Y:fxd8 ~d8 12.~c7 g},8co. Instead, White should better play 9.Y:fd2, with the idea to follow with 0-0-0 and ~xc6, combining development with the attack against his opponent's vulnerable d6-pawn. Later, there might follow 9...dS (9 ... 0-0 - see Chapter 12; 9...~xd4, Brethauer - Gutierrez, Bad Zwesten 1998, 10.J.xd4 0-0 11.0-0-0;1; and later g2-g4gS) 10.exd5 exdS, Beil - Spacek, Plzen 2001 (The type of fight will remain more or less the same after the exchange of the knights 10... ~xd511.J.xd5! exdSI2.0-0-0 0-0· 13.h4 ~e5 14.ig5 and here the line: 14...Yfd6 15.~db5 Y:fb6 16.YfxdS J.e6 17.Y:fd6± wins a pawn for White, while in case of 14...f6 15.M4± he neutralizes the power of his opponent's bishop on g7.) 11..tb3 0-0 12.0-0-0 ~aS 26

13.J.h6;1;. White bas succeeded in trading the bishop on g7 and Black must worry about his dS-pawn and the safety of his king. It looks somewhat more reasonable for Black to combine the ideas of the Najdorf variation and the Dragon, at least because contrary to the two previous variations, he does not create additional weaknesses of his pawnstructure. After 8 •••a6 9.Y:fd2,

there arise positions, which we will analyze in the other Chapters: 9...0-0 10.Ab3 - see Chapter 12; 9....id7 10.0-0-0 - see Chapter3; 9...Yfc710..tb3 - see 8 ...Y:fc7; 9...~e5 10..ib3 - see. 8 ...~e5; 9...Y:faS 10.0-0-0 0-0 (10 ... l3b8 - see 9..l3b8) 11.J.b3 - see Chapter 12; 9...~aS 10.J.b3 b5 (10 ... 0-0 - see Chapter 12; 10.. ..td7 11. 0-0-0 - see Chapter 3; after 9... ~aS 10..tb3, if Black plays later 0-0, then see Chapter 12, if .id7 - Chapter 3) 11.0-0-0 and here 11...0-0 - see Chapter 12 or 11.•. .id712.cbbl- see Chapter 3.

4. 'iJxd4 g6 5. 'iJc3 itg76.i.e3 'iJj6 7.iic4 d6 8.j3

In case of 9 ... ~xd4 10..bd4, it would be premature for Black to play too actively 10...bS 11.Ad5 ftbSI2.J.c6+ J.d713..bd7+ Wl'xd7 14.~dS eS IS..ie3 ~xdS 16.'iNxdS ftc817.0-0-0± Fiensch - Franke, corr. 1985, since he ends up in a position without any good prospects. He should better complete his development first, choosing one of the following lines: 10... 0-0 11.J.b3 - see Chapter 13; 10...J.d? 11.0-0-0 - see Chapter3; 10.. ie6, Padalkin - Semchishin, Kiev 2004, llib3 0-0 12. 0-0-0 - see Chapter 13. It is not good for Black to play 9 ...h5? Schramm - Meijers, Dresden 1992, because White inflicts a strike in the centre with 10.~xc6 bxc6 11.eS and as a result Black has a very difficult choice between several lines: 11...dxeS 12.'iNxdS+ mxdS 13..Axf7±; 11... ~dS 12.~xdS cxdS 13.i.xdS JibS 14.exd6 J.xb2 IS.dxe7 V!lxe716J~dl 0-0 17.o-0±; 11...~d7 12.exd6 ~eS 13.J.b3 'iNxd6 (l3 ...exd6 14.0-0-0 dS IS.J.c5±) 14.0-0-0 V!lxd2+ 15. lhd2 0-0 (lS .. ifS 16.ftel±) 16. l'iIel± He can hardly organize any effective counterplay with a rook on bS - 9 ... l'iIb8 10.0-0-0 'iNaS, Braun - Rossberg, Sebnitz 2002, (If Black plays now, or on his next move 0-0, then see Chapter 12.) 11.g4 ~eS 12.J.b3 bS 13.J.h6;t

We will be soon convinced that the mixture of the ideas of the Dragon and some other systems only creates additional difficulties for Black, particularly if he ignores his development in the process. Accordingly, he should better adhere to the ideas of the Dragon, but his problem is that not all of them are satisfactory in this position. Black's defensive scheme includes the advance of his h-pawn - two squares forward. He usually plays this move when White's pawn-advance g2-g4 becomes a real threat. In this case, this is not a threat at all; therefore the move S...hS is premature and it only presents White with additional possibilities to develop his initiative, connected with the accurate and effective preparation of advancing pawns with at first h2-h3 and then g2-g4. Black has several possibilities of demonstrating the solidity of his defensive set-up after 8 .••h5 9.'iNd2. Two of them 9 ... 0-0 and 9 ...J.d7 10.0-0-0 have been analyzed in Chapters 12 and 3 respectively. The lines 9 ... a6 - see S... a6, 9 ... 'iNc710.J.b3 - see 8••.V!lc7. The move 9 ... ~eS is not a mistake in any aspect, but still after 10..tb3, Black should apply common sense and he should choose 10...J.d7 11.0-0-0 - see Chapter 3, or 10... 0-0 - see Chapter 12, because if he ignores the development of his pieces, this might

Chapter 2 lead to disastrous consequences for him, for example after 10... a6, Borisova - Chemikova, Serpukbov 2004, 1l.f4 ~eg4 12..ig1 b5 (l2 ...e5 13.~de2 exf4 14.~xf4 b5 15.0-0-0±) 13.h3 ~h6 (13 ... b414.~d5± and if 14...~xe4? then 15.lYxb4 ~gf6 16.~c6+-) 14.0O-O±. In case of 9 ... ~d7, White can reply 10.i.b5 analogously to the variation 8 ...~d7 and the inclusion of the moves h5 and lYd2 is clearly in his favour. There is nothing attractive for Black in the early exchange of the knights on d4. After 8 ••• fmI4 9.hd4

he has played most often 9 ... 0-0 and after 10.lYd2 the game transposes to variations from Chapter 13. See the line 9 ...J.d7 10.lYd2 in Chapter 3. After 9.. .J.e6, Thesing - Klostermann, Krumbach 1985, 10.ib3 Black will have to castle either immediately - 10... 0-0 11.lYd2, or on the next move - 10...ti'c7 11.lYd2 0-0, and this will transpose in both cases to positions analyzed in Chapter 13. 28

After 9 ...a6, besides 10.ftd2 - see 8 ..•a6, White can play the standard line: 10.~d5 0-0 11.~xf6+ J.xf6 12.J.xf6 exf6 13. ftd4;t and Black will have to worry about his weak d6-pawn during the entire game. If he decides to forget about castling in the next few moves, Black risks ending up in a lost p0sition, for example: 9 ...ftc710.i.b3 .Ae6 11.ftd2 a6 (It is still not too late for him to play 11... 0-0 see Chapter 13.) 12.0-0-0 .lxb3 13.cxb3 b5 14.wb1 h5 15.~d5+­ Grek - Lopushansky, Kiev 2001.

8 •••~d7 - Now, contrary to the positions, analyzed in Chapter 14, Black has not castled short yet and he can try to use this tempo in order to create counterplay faster. White's plan with the opening of the h-file looks ~ess in this case, because Black's king is still in the centre. He has another rather non-standard decision, which helps him to steer the game into a favourable situation for him. 9.J.b51? ~de5. This is Black's most resilient defence. (He would suffer heavy material losses after 9 ...'ffb6? 10.~d5 fta5+ 11.b41Ya3 12.J.c1, Norri - Krook, Helsinki 1996, or 11...~b412.J.d2, Navara - Nyback, Cannes 1997. The series ofexchanges on the d4-square leads to a clear advantage for White: 9 ...~xd4 10.i.xd4 0-0 11. h4 a6 12.i.xd7 .t.xd7 13.h5± Ligterink - Moles, Groningen 1966.

4.l'iJxd4 g6 5JiJc3 ig76.i.e3 CiJf6 7.ic4 d6 8:fJ White's position is excellent after 9... CiJaS 10.b4 CiJc6 11.CiJdS CiJdb8 12.igS f6 13ie3 e6 14.CiJf4 1!Je7, Dubinsky - Rashkovsky, Moscow 1964, 15.c3±, or 9 ... CiJdb8 10.1!Jd2 a6 1l..h4 bS 12.ib3 ib7, Pacl Serwinski, Wroclaw 1981, 13.a4 b4 14.CiJdS 0-0 lS.h4±, or 9...1!Ja5 10.0-0 CiJxd4 11.ixd4 ixd4+ 12. ffxd4 0-0 13.CiJd5 ge814.c4± Ostberg - Steffensen, Randers 1973.) 10.f4 a6 (In case of 10....tg4 11. ffd2 a6 12 ..ifl CiJd7 13.h3 CiJxd4 14.hxg4± White is clearly better with his bishop-pair and his attacking prospects along the hfile.) 11.ie2 CiJg4, Sacher - Molzahn, corr. 1990, 12 ..ixg4 .ixg4 13.1!Jxg4 ixd4 (It is weaker for Black to opt for 13... CiJxd4 14. 0-0-0 CiJbS lS.CiJdS 1!JaS 16.1!Jh4 0-0 17.f5±) 14.ixd4 CiJxd4 IS. 0-0-0 CiJbS 16.gd3 (In the variation 16.CiJdS e6 17.CiJe3 1!JaS 18. ~b1? CiJc3+! White suffers, because of his inadequate control over the third rank.) 16... CiJxc3 (Otherwise, White's knight will avoid the exchange and its black counterpart will remain totally misplaced: 16... 0-0 17.CiJdS±, or 16...gc8 17.CiJdS e6 18.CiJe3±) 17. hc3 0-0 (l7...1!Jd7 18.h3 gd8 19. f5;!;) 18.1!Jh4! and in order to parry the threat against his h7-pawn, Black must comply with the compromising of his kingside. The move 8 ••••c7 creates the threat for Black to capture the knight and White cannot ignore

it - 9.1!Jd2?! CiJxd4 10.1!Jxd4 0-0 11..ib3 CiJg4 12. \!!Yd2 CiJxe3 13.1!Jxe3 ie6+ Heimann - Schoeneberg, Internet 200S. Therefore, White must play 9.ib3

and as usual Black has numerous possibilities: 9....id710.1!Jd2 - see Chapter 3; 9...0-0 10.1!Jd2 - see Chapter 12; 9 ... CiJaS 10.1!Jd2 CiJxb3 11.axb3 (The line 11.CiJxb3?! Breckner Ambach, Wonns 2001, enables Black to obtain counterplay after 11... 0-0 12.0-0-0 .id7=, followed by a7-aS,) 11...a6 12.g4 see9 .. a6; 9 ...hS 10.1!Jd2 a6 11.0-0-0 id712.h3 - see Chapter 3; 9 ... a6 10.1!Jd2 bS, Rubal - Vymazal, Zlin 1999 (l0 ...id7 11. 0-0-0 - see Chapter 3; 10 ... 0-0 11.0-0-0 - see Chapter 12; 10... CiJxd4 11.ixd4 0-0 12.0-0-0 see Chapter 13; after 10 ... CiJaS, Doggers - Keijser, Hengelo 1994, in case of 11.g4, Black must play immediately 11... 0-0, or after the trade of the knights 11... CiJxb3 12.cxb3 0-0, which we have analyzed in Chapter 12 Oine c), since Black loses after 11... CiJc4?

Chapter 2 12..ixc4 ti'xc4 13.gS ~d7 14.~dS ~eS IS.'i!lf2+- Kagan - Bubis, Israel 1967.) 1l.~xc6 ti'xc6 12.~dS .ie6 13 ..id4 ti'b7 14.~xf6+ exf6 IS ..tc3;!;. White has a slight, but stable advantage, because of Black's vulnerable d6-pawn.

after 13 ... ~xb3+ 14.cxb3 .E!c8 15. wbl 0-0 16.~dS, depending on circumstances, White can develop his initiative on the kingside - 16...f6 17..ie3 ~e8 18J::1hglt, followed by g2-g4, as well as on the queenside - 16....E!e8 17.~b5 f6 18..ie3 a6 19.~bc7 gfS 20 ..ib6;!;) 14.'i!lbl ~ec4, Prandstetter - Sikora Lerch, Frenstat 1982, IS.~d5 f6 16..icti. Black's initiative has reached its dead end and his bishop on g7 has been covered by a pawn, while White's kingside offensive is running smoothly and unopposed. We have seen in the variations in our notes to Black's move eight that his attempts to organize counterplay, refraining from the moves 0-0 and .id7, lead to great difficulties for him.

After 8 ...~a5 9.i.b3, Black can achieve what he wants and he can exchange the light-squared bishops, but he thus fortifies White's king shelter in the process. Black has the following possibilities: 9....id710.ti'd2 - see Chapter 3; 9...0-0 10.ti'd2 - see Chapter 12; 9... a61O.ti'd2 - see 8 ..a6; 9 ... ~xb3 1O.cxb3 a6 (10 ... 0-0 lU~d2 - see Chapter 12; 10 ....id7 11.~d2 0-0 12.0-0-0 - see Chapter 15) 1l.~d2 0-0 (1l .. ..td7 12.0-0-00-013.wbl- see Chapter 15) 12.0-0-0 - see Chapter 12. The other sensible idea, when Black refrains from .id7, or 0-0 is the maneuver 9 ... ~d7. There might follow 10.h4 (White plays a useful move without determining the placement of his queen.) 10... ~eS 1l.ti'e2 (White prevents ~c4 and he prepares castling long.) 1l... hS 12.0-0-0 .id7 (12 ... ~xb3+?! 13.axb3 .id714.wbl 0-0 IS.~dS a6 16.g4~ White's attack is very dangerous with his queen Having played 8 ...~, Black on e2 as well.) 13..igS .E!c8 (In case of 13 ... ~ec6, White can play has created the threat ~xe4, at14.~db5, forcing Black to cover tacking the b2-pawn in the procthe diagonal of his bishop on g7 ess. White can parry this threat in and later 14.. .f6 IS..te3:t, while several ways, but his most princi-

4.0.xd4 g6 S.0.c3 i.g76.i.e3 0./6 7.1c4 d6 8,/3 pled and effective counter measure is the move - 9.0.f5. 9 ••.fbh2 10.~xg7+ c;Ws 11. ~d5

After this tactical outburst, White has annihilated his opponent's bishop on g7 at the price of a pawn. Black's position has no pawn-weaknesses and he only needs to consolidate his forces and to connect his rooks without losing his b7-pawn.

In this position, Black has two main lines a) 11••• mxg7 and h) l1... ~xd5. a) 11••• mxg7

Contrary to variation h, here Black must put up with his opponent's knight on the d5-outpost. 12.lhl This is a key-move, because White takes immediate control over the b7-square, preventing the development of Black's bishop on c8 in the process. 12••••a3 It is not advisable for Black to try 12... ~e5?! His queen has

nothing to do in the centre, or on the kingside and it risks coming under attack by White's pawns, In the game Guenzel - Henderson, Email 1996, White obtained easily a great advantage by playing 13.\!:Vd2 13dB (In case of 13 ... h6 14.0-0 b6 15.0.c7 gbB 16..id5, Black is completely helpless against White's powerful bishops, for example: 16... tDa5 17..td4 ~hS IB.f4±, or 16 ...i.d7 17.g4 gS IB.13b5±) 14.0-0 b6 15.i.b5 .ib7 16..ixc6 .ixc6 17.i.d4 ~e6 IB.tDc7 ~cB 19.0.xaB \!:VxaB 20.13fdl+13••d2h5 Black must be careful about the possible check from the h6square, because his king will be caged after it. The drawback of the move 13 ••. h6 is that Black must protect his h6-pawn with his rook and therefore the line: 14.tDxf6 exf6 IS.0-0;!;, followed by 13adl, guarantees for White imminent balancing of the material ratio and a clear positional advantage. In case of 13 ..•13dB, as the game Bronstein - Stein, Tallinn 1965 showed, White regained his pawn and he obtained a superior endgame after 14.13b3 \!:VaS (It would be too dangerous for Black to opt for 14...\!:Vxa2 15..ih6+ hB 16. 0.xe7 tDxe717.ti'c3 c!iJeg8 IB.O-O±, while after 14... \!:Va4 IS.i.h6+ hB 16..ib5 \!:Vxa2 17.0-0 '?faS 18..ixc6 \!:Vxd2 19 ..ixd2 bxc6 20.tLlxe7 i.e6 21.13b7± Black's king risks coming under a dangerous attack, despite the absence of queens on the 31

Chapter 2

board.) lS.i.h6+ '.thB (1S ... @gB? 16.~xe7+-) 16.~xf6 ti'xd2+ 17. .ixd2 exf6 1B ..ixf7t

14.~xf6

After Black's move 13, White used to choose most often 14.0-0 in his fight for the advantage. He scored a spectacular win after 14.. J~bB? 15.~xe7! ie6 (1S ... ~xe7 16Jlb3 ti'a4 17.,tbS ti'xa2 1B..id4+-) 16.~d5 ~aS 17.id4! ~xc4 1B.ti'gS+- Stein - Pelikan, Mar del Plata 1966. Still, in the game Kostrikina Gvetadze, Moscow 200B, Black demonstrated a convincing way to equality, choosing 14...ie6! He connects his rooks, making use of the nuance that White cannot play lSJ1xb7?! due to lS ... ~aS. Now, in case of lS.,tbS ~xdS 16.exdS .ixdS 17.c4 ie6 1B..ixc6 bxc6 19..id4+ '.th7 20 ..ixhB gmB= Black's compensation for the exchange is quite sufficient. He is not afraid to enter the endgame arising after lS.,tb3 ti'a5 16.~xf6 ti'xd2 17bd2 .ixb3 1BJ'b::b3 '.txf6=. White played very actively in the above mentioned 32

game - lS.l:~b3 ti'xa2 16.ti'c3 ti'a5 17.ti'b2 ~e5 1B.ie2 .ixdS 19.exdS %YxdS+, but he ended up with a couple of pawns down ... Besides 14.0-0, White has tested in practice the interesting piece-sacrifice 14.~xe7. He annihilates the base of the knight on f6 with the idea to exploit the vulnerability of the long a1-hB diagonal, as well as the bad coordination of his opponent's pieces. White has a powerful initiative in this line and later in the game Martinovic - Sekal, Moscow/Leningrad 1967, there followed 14... ~xe7 lS.m,3 ti'a4 16.,tbS ti'xa2 17.id4 ~egB (After 17....te6 lB. ixf6+, Black loses in the variation 1B... '.txf6 19.%Yc3+ '.tgS 20.0-0 '.th6 2UIb2+-, but it would be possible for him to try 1B... '.th7 19J~b2 ti'a1+ 20.ti'd1 ti'a3 2U~bU;) 1B.0-0 a6 (In case of 1B ..•ie6 19. ~b2 ti'a3 20.f4-+ with the idea to follow with f4-fS, White has a powerful attack.) 19.~a1 (It deserves attention for White to try here 19..ie2!? and later 19...ti'a4 20.g4t with the idea g4-gS, or 19... ie6 20Jhb7 ~cB 21..id3t) 19.. . ti'xa1+ 20 ..txa1 axbS 21 ..ib2 ~a6 22J~xb5;l;. After all these complications White maintains a slight edge, but he failed to press it home in the game we were following. 14•••exf61S.0-0 White has completed his development and he has created a weak pawn in Black's camp. If White manages to capture this

4.li::lxd4 g6 S.li::lc3 ig76.J.e3 li::lf6 7.J.c4 d6 8:fJ

pawn, his advantage will become overwhelming. Black's task is to develop his bishop on c8 as soon as possible, avoiding compromising his pawn-structure in the process. 15••••aS The type of the position remains more or less the same after 15... h4. Following 16.h3 gb8 17.gb3 .xa2 18.AdS;!; the game develops analogously to the variation - 15...gb8. It is logical for Black to continue here- with 15...gb8, having in mind that White obtains no advantage after the straightforward reply 16.gfd1, because of 16.. ..le6 17..ixe6 fxe6 18.gb3 .a5= and he cannot play 19.•xd6?? llhd8-+. White can force however a weakening of his opponent's pawnstructure with 16.gb3 .xa2 (After 16...•a5 17.•xd6, Black should better comply with the loss of a pawn and continue with 17...•e5 18.•xe5 fxeS 19..id5± in the hope of surviving in the endgame, because it would be too risky for him to try the pseudo-active line: 17... gd818.•f4 g519.•g3 h4 20 .•f2± and White is threatening fJ-f4) 17..id5! .te6 (17... li::le7? 18.i.d4+threatening gal) 18.i.xe6 fxe6 19.9tb1 and here Black is in trouble after 19...•a6 20 .•xd6 llhe8 21.h4 (It is essential for White to ensure a safe square for his king before he starts active actions.) 21...eS 22.ga3 .e2 (22 ...•c4 23. ixa7±) 23.gc3 li::le7 24.•a3;1;, as

well as following 19...ghd8 20. llxb7+ llxb7 21.llxb7+ Wg8 22. gc7.a6 23.h3;!; 16••xd6±

This position was reached in the game Jurkovic - Topalovic, Makarska Tucepi 1995. After 16••• Id8, White exchanged the queens in that game 17.•c5 .xc518.i.xc5 b6 19.i.d5 and that could have led to an equal position after 19...id7 20.ia3 gac8 21.gfd1 li::le5=. Instead, White had to play 17••f4 g5 18••13 h4 19••f2± and he would have the dangerous threat fJ-f4 with a clear advantage.

b) 11••• ~d5

33

Chapter 2

17.f4± followed by f4-fS and c2c4.) 14.~1 b61S.Wcl 8.) 19... will soon be in a big trouble af- J.d7 20.~d4 ~ac8 21.~dc4 (White ter 13.0-0 J.d7, Ripart - Maze, should not allow 21 ...'M>8.) 21 ... Frapce 1996 (TIle alternatives for 'M>7 22.ti'bS a6 (TIJ.is is the only Black are not any better: 13...Wc3 move for Black and after it there 14..ih6+ xg7 16.c4 ti'd4+ (The other possibilities for Black are again advantageous for White - 16...Ad7 17.Ac3 f1:Jd4 18.gf2 Ac6 19.fi'e3 3S

Chapter 2 e5 20.f4+-. or 16... ~d4 17J:!f2± needs to connect his rooks as soon threatening .ig5. or 16...e6 17..lc3 as possible. to develop his bishop ~d4 18J~f2 exd5 19.~d2 ~e7 20. to d7. or e6 and to manage to keep ~xd4+ f6 21.exd5+-) 17..le3 ~f6 his b7-pawn. Ifhe succeeds in im18J':!dl c.th7 19.9bl ge8 20.c5± plementing this straightforward Black is incapable of completing plan - his position will become his development without material better. White's task is to impede the development of Black's pieces losses. The move 14...h6. prevents on the queenside and to exploit .ig5 indeed. but White can try to his huge lead in development by attack his opponent's queen in attacking his opponent's king fornumerous other ways. After 15. tress with the help of his f-pawn. Black has two main defensive 0-0 c.txg716.c4 ~d4 (Black is in a big trouble too in case of 16.. .i.d7 lines in this position: bl) 13•••Va3 17..ic3 ~d418.gf2 e519.f4+-) 17. and b2) 13••••c3. The move 13... gf2. White is clearly better. as you ~5 does not lead to any original can see in the following variations: positions, because after 14.Bd2 17....te6 18 ..ic3 ixd5 19.exd5 h5 (14... gd8. Santiago Arias e5 20.dxe6 fxe6 21.~2±; Javier Madera. Spain 1991. 15.f4 17...g5 18..lc3 gf8 19.Bb2 and here 15...~a5 - see 13...~a3. e5 20.gdl c.tg8 21.ixd4 exd4 while the move 15... e6 is too risky 22.l3xd4±. followed by f3-f4; for Black, in view of 16.ixc6 ti'xc6 17...e5 18.f4 i.e6 (18 ... ~e7 19. 17.~d4+ c.tg8 18.ti'f6±) 15.gabl fe de 20 ..tb4 ~e8 21..td6+-) 19. 'Ba5 and the game transposes to fxe5 ~xe5 20 ..tf4 ~f6 21.~2+the variation 13...~a3. 13.0-0 It would be just a loss of time for Black if he tries 13 ...f6, since this will only enable White to cutoff Black's queen from its own camp after 14.~d2 h5 (It will be almost the same after 14... ge8 15.gabl ~a3 16.gb5! and here 16... a6 17.l3b6 ~a5 18.f4 e6 19..lb3;t. or 16...~a617.gfb1;t) 15J:!abl ~a3 16J3b5! ti'a417J:!fbl a6 (17...e6?18. ixc6 bxc6 19.13b7+- Zaskalski Pluta, Augustow 1996) 18.l3b6;t This is the critical position for the variation with 8 ...~6. Black's intentions are quite obvious - he

bl) 13...•a3 14.ft'd2 h5 Black will be in trouble if he allows his king to be cornered in

4.~xd4

g6 5.~c3 .lg7 6 ..le3 ~f6 7..lc4 d6 8..fJ

a cage after 14....ie6 15.i.h6+ ~gS 16Jlab1 ~bS (16...b6 17.~b3 %Ya4 IS.tic3 ~d4 19.\Wb2+- threatening ~b4) 17.~fd1 (17..txc6? 'llYeS=) 17... ~e5 lS ..txe6 fxe6 19.'llYd4± In case of 14...~d8, it is possible for White to continue with 15.f4! tia516. 'llYf2 .ie6 (It would be too risky for Black to play 16...e6, due to 17..txc6 bxc6 lS ..id4+ ~gS 19.Y«h4±) 17..txc6 bxc6 lS.f5 .ic4 19.f6+ c;Ws (19 ... ~gS 20.fxe7 ~d7 21..td4±) 20.fxe7+ rtlxe7 21.~fd1 'It>eS 22.~d4.ie6 23 ..if4't The vulnerability of Black's d6-pawn and his dark squares provides White with a long lasting initiative. The point behind the move 14•..h6 is that in case White's f-pawn is advanced to the f5square, Black has the resource g6-g5, so that he protects the g5pawn twice, avoiding the possible sacrifice of White's dark-squared bishop on g5. Meanwhile, this defence does not prevent White's attack altogether and he can proceed analogously to the variation 14...h5 until one moment. So 14... h6 15.~abl (threatening ~b5, because it will lead only to equality if he chooses 15.f4 'llYa5 16.c3 .ie6=) 15...'llYa5, Matanovic - Forintos, I.e Havre 1966 (In case of 15...f6 16.~! Black's queen might remain cut-off from the actions on the queenside and his attempt to free it - 16...a6 17.~6 ~a5 IS.c3 ~e5 19.f4 ~d7 20J~b4± Grosch - Lutzka, corr. 19S9, will only emphasize the problems with the

development of Black's pieces.) 16.c3 'llYc7 17.f4. Here, after the thematic line: 17...f6 lS.f5 g5 (In case of lS ....id7 19.fxg6 .leS 20.~f3 ,ixg6 21.~g3 h5 22. ~f2± White's attack is very powerful.), Black has played the move 14...h6, just for this reason to ensure the possibility of this response, but still White continues the offensive against Black's king shelter with 19.h4 .id7 (19 ...gxh4 20.~f4±, or 19...g4 20.h5±) 20.hxg5 hxg5 21..ixg5±. White will counter 17... .Ad7 with the quite obvious reply IS.f5±, therefore Black must play the more tenacious line: 17...e6, but White can react to this with 18..ixc6 bxc6 (18...'llYxc6? 19..id4+ f6 20 ..ixf6+-) 19.f5 .ia6 20.c4't. Later, he can try to capture Black's d6-pawn, or to develop his initiative along the f-file. 15.~abl.a5

White can simply ignore the march of Black's h-pawn - 15...h4 16.f4 h3 (16 ...'llYa5 17.c3 - see 15.. 'llYa5) 17.f5± 16.c3! It is essential for White to keep his queen on the c1-h6 diagonal. 16•• :Bc7 Black must bring his queen quickly back to protect his b7pawn in order to manage to develop his bishop. He loses a pawn after 16... ~dS 17.i.h6+ ~h7 (17... ~gS lS.'llYg5 'llYeS+ 19.~hl .ie6 20.~b7±) lS ..hfl and Black will need to reply with IS ... ~e5 19..id5±, since it would not work

Chapter 2 19.fxg6 for him to continue with 18... e6 19.f4 Y!Jc7 (19 ... ~xh6 20.f5+ ~g7 In the game Hovde - Kraehen21.Y!JgS+-), because of 20 ..ixg6+ buehl, Gausdal 1981, White pre~xg6 21.f5+-. It is also not advis- ferred 19.9f.3 and later gg3, but he able for him to try active actions was not successful at all. 19•••Ae8 with 16...h4 17.f4 h3?! 18.f5 hxg2 It would be too risky for Black 19.Y!Jxg2 .!LJe5 20.id4± to capture the pawn with his king, 17.f4f6 Black must take care against because White's attack is very the advance of White's f4-pawn. powerful after 19•.. ~xg6 20.Ad4 The radical decision - 17...f5 18. ttlxd4 (In case of 20 ...b6 21..lxf6 .ld4+ .!LJxd4 (18 ...e5? 19.fxe5 dxe5 exf6 22.gn6+ c,!,?xf6 23.gf1+20.exf5 exd4 21.fxg6 Y!Je5 22JID+ Black's position ends up in ruins.) c,!,?xg6 23.gbf1+-) 19.Y!Jxd4+ e5 21.cxd4 Ac6 (21...~b8 22.gfc1 20.Y!Je3 gb8 21.fxe5 Y!Jc5 22.Y!Jxc5 Ac6?! 23.Ae6+-) 22 ..te6 .ixe4 23. dxc5 23.exfS .lxf5 24.~b7;!; leads gb3 1&'c2 24.!:lg3+ ~h7 25.1&'el± to an endgame with an extra pawn threatening Ab3. After 19... gabS, White can folfor White. Following 17...e6, White can low with 20.J.d4 .!LJe5 (There arise part with his bishop and without some variations, which look faslowing down the speed of his at- miliar after 20 ... ~xg6 21.J.xf6 tack, he can develop a powerful exf6 22.gn6+ ~xf6 23.M+-, or initiative on the dark squares and 20 ... ttlxd4 21.cxd4 ~xg6 22.mcl±) the f-file with 18bc6 be 19.f5 i.a6 21..ixa7+20.c4 ghe8 (20 ...e5 21.gbel gab8 20.1Ift .txg6 21.'I'h~ 22.fxg6 fxg6 23.J.g5~ followed by gf6 and Y!Jf2) 21.gf.3 e5 (White has a crushing attack too after 21... exfS 22.exfS ~h7 23.Y!Jd4 .lc8 24.fxg6+ fxg6 25.Y!Jf4~) 22.gc1~ IS.f5Ad7 In case of 18... .!LJe5 19.c4 h4 20.h3± Black's knight must retreat, so that he can develop his queenside pieces. After the provocative move 18...g5, Black's position crumbles spectacularly White has maintained his iniafter 19 ..ixg5 fxg5 20.Y!Jxg5+ ~f8 21J3f.3.!LJe5 22.gg3 Y!Jc5+ (22 ... c,!,?e8 tiativeandhecancontinuennpnw23.Y!Jg7+-) 23.~h1 .!LJg4 24.gxg4 ing his position, bringing his heavy hxg4 25. Y!Jg6+pieces closer to the enemy king.

4Jijxd4 g6 5.l;jc3 J.g7 6.J.e3 b2) 13•••

"c3

~f6

7.J.c4 d6 8.j3

he ignores the threat .th6 check, which comers his monarch in a cage: 14•••J.d7 15..th6+ g8 16J:~bl gb8 17.gdl±;

14•••.le6 15.gbl J.xd5 (15 ... gab8 16.gb3 Wlf6 17..th6+ gS IS.c4±) 16.exd5 ~a5 (16... ~d4 17..th6+ gS IS.Wld2 Wlxd2 19. .ixd2 b6 20.gfel e6 21.dxe6 ~xe6 22.i.c3±) 17..th6+ gS 18.~el±; 14.1I'c1 In case of 14J~el, Black demonstrated a very precise way of equalizing in the game Kulaots Macieja, Torino 2006, which continued with 14•..J.d7! 15J:lbl gab8 16Jlli3?! (It is a dull equal position, with chances for White to draw after 16.J.xc6 frxc6 17.J.xa7 ~a818 ..Ad4=, but this is in fact the best that he has at his disposal at the moment.) 16...fraSI7.frc1 (17. 1Ya1+ f6 18.~eb1 b5=F) 17.. Jllic8 18.J.d2 (18.~ Y!Jc7 19.~c3 b5+) 18•••Y!Jc7! (18 •••Y!Jc5+ 19..ie3=) 19. .th6+ c,t>g8 20.tib2 e5 2l.f4 ~d4+ Generally speaking, the elsquare is not the best for White's rook. Instead, it belongs to the fl.-square in order to support the advance of the f-pawn. In this p0sition, White also needs to place his other rook on bl and he succeeds in doing that after the move 14.Y!Jc1, creating the positional threat .th6+. 14•••h5 Black ends up in trouble if

14... ~b4 15.gdl ~c6 (15... Wlxc216..th6+ g817.frxc2 fuc2 18J:1acl ~b4 19.9c7+-) 16J~d3 Y!JaS 17..th6+ gS IS.hl ~b4 19.tib2+- Schoene - Savtchenko, Herceg Novi 2005. The premature activity for Black - 14... ~d4? 15.c,t>hl h5 16. gdl± is not to be recommended, because he must retreat with his knight back to where it was. Black must defend against .th6+, so he can either remove his rook, or he must push his h-pawn. The move 14••• ~d8, defends in advance the d6-pawn in case Black pushes later e7-e6 and an eventual exchange on c6 follows. Meanwhile, in that case the d8square will cease to be available to the Black's queen and and this will help White to preserve his queen along the al-hS diagonal. This last factor becomes essential for the evaluation of the position. In the game Garcia Gallego - Uberos

Chapter 2 Fernandez, corr. 2006, there followed later 15.l~bl 'it>g8 (After 15...Y«a5 16J:~b3 'it>g8, the game transposes to the variation we are analyzing, while in case of 15...e6? White occupies the long diagonal creating decisive checkmating threats after 16J:~b3 Y«a5 17.Y«b2+ 'it>g818.Y«f6+- Schabanel- Goldsztejn, Val d'lsere 2002.) 16J~b3 Y«g7 (After 16...Y«a517.Y«b2, Black loses following 17... e6? 18J:~b5 Y«c7 19..Axc6 bxc6 20.Y«f6+-, while even after the best for him 17.. J~d7, White can play 18J~b5 Y«d8 19 ..ih6 e5 20.c3;!; followed by f3-f4.) 17.gdl ~a5 18.gbS ~c6 19..ih6 Y«f6 20.Y«e3 gd7 2l.f4;!;. Black has problems completing his development and his eventual attempts to repel White's pieces by advancing pawns only lead to the formation of new weaknesses. In addition, Black must be on the alert about White's possible pawn-breaks in the centre. The other retreat of Black's rook - 14•••fte8, contrary to 14... gd8, leaves the d8-square free for his queen, but it does not protect the d6-pawn. After 15.gbl, Black must solve urgently the problem with the development of his queenside pieces, because White's threats, connected with gb3 and f3-f4-fS, as well as with the occupation of the long diagonal are tremendously dangerous. Let us see Black's possibilities aimed at the retreat of his queen to the c740

square. The first one is 15... ~d4 and it opens a route for the retreat of the queen, creating the threat of a double attack on e2 in the process. In the game Lechowicz - Wegiera, corr. 1990, there followed later 16.gf2 e6 17..ld2 Y«c7 (After 17...Y«c5 18.Y«b2 exd5 19..le3 g8 20 ..hd4 Y«c7 21.exd5-+ White established a total control over the long diagonal.) 18.Y«b2 e5 19.f4 and here Black made a mistake by playing 19...ge7?, which enabled White to organize a victorious attack after 20.fxe5 dxe5 21..ig5 gd7 22.c3 ~fS 23.c4 h6 24.exf5 hxg5 25.f6+ g8 26.Bd2+-, but even after the best defence for Black - 19.. .f6 20..ie3 ~c6 21.gbf1± White's initiative would have been very powerful. In case of 15... ~d8 16.gb3 Bc7 17.f4.le6 (Black's defence crumbles after 17...e6 18..id4+ 'it>g8 19.fS exdS 20.Y!Ih6 ge5 21.fxg6 hxg6 22.gg3 Y«e7 23.gn'7 Bxfl 24.~6+-) 18..Axe6 fxe6 19.fSt White's heavy pieces will have Black's monarch as a juicy target. Finally, the natural retreat of Black's queen with 15...Y«a516.gb3 Y«c7 will lead to the creation of new weaknesses for him after 17. J.h6+ c;t>g818.Y!Ib2 e519.f4;!;, while in case of 16...e6 17.J.xc6, the game transposes to the position, arising after 15...e6 and we will analyze it a bit later. In case of 15...e6, Black forces his opponent to exchange his

4.fi)xd4 g6 S.liJc3 iog7 6.ioe3liJj6 7.li.c4 d6 8:fJ bishop, but the weakening of the dark squares becomes a much more essential factor for the evaluation of this position. In addition, Black will fail to hold on to his pawn on d6, because White will either force its advance to the d5-square, or he will simple capture it. There might follow 16J:!b3 (This is an important intermediate move, which enables White to activate his rook.) 16...'iHaS (The developments are quite similar after 16...YHf617.li.xc6 bxc61S.~d1 and here in case of lS ...eS 19.c4 Ve6 20.~bd3, Black loses his d6pawn, while after lS ...dS 19.eS Ve7 20.1i.h6+ 'iflgS 21.YHf4 1i.a6 22.~dbl± in connection with the threat ~b7 after the preparatory advance h2-h4, White's attack is very powerful.) 17.li.xc6 bxc6 lS.~d1 dS (Black cannot be happy with the line: lS... eS 19.~d6 Ae6 20.~a3 YHbS 21.Vel±, followed by YHh4; lS...~dS 19.~bd3± Black only postpones his decision about the fate of his d6-pawn just for a move.) 19.1i.h6+ 'iflgS 20.ti'f4 ti'c5+ 21.'iflh1 ti'e7 22.e5i - White's initiative on the vulnerable dark squares is tremendously dangerous and Black must also worry about the possibility of the penetration of White's rook to the b7-square. In comparison to 14...hS, it is less flexible for Black to play 14••• h6, because in that case he must keep his rook on its initial square in order to protect his h-pawn. Af-

ter lS.~b1 f6 (It is too passive for Black to play lS ... liJdS 16.~b3 ti'c7 17.f4 f6, Touboulic - Spiridonov, Paris 2006, lS.f5 gS 19.h4±; in case of lS ...'iHaS 16.~b3, the game again transposes to the variation we are analyzing, while following lS ... liJd4, Laske - Flechsig, corr. 19S9, White can play 16.li.d2 and after every retreat of Black's queen 16...ti'cS 17.YHb2 e5 lS.'iflhli with the idea f4, or 16... ti'c7 17.YHb2 eS 18.f4liJe2+ 19.'iflh1 f6 20.fxe5 dxe5 21.ti'a3liJd4 22.~f2;t;:) 16.~b3 'iHaS White can play here 17.YHb2, analogously to the variation 14...hS, or he can choose 17.c4!?, exploiting the immobility of Black's rook on hS, which is forced to protect the h6-pawn. Later, in the game Pchelkin - Sumkin, corr. 1979, there followed 17...'iHc7 (17...e6 lS.li.xc6 bxc619.~d1 'iHc7 20.~bd3 ~dS 21. 1i.xh6±) lS.c5 dxc5 19. 1i.xc5 .id7 (Black gives up a pawn with that move, but the alternatives for him are not any better: 19 ...b6 20.1i.e3 Ii.b7 21.~c3 ~cS 22.~f2+-, or 19...e6 20 ..b:c6 'iHxc6 21.~c3 YHb5 22.eS!±, or 19 ... ~dS 20.1i.e3 hS 21.1i.h6+ 'iflh7 22.1i.f4 eS 23.i.e3 iod7 24.f4±) 20.li.xe7±. White has regained his material and he has maintained all the advantages of his position. 15.lbl (diagram)

15•••f6 Black's premature desperation attack - lS... liJeS? 16.~b3 Y!lc717.f4liJg4 is refuted by White 41

Chapter 2

with a strike from the left side 18.J.d4+ f619.h3 e5 20 ..tb2 'lWc5+ 21.h1 a5 22.1a3 ~d4 23.J.xd6+Dementiev - Begun, Minsk 1975. After 15...~d4, White can play 16..td2 ~c7 17.'lWb2 e5 18.f4;1;;, acting analogously to the variation 14...h6 15J!b1 ~d4. White's initiative on the dark squares develops effortlessly after 15...e6 16Jlb3 'lWf6 (16...'lWaS 17. ~2+ c;t>h7, Abdulyazanov - Kudriashov, Uljanovsk 2007, 18. .bc6 bxc619.'lWf6 'lWc7 20Jld1 ~U8 2U~bd3±) 17.J.xc6 bxc6, Playa Silva, Guarapuava 1991, 18.!ld1 d5 (l8 ...e5 19.ig5 e'e6 20.!lbd3t) 19.e5 e'e7 20.ig5 'lWc5+ 21.h1 !le8 22.'lWf4 g8 23.g4± In case of 15...'lWaS 16.!lb3, the play transposes to the main line after 16.. .f6, or following 16...'lWc7, Kakkoris - Spiridonov, Athens 1969, 17.'lWb2+ f6. Instead of 16.!lb3, it is interesting for White to try 16.c4. In the game Tukmakov - Kaplan, Madrid 1973, Black weakened the long diagonal rather carelessly with the move 16...e6 and White 42

could have exploited this immediately with the line: 17.~2+ h7 18..lxc6 bxc6 19.'lWf6! !lrs 20.c5 'lWd821.e'f4g522.~xd6±. We have to mention that Black is helpless to prevent the pawn-advance c4c5 and it would lead to a complete domination of White's bishop all over the entire board after 16...h4 (or 16 ...~c7 17.c5 dxc5 18.~xc5 .td7, Hector - Ernst, Malmo 1993, 19.!lfc1 l'lhc8 20.'lWc3+ g8 21..ih6 e5 22.'lWb3±, and White regains his pawn.) 17.h3 f6 18.c5 dxc5 19.J.xcSj; 16.!lb3 vaS 17.trb2 In case of 17.c4, Iordachescu AI Sayed, Dubai 2005, Black could have neutralized the power of the pawn-advance c4-c5 by playing 17...!ld818.c5?! dxc519 ..lxc5 e6= 17••••c718.f41b8 It is not good for Black to play 18...e5, because of the opening of the f-file and this was confirmed again quite convincingly in the game Herbrechtsmeier - Mueller, Buehl 1992, in which there followed later 19.fxe5 dxe5 (but not 19... ~xe5 20 ..bb7 !lb8 21..td5±) 20.c4 !lb8 and here, White can create great problems for his opponent with the move 21..tcS± threatening 'lWf2. If Black plays 18...h4, with the idea to prevent f4-fS, as it was tested in the game Szelag - Macieja, Poznan 2005, White could have ignored the further advance of his opponent's h-pawn and continue with the implementa-

4. &j)xd4 g6 5. &j)c3 ig76.i.e3 &j)f6 7.ic4 d6 8:fJ

tion of his plan by playing 19.f5! Now, Black loses after 19...b6, due to 20.13c3, for example: 20 ... J.b7 21.fxg6 'i:!lxg6 22.WIb5 13ac8 23.e5 dxe5 24.ti'c4+-, or 20 ....td7 21.13f4 ti'c8 22.13g4+-. In case of the principled move 19 ...h3, White counters with 20.13£3 ti'a5 21.c3 &j)e5 22.13g3 g5 23.gxh3± and Black's position crumbles. Black was crushed very quickly in the game Mecking - Deze, Vrsac 1971, 18...13fS 19.f5 &j)e5 20. fxg6 ti'd8 21.c4 .id7 22.ti'cl &j)g4 23..if4l3h824.l3xb7+In case of 18...b6, White must play very energetically if he wishes to impede the consolidation of Black's forces, by playing 19.f5 ib7 (Black comes under attack in case of 19...J.d7 20.13c3 13ac8 21.fxg6 'i:!lxg6 22.ti'b3 W1b8 23.J.d2 and he cannot save the day with the line: 23 ...h4 24.13g3+ hxg3 25.ti'xg3+ 'i:!lh7 26.13f4+-, or 23... ~e5 24.13g3+ 'i:!lh7 25.ti'e3+-) 20.13c3 (The variation 20.fxg6 ~e5;!; enables Black to coordinate his forces.) 20 ...13ac8 21.fxg6 ti'd7 22.13a3 c,!,>xg6 23.ti'b3 &j)d8 (Black loses after 23 ...13c7 24.ie6 ti'd8 25.J.d2 &j)e5 26. ti'g3+ ~g4 27.13f4+-) 24.l3xa7 .ixdS 25.l3xd7 ixb3 26.cxb3±. Black succeeded in avoiding the attack, but he would hardly survive in this endgame. 19.f5! This is a typical move for White in this variation. Sometimes, in similar positions, he tries also the

pawn-break in the centre e4-e5. In this particular situation however, the strike 19.e5?! can be refuted by Black with 19 ... dxe5 20 ..ixc6, Muhutdinov - Shvedchikov, Moscow 1992, 20 ... exf4! 21.J.xf4 e~. In general, we have to say that the pawn-break e4-e5 is not dangerous for Black in this type of situations. Besides capturing the pawn, Black can also react with the simple move .id7 and White can hardly demonstrate any convincing way of proving an advantage. 19•••J.d7 Black has finally succeeded in developing his bishop, but White has already created threats against Black's monarch. It would be too risky now for Black to open deliberately his king's position with 19...gxf5 20.exfS id7 2UU4± and White only needs to bring his heavy pieces to the kingside in order to finish his attack off successfully. 20.~c3'Bd8

It would be dangerous for

Black to advance his b-pawn in order to defend against capturing on a7, because the pin of the knight might become very unpleasant. After 20 ...b6 21.fxg6 c,!,>xg6 22.J.d413bfS (22 ...b5? 23. J.xf6+-) 23.13ff3 h4 (23 ...WIb7 24.13g3+ 'i:!lh7 25.Wlbl+- with the threat ti'dl) 24.l3xc6 .ixc6 25. 13c3+- Black loses, while after 20 ...b5, it would be sufficient for White to opt for the simple move 21.a3, preserving

Chapter 2 all these same threats. 21.fxg6 c.flxg6 Capturing there with the bishop may facilitate Black's defence for a while. Still, White can break his opponent's defensive fortress with maneuvers with his rook after 21.. ..ieS 22J3b3 VlJc7 (Black fails in his attempt to avoid the pin 22 •••VlJd7 23..ixc6 VlJxc6 24 ..ixa7±) 23.gbl b6 (If Black's bishop had been on d7, he would still have the resource - ghcS.) 24.gc3 c.flxg6 25.gf1± 22.Jlf4±

White dominates all over the entire board in this position. He has squeezed Black's pieces with the protection of his queenside pawns and he can use his heavy pieces and the mobility of his rooks to create threats against Black's king. White has a power-

ful initiative, while Black can hardly move any of his pawns. For example, the move 22 ...e6, weakens the d6-square and White can exploit this with the line: 23 ..ib3 VlJe7 24 ..id2 gbfS (Black loses a pawn after 24 ... ~e5 25.gg3+ r;1}f7 26.VlJa3 and here 26 ....ic6 27. VlJxa7±, or 26 ...a6? 27..lh4+-) 25. .lc4 b6 26.gg3+ 'if1f7 27..tc3±. Meanwhile, Black has hardly any useful moves left in this position. Let us see how White's initiative might develop, for example after 22 ... 'if1g7. He needs to redeploy his heavy pieces from the queenside to the kingside and Black's king will be in trouble. For example, he can play 23.M2 (preparing gg3 and preventing V!Jb6) 23 .. Jlli6 24.gg3+ gg6 (The exchange of the rooks increases White's advantage on the kingside, but Black would not fare any better even if he refrains from this exchange with 24... 'if1h7, becauseof25.V!Jb3± threatening .txc6 and VlJf7.) 25. ~6 'if1xg6 26.V!Jb3 VlJfS (It is only slightly better for Black to defend here with 26...'it>h7 27..txc6 bxc6 2S.VlJf7+ 'if1hS 29 ..ld4±, or 26... 'if1g7 27.VlJg3+ 'if1h7 2S ..if7 .lg4 29. VlJh4±, or 26 ...VlJeS 27.gfJ ~h6 2S. gg3±) 27.~4 .leS 2S..te6± and White has a vetypowerful initiative.

Conclusion Black has numerous possibilities on his move eight, on the road to the main line of the Dragon variation. The majority of them do not have any separate importance and they just transpose to the main 44

4JiJxd4 g6 5.liJc3 i.g76.i.e3 liJ/6 7.i.c4 d6 B..f3 lines, unless Black ignores the basic principles ofthe quickest development ofpieces in the opening. The system, beginning with the move B... Y!I b6 however, is quite different and this chapter is devoted to it. White's most principled and effective argument against this system is the pawn-sacrifice 9.liJj5. He obtains considerable positional pluses for it. His dark-squared bishop has no opponent. Black's queen is roaming inside his opponent's camp and most of all White enjoys a huge lead in development, which is essentialfor his increasing advantage. Meanwhile, some of these positional pluses are just dynamic and temporary, so White must play very precisely and energetically in order to prevent his opponent from balancing them. The key-factor for the evaluation of this position is the timely development of Black's light-squared bishop. If he manages to develop it, without losing his b7-pawn and avoiding the attack against his king, then his position will not be worse to say the least. In case Black does not exchange knights on d5, which has been analyzed in variation a), then White trades the knight in his stead, creating a weak d6-pawn for his opponent. White will have the twobishop advantage for free after he wins this pawn and if Black tries to exchange one of his opponent's bishops on the e6-square, he will weaken considerably his own pawn-structure. In variation a), we have to mention the interesting knight-sacrifice I4.~xe7, which provides White with excellent possibilities to develop his initiative. White's basic method in his fight for the advantage in variation b), in which Black exchanges knights, is the deployment of his rook on the bl-square, which together with the action of his bishop on d5, prevents the development of Black's light-squared bishop. Later he advances his pawnforward toj5 and he attacks along the al-hB and cl-h6 diagonals. In some variations, White enhances the scope of action of his bishops by advancing his c-pawn up to the c5-square, if Blackfails to prevent that with the move b7-b6. His problems are even greater, because he can hardly put up with White's bishop on d5 for long and repelling it with e7-e6 becomes tremendously risley, since the weakening of the dark squares may turn out to be the decisive factor at the end. In general, we can say about the variation with B... Y!lb6 that Black wins a pawn indeed, but this is not enough to compensate the suffering he will have to endure in order to reach an equal position, if at all.

Chapter 3

1.e4 c5 2.tlf3 tlc6 3.d4 cd 4.tlxd4 g6 5.tlc3 AgJ 6.Ae3 tlf6 7•.lc4 d6 8.f3 Ad7

The main idea behind this move is to organize quickly counterplay along the c-file. Meanwhile, Black postpones his castling relying on his opponent delaying his kingside offensive. Tournament practice shows however that White's chances remain preferable, because of his dominance in the centre and his clear-cut plan for later kingside actions. 9 ••d2 We will deal now in details with the lines: a) 9 ••. a6 and b) 9 ••• gcS. About 9 ... 0-0 - see Part 2. Black has also tried in practice numerous other ways of activating his queenside. 9 •••gbS 10.0-0-0 (about 46

10... 0-0 - see Part 2) 1l..txd4 bS 12 ..ib3 b413.lDdS± The move 9 •••1rb6?, Reh - Lebeda, Willingen 2005, loses after 10.lDfS W1b411.lDxg7+ ~f812.J.h6 ti'xc413.lDhS+ ~e814.lDxf6+ exf6 1S.ti'xd6+- White has not only won a pawn, but he has kept his opponent's king stranded in the centre. 9 •••e5?! - This move creates a weakness on d6 and it closes Black's own bishop on g7. 10.lDxc6 bxc6 (Black should better hold on to his pawn on d6 after 10....txc6 1l.0-0-0±. His position remains very difficult, but he is not losing outright.) 1l.ti'xd6+- Blake - Williams, Detroit 1994. 9 .••h6 - This move is played only very rarely, because how Black cannot castle - his h6-pawn would be hanging. 10.0-0-0 ti'c8 (About 10 ... a611.~b1- see. 9 ...a6 10.0-0-0 h611.~b1) 1l..ib3 lDaS 12.g4 lDc4 13.hc4 ti'xc4, Omelka - Vojir, Klatovy 1994, and White should continue here with 14.~b1 ~c8 15.h4t, remaining clearly ahead of his opponent in the development of his initiative.

4.liJxd4 g6 5.liJc3 i.g7 6. i.e3 I£Jf6 7. i.c4 d6 8/3 i.d7 9. WI d2

9 ••••a5 10.i.b3 a6 (Black's other moves transpose to variations which we will analyze later: about 10... 0-0 - see part 2; as for 10...~eS 11.0-0-0 - see 9 ...1£Je5) 11.0-0-0 Wlc7?! (About 11... 0-0 see Part 2; it would be hardly any better for Black to try 11...bS12.g4 h513.gSl£Jh714.f4±,sinceitwould be difficult for him to coordinate his pieces. His king is stranded in the centre and castling looks precarious, because of White's possible kingside attack, starting with the pawn-advance f4-fS, Grilc Hribar, Slovenia 1994.) 12.g4 bS, Orozco - Manrique, Barranquilla 1995, White can play now 13.gS ~hS 14.~dS 'Wb7 1S.~bl± and he is clearly ahead of Black in development and his powerful knight on dS can be repelled only at the price of creating a gaping weakness on d6. In the meantime, Black's knight on hS is completely out of action. 9 •••1Ca5 10.i.b3 I£Jxb3 (About 10...13c8 11.i.h6 - see 9...13c8 10.i.b3 l£JaS 11.i.h6; as for 10... 0-0 - see Part 2; after 10...hS 11.0-0-0 13c8 12.6 14.0-0-0 as 1S.hS-+, White obtained a crushing attack and after 1S...a4 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.,hg7 ~xg7 18.'Wh6+ ~g8 19.1£JdS+- it became decisive in the game Klinger - Grube, Chemnitz 1997. It is hardly any better for Black to try 13...'Wc7 14.0-0-0 bS 1S.hS b4 16.l£JdS I£JxdS 17.exdS 13ac8 18..ixg7 ~xg7 19.hxg6+- Suto Gonczi, Sarospatak 1995. 9 ••• lCxd4

The exchange of the knight does not facilitate Black's defence, because White's centralized bishop neutralizes Black's most active piece - his dark-squared bishop. 10.J.xd4 i.c6 (Black must keep the dS-square under control and his alternatives seem clearly worse: 47

Chapter 3

about 10... 0-0 - see Part 2; 10... ~c8 11..tb3 - 9 ... ~c8 10 ..tb3lOxd4 11.ixd4; as for 10...YlYc7 11..tb3 see 9...YlYc710 ..tb3lOxd411..txd4; 1O••. a6, Rankis - Fleischer, New York 1957, this move enables White to compromise his opponent's pawn-structure 11.lOd5 0-0 12.lOxf6+ exf6 13.0-0-0t White has a stable advantage thanks to Black's weak d6-pawn and even if he manages to exchange it for White's e4-pawn, his defence would not become any easier, because of his compromisedqueensidepawn-structure.) 11.0-0-0 a6, Bannink - Noordhoek, Triesen 2000 (about 11... 0-0 - see Part 2), and White should continue here with 12.g4 b513 ..tb3t, developing his standard kingside initiative.

10...a6 11.0-0-0 - see 9 ...a6 10.0-0-0 YlYc8 11.J.b3; it would not be better for Black to opt for 10...lOxd4 11.ixd4 0-0 12.0-0-0 .te6 13.h4 ixb3 14.axb3 YlYe6 15.g4t- and White is quite well prepared for his kiogside onslaught, while the deployment of Black's pieces is not favourable to create any effective counterplay, Hack - S.Stein, Saarlouis 2003.) 11.0-0-0 lOxb3+ 12.cxb3!? 0-0 13.<j;lb1 b614.g4tWhite has seized the initiative and it turned into a crushing attack after Black's imprecise reaction 14...~d8 15.g5 lOe8 16.h4-+Elez - Gajic, Tuzla 2006. 9 ••• &5

9 ••••CS

Black's queen is clearly misplaced here, because it impedes the coordination of his rooks and the organization of his counterplay slows down considerably. 10.J.b3 lOaS (About 10... lOe5 11.YlYe2 see 9..•lOe5 10..tb3 YlYeS 11.YlYe2; 48

It is hardly ever sensible to advance your rook-pawn neglecting your development. 10.0-0-0 a4, Vandivier - Mazuchowski, Flint 1992 (In answer to 10...h5, Krammer - Kapfenstein, Internet 2003, it looks very strong for White to continue with 11.lOxc6 bxc6 12.~el 0-0 13..th6 lOe8 14.h3 YlYb6 15..tb3tand Black seems incapable of countering

4JiJxd4 g6 SJiJc3 i.g76.i.e3 liJf6 7.i.c4 d6 B.fJ .td7 9. ~d2

White's mounting kingside offensive. It is even worse for Black to opt for 11....ixc6 12.eS dxe5 13.'iNxdB+ l3xdB 14.l3xdB+ ~xdB 15.ixf7± and his defence would be very problematic, because of his numerous pawn-weaknesses.) 1l.liJxc6 bxc6 12.e5! dxeS 13.liJe4 a3 14.b3~White has sacrificed a pawn and he has managed to keep his opponent's king stranded in the centre for long. 14... liJxe4 (14... liJd5 - This attempt by Black to facilitate his defence by giving back the pawn is not effective at all. After 15.i.xd5 cxd5 16.~xd5 'iNc817.liJg5 e61B.\Wd6 fSI9.liJt7!± Black loses material.) IS.fxe4 f6 16.\wf2 'iNcB 17..tb6iWhite's powerful initiative more than compensates the sacrificed pawn, since Black has great problems coordinating his pieces. 9 ••••c7 - This might be the best square for Black's queen in most of the variations of the Paulsen system, but in the Dragon variation his queen is not so well placed here.l0 ..tb3

And now:

10... 0-0 11.0-0-0 - see Chapter 15; 10 ... a6 11.0-0-0 - see 9 ... a6 10.0-0-0 ~c7 11..tb3; It is not any better for Black to try 1O... liJeS 11.0-0-0 liJc4 12.i.xc4 \Wxc4 13.g4 bS, Mek Plukkel, Soest 2000 (13 ... 0-0 - Part2), and here White can emphasize the misplacement of his opponent's queen with 14.b3 ~cB (but not 14 ... \Wb4 15.liJcxb5± and Black's attempt to preserve queens leads after 1S...\WCS? 16. liJe6+- to an instant demise.) IS.liJdxbS ~b7 16.liJd4± White is clearly better with his extra pawn and Black can hardly make use of his opponent's compromised castling position, because of his lag in development; 10 ... liJxd4 11.hd4 0-0 (It is worse for Black to opt for 11... a6?! 12.liJd5 \Wc613.liJb6± and because of the threat 14..ta4, he loses the exchange, Vaerk - Mwanapabo, Artek 2000; it is also dubious for him to try ll...bS?! 12.liJdS ~dB, Perez Mitjans - Pimienta Sanchez, Albacete 2007, because White can continue with 13.liJxf6+ exf6 14. .tc3 .te6 IS.0-0-0± and this provides him with a stable advantage thanks to Black's terrible pawnstructure.) 12.0-0-0 (After 12. Ji.xf6 exf6 Black's pawn-structure is compromised indeed, but he has a powerful dark-squared bishop without an opponent and although it would be too early to qualify the position as equal, Black has compensation and 49

Chapter 3

chances of creating counterplay.) -see Part 2.

This move most often transposes to other variations. 10.Ab3 \!¥c8?! - White can preserve now his bishop on b3 and the maneuver with the black knight to eS only loses time. (About 10... 0-0 - see part 2; 10.. JTh8 11.0-0-0 0-0 - see part 2; 10.. J~c8 11. 0-0-0 - see 9 ... gc8 10.Ab3 ~eS 11.0-0-0; 1O... a6 11.0-0-0 - see 9 ... a6 10.0-0-0 ~e5 11..tb3; 10... hS 11.0-0-0 - see 9 ...hS 10. 0-0-0 ~e5 11..tb3; 10...\!¥c7 11. 0-0-0 - see 9...\!¥c7 10..tb3 ~eS 11.0-0-0; 10...\!¥aS11.0-0-0 0-0 - see part 2, 11...gc8 12.g4 - see 9 ...gc810 ..tb3 ~e511.0-0-0 \!¥as 12.g4, 11...a6 12.g4 gc8 13.h4 see 9...gc8 10.lLb3 ~e5 11.0-0-0 \!¥as 12.g4 a6 13.h4; 10 ...lLc6?! This move does not combine well with Black's previous move. 11. 0-0-0 ~fd7 12.h4 ~b6 13.\!¥e2! \!¥d714.hS± Black's pieces are terribly misplaced and he has no counterplay whatsoever, Guennigmann - Wenninger, Bendorf

so

2006) 11.\!¥e2! 0-0 (11 ...,lc6, Kabanova - O.Shevchenko, Kolontaevo 1998, 12.0-0-0 0-0 13. g4t- see. 11 ... 0-0) 12.g4 ILc6 13.0-0-0 gd8 14.h4 e6 lS.hS-+ White's attack is deadly and the game was all over in a few moves. lS ...dS 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.1Lf4 ~c4 18.\!¥h2+- Kinnmark - Ahman, Sundsvall1969. 9 •••h5 - This move prevents temporarily the pawn-advance g2-g4, but Black weakens his kingside with it. 10.0-0-0

And now: about 10... 0-0 11..tb3 - see part2; 10... gc8 11..tb3 - see 9 ... gc8 10..tb3 hS 11.0-0-0; 10...aS 11.~xc6 - see 9 ... aS 10.0-0-0 hS 11.~xc6; 10...a6 11.~xc6 - see 9... a6 10.0-0-0 hS 11.~xc6; 10...\!¥aS 11..tb3 O-O-O?Cetina - Grear, Ljubljana 2002 (Black's best is l1 ... gc8 12.'i!?b1 - see 9 ... gc8 10.J.b3 hS 11.0-0-0 \!¥as 12.'i!?b1), and here after 12.~xc6 ILxc6 13 ..txf7+- Black loses a pawn without obtaining anything inretum. 1O... gb8 - Strangely enough,

4.&lJxd4 g6 5.&lJc3 i.g76.i.e3 liJj6 7.i.c4 d6 8:fJ i.d7 9. fJd2

Black's rook has minimal active dinated, therefore he cannot creprospects on the b-file. 11.liJxc6 ate any counterplay. After 16...b4 bxc6, Cuartas - Vittorino, Neiva 17.liJd5liJxe41B.YHd1liJc619.liJxc6 2005, and here White must ex- J.xc6 20.YHd4+- Black will surely ploit his lead in development by fail to preserve the material equalopening of the d-file. 12J3hel l3b4 ity. 13.J.b3 0-0 14.e5 dxe5 15.i.c5 a) 9 ••• a6 l3b7 16.l3xe5± White has occupied the only open file and he has excellent chances of organizing an attack against Black's kingside, which has been compromised by the inaccurate advance of the h-pawn. White would not mind entering an endgame either, because in that case, Black's queenside pawn- wealmesses will be a telling factor; 10... liJe511.i.b3 l3bB, ScheskeFahnenschmidt, St. Ingbert 199B This move looks like a loss of (About 11... 0-0 - see Part 2; 11... l3c8 12.q;,b1 - see 9 ... l3cB 10.i.b3 time. Black is planning to develop liJe5 11.0-0-0 h5 12.q;,b1; 11... a6 his initiative on the queenside 12.h3 - see 9 ... a6 10.0-0-0 liJe5 with the help of the standard ad1l..tb3 h5 12.h3.), and here White vance in the Sicilian Defence of can exploit the unstable position his a and b-pawns. of Black's knight on e5 and he 10.0-0-0 /CaS can begin a ldngside attack gainBlack is trying to obtain the ing additional tempi: 12.f4! liJeg4 two-bishop advantage. (It would be hardly any better About 10...l3cB 11.0-0-0 - see for Black to try 12 ... liJfg4 13ig1 9 ... l3c810 ..tb3 a611.0-0-0, varialiJc6 14.h3liJf6 15.liJf3 0-0 16.e5± tion b1; 10 ... 0-0 - see Part 2; 10 ... and White dominates in the cen- h5 11.liJxc6 - see Chapter 3, line a tre, while in answer to the natu- (9 ...J.d710.J.c4liJc6 11.liJxc6). ral move 16 .•. liJeB, he can begin a dangerous attack with 17.g4!? 10 ••• /Cxd4 - This exchange hxg4 1B.hxg4 J.xg4 19.YHh2 J.h5 does not facilitate Black's defence, 20.liJe4 liJa5 21.liJg3-+) 13 ..ig1 b5 because now White's bishop on d4 14.l3e1 J.h6 15.h3 liJe5 16.J.e3± becomes very powerful. 11.J.xd4 Black's king is stranded in the b5 (About 11... 0-0 - see Part 2; centre and his pieces are discoor- 11...YHcB12.J.b3 b5? 13.liJd5+- 0151

Chapter 3 dach - Schuler, Bad Woerishofen 2000.) 12.i.b3 ~a5?!, Kanzmeier - Schierling, Osterroenfeld 1996 (about 12 ... 0-0 13.bl- see Part 2), White can exploit here the misplacement of his opponent's queen with the help of the line 13.~f2 !±, and Black loses after the seemingly logical reaction 13 .. J~bS? , because of 14.e5 dxe5 15..ixe5 !:ib7 16..!tld5+lO ••• h6 - Now, Black's king will remain in the centre for long. 11. bl b5 12..ib3 b4 13..!tld5± White's centralization is impressive, but Black should not lose outright anyway. 13... a5? 14..!tlxc6 .ixc615..ib6+- Niehaus - Semme, Berlin 2006. lO ••• ~e511..ib3

11...h5 (About 11... 0-0 - see Part 2; 11 ...!:icSI2 ..ih6 - see variation b3; 11...b5 12..ih6! After the exchange of the dark-squared bishops, it will be much easier for White to organize an attack, for example: 12 ... 0-0 13.h4-+, and Black fails to create any counterplay. 13...~a5 14.h5 .!tlc4 15.~g5 !:iacS, Paaren 52

- Jaworski, corr. 1974, and here the quickest way for White to finish his opponent off seems to be: 16..ixg7! xg7 17.hxg6 fxg6 IS ..!tlf5+ .ixf5 19.exf5+- and Black will hardly survive without heavy material losses. It would be also dangerous for him to defend with his king in the centre - 12 ... .ixh6 13.~xh6, and here the game Leitao - Zambrana, Merida 1997, continued with 13....!tlc4 14.!:ihel! e5 15..!tlfS gxf5 16..ixc4 .!tlgS - or 16...bxc4 17.!:ixd6+- and White wins plenty ofmaterial-17.'Bxd6 f6 IS ..ixgS+- and he soon won the game. Black would not fare any better with 13... e6 14.h3 .!tlc4 15.,txc4 bxc4 16..!tlde2 ~6 17.~f4± Nevio - Travi, corr.1994, since he loses his d6-pawn, while it would be a disaster for him to opt for 17... e7 IS.!:ixd6 ~xd6 19.e5+-) 12.h3 !:icS (About 12... ~c7 13.g4 hxg4 14.hxg4 !:ixhl 15.!:ixhl .!tlc4 16.,txc4 - see 10 ... ~c7 11..ib3 h5 12.h3 .!tla5 13.g4 hxg4 14.hxg4 !:ixhl 15.!:ixhl .!tlc4 16..ixc4; it would be much worse for Black to try 12 ...h4? - he loses an important tempo with that move. 13.f4 .!tlc6 14..!tlf3 b5 15..!tlg5± Black lags considerably in development and his king lacks a safe shelter, Weigel - Detmer, Ellwangen 1995.) 13.f4 - This is the most principled move for White. 13....!tlc6 (It is worse for Black to opt for 13....!tlc4 14..ixc4 !:ixc415.e5! dxe516.fxe5 .!tlh7 - but not 16....!tlgS 17.~d3 !:icS IS.e6+-

4.l£Jxd4 g65Ji:Jc3

~g76.J.e3l£Jf6 7.J.c4

and after IB...J.xe619.l£Jxe6 'iexd3 20.~xg7+ rMB, Black resigned, Mulder - Goudriaan, Hoogeveen 2002 - 17.l£Je6! fxe6 IB.%Vd3+and White either wins the exchange, or he organizes a decisive attack against the enemy king.) 14.~f3 0-0 IS.eS l£JeB 16.l£JdS± White's centralized pieces look really threatening.

d6 8.fJ J.d79. 'ied2

10 •••'I'c8

10 ••• b5 - This move is no Black's queen is too passive here doubt Black's most principled de- and it has occupied the natural cision.11..tb3l£JaS (About 11... 0-0 square for his rook. 11..ib3 l£JaS - see Part 2; 11.. J~c812.l£Jxc6 - see 12.g4 l£Jxb3+ 13.l£Jxb3± Black's variation hI; 11... l£Jxd4 12.J.xd4 - two-bishop advantage still does see 10... l£Jxd4 11.J.xd4 bS 12..ib3; not promise him any chances 1l...%Vc7 12.g4 - see 10...%Vc7 of equalizing, since his queen1l..tb3 bS 12.g4; 11...l£Je5 12..th6! side actions are too slow. Mean-see 10... l£Je511..ib3 bSI2 ..th6!; while, White plans to exchange 1l...hSI2.l£Jxc6 .Axc613.e5l£Jh7? - his opponent's most dangerous Black's best defence would be 13... bishop with .th6. Black's attempt dxeS 14.%VxdB+ ~dB IS.~dB+ to prevent that exchange ended ~xdB 16..txf'7;!; and the endgame in a disaster for him after 13 ... would be very difficult for him, hS? (In answer to 13... 0-0, Ketbut he has chances of survival - elaar - I.Schneider, Pinneberg 14.exd6 e61S.l£Je4+- E.Schmidt- 1996, it looks quite sensible for Miemitz, Gennany 2001.) 12.~bl White to win a piece with the line: l'kB, Navarro Castan - Querol 14.eS dxeS IS.gS .tc6 16.gxf6 .ixf6 Soro, Spain 2004 (In answer 17.l£Je4+-) 14.gS l£Jh7 IS.l£JdS gbB to 12 ...!:1bB, Wagner - Peshev, 16..td4 eS, Fogarasi - Baugut, Malente 2004, White can contin- Hohenlohe 1995 (following 16 ... ue with 13..th6 0-0 14.hg71f.>xg7 .Axd417.%Vxd4 ggBIB.eS~ Black's lS.l£JdStand he has excellent at- chances of parrying White's attacking chances, despite the fact tack are just minimal.) and now that the position has been simpli- White's best way to score the full fied a bit.), and here after 13..th6 point seems to be 17..tb6!+0-0 14..txg7 ~xg7 IS.g4t White trades his opponent's important 10 ••••c7?! - This move has dark-squared bishop and his ini- obvious drawbacks (It covers the tiative is running smoothly. file on which Black's rook should

53

Chapter 3 be operating and in addition, after White repels his opponent's knight from the f6-square, his own knight will occupy the d5-outpost with tempo.), nevertheless it is often encountered in practice by Black. 11..ib3

And now: About 11... 0-0 - see part 2; 11... ~e5 12.g4 b513 ..ih6 - see 9 ... a6 10.0-0-0 1!Jc7 11..ib3 b5 12.g4 ~e513..ih6;

11...b5 12.g4 ~e5 (about 12 ... 13.g5 - see 11... ~a5 12.g4 b5 13.g5; 12... 0-0 - see part 2) 13..ih6 .ixh6 (It would be a disaster for Black to play 13... ~c4 14..ixc4 .ixh6 15 •.ixfl+ ~ 16. 1!Jxh6 e5 17.~f5!~ and White's attack is decisive.) 14.1!Jxh6 b4, Fervers - Colloseus, Winterberg 2002, and here White can create dangerous threats against his opponent's king by transferring his knight to the kingside. 15.~ce21!Jc5 16.~f4 g5 (After 16... ~c6 17.~xc6 'ife3+ 18.~bl .lxc6 19.1!Jg7! 0-0-0 20.~d3 1!Jxf3 21.1!Jxf7± Black's king is devoid of pawn-cover.) 17.~h5 ~xh5 18.1!Jxh5 ~g6 19.~f5 h6 20.h4t ~aS

54

White's kingside initiative looks really threatening; 11...h5 - This move compromises Black's kingside considerably. 12.h3 ~aS 13.g4 hxg4 14.hxg4 gml 15J:UChl ~c4 16..ixc4 1!Jxc4 17.~bl .ie6 18.~xe6 1!Jxe6, Rittner - Bernstein, corr. 1965, and here White can obtain an overwhelming advantage with the help of the line: 19.95 ~d7 20.~d5 gc8 21.gh7 ~f8 22 ..id4 ~e5 23.1!Jh2 ~g8 24.b3!± Black's pieces seem to be well-placed, but he has practically no chances of active counterplay; 11... ~xd4 12..ixd4 .ic6 13.g4 as, Ankerst - Sierian, Bad Wiessee 1997, Here, White should first secure the queenside by building a barricade there with 14.a4! 0-0 15.h4±, and then he can proceed with his kingside attack; 11... ~aSI2.g4

and here Black has tested in practice the lines: 12 ....ic6 - The idea behind that move is to cover the d5-square. Its drawback however, is evident too. Black covers the c-file. Helmbold - Vogler, Germany 2004, 13.~bl

4Ji)xd4 g6 S'&i)c3 Ag76 ..t.e3 fi::Jf6 7.Ac4 d6 8.f3 .t.d7 9. YBd2

0-0 (After 13...fi::Jxb3 14.cxb3 0-0 15J'Icl YBd7 16.h4t White has excellent attacking chances on the kingSide, while his king is completely safe on the queenside.) 14.b4 b5 15.gxh5 fi::Jxh5 16J~hg1 t White is clearly ahead of his opponent in the creation of direct threats; 12 ... fi::Jxb3+ 13.fi::Jxb3 .ic6 (It would be much worse for Black to play 13... 0-0-0? 14.gS+and White wins by force: 14... flg8 lS.fi::JdS "Bc6 16.fi::Jd4 .t.xd4 17.Bxd4 eS 18.Ba7 .t.e6 19ib6 1-0 Poor - Pape, Dannstadt 1998; 13 ...b5 14.gS ~bS lS.~dS - see 12 ...bS 13.gS fi::JhS 14.~dS flxb3+? lS.~xb3.) 14.J.h6 0-0 15.b4 gfd8 16..t.xg7 q;xg7 17.h5-+ and White managed to organize a powerful attack, which soon became decisive: 17...gxhS 18.g5 ~d7 19.~ gb8 20.gdh1 gac8 21.~d4+- F.Schmid - Larcher, Bayem2001; 12... ~c4 13.J.xc4 YBxc4 14.q;b1 J.c6, Escandell - Novo, Buenos Aires 1967. Here, White can trade the dark-squared bishops and after that Black's chances of creating any counterplay diminish considerably. 15..th6 ixh6 (After 15... 0-0 16..t.xg7 q;xg7 17.h4± White has excellent attacking chances, because Black's defence is rather difficult without the dark-squared bishop.) 16.YBxh6 0-0-0 17.gd3 q;b8 18.~dl± Black will have multiple problems with his king on the queenside.

Meanwhile, he can hardly create any counterplay, because White controls the centre and he has active prospects on both sides of the board; 12 ...bS 13.gS ~hS (about 13 ... ~xb3 14.~xb3 - see 13...fi::JhS) 14.fi::JdS ~xb3+? (Black would not lose by force, if he tries a line, which has never been tested before: 14...YBd8 lS.b1 gc8 16.~el±) lS.~xb3 "Bd8 (Or IS... YBc8 16.~b6 "Bd8 17.~xa8 Bxa8 18..t.d4+- White has won the exchange and he has neutralized his opponent's most dangerous piece, J.Meyer - Vieweg, Koblenz 1997.) 16.ib6 YBc817.fi::Jc7+ 'iW818.~xa8 Bxa8 19..t.d4+- Siegfried - Gehr, Adelboden 200S.

ll.Ab3

11•••h5 About 11...gc8 12.g4 - see 9 ... gc8 10ib3 a6 11.0-0-0 fi::JaS 12.g4; 11..."Bc7 12.g4 - see 10 ... Bc7 11.J.b3 fi::JaS 12.g4; 11... 0-0 12.g4 - see Part 2. After 11... fi::Jxb3+ 12.cxb3!? bS 13.q;b1 h5 14.ghe1 gc8 lS.J.g5

5S

Chapter 3

gc5, Lundquist - Kohl, Bad Wiessee 1999, Black fails to prevent the occupation of the d5-outpost by his opponent's knight. After 16.b4 gc4 17.b3! gcB 18.llJd5 0-0 19..hf6 White obtains a clear advantage in a calm position following 19....hf6 20.llJxf6+ exf6 21.llJe2 gc6 22,1~f4±, but even after the more aggressive try 19... exf6 20.f4, White isolates his opponent's dark-squared bishop for long 20 ....ig4 (The riskier line: 20 ...f5?! 21.exf5 .hd4 22.'ifxd4 .hf5+ 23.c;!;Ial c;!;Ih7 24.h3+- can be dangerous only for Black.) 21.gcl ~c1+ 22.'ifxc1.ie6 23.llJc6 'ifaB 24.f5± 12.'Iflblle8 After 12... llJxb3 13.cxb3 gcB 14.h3 'ifa5 15.g41' Black seems to be completely helpless against White's building kingside offensive, Hanisch - Nadenau, Pforzheim 1999. 13.h3h4 It would be hardly any better for Black to try 13,..b5 14.g4 llJc4 15..ixc4 bxc4 16.g5llJh717.f4 gbB, Shah - Pe, Toronto 2001, and White obtains an overwhelming advantage by continuing with his kingside offensive: IB.f5! 0-0 19.9hfl'ifaS (After 19...Yfb6 20.b3 'ifdB 21.llJde2± White plays .id4 and that parries indefinitely the activity of his opponent's darksquared bishop.) 20.c;!;Ial ~7 21.llJdS 'ifxd2 22.llJxe7+ c;!;IhB 23. gxd2 geB 24.f6 .if8 25.h4 .ixe7 26.fxe7 ~e7 27.gf4 llJf8 2B.llJe2;!; 56

Black has so many weak pawns in his camp that he has no chances of equalizing at all.

14.ghel rut5 After 14... llJc4 15..hc4 ~c4 16.llJb3 as 17.e5! dxe5, Hodova - Starostits, Cartak 2005, White can sacrifice temporarily a pawn and he keeps his opponent's king in the centre and he obtains a stable advantage with the line: IB.llJc5 ~cB (It would be worse for Black to play IB ...b6 19.1lJxd7 'ifxd7 20 ..ixb6 'ifxd2 21.~d2 0-0 22 ..ixa5 .ih6 23.gd3± and White ends up with a solid extra pawn in the endgame.) 19.1lJxd7 llJxd7 20.'ifdS a4 21.ge2 a3 22.Yfb5 'ifc6 23.'ifxc6 ~c6 24.ged2± White has regained his pawn and he has superior chances, because of his opponent's discoordinated pieces.

lS.tlde2! This maneuver is standard,

but it is still very powerful. 15••• tlc416.Axe4Ixe417.b3 leS lS.tlf4 leS 19.tlfd5 tJxdS 20.tlxcl5± Black's kingside has been cut off his queenside, there-

4.fiJxd4 g6 5.fiJc3 J.g76.J.e3 fiJf6 7.J.c4 d6 8.f3 J.d79. YfJd2

{ore he will have great problems to coordinate his pieces, KhalifJD8D - Shabalov, Moscow 2001. b)9 •••Ilc8 This is Black's main line and it is the most principled. He is preparing to organize counterplay along the semi-open c-file and he delays castling for later. 10 ..tb3

In answer to this move, Black has tried most often in practice

bl) 10 ••••6, b2) 10 •••h5 and b3)10 ... ~e5. His alternatives have been played only rarely, or they transpose to other variations. About 10 ... 0-0 - see Part 2; 10...aS 11.0-0-0 fiJe5 12.~b1 0-0 - see 7... 0-0 8.YfJd2 fiJc6 9.Ac4 .ld7 10..lb3 13c8 11.0-0-0 ~e5 12.~b1 as, see part 2; 10... h6 11.0-0-0 fiJe5 12.g4 fiJc4 13.J.xc413xc4 14.h4 - see lO ...fiJe5 11.0-0-0 fiJc412.,bc413xc413.g4 h6 14.h4, variation b3; 10...YfJaS 11.0-0-0 a6 (About 11... 0-0 - see part 2; 11...h512.~b1- see 10...h5

11.0-0-0 YfJaS 12.~b1, variation b2; 11...fiJe5 12.g4 - see 10 ...fiJe5 11.0-0-0 YfJa5 12.g4 variation b3) 12.g4 - see. 10... a6 11.0-0-0 YfJaS 12.g4. 10 •.. e5? - Black not only loses a pawn with that move, but he also lets the enemy knight to the d6-outpost. 11.fiJdb5+- Needham - Wallace, Email 1999. 10 ... ~xd4 - This exchange does not facilitate Black's defence. 11.,bd4 YHaS (About 11... 0-0 - see Part 2; the move 11...a6 - weakens the queenside. 12.fiJd5, and here after 12... 0-0 13..lb6 YfJe8 14.fiJc7YfJd815.YfJaS+- White wins the exchange, Strand - Napolitano, corr. 1984, but it would be hardly better for Black to try 12 ... .lc6 13.fiJxf6+ .txf6 14.ixf6 exf6 15.0-0-0 ~e7, Ruszin - Vekony, Hungary 1995, since White can organize a dangerous attack against his opponent's king by continuing with 16.g4 YHc7 17.g5..... , or 16... a5 17.a4 YfJd718.g5.....) 12. 0-0-0

12 ...b5 (About 12 ... 0-0 13.~b1 see Part 2; 12 ...a6 - This move

52

Chapter 3 weakens the queenside and it loses time, because Black could have played b7-bS immediately, Vely Badilles, Tel Aviv 1964, after 13.'i!lb1 0-0 14.~dS Yffd8 15. .tb6+- Black loses the exchange, while in the variation: 13....te6 14.l:llie1Axb3 - it would be a disaster for him to opt for 14... 0-0 lS.e5+- and Black loses at least a a pawn. After lS.axb3 eS 16..ie3 gc617.g4;!; White's superior pawnstructure provides him with a stable advantage and if Black plays lS...e6, then after 16.g4 0-0 17.h4 hS 18.gS ~e8 19..ixg7 Q;xg7 20. ge3 bS 21.gd3± he will need to defend long and hard, because of his weak d6-pawn and his vulnerable dark squares on the kingside.) 13. 'i!lb1 hS 14.a3 h4, Meza Ponce Cruz, Bogota 2004, White can obtain a huge advantage now by centralization lS.ghe1 eS (Black fails to bring his rook on h8 into the actions, since it would be bad forhimtotry1S ... 0-0?16.~dS+-, as well as lS ...~S 16.eS dxe5 17. AxeS gd8 18.ti'f4+- and he loses material in both variations, because of the unfavourable placement of his king.) 16..ie3 gc6 17. ti'd3± White enjoys a stable advantage, due to his superior pawnstructure, while Black's attempt to organize an attack against the king with the line: 17...ga6 18.~a2!+- would lose the exchange. 1 0 ••• ~b4?!, Kastner - Stryka, 58

Chrudim 2004, Black's knight is useless here, accordingly he loses several tempi with that maneuver and White obtains a great advantage by playing quite natural moves 11.g4 ~a6 12.h4 ~c5 13.h5± 10 ... ~a5 - This move enables White to act resolutely: 11..th6! Black cannot exploit the placement of his opponent's king in the centre, so White is not in a hurry to castle.

11... 0-0 (Black will need to lose a tempo for a7-a6 after this move. 12.axb3 .ixh6 13.W1xh6 a6 14.h4 ti'b6 15.0-0-0 ti'c5, Vyhnalek Opocensky, Decin 1972, Black's king is stranded in the centre and White's prospects are superior, but he must act resolutely. 16.g4 bS 17.Q;b1 - This is White's last prophylactic move. It is too dangerous now for Black to try 17...e5?! 18.~f5 .ixf5 19.exf5 b4 20.ti'gS! bxc3 21.ti'xf6 cxb2 22.c~ and White has a powerful attack in a position with extra material, but even after 17...b4 18.~dS ~xdS 19.exdS ti'xdS 20.gbe~ White

4.liJxd4 g6 S.liJc3 fig76.fie3 liJj6 7.fic4 d6 8:fJ Ad79. V!Id2

baS an excellent compensation for the pawn thanks to his centralized pieces. He can regai~ his pawn at any moment by playlOg V!Ig7; 11•.. cbf8 - This move looks rather awkwardly, since Black leaves his rook on hS for long, despite the fact that practically it does not participate in the defence of his kingside. 12.0-0-0 liJc4, Luong Huyen Ngoc - Tran Thuy Linh, Vietnam 2001, White develops a powerful initiative by continuing with 13.lLxc4 ~c4 14.g4 V!Ib6 15.h4t; or 14... ~gS IS ..ixg7 \t>xg7 16.h4t. It would be even worse for Black to play 14...V!IaS IS.liJb3± and he must watch carefully about the possible breakthrough in the centre e4-e5, while after 14.. ..ixh6 15.1fxh6+ \t>gSI6.h4 V!Ib617.liJf5-+ White's attack is very dangerous.) 12..ixg7 \t>xg7 13.g4 e5 14.liJde2 I&c:b3 IS.axb3 V!Ib6, Garcia de Luarea - X.Garcia, corr. 19S4, after the natural move 16.h4, Black can ignore the further advance of that pawn 16....te6 17.hS \t>gS IS.9gS liJeS (In case of IS ...V!IdS 19.1ha7± Black's compensation for the missing pawn is evidently insufficient.) 19.0-0-0t, or prevent its further advance with 16... h5 17.gS liJeS IS.liJdS V!Ic5 19.c4!? bS (White can create dangerous threats after 19...a6 20J~aS V!Ia7 21.f4t" for example: 21..ig4 22.gfJ.! liJc7 23.fxe5 dxe5 24.liJxc7 ~c7 2S.~e5 gd7 26.gdS± and he ends up with a solid extra pawn.) 20.b4 V!Ixc4 21.~a7 V!Ib3 22.liJec3

gdS 23.V!Ie2± There arises unavoidably an endgame and it is clearly in favour of White, because Black has no active prospects. bt) 10 •••86 This move looks too slow. 11.0-0-0

11••• b5 This is the most principled line for Black. About 11... 0-0 - see Part 2. 11... ~xd4 12.lLxd4 bS, Celi - Feliciano, Guaymallen 2001 (Black's best move here is 12 ... 0-0 - see Part 2.), and White can continue with 13.eS! and he will thus keep his opponent's king in the centre for long: 13...dxeS 14.lLxeS as IS.a3 b4 16.axb4 axb4 17.liJa2 gaS ISJ~hel V!IcS 19.V!Id4± Black will have great problems to complete his development without material losses. 11••••a5 12.g4 liJe5 (In the variation 12 ...hS 13.gS liJh7 14.f4± White is dominant in the centre and his imminent kingside offen-

Chapter 3 sive looks very dangerous for Black, Grilc - Hribar, Slovenia 1994.) 13.h4 b5 (After 13...~c4 14..Axc4 lUcc4, Prien - Winter, Colditz 1967, White can play 15. h5t and he creates the threat to stalemate Black's kingside by the further advance of that pawn. It would be too dangerous for Black to castle, because White will organize a powerful attack along the h-file, but leaving his king in the centre is not attractive either.) 14. h5 ~c4 15..Axc4 bxc4 16.h6 M8 17.g5 ~h5 18.~de2± Black's kingside was isolated from the actions for long in the game Baztan - Duran de la Fuente, Madrid 1992. In answer to 1l.••h5, it is very good for White to continue with 12.~xc6

And then: 12 .. .J.xc6?! - This is bad for Black, Nilson - Anadol, Dos Hermanas 2004, because now White can play 13.e5 dxe5 14.ti'xdB+ ~dB 15.~dB+ 'i!lxdB 16..ixf7± reaching an endgame, which is nearly winning due to Black's numerous pawn-weaknesses; 60

It is hardly any better for Black to try here 12 ...bxc6, Bessonova - Sharova, Kaluga 1996, White must centralize his pieces. 13J~hel 0-0 14..tg5 ~h7 (or 14... .te6 15..Axe6 fxe6 16.ti'd3 ~d7 17.f4t and Black's central pawns are much rather a weakness than strength.) 15..th6 gbB 16.J.xg7 'i!lxg7 17.~a4! as (Black loses a pawn after 17... cS? IB.~xcS+-; while it is too risky for him to opt for 17...f6 18.~cS gb5 19.fud.7 ti'xd7 20.f4t. Black's position looks solid, despite the fact that his knight will be out of actions for long. His kingside is vulnerable however, while White dominates in the centre.) IB.a3 geB 19.e5 d5 20.ti'c3± White is occuping the key-squares on the queenside and later he can prepare his kingside offensive; 12 ... ~c6 - This is definitely the best for Black. 13.'i!lbl ti'aS 14J!hel e6 15..tf4 e5 16..ig5 ~h7, Timmerman - Capkunaj, Huy 1993, and here White can gain a couple of tempi to develop his initiative with the help of some rather simple tactics: 17..te7! .tf8 (Black loses his queen after 17... rtlxe7? IB.~d5+-) IB ..ih4 J.g7 19..id5 gc7 20.a4! b6 (White was threatening 20.~b5!, winning the d6-pawn and Black would not have saved the day with the line: 20 ...ti'b6 21..if2 ti'a5 22.~b5+-, while after 20 ... 0-0 21ie7 mcB 22.J.xd6 ~c3 23.bxc3 .txa4 24.c4 ti'b6+ 25.'i!la2± Black has only a

4Ji:Jxd4 g6 5.liJc3 Ag76.Ae3 liJf6 7.Ac4 d6 8..fJ Ad7 9. Y!Jd2

partial compensation for the excJwlge, since White's pieces are tremendously active.) 2U~e2 liJfS 22.Yfd3 Y!Jc5 23 ..tb3± Black is doomed to a long and laborious defence, because of his weak d6pawn and his lag in development. 11••• of.'le5 12 ..th6

This is the best way for White to exploit the somewhat slow actions of his opponent and he trades his most aggressive piece. 12 ...ixh6 (about 12... 0-0 13.J.xg7 - see Part 2) 13.Y!Jxh6 liJc4, Kohlschmidt Kuehler, Germany 2001 (Black bas also tried: 13.. .l'~g8 - leaving his king in the centre for long. 14.Y!Jd2 Y!Ja5 15.l'~he1liJc4 16..ixc4 Ihc4 17.liJb3 Y!Jc7 18.g4t White's initiative looks really threatening, particularly if we have in mind that Black has no counterplay. There followed later 18...g5 19. ~d5 liJxdS 20.exd5 e5 21.dxe6 txe6 22.liJd4 md7 23.g"bl Y!Jc5 24.c3± Black's king is endangered, while White's knight on d4 is tremendously active, van Zyil Smit - Justiniano, Duisburg 1992; 13... bs 14.f4 liJeg4 15.Y!Jg7 ruB 16.e5

dxe5 17.fxe5 liJxe5 18J~he1~ White has sacrificed a pawn and he has opened the central files with excellent attacking chances. Black defended stubbornly, but he failed to save the game anyway: 18...Y!Jc719J~d2 b4 20.gde2! bxc3 21.~e5 cxb2+ 22.g"b1 Y!Jd6 23. liJf3! This is the strongest move for White and his attack is victorious after it. 23 ... liJg4 24.~e7+ Y!Jxe7 25. ~e7+ g"xe7 26.liJg5+Izquierdo - Beletsky, Valencia 2002; 13 ... Y!Ja5 14.g"b1liJc4 - it is worse for Black to try here 14...b5, Varini - Ursie, Nova Gorica 2004, because White plays 15.liJdSliJxd5 16.exdS and he poses great problems to his opponent, since Black loses after 16... gc5 17.Y!Jg7 gfS 18. ghe1+-, it is hardly any better for Black to try 16... liJc4 17.gbe1 gc5 18..b:c4 bxc4 19.Y!Jg7 gfS 20.Y!Jf6 .te6 21.liJxe6+- White has excellent attacking prospects and a material advantage as well - 15. .ixc4 ~ 16.liJb3 Y!Jc717.g4;!; Black has difficulties creating counterplay, because his rook on h8 is completely isolated from the actions, Drimer - Mititelu, Bucharest 1968), here White's most aggressive line seems to be: 14.ghe1 e5 (After 14...Y!Ja515.liJdSliJxd516. Y!Jg7 gfS 17.exd5± White's threats along the e-:file look really dangerous.) 15.liJde2 Ae6 (Black can repel his opponent's queen from its active position only at the price of a pawn - 15... liJg8 16.Y!Jg7 Y!Jf6 17. Y!Jxf6liJxf618..b:c4 ~c419.~d6±) 61

Chapter 3 16.g;,bl bS17.f4t White's initiative is developing effortlessly, because of Black's king in the centre. 1l••••c7

Black's queen is misplaced here as a rule in the Dragon variation. 12.g4 6 18.ti'd4+ g;,h719J~del±, or 16... a5 17.ttJxf6 exf6 18.h4± and White's kingside initiative is running effortlessly in both cases.

This is a position from the game Pevny - Guseinov, Bratislava 1993. 16.e5 ~g8 (16 ...dxe5 17.g5+- Blackloses a piece.) 17.h4 .le6 18.AdS .txdS 19.~dS Bc5 20.~b4 ftb6 21. ~d3 'ftc7 22.~f4 Ic6 23.e6± and Black has failed to do anything real on the queenside, while White's advantage in the centre and on the kingside is quite obvious.

b2) 10 ••• b5 This move looks sensible now, because it impedes the advance of White's g2-pawn and it prevents the trade of the bishop on g7, nev64

ertheless the weakening of Black's kingside will be a telling factor for the future. 11.0-0-0

11... ~e5 Black has stopped his opponent's pawn-offensive on the kingside and he continues with his plan to deploy his knight to the c4-square. About 11... 0-0, see part 2; l1...ttJh7?! - This move looks very awkwardly, because Black loses deliberately his control over the vital dS-outpost, V.Paulsen - Hammarl, Karasjok 2001, 12.g;,b1. l1...ttJaS 12.tttb1 ttJxb3 (About 12 ... ttJc4 13..lxc4 - see 11...h5, in variation b3; as for 12 ...a6 13.h3 - see 9 ... a610.0-0-0 ttJaS 11.J.b3 h5 12.«ttb1 1c8 13.h3.) 13.cxb3 a6 14.h3 - see 9 ...a6 10.0-0-0 lOaS 11.Ab3 h5 12.tttb1 IOxb3 13.cxb3 Ik814.h3. 11...ti'a5 12.«ttb1 a6 (About 12 ... lOe513.lhe1- see 11...1Oe512.«ttb1 ti'aS 13.lhe1.) 13.lhe1 - White is preparing to open the central

4J1Jxd4 g6 S.t:iJc3 Ag7 6.Ae3 liJj6 7.Ac4 d6 BJ3 i.d7 9. VNd2

files, because it looks very dangeroUS for Black to castle right now. 13...h4 (It would be too risky for Black to try 13...liJeS 14.f4! liJc4 15.jxc4 l:hc4 16.liJb3 V!ic7 17.eS! dxe5 18.fxe5 liJg4 19.Ab6 VNc8 20.liJc5+-, his king has failed to evacuate away from the centre and Black loses plenty of material, Skrochocka - Olender, Krynica 2001.) 14.h3 ghSlS.VNf2 VNc7 (It is too bad for Black to play IS ...liJe5 16.liJf5 gxf5 17.Ab6 VHb4 18.a3+and he loses his queen.) 16.liJde2 g517.f4 g4, Ostberg - L.Karlsson, Boras 1979, White can continue now with 18.Ab6 V!ib8 19.f5 liJe5 20.liJf4± and he practically stalemates his opponent.

12.wbl

12••• ~c4 Black has tried some other moves in practice: 12 ••••&5 13.ghel - This is a useful move, because White plans to Open the centre. 13...liJc4 (The move 13...Va6 - enables White to open the centre, Pac - SveinSSOn, Email 2000, 14.f4 liJc4 IS.

,hc4 l:hc4 - it is hardly better for Black to try here IS ...Vxc4 16.eS dxeS 17.fxe5 liJg4 18.Af4± White dominates in the centre and Black has great problems activating his light pieces. Meanwhile, his king is rather unsafe in the centre - 16.e5 liJg4 17..igl 0-0 Black crumbles immediately after 17...dxeS 18.liJf5+-, because of heavy material losses - 18.h3 liJh6 19.1iJd5± White's centralized forces are very threatening.) 14.hc4 l:hc4 IS.liJb3 Vc7 (It is not preferable for Black to try IS ... Va6 16.e5! dxeS, Naole - Belakovskaia, Philadelphia 1998, because White can win the exchange by playing simply 17.liJc5 Vc6 after 17...Vd6 18.V!ie2+- Black is going to lose at least that much - 18.liJ3e4 liJxe4 19.fxe4 l:hc5 - it would not help Black to opt for 19...Vd6 20.liJxd7+-, since he loses again material. 20.hc5 b6 21.h3± The main defect of Black's position is his passive bishop on g7, which is restricted by his own pawn on e5.) and now, White can pose great problems to his opponent by playing 16..id4 .te6 (Black's defence would not be facilitated by a pawn-sacrifice after 16... 0-0 17..hffi .ixf6 18.liJdS Vc8 19.1iJxf6+ exf6 20.Vxd6 .ie6 21.gd2± Palac - Sebastian, Dresden 2002, as well as following 16...eS 17.J.e3 0-0 18.Vxd6±) 17.eS dxeS 18.,he5 Vc8 (Black loses after 18 ...V!ib6? 19..id4 Vc7 20.liJb5+-) 19.1iJaS gb4, Verners-

Chapter 3 son - Wedberg, Orebro 2000 (It would be a disaster for Black to try 19.. Jlc5? 20./t)xb7+-), and the fastest way for White to tum his advantage into a decisive one is the line: 20./t)e4! ID>5 21..hf6.

12••• a613.h3

13 ...bS (It is not preferable for Black to try here 13... /t)c4 14.J.xc4 ~c4 1S.g4 h4 - or 1S...bS 16.gS /t)h7 17./t)de2! J.e6, Fichtl Ujtelky, Ostrava 1960, but White must react now with 1B.h4! ti'aS 19.,id4± and he exchanges his opponent's most active piece, keeping Black's knight on h7 out of the actions for long. After, for example: 19...J.xd4 20./t)xd4 b4 21.~ce2 /t)fB 22./t)f4 ti'e5 23.b3 gcB 24./t)dxe6 fxe6 2S./t)d3 ti'c3 26./t)xb4+- there arises a technically winning endgame for White with an extra pawn. -16./t)de2 bS 17./t)f4 b4 1B./t)cdS /t)xdS 19./t)xdS Ae6, van Kooten - van Wessel, Groningen 1996, and White can win a pawn here with 20./t)b6 gc6 21.ti'xb4 0-0 22./t)dS± and 66

Black has no compensation in sight, since White can play J.d4 in the nearest future and he thus neutralizes his opponent's active bishop.) 14.f4 b4 1S./t)dS /t)xe4 16.ti'e2 /t)c6 17./t)xc6 ~c6, Svidler - Schramm, Darmstadt (simultaneous) 2000, White can play here 1B./t)xb4 gcB 19.~e1 ,ibS 20.ti'f3/t)f6 (It is hardly better for Black to try 20 ...f5 21 ..irl4 Axd4 22.~d4±, since his powerful knight in the centre will be exchanged soon and then he will have problems with the protection of his king, for example: 22 ... as 23.gdxe4 fxe4 24.ti'xe4 axb4 2S.J.e6+- White has regained his rook and Black has numerous problems to worry about.) 21.f5 gxf5 22.ti'xf5± Black's central pawns can help him organize some counterplayin the endgame, but that is a long story, since his king is endangered in the present middlegame and his situation is very precarious. 13.he41xe4

4'ciJxd4 g6 S,riJc3 J.g76.J.e3 liJj6 7.J.c4 d6 8:/3 J.d7 9. Y9d2

This is a standard maneuver White wishes to deploy his bishop on d4 and then to open the centre, preventing the possible exchangesacrifice on c3 in the process. 14.••b5 14...ti'aS IS.J.d4 O-O? - It is noW too difficult for Black to coordinate his pieces, but still practically every other sensible move is preferable for him, instead of this blunder of a pawn. 16..fld5± R.Graf - Hanak, Germanyl998. In answer to 14...b6, Travenec - Lisko, Slovakia 1994, it looks very good for White to continue analogously to the main line with: 15.J.d4 0-0 16.e5liJe8 17.exd6 ~d6 18.J.xg7 g;,xg719.liJd5± lS.J.d4 0-0 16.eS fle8 17.exd6 flxd6 18.hg'7 ~xg7 19.fld5±

and Black's compensation for it is nowhere in sight, Ibarra Jerez -lmeida Saenz, Mallorca 2004, in answer to 19.•• flf5, Areshchenko - Daskevics, Oropesa del Mar 2000, it deserves attention for White to opt for 20.b3!? 1c5 21.fldc3 ie7 (In the variation: 21 ...h4 22.liJe4 gc7 23.liJf4 eS 24.liJdS± White wins a pawn, while after 23... aS 24.g4±, he obtains excellent attacking prospects.) 22.g4 hxg4 23.&g4 flh6 (It is not preferable for Black to try 23 ... liJh4 24.liJdS gc6 2S.Y9d4±) 24.h3± and here Black's best chance of survival is to enter an endgame without a pawn. 24.•. J.c6! 2S.fi"xd8 ixd8 26.ixd8 J.xh127.flxbS Ib7 28.e4±

Black's pieces on the c-file are "hanging" and this complicates his defence, for example: 19...J.f5 20.liJe3 gc8 21.h3 h4 22.Y9d4+ f6 23.Y9xh4± White has won a pawn

11.0-0-0 fle4 About 11... 0-0 - see part 2; as for 11... aS 12.wbl 0-0 - see 7... 0-0 8.Y9d2 liJc6 9.J.c4 J.d7 10.J.b3 gc811.0-0-0 liJeSI2.g;,bl

b3) 10 ••• fle5 This looks like the most natural move for Black.

67

Chapter 3

as, see Part 2; 1l...h6 12.g4 ~c4 13.,bc4 fucc4 14.h4 - see 1l... ~c4 12.,bc4 fucc4 13.g4 h6 14.h4. 1l...~aS - It looks like Black's queen is quite aggressively deployed here, but he cannot create any real threats with it. 12.g4 a6 (About 12 ...hS 13.gS ~h7 14.f4 ~c4 IS.,bc4 ~c4 16.~d3 - see 1l... ~c4 12.1xc4 fucc4 13.g4 hS 14.gS ~h71S.f4 %YaS 16.%Yd3; 12 ... ~c4 13.,bc4 fucc4 14.~b3 - see 1l... ~c4; 12 ... 0-0 - see 13.d>bl see Part 2.) 13.h4 - see variation b1; 1l...a6 12 ..ih6 - see variation b1; 1l...hS 12.~b1 - see variation b2. 12•.bc4 ftxc4 13.g4

13•••h5 This move weakens the kingside and it isolates Black's knight from the actions for long, nevertheless, his position looks solid enough, while White's kingside offence has been impeded at least for the time being. About 13 ... 0-0 - see Part 2. 13•••.bg4?! - This piecesacrifice is interesting, but it is

68

insufficient to equalize for Black. 14.fxg4 ~xg4, Brunello - Pistone, Arvier 2007, 1S.~b1 ~xe3 16.~xe3 0-0 17J1hf1± Black's dark-squared bishop has no opponent, but there are just a few pieces left on the board for him to create any meaningful threats. This same task can be much more easily accomplished by White, though... 13•••h6 14.h4 %Yb8, Salazar Bertinetti, Guaymallen 2001 On answer to 14... a6, Draghici Plutor - Kalcovski, Zakopane 2000, it is advisable for White to continue with the standard reaction IS. d>bl bS 16.Bd3±), and here he maintains superior prospects with the line: 1S.d>b1 bSI6.Bd3 %Yb7 (Black fails to evacuate his king from the centre, because after 16... 0-0?! 17.gS hxgS 18.hxgS ~hS 19.~f5-+ White has a powerful attack. It is also dubious for Black to sacrifice a pawn with 16... aS?! 17.a4 ~b4 18.axbS±) 17.~b3 ~c8 18..Ad4t. The threats ~c3-dS and g4-gS look very unpleasant for Black to counter. 13••• Yfb8 - This square is not so comfortable for Black's queen. 14.d>bl bS, Kroeger - Ries, Gluecksburg 1988, White can play now IS.h4 b4 16.~ce2 hS (It is not any better for Black to try 16... h6 17.~g3 as 18.hS±, or 16... 0-0 17.hS± and White has excellent attacking chances in both cases.)

4.lf)xd4 g65.lf)c31Lg76.ae3 CiJf6 7.i.c4 d6 8:fJ i.d79.Y!!d2

17.gS CiJh7 IB.lYd3 lYcB 19.f4 i.g4 20.f5t and it is quite evident that White is clearly ahead of his opponent in the creation of concrete

_as -

13••• This move seems like a loss of a tempo and after 14.CiJb3.

threats. 13•••b5 - This move forces White to act maximally aggressiely.

14.eS! dxe5 IS.CiJdxb5 a6 16.CiJa3 1c6, L.Belov - Bilek, USSR 196B, White has presented his opponent with the two-bishop advantage and a pawn-majority in the centre indeed, therefore he must play with maximal precision. 17.gS! ~h5 (After 17...~d6 IB.lYe2 CiJh5 19.1hd6 exd6 20.lYxa6±, White not only wins a pawn, but he creates a weakness for Black on d6.) IB.CiJdS f6! (Black fails to evacuate his king from the centre, because after IB ... O-O 19.ti'b4! he loses fullOWing . 19...~eB 20..Ab6+-, as Well as after 19... ~e6 20.CiJb6 ~b6 21.Axb6+-) 19.1Yb4 as 20.lYb3t, White has succeeded in discoordinating his opponent's pieces and he has kept his king in the ~ntre, so he has excellent attacklUg chances.

Black has a choice between two seemingly equally valuable alternatives: 14...lYc715.g5 CiJhS16.CiJd5lYbB 17.g;,bl e61B.CiJf4 CiJxf419..Axf4 e5 20 ..ie3± White has a stable advantage, because of his pressure against the vulnerable d6-pawn in addition to his clear-cut plan for the development of his kingside initiative, Erpel - Nogga, corr. 19B6;

The other retreat is not better for Black either: 14...lYa6 15.e5 CiJxg4 (The move 15...de? - loses a piece. 16.g5 ~xc3 17.bxc3 0-0 IB.gxf6+- Takoeba - Gruen, Internet 199B; in answer to 15... CiJgB, Vodep - Harris, Email 1997, White's simplest winning line is: 16.exd6 hc3 17.bxc3 lYa3+ 18.g;,bl ~a419 ..tc5lYxa2+ 20.g;,cl e6 21.lYd3+- Black's threats have been parried and his kingside is completely isolated.) 16.fxg4 hg4 17.exd6 exd6 (Black loses too after 17...hdl IB.dxe7 g;,xe7 19.AgS+ f6 20.~el+; or 17...hc3 69

Chapter 3 18.bxc3 ~a3+ 19.wbl ~a4 20.ic5 21.dS IS.Wxg7+- Hofmann - Kratochvilova, Karlovy Vary 1973) 1l.a3 tOxc3 (l1 ...WaS 12.tOxe4+- Michalowski - Eckhardt, Hamburg 2001) 12.WfJ Wxb3 13.cxb3 tOdS 14.We2 as 15. l3fdl 0-0 16.,ld4+- Detko - Sosnowska, Poznan 19S9. It is also bad for Black to try 9 ... tOxd4 10.!xd4 0-0 (10 ...d6 11.tOdS±) 11.eS tOeS 12.tOd5+- Wohlfart - Telioridis, Boeblingen 2001. Accordingly, he must accept the fact that his move eight has been very impulsive and comply with a worse position after 9... 0-0 10.a3 ~a5 11.h3 d6 12.l3el id7 13.We2 l3acS 14.l3adl l3feS IS.tOfJ ~ 16.tOgS l3f8, Tjutiunnikov - Fetisov, Ore11996, for example: 17.f4 't9xe2 IS.l3xe2 .leS 19.eS dxeS 20.fxeS tOxeS (20... tOhS 21.g4±) 21.J.xa7;t The move 8 ••• oflg4 is just adventurous. Black's position ended up in ruins in the game Farah Menassa, Pico City 1996, after 9.tOb3 't9hS (It would be just a bit better for him to opt for 9 ... ~ 10.J.xt7+ ~xt7 11.~xg4!xc3 12.bxc3 ~xc313.J.d2 Wc414.Wf4+ 'it>eSlS.~6;t) 10.J.f4 ieS11.heS tOcxeS 12.h3 tOxc4 13.hxg4 ~eS 14.f4 ~g7 IS.tOdS tOxb2 16.Wel 0-0 17.tOxe7+ ~hSlS.~± It is still acceptable for Black to play 8 ...86, but he should not postpone his castling for too long and then after 9.tOb3 Wc7

74

10.ie2 0-0 11.igS, the game will transpose to the main lines after S... O-O. In case of 8 ••• d6 9.tOb3,

Black should retreat with his queen and this leads to positions we will analyze later: 9...~c7 10.igS 0-0 (l0 .. .Ae6 11.tOdSj;) 11.J.xf6 - see S.. O-O 9. tOb3 V!!c710.igS d6 11.J.xf6; 9 ...~dSl0.ie2 (It is just weak for White to play 10.f4?! tOg4+ Zayabaatar - Peralta, Duisburg 1992.) 10... 0-0 (l0 ...:td7 11.f4 and here about l1 ... l3cS 12 ..lf3 0-0 13.We2 - see S.. O-O 9.tOb3 ~dS 10.ie2 d6 11.f4 id7 12 ..lf3 l3cS 13.~e2, or 11... 0-0 12..lf3 - see S.. O-O 9.lllb3 ~dS 10.ie2 d6 11.f4 J.d7 12.J.fJ.) 11.f4 - see S.. O-O 9.tOb3 ~dS 10.J.e2 d6 11.f4. In answer to 9.tOb3, the other retreats of Black's queen are hardly acceptable for him. In case of 9 ...WhS 10..ie2 .t.g4 11.fJ, his untimely attack is parried easily by his opponent and in addition he must be very careful not to lose his queen roaming around White'S

4.f£:Jxd4 g6 5J£:Jc3 lLg7 6.lLe3 ~f6 7.Ac4 W1a5 8.0-0

ldngSide. Here after 11 ...lLe6, Brunello - Steenvoorden, Lugano 2007, it is possible for White to play 12.~bS gc8 (Black must defend against the threat ~c7, since ifhe ignores this threat, he will be in trouble after 12 ... 0-0 13.~c7 BleB 14.~xe6 fxe6 lS.c3±) 13. ~xa7 ~xa7 14..ha7 0-0 lS ..ie3 d5 16.~~. The other retreat of Black's bishop is not any better U ...Ad7 12.Yfd2 gc8, TImmermans - Larsen, Mondariz 1996, (In case of 12 ... 0-0, White has the powerful argument 13.~d5, for example 13.. ie6 14.g4 ti'e5 IS. c4±, or 13... gfc8 14.gfel± with the idea to follow with .igS.) 13.~dS furlS 14.exdS ~e5 lS.gael± with the threat to advance f2-f4. It would be too brave for Black to play 9 ...ti'e5. After 10.13, his attempt to justify the centralized placement of his queen fails 10...gS 11.f4 gxf4 12 ..ixf4 W1hS 13. exhS ~xh5 14..bd6± Trubitsyn - Takhtarov, Russia 1991. It is better for him to opt for 10... 0-0 and he might obtain some counterplay if White continues with the careless line: 11.g4 dSoo, but after his simple reaction 11.Yfd2, he consolidates his edge, for exIlIDple; 11....ie6 12 ..ie2;t, or 11... Ad7 12.g4;t, or 11...W1hS 12.~dS Ad713.gaeU 9.~b3

It would not be effective for White to try 9.~d5, because Black exchanges his knight on dS and not his bishop and he manages

to establish control over the c4square - 9 ... ~xdS 10.exdS ~e5 11..ib3 d6 12.h3 Yfa6= Berglund Pereira, corr. 1975.

Following 9.~b3, Black has two main responses a) 9 ••••d8 and b) 9 ••••c7. White occupies plenty of space after the other possible retreats of Black's queen: 9 ...W1hS 10.lLe2 W1h4 11.13 d6 (11 ...Ah6 12 ..if2 Yff4, Apicella Delebarre, Paris 1991, 13.~dS ~xdS 14.exdS ~d8 lS.ge1 ti'c7 16..id3 e6 17.c4±) 12.ti'd2 h6, Deredyaeva - Lozovsky, corr. 2003, 13 ..if2 W1hS 14.~dS gd8 lS.c4±; 9 ...~ 10..id3 Yfd6 (l0 ...b6, Guseinov - Bourmistrov, Menorca 1996, 11.f4 e5 12.fxeS ~xe5 13..igS Yfd6 14.~bS ti'e7 lS.~c7±) 11.f4 W1b8 12.e5 ~e8, Baumstark - Orita, Romania 1993, 13.~d4 f6 14.exf6 ~xf61S.ti'13±; 9 ...Yfe5 10.f4 ti'b8, Roos Delorme, France 1998, 11.e5 ~e8 (11... ~g412.Yfxg4 dS13.Yfe2 dxc4 14.ti'xc4;!;) 12.~d4±

Chapter 4 a) 9 ...•d8 The basic plus of this move for Black is that his queen does not come under an attack with tempo after ttJd5. Its drawback is quite evident too - the queen goes back to its initial position and Black loses tempi with that. lO.J.e2 White's bishop will be rather unstable on c4, because of Black's possible threat ttJg4 and it will have to be removed from there anyway. White should better do that immediately, or on the next move after 10.f4 d6 1l ..ie2. lO ••• d6 White has an extra tempo in comparison to the similar position arising after the move order 1.e4 c5 2.ttJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ttJxd4 ttJf6 5.llJc3 g6 6..ie3 J.g7 7..ie2 llJc6 B.llJb3 0-0 9.0-0. It cannot be said however that this extra tempo is of a paramount importance, since both sides have already developed their forces. It is not a zugzwang position yet and many games have been played starting from this position with Black to move. About 10 ... a5 1l.a4 d6 12.f4 see 1O.•• d6. 11.f4 White should better use his extra tempo to organize a pawn-offensive on the kingside as quickly as possible. It is essential for the future development of the game what Black intends to do with his bishop on cB.

76

We will now analyze in details the variations a1) 11•••b6, a2) 11•••J.e6 and 83) 11••• aS. The move 1l... a6 will be justified in case of 12.g4?! b5 13..if3 J.b7 14.g5 llJd7 15.•e2 llJaS 16. i!ad1 llJc4 17..ic1 i!cB=t Brooks Wheeler, Chicago 1990. Therefore it is necessary for White to continue with 12.J.f3, preventing 12 ...b5. Later, the game Timmermans - Willemsen, Hoogeveen 2002, continued with 12 ...i!b8 (It would be bad for· Black to opt for 12 ... llJa5, because of 13.eSllJe8 14.llJxaS ~xaS lS.ttJdS dxeS 16.b4 ~a3 17.c3 e4 18.J.c1+- Chapman - Jordan, Melbourne 1994, while in case of 12 ...J.e6, Nataf - Reenish, Szeged 1994, 13.ttJdS, the vulnerability of the b6-square forces Black to capture the knight - 13 ....bdS 14.exdS ttJaS lS.llJxaS ~xaS 16.a4 i!fe8 17.c3;!;) 13.~e2 (It might be also interesting for White to try 13.a4!? with the idea to continue with as, for example 13 ...ttJe8 14.aS J.e6 lS.J.b6 .d7 16.~d2 i!c8 17.i!adl and here after 17...J.xc3 18.bxc3 llJf6 19.e5

4.liJxd4 g6 5.ljjc3 J.g76.J.e3 ljjf6 7.J.c4

dxe5 20.Y!Jel±, as well as following 17...J.xb3 18.cxb3 Y!Je6 19.1jjdS;t White ends up with a stable advantage, while in case of 13...eS, be can choose 14.fS gxf5 IS.exf5 ~e716.g4;t) 13... ljjd714J~adlljjaS (It would be in favour of White if Black plays 14....b:c3 IS.bxc3 .!LJb6 16.eS;t) IS.J.a7 .!LJxb3 16.axb3 ga8 17.J.d4 J.xd4+ 18Jhd4;t - and in the arising position Black has not come out of the opening yet, while his opponent is already in the middle game. Black has at his disposal a safer move with his bishop (instead ofll.. .J.e6) -l1 •••J.d?, so that it does not come under attack after f4-fS. White can then apply some central strategy approach 12.if3 (In case of 12 ... .!LJaS 13.eS;t Black's bishop on d7 turns out to be misplaced.) 12 ...gc8 13.Y!Je2 a6 (After 13 •••Y!Jc7 14.gadl and 14... ~aS, Soby - Moe, Vejle 1974, it would be very strong for White to continue with the thematic line 15.e5! dxeS 16J~xd7 .!LJxd7 17..!LJdS Bxc2 18..!LJxe7+ 'it>h8 19 ..!LJxc8 Bxe2 20.J.xe2 .!LJxb3 21 ..!LJd6 .!LJd4 22.J.c4,;t and he reaches a clearly superior endgame, while in case Black tries to prepare .!LJaS with 14...g{d8, White can begin an immediate kingside attack with IS.g~) 14.gadl bS IS.a3 ~aS? 16.e5 .!LJe8 17..!LJxaS Y!JxaS 18.~dS+- Turicnik - Roberts, COrr.200S.

al) 11•••b6 Black wishes to deploy his

waS 8.0-0

bishop to b7 quite advantageously. At first, it cannot be bothered there by White's pawns and secondly, Black can attack from there his opponent's e4-pawn. In addition, he can counter the possible sortie of White's knight - .!LJdS with the move e7-e6. 12.J.f3 J.b?

13.ffd2 It would be imprecise for White to play 13.gf2, with the idea to transfer the rook to the d2-square. Later, in the game Sanakoev - Simagin, corr. 1963, Black obtained an excellent game attacking White's pawn-centre, exploiting the precarious position of his bishop on f3 -13 •••Y!Jc8 14..!LJdS e6! IS..!LJxf6+ J.xf6 16.c3 Y!Jc717.gd2 gad8 18.Y!Jel eS! 19.93 (19.fS .!LJe7= This is the moment the vulnerable placement of the bishop on f3 is exposed.) 19 ... exf4 20 ..hf4 .!LJe5=i=. Accordingly, White should take care of the protection of his bishop on f3. 13••• gc8 The b6-pawn provides Black

Chapter 4

with the opportunity to transfer his knight to the c5-square with 13... ~d714J~adl ~c5 (It would be weakerfor him to try here 14...~a5 15.~xa5 bxa5 16.e5;!;), but White can counter this quite effectively with 15.~xc5 and after Black captures this knight, no matter how, White follows with 16.e5;!; The natural developing move 13 ... ~d7 reduces the control over the as-square and White can exploit this with 14.h3 (Black was threatening to play ~g4.) 14... ~acB 15.a4! (Black is quite well prepared to counter the move

In case of 13 ...ti'cB, White should better accomplish the idea of doubling his rooks along the d-file in the following fashion 14.~d5 ~dB 15.~ad1 e6 (When Black's queen is on cB, it will be ineffective for him to opt for 15... ~eB, due to 16.~d4;!;) 16.~xf6+ ixf6 17.c3 .ia6 (After 17...e5?! White will continue with the typical resource - 1B.fS±) 1B.m2 J.g7 19.ti'e1 ~c7 20.~fd2;!; followed by ti'h4 and f4-fS. 14.ftadl

~d5 -15.~d1 ~fdB16.~d5 ~eB=,

followed by e7-e6.) 15...e5 (Black must deflect the attention of his opponent away from the queenside, otherwise the pawn-advance a4-aS would be tremendously unpleasant to counter, for example 15...ti'e6?! 16.aS! ia6 17.~fe1 b5 1B.e5 dxe519.~c5+-, or 15 .•. ~fdB 16.a5;1;) 16.f5 ~b4 17..ig5 (The intennediate trade of the pawns 14•••tlc7, Houska - Roberts, is weaker 17.fxg6?! hxg6, since corr. 2005, (It is bad for Black to it frees the h7-square for Black opt here for 14... ~d7 15.e5±, and and he can counter 1B..ig5 with the same reaction is again possi1B ... ~h7=, while in case of 1B.a5, ble after 14...ti'd7 - 15.e5 ~g4 he has the possibility - 1B...d5oo) 16.~d5 ~xe3 17.~xe3 ~cdB lB. 17....h6 (It would be too risky for exd6 and here after 1B ...exd6, Black to opt for 17...gxf5 1B.exfS White will follow with the simple d519.ixf6ixf6 20.~e4±) 1B.hf6 move 19.c3;1;, while the line: lB ..• ixf6 19.fxg6 hxg6 20 ..ie2 .ie7 .txb2 19.c3 ia3 20.dxe7 "Bxe7 21. 21.i.b5 .txb5 22.axb5;!;. White is ~d5 "Bd6 22."Bf21", leads to the reclearly better in this position, be- moval of Black's bishop from the cause of the precarious placement protection of his king.) IS.Mel of Black's knight on b4 and the lidS (In case of 15•.• ~feB, White vulnerability of the d5-outpost. has the possibility 16.~d5 "BbB 7B

4.~xd4

g6 5.~c3 1Lg7 6.1Le3

17.c3 gcd8 18.'flf2 e6 19.~xf6+ Axf6 20 ..Ae2;t with the idea to follow with f4-fS.) 16•.Af2 Y!Yb8 17. jb4 ~a5 (It would be bad for Black to advance pawns: 17... a6 18.~d5± , or 17... e6 18.~b5±) 18. ~d5 J,xd5 19.exd5 ~e4 20.

.ell a2) 11•••J.e6

This is a very logical line for Black - he wishes to connect his rooks by playing 'fld7, or to try to occupy the c4-square with /t)a5 depending on circumstances.

12.g4 White's idea is to cramp Black's pieces, avoiding in the process the

possible sacrifice on e4 (for example in case of the immediate f4-£5). He can of course try to attack immediately his opponent's bishop with 12.fS, but in the game Macieja - Zezulkin, Swidnica 1999, Black succeeded in obtaining counter chances by playing 12•..td7 (It would be weaker for him to continue with 12...J.xb3?

~f6 7.1Lc4

'flaS 8.0-0

13.axb3 b6 14.g4 ~e5 15.g5 ~fd7 16.'flel 'flc8 17.~d5 'fld8 18.'flh4± Kandic - Langer, Werther 2000, since at the end on this line Black will remain a helpless witness to White's oncoming attack.) 13.g4 gc8 (It is not sufficient for Black to occupy the e5-square in order to create some counterplay, because White can ignore that and develop a powerful assault against the enemy king after 13... ~e5 14.g5 /t)e8 15.h41Lc6 16.h5/t)c717.'flel, and his initiative increases, for example after 17...gxh5 18.'f!h4 /t)g4 19..ixg4 .ixc3 20.'flxh5+-, or 17.. .f6 18.'flh4 gxf5 19.h6 .Ah8 20.exf5 e6 21.g6± Meszaros - Stojanovski, Panormo 2001.) 14.g5 /t)xe4! (About 14... /t)e8 - see 11... .Ae6 12.g4.) 15./t)xe4 .hf5 16./t)c3! (Black obtains a sufficient compensation for the piece after 16./t)g3 .Ah3 17.l3f2 J.xb2i») 16... /t)b417.~d4 .ixd4 18.'f!xd4! (The position would be quite acceptable for Black after 18.J.xd4 ~xc2 19.9c1 e5C») 18... ~xc219.'flxa7 ga8 (The presence of queens on the board is advantageous for White following 19... /t)xal 20.~1 'fld7 21.'fld4;t;) 20.'f!b6 'flxb6 21.J.xb6 /t)xaI22.~tlMacieja - Zezulkin, Swidnica 1999. Here, instead of the line played in the game: 22 ... gfc8 23.a4!±, Black had better begin active operations on the flank on which he had his majority of forces - 22 ...f6! 23 ..Ac4+ e6 24.gxf6 gxf6 25id4 ~U7;t 12••• lc8 79

Chapter 4

In case of 12 ... ltld713.f5 hb3 14.axb3 a6, Arulaid - Sankovski, Haapsalu 1976, Black would have been forced to trade his bishop on e6 and that would have enabled White to occupy the free diagonal with 15..ic4, after which Black's attempt to neutralize this bishop - 15...ltlb6 16.Ad5 ltlxd5 17.exd5 ltle5 IS.ltle4;!; would lead to the occupation of additional space by White. Black's attack against the e4-pawn can be parried easily after 15.. JkS 16.~e2 ltlc517J~adl;!;. and he cannot play 17...hc3 IS.bxc3 ltlxe4, because of 19.hxg6+-, followed by~d3.

square.) IS •••ICb4 (After 15...Ae!; 16.ti"h4, it would be too risky for Black to play 16.. bc3 17.bxc3 ltle5 IS.i.d4 ltlg7 19.m4! gxf5 20.~h6 fxe4 21.~afl-+, threatening gh4.) 16••d2 ICc7 17•.lxa7 ICca6 18.Ae3± Skorchenko Kumosov. Essentuki 2003. a3) 11••• aS 12.a4

13.g5lCe8

Black cannot capture on e4, while in case of 13... ltld7 14.f5 hb3 15.axb3 a6, White has the attractive resource 16.Ag4! J.e5 17.m2, preparing to double his rooks along the f-file, for example: 17... ltlb4 IS.ltldS ltlxd5 19.~xd5 hb2 20J~aru, or 17... a5 IS.~d2 ltlb4 19J~afl ~c6 20.h4;!;

14.15 Ad7 IS••el (White's queen is headed for the h4-

so

12••• 1Cb4

In case of 12.. ..ie6. Black should consider the immediate move 13.f5. In the game Kosintseva - Demina, Chisinau 2005. there followed 13...,ixb3 (After 13...Ad7, White can focus immediately on the vulnerable b6-square by playing 14.ltld2, with the idea to follow with ltlc4 and here Black's attempt to counter his opponent's intentions with 14... ltle5 15.ltlc4 ltlxc416.,ixc4 ~cSI7.'!b3;!; would enable White to transfer his bishop to the strategically important diagonal. while after the active move 14... ltlb4, White can continue with 15.ltlb5 gxf516.c3 ~c6 17.exf5 ltld5 IS.Ag5 h6 19.~e4j;)

4JiJxd4 g6 S.liJc3 Ag76.i.e3 liJf6 7.i.c4 Ylfa5 8.0-0 14.cxb3 liJeS 15. ~h1 liJfd7 (After !S...lIcS, it would be more precise for White to play 16.gc1, leaving biB queen for a while to protect the b3-pawn, which would be important in case of 16.. )t:lfd7 17.~dS;t; and if16 ... ltled7, then 17.~e1ltlc5 IS.J.c4;1; and Black loses following IS ...ltlfxe4 19.1tlxe4 liJxe4 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.Ab6 ~xb6 22.hf7+-, wbile in case of 1S...liJfd7, White can play 19.1tldS e6 20.liJf4t) 16. 0d5 ltlc5 17.AgS f6 1S..ie3 ~hS 19.1t)f4 WcS 20.Axc5 dxc5 21.ltle6± and he maintains an obvious advantage thanks to his powerful knight on e6, which has paralysed Black's kingside. 13•.tt'3 J.e6 Besides the idea of transferring his bishop to c4, Black can try to deploy his knight on this square by playing 13... ltld7 and this will be justified in case White continues with 14.gf2ltlb6, but he is capable of refuting this with the precise line 14.We2 b6, Gipslis Kristensen, Valby 1994, (If Black plays 14...ltlb6, White can counter this with the calm variation 15.~d4 .id716.ltlcbS with the idea to follow with c2-c3, as well as With the enterprising line: 1S.eS!? dxe5 16.gad1ltld7 17.liJb~) 1S.eS JIbs 16.exd6 exd6 17.ltlbSltlcS (It Would be too dangerous for Black ~ try 17...Axh2?! 1S.gab1 .ig7 9.C3 ~a6 20.ltl3d4± and White bas the dangerous threat ltlc6.) 18.~c5 dxc5 19.9ad1 We7 20.c3± In case of13 ...~c714.gf2 Ae6,

Durao - Mazzoni, Enschede 1963, (After 14...i.d71S.gd2 gfcS, White has the powerful argument 16.eS;t; and Black cannot play 16... dxeS? 17.fxe5~xeS1S ..id4±) 1S.ltld4.ic4 16.gd2 gacS17.~h1, there arises a position from the game Mukhin Adler, USSR 1967, which will be analyzed later - see 13 ...ie6. 14.~d4J.e4

After 14... ~cS, Efimenko Nechaev, Alushta 1999, it will be quite effective for White to continue with 1S.ltlxe6 ~xe6 16.ltlbS ltlbd5 (After 16... gfcS17.ltld4 ~c4 IS.c3± White dominates all over the entire board, for example: 1S...ltld3 19.b3 Ylfxc3 20.liJbS Ylfc2 21.e5±, or IS ... ~a6 19.f5±) 17.,td4 liJxf4 18.~c7 Ylfc4 19.1tlxaS ~S 20 ..ie3 ltle6 21.~d3t White has ended up with an extra exchange for a pawn and excellent winning chances. IS.mlle8 White is quite well prepared for Black's possible strike in the centre IS... eS, having protected additionally his pawns on c2 and e4 and he can counter that with 16.fxeS dxeS 17.ltldbS. Now, in case of 17... Ylfe7, Nikitin - Averbakh, Moscow 1964, it is very strong for White to play 18.~d6! gfeS 19.Ylfc7 ltlc6 20.gdl± and his pieces penetrate his opponent's camp along the weakened dark squares. Black should better opt for 17... ga6, preventing Ylfd6, but White can still play IS.YlfxdS ~dS 19.1iJa3, ending up in a bet-

Chapter 4 ter endgame, for example: 19... .te6 20 ..te2 ~g4 21..ba6 ~xf2 22 ..bb7;1;, or 19.. J~k6 20.~xc4 ~xc4 21.~aru with the idea to follow with .te2. 16.g~

Black's light pieces seem to be beautifully placed on the queenside, but his resources are insufficient to support effectively any active operations there. White's rook on d2 prevents reliably the typical possibility for Black e7-eS in similar positions. In addition, Black's queenside pawns are quite static and his prospects for active piece play there are not promising at all. He is doomed to play passively and to only wait for White's mistakes in maneuvering. White demonstrated excellent regrouping of forces against Black's passive play in the game Mukhin - Adler, USSR 1967 and it followed with 16...ti'c7 17.';t>b1 \!fbSl8.~dbS .te619.ti'gl ~d7 20. ~ad1 ~fdS 2U~'f2 b6 22 ..td4 J.f8 23.~dS hdS 24.exd5± Black's pieces are passive and they are too S2

far from the important field of actions and this presents White with promising attacking chances. In case of 16...ti'd7, he can continue with 17.~cbS with the idea c2-c3. After 16... ~d7, Kosenkov Breazu, corr. 19S5, White bas the powerful argument 17..ig4!, pinning his opponent's knight. If Black covers the h3-cS diagonal with 17... e6, then White can emphasize the vulnerability of the d6-square by continuing with 18.~cbS ~c5 19.c3 ~ba6 20.b3;t, andifl7... ~aS, White has the powerful line: lS.eS! ~b6 (lS .. ih6 19.exd6 exd6 20.te2;!;) 19.ti'f3 ~6d5 20.~e6 fxe6 21..txe6+ mb8 22.~xd5 .beS 23.~xb4 .be6 24.ti'xb7;!; b) 9 ••••c7

This is the most natural move for Black and he does not lose tempi, contrary to the line - 9... ti'dS. 10 •.i.g5!? It is more often in this position that White keeps his dark-squared

4JlJxd4 g6 SJlJc3 i.g76.i.e3 liJj6 7.i.c4 VNaS 8.0-0 bishop inside his pawn chain by playing 10.f4. Meanwhile~ the 1Il0ve in the text enables him to create the positional threat of capturing on f6 and this after the possible sortie of his knight to the d5-outpost may lead to the doubling of his opponent's f-pawns. 10 ••• a6 Black can defend against this threat, or he may ignore it, relying on the fact that his bishop-pair JDigbt be a sufficient compensation for his compromised pawnstructure. His first possible defensive

move 10 ••••d8 looks somehow cowardly. White can exploit the present of a tempo quite successfully with lUlel d6 12.J.f1 i.e6 (Nothing can prevent White from deploying his knight on the dSoutpost: 12...a6 13.VNd2 bS 14.a4 b4 15.liJ~, or 12 ... j.d7 13.liJdS &d5 14.exdS liJe5 15.c4 gc8 16.gcl ge8 17.i.e3j;) 13.liJdS gc8 14.c4 liJe5 15.gel ixdS 16.exd5 ~ed717.VNd2;!; Kurmann - Moser, Basel 2006. Black has no counterplay in this position, while White has the easy task of increasing his pressure along the e-file .. In case of 10 •••..,8, Milosevic - Pavlovic, Kragujevac 1995, White can maintain his advantage by acting in an analogous fashion 11.~1 d612.VNd2lLe6 (It is weaker for Black to play 12 ...i.d7? 13.e5±, While in case of 12 ... a6 13.J.f1,

White's knight will be deployed unavoidably on the dS-outpost, for example: 13...b514.a4 b415.liJdS;!;, or 13 ... ge8 14.h3 J.e6 IS.liJdS;!;) 13.liJdS ixdS 14.exdS liJe5 lS.J.fl VNc7 16.gael gfe8 (Black fails to prevent the pawn-advance c2-c4 with the move 16... liJc4, because of 17.VNe2 gfc8 18.Yfxe7;!;) 17.c4;!;. As a result of this variation, there arises a position, which resembles a lot the one analyzed in the line with 10 ...VNd8. Black ends up in an inferior endgame after the forced line: 10 ••• tlaS 11.lLe2 liJxb3 (11 ... d6 12 ..bf6 exf6 13.liJb5 VNb6 14. VNxd6±) 12.axb3 b6, Moreno Carnero - De la Riva Aguado, Barcelona 2000, (12 ...h6 13.i.e3 b6, Toma - Zimmer, Polanica Zdroj 2001, 14.e5 VNxe51S.M3±) 13..bf6 .bf6 (13 ...exf6? 14.liJb5 Yfe5 15. liJd6±) 14.liJd5 VNd6 15.liJxf6+ VNxf6 16.VNd5 VNc6 17.i.b5 Yfxd5 18.exd5;!; and here White maintains a clear edge after 18...i.b7 19.c4 gfd8 20.h6;!;, as well as following 18...a6 19.9fel e6 20.dxe6 dxe6 21.i.c6 gb8 22.gedU It is only slightly preferable for Black to try the other possible maneuver with his knight - 10 ••• tleS. After 11.i.e2 d6 (Black's attempt to avoid doubling of his pawns may end badly for him: 11 ... liJc6 12.VNd2 a5 13.hf6 hf6 14.liJd5 Yfd6 IS.c3 i.g7 16.a4 VNe5 17.f4± Frank - Francisco,

83

Chapter 4 corr. 2003, or 1l...\!9'c6 12.f4 ltJc4 13.hc4 \!9'xc4 14.e5± Abrahamian - Ross, Oropesa del Mar 1998.) 12..txf6 .txf6 13.ltJdS %Yb8 14.ltJxf6+ exf6 IS.f4 ltJc6 16.%Yd2 ie6 17Jladl hb3 18.axb3 lld8 19.11f3 \!9'c7 20.11d3~ Nielsen Danielsson, Copenhagen 2006, he has the same problems connected with the protection of his vulnerable d6-pawn. The seemingly strange maneuver 1 0 ••• ~b411.ie2 as 12.a3 ltJc6, still requires precise play from White. It turns out that he would achieve nothing with the planned 13.ltJdS ltJxdS 14.exdS, Komiagina - Chemikova, Serpukhov 2003, because Black can equalize quite safely with 14... a4! IS.dxc6 axb3 16.cxd7 hd7 17.cxb3 ic6=. Instead, White has at least two other lines deserving attention. The first of them is connected with a pawn-sacrifice 13..txf6 .txf6 14. ltJdS \!9'e5 IS.c3 Wxe4 16.11el WeS 17.ltJcSt, which becomes possible due to the weakening of the b6square as a result of the placement of White's bishop on e2. His second possibility is calmer and it is aimed at exploiting the vulnerability of the b6-square - 13.11el a4 14.ltJd2 WaS IS.ie3 (White is already threatening ltJc4.) IS ... dS 16.exdS ltJxdS 17.ltJxdS \!9'xdS 18.ltJc4~

Black has another possible move with his knight -10 .•• ~g4 84

and it is based on the tactical variation n.Wxg4 hc3 12.bxc3 dS, but in this case it is sufficient for White to counter that with 13.\!9'e2 dxc4, Larsson - Mascioni, corr. 1999, 14.ltJd4~. The presence of opposite-coloured bishops on the board is in favour of White, because of the absence of the important defender of Black's king and this factor enhances the organization of White's kingside attack. In case of 10 •••d6, Black does not have the active sortie of his queen to as and White can play immediately 1l..txf6 .txf6 (White acted very effectively against Black's capturing with the pawn 1l...exf6 12.ltJb5 We7 13.11el lld8 14.f4 ie6 IS.he6 fxe6 16.f5!~ in the game Dejmek - Garcia, Philadelphia 200S.) 12.ltJdS Wd8 (Black would not change much with 12... Wb8 13.ltJxf6+ exf6 14.Wd2 'f!Jc7 IS.11adU Henrichs - Gorissen, Vlissingen 200S.) 13.ltJxf6+ exf6 14.ltJd4 .id7 IS.ltJe2 ltJeS 16.J.b3 .Ag4 17.h3 he2 18.'f!Jxe2~ Ibarra Jerez - Tikkanen, Chalkidiki 2003 and Black will have problems with the protection of his d6-pawn to the end of the game. When Black's pawn is on d7, he can afford to continue with the cold-blooded move lO •••b6, but he will need to consider his opponent's threat to exchange on f6 sooner or later. In this aspect, it will be very instructive to

4.li:Jxd4 g65.li:Jc3 j,g76.j,e3li:Jj6 7.j,c4 WlaS 8.0-0

{anow the game Lobzhanidze Lankveld, Vlissingen 2001, U.ie2 j,b712.f4li:JaS?! (Black had better opt for 12 ...d6 13..ixf6;!;) J.3.e5 li:Je4 14.li:Jxe4 he4 15.li:Jxa5 bpS 16.he7 lUe8 17..b3 hc2 18.ti'd2± White has a clear advantage, because of Black's numerous weak pawns.

van

The move 10 •••e6 may enable Black to equalize if White relinquishes his control over the dSsquare by playing 1l.j,e2, since Black can counter that with 11... d5! 12.exdS li:JxdS 13.li:JxdS exdS 14.c3 as 15.a4 j,e6 16J:~el d4! 17.li:Jxd4li:Jxd418.cxd4 ~d6= Bley - Heinritz, corr. 2002, but still after 11.Wld2 a6 12.h2 the game transposes to the variation 10..a6 1Lie2 e6 12.~d2, which will be analyzed later in the book. Black's invitation to trade the bishop - 10 ••• h6 coincides with White's intentions. After 11..ixf6 ixf6 12.li:JdS ~e5, Saldano Gonzalez de la Torre, Elgoibar 2004, 13.c3 j,g7 (It would be too risky for Black to capture his opponent's pawn, when White's bishop is on c4 -13...~xe414.li:Jxf6+ exf6 15.tds Wlf4 16Jlelt) 14.~e2 e6 15.f4 YHb8 16.li:Je3 ~c7 17J:tadl;!; Black has succeeded indeed to .Yoid the doubling of his pawns after the exchange on f6, but White is clearly better with his ~llent prospects for a kingSide attack starting with f4-fS. It

is quite advantageous for his future onslaught that Black's pawn is on h6, having weakened the g6-square. In addition, Black lags considerably in development. In case of 10 ••• ldS 11.j,e2 h6, the pawn-sacrifice is not so advantageous for White if his bishop is on the e2-square. (We have in mind the position arising after 12 ..ixf6 hf6 13.li:JdS ~e5 14.c3 Wixe4oo). Still, it is possible for White to continue with 12 ..lh4 YHb8 13.f4 d6 14..ifJ h6 IS.li:JdS hdS 16.exdS li:Jb4 17.g4;!; Perez Candelario - Gonzalez Arribas, Andorra la Vella 200S and we have already reached a familiar position with White's pawn being on dS and his two-bishop advantage. After 10 ••• as, White should better avoid the routine reaction 11.a4, since this will present Black with the possibility to organize counterplay after 11...li:Jb412.j,e2 gd8 13.li:Jd4, Kuzmin - Kapengut, USSR 1972,13... dS=. Instead, White must continue with 11.a3 (He should not let Black's pawn to advance to a3.) 11...a4 (The move 11...d6, enables White to realize his standard threat 12.hf6 .ixf6 13.li:JdS ~d8 14.li:Jxf6+ exf6, and the development of the following game was very interesting Osipow - Berner, corr. 1990, IS.a4 fS 16.li:Jd4 fxe4 17.li:JbS ~f6 18.Vxd6 Vxb2 19.c3 h6 20.he6 gad8 8S

Chapter 4 2Ufxf8+ c;t>xf8 22J~a2+-) 12.lt:\d2 YfaS 13.lt:\dS It:\xdS (After 13...d6, Kupreichik - Veremeichik, Minsk 1976, 14..Axf6 exf6 IS ..h2 WlcS 16.lt:\c4 Ae6 17.lt:\ce3;t White has not only disrupted his opponent's pawn-structure, but he has also prevented the pawn-advance f6fS.) 14.exdS h6, Kallmeyer - Ros, corr. 1989, (In case of 14... ge8 IS.b4 axb3 16.lt:\xb3 Wlc3 17.dxc6 Wlxc4 18.cxd7 gd8 19.dxc8=WI gaxc8 20.Wlf3 .Axa121.lt:\xaU Areshchenko - Efimenko, Alushta 2002, White ends up by force with two light pieces for a rook.) IS..lh4 gS 16.JLg3 It:\eS 17.J.xeS! .AxeS 18.c3 d6 (Black will have to play this move sooner or later, but now his pawn-structure becomes practically immobile.) 19.gel Wlc5 20..Aa2 Ad7 21.lt:\c4 ti6 22.lt:\e3;t White has an excellent position, because of the vulnerability of the fS-square and his prospects for a unopposed kingside attack, since Black has no counterplay in sight.

11•.te2 It is still premature for White

86

to capture on f6, because Black's queen can go to as. In the game Macieja - Kolev, Elista 1998, White obtained a wonderful p0sition after n ....Axf6 12.lt:\d5 Wle5 13.lt:\xf6+, but that happened only because Black chose 13...exf6?! 14.c3 Wlxe4 IS.AdS (It is risky for Black to capture the pawn just because of this resource for White when his bishop is on c4.) IS... Wle7 16.gel Wld8 17.Wld2~. It is much stronger for Black to opt for 13...Wlxf6 14.c3 d6 IS.f4 e5! 16.fS (White creates no problems for his opponent with the line: 16.Wld2 exf417.Wlxf4 ti"xf418.gxf4 .Ae6=) 16...gxf5 17.exfSlt:\e7= We will now analyze bt) 11••• e6 and b2) 11•••d6. It looks like Black is quite well prepared for the advance of his bpawn, followed by Ab7; his queen has the eS-square available too, so it seems he could begin the realization of this idea with the move n ...b5? It turns out however that White has a powerful argument against this with the line: 12.a4 b4 (After 12 ...bxa4 13.~a4± Black is left with only weaknesses and nothing to brag about.) 13.lt:\d5· Here, in case of13 ... lt:\xd514.exd5, due to the vulnerability of his e7pawn, Black is forced to play 14... WleS, but he ends up in an inferior position by force after IS.f4 Wle3+ 16.c;t>hllt:\d417.lt:\xd4 ti"xd4, Cheparinov - Garcia Luengo, Collado Villalba 2003, 18..Axe7 ge8 19.J.£U. It would be also too riskY

4.lijxd4 g6 5.liJc3 i.g76.J.e3 CiJj6 7.J.c4 fJaS 8.0-0

for him to try 13...fJe5 14.Ji4 '1xe4 lS.Ji3 fJc4, Arizmendi Braga, Mislata 2000, 16.g3 as (16...e5? 17.J.gS+-) 17.CiJxe7+ 0xe7 lS.haS dS 19J~el±, while after 13...Y!¥bS, it would be quite effective for White to reply with 14.fid3 geS, Cipolli - Prevenios, carr. 2000, lSixf6 exf6 16.gad1 d6 17.CiJe3 gdS lS.CiJd2 .le6 19.~dc4;!;

ing fashion - 12.J.xf6 ixf6 (12 ... exf6 13.CiJdS W1dS 14.f4 d6 lS.fS;I;) 13.CiJdS fJe514.c3 fJxe4 (In case of 14...J.g7 lS.f4, it is dangerous for Black to capture a pawn IS ...fJxe4 16.Ji3 fJc4 17.CiJb6±, while following lS ...fibS 16.h1 bS 17.f5;1;, the weakness of the g6-square is essential.) lS.CiJeS fJeS 16..lt'3 .igS 17.CiJe4± and White's initiative becomes very troublesome for Black in connection with the threat gel. He fails to solve his problems with the move 11...fJbS either. After 12.f4 d6 13.J.f3 J.e6 14.CiJdS hdS1S.exdS CiJa716.fJd2;!; Polzin - Wiegel, Goch 1995, White reaches a very pleasant position, which happens quite often in this variation, in which he enjoys the two-bishop advantage.

Having in mind that after 11... b5 Black fails to equalize, due to the defencelessness of his e7pawn, it would be interesting for him to try 11...geS. Besides 12.f4 d6 13.ixf6 exf6 14.f5j; Jones - Greet, Liverpool 200S, it deserves attention for White to opt for 12.J.xf6 exf6 (After 12 ...J.xf6 13.~dS fJe5 14.f4, Black's queen must protect the c7-square, bebl) 11••• e6 cause of the placement ofbis rook on eS - 14...Y!¥bS lS.CiJxf6+ gxf6 16.'ff~, and this enables White to disrupt his opponent's pawnstructure.) 13.CiJdS fJdS 14.CiJd2 d6 (It is too risky for Black to try 14...f5 lS.exf5 hb2 16.gb1 J.g7 17.~c4;!;, while in case of 14... ~e7 lS.CiJc4;t, White's knight is deployed effortlessly to the e3square.) lS.c3 and this transposes to the main line - see 11 ..d6. If Black tries to force his opPOnent to exchange on f6 with the After we have seen what problIlove 1l...h6, keeping his rook on lems Black encounters when he the fa-square and avoiding the allows his opponent to play CiJdS, PGssible double attack with CiJc7, the move 11...e6 looks logical. He !hen White can utilize his lead weakens however the d6 and f6111 development in the follow- squares in the process.

Chapter 4

12.ftd2b5 The advance of the d-pawn leads to immediate difficulties for Black after 12 ...d6 13J!ad1 ~eB 14.a4 b6 15..th6 f5?! 16.exf5 gxf5 17.hg7 'i!!xg7 1B.f4± Papp - Paschall, Torokbalint 2004, or later 12 ... ~eB 13.gad1 b5 14.a3 d6 15..th6 .ib7 16.hg7 rJ;}xg7, Miller - Kiefbaber, corr. 2002,17.f4 gdB 1B.g13;t (with the idea for White to follow with gd3) either one or two squares forward -12 ...dS13ixf"6 .ixf614.exd5.ixc315.'i!!xc3;t 13.a3J1bS Now, in case of 13...gdB, White forces at first the advance of his opponent's d-pawn with 14.gad1 ~B 15.f4 d6, Rodriguez Guerrero - Braga, Lorca 2001 and then he begins to encircle it by playing 16.g13;!;, followed by gd3. After 13... ~e5 14.'i!!f4 ~eB 15. .ie7± Fernandez Romero - Charbonneau, Oropesa del Mar 1999, the weakening of the f6-square will hurt Black. The drawbacks of the advance of Black's d-pawn 13...d6 14.gad1 ~eB 15..th6 are analyzed in details in the line: 1l...e6 12.'i!!d2 ~eB 13.gad1 b5 14.a3 d6 15..th6. The move 13.. ..Ab7 can be justified if White reacts naturally with 14.gfd1?! ~e5 15.'i!!e3 gacB:j: Ramon Perez - Braga, Balaguer 2001. Therefore, he must choose 14.~c5 ~d4 (In case of 14... ~e5 15.fub7'i!!xb716.'i!!f4 ~h517..ixh5 gxh5 1B.J.h6 ~g6 19.'i!!d2 .ixh6 20.'i!!xh6;t Huerga Leache - TalBB

larico, Mondariz 2007, Black will have problems protecting his h5pawn.) 15.~xb7 ~xe2+ 16.'i!!xe2 'i!!xb7 17.'i!!13 (emphasizing the vulnerability of the f6 -square) 17... ~h5 1B.g4 .ixc3 (After lB •.• h6, White can play 19..ixh6 .ixh6 20.gxh5.ig7 21.rJ;}hl;!; with subsequent active actions along the gfile.) 19.Yfxc3 f6, Gomez Anadon Arpa Pardo, Aragon 2005, 20 ..ih6 ~g7 21.gad1 gacB 22.'i!!d3t. White is better in this position thanks to the vulnerable pawn-structure of his opponent. 14.lfdl White must place this very rook on d1 in anticipation of the opening of the a-file. 14•••b4 Should Black leave his knight on c6 by playing 14...h515.h3 geB, in the hope of 16..if4 ~e5= Kravtsiv - Shalimov, Alushta 2006, then White can counter that with 16.~c5 ~617.'i!!d6 'i!!xd61B.~d6

M8 19.9d2;t preparing to attack his opponent's d7-pawn. 15.axb4 ~xb4 16•.t.f4! This move becomes possible now, since Black's knight does not control the e5-square any more. 16•••e517•.t.g5 White has no chances of obtaining the advantage if he ceases to fight for the dS-square 17..ie3?! d6= 17•••d6 Black fails to free his position with a counter strike in the centre 17...J.b7 1B.13 d5, because of

4.li)xd4 g6 5.li:Jc3 Iig76.1ie3 li:Jj6 7.1ic4 Y!!a5 8.0-0 19.fta4 ,lc6 20.1bcb41bcb4 21.li:JxdS J,xdS 22.'lfxb4 'lfxc2 23.li:Jcl lie6 24.~d3;!;. As a result of this almost forced variation, the defenders of the a6-pawn have disappeared from the board and Black's queen can be easily ousted from its active position with c;t>f2 and gcl.

excellent results. Black can hardly prevent the transfer of White's bishop to the c4-square and his knight along the route li:Ja4-c3-d5.

b2) 1l•••d6

18.~a5!

White begins the process of occupation of the dS-square.

18•••.le6 19.b3 h6 20 •.bf6 bf621•.lc4! The d5-outpost is now under White's full control and he only needs to occupy it with one of his pieces.

21•••.ig5 22.ee2 .lc8 This retreat marks White's victory in the fight for the commanding outpost - the dS-square. Black is incapable of holding on to it, for example 22 ...h5 23.h3 Wg7 24.li:Jd5 li:JxdS 25.exdS .if5 26.~c6± (Alterman).

12..bf'6exf6 In case of 12...i.xf6 13.li:JdS 'lfd8 14.li:Jxf6+ exf6 15.c3lie6 16. li:Jd4;1; Santorroman Jovellar Galanti, corr. 2007, Black has neither compensation for his compromised pawn-structure, nor the two-bishop advantage. 13.~dS

23.~d5 ~xd5 24•.lxdS gb5 2S.f)c4 mg/ 26.~b2!;!; Anand

- \'an Wely, Wijk aan Zee 1999. .\nand's exemplary play has led to

1Jd8 14.c3 ge8

Black's plan includes the pawn-advance f6-fS and this move is only possible until White has transferred his knight to the e3square. The move in the text forces him to play li:Jd2, but since the maneuver of his knight to the e3square, via d2, is a part ofhis plan, then in case of the immediate 14... fS the game might transpose to the main line after 15.exf5 Il.xf5 16.li:Jd2 (In the game Avotins Stigar, corr. 2006, White chose to exert pressure along the d-file -

Chapter 4 16:i:M2 geS 17.gadl ,te6 18.~f4 Axb3 19.axb3 .ih6 20.i.f3 ~a5 21.J.d5 ~f6 22.g3 .ixf4 23.~xf4 ~xf4 24.gxf4;t and he reached a slightly better endgame as a result of this. Black succeeded in defending it, though... ) 16...,te6 (In case of 16...b5, White's knight can reach the e3-square via f1 - 17. gel geS lS.~ru) 17.~c4 (White should not lose his control over the d5-square - 17.~f4 d5=) 17... b5 (White has sufficient resources to take care of the dS-square 17...geS 18.~ce3 ~e719 ..i£U) IS. ~ce3 gbS 19.~d2 geS (It would only be in favour of White if his opponent plays 19....ib6 20.f4;!;, while if Black tries to demonstrate force on the other side of the board, then it turns out to be just an illusion after 19...~d7 20.h3 a5 21.a4 bxa4 22.~4 Yfb7 23.gb!;!;) 20.me1 and it all ends up in a transposition to the main line see 14..geS. 15.~d2

It looks attractive for White to play 15.J.d3, preventing the pawn-advance f6-fS, but Black can impede his opponent's plans by advancing his queenside pawns 15...~e5 16.~d4 (White creates no problems for Black by playing 16.f4 ~xd3 17.~xd3 f5=, or 16.J.c2 .te6 17.ge1 ~c4 lS.gb1 b5=) 16...Ae6 17.~e3 Yfb6! White needs just one tempo in order to consolidate his position with ~d2 and .te2, but he does not have it. If lS.~d2, then .ib6 19.f4 ~g4=,

90

while Black can parry the mOVe 18.~e2 with lS ...gacS 19.~xe6 (If 19.9fb1 .ib6 20.a4 ~c5= and he follows unavoidably with d6dS.) 19...fxe6 20.~d1 fS=. In the game Mueller - Schroeder, Baden 2002, White succeeded in obtaining the advantage after lS.b3?! geeS?! 19.~d2 ~c5 (Black fails to equalize with 19...~a5 20.gac1 ~xd3 21.~xd3 and he cannot play 21... d5 22.~xe6±, or 22 ...~xa2 22.gal Yfb2 23.~e2± with the idea to follow with gfb1.) 20.gac1 b5 21..te2 ga7 22.g;,h1 ~c7 23.f4 ~c6 24.~xc6 ~xc6 25.fS!±. Black could have obtained an equal p0sition however, if he had placed on cS his other rook - lS ...gacS! 19.~d2 ~a5 20.gac1 (20.mc1 .ibM) 20... ~xd3 21.Bxd3 dS! 22. ~xe6 dxe4 23.~xe4 b5= 15•••15 16.eD5 .txf5 17.~e4 b5 18.~ce3 .le6 19••1 It would only lead to a transposition to the main line if White chooses the variation 19.Bd2 gbS (19 ... ~e7 20.i.f3;t;) 20.gfe1 - see 19.ge1. 19•••1118 20.trd2;t

4.~xd4

g6 5.~c3 j.g7 6.j.e3

~f6

7.i.c4 V!!aS 8.0-0

In the game Mrkvicka - Ralls, j.dl;!; followed by ixa4) 22.j.b5~. JIlternet 2003, after 19.. J~b8, Black would not achieve much if White played 20.V!!c2, but this he transfers his knight to the c4enabled Black to equalize after square after 20 ...V!!c8 21.h3 llJe5 20...b4 21.V!!a4 %'Id7 22 ..ba6 bxc3 22.!lad1 llJc4 (White's position is quite attractive after 22 ...V!!b7 23. 23.bxc3 ~e7= In the position after 20.V!!d2, f4 llJc6 24.j.i'3;) 23.llJxc4 bxc4 White maintains a slight advan- 24.j.f3~. The consequences of tage, which is based on his White's possible kingside actions reliable control over the d5- can be best illustrated by the square and the vulnerability of following variation 20 ...V!!d7 21. Black's queenside pawns. White h3 (with the idea llJg4) 21 ... a5 can play on both sides of the (21 ...llJe5 22.f4 V!!a7 23.i>h2 ~d7 board, while Black's queenside 24..ti3 a5 25.!lad1 V!!c5 26.a3;) activity can be easily parried with 22.llJg4 .ixd5 23.V!!xdS llJe7 24. 20...a5 21.a4 b4 ( 21 ...bxa4 22. V!!g5;

Conclusion This chapters deals with variations arising after an early sortie of Black's queen to the as-square and castling short of both sides with Black's d-pawn remaining on its initial position. White can best emphasize the vulnerability ofhis opponent's queen on as with the move 9.llJb3.1n case it retreats to c7, which we have analyzed in variation b), it is very effectivefor White tofollow the exemplary play ofAnand -10 .j.g5 with the positional threat to capture onf6 and to proceed with llJdS, which will usually lead to the disruption of Black's pawn-structure. If all this happens, White obtains a slight but long lasting advantage if he succeeds in establishing reliable control over the dS-outpost.ln case Black prevents this threat, he either lags in development, or he is forced to make positional concessions connected with compromising his pawn-structure. If Black retreats his queen to d8 (We have analyzed this move in variation a) there arises a position, which has been encountered numerous times in practice, except that White has an extra tempo and this makes his prospects even more promising. Later, depending on Black's actions, White either organizes his habitual kingside pawnOffensive, or he follows with the thematic maneuver 12-f4 and later ~ and llJdS, which is particularly effective when Black's bishop has already occupied the e6-square.

ChapterS

1.e4 c5 2.~f3 ~c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 g6 S.~c3 Ag7 6.Ae3 ~f6 7.Ac4 0-0 8.Ab3

8 •••Ylb6? - This is a blunder. Mueller - Kneip, Cuxhaven 2005; 9.~e6±

We will analyze now a) 8 ••• a6, b) 8 •.•d6, c) 8 •.• ~g4, d) 8 •••e6 and e) 8 .•:&a5. About the most popular move for Black S... a5 - see Chapter 6, while he has also tried in practice: 8 ••••c7 - Black's queen here will become a target for White after ~dS. 9.fJ ~a5 (About 9 ... a6 10.Y«d2 b5 11.0-0-0 - see S... a6, 10...~a5 l1.g4 - see S ... a6; 9 ... d6 10.Y«d2 - see Chapter 12, variation a) 10.Y«d2 ~xb3 11.~xb3 d6 12.0-0-0 ~d7 13.~dS Y«dS 14. ih6t - Now, White's standard kingside initiative is much more dangerous, because Black has lost tempi for queen's maneuvers, Pinto - Nascimento, Itapiruba 1997; 92

8 ••• dS?! - Black sacrifices his central pawn. He fails to regain it and he cannot obtain sufficient compensation for it. 9.exdS ~a5 (Inanswerto9 ... ~b4, V.Bogdanov - Anastasopulos, Varna 1962, it looks very attractive for White to continue with 10.~fJ Y«a5 11.tv'd2 gdS 12.0-0-0 and here it would be very bad for Black to opt for 12 ....ie6 13.dxe6 ~d2 14.exf7+ hS15.,ixd2+-, he cannot regain his pawn back after 12...e6 13. c;t>bl exdS 14.a3 ~c6 15.~xd5± the defencelessness of his queen has been the decisive factor, while after 12...b6 13 ..td4 .ib7 14.Y«el!, it is also bad for Black to opt for 14... ~bxd5 15.hf6 ~xf6 16.tv'xe7 ~5 17.~xdS ~xd5 IS.lYh4 gac8 19.9d3±, since White ends up with a solid extra pawn. It is hardly better for Black to try 14... <M8 15.~g5 ~bxd5 16..lxf6 ~xf6 17.~e6+ fxe61S."'xe6+-, but even in the variation 15.. ..th6 16..ie3 ~bxd5 17.~xh7+ c;t>g7 IS ..ixh6+

4Ji:Jxd4 g6 SJoc3 J.g76.J.e3 lOf6 7.J.c4 0-0 B.IJ.b3

\Indl7 19.~xdS lOxdS 20 ..id2 ti'c5 21.h4± White remains with an extra pawn and excellent attacking prospects.) 10.Wld2 b6 (or 10... 0xb3 11.lOxb3 b6 12.0-0-0 J.b7 l3.Ah6 - see 10 ...b6; it seems !DOre active for Black to opt for 11..bS 12.lOxbS, but here instead of 12.. .Ji5 13.c4± with two extra pawns for White Kondratiev Nei, Leningrad 1960, Black should better play 12 ... ti'xdS 13.ti'xdS ~d5 14.J.d4 e5 IS.J.c5 gd8 16. o-O-~ - although his compensation for the missing pawn is nowhere in sight.) 11.0-0-0 J.b7 12.Ah6 lOxb3+ 13.lOxb3 Wlc7 (or 13...bh614.ti'xh6 as, Kondratiev - Cherepkov, Minsk 1962, after 15.gd4± Black fails to regain the sacrificed pawn and he cannot create any real counter chances on the queenside.) 14..ixg7 c;t.xg7, Smits - Veresov, Novgorod 1961, White can continue here with 15.lOd4 .ixdS (but not IS ... ~d8 16.d61±) 16.lOdbS ti'c5 17.lOxdS BxbS 18.lOc7 Wlc4 19.1Oxa8 Wlxa2 20.c3 ~8 21.ghel e6 22.ti'd4± and White is clearly better with his centralised pieces and an extra exchange; 8 ••• ~a5? - This move loses IIlaterial. 9.e5llOxb3 (Black loses quickly after 9 ... lOe8? 10 ..lxf7+ and then 1O... ~xf7 l1.lOe6 1-0 Bastrikov - Shamkovich, 50chi 19S8, as well as in the variations 10 ...gxfl 1l.lOe6+- Marcek - Maruskin, Slovakia 1998, or

10 ... c;t.h8 1l.lOe6+- Goossens Oudshoom, Twente 2007, Black loses his queen.) 1O.exf6 lOxal 1l.fxg7lOxc2+ (In answer to 11 ... ge8, White should not be greedy, since in the variation 12.ti'xa1 eS 13.lOde2 dS+t Black obtains excellent counterplay thanks to his powerful central pawns, Macieja - Trichkov, Czech Republic 2002, instead, it is much better for White to play 12.0-01 and it would be bad for Black to counter that with 12 ... dS 13.f4 ~g7 14.ti'xa1 f6 IS. ti'dl eS 16.fxeS fxeS 17.lOxdS+-, because White annihilates his opponent's centre, Andreikin Keosidi, Kazan 2003, it is a waste of time for Black to play 12 ...d6 13.ti'xal eS, Calzetta Ruiz - Hunt, Germany 2004, since after 14.lOe4 f6 IS.lObS dS 16.gdl.ie6 17.c4 d4 18.lOxd4+- White destroys his opponent's powerful centre and he attacks his opponent's king along the dark squares. Black loses even after the seemingly more resilient defence 12... eS 13.lOe41 f6 14.ti'f3 c;t.xg7 lS.lOd61 and here it is bad for him to choose IS ... exd416 ..lh6+, as well as 16... c;t.g8 17.lOxe8 Wlxe8 18.ti'xf6+- and 16... c;t.xh6 17.lOf7+ ~g7 18.lOxd8 lOxc2 19.9c1 ~d8 20.ti'e4 gfB 21.~c2+-, Black would not save the day either with IS .. J!fB 16.104f5+ gxf5 17.ti'g3+ c;t.h8 18. .lh6 ti'e7 19.1OxfS gg8 20.lOxe7 ~g3 21.fxg3+-, because White's piece-activity will bring his soon a decisive material advantage,

ChapterS Perales Galino - Mendez Camarasa, Spain 2004.) 12.ti'xc2 rllxg7 13.ti'd2 ge8, Radics - Krivolapov, Nyiregyhaza 2005 (After the more tenacious defence for Black 13 ... rllg8 14.J.h6 ge8 15.~£3 d6 16.0-0t he can hardly advance his kingside pawns, because of the vulnerability of the dark squares on his kingside. White's initiative is very dangerous.), White wins now with 14.~d5! b6 (After 14... d6 15.~b5+- he again wins the exchange and he remains with an extra piece; 14...a6 - this move loses the queen. 15.~f5+ gxf5 16. ib6+-) 15.lLlb5 J.b7 16.~bc7 gc8 17.~xe8+ ti'xe8 18.ih6+ rllg8 19. 0-0+- Black obtains no compensation for the knight;

8 •••b6?! - This move is too slow, because Black's queenside counterplay is usually connected with the pawn-advance b7-b5. After the natural response 9.£3

he has tried in practice: 9...ib7 1O.ti'd2 ~a5 (It would be much worse for Black to opt for 10...e5? 1l.lLldb5 ~e8 12.0-0-0 tc8 13.h4+- Becker - Sonntag, 94

Verden 1999; after 10 ... d6 11. 0-0-0 gc8 12.~xc6 hc6 13..Ah6 .i.b7 14.h4 gc5, Anderson - Karklins, King's Island 2001, White can play 15.g4± and he continues with his standard kingside offensive, while Black's counterplay is evidently too slow. It is hardly any better for him to opt for 10... e6 11.0-0-0 ~xd4 12.hd4 Y!le7 13.h4 gfd8 14.h5 dS 15.exdS hd5 16.~xd5 exd5 17.g4±, since he is lest with a weak central pawn and White's onslaught is running unopposed, Luecke - Lisanti, Germany 1997; White is clearly ahead of his opponent after 10... gc8 11.0-0-0t, for example: 11... ~e5 12.h4 ~c4 13.J.xc4 ~c4 14.h5 ~xh5 15.g4 ~f6, M.Nielsen - Spanton, Copenhagen 2002 and after 16.ti'h2~ his attack is tremendously dangerous in case of 16...d6 17.~f5! gxf5 18.g5+-, as well as following 16...h5 17.gxh5 ~xh5 18.~f5!±; 11...h5 this move compromises Black's kingside and it does not impede White's offensive at all. 12.h3 c;t>h7 13.g4± Agayeva - Hasanova, Baku 2003; 11 •••Y!lc7 12.h4 gfd8 13.g4 lLlxd4 14.hd4 d5 15.e5 ~d7, O.Jakobsen - J.Nielsen, Aarhus 1966, and now the most natural line for White seems to be fortifying the centre, followed by the march of the h-pawn with 16.f4 ~c517.h5lLle418.'Ml2 ~xc3 19..txc3~) 11.0-0-0 ~xb3+ (It would not be better for Black to try 11...d5 12.e5 ~d7, Smolka -

4JiJxd4 g65.liJc3 Ag76.Ae3liJf6 7.j,c4 0-0 B.j.b3 Hausrath, Dortmund 200S, because after 13.f4 liJc5 14.h4 h5 15.g4-+ White's attack is very ~l, but even after 14...YHd7 15.b5 ~UdS 16.Yff2± Black is evidently behind of his opponent in the creation of threats.) 12.axb3 d513.e5Illd714.f4liJc5 15.h4 YHd7 16.g4! - the centre is quite stable and White should exploit this by opening maximally files on the ldngside.16 .. .f617.exf6 ~61S.h5 ~4 19J~dgl YHd7 20.ti'h2~ and his attack is crushing, Motylev Paibisovich, Swidnica 1999; 9 ....ta6 - This move prevents White from castling short, but he planned to castle long anyway. 10.Bd2 gcS (After 1O... llla5 11. 0-0-0 Illxb3+ 12.lllxb3 d6 13.h4 ~d7?! 14..lh6~ White continues with his standard kingside attack without a shadow of counterplay for Black on the queenside, Mibevc - Pongrac, Kranj 1999; Black would not fare any better after 10...liJe5 11.0-0-0 liJc4 12 ..txc4 hc4 13 ..th6± White is clearly ahead, Daifas - Delithanasis, Heraklio 2004.) 11.0-0-0 liJe5 (Mter 1l...Y!tc7 12.h41' it is a disaster for Black to play 12 ... liJh5? Engl - Beck, Bad Woerishofen 2000, in view of 13.g4 liJxd4 14..txd4 ixd4 15.Y!txd4iLlg3 16.ghel Y!tf4+ 17.Y:te3 Y!txe3+ 18.~e3± and he can hardly save his knight.) 12.g4 ~c4 13 ..txc4 hc4 14..lh6 d5 15. lxg7 Wxg7 16.b3 eS, Molnar Rabovszky, Szekszard 1995 and bere White's attack is very power-

ful after 17.g5 liJd7 (but not 17... exd4 IS.YHxd4+-) IS.bxc4 exd4 19.Y!txd4+ WgS 20.Yfe3! dxc4 21. h4~

a) 8 ••• a6

Black is trying to organize queenside counterplay, saving a tempo for the advance of his dpawn. 9.fJb5 The alternatives for Black are not in the spirit of the ideas of the variation: 9 ...d6 10.Y!td2 - see Chapter 12; 9 ... liJa5? - This is a blunder. 10.e5 iLleS 11.J.xf7+ wxf7 (11 ... gxf7 12.iLle6 iLlc6 13.iLlxdS+- Seoane Sepulveda - Cordon Herrera, Cadiz 2002) 12.iLle6 dxe6 13. Y!txdS+- Laursen - Damm, Birkerod 2001; 9 ...eS?! - This move restricts the dark-squared bishop and Black's d-pawn becomes backward after it. 10.iLlde2 d6 (Or 10 ... llla5 11.Y!td2 liJxb3 12.axb3 d6 13.0-0-0 iLleS, Meshalkin -

ChapterS Bondarev, Belorechensk 2007 and after 14.g41Le6 lS.h4 fiJc7 16.hS-+ White is clearly ahead of his opponent in the creation of threats.) 11.~d2 fJc712.0-0-0 ~dS, Gruzmann - Stiemer, Budapest 1992 and here following 13.g41Le6 14. gS fiJeS lS.h4±, White occupies additional space and he maintains excellent attacking chances; 9 ... e6 - The pawn-advance d7dS is connected in general with the appearance of an isolated pawn in Black's camp. 10.~d2 dS (It is bad for him to opt for 10 ... ~eS 11.0-0-0 d6? Esser - Klepping, Dortmund 2000, because after 12.fiJxc6 bxc613.fJxd6+- he remains a pawn down. It is not so good for Black either to continue with 10... fiJaS11.h4 fiJxb3 12.fiJxb3 bS, Allen - Mozota, Email 1995, since White can counter this with 13.0-0-0 dS 14.exdS b4 lS.fiJe4 fiJxdS 16.1Lh6± and Black avoids the formation of new weaknesses in the centre indeed, but at the price of falling behind in development.) 11.exdS fiJxdS (It is worse for Black to continue with 11... exdS, Iordanidou - Hristodoulaid, ErmioDi 2006, since after 12.0-0-0 fiJaS 13.g4 1Le6 14.h4± White controls the centre and he has a clear-cut plan for actions on the kingside.) 12.fiJxdS exdS 13.0-0-0 ~eS 14.~heti - Black has obtained a sold, but rather passive position and White needs to prepare the trade of the darksquared bishops in order to in96

crease his advantage, BengtssoQ - Torfs, Email 2000; 9...~c7 10.~d2 fiJaS (About 10 ...bS 11.0-0-0 - see 9 ...b5; 1O...d6 11.0-0-0 - see Chapter 12, variation a; it is hardly better for Black to choose instead 10...~d8 11.0-0-0 fiJaS, Mohr10k - Bialas, Bad Pyrmont 1963, since after 12.g4 e6 13ih6 ihS 14.h4± White is much ahead of his opponent in the creation of threats.) 11.g4 fiJxb3 (1l...d6 12.0-0-0 - see Chapter 12, variation c,l1 ...~c7) 12.axb3 b5? (This move blunders a pawn. It would be preferable for Black to play instead 12 ...d6 13.h4t) 13.fiJdxbS± Suetin - AroDin, Yerevan 1962. lO.Vd21fc7 Black fails to equalize even if he continues in another fashion: in answer to 10 ...b4, Fernandez Gonzalez - Vaquerizo Fernandez, Spain 1997, it looks very good for White to respond with 11.fiJa4 ~b8 12.fiJxc6 dxc6 13. 0-0-0 ~c7 14..tf4! e5 lSie3± and Black has numerous weaknesses on the kingside; 10...~8 11.0-0-0 ~c7 12.g4 fiJa7? (this is not the right square for this knight) 13.h4-+ Guettler Kalbitz, Sebnitz 1998; 10... fiJaS 11.eS fiJxb3 12.fiJxb3! fiJeS (After 12 ...b4 13.exf6 bxc3 14.~dS±, it becomes quite clear why White has captured on b3 with the knight. It is for the sake of the control over the dS-outpost.) 13..ih6 ~c7 14..txg7 fiJxg7

4.tiJxd4 g6 5.tiJc3 J.g76.J.e3 CiJf6 7.J.c4 0-0 8.~b3

15.0-0- 0 ~xeS 16.~hel .~S 17. 0dS± - White regams his pawn, doJDinating ove~ the dark squares, Zwaig - Bleunan, Barcelona 1965; 10...e6 - Black takes the dSsquare under control, but this JD,Ove impedes his counterplay. U.O-O-O ~c7 12.g4 CiJeS 13.h4 b5 14.gxh5 CiJxhS ISJ~dgl CiJc4 16. .lxc4 bxc4 17.CiJde2 ~7 18.J.h6 1b8 19.b3± - White is obviously dominant in the centre and his kingside offensive is much faster than Black's counterplay, Cher~ak - Tokarchuk, Ukraine 1999; 10.. J:~e8 - Black loses a tempo with this move, but he prevents the exchange of his dark-squared bishop. It.~f2 CiJeS? - This is a blunder of a pawn, AKovacs - Kelemen, Nyiregyhaza 2001 (Black should better choose here U...ltlxd4 12.hd4 J.b7 13.eS CiJh5 14.1re3±) 12.CiJdxbS !!b8 13.CiJd4±; 10...CiJxd4 It ..txd4 d6 12.h4 see Chapter 13, 10...a6. 11.0-0-0

1l•••.tb7

It is hardly better for Black to try 11 ... CiJaS 12.g4 J.b7 13.J.h6 CiJxb3+ 14.axb3 b4 IS.CiJa4 dS (After IS ....txh6 16.~xh6 dS 17.eS! ~xeS 18.h4 !!ac8 19.hS, Black loses immediately if he plays 19.. . gS? 20.CiJf5+-, but even after 19 .. . ~c7 20.'it>bl!-+ White's attack is very powerful, for example: 20 ... as 2U!dgl e6 22.hxg6 fxg6 23.gS CiJhS 24.!!xhS gxhS 2S.g6 ~e7 26.~xhS±, or 20 ...eS 21.CiJf5 CiJe8! 22.!!dgl!, and here Black is in big trouble after 22 ...~xc2+ 23.'it>a2 Y!Jc7 24.!!c1±, as well as following 22 ...d4 23.CiJc5 .tx£3 24.hxg6 fxg6 2S.CiJe6±, but even after 23 ...J.dS 24.!!h2~ White's compensation for the pawn is more than sufficient, for example Black loses after 24 ...aS 2S.CiJd3+-, or 24 ... ~xc5 2S.hxg6+-, he fails to save the game with 24...d3 2S.ltlxd3 .tx£3 26.CiJxeS J.e4 27.hxg6 fxg6 28.CiJxg6+-) 16.hg7 'it>xg7 17.eS Y!JxeS 18.CiJc5 J.c8 19.~xb4 ~f4+ 20.'it>bl e5 21.ltlc6± - Black's central pawns are vulnerable, I.Borocz - B.Balogh, Hungary 1992 . . It ...b4 - Black only creates new weaknesses with this move instead of organizing counterplay. 12.CiJxc6 dxc6 13.CiJa4 as, I.Zaitsev - Aronin, Yerevan 1962, White continues here with 14..ti4! Y!Ja7 (It is not better for Black to choose 14... eS1S ..1e3 .b616.~d6±) IS.g4 CiJd7 16.h4± and he has excellent attacking prospects. 12.h41ac8

ChapterS Black has also tried in practice: 12 ... gad8 13.hS eS, Blaess Bialas, Germany 1982 (White's attack is very powerful after 13... tOxhS 14.tOfS! gxf5 lSJ~xhS b4 16.tOa4! fxe417 ..ih6+- and Black cannot save the day, for example: 17...AeS 18.ti"gS+ '.!>h8 19..1g7+ hg7 20.gdh1 '.!>g8 2IJ~xh7 ti"eS 22.gh8#) and now White's most energetic response seems to be 14.tOfS! gxf5 lS.h6 f4 (or lS ...Ah8 16..tb6+-) 16.hxg7 gfe8 17.Ac5 '.!>xg7 18.g4+- and his threats are decisive; 12 ... gfc8 13.hS tOaS 14.hxg6 tOxb3+, M.Pavlov - I.Johannsson, Halle 1963, White can follow with lS.tOxb3! fxg6 16.a3! d6 17.bl± and he ensures the safety of his king and he is ready to begin his kingside offensive; 12 ... tOaS - Black wastes too much time chasing after White's light-squared bishop and this does not facilitate his defence. After 13.hS, there might follow: 13... tOxhS - This move has not been tested in practice yet, but it must be considered. 14.gxbS gxbS lS.tOfS tOxb3+ 16.axb3~ White has a more than sufficient compensation for the exchange, for example: 16....teS (16 ...if617..td4 .txd4 18.ti"gS+ - see 16....te5; or 16 ... gfe8 17.tOxg7 '.!>xg7 18..ih6+ '.!>h8 19.ti"gS gg8 20.ti"xe7 ti"b6 21.gd6) 17..td4 .txd4 18.ti"gS+ '.!>h8 19.~d4 ti"e5 20.~d7 gg8 21.ti"h4!+-; 98

13 ...e5 - This move loses by force. 14.h6! .Ah8 lS.tOfS tOxb3+ 16.axb3 gxf5, Szeles - Balogh, Hungary 1972, and here the most precise line for White seems to be: 17..tc5! f4 18..td6 ti"aS 19.93 ti"a1+ 20.tObl .txe4 (Black will not save the game after 20 ... tOxe4 21.fxe4 .ixe4 22.gxf4 exf4 23.gdg1+ Ag6 24.gxg6+ hxg6 2S.h7+ '.!>g7 26.ti"xf4+-) 21.fxe4 tOxe422.ti"g2+-; 13... tOxb3+ 14.axb3 gac8, Gadjily - Hassan, Dubai 2001 (Black loses in case of 14...b4 lS.tOa4 tOxhS 16.g4 tOf6 17.Ah6 .ixh6 18. ti"xh6 d5 19.tOb6!+-, because White surprisingly succeeds in in annihiJating the main defender of his opponent's kingside - the knight on f6 in the variation 19... ti"xb6 20.gS tOhS 21.gxbS+-, as well as following 19.. J~ad8 20.tOf5 gxf5 21.tOd7!! Black is helpless: 21...ti"xd7 22.gS+-, or 21.. J;xd7 22.gxf5+-). Now it seems logical for White to fix Black's queenside pawn-structure with lS.b4 tOxh5 (but not lS ...eS 16.h6! Ah8 17. tOfS gxf518 ..tc5 f419.g3+-; Black can play instead IS ...ti"c4 16.Ah6 ti"xb4 17..ixg7 '.!>xg7 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.ti"h6+ '.!>g8 20.eS tOhS 21.g4-+ and he wins a pawn, but he comes under a crushing attack. It is hardly better for him to try instead lS ...aS16.tOcxbS ti"c417.hxg6 fxg6 18.bxaS ti"a4 19.tOa3± - he has opened files on the queenside at the price of a couple of pawns, but he can hardly exploit this in anY

4Ji:Jxd4 g6 5.li:Jc3 i.g76.i.e3 li:Jf6 7.i.c4 0-0 B.i.b3

way.) 16Jbch5! gxh5 17.li:Jf5 E!feB (It is possibly better for Black to play 17.•.M6 1B.,id4 e5 19.i.c5 ffdS 20 ..AxfB ,ig5 21.li:Je7±, but White regains the exchange and Black is left with too many weaknesses.) 1B.i.c5!-+ and White's attack is decisive, for example: 18...,ie5 (Black's position is hopeless too after 1B...h6 19.E!h1 W1dB 20.li:Jxh6+ <M"8 21.li:Jf5+-; or lB ... mhB 19.1i:Jxg7 c;t>xg7 20.%Yg5+ c;t>hB 21.ixe7+-) 19.1i:Jxe7+ E!xe7 20. 'ffg5+-

Kursk 19B7, 16.hxg6 fxg6 (Black loses after 16... hxg6 17..ih6 AhB IB.b4 %Yc4 19.1i:Jf5! W1xb4 20.,ig7+-) 17,1>4 %Yc4 IB.li:Jb3!± and White has numerous threats. It might be also to risky for Black to test a line, which has never been tried in practice yet: 15 ... li:Jxh5 16.E!xh5 gxh5 17.li:Jf5-+ 16.~a4e5

Black is lost after 16 ... li:Jxh5 17.E!xh5! gxh5 IB.li:Jf5 i.f6 19.ig5 %YeS 20.i.xf6 %Yxf6 21.W1xd7 E!bB 22.li:Jc5-+

13.wbl~a5

14.h5! ~xb3 Black would not fare any better after 14... li:Jc4 15.hc4 %Yxc4 16.th6± Heymann - Reuben, England 1999. 15.axb3b4 In answer to 15 ... eS?!, Gadjily - Hassan, Dubai 2001, White has a tremendously powerful attack after 16.h6! illB 17.li:Jf5 gxf5 18.tc5! f419 ..1d6 %Yc6 20.g3-+ 15... E!fe8 - This move is too Slow, Shtyrenkov - Shabanov,

17.h6 .1hS IS.~f5 gxf5, Cheparinov - Pogorelov, Seville 2003 and here White's attack is decisive after the practically forced line: 19..tc5! f4 20 •.Ad6 1:Yc6 21.ftgl! ~eS 20 .g3 f5 21. gxf4+ 22.ftg5!+-

wn

b) S ••• d6 After this move, there often arises a transposition to the variations in Part 2, so here we will only analyze some original lines.

9.f3

99

ChapterS on his next move Black's most dangerous piece - the bishop on g7, Chagnaud - RouchoUSe, France 1997. 9 ...aS - Black weakens the bSsquare with this move and he will hardly organize any counterplay after this. 10..!DdbS and now: 10...J.d7 11.tvd2 .!DeS 12.a4 ~c8 (It is too passive for Black to play 12 ...~a6 13.h4 hS 14.0-0-0 9 ••• ~d7 \Wb8 lS.j.gS .ie6 16..!DdS J.xdS After 9 ....!DaS, 9 ...tvaS, or 9 ... 17.exdS ~e8 18.~he1± and White a6, White responds with 10.lWd2 has a considerable space advantage, Luecke - Guldner, Berlin - see Chapter 12. 9...J.d710.lWd2 - see Chapters 1990; it is not preferable for Black 15-22. to choose 12... ft"c8 13.ft"e2 J.e6 9 ....!Dxd4 10.hd4 ll6 (10 ... 14..!DdS hdS lS.exdSi Hoffmann J.e6 11.lWd2, or 1O ... lWaS 11.lWd2 - Frois, Figueira da Foz 2007.) J.e6 12.0-0-0 - see Chapter 13; 13.lWe2 te6 14.J.xe6 - see Chap1O...J.d7 11.tvd2 - see Chapter ter 15, 10...aS 11.a4 ~c8 12..!Ddb5 16; 10...eS - this move weakens .!DeS 13.ft"e2 .ie614.J.xe6; 10 ...b6 - This move does not the d6-pawn. 1l ..ie3 J.e6 12.tvd2 ixb3 13.axb3± - White's advan- contribute to Black's. active play tage is obvious and Black's at- either. 11.0-0!? .!Dd7 12.ft"d2 1tlc5 tempt to activate his pieces with 13 ..idS tb7 14.~fdl ft"d7 15..th6 13...dS? 14..!DxdS .!DxdS lS.lWxdS ~ac8 16.J.xg7 c;t>xg7 17.a3 c;t>g8 lWh4+ 16.M2 tvgS 17.0-0 ~ad8 18.lWe3i - Black's queenside has 18.tvxb7 ~d2 19.1Wc7+- led to a been compromised, while White lost position for him in the game, dominates in the centre and he is Hajnal - Ruszin, Fuzesabony very well prepared for active ac2000.) 11.0-0 .le6 12.f4 ~713.f5 tions on the kingside, M.Hansen hb3 14.axb3 a61S.c;t>hU - Black - Roelvaag, Helsingor 2008; lost a couple of tempi in order to 10 ... ltld7 - The position is simforce his opponent to castle short, plified a bit after this move. 11.a4 but White used this time to occu- .!DeS 12.tc4 .ie6 13.ixe6 Itlxe6 py space and he obtained attack- 14.0-0 ~c8, L.Christiansen - Tiing chances, Short - Wojtkiewicz, viakov, Moscow 2001, but here White can play lS.f4 .!Db4 16.f5 Dhaka 1999. The move 9...lWb6? is a blun- .!DeS 17.lWe2 lWd7 18J;EadU and der. 10 ..!Df5± White will exchange he has better prospects thanks to 100

4Ji:Jxd4 g6 S.CiJc3 j,g76.J.e3 CiJf6 7.J.c4 0-0 B.J.b3

his space advantage and he has a clear-cut plan to improve his position, for example: 18...b6 (After 18.•.J.e5 19.1tla7± White wins the excIumge.) 19.f6!? .ixf6 (Or 19... exf6 20.eS! fxeS 21.ltlxd6 ~c6 22.ltlxf7't and White's threats are quite dangerous, which can be best mustrated by the following practically forced variation: 22 .. .'~e7 23..tgS 1f6 24Jbcf6 ~6 2S.J.xf6 1fxf6 26.ltlxeS fuc2 27.ltlg4 YlYe6 28.ti'xe6+ ltlxe6 29.~d6± and he remains with an extra pawn in the endgame.) 20.ltlxd6 exd6 21.~6 0xa4 22.~fxd6 "e8 23."f2!-+ Black's can hardly defend against White's oncoming attack on the dark squares. IO.h4 It is worse for White to play the natural line: 10.ti'd2 ltlc5 11. 0-0-0 ltlxb3+ 12.cxb3 %!laS 13. wbl f5~ J.Hjartarson - B.Larsen, Gausdal198S. IO ••• lCeS In case of 10... ltlb6, 10...ltldeS, 10...hS, White replies with 11.%!Id2, but we analyze these variations in Cbapter14. In case of 10... ltlaS 11.hS ltlb6 12.l!id3, there arises again a position from Chapter 14, but with an extra tempo for White. He has Placed his queen on d3 in one IDOVe and accordingly he has ad\lanced his h-pawn to the hSsquare. 12 ....ld7 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.0-0-0 ~c8 lS..ih6± The h-file has been opened and White has excellent attacking chances, Si-

mmelink 1999.

Deschamp, Email

11.hS"aS 11... ltlxd4 12 ..ixd4 .le6, Ary Camara, Natal 1978, White continues with with 13.ixg7 ~xg714. %!Id2 ti'aS lS.J.dS! AxdS 16.exdS %!Ib4 17.0-0-0-+ and he has his standard kingside attack. 11... ltlxb3 12.axb3 .id7 (After 12 ...e6 13.%!Id2 dS 14.exdS exdS lS.0-0-0± Black's dS-pawn is weak, as well as the dark squares on his kingside, Minic - Haag, Belgrade 1962.) 13.%!Id2 as 14. ltlxc6 .ixc6 lS..ih6 Yeb6 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.0-0-0-+ Iv.Saric - Mi. Becker, Dresden 2007. l1...aS!? - This is an interesting move, with which Black mostly relies on his opponent playing routinely. 12.hxg6 hxg6 13."d2 a4 14..ic4! (It is worse for White to play here 14.J.d5?! Yeb61S..ixc6 bxc6 16..ih6 ltlxe4 17.ltlxe4 %!Ixd4 18.%!Ixd4 .ixd4 19..hf8 ~xf8 20. 0-0-0 .ie~, since Black's powerful bishop with a pawn is not worse at all than White's extra exchange, Lepeshkin - Ed.Bukhman, Tallinn 1965.) 14...Yeb6 (After 14...a31S.b3 .id716.ltlxc6 bxc6 17..id4± White neutralizes his opponent's bishop on g7 and he dominates in the centre with excellent attacking prospects. It is not preferable for Black to try 14... ltleS lS.J.e2 a3 16.b4 ltle6 17.f4 ltlc618.ltlxc6 bxc619.f5-+) lS.ltld5! ti'xb2 16.xd2 ~fe8 17.c3;!; - White dominates in the centre and his pieces are very active, so this guarantees for him a slight but stable edge, Tiviakov - Apicella, Clichy 1991.) 12.!iJd5 ti'xd2+ 13.c;!.>xd2 ~e8 14.f4 c;!.>f8 (Black can prolong the fight, but without chances of equalizing, with the line: 14...hb2 15J~abl .ta3 16.f5 ~d8! 17.c;!.>e2 !iJc5 18.!iJxe7+ c;!.>g7 19.j,d4+ c;!.>f8 20.!iJd5± and White's pieces have a much superior coordination.) 15.f5 ~d8 16.c;!.>el !iJd4 (Black loses too after 16....ixb2 17.~bl .te5 18.fxe6 dxe6 19.!iJf4+-) 17.f6 .txf6 18.!iJxf6+- Sarapu - Endzelins, Adelaide 1960;

lO ••• tlc611.ti'd2

and now: 11... %Ya5 12.h4 h5 (After 12 ... b5 13..th6 b4, Rojicek - Narmontas, Herceg Novi 2006, it is very strong for White to continue with 14.hg7! b1 and it is not good for Black to continue with 13...eS?! 14.ti'g3 exf41S.hf4 d416 ..ieS (Grischuk) and he loses his d4-pawn.13.c,t>b1 t5 14.ti'gS! .tf6 (14 ...ti'dS 15.ti'xdS DxdS16.li:JbS+- Grischuk) 1S.ti'g3 ixc3 16.bxc3 fxe4 17.h4 (This IIlOVe is played with the idea to open the kingside before Black bas completed his developlIlent.) 17..~hS (17... ~fS 1S.hS

~S 19.fS+-; 17...ti'xc3 1S.hS ~fS 19.hxg6 hS 20.ti'h4 ti'xe3 21.g4 ti'xf4 22.ti'e7+-) and here according to V.Zvjaginsev's opinion, White obtains a decisive advantage with 1S.fS!! ~ 19.ti'd6+-, preventing as before the development of Black's queenside and beginning the penetration along the dark-squares, for example: 19...b6 20.g4 ti'xg4 21.hS ~S (21...gS 22.h6 M7 23.~hg1 ti'h4 24.~df1+-) 22.ti'e7 eS 23.ghfl gfS 24 ..lh6 and White's attack is checkmating. 10 ••0

There arises a structure, which is like a hybrid between the Dragon (g6) and the Scheveningen (e6), meanwhile White's set-up is very non-typical for both variations with f4 and ti'f3 (in conjunction with the development of the bishop on b3) and this position is relatively not well analyzed yet and rather difficult to evaluate. 10 •••iCxd4 This move is possibly too straightforward and Black had

Chapter 5

better wait and just make a useful move, for example: 10...ti'e7. He does not prevent White from castling long in this fashion (Mter 11.0-0-0 ~xd4 I2 ..ixd4, the move I2 ... e5 does not win the exchange in view of I3.fxeS dxe5 I4..ti2andifI4....ig4,thenIS.~dS ti'e6 I6.~xf6+ .ixf6 I7.ti'g3 ti'cS IS.gd6 and White maintains the initiative, so that castling long for White deserves attention.). In the only game played so far in this variation he opted for 11.0-0, and Black countered this with the immediate 1l...eS I2.~xc6 bxc6 13.fxeS ti'xeS (It is not good for Black to try I3 ... ~g4 I4.exd6 ti'xd6 IS..if4, or I3 ... dxeS I4..igS ti'cS+ IS.~hI ~hS I6..ixf7+ ~hS 17.ti'e3ti'xe3IS.J.xe3.ia6I9.gf3±) I4 ..ti4 ti'cS+ lS.~hI ~g4 and here White tried to make use of the attack against the d6-square with the line: I6.~a4 Yfb4 I7.c3 ti'bS 18.~eS (Black is maneuvering so long with the idea to fight for the eS-square.). He sacrificed his flpawn in this position: lS ... ~e5 (It is also possible for Black to continue here with lS ...ti'c7 I9.~d3 as 20.h3 ~eS 2I.fueS dxeS 22. .ie3 a4 23.J.c4 .ia6 - but not 23 ... ~hS 24.J.eS± - 24.ti'e2 J.xc4 2S.Yexc4;!;) I9 ..ixeS.ixeS 20 ..ixf7+ ~hS 21.~d3 .ig7 22.~f4 (Black had better avoid the pin with his queen, for example: 22.ti'g3!? after which the move 22 ...J.a6 provides for him some compensation for the pawn, maybe not quite suffi-

cient, though ... ) 22 ...ti'b7 23..ixg6 .ieS 24.ti'e3 and after 24...\!fb6? (Black had to play here 24...lhf4 2SJ~xf4 hxg6 and the position would have remained unclear, for example: 26J~~h4+ ~gS, or 26JlafJ. .ie6 27J~h4+ ~gS 2S.ti'gS ti'gl 29.gh6 M7 30.h4 gfB.) and the game Motylev - Guseinov, Dubai 200S ended with a beautiful tactical strike 2S.~h5! J.e6 26Jlxf8+ gxfS 27.ti'h6 and Black resigned. In answer to M.Notkin's recommendation IS ....ie6, we can suggest for White the line: I6.gadl ciS (Black loses after I6 ...~dS17.J.e3 Yfb4 IS.J.gS J.g4 I9.ti'f2 J.xdl 20..ixf6+-; it is not any better for him to opt for I6...J.g4 17..hd6 ti'hS lS.ti'f4 .ixdl 19..ixf8±, or 17....ixf3 IS.J.xeS J.xdi I9.J.xf8 gxfS 20.~dl ~g4 2I.gd7± and Black fails to win the exchange.) I7..ie3 Yfb4 lS.gd4 ti'b7 (After IS...ti'd6I9.exdS cxdS 20..Af4 ti'c5 21.J.e5± Black's dS-pawn is evidently weak and White is clearly dominant in the centre and after 19...~xdS 20.gd2;t) 19.exdS ~xdS (In the variation I9 ...cxdS 20.gf4, it is bad for Black to play the seemingly attractive line: 20... ~hS? 21.~xdS± and he loses his queen after 21...~xf4? 22.~f6+ .ixf6 23.ti'xb7+-, while in case of 20 ... ~e4 21.~xe4 dxe4 22.ti'x~ Black must defend a very unpleasant endgame for him, because his a7-pawn is weak.) 20.fudS cxd5 2I.gd3 J.xb2 22.c3 ti'e7 23.J.d~· White has sacrificed a pawn and

4JiJxd4 g6 SJiJc3 J.g76.J.e3 liJf6 7.J.c4 0-0 B.J.b3 be has deflected for long his opponent's dark-squared bishop from the protection of his kingside, so Black's defence will be very difficult: 23 ...J.a3 24.VNe3! %9'd6 (Black loses after 24 ...J.d6? 2S.J.f6+-, as well as following 24.. .f6 2S. lei meS 26.VNxe6+ VNxe6 27Jhe6 ftxe6 2S.J.xdS l:'!aeS 29.l:'!e3 M7 30..txa7+-) 2S.VNh6 f6 26.J.xf6 fif7 27.l:'!g3± White has regained his pawn and he is about to create dangerous threats against Black's kiIig. It deserves attention for Black to try also 10•..e5!? l1.liJxc6 bxc6 12.fxe5 ~g4! (In case of 12 ...dxe5 13..tc5l:'!eSI4.0-0Y!Yc71S.Y!Ye3J.e6 16.hdlf Black has great problems to create any active counterplay.) 13.exd6 ~xe3 14.VNxe3 llxd6 lS.l:'!d1 VNf6 16.VNf2 VNe717. 0-0 Aa6 lS.me1 l:'!adS 19.1:'!xdS hdS 20.eS;t - meanwhile, he has hardly a sufficient compensation for the pawn, because his bishops are very passive, Carlsen - Malakhov, Sarajevo 2006. Black has not tried in practice yet an approach, which is standard for the Scheveningen variation 10...a6 11.0-0-0 Y!Yc7 12.h3 Aci7 13.g4f, but White is again ahead in the development of his

initiative. 1l.hd4 J.d712.0-0-0 It also deserves attention for

White to play here 12.0-0 J.c6 13.&dti (V.Mikhalevski). 12•• .Ae6 It is bad for Black to play 12...

eS?! 13.fxeS J.g4 14.VNf4 dxeS IS. J.xeS J.xd1 16.l:'!xd1 (V.Mikhalevski) and White has very dangerous threats. Black's knight on f6 is hanging and after 16... liJd7 17.J.d6, his fl-pawn will come under attack as well.

In the game Macieja - Carlsen, Drammen 200S, White played 13.J.e5, provoking his opponent to make a positional sacrifice of his queen with 13 ...dxeS! (13 ... liJeS?! 14..txg7 c,t>xg7 lS.h4;t) 14.l:'!xdS l:'!axdS lS.fxeS ~d7 16.VNe3 a6 (It deserved attention for Black to try here 16...bS!? and if 17.VNxa7, then 17...b41S.liJdl J.xe4, with excellent counter chances.) 17.liJdS! l:'!feS! (The line: 17...exdS lS.exdS J.b5? 19.e6! l:'!feS 20.a4 is not satisfactory for Black.) lS.~f6+ (White can also try here lS.liJb4 .1bS19.a4.) lS... ~xf619.exf6 J.xf6 20.c3 - Black's compensation for the queen should be sufficient for a draw after an accurate play. It deserves attention for White to continue with the more thematic move 13.g4 (recommended

ChapterS by V. Mikhalevski), for example: 13••••e7 14.g5 ~d7 15.hg7 hg716••e3t. White maintains his initiative (h4-h5, f4-fS) and the focus of the fight is around the shelter of Black's king, although he has counter chances too (f7-f6, .!Lld7-c5, b7-b5). e) 8 ••••aS

This is a logical move for the Dragon variation, because after White castles long, Black's queen will be well placed.

9.13 White must play carefully, since it is bad for him to choose 9.ti'd2?, due to 9 ....!Llxd4 10 ..lxd4 .!Llxe4. Here, we will only analyze variations in which Black delays the move d7-d6, or refrains from it altogether (9 ...d6 10.ti'd2 - see Chapter 12): el) 9 •••a6, e2) 9 ••• gb8, e3) 9 •••d5. Black has tried in practice some other moves too: it is bad for him to opt for 9 ••• 1fb6?, since White can counter

this with 10..!LlfS ti'aS 11.~ c,t>xg7 12.Vd2±, exchanging quite effortlessly Black's important dark-squared bishop, Butenko _ Pishchida, Kiev 2000;

Black does not obtain COIDpensation for the pawn-sacrifice 9 •••b5?! Iwakura - Arruda Filho, Porto Alegre 1994 1O..!LldxbS White has not castled long yet and it is evidently too early for Black to open files there at the price of giving up material; 9 ...~xd4 10..lxd4 Vg5 (It is better for Black to continue with 10...b5 11.Vd2 d6 12.0-0-0 id7 13.h4 - see Chapter 16, 11...BaS; in answer to 11...b4, Glauser Woodcock, Groningen 1965, it seems interesting for White to tum his attention to the queenside: 12 ..!Lla4!? d6 13.a3±, or 12...d5 13.exd5 gd8 14.a3 fudS 15..ixg7 rbxg7 16.0-0~ - and Black's b4-pawn is hanging, while his attempt to exploit the juxtaposition of his rook with White's queen with 16....!Llc3 17.Vf2 ctlxa4 18.axb4 Vxb419.1lxa4±, leads to a very unpleasant position for hiJn of an endgame type with a hurting weakness on a7.) 11.g4 d6 12.M ti'f4 13.gh3± d5 14.e5 h5 15.ctle2 Vh616.g5 Y«h817.exf6+- LSzabo - Bilek, Budapest 1959; 9 •••'I'b4, De Sousa - Delebarre, Paris 1992, This move is played with the obvious idea to

4.fiJxd4 g6 S.lLJc3 J.g76.J.e3 lLJf6 7.J.c4 0-0 B.J.b3

attack on d4 and after 10.~d2 to follow with 1O...lLJxd4 (lO ... lLJxe4 11.0xc6) forcing a transition into an endgame: 11.~xd4 (11. j,xd4 lLJxe4) 11... ~xd4 12.hd4 d6. White's simplest reaction is 10.a3 ~a5 11.~d2;t and the fact that Black has provoked a2-a3 is hardly sufficient to justify the loss of several tempi; 9 •••b6 10.~d2 J.a6. GM S.Reshevsky used to play like this, but still such maneuvers are a bit artificial in order to be acceptable (Black's bishop is not so active on the long diagonal: 1O.. .J.b7 11.0-0-0 gfd8, Pina Sierra - Lip, Oropesa del Mar 2000 and after 12.g4lLJe5 13.h4t White can continue with his standard kingside offensive, while Black's counterplay in the centre with 13... d5 14.g5 dxe4 15.gxf6 lLJxf3 can be countered by White with 16.lLJc6! ~d2 17.lLJxa5 lLJxb3+ 18.axb3! bxa5 19.fxg7 ~xg7 20.lLJb5 a6 21.~a3± and Black's compensation for the sacrificed piece is obviously insufficient, since he can hardly advance his kingside pawns.) 11.0-0-0

and here Black usually chooses two moves in practice: 11... lLJe5 - This is the first one. 12.~bl lLJc4 (It is not better for Black to continue with 12 ... gfc8 13.g4 lLJc4 14.hc4 hc4 IS.lLJb3 hb3 16.cxb3;t - he has problems organizing counterplay on the queenside, while White's kingside pressure is very powerful: after 16...h5 17.h3 gc6 18.g5 lLJe8 19.~xd7 lk7 20.~dS± he ends up with a solid extra pawn, Nordal - Reshef, Email 2002; Black could have maintained the material balance with 18...gd6 19.~e2 lLJe8 20.lLJd5 ge6 21.gcl±, but even then White would dominate allover the entire board.) 13..ixc4 .ixc4 14.lLJb3 .ixb3, Evans - Reshevsky, New York 1962 (14... ~h5 15.h4±) and here the standard capture 15.cxb3! practically deprives Black of any chances of creating counterplay, for example after 15... gfd8 16.g4 gac8 17.h4t White proceeds with his standard kingside initiative. ll ... gaeS - This is the second popular move for Black. 12.g4lLJe5 13.h4. Now, the only move with which he can justify the development of his bishop to a6 is 13... lLJc4 (but not 13 ... gc4?! 14.g5lLJhS 15.lLJd5±, or 14... ~d4 15.J.xd4 ~xf3 16.~g2 lLJxd4 17.~d4 lLJh5 18.ga4; or 13...i.c4 14.~bl ~a6 IS.J.h6 bS, Vescovi - Mera Cedeno, Rancagua 1993, and here after 16.J.xg7 ~xg7 17.~g5± Black can hardly defend against ~xe5

ChapterS and .!ilf5+) 14.hc4 .b:c4 lS.a3 bS (1S ...hS 16.Ah6 .ixh6 17.ti'xh6 ti'e5 18.~hg1 and White has good attacking prospects; lS ...e5 16..!ilde2 ~fd8 17..tgS bS 18.i.xf6 i.xf6 19..!ildS 'ti'xd2+ 20.~d2 hdS 21.~dS;t - Black ends up with a very bad bishop.) 16..!ilcxbS 'ti'a6 17..!ilc3 ~b8 18.hS and his compensation for the pawn is insufficient;

9 •••e6!? - This is not a beautiful move, at least optically, but after 10.ti'd2 dS 11.exdS .!ilxdS 12.hdS exdS 13.0-0-0 ~e8 14. h4 .ie61S.h5 ~c8 ~.!ileS-c4, Black obtains good counterplay against White's king, despite his weak dS-pawn, Kupreichik - Giorgadze, USSR 1967. Therefore it looks sensible for White to castle short in order to concentrate against the isolated pawn under calmer circumstances. 10.0-0

10 ...dS (In answer to 10...~d8, besides 11.ti'd2 dS 12.exdS exdS 13.~ad1 - see 10...dS, it deserves attention for White to play 11.ti'e1 b6 12. ti'h4 .h6 13.~fd1 ti'h5 14. 'ti'xhS .!ilxhS lS.a4;t with an advan116

tage in the centre and a clear-cut plan for queenside actions, Arn. lind - Abramov, corr. 1975.) 11. exdS exdS 12.ti'd2 ~d8 (It is bad for Black to opt for 12....ie6?, in view of 13..!ilxc6 bxc6 14..!ilxdS ti'xd21S ..!ile7+ ~h816..ixd2± and White remains with an extra pawn. It is more or less the same after 12 ...~e8 13.~fe1.id7 14.~d1 ~ad8 lS ..if2;t Manasterski - Bal· cerowski, Lublin 1965.) 13.~d1 .ie614.~feU; - White has a slight but stable edge thanks to his op. ponent's isolated dS-pawn, Kat· suhara - Nazarenus, Budapest 200S;

9 •••ld8 - This move is played with the idea to prepare the th~ matic pawn-break d7-d5. 10.ft'd2 dS (The line: 10...d6 11.0-0-0, leads to positions from Chapter 12, with the inclusion of the strange move ~d8; after Black's previous move, it seems illogical for him to follow with 10....!ilxd4 11.hd4 bS and besides 12.e5 .!ile8 13.ti'f4 e6 14.0-0-0 .Ab7 lS.h4;t Estrin - Aronin, Moscow 1961, it is interesting for White to try 12.a4 b4 - 12 ...bxa4 13.e5 .!ile8 14.~4 ti'c71S ..!ildS and he wins - 13..!ildS .!ilxdS 14..ixg7 ~xg7 lS ..ixdS ~b8 16.ti'f4± with a double attack.) 11.exdS .!ilb4 12.0-0-0 .!ilbxdS 13. .!ilxdS ti'xd2+ 14.~d2 .!ilxdS 15. .!ilbS e6 (It would be a disaster for Black to continue with lS....ie6? 16.~hdl +- Vujovic - Capece, La Spezia 1974.) 16..!ilc7± and White

4JiJxd4 g6 5.~c3 J.g7 6.J.e3

winS a pawn, because of the pin, Jansa - Hoelzl, Stary Smokovec 1969. ell 9 .•• a6 This move is not very much in the spirit of the Dragon variation in principle, moreover in connection with the development of the queen to the a5-square.

10.trd2b5 10...~e5 11.0-0-0 b5 12.~bl - see 10...b5; 10 ...d6 11.0-0-0 see Chapter 12, 9 ...a6. 10...~e5?! - This is a bad move with the only idea to prepare the cheap trick ~xe4. 11.0-0-0 b5, Rudolf - Haustein, Sebnitz 2004 and here White's simplest reaction is the direct attack 12.f4 ~5 13.e5 ~g4 14.~d5± and Black's POsition is absolutely critical, since all his pieces are misplaced. 10... ftd8 - This is a strange lllove, because after Black has lost tUne for a7-a6, he will fail to push d7-d5. 11.0-0-0 ~e5, Demidiukov - Melnichuk, Kiev 2005 and here White's simplest reaction

~f6 7.Ac4

0-0 B.J.b3

would be 12.f4 ~eg4 13.e5, exploiting the fact that Black does not control the e5-square, for example: 13... ~xe3 14.~xe3 ~g4 15.~e2 d5 16.~f3± 10...e6 - This is the second move for Black (after a7-a6) weakening the dark squares. 11. 0-0-0 ftd8 12.~f2 ~ 13.~xc6 bxc6 14.J.c5 ~7, Zhukov Shcherbenko, Kiev 2005 and now White's simple response would be 15.J.dM, fixing his opponent's pawn on the d7-square, after which Black will have great problems to even begin his counterplay. 11.0-0-0 J.b7 11... ~xd4 12.J.xd4 d6 13.cj;lbli - The combination of the moves a6, b5 and !faS can hardly be advisable for Black in this pawnstructure, nan - Jossien, La Fere 2008. White is threatening to advance his h-pawn and he is ready to counter b4 with ~d5. 11...~e5 12.0-0-0 and later: 12 ... ~c4 13.J.xc4 bxc4 14.~d5 !fd8 15.~c6, Kostro - Belliard Alonzo, Siegen 1970 and White wins material; 12 .. J~d8 - As usual, this is not the best way for Black to avoid the exchange of his bishop on g7. 13.h4 J.b7 (It might have been better for him to impede White's attack a bit with 13...h5, but even then after 14..Ah6t Black will have problems with the protection ofhis king, his g6-pawn is weak, while White can push g2-g4, or break in 117

ChapterS the centre with f3-f4 and e4-e5.) 1996, and now the exchange 14.hS ftac8 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.J.h6 14.~xc6 provides White with an .ifB (16....ihS 17.ltld5+-) 17..txfB advantage in all the variations: ftxf81SJ:lliS+ ~SI9.Yfll6+ c;t>gS 14.. J!xc6 15.ltld5 ti'xd2 (15... 20.fthlltlh5 and White wins after ti'dS 16.ltlxf6+ .ixf6 17.ti'xd7±) 21.ftxh5 gxh5 22.ltlfS, Kanzmeier 16.ftxd2;!;; 14...dxc6 15.e5 ~e8 - Baer, Bad Segeberg 1995; 16.e6±; 14....lxc6 15.e5 b4 16.exf6 In case of 12 .. ..ib7 13.ltldS bxc3 17.ti'd3 exf6 IS.ti'xg6 dS ti'dS, Black must go back with his 19.Uxh5 cxb2 20.J.d4. queen to dS and this proves that he has problems, for example: e2)9 •••1b8!? 14..ih6 (It is also interesting for White to try 14.ltlxf6+ .lxf6 15. jg5 .lg7 16.h4t) 14.. .J.xdS 15. J.xg7 ~7 16.exdS as 17.fthel d6 IS.f4ltled719.ltlc6 ti'b6 20.c3;t; 12...ti'c7 13.g4 ltlc4 14.J.xc4 bxc4 15.g5 ltlhS 16.ltldS ti'd6 17.ltle2 (It deserved attention for White to opt here for 17.Be2!?, since Black would not manage to protect his c4 easily.) 17...ftb8, Iwakura - Filho, Porto Alegre This is an interesting thematic 1994, IS..id4t - Black's pieces are quite misplaced and he has no move - after ~e5-c4, Black wishes real chances of organizing an at- to exploit the opened b-file with tack along the b-file. his rook. 10.8'd2 b511.0-0-0 Black has played three attacking moves on the queenside, so White could have castled castle short: 11.0-0 b4 (11...~xd4 12. J.xd4 d6 13.ftael b4 14.~dS ~xd5 15.J.xg7 Wxg7 16.exdS Aa6 17. Bd4+ wgS ISJ~f2;!;) 12.~dS ~xd5 13.exd5 ~xd4 14..lxd4 J.xd4+ 15.ti'xd4 Yfb6 16.ti'xb6 ftxb6 17. ftfel geS IS.83;I; Still, it is principled for him to 12.h4 h5 13.wbl Me8, Am- continue with his usual developrein - P.Horvath, Nyiregyhaza ment.

4.~xd4

g6 5.~c3 i.g7 6.J..e3 ~f6 7.J..c4 0-0 B.i.b3

1l••• tle5 This is the most consistent dlove for Black - he wishes to open the b-file, on which his rook bas been placed comfortably. 12.h4 White follows his own plan as well. 12 ••• tle4 13•.lxe4 After 13.•£2 ~xe3 14.ft'xe3 b4~ Black's position seems quite promising. 13•••bxe4 14.h5 'I'b4 15.b3 Black. can hardly exploit White's compromised king shelter, because of his lag in development: 15•••dS After 15... ~xh516.g4 ~f617.e5 ~e8 18.ft'h2 h5 19.~dS-+; 15... cxb3 16.axb3 i.b7 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.~cb5, the endgame is preferable for White.

Wia3+ 19.~bl ~b3+ (19 ....if5!?) 20.cxb3 .if5+ 21.~e4, Veszpremi - Ruszin, Budapest 2005, 21 ... dxe4 22.f4 Wixb3+ 23.ft'b2 Wixe3 24.~xe7+ ~h8 25.~xf5 gxf5 26. 1'Wl5 Wixf4 27.gdhl h6 and Black is already playing for a win. It is more or less the same after 16.exdS cxb3 17.axb3 ~xd5 18.~xdS .a3+ 19.~bl ~b3+ 20.cxb3.if5+. 16•• ..th8 17.e5 and White is better, for example: 17•.• tld7 (17...~h5 18.g4) 18.tlxdS tr&3+ 19.cbbl ab3 20.axb3 tlxe5 21••&5 trd6 22.f4 and Black is lost. In principle, the ideas of the line 9 .. J~b8 are closely connected to the Chinese Dragon and it is one of the most interesting possibilities for Black analyzed in this chapter. e3) 9 ••• dS

16.h6! White creates the motive of a smothered checkmate with this

move. It is worse for him to play 16. eS cxb3 17.axb3 ~5 18.~c6

10.exdS tlb4 About 10...gd8 1l.Wid2 ~b4 - see 9 ...gd8 10.•d2 d5 1l.exdS ~b4.

ChapterS In answer to 10 ...~xd4?, Vujacic - Ljubisa, Belgrade 2007, the simplest line for White is to enter an endgame with an extra pawn in the centre with 11. Wfxd4 b6 (11 .. J!d8 12.Wc5±) 12. Wa4± 1l.Bd2 flbxdS About 1l.. J!d8 12.0-0-0 - see 9 ...ld8. Black has no time to play 11... b6? 12.a3 J.b7, Troianescu Neamtu, Rumania 1967, 13..Aa4 and White wins a piece. 12.flxdS Bxd2+ 13.Wxd2 White's advantage in the forthcoming endgame will be mostly due to his more active king. 13•••flxdS14 •.txdS

14•••ld8 14...J.xd4? - This move leads by force to a hopeless endgame for Black. 15.J.xd4 IdS 16.c4 e6 17..tf6 Id718.ihel c;Ws 19.1e5 b5 20. ~e3 exd5 21.cxdS .tb7 22.d6+and the presence of rooks on the boardneu~esthedra~ten­

dencies of the opposite-coloured

bishops, Lobzhanidze - Wallin, Bergen 2001. 15.c4 e6 16•.te4 .txd4 Black fails to equalize after 16...e5 17..td5 exd4 18..tg5± (GM P. Svidler's evaluation). It is possibly reasonable for Black to repel at first his opponent's bishop from its active position before capturing: 16...f5 17..td3J.xd418.J.xd4~d419.~c3 Id7 (It is worse for Black to follow with 19...ld6 20.ladl ~fI 21.J.c2 Ixdl 22.~dl ~e7 23..Aa4 b6, Fatalibekova - Liljak, Budva 1967 and the forced play has ended and as a result of 24.J.c6 1b8 25.f4± Black is practically stalemated.) 20.lhel. At the end, he had to pay for this a dear price - his e6pawns has remained backward and White has a stable positional advantage. 20 ... ~fI 21.1e5 Ic7 22.b4 b6 23.a4 M6 24.f4.ta6 25. laelt Dely - Soos, Skopje 1967. 17•.txd4Ixd4+ 18.cRe3

This endgame arises practically by force after 9 ...dS and it is very unpleasant for Black.

4. fOxd4 g6 5. fOc3 ig76.ie3 fOf6 7.ic4 0-0 B.ib3

can be improved after the schematic reaction: 26 .. .:!k5? 27.a5 g5 28.axb6 axb6 29.fxg51xg5 30J:'!a1 f5 31..ifJ e5 32.idS id7 33J:'!a7 'ifld8 34.c51-0 Martin GonzalezHarman, Benidonn 1991. l8.••ld7 26 ...f6! - It looks like this After 18...eS 19J~ad1± (Greet) Black cannot complete his devel- move creates more serious problems for White. Black is ready to opment without material losses. 19.1adllb8 20.lxd7 .lxd7 activate his bishop and it will be perfectly placed on fl. 27.a5 e5 2l.ldlJ.e8 Of course not 21...ic6? 22. 28.axb6 axb6 29.fxeS fxeS 30J:'!a1 Axc6 bxc6 23..!::td7 and Black is in ifl 3U3a7+ ~f6 32.ic6 e4!? (In a great trouble. (Altennan). answer to 32 ....!3d8, recommended by Altennan, the line: 33. 'iflc3 22.f4 This move is more precise .!3d4 34..!3b7 .!3xc4+ 35.~d3 .!3d4+ than 22.c5 'iflfB 23.f4 b6 and in 36.~e3 ic4 37..!3xb6 ~ 38..!3b7 the game Tal- Korchnoi, Moscow leads to a draw after 38...1d3+ 1968, Black succeeded in attack- 39.'iflf2 .!3d2+, but instead with ing his opponent's c5-pawn and the variation 33..!3b7 .!3d4 34..!3xb6 he thus facilitated his defence. ixc4+ 35. ~c3.ie6 36..!3b8;t White 22 ••• 'iW8 23.b4 tke7 24.b5 can really fight for the win, for b6 25.a4 Ic8 26.tkbM example: 36....!3c4+ 37.~d3 .!3c5 38.b6 .!3xc6 39.b7 J.f5+ 40.~d2 .!3c2+ 41.~d1 .!3b2 42 ..!3f8+ ~g5 43.b8%Y .!3xb8 44..!3xb8 'iflf4 45. 'ifle2± - Black might save the game with a precise play after all, but there is no forced draw in sight.) 33..!3a2 (33.~c3!?;t Altennan) 33....!3d8 34..!3f2+ ~e7 35.ixe4 .!3d4 36..ib1! .le6 (It is not advisable for Black to continue with 36....!3xc4?? 37..!3xf7+-; he has a difficult fight for a draw after 36... White's pieces and pawns are ixc4+ 37.~c3 .!3d138.ixg6 hxg6 1Il0re active and he has much bet- 39.~xc4±) 37..!3c2 ~d6 38.~b4 g5 ter prospects which is confirmed 39..h2 h5 40.ib3;t - Black has by the tournament practice. sacrificed a pawn and he has ac26•••b6 tivated maximally his pieces and It is not clear how Black play he has great chances of making a Wbite has a clear lead in development and he begins advancing his queenside pawns, while Black is faced with a long and difficult battle for a draw.

Chapter 5 draw, Berclaz - Vicoli, corr.1999. 27.a5f5 Black loses after 27...bxa5 2SJ:ial wd6 29J'!xa5 ilc7 30. wb4+- (Alterman). 28.Af"3gS29.g311c530.Wb4 e5 3l.fxeS be5 32.axb6 axb6 33.Ad5 It is also very good for White to follow with 33.ilal f4 34.ila7+ WdS 35.gxf4 gxf4 36.mt7;t 33••• Re2? Black has some minute chances of saving the draw only with 33.. .f4! 34.gxf4 gxf4 35.ild4 l'!fS 36.ile4+ wfB 37.ile6 f3 3S.ftx:b6 f2 39.Ag2 fl"9' 40.J.xf1lhfl 41.l'!xh6 We7± (Alterman). 34.Ral flh2+ Black is lost too after 34.. .f4 35.gxf4 gxf4 36.ila6l'!b2+ 37.~c3

l'!xh2 3S.l'!xb6 f3 39.ile6+ Wd7 40.l'!f6 f2 41.b6+- (Alterman).

3S.Wc3 bh2 36.lIa6 and White's pawns promote much faster after: 36.. .f4 37.gxf4 wd6 3S.l'!xb6+ ~c5 39.l'!bS mt3+ 40. wd2 J.g6 41.b6 ilh2+ 42.~ell'!b2 43.b7+- Svidler - Lutz, Frankfurt 1999.

Conclusion In this chapter, we analyze several schemes, which are quite different in character. Some of the moves, which Black can play, either waste time, or they lose material outright. The variation B... ti)a5? - is a bit special among them, because White must very precisely and energetically against it if he wishes to obtain a great advantage. In the line: a) B...a6, Black is trying to advance his queenside pawns as quickly as possible. He usually places his bishop on b7 in this case, but it is not so well deployed there as on d7, or e6, because its actions are restricted by White's e4-pawn and it covers the b-file. Accordingly, White's standard attack along the h-file becomes considerably more effective. Black cannot be successful either in some original lines, which we analyze in variation b), because instead of transposing to parl 2, he makes some strange maneuvers and they mostly lead to a loss of time. 122

4.liJxd4 g6 5.liJc3 Ag76.Ae3 liJj6 7.i.c4 0-0 B.i.b3 'the move B... liJg4, which simplifies the position is dealt with in rxzriation c) - and its main drawback is that although Black avoids being attacked dangerously in this fashion, he has practically no cJaances of seizing the initiative. 'the variation d) B...e6 is much more complex and interesting. Black is ready to end up with an isolated pawn in the centre in order to create counterplay. His pawn on d7 goes then to d5 in one move and White must play very precisely. He can counter Black's plans in a cardinalfashion with 9/4,followed later by the deployment of the queen to the J3-square. There arise interesting and not so well analyzed positions, which are totally different than these, which we deal with in the other parts of our book. Still, White maintains a long lasting initiative thanks to his space advantage and well-deployed pieces. The move e) B... YkaS looks very sensible for Black. His queen is well-placed there and White cannot repel itfrom this square. Meanwhile Black sets a small trap forcing his opponent to react with 9.j3, after which there arise rather interesting developments. Among the rarely played moves - 9...e6!?, practicallyforees White to castle short, but after this the positions are quite advantageous for him, because he exerts a long-lasting pressure against his opponent's isolated pawn. The variation el) 9 ...a6 has the same defects as variation a. The positions in variation e2) 9 .. Ji~bB resemble the Chinese Dragon, which we have analyzed in Chapter 15. In case Black plays e3) 9...d5, he must defendfor long a very unpleasant endgame, which arises practically by force, lacking any guarantee to make a draw and without any chances of seizing the initiative whatsoever.

123

Chapter 6

1.e4 e5 2.~f3 ~c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 g6 5.~c3 AgJ 6.,te3 ~f6 7.,tc4 0-0 8.,tb3 a5

looks much less attractive for White than the variation with c) 8 ••• ~14 from Chapter 5 - in comparison with it White has captured on b3 with his pawn away from the centre, while Black's rook on a8 has become very active, although in a bit extraordinary fashion. Therefore, under these circumstances, White does not block his opponent's pawn. Black can counter 9.£3 with the This is a logical and purposeful move, which is played often by typical move 9 ...dS and the followBlack in numerous variations of ing variations may arise 10.,bd5 the Sicilian Defence. He provokes ~xdS 1l.exdS ~b4 12.~de2 tiS a2-a4 and he obtains additional 13.!:tc1 b5 14.a3 ~xc2+ 15.!:txc2 counter chances because of this. .bc2 16.ti'xc2 b4 17.~a4 ti'xd5 He pays a price for this however, 18.~b6 ti'e6, or 14.0-0 !:tc8 15. the "eternal" weaknesses on the ~d4 ixd416.ti'xd4 ~xc2 17.!:txc2 b5 and b6-squares. .ix:c2 18.J.h6 e5 19.ti'xe5 f6 and 9.0-0 the game remains rather unclear This is obviously the most in both cases. precise move for White. He reAfter 9.0-0, Black tests in frains from castling long altogeth- practice most of all the moves: a) er and he allows his opponent to 9 ••. d6, b) 9 ••• ~xd4 and c) 9 ••• push as-a4, with the idea to ex- a4. ploit the weaknesses on Black's The alternatives for him look queenside. worse: The line: 9.a4 ~g4 1O.ti'xg4 9 ...dS?! - Black sacrifices his ~xd4 lUWdl ~xb3 12.cxb3 !:ta6, central pawn, but he can hardly with the idea to follow with !:te6, obtain a sufficient compensation 124

4.~xd4

g6 5.~c3 Ag7 6.Ae3

~f6 7.Ac4

0-0 B.Ab3 as 9.0-0

{or it. 10.exd5 ~b4, Valickova - ural move for him. 13.Ad4 Ad7 Zakoucka, Karlovy Vary 2004 (Naturally, it is worse for Black to and here it seems very strong for play 13....th6?! 14.~d5 ga6, Socha White to continue with 11.~f3! - Steinberg, Germany 2003 and a4 (otherwise White's d5-pawn White can exploit now his domiwill cramp Black's forces consid- nance on the long a1-hS diagonal erably) 12.~xa4 ~fxd5 and here with the line: 15.J.c3!? f5 16.~d4 White can force a transition to a e5 17.'i'c4 c,f,>hS lS.f4±) 14.J.xg7 very favourable endgame for him 't!1xg7 15.~d4+ f6 16.~d5 J.e6 with 13.c3!? ~xe3 14.YfxdS ~dS 17.gfel± - His knight exerts pow15.fxe3 ~d5 (15 ... ~c6 16.~g5+-) erful pressure on Black's position 16l1ad1 J.e6 17.~c5 ~xe3 IS. and the attempt to exchange it will 1xd8+ gmS 19.fue6 fxe6 20. lead to the opening of the e-file, lel± and Black's defence will be which will be very much in favour rather difficult, because of his of White, Sarlamanov - Bahtiri, inferior pawn-structure, despite Kladovo 1991; the presence of opposite-coloured In answer to 12 ...b5, Socha Wojciechowski, Wroclaw 2003, bishops on the board; 9 ...~g4 - This move simplifies it is advantageous for White to the position, but Black's task of trade his opponent's dark-squared organizing counterplay becomes bishop. 13.J.d4 Axd4 14.\¥lxd4 b4 very hard, indeed. 10.Yfxg4 ~xd4 15.~d5 Ab7 16.~e3;!; 1l.9d1 ~xb312.axb3. He has tried in practice here: a) 9 •••d6 12 ...b6 13.~d5 gbS 14.J.g5 geS 15.c3 h6 16.J.h4;!; Black's position is solid, but he has no active prospects. After 16...Ab7 17.lje1 d61S.f3 J.c6 19.Yfd2 ljb720.gad1 b5 21.e5± White succeeded in breaking through in the centre in the game Salmensuu - Skaaning, Gausdal2000; 12 ...lja6 13.J.d4 d6 14..lxg7 \txg7 15."efd3 gc6 16.~d5 b5 17.c3;!; - The main drawback of Black's position here is that he is With this move Black either incapable of activating his heavy gives up altogether, or at least pieces, Ptacnikova - Meza, Bled he postpones the pawn-advance 2002; a5-a4 and he creates the threat 12 ...d6 - This is the most nat- ~g4. If White defends against this 125

Chapter 6 threat with 10.£3, or 10.h3 then Black can play 1O... tiJxd4 1l..ixd4 .id712.a4 .ic6, entering positions, which are much more typical for the variation with 9 ... tiJxd4, with the difference that White has already played a useless pawn-move like h3 or f3. 10.~db5

After the removal of White's knight from d4, Black's threat tiJg4 is not so dangerous any more and it might be reasonable for White to preserve more pieces on the board. We will analyze nowa1) 10 ••• ~g4, a2) 10 •••.Ad7 and a3) 10 •••

b6.

Now, in case of 12 ... l3a6 13.c4, there arises a transposition to variation c, which we will deal with later - see 9 ... a4 10.lOxa4 lOxe4 1l.c4 d6 12.l3e1l3a6 13.tiJb5. The move 12 ...lOf6 does not change much the character of the fight, since the arising positions are similar to those in variation Co There might follow 13.\We2 .tiS (or 13... tiJd7 14.l3ad1;t Diepeveen W.Muhren, Dieren 2001) 14.l3ad1 h6, Fliter - Raczeck, Germany 1997,lS.c4;1; In case of 12 ... lOc5 13.fuc5 dxc5,Alonso - Tenti; Buenos.Aires 2004, White's simplest reaction would be 14.c3 \Wb6 15.\We2 and after lS... lOaS 16..idS .id717.a4 e6 18.b4!, as well as in the variation lS ...Ad7 16.l3adU, White's position is preferable. Finally, we should mention the line: 12... lha4 13..txB4 .txb2, but after 14..ih6;!; Black's compensation for the exchange is hardly sufficient.

In the game Anand - Tiviakov, Bastia 2001, Black played 1O....ie6 1l.h3 tiJd7 12J~e1 .ixb3 13.axb3 tiJc5 14.\Wd2 b6 15..th6 (This exchange is very useful for White as a rule.) 15....ixh6 16.\Wxb6 tiJb4 17J~e2;t and despite the active placement of both Black knights, White has the edge. Later, Vishy prepared and broke through in the centre with e4-e5: 17... Wfd7 18J~d1 f6 19.f4 a4 (19 ... \Wb7 20.f5!? g5 21.tiJd5;!;) 20.e5 axb3 21.cxb3 fxeS 22.fxe5 tiJbd3 23.exd6 exd6 24.b4! lOf4 (24 ... tiJxb4 2S.\wh4+-) 2SJ~ed2 tiJe4 26.tiJxe4 \WxbS 27.lhd6 \We2 28.lOf6+ lhf6 29.l3d8+ \We8 30. lhe8+ lhe8 31.l3d7 and White a1) 10 ••• ~g4 pressed his material advantage This is a logical move - if home. Black has also tried here 10... White allows his bishop on e3 to be attacked, so why not do it? a4 1l.tiJxa4lOxe4 12.l3e1 126

4.~xd4

g6 5.~c3 J.g7 6.J.e3

11.J.g5h6 It would be hardly sensible for

Black to exchange deliberately his clark-squared bishop after 1l.. .iLf6 12.J.xf6 ~xf6, Nyysti - Hokkanen, JyVaSkYla 2004, 13.gel;!; - and his position is solid enough, but rather passive without the important bishop. Now for example, White does not need to be afraid of the attack against b2 in order to prepare a4, ~d5 and c3. ll....J.d712.a4 ~b413.%Ye2 gc8 14.l:~adl ~f6 15.h3 ge8, van der Weide - Roemhild, Bad Woerishofen 2007 and here after opening of the centre 16.e5 dxe5 17."ffxe5t Black will have serious problems, because of his misplaced queen. 12•.1d2

White relies on the fact that Black's knight will be rather unstable on e5 anyway (White can always push f2-f4.) and the time Black has lost on maneuvers with itWilJ. be compensated by the tem!ri White needs to play .te3-g5-d2 In. his stead.

~f6

7.J.c4 0-0 B.J.b3 as 9.0-0

12••• wh7 This is played with the idea to

prepare the undermining move

fl-fS. 12 ... g5?! - Black's kingside is considerably weakened after this move and White managed to prove this quite convincingly. 13.a4 ~d4 14.~xd4 hd4 15.%Ye2 rt/g7 16.h3 ~e5 17.~b5 .ieS 18.J.c3± Stephan - Colin, Gorges 2008. 12 ... ~f6, Scarzello - Meza, Mar del Plata 2008, Black creates again the threat as-a4, but White can save a tempo for the move h2-h3. 13.%Ye2 ~d7 14.gadl ~eS 15.iLe3 ~xb3 16.axb3 ~b4 17.~a4;t - Black has the two-bishop advantage indeed, but he has wasted too much time for this. White has an easy game attacking his opponent's weak queenside squares. 12 ... ~ge5 - It would have been more reasonable for Black to have waited for h2-h3 and to retreat with the knight only after that. 13.%Ye2 ~d7 14..te3 b6 15.gadl.ta616.f4 ~eS 17.J.c4 ~a7 18.~xd6 exd6 19.J.xa6 hc3 20. heS bxeS 21.bxc3± - The tactical complications have ended with White having acquired a material advantage, Parligras - Butunoi, Tusnad 2004. 12 ....trl713.h3 ~f614.J.e3 ~b8 (14...a4 15.~xa4 ~xe4 16.c4!) 15.a4 J.c6 (Black had better begin this operation with 15... ~a6 16.f4!?t) 16.e5 ~e8 (16 ...dxe5 17.%Yxd8 ~d8 18.~c7) 17.exd6

Chapter 6 ~xd61S.~xd6 exd619.Bd2± - he has ended with numerous weaknesses, Negi - Senador, Cebu City 2007.

13.h3~f6

13...~ge5 14.a4 f5 - This undennining move is evidently premature (It is more reliable for Black to play 14... ~d7, transposing to the variation with 13... ~f6.). 15.exf5 .hf5 16.~d5 g5 (but not 16...e6 17.~dc7 J.xh3 lS.gxh3 ~f3+ 19.mg2 ~h4+ 20.mhl gf3 21.J.xe6+-) 17.~dc7 gbS 18.~e6 (1S.J.e6 gf6 19.J.xf5+ gxf5 20. ~eM) lS ...J.xe6 19.J.xe6;!;. After the exchange of the bishop for the knight, it has become clear that Black's active pawn-moves on the kingside have only compromised his position. 19...m6 20..tb3 d5 21.Bh5 ~g8 22.f4 (22.gadl!? e6 23.c4;!;) 22 ...gxf4 23.M4 (23. gael!?) 23 ... e6 (23 ... gg6 24.c3) 24.M6 Bxf6 25.m Bg6 26.Bxg6 fug6 27.c4 gdS 2S.cxd5 exd5 29.~c7± and White has a clear advantage in this endgame, Jaracz Agdestein, Cappelle la Grande 2001.

12S

14.ftel (It also deserves attention for White to opt here for 14.Be2, because his rook might be useful on the f-file.) 14••• ~d' 15.a4 ~e5 16..lc4 b617..l~­ White has obtained a slight space advantage, just like in practically all the lines in variations at and a2. He has occupied the weak b5square; nevertheless Black's position has remained solid, although without any chances of seizing the initiative, Tseshkovsky B.Savchenko, Kazan 2005. a2) 10 •• ..id7 This is just one of the possible developing moves for Black. After the removal of the knight on

c6, Black's bishop will attack the knight on bS, but it remains rather unclear whether he will profit from this in any way. In comparison to 10...b6 with the idea .ia6, Black saves time and he does not weaken the c6-square. On the other hand, he occupies with his bishop a square, which might be needed for maneuvers with the knight.

4.li:Jxd4g6S.li:Jc3

~g76.1a.e3li:Jf67.Ac4

u.fJ

This move protects simultaneously the e4-pawn (in case Black follows with the standard pawnadvance as-a4) and it prevents 0g4. 11... ~e5 1l....ie6?! 12.J.xe6 fxe613.li:Ja4 0e5, Gonzalez Menendez - San SegUndo Carrillo, San Sebastian 2007, after 14.lWe2 f!cS1S.b3li:Jc6 16.f!ad1li:Jd7 17.c4± White has a complete control over the centre and he is threatening to advance his c-pawn as well to attack on the kingside. Blackjust loses senselesslymaterial after 1l... a4? 12.li:Jxa4 li:Jb4 13.c4 .hb5? 14.cxb5 ~aS IS.a3 and he resigned, Cheparinov Alonso Sanchez, Malaga 2003. 1l...li:Jb4 - This move is somewhat artificial, because with a pawn on a2, White can always repel the knight and its transfer to the c5-square, via a6, will need additional time. 12.~e2 J.c6 (It is worse for Black to play 12 ... fleS, because his knight has no good prospects there. 13.a4 f!a6 14.1Yf2 ti6 1S.mdl J.g7 16.li:Ja3 ie617.li:Jc4;!; Llobel- Ruiz Garcia, Valencia 2002.) 13.li:Ja4 li:Jd7, Rodriguez Guerrero - Ducros Salva, Palma de Mallorca 2002 and here it deserves attention for White to restrict the activity of Black's dark-squared bishop with 14.c3!? fla6 IS.f!ad1 li:Jc7 (There arises a calm position with a slight, but stable advantage for White after

0-0 8.Ab3a59.0-0

IS.. :~cS 16.li:Jb6 li:Jxb6 17..hb6 li:Jc5 1S.li:Ja7;!; and in the variation 1S...\WbS 19.1i:Jxc6 bxc6 20 ..hcS dxc5 21 ..ic4 a4 22.a3 \Wb7 23.eS;!; Black's pawn-structure is compromised and White's bishop is much more active than its counterpart, while in case of IS ...~eS 19..ic4 li:Jd7 20 ..ie3 li:JeS 21.li:Jxc6 bxc6 22 ..h6;!; White obtains the twobishop advantage, while Black's position remains solid, but rather passive.) 16.li:Ja7 \WbS (After 16... .ixa4 17..ixa4 li:Je6 1S.li:JbS;!; the vulnerability of the light squares on Black's queenside is emphasized.) 17.li:Jxc6 bxc6 1S.f4 \Wb7 (In answer to 1S... f!dS?!, White can exploit the weaknesses on his opponent's kingside with the line: 19.f5!? and Black loses after 19... li:Jf6 20.fxg6 hxg6 21.lWf2 \WbS 22 ..tb6 f!dcS 23 ..id4 c5 24.J.xf6 J.xf6 2S.f!xd6!+-, but even following 19....tf6 20.g4 gS 21.h4 \WbS 22.~2 .te5 23.~3± he will have great problems protecting his kingside.) 19.eS dS 20.c4;!; and White has clearly better prospects thanks to his more active pieces. 12.a4 It deserved attention for White to play immediately 12.~e2, saving a tempo for a2-a4. 12 •••lc8 12 ...J.c6 - This move is the beginning of rather senseless maneuvers. 13.~e2 \WbS 14.f!ad1 f!eS1S.Wh1.id716.~f2± - Black's has been doing nothing, while White has succeeded in improving

Chapter 6 his position considerably, Bartel - Reinartz, Nordwalde 1988. 13.Be2

13•••Ae6!? 14.Axe6 fxe6, Motylev - Tseshkovsky, Moscow 2004, IS.lLla3!? Y!Yd716.lLlcbS lLlhS 17J!adl;!; - White has transferred his knight from c3 to a3 and he has deprived his opponent of any counterplay connected with pressure along the c-file. Black's pawns are weak and his knights have no good squares. a3) 10 •••b6

This move is usually played by GM V.Malakhov in this posi130

tion and he is one of the greatest experts in this opening scheme. It is connected with the following piece set-up: the bishop on c8 goes to a6, creating the threat to exchange the knight on bS at an appropriate moment. The king's knight is transferred to the good c5-outpost, via d7, and it attacks White's bishop on b3 from there. If we have in mind that White needs to push a2-a4 in order to support his knight on bS, then he will have to capture on b3 after lLlc5xb3 with his c-pawn and this will be rather undesirable for him. 1l.f3.ta6 It is worse for Black to play 1l... lLld7 12..tdS, since White thus forces his opponent's lightsquared bishop to occupy a less active position. 12 .. ..tb7 13.Y!Yd2 lLlcS 14.l:!adl Y!Yd7, Bachmann Iturrizaga, Linares 2008, here after White trades the darksquared bishops, Black's counterplay is impeded radically: IS.J.h6 .ixh6 16.Y!Yxh6 l:!ac8 (Black would not change much with 16...lLlb4 17..txb7 and here after 17...•xb7 18.a3 lLlc619.lLldS± White's advantage is obvious both in the centre and on the flanks. In case of 17... lLlxb7 18.e5! lLlxc2 19.1Lle4± White regains his pawn and his position is very active both in the centre and on the kingside.) 17.l:!f2 ~eS 18..b:b7 Y!Yxb7 19.1Lld51' - Practically all White's pieces have occupied very active squares and he

4.fi)xd4g65.fi)c3 tg76.te3 fi)f67.tc4 0-0 B.tb3a59.0-0

baS excellent attacking prospects, {or example Black must worry about the threat 20.fi)xd6 right DOW.

12.Bd2

12••• f:\e5 It is quite possible that Black

should not be so eager to play for the threat fi)c4 and he should better continue with the more prudent move 12 ... fi)d7. White's position is pleasant in this case too, after 13..ih6 hb5 (13...J.xh6 14.Yfxh6 ~cB 15.a3!?;!;) 14.fi)xb5 ixb2 15.~ab1 .if6 (15 ....i.g7? 16. Axg7 rl1xg7 17.ti'c3+-) 16ixf8 fYxfB. Black's compensation for the exchange is evidently insufficient. 13.a41c8 14.lfdl f:\fd7 But not 14... fi)c4, in view of 15.hc4 ~c4 16.e5± 15•.ig5 15.fi)dS!? Mg5 (AFedorov). 15•••,lxb5

White maintains his advantage too after 15... fi)eS!? 16.fi)dS ~c6 (16...fi)xb3 17.cxb3 ~eB lB. ~lI:d6 ti'xd6 19.fi)xe7+ ti'xe7 20.

il.xe7 ~e7 21.~acl±) 17.tc4!? ~hB (or 17....txb2 1BJ3ab111..g7 19.fi)a7 fi)xa7 20.fi)xe7+ ti'xe7 21 ..txe7 il.xc4 22 •.txfB.txfB 23.~b6 fi)xa4 24.~d6 .txd6 25. ti'xd6± - It looks like Black has sufficient material equivalent for his queen, but he is clearly worse, because his pieces are discoordinated.) 1B.~a2 L\c3 (variations analyzed by AFedorov). 16.f:\xbS f:\cS17.J.d5 Yfd7 Black should better defend with 17... fi)e6 1B.te3 fi)c4 19..txc4 ~c4 20.c3;!; (AFedorov) - at least because in this fashion he would exchange his opponent's lightsquared bishop, although White preserves his minimal material advantage even then. 18.B'e2 f:\c6 Black admits that the maneuver of his knight to e5 was useless.

19.c3

White thus restricts the activity of Black's bishop on g7. He has a stable edge, because of the vulnerability of the b5-square, his 131

Chapter 6 bishop pair and the chance of improving his position after b2-b4. The game Fedorov - Malakhov, Moscow 2004, followed later with 19••• tla7 20.mbl mh8 21. gd2 h6 22.J.e3 mb7 23 •.igl Ae5 24.g3 J.g7 25.1a3 Ib8 (25 ... ~xb5 26.axb5 Y!Jc7 27.Ac6;t) 26.b4 tlxa4 and here White could have played 27.J.c4! tlxc3 28.1xc3 Axc3 29.tlxc3 axb4 30.tld5± (V.Malakhov) and he would have ended up with a couple of light pieces for a rook and two pawns with a clear advantage in this sharp middle game position.

b) 9 ••• tlxd4

This is a reliable move. Black provokes simplifications and he has a clear-cut plan of improvement of his position. Its main drawback is however that in the arising situation, which resembles a bit the positions from the Maroczy system, Black's rooks are doomed to remain passive. 10 •.lxd4d6 132

This move looks forced; otherwise White will increase his space advantage. 11.a4 Most of the players with White play here 1l.h3, which is hard to understand, because it looks like a loss of time, since the right square for Black's knight is c5 and not the g4-square. 11•• .J.d7 After 1l...,te6, Bernbaupt Jordan, COIT. 2004, 12.J.xe6 fxe6 13:ilYe2;l;, White maintains a longlasting advantage thanks to his opponent's compromised pawnstructure. 12.f4 J.c6 13•..t1b1!? White has obtained a slight space edge and this enables him to deploy his pieces advantageously. 13••• tld7 This is a thematic transfer of Black's knight. 14•.ixg7 ..t1xg7

15.'ffd4+ f6, Nakamura Wojtkiewicz, San Francisco 2002. (In answer to 15... ~g8, White continues with 16.f5t and there

4.li:Jxd4 g6 S.lOc3 Ag7 6.Ae3lOj6 7.Ac4 0-0 B.Ab3

as 9.0-0

ariseS the position from the game White's central pawn in this fashBindrich - Tiviakov, Dresden 2007, with the slight difference that White has succeeded in evacuating his king, instead of the useless move h2-h3. Accordingly, Black cannot trade queens. White's bishop and rooks have become very active and he has excellent attacking prospects in the upcoming middle game fight.) The move 15.. .f6 was also played in the game Friedel- Perelshteyn, Stratton Mountain 2003, but in it instead of ~gl-hl, White had played h2-h3. If he continues analogously to the White player in that game - 16.~dS ~c5 17.15 bb3 IS.ab3 .hdS 19.exdS Ic8 20 .lIaeU, he destroys his opponent's pawn-structure irrevocably. Still, Black's defensive fortress looks solid and it is not easy to break at all.

c) 9 .••a4

This is the most principled llloVe for Black. He forces the exchange of his rook-pawn for

ion and this is favourable for him in the majority of cases. 1 0 .~xa4 ~xe4 1l.c4!? That is a rarely played move, with Which White is going after acquiring a space advantage. It is more popular for him to choose H.lOb5, but there arises after it a position, which is of an entirely different type. Following H ...dS!?

White has problems proving his advantage, for example: 12.Ab6 ft'd7 13.f3 (or 13.lOc7 r!xa4 14.AKa4 hb2 15.ft'xdS AKal= Nijboer - W.Muhren, Vlissingen 2001) 13 ... lOe5! 14.lOc7 (White would not change much with 14."Bxd5 ft'xdSI5.hdS r!xa4 16.he4 lOc4.) 14... r!xa4 15.AKa4 ft'xa4 16.fxe4 dxe4 17.lOd5 Ag4 (It is also good for Black to play 17... Ae6.) 18.fue7+ ~h8 19.ft'd5 Ae6 20.ft'xb7 ft'xc2 21.Aa7, Ashwin Sanjay, Chennai 2008, 21 ...ft'a4 and Black has good counterplay. 12.c3 - White parries with this move his opponent's threats along the long diagonal, but now Black has time to consolidate his centre. 12 ...e6 13.Ab6 (White

Chapter 6 achieves nothing much with 13.f3 lOd6 14.~b6 Wd7 15..ieS lOxb5 16. lOb6 Wd8 17.lOxa8 Wa5 18.Wd3 lOe5.) 13 ...Yfh4 14.g3 Wh3 15.We2 lOe5 16.f3 lOxg3 17.hxg3 Wxg3+ 18.Wg2, Macieja - Bauer, Internet 2004, lS ...Wxg2+ 19.~xg2 ~d7 20.lOa7 ,ha4 21.,ha4 lOc4 22.M2 d4 23.lOb5 lOxb2 24..lb3 dxc3 and the position remains unclear. 11•••d6 It is also possible for Black to opt here for 1l.. J~a612.lObS (I will mention that it is bad fur White to continue with 12J~e1, because of 12 ... 0!0xf2 13..lxf2 lOxd4 14.,hd4 gd6.). Now, the variation 12 ...d6 13.ge1, transposes to the main line. The alternatives for Black do not pose any problems to White: 12 ...b6 13.We2 lOf6 14.gfd1 d6 15.lOac3 ga8 (Black does not achieve anything with 15•..lOg4 16.~5 J.f6 17.txf6 lOxf6 18.lOd5 lOxdS 19.cxd5 lOeS 20.lOd4±) 16. ~5 k6 17.lOdS hdS lS.cxdS. White has a clear advantage thanks to his powerful bishop pair, his extra space and the weakness of Black's b6-pawn. 18... lOa5 19.~c2 h6 20.~e3 gc8, Recuero Guerra - Cabello Aguilar, Oviedo 2003, 21.gd4 lOd7 22.gb4 lOeS 23.lOc3±; 12... lOaS 13.We2 lOf6 (Black's defence is not any easier after 13... lOxb3 14.axb3 f5 15.gad1 ge6 16.Wd3, since his position is cramped and he has problems creating counterplay. After 16... waS 17.f3 lOf6 18ic5 b6 19.M2 134

.lb7 20.ie1+- White's advantage became decisive in the game Zherebukh - Stets, Odessa 2008.) 14..ic2 (It also deserves attention here for White to try 14.lOcS!? gc6 15.lOa7 gc7 16.lOa4±, or 14... lOxb3 15.axb3 ~1 16.~1 d6 17.lOa4 lOg4 18..tb6 We8 19. lOac3i) 14...d6 15.gad1.td7 16.c5 dS 17.lObc3i (it is less precise for White to play instead 17.lOb6 lOc4!, P.Smirnov - Kochyev, 8t Petersburg 2002).

12.lel!? In case of the immediate 12.lObS, White must consider 12... lOeS!? 13.lOxeS dxeS and Black has no problems whatsoever. 12•••la6 If Black plays something else, White should follow with the same plan as in the main line. He deploys his knight on b5, completes his development and places his rooks on the central files, for example: 12 ...lOa5 13.lOb5 ga6 14.We2 lOf6 15.gad1 (It is also possible for him to continue with 15.h3 lOxb3 16.axb3, following the

4.li:Jxd4g65.li:Jc3 ~g76.~e3li:Jf67.~c4 0-0

game Bologan - Wojtkiewicz -

see the comments to White's move fourteen in the main line.) 15....if5 16.J.c2 (or 16.h3li:Jxb317.axb3~d7 18.~ac3 le8 19.~5 ~c6 20.b4~ Pavlovic - Vogt, Zuerich 2000) 16....ixc2 17.VlYxc2 VlYc8 18.b3 .!LIc6 19.h3~ Krzyzanowski - Woznica, corr.2001. In case of 12 ....!LIe5, White should choose again 13..!LIb5 .if5 14.lYe2~ and later .!LIb6-d5, or

Ac2.

13.~b5~f6

The move 13 ...J.d7 transposes to the main line after 14.VlYe2li:Jf6 15J~ad1.

14.1Ye2 It also deserves attention for

White to play the prophylactic move 14.h3 .!LIaS (14...1.e6 15. Yfe2li:Je5 16J~ac1 h5 17J~ed1 VlYb8, Gonczi - Eberth, Heves 1999,18. ~b6±) 15.VlYe2 .!LIxb3 16.axb31d7, Bologan - Wojtkiewicz, Bastia 1999, 17.li:Jac31c6 18.b-U 14•• ..td7 15.ladl

15... ~g4, Tella - Gdanski, Myyrmanni 1999. Black is trying

8.~b3a59.0-0

to do something active. (If not, then White improves gradually his position, at first by transferring his not so well placed knight on a4 to the centre of the board: 15...b6 - Black deprives his opponent of the maneuver .!LIb6-d5, however White's knight can go there via the c3-square as well. Meanwhile, Black's rook on a6 is out of action for a while and the vulnerability of the b6-pawn can cause additional problems for him. 16.f3 VlYb8 17.VlYf2 .!LIa7 18.li:Jac3 li:Jc8 19.a4± Kalezic RulUs, Bijelo Polje 2004; 15...VlYb8 16..!LIb61e6 17..!LIdS Ic8, Coelho Crosa ColI, Sao Jose do Rio Preto 2005, 18.1g5 hd5 19.cxd5 .!LIeS 20.lc1±) 16•.tg5 U6 17.J.xf6 ~xf6 18.h3 le8 19.&3. It is reasonable for White to play all his useful moves before he begins the planned rearrangement of his pieces on the queenside. He takes under control the dark squares with the move in the text, with the possibility to advance later b2-b4 and he also frees the a2-square for his bishop. 19 ••• ~a5 20.1&2 ~c6 21. ~ac:ti - and White has a clear advantage. His pieces are much more active and this will become even more evident after li:Jc3-d5, or later after the possible advance c4-c5, bringing into the actions the bishop on a2. Meanwhile, in view of White's powerful pressure on the central files, Black's pawn-mass in the centre is completely immobile. 135

Chapter 6 Conclusion In this chapter, we have analyzed the move B...oS. After White's natural response 9.0-0, Black isfaced with a choice: If he plays a) 9...d6, then he must often give up the idea of advancing oS-a4 altogether. White keeps his e4-pawn because of this and it cramps the opponent. The weakness on the bS-square remains and White often places his knight there quite favourably. Black ends up with a solid, but rather passive position and White enjoys a slight space advantage. Black's knights do not have any comfortable squares in the centre and they cannot occupy for long any active positions. It is also quite advantageous for White to trade the dark-squared bishops. The possibility for Black b) 9.. .fi)xd4 seems to be quite reliable at first sight. Its main drawback however is that White's heavy pieces are much easier to handle then. It becomes essentialfor White to preserve the queens on the board in this case, because without them he can never break Black's super solid defensive fortress. The move c) 9...a41eads to a very complicated fight. In this line, White bases his strategy on his space advantage and on the vulnerability of the bS, b6 and d5-squares in Black's camp. The knight on b5 is a very important asset in White's position, because it cements his defence on the queenside ant it controls numerous squares in Black's position, which is cramped anyway. His heavy pieces are practically idle, while White's pressure along the central e and d-files is very powerful. His pawn-structure is superior and he has long lasting advantages. Accordingly, White should not hurry and he should improve his position patiently, while Black has problems organizing any counterplay.

Part 2 1.e4 c5 2.ctlf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ctlxd4 ctlf6 5.ctlc3 g6

follow with .id7 and gc8 (Chapter 11), leaving his monarch in the centre for a while. In this case, White should better keep his bishop on f1 and after the prophylactic move ~b1, he seizes the initiative withg2-g4. S.ed2 ~c6 9 •.lc4

This is the starting position of the normal Dragon variation. 6~e3

White plans to deploy his pieces very aggressively - £3, Vd2, Ac4 (White should play the last move only if Black is threatening with the freeing pawn-advance d6-d5.), 0-0-0 and then to begin his standard kingside pawnoffensive. 6 •••J.g7 About the lines, in which Black refrains from this natural move Bee Chapter 7. 7.f3 0-0 . Black plays sometimes immediately 7... ~c6, with the idea to

9 •••.id7 About the seldom played lines for Black on moves eight and nine - see Chapter 12, as for 9 ... ~xd4 and 9 ... ~d7 - see Chapters 13 and 14. 10 •.lb3 White often plays 10.0-0-0 and only then .tb3, but sometimes

he can even postpone castling (see Chapter 16 - 10..lb3 IClxd4 1l..lxd4 b5 12.a41?). 10 •••leS The move 10 ... \WaS is dealt with Chapter 17 and the alternatives for Black in Chapter 15. 11.0-0-0 ~e5l2.mbl (diagram) l2... ~e4 Recently. the moves 12 ... a6 (Chapter 19) and particularly 12 ... ge8 (Chapter 20) have become velY popular. 13..lxc4 lxe4 l4.g4 b5

138

l5.b3! This is an important intermediate move, which consolidates White's advantage (Chapter 22).

Chapter 7

1.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 ~f6 5.~c3 g6 6 •.ie3

In this chapter, we will analyze Black's attempts to avoid his most Datural move J.g7. He has tried most often the lines a) 6 ••• ~c6 and b) 6 •••a6. His other possibilities either lead very quickly to difficult positions for him, or if later he develops his bishop to the square it is supposed to occupy on move 5, there arise transpositions to variations analyzed in the following chapters: About 6 ...e6 7.f3 Ag7 8.W1d2 0-0 - see 6...J.g7; 6 ... /t)bd7 7.f3 ~b6 (7...a6 8.W1d2 - see line b; 7... ig7 8.W1d2 - see 6 ...J.g7) 8.W1d2 ig7 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.g4 - see ~Pter 12, 8 ... /t)bd7; 6 ....td7 7.f3 c6 (7.. .ig7 8.W1d2 - see 6 ....ig7;

7... a6 8.W1d2 - see line b) 8.W1d2 J.g7 - see 6 ...J.g7; The move 6 ... lLlg4? is Black's most natural attempt to exploit the seemingly vulnerable placement of White's dark-squared bishop. It loses by force however. 7..tb5+ /t)c6 (The alternatives for Black lose a piece: 7.../t)d7 8.W1xg4+-, or 7....td7 8.W1xg4+-) 8./t)xc6 bxc6 9..txc6+ .td7 10.ha8 /t)xe3 1l.fxe3 W1xa812.W1d4+- White has an overwhelming material advantage and considerably more active pieces, Tautvaisas - Wood, Oldenburg 1949; The move 6...e5 leads to positions similar to the Boleslavsky's system (l.e4 c5 2./t)f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lLlxd4 /t)f6 5./t)c3 a6 6 ..te2 e5), but instead of the useful move a7-a6, Black has played the absolutely unnecessary move in this variation g7-g6, and this enables White to obtain quickly a great advantage. 7./t)f3 J.g7 (In answer to 7... a6, Collins - Parkhomenko, Parsippany 2006, it is logical to place White's light-squared bishop on the a2-c4 - diagonal, since this increases his control over the vital

Chapter 7

d5-square. 8.J.c4 Yflc7 9.ib3 ig7 10.Yfld2±) 8.Yf!d2 0-0 9.0-0-0± Black's d6-pawn is weak and its protection will tie his hands up, Ahmad - Nikhil, Thailand 2005.

The move 7...e6 - weakens the d6-pawn. 8.Yfld2 J.g7, Urtado _ Ferre, Saint Quentin 1998, here White's most natural reaction seems to be 9.0-0-0 dS (After 9... 0-0 10.~xc6 bxc6 1l.Yflxd6+_ a) 6 ••• ~c6 7.13 Black has no compensation for the sacrificed pawn.) 10.ib5 J.d.? 1l.exdS exdS 12.J.g5± and Black will hardly hold on to his d5pawn. 7... e5 8.~b3 J.e6 9.Yfle2!? (It seems worse for White to play 9.Yfld2 d5, while in the variation: 9.~d5 J.xd5 10.exdS ~e7, White will have problems proving any advantage, because Black's p0sition in the centre is very solid and his pawn-structure is quite flexible.) 9 ...J.g7 10.0-0-0 0-0 7..."'6 This move looks principled 1l.wb1 Yfle7, E.Vorobiov - Vaseenough and Black practically nev, Bar 2000, White's kingside forces his opponent to sacrifice a initiative after 12.g4 as 13.'Wb5 pawn. His other possibilities ei- l:!fc8 14.h4t seems much more ther transpose to other variations, dangerous than Black's queenside or they enable White to develop a counterplay. powerful kingside initiative. 7... ~xd4 - Black only enhances About 7...Yfla5 8.Yfld2 J.g7 - the development ofhis opponent's see 6 ...J.g7; 7... a6 8.Yfld2 or 7...h5 pieces with this move. 8.Yflxd4.ig7 8.Yfld2 a6 9.0-0-0 - see line b; 9.0-0-00-0 (After 9 ...a610.Yf!b4 7...J.g7 8.Yf!d2 - see 6.. .J.g7 ~d7, Trani - Onder, corr. 2003, 7.£3 ~c6 8.Yf!d2 or 7...J.g7 8 ..tc4- White can begin an immediate kingside offensive with 1l.h4, and see Chapter 2; 7...J.d7 8.Yfld2 l:!c8 (8 ...J.g7 - if Black counters that for example see 6 ...J.g7; 8 ...a6 9.0-0-0 - see with 1l...b5 12.h5 J.b7, then af6 ...a6; 8 ...YflaS 9.0-0-0 l:!c8 10. ter 13.a4!± White is dominant all mb1 J.g7 - see Chapter 10; 8 ...h5 over the entire board. It is hardlY 9.J.c4 J.g7 - see 6...J.g7; 8 ... ~xd4 better for Black to try to parry his 9bd4J.g7-see6...J.g7) 9.0-0-0 opponent's attack with the move ~e5 (9...J.g7 - see Chapter 10) 1l...h5, because after 12.~d5 0-0 13.wb1 b514.J.g5! l:!e8 15.g4 bxg4 10.Wb1 J.g7 - see Chapter 10. 140

4.ltlxd4ltlj6 5.ltlc3 g6 6.J.e3 16.h5 gxhS17.fxg4 hxg41B.ti'd2-+ White's kingside threats can hardly be parried, since after IB ...ltlf8 19.ie2 ltlg6 20J!dgl !ThB 21..bg4 j,xg4 22.gxg4 ti'd7 23. %9'g2 ti'e6 24.1h6+- his kingside attack is erusbing and Black's rooks are helpless to join in the defence.) 10.ft'd2 J.e6 (or 10...J.d7, Kirillova _ Borisova. St. Petersburg 2004. u.mbl fkB 12.g4 J.e6 13.ltlbS!;!;) 11mb!

1l...ti'c7 (After 1l...ti'a5?! Black does not lose a pawn indeed. but the arising endgame is tremendously difficult for him. 12.ltldS I'xd213.ltlxe7+ whBl4..i.xd2 gaeB 15.ltld5 J.xd5 16.exd5;!; Mongontuul - Konovalov. Moscow 200B. It is not better for Black to opt for 1l...ltld7 12.h4 ~. Vicente Ramon - Gauril Draghici. Valencia 2001. because after 13.ltldS ltlf6 14.g41" he has nothing to oppose White's powerful kingside initiative with. In answer to 1l...gcB. Sakelsek - Balogh. Balatonlelle 2003. it is also good for White to COntinue with 12.ltlbS! a6 13.ltld4 and here after 13....id714.g41". as Well as following 13....ic4 14.J.xc4

~c4 lS.g4 ti'c7 16.h41", White's kingside threats are much more effective than Black's queenside counterplay, which is presently nowhere to be seen anyway.) 12.ltlbS! ti'cB 13.ltld4 J.c4. Krivec - Sudakova, Rijeka 2006. and the opponents agreed to a draw in this position. although after 14.,bc4 ti'xc41S.b3!? ti'a616.c4 ~fcBI7.g4 gc5 IB.h41" White occupies additional space on the queenside and he begins his standard kingside offensive. 8.ed2! Naturally, White should not be afraid to sacrifice a pawn. since his opponent falls back in development considerably. 8 ••••xb2 9.gbl .a3 lO. ~cb5 exa2, Georgiou - Iordanidou, Athens 2006.

White can make his opponent regret about his pawn-grabbing with the help of the line: 1l.gb3! wd7 (It is not better for Black to opt for 1l...mdBI2. ti'c3 ,td7 - after 12 ... ltlxd413.J.xd4 eSI4.ti'c7+ meB lS.,tb2+- he has no defence

Chapter 7 against his opponent's numerous threats -13.tOxd6! tOxd414.iLxd4 Ag7 lSJhb7!+- Black can save his king only at the price of heavy material losses.) 12.~xe6 bxe6 13.1fe3! .Aa6 (Black would not save the day with his other possibilities either: 13 ....ig7 14.tOd4 tOeS lS.~xc6+ 'tt>dS 16.tObS gbS 17.tOxa7+-, or 13...eS 14.tOa3 dS IS. ~xe5 and here he loses after lS....ig7 16..ic5+-, as well as following lS ....Ae7 16.exdS tOxdS 17..AbS+-, or lS ....Axa3 16.~xf6 ~US 17.exdS+- and Black's king is helpless in all the variations.) 14.~xd6! exd6 (The run of Black's king to the centre would not suit him either - 14... 'tt>xd6 lS.~d4+ and here after IS ... tOdS 16.exdS \¥1a5+ 17.c.M2 .ixfl lS ..if4+-, as well as following lS ... 'tt>c716 ..Af4+ 'tt>cS 17.\¥1eS tOeS 18.~xhS+- Black is beyond salvation.) 15.1fxf6 .ie7 16.1fxf7 Ab5 (After 16...~a5+ 17.'tt>f2 gafS lS.~g7 ghgS 19.~d4+-, Black only helps his opponent to activate his queen.) 17•.ixb5 abS 1S.0-0 gaeS 19.9d1+- White has tremendously dangerous threats against the enemy king stranded in the centre in a position with equal material.

Black has tried some other moves too: 7•••e6 - This weakens the d6pawn. 8.~d2 J.g7 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.tOb3 ~c6 (After 10 ... ~eSll.h4± Black holds the material balance, but his pieces remain very passive.) 11.~xd6 ~xd6 12Jhd6 id7 13.~c5+- and White ended up with a solid extra pawn in the endgame, Kirillova - Kuznetsova, Toliatti 2000;

b) 6 •••a6 7.f3 (diagram) Now, we will analyze in details the moves: b1) 7•••bS, b2) 7 ••• ~e6 and b3) 7 ••• ~bd.7. 7....ig7 - see 6....Ag7.

S...h6 (It is better for Black to play here S....Ag7 9.0-0-0 - see 6... J.g77.£3 Ad7 S.~d2 h6 9.0-0-0; S...~a5 - This queen-sortie is clearly premature, Teuschler Hanatzky, Gleisdorf 1996, 9.~b3

142

7 •••.Ad7 8.~d2

4. .!Llxd4 .!Llf6 5 . .!Llc3 g6 6.Ae3

Ic710.g4t) 9.0-0-0 .!Llc6, Koenig _ Semme, Berlin 2005, and here White's most energetic reaction seems to be 10..!LldS .!Llxd5 (Black loses after 1O ...Ii.g7? 11..!Llxc6 .ixc6 12.,lb6+-) 11.exdS .!Lle5 (In case of 1l....!Llxd4 12 ..ixd4 ~g8 13.~el± Black will hardly manage to complete his development.) 12.h3! 1le8 13.b3! g5 14.h4± White has a kingside initiative and he controls completely the centre. In addition, his lead in development provides him with a stable advantage;

Black has difficulties to bring his rook on h8 into the actions and his king is stranded in the centre, Dolmatov - Ljubojevic, Manila 1990.) 9.Y~M2 0-0 10.0-0-0 .!Lle8 11..!Lld5 .!Lld712.h4± Black has managed to protect his d6-pawn reliably indeed, but he has nothing to oppose White's building kingside offensive with, Lim - Mohiyaddin, Kuala Lumpur 1992;

7.....,6 - This is an attempt by Black to impede the development of White's queenside. 8.a3!

7••• e5 - This move weakens the d6-pawn. 8 ..!Llb3

8...ig7 (Black's attempt to solve his problems with the protection of his weak central pawn with the line: 8 ...J.e6 9.fld2 dS? 10.exdS ~d5, Thompson - Maubach, Email 2000, leads after 11.0-0-0 tb412.J.c4+- to a loss of a piece. His desire to get rid of it is understandable, but he had better try some thing else. After 9 ....!Llc6 10.0-0-0 ~c8 11.'i!lbl .!LlaS 12.g4 tlc413 ..ixc4.ixc4 - or 13... ~c4?! 14.tcs± Black's d6-pawn falls 14.th6 J.xh615. flxh6 b516.~d2±

8 ....id7 (The move 8 ...e5 weakens the important d5-outpost. 9 ..!LlfS flc7 10.Ag5 .!Llbd7 11..!Lle3± Black is completely devoid of counterplay and his attempt to activate his pieces led the loss of his queen. l1...flcS? 12 ..!LledS .!Llxd5 13 ..!Llxd5 h6 14.b4 YHc6 15.b5 1-0 Ziatdinov - Chatalbashev, Bulgaria 1989.) 9.fld2 flc7 (It is bad for Black to opt for 9 ...flxb2? 10..!Llb3 1i.g7 11.J.d4 0-0 12.~a2+- and he loses his queen.) 10.0-0-0 .!Llc6, Napoli Costa - Del Nobile, Italy 1991, and here White's most aggressive line seems to be: 1l.g41i.g7 12.g5 143

Chapter 7 ~hS 13.~dS Yfd8 14.~e2± and he dominates in the centre with excellent attacking chances;

7 •••Ylc7 8.Yfd2 eS (It is preferable for Black to play here 8 .. ..ig7 - see 6 ...ig7 7.f3 a6 8.lYd2 lYc7; 8 ...~bd7 9.0-0-0 ig7 - see 6 ... .tg7; 8 ... ~c6 9.0-0-0 - see 7.. . ~c6 8.lYd2 lYc7 9.0-0-0) 9.~b3 ie6 10.ie2 ~bd7 1l.13d1 13c8 12. 0-0 ~b6 13..tgS ~fd7 14.J.h6 ~c4 lS.,hc4 ixh6 16.lYxb6 .ixc4 17J~f2 lYb618.lYd2 bl± and Black has no counterplay at all, while in the variation: 18•.• .bc3 19.'Bxc3 .be4 20.g6-+, White's kingside threats are tremendously dangerous, which can be confirmed by the following exemplary variation: 20 ....txf5 21.th6 f6 22.gxh7+ C;!;>xh723..hf8 Y!YxfB 24.YffJ Ag4 2S.Yfe4+ ~h6 26.13d4 c3 27.ti'xe7± and White has excellent winning chances with his extra exchange.

b2) 7 ••• ~c6

Now, Black will have to lose additional time, fortifying White's dominance in the centre after the exchange on d4, or he will need to worry about the possible trade of 146

knights on the c6-square. 8 ••d2~d4 About B....ig7 - see 6 ....tg7. B...Ad7 9.0-0-0 Y!Yc7 10.g4 0-0-0 11.gS± Black's king is just as endangered on the queenside as on the kingside and he has no counterplay at all, Mareco - Cutillas Vicente, Calvia 2006. B...dS - Opening of the centre is no doubt in favour of White, because of his superior development. 9.exdS ~xdS 10.~xc6 bxc6, Pirosca - Vulln, Eretria 2005, and here after 11.~xdS, Black either loses a pawn in the variation: 11...cxdSI2.Y!Yc3 13gB 13.Y!Yc6+ Ad7 14.Y!YxdS e615.Y!Yd2±, while he has no compensation whatsoever, because his king is stranded in the centre for indefinite time, or he will fall catastrophically behind in development in the line: 11...fi'xdS 12.fi'c3 13gB 13.13dl .ig7 14.Ad4 hd4 IS.l3xd4 Y!Ye6+ 16.~ ti'f6 17.Ad3± B...Y!Yc7 - Black's queen is misplaced here. 9.0-0-0 b5 (His game is hardly acceptable after 9 ....td7 10.g4 - see 6 ...~c6 7.fJ Ad7 B.fi'd2 a6 9.0-0-0 Y!1c7 10.g4; the best line for Black here is: 9 ....ig7 - see 6 ....ig7) 10.~xc6 Y!Yxc6 11.eS b4 12.~e2± White is evidently ahead in development and he opens files in the centre, Sanjuan Garcia - Mendoza Navas, Malaga 1993. B...hS 9.0-0-0 Ad7 (It is worse for Black to opt for 9 ... ~e5, Ladyzhensky - Sanguinetti, san

4.tLlxd4 tLlj6 S.tLlc3 g6 6.J.e3

frIlDcisco 2006, because here af-

clearly better chances in the mid-

ter 10.h3 .id7 1l.f4 tLlc6 12.tLlfJ± dlegame and in the endgame White is threatening to break in the centre with e4-e5, while Black need a couple of tempi to complete his development) 1O.c.t1bl .c7, Dippel - Grasser, Nuremberg 2004, now White can ensure a long-tenn domination on the squares on the d-file with the help ofthe line: 1l..ig5 .ig712 ..ixf6 exf6 13.Ac4!, the dS-square and the d6-pawo are weak, so Black's twobishop advantage is not enough to compensate the fact that he fails to organize counterplay with the move 13...f5, because after 14.tLldS IS.tLlxc6 bxc6 16.tLlb4± Black cannot castle. 9.J.xd4 J.g7 About 9 ...J.e6 10.g4 J.g7 1l.h4 - see 6 ....ig7 7.J.e3 tLlc6 8.~d2 ~d4 9.J.xd4 a6 10.g4 J.e6 1l.h4.

.dB

10.~d5 0-0 1l.~xf6+ exf6 12.0-0-0 .c7, A.Rodriguez Uoveras Hemanz, Candas 1997, and here White can continue With 13.c.flbl .le6 14••f4 Bac8 lS.J.d3 16.b3! and he has

.aS

thanks to Black's permanent weakness on d6.

b3) 7•.• ~bd7 8.'ffd2

8 .••b5?! This activity is premature. It is betterfor Black to play 8 ... J.g7 - see 6 ....ig7; 8 ...~c7 9. 0-0-0 .ig7 - see 6 ...J.g7. He has tried in practice some other lines as well: 8 ...b6 - this move either impedes his counterplay, or it just loses a tempo. 9.0-0-0 J.b7 10.g4 h6 1l.h4 ~c712.C;t.bl 0-0-0 13..ih3 c.flb8 14.gS± White dominates in the centre and his kingside initiative dooms Black to a long defence without any good prospects, Jansa - Vanderwaeren, Ostend 1993; 8 ... tLlb6 - White will be clearly ahead in the development of his initiative after that move, Rapp - Lovelock, New Zeeland 2000, 9.0-0-0 .ig710.J.h6 0-0 1l.J.xg7 cj;xg712.g4t, White has managed 147

Chapter 7 to trade advantageously the darksquared bishops and he has begun his kingside offensive. S... e5 - Black weakens the d6-pawn and the dS-square with that move. 9.~b3 Y!lc7 10.g4 h6 11.0-0-0 ~b6, Sandor - Weber, Austria 1995, White can continue here with 12.Y!lf2 ~c4 13..hc4 Y!lxc4 14.~a5 Y!lc7 15.J.b6 Y!lbS 16. h4 t and he develops a powerful kingside initiative, which Black can hardly manage to neutralize, since his pieces are squeezed to the last rank. S...h5!? 9.0-0-0 b5, von Hoesslin - Richter, Ellwangen 1994, White can opt here for 10.~d5 J.b7 11.~xf6+ ~xf6 1Vit>b1 J.g7 13.~b3 Y!lc714.Y!la5;!; and he exerts a powerful queenside pressure in a calm position. 9.a4 bxa4 It is hardly any better for Black to try here 9...b4 10.~d5 ~xd5 11.lLlc6 Y!lc7 12.exd5;!;, because he faces an unpleasant choice - to sacrifice a pawn with 12 ...ig7, Hoerhammer - Sihvonen, Finland 200S, 13.J.d4 J.f6 14.~xb4±, with some minimal chances for a compensation, or after 12 ...a5 13.J.d4± he ends up with numerous weak squares in his camp and a considerable lag in development. 10.~xa4 j,g7 After 10...J.b7 11.c4 J.g7 12.b4 0-0 13.J.e2;!; White completes his development and he obtains a stable advantage, due to his 14S

dominance in the centre and he has a clear-cut plan for queenside actions, Yemelin - Aberge1, Cappelle la Grande 2007. 1l•.te2 J.b7 12.c4 0-0 13. 0-0 ~c5 It is not preferable for Black to try 13...Y!lc7 14.b4 ~fdS (After 14...~fcS 15.mc1 Y!ldS 16.c5 dxc5 17.bxc5± White's Passed pawn is tremendously dangerous, while Black's passed pawn is just harmless. 17...J.c6 lS.~b6 ~xb6 19.1Llxc6 Y!lxd2 20.~e7+ ~ 21.J.xd2+- Nilsson - Zapletal, corr. 19S2.) 15.~b3 l:!ac8 16. ~a5 Y!lbS 17.~ab1 Y!laS 18.mcl± and Black is completely devoid of active counterplay and he is forced to only wait for White's breakthrough on the queenside, Boleslavsky - Ufimtsev, Leningrad 1947. In answer to 13...~c8. M.Manakova - Vasilkova. Moscow 200S, White's most sensible line again seems to be: 14.h4 ~e5 15.~fcl±, followed by the transfer of the knight to the a5-square.

14.h4!t

4 . .!Dxd4 .!Df6 5 . .!Dc3 g6 6.i.e3 The position has been simpli-

16•••fle8

After 16...dxc5 17..!Dxc5 'ffc7 fied indeed; nevertheless, White exerts powerful pressure on the 18..!Dxb7 'ffxb7 19.e5 .!Dd7 20.f4± queenside and in the centre. 14••• e5 It is obviously worse for Black to continue with 14... .!De6 15..!Dxe6 {xe616.c5 'ffc717.cxd6 exd6 (After 17...f«xd6 18J'!adl gad8 19 ..!Dc5± Black has difficulties protecting his wlnerable pawns.) 18.gacl l'e7 19.mdl gfd8 20 ..!Db6 gab8 2Ulc2± White has occupied the c-file, meanwhile Black's a6 and d6-pawns need protection. It is hardly preferable for Black to opt for 14... .!Dxa4 15.Etxa4 'ffc7, Peredy - Reiss, Veszprem 2000 and here after 16.gcl gfd8 17..!Db3 ed7 18..!Da5± White's queenside threats are tremendously danger-

ous. 15.bxe5 exd4 16•.tg5!± Black has numerous possibilities at his disposal, but White's advantage is obvious.

White has the two-bishop advantage and he dominates in the centre. Black's defence will be problematic in the variation: 16... 1c6 17..!Db6 ga7 18 ..!Dd5± (Ftacnik).

17.cxd6 "xd618.e5 "c6 (or 18 ...'ffc7 19..!Db6! ga7 20.mc1±

Ftacnik) 19.,Ac4 .Ac8 20.~b6 fta7 21.Mc1+- Kasparov - Ki. Georgiev, Sarajevo 2000.

Conclusion The variations analyzed in this chapter show convincingly that Black should not try to be too clever by delaying the development of his dark-squared bishop. He will not find for it a better square than g7 anyway and his attempt to gobble White's b2-pawn leads to a considerable lag in development. The idea to develop the bishop to the e7-square makes the d6-pawn tremendously vulnerable. In variation b). Black plays 197 too late in the game and this enables White to organize a powerful queenside initiative, while his pawn-structure in the centre is very solid and it restricts completely any attempts by Black to create counterplay there.

149

ChapterS

1.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 tlf6 g6 6 ..te3 j.g77.f3

5.~c3

White can finish his opponent off with the line: 9./t:)xdS /t:)xd5 10.~xdS+-; Black loses too after 8 ...a6 9./t:)xd6+ q;e7 10 ..ic5 fi'c7 1l./t:)f5+ 1-0 Sheehan - Doyle, Ireland 1998.) 9.ti'xd6 ~xd6 10. /t:)xd6 /t:)c6 llic4+- White has not only a solid extra pawn in this endgame, but he has an advantage in development and space, Wessel - Schwarze, Germany 2007. In this chapter we will analyze the rarely played move 7...a6, as well as some other not so popular lines for Black. 7••• a6

7...ti'a5 8.ti'd2 /t:)c6 (about 8 ... a6 9.0-0-0 - see 7... a6 8.ti'd2 ~a5 9.0-0-0) 9./t:)b3 - see 7... /t:)c6 8:erd2 ~a5 9./t:)b3. 7•••h6 8.~d2 a6 (8 ... /t:)c6 see 7... /t:)c6 8.ti'd2 h6) - see 7... a6 8.~d2 h6; 7•••"fIlc7 8.~d2 /t:)c6 - see 7.../t:)c6 8."fIld2 ~c7. 7••• eS? - This is a blunder after which Black has problems with the protection of his d6-pawn. 8./t:)db5 0-0 (In answer to 8 ...dS, Perleberg - Leroy, Email 1997, 150

7••• dS? - This premature break in the centre leads to a great lag in development for Black. 8 ..ib5+ J.d7, Spader - Sutton, Email 1995, and here White should not go after winning a pawn, because in that case Black will have great chances of equalizing. He should better continue with 9.e5 It:Ig8 10.f4 e6 1l..lxd7+ "fIlxd712.lt:Idb5 /t:)c6 13./t:)d6+ rM8 14.0-0± depriving his opponent of castling and establishing his knight on the excellent d6-outpost. 7 •••"'6 - This move leads to the loss of two tempi. 8..Ab5+ /t:)fd7! (It would be a disaster for Black to try 8 ....id7 9./t:)f51!Jc710.

4.li:Jxd4 li:Jj6 S.li:Jc3 g6 6.i.e3 i.g7 7J3 a6 8. Y!Jd2 ~xg7+ 'itid811.Y!Jd2+- and White ends up with an extra piece, Den Kelder - Yuen Wing, Bagneux 2002.) 9.li:Jd5 ~d8 10.Ag5 .if6 1l..ixf6 exf6 12.~d2 0-0 13.~f4± _ Black lags in development and his d6-pawn is weak as well as the dark squares on his kingside, Schutt - Haase, Email 1996.

7•••h5 8.~d2 h4?!, Black loses valuable time to advance his

9.0-0-0 a6 - see 7... a6 8.Y!Jd2 Ad7 9.0-0-0 h5; in answer to 8 ... a5, Nagorny - Zadorozhny, Nikolaev 2007, White must first complete his development and then his initiative on the kingside will be running smoothly. 9.0-0-0 a4 10.a3 li:Jc6 1l.'itib1 0-0 12.g4t) 9.0-0-0 li:Jc6 10.i.c4 a6 - see Chapter 3, line a (l0 ...h6).

8.ed!

rook-pawn, Rabaev - Fehnnann, Berlin 2005 (The other moves for him transpose to other variations: 8 ...a6 - see 7...a6; 8 ... li:Jc6 - see 7...li:Jc6, Chapter 14; 8 ... Ad7 9.0-0-0 a6 10.i.c4 - see 7... a6; 9... li:Jc6 10.i.c4 - see 7...li:Jc6 8.Y!Jd2 .id7 9.0-0-0 h5 10..1c4), after White's simple reaction 9. O-O-O±, he has a noticeable lead in development. 7••• ~bd78.~d2li:Jc5 -itisdifficult to understand what Black's knight is doing on this square, E.Lie - Egeland, Brattas Skole 2000 (About 8 ... a6 - see 7... a6; 8... 0-0 9.0-0-0 - see 7... 0-0; 8...li:Je5 9.0-0-0 - see 7...li:Jc6 8."tYd2 li:Je5 9.0-0-0, Chapter 9), and White develops a powerful initiative with quite natural moves 9.0-0-0 Ad710.g4 ~c811.h4t 7•• .J.d7 8.~d2 h6 (Black should better try here some other variations: about 8 ...li:Jc6 9.0-0-0 Bee 7... li:Jc6; 8 ... 0-0 - see 7... 0-0; 8...a6 9.0-0-0 - see 7...a6; 8 ...h5

Black plays most often in this position a) 8 •••h5, b) 8 ••• b5 and c) 8 ... ~bd7. About 8 ... 0-0 9.0-0-0 - see 7... 0-0, 8 ... a6; 8 ...li:Jc6 9.0-0-0 - see Chapter 9. The alternatives for Black are just very seldom played: 8 ••••aS - This move does not contribute to the development of Black's queenside initiative, therefore it is a loss of time. Skrinjar - Muradore, Nova Gorica 2007, White exerts powerful pressure against his opponent's kingside with natural moves. 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.g4li:Jc6 1l.li:Jb3 ~d8 12.h4 li:Je5 13.Ae2t; 151

ChapterB 8 •••b6?! - This move looks too slow. 9.0-0-0 lObd710 ..ih6± and White is clearly ahead of his opponent in the creation of threats, M.Popovic - Krsnik, Porec 2004;

for him to opt here for 9 ... \!¥c710. .Ab3 lOc6, Kazarian - Cbistiakov, Kiev 200S, but even then after 11.0-0-0 lOaS 12.'iftb1.Ad7 13.g4t White's threats are much more ef. fective.). After 10 ..ib3 Ab7 11.a4 8 •••e5?! - Black weakens his b4 12.lOdS as, White has a power. d6-pawn with that try. 9.lOb3 .Ae6 ful resource to improve his posi. (After 9 ... lOc6, Black can hardly tion - 13.lOf4!? It would be now obtain any compensation for the very bad for Black to ignore that pawn. 10.0-0-0 0-0 11.\!¥xd6 threat after 13...lOc6? 14.lOde6 Ae6 12.lOcS+- Samir - Hipple, fxe6 lS.lOxe6+-, because White Philadelphia 2001; it is hardly any would end up with an attack in a better for him to try 9 ... 0-0 10. position with extra material. It is 0-0-0 lOe8 11.lOdS lOd7 12.h4± also dubious for Black to continue and his pieces are squeezed to the with 13...eS?! 14.lObS ga6 (After last two ranks and Black is inca- 14...exf4 lS.lOxd6 ~ 16.lOxb7+pable of countering his opponent's White's material advantage is sufmounting pressure in the centre ficient to win the game.) lS.lOdS and on the kingside, Lim - Mohi- lOxdS16.,bdS hdS17.\!¥xdS 0-0 yaddin, Kuala Lumpur 1992.) 10. 18.0-0-0± and Black is helpless 0-0-0 JiB 11.g4± Black's maneu- against his opponent's pressure in ver of his dark-squared bishop the centre and on the queenside. simply enabled White to obtain a Even after his best defensive line: great lead in development, Kinez 13...\!¥d7 14.lObS lOc6 lS.0-0 gc8 16.gfd1±, Black will have prob- Dani, Harkany 2000; lems completing his develop8 •••b6 - Black will have prob- ment; lems now to castle short. 9 ..Ac4 8 •• .Ad7 9.0-0-0 bS, Kuijs - Geertse, Vlissingen 1998 (About 9...hS 10 ..1c4 - see 8 ... hS 9.0-0-0 .Ad7 10..ic4; 9... lOc6 10.g4 - see 7... lOc6 8.\!¥d2 Ad7 9.0-0-0 a6 10.g4; 9 ... 0-0 - see 7... 0-0 8.\!¥d2 Ad7 9.0-0-0 a6.), and here it looks very sensible for White to proceed with his standard kingside offensive 10.g4 b4 9 ...b5, Walus - van Rienen, St. In- 11.lOdS lOxdS 12.exdS \!¥as 13..Ac4 gbert 1990 (It looks more precise 0-0 14.Ab3± and his dominance lS2

4.l'iJxd4 ti:Jf6 5.ti:Jc3 g6 6.J.e3 J.g7 7.f3 a6 8. Y!1d2

in the centre and his lead in de~opment provide him with superior prospects; After 8 ••• Yfc7, Black does not let his opponent's bishop to the c4-square indeed, but White can cope perfectly without developing it to the a2-g8 diagonal. 9.0-0-0

And now: about 9 ...h5 - see 8 ...h5; 9...ti:Jbd7 1O.g4 - see 8 .•. ti:Jbd7 9.g4 Y!!c710.0-0-0; 9... ti:Jc6 10.g4 - see 7... ti:Jc6 8.Bd2 a6 9.0-0-0 Y!fc710.g4; 9... 0-0 10.g4 ti:Jc6 1l.h4 - see 7...ti:Jc6 8.Y!fd2 a6 9.0-0-0 Y!fc7 10.g4 0-0 1l.h4; 9•..b5 - This move enables White to inflict a powerful strike in the centre - 10.eS! Black loses outright after the naive reply 10 ... dxeS 1l.ti:Jdxb5! axb5 (In case of ll...Y!faS, the sharp response - 12.b4!+- finishes Black off.) 12.~xb5 Y!fd7 13.Y!fxd7+ Axd7 14. ~c7+ !iW8 15.~xa8+- Nguyen Quang - Duong Hoang, Vietnam 2005, but even after the more resilient defence for Black 10...

b4 11.itJa4, he will have great problems, for example: 1l... dxe5 12,c~)b6 ~a7 13.ti:Jxc8 Wlxc8 14. itJf5 ~d7 15.itJxg7+ ~f8 16.J.d3 t:lJxg717..th6+ ~g8 18.Y!fxb4± and White has not only an extra pawn, but the two-bishop advantage. His attacking prospects are quite real too, or 1l... ti:Jd512.exd6 and here it would be too risky for Black to opt for 12 ... exd6 13.J.h6 0-0 14.J.xg7 ~xg7 15.h4~, because White can continue with his standard kingside offensive, but even after 12 ...Y!fxd6 13.~b5 axbS 14.Axb5+ id715.Y!fxdS Y!fxdS 16.~dS hb5 17.~b5 ti:Jc6 18.b3 0-0 19.~dl± White ends up with a solid extra pawn in the endgame.

a) 8 •••h5 Black is trying to impede his opponent's standard pawn-offensive on the kingside and he postpones his active actions on the other side of the board.

9.0-0-0 b5 Black has tried some other moves here too:

ChapterB 9 ••••c7?! -This move enables White to inflict a standard tactical strike, Ho Cheng Fai - Mallawarachchi, Singapore 1995, 10.eS! dxe5 ll.tOdb5 axb5 12.tOxb5 'ifd7 13.'ifxd7+ tObxd714.tOc7+ rllfB 15. tOxaB+- His knight will easily run away from the aB-square and Black's compensation for the exchange is nowhere in sight. 9 ... ~c6?! - Black lags in development, so this pawn-sacrifice is rather dubious. 10.tOxc6 bxc6 ll.e5! tOd5 12.tOxd5 cxdS 13.exd6 gbB (Black has no compensation for the pawn either, after 13... e6 14.~ .id715..id4 eS16.~1± Lyubimov - CogitoErgoSum, Internet 199B.) 14.c3'ifaS (Black would not fare any better if he tries to organize some counterplay on the queenside with the help of the line: 14....te615.dxe7'ifaS16.J.c4! - Now, Black must either admit that he has given up a couple of pawns for nothing, or come into a zugzwang in a position full of pieces after 16... dxc4 17..tf4 gcB 1B.~el!+-; while following 14... ~d6 15.\!fxdS'ifc7, H.Christensen - A.-B.Nielsen, Esbjerg 2004, White, just like in many other variations of this system, must neutralize the pressure of his opponent's dark-squared bishop as quickly as possible. 16.J.d4! and here, no matter what Black plays, he loses a pawn without a sufficient compensation for it: 16... .te6 17.'ifc5 'ifxc5 1B..ixc5.ha2

154

19J~~el e6 20 ..ixa6±; 16....ixd417. ib:d4 0-0 IBJ3C4 \!fl}6 19.9b4 'ife3+ 20.'ifd2±; 16...'iff4+ 17.c.t>bl 0-0 1B.,txg7 rllxg719.~d4+ ~xd4 20.ib:d4±) 15.'ifxd5 .ixc3, Richter - Longhitano, Argentina 1995, White's most effective winning variation here is: 16.d7+ .ixd717. ~xd7 m 1B..id4! 'ifg519.'~c2+-;

9 ••• ~bd7 10..ig5!? (This is a principled attempt by White to exploit the basic drawback of the pawn-advance h7-h5 - the weakening of the dark squares on the kingside.)

10...'ifc7 ll ..id3 b5

12J~he1

Ab7

13.tOd5! .ixd5 (It is not any bet-

ter for Black to opt for 13... tOxdS 14.exd5 0-0 - he loses quickly after 14....ixd4 15.ib:e7+ rllfB 16. 'iff4+- and White's attack is decisive - 15.ib:e7! .ixd4 16..lxg6 fxg6 17.'ifxd4 gfl 1B.gd7 rllxfl 19J3el Black's pieces have been stranded on the queenside and they fail to help in the protection of the king. 19...tOeS 20.f4 gcB 21.'ifd1 tOc4 Black gives up his queen to avoid the worst, but he cannot obtain sufficient material equivalent for

4.liJxd4 liJf6 5JiJc3 g6 6.J.e3 J.g7 7J3 a6 8. Y!fd2

it 22.l3e7+ Y!fxe7 23.J.xe7 Wxe7 24.f:¥d4! wfl 25.b3 liJa3 26.cbb2 ~c2 27.Y!fa7 l3c7 2B.Y!fb6+- and Black loses one of his light pieces.) 14.exd5 liJe5 (Black loses too after 14... liJxd5 15.ixg6+-, it is too dangerous for him to play 14... 0-0 15..th6! liJe5 16.J.xg7 txg7 17.Y!fg5-+ and White's attack is nearly decisive, for example after 17... liJxd3+ IB.l3xd3 wh7 19.1iJc6 l3feB 20.g4+- it would be highly questionable whether Black can defend his king with only one knight.) 15.f4! liJxd3+ 16.f:¥xd3 0-0 (It is worse for Black to play 16... liJxdS 17.liJxbS axbS1B.Y!fxb5+- and White ends up with an extra pawn and a powerful attack.) 17.15-+ The defects of Black's move eight were demonstrated by White in an excellent game, Motylev - Hernandez, Minneapolis 2005 (We have used the comments ofGM Rogozenko). 9 •••.id710 ..Ac4liJc6

White can sacrifice a pawn now

and he keeps his opponent's king stranded in the centre for long. U.liJxc6 bxc6 (The endgame after

1l...J.xc6, A.Zaitsev - Gazman, Tula 2000, 12.e5 dxe5 13.Y!fxdB+ l3xdB 14.l3xdB+ WxdB 15..Axf7± seems to be very unpleasant for Black, because of his vulnerable kingside pawns.) 12.e5 dxe5 13.liJe4 liJxe4 14.fxe4 Black has numerous possibilities here, but they are all insufficient for equality: 14•••M6 15..Axf7+ wxf1 16.Y!fxd7± White has regained his pawn and Black is doomed to a very difficult defence in this endgame. After 14....Ae6 15.Y!fxdB+ l3xdBI6.l3xdB+ wxdBI7..ixe6fxe6 IB.l3f1± Black has an extra pawn indeed, but it will never become a passed pawn, while White has excellent chances of promoting his pawn into a queen on the queenside. Meanwhile, Black's bishop is tremendously passive and its exchange would lead to a rook and pawn ending, which will be very difficult for Black; 14... e6 15.wbl f6 16.~ Black has no counterplay whatsoever and White has a very unpleasant threat and that is to triple his heavy pieces along the open d-file; 14...f615.Y!fc3 Y!fc7 16J~d3 ih6 17.ixh6 l3xh6 IB.J.b3 l3h7 19.Y!fc4 e6 20.l3hdl± Black's pieces are extremely passive and discoordinated and his extra pawn is far from sufficient compensation for that. 10.~d5!? .tb7 Here, it is obviously the best for Black to try a line, which has never been tested in practice yet: 10 ...liJxd5 1l.exd5 .Ab7 and White 155

ChapterB has a pleasant choice now - he can try the sharp line: 12.f4!? .!L\d7 13.f5 hd5 14.fxg6 fxg6 15..!L\f5!? gxf5 16.ti'xd5 .!L\e5 17..ie2!~ with an excellent compensation for the pawn, because Black's king has nowhere to hide. His powerful knight on e5 can be exchanged at any moment and after that Black will have problems to cover the vulnerable light squares in his camp. It might be also interesting for White to test the calmer line: 12 ..!L\b3!? .!L\d713..!L\a5 ti'c714.~bl .!L\b6 15..!L\xb7 ti'xb7 16..id4! hd4 17.ti'xd4 0-0 IS.Ad3;!; and he has a space advantage, a very powerful bishop and good attacking chances.

In this position, from the game Goloshchapov - Klimenko, Yalta 1996, White has a very aggressive line, with which he obtains a great advantage: 11.tlb6! Bxb6 (Black can ignore his opponent's piece with 1l... l;a7 - but then White's knight will remain on b6 for a long time, because in case Black captures it, his rook will be hang156

ing.12.~bl 0-0 13.c4.!L\c614.cxbs

axb515.hb5 .!L\e516.ti'e2± White has seized the initiative on the queenside and he has won a pawn. Black will hardly manage to Create any counterplay.) 12.tle6 Ah6 13.tlg7+ c;Ws 14•.bh6 Bxh6 (It will not be better for Black to try the calmer line: 14... ~gS 15.~f5 .!L\c6 l6 ..!L\xe7+! .!L\xe7 17.j.g5, because here, in the variation: 17... ~g7 IS.J.xf6+ ~xf6 19.ti'xd6+ ti'xd6 20J3xd6+ ~g7 21.M7± White regains his sacrificed piece and he remains at least with an extra pawn in the endgame, because after 17...d5 IS.e5 .!L\d7 19.J.xe7 geS 20.Aa3! .!L\xe5 21.b3 ~g7 22.Ab2± the pieces will be equal, but Black will have problems neutralizing the pressure of White's powerful bishop on the long alhS diagonal, since it is without an opponent.) 15.'ffxh6 Wl8 16.b4 tlbd7 17.14 eft (Black loses after 17...gcB IS ..!L\xh5+-, it is hardly any better for him to try 17... hxg4 IB.h5 tJe5 19..id3 gx£3 20 ..!L\e6! fxe6 21.hxg6+-, since he can save the worst only at the price of beavy material losses.) 18.tlxh5+- Black has failed to capture White's knight on g7 and now he loses after lB•..tleS 19.Ad3 .!L\e5 20 ..!L\f4+- and his opponent remains with an extra exchange, as well as following IS... gxh5 19.9xh5 .!L\e5 20 ..ih3 .!L\xfj 21.gdf1+- and White enters unavoidably a technically winninI endgame.

4.~xd4 ~f65.~c3

b) S •••b5

This move is slightly premature and White can exploit the

g6 6.J.e3 J.g77..fJ a6 B.V!id2

Black will have great problems completing the development of his queenside. Nyberg - Kulaots, Stockholm 2007.) 12.0-0 ~bd7 (After 12 •..V!ic7 13.gfal gc8 14.~b3 ~fd7 15.gc4± Black will be again doomed to a passive defence, Coelho - Stamenkovic, Santos 2003.) 13.gfal ~c5 14.ga5 V!ic8 15.b4 ~e6 16.~a4t - White enjoys a long-lasting initiative, because of his space advantage and the vulnerability of Black's a6-pawn, Deszczynski - Schacht, Warsaw 2006. lO.~d5 ~xd5 1l.exd5

fact that his rook is still on al and he can begin active actions on the queenside. 9.a4!?b4 Black has also tried capturing here 9 ...bxa4 10J~a4 0-0 (It is hardly any better for Black to opt for 10...J.b7 11.J.e2 ~bd7 12.~b3 ~b6? - This is of course a blunder, but even after 12 ...~e513.0-0 0-0 14.l'Ual± Black's a6-pawn is weak and his pieces seem to be well-placed, but they are incapable of creating any real counter1l•••J.b7 play, because White dominates in It looks like this move enables the centre. -13.gb4 ~fd714.J.xb6 White to obtain a considerable 1-0 Fier - Limberg, Sao Paulo advantage easily, while in fact, af2007, Black's resignation was ter the attractive line: 12.J.c4 ti'a5 not premature at all in that game 13.~b3 V!ic7 14.V!ixb4, van Beek - after 14...~xb6 15.V!ie3 he was Jones, Catalan Bay 2007, Black losing a piece.) 11.J.e2 J.b7 (The can continue with 14... ~d7 and POSition remains very unpleas- he regains unavoidably his pawn ant for Black too after 11 .••V!id7 with a quite comfortable game. Besides 11...J.b7, Black has also 12.0-0 Y!Yb7 13JUal.td7 14.g4a2~ - his a6-pawn needs permanent tried in practice: protection and because of that, The move 11... a5 maintains the 157

ChapterB material balance, but it weakens the light squares on the queenside and deprives Black of chances of obtaining counterplay. 12..ibS+ .id7 13..ih6 .if6 14.0-0-0 Y!fb6 lS.ghe1 Y!fxd4 16.Y!fxd4 hd4 17. ~d4 hbS 18.axbS wd8 19.9de4 ga7 20.c3± White's advantage is close to decisive, thanks to his powerful bishop, which is so much superior to Black's knight and his much better piece-coordination, Sarkar - Steigman, Philadelphia 1998; After 11... tLld7 12.Y!fxb4 gb8 13.Y!fd2 Y!fc7 (Black loses the exchange after 13...~b2 14.tLlc6 Y!fc7 lS ..id4±) 14.b3 tLlf6 lS.c4± and he can hardly prove that his compensation for the pawn is sufficient; 11... 'ffaS - Black not only lags in development after this move, but he also allows his opponent to trade favourably the dark-squared bishops. 12.tLlb3 Y!fc7 13 ..id4 0-0 14.hg7 Wxg7, Eid - Steigman, Internet 2000. White can complete the mobilization of his forces much earlier than his opponent, therefore his most natural line seems to be: lS.0-0-0 as (It does not seem that Black has any compensation for the pawn after: IS... tLld7 16.Y!fxb4 .ib7 17.\Wc4 13ac8 18.Y!fxc7 ~c7 19.tLlaS±) 16.ge1! (White is preventing the development of Black's knight to d7.) 16... tLla6 17.h4 hS 18.g4 gh8 19.Y!fd4+ wg8 20 ..ic4 .tb7 21.ge4± and Black has avoided being checkmated indeed, but his position IS8

remains very difficult, becaUSe of his passive and discoordinated pieces. 12•.Ac4 1IaS 13.c3!? White must act resolutely, opening files on the queenside hoping to prove that Black's king is rather precariously placed in the centre. 13••• bxc3 It is also possible for Black to try here 13 ..•Y!fc5, or 13...Y!fc7, with the idea to enter an endgame with a while bishop on a2, and not on the c4-square, but that would only result in the fact that later Black will not be able to gain a tempo for development with the move ~c8 and after 14..h2 bxc3 lS.Y!fxc3 Y!fxc316.bxc3 ~d717.~1 tLlc5 18. wd2;!;, there arises a calm position with a slight but stable advantage for White thanks to his space advantage and more active pieces. 14.ftxc3 ftxc3+ The exchange of the queens is forced; otherwise Black will hardly manage to complete his development: 14...'ffd8 lS.Y!fb4 Yld7 16.aS 0-0 17.0-0 gc8 18.~ac1 ~c5 19.~e2±

15.bxc3 ~d7 16.lbl ~c8 It might be possibly better for

Black to play passively here 16•.. tLlc5 17.wd2 0-0-0 18.aS ~c7 19.~b4 ~8 20.~hbl;!; and his position would remain very solid, but practically without any chances of creating meaningful counterplay. 17.lxb71xc4

4.l1Jxd4l1Jj6 S.I1Jc3 g6 6.J.e3 J.g7 7..fJ a6 8. VNd2

18.tlc6!? White is ready to sacrifice a couple of pawns in the endgame with the idea to attack the enemy king. It is worse for him to play the seemingly attractive line: 18.md2 m4 (After 18... ~c5?! there arises a rook and pawn ending practically by force in which Black will have an extra pawn: 19J~b4 ~b4 20.cxb4lOxa4 2Ulal lOb6 22JDca6 lOxd5 23.b5 &e3 24J~a8+ c.!1d7 25J~a7+ c.!1c8 26.mxe3 .txd4+ 27.mxd4 ge8 28.mdS mb8 29.b6±, but despite that, his defence will be quite difficult, because of his very passive pieces.) 19.9bbl, and here after 19...ga2+ 20.lOc2~, White obtains an excellent compensation for the pawn thanks to his lead in development and great rook-activity. Black's attempt to simplify the POSition would lead after 20 ... ~c5 21..ixc5 dxc5 22.gb8+ md7 23.g8b7+ me8 24.gc7± to a situation, in which he would have great problems defending. His pawns are weak and his rook on h8 Illight not even enter the actions,

but still he can continue with 19... 11Jc5!+ and he will manage to castle in a position with somewhat better chances for him. 18••• ~4 Black's defence will be even more complicated after 18 ... .txc3+ 19.mf2 J.f6 20.ga7 l1Je5 2U~a8+ md7 22.ga7+ and here it would be very bad for him to try 22 ... me8 23.gbl+-, so he will be forced to play 22 .. .'i!?c8 23.lOxe7+ J.xe7 24.ga8+ md7 25J3xh8± and White ends up with an extra exchange and excellent chances of turning it into a full point. It is hardly any better for Black to opt for 18... ~c3 19.md2 ga3 20.gbb~, and White's threat to double his rooks on the penultimate rank will be too difficult for Black to parry. There might follow 20 ...f5 21.gc7 ga2+ 22.mel J.c3+ 23.mfl gb2 24.~b2 J.xb2 25 ..ig5 h6 26.J.xe7 I1Jb6 27.J.xd6 lOxd5 28.ga7± and White will manage to gobble Black's a6-pawn at some appropriate moment. 19.cbe2! This move corresponds to the correct endgame strategy. White activates his king in the ending and that is of a paramount importance. 19•••.!xc3 Black anticipates a long and difficult defence, so he collects some pawns in advance. He has some other possibilities as well: 19...f5 20.ghbl .bc3 21.J.g5 159

ChapterB

h6 (about 21..J~a2+ 22.tMl. - see 19 ... ~a2) 22.ixe7 .ieS 23.~xeS dxe5 24..td6+- Black is resisting with only one rook, so it is hardly surprising that White obtains unavoidably a decisive material advantage; 19... ~a2+ 20.wd3

And here: Black loses after 20 ...f6 2l.f4 gS (or 21...~2 22.~al ~2 23.~6+- and Black cannot save his knight on d7) 22.g3 gxf4 23.gxf4 f5 24.~el!? - This is White's most aggressive move and Black is beyond salvation after it, for example: 24...~g8 2S.~xe7 Wxe7 26..ib6+ wf8 27. ~d7 ~xh2 28.~bl!+- and he must give up his bishop in order to avoid being checkmated, or 24....tfB 2S.~gl! h6 26..td4 ~h7 27.~a7+- and White's pieces are tremendously active, contrary to his opponent's; Black would not facilitate his defence if he exchanges his passive knight: 20 ... ~eS+ 21.~xe5 dxe5 (After 21...ixeS 22.~b8+ wd7 23.gb7+ We8 24.~b1 fS 2S ..tgS+- Black will soon be 160

checkmated.) 22.~b8+ wd7 23. ~b7+ Wc8 24.~hbl-+ and thanks to Black's passive kingside, White's attack has become decisive, which can be confirmed by the following variations: 24...&5 2S.~b8+ wd7 26.~lb7+ wd6 27. gb6+ wd7 28.~8b7+ Wc8 29.mc4 M6 30.d6! exd6 3U~xf7+- and here in view of the fact that after 31.. ..td8 32.~c6+ cJib8 33.ta7+ cJia8 34.~c8# Black gets checkmated, he will be forced to play 32 ....th4 32.g3 dS+ 33.cJib4+-. losing his bishop; 20 ...~2 - Black is greedy, but this is the only way for him to have some chances. 21..td4! ~e5+! (It is too bad for Black to opt for 21...hd4 22.cxd4 e6 23.~c7 ~b6 24.~b1+- and White should win easily with an extra knight.) 22.he5 dxeS 23.~e7+ wf8 24.d6± White's passed pawns are tremendously dangerous and they should settle the issue quickly; 20 ...~a3 21.~bl! hc3 (After 21 ... ~c3+ 22.wd2 ~a3 23.~c7+­ White doubles unavoidably his rooks on the penultimate rank.) 22 ..tcl! - White is forcing his opponent to enter the following forced line: 22 ....ib2+ 23.wd2 hcl+ 24.Wxcl ~c3+ (or 24... e6 2S.~c7 0-0 26.~d7 exdS 27.~b2+- and White must still prove that his knight is stronger than Black's pawns.) 2S.fB 21.id4±and is 14.fxg6 fxg6 IS.'it>bl ~c5 (It is his dark-squared bishop has been hardly any better for Black to try neutralized and White maintains here IS... 0-0 16.ih3 ~c5 17.Ylrg2 his space advantage and his piec- f!!.f7 IB.~dS± White's king is safer es are very active on the kingside. and he dominates in the centre.) His only misplaced piece - the 16.~g2 ieS (After 16... 0-0? knight on bl will join in the ac- Black loses immediately due to tions later, since White has plenty 17.eS ixg2 IB.lWxg2 ixeS 19.~c6 of time to accomplish that, Cipolli lWc7 20.~d5+- and he loses a - Mesquita, Email 2004.) 12.~ce2 piece.) 17.mtt'l f!!.fB IB.13xf8+ ~xf8 as 13.~f4! (White is threatening 19.1Wf2± Black has succeeded in to play 14.~e6 winning.) 13...b3 exchanging one of his passive 162

4.l'i)xd4 fiJj65. fiJc3 g6 6.j,e3 j,g7 7J3 a6 8. V!!d2

rooks, but this has facilitated his defence only a bit. His pieces are cfisCOOrdinated and his king has no safe shelter. The greedy atteDlpt - 19 ...hh2? loses quickly, beC8use of 20J~fl. 0-0-0 21.j,h3+ 0fd722.ti'xh2+-; 9 •••ec7 10.0-0-0

h5 is a sorry sight.) l1.Wbl h5 12.g5 fiJfd7 13.f4 0-0, Henrichs Szyszka, Dortmund 2005, Black's knights are so terribly misplaced that he can hardly create any counterplay at all. White can emphasize that with the help of the restricting move 14.b3!, for example after 14...e5 15.fiJde2 exf4 16..txf4 j,e5 17.he5 dxe5 lS.a4± Black will probably never manage to bring his stranded pieces on the queenside into the actions. el) 9 ••• ~c5

10...fiJb6 (The move 10 ... fiJe5 is clearly worse for Black, because it enables White to continue with his pawn-offensive. 1l.g5 fiJfd7 12.fiJd5 ti'bS 13.f4 fiJg4 14.f5! ~xe3 15.ti'xe3± Black has obtained the two-bishop advantage indeed, but his position is tremendously difficult, because of his lag in development. 15•..h5 16.fxg6 fxg6 17.fiJe6+- Cooley Levens, Sunningdale 2007; in answer to 10 ...b5, Staszko - Hasek, Tatranske Zruby 2006, it looks very strong for White to try 1l.g5!, and it would be very bad for Black to opt for 1l... fiJh5 12.fiJdS ti'b7 13.ti'a5+- and he will lose plenty of material, but even after the best line for Black: 1l...b4! 12.fiJa4 fiJh5 13.ti'xb4 0-0 14.ti'c4± he remains a pawn down and his knight on

Black's knight is not wellplaced here, because White's e4pawn is reliably protected. 10.0-0-0 b5 10...b6?! - This move is too slow. 1l.h4 j,b7 12.h5 ti'c7 13.h6 tiS 14.g5 fiJfd7 15.fiJd5± Black's pieces are too passively deployed and he will have problems developing his kingside, Fichtl Enevoldsen, Berlin 1962; 10....td7 - this move is also too slow. 1l.h4 gcS (Black would not fare any better after 11...h5 12.g5 fiJh7 13.f4t 163

Chapter 8 and White's kingside initiative is very dangerous.) 12.h5 b5 13.h6 .ti8 14.g5 tt:lh5 15.ti'f2± It should be easy for White to exchange or repel Black's only active piece, Coleman - Waibel, Email 1996. 10 ... 0-0 - This move is too risky for Black. 11.h4 h5 12.gxh5 tt:lxh5, Fichtl- Honfi, Oberhausen 1961, White's most aggressive line here is 13J!g1!, with the following exemplary variations: 13 ...ti'a5 14..ic4 ~h7 15.f4-+ and White's attack looks very powerful, or 13... ~h7 14.f4! b5 15.f5 b4 16.fxg6+ fxg6 17.ti'g2 ~e8 18.tt:ld5+Black's kingside has been practically completely destroyed, or 13...e614.tt:lde2!± and Black loses his d6-pawn; 13... tt:le614.J.c4 ~h7 15..ixe6! fxe6 16.f4± White's powerful kingside attack will become even stronger after the transfer of his knight to the g5-square.

In this position from the game Massanet - Planas, Binissalem 2003, it deserves attention for White to contain the advance of his opponent's pawns with 11.a3, 164

since Black will hardly be able to exploit that as a target. For exaJn~ pIe: 11•••h5 (The move 1l...Ah7 - loses a pawn. 12.tt:ldxb5 axbS 13 ..ixc5±; 11... 0-0 12.h4 Ah7 13.h5-+ and White has a very dangerous attack; 11...Ad7 12.h4 ib8 13.h5 b4 14.axb4 ~b4 15.h6 .tiS 16.g5 tt:lh5 17.tt:ld5± Black's pieces have been squeezed to the last two ranks and White's domination is doubtless.) 12.g5 tlh7 (12 ...tt:lfd7 13.tt:lc6 ti'c7 14.tt:lxe7+-) 13.1g1 J.d714.f4± c2) 9 •••b5

Black plans to organize a swift queenside offensive and this move seems to be his most principled. 10.g5! White repels this knight to the end of the board as quickly as possible. 10 ••• tlh511.a4 White's pieces are excellently deployed in the centre and he haS not castled long yet, so he is trying to prove that Black has weakened his queenside in vain.

4. Ci:Jxd4 Ci:Jf6 5. Ci:Jc3 g6 6. ~e3 i.g7 7.fJ a6 8. YHd2 Naturally, it will not work {or White to play I1.CiJc6 YHc7 12. fig.e7?, in view of 12 ....b:c3-+

11•••bxa4 After 1l....ib7?! 12.axbS axbS 13.ftxaS.haS (13 ...YHxaS 14.,hbS 'Ia11S.CiJdl±) 14..b:bS 0-0 15.0-0 ~e516.YHe2!± Black has no compensation for the sacrificed pawn (recommended by GM Golubev).

12.ba4J.b7 12 ... Ci:Jc5 13J~a3 (In the game Yemelin - Matlakov, St. Petersburg 2007, there followed 13.ga2 .ib714.ig2 0-0 IS.0-0 e5 16.CiJde2 CiJe617J~dl Ci:Jhf41S.Ci:Jxf4 exf4 19..lxf4 CiJxf4 20.YHxf4+t and despite the fact that White has an extra pawn, Black's active bishops should not be underestimated at all.) 13 ... 0-0 (In answer to 13... ib7, Ruiz Jimenez - Romero Holmes, Cala Galdana 2001, White should better trade the active knight of his opponent with 14.ctlb3 CiJxb3 15.~b3 .ic6 16..ic4 0-0 17.0-0~ and Black can hardly create any counterplay, because of his weak a6-pawn and his passive knight on hS at the edge of the board.) 14.h4 CiJe6 IS.Ci:Jc6 trd7, Del Rio Angelis - Romero Holmes, Elgoibar 2000, White can maintain a considerable advantage here with 16.Ci:JaS .ib7 17..ih3±, or 16...f5 17.Ci:JdS± In answer to 12 ... 0-0, Zolotukhin - M.Golubev, Odessa 2007, the best for White is to complete his development. 13..le2 CiJc5 14.ga3 .ib7 IS.Ci:Jb3 CiJxb3 16.~b3

YHd7 17.0-0;1; His prospects are clearly superior, despite his somewhat compromised castling position. White has a clear-cut target to attack - his opponent's weak a6-pawn, while Black cannot find any real counter chances.

13.tlb3 It also deserves attention for White to try here 13.gb4!? Ci:Jc5 14.CiJb3 CiJxb3 lS.cxb3 ic6 16.gb6 YHcS 17..ic4 0-0 lS.0-0~ and his active pieces more than compensate the defects of his pawnstructure. Meanwhile, Black will hardly manage to hold on to his a6-pawn, Bauer - Lopez Martinez, France 2002.

13••• 0-0 14.J.e2 as 14...f5?! - This move weakens

the light squares in the centre and on the kingside. lS.Ci:JaS Y!lc7 16. Ci:Jxb7 YHxb7 17.YHdS+ YHxdS IS. Ci:JxdS CiJc5 19.,hc5 dxc5 20.exf5± AI Modiahki - Williams, Amsterdam200S.

15.0-0 .lc6 16.1I:a3 a4 17. tld4 J.xd4 18.ftxd4 tlcS 19. J.c41l:b8

16S

Chapter 8 Lehner Thorfinnsson, Gothenburg 2005. White's most convincing plan to maintain his advantage here seems to be the preparation of the advance of his b2-pawn. 20 .g),1 e5 (It is worse for Black to opt for 20 .. J~b7 21.h4 axb3 22.cxb3 m,B 23.lf.)d5± and

the dominance over the d5-0ut. post provides White with better prospects, because if Black repels his opponent's knight with e7-e6, then his dark-squared complex on the kingside will be weakened as well as the vital d6-pawn.) 21.1I'd2 ~f4 22.b41b4 23.b3t

Conclusion We have dealt with some rarely played lines for Black on move seven in this chapter. They are mostly unsatisfactoryfor him and they lead to difficult positions. The exception is only moves, which transpose to other familiar lines as well as the move 7...a6. After 8. YlJd2, Black usually ends up in a critical situation again, if he allows the breakthrough in the centre e4-e5. White's task becomes more complex if Black plays more accurately: After a) 8 ...h5, Black prevents his opponent's move J.h6 and he slows down White's kingside pawn-offensive. On the other hand, this slows down Black's development and White begins active actions in the centre. He has the tactical strike 11.lf.)b6! in the main line. Black's most principled variation here is the exchange-sacrifice with the idea to exploit the exposed position of his opponent's knight on g7. Still, White has sufficient resources to hold on to his material advantage. In variation b) Black does not waitfor his opponent to castle long and he plays 8 ... b5 immediately. With the help of the move 9.02-a4 however, White can create great problemsfor his opponent. He needs to play maximally energetically then, because this leads to the appearance of numerous pawn-weaknesses in his camp as well. In variation c) 8 ... lf.)d7, Black is trying to wait for his opponent to castle long and to begin his queenside offensive only later. White needs to counter that with the swift advance ofhis g-pawn - 9. g4. In that case, Black's most principled response is 9...b5, with the idea to obtain an immediate counterplay on the queenside. Just like in variation b), White must start active action on the queenside after he repels in advance Black's knight to the edge of the board with lO.g5! ~h5 l1.a4. White is totally dominant in the centre in that case and Black can hardly prove that White has weakened his kingside with the advance of his g-pawn. 166

Cbapter9

1.e4 c5 2.~£3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 ~f6 5.~c3 g6 6 •.te3 .tg7 7.£3 ~c6

8.'I'd2 Naturally, White can play 8.ic4, transposing to variations analyzed in Chapters 2 and 3, but the queen-move is stronger. Black's most popular moves 8... 0-0 and B.. ..td7 will be analyzed in the following chapters. Now, we will deal with his other possibilities and the most interesting of them are: a) 8 •.• ~xd4 and b) 8 •.. a6.

Black has tried in practice Dlany other moves though: 8 •••'l'c7 - The queen is not so well placed here, since it can be attacked by White with tOdS With tempo and it covers the cfile, which can be much more

useful for a rook. 9.0-0-0 tOe5 (About 9....id7 10.g4 - see B..• .id7 9.0-0-0 V!lc7 10.g4, Chapter 10; 9... a6 10.g4 - see variation b; 9 ... 0-0 10.g4 a6 1l.h4 - see B...a6 9.0-0-0 V!lc7 10.g4 0-0 1l.h4, variation b) 10.g4 tOc4 1l..ixc4 V!lxc4 12.h4 .id7 13.h5 bS, Djuknic - Medjedovic, Kladovo 1991, the first impression is that Black has an active counterplay on the queenside, but after 14.h6! .if8 15.b3± it becomes clear that he loses his b5-pawn: 15...V!lcB 16.tOdxb5±; 15 ••.V!lc5 16.tOdxbS±; 15...V!lb4 16.tOcxb5±, and Black lags so much in development that he should better worry about being crushed outright and just forget about any counterplay; 8 ••• fle5 9.0-0-0 .id7 (about 9 ...h5 10.h3 - see B...h5 9.0-0-0 tOeS 10.h3) 10.g4 - see B....id7 9.0-0-0 tOeS 10.g4, Chapter 10; 8 •..•aS 9.tOb3, it is bad for Black to play now 9 ...V!lh5?!, Tuzinskiy - O.Cherny, Tula 2005, because of the natural reaction 10.0-0-0 0-0 1l.g4±, but _ If\'Z

Chapter 9 even after the other retreats of the queen, White develops his standard queenside initiative: 9 ... ~c7 10.0-0-0 .Ad7, Simek Alster, Prague 1963, 11.g4t; 9 ... ~d8 10.0-0-0 hS (About 1O... aS 11.tOd4 - see 8 ... aS 9.0-0-0; 10.. . old7 11.g4 - see Chapter 10; 11... tOeS 12.g5 tOh5 13.f4 tOc6 14..te2 ~c8 lS.f5 a5 16.tOd5± and White's pieces are tremendously active, Rios Torondell - Conde Gomez, Benidorm 200S; it is not preferable for Black to try 10....Ae6 l1.hl± and it is far from clear whether Black will obtain any compensation for the pawn, Erdos - Weszelovszki, Hungary 200S.) lS.a3 as 16.b4 axb417.axb4 e6, Canibol- Schreiber, Muenster 1974, and here White can simplify the position favourably with the line: 18..txf6! .ixf6 19..!Lle4 YlYa7+ (Black would not change anything much with 19....te5 20.d6 YlYc6 21.d7 ga7 22.YlYgS f6 23 ..!Llxf6+ .txf6 24.YlYxf6 gdxd7 2S.gfel±) 20. ~h1 .te7 21.d6 fS 22."i!Je2! fxe4 23.dxe7 YlYxe7 24.YlYxe4± White has an extra pawn and a much safer king, which is tremendously important in the endgame with heavy pieces; 8 •••aS - This advance of the rook-pawn, neglecting development, should not cause any problems for White. 9.0-0-0 a4 (about 9.. ..Ad7 - see 8 ....td7; 9... 0-0 - see Chapter 13) 10.a3 YlYaS, Suc - Godnjavec, Portoroz 1996, and by continuing 11..AbS .td712 ..ha4 0-0 13..tb3± White ends up with a solid extra pawn; 8 •••h6 - This move only creates problems for Black to castle short. 9.0-0-0 .!Llxd4 (About 9... .td7 - see 8 ....Ad7 9.0-0-0 h6; it is not better for Black to continue with 9....te6 10..!Llxe6 fxe6 11..tc4 YlYc8 12 ..!Lle2 e5 13..Ab3 bS 14..!Llc3± and he has weakened 169

Chapter 9 the light-squares complex in the centre and he has presented his opponent with the two-bishop advantage, Schwab - Pandorf, Trier 1991.) 1O.hd4 a6, Scarwell - Zhang Haining, Val Maubuee 1989, White can play now 1l..!DdS 0-0 12 ..!Dxf6+ exf6 13.h4 .le6 14.hSt and he not only compromises Black's pawn-structure, but he has excellent winning chances too;

.!DeS 13.j,e2 .le614.f4 .!Dc61S.ti'd2 f6 16.h4± Black has exchanged deliberately his most active piece - the dark-squared bishop and that has not facilitated his defence at all, Vamos - Lakatos, Hungary 1994; 8 •••h5 9.0-0-0

8 ••• otId79.0-0-0

9....!Dxd4 (9 ....!Dc5?? - This is a blunder of a piece. 10..!Dxc6 hc3 1l.ti'xc3+- Atoui - Nassar, Beirut 2003; or 10...bxc6 llixc5+-; 9... .!Db6 - This maneuver can be sensible only ifthis knight reaches the c4-square. 10.'>!7bl .!DeS, Springer - Dahnaci, Berlin 2006, and here White can render the maneuver of the black knight completely senseless with the line: 1l.b3!? 0-0 12. g4 .ld7 13.h4±; in answer to 9 ...ti'aS, Jurkovic - Bylino, Pula 2001, White can prepare the exchange of the dark-squared bishops with 1O..!Db3 ti'd8 1l..lh6±) 10ixd4 hd411.ti'xd4 0-0 12.g4 170

9 ....!Dxd4 (about 9 ....ld7 10..lc4 - see Chapter 3; 9 ... a6 10..!Dxc6 see 7...a6 8.ti'd2 hS 9.0-0-0 ~c6 10 ..!Dxc6 - Chapter 8; 9 ... 0-0 10..lc4 - see 7... 0-0 8.ti'd2 ~c6 9..lc4 hS 10.0-0-0; in answer to 9...h4, Sanguinetti - Bayaraa, San Francisco 2006, White can continue with 10 ..!Dxc6 bxc6 1l.e5 .!DdS 12 ..!DxdS cxdSl3. exd6± analogously to the variation: 7...a6 8.ti'd2 hS 9.0-0-0 .!Dc6 10..!Dxc6, which we have analyzed in the previous chapter. Black's rookpawns are not on the same squares indeed, but if this circumstance is capable of changing the eva1uation of the position, this can only be in favour of White, because in many lines he can play .lbS+; 9..· .!DeS - This move is premature, because this knight will not reacb

6.J.e3 .1g7 7.j3 lOc6 8. ti'd2

the c4-square. 1O.h3 .id7 11.f4 ther lose the exchange, or his e60e6 12.1Of3 0-0 13.eS± Pino - pawn; 10... \!fc8 - This move looks Taboada, Lima 2000; in case of more passive. 11..ib3 1Oe5, Noga 9...\!faS, Pugh - Fineboim, Email - Ezergailis, corr.19S8, and natu1999, it would be reasonable for rally White should not let his opWhite to repel this queen and to ponent's knight to the c4-square. prepare a pawn-offensive on the After 12.ti'e2 0-0 13.f4, it would kingside. 10.lOb3 ti'd8 11.\t>bl J.d7 be too risky for Black to play 13... 12..te2 gc8 13.h3;!;) 10..ixd4 J.d7 lOeg4 14..id2 lOh6 IS.0-0-0±, U.~dS eS, Riemelmoser - Nadeand White has dangerous threats nau, Seefeld 1993, and here White on the kingside. The calmer line: wins a pawn by playing 12.J.e3 13 ... 1Of7 14.0-0± does not make Black's defence any easier, be0-0 13.lOxf6+ .ixf6 14.ti'xd6±; cause his pieces are tremendously 8 •• ..te6 9.lOxe6 - White ob- passive.) 11.0-0 ti'c8 (Black's tains the two-bishop advantage defence does not become easier after this move; otherwise Black even after the exchange of White's would play 9 ... lOxd4, and later dangerous light-squared bishop 0-0 and his light-squared bish- 11... lOaS 12.J.b3 /t)xb3 13.axb3 a6, op will not only be present on Kupreichik - Vujacic, Moscow the board, but it would be quite 1969, and here White can play well deployed for action. 9...:fxe6 aggressively on the kingside 10.ic4 14.f4 ti'd7 IS.h3!?t and Black has great problems, for example: IS ... bS 16.e5 b4 17.lOa2 lOdS 18.lOxb4 lOxe3 19.ti'xe3± and White wins a pawn, or IS .. .lfufB 16.eS lOe8 17.ti'd3 \t>g8 18.ga4± and White has a noticeable space advantage and much more active pieces.) 12.J.b3 lOaS 13.eS!? (It also looks good for White to opt for the calmer line: 13.ti'd31Oxb314.axb3 10... c,W7 (After 1O ...ti'd7 11. a6 IS.lOe2!? lOd7 16./t)d4t and he O-O-O;!;, Black has only tested ends up with a slight but stable in practice the strange move 11... advantage thanks to his superior a6? Baker - Whitaker, Concord pawn-structure, space advantage 1995, and White can continue and more active pieces.) 13...dxeS With 12.lOa4 lOeS 13.J.b3+- and (After 13 ... lOxb3 14.axb3 dxe5 Black will be faced with a rather IS.~a7 ~7 16.J.xa7;!; Black's unpleasant choice - he must ei- central pawns control almost 171

Chapter 9

all the squares along the d-file, but they are chronically weak at the same time.) 14.~e4 ~xb3 lS.~gS+ c;!?g8 16.cxb3!?t Black's extra pawn seems to be absolutely immaterial, because he has not completed his development yet, J.Kaplan - Vujacic, Stockholm 1969.

a) 8 ...~xd4 9.hd4

9 •••Ae6 About 9 ... 0-0 10 ..tc4 - see 7... 0-0, Chapter 13; 9 ....i.d7 10. ,lc4 - see 9 ...,le6 10..tbS+ .i.d7 1l.,lc4. 9 ...a6 - This move enables White to compromise his opponent's pawn-structure. 10.~dS 0-0 (lO ... ~hS?? - Black avoids the disruption of his pawn-structure, but he blunders a rook. 1l.,lb6+- van Riemsdijk - Presa, Cerro Largo 1987.) 1V~xf6+ exf6 12.,lc4 ,le6 13.ixe6 fxe6 14.0-0-0 'f!fc7, Mrdja - Omeri, Montebelluna 2007, Black's ldngside has been weakened considerably, so it looks logical for White 172

to continue with lS.h4 ~Ud8 16.h5 dS 17.'f!fe3 ~c8 18.gd2 'f!fc419.b3 'f!fc6 20.hxg6 bxg6 21.eS± with ex. cellent attacking chances. 9 ... eS - This move weakens the d6-pawn as well as the d5. square. 10.,lbS+ .td7 1l.,le3 k6 12.0-0-0 rlle7 13.g4± Farr _ Srinivasan, Internet 2001. 9 ...b6 - This move is too passive and it does not contribute to Black's counterplay, Hebert - Kitchin, corr. 1980, 10.g4 0-0 1l.h4t 9 ...'f!faS 1O.,lbS+ and here it would be bad for Black to try 10... ,ld7 1l.ixd7+ c;!?xd7 12.e5 ~e8, Quleones - Apaza, Peru 2000, because after White plays 13.exd6 ixd4 14.'f!fxd4 ~xd6 lS.0-0-0± he can emphasize the unfavourable placement of Black's king, while in answer to 10... c;!?f8, Arbunic Castro - Saldano Dayer, Alicante 2000, White's simplest line is 1l.J.c4 .i.d7 12.0-0-0 gc8 13..tb3;!;, and Black has problems to bring his rook on h8 into the actions. 10.Ab5+ Wf8 About 10...,ld7 1l.,lc4 - see Chapter 3, 9 ....!Llxd410.ixd4. 11.~d5hd5

White maintains a slight, but stable advantage after 1l....!LlxdS 12 exdS .tfS 13.0-0;1; - his pieces are deployed actively in the centre and Black has problems completing his development. His attempt to simplify the position with 13..· .bd4+ 14.'f!fxd4 'f!fb6 lS.ti'xb6

6.j.e3 Ag77J3 ttJc6 B.Y!Jd2 a6 9.0-0-0

axb6 16J:lel!;t only leads to the creation of new pawn-weaknesses and additional difficulties, for exaIDple it would be too risky for him to grab a pawn - 16...,lxc2 17J:!ac1 ,ia4 1S..b:a4 l:OOl4 19J:!c7±, because the numerous exchanges only added new difficulties to his problem to bring his rook on hS into the actions. 12.exd5 a6 13..i.e2 h5

usually try to avoid it in all the lines. 9.0-0-0

After this natural reaction by White we will analyze in details bl) 9 ••• ~e5, b2) 9 ...•c7, b3) 9 ••• 0-0 and b4) 9 ••• ~xd4. About 9 ....id7 1O.g4 - see next chapter, line c; 9 ... hS 10.ttJxc6 see 7... a6 S.Y!Jd2 hS 9.0-0-0 ttJc6 10.~xc6.

The diagrammed position was reached in the game Loetscher Fleischmann, Baden 1995, and Black could hardly complete his development without compromisinghiskingside.14.0-0-0 ~d7 15.wbl.lxd4 16.'fhd4 ~f6 (or 16... gh6 17.ghel 'M>6 IS.trh4t) 17.g4t and despite the numerous exchanges, Black's defence is very difficult, his kingside is vulnerable, while White has a space advantage and a superior development.

b) 8 •••a6 This move is often played, but the experienced Dragon players

9 ... ttJd7?! - Black lags considerably in development after this move. 10.h4 ~deS 1l.hS .ie6 12.~xe6 fxe6, Padevet - Vyskocil, Rakovnik 2001, and White can continue here with 13.h6.if6 14.f4 ~f7 (Black loses a piece after 14... ttJg41S.e5 dxeSI6.Y!Je2+-) 1S.g4± and Black has great problems to worry about. 9 ...h6?! - This move is just a loss of time. 10.~xc6 bxc6 1l.eS ttJdS 12.ttJxdS cxdS 13.exd6 e6, LievanoAlvarado - Beltran, Guaymallen 2001, The main defect of Black's position is the vulnerability of his dark squares, therefore it is advantageous for White to 173

Chapter 9 trade the dark-squared bishops. 14..id4 ,hd415.~xd4 0-0 16.h4! - This is White's most energetic way to increase his advantage. 16...t!lxd6 17.h5 g5 1B.~f6 ~f4+ 19.~xf4 gxf4 20J~h4± and White ends up with a solid extra pawn in the endgame. 9 ....ie6 - White obtains the two-bishop advantage after this move. 10.~xe6 fxe6 1l.J.c4 ~cB (about 1l... ~d7? 12.~a4 - see B... .ie6) 12.~a4!? - This is a logical idea to exploit the weakness of the b6-square. 12 ... ~e5 13 ..ib3 ~c4 14.~e2 b5 15.,hc4 bxa4 16.a3 d5 17..ia2 gbB 1B..id4± Black's pawns on the queenside and in the centre are weak and his pieces are very passive, Czerniak - Stahlberg, Buenos Aires 1945. 9 ...~a5 - This queen-sortie is clearly premature. 10.~b3 ~c7 1l.g4 .ie6 (White's game develops easily and effortlessly on the kingside after 11... ~e512.g5 ~fd7 13.~d5 t!ldB 14.f4 ~c6 15.h4± AI Sayed - AI Housa, Dubai 2003.) 12.g5 ~d7, Smetana - Lapis, Havirov 196B, and after 13.b1 e5?! (It would be better for Black to play 11... .ie6 12.h4 - see 10....ie6 11.bl 'tfaSI2.h4.) 12 ..te3 0-0 13.'tfxd6± and White ended up with a solid extra pawn in the game Collier Fletcher, Jersey 2004. 11.wbl

11••• 0-0 Black's attempts to continue without castling were fruitless: 11...b5 12.g4 'tfaS (About the better line for Black - 12 ... 0-0 13.h4 - see 11... 0-0.) 13.'tfe3 gb8 14.tlJd5 .lxd5 15.exd5 b4 (Black can win a pawn, but with very bad consequences - 15... tlJxd516.'tfe4 ~f6 17.'tfc6+ eMs IS ..h7 geS 19.h4± his pieces are stranded on the kingside and they are incapable of any active actions, while his queen is forced to protect the pawns on the queenside.) 16ic4 V!lc7, S.Farago - Bodrogi, Budapest 1999, and here White can

186

play 17.'tfe2 0-0 18.h4± and he not only is threatening to o~ a dangerous kingside attack, but he is eyeing the weak a6-pawn; 11... V!la5 12.h4 0-0 - This move enables White to break his opponent's pawn-structure on the kingside. Black's alternatives, which have not been tested yet, do not save from 13.~d5 either. 13.tlJd5 V!ld8 14.~xf6+ exf6 15.hS d5 (It is even worse for Black to play 15...'tfc7 16.i.d3 d5 17.g41' and White has dangerous kingside threats, after 17...dxe4 IS.ixe4 gadS 19.'tff2 ~d4 20.~d4 fi, Schoen - Lebermann, Frankfurt 2001, White must take under control the weak squares around Black's king and the best way to do that is 21.h6! .thS 22.gxf5 V!lb6 23.ghdl gxf5 24..ixf5+-) 16.hxg6 fxg6 17id3 'tfd7 IS.g4± White is clearly ahead of his opponent in the creation of threats, Dobrusina - Diehl, Hamburg 2005; l1... gcS 12.g4 'tfaS (It is not better for Black to try 12 ...h6 13.h4 'tfa5 14.a3 bS, O.Bindricb - W.Schmidt, Leutersdorf 2000, White continues with 15,j,d3 0-0 16.h5 g5 17.~d5 'tfd8 18.~xf6+ J.xf6 19.i.xf6 exf6 20 ..ie2! and he obtains a clear advantage. Black's d6-pawn is weak and his kingside pawn-structure is compromised as well, while after 15...b4 16.axb4 'tfxb417..ixa6 gb818.~d5± White wins a pawn underrelatively safe circumstances; or 12...b5 13.~dS .lxd5 14.exd5 'tfc7, Wetherfield -

6.j,e3 j,g7 7.j3 tlJc6 8. lYd2 a6 9.0-0-0

WOJis, Swansea 2006, and here after lS.gS ~e4? 16.fxe4 .ixd4 17.1b3± White wins the exchange, ,.tUle in the variation: IS ... ~hS 16.1b3 ~b8 17ig4t he creates powerful threats on the kingside.) 13.a3

J3...b5 (White has a long lasting initiative in the line: 13... gS 19..1e2 W/d7 20.f4± Black is - This move does not help Black's helpless against White's powerful counterplay. 14.hS± gS? lS.h6 kingside pressure, Khalifa Khamis .thS 16..id3 llJd7 17.e5+- Mac- Ali - Ahmed Issac, Dubai 2002.) chia - Sarmoria, corr. 1976; 13 ... 14.hS gacS (It is too bad for Black gacS - Black's rook on f8 remains to play 14...gS lS.h6 .ihS 16.e5 out of actions for long after this llJdS 17.WxgS+ Matuszczyk move, van der Meiden - Buding, - Wykpis, Poland 2002, and the Alkmaar 19S4, 14.a3 hS1S.gSllJd7 fastest win for White seems to be 16.llJdS W/dS 17..txg7 'it>xg71S.f4±) lS.llJxdS, and after lS ....txdS19.c4 14.a3 hS (It is hardly advisable for .bf3 20.Ad3 e6 21..txh7 .txhl 22. Black to try 14.. Jlc6 lS.h5 gacS, gm1 dxeS 23.00-+ his attack is

mrs,

lSS

6 ..1e3 .1g7 7.fJ fiJc6 8. ~d2 a6 9.0-0-0 deciSive, but even in the variation: lS...1¥xdS 19.b3 lIec8 20.i.e2 i.f6 21.1¥e3 ixeS 22.llliS+- Black's b7-pawn is vulnerable and his )dng is rather unsafe.) lS.a3 lIc6 16.bxg6 hxg6 17.~h2 ~ec8 18.eS dxe5 19.ixeS bS 20.lt:le4 ~c2? (Black could have avoided being crushed quickly with the line: 20 ...b4 21.lt:lxf6+ exf6 22 ..1d6 Bxd6 23.Yfxd6 bxa3 24.~xa3±, but White still ends up with an extra exchange, or to play 20 ... Dd8 21.~d8+ ~xd8 22 ..1d3±, but White's pieces are noticeably more active.) 21.lt:lxf6+ .ixf6 (or 21... exf6 22.Yfh7+ wf8 23 ..1d6+ 24..ib4+-) 22.~8+ Karsai - Fekete, Nyiregyhaza 200S. 12 ...~d7 - This move is too slow. 13.h4 hS 14.gS It:le8, Loginov - Limonnikov, Samara 2001, White should better plan here to open his opponent's castling position with the help of the advance of his f-pawn. lS.f4 bS 16.Yff2t 12 ...h6 - Black cannot stop White's attack in that fashion. 13.h4lt:ld7, pfeiffer - Ihde, Chemnitz 1998, the trade of the darksquared bishops is usually favourable for White and after 14.,ixg7 ~xg7 lS ..1e2 bS 16.f4-+ he can begin a very dangerous offensive for Black. 13.h4 (diagram) 13•.•b4 White's attack is very powerful after the other possibilities for Black as well:

weB

13... fiJd7? - Black loses immediately after the exchange of the bishops. 14.,ixg7 Wxg71S.hS Wg8 16.Yfh6+- Stirling - Safarian, Canberra 1994; In answer to 13 ... ~b8, Mihevc - Jelica, Dresden 1998, White must attack according to the scheme from the variations later in this text - he must prepare the opening of the h-file and the deployment of his knight to the dSoutpost. 14.hS b41S.fiJdS±; 13... lIc814.hS .tc4 (About 14 ... Yfc7 lS ..1d3 - see 13 ...~c7 14.hS lIac8 lS ..1d3; 14... lIe8 lS.hxg6 see 12 ... ~e8 13.h4 bS 14.hS ~f8 lS.hxg6; in answer to 14.. :~e8·:,!, Bui Tuan Phong - Pham Chuong, Yungtau 2000, it would be very good for White to continue with the standard line: lS.fiJdS ,ixdS 16.exdS ~c717.hxg6 fxg618.jh3-+ and his attack is very dangerous, while Black has no counterplay at all. His defence is not any easier after the possible counter strike in the centre 14... dS?! lS.exdS b4 16.dxe6 bxc3 17.exf7+ wxf7 18. hxg6+ hxg6 19.,ixc3+- and 189

Chapter 9 White not only remains with two extra pawn, but he has an overwhelming positional advantage as well, Herrera - Cubero Ferreiro, La Coruna 1999; 14...b4 1S.~dS hdS 16.exdS Black has tried different lines here: 16 ... a5 17.Y«h2 - see 13 ...b4 14.~dS .bdS 1S.exdS as 16.hS ~c8 17.Y«h2; 16.. JkS?! Black fails to obtain anything real for the exchange-sacrifice. 17.hc5 dxc5 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.Axa6 Y«aS 20 ..i.c4+- Delgado - Fontana, Matinhos 2000; 16 ...Y«aS - The queen is not the best possible defender of a pawn. 17.h6! .i.h818.gS tile8 - or 18... tild7 19..i.xh8 d>xh8 20.a3 ~b8 21J3h4+- and White wins the b4-pawn - 19..i.xh8 d>xh8, Servat - Hase, Santa Fe 1992, and here after 20.a3+Black loses his b4-pawn.) 1S.tildS ~c6 (After 1S....bdS - Black loses a tempo, because of his previous move with the bishop. 16.exdS Y«c717.hxg6 fxg618.'i«h2+- Stark - Wihnon, Edmonton 2004; after 1S...eS16..i.b6 Y«e8, M.Schulman Yanofsky, Manitoba 1964, White wins a pawn with 17..bc4 ~xc4 18.h6 .i.h8 19.tilb4 Y«e6 20.b3 ~cc8 21.Y«xd6+-, or 17... bxc4 18.h6 .i.h8 19.tilc7 Y«c6 20.Y«xd6 Y«b7 21.J.a5+-) 16.tilxf6+ exf6 17..bc4 ~c4 18.b3 ~c6 19.'i«h2± White has numerous threats on the kingside and he combines that with pressure against the d6pawn, so Black's defence is tremendously unpleasant, Franssila - Hokkanen, Finland 2002; 190

13...Y«c7 14.h5 ~fc8 (About 14...b41S.tildS hdS16.exdS - see 13...b4; or 14...~ac8 1S..id3 b4 16.tild5 hdS17.exdS Y«a518.hxg6 fxg6 19.Y«e2 'f!1c7 20.gS+- and White's attack is decisive, Real de Azua - Spector, Villa Ballester 200S.) 15.hxg6 hxg6 (After 15... fxg6 16.g5, it would be a disaster for Black to opt for 16...tile8 17.'i«h2+- and he has no defence, Petzold - Klatt, Neubrandenburg 1999, but even after 16... tilh5 17..i.xg7 d>xg7, Schenkeveld - Snijdewint, Hengelo 200S, White's attack is tremendously powerful following 18.tildS J.xd5 19.exdS ~f8 20 ..i.h3-+), and now White should better develop his attack according to the standard scheme - 16.tildS hdS 17.exdS Y«b7 (about 17...b4 - see 13...b4) 18.gS tilhS 19..ixg7 d>xg7 20.ih3 ~8 (otherwise White checkmates along the h-file: 20 ... ~c5 21.%Yd4+ g8 22 ..i.g4+-, or 20 ... ~c4 21.b3 ~c7 22.Y«d4+ d>g8 23 ..i.g4+-) 21. .i.g4 Y«c7 22.~del± Black has numerous weaknesses and no active counterplay, so he has no chances of equalizing; 13 ... ~e8 14.h5 Y«a5 (about 14... ~c8 - see 13... ~c8) 1S.hxg6 hxg6 16.g5 tilhS (Black fails to seize the initiative after 16...b4 17.gxf6 bxc3 18.1bc3 Y«xa2+ 19.d>c1 exf6 20..i.xf6 ~ac8 21.i.xg7 ~c3 22. .i.f6!! After this move it becomes clear that Black has only a feW checks left, but White's king can easily avoid them: 22 ...~c2+

6 ..1e3 .1g7 7.j3 tl:lc6 8. ~d2 a6 9.0-0-0

23.c;txc2 ~b3+ 24.~d2 ~b4+ 2S. 1fle2 YfbS+ 26.~f2+-) 17..bg7 WxY,7 18.~d4+ ~g8 19.f4 .ig4 20. J.e2 Axe2 2V~xe2 b4 2Vt::lg3-+ Black's king shelter is gradually ctestroyed and his heavy pieces are to slow to assist in the protection of the kingside, G.Pinter - Szirti, Budapest 1998; 13...~aS - This move presents White with a couple of tempi. 14.~dS ~d8 (After 14... ~xd2 15.~xe7+ ~h816J'bcd2 ~Ue8, Beltz - Brock, Neumuenster 2000, White should win this endgame with an extra pawn without too many problems after 17.lt::lc6 gee8 18.~b4+-; 14...b4! - Black can avoid the immediate crush only at the price of a pawn. IS. ~xb4 ~xb4 16.~xb4± Sarenac - Kajevic, Bar 2006.) IS.hS J.xdS 16.exdS eS (In answer to 16...~c7,AGarcia- Ottati, Pichincha 1962, White wins with his standard attack along the h-file: 17.hxg6 bxg6 18..ih3 ~c4 19.95 ~h5 20.'flYf2+-) 17.dxe6 fxe6 18.hxg6 hxg619.'flYg5+- Ozanne Coburn, Paignton 2007; 13.. .Ac4 - The exchange of these bishops does not help Black solve the problem with his numerous difficulties. 14.h5 .hfl (about 14... gc8 - see 13...gc8) 15.gdxfl e5 16.J.e3 b4 17.tl:ldS ~xd518.~xd5± Black's queenside pawns are weak, while White is very active on the kingside, Mainz - ANowak, corr. 19S9; 13...~d7 14.h5 gfc8 IS.hxg6 bxg6, M.Zajac - Zdziarska, Wys-

owa 2003, White's attack develops according to well-familiar schemes and he has excellent winning chances: 16..!l:ldS J.xdS 17.exdS ~7 18.gS tl:lhS 19.J.xg7 rtJxg7 20 ..ih3±; 13...~8 14.hS ~7!? - Black has covered the dS-outpost indeed, but White's knight can be very active on other squares as well. IS ..!l:le2 .lc4 16.tl:lg3± White has taken the important hS-square under control and he is well-prepared for a direct onslaught. In answer to 16... j,e6, Zengin - van Diermen, Germany 1999, White needs to play another preparatory move -17.~2, after which Black is beyond salvation, for example: 17... gfc8 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.9S+-; 13...hS - This is a very brave decision by Black, Johannsson - Gupta, Moscow 19S6, it would be attractive for White to counter that with occupying additional space on the kingside and and the advance of his f-pawn. 14.gS tl:ld7 IS.J.xg7 rtJxg7 16.f4 'flYaS 17.~d4+ rtJg8 18.f5-+; 13...h6?! - This is just a target for White, which facilitates his task to open files on the kingside. 14.gS .!l:lhSlS.J.xg7 rtJxg716.gxh6+ h7 17.gg1 gc8, Rettler - Kalski, Ellwangen 1999, the easiest way for White to destroy his opponent's pawn-shelter is with his own pawns - 18.f4 f5 19 ..ie2 ~xh6 20.ggS-+ 14.~d5 .txd5

It is too bad for Black to play

191

Chapter 9 14... lLlxd5, Martinez Villena Valles Vilar, Spain 2004, 15.exd5 Ad716.,bg7 Wxg7 17.h5+- White has a checkmating attack. 15.exd5

15••••c7 Black will not change much with his other possibilities. White creates threats on the kingside much earlier that Black can organize any meaningful counterplay. In answer to 15...e5, Wortel - van der Bilt, Gent 2000, the easiest way fro White to create additional weaknesses for his opponent is 16.dxe6 fxe6 17.h5-+ 15...YlYa516.J.c4 ~Uc8 (After 16... YlYc717.Ab3 a518 ..b4 gab819.h5± White has secured his queenside, by transferring his bishop to the wonderful defensive a4-square and he is ready to attack the enemy king, Silberring - Bassler, Bamberg 1973.) 17.b3! h5! (Black attempt to seize the initiative with the help of a piece-sacrifice led to a quick defeat for him after 17... lLlxd518.j.xg7lLlc3+ 19.J.xc3 bxc3 192

20.YlYf4 YlYa3 21.YlYcl ti'b4 22.J.d5 ga7 23.h5 1-0 Guedez - Torres Merida 2000, but staying passi~ is hardly any better for him 17... YlYc718.h5 a519.hxg6 hxg6 20.m.3 YlYd7 21.gdh1 +- Sanguineti - Ellskases, Buenos Aires 1955.) 18. gxh5 lLlxh5 19.j.xg7 ~xg7 20.f4 gh8 21.f5± Black's pawn-shelter in front of the king is gradually destroyed, his knight is very passive and he has no I'ounterplayon the queenside, Povchanic - Kovari, Slovakia 2002. 15... a5 - Black fails to create any real counterplay with this move. 16.h5 gc8 (The alternatives are hardly any better for Black: 16...a4 - This is a principled line, but White is clearly ahead in the creation of threats. 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.g5lLlh519.j.xg7 Wxg7 20.Yfd4+ ~g8, lawgm - De Jong, Internet 1998, 21.J.h3+-; 16... gb8 17.bxg6 fxg6 18.g5 lLlh5, Kollen - van der Werff, Twente 2007, 19.J.h3+-; 16...§'b8 17.YlYh2± g5? 18.h6 .AhS 19.ft'd2+- Lange - Bauer, Oberhof 1999; 16...ft'd7 17.ft'h2 e5 IS. dxe6 ft'xe6 19.hxg6 fxg6 20 ..ld3± Black's king is bare and White's bishops are very powerful, Pratibha - Mahima, Negombo 2003; in answer to 16... Yfc7, Tang - Goutor, Vancouver 2003, it would be interesting for White to transfer his bishop to a4, or c6 - 17.tbS gab8 18..la4±) 17.ft'h2 flc7 (17... g5? 18.h6 .th8 19.ft'd2+- Guerrero - Matute, Cuenca 2006) IS. .id3± White's threat to open the

6.j.e3 1J.g7 7.j3 lLlc6 B. VfJd2 a6 9.0-0-0 h-file looks very dangerous for 19... lLlxd5 20 ..txg7 lLlc3+ 21.~al Black, but still the move IS ...g5? ~xg7 22.bxc3 bxc3 23.~d4+ e5 loses outright. 19.h6.illS 20.~d2 24.VfJd5+- White parries eas1-0 Kerek - Biskopics, Aggtelek ily his opponent's threats and he remains with an extra piece.) 1997. 15...~bS 16.h5 ~cS 17.hxg6 20.i.xd7 ~xd7 21..txg7 ~xg7 22. bxg6, Rauw - Brooker, Twente ~h7!+- and Black's pieces are 2007, Black's heavy pieces are absent from the kingside and his stranded on the queenside, so king is just helpless, Pratihba White can play IS.g5lLlh519 ..txg7 Nishanth, Mumbai 2004. 19.1h2± ~7 (In case of19 ... lLlxg7 20 ..ih3 Bc4 21..Ag4+- Black will be most probably checkmated along the opening h-file.) 20.\~rd4+ cbgS 21. .Ah3+- and Black will be faced with a choice - whether to give up the exchange, or to allow the move .Ag4, after which White will win a pawn and he will open the b-file for an attack. 16.h5lfeS The move 16... ~7 - does not save Black from the offensive. After 17.hxg6 hxg6 IS.g5 lLlhS, Black succeeded in avoiding P.Larsson - O.Lind, Malmo 19S1, the exchange of the dark-squared White can continue 19 ..txg7 ~xg7 bishops, but he paid a too dear (19...lLlxg7 20ih3+-) 20.~d4+ price for that. He would lose his cbgs 21 ..ih3+- and he organizes a g5-pawn and his heavy pieces POWerful attack in a position with would hardly manage to assist in the protection of his king. material equality. It is also bad for Black to play 19••••&5 20.J.g2 le4 21. 16...e5 17.dxe6 fxe6, Bonanno - .xg5 e5 22 •.Axe5! +- White Mazzoni, Ischia 1999, because forces a transition to an endgame after IS.hxg6 hxg6 19 ..td3 e5 with two extra pawns. 22 ... dxe5 20~1 +- he will have great prob- 23.ldhl t,W8 24.lhS+ J.xhS lelIls protecting simultaneously 25.IxhS+ We7 26.1fxe5+ h8 15..id5 tOb4 16.ib3 tOc6 17.mH1± with excellent attacking prospects; After 12... tOxd4 13.ixd4 0-0, M.Bauer - Dahm, Gennany 2003, White obtains good attacking chances after the energetic reply 14.f5!, for example: 14... gxf5 15.ixg7 rl;xg7 16.~gl! fxe4 17.tOxe4 tYc718.tOg3-+;

10 ••• ~xd4 1l.hd4 .tc6 (It is just bad for Black to play 1l...h6? 12.tOdS 0-0 13..tb6 ti'e8 14.~c7

6.Ae3 Ag77.fJ ~c6 B.W1d2 id79.0-0-0 a61O.g4

ireS 15.~xa8 W1c6 16.Ae3+- and he will lose plenty of material, DeDi - Prieto, Munich 1958; in answer to 11... 0-0, Glas - M. Bayer, Nuremberg 2000, it is very good for White to continue with 12.h4 h5 13.g5 ~e8 14.f4.ixd4 15. irxd4 ~c716.iYe3± and Black can hardly organize any counterplay. It is not advisable for him to try 12...b5 13.bSt b4 14.~d5 - see variation d3) 12.h4 iYc7, Pottbammel- G.Fischer, Halle 2007, and here after 13.hSt White creates powerful kingside threats. 13.. J~g8 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.k4 b5 16.ib3± - Black's king is stranded in the centre and it impedes the coordination of his forces, so be is bound to a long and laborious defence. 1l.h4

15.f5-+ White's attack is very powerful. 11.•. ~xd4 12 ..ixd4 ~a5 13.h5 0-0 14.iYh2 gfe8 15.hxg6 hxg6, Gonzalez - Morales, Havana 1999, following 16.lfibl ie6 17.~d5-+ White develops his standard kingside attack, while Black has no counterplay at all. 11... ~e5 12.h5 ~aS 13.~b3 iYc7, Laux - Stieber, Wilhelmshaven 1998, and here White's most principled line seems to be: 14.hxg6 hxg6 (or 14... ~xf31S.~g2 .ixg4 16.Ae2 ~eS 17..ixg4 ~fxg4 18.gxi7+ 1fixf7 19.~dS-+ Black's extra pawn is practically immaterial, since his king is completely bare.) ISJbch8+ .ixh8 16.gS b4 17.~h2 ~hS 18.~dS ~b7 19.Ae2 as 20.Ad4± and Black has no satisfactory defence against the threat 21.f3-f4. His attempt to create some counterplay loses by force - 20 ... a4 21.ti:)cS+12.~d5.a5

1l•••b4 The alternatives are not any better for Black: 1l...h5 12.gS ~b7 13.~d5 gb8 14.f4 ~f8, Czaeczine - Genner, koerbecke 2000, Black's king is stranded in the centre and after

In answer to 12 ... ti:)xdS, Muench - Zistl, Bad Neustadt 1992, White wins a pawn with 13.~xc6 .ixc6 14.exdS AbS IS. W1xb4 .ixfl16.ruud'l gb8 (16... 0-0 17.Ad4±) 17.iYa4+ iYd7 18.iYxd7+ Ifixd7 19..id4± and he should manage to cope gradually with the arising technical problems in the realisation. 13.~xc6 hc6 Black loses a lot of material after 13...~xa2?, Rios Parra - Gallardo, Barranquilla 1999,14.ti:)c7+ ~ IS.iYxb4+-

Chapter 10 About 10 ••• lIe8 11.~b1 - see 9 .. J1c8. Black has also tried in practice: 10 ••• e5? Mahmens - Vehrs, Kappeln 1990, this move loses a pawn, 1Vt:lxc6 ixc6 12.~xd6 ~xd6 (or 12 ... ~aS 13..tc4+-) 13J3xd6+-; 14.Vxb4 Vxb4 15.tlxb4 Ab7 16.h5± - and White ends up with a solid extra pawn in the endgame, Solak - Tassopoulos, Korinthos 1999. d) 9 ••• 0-0 This is the most logical line for Black, but it has an essential drawback in comparison to 7... 0-0, or 8 ... 0-0 and that is now White is not obliged to develop his bishop to c4, because he should not worry about the pawn-break d6-dS. 10.g4

10 •••h6? Gahn - Weiss, Greifswald 2000, this is just a blunder, 1l.~xc6 bxc6 12 ..ixh6±; 10 ••• tlxg4? - Black obtains only two pawns for the piece and this is definitely insufficient in the middle game. 1l.fxg4 .!xg4 12J:lel .!tJxd4 13.ixd4 ixd4 14.Vxd4 e5 1S.Vf2 f5 16..tc4+ ~h8 17.~g3+­ Brookshire - Karlsson, Email 1998; 10 ••• tlb4? - Black's knight impedes his own counterplay on this square. 1l.h41YaS 12.~b1 e5 13..!tJb3 ~c7 14.Vxd6+- Do Duc Minh - Nguyen Duy Trung, Vietnam 2001; 10 ••• e6?! Breslavskaya Pina Sierra, Menorca 1996, Black weakens his d6-pawn with this move, 1l ..!tJdbS .!tJeS 12..ie2±;

We will look in details now at dl) IO •••Vb8?!, d2) 10 ••• tleS, d3) 10 •••a6 andd4) 10 •••tlxd4. 206

10 •••hg4?! - Black can hardly obtain reasonable compensation for the piece after this sacrifice. 1l..!tJxc6 bxc6 12.fxg4 .!tJxg4 13..tc4 .!tJxe3 (The move 13...e6 weakens the centre. 14.M4

6.~e3 ~g77:f.3 ttJc68.'l9d2 ~d79.0-0-0 0-0 1O.g4

d515.~b3 'l9a516.%!ie2±Abdullaev

_ Kerimov, Baku 2000; it is not any better for Black to try 13 .. J!b8 14.~b3 as, Hase - Santirso, Santa Fe 2004, White can save now his dark-squared bishop from its being exchanged for the enemy knight. 15.M4 'l9d7 16J~hf1 ~b4 17.%!ie2±) 14.%!ixe3 %!ic7 15.~b3± Deamley - Elliot, England 1998; 10 ••• ~e8?! - This move contributes neither to the protection of the kingside, nor to the creation of counterplay. 11.h4 ttJxd4 (After 1l... ttJc7 12.c~xc6 bxc6 13.h5 ttJb5 14.hxg6 fxg6 15.'l9h2+- Black's king is defenceless, Knott - Kosugi, Email 2000) 12.hd4 hd4 13.%!ixd4 .Ac6, Stoeckl - Prim, Lindau 2002, Black has simplified the position a bit, but White's kingside activity is still very dangerous 14.h5±;

lO ••.h5?! - After Black has castled short, this move looks suicidal. 11.h3 ttJxd4 (About 11... gc8 12.Cj;lb1 - see 9 ... ~c8 10.'it>b1 0-0 11.g4 h5 12.h3; 1l ... %!iaS, Steenvoorden - Colombo, Lugano 2006, this move is a loss of time, 12.ttJb3 %!id8 13.q;,b1 .ie6 14. ttJdS as 15.a4±; it is not advisable for Black to try 11... a6 12.Cj;lb1 hS 13.ttJdS ttJxd5, Rozum - Pavlidis, BeIfort 2005, 14.ttJxc6 hc6 15.exd5 .Ab7 16.gxh5±; while after 13...ttJe5 14.ttJxf6+ J.xf6 15.Ah6 ge8 16.gxh5+- it becomes even easier for White to exploit the

defect of his opponent's move ten, Reis - Friederich, Germany 1995.) 12.hd4 'l9a5 (In answer to 12 ...~e6, Szylar - Cursoux, France 1997, it would be very good for White to continue with 13.ttJdS hd5 14.exd5 'l9d715.'it>b1 ~fc8 16.~gl±, followed by the preparation of the advance of the f-pawn.) 13.'it>b1 ~fc8 14.ixf6!? .ixf6 (It is obviously better for Black to play here 14... exf615.ttJd5 'l9xd2 16J::Dcd2 wh7 17.gxh5 gxh5 18.ttJe3 M8 19.f4!, although even then White has a stable advantage thanks to Black's numerous pawn-weaknesses.) 15.ttJd5 'l9xd2 16.ttJxf6+ exf6 17.~d2 hxg4, Ballantyne - Vibbert, Cherry Hill 2007, and after 18.hxg4 ~d8 19..Ac4 ~ac8 20.~d5± White maintains a stable advantage, because of his more active pieces and Black's pawn weaknesses; 10 •••BbS - Black is preparing the advance of his b-pawn, but this is too slow. 11.h4

Following 11...h5, Solanas Godes - Querol Soro, Spain 2004, White can occupy space on the kingside

Chapter 10

with 12.gS tLleB 13.f4 fYaS 14.f5t. White has a powerful initiative and this is best illustrated by the variation: 14... tLlxd4 IS.hd4 gxf5 16.~h3 hd417.fYxd4 tLlg71B.tLldS gfeB 19.exf5± and Black can hardly defend his kingside. It would not be better for him to opt for 11...bS, Chung - Teix1l...gcBI2.q;,bl- see 9 ...~cB. eira, Email 200S, and here White should not be distracted by win11... a6 - Black's preparation of ning a pawn on the queenside, counterplay is a bit too slow. After opening files there, but he should 12.hS, he has tested in practice: better develop his kingside initia- 12 ...bS 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.fYh2 "as tive: 12.hS b413.tLlce2 fYaSI4.q;,bl IS.tLlb3 fYc716.tLldS+- Fox -JoedgfcB IS.tLlb3 fYa4 16.hxg6 hxg6 icke, Werther 2004, or 13...fxg6 17.~6 ~B IB.tLlf4± - White's 14.fYh2 tLleS IS.tLldS-+ Kitchen king is much safer than its coun- Doughty, West Bromwich 200S; terpart, or IS ...fYeS 16.tLled4 tLlaS 12...fYc7 13.hxg6 hxg6, Grzonka 17.hxg6 hxg61B ..tf4 tLlxb319.axb3 - Kuhlmann, Bielefeld 2005, and fYaS 20.~6 ~B 21.tLlf5-+ with a here White wins with 14.tLlf5!.hf5 dangerous attack for White. (or 14...gxf5 IS.~6+- with an 11... tLleS, Ionica - Manicu- unavoidable checkmate) 15..th6 ta, Curtea de Arges 2002, now ihB 16.gxf5 tLle5 17..ie2-+ and White's most sensible plan of ac- White's attack is decisive; 12 ... tions would be to continue with tLle5 13.hxg6 fxg6, Bleckmann his kingside offensive with 12.hS Haber, Lingen 1996, White can bS 13.hxg6 fxg6 (It is a disas- play 14.g5 tLlhS 15.f4 tLlg4 16.ic4+ ter for Black to play 13...hxg6? q;,hB 17.f5 ~e5 IB.q;,bl-+ and he 14.~6.lhB1S.fYh2+-) 14.~6 b4 opens his opponent's king with a IS.tLldS .hh6 16.fYxh6 'M7 17.tLlf4 crushing attack. 1l... tLlxd4 12.hd4 h5 13.g5 fYfB IB.fYh4± White has weakened his opponent's kingside and tLlh7 14..hg7 ~7, Sperdokli he is much ahead in the creation Boerjevik, Mureck 199B, White can opt now for 15.f4 fYaS 16.f5t of threats; and he has tremendously danger10 ••• ge8 - Black protects ous kingside threats, for example: additionally his e7-pawn and he 16 ...gxf517.fYd4+ mgB IB.g6 fxg6 prevents the eventual trade of his 19..ic4+ e6 20.~hgl-+ and White'S dark-squared bishop, but he loses attack looks overwhelming. important tempi doing that. 11.h4 It is hardly better for Black to 20B

6.Ae3 J.g7 7.fJ lLlc6 8. V!!d2 Ad79.0-0-0 0-0 10.g4

choose 1l...V!!aS 12.lLlb3 V!!c713.hS ~e5, Sorin - Point, France 2002, since after 14.hxg6 hxg6 lS.V!!f2± it is inconceivable how he can counter White's oncoming kingside offensive. lI...h5 12.gS lLlh7, Walker _ Chehayeb, Warren 1994 and White can play 13.f4 i.g4 14.Ae2 be2 (or 14... lLlxd4 lS ..bg4 hxg4 16.Axd4 e5 17.fxeS dxeS 18..if2±) 15.V!!xe2 V!!a5 16J~hf1i preparing the advance ofhis f-pawn; 10 •• ~Vc8 - The queen occupies here the square belonging to the rook. 1l.h4lLle5 12.h5~ White simply develops his standard kingside offensive. 12...lLlc4 (It is even worse for Black to play 12 ... ~exg4? 13.fxg4 .bg414.Ae2 J.xhS 15.Axh5 lLlxhS 16.l!xh5! gxh5 17. ~f5 ge8 18.V!!g2 1-0 Wilson Burke, Detroit 1991.) 13.ixc4 'Ixc4 14.hxg6 fxg6 IS ..ih6 gf7 16. ixg7 ~g7 17.g5± White's threats are quite obvious now, Solano Arreola - Vega, Moravia 2000; 10 •••ftc' 1l.h4 gfc8 (Black should avoid 1l... lLleS, Ekman Strong, Email 1997, because after 12.hS bS 13.hxg6 fxg6 14.gS lLlh5 15.lLldS V!!d816.f4± White's threats become really dangerous.) 12.hS fle5 13.~bl lLlc4 14.ixc4 V!!xc4 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.g5 lLlhS 17.lLld5±. White's prospects are clearly better, thanks to his centralised Pieces and Black's kingside weaknesses, for example after 17...

ge8 18.~S!? gxhS 19.Wih2 Ac6 20.b3 V!!a6 21.lLlc7 Wia5 22.lLlxa8 i!x:a8 23. V!!xhS White has an extra pawn and a dangerous attack. It is very bad for Black to play now 23 ....te8 24.V!!hl gc8 2S.V!!g2 Wic3 26.V!!f2 ig6 27.gd3+- A.FrolovGoldshtein, Perm 2007, as well as 23 ...Wic3, Chechurin - Pershina, Perm 2007, in view of 24.g6! h6 2S.gd3 V!!el+ 26.ic1 V!!g3 27.lLlfS V!!eS 28.lLlxg7+-;

lO •••b5 1l.h4 b4 12.lLldS lLlxdS (12 ... a5 13.lLlxf6+ ixf6 14.lLlxc6 Axc6 IS.hS± Enjuto Velasco - Vojan, La Pineda 2004) 13.exdS lLlxd4 14.ixd4 e5 (14... Axd4 IS.V!!xd4 V!!aS 16.hS! Wixa2 17..Ad3~) IS.dxe6 Axe6 16.ixg7 ~xg7 17.hS± Sandhu - Bachmayer, Austria 1997; lO ••• aS - Black pushes forward his rook-pawn, but White is clearly ahead. 1l.h4

1l... lLlxd4 12.Axd4 - see 10 ... lLlxd4; in answer to 1l...hS, Gahn A.Mueller, Willingen 2003, it looks very good for White to con-

Chapter 10 tinue with 12.g5 .!LIeS 13 ..!LIdbS .!LIeS 14.Wlf2± controlling the entire board; 1l .. J!bS - This move enables White to continue his kingside attack unopposed, Ten Hagen - Elgersma, Hengelo 2004, 12.h5 .!LIxd4 13.J.xd4 b5 14.hxg6 hxg6 (14 ...fxg6 15.e5±) 15.e5 dxe5 16.he5 gb7 17.Wlh2+- and White's threats are decisive; 11... a4 12.a3 Wla5 (Black will not avoid his opponent's attack with 12 ... .!LIxd4 13.hd4 .lc6 14.h5~ H.Maier - Mack, Leimen 2001; in answer to 12 ...h5, AI.Jr. Zaitsev - Grinkevich, Tula 2002, White obtains an overwhelming advantage by occupying additional space with 13.g5 .!LIeS 14..!LIdbS±; it is equally bad for Black to try 12 ...geS 13.h5 Wla5 14.hxg6 fxg6, Hasenclever - Grosse, Sebnitz 2004, 15..lc4+ g;,hS 16..if7+-, or 15... g;,fB 16..!LIxc6 hc6 17..ih6+and White's threats are impossible to parry.) 13.h5 gfcS 14.hxg6 fxg6 15.,ic4+ eMs 16..!LIe6+ he6 17.J.xe6± White has a clear edge with his bishop-pair and his control over the centre, Slovak - Kabela, Czech Republic 2001; 10 •••BaS - This is a loss of time. 11..!LIb3 WldS (It is hardly preferable for Black to try 11 ... Wlc7 12.g5, and now in the variation: 12 ... .!LIhS 13 ..!LIdS WlcS - as well as after 13 ...WldS 14.0-0-0 id7 lS ..le2 gcS 16.f4 e6, Tomes -

210

Kanovsky, Bmo 2000, Black has weakened his centre and White can exploit that with the help of the line: 17..!LIc3 dS lS.exdS .!tlb4 19 ..ld4!± - 14..le2 .le6 lS.f4± Mogranzini - Hrzica, Cannes 2007 and also following 12... .!LIeS 13..!LIdS WlbS 14.h4 f5 15. hS~ Saathoff - Jusifow, Norem. berg 2006, or 13....WldS 14.h4 e6 lS ..!LIc3 as 16..!LId4 gcS 17.g;,bl± White controls the centre and he is clearly ahead of his opponent in the development of his initia· tive, Tseshkovsky - Kuligin, Sochi 2006.) 12.h4 .!LIeS (12 ... aS 13.13 a4 14..!LId4 - see 10... aS 11.h4 a4 12.a3; Black's defence is not any easier after 12 ...Ae6 13.h5 .lxb3 14.cxb3 gc8 lS.hxg6 fxg616 ..ic4+ c!>hS 17..lg5~ Vieites - Suriol Peinado, Email 2003.) 13ie2 bS, Forchert - Wagner, Germany 2003 (About 13...gcS - see variation b4 from the following chapter; 13.. ..ie6 - this move is too slow. 14.hS.lc4, Govender - Slamang, Cape Town 2002, White continues with lS.hxg6 fxg6 16.f4 he2 17.fxeS hd1 18.exf6 .t.xf6 19..!LIxd1± and he remains with a slight material advantage and attacking chances. In answer to 13... h5, Moon - Wymer, Sunderland 1966, it would be good for White to opt for the standard reaction 14.gS .!LIeS 15..!LId4 gcS 16.'~bl1') and after 14.hS b4 lS ..!LIdS ~d5 16.exdS as 17..!LId4t he has excellent attacking prospects.

6.Ae3 j.g77J3 ti:Jc68.Y!Jd2 Ad79.0-0-0 0-0 1O.g4

dl) 10 •••..,8?! Black places his queen to a passive position and he cuts off his own rook from the actions. 11.b4

11•••b5 In response to 1l...hS, it seems very strong for White to play 12.ti:JdS! hxg4 (Black's defence is not any easier after 12 ... ti:Jxg4 13.fxg4 j,xg4, Herrera - Solanes, Castellon 1999, since following 14.1e2 .he2 IS.Y!Jxe2 e6 16.ti:Jc3 ftc817.~bl, his compensation for the sacrificed knight is nowhere to be seen.) 13.ti:Jxc6 bxc6 14.ti:Jxe7+ 'iflh8 (It is a bit more resilient for Black to defend with 14... ~h7 15.e5 ti:Jg8 16.hS ti:Jxe7 17.hxg6+ Iflgs 18.ti'h2 fxg619.Y!Jh7+ rMl20. ltxd6+- and White wins, because after the simplifications 20 ... 'Ixd6! 21.exd6 rut8 22.Y!Jxg7+! txg7 23.Ad4+ ~fl 24..hhB ti:Jf5 25.fxg4+- he ends up in a technically winning endgame.) IS.hS ~xhS 16.Ad4+- hd4? 17.Y!Jh6# Juutistenaho - Torkkola, Finland 1988.

It is hardly advisable for Black to opt for 1l...aS 12.h5 a413.hxg6 fxg6, Drperez - Ramos, Internet 2004, because White can continue with 14..ic4+ ~h8 IS.ti:JdS+exchanging the last defender of his opponent's king. After 1l ... j,xg4 12.fxg4 ~xg4, Vlahakis - Thrasivoulidis, Aghia Pelagia 2004, in the variation: 13.ti:Jf3 ti:Jxe3 14.Y!Jxe3 Y!Jd8 15.hS± White's extra piece provides him with superior chances. It is also essential that after 13.. J!c8 14.hS~ White is not only with an extra piece, but he has a dangerous attack, while Black cannot organize any counterplay: 14... .hc3 15.bxc3 bS 16.hxg6 bxg6 17.Ah3+White creates threats much earlier than his opponent in the line: 1l...ti:Jxd4 12 ..Axd4 as 13.hS~ Koasidis - Mandalis, Athens 200S. It is too passive for Black to play 1l.. J~e8, Bergsson - Johannesson, Reykjavik 1988, because White can continue with 12.hS~ and he organizes the standard kingside attack for this variation, without any counterplay for his opponent. Black's defence is difficult too after 1l...l!d8 12.hS ti:Jxd4 13..hd4 e614.bxg6 hxg61S.Y!JgS e516.Ae3 J.e617.Y!Jh4 ~f818.Ah6± StarckKrabbe, corr.1981. 12.h5flxd4 After the alternative - 12 ... b4 13.ti:JdS ti:JxdS, Covas - Vojan,

211

Chapter 10

Laguna 1996, White wins important tempi with the line: 14.olLlxc6! .ixc6 lS.exdS 1d7 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.mt2 rMl18.1d4± 13.hd4.le6

ter; 1l...•c8 12.hS - see 10...•CS l1.h41L1eS 12.hS. 11...•aS 12.lLIb3 YlIc7 (12 ...•dS 13 ..ie2 - see 10...•aS l1.lLIb3 .dS 12.h41L1eS13..ie2) 13.1e2 as?, Ex. posito Pacin - Molina Vinas, Spain 1998, and here White can win the exchange with 14.gS lLIhS lS.lLIdS YlIdS16.1b6.e817.lLIc7+After 1l... lLIexg4? 12.fxg4, Black loses with the lines: 12... .ixg4 13.1e2 .ihS 14.idg1 YlIa5 lSJ:tgS+- and White ends up with an extra piece and an attack, Thurlow - Hobber. Gausdal2004 and also after 12 ...lLIxg4, Boldt - Becker, Ryck 1999, since as a 14.bxg6 fxg6, Iwaniuk - result of 13.hS 14.hxg6 hxg6 Sewina, Augustow 1996, and here 15. ~b1 +- it becomes obvious after White plays 15.J.xb5 1fb7 that Black has failed to create any 16.1re2 iab817.e5± he not only threats on the queenside and his wins a pawn, but he has excellent king is quite unsafe. attacking prospects. 11...aS 12.hS !tc8, Leloup Brih, Montigny Ie Bretonneux 1999 and before opening files, d2) 10 ••• IUe511.h4 White must take care of the safety of his king 13.lLIdS fudS 14.exdS V!fc7 lS.mbl a4 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.mt2 hS 18.gxh5 1LIxt3 19.•g2± 11...1c6?! 12.hSdS? (This move loses.) 13.hxg6 dxe4 14.g5+Jamefeld - Hynninen, Espoo 2002. After 1l...hS 12.gS, it would be very passive for Black to play 12 ... lLIe8 13.f4 lLIc6 (l3 ...0g4 14..Ag1 !tc81S.~bl- see variation b4d, from the following chap1l•••b5 ter.) 14..ie2 e6, Papapostolou About 11.. Jic8 12.mb1 - see Assmann, Ellwangen 1997, and variation b4 from the next chap- now, after lS.lLIdbS YlIaS 16.~b1!

.as

212

6.j,e3 j,g77:fJ

a6 17.lt)xd6 It)xd6 18.\!rxd6 hc3 19.bxc3 ~fdS 20.\!rc5 \!ra4 21. 'Ic4± White wins a pawn, but Black would not fare any better after 12 ... lt)h7 13.'it>bl, because as a result of 13... ~eS, Cuartas Clavijo, Pensilvania 1995, 14.f4 ~g4 IS.J.gllt)f8 16.f5±, as well as in the variation: 13 ... \!reS, Manzur - Herrera, Cuidad del Carmen 1997, 14.f4 It)c4 IS.hc4 \!rxc4 16.lt)d5 ~feS 17.f5± White occupies space and he creates dangerous threats on the kingside. 12.b5!

12•••h4 Black wins the central pawn. The pawn-sacrifice is dubious -12 ... lt)xf3?!13.lt)xf3 hg414.J.e2 txbs (After 14...b4 IS.lt)dS It)xe4 16.1i'xb4 J.f5 17.hxg6+- Black can hardly prove any compensa~ for the piece, for example it 18 very bad for him to opt for 17... Ub8? IS.\!rxbS \!rxbS 19.1t)xe7+ ~~S 20.ftxh7#) IS.lt)gS b416.lt)dS '-U(dS17.exd5± and Black is a piece cloWn and he can hardly cope with his opponent's threats on the

It)c68.~d2

j,d79.0-0-0 0-0 1O.g4

kingside, while the quantity of the pawns is absolutely immaterial. 17...\!raS IS.'it>bl .be2 19.\!rxe2 h6 20.lt)e4 f5 21.lLxh6+- Medvegy Kovacs, Budapest 1999. 13.~dS ~xdS 14.exdS 15.wb!! It is much worse for White to try the seemingly attractive line: IS.\!rh2?! gS!~ Tindall - Wright, Australia 1994. 15••••xdS Black's piece-sacrifice is not dangerous for White IS ...lt)xf3 16.lt)xf3 .ixg417.\!rg2 gxhS, Herejk - Ruettinger, Germany 2001, since after IS,j,e2 f519.~d4+- he should win easily. 16.hxg6 fxg6 16...hxg6? 17.lt)f5!+17.trh2

.as

17••• Wf7 It will not be preferable for Black to try 17...h6 IS.J.e2! Y!lfl (In answer to IS ... lt)fl, it is very strong for White to follow the recommendation of GM Rogozenko 19.1t)f5 \!re6 20.~xh6+ It)xh6 21. lLxh6 \!rf6 22 ..bg7 \!rxg7 23.J.c4+

Chapter 10

e6 24J~d6+-, or 19.. JWe5 20. ti"xe5 ~xe5 21.~xe7+ clJf7 22. ~d5+- - and in both cases White wins at least a pawn, preserving his dominance in activity.) 19. .txh6.txh6 20.'ilYxh6 'ilYg7 21.'ilYe3± Black's kingside is in ruins and this makes his defence very difficult, Bologan - Fedorov, Elista 1998. In answer to 17...h5, van Beek - Molinari, Leiden 1998, it is again very good for White to play 18•.ie2! .ie6 19.b3± and Black will have problems defending his kingside. 18•.le21fb7 18...'ilYaS 19.'ilYg3± 19.eg3 mt8 20.f4 flc6 21 •.lc4+ me8 22.fle6 J.xe6 23•.Axe6±

Black has an extra pawn indeed, but position is very bad, because his king is vulnerable and his pieces are discoordinated, Wurschner - Fleurackers, Email 2001. d3) 10 •••a611.h4

214

11•••bS 11•••BaS - This move is a loss Schneider, Budapest 1999, 13.h5~ oftime.12.~b3 'ilYc7, Adam -

11•••e5?! - This pawn-advance only weakens the centre and it does not contribute to the organization of counterplay for Black. IVl~xc6 .bc6 13.h5! It:se8 14. hxg6± White's attack is very dangerous and Black lost outright after: 14...fxg6? 15..Ac.4+ mh8 16. gxb7 elJxh717.tfh2+ ih618.fYxh61 Bald - Dubois, France 2003. 11•••Bc7 12.h5 ~xg4 (It is just bad for Black to play 12 ... ftac8?! 13.hxg6 fxg6, Awane - Salchi, Merida 1997, because after 14.J.c4+ clJh815.~e6+- he cannot protect his king without material losses. It will not be preferable for him to try 12...lt:se5 13.hxg6 fxg6, Lorinczi Retek - Gamero Brana. Gijon 2000, White's attack is verY powerful after 14.g5 ~h5 15.€ldS fYd8 16.f4 It:sg4 17.f5~) 13.{xg4 .bg4 14..ie2 It:se5 15.hxg6 f1ct,6

6.Ae3 i,g77J3 ~c68.Y9d2 Ad79.0-0-0 0-0 10.g4 16.Jh6+- and he is attacking with an extra piece, Talmon - Keijser, Nijmegen 1993. 11•••1c812.h5 ~eS (About 12 ... (\e513.c;t>bl- see variation b4 in the next chapter; 12 ...b5 13.c;t>bl, or 12... ~xd413.hd4 b514.c;t>blsee variation a in the next chapter; 12... ~xg4? 13.fxg4 hg4 14.Ae2 1-0 Traut - Meder, corr. 1990.) 13.bxg6 hxg6 14.~d5± White has opened the h-file and he exchanges the defenders of his opponent's king, Raducanu - Manescu, Herculane 1994. 11••• h5 - This move enables White to occupy additional space on the kingside. 12.g5 ~eSI3.~d5 (\xd4 14..hd4 hd4 15.%Yxd4 b5 16.~b6 ~bSI7.~xd7 %Yxd71Sih3 1Yc7 19.f4 ~g7 20.f5± Black can hardly create any counterplay, because of his passive knight, I.elenko - Pecner, Slovakia 1999.

In answer to 11••• ~e5, it looks

very promising for White to develop his initiative in the standard fashion 12.h5 %YaS (12 ...b5 13.Ah6 - see 1l...b5 12.h5 ~e5 13..th6; 12...lkS13. c;t>bl- see variation b4 in the next chapter) 13.hxg6 fxg6, Zeik - Battenhaussen, Email 2003 and after 14.g5 ~h5 15.f4 tlg4 16.J.c4+ mhS 17.f5-+ White's attack is overwhelming. U ••• bd4 12.hd4 %YaS (About 12...b5 13.h5 - see 1l...b5 12.hs ~xd4 13..hd4; 12 ...h6?! -

Black compromises the shelter of his king. 13.g5 hxg5 14.hxg5 ~h5 15.f4 Ag4 16.Ae2 Y9d7 17.f5± Kong - Constantinou, Australia 1999; 12 ...e5 - this move weakens the d6-pawn and the d5-square. 13.Ae3 ~eS 14.h5± Dzwikowski - Letocha, Bydgoszcz 2001; 12 ... .ic6 - Black closes thus the c-file and he impedes his own counterplay. 13.h5 gxh5, Brendel- Guera, Crans Montana 1999, White's natural continuation of his attack should be 14.g5 ~d7 15.Yfh2 ~eS 16.%YxhS ~f8 17.J.c4 e6 IS.hg7 c;t>xg7 19.e5 d5 20.%Yh6+ c;t>gS 21. Ad3+-) 13.c;t>bl b5 14.~d5 %Yxd2 (It will not be better for Black to try 14...b4 15.~xe7+ mhS, Stella - Romano, Fiuggi 2007, and here after 16.h5 Ae6 17.b3+- White has an extra pawn and powerful kingside threats.) 15.~xe7+ c;t>hS 16Jhd2 gadS (After 16...~feS 17. ~d5 ~xd5 IS ..txg7+ c;t>xg7 19. ~d5 gadS 20.Ah3± White ends up again with a solid extra pawn.) 17.h5± Verellen - Wouters, Westerlo2004.

12.b5

Chapter 10

12••• b4 Plenca - Froemel, Germany 20(4) About 12.. J~cS 13.'iflb1 - see 1S..ixg7 riflxg716.exdS VliaS17.hxg6 variation a in the next chapter; fxg6 IS.V!ih6+ ~f7 19.Vlixh7+ rifleS 12 .. J~eS 13.hxg6 - see 10...geS 20.~xg6+ ~dS 21.bl - see 9...l;k8 10.'it>bl 0-0 1l.g4 lLlxd4 12.txd4. 11...a6 12.h4 - see 10... a6 1l.h4 ~4 12.hd4; 1l.. ..tc6 12.'it>bl,

1l....te612.'it>bl, we have analyzed this in variation a - see 9 ... lLlxd4 10.hd4 0-0 ll.'it>bl and 12.g4. Black's alternatives lead to very difficult positions for him: 1l... e5? 12..te3 a6? 13.ti'xd6+Theofel- Foster, carr. 2002; 1l...h6?! - White opens files on the kingside after this move, Nguyen T Thu - Dinh Phuong Thao, Vietnam 2005, 12.h4 .te6 13.g5 hxg5 14.hxg5 lLlh5 15..txg7 'it>xg7 16.f4±; 1l...b5?! - After the exchange on d4, Black's bishop on g7 does not exert any pressure against White's b2-pawn, so he will hardly obtain any compensation for the sacrificed pawn. 12 ..txbS .txbS 13.lLlxb5 ti'd7 14.lLla3 l;UbS 15.h4± Theofel- Ringel, Email 1998; 1l... a512.h4 ti'c7 (Black would not change much with the lines: 12 ...~c8 13.h5 a4 14.a3± De Pedroso - Kapfenstein, Email 2001, as well as with 12 ...lLle8 13.hg7 lLlxg7 14.h5..... Heyn - Kapfenstein, Internet 2002 and in both cases White creates powerful threats on the kingside, while

Chapter 10

Black has no counterplay whatsoever.) 13.hS ~ab8 14.hxg6 fxg6, Meszaros - Kazik, Slovakia 1999, IS.gS lOhS 16.lOdS W1d8 17.tc4+and Black is helpless against his opponent's numerous threats. 12.h4

principled line seems to be: 13.hs b514.hxg6 hxg61S.~bl te616.a3 b4 17.lOdSt and his threats look much more effective than Black's activity; 12 ...~ac8 13.hS te6 14.a3 a6 IS.te2 tc4, La Carrubba - Garofalo, Italy 1997, White can play here 16.Whl txe2 17.Yl!Ixe2 me8 18.W1e3 ~c6 19.h6 ih8 20.gS ~d7 21.~dS± and he occupies space on the kingside, while Black has no counterplay at all. All this leads to positions from Chapter 9, but with an extra tempo for White; 12 ... e5 - This move weakens the d6-pawn, as well as the d5square. 13.te3 te6 14.a3 Mc8 (Or 14...~ac8 IS.hS ~fd8 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.~2 a6 18.ih6 ih8 12•••.le6 About 12...a613.Wbl- seevar- 19.W1el ~d7 20.YHh4± and White has dangerous kingside threats, iationd3. Black has some other possi- Svartbo - Weiss, Email 2000.) bilities, though: IS.hS ~c6 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.lOdS 12...bSI3.gS lOhSl4.lOdS W1xa2 !fxd2+ 18.~d2 txdS 19.exdS gc7 IS.lOxe7+ wh8 16.txg7+ lOxg7 20..ih3 lOd7 21.gS± Black's posi17.W1d4 Me8 18.~dS± White has tion is still very difficult, despite lost his a2-pawn indeed, but still the trade of queens, because his his king is much safer than Black's pieces are very passive, Gligoric monarch, Atienza - Tamashiro, - Gudmundsson, Reykjavik 1964. Almoradi 1998; In answer to 12 ...hS, Gunther 12 ... ~fd8?! - This move seems - Woiria, Singapore 1990, White senseless, because the pawn- obtains a stable advantage occuadvance d6-d5 is not a part of pying space on the kingside with Black's plans. 13.wbl ~ac8 14.gS 13.gS lOe814.Wbti e5 IS.gxf6 exd4 16.lOdS W1xd2 17. 13.wbllfc8 Black should avoid 13...gab8 ~d2 tf8 18.hS ~e8 19.hxg6 fxg6 14.hS bS, pfefferkorn - Oat, Will20.~d4 b5 21.a4+- Zbiljic - Tietema, Email 2000; ingen 2004, because after IS.~d5 In answer to 12 ...Mc8, Rubin- !fd8 16.lOf4 td717.hxg6, he loses Becher, corr. 1983, White's most in case of17...e518.gS fxg619.gxf6

6.J.e3 J.g77:f3lDc6 B.V!fd2 J.d79.0-0-0 0-0 1O.g4

gxf6 20.J.xe5 dxe5 21.lDh3+-, as

pawn down and his king is not

well as following 17...fxg6 18.g5 safer at all in comparison to its ~e4

19.fxe4 e5 20.J.c3 exf4 21. j.xg7 ~7 22.V!fxd6+14.a3

counterpart, N.Kosintseva - Arakelov, Kazan 2001. In answer to the tentative move 14•••Bc7, Krieger - Heinatz, Merano 2002, it seems very good for White to opt for 15.h5 and Black loses after the seemingly principled line: 15... gac8?! 16.lDb5 ti'xd2 17.~d2 gd718.lDxa7+-

14•••Bab8

14••• ~d7?! - It becomes difficult for Black to defend against White's attack after the exchange of the dark-squared bishops. 15.lDd5 ti'd8 16.J.xg7 ~xg717.h5-+ Sabel- Peraelae, corr. 1981.

14•••a6?! - This move is a loss of time. 15.h5 b5 (In answer to

15...b6, Meyer - Stellwagen, Cuxhaven 2005, it is very good for White to continue with 16.h6 J.h8 17.g5lDd718..ixh8 cbxh8 19.f4 f6 20.J.d3± and he has excellent attacking chances.) 16.h6 J.h8 17.g5 ~7 18.J.xh8 ~xh8 19.V!fd4+ f6 20.lDd5 J.xd5 21.V!fxdS gfB 22.gxf6 lDxf6 23.V!fb7± Hungaski - Vazquez, Buenos Aires 2003. 14••• b5?! - Black blunders a pawn. 15.lDxb5 V!fa4 (15 ...V!fd8 16.h5 a6 17.lDc3 gab8 18.hxg6 bxg6 19.1Dd5+- Sleisz - Blasko, Aggtelek 1996) 16.lDc3 ti'c6 (16 ... Id7, Makarldn - Borisovsky, Voronezh 2008, 17.h5±) 17.h5 gab8 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.~al gb7 20.J.h3 Id7 21.lDd5+- He remains a

14••••c7?! - This is a very dubious decision. 15.h5 b5? 16. h6 J.h8 17.g5 lDe8, Romanov Mamedov, Spain 2001 and after 18.lDxb5 ti'd7 19.J.xh8 cbxh8 20.lDd4+-White has an extra pawn and much more active pieces. 14... ~e8?! - The trade of the dark-squared bishops is in favour of White. 15.J.xg7 lDxg7 16.h5± Bruechner - Herrmann, Leipzig 1953. 14•••Bc6 - This move does not enhance Black's counterplay, Olschok - Rieder, Germany 2000, 15.h5 gac8 16.J.d3± It would be too risky for Black to trv 14•••h415.h5 .ixfl16.gdxfl

Chapter 10 gc4 17.hxg6 fxg6, Villanueva Suarez, Merida 1998, because after 18.g5 lObS 19..ixg7 c;t>xg7 20.f4± his king is vulnerable, despite the numerous exchanges. It will not be better for him to try 14•••h5 15.g5 lOe8 (15... lOd7 16.lOdS ~xd2 - or 16...~d8 17. i.xg7 ~xg7 18.f4± - 17.lOxe7+ ~h7 18.Etxd2 ge8 19.hg7 ~xg7 20.lOd5 Etac8 21..ib5+- White not only has an extra pawn in this endgame, but his pieces are much more active, Gonda - Czimer, Budapest 2000) 16.lOd5 ~xd2 17. Etxd2

while Black has no COUDterplay at all in both cases.) 18.lOe3 .ixd4 19.Etxd4 gc5 (It seems more pas_ sivefor Black to continue with 19... lOc7 20.f4 .id7 21.f5 .ic6 22.Eth2! and here after the risky line: 22 ... e5 23.Etxd6 .ixe4 24.fxg6 .ixg6, Pokorna - Ac, Slovakia 2002, White has the attractive resource 25.gd7± and Black is almost beyond salvation, because White's pieces are tremendously active.) 20.f4 lOg7 21..id3 .id7 22.gfllOe6 23.gb4! - White plans to occupy space on the kingside and in the centre, followed by active operations on the queenside as well, Balabaev - Demian, corr. 2002. Black has no counterplay and his defence in this endgame will be tremendously difficult.

15.h5b5

17... eMs (Black's knight is very passive, so he should better not exchange more pieces with the line: 17....ixd5 18.exd5 .ixd4 19.Etxd4t - and White can play for a win in this endgame without any risk, for example: 19...gc5 20 ..id3 lOg7 21.gel eMs 22JU4 c;t>e8 23.c4 gac8 24.b4± Della Morte - Tokman, Buenos Aires 2003, or 19...lOg7 20 ..ih3 gc7 21.gel gd8 22.lU4! Aroshidze - Arutunian, Tbilisi 2002, and White has a clear cut plan for actions on the kingside, 220

In answer to 15...a6, Salazar Vee, Balneario Camboriu 2005, it is again very good for White to play 16.h6 .ih817.g5 lOd718..ixh8 ~xh8 19.f4 f6 20..ih3±. The b-file has remained closed indeed, but still Black's king is unsafe. 16.h6!?

6.J.e3 i.g77..fJ lL)c6 B.Y!id2 J.d79.0-0-0 0-0 1O.g4

16•••Ah8 16....tf8 - This move is too passive. 17.lL)d5 Y!id8 (17...Y!ixd2 18.lL)xf6+ exf6 19.9xd2 J.e7 20. ixa7± Lubbe - Luo, Greifswald 2003) 18.lL)xf6+ exf6 19.J.c3! White has prevented his opponent's counterplay on the queenside and he can prepare at ease bis pawn-offensive on the kingside. 19.. ..te7 20.i.e2± Giaccio Echevers, Montevideo 2002. White has less problems after 16...b4 17.lL)b5!

and then: it would be bad for Black to opt for 17....tf'8? 18.Y!ixb4 Y!id819.ha7 gb7 20.i.d4+-, since he has given up all his queenside pawns, but his compensation for this is nowhere in sight, Urbanec - Sluka, Czech Republic 1998; 17...Y!ia4? - This move loses. 18.hxg7 bxa3 19.J.xf6 f!:xc2, Arakeljan - Nikolaenko, Volodarskij 2007 (Black is doomed even after the more tenacious defence 19...exf6 20.b3 f!:xbS 21.hb5 Dxb5 22.gm7+-, because White reaches a technically winning endgame after 22 ... a2+ 23.cbxa2

f!:xc2+ 24.Y!ixc2 cj;lxh7 25.Y!ic3 as 26.cbb2 cj;lxg7 27.f!:xd6+-) and here White wins by force with the line: 20.f!:xh7! h2+ 21.cj;lxa2 cj;lxh7 22.J.d3 axb2+ 23.cbbl gcl+ 24.cj;lxb2 exf6 25.f!:xc1+-; it will not be an improvement for Black to try 17...J.h8 18.Y!ixb4 Y!ixb419.axb4 a6 (He has no compensation for the pawn after 19... lL)d7 20.J.xh8 cj;lxh8 21.c3 lL)e5 22.lL)xa7 gd8 23.J.e2±) 20.lL)a7 gc7 21.b5 axb5 22.lL)xb5 gcc8 (22 ... gcb7 23.c4 lL)d7 24.hh8 cj;lxh8 25.i.e2 lL)e5 26.b3± AKosteniuk - Khaliavsky, Moscow 2001.) 23.b3 J.d7 24.c4 i.c6 25.cj;lb2± and White has excellent chances of realising his extra pawn, Grischuk - Cebalo, Bie11999; 17... f!:xb518.hb5Y!ixb519.hxg7 bxa3 20.Y!id3± and White ends up with a solid extra exchange. The evaluation of this position as unfavourable for Black has been confirmed by several games: 20 ...Y!ic6 (It is a disaster for Black to choose 20 ...J.c4? 21.Y!ixa3 gc6 22.J.xf6 ga6 23.gm7+- Nouro - Molander, Helsinki 2000; or 20 ...Y!ixd3 21.cxd3± and this endgame is very unpleasant for him after 21...axb2 22.cbxb2 a6 23.gal gb8+ 24.cj;lc2± Paehtz - Peschlow, Dortmund 1997, as well as following 21... gb8 22.gh2 as 23.gc1 gb4 24.i.c3 gbS 25.d4± Lau - Sehner, Bad Neuenahr 1989. Black is again in trouble after 20 ...Y!ia4 21.b3 Y!ib4 22.gh2± and here he lost too quickly- 22 ... lL)xg4? 23.fxg4hg4 221

Chapter 10 24J~gl hS 2SJ!xg4+- Jensen McNally, Internet 2004.) 21.b3 as (It would not be any better for him to continue 21 ... a2+ 22.Wxa2 ti'xc2+ 23.Wfxc2 ~c2+ 24.Wa3±) 22J!h2!? a4 23.b4 i!b8 24.ti'xa3± White's king is completely safe in this position, Balabaev - Ceteras, corr.2001. 17.~d5 1Yxd2 18.1xd2

for long, while White's bishop is clearly stronger than Black's knight.) 21.ixh8 wxh8 22.i!h4;!;_ the bishop is more powerful than the knight, when the fight is going on both sides of the board. It is also essential that Black's king is bound to remain very passive. 22 ... aS 23.b4! ~e5 24 ..le2 i!c3 2S.wb2 gxf3 26.i!e4± and now White ends up with a dangerous passed pawn. 26... i!f2 27.bUS wg8, Nyysti - Molander, Helsinki 2002 (Black loses after 27...~c4+ 28.hc4 ~d2 29 ..id3+- and he can stop White's a-pawn only at the price of a rook.), 28.i!b4! &8 (Black loses again after 28...~f3 29.i!d3 ~xgS 30.i!e3 e5 31.J.xb5 f5 32.a6 i!a8 33.i!c3+-) 29.i!xb5 ~c4+ 30.ixc4 ~d2 31.a6+- His pieces are so discoordinated that White will soon win a rook for his 18... ~xd5 White's position is preferable a6-pawn. 19.exd5 .t.xd4 after 18...ixdS 19.exdS i!c7 (In It is worse for Black to opt for case of19 ...b4?! - opening of files on the queenside is in favour of 19...hdS 20.ixh8 i.xf3 21.ftb3 White, because his bishops are hg4 22J~g3 wxh8 23.ftxg4±, evidently more powerful, Morte - since he has no compensation for Justel, Argentina 2006, 20.axb4 the piece, while White's bishop is ~b4 21.J.a6 i!cb8 22.i!e1±; 19... very active on both sides of the as 20 ..ih3 i!c7 21.gS ~hS 22.ixh8 board and Black's king remainS wxh8 23.i!d4 f6 24.~4;!;, the main very passive. This can be condrawback of Black's position is the firmed by the following variations: passivity of his king, Dziedzina - 23 .. J~c5 24J~e4 ftb7? 2SJb:d6 fteS Starace, corr. 2001.) 20.gS ~d7 26.i!dS+- Orel - Souza Farhat. (It is not better for Black to opt for Oropesa del Mar 1999; 23•..ftb6, 20 ....!OhS, Stojanovski - Nikolaou, Gaston - Hermann, France 2002, Thessaloniki 2001, since after 24.i!e4 e6 2S.i!b4 ftcb8 26.c4 bxc4 21.i!h4 hd4 22.i!hxd4 f6 23.f4;!; 27.~c4 ~g8 28Jk7 as 29.fta7±; his king is cut off from the actions 23 ...~g8 24.ftdS i!c5 2S.i!gd4 {S, 222

6.lie3 lig77.fJ

1loIDanov - Brkic, Heraklio 2002, 26J~xc5 dxc5 27JM5 b4 28.lic4± 20.lxd4 J.d7 21.J.d3;!;

White has extra space in this endgame and much more active forves. His plan includes gradual activation of pieces and the creation of a passed pawn on the queenside. 21••• 'iW8 (White maintains a slight, but stable advantage after Black's other possibilities: 21 ...~c5 22.~el c.W8 23.b4 ftc7 24.~b2;t Kumosov - Jianu, Istanbul 2004; 21 ...~b6 22.~el

~c6

B.YHd2lid79.0-0-0 0-0 1O.g4

~f8, Coelho - Batista, Sao Paulo 2004, 23.~cl e5 24.dxe6 fxe6 25.f4;t; 21 ... a5 22.b4!? - White did not have to be in a hurry to play that - 22 ...axb4 23.axb4 gb6 24.~b2;t Kornilov - Skalozubov, Serpukhov 2002. White preserves his space advantage and he has greater activity of pieces.) 22.~el ~c7 23.lde4 J.cS 24.h4 Ib6 (White maintains his powerful positional pressure even after 24...e5 25.dxe6 fxe6 26.f4t) 25.mb21b8 26.Bf4 J.b7 (Black is lost after 26 ... ~6?? 27..txg6 hxg6 28.h7 ~g7 29J:bcf7+ ~h8 30.~hl+-) 27.ld4 J.c8 2S.Wb3 f6 29.c4 bxc4+ 30.lxc41xc4 31.J.xc4± - White needs to create a passed pawn now. 31•••.ld7 (31. ..J.b7 32.~c3 ~c8 33.~d4±) 32.J.a6 .leS 33.Wc4 Jr7 34.a4 meS 35.Ab5+ wdS 36•.lc61b6 37.~c3! (37.b5?? a5=) 37•••.leS 3S.b5+- Kryvoruchko - Jianu, Bucharest 2004.

223

Chapter 11

1.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 ~f6 g6 6 ..le3 .lg7 7.f3 ~c6 8.1'd2 Ad7 9.0-0-0 gc8 5.~c3

He has hied some other moves in practice as well:

This is Black's main line in the diagrammed position. It seems to be the most natural, since he has showed with his last move that he plans at first to organize some counterplay on the queenside before he has castled. Black will hardly manage to avoid castling for long, though. 10.wbl

This standard move is an important part of White's plan and it is practically always necessary as a last precautionary measure before his kingside onslaught. Black has played most often here a) 10 ... 0-0, but still his most principled reply at the moment is b) 10 ... €leS.

224

10 ••••aS - This is a loss of time. 11.~b3 'flc7 12.g4 ~e5 (White can create dangerous threats too after 12 ...h613.h4 ~e5 14.'flg2t; it is not preferable for Black to opt for 12...'flb8, Pampa - Morris, corr. 1990, but White continues with 13.g5 ~h5 14.~d5 0-0 IS ..le2± and he occupies the centre with excellent attacking chances.) 13.gS ~hS, Beltz T.Rohde, Kassel 2003, and here White can create great problems for his opponent with 14.~dS tfc6 (The other retreats are not better: 14...'flb8 - see 12 ...'flb8; 14... tfd8 IS.J.xa7 0-0 16..lb6 tfe8 17.f4± White has an extra pawn and a dangerous kingside initiative.) 15.f4 ~c4 (Black's position is hopeless after IS ... ~g4 16.J.xa7 h6 17.~a5 'fla4 18.~b6+-, as well as following IS ... ~f3 16.'112 e6 17.~aS 'fla4 18.~xb7+- and he loses plenty of material in both variations.) 16..ixc4 tfxc4 17.~xe7+- Black has succeeded

7.j3 ~c6 8.Y9d2 .td79.0-0-0 !!.c81O.~bl

.-wer to create counterplay, nor to secure his king; 10 ... €lxd4 1l.hd4 Y9a5 - After the exchange on d4, Black's queen is much safer on the a5square. 12.g4

~xg7 19.Y9d4+ ~h7 20.f5±, since he loses a piece, but even after 17...J.xd4 18.Y9xd4 ~g8 19.!!.hel Y9c5 20.Y9d21 his king cannot be safe at all. 12 ....tc6?! - Black's bishop is very passive here and it does not help his counterplay, 13.h4 b5? - this is just a blunder. 14.~xb5 Y9xd2 15.!!.xd2 !!.b8 16.~xa7 .td7 17.c4+- The realisation of White's two extra pawns should not be too difficult for him, Cabrero - Urios, Spain 2000. 12... a6 13.h4 e5 (Black would not fare any better after 13... .te6 14.a3 h6, Schlosser - Brestian, Moesern 1997, because after White plays 15.J.h3!? !!.c4 16.Yge3± he completes his development and he is threatening to crush Black's kingside.) 14..!e3 !!.c6 15.h5 .te6 16.a3 ~d7, Zufic - Muslija, Kastav 2002, Black's king has no safe shelter, therefore White must occupy the weak d5outpost, preserving the exchange of queens in the process. 17.Y9cl! !!.xc3!? (After 17... ~b6? 18.b4+Black loses his queen.) 18.bxc3 d5 (18 ... 0-0 19.hxg6 hxg6 20.c4±) 19.Y9b2 dxe4 20.fxe4 J.xg4 21. J.h3± Black's dark-squared bishop is passive and his king is stranded in the centre, therefore his compensation for the exchange is clearly insufficient;

In case of 12...e6? - Black not only loses a pawn, but his king remains stranded in the centre for long. 13.g5 ~h514.hg7 ~xg7 15.exd6± Vishnu - Niranjan, Mumbai 2008. 12 ...!!.g8 - This move does not contribute to the protection of the kingside and it is not a part of Black's queenside counterplay either. 13.h4 ~f8 14.J.h3 ~e8 15.ixg7+ ~xg716.g5± Hirschhorn - Heinzl, Emai11996. 12.. ..te6 - Black has developed his bishop to this active position in two tempi, therefore White has an extra tempo in comparison to variation b4 in Chapter 9. 13.a3 tf814.h4 h515.g5 ~d7, LeoneSormani, Brazil 1991, now, White lI1ust continue his kingside offenIhre with 16.f4 ~b6 17..te2, after lO •••h5 - Black stops the ad"hich it would be too risky for vance of his opponent's h-pawn, Black to opt for 17... ~c418.J.xg7+ but he compromises his kingside. 225

Chapter 11 11..Ae2 ltJeS (In answer to 11... 0-0, Spencer - Markzon, corr. 1983, it would be very good for White to continue with 12.h3±, followed by g4, transposing to variation a - see 10... 0-0 11.g4 hS 12.h3!?; after 11...a612.h3 h4, Panna - Ilievski, Skopje 1968, it looks logical for White to attack with the help of the advance of his f-pawn 13.f4 bS 14.a3 ltJhSlS.ltJxc6 hc6 16..ig4 gb8 17.ghel ltJg3 18..Ad4;!;, Black's king remains stranded in the centre and it impedes his counterplay, but its evacuation to the queenside is not a remedy for his problems in the variation 18... 0-0 19..ixg7 c!;xg7 20.f51' and White has excellent attacking prospects, as well as following 18...J.xd419.%Vxd4 0-0 20.f5 %Yb6 21.ltJdS! hdS 22.%VxdS b4 23.fxg6 bxa3 24.b3± Black's knight is completely out of action and he has no chances of equalizing.) 12.h3 ltJc4 (In answer to 12 ...h4, Bratovic - Starostits, Pula 2003, it is very strong for White to choose 13.f4! and here after 13... ltJc4 14.J.xc4 E!xc4 IS.eS± and also in the variation 13 ...ltJc6 14.ghel 0-0 IS.ltJf3± he has an excellent game in the centre.) 13.J.xc4 E!xc4 14.g41' bS, Kulaots - L.Karlsson, Gausdal 200S (In answer to 14... 0-0, Lakos - Barrero Garcia, Dos Hermanas 2003, White must continue his dangerous kingside pawn-offensive. IS.%Vd3 gc8 16.gS ltJe8 17.f4 ltJc7 18.f5±; 14...%Vc8 IS.ltJde2! White can deploy his 226

bishop on d4 increasing the pres.. sure against Black's kingside. 15... b6 16..Ad4 M8 17.b3 gc6, Pert _ Ward, Torquay 1998, his pieces are excellently prepared for active actions and after 18.gS ltJe819.h4 ltJc7 20.f4± his edge is obvious.), Black sacrifices a pawn in order to open files on the queenside, but White is not forced to capture it immediately. He should better repel his opponent's knight on f6 to the edge of the board. IS.gS .!LJh7 16.ltJdxbS 0-0 17.%Vd3 gb4 18.b3 %VaS 19.1tJd4 e6 20.ltJce2± and Black can hardly prove sufficient compensation for the pawn with his passive knight on h7;

10 ••• a6 - Black plans to create some queenside counterplay with the help of the advance of his b-pawn, but this seems to be too slow. After 11.g4

he has tried in practice: l1 ... ltJeS 12.h4 - see 10 ... ~e5 11.g4 a6 12.h4; 11 ... 0-0 12.M see 10... 0-0 11.g4 a6 12.h4; f l1 ... ti'aS - This is a loss 0 time. 12.ltJb3 %Vd8 (It would be even worse for Black to choose

7..f.J tile6 B. 'fId2 .Ad7 9. 0-0-0 'SeB 10. rtJb1 0-0 11.g4 12...fYc7 13.g5 tilh5 14.tOdS ~b8 15.~b6± White has the two-bishop advantage and a clear cut plan {or kingside actions, Cyborowski _ Staniszewska, Warsaw 2006.) 13.g5 tilh5 14.tildS 0-0, Goerens _ Riva, Luxembourg 2000, White can exploit the awkward placement of Black's knight on h5 with 15..te2.ie616.£4t; 1l...b512.h4 h5 (12 ... tileS13.h5 - see 10 ... tOeS 1l.g4 a6 12.h4 b5 13.h5) 13.g5 tOh7 14.tilxc6 'Sxc6, Curl - Martinez, Montevideo 1999, and here it is inconceivable how Black can save his pawn after lS.tildS and he will hardly have any compensation for it, for example: 15... 0-0 (or 15... tilfB 16. ~b4 'Se8 17.tOxa6 'Sa8 18.tilb4 ~ 19.£4+-) 16.tilb4 'Sc8 17.tilxa6 fta8 18.tOb4 'fIa5 19..td4± and in both cases, White's knight is so well placed on b4 that Black has no chances of organizing any active counterplay along the a-

Black's knight has been stranded in the centre for long and it does not participate in the defence of his kingside, Ivanchuk - Erdogan, Kocaeli 2002; 1l...h6 - Black prevents temporarily White's intention to repel the knight from the f6-square, but he thus complicates the evacuation of his king away from the centre. 12.h4 b5 (About 12 ... tile5 13.,Ae2 - see 10... tile5 11.g4 a6 12.h4 h6 13.,Ae2; after 12...'fIa5 13.tilb3! 'fIc7 14..Ae2 tila5 15.g5 tilxb316.cxb3!? hxg517.hxg5 'Sxh1 18.'Sxh1 tilh5 19.tild5 ~b8 20.tilb6 'Sc7 21.,Ac4t White had a long lasting initiative in the game Marfia - Oates, Email 2001.) 13.,Ae2 tile5 14.g5 - see variation b3. a) 10 ••• 0-0 This is an often played move, but it is inconsistent. 11.g4

file·,

1l...h5 - Black loses an important tempo to ensure a square for his knight after White repels the important defender of the d5outpost to the edge of the board. 12.g5 tilh7 13.tild5 0-0 14.tilb3! ~e5 (Or 14....ie6 15.£4 'Se8 16.,Ae2 ~f817.'Shf1.Ah318.'Sf2 tild719.f5± ~d Black has problems parryIIlg his opponent's threats on the kingside. White dominates in the !:entre, while Black lacks space, Paehtz - Igla, Litohoto 1999.) 15.tb6 'fIe8 16.,Ae2 .Ab5 17.,Ad4±

11•••a6 11••• ~e5 12.h4 - see lO ... tile5 1l.g4 0-0 12.h4.

Chapter 11 It•.•.Ae8? - This move helps neither the defence, nor the creation of counterplay. 12.h4 h5 13.gxb5 lOxh5 14.l3g11Oe5 15..th6 V9b616 ..ixg71Oxg7, Velasco - Ell, Dos Hermanas 2004, White continues with 17.lOd5 ti'd8 18.ti'g5 f6 19.~h6 e6 20.lOf4+- and he breaks through his opponent's defence on the kingside. It... aS - Black weakens the b5-square and he thus impedes his own counterplay. 12.h4 h5, Latzel - Mittermaier, Germany 2001 and here it looks very good for White to continue with 13.g5 lOxd4 14.hd41Oe8 15.f4't and he dominates in the centre, creating dangerous threats on the kingside. It...ge8 - This move looks too slow. 12.h4 ~a5, Omdahl - Todorovic, Stockholm 2004 (About 12 ... lOe5 13.h5 - see variation b; after 12... a6 13.h5 ~a5 14.bxg6 fxg6, Herbold - S.Stein, Willingen 2005, White wins by playing 15.lOb3 ~c7 - or 15...~d8 16 ..tc4+ e6 17.~xd6+- ending up with an extra pawn an very active pieces - 16.g5 lOh5 17.lOd5 ~b8 18.lOb6+-; in answer to 12...h5, Sdunzik - Bloss, Lingen 1999, White should better follow with the standard line: 13.g51Oh714.f4 lOxd4 15.ixd4 ig4 16.J.e2 ixd4 17.~xd4 l3xc3 18..Axg4± Black's knight is isolated from the actions for long and he has no chances

228

of creating counterplay.), White plays 13.lOb3 and he obtains excellent attacking prospects in the variation 13...ti'c7 14.h5 ~e5 15.~g2±, as well as after 13...Y:rd8 14.h51Oe5 15..ie2± 11••••aS 12.1Ob3! - This is the simplest for White. Black's active queen is repelled and White is clearly ahead in the development of his initiative. 12 ...Y:rc7 (12 ...ti'd8 13.h41Oe5 14..ie2 - see variation b4) 13.i.e2 .ie6 14.M a6 (In answer to 14...bS, it deserves attention for White to CODtinue with 15.lOb5!? ti'd8 16.gxh5 ltlxb5 17.l3bgl a6 18.105d4± and he threatens to make the advance of his f-pawn even more effective after he has transferred his knight from c3 to d4.) 15.h5 lOe5 16.h6 .th8, Laane - Kuzenkov, corr. 2002, and here it seems most consistent for White to occupy the dark squares on the kingside. 17.g5 lObS 18..id4 b5 (It will not be better for Black to try 18... lOg3 19.13bgl lOxe2 20.ti'xe2 ti'c4 21.ti'g2± and the exchange of the dark-squared bishops is unavoidable.) 19.f4 lOc4 20.ixc4 bxc4 21.lOc1± and after the trade of the bishop on h8, it becomes very difficult for Black to organize any counterplay. It... ~xd4 - Black simplifies the position, but his chances of creating counterplay diminish· 12.ixd4 .ie6 (The alternatives do

7J3lDc6 8. Y!ld2 ~d79.0-0-0 'Sc810.C;!{b1 0-0 11.g4 Dot provide him with chances of equalizing: in answer to 12...VaS, )JeisSer - Heyland, Germany 1988, White can play 13.g5 ~h5 14.~d5 Vd8 15.ixa7± winning a pawn, while after 12...e5 13.1e3 j,e614.h4 vaS 15.a3 a616.h5 'Sfd8 17.hxg6 fxg6 lS..th3 'SeS 19.95± BJack not only has lost the fight for the d5-outpost, but his darksquared bishop has been cut off from the actions, Polakovic Rosenzweig, Czech Republic 1985.) 13.h4 VaS (13...a6 - see U...a6; after 13...h5 14.g5 lDeS, Osorio - Calcina Amezquita, Bogum 2004, the advance of White's f-pawn creates great difficulties for Black's defence: 15.f4 .ixd4 16.1bd4t Here, the attempt to activate the knight on eS loses a pawn for Black after 16...~g7 17. exa7 .tg4 lS.'Sd3 lDe6 19.Ve3±, while in answer to 16...VaS, it deBelVes attention for White to sacrifice a pawn, destroying Black's king shelter - 17.f5!? gxf5 lS.exf5 ixf5 19.1d3 .ixd3 20.Vxd3± White's piece-activity more than compensates his minimal material deficit.) 14.a3 'SfeS (The alternatives are not any better for Black: 14... 'Sb815.h5 bS, Pilshofer - Hebesberger, St. Veit 1995, Black has weakened the c6-square With his last move, therefore after 16.~dS it is unfavourable for him to trade queens, because he loses a pawn: 16...Vxd2 17.~xe7+ C;!{hS 18.lhd2+-, while in case his queen retreats, White has a very

powerful attack: 16...Vd8 17.lDf4 1d7 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.95-.; Black would not change anything much with 14... 'Sfd8 15.h5 h6!? 16.hxg6 fxg6, Lanc - Raty, corr. 1991, and here it looks very strong for White to continue with 17.Ve3 b6 18. ~b5! g5 19..ic3 '8xc3 20.Vxc3± and Black has no compensation for the exchange, or lS ....tc4 19. .ixc4+ '8xc4 20 ..txf6! - Black's kingside is so vulnerable that White can afford this exchange. 20 ....txf6 21.'SdS! 'Sc5 22.~c7 'ScS 23.Vxh6 Wf7 24.'e"h7+ J.g7 25. 'Sh6+- abel Black's king is helpless.) 15.h5 h6 16.hxg6 fxg6 17. 1bS 'SedS lS.g5-. The fifth rank has been covered and White exploits this in order to destroy Black's kingside and to develop a crushing attack. lS...'8xc3 (Black loses after his most natural response - lS ...hxg5 19.Vxg5 J.fl 20.~d5, he gets checkmated by force after 20 ... lDxd5? 21.exdS 'e"xb5 22 ..txg7 c;!{xg7 23.Vh6+ c;!{f6 24.Vf4+ c;!{g7 25.'Sh7+! c;!{xh7 26. Vxt7+ C;!{h6 27.'8h1+ c;!{g5 2S.'Sgl+ C;!{h4 29.Vh7# or 20 ....ixdS 21. Vxg6! and now, in the variation 21 ...e5 22.'Sdg1 Vc7 23.exdS Vxc2+ 24.Vxc2 '8xc2 25 ..txe5 dxe5 26.c;!{xc2 ~xdS 27..ic4+White obtains a decisive material advantage, while following 21 ... if7 22.'ShS+ c;!{xhS 23.Vxt7 e5 24. '8h1+ ~h7 25.Vg6 .th6 26.'e"xh6 Vc7 27..ie3 Vg7 2S.Vh3-. Black's king shelter is quite vulnerable, White's threats .ixa7 and .ig5, fol229

Chapter 11

lowed by.if6! are very powerful.) 19.a4!+- ~xe4 20.fxe4 1xd4 21. ti'xd4 gfJ 22.!bch6 1-0 Berendsen - Kuitert, Leiden 1997. 1l••• h5 12.h3!? - White exploits the fact that it is unfavourable for Black to reduce the tension on the kingside and he can postpone for a while his decision whether to advance pawns on the kingside, opening files there, or to obtain some additional possibilities with active actions in the centre.

can again break in the centre With 13.f4 ~c4 14.hc4 gxc415.e5±. 12 ... a6 13.J.e2 b5 14.~d5 ~~ 15.exdS ~xd4 (It is worse for Black to play 15... ~e5 16.gxbs+and he can hardly defend his kingside.) 16.ixd4 hd417.Bxd4 h4 18.J.d3± Black lacks space, his h4 and e7-pawns are weak and he has no counterplay in sight, Marciano - Relange, Sabac 1998. 12.h4

12•••b5 12 ...~e5 13.h5 - see 10...~e5 Black has tested in practice here: 1l.g4 0-0 12.h4 a6 13.h5. in answer to 12 ...ge8, Tran 12 ...h5 13.g5 ~e8 and here afManh Tien - To Quae Khanh, Vi- ter 14.~xc6, Black has tried: etnam 2006, White should better 14... ~c6 15.~d5 J.e6, Veeraprepare his kingside offensive: phol - Fufuengmong, Bangkok 13.,te2 ~xd4 14.ixd4 "tra5 15.g5 1985 and continuing 16.,td3 gcB ~h716.ixg7 Wxg717.f4±; 17.f4 b518.f5 gxf519.ti'g2-+ White 12 ...ti'a5?! - This is a loss of obtains a crushing attack without time. 13.ll:1b3 ti'd814..th6 ~e515. any counterplay for Black; ixg7 Wxg7 16.f4 ~c6 17.e5-+ and In answer to 14...bxc6, FelWhite breaks through in the cen- ber - Rotova, Email 2001, Black tre, Love - Tindall, Melbourne has no compensation for the lost 1998; pawn after 15.ha6 gb8 16.J.c4±, after 12... ~e5, Sislian - Wis- since he has problems activating newski, Norderstedt 2003, White his kingside pieces;

230

7.fJ ltJc6 8. ~d2 J.d79.0-0-0 It would not be preferable for Black to try 14...hc6, Alarcon ttodriguez, Lima 1998, since after 15.~d5 b5 16..th3 'Sb8 17.~f2± White's pieces are tremendously active contrary to their counter-

parts.

12 ... ltJxd413.hd4 - The trade of the knights does not facilitate Black's defence, because now he can hardly avoid the exchange of the dark-squared bishops. 13... IeB (13 ...J.e6 14.h5 b5 15.lLld5 see 12...b5 13.h5 ltJxd4 14.hd4 !e6 15.ltJd5; 13...~a5?! - This move loses a couple of tempi and Black's pawn-structure is compromised. 14.ltJd5 ~d8 15.lLlxf6+ exf6, Multala - Juntunen, corr. 1963, 16.h5± White has obtained excellent attacking chances and he can take care ofbis opponent's weak d6-pawn at any opportune moment.) 14.h5 ~a5, Spirou Stefanidi, Ermioni 2006, and by playing 15.h6!, White forces his opponent to make an unpleasant choice: to comply with the trade of the dark-squared bishops after 15....th816.g5ltJh517.J.xh8 ~xh8 18.lhh5! and the dark squares on Black's kingside seem quite helpless, while following 18... lhc3! 19.'Sh2 'Sc5 20.~d4+ e5 21. ~xd6± White wins a pawn; or to allow the disruption of his pawn-structure after 15...MS 16. ixf6 exf6 17.ltJdS ~d8 (If Black plays 17...~xd2 18.ltJxf6+ ~h8 19.'Sxd2± he does not obtain sufficient compensation for the

'Sc81O.~b1

0-0 11.g4

pawn, since his d6-pawn is weak and his dark-squared bishop is passive.) 18.~d4 'Se5 19.J.c4± White has deployed his bishop on b3 and thus he has not only fortified his queenside, but he has also increased his pressure against Black's kingside. 13.h5

13.••b4 13... ltJe514.ltJdS - see 10... ltJe5 1l.g4 0-0 12.h4 a6 13.h5 b5?! 14.ltJd5!?, variation b4. 13 ...~a5 - This move does not save Black from the attack. 14.ltJb3 ~c7 15..th6 b4 16.ltJd5 ltJxd5 17..hg7 ~xg7 18.exd5 ltJe5 19.hxg6+- Kosa - S.Novak, Slovakia 2002. 13 ... e6? - Black weakens his d6-pawn. 14.hxg6 fxg6 15.ltJxc6 ixc6 16.~2+- Amini - Selvanderan, Adelaide 2003. 13...~c7 14.ltJxc6 ixc6, Clemens - Lorenzen, Hamburg 1958 and here by continuing 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.g5 ltJh5 17..th3 'Sb8 18. J.e6+ ~h8 19.f4-+ White organizes a dangerous attack, while 231

Chapter 11 his opponent has no counterplay whatsoever. After 13...~xd4 14.hd4 .le6 - there arises a position, which we have analyzed in variation b4, Chapter 9 (see 13.. J~c8 14.hS), but with White to move. lS.~dS hdS 16.exdS V!!c7 17.bxg6 fxg6 18.V!!h2 rJlfl19 ..td3+- and Black is helpless against White's threats in the centre and on the kingside, Stark - Wihnon, Edmonton 2004.

22.~6+- he is attacking with a material advantage.) 22.~1 + c;l?g7 (or 22 ... rJlg8 23.V!!h6+-) 23.ftb6+ M6 (23 .•. rJlfl 24.V!!h7+ M6 25. gS+ rJ;;xgS 26.V!!h4#) 24.V!!xf8+ rJlgS 2S.~h7+- and the checkmate is unavoidable.

14.~d5 ~xd515.exd5 ~xd4

16•.bd4.bd4 17.ftxd4 ftc7 Black's situation will be even worse after the pseudo active move 17...V!!aS?!, Herbold - Diehl, Hamburg 200S. White plays This position was reached in 18.Ad3!, bringing his bishop to the protection of his c2-pawn and the game Papapostolou - Deto the oncoming attack. Strangely laplace, Biel 1993 and if White enough, Black has no satisfactory had continued with 18..td3 J.b5 defence against White's kingside 19.hxg6 hd3 (19...fxg6? offensive: Black will be checkmated after 18.. J~eS 19.hxg6 fxg6 20. this move. 20.~7 rJ;;xh7 21.~1+ rJlg8 22.V!!h8+ rJJfl 23.!xg6+ .txg6+-; 18•••V!!eS 19.V!!f4 .ta4 (or 19... rJ;;xg6 24.V!!h7+ M6 2S.gS+ cbxg5 .tbS 20.bxg6 hd3 21.cxd3 fxg6 26.V!!h6+ ~ 27.~S#) 20.gxf'7+ 22.ti'h6 ~fl 23.~c1+- and Black bt'7 21.8'xd3 8'c4 22.1b3± he will have to give up his queen, would have won a pawn with exor a rook.) 20J~d2 V!!xdS 21.V!!h6 cellent chances of realising it both V!!d4 22.hxg6 V!!g7 23.gxh7+ rJlh8 in the middle game, in view of the 24.V!!e3+- and White ends up fact that Black's king would be with an extra pawn and more ac- bare, as well as in the endgame. tive pieces, while his king is more reliably protected than its counb) 10 ••• ~e511.g4 (diagram) terpart; We will have a look now at hi) 18...eS 19.V!!e3 .le8 20.bxg6 fxg6 21.~7!-+ White's attack is 11••• ~c4, b2) 11••• 86, b3) 11.·· decisive: 21 ...~7 (After 21 ... ~c7 h6 and b4) 11••• 0-0. 232

7J3 tL'lc6 8.'ffd2 J.d79.0-0-0 'Sc81O.'.tJbl tL'le511.g4

Black has also tried in prac-

tice: l l..."as?! 12.h4 h5 (12 ... tlJc4 13.J.xc4 'i!.xc414.h5 - see 1l...tlJc4) 13.g5 tlJh714.tlJb3 Bc715.tlJd5 Bd8 16.Axa7 0-0 17..tb6 Be8 18.f4+White not only has a solid extra ~wn,buthee~o~more~ace,

better piece-coordination and he has excellent attacking prospects, Hitchcock - Stealthfighter, Internet 1997; l l.•.b5 - Black will have problems proving that he has compensation for this pawn, Pert - Duncan, Birmingham 2001,12.tlJcxb5 1b8 13.g5 tlJh5 14.b3 0-0 (After 14..•a5 15.a4± White's defensive POSition on the queenside looks very solid.) 15.tlJxa7 'Sb7 16.tlJab5 ~ 17.tlJxf3 .ixbS 18.i.d4± and after the trade of the bishops, the attacking potential of Black's bishops is diminished considerably, because his knight on h5 is too far away from the queenside;

U •••h5 - Now, Black's knight remains stranded on h7 for a long

time. 12.g5 tlJh7 13.f4 tlJc4 (It is not any better for him to try 13 ... tlJg414 ..igl e5 15.tlJdb5 0-0, Szieberth - Antal, Zalakaros 2001, White continues with 16.f5!? hb5 17..ixb5 tlJxg5 18.fxg6 fxg6 19.h3 tlJh6 20 ..ixa7+- and he not only repels the enemy light pieces on the kingside, but he obtains the two-bishop advantage as well as a total control over the important d5-outpost, meanwhile Black has numerous pawn-weaknesses.) 14..ixc4 'i!.xc4 15.'ffd3 (15.h4 - see 1l... tlJc4) 'Sc8 (In answer to 15... Vlc8, Paakkonen - Lahtinen, Helsinki 2005, White's simplest reaction would be 16.'i!.hf1±, preparing the advance of his f-pawn. It would be too risky for Black to play for example: 16... 0-0 17.tlJd5 'Se8 18.b3 'Sc519.f5-+, since White has a powerful attack. The computer programmes recommend some awkward bishop-maneuvers, but that is not so good for Black either - 16....ih3 17.'Sf2 .ig4 18.'Sdf1 .id7 19.h4±) 16.h4 This move emphasized the misplacement of Black's knight on the h7-square. 16... 0-0 17.f5 .ie5 (17...gt?! - This by compromises Black's kingside and it increases White's space advantage. 18.exf5 'ffaS 19.'Shf1 'Sfe8 20.tlJb3 Yfll4 21..id4+- Stojanovic - Kirillova, Oropesa del Mar 2000.) 18.'i!.hfl BaS?!, Stanojoski - Erdogan, Istanbul 2001 (It is better for Black to opt for 18... a6, but White has a powerful resource against that

Chapter 11 19.~de2±, with the idea to transfer his bishop to d4 and to neutralize the activity of Black's darksquared bishop, or to play ~dS, exploiting the vulnerability of the b6-square.), White can emphasize the defects of his opponent's last move with the help of19.~dS! ~d8 (or 19.. JUe8 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.~3 e6 22.~xb7+- and White has a powerful initiative and he wins a pawn as well.) 20.~f3 ia4 21.b3 .tc6 22.~xeS dxeS 23.fxg6 fxg6 24.ixa7+- Black's pieces, capable of some active actions have been exchanged and he has no compensation for the pawn whatsoever.

bl) 11••• tlc4 12•.lxc4 Ixc4 13.h4

Black has obtained the twobishop advantage, but he has fallen behind in development and his queenside counter chances are nowhere to be seen. 13•••h5 Black prevents the further advance of his opponent's h-pawn, 234

but he isolates his knight from the actions for long. 13... 0-0 14.hS - see 11... 0-0 12.h4 ~c4 13.,hc4l::!xc4 14.hS. 13... a6 14.hS - see variation b2. 13...h6 - Black weakens his kingside with this move. 14.h5 gS lS.e5! - opening of the d-file enables White to make a good use of his lead in development. 15... dxe5 16.c!L!f5 0-0 (It was mandatory for Black to choose here 16....tf8! 17.,ha7 ~aS 18.~e3 ftc6 19..tb8 .txf5 20.gxf5 c!L!d7 21.l::!xd7! c;t>xd7 22.,he5 f6 23.~d3+ c;t>e8 24..tg3±, but White would have more than sufficient compensation for the exchange, because Black's king would be bare and his entire kingside would be switched off from the actions for long.) 17..txg5 hxgS 18.~xgS-+ and White has a decisive attack. 18...c!L!e8 19.h6 f6 20.hxg7 fxg5 21.fth8+ 1-0 BeniAnagnostou, Amsterdam 1954. 13...ft'aS 14.hS bS, Smeets Rees, Hyerois 2001 (14... 0-0 lS.c!L!b3 - see 11... 0-0 12.h4 ~c4 13.,hc4 l::!xc4 14.hS ~aS lS.~b3; it is worse for Black to opt for 14... gb?!, Ladwig - Petzold, Lingen 1996, and here after lS.gS ~g8 16JhhS+- it becomes inconceivable how Black can develop his kingside without material losses.) and here by playing 15.h6 jf8 16.c!L!b3 ~c7 17..tgS± White maintains an obvious lead in development. 14.15 ~h715.f4 tlfB

7:f3 tLlc6 B. Y!Jd2 Ad7 9. 0-0-0 gcB 10. citJbl tLle51l.g4

15••• 0-0 16.Y!Jd3 gc8 17.f5 12.g5 tLlh7 13.f4 tLlc4 14.J.xc4 ~c4 15.Y!Jd3 gc8 16.h4 0-017.f5.

see 1l...h5

16.f5 J.e517.tldS e618.fxe6 fxe6, Hacker - Korber, Germany 2003 and White can continue with 19.tlf6+ J.xf6 20. pf6 'I'xf6 21.'I'd3 le7 22.Ag5 23.1hf1+- creating decisive threats along the open f-file, thanks to the vulnerability of the dark squares in Black's camp.

ee5

b2) 11•••a6 12.h4

12•••b5 This is an attempt by Black to

organize a counter attack. 12 ...h6 13.Ae2 - see 1l...h6.

12 •••tle4 13.,hc4 gxc4 14.h5 b5, Alonso - Gamero, Asturias 1991, White can create great problems for his opponent by transferring his knight to the g3square - 15.tLlce2 gc8 (It would not be any better for Black to opt for 1S...Y!Jc716.h6 J.fB17..tgS Y!Jd8 18.ixf6 exf619.tLlf4±) 16.tLlg3 Y!Jc7 17.h6 J.f8 18.g5± White's "h" and "g"-pawns have stalemated completely his opponent's kingside. 12•••.Axg4?! - Black can hardly obtain sufficient compensation for this piece-sacrifice. 13.fxg4 tLlexg4 14..tgS ~c3 1S..ixf6 ixf6 16.Y!Jxc3± This is the simplest for White - he gives back the exchange and he remains with an extra piece, simplifying the position in the process. 16... tLlf2 17..tc4 ~xd118.~d1 0-0 19.Y!Jg3 Y!Jb6 20.c3± Black has no compensation after the position has been simplified, Grove - Madsen, Copenhagen 2003. 12•••.le6 - Black's bishop is restricted here by the e4-pawn. 13.J.h6 0-0, Kostro - Ahman, Budapest 1960, 14.hg7 citJxg7 15.hS-+ White's attack is very dangerous, irrelevant of whether he will open the h-file, or he will prefer to play hS-h6, fixing the weaknesses of the dark squares on Black's kingside. 235

Chapter 11 12 •••h5 - After this move, Black's knight remains stranded at the edge of the board for long. 13.g5 lLlh7 14.f4 lLlg4 15..ig1 0-0 and White can continue here with 16.f5 ~e5 (After 16...gxf5 17.exf5 hd418.hd4 .ixf519..ig2~ White obtains an excellent compensation for the pawn thanks to his couple of bishops and great pieceactivity, for example after 19...e5 20 ..ig1 b5 21..id5 b4 22.lLle4 Y!fc7 23.mt3± Black's extra pawn is absolutely immaterial, while White has occupied the light squares in the centre.) 17J;h3 ~e8 18.lLld5 lLlfB 19.~b3± Black's knight is perfectly placed on the e5-square indeed, but his other pieces are a sorry sight, Edwards - Bogle, corr.1996. 13.h5 b4 14.~dS

way to victory is 18.g,ms gxhs 19.e5+15.exdSph5 In the variation 15...Y!faS 16. h6 .ifB 17.lLlb3 Y!fa4 18.Y!fd4 gg8 19.Y!fa7± it looks just impossible for Black to complete the development ofhis kingside. 15... lLlc4? - Black loses after this move. 16..hc4 ~c4 17.hxg6 fxg6? (He can only prolong his resistance with the line: 17...hxg6 18JW18+ .ixh8 19.Y!fh2 hd4 he would lose even quicker after 19...i.f6 20.Y!fh7 h4 21.b3+- and he loses a piece. 20.hd4 .ib5 21.Y!fh7 ~c8 22.~e1+- Black's light-squared bishop cannot participate in the protection of his dark-squares.) 18.Y!fd3, Black's rook is hanging now and White is threatening ~7. Black is helpless against both threats, so he resigned, 1-0 Nijboer - Kuipers, Utrecht 2005. 16.bh5~c4

14••• fUrdS 14... lLlxf3? - This is one of the worst possible ways for Black to sacrifice a piece. 15.lLlxf6+ .ixf6 16.lLlxf3 hg417.Y!fg2 .ixh5, Pham Bich - Pham Thi Ngoc, Ha Tinh 2000 and here White's fastest 236

16..."c7 - This move loses a pawn. 17..ixa6 ~a8 18."e2 Y!fa5 19..lc4 lLlxc4 20.Y!fxc4 ~c8 21.lLlc6+- Black's temporary initiative has been neutralized and White remains with an extra pawn and a lead in development, Robson - Oestergaard, Email 2003. It would be hardly preferable for Black to try 16 •••Y!faS, Payen - Kahn, Budapest 1995, 17.J.b6 .hh618.Y!fxh6± and after the trade of the dark-squared bishops, he will have problems defending his kingside. Capturing the dS-paWll

7.fJ ~c6 B.V!Jd2 ~d79.0-0-0 \fOuld be tremendously risky, lJeCIluse of 18...V!Jxd5 19.V!Jg7 '8f8 20..te2 V!Jb7 21.'i!.xh7 e6 22.f4+and White's threats are decisive. 17.J.xc41xc4

'8cBlO.~bl ~e511.g4

12••• 86 After 12 ...1xg4 13.fxg4 ~exg4 14.~b5+ ~f8 15.~gl+- Black has no compensation for the piece, since his kingside pieces will not enter the actions any time soon, Panagiotopoulos - Padelidis, Korinthos 2001. It is not any better for Black to try 12 ...WlaS 13.ie2 ~c4 14.~c4 'i!.xc4 15.o!Llb3 V!Ja6 16..id4 .ie6 17.g5 hxg5 18.hxg5 'i!.xhl 19.'i!.xhl ~h5 20.1xg7 ~xg7 21.f4± and he has no chances of any active counterplay, Fridman - Cardelli, Internet 2004. 12 ...h5 - This is now played lS.tld3 ticS 19.1xh7 figS with a loss of a tempo and it looks 20.1xg7! - This move wins. even less attractive than on the 20 •••1xg7 21.1111 figS 22.ft7 previous move. 13.g5 ~h7, Vehi If8 23.tlg7+- Black has no sat- Bach - Belezky, Badalona 2003, isfactory defence against 24.'i!.h8, White can continue with 14.f4 N.Rogers - Coleman, Washing- ~c4 15bc4 '8xc4 16.V!Jd3±, or ton 2003. 14... ~g415.f5! ~xe316.V!Jxe3 0-0 17..th3-+ and he has very dangerb3) 1l•••h6 ous threats thanks to his control Black's pawn will be hanging over the centre, his space advanhere, so he impedes his own cas- tage and his active pieces. tling short. 13.Ae2b5 12.h4 It would not be advisable for Black to try 13... ~c414.~c4 'i!.xc4 15.~de2 V!JaS 16..td4 b5, Hirscheider - Vetter, Internet 2003, because after 17.g5, he might be checkmated in the line: 17... hxg5? 18.hxg5 'i!.xh119.'i!.xhl ~h5 20 ..ixg7 o!Llxg7 21.'8h8#, or just remain a pawn down and with a "bad" king after 17... ~h5 18.hg7 ~xg719.gxh6 ~h5 20.V!Jg5± 14.g5 hxg5 15.hxg5 ~h5

Chapter 11

It would not be an improvement for Black to opt for 15.. J~h1 16Jhh1 lLlh5 17.f4 lLlc4 18 ..ixc4 bxc4 19.1Lld5 ~b8 20.f5 e6 2l.f6 .ifB 22.lLlc3± - White has managed to stalemate his opponent's dark-squared bishop and Black can free it only by opening files in the centre. His knight on h6 does not contribute to his future counterplayeither.

16.f4 ~c4 17•.bc4 bc4, Ader Hausman - Bauza, Montevideo 1956 (17,..bxc4 18.lLld5 0-0 19.f5t) and here White's most active reaction seems to be 18.~d5 e6 (After 18,..lLlg3 19.9m8+ .ixh8 20.VlYh2 lLlh5 21.b3 ~c8 22.f5 .ie5 23.~f2lLlg3 24.fxg6 fxg6 25.~f3± Black can hardly parry White's threats along the f-file, because his knight on g3 is very unstable.) 19.~b6 ftc7 (Naturally, it would be very bad for Black to continue with 19,..VlYxb6 20.lLlxe6 ~c6 21.lLlxg7+ 'it>fB 22 ..id4 ~xe4 23.lLle6+ .ixe6 24 ..ixh8+- and he would have no compensation for the exchange at all.) 2 0 .~b3 J.c6 238

21.1I'b4.tf8 (It is even worse for Black to choose 21,..~e7 22.e5! cIs 23 ..ic5 ~d8 24.lLlaS .id7 25.J.d6+ and he ends up practically mated.) 22.fth2 J.e7 23.~aS± Black lags in development and he has no active counterplay.

stale:

b4) 11••• 0-0 12.h4

We will now analyze thoroughly b4a) 12••••&5, b4b) 12•••b5, b4c) 12 ... ~c4 and b4d) 12•••

h5. Black has also tested in practice: 12••• ftc4 - He sacrifices the exchange without reasonable motives. 13 ..ixc4lLlxc4 14.VlYe2 lLlxe3 15.~xe3 VlYb6, Panagiotopoulos - Simeonidis, Korinthos 2004, White can continue now with 16.g5lLlh5 17.lLld5 ~d8 18.lLle2 as 19.1Llef4± and he not only remains with an extra exchange, but he baS excellent attacking chances; 12,..aS - This move weakens the b6 and bS-squares. 13.b5 lLlxf3?! (This is a very dubioUS

7.j3lOc6 8.Wd2 J.d79.0-0-0 gc81O.C;!}bllOe511.g4

pawn sacrifice, but he has no other active play. After 13 ... a4 14.a3 J.h8 15..te2 ge8 16.hxg6 bJg6 17.lTh4 .tg7 18.J.h6 J.h8 19.9dh1+- White has prepared tile decisive attack along the hfile, ajedrez - Ararnis, Internet 2001.) 14.lOxfJ .txg415.Wg2.ixh5 16.~d5 e617.J.b6lLlxd5 - Black's incorrect piece-sacrifice has led to a situation in which he is forced to give up his queen. 18..txd8 0e3, McDonnell - Pugh, Hastings 1995, White's most convincing way to realise his advantage seems to be 19.Wg3! lLlxdl 20 ..te7 Mea 21.,hd6 lLle3 (After 21... fDtb2 22.gn5 gxh5 23 ..te5+Black will need to give up plenty of material in order to avoid being checkmated.) 22.J.d3+- His pieces are so discoordinated now that he has no compensation for the queen; 12•• ...le6?! - Black loses too much time in vain, instead of orPDizing counterplay. 13.h5 .tc4 14,jh6 .txh6 (He loses quicldy after 14....txfl 15..txg7 ~xg7 16. hxg6 gh8 17.Wh6+ ~g8 18.lLlf5 ItS 19.97 1-0 Op den Kelder - BitaIzadeh, Nijmegen 2002.) lS.ti'xh6 Bb6 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.g5 ~hs 18.gn5 gxh5 19.J.h3± All White's pieces are prepared to Participate in the attack and small \¥onder Black did not cope with the defensive problems. 19.. J~ce8 20.tf5 ~U7 21.f4+- Hitselberger Jackson, USA 1998;

12 ... ge8 - This move is too passive. 13.h5 a6 (13 ... ~c414.,hc4 ~c4 15.hxg6 - see 12 ... ~c4 13.ixc4 ~c4 14.h5 ge8 15.hxg6; 13... ~xfJ?! - Black can hardly obtain sufficient compensation for this piece-sacrifice. 14.lLlxfJ ,hg4 15..te2 Wa5 - in answer to 15... hh5, Carpintero - Hoffman, Madrid 1989, it is very good for White to play 16.J.d4!, with the idea to organize an attack after for example: 16...b5 17.J.xf6 J.xf6 18.~d5 .tg7 19.9n5 gxh5 20J~gl ~h8 21.Wg5 gg8 22.Wxh5-+) 16.hxg6 fxg6, Charles - Darvall, Canberra 2001 and here White must render the sacrifice on c3 unfavourable for Black and the best way to do that is to play 17.ghgl!, eyeing Black's bishop on g4. For example he loses after 17...~c3 18.~xc3 ~xc3 19.bxc3 gc8 20.~b2 lLlxe4 21.~4 ~xc3 22.,td4+-, therefore Black should try something else, but it is again bad for him to try 17...h5 18.lLlg5+- White has protected his e4-pawn additionally, Black has no compensation for the piece and in answer to 13...b5, Espineira Gonzalez - Chalmeta Ugas, Lorca 2004, White develops a powerful offensive by continuing 14.hxg6, for example: 14... hxg6 15..ih6 .th8 16.Wh2-+ and his attack along the open file is decisive, or 14...fxg615.~d5 ~xd5 16.exd5-+ with dangerous threats. It would be a disaster for Black to opt for 15... e6 16.~xf6+ ~xf6 17.Wh2+- and White's threats

Chapter 11

of the vulnerability of his oPPonent's pawns.) 14.~d5!? - White trades the defenders of Black'. kingside in anticipation of his oncoming attack 14... ~xdS IS.e:xd5 ~c4 (It would be equally bad for Black to choose IS ...V!Jc7 16.hxg6 fxg6 17J~fh2-+ hS? IS.gxh5 ~xf3 19.~g2!+- and Black's kingside is destroyed, or 17... ~ lS..lh6 ~xf3!? - White's game is much easier after lS ....ixh6 19."!'xh6 12 ••• a61! - This move is a fihS 20 ..id3-+ - 19.~xf3 .txh6 waste of time and it weakens the 20 ..td3 hg4 21.~xh6 .txf3 22. b6-square, since Black could have ~xh7+ c;!,>eS 23.fihf1!! - White played immediately 12 ...bS.13.hS finishes his opponent off in style. bS (13 ...~c414..txc4 ~c41S.hxg6 Black gets checkmated after 23... - see 12 ... ~c413.hc4 ~c414.hS hdl 24.~xg6+ c;!,>d7 2S.V!Je6+ a61S.hxg6; 13... ~xf3?! - this sac- ~eS 26..tg6+ fifl 27.V!Ixfl+ ~d7 rifice is very dubious and it only 2S ..tf5+ ~dS 29.~f8# and he opens files for White to attack on would not save the day either the kingside. 14.~xf3 hg41S ..te2 with the line: 23 ...e5 24.V!Ixg6+ .ixhS, Wolff - Sharikov, Will- ~dS 2S ..te4+-) 16.hc4 bxc4, ingen 2004 and here White can Juarez Flores - Guevara Castillo, pose great defensive problems Guatemala 1990, now, White's atfor his opponent with 16..id4, tack is decisive after 17.hxg6 fxg6 for example: 16...b5 17..txf6 .ixf6 (l7... c3 lS.Yfll2+-) IS.Yfh2 MI 18.~dS ig719J~xhS! gxhS 20J::tgl 19.~f5! .txf5 (Black loses quick~hS 2UfgS figS 22.~xhS+- and ly in case of 19 ...gxf5 20.lYhS+ Black's king is defenceless, or 16... ~gS 21.~xh7+ ~fl 22 ..td4 rigS ~a5 17.l:ih4 gfeS IS.fig1± and he 23.l:ih6 ~f8 24.fig6+-) 20.gxf5 has no compensation for the piece. l:ihS 21.~f4 .tf6 22.V!Ig4-+ White's His attempt to avoid the attack threats are so dangerous that against his king leads to a very dif- Black will hardly manage to hold ficult position for him after IS ...eS on to the material equality. 19..te3 dS 20.fudS ~xd2 21.hd2 ~xdS 22.l:ixhS! gxhS 23.exdS e4 b4a) 12••••a5 Black's queen is quite actively 24.~d4 e3 2S ..ic3+- White's material advantage has diminished placed here, so White must repel a bit indeed, but still his posi- it swiftly if he wishes to obtain a tion is easily winning, because great advantage. are overwhelming.) 14.hxg6 fxg6 IS.~dS e6 (It is terrible for Black to continue with IS ... ~xdS 16.exdS ~flI7.Yfll2 h6 IS ..td3+and White's threats will settle the issue.) 16.~xf6+ .ixf6 17..te2 ~fll8.~b3 ge7 19.f4± Black has failed to create any counterplay and his kingside as well as his central pawns are weak, Rudnitzki Boehl, Finsterbergen 2000;

240

7/3

~c6

8.V9d2 i.d79.0-0-0 'Sc81O.ctlbl

~e511.g4

13••••c7 After 13 ...V9dSI4 ..te2 b51S.h5 b4 16.~d5 ~xd5 17.exdS V9c7, Movsesian - V.Belov, Istanbul 2003, White can centralize his knight and he will have a dangerous attack. IS.~d4 .ilIS (or IS ... a519 ..ih6-+) 19 ..ih6 'SfeS 20.hxg6 fxg6 21 ..h6 'SbS 22.V9h2-+

14.J.e2 b5 13.~b3!

After 13.h5 ~x£3 14.~x£3 1xc315.%Yxc3 'l'xc3 16.bxc3 J.xg4 11.Ag2 ~xe4~ there arises a complex and rather unclear position, • which Black's prospects look ;promising, despite the fact he is a lOOk down. White has no advantage either liter 13.~d5 ti'xd2 14.~xe7+ (In ease of 14.'Sxd2 ~xd5:j: White canDOt organize an attack against the :enemy king without queens, much rather Black will exploit the vulnerability of White's far advanced pawns.) 14...~hS 15.'Sxd2 gceS 16.g51? - This is the only move for White with chances of equalizing (l6.~d5? ~xd5 17.exdS 1t)x£3 lS.~x£3 'Sxe3-+; 16.h5? It)exg4 17.fxg4 fue4 lS.'Sdh2 'Sxe7-+) 16...~xe4 17.fxe4 'Sxe7= White is only slightly better after 13.J.e2!? 'Sxc3I? 14.ti'xc3 Bxc3 15.bxc3 gc8 16.ctlb2, Sutovsky - Hodgson, Oxford 1995, 16.•.h5;!; and in view of the weakness of his queenside pawns, he Will have problems realising his extra exchange.

The advance of the other pawn is not any better for Black: 14... as lS.~d4 a4 16.hS a3 17.~cb5 .b:b5 18.~xb5 V9d7 19.~xa3 'SaS, Schwab - Stroup, Oberhof 1998 and it becomes unclear why he has sacrificed a pawn in the first place, because he will hardly create any threats along the a-file, while White's initiative on the kingside is running unopposed 20.hxg6 fxg6 21.g5 ~h5 22.f4 ~g423.f5+-

15.15 ~h5 15...b4? - This move loses. 16.~b51 .b:bS 17.gxf6 Axf6 lS ..b:b5 ~x£3 19.Vge2 ~e5 20 ..h6 'SbS 21.h5+- Black's two pawns are not enough to compensate his missing piece, because his kingside is weak and he has not created any counterplay, Lau - Tiviakov, Montecatini Terme 1994. (diagram) 16.~d5 .d8 17.J.xa7 ~c4 18• .Axc4 bxc419.J.b6 We8 20. ~d4 e6, Asrian - Evdokimov,

Yerevan 2004, White's main task here is to block Black's c4-pawn and to trade the dark-squared bishops and he can achieve this 241

Chapter 11

with the line: 2"'~~c3! Ae5 22.~de2! le6 23 •.ld4 J.xd4 24.~xd4 Ib6 25.f4± Black's knight on h5 cannot participate in the actions on the queenside, so he can hardly prove sufficient compensation for the pawn.

b4b) 12 ••• b5 Black advances his b-pawn without losing time for preparatory moves. 13.h5

13••• b4 13....!Llc414..lxc4lhc415.hxg6 - see 12 ... .!Llc4 13 ..lxc4lhc4 14.h5 b515.hxg6. 13 .. .l:;xc3?! - This exchange242

sacrifice is not well prepared. 14.'llYxc3 lYb8 15.hxg6 hxg6 16 .lh6+- and after White exchang~ es his opponent's most dangerous piece, Black is left without chances of any counterplay at all, CoelhoDa Silva, Ilha Solteira 2003. 13...a5 - This move is too slow and Black cannot create any threats with it. 14..!LldS e6 15..!Llxf6+ 'llYxf616.g5'llYe717.ti'h2± Black can hardly defend against his opponent's oncoming attack along the h-file, because in answer to 17....lh8, Arakhamia Grant - Ubaldo Suarez, Elista 1998, White can simply capture the pawn. 18..!LlxbS .lxbSI9..hbS .!Llxf3 20.'llYh3!~ and his attack is crushing. 20 .. J!b8 21.a4 .!Lle5 (or 21 ....!Llxg5 22..lxg5 'llYxg5 23.hxg6 h5 24.gxf7+ ~xf7 25Jlxd6+and White not only has an extra pawn, but his king is much safer) 22.lhd6! 'llYxd6 23.hxg6+In answer to 13....!Llxf3?! 14..!Llxf3 .lxg4, it is very strong for White to play 15..le2! with the following exemplary variations: 15... b4 (It is bad for Black to opt for 15...'llYa5? 16..!Lld5 'llYxd2 17..!Llxe7+ ~h8 18.lhd2 gce8 19.h6+- and White wins plenty of material. It is not any better for Black to opt for 15....lxh5 16.gdgl b4 17..!LldS e618 ..!Llxf6+ 'llYxf6 19.e5! - White settles the issue with this move. 19 ... dxe5 20.lhh5 gfd8 21.'llYcl e4 22 ..tg5 1-0 De Vriendt - Engelhardt, Email 2000.) 16..!Llb5 b3 (It is worse for Black to choose

7..fJ ~c6 8.Y!Jd2 J.d79.0-0-0 '8c81O.<J:ibJ ~e511.g4

16...lYaS, Rosten - Rudd, London 199B, because White should open the h-file - 17.hxg6! fxg6 18.~gS bS 1B.J.xg4 ~xg4 19.Y!JdS+ mhB 20 ..ixa7+- and Black has only a pawn for the piece and his chances of creating counterplay are nowhere in sight. Black's play can hardly be improved with the recommendation of ASchulz - 16... ~e4!? 17.Y!!h4 dS, because after IB.h6 J.f6 19.J.xa7 e5 20.'8hgl J.f5 21.id3+- his centre looks beautiful, but he has only a pawn for the piece.) 17.axb3 ~xe4 1B.Y!!h4 d5 (It would be smarter for Black to continue here with 1B... aS and if 19.Y!Jxe4 .ifS 20.Y!Jf4 '8xc2~ he obtains a quite serious compensation for the piece, since the enemy king looks vulnerable. Meanwhile, White can play better - 19.Y!Ja4! dS 20.h6 AhB 21.'8hg1 .tf5 22.~bd4±, or 21 ...fS 22.c4 e6 23.~a7 '8c7 24.Y!JxaS± and he ends up with an extra piece and a reliable position in both cases.) 19.'8dgl .id7 20.J.d4 .b:bS 21.ti"xbS ~d2+ 22.~xd2 J.xd4 23.'8g2± White's king is safe and Black has problems advancing his pawns with queens present on the board, so his compensation for the piece is insufficient, Kevicky Lucchini, Email 2003.

14.lCdS (diagram)

14••• lCxdS 14...lflexg4? - Black gives up a piece, but he comes under attack. 15.fxg4 lflxe4 16.Y!Jg2 e6 17.'e:Yxe4

exdS IB.Y!Jf3 '8e8 19.hxg6 hxg6 20 ..b6 '8c7 21.Y!Jh3+- ShabalovI.Ivanov, San Francisco 2000. 14... e6 - This move weakens the d6-pawn. 15.~xf6+ J.xf6 (After 15...V9xf616.hxg6 hxg617.Y!Jh2 '8feB1B.Y!Jh7+ mf819 ..ih6± White exchanges the defender of the dark squares in Black's camp and he obtains a great advantage following 19 ...J.xh6 20.'e:Yxh6+ mgB 2U;d2 Y!Jg7 22.Y!Je3 d5 23J~dh2 dxe4 24.Y!Jxe4 '8c5 25.g5+- Black has no satisfactory defence against the transfer of his opponent's queen to the f6-square, Zontakh - Macieja, St. Petersburg 1996.) 16.g5 J.hB 17.Y!Jxb4 '8b8 IB.V9xd6 ~xf3 19.hxg6 fxg6 20 ..ic4+- White has not only won a pawn, but he has centralized his pieces and he has excellent attacking prospects. The game was over very quickly: 20 ... '8b6 21.lflxe6! '8xb2+ 22.mc1 Y!Jc8 23.lflc5+ 1-0 Shabalov - Kiewra, Saint Paul 2000.

15.exdS'Ba5 It would not be better for

Black to try 15... ~c4 16.J.xc4 '8xc4 17.hxg6 fxg6 IB.Y!Jh2-. with a 243

Chapter 11

dangerous attack for White, which turned quickly into decisive after 18... ~f7 19.~e6! .he6 20. dxe6+ ~xe6 21.%Ye2 %YcS 22 ..ic5+ 1-0 Papandreou - Coffey, corr. 2004. 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.'fIh2 ~f7 17...%Yxd5 - This move loses outright. IS.%Yxh7+ ~f7 19..ih6 ~gS 20 ..ia6 .ie6 21.~xe6 %Yxe6 22 ..hcS ~xcS 23.~d4+- White has won the exchange and his attack is overwhelming, Shen Yang - Almeida Saenz, Mexico 2007. 18.~e6! he6 19.dxe6+ cbxe6 20 .f4! ~xg4

This position was reached in the game Ricci - Piva, Bratto 2001. It is not so easy for White to win, despite the fact that Black's king is stranded in the centre, so his most energetic line seems to be: 21.fte2 ~xe3 (or 21...%YfS 22 ..id4+ rM7 23J~xh7 e5 24..ih3 exd4 25..ixg4+-) 22.ftxe3+ rbf7 23 •.ih3-+ Black's defence is tremendously difficult, because of the catastrophic weakness of the light squares in his camp: 244

23 .. J:k5 24.%Ye6+ ~eS 25.1fd7+ rM7 26.J.e6+ M6 27..ib3+- 8lld White checkmates, or 23 ..:tc7 24.%Ye6+ 'it>eS 25.%YxcS+ %Yxca 26. hcS+- and he ends up with an extra rook in the endgame; 23... ~feS 24 ..ie6+ ~f8 25J~xh7 ti'c5 26.%Ye4+- Black cannot avoid being checkmated without huge material losses; 23 ... ~c7 24 ..ie6+ eS 25.~7 .if6 26.%Ye4+- and he is completely helpless against the threat 27.%YaS+.

b4e) 12... ~e4

This is the principled decision for Black - he obtains the two bishop advantage, but White succeeds in creating dangerous threats on the kingside. 13.he4 lxe4 14.h5 There arises a position, which we have analyzed as the main line in Chapters 21-22, with a slight, but very important difference White's h-pawn is not on h2, but on h5 and this is doubtlessly in his favour, because it speeds his attack up.

7J3 tj)c6 8. V!Jd2 Itd79.0-0-0 'Sc810. ~bl !i:Je511.g4

against the checkmate.) 17.tj)e6 ixe6 18.V!Jxd8 'Sxd8 19.'Sxd8+ ~f7 20.g5± Black does not have sufficient compensation for the exchange, since his kingside pawns are vulnerable and his dark-squared bishop is very passive, Tukhaev - Tsimbryla, Simferopol 2004;

14•• :ec7 The alternatives for Black are ootbetter: 14•..g5?? -·This move simply loses, Scblusnik - Szoukup, Hungary 1995, 15.h6! J.h8 16.!i:Jc6! hc6 (After 16...V!Je8 17.J.xa7+Black might avoid being checkmated only at the price of huge taateriallosses.) 17.ltb6+- and he loses his queen, or he gets checkmated;

14... a6 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.e5! - This is White's most energetic Way to make use of Black's compromised kingside. 16...dxe5 (Black has no compensation for the piece after 16...tj)xg4 17.fxg4 ixg4 18.clOde2±; in answer to 16...!i:Je8, Siebarth - Bindrich, Oberhof 1999, White wins with 11.1rh2! 'Sxc3 - or 17...h6 18.e6 Ixc3 19..txh6+- and his threats Ire almost impossible to parry - 18.Wxh7+ rM7 19.'Sh6 'Sxe3 20.ft'xg6+ ~g8 21J!dhl+- Black's Pieces are so discoordinated that be has no satisfactory defence

14•••YfbS?! - Black loses time for the sake of deploying his queen to a passive position. 15.clOde2! b5 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.J.h6 'Sf7 18.J.xg7 ~xg7, Kristensen - Gasseholm, Copenhagen 1993, after 19.e5 tj)e8 (In the variation 19...dxe5 20.g5+- Black loses a piece.) 20.b3 'Sc5 21.exd6 exd6 22.clOe4+and he is helpless against White's numerous threats; 14••• IleS - This move helps neither the defence, nor the organization of active counterplay. 15.hxg6 fxg6, Ruiz Bravo - Plaza Agudo, Spain 1996 (In response to 15...hxg6, Voicu - Flores Trevino, Oropesa del Mar 1998, White obtains a decisive attack after 16.clOf5!-+ and Black loses immediately following 16...gxf5? 17.J.h6+-, but even in the variation 16...J.xf5 17.gxf5 waS 18.fxg6 fxg619.'Sdg1 'Sxc3 20.'Sxg6!+- his kingside is defenceless.), White can continue here with 16.e5 dxe5 17.clOe6 J.xe6 (After 17...V!JaS 18.clOxg7 ~xg7 19.95+- He wins a piece and his attack is triumphant.) 18.V!Jxd8 'Sxd8 19.'Sxd8+ 245

Chapter 11

In answer to 14•••1fc8, Herejk - Melich, Klatovy 2000, White should prevent the possible exchange sacrifice with IS.itlde2, with the following eventual developments IS ...bS 16.Ah6 b4 17.itldS itlxdSlS.jxg7 q;xg719.hxg6-+;

material advantage in both cas.. es.) 16.hxg6 fxg6 (After 16...hxg6 17.ih6+- White's attack along the h-file is checkmating.) 17.es itleS (The alternatives for Black lose as well: 17...~c3 IS.bxc3 itleS 19.~h2+-; 17...itlxg41S.fxg4 .b:g4 19.w/h2+-; and White has a dangerous attack and a mate. rial advantage in both cases, or 17...dxeS IS.itldS! W/d6 19.itlxf6+ gxf6 20.W/e2+- and Black loses at least the exchange.) IS.itldS ~d8 19..tgS gfl 20.exd6+- Zufic - Belardinelli, Nova Garica 2001;

14•••1f&5 - This move enables White to break through in the centre with tempo. 15.itlb3! W/c7 (Or IS...W/a6 16.hxg6 gfcS 17.gxf7+ q;xf7 IS.gS+- Fernandez - Matthew, New York 2003; while after 16...fxg617.eS itleSlS.Ah6-+ Black would hardly manage to save his king; IS ...W/eS - His queen comes under attack in the centre. 16..td4 W/e6, Bakre - Irnandi, Vung Tau 1999, White can exploit here the precarious position of his opponent's queen with 17.itle2 .b4 IS.h6! .thS 19.9S itlhS 20 ..txhS ~xhS 21.itlbd4 W/e5 22.b3+- and Black will suffer considerable losses, or 17... ga4 IS.itlf4 W/c4 19. ixf6! exf6 20.W/xd6 .tc6 21.h6 ihS 22.gd4 WJb5 23.itle6+- and White wins plenty of material, or 19...ixf6 20.itld5 ga6 21.gS W/a4 22.itlcl ie5 23.f4+-; 20 ... geS 21.itlxf6+ exf6 22.W/xd6+- and he ends up with an overwhelming

14•••b5 - This move looks aggressive, but it is insufficient IS.hxg6 fxg6 16.e5! .!illcg4 (After 16...dxe517.itle6 J.xe61S.~xdS+­ Black remains an exchange down. In the variation 16... itleS 17.~2 q;fl IS.itle4-+ White's attack is overwhelming in a position with material equality. In answer to 16...b4, Amed - Sanchez Santana, Balneario Camboriu 200S, the simplest line for White is 17.exf6 bxc3 IS.W/d3 ~d4 19.J.xd4 Axf6 20.W/xc3+- and he has a solid extra exchange and safer king, or IS ... gb4 19.fxg7 ~b2+ 20.Q;cl+Black's threats have been neutralized and he loses his c3-pawn, while White's extra piece should settle the issue.) 17.fxg4 J.xg4 IS.gdgl! - this is White's most energetic fashion to realise his advantage. IS ...dxe5 19.9xg4 exd4 20.WJh2-+ He had a poW. erful attack, which turned soon

q;fl 20.gS± White wins the exchange and an almost similar position arises in the variation 14... a6 - and the fact that the pawn is on a7 in this line is practically immaterial for the evaluation of the situation;

246

7.fJ lilc6 8. VNd2 J.d79.0-0-0 gc81O.ctJbllile511.g4 jpto a full point: 20 ...hS 2Uixg6

dJe3 22.VNxhS VNd4 23.VHh7+ wf7 24J~hgl and in the game Forchert

_ Margraf, Gennany 2004, Black resigned in view of 24... gg8

!S.IID.

15.~de2!

White fortifies his c3-square and he completes the preparation {or his active actions. 15•••le8 It would be worse for Black to choose here lS ...bS 16..lh6 ie6 17.hg7 Wxg7 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.Yfh6+ cM7 20.gS+- and White wins material with a decisive effect, Jessel- Trochu, Paris 2002.

19.~ec3!

White not only covers the cfile with this move, but he brings his knight closer to the kingside. 19•••J.xe5 20.J.g5 f6 Black cannot avoid his opponent's attack after 20 ... lilf6 21.hf6! exf6 22.gdel!-+ and White is prepared to give up his rook for the only defender of the dark squares in Black's camp. The venom of White's attack can be best illustrated by the following variation: 22 ...VNfB 23.1:uceS! fxeS 24.lilf6+ wg7 2S.lilhS+ wg8 26.VNgS gf4 27.~dS+21.ftd3!fxg5 After 21 .•• cM7 22.gb6 f5 23. he7 e'aS 24. VNe3-+ White's attack continues in a position with material equality.

16.e5! ~e8 After 16...dxe5 17.gS J.c6 18.gxf6 .ixf6 19.9h3± Black has no compensation for the piece at

all. 17.hxg6 hxg6 18.~d5 ftd8 In the variation 18...1:ucc2 19.1ilxc7 1:ucd2 20.~d2 1:ucc7 21. exd6 lilxd6 22.gcl± White's rook should be stronger than Black's bishop and pawn in this end&ame.

22.ftxg6+ f:JgJ 23.f:Je4+Black is completely helpless against White's numerous threats. 23 •.• lxe4 (23 ...1:ucc2 24.VHh7+ wfB 2S. VHh8+ wf7 26.lilxgS+ wf6 27. VHh6#) 24.fxe4 ee8 25.'l'h7+ wf7 26.ldft+ U6 27.lb6 ft_ 28.1hxf'6+ exf6 29.1xf'6+ 1-0 247

Chapter 11

Palacios - Estevez Morales, Havana 1983. b4d) 12•••b5

Black prevents the advance of his opponent's h-pawn in a mechanical fashion, but this enables White to occupy additional space in the centre and on the kingside. 13.g5 ~e8 It seems worse for Black to opt for 13 ... ~h7 14.f4 ~g4 (14... ~c4 1S,Axc4 ~c4 16.tfd3 gc8 17.f5 see ll...hS 12.gS ~h7 13.f4 ~c4 14.ixc4 ~c4 1S.ti'd3 gc8 16.h4 0-0 17.f5) 1S.J.g1 eS (In answer to 1S...ge8, Feher - Antal, Zalakaros 2001, White obtains a noticeable advantage with the line: 16.i.d3 ti'aS 17.f5 ~f8 18.gf1± he has occupied space on the kingside and his pieces are very active; 1S...a6 this move looks too slow. 16.~de2 b5 17.~dS .Ac6 18..lg2 ge8, Myo Naing - Tiviakov, Jakarta 1997, White can continue here with 19.f5 e6 20.~b4 J.eS 21.~xc6 ~c6 22.~d4± and in addition to 248

his space advantage he can en. joy his bishop pair too.) 16.~dbs exf4 17.tfxf4 a6 18.~xd6 ftxca 19.bxc3 tfaS (Black loses with 19 ...ixc3 20.fub7+-) 20.Ad4 .ie6, Zamicki - Hoffman, Villa Gesell 1997, White's most effec. tive way to realise his advantage is by trading pieces in this posi. tion. After 21..ic4! ixc4 22.~XC4 tfbS+ 23.~b2+- he parries eas. ily his opponent's threats and his position is wining mostly because of terrible placement of Black's knight on the h7-square. The recommendation of OM ABaburin - 17....ieS!? (instead of 17... a6) 18.tfd2 tfaS, does not solve Black's problems, because of White's enterprising resource 19.~xd6! hd6 (It would be a disaster for Black to play 19...~c3 20.~c4+-, but it would hardly be better for him to try 19....ixc3 20.bxc3 .ie6 21.c4±, or 20 ...gc7 21.c4± - White is better not only because of his extra doubled pawn, but he has a couple of very powerful bishops, while Black's knight on h7 remain a sorry sight.) 20.tfxd6 J.e6 21 ..ie21lxc3 (If Black refrains from sacrificing the exchange, then after 21... iUd8 22.tfg3 ~d1+ 23.ixdl M8 24.a3 a6 2S ..ie2± White consolidates gradually his position preserving his extra pawn.) 22.bxc3 ti'xa2+ 23.1it>c1 tfal+ 24.~d2 'laS 2S.tfc5!± - Black's attack is hanDless, because he is a piece doWll· 2S.. .lM8+ 26. g;,el ~dl + 27.,ixdl

7..fJ IiJc6 8.VHd2 j,d79.0-0-0 .d8 28 ..bg4! .txg4 29 ..id4 VHb8 30.1e5+14.f4~g4

After 14...j,g4 15.fxe5 1!xc3 16.ie2 .be2 17.VHxe2 1!c8 18.e6't White leads in development and be weakens Black's kingside, Castillo - Henrich, Email 2003. It would hardly be better for Black to opt for 14...1iJc4 15..Axc4 Dxc416.f5 a6 (The move 16....ic6? Z.Hernandez - Diaz, Merida 2002, simply loses the exchange, 17.fxg6! fxg6 18.VHd3 1!xc3 19. ttxc3 he4 20. VHb3+ 1!O 21. mrll+-; 16...b5 - Black will fail to activate his pieces in this fashion and they will remain stranded on the last two ranks of the board. 17.1!hfl IiJc7 IB.ti'd3 ~a6 19. ~dxb5+- Klundt - Schnabel, Germany 1996.) 17.ti'd3 b5 lB. mut't Black is suffocating due to the lack of space, after 18....ie5 19.m3 ~g7 20.1!dfl 1!eB 21.~d5± White's pieces are poised over quite threateningly over Black's kingside, Schreiner - Freialdenhoven, corr. 1998. 15.Agt

1!c81O.~blliJe511.g4

15•••e5 About 15...a6 16..ie2 ~c7 17.f5 - see 15... ~c716.f5 a6 17..ie2. It is too bad for Black to play 15... ~c7 16.f5 a6 (After 16 ... e5?, Dorst - Belezky, Internet 2004, 17.~db5 ~xb5 18.~xb5 .Axb5 19 ..Axb5+- White creates threats against his opponent's pawns and he can even continue with 20.f6, trapping Black's bishop.) 17..ie2 ~e5 IB.i.h2 b5 19.1!hfl± and White's kingside threats look much more dangerous than Black's attempts to organize some counterplay on the queenside, Cela - Eftimakis, Athens 1997. 16.fxe5 .t.xe5 It is worse for Black to play 16...~xe5 17.j,e2 a6 1B.~d5 .ic6 19.~xc6 bxc6 20.~f4 1!bB 21.j,d4 ti'e7 22.b3±, because he has no active prospects at all, Fritz - Halldorsson, Email 1999.

17•.lb5 j,y;J 18•.t.xd7 1rxd7 - Black's position looks solid, but it is without any promising prospects, Asrian Evdokimov, Yerevan 2004. 19.~de2~

249

Chapter 11 Conclusion about Chapters 10 and 11 Black's attempts to avoid castling shortfor the time being (B ... Ad7) are notfavourablefor him at all. After 9.0-0-0 the pawn-advance 9 ...a7-a6 is too slow and 9 ...h7-hS weakens the kingside. The exchange 9 ... lOxd41ooks premature and White manages to prove this with quite natural moves. The main drawback of9... 0-0 is the fact that White can begin active actions on the kingside without losing time for the transfer of the bishop to b3 and as a result he manages to occupy additional space on the kingside. After that, in order to avoid coming under a dangerous attack, Black is forced to seek salvation in a rather unpleasant endgame without counterplay. He cannot solve his problems either with 9.. J~~cB. After 10.cif1bl, White completes his preparation for the offensive and no matter how Black reacts, White's initiative is very powerful in all the variations. In case Black plays 10 ... 0-0, then White's attack develops optimally with quite natural moves: g2-g4, h2-h4-hS, lOd5, after which Black can hardly defend his king without material losses. White's task is a bit more difficult if Black responds with 10 ... lOe5, because White must consider all the time the consequences of the possible sacrifices on g4, or /3, although Black's main idea is to obtain the two-bishop advantage with the help of the move lOe5-c4. Still, the sacrifices are usually not dangerousfor White, while in case of the exchange on c4, it becomes essential for him to fortify the c3-square with lOd4-e2!, after which he can make a good use of his lead in development. His reaction becomes very important whenever his pawn is on g4 and Black plays h7-hS after he has castled short. If White's pawn is on h2, he must play simply h2-h3, with the idea after lOd5 to exchange the defender of the hS-pawn. In case his pawn is already on h4, then he can try to organize an attack with g4xhS, but it is much simpler for him if he plays g4-g5, occupying space on the kingside and follows that with the advance of his f-pawn.

250

Cbapter12

1.e4 c5 2.ctlf3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.ctlxd4 ctlf6 5.ctlc3 g6 6.J.e3 J.g7 7.f3 0-0 8.'I'd2

8 ••• ~c6 This is the main line for Black. He plays a logical developing move and he is ready to start actions in the centre with d7-dS. About 8 •••W1c7 9.g4 ~c6 10. 0-0-0 a6 11.h4 - see 7... ~c6 8.ed2 a6 9.0-0-0 W1c710.g4 0-0 1l.h4. B.. .i.d7 9.0-0-0 ~c6 10.g4 see Chapter 10, variation d; 9...a6 -seeB... a6. Black has tried some other moves in practice: 8 •••e5? - this lemon loses a pawn. 9.~db5 ~e8 (It would be Worse for Black to try here 9 ... a6 10.~xd6 and White ended up with an extra pawn and superior develOpment in the game D.Schultz Lipson, Email 1996; it is not pref-

erable for Black to opt for 9...~c6 10.0-0-0 ~e8 - he loses even faster after 1O...J.e6 1l.lYxd6lYa5 12.W1c7W1xc713.~xc7+- McIntosh - Tremblay, Email 199B, as well as following 10.. J~eBll. W1xd6 Ad7, Vanderven - Nagel, Email 1999, 12..tg5 ge613.W1xd7W1xd714.~d7 ~xd715.~c7+ and White has won enough material to win the game in both cases. - 11.loxd6 and here it is a disaster for Black to continue with 11... ~d4 12.~db5+- Albo Ruiz - Domenech, corr. 1999, but even after 11... ~xd6 12.W1xd6 W1xd6 13.~d6+- Bienkowski R.Karlsson, Email 1999, or 11... Ae6 12.~xeB W1xd2+ 13.~d2 gfxe814.Ab5+- Plinke - Barnard, Email 1995, he has no compensation for the lost pawn.) 10.0-0-0 a6 (After 10...f5 11.Ac4+ hB 1Voxd6+- White has an extra pawn and a great lead in development, Durrens - Leavell, Email 1997; it is hardly preferable for Black to opt for 10 ...Ae6 11.~xd6 ~xd6 12.W1xd6+- Humphries Bidgood, corr. 2003.) 11.~xd6 ~xd612.W1xd6 W1xd6 13.~d6 ~c6 14.Ac4+- Janotta - N.Neumann Greifswald 2003;

Chapter 12 8 •••b6 - This move is too slow for a sharp opening variation as the Dragon. 9.0-0-0 .ib7 (Or 9 ...iLd7, Sarenac - Mirkovic, Belgrade 2006 and after 10.g4 lLIc6 1l.h4t White is clearly ahead of his opponent in the creation of threats.) 10.g4 lLIbd7 1l.h4 lLIeS (In the variation 1l.. JicS 12.hS lLIc5 13.hxg6 fxg6, Weggen Chemer, Emai1199S, White wins with 14..ic4+ c,!;>hS lS.lLIe6+-) 12.hS ~d7 13.hxg6~ Black has not completed his development yet and his king is already in a great danger, Wimmer - Gams, Mureck 2007;

10...e6? - This is just a blun. der. 1l.lLIxc6 bxc6 12.~xd6+_ Nguyen Thi Thu - Nguyen T liaj Phu Dong 2004; , 10 ... lLIxd4 1l.hd4 .ie6 12.h4 ~aS (The exchange of the dark. squared bishops after 12 ... ~d7 13.hg7 ~xg714.hS± is definitely in favour of White, Dubos - lia. bunek, Elancourt 2003.) 13.h5 .ixa2 14.hxg6 fxg6 lS.gS ~h5 16..ixg7lL1xg7, Trushin - Babadzhanov, Russia 2004 and White wins here with 17.lLIbS ~xd2+ lS.c,!;>xd2 gecS 19.b3+-; 10...lLId7 1l.h4 lLIde5 (In answer to 1l... lLIf8, Schweigert Bardacheva, Pinneberg 1996, it is 8 •••l!:e8 - The idea of this good for White to follow with the move is to avoid the possible trade standard 12.hSlLIe6 13.lLIxe6 ixe6 of the dark-squared bishops. It 14.hxg6 fxg6 lS.lLId5±; 1l...ixd4turns out however to be a waste of This trade is usually in favour of time in the majority of the lines. White. 12.hd4 lLIxd4 13.ti'xd4 9. 0-0-0 lLIc6 (About 9 ...a6 - see ~a5 14.hS~ Cialdea - Melino, S...a6; 9 ....Ad7 10.g4 lLIc6 1l.h4 - corr. 1999.) 12.iLe2 bS (The move see Chapter 10, variation d) 10.g4 12 ... lLIaS - is a loss of time, pettyDyble, Berkeley 1999, 13.b3! lLIac6 14.lLIdS e6 lS.lLIc3 ~a5 16.h5±; 12 .. .f6 - Black compromises his kingside with this move. 13.g5 g{8, Teixido - Canal, Santpedor 2001, 14.f4~; 12 ....id7 - this is too slow. 13.hS gcS 14.hxg6 fxg6 lS.lLIxc6 ~c616 ..id4 gf817.f4~ McDonald - Chemer, Email 2003.) 13.lLIxc6 lLIxc6 14.hbS .id7 lS.hc6,bc6 and here Black has tried in 16.i.d4± Black's most active piece has been neutralised and White practice: 10 ...a6 - see S...a6; 10 ....id7 remains with a solid extra pawn, 1l.h4 - see Chapter 10, variation Freiknecht - Krass, Dortmund 1995; b; 2S2

S.ciJc3 g6 6. .ie3 .ig7 7.fJ 0-0 8. YfJd2

10...\WaS - White gains tempi offensive after this move. ti'd8 12.h4 hS 13.gxhS 0Xh5, Hoffmann - Weber, Winterberg 2002, White's most aggressive line here is: 14J!gl! .ie6 1514 j,xc3!? 16.ti'xc3 ~f6 17.h5!~; 10...hS - Black opens files de)iberately on the kingside. 11.gxhS 0xb5, Egorova - Putrova, SmaIeosk 2001, White should continue now with 12.ggl! ~xd4 13. ixd4 bd4 14.ti'xd4 .ie6 lS ..ibS Bf8 16.e5± and he forces his opponent to give up a pawn; In answer to "10 ... ~eS, Egorova - Kharmunova, Kazan 2000, it seems very attractive for White to follow with the standard attacking operations ll.h4 h5 12.gxhS ~xhS 13.GG1.id714.f4 ~g4 lS.f5~; In case of 10 ....Ae6 ll.fue6 fxe6, Wetherfield - Parmar, Ampleforth 2003, after 12.h4 ~eS 13.1e2 \Wc814.hS± White has excellent attacking prospects; 10...aS - This move is too slow. 11.b4 ~xd4 12.bd4 a4 13.a3± Ippoliti - Tonal, D'Angers 2006; 10...ti'c7 - Black's queen occupies the file for his own rook. 11.'itb1 a6 12.h4 bS, Boyarchenko - Novakova, Herceg Novi 2006, White should follow with 13.~xc6 I'xc6 14.h5 .le6 lS.~e2± and he has dangerous threats on the kingside; {or his 1l.~b3

8 •••.le6 - Black presents his oPPOnent with the two-bishop advantage. 9.~xe6 fxe6 10 ..lc4 ti'c8

ll ..lb3 ~c6 12.~e2 wh8 13.~f4 dS, R.Fischer - Mednis, New York 19S6, White should continue here with 14.0-0-0 gd8 lS.\wf2± and he would have excellent chances of proving the vulnerability of his opponent's central pawns; After 8 ••• a6 9.0-0-0

Black has tried in practice: 9 ... ~c6 10.g4 - see Chapter 9, variation b3; 9 ... llJbd7 - see 8 ... llJbd7; 9 ....ld7 10.g4 bS (About 10... ~c6 ll.h4 - see Chapter 10, variation d3; in answer to 10 ...ti'aS?!, Chew Jia Hui - Salleh, Vietnam 2008, it is reasonable for White to follow with the standard reaction ll.~b3 ti'd8 12.h4~, while the move 11...ti'c7 loses outright for Black, because of 12.gS+and he suffers material losses.) ll.h4 ti'aS (It is hardly better for Black to opt for ll ...b4 12.llJce2 as 13.hS ~c6, Zorko - Kotnik, Rogla 2002, White's attack becomes decisive here if he chooses 14.~xc6 bc6 lS.hxg6 fxg6 16.llJf4 \Wc8 17..ic4+-, Black would not save the day with lS ...hxg6 16..ih6 2S3

Chapter 12 17.~d4! .ad7 18.~f5+-) 12. Yfic7 13.h5 ~c8 14.hxg6 fxg6 15.g5+- his kingside has been destroyed and he has no counterplay whatsoever, Nietsch - Fehrmann, Spree 1997; 9 ...b5 1O.g4 .ab7 (White proceeds with his standard attack after Black's alternatives as well: 10...Yfia5 11.ctt>bl .ad7 12.h4 b4 13. ~ce2 .AbS 14.J.h6-+ Ankerst - M. Kraemer, Gladenbach 1999; or 10 ... ~fd7ll.h4 ~e5 12.h5-+ Millet Lacombe - Clement Demange, France 2005.) 1l.h4 h5 (It is not preferable for Black to continue with 1l... ~c6 12.h5 ~e5 13.i.h6-+ Wiehagen - Lerch, Dortmund 2001; or 1l...ti'c712.h5 b413.~ce2 ~c8 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.ih6± Berch - Gonzalez Barcina, Emai12000.) 12.J.h6 ~bd713 ..Axg7 ctt>xg7, Hahlbohm - Goetze, Berlin 2005 and here White wins with 14.gxh5 ~xh5 15.~f5+ ctt>g8 16.ti'h6 ~df6 17.e5.Ac8 18..ill3+-; 9...ti'c7 - This is not the best square for Black's queen. 1O.g4 b5 (10 ... ~c6 1l.h4 - see 7... ~c6 8.YHd2 a6 9.0-0-0 Yfic710.g4 0-0 1l.h4) 1l.h4 ~bd712.h5-+ Endara - A.Garcia, Pichincha 1962; 9 ... ~e8 10.g4 ~c6 (It is worse for Black to try 10...YfiaS 1l.h4 h5, Filev - Jordanov, Sofia 2004 and now White wins by continuing with 12.~b3 Yfid8 - or 12 ... ti'c7 13.gxh5 ~xh5 14.~d5 YHd8 15.~b6+ and he gains plenty of material. - 13.e5 ~fd7 14.e6 ~e5 15.ext7+ ctt>xt7 16.gxh5+- Black is

.ill8! ~b3

254

incapable of protecting his king any more. Is is not advisable for him to try 10 ...b5 1l.h4 ib7 12.bs ~c6 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.~xc6 txC6 15..ill6± White is much ahead of his opponent in creating threats, Plater - Colon Romero, Moscow 1956.) 1l.h4 ~xd4 (1l...d5?! _ This is a blunder of a pawn 12.g5 ~h5 13.~xd5± Hovhannisyan _ Akbulut, Kerner 2007; or 11...tleS 12.h5 b5 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.J.h6-+ Morris - Messam Sparks, Sunningdale 2007; Black's counterplay is too slow after 11...'f!Jc7 12.h5 b5 13.hxg6 and here he loses after 13...fxg6, T.Rohde Tausch, Oberhof 1998, 14.~xc6 YHxc6 15.~d5 ie6 16.~xf6+ exf6 17.YHh2+-, as well as following 13...hxg6 14.YHh2 Ad7 15..th6+Wehner - Sonnenberger, Friedrlchroda 1997; in answer to 11... h5, Maciel - Vallejos, Sao Paulo 1999, White maintains a great advantage with 12.g5 ~d7 13.f4 ~xd414.ixd4 .Axd415.YHxd4-eraS 16.f5±. He is better developed and he has plenty of extra space and excellent attacking prospects. 11... ~d7 12.h5± Gellineau - Waithe, Port of Spain 1999; 1l...YHaS Black just loses time with this move. 12.~b3 YHd8 13.h5-+ Haapamaki - Gragasin, Wmnipeg 2001.) 12.ixd4 ie6 (Black would not fare any better with the line: 12 ...bS 13.h5 b4, Csorba - Adam, Budapest 1995, because after 14. ~d5 ie6 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.YHh2 h6 17.ic4-+, he will have problems

5.It'lc3g66 ..ie3 i.g77..fJ 0-0 8.~d2

with

the protection of his kingside.) 13.lt'ld51t'lxd5 (In answer to 13•• J!c8, H.Emst - Richert, HambUfg 2005, White wins with 14.h5 €lxdS 15..ixg7 It'lf6 16.~h6 ~c7 17.id3 .ic4 18..ixf6+-) 14 ..ixg7 €le3 15. ~xe3 Wxg7 16.h5± Black bas no counterplay whatsoever, Lilienthal - Zamikhovsky, Mosc:l)W

1942.

After 8 ... ~bd7 9.0-0-0

Black has tried in practice: 9... lt'lb6 - he only blocks his b7-pawn with this move. W.g4 id7 11.h4 h5, Kolev - Tjutiundjiu, Plovdiv 1982, 12.gxh5 It'lxh5 13.1!gl1!c814..ih6±; In answer to 9 ...1t'lc5, Zwanzger - Basting, Erlangen 1997, it is good for White to continue with the natural reaction 10.g4 .id7 1l.h4 h5 (Black is helpless against his opponent's attack after 11... BaS 12.h5 gfc8 13.hxg6 hxg6 14. th6 Ah8 15.~g5-+) 12.gxh5 It'lxh5 13.1!gl 1!c814.Wb1± White has excellent attacking prospects; 9 ... a6 10.g4 b5?! (Black's best here is W ...lt'le5 11.h4 - see Chapter 9, variation bl.) 11.lt'lc6 ~e8

12.g5 It'lh5 13.lt'ld5 It'le5, Kroeger - Bagayatkar, Brno 1998 and now White's most convincing line seems to be 14.lt'ldxe7+ wh8 15.~xd6+-;

9... lt'le5 10.g4 i.e6 (About to ... a6 11.h4 - see Chapter 9, variation bl; as for 10 ...i.d711.h4 - see Chapter 10, variation d2; 10 ... ~a5 - this is a typical loss of time for Black. 11.lt'lb3 ~c7 12.g5 ~h5 13.lt'ld5 ~d8, Psakhis - Porper, Tel Aviv 1991, after 14.i.e2 i.e615.f4± White dominates in the centre and he has excellent prospects on the kingside. Black's queenmaneuvers have led to a situation, in which he has no chances of organizing counterplay at all.) 11.g5 It'lh5 (It is much more passive for Black to choose 11 ... lt'le8, Heyn Schnatz, Germany 2004, since after 12.~xe6 fxe613.f4 ~c6 14..ih3 ~c7 15 ..ig4± his pieces will be squeezed to the protection of his weak pawns and he will be helpless against the march of White's h2-pawn.) 12.f4 ~c4 (It is also bad for Black to opt for 12 ... lt'lg413 ..ig1 .id7 14.h3+-) 13 ..ixc4 hc4 14.f5 ge8 (In answer to 14... ~a5 15.b3 gfc8, it looks risky for White to accept the piece-sacrifice 16.bxc4 !!xc4 17.lt'ld5 ~xa2 18.~d3 ge8 19.Wd2±, although objectively his king should manage to avoid the dangers. After the more prudent line: 16.wb2!? .ia6 17.~d5 ~d8 (It seemed obligatory for Black to enter the endgame, without any counterplay, though ... 17... ~xd2 255

Chapter 12 18Jhd2 wf8 19.c3~ , his bishops are passive and his knight on h5 is out of play.) 18.c3 b5 19Jkl ~d7 20J~~hf1 b4 21.c4± Black's b4-pawn falls and his knight on h5 is out of the actions for long, while White will easily neutralize Black's active bishop on g7 by preparing Ad4, Leskur - Miranovic, Sombor 2004.) 15.wbl gc8, DoImatov - Petursson, Marseille 1988, it is now reasonable for White to oust his opponent's light-squared bishop to the edge of the board with the line: 16.b3 Aa617.lOd5 e618.lOb4±; After 8 •••d5, there arises a pawn-structure, which is more typical for the French defence, in which the placement of the bishop on g7 is rarely advantageous for Black, due to the weak dark squares on his kingside. After the natural reply 9.e5

Black has tried in practice: 9... lOe8 - This move looks too passive. 1O.f4 f6 (It would be too slow for him to tIy 10... a6?!, Aguado - Hausman, Montevideo 1956, because after 1l.lOf3 lOc7 256

12.0-0-0 e6 13.h4± White con, solidates his centre and he obtains excellent attacking prosJ)ects. 10... e6 - Black practically his queenside with this move. 11. 0-0-0 f6 - it is not better for hUn to play 11 ... a5, Pommerel- GrifoU Miro, corr. 2001, 12.h4 f6 13.hs-. and White's attack should be victorious. - 12.exf6 and here it is very bad for Black to opt for the line 12 ...Axf6, Mednis - Ault, New York 1959, 13.h4 lOg7 14.g4 ~c6 15.lOb3 e5 16.fxeS heS 17.te2± and he loses his d5-pawn, as weD as 12 ... lOxf6 13.Ae2 lOc6 14.h4 e5 15.fxeS lOxe5 16.Ag5± and besides the problems with the d5-pawn, Black must worry about his kingside and the organization of COODterplay, Forget - Scott, Email 1997; it is hardly better for him to opt for 10...lOc6 11.0-0-0 ~c7, since at that moment it would be too slow for him to continue with 11.. .f612.Ab5lOxd4, Arruda - Cerqueira Filho, Brazil 1995, 13bd4 fxe5 14.he5 Axe5 15.fxe5 lOc7 16.Ae2 Ae6 17.h4± and Black has great problems with the protection of his dS-pawn and his kingside 12..le2 lOxd4 13.~xd4 e6 14.h4-+ White's pieces are much more active and this enables him to organize a powerful attack, Kochetkova - S.Petrenko, maanbaatar 2002.) 11.lOf3 fxeS (It is inferior for Black to tIy here 11...e612.0-0-0 ~c6, Martyniak - Fleischer, corr. 1961, because White follows with 13..lc5 gf7 14..lb5 fxe5 15.J.xc6

kilb

5•.!Oc3 g6 6.fLe3 fLg7 7..fJ 0-0 8. Wld2

))xc6 16..!Oxe5± and he occupies hopeless against White's oncomthe dark squares in the centre. ing kingside offensive. About 10... Black should better avoid 11....!Oc7 .!Oc6 11.0-0-0 .!Ob6 12.i.e2 - see 12.0-0-0 ie6 13.h4 M7 14.g4 10 ....!Ob6 11.0-0-0 .!Oc6 12.fLe2, it ,d71S.hS--+ Prokopp - Kreutzer, is worse for Black to follow with carr. 1965, while in answer to 11...e6, since White has saved a 12...e6, Prokopp - H.Meyer, corr. tempo for the move fLe2 and he 1966, White's simplest reaction organizes a dangerous attack would be 13.exf6 ~xf6 14.h4± and very quickly: 12.h4 .!Ob6 13.hS f6 be would have excellent attack- 14.bxg6 bxg6 IS ..!Oxc6 bxc6 16. ing chances.) 12 ..!OxeS .!Oc7 (It is .ld3--+ and Black's kingside is deworse for Black to continue with fenceless, Roobol - Afek, Haar12•..e613.0-0-0 .!Oc614.ic5 .!Oe7, lem 2001.) 11.0-0-0 1Lg4 (Black Pedersen - Kreuzholz, Germany would not fare any better after 11... 2006, lS.h4±; it is almost a disas- .!Oc6 12..ie2, for example he loses ter for him to follow with 12....!Oc6 in case of 12....!Oc4? 13..!Oxc6+-; it 13.~xdS+ lfxdS 14..!OxdS .!Oxe5 IS. is equally bad for him to opt for £xeS e6, Zemlyansky - Utnasunov, 12 ...J.d7 13..!Ob3 J.e6 14.'!oc5±; afElista 2006 and here White cre- ter 12 ..•.!Oxd4 13.ixd4 .!Oc4 14.Wle1 ates enormous problems for his J.e6 lS.g4 lfc8 16.Wlg3± Black has opponent after 16..!Oe7+, for exam- no counter play at all, Apicella ple: 16... <M717.ic5 b618.ia3+-, Guidez, France 1991; or 12 ...e6 or 16... wh8 17.0-0-0± and Black 13.h4 .!Oa5 14.b3 Wle7 lS.hS± and loses after 17...Axe5?, because of he can hardly exploit the weak18.gd8+-) 13.0-0-0 .!Oc6, Ribei- nesses on White's queenside, bero - Umberger, Email 2000, cause his pieces are misplaced, White's position will be clearly su- Sanchez Bernardino - Barks, perior after 14..!Of3 .ie61S.h4lfd6 Email 1998; or 13.. .f6 14..!Oxc6 16.h5 d4! 17..!Oxd4 '!oxd418.Axd4 bxc6 lS.hS .i.d7 and after IS... ixd4 19.Wlxd4 lfxf4+ 20.Wlxf4 fxeS 16.fxeS AxeS 17.bxg6 bxg6 ftxf4 21.bxg6 bxg6 22.ie2;!; and 18.gb6--+ White's attack is decihis pieces will be much more ac- sive - 16.bxg6 bxg6 17.J.d3 J.e8 tive in the endgame, while Black's 18.g4! wfl19.f5 d4 20.fxg6+ 1-0 e7-pawn can hardly be defined as Hanley - Afek, Bethune 200S.) a passed pawn; 12J3el .!Oc6 (The move 12....id7 9 ....!Ofd7 10.f4 .!Ob6 (It is bad is a loss of time, B.Bachmann for Black to opt for 10...e6 11.h4 J.Markowski, Email 2000, 13.h4 ~c6 12.hS .!Oxd4 13.J.xd4 f6 14. 1Lg4 14.h5! - White's most enerbxg6 bxg6, Boleslavsky - Plat- getic move after 14...gxbS, as well er, Warsaw 1947, because after as following 14...ixhS is lS..!Of5± 15.exf6 .!Oxf6 16.0-0-0± he looks he obtains the two-bishop ad2S7

Chapter 12 vantage and this enhances his attack. After lS.b3lOc6 16.~b21Yd7 17..ie2 gfcS lSJ:!h4± the opening of the h-file is unavoidable.) 13.h3 .id714.h4 gcS (It is not preferable for Black to play 14...e6 lS.hS f6 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.1Of3 fxeS lS.fxeS gfS 19..*.h61YfS 20 ..id3± Nyysti Rantanen, Espoo 2001. His most tenacious defence seems to be 14....ig41S.b3!? 1Yd716.~b2 gfcS 17..ie2±, but even then Black has no active counterplay and White can calmly prepare his kingside onslaught.) lS.hS e6 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.g4~ Yemelin - Nyback, Tallinn 2001;

s ...•aS - Black loses time with this move. 9.lllb3 Y!!c7 (It is even worse for him to play 9 ... Y!!h5 10.g4 lOxg4 11.fxg4 Y!!xg4 12..ie2+-, since White ends up with an extra piece and much superior development, WurschnerChemer, Email 2000.) 10.0-0-0 lOc6 11.g4 1Oe5, Bures - Karkuth, Email 2002 and here White has good attacking chances after 12.gS lOhS 13.lOdS Y!!dS 14..ie21 9.J.c4 (diagram) Black's most popular replies 9 ... lOd7, 9 ...lOxd4 and 9....id7 will be analyzed later. Here we will deal in details with a) 9 ••••c7, b) 9 ••• 'Ce5 and c) 9 ••• 'CaS. 9 •••BeS 10..ib3 lOeS (10 ...a6

11.0-0-0 .id7 12.g4 - see Chap2SS

ter IS; 10....id7 - see Chapter 15) 11.0-0-0 - see 9 ...1Oe5 10.1ba geS 11.0-0-0. 9 ••• a5 10..ib3 - see Part 1: 7..ic4 0-0 S..ib3 d6 9.£3 as 10.Y!!d2. Black has also tried in practice: 9 •••h5?! Mate - P.Horvath, Hungary 1999, this move creates deliberately a target for White's attack, 10 ..ib3 c,t>h7?! (10 ...J.d7 11.0-0-0 - see Chapter IS; 10.•. a6 11.0-0-0 .id7 12.h3 - see Chapter IS) 11.h3.id712.g41; 9 •••d5? - Black loses his central pawn after this move.lO.lllxd5 lOxdS 11.exdSlOxd412.,ixd4 ,ixd4 13.Y!!xd4 e6 (It is more tenacious for him to defend with 13... eS 14.Y!!f2 bS IS..ib3 as 16.a3 a4 17..ia2 Y!!d6 IS.c3±) 14.0-0-0 exdS IS ..ixdS .if5 16.g4+- Joentausta - Seppala, Lahti 2001; 9 •••e5?! - This move weakens the d6-pawn and it closes the vital al-hS diagonal. 10.lllxc6 bxc6

5. lOc3 g6 6.J.e3 J.g7 7.fJ 0-0 8. YHd2 lOc6 9.J.c4

11.0-0-0 lOe8 (It would be even

worse for Black to play 11...lOh5, Sebnegg - Worm, Mureck 2006, 12."lxd6 YHe8 13.J.b3+-) 12.h4 a5 (White's attack is dangerous too after 12....te6, Kosina - Subrt, SYetIa nad Sazavou 1999, 13..tb3 14.h5-+) 13.h5 mh8? 14.hxg6 fIg6 15J:lxh7+- Fulthorpe J)Onachie, corr.1970;

waS

9 ...•aS This move is of no separate importance, because the pIlle usually transposes to other variations - 10..tb3 ~xd4 (About 10...,ld7 - see 9 ...Ad7 10.,lb3 'laS; it is to risky for Black to try 10... ~d711.h4!? ~c5, Raspopov V.A1exandrov, Berezovskoe 2008, 12.h5 ~xb313.~xb3,lxc3 14.bxc3 ireS, in view of 15.'iW2! and White has excellent attacking prospects along the h-file, for example: 15•...te6 16J:lh4 d5 17.1W11t, or 15...f5 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.exf5 txf5 18J~ae1t) 11.,lxd4 b5 (11... .Ae6 12.0-0-0 - see 9 ... ~xd4; 1l.. ..ld7 12.0-0-0 - see 9 .. ..ld7) 12.0-0-0.le6 (l2 ....ld7 - see 9 ... .ld7; Black loses a pawn after 12... b4?! 13..txf6 .lxf6 14.~d5 .le6 15.YHxb4±, or 13...bxc3 14.Axc3 Axc3 15.YHxc3 YHxc3 16.bxc3±) 13.c;t>bl- see 9 ...~xd4;

%Vc7; 10... ~xd4 11.,lxd4 - see 9 ... ~xd4) 11.0-0-0 J.d7 (11 ... ~xd4 12.,lxd4 - see 9 ... ~xd4; 11.. .i!d8?! 12.c;t>bl± Mazzoni - O'Hare, Tel Aviv 1964) 12.~b1, White enters favourable positions for him and we will analyze them in the next chapters: 12 ...r!fc8 (l2 ... r!ac8 13.h4 - see 9 ....id7 10 ..ib3 r!c8 11.0-0-0 a6 12.h4 %VaS 13. c;t>bl) 13.h4 lOe5 (l3 ...h5 - see 9 .. ..id7 10..ib3 %Va5 11.0-0-0 r!fc8 12.h4 h513.c;t>b1 a6; White is better after 13 ...b5 14.g4-+ Todoran - Anton, Cetate 1999) 14.h5 - see 9 ....id7 10..ib3 %Va5 11.0-0-0 r!fc8 12.h4 ~e513.~b1 a614.h5;

9 ••• e6 - Black is trying to challenge White's supremacy in the centre with this move, but he only creates additional weaknesses. 10.0-0-0 d5 (After 10 ...YHc7?, I.Sanchez - Santana, Corte Ingles 1998, 11.~db5 %VaS 12.~xd6 r!d8 13.~cb5+-, 10 ...,td7? 11.lOxc6 ,lxc6 12.%Vxd6, Hvattum - Herigstad, Norway 1999, or 10... r!e8 11.~xc6 bxc6 12.%Vxd6 .ib7 13.%Vxd8+- Schendel - Geest, Germany 1987, Black loses his d6-pawn. It will not be better for him to try 10... ~xd4 11..ixd4 e5, Matthias - R.Karlsson, Email 1998, White plays 12..ie3 YHc7 9 ••• a6 This move leads to 13.Ab3 r!d8 14.g4 YHa5 15.h4± transpositions in the majority of and he creates dangerous threats cases. After 10.Ab3 YHaS (l0 ...h5 - on the kingside, while Black's see 9 ...h5; 10... ~e5 - see 9 ... ~e5; dark-squared bishop is out of ac10....ld7 - see 9 •...ld7; 10... ~aS tion.) 11.exd5 exd5 (After 11...~a5 - see 9 ... ~aS; 10...YHc7 - see 9 ... 12.Ab3, it is not good for Black 259

Chapter 12 to play 12 ... e5 13.lLlde2 lLlxb3+ 14.cxb3 ~aS 15.wb1 J.f5+ 16.Wa1 l3ac8 17.g4 .1d7, Zupancic - Zagar, Otocec 2006, 18.lLlg3± and White has an extra pawn in the centre in addition to his standard kingside threats, but even after 12... lLlxd5 13.lLlxd5 exd5, van der Meiden - Schermer, Haarlem 1991, he can continue with 14.h4 h5 15..i.g5 lLlxb3+ 16.axb3 Yfd6 17.l3he1 .1e6 18.J.f4 ~6 19..le5± and White obtains an obvious advantage thanks to his control over the dark squares in the centre and the passivity of Black's light-squared bishop.} 12.J.b3 lLla5 (12 ...ie6 13.g4 lLle7 14..ih6± Moor - Sivaji, Bern 1996) 13..tLh6 lLlxb3+ 14.fub3 J.e6 15.h4 ~d6 16.g4 l3fd8 17.J.xg7 Wxg7 18.h5-+ Tavares da Silva - Maia Filho, Recife 1963;

9 •.•..,6?! - Black's queen is unstable on this square. 10. 0-0-0 lLle5 (He only loses additional time after 10 ... Yfb4 11..ib3 and here in case of 11...id7, Naole - Stinson, Philadelphia 1998, 12. a3 Yfa5 13.g4 l3fc8 14.wb1t, as well as following 11...l3e8, Torwong - Ventimiglia, Email 1999, 12.a3 ~aS13.h4t White has a long lasting initiative. The alternatives are not any better for Black: 11... lLlxd4 12.hd4 .ie6 13..ixe6 fxe6 14.e5 lLle8 15.~e3 dxe5 16..lxe5± his dark squares are weak and he has no counterplay in sight, Thoma - van Esbroeck, corr. 2001; 260

11...lLla5 12.a3 Yfb6? 13.t()f51 lLlxb3+ 14.cxb3 ~xb3 15.~ Wxg7 16..i.h6+ wg8 17..ixf8+_ Pelay - Gallo, Zaragoza 1998. Black does not lose immediat~ after 12 ... lLlxb3+ 13.lLlxb3 ~c4 14. g4 ie6 15.h4 h5 16.gxh5 lLlxh5 17. .id4t, but White's threats are very dangerous.) 11..ib3 ~c7 (The other retreats are not preferable: 11... ~aS 12 ..tLh6 ixh6 13.~xh6 lLlc6, Mors - Strick, corr. 1998, White can continue here with 14.lLldS lLlxd5 15.exdS lLle5 16.h4± and he exchanges the last defender of Black's kingside, which increases his chances of crowning his attack successfully. 11...~a6 12.lLlcb5!? lLle8 13..i.g5 lLlc6 14.h4 h5 15.g4-+ Garini - Buttenschon, Denmark 2000.) 12 ..tLh6lLlc4 13..ixc4 Bxc4 14.h4-+ Black has obtained a bishop-pair indeed, but he has lost too much time for that and White's attack develops very fast, Heymann - Regert, Lingen 1995.

a) 9 ••••c7 Black's queen impedes the activity of his own rooks and it comes under attack with tempo after White plays moves like lLldS, lLlb5. 10.J.b3 (diagram) 10 •••a6 Most of Black's alternatives here lead to transpositions to other chapters: 10... lLlaS 11.0-0-0 lLlxb3 (11••• lLlc4 12..ixc4 - see 10...~e5)

S.ttJc3 g6 6.j,e3 j,g7 7:fJ 0-0 8. YHd2 ttJc6 9.j,c4

Chapter 15, variation c2; 11... ttJxd4 12.hd4 - see Chapter 13. 1l...b5? - After this move Black's queen comes to an even less favourable square and he loses. 12.ttJxc6 ti'xc6 13.ttJdS. The is no salvation for Black in sight: 13 ... ttJxdS 14.hd5 YHc7 15.bB+- De Jonge - Talmon, Nijmegen 1992; 13.. :~d7 14.ttJb6 ti'b7 15.ttJxaB YHxaB 16.j,h6+12.cxb3 J.d7 13. '.t>b1 - see Chapter Raabe - Meurer, Cologne 1999; 13... '.t>hB 14.ttJxf6 e6 15.J.h6+15; 12... a6 - see 9 ... ttJa5; 10...J.d711.0-0-0 - see Chap- R.Fischer - Stephans, USA 1957; ter 15; 10...tiJxd4 11.hd4 - see 13 ... geB 14.ttJxf6+ .hf6 15.j,dS+Jongsma - Mertens, LuxemChapter 13; 10...tiJe5 11.0-0-0 ttJc4 (11 ... bourg 199B; 13...ti'b7 14.ttJxf6+ .ld7 12..tg5 - see Chapter 15, .lxf6 15.J.d5 ti'bB 16.bB ti'xaB variation b) 12..txc4 ti'xc413ih6 17..ig5+- Milovanovic - Laketic, .ld7, Mallee - Ostermeyer, Man- Yugoslavia 1994 and White wins nheim 1975, White plays here plenty of material in all the vari14.j,xg7 c,!;>xg7 15.g4 b5 16.g5 ttJh5 ations. 17.'.t>b1lUcB1B.ttJdS± and he ends 11... gdB - Black's rook is not up with a great advantage in the better placed here than on the centre and attacking chances fS-square. 12.g4 e6 (He loses imagainst Black's compromised mediately after 12... ttJe5, Denisokingside; va - Barysheva, Dagomys 2004, 10.. J:1dB - Black's rook can- 13.g5 ttJh5 14.ttJdS+- and the only not do anything active on this good square for Black's queen has square. 11.0-0-0 ttJa5 (11 ... a6 been occupied by his rook. In an12.g4 - see 10 ...a6 11.0-0-0 gdB swer to 12 ...e5, Rodriguez Garcia 12.g4) 12ih6 ttJxb3+ 13.axb3 YHaS - Berge Fontane, Balaguer 2003, 14.'.t>b1 d5? (It is hardly any bet- White's simplest line is 13.ttJde2 ter for Black to try instead 14... j,e6 14.g5 ttJh5, or 14...tiJd7 15. td715.g4 e5 16.ttJf5 J.xf5 17.hg7 W1xd6± and he ends up with an Wxg7 1B.exf5~) 15.ttJxd5 ti'xd2 extra pawn, 15.tiJdS hd5 16.ixd5 16.ttJxe7+ <M8 17.hg7+ ~xg7 lB. l::!acB17.'.t>bl±. The simplifications !ixd2+- AHorvath - De la Fuente would not help Black either: 12... Gonzalez, San Agustin 199B. ttJxd4 13.hd4 J.e6 14.h4 hb3 11.0-0-0 ~e5 15.axb3 e5 16.j,e3± BakbmaAbout 11...j,d7 12.g4 - see tov - Lebermann, Bad Homburg 261

Chapter 12 200S.JI3.h4 h5 (His position is very passive after 13... ~a5 14.hS tt)xb3+ 15.axb3 e5 16.tt)de2 ie6 17.J.h6± Paleologu - Mueller, Lugano 2004.) 14.tt)xc6 bxc6 15..tg5 bxg4 16.h5 gxh5, Blanco Fernandez - Andres Gonzalez, Asturias 1995 (Black cannot save the game with 16...tt)xhS 17.fxg4 tt)f6 18.m2 tt)xg4 19.Vh7+ c,Ws 20J!df1 dS 2U~h4 e5 22.ti'xg6+and he loses a lot of material.) 17.fxg4 bxg4 18..th6 tt)e8 19.J.xg7 fug7 20.ti'h6+- White wins his opponent's knight on g7 and his attack continues. 12.g4

bxg6 fxg6 20.Vh2 M7 21.!h6-.. It is not advisable for Blick tQ try 12...e6 13.b4 h5 14.gxb5 ~ 15..lh6 b5 1~.J.xg7 rtJxg7 17.Bbat b4, Tsereteli - Matnadze, Tbi.. lisi 2006, because White Illa)'8 18.~a4 ~f6 19.h5! ~xbS 20.f4-. and be obtains excellent chances of finishing the game off with • crushing attack. 13.Axc4 exc4 14.wbl bS It is hardly better for Black to opt for 14....te6 15.b4 b5 16.h3 ti'c7, J.Nowak - Geruse1, SoJin.. gen 1968, since after 17.h5 lace 18.~xe6 fxe619.tt)e2 ~d7 20.hq6 bxg6 21..th6± be will have great problems defending his kingside. Or 14...J.d7 15.g5 ~S 16.ed5 gae8, Vu DinbHung- TranTbaDh Tam, Vietnam 2002, White COD-t tinues with 17.~b6 Bc7 18.Bb4 .th3 19.ftbgl Bc5 20.Wi>3± and he deprives his opponent completely of any chances of ob~ning counterplay.

12•••~c4 Or 12...b5 13.h4 b4 (In case of 13...tt)c414..hc4 .xc41S.mbl b4 16.tt)ce2 as 17.h5 .ta6, Bombin Pinera - Castelao Rodriguez, Spain 2000, White's attack is practically decisive following 18 ..th6-+) 14.1t:Jd5 ~xdS 15..txdS tOc416.hc4 Bxc4, Clavijo - Fern15..th6 b4, van der Mije andez, Cucuta 1963 and here White's threats look very danger- - E.Bilek, Belgrade 1968, here ous after 17.b3 ti'c7 18.h5 as 19. White's most precise reactioD 262

S'ciJc3 96 6.iLe3 1i..977j3 0-0 8. V1d2 t2.;c6 9.~c4

is 16.ixg7 'iflxg7 (Or 16... bxc3 17.eh6 i!eB IB.b3 ~c5 19.1iJe2 as 20.g5 liJh5 21 ..id4 YNc6 22.liJf4± and after the forced line: 22 ... eS Z3.~d5 'iflhB 24.ixc3 Black loses ,pawn.) 17.ctJd5 ctJxd5 IS.exd5 jJJ7 19."I'g5 'iflhS 20."I'xe7 isdS 21.b3 "l'c5 22."fff6+ mgS 23.b4+- Black has no active counterplay at all and his d6pawn and the entire kingside are very weak. b) 9 ••• ctJe5 IO ..ib3

IO ••• a6?! Black continues to waste tempi. About the better line for him 10....id7 11.0-0-0 - see Chapter 15. His alternatives are: 10...~a5 11.0-0-0 .id7 12.h4 - see Chapter 17; 10...h5 11.h3 YNa5 12.0-0-0 Ad7 13.'if:?b1 ~fcB 14.g4 - see Chapter 15, 1O...h5; 10 ... aS - This move weakens the bS-square. 11.a4liJc6 (11 ....id7 12.g4 - see Chapter 15, variation d) 12.0-0-0 liJb413.h4 dS, Vogt-

Wachweger, Hessen 1990, White can capture this pawn 14.exd5± and here it would be a disaster for Black to play 14 ... lLjfxd5? 15.ttJxd5 liJxd5 16.liJb5 e6 17.c4+-, but otherwise White ends up with a solid extra pawn; 1O ... b6·~! - This move does not belong to the Dragon variation. 11.0-0-0 .ia6 (Or 11...ib7 12.g4 and here Black is in trouble after 12 ...:EkB 13.i.h6 .~h6 14.~xh6 YNc7 15.h4--. Benlloch Guirau Santos Rodriguez, Spain 199B, as well as following 12 ... ~N,'c8 13.h4 liJc4 14.hc4 ~xc4 15 ..lli.h6 and White has a very dangerous attack in the variation 15 ...1i..'bl id7 13..ib3 'fIc7 14..ixf6+10 ••• e5 - This move solves the Korneev - Flores Escuin, Zarago- problem for Black with his lack of za 2004; 11...'fIc712.Ab3± Dahm- space in a way, but he pays a too

"as

270

7:fJ 0-0 8. YHd2 lDc6 9..ic4 lDxd41O.hd4 .ie611 ..tb3

.tear price for this. The bishop on j7 is now restricted by the pawn on e5 and the d5-outpost has be-

coroe hopelessly weak. 11..ie3 a6 ('I'be line:11 ...YHc7 12.ib3 a6 13. 0-0-0, leads to transposition and the other possibilities for Black are weaker: 11...b6 12.0-0-0 YHc7 13.ib3 gd8 14.h4 h5 15..ig5+GtJaimare - Leader, Email 1997; 1l.. .,te6 12ixe6 fxe6 13.0-0-0± Schippers - Huzen, Hengelo 2005; 1l... Yfe712.0-0-0 gd8 13. h4 ie6 14.ib3 ixb3 IS.axb3 a6 16.igS± Tolnai - Henssler, Budapest 1993.) 12.0-0-0 Yfc7 (Or 12...b5 13.ib3 lDe8 14.J.dS gbB 15.ia7+- Akatova - Suleimanova, St petersburg 1999.) 13.ib3 Id8 14.g4 (It is also good for White to play 14.lDa4± Lopez Perez - Arense, corr. 1987.) 14...J.e6 (14...bS, Medland - M.Caruana, Thessaloniki 1984, lS.gS+-) lS.h4 bS (lS...hS 16..igS+- Gallob - Holzinger, Latschach 2001) 16..igS± - Black has great problems to cope with his opponent's positional bind, Gonzalez Diaz Bello Filgueira, Burgas 2001. The moves 10...YHc7 and 10 ... a6 are played more frequently, but they do not correspond fully to the spirit of the system, which We analyze in this chapter. 10 •••ftc' (This is not the best square for Black's queen, because he must be permanently on the alert for White's threats ix:f6 and itJdS.) 11..tb3

About 11....td712.0-0-0 - see 9 ....td71O ..ib3lDxd4. the line 11 ...YfaSI2.0-0-0 .ie6 13. ~b1 leads to positions analogous to the main line, with an extra tempo for White. It is unacceptable for Black to opt for 11... lDe8, Cutillas Ripoll - Ryan, corr. 1997, 12.h4 ixd4 13.Yfxd4lDf6 14. h5 lDxh5 IS.lDdS Yfa5+ 16.c3+In case of 11... a6, the immediate reaction 12.ix:f6 exf6 does not achieve much for White, therefore he should better follow with 12.0-0-0, preserving the threat of capturing on f6 for a more opportune moment. Now after 12 ... eS 13..ie3 gd8, the game transposes to positions we have already analyzed - see 10 ...eS. It is bad for Black to try 12 ...bS 13.ix:f6 exf6 14.Yfxd6 Yfxd6 15.);xd6 fS 16.exfS .ixf5 17.lDdS ga7 18.gel±, or 14... Yfa7, Moyses - C.Cardoso, Brasilia 2002, 15.lDd5+-. Therefore, he is practically forced to continue with 12 ....ie6 13.g4, but he can hardly create counterplay: 13... gfc8 14.h4 bS, Granda Zuniga Leon, Las Palmas 1997, lS.lt>bl b4 16.lDa4±; 13 ...bSI4.h4 gac81S.hS 271

Chapter 13 ixb3 16.axb3 b4, Ducros Salva - Canyelles Frau, Palma de Mallorca 2000, 17.lOdSlOxdS 1B ..Axg7 Wxg719.exdS ~gB 20J'th2+-; 13... J.xb3 14.axb3 bS 1S.h4 gtbB 16.hS as 17.hxg6 fxg6 1B.J.xf6 exf6, Haag - Engerer, Mehlingen 1992, 19.YfdS+ Y!!f7 20.lOxbS+-, or 1S... gfcB16.~b1 as 17.gSlOhS1B.lOxbS Y!!b7 19.1Oc3+- Rudenskij - Burdio Gracia, Bad Berleburg 1975. 11...J.e6 12.0-0-0 lLxb3 (The move 12... a6 leads to positions, which we have dealt with in our previous notes - see 11...a6 12. 0-0-0 J.e6, while 12 ... gfdB is too slow -13.wb1 J.c414.h4 e61S.hS b5 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.lOxbS+- Formanek - Spiller, Seattle 1966.) 13.cxb3 e6 (Black establishes control over the dS-outpost in an attempt to change the rather unfavourable development of the game for him so far. There is not much else he can do in this position, though ... 13... gfeB 14.~b1 Y!!d7 1S.g4 b6 16.h4 ~cB 17.hS± Soderborg - Horberg, Stockholm 1963; 13... gfdB 14.~b1 e6 1S.h4 eS 16.J.e3 dS 17.exdS Y!!d7 1B.g4+- Goldmuntz - Gorski, Email 1996.) 14.~b1 Yfe7 1S.Y!!f2 b616.gd3 gadB17.ghd1 gd71B.g4 ~UdB 19.h4 dS 20.e5 lOeB 21.f4± Motylev - B.Savchenko, KhantyMansiysk 2007 - Black is faced with a long and difficult defence. 10 ••• a6 (This pawn-advance is standard for the Sicilian Defence, but it is too slow in this situa272

tion.) 11.J.b3 b5 (The alternatives for Black do not have a separate importance: 11 •••Y!!a5 12.0-0-0 .te6 - see 10...J.e611..tb3 Y!!a512. 0-0-0 a6; 11....td7 - see 9 .. .J.d7 1O.J.b3 lOxd4 11.J.d4 a6 (Chapter 16); 11 ....te6 12.0-0-0 bS - see 10...J.e6 11.J.b3 a6 12.0-0-0 b5.) 12.h4 (White wins an additiOnal tempo for his attack by postponing castling for a while.)

He loses quickly after 12 ...e6 13.0-0-0 J.b7 14.hS dS lS.bxg6 fxg6 16.exdS exdS, van Riemsdijk - Castillo, Cali 2001, 17.~xd5 J.xdS1B.J.xf6 Y!!xf619.J.xdS+ ~b8 20.!Wt7+. In case of 12 •.•Y!!a5, EickhoffReinl, Baunata12000, 13.h5lOxb5, White follows with the standard winning operation: 14.J.xg7 ~xg7 1S.g41Of616.Y!!b6+ WgB17.g5 ~b5 1B.!WtS gxhS19.g6+It is too slow for Black to opt for 12 ... geB 13.hS± K.Szabo Fariz, Budapest 2000, or 12.. .Ad7 13.bS± Tancsa - Bekesi, Hajduboszormeny 1995. Finally, the attempt for Blac:k to block the centre with e7-e5 IS not effective for him at all: 12..·

7J3 0-0 8. Y!Id2 ~c6 9.1l.c4 ~xd41O .1l.xd4 1l.e611.1l.b3

eS 13.1e3 J.b714.0-0-0± Suriani b4, Denis - Merly, Saint Quen-

_ van Gimst, Email 2003; 12... tin 2000 (1S ...gxhS 16..txf6 exf6 j,e613.hS ixb3 14.axb3 eS lS.1e3 17.gmS+-) and Black gets check~S, Zaporojan - Guillamat, mated - 16.h6 bxc3 17.ixc3 ah8 Val Thorens 1994, 16.ih6 ~f4 18.h7+ ~xh719.Vh6+17.ixg7 Q;xg718.g3 ~hS19.~dS± 11.J.b3 or 12 ...1b7 13.hS e5 14.J.e3 ~xhS 15.0-0-0 gc8, Wade - Burstein, Munich 1954, 16.J.dS Y!Ic717.ixb7 exb718.~dS± and Black is helpless against White's attack along the h-file. 12 ...hS. Black is trying to contain the development of White's kingside initiative. His other possibilities do not promise him any good prospects. 13.0-0-0 1b7 (This seems to be the most useful move for Black in this situa11••••aS tion. White's task is much easier The exchange on d4, followed after Black's alternatives: 13... by the development of the bished7, liepold - Kilian, Puschen- op to e6, is connected with this dorf 1996, 14.g4 eS lS..ie3 hxg4 queen-sortie as a rule. The idea is 16.hS gxhS 17.ih6+-, or 16... to deploy the queen to a maximalM5 17.fxg4 ~f4 IB.Vh2 geB ly active position and to prepare 19.~d5+-; 13...1d7 14.g4 e5 b7-bS. 15..ie3 hxg4 16.hS gxhS 17.1h6 Tournament practice has te6 18.ti'gS ~e8 19.ti'xhS+-, or shown that Black has no sensi16... ~xhS 17.fxg4 ~f4 1B.Vh2 ble alternative to the move in the le8 19.~d6+- J.Zimmermann text: - Sonnenberger, Germany 200S; 11••• tld7 12.0-0-0 \!:!laS - see 13...Y!Ic7, Davydov - Kutyma, 1l... Y!IaSI2.0-0-0 ~d7; Germany 1995, 14..txf6 gxf61S.g4 bxg416.hS gxhSI7.ti'd5+-) 14.g4 11•••1Yc8 12.0-0-0 bS, Mebxg4 (Black has also tested in deiros - Sormani, corr. 1990, practice 14...gcB, M.Sokolowski 13.~xbS gb8 14.\!:!laS a6 IS.~c3±; - K.Sokolowski, Warsaw 1994, 15..txf6 .txf6 16.gxhS+-; in case 11••• tle8, Rantchen - Gerof 14... eS, White should continue manov, corr. 1973, 12.0-0-0± in the standard fashion - IS.J.e3 - After the trade of the darkbxg4 16.h5 gxh5 17.1h6+- ) IS.hS squared bishops and the advance 273

Chapter 13 of White's g and h-pawns, the development of the game is likely to be similar to variation a, which we will analyze later; 11••• a5 (This pawn-advance is much more effective with a black bishop on d7, while here White has the possibility J.b3xe6.) 12.h4 hS, Stets - Terentiev, Decin 1995 (12 ...~d7 - see l1 ...~d7), 13.J.xe6 fxe6 14.0-0-0 a4 IS.a3 16.~el (White is preparing to cement his queenside and after this he can open files on the kingside.) 16 ... tL)d7 17.J.xg7 ebxg7 ISJ3d4 tL)b619J:(b4±;

"'as

hxg6 fxg6 16.0-0-0 gf7 17.c,tbl± Aliavdin - Nozdrachev, Orsha 200S; 11... Ie8 12.0-0-0 J.xb3 13. axb3 (It is in principle more typical for White to capture here with his c-pawn, but in this particular case Black reaches quickly his optimal set-up after 13.cxb3 dS! 14.e5 tL)d7 ISJ;1hel e616.ebbl a617.~e2~, Shetty - Pigusov, Dubai 2002, his king is quite safe, while White's doubled queenside pawns spell trouble for him.) 13...gc6 (After 13...~aS 14.ebbl, Black must consider the possibility tL)c3-dS, for example: 14... gc6 IS.~dS "'d8, Magem Badals - Prie, France 1999, 16.h4 tL)xdS 17.exdS 1a6 IS.J.xg7 c.txg7 19.hS YeaS 20.c3 ~a2+ 21.ebc2 gb6 22.~d4+ cbg8 23.~c4±, or 14... gfdS, Firat - Grafil, Singapore 2007, ISJThel Bc6 16.tL)dS Yexd2 17.Bxd2±) 14.cbbl e6 (14 ...YeaS1S.~dS - see 13...fiaS 14.ebbl Bc61S.tL)dS.) IS.g4 YeaS (It is too passive for Black to play 15... ~e7, Bartel - Bocharov, Warsaw 200S, 16.h4 hS17.gS ~eSlS.f4±) 16.~a2 ~xd2 17.Bxd2 (White is clearly better, because of his more active pieces and Black's weak d6-pawn.) 17... BaS IS.Bhdl ~e8, Nijboer - Eingom, Metz 2001, 19.h4t;

11••• ed' 12.h4 as (It is tremendously dangerous for Black to let his opponent's bishop on b3 remain on the board - 12 ...b5 13.hS b4 14.tL)dS J.xdS IS.J.xdS gabS 16.hxg6 hxg617..ixf6 exf61S.gh6, Liberzon - Bichsel, Kobanya 19S5 - he is completely helpless and you can see this for example in the variation: IS ....txh6 19.~xh6 gfcS 20.0-0-0 ~c7 21.J.b3+-) 13..h4! ~c7 14.hS gadS (Black is switching into passive defence. Meanwhile, the principled move 14... tL)xhS is not preferable at all: IS.J.xg7 ebxg7 16.g4 tL)f6 17."'h6+ ebgS IS.0-0-0 19.9dS ~c4 20.gf5.ixf521.tL)dSgfcS22.tL)xe7+ ebhS 23.tL)xf5+-, or the somewhat more resilient defence - IS ...gfcS In case of the immediate 19.9S tL)hS 20.gxhS gxhS 21.~xhS 11....ixb3, White should prefer 22.ghl ~e5 23.~xh7+ ebf8 12.axb3 a6 13.0-0-0 (Now, the a6-square has been occupied by 24.~h4, followed by f3-f4±) IS.

"'c5

"'c5 274

7/3 0-0 8. 'ifd2

~c6

9. .ic4 ~xd4 10 ..lxd4 .ie611. .ib3

a pawn and White should not be afraid of the attacking battery 'tJaS + ga6.) and Black has great problems after 13 ...bS 14.h4 'ifaS IS. g;,bl b4, Iwanow - Visanescu, Sibenik 2007, 16..hf6 .hf6 18.~dS±, as well as following 13... gc8 14.g4 ~d7 lS.hg7 xg7 16.h4 h617.f4± Holmsten - Hautala, Finland 1990; 11 •••a6 (We have already qual- change the pawn-structure with ified this move as too slow.) 12. the advance - b) 12 •••bS. 0-0-0 bS (The alternatives for He has tried in practice some Black are: 12...'ifaS 13.~bl - see other moves as well: 11•..%YaS12.0-0-0 a613.bl; 12 ... 12••• lCd713. ~bl.lxd414. 'ifxd4 hb3 13.axb3 - see 11....ixb3 12. gfc8, Reineking - J.Muller, eorr. axb3 a6 13.0-0-0; 12 ...gc8, Zhu- 1975,lS.h4!; kov - Melnichuk, Kiev 2004, 13. 12.•• a6 13. ~bl .ixb3 (The mbl bS14.h4 b41S.~dS .lxdS16. hdS ~xdS 17..ixg7 ~7 18. move 13 .. JUb8 looks a bit artifiexdS±; 12 ...aS, Lamb - Schleifer, cial- 14.g4 ixb3 lS.cxb3 bS16.h4 Toronto 1992, 13.h4 a4 14..lxe6 b4, Fuchs - Flatau, Detmold 19S8, fxe6 lS.a3;!; - analogously to vari- 17..hf6 .hf6 18.~dS+-; 13 ... gfe8 ation 11... aS.) 13.~bl %Yb8 (In case 14.h4 bS, Tal - Portisch, Oberof 13...b4 14.~dS .lxdS lS..lxdS hausen 1961, IS.hS and White has ~xdS 16.exdS± White's kingside a strong attack, for example: lS ... prospects look really bright.) 14. ~xhS 16.ix:g7 ~xg717.'ifh6+-, or h4 as lS.h5 .lxb3 16.cxb3 b4, Klein IS ...b416.~dS hdS17.exdS tLlxhS - Herrera, Buenos Aires 1963, 17. 18..lxg7 ~xg7 19.'ifh6 tLlhS 20.g4 .txf6 and Black is in trouble: 17... ~f6 21.gS tLlhS 22.gxbS gxhS 23 . .txf6 18.~dS+-, or 17...exf6 18. e4! bxc3 24 ..ic2 and he check~dS ga719.h6.ih8 20.ti'd4+mates unavoidably.) 14.cxb3 (It is also good for White to play 14. 12.0-0-0 axb3± Gibis - Palmi, Bayem 1997.) (diagram) 14... gfc8 (14... gfd8 IS.g4 e6 16. Black has two basic plans in 'iff2 YMb4 17.h4 ~e8 18.gS± Uppthis position: piece-play and in mann - Szeicht, eorr. 1969) 15.g4 P8rticular the immediate dou- (The fight develops here similarly bling of his rooks along the c-file to the main line of variation a, .. a) 12•••lH'e8, or the attempt to which we analyze later.) 15... gc6

275

Chapter 13 16.h4 hS (As usual, it is bad for Black to opt for 16...eS?! 17..ie3 hS 18.'Wg2 13ac8, Bachmann - Degenhardt, Ingolstadt 1964, 19. .igS±) 17.gS tOe8 18..ixg7 tOxg7 19.f4 e6 20.13h3 c.t>f8 21.13d3± Ellrich - Lohsse, Helmbrechts 1963;

White's bishop to follow this With d6-dS.) 16.'Wf2 bS (In case of 16... b617.YlYe2, Black has lost his COntrol over the a6-square and he Will have problems with the safety of his queen: 17...e6 18.a3± Fichtl - Prucha, Prague 19S4, or 17... eS 18 ..if2 dS 19.a3!±) 17.gS tOhs 18 ..ixg7 tOxg7 19.tOdS lOhS 20.b4 'Wa6, Fuglewicz - Bakulin, corr. 1963, 21.'We313c8 22.13cl±;

12••• ftfd8 (This is an old plan for Black, which is not fashionable nowadays.) 13.c.t>b1 J.xb3 (13 ... 13d714.g413ad81S.'We2 b616.h4± Stanciu - Ott, Timisoara 1976; 12••• ftac8 13.c.t>b1 (Now, con13 ...bS14.g4 b4, Klovans - Tzend, trary to the variation with 12 ... Leningrad 1960, lS.tOdS tOxdS 13fc8, Black will need to worry 16..ixg7 tOc7 17..ih6;!;) 14.cxb3 about the possibilitylOc3-d5 innu13d7 (It is just a transposition of merous variations and this reducmoves after 14... 13ac8 lS.g4 - see es his alternatives considerably.) 12 ...13ac8 13.c.t>b1 J.xb3 14.cxb3 13....ixb3 (The other options for 13fd8 lS.g4; there arises an analo- Black are not so convincing: 13••• gous situation after 14...e6 lS.g4 13c7, Ekblom - Kaasalainen, corr. bS, Kostro - BOIja, Munich 19S8, 1964, 14.g4;!;; 13...bS, Berggreen 16.a3 13ac8 17.h4 YlYa6 18.h4 13c4 Aaskov, corr. 1968, 14.tOdS±; 13... 19.YlYgS eS 20 ..ixeS±, or lS...13ac8 c.t>h8, Guerrero Alvarez - Granero 16.h4 - see 12 ...13ac813.c.t>b1 J.xb3 Roca, Alicante 2001, 14.g4;!;; 13... 14.cxb3 13fd8 lS.g4 e6 16.h4. The 'Wa6 14.h4 .ixb3 lS.axb3 ftfd8, alternatives for Black are weak- McCluskey - Haahr, Farum 1993, er and they are encountered in 16.J.xf6 J.xf6 17.tOdS±) 14.cxb3 practice only very rarely: 14... 13fd8 (This is the most logical move for Black. It is weaker for eS lS.J.e3± Alvarez Rouchaud Lynn, corr. 1995; 14...bS lS.g4 b4 him to play 14...bS lS.tOd5± Pratt 16.J.xf6 J.xf6 17.tOdS± Oim - Ke- - Bartoszek, Berlin 200S; 14.•.e5 tola, Finland 1996; 14... c.t>f8 lS.g4 lS.J.e3 13fd8 16..igS 13d7 17.tff2± hS, Durao - Pomar Salamanca, Burkhardt - Winkler, Jena 19S3, Malaga 1965, 16.gS±; 14•.. tOe8 or 14...13c7, Kostakiev - BonayTolS.h4.ixd4 16.YlYxd4 'WeS 17.'Wd2 seas, corr. 1988, lS.g4;!;) lS.g4 gc6 tOf6 18.g4 bS, Radovici - Faze- (In fact, Black is forced to tranSkas, Kecskemet 1962, 19.9S tOhS pose to positions from variation 20.tOdS±) lS.g4 13ad8 (Black's a, just like after lS...e6 16.h4 h5 idea is to play e6-eS at some mo- 17.gS tOe8 18.J.xg7 tOxg7 19.tfe3± ment and after the retreat of Wellens - Ertugru, corr. 1975.) 276

7J3 0-0 8. Y!Jd2

~c6

16.g5 ~h5 17.~d5 ~xd2 lS.fucd2 Jd7, Ditter - Suessmann, Triberg 1991, 19.~b4 IcS 20 ..ixa7±;

9.J.c4

~xd41O .J.xd4

J.e611.J.b3

13••. lc6 We will analyze in short some rarely played moves, which do not pose any problems to White: 13 ••• ~d7 14.~dS ft"dS (It would be a disaster for Black to choose 14... Y!Jxd2 15.~xe7+ 'it>f8 16.J.xg7+ 'it>xe7 17.fucd2+- Bazan - Borja, Leipzig 1960.) 15.J.xg7 'it>xg7 16.h4± Norby - V.Hansen, Aalborg 1965;

12 •••J.xb3 (As a rule, this exchange transposes to other variations in the majority of cases.) 13.cxb3 ~d7 (13 .. JUdS 14.~b1 see 12...lfdS 13.'it>b1 J.xb3 14. ab3; 13...lfcS 14.'it>b1 - see 12 .. . fifeS 13.~b1 J.xb3 14.cxb3; 13.. . ftacS 14.~b1 - see 12 ...lacS 13. 13•••1rd8, Lane - McQueen, Iflb1 ixb3 14.cxb3; 13...b5 14.'it>b1 -see 12...b513.~b1hb314.cxb3) USA 1991, 14.ixe6 fxe6 15.e5±; 14.'it>b1 ixd4 (Black should not postpone the exchange: 14... lfeS 13••• lab8 14.lhe1 ixb3 15. 15.J.xg7 ~xg7 16.h4 h5 17.g4± axb3 b5 16.e5 dxe5 17.fuce5 e6 Dworzynsld - Pilnik, Marianske lS.~e2 IdS 19.fucb5 fucb5 20. Lazne 1956; 14...f5, Scherlke - ~xb5± Aronin - Lisitsin, Riga Muller, corr.1974, 15.lhe1 f4 16. 1954; tldS ft"xd2 17J~xd2 Ifl lS.lel hd4 19.fucd4 ~e5 20.la4 ~c6 13••• lc7 14.g4 lacS, Ladron 21.b4±; 14...a6 15.~dS VdS 16. de Guevara Bravo - De Nacimienhg7 'it>xg7 17.h4 h5 lS.g4±) 15. to Montano, Mondarlz 2005, ffxd4 ~b6 (or 15... ~f6, Zabala - 15.lhe1 b5 16.~dS ~xd2 17.fucd2 Carbonell, Argentina 1994, 16. ixdS lS.exdS a5 19.a3~, or IS ... g4±) 16.h4 Vc5 17.Vd2 as lS.h5± ~eS19.M2~; Seifert - Volf, Prague 1964. 13•••.lc4 (The idea ofthis move is that in case White plays ~d5, a) 12 •••lfc813.c;fo!bl Black can counter that the capture - ~f6xd5.) 14.lhe1 Ic6 (14... b5 15.e5 - see 12 ...b5 13.'it>b1 IfcS 14.lhe1 .lc4 15.e5) 15.~dS! (This is the right moment for White to play this move, while Black's bishop on c4 is defenceless and he has practically no choice - see the next note.) 15...Vxd2 16.fucd2 hd5 (but not 16...~xdS? 17.exd5 Ic7 lS.ixc4 Ixc4 19.J.xg7 ~xg7

Chapter 13

20J;xe7+-) 17.exd5 ~c7 18.~de2 .ifB, Gufeld - Averbakh, Moscow 1961, (18 ••• @fB 19.a4 ~h5 20 ..ie3;l;) 19.a4 ~h519 ..ie3;!;; After 13••• b5 14JThel, the game transposes to variation b; It is more or less the same after the exchange - 13...hb3 14.cxb3.

Here in case of 14... ~c6 15.g4, or 14...e6 15.g4 ~c6, it all transposes to the main line of this variation - see 13... ~c6 14.g4; if 14... bS, then after 15.~hel, there arises a position from variation bl - see 12 ...b5 13.@bl ~fc8 14.~el Axb3 15.cxb3. The alternatives for Black are slow and ineffective and White maintains a great advantage after them: 14... ~d7, Lorenz - Brodie, Montreal 1978, 15.~d5 Yfd8 16. ixg7 @xg7 17.h4 h6 18.h5 g5 19.~e3±;

14...Yfa615.g4 b516.h4 (White can also choose here 16..ixf6, following this with - 17.~d5±) 16... ~b7 17.h5± De Souza Filho Monteiro Silva, corr.1985; 278

14...h5 15.h3 ~c6 16.g4 JIacs 18..ixg7 ~xg7 19.f4 e6 20.f5± Suetin - Lisitsin, Riga 1954; 14...~c7 15.g4 e6 16.h4± Kos. tro - Rodriguez Gonzales, Leipzig 1960; 14...e5 15.J.e3 ~c6, Barnsley _ Fjoelnisson, corr.1993, 16.g4±; 14... fi'b4 15.g4± Villarroel Lamas Baliero, Havana 1970; 14... ~e8 15..ixg7 ~xg7 16.h4 ~c5 17.g4 b5 18.h5 g5 19.h6 ~e6 20.a3 ~e5 21.b4 Yfd8 22.~d5+­ Kraft - Pohrer, Schloss Schney 1995. 14.g4J.xb3 After 14...b5, Valero Cuadra - Martinez Galiano, corr. 1987, it is very good for White to continue with 15.g5 ~h5 16.J.d5±. In case of the immediate 14... ~ac8, Bergsma - Gibbs, Beverwijk 1964, Black must consider the standard maneuver 15.~d5, which leads to an endgame with a stable advantage for White: 15... Yfxd2 16.~d2 Axd5 17.exdS ga6 (Black's a7-pawn is in danger and his rook is forced to go to the edge of the board.) 18.~el c;WB 19.~de2 'gc720.h4;l; 15.cxb3 (diagram) 15••• gaeS This is the most logical move for Black, but he has tried other lines as well: 15••• a6 16.h4 and it again transposes to the variation 12...a6 13.c.tbl ixb3 14.cxb3 ~fc8 15.g4 17.~hgl ~e8

7J3 0-0 B.Y!Jd2

~c6

9.J.c4

~xd410.hd4

J.e611.J.b3

gac8 19.Wixb5 Y!Jxb5 20 ..!Oxb5 gc5 21.gd5±) 17..txg7 ~xg7 18.Wid5 gac8 19.Wixb5, and Black has no compensation for the lost pawn after 19 ...Wid8 20.~d5Wid7 21.tfd3 ~h5 22.Wie3± Prokopp - Bergdahl, corr.1964, as well as following 19...Y!JxbS 20 ..!Oxb5 gc5 21.gc1 a6 22.~d4± Pieper - W.Mueller, Germany 1987;

100 16.h4, which we have already analyzed;

15•••e6 (This plan looks somewhat slow, but it is sensible, because White does not have the 15... ~e8 16.h4 h6 17.J.xg7 possibility ~c3-d5 any more and mtl18.f4± Christoph - Teufel, he must try to prove his advantage in another fashion.) 16.h4 Koenigsfe1d 1969; gac8 (It is weaker for Black to 15•••la6 16. h4 (It is very dif- play 16....!Od7 17.J.xg7 ~xg7 18. ficult for Black to create any real g5± pfeiffer - Kugeler, corr. 1971; threat against the a2-pawn, there- if 16...b5 17.h5 b4, Bozdoghina fore White begins his standard Drimer, Romania 1961, then after kingside offensive.) 16...b5 17.h5 18.~a4 Wib5 19.h6 J.h8 20.gcl± e5 18..ie3 gc8 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.g5 Black will have problems with the b4, Hasemann - Kulbs, corr.1965, protection of his a7-pawn.) 17.h5 21.~a4 ~h5 22.gcl±, or 17... b4 b5 (His counterplay is a bit too 18..!Oa4 e5 19.ie3 gc8 20.hxg6 slow, therefore he will need to defxg6 21.gcl± Quednau - Ruppe, fend most of the time: 17... ga6 corr.1983; 18.a3 Y!Jd8 19.h6 J.h8 20.g5 ~e8 21 ..txh8 ~xh8 22.f4± Kucherenko 15•••b5 16.g5 (White should - Stopkin, Kharkov 2006; 17...a6 act swiftly, because the f3-square 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.Y!Jh2 Wic7 20.e5± has been weakened and the plan, Ivkov - Westerinen, Halle 1963; which we analyze further in the 17...e5 18..te3 b5 19.h6 J.h8 20. text, in variation bl, would not ~d5 tfd8 21.iLg5 ie7 22.~xe7+ promise him anything much: Wixe7 23.gcl tfe6 24.~c6 ~c6 16.h4 b4 17..txf6 bxc3 18.ixc3 25.gcl± Toennemann - WeinreAxc3 19.bxc3 ~c3=) 16....!Oe8 (or ich, corr. 1963.) 18.h6 J.h8 19.b4± 16....!Oh5, Weber - Fa1besaner, Uboldi - Medina Fontes, San Ancarr. 1970, 17.J.xg7 ~xg7 18.tfd5 tonio de Padua 2001.

Chapter 13 16.h4

16•••h5 Black does not have any real counterplay, so he begins to build up his defensive fortress on the kingside. He has hardly anything better: 16... e5 17..le3 b5, Upmann - Geisler, Moeller Werke 1970, 18.a3±; 16.. J~a6, Martius - Behrenbruch, Hamburg 1957, 17.h5 b5 18.h6 (Now, Black must worry about the vulnerability of his last rank.) 18...ih8 19.13c1 b4 20.~a4 13ac6 2Uhc613xc6 22.a3±; 16... ~e8 17.h5 .lxd4 18.ti'xd4 g5?! 19.~d5 ti'd8 20.ti'xa7 e6 21.~c3± Aldrete Lobo - Yamaguchi, corr. 1999; 16.•.b5, Sutkus - Olej, corr. 1991, 17.g5 ~b5 18.~dS ti'd8 19. ixg7 fug7 20.13cl (White exploits the isolation of Black's knight and the vulnerability of the pawns on a7, b5 and e7 and he occupies the c-file.) 20 ...ti'd7 21.13xc6 13xc6 22.13c1 13xcl+ 23.ti'xcl (White is 280

threatening 24.ti'c8+) 23 ...~ 24.ti'c3± 17.g5 ~e8 18•.bg7 ~ 19.f4b5 It is also dubious for Black to opt for 19 ...ti'c5 20.13b3 a6, Kotronias - Murtagh, Port Erin 2004 since after 21.~d5 ~fS 22.13c3, ~ queen will be forced to retreat to the edge of the board and White can begin his direct attack: 22 ... ti"a7 23.f5 gxf5 24.g6 fxg6 25."lgS b5 26.ti'xg6± If 19...a6, then White can continue systematically with his plan - to improve maximally the position of his pieces, to open the f-file and to penetrate into his opponent'scam.p:20.13hfle62UH3ti"c5 22.13d3 ~e8 23.13d4 b5 24.b4 "la7 25.f5 13c4 26.13xc413xc4 27.a31Yb6 28.fxg6 fxg6, Winants - Sosonko, Netherlands 1992, 29.ti'd3 mg7 (29 ... ~b7 30.ti'fJ ~g7 31.ti'fS 13d4 32.gf1+-) 30.ti'h3+-

20.1rd3 a6 21.~d5 1fd8 22.15 e6, Feco - Varbol, Email 2001, 23.fxg6 fxg6 (In case of 23 ...exdS 24.gxf7+, it is very bad

7J3 0-0 8. Wid2

~c6

tor Black to try 24 ... c.t>h8 25.exd5 16C7 26.19'g6+-, as well as 24 ... tJ8 25.exdS g6c7 26.Wih7+-) J4.0b41b6 2S.fthf1 as 26.'tlc2 a427.0d4± b) 12 •••bS 13.ebbl

9.Ac4

~xd41O.hd4

Ae611.ib3

2002, or 15 ...bxc3 16..txc3± Solberg - Grove, Copenhagen 2006) 16.~d5 gab8 17.~xf6+ exf6 18. Wixd6 ~g5 (18 ... gb6 19.19'c7 19'b5 20. ~c4 a5 21.gd5± Ekblom Uitto, corr. 1963) 19.~g3 ~xg3 20.hxg3± Warbruck - Geisler, Germany 1987. bl) 13•••ifc8 14.!lhel It would be inadvisable for

Black has two basic possibilities: bl) 13•••ifc8 and b2) 13••• M. He has tried only very seldom 13....txb3 14.cxb3 and here the line: 14...gfc8 15.ghel transposes to variation bl. Black's attempts to try something different have usually ended in a disaster for him: 14...Yrb4, Kuhnert - Poll, corr. 1978, 15.g4±; 14...gfe8 15.g4 (It is also possible for White to play 15..txf6, forcing a transition into a superior endgame: 15...J.xf6 16.~d5 Bxd2 17.~d2;!;) 15...gac8 16.g5 ~h517.ixg7 ~xg718.f4 gc619.a3 Bb6 20.~dS± Weise - Haase, kassel 1996; 14...b4 15..txf6 .txf6 (but not 15...exf6 16.~d5 gab8 17.~e7++­ Matsuura - Deus Filho, Sao Paulo

White to start attacking actions right now. Black controls the c3square and this is essential in the variation 14.g4 b4 15.~d5 ~xd5 16.!xg7 ~c3+ and White must think about saving the game. Following the move in the text, the knight-sortie in the centre becomes possible again, since in case of exchanges on dS, Black's e7-pawn will be hanging. 14•••.Axb3 White is threatening e4-e5, therefore Black does not have any serious alternatives at this moment. He loses material after 14... gab8 15.e5 dxe5, Ab.Khasin - I. Zaitsev, Moscow 1963, 16.ixe6 exd4 17..txc8 ~c8 18.19'xd4 e6 19.~d6±; 14...,tc4 15.eS dxe5 16. ~e5 e6 17..txc4 B:xc4 18.B:xb5 ~c7, S.Garcia - Bombin Pinera, Spain 1993 19..le5 ~e4 20.~xe4 !xeS 21.~d7±, or 14... ~d715.~dS ~d8, Bednarski - Czerniak, Bucharest 1966, 16.~g5 .txd4 17. B:xd4 AxdS 18.~xdS ~eS 19.~xb5± If 14...b4, then after 15.~d5 Axd5 16.exdS B:c7 17.a4! White prevents his opponent's threat a7281

Chapter 13 as-a4 and he can concentrate his forces on the kingside.

Black will hardly have anything to counter this plan with: 17...~eS, Greco - Mitchell, corr. 1992, 1S..ixg7 ~xg7 19.h4 ~f620.g4±;

17....tiS 1S.h4 gacS, BagirovGufeld, Leningrad 1960, 19 ..if2 gb7 20.g4 ~d7 21.h5 ~c5 22.hxg6 hxg6 23.J.d4± and White's attack is ovelWhelming; 17...gacS1S.g4 geS19.h4 ~d7 20.J.xg7 ~xg7 21.hS and Black is again in great trouble - 21 ... ~c5 22.ge2 ~xb3 23.cxb3 ~c5 24.gh1+-, or 21 ... ~f6 22.h6+ ~gS 23.~d4 1-0 Feher - Rigo, Zalakaros 2002. lS.ab3

282

lS •.•b4 This is the most principled line for Black, but it all ends in a dif. ficult endgame for him. He bas tried in practice some other linea as well, but he has great problellls in all of them: 1S...gdS (This is just a waste of time, because in comparison to the variation 12 ....ixb3 13.cxb3 gfdS, White gains an extra tempo for his attack.) 16.g4± Anand - I.Wemer, Bad Mergentheim 1993; 1S...e6 (This move loses a pawn.) 16.J.xf6 .ixf6 17.~d5± Keiler - Koeneke, corr.197S; 1S... eS, Black only creates additional weaknesses with this pawnadvance in the majority of cases 16.J.e3 b4 17.~dS ~xd5 1S.WxdS ~xdS 19.~d5 .tiS 20.gc1 ~1+, Gudlaugsson - Klare, corr. 1990, 21.~xcl±;

1S...gabS, Wach - Glieoke, Balatonbereny 1997 and here it is interesting for White to try 16.gc1, neutralising the plan with 16...b4, since White will counter that with 17..ixf6 J.xf6 1S.~dS±; After 1S...a6, Black ends up in a difficult endgame by force - 16..ixf6 J.xf6 17.~dS ti"xd2 18.~d2 gc6 (He cannot avoid compromising his pawn-structure, because of White's threat 19.~b6.) 19.~xf6+ exf6 20.ftc1 gacS 21.~c6 ~c6 22.ftc2 ftc5 (Black would have some chances of a successful defence after 22 ... gb6, but even then after 23.b4±

7.j3 0-0 8. YNd2llJc6 9.i.c4 llJxd410.hd4 i.e611.i.b3 White has a clear advantage.) !3.ftxc5 dxc5 24.g7, or even after the more enterprising variation 2S.bxa4 liJf5 26 ..tbS liJxd4 27.l3xd4 gc7 28.l3xb4 gc3 29.gb3gc5, White fails to achieve anything substantial. 16••••xd3 17.hd3 McS IS.J!l!:el J!l!:c7 In case of 18... 'it>f8, it is very good for White to choose 19..ia4 (He exploits the inadequate placement of Black's king in the variation 19... liJxdS 20 ..txg7+) 19... gc7 20.a3 gb8 21..tcM Staufcik - Truksa, COIT. 1999.

exploits the fact that here the ex.. change 19...bxc3 is evidently unfa. vourable for Black and he creates an important weakness for him on b4. It is well known that the two bishop-advantage is much lIlore effective in positions with 1lSyIn. metrical pawn-structure and Dlutual weaknesses. 19••• &5 20.cxb4 axb4 2L J!l!:ddl.th6 Black would not change much with 21. .. gac8 22 ..ib6 gb7 23 ..Atl ga8 24.gcl± Jenni - Felgaer, Yerevan 2000. 22.g3 c,W8 23.f4 fld7 Without this move, Black would be forced to surrender the important c-file, because after the trade of all the rooks, his b4-pawn would be practically defenceless.

24.J!l!:cl flc5 2S.J!l!:c4 f5 26.

k3 J!l!:&5 27.hb4 flxb3 2S.

19.c3! This is a key-moment. White 286

hb3 hdS, Motylev - Felgaer, Linares 2001, 29.J!l!:cl Ixcl+ 30.Wxc1 laS 31.a3± - White'S passed pawns on the queenside are much more dangerous than Black's central pawns.

7..fJ 0-0 8.Y!fd2 ~c6 9.i.c4 ~xd41O.hd4 ~e611.~b3

Conclusion '/1te essence of this system analyzed in this chapter,from the point of view of Black, is to simplify the position. He wishes to develop quickly and to diminish his opponent's attacking potential. White fails to organize any attack in the main lines indeed and this is one of his baSic methods offighting in this variation. Meanwhile, the thorough analysis helps to emphasize the main drawbacks ofBlack's set-up. First ofall, the exchange 011 d4 is already a positional concession - it renders White's handsfreefor action ill a clearer situation. Secondly, White's space advantage becomes a permanent factor and this is because his dark-squared bishop occupies a dominant position in the centre. This also increases the possibility for White to exchange the dark-squared bishop of his opponent and it is the real pride of Black's position. The other exchange on b3 makes White's king shelter practically rock solid. In general, Black should in factforget about creating any real counterplay and he should begin to worry about neutralizing White's space advantage in the centre and on the kingside. Blackfails to accomplish that - see variation a. The quick advance ofBlack's b-pawn, which is the main motive behind his actions in variation b, leads to an inferior endgame for him. In variation bI, White's pawn-majority on the queenside becomes a decisive factor, while in variation b2, after White's knight goes to the dS-outpost, there arises a standard endgame in which White maintains a clear advantage with his bishop pair. Summarising all this, we can say that White obtains a very comfortable game in these variations and he has a clear advantage in positions without any risks, which crowns an optimal opening strategy /orhim.

287

Chapter 14

1.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 tlf6 5.~c3 g6 6 ..le3 i,gJ 7.f3 0-0 8.'Id2 ~c6 9 ..lc4 ~d7

Black's knight is headed for the c4-square. The idea of this variatio!J, for him is to end up with a knight on this square even in case of an exchange on c4, so that he can maintain his pressure against White's construction - p.b2 + ~c3. The drawback of this plan is mainly its being too slow. 10.h4 I believe this is the most unpleasant plan for Black. The point is that not only White has saved a tempo for castling - he will have to castle at some moment sooner or later anyway, but Black has no active possibilities against the enemy king at the moment. He cannot change his plan now, because the maneuver ~d7 has reduced 288

considerably his eventual choice. Meanwhile, with the move-order, which he has chosen, White will manage to open the h-file, before Black succeeds in closing the a2g8 diagonal, so he will fail to counter capturing h5xg6 with flxg6, and that would be an important defensive resource missed. By the way, the move 10. 0-0-0 is also very popular, but there are many variations, which need further testing and clarification. As an example, I will show you the most straightforward line for Black: 1O ... ~b611 ..ib3 ~a512. %Yd3 ~xb3+ 13.axb3 as. Here, in case of 14.~db5, Barua - Spangenberg, Yerevan 1996, 14...a4 15..hb6 %Yxb6 15.~d5 %Yf2 16.M .ie6, or 15.bxa4 .ie6, he obtainS serious counter chances. Also, after 14.~de2 a4 15.b4 a3 16.b3, Komeev - Bezgodov, MoscoW 1998, and 16...~d7, Black has nothing to worry about. We should not go astray and we should adhere to our theme and the main line. The maneuver of the knight, which was started by Black on his previous move,

7.j3 0-0 8. Vlfd2 tOc6 9..tc4 tOd71O.h4

Deeds its logical continuation and be can do that in two ways: a) 10 •.• ~de5 and b) 10 ••• ~b6. the early simplification - 10 ... 0xd4 1l ..hd4 .Axd4 12.ti'xd4 Wlb6 _ does not guarantee for Black apy safety at all. On the contrary, the exchange of the dark-squared bishops weakens his kingside considerably and his chances of creating counterplay are greatly reduced. After 13.ti'd2 tOeS (In ease of 13...ti'xb2 14J:!b1 ~a3 15. b5 g5 16.tOd5 e6 17.tOc7 l:!b8 18. 'Ixg5+ wh8 19.tOb5 ti'aS+ 20. I'd2± White regains his material with interest.) 14..tb3 .te615.h5± and White's attack is running effortlessly and unopposed, Dashko - Bondarev, Belorechensk 2005. The maneuver 10 ... tOa5 does Dot lead to any original positions - after 11•.tb3, Black must make up his mind and following 11... ~b6, or 11 ...tOe5, he can transpose to variations, which we analyze later in the text. Analogously, after 10...h5 11. 0-0-0 tOdeS 12 ..tb3 tOa5 13.ti'e2, the game transposes to variation • - see 10... tOdeS 11•.tb3 tOaS 12.ti'e2. a) 10 ... ~de5 The plan with the move 10 ... ~b6 is considered the main line, but still the eS-square seems to be more promising for Black from the point of view of comlIlon sense. On the other hand, Black again closes the long a1-h8

diagonal and his knight can be attacked in some lines with f3-f4 by White with tempo, therefore here it seems useless to apply common sense logic and concrete variations are preferable. 1l•.tb3

1l... ~a5 The trade 11 ...tOxd4, is not in the spirit of this position - White develops a powerful attack almost effortlessly: 12..txd4 J.e6 13.h5 .hb3 14.axb3 e6, Telega Standby, Pittsburgh 1971, 15.f4 tOg416 ..Axg7 Wxg717.0-0-0 ti'aS 18.Wb1 l:!ad819.l:!h4± Itwould be interesting for Black to try the immediate line: 11... h5 12.0-0-0 .td7, K.Rodriguez Bortzner, COIT. 1994, (It is weaker for Black to opt for 12 ... Wh7, Tsagan - R.Balinas, Havana 1966, 13.wbl tOaS 14.~e2± followed by White's standard kingside pawnoffensive.) 13.ti'e2 l:!c8, trying to prevent as long as possible opening of files on the kingside (In case of 14.g4 bxg4 15.f4 tOxd4 16..hd4 tOf3 17..Axg7 Wxg7, Black's knight

289

Chapter 14 has penetrated his opponent's camp and it is quite effective there.). Here after 14.~bl ~a5 15.g4!? (White has an alternative to play here calmly 15.~d5 geS 16.i.g5.) there arises a position, which differs from the main line, because of the inclusion of the moves ~:kS and ~bl. The analysis shows that White's attack is very dangerous in that case as well, for example: 15... ~xb3 16.axb3 hxg4 17.f4 ~c6 lS.h5 ~xd4 19.ixd4 ixd4 20Jhd4 ~g7 21.hxg6 fxg6 22.f5 gxf5 23.exfS ixf5 24Jhg4+ .ixg4 25.YlYxg4+ ~fl 26.~b5 (White is threatening 27.YlYh5+ ~e6 28.~d4+) 26 ... ~eS 27.~xd6+ YlYxd6 2S.YlYxcS+ YlYdS 29.YlYxb7+-, or 15...hxg4 16. f4 ~ec4 17.h5 e5 lS.hxg6 fxg6 (Black loses very quickly after IS ... exd4 19.YlYh2 fxg6 20.YlYh7+ ~ 21.ixd4 ggS 22J:~h6+-) 19.fxe5 ixe5 20.IDi6 ~xb3 21.axb3 ~xe3 22.YlYxe3 1hc3 (It is too bad for Black to opt for 22 ...AeS 23.~d5 Afl 24.~e6! he6 25.1hg6+ ~fl 26. YlYh6 hd5 27.exd5+-) 23. 1hg6+ ~fl 24.ti'h6 gf3 25.~e6 YlYcS (In case of 25 ...ixe6, White wins with 26.ti'h7+) 26.~xfS YlYxfS 27.ti'h7+ ~eS 2S.ggS, and Black loses his queen. Therefore, it deserves attention for White to liquidate Black's last chance of creating counterplay - his passed pawn on the g-file: 2S ...b6 29.gg1 g3 30.gxfS+ 1hf8 31. YlYg6+ ~dS 32.1hg3+12.1Ie2 290

12•••h5 This move slows down White's attack in numerous situations and Black gains time to consolidate his defence. Here however, it is hardly so effective, because he has lost plenty of tempi on knight maneuvers. Meanwhile, Black does not have much of a choice, because his alternatives have drawbacks as well. 12 ...h6 13.h5 g5 14.g3 ~h7. Black is trying to make a useful move, without touching his light-squared bishop, which will be exchanged on f5 anyway. (Black would not change anything much with the line: 14... cbh8 15.0-0-0 .id716.~b1 gcSl7.lilfS J.xf5 lS.exf5 Wld7 19.~d5 Me8 20.f4 ~ec4 21.Ad4± AI.Ivanov S.Rodchenkov, Sochi 2007.) 15. 0-0-0 .td7 16.~f5 J.xf5 17.exf5 gcS1S.f4 gxf419.gxf4 ~xb3+ 20. axb3 ~c6 21.~b1± Slaby - Kopta, Pardubice 2005. 12 ...~xb3 13.axb3 f5 (It is only a transposition of moves after 13...Ad7 - see 12 ...Ad7, or 13..· h5 14.0-0-0 - see 12...h5. In the

7.f.J 0-0 8. V!fd2

~c6

9 ..tc4

~d71O.h4

13.0-0-0 other cases, White develops easilY a very powerful attack: 13... • 6, Bondauskis - Sarakauskas, plunge 2001 14.hS±; 13 ... ~c6, Girard - Sintes, France 1997, 14. 0xc6 bxc6 lS.hS±) 14.hS f41S ..tf2 g5 16.h6 .ih8 17.g3 fxg3 18..txg3 g4 19.f4 ~g6 20.f5 ~e5 21.~gl+­ Ragger - Nithander, Yerevan 2007. 12 ...td7 (Black completes patiently his development, but it is hardly surprising that he is inca13•••.td7 pable of countering White's Black can capture immediately straightforward attack along the h-file.) 13.h5 ~xb3 (After 13... ~c8 his opponent's dangerous bishop: 14.hxg6 hxg6 lS.g4, Black loses 13... ~xb3+ 14.axb3, and then 14... quickly following lS... ~ec4 16. .td7 lS.g4 transposes to the main Bh2+- Ascic - Jelinic, Vinkovci line. Ifhe chooses something else, 2004, as well as after lS... ~c3 he will have problems coping with 16.bxc3 V!fc7 17.V!fh2 V!fxc3+ 18. White's attack. mf2 ~c8 19.1LIe2 1-0 KlovansIn case of 14... aS lS.g4 hxg4 Chemiaev, Biel 1996. His most 16.f4 ~f3 17.hS, White's attack resilient line is to defend super develops much faster: 17... a4 18. passively after lS ... ~xb3 16.axb3 bxa4 bS 19.hxg6 bxa4 20.~xf3 a617.V!fh2 f6, but still after 18..th6 gxf3 21.V!fh2+- M.Movsisyan ftf7 19.0-0-0 .txh6+ 20.V!fxh6 Wallace, Stillwater 2006. GG7, Tatai - van Wijgerden, AmBlack has also tried in pracsterdam 1976, 2V~~b1± his posi- tice 14 ...V!faS lS.'i!i>bl; after IS ... tion is not to be envied at all.) ~c616.g4 .td7, Genna - Stefano, 14.axb3. Black's alternatives are Embalse 1983, 17.gxhS V!fxhS, not very attractive: 14...e6 lS.f4 the presence of Black's queen on ~c6, Korchmar - Shukh, Saratov the kingside can hardly help him 2006, 16.~dbS±; 14...a5 lS.lLIdbS solve his defensive problems te6, Godoy - Rebottaro, Villa 18.~dS .txd4 19..txd4 ~xd4 20. Ballester 1991, 16.~dS .txdS 17. ~d4 ~ae8 21.~dd1±. Black would exdS±; 14... a6 lS.g4 e6 16.hxg6 not change anything much with fxg6 17.V!fh2 ~xf3+ 18.~xf3 ~ lS ....td7, Cullen - Bortzner, corr. 19.V!fxh7+ M7 20.0-0-0 V!fh8 21. 1994, 16.g4 hxg4 17.f4 ~f3 (In Ihd6 .tc6 22 ..td4+- Roncagliolo case of 17...lLIc6, White opens all - Fornasari, corr. 1984. the files on the kingside one af291

Chapter 14

ter another: 1B.h5 ~xd4 19.ixd4 ixd4 20Jb:d4 Iit>g7 21.hxg6 fxg6 22.f5 gxf5 23.exfS ~xf5 24.~xe7+ ~!t7 25.~4 "'g6 26.~e4+-) 1B.h5 ixd4 19.J.xd4 g5 20.~d5 gxf4 21.~xe7+ Iit>h7 22 ..ti6 (In this position, each check against the black king might be the last... ) 22 ... ~5 23."'g2 l3aeB 24.l3xd6 Ae6 25.l3hd1 ~ 26.e5+-

very bad for him to opt for 17 l3eB (or 17...~xd4 1B.J.xd4 Webb - Milovanovic, 2006, 19..ie3 exf4 20..tf4 YfaS 21. Iit>b1+-) 1B.hxg6 fxg6, Canneva_ Ruffenach, Cannes 2000,19.~xc6 bxc6 20."'c4+ ~f8 21.Ad4+-. In case of 17..."'aS, White needs just a little more time to organize a very dangerous attack: 1B.~b1 14.g4~xb3+ ~b4 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.f5 l3ac8, It is just a transposition of Alarcon - Trubman, Philadelphia moves after 14...hxg4 15.f4 - see 1996,21."'b2+the main line, or 14... ~xg415.fxg4 J.xg4 16.~fJ ~xb3 - see 14... ~xb3+ 15.axb3 ~xg4. Black fails to organize counterplay in another fashion: 14... l3cB 15.gxh5 l3xc3 16.bxc3 "'c7 17.lit>b1 ~ac4 (or 17... ~xc31B."'d2 "'xd2 19.,ixd2 ~xb3 20.cxb3+-) 1B.Ac1 as 19.hxg6 a4 20.,ixc4 ~xc4 21.gxt7+ rJ1xf7 22.l3hg1 .lf6 23.f4+- Mikhalchishin - Barczay, Cienfuegos 19B1. 17.~xt3 gxt3 18.tfxt3 15.axb3 hxg4 It is a disaster for Black to try (After Black's other possibilities, 15... ~a5 16.gxh5 ~a1+ 17.~d2 White's attacking cbances are excellent too: 1B.. J~tcB 19.id4 J.xd4 ~xb2 1B.l3b1 "'a3 19.~d5+-, while in case of 15...~xg4 16.fxg4 20.l3xd4 "'as 21. ~b1 ~5 22.ti'f2±, .ixg4 17.~fJ l3cB, J.Morgado - or 1B .. ..txc3 19.bxc3 "'cB 20.'fNg2 Safran, corr. 1974, 1B.~b1 ,ixc3 .ig4 21.l3d3±) 19.~d5 tfa1+ (It 19.bxc3 l3xc3 20.l3hfl± Black's is possibly better for Black to trY compensation for the sacrificed 19...l3feB, but even in that case his position remains difficult piece is obviously insufficient. 20.c.tbl e6 21.Ad2 ti'c5 22.~c3±) 16.f4~f3 This is how Black played in the 20.'Ifi!d2tfa5+ (It is bad for Black game Estay - Vargas, Santiago to opt for 20 ...ti'xb2 2Ufu1 ti'a2 22.~xe7+ c.tbB 23.b5 g5 24.b6 2003. He has also tried in prac- .lf6 25.fxg5 ,ixe7 26.Ad4+ c;flb7 tice 16...~c6 17.h5, but here it is 27J~a1 .ixg5 2B.'Ifi!b1+-) 21.e3

e5' England

.as

292

7.j3 0-0 B.ti'd2 ~c6 9.ic4 1le8 (In case of 21 ... ti'd8, White winS with 22.h5 e6 23.h6+-) 22.f5! e6 23.fxg6 f5 (Or 23 ... (xg6 24.~f6+ and White wins easily.) 24.1I'h5+- - and White either checkmates, or Black suffers huge material losses. b) lO ••• ~b6

This is the most principled line forBlack. 1l•.tb3 ~a5 After 1l... ~e5, White's bishop on b3 remains on the board and that leads quickly to a checkmate: 12.YlYe2 h5 (or 12... a5 13.a4 .td7 14.h5 gc8 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.g4+Muchnik - Zak, Moscow 1958) 13.0-0-0 .td7 (Here, the move 13...a5 would not change anything either: 14.a4 id715.g4 hxg4 16.f4 ~c6 (16...~f3 17.h5+-) 17.h5+Brazilsky - AKhenkin, Moscow 1958) 14.g4 ~h7 (It would be better for Black to defend here With 14...hxg4, but even then he would have great problems after 1S.f4 ~f3 16.h5+-) 15J~dgl +-

~d710.h4

Al.Kharitonov - Gunin, St Petersburg 1997. 12.'Bd3 In this position, Black has two main plans - to base his counterplay on the penetration to the c4-square - bl) 12 .••.td7, or to annihilate immediately White's dangerous bishop - b2) 12••. ~xb3. His other possibilities have been tested in practice only very rarely: About 12 ... a613.h5 ~xb3 - see 12 ... ~xb3 13.axb3 a6; 12 ... d5?!, Baljon - Los, Netherlands 1997, 13..hd5±; 12 ... h5 13.0-0-0 id7 14.g4 hxg4, Murray Ortiz - ChapelIe, Zagan 1997, 15.h5± bl) 12•••.td7 13.h5 lEe8 In case of 13...~xb3, there arises a transposition to the variation b2 - see 12... ~xb3 14.axb3 id7. 14.hxg6 hxg615.0-0-0

15... ~be4 Black preserves the possibility to exchange his opponent's

293

Chapter 14 dangerous bishop on b3 in that 1991, 19.f4 Axd5 20.~3 ixe4 fashion. Meanwhile, after open- 21.~7+ ~f8 22 ..ih6+-; ing of the h-file, Black's position 16 ...tOe5, Talla - Daulelo>,a, becomes very dangerous and his Olomouc 2007, 17.~e2± every mistake might be fatal. 17.cxb3Va5 In case of 15... tOac4, White Black loses quickly after 17 should again choose 16.lLg5 (In l3c5 18 ..ih6 .ixh6+ 19.13xh6 ~.;s case of 16.J.h6, Matanovic - Sza- 20.ti'd2+- M.Hansen - Sachs bo, Belgrade 1964, Black can London 1991. ' still hold: 16... e5! 17.jxg7 ~xg7 It is more resilient for Black to 18.tOdbS hb5 19.tOxb5 a6.). Here try something else than the main after 16.. Jk5, Zuriel - M.Gon- line, but still he has no real chanczalez, Buenos Aires 2002, it es after 17... tOe518.ti'd2 f619 ..th6 would be very good for White to tOfl 20 ..te3 ti'a5 (20 ... tOe5 21!.t>bl play 17.f4 .ig4 18J~dfl ti'd7 19.f5 ~a5 22 ..ih6l3fl, Schroeder - Efl3fc8 20.ti'g3+-; White should act fler, corr. 1985, 23.jxg7l3xg7 24. in an analogous fashion after 16... YlYh6 tOfl 25.1Ie3±) 21.'it?b1 'UeS as, Navarro - Clavijo, Guarapua- 22.g4. White's advantage is obviva 1991 - 17.a4l3c5 18.f4± ous after: 22 ...e6 23.ti'h2 c.W8 24. It would be too slow for Black tOde2± Schirmer - Raabe, corr. to try 15... l3e8 16..Ah6 tOxb3+ 1991; 22 ...tOe5, Ris - Mikkelsen, 17.axb3 ~c7 18.ti'd2 .Ah8 19.94 Urgup 2004, 23.1Ig2 rtlfl 24.~f5 ti'c5 20 ..Ae3+- Brebion - Truong, gxf5 25.gxf5 .tb5 26.1Ixg7+! and Paris 1994. he checkmates in a few moves. 16•.ig5 tlxb3+ IS.he7 tle5 Black will have to exchange there sooner or later, but he has tried some other move in practice as well: 16...b5 17.tOd5l3e8 18. ~bll3c5, Kaiser - Lyly, corr. 1985, 19.f4±; 16... a6 17.tOd5 f6 18..ih6+Sumkin - Reprintsev, corr. 1989; 16.. .f6 17..Ah6 tOxb3+ 18.axb3 (or 18.cxb3 tOeS 19.ti'd2 with a transposition to the line with 16 ... tOxb3+) 18 ...tOe5 19.~d2 tOfl 20 ..te3± Kupka - Necesany, Zvo19.Bc2! White liquidates the pin of his len 1963; 16... l3c5 17.tOd5 l3e8 18.~b1 knight on c3 and thus he protects ic6, Strizak - S.Petronic, Kladovo his a2-pawn. 294

7.fJ 0-0 8.~d2lLlc6 9..tc4lLld710.h4 19•••lfe8 We can already say that Black is beYOnd salvation here. It is bad {or him to opt for 19... lLlc6, Neare - Le Ray, corr. 1989, 20.hf8 txf8 21.lLlxc6 .!3xc6 22.~b1+-, as well as 19....!3xc3 20.bxc3 gc8 Zl.'bb2 Aa4 (21...%Yb6 22.igS 0h7?! 12.h3 13cS 13.g41.Oe5 14.f4 I.Oc4 15..bc4 ~c4, Harris - Warren, COlT. 1997, White has occupied plenty of space on the kings ide and he can break in the centre - 16.e5! dxe517.fxe5±; In answer to 1l... 13cS, Silveira - Agapito, Barreiro 2003, it is again good for White to play 12.h3! l.Oa5 13.g4 I.Oxb3+ (In case of13 ...h414.c;!.>bl± Black has problems with the protection of his h4pawn. It is hardly any better for him to opt for 13 ...b5 14.l.Odxb5 I.Oxb3+ 15.axb3 ygaS 16.l.Oa3± and after the seemingly sharp line for Black: 16... l.Oxg4 17.hxg4.bc3 lS. ygn .if6 19.9xh5 Ae6 20.c;!.>b1+there arises a position in which White is the only side capable of organizing an attack.) 14.axb3 b5!? (but not 14...ygaS? 15.c;!.>b1 b5 16.1.Od5+-) 15.l.Odxb5 yga5 16.l.Oa3 I.Oxg4 17.hxg4 .bc3 lS.ygf2± It is much simpler for White here to create real threats, because his king is noticeably safer; After 1l...l.OaS, Donskov - Mazurov, St. Petersburg 200S, White should better proceed with his standard kingside actions - 12.h3 302

I.Oxb3+ 13.axb3 yga5 14.c;!.>b1 15.g4 e5 16.l.Ode2 13c6 17.~ ygxd2 lS.l.Oxf6+ .bf6 19.1hd~ and he ends up with a stable advantage, because Black's bishops are very passive and his d6-pawn is very weak; 1l...%YaS 12.c;!.>b1 l3fc8, Vitic - SuIc, Pula 1999, White can accomplish here the thematic pawnadvance g2-g4 and his prospects are superior after 13.h3l.Oe5 14.g4 I.Oc4 15..bc4 ~c4 16.1.Ob3 Ba6 17.e5! l.OeS1S.gxh5 .be519.bxg6± Black's kingside has been completely destroyed. a) lO •••!fb8 This move is definitely premature. White's king is not on the queenside yet, so Black can hardly organize any effective counterplay. 11.h4

11••• a5 The other possibilities are not any better for him: After 1l... l.Oxd4 12 ..bd4 j.e6. Black presents his opponent witb

7.]3 0-0 B.Wfd2

additional tempi to create threats on the kingside. 13.hS .ixb3 (Black should refrain from the line: 13... ~xhS? 14..ixg7,. since White's attack is decisive after 14.•.~xg7 lS.Yfh6 ~hS 16.g4 ~f6 17.e5 dxe5 18.~e4 ~d8 19..ixe6 (xe6 20.gS+-, as well as in the variation 14... ~xg7 lS.g4 ~f6 16. 1h6+ ~g8 17.eS+-) 14.axb3 ~e8 lS.hxg6 hxg6, Gragger - Klundt, OberurseI1972, after the natural Dlove 16.g4± White's most dangerous threat is the tripling of his heavy pieces along the h-:file. 1l... ~c8 12.~de2!? - White avoids simplifications. 12...bS 13.ih6 as (It is hardly better for Black to try here 13...b4 14.~d5 ~ lS.hxg6! hxg6 16.exdS ~eS 17.ti'f4t ,since White has a powerful kingside attack.) 14.hS .lh8 lS.hxg6 hxg6 16.YfgS ~e5 17.~f4 e618.ti'h41Dcc319 ..igS!+- White's Obslaught was just crushing after quite natural moves in the game Herrera - Marcussi, Buenos Aires 1963. After ll...bS 12.hS! White's attention should not be deflected by his opponent's pawn-sacrifice. 12...~xhS 13.~dS ge8, Berry Higginbotham, Intercollegiate 1963, and here Black has tremendous problems after 14.g4-+, for example: 14... ~g3 lS.gb3 ~xd4 ~~d4 hd4 17.Yfxd4 ~hS 18. CIIl4: ~g7 19.0-0-0 ~e6 20. Iea+-; 14... ~f6 lS.~xf6+ exf6 ~...1xf6 16.~xc6 hc6 17.ti'h2 .18.gxh5 gS19.Yfg1+-) 16.~xc6

~c6

9.i.c4 j.d710.J.b3

.ixc6 17.0-0-0+-; 14....ixd4 IS. .ixd4 ~xd4 16.Yfxd4 ~g7 17. 0-0-0+- and White's threats are decisive in all the variations, but even after the more resilient defence for Black 14... ~xd41S.i.xd4 eS (He loses after IS ... ~f6 16. ~xf6+ exf6 17.gS! fxgS 18.ixg7 ~xg7 19 ..ixf7! ~eS 20.J.dS+-) 16.J.c3 ~f617.~xf6+ J.xf618.ti'h6 J.e6 19.0-0-0 .ixb3 20.axb3 Yfc7 21.Yfxh7+ ~f8 22.f4-+, White has a crushing attack in a position with material equality. ll...~aS 12.hS ~xb3 13.axb3 ~e8 (It will not be preferable for Black to opt for 13... ~xhS 14.g4 ~f61S ..th6-+, and here he loses after lS ...e616.hg7 ~xg717.ti'h6+ wg8 18.e5 dxeS 19.~e4+-, but even after the most tenacious defence lS ....th8! 16 ..ixf8 Yfxf8 17.0-0-0 J.g718.gS ~hS19.~dS± his compensation for the exchange is evidently insufficient.) 14.hxg6 fxg6 lS.g4± White's kingside threats look very dangerous, while Black's counterplay is nowhere in sight, J.Rubinetti R.Ramirez, Buenos Aires 1965. The move ll...hS compromises Black's kingside. 12.0-0-0 b5!?, Olivier - Forthofer, Metz 1996 (It will be a disaster for him to opt for 12 ... ~c8 13.g4! hxg4 14.hS ~xhS lS.~xc6 bxc616.fxg4 .ixg417.~dgl ~f6 18 ..lh6 .lhS 19.1DchS ~xhS 20.lDcg6+- and White checkmates, or 14...gxhS lS..lh6 ~xd4 16..ixg7+- and Black's king is beyond salvation 16... ~xb3+ 17.axb3

Chapter 15 h7? - this move leads to a direct checkmate. 16.hxg6+ ~xg6 17.~dS e5 IS.j,b6 ~eS 19.~xf6 ~xf6 20.gh6+ 1-0 Andres Julia - Conejero, Tor316

rent 2002; it is also bad for Black to continue with IS...eS, Jakimov - Karpovich, Kiev 1997, White wins by force with 16.h61 jha 17.Ab6 ~xb61S.h7+ ~xh719."Bh2 ~e3+ 20.~b1 ~g7 21.~xh7+ t;f,lf6 22.~dS+- and Black's centralised king cannot avoid being checkmated, or 17...~e7 IS.h7+ ~xh7 19.~dS ~gS 20.Ae3 ~da 21.~2+- and White checkmates.) 16.Axg7 ~xg7 17.gms gbS 18.gxba ~xha 19.fxg4 hg4 20.gg1+- White has won a piece, maintaining his attacking prospects, Kanyadi - Szulics, Nyiregyhaza2003. 12•••b4 - The game becomes a race now, but White is clearly much faster. 13.~dS as (The exchanges after 13... ~xd4 14.~d5 ~xdS IS..ixg7 c.t>xg7 16..ixdS gba 17.hS± lead to a position, in which Black can defend against his opponent's attack only at the price of considerable positional concessions, M.Santos - Mar.Santos, Portugal 1993; 13...hS - This move only helps White to open files. 14.M6+ i.xf6 IS.g4 bxg4 16.hS gS 17.~xc6 .ixc6 IS.J.xg5 e6, Yigit - Dubova, Antalya 2007, White wins here with 19J~bgll Axg5 20.gxg4 ~h7 21.~S fif6 22.h61 ggS 23.gg7+ - and Black'S king remains completely bare; 13 ...e6? - Black loses a paWD with this move. 14.~xc6 j,xc6 IS.~xb4+- Gimenez RodrigUez Gimenez Gonzalez, Spain 2001.)

7..fJ 0-0 B.ti'd2 14.~xf6+ J.xf61S.hS a416..tdS b3, Dijksterhuis - Molinari, Utrecht 2000, here, it seems that White's IIlost precise reaction would be 17.bxg6 hxg6 (White needs to play accurately in order to realise his material advantage after 17... bxa2 lS.gxt7+ gxf7 19 ..ixa2 a3 20.b4+-, or 17... e6 lS.gxh7+ ~hS 19.1c4 bxa2 20 ..ixa2 a3 21.b4+-) lS.g4 geS (White's queen will reach the h2-square unavoidably, for example: lS ...kS 19.f4 j,g7 20.ti'h2 geS 21.ti'h7+ ~fS 22.f5+-) 19.ti'h2 e6 20.1xc6 bxa2 21.~d2 gcS 22.1xd7 exd7 23.gal+- White's king is not so safely placed indeed and he still needs to play precisely.

12••• ~e5 - Black plays this move with the idea to open the b-file after ~c4, but it would be much more difficult to create threats along it in comparison to the c-file. 13.hS ~c4 (The alternatives are not better for Black: 13... ~xhS? 14.g4 hg4? lS.fxg4 ~xg4 16.~e6 ti'cS 17.~xf8+- and White has an extra rook and a powerful attack, Schofield - Burgess, corr. 1996; 14... ~f6 lS.J.h6 ~c4 16.1xc4 bxc4 17.hg7 ~xg7 lS.ti'h6+ c;f;lhS 19.~d5+- Delalee - Le Gallic, Ploermel 2007; while after lS...1xh6 16.ti'xh6± White's threats along the h-file are very dangerous. 16... c;f;lhS? 17.~d5 1-0 Simek - Vacha, Most 1999; 13... gxbS 14.J.h6 e6 lS.g4! b4 16.~ce2 as 17.ti'gS ~eS1S.ti'xhSti'f6, Dahl-

~c6

9.1c41d71O.1b3

haus - Grabowski, Essen 1999 and here the fastest way for White to obtain a winning position is the surprising resource 19.1e3! ti'g6 20.ti'h3 h6 21.~f4 ti'h7 22.gS+-; 13... geS - this move does not save Black from the attack and it does not help his counterplay either. 14.hxg6 hxg6 lS.g4 .!tJc4 16.1xc4 bxc4 17.ti'h2 eS, Karavade - Yilmaz, Nakhchivan 2003, White can continue here with IS..!tJf5 1xf5 19.9xf5-+ and he creates decisive threats.) 14.1xc4 bxc4 IS.1h6! eS (Black is in trouble after IS ...1xh6 16.ti'xh6 gxhS17..!tJd5+- Wilsbeck - Bilfeldt, Copenhagen 2002; as well as following IS ...gxhS 16.ti'gS .!tJeS 17.ti'xhS .!tJf6 IS.ti'gS .!tJeS 19.1xg7 .!tJxg7 20.ti'h6+S.Soloviov - V.Danielian, Vladivostok 1990; it is hardly better for him to try IS...gbS 16.hg7 ~xg7 17.hxg6 fxg6 IS.ti'h6+ ~f7 19.eS dxe5 20 ..!tJc6+- and Black suffers material losses, Nataf - Yuan, Kapuskasing 2004; in answer to IS ... ~gS, Merwe - Nikolov, St. Lorenzo 1995, the fastest road for White to victory 19.eS dxe5 20 ..!tJe61xe6 21.~dS gfxdS 22 ..!tJe4+- remaining with an extra queen and an attack, or lS ...ti'aS 16.g4 gabS 17..txg7 ~xg7 lS.hxg6+- and White's attack is crushing, Recuero Guerra - Gonzalez Arribas, Andorra la Vella 2006; Black would not change anything much with the line: 16... gfbS 17.hg7 ~xg7 IS.hxg6+- De Noskowski - Mangazeev, Canberra 1999.) 16..!tJde2 317

Chapter 15 ~xh5 17.J.xg7 c;f;>xg7 18.g4+- De Groote - De Weerd, Hengelo 2004.

12 •••1Je7?! - This move is a loss of time, because White's knight will be deployed on the dSoutpost with tempo. 13.h5 ~xh5 (Black is not out of the woods ifhe ignores the h5-pawn, since White wins after 13.. JHb8 14.hxg6 hxg6 15..ih6 .ih8 16.i.g5+- - it would have been even better for him to play 16.MB!, but the move in the game was quite sufficient for victory, Narwojsz - Andruch, Torun 1991, as well as in the variation 13.. .lUd8 14.hxg6 hxg6, BonnetRicbour, Rochefort 1998 and here White achieves success if he goes after his opponent's dark-squared bishop: 15..ih6 .th8 16.MB! l3xf8? 17.l:!xh8+ c;f;>xh8 18.Yflt6+ ~h7 19. IDlI +- and White checkmates; 16... ~h5 17J~xh5 and here after 17...ixd4 18.YHh6 gxh5 19.W1g6+ c;f;>h8 20.W1xh5+ ~g8 21.YHxt7+, as well as following 17...gxh5 18.W1g5+ c;f;>xf8 19.W1xh5+- Black cannot avoid being checkmated.) 14.~d5 YHb7 (Or 14... W1d815.~xc6 .ixc6, Lenier - Scott, Douglas 2005 and here after 16.g4 ~g3 17J!h3 as 18..th6 Ae5 19..tf4 i.g7 20.a3 b4 21.a4+- White wins his opponent's roaming knight. It will not be preferable for Black to try 16... ~f617.~xf6+J.xf618.Yflt2+-, since his kingside is destroyed completely.) 15.~xc6 .ixc6 16.g4 ~f6, Juma - Pongratz, Germany

318

2001 and White's fastest ~ line now is: 17.~xf6+ J.xf6 (Black loses too after 17...exf6 18.tb6 .ixh619.W1xh6md820.W1xh7+<Ma 21.Yflt8+ ~e7 22.W1g7+-) 18.Bb2 h5 19.9xb5 g5 20.IDlgl+- White wins a pawn and his attack is running completely unopposed. 13.h5

13••• ~xb3+ 13... ~c4 14..ixc4 - see 12 ... ~e5.

13.. J~ac8 14.hxg6 ~xb3 ~xb3 - see 13 ... ~xb3. 14.~xb3le8

15.

In answer to 14...b4, Byrka - Kulpa, Polanica Zdroj 2008, White should not be in a hurry to open the h-file, because in this case Black's rook will gain access to the excellent fl-square. Instead, he should play at first 15. .ih6± It is hardly better for Black to opt for 14..•a5 15..ih6 fte8? (Evell after the more tenacious defence 15...a4 16.~d4 .ixh6 17.tfxh6 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.e5 dxe5 20.~e6± Black will be forced to give up his queen.) 16..hg7 mxg7 17.bxg6

as

7.fJ 0-0 B.V!fd2 fIg6 18.Vh6+ wfl 19.e5+- PastoriDo - Dowd, corr.1978.

~c6 9.~c4

j.d71O.Ab3

About ll ... ~xd412bd4 - see Chapter 16, ll...aS. Black has tried in practice some other moves as well: 11•••flc8 12.~db5 ~e5 13.V!fe2 h6, Alonso Jimenez - Hernandez Deniz, Terrassa 1998 and here after 14.he6 fxe6 15.~a7 ga8 16.0-0 ~h5 17.g3t he has no compensation for the defects of his pawn-structure;

15.hxg6 fxg6, Stranegger Legat, Austria 1993, (It is worse for Black to continue with 15... hxg6 16.Ah6+- and he will surely fail to defend against White's threats along the h-file.) 16.~bl ie6 17•.ld4 tfd718.g4t d) 10 ••• &5 Black weakens the bS-square and he will have problems creating any meaningful threats on the queenside because of this. 11.a4

11••••CS 12.~db5 ~e5 13.V!fe2 .ie6 14.~d5 hd5 (Black would not fare better after 14...~xd5 15.exd5 Ad7 16.h3 hb5 17.V!fxb5 ~d718.c3 ~c5, Oppitz - Becker, Germany 1991, because he cannot organize any dangerous counterplay on the queenside. After 19 ..tc2 Vc7 20.0-0-0 ga6 21.h4 gfa8 22.h5 lTh6 23.V!fc4± White's prospects are clearly superior.) 15.exdS ~ed7 16.0-0-0 ge8, W.Browne - Byrne, EI Paso 1973 and White is perfectly prepared for his kingside offensive after 17.g4 ~c5 18bc5 V!fxc5 19.h4 ~d7 20.wbl gac8 21.c3 ti'b6 22. h5± the drawbacks of Black's tenth move have become quite evident. He cannot do anything real on the queenside, while White dominates in the centre and on the kingside.

11...~e5 12.g4 l:k8 13.V!fe2 (This move is too risky, but even after 13... ~c6 14.~db5 ~exg4?

11••• ~b4

319

Chapter 15 lOb4 15.0-0-0t White's initiative is running smoothly; Black's exchange-sacrifice - 13.. Jb:c3 14.bxc3 'flc7, Servaty - Borik, Dortmund 1974, is not as as successful as usual in this variation, because White's king can be evacuated safely to the kingside: lS.c4 E!c8 16.lObS 'fld8 17.0-0±) 14.fxg4 ixg4 15.ti'g2 ti'd7 16.h3 .AhS, V.Zhukov - Pogosian, Maikop 2004 and now after 17.0-0± Black's compensation for the sacrificed piece is nowhere to be seen. 11•••..,S 12.lOdbS E!c8 13. 0-0-0 lOeS, Battulga - Gutierrez, Instanbul 2004, after 14."ffe2± White emphasizes the awkward placement of his opponent's heavy pieces on the queenside; After 11•••lIeS 12.0-0-0 gc8 13.g4 lOeS 14.h4 hS lS.gS lOh7 16.f4t White's kingside initiative is tremendously dangerous, Czaeczine - Thiery, Winterberg 2002. 12.0-0-0 lieS After 12 ...,lc6 13.g4 lOe8, Hartvig - Mcgrane, Catalan Bay 2007, Black has hardly anything at his disposal to counter White's standard kingside attack: 14.h4 e6 15.hS-+ 13.mbl ~a6 14.h4 ~c5 15. h5~xb3

It is worse for Black to play here lS ...lOxhS?! 16.g4 ~g3 17.E!hg1+and his knight is trapped; or 16... lOf6 17..Ah6 i.xh6 18.ti'xh6 e6

320

19.1Of5! exf5 20J~xd6+- and Black is helpless against the threats 21.gS, or 21.lOdS.

16.cxb3 ftc5, Kovacik - Veselsky, Slovakia 2003 (Black loses too after 16...~xhS?! 17.g4 ~f6 18 ..ih6 J.xh6 19.fMxh6 E!e8 20.g5 ~hS 2UlxhS-+ and White's attack is decisive, for example: 21... gxhS 22J~h1 Yfb6 23.~d5 Yfxd4 24.lOf6+ exf6 2S.gxf6+-), White can continue here with 17.g41e8 IS.J.h6± and he has excellent attacking chances in a position with material equality. e) 10 ... ~e511.0-0-0

7..fJ 0-0 8. Wfd2 ltlc6 9.~c4 i.d71 0 .i.b3

1l...b5 About 11 ... a512.a4 gcBl3.o;t>bl _ see 1O ... gcB; 11 ...~c7 - see 10 .. . tyc7; 11.. J3bB - see 10 ... gbB; 11 .. . ileB - see 1O ...l3cB; 1l...~a5 - see 1O...~a5; 1l... a6 12.h4 - see 10 ... a6 11.0-0-0 ltle5 12.h4. In answer to 11••.1rc8, Marino - Waibel, Email 1995, White can prevent Black's knight from reaching the c4-square.12.§'e2 b5 (or 12 ...a5 13.a4±) 13.ltldxb5 §'b7 14.ltld4 as 15.a4 gfcB 16.g4± 1l...e6 12.g4 ltlc6? - this is just a blunder. 13.ltlxc6 hc6 14. Vxd6± Kosugi - Bunce, Email 2000.

After 1l.••1rb8 12.h4, Black has tried in practice: 12 ... gcB 13.h5 ltlc4 14.,hc4 1hc4 15.g4 ~c7 16.hxg6 fxg6, Schmidt - Kussin, corr. 19B6, Wbiteshouldcontinuewithl7.o;t>bl b5 IB.g5 ltlh5 19.1tld5 ~dB 20.b3 gecB 2U~xh5 gxh5 22.ltlf5+- and his attack is winning; 12 ... a5 - Black has no counterplay after this move. 13.a4 gcB 14.h5 ltlc4 15.,hc4 fucc4 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.g4 o;t>f7 IB.g5+- Gotsi Mlakar, Chania 1994; 12 ...h5 13.g4! b5 (Black canbot neutralize White's attack with 13...a5 14.a4 b5 15.g5 b4 16.ltlce2 ~eB 17.f4ltlg4 IB.f5 o;t>h719.ltlf4--. Shahade - Rensch, San Francisco 2000; it is worse for him to try 13...hxg4 14.h5 14...gxh5 15.i.h6

o;t>h7 16.hg7 o;t>xg7 17.§'g5+ ltlg6 IB.ltlf5+ hf5 19.exf5+- and White's attack continues with an extra piece for him; or 14 ... ltlxh5 15.f4ltlc616.f5 o;t>h717.gdgl ltle5 IB.ltld5 ~dB 19.1tlf4+-, or 15 ... ltlf3 16.ltlxf3 gxf3 17.f5 e6 IB.l3dgl--. Black's kingside is defenceless.) 14..th6 as (It would be too risky for Black to try 14"'hxg4 15.h5 ltlc4 16.hc4 bxc4 17.hg7 o;t>xg7 IB.ltld5 ltlxd5 19.exd5 l3hB 20.fxg4--. and White has a very powerful attack in a position with material equality.) 15.ltld5 ltlxf3 (Black cannot trap his opponent's bishop with the line: 15... a4 16.ltlxe7+ o;t>h7 17.hg7 o;t>xg7 IB ..id5+-; afterI5 ... ltlxd516.,hd5 ga617.hg7 o;t>xg7, Negre MoretHerrero, Chanac 19B9, White follows with IB.ltlf5+! .ixf5 19.exf5± and he obtains excellent attacking prospects, for example: 19... ~cB 20.fxg6!--. e6 21.i.e4 fxg6 22.gxh5 d5 23.f4+- and Black's monarch is doomed, or 21.. .. ~c4 22.o;t>bl fxg6 23.gxh5 d5 24.§'g5+-) 16.ltlxf3 ltlxe4 17.ltlxe7+ o;t>h7 IB.ltlg5+ ltlxg5 19.hxg5+- White has won a knight and he maintains dangerous threats, Delforge - Cillen, Lomme11993; 12 ...b513.h5ltlc414.hc4 bxc4 15 ..ih6i Black has succeeded in opening the b-file indeed, but it would still be difficult for him to organize counterplay along it. 15...§'b7 (It is very bad for Black to opt for 15 ...hh6? 16.§'xh6 and here he loses after 16... ltlxh5 321

Chapter 15 17.g4 eS lS.gxhS+-, as well as following 16 ... ~7 17.llJdS llJxdS lS.exdS ~abS 19.b3+-; he would not fare any better after 15... .illS 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.hfB ~xf8 lS.WigS .ig719.~aS+- and Black's dark-squared bishop will remain passive, therefore he has no real compensation for the exchange, Rausis - Tirard, Bogny sur Meuse 2002.) 16.,ixg7 ~xg717.hxg6 fxg6 lS.llJdS ~abS, A.Isaev - Lemaire, COIT. 19S5 (Black should better continue with lS ... ~f7 19.1lJxf6 exf6 20.llJe2 ~bS 21.Wic3±, but even then he would have no counterplay whatsoever.) White maintains a great advantage here with the line: 19.~h6+ ~ 20.b3 cxb3 21.axb3 ~S 22.g4 llJxdS 23.exdS as 24.~he1 ~beS 2S.~e4± Black's pieces remain passive, his king is vulnerable and he cannot capture his opponent's dS-pawn, because he loses his queen after 25 ...~xdS 26.ti'f4+ ~gS 27.llJfS+11••• Jle8 - Black avoids the trade of the dark-squared bishops in this fashion, but he loses an important tempo and he weakens the f7-square. 12.h4

322

and then: 12... ~cS 13.g4 (This is the right move for White here. This is much better for him than 13. ~b1, transposing to positions from Chapter 19, variation e.) 13... '!oC4 14.,ixc4 Jlxc4 lS.hS .icS 16.ti'h2 ti'aS 17.llJb3 ti'c7 lS.hxg6 fxg6 19.~dSllJxdS 20.exdS ~f7 21.li!.>b1 as, Nesterovskaya - Rudovskaya, Ukraine 2000, White obtains an overwhelming advantage now by exchanging the dark-squared bishops 22 ..id4 ~hS 23 ..bg7 ~xg7 24.ti'h6+ cJ?gS 2S.c3±; 12...WiaS 13.hS llJxhS 14.g4 llJxg4 (It would not be better for Black to try 14...llJxf3 15.cfuf3 .ixg4 16.ti'f2 - it is more precise for White to reply here with 16. ti'g2, forcing Black to capture on f3 -16....ixf317.ti'xf3l:US, Montes Vazquez - Bleazard, Aviles 2003, White checkmates here by force lS.~dS ti'a6 19.~dxh5 gxh5 20. ti'xhS h6 21.~dS+-) 1S.fxg4 .bg4 16J~df1 lLlf6 17..ih6 .ihS 1S.Vf4 VeS19.ti'xg4 ti'xd4 20.ti'e6! White forces additional weakening of Black's kingside with this move 20 ...ti'e3+ (Black would not save the game with 20 ...dS 21.m3 e6 22ie3 ti'eS 23.exdS exdS 24. llJxdS+-) 21.~b1ms 22.ti'xe71-0 P.Zapata - Barbeito, Villa Ballester 2002; 12 ...h5 - This is a dellbet'" ate compromising of Black'S king shelter. 13..ih6 e6 14.ug7 cJ?xg7 1S.llJcbS± Blumberg Parkhomenko, Parsippany 2006.

7:fJ 0-0 8. ti'd2 tLlc6 9 ..Ac4 .Ad7 10 ..tb3 12.~dxb5 YfbS It is not preferable for Black to opt for 12 ... YlYaS 13.tLld4 gfcS 14.g4lDcc3 15.\Wxc3 YlYxc3 16.bxc3 !tcS 17.g5 tLlh5 18.~d2+- White should not have too many problems to realise his extra pawn and an exchange, Bologan - Fleischman, New York 2000.

20.tLld4 m4+!, since Black has an excellent position at the end of this variation, D.Sharma - R.Sharma, Lucknow 2004, but he should play instead 15.YlYe2! 15 ...a5 16.a4 YlYb4 17.tLldbS± and White neutralises his opponent's activity. 15.a4

13.~d4ftc8

13 ... a5 - Black weakens the important bS-square with this move. 14.a4 gc8 15.tLldb5 (l5.g4 - see 13... gcS) 15... tLlc4 16..Axc4 lDcc4 17.b3 gb4 lS ..Ad4 \WcS, Pert Buckley, Panormo 2001, it is now essential for White to keep his knight on the bS-square. The best way for him to accomplish this is 19.~bl! %\'b7 (Black loses after 19... gb8? 20.e5 dxe5 21..Axe5+-) 20.h4 gc8 21.g4 h5 (Or 21. ...Axb5 22.tLlxbS lDcb5 23.axb5 \Wxb5 24. 'Id3 ti'c6 25.gh2 a4 26.h5+- and Black has no pieces left to harm White's king.) 22.gxh5 tLlxh5 23 ..ixg7 ~7 24.tLld5± 14.g4a5 It is worse for Black to play 14... tLlc4 15..b:c4 lDcc4 16.b3 gcS 17.g5 tLleS1S.tLld5 M8 19.tLle2 gc6 20 ..Ad4+- and after White has neutralised his opponent's darksquared bishop, he remains with a solid extra pawn, Nguyen Van Huy - Khoong Wei Quan, Bandar Seri Begawan 2003. In answer to 14...e6, it is too risky for White to continue with 15.h4?! as 16.a4 tLlxf3 17.tLlxf3 ~e4 18.tLlxe4 ti'xb3 19.tLlc3 %\'b7

15••• ~xt3 (Black should better play here 15... tLlc4 16..Axc4 lDcc4 17.b3 gc8 lS.g5 tLlh5 19.tLld5± and he remains only a pawn down.) 16.~xt3 ~xe4 17.ti'd5 Ae6 IS.Vxe4+- Black has lost too much material, Fedosenko Lineykin, Kiev 2003. t) 10 ••• ~a5

Black's desire to trade White's dangerous bishop is understandable. 11.0-0-0 (diagram) 11••• ~xb3+ 11... gcS 12.g4 - see 10... gcS 11.0-0-0 tLlaS 12.g4; 11... gbS see 10...gbS 11.0-0-0 tLla5; 11 ... ti'c7 12 ..tg5 - see 10...\Wc7 11. 0-0-0 tLle5 12 ..tg5!? 323

Chapter 15 for Black to opt for 13...lLlxb3+ 14.lLlxb3 bS IS..lh6±, becaUSe after the exchange of the darksquared bishops White's threats along the h-file become even more dangerous, since in case of IS ...Ae6 16.ixg7 c;bxg7 17.hxg6+Black loses plenty of material, Buzeti - Gorsek, Otocec 2006, 14...,te6 IS ..lh6 bS 16.ixg7 - see 14...bS, while following 14... lLlxb5 11...Y:n>B 12.h4 hS 13 ..lh6 IS.g4 lLlf6 16..lh6 ti'c7? - Black lLlxb3+ 14.axb3 bS IS..ixg7 c;bxg7 loses: 17.ixg7 c;bxg7, Reinoso 16.lLldSt Black has been deprived Cornejo Perales, Lima 1999, and of his dark-squared bishop and here White's fastest wining line this diminishes his chances of is IB.lLldS!+- and he checkmates: protecting his kingside and of ob- IB ... lLlxdS 19.ti'h6+ M6 20.g5+ taining meaningful counterplay, c;be6 21.exd5+ eMs 22.ti'b3+ c;bf4 De la Riva Aguado - M.lvanov, 23.gd4+ c;be3 24.ge4+ c;W2 25. gf1#; therefore Black only playFrance 2001. 11... a6?! - This move is a loss able line would have been 16... of time. 12.h4 ixh6! and he would be happy after White's standard reaction 17.ti'xh6 fDc:c3 IB.bxc3 ec7+!, but Black's defensive task would be much more difficult after 17.gm6! bSlBJ3dhl-+, or 17...c;bg7 18.eS! dxe5 19.9S lLlhS 20.tfxd7 ti'xd7 21.fDc:d7 gfeB 22.fDc:b7 f6 23.gxhS gxhS 24.gxf6+ c;bxf6 25. ~6± and White's knights are much stronger than Black's rook, because of the greater activity of and now: 12 ...bS 13.hS - see 10 ... a6 White's pieces overall.) 14.g4 ~f6 11.0-0-0 bS 12.h4 lLlaS 13.h5; IS ..lh6 ixh6 (About IS ...lLlc4? 12 ... lLlxb313. cxb3 b5 (or 13...ti'aS see 10 ... a6 11.0-0-0 lLle5; after IS ...lLlxb3 16.axb3 BaS 17.c11bl 14.c;bbl) 14.c;bbl- see 11... lLlxb3; 12 ... gcB 13.hS lLlxbS (About .txh6, Tavison Garcia - Mendez 13... lLlc4 14.ixc4 - see 10... a6 Nunez, Mexico 2002, White winS 11.0-0-0 lLleS 12.h4 gcB 13.hS with IB.Bxh6 fDc:c3 19.bxc3 tfxc3 lLlc4 14.ixc4; it is not better 20.lLle2 ti'c5 21.gS lLlbS 22.~g3 324

7..fJ 0-0 8. Yfd2 ~c6 9.Ac4 !d710.Ab3 gc8 23J~h2+-, since he is with an extra exchange, he has parried his opponent's threats and he is about to begin his final offensive, or 18.. J~c5 19.~f5! .bf5 20.~dS gxdS 2U!bcdS m,6 22.exf5+- and White continues his attack with an exchange extra.) 16.Yfxh6 ~xb3+ 17.axb3 YfaS (Black is helpless against White's attack even after the seemingly more accurate line: 17... e6 18.~f5! exf5 19J'!xd6 ge8 20.~dS-+ and here White checkmates by force after 20 ... ~xdS 21.Yfxh7+ c.t>f8 22.Yfh8+ c.t>e7 23.Yfe5+ Ae6 24Jhe6+ fxe6 2SJ~h7+ c.t>f8 26.Yfh8#, while in the variation 20 .. J~e6 21.~xf6+ 'iYxf6 22.Yfxh7+ c.t>f8 23Jhd7+Black is doomed in this endgame with two pawns down.) 18.~dS Me8 19.c.t>b1 Yfd8 20.gS ~h5 21.gms gxhS 22.~f6+ 1-0 van Herk - Snuverink, Hengelo 1997. In answer to 12 ...h5, White must act resolutely: 13.g4 hxg4 (Black is helpless against his opponent's direct attack after 13... e5 14.~de2 ~xb3+ lS.axb3 hxg4 16.~g3 gxf3 17.hS ~g4 18.~dS ~xe3 19.Yfxe3-+, and here he loses in case of 19...f5 20.hxg6 f4 21.Yfxf3 1-0 Svacek - Wilkes, COrr. 2000, but he would not save the game even after the more tenacious defence 19....ig4 20J:~dg1 f521.exf5f2 22.Yfxf2 YfgS+ 23.c.t>bl gxf5 24.h6!+-) 14.hS ~xb3+ (14... ~xh5 lS..Ah6 ~xb3 16.~xb3 - see 14...~xb3) lS.~xb3 ~xhS (It is bardIy preferable for Black to try

IS ...gxhS 16.Ah6 ~e8 17JhhS-+ and White's forces in attack are dominant against Black's scarce forces in defence.) 16.Ah6 .if6 (16.. .f6 - This attempt by Black to fortify the dark squares leads to the loss of a piece: 17.fxg4 Axg4 18J3dgl Yfd7 19JTh4 gS 20.ghxg4 ixh6 21.Yfh2 Yfe8 22.gh4+- Espig - Mejuto, Kapfenberg 1970; Black cannot save the day with the greedy capture 16...Axc3 17.Yfxc3 ~f6 18.eS! gc8 19.Yfe3 dxe5 20.Ag7+- and he can avoid being checkmated only at the price of huge material losses, or 19....tf5 20.~d4 ~dS 21.Yfd2+and Black loses at least a rook.) 17.~d5 gxf3 (After 17... ge8 18. fxg4 .txg4 19.9dg1 M3 20.gh3 Axe4 21.gxbS gc8 22.~xf6+ exf6 23.c3+- White's attack is even stronger, because he has an extra piece.) 18.eS AxeS (It would be worse for Black to opt for 18... dxe5 19.~xf6+ ~xf6 20.Yfh2! ge8 21.~c5± and he loses his bishop, remaining under a dangerous attack.) 19.9xbS ie6 20.Axf8 Yfxf8 21.gh4± It might be possible here that Black's four pawns might be good compensation for the rook in an endgame, but with queens present on the board, the pawns are not so mobile. 12.cxb3 (diagram) This is the right pawn for White to capture with. He wishes to keep his knight in the centre, while in case he captures with the a-pawn,

Chapter 15

it would be easier for Black to open files on the queenside. In addition, White is ready in some variations to fight for dominance on the queenside by occupying the c-file. 12 ••••a5 12 ...aS - White gains the access to the bS-square after this move. 13.a4 ti'cS (In case of 13... ti'c7 14.~b1 ~fbS, M.Samarin Baisakow, Verden 2004, White can continue with the standard line: lS.g4 .tc6 16.h4 h5 17.~db5 ti'dS lS.gxhS ~xhS 19.~dSt and his piece-activity more than compensates the defects of his pawnstructure.) 14.~b1 ~dS1S.g4 eS (It would be more reliable for Black to opt for lS.. .i.c6 16..ih6 J.xh6 17.ti'xh6 ~d7 lS.h4 ti'fS 19.ti'gS;t) 16.~dbS dS, Lastin - Chemyshov, Ohrid 2001, and here White wins with 17.J.b6! d4 (but not 17...~fS? lS.gS+-) lS.gS! dxc319.~xc3 ti'c6 (After 19... ~hS 20.,hdS+- White remains with an extra exchange and a pawn.) 20.J.xdS ~dS 21.gxf6+- Black has a bishop pair indeed, but it does not compen326

sate the loss of the exchange, because of White's excellent knight on the dS-outpost. 12 ...ti'c7?! - Black's queen occupies a file, which belongs to his rook. 13.~b1 a6 14.h4 b5 lS.hS.... White proceeds with his standard kingside offensive. lS ...phS Ot is not better for Black to try here lS ...b4 16.~ce2 ~xh5 17.Jh6 BaS lS.g4 ~f619..hg7 ~xg7 20.VNh6+ ~hS 21.~g3 ~gS 22.gS+- White regains his pawn with dangerous threats.) 16.ih6 J.xh6 17.Bxh6 Bc5 lS.g4 ~hS 19.~dS+- Maxia - Battistini, corr. 1975. 12 ...a6 - This move looks too slow. 13.~b1 bS, Pietzsch Briuske, corr. 19S7 (After 13... 'ltlaS, A.Zaitsev - Yurkov, Kharkov 2003, White maintains a stable advantage with the standard line: 14.h4 hS lS.Jh6! 16.J.xg7 ~xg7 17.a3!± - Black is left practically .without any counterplay, so he must defend very accurately. It would be very bad for him to try for example: 17... 'lt1b61S.g4! hxg419.hS e5 20.~f5+ gxf5 21.ti'gS+ 'ttfS 22.ti'xf6 J.e6 23.~dS!+- and his king is helpless.) 14.h4 hS (Black cannot save the game with 14...b4 lS.~ce2 16.hS a4 17.hxg6 axb3 lS.gxh7+ ~hS 19.~xb3 .te6 20.~ed4 e'd7 21.~xe6 'ltlxe6 22.Jh6+- ,he is not checkmated yet, but he baS no compensation for the lost pawns, Jakovenko - EvdokiInOv, Krasnoyarsk 2003.) lS.Jh6 ~ (After lS....txh6 16.ti'xh6 g

mc8

as

7.j3 0-0 B.Y!fd2 tLlc6 9.iLc4 iLd71O.i.b3

17.g4-+ Black can hardly protect his kingside.) 16.ixg7 ~xg7 17.b4 llc4 lSJ~hel eS (It is also dangerous for him to opt for lS .. J3eS 19.eS dxeS 20J~xeS llxb4 21.b3 Y!Ic7 22.%'Ie3± and he loses unavoidably the exchange.) 19.~b3 ofleS 20.~dS %'Ixh4 21.g~ White's pieces are tremendously active and this more than compensates his sacrificed pawn, moreover that Black's kingside is quite vulnerable. 12 ...%'IbS - This square does not seem to be the best for Black's queen. 13.g4 bS 14.h4 b4 lS.~a4 1t'c7+ 16.mb1 %'laS 17.hS gacS, Diakov - Shportenko, Ufa 1996 and here it seems very attractive for White to try to play on both sides of the board with lS.a3!? .ba4 19.axb4 %'Ia6 20.bxa4 ti'xa4 21.gcl! MeS (It is worse for Black to play 21... ~d7 22.J.h6!± and White is perfectly prepared for a direct kingside attack.) 22.h6! - White plans to enter a favourable endgame. 22 ...J.hS 23.llxcS JhcS 24.11cl llxc1 2S.Y!Ixcl ~d7 26.ti'c6 %'Id1+ 27.ma2 ~f8 2S.ti'c2 I'xc2 (After 2S ...ti'el 29.~c6 Af6 30.ti'd3 ti'h4 31.b5+- Black looks completely helpless against White's passed bS-pawn, which Will appear unavoidably on the board.) 29.~xc2 a6 30.~a3± and Black's pieces are so passive that he will hardly manage to hold this endgame. 12...11cS 13.~b1 a6 (It is not Preferable for Black to continue

with 13...%'IaS 14.g4 gc7, Sanchez - Ruggiero, Montevideo 1999, since after lS.gS ~eS 16.~dS %'Ixd2 17.llxd2± White wins the exchange; 14... a6 lS.gS c!DhS 16. ~dS %'IdS 17.~e2 bS lS.~g3!± Black's kingside pawn-structure is either destroyed, or he will have to comply with the opening of the h-file for White's attack: lS ... c!Dxg3 19.hxg3 f6 20.%'Ih2!-+ Chander - Chua Zheng Yuan, Kuala Lumpur 2001; 13...geS this is too slow 14.g4 %'IaS1S.h4 hS 16.gxhS ~xhS 17.ghg1 gc5 IS. ~de2 ~h7 - Black will hardly cope with his opponent's attack after lS ...gc619.ggS eS 20.gdg1-+ - 19.ixc5 ti'xc5 20.ti'dS %'IxdS 21. c!DxdS± and his compensation for the exchange is evidently insufficient, Daamen - A.Muller, Lyngby 1991; after 13...hS 14.h3 geS lS.g4 Y!IaS, Schinke - Korze, Email 2004, it looks reasonable for White to prepare an offensive on the queenside as well: 16.a3 a6 17.gclt and Black has obvious problems with the organization of counterplay.) 14.g4 bS (l4 ...i.c6?! - This move is evidently too slow. lS.h4 hS, Bouwman - Bastos Neto, Teresina 2000 and now White has excellent attacking prospects after the standard reaction 16..th6! hxg4 17.hS i.d7 IS. hxg6 fxg6 19.ti'gS ti'eS 20.i.xg7 ~xg7 21.~f5+ J\xfS 22.exf5±) IS. b4!? gc4 (It would hardly be better for Black to opt for lS... aS 16.~cxbS axb4 17.Y!Ixb4 gbS IS. 327

Chapter 15 a4;!; White will avoid the pin with his next move and after this his queenside defence will look rock solid, Kunakov - Keller, Email 2003.) 16J~c1 e6 (After 16... a5 17. gS tOeS lS.b3 13cS 19.h4 axb4 20.tOdS;!; Black's pieces look totally cramped.) 17.h4t 13.wblftfc8 It would be just a loss of time if Black tries 13...bS?! 14.tOdS ~dS lS.h4 tOxdS 16.exdS as 17..ih6 f6 lS.hS± Dietrich - Mueller, Schoeneck 1996. 14.g4

14•••b5 In answer to 14...hS, Ganguly - Nguyen Anh Dung, Calcutta 2001, it deserves attention for White to continue with lS.gS tOeS 16.a3!? and Black's queenside actions have been prevented, while White can prepare his attack with the help of the advance of his fpawn, for example: 16...bS 17.f4 tOc7 lS.b4 Wa6 19.f5t; or 16... tOc7 17.f4 tOe6 lS.b4 WdS 19.f5t and White maintains dangerous threats in both cases. 32S

14...13abS - This move seelllS very strange, because Black can advance his b-pawn two squares forward outright, while presently it is far from clear to which file his rook belongs. lS.h4 bS (After lS ...hS 16.gS tOeS, Gomar - Resende, Sao Paulo 2003, White needs some prophylactic against b7-bS: 17.a3! tOc7 - Now, in answer to b7-bS, White will counter with b3-b4 - lS.f4 .l\g419.ftc1 d5 20.b4 Wa6 21.eS bS 22.ftc2;!;; It would be even worse for Black to play here lS....ic6 19JThel d5 20.b4 Wa6 21.tOxc6 bxc6 22.f5± and White remains with more active pieces and surprisingly better pawn-structure.) 16.hS b4 17.tOce2 ftc7 (In answer to 17... eS, it is not good for White to continue with the seemingly attractive line: lS.tOf5?!, Nielsen Buhl, Ringsted 1993, in view of lS ...gxf5! 19.9xf5 .ic6! 20.l3hgl tOxe4 21.Wd3! lYb5 22.h6 Wxd3+ 23.ftxd3 .tbS! 24.13dS tOf6f! and Black's prospects are not worse at all. Instead, it is stronger for White to opt for lS.tOc2 .ie619.hxg6 fxg6 - it would be even more perilous for Black to open the h-file with 19 ...hxg6 20..ih6 .ths 21.tOg3 l3c6 22..tf8!+- and White's threats are decisive - 20.Wxd6 tMI 21.tOcl M8 22.Wd2± Black's ldng is vulnerable, his eS-pawn needs protection and he has failed to organize any counterplay.) lS.bxg6 (It also deserves attention for White to try here lS.h61? jJ8

7,13 0-0 B.YHd2 -tlc6 9.Ac4lJ.d710.Ab3 19.-tlc2 e5 20 ..Ag5 -tle8 21.-tle3;t) 18...fxg6 19.95 -tlhS 20J!c1 gbc8 21J!xc7 ~c7 22.-tlc2 gb7 23.gcl ffe5 24 ..Ad4 YHh2 25..ixg7 'it>xg7 26.ft'd4+ ft'e5, Motylev - Bu Xiangzhi, Khanty-Mansiysk 2007, the practically forced variation has ended and now of course White should keep the queens on the board by all means, since he will still be threatening to organize an attack. Meanwhile, Black's knight on hS will have a hard time entering the actions. 27.YHe3 ft'c5 28.-tlcd4 ft'b6 29.e5 gc7 30.gc4;t

15.h4 b4 16.t1ee2

16••••e5, Wahls - Kunze, Munich 1992. Black should better avoid 16... d5 17.e5 -tle8 18..ig5 e6 19.Yfe3±, since his pieces are too passive and his queen on e5 looks beautifully placed, but it can hardly partiCipate in the defence. 16...h5 - This attractive move is aimed at impeding White's offensive and it has not been tested in practice yet. 17.gxh5! -tlxhS 18.

I!hgtt

White is prepared to open files on the kingside. Let us have a look at some possible developments: 18....if6? - The exchange of the dark-squared bishops is definitely in favour of White. 19..Ag5! gab8 20 ..txf6 -tlxf6 2V~~f4 YHc5 22.gg5 e5 23.fug6 fxg6 24.~6+ 'it>f7 25.ft'h6+-; 18...ft'a6?! 19.-tlg3 .!LIxg3 (The transfer of Black's queen to the queenside will not help him much: 19...Yfa5 20..!LIxh5 9xh5 21.gg5 ft'xh4 22 ..!LIfS .hf5 23.exf5 .if6 24.gg4 9h5 25.ft'd3-+ and White is about to destroy Black's king shelter.) 20.~3 ft'a5 21.gg5 e5 22 ..!LIfS-+; 18... gc7?! 19.9g5 ft'a6 20.gdgl 'it>h7 21..!LIfS .lf6 22.~+ gxh5 23 ..!LIxe7!+- and Black is helpless; 18... .!LIf6 19.9g5 Yfa6 (After 19...e5 20 ..!LIfS gxf5 21.gdgl .!LIe8 22.~7+ .!LIxg7 23 ..Ah6 f4 24..Axg7 'it>h7 25.YHxd6 .Ae6 26..!LIxf4+Black cannot save his king. It would not help him to try instead 19... gc5 20 ..!LIc2 gb5 21..!LIed4±, since Black's b4-pawn is very weak.) 20 ..!LIfS gxf5 21.gdgl .!LIe8 22 ..!LIf4!-+ White has sacrificed a 329

Chapter 15 piece, but his attack is crushing: 22 ... M8 (Or 22 ....tb5 23J~g7+ ~xg7 24.1fg2 M8 25.1fxg7+ ebe8 26.1fg8+ ebd7 27.1fxf7 fxe4 28.1fe6+ ebc7 29.~d5+ ebb8 30. ~xe7 i!fS 31.fxe4+- and Black loses despite his extra exchange, since his rook on a8 fails to enter the actions: 31... i!fl+ 32.!!xfl.bfl. 33.~d51fd3+ 34.ebct1fa6 35.1fe7 tfc6+ 36.ebd2 J.b5 37.h5+-) 23. h5! e6 24.!!xg7! ~xg7 25.h6 fxe4 26.hxg7+ ebe7 27.1fh2!+- and Black has nothing to protect his dark squares with; 18... ebfS 19.i!g5 1fa6 (Or 19... i!c5 20.!!xc5 dxc5 21.~f5! J.xf5 22.exf5 c4 23..ic5!± and White succeeds in activating all his pieces taking advantage of the unfavourable placement of his opponent's king. 23 ...cxb3 24.axb3 ~g8 25.1fd5 gc8 26.fxg6 ~f6 Black loses even faster after 26... tfxc5 27.1fxf7+ ~h8 28.gcl+- 27.gxf7+! ebh8 28.1fd3 !!xc5 29.~f4 if8 30.1fg6 gb5 31.gg1~ and he will lose too much material in order to avoid being checkmated. It is more resilient for him to defend with 23 ... ge8 25.1fe3 gxf5 26.gd5 ebg8 27.!!xf5 ~f6 28.gg5-+, hut even then his king remains rather unsafe and his queenside pawns are vulnerable.) 20.1fxb4 gab8 21.1fd2± White has won a pawn maintaining excellent attacking prospects.

17.hS! be4 In answer to 17...hg4, White has the resource 18.J.f4! 1fa5 330

19.fxg4 e5 20.hxg6 fxg6 (Black loses after 20 ...hxg6 21.J.h6+-, because White remains with an extra piece) 21.g5 ~h5 22.~f5 gxf5 23.1e3± Now, Black's king looks completely helpless. 17...gab8 - It may be even better for White to try here 18.gbgl 1fa5 19.h6 J.h8 20.~cl! J.b5 21.llJxb5 1fxb5 22.~d3 ~d7 23.gcli; and his task is to seize the only open file after which Black's king will be terribly endangered, because of the wlnerability of the last rank, for example: 23...a5 24.g5 ~e5 25.~xe51fxe5 26.gc2t

18.fxe4 .txg4

1rxe4+

19.Wal

Black should better avoid the line: 19...e5 20.llJg31fxg4 21.llJde2 1c6 22.ghgl J.f8 23J~dfl J.f3 24.gf2 a5 25.hxg6 hxg6 26.ggfJ±, because he will hardly manage to advance his pawns, while there are so many pieces present on the board.

20.~g3.d5

After 20...1Ib7 21.gdfl e5 22. ti"h2 exd4 23.hxg6-+ White's at-

7..fJ 0-0 8. \!Hd2 .lDc6 9.i.c4 i.d71D ..tb3

tack is developing very fast, for example: 23 ...h5 24.gxi7+ c;tns 25..tf4 mxf7 26..!illch5+- and Black is incapable of avoiding the loss of plenty of material. 21.ldfl eS 22.1114 exd4 After 22 ....te6 23.hxg6 exd4 24.gxh7+ 'ibh8 25.J.h6 .te5 26. ~h5 d3 27.\!Hg5+- Black must give up a piece in order to avoid the checkmate, but White's piece activity is so great that even after the trade of the queens - 27... Axb2+ 28.mxb2 ~xg5 29.i.xg5he continues with his checkmatingattack. 23.1xg4 d3 24.115 AeS 25.'llf5~ Black's pawns cannot compensate fully the missing piece, because his king is wlnerable. g) 10 ... Bb8 This is the so-called "Chinese Dragon". Its main features are that it is relatively not well ana-

lyzed yet and the fact that Black has very good practical results in it. 11.0-0-0

11••• 'llaS White's light-squared bishop perfonns often as a dangerous attacking piece, so Black plans to get rid of it at an opportune moment. After 11•••b5, Black has good chances of obtaining an adequate compensation for the pawn, therefore White must play very accurately. 12.~dxb5 ~a5 (In answer to 12 ...~e5, Lo Presti Scarzello, Mar del Plata 2008, it is good for White to continue with 13.lod4 as 14.a4 flli4 15.\!He2 ~a8 16.g4± and Black's compensation for the pawn is definitely insufficient.) 13.~d4 ~xb3+ 14. cxb3 \!Hc7 15.'ibbl \!Hb7, Kudrin Steiner, Stillwater 2005, it is now high time that White played precisely. 16..tg5! - with the idea to simplify the position by trading pieces. 16.. JUe8 (It is worse for Black to opt for 16.. JUc8 17..txf6 J.xf6 18.~d5 .ih4 19.93±, because he is deprived of his only trump - his bishop-pair. His attempt to preserve the dark-squared bishop loses quickly after 19...e6 20.~f5! gxf5 21.gxh4+-) 17.J.xf6 J.xf6 18.~d5 Ag7 (Naturally it is disaster for Black to play 18...J.xd4 19.\!Hxd4 .tc6 20.~e3+-) 19J~cl± He can hardly prevent the penetration of White's rook to the seventhrank. 11••• 'lleS - This move presents White with tempi to advance 331

Chapter 15

his pawns. 12.f4 ~eg4 (It is not preferable for Black to continue with 12 ... ~c6 13.~f3 ti'a5 14.h3, because here after 14.. J~bd8 15.g4 b5 16.ti'd3 b4, Stanculescu - Enoiu, Predeal 2006, and the only response 17.~d5 ~xd5 - it is too passive for Black to play 17...~e8 18.~d4± - 18.exd5 ~b8 19.J.d4± White preserves excellent attacking prospects. It is only slightly better for Black to try a line, which has not been tested in practice yet: 14...b5 15.e5 b4 16.~d5 ~e4 17.ti'd3 ~c5 18..ixc5 ti'xc5 19.Wlc4!t - White's pieces are well centralised and this provides him with chances of obtaining the advantage in the endgame, for example in the variations: 19... !tb5 20.ti'xc5 !txc5 21.exd6 exd6 22J~he1.1e6 23.~g5t, or 19 ...!tb7 20.ti'xc5 dxc5 21.~e3 ~a5 22 ..idS !tc7 23.h4t - White has seized the initiative for long thanks to his active pieces. His chances are superior too after 19...Wlxc4 20..ixc4 !tfd8 21.exd6 exd6 22.!theU, because Black's d6 and fl-pawns are very weak.) 13.h3! ~xe3 14. Wlxe3 e6 (After 14...e5 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.~f3 ti'a5 17.!tdM White is dominant on the only open file and his bishop is much more active than any of his opponent's bishops. Black's most tenacious defence seems to be 14...ti'a515.e5 ~h5 16.e6 fxe6 17..be6+ .ixe6 18.~xe6t, but here he is faced with the difficult choice between 18...!tfl 19.~xg7 ~xg7 20.!td4t, 332

and White's pieces are more active, or 18....ixc3 19.~xf8 &fa - it is clearly worse for Black to opt for 19....ixb2+ 20.~xb2 &fa 21.W1b3+ ~h8 22.g3± - 20.%rxca ti'xc3 21.bxc3 ~xf4 22.!the1 !ttl 23.!td2 g5 24.c4 b6 25J3e3t, and White's rook is much more mobile than Black's knight.) 15.g4 .ic6, Russell - Kafka, Goa 2002 and here it deserves attention for White to apply straightforward central strategy with 16.e5!?, after 16...~dS 17.~xdS exd5 18.e6±, his advantage is doubtless in view of the vulnerability of his opponent's central pawns. It is hardly better for Black to opt for 16... ~e8 17.~xc6 bxc6 18.exd6 ~xd6 19.ti'xa7 !ta8 (White has a clear edge in the endgame, arising by force after 19....ixc3 20.bxc3 !ta8 21.Yfd4 ~b5 22.Wlxd8 !taxd8 23.!txd8 !txd8 24.!tdl±, because of his outside passed pawn.) 20.Yfe3 ti'c7 21.~e4± White's bishop on b3 has cemented perfectly his queenside and Black will hardly prove any compensation for the sacrificed pawn. In case of 11••• aS, Molnar - Szamoskozi, Hungary 2004, Black is not threatening to advance this pawn any further with a rook on b8 and after 12.~bl ~xd4 13..ixd4 b5 14.e5! dxe5 15.J.xe5 !tb7 16.~d5 ~e8 (but not 16...a417.~xf6+.ixf6 18.AdS na7 19..ixf6 exf6 20.h4± and White'S pieces are tremendously active)

7J3 0-0 8. V!fd2ltlc6 9.Ac4 Ad710.li.b3

17.ixg7Itlxg71B.a3 e619.1tlc3 V!fe7 20Jllieti White is better thanks to his centralised pieces and his control over the centre. He needs to simplify the position, because in the endgame his king is capable of becoming a decisive factor in the battle much faster and then Black's as and b5-pawns will become liabilities.

11••••a5 - This move is too slow. 1Vit>b1 ~fc8 13.h4

and now: About 13...b5 14.~e1 - see Chapter 1B, 12 ...h5 13.c;t>b1 ~bB 14.~e1; 13...1tle5 14..th6 - see Chapter 17, 10...V!faS 11.0-0-0 ~fcB 12.h4 1tle5 13.c;t>b1 ~abB 14.ib6; 13••.b5 - White must play very precisely after this move. 14.h5! Itlxh5 (It is hardly better for Black to try 14...b4 15.ltldS! ~xdS, Stoica - Carousa, Rumania 1969, because White can continue with 16.exdS! ltle5 17.hxg6 hxg6 1B.ib6 .thB 19..1g5-+ and his attack is crushing.) 15.g4 Itlf6 16.1tlf5!! Strangely enough, Black is already beyond salvation:

After 16...gxf5 17..th6! he loses in case of 17.. .f4 1B.V!fxf4 b4 19.1tld5+-, or 17....txh6 1B.V!fxh6 fxg4 19.1tld5 .te6 20.ltlxf6+ exf6 21 ..ixe6+-, as well as following 17...b4 1B.V!fg5 ltleB 19.1i.xg7Itlxg7 20.l:Mt7! cmrn7 21 ..txf7+-, he would not save the game either with the line: 17... ltle5 1B ..txg7 c;t>xg719.V!fh6+ c;t>gB 20.ltld5+-; White's attack is crushing after 16...b4!? 17.ltld5 Itlxd5 (or 17...gxf5 1B.li.h6 Itlxd5 19.1i.xg7 f4 20.V!fh2+- with decisive threats for White) 1B.exdS li.xf5 (Black suffers huge material losses after 1B...gxf519.V!fh2 e6 20.V!fxh7+ c;t>f8 21.li.h6 .txh6 22.V!fxh6+ ~e7 23. V!fg5+ f6 24.Y:5"g7+ c;t>dB 25.dxc6 ~c6 26.~h7+-) 19.9xf5 ltle5 20. fxg6 and here he is completely helpless after 20 ...hxg6 21.V!fh2 f5 22.f4 Itlg4 23.V!fh7+ c;t>f1 24 ..ld4 ~gB 25.~de1+-, or 20 ...fxg6 21. V!fg2 V!fa6 22.~dg1+-; It is equally bad for him to reply 16....txf5 17.gxf5 ltle5 lB. fxg6 hxg6 19..th6 .thB 20.ltld5 V!fdB 21.V!fh2-+ White's attack is tremendously dangerous and the following variation illustrates this perfectly: 21 ...ltlxfJ 22.V!fh3 1tle5 23.MB Itlh5 24..txe7 V!fd7 25. V!fg2 V!fg4 26.V!fxg4 Itlxg4 27. ~dg1 +- Black has succeeded in exchanging the queens indeed, but he loses his knight instead; 16 .••li.e6 17.ltlxg7 ~7 lB. .th6+ ~gB19..1g5 .txb3 20.cxb3-+ White's attack is crushing and probably decisive. 20 ... ltld7 21. 333

Chapter 15 gm7! tLlfB, G.Hemandez - Amura, Balaguer 1997 (or 21...~xh7 22.YfIh2+ ~gB 23.~h1 f6 24.Yflh7+ ~fB 2S.YfIxg6! with an unavoidable checkmate), and here White can finish his opponent off in a spectacular fashion with the line: 22.~B+!! ~xhB 23.M6+ exf6 24.%Yh6+ tLlh7 2S.~h1 ~gB 26.tLldS+12.g4

This is not the most popular move for White, but it is the most logical and he prevents with it the possibility that his knight may be ousted from its perfect centralised position. 12 ••• b5 13•.1h6 J.xh6 Black has tried in practice some other moves too: 13... tLlc4 14..ixc4 bxc4 lS ..txg7 ~7 16.h4 YfIb6 17.b3 YfIaS lB. ~b2 ~fcB 19.hSt White has parried his opponent's threats on the queenside and he begins the preparation of his kingside offensive. Black's defence is very difficult, because his most important defender - the bishop on g7 has 334

been exchanged. 19... ~b6 20.hxg6 fxg6 21.tLlde2 ie6 22.Yflh6+ cM7 23.gS+- Naranjo Moreno - Ani. bas Lopez, Spain 2007; 13...b414.tLldS tLlxb3+ lS.tLlxb3 tLlxdS 16..ixg7 ~xg7 17.exdS as (but not 17.. .h4 1B.h4±) 1B.h4 a4 (Black's defence is very difficult too following 1B ...h6 19.h5 g5 20.f4±) 19.hS! ~hB (After 19... axb3 20.hxg6 h5 21.gxhS e5 22.~dg1+- White's threats are d~ cisive.) 20.tLld4 f6 21.~del± Black's king is vulnerable and his pieces are discoordinated, Cheparinov - Banikas, Plovdiv 2003; 13...e5 14.tLlf5! gxf5?! (It looks like the least of evils for Black here is the line: 14...ixf51S ..Axg7 ~xg7 16.exfS tLlxb3+ 17.axb3 b4 1B.tLla4±, since he loses a pawn indeed, but he still preserves some chances of a successful d~ fence.) lS.gxf5 tLlxb3+ 16.axb3 tLleB 17..txg7 tLlxg7 1B.YfIxd6 ~b7 19.~hg1+- (This practically forced variation has led to a position in which Black is completely stalemated and he is helpless against his opponent's numerous threats.) 19...cbhB 20.Yflh6 ~gB 21.tLldS ixf5 22.tLlf6 YfIaS 23.~bl 1-0 P.Negi - Corrales Jimenez. Sabadell200B. 14.'I"xh6 (diagram) 14•••b4 About 14...tLlxb3 lS.tLlxb3 b4 16.tLldS - see 14...b41S.tLldS ~xb3 16.tLlxb3.

7/3 0-0 B.Y!Jd2 ttlc6 9•.ic4 .id71O ..ib3

It is inferior for Black to try here 14.. .c~hS?! 1S.h4 ~c4 16.hS-+ Lyaskovsky - Mordechai, Herceg Novi200S. He should avoid 14...e5, because of 1S.~fS! and now after lS... ~xb3 (lS ....ixf5 16.exf5 ~xb3 17.axb3 - see 1S...~xb3 16.axb3 hf5 17.exf5) 16.axb3 .ixf5 17.exfS b4 1S.~e4 &e4 (but not 1S.. J::tb6 19.9S ~hS 20.gdS Y!Je7 21.~g3± and Black will hardly manage to defend his kingside) 19.fxe4 gb6 20.g5-+ White's attack develops effortlessly with natural moves: 20 ...gxf5 21.exfS whS 22.g6 fxg6 23.fxg6 Y!Je7 24JThfl gbbS 2S. gxh7 e4 26.gg1 gf7 27.gxd6 gm7 2S.Y!Jd2 1-0 Saldano Dayer Cuenca Jimenez, Seville 2004, While in the variation 1S...gxf5? Black loses very quickly: 16.gS! ~b3+ 17.axb3 ~eS (Black cannot save the game after 17... ~xe4 lS.fxe4 .le619.~dS.lxdS 20.exfS! \thS 21.gxdS+-) 1S.~dS f6 19.~g1 gf7 20.gxf6+ whS 21.~e7 1-0 Gopal - Li Chao, Martuni 2007. 15.~d5 ~xb3+

The move 1S...eS?! can be refuted by White in a standard fashion. 16.~fS! .ixf5 17.gxf5 ttlxb3+ 1S.axb3 ttlxdS19.gxdS l::!b6 20.h4 c;f;lhS, A.Rudolf - Cernousek, Pardubice 2007 (Black has no counterplay in the variation 20 ... ga6 2l.'~b1 \¥If6, or 21...txg7 17.h4't and White's slight material deficit, because kingside initiative is running he would be attacking the enemy completely unopposed, Speckner king. In addition, Black would - Jirovsky, Bayern 1996; 14... lL)d7 have a powerful bishop-pair, so 15.ixg7 ~g716.h4 h6 17.f4± and he would have excellent chances White has dangerous threats, even in an endgame. Conquest - Mauro, Forli 1992.) In case of 20.lL)d4, Black can 15.lL)b5 "i9bS, Folk - Znamenacek, choose between 20 ...gdS 21."i9xb4 Czech Republic 1996. here, after ixd4 22."i9xbS a3 and 20 ... a3!? White transfers his queen to the 21."i9xb4 (or 21.'ml2 gcS and the b3-square, he can squeeze his op- game is very unclear) 21...axb2 POnent's pieces to the protection 22.gbl ia6 23.lhb2 fxe4 - and he of his e6-pawn and his kingside would have good compensation initiative will be very powerful: for the minimal material loss. 16.Be3 ga6 17."i9b3 "i9cS lS.g4 White has tested in practice li?hs 19.h4± 20.lL)f4 gdS, but Black should be

341

Chapter 16

quite happy with that: 2Ufe7? fxe4=i= Cheparinov - Leon Hoyos, Cuernavaca 2006; 21. %\'b6, Sutovsky - R.Mamedov, Moscow 200S, 21...J.xb2 22.0~~dS ~dS 23.exdS ~eS+ 24.f2 ~e2+ 2S. ~g3 fi'e5+ 26.f4 ~c3+ 27.h2 ~hS+ with a perpetual check. Obviously, White should better forget about his ambitions and he should comply with the repetition of moves in the variation 21. ~xb4 %\'bS 2VLle2 .Af8 23.~c3 (In case of 23.~aS .be2 24.xe2 .ib4, Black wins: 2S.~xa4 gd2+ 26.'iWl ~g3 27.~eS+ .Af8 2S.ghS+ xhS 29.~xf8+ h7 30.~xf7+ ~h6 31. fi'f8+ ~hS 32.fi'hS+ gS, or 2S. ~a6 gd6 26.~c4 gd2+ 27.f1 ~a7! 2S.fi'c8+.Af8 29JlliS+ ~xhS 30.fi'c3 gd4-+) 23 ....ig7 24.fi'h4 (It would be too dangerous for White to try 24.fi'aS geS 2S.gdl fxe4 26.f4 e3.) 24....Af8 etc. (Rogozenko). After the move 12.a4, the fight can follow two main lines: a) 12••• bxa4 and b) 12••• b4. The endgame is very difficult for Black after 12...fi'aS 13.ttJxbS fi'xd2+ 14.~xd2 .ixbS IS.axbS ttJxe4+ 16.~e3 .ixd4+ 17.~xd4 ttJf6 ISJ~aS± Abreu - O.Perez, Havana 2006. The only reasonable alternative for Black to the above mentioned line is the move 12 ... a6, but it has never become really popular. The reason for this is the type of position arising after 13.axbS 342

axbS 14.0-0 J.c6 IS.ttJa2 - White has a stable advantage. His centralised pieces and the powerful knight on b4 enable him to fight effectively allover the board. He can play on the a-file, he can attack on the kingside and he can exert pressure against Black's vulnerable bS-pawn. There might follow IS....th7 (15...fi'd7 16.~b4 hS 17J:tadl ~h7 IS.gfel J.b7 19. c3 fi'c7 20.fi'e2 fi'aS 21.e5 dxe5 22.fi'xe5 e6, Dominguez - Malakhov, Tripoli 2004, 23.fi'gS±, or 16....ib7, Bindrich - Wu, Belfort 200S, 17.c3;t) 16.ttJb4 ttJd717.J.xg7 ~7, Kramnik - van Wely, Wijk aan Zee 2004, IS.fi'd4+ mg8 19.J.dS fi'cS 20.~S fi'xaS 21.b3±

a) 12•••bxa4 13•.txa4

13•.•ha4 Black has numerous possibilities here to choose from. He cannot create any problems for White with 13...%\'bS, Morozov - EDdielins, corr. 1977, 14.0-0±, or 13... fi'c8 14.0-0 J.e6, Bach - Ger))el't, Luebeck 1976, IS.ga3±

7J3 0-0

8.~d2 ~c6

9.i.c4 i.d71D.iib3

After 13... e514.i.e3 iie6, it deserves serious attention for White to continue with 15.0-0-0!? (The move 15.0-0 enables Black to free his game a bit with 15...d5 16.exd5 ~xd517.~xd5ft"xdSlB.ft"xd5i.xdS

19J~fdl i.e6, Kanep - Seeman, Finland 200B.) IS ... ~eB (The sortie IS ...ft"aS leads to the trade of queens: 16.~xd6 rubBI7.ft"c5±, or 16.. .l:Uc8 17.h4 ~eB IB.bxa5 ~xd6 19J~xd6 ~c3 20Jld3±) 16.h4 ft"aS (or 16.. J~cB 17.b3 ft"aS IB.b2±) 17.b3 ~f6 18.~bS± It is quite in the spirit of the position if Black tries 13...aS 14.0-0 gbB (14.. .i.xa4 IS.~a4 transposes to the main line - see 13...J.xa4 14.~4 as IS.0-0; it is bad for Black to opt for 14... eS 15.J.e3 J.e6 16.gfdl± Boudy - Estevez Morales, Mexico 1975) 15.Axd7 ~xd7. De Jong - Wiersma. Dieren 200B, 16.~d5 i.xd4+ 17.ft"xd4 e6 (Black can hardly put up with the white knight on d5 for long. but now he weakens his kingside and White obtains a slight edge.) 18.~e3 ~e5 19. ~d1i;

It is interesting for Black to reply here with 13.. .J.e6, preserving the light-squared bishops and aCCOrdingly a more complex position. After 14.0-0 ft"c7. Papp Feher, Harkany 2000 (It is less Principled for Black to opt here for 14... ~d7. since this allows White to obtain a very favourable ratio for this type of structure i.e. -a knight against a light-squared

~xd411.hd4

b512.a4

bishop" with heavy pieces present on the board: IS.i.c6 hd4+ 16. ~xd4 gbB 17.hd7 hd7, Murdzia - Jirovsky, Czech Republic, IB.b3 as 19.~dS±, or 18...gcB 19.9a6±. followed by gf2 and an attack against Black's a7-pawn.) it deserves attention for White to continue with IS ..tbS as (otherwise Black's queenside will be totally squeezed: IS ... gtbB 16.~a6±. or IS ...gfcB 16..ta6 gbB 17.b3 ~d7 IB.f4 hd4+ 19.~xd4 ~c5 20. ~xc5 ~xc5 21.f5 .lcB 22 ..i.c4±) 16.ga4 gtbB 17.gfal, with the idea to exploit the pin of Black's aspawn in the variation 17...~d7?! IB.h4± In case of 13 ... gbB 14.J.xd7 ~xd7, A.Zhigalko - Khalifman, Moscow 200B, White should better play IS.J.xg7 ~xg7 16.b3 gb7 17.~d5, preventing the immediate development of Black's queen to the b6-square. Here, after 17... e6 IB.~e3 ft"h4+ 19.e2± there arise problems for Black with the protection of the d6-pawn, so he should better comply with the slightly inferior position in the line: 17...~f6 IB.~e3 ~6 19.~c4 ft"c5 20.gaS gbS 21.~bS ft"xbS 22.0-0i 14.1xa4 (diagram) 14••• a5 Black prevents his opponent's positional bind on the queenside in this fashion. It will not be economical for him to protect the a7pawn with his queen:

Chapter 16

14...W1d715.0-0~tb8, Tikhomirov - Bondarchuk, Simferopol 1991,16.b3±; 14...ti'c7 15.0-0 ~fc8 16.~fal± Lifshitz - Stoesz, Email 2002; 14...ti'b8 15.0-0 ~c8 (or 15... ~d7 16.~dS e6 17..ixg7 ~xg7 18.~b4 ti'd8 19.~e3 ~f6 20.~d4± Draoui - Iglesias, Metz 2006) 16.b3 e6 (In case of 16...e5 17..le3 W1c7 18.~c4 ti'd7, Binas - Fagundes, Email 2001, 19J~xc8+ 13xc8 20.~al ti'c6, White has an exquisite solution, which enables him to fix a very favourable positional structure - 21.~a2! W1a6 22.c4 ti'a3 23.~bl±) 17.~fal ~e8, Efimenko - Hossain, Moscow 2008, 18.~dl Axd4+ 19.13xd4 ti'b6 20. ~e3± - Black's defence is very difficult, because of his numerous weaknesses. 15.0-0 ~d7 16.J.xg7 hr:7 17.1Yd4+e5 Black will have some compensation for the pawn in this endgame, because of his more active pieces and his pressure along the open b and c-file. Meanwhile, White gradually consolidates his 344

position, therefore it would be safer for Black to choose the more prudent line: 17... ~g8 18.~d5 ~c8, Ueter - Stertenbrink, Enger Spenge 1978, 19.c3;t, or 18...e6 19.~e3 ~e5 20.W1d2;t 18.1Yxd6 ~b6 19.1Yxd8 Mxd8 20 .ga2 gdc8 Black would not change anything much with: 20 ...~ac8 21.13xaS ~c4 22.13xdS 13xdS 23. ~xdS ~xb2 24J:kl ~d3 25.~dl ~b2 26.~d2±

21.gdl a4 22.gd3 ~c4 23.b3 axb3 24.ba8 ba8 25.cxb3 ~a5 26.~dS± White has excellent chances of realising his extra pawn and he did this successfully in the game Jakovenko - Maze, Fuegen 2006. b) 12 •••b4 13.~dS ~d5 14.Axg7 Wxg715.exdS (diagram) The pawn-wedge on dS cuts the board in halves and Black is faced with the difficult task of protecting his monarch reliably. He must either create an effective

7J3 0-0 B.'f!ld2

~c6

9 ..ic4 .id710 ..ib3 ~xd411.hd4 b512.a4

queenside counterplay in order to deflect White's forces, or to re-establish communications opening the centre with e7-e5. His pawnstructure however gets weakened considerably in the process (after White captures en passant d5xe6). In general, Black fails to achieve what he is after.

15•••m,6 In case of 15... a5, Black does not need to protect his b4-pawn any more, but his counter attack against White's a4-pawn becomes impossible too. The focus of the fight is in the centre and on the kiogside and White has an obvious advantage there. After 16.h4 h5 17."fId4+ f6, Lukin - Bakhrakh, St Petersburg 1994, IB.O-O-O "fIeB 19.94 rutB 20J~del±, or 17... mh7 IB.g4 hxg4, AFemandes - Frois, Vila Real 2005, 19.h5 g5 20.fxg4 'tlrcB 2U~g1 c,!,>h6 22.0-0-0 "fIeB 23J~del± Black will be faced with a long and difficult defence. He blight try to solve the problem With additional space in a radical fashion with 16...e5, but this has certain drawbacks too. After

17.dxe6 ixe6, Nataf - Arkhipov, Bie11999, 1B.,be6 geB 19.0-0-0 ~e6 20.h5 'fJe7 21.hxg6 fxg6 22.ghel±, or 1B...fxe6 19.0-0-0 d5 20.h5 gcB 21.hxg6 hxg6 22. c,!,>b1 "fIf6 23.'f!Jh6+ c,!,>f1 24."fIe3 c,!,>g7 25.gd4 ghB 26.gea White is clearly better, because of his much superior pawn-structure. Black has also tried in practice the move 15...'fJaS with the idea to prevent his opponent from castling long. He has no chances of attacking White's king at all, so this minor detail does not change the character of the fight. 16.h4 h6 (or 16...e517.h5 gfeBIB.hxg6 hxg6 19.'f!Jh6+ cM6 20.f4; here after 20 ...exf4+ White will follow with 21.c,!,>d2±, in case of 20 ..."fIc5 21. 0-0-0 "fIe3+ 22.mb1 exf4 23.gdfl Black's king will hardly find a safe haven for long, for example: 23 ....ti5 24.grl4 ge4 25.'f!Jh4+ c,!,>g7 26."fIh7+ c,!,>f6 27JMS+ gxf5 2B.rut6+ me7 29."fIg7 ggB 30."fIf6+ c,!,>eB 31.rut7 gfB 32."fIxd6 'f!Jb6 33."fIg3 f4 34."fIg4 c,!,>dB 35."fIg5+ mc7 36.rut6 'f!ld4 37.gf6±, or 27... c,!,>xf5 2B.'f!lxf1+ c,!,>g5 29."fIg7 "fIf2 30.rut6 "fIf5 31.gh~) 17."fId4+ c,!,>gB, Nijboer - Maze, Dresden 2007 and here it deserves attention for White to follow with 1B.h5 g519.0-0"flc5 20."fIxc5 dxc5 21.f4 gacB 22 ..ic4 and he maintains a stable advantage in this endgame, because of his more active pieces and the prospects to attack his opponent's vulnerable pawns: 22 ... jg4 23.fxg5 hxg5 24.gae1 gc7 345

Chapter 16 2S.geS+-; 22 ...g4 23.gfe1 gfe8 24.a5±, or 22 ...gxf4 23Jbcf4 e6 24.gafl exdS 2S.hdS.1e6 26.he6 fxe6 27.gg4+ wh7 28.ge4± 16.b4h5 In case of16 ...h6, it is possible for White to play 17.0-0-0 ~a5 (Black is still trying to do something. If he remains idle, White will easily improve his position, for example: gd1-e1-e4.) 18.h5 gS 19.f4 g4 20.ti'd4+ wg8 21.f5 .ha4 22.f6 exf6 23.ti'xg4+ wh8 24.ti'f4+17.0-0-0

17••••&5 After the indifferent move 17... gac8, David - B.Gonzalez. Istanbul 2000, 18.gde1, White's attack is very powerful: 18...me8 19.94 hxg4 20.fxg4 .hg4 21.hS gxhS 22.geg1+-, or 18....tf519.wb1 gc7 20.g4± Just like in many other variations, Black can prevent the routine developments by advancing e7-eS, but the positional concessions that he will make will be too great, for example: 17•..a5 18.gdel 346

gae8 19J~e3 eS 20.dxe6 he6 2l. Ellie1 .id7 22.ge7 ~e7 23.ftxe7 .tf5 24.wb1± 18.g4J.xa4 Black provokes a crisis. He can isolate temporarily his rook with 18...gb8 19.ti'd4+ Wg8. but this would not solve his problems at all: 20.ghe1ixa4 21.ixa4 ti'xa4 22.~e7±. or 20 ...ge8 2l.g5 ha4 22JM3 wh7 23..ixa4 ~xa4 24.ga3± 19.J.xa4 'll"xa4 20.1Jd4+ wb6

21. ebbl (This prophylactic is very useful for White. His kingside prospects are excellent, so he does not need to allow his opponent to create counterplay: 21.gxh5 gac8 22.mt2 ea1+ 23.wd2 ti'a2 24.hxg6. Shomoev - B.Savchenko. Moscow 2006, 24...gc4 2S.ti'e3+ ebg7 26.ed3 m4 27.gxf7 ti'xb2 28J~g2+ caflhS 29.gdg1 ti'c3+ with a probabl draw.) 21•••lIac8 22.b3 W(22 ...ti'd7 23.Bxb4±) 23••.12+ ebb7 24.gxh5± It is possible ~ Black will succeed in ex~

7.j3 0-0 8. Y!ld2

~c6

9.Ac4 J.d71O.J.b3

queens thanks to his counterplay along the c-file, but even then his

~xd411.hd4

b512.a4

defence will remain very difficult too.

Conclusion Black's plan (10 .. .loxd4 u 1l...b5), which we analyze in this chapter, is aimed mainly at White's long castling. Black is threatening to advance quickly his a and b-pawns and thisforces White to introduce some corrections into his plan and to react in a positionalfashion (12. a4). In variation a (12 ...bxa4) the position is opened and White's successful attack becomes even less likely. Accordingly, he should better rely on some other advantages ofhis position and this is his space advantage, the more active position ofhis pieces and his superior pawnstructure. You will be convinced after you have studied our analyses that White manages to maintain his initiative. In variation b, there arises an exchange of strategical assets and after a series of forced exchanges there arises a position in which White's light-squared bishop becomes much less effective, because it is restricted by the pawn on ds. On the other hand this same pawn is in fact an outpost in Black's camp and it determines White's space advantage - particularly in the zone dl-d5-h5. It is quite obvious that presents White with a considerable edge and Black will try to remedy this situation by all means. Accordingly, the main motive of White's strategy should be prophylactic. He must be well preparedfor Black's attempts to change the structure of the position and that is to counter his attempt to push e7-e5. If White succeeds in accomplishing this task, then Black will be faced with serious problems as the variations we have presented show.

347

Chapterl7

l.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 tlf6 5.~c3 g6 6 •.le3.lg7 7.f3 0-0 8.1rd2 ~c6 9.Ac4 Ad7 lO •.lb3 Va5

determine the placement of his queen too early in the game and White can exploit that. The vulnerability of Black's queen on as is an important feature of this line of the Dragon variation. This circumstance creates numerous advantageous tactical possibilities for White. 11.0-0-0IfeS About 1l.. J~ac8 12.'ttb1 - see In this chapter we will ana- Chapter 18. lyze a plan for Black, which used The move 1l.../t)e5 usually to be tremendously popular dur- leads to transpositions of moves: ing the 60ies and the 70ies of the 12.h4 ~c8 (12 ...lUc8 13.ebb1 past century. Presently, it is not see 1l.. .lUc8; 12 ...h5 13.ebb1 geeS played so frequently, because 14..tgS! - see 1l.. JUc8) 13.'ttb1 there have been found quite clear see 10 .. .l:~c811.0-0-0 /t)e512.'ttb1 ways for White to develop and YlYaS 13.h4. Black's next move is not in the maintain the initiative. The essence of Black's idea is to place spirit of the position - 1l...Yfa6?! on c8 his king's rook (This seems (Losing tempi like that in a situquite logical, because the position ation with opposite sides castling of the rook on fa has the draw- is something Black can hardly afback that when White plays .ih6, ford.) 12.g4 /t)aS, Carroll - Faber, Black cannot avoid the trade of Email 2003, 13.J.h6t, and White his dark-squared bishop and also begins his kingside offensive. 12.h4fle5 there are some lines in which he White is better after the exmight need the fa-square for his king.). The defect of this set-up travagant move 12...tfeS?! 13.g4 however is that Black is forced to hS 14.gS lOe8 lS.f4 YlYaS 16.15:1: 348

10.Ab3 Y!fa511. 0-0-0 i!.fc812.h4 AdoIjan - Velimirovic, Arandjelovac 1976. It would be premature for Black to try 12 ...b5?!, Bibas Zeitler, 1972, 13.~cxbS Y!fxd2+ 14.i!.xd2 ~eS IS.~c3 ~c4 16..ixc4 fixc4 17.g4± White's attack is running smoothly after the tentative move 12 ... i!.ab8?! 13.g4 bS (13 ... ~d4 14.,ixd4 bS, Langerak van Nies, Rijswijk 2001, IS.hf6 Axf6 16.~dS Y!fxd2+ 17.i!.xd2±), Cannon - van Wyk, Cape Town 2002, 14.hS b4 IS.~dS ~xdS 16. exdS ~e5 (16... ~xd4 17.hd4±) 17.hxg6±, followed by 18.Y!Yh2. It is not logical for Black to play 12... ~xd4 13.,ixd4 h6 (Note that Black's bishop has come to the e6-square in two tempi.) 14.rtlbl hb3 IS.cxb3± Oechslein - Olexa, corr. 1970, while if 13...bS, then 14.hS! e5 (It is just bad for Black to try 14...~xhS? IS..ixg7 ~xg7 16.Y!Yh6 ~h5 17.~dS+-, or 15••• rtlxg7 16.g4 i!.xc3 17.gxhS+Nowacki - Szarwacki, Leba 2006; after 14...h6?!, Vasiesiu - Creto, Romania 1992, White's simplest reaction would be IS.hxg6 hxg6 16.he6 fxe6 17..ixf6! hf6 18.Y!Yh6 rtlfl 19.Y!Yh7+ j,g7 20.i!.h6 ftxc3 21.Y!fxg6+ ~f8 22.i!.h7 i!.xc2+ 23.xg7 20.exdS ti'f6 21.hxg6 ti'xg6 22.g4± and his situation is terrible, Tiviakov O'Connell, Bunratty 1999. Black loses a pawn after 17... gacS, Patterson - Salgado, corr. 19S6, lS.h6! J.hS 19.ha7 gaS (l9 ...b5? 20.lLId4+-) 20.J.d4± 18.hxg6 fxg6 Black frees the f7-square for his queen. In case of lS ...hxg6, White follows with 19.1LIe2, threatening 20.lLIf4 - Black fails to play 19... a4, because of 20.lLIa5± 19.~d5±

After 19.. J:'!acS 20.ixt"6 Axf6 21.c3! (It is weaker for White to play 21.ti'h6, since Black should counter that not with 21 ... ftxc2?! 22.ti'xh7+ ct>f8 23.lLId4 hd4 24. !!xd4 ti'e5 25.ti'hS+ exhS 26. !!xhS+ ~ 27J!h7+ ct>gS 2S.l3h1±, but with 21...ti'f7! 22.lLIxf6+ exf6 23.lLIxaS !!xc2!oo and he would obtain excellent counter chances.) 21 ... a4 22.lLId4 .txd4 23.cxd4± and White ends up with a considerable advantage. If Black chooses 19... a4, Killane - O'Connell, Ireland 1995, then White has the resource 20 ..bf6! .bf6 21.ti'h6 ti'f7 (Black loses after 21 ...axb3 22.Bxh7+ ~ 23.axb3 geeS 24.~f4 efl 25.lLIxg6+ ~eS 26.ti'hS!+-; in the variation 21 .•.Al;7 22.Bxh7+ ~ 23.lLIcl ghS 24.Bxh8 ixh8 25.!!xhS± White can exchange his queen for a rook and a piece and that would be very effective, because his kingside attack continues.) 2V!Llb6 axb3 23.axb3! (Three black pieces are hanging simultaneously.) 23 ...gc6 (23... geeS 24.lLIxd7±) 24.lLIxaS±. Black cannot exploit the placement of his opponent's knight on as and White is considerably better. c3) 15••••d8 This is not the most active move for Black, but it is solid enough. He wishes to place his queen on f8 and it will participate from there in the defence of the kingside. White must play verY

35S

lO.Ab3 ~a511.0-0-0 'Sfc8l2.h4 rtJe5l3.wbl precisely in order to obtain the advantage.

16~6

Black's idea will be completely justified after White's imprecise reaction 16.g4 'Sac8 17.h5? .txg4!=t Minic - Bykhovsky, Belgrade 1967. Besides 16..lh6, White can fight for the advantage by playing 16.e5!? rtJe8 (16...dxe5? 17.rtJc5±) 17.h5 .1xe5 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.Ad4. Still here, instead of the line, which used to be considered as obligatory for Black - 19...'Sxd4?! 20.~xd4± Kupreichik - Ribli, Sombor 1970, he can and should play instead 19...hd4 20.fud4, Ernst - Mueller, Hamburg 2005, 20 ...e5!+!, with mutual chances.

16•••.ixh6 This is the best reply, which Black has at his disposal. The move 16....lh8?! does not combine weD with his previous move, because his queen cannot reach the fB-square any more. After 17.h5, Black can hardly cope with his opponent's attack.

He can solve his problems neither with 17...Ae6, Sadilkova Jankurova, Ostrava 1992, 18.bxg6 hxg6 (18 ...fxg6 19.e5 rtJe8 20..if4 'Sxf4 21.W1xf4 .1xe5 22.WIh4 rtJf6 23.rtJe4±) 19.94 rtJd7 20.ti'h2±, nor with 17... 'Sac8 18.bxg6 fxg6 (In case of 18...hxg6, White plays again 19.e5 dxe5 20.J.g5±, or 19... rtJe8 20.Af4±) 19.e5 dxe5 (After 19... rtJe8 20.exd6, Black should not play 20 ... rtJxd6 21.ti'd5+-, while if 20 ...e6, then 21.j,g5 rtJf6 22.g4± Ciocaltea - Drimer, Romania 1968.) 20.j,g5 'S8c7 21..ixf6 hf6 (21...exf6 22.ti'd5+ wg7 23. rtJe4±) 22.W1h6± Karjakin - Utnasunov, Gurzuf 2000. White's advantage is almost decisive in all the variations. The immediate move 16...ti'fB, again enables White to develop an attack rather swiftly with 17..1xg7 ti'xg7 18.g4 Ae6 (18 ... 'Sac8, Zude - Gustavsson, Hessen 1992, 19.e5 rtJe8 20.'Shel±) 19.~d4 rtJd7 20. h5±. In the game Karpov Whiteley, Bath 1973, there followed later 20 ... 'Sac8 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.rtJce2 'S4c5 23.c3 rtJfB 24. Mgl W1e5 25.rtJg3 g5 26.rtJgf5 .1xf5 27.gxf5f6 28.f4! W1xe4+ 29.Wal+and White soon won.

17.1rxh6 '1"18 It would be just dubious for Black to try 17...'Sxc3?! 18.bxc3 'Sc8, Polzin - L.Horvat, Gach 1994, 19.ti'e3 as 20.e5 dxe5 21. ti'xe5 a4 22.rtJd4 'Sxc3 23.h5± and he has no compensation for the exchange. 359

Chapter 17

The immediate move 17... as is too risky for Black: 18.hS ti'fB, Hallier - Krause, corr. 1971, (18 ... a4 19.tLld2!? lhc3 20.eS! dxeS 21.hxg6 fxg6 22.tLle4 ~c6 23.tLlxf6+ ~6 24.ti'xh7+ 'it>fB 2S.lhd7 §'xd7 26.§'h8+ 'it>f7 27. ti'xa8±) 19.ti'xf8+ 'it>xf8 20.hxg6 fxg6 (20 ... hxg6 21.~h8+ tLlg8 22. tLldS±) 21.tLldS tLlxdS 22.lhdS± and White wins a pawn. 18.ffe3 as After Black has repelled his opponent's queen from the h6square, he can begin active actions on the queenside. We must have a look at Black's other possibilities, though ... After the tentative attempt 18 ... .le6 19.94± Socko - Grabarczyk, Lubniewice 2002, followed by 20.hS, opening the h-file, Black's counterplay is obviously too slow. In case of 18 ... bS, Tuominen - Kuspiel, corr. 1986, White can play immediately 19.hS lLIxhS (19 ...b4 20.tLldS tLlxdS 21.exdS ~ac8 22.~d2±) 20.g4 tLlf6 (20 ... b4 21.tLldS tLlf6 22.tLlxf6+ exf6 23. §'f4±) 21.eS tLle8 22.~h2± and Black will hardly manage to defend simultaneously the e7 and h7-squares. It seems more reliable for Black to continue with 18...hS. In the game van Haastert - GoIubev, Chemnitz 1998, White obtained only a slight advantage with 19.tLldS tLlxdS 20.exdS;t exerting pressure against his opponent's e7-pawn. Besides that, 360

it might be interesting for White to test here 19.eS!? dxeS 20.ti'xe5 ~d8 (20 ... ~ac8 21.~hel lhh4 22. tLld4± Rensen - Kind, corr. 1995) 21.tLld4 (It also deserves attention for White to try 21.tLlaS!? ~b4, Raan - Boer, Netherlands 1999, 22.a3 ~b6 23.tLlc4;t) 21.. ..lc6 22. tLlxc6 lhc6 23.ti'aS;t - The position has been simplified indeed, but White wins the fight for the opened d-file and he maintains his positional advantage.

19.e5! Black's pieces are not harmoniously placed and White exploits that by opening the centre, seizing the initiative. 19•.•dxe5 20.ffxe5 a4 21. ~aS!

This is much stronger than 21.tLld2, as it was played in the game Rasmussen - Carlsson, corr.1984. 21•••g],4. It would be just bad for Black to try 21...~c3? 22. ffxc3 b5 23JThel +- Mokrys - WIlk, corr. 1987.

IO.j,b3 YHaS 11.0-0-0 'f!.jc812.h4li:Je513.wbl

It might be interesting to test here 21 ...'f!.cc8!? - after 22.li:Jxb7 j,c6 23.li:Jc5 'f!.a5 24. YHe3.bf3 (24... a3 25.b4t) 25.li:Je6 fxe6 26.YHxe6+ c,!>h8 27.gxf3i in the game Saksis - Carlsson, corr. 1995, White had a slight advantage. 22.a31b6 23.Yfd4 Baa6 Black is practically forced to make this rather awkward move, since in case of 23 ... 'f!.d6, White has the resource - 24.YHb4± 24.~c4 Bc6 (Or 24 ...'f!.e6 25.h5±) 25.~e5 ftd6 26.Yfbti

White's position is better. His pieces are more active, meanwhile Black's queenside pawns are noticeably vulnerable. c4) 15•••Yfc7 This is the most popular and natural retreat of Black's queen. Its drawback is that later, the queen might come under attack With tempi on that square. 16.g41? White plays often here 16..td4, but I recommend the move 16.g4!? White has three very promising

possibilities right after this move: 17.g5 with the idea to occupy the d5-square, 17.h5 opening the rook-file and also the tactical solution - 17.e5 dxe5 18.g5.

We will analyze now c4a) 16••• J.e6 and c4b) 16•••ftc8. It is obviously bad for Black to try 16.. ..Ac6?! 17.h5 ~c3 18.YHxc3 li:Jxe4, Kupczyk - Toma, Zakopane 2001, 19.ti'd3± and 16...a5?! 17.g5 'f!.xc3 (It would be a disaster for Black to try 17...lOh5 18.1Od5 ti'd8 19.1Ob6+- Kubikova - Toman, Czech Republic 2000.) 18.YHxc3 YHxc3 19.bxc3 lOh5 20.j,d4± Berthelot - Morice, Nantes 2003. In case of 16...b5?! 17.e5, Black is faced with very difficult problems to solve: 17...dxe5 18.g5 b4 19.9xf6 bxc3 20.ti'xd7+- he loses a piece now. It is also hopeless for him to opt for 17.•. lOe8 18.lOd5 YHd8 19.1Oa5! .Axe5 (19 ...'f!.a4 20.lOb7+- Colovic - Paci, Sautron 2004) 20.lOxc4 bxc4 21.J.d4+-; it is insufficient for Black to continue with 17... 'f!.xc3 18.ti'xc3 ti'xc3 19.bxc31Oe8 20.exd6li:Jxd6 361

Chapter1?

21..id4± Turtiainen - Laitinen, Helsinki 2001; finally in the variation 17...b41S.exf6 bxc319.YHd5!± Areshchenko - Olenin, Nikolaev 2001, the defencelessness of the rook on as becomes an important factor. c4a) 16•••J.e6 Black frees the d7-square for his knight and he takes the d5outpost under control. Meanwhile, White's kingside offensive is developing quickly and unopposed.

~xb5, followed by 22 ...YHc6 23. ~xa7 YHxf3 24.~xcS ~cS 25.g5 ~g4 26.ghf1+-, or 22 ...YHbS 23. ~xa7 ~c2 24.YHh4+-) 20.~b3±

- White's attack on the h-file develops effortlessly and effectively; IS ...YHa5 19.hxg6 ~c3 (19 ...hxg6 20.~b3 YHa6 21•.ih6±) 20.~b3! ~b3!? (The endgame is lost for Black after 20 ...J.xb3 21.cxb3 fxg6 22.bxc3 YHxc3 23.YHxc3 ~c3 24. gbel+-) 21.YHxa5 ~e3 22.YHxa7 gxf3 23.Yl9'xb7 (It becomes clear now that Black fails to preserve three light pieces for the queen under favourable circumstances.) 23 ...hxg6 (23 ...gf2 24.g5+-) 24. eS! gf2 25.exf6 J.xf6 26.c3 ixg4 27.ma1±

17.h5a5 White is clearly better after 17...~c3 IS.YHxc3 YHxc3 19.bxc3±, or 17...b5 IS.~xb5 YHbS 19.~5d4± Rowson - Tan, Torquay 2002. In case of 17.. J~cS, Peiro-Olia - Kaveh, Teheran 1992, it is good for White to play 18.~d4! (White intends to play hxg6 at the moment Black will be incapable to recapture with his f7-pawn.). There might follow IS ....td7 19. hxg6 hxg6 (If 19...fxg6, and then 20.eS! dxe5 21.~db5 ixb5 22. 362

18.~d4!

This is White's best reaction to Black's previous move. 18•••1xc3 Tournament practice shoWS that Black can hardly try here anything better than this sacrifice. He avoids the worst indeed, but he enters an endgame with an eXchange down and he must fight

1O.1ib3 YfJa511.0-0-0 1J.fc812.h4

!iJe513.~bl

bard for a draw in it. It is very bad for him to opt for IS ...1J.cSI9.hxg6 bxg6 20.!iJdb5 'lWd7 21..ill6 .illS 22.M8! (This is a typical tactical motive in White's attack.) 22 ... ~h5 (22 ... ~ 23.itxhS+ ~S 24.'lWh6+ c;t>gS 25.1J.hl !iJh5 26. gxh5+- Csirik - Kahn, Budapest 200S) 23 ..Axe7 .Axc3 (23 ...'lWxe7 24.gxh5+- Mikkelsen - Kahn, Budapest 2007) 24.!iJxc3 ~c3 25.bxc3 'lWa4 26.c4 'lWxc4 27.c3+- mfl 2S.1J.g5!+- Macieja) 25ie3! or IS.••a4 19.hxg6 hxg6 20.!iJdb5 1J.cS (25 ...mfl 26.f4+- Macieja) 'ft'a5 21..ill6 .illS 22.M8! ~h5 26.1J.h5+- White annihilated his (22 ... ~ 23.itxhS+ c.t>xhS 24. opponent's g5-pawn and he won tfb6+ ~gS 25.~1 ~h5 26. soon after that. gxh5+-) 23 ..he7 a3 24.itxh5 j,g7, Ramaswamy - Srinivasan, Mumc4b) 16•••1c8 bai 2003, 25.1J.h7! ~xh7 (After Black increases his pressure 25 ....Axc3 26.1J.dhl+- Black is along the c-file, but this enables completely helpless, while in case White to begin immediate active of 25 ....ie5, White wins in a spec- actions in the centre. tacular fashion 26.Yflxd6! .hd6 27.i.f6 ~xh7 2S.~I+ ~gS 29. JDlS#) 26.~1+ c.t>gS 27.1nl2+If IS ...Yfld7, then 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.Yfll2 ~c3 (20 ....ifl 21.~d5 txd5 22.exd5±) 21.~xe6 Yflxe6 (21 ... ~e3 22.~xg7 gxf3 23.g5+-) 22.bxc3 Yflc4 23 ..id4± Boucqueau - Polevoy, COIT. 2001. 19.tlxe6! fxe6 20.Vxc3 Bxc3 21.bxc3 tld7 22.J.d4± (diagram) This position was reached in 17.e5! the game Macieja - Salmensuu, Things are not so clear after Saint Vmcent 2000. After 22 ...1J.fB 17.h5.Axg4! IS.fxg4 ~xe4co Potra23.1J.dfl g5?! (It would be more ta - Somani, Internet 2000. 17••• tle8 resilient for Black to try here 23...1J.f4.) 24.h6! .ti6 (24.. ..te5 Black's possible piece-sacri2S.J.e3! .if4 26..Axf4 gxf4 27.~5 fices are not sufficient to provide 363

Chapter 17 him with really meaningful counter chances: 17... ~xg4? 18.exd6 exd6 19.fxg4 ,hc3 (19 ...,hg4, Al Sayed - RajIich, Budapest 2001, 20.~dgl +-) 20.bxc3 ~c3 21.~cl J.xg4 22.Ad4 ~f3 (22 ... ~c4 23 ..ti6+-) 23.h5+-; 17...dxe5?! 18.g5 J.c6 (18 ...M5 19.9xf6 exf6 20.'ttal± Mista - Cemousek, Bmo 2006) 19.9xf6 J.xf6 20.'lfe2± After 17...~c3, Perez PonsaIbar, Villa Martelli 2008, 18.'lfxc3 'lfxc3 19.bxc3 ~e8 20.J.d4± there arises a very difficult endgame for Black with an exchange down for him. 18.~d5 1fd8 19.exd61xc2

Black's defence is even more difficult if he captures on d6: 19... ~xd6 20.c3 ~4c6, Stephan Alanic, France 2003 (20 ...J.e6 21. h5± Pacheco - Raven, Email 1999; 20 ...J.c6 21.~el± G.Timoshenko - Mutschnik, Alushta 2001), 21. ~hel J.e6 22.h5± Karjakin, or 19 ... exd6 20.c3 ~f6 (20 ...J.c6 21.J.g5! f6 22.J.f4 ~c7 23.~xc7 ~c7 24.~f1± Karjakin) 21.J.g5 J.c6 22.~xf6+ J.xf6 23.~h3± Karjakin - Vocaturo, Saint Vincent 2005.

364

20.dxe7! This is an important improvement for White. It would be much less convincing for him to try 20.~xe7+ 'tth8 21.'lfxc2 ~c2 2V,!;>xc2 ~xd6 23.~d6 'lfxe7CX1, because here it will be far froID easy for White to prove the superiority of his two rooks over Black's queen, Meinhardt - Mutschnik, Deizisau 2005.

20 .••1xd2 21.1xd2 J.f5+ In order to save his most valuable piece, Black must at first part with his bishop and later he must give up the exchange as well.

22.gxf5 .d6 23.~b6 B'xe7 24._51fc725.lcl White should better avoid the position with a non-standard material ratio arising after 25.~d5 'lfb8 26.~e7+ M8 27.fxg6 hxg6 (It would be too risky for Black to try here 27... ~c4 28.gxh7 We5 29.~gl±) 28.~xc8 'lfxc8 29.~1i, although even then his prospects are again preferable. 25••••xc1+ (Or 25 ...axb6 26. ~c7 ~xc7

27.~d6!)

axb6 27.ld7;!;

26.tlxcl

10.J.b3 Yfla511.0-0-0 gfcBl2.h4

White enjoys a slight, but stable advantage in this endgame. He has penetrated with his rook

~e513.c,t;zbl

to the penultimate rank and this forces Black to defend passively without any bright prospects.

Conclusion We have analyzed in this chapter a quite reasonable plan for Black to organize counterplay; nevertheless he cannot equalize with it. White succeeds in exploiting the drawbacks of the placement of Black's queen on a5 and he creates great problems for his opponent. In the main line after 13... ~c414.J.xc4 i1.xc4, it is very important for White to play 15. ~b3! His later decisions depend mostly on which square Black's queen will retreat. His actions might include opening of the h-file with h4-hS (either immediately, or with the inclusion of the move g2-g4},followed by a direct attack against the enemy king, or the accomplishment of the central pawn-break e4-e5. In case of15... YfldB, or 15... Yflc7 Black has more chances of obtaining an acceptable position in comparison to his other possibilities. Still, after precise play and a correct treatment of the position, White maintains his opening advantage. If Black transfers his queen to the fB-square via dB, then White should better give up the idea ofthe kingside offensive infavour ofthe central pawn-break e4-e5. After Black's most popular reply 15... Yflc7, I will again focus the attention of the readers upon the flexible move 16.g4!? - White preserves numerous possibilities to advance different pawns after it and Black's defensive task becomes really difficult.

365

Chapter 18

l.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 ctlf6 5.ctlc3 g6 6 •.le3 Ag7 '.f3 0-0 8.ed2 ctlc6 9.Ac4 Ad' 10.Ab3 lieS 11.0-0-0

1S..th6-.) 13.r;t>b1 a6?! (13 ... llJe5 - see 11....!!le5) 14.g4! bxg4 15.bS .!!lxhS 16.llJf5!±

a) 11•••a6 This move is too slow and it is not in the spirit of the Dragon variation. We will soon convince you that Black's counterplay is not effective in this case at all. 12.h4 Black's main line in this position is 11....!!le5. We will devote to it our next chapters, while now we will have a look at a) 11••• a6, b) 11 ••• ~a5 and c) 11••• ~xd4. It is worth mentioning that in the other variations, it will most probably come to a transposition of moves, for example: 11...h5 12.h3 .!!leS (about 12 ... llJaS13.r;t>b1 .!!lc4 - see 11... llJeS) 13.r;t>b1 - see 11... .!!leS; 11 ... aS 12.a4 .!!leS (about 12 ... llJxd4 13..hd4 - see 11.. . llJxd4) 13.r;t>b1 - see 11..•.!!le5; 11.. . ~aS 12.i>b1 l3fe8 (12 ... llJe5 - see 11....!!le5) 13.g4 llJeS 14.h4 - see 11... llJe5; 11...l3e8 12.h4 hS (12 .. . llJeS 13.r;t>b1 - see 11... llJe5; 12 .. . .!!laS 13.g4 hS 14.gxhS llJxhS, Primon - Silva, Bariri 2001, 366

12••• ~a5 It is not logical for Black to play 12 ... llJxd4?! 13.hd4 h5 (If

Black allows his opponent to play h4-h5, it will become very difficult for him to cope with White's attack.) 14.g4 hxg4 1S.h5± Marianu - Palmiotto, Chioggia 1970.

7.fJ 0-0 8. Vfld2 lLlc6 9.li.c4Ii.d710.1i.b3 '8c81l.0-0-0 After12 ...~aS13.b1'8feB, Ko-

Jar - Kuzman, corr. 1979, 14.g4! b5 15.g5 lLlh7 16.f4± Black's position remains again very difficult. Incase of12 ...b5, DarmarakisNikolopoulos, Greece 1995, White should sustain his attacking tempo by continuing with 13.lLlxc6!? j,xc6 (13 ...'8xc6 14.h5lLlxh5 15.g4 ~f6 16.lLld5±) 14.h5 lLlxh5 15.g4 ~f6 16.1i.h6 Vflb6 (Black is trying to activate his queen and to deflect his opponent from his direct attack.) 17.1i.xg7 Wxg7 1B.Vflh6+ ebhB 19.wbl! b4 (The variation 19... aS 20.g5 lLlh5 21.'8xh5 gxh5 22 •.te6! fxe6 23.g6+- demonstrates the idea behind White's last move.) 20.lLle2 ~f2 21.lLld4± and White maintains a powerful initiative. If Black places his knight on eS, then there will arise positions, which we plan to analyse in the next chapter, for example 12 ... ~e513.Wb1- see 11•..lLle5, or 12 .. . h5 13.g4! lLle5 14.wb1 - see 11..•

resource for White.) 15...ixf5 (It would be just hopeless for Black to try 15...gxf5 16.'8xh5 f4 17.1i.xf4 lLld4 1B.1i.h6 lLlxf3 19.Vfle3+-) 16.exf5± D.Biryukov - Velichko, Russia 200B and White ends up with a great advantage. Black cannot solve his problems with the line: 13... lLlaS 14.gxh5lLlxh5 15.1i.h6 lLlc4 (About 15... lLlxb3+ 16.axb3 - see 11..• lLla5 12.g4 a6 13.h4.) 16.li.xc4 '8xc4 17.1i.xg7 Wxg7 1B.'8hg1 bS, Duessler - Voss, Germany 2007, 19.1LlfS+.lxf5 20.exf5± White is again better after 13... bS 14.lLld5!? hxg4 15.lLlxf6+ hf6 (15 ...exf6 16.h5± Lomo - Johansen, Oslo 199B) 16.~ .ixc6 (16... '8xc6 17.h5±) 17.h5 g5 1B.'8dg1±

~e5.

In the last line, it would be very dangerous for Black to capture the sacrificed pawn: 13...hxg4 (instead of 13...lLle5) 14.h5lLlxhS (After 14...gxh5 15..ih6 VflaS, Zikeli - Schloetzer, Stuttgart 2001, it is very good for White to follow with. ~fS, since Black loses after 16... txh6 17.~xh6 ixf5 1B.'8d5!+-, While in case of 16...ixf5, White can continue with 17.~g5 lLleB 1B.exf5±) 15.lLlfS! (The possibility - lLlfS is often a quite effective

13.h5! This thematic pawn-sacrifice is even better in this situation than 13.g4 - see 11...lLlaS. 13...tlxb3+ It would be too risky for Black to opt for 13... lLlc4 14.J.xc4 '8xc4 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.e5! lLlh5, Jonsson - Bergthorsson, Gardabaer 1995 367

Chapter 18 (16 ... tOe8, Kosteniuk - Gaiova, Verdun 1995, 17.e6 .ic818:~d3±) 17.tOde2± 14.axb3 tlxh5 Black's defence would not be any easier if he refrains from capturing on h5. It is a disaster for him to opt for 14...b5 15..ih6 b4 16..ixg7 Wxg7 17.tOd5 %lIa5 18.Wb1 tOxd5 19.exd5 %lIxd5 (After 19 .. J~h8 20.g4+- Javier - Alberto, Asturias 1995, Black's position is hopeless.) 20.g4! Wh8 (or 20 ... %liaS 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.ti'h6+ wf6 23.f4+-) 21.%Yh6 %lIe5 22.hxg6 %lIg7 23.ti'xh7+ %lIxh7 24J~xh7+ g8 25J~dh1+- and the endgame is winning for White. In the game Pueyo - Sanchez, Mondariz 2005, Black chose 14... e5. White's most convincing way to counter that would be the line: 15.h6! J.h8 16.tOfS! .ixf5 (16 ... gxf5? 17..ib6+-) 17.exf5± - and Black must worry about his d6pawn, besides his numerous other problems. If14...%lIaS, then 15.wb1 tOxh5 16.g4 e5 (about 16...tOf6 17..th6 - see 14... tOxh5) 17.tOfS .ixf518.gxh5 Ae619.%Yh2± SolisLopez Leandro, Argentina 1998. 15.g4 tlf6 16•.Ah6 BaS 17.~bl±

(diagram) White's attack is running easily and unopposed. After 17....txh6, Tavison - Mendez, Mexico City 2002, 18.ti'xh6 Black has nothing else but to sacrifice the exchange on c3, but this will slow down

White's offensive just for a while: 18.. Jb:c3 19.bxc3 ti'xc3 20.tOe2!±

b) 1l••• tlaS This move leads to original

positions only if Black does not follow with 12... tOc4 (In fact this is what usually happens in this position.). 12.g4!?

12.•. tlxb3+ About 12... tOc4 13..txc4 gxc4 14.Wb1- see ll... tOe5. 12 ...a6 13.h4 tOxb3+ (13 ...~c4 14..txc4 ~c4 lS.Wbl - see 11..· tOeS; 13...hS 14.gxhS - see 11... a6 12.h4 hS 13.g4; after 13...~ 14.hS, Black has great difficulties

7.j3 0-0 8. W1d2li)c6 9.ac4 ad71O.ab3 i!!.c811.0-0-0

- 14...li)c4 can be countered by White with 15.,hc4 13xc4 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.e5± Nguyen Hoang Tien - Nguyen Thai Trong, Ha Tinh 2000, while in case of14... li)xb3+, Haas - Auschkalnis, Wiesbaden 1999, 15.axb3 b416.li)ce2, White is clearly better after 16... e5?! 17.h6! Ah8 18.li)f5±, as well as following 16...ti"a517.\t?bl±) 14.axb3 h5 (14 ... b5 - see 13 ...b5; 14... ti"aSI5.\t?bl± Khryssomallis - Lappas, Athens 1984) 15.gxh5 li)xh5 16..lh6 ti"aS (l6...b5 17..ixg7 \t?xg7 18J~hgl Iit>h7, Heistermann - S.Fischer, Sebnitz 2002, 19.1i)f5±) 17.\t?bl ~c5 (17...ti"e5, Doci - Frindt, Slovakia 2005, 18.li)d5±) 18 ..ixg7 1it>xg7 19.1i)de2 \t?h7 20.ti"d4 ti"d8 (White was threatening 21.b4.), Hahn - Ramisch, Germany 1993, 2Ulligl± with the idea to follow with 22J~g5. 13.axb3.a5 About 13...a6 14.h4 - see 12 ... a6 13.h4 ~xb3+ 14.axb3. 14.c.flbl

If 14.. JUe8, Mansilla - De Los, San Juan 1987, then 15..ih6 e5 (After 15.. J'!c5 16.hg7 \t?xg7 17.h4 White is well prepared to counter 17...e5 with 18.li)f5+! axfS 19.exf5±) 16.li)f5! axfS (l6 ...gxf5? 17.~g5+-) 17.J.xg7 \t?xg7 18.exf5 l"!ed8 19.95 li)h5 20.f6+ \t?h8 21.l"!helli)f4 22J!e4± - Black has managed somehow to parry his opponent's direct threats but his kingside is squeezed completely. In case of 14...b5, Furmston - Matchett, Bognor Regis 1959, White follows with 15.g5 ~e8 (Black loses material lifter 15... li)h5 16.li)cxb5 ti"xd2 17.13xd2 e5 18.li)xd6 exd4 19.~xc8 13xc8 20.,hd4±) 16.b4! ~xb4 17.li)d5 ti"xd2 18.~xe7+ \t?h8 19.13xd2± and White has a great advantage in this endgame. 15.otlde2 ftc6 16.~d5 White thus forces a vety favourable trade of queens. 16••••xd2 White is clearly better after 16...~d8 17.~b4± 17.otle7+ mh8 18.ftxd2 fta6 19.~c3;t

14•••e5 This is Black's best.

Chapter 18 The pawn-advance e7-eS has worsened Black's position considerably and his dark-squared bishop is evidently without good prospects. His dS-square is weak and the backward d6-pawn is vulnerable. White is far from winning yet, but his positional advantage is doubtless.

c) 11••• ~xd4 12•.lxd4

14.eS dxeSlS ..ixeS±; 13...bS, Cichy - Fiala, Plzen 200S, 14.~xbS1xb5 lS.axbS a4 16..b2±) 14.ixe6 fxe6 lS.~bS ~hS (15... ~d7 16.ixg7 c;!;>xg717.h4±) 16.J.e3! Ae517.xg7 17.h4 hS 18.AdS±, or lS...~e8 16.a4 bS 17.axbS ixbS 18.ti'd4± Medveski - Sherwood, Email 2002 and White is clearly better in both cases. 13.~dS

12...b5 This is a quite logical decision for Black. He plans to advance quickly his queenside pawns exploiting the circumstance that White's light-squared bishop might be trapped in the process. White's position is superior after 12 ...~aS 13.'i!;>b1± Matulovic Puc, Yugoslavia 1966, threatening 14.~dS and 14..ixf6. If Black begins with 12... aS, then White's simple line is the prophylactic move 13.a4, followed by 13....ie6, Harihara - Prasanna, New Delhi 200S (13 ...~e8, Kinnmark - Westerinen, Halle 1963, 370

The main drawback of the variation chosen by Black is that White's bishop has occupied outright a dominant position OD the d4-outpost. He forces the exchange of the dark-squared bishops. 13 ••• ~xdS 14•.lxg7 Wxt7 15.exdS (diagram) . The position has been simP~­ tied a bit, but White is better III the oncoming tight, despite the vulnerability of his bishop on b3. Black must worry about a neW weakness, his backward e7-paYf!l on a semi-open file. Therefore, biB

7.j3 0-0 8. fJd2 ~c6 9.Ac4 .td71O ..tb3 l;!c811.0-0-0

has no choice but to attack on the queenside. 15•••&5 About 15...%Yb6 16JThei meB 17.a3 as - see 15... aS. 16.83

16•••b4!? Black sacrifices a pawn and he opens the a and b-files. Black cannot be happy after 16...l;!c5 17.h4 h6 IBJThel l;!eB 19.1;!e3 %Yc7 20.l;!del a4 21 ..h2 .tfS 22.c3± Khachiyan - Reeve, Edmonton 2007. In case of 16...a4?! 17.ia2 YlYb6 lB.lnlel l;!feB (1B ... lhc2+? 19. \txc2 .tfS+ 20.l;!e4!+-; IB ....tfS 19.c3± Rogozenko) 19.94 l;!c7 20.

~bl .tcB 21.c3± Mortensen Muse, Germany 2003, Black ends up without any counterplay at all. In the game Walsh - Barrionuevo, Pinamar 200B, Black played 16...%Yc7, but he would have ended in a very difficult situation after 17.l;!hel l;!feB IB.g4 a4 (IB ... %Yb6 19.h4±) 19.ia2 e5 (Black is trying to fight against the positional bind, but he only creates additional weaknesses.) 20.dxe6 .he6 21 ..txe6 lhe6 22J~e6 fxe6 23.h4 e5 24.h5 %Yc5 25. ~b1± The variations we have seen show that the fixing of the pawnstructure on the queenside is definitely in favour of White. In case of 16...if5 17.g4 a4, White follows with IB ..ha4 .txg4 19.fxg4 bxa4 20.%Yd4+ ~gB 21. %Yxa4 gc5 22.l;!hel %Yc7, Zakhartsov - S.Solovjov, Vladimir 2004, 23.l;!e4 l;!c8 24.c3± and he ends up with an extra pawn in an endgame with heavy pieces. The tentative line: 16 ... l;!bB 17.h4 h6 is also insufficient for Black to equalize: IB.fJd4+ f6 19.1;!hel gO 20.h5 YlYb6 (20 ...g5 21.%Yd3;!;) 21.hxg6 %Yxd4 22.l;!xd4 ~xg6 23.c3t Karjakin - Shkuro, Kramatorsk 2002 - and White's positional advantage is doubtless in this endgame. After 16... ~gB, White should not play 17.h4?!, Jakovenko Hoffmann, Internet 2004, because of 17...b4! IB.axb4 (IB.a4 %YeB!co) IB...axb4 19.h5 %Ya5oo and Black has a very promising

371

Chapter 18

position. It would be much stron17••• axb4 ger for White to opt for 17J~he1 In case of 17... gaS lS.ghe1 geS (After 17...b4 lS.axb4 axb4 geS. Hracek - Ristic. Budva 19.ti'xb4, the game transposes to 2002. White can increase his the main line: see 16...b4. while pressure along the e-file - 19.ge3 if 17....if5. then lS.g4 a4 19 ..txa4 q;,gS 20.gde1 ti'b6 21.~e7 ~e7 .lxg4 20.fxg4 bxa4 21.ge4±) IS. 22.~e7 axb4 23.ti'e3;!; 18.ftxb4 ge3 ti'b6 (1S... a4 19..h2 ifS 20. c3±; lS ...b419.a4!±) 19.9del± and White is clearly better. In the game Anand - Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee 2001, Black chose 16... ti'b6 and after 17.ghe1 gfeS (About 17...a4?! lS ..b2 - see 16... a4; 17...ifS lS.g4 a4 19.9xf5 axb3 20.c3± Rogozenko.) lS.g4 b4 19.a4 (Black can counter 19.axb4 with 19.. .'ot>gS! 20.ti'd4 ti'b7+) 19 ... ti'c5 20.q;,bl eS! 21.dxe6 .txe6co and he obtained excellent counter chances. The Indian grandmas18••• mgS Black will have to play this ter suggested an improvement for White in his comments to the move anyway and he is not in a game. Instead of1S.g4, it would be hurry to make up his mind yet more precise for him to continue where to deploy his rook on c8. with lS.ge2! b4 (If lS ...gc7 19.94 Let us have a look at some other gecS. then 20.ti'f4! ieS 21.q;,b1 possibilities: gbS 22.gd4 f6 23.h4 ifl 24.hS± After lS...gbS. White's simBruzon - Felgaer. Bled 2002; plest reaction would be 19.ti'c3+ after lS ... a4 19..h2 ifS. White q;,gS 20.ghe1. reaching a position. has the possibility 20.ti'f4 ti'c5 which we will analyze later - see 21.c3;!;) 19.a4 (It is again bad for lS ... q;,gS. In the game Webb - Bisby. White to opt for 19.axb4?! q;,gS! 20.ti'd4 ti'b7co) 19....lf5 (19...ti'c5 England 200S. Black chose IS ... 20.gdeti) 20.ti'f4;!; and he has a gc7, but that did not solve his problems. White had to play 19.h4! stable advantage. and in case of 19...ti'aS 20.ftd4+ 17.axb4 White must accept this offer. If q;,g8, he could have started a decihe advances his pawn to a4. it will sive attack: 21.hS.lf5 22.g41fal+ be attacked by Black's queen from 23.q;,d2 ti'aS+ 24.q;,e3! (White'S king is completely safe here, conthe eS-square. 372

7.f,J 0-0

8.~d2 ~c6

trary to its counterpart.) 24 ... j,xc2 2S ..txc2 ~c2 26.hxg6 eS (Black loses by force after 26... fxg6 27J~h7! ~xh7 2S.l3hl+ ~gS 29.l3hS+ ~t7 30.~f4+-) 27.dxe6 ~gS+ 2S.f4 t!ixg6 29.fS+-. He has a more resilient defence at his disposal - 19 ...h6 20.h5 g5 2U~hel c;t>gS, but then White activates his light-squared bishop with a decisive effect: 22.j,c4! l3eS 23.id3± White's task becomes a bit easier after IS...l3c5, because then he is not obliged to place his rook on d4 Oike in the main line). After 19.1:~hel, Black can continue with 19... ~gS 20.l3d3! l3bS (20...l3eS see 19...l3eS) 21.ti'd4 l3aS 22.l3de3 l3eS 23.g4;!;, or 19... l3eS 20.l3d3! c;t>gS (Black does not achieve anything with 20 ... ti'aS 2Uk3 t!fal+ 22.~d2 t!ixb2 23.~c5 dxc5 24. ti'xc5±, or 21...l3bS 22.t!fd4+ ~gS 23.l3c7±) 21.l3de3 ibS (After the straightforward approach 21 ... ti'aS? 22.~e7, White comes ahead of his opponent: 22 ... ~e7 23. l3xe7 ti'al+ 24.~d2 ti'xb2 2S.t!if4! 1'c3+ 26.~e2 ibS+ 27.~f2+- Bologan, or 22 ...l3bS, Bologan - Wirig, France 2005, 23.ti'f4 ifS 24. g4+-; Black has also tried in practice here 21 ... l3aS 22.~d2 l3bS 23. I'd4± Kravtsiv - Baratosi, Gaziantep 200S.) 22.f4;!; Bologan. It becomes obvious that White's Pressure against the e7-pawns impedes the development of Black's queenside initiative. 19.1heU lle8 It is only a transposition of

9.ic4 id71O.ib3 l3c811.0-0-0 moves after 19...l3c5 20J::~d3! - see IS ... l3c5, or 19...l3bS 20.ti'c3 l3eS 2IJ3d4 - see 19...l3eS.

20.lld4! I advise the readers to memorise this important nuance: in case Black's rook is already on the c5square, White should better play l3d3; while if Black's rook is still on cS, it would be better for White to opt for l3d4. Now, the position would remain rather unclear after 20.l3d3 13bS! 21.t!fd2 (21.ti'c3 t!fb6 22.fB 24.Ci:Jf4±) 23.tyb7+ 'i!.>fB 24.Ci:Jf4 dS (24...a4 2S ..lxe6! fxe6 26.gfl +-) 2S.exdS exdS 26..ixdS±

20.~ce2!±

This maneuver of the knight to the f4-square spells great trouble for Black. His defence crumbles and you can see in the variations below that his position is lost: 20 ... Ci:Jc4 21.,hc4 bxc4 22.gfl gc5 23 ..ixf6 .ixf6 24.tfh7+ c;bfB 2S.gf3+-; 20 ...YNaS 21.J.xf6.ixf6 22.gfl j,g723.tfh7+ q"fB 24.Cjjf4+-; 20 ...%Yb6 21.J.xf6 J.xf6 22.gfl J.g7 23.tfh7+ 'i!.>fB 24J:~xf7+! Ci:Jxf7 2S.Ci:Jf4+-; 20 ...aS 21.J.xf6J.xf6 (21...tyxf6 22.gfl tfgS 23.Cjjf4+-) 22.tyb7+ cj{fB 23.Ci:Jf4 a4 24.he6 he6 2S.Cjjdxe6+ gxe6 26.Ci:Jxe6+ fxe6 27.gfl cj{e8 28.gxf6 YNxf6 29.tfg8+ YNfB 30.YNxfB+ ~ 31.~8+-; 20 ... cj{fB 21.Wh4 387

Chapter 19

gc5 22.~f4 ~exg4 (22 ... a5 23 ..ih6 ixh6 24.ti'xh6+ cJ:;e725.ixe6!+-; 22 ... ~c4 23 ..ih6 ~xe4 24 ..bg7+ Wxg7 25.ti'h6+ M6 26.gf1+-) 23.i.xe6! fxe6 24.~xg6+ wf7 25. i!xg4 e5 26.ixf6 ti'xf6 27.ti'xf6+ .ixf6 2SJ~h7+-; 20 ... gc5 (This is Black's best defence.) 21.ixf6 ti'xf6 22.g5 'fIe7 23.~f4± White's attacking scheme is practically the same in all the variations. His heavy pieces operate along the h and f-fi.les, while his light pieces are ready to inflict a strike against the vulnerable e6-square. d2) 16•••gc5

This move was tested in the game Topalov - Carlsen, Bilbao 200S, which Black lost. His play can be improved however and that is why I recommend to you to play differently with White and not like Topalov did in that game. 17.f4!

The game Topalov - Carlsen, Bilbao 200S, followed with 17. .ih6 wh7 IS.J.xg7 cJ:;xg7 19.f4 ~c4 20.ixc4 gxc4 21.f5 e5 22. 3SS

~de2 ghS 23.b3 and here, instead of 23 ... gc6? 24.i!xg4 ~f6 25.gggl±, Black had to play 23... gcS! 24.i!xg4 (White's alternatives lead to positions with equal chances: 24.fxg6 fxg6 25.ti'xd6 ti'eSoo; 24.~d5 .ic6oo; 24.ti'xd6 ixf5! 25.ti'xdS gcxdS 26.exf5 gxf5oo) 24... ~f6 25.gggl 'Be7= with an approximately equal p0sition - White has compensation for the pawn indeed, but not more than that.

17••• ~c4

After 17...~c6, White can continue with IS.f5 ~a5 (or IS...~e5 19.fxg6 ~xg6 20.~f5.txf5 21.ixc5 dxc5 22.YMh2±) 19.i!xg4 ~c4 (It is hopeless for Black to opt for 19 ... ~xb3 20.axb3 ~f6 21.ftgh4 fteS 22.J.h6 J.hS 23.ti81+-) 20.YMe2 b5 (20 ...~xe3 21.ftxg6+-) 21.i!gg1± and White's attack is crushing. 18•.t.xc4 bc4 19.15 White advances his pawn quickly to f5 and he is ready to capture on g4, creating dangerous threats against his opponent's king. 19••• e6 Black has numerous possibilities here, but the analysis shoWS that he can hardly defend this p0sition, for example the line: 19... g3? 20.i!xh5! gxh5 21.i!xg3 h4 22.J.h6! hxg3 23.YMg5+- leads to a checkmate; the result will be the same after 19...d5? 20.ftxg4 dxe4 (20 ... ~f6 21.ti'h2! dxe4 22.gb4 ~h5 23.i!xh5 gxh5 24.YMxh5+-)

9..lc4 .ld71O ..tb3!3cBll.0-0-0 tLle512.rl;bl

21.l3xhS gxhS (21 ...eS 22.!3hl exd4 23.MI2 !3e8 24.MI7+ ~ 2S ..lgS+-) 22.J.h6! hxg4 23. YBgS+-; it is bad for Black to try 19... tLlf6, in view of 20.J.h6! tLlxe4 (It is not any better for him to opt for 20...J.h8 21.YBgS! - and he would save the game neither with 21 ... tLlh7 22.Wlh4 J.f6 23.Wlh2 !3e8 24.tLld5! hd4 2S..te3+-, nor after 21...!3c5 22.tLld5! tLlxdS 23.Wlh4! !3e8 24.exdS hd4 2S..te3+-) break his opponent's defence. 21.tLlxe4 hd4 (21...l3xd4 22.MI2 21•••b5 l3xe4 23.M4!+-) 22.f6 Wlb6 23.b3 It is also possible for Black J.xf6 24.tLlxf6+ exf6 2S.j,g7!+-; to try here 21...l3b4 22.l3xg4 Wlf6 after 19...WlaS?! 20.l3xg4 l3xc3 (22 .•. eS?! 23.l3xg6! exd4 24.hd4 21.bxc3!3c8 (21 ... tLlf6 22.!3gh4+-) .le8 2S.l3xg7+! tLlxg7 26.j,xg7 White wins with 22.l3xhS! gxhS ~xg7 27.Wlh3+-) 23.e5 (It is good 23.!3g1 rl;h7 24.YBe2+-; it is more for White to opt here for 23.tLlb3!? resilient for Black to defend with Wlf3 24.!3hglJ.e8 2S.a3±) 23 ...dxeS 19•••Wlb6, but even then White 24.l3xg6 tLlf4 (24 .•.Wlm! 2S.!3gS continues with 20.tLlde2 WlaS exd4 26.!3gxh5!3d8 27.MI7+ ~ 21.l3xg4 tLlf6 22.!3gh4±, followed 28.J.h6+-) 2S..txf4 l3xd4 26.l3xf6 l3xd3 27.l3xf8+ rl;xfB 28.cxd3 exf4 by 23.J.h6, or 23.tLldS. 20.fxe6 fxe6 29.tLle4± - White enjoys excellent If20 ...hd4, then 21.exi7+ gxfl winning chances in this endgame, 22.J.xd4 WlaS?! (It is more solid having an extra exchange for a for Black to defend with 22 ...Wle8, pawn and a powerful centralized but after 23.b3± he will lose the knight. exchange.) 23.!3ft! J.e6 24.MI6! It would be insufficient for lhd4 2S.Wlxg6+ tLlg7 26.gxfl Black to try 21... l3xc3 22.Wlxc3 1xfl 27.Wlh7+ rl;fB 28.Wlh8+ rl;e7 g3 23.Wlb3 Wlc8 24.tLlf5! gxf5 2S. 29.Wlxg7 l3xe4 30.!3ft Wlf5!? 31. l3xh5 fxe4 (2S ...f4 26..txf4l3xf4 27. Bxt7+ Wlxt7 32.gxfl+ r3lxfl 33. Wlxg3 'efB 28.MI3 'ef6 29.c3 ~ ~xe4+- and the endgame is win- 30.l3h7±) 26.Wlb4! l3f5 (26 •.•Wlc6 ning for White. 27.Wlel!±) 27.l3xf5 exfS 28.ti'xd6± (diagram) 22.1xg4ft'f6 21.ft'd3! It is too risky for Black to opt This is an important intenne- for 22 ... e5 23.l3xg6! exd4 24.hd4 diate move. After 20.l3xg4 Wlf6 .te8 2S.l3xg7+! tLlxg7 26.MI3! 21.tLlde2 eS!co White can hardly (The line 26 ..txg7 rl;xg7 27.ti'h3 389

Chapter 19 promises only a draw for White, since Black saves the game with the only defence 27... ~g5! 28. Wlh7+ ~f6 29.lLld5+ ~e6 30.\Wh3+ ~e5 31.Wlh2 + ~e6= with a perpetual check.) 26 ... rul+ (There is no other satisfactory defence for Black.) 27.lWll3xd4 28.Wle3 lLle6 29J~gl+ ~f7 30.lLldS (White deprives Black's king of the e7square and he has the deadly threat 31.Wlf3+) 30... l3xd5 31.exdS lLlg7 32.Wla7+ J.d7 33JUl+ 'it?g8 34.Wlxa6± and White has an overwhelming advantage. White can counter 22 •.•Wle8 with 23J~hgl e5 (23 .. J~tf6 24.e5 dxe5 25.lLle4 exd4 26.lLlxf6+ hf6 27.Etxg6+ 'it?f7 28 ..id2±; 23 ... l3xd4 24..ixd4 e5 25.l3xg6 exd4 26.lLld5 Wlf7 27.l3xd6 J.e6 28.l3xa6 .ixd5 29.exd5 WlxdS 30.Eta5±) 24.l3xg6 exd4 25.J.h6 Etf7 (25 ...Wlxg6 26. l3xg6 dxc3 27.b3 Etc5 28.h4±) 26.lLldS WlfB (26 •••Wle5 27.hg7 lLlxg7 28.Et6g5 \Wh2 29.b3 Etc6 30.Wlxd4 ~h6 31.Etg6+-) 27..ixg7 lLlxg7 (27...l3xg7 28.Etxg7+ lLlxg7 29.Etf1+-) 28.b3 Etc3 (28 ... Etc6 29.Wlxd4+-) 29.lLlxc3 dxc3 30.l3xd6± and Black is again in a terrible situation. Black cannot solve his problems with the line: 22 ... Etf6 23 ..ig5 e5 24.hf6 lLlxf6 (24...Wlxf6 25. lLldS Wlf7 26.Etxg6 l3xd4 27.Wle2 lLlf4 28.lLlxf4 exf4 29.Ethgl +-) 25.l3xg6l3xd4 26.~g3 Wle7 27.\Wh4 ~28.Etf1±

23.e5 dxe5 24.1xg6

390

24••••xg6!? The is Black's best chance to play this position with a nonstandard material ratio. It is insufficient for him to try 24 •••Wlf7?! 25.Etg5 exd4 26.Etgxh5 Etd8 27.\Wh7+ 'it?fB 28 ..ih6+- and White's threats are decisive. Black loses material after 24..• lLlf4 25.Etxf6 lLlxd3 26.Etxf8+ 'it?xfB 27.cxd3± 25.1Ixg6 h8 26.exe6+ J.f1 27.1If5h8 It is just bad for Black to opt for 27...exd4? 28.lLldS ixdS 29. WlxdS+ Etf7 30..Ad2+28.1115 exd4 29.~d5 dxe3 30.~e7+

h7? 31.l3xh5+ .ixh5 32. Wlxb5+ .ih6 33.~g6+ ~h8 34. Wlxh6# 31.~g6 ~f6 32.~e5+ msS 33.~c4 bxc4 34.1gl± It is quite obvious that Black's king is so unsafe that he cannot coordinate his light pieces. White'S advantage is overwhelming and he should have no problems to convert it into a full point.

9.Ac4 j.d71O.j.b3 'i!.cBJ1.0-0-0 !iJe512.'it;bl

d3) 16•.••a5

This is the critical line for Black. It has been tried in practice by specialists in this variation as GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Teimur Radjabov. Recently, there have been played several games, which are of tremendous theoretical importance and they enhanced the development of this critical variation. 17~6J.f6!

Itlooks like Black is just obliged to preserve his dark-squared bishop from its being traded. He should be ready to sacrifice for this purpose the exchange and if necessary even two. In the game Anand - Carlsen, Mainz 200S, Black tested 17... 1hc3?!, but this led to a quick catastrophe for him: lS ..ixg7! 'it;xg7 (1S ...1hb319.W1h6'i!.xb2+ 20.~xb2 ~c4+ 21.'it>b1 W1b6+ 22.'it>c1 W1h2+ 23.'it>d1 W1a1+ 24.'it>e2+-; IS ... ~xg7 19.1!ih6 !iJhS 20.'i!.xhS+-) 19.'i!.xhS 'i!.xb3 (19 ...gxbS 20. ~gS+-) 20.1!ixaS (White wins too after 20.1!ih6+ M6 21.W1gS+ 'it>g7

22.!iJxb3+-) 20 ... 'i!.xb2+ 21.'it;a1 gxhS 22.f4+It would be more resilient for Black to defend with 17...'i!.cS, but still after lS.'i!.h4! (In case of lS.'i!.xhS? Black has the resource 1B... !iJxf3! 19.!iJxf3 'i!.xh5+) IS ... !iJxf3 (lS ...gxf3 19.hg7 'it>xg7 20.'i!.xhS !iJg4 21.i.dS+-) 19.!iJxf3 hc3 20.bxc3 W1xc3 21.W1xc3 '8xc3 22.i.xfS 'it;xf8 23.!iJgS± and Black is again in big trouble. 18.fxg4 The line:lS ..hfB 'it;xfB 19.f4 !iJc4 20.hc4 'i!.xc4«llooks acceptable for Black. 18•••J.xg4 In case of lS ...!iJxg4?! 19.!iJfS! .hfS (19 ...,bc3 20.§'gS! .hf5 21.exfS - see 19 ....hfS) 20.exfS ixc3 (20 ...§'xfS 21.WI'e2±) 21.§'gS! §'xfS 22.§'xg4 §'xg4 23.'i!.xg4± Black loses a piece under very unfavourable circumstances.

19 •.lf4!? White ignores material gains for the time being and he goes for the direct attack. He is threatening now 20.ixeS, wining a piece. 391

Chapter 19 The position is rather difficult to evaluate after 19..i.xf8 22.bxc3 e6ao KaIjakin - Radjabov, Sochi 200S. White has two extra exchanges for two pawns, but Black's pieces are excellently coordinated, while White can hardly exploit the potential of his rooks. 19... ~xf4 Black loses after 19... ~c4? 20.~h2 .ixd4 (He would not save the day either with the line: 20 ...e5 21.~g4 exd4 22.~d5+-, or 21 ... exf4 22.~f5+-; if 20 ... ~e5, then

consider 26.e5!? VXe5 - and White continues to exert powerful pressure on the kingside. His rook is much more effective in this situation than Black's pawn-avalanche. 25.cx:d3 Vxd4 26.Bxf6 Here, it deserves studying the line: 26.e5!? Vxd3+ 27.,tc2 'M>5+ 2S.~c1 ~xe5 29 ..ixg6 gc8+ 30.~d2;!;. White's prospects are better in these wild complications, but it might be possible that Black would hold the balance after precise play. 26 ••••xf6 27.'Bh7+ Will 28.

21.~d5 ~h7 22.~g2!+-) 21.~g4

~

~xf8 20.~e3 ~c3! 21.~xc3 ~xc3

Ag7 (21.. ..ixc3 22.e5!+-) 22J~g5 gc5 (In case of 22 ...e5 White wins with 23J~xh5! gxh5 24.~xh5 gfdS 25.J.h6+-) 23.~d5+-, or 19... ~h7? 20.~g2! ~c4 21.~d5 .ixd4 22.ft'xg4+If 19...e6, then 20 ..ixe5 ~xe5 21.gxg4 ~xd4 22.~6 Ag7 23. gxg6! fxg6 24..ixe6+ gfl25.~xg6 ~f6 26.~xf6 .ixf6 27.J.xcS± and White remains with an extra pawn in the endgame. 20.1rxf4Bxc3 That is Black's only chance. 21.bxc3 1rxc3 It is not advisable for Black to opt for 21 ...d5 22.gxg4 ~xg4 23.~xg4~xc324 ..ixd5e625..ixe6 Ag7 26.~xg6 fxe6 27.~xe6+ gfl 2SJ~f1±

22.'Bh6 le8 23.bg4 e6 24.M4!~d3

In case of 24... ~c4 25..ixc4 ft'xd4, besides 26.gxf6, Black 392

must

27.~cU

Generally speaking, Black's three pawns for the piece seem to be sufficient material compensation for the piece, but it must be taken into account that White's creative resources are not exhausted at all. He can include plenty of motives in his future actions. For example, he may try to penetrate along the opened c-file, or he can redeploy his queen to his opponent's vulnerable queenside via

9.J.c4 J.d710.J.b3 E!.c811.0-0-0 liJe512.rt1bl

the e3-square. Only tournament practice can tell how promising

White's position is in the forthcoming middle game fight.

Conclusion In this chapter we have analyzed all the possibilitiesfor Black except 12... E!.e8 and 12... liJc4. They could have been classified as only seldom played and not so fashionable, but thanks to the efforts of GM Magnus Carlsen the seemingly modest move 12...a6 has marked its noticeable presence in the theory of the Dragon variation. Some games with it have been played at the top level and the interest toward this line increases, so White must be well preparedfor this variation, if he wishes to fight for the advantage. I hope that the reader will study thoroughly the analyses in this book (many ofwhich should be tested and retested in practice), so that he will have the idea about the development of the fight in this variation, which is relatively new and not so well studied yet.

393

Chapter 20

1.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 ~f6 5.~c3 g6 6 •.te3 .tg7 7.f3 0-0 B.'fId2 ~c6 9 •.tc4.td710 •.tb3 ftcBll.0-0-0 ~e5 12.mbl fteB

Presently, this move is at least as popular as 12 ... tlJc4 and it focuses the attention of most of the Dragon players, including some of the best in the world. White must play very precisely in order to obtain the advantage.

13.h4 I will remind you once again that the move 13.g4?! is premature, because after 13...bS Black seizes the initiative and he has excellent practical results. 13•••h5 13... tlJc4 14.,hc4 ~c4 lS.g4 see 12 ... tlJc4. It is too slow for Black to play 13 ... a6?! 14.g4 bS, Hug - Kirschner, Baden 2001, IS.h5 b4 394

16.tlJce2 tlJc4 (Black should avoid 16... aS 17.hxg6 hxg6 18..th6.th8, because of White's thematic response 19.i.f8! gxf8 20.lhh8+ mxh8 2Ufh6+ ~g8 22JThI ~h5 23.~f4+- and he wins.) 17..txc4 ~c4 18.hxg6 hxg6 19.J.h6± and Black can hardly solve his problems. If he plays 13...aS and only after 14.a4, he chooses 14...h5, then White can continue with IS.~db5, having in mind that he can counter IS ... tlJc4?! 16.,hc4 ~c4, Djukic - Simic, Vmjacka Banja 2006, with 17.eS! dxeS 18..igS+Black plays sometimes 13... WaS and later 14.g4 bS (About 14... ~c4 IS.ixc4 ~c4 - see 12 ... tlJc4; it would be insufficient for Black to try here 14...~c31S.'~xc3 exc3 16.bxc3 gc8 17.~b2± Ca1zetta Vila, Pamplona 2002, or 14•..h5, Atri Sangari - Briffel, MoscoW 1994,IS.gS ~h716.f4 ~c417..txc4 ~c4 18.Wd~, followed by f4-ffi.) IS.hS ~c4 (The other possibility for Black is 15...b4 16.~ce2 ~c4 17..txc4 ~c4 18.tlJb~) 16..txc4 bxc4. The b-file has been opened indeed, but Black cannot exploit

1O.i.b3 f'!.cB1l.0-0-0 tiJe512.~bll'!eB13.h4 h514.J.h6

this effectively: 17.hxg6 fxg6 (It is too risky for Black to opt for 17...hxg6 IB ..ih6 illB 19.YHh2 f'!.bB 20..id2! - and here after 20 ... tiJh5, White has the powerful resource 21.tiJcb5 VHb6 22.gxh5±, while in case of 20 ...J.g7, then 21.tiJd5±) IB.tiJde2!? (This is a quite typical redeployment of White's light pieces, he frees the d4-square for his bishop.) IB ...f'!.b8 19.J.d4 f'!.b7 (19 ...YHa3, Guenther - Habibi, Bad Ragaz 1994, 20.b3t) 20.g5 tiJh5 (Black is not out of the woods after 20 ... e5 21.J.e3;!;) 21.J.xg7 tiJxg7 22.b3 tiJe6 23.f4t - Black's king is vulnerable and White is well prepared to exploit this. 14.Ail6

Black must make his choice now. His basic alternatives are a) 14•••.lh8, b) 14•••Va5 and c) 14••• tlc4. White obtains the advantage much easier after the other moves for Black. In case of 14.. .J.xh6 15.YHxh6, it is not good for Black to opt for 15...lhc3 16.bxc3 as, in view of

17.f4 tiJfg41B.YHg5 a419.fxe5 axb3 20.axb3 and White is clearly betterin all the lines: 20 ... tiJf2 21.f'!.dfl tiJxhl (21 ... tiJxe4 22.YHf4+-) 22.e6 he6 23.tiJxe6 YHcB 24.tiJf4+-; 20 ... tiJxe5 21.'~b2±; 20 ... dxe5 21. tiJf3 YHaS 22.~b2± Timoshenko Uribe Arteaga, Lorca 2007. In the game Der Weide - Sebe-Vodislav, La Fere 2004, Black tried 15... a5 immediately, but even then it is good for White to play 16.f4. After 16... tiJfg4?! White can continue quite effectively with 17..ixf7+! tiJxf7 IB.YHxg6+ ~fB 19.e5 e6 20.tiJe4! (This is an important resource, since this knight is headed for the g5-square.) 20 ... dxe5 (20 ... d5 21.tiJg5+-) 21.tiJg5! tiJxg5 22.hxg5 (The h-file has been opened and White's threats have become impossible to parry.) 22 ...exd4 (22 ...YHe7 23.YHxh5 YHg7 24.c!Llb3 c!Llf2 25.f'!.xd7 VHxd7 26.VHh8+ ~e7 27.YHf6+ ~d6 2B. YHxe5+-) 23.lhh5 YHc7 (23 ...J.c6 24.ffi+-; 23 ....ta4 24JlliB+ ~e7 25.YHg7+ ~d6 26.f'!.xd4+ c6 27.f'!.xdB+-) 24.f'!.xd4 ~e7 (24 ... YHxc2+ 25. YHxc2 f'!.xc2 26.f'!.xd7+-) 25.f'!.h7+ ~dB 26.c3+- White's position is winning. It would be more resilient for Black to defend with 16... c!Llc4 17.ffi c!Llg4 IB.YHf4±, but even then his opponent's advantage would be obvious. If 14... f'!.c5, then 15.hg7 ~xg7, Czaeczine - Schoene, Willingen 2003, 16.f4 c!Lleg4 (In case of 16... c!Llc4, White follows with 17.ixc4 f'!.xc4 IB.e5 c!Llg4 19.f'!.hel±, while 395

Chapter 20 after 16... lDc6 17.lDxc6, Black will solve his problems neither with 17...bxc6 18.~d4 ~a5 19J~he1±, nor with 17...hc6 18.eS lDg4 19J~he1±) 17.lDf3 ~a5 (or 17... bS 18.~d4±) 18J!he1± and White's advantage is evident. Black tests only rarely in practice the move 14...a5, because after lS..ixg7 c,!>xg7 16.a4 ~b6 17.lDdbS gc5, as it was played in the game Hermansson - Dannevig, Oslo 2003, White could have pushed again 18.f4, seizing the initiative, for example: 18 ... lDc419.~d3 Ae6 20.~d4;!;, or 18...lDeg419.gbeH a) 14•••.lh8

Now, Black has the possibility to preserve his dark-squared bishop, thanks to the move 12 ... ge8, but this does not prove that his decision has been the best. The drawback of this maneuver is that Black loses tempi and White's attack speeds up. 15.g4! ~c4 This is Black's most frequent reply in this position, but he has 396

some alternatives as well. If lS...hxg4, Willemze - Molinari, Dieren 1999, then 16.h5! e6 (16... lDxhS? 17J~xhS! gxhS 18. ~gS+ ~h7 19.~xhS+-) 17.f4 ~c4 18.hc4 ~c419.hxg6 ~c3 (Black is forced to play this move. In case of 19 ...fxg6, White wins with 20.e5! dxe5 21.~d3+-) 20.1rxc3 ~xe4 21.gxi7+ ~xf1 22.YlYe3 d5 23.i.gS± and White has a material advantage and his attack is running smoothly and unopposed. Black plays rather often in practice here lS ...~aS. It looks then quite promising for White to try the non-standard idea of creating a pawn-bind of his opponent's kingside, starting with the move 16.gS! There is nothing wrong with the bit extravagant placement of White's bishop on h6. It controls important squares from there, meanwhile Black's knight is forced to retreat to h7. After f4-fS, the g6 and fl squares are vulnerable in Black's camp. There might follow 16... ~h7 17.f4 lDc4 (or 17... lDc6 18.~xc6 gxc6 19.fS±) 18.YlYd3 YlYc5 (In case of 18 ... ~a3+ 19.~al YlYa6 20.Yfg3 eS 21.fxe5 heS 22.YlYf2± White's pressure against the fl-square is worrisome for Black.) 19.f5! threatening 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.eS! In the game Helmreich - Klocker, Austria 2008, Black replied with 19... lDfS, but White could have obtained an overwhelming advantage with the line: 20.J,xf8! ~ 21.lDdS gfe8 22.f6±. Black

1O.j,b3 gc81J.O-O-O lj)e512. wbl ge813.h4 h514.j,h6

fails to solve his problems with 19...gxf5 20.exf5 .bd4 2U~xd4 Yfxd4 22.~d4 lj)aS 23.gfl lj)xb3 24.axb3 ~6 25.lj)e2!± - White's knight will attack Black's h5-pawn and his advantage is doubtless. The idea for White to play g4g5 works well even if Black plays something else: 15.. J~c5, Kurmann - Herbrechtsmeier, Switzerland 2006, 16.g5! lj)h7 17.f4±, or 15...b5, Colovic - Brkic, Subotica 2003, 16.g5!? b4 17.lj)ce2 lj)h7 IB.f4lj)c419.Wld3 Wlc7 20.f5± 16.tJd3! It is worse for White to play 16.ee2, because Black can counter that with 16...lj)a3+ 17.mal ~c3! IB.bxc3 WI~ Dervishi Isonzo, .tratto 2007 and he obtains an excellent compensation for the exchange.

16•••b5!? Here, after 16...lj)e5 17.Yfe2! it will not work for Black to opt for 17...~c3 IB.bxc3 Wla5?! (Black's relatively best line here is lB ... hxg4 19.f4 lj)c6 20.h5±) 19.95! lj)h7 20.f4 ~4 21.Wlf2 lj)d7 22.

f5!+-. In the game Szabo - Jovanovic, Kaposvar 2001, Black tried 17... lj)fxg4, but White's best reaction IB.fxg4.bg419.Yff2 .bdl 20.~d1± would have led to an obvious advantage for him. Black's most tenacious defence is 17... hxg4 IB.f4 lj)fJ (After IB ... lj)c6, White can follow with 19.1j)xc6 .bc6 20.h5! gxh5 21.f5! and his attack is decisive in all the variations: 21...~7 22.Yfe3+-; 21 ... WlaS 22.~5! lj)xh5 23. Yfxg4+ lj)g7 24.lj)d5! .bd5 25 ..bg7 hg7 26.gg1+-; 21... e6 22.fxe6 fxe6 23.~5! lj)xh5 24.Yfxg4+ lj)g725. .bg7 .bg7 26 ..be6+-) 19.1j)xf3 gxf3 20.Wlxf3 ~4 21.eg2 wh7 22.~5! .bell 23.~dl Wld7 (It is bad for Black to play 23 ... gf8? in view of 24..bf6 .txf6 25.e5 ~7 26.h5 g5 27.h6! .bh6 2B.fxg5+and White wins.) 24 ..bf6 exf6 25 ..h4±. White regains the exchange and he maintains a solid positional edge. If Black plays 16...b5!?, he relies on 17.lj)dxb5 .hb5 18.lj)xb5 lj)xb2! 19.Wxb2lj)xg4+ 20.wbl (It would look beautiful for White, but ineffective, to try here 20.e5 lj)xe5 21.Wle4 eM 22.a4 d5!=F) 20 ... lj)xh6+ Iskos - Pavlidis, Halkidiki 2006. In the game Timofeev Azarov, Moscow 2007, White chose 17.gxh5 lj)xh5 IBJ~hgl, but Black could have countered that with IB ...eb6oo with a sharp game with mutual chances. 17.g5!? Here, it is again interesting for 397

Chapter 20 White to continue with his plan to fonn a pawn-bind against his opponent's kingside. 17••. tlh7 IS.f4 "'6 19. f5 .Axd4 20.1rxd4 1rxd4 21. bd4j;

White has a space advantage in the arising endgame. He has several ways of developing his initiative - to increase the pressure along the f-file, to deploy his knight on the dS-outpost. or to prepare the undermining move a2-a4. b) 14••••a5

After this move. White needs 398

to adhere to a precise move order if he wishes to reduce his opponent's active possibilities to a minimum. 15.g4! White should not exchange the bishops before Black has captured on g4. otherwise his position would be quite solid after IS.hg7 rtJxg7 16.g4 hxg4 17.h5 l;h8!oo. as it was played in the game D.Schneider - Martinez Marcel. Internet 200S. 15••• bc3 Black poses maximum problems to White with this move. IS....ih8 16.g5 - see 14...J.h8. It would be too risky for Black to try IS ...hxg4?! 16.h5 tlc4 (He loses outright after 16...~? 17JhhS+-. while if 16....th8. Marin Sebastian - Castrillon Melissa. Medellin 2007. then 17.hxg6 fug6 18.l;dgl-+) 17.J.xc4 ~c4 18.lOb3 lYe5 (18 ...ti'c7 19. hxg6 fxg6 20.lYgS±) 19.M4 ti'e6 (or 19... lOxe4 20.fxe4 lYe6 21.bxg6 Y;Vxg6 22 ..ie3±) 20.h6! becomes suddenly obvious that the advance of the h-pawn is much more fruitful for White than the routine opening of the h-file.} 20 ....ifS (but not 20 ....ih8 21.h7+ lOxh7 22.ti'h2+-) 21.lOd4 gxd4 22.~xd4 gxf3 23.l;dfl± In case of 15... lOc4 16.Axc4 ~c4 17.hg7 rtJxg7 18.lOb3 flc7. White can follow with the typical reaction 19.e5! dxe5 20.g5± Ni Hua - Banikas. Gibraltar 2008 and he wins material.

at

1O ..ib3l!.c811.0-0-0 liJe512.rtJbll!.e813.h4h514 ..ih6

16.Axg7! White should avoid the line: 16.bxc3 l1Jxf3!?+t and the position is completely unclear.

16••• Wxg717.bxc3 leS It is a disaster for Black to try 17...hxg4? 18.hS l1JxhS 19.1!.xhS gxhS 20.l'IgS+ f8 21.l!.hl+- and White's attack is overwhelming. It would not work for Black to opt for 17....ixg4? 18.fxg4 l1Jxe4, in view of 19.1'Iel! liJxc3+ 20.a1 bxg4 21.hS+- and White wins.

IS.phS f}xh5 19.1hgl

the Sth rank: 22 ... liJxf3?! 23.l'Ig2±, or 22 ... l1Jc4 23.YlYcl fxg6 24.l!.h1±) 22 ..hc4 l!.xc4 23.l!.d3 (This is an important intermediate move.) 23 ...%Yb4+ 24.l!.b3 l'Ic5 (This is the more resilient defence for Black, in comparison to 24 ...l'Ia4?! 2S. l1Jf5+ J.xf5 26.exf5+- Seres - Aagard, Budapest 2003.) 2S.l'IxcS l!.xc5 (After 2S ...dxc5 White has the resource 26.l1Jf5±) 26.hxg6± and White should not have great problems to win this endgame with an extra exchange.

20 •.bc4lxe4 This position arose in the game I.Schneider - Martinez Marcel, Internet 2006. White's play can be improved at this very moment.

21.e5!? This surprising tactical strike helps White to maintain his initiative.

21 •••'fIxc3 19••• f}c4 Capturing of the c3-pawn leads to great problems for Black: 19... YlYxc3?! 20.l'IgS! liJf6 (The endgame is very difficult for him after 20 ...l1Jc4 21..b:c4 l!.xc4 22.l!.d3 Yfh4+ 23.l!.b3 l'Ic5 24.l'Ixc5 dxc5 2S.liJf5+ J.xf5 26.exf5± E.Berg - P.Carlsson, Petra 2007) 21.hS l1Jc4 (Black cannot play 21...liJxf3? 22.l1Jxf3 l'Ixf3 23.hxg6 l1Jxe4 24. YlYxe7l1Jc3+ 2S.a1+-, while after 2l...l!.c5 22.hxg6, he cannot exploit effectively the juxtaposition of the rook and the queen along

Black has nothing better, as you can see the following variations: 21 ...dxe5? 22.l1Jb3+-; 2l...l'IxeS 22.l!.gel ti'f6 23.l'Ie2! (White's idea is to exploit this double attack.) 23...l!.xc3 24.l'Ixe7 ti'xe7 2S.l!.xe7 liJf6 26.cl t¥c5 29.gf1+-) and then 26.tvg5 - there might follow: 26 ...t¥c5 27.1Of5+ rM7 28.1Oe3 gb6 29.gh6 \t>e8 30.'it>cl±; 26...'it>t7 27.~xe5 t¥c5 28.t¥b8 gb6 29.lOge2 Ac4 30.e5 he2 3l.lOxe2±; 26 ... ~c3 27.bxc3!? ~a3 28.lOhS+! lOxhS 29.8"xe5+ 'it>h6! (This is Black's only move. It is bad for him to try 29... cM7? 30.gf1+ 'it>e7 3l.t¥c7+ Ad7 32.gdl 8"a4 33.t¥d6+ \t>d8 34.gd5! b6 35.eS+-) 30.t¥xe6 t¥xc3 31.t¥xg4 ~+ 32.'it>c1 t¥a3+ 33.\t>d2 t¥d6+ 34.'it>e2 t¥c7 35.c3 8"xc3 36.t¥d7 8"g3 37.~d2+ g5 38.ge!;!;. In this last variation White had to overcome maximal difficulties, but still he managed to maintain the advantage. It should not be too difficult for him to win with the extra exchange. 25.1rd3 Naturally, White should avoid the trade of queens. In fact, as we will see later, it is unfavourable for White to exchange pieces in the majority of cases. This only reduces his attacking potential and this is even more important than material in most of the lines. It is essential to grasp this nuance of the position.

25 •••trh2 Black must decide now where he will place his queen. He has an interesting alternative - 25 ... t¥gS!? In this case, the fight focuses on the queenside. It looks attractive for White to play 26.lOb5!?, with the idea to counter 26 ... ~6?! with 27.lOc7 !!c6 28.t¥a3! \t>t7 (If 28 ...!!xc7, then 29.t¥e7+ 'it>h6 30.ghl+ lOhS 3l.tvd6! Ae6 32.t¥xc7 tvf4 33. t¥c3±) 29.~3+ 'it>g7 30.~4! (This is an essential intermediate move; 30.t¥xb7 ~e3 3l.lOe8+ 'it>h6 32.lOxf6 gn6=) 30... 'it>t7 3l.t¥xb7 t¥e3 32.lOd5 tvxg3 33. lOxf6 gd6 (but not 33... \t>xf6 34.t¥xd7+-) 34.lOdS ~fJ 35.gel g3 36. t¥c7 ~d5 (Black is forced to give up the exchange.) 37.exdS ~xd5 38. 'it>c1! (The inaccurate reaction by White - 38.~xeS? t¥xe5 39.~e5 g2+, might even loses the game for him.) 38...g2 39.t¥xa7± and White is winning. Black has however the line: 26 ...ge6! 27. lOd6 (The position is rather unclear after 27.~xa7 ge7oo, or 27. ~c7 ge7 28.t¥a3 ~hSoo) 27...b6oo. Ao.~

Chapter 20

This situation is not easy to evaluate at all, but still it looks like Black's fortress is sound enough. The analysis shows that instead of 26.lObS, White should better prefer 26.lOdS! The idea is that Black will have to exchange sooner or later this knight, since he will hardly put up with it for long. After its exchange, White will obtain a powerful passed pawn. In case of 26...1e6, White should better play 27.~b5! (27.~a3.hdS 28.exdS gc7 29.~xa7 ~f4+t) 27... gd6 (The alternatives are hardly any better for Black: 27... lOxdS 28.exdS gb6 29.~c5±; 27...1c8 28.lOe7! ~6 29.~cS1e6 30.lOdS .hdS 31.exdS±) 28.~xb7+ gd7 29.~3. The material equality has been restored and White is already prepared to advance his c2-pawn. Black's eventual problems can be illustrated by the following variations: 29 ... lOxdS 30.exdS ~xdS 31.c4 M5+ (31 ...~fJ 32.gfl ~xb3 33.axb3±) 32.lOxfS ~xfS+ (32 ... gxf5 33.c5 ~e4+ 34. ~a1 \tIf63S.c6 gh7 36.a3±) 33.\tIa1 e4 (33 ...~fJ 34.c5±) 34.c5 e3 3S,YlYxe3 ~dS 36.~c3+ \tIf8 37.gcl±; 29 ...~f4 30.c4 hdS (30 ...~fJ 31.gd3 YlYg2 32.~c3±) 31.exdS lOe4 32.lOxe4 ~xe4+ 33.\tIal±; 29... lOhS!? 30.c4 lOxg3 31.~xg3 .hdS 32.exdS ~f5+ 33.~d3 ~xd3+ 34.~d3±. We can see that in general, White exploits easily the drawbacks of the placement of Black's queen on the gSsquare. 404

26.m This move restricts the mobility of Black's queen and it forces him to consider the possibility of capturing on f6. 26••..lc8 It seems too artificial for Black to try: 26.. J~b6 27.~ce2 1bS 28. c4 .h6. White obtains a great advantage by penetrating into his opponent's camp: 29.~d8 .hc4 30.~c7+ (or 30.gel .le6 31.gc7+ .id7 32Jhd7+ ~xd7 33.~xd7+ \tIg8 34.~e8+ \tIh7 3S.Yfe7+ ~g8 36.YfxeS±) 30 ...1fl 31.~xe5 Yfh8 32.~d4±

Black can hardly solve his problems with the line: 26... a6 27.lOce2 ~7 (White's threat 28.~6 simply forces this move.) 28.gb1 ~g8 29.~d2 ~c4 30.lOc3 ~631.b3;!;

2'.~ce2!

This is a key-resource. This not so obvious retreat of the knight aims at redeploying it on the route e2-c1-d3, attacking Black's e5-pawn and fortifying the position of the blocking knight on g3,

1O.J.b3l:!c811.0-0-0 which will enable the activating of the heavy pieces. 27•••1fh8 The careless line 27...11Jh5? 28.Vd8+-leads to a catastrophe for Black, so he covers the d8square. Black can try here 27...l:!e6 28.ti'd8 Vh8, but this allows White to bring back his queen to the c1h6 diagonal with tempi: 29.Vc7+ llJd7 30.WiaS! l:!a631.ti'd2! 28.'IJd2! White is shattering his opponent's defence methodically. 28 ••••f8!? This rather original prophylactic move creates greatest problems for White. If 28 ...ti'e8, then not 29.11Jc3 lLlh5! (I remind you that exchanges are in favour of Black!) 30.lLlxh5+ gxb5 31.ti'g5+ l:!g6 32.ti'xh5 g3 33.l:!gl g2 34.ti'h2 Wif7 35.Wixe5+ ~g8=, but 29.l:!bl! After 29 ...Wid7 (or 29...~g8 30.lLlcl J.e6 31.b3!) and White can choose between 30.Vg5!? Wie7 (In case of 30... ti'c7, it is very good for White to continue with 31.lLlc1! - and here it would be bad for Black to opt for 31...l:!xc2? 32.lLld3+-, while in case of 31... lLlg8, White follows with 32.lLld3 ti'e7 33.ti'd2!) 31.lLlf5+ J.xf5 32.exf5 lLlg8! (This is the only defence for Black.) 33.Yfxg4 lLlh6 34.Yfg3 lLlxfS 35. mt3~ and he has compensation for the sacrificed pawn, as well as 30.Vh6+ ~ 31.lLlc1 (31.l:!f1 ~g8 32.11Jc1l:!d6 33.11Jd3 Vg734.Vh4

1lJe512.~b1l:!e813.h4

h514.J.h6

lLle8 35.ti'g5 l:!f6 36.l:!b1;t) 31... Vd4 32.l:!fl ti'c5 (32 ...J.e6 33.c3 Yfd6 34.Vh7+ ~e8 35.Vxg6+ J.f7 36.ti'g7;!;) 33.c3 Vf8 34.ti'h7+ Vg7 35.Vh4 l:!d6 36.Yfg5;t and White exerts powerful pressure against his opponent's position.

29.1h1! The next step of White's plan is the transfer of the knight to the d3-square via c1. There arises a question, though, why White refrains from the seemingly attractive move 29.Yfg5? He is clearly better in case of 29 ...Vc5 30.lLlc3!±. After 29 ... ti'e7 30.lLlh5+ ~f7, White has the surprising resource 31.11Jc3! gxb5 32.lLld5 Vd8 33.ti'h6. Black has an extra piece indeed, but he has no satisfactory defence. After 33... l:!d6 34.Yfh7+ he can try 34... ~e8 35.Vg7 l:!xdS 36.exdS YfxdS 37.ti'xf6 J.e6 (37... ~d7 38.Yff5+ ~c7 39.Vxh5±) 38.b3 ti'd6 (38 ... M7 39.l:!f5+-; 38... ~d7 39.~c1! Vd6 40.l:!dl J.d5 41.Yfxd6+ ~xd6 42.c4 g3 43.l:!xd5+ ~e6 44.l:!dl h4 45.~d2 ~f5 46.~e3 e4 47.l:!d5+ 405

Chapter 20 ~g4 4SJ~d7+-) 39.ti'hS+ ~d7 40.ti'xh5±, or 34... ~f8 35.c4! g3 36.~h6+ (It is weaker for White to play 36.lM'6+? ti'xf6 37.lLIxf6 lM'6 38.~hS+ ~f7 39.ti'xh5+ 13g~) 36... ~f7 (36...'it>eS 37.lM'6 13xf6 3S.lLIxf6+ ~e7 39.lLId5+±) 37.~xh5+ ~g7 3S.ti'g5+ ~ 39. ti'xg3! 13xd5 (Black loses immediately after 39...13c6? 40.ti'h4 'it>g6 41.13g1+ ~ 42.ti'h6+-) 40.cxd5 ti'd6 41.ti'g5±. It is quite obvious that all the variations are clearly in favour of White. In fact, Black plans to reply to the move 29.ti'g5 with the counter strike 29 ...lLIxe4! It is evident that after 30.ti'xe5+ lLIf6 White has no advantage: 31.ti'g5 lLIe4 32.~e3 13f6ao or 31.lLIf4 13c5!? 32.ti'd4 (In case White is tempted by the attractive line: 32.lLIgh5+?! gxh5 33.lLIxh5+ ~hS, then he will soon have to fight for the equality with 34.ti'd4 l3xh5 35.l3xf6 ti'g'R=, because after 34.ti'h2? l3xh5 35. ti"xh5+ lLIxh5 36.l3xf8+ rtJg7 37. l3xcS g3-+ White's endgame is lost.) 32...ti'e7 33.lLIxg6 (33.lLId3 13d5 34.ti"xa7 lLIh5ao) 33... ~xg6 34.lM'6+ ti'xf6 35.ti'xc5 ti'f4= and the position is completely equal. 29•••Ae6 After 29 ...ti'c5, White's idea is even more effective - 30.lLIcl! ~d4 31.lLId3± 30.~c1! wg8 If 30...ti"d6, then 31.lLId3 ti"d4

32.a3±

406

It is insufficient for Black to try 30 ....tc4 31.ti'gS rtJf7 32.ha

J.a6 33.13h6 lLIeS (33...ti'g7 34. c4;!;) 34.13h7+ ~gS (or 34...~g7 35.ti'xe5 ~gS 36.13h4 ti'f2 37.c4±) 35.13e7 ~g7 36.13d7;1; and White's prospects are clearly superior. 31••g5.g7 As before, White must avoid the unnecessary simplifications: 32.~xe5?! lLlh5! 33.ti"bS+ 13cS 34. ti"d6 ti'f6ao 32.~cW;

So, White has managed to deploy his pieces according to his plan and he exerts powerful pressure against his opponent's position. Black's e5-pawn is weak and his king looks quite vulnerable. The variations, we have just analyzed, must be tested in practice. We should not underestimate Black's resources, but still his defence is tremendously difficult. Maybe only computers can cope with Black's defensive problems successfully.

10.Ab3 gc81J.O-O-O liJe512.ctJb1 ge813.h4 h514.J.h6 Conclusion White will need to solve serious problems in that case ifBlack plays the move 12... ge8!?, which has become veryfashionable lately. After 13.h4 h514.Ah6 liJc415.J.xc4 ~c416.hg7 cl1xg7, White can continue with the resolute line: 17.g4!? hxg4 18.h5 and after that the pawnshelter of Black's king is practically completely destroyed. His position becomes very difficult, although he still preserves some chances of successful defending. We have analyzed this variation extensively, but this analysis will hardly reveal all thefine nuances ofthis position. It has demonstrated however numerous typical ideas and resources and this should encourage all the players who plan to fight for the white side in this position.

Chapter 21

l.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 ed 4.~xd4 ~f6 5.~c3 g6 6.J.e3 J.g7 7.f3 0-0 8.tfd2 ~e6 9.J.e4 J.d71 0 .J.b3 Be811. 0 - 0-0 ~e512.c;tbl ~e4

fl'c7, b) 14•••Yfb8, c) 14•••ie8 and d) 14••• a6. It should be noted here that the character of the fight in this line depends mostly on Black's reaction to White's kingside pawnoffensive. In case Black allows opening of the h-file after h4-h5, then he faces a powerful attack. If he plays the prophylactic move h7-hS, White's attack is slowed Black realizes his main plan down indeed, but Black has made for counterplay, forcing the trade some positional concessions to of his knight for White's light- worry about. Black has tried in practice squared bishop, as a result of which Black's rook occupies the some other moves, besides his c4-square. His later operations in- main lines, but they are either clude an offensive against White's very seldom played, or they transking with pieces and pawns alto- pose to other variations. gether. For example, after 14••••a5, White's simplest response is IS. 13.J.xc4 This is the right decision for gS (It is also good for him to play White, because he must preserve 15.~b3!?, followed by e4-eS, but his dark-squared bishop for his he should refrain from the atfuture kingside attack. tractive line IS.~dS?! fl'xd2 16. ~xe7+?! cj;>h8 17JDcd2 ge8+ I.Sav13••• Jb(c4 14.g4 Black has numerous possibili- chenko - Romashov, Lvov 2001 ties now. His most popular line - since it turns out that his knight 14...bS will be analyzed in the next has entered dire straights and chapter; meanwhile we will deal Black takes the advantage.) IS ... now with the variations a) 14••• ~hS 16.~dS tvd8 (It is quite obvi408

1O.i.b3 ilacBlJ.O-O-O ~e512.cj}bl ~c413.hc4lhc414.g4

ous that Black has nothing better.) and the game transposes to variation. - see 14...YlYc7. The seemingly strange move 14•• : ••8 can be played by Black with the idea after lS.h4 b5 16.hS b4, to control the dS-square with his queen. It is more precise however for White to play the intermediate move lS.b3! and Black has great problems after every possible retreat of his rook: IS ...ilac7? 16.gS+- Santo Roman - Roche, St Chely.d'Aubrac 2001; lS ...ilac5?! 16.~de2 ilac6 (This move is played with the idea to counter 17.e5 with the line: 17...dxe5 18.gS ilad6!oo) 17.gS ~hS 18.~dS±; lS ...ilacc8, Hodgson - Potts, County 2001, 16.h4 b5 (That is Black's best, nevertheless his counterplay is evidently too slow with his queen on the a8-square.) 17.~dxb5 YlYb7 18.~d4 YlYb4 (or 18 ...aS 19.9S ~hS 20.~dS±) 19.~de2!? (White is threatening 20.e5.) 19...~xg4 (19 ...J.e6 20.J.d4±) 20.~dS YlYxd2 (Black must comply with that exchange, because after 20 ...YlYa3 21.J.d4+-, his position is hopeless.) 21.J.xd2 ~f2 22.~xe7+ ebh8 23.~xc8 ilaxc8 24.J.b4 ~xh1 2S.1l.xh1± It is too passive for Black to try 14••••c8. After lS.h4, he solves his problems neither with lS ...hS 16.gxhS ~xhS 17.~dS ilae8 18.~e2 e6 19.~df4± Goloshchapov Harich, I.e Touquet 2003, nor

with lS ...il.xc3 16.YlYxc3 %Yxc3 17. bxc3 ilac8 18.gS ~hS 19.~e2± Bitansky - De Vreugt, Aviles 2000. Black's compensation for the exchange is obviously insufficient in that last line. In case of 14••• a5, White can

fix the queenside pawn-structure with the line IS.b3 ilac816.a4 and

we have already mentioned that after the move-order 12 ... aS 13.a4 ~c4 14..hc4 ilaxc4 lS.b3 ilac8 16. g4. He should be quite happy with his position too following lS.h4 hS 16.gxhS ~xhS 17.~de2 a4 18. J.h6 bS, Rishi - Ghattour, Dubai 200S, 19.~dS! J.e6 20 ..hg7 ~7 21.~df4 il.h8 22.~xhS+ il.xhS 23. ~f4± with a clear advantage for White. It would be hardly advisable for Black to try 14•••J.e6 IS.h4

lS ...YlYaS (Or lS ...hS?! 16.~xe6 fxe617.e5± Poetz - Rauchlahner, Graz 200S, or lS...bS?! 16.b3± Lindberg - Todorovic, Stockholm 2002.) 16.~b3 YlYa6 17.hS mc8 18.hxg6. In the game Mangazeev - McCart, Canberra 1999, Black 409

Chapter 21 encountered great problems after lS...fxg6 19..Ad4±. In case of IS ... hxg6 19..Ah6, it would not work for Black to continue with 19... IOxe4?! 20.fxe4.Axc3 21.bxc3 'hc3 (It is very bad for Black to opt for 21 ...,hg4 22 ..Af8+-, or 21 ... 'he4 22 ..ig7+-) 22 ..AfB 'Wxa2+ (Or 22 ... c.t>xf8 23.ghS+ c.t>g724.'Wh6+ c.t>f6 2S.gS+ c.t>eS 26.'ilYh2+ c.t>xe4 27.gd4+- and White checkmates.) 23.c.t>xa2 'hc2+ 24.'Wxc2 'hc2+ 2S.c.t>b1+-, while after 19... .AhS, White has the resource 20.'ilYh2±

It is too slow for Black to play IS ... a6, Haletzki - Koneke, corr.197S, 16.lOde2! bS - and after the thematic strike 17.eS! b4 (or 17... lOeS lS.gxhS .AxeS 19.9bgl± with a clear advantage for White) lS.exf6 bxc3 19.1Oxc3 .ixf6 20.lOdS .ie5 2l.f4 .Ag7 22 ..ib6 'WeS 23.'We2± and Black's rook on c4 and his pawn on e7 are both hanging. After lS...'WaS 16.1Ob3! 'Wa6 (If 16...'Wc7, then 17.eS! IOh7, Palac - Mikavica, Geneve 1996 and here lS.lOdS! 'WdS19.1Oa5+-) 17.e5± (That is a standard tactical resource based on the vulnerIf 14•••h5, then it deserves ability of Black's bishop on d7.), attention for White not to de- AI Sayed - Kosanovic, Budapest termine the pawn-structure yet 2001, White has obtained an and to choose instead the flex- overwhelming advantage and it is ible move lS.h3!? The inclusion essential that Black cannot even of the moves of the rook-pawns sacrifice his knight on g4. seems very suspicious for Black, In case of lS...a5, Srebrnic since it is done on the wrong side Bilbija, Portoroz 2003, it would be of the board and it should be dis- interesting for White to continue advantageous for him. White can with 16.lOde2!? (He can also opt use the hS-pawn as a target and for 16.b3 gc8 17.a4±) 16...b5 17.e5 he can prepare the placement of lOeS lS.gxhS .AxeS 19.hxg6 fxg6 his bishop to gS, or to transfer his 20.~gl ~h7 21.J.d4± - Black's knight via e2 to the g3, or the f4- king shelter has been seriously squares. compromised and White has a powerful attack. If lS...\!fbS, Choisy - Karibaeva, Heraklio 2004, then we can recommend to White to continue with 16.lOde2!?, followed by.1b.6, for example: 16...bS 17..1b.6 b4 lS.lOdS IOxdS 19.exd5± After lS...bS, Ljubas - Jakie, Zadar 1999, White should better play analogously to the main line:

410

10 .i.b3 'ScB 11.0-0-0 CiJe5 12. wb1 CiJc413.hc4 '8xc414.g4

16.b3 'Sc8 17.CiJdxb5 YlYa5 18.a4 a6 19.CiJd5± - and the inclusion of the moves h5 and h3 is evidently disadvantageous for Black.

a) 14••••c7

has the move CiJd5-f4 and he is also threatening the a7-pawn. Black is faced with a difficult choice. He plays most often the lines: al) 17•••.ie6, or a2) 17••• e6. After 17...b6 18.CiJg3, White's Black's idea is quite simple attack is very powerful: The exchange on g3 leads to - he wishes to triple his heavy pieces along the c-file, exerting the opening of the h-file and this pressure against his opponent's will end in a disaster for Black: c2-pawn and then to advance b7- 18... CiJxg3 19.hxg3 e6 (It is also bS. White is not obliged to push hopeless for Black to try 19... his rook-pawn however, since it i.e6 20.YlYh2 'Se8 21.YlYxh7+ ~f8 would be more logical for him to 22.b3 'Sc8 23.i.d4+-, because emphasize the misplacement of his defence crumbles without his opponent's queen. the dark-squared bishop, Le Bail - Snikkers, Herceg Novi 2005.) 15.g5 ~h5 16.~d5 .d8 I would like to remind you - 20.b3! (This is the most precise this position can be reached as way to victory for White, while the well after the quite popular move- straightforward approach 20. YlYh2, order 14...YlYaS 15.g5 CiJh5 16.CiJd5 as it was played in the game YlYd8 and therefore it should be Alonso - M.Rodriguez, E1 Sauzal 2003, enabled Black to parry the studied thoroughly. (diagram) first wave of White's attack with 17.~e2! 20 ...h5! 21.gxh6 .hb2! 22.~xb2 This is an essential multi- exd5 23.YlYd2±, although the final purpose resource for White. The position was again very difficult knight can be transferred to the for him.) 20 ... 'Sc6 21.YlYh2+- and g3-square, via e2, meanwhile he White wins.

Chapter 21 It is also bad for Black to allow capturing on h5, after 18... e6 19.1tlxh5 gxh5, Grafl - Krueger, Bad Wiessee 2002, 20.ltlf6+ ixf6 21.gxf6+- White's attack along the g-file is decisive even after Black's relatively best line: 18 ... i.e6 19.1tlxh5 gxh5 20J'!hg1! (It is weaker for White to play 20.ltlf4 ~d7, and after the careless variation: 21.ltlxh5? .bb2! 22.'it>xb2 ~b5+ 23. 'it>c1 ~Uc8-+ Black is victorious.) 20 ....ixdS (Black has no counterplay whatsoever with a white knight on the d5-outpost.) 21.~xd5 ga4 (In case of 21 ... gb4? White obtains a decisive advantage with 22.g6! ~b2+ 23.'it>c1, followed by 23 ...hxg6 24.~6+-, or 23 ... ti'c7 24.gxf7+ 'it>h8 25.gd2 ~c3 26.~g7+-) 22.g6 hxg6 23. ~g6 ~ 24.ti'b3 'it>h8 25J~1g3±. Black has avoided being crushed indeed, but his position is doubtlessly considerably inferior. al) 17•••.Ae6

Black does not lose time to protect his a7-pawn, with the idea 412

to exploit the additional tempo in case of 18.ltlg3, however White is not obliged to ignore the rook pawn. lS.J.xa7!? That is not the only way for White to obtain the advantage, but it is the most principled. lS •• ..txdS Black is without any good prospects after 18... ti'a8 19..td4 hd5 20.exd5 gfc8 21.c3± Castellanos Perez, Maipu Magistral 2002. In the game Ehlvest - Tiviakov, Isle of Man 1998, Black continued playing in a gambit style 18...b619 ..bb6 ~a8. Here, White could have continued capturing his opponent's defenseless pawns with 20.ltlxe7+ 'it>h8 21.~xd6+-. Black's pieces seem to be poised dangerously against White's king, but he has no real threats at all and that means White will soon win. After 19 ...~d7 20.b3 gb8 21.i.d4± White remains with two extra pawns and again Black has no real prospects of exploiting the open files. 19.1fxdS 'Be7 20.c3 White plays accurately and he maintains his material advantage, restricting his opponent's possibilities. 20 ... ga4 Naturally, it would be a disaster for Black to try 20 ...b6? 21..bb6 1-0 Macieja - Busquets, Internet 2000. After 20 ... gc8, White can play 21. ti'b5± and then he will return

10.i.b3 gcBll.0-0-0 liJe512.c!JblliJc413.i.xc4 gxc414.g4

calmly his bishop to the centre, A.Kovacevic - Torres, Mallorca 2000. If 20 ...gaS, then 21.i.b6 ti'cS, Zesch - Sommer, Leutersdorf 2000, 22.ghfl!? gca4 23.a3± It deserves serious attention for Black to try 20 ...b5!?, which requires precise actions from White. After the careless reaction 21.ti'xb5?! gaS 22 ..lb6 (In case of 22.i.d4 gbS 23.ti'a6 hd4 24.cxd4 gb6 25.ti'aS+ gbS= Antoli RoyoS.Marin, Zaragoza 2006, the repetition of moves is unavoidable.) 22 ...ti'c~Jorgensen - Alexander, Email 2002, Black obtains an excellent compensation for the two sacrificed pawns. It is correct for White to choose 21ie3! b4

22.b3! (But not 22ib6?! ti'cS 23.cxb4 hb2! 24.Y«bS .ia3!+, or 22.cxb4 ~b4 23.b3 gtbS~) 22 ... ~c3 (22 ...gc6 23.cxb4 gc2 24. gd2±) 23.liJxc3 bxc3 (Or 23 ... ti'xc3 24.i.d4 ti'xf.3 25.i.xg7liJxg7 26.ghel±, followed by 27.e5.) 24. gel %Yd7 25.gc2 26.gbcl± and White neutralizes his opponent's temporary activity preserving his material advantage.

mc8

21 •.1e3 MaS 22.a314a5 It is insufficient for Black to opt for 22 ... gSa5, Vehi - Martrenchar, San Sebastian 2005, 23.ti'd3 ti'd7 24.ghfl!? ti'h3 (24 ... gb5 25.liJd4±) 25.gf2± 23 ••d3 This is more precise than 23. %¥b3, Cheparinov - Garcia Luengo, Collado Villalba 2004. 23••••d7, KaIjakin - Le Quang Liem, Dresden 200S, 24.liJd4±

Black has no compensation for the pawn. Here, he would lose the exchange after 24...e5?, because of 2S.li:lb3 gb5 (25...gSa6 26. lOc5+-) 26.c4+-. Black's best line is 24...%¥h3, but then White can play 25.lOb3 gsa6 26.%yfl %YcS 27. liJd4± and he should gradually press his material advantage home. a2) 17•••e6 Black repels his opponent's knight from the central square and he is ready to push the freeing move d6-dS at some moment with the idea to exploit the power of his two bishops.

413

Chapter 21 25..if2 ixb3 26.axb3 rixb3+ 27. iaS~ M.Scbmidt - Amico, Email 2003, and he should play instead 25 ..h5! ib5 (After 25 ... ixb3 26.axb3 rixb3+ 27.lt>c2! ixf3 2S.ItJd3 icS+ 29.lt>b3 ic5 30.Ab4 !ixg5 31.lt>c4±, or 25... ia7 26.th4 ixb3 27..ixfB .txd12S.rixdllt>xf8 29.lt~d3± White has excellent winning chances.) 26..id2 iaS (26... J.xb3 27.axb3 rixb3+ 2S.lt>c2!ixfJ 29.icl±) 27.J.c1 rixb3+!? (27... J.xb3 2S.axb3 ixb3+ 29.lt>c2!ixfJ 30.1tJd3±) 2S.axb3 txb3 29..tb2 .h2+ 30.lt>c2 icS+ 31.';f.ld2 txb2 32.~e3± - Black must fight really hard for the draw in that endgame with an exchange down. If Black loses a tempo to protect his pawn, then White begins a direct kingside attack. For example, after 19...te5 20.h4 YRc7 21.h5, Black must counter strike in the centre in order to avoid being checkmated.

1t>c1

18.~df4

White exchanges immediately his opponent's knight on h5 and that enables him to advance his h5-pawn. This is evidently better than 18.ltJdc3, which Black could have countered with lS ...dS. 18... ~xf4 19.~xf4 Now, Black's main problem is to decide what to do with his d6pawn.

19•••100 GM V.Korchnoi has suggested a line, which is interesting, but still insufficient for Black: 19... ~c7!? 20.\1bd6 rixc2 21.YNxc7 rixc7 22 ..ixa7 b6! 23.J.xb6 g],7 24. b3 .h4! White should avoid here

414

In case of 21 ... ic8 22.c3 dS (22 .•. ixc3? 23.bxc3 txc3 24.YRxd6+-; 22 ...J.a4 23.icl±) 23.1tJd3, Black loses after 23•..ig7 24.hxg6 fxg6 (24...hxg6 25.tf4+-) 25.tf4 YRb6 26.eb2+-, but his position is too

IO.Iib3 ~c811.0-0-0 li:Je512. cj;;blli:Jc413.1ixc4 lhc414.g4

difficult even after the slightly better line for him: 23 ...J.d6 24.hxg6 fxg625.li:Jf2!± White can counter 21 ... d5, again with 22.li:Jd3 J.g7 (or 22 ....1d6 23.b3 ~c6 24..tf4!?±) 23.hxg6. Here, it is a disaster for Black to play 23 ...hxg6? 24.J.f4 Yfl>6 (24...e5 25.li:Jxe5 he5 26. mt2+-) 25.Vffh2 ~fc8 26.Vffh7+ ~f8 27.YHxg7+ ~xg7 28.lie5+ f6 (28 ... ~f8 29.M6+-) 29.J.xf6+ ~ 30.~8+ ~f7 31.li:Je5#. It is more resilient for him to defend with 23...fxg6, but even then after 24.M4, Black must give up the exchange without a sufficient compensation for it: 24...l:W'4 (24 ... Yfl>6 25.Vffh2+-) 25.li:Jxf4 ~d4 26.YHcl ~b4 27.li:Jd3± 20.h4

20 ••••c7 It is too passive for Black to try

20 .•.YHe7, as it was played in the game Felgaer - An. Rodriguez, Asuncion 2003, because he would be doomed after 21.h5 ~fc8 22.c3 b5 23..td4! (The exchange of the dark-squared bishops is essential

for the success of White's attacking plan.) 23 ...b4 (Or 23 ...lixd4 24.YHxd4e525.li:Jd5YHxg526.YHxa7 YHd8 27.~dgl+- and Black is completely helpless.) 24.,ixg7 ~xg7 25.hxg6 fxg6 26.~6! (White's checkmating threats are decisive.) 26 ...bxc3 27.~dhl ~8 28.YHh2+It is more resilient for Black to defend with 20 ...d5, Nadig Taleb, Dubai 2006, but White can counter that with 21.h5! ~e8 22.hxg6 hxg6 23.Vffh2±, and Black has great problems to worry about. After 23 ... dxe4, White has the line: 24.YlYh7+ c.W8 25.li:Jxg6+! fxg6 26.fxe4+-, while if 23 ...YHa5, then 24.Ad4! e5 25.J.c3! ~c3 26. li:Jxd5+- and Black's rook on c3 is hanging and White is threatening the deadly check from the f6square. GM Golubev has recommended the interesting variation for Black: 20 .. .f6!? (The idea of that move is to prevent White's thematic move h4-h5.). In that case, White should better choose the preparatory move 21.~g1! (his other rook should better remain on dl in order to maintain the pressure against Black's d6-pawn and to prevent ~a6, followed by Yfa5). There might follow: 21... ~a6 22.h5 fxg5 23.hxg6 gxf4 (23 ...l:W'4 24 ..Axf4 Yff6 25.gxh7+ ~h8 26.e5! Vxf4 27.ti'xf4 gxf4 28.~d2+-; 23 ...h6 24.li:Jh5 gxf3 25.~dfl ~ 26.Yfd3!+-) 24.gxh7+ c;t.h8 (24... ~xh7 25.J.xf4 Yff6 26. Yfh2+ c;t.g8 27.~7+! ti'xg7 28. 415

Chapter 21 ~6+-) 25.~7! g;,t7 27:~h2+-;

g;,xg7 26J~g1+ 22 •••1la6 21.. J!t7 22.h5 It is hopeless for Black to play fxg5 23 ..!Llh3! (With a rook on 22 ...~d8 23.c3 24.hxg6 hxg6 the c6-square, the following line 25J!dh1 l1a6 26.a3 WbS 27.11h7+is rather unclear: 23.hxg6 gn4! His chances are just minimal 24 ..lxf4 ~f6 25.gxh7+ ~h8 26.e5 too after 22 ...b5 23.hxg6 hxg6 ~xf4 27.~xf4 gxf4oc) 23 ... ~f6 24.11dh1 b4 25 ..ld4 e5 26 ..!Lld5 24.c3 h6 25.f4 g4 26.~4 gxh5 ~d8 27..lxa7 1lxc2 28.~xb4 gxb2 27.gg2 e5 28 ..!Llf2 exf4 29 ..ld4 29.1lxh2± ~e7 30.gdgl±; 21...fxg5 22.gxg5 23.hxg6 hxg6 ~f6 (22 ....lf6 23.gg2 .lxh4 24.gh1 The variation: 23 ...fxg6 24. M6 25 ..!Llxg6! hxg6 26.~6+ l1dh1 Wc4 25.a3 Wb5 26 ..ld4! e5 g;,t7 27.gh7+! ~xg6 28.~2 .lh4 27.1lxh7 exd4 28.1lxg7+ ~7 29. 29J~xh4+-; 22 ...gt7 23.gdg1 ~f6 ~2 Wxg5 (29 ...11g8 30.mt7+ mf8 24.c3 e5 25.h5 exf4 26..ld4+-; 31..!Lld5+-) 30.~h7+ ~ 31.tiJd5+ 22 ...e5 23.tiJd5 gxfJ 24.h5±) 23.e5! ~e6 32.mt3+- demonstrates that dxe5 24 ..!Llh5 gxh5 25.~xd7±. White's attack is much faster. White's attack is tremendously 24.a3 powerful in all the variations. This prophylactic is necessmy 21.hSflc8 for White. 24••••c4 After 24...WaS 25.~xa5 1lxa5 26.1lxd6± White has a solid extra pawn in the endgame. If24.. ..ia4, then 25.11dh1 d5 (In case of 25...Wc4, White must parry the threat 26...m5 with 26.c3, followed by 26...11aS 27.1lh7 .le5 28 ..ld4+- or 27...11bS 28. ~al! +-) 26.exd5 We5 27.c3 ~xg5 28.dxe6 ~f5+ 29.~a1 fxe6 30.11h7±, and Black's king is in a precarious 22.gb2! situation. White fortifies his c2-pawn 2S.~d3 and he intends to double his White's knight is transferred to rooks along the h-file. This is an the b4-square, via d3 and that ceimprovement to the game Kolev - ments his position on the queenAlterman, Burgas 1995, in which side. White chose 22Jk1 and he ob2S•• .J.a4 tained an edge too, but not so It is insufficient for Black to considerable. try 25 ...d5 26 ..!Llb4 l1d6 27.11dh1! 416

waS

lO.j,b3 1!cBll.0-0-0

~e512.rJ;;bl ~c413.hc41!xc414.g4

White's idea is quite simple - he wishes to give up his rook for Black's dark-squared bishop and then to create decisive threats on the vulnerable dark squares, for example: 27... d4 2S.1!h7 dxe3 29.Uxd6 Uc7 30.1!xg7+! rJ;;xg7 31.ti'd4+ e5 32.Uxe3 a5 33.Ud2 axb4 34.Uh2+-; 27...a5 2S.1!h7 axb4 29.1!xg7+! 'i!Jxg7 30..ld4+ e5 31.,lxe5+ f6 32 ..lxd6+-

cause Black's king will be checkmated after: 31...1!xe4? 32.1!xd6 1!xe3 33.1!dS+ 'i!Jg734.1!dhS+-

b) 14•••1Jb8

26.~b4Ba5

This is Black's best chance. He wishes to place his rook on bS and to create the threat to capture on c2. Meanwhile his d6-pawn remains defenseless. Black places his queen in a way that it cannot be attacked and he frees at the same time the semiopen c-file for his rook, preparing in the process the pawn-advance b7-bS.

15.h4Bfc8

27.exd6! White is not afraid of any attacks against his queen. 27•• .J.e5 (Black loses after 27... MB? 2S..ld4+-) 28.Bdh1! + (If 2S....tg7, then 29J~d2±) 29. Bxf1 .t.xd6 30 .f4±. White has excellent chances of winning this endgame with an extra pawn. It is important that Black cannot play 30...1!xg5?, because of 31.e5+-. After 30.. J~c4 31.1!d1, White's central pawn is untouchable, be-

en

Black's best chance is to sacrifice the exchange on c3. It is not so good for him to play 15...h5, Stastny - Benda, Plzen 1995, because of 16.g5, and then White is clearly better after 16... oltlh7 17.b3 1!cc8 18.f4±, as well as following 16... oltleS (This move looks very ugly, when Black's rook is on fB.) 17.b3 1!c5 (l7...1!xc3 1S.ti'xc3 oltlc719.f4±) 1S.~de2 1!c6 19.oltld5± - Black cannot protect simultaneously his pawns on a7 ande7. Black tries in practice a bit more often 15...b5. Then, after 16.h5, it looks bad for him to

Chapter 21 play the tentative line: 16.. J~~fc8 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.lOdS (This is the standard development of White's attack.) 18 ... lOxdS 19.exdS Yfb7 (Black is helpless too after 19... gS 20.'lHd3 h6 2U~xh6! .ixh6 22.'lHg6+ J.r,7 23J:~h1 l~U8 24J~h7 ~f7 2S.lOe6+- Maynuddin - Mione, Corsico 1994, as well as following 19.. ~eS 20.b3 ~c3 2l.f4! .txd4 22 ..txd4 ~c2 23.'lHe1 +- Liebert - Damjanovic, Polanica Zdroj 1966.) 20.~h2 h6 (In case of 20 ... ~f7, White wins with 21.'lHf4+ cj;>g8 22.~7!+-, while if 20 ... ~xdS 21.'lHxh7+ ~f7, Nuesken - Sommer, Bensdorf 2001, then 2V~)fS 'lHeS 23.lOh6+ cj;>e6 24..lc1+- and White wins.) 21.b3+- Zambrana - And. Rodriguez, Santos 2006 Black's rook is repelled from the c4-square and the outcome of the game seems decided in favour of White. After 16...e6, White plays 17..lh6!. In the game Marti Pericot - De Lillo, Email 2002, he had a crushing attack after 17... Yfb6 18.ixg7 ~xg7 19.%Yf4! tOg8 20.hxg6 hxg6 21.tOfS+ exf5 22. ~d6 Yfb7 23.gxf5+-; Black cannot save the day after 17... lOxe4!?, in view of 18.lOxe4 ~d4 19.'lHe3 ~d1+ 20.~d1 %Yb6 (20 ...dS 21..lxg7 ~xg7 22.h6+ cj;>h8 23. 'lHd4+ eS 24.'lHxdS .le6 2S.'lHc5+-) 21.'lHd2± - The exchange of the dark-squares bishops becomes unavoidable and Black's defence crumbles.

418

If 16...eS, Sultimov - Kadatsky, Russia 200S, then 17.h6! .ih8 18.lOfS!± Even after Black's best defensive line: 16...b4 17.tOdS lOxdS 18.exdS, his position remains tremendously difficult and this can be demonstrated by the following variations: 18 ...~fc8 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.%Yh2 M7 (20...h6 21.b3+-), Vuruna - Pejovic, Tivat 1995, 21.'lHf4+ ~g8 22.~7! ~f8 (22 ... ~xh7 23.'lWf7+-) 23.~7+ cj;>xg7 24.~6+ ~f7 2S.~7+ cj;>e8 26. .1h6+-; 18...Yfb7 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.'lHh2 M7 (20 ...'lWxdS, Deiner - Gaab, Landau 1996, 21.%Yxh7+ ~f7 22.lOfS %YeS 23.tOxg7 'lHxg7 24.'lHxg7+ cj;>xg7 2S..1h6+-; 20 ... hS 21.gxhS 'lHxdS 22.hxg6+Gunnarsson - Sluka, Olomouc 2001) 21.%Ye21 lUc8 (21...BxdS 22.lOfS!+-; 21...~c7 22.~7 gb8 23.~8.ixh8 24..lgS+-) 22.~7 ~g8 23.~7+! (White finishes his attackoffin a spectacular fashion.) 23 ... cj;>xg7 24..lh6+! cj;>xb6 (24... ~f7 2SJ~e1 +-) 2S.~h1 + WgS (2S.. . ~g7 26.'lHxe7+ mg8 27.Bh7+ mfB 28.~8+ cj;>e7 29Jlli7#) 26.Bxe7+ M4 27.'lHxd6+ ~e3 28.BeS+ rM2 29.'lHe1+ ~g2 30.Bg1#; 18...gS 19.h6 .te5 20.b3 ~c3 21..txgS+Sorin - Werner, France 1998. It would be more resilient for Black to try 18....leS, but even then after 19.'lHe2 ~fc8 20.hxg6 hxg6 (or 20 ...fxg6 2l.f4±) 2l.f4 .lg7 22.f5± his position remains very difficult.

1O.J.b3 l::lcBll.0-0-0

~e512. Wbl ~c413.J.xc4 ~c414.g4

16.h5

18•••fxg6 Black has no compensation for the exchange after IS ...hxg6 19..ill6 Vxc3 (19 ....ihS 20.Vh2±) 20.Vxc3 fDcc3 21.hg7 c;!;>xg7 22. c;!;>b2 l::lc7 23.l::ld3 J.eS 24.l::lc3± Nijboer - Banikas, Plovdiv 2003. After IS ...fxg6, Black has had very positive results in the tournarnentpractice, but the statistics does not correspond to the objective evaluation of the position.

16•••1xe3 About 16...b5 - see 15...b5. It is not good to recommend to Black to try 16...J.xg4? (hoping for 17.fxg4?! fDcc3!CD Barta - Zambo, Gyongyos 2001), because of the intermediate move 17.hxg6! hxg6 (17...fxg6, Krebs - Goers, Schleswig Holstein 1991, IS.fxg4 fDcc3 19.bxc3 ~xe4 20.Yfh2+-) IS.fxg4 ~xg4 (Now, in case of IS ... fDcc3 19.~b3J.e6 19.bxc3 fue4, White follows with It is not good for Black to 20.Yfh2 ~xc3+ 21.Wal ~xdl 22. play 19...J.xg4? 20.fxg4 ~xe4 21. Yfh7+ wfB 23ih6+-) 19.~d5+­ Vd5+-, while in case of 19 ...Vxc3 D.Popovic - M.Nikolic, Obreno- 20.Vxc3 fDcc3 2IJ3d3 l::lcS (or 21 ...fDcd3 22.cxd3 J.b5 23.c;!;>c2± vac2002. After 16...e6 17.hxg6 fxg6, Navarro Alonso - Veras Sanz, White has the powerful resource Autonomico 2005) 22.J.xa7± 18.~b3± Milu - Gheng, Miercu- Mortensen - Mikhalevski, Copenhagen 2000, White can begin the rea Ciuc 1995. process of materializing his ad17.bxe3'ffc7 If 17•..d5?, Zhao - Pyke, Bris- vantage in the endgame. bane 2006, then IS.hxg6 fxg6 20.J.d485 (1S ...hxg6 19ih6 .illS 20 ..tf4+-) The advance of Black's rook19.e5! ~eS (19...Vxe5 20 ..if4+-) pawn is his basic motif for coun20.e6 J.a4 21..ti4 ~d6 22.Yfh2+- terplay in this position. and White wins. In the game Liss - Stisis, Israel 2000, he chose 20 ...M7 21.g5 18.hxg6 419

Chapter 21 tLlhS 22.!xg7 tLlxg7 23.f4 as, but after 24.ti'd3 a4 (24...~hS 2S.f5±) 2S.~d4, it could have led to a position, which we would analyze later in our notes to Black's move 24 - see 20 ... aS. 21.g5 ~h5 22.hg7 ~xg7 It is interesting for Black to try, but still insufficient 22 ... g;,xg7 23.f4! a4 (23 ...ti'xc3 24.ti'xc3+ fucc3 2S.g;,b2±) 24.tLld4 if7 2S.eS! dxeS 26.fxeS. There might follow: 26 ... a3 27.e6 ti'b6+ 28.li:Jb3 !J.xe6 29.l3hel+-; 26... tLlg3 27.e6! ie8 (27... ~xhl 28.exf7+-; 27..• !J.g8 28.l3hel+-) 28.ti'h2 hS (28 ... tLlxhl 29.ti'h6+ g;,g8 30.fuchl+-) 29.gxh6+ g;,h7 30.l3hg1+-; 26... ft'xeS 27.l3hel ti'c5 28.ti'e3 ti'c4 29.~e6±. Black has chances of offering some resistance only in this last variation. If instead of 24 ...J.f7, Black chooses 24 ...!J.g8!? (This is with the idea to avoid the advance of White's pawn to the e6-square with tempo and also to fortify the h7-square.), then it is again good for White to play 2S.eS!, followed by 2S... tLlg3 26.exd6! ti'b6+ (The other possibilities would not save Black either: 26 ...exd6 27.l3hel ti'c4 28.ft'e3 ti'xa2+ 29.g;,cl+-; 26 ...ti'xd6 27.ti'e3 ti'a3 28.~e6+-) 27.'it?al ti'xd6 (Incase of27... tLlxhl, White wins with the surprising move 28.ti'el!+-) 28.l3hel! (28. ti'e3 ti'a3 29.~e6+ !J.xe6 30.ti'xe6 ti'xc3+= and it all ends in a draw) 28...ti'a3 29.~e6+ he6 30.fuce6 ~f5 31.l3e4+-, or 2S ...dxe5 26.fxe5 420

~g3 27.l3h4± and it turns out that White's central pawn is poisoned: 27...ti'xeS?! 28.l3el ti'dS 29.ti'e3 ti'xa2+ 30.g;,cl ti'a3 31.'it?d2 Bd6 32.ti'xe7+ ti'xe7 33.fuce7+ 'it?h834. l3h3! ~hS 3S.fucb7 a3 36J3a7+and the endgame is technically winning for White. 23.f4a4

24.~d4!

It is weaker for White to con-

tinue with 24.~c1?! BaSco, as he did in the game Ve~cki - Carlsson, Hallsberg 2003. 24••••c4 The alternatives are hardly any better for Black: 24...a3 2S.ft'd3±; 24...ti'xc3 2S.t¥xc3 fucc3 26.'it?b2 l3c5 27.l3d3±; 24 ....tf7 2S.tt'd3 ti'xc3 26.Bxc3 fucc3 27.'it?b2 l3c4 28.l3hel ~e6 29.~xe6 he6 30.f5! gxf5 31.exfS J.xf5 32Jlxe7 fucc2+ 33.'it?a3±. White has excellent chances of winning the game in all the variations. 25.~xe6 ~xe6 26.1I'h2 h5 Or 26... ~f8 27.t¥g3 tt'xc3 (27... t¥xe4 28.l3hel+-) 28.Bxc3 llxc3 29.l3hel l3c4 30.e5±

10.i.b3 'BcBll.0-0-0 fi:Je512. cJJbl fi:Jc413.ixc4 '8xc414.g4

27.gxh6 'l'xc3 28.'I'd2±

White has preselVed his extra exch!mge. Black can capture the f4-pawn indeed, allowing the exchange of queens, but his defence remains difficult too, for example: 2B ••• t:lJxf4 29.•xc3 '8xc3 30.e5±; 2B...•xd2 29.'8xd2 fi:Jxf4 30.e5! dxe5 (30 ..•d5 3Uld4 fi:Je2 32.'Bb4 bS 33.c,t>b2±) 31.'Bd7 cM7 32.'8xb7±. It is also possible for Black to try 2B ••••c4 29.f5 ebS+ 30.~c1 gxf5 (30 •..•e5 31.•d5+-) 31.exf5 .xf5 32 .•g2+ c,t>hB 33.'Bhel .f6 34. YlYxb7±, but White's advantage remains again ovelWhelming.

c) 14••• le8

This move is only seldom played, but it is quite purposeful. Black fortifies his e7-pawn in order to be able later to activate his queen. The obvious defect of the move is that Black's rook can go later to the cB-square only after a loss of a tempo. 15.h4!'I'a5 It is less logical for Black to play IS....c7 16.h5 '8c8 17.hxg6 fxg6 (In case of 17...hxg6 IB.gS fi:Jh5 19.fi:Jd5 .dB, White can occupy additional space on the queenside quite advantageously with 20.b3 'B4c5 21.c4!, and later 21 ...a5 22.fi:Jf5±, or 21 ...e6 22.fi:Jc3 a6 23.fi:Jc2±), as it was played in the game Hracek - Stocek, Czech Republic 1999. Here, White could have obtained an ovelWhelming advantage with the help of the line: IB.eS! dxe5 (It is even worse for Black to play IB ...fi:Je8 19.fi:Jd5 .dB 20.J.g5+-) 19.fi:Jdb5 hb5 (19 ....a5 20.g5+-) 20.fi:Jxb5 ebB 21.fi:Jxa7 '8xc2 (21...'8Bc7 22.g5+-) 22.'I'h4± After IS...b5 16.hS b4 17.fi:JdS, White's advantage is obvious following 17...fi:JxdS IB.exdS±, while in case of 17...e6, as it was played in the game Hallebeek - Kersten, Bie119B9, White has the resource IB.fi:Jxb4I?, and if IB ...a5 19.fi:Jd3 fi:Jxe4, then 20.fxe4 .ixd4 21.hxg6 fxg6 22.'l'h2! .e7 23.i.g5! .g7 24.•xd6± It deselVes a special attention for Black to play here the standard containing move 15...hS!? 421

Chapter 21 If in this case White continues analogously to the variation 14... a6 15.h4 h5 and he plays 16.gxh5 tOxh517.tOde2, then Black should not lose a tempo for the move a6 and he can play immediately 17... Wfa5 and after 18.tOdS, he can follow with 18...\~bd2 (Black's rook protects the e7-pawn.) 19J~xd2 b6= Daoud - Zult, Canary Islands 1995 with an equal endgame. Therefore, White's most promising response here is 16.g5, emphasizing the fact that Black's rook has deprived the knight of the e8-square and it should retreat to an unfavourable place back in the rear: 16... tOh7, Masserey - Vasilev, Golden Sands 2000. Now after 17.tOd5!? tOfS (The weakening of the d6-pawn in case of 17...e6 18.tOc3± is quite advantageous for White.) 18.b3 ~k8 19.~e2;!; and White enjoys a very free game. He plans to try to trade the darksquared bishops with J.d4 and if Black avoids that with e7-e5, White's bishop will retreat to the b2-square and then he will prepare the pawn-advance f3-f4.

422

16.~b3!

This is White's typical reaction against the sortie of Black's queen to as. White frees the d4-square for his bishop with tempo and he creates the possible tactical threat e4-e5, the idea of which is that after Black captures with the pawn, White pushes g4-g5, winning a piece.

16••••e5 Black must worry about 17.e5, ifhe retreats his queen to another square. Indeed after 16...Wfa6, in the variation 17.e5 ~xg4 18.fxg4 J.xg4 19J~dgl;!; Vocaturo - Rossi, Saint Vmcent 2005, the position remained rather unclear and Black had at least an excellent counterplay. It is much more convincing for White to push 17.h5! Here, Black loses after the careless move 17.. J~ec8?!, because of 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.e5 ~e8 (It is also very bad for Black to try 19... ~xg4 20.fxg4 ixg4 21.tOdS! J.xd1 22.Wfxdl ge8 23.e6+-) 20.Yfll2 h5 (If 20 ...h6, then 21.exd6, and later 21... tOxd6 22.J.xh6+-, or 21 ... exd6 22 ..id4+-) 21.gxh5 J,xe5 22.f4 J,xc3 23.bxc3 g5 24.Vg2 g4 25.VdS+ e6 (25... ~h8 26.Vf7+-) 26.%'ig5+ c,Yh8 27.gbgl+- and White's threats are impossible to parry. The move 17.. .J.e6, which was tried in the game Egger - Pinto, Santiago 2002, could have led to a very difficult position for Black after 18.hxg6 fxg6 (18 ...hxg6 19.Wh2±) 19..id4 geeS

10.j,b3 E!.cBlJ.O-O-O liJe5 12. wb1liJc413.i.xc4 'fl.xc414.g4

20.'l«h2 W (20 ...h6 21..bf6 ixf6 22.'l«xh6 W 23.f4±) 21.f4± In case of 16.. :egc7, White obtains an excellent position with the immediate strike 17.e5! liJxg4 (17... dxe5 IS.g5 J.c6 19.9xf6 ixf6, Tirto - Moylan, Kuala Lumpur 2007, 20.YNf2+-) IS.exd6 YNxd6 19.fxg4 !xg4 20.'l«xd6 exd6 21. E!.del .lxc3 22.bxc3 E!.ce4 23.J.f2± - White has a material advantage and excellent chances of winning that endgame.

17•.td41fe6 Black's queen is awkwardly placed on e6, but it is very difficult for White to exploit that. 18.h5 In the game Motylev - Timofeev, Tomsk 2001, White chose IS.liJd5, but after Black's precise response IS ....h4! (1S ... tOxd5? 19. exd5± loses the exchange for Black.) 19.tOxf6+ ixf6 20.ixf6 ti'xf6= the chances were equal. 18•••1ee8

vo, Neumuenster 1999 showed, did not bring White any advantage. Black can place his queen on f7 in some variations in order to fortify the h7-square. Thanks to the move 19.h6!, White at first squeezes Black's kingside and then he advances his central pawns. 19•••J.h8 After the passive move 19... MS, White even wins a pawn with the line: 20.g5liJh5 21.ixa7± 20.gS tOhS Or 20 ...tOeS 21.hhS xhS 22.f4± with an overwhelming advantage for White. 21 ..Axh8 mxh8

22.e5! This is the key-moment. White opens the position in the centre and this enables him to utilize the potential of his heavy pieces.

22 ••..tc6 19.h6! The routine reaction 19.hxg6 fxg6oo, as the game Koepke - Bra-

Black does not save the day after 22 ... tOg3?! 23.E!.hel liJf5 (23 ...d5 24.tOd4+-), because of 24.exd6 YNxd6 25.YNe2! - and it becomes suddenly obvious that his 42::1

Chapter 21

queen is in a big trouble: 2S...%Yc7 26.~dS+-, or 2S...%Ye6 26.%yfl+White is clearly better too after 22 ...%YxeS 23J:ihel %Yf4 24Jhe7± 23.~d4±

Black is faced with a difficult choice in case of 23 ...%YxeS 24.~xc6 bxc6 2SJ;he1± and his e7-pawn falls. The line: 23 ... %Yd7 24.!!hel dxeS, can be countered by White with the rather unpleasant response 2S.%Ye2!±; finally 23 ...!!xd4 24.%Yxd4 ti'xe5 (Black loses immediately after 24 ...dxe5? 2S.%Yd8+ .le8 26.~b5! !!xd8 27.!!xd8 ti'c6 28.~c7+-) 2S.%YxeS+ dxe5 26.~dS± and the endgame is just terrible for Black, because he is an exchange down. d) 14••• a6

This is in fact the most interesting and playable line for Black, among the ones we analyze in this chapter. He can try later to push b7-bS, while in answer to h2-h4, he can defend with h7-hS, under the most favourable possible circumstances. 424

15.h4 We will deal now with the lines dl) 15•••b5 and d2) 15.•.hS. It is not principled for Black to play IS ...ti'aS 16.~b3. Here, after 16...%Yc7?!, Swathi - Prasad, New Delhi 2006, White follows with the standard tactical strike 17.e5! ~xg4 (17...dxeS 18.gS+-; 17... ~e8 18.~dS %Yd8 19..lb6+-) 18.fxg4 .AxeS 19.~d5+-, while if 16...ti'e5, then simply 17.hS± dl) IS •••b5 Black allows his opponent's direct attack against his king and this is quite risky as we will soon convince you. His queenside counterplay is evidentlytooslow. 16.h5

Now, Black has numerous possibilities and the most popular of them are: dla) 16••••c7 H dlb)

16.••b4. He has tried some other moves in practice too, but he has encountered plenty of problems in all of them.

10.J.b3 ~c811.0-0-0 £i:Je512.rJ/bl £i:Jc413.J.xc4lhc414.g4

His attempt to take the dSsquare under control with the move 16... e6? turns out to be very bad for him after 17.bxg6 fxg6 IB.e5! b4 (1B ... dxe5 19.£i:Jxe6+-) 19.exf6bxc320.YHd3~d421.J.xd4

J.xf6 22.J.xf6 YHxf6 23.YHxd6+Stefansson - Thorhallsson, Reykjavik 2005 and White wins. It is also terrible for him to opt for 16...YHa5?, lieutenant - Capkunaj, Huy 1993, 17.hxg6 fxg6 IB.e5! b4 (IB ...dxe5 19.£i:Jb3 YHc7 20.g5+-) 19.exf6 bxc3 20.YHe2! ~b4 21.£i:Jb3 ~b3 22.YHc4+ e6 23. YHxb3 J.xf6 24.~d6+In the game Delorme - Agrech, France 199B, Black played 16... YHc8. Here, the move 17.g5 is not as good for White as when Black's queen is on c7, since Black can play 17...£i:Jxb5 IB.£i:JdS YHeB! 19. ~5 gxh5 20.YHh2 f6!co and the position remains unclear. The placement of Black's queen on c8 impedes his rook from occupying the c-file, therefore I recommend to White to prevent the pawn-advance b5-b4 with the calm move 17.a3!? Black cannot play now 17... b4?, because of IB.axb4 ~b4 19.h6 J.hB 20.g5 YHb7 21.b3 £i:Jh5 22.£i:JdS+- - and his e7-pawn is defenseless. After 17.. .J.e6 IB.fue6 YHxe619. ih6±, White has a crushing attack. The standard exchange-sacrifice 17... ~c3 IB.YHxc3 YHxc3 19. bxc3 gcB 20.rJ/b2 J.eB 21.hxg6 hxg6, can be refuted by White

with the precise reaction 22. J.g5!±, preventing the transfer of Black's knight to d7. If 17... a5, then IB.h6J.hBI9.g5 b4 (In case of 19 ... £i:Jh5 20.£i:Jd5 YHdB 21.b3 ~cB, White can inflict the tactical strike 22.YHxa5!±) 20.axb4 axb4 21.£i:Ja2 £i:Jh5 22.b3 ~c7 23.£i:Jxb4± and White ends up with a solid extra pawn. It is interesting for Black to try 17... YHb7!? In that case, White must continue with the precise move IB.£i:Jb3! and Black has great problems after that: IB ... ~c3 (Black is not out of the woods either after IB .. JkcB 19.J.h6±) 19.%Yxc3 £i:Jxg4 20 ..Ad4 l:'icB 21.YHd2 £i:Jf6 (21...£i:Je5 22.hxg6 bxg6 23.YHh2±) and here White should continue with the exchange operation 22.£i:Jc5! dxc5 23.J.xf6 ixf6 24.YHxd7± He ends up with an extra exchange and he has excellent chances of turning it into a full point.

cUa) 16•• :erc7

This move was played in the game Cawdery - Kafka, Szeged 425

Chapter 21 1994 and White did not play convincingly in that encounter. After 17.hxg6 fxg6 lS.lLlde2, Black had to play not lS .. J3CS, but lS ... h4! 19.1LldS lLlxd5 20.YlYxd5+ e6 21.YlYxd6 ~c2oo with a rather unclear position. White has however a very interesting and quite promising exchange sacrifice at his disposal. 17.g5! White forces Black to capture the h5-pawn. 17••• ~ Black loses after 17...h4? lS. gxf6 bxc3 19.YlYh2 exf6 20.hxg6 fxg6 21.YlYxh7+ <Jifl22Jlli6+-

18.otldS 1Jd8 19.b3 gc8

20.bh5! gxh5 21.eb2 This is the key-position of the variation. The analysis shows that White's attack more than compensates his material deficit. 21•••t5 This is the most tenacious defence for Black. He has some other possibilities, but they all lead to a doubtless advantage for White. It is just terrible for Black to 426

play 21 ...YlYeS? 22.lLlfS! J.xf5 23. exfS YlYd7 (After 23 ... wh8 24.ti'lChs YlYc6, White weaves a beautiful checkmating net - 25.ti'xh7+! wxh7 26Jlli1+ J.h6 27.~6+ rilg7 2S.f6+ exf6 29.gxf6+ f8

lO.Ab3

~c811.0-0-0 ~e5l2. cJibl ~c4l3 ..txc4 ~

26.,hg5 ,hd4 27..th6+ ~g7, because here White settles the issue by bringing his rook decisively into the actions on the fourth rank: 28.~4! Y!lfl 29.~f4+-) 23. J.xg5 ~fl 24.Y!lh4 J.f8 25.f4± White's compensation for the sacrificed exchange is more than sufficient. 22.exh5.le8 Black cannot play here 22 ... ~fl? 23.~h1 .Ae5 24.f4 J.h8 25.g6+If 22 •..Y!le8, then 23.Y!lb4 ~fl (23...fxe4 24,m1l+-) 24.ext5. Now, it is very bad for Black to try 24... g,dS? 25.g6 ~d5 (about 25...bxg6 26.fue7+ <M7 27.~dxf5 .txf5 28. ~xf5 - see 24.. ..txf5) 26.Y!lxh7+ f8 27..th6+-, as well as 24 ... .txt5? 25.~xt5 ~ 26.g6! hxg6 27. ~xe7 <M7 28.~xt5 gxt5 29.Y!lh7!+Black's best defensive line here is: 24 .. .i.xd4!, but White can counter that with 25.g6! Black loses after 25 ....J.xe3? 26.gxf7+! Y!lxfl (26 .•. ~xfl 27.Y!lxh7+ ~ 28. f6! exf6 29.Y!lb8+-) 27.~xe7+
l4.g4

After 22 ...J.e8, Black's bishop goes with tempo to the g6-square in order to protect the h7-pawn. He is forced to comply with the trade of his dark-squared bishop because of that and at the end his light-squared bishop remains extremely passive, restricted by his own pawns. 23.eb3 J.xd4 24.J.xd4 Ag6 Black cannot play 24...e5?, because of 25.,he5! Yexg5 26..Ad4 .lg6 27.~gl+- and White wins.

25.f4 White bas here a good alternative too - 25.e5!? Now, Black must be careful about the possibility 26.e6. White is clearly better after 25 ...e6 26.~f6+ g,d'6 27.exf6 Y!lc7 28.~d2 e5 29.i.b2 as (Black loses after 29.. .f4 30.Y!le6+ J.fl 31.Y!lxd6 Y!lxd6 32.~d6 e4 33.fxe4 fJ 34.i.d4+-) 30.f4±, while in case of 25 ...e8 (22 ... ~xe6 23.ee2+-) 23.Y!Yxh7 ee5 24.exg6+ c!>d8 25..tc1 gxfJ 26.l!he1 ef6 27.~d6+It is hopeless for Black to opt for 18 ... e5 19.dxe6 fxe6 20.hxg6 hxg6 21.eh2 e5 22.eh7+ ~ 23. l!h6 exd4 24.exg6+ ~g8 25.l!dh1

10.~b3

'Sc811.0-0-0

~e512. Wbl ~c413.ixc4

1-0 Skorchenko - V.Kiselev, Lugansk2007. He cannot solve his problems either after 18...Wc8 (Black takes the e6-square under additional control.) 19.hxg6 fxg6 20.Wh2 C!;;f1, Probst - Campe, Bad Woerishofen 2001, 2Ulde1±, or 18 ... .!eS, Hagelstein - Starace, corr. 2000, 19.We2± 19.b3 ltc5 20.h6 J.f6

21.~e6± Goloshchapov - Motylev, Tula 1999. Black has parried White's direct attack indeed, but at the price of losing the exchange.

d2) 15•••h5

l!xc414.g4

This defensive line is more reliable for Black. He prevents the opening of the h-file and in case of 16.g5, he intends to retreat with his knight to the e8-square. 16.gxh5 ~ 17.~de2! This is a very smart decision by White. His urgent task is to trade his opponent's dark-squared bishop, so he must prepare either 18..td4, or 18..ih6. 17•••k6 In case of 17... C!;;h7 18.~d5 fS, Gerasimovitch - Pogonina, Marina d'Or 1998, White has the powerful resource 19.J.g5± Black has also tried in practive here 17...b5. White can counter that with 18..ih6 as (About 18... h6 19..bg7 xg7 - see 17...J.e6.) 19.~d5 b4 (The variations 19... J.e6 20.J.xg7 c!;;xg7 21.~df4± and 19...e5 20.J.g5!? f6 21..te3 J.e6 22J~hgl C!;;h7 23.~g3± are clearly in favour of White.) 20.'Sdgl. Here after 20 ... c!;;h7 21.J.xg7 rllxg7, Azadmanesh - Kuijvenhoven, Henge10 1996, 22.~g3 the defenders of Black's king are evidently insufficient. There might follow: 22 ... ~xg3 23.'Sxg3±; 22 ... 'Sh8 23. ~xh5+ 'Sxh5 24.~f4, while if 24... 'SheS, TO 25.h5! !xc2 (25 ...g5 26. ~d5 f6 27.'Sxg5!+-) 26.Wd4+ e5 27.Wxd6+- White's advantage is again decisive. Instead of 20 ... c!;;h7, Black can try 20...e5 21..bg7 rllxg7, but then White has the powerful counter measure 22.~e3! 'Sc6 23.~g3 'Sh8 24.~gf5+ ~h7 (24....hf5 25. 429

Chapter 21 exf5±) 25.tOd5! .txf5 (25•..gxf5 26J!g5+-; 25 ...ffffB 26.fffg5+-) 26.exf5± and Black's situation is critical.

18•.Ad4fi'd7 If 18...b5 19..ixg7 ~xg7, as it was played in the game Denker Varhegyi, Las Vegas 1995, then it is good for White to play 20.tOd4! b4 (It is too risky for Black to opt for 20 ...fffd7, Mazza - Migliorini, Email 1999, 2U~bgl-+) 21.tOdS .lxd5 22.tOf5+! Wg8 23.fffxd5 gc5 (This move leads to an endgame without a pawn for Black, but he would not fare any better after 23 ...gc8 24.fffd2!±) 24.fffxc5 dxc5 25.~d8 ~d8 26.tOxe7+ ~g7 27. tOdS±, and White has excellent winning chances. 19.1hgl BleB 20.hg7 Wxg7 21.~d.u

430

White's attack does not develop so fast, like in the other variations indeed, but still Black has great problems. White plans to advance his f-pawn now. Black can distract his opponent away from his kingside offensive only by sacrificing the exchange on c3, but his compensation for it would be insufficient.

Chapter 22

1.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.d4 cd 4.~xd4 ~f6 5.~c3 g6 6 •.t.e3 .t.g7 7.f3 0-0 8.'I'd2 ~c69 •.t.c4.t.d710 ..tb3 ic811.0-0-0 ~e5 12.~bl ~c4

13.,lxc4 ixc4 14.g4

b5

dangerous for him to continue with 15.tLldxb5?!, because after 15•.•Y!lb8! (This is stronger for Black than the preliminary exchange 15...hb5 16.tLlxb5, but even in that case, he has the resource 16...Y!lb8, Thompson - Ellis, USA 1994, 17.Y!laS !Uc8~, and White has serious defensive problems.) 16.tLld4 gfc8 17.Wal hg4! 18.fxg4 tLlxe4 19.Y!le2 ~c3 20. This is the main and the most bxc3 tLlxc3+ Shchekachev - Goluprincipled line for Black. He is bev, Dimitrovgrad 1988, with a ready to sacrifice a pawn in order powerful initiative for Black. After 15.b3! Black is faced with to organize effective counterplay as soon an as possible. In case a choice. He has two basic posWhite accepts the sacrifice, Black sibilities - the most popular a) will exploit the open files on the IS•••fle8 and the relatively new queenside to attack hos oppo- move b) IS •••b4!? nent's king. We will be convinced His alternatives are clearly rather soon that White will need weaker. The exchange-sacrifice is not to enter sharp concrete game with justifiable 15...~c3? 16.Y!lxc3 a5, plenty of tactical nuances. Gray - Stojic, Canberra 2001. IS.b3! This important intermediate White's simplest reaction would move was first tried in the game be 17.h4!+-, and his attack conVaclavik - Vild, Plzen 1995. White tinues unopposed. In case of 15... gc5? (This deciused to play regularly before the line: 15.h4 b4 16.tLlce2 Y!lc7t:1J with sion for Black is usually connected a rather unclear game. with a tactical blunder. White folI will mention that it would be lows with the typical tactical strike 431

Chapter 22 16.lile6! fxe6 (16 ....be617..bc5+Podkriznik - Starcic, Rogatska Slatina 1998.) 17.!xc5 dxc5 18.eS ti'a5 (Black is again in trouble after 18 ... lild5 19.1ilxdS !xe5 20. lilxe7+ ti'xe7 21.ti'xd7+- Hernandez - Felgaer, Mar del Plata 1999; White must play precisely in the line: 18... lilxg4 19.fxg4 ti'c7 20. ti'xd7 ti'xeS, Cornette - Maitesian, Amiens 2001, 2U~d3! c4 22.bxc4 b4 23.ti'xe7 bxc3 24.I:~d7+-) 19. exf6 .bf6 20.lile4 ti'xd2 21. ~d2+- Tiviakov - van Wessel, Haarlem 1999 and the endgame is winning for White, because of his extra exchange. Black has tried in practice, but without any success, the line: 15.. .I:k7?! 16.lildxb5 ffi>7 17.lild4 as and here after White's accurate reaction 18.a4! ti'b8 19..ih6± Georgakopoulos - Efstathopoulos, Chania 2003, Black has no compensation for the sacrificed pawn. a) 15••• ftc8

This is the most popular move

432

for Black and it used to be considered as the most reliable for him during many many years. Its reputation however, was put into serious doubt recently. 16.~dxb5!

Now, the inclusion of the move 15.b3! becomes clear. Black's queen does not have the b8square, because of the placement of his rook on c8. 16••.•a5 This is the most straightforward and principled move for Black. We will analyze now his alternatives. It is obviously bad for him to try 16... lilxe4? 17.fxe4 a6 (Or 17... .bg4, Schoonhoven - MacDonald, corr. 2000, 18.lildS!? .ixd1 19.~d1+- and White's light pieces are tremendously active.) 18.lild4 .bg4, Jablon - Moncelli, Bratto 1999, 19J;tdgl! .bd4 20.ti'xd4 if.3 21.ih6 eS 22.ti'd3 ixh1 23.J.xf8+- and White wins. Black's attempt to organize some counterplay along the b-file, with the help of the line: 16.. J;tb8 17.lild4 as 18.h4 h5 19.9xh5 lilxh5 20.ih6 a4 21..bg7c,hg722.lilf5+! .hf5 23.exf5± was not justified in the game Bruzon - Venegas, Morelia 2007, since White's attack was developing much faster. White can counter 16...fle8 with 17.e5! ti'aS! (This is the most resilient defence for Black. In case of 17... lilxg4? 18.fxg4, it is bad for him to continue with 18...

11.0-0-0 li:Je512.mblli:Jc413.ixc4 ~xc414.g4 b515.b3

.ie5 19..id4+- Labbe - Comte, France 2002, as well as with IS ... fla5 19.exd6 .ixc3 20.li:Jxc3 flxc3 21.flxc3 ~c3 22.dxe7! ~e3 23. ~d7+- - and White has a technically winning endgame in the last variation.) lS.exf6 .hf6 and here after 19.1i:Jxd6! .ixc3 20.li:Jc4! .ixd2 21.li:Jxa5± White should easily press home his advantage of an extra pawn in this endgame. It is interesting for Black to try 16...J.xb5!? 17.li:Jxb5 a6 lS.li:Jd4 Y!lc7. His idea is to prepare the standard opening of files in the centre with the help of e7-e5, followed by d6-dS. After 19.h4 ~fdS (If Black plays immediately 19...e5 20.li:Je2 dS, then 21.g5 d4 22.gxf6! dxe3 23.Y!lxe3± and he cannot follow with 23 ...Y!lxc2+? in view of 24.ma1 .ixf6 25.~c1+- - and Black's queen gets trapped.), as it was played in the game Rudolf - Nagatz, Dresden 2004, I would recommend the prophylactic move 20.flcl!?±, because Black would not be able to counter that with 20 ...eS 21.li:Je2 d5?, because of 22.g5+-. White has prevented his opponent's basic plan and he is well prepared to continue with his kingside offensive. Black has often tried in practice the line: 16...a6 17.li:Jd4 flc7, without the preliminary exchange on b5 (or 17...a5, Burg - Kleijn, Hengelo 2004, lS.a4±; Black only creates additional weaknesses with the move 17...e6, Biro - Gonda, Paks 2000, lS.li:Jde2±). Here,

White has the resource lS.li:Jde2!? and after lS ....t.e6 (In the game Bakre - Ramakrishna, Mumbai 2004, Black made a terrible blunder - lS...li:Jxg4? 19.1i:JdS+- and he was soon lost. It could be possible for him to try lS ....t.c619.h4 and here after 19...J.aS 20..t.d4 e5 21.M2 ~fdS 22.Y!lc1! d5 23.gS li:JhS 24.li:JxdS .ixdS 2S.~dS ~dS 26.exdSli:Jf4 27.Y!ld2± Ciborowski - Berza, corr. 2004, White practically neutralized his opponent's initiative, maintaining his material advantage, while in case of 19... ~fdS 20.h5 d5 21.e5! Y!lxeS, Beter - Mezera, corr. 2000, 22..if4 Y!le6 23.li:Jd4 Y!ld7 24.fle3± he would preserve an overwhelming p0sitional advantage thanks to his blockade on the dark squares and much more active pieces.) 19..id4li:Jd7 (It might be interesting for Black to try here 19...ft'b7 20.h4 ~c7 21.hS mc8 22.hxg6 fxg6, Perez - Simmelink, corr. 2002, although after 23.ft'e3 J.f7 24.g5 li:JhS 25.J.xg7 mxg7 26.f4±, White's initiative gains force rapidly.) 20 ..ixg7 ~xg7 21.h3± Goloschapov - Korobov, Nizhny Novgorod 1999 and White has only the technical task to cope with. 17.a4a6 Black loses after 17...fla6?, Villalba - Vallejo Diaz, Oropesa del Mar 1999, because of lS.e5! li:JeS (Following lS ...dxeS 19.9S+Black loses a piece.) 19.1i:JdS+- and White wins unavoidably the e7-pawn, or the exchange. 433

Chapter 22 After 17.. JThS?, Ninov - LeWhite forces a transition into kic, Yugoslavia 1995, White an endgame with a non-standard again wins with the line: lS.eS! material ratio. He obtains three dxeS (1S ...lLleS 19.1LldS+-) 19.9S and in some lines even four pawns .hbS 20.gxf6 l:!fdS 21.YlYe1 .txa4 for a piece. The evaluation of this 22.l:!xdS+ l:!xdS 23.lLlxa4+position largely depends on some If 17... lLlxg4?, then lS.lLldS! concrete details. We will be soon YlYxd219..txd2! and Black's knight convinced that Black's pieces are and his e7-pawn are both hang- badly coordinated and they often ing, therefore his reply is forced come under attack with tempi. 18•• :trxd2 - 19... lLlf2. In the game Bindrich Black's position is hopeless - Azemati, Dubai 2003, there followed 20.lLlxe7+ c;t>hS 21.lLlxcS after lS...lLlxdS? 19.ft"xaS lLlxe3 .hcS 22.lLlxa7 .th3 23..if4 lLlxh1 20.lLlc7!+- Motylev - Solovjov, 24.l:!xh1 Ag2 2S.l:!e1 J.xf3 26. St. Petersburg 1999. .hd6+- and the endgame was The indifferent move - IS ... ft"dS? can be punished by White winning for White. In the game Kudrin - Stein- with the line: 19.J.b6 ft"eS 20. er, Oklahoma 2004, Black tried lLJxf6+ .i.xf6 21.lLlc7 l:!xc7 (It is 17... l:!fe8, allowing his opponent equally hopeless for Black to to continue with lS..txa7! lLlxg4 try here 21 ...ft"dS 22.lLldS ft"eS 19.1LldS YlYxd2 20.l:!xd2lLlf6 21.Ad4 23.lLlxf6+ exf6 24.ft"xd6+-) 22 . (It looks also good for White to .hc7+- Yu - Escuder, Linares opt for 21.lLlb6!? .ih6 22.l:!g2 l:!c6 2002. 19.~xe7+ 23.lLlxd7 lLlxd7 24.Ad4± with a clear advantage for him.) 21... The defenselesness of Black's lLlxdS 22.exdS± and the endgame e7-pawn is an essential tactical was terrible for Black. nuance and that is what the move lS.b3! is based on.

19••• wh8 20.1xd2 Bee8! It is a disaster for Black to play

20 ...axbS? 21.lLlxcS l:!xcS (He loses too after 21.. ..hcS 22.axbSlLle8 23..i.d4+- Benares - Fontana, Matinhos 1999) 22.l:!xd6 J.c6 (The alternatives for Black are not satisfactory either: 22 ...bxa4 23. gS+- VIllalba - Garcia Gata, Cullera 2004, or 22 ....hg4 23.fxg4 lLlxe4 24.l:!d3+- Drost - van Opheusden, Dieren 2006.) 23. 434

11.0-0-0 FiJe512.ftJbl FiJc413.JJ.xc4l'Uc414.g4 b515.b3

axbS .hbS 24.mtd1 .ie2 2SJld8+ Ihd8 26.lhd8+ FiJg8 27.gS .txf3 28.b4 .he4 29.bS+- Rodriguez Fernandez - Blanco, Oviedo 2000 - Black's light pieces are helpless against White's passed queenside pawns..

many of the admirers of that line for Black were utterly discouraged to play the variation with 14... bS.) 2S ..td4! (It is a mistake for White to opt for 2S.mtd1? in view of 2S....he4!) 2S ... FiJd7 26.fthd1 FiJeS 27.FiJxeS heS 2S.ixeS+ lheS 29.gd6 ft5e6 30.lhe6 lhe6 31.gS± Zakhartsov - Gochelashvili, Maikop 2004 and Black's position was very difficult. The mobility of his bishop is severely restricted. Meanwhile, White has a pawn-majority on both sides of the board and his king can support effectively the advance of his queenside pawns. It is better for Black to continue with 22 ... ftbS! 23.h7! (This intermediate move is essential. It 21.t1xd6! This move is more advanta- would be weaker for White to opt geous for White than the seeming- for 23.Wa2 FiJeS! 24.FiJxeS .heS, ly attractive line: 21.FiJxg6+ fxg6 as it was played in the game De22.!iJxd6. Black usually played jmek - Shivaji, Dallas 1999 - afhere 22 .. J:ge6, and after 23.ic5! ter 25.ftfl WgS 26.ftd6 ftcS 27.c4 (In the game Topalov - Tiviakov, .ic6co there arises a position with Polanica Zdroj 1995, where the mutual chances.) 23...ftaS, De variation with 1S...ftc8 was tested Noskowski - Stojic, Belconnen for the first time, White continued 2001, 24..Ad4 gabS 2S.Wa2;!;, and with 23.FiJb7?! .ic8 24.FiJc5 ftc6co White is only slightly better. Conand the position remained rather trary to the main line, Black manunclear.) 23 ....ic6 24.FiJc4 ftfe8!? ages here to consolidate his posi(The other possibility for Black is tion and to coordinate his pieces. also in favour of White: 24...ftc8 21••• be7 22.J.c5 fte5 (diagram) 2S..id4±, or 24... fthB 2S.ftd6 Ihd6 26..hd6 gd8 27..ie7 ftb8 2S.ftd1! 23..ia3! .ha4 29..id6 ftb7 30.ltlaS ftbS Now White is threatening to 31..ic7 FiJgS 32.ftd3 ftc5 33..ib6 play 24.FiJc4, attacking both his ftbS 34.FiJc4 ftb4 3S.FiJd6!+- Bo- opponent's rooks. logan - Fedorov, Calcutta 1999 It would be a blunder for White - This game was the reason that to play the hasty move 23.FiJb7?

Chapter 22

because of 23 ... gbS! 24id6 ~e4 25.fxe4 ~b7 26.i.xe5 .Axe5+ Bucher - Suarez, Aviles 2000 and Black's two bishops dominate the entire board. 23•••.le6 If 23 ....ic6, then 24.~c4 ge6 25..lxf8 .lxf8 26.gdS± Bakre Singh, Goodricke 2002. 24.~b7!

This move maintains White's pawn-structure compact. The more forced line 24.~c4 ixc4 25..lxf8 .lxf8 26.bxc4 h5 27.h3 gc5 2S.gd4 gaS;t is not convincing at all. 24•••ftc8 It is only a transposition of moves after 24...gbS 25.gdS+ ~dS - see 24...gcS, while after 24...geS?, as it was played in the

after 25 ... ~gS? 26.~cS AxcS 27. ~d6 1-0 Ibarra - Fegnandez, Totana 2003 and here he resigned because of the obvious line: 27... .te6 2S.f4 gaS 29.f5+In case of 25 ...~eS 26.~cS AxcS, White follows with the spectacular move 27.~dS! and later 27... q.,gS 2S.~c6 ge6 (It would be even worse for Black to opt for 2S ...f5?! 29.~xe5 !xe5 30.exf5+Bawart - Neumeier, Budapest 1999.) 29.~e7+ ~e7 30.i.xe7± and White has an overwhelming advantage. 26.oi)xd8 Black's bishop canD:,ot abandon the e6-square, because of the weakness of his fl-pawn, Therefore, White follows unavoidably with 27id6 and Black's rook gets trapped. 26••• ~g8 27•.t.d6 ~xg4 If 27...gg5, then 2S.h4 ~xe4 29.hxg5 ~d6 30.gd1.if8 31.c4± 28.fxg41xe4 29.~e6 fxe6 Or 29...~e6 30.gd1± 30.h3±

game Ganguly - Kozhuharov, Yerevan 2000, Black might even lose his took after 25..tb2 gg5 (25...~d7 26.mtd1 ~f8 27.gdS ~dS 2S.~dS ~gS 29.h3+-) 26. gd6 ge7 27.h4 ~4 2S.fxg4lixb7 29.g5 ~d7 30.m6+25.1d8+! bd8 Black surrenders immediately 436

In this endgame with rooks

11.0-0-0 liJe512.c!1blliJc413.hc4l!xc414.g4 b515.b3

and bishops, White has an extra pawn and excellent winning chances. We can came to the conclusion that in the variation with IS ... gc8, Black fails to obtain a sufficient compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

b) 1S•••b4!?

This is a very interesting possibility for Black and he hopes to rehabilitate the whole system 14... bS with that move. The analysis shows however that the idea to sacrifice the exchange is not quite correct. White can neutralize his opponent's initiative with precise play and he maintains the edge. 16.bxe4 After this principled move for White, he obtains the advantage. In case of the tentative move 16.liJce2?! Black should respond with 16...gc7!, as it was played in the game Meszaros - Hagarova, Banska Stiavnica 2007. It would be too risky for White to accept the pawn-sacrifice here 17.'ilYxb4?!, because of17...eS!, and then it would

be bad for him to try 18.liJbS? gb7 19.a4 a6=t. Accordingly, White will have to give up a piece for three pawns - 18.'ilYxd6 exd4 19.ixd4 gb700 and the position is unclear with mutual chances. 16•••bxc317.Bxc3 Be'! Black plans to bring his rook into the actions and later, after the retreat of his bishop to e8, to maneuver his knight, via the freed d7-square, to b6 or eS. In that case, White's queenside weaknesses might become quite vulnerable and Black will obtain a serious compensation for the sacrificed material. Therefore, I recommend to White to attack immediately Black's knight and to force it to choose a square, before it can be redeployed to d7. I will also mention that instead of 17...'ilYc7, it is worse for Black to play 17...'ilYb6+ 18.liJb3 Yl¥b7 19. .td4± Zorko - Atakan, Urgup 2004, since White ends up with a considerable advantage.

18.g5!? This move forces Black either

437

Chapter 22 to place his knight on h5 and it will remain out of the actions there to the end of the game, or it must retreat to eS, switching his own rook out of the operations. IS ••• gbS+!? This move in fact requires from White maximal precision in order to maintain the advantage. If lS ... lLlh5, Socko - Stocek, Bann 2006, then 19.9;,al .Ae6 20. gbl .Axc4 (It would be a disaster for Black to continue with 20 ... ti'xc4? 21.ti'xc4 .Axc4 22.gb7+-) 21.gb4 gcS 22.gbbl ti'a5 (It is interesting, but still insufficient for him to opt for 22 ...dS 23.exdS .Ae5 24.ga4 a6 25.gbb4! .Ab5 26."xc7 ~c7 27.ga3 .Ad6 28.lLlxb5 .Axb4 29.lLlxc7.Axa3 30.lLlxa6+- and the endgame is winning for White, while in case of 22 ...a6 23.~c4!? ~xc4 24.~xc4 gxc4 25.gbS+ tiS 26.\tlb2 e5 27.lLlb3± he enters an ending analogous to the variation with 22 ...~a5.) 23.glb3! ~c7, and here White can give back his extra exchange with the line: 24.~c4!? ~xc4 25.~xc4 ~c4 26.gbS+ tiS 27.\tlb2±, obtaining a clear positional advantage in the endgame - all his pieces are active, while Black's king, his pinned bishop and his knight at the edge of the board are completely out of the actions.

438

19.cit1al ~eS 20.gbl gcS Naturally, it would be senseless for Black to trade rooks in this position with considerably reduced material. 21.gM White not only protects his c4pawn, but he is preparing to double his rooks along the b-file. 21••• aS 22.~2 dS!? After the cowardly move 22 ... ~xc4 23. ti'xc4 ~c4 24.gdl± Black again lacks compensation for the exchange. 23.exdS~d6

24.eS! White forces a transition into a favourable endgame. 24••••xeS 25.exeS lxeS 26.1b8+ J.e8 27. gc1lxdS 2S.c3± The evaluation of the position has become quite clear. Black's piece-activity has disappeared completely and White can enjoy his material advantage.

11.0-0-0 liJe512.