The Modern Gurgenidze: A Counterpunching Repertoire for Black

Introduction

Opening theory has rapidly improved in the last decade. Everybody has learned how to use a computer when preparing certain opening lines. So, do we need some third-party authority any longer or can we rely only on the computer’s moves?

Back in 1988, I was a member of the Soviet Olympiad team in Thessaloniki. One evening Garry Kasparov and Lev Polugaevsky had a spirited debate about opening preparation. Polugaevsky made the point that if he were going to play against an opponent like the world champion (at that time Garry himself) and if he had enough time (not unlike a correspondence game), he could take his game preparation to the same level as the world champion’s.

I liked Kasparov’s response. His emphasized that not only was the concrete analysis of a certain position important, but the selection of the opening itself was perhaps even more important. Today, the help of the computer is valuable, but we need to decide the opening and first few moves without its help. Some positions, especially closed ones, do not get adequate evaluations from the engines, and then human authority is needed.

In this book, we consider positions which include the very early fianchetto of Black’s king bishop. The book is written for a broad audience and my hope is that both beginners as well as accomplished players will benefit from it.

What exactly is a theoretical opening book? It is no more or less than historical data presented as perceived by the author. In some positions, some computer lines have also been added, while in other cases there were not enough examples from practical games.

How should one study this book or opening theory in general? One should first collect relevant games, annotated by an expert on the subject matter. From that data, one can see who played what in a certain opening line and find out how the line evolved historically.

Don’t forget when Kasparov retired from chess and why. This was the moment when everybody had access to a good computer program, thus leveling opening preparation among chessplayers. Starting around the beginning of this millennium, we can also assume that the top players, when playing an opening line, analyzed it with a powerful computer using a top engine.

Of course, you can simply mimic someone and follow the general trend. This might suite the elite professionals, but we need to benefit from chess study and improve our game. This is why from the data of the chess games, we can recognize the correct setup for our pieces and find the principle positions, those positions which are critical for the whole line. Of course, if we do not like what we find, we need to look for other lines or a different opening altogether. Yours truly author has done this job for you.

In the games section of each chapter, you will find relevant games covering most opening moves for White. I tried to limit the material as much as possible, however in some chapters there are lines which are presented as alternatives. My goal was to give the reader several choices from which you might choose a line according to your preference. After getting familiar with some games in certain lines, it is paramount to understand the issues which occur in certain positions and how Black is going to deal with them.

The move 1…g6 in general is an aggressive approach, throwing down the gauntlet from the very first move. This is why in some lines, even if the reader finds that the engine assesses a position in White’s favor, one should not be put off. If you want to play for a draw this book is not for you.

Practice is the criterion of truth. It is not really possible to remember all lines in this book. It is however both a good tool to prepare for tomorrow’s game as well as being useful after the game. This book also suggests the preparation of some aggressive lines which may used in shorter time controls, so popular nowadays online.

The structure of the book: Black always starts with 1…g6 and 2…Bg7. After that, it depends on the type of position which arises. In open lines, Black plays 3…c6 followed by 4…d5, and in closed lines, Black plays 3…d6 followed by 4…e5 or, if possible, an immediate 3…e5. Some less common lines, like 1.b3, are also covered. Finally, there is no need to follow the material as presented in the book from the beginning; one may start from any chapter.

I hope you enjoy the book.

Jaan Ehlvest

Tallinn, Estonia

December 2022

Signs & Symbols

Foreword

In open tournaments, there is usually a constant demand to win every game. And to win with the black pieces is a major problem. We want to play an opening that offers complicated positions and one that does not allow the opponent to make a quick draw. At the same time, we do not want to take too much risk so that our tournament standing is jeopardized. It should be an opening that cannot be quickly countered; an opening that works even if our opponent is aware of what we are doing.

The so-called Modern Defense has had an incredible rise in popularity in the last few decades. This has been quite a phenomenon in the otherwise very traditional world of modern chess theory. It has become such a standard opening in the international open tournament circuit that people have almost forgotten the names of its pioneers. The combination of the Caro-Kann with the fianchetto of the dark-square bishop bears the name of one of the most original minds in chess history, Georgian grandmaster Bukhuti Gurgenidze (1933-2008).

The most elegant man in Tbilisi was a very likeable, sometimes almost comical person with whom I had the pleasure of meeting and talking. There are so many chess folklore stories attributed to him, while the compilation of his best studies still remains one of the best chess books ever written.

For some reason, the Gurgenidze System of the Modern Defense has a reputation of being a blast from the past, an old school opening for people who are too lazy to learn normal Sicilian lines, or something that cannot be employed during modern chess warfare. Nothing could be further from the truth. We can witness how the Gurgenidze was used by Magnus Carlsen himself in handful of games late in 2022. I hope that this book will also help to fix this misconception once and for all.

While I still vividly remember my childhood fears of the Gurgenidze System – I had to face it so many times – I could have never imagined then that 40 years later, I would make this move order my main weapon as Black preparing for 2017 US Championship.

Jaan Ehlvest, famous author and top player whom I first met back in 1976 (at my first international tournament, as I traveled from my native Riga to Jaan’s Tallinn), was helping me with my preparations. Our work together has always been and remains very rewarding; my latest title, 2022 US Senior Champion, has confirmed that. I gladly accepted his proposal to prepare the Gurgenidze in some depth for that tournament. Several training camps later – as well as a ton of training games – my confidence playing the line literally soared.

Most of the analysis and core ideas which made its way to these pages were done during that period. In general, during all these years when Jaan was helping me as a second, it was difficult for me to overestimate his ability to analyze and find the best solution to opening issues. I am happy to say that one of the best games of my life was played in a line covered in this book (game 16). Readers will have the opportunity to go through this game, along with many other gems, including the game that was the genesis of this legendary line, Honfi-Gurgenidze, Kislovodsk 1968 (game 25), or the amazing exchange sacrifice followed by a quiet – but unstoppable – assault by black in Mnatsakanian-Minasian, Yerevan 1994 (game 10).

This book, the first one dedicated to the Modern Gurgenidze in many years, consists of 10 theoretical Chapters and 31 sample games. Jaan carefully explains how Black’s plans may change depending on White’s move order, when exactly we should play …c7-c6 followed by …d7-d5 (Chapters 1-5) and when we would be better off with …d7-d6 and …e7-e5 (Chapters 6-10). You will be treated to Jaan’s insights on Hippo, Dutch, English, King’s Indian and even 1.b3, all through the eyes of Gurgenidze system.

Best wishes on your new adventure!

Alex Shabalov

Four-time US Champion

2019 & 2022 US Senior Champion

Gurgenidze System Aficionado

Part One

White Occupies the Center with Two Pawns

Chapter 1

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.Be3 d5

Most players facing the fianchetto for the first time probably will immediately use the opportunity to occupy the center. In the first three chapters, we cover the lines which begin 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3. Nc3.

White Plays 4.Be3 without f3

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.Be3

This plan, bringing the bishop to e3, is very effective against the so-called normal Pirc, when Black plays 3…d6. But here Black can immediately attack the center without allowing White to build up an attacking position on the kingside.

4…d5

4…d6 5.Qd2 is the Pirc. After 4…d5, White has two main replies, 5.e5 and 5.f3.

5.e5!?

Apparently the most interesting. White can also play 5.Nf3, after which there are three possibilities for Black:

(a) After 5…dxe4, we have a pawn structure resembling the Caro-Kann.

6.Nxe4

Now there are two options:

After 6…Nf6, Black is very solid, but may find it difficult to play for a win. One example is 7.Nxf6+ exf6!? 8.c3 0-0 9.Bd3 Nd7 10.0-0 Nb6 11.Re1 Nd5 12.Bd2 Re8 13.Qc2 Bg4 , 0-1 (41), Firouzja-Artemiev, Chess.com INT 2021.

However, after 6.Nxe4, Black can continue 6…Nd7 7.Bd3 Ngf6: 8.Nxf6+.

Or 8.0-0 0-0 9.h3 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 c5 (10…e5 is boring but equal.) 11.dxc5 Qc7 12.b4 a5! 13.Rb1 Nf6 14.Bd3 Nd5, ½-½ (45) Vastrukhin-Ehlvest, Chess.com INT 2020. Black has an excellent position.

8…Nxf6 9.Qd2

White can also play 9.0-0 but after 9…Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Nd5=, the position is equal. In the event of 10.c3 0-0 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Nd5 13.Bd2 e6 14.Rad1 b5 a position has arisen that the computer places too much faith in the two bishops. Actually Black has a very solid position. Note that this plan – giving up the bishop and building a blockade – is very often executed in the Alekhine Defense.

9…0-0 10.0-0-0 Bg4. Admittedly, White has not play optimally, but only natural moves have been made and Black is already better, 0-1 (53) Al Tarbosh-Kengis, Abu Dhabi 2009.

(b) 5…Bg4 6.Be2 Nf6 7.e5 Nfd7 8.Ng5 Bxe2 9.Qxe2 h6 10.Nf3 e6 11.Qd2 (Better is 11.0-0 0-0 and White has a small advantage after 12.Qd2 Kh7 13.Ne2 c5 14.c3 ) 11…c5! 12.dxc5 Nc6 13.Nb5 Ndxe5 14.Nd6+ Kf8 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Bxh6+ Kg8 , 1-0 (28) Ashley-Hergott, New York 1995.

(c) The aggressive 5…Nh6!? deserves attention. Then in Quirhuayo Chumbe-Terry Lujan, Lima 2016 there followed 6.Qd2 Ng4 7.Bf4 dxe4 8.Nxe4 Nd7 9.c4 0-0 10.h3 Ngf6 11.Nc3 and here, instead of 11…Re8 12.Be2 , 0-1 (40) as in the game, it originally seemed to me Black should play 11…c5 12.d5 b5!? 13.Nxb5 Ne4 14.Qc2 Nd6.

However, in that case, unfortunately, White has the instructive and subtle 15.Be2!? Nxb5 16.cxb5 Nb6 17.0-0 Nxd5 18.Rfd1 Bb7 19.a4 e6 20. a5 Rc8 21.Bf1 Qe7 22.Be5 , when his advanced queenside pawns seem to be quite a factor. Thus, 5…Nh6!?, albeit interesting, does not fully equalize. Note that if instead of 15.Be2!?, White plays 15.Nxd6, 15…exd6 16.Be2 Rb8 17.Rb1 Qa5+ 18.Kf1 Ne5 allows Black to activate his pieces and obtain counterplay.

5…c5

5…f6 is also possible and perhaps more practical: After 6.f4 Nh6 7.Nf3 Bg4 and after 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 fxe5 10.dxe5 0-0, the game has transposed to the three-pawn variation, covered in Chapter 7.

6.dxc5!

We will take this as our main line.

In the event of 6.Nf3 Bg4!, Black has no problems.

An interesting alternative is 6.f4!?. Originally the engines rate this as quite dangerous for Black but there seems to be a solution: 6…Nc6 7.Bb5

7…Nh6!

Playable, but worse for Black, is 7…cxd4 8.Qxd4 e6, e.g., 9.Nf3 Nge7 10.Qd2 Bd7 11.0-0-0 Nf5 12.Bf2 h5 13.Bd3 Bf8 14.Kb1 Qa5 15.a3 0-0-0 16.h3 Be7 17.g4 d4 18.Ne4 Qxd2 19.Nfxd2 Ne3 20.Bxe3 dxe3 21.Nc4 .

8.dxc5 Nf5 9.Bf2 d4! 10.Bxc6+ bxc6 11.Nce2 f6!

Activity matters more than material.

12.Nxd4 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bg4! 14.Nf3

If instead 14.Qxg4, then 14…Qxd4 15.c3 Qxc5 16.0-0-0 fxe5 17.fxe5 Bxe5 18.Rd3 0-0 19.Qe6+ Kh8 20.Nf3 Bf6 21.Rhd1 a5 22.a4 Rab8 23.Kc2 Rb4 .

14…fxe5! (14…Bxf3 15.Qxf3+– is quite bad for the defense.) 15.Bxe5 Qxd1+ 16.Rxd1 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Bxe5 18.fxe5 Rb8 19.b3 Rb5 20.f4 Rf8 21.Rf1 Rxc5 22.Kd2 (22.c4 g5=) 22…Rf5 23.c4 g5 24.fxg5 Rxg5 25.e6 Rce5 26.Rde1 Rg2+ 27.Kc3 Rxe1 28.Rxe1 Rxa2 . Black should hold the ending.

6…Bxe5 7.Bd4

This has been tried in practice but it is not dangerous for Black.

More critical, obvious and dangerous is 7.Qd2!!. Then 7…Nf6! (7…Nc6? is not good: 8.Nf3 Bg7 [8…Bxc3 is also not acceptable: 9.Qxc3 f6 10.Bb5 Bg4 11.Nd4 Qc7 12.f4 , as the obvious 12…e5? runs into 13.fxe5 fxe5 14.0-0!+–] 9.Nxd5 Bxb2 10.Rd1 Be6 11.c3 Ba3 [or 11…Qxd5 12.Qxb2 Qe4 13.Bd3+-] 12.Nf4 ) 8.Nf3 Bxc3! 9.Qxc3 0-0 10.Bh6 Re8 11.0-0-0 Nc6 12.Bb5 Bg4 13.Rhe1! (not so dangerous is 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.Rhe1 Qc7 ) leads to a position where White has the initiative.

Actually, according to the engines White is much better after 13.Rhe1!, but deeper analysis reveals resources for Black. Sample lines follow:

13…Rc8!

14.a3! (Black also has chances to hold after 14.Kb1!? a6 15.Ba4 d4 16.Qb3 Qd5 17.Qxd5 Nxd5 18.c3 Bxf3 [18…e5!? is not out of the question, e.g., 19.h3 Bxf3 20.gxf3 Nde7 21.cxd4 exd4 22.Re4 Nf5 and the black king has obtained vital breathing room.] 19.gxf3 e6 20.cxd4 f6 , although, most certainly, White’s two bishops and extra pawn more than outweigh his crippled kingside) 14…Qc7! 15.h3! (15.Rxd5?? Bxf3 16.gxf3 Qxh2–+) 15…d4! 16.Qd3 Bf5 17.Qc4 e5! 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Ng5! Rcd8

and we have reached a position where the clash between Black’s centralization and White’s control over the dark squares is reaching a climax:20.f4

Also sharp is 20.g4!? Be6 21.Nxe6 Rxe6 22.f4! Rd5! with a parting of the ways:

(a) 23.fxe5 Nd7 24.Kb1 Qd8 25.Re4 Qh4 26.Bf4 d3 27.Rd4! (27.Rxd3 Nxc5 ) 27…Nxe5 28.Qc3 Qd8 29.Rxd5 Qxd5 30.Bxe5 dxc2+ 31.Kxc2 Qe4+ 32.Kb3 Rxe5 33.Rd7 Re8 .

(b) 23.Rxe5 Rexe5 24.fxe5 Qxe5 25.Qa6

25…g5! 26.Qxa7 (26.Qc8+ Ne8; 26.Qxc6 d3!) 26…d3! (26…Qe3+!?) 27.cxd3 Ne8 28.Kb1 Qe2 29.Qa4 Qe6 30.Qa8 Re5 31.Qb8 Qf6 32.h4 gxh4 33.Bc1 Re2 .

Back to 20.f4: 20…Nd5 21.g4 Ne3! 22.Rxe3 dxe3 23.gxf5 Rxd1+ 24.Kxd1 Qd8+ 25.Qd3 e4! 26.Nxe4 Qh4 27.Qxe3 (27.Bg5 Qh5+ 28.Ke1 Qf3! 29.Nf6+ Kh8= leads to a draw) 27…Rd8+ 28.Kc1 Qxh6 29.Nd6 a5! .

The dust has settled. White is better but Black should be within the drawing zone with accurate play.

It’s time to have a look at 7.Bd4:

7…Bxd4

7…Bf6!! 8.f4 a6 9.Nf3 Nc6 10.Bxf6 Nxf6 was the most accurate, with the better chances for Black.

8.Qxd4 Nf6 9.0-0-0 Nc6 10.Bb5 0-0 11.Bxc6

11.Qa4= would have kept the balance.

11…bxc6 12.Nf3 Bg4 , 1-0 (37) Le-Cardoso, Chess.com INT 2020.

White Plays 4.Be3 with f3

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.Be3 d5 5.f3

5…Qb6

The other option, 5…dxe4, does not promise full equality: 6.fxe4 Nf6

If 6…e5, 7.dxe5 and after this simple move, White has a small edge in the endgame: 7…Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1 Be6 (8…Nd7 9.e6 fxe6 10.Bc4 ) 9.Nf3 Nd7 10.Bf4 h6 11.Rd6 (11.Be2! and White is better.) 11…g5 12.Bg3 0-0-0 (stronger is 12…g4! 13.Nd4 Bxe5 14.Bxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe6

15…Ke7!=) 13.Be2 , Leon Hoyos-Burmakin, Cappelle La Grande 2010.

Back to 6.fxe4 Nf6: 7.Nf3 0-0 8.Qd2.

White has two alternatives:

(a) 8.h3 c5 9.e5 Nd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.dxc5 Be6 (11…Qe4!? 12.Qd4 Qxc2 13.Rc1 Qf5 14.Bd3 Nc6=) 12.Qxd5 Bxd5 13.0-0-0 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Bxe5 15.f4 Bf6 16.Bg2 , 1-0 (39) Gritsenko-Vachier-Lagrave, Chess.com INT 2020;

(b) 8.Be2 Ng4

Or 8…c5 9.dxc5 Qa5 10.0-0 (10.Nd2 Be6 11.0-0 Nc6 12.Nb3 Qc7 ) 10…Ng4 11.Bd4 Bxd4+ (11…Nc6! 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 ) 12.Qxd4 (12.Nxd4! Ne3 13.Nb3 ) 12…Nc6 , 0-1 (65) Covic-Grigorov, Chess.com INT 2019.

9.Bg1 e5 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Bc5 Qxd1+ 12.Rxd1 Re8 13.0-0 Nbd7 , 1-0 (55) Mashinskaya-Petran, Tatranska Lomnica 1997;

Returning to 8.Qd2:

8…c5

A critical move, but it has never occurred in practice. Black has two other possibilities:

(a) 8…Nbd7 is too passive. For example, 9.h3 e5 (9…Nh5!?) 10.dxe5 Nh5 11.e6! , 1-0 (58) Beerdsen-Leiva Rodriguez, Chess.com INT 2017;

(b) 8…Ng4 is the other line I was tempted to recommend. After 9.Bg5 c5 10.d5 a6, another critical position arises, in which, however, Black also seems to fall short of equalizing.