1.

modern
• e5+Nf6+Bd6 p.1
• e5+d5+Bd6 p.2
• e5+d6
2.classical
a) reversed London (Bf5) p.5
b) 2...Bg4
c) 2...c5 p.5
3.english
a) c5+d5+e6 p.7
b) formation c5+d6+e5

4.Indian p.8

basic pawn formations p.9

Smirnov’s recommendations p. 11
general tips

I. Modern
(1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3)
3 basic positions

• e5+Nf6+Bd6
• e5+d5+Bd6
• e5+d6

TABIYA 2
• 1 e5+Nf6+Bd6
1. b3 e5 (blocks bishop) 2. Bb2 Nc6 (defends e5) 3. e3 Nf6 (prepares castling, the other major move is ...d5) 4. Bb5 (4.d4 exd 5.exd d5!) Bd6
(defends, anticipating that if Bb5xNc6, then ...dxc freeing Bc8. If not there 2 alternatives b5+Bb7, or Be7(f8) and d6. Alternatives to Bd6 are 4...d6,
or 4...e4) 5. Na3 (or 5.Ne2 with the idea d3+Nd2+e4+0-0+f4) Na5 (or ...0-0, ...Bxa3, ...e4, ...a6, ) 6. Be2 (threat Nb5) a6 7. c4 O-O 8. Nc2 (threat c5)
Re8 9. d3 Nc6

r1bqr1k1/1ppp1ppp/p1nb1n2/4p3/2P5/1P1PP3/PBN1BPPP/R2QK1NR w KQ - 0 10

and now 10.g4 (the aggressive continuation)

or 10.Nf3 (the positional continuation)

imbalances

Pawn structure: yet undefined.

White: space. Plan:a) to complete development (Nf3+0-0) and breakthrough at the center. Possible open files: ‘c’ and ‘f’.

Black must develop Bc8 either at b7, or moving Bd6. Possible breakthroughs ...b5 or/and ...d5 b) e4+Ne3 and long maneuvering on both sides.

Danilov, Vladimir (2356) vs. Parligras, Mircea Emilian (2577)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3274210

➢ if 4...e4 the pawn is a target (Ne2, Nc3, d3)

Zeng (2530) vs. Kravtsiv (2623)

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=3974287&m=16

➢ if 5...e4 then
1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bd6 5. Na3 e4 6. Nc4 Be7 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Ne2 O-O 9. O-O d5 10. Ne5 Qe8 11. f4 (or 11.c4)
Odessky considers it the most dangerous line.

➢ or 6.Nh3 with the idea if Qe7 Nb1, if a6 (or c6) Be2 and 0-0+f4 and king-side attack. (??)

➢ If 7....c5, then 8.Nf3 (Rozman suggests 8.d4) Nc6 9.d3 0-0 10.0-0 Re8 11.Nc2 Be8

Teske-Berndt, 1999
https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=860488
interesting points: early d4, later d5, b5+a4 with 2 passed connected pawns, then play at both wings and the decisive blow at the king-side.

or 11...Bc7 as in
Berkes-Balogh, 2004
https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3001012

interesting points: not Nc2 but Nb1-d2, early Rc1 (preventing ...d5), pressure at c5 (Qc2), eventually d4 opening the position with more active pieces
(?), ‘c’ file, material imbalance (R for 2 minor pieces).

➢ If 5...a6 then 6.BxN (or Be2-Rozman)

a6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nc4 Qe7 8. Ne2 O-O 9. O-O
now if ...b5 10.Nxd6 with idea h3 (prevents ...Bg4)+e4+(d3)+f4+doubling rooks on ‘f’

Jobava (2722) vs. Naroditsky (2620)

➢ https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=3920892&m=22

➢ if 3...a6 then 4.c4

1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 a6 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nf3 e4 6. Nd4 Nxd4 7. Bxd4 b6

Illingworth (2517) vs. Mertens (2309)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3958418

➢ if 6...Be7
Aravindh-Shirov, 2014 /media/home/yandex/chess-database/Nimzowitsch-Larsen pgn/Aravindh-Shirov-2014.pgn

2 (3...d5) one of the main variations with plenty alternatives for black.

1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 d5 4. Bb5 (7 tabiyas)

4...Bd6
5.f4 f6 6.Nh3 (6...Nf7 7.fxe Bxe 8.d4 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Nf4 =) Nh6 7.Qh5+ Nf7 8.Nc3 a6 9.Be2 Be7 10.0-0-0 =
5.f4 Qh4+ 6.g3 Qe7 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.h3 BxN 9.QxB Nf6 10.fxe Bxe 11.d4 Bd6 12.c4 Qe6 Kf2 (+= Rozman)
7...f6 8.Nc3 Be6 9.0-0 Nh6 10.fxe fxe 11.e4 d5 12Nd5 (=)
5.f4 Qe7 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.h3 BxN 8.QxB Nf6 9.fxe Bxe 10. d4 Bd6 11.c4 Qe6 12.0-0 0-0 13.Nc3 a6 14.cxd Nxd 15.BxN bxB 16.e4 NxN
17.BxN
4...f6 5.d4
if 5...exd 6.Qxd (idea 0-0-0)
if 5...e4 6.Be2 (idea queen-side play + Nh3-f4+h4)
4...e4 5.Ne2 (or 5.d3 ) Qg5 6.c4 (gambit) Qxg2 6.Rg1 Qxh2 (idea cxd+Nc3+0-0-0)
possible is 5.Ne2 Nf6 eg
1. b3 e52. Bb2 Nc63. e3 d54. Bb5 e45. Ne2 Nf66. Nf4 a67. Bxc6+ bxc68. h3 Bd69. Nh5 Nxh510. Qxh5 O-O11. Nc3
Ostovic-Pecnik (2018)
https://www.chess.com/games/view/14430547

4...Qg5 5. Nf3 Qxg2 6. Rg1 Qh3 7. Rg3 Qh5 8. Bxe5

(idea Bxc7 (or Bxg7) and pressure to the exposed Queen-exchanges to endgame with a pawn up).

TABIYA-1
1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 d5 4. Bb5 Bd6 5. f4 Qe7 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. fxe5 Bxe5 8. Bxe5 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Qxe5 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. 0-0 Nf6 12.Nc3 0-0
 r4rk1/p1p2ppp/2p2n2/3pq3/8/1PN1PQ2/P1PP2PP/R4RK1 w - - 0 13

13.Qf4 and now 13...Qe7, Qd6 , Rae8, or 13...Rfe8

idea: pressure on f file and attack the weak queen-side pawns with a rook. But wit the Queens the Rooks are needed on the center. Better ending. (?)
Imbalances: semi-open ‘b’ and ‘f’. weak queen-side pawns. Central majority.
Play: both wings
typical maneuvering: Qh4, Na4-c5 constant threat of RxNf6

Odessky says that : white wants to change Queens (favorable endgame) so the QxQf4 or Rf(a)e8 are inferior.
typical maneuvering is Raf1, Ra4-a6, b4 (after ...a5), Kf1-e2
Better are Qd6 or Qe7. Then white cannot go for an immediate attack to the queen-side weaknesses, because of the d4 break. The rooks are
needed at the centre. Typical here is the Raf1 and the knight maneuver Ne2-d4-g5 or Ne3-g3-f5. So Qh4 , Rf4 (but mind the fork!).
Qd6 looks better but weakens e4 square, and sometimes (eg ...d4) makes the exchange sacrifice possible.

Butkiewicz (2163) vs. Kulon (2069)-2005

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=3207083&m=29
interesting points: play on both wings-double on ‘f’ and pressure on the weak a pawn. Maneuvering on the fourth rank

Carnstarn (2091) vs. Agrest (2085)

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=3565728&m=28
interesting points: Q pins Knight (caution not to put Rook and Queen together to fifth rank due to the fork ...g5) and then exchanges queen-Rook
endgame, maneuvering on the fourth rank.

➢ If 5...Qh5+ 6.g3 Qe7 7.Nf3 Bg4 we have the same position.

➢ Rozman’s suggestion fxe+d4+c4+Kf2
8.h3 BxN 9.QxB Nf6 10.fxe Bxe 11.d4 Bd6 12.c4 Qe6 (or 12...0-0 13.c5) 13.Kf2 0-0 (or 13...Ne4 14.Kg2 0-0 15.cxd) 14.cxd Nxd 15.Bc4
Nce7 (or 15...Nb4) 16.e4 +-

• Instead 6...f6 (with best play black is at least equal, if plays risky 5...exf4 + Qh4+ has a temporary initiative, but with precise defense is
lost)

1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 d5 4. Bb5 Bd6 5. f4 f6 6. fxe5 fxe5 7. Nf3 Nh6 8.0-0 Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.Nh2 RxR 12. Nxf1 and black is
somewhat better according to Stockfish
if 8...0-0 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10. Nxe5 with a pawn versus 2 bishops and initiative
if 7...Qe7 8. Nxe5 Bxe5 9. Bxc6 bxc6 10. Qh5 Kd8 11. Qxe5 with material advantage+initiative

r1bk2nr/p1p1q1pp/2p5/3pQ3/8/1P2P3/PBPP2PP/RN2K2R b KQ - 0 11https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=704091

in both variations exchanges to opt for an endgame

(eg 11...Nf6 12.QxQ KxQ 13.BxNf6 )
main imbalance material inequality

• if 4...Qg5 5. Nf3 Qxg2 6. Rg1 Qh3 7. Rg3 Qh5 8. Bxe5

idea Bxc7 (or Bxg7) and pressure to the exposed Queen-exchanges to endgame with a pawn up.

Playable is 4...Ne7 (gambit for the initiative and attack)

5.Bxe5 a6 6.BxN NxN 7.Bg3 (best, but playable is 7.Bb2 Qg5 8.Kf1 ) h5 8.h4 d4 9.Ne2

TABIYA-3

• 3 ( 4...d6 ) immediate d4 aiming to 0-0-0

1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bb5 d6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Bd7 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. Nf3 Be7 9. Nc3 Qd7 10. O-O-O

r3k2r/pppqbppp/2bp1n2/8/3Q4/1PN1PN2/PBP2PPP/2KR3R b kq - 0 10

imbalances: space
usually opposite castling (but not always)
2 bishops, white’s black-squared bishop more active, Nd5 is feasible after Re1+e4
typical maneuvering: Nd4+f3, Nd5, Qf5-(h6), Nd5-(Nxf6)
vulnerable f2+g2

Sosovicka, Juraj (2215) vs. Petran, Peter (2330)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3930509

interesting points: trying to castle long, black weakened his white squares. White had a superior position with centralization.

• 2...f6

1. b3 e5 2. Bb2 f6 3. e4

idea: e4+d4, king-side majority, ‘d’ file exchange some pieces and king-side pawn storm

illustrative game :
https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=752486&m=12
Fendrich vs. Lahlum (2218), 1999

➢ 2...d6
3.e3 as prophylaxis against ...c5. After 3...c5 4.d4 cxd 5.exd and if 5...e4 6.d5, if 5...d5 6.dxe with IQP and active Bb2.
But not d4 after 3...Nc6 4.d4 exd 5.exd d5! And the Bb2 is inactive.

...d6 is played as second, third, or fourth move

• 2...d6 3.d4 (or 3.e3)
• 3...d6 4.Nf3 e4 5.Nd4 NxN 6.BxN
• 4...d6 5.Ne2 Bd7 6.d4 exd 7.Nxd NxN 8.BxB QxB 9.Qxd
II. Classical
(1.b3 d5 2.Bb2 )
3 basic positions

tabiya 4
• a) (2...Nf6+...Bf5), London reverse

h3+g4+(d3)+(if ...h6, then g5+Rh1 and 0-0-0)

➢ if 4...e6
1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. e3 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.h3 h6 6.d3 Be7 (Bd6) 7.Nd2 0-0 8.g4 Bh7 9.g5 hxg 10.Nxg Nc6 ? 11.Rg1 (+=)

• Rozman’s suggestions (the game is Bauer-Kappeler, 2014).

• h3 only after ...e6
• after ...Nd7 (not ...h6) Nh5, but captures after ...0-0)
• the order is h3+d3+g4(after ...0-0)+g5+Nxg5+(if ...Bg6)h4+Be2+h5 (if ...Bf5) f4. If ...Nc6 instead, then Rg1

imbalances: opposite castling, pawn storm, probably 2 bishops

play: mutual king attacks
typical maneuvering: Qf3+Be2+0-0-0+h4-h5+NxB
breakthroughs:
(you delay NxBg6 until black castles).

➢ if 4...Nd7 5.Be2 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.0-0 Bd6 8.f4 0-0 9.NxB hxN c4 with 2 bishops

imbalances:
play:
typical maneuvering:
breakthroughs:

➢ if 4.Nf3 e6 5.h3 Bd6 6.g4

• b) (2...Bg4)
double fianchetto and 2 bishops

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 Bg4 3. g3 c6 4. Bg2 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. O-O e6 7. d3 Bd6 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. h3 Bh5 10. c4 Qe7 10. a3 a5 11. Qc2 e5 12. e4

r4rk1/1p1nqppp/2pb1n2/p2pp2b/2P1P3/PP1P1NPP/1BQN1PB1/R4RK1 b - - 0 13

• 12...dxe
• 12...d4
• 12...Bxf3
 • c) (2...c5)
1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 c5 3. e3 Nc6 4. Bb5 Bd7 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. O-O e6 7. Bxc6 Bxc6 8. Ne5 Rc8 9. d3 Be7 10. Nd2 O-O 11. f4

2rq1rk1/pp2bppp/2b1pn2/2ppN3/5P2/1P1PP3/PBPN2PP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 11

• king-side attack
Nd2-f3+Qf3-g3-(h3)+Rf3+g3 but the continuation is far from obvious, perhaps it involves pawn advances (g2-g4-g5 usually, or even h2-h4), or the
transfer of Bb2 via c1-d2 to the king-side (from d2 eyes both wings). Some attention must given in the black counter-play on the queen-side.
Sometimes the exchange of minor pieces (and a ...f5) leaves a good Knight at e5 versus a bad Bishop.
• (Of course if black defenses well at the king-side, white can play on the center+queen-side)
• usually white refrains of an early f4, but deploys it on a later stage, after Ne5
• black here has several moves: Nd7, b5, Be8, d4 and others.

illustrative game:

Tikovsky (2070) vs. Moser (2075)

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=704091

Jovanovic-Certic (Belgrade, 2006)

• c5+d5+a6
preventing Bb5, but wasting a tempo.

• d) d5+Nf6+c6+Bg4
1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 Nf6 3. e3 c6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 Nbd7 6. O-O e6 7. c4 Bd6 8. h3 Bh5 9. Nd4 Bxe2 10. Qxe2 O-O

Moroni (2466) vs. Fang (2438)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3973853

• e) d5+c5+e6 without Bc8 move (English, Wimpey system)

1. b3 d5 2. Bb2 c5 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 e6 5. c4 Nc6 6. cxd5 exd5 7. Bb5 Bd6 8. O-O O-O 9. Bxc6 bxc6

Bischoff (2551) vs. Golod (2599)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3679663
III. English
(1...c5)
2 basic positions

a) formation: f4+e3+Bb5+Nf3-f4+d3 and king-side attack

attention: it belongs to classical variation

1. b3 c5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e3 Nf6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. O-O e6 7. d3 Be7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Bxc6 Bxc6 10. Ne5 Rc8 11. f4

r4rk1/ppq1bppp/2b1pn2/2ppN3/5P2/1P1PP3/PBPN2PP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 11

king-side attack (??)

imbalances: 2 bishops in a rather closed position, space at the king-side and queen-side respectively, superior white knight
theater : white king-side, black queen-side and center. But since white has nothing decisive yet is wise to take precautions eg a4
typical maneuvering: (Nxc6+Nd2-f3-e5), Qf3-h3, Rf3-h3+g4-g5+Qh5
breakthroughs: ...b5+...c4 (preventive a4), ...d4 (where dxe4 opens ‘e’ and ‘c’, and activates Bb2 and Bc6 if is still there) white possible g4-g5

Kujovic (2250) vs. Maslik (2170)

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=1175901&m=27

Docenko (2087) vs. Lebed (2088)

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=3467137&m=31

b) formation c5+d6+e5
tabiya 6

1. b3 c5 2. Bb2 Nc6 3. Nf3 d6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. g3 e5 (6...Qa5+ ) 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Bg2 Qc7 9. c4 Be7 10. Nc3 O-O 11. O-
O Be6 12. Rc1

r4rk1/p1q1bppp/2ppbn2/4p3/2P5/1PN3P1/PB2PPBP/2RQ1RK1 b - - 0 12

imbalances:

Weak d6+c6, white better bishops, file ‘d’ +‘b’

Rc1 intends Nd5

Korchnoi (2635) vs. Miniboeck (2250)

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=2175794&m=28
IV. 1...Nf6 (Indian variation)
g3+Bg2 (Odessky’s favourite)
tabiya 5
1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. c4 Bg7 5. Nc3 f5 ( 5...0-0, 5...d6, 5...b6) 6. Rc1 O-O 7. g3 d6 (7...c6) 8. Bg2Nd7 (8...c6,
8...Nc6) 9. e3 Re8 10. Nge2 Nf6 11. O-O

r1bqr1k1/ppp2pbp/3p1np1/5p2/2P5/1PN1P1P1/P2PNPBP/2RQ1RK1 b - - 0 11

imbalances: 2 bishops (semi-closed position), central majority (blocked by f5), space at the queen-side (and at the center after d4), powerful Bg2
(aiming at b7) Bg7 may be hindered by d4+e3, half-open ‘e’,
theater: white queen-side, black kingside (h5-h4-xg3+Ng4+Qg5-h4).
Breakthroughs: ...c6+...d5, h4-h5, b4-b5xc6. After ...a6 worth consideration is a5 instead of b5 (Odessky).
typical maneuvering: if d4+e3 black must liberate Bg7
Nf4+h5, d4 only if Black cannot play Ne4 (Odessky), Rc1 is not clear if is necessary, provided it is needed to b1 (Odessky). ...h5 must
be answered by h4.

or
1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. c4 d5 5. cxd5 Qxd5 6. Nc3 Qa5 7. g3 (7.a3!? Odessky says is the only move) c6 8. Bg2 Bg7 9. Nf3
white must guard Nc3, and kick away the black queen with a3

➢ alternatively g3+Bg2+d4+(c4)

1. b3 Nf6 2. Bb2 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. d4 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. dxe5 Ng4 9. c4 Ngxe5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Nc3

Garcia vs. Juarez

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=2544816&m=29
basic pawn formations
➢ ...d5+...e5

attack to e5 with pieces+f4, black defenses with Bd6+Qe7 (+f6)

➢ ...c5+...d5 (+...e6)

control of e5 and occupation: f4+Ne5+attack to the king-side

(d4 leaves c2 as backward)

➢ ...d5+...e6

f4+Ne5 and king-side attack

➢ ...e5+d6

e3+ d4 (and if ...e4 then d5)

 ➢ ...g6

Bxf6 and c4 +e3+g3+Bg2 (??)

or d4+e3+Nc3+Qd2+0-0-0 and f3+g4+g5

➢ ...f6+e5 (+d5)

e4

➢ ...c5+...d6+...e5 (+f6)

stonewall formation ??

d4 with intention to leave d6 isolated, but Ne2 instead of Nf3

➢ ...b6

or Nc3+d4+Qd2+0-0-0

or e3+g3+Nf3+Bg2+0-0
Smirnoff's recommendations
✗ d5+c5

Indian defense with reverse colors. e3 stops ...d4. First tabiya is Nd2-f3, Ne5+f4, Q+R to f3-g3 or h3. Ne5 threatens NxBc6 to damage pawn
structure. If ...a6 before Bb5, then d4+c4 (not immediately), and centralization.

✗ d5+e6 (not immediate c5)

c4+Nc3 with pressure and creation of an isolani with cxd+d4. In general is good to play c4 when black CANNOT play ...d4. In general d4 must be
played after 0-0, because sometimes Bb4+ is annoying. In general two tabiyas (plans), the second is c4 and creation of an isolani

✗ c5+Nc6

Nf3 (to prevent ...e5, and if ...e6 then d4). If cxd then Nxd and if ...e5 then Nxc6 and pressure on the black center with second fianchetto
(g3+Bg2) c4+Nc3 and Rooks on ‘c’ and ‘d’ files.

✗ d5+e6

suggests Ne2+d4

✗ d5+e5

he suggests not f4, but Nf3+d4 (even c4 is good with the idea c5+Nxe5)., destroying the black center eg if ...e4 then Ne5.

✗ e5+Bd6

suggests white square strategy (BxNc6+d3+Nbd2+e4+Nfe2+f4 and pressure along ‘f’), but also examines Na3 with immediate d4 instead
of d3.

✗ e5+d6

immediate d4 (or after Ne2, with some tricks after Qf3), and Qxd4+0-0-0+Re1+e4

✗ e5+d6+f5

d4 (and if e4 then d5)+Nh3-f4

General tips

➢ if white can play d4 on his terms (eg not followed by ...d5!) he ensures a small but lasting advantage

➢ c4 is effective if black cannot respond ...d4. It is usefull when Bb5 has no meaning, or is orevented

➢ ...e4 is complex. Ensures a space advantage but the pawn can be weak (a scheme is Ng3+Qc2+d5+BxNf6 etc). Another way to undermine
it is f3 or d3. f3 may give a central pawn majority. The same does d3 if black captures and white recapture with cxd. Sometimes even f4 is
useful. If Nf3 white must reckon where to put the Knight. Usually e5 is best square, but also is d2, g5, d4 to consider. Worth considering is
Be2 (instead of BxNc6), the Bb2 is active so is no need to concede the 2 bishops.

➢ The Larsen-Nimzovitch is a dark square opening.

➢ In some variations when White obtains a central majority with d4+e3 the push e4 must be considered. I failed to do so at least in 2 of my
games but I did it with a superior position against Tryfonas (mavilis-2019)