BATSFORD ALGEBRAIC CHESS OPENINGS series edited by R.G.

Wade

King´s Indian
Defence:
4.e4
Efim Geller
1.d4 CZJf6 2.c4 g6 3.tiJC3 �g7 4. e4:
Four Pawns, Samisch & Classical
ALGEBRAIC CHESS OPENINGS

SERIES EDITOR: R. G. WADE

King's Indian Defence: 4 e4

EFIM GELLER

Translated by Dr K. P. Neat

-B. Batsf�rd.Limited
. '•

T. London
-, '! . '
F irst p ubl ished 1980
© �· G ell er 1980
ISBN 0 7134 2331 8 (p ape r)

Fil mset by W ill mer B rot hers Li mit ed,

B irkenhead, M erseysi de

Print ed in G reat B rit ain by

B illing & Son Lt d,
G uildf ord & W orcest er

f or t he p ubl ishers
B. T. B at sf ord L imit ed
4 F itz harding e St re et, L ondon WI H OAH

BATSFORD CHESS BOOKS

Adviser: R G. Wa�e_....... :
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T_echnical Editor:< P lam fo rd

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Contents

....

• J,� -

�.r
40,

Introduction VII

A Brief History IX

l Four Pawns Attack I 1

2 Four Pawns Attack II: 6 ... c5 11
3 Samisch Variation I- early ... e 5 27
4 Samisch Variation II- with ... c 5 55
5 Samisch Variation III- Alternatives 63
6 Classical 1: Introduction and 6 ... .Q.g4 76
7 Classical II: 7 d5 Various 82
8 Classical III: 7 d5 Petrosian 91
9 Classical IV: 7 de / Ae3 101
10 Classical V: 7 0-0 f)bd 7 108
11 Classical VI: 7 0-0 f)c6 116
12 4 e4: Averbakh 140
13 4 e4: Various 153
Index of Variations 164
Symbols 166
Introduction

This book constitutes an attempt to combine a work of reference with a

text-book. I t therefore contains a compilation of the topical variations
required for reference by players of various standards, including, we hope,
those of high ranking. I t also includes explanations of the various
continuations, which, it is hoped, will prove useful for players who arc
merely studying the secrets of opening theory. We attempt throughout the
entire book to reveal the sense behind the various moves and manoeuvres
of both sides, from the point of view of the basic ideas of the King's I ndian
Defence. And another thing; it occasionally happens that mistakes made at
some time by certain theorists are passed on from one book to another. We
would like to avoid this, and therefore at times we have been forced into a
dispute with our colleagues. Of course, the conclusions drawn on the basis
of analysis and of games played cannot be considered definitive once and
for all. Time and practice are the best judges. And that which for us is dead
can tomorrow he restored to life by some inquisitive idea, and vice versa.
The author will therefore be only too glad if the reader should take an
interest in this book, and in this highly interesting opening-the King's
I ndian Defence, and introduce into its theory new continuations and ideas,
of which the author is unaware. Then the aim which we have set ourselves
in working on this book will have been achieved.
The purely analytical part of the book is preceeded by a brief historical
review of the King's I ndian Defence. In our opinion this is necessary, since,
on the one hand, its study will not take the reader much time or eflort, but,
on the other hand, it will enable him to gain a better understanding of the
ideas of the defence, which have crystallizrd during the course of the
opcni ng 's development.
A Brief History ·

Every opening has its particular fate. Some follow the same path as man
himself: they are born, they li\'e for one generation, and . . . die, after
exhausting themselves, their capacity for de\'elopment, and their
pott>ntial, without leaving any 'descendan ts'. It is hardly necessary to
product> any concrete evidence for this. An example is pro\'ided by the
undisputt"d opt>ning fa,·ourite of the last century-the King's Gambit. How
many tht>matic tournaments ha\'e been played with this opening, and how
many thousands of pages have been devoted to the analysis ofone \'ariation
or another! And finally, how many brilliant examples of attack ha,·e been
provided by its faithful adheren ts-it is sufficient to recall the 'immortal
gamr' by Adolf Anderssen against Kieseritzky in 1 85 1 . But the changes
wrought by timt> art> merc iless. \\'ith the teachings of the first World
Champion \\'ilhdm Steinitz , a new era began in chess. Positional
principles came to be regarded as of paramount importance, changes
occurred as regards the understanding of the centre and of strong points,
and defensi,·e play began-and continues to this day- to constantly
tmpro,·e.
As a result, today certain opt>nings are judged to be too placid to hold
out :111y prospect of a complicated struggle, while others arc initially too
sharp and therefore forcing, and ha,·e consequently been exhausti\'el)'
studied. And nowadays, in tournaments of international standard, we
greet with surprise each rare appearance of that same King's Gambit, and
consider such games to be a tribute to the attracth·e and romantic, but,
alas, long-sinre faded youth of chess.
But some open ings ha,·e a different fate. They are quickly recognized as
classical, and remain so to this dar. One example is the Ruy Lopez, in
which Black follows all Steinitz's laws, by first conducting a tenacious
battle for equality, so as onlr then to attempt to seize the initiative� What's
more, both sides conduc t the game in \'irtually identical fashion: White
•
x A Briif History
advances his pawns in the centre, and to a greater or lesser extent Black
endeavours to do the same.
Other openings, which can arbitrarily be termed more modern, were
not immediately accepted, following their introducd.oQ':. The methods to
which Black resorted seemed too unusual: he appeared to ignore the
creation of a pawn centre, which used to be considered essential. For this
reason they were initially termed 'incorrect' -even in the great
Capahlanca's Prim" ofChtss one comes across the following lines: 'We will
now make the acquaintance of certain variations which arise in the so­
called incorrect defences against White's I d4, where Black on his first
move plays I . . .£)10'.
.

But since then these openings, like heroes in Greek mythology, have
acq uired immortality. This is thanks to the depth of the ideas which they
contain, to the practically inexhaustible wealth of variations, and, most
important, to the fact that, in them, both White and Black can engage in
the most complex and uncompromising battle. Without this, in view of the
unusually well-developed technique or present-day defence, it is almost
impossible to win. This explains the attraction for chess players of the
Sicilian Defence and the Nirnzo-Indian Defence, the English Opening and
the Reti Opening, and of course the King's Indian Defence, which is firmly
established among the most topical opening systems or the second half or
the 20th century.
How are we to know where and when it was first played? And by whom?
All that is known for certain is that in 1 875 the magazine Deutsche
Schac�eitung published a game which had been played a little earlier in
India between the Brahmins Sauncheri Gottak and Moheschunder.
( Cochrane-Moheschunder Bonnerjec, Calcutta c. 1 847, went I e4 d6 2 d4
.£)10 3 Ad3 g6 4 c4 Ag-7 5 c£)c3 0--0-Tartakower & Du Mont 500 Master
Games f!!Chm and continued 6 f4 e5-Ed.) And that i t was only in the 1 920s
that, on the basis of this, the well-known grandmaster and humorist
Savielly Tartakower called this opening the King's Indian Defence. I n
literature, mention i s made considerably earlier o ft h e move I . . . .£) 10 i n
reply t o I d 4 ( for instance, in 1 843 in Ana[yst Nouvelle b y Carljaenisch) , but
only by one game can we be genuinely surprised. Here are its initial moves:
I d4 c£)f6 2 c4 g6 3 c£)c3 Ag-7 4 g3 d6 5 Ag-2 0--0 6 .£)£3 c£)bd7 7 0--0 e5 ( /).
The resu lting position occurs frequently today in the practice of masters
and grandmasters, and yet it is taken from the game Schwarz-L. Paulsen,
played in the international tournament at Wiesbaden in 1 880! And
although such a set-up for Black was also occasionally employed by other
 A Brief History XI

I
w

masters-Riemann and Blackburne for instance-it is Louis Paulsen, born

on 1 5th January 1833 in Germany, who can be considered the founder, if
not of the King's Indian Defence itself-as a system it took shape only more
than half a crntury later!-hut of its first proto type. And it is noteworthy
that in this game Black did no t develop his bishop at e7, as had formerly
been the case, but employed the fianchetto, thus putting pressure on the
white centre. This in itself would have been quite sufficient to recognize
'fair-haired, with an upright bearing, and a thin, open face'_ (as he was
described in the magazine Ostemichische Schac/z-(,eitung in 1 873) Louis
Paulsen as one of those theorists, whose ideas are ahead of their time and
pavr the way no t for their contrmporaries, but their descendants. But in
fact this remarkable player also has to his credit a system in the Sicilian
Defence which bears his name, and valuable ideas in the French Defence,
which even today have no t lost their significance. It is no accident that the
lir.;t World Champion, Wilhelm Steinitz, called Paulsen the pioneer of the
'new' school, which broke away fro m the chess romanticism of the last
century, established itself in the play of all the leading grandmasters, and
became the foundation on which the art of chess was based.
I t was then that Mikhail Chigorin became a supporter of King's Indian
set-ups. He first played I . . . {)f6 in 1 898 in the tournament at Vienna
against Burn, and the game soon reached a position which is quite topical
even for present -day chess: (see diagram on next page.)
ln a sharp game Black obtained a winning position, as was mentioned in
a subsequent commentary by Dr Siegbert Tarrasch. But then Chigorin
blundered, and instead ofwinning in a few moves, he lost in those same few
moves. Later too he occa�ionally employed this opening: he defeated
Schiffers in the 3rd All-Russian Tournament of 1 903, and Marshall in the
International Tournament at Ostcnd in 1 906. But it was in the
xu A /Jrirf History

2
w
' ..,
' .,

International Tournament at Nuremberg in 1 906 that Chigorin turned

liJIIy to the King's I ndian Defence: there he drew with Marshall and
Tarrasch, and dereated Fahrni. Commenting on the last or these three
games, arter the moves I d1 �ffi 2 �f3 g6 Tarrasch wrote: 'Three times
Chigorin employed this variation in the tournament, and each time he
played it irreproachably. Not one or the Russian maestro's opponents was
able to gain the slightest advantage rrom the opening'.
As confirmation or this, we give the opening rrom the
Marshaii-Chigorin game: I d4 �ffi 2 c4 d6 3 �f3 �bd7 4 .,a,r4 g6 S �c3
Ag7 6 e4 cS 7 de � xeS 8 eS �re4 9 � xe4 � xe4 1 0 �dS de I I �xd8+
c;t> xd8 1 2 �xeS .Q.e6 1 3 §d I + c;t>e8 1 4 f3 gS, and Black does indeed have
a good position.
It was Chigorin who, according to Tartakower in his book lndiskaya
<:,ashchita ( 1925), as it were summed up the period or this opening's
establishment.
Interest in the King's Indian Derence rose sharply in the 1 920s, in
assoeiation with the ideas expressed by the group or talented young players
who made up the so-called hypermodern school. Richard Re ti's ramous
brochure published in 1 922, Modern Ideas in Chess, supported by the games
or Euwe, Tartakowe r, Nimzowitsch and others, proclaimed and rounded
the theory or semi-open ('non-fixed', in the terminology or Reti himself)
positions, where one or both sides rerrain rrom setting up a pawn centre . I t
com not be said that these ideas won recognition immediately. Some or the

leading grandmasters or those years, brought up on the classical laws or

c hess strategy, had a diffe rent understanding or the centre, and rrequently
spoke out against the new ideas. Thus even the great Emanuel Lasker
wrote: 'There even exists a style or deliberate selr-restriction in the
development or the rorces . . . A restrained system or development is never
 A Brief History xm

as good as one which strives forward just as far as is befitting . . . In these

systems of play (Lasker names the King's I ndian and the Q ueen's Indian
Defences, and the Nimzo-lndian Defence-E.G.) Black allows the white
pawns to take over the centre,-in the hope that later there will still be
sufficient opportunities for the energetic advance ofhis pawns. Against this
it can be objected that from the very start.White succeeds in controlling the
important squares. If at the same time he should also succeed· in
maintaining the balance in the centre, while on the flank he prepares an
attack on the king, then Black will nevertheless be forced to begin belated
play in the centre . . .'
To counter this opinion on a whole series of opening systems,
Tartakower, in his aforementioned book lndiskaya Z,a.shchita ( 1925),
formulated the basic idea of this opening-the battle against White's pawn
centre by means of piece pressure, supported at the appropriate moment
by pawn attacks - in the following aphorism: 'Instead of death in the
centre-death to the centre!'
Gradually the theory of the opening developed. I t became clear, for
instance, that the developmen t of the bishop at e7 was unpromising, since
this in no way tied in with the basic idea of the King's Indian Defence: to
set up pressure on the centre with pieces. Many lines of the Samisch
Variation were analysed. The King's I ndian began appearing in the
repertoires of such acknowledged chess classicists as Capablanca and
Botvinnik . . . But nevertheless it was only in approximately 1938 that the
genuine Renaissance of the King's I ndian Defence began. As a result ofthe
efforts of, in the first instance, Soviet theorists-Alexander
Konstantinopolsky, Isaak Boleslavsky, and, somewhat later, D avid
Bronstein and others-new methods emerged for developing the initiative
in the first instance for Black, and then also for White. A contribution to the
theory of the opening was also made by the author ofthese lines. Gradually
the King's Indian Defence acquired the concrete and balanced form of a
systtm, while still retaining the potential for further research. During these
40 years there have been times when White has begun time after time to
gain an advantage, and the King's Indian has in practice become less
popular. But the truly inexhaustible resources of counter-play have time
and again regalvanized the defence, constantly making it one of the most
widely-played and popular of openings.
Of course, not all players are supporters of the King's Indian Defence.
For some it is inappropriate to their style, since the defence does not give
rise to simple positions with straight-forward solutions. Some prefer to play
xw A Brief History
it as Black, while others, in contrast, readily assume the role of 'critic'.
There is not-at any rate for the moment-any arithme tically exact
a�sessment of all the known continuations; the defence is alive, it is being
studied, it is developing . . . ·. ,.,.,

Thus, for instance, one basic question of the King's I ndian Defence has
yet to be solved: whether White should block the centre when it is attacked,
or maintain the tension. On this question the experts hold differing points
of view. Without going into their appraisals in any de tail, I willmerclr put
forward my own. It is my opinion that if White releases the tension and
plays d4--d5, it means that Black has already achieved some thing, and can
begin a battle, including that for the square e4, which is especially
important in the King's Indian Defence.
Similarly, there is no complete clarity in the assessment ofone of the new
trends in the King's Indian Defence, whereby Black attempts purely by
piece pressure to force the advance of one of the pawns in White's central
phalanx, and only then begins to undermine the centre with his own
pawns. And of this there can be no doubt: as one problem is solved, others
will emerge . So that the field ofactivity open to both theorists and practical
players in this opening is unusually wide.

Editor's note: In the compiling of this book a special acknowledgement

is due to: Isaak Boleslavsky's book Konigsindiscll his Griinft.ld- Vrrtridigung ami
Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, vol E, edited by Aleksandar Matanovic.
1 F our Paw ns Attack I
The history of this variation dates
back to the game Englisch­
Tarrasch, played at Hamburg in
1 885. Despite such an extensive
biography, up till now the Fo ur
Pawns Attack must be considered
one of the least well studied
variations in the King's Indian
Defence. White's idea is highly
aggressive, and, one could also say,
extremely frank: 'Black has con­
ceded the cen tre-let's occupy it!'
1 d4 {)f6
2 c4 g6
3 {)c3 .Q_g7
4 e4 d6
5 f4 ( 3)
The starting position of the
3
B possible for a clash in the centre, so
vanat1on. White has set up . a
powerful pawn centre, which after
the mobilization ofhis pieces should
bring him a considerable-and very
important-advantage .in space.
This is obvious. But equally obvious
are the drawbacks of such a
strategy. The row of white pawns
rather cramps the actions of his own
bishops, and more important, the
time lost by White in setting up his
centre allows Black to develop his
forces more quickly.
The plans of the two sides follow
directly from this, and it is on the
practicability ofthese plans that the
assessment and the fate of the
variation depend. White will want
to complete his development and to
support his centre with pieces,
while Black will aim as quickly as
as to utilize his lead in
development.
Practice has shown that Black's
counter-blows against the centre
can be fairly effective; they can be
made either with his e-pawn or
his c-pawn. But Black must not
2 Four Pawns Attack I
delay too long his counter-blow. -Tarrasch (the first in which the
White sometimes plays 5 ..Q.. e2 Four Pawns Attack occurred)
first and only continues after 5 . . . White gained an o\'erwhclrning
0--0 with 6 f4. ad v a nta g e. ·. . , ' .,

Black now has: b) 6 • • .£lfd7 7 ..Q.e3 e5 8 fe de 9 d5

•

A 5 . . . 0--0 t£}ffi 10 Jtd3, and Black has lost too

B 5 . . . c5 many tempi to maintain the
A balance, even in a blocked position
5... 0-0 of this type, Bogoljubow-Thomas,
6 t£}!3 Carlsbad 1 923.
In practice White sometimes c) 6 • • .£Jc6 7 J1,e2 .£Jd7 8 ..Q.e3 e5
•

p lays 6 ..Q.. e 2 first, thus ruling out 9 fe de 10 d5 .£lcb8 I I c 5 a5 12 0-0

the develop ment of the black t£}a6 13 .£Ja4 �e7 1 4 §,r l , and
bishop at g4. But in the first place, Black is quite simply sufl(,cating,
as we see later, he has no reason Alckhinc-Yates, New York 1924.
to fear this. And in the second Thus White is fully prepared to
place, White does not particularly meet any belated pawn coun­
need his bishop on e2. For example, terthrust in the centre.
in Brinck-Ciaussen-Savon, Orebro In this chapter we discuss:
1966, Black equalized easily: 6 . . . AI 6 . . . ..Q..g 4
e5 7 de de 8 i!fxd8 §. xd8 9 fe t£}fd 7 A2 6 . . . e5
(weaker i s 9 . . . �4 1 0 t£}d5!) 1 0 For 6 . . . c5 sec Chapter 2.
e6 fe II t£}!3 t£}a6 1 2 0--0 §. e8 1 3 AI
..Q.. e 3 b6. 6 . • . Jtg4
An interesting attempt has
recently been made to re,·ise the
In the early days of develop ment assessment on this 'de\'eloping'
of the King's Indian it was quickly continuation.
established that from this position Instead of an undermining pawn
Black must not delay too long his move, Black increases his piece
counterplay in the centre, since pressure on the central square d4.
simple developing moves allow For almost 50 years, on the basis of
White to consolidate his gains of Alekhine-Marshall, New York
space, and then to advance 1 924, this move was considered
advantageously his pawn mass , e.g. insufficient on account of 7 ..Q.e2
after: .£lc6 (on 7 ... t£} bd7 , as A lckhine
a) 6 • .£lbd7 7 ..Q.. e2 e5 8 de de 9 fe pointed out, 8 t£}g5! is very strong)
• •

t£}g4 1 0 ..Q..g 5 i!i'e8 I I t£}d5, and in 8 d5 .£lb8 9 0--0 .£lbd 7 I 0 t£}g5!

the aforementioned game Englisch ..Q.xe2 II i!f xe2 h6 1 2 .£!!3 c6 1 3

e5!, and the black pieces become
very cramped, e.g. 1 3 . . . de 1 4 fe
�4 1 5 Af4, and the threat of 1 6
h 3 forces Black - i nto a further
weakening of his �-side by 1 5 . . .
h5, since 1 5 . . . ed is bad in view of
16 e6.
However, in his analysis pub­
lished in the book Konigsindisch bi.r
Grunjtld- Vtrltidigung, Boleslavsky
gives:
7 Ae2 c£)fd7
8 ..llr 3 ..11. >< 13
II. . .£leG 9 d 5 .11. >< 13 10 gf! is
. Black emerges with an ex tra pawn
weaker, the black knight being
forced to retreat to b8, since the
pawn at c4 is still defended.
9 .Q.xl3
Now 9 gf would give Black the
advantage: 9 . . . e5 10 fe de 1 1 d5
Ah6!, and with this familiar
tactical device ( 12 ,.ll xh6 �h4+)
Black gains control of the weakened
black squares on the �-side.
9 ... �6
1 0 d5
Or 1 0 o-o e5 I I fe de 1 2 d5, and
the black knight takes up an ideal
post at �4.
10 . . . c£la5
I I �d3 c6
Here Boleslavsky states that
Black is just in time to gain good
play along the r-file, which will
shortly be opened. As the tactical
basis of Black's last move, he gives
14 b4? c£l x c4! 1 3 i!><c4 cd 1 4 �d3
de 1 5 .Q.xe4 d5! 1 6 .Q.13 (on 1 6
.Q.xdS, as Boleslavsky states, 1 6 . . .
Four Pawns Allack I 3
�b6 1 7 ,.ll xb6 �xb6 1 8 �bl
�fd8 is possi ble, when White
cannot avoid loss of material) 1 6
!!c8 1 7 .Q.d2 ( 1 7 � c l is parried,
according to the author, by 1 7 . . .
d4 1 8 .Q.xd4 e5-the move 1 8 . . .
�5 given ·in Boleslavsky's book
must obviously be a slip of the pen
6r a misprint-while to 1 7 .Q.d4
Black has the good reply I 7 . . . e5
1 8 fe �xeS 1 9 .Q.xe5 .Q.xe5 20
� c l �h4+) 1 7 . . . e5 1 8 .Q.xdS ef
1 9 o-o �b6, and as a minimum
and the superior position.
But nevertheless, in the above
analysis White can in fact play:
1 2 b4!
(My exclamation mark-E.G.)
12 .
. • �xc4 .
·
1 3 'i!f xc4 cd
1 4 �d3 de
1 5 .Q.xe4 d5
16 .Q.xd5!
The point is that after 1 6 . . .
�b6 White is by no means obliged
to take the knight, but can play 1 7
�d I, when Black has nothing
better than to agree to an inferior
position in the variation 1 7 . . .
.Q.xc3+ 1 8 �xc3 �xdS 1 9 �e5!
e6 20 .Q.d4 f6 2 1 i!r><e6+.
And besides, in the variation 1 6
.Q.I3 �c8 1 7 �c l d 4 1 8 .Q.xd4 e5
(as given by Boleslavsky) after 1 9
Af2 e f 2 0 o-o Black has only two
pawns for the piece, without any
initiative.
Thus there is no justification for
4 Four Pawns Attack I
reassessing the continuation 6 . . .
Jtg4 as being promising for Black,
and the conclusion arrived at more
than fifty years ago can be
considered correct. That, at any
rate, is the position today.
A2
Here we consider the plan for
Black whereby he strikes a counter­
blow at White's strongest point, by
playing . . . e5.
6 ..
. e5 (4)
4
II'
This move involves the sacrifice
of a pawn. Now White has a choice:
he can either accept the pawn
sacrifice, or else decline it in favour
of positional gains:
A2 1 7 fe
A22 7 de
A21
7 fe de
8 d5
As played by Alekhine in his
game with Ed. Lasker, New York
1 924. Since on 8 �xeS there
follows 8 . . . c5!, when 9 d5 is
refuted by 9 . . . �xe4, White
declines the pawn sacrifice, and
plans under the cover of his central
pawn triangle to complete his
development. 'I('t;le should succeed
in doing this, his advantage­
especially on the �-side where he
has a pawn majority-will be
undisputed.
8 ... c5
An interesting plan of blockad­
ing the white centre with pawns. I f
Black should succeed i n transfer­
ring his knight to cl6, he can then
advance . . . f5 and obtain play on
the <3;-side.
The attempt to . establish a
blockade of c5 with pieces by the
natural 8 . . . �bd7 a� occurred in
the afore-mentioned Alekhine-Ed.
Lasker game, got Black into
difficulties. White continued 9ll,d3
�c5 10 ll,c2 aS II 0-0 �d6 1 2
�e l ll,d7 1 3 �h4 f!ac8 1 4 <3;h l
h5 1 5 b3 �h7 1 6 a3 f5 1 7 b4 �a6,
and now instead of 1 8 c5? �ffi!,
when the attack on the b4 pawn
forced the exchange of queens, 1 8
f!b l ! would have given h i m the
advantage.
9 Jtg5!
In this way White prevents his
opponent's basic strategical idea in
this position: the transfer of the
knight to the blockading square cl6.
At the same time he now threatens
to capture on e5.
Other continuations, which aim
only for development, do not
promise W.h ite a great deal:

a) 9 Ae2 �r8! 10 0-0 �6 I I Jle3
b6 12 <3th I ( 12 �c2 is perhaps
slightly strongrr) 1 2 . . . f5 1 3 ef gf
1 4 g3 �1 7, Jetek -Uhlmann,
Marianske Lazne-Prague 19S6.
b) 9 Ad3 �e8 10 0-0 �d6 I I
Ar3 b6 1 2 a 3 Jla6 13 �e2 �7
14 b4 ac8 IS bS Jtb7
Cherepko\· -Karelo\', Leningrad
Ch 1 9S8.
In both cases Black has excellent
attacking chancrs on lhe <3t-side.
9 ... h6
I 1 is d iflir u h to break the pin in
any other way. On 9 . . . �d7
White does not reply 10 � x e5
i!re8, when ·Black regains his pawn,
but 10 ·8'd2, and on 10 . . . {)c8 - l l
h4 hS 1 2 Ae3 b6 1 3 �5 �6 14
Ae2. After this it is practically
impossible for Black to pl ay . . . 15,
ami his �-side is considerably
weakened. \\'hile can soon mount
an altack, beginning with g4.
w Ah4 i!rb6
10 gS, as tried by
Nezhmetdino\' against Vladimirov,
USSR Ch !F, Gorky 1 954, led to a
dillicult game for nlack: I I Ag3
.£jxe4 12 {)xe4 5 13 Ad3!, and by
returning the p iece \\'hite seized
control of the important e4 square.
completely halting his opponent's
attnck. At thr samr time, the black
king's pawn l'm·er lem·cs much to
be d esired .
11 �d2 {)hS
The knight's path to d6 is still
blocked: 1 1 . . . {)e8 12 Ar7. But
Four Pawns Attack I 5
this is now not dangerous for Black,
in view of 1 2 . . . ae8 13 {)a4 �c7
14 AxeS Ad7 IS d6 �c6 16 b3
�xe4+ , while 13 d6 leaves the
white bishop 'ofT-side', and Black
can readily exploit this: 1 3 . . . Ae6
14 Ae2 .£jf4 IS 0-0 .£jc6, with a
comfortable game.
1 2 Af'l �7
13 g3 f5
14 <i:)h4
The weaknesses on c5 and g6
force one to give preference to
White's position, but the plan of 1 2
. . . .£la6 and . . . Jtd7 followed by
. .. <i:)c 7-e8-d6 deserves a prac­
tical test.
� 7 de de
8 � xd8 l! xd8
9 <i:)xe5
After 9 fe <i:)g4 10 Af4 ac8 I I
f!d l <i:)a6 12 Jte2 (or 12 h3 .£) xe5
1 3 {)xeS AxeS 14 AxeS f! xe5
15 f!d8+ c:Jg7 16 Ae2 f!b8 17
0-0 Ae6, with an equal game) 12
. . . <1;18! W hite cannot hold on to
his extra pawn. But with the move
played-9 .£) xe5-\\'hite casts
doubts on Black's entire plan
associated with the counter-blow
. . . cS.
9 ... aca
In all the books this move is
accompanied by an exclamation
mark. But as we will see shortly, this
opinion is erroneous.
10 Ad3
6 Four Pawru Attack I
Other moves make life ea� ier for
Black:
a) 10 ,lte3 ci:)bd7 I I ci:) xd7
Jtxd 7 1 2 e5 ci:)g4 13 ,ltd4 f6, and
Black advantageously regains his
pawn.
b) 10 ,lte2 ci:)fd7 (but not 1 0 . . .
ci:)a6 1 1 �12 ci:)d7 1 2 ci:) xd7 Jtxc3
1 3 f!d l ! , and White retains his
advantage) I I c£)d5 ci:)a6 12 c£) xd7
,lt xd7 gives Black sufficient
compensation for the pawn­
Lilicnthal.
c) After 10 Ad2 Black can equalize
by 10 . . . ci:)a6 I I ,lte3 ci:)g4 1 2
ci:) xg4 Jtxc3+ 1 3 be Jtxg4 1 4 e5
ffi.
10 . . . ci:) xe4
In his monograph Staroindiskaya
.(ashchita, Moscow 1 967, M.
Yudovich gives the following
variation as being excellent for
Black: 1 0 . . . ci:)a6 11 ,lte3 ci:)b4 1 2
o-o-o ci:)g4! 1 3 ci:) xg4 Jtxg4 1 4
§d2 Jtxc3 1 5 b e ci:) xd3+ 1 6 · ci:)d5. Equally bad is 12
§ xd3 f! xe4, with the better
ending. But by 11 � ci:)b4 1 2 ,ltb l
White can retain his extra pawn,
and therefore I 0 . . . ci:)a6 does not
give Black equality.
However, it will now be seen that
10 . . . ci:) xe4, recommended by
Boleslavsky in the afore-mentioned
book, in fact deserves a double
question mark, since it loses by
force.
I I Jtxe4
There is no need to consider the
capture on e4 with the knigh t, since
it does not give White a forced win.
II ... f6 ( 5)
Here Boleslavsky analyses only
1 2 ci:) xg6 and l 2.�d5 recommend­
ing the latter. But . . .
5
rv
1 2 Jtd5+ !
This move had clearly escaped
the attention of the theorists. Now
Black can resign, since 12 .C\t(h8
. .
1 3 ltf7 leaves him ci thcr two pawns
down - 1 3 . . . § f8 1 4 ci:) xg6+ , or
the exchange down - 1 3 . . . §e7 1 4
• .� 13
•
,ltf7!, when Black again loses
material: 1 3 . . . f!e7 1 4 ci:)d5 fe 1 5
ci:) xc7 C\tf xe7 (or 1 5 . . . C\t( x f7 1 6
ci:) x c8 ci:)c6 1 7 ci:) xa7 f! xa7 1 8 fe)
1 6 ,ltd5, and White is again the
exchange up.
Thus the entire variation with
the idea of . . . e5 must be deemed
dubious.
B
5 ... c5
This can be played immediately,
unlike the other pawn counter . . .
e5. For that, preparation in the

form of castling is necessary, so as,
in the event of an exchange of
queens at dB, to recapture with the
rook.
After 5 . . . c5 White is faced with
a choice of whether to maintain the
tension in the centre by 6 .£)13 or to
rdrasc it imrnrcliatrly hy G de or
6 d5.
It is clear that after 6 e5 <£)fd 7
White cannot maintain the centre.
We therefore consider:
B I 6 de
82 6 d5
If 6 .£)13 Black by 6 • • cd can
• castle and concedes all the central
transpose into a Maroczy bind set­
up from the Dragon Variation of
the Sicilian, in which White
normally avoids an early f4-after 7
4)xd4 4)c6 8 .Q.e2 see var. A,
chapter 2.
For 6 .£)13 � sec Chapter 2.
Bl
6 de ( 6)
I n this way White resolves the
pawn confl ict in the centre, and
does not allow his opponent, as we
see later, to lure one of the white
Four Pawns Allack I 7
pieces to d4, where it serves as a
target for counter-attack. Besides,
he wants to force Black to waste
time on the queen manoeuvre . . .
i!ra5 x c5 and then to subsequently
gain a further tempo by attacking
it. At the same time White does not
object to the opening of the
position, and to a sharpening of the
play.
6... i!ra5
or course, not 6 . . . de when
B lack straight away finds himself in
a lost position: he loses the right to
squares, and on advancing to e5 the
white pawn blocks the bishop at g7
out of the game. The tactical
justification for Black's move is that
after 7 cd 4)xe4 the attack by the
three black pieces on the knight at
c3 cannot be parried.
7 .Q.d3
I n Tolush-Radulescu, Bucharest
1 953, White chose a different
move-7 .Q.d2!? i!rxc5 8 b4!?, but
after the correct reply 8 • •i!i' xb 4
•
this would have given h i m only a
draw: 9 4)a4 i!ra3 1 0 .Q.c l i!i'b4+
12 .Q.d2; in the game Black went
wrong with 8 • •i!i'c6? 9 .Q.d3 o-o
•
1 0 4)13 .Q.e6 II � c l i!i'd7 1 2 o-o,
and obtained an inferior position.
7 ... i!i' xc5
7 . . . de, conceding the centre, is
illogical, and gives Black a
difficult position, as shown by
Saborido-Medina, Malaga 1 965: 8
e5 .£)g4 9 4)13 f6 (Black has no
8 Four Pawns Attack I
other means of counter-play) 1 0
0-D fe I I h 3 4jh6 1 2 4jxe5. The
assessment of the position is
unaltered by the later suggestion of
11 • • e4 (instead of I I . . 4jh6) :
. . . § x c l 20 Jtxc l Jtc6 2 1 4jh4! 4jf6
1 2 4Jxe4 4jf6 1 3 4jfg5, and White
already has the threat of a sacrifice
on h7 (after the preliminary
4jxf6), as well as the prospect of
the breakthrough by f4-f5:
8 c£jf3 c£jc6
9 i+"e2
With the obvious intention of
playing 10 Ae3 so as to be able to
castle '\t'-side ( i!t-side castling is
dangerous, on account of Black's
semi-open c-file and strong bishop
at g7, and, most important, the fact
that White's i+"-side pawn structure
has been weakened by c2-d ) , and
at the same time gain a tempo b y
attacking the black queen.
In practice Black has tried one of
two moves at this point:
B l l 9 . . . 0-{)
B l 2 9 . Ag4 . .
B1 1
9 . . o-o
. Bronstein, Zurich C 1 953, gave him
1 0 Jte3 i!th5
The variation 1 0 . . . i!ta5 I I 0-{)
was fashionable in the early 1 950s;
Black has two alternatives:
a) 1 1 .4Jg4 1 2 Jtd2 and the
• .
unfortunate position of Black's
queen is revealed, forcing him to
lose time:
a l ) 1 2 . . . c£jb4 1 3 4jd5 i!tc5+ 1 4
<it' h I c£l xd5 ( the attempt to win the
exchange by 1 4 . . c£j xd3 1 5 .
�xd3 4]12+ 1 6 § x f2 i'f" xf2 in
fact loses the queen after 17 §0
i'tc5 18 b4!) 1 5 cd Jtd7 1 6 �ac l !
i+"b6 I 7 e5! ·. �ac8 18 e6 fe 1 9 de
22 f5, and White gained a decisive
attack, Keres-Gereben, Amster­
dam OL 1 954.
a2) 12 .i!fb6+ 1 3 '\t'h l i!fxb2.
. •
This win of a pawn, suggested by
Keres, is very dangerous: 14 �ab I
i+"a3 1 5 �b3 or 1 5 4jd5, and it is
no easy matter to repel White's
attack.
b) 1 1 . Jtg4 1 2 §ac l 4Jd7 1 3
. •
i!t f2 Jtxf3 1 4 gf a6, with
satisfactory counter-play for Black,
Bisguier-Petrosian, USA-USSR,
New York 1 954.
I I h3
Weaker is I I 0-{) c£lg4 when the
bishop cannot retreat to d2 in view
of 1 2 . . . 4jd4.
Now Black can play:
a) 11 • c£lg4 12 Jtd2 4jf6 1 3 0-{)
. •
c£ld 7 14 �ad I i!fa5 15 Jtb I i!t"b4
1 6 Jte3 c£jb6, which in Keres­
an equal position.
b) 1 1 • Jtg4 . This has not yet
• .
been tested in practice, but after 1 2
0 -{) Jtx£3 1 3 � x£3 4jd 7 1 4 i!tf2
c£jc5 1 5 Jtc2 f5!? 1 6 ef gf 1 7 �g3
i!ff7 it leads to a hig_ h ly interesting
and double-edged position. This
variation demonstrates particularly
clearly the inexhaustible possibi­
lities for Black in the King's I ndian
Defence of obtaining complicated
 Four Pawns Attack I 9
play with counter-chances.
7
B
B12
9 • •
·Ag4
•

Black continues his active

counter-play.
10 jte3 �h5
The alternatives are:
a) 10 . • jt xf3 1 1 �xf.3 �b4.
•

This, with the idea of winning a

pawn, is of course risky, since 1 2
0-0 'i!f xb2 1 3 .£)b5 gives White B121
very strong threats. . 11
b) 10 . . �a5 I I 0-0 (Attention
• 1 2 � xf.3
should be paid to this plan, which is Black gains fair counter-chances
strong in a numberofdifferent varia­ by taking the play into tactical
tions, whereby the knight at f6 is lines.
transferred via d7 to c5, attacking 1 3 §.h3 4):1 4
the white bishop at d3, and, what is 1 4 jt xd4
more important, opening the On 14 �e 1 Black has the
diagonal for the black-squared unpleasant reply 1 4 .. . 'i!i"c5 while
bishop) 1 2 �d2, and now not 1 2 1 4 �d1 promises White nothing
. . . jt xf.3 1 3 � xf.3 Jtxc3 1 4 be more than eq uality: 14 . . . .£) xe3
.£)c5 1 5 §.b 1 !, which gave White 15 �xh5 gh 16 §. xe3. •

the advantage in Szabo-Sherwin, 14 jt xd4+

Portoroz 1958, but Liliental's 1 5 <&>fl .£)xh2+
suggestion of 15 . . . .£)c5, when 1 6 16 <if}e 1 '{!tg4
Jtc2 i s not good i n view of 1 6 . . . · But not 16 . • Jtxc3+ 1 7 be
•

'i!rb4, with an attack on the c4 �g4 18 'i!tf2, when the black

pawn. Here again we witness
Black's basic approach: a piece
attack on the opponent's pawn
centre.
I I 0-0 ( 7)
Here Black has two continu­
ations which deserve consider­
ation:
B l 2 1 I I . . . jt xf.3
B I 22 I I . . .£)d7 . �xf4 19 g3 �g4 20 §. xh2 'i!f xg3
knight is lost.
We have been following the well­
known game, Keres-Fuderer,
Hastings 1954/55. Here White
should have played 1 7 -tJb5! (he
has at best equality after 1 7 -tJd5
�c8 1 8 <if}d1 e6 19 � xh2 '{!t x e2+
and 20 . . . ed) 1 7 . . . jtb6 1 8 <if}d 1
.
(but not 1 8 §. x h2?? '{!tg3+ ) 1 8 . . .
10 Four Pawns Attack I
21 �c2, aiming for a complicated
position with chances for both sides.
It is difficult to assess which is
stronger-White's piece or the three
black pawns. At any rate, with the
queens on, White retains hopes of
organizing a �-side attack.
8122
11 ... {)d7
By this thematic move Black ·
seeks control of d4, and now
threatens 1 2 . . . �4. Black has a
good game after:
a) ·12 4)d5 is met by the simple 1 2
. . . �c8 followed b y . . . e6, driving
away the white knight.
b) 12 �f'l .£Jc5 1 3 Ac2 Ax!3
enables him to acquire familiar
positional gains after 14 gx!3, while
after 14 �x!3 �x!3 1 5 � x!3 �4
he exchanges off one of the white
bishops.
c) 12 �e1 also gives Black good
chances: 1 2 . . . 4)c5 and the bishop
has to retreat to b I ( 1 3 Ac2 4)b4).
d) But White can try 12 �d2 e.g.
1 2 . . . .£Jc5 1 3 Ae2! 0-0 1 4 h3 ±
Minir in ECO, E76, or 1 2 . . .
i_lfa5!?
82
6 d5 (8)
This is the most logical, and
therefore the most popular
continuation. White maintains his
pawn centre, cramps his opponent
8
B
still further, and forces him to waste
time on the essential undermining
of this centre. At the same time
Black is deprived of the possi­
bility of beginning an immediate
tactical battle, and of thereby
trying to utilize his lead in
development.
6 ... 0-0
7 Ad3
The usual plan of developing by
7 4)£3 is dealt with in Chapter 2,
var. B.
7 e6
8 .£Jge2
This system of development
should be deemed harmless as was
confirmed by Shashin- I. Zaitsev,
Moscow 1 965, in which 8 . . . ed 9
ed Ag4 1 0 0-0 4)bd7 I I i!rc2 4)h5
1 2 h3?! ( 1 2 Ad2! 6. 1 3 �ae l ) 1 2
. . . �h4! gave Black an excellent
game; in the event of 1 3 hg �!6 he
obtains a very strong attack.
2 Four Pawns Attack II: 6 ... c5

After I d4 c£)f6 2 c4 g6 3 c£)c3 ltg7. afraid of8 cd c£)xe4 9 de !!e8, since

4 e4 d6 his lead in development becomes
s f4 o-o decisive) 8 .Q.d3 encountered an
6 c£)f3 cS ( 9) unexpected reply in Johannessen­
Tal, Reykjavik 1 964: 8 . . . ctlfd7!?
9 .Q.d2 ctJ xc5 10 .Q.c2 ( 1 0 �e2
9 oo-ECO) 1 0 . . . �b4 II .Q.b3
IV tyb6, and even after 1 2 .Q.e3 (the
game went 1 2 �e2? ctJ xb3 1 3 ctJd5
'i!ta6!, and a few moves later White
resigned) Black has the better
chances: the bishop at b3 is most
unattractively placed.
A
7 .ae2 cd
7 . . . .Q.g4 is illogical, since it
This i� more logical than the plan literally forces White to follow a
with . . . eS. Black strikes a blow at favourable path-by exchanging on
the centre from the fl ank, offering to c5 with gain of tempo. I n
exchange his c-pawn for White's Ageichenko-Dvoretsky, Moscow
central d-pawn. At the same time Ch 1 966, White easily gained an
he trie� to increase the scope of his advantage: 8 de �a5 ( this is where
fianchelloed bishop. Black has to wa�te time!) 9 ctlgS!
White has two radically different .Q. xe2 1 0 �xe2 h6 II eS de 1 2 fe
approache� now: hg 1 3 ef .Q. xf6 1 4 .Q.d2 �xeS 1 5
A 7 .Q.e2 c£)e4 �b6 1 6 ctJ xf6+ e f 1 7 o-o-o
B 7 dS ctJc6 1 8 h4, and White's attack
I t should also be mentioned that came fint.
7 de �aS (here too Black is not 8 ctJ xd4 ( 10)
I 2 Four Pnurr�s A IInck II: 6 ... c5
10
B
I n this position there are two
basic continuations:
A I 8 . . . c£lc6
A2 8 . . . c£la6
8 . . . i!fa5 9 �d2 �c5 would
transpose into var. B I , chapter I.
We should also mention Tal's
interesting attempt against Szabo,
Moscow 1 963: 8 . . . Ag4 9 �e3
(Black can only dream of 9 �xg4
c£J xg4 10 �· xg4 �xd4) 9 . . . '8' c8
1 0 0-{) ( 1 0 Etc l is stronger,
planning if possible to exploit the
opposition of q ueen and rook) 1 0
. . . �xe2 II �xe2 c£lg4, and by
exchanging off White's important
bishop, Black obtained a good
game.
AI
8 .. . �c6
The most natural move, and also
the most popular. The knight is
developed 'towards the centre', and
9 . . . c£lxe4 is threatened, winning
a pawn.
Now White has two main alter­
natives, both of which have
occurred frequently in practice:
A l l 9 �c2
A l 2 9 �e3 �·
' ,,
' .,
All
9 c£lc2
Although White loses a tempo,
he at the same time deprives his
opponent of a target for counter­
play at d4, and can himself prepare
an attack with f4-15. I t is pointless
now to try to prevent White castling
by 9 • • �b6, since 10 �e3
•
�xb2?? II c£la4 leads to the loss of
the queen.
Also insufficient is 9 .£)d7 1 0
• • •
0-{) c£lc5 I I �(3, and the attempt
to gain counter-play by II . . .
�xc3?! 1 2 be �a5 1 3 15! 'l!r xc3 1 4
�h6 Ete8 1 5 c£le3 'i!td4 1 6 �e l
gave White a strong initiative on
the weakened black squares in
return for the pawn, Darga-Toran,
European Teams !F, Luxemburg
1 955.
9 ... �e6
This, on the other hand, with the
typical Sicilian idea of counterplay
on the Q-side against the c4 pawn,
gives Black reasonab le chances. A
possible continuation is:
1 0 0-{) Etc8
Mikenas-Yuferov, Baltic Re­
publics and Byelorus.�ia Ch, Cornel
191-3, went I 0 . . . �a5 I I h3. ami
the innovation I I . . . b5! enabled
Black to increase the pressure on the
centre with this nank blow, since 12
�xb5 �xe4 is unfa\'ourable for

White, while on 12 cb Black had
prepared 1 2 . . . �4 1 3 .£t xg4
.£t xc3 1 1 §b l Jl.xg4 1 5 �xg4
i!Yb6+ 16 -'te3 ( 1 6 ..£)e3!
;t -ECO-Ed.) �xb5 1 7 §bd l l5!,
with an advantage.
I I 15
White similarly cannot '!laintain
his position in the centre by the
more reserved 11 -'te3: I I . . . a6 1 2
§c l i!Ya5 1 3 �h i b 5 1 4 cb ab 1 5
-'1_xb5 .£Jxe4 Kopayev-Gusev,
USSR Ch !F, 1 95 1 .
.J ezek-Boleslavsky, European
Team Ch 1 95 7, showed that Black
also has good play after 1 1 §b1 a6
1 2 b3 b5 1 3 cb ab 1 4 -'1_13 (if 1 4
-'1_xb5, then 1 4 . . . .£Jxe4 1 5
.£Jxe4 i!Yb6+ ) 1 4 . . . b 4 1 5 .£id5
i!Ya5.
II . . . -'1_d7
1 2 g4 .£ie5
1 3 g5 .£Je8
1 4 .£Jd5
Now, as pointed out by
Bondarevsky in his notes to
Tolush-Usov, Len ingrad 1 954,
Black has a good defence in 1 5 . . .
e6! 1 6 f6 ed 1 7 fg .£i xg7 1 8 cd 15!.
Indeed, Black's pieces are almost
ideally placed, and the position of
the white king IS seriously
weakened.
A12
9 -'te3 ( / /)
Black has several alternatives at
this poin1. He can carry out the
central counter-blow . . . cS, either
immediately or after the pre-
Four Pawns Attack /1: 6 . . . c5 13
11
B
liminary exchange on cl4, or he can
attempt to exploit the insufficiently
secure position of the white knight
at d4 by 9 . . . 4Jg4 or 9 . . . Ag4.
We therefore analyse:
A l 2 1 9 . . . e5
A l 22 9 . . . .£Jxd4 1 0 .£t xd4 e5
A l 23 9 . . . {)g4
A 1 24 9 . . . Ag4
It must also be mentioned that
passive play such as 9 -'td7 docs
• • •
not set White any problems, and b y
natural moves, 1 0 0 � a 6 I I 1'5-d2
§c8 1 2 �hi §e8 1 3 !!ad l
(Teschner-Troianescu, Wagen in­
gen 1 95 7), he reinforces his centre
and gains the advantage. · ·
Similarly, after 9• •�7 White
•
has time to calmly complete his
developmen t: 10 i!Yd2 .£i xd4 (or
10 . . . .£ic5 II 0� i!fa5 1 2 §ad I
�6 1 3 4)b3 .£t xc3 1 4 be 1'5-a3 1 5
15!, beginning' a powerful attack,
Bertok-Lukic, Yugoslav Ch, 1 955)
I I .£t xd4 e5 1 2 fxe5 4)xe5 13 0�
.
-'te6 1 4 b3 a6 1 5 nad l , and
Fuderer-Giigoric, Yugoslav Ch
1 953, showed that White has a
fairly stable advantage.
14 Four Pawns Allack Jl: 6 . . . c5
A121
9 ... e5
I 0 4::) xc6
Completely unexplored positions
result from IO 4::)d bS 4::) e8 I I 0--{) a6
I 2 4::) a 3 ef I 3 la., xf4 1a.,e6.
IO be
I I fe de
1 2 AcS
Thi� is beller than 12 i!fxd8
§. xd8 1 3 0--{) 4::)g4 1 4 1a.,cS -'1.18,
when Black equalized, Trifunovic­
Boleslavsky, Yugoslavia-USSR,
Zagreb 19S8.
The attempt to keep the queens
on: 12 i_lra4 Ag4 1 3 §. d I 't!rb8
Panno-Giigoric, Los Angeles 1 963,
or 12 (H) �c7 I 3 �·e I , allows
Dlack to complicate the game by 1 3
Ae6! (recommended by
Katanovic, and stronger than I 3
a5?, as occurred 111
Benko-Giigoric, Los Angeles I 963)
I4 �·h4 4::) d 7 IS b3 §.feB 16 §.ad!
A!8 I 7 4::) a4 �·as, Kr7.isnik­
l\1arovic, Yugos la v Ch I 963.
12 . . . §.e8
I 3 "t'fxd8 §. xd8
1 1 0--{)
White has merely the slightly
more comfortable position; without
the queens it is difficult for him to
exploit the weakness of the
opponent's black squares on the �­
side, or of his pawn islands, while
Dlack has secure control of dS.
A122
9 4::) xd4
10 1a., xd4 e5
I I fe de
12 1a.,cS
After 1 2 ·AxeS �aS Black has
·
excellent co_mpensation for the
pawn.
12 . . . §.e8
I 3 �xd8 §. xd8
In Tarasov-Cdlcr, 2Bth USSR
Ch, Moscow 1 96 1 , Black now
ob tained good pia y after 1 4 0--{)
§.d2 I S §.ad l §. xd l 1 6 §. xd l
Ae6 1 7 h3 1a.,!8 1 8 Ae3 §.c8 19
§.a I a6, while in Tai -Petrosian,
Portoroz IZ 195B, hr eq ualized
easily alier 14 §.d I §. xd I + I S
�xd I Ae6. But White has a
stronger alternative:
1 4 §.n! §.e8
I S 0-0--{)
Black has difficult problems to solve.
A123
9
• • • 4::)g4
This move has been tried by the
author of these lines. But White has
a strong and simple continuation,
by which he avoids complications:
1 0 Axg4 Axd4
Bad is I 0 . . . Axg1 I I 4::) xc6
i!fd7 1 2 4::) xe7+ �hB 1 3 �d3
i!fxe7 1 4 0--{), when White IS
winning.
I I 1a., xd4 Axg4
12 i!fxg4!
But not 1 2 i!fd2 4::) xd4 1 3 i!fxd4
eS! , when Black gains counter­
chances, especially after 1 4 lc
ilth4+ ! I S g3 de 1 6 i!fxeS i!fh3 1 7
4::l<I S ffi, with an attack; but even
after I S i!¥1'2 i!fxl'2+ 16 �xl'2 de
 Four Pawns Allack //.· 6 . . . c5 15
1 7 §ad §adS 1 8 �15 Ae6 1 9 White's reply is practically
forced; he must at least try to limit
f!hd I 15 ! Black gets out of all his
dillicult ies, · Uhlmann-F ischer, the scope of Black's King's I ndian
Leipzig OL 1 960. Bishop.
12 . . . �xd4 1 1 fe de
1 3 '§'dI In the event of 1 1 . . . Axf3
Here again White employs a White could have sacrificed his
manoeuvre typical of the Sicilian queen by 12 ef Axe2 13 fg �xd l
Defence. 1 4 gf= '§'+ to create a position
13 . . . �c6 where he has good prospects of an
1 4 0-{) '§'aS attack along the weakened b lack
I S �h i squares on the �-side. And
White has an ad\" antage in the meanwhile, he has no reason to fear
form of his greater command of the exchange of queens·.
space and control of the centre, in 1 2 0-{) �aS
particular dS, Pomar-Geller, 1 3 'i'te 1 !!ad8
Stockholm IZ 1 962. 1 4 'i'th4 4)d4!
Continuing his active strategy, in
A124
particular in the centre. Otherwise
9 Ag4
White can gradually b uild up an
. . .

and now:
attack on t he �-side, again along
A l 24 1 1 0 �13
the b lack squares-�h6, �5 etc.
A l 242 10 �xc6
1 5 AgS
If to Axg4 �xg4 I I 't! xg4
After 1 5 .£lgS 4)xe2+ 1 6 4) xe2
�xd4 1 2 'i!d I �6 White controls
Axe2 1 7 !! xffi h6 White's attack
more space, but Black has no
is beaten off, and he loses material.
weaknrsses and can prepare
The exchange on d4 is also bad for
counter-play on thr -8'-sidr by . .
him: l S �xd4 ed 1 6 Axg4 dc and
.

a6 and . . . b5.
White loses at least a pawn..
A 1241 15 Axf3
10 �fJ 16 .a,xf3 't!b6
This attempt to a\·oid exchanges 1 7 !!12
can cost White dearly. Uhlmann­ On 1 7 �h I Black had prepared
Geller, Dresden 1 959, ILLUST­ 1 7 . . . l! xb2 1 8 4)b5 �xbs 1 9 cb
RATIVE GAME No. 1 follows. !!d6, when he is a pawn up, and
Black, being better de\"Cloped, was White's threats are not dangerous.
the first to take acti\·e measures, 17 . . . �xf3+
and seized the initiati\" e by . . . 1 8 gf f!d3
10 . . . e5! 1 9 cS
/6 Four Pawns Allack II: 6 . . . c5
The best chance, in view of the . . . c£)e2+ ) 28 . . . � xdl+ 29 �n
threats of 1 9 . . . � xiJ and 1 9 . . . �e2, while the threat of 27 . . .
�c8. � xc3! is also highly unpleasant: 28
19 �e6 � xc3 �a·I-t\29 �fl � x n + 30
20 � c l �c8 c;t xn �xb2, or 28 be c£)e2+ ,
2 1 c£)b5 c£)h5 ( 1 2) again with a quick win.
27 c£)d5 4)xd5
Only shortage of time can
12
explain why Black did not still play
w 27 . . . � xc3. The only additional
variation White has, in comparison
with those given above, is 28 c£)xc3
(he loses after 28 be c£)e2+ 29
� xe2 � xe2 30 'i!f'd8+ c;th 7 3 1
c£)e7 h5, when therr is no defence
against the intrusion of the black
queen onto the second rank}, but
then 29 . . . � xb2 is decisive, since
Both sides act most consistently, if 30 c;t n , then 30 . . . �xc3!.
trying to obtain play where the 28 ed � xd5
conditions are favourable for this. 29 �b4
But Black's advantage is obvious. The outcome of the game is
He controls the d-file, the white decided, not so much on account of
king's position is weakened, and the Black's ex tra pawn, but rather the
white queen has clearly been enormous energy of his pieces.
trapped 'offside'. Now he tem­ 29 �xb4
porarily sacrifices a pawn to begin 30 �xb4 �a4
an attack. 3 1 �a3 e4
22 c£> xa7 �aS 32 fe � xe4
23 c£)b5 h6 It is worth comparing the
24 �d2 � xa2 position of each black piece with
25 c£)c7 �b3 each of White's!
26 �c3 c£)f4 33 c;th l Ad4
I n defending his numerous 34 �d2 �g5
weaknesses-in particular f3 and 35 b4 -'lc3!
b2-White has been forced to allow 36 �dB+ c;tg7
the black knight into the firing line. 37 b5 �e2
Now Black threatens 27 . . . �d I + 38 h4 �g3
28 � x d l (or 28 �fl � xc l and 29 39 c6 be
 Four Pawns Attack /1: 6 . . . c5 17
40 be .a_es trouble, e.g. 1 6 . . . �db8 1 7 eS de
4 1 .a.m+ 1 8 AxeS !:lb7 1 9 c£ja2, followed
I n thi� po�ition the game was by c£jb4.
adjourned. White resigned without 1 4 cS!
resuming, in view of the variation The only chance of gaining any
41 . . . �h7 42 c7 !!g4 43 c8 = � advantage at all out of the position.
!!h2 mate. I t is interesting that if, Benko against Stein, Stockholm IZ
instead of 4 1 .a.m+ , he had chosen 1 962, played 1 4 b3 but 1 4 . . . bS!
4 1 c7, the game would have l S c£jdS (if l S c£jxbS c£jxe4 1 6
concluded 4 1 . . . !!g4 42 !!g8+ Axa7, then 1 6 . . . c£lc3+ 1 7
�h7! 43 !:lh8+ Axh8 44 c8 � c£jxc3 Axc3, and Black's position
=

!! x h4+ 45 � I Ad4+ 46 � is even slightly preferable) lS . . .

!!12+ 47 � 1 !!d2 (c2, b2, a2) + c£jxdS 1 6 cd Ab2! led to control of
48 �n !:l h l mate. the open c-file being seized by
Al242 Black-1 7 �d2 .a.a3!.
10 c£jxc6 14 . . . c£je8 .
White is forced to release the Weaker is 1 4 . . . de lS eS c£je8 1 6
tension in the centre, since he needs !!d7 !!c7, 1 7 !! xc7 and 1 8 AxeS
to be able to castle. when White has the initiative.
10 Axe2 IS cd ed
1 1 c£jxd8 Axd l 1 6 Ad4 !!c6
1 2 a xd l .· The further course of U hlmann­
Attempts to win a pawn get Gligorit, Sarajevo 1 963, showed
White into difficulties: 1 2 c£jxf7 that White's advantage is minimal.
!! xf7 13 !! xd l 4Jg4 1 4 �e2 !!c8, A2
or 1 2 c£jxb7 Ag4 ( 12 . . . Ac2 is 8 • • • �6
also good) 1 3 .£laS !!ab8 1 4 !! b l In our opinion, this move of
c£jxe4 l S c£jxe4 Al5 1 6 c£jd2 Stein's is the most promising. Black
Axbl 1 7 c£jxbl a xb2, Winser­ plans to put pressure on the e4
Uhlmann, Hastings 1 9S9 /60. pawn, when the two black knights
12 . . . !:lfxd8 will be acting particularly
1 3 �e2 !!deB harmoniously.
In this way, by playing actively, Now on 9 0-0 there follows 9 . . .
Black gains practically an equal c£lcS I 0 .a.£3 �b6, with the threat
position: White has merely a little of I I . . . c£lcxe4, while on
more freedom. Matanovit's recommendation of 9
After the preparatory 13 . . . a6 A£3, with the idea of parrying 9 . . .
1 4 Ad4 bS lS cb ab 1 6 a3 the weak c£lcS by I 0 c£jb3, the familiar idea
bS pawn causes Black considerable of9 . . . Ag4 is strong: I 0 Ae3 �c8
18 Four Pawns Attack II: 6 ·. . . c5

I I b3 Axf3 1 2 �xf3 �b4 1 3 0-{) 13

�g4.
B
9 Ac 3
As played by Stahlberg against
Stein, Y c revan 1 96S. But here too
after:
9 �cS
I ll Al3 .ilhG!
I I �b3 cS
1 2 �xeS ef
1 3 ,QJ'l de
1 4 AxeS �d7! spirit of the Benko Gambit, after
1 5 Axffi �h4+ which, as in the Benko, Black's "t!;·­
16 �d2 Axm side pressure compensates for the
1 7 �e l �e7 material deficit, e.g. 8 cb a6 9 ba
Black's strong JmttatJve was �aS 10 Ad2 Axa6 \ 1 0 . . . �b4 is
sufficient compensation for the parried by the simple I I a3, whe�
exchange. Black appears to have the black queen is in danger) I I
very real attacking chances, in view Axa6 � xa6 1 2 �e2 �bd7 1 3
of the insecure position of the white �xa6 .§. xa6 1 4 0-{) .§.b8,
king in the centre. Karasev-Vasyukov, Eastern Bloc
This variation of Stein's illus­ Army Tournament, Leningrad
trates strikingly Black's basic 1 9 74; White can try 8 e5!?.
approach in the King's I ndian b) 7 . • a6. This once again
.

Defence: to strive in the opening demonstrates the wealth ·of possi­

not for equality, but for counter­ bilities for Black in the King's
play, for the sake of which he is I ndian Defence. In the variation 8
prepared to make positional or a4 e6 9 .Q.e2 ed I 0 ed the inclusion
material sacrifices. of the moves . . . a6 and a4 favours
B Black, since White's �-side is
7 d5 ( 13) weakened, while in the event of8 a4
This closing of the centre avoids ( this move is essential) 8 . . . e6 9
immediate tactical actions which .Q.,d3 ed 1 0 cd Black has an inter-
might permit Black to make usc of esting plan I 0 . . . .Q.g4 followed by
his edge in development. . . . �c7 and . . . �bd7, with the
7 ... e6 idea of playing . . . c4 and . . . �cS.
Two other moves deserve con­ Only practice can show how
sideration: promising this is, and for the
a) 7 • • b5. A pawn sacrifice in the
. moment this is an open question.
 Four Pawns Attack II: 6 . . c5 . 19
8 .Q.e2 'Dragon', and from the Four Pawns
White also has two other Attack against the King's Indian
alternatives: Defence.
a) 8 de. This releases the tension in While not wishing to duplicate
the centre; Black has two ways of the material from another opening,
recapturing: we will merely remark that:
aI) 8 • . .Q.xe6. In this way Black a) 9
• 't'rb6 ( Euwe's con­
• • •

hopes to u t i l ize his lead in t i n u a t ion) leads to equal play after

development, but, as shown by I 0 i!Yb3! i!+'><b3 I I ab .£)a6!
Rce-Polugayevsky, Sochi 1 976, b) in the extremely sharp 9 b5, • • •

W h i t e obtains an active position play is to a great extent forced, e.g.

after 9 .Q.d3 .£)c6 ( the assessment is 10 Axb5 .£)xe4 I I .£)xe4 i!+'a5+
unchanged by 9 . . . Jti4 1 0 h3 1 2 � i!+'xb5 1 3 .£)xd6 i!+'b6
AxfJ I I �xfJ .£)c6 1 2 0-0, as in when Black may regain the pawn,
Vaganian-Trois, Sao Paulo 1 977; but will at best draw.
\\'hite stands better) 1 0 f5 .Q.d7 I I c) 9 . • .£)a6?!, 9
. a6 and 9
• . . • . •

0-0 f!e8 1 2 Ag5. f!e8 all come into consideration,

a2) 8 • • fe. This recapture, on the and to
•

other hand, gives Black sufficient d) 9 . •Jtg4! special attention

•

counter-play along the opened f­ should be given.

file, and his pawns control the 8 ... ed
central sq uares: 9 .Q.e2 .£)c6 10 0-0 Here White has three main
a6 I I .Q.e3 .£lg4 or I I h3 .£)h5. possi bilities:
b) 8 J1,d3. White reinforces what is B l 9 cd
essentially the base of his pawn B2 9 ed
centre, the e4 pawn, and after 8 . . . B3 9 e5!?
ed 9 cd (9 ed is bad in view of9 . . . B 1
f!e8+ ) play transposes into posi­ 9 cd
tions from another opening-the Here again this leads to positions
Modern Benoni. from the Modem Benoni, where
Such an opening transformation Black has at his disposal the same
is characteristic of modern chess: it continuations as were mentioned
is sufficient to recall how certain above.
vari a t ions of t he Caro-Kann and 9 ... b5
Gri'm feld Defences can transpose If 9 . . . f!e8, White has:
into the Queen's Gambit. And a a) 10 e5!? de I I fe .£lg4 1 2 Ag5
little earlier we were talking about when:
the similarity of positions from the a l ) 12 • f6 1 3 ef .Q.xf6 is about
• •

Maroczy Bind set-up against the level; Peev-Janosevic, Nis 1 972,

20 Four Pawns Attack II: 6 . . c5
.
after 1 4 i!fd2 .-'1.15 1 5 0-{) -'txg5 1 6 .
�xg5 .£}e3 1 7 �h6!? .£}xn 1 8
4Jg5 i!i'e7 1 9 d6 i!i'g7 20 ..Q.c4+
<jfth8 ended in perpetual check.
a2) 12 • • �b6 1 3 0-{) .£}xe5 1 4
. advantage to White, Segai-Hug,
.£}xe5 ( I f 1 4 d6 ..Q.e6!) 1 4 . . .
..Q.xe5 1 5 ..Q.c4 �b4 (Or 1 5 . . .
.-'1.15 1 6 .£}b5 a6 1 7 d6 ab 1 8
..Q. x f7 + <ift x f7 1 9 !! xl5+ g f 20
�hS+ <iftfB 2 1 ..Q.h6+ �7 22 !:In
c4+ 23 <ifthI "t'ff2! and White must
take perpetual check.) 1 6 i:'fb3 ..Q.I5
with good chances of a successful
defence-Janosevit-Forintos, Vrnj­
acka Banja 1 973.
b) 10 �2 .£Jg4 (If 10 . . . c4 II
a4!; 1 0 . . . �6 is playable but 1 0
. . . a6 II a4 .£Jg4 is more obscure.)
II ..Q.xg4 i:'fh4+ 1 2 g3 "t'fxg4 1 3
"t'fxg4 ..Q.xg4 1 4 �b5 .£}a6 1 5 h3
(or 15 .£} xd6 .£}b4!) 1 5 . . .
!! xe4+ 1 6 .£} xe4 ..Q.f.3 1 7 0-{)
..Q.xe4 and Black obtains good
compensation for· the exchange.
1 0 e5
It is clearly bad to capture on b5
with the knight in view of I 0 . . .
.£}xe4, while 1 0 ..Q.xb5 .£}xe4 II
.£}xe4 'i!+'a5+ 1 2 <jftf2 �xb5 1 3
.£}xd6 �b6 1 4 .£}xc8 !! xeS,
contrary to the opinion of certain
theorists, gives Black sufficient
compensation for the pawn. By the
natural manoeuvre 0 .£Jd7-16 he
0 0
increases his initiative.
10 de
II fe 4Jg4
1 2 ..Q.xb5
Or 1 2 A.�.t� <lvhfi n 0 0 .£}c17 1 4
e6 fe 1 5 d e i:!fxe6 I G .£}xb5, and
now:
a) 16 �c6? 1 7 .£Jd6 !! b8 1 8
-'tc4+ <&>till, 1 9 .£}f7+ , with
• • •
Sao Paulo 1 973.
b) 16 • • ..Q.a6! 1 7 !:tel ..Q.xb5 1 8
..Q.xb5 �de5, with a good game
for Black, K. Grigorian-Podgaets,
USSR 1 97 1 .
12 . . . c£Jxe5
1 3 0-{)
Theory (in particular, analysis
by Spassky) states that after 1 3 . . .
..Q.g4 1 4 ..Q.e2 White's position is
better, but in our opinion 1 4 . . .
..Q.xf.3 1 5 ..Q.xf.3 .£}bd7 allows Black
good play for all his pieces.
Of course, in many instances,
including after 9 . . , b5, whether
the white bishop stands at e2 or d3
can alter the assessment of a
particular variation. We can only
repeat with regret that the
complicated and highly topical
Benoni Defence, which is often
closely linked to the King's I ndian
Defence, is not one of our topics for
consideration .
B2
9 ed ( /4)
Before we continue our analysis
of variations, we must first evaluate
the resulting position, and outline
the approximate plans lor the two
sides.
White has set up a protected
pawn outpost at d5, and has the
!J;rl'atl'r l'n'('clom. 8111 tlw pawn at 11

14
B paradoxical but perfectly well­
�e riously obstructs his queen's
bishop, and his aim should be to
effect the break-through f4-15. This
will enable him to begin an attack
both on the �-side, and on the d6
pawn.
Black in his turn will build his
plans around seizing the e-file, and
in particular thr important square
e4. At the same time he will do
everything possible to restrict the
opposing black-squared bishop.
9 ... !!e8
Instead of this move, interesting
suggestions have been made by two
former World Champions, each in
his own style:
a) 9 . . b5?! This clearly
• Black, Maslov-Gipslis, Leningrad
experimental pawn sacrifice was
made by Tal against Thorbergsson,
Reykjavik 1 964, and after 1 0
c£)xb5 c£)e4 I I 0-0 a6 1 2 c£)a3 (it
would have been better to return
the extra material by 12 c£)c3) 1 2
. . . l!a7! 1 3 �d3 l!e7 1 4 c£)c2
!!feB he firmly seized the initiative.
However, the correct reply 10 cb
c£)hd 7 I I a4! would ha\'l' forn·d
Four Pawns Allack I1: 6 . . . t5 2I
Black to play I I . . a6.
.
b) 9 • • 4)115 . This . positionally
•
founded solution to the position wa�
suggested by Spassky. The idea is to
give up the bishop for the knight at
c3, and then completely restrict the
white b ishop at c 1 by the
manoeuvre . . . c£)g7-15. Some
examples:
b l ) 10 0-0 and now:
b l l ) 10 !!eB l l �d3 �xc3 1 2
• • •
be c£)g 7 1 3 l!b l b6, and the
attempt at an attack: 14 15 �xl5 1 5
�xl5 c£)xl5 1 6 c£)g5 i!te7 did not
achieve anything for White,
Liptay-Spassk y, World Students,
Marianske Lazm· 1 962: if 1 7 c£)xf7
as suggested hy Minil: in ECO. E77
simply 1 7 . . . 'tt x f7.
b l 2) 10 Axel I I be c£)g7
• • •
(blocking the f4 pawn by 11 fS • • •
leaves the knight with little future
at g7: 1 2 �d3 c£)g7 1 3 �d2 4)d7
1 4 �e l c£)f6 15 �h4, Vladimirov­
Giigoril:, Moscow 1 963) 1 2 15! (a
later improvement on 12 �e3 4)d 7
1 3 �f2 c£)f6, with a good game for
1 962) 1 2 . . . �xl5 1 3. �f4, with
difficult problems for . Black,
Artsukevich-Belyavsky, Leningrad
Ch 1 �64.
Later it was also discovered that
on 9 . . . 4:)h5 White can also offer a
dangerous pawn sacrifice:
b2) 10 �d2 �xc3 II �xc3 {)xf4
1 2 0-0, although it• is true that
Black is not bound to acc('pt it, hut
22 Four Pau•ns A/lade II: 6 . . . c5
also has a choice between I 0 . . .
§.e8 and 1 0 . . . .a,d4!
1 0 o-D Al5
I 0 . . . c£)g4 also deserves con­
sideration. If Black follows this up
with an invasion on e3, then White,
by getting rid of his locked-in
bishop, obtains a very strong
attack. But if it is Black's intention
to transfer the knight via h6 to the
blockading square 15, this gives him
adequate counter-chances:
a} 1 1 h3 is an illogical waste of a
tempo. U hlmann equalized against
Portisch, Varna OL 1 962, by
nevertheless playing I I . . c£)e3 1 2
. Ad4 1 7 Axd4 �xd4+ , Anta;hin­
Axe3 § xe3 1 3 �d2 §e8 1 4
§ae l c£)d7 1 5 Ad3 § xe l 1 6
§ x e 1 c£)f8 1 7 g4 15.
b) 11 §e1 is also illogical, since
White must all the same think in
terms of the advance f4-15. We
should remark merely that in this
case premature activity on Black's
part is inadvisable. Thus in
Filip-Szabo, Amsterdam C 1 956,
Black was tempted by the
combination 1 1 . . . Ad4+ 1 2
c£)xd4 cd 1 3 �xd4 �h4, but 1 4
Ad2! � xh2+ 1 5 � c£)a6 1 6
Axg4 Axg4 1 7 c£)e4 gave White
an overwhelming advantage.
c) 1 1 Ad3, and now:
cl} 11 • • c£)e3 1 2 Axe3 §. xe3 1 3
. 1 2 �xe4
�d2 §.e8 1 4 15! c£)d7 1 5 c£)e4! c£)ffi
( 1 5 ... �e5!-ECO-Ed.) 1 6 fg! hg
1 7 c£)eg5, and there is no way of
stopping the sacrifice on r7: in
Vladimirov-Terentiev, ! F RSFSR
Ch Leningrad 1 955, Whit(' gain('d
a very strong at tack aft('r 1 7 . . .
.a._�4 I � c£)xf7 �xr7 1 9 .£).�5+
�g8 20· ��g6 §.e7 2 1 h3 Acl7 24
�f4.
c2} 1 1 . . c£)h6! 1 2 h3 .£)15
•
1 3 g4 .£)d4 14 c£)xd4 ( 14 �g2 or
1 4 "'h2 ± -ECO-Ed . ) Axcl4+ ,
V l a d i m i rO\· -Shestopero\' , ! F
RSFSR Ch 1 955.
I I -'ld3
The most natural, since Black
does not ha\'e to f('ar I I c£)h4: after
11 • • c£)e4 1 2 c£)x15 gf 1 3 c£)xe4 fe
•
1 4 Ae3 Axb2 1 5 §.bl iff6 16 �b3
Boleslavsky, 23rd USSR Ch 1 956,
or the immediate 1 1 . • c£)bd7, he
.
controls e4, and consequently has
at least an equal game.
II . . . c£)e4
This move is condemned by
theory, but it requires clarification.
Black has another perfectly feasible
plan; I I . . . �d 7. In this way he
continues the fight for e4, and
intends to bring his queen's knight
into play via a6 and c7. After the
possible continuation 1 2 h3 c£)a6 1 3
a3 c£)c7 1 4 g4 Axd3 1 5 �xd3 b5
1 6 cb §ebB 1 7 a4 a6 Black for the
pawn has good counter-chances on
the %-side.
Axe4
1 3 Axe4 §. xe4
Here White has two possibilities:
a} 14 �d3 �e7!? ( 1 4 . . . §.e8 1 5 15
is dangerous for Black-Euwe} . It is
not apparent that the advanced

po�ition of the black rook can be
exploited:
aI ) 15 .£')g5 is met by the highly
unpleasant 1 5 . . . �d4, since Black
does not have to fear 16 i!¥h3 h6 1 7
i!rcB+ , in view of 1 7 . . . -'\.18, when
not only is the c4 pawn threatened,
but also the exchange of queens by
. . . i!fd7.
a2) 15 f5 i� parried by the calm 1 5
. . . �7, and on 1 6 .Q.g5- 1 6 . . . 16!
and 1 7 . . . �aeB.
a3) 15 -'\.d2 again allows Black
time for 1 5 . . . .£)d7.
h 1 14 4)g5. This is probably
White's be�t rhance. I n A. Geller­
Feldman, !F Leningrad Ch 1 965,
he gained the desired attack arter
14 . . . �e7 15 f5 �7 16 fg hg 1 7
i!fg4, but the line 1 4 . . . � xc4 1 5
f5 ( 1 5 i!!'e 2 ± ECO-Ed.) .£)d7!,
with the possible follow-up 1 6 fg fg
1 7 .£)e6 �M, requires testing.
B3
9 e5!? ( 15)
An interesting continuation,
introduced into tournament prac­
tire by Nci.
15
B of the counter-blow 9 . . . bS, which
Four Pawns Attack II: 6 . . . c5 23
9 ... 4)fd7.
On encountering a �urprise,
Black chooses at the board the most
cautious, but not the strongest
continuation. We shall follow the
ILLUSTRATIVE GAME No. 2,
Nei-Polugayevsky, 34th USSR Ch,
Tbilisi 1 966-67, in which this
position arose from the move order
1 d4 .£)16 2 c4 cS 3 dS d6 4 .£)c3 g6 5
e4 .Q.g7 6 f4 0-0 7 .£)13 e6 8 ,a.e2 ed
9 eS .£)fd 7. 'All roads lead to
Rome!' This is characteristic of
modern opening theory, in which
the same key po�ition can be
reached by various move orders.
The point of White's 9th move is
revealed most clearly in the
vanatton which occurred in
Nei-Westerinen, Estonia-Finland,
Helsinki 1 966: 9 • • de 1 0 fe 4)&4
•
I I AgS �a5 1 2 cd .£) xe5 1 3 0-0
�e8 1 4 .£)xe5 .a_xe5 1 5 -'\.c4 .£)d7
16 d6. Here White's black-sq uared
bishop has broken free, he has
obtained a dangerous passed 'd'
pawn, and for the sacrificed pawn
he has a serious initiative.
In addition, White by his ninth
move has deprived his opponent of
the possibility (in the event of9 cd)
was examined earlier, and which
gives Black q uite good com­
pensation for a slight material
deficit.
9• • 4)g4 is better when the
•
resulting variations are favourable
for Black; e.g. 10 h3 cl4, and now:
24 Four Pawns Attack ll: 6 . . . c5
a) 1 1 �e4 �xeS 1 2 fe de 1 3 0-0 instance, is met hy a reply such as
i!rc7 (Beyen-Barczay, Havana OL 1 3 .llc4, and if 1 3 . . . �b6, then 1 4
1 966) and the three pawns are d6 �c6 ( 1 4 . . . . i!§'d 7 is no better)
1 5 .Q.xf7+ .� xf7 16 �xe5+
,
stronger than the piece.
b) 1 1 �d5. This seizure of dS is the .Q.xe5 1 7 fe+ , with a very strong,
rather better alternative, when probably winning attack. 12 . . .

Black has two possibilities: i!§'b6 is also unsatisfactory in view

bl) 11 . . � xeS 1 2 fe de, and the of 1 3 �fd2!, and on 1 3 . . . c4+
.

threat of. . . e4 is fairly unpleasant. simply 1 4 �h I , re-establishing

b2) 11 . . .£)h6 1 2 g4, and the poor material equality with the better
.

position of the black knight on the position.

edge of the board gives White some We should once again point out
compensation for the pawn, that the black knight at g4 (instead
although it is not at all easy for him of d7) the square d6 would be
to demonstrate this after 12 . . dclcmlecl, and the move . . . Eie8
.

4Jc6!?; e.g. 1 3 15 ( 1 3 g5 �15 1 4 would be considerably stronger.

.£)ffi+ �h8 1 5 h 4 h5) 1 3 . . . .£)xe5 But now, after White's bishop on
1 4 ffi .£)xf'3+ 1 5 .Q.x1'3 fie8+ 1 6 c l comes into play, his plan has
.£)e7+ a xe7+ , and for the justified itself.
exchange Black has three pawns, 12 Axf4
with the white king exposed. 1 3 �d2
After 9 . . . �g4, 10 cd de White 1 4 h3
cannot play I I 0-Q in view of I I . . . 1 5 .Q.xf'3
fie8 with the threat of 1 2 . . . e4, The natural continuation. The
while after I I fe .£)xe5 1 2 0-Q alternative was to try to exploit the
.£)bd7 1 3 d6 .£)xf'3 1 4 .Q.xf'3 .£)e5 half-open f-file and the somewhat
( Mariotti -Westerinen, Sombor insecure position of the knight at ffi.
1 970) White's advanced pawn For this the white-squared bishop
becomes isolated and vulnerable. would be excellently placed at c4,
10 cd de and the white rooks could be
I I 0-Q! ef doubled on the •r file. Therefore 1 5
Without making this capture, Ei x f'3 was also possible.
which sharply activates White's 15 . . . .£)bd7
qurrn's hishop, Black cannot Here we can sum up the results of
devrlop his �-side. Thus here he the opening. White has a pair of
can no longer play I I . . . fie8 menacing bishops, while Black's
aiming for the advance . . . e4 since knights have no strong points in the
1 2 .£)e4! emphasizes the unde­ centre, and his rooks are still
frnclrd state ofd6. 12 • • i!rc7, for disconnected. But at the same time
•

Black has no obvious weaknesses,
and it is essential for White to find
an active plan.
16 d6 §.b8
1 7 §fe l
An inaccuracy i n the execution
of his plan. This rook is needed on
the f-file, and therefore stronger was
1 7 §ae I , with the idea of §e7 and
4Jd5. In this case the defence of f7
would cause Black considerable
trouble. He cannot weaken the
pressure by exchanges-1 7 . . . §e8
1 8 §c7!, and he dors not have time
to rrcatc counter-play. E.g. 1 7 . . .
h5 1 8 �e7 b4 1 9 �5 .£)xd5 20
.Q.xd5, and on 20 . . . .£)b6 White
can simply play 2 1 § xf7 § xf7 (or
2 1 . . . .£)xd5 22 § xffi+ �xffi 23
�xd5+ �h8 24 .Q.e5) 22 .Q.xf7 + ,
with a big advantage.
If, for some reason, an attack 'in
one breath' was not part ofWhite's
intentions, he could have resorted
to the prophylactic 1 7 a4, when
after 1 7 . . . a6 18 §le I b5 1 9 ab, he
also gains possession of the a-file.
17 . . . b5
1 8 a1
Here the invasion 18 §e7 is less
promising, in view of 1 8 . . . b4 1 9
4Jd 5 (it is clear that e 2 o r d 1 are far
from ideal squares for the white
knight) 19 . . . .£jxd5, and to
maintain his initiative White must
play 20 �xd5, parting with a
second pawn, since 20 .Q.xd5 .£)b6,
with the threat of 2 1 . . . .Q.d4+ ,
allows Black good counter-play.
Fuur Pau'IIJ ..11/ack II: 6' . . . r5 25
White therefore hopes for 1 8 . . . b4
1 9 .£)b5, when his knight can take
up an excellent post at c7, but . . .
18 . . . ba!
Black is by no means averse to the
· play becoming tactical, especially
since his rook at b8 becomes very
powerful.
19 § xa4 .£)b6
20 § xa7 .£)c4
21 �c2
White is unable to hold on to the
· pride ofhis position-the pawn at d6.
The queen has practically only this
one square to move to, since on 2 1
-trr2, 2 1 . . . .£)h5!, with the threat of
22 . . . .Q.d4, is highly unpleasant.
21 . . . .£)xd6
22 §d 1 .£)fe8
Now Black has an extra pawn,
pressure on the pawn at b2, and
control or d4. or course, he still has
to untangle his knot or pieces, but
White cannot effectively exploit
this. The best he can hope for is a
draw, and the first step he makes is
in the right direction.
23 .Q.e5! ( /6)
16
B
26 Fmlf Pnwm· A llnck II: (j .
. . 1"5

So . all to at least get rid of the l nc liren l y cldcm l i n� tht· k n ig l l l

powerful King's I ndian bishop. at d5, �;ince on 31 . . . � xd5 :n
23 . . . § xb2! .ll. x d5 i!rxc:t5 there follow�; 33
24 i!re l "# xeS+ . ' .,
If W h i t e accepts the exchange 31 . . . �g7
sacrifice, material is equal, and he 32 �h2 �c5
�;uccumbs to an attack along the Here again 32 . . . § xcl5 i�;
defenceless black squares on the K­ not possible, on accou n t of the
side. capture on e8 with the queen, as
24 . . . �b6 above. Black thereli>re creates
25 .Q.xg7 the unpleasant threat of 33
This makes things easier for his c3, and on 34 �xc3-34 . . .
opponent. He should not have "#c7.
exchanged his active rook at a7 for 33 i!re3
the locked-in rook at m. 25 �d7 is I n this way White parries the
stronger, and if25 . . . �4, then 26 thrt'at, but now Black gains tht'
�5 �e6 27 �e7, retaining opportunity lor a roncealed double
certain drawing chances. attack.
25 "# xa7 33 . . . � xd5!
26 .Q.xf8 c4+ 34 .Q.xd5 i!rc7!
27 �h i �xf8 The rook cannot move in view of
The game moves into the tech­ the discovered check- 34 . . . �15+ ,
nical phase of Black realizing his and so the game is decided .
advantage, since the activity of t lu­ 35 i!re6 �15+
white pieces is easily parried. 36 �h I i!rxd8
28 �5 f6 37 �gB+ �h6
29 �a l �f7 38 g4 �fg7
30 §aH �h5 White resigned.
3 1 �dB
3 Samisch Variation I ·;_ earl y . . . e5

I d4 {)f6 17
2 c4 g6
B
3 �3 Ag7
4 e4 d6
I n practice Black sometimes
plays 4 . . . 0-o and White, if he
wishes to play the Samisch Vari­
ation, has to reckon with the
possibility after 5 f3 ofS . . . cS. On
6 de Black sacrifices a pawn by 6 . . .
b6, and obtains compensation for it
both after 7 cb i!txb6 8 eS {)e8 9 f4 Sllmisch. As in the Four Pawns
d6 I 0 .£)13 {)c6 I I Ae2 Ae6, Attack, White occupies the centre
Shiyanovsky-Vasyukov, USSR Ch directly with pawns, but does so
!F, Kiev 1 957, and 7 .Q.e3 be 8 more cautiously and soundly. With
.Q.xcS {)c6 9 �d2 ftb8 1 0 ft c l his last move he reinforces his e4
fte8 I I b 3 .Q.b 7 1 2 .£)h3 d 6 1 3 .Q.I2 square, which is of special
c6 1 4 Ae2 d5 1 5 ed ed 1 6 cd {)b4, significance in King's Indian
Rabar-{;ufeld, Baku 1 964. positions. I nitially, the idea of this
Therefore on 4 . . 0-o it is
. move was to prepare �-side
simpler for White to play 5 .Q.e3, castling and an attack on the �side
and after 5 . .d6 the game reverts
. by g4, h4-h5 etc. Subsequently,
to normal variations. taking account of the counter-play
5 13 ( 1 7) found for Black, White has also
This move initiates one of the added to his arsenal the plan of a
most dangerous variations against �-side attack.
the King's I ndian Defence, which Black's counter-play in the
bears the name of the well-known Samisch Variation is based on
Germa11 grandmaster Friedrich attacking the white centre by the
28 Siimisch Variation I - early . . . e5
counter-blows . . . e5 or . . . c5, or
on ciTecting the flank blow . . . b5
against the pawn at c4. The first
two plans are the more traditional
ones, while the third (with all its
modifications) has only compara­
tively recently become part of the
theory and practice of the Samisch
Variation.
In the present chapter we will
consider lines where Black plays
an early . . . e5 (on his 5th or
Gth move) , while . . . c5 lines arc
d ea lt with in Chapter 4. Other
alternatives arc the subject of
Chapter 5.
Black can either play 5 . . . e5
irnmcdiatrly, or, as is more usual,
after first castling:
A 5 . . . e5
8 5 . . . 0-0
A Black clears the way for the
5 .
• • e5
Black's idea is to save a tempo by
delaying castling, so as to create
immediate counter-play.
Now White can either block the
ceu t rc, or maintain the cen t ral
tension:
A I 6 d5
A2 6 �c2
Black has no reason to fear the
loss of the right to castle: 6 de de 7
�xd8+ �xd8 and now:
a) 8 Ag5 h6! 9 -'\.h4 c6 10 f4 �e8
I I fe �4 1 2 0-0-0 g5 1 3 Ag3
-'\.e6, with an equal game,
Krogius-Aronin, RSFSR Cham­
pionship 1 959.
b) 8 .Q..e 3 .Q..e6 9 �h3 .Q_xh3 10 gh
c6 1 1 !!d l + �bd7 1 2 c5 �e7, and
in Filip-P�·n��9, Amsterdam C
1 956, Black obtained a good game.
6 .Q..e3 0-0 transposes into
section B.
AI
6 d5 ( /8)
/8
B
6 ... �h5
advance of his f-pawn, and creates
the immediate threat of 7 . . .
�h4+ . This is undoubtedly
stronger than 6 . . . �fd7 which has
sometimes been played, with the
idea of mee t i ng 7 .Q..t·3 w i t h 7 . . .
.Q..h 6 8 .Q.. x h6 �h4+ and 9 . . .
�xh6. The knight's retreat to d7
obstructs the development of
Black's �-side, and the knight
cannot be maintained at c5 on
account of the advance b2-b1. By
continuing simply 7 �h3, with the
possible follow-up 7 . . . 0-0 8 �1'.2,
White easily obtains the better
game.
7 .Q..e 3 f5
 Slimisch Variation / -early . . . e5 29
A highly interesting but White therefore prevents the
ques i ionable queen sacrifice was exchange.
introduced by Bronstein against 10 �e2 -'th4
Spassky, Amsterdam C 1 956: 7 . . . 1 1 g3 Ag5
4Ja6 8 i!rd2 i!rh4+ 9 g3 (if9 Jtf2, 1 2 g4
then 9 . . . "t'rf4, and Black either After 1 2 �c2 fg White cannot
forces the exchange of queens or a castle �-side, and his f3 pawn will
repetition of moves by 1 0 Jte3 be weak.
�h4+ , or seizes the c l -h6 12 . . . Jtxg4
diagonal) 9 . . . 4Jxg3 10 �f2 (not 1 3 fg f3
1 0 Jtf2?? 4:)xn ) 1 0 . . . 4:)xn I I 1 4 Jte3 Jtxe3
i!rxh4 4Jxe3 1 2 �f2 4Jxc4 1 3 b3. 1 5 � xe3 fe
Here both 13 . . . 4jb6 and 1 3 . . . Not 1 5 . . . i!rh4+ 1 6
4Ja3 have been played, followed in 4Jxg3 1 7 i!ff2.
each c-ase by . . . 5. Nevertheless 16 gh!
the position must be judged to be This i s stronger than 1 6 4Jxe2
favourable for White. �h4+ 1 7 �2, when Black can
8 �d2 obtain excellent attacking chances
If White should attempt to either by 1 7 . . . �f4! 1 8 �xf4 ef l 9
exploit the unprotected position of �xf4 !!ffi, o r b y 1 7 . . . �16.
the knight at h5 afler 8 ef gf 9 f4, 16 . . . ef
= �+
Black can continue either 9 . . . 1 7 � xn . �M+
4:)16, or 9 . . . 4jxf4 1 0 Jtxf4 ef 1 1 Now 18 i!tf2 � xf2+ 19 � xf2·
�h5+ '�, and his strong black­ !!ffi+ gives Black approximate
squared bishop compensates for the equality.
loss of castling. Boleslavsky's suggestion of 1 8
8 ... f4 �2!? is i nteresting, when i t is
I n this way Black attempts to dangerous for Black to accept the
utilize the tempo he has saved. Also sacrifice of both h-pawns, a.S this
possible, with the same aim, is 8 . . . gives White a strong attacking
i!rh4+ , when White can no longer position: 18 . . . "i!§'xh2+ 1 9 � f2
play 9 g3, in view of9 . . . 4Jxg3 1 0 �xh5 2 0 �b5 �6 2 1 �an g 5 22
�f2 f4. 1::! 16 . But 1 8 . . . oi)cl7!? leads to a
9 Jtf2 ..Q.ffi very sharp and i ntricate game.
The point of Black's plan. Since A2
he has blocked in his black-squared 6 4)ge2 ( /9)
bishop by . . . e5, he now wants to By defending d4 with his knight,
exchange it, when it will be difficult White gains the opportunity to
for White to gain an advantage. develop his black-squared bishop at
30 Siimisch Variation / - early . . . e5
pl a n n ed coun ter-a t t ack req uires
too many precious tempi, and is
obviously toq,s low. 9 . . . .£\b6 10 b3
cd I I cd Ad i'followed by . . . §.c8
was better, preventing White's �­
side castling, and creating threats
on the �-side.
10 g4 aG
I I .£\g3 §.e8
1 2 h4 "t!taS
gS, creating an unpleasant pin. I 1 is From here the queen is soon
unfavourable for Black to prevent forced to retreat with loss of time.
this either by 6 h6, which
• • • The immediate 1 2 .£)18
seriously weakens the �-side, or by followed hy . . . Jl.d 7 was better.
6 • • .£\fd7, which in Bronstein­
• 1 3 .ilhG .£\ffi
Krogius, 25th USSR Ch 1 958, gave 1 4 h5 �c7
White a big advantage: 7 Ae3 (the Forced. Now in the event of
immediate 7 h4, preventing . . . h5xg6 the queen can take part in
Ah6, is even stronger) 7 . . . Ah6 8 the defence of the �-side.
Af2! o-o 9 h4 c5 1 0 dS §.e8 I I g4 1 5 Ad3 bs
.£\a6 1 2 g5 Jl.g7 1 3 .£\g3. 16 o-o-o
A2 1 6 . . . .£\bd7 After 16 cb ab 17 .£)xb5 �bG
A22 6 . . . c6 followed by . . . Aa6, Black wou ld
6 • .£\c6 deserves consider­
• • divert White from his �-side
ation, and if7 Ae3 o-o 8 dS .£\e7 9 attack.
"t!td2, then 9 . . . c5 1 0 de (or 10 g4 16 be ( 20)
.£\e8, followed by . . . 1'5) I 0 . . . be
I I o-o-o d5, sacrificing a pawn for 20
an a t tack. IV
A21
6 .£\bd7
• • •

This forms the basis of

ILLUSTRATIVE GAME No. 3
Ta l Tolush, 24th USSR Ch
-

Moscow 1 957.
7 Jl.g5! c6
8 "t!td2 o-o
9 d5 c5? 1 7 Jl.b l !
A strategical mistake. Black's At the cost of a pawn Tal avoids

the c,omplications on the �-side
which were possible after 1 7 �xc4
.Q.d7 and . . . .Q.b5.
17 �h8 -
1 8 §dg l §b8
1 9 4)1"5!
A standard knight move, which
freq uently occurs in similar
positions in, for example, the Ruy
Lopez. In the event of the sacrifice
being accepted, White immed­
iately wins back the knight, and
obtains an irresistible attack.
19 . . . 4)6d7
20 �5 �7
The threat was 21 4)e7+ �g7
22 h6 mate! On the tempting 20 • •
f6 there follows 2 1 hg hg 22 �h2, or
2 1 . . . fg 22 �xg5. After 20 . .
4)b6 White, as shown by Chist­
yakov, has a pretty win by 2 1
4)h6+ �g7 22 hg hg (22 . . . fg 23
f4!) 23 �16+ �><16 24 ctlg8+ �g7
25 't!rh6+ �xg8 26 't!rxh8 mate.
But now Black is forced to agree
to the exchange of his main
defender, his black-squared bishop,
which results in a decisive
weakening of his �-side.
21 4)xg7 �xg7
22 .Q.h6+ �g8
23 f4!
The threat off4-f5 forces Black's
reply, whereupon White's last and
decisive reserves-his knight and his
bishop at b 1 -come into play.
23 . . . ef
24 �xf4 �d8!
Not 25 . . . 4)e5? 26 �16.
Samisch Variation 1-ear{y . . . e5 31
25 hg
25 �xd6 would be a mistake in
view of 25 . . . § b6 26 �f4 (26
�h2? g5!) 26 . . . 4)e5, · with
chances of a successful defence.
25 . . . . 4)xg6
Black is on the alert! He loses
quickly after 25 . . . fg 26 Ag5 �b6
21 4)3.4 �a5 28 gn {)es (28 . . .
�xa4 29 �+ �h8 30 .Q.h6) 29
.Q.e7! .Q.xg4 30 .Q.xd6, or 25 . . . hg
26 Ag5 16 27 �h2 fg 28 �h8+
�17 29 l!fl + 4)16 30 e5! and 3 1
�xg6+ !. ·
26 �h2
26 �xd6? is weak in view of 26
• . . . �e5, with the threat of27 . . .
l!b6.
• 26. . . . �e5
27 .Q.f4
An inaccuracy. White should not
have agreed to the exchange of his
bishop, which is important for the
attack. He should have played 27
.Q.e3 4)ffi 28 �h6 4)eg6 29 Ag5.
27 . . . {)ffi?
Better chances of saving the
game were olfered by 27 . . . c£)xf4,
when White must recapture on f4
with his queen, since after 28
�xh7+ � 29 �h6+ �e7 the
black king escapes by running
away.
28 l'th6 4)eg6
If28 . . . i'tb6, then 29 c£)a4 tta5
30 Ag5 {)ed7 3 1 e5.
29 Ag5 16 (2/)
30 e5!
A spectAcular decisive break-
32 Siimisch Variation I - tarry . . . e5

21
Not only winning a pawn, but
also threatening mate on the back
w rank. , -.
38 , ·., <li>h8
39 .a_xh7! c£)b8
40 .a.l5+ <ltg8
41 .a_e6+ .a_xe6
42 � xe6 Resigns
A22
6 ... c6
7 � s 0-0
8 i!!'d 2 i!raS
through! The retreat of the bishop, 9 dS
followed by gS, would also have 9 0-0-0 maintaining the tension
won, although not so quickly. in the centre, is also possible, but it
30 . . . !! xeS leads to unexplored play and has
If 30 . . . fg, then 3 1 .a_xg6 hg 32 not yet occurred in practice.
�h8+ <li>l7 33 !!h7+ !. 9 ... cd
3 1 .a_xg6 !!b7 1 0 cd
Black grasps at the slightest White could also gain a slightly
chance, but there is already nothing favourable ending after 10 c£)xdS
to be done! 3 1 . . . hg is decisively �xd2+ I I <ltxd2 c£)xdS 12 cd ffi
met by 32 �h8+ <ltf7 33 !!h 7 + , 1 3 .a_e3.
while on 3 1 . . . !! xgS there follows 10 . . . c£)a6
32 .a_xh7+ <ltf7 33 c£)e4. I I c£)c l !
.
32 c£)e4! fg I n th is way White blocks his
33 !! n opponent's �-side play.
White also wins by 3 3 .a_15 .a_xl5 In Sanguinetti-Fischer, Santiago
31 gP. � xc4 3S � xgS+ . 1 9S9, White adopted a diffe rent set­
33 . . . !! xe4 up: I I g4 .a_d7 1 2 c£)g3, and on 1 2
There is no other defence against . . . c£)cS offered the exchange of
.£)16+ . queens by 1 3 c£)bS. Instead of
34 .a_xe4 !!g 7 exchanging, Black should play 1 3
The threat was 3S !! xf8+ �xffi . . . �b6!, with plans of a counter­
36 .a_xh7+ . attack after 1 4 c£)a3 aS! I S c£)c4
3S !! ffi �c7 1 6 h4 a4 1 7 hS bS, when i t is
3 6 !!hn dangerous for White to play 1 8
37 !! xd6 �h2 b xc4 1 9 .a_xffi �aS+ 20
38 !! xa6 <ltd I gS! 2 1 .a_xgS a3!, while on 1 8

�c3 or 1 8 �3 there follows
simply 1 8 . . . i!fa5.
II . . . .Q.d7
1 2 a3!
White stops the black knigbt
going to c5, and restrains his
opponent'! �-side counter-play.
After 1 2 . . . �fc8 13 g4 �c7 1 4 h4
Black's position, as shown by
Korchnoi-Tal, !F USSR Ch 1 956,
is inferior. He has to seek the
exchange of queens and battle for a
draw: 1 4 . . . 4):5 1 5 h5 �4 1 6 hg
fg 1 7 .£Jxa4 .Q.xa4 1 8 �2 i!tc2 1 9
.£jc3 �xd2+ 20 <ifilxd2 .Q.d7 etc.
Thus we can conclude that 5 . . .
e5 j ustifies itself only if White closes
the centre by 6 d5. But if he
maintains the tension in the centre
by 6 .£lge2 followed by Ag5, Black
does not succeed in equalizing.
B
5 .. . 0-0
6 Ae3
I nstead of this, White sometimes
plays 6 .Q.g5, preventing 6 . . . e5.
But B lack gains the opportunity for
another counter-blow, 6 . . . c5 7
d5, and now:
a) 7 . . a6. This experimental
• also maintain the tension in the
move did not justify itself in
Gulko-Geller, Biel IZ 1 976, when
White continued 8 a4 (not 8 '{!rd2
b5!?) .
b) 7 . . .£jbd7. This move is also
. well as those or his opponent, for
inrerior: 8 't'rd2 �e8 9 .£jh3 .£je5
1 0 .£)f2, and it is difficult for Black
to rree himsclr.
c) 7 . 1 e6! 8 '{!rd2 ed. This gives
• bishop by 7 .Q.d3, with the idea of8
Siimisch Variation ! - tarry . . e5 33
.
Black a good game, e.g. 9 {)xd5
Jte6 10 ,ttd 3 Jtxd5 ' 1 1 cd {)bd7
1 2 �e2 i!fb6.
6 �e2 has also been played, but
· this move too does not prevent
Black's 6 . . . c5, which gives him an
equal game after 7 d5 e6 (or 7 . . .
a6 8 a4 {)bd7 9 Jte3 {)e5 1 0 4)<: 1
c6 Korchnoi-Udovcic, USSR-
'Yugoslavia, Kiev 1 964) 8 Ag5 h6 9
.Q.e3 ed 1 0 cd b6 1 1 g4 h5 1 2 g5
{)fd 7, Petrosian -G ligorit, Los
Angeles 1 963.
6 ... e5 (22)
Here White has three· basic
possibilities. He can exchange
pawns and then queens, though this
is not dangerous for Black. He can
centre by 7 {)ge2, although this
hinders the development of his <it·
side. Finally, he can block the
centre by 7 d5, freeing his hands, as
active play on the fla nks.
We should mention in passing
that White cannot first develop his
34 Siimisch Variation / - early . . . e5
<i:)ge2, in view of the tactical stroke But not 13 . . . cd 14 !!c7 !!d7
7 . . . 4Jg4. 15 !! xb7!, and wins.
We therefore consider: Black alsp has an inferior game
B l 7 de after 13 . : ·.,. ,§d7 1 4 <i:)e2 cd 1 5
B2 7 4Jge2 -'l,xd5 .£)a6 1 6 -'l,xb7 .§ xb7 1 7
B3 7 d5 <i:)c3, Pcrez-Giigoric, Havana
B1 1 962.
7 de de By the move played Dlack either
8 �xd8 !! �d8 drives the white bishop ofT the
9 .£)d5 .£)xd5 a2-g8 diagonal, or else seizes the
1 0 cd c6 initiative on the �-side after:
I I -'l,c4 b5 1 4 a3 a4
Black can equalize even more 1 5 -'l,a2 b4!
l"asily by I I . . cd 1 2 -'l,xd5 <i:)c6
. 1 6 de
1 3 0 -0 -0 .£)<14 1 4 -'l,xd4 ed 1 5 <i:)e2 Weaker is 16 ab a3 1 7 ba � xa3
-'1,15!, and now: 18 -'l,b6 !!c8, when only Black can
a) 16 .£)xd4? -'l,h6+ 1 7 �b l hope to win.
.§ xd5 1 8 er ,§adS, and White loses 16 .£)xc6
. his knight. 1 7 -'l,d5 ba!
b) 16 �d2 .§ac8 1 7 ,§ c l -'l,h6+ ! 1 8 ba
1 8 f4 !! xc l 1 9 <i:)xc l (or 1 9 !! xc l Not 1 8 -'l,xc6? ab 1 9 -'l,xh7 a3,
d3! 20 �xd3 §. xd5+ 2 1 �c3 and Black wins.
-'l,xe4 22 �xe4 !!d2, winning 18 .£)a5
material) 19 . . . -'l,xf4+ , and 1 9 -'l,xb7 .£)xb7
Black soon won, Calero-Geller, 20 .£)e2 -'1,18
Havana 1 963. White's a-pawn is very weak.
c) 16 -'l,xb7. White has to content B2
himself with the equal game 7 4Jge2
resulting from this move: 1 6 Now Black has two possible
,§ab8 1 7 er §. xb7 1 8 !!d3. plans:
1 2 -'l,b3 -'l,b7 B2 1 7 . . . ed
1 3 .§c l ! B22 7 . . . c6
White docs not achieve much by B21
1 3 0-0-0. Black can reply either 1 3 .7 . • ed
. . . cd, or 1 3 . . . c5 1 4 -'l,c2 4jbd7, Practice has shown that it is not
with a satisfactory position, as in essential for Black to eliminate
Botvinnik-Tal, 1 3th Match Game, immediately the central tension in
Moscow 1 96 1 . this way.
13 . . . a5! 8 4)xd4 c6
 Siimisch Variation 1 - tar/y . . . t5 35
Black's idea, to play . . . d5, 1 5 c£Jxc6 be 1 6 .Q.d3 .Q.e6 1 7 �e2
justifies itself only if White should a5 1 8 c£ld4, with a big advantage
c a stle �-side. for White, Olafsson-Gligoric,
·

9 �d2 Havana OL 1 966.

Now Black can either prepar� b) 12 • • de 1 3 �ad l a6 1 4 .Q.xc4
•

. . . d5 with 9 . . . �e8, or else play b5 1 5 .Q.b3 .Q.b7 16 .Q.h6 .Q.xh6 1 7

it immediately: �xh6 c£lbd7 1 8 c£le4! .Q.xe4 1 9 fe,
B2 1 1 9 . . . �e8 and the weakness of Black's �side
B2 1 2 9 . . . d5 makes itself felt, Savon-Geller,
B2 1 1 37th USSR Ch 1 969.
9 ... �e8 B212
1 0 .Q.e2! 9 ... d5
The alternative plan with �-side 1 0 cd
castling i� less promising: 1 0 o-o-o White can also transpose into the
d5 1 1 4)<-2 i!a5 1 2 cd cd 1 3 ed �a6 line just considered by 1 0 ed cd 1 1
(better th a n the slow 1 3 . . . c£lbd7, Ae2.
·

as pl ayed by Smyslo\· against 10 . . . cd

Alatortsev , Moscow 1 942, but 1 3 1 1 e5 .£je8
. . . Al5 is worth considering) 14 g4 12 f4 f6
Jl_d7 1 5 �b l �ac8 1 6 Ad4 c£Jb4 1 3 .Q.b5!
1 7 c£Jxb1 �xb4, and now: This mo,·e of Bronstein's enables
a) 18 Ag2 ( 18 h3, with the idea of \\'hite to retain the advantage.
�h2, descrHs con.• ideration) 1 8 13 . . . fe
. . . �c4 lea,·es Black with the 14 � Axe5
initiath·e for the pawn, Sajtar­ Or 14 . . . 'fth4+ 1 5 g3 �e7 1 6
Eii�k ases, Helsinki OL 1 954. c£Jxd5 �xe5 1 7 .Q.c4 �h8 1 8
b) 18 Axf6 Axf6 19 c£le4. This o-o-o .£jc6 1 9 .£Jxc6 be 2 0 �3.
attempt to" simplify turns out badly and the strong positional threat of
for \\'hite a fter 19 . . . � xe4 20 fe , Ah6 forces Black to agree to a
Ac3!! 2 1 f!'c2 Axg4 22 � c l difficult ending after 20 . . . c£Jd6 2 1
Axb2 23 �xb2 � ><c l + 24 �xc l Ad4 �xd4 22 �xd4 Axd4 23
�·e l + 25 �c2 �xe4+ . � xd4 c£Jxc4 24 � xc4.
10 . . . d5 1 5 .£jf3 Ag7
1 1 ed cd 1 6 �xd5+
1 2 o-o This simple m�\"e is better than
Now Black has difficult pro- 16 o-o .£jc6 1 7 .£jxd5 c£Jd6, which
blems: has occurred in many games.
a) 12 . . <i:}c6 is met by the
• 16 �xd5
unplcas�nt 1 3 c5! �e7 14 Al2 a6 17 .£jxd5
36 SamiJch Variation / - rarly . . . r5
Now Black is raced with very
serious dilflculties: 1 7 . . . c£)d6 ( 1 7
. . . Axh2 1 8 !! b I Aa3 fails to 1 9
.a_xe8 !! xe8 20 c£:)16+ ) 1 8 ..il.e2
c£)c6 1 9 c£)c7 .§b8 20 Ac5 .§d8
(again 20 . . . Axb2 is not good: 2 1
§d I Jl.c3+ 2 2 �n c£) f5 23
Ac1+ ) 2 1 .§d I AlB 22 .£lg5, and
White has mounting threats.
B22
7 .. • c6 (23)
23
w ( 1 0 cd pursues dilferent aims, and is
8 �d2 .£)bd7
Here too the tension-releasing
move 8 . . ed meets with the
. knight. Practice has shown that it is
refutation given above. But White
should not prevent . . . d5 by 9
Axd4, since Black gains good play:
a) 9 . . . Ae6 10 .£)f4 c5 I I Ae3
.£\c6, Neikirch-Panno, Portoroz IZ
1 958.
b) 9 . a6 10 Ae3 b5 I I 0-{)-{)
. •
�aS 12 �xd6 b4 13 .£\b l �xa2
14 �xb4 aS 15 �a3 �xc4+ ,
Korchnoi -Boleslavsky, 25th USSR
Ch 1 958.
8 . . . �a5 9 0-{)-{) bS is also
premature, in view of the simple
reply 10 cb cb I I de de 1 2 �5
�xd2+ (arter 1 2 . . . �xa2?! 1 3
c£)ec3 �aS 1 4 -'tcS White gains an
overwhelming position) 1 3 .§ xd2
c£)xdS I 4 �d b4 15 c£)g3 f5 16 Ags,
with a clear advantage to White,
Bronstein-Panno, Amsterdam C
1 956.
9 0-0-{)
White achieves nothing by the
attempt to give his opponent a
weak pawn at d6 by 9 d5. After 9
. . . cd (9 . . . c5 I 0 g4! is totally
unpromising for Black) 10 c£)xd5
examined belo� in section B332)
10 . . . c£)xd5 I I �xd5 .£lb6 1 2
�b5 Jle6 1 3 c£)c3 Jlh6! White
experiences difficulties over castl­
ing, and his queen occupies an
uncomfortably advanced position.
9 ... a6
1 0 '\frb l
White not only safeguards his
king, but also vacates c l for his
too early for him to go onto the
olfensive:
a) 10 de c£)xe5! (weaker is 10 . . .
de I I c5 'i'fa5 1 2 c£)b I 'i'fxa2 1 3
�c3, and Black has no apparent
means of developing his �-side,
whereas White has a clear plan of
attack: g4, c£)g3, Ac4 etc.) I I .£)f4
b5 1 2 �xd6 c£)fd7 1 3 �d2 i!raS,
and for the pawn Black has good
attacking chances, Borisenko­
Geller, 2 1st USSR Ch 1 954.
b) 10 d5 cd I I .£lxd5 c£)xd5 1 2
�xd5 .£lb6 1 3 Axb6 �xb6 1 4
 Slimisch Variation / - early . . . t5 37
�xd6 �aS I S c£)c3 Jte6, with 1 2 dS b4
quite adequate compensation for The immediate 1 2 . . . cd 1 3
the pawn. .nxdS is clearly i n White's favour:
10 bS 1 3 . . . .nxd5 1 4 �xdS!
I I .£le i ( 24) 1 3 .n3e2 cd
1 4 cd ( 25)
24
IJ 25
B

The critical position in this line.

White intends to complete the
development of his lt;>-side, and to Now Black can sacrifice a pawn
initiate play in the centre, in in the interests of his �-side
particular by penetrating with his initiative: 1 4 . . . .£)b6 1 5 ftxb4
queen to d6. .§.b8 1 6 .£)c3 (after 1 6 .£)b3 .£)fxd5
II . . . .§.e8 1 7 ed .£) xd5 18 �xb8 .£)xe3 1 9
Black reinforces his centre, and �c l -1 9 . . . �.15+ w as threat-
prepares in many cases to drive ened-1 9 . . . A,h6 20 .§,d2 .£)c4 2 1
away the white queen from d6 by .£)c3 22 .£)xd2 d5 Black gained a
. . . .§.e6; this is considered to be strong attack for the piece,
Black's main continuation. Hasin-Boleslavsky, Gorki !F, 22nd
I I . . . be, although condemned USSR Ch 1 954) 1 6 . . . a5 1 7 fta3
by theory, is also of interest. After .Q.d7.
1 2 de .nxeS 1 3 �xd6 Black should But he is not obliged to sacrifice,
not play 13 . . . .nfd7, as considered and 1 4 . . . a5 1 5 g4 .£)b6 1 6 .£)g3
by Boleslavsky in the monograph .Q.d7 leads to a complicated
mentioned earlier, but 1 3 . . . position with chances for both sides.
�xd6!? 14 .§. xd6 lte6, when the On the whole it can be concluded
activity of Black's pieces counter­ that the variation in which White
balances the weakness of his �-side maintains the tension in the centre
pawns. I n addition, White's king is by 7 .£)ge2 is perfectly viable for
insufficiently secure. Black.
38 SiimiJclz Variation I - ear!J . . . eS
B3 The oldest continuation. Black
7 dS ( 26) aims to advance . . . f5 as soon as
Present-day theory considers this possible, \\lht�h enables him to
·
continuation to be the strongest, avoid being Testricted on the Cifl­
though it is true that, in his notes toside. I t is thought to be better to
a 1 926 game, Alekhine himselflater move the knight to hS, rather than
wrote: '7 4l�e2 i s better, so as only e8 since in many instan<·es it heads
li1r li1. However, the situation is not
on 7 . . . <t)c6 to re p ly 8 dS gaining a
tempo. Black in this case would be so clear-cut, since the position of the
' knight at hS is not altogether
faced with difficult opening prob­
lems'. But in fact White would have secure. The sounder move 7 . . .
to reckon with difficulties over the �e8 requires testing in practice.
development of his Cifl-side. 8 �d2
White must immediately pre­
26 pare �-side castling, since it is
di fficult for him to castle on the Cifl­
B
side: 8 �d3 <t)f4!
80 0 0 f5
There is also the possibility of the
queen sacrifice, which we have
already encountered: 8 . . . fth1+
9 g3 �xg3 10 i!¥12 <t)xfl I I 't!rxh1
�xe3 and now:
a) 12 i!Y£2 � xc4 1 3 "tlre2 �b6 1 4
The classic position of the 0--0-0 c6 I S d e �xc6 1 6 f! xd6
Samisch Variation. Being no longer �c4 with sharp play, Gligoric­
tied to the defence of d4, White can J anosevic, Belgrade 1 962.
develop his Cifl-side normally b) 12 Cifle2! <t)xc4 1 3 f!c l ! .£)a6 ( 1 3
Meanwhile he makes preparations . . . ..£ld7 i s slightly better) 1 4
for his basic plan: "tlr-side castling � I !? (weaker is 1 4 b3 �a3
and an attack on the king. followed by . . . �d7 and . . . �bS)
This makes Black's ta�k more 1 4 . . . 4)b6 1 5 4)h3 �d7 1 6 �c3,
difficult. He has three ways of with the idea of f!hg l and �15,
continuing: Karpov-Vclimirovic, Skopje 1 976.
83 1 7 . . . <t)hS White's chances in this position arc
B32 7 . . . cS even better than in the original
833 7 . . . c6 Spassk y-Bronstein game.
B31 9 0--0--0
7 ... If there is no specific necessity,
 Siimisch Variation I - ear{y . . . t5 39
White should not exchange on f5
27
since this affords the opponent
B
additional possibilities.
9 ... 4Jd7
The plan whereby Black blocks
the ctft-side and drfends on the �··
side was s h own to he unpromising in
Gcllcr··Gligoril:, Z urich C 1 953: 9
• f4 I 0 A.f2 A.ffi I I .£}ge2 A.h4 1 2
. .

Jt� l t£jbd7 1 3 'it>b l A.e7 1 4 t£jc l

t£jc5 1 5 b4 t£jd7 1 6 t£jb3, and White less popular after the following
readily assumed the initiative. ILLUSTRATIVE GAME No. 4,
Black can attempt to create an Korchnoi-Stein, 33rd USSR Ch,
altack on the �-side at the cost of a Tallinn 1 965, in which Black first
pawn by 9 • •a6 I 0 A.d3 ( 1 0 c£)ge2 employed the interesting idea of 1 0
.

is met by 1 0 . . . b5!) 1 0 . . . 4Jd7, . . . fe I I .£)xe4 c£)f4 1 2 A.c2 .£lf6

and now: by which he hindered the develop­
a) 1 1 t£lge2 b5!? 1 2 cb c£)f4! 1 3 ba ment of White's g-knight, since 1 3
(capturing on f4 opens the diagonal g3 would seriously weaken f3.
for the bishop at g7, and after 1 3 10 . . . fe!?
4Jxf1 ef 1 4 A.xf4 fe the bishop at f4 An unpleasant surprise for
is hanging) 1 3 . . . 4J xd3+ 1 4 White. The traditional 1 0 . •.£)c5
.

�xd3 A.xa6 1 5 �c2 �b8 1 6 h4 1 1 .a,c2 f4 1 2 .a,f2 a6 1 3 4Jge2 gives

�b4 1 7 h5 f4 1 8 Af2 §.fb8, and him the advantage (Kotoy-Szabo,
Black has the two bishops and Zurich C 1 953) , since Black cannot
strong 'fl'-side pressure, Sakharov­ parry b2-b4 without making posi­
Polugayevsky, Tbilisi 1 957) . tional concessions.
b) 1 1 efl (this intermediate capture Black's plan is based on a quite
is stronger than the immediate I I definite calculation. It is unfavour­
.£}ge2) I I . . gf 1 2 4Jge2 and the able for White to capture on e4 with
.

threat of 1 3 g4 with an attack forces his pawn, in view of 1 1 . . . �f6

Black onto the defensive. with the threat of 1 2 . . . .£lg4. He
After 9 . . . 4Jd7 White has: therefore continues in the most
83 1 1 10 A.d3 natural way . . .
B3 1 2 1 0 ef I I .£)xe4(?)
B31 1 In our opinion, th� . paradoxical
1 0 A.d3 ( 27) I I .a_xe4 deserves consideration.
White maintains the tension in Then 1 1 . . . .£)f4 attacks nothing,
the centre, ,Put this move became while after 1 1 . ·. .£)df6 1 2 .a,c2
.
40 Siimisch Variation / - ear{y . . . e5
White gains a tempo in comparison 29
with the game. I t is for this reason
B
that ntack's l Oth move is given not
only an exclamation mark, but also
a question mark: more accurate was
1 0 . . . .£jf4, and only on I I Ac2- l l
. . . fe!
I I . . . .£jf4
1 2 Ac2 .£jf6
.
I t turns out that it is not at all
easy for White to complete the drawn. At the cost of a pawn Black
development of his �-side, because has weakened the position of the
of the attack on his g2 pawn. On 1 3 white king, in particular the a l -h8
g3 .£j4h5 1 4 .£Jge2 Black can play diagonal, and has fully completed
1 4 . . . .£jxe4 1 5 Axe4 (or 1 5 fe his development. But the position
Ah3!) 1 5 . . .£116 1 6 Ac2 e4!, with
. is still blocked, and White can
satisfactory counter-play. hope to make the manoeuvre
1 3 .£lc3 ( 28) .£jc3-e4. But . . .
18
0 0 0 c6!
28 1 9 de Jtxc6
B 20 i!i'xd6 i!i'e8
By the sacrifice of a second pawn
practically all the lines have been
opened. I t is not easy for White to
find a defence.
2 1 §el
Passive defence such as 2 1 .£jd2,
hoping for 22 .£je2, fails to 2 1 . . .
§dB 22 �c5 e4, when White loses
13 0 0 0 b5! material.
1 4 .£jxb5 21 §f7
After 1 4 cb a6 all the lines are 22 Jtd2 Affi
opened against the white king. 23 �d3
14 . . . Jta6 The e5 pawn is immune, since
1 5 .£ja3 §b8 after 23 �xe5 §e7 24 �c3 § xe l
1 6 g3 .£j4h5 2 5 Axe I .1lb4 26 �xb4 § xb4 27
1 7 b3 Jtb7 .11_ x b4 �e3+ and 28 . . . �f2
18 .£jb I (29) White loses a piece.
The first conclusions can be 23 . . . e4!
 Sami.sch Variation / -tar!J • . . e5 41
Black conducts the' offensive would have been more tenacious,
brilliantly. Now the capture of the and if 30 . . . !!e8, then 3 1 {)d5.
third pawn by 24 fe allows him to 30 !!f3
decisively bring both of his knights 31 Jl,b2 !!e8
in to play: 24 . . . .£lg4, and if �� 32 �b l
gn , then 25 . . . Jl,xe4, while on Here 32 .£)f4 no longer works on
25 .£)h3, 25 . . . .£le5 and 26 . . . account of the simple 32 . . . !! xf4.
.£)13 is extremely unpleasant. After But the white king also comes under
the exchange of the bishop at d2, all attack on b l .
of the black squares in White's 32 Jlxe4
position would begin to crumble. 33 Jlxe4 !! xe4
24 '{!fc3 Jlg 7 34 !! xe4 gn+
25 .£lh3 .£lg4 ( 30) 35 !!e l fffS +
36 \ta l !! xh l
30 37 � xh l i!fxh3
w White's further resistance was no
longer necessary.
38 Jl,d4 i!fg2
39 � g l �d2
40 Jl,xa7 ' 4):5
4 1 Jl,c5 {)d3 '
42 Jl,a3 4)b4 .
43 Jlxb4 �d4+
44 \tb l �xg l +
26 fg White resigns
Or 26 '{!fa5 � xf3, with the B312
terrible threat of 27 . . . e3. 10 ef
26 . . . Jlxc3 Recently this has been the most
27 .£lxc3 .£)16 popular continuation. White
28 g5 .£ld 7 concedes the centre, so as to
29 .£lxe4 immediately attack it.
With the resulting unusual 10 . . . gf
material balance, White's downfall Now White has two ways of
is caused by the same factor: the developing his \t-side: he can
insecure position of his king. either develop his bishop at d3, or
29 %18 first his knight at e2. I n either case,
30 Jl,c3 White, having temporarily con­
The idea of .£lf6+ remains ceded e4, must begin a fight to seize
unfulfilled, and therefore 30 .£)f4 full control of it. For this he will
42 Samisch Variation 1 - tarly . . . t5
attack f5 either by g4, or by
pressure with his pieces.
I I -'\.d3
The most mhural and energetic.
White's possibilities are more
restricted after I I �e2, since it
is difficult f<r him to prepare
g2-g4. Thus, for instance, in
Botvinnik-Tal, Match . (2/) 1 96 1 ,
with thr inclusion of I I �b l a6,
after 1 2 oi)ge2 �ffi 1 3 �3 ( 1 3
-'l.g5 was to b e considered,
preparing �3 and -'\.d3) 13 . .
�eB 1 4 -'\.d3 .£jxg3? 1 5 hg White
was enabled td open the h-file and
begin an attack.
Later it was established that by
playing 13 . . f4! 1 4 .£j x h5 fe
. since his knight cannot reach the
1 5 .£jxf6+ i!txf6 Black gains
'
compensation for the material
deficit:
a) 16 i!txe3 e4 1 7 fe -'\.d7 18 -'\.e2
b5.
b) 16 i!tc2 e4 1 7 c£jxe4 i!te5 1 8
-'\.d3 c5! 1 9 c£jc3 b5.
However, even after 1 3 . . . i!te8
1 4 -'\.d3, 14 . e4!? would have
. .
allowed Black counter-chances: 1 5
fe f4! 1 6 c£jxh5 .£jxh5, with a
blockade on e5.
II . . . c£jdf6 (31)
At the present time this ts
considered Black's main con­
tinuation. Black masses his forces on,
the �-side, and prevents the
advance g2-g4. H is plans it:�clude
developing his forces according to
the scheme . . . -'\.d7, . . . �e7-f7
and . . . E!,ae8. However, as we will
31
II'
see below, Black does not have time
. for this.
The drawback to I I . .£jdffi is
. .
that Black is deprived of the
possibility of carrying out the
familiar plan with . . . e4 and . . . f4,
blockading square e5.
Apart from this mo\'e, Black has
various other continuations:
11 . aS is a traditional, purely
. .
defensive plan: 1 2 �e2 c£jc5 1 3
-'\.c2 i!th4 1 4 b3 �e7 and despite
the passive nature of his play, Black
has provoked a weakening of the
a I -h8 diagonal, which gives him
certain counter-chances.
11 . a6, with the idea of. . . b5,
. .
leads after 1 2 c£lge2 c£jc5 1 3 -'\.c2
b5 14 E!,hg1 be 1 5 g4 fg 1 6 fg c£jf4
1 7 c£jxf4 ef 1 8 Axf4 �h4 to a
double-edged position with chances
for both sides, btll by 14 b4! ci)<l 7 1 5
cb ab 1 6 -'\.b3 White gains an
advantage.
11 . e4!?. We consider this to
. .
be a promising sacrifice, giving
Black compensation for the pawn

afler 1 2 lc Ft- 1 3 .11.1'2 -t)e5 1 4 .£)1'3
Ag4.
1 2 �e 2
Weaker is 1 2 -t)h3 .ll_d 7 1 3
§hg l �e7 1 4 .ll.g5 �f7 1 5 �c2 e4
1 6 lc �4 1 7 ef .ll. x f5 1 8 ..Q.xf5
i!rxf5 19 �xf5 § x15 20 ..Q.d2
Ae5, when the active placing of
Black's pieces compensates for the
sarrilireci pawn , Razuvayev­
Libcrzon, USSR 1 972.
12 . . . �h8
Directed against 1 3 .£)g3, on
which there now follows 1 3 . . , f4,
winning a piece.
1 3 ��5 '
After 1 3 h3 f4! (fixing the
weakness of g3) 14 Al2 Ad7 1 5
�b l �e8 1 6 §he ! �f7 1 7 .£)e4
.£)xe4 1 8 Axe4 Affi 1 9 c5 §g8 20
§g l Ae7 mack's pressure down
the g-file compensates for the fact
that he has conceded e4, lvkov­
Uhlmann, Zagreb 1 965.
13 . . . �e8
1 4 §de l
Threatening 1 5 h3, when 1 5 . . .
f4 fails to 1 6 .£)xf4.
14 . . . �f7
1 5 g3 Ad7
16 h3
White succeeds in playing g3-g4,
and gains the advantage.
Conclusion: the variation with 7
. . . -t)h5 is highly dangerous for
Black. After the opponent castles
�-side, it is difficult for Black to
gain play against the opposing king.
All the .play is on the �-side, where
Siimisch Variation 1 - ear{y . . . e5 43
his own king is situated. Black must
play exceptionally accurately and
actively, and must not be afraid to
make sacrifices, frequently unclear
ones, in cases of necessity.
Otherwise he risks finding himself
in a bad position.
832
7 • • . c5 (32)
This continuation is directed
against the possibility of 'i'f-side
castling by White. Black blocks the
centre completely, and intends by
the pawn sacrifice . . . b5 to open
lines against the hostile king .
However, the drawback to this plan
is that White can take his time over
castling 'i'f-side, and, taking
advantage of the stabilized centre,
mount a serious attack on the �­
side.
32
w
8 g4!
Life is a little easier for Black
after the quiet 8 �d2, since he can
revert to the plan with . . . 15. Thus
8 . . . {)h5, and now:
a) 9 Ad3 f5 1 0 �e2 a6 I I efgf 1 2
44 Siimisch Variation / - early . . . e5
{)g3 �c8 1 3 .£)xh5 i!fxhS 1 4 too doc.� not have a secure shelter,
0-{)-{)?! e4! I S fe f4! 1 6 �..f2 .£)d7, Kotov-Najdorf, Zurich C 1 953.
Barreras-Ostojic, Cienfuegos 1 976. 10
·• .••
·. gf
b) 9 0-0-0 1'5 10 efgf I I .Q.d3 a6 1 2 I I ef' , .Q.xf5
{)ge2 bS 1 3 §hg l (it is bad for 1 2 .Q.d3!
White to accept the pawn sacrifice, This is the point. White's control
opening both the 'a' and 'b' files) 1 3 of e4 gives him the advantage.
. . . be! 1 1 .Q.b l §.a7! (combining 12 . . . e4
defence of g7 and h7 >:Vith attack An attempt to set up a blockade
after . . . §b7) I S g4 fg 16 fg .£)f4 on e5 at the cost of a pawn.
1 7 .£)xf4 ef 1 8 .Q.xf4 .Q.d4 1 9 §g2 1 3 fe .Q.c8
<ath8, and each side has reason to I f 1 3 . . . �e7, then 1 4 efl
consider his position satisfactory. �xe3+ I S �e2 �g3+ 1 6 <atd2
8 ... .£)e8 .£)c7, and now instead of 1 7 �h2?!,
I n Tal-Gcorgadze, ! F 24th Tal-Boleslavsky, 25th USSR Ch
USSR Ch 1 956, Black attempted 1 958, White could have gained a
by 8 . . . hS to provoke the big advantage by 1 7 .£)13.
blockading move g4-g5; but after 9 1 4 e5!
h3 he went wrong: 9 . . .£la6?! 1 0
. By returning the pawn, White
�d2 .£)h7 I I 0-{)-{) h4 1 2 f4! ef 1 3 gains a tempo for development, and
.Q.xf4 .£)c7 1 4 .£)13, and White seizes the initiative.
secured a considerable advantage. 14 . . . .Q.xeS
I nstead, 9 a6 deserves I S .£)13 .Q.g 7
consideration, and if White 1 5 . . . .Q.g3+ 1 6 �2 .Q.g4 can
continues as in the game, the knight be refu ted both by the queen
from b8 has the possibility of sacrifice 1 7 §g l § x13 1 8 �><13
reaching e5. .Q.xl3 1 9 § xg3+ <ath8 20 §ag I
9 h4 .£)!6 2 1 .Q.gS .£)bd7 22 § x13, as
With the centre completely well as by the more prosaic I 7 �g I
blocked, this swift pawn storm is § x13 1 8 .Q.e4.
perfectly justified. The threat of 1 6 �5 .£)!6
h4-h5 forces Black to expose his 1 7 �d2 h6
king in search of counter-play. 1 8 0-{)-{)!
9 ... (5 White has a strong attack:
1 0 gf Black cannot accept the knight
Tal's idea, which is superior to sacrifice.
the earlier I 0 ef gf I I g5 e4! 1 2 f4 b5 Thus the variation with 7 . . . cS
1 3 cb a6, which gave Black counter­ is justified only when White castles
play: it turns out that the white king �-side immediately. I f this is not

the case, Black has no target for
counter-attack, and the initiative
belongs completely to White. ·
B33
7 • • • c6 (33}
Black immediately-and quite
correctly-opens the c-file, taking
account of \\'hite's intention of �­
sidr castling. By the exchange on dS
Black wishes to open the c-file, and
also to allow himself the possibility
of ad,·ancing his a- and b-pawns in
search of counter-play·. However,
he loses a tempo, and White has
time to complete his development.
White can castle �-side and,
using his pawn outpost at dS,
attempt himself to take the
initiati\·e on the �-side. But a long
time elapsed before this plan was
concei\"ed. At first, in analogy with
other \'ariations, White attempted
to mount a direct attack on the �­
side. He would do this in two ways:
by lea\'ing his king in the centre, or
by first castling �-side.
We Jherefore consider:
Siimi.rch Varialion /- tar{y • . . t5 45
B33 1 8 g4
B332 8 "tlrd2
B333 8 .Q.d3
B331
8 g4 cd
9 cd a6
10 �e2 (34)
34
ll
This sets Black the most difficult
problems, since White plans · ' to
transfer his knight to g3 and begin
an attack with his 'h' pawn.
After the alternative 10 �d2,
Black obtains a satisfactory game
by the method of defence proposed
by the author in 1 955, and then
de\'eloped by Gligoric: to provoke a
�-side blockade by the counter­
blow . . . hS. E.g. 1 0 . . . {:)bd7, and
now:
a) 11 h4 hS! 1 2 .Q.gS �aS 1 3 gh
{:)xhS, ' with an equal game, Tal­
Giigoric, Portoroz lntrrzonal l 958.
b) 1 1 {:)ge2 hS 1 2 h3 {:)h7,
Gligoric-Geller, Zagreb 1 955, and
both 1 3 �3 and 1 3 0-Q-Q are met
by 1 3 . . . h4, temporarily blocking
the �-side, while if 1 3 h4, then 1 3
. . . hg 1 4 fg �ffi!, and 1 5 gS is
46 Sami.1rlt Vnrinlion 1 - rnrly . . . r5
parried by 1 5 . . . c£)g4 1 6 Ag l ffi. so d angerous.
10 h5 1 5 hg , . {)r5
I I h3 {)bd7! (35) 1 6 0-0�Q'., Ad7
1 7 lftb l f!fc8
1 8 {)c l {)a4
3.'i 1 9 4Jxa4 Jtxa4
II' Rlack has a sound pos i t ion .
B332
8 i!fd2 cd
9 cd
and Black has:
B332 1 : 9 . . . {)e8
B3322: 9 . . . a6
B3323: 9 . . . .£)bd7
Also possible is the plan with 9
This is more accurate than I I . . . . . . {)a6, whereby Black aims to
{)h7, with the idea of blocking the occupy the c-file as quickly as
lit-side by 1 2 . . . h4, since White possible. Polugayevsky-Geller,
replies 1 2 gh! i!fh4+ 1 3 Af2 i!fxh5 RSFSR-Ukraine, Kiev 1 960,
14 4Jg 3, w i t h a favourable opening continued 1 0 0-0-0 -'1_d7 I I lftb l
or lines, e.g. 14 . . . frg5 1 5 h4, and �a5 1 2 g4 f!fc8 1 3 4Jge2, and now
now: instead of 1 3 ... b5?! 1 4 {)c l b4 1 5
a) 15 . . . i!ff4 16 Ag2 {)bd7 1 7 {)b3 i!+'d8 1 6 {)b5 with advantage
{)ce2 �ffi 1 8 Ae3! a5 1 9 i!+'d2 to White; Black should have
{)c5 20 0-0-0 Ad7 2 1 ltb l f! fc8 retreated 1 3 . . . i!fd8, preparing
22 h5 b5 23 f4!, with very real the advance of his a- and b-pawns.
attacking chances: B3321
b) 15 • • "t'rdB 16 �d2 ,itffi 1 7
• 9 ... .£)e8
,ith3! {)bd7 1 8 4':)0 , and by trans­ This is the subject of our
ferring his knight via e3 to g4 White ILLUSTRATIVE GAME No. 5-
obtains an attack. Alekhine-Euwe, Training Match,
1 2 Ag5 Amsterdam 1 926 . It is a striking
Renewing the threat ofgh; instead example of the sig n i ficance of the
1 2 4Jg3 would allow 1 2 . . . h4! e 4 square in the King's Indian,
12 . . . ·i'f iJ(j first demonstrated in t hi s gam e .
1 3 ·�d2 {)h7! Black prepares the thematic
14 Ah4 hg counter . . . £5, and at the same time
Now, with the white bishop at prevents, as Alekhine states, the
h4, the opening of the 'h' file is not opening of the 'h' file: on 10 h4
 Siimilfll Variation / - rar(l' . . . t5 4 7
there would follow 10 . . . f5 I I h5 and wa� repeated on numerous
f4 ancl then 1 2 . . . g5. occasions. To this .aim White is not
10 0 -{)-Q f5 afraid to sacrifice a pawn.
I I �b l c£)d 7 14 . . . fg
Alekhine considers I I . . . a6 1 2 Practically forced, since after 1 4
Ad3 b5 1 3 c£)ge2 f4 1 4 Af2 .4)d7 . . . f4 1 5 Jtf2 Black simply has no
!illlowcd h y . . c£)b6 to be more counter-play.
.

artive, with counter-play sufficient , 1 5 �5 c£)dffi

for equality. But now White gains 1 6 Ad3 �e7
the opportunity to carry out On 1 6 . . . gf Alekhine was
without hindrance his strategical planning 1 7 �dn !, and if 1 7 . . .
idea, which was new for that time. h6,: then 1 8 �e6 .Q.xe6 19 de �4
12 c£)h3! 20 c£)d5, with strong threats. 1 7
Wit h the aim on 1 2 . . . 4)dffi or �dfl was also possible in the game,
1 2 . . . c£)b6 of replying 1 3 c£lg5. but the prospect or'opening thf; ·r
E.g. 1 2 . . . c£)b6 1 3 c£lg5 f4 1 4 file appeared more tempting to
·

-'l,xb6 � xb6 1 5 Ac4 Ad7 16 �c l White.

{)c-7 ( 1 6 . . . a6 1 7 Ab3) 1 7 g4!,
with excellent prospects for White.
12 . . . a6
mark is quite unsuspecting . . .
1 3 ef gf (36)
36
II'
1 4 g4!
Subsequently this device for Jtxc3.
winning the square e4-which is
' ex t re m e l y i m portan t ' , i n
Alekhin.c's words-became typical,
17 f4 e4!
By this counter-sacrifice Black
gains some simplification and relief,
since with the exchange of minor
pieces the importance of the e4
square is reduced. Besides, in this
way he activates his King's I ndian
bishop. But nevertheless, by the
gambit continuation 18 � xe4 h6
19 c£)e6 .Q.xe6 20 de � xe6 2 1
c£lg3, with the threat of. 22 f5,
White could have maintained a
formidable attacking position. The
move played is less energetic, and
affords Black a breathing space.
1 8 c£)gxe4 {)xe4
1 9 {)xe4
Naturally, not 19 .Q.xe4??
19 .Q.f5
2 0 �3 .Q.xd3+
2 1 � xd3 �
48 Siimisrh Variation 1 - early . . . e5
' Luring' White's rook to d2, and on defending his back rank, but
thus weakening his back rank, since Black's position cannot · yet be
h3 gh; �xh3 is bound to follow. considered safe:.:Thus 29 . . . 'i!tb4 is
22 �d2 ty£7 refuted by the simple 30 a3, when
23 h3 gh 30 . . . � fl + does not work since
24 � x h3 tfg6 the rook is captured with check: 3 1
25 15 !! x fl + .
Alekhine gives as stronger 25 Also bad is 29 . . . � 13 30 ..Q.h6!,
c£lt·-1 ! ( again e4 ! ) , with the · threats when 30 . . . § xg3 3 1 � xg3
of 26 §g3 and 26 §dh2, while in i'f xg3 fails to 32 �f5+ . But 29 . . .
the event of 25 . . . c£lffi, the simple �c7! would have parr'ied the
'26 c£Jxd6 �ad8 27 ..Q.c5 is possible. immediate threats, when by 30
25 . . . tfg4 4)h5! �f5+ 3 1 tyxl5 � xf5 32
26 �dh2 §c8! ( 37) 4)f4 White would have merely
Avoiding the plausible 26 . . . maintained strong pressure. After
c£lffi, on which 27 ..Q.c I !, with the the move played he has a forced
threat of 28 §h4, is decisive. wm.
29 �g6+
37 30 ty xg6 � xg6
II' 3 1 4jf5!
With the threat of 32 4)xg7,
while on 31 . . . �c7 White wins by
32 Ad4 Axd4 33 4) xd4.
31 . . . Ae5
32 �13 4)16
No better is 32 . . . �16 33 Ag5
� £7 34 Ae7+ � xe7 35 4)xd6+ .
33 � h8+ �g8
27 16! 34 � xg8+ )ff xg8
White vacates f5 for his knight, 35 4)e 7 + Resigns
with the following main variation B3322
in mind: 27 . . . c£Jx16 28 {)f5 tfc4! 9. . • a6
29 4)e7+ )ff£7 30 tyf5! )ff x e7 3 1 1 0 0--0--0 4)bd7
�e6+ )ffd 8 3 2 Ab6+ �c7 33 I I g4 bS
�c3 i!¥fl + 34 )ffc 2, and wins. I 2 )ffb I 4)b6
27 � xl6! Also possible is 1 2 . . . 4)c5 1 3
28 tyxh7+ )f(IB � c l 4)e8! 1 4 h4 f5 1 5 gfgf l 6 4)h3
29 � h i b4 1 7 4)ce2 fe 1 8 ..Q.xcS de 19 fe
White is forced to waste a tempo �xh4, with an excellent game for
 Siimisch Variation 1 - tar{J . . t5 49
.

Black, Percz-Najdorf, Havana intending to castle �side, and

1 962. therefore 1 0 Jtd3 .£Jc5 1 1 �c2 was
1 3 !'! c l .£jfd7 more logical.
Weaker is 13 . . . !'!b8 14 ll,d3! 10 a6
�fd7 15 �ce2, when White had 1 1 .£jc l
succeeded in taking all possible This and the following move
m easu res against f5 , hand the initiative to Black.
Polugayevsky-Gurgenidze, 26th White's �-side diversion does not
USSR Ch 1 959. produce anything real, and proves
14 �d l to be a loss of time. He should have
Yudovich's recommendation of continued either 1. 1 g4, or 1 1 0-0-0
1 4 .£jh3 seems rather unfortunate, and 1 2 �b l .
since after 1 4 . . . �c5 the white 11 . . . .£jh5
knight is badly placed in front of 1 2 b4
the h-pawn. Of course, on 1 2 g4 Black would
14 . . . f5 have been very happy to offer a
1 5 gf gf pawn sacrifice by 1 2 . . . .£Jf4, in
1 6 -'td3 .£jf6 return for which he would gain
1 7 !'!c6 .£!c4 sufficient compensation in the form
1 8 Jtxc4 be of his better development, and
Black has strong counter-play, White's weak black 5quares.
.
Andcrsen-Petrosian, Copenhagen 12 . .
. . f5
1 960. 1 3 .£jb3 .£!df6 .
When it was found that Black The placing of the black knights
had sufficient resources against the is fully justified: one of them attacks
.
plan of a direct attack, the idea of e4, while the other has its · sights
castling �-side was conceived: trained on f4. It should be said that
B3323 the whole game illustrates the
9 ... �bd7 importance of e4, which is the key
This is interchangeable with 9 square in positions of this type.
. . . a6. As played it introduces 1 4 . -'td3 .£jf4
ILLUSTRATIVE GAME No. 6- An even more opportune
Korchnoi-Geller, USSR Spar­ moment for this than on the 1 2th ·
takiade, Moscow 1 963. move. It is easy to see that White
10 .£Jge2 cannot accept the pawn sacrifice.
This move is not in itself wrong, 1 5 ef
provided only that it is assoc iated This is illogical, since the
with the correct plan: that of opening up of the game is
castlin&, �-side. But Korchnoi was favourable for Black, who has a
50 Siimisch Variation I - tarry . . e5
.

lead in development. White was that all While's plans were based. I f
evidently afraid of castling, since now 2 0 . . . -'l.d 7, then 2 1 gS �hS
after I S 0-D �xd3 1 6 �xd3 f4 1 7 22 �e4, and White slands well.
. ..

-'1.1'2 gS Black's attack develops ' ·.,

rather swiftly. But nevertheless that 38
is how White should have played. B
IS . . . �xd3+
16 'i!fxd3 -'1.xf5!
White was hoping for the stereo­
typed 1 6 . . . gf, which would have
given him a respite. I nstead Black
establishes control of e4 with his
pieces, utilizing the fact that after
1 7 �e4 -'1.xe4 1 8 fe �4 the white
king is caught in the centre. 20 . . . �xg4!
1 7 �d2 �c7 2 1 �e4
1 8 l:! c l l:!ac8! This wins the queen, but loses the
The unpleasant opposition of the game. However, also unsatisfactory
white rook and bl�ck q ueen was 2 1 fg �xg4+ 22 �g2 (22 �h I
demanded exact calculation, but I 1:! xc3 and 23 . . . -'1.e4+ ) 22 . . .
sensed that the possible tactical �xg2+ 23 �xg2 -'1.h3+ ! 24
complications would be in Black's �xh3 ft xn 2S ft xn ft xc3,
favour. when White loses his bishop and
1 9 0-D come'S out two pawns down.
I t is difficult to say whether my 21 �xe3
opponent's nerve faltered, or 22 ft xc4 �xc4
whether he under-estimated For the queen Black has
Black's planned queen sacrifice, but sufficient malerial, and his posilion
by spending a tempo on the can be assessed as won. White has
completion of his development no way of opposing the pressure of
White ends up by force in a very the rooks on the f-file.
difficult position. He should have 23 �c l bS
tried his luck with 1 9 �e4, 2 4 1:! 1'2 1:! f7
although even here after 19 . . . 2S 'i!fgS ftr!8
i!i'd7 20 .£)xffi+ �xffi 2 1 0-D �bS 26 �bd2 .am
Black has the advantage. or course, for such a modest
19 . . . �c4! achievement as winning a pawn, it
20 g4 (38) was not worlh exchanging the
I t was on this tactical manoeuvre important while-squared bishop:
 Slimisch Variation 1 - tar!J . . . t5 51
26 . . . Axe4 27 �xe4 g xf3. on e4 by the flank attack . . . g4.
Black intends either to transfer 37 4)dc3 g4
the bishop via d8 to b6, or to wiq 38 fg Jtxg4
the f3 pawn under more favourable 39 ab ab
conditions: 27 �xf6+ § xf6 28 40 <3;g3 Jtf5
<3;g2 �xd2 29 g xd2 Jtb 1 3o !!1'2 4 1 <3;g2 <3;h8
.{tc4. The remainder of the game was
27 f:+"g3 1te7 preceded by adjournment analysis,
There is no need to hurry over which showed that White has no
the bishop manoeuvre. Black satisfactory defence.
intends to remind his opponent that 42 !!g3 Jtd4
he also has a weak d5 pawn. 43 h3 Jtg6
28 §e2 c£)b6 44 i!re2 g 817
29 c£)c3 Jtc8 45 i!+'e 1
30 §e3 � (5 White is obliged to await his
Of course, this is not played just fate.
for the one-move threats such as 3 1 45 . . . §715
. . . !!g5 or 3 1 . . . Jtg5. Black 46 �c l
combines his attacks on White's Or 46 4)xb5 !! xe4 47 �xe4
diiTerent weaknesses, and this is §1'2+ . No better is 46 i!re2 Jtxc3
more eiTective than the direct 30 47 c£)xc3 (47 !=t xc3 § xe4 48
. . . ltb7 3 1 !!d3. The white­ ftxe4 !!g5+ ) 47 . . . !!d4 48 � 1
squared bishop may yet be required !!d2 etc.
in the battle for the dominant 46 . . . Jtxc3
square e4. 47 4) xc3 §1'2+
3 1 4)de4 c£)c4 48 <3;g l 4)d2
32 !!d3 Jtd8 49 �a3
33 � · On 49 4)d 1 Black wins by 49 . . .
The threat was 33 . . . .{tb6+ an + so <3;h2 �f3+ 5 1 �2
and 34 . . . Jte3, winning the f3 �1+.
pawn. 49 . . . gn +
33 . . . !=tf4 50 <3;h2 4)£3+
34 a4 5 1 g xf3 g5xf3
White has no counter-play, but 52 �a8+ �7
he has to move something! 53 �c6 !! 1 12+
34 . . . ltb6+ 54 <3;g l !!c2
35 <3;g2 --'1.15 55 i!+'d7+ \th6
36 �e l g5 56 � · !!g3+
Planning to wcakcn White's hold White resigns
52 Samisch Variation I - tar(y . . ,5
.

8333 consideration) 1 2 g4 �b6 1 3 �d3

8 �d3 (39) �a6 1 4 �3 �xd3 1 5 �xd3
�d7 1 6 h4 J �c8 17 h5, and
39 White's �-side ·.initiative assumes
B menacing proportions, Tarjan­
Plachetka, Odessa 1 976.
9 cd
Now Black's usual plan is to
prepare the advance . . . f5, and this
can be done in two ways:
B333 1 9 . . . �h5
B3332 9 . . . �e8
According to analysis by
White immediately begins pre­ Polugayevsky, the plan where
parations for �-side castling. Black Black advances his �-side pawns is
usually aims for counter-play on the inadequate: 9 .a6 1 0 �e2
• •

�-side. �bd7 I I 0-{) �h5 1 2 �b l ! b5 1 3

8 ... cd b4 �b6 1 4 a4, and the weakness of
An interesting attempt to Black's c6 begins to make itself felt.
immediately begin �-side play by · Black similarly fails to equalize
8 . . . b5!? has been made in some by passively defending on the �­
recent games, but in none of them side, by trying to establish a knight
was the pawn sacrifice accepted, at c5: 9 • •aS 1 0 �e2 �fd7 II
•

and practice has yet to give an 0-{) �a6 1 2 a3 �c5 1 3 �c2 �d7
answer as to whether or not it is 1 4 .§ bI, and there is no defence
correct. On the whole, it suits Black against b2-b4.
if the sacrifice is declined: However, I consider that more
a) 9 dc bc 1 0 �xc4 �xc6 followed active piece play such as 9 �6
• . •

by . . . �e6, and White failed to 1 0 �e2 �d7 olfers Black better

gain any advantage, Knaak­ prospects: 1 1 �d2 �c5 1 2 �b5
Geller, Amsterdam 1 974. �aS 1 3 �xd7 �fxd7 1 4 .§ b 1
b) 9 �d2 be 10 �xc4 c5 II �e2, �a6, with counter-chances o n the
and now: weakened White squares.
bl) 11 . . �bd7 1 2 0-{) .§b8 1 3 83331
•

.§ab l �e8 1 4 a3 c£jb6 1 5 �d3 9 • . •

�5
c4!?, with equal chances, A. This is the sharper of the two
Petrosian-Kochiev, USSR 1 976. ways of preparing . . . f5. The
b2) 11 . • �fd7 ( this is weaker, drawback to this move is that the
•

but II �a6!? deserves knight is insecurely placed at h5,

 Siimi.sch Variation 1 - ear!J . . . e5 53
and this allows White to gain an . . e4: 1 6 �c2 ftg6 1 7 �h4 �d7,
.

advantage. and if 1 8 g4, then 18 . . . e4.

1 0 �ge2 f5 1 6 �c2 ftc8
I I ef gf 1 7 !!ac l
The experimental I I . . . �xf5?! With the idea of �b l and 4)d i'.
1 2 0 -{) �7 13 �e4 4)f4 1 4 4)2g3 ! 17 e4!?
<3i'h8 1 5 �c2 4)h6 1 6 ��3 cost 18 fe- fe
Black dearly in Pctrosian-Giigoril:, 1 9 �xe4! .£Jxe4
Milan 1 975, since White's piece 20 �xe4 �e5!
control of e4 gives him the Bad is 20 . . . He8 2 1 �h4 �4
advantage. 22 !!17!, with decisive threats.
1 2 't'fd2 2 1 ftM gxn+
After 1 2 0-Q �h8 1 3 f4 � 7 1 4 22 gxn �e8
� c I aG 1 5 Ah I rf1? Black stands no 23 4)f4!
worse, sine!." he has e5 for his pieces, I n addition to his extra pawn,·
Polugayevsky-Geller, Portoroz White has an attack, Portisch­
1 973. Giigoric, Milan 1 975.
12 . . . �7 B3337
1 3 o-o 4)dffi 9. . . �
1 4 �h i The safer method of preparing
I n Ragirov-Shiyanovsky, USSR . . . 15.
Team Ch 1 966, this position was 1 0 ftd2
reached by a different move order. The 'consistent' I 0 .£Jge2 �h6!
The game continued 1 4 �ac l �h8 allows Black immediate equality.
1 5 �h I �e 7 (threatening 1 6 . . . The exchange of bishops is
e4) 1 6 �5! �d7 1 7 �c2, with unfavourable for White, while after
advantage to White. II �l2 4)d7 12 0-Q f5 1 3 ef gf 1 4
14 . . . �h8 �h I 4)d ffi White is unable to
1 5 �5! �d7?! occupy the c-file, since Black
I n general it should be controls c l , Furman-Suetin, �F
mentioned that the positions after 9 24th USSR Ch, 1 956.
. . . �h5 are highly tactical, and it 10 . .
. f5
is in tactics that Black should look II ef
for his chances. The most direct The most accurate move order.
attempt 15 • • �a5, with an attack
• As evidence for this we can cite two
on the d5 pawn, is met by 16 a3, games between Polugaye\;'sky and
when 16 . . . �xd5? fails to 1 7 b4. Geller in 1 973. I n both cases White
But 15 �e8 deserves played I I 4Jge2, but in the second
consideratiorJ, preparing a possible game Black employed an innova-
54 Siimisch Vnriation / - tarly . . .
tion, I I . . . f1, and after 1 2 jtf2 4JaG
White was f(>rced to castle "t'f-side
(in the event of 1 3 0-{) Black would
be a hie to usc his pawn outpost at f4
to mount an altack on the king): 1 3
0-{)-{) Jl.d7 1 4 �b l , and now:
a) 14 . . . 4Jec7 1 5 4Jc 1 b6 1 6
.il.c2 f! f7 ! , with a n equal game,
Polugayevsky-Geller, 4 1 st USSR
.
Ch 1 973.
b) 14 . . . �c5?! (this premature
activity is weaker) 1 5 .il.b5! ..Q_xb5
1 6 �xb5 a6 1 7 4Ja3 f!c8, Savon­
A. Rrxlriguez, Ycrcvan 1 976, and
here White could have played 1 8
§c l b 5 1 9 b 4 �a4, when his rook
penetrates to c6.
II . . . gf
1 2 �c2 �a6
In Polugayevsky-Geller, Pet­
ropolis IZ 1 973 (the second of the
two games referred to above) I tried
12 0 0 4Jd 7, with the idea or
0 pawn is very strong) 22 . . . f.3 23 gf
massing Black's pieces on the �­
side: 1 3 0-{) �h8 1 4 §ac I �dffi 1 5
�h i �e7 1 6 �5 "t'rf7 1 7 �3,
and now instead of I 7 . . . f4, which
gave White somewhat the better
e5
game, Black could have playecl 1 7
. . . "t'rg6!?, securely defending his 15
pawn. . .,.
1 3 o-o. , 4Jc5
1 4 ..Q.c2 a5
1 5 b3
White is practically bound to
conduct his offensive in this slow
way, since the hasty 1 5 a3 allows a
pawn sacrifice: 1 5 . . . a4 1 6 .il.xc5
de 1 7 �xa4 b6 1 8 �c3 4Jd6, when
the black pieces take up comfort­
able posts.
15 ..Q_d 7
1 6 a3 b5
1 7 b4 ab
1 8 ab 4Ja4
The position reached is roughly
level. Now it would be wrong for
White to play 1 9 ..Q_xa4 ba 20 b5 f4!
2 1 -'1,12 e4 22 re (after 22 4Jxe4
-".,xb5 23 §a3 "t'ra5 Black's passed
-'th3 24 § fb I § xf.3, when the
game is rather in Black's favour.
Thus we can conclude that the
variation with 7 . . . c6 allows Black
sufficient counter-chances.
4 Samisch Variation I I - with . . . c5

In this chapter we consider plans 1 8 .Q.g5 � 1 9 �d6, with the

based on attacking the white centre threat of20 -'l,x15) 1 7 fg hg 1 8 -'l.g5
with . . . c5, at the same time '\ftf7 1 9 h4 �adS 20 �e l , Spassky­
attempting to increase the scope of Gheorghiu, Moscow 1 97 1 .
Black's fianchettoed bishop. b) 14 • •e6 1 5 -'\.d3 �6 1 6 -'l,e4
•

After: �c8 1 7 -'\.1'2, and again White has

I d4 c£)f6 an undisputed advantage.
2 c4 g6 6 .Q.e3
3 c£)c3 .Q.g7 Black has:
4 e4 d6 A 6 . . . c5
5 f.3 0-{) B 6 . . . 4)bd7
The immediate 5 . . . c5 6 de de 7 c 6 . . . b6
�xd8+ \frxdB 8 -'l,e3 c£)fd 7 9 A
c£)ge2 c£)c6 I 0 0-{)-{) b6 I I f4 -'l,b 7 6 • • • c5
1 2 g3 c£)a5 gives Black a somewhat This pawn sacrifice is a clever but
inferior position, lvkov-Udovi:ic, incorrect attempt to establish
Yugoslav Teams' Ch, Bled 1 963, control of d4 and increase the
and Gheorghiu-Fischer, Siegen power of the bishop at g7.
OL 1970. 7 de
But even stronger for White is 9 Black's idea justified itself after 7
0-0-0 b6 I 0 f4!, when the threat of c£)ge2 �6 8 de de 9 .Q.xc5 �a5!
developing the knight at f.3 and 1 0 .Q.e3 · �dB, Polugayevsky­
blocking out Black's King's Indian Dzhindzhihashvili, USSR . Cup,
bishop by e5 forces I 0 . . . -'l,xc3 I I Moscow 1 974.
be -'\.h 7 1 2 4)f.3 '\te8 (not 1 2 . . . 7 de
Jl.xe1?? 1 3 �5) 1 3 e5 -'l,xf.3 1 4 gf, 8 �xd8 � xd8
and now: 9 .Q.xc5 �6
a) 14 . .G 1 5 ef1 c£)xffi 1 6 15! 4)c6
. I 0 4)d5! ( 40)
(totally bad is 1 6 . . . gf 1 7 -'l,h3 e6 An innovation introduced by
56 Sii.misch Variation 1/ - with . . . c5
Karpov against Barle, Portoroz / Axd4 4j xd4 1 5 �e3 e 5 1 6 f4 ffi 1 7
Ljubljana 1 975, and stronger than fe fe 1 8 4Jf3 4jxf3 1 9 gf, when
10 4)ge2 4jd7 ! I I .Q.e3 4jde5 1 2 White's central protected passed
4jf4 4jb4!, when Black again had pawn-and the.'prospect. of two-is a
good play for his pieces, winning advantage.
Zaid-Ubilava, USSR 1 974. 1 4 .Q.a3 4je5
1 5 4je2 Ad2
1 6 Axe7
40 White has both a material and a
B positional advantage, since after 1 6
. . . �e8 1 7 Affi 4Jd3+ 1 8 �g3
Ae l + 1 9 � xe l 4J x e l 20 4jd4 the
black knight is lost.
B
6• • . 4jbd7
The basic move of this system
causes Black difficulties. The knight
at d7, although it enables him to
\<\1hite temporarily returns his play . . . cS, is badly placed. Firstly,
extra pawn. it blocks the c8-h3 diagonal of his
10 . . . 4jxd5 own bishop, and allows White to
After 10 . . . e6 II 4je7+ 4j xe7 develop his knight at h3, and
1 2 Axe7 �d7 13 .Q.a3 b6 1 4 4jh3! secondly, it does not create any
Aa6 1 5 .£!!2 �c8 16 �cl .Q.h6 1 7 pressure on d4, as would be the case
�c2 White maintains his material after . . . 4jc6.
advantage, and has the strong Now White has two main con­
threat of 1 8 e5. tinuations, depending on which
I I ('(I Axh2 side he wishes to castle:
After II . . b6 1 2 .Q.a3 4Jd4 1 3 B l 7 i!rd2
.

0-0-0 e6 1 4 4je2 4jb5 1 5 .Q.e7 B2 7 �h3

�d7 1 6 Ah4, Bronstein­ B l
Dvoretsky, USSR Zonal, Vilnius 7 i!rd2
1 975, White q uickly attained a won Gufeld's recommendation of 7
endgame: 1 6 . . . ed 1 7 4jf4 4jc7 1 8 ..Q.d3 cS 8 4Jge2 looks more logical,
4jxd:> 4jxd5 1 9 § xdS � xdS 20 hut then by 8 . . . cd 9 4jxd4 e6!
ed ..Q.b7 2 1 d6 ..Q.f8 22 d7. Black makes the central break . . .
12 � b l .Q.c3+ dS, after which he has no
1 3 �!2 b6 difficulties.
Also had is 1 3 . . . Ad4+ 1 4 7 ... c5

8 .[)ge2 a6
9 0--o--o
A highly committing decision,
since the white king becomes a
target for attack. Black can even
sacrifice his queen, when the
insecure position of the white king
compensates Rlack for the lost
material.
Two other continuations fail to
give White an advantage:
a) 9 E!dl �c7 10 �I cd I I -'1.xd4
<i)e5 12 b3 �a5! 13 <i)a4 (or 1 3
-'1c2 <i)c6 1 4 -'1e3 .[)g-4! ) 1 3 . . .
�xd2, with a quick draw, Poluga­
yevsky-Boleslavsky, 28th USSR
Ch Moscow 1 96 1 .
b) 9 de <i)xc5 1 0 <i)d4 followed by ·
-'1e2 and o--o loses White an
important tempo in comparison
with normal variations, when Black
himselfcaptures on d1. In addition,
the g7 bishop is activated, and its
pressure along the a l -h8 diagonal
enables Black to maintain the
balance.
However, the completely un­
explored continuation 9 d5!?
deserves consideration, and if9 . . .
<i)e5, then 1 0 � 1 , with a very·
complicated game.
9 ... �a5
1 0 �b l b5 (4/)
· 1 1 de
The immediate I I <i)d5 .£jxd5!?
1 2 �xa5 .£jxe3 1 3 E! c l (only 1 3
E!d3 afforded White chances of a
defence, attempting to hold the
square d4 at all costs, and not
Siimisch Variation // - with . . . c5 57
41
w
allowing the g7 bishop into the
attack) 1 3 . . . .£jxc4 1 4 Et xc4 be
1 5 � 1 l:!b8 1 6 -'1.xc4 .£jb6 1 7
-'1b3 A><d4 allowed Black, with
the material level, to obtain a verr,
strong attack, Bobotsov-Tal,
Student OL, Varna 1 958.
11 ... de
Forced, since the alternatives are
unattractive.
a) 1 1 . . . .£jxc5 · 1 2 .a_xc5! de 1 3
<i)d5 �xd2 1 4 .£jxe7+ , winning a
pawn.
b) 1 1 . . . b4 1 2 <i)d5 .£jxd5 1 3
�xd5! (not 1 3 cd .£jxc5 1 4 .£jd4
-'1d7, which in several games
quickly led to equality) 1 3 . . .
.£jxc5 1 4 � xa8 .a.h7 1 5 �a7 �c7
1 6 . -'1xc5 de 1 7 l:!d5!, and wins.
. 1 2 .£jd5 ( 42) {)xd5
13 �xa5 .£jxe3 ..:
14 l:!cl
In the event of 1 4 l:! xd 7 .a.xd7
15 �d2 (attacking two pieces) 1 5
. . . .£jxc4! ( 1 5 . . . {)xn 1 6 Et xn
Jte6 is also possi ble, with chances of
an attack) 1 6 �xd7 . !!adS 1 7
�xe7 E!d l + 1 8 .£lei ( 1 8 �2?
58 Siimisch Variation II - with . . . c5

42 43
B B

f!d2+ ) 1 8 . . . Ah6 1 9 .Q.xc4! knight to f2 . White is now free to

f! x h l 20 .Q.xl7+ ! f! x 17 White develop his �-side, and castle on
ha5 lo be content with perpetual that side. This plan assures White of
check: 2 1 'i'Yc8+ �g7 22 't':te5+ . a slight but stable advantage.
14 . . . c£) xc4 7 ... c5
Nczhmetdinov's recommend­ White also has the advantage
ation of 1 4 . . . c£)e5!? has not yet when Black avoids . . . c5: 7 . . . e5 8
received a practical lest. d5 4jc5 9 g4 (9 4jf2 is sounder) 9
1 5 f! xc4 be . . . c6 1 0 4jf2 cd I I cd 4:)e8 1 2
1 6 4:)c3 f!b8 �d2 f5 1 3 gf gf, and White stands
Weaker is 1 6 . . . c£)e5 I 7 .Q.e2 slightly better, Vorobets-Poluga­
.Q.e6 1 8 f!d l f!fb8 1 9 �c2, when yevsky, Burevestnik Ch, Yalta
there is no trace left of Black's 1 962.
a Hack. 8 d5 4:)e5
1 7 �c2 9 4:)f2 e6
In Zamikhovsky-Nezhmetdinov, 1 0 .Q.e2 ed
Kharkov ! F, 24th USSR Ch 1 956, I I cd a6
where this q ueen sacrifice first 1 2 o-o
occurred, Dlack seized the initiative Or 1 2 f4 c£)cd7 1 3 a1 �e7 1 1
after 1 7 .Q.xc4 c£)e5 1 8 .Q.e2 .Q.e6. i!fd2 4Je8 1 5 o-o f!b8 1 6 f!fe l f5
However, 1 7 �c2 similarly does 1 7 .Q.d3 �f6 1 8 f! ab l , with a slight
not alter the assessment: Black's advantage for White, Germek­
active piece play, with material Fischer, Bled 1 96 1 .
approximately level, allows us to 12 . . . b5
conclude that the sacrifice is 1 3 a4 b4
correct. 1 4 4jb l f!e8
B2 1 5 a5 .Q.b7
7 .[)h3 ( 4 3) 1 6 f!e l
With the idea of transferring the White stands slightly better,
 Siimisch Variation l/ - with . . . c5 59
Bromtein-Boleslavsky, 28th USSR C 1 7 . -. . a6
Ch 1 96 1 . C2 7 . . . �b7
c Cl
6 ... b6 ( 44) _ 7 • • a6
.

Black vacates a 7 for his rook.

This move used to give Black good
44 chances, until an improvement was
I I' found for White.
8 �e2
After 8 d5 c5 9 de � xc6 I 0
�e2 �e5 1 1 0-0 �b7 1 2 !!c l b5
1 3 cb � xd3 1 4 �xd3 ab 1 5 't!+'_xb5
�a6 16 't!+'b3 't!+'a5 Black had good
play for the pawn, Polugayevsky­
Geller, USSR Team Ch 1 960.
8 ... c5
One of the most modem 9 e5!
schemes. While preparing . . . c5, An improvement over 9 d5 e6 1 0
Black retains the possibility of 0 -0 ed 1 1 ed �bd7, Polugayevsky­
in c rt"as ing the pressure on d4 by . . . Gufeld, USSR 1 960.
�c6, and then the advance . . . e5 9 ... �fd7
will force White to determine the The alternatives are no better:
position in the centre. The a) 9 . . . de 1 0 de �fd7 1 1 �e4
drawbacks to Black's plan are i ts !!a7 1 2 f4.
slowness, which allows White to b) 9 • . � 1 0 ed � xd6 1 1 de be,
•

successfully complete his develop­ and now White is not obliged to

ment, and the weakening of the accept the pawn sacrifice, which
aS-h I diagonal. leads to complications: 1 2 .A,xc5
7 �d3 �7 1 3 �12 ctle5, Boleslavsky­
Bronstein's move. Earlier White Kapengut, Byelorussia Ch 1 968,
tried 7 �d2, 7 �e2 and 7 !!c l , but can restrict · himself to the
but i n each case Black gained quieter 1 2 0-0 �7 1 3 b3 .A,b7 1 4
satisfactory play by immediately !!c l , when the c 5 pawn causes
replying 7 . . . c5. But now this is Black a great deal of trouble,
impossible in view of s· e5! �e8 9 Holm-Tal, Skopje OL 1 972.
�e4, when White wins the 1 0 ed ed
exchange, Bronstein-Lutikov, 27th 1 1 0-0 4)<:6
USSR Ch 1 960. Black is therefore 1 2 �c2 .A,b7
forced to waste a further tempo: 1 3 i!+'d2 ctlf6
60 Siimisch Variation II - with . . c5
.
1 4 §.ad l
Black is faced with difficult
problems, Polugayevsky-Slein,
28th USSR Ch Moscow 1 96 1 .
C2
7 .
. • Jtb7
The position of the bishop on b 7
also leaves something to be desired,
since it runs up against a chain of
white pawns, and has no future on
the a8-h I diagonal.
8 �e2
Here again 8 .£)h3 deserves con­
sideration, with the idea after 8 . .
c5 9 d5 e6 1 0 0-0 cd of capturing
on d5 with the c-pawn, and
reinforcing e4 with the knight from
f2 .
I f Black, as in a similar instance
considered earlier, avoids . . . c5,
and develops by 8 . . .£\bd7 9 0-0
. Team Ch 1 964.
c5 10 d5 a5 I I i!fd2 .£)c5 1 2 Jte2
.£\h5, here too White's position is
preferable, Savon-Stein, 34th
USSR Ch 1 966 /67.
8 ... c5
9 d5
I n this way White forces Black to
modify his plans. But he can also
permit . . . e5, and must merely
take care, since in some cases Black
has the threat of. . . �4, atta�;king
d4:
a) 9 �d2 .£\c6 10 0-0 �4! I I fg cd
1 2 .£)xd4 .£)xd4 1 3 Jth6 .£\c6 1 4
§, f3 Jtc8 1 5 Jtxg7 'l\'xg7 1 6 §.h3
§.h8, and Black easily exploited his
opponent's numerous pawn weak­
nesses, Blagidze-Stein, Baku 1 964.
b) 9 0-0 .£\c6 (9 . . . e5 can hardly
be good here; White gains an
advantage in space by 10 d5, while
10 de de I I ,'4Jd5 .£\c6 1 2 a3
.£)d7-or 1 2 . . . .£\d4 1 3 b4- 1 3 i!rc2
§.e8 1 4 §.ab l also gives him an
undisputed advantage, Chernikov­
Petrosian, USSR Team Ch 1 966)
1 0 Jtc2! (parrying the threat of . . .
�4) 1 0 . . . e5 I I de de 1 2 �5,
and now:
b l ) 12 . •h6 1 3 Jth4 .£\d4 1 4
•
.£)d5, and now the queen sacrifice
. 1 4 . . . .£)xd5 1 5 Jtxd8 .£)e3 1 6
ifod3 !!axd8 1 7 �xe3 .£)xc2 1 8
i!rc3 .£\ x a l 1 9 !! xa l Jta6 proved
to be incorrect, and White quickly
realized his material advantage: 20
i!rc2! h5 2 1 i!ra4 !!d2 22 .£)c3 Jtc8
23 !!d I , Botvinnik-Stein, USSR
b2) 12 . . i!fxdl 1 3 !!fxd I .£)d4
•
14 .Q.a4, and White has a minimal,
but stable advantage, in the form of
the more active placing of his
bishops, and the possibility of i!f­
side play.
9 e6 ( 45)
Now White has two plans,
45
w

depending upon with which pawn
he recaptures on dS after . . . ed by
Black. We will consider:
C2 1 10 0-{) ed I I cd
C22 10 Jtgs ed I I ed
C21
10 0-0 ed
I I cd �bd7
1 2 ftb l
Also possible is the maximum
concentration ofheavy pieces in the
centre, by which White, firstly,
prevents Black's thematic . . . c4,
which frees cS for a knight, and,
secondly, prepares the break­
through with f4 and eS. E.g. 1 2
�g3 fte8 1 3 ft e l a6 1 4 a4 �eS I S
b3 .[)fd7 1 6 ft c l �xd3 1 7 i!fxd3
ftc8 18 f4, and Black's position
remains cramped.
12 �eS
1 3 b4 ct)fd7
14 be
The attempt to cramp Black
completely by 1 4 bS does not
succeed: 14 . . . �xd3 I S i!fxd3
ct)eS 16 i!+'c2 �c8, and by . . . 15
Black creates counter-play.
14 . . . ct)xc5
I S �c2!
This quiet reply, with the follow­
up .Q.d4, f4 and the exchange of
black-squared bishops, promises
White an advantage.
After the hasty I S �xeS de 16 f4.
on the other hand, Black gain�
counter-chances by 16 . . . c4!: 1 7
-'\.c2 ct)g4 1 8 i!td2 i!fd6 1 9 h3
i!;'cS+ 20 �h I .[)e3 2 1 ftr.3 �xc2
Samisch Variation /1- with . . . c5 6/
22 �xc2 f5 23 e5 a6! ( the
immediate 23 . . . �xd5?? loses to
24 ,§bS) 24 �a4 i!fxd5 25 ct)xb6
i!fe4, and Black's pair of bishops
compensates for White's superior
pawn formation.
C22
10 _Qg5 ( 46)
46
B
Intending to recapture on dS
with the e-pawn, White prevents
the manoeuvre . . . ct)e8-c7, with
the idea of. . . bS. But in doing so he
wastes an important tempo,
making a second move with an
already developed piece.
10 . . . ed
1 1 ed ct)bd7
1 2 b3
Preserving his d3 . bishop from
·
exchange, which would result after
1 2 0-{) 4:)eS.
12 . . . a6
1 3 a4
White pins his hopes on a �-side
auack, and therefore tries to
radically prevent . . . b5, even at
the cost of a weakening of his i!f­
�ide pawns.
62 Siimisch Variatio11 // - with . . c5
.

13 . .
. h6 fi le. He has no active counter-play,
Otherwise White plays �d2, when·as by h3, � 13, �an etc.
and firmly Seizes the C ) - h6 Whitl' can prepare an al lack on the
diagonal. �-side. · ,''.,

t 4 Ah4 Therefore we can recommend 1 4

Now the plausible 1 4 . . . �e8 1 5 . . . c£le5 1 5 Ac2 i!fd7!?, and, while
o -o i/fc7 1 6 i/fd2 �c7 1 7 f4 �ae8 threatening . . . b5, Black plays
(('ads lo an inf('rior posi tion fill' §al'll wi1h a sati�litrtory
Black, despite his control of th(' e- posi 1 ion.
5 Samisch Variation I I I - Alternatives

After: practice has shown that in this case

I d4 �ffi particular accuracy is required of
2 c4 g6 him, to avoid coming under an
3 �c3 Jl.g 7 attack. Two examples:
4 e4 d6 5 . . . 0-{) 6 �e3 c6 7 �d2 a6
5 13 ( here Black would do · better to
we consider two other important transpose into the system with 7 . . .
plans for Black: e5) 8 �h6 b5 9 o-o-o, and now:
A5 .c6 6. . . a6
. . . a) 9 ." be 1 0 h4 d5 1 1 h5 �xh6 1 2
• •

B5 .0-{) 6. . . . �c6
. . �xh6 g5 1 3 �h3 �xh3 1 4 gh
A �hB 15 !!g l !!gB 16 e5 4)e8 1 7
5 ... c6 (47) h4, and White · won easily,
Polugayevsky-Shiyanovsky, 28th
47 USSR Ch, Baku 196 1 .
II' b) 9 • • �e6 1 0 h 4 �xc4 II �xc4
•

The start of a plan, which is
direc ted in the fint instance against
the possibility of �-side castling by
White.
Black can also carry out this plan
aftrr fint castling himself, but
be 1 2 h5 �hB 1 3 hg fg 1 4 4)h3!
!!eB 1 5 �e2 e6 1 6 g4 4)bd7 1 7 f4
'i!ta5 1 8 f5 !!ab8 1 9 fg hg 20 e5, and
B lack ' s · . posttlon collapsed,
Averbakh -Petrosian, Moscow
1 96 1 .
6 jte3 a6 ( 48)
Here White has three possible
'
plans:
A I 7 c5!?
A2 7 'i!td2, intending 0-{)-{),
A3 7 Jl,d3, intending 0-Q.
If White attempts to prevent 7
. . . b5 by 7 a4, Black blocks the. i!t-
64 Siimi.rrh Vnrintion Ill - Altrrnnfit•rs
side hy 7 . . . aS, with chancel! of K orch noi - G heorg h i u , M osc ow
equalizing: 1 97 1 , when by 1 8 . . . ftc8 Black
a) 8 .£)ge2 .£ja6 9 .£jc l .£jd 7 1 0 could hav� · now prepared the
.£jb3 e S I I d S .£)deS 1 2 .£) xeS advance ofhis.�.pawn, �o as to have
.£) xeS, and Black has overcome all cS for his pieces.
hi� difficulties, Korchnoi-Byrne, 9 ... o-o
Hastings 1 97 1 /72. 10 4Jge2 .£jbd 7
b) 8 -'td3 .£la6 9 4Jge2 o-o 10 o-o I I 0-Q cS
eS I I 'i!rd2 .£jd7 12 .§ad I, Bobotsov­ The prophylactic I I . . . .§e8!?
Stein, Ukraine-Bulgaria, 'Odessa deserves consideration, although
1 968, and now by 1 2 . . . 'i!re 7 Black even then Whi te's position is better.
could have obtained a very sound 1 2 eS! 'i!re 7
posi tion. 1 2 . . . de is bad on account of 1 3
de fol lowed by .£je4 .
48 1 3 -'te4 .£jxe4
"' Or 1 3 . . . .§ b8 1 4 ed �xd6 I S
de , and although Black can win a
pawn, his position is lost.
1 4 .£j x e4 de
I S de -'tb7
1 6 .£jd6
White has a big advantage,
Bronstein-Podgayets, 42nd USSR
AI Ch ( 1 st L) 1 974.
7 cS!? A2
An interesting plan, whereby 7 'i!rd2 ( 49)
White exchanges his c-pawn for
Black's d-pawn, since bad is 7 . . . 49
de 8 d e , when Black's 'i!r-side is IJ
frm:en.
7 bS
8 cd ed
9 -'td3
White prepares to strike a blow
1 11t h e centre. This is an
impro\'ement on 9 a4 -'tb 7 1 0 .£jh3
o -o I I Ae2 .£jbd 7 1 2 0-o .§e8 1 3
�d2 b4 1 4 .£jd l aS I S .£jhrl cS I 6 White immediately prepares �­
d 5 Aa6 1 7 Axa6 .§ xa6 1 8 AgS, side castling.
 Siimisch Variation l/1 - Alternatives 65
7 ... b5 !!bB, but after 1 2 �d2 he
For the moment Black avoids committed an inaccuracy: 12 . . .
determining the position ofhis king, be?! (Correct was 1 2 . �b6!,
. •.

so as not to give his oppon_ent a with good counter-chances.) 1 3

target for attac-k: .a_xc4 �b4, and after 1 4 .a,b3 cS
If 1 . . o-o 8 h4 bS 9 hS ci)bd7
. 1 S {)ge2 o-o 1 6 h4 cd 1 7 �xd4
10 Ah6 Axh6 1 1 �xh6 �aS 1 2 ci)eS 1 8 hS he was clearly too l�te.
hg fg 1 3 �h3 �e8 1 4 �s �m 1 S 1 2 dS b4
cb ab 1 6 eS �b4 1 7 ·ef ef 1 8 �e4 1 3 �ce2 cd
frxb2 (or 1 8 . . . dS 19 o-o-o!, and 1 4 cd
wins) I !) Ac4+ ! be 20 o-o, with a A complex and double-edged
decisi\'e at tack for White, position has been reached..
Krogius-Ufimtsc\', !F 26th USSR A3
Ch 1 9S8. 7 .a,d3 (50)
8 o-o-o �as
The alternatives are weaker:
50
a) 8 . .0-0 9 �b I , and Black can
•

no longer play 9 . . . �aS on B

account of the typical blow 1 0
ci)dS.
b) 8 . .bc 9 Axc4 0-Q 10 h4 dS 1 1
•

Ab3 de 1 2 hS! ef 1 3 hg hg 1 4 Ah6!

fg I S �h4! 4Jg4 1 6 Axg7 �xg7
1 7 �xg2, with a winning attack,
Spassky-E\'ans, Varna OL 1 962.
9 �b 1 ci)bd7
1 0 .a,h6 This is a more promising plan for
Or 1 0 g4 � b8 I I h4 ci)b6 1 2 cS White, involving �-side castling.
'
b4 1 3 cb be 14 �xc3 frxb6 I S hS He a\·oids gi,·ing Btack a target for
0-{) 16 hg hg, and Black's fr-side attack, as in the case with �-side
play completely balances White's castling, and prepares to exploit the
<3;-side acti,· ity, Ghitescu ­ slowness of Black's plan.
Bednarski, Zinnowitz 1 964. 1 . . . o-o
10 . . . .a,xh6 7 . . . bS is bad on account of8 e5,
I I "t'Yxh6 eS which gives White a considerable
In a game between the same advantage:
players, Bucharest 1966, Bednarski a) 8 . de 9 de �8 1 0 f4 �6 1 1
• •

attempted to be the first to begin an �f3 .a,f5 1 2 .a,e2! 'i!r.xd I + 1 3

attack, along the b-file, with 1 1 . . . � xd l ffi 1 4 �4! fe I S fe o -o 1 6
66 Siimi.1rh Vnrinlirm Ill - A llrrnnlivts
0-0 4.:}17 1 7 4.J x l5 gf 1 8 e6 4.:}c5 1 9
g4, Spassky-Kavalck, San Juan
1 969. - Petrosian-Gligoric, San Antonio
b) 8 • • �fd7 9 f4 0-0 1 0 �1'3 �b6
• 1 972.
I I b3 �8d7, Portisch-Kavalek,
Wijk aan Zee 1 975.
8 .£)ge2 b5
Now White can either castle
immediately, or else defer it while
first completing the development of
his �-side:
A3 1 9 itd2
A32 9 0-0
The attempt to maintain control
of c4 by b2-b3 does not achieve
anything: 9 b3 �bd7 10 itd2 e5 I I
d5 cd 1 2 cd �h5 1 3 !!c l f5 1 4 efgf
1 5 �3 f4 1 6 �xh5 fe 1 7 �c2
i!rh4+ 18 �3 �c5, and thanks to
the tempo granted him ( the time
wasted by White on b2-b3) Black
has equal chances, Sokolsky­
Petrosian, Kiev ! F 25th USSR Ch
1 957.
A31
9 i!rd2 �bd7
1 0 !!ci
This move is directed against the
possibility of 10 . . . be I I jtxc4
�b6 1 2 jtb3 aS, on which there
follows 1 3 �a4, when the black
bishop cannot go to a(), while after
1 3 . . . jtd7 1 4 0-0 � xa4 1 5
-'txa4 c5 1 6 �r3 cd 1 7 jtxd4
!!b8 18 b3 White stands better.
10 . . . e5
I I d5 be
Weaker is I I . . . b4 1 2 � I c5
1 3 g4! h5 1 4 �1'2, when with the
centre completely blocked, White
t a k1·s llw i n i t iati\'1' on t he c;:Tt-sidc,
· .\
.
1 2 jtxc4
After 1 2 de cd 1 3 cd i!rxd7 1 4
�xd3 jtb7 th" threat of . . . d 5
plus his two bishops makes 81ark's
position at least equal.
12 . . . c5
Black has counter-play on the b­
file, while he can meet 1 3 g4 with
the approved manoeuvre 13 . . . h5
14 h3 �h7.
A32
9 o-o . �bd7
In the event of9 . . . be 10 jtxc4
.£)bd7 White plays I I !!c l , and in
view of the weakness of his c6 pawn
Blark ha s 110 tillll' to rarry out tht·
manoeuvre I I . . . .£)b6 1 2 jtb3 aS,
with the idea of . . . Aa6, in view of
the familiar move 1 3 �a4.
1 0 cb
Now on 10 !!cl Black replies 10
. . . e5, and after I I cb ab he
threatens 12 . . . b4 followed by . . .
!! xa2, while on I I d5 he has 1 1 . . .
be 1 2 -'txc4 4.Jb6, when 1 3 jtxb6
is not possible, since Black
recaptures with check.
If instead White plays 10 i!fd2,
Black has two possibilities:
a) 10 . . . e5 I I b3 ed 12 .£)xd4 .£)e5
1 3 !!ad l cS 1 4 �e2 -'te6, with
good counter-chances.
b) 10 . . . be (the sharper
alternative) I I jtxc4 �b6 1 2 jtb3
a5 1 3 �a4 �fd7 (the immediate 1 3

. . . .£ta6 is also possible) 1 4 �fc l
Aa6, and now:
h i ) 15 � xc6 Ab5 1 6 c£Jxb6
c£Jxb6 1 7 E!cc l a4 1 8 .Q.d·l 4)c4 1 9
�c3 c£Jxe3 2 0 �xe3 �b6, and
Black regains his pawn, maintain­
ing the balance.
b2) 15 c£!f4 c� 16 c£Jxb6 � xb6 1 7
c5 cd 1 8 .Q.xd4 �b4 1 9 �xb4 ab
20 c£Je6 fe 2 1 .Q.xe6+ l?1h8 22
.Q.xd7 de 23 .Q.cS e4 !-! ,
_
Vrancsic-Bednarski, Havana OL
1 966.
10 . . . ab
I I b4
In this way White paralyzes
Black's �-side pawns, and
prepares the advance a4.
II ... .Q.b7
Or I I . . . c£lb6 1 2 a4 ba 1 3 c£Jxa4
.Q.a6 1 4 c£Jb2 .Q.xd3 1 S �xd3 �c7
16 ·�b3 t+"b7 1 7 ftaS, with a mini­
mal advantage to White, Filip­
Bolbochan, Havana OL 1 966.
1 2 �d2 eS
1 3 E!fd I ed
1 4 c£Jxd4 c£leS
I S .Q.n c£lfd7
1 6 a4
White retains a certain advan­
tagr, Geller-Fischer, Havana 1 965.
B
5. • .
6 .Q.r3
This initiates the most modern
systrm of play for Black in the
King's I ndian Defence. I n the first
instance, it is directed against the
possibility of �-side castling by
Siimisch Variation III - Allemalives 67
White. While preparing the flank
blow . . . b5, Black at the same time
puts the square d4 under attack,
and in some cases can intrude on
there with his knight.
Interest in this variation started,
and it really began to be studied,
fol lowing Botvinnik-Smyslov,
Match (2) 1 958: 6 . . a6 7 .Q.d3
.
c£Jc6 8 c£Jge2 E! b8 9 a3 c£)d7 1 0
.Q.b l ! c£la5 1 1 .Q.a2 b5 1 2 cb ab 1 3
b4 �4 1 4 .Q.xc4 be, with the
better game for White, who has
securely reinforced his d4.
I t must be mentioned that Black
committed a serious inaccuracy in
his move order. After 6 -:;·� �6!
. .
White can no longer gain secure
control of d4, since 7 .Q.d3 is now
met by 7 . . . e5 8 d5 (if 8 �e2?,
then 8 . . . c£Jg4!) 8 . . . c£)d4.
51
w
- From the diagram position
White has tried three plans: a) a
direct attack on the king; b) play on
the �-side: c) the immediate
development of his l?1-side, to
prepare l?1-side castling.
These plans can be initiated by
68 Siimisch Variation III - Altemalives
one of two moves: a) 9 • h5?!, with the idea of
• •

8 1 7 �d2 delaying the opponent's offensive;

R2 7 c£lge2 after I 0 c£jge2 b5 I I .Q.h6 !! b8 1 2
Bl g4! be 1 3 � White had a very
7 �d2 a6 strong a t t a c k , G heorgh i u ­
We now consider: Westerinen, Torremolinos 1 974.
8 1 1 8 0-0-0 b) 9 . • e5!? (in our opinion, this
.

8 1 2 8 c£lg2! gives Dlack fair counter-chances)

Bll 1 0 d5 (if 1 0 c£lge2, then 10 . . . b5,
8 0-0-0 !!b8 · ( 52) and Black is the first to open lines
against the hostile king) I 0 . .
52
.

c£ld4 1 1 c£lge2 c5 1 2 de be 1 3
w
c£jxd4 ed 1 4 .Q.xd4 !!b8, and the
activity of mack's pieces com­
pensates for the sacrificed pawn;
thus on 15 .Q.e3 he has 15 . . . �a5,
and if 1 6 � xd6, then 1 6 . . .
!! xb2!, when 1 7 �xb2 fails to 1 7
. . . 4)xe4.
Now White has two ways of con­
Both sides have declared their tinuing his attack:
intentions. White intentionally B i l l 9 .Q.h6
leaves his �-side undeveloped, so B l l 2 9 h4
as to hinder Black's . . . b5 (it can B i l l
easily be carried out with the white 9 .Q.h6
knight at e2) . We should also point After this Black does not have to
out that in this specific instance 8 fear so much the closing of the
. . . !!b8 is the most logical move; centre by . . . e5 and d5, �ince he
after the opening of the b-file the gets rid of his bishop at g7, which is
rook must be ready for active play. very strong with the centre open,
Also possible, however, is the but extremely passive when it is
prophylactic move 8 . . . fte8, closed.
preserving the g7 bishop from 9 ... e5
exchange, and supporting the 9 . . . .Q.xh6! is in fact stronger,
counter . . . e5, which is essential in 1 0 �xh6, and only now 1 0 ... e5,
many instances. White, it is true, when Black diverts the white queen
can begin an immediate storm of from the centre, and obtains
the black king's position by 9 h4, dangerous counter-play on the i!f­
and now: side: 1 1 4)gc2 b5! 1 2 d5 c£ja5 1 3
 Siimisch Variation Ill - Allemalives 69
.£lg3, Averbakh-Bielczyk, Pol­ 1 5 h4 �h8
anica Zdroj 1 975; and now by 1 3 1 6 h5 �8
. . . c6!? Black could have opened 1 7 �d2 �5
all the lines against the white king. Black has a good game.
10 �e2 B112
If 10 d5, then 10 . . . .Q.xh6 I I 9 h4 e5
tf'xh6 �d4 1 2 �e2 c5 1 3 de 1 0 d5
�xc6, and on 14 c5 Black begins I fWhite does not wish to concede
an attack with 1 4 . . . tfoa5 1 5 cd d4, and plays 1 0 �e2, then after
Ac6 1 6 �b l b5. I 0 . . . b5 the game can transpose
10 . .
. b5! into the variation just considered:
I I d5 1 1 d5 4)a5 1 2 �3 b4 etc.
H ere I I h4? be 1 2 h5 allows 10 .•. . c£)d4
Black to reply 1 2 . . . �b4!, and Black has achieved one of his
after 1 3 <i)g3 cd! 14 ..Q.xg7 de 1 5 be basic aims. His pawn sacrifice is
·

�xg7 16 hg fg 1 7 e5 (if 1 7 cb, then perfectly correct.

1 7 . . . tfoe5 18 tf'd4 i!fe5, and 1 1 �e2 . c5! ( 53)
Black stands better) 1 7 . . . �xa2+
1 8 �xa2 �8, Black's king feels a 53
good deal more comfortable than w
White's. It should also be men­
tioned that with his bishop at d7
instead of his rook at b8, Black
would not have had this possi bility.
However, better for White is 1 1
..Q.xg7 �xg7, and only then 1 2 d5.
II ... �a5
1 2 <i)g3 b4!
In this way Black drives back the This sacrifice too is correct, since
white knight, and secures the lines are opened against the white
important square c5 for his knight king, and the b8 rook becomes very
The standard 1 2 . . . be is weaker active.
here: 1 3 h4 ..Q.xh6 1 4 �xh6 �8 1 2 de be
15 ..Q.e2 .Q.d7 1 6 �n �e 7 · 1 7 h5 g5 1 3 �xd4 ed
1 8 g4 f6 1 9 c£)d2, with the better 1 4 .Q.xd4 · .Q.e6
game for White, Gheorghiu­ . 1 5 h5
Pavlov, Bucharest 1 966. I n the event of 15 e5 Black makes
1 3 �b 1 .Q.xh6 a further sacrifice of the exchange•
1 4 _ �xh6 �b7 1 5 . . . de 1 6 .Q.xe5 �a5 1 7 .Q.xb8
70 Siimisch Variation Ill - Allemalives
1:! xb8, when his strong attack
compensates fully for the sacrificed
material: the bishop at g7 is worth a
rook!
IS . . . cS
1 6 Al2 .[:)xhS
1 7 g4 .£)f6
1 8 �xd6 c£)d7!
The exchange of queens, as in
Averbakh-Bogdanovic, · Titovo
Uzice 1 966, would be to White's
advantage.
1 9 �h2 h6
Black has excellent attacking
chances: 20 Ae I ( bad is 20 Ae3
i!faS 2 1 Axh6 §. xb2!) 20 . . .
i!faS 2 1 i!tc2 �b6, with mounting
threats.
Thus immediate �-side castling
by White gives his opponent a clear
target for counter-play. However,
as we have seen, Black must press
his counter-attack with utmost
energy.
B12
8 .£)ge2! (54)
54
B White now is I I �d2 or I I 't'fc3,
The most flexible system of
development, and the most
dangerous lor Black. White defends
d4, prepares Jl_h6, and at the same
time does riot. give his opponent a
target for cou titer-attack, as was the
case after the immediate 8 0-0-0.
Apart from an attack on the king,
he also leaves open the possibility of
the manoeuvre .[:)c l -b3, continu­
ing to hold d4 and allowing the
development of his n bishop (this
plan is considered in section B23) .
8 §. b8
9 h4
One of two possible con­
tinuations of the attack, both of
which are highly dangerous.
The alternative is 9 Ah6, and
now:
a) 9 • b5 1 0 h4 eS (Black is
• •
already obliged to make this
counter in the centre) I I Axg7
�xg7 1 2 hS, with very sharp play,
Bagirov-Gufeld, USSR Armed
Forces Ch 1 973.
b) 9 • •Axh6! 10 i!fxh6 e5!, and
•
Black exploits the removal of the
white queen from the centre to
obtain equal chances. Best for
maintaining control of d4, rather
than I I dS?! .£)d4!, Polugayevsky­
Westerinen, Sochi 1 974.
9 ... eS!
Here too 9 b5 is still possihlc,
• • .
but after 10 hS, 10 e5 is already
. • .
essential.
10 • be? instead is erroneous:
• .
I I hg fg 1 2 .£)f4 e6 (if 1 2 . . . .[:)aS,
then 1 3 d5!, fixing the weak white
 Samisch Variation III - Alltrnalivts 71
sq uares in Black's position) 1 3 to keep his king in the centre.
Jtxc4 d 5 1 4 -'tb3 ( 1 4 c£jc xd5 ed 1 5 Nevertheless, his attack is pretty
ed, hoping for 1 5 . . . c£jb4 1 6 d6+ dangerous.
�h8 1 7 c£!xg6 mate, fails to 1 5 . . . Black also has counter-play,
§,b4! ) , and now: associated with the advance of his
a) 14 . . c£ja5 1 5 e5 c£je8 1 6 g4!,
• �-side pawns: 10 b3 c5 (or 1 0 . . .
with a strong attack, Romanishin­ b5 I I c5 c6!?) I I g4 b5 1 2 {)g3 be
Tseshkovsky, USSR Z, Vilnius 1 3 be �b4, and in the event of 1 4
1 975. a 3 Black can go i n for a n exchange
b) 14 . . §. xb3 (hoping for
. sacrifice: 1 4 . . . .£)xc4 15 Jl.xc4
counter-play following this ex­ � xc4 16 �d3 �d4!?.
change sacrifice) 1 5 ab de 1 6 O-D-D Thus the direct attack on the
ef I 7 gf .£)a5 18 �h2 g5 19 .£)d3 black king, without �-side castling
.£)xb3+ , 20 �b l , and it is very by White, leads to an exceptionally
difficult for Black to maintain the sharp game with chances for both
balance, Razuvayev-Dorosh­ sides.
kevich, USSR Otborochnii 1 976. B2
We should also mention that the 7 c£!ge2
attempt to impede White's offen­ White immediately establishes
sive by 9 h5 gives White an
• . • control over d4, otherwise by . . . e5
advantage both after 1 0 Jl.h6 b5 I I Black can win the square for his
g4, and after 1 0 c£!d5!? b5 I I cb ab knight. The drawback to White's
1 2 �c l . plan is the fact that it is difficult for
1 0 d5 c£la5 (55) him to develop his �-side.
7 .
·

• . a6
55 We now consider three· possibil­
w ities for White:
B2 1 8 a3
822 8 � I
823 8 �d2
B21
. 8 a3
White can also begin preparing
an attack on the �-side by 8 Hb I ,
since Black cannot reply 8 . . b5: 9
.

An important position for the cb ab 1 0 .£)xb5 H xa2 I I .£)a3,

a�sessment of the variation. Having and the black roo� is trapped.
played h4, White cannot castle �­ .8 . . . Jl.d 7
side, and is practically forced 9 b4 ( 56)
72 Siimisch Varialion Ill - Allfmalil't'J
Here we can make an intermedi­
ate assessment. The black knights
are seriously restricted by the white
pawns, and although White's �­
side is still undeveloped, it is very
difficult for Black to utilize his lead
in development. He must aim to
open the position, but for the
moment there is practically no way
of doing this.
9 ''' �b8
Black's immediate problem is to
effect the advance . . . b5, and from
b8 the queen assists this.
After 9 e5 I 0 d5, the black
. . . it is also a waiting mo\·e. I ndeed,
knight has to retreat: I 0 . . c£)e 7,
. what is White to do?
and now:
a) 1 1 g3 c£)h5 1 2 �2 15 1 3 0-0 f4,
with advantage to Black, Szabo­
Bobotsov, Marianske Lazne 1 96 1 .
b) 1 1 g4! (this is much stronger) 1 1
. . . c£)e8 1 2 c£)c I 15 1 3 c£)b3 c6 1 4
gS! cd 1 5 cd �h8 1 6 �d2 c£)g7 1 7
0-0-0, and on the back two ranks
Black's pieces can hardly breathe,
Korchnoi-Stein, 3 1 st USSR Ch
1 964.
9 . . �e8, is, however, quite
. Finally, an attack on the �-side
good. Now White has to think
about developing his �-side:
a) 10 c£)cL The best plan: White
answers 10 ·: .\· e5 with I I d5 c£)d4
1 2 c£)b3.
b) 10 g3 ( this move weakens the
square f3, but 10 g4 is bad here in
view of combinations such as I 0 . . .
e5! I I d5 c£)d4 1 2 c£)xd4 ed 1 3
Axd4 Axg4!, and on 1 4 fg- 1 4 . . .
c£)xe4, winning) 10 . . . b5, and
now:
b l ) 1 1 c5 a5 1 2 � b l ab 1 3 ab dc 1 4
be b4 1 5 c£)d5 e5 1 6 c£)xf6+ i!fxf6,
and the weakness of f3 makes itself
felt.
b2) 11 cb ab 12 Ag2 (or 12 c£)xb5
c£)xb4) 1 2 ... e5 1 3 d5 c£)e7 1 4 0-0
c6 1 5 �d3 cd 1 6 ed i!fbB, with an
equal game, Spassky-Nezhmet­
dinov, 28th USSR Ch 1 96 1 .
1 0 �d2 �e8
In all such cases this move
enables Black to preserYe his King's
I ndian bishop from exchange. Here
1 1 b5 is unsatisfactory: I I . . .
c£)a5 1 2 c£)c I c5!, and Black seized
the initiative, Stepak-Jansa, Tel
Aviv OL 1 964.
The knight at e2 cannot leave its
post, being forced to guard d4: 1 1
c£)cl? e5 1 2 d5 c£)d4.
The rook at a I is . also tied to its
post, since it must defend the a3
pawn in the event of the a-file being
opened after . . . b5.

is parried by a pawn counter: 1 1 g4
b5 1 2 h4 h5!.
White is therefore practically
forced to choose I I g3, in order to
develop his king's bishop. But after
I I . . . bS 1 2 cS aS 1 3 !!b1 ab 1 4 ab
de I S be b4 1 6 {)ciS e6 Black has a
satisfactory game.
B22
8 .£lei
This move used to be played, but
it allows Black immediate counter­
play on the �-side.
8 ... eS
9 dS {)d 4
10 4Jb3 .£jxb3
1 1 ab
I n Spassk y-Korchnoi, Match
(7) 1 968, White tried 1 1 �xb3 cS!
12 de be 1 3 0-{)-{), when Black by
13 . . . �e7 could have prepared
. . . �e6 and . . . c5 with play on
the �-side. On 14 i!fa3 he has the
reply 14 . . . !!dB, and on 14 cS-1 4
. . . d S l S ed cd 1 6 4)xdS 4)xdS 1 7
�xdS !!b8, with chances of an
attack on the white king.
II . .. 4:\hS!
Here it would now be wrong to
play 1 1 . . . cS 1 2 b4! b6 1 3 bS,
when in Polugayevsky-Bobotsov,
Sofia 1 96 1 , White obtained a
stratf'gically won position: the i!f­
side, which is where White will
castle, is blocked, and after 13 . . .
aS 1 4 .£ja4 the weakness on b6 ties
the black rook to the square b8.
12 b4 f5
1 3 �s �ffi
Siimisch Variation III - Allematives 73
1 4' "@'d2 Ah4+
15 �1 fe
1 6 fe - �d7
The game is level, Milev-Tal,
Varna OL 1 962.
B23
8 �d2
White develops in similar fashion
to section A2, where he prC'parf'd a
direct attack on the black king.
Here his plan is to transfer his
knight from e2 tci b3, which enables
him to keep control of d4, and to
develop his n bishop.
8 ... !!b8
9 .£\c l
Now, following the development
of the white queen to a more active
postuon, this move is completely
justified. There are two altern­
atives:
9 a4?1 This attempt to take the'
initiative on the �-side does n�t
achieve anything for White: 9 . . .
eS 1 0 �S .£)aS II .£\c l cS 1 2 !! b l
b6 1 3 b4 cb 1 4 !! xb4 4)d7 I S �e2
.£\cS (weaker is l S . . . �c7,
Zilber-Liavdansky, Mogilover
District 1 963; the black queen is
needed on the �side) 1 6 0-{) f5,
and Black has counter-play,
Gligorit-Gu feld, Yugoslavia­
USSR 1 974.
9 �dl. Apparently this is a
logical move: before playing �I
White centralizes his rook, but in
fact it comes out as a mixing up of
two plans-an attack on the black
king, and the seizure of the
74 Siimisch Variation 1/I - A ltematives
initiative on the i!f-side. After 9 . . .
b5 1 0 4Jc l be I I _Q_xc4 e5 1 2 d5
4)d4 1 3 o-o 4Jd7 14 4J l e2 f5 1 5
4Jxd4 ed 1 6 _Q_xd4 _Q_xd4+ 1 7
i!fxd4 � x b2 Black equalized
easily, Gligoric-Ciocaltea, Varna
OL 1962.
9 ... e5
10 d5
White can also agree I� a pawn
exchange in the centre afier I 0
.£lb3 ed I I .£lxd4, which leads to a
quieter game with a slight
advantage to White. Black should
continue his attack on the centre
with . . . b5 and . . f5: . knight to b3.
a) 1 1 . .£Jxd4 1 2 _Q_xd4 _Q_e6 1 3
. o
Ae2, and now:
a l ) 130 0c5 1 4 _Q_e3 .£le8 1 5 o-o
0 In this way White creates
i!fa5 16 f4 f5 1 7 er gr 18 �ac l b5,
Yudovich-Sarink, 7th Corres OL
1974-76.
a2) 13 0 c6 14 o-o b5 15 b3.
0 0
b) 11 0 0_Q_d7 12 Jte2 .£lh5 1 3
0 him merely to combine counter­
.£Jxc6 be 1 4 o -o c5 1 5 �ab1 Jtc6
1 6 4)d5, Petrosian-Fischer, Cur­
a�ao C 1962.
c) 1 1 . 4)e5 1 2 _Q_e2 c6 1 3 �d l
o o
b5 1 4 cb ab 1 5 b4 _Q_d7 1 6 o-o.
In all these cases White has
slightly the more comfortable
game.
10 4Jd4 ( 57)
The basic position or this
variation. White can exchange off
the black knight while developing
another piece by I I .£l l e2 4Jxe2
1 2 _Q_xe2, but then 1 2 . . . .£lh5 1 3
o -o f5 leads to a classical position
57
w
with mutual flank attacks, where
each side has his own play.
Therefore it is more logical to
continue the transference or the
I I .£lb3 c£Jxb3
1 2 ab
additional preconditions for his "l!r­
side offensive. But Black also has
counter-play, on the opposite side
of the board, and it is important for
attack with prophylaxis
12 . . . c5!
12 o o c£le8 is passive: 1 3 b4 f5 1 4
o
c 5 4)ffi 1 5 _Q_d3 re 1 6 4Jxe4 4Jxe4
1 7 _Q_xe4 i!fh4+ 18 i!rf2, with advan­
tage to White, Polugayevsky­
Szabo, Mar Del Plata 1 962.
12 o c£lh5 is over-hasty: 1 3
o o
Ae2 f5 1 4 o -o r4 1 5 Af2 � r7 1 6 b4
_Q_I8 1 7 c5 g5 1 8 b5 ab 19 cd _Q_xd6
20 4Jxb5, and.White's attack is
clearly ahead ofhis opponent's; e.g.
20 . . . c£Jffi 2 1 4)xd6 cd 22 i'rb4 b6
(the threat was 23 · _Q_a7 �aS 24
_Q_b6) 23 �rc I , and the intrusion of
 SiimiJrll J "ariation Ill - Altrmatius
the rook at c6 cannot be prevented.
Therefore Black's strongest is the
prophylactic text move:
1 3 b4
I t is illogical to play 13 g4 �e8
(also possible is 1 3 . . . h5 1 4 h3
�h7 15 gh �h4+ 16 �12
�· x l2 + ! ) 11 h1 15, when White can
achie,· e nothing on the �-side.
After 13 -'l.g5 Black gains
sullicicnt counter- play by 1 3 . . .
trr7!, but not 1 3 . . . i!fb6? 1 4 g4
�xb3 1 5 h4 b5 1 6 cb ab 1 7 §a3
frh4 18 h5 §b7 19 §a6 c4 20
Ac·3, with a big ad\'antage for
\\'hi tc, Ku1.min-Vasyuko\', 33rd
USSR Ch 1 965.
13 . . . cb
1 4 .£)a4 b5
1 5 cb ab
1 6 �xb4 �e8
1 6 . . . �xe4 does not work: 1 7 fe
trh4+ 1 8 �d2 .a_h6 1 9 Jtxh6
'tfxh6+ 20 �r2 ba 2 1 'tfxb8 Ag4
22 'frb4 §c8+ 23 �b I , and \\'hite
75
won, Gheorghiu-Vasyukov, Hast- ·
ings 1 965 /66.
But Black has no need to sac­
rifice: . he gains good chances both
by the move played, and by 1 6 . . .
�h5 1 7 �c3 15.
1 7 �3 Ah6!
By this familiar tactical device
( 1 8 .a_xh6 �h4+ ) Black secures an
active post for his queen.
18 .a.f2 i!fg5
1 9 !!d l .a_d7
Black has a promising position.
White can develop his king's bishop
only by playing 20 h4 �e7 2 1 g4
�7 22 g5 Ag7 23 .a_e2, but then
the undermining move 23 . . . ffi
gives Black excellent attacking
chances. · ·• ·
• :
Thus the inevitable conclusion is
that White does best to be satisfied
with a small advantage in the
variation with 10 �b3 , rather than
expect a mistake in the variation
where he closes the centre by 1 0 d5.
6 Classical 1 : Introduction
and 6 .ilg4 . . .

1 d4 c£lf6 b) 9 . c£Jxd5 10 cd c6 1 1 J.c4,

• •

2 c4 g6 with two possibilities:

3 �3 ..Q.g7 bl) 11 cd 1 2 Jtxd5 �c6 1 3
. • .

4 e4 d6 Jtxc6 be 1 4 0-0 f5 1 5 �fc l a5 1 6

5 �f3 0-{) �c5 a4 1 7 E!,ac I , with strong 'i!f­
6 Jte2 (58) side pressure, Larsen-Hubner,
I n passing, we must mention Leningrad IZ 1 973.
here the move 6 Jte3, brought into b2) 11 b5 12 Ab3 Ab7 13 !!c l
. • .

practice by Larsen. a5 (after 1 3 . . . cd 1 4 �c7 �d7 1 5

White does not consider 6 . •
�g4 to be dangerous, since after 7
..Q.g5! h6 8 -'th4c5 9d5a6 1 0 a4 �7
1 1 Jte2 c£lgf6 1 2 �2 �b6 1 3 i:lfc2,
• !! xb7 � xb7 1 6 Axd5 White
wins) 14 a3!, and it is difficult for
Black to untangle his 't!t-side pieces.
c) 9 . �d7! 1 0 0-{)-{) ( I 0 c£Jxe5?
. .

it is very difficult for Black to find a loses to 1 0 . . . c£Jxd5 1 1 �xd7

reasonable set-up for his pieces, �xe3.), when two moves deserve
Larsen-Ardiansjah, Manila 1 973. consideration:
Better is 6 • e5 7 de (White has
• . c l ) 10 c6!? 1 1 �7 � xc7 1 2
• • •

essentially no choice, and is obliged !!dB+ .am 1 3 Jtc5 �fd7 1 4 Jtd6

to exchange, since 7 d5 c£Jg4 allows �a6 1 5 c5 �axc5 1 6 Jtxc7 �e6
Black to begin active plaY. on the ( 1 . Zaitsev).
�-side) 7 . . . de 8 "tlfxd8 � xd8 9 c2) 10 �c6 1 1 Ad3 c£lg4 12
. . .

c£ld5 (on 9 �xe5 Black has the Jtc5 �4, and in Tal-Giigoric, C
familiar counter-blow 9 Match, 1 968, a draw was agreed,
�xe4) , and now: since in Tal's opinion Black even
a) 9 . . �e8? 10 0-{)-{) �d7 ( 1 1
• has slightly the more pleasant
�e7+ was threatened) 1 1 Jte2 c6 position.
1 2 �c3 f6 1 3 c5, with advantage to White plays the opening in full
White, Larsen-Miagmarsuren, accordance with classical prin­
Soussc IZ 1 967. ciples. He sets up a broad pawn
 Classical 1: Introduction and 6 . . �4
511
II
centre, and without delay develops
his <l;-side pieces, preparing �-side
castling. His plans include, in the
main, artive play in the centre and
on the i'r-side. I n the centre it is
advantageous for White to main­
tain the tension for as long as
possible, since this makes it difficult
ror his opponent to develop his �­
side and to creaJe counter-play.
At this point we will consider two
main plans for Black. He can either
attempt to put pressure on White's
centre with his pieces by 6 . . . ,a.g4
or immediately strike at it with 6
. . . e5, as considered in the next
five chapters.
6 ... ,a.g4 (59)
Black wishes to exchange orr the
59
I I'
. 77
knight at f3, and thus increase the
pressure on d4. A t the same time he
solves the problem of the develop­
ment of his �-side.
I t should be mentioned that i t is
unfavourable for Black to begin an
attack on d4 by 6 . . . �6, which is
met by the natural 7 d5 (7 h3,
preventing the development of the
bishop at g4, is also possible), and
now:
a) 7 • • 4)e5 8 4)xe5 de 9 0-0,
•
with two examples:
al) 9 • e6 10 .a_e3 cd I I cd 4)e8
• .
1 2 �c l b6 1 3 4)b5 ,a.d7 1 4 f3 rs 1 5
�b3, and White's �-side initiative
becomes threatening, Wirthen­
sohn-Kraidman, Nice OL 1 974.
a2) 9 . c6 l 0 ,a.g5! h6 II .a_e3
. .
�c7 1 2 �d2 �h7 1 3 f3 4)e8 1 4
!! ad l ,a.d 7 1 5 b4, and Black is very
cramped, Kluger-Sax, Hungary
1 972.
b) 7 • 4)b4 ( this is similarly
. •
insufficient, since White gains a
considerable lead in development)
8 0-0 ,a.g4 9 .a_e3 c5 ( l 0 a3 4)a6 I I
b4 was threatened) 1 0 h3 .a_xf3 I I
.a_xf3 4)a6 1 2 �d2, intending
,a.h6, Dorfman-Karasev, USSR
1 975.
c) 7 . 4)b8, again with two
• .
examples:
c l ) 8 h3 (starting an immediate
attack on the king) 8 . . . e5 9 g4 c6
1 0 ,a.e3 cd I I cd a6 1 2 4)d2 b5 1 3
M, Furman-Milic, USSR-Yugo­
slavia 1 957.
c2) 8 o-o c6 9 �c2 (White vacates
78 Classical 1: Introduction and 6 . . . �4
d I for his rook, although he can also For the moment White avoids
gain an advantage by 9 .itg5 h6 1 0 determining the position of his
..Q.h4 ed I I cd f!e8 1 2 c£)d 2 c6 1 3 black-squareQ bishop, and keeps
f!c l a6 1 4 Ag 3 cd 1 5 ed, with the open the poss i bility in some cases of
threat of 16 .f:lc4, Toran-Wester­ playing Ag5.
inen, Malaga 1 967) 9 . . . c6 1 0 de 7 ... <£lfd7
..Q.xe6 I I f!d l �e7 1 2 ..Q.f4 f!d8 In the event of 7 . . . c5 R d5 we
13 f!d2, and Black is tied to the reach a position from the Benoni
defence of his d6 pawn, Schmid­ Defence, which does not come
Wcsterinen, Havana 1 967. · within the bounds of our analysis.
We now consider two mam We will merely remark that here
continuations for White: the development of the bishop at g4
A 7 0--{) is a loss of time.
B 7 _ite3 8 _itc3
By playing 7 h3 White essentially Forced, in view of the familiar
falls in with his opponent's threat of . . . �c6, . . . e5 and . . .·

intentions; after 7 . . . _itxl3 8 �4. Therefore White docs bette

.Q.x13 �fd7 the threat of9 . . . �c6 to play this move before castling, as
1 0 Ae3 e5 I I d5 �4 forces White in section A2.
to advance 9 d5 (9 Ae3 �c6 I 0 d5 8 ... .f:lc6
.f:la5 gives Black a tempo, and the White has a clear advantage
c4 pawn is not easily defended), after 8 • _itxf3?! 9 _itxf3 c5 I 0 d5
• •

and now: , f5 I I f! b l followed by b2-b4,

a) 9 . �b6 (this �-side play is Simagin-Gufeld, USSR Teams Ch
. .

less convincing than Black's other 1 960.

alternative) 10 Ae2 �d7 I I Ad2 The preparation of . . . .f:lc6 by 8
a5 1 2 0--{) a4 1 3 �c2 c6 1 4 f!ac l . •e6 is also too slow: after 9 �e I
•

.f:lc5 1 5 f!fd I , and White is fully ..Q.xe2 I 0 �xe2 �c6 I I i!td2 e5 1 2

prepared for the opening of lines, d5 .f:ld4 1 3 �c2 .f:lxc2 1 4 i!txc2 f5
whereas Black has some weak­ 1 5 13 f!f7 1 6 IJ4 ..Q.ffi 1 7 f!ac l
nesses, Doda-Um:ickcr, Leningrad White seized the initiative in
1 960. Donner-Botvinnik, Leiden 1 970.
b) 9 • .f:la6 1 0 ..Q.d2 �ac5 I I 0--{)
• . 9 <£le I
a5 12 f!c I e5, followed by . . . f5, 9 d5 ..Q.xf3 1 0 ..Q.xf3 ciJa5 should
with complete e<]uality, Shcr­ also lead to a slight advantage for
Kochicv, USSR Young Masters Ch White:
1 976. a) I I i'ta4?! _itxc3! 1 2 be b6 1 3
A Ae2 e5 1 4 g3 <£lc5 1 5 i!tc2 i'td 7,
7 0-0 and Black, who has won several
 ClaJsical 1: Introduction and 6 . . . Ag4 79
tempi, stands better, Hamann..:
Geller, Copenhagen 1960.
b) 11 Ae2 Axc3 1 2 b� e5, and
now:
b l ) 13 g3 (this preparation for f4 is
too slow) 1 3 . . . Ete8 14 i!ra4 b6 1 5
§ae l c£)c5 1 6 �c2 �d7 1 7 Jtg5
�a4, with an attack on the weak
�-side pawns, Mack-Kochiev,
Junior World Ch, Manila 1 974.
b) 13 de fe 14 f4 i!Ye7 15 i!Ya4 b6,
Cuellar-Tal, Leningrad IZ 1 973, .Q.xc3, when although White has
and now instead of 16 Etae l c£)b7 some advantage i n the form of the
1 7 Al3 c£)bc5 1 8 �c2 Etae8 with two bishops, Black can hope for an
advantage to Black, White should attack on the weak 'i!f'-side pawns.
continue 1 6 Etf2! followed by Etafl This possibility is considered in the
with attacking chances. note to White's 9th move in section
9 ... .Q.xe2 A.
1 0 c£)xe2 e5 White also has the curious
Black lost a pawn after 1 0 . ·. . manoeuvre 8 �1, with the idea of
c£)a5?! I I Etc l c5 1 2 c£)d3 �b6? 1 3 reinforcing his d4 square after 8 . • •

d r d e 1 4 b4 i n Simagin-Buslaev, �xe2 9 � xe2,. and now:

Moscow 1 96 1 . a) 9 • cS (this is dubious) 1 0 0-Q
• •

I I d5 c£)e7 c£)c6 1 1 d5 c£)a5 1 2 b3, and Black

Now after 1 2 c£)d3 f5 1 3 f.3 .£)10 does not succeed in carrying out the
14 c£)c3 f4 1 5 .Q.f2 g5 1 6 c5 c£)g6 1 7 thematic . . . b5, e.g. 12 a6 13
. • •

Et c l Etf7 1 8 "i!Yb3, Kagan-Szabo, �b 1 , with the alternatives:

Winnipeg 1 967, White's i!Y-side a 1 ) 13 c£)f6 1 4 i!Yd3 �4 1 5
. . .

initiative is the more dangerous, Jtg5 c£)e5 1 6 i!Yh3 Ete8 1 7 f4, when
e.g. IR . . . b6 19 cd cd 20 c£)e2 g4 White also seized the initiative on
2 1 Etc6. the �-side, Birnboim-Dzhindz­
B hihashvili, Netanya, 1 977.
7 .Q.e3 c£)fd7 a2) i 3 . . �b8 1 4 a4 e5,
· .

Again Black consistently m­ I vkov:...Szabo, Amsterdam 1 972,

creascs the pressure on d4. and after 1 5 1'rd3 White threatens
8 Et c l (60) to break with b3-b4.
The point of this move is to avoid b) 9 • eS 1 0 d5 f5 1 1 f.3 �h6!,
• •

the possible variation 8 0-0 c£)c6 9 with a double-edged game with

d5 .Q.xf.3_ 10 Jtxf.3 c£)a5 1 1 Ae2 approximately equal chances, since
80 Classical 1: Introduction and 6 . . . �4
White is forced either to concede 1 0 h3 Jtxf3 I I Axf3 c£ja6 1 2 h4
the c l -h6 diagonal, or to agree to ( 1 2 g4 is answered by 1 2 . . . Affi!
the exchange of his strong bishop. 1 3 �d2 Ah�) 1 2 . . . f5 1 3 h5, but
I t should also be mentioned that after 13 . . . c£jb4! 14 hg hg 15 f! b l
8 h3 Axf3 9 Jtxf3 4Jc6 I 0 d5 �a5 (on 1 5 a 3 Black h as prepared 1 5 . . .
I I Ae2 Jtxc3 gives Black a posi­ f4!) 1 5 . . . c£jc5 1 6 a3 c£jbd3+ 1 7
tion similar to one considered � a4 1 8 Ae2 f4! a double-edged
earlier, but with an extra tempo. position was reached which most
8 ... e5 probably favoured Black.
9 d5 10 . . . c£ja6
Here too White can consider the I I a3
manoeuvre 9 � I !? ed I 0 Axd4 White consistently prepares an
Jtxe2 I I �xe2, and now: attack on the �-side. He can also
a) 1 1 • c£je5?! (an attempt to carry out this plan while preserving
• .

avoid the exchange of bishops) 1 2 his knight at f3 from exchange, by

c£jd5! c£jbc6 1 3 Ac3, and i n view of playing I I c£ld2 or I I c£le I , but this
the threat of f2-f4 Black found does not bring him any particular
himself in a difficult position, benefit.
Kluger-Kelecevic, Pazardzik 1 977. II .. . f5
b) 11 • .4)c6 1 2 Jtxg7 �xg7 1 3
• 1 2 f!b l
0-0 4)ffi 1 4 4)[4, with a slight but Here 1 2 �5 is not so good, since
penistent advantage for White. after 1 2 . . . f4 1 3 Jtxg4 �xg5 1 4
9 ... a5 Ad2 c£ldc5 Black's queen occupies
Black prepares a post for his an active post at g5, and he
knight at c5. threatens 15 . . . a4.
If immediately 9 f5, then 1 0
. . • 12 Jtxf3
c£lg5 f4 I I Jtxg4 �xg5 1 2 h4! 1 3 Axf3 4)ac5
�e7 1 3 Ad2, and White's light­ 14 b4 ab
squared bishop becomes very 15 ab c£jxe4
strong (his subsequent plan will be 16 Axe4
�fl -g l , g3 and �g2) . White also retains a slight
After 9 A x f3 1 0 A x f3 f5 I I advantage after 16 c£jxe4 fe 1 7
. • •

b4! c£jffi 1 2 c5 White's initiatiye A><e4, Petrosian-Bednarski, Tel

develops more quickly, Taimanov­ Aviv OL 1 964.
Bielicki, Havana 1 964. 16 . . . fe
1 0 0-0 1 7 4) xe4
In Kavalek-Westerinen, Na- This is the simplest, and also the
tanja 1 969, White himself attemp- strongest move.
1
ted to open lines on the �-side by Black's defence is easier after 1 7
 Classical 1: lnlrodw:lion. and 6 . . . .Q.g4 8/
c5 �16 1 8 ..a,gs �d7, Velikovsky- advantage. Black has merely the
Doroshkevich, USSR 1 976. unpleasant prospect offighting for a
But now White's control ofe4 ( 1 7 draw. -
. . . .£)16 is not good in view of 1 8 Thus piece pressure on White's
�5) and the imminent possibility centre does not enable Black to
of c4-c5 give him a clear equalize or to gain counter-play.
7 Classical I I : 7 d5 Various

I d4 c£!16 centre, White determines the

2 c4 g6 subsequent course of the game. The
3 c£lc3 .Q.g7 pawn structure dictates that he
4 e4 d6 attack on the �-side, whereas
5 c£!11 o--o Black must seek counter-play on the
6 -'l,e2 e5 (61) opposite side of the board.
I t must, however, be mentioned
61 that Black can consider such an
II' early stabilization of the centre to
be something of an achievement on
his part. He gains the opportunity
to occupy temporarily the square
c5, which hinders White's �-side
offensive, and also to prepare the
traditional counter-play with . . .

f5.
At this point we consider two
The basic positiOn of the main continuations for Black:
Classical System. White now has A 7 . . . c£)bd7
three possible plans; he can block B 7 . . . aS
the centre with 7 d5 as in this and I mmediate attempts to carry out
the next chapter, exchange pawns . . . f5 are somewhat premature,
as in var. A of Chapter 9, or viz.:
maintain the central tension with 7 a) 7 • • c£le8. This passive move
.

-'\.e3 (var. B, Chapter 9) or more allows White to gain the advantage

commonly 7 o--o (Chapters 1 0 and on the �-side after 8 h4! f5, and
I I). now:
7 d5 a ! ) 9 Ag5 -'\.16 1 0 ef gf I I �d2
By immediately blocking the c£)c7 1 2 o--o--o c5 1 3 Etdg l e4 1 4

.£jh2 jtxgS 1 S hg .£jeS 1 6 f4 ef 1 7
.£jxf3, Petrosian-Aronson,, 24th
USSR Ch 1 9S7.
a2) 9 hS f4 1 0 hg hg 1 1 g3 -�7 1 2
jtd2 �e7 1 3 �c2 .£jef6 1 4 0-0-0,
again with an attack for White,
Gl igorit -Bogdanovit, Titovo
Uzice 1 966.
b) 7 • . .£Jh5 8 g3! ( taking away f4
• In this case we reach a position
from the knight), and:
b 1 ) 8 . . . f5?1 9 ef �ffi (bad is 9 . . .
gf 10 .£Jxe5, or 9 . . . .Q.xf5 1 0
.£jgS) 1 0 .£Jg5! � x f5 1 1 0 -0 .£jf6
1 2 13 , when White establishes
control over e4, and gains the
advantage, Petrosian-1. Zaitsev,
Moscow Team Ch 1 966.
b2) 8 • 4Jd7 9 .Q.gs �ffi 1 0 h3
. •
c5 I I �h4 �aS 12 .Q.d2 a6 1 3 �c2
�c7 1 4 .£Jg2 .Q.d7 1 5 g4 �f4 1 6
.£jxf4 ef 1 7 .Q.xf4, with an extra
pawn for White, Hort-Visier, Las
Palmas 1 97S.
b3) 8 • c£)&6, with two examples:
• •
b3 1 ) 9 4Jd2 �ffi 10 h4 c6 1 1 �b3
�7 1 2 .Q.gs cd 1 3 cd h6 1 4 Axf6
�xffi IS Ag4, and White's minor
pieces arc clearly stronger than
t h e i r b l a c k c o u n t e rpa rts,
Pctrosian-Gufeld, 27th USSR Ch
1 960.
b32) 9 0-0 f5 10 ef Axf5 1 1 �5
.£jf6 1 2 f3 �e 7 1 3 .£Jge4, and
White's control of e4 again gives
him the advantage, Sofrevski­
Vogt, Varna 1 972.
c) 7 . . h6, intended to prevent the
. tives; 8 0-0, dealt with in this
'Petrosian' development of .Q.gS, is
not s�cessful; after 8 �2 .£jbd7 9
Classical II: 7 d5 Various 83
g4 aS 1 0 .£jn .£lcS 1 1 �3 c6 1 2
.Q.e3 .Q.d7 1 3 13 a4 1 4 �d2, Keene­
Westerinen, Berlin 1 9 7 1 , White
had attacking chances against
Black's weakened �-side.
d) We should mention in passi ng
that Black can also resort to the
blockade of the �-side by 7 • •cS.•
from the Benoni Defence, I d4 �
2 c4 c5 3 dS eS 4 4)c3 d6 5 e4 g6 .6
.Q.e2 .Q.g7 7 .£jf3 0-0. As examples
we will merely give 8 .Q.gS h6 and
now:
d l ) 9 .Q.d2 .£jh5 10 �c l Cith7 1 1 h4
.£jf4 1 2 .Q.xf4 ef 1 3 �xf4 f5 1 4
�d2, ( Portisch-Stein, Amsterdam
IZ 1 964) and now Black could have
gained certain counter-chances for
the pawn by 1 4 . . . �e7.
d2) 9 .Q.h4 g5 1 0 .Q.g3 .£Jh5 1 1 .£Jd2
( 1 1 h4 .£Jxg3 1 2 fg gh 1 3 .£jxh4
�gS Cobo-Najdorf Havana OL
1 966) 1 1 . . . .£jf4 1 2 0-0 .£Jxe2 1 3
�xe2 � 7 1 4 a3 E{e8 1 3 13 4Jf8
1 4 Af2 .£jffi lvkov-Korchnoi,
Havana 1 963.
A
7
• • • .£jbd7 .
For a long time this · was
considered the most flexible
continuation. From d7 the knight
. can be directed either to cS,
attacking e4, or in some cases to the
Cit-side.
Now White has two major allema­
chapter and 8 .Q.gS, the Petrosian
System, covered in Chapter 8.
84 Classical /1: 7 d5 Various
8 0-0 ( 62) I 0 ..Q.h4 .£lc5
After 10 g5?! I I -'\.g3 .£lc5 1 2
. . .

62 c£ld 2 White.has the advantage, e.g.:

B a) 12 . .c6 1 3 b3 ..Q.d7 14 a3 �b6
•

1 5 �h i , Antoshin-Vasyukov,
USSR Teams Ch 1 962.
b) 12 • • c£)fxe4 1 3 .£ld ><e4 .£lxe4
•

1 4 .£l xe4 f5 1 5 c£)c3 f4 1 6 J)_g4 fg 1 7

hg, with control of the white
squares, Aaron -Karastoichev,
Varna OL 1 962.
1 1 c£ld2 ..Q.d7
By castling �-side, White The immediate 1 1 . . . �e8 is
adheres consistently to the also possible, since on 1 2 c£)b5
principles of the Classi cal System. Black has the reply 1 2 . . . c£)a6
He completes the development of followed by . . . ..Q.d7, while after 1 2
his �-side, and intends to attack on b3 <tlh 7 1 3 a3 f5 1 4 f3 ..Q.ffi,
the �-side. But Black has various lncutto-Panno, Argentina Ch
ways to obtain sufficient counter­ Prelim. 1 968. Black has equal
play. chances, since 1 5 ..Q.f2 is met by 1 5
We consider two possibilities: . . . ..Q.g5, when 1 6 b 4 fails to 1 6 . . .
AI 8 . . . aS ..Q.xd2.
A2 8 . . . c£lc5 12 b3 �e8
AI Now after 1 3 a3 c£)h7 1 4 §. b l f5 1 5
8 ... aS f3 c£)16 1 6 �c2 gS Black gains
9 -'\.gS sufficient counter-play on the �­
Or 9 �c2, and now: side, as was shown as long ago as
a) 9 • .b6 10 J)_g5 h6 I I ..Q.h4 gS Suetin-Randvir, Estonia-Byelo­
•

1 2 -'\.g3 c£lh5 1 3 c£ld2 c£)f4 1 4 -'\.g4 russia 1 959.

hS 1 5 �.f5 h4 16 ..Q.xf4 ef 1 7 c£11'3, A2
and White gained the advantage 8 • • • c£lc5
thanks to the weakness of the white 9 'i!rc2 aS
squares in his opponent's position, 10 ..Q.g5
Timman -Bronstein, Teesside 1 975. 10 4Jd2, with the aim of
b) 9 . c£le8 I 0 g3 .£lc5 I I c£)h4 exchanging off the black knight at
• •

..Q.h3 1 2 §.el ..Q.ffi, with an equal cS, fell into disuse following the
game, Petrosian-Uhlmann, Mos­ suggestion of the author of these
cow 1 967. lines of 1 0 . . . ..Q.h6! Now White
9 ... h6 cannot avoid the exchange of his
 ·

Classical II: 7 d5 Various 85

very strong bishop at c l ; play
normally continues I J c£jb3 -'l,xc l
·
'
and:
a) 12 c£jxc5 -'l,h6 1 3 c£jd3 c£jd7,
with an easy game for Black,
Petrosian -Geller, 1 7th USSR Ch
1 949.
b) 12 �axel c£jfd7, with the
alternatives:
d l -h5 diagonal, and White is
deprived of the poss i bility of
moving his bishop to h5, which is
sometimes necessary (cf. p. 88).
Here Black has several alterna­
tives:
A2 1 I I . . . c£lg4
A22 I I . . . c£jh5
A23 I I . .: c£jfd 7
.

b I ) 13 Ag4 ( this fails to prevent . . . A24 I I . . bG .

f5) 1 3 . . . c£jxb3 1 4 ab (5! 1 5 ef 1 1 . . . c£je8 is a weaker method of

c£jc5 16 c£ja4 c£ja6, with at least preparing . . 1"5, since aftc;r 1 2
.

eq ual c hances for Black, c£jd 2 (5 1 3 e f -'l,xfS (on 1 3 . . . gf

Bobotsov-Petrosian, European White replies 14 f4) 1 4 �e4
Team Ch 1 970. c£jxe4 1 5 c£j xe4 c£lf5 1 G f.3 White's
b2) 13 c£ld2 (5 14 ef gf 15 f4 ef 1 6 control of e4 · gives him some
� xf4 c£je5, with active counter­ advantage. Portisch -G1igorit,
play for Black, particularly on the Hungary-Yugoslavia 1 965.
black squares, Hort-Stein, IZ A 21
Playoff 1 968. II .. . c£lg4
H White wishes to get rid of the After this the play is forced for
knight at c5 by other means, and several moves.
plays 10 c£jel (intending c£jd3) , 1 2 -'l,xc5 de
Black again can advance . . . (5 1 3 h3 ?Jf6
without hindrance. E.g. 1 0 . . . 1 4 c£jxe5 c£jxd5
c£jfd 7 I I c£jd3 (5 1 2 ef gf 1 3 c£jxc5 1 5 cd
c£jxc5 14 f4 -'l,d7 (here Black has White loses a piece after 1 5
no reason to exchange on f4, since c£jxf7? c£jb4 1 6 c£jxd8 c£jxc2.
his knight cannot reach eS) _1 5 -'l,e3 15 . . . -'l,xe5
b6 1 6 �ad l � . and the black 1 6 f4 -'l,d4+
pieces occupy excellent positions. 1 7 �h2
10 . . . h6 If 1 7 �h 1 , th�n 1 7 . •c6! ( here
.

I I -'l,e3 the move order is important; on 1 7

After I I -'l,h4 g5 we reach a . . �h4 1 8 �d3 c6, G1igorit­
.

position which is examined below Fischer, Siegen OL 1 970, White

in section B, and where the could have gained an advantage by
inclusion of the moves i!tc2 and . . . 1 9 d6!) 1 8 dc be 1 9 �ad 1 i!fh4, and
a5 is to Black's advantage, since the White has to waste a tempo on the
white _queen no longer controls the defence of h3.
86 C/a.uical II: 7 d5 Various
17 . . . �h4 From here the knight keeps the
1 8 §f3 square e5 .in view.
Preventing 1 8 Ae3; 12 �lt 15
Boleslavsky's recommendation of 1 3 ef , ·, gf
1 8 �d3 is erroneous, since 1 8 . . . 14 f4 ef
Ad7 1 9 e5 <3i>g7 does indeed give If his knight can reach e5, Black
Black counter-play. has no reason to avoid the exchange
IU . . . c6 on f't.. A lter 1 4 . . '&.e7 only the
.

Donner-Damjanovic1 Cien- incorrect 15 �b3?! a4 16 �xc5

fuegos 1 973, now continued 1 9 de �xc5 1 7 ftae l Ad7 18 �d2 e4
be 20 Ac4 §b8 21 §afl Ag4 22 gave Black the advantage in
§g3, and it was White who had the Keene-Mini<:, Mannheim 1 975,
attack. whereas the correct l 5 §ae l would
A22 have hindered Black's further
11 �5 development.
This move ofGufeld's provokes a 15 Axf4 �e5
weakening of White's <iff-side since 1 6 �b3
after 1 2 �d2 �f4 1 3 Axf4 ef 1 4 White cannot evict the
�xf4 15 Black has sufficient knight from e5; after 16 �f3 �6
initiative for the pawn. 1 7 Ae3 �e7 1 8 �d2 f4 1 9 Af2
12 g3 b6 �e5, Black had a good game in
1 2 . . . f5? is too hasty, and after Petrosian--Gligoric, Varna OL
1 3 �h4 �f4 1 4 Axf4 ef 15 �xg6 1 962.
§f7 1 6 �xf4 led to a win for White Now after 16 . . . Ad7 1 7 �d2
in Doroshkevich-Karasev, 38th �16 1 8 � xc5 de 1 9 §ae l a4 20
USSR Ch 1 970. Ae3 White achieved little in
1 3 �2 Ah3 Pol ugayevsk y -L u t i kov, 3 7 t h
14 §fe l i!fd7 USSR C h , Moscow 1 969.
1 5 Axh5 A24
In the event of 1 5 b3 §ae8 1 6 a3 11 . . . b6
15 I 7 f3 f4 Black has attacking Black prepares . . . �4.
chances, Petkevich--Gufeld, USSR 1 2 �2 �4
1 975. Other moves with this knight
Now after 15 . . . gh 16 AxeS be have also been tried. E.g. 12 • • •

1 7 �f3 f5 Black's control of the �e8 1 3 f3 (White waits) 1 3 . . . 15

white squares is ample compensa­ 1 4 ef gf 1 5 f4, and now 1 5 . . . e4?!
tion for his pawn weaknesses. 16 �b3 �xb3 1 7 ab gave White
A23 the advantage, associated with the
11 . . . 4Jfd7 threat of a break by g2-g4, typical

of such pos1t10ns, Polugayevsky­
Browne, Mar del Plata 197 1 ..
White also has a promising
position after 12 . �5 1 3 �xh5
. .
gh 14 b3 �d7 15 f3 "i!Yffi 16 a3,
Ree-Vasyukov, Wij k aan Zee
1 97 3 , but 12 . . .c£)fd7!? deserves
consideration.
By the move played Black forces
his opponent to part with one of his
bishops.
1 3 �xg4 �xg4
1 4 a3 c£)a6
The position of the bishop at g4
prevents Black from playing 1 4 . . .
15, on which White replies 1 5 f3
.Q.h5 1 6 b4, with a strong 11f-side
initiative, Antoshin-Lein, RSFSR
Ch Playoff 1 96 1 .
1 5 �ab l
Thr plausible 1 5 � fb i leads to
b2 -h1 having to be postponed after
1 5 . . . .Q.d 7, since in Doroshkevich­
Geller, 34th USSR Ch, Tbilisi 1 967
there followed 16 b4? ab, when 1 7 ab
is bad because of 1 7 . . . c£)xb4.
15 . . . �d7
1 6 b4 f5
1 7 cf gf
1 8 f4
Here in Smyslov -Suetin, Sochi
1 974, Black committed a typical
mistake with 18 • e4?, and after
• .
19 c£)e2 11fe8 20 �d4! �g6 2 1
�xg7 11fxg7 22 � fe l had a
difficult game. I nstead of this, 18
. . ab 1 9 ab �e 7 would have led to
. velopment of White's queen's
a complicated game with chances
for both �ides.
Cla.ssical II: 7 d5 Various 87
Thus strict adherence to the
Classical System (8 0-Q) allows
Black sufficient counter-play to
equalize. It was from this that there
emerged the Petrosian System,
which is examined in the next
chapter.
B
7 . . . a5 ( 63)
63
w
With this move Black begins a
plan which is directed against the
Petrosian System. He hinders the
development of White's initiative
on the i!t-side. This continuation
was worked out by Ukrainian
players, in particular by Leonid
Stein and the author of these lines.
After 7 . . . aS practically all the
books indicate two main con­
tinuations: ·S 0-o and 8 �5. We
will not make any distinction
between them, since the genuine
divergence of White's two plans
begins later.
However, an alternative de­
bishop is possible. We therefore
consider:
88 Classical II: 7 d5 Various
8 1 8 J;te3 B2
B2 8 .Q.g5 8 Ag5 h6
B1 9 .Q.h4 .£)a6
8 J;te3 .£)g4 If Black p ays, in analogy with
i
Weaker is 8 . . . .£)a6?! 9 <tld2, the Petrosian System, 9 . . . g5 I 0
when the white bishop occupies an .Q.g3 .£lh5, then the tempo wasted
invulnerable post at e3; after 9 . . . on . . . a5 tells after I I h4! g4 1 2
.£)ell I 0 0-{) 15 I I er gr 1 2 r4 .£)16 1 3 <£jd2 <£jxg3 1 3 fg h 5 1 4 0-0 J;th6 1 5
tfc2, Hort-Ostoj ic, Monte Carlo .Q.d3, when Black is unable to play
1 969, White connected his rooks . . . f5, and the weakness of his �­
and exerted strong pressure on side is keenly felt.
Black's centre. · 10 0-{) "i!Ye8 ( 64)
9 .Q.g5 16 Here too 10 • g5 I I _Qg3 <£)h5
• •

1 0 J;th4 .£)a6 is rather out of place: 1 2 <tld2 .£)f4

Black rails to gain any attack on 1 3 _Qg4 .£)c5 1 4 f3 leads to the
the �-side after 10 • • .£)h6 I I
• seizure of the white squares, and
.£)d2 g5 1 2 _Qg3 f5 1 3 ef .Q.x f5 1 4 gave White the advantage in
h3!, Hort-Vogt, Brno 1 975, since Gligoric-Stein, Moscow 1 967: 1 4
White controls the white squares e4 . . . c6 1 5 i!:Yc2 cd 1 6 cd b5 I 7 a 4
and g4. (not 1 7 .£)xb5? "i!Yb6+ ) 1 7 . . . ba
But 10 • . "i!Ye8!? 1 1 .£)d2 f5
. 1 8 .£)c4, with pressure on the "i!Y­
deserves consideration, and now 1 2 side.
h3 .£)16 1 3 g4 .£)xe4 1 4 <tlcJ x e4 fe Black can also step out of the pin
1 5 .£)xe4 .£la6 leads to a very by 10 • • "i!Yd7. A few moves later
.

complicated position with chances the queen will all the same have to
for both sides. go to e7, and it can do this either
I I <tl<i2 from e8, or from d7.
Or 1 1 h3 .£lh6 1 2 <tld2 .Q.,d7 1 3
r.J "t'rcll 1 4 h3 15 1 5 !! b l re 1 6
64
� xe4 .£)15, and the weak black w
squares in White's position give his
opponent equal chances, Petro­
sian-Quinteros, Vinkovci 1 970.
Gligorit--Geller, USSR -Rest of
the World , Belgrade 1 970, now
continued I I . . .£)h6 1 2 f3 .Q.,d 7
.

1 3 0 -0 .£)f7 1 4 .£lb3 b6 1 5 .£)c I

.£)c5 1 6 <tld3 i!re8 1 7 b3 f5, with It is only now that White has to
equal chances. choose between two dilferent ways
 Classical /1: 7 d5 Various 89
of mounting his �-side offensive. b) 12 . . �h7 1 3 f.3 b6, and:
.

One involves the manoeuvre b l ) 14 �d2 15 1 5 �4 (White has no

�e l -d3, after which the· white
knight supports the advance b2-b4
and c4--c5. In the other instance the
offensive is carried out without the
support of the knight, but on the
other hand White saves himself a
tempo. We therefore consider:
B2 1 I I �e l
822 I I �2
B21
11 �1
The drawback to this move is that
the knight ceases to control e4, and
Black can take advantage of this.
II . . . g5
Black intends to solve the
problem of creating counter-play
on the �-side by tactical means.
11. .�c5 is less good; after 1 2
• 1 6 fe
� 3 b6 1 3 f.3 Ad7 1 4 � xc5 be 1 5
a4!, b y preparing the intrusion of
his knight on b5, White gained the
better position, Gligoric--Geller,
USSR-Rest of the World, Belgrade
1 970 (by traruposition-K.P.N.).
Possible, however is, the .
developing 1 1 • .il,d7 1 2 �3,
. .
and now:
a) 12 . .b6 1 3 b3 (on 1 3 f.3, with
. an ending with a bad bishop against
the idea of bringing the black­
squared bishop into the game,
Black replies 1 3 �h5!,
intending . . . �f4) 13 . . . �c5 14
� xc5 be 15 § b l �h7 16 f.3 15,
with equal chances,
Polugayevsky-Uhlmann, Palma de
Mallorca 1 970.
justification for aiming for play on
the �-side) 1 5 . . . h5! 1 6 gf gf 1 7
�h l f4, with a spatial advantage
for Black, H amann-Uhlmann,
Amsterdam 1 975.
b2) 14 b3 followed by a2-a3 and
b3-b4; the chances . are roughly
equal.
1 2 Ag3 �xe4!
1 3 �xe4 15
1 4 Ah5
White similarly achieves nothing
by 14 .ild3 fe 1 5 .ilxe4 �5, or 1 4
� 3 f4 1 5 4Je4 Al5 1 6 .ild3 �g6,
since he cannot maintain control of
e4.
14 . . . �e7
1 5 f3 fe
§ xfl +
1 7 �xn �5
18 �e2 g4!
This temporary pawn sacrifice is
the whole point of the combination
made by Black. Without it (for
instance, after 1 8 . . . Ad7 19 h3
§f8+ 20 � 1 ) , after the inevitable
exchange of white-squared bishops
and knights, Black would be left in
a good one.
1 9 Axg4 Axg4
20 �xg4 �g5
I n this position a draw was
agreed in Polugayevsky-Bukic,
Skopje 1 97 1 , since White cannot
keep his extra pawn: 2 1 �xg5 hg
22 Af2 �xc4, or 2 1 �e2 �g6.
90 Classical II: 7 d5 Various
B22 1 3 a3 h5
11 ?Jd2 ( 65) With the threat of 1 4 . . . g5 1 5
.Q.g3 M. : ·
' ..,
65 1 4 f3 , ·,
B In Bukic-Geller, Yugoslavia­
USSR, Budva 1 967, White
attempted by 1 4 h3?! to avoid
weakening his e3 square, but after
1 4 . . . .Q.h6 1 5 � b l �c5 1 6 b4 ab
1 7 ab �a4 1 8 �xa4 � xa4 1 9
�c2 b6 Black had the advantage,
since White's e4 is insufficiently
defended (e.g. in the variation 20
II . . . �h7 c5? be 2 1 be .Q.xd2) .
Here the combination 1 1 . • • 14 . . . .Q.h6
�xe4 would be incorrect, since 1 5 .Q.f2
White would be able to maintain After the exchange of the black­
control of e4. squared bishops: 1 5 �b l .Q.e3+ 1 6
Black therefore retreats his .Q.f2 .Q.c5! 1 7 .Q.xc5 �xeS 1 8 b4
knight, to prepare the advance of ab 1 9 ab �a4 20 �xa4 � xa4
his �-side pawns. The immediate Black has no d i ffic u l t ies,
11 . . .Q.d7 is possible, and leads Udovcic-Hort, Zagreb 1 969.
.

merely to a transposition of moves. 15 . . . i!re7

Play on the �-side is less In view of the threat of 1 6 . . .
justified: 1 1 c6 1 2 a3 cd 1 3 cd i!rg5 followed by . . . .Q.h3 Black
. • •

�b8 1 4 b4! b5 ( 1 4 . . . ab 1 5 ab has perfectly adequate counter­

�xb4? 16 �b3 leads to the loss of a play; e.g. 1 6 �c2 (in order to
piece) 1 5 ba �5 1 6 �c2 .Q.d7 1 7 answer 1 6 . . . ftg5 with 1 7 �fd l )
� fb I gave Black a difficult position 1 6 . . . h4 1 7 �fd l 15 1 8 §ab l �g5
in Kholmov-Nikolaevsky, USSR 1 9 b4 ab 20 ab �f6, Petrosian­
Spartakiade 1 967. Stein, USSR Spartakiade 1 967.
12 b3 Thus it may be concluded that,
Or 12 a3 .Q.d7, and the threat of with the centre blocked (7 d5) ,
. . . a4 forces White to play 1 3 b3. Black succeeds in obtaining a
12 . . . .Q.d 7 satisfactory position.
8 Classical I I I : 7 d5 Petrosian

I d4 �!6 least equal chances; e.g. 8 . . . �4

2 c4 g6 9 .Q.g5 !6 1 0 �h4 (or 1 0 �d2 5 I I
3 �c3 .Q.g7 .[)g5!?, with a double-edged game) ,
4 e4 d6 and now:
5 �1'3 o-o a) 10 . .h5 I I h3 �h6 1 2 g4 hg 1 3
.

6 �e2 e5 hg g5 1 4 Jtg3 c£1xg4 1 5 c£lh2

7 d5 �bd7 c£1xh2 16 !! xh2, with hopes of an
8 .Q.g5 (66) attack on the king, Naranja­
Planinc, Nice OL 1 974.
66 b) 10 . . �6 I I �2 g5 12 .Q.g3
.

5 1 3 ef �f6 1 4 c£lde4 c£lxe4 1 5

B
The initial move of the Petrosian
System, which pursues two aims.
White prepares the typical
manoeuvre �2, and, more
important, he hinders Black's
counter-play on the �-side.
8 �e3, with a similar aim, is Jess
convincing; by immediately attack­
ing th!: bishop, Black obtains at
�xe4 �x5, with two examples:
b l ) 16 f3 g4 1 7 �f2 gf l 8 gf c£lg4!,
and White's king position becomes
dangerous, Donner-Gligoril:, Eer­
sel 1 968.
b2) 16 �d3 g4, and White cannot
securely reinforce his e4 square
with a pawn. Mecking-Giigoril:,
Palma de Mallorca 1 970, con­
tinued 1 7 �d2 �xe4 1 8 �xe4
c£15 19 �d3 �g5, with sufficient
counter-play.
White similarly achieves nothing
by another plan, involving an
attack on the �-side, and, in some
cases, �-side castling: 8 �c2 a5,
and now:
92 Classical Ill: 7 d5 Pelrosian
a) 9 -tJd2 -tlc5 1 0 -tJb3 b6 I I
-tJxc5 be 1 2 a4 c£)d7 1 3 h4 -tlb8 1 4
h5 -tJa6 1 5 -tJa2 f5 ! 1 6 hg hg 1 7
't'rc3 . f4, and Black has nothing to
fear on either wing, Portisch­
Bobotsov, Moscow 1 967.
b) 9 Jtg5 ( this looks illogical, since
White could have played it a move
earlier) 9 . . . h6 I 0 JtM -tJc5 I I
c£)d2 g5 1 2 Jtg3 -tlfxe4 1·3 � xe4
-tJxe4 14 -tJ xe4 f5 1 5 f3 fe 16 fe b6
1 7 Jtrz g4, ! - ! , Gligoric-Tringov,
Teesside 1 972.
c) 9 h3 -tJc5 10 g4 -tle8 I I §g l c6
1 2 Jtg5 16 1 3 Jte3 Jtd7 14 0-{)-{)
b6, with chances for both sides in
this complicated position, where
Black can prepare a counter­
oiTensive against the white king.
8 ... h6
9 Jl_h4
Now Black has:
A 9 . . . a6?!
B 9 . . . g5
A on opposite flanks.
9 ... a6?!
Black aims to escape from the pin
on his knight, and to this end
prepares . . . 't're8, which is not
good immediately on account of 1 0
c£)b5. But he ends up i n a difficult
position as ILLUSTRATIVE
GAME No. 7, Tal-Fischer,
Candidates' Tournament, Yugo­
slavia 1 959, shows.
1 0 0-{) 't're8
I I c£)d2 -tJh7
1 2 b4 Jtffi
12• . f5 would clearly be a
• play based on the square e5.
mistake, on account of 1 3 ef, when
Black is forced to capture with his
rook ( 1 3 . . . gf 14 Jl_h5).
In the game from the fi rst cycle
between the same players ( the
present encounter took place in the
third cycle of the Candidates'
Tournament) nla(· k c:hosc 12 • • •
4Jg5. The continuation was 1 3 f3 f5
1 4 Jtrz tre7 1 5 § c l -tlf6 1 6 c5,
when it turned out that the knight
at g5 merely hindered Black's pawn
storm. Therefore after 1 6 . . . Jtd7
1 7 trc2 -tJh5 1 8 b5, he exchanged
on e4: 1 8 . . . fe 1 9 -tJd xe4 -tJxe4
20 fe, which released the tension on
the lfi>-side, and left White with the
initiative on the �-side.
In the present game Black
chooses a logical continuation,
involving the exchange of bishops.
However, it has one serious
drawback: it is too slow, in view of
the respective attacks being made
1 3 Jtxf6 {:)h xf6
1 4 c£)b3 �e7
1 5 �d2 lfj>h7
16 tre3
1 6 §ac l was possibly more
exact, avoiding determining the
queen's position for the moment.
Black is unable to prevent the c5
break-through without making
great positional concessions.
16 . . . {:)g8!
Black defends his queen, which
subsequently assures him ofcounter­

17 c5 f5
18 ef gf
19 f4 ef
20 l'fxf4 ( 61)
67
R On the conclusion of the game,
20 . . . de
The different approach of the
two grandmasters to one and the
same position is most interesting.
Tal stated that he did not consider
this capture at all, since he
considered that, with his 'frozen'
l'r-side, it was equivalent to suicide
for Black to give up his last base. He
thought that Black was bound to
continue 20 . . . �5, on which he
planned 2 1 !!ae I followed by
.£)<14, gradually preparing an
attack on the �-side.
But Fischer captured on c5
completely without hesitation,
evidently reckoning that with his
extra pawn he would have no
difficulty in beating off the attack.
2 1 J1_d3!
After 21 be .£) xc5 22 !!ac l
J1_d7! 23 l'fxc7 !!ac8 24 1'f[4
.£)xb3 25 ab !! xc3 26 !! xc3
l'fxe2 27 §c7 l'te7 28 d6 l'te6
Classi&al Ill: 7 d5 Petrosian 93
there ·appears to be no decisive
continuation, despite the active
placing of the white pieces. But now
White's threats take on a much
more specific nature.
21 . . . cb
the opinion was expressed that by
2 1 . . . l'fg7 the attack could be
repelled. That this is not so is
demonstrated by the following
variation: 2 1 . . . l'fg7 22 Jtxf5+
�h8 23 �4 .£)e5 24 .£lg3 .£)c7 25
§ae l , and if25 . . . Jtxf5, then 26
itxe5, while 25 . . . .£)<13 can be
met by 26 § xe7.
22 !!aeI irf6
This is already the decisive
mistake. 22 . . . �d6 was more
accurate, when the game would
probably have continued as follows:
23 J1_xf5+ �h8 24 �d4+ �! 25
l'fxb4 'i!fb6+ 26 'i!fd4+ �xd4+
27 .£) xd4, with a considerable
positional advantage for White. But
now matters develop by force.
23 §e6 �xc3
24 J1_xf5+ § xf5
25 �xf5+ �h8
26 § 1'3 l'rb2
Black can do nothing to prevent
the storm by White's heavy pieces.
After 26 . . . l'tg7 27 §g3 'i!fh7 (or
27 . . . �IB 28 �xfB .£)xfB 29
§e8), 28 §e8! is immediately
decisive.
27 !!e8 .£)<116
28 itxffi+ itxffi
29 § xffi �g7
94 Classical Ill: 7 d5 Pttrosian
30 § ITB 69
The simple 30 §13 was also
IV
possible, but White could not resist
the- temptation to put his opponent
in an unusual form of ;:ug;:wang.
30 �e7
� I �a5 ( 68)

68
B
The critical position of this
variation.
At the cost of weakening his
white squares on the �-side, Dlack
has prepared the advance . . 1'5.

and the intrusion ofhis knight on H .

Now White can e-ither rontinue
with his plan of preparing c4- c5, or
An amusing position: Black's he can switch play to the �-side
king, knight and bishop have no and attempt to exploit Black's
moves, and he cannot advance his weaknesses. We consider:
c-pawn, since then White creates a B l I I 0 -D
passed pawn, or his b-pawn, in view B2 I I h4
of the threat of �c6. On 3 1 . . . B1
§a7 White docs not have to 11 o-o �f4
capture on c8, but can simply 1 2 ciJcl2
retre-at his rook from 18, winning a Weaker is 1 2 �d ?! �xc2+ 1 3
piece. �Xl'2 15! 1 1 el' t£}11i, whl·n it turns
31 h5 out that it is dillicult lor the knight
32 h4 at c I to take part in the battle for
Not only demonstrating the the key sq uare c4:
hopelessness of Black's position, but a) 15 f3 Jtx!5 16 �e4 'i!rc8, with
also setting up a mating net. the idea of . . . �g6, which gave
32 § b8 Black the advantage in Yudovich ­
33 �c4 b5 Nczhmetdinov, RSFSR Ch 1 96 1 .
34 �e5 Resigns b) 15 �d3 Ax!5 1 6 13 i!re8 1 7
B �1'2 'i!rg6 1 8 �fe4 (Boleslavsky
9 g5 recommends 1 8 �ce4 �xe4 19 fc
1 0 Ag3 �h5 (69) Jtd7 20 �c3 with approximate

equality) 1 8 . . . g4! 1 9 f!fe l gf 20
gf �xe4 2 1 - �xe4 �h5, and
Black's threats against f3 gave him
a decisive advantage, · Wexler­
Fischer, Mar del Plata 1 960.
c) 15 �c2!? is untested.
By 1 2 �2 played \\'hite
threatens to exploit the weakening
of the enemy �·side by 1 3 Ag4.
12 . . . 15
The other way to impede White's
plan is by 1 2 . . . �c5, with se\'eral
possibilities:
a) 13 b4?! �cd3 14 a3 �xe2+ 1 5
�xe2 �f4 1 6 �d l h5, and Black
seized the initiati,·e, O'Kelly­
Giigoric, Madrid 1 960.
b) 13 f3 a5 1 4 �b3 b6 1 5 � xeS be
16 Jl.d3 �xd3 1 7 �xd3 15, and
\\'hite has a difficult defensi\'e task,
Plachetka -Hort, Czechoslo\'akia
1 968.
c) 13 Jtg4 �xe4! 1 4 � xe4 15,
and now:
c l ) 15 Jtxf5 Jtx15 1 6 f3 �e8 1 7
b4 �g6 1 8 �h i aS 1 9 a3 g4!, and
Black obtains an attack, Vuko\'ic­
Janose,·ic, Ljubljana 1 960.
c2) 15 f3 h5! (this pawn sacrifice
enables the bishop at g7 to come
strongly into play) 1 6 Jtxf4 ef 1 7
Jtxh5 fe 1 8 fe �e7 1 9 �c2 Jl.eS,
when Black has quite adequate
compensation for the pawn.
13 rf �xe2+ !
1 3 . . . �f6? would be a mistake
here on account of 1 4 Axf4 ef 1 5
g4, when Black is unable to regain
his, pawn: I S . . . fg 1 6 fg .
Classical III: 7 J5 Petrosian 95
1 4 � xe2
I S c5
1 6 !!ac l
Both sides consistently follow
their respective plans.
The attempt by Black to win a
pawn by 1 6 . . . de leads to a
difficult position after 1 7 �c4 4Jd7
1 8 b4! b6 (on 1 8 . . . cb there can
follow 1 9 d6+ �h8 20 de, and
White should win) 1 9 �b3 �e7
(again Black cannot capture on b4
in view of the above variation) 20
{)b5!, with the threat of answering
20 . . . !!feB with 2 1 . . 4)xc7 and
.
22 d6+ , Smyslov-Benko, Yugo­
slavia C 1 9S9.
1 7 �c4 Jtffi
Wexler-Rcshevsky, Buenos
Aires 1 960, showed that each side
has anacking resources.
But if White should advance too
sharply on the �·side: 1 8 !!fd I a6
·
1 9 4)aS 1:! b8 20 c6 b6 2 1 4)b 7 �e8
22 l! xa6, Black can . build up
powerful counter·play on the ·�­
side: 22 . • h5 23 f3 l:tg7. 24 l!f1
.
M, Neishtadt-Shapovalov, 6th
USSR Corr Ch 1 964 /65.
Thus White fails to refute Black's
strategy or to gain an advantage by
an anack on the �-side.
B2
1 1 h4 ( 70)
This sharp and dangerous idea
was first adopted by Keres against
Matano\'ic, Mo5cow 1 963. White
changes plans, and starts· play on
the part of the board where Black's
96 Classical II1: 7 d5 Petrosian
70
B
weaknesses have appeared. Theory
has not yet stated its final word on
this variation.
We examine three replies for
Black, of which only the last can
really be considered satisfactory:
B2 1 I I . . 4Jf4 .
822 I I .. 4Jxg3.
B23 I I .. g4 . (Gligoric) .
B21
11 • 4Jf4
. .
Here this move has no particular
point, since it does not prevent
White from opening the h-file.
1 2 hg hg
1 3 �c2
White can defend his g2 pawn,
but this is inappropriate:
13 1tfl 5 1 4 Jtxf4 gf 1 5 4Jh4
4Jc5 16 �c2 �g5, and it is Black
who has the attack, Balashov­
Borodyansky, USSR All-Union
Junior 1 965.
13 Jtfl 5 14 4Jd2 4Jc5 15 frc2
c6 1 6 13, and now:
a) 16 . •cd 1 7 cd fe 1 8 4Jd xe4
• opponent's lt'-side.
4Jxe4 19 fe a6 20 Jtf2 g4 2 1 �d2
Jtd7 22 0-0-0 .§.c8, and after
allowing his opponent to castle
Black had only a slight advantage,
Nei-Stein, 3 1 st USSR Ch 1 963.
b) 16 • . f� 1 7 ctJd xe4 4Jxe4 18 fe
.
Jtg4 1 9 Jtxf4'ef20 e5 .§.13, and the
white king, stuck in the centre,
comes under attack.
13 0-0; now the move h2-h4
loses its point, and Black easily
obtains the better game: 1 3 . . .
.§.e8 1 4 4Jh2 4Jxe2+ 1 5 �xe2
4Jf8 16 r.3 4Jg6, Kestler-Rce,
European Team Ch 1 965.
13 . .. f5
By accepting the pawn sacrifice,
1 3 . . . 4Jxg2+ , Black would open
all the lines for an attack on his own
king: 1 4 lt'd2 4jf4 1 5 Jtxf4 gf 1 6
.§.ag I , with a decisive advantage
1 4 ef
A highly complicated and
double-edged position results from
14 Jtxf4 ef 1 5 0-0-0 4Jc5 16 .§.h3
fe 17 4Jxg5 Jt5, Mecking-R.
Byrne, Sousse IZ 1 967.
Brinck-Claussen v. Larrain,
Havana OL 1 966, now continued
14 . . . 4Jc5 1 5 Jtxf4 Jtx5 1 6
Jtxg5 Jtxc2 1 7 Jtxd8 .§.a xd8 1 8
lt'd2 Ag6 1 9 .§.an , and White
held on to his extra pawn.
B22
II .. . 4Jxg3
Black accepts the challenge, and
in his turn creates weaknesses in his
1 2 fg gh
1 3 4Jxh4
The alternatives arc weaker:

1 3 § xh4?! f5 1 4 i!Yc2 ( 1 4 �d3
.!£)c5 is better, with chances for both
sides) 14 . . . <tJc5 f5 �d3 i!Yf6 1 6
0-0-0 i!Yg6, and Black took the
initiative, Damjanovic-Hort, Sar­
ajevo 1 964.
13 g4 (a pawn sacrifice directed
agaimt . !5, but it is insufficiently
. .
corrcrt) 1 3 . . Affi 14 g3 hg 1 5
. 15 �xeS
§ xhG �7 1 6 �d2 E!hS 1 7
E! x hS ifxhS I S 0-0-0 <tJ!8 1 9
E!g l 4Jg6 20 g5 �e7, and White
has no attack, but his weaknesses
remain, Szabo-Tringov, Havana
1 965.
The move played, 1 3 <tJxh4,
enables White to prevent the
advance . . . rs, seize the square rs,
and gain an appreciable advan­
tage.
13 . . . i!Yg5
1 4 .Ag4
The plausible 14 D-0? is bad,
since Black then wins the battle for
£5: 1 4 . . . �c5 1 5 <tf;h2 f5 1 6 ef
�xrs 1 7 <tJxfS g xrs I S g xrs
�xfS 1 9 �d2 e4 20 gn �e5, and
is essentially left with an extra
pawn, Johansson-Penrose, Lugano
OL 1 96S.
The immediate occupation of f5
is also not good: 14 4)5 �f6 1 5 0-0
�xrs 1 6 g xrs �e3+ 1 7 <tf;h2
.!£)xe4, and Black has excellent
winning chances, Karaklajit­
Hindle, Bognor Regis 1 965.
14 . . . �c5
I f 1 4 . . . �e3+ , then 1 5 �e2
�xg3+ 1 6 �d l , and Black either
Classical III: 7 d5 Pelrosian 97
comes under a very strong attack,
or gets a difficult ending; e.g. 16 .
. .
f5 1 7 �xrs <tJf6 I S �xg3 Jtxg4
19 gh4 �xe2+ 20 <tf;xe2, and
Black has no way of opposing the
occupation of f5 by the white
knight, lvkov-Timman, Wijk aan
Zee 1972.
§a xeS
Black should not be tempted by
1 5 . . . �xg3+ , since after 1 6 �
E!axcS 1 7 �rs �f4+ l S i!ff3 <tf;h7
19 <l;e2 E!hS 20 E! h4 �xf3+ 2 1 g£
gcg8 22 �ah l White has an
overwhelming position; Balashov­
Penrose, Hastings 1 966 /67 con­
cluded 22 . . . gas 23 � I �7 24
�e3 �gS 25 �g l �h7 26 ghg4
1 -0.
16 � �h7
1 6 . . . �xe4? loses to the
intermediate move 1 7 J:lh5.
l vkov-Suetin, Y ugoslavia-
USSR 1 967, now continued 1 7
�f3 ggs 1 s E!h5 �ffi 1 9 g4 Jtffi
20 �xh6 �3+ (if 20 . . . �xf3,
then 2 1 �xgS+ and 22 gl) 21 <if;d2
Jtxh6+ 22 �xd3, with a decisive
advantage for White.
B23
11 • • g4•
1 2 �h2 ( 7/)
Less good is 1 2 4)d2, and now:
a) 12 • • �xg3 1 3 fg h5 14 0-0
•
Jth6 15 Jtd3 �f6 16 i!i'e2 � 1 7
§12 �7 1 8 E!an , with an active
game for White in the afore­
men tioned Keres- M atanovit
game.
98 Cla.rsical Ill: 7 d5 Pelrosian
b) 12 . . f5! (an interesting
. B23 1
counter-attacking plan) 1 3 ef 12 .£)xg3
.£)dffi, with two possibilities: 1 3 fg h5
b l ) 14 .£)0 -'l_xl5 1 5 .£)e3 1!Yd7 1 6 1 4 0�\ -'l_h6
0 -0 .£)f4, with good attacking With the idea of transferring the
chances, Balashov-Tukmakov, knight to g7, and thus covering the
USSR Teams Ch 1 966. weak 15 square.
h2) 14 ..Q. x g4 .£)xg3 1 5 fg .£)xg4 Also possihle is t he more natural
I G 'i'_¥xg4 AxiS 1 7 'i'_¥e2 e4 1 8 0-0 14 . . . a5 15 -'l_d3 .£)c5 16 �e2
'i'_¥d 7, with a complex double-edged -'l_d 7 1 7 §f2 ffi 1 8 .£)0 -'l_h6 1 9
position, in which Black's two .£)e3 -'l_xe3 20 i!rxe3 i!re8
strong bishops give him equal followed by . . . �g7 and . . . i!rg6,
chances. Hort-Vogt, Leipzig 1 973, with equal chances, Yurkov­
continued 19 'i'_¥e3 c5 20 de be 2 1 Korzin, Moscow Ch 1 965 .
.£)b3 c5 22 §ad I 1!Ye6 23 .£)d5, 1 5 -'l_d3
and now instead of the erroneous According to Minic, the
plan of23 . . . §ab8? 24 §d2 -'l_h7 sacrifice 1 5 -'l_xg4 hg 1 6 .£)xg4
25 .£)f4 frxc4 26 § xd6, with Ag 7 I 7 i!rf3 c£)c5 1 8 c£)e3 a5 1 9
advantage to White, 23 . . . §adS!? §ad I leads to an unclear position.
deserves consideration, retaining Even so, Black has to reckon with
counter-play. this possibility.
15 . . . .£)16
71 In Keres-Walther, Tel Aviv OL
B 1 964, Black included in his plans
the undermining move 1 5 . . . c6,
but this proved to be a mistake after
16 �h I .£)!6 I 7 -'l_c2 cd 18 cd c£)e8
1 9 i!re2 c£)g7 20 § f2, and now even
after the best move 20 . . . -'l_d7
White has the better chances, in
view of the fact that in certain
vanat10ns (after c£)0 --e3 and
After the move played Black has ,§an ) he has the additional threat
two possibilities. He can either play of -'l_a4, with the exchange of the
to stabilize the �-side, or sacrifice a bishop at d7 and the weakening of
pawn to open lines on that part of the 15 square.
the board: In the game itself the risky 20
B23 1 1 2 . . . .£)xg3 . . . 15 2 1 ef c£)xl5 22 -'l_xl5 -'l_xl5
8232 1 2 . . . 15 23 §afl Ag6 allowed White a
 Classical Ill: 7 d5 Pttrosian 99
strong attack after' 24 .£)xg4. 1 3 ef .£)xg3
·

A better alternative therefore is 1 4 fg �5

the set-up 1 5 . . . .£\c5 16 Jtc2 a5 1 71 5 .£)xg4
�e2 f6 1 8 � 12 Jtd7 (but not 1 8 . . .
On 1 5 Jtxg4 there can follow 1 5
c6?! 1 9 �d l a4 20 �n �7 2 1 . . . Jtxf5 1 6 0 -0 ltd3 1 7 � xl8+
�c3, with strong pressure on the d­
�xl8 18 b4 e4!
lilc, Hort -Janosevic, Wijk aan Zee 15 . . . Jtxf5
1 970. 16 o-o �e7
1 6 �e2 Jl.d7 1 7 �d2 Jtxg4
1 7 � 12 �e8 1 8 Jtxg4 e4
1 8 �n �7 The critical position of this
1 9 �e3 Jl.xe3 variation. Black has activated his
I n Ziembinski-Stilling, Corres
bishop at g7, and plans to utilize the
1 974, the attempt to open the c-file
square e5 as an outpost for his
by 19 . . c6? gave Black a difficult
. pieces. Also, in some cases the e­
position after 20 c5! de 21 �4 f6 22
pawn can advance.
�an .£je8 23 de _Q_xc6 24 �xe5!, 19 "§'e3
and 24 . . . fe is bad in view of 25 Or 1 9 � xf8+ g xl8 20 ge l
Jtb3+ . �e5 2 1 lfth2, and now:
20 �xe3 � h7 a) 21 •.£)&3, as recommended in
• .

White stands more actively, both

ECO vol E, p. 435, note 63, is
on the �-side, and on the �-side. incorrect in view of the simple reply
B232 22 � xe4.
12 . . . f5 ( 72)b) 2 1 •�£6 22 �e2 �g6 23 g n
• •

-'tffi 2 4 gf5, with a clear

72 advantage to White, Bukit­
w Gligorit, Budva 1 967.
c) 21 �e8, with the threat
• • •

of . . . e3, but even here after

22 �e3 Black has to reckon with
tactical possibilities such as
lte6+ .
19 �e5
2 0 g x l8+ g xl8
2 1 gd l
This move has been consistently After 2 1 � n �d4! 22 � xl8+
championed by Gligoric. Black lftx18 23 �xd4 Jtxd4+ 24 �
sacrifices a pawn in search of Jtxc3! 25 be .£ja4 26 lftf2 .£)xc3
counter-play. 27 a3 b5!, 0. Rodriguez-Gligoric,
/00 ClaJSical III: 7 d5 Petrosian
Skopje OL 1 972, Black obtained a Here in O'Kelly-Giigoric,
won ending. Havana 1 967, the players agreed to
21 4)d 3 a draw.
21 a 5 ! ? also d e- Thus ·. against the Petrosian
serves consideration, avoid- System acceptable methods of
ing simplification for the defence have gradually been found.
moment. And more recently a sounder
22 .£} xe4 .£}xb 2 system of play, based on 7 . . . a5,
23 .§.c I .£}a4 has emerged for Black (see Chapter
24 lt'h2 �5 7, p. 87).
9 Classical IV: 7 de /-'le3

I d4 .£)f6
2 c4 g6 74
3 .£)c3 �7 w
4 e4 d6
5 .£)f3 0-{)
6 �e2 e5 ( 73)

73
w

.£)xeS? in view of9 . . . .£) xe4!-this

is the tactical justification of the
move 6 . . . eS. Sanchez-Geller,
Stockholm IZ 1 952, continued 1 0
.£)xe4 .Q.xe5 I I 0-{) (if I I �5,
then I I . . . gd4) 1 1 . . . {)<:6 1 2
Etel 'itg7 1 3 a3 �{5 1 4 {)g3 �e6
Now, apart from 7 d5 (Chapters 1 5 �n a5 1 6 l:t b l a4, with the
7 and 8) and 7 0-{) (Chapters 1 0 better game for Black.
and I I ) , White has two other In the event of9 .£)ciS Black can
possibilities. play 9 . . . l:!d7! (also good,
A 7 de however, is 9 . . . {)xd5 1 0 cd d6 1 1
B 7 �c3 �c4 cd 1 2 �xd5 {)<:6) , and now:
A a) 10 {)xf6+ .Q.xf6 1 1 c5 {)<:6 1 2
7 de de .Q.b5 gd8 1 3 �xc6 be 1 4 0-{) �4
8 "i!fxd8 Et xd8 ( 74) 1 5 �e3 l:!ab8, with a slight
9 �5 advantage for Black, lvkov-Tal,
White cannot win a pawn by 9 Bled 1 96 1 .
/():! Uaniml I I ': 7 tit- /!J_,.:;
h) 10 �xeS �xd5 I I �xd7 �h4
1 2 �xb8 �c2+ 1 3 �d l �xa l 1 4
J1,f4 Jtxb2 I S Jtxc7 aS, with the
idea of . . . a4 and . . . �b3, with
good tactical possibilities.
But also after the move played
Black has several ways to equalize.
9 ... §e8
An equal game also results from 9
. • �bd7, and:
• the king; meanwhile 1 1 � xeS is
a) 10 �d5 c6 I I �e7+ �18 1 2
�xc8 gd xc8 1 3 �2 �cS 1 4 f3
�e8, and by blocking the �-side
and gradually occupying d4, Black
took the initiative, Flohr-Geller,
1 7th USSR Ch 1 949.
b) 10 0-0-0 gl8! ( 1 1 . . . �eB? 1 2
�bS) I I �e l c6 1 2 �c2 �S 1 3 f3
aS followed by . . . gea.
Also possible is 9 c6 I 0 �xeS
. . . g x a2
§e8 (but not 1 0 . . . �a6 I I �xf7
�xf7 1 2 eS, when White keeps his
extra pawn, Mileika-1. Zaitsev,
USSR Teams Ch 1 966.) I I J1,f4
�xe4 1 2 �xe4 JtxeS, although
in this case 1 3 �6! gives White the
advantage of the two bishops.
Finally, Black also obtains an
equal game by 9 .£}&6 1 0 �S
• • • 10 •
§d6 I I Jtxffi Jtxffi 1 2 b4 c6 1 3
�xffi+ g xf6 1 4 a3 Jtg4,
Knesevit-1 . Zaitsev, Dubna 1 976.
1 0 0-{)-{)
White achieves nothing by 10
�d5 �xdS I I cd c6 1 2 Jtc4 cd 1 3
JtxdS �7, and now:
a) 14 �d2 �S I S 0-{)-{) c£le6 1 6
Jte3 �f4 1 7 Jtxf4 ef, and the two
bishops �iw H l a r k a good gamr.
Andersson -Panno, Palma <It•
Mallorca 1 972.
b) 14 g_ct h6 Is Jte3 c£Jf6,
..
Teschner .. Fischer, Stockholm IZ
1 962.
10 gd1 merely leads to
simplification (in contrast to t he
variation with 1 0 0-0-0, hrrr the
·
bishop at e2 remains defended by
threatened) after:
a) 10. •�a6 1 1 0-0 �cS 1 2 �dS
•
c£JxdS 1 3 ed c£la4 1 4 §d2 J1,d7,
with a good game for Black,
Shamkovich-Stein, Kiev j F, 37th
USSR Ch 1 969.
b) 10 • h6 1 1 Jtxffi Jtxffi 1 2
• •
�S J1,d8 1 3 �xeS g xeS I 4 �b6
ab! 1 S g xd8+ �g7 1 6 § xc8
17 § x b8 g x e4,
Kochiev-Ovoretsky, 44th USSR
Ch ( 1 st L) 1 976.
10 . . . h6
Apart from this move, a whole
series of other continuations lead to
an equal game:
Jtg4!?, and now:
• •
a) 1 1 �5 �xdS 1 2 cd h6 1 3 Jte3
�7 1 4 h3 Jtxf3 I S gf J1,18,
followed by . . . JtcS, Ritov­
Kotkov, RSFSR 1 967.
b) 11 h3 Jtxf3 12 Jtxf3 c£lc6 1 3
�bS §e7!, and after driving away
the white knight by . . . a6, Black
invades on d4, Pribyl -Kubicek,
Czechoslovakia 1 974.
c) 11 c£lel ].e6! 1 2 �2 c6 1 3 f3

��dB 1 4 Jl,c3 R'itov-Kivioja,
Tallinn 1 962. ,
10 . <£)c6 is also good: I I h3
. •
.Q.e6 1 2 .Q.e3 a6 13 <£)gS <£)d4!,
Knesevic-Beil, Olomouc 1 97S.
10. <£)&6 is another equalizing
• .
line:
a) II <£)xeS <£)cS! (bad is I I . . .
.§ xeS 1 2 .§d8+ .Q.m 1 3 f4 .§e6 1 4
Ag4) 1 2 .£)13 <£)fxe4 1 3 �xe4
�xe4 1 4 .Q.e3 �xf2 I S .Q.xf2
.Q.h6+ , and Black wins a pawn,
Malich-Peterson, Riga 1 96 1 .
b) 1 1 �el c6 (also I I . . . <£)cS 1 2 13
�e6 b. . . cS) 1 2 �c2, with two
.
alternatives:
b l ) 12 • .Q.e6 1 3 13 ( 1 3 b4!? 4:)d7!
. •
1 4 a3) 13 . . . �7 1 4 §d2, when it
is difficult for Black to create
counter-play, since the bishop at e6
prevents the manoeuvre
�cS--e6, Malich-Vogt, E. German
Teams Ch 1 97S.
b2) 12 �c5 1 3 13 �e6 14 .Q.e3
• • •
.Q.f8 I S ,§d2 .Q.cS, with an equal
game, Ritov-Karasev, USSR
Armed Forces Team Ch, Lenin­
grad 1 969.
Black must merely avoid
dawdling over his development,
since on 10 c6?! White can now
• .
play I I �xeS! �xe4 1 2 �xe4
.Q.xeS, and now both 1 3 f4,
Luik-Kiviaho, Estonia-Finland
1 96 1 , and Hort's recommendation
Cla.uiral IV: 7 tit /.Q.e3 /03
of l 3 !! he l ! c£)d7 1 4 �16, lead to a
marked advantage for White.
I I .Q.e3 c6
I t is as yet too early for the active
I I . . . �4; after 1 2 4:)d5 �6 1 3
cS c6 1 4 .Q.xa6 cd I S .Q.bS d4 1 6
.Q.xe8 .Q.e6 1 7 h3 �16 1 8 .Q.xd4 ed
1 9 .Q.a4 �xe4 20 � xd4 .£jxf2 2 1
�xe6, Ritov-Kopilov, RSFSR
·1 96 1 , White had the better ending.
12 �I .ile6
Here too 1 2 . . . .£Jg4 1 3 .Q.xg4
.Q.xg4 1 4 .§d2 c£)d7 I S b3 followed
by 13, �2 and !!hd I gives White
control of the 'd' file, and a slight
advantage, Ritov-Antoshin, Sar­
atov 1 962.
1 3 13 .Q.m
1 4 4Jc2 �a6 I S b3 �g7 1 6 ,§d2
4Jd7 1 7 .§hd l �b6 1 8 �b2 �s
19 g3 aS and the game is level,
Nei-Tal, Tallinn 1 973.
Thus after the pawn exchange in
the centre White has no opening
advantage.
B
7 .Q.e3 ( 75)
The initial move of a variation
introduced by Gligorit. For the
75
B
•
104 ClaJJical IV: 7 de /A,e3
moment White defers castling, and harmoniously placed, and he has a
keeps open for himself the slight advantage.
possibility of an attack on the
�-side. At the same time he ·.

' ·.,
....

neutralizes to a certain extent Black can also attempt to refute

Black's counter-play in the the development of the bishop at e3
variation examined in Chapter I I , 7 by immediately attacking it: 7 . • •

0- 0 <t)di R cl5 <t)c7. <t)g4 8 Ag5 ffi , and now:

7 ... c6 a) 9 A,cl <t)cfi 10 h3 <t)hfi I I 0-0,
A useful move, by which Black Miles-Hurt, Tilburg 1 977, and
takes control of d5, and in some now instead of I I . . <t)f7? 1 2 .Q.e3
.

cases prepares the central freeing �h8 1 3 c5, with advantage to

advance . . . d5. White, Black should have played I I
He also has other possibilities. . . . �h8! immediately, removing
Thus he can provoke the move the king from the a2-g8 diagonal,
d4-d5, so as to then begin counter­ and retaining counter-chances.
play on the nank: b) 9 .Q.h4, with the alternatives:
b l ) 9 . , , {)c6 1 0 d5 {)e7 I I {)<12
7 . �c6 (not a good way of {)h6 12 f3 c5 13 a3, and White
. .

doing this) 8 d5 c£)c7 9 {)d2 c£)d7 gains the initiative on the i!f-side,
I 0 b4 15 I I f3 <t)ffi 12 c5 §. f7 1 3 J imenez-Uhlmann, Palma de
<t)c4, and White's attack comes Mallorca 1 970.
first, Donner-Mista, Cienfuegos b2) 9 • •gS 10 .Q.g3 <t)h6! I I cS g4
•

1 972. ( l l . . . ed 1 2 <t)xd4 de is bad: 1 3

c£Jdb5!) 1 2 <t)h4 de ( if 1 2 . . . ed,
7 • i!fe7 and now:
• • , then 1 3 <t)b5 a6 14 cd!) 1 3 de fe 1 4
a) 8 de de 9 <t)d5 <t)xd5 10 cd, and: A,c4+ \frh8 1 5 i!fxd8 §. xd8 1 6
a I ) 10 i!rb4+ I I i!fd2 i!i'xd2+ <t)b5 §.d7 1 7 §.ad I , with a
. • .

12 <t)xd2, with the beuer ending difficult pos1 t1on for Black,
for White. Hort-Giigoric, San Antonio 1 972.
a2) 10 §.dB I I 0-0 c£Jc17 1 2
• • •

i!rc2 {)!6 1 3 A.g5 h6 1 4 A,xffi Finally, Black can immediately

A,xffi 1 5 §.ac l , with advantage to exchange in the centre, with the
White, Portisch-Geller, Portoroz idea ofadvancing . . . d5: 7 • •ed 8
•

1 973. <t)xd4 §.e8 9 f3 c6, and now:

b) 8 dS <t)g4 9 A.g5 ffi 1 0 A,h4 h5 a) 10 .il,f2 d5 I I cd cd 1 2 0 -0 <t)c6
I I c£jd2 a5 12 a3 <t)h6 13 f3, 1 3 c5 <t)h5 1 4 �d2 .il,e5 1 5 g3 <t)g7
followed by .il,d3, .il,f2, i!fe2 and (or 1 5 . . . .il,h3 1 6 §.fc l <t)g7,
0-0, when White's pieces are Taimanov - Strin . 33rcl USSR \.h
 Classical IV: 7 de /.A,e3 105
1 965) 1 6 !!fe l .£}ell 1 7 <£)xe6 a draw .
.A,xe6 1 8 f4 .i,xc3 1 9 be .A,f5 20 B2
�ad I , with a complicated game, 9 .A,xd4 �e8
Hort-Gligoril:, Tilburg 1 977. 1 0 �c2 �bd7
b) 10 �d2 d5 I I ed cd 12 0--Q We are following ll.LUS­
transposes into a position from the TRATIVE GAME No. 8, Tai­
Slmisch Variation, examined on p. Dvoretsky, 42nd USSR Ch (Top
35. White retaim the advantage. League) 1 974 (notes by Tal) .
8 0--o Black should have delayed this
Alternatives fail to give White an mo\'e. The direct 1 0 . . . i!e7 I I
advantage: !!fe I c5 deserved consideration,
8 d5 cd 9 cd <£)e8 1 0 h4 f5 I I h5 when White is faced with a choice:
f4 1 2 .A,d2 g5 1 3 h6 .A,ffi 1 4 .£)h2 either to give up his bishop, or a
<£)a6 1 5 .A.g4 c&'h8, Gligoril:­ pawn: 1 2 Jte3 .£) xe4 1 3 <£)xe4
Geller, Skopje 1 968. %xe4 1 4 %c2, for which he gains
8 �d2 � e8 9 d5 <£)g4 I 0 .A.g5 ffi some compensation.
I I .A,h4 c5 1 2 h3 �h6 1 3 0--Q 4Jd7 I I · !!ad l i!e7
14 a3 �17 15 b4 a5, and Black 12 �re t �5
either stabilizes the i!t-side, or gains In reply to 1 2 . . . �5, which
counter-play t h e r e , appears more pu rposeful,
R�hevsky-Stein, I Z Playoff 1 968. White was intending 13 b4,
8 ... ed when it turns out that the
and now: threat to the e4 pawn is
B l 9 � xd4 illusory: 13. . �cxe4 1 4 .A,d3
.

82 9 .A,xd4 d5 1 5 cd cd 1 6 .A,xffi! . I nstead,

B1 Black could have continued 13 • . •

9 <£)xd4 �e6 1 4 .A,e3 <£)g4, with a compli­

9 .... !!e8 cated game. After the move played
10 f3 . White at any rate does not have to
After I 0 �c2 Black can all the worry about his e4 pawn.
same provoke f2-f3 by 10 . . . �e7. 1 3 h3 .A,h6
· 10 . . . d5 An interesting move, which
when I I cd cd 1 2 �b3 de 1 3 esse ntially forces White to go in for
.A,c4 !!18 1 4 !!ad I �e7 1 5 fe .£)c6 complications, which, however,
1 6 4Jd5 was the course taken by tum out to be favourable for him.
Nei-Stein; 34th USSR Ch, 1 967; Against other moves White would
after 16 . . . �xd5 1 7 .£)xc6 be 1 8 have time to regroup with .A,e3 and
ed cd 1 9 .A,xd5 Ag4 20 !!c l !!ac8 �d2, with positional pressure.
2 1 � x�8 Jtxc8 the players agreed 1 4 b4!
/06 Classicnl IV: 7 d' /A_,J
The threat of 1 4 . . . c5 was c5, White has gained another,
rather unpleasant. much more important advantage -
14 b6 ( 76) undisput�d (as long as the bishop at
.
d6 is 'aliv.e ') control of the b-file.
76 21 . . . .Q.f8
w 2 1 . . . i!fb4 looks more active, so
as to answer 22 E{ b l with 22 . . .
i!ra3. But White has 22 A,a6, forcing
the black queen to guard b7.
The move played involves a
clever trap: the variation 22 .Q.xe5
A,xa2 23 .Q.a l "{!rb3 24 �d2 A,xc5
(had is 24 . . . !! xe4 25 A,f3
E{ xe l + 26 E{ xe l �7 27 A,xg7
1 5 c5! �xg7 28 Eta I !) 25 "{!rg5 appears
All this is forced, but . . . not at convincing eriough, but on 22
all bad. .Q.xe5 Black had prepared 22 . . .
15 . . . be .Q.b3!, not only attaining opposite­
After 1 5 . . . {)xf3+ 1 6 A,xf3 be coloured bishops, but also regain­
1 7 be de 1 8 .Q.e3 .Q.xe3 1 9 !! xe3 ing the pawn!
White has more than sufficient 22 E{ b l
compensation for the pawn. White docs not deviate from the
16 {)xeS de general plan.
Better chances were probably 22 . . . "{!rd7
offered by 1 6 . . . cd 1 7 {)xc6 i!fb7. 23 E{ed I
1 7 .Q.xc5. i!fb 7 All White's pieces are directed
1 8 {)a4 towards the "{If-side.
White has a clear positional 23 . . . A,xd6
advantage. The knight heads for 24 cd!
the blockading square c5. Yet another transformation.
18 . . : .Q.e6 White goes in for a variation, the
1 8 . . . .Q.ffi was more tenacious. point of which 1s his quiet 27th
The point is that after move.
1 9 A,d6 {)d 7 24 E{ah8
20 {)c5 c£)xc5 25 a4
2 1 be! A new trump comes into play.
A transformation of advantages The advance of this pawn to a6,
occurs: instead of pressure on the followed by an invasion on b7, is
weak c6 pawn, and occupation of bound to decide the game.
 Classical IV: 7 de /Ae3 107
25 . . . !! x b l 34 �b7
26 'l!rxb I i!Yd8
It only remains for Black to play 77
27 . . . �b6, and his position will be
w
tenable, but . . .
27 �c2!
It turns out that 27 . . . �b6 is
decisively met by 28 !!b I . The
black queen is forced to return to
her cheerless occupation - that of
blockading the d6 pawn.
27 . . . i!Yd 7
2 8 �c5 ffi
28 . . . Ab3 29 !! b l Axa4 30 35 Ac4! f5
!!al and 3 1 !! xa7 is clearly bad Clever, but insufficient.
for Black. The acceptance of the sacrifice
29 aS <\t>g7 leads to mate: 35 . . Axc4 36
•

30 !! b l !!dB !! xd7 �xd7 37 �xffi+ .

3 1 a6 <\t>h6 Black also loses after 35 • �g7
. .

Now White could play 32 !!b7 36 .Q.xe6 �xe6 37 �- But now

�xd6 33 �xa7, when the a-pawn misfortune strikes from the other
is bound to decide the game, but side.
the time had come to think also 36 ef
about the black king! After all the c6 pawn turns out to
32 �e3+ be weald On 36 , . .A,xc4 there
.

More accurate than 32 !!b7 follows 37 'l!rxc6!

'l!rxd6 33 �e3+ gS 34 'i!rf3 Ad 7, 36 . . . ftxfS
when all the same White is 'forced' 3 7 Axe6 Resigns
to capture the a7 pawn. Gligorit's 9 .Q.e3 does not set
32 gS Black any particularly difficult
. 33 'l!rf3 � problems.
10 Classical V: 7 0--Q 4jbd 7

I d4 .£)16 the centre by d4-d5 (next chapter) .

2 c4 g6 Also to be considered are two less
3 .£)c3 Ag7 common alternatives 7 . . . ed and 7
4 e4 d6 . . . c6:
5 ttlf3 0--Q A 7 . . . ed
6 Jte2 e5 B 7 . . . c6
I n this and the next chapter we c 7 . . . .£)bd7
examine the most modern and also For the important 7 . . . .£)c6 see
the most promising set-up for Chapter I I .
White, whereby he tries to A
maintain the tension in the centre. 7 • • • ed
7 o-o ( 78) This immediate release of the
central tension does not promise
78
Black equality.
8 .£)xd4 §e8
B
9 f3
I t is difficult for White to defend
his e4 pawn otherwise. Thus 9
ti'c2?! ttlxe1 1 0 ttlxe4 Jtxd4 I I
Ag5 f6 1 2 §ad I fg 1 3 § xd4 jtl5
1 4 c5 .£)c6 1 5 Jtc4+ <\t>g7 1 6 "i!tc3
.£) xd4 1 7 "i!fxd4+ <\t>h6 led to a
win for Black in Rossetto-Larsen,
Amsterdam IZ 1 964.
Now it is Black who must make 9 .. . c6
his choice, in the main between two Or 9 . . . ttlc6 I 0 Jte3 ttle5 I I
continuations: the older, waiting "i!td2, and now:
system (var. C) , and the modern a) 1 1 . . a6 (Black neglects to
.

attempt to provoke the blocking of control the square d5) 1 2 §ad l


.Q.d7 1 3 -'tg5! �c6 1 4. c£)b3,
followed by c£)d$, and Black has a
difficult position, Uhlmann-Savon,
Cienfuegos 1 973.
b) 1 1 . c6 1 2 �ad l "i!Yc7 1 3 h3 a6
. •
1 4 a4 "i!Ya5 1 5 �c2 .Q.e6 1 6 b3, and
White, who is preparing for the
advance f2-f4, stands more
actively, Aloni-Domnitz, Netanya
1 968.
10 4)c2
Now after 1 0 . . . d5 I I cd cd 1 2
ed "i!Yb6+ 1 3 �h I .£ja6 1 4 .Q.c4
.Q.f3 1 5 .Q.b3 4)c5 1 6 .£)e3 Black
does not gain any compensation for
the pawn (cin 1 6 . . . .£jxb3 White
has the intermediate move 1 7
.£)c4).
B Smyslov-Geller, Zurich C 1 953.
7 ... c6
The idea of this move is again to
carry ou� the central counter . . .
d5. Now 8 .Q.e3 transposes into a
variation which was examined
earlier in chapter 9 (p. 1 05) . Two
other continuations should be
considered:
Bl 8 �el
B2 8 d5!?
Bl
8 �e1 ed
9 .£j xd4 �e8
1 0 .a.n
By 10 .Q.f3 White can preven t
. . . d5, but the bishop i s badly
placed at f3, and 1 0 . . . .£jbd7 1 1
h3 aS 1 2 � b 1 4)c5 1 3 .Q.f4 a4 1 4
�d2 �b6 1 5 �bd l �d8 gives
Black sufficient counter-play,
Classical V: 7 0-0 fi:jbd7 109
Puc-Vukcevic, Yugoslav Ch 1 958.
Also unsatisfactory is 10 f3?! d5
I I cd, and now not I I . . . .£j xd5?
1 2 ed �b6 1 3 �h 1 �xd4 1 4 .a.gs
�xd l 1 5 �axd l h6 1 6 .Q.c4 .Q.d7
1 7 .Q.h4 .£ja6 1 8 �4, with a
decisive advantage for White,
Rashk ovsky-Vasyukov , 4 0 t h
USSR Ch, b u t simply 1 1 . . . cd,
and if 1 2 .Q.b5, then 1 2 . . . .£jc6!
with an excellent game.
10 . . . �4
1 1 h3 �
1 2 hg � xd4
1 3 g5 c£)d7
14 .Q.e3!
White achieves nothing by 1 4
.Q.f4 �xd l · 1 5 �axd l .Q.e5,
14 . . . . �e5
After 1 4 . . . �xd 1 1 5 l! a xd 1
.Q.e5 16 f4 .Q.xc3 1 7 be � xe4 18
l! xd6 White's strong bishops and
better development give him a
serious advantage in the ending.
1 5 �d2
In Rashkovsky-Szabo, Sochi
1 973, White had the better game.
B2
8 d5!?
An even more promising reply
for White.
8 ... cd
8 . . . c5 leads to a position from
the Benoni Defence with an extra
tempo for White, since Black has
spent two moves on the advance . . .
c7;:5.
9 cd Qe8
I /0 Classical 1': 7 0-0 t;Jbd7
Or 9 . . . t;Ja6 1 0 t;Jd2 t;Jc8 I I
t;Jc4 f5 1 2 f3 f4 1 3 a4 g5 1 4 t;JbS
�16 1 5 g4! fg 1 6 ..Q.. x g5 'i!i'd7! 1 7 hg
�g6 1 8 ..Q..h4 .ilffi 1 9 �1'2!, and in
this sharp position the advantage is
with White, who IS betler
developed, H ii bner-Kaplan,
Houston 1 974.
10 a4!
Now after 1 0 . . . h6" 1 1 a5 f5 1 2
ef gf 1 3 g3 t;Ja6 1 4 t;Jh4 f4 1 5
�a3 Ah3 1 6 ltg4 White gained a
considerable positional advantage,
Korchnoi-·Suctin, 34th USSR Ch
1 966 /67.
c
7 ..• .£jbd7 ( 79)
79
w Najdorf-Andersson, Wijk aan Zee
8 �el
White gains n o advantage b y the
exchange in the centre. After 8 de
de the game can proceed along the
following lines: 9 'i!i'c2 c6 10 b3
�e8 I I �d l 'i!i'c7 1 2 t;Ja4 b6 1 3
Ab2 ..Q..ffi 1 4 t;JeI Ab 7 1 5 f3 �ac8
16 .£jd3 b5, with approximate
equality, Basagic-Hort, Sarajevo
1 972.
8 d5 t;Jc5 9 �c2 aS 10 ltg5 (or
10 t;Je I, or 10 t;Jd2, with the idea of
exchangin$ off the knight at cS) 1 0
. . . h6 leads t o posi t ions exa mi nl'cl
earlier (p. 84) .
8 ... c6
81ack has no reason to be in a
hurry to play 8 . . . �e8, since 9
An , countering the pres�ure on
e4, is all the same part of White's
plan. Alternatively, White can
continue 9 d5, and if9 . . . a5 (9 . . .
t;JcS 1 0 ..Q..n aS II .§ h i tran�poscs
into the main line) , thrn 1 0 Ag�> h6
I I Ah4 gS 12 ltg3 t;JhS 1 3 t£)<12
.£jf4 1 4 ltg4 t;JcS 1 5 Axc8 i!rxc8
1 6 .£)n f5 1 7 f3, and the threat of
occupying 15 by .£)e3-f5 gives
White the better chances,
1 97 1 .
I t should also be mentioned that
the atlempt to put pressure on the
e4 pawn by 8 . •ed 9 .£j xd4 t;Jc5
•
1 0 An �e8 I I f3 t;Jfd7 1 2 Ae3 c6,
Taimanov-Reshevsky, Zurich C
1 953, is unsatisfactory for Black.
White ha� a numhrr of advantages
in comparison with the analogous
variation with ltg2: his pawns at c4
and f3 are defended. By 1 3 b4
(instead of the less active 1 3 i!rd2,
which occurred in the game) 1 3 . . .
t;Je6 1 4 � b l White could have
seized the initiative.
9 An
If here 9 d5, then 9 . . . .£jc5 I 0
An a5, and:

a) 1 1 Jtg5 h6 1 2 A,h4 g5 _ 1 3 A.g3
A.g4! 1 4 ,§e3 b5 1 5 de b4 1 6 c£)b5
�fxe4, and Black seized the
initiative, Petrosian-Spassky, 2{th
USSR Ch 1 960.
b) 1 1 !!b1 �c7 1 2 b3 (intending
a3 and b4) 1 2 . . . c£)eS 1 3 �e3 f5
1 4 efgf 1 5 !:tel e4 1 6 c£)gS, with a
very sharp position and chances for
both sides, Shamkovich-Suetin,
USSR 1 972.
9 ... aS
The most exact.
9. . !!e8 is now unpleasantly
• counter-play, Najdorf-Pilnik, Mar
met by 10 dS, with the threat of I I
de, when Black cannot play 1 0 . . .
ctJcS because of I I b4. He has two
other possibilities:
a) 10 • c5 I I g3! (directed against
• •
. . . f5) I I . . . c£)18 1 2 a3 c£)g4 1 3
c£)h4 a6 ( 1 3 . . . f5 is answered by 1 4
ef gf I S �h3, with the threat of 1 6
c£)xf5 and 1 7 �xg4) 1 4 �d2 hS I S
h 3 ctJh6 1 6 b4, with the better game
for White, Taimanov-Geller, C
Zurich 1 9S3.
b) 10 . cd I I cd aS 12 � 2 ctJcS
. •
1 3 !! b l �d7 1 4 a4 �c7 I S b3
!leeS 1 6 c£)c4, and again White
stands better, Darga-Udovcit,
Bled 1 96 1 .
I t is also inopportune to prepare
the advance . . . f5 by 9 . �4. • Now we consider two main poss i­
(totally unsa t isliK t ory is 9 . .
c£)e'? 1 0 !! b I ctJc7 I I b4,
Rcshevsky -Koto\', Zurich C 1 9S3,
when White's initiative develops
C/(IJsical V: 7 0-0 liJbd7 Ill
more quickly) , with two possi bi­
lities for White:
a) 10 h3 ed I I �xd4 �b6 1 2 hg
�xd4 1 3 �e3 �xe3 1 4 a xe3
c£)eS (or 14 . . . ct!ffi IS �e2 �eS,
Panno-Schweber, Buenos Aires
1 96S. 1 5 �e2 �e6 1 6 b3 !!adS 1 7
gS (6 I S c£)a4, Timman-Hug,
Haifa OL 1 976, with the better
game for White.
b) 10 d5 cS I I h3 c£)h6 1 2 a3 (6 (the
immediate 1 2 . . . f5 is bad in view
of 1 3 c£)gS) 1 3 !! b l c£)f7 14 �d3 aS
1 5 b3 A,a6, and Black has some
del Plata 1 962.
Finally, here too the exchange in
the centre and pressure on the e4
pawn does not give Black equality:
9 • • ed 10 c£)xd4 !!eS I I �f4
•
ctJc5 1 2 �c2, and now:
a) 12 4)g4 1 3 !!ad I �eS 1 4
• • •
� 3 �(6 I S �d2! hS! 1 6 f3 �xg3
1 7 hg ct!eS IS f4 c£)g4 1 9 ct!f3 �dS
20 b4! �7 2 1 c£)a4, and White
won a pawn, Averkin-Geller, 37th
USSR Ch, Moscow 1 969.
b) 12 �xe4 1 3 c£)xe4 �xd4
• • •
14 c£) xd6 a xe l I S a xe l c£)e6 1 6
�3, and i t i s not a t all easy for
Black to complete the development
of his �-side.
. bilities for White:
C l 1 0 �e3
C2 1 0 !! b l
1 0 h3 loses time, and in
I I2 Classical V: 7 0-0 li:Jbd7
Sosonko- Tal, Bicl IZ 1 976, !i:Jxe4 20 § xe4 .a_xb2 2 1 § b l a3
allowed Black to equalize afier 1 0 22 .a.xm �xfB 23 �e2 .a.rs 24
. . . ed I I !i:Jxd4 �e8 1 2 �J4 li:Jc5 �bxb2 ab 25 g xb2 Black gained
1 3 i'tc2 li:Jh5 1 4 .a_e3 !i:Jffi. full equality, Dorfman-Kochiev,
10 b3 is weak since after I 0 . . . ed 45th USSR Ch (Top L) 1 977.
I I !i:Jxd4 !i:Jg4! 1 2 �xg4 .a_xd4 1 3 b) 14 ed li:Jb6 15 d6! li:Jbd5 16
�g3 ij-!6 the weakening of the !i:Jxd5 !i:J xd5 17 .a_f'l g xe l 18
a 1 - h8 diagonal is felt, Schmid ­ i!fxel 'i!txd6 1 9 §d l , with a
lvkov, European Teams Ch, Bath minimal advantage for White,
1 973. Janosevic-Matulovic, Skopje 1 970.
10 .a_e3 ed However, instead 13 ed!? cd 1 4
On 1 0 . . . !i:Jg4 I I .a_g5 f6 White !i:Jdb5 i s highly promising for
should reply 1 2 .a_d2!?, rathcr than White.
12 .a_h4 li:Jh6 1 3 li:Ja4 !i:Jf7 14 de de C2
15 c5 �e7, with chances for both 10 §b1
sides, Kuzmin-Dvoretsky, 44th With this move White pursues
USSR Ch ( 1st L) 1 976. several aims simultaneously. He
I I !i:Jxd4 �e8 removes his rook from the line of fire
1 2 ("3 d5 of the bishop at g7, and prepares a
Or 1 2 . . . li:Jc5 1 3 ij-d2, and possible �-side attack with a3 and
now: b4.
a) 13 • • a4 1 4 �ab l !i:Jfd7 1 5 b4
• We now consider:
ab 1 6 ab li:Je5 1 7 h3, with C2 1 1 0 . . . ed
advantage to White, 9)gaard­ C22 10 . . . �e8
Larsen, Clare Benedict Teams, C21
Copenhagen 1 977. 10• • • ed
b) 13 . . • !i:Jfd7 14 �ad I i'te7 1 5 This immediate releasing of the
b3 li:Je5 1 6 �c2 i'th4, with a highly tension in the centre is the less
complicated, but advantageous promising of mack's two alter-
position for White, Taimanov­ natives.
Cherepkov, USSR 1 972. I I !i:Jxd4 �e8
1 2 ("3
The normal continuation now is White also gains an advantage
13 cd cd, with two examples: by 1 2 .a_f4!? li:Jc5, and now:
a) 14 li:Jdb5 de 1 5 !i:Jd6, with an a) 13 i!tc2?! (this gives Black an
apparently clear predominance . in important tempo for defence) 1 3
the centre, but by calmly replying . . . !i:Jg4 1 4 §bd l Ae5 1 5 .a_xe5
15 . . . §CB! 16 !i:Jcxe4 !i:Jxe4 1 7 de 1 6 li:Jb3 �h4 1 7 h3 !i:Jxb3 1 8 ab
!i:Jxe4 a4 1 8 .a_d4 {)f6! 1 9 Ac5 !i:Jffi 1 9 li:Ja4 Ae6, with approxi-

male equality, Smejkal-Kochiev,
Dortmund 1977.
b) 13 f3 d5 1 4 ed !! xe l + 15 i:'fxe l
.£)xd5 ( 1 5 . . . cd 1 6 !!d l is totally
bad) I 6 cd -'l,xd4+ 1 7 -'l,e3
-'l,xe3+ 18 i:'fxe3, Tal-Grigorian,
45th USSR Ch (Top L) 1 977.
12 . . . d5
I 3 cd .£)xd·5
White has the advantage after I 3
. . . cd 1 4 �b5 de 1 5 c£)d6, when
the attack 1 5 . . . ef I 6 .£)xe8 {)g4
1 7 .£)e4 i:'th4 I 8 h3 1'2+ 19 .£)xl'2
i:'fxl'2+ 20 <3th I -'\.d4 2 1 -'l,e2 .£)c5
22 -'lg5! .£)e3 23 -'l,xe3 -'l,xe3 24
!!fl i:'fg3, Polugayevsky-Kochiev,
45th USSR Ch (Top L) , 1 977,
could have been refuted by the
simple 25 !!13.
I4 <3lh i
If 1 4 .£)ce2, then 1 4 . . . .£)c7 I 5
-'l,e3 -'l,e5!, with counter-play on
the black squares, or against the
weakened e4 square after f3-f4,
Polugayevsky-Nemet, Vinkovci
I 976.
I4 . . . .£) xc3
15 be .£)c5 16 -'l,e3 -'\.18 ( I 7
<t}xc6 was threatened ) , when,
contrary to the opinion of Hort,
who in ECO, vol. E, assesses the
position as equal, White has the
better game.
C22
10 . . . !!eB
Threatening to capture on d4
followed by . . . d5, or . . . .£)c5,
with pressure on e4.
I I d5
Classical V: 7 0-0 t;Jbd7 1 13
White can no longer advant­
ageously maintain the tension in
the centre.
Thus 1 1 a3 Ieads to an advantage
for Black after I I . . . ed I 2 .£)xd4
.£)b6 (or I 2 . . . .£)c5 I 3 f3 a4) I 3
-'lg5 h6 1 4 -'\.h4 i:'tc7 1 5 Hc l a4 I 6
Hc2 .£)fd 7 , Antoshin-Stein,
Havana I 968.
In the event of 1 1 b3 Black can
continue I I . . . ed 1 2 .£)xd4 .£)c5
I 3 f3 d5 I 4 ed H xe i + I 5 �xe l
.£)xd5 I 6 cd -'l,xd4+ 1 7 -'l,e3 �.
and in comparison with the
Tal-Grigorian game given earlier,
the fact that the knight at c3 is
undefended tells on White; after I 8
-'l,xd4 �xd4+ 1 9 <3lh i .A,d7 20
Hd I �b4 Black has an equal
game, Dzhindzhihashvili-Kivlan,
USSR 1 975.
II �5 ( 80)
80
w
The key position in the 7 . . .
.£)bd7 vanat10n. The basic
problem facing White is to build up
an initiative on the �-side.
1 2 b3
Also possible is 12 .£)d2 -'\.h6,
and now:
1 I4 Classical V: 7 0-0 l£jbd7
a) 13 b3 �ffi 1 4 a3 l£jcd7 1 5 b4 ab
1 6 ab c5 1 7 l£jb5 l£je8 1 8 be l£j xc5
19 l£jb3 Axe l 20 i'fxc l b6, with a
quick draw, Sofrevski -Vasyukov,
Skopje 1 970.
b) 13 l£jb3 (White first exchanges
off the kni�ht at c5) 1 3 . . . Jtxc l
1 1 § xc l l£j x b3 1 5 �xb3 c5, with
a rather cramped but solid position
for Black, Reshevsky-Agdamus,
Buenos Aires 1 970.
It should also be mentioned that
other plans, in particular play on
the <31>-side, do not promise White
any advantage:
12 Ag5 h6 1 3 Jth4 gS 1 4 �3
�4 I S �e3 'i!rb6, with chances
for both sides, R. Garcia­
Schweber, Mercedes Argentina
1 968.
12 g3 �4 1 3 h3 .Q_d7 14 l£jd2
i!rc8 I S <it'h2 �18, with an equal
game, Gipslis-Vasyukov, 34th
USSR Ch 1 966 /67.
12 h3, and now:
a) 12 • . J1,d7?! 1 3 l£jd2! liJhS 1 4
. l£jxc3 1 7 �·xc3 §a4 1 8 1£jd2 i!fb8
l£jb3 l£jxb3 I S i'fxb3 �b8 1 6
i!fd I ! cd 1 7 liJxdS Jtc6 1 8 .Q_e3,
and the threat or 19 .1lb6 is highly
unpleasant, Gligoric-Stein, Sousse
IZ 1967.
b) 12 . .cd 1 3 cd Ad 7 14 b3 bS I S
• b) 14
b4 a b 1 6 � x b4 i!raS, Golombek­
lvkuv, Opatija 1 9S3.
12 . . . .Q_d7
Utilizing his pressure on e4,
Black prepares the counter . . . bS.
The attempt to prevent the break
by b3-b4 is more passive: after 12
• . l£ja6 13 a3 c5 1 4 .1ld2 � IB I S
•
g3 �4 1 6 h3 .Q_d7 the black
knight .. al. a6 was out or play,
Reshevsky"!.. M ecking, Sousse IZ
1 967.
12 i!fc7 is possible, with the
. . •
idea or switching the rook from e8
to the �-siclc:
a) 13 a3 �4 14 h3 Axf3 I S i!rxf3
a4 1 6 ba l£jxa4 17 l£jxa4 § xa4 1 8
'i!rb3 §a7, with an equal game,
Schmidt -Dvoretsky, Polanica
Zdroj 1 973.
b) 13 Ag5 h6 1 4 .1ld2 Ad7 IS a3
cd 16 cd §ec8 1 7 a1 't'rd8 1 8 g3
i':Yf8 1 9 l£jh4, and White controls
more space on both wings,
Malich-Mohring, Halle 1 974.
1 3 de!?
White reacts flexibly to his
opponent's play.
He gains nothing by the direct 1 3
a3 cd 1 4 cd, and now:
a) 14 a4 (the weaker
alternative) 1 5 ba l£jxa4 16 frb3
1 9 !!b6, and White's attack on the
weak pawns at b7 and d6 gives him
the advantage, Taimanov­
Liberzon, 37th USSR Ch, Moscow
1 969.
b5 I S b4 ab 1 6 § xb4
. . .
§b8 1 7 .Q_d2 i!faS, with the
examples:
b l ) 18 l£j xb5 Jl.xb5 19 § xbS
i!f x a3 20 i!fb I (after 20 .Q_b4
'i!rxb4 2 1 !! xb4 !! xb4 Black wins
the e4 pawn, and obtains sufficient
compensation for the queen) 20 . . .

�fd7, with equal chances, Stull­
Hug, Pula 1975.
b2) 18 �a1 i!fa7 19 ..Q.e3 §ec8 20
h3 (weaker is 20 ..Q.xb5?! :Q.xb5 2 1
§ xb5 § xb5 22 �xb5 i!ra6,
when Black seized the initiative in
Schmidt -Knaak, Pula 1975) 20 . . .
�aS.
13 . . . Axc6
1 3 . . . be is basically a trappy
variation:
a) 14 i!fxd6? c£)fxe4! 15 c£)xe4
c£)xe4 1 6 § xe4 ...Q.£5 1 7 i!fd3 (or
1 7 �xd8 §e xd8 18 �2 ..Q.h6!)
17 . . . �xd3 18 ..Q.xd3 §ed8, and
wms.
b) 14 h3 �c7 1 5 ..Q.a3 c£)h5 1 6
c£)a4! ..Q.ffi 1 7 c£)xc5 d e 1 8 �d2
c£)g7 1 9 §bd I ..Q.c8 20 "i!rgS!, with
ad\"antage to White, L. Popov­
Knaak, Polanica Zdroj 1 976.
14 i!tc2 §c8
Or 14 . . . c£)h5 1 5 ..Q.e3 c£)f4 1 6
§bd l c£)fe6 1 7 §d2 �e7 18 �5
Classical V: 7 0-0 liJbd7 115
� 1 9 g3, with pressu re in the
centre for White, Petrosian­
Ljubojevic, Manila 1 974.
1 5 ..Q.a3
Parrying the tactical threat of I S
. . . b 5 1 6 cb ..Q.xe4.
15 . . . �b6
1 6 §bd 1 ..Q.ffi
Vasyukov's move, the idea being
to answer 1 7 g3 with 1 7 . . . ..Q.d7,
(threatening . . . Ag4) 18 Ag2 a4
as in Gufeld-Vasyukov, 37th
USSR Ch, Moscow 1 969.
After 16 . . . §cd8 1 7 '!!fb i Ah6
1 8 h3 � 18 1 9 �2, with the idea of
20 �5 c£)xd5 2 1 cd ..Q.d7 22 �4,
White gained the advantage in
Knaak-Mohring, Leipzig 1975,
since Black was obliged to give up
his bishop for the knight at d2.-
Thus in the 7 . . . �bd7 vari­
ation Black can only defend, since
attempts to seize the initiative by
. . . d5 have not proved justified.
11 Classical V I : 7 0-{) �c6

I d4 c£)ffi A
2 c4 g6 8 _Q_e3
3 c£)c3 -'tg7 White attempts to maintain the
4 e4 d6 tension. Two continuations have
5 .£)!3 0-{) been tried for Black:
6 _Q_e2 e5 A I 8 . . . c£lg4
7 0-{) c£)c6 (8/) A2 8 . . . f!e8!
AI
8 ... c£)g4
81
9 -'tg5 ffi
w 10 _Q_h4
Or 1 0 _Q_c l lt'h8! I I d5 c£)e7 1 2
.£le i 15 1 3 _Q_xg4 fg 1 4 f3 gf 1 5
f! x f3 c£)g8! I 6 _Q_e3 .£)16 1 7 �d2
_Q_d7 1 8 c£)d3 �e7 1 9 Ag5 f!f7 20
f!afl f!affi, with equal chances,
Sofrevski-Uhlmann, Skopje 1976.
10 ... lt'h8!
Weaker is 1 0 . . . ftd7 I I h3
The most modern system of c£)h6, and now:
defence. Black tries to provoke an a) 12 d5?! c£)e7 1 3 c£)d2 g5 1 4 _Q_g3
immediate stabilization of the c£lg6, with the better game for
centre, in order to have his hands Black, Unzicker-Spassky, Palma
freed for counter-play on the lt'­ de Mallorca 1 969.
side. b) 12 de, and if 1 2 . . . de, then 1 3
We consider two replies for �xd7 _Q_xd7 1 4 �5 f!ac8 1 5 c5,
White: with some advantage to White.
A 8 _Q_e3 I I de de
B 8 d5 12 �5
 Classical VI: 7 0-0 c£)c6 117
Or 1 2 �xdS .£j xdS 1 3 .£jd5
·
13 §fd l
.£je6. 13 c£)xe6 gives Black the
12 . . . .£je7 initiative after 1 3 . . . �xe6 1 4 n
Najdorf-Uhlmann, Moscow c6 1 5 c£)c3 Hd7 1 6 �fd l �(8 1 7
1 967, now continued 1 3 4:)d2 .£jh6 � b6, Reshevsky-Fischer, Santa
14 �c2 c6 1 5 .:£)xe7 �xe7 16 n Monica 1 966 .
.:£)f7 1 7 �12 .:£)g5! I S c5 f5 1 9 �d3 After 13 c£)xa7 .£jf4 1 4 �xf4 ef
.:£)e6 20 §fe l �g5 2 1 �n .£jf4, 1 5 .£!xeS � xeS 16 f3 �7 1 7
with counter-chances. fiab l HaS 1 8 a 3 �d4+ 1 9 �h l
A2 h6 Black has perfectly adequate
8 ... fie8! compensation for the pawn,
Black immediately exploits the according to analysis by Najdorf.
fact that the e4 pawn is lacking in 13 . . . b6
defence. 1 3 . . . c6 involves the sacrifice of
9 de a pawn after 1 4 .£j x a7:
Or 9 d5 .:£)d4 10 .:£)xd4 ed I I a) 14 . �d7 1 5 c£)xe6 �xe6 1 6
• .

�xd4 .:£)xe4 1 2 �xg7 �xg7 1 3 n 4:)d 7 1 7 a4, with advantage to

.£)xe4 fi xe4 1 4 �d3 fid4 1 5 �c2 White.
� 1 6 fiael �d7 1 7 fie3 fie8 b) 14 • • .£)£4 1 5 Axf4 ef l 6 {) x c8
•

1 8 fi xeS �xeS 1 9 fi e l �d7, § xeS 1 7 f3 .£)h5 1 8 §d2 c5, and

with a d rawish posi tion, here too Black has excellent
Geller-Bronstein, 25th USSR Ch compensation.
1 958. 1 4 c5
9 ... de The game is level after 14 c£)xe6
1 0 �xdS t£) xd8 �xe6 1 5 n c6 1 6 c£lc3 Am,
Or 10 . . . fi xdB 1 1 Ag-5 §ffi 1 2 Kottnauer-Penrose, Dund�e 1 967,
�fd l .Q.g4 1 3 fiac l h6 1 4 �e3 but 14 a4!? deserves consideration.
fifdB, again with an equal game, 14 . . . c£)xc5
Addison-R. Byrne, USA 1 969. 1 5 §dB+ �ffi!
1 1 .:£)b5 .£je6 The only move, since both the
1 2 .£)g5 fie7 alternatives are bad for Black:
Not 12 . . . c£)xg5? 1 3 Axg5 a) 15 • • §e8?! 1 6 H xe8+ .£) xe8
•

§e7 14 §fd l �e6 1 5 f4 h6 1 6 1 7 �xc5 be 1 8 �e4!

�xffi �xffi 1 7 f5!, and in b) 15 . c£)e8?! 1 6 �xeS be 1 7
• •

Rossetto-Quinteros, Buenos Aires .£jxe7 !! xe7 l S fi xeS+ �ffi 1 9

1 968. White gained a material c£)xh7. -
advantage, since 1 7 . . . gf IS ef 1 6 .£j x a7 fi xa7
�xf5? is bad on account of 1 9 1 7 fi xeS h6!
gn . An important intermediate
1 18 ClnHicnl V1: 7 0- 0 !£y6
move, since the immediate 1 7 . . . 82
\tlg7 1 8 f3 4:)c8, Larsen-Fischer,
Monte Carlo 1 968, could have led B.
to an advantage for White alter 1 9
JlxcS b e 2 0 f!b8!.
1 8 4:)13
Now after 1 8 . . . \tlg7 1 9 JlxcS
be 20 Jld3 Fischer considers that
the game is level.
B
8 d5 4:)e7
8 . . . 4:)b8, with the idea of immediately commences an attack
occupying c5 with the knight, fails on the i!r-sidc. He is prepared after
to eq ualize. After 9 ..Q.�5 aS I 0 4:)d2 . . . f5 to advance his knight to gS,
4:)a6 I I a3 Jld 7 1 2 i_ltc2 �c8 1 3 and invade with it on c6.
4:)bS! h5 1 4 f!ae I 4:)h 7 1 5 lle3, We consider two main possibi­
Panno-Diez del Corral, Sicgen OL lities for Black:
1 970, White had a marked lead in B l l 9 . . . aS
development. B 12 9 . . . 4:)hS [ K 5e i J
The move played leads to the Bll
- �

basic position of the 7 . . . 4:)c6 9 .. . a5

variation. With the pawn structure I nstead of counter-attacking
now fixed, Black must seck counter­ with . . f5, Black defends on the
.

play with . . f5, although the i!r-side.

.

passive position of the knight at e7 10 ba

will cause him to waste further Also possible is 10 Jla3 ab I I
time. Jlxb4 4Jd7 1 2 a4 4:)c5 1 3 4:)d2
\Vhite must, in the main, aim for Jld7 1 4 aS ( 1 4 Jlxc5!? dc 15 4:)b3
an attack on the i!f-sidc. Here deserves consideration) 1 4 . . . 4:)c8
he has a choice of four continu­ I S 4jb3, Petrosian-Stein, 37th
ations: USSR Ch 1 969.
B l 9 b4 10 . . . f! xaS
82 9 Jld2 After 10 . . . cS White should
B3 9 4:)<12 play I I Jld:l, since he gains
114 9 4:)e l nothing by I I de:
Bl a) 11 . 4:) x c6 12 a6 ba 13 f! b l
. .

9 b4 (82) Jle6 1 4 Jle3 f!e8 I S f!b6 i!rc7 1 6

Taimanov's continuation. With­ i!ta4, Taimanov-Bolcslavsky, 28th
out any preparation, White USSR Ch 1 96 1 , and now by 16 . . .

.·..
�4! 1 7 .[)xi:l4 ed 18 Jl,xd4 .[)xe4
Black could have gained sufficient
counter-chances.
b) 1 1 . . . be 1 2 �d2 i!fxa5 1 3
Ab2 f!d8 1 4 �b3 i!rb4, Najdorf-
Penrose, Leipzig OL 1960.
I I .£)d2 c5
12 �b3
After 12 �b5 f!a6 13 Ab2 it
was only the unnecessarily
weakening 13 . . . h5? which gave
White the advantage in Smyslov­
Borisenko, 28th USSR Ch, Moscow
196 1 , after 1 4 a4 Ah6 1 5 f!a3!!
Axd2? (it would have been more
sensible to decline the sacrifice, and
choose the defensive 1 5 . . . �e8) 1 6
i!fxd2 �xe4 1 7 i!re l �16 ( 1 8
Axh5 was threatened) 1 8 f4, with
the opening of the centre and a
strong initiative. Correct therefore
was 13 • • ctJd7 (Buleslavsky) , or 13
• B I Z1 1 0 g3
• � . ctJe8 (Simagin) , with a sound
enough position.
12 . . . f!a6
1 3 a4 �7
1 4 Ad2 f5
1 5 f3 �ffi
1 6 g4 i!rd7
16 � . . Ad 7 looks a better choice.
1 7 h3 fe
And here 1 7 . . . h5 deserved
serious consideration, with the
following possibilities:
a) 18 g5 �h 7 1 9 h4 fe 20 fc i!rh3.
b) 18 Ags �h7 (or 18 . . . �h8,
with the idea of . . . �eg8,
renewing the threat against the g4
pawn)r and now 19 Ah4 is not
Classical VI: ,.7 0-0 �6 · 119
.. ; .... _;,,.
good in view of 19 . . . Jl,h6.
18 fe
•
Damjanovit-Sofrevski, Yugo-
slav Ch 1 96 1 , now continued 1 8 . . .
h5 1 9 Ag5 f!a8 20 i!rd2 i!rd8 2 1
Axffi Axffi 22 g5, with a slight
advantage to White.
B12
9 • • • ctJhS
Against White's �-side aggression
Black plays for an equally swift
counter-attack.
9 . . . �e8, with the same aim, is
more passive, and allows White's
attack to develop unchecked: 10 c5
h6 I I � 2 f5 1 2 �4 ctlffi 1 3 f3 f4
1 4 a4 g5 1 5 Aa3 � 1 6 b5 �e8
1 7 a5 f!l7 1 8 b6, and Black's �­
side defences are pierced,
Smyslov-ciocaltea, Sochi 1 963.
After 9 . . . 4:)h5 White has:
B 1 22 10 4:)d2
The continuation of the attack
by 10 c5 ctlf4 1 1 Axf4 ( I I �2
transposes to var. B 1 22 10 4:)d2) 1 1
. . . ef results in Black's King's
Indian bishop acquiring enormous
strength, whereas White, without
his black-squared bishop, cannot
hope for an advantage.
B121
10 g3
A necessary prophylactic move,
depriving Black's knight of the f4
square, and hindering his counter­
play.
10 (5
1 1 �5
120 Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6
o\:1.�
After I I 4Jd2 ctlffi 1 2 f3 Black
has two possibilities:
a) 12 . .f4 1 3 g4 g5 14 c5 .£lg6 1 5
. B I 2 1 1 l2 . . . f4
.£lc4 f! 17 1 6 a4 jtfB 1 7 Jta3 h5 1 8
h3 f!h7 1 9 �2 Jte7, with chances
for both sides, Anelli-Quinteros,
Argentina Ch 1 97 1 .
b) 12 . .Jth6!? 1 3 .£)b3 Jtxcl 1 4
. accompanied by a preparatory
E! xc l f4 1 5 g4 g5 1 6. c5 .£lg6 1 7 a4
h5 1 8 h3 !!17 1 9 � .£)h4, and
having avoided wasting time on the
manoeuvre . . . JtfB-e7, Black
gained equal chances, Yudovich-
Gufeld, USSR 1 976.
II . . . .£)£6
1 2 f3 (83) (s cGJ
If 12 ef, then 12 . . . {)xf5! 1 3
�e4 a5 1 4 b5 .£)xe4 1 5 .£)xe4
.£)d4 1 6 f3 jtf5 1 7 Jtd3 �d7, when
although White controls e4, his
weak squares, and the strongly-
placed knight at d4, make Black's
pos1t1on preferable, K uzmin-
Taimanov, 35th USSR Ch
Kharkov 1 967.
83
B White therefore continues his
In this position a number of
continuations have been tried for
"''8
Black. However, only two of these
are critical:
B l 2 1 2 1 � . . h6. .
B121 1
12 . . • f4
This counter-allack is sometimes
undermining of the centre by 1 2 . . .
c6, with the following possibilities:
a) 13 b5 c5 14 Jte3 f4 1 5 Jtf2 .£)e8
16 �d3, with a blocked and equal
position, Lukit-Minic, 1 7th Yugo-
slav Ch 1 962.
b) 13 f! b 1 �h8 14 Jte3 {)e8 1 5
�d2 f4! t 6 Jtf2 .£lxds t7 ed
�xg5 1 8 {)e4, with a very sharp
and complicated game,Johansson­
Tringov, Lugano OL 1 968.
c) 13 Jte3 (the most popular) 1 3
. . . f4 1 4 Jtf2 fg 1 5 hg a5 1 6 ba
�xa5 1 7 �b3 cd 18 cd, and White
stands slightly better, Hoad­
Hindle, British Ch, Oxford 1 967.
1 3 c5
Not 13 gf ef 1 4 Jtxf4? .£)xe4,
while after 13 g4 Black has the very
strong reply 1 3 . . . h5.
plan of attack. 13 b5?! is a weaker
method of doing this, when Black
has two possibilities:
a) 13 . . h6 1 4 {)e6 Jtxe6 1 5 de fg
•
1 6 hg �c8 1 7 .£)d5 �xe6 1 8
{)xc7 �h3 1 9 {)xa8 �xg3+ ,
with perpetual check, Pachman­
Taimanov, Havana 1 967.
b) 13 . . fg 1 4 hg {)h5, and now:
.
b I ) 15 �g2 (an apparently natural
 Classical VI: 7 0-0 .£)&6 1 � 1
reply) I S . : . <i:)f4+ ! 1 6 gf ef 1 7 eS · a) 18 • • .£)xd5 1 9 ed '@'xgS+ 20
•

(in order to vacate the square e4 for !:lg2 '@'eS 2 1 �d2, and Black does
his pieces, since on 1 7 �d2 .£)15! not have full compensation for the
Black has a decisive attack) 1 7 . . . piece.
�xeS 1 8 .£)ge4 {}£5 1 9 �g I ( th� b) 18 • .£)£5 19 ef �xgS+ 20
• •

threat was 19 . . . �xc3 and 20 . . . l:!g2 �x£5 2 1 �d2 �d7 22 .£)e4!,

�gS+ ) 1 9 . . . .£)g3! 20 �d2 and apart from his material
�xc3 2 1 .Q.xc3 .£)xe4 22 fe
· advantage White also has the
�gS+ 23 � .Q.h3+ 24 c;fX2 initiative, Stein-Gufeld.
�h4+ , and after a subsequent . . . 1 5 .£)e6 �xe6
g5-g4 the game ended in a 1 6 d� dS!
convincing victory for Black, I 7 ed .£)fxd5
Taimanov-Gufeld, 28th USSR Ch 18 {}xdS <i:)xdS
1 96 1 . 19 �c4 c6
b2) 1 5 �e1 c6 1 6 be be 1 7 �g2 h6 Chances are equal. Taimanov­
1 8 {}h3 c5 19 �e3 �b8 20 �cl Bilek, Leningrad -Budapest 1 9S 7,
g5, with chances for both sides, continued 20 �b l �h7 21 �b3
Bukic-Bogdanovic, Yugoslavia - �e7! 22 �xd5 cd 23 � xd5 !!adS
1 963. 24 �c4 a,d4 25 �e2 �xe6, and
13 . . . fg soon ended in a draw.
Less good is 1 3 . . . <tlhS?! 1 4 g4 B1212
�ffi I S <i:)e6 �xe6 1 6 de .£)g7 1 7 12 . • • h6 (84)
�b3, and now:
a) 17 • •�h8 1 8 bS hS 1 9 Aa3 hg
.
84
20 fg .£)e8 2 1 �ad I , with advant­ w
age to White, Gligoril:-lvkov, 1 8th
Yugoslav Ch 1 962.
b) 17 • h5 18 �a3 �h7 1 9 bS
• •

�h4 20 !:l ad I , with very strong

pressure on the centre, Geller­
Gligoric, USSR-Yugoslavia 1 957.
14 hg . h6
The attempt by 1 4 . . . <i:)hS to
build up an attack similar to that in
the Taimanov-Gufeld game leads
to a difficult position for Black after
I S �e I .£)f4?! ( I S . . . c6 deserves
consideration) 1 6 gf ef 1 7 !!12!
�d4 18 �h i , and:
There is no point in Black
wasting time on the preparatory 1 2
. . . �h8, since after 1 3 c5! h6 1 4
<i:)e6 .Q.xe6 1 5 d e dS 1 6 e d <i:)fxdS
1 7 <i:)xdS �xdS 18 i!fb3! i!fxb3
19 ab .£)c6 a pawn sacrifice enables
122 Classical VI: 7 0-0 {)t-6
White to seize the, open d-file, and
to gain an advantage: 20 �b2!
.£)xb4 2 1 �ad I �feB 22 �d7
�ac8 23 �c4 .£)c6 24 �al , and
the threat of 25 �d5 and 26 f4
forces Black to take strong measures
such as 24 . . . �cd8! in trying to
secure a draw, Bannik-Taimanov,
28th USSR Ch, 1 96 1 . ( I n his
monograph mentioned earlier, and
in Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings,
Boleslavsky cites this game, but
incorrectly gives the players' names
in the wrong order) .
1 3 .£)e6 �xe6
1 4 de c6
1 5 b5!
After 1 5 �e3 i!f'c7 16 'tl'b3
f!ad8 1 7 �ad l i!tc8 1 8 �xa7
i!f'xe6 19 �b6 �d7 20 �d2 �h7
2 1 �fd I h5 22 �e3 �h6 23 �xh6
�xh6 24 c5 i!fxb3 25 ab d5 an
approximately level ending is
reached, Szabo--Gligoric, Buenos
Aires 1 960.
15 . . . i!f'c7
The attack on the e6 pawn by 1 5
. . . .£)e8 fails to 1 6 be be 1 7 � b l
.£)c7 1 8 Jta3 c 5 1 9 .£)b5, with
advantage to White.
16 �e3 f!fd8
1 7 be be
1 8 i!f'a4 'tl'c8
1 9 �ab I �xe6
20 �b7 f4!
This is an opportune moment for
active play.
After 20 • . �h7 2 1 i!f'a6!
• central square e4 (after the
(preventing . . . d5) 2 1 . . . .£ld7 22
§.d I f4 23 §. xa 7 White gained a
marked advantage in Bukic-Minic,
Yugosl�via 1 962.
Attem pts to hold on to the extra
pawn are similarly ineffective:
20
. a5?1 21 �fbI f4 22 �f'l h5
• .
23 �c7 �d7 24 �bb7 f! xc7 25
� xc7 fg 26 hg �h6 27 c5! , with a
number of threats, Taimanov­
Gligoric, Santa Fe 1 960.
20 • �d7 2 1 �fb i �h7 22
• •
i!i'a6! h5 23 � xd7 .£)xd7 24 i!i'b7
�b8 25 i!fxa7 � xb I + 26 .£lxb I ,
and with material equality
restored, White has the advantage
of the two bishops and a passed a­
pawn.
2 1 �f'l fg
22 hg �h8
In Taimanov-Simagin, 28th
USSR Ch 196 1 , Black made this
move, in his own words, 'on general
grounds, so as to avoid any possible
unpleasant pinning threats along
the a2--g8 diagonal'.
Now after 23 f! xa7 f!ab8 24
f! b l � xb l + 25 .£) x b l �b8 26
�aS i!i'c8 27 � xb8 i!fxb8 28
i!tb3 (or 28 �c2 c5) 28 . . . � x b3
29 ab the players soon agreed to a
draw. However, 23 i!i'a6!? would
have left White with a slight
advantage.
Bl22
10 .£)d2
With the aim of moving the
knight to the i!i'-side, or to the
exchange on f5).
 Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6 123
There follows ILLUSTRATIVE allow White to retain the better
GAME No. 9, Petrosian- chances by 1 5 <tlde4, since 1 5 . . .
Giigorit, Rovinj-Zargreb 1 970. <tld4 could be met by 1 6 �xg5!
10 . . . <tlf4 • 1 5 gf <tJx f3+
I I a4 £5 1 5 . . . ef! was also strong, e.g. 1 6
1 2 �13 .Q.g4 �xg4 1 7 1!f xg4 13 ! (with the
White intends to seize the centre, threat of . . . ti)e2+ ) 18 r;! b l r;!f4
and after paralyzing Black's 1 9 �g3 h5 20 h3 �e5, or 1 6 r;! b l
counter-play on the !it;>-side, to g4 1 7 �h i 13 1 8 <tJ<Ic4 �h4 1 9
continue his �-side offensive. But � 3 �e5 2 0 �e3 r;! £5 ! 2 1 �xd4
Black does not allow his opponent r;!h5!.
any respite! 16 �xf3 g4
12 . . . g5! 1 7 �h i
12 . . . fe 1 3 <tJd xe4 <tl£5 is Better chances were offered by I 7
weaker in view of 1 4 g3, driving �d3.
away the knight. If, for instance, 1 4 17 ef
. . . <tJh3+ 1 5 !if;>g2 <tJd4, then 1 6 1 8 �b2 �£5
.Q.g4. 1 9 �fe l f3
13 ef .£jxf5 20 . <tJde4 �h4
' 1 4 g3 ( 85) 2 1 h3 �e5
Now 1 4 <tlde4 would be too late, 22 r;!e3
since 14 . . . ti)h4 gives Black a After 22 hg �xg4+ 23 <it>fl
dangerous counter-attack. Black regains his piece by 23 . . .
�xc3, when he remains with an
extra passed pawn.
85 22 . . . gh
B 23 �xl3 .Q.g4
Regaining the piece by 23 . . .
�xc4 would have led to mass
exchanges, and a draw.
24 �h i h2+
25 !if;>g2
25 <it>fl fails to 25 . . . �f3!.
25 . . . �h5
26 <tld2 �d4!
14 . . . <tld4 The crowning manoeuvre: the
When playing for a win, you rook has nowhere to move to!
must not be afraid to sacrifice! The 27 �e l
retreat of the knight to g6 would The plausible 27 �ae l loses
124 Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6
quickly to 27 . . . �h3+ 28 §. xh3 White vacates c 1 for his rook,
§. x!2+ 29 'l;g3 ftg5 mate. and retains the option of either a
27 . . . �aeB pawn, or a piece offensive on the ff­
28 {)ce4 side. ·, ;1.,
On 28 � 1 there follows 28 . . . Now Black has two main
� xe3 29 fe �xb2 30 {)xb2 alternatives:
�h3+ 3 1 'l;xh2 �n + 32 'l;g l B2 1 9 . . . {)h5
i!fg4+ . 822 9 . . . {)e8
28 �x b2 9 . . . c5, blocking the 't't-side, is
29 �g3 �e5! also quite good for Black; 1 0 de be
30 �aa3 c&>h8 I I Ag5! , and now:
31 c&>h 1 �g8 a) 1 1. Ae6? 1 2 c5 {)e8 (if 1 2 . . .
. .

32 i'tfl �xg3 d5, then 1 3 {) xe5 't'rb8 1 4 ed

33 � xg3? 't'fxe5 1 5 Axf6 't'fxf6 1 6 de, with
The final mistake in a hopeless an extra pawn for White) 13 cd
position. {) xd6 1 4 't'fa4 f6 1 5 Ae3 't'fc7 1 6
33 . . . � xe4 �ac 1 , with a marked advantage,
White resigns Korchnoi-Byrne, Leningrad IZ
The game was awarded a brill­ 1 973.
iancy prize. b) 11 . h6 (the immediate 1 1 . . .
. .

Thus the immediate attack with c5 loses a pawn to 1 2 .Q.xf6 Axf6

9 b1 allows Black to gain counter­ 13 {)h5) 12 �h1 g5 13 ..Q.g3 c5,
play. Therefore more often White with the idea of . . . {)c6-d4, and
first makes preparations for this Black has good counter-chances.
offensive, as in sections 82, 83 and B21
B4. 9 • . {)h5
.

B2 10 g3
9 �d2 (86) I! If 1 0 �c l , then 10 . . . f5 I I ef
{)xf5 12 c£Je4 4:)f4 1 3 �e I
{)xe2+ 1 4 't'fxe2 b6 1 5 b4 h6,
86
with a promising game for Black,
B Taimanov-Spassky, 4 1 st USSR Ch
1 973.
10 . . . (5
I I cf
In Plachetka-A. Rodriguez,
Tbilisi /Sukhumi 1977, White
played I I {)g5!? immediately, and
on I I . {)f6 1 2 !3, reinforcing his
. .

e4 square; " after 1 2 . . . c6 1 3 i!tb3
h6 1 4 �6 Axe6 IS de i!tc8 1 6
Ae3 i!fxe6 1 7 J3ad I �h8 1 8
i!fxb7 J3fb8 1 9 -ttc 7! �eff 20 -traS
J3 xb2 2 1 J3 b l J3 xb l 22 J3 x b l
White had the ini i iative for the
sacrificed pawn.
II . . . �xl5
Weaker is I I . . . Axf5 1 2 4JgS
�ffi 1 3 g4! Ad7 1 4 4Jge4, when
White gains a firm hold of e4,
without allowing the black knight
in at d4, Borisenko-Terentiev,
USSR 1960.
1 2 �e4
1 2 g4 �4 1 3 gh is bad on
account of 1 3 . . . � xe2+ 1 4
i!fxe2 ..Q.g4. - +
12 . . . �ffi
. Korchnoi-Geller, 4 1 st USSR
Ch, 1973, now continued I :f•,liSs
h6 14 Axffi Axffi 1 S ltd3 ..Q.g7 1 6
�2 b6 1 7 h 4 Ad7, when White's
control of e4 gave him slightly the
better chances, but 1 7 . . . Ab7!
followed by . . . c6 would have
given Black counter-play.
822
9 . . . �e8
Now White has the choice
between setting up piece pressure
on the i!t-side, or starting a pawn
storm:
B22 1 10 Jlc l
B222 1 0 b4
8221
10 J3cl (5
1 1 i!tb3
The;, apparently more active I I
Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6 125
ef?l gf 1 2 4JgS is in fact weaker: 1 2
. . . h6 1 3 �6 Axe6 1 4 de i!tc8 I S
i!tb3 c6 1 6 AhS ( threatening 1 7
Al7+ ) 1 6 . . . -tt x e6 1 7 i!fxb7
�ffi 18 Ae2 Jlfb8 19 i!ta6 J3 xb2,
and Black had both a material and
a pa>itional advantage in Taimanov­
Fischer, Match ( I ) 1 97 1 .
But I I �5!? deserves con­
sideration: I I . . . h6 1 2 �6 Axe6
1 3 de i!tc8 14 cS! and now:
a) 14 . • de I S �S �xdS 16 ed
•
b6 1 7 b4! , with a very strong
pressure for the pawn.
b) 14 . . i!fxe6 I S cd cd (on I S . . .
•
�xd6, 1 6 �bS is very strong) 1 6
�bS i!td7 1 7 Ab4 �6 1 8 Axd6
�xd6 19 i!txd6 -tt x d6 20 � xd6
�4 2 1 Ac4+ , with advantage to
White, Geller-Minic, Skopje 1 968 .
11 . . . b6
Two continuations which de­
serve practical testing are those
recommended by Tal, 1 1 . . .
�h8!?, and Bolcsla\'sky: 1 1 . . . f4
1 2 cS <l'h8 1 3 cd cd 1 4 �bS h6 I S
i!tc2 Ad7 1 6 Ab4 Jlffi, with
chances for both sides.
1 2 ef gf
1 3 4JgS 4)1'6
On 1 3 . . . h6 there can follow 1 4
�6 Axe6 1 5 d e i!tc8 1 6 oi)c!S
i!fxe6 1 7 � xe7+ i!fxe7 18 c5+ ,
Taimanov-Tseitlin, USSR 1 973.
1 4 f4 h6
1 S fe de
16 cS! �xdS
After 1 6 . . . hg 1 7 d6+ �h8 1 8
d e i!fxe7 1 9 cb ab 2 0 AxgS the
126 Clfusical VI: 7 0-0 �6
black king is completely deprived of Now the safest move for Black was
protection. 16 . . . a6, preventing Jl.e2-b5, by
1 7 �xd5 �xd5 which .."';' hite exchanges bishops
,
18 rb ab and weakens the square e6. After
The knight is invulnerable, m this the two sides would have had
view or 1 8 . . . hg? 19 be �d6 20 equal chances.
-'l_b4 "t!fxb4 2 1 �xd5+ . B3
J !) gcG! �hR! 9 �d2 ( 87)
19 . . . hg is again bad, because of
20 -'l_c4.
·
87
20 "t!rh3 n
Not 20 �13? Jl.b7 2 1 f!g6 �f4!
22 J1.xf4 ef 23 !!d l �e7, when
Black completely assumed the
initiative, Taimanov-Fischer, 3rd
Game, Candidates' Match 197 1 .
20 . . . !! ffi
2 1 -'1.<.:4 f4
2 1 . . . f! xc6 22 �17+ �h7 23 A more popular continuation
�xd8 !! xd8, when Black has than the two previous ones (9 b4
sufficient compensation for the and 9 -'1.d2) . White intends to
queen. transfer his knight to b3 or c4, from
22 �h5 -'lb7 where it supports his �-side
23 f!e6! �! oiTensive. At the same time he clears
White still has to demonstrate the way for the advance of his f­
that his initiative fully compensates pawn, so as to reinforce e4 in case of
for the sacrificed pawn. necessity.
8222 Now Black has four main contin­
10 b4 5 uations:
I I �b3 �ffi 83 1 9 . . . �e8
1 2 ef gf 832 9 . . . Jl.h6
1 3 c5 �h8 833 9 . . . 4)::1 7
Necessary, in view of the 834 9 . . . c5!
threatened 1 4 �xe5. 9 . . . a5 is another alternative,
14 cd cd the aim being (as with 9 . . . cS) to
15 f!ac l Jl.d7 blockade the �-side. White has
1 6 a4 various possibilities:
This was the course taken by a) 10 b3 4)::1 7 I I J1,a3 �c5 1 2 b4
Korchnoi-Geller, Match (3) 1 97 1 . ab 13 Jl.xb4 {)a6 14 J1,a3 b6 1 5

-tlb3 15, and he has difficulty
carrying out his �-side pawn
storm, Korchnoi-Geller, Match ( I )
197 1 .
b) 10 a3 .Q.d7 I I b3 -tJc8 1 2 f! b l
-tlb6! 1 3 b4 a b 1 4 a b �a4, and
Black has adequate play for his
pieces. Langeweg-Gcller, Amster­
dam 1974, continued 15 �c2 (after
15 �xa4? .Q.xa4 16 �e l .Q.c2
White loses material) 1 5 . . . �xc3
16 �xc3 .Q.h6, and White
sacrificed a pawn: 1 7 Ab2! .Q.xd2
18 �xd2 �xe4 19 �r.3 f5 20 f4 ef
21 f! xf4, for which he obtained
attacking chances.
c) 10 f!b1 4Jd7 I I a3 f5 1 2 b4, and
now 1 2 . . . b6!? deserves con­
sideration, rather than 1 2 . . . ab?!
1 3 ab .Q.h6 14 c5! �ffi 1 5 �b3
�7 1 6 .Q.d3, with the better
game for White, Vaganian­
Doroshkevich, 43rd USSR Ch, 1 st
L 1975.
831
9 ... �e8
This is a rather weaker alterna­
tive to 9 . . . 4Jd 7, since from e8 the
knight does nothing to hinder
c4-c5.
1 0 b4 (5
I I c5
The prophylactic I I fJ is also
possible: I I . . . f4 1 2 c5 g5 1 3 �c4
f!f7, and now:
a) 14 .Q.d2?! (too slow) 14 . . . �6
15 .Q.e l .Q.ffi 1 6 .Q.f2 h5 1 7 f! c l
�ffi 1 8 cd cd 1 9 �b5 g4 2 0 �xa7
.Q.d7 21 a4 g3, with a very strong
Classical VI: 7 0-0 4)c6 127
attack for Black, Shamkovith­
Nezhmetdinov, 29th USSR Ch,
1 96 1 .
b) 1 4 a4 �6 1 5 .Q.a3 �ffi 1 6 b5
and White's initiative develops the
more quickly.
II . . . a5
The Black king is too exposed
after I I . . . h5 1 2 efgf l 3 �4 e4 1 4
.Q.b2 h4 1 5 �d2 4:)g6 1 6 fJ , Poluga­
yevsky-Uitumen, Palma de Mallorca
I Z 1 970, but it is not yet too late for
Black to transpose into the 9 . . .
�7 variation with 1 1 . . . �ffi.
1 2 .Q.a3 ab
Or 1 2 . . . fe 1 3 � x e4 � 1 4
ba f! x aS 1 5 .Q.b4 f!a8, Lombardy­
Yanovsky, Siegen OL 1 970, and
now 1 6 �b5 with very strong
pressure on d6.
Taimanov-F. Portisch, Zalaeger­
szeg 1 969, now continued 1 3 .Q.xb4
de 14 .Q.xc5 b6 1 5 .Q.b4 �ffi 1 6
�c4, and White held o n t o his e4
square, while continuing to hold
the initiative on the �-side.
832
9 ... .Q.h6
This attempt to first exchange
bishops leads Black into difficulties,
since in contrast to p. 84 wh�re a
similar idea was employed, here he
does not control his c5 square.
1 0 b4 �8
After 10 • a5 I I ba H xa5 1 2
. •
�b3 .Q.xc l 1 3 �xc l ! (not 1 3
� xa5 .Q.b2) 1 3 . . . f!a8 1 4 a4! c5
1 5 f4 ef 1 6 �xf4 �e8 1 7 e5 White
dominates both on the �-side, and
128 Classical VI: 7 0-0 4Jc6
in the centre, Taimanov-Tatai,
Venice 1 969.
10. . �7 ' similarly fails to
. �d7, K,o�chnoi-Giigoric, Havana
prevent a 't!r-side break-through;
there follows I I c5! de 1 2 be {) xeS
1 3 Aa3 �d7 1 4 . {)c4, with a
powerful initiative for the pawn.
I I c5
I I �b3 Axel 1 2 �xc l slows
the tempo of the offens'ive:
a) 12 . . e6?! ( 't!f-side play such as
. Ad 7 1 5 Et b I c£}c8 1 6 Ae3 fe I 7 fe
this is merely to White's advantage)
1 3 de be 1 4 a4 Ae6 1 5 b5 f5 1 6 f4 a6
1 7 fe, Mecking-Naranja, Palma de
Mallorca IZ 1 970, and if 1 7 . . . de,
then 18 �c5.
b) 12 . . fS 1 3 f4 �16 I 4 fe de I 5
. c£}c4 Axe l I 4 Et x e l f4 1 5 't!rb3
't!rg5 �g7 1 6 ef c£}xf5, and,
contrary to Boleslavsky's opinion,
White achieves nothing on the �­
side, whereas Black gains lively
play for his pieces, Taimanov­
Zhelyandinov, 35th USSR Ch, 1 967.
II . .. f5
Gligorit-Vukic, Sarajevo I 969,
now continued 1 2 ef gf 1 3 {)c4
Axe l 1 4 � xe l c£}g6 1 5 Ah5 't!i'e7
16 Axg6 hg 1 7 f4!, when for a
pawn White gained a very strong
attack: 1 7 . . . ef I 8 � xf4 de 1 9 be
't!f xc5+ 20 �h i �e7 2 I 't!i'd2
c£}d6 22 c£}xd6 cd 23 f!e I �16 24
Etf3 Ad7 25 c£}e4.
B33
9 ... �7
1 0 b4 (5
I I f3
1 1 c£}b3, taking the knight away
from the defence of e4, is weaker.
After I I . . . fe! 1 2 � xe4 �ffi 1 3
c£}g3 �(5 1 4 �xf5 Axf5! 1 5 f3
I 969, Black had good play for his
pieces.
But 1 1 eSt? deserves consider­
ation, with various possibilities:
a) 11 . . �f6 (Black declines the
•
pawn sacrifice) 1 2 f3, and now:
a l ) 12 . . a4? 1 3 ba de 14 c£}c4
.
{)d6 1 8 i!rd3, and Black lost
material, Geller-1. Zaitsev, 37th
USSR Ch, 1 969.
a2) 12 . . Ah6 (or 1 2 . . . f4 1 3
.
c£}c4 g5 1 4 Aa3 4Je8 1 5 b5) I 3
�g7 1 6 c£}b5 c£}e8 I 7 i!rb2, when
the threat of 1 7 cd cd 1 8 �b xd6 1 9
�xe5+ leaves Black with difficult
problems, since White's attack is
clearly ahead of that of his
opponent.
b) 1 1• •de 1 2 be c£}xc5, and now:
•
b i ) 13 .Q.a3 c£}xe4 1 4 {)d xe4 fe I S
c£}xe4 �e8 I 6 Ac4, and for the
pawn White has a number ofstrong
threats, e.g. I 6 . . . 4jf5 1 7 d6+
�h8 18 Afl � 18 19 de!, Alekseev­
Morozov, Moscow 1 970.
b2) 13 f3 c6 14 Aa3 b6 1 5 .Q.c4,
with a powerful initiative,
Platz-Vogt, E. Germany 1 970.
11 . . . .£}16
White is given an important
tempo by 1 1 . . . Ah6 1 2 c£}b3
Axe l 1 3 � xe l f4 1 4 cS .£}16 I 5
.£}b5, Portisch-Giigoric, Hastings
1 969 /70.

· 1 2 c5 - f4
1 3 �c4 g5
1 4 a4
Also interesting is Stein's
suggestion of 1 4 �b3, with the
threat of 1 5 �xeS . After 14 . . .
.
�6 1 5 �a3 �e8 ( 1 5 . . . �17 is
better) 1 6 b5 b6 1 7 cd cd 1 8 � I
h5 1 9 �f2 f! 17 20 �b4! �m 2 1 a4
�g7 22 a5 White was the first to
create real threats, Stein-Sahovic,
Vmjacka Banja 1 97 1 .
14 . . . �6
1 5 �a3
In R. Garcia-Quinteros, Argen­
tina 1 970, White also gained an
advantage after 1 5 c6!? be (if 1 5 . . .
b6, then 1 6 a5 ba 1 7 b5!) 1 6 de h5
17 h3 �h 7 ( I 7 . . . �e6!? deserves
consideration) 1 8 f!a3 f!g8 1 8
�5.
15 . . . f! l7
1 6 b5 �m
1 7 a5
White is clearly ahead of his
opponent; we give two examples, in
each of which he has a marked
advantage:
a) 17 . . de 18 b6 ab 19 ab cb 20
• �e 1 �16, with a n equal game,
�b3, Stupica-Mista, Yugoslavia
1 97 1 .
b) 1 7 • . b6 1 8 cb cb 1 9 ab ab 20
. gf, with sufficient counter-play for
�2! g4 2 1 �b4 �xe4 (or 2 1 . . .
g3 22 �6, and the black queen is
unable to join the counter-attack,
Bukic-Marjanovic, Yugoslavia
1970) 22 fe �h4 23 �2 �h6 24
�3 f3 25 � xf3!, </)gaard-Moen,
Oslo 1 976.
Classical VI: 7 0-0 4)c6 129
Thus it proves to be insufficient
for Black to pin his hopes on a
counter-attack after 9 �2.
B34
9 • • . cS! (88)
88
w
This plan of a �-side blockade is
the most promising for Black.
1 0 f! b l
The other way of preparing the
attack, 10 a3, after 10 . . . �8 1 1
b4 b6 all the same requires White to
play !!b l sooner or later:
a) 12 be be 1 3 4)b3 (5 14 f3 �h8!
1 5 �d2 �8 1 6 !! b l 4Jgffi, and
now:
a l ) 17 �cl �5 1 8 �3 f4 1 9
Najdorf-Gligoric, Siegen OL 1 970.
a2) 17 �c2 �5 1 8 g3 �ffi 1 9 ef
Black, Korchnoi-Tringov, Euro­
pean Teams, Kapfenberg 1 970.
b) 12 �b3 (5 1 3 �d2 �h8! 1 4
!! b l 4)g8, again with counter­
play.
Therefore it is more promising to
play 1 0 !! b l immediately, reserv-
130 Classical V1: 7 0-0 �6
ing the option of advancing the a­ a 2) 14• • fe 1 5 �xe4 .£116 1 6 f3
•

pawn two squares. .£jxe4 1 7 fe f! xfl + 1 8 �xn

I should also mention that
White does not gain any advantage
by 10 de be I I b4 d5! I 2 �a3 a6 I 3
� e i �e6 I 4 �n f!e8 (weaker is
I 4 . . . h6 I 5 cd, Grigorian-Gufeld,
USSR 1 st L 1 975 when afier
exchanges on d5 the threat ofb4-b5
is unpleasant) 1 5 �b3 de 16 �xe4
�xe4 1 7 f! xe4 �(5 1 8 �c5 �c8
1 9 !!e l �4 20 �e4 �h6, with
c h a n c es for both sides,
Keene-Quinteros, Haifa O L 1 976.
10 . . . �e8
Further defensive measures on
the i!i'-side give White an
advantage:
10• • a5 I I a3 �e8 1 2 b4 ab 1 3
. 1 4 1!fa4 �d7 1 5 1!i'a3 �g8 1 6 Ad !
ab b6 1 4 be be 1 5 �b3 (5 1 6 f3,
Gligoric-Zuckerman, Los Angeles
1 974.
10 . . . b6 I I b4 cb?! 1 2 f! xb4
�d7 1 3 f! b l �c5 1 4 �b3 (5 1 5
�xc5 be 1 6 �d2 fe 1 7 �xe4 �(5
1 8 �d3, Bukic-Giigoric, Yugo­
slavia 1 97 1 .
I I b4 b6
1 2 a4
White can attempt to utilize the
open b-file by 1 2 be be, and now:
a) 13 i!i'a4 (5 1 4 �b3, with the
alternatives:
a l ) 14 •�f6 1 5 f3 a5 (an
• •
interesting pawn sacrifice suggested
by Gligoric) 1 6 �d3 �h5 1 7 g3
�h8 1 8 �d2 {)g8 19 �b5 �h6 20
�xa5 �e3+ 2 1 �h I i!i'g5, with a
strong initiative.
�h8, followed by . . . �8-16,
Gligori¢:.,Ciocaltea, H astings
1 97 1 /72.
b) 13 �b3 (5 14 f3 �h8 1 5 �d2
4Jg8, with two examples:
b I ) 16 ii'c2 �h6 1 7 �b2 �ffi,
with an equal game, Stein-Panno,
Las Palmas 1 973.
b2) 16 i!i'cl 4Jg16 1 7 i!i'a3 a5 1 8
� I �h5 1 9 � 3 �ef6, with total
equality and a draw, Gligoric­
Geller, Belgrade I 969.
I2 . . . (5
I 3 a5 .£116
Also possible is the manoeuvre
typical of this variation: 1 3 . . . tli>h8
�f6 1 7 �a4 �h6 I 8 be be I 9
�xd7 1!fxd7, with a n equal game,
Rr.e-Giigoric, Wijk aan Zee 1 975.
14 i!i'a4 �d7
1 5 i!i'a3 �h6
1 6 �d3 i!i'c7
1 7 be be
1 8 ef gf
White's greater freedom on the
i!i'-side is fully matched by Black's
chances on the �-side and in the
centre, Larsen-Fischer, Match (4)
1 97 1 .
B4
9 �e1 ( 89)
The most popular continuation;
it appeared earlier than 9 �2, and
players have again begun to revert
to it.
As i n the 9 �2 variation, White

89
B
intends to use this knight (from d3)
to support his pawn offensive on the
�-side. He aims to block Black's
offensive on the opposite side of the
board and, in contrast to 9 �2,
does not hinder the development of
his black-squared bishop.
9 ... �7 (90)
Black immediately prepares . . .
f5.
9 • •c5 is a loss of time and an
•
unnecessary weakening, since all
the same Black cannot block the �­
side play. White has various ways to
gain an advantage:
a) 10 a3 �e8 1 1 b4 f5 12 be de 1 3 f3
f4 1 4 �3, Gradezky-Sax,
Hungary 197 1 .
b) 10 �e3 �e8 I I �3 f5 1 2 f3
�16 1 3 b4! b6 1 4 a4 a5 1 5 be be 1 6
�bl , Donner-Medina, Palma de
Mallorca 1 96 7.
c) 10 f4! ef l l �xf4 �e8 1 2 �3 f6
(afier 1 2 . . f5 1 3 e5 Black has a
. B4 1 and B42), or he can take
strategically lost position) 1 3 �d2
<li>h8 (Black is unable to occupy
e5- 1 3 . . . g5 14 �e3 �6 1 5 e5!)
1 4 �ab l �8 1 5 b4 b6 1 6 bc bc 1 7
�b5 � f7 1 8 �d l ! §.b7 1 9 �a4,
Classical VI: 7 0-0 oiY6 ' 131
with a decisive advantage for
White, Korchnoi-ciocaltea, Nice
OL 1974.
9. .�e8 is also weaker, since
.
from here the knight no longer
controls c5 and e5, which tells after
either 1 0 �3 f5 1 1 f4!, when Black
is forced to exchange on f4, or 1 0 f3
f5 I I �e3! f4 1 2 �(2 g5 1 3 c5 .£Jg6
1 4 a4 a,n 1 5 cd cd 1 6 a5 h5 1 7
�b5, when in O'Kelly-Ghitescu,
Sandeijord 1975, White forced the
weakening 1 7 . . . a6, and obtained
a big advantage: 18 �3 � 1 9
{)a4 � 7 2 0 �b6.
90
w
I n the diagram position White
has two basic plans. He can either
carry out his projected offensive on
the �-side, while allowing his
opponent counter-play on the
opposite side of the board (sections
counter-action on the <It-side so as
to attempt to neutralize Black's
attack, and only then revert to
active play on the "i!f-side (section
B43) .
132 Classical V1: 7 0-0 �6
We therefore consider: USSR Ch, 1 952, with which the
84 1 10 ,ite3 history of the 9 �e I variation
842 10 �3 began, Black chose here 1 4 . . . h5?!,
843 1 0 f3 and afterJ,5 !!c I g4 I6 �b3 Ah6?!
B41 I 7 cd cd 1 8 �xeS! suffered a rapid
10 Jte3 f5 defeat.
I I f3 f4 1 5 a4 h5
1 2 Jtf2 16 cd cd
Here, in contrast to the 1 7 a5 g4
corresponding line with 9 1 8 .£jb5 g3!
.£)e8, thi.s manoeuvre is less 19 .a_xa7
successful, since the position of the White also comes under an
knight at d7 forces White to spend attack after I9 hg fg 20 Axg3 h4 2 I
additional time on the prepara­ Jtf2 �hS.
tion of c4--c5. In addition, with Larsen-Torre, Bauang 1973 now
the advance . . . f4 Black has continued 1 9 . . . .£jh7 20 h3 i!fh4
gained a tempo, which makes his 2 I Ab6 Axh3! 22 gh i!fxh3 23
attack on the king more !!f2 .£jh4 24 i!ffl gf+ 25 c£)xf2
dangerous. �g3+ !, when Black should have
12 . . . g5 won.
1 3 �3 B42
13 b4 is better: 10 c£)d3 f5
a) 13 . !!f6 1 4 �3?! (White
• • Now White has two main
should play 14 c5! !!g6 1 5 §c l , a) ternatives:
with chances for both sides) §g6! B42 1 I I ef
1 5 c5 .£jf6 1 6 i!fb3 c;!?h8 I 7 !! fc l g4 B422 I I Ad2
18 fg Jtxg4 19 An Jt£3, with a Here I I f4? is not good, since the
winning attack, Szabo-Spassky, black knight controls eS; 1 1 . . . ef,
Bucharest 1 953. and now:
b) 13 • c£lg6 1 4 c5 .£jf6 I 5 § c l
• • a) 12 c£)xf4 �5 I 3 ef c£)xf5
§ (7 I 6 cd cd I 7 a 4 b6 I 8 a 5 ba 1 9 I4 c£)h3 Jtd7 I5 Al3 �h4!, with
ba h 5 20 .£jb5 g4 2 I §c6 g 3 2 2 hg the better game for Blac;k,
fg 23 Axg3 .a_m 24 i!fc I M, and Rellstab-Castagna, Beverwij k
for the pawn Black has good I 962.
counter-play against the white b) 12 Jtxf4 Jtxc3!? 1 3 be fe I 4
king. .£jb4 �15, with three examples:
I3 . . . b i ) 15 g4 .£jh4 I 6 i!fd2 i!fe8,
I 4 c5 which is completely bad for White,
In Taimanov-Aronin, 20th Wade-Penrose, Hastings I 96 I /62.

b2) 15 .£)c2 gS! 1 6 �c I .£)c5 1 7
.£)d4 h6 1 8 .£)xf5 �xf5 1 9 �e3
'i!te7, with advantage to Black,
Pytei-Nicevski, Poland.
b3) 15 i!Yd2 "t're7 16 ..£)c2 .£)c5,
with the better game for Black,
Hodakowsky-Pesch, W. Germany
1963.
B421
1 1 ef
Now Black has two possible
recaptures:
B42 1 1 I I . . . .£)xf5
B42 1 2 I I . . . gf
8421 1
11 . . . .£)xf5
Clearer play results from this
move, whereby Black concedes e4
for the sake ofoccupying d4 with his
pieces.
1 2 f3
12 Ag4?! 1s too extravagent:
after 1 2 . . . 4)10 1 3 �h3 4)h5!
Black invades with his knight on f4.
After 12 4)e4?! 4)10 1 3 f3 4)d4
�4 �e3 c6! 1 5 4)xf6+ "t'rxiO 1 6
�f2 cd 1 7 cd i!Yf7 1 8 �c4 b5,
Schmid-Giigoric, European Team
Ch, Hamburg 1 965, Black seized
the initiative.
12 . . . .£)10
· The direct 12 . • .£)d4 1 3 4)e4
. 84212
b6 1 4 Ag5 "t're8 1 5 �d2 aS 1 6 § e l
�xe2+ 1 7 i!Yxe2 h 6 18 b 3 g 5 1 9
a 3 'i!tg6, Reshevsky-Fischer,
Match ( I I ) 1 96 1 , could have given
White the advantage after 20 g4!
12 • .c5 1 3 4)f2 .£)16 14 4)fe4
. 4)10 1 4 �e3 c5 1 5 de! be 1 6 1'td2
a6 1 5 a4 �xe4 H i �xe4 <£jcl4 1 7
Classical VI: 7 0-0 .£)c6 133
�d3 leaves White with a spatial
advantage.
1 3 .£jf2 .£)d 4
1 4 4)fe4
Playing to get rid of the knight at
d4 leads to an equal game after
both 14 .£)b5 .£jxe2+ 15 �xe2 c6,
Smyslov-Miliev, Havana 1 962,
and 14 �e3 4)h5 15 § e l a6 1 6
�n c5, Dzhindzhihashvili-Geller,
USSR Spartakiade 1 975.
14 . . . 4)xe4
Gligoric-Fischer, Bled 1 96 1 ,
continued instead 1 4 • . c£)h5 1 5
.
Ag5 'i!td7 1 6 g3 b6 1 7 �e3 c5 1 8
�xd4 ed 1 9 4)b5 a6 20 4)bxd6 d3
21 i!Yxd3 �d4+ , and now instead
of 22 �g2? 4)xg3! with equality,
22 §f2! would have given White a
decisive advantage.
But the blockade of the i!Y-side
by 14 • • c5 1 5 �d3 a6, as in
•
Petrosian-Geller, Bled 1 96 1 , is
perfectly possible, when, after
depriving the white knight of the
square a6, Black continues his play
on the �-side.
1 5 4)xe4
Now after 1 5 . . . �(5 16 �d3 c5
the knight at d4 gives Black
sufficient counter-chances.
11 • • • gf
A sharper game results after this
move.
1 2 f4 .£lg6
In the event of 1 2 . . . e4 1 3 <£jf2
White blocks the opponent's
134 Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6
counter-play, and himself obtains
strong pressure in the centre.
1 3 Ae3 (91)
91
B to take his knight away from its
The most accurate move order in
this position. I I f4 is
unfavour,a ble for Black now
because'of 1 2 Ag4, and in order to
provoke the move 12-f3 he is forced
observance of c5. Hut this makes it
easier for White to play c1-c5.
Here Black has three possibilites:
8422 1 I I . . c5
.

B4222 I I . . le .

B4223 I I . . .£)!6.

84221
11 . . . c5
The critical position in this line. Fischer's suggestion, the aim of
13 . . . ef which is to delay White's Qside
Black's simplest course, since he offensive.
cannot favourably maintain the 1 2 f4
tension in the centre: Or 1 2 f3 f4 1 3 � b l .£)16 1 4 b4 b6
13 • •<£)b6 14 c5 <£)c4 1 5 Ac l
• 1 5 a4 g5 1 6 a5! �17 1 7 �a l ,
de 1 6 <£)xc5 �e7 1 7 <£)e6! Axe6 Schauweckcr-Bollcrill, European
1 8 de <£)b6 1 9 i!i'b3 �ae8 20 Ae3 Team Ch, Bath 1 973, and now
i!fxc6 2 1 Ac5, Tal-Savon, 29th Black should have defended by 1 7
USSR Ch, Baku, 1 96 1 . . . . Ad7, with a somewhat inferior
13 • • i!fe7 1 4 i!fd2 e4 1 5 .£)12
• position.
<£)16, Reshevsky-Benko, Buenos 12 . . . a6
Aires 1 960, and now by 1 6 <£)b5! a6 1 3 a4
1 7 <£)d4 Ad7 18 i!fa5 White could A double-edged game results
have gained a considerable from 1 3 fe <£)xe5 14 <£)xc5 AxeS
advantage. 1 5 Ah6 �17.
14 <£)xf4 <£)xf4 13 . . . cf
1 5 Axf4 a6 1 4 jtxf4
It is important to prevent the Or 1 4 <£) x f4 <£)e5 1 5 <£)e6 Axe6
manoeuvre <£)b5-d4. 1 6 de fc, with chances for both sides.
Now the chances arc roughly 14 .a_xc3!?
equal after 16 �d2 �ffi 17 �ac l 1 5 be fc
<£)e5 . 1 6 <£)c I .£)15
8422 Weaker is 1 6 . . . .£)16? 1 7 g4!
1 1 Ad2 �g7 18 <£)g2 b6 1 9 �b l �a7 20

.§b2 !!b7 2 1 4)c3 h6 22 h4, and
Black is very cramped, Belyavsky­
Vogt, Cienfuegos 1 976.
Now an extremely sharp position
results after 1 7 g4 .£Jg7 f8 Axd6
g x n + 19 Axn 4)16 20 Axc5
ctlxg4 21 !!a2.
84222
11 . . • fe
Black immediately releases the
tension in the centre.
1 2 .£) x e4 .£)16
1 3 Al1
Or 1 3 11 .£jf5 1 4 .£jdl2, when
Black gains an t:qual game by, for
instance, 1 4 . . . .£jd4 1 5 Ag5 .Q.rs
16 {)g4 .Q.xe4 1 7 fe h5 18 .£)12
�d7 19 .Q.e3 �e7 20 �d2 {)d7,
Suetin-Stein, Hastings 1 967 /68.
13 . 0 0 ctlf5
L4 .£jxffi+ �xffi
Weaker is 1 4 . . . .Q.xffi 15 .Q.e4
{)d4 1 6 .Q.c3 .Q.rs 1 7 .Q.xf5 {)xf5
18 �g4, when White, who controls
e4, stands better.
Sosonko-Gligoric, Lj ubljana
1 977, now continued 15 Ae4 .Q.d7
16 .§ e l !!ae8 1 7 !!c l �h4, with
sufficient counter-chances (on 18 c5
Black has the reply 18 . . . .Q.b5).
84223
11 . . •
4)f6
Black builds up his forces for
an attack on the king, and
reconciles h i mself to the
opponent's initiative on the �­
side.
1 2 11 f4
Black sometimes has resort to 1 2
Classical VI: 7 0-0 liJc6 135
. . . �h8, in order to remove his
king from the a2-g8 diagonal, and
to have the possibility of countering
1 3 c5 with 1 3 . . . c6. At the same
time g8 is vacated for the knight at
e 7. After 1 3 !!c I here too Black can
resort to the blockading move 1 3
. . . c5, and on 1 4 g4 .Q.d7 1 5 a3 a5
1 6 b3, Taimanov-Geller, 4 1st
USSR Ch 1 973, can reply 16 . . .
{)eg8, with a complicated double­
edged game.
1 3 c5 g5
14 .§ c l
The most natural.
14 cd cd 15 !! c l leads to a
transposition of moves.
The premature 14 {)b5?
weakens the e4 square, and after 1 4
. . . a6 1 5 cd cd 1 6 {)a3 g4 1 7 c£)c4
g3 1 8 .Q.a5 �e8 1 9 �e 1 c£)h5 20
{)xd6 �g6 2 1 {)xc8 gh+ 22
�xh2 .§a xeS 23 .Q.c3 c£)g3. gave
Black a strong attack in
Gurgenidze-Tal, USSR Team Ch
1 955.
14 . . .
c£)g6
Black also has another, more
rapid counter-attacking plan: 1 4
. . . h 5 (preparing . . . g4, for which
a knight is transferred to h6) 1 5
{)b5, and now:
a) 1 5 . g4? 1 6 .Q.b4 {)e8 1 7
• •
.£jxc7!, and White wins.
b) 15 . . . c£)e8 16 �c2 .Q.d7 1 7
�b3 �h8 1 8 c£)12, and:
b 1 ) 18 . b6?! 19 cb ab 20 a4!,
. •
Langcwcg-Evans, Amsterdam
1 97 1 .
136 Classical V1: 7 0-0 �6
b2) 18 . ..£jg8! 1 9 �c2 .£jh6 20 cd
• plicated. White has already set up
cd 2 1 h3 a6, with a double-edged
position, Schmidt-Mukhin, Decin
1 974.
1 5 cd cd
16 .£jb5
The prophylactic 1 6 .£jl2 a6! I 7
�b3 h5 1 8 h3 .£jh4 19 �c2 �(7 20
�fc l �ffi 2 1 .£ja4 b5 22 ci:)b6
�xb6 23 §. xeS §. xeS 24 §. xeS
g4 25 §.c6! led to a roughly equal
position in Furman-Browne, Wij k
aan Zee 1 975.
16 . . . §,f7
strong pressure on the �-side,
whel_'eas Black is merely threaten­
ing to �pen up the game; but on the
other hand the object of his attack is
the opposing king, and this makes it
more dangerous. Both sides must
therefore play exactly and actively.
A possible continuation is 2 1
�b3 (or 2 1 aS ci:)h4 22 �e l �d 7,
Schaufelberger-Marovic, Muttenz
1 97 1 ) 21 . . . ci:)h4 22 §.c2, and
now:
a) 22 • • ci:)f6 23 §.fc I g4 24 fg
.

16 . . . �b6+ I 7 .£jl2 leads to an (Becker's recommendation ·of 24

advantage for White. §.c7! is interesting) 24 . . . hg 25 hg
1 7 �c2 �xg4 26 �xg4 ci:)xg4 27 ci:) xg4
and now: §. xg4 �e I f3, with an equal game,
84223 1 I 7 . . . ci:)eS Langcwcg-Donner, Amsterdam
B42232 I 7 . . . g4 1 97 1 .
842231 b) 22 • . a6!? 23 ci:)a3 ci:)ffi.
•

17 . . • ci:)e8 842232
IS a4 h5 17 . . . g4
IS . . . �d7 is weaker, since it This leads to our
prematurely weakens b7. After 1 9 ILLUSTRATIVE GAME No. 10,
�b3 �ffi 20 §.c2 h 5 2 1 4::)12 a6 22 Larsen-Tal, 5th game, Candidates'
ci:)a3 ci:)ffi 23 h3 §.g7 24 §,fc I g4 25 3rd place Match, Eersel 1 969.
fg hg 26 hg .£je8 27 aS §.bS 2S �e l Black's last move was dictated in
lte7 29 '{itb6, Larsen-Najdorf, the first instance by purely
Santa Monica 1 966, White gained competitive considerations. It's
a decisive advantage. sharper, more risky. In view of his
19 4::)12 �ffi position in the match (the Ex­
20 h3 World Champion was losing 1 -3)
Simplification such as 20 ci:)xa7 only a win would do for Tal, and
§.c7 21 �aS � xc2 22 �xdS therefore he was prepared to make
§. xe2 does not give White any any sort of sacrifice-even a semi-
advantage. correct one.
20 . . . §.g7 IS ci:)c7 gf
The position 1s highly com- 19 gf �h3

20 otlxa8
· If White had been aiming for an
advantage, he would have played
20 �6. But with his lead in. the
match Larsen was quite content to
draw.
20 . . . otlxe4
Of course, it was not for the sake
of unfavourable exchanges by 20
. . . ..Q.xn 2 1 �c8 !!ffi 22 �xd8
!! xd8 23 .Q.xn !! xa8 24 !!c7
that Black chose such a risky
variation.
2 1 fe �g5+
22 � �g2+
In Adamski-Geller, Budapest
1970, after 22 . . . �h4+ 23 � 1
i!t"g5+ 24 � a draw was agreed.
In principle Black can consider this
to be something of an achievement,
but in this particular instance only
a win would do for Black.
23 �e l �h4
The openly impatient 23 . . . f3 is
refuted by force: 24 !!f2 �g 1 + 25
..Q.n {}h4 26 .Q.e3 .Q.xn 27 �2.
It is true that similarly, after
the move played, White could
have halted the attack by 24 otlf2
ct!f3+ 25 �d l �4 26 �c3. In
'j ustification' we can only say that
analysis and play are two different
things . . .
24 .Q.e3? �xe4!
Of course, not 24 . . . fe 25 !! x f7
�xf7 26 .Q.h5 + . But now bad for
White is 25 4::) x f4 �xe3 26 otlxh3
{)g2+ 27 �1 !! xfl + 28 .Q.xn
i!t"el mate! One is led to conclude
Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6 137
that the sacrificing is beginning
to appeal to the chess goddess
Caissa . . .
25 .Q.f2 f3
26 .Q.xh4 �xh4+
After 26 . . . .Q.xm White had a
choice between losing by 27 �xm
fe+ + 28 �1 l! fl + 29 � xn
�h l + 30 �xh l ef = � mate, and
. . . winning by 27 �!
27 4::)f2 fe
28 �xe2 (92)
92
B
28 . . . e4!
A move which White had not
foreseen, although he had about
one and a half hours remaining on
his clock, as opposed to three
minutes (!!) for Black. Black's
attack is insufficient after 28 . . .
.Q.xn 29 �xn �xh2, but now
this is how Black would play, with
the gain of an important tempo, in
reply to 29 �c4. On 29 �c7 Black
has a stronger reply in 29 . . . .Q.xn
30 �xn �5 (but not 30 . . . �m
31 � xg7+ ! and 32 4::)c 7!) .
138 Classical V1: 7 0-0 o£y6
29 §.g l c3 the �-side, so as to then continue
30 '+!f'xc3 §.e7 his oflensive on the '§'-side.
3 1 §. xg7+ �xg7 H <:. achieves this after 11 . . . fg?!
.
32 §.c7 Ad7 12 fg .'§. x O + 1 3 �xn , and now:
33 §. xd7 §. xd7 a) 13 • • . h6 14 h4 .£)16 1 5 g5 c£)h7
34 '+!f'xa 7? 16 Ae3 '+!f'd7 1 7 �g l '+!f'h3 18 c£lg2
Analysis showed that White hg 19 hg, and all Black's minor
could still have drawn by 34 '+!f'c3+ pieces arc extremely unpromisingly
�ffi 35 '+!f'g3+ ! � 36 4Jcf3, placed, G hi tescu -Bolboc h a n ,
although not wit hout difficulty. Varna O L 1 962.
31 . . . !:!e7+ b) 13 . . . c£)f6 14 c£ld3 c5 IS Ae3
35 �d l Ad7 1 6 �g l �h8 1 7 �h l '+!f'c7 1 8
Better purely practical chances g 5 c£)fg8 1 9 c£)b5, Portisch-Attard,
of saving the game were offered by Madrid Z 1 960.
35 � .
35 1!i'c4 White also attains his goal after
36 '+!f'b6 i'tfl + 11 . . . f4:
37 �d2 !:!e2+ a) 12 Ad2?! gS 1 3 4Jcf3 hS 1 4 h3
38 �c3 '+!f'c l + !:! 16 I S � !:!h6 1 6 !:! h i c£lg6 1 7
39 �d4 '+!f'e3+ '+!f'g l c£)16, with a strong attack on
40 �c4 §.c2+ the white king, Portisch-Gligoric,
White resigns Madrid 1960.
B43 b) 12 h4! ( not for the sake of an
10 f3 attack, but merely so as to create a
White prepares for counter­ pawn chain) 1 2 . . . c5 ( now 1 2 . . .
measures on the �-side. gS? 1 3 hS would completely relieve
10 . . . f5 White of any worries over his <(\!­
1 1 g4 (9.1) side) 1 3 a3 �h8 1 4 Ad2 c£lg8 I S
White's intention is to stabilize c£lg2 Affi 1 6 Ac I Ae 7 I 7 b4 c£lg16
18 c£)a4 b6, and although it is not
93 easy to pierce Black's defences,
B White's initiative is clear.
Therefore Blark attempts to
maintain the tension on the �-side.
II . . . .£)16
11 . . . �h8, with the same aim,
is less good: 1 2 c£lg2 .£)16 1 3 Ad2 c5
14 §.b l Ad7 1 5 �h l '+!f'c7 1 6 a3
§.f7 1 7 ef gf 18 gS c£)h5 19 f4 c£)xf4
 Classical VI: 7 0-0 �6 139
20 �xf4 ef2 1 �h5 l:!!I8 22 �xf4, b) 15 �e3 ( to prevent the queen
and the white pieces become check at b6) 1 5 . . . f4 16 Jl,f2 g5 1 7
menacingly active, Bilek:Stein, 't!f'd3 h5 1 8 h3 hg 1 9 hg lftf7 20
Stockholm IZ 19"62. �b5 �xb5 2 1 �xb5 §. h8 22
§, be l 't!f'g8 23 Jl,e 1 't!f'h7 24 §.c7,
The attempt to open up the game and Black has perpetual check,
completely on the �-side by 1 1 . . . Portisch-Stein, Erevan 1 965.
h5 is too risky, and does not achieve 12 . . . c6
its goal: 1 2 g5 h4 (otherwise White White has the better· game
stabilizes the pawn structure by after 1 2 . . . c5?! 1 3 A,d2 a6 1 4
h2-h4) 1 3 4)<13, and now: c£) f2 A,d7 1 5 H b l §,b8 1 6 b4 c b 1 7
a) 13 . . c;;n 1 4 c5! f4 1 5 �b3 b6
. §. xb4 c£)c8 1 8 �b l , Portisch­
16 cd cd 1 7 �a3, Sanguinetti­ Taimanov, Budapest-Leningrad
Szmetan, Argentina 1 974 and after 1 97 1 .
the possible follow-up 1 7 . . . �c5 1 3 �f2 lt'h8
18 �xc5 be 1 9 b4 cb 20 �xb4 1 4 A,d2
�b6+ 2 1 �xb4 ab 22 a4 Black The queen manoeuvre 14 i!i'b3
cannot defend all his weaknesses on c5 1 5 i!i'a3 after 1 5 . . . a5 1 6 c£)b5
the �-side. §.a6 1 7 A,d2 A,d7 1 8 i!i'b3 �c8 1 9
b) 13 • f4 1 4 �h i �(7 1 5 c5!
. . �d 1 �d8 led to a blocked position
!:!h8 ( 1 5 . . . de 16 't!f'b3 is with equal chances, Sanguinetti­
extremely unpleasant) 16 �b3 b6 Geller, Biel IZ 1 976.
17 cd cd 18 �a3 �c5 19 �xc5 be 14 . . . a5
20 b4! cb 2 1 �xb4, with a winning 1 5 a3 A,d7
position for White, Larsen-Tal, 1 6 · §. b l �b8
Match ( I ) 1 965. 1 7 b3
12 4)<13 Or 1 7 b4 ab 18 ab cd 19 cd b5,
1 2 �2 is also frequently played, with equality.
although here the knight occupies a 17 . . . gn
more passive posttlon. Black 1 8 �c l �c7
continues 1 2 . . . c6! 1 3 §. b l cd 1 4 1 9 b4 ab
cd �d7, and now: 20 §. xb4 §.affi
a) 15 �d2 §.c8 1 6 a4 �b6+ 1 7 The game is level. Black
�e3 �b4 1 8 g5 �h5 1 9 �b5 defends his b-pawn with his bishop
�xb5 20 ab �f4 2 1 �d2 �h3+ from c8, and retains sufficient
22 lfth 1 b6, with the better game counter-chances on the lfil-side,
for Black, Nikitin-Stein, Kislov­ Taimanov-Kavalek, Montilla
odsk 1966. 1977.
12 4 e4: Averbakh

1 d4 � immediately puts the question to

2 c4 g6
3 �3 �7
4 e4 d6
5 �e2 o-o
6 �5 (94)
This move initiates the interest­
ing Averbakh Variation, which
originated in Averbakh-Panno,
USSR-Argentina 1954. I t is
directed against Black's possible
counter-play associated with . . . e5
and . . 1"5.
. White gained attacking chances,
94
B A
Black has two basic plans. He can
either aim nevertheless for . . . e5,
or he can strike at the centre with
his c-pawn. There are also some
independent lines where he
the white bishop. We therefore
analyse:
A 6 . . . h6
B 6 . . . {)bd7
C 6 . . . c5
The plan of attacking the c4
pawn by . . . b5 is less suitable, since
Black concedes the initiative in the
centre; e.g. 6 . . . c6 7 ti}r.J �4 8 h3
�xr.J 9 �xr.J a6 1 0 o-o b5 1 1 e5 de
1 2 de ti}fd7 1 3 e6! fe 14 �4, and
Polugayevsky-Vasyukov, 34th
USSR Ch, Tbilisi 1967.
6... h6
Before undermining the centre,
Black deprives his opponent of the
possibility of taking control of the
c l -h6 diagonal, and of maintaining
the active position of his bishop at
g5. And although he agrees to a
certain weakening of his �-side,
unLil very recenLly 6 . . . h6 was
considered quite favourable for
Black.
7 �e3
7 �h4 allows 7 . . . c5 wiLh

particular effect: 8 d5 a6 9 .£)£3 b5!
10 �c2 ( 1 0 cb ab I I .4,xb5 �xe4
is also in Black's favour) 1 0 . . . be
I I �2 e6, and Black seized the
initiative, Bobotsov-Tal, Moscow
1967.
7 .4.£4 is successfully met by a
familiar manoeuvre: 7 . . . �6 8
d5 e5.
We now consider two possibil­
ities:
AI 7 . . . c5?!
A2 7 . . . e5
AI
7 • • • c5?1
8 e5! (95)
95
B White's c;ft-side gives Black good
This is the whole point! White
starts active play in the centre, and
by driving back the knight from ffi,
hopes to gain an advantage after,
for example, 8 . . . �fd 7 9 ed ed 1 0
�f3, with a subsequent gain of
tempo by �d2.
8 d5, as used to be played (if8 de,
then 8 . . . �a5, with similar
variations to those on p. 1 44) does
not promise White a great deal.
E.g. 8 . . . e6, and now:
4 e4: Averbakh 141
a) 9 �d2 ed 10 ed c;fth7 I I h3 He8
1 2 .4,d3, with two possi bilities:
a l ) 12 • •4)&6 1 3 �f3 �b4 1 4
•
.4,b 1 .4,f5!, with approximate
equality, since 1 5 .4,xf5? gf 1 6 a3
(or 1 6 0-{) �4) 16 . . . f4! is
u nfavourable for White.
a2) 12 • • b51? 1 3 cb (if 1 3 �xb5,
•
then 1 3 . � 14 .4,xe4 H xe4
. .
1 5 1;l c l a6 1 6 �3, when both 1 6
. . . .4,d4, and 1 6 . . . �g5 1 7 c;ftf1
�ffi 1 8 b3 He7, Ruderfer­
lbadulaev, Tashkent 1 97 1 , give
Black good attacking chances) 1 3
. . . a6 1 4 �e2 ab 1 5 .4,xb5 �4
1 6 �c2 .4_(5 1 7 .4,d3 �M 18 g3
�e7 19 g4 o£jxc3 20 be A,xd3 2 1
�xd3 �7, and the weaknes.� of
compensution for the pawn.
b) 9 h3 ed 10 ed He8 I I o£jf3 .4_(5
(I I o£je4!? also deserves
consideration) 1 2 g4 .4,e4 1 3 0-{)
.4,xf3 1 4 .4,xf3 o£jbd7 1 5 .4,f4 o£jb6
1 6 �d3 o£jfd7! 1 7 Hae l ( 1 7 .4,xd6
is weaker in view of 1 7 . . . .4,e5,
when Black regains the pawn and
obtains a positional advantage) 1 7
. . . �5, and Black has a good
game, Averbakh-Geller, USSR
Cup 1 974.
8 ... d xe5
9 d xe5 �xd l +
1 0 1;l )( d 1 o£Jg4
1 1 .4,xc5 o£jxe5
By tactical means Black
maintains the material balance,
since 1 2 .4,xe7 is not good now �n
account of 1 2 . . . He8 and 1 3 . . .
142 4 e4: Averhakh
<i:)xc4. But White has another way <i:)e8 White can close the �-side by
to gain an advantage. 13 hS gS and concentrate on the
1 2 .£)dS <i:)c6 other wi()g by 14 �h3 jtd 7 IS �f2
1 3 f4! <i:)g4 jt£6 16 ·�d3 b6 1 7 E!b l .
1 4 h3! 4::)£6 I I h4 hS
I S jtf3! 1 2 0-0-0 f5
As shown by Shereshevsky­ 1 3 ef
Dementiev, USSR 1 976. Black has Now Black should continue in
problems over the defence of his e 7 familiar fashion with 1 3 . . . gf,
pawn, and the development of his renewing the battle for e4.
�-side. Portisch -G i igoric, Portoroz /
A2 Ljubljana 1 97S, continued instead
7 . .. e5 1 3 . . . jtxf5 1 4 g4! hg I S fg, when
8 dS <i:)bd7 White had attacking chances.
8 c6 is interesting, B
immediately attacking the centre. 6
. • . .£}bd7
Alburt-Gufeld, USSR 1 97S, con­ 7 �d2
tinued 9 �d2 cd 1 0 cd hS I I h3 White takes control of the c l -h6
�a6 12 jtf3 jtd7 13 ci)ge2 bS, diagonal, since in the event of 7
with counter-play for Black; White <i:)f3 h6 8 jte3 eS Black obtains a
should have played for an attack comfortable game.
with 9 h4. If, on the other hand, 7 f4, then 7
9 'i!td2 . . . eS! 8 de de 9 fe �xeS 10 i!:f'xd8
I f 9 h4, then 9 . . . �S 10 i!:f'c2 E! xd8 I I .£)dS c£j xdS! 12 jtxd8
c6! I I hS cd 1 2 cd gS!, with good �b4, and the activity of the black
counter-play, Farago-Uhlmann, pieces compensates for the
Leipzig 1 97S. sacrificed exchange.
9 ... �s Now Black has two alternatives:
On 9 . . . �h7 White has the B l 7 . . . eS
unpleasant reply 10 h4, but 9 . . . hS B2 7 . . . c6
10 f3 �h7 I I �h3 �S 1 2 �f2 aS B l
1 3 0-0-0 b6 1 4 g4 deserves 7 ... e5
consideration, Uhlmann­ 8 dS
Westerinen, Solingen 1 974, when The immediate 7 . . . e5 offers
Black could have gained equal White this additional possibility, in
chances by 1 4 . . . hg I S fg f5 16 gfgf that 8 . . . c6 would now lose a pawn
1 7 ef i!:t'h4!. to 9 de.
10 f3 �h7 8 �5
If 10 . . . aS I I g4 �h 7 12 h4 9 jtf3

On 9 b4 there can follow 9 . . .
{)cxe4! 10 4)xe4 �xe4 I I .a,xd8
�xd2 12 .a_xc7 e4! 1 3 H c l e3,
Lukacs-Toth, Hungary 197 1 and
now the best chance for White is 1 4
.a,xd6 ef+ I S �xd2 .a,h6+ .
Ir9 f3 Black has 9 . . . h6! 1 0 .a,e3
( 1 0 .a,xh6 is bad because or 1 0 . . .
�rxe4 and I I . . . �h4+) 1 0 . . .
�h7 I I 0-0-0, Averbakh-A.
Zaitsev, USSR 1 970, and now by..
I I . . . <i)g8! Black could have
gained equal chances.
9 ... aS
1 0 h4
Mter 10 �e2 c6 I I �3 cd 1 2
�xdS 4)e6 1 3 �xffi+ .a_xffi 1 4
.a,xffi �xffi I S 0 --0 4)d4 1 6 .a,d l a
draw was agreed in Olafsson­
Petrosian, Moscow 1 97 1 .
10 . . . c6
l l �e2
Now 1 1 bS? l 2 dc bc 1 3 4)dS
• • • his d4 square. The inaccurate 1 0
�6 1 4 �ec3 !!a6 I S c7! 4)xc7 1 6
hS gave White a very strong attack
in Olafsson -Savon, Moscow 1 97 1 :
by 1 1 • • cd 1 2 4)xdS 4)e6 Black
• Liliental-Razuvayev, Moscow
could have gained counter­
chances.
B2
7 ... c6
The most accurate move order.
8 4)f3 eS
9 0-0 He8
9 . . . ed 10 4)xd4 4)cS is also
possible, and now:
a) 1 1 f3 4)fxe4! 1 2 4)xe4 4)xe4 1 3
fe .a,xd4+ 1 4 �xd4 �xgS I S
�xd6 �e3+ 1 6 !! f2 .a,e6, and the
4 e4: Averbakh · 143
e4 pawn is doomed, Adamski­
Geller, Lugano OL 1 968.
b) 1 1 �4 �e7 1 2 !!ad l , and: ·
b l ) 12• . � xe4 1 3 �xe4 �xe4
•
1 4 �xd6 4)d7 I S .a,f3 �e5 1 6
.a,r4 �aS 1 7 b4 '!ltxa2 1 8 cS a6 1 9
�c7, with more than sufficient
initiative for the pawn, Poluga­
yevsky-Geller, Amsterdam 1 970.
b2) 12 • . �eS!, and in view of the
•
threat of 1 3 . . . {)cxc4 White is
practically forced to defend with 1 3
.a,f3.
Less convincing is 9 • "t'ta5 1 0
• •
!! fd l f!e8 I I d S cd, Borisenko­
Tal, USSR Spartakiade 1 967,
when by the simple 12 cd White
could have gained the advantage:
in this instance the black queen is
badly placed at aS.
10 f!ad l
White must concern himself over
!! fe l ? e d I I �xd4 �b6 caused
him difficulties over the defence of
his knight at d4 and his e4 pawn in
1 967.
10 . . . �b6
More passive is 1 0 . . . �c7 I I dS
cd 12 cd �S 13 He l l, and after 1 3
. . . aS the weakness ofthe b5 square
tells: 1 4 �c2 .a,d7 1 5 �b5 .a,xb5
16 .a,xbS f!ec8 1 7 4)d2, and
White occupies the white squares
on the �-side, Polugayevsky­
Gligorit, Havana 1 967.
I I dS cd
1 2 cd {)c5
/44 4 e4: Averbakh
1 3 i!tc2 Ad7
Also possible is Gufeld's
suggestion of 13 . . . Ag4 (after 1 3
. . . h6 1 4 Ae3 .£jg4 1 5 c£)a4 .£jxe3
1 6 .£)xb6 .£)xc2 1 7 .£jxa8 it is not
easy for Black to show that he has
compensation for the exchange) 1 4
Ae3 A x f3 1 5 A x f3 ii'b4 1 6 E!c l
geeS 1 7 b3, and the black queen is
gradually evicted from b4, which
also allows White to keep a slight
advantage.
After 13 . . . Ad7, Poluga­
yevsky-Gufeld, 37th USSR Ch,
Moscow 1 969, continued 14 .£)d2
g ec8 ( 14 h6 deserves
consideration here, and if 1 5 Ae3,
then 1 5 . . . .£)g4) 1 5 i!fb l h6 1 6
Ae3 i!fd8 1 7 ge l , when White
retained some advantage.
c game, Uhlmann -Keller, E. Ger­
6 . .. c5 ( 96)
96
w
7 d5
If 7 de, then 7 . . . i!ta5, and the
standard threat of 8 . . . .£jxe4
forces White to take measures
against it. But after 8 i!fd2 de 9 e5
gd8 10 i!te3 .£)g4 I I Axg4 Axg4
1 2 h3 Ae6 1 3 Axe7 ge8 1 4 i!fxc5
% xc5 1 5 AxeS .£)d7, Prins­
Geller, Amsterdam 1 954, Black re­
gai � ed the lost material, while re­
taining excellent tactical chances.
If White parries the threat by 8
Ad2, then 8 . . . f.rxc5 9 .£)f3, and
now:
a) 9 . . ltg4 10 0-Q .£)bd7 I I b4
.
i!fxb4! 12 .£)d5 i!fa3 1 3 Ab4 i!fb2
1 4 � b l ?! (White should force a
draw by 1 4 Ac3 �b4 1 5 Ab4) 1 4
. . . �xa2 1 5 � a l .£)xd5! 1 6
� xa2 .£)xb4 1 7 §a3 .£jc5, and
despi te the loss of his queen, Blac.:k
has good �hances, Shereshevsky­
Petkevich, USSR 1 973.
b) 9 • ..£)c6 1 0 h3 .£)d4! I I .£)xd4
.
�xd4 1 2 �c2 Ae6 1 3 o-o �feB,
and again Black has a satisfactory
many 1 9 71.
After 7 d5 Black has only one
possibility of counter-play, which is
to undermine White's forepost at
d5, and to open the centre. He can
do this in any of three variations:
after first starting play on the ti'­
side, iiumcdiatcly, or alicr first
driving away the white bishop from
g5, and relieving the potential pin
on his knight.
We therefore analyse:
C l 7 . . . a6
C2 7 . . . c6
C3 7 . . . h6
7 • b5 8 cb a6 is a problematic
• .
pawn sacrifice; two examples:

�) 9 ba. This allows Black counter­
play; Rashkovsky-Geller, Sochi
1977, continued (White'� pawn was
at h3, and his bishop still at n ) 9 . . .
t'ta5 1 0 �d2 �b4! 1 1 �c2 �xa6
1 2 �><a6 .£Jxa6 1 3 a3 �c4 1 4
� b 1 .£jb4! 1 5 a b cb, and Black had
a powerful attack.
b) 9 a4! �a5 10 �d2 ab 1 1 �xb5
�a6 1 2 .£Jge2 .£jbd7 1 3 o-o, and
White retained his extra pawn
without particular difficulty,
Uhlmann-Adamski, Polanica
Zdroj 1 968.
7 • . • .£ja6, with the idea of . . .
.£Jc7 and . . . b5, has hardly been
seen in recent years. The black
knight loses the possiblity of
controlling e5, and White can
exploit this. E.g. 8 f4 .£Jc7 9 e5 .£Je8
I ll .£Jf3 Jtg4 I I .£Jd2 followed by
.£Jde4, with very strong pressure,
Portisch-Sandor, Budapest 1 9S6.
7 • �aS normally transposes
. •
into the 7 . . . a6 variation.
Cl
7 • • . a6 (97)
97
w 9 �d2 b5 1 0 cb ab 1 1 �xbS
4 e4: Avnbalch 145
8 a4
8 .£Jf3 allows 8 . . . bS, and after 9
cb ab 1 0 t'tc2 (it is only a
pseudo-sacrifice: 1 0 �xbS?!
.£Jxe4 I I .£Jxe4 t'taS+ , with the
better game for Black) I 0 . . b4 1 1
.
.£Jd 1 b3! 1 2 i!f' x b3 .£! ><e4 Black
seized the initiative in Szabo­
Szilagyi, Budapest 1 9SS.
8 ... �aS
The most consistent move. The
alternatives are less good:
8 . e5?! (Black incorrectly
• •
blocks the centre) 9 �d2 t'fc7 1 0
h 4 h 5 1 1 f3 .£Jh 7 1 2 g4, with a n
attack, Averbakh-Matanovic,
Stockholm IZ 1 9S2.
8 . •e6 (this play in the centre is
•
premature) 9 .£Jf3 ed 1 0 ed l'tb6 1 1
�d2 �(5 1 2 aS!, and White blocks
the opponent's tit-side, Forintos­
Portisch, Budapest 1 970.
9 �d2! -
The bishop returns to set up an
'ambush', and this hinders Black's
counter-play on the �-side.
The alternatives are less strong:
9 �?!, Szabo-Gligorit, Por­
toroz IZ 1 9S8, is highly dubious;
Black promptly opened up the
game by 9 . . . e6.
�a6, and the undefended state of
White's rook at a I is a noticeable
factor; Pinchuk-Zilberman, Yalta
1 966, continued 1 2 � b l ( 1 2 �xa6
.£J><a6 1 3 .£Jge2 �b4 is in Black's
favour) 1 2 . . . �xbS 1 3 ab .£jbd7,
with equal chances.
146 4 e4: Averbalch
9 ... e6
In the a fore- m e n t i oned
Avcrbakh-Panno game, with which
this variation commenced, Black
incorrectly closed the centre with 9
. . . e5?, which facilitated the build­
up of White's �-side attack: 10 g4!
�e8 (similarly after 10 . . . 'i!fd8 I I
h4 �bd7 1 2 h5 �e8 l3 �f3 !!b8 1 4
g5 i t is difficult for Black to repulse
the attack on his king, Rejfir-Trapl,
Czechoslavakia Ch 1 96 1 ) I I h4 f5
1 2 h5 f4 1 3 g5! !!f7 1 4 .a,g4 �d8 I 5
Jl.xc8 �xeS I 6 �f3 11.18 I 7 �e2!
!!g7 18 !!h4 4Jd7 I 9 hg hg 20 �h i
Jl.e 7 2 1 !! h8+ , and Black resigned
ten moves later.
It must be particularly em­
phasized that here, and in lines
considered below, after . . . e6
White's entire strategy is directed in
the first instance towards exchang­
ing the heavy pieces. With the
resulting pawn structure, his
advantage in space, and the
vulnerable black pawn which
appears sooner odater at d6, it is in
the endgame that White's best
chances lie. Black's hopes are
associated with the middlegame.
1 0 c£jf3
Here, with the centre not
blocked, the aggressive 10 g4 runs
up against a counter-attack: 10 . . .
ed I I ed �d8 1 2 h4 !!e8 1 3 �n
�bd7 1 4 h5 c£je4 ( I 5 . . . c£je5 is
also good) 1 5 c£jxe4 !! xe4 1 6 hg fg
1 7 !!a3 c£jf6, and the white king
feels no safer than Black's,
Ciocaltea-Giigoric, Moscow 1 956.
10 . . . ed
l J ,,ed
-
� ,
Black gains equal chances after
I I cd, since his �-side play is
facilitated: I I . . . !!e8 I 2 0-0 i!t'c7
1 3 "t'rc2 Jl.g4 I 4 h3 Jl.xf3 1 5 Jl.xf3
�bd 7, and now:
a) 16 a5 !!e7 1 7 !!a4 !!ae8 1 8
Jl.e2 h 6 1 9 �h2 g5, with satis­
factory play for Black on the �-side
and in the centre, Portisch-lvkov,
Santa Monica 1 966.
b) 16 bl c4, Petrosian -lvkov,
Santa Monica 1 966, with a good
game for Black, as was confirmed in
another game: 1 7 b4 !!ac8 1 8
!! ae I c£je5 1 9 J1.e2 c£)fd 7 2 0 !! c l
4Jd3! 2 1 .Q.xd3 cd 2 2 �xd3 c£)e5
23 �b 1 c£)c4 24 .Q.e I �e 7 25 �b3,
�g5, with active play for the pawn,
Portisch-Giigoric, Vrnjacka Banja
1 966.
11 . . . �c7
1 2 0-0 Ag4
This bishop has little future, and
therefore it is best to exchange it.
After 12 . . . �bd7 13 h3 c£)e8 14
!!el c£)e5 15 �c l .Q.f5 1 6 c£)xe5
.Q.xe5 1 7 g4 .Q.d7 1 8 f4 .Q.d4+ 1 9
�g2 c£lg7 2 0 .Q.f3 !!ae8 2 1 �c2
Black was very cramped ,
Bertok-Giigoric, Vinkov.ci 1 970.
1 3 h3 J1.x f3
14 J1.xf3 c£)bd7
1 5 �b3
This is more active than 1 5 �c2
c£)e8! 1 6 .Q.e2 15 I 7 f4 .Q.d4+ 1 8
�h2 c£lg7 1 9 .Q.f3 !!ae8, when the

pressure of the black pieces on the
centre becomes unpleasant,
Lombard--Giigorit, Siegen OL
1970.
The move played is associated
with the idea of a4-a5 and
.£)a1-b6. To prevent this Black
immediately occupied the open file
in Uhlmann--Giigorit, Palma de
Mallorca 1970, but after 1 5 . . .
�ae8 16 �ae l � xe l 1 7 � xe l
�e8 1 8 � xeS+ c£)xe8 1 9 �d l
�d4 20 c£)e2 J).g7 2 1 a5 a
favourable ending for White was
reached, in which Black had no
means of active play.
Thus preliminary play on the �­
side does not promise Black full
equality.
C2
7 • e6• • Amsterdam IZ 1 964.
With his �-side development
more advanced than that of his
opponent, Black wishes to open the
centre.
It is more promising for him to
first play 7 . . . h6, forcing the
bishop to determine its position.
This c-ontinuation will hf" t'"Xaminf"d
in section C3.
8 �d2 (98)
8 de leads to equality:
a) 8 • �xe6 9 � .£)c6 10 o-o
• •
�4!, Horberg-Toran, Stockholm
1 955, and on 1 1 c£)xd4 cd 1 2
�xd4 there follows 1 2
.£)xe4.
b) 8 • fe 9 �d2 .£)c6 10 � �a5
• •
1 1 o-o �4 1 2 ft fd l �d7, and the
4 e4: Averbakh 147
weakness of the d6 pawn is
imaginary, Bobolovich-Roshal,
Moscow 1 957.
8 .£)1'3 has also gone out of use,
since by 8 . . . h6 Black once again
reverts to a comfortable set-up: 9
Ah4 (9 Ae3 is examined on p. 1 49)
and now:
a) 9 . g5 1 0 J).g3 ed 1 1 cd (or I I
• •
ed .£)h5) 1 1 . . . c£)h5 1 2 �2
c£)xg3 1 3 hg f5 14 ef .a;xf5 15 �4
�6, with interesting and double­
edged play, which is exactly what
Black aims for, Balashov-Keene,
Hastings 1 965 /66.
b) 9 . ed 1 0 ed �e8 1 1 4)<12
. .
(parrying a possible . . . .£)e4) 1 1
. . . c£)h5 1 2 �3 �4 1 3 o-o
.£)xg3 14 hg �xe2, with a good
game for Black, Bronstein-Larsen,
98
B
By the move played White
prevents his bishop from being
driven away.
8 ... ed
9 ed �e8
Black can avoid the pin by 9
148 4 e4: Averbakh
. . . 't!Yb6 I 0 �f3 11,15, and now:
a) 1 1 o-o �e4 1 2 �xe4 _Q,xe4 1 3
f!ae I !, with the alternatives:
a I ) 1 3 . . . i!f'xb2 14 i!f[4, with
attacking chances for the sacrificed
pawn, Lombard-Stull, Siegen OL
1 970.
a2) 13 . . . �7, with a good game
for Black, since the attempt to trap
thr bishop by 1 4 �h4 fails to 1 4 . . .
i!f'xb2 1 5 i!tf4 �e5.
b) 1 1 4:)h4! �4 1 2 �xe4 _Q,xe4,
again with two possibilities:
b I ) 13 0-0-0 c£Ja6 14 f3 �b4! 1 5 fe
c£Jxa2+ 1 6 �b l c£Jc3 + , with a
winning attack, Chukaev-Tal,
Vilnius 1 955.
b2) 13 f3! i!f'xb2 (if 13 . . . _Q,xb2,
then 1 4 0-0!) 14 §,cl h6! 15 _Q,xh6
i!f'xd2 1 6 _Q,xd2 _Q,ffi 1 7 g3 _Q,xh4
18 gh _Q,I5 1 9 _Q,f4, and in the
ending White has two strong
bishops, Boleslavsky-Bandelo,
Minsk 1 970 /7 1 .
10 �
Now Black has two possible ways
of developing his queen's bishop:
C2 l 10 . . . _Q,g4 .
C22 1 0 . . . _Q,f5
C21
10 . . . Ag4
Practice has shown that after this
White can purposefully cramp his
opponent, and obtain an ending
with the advantage of the two
bishops.
I I 0-0 �bd7
12 h3 _Q,xf3
13 _Q,xf3 a6
14 a4 �e7
Or 14 . . . i!f'c7 1 5 i!f'c2 f!e7 1 6
f!ae J ·· ��e8 1 7 §. xe7 � xe7 1 8
_Q,e2 h G 1 9 _Q,d2 �e8 2 0 g4,
Polugayevsky-Gufeld, 34th USSR
Ch, Tbilisi 1967.
The aim of the move played is to
transfer the queen to 18, and then
drive away the white bishop by . . .
h6.
1 5 �ae l
The following two alternatives
are premature:
15 g4 �18 1 6 _Q,f4 c£Je5 1 7 Ae2
�fd7 1 8 Ag3 c£Jb6, with a draw,
Polugayevsky-Minic, Skopje 1 968.
15 aS i!i'ffi 1 6 �a3 �e5 1 7 _Q,e2
�d7! 1 S _Q,e3 �e4 1 9 �xe4
f! xe4 20 _Q,d3 f!e7 2 1 §, b l f!aeS
22 _Q,n c£Jffi 23 b4 �e4, Portisch­
Giigoric, European Team Ch,
Kapfenberg 1 970.
15 " . i!i'ffi
1 6 _Q,d l h6
Weaker is 16 . . . §. xe l 1 7
� x e l �eS 1 S � xeS �xeS 1 9
_Q,c2 c£Jb6 20 b3 c£Jbd 7 2 1 _Q,f4
tye7 22 tye2! �IR 23 t§-xe7+
�xe7 24 a5, and White converted
his endgame advantage into a win,
Polugayevsky-Uhlmann, Amster­
dam 1 970.
I 7 _Q,f4 c£Jh 7
1 8 g4
White has the better chances,
Lombard-Penrose, Siegen OL
1970.
C22
10 . . . _Q,f5

I I 0-0 a6
1 2 <t)M �c8
Black must bring the queen into
play, even at the cost of the
exchange of his bishop, since, as we
have already stated, it is in the
middlcgame that he has counter­
chances.
1 3 c£)xf5 �xf5
1 4 Etael c£)bd7
1 5 -'ld3 �g4
I 6 h3 �d4
White has the freer game and the
two bishops, but Black also has his
counter-play; he threatens, for
instance, . . . c£)e5.
1 7 .£je2 met with an interesting
tactical refutation in Poluga­
yevsky-Roos, Le Havre 1 966: 1 7
. . . .£)e4!, and if 1 8 �c2, then 1 8
. . . �xb2 1 9 -'t,xe4 �e5, with an
equal game.
C3
7 ... h6
Black immediately rules out the
possi bility of White gaining control
of the c l -h6 diagonal.
8 -'t,f4
After 8 -'t,h4 a6 9 .£)11 b5! we
reach a pos111on that was
considered earlier (p. 1 45 ) .
8 -'t,e3 can be answered in two
ways:
a) 8 • . e6 9 de (9 �d2 and 9 h3
•
again transpose into variations
considered earlier) 9 . . . -'t,xe6 1 0
�d2 <ifi>h7 ( i t is incorrect for Black
to try to give up his h6 pawn for the
e4 pa�n by 10 �a5)
4 e4: AvtTbalch 149
and now neither of White's
possibilities gives him an advan­
tage:
a I ) 1 1 0-0-0 (this leads to a double­
edged position) 1 1 �aS
(Gligorit's recommendation of 1 1
. . . �c6 is also good) 1 2 <ifi>b 1 (on
I2 �xd6 Black has either 1 2 . . .
.£)fd7, or 1 2 . . . 4)g4) 1 2 . . . .£jc6
1 3 f.3 gabS 1 4 4)h3 b5 1 5 cb a6 1 6
4)f4 a b 1 7 .£jxe6 fe, Bukhman­
Lukin, Leningrad 1 973.
a2) 11 h3 4)<:6 12 4)f.3 �e7 1 3 0-0
gad8 1 4 gad l Hfe8 1 S Hfel .�
1 6 -'tf4 4)d4, Donner-Giigorit,
Amsterdam 197 1 .
b) 8 . •bS (by this pawn sacrifice
.
Black attempts to gain counter-play
on the �-side, without opening the
centre by . . . e6) 9 cb a6 10 a4 �aS
I I -'ld2 ab 1 2 -'txbS, and a
position from Uhlmann-Adamski
(p. 1 45) is reached, with the
insignificant difference that Black's
pawn is at h6 rather than h7.
By 8 -'tf4 White attempts to
prevent his opponent from
advancing his e-pawn, but . . .
8 e6! ( 99)
99
w
150 4 e4.: Averbakh
Weaker is 8 • . t£)bd7 9 �d2
• problems over the defence of his
<;t>h7 1 0 .£)11 c£lg4 I I 0-{) c£)deS 1 2
.£)xeS .£!xeS 1 3 Ae3 15 1 4 e f A><l5
IS flae 1, and the weakness of the
white squares in his opponent's
position gives White the advantage,
Stahlberg-Matanovic, 8everwij k
1956.
In the event of 8 . . • a6 9 �d2
<;t>h7 White should · play 10 a4,
preventing . . . bS; after 10 4)11?l
bSl I I cb ab 1 2 AxbS �b6l 1 3
Ae2 �b4l 1 4 eS 4)hSl I S Ag3
Aa6l, Uhlmann-Geller, Palma de
Mallorca, Black had a powerful
initiative for the pawn.
It should be mentioned that if
Black plays 8 • • • e5, White can
take en passant, which transposes
into the main line. But he also has
another possibility: with the centre
blocked he can begin an attack on
the king: 9 Ad2 4)a6 I 0 g4 4)e8 I I
�c l <;t>h7 1 2 h4 15 1 3 hS f4 1 4 hg+
<;t>xg6 I S 4)11, Pytel-Baljon, Wij k
aan Zee I I 1974.
9 de A><e6
1 0 Jtxd6
Or first 10 ftd2, and now:
a) 10 . • • �a5 I I Axh6l Axh6 1 2
�xh6 4)xe4 1 3 flc l 4)c6 1 4 h4
4)d4 I S 'it>f) ! , and:
a l ) 15 • . • 4)x c3 16 f! xc3l �><a2
1 7 hS, with a very strong altack for
White, Uhlmann-Uitumen, Palma
de Mallorca 1 970.
a2) 15 • • • 4)f5 16 �f4 4)xc3 1 7
f! xc3 �><a2 1 8 �e l l �aS 1 9 hS
4)g7 20 f!g3, and Black still has
weakened 'it>-side.
b) 10 •. • •, �b6!, and playing for an
attack 11a� its dangers for White:
b l ) 11 � �h7 12 h4 {)c6 1 3 hS
gS 14 Axd6 f!fd8 IS fte3 4)<14 1 6
Jte7 4)xe2+ 1 7 4)g><e2 f! xd l +
1 8 f! xd l 4)&4 1 9 "{!txcS 4)xf2 20
fld2 f!e8l 2 1 �xb6 ab 22 AdS
Axc4 23 A><b6 4)xe4 24 4)xe4
f! ><e4, with excellent winning
chances for Black, Forintos­
Adorjan, Budapest 1973.
b2) 11 A><h6 Axh6 12 "{!txh6
�xb2 13 §cl 4)c6, with the
initiative, since White loses after,
for instance, 14 h4 4)eS IS hS 4)fg4
1 6 �f4 4)xf2l (Adorjan) .
10 . . . §e8
I I 4)11
Extremely risky is 1 1 AxeS �aS
1 2 b4 �a6, when Black's threats
are very hard to meet, while 11 e5
can be met by I I . . . c£)fd 7 1 2 f4 gSl
1 3 4)11 gf 14 "{!td2 4)c6 1 5 �xf4
c£)d ><e4 1 6 AxeS .£! xeS 1 7 4)xe5
�d4l, and Black regains his piece,
with the better chanc es ( 18 4)<13
A >< c4) .
II . . . 4)c6
1 2 0-{) 4)d4
Also possible is 1 2 . . . �aS,
vacating d8 for a rook, and now:
a) 13 a3 (White tries to exploit the
position of the black queen to
develop his �·side initiative) 1 3
. . . §ed8l (it later becomes clear
why it is this rook that goes to d8) 1 4
b4 c b I S a b �><a l l 1 6 �><a l
 4 e4: Averbalch 151
4)xe4 1 7 i!fb2 (in the event of 1 3 (Uhlmann in Schach 1 1 /1979 states
. . . l!ad8 White would now have 'and White has a sound pawn
1 7 4)xe4 �xa l 1 8 l! xa l . when more.'-ed.) then 1 8 . . . �adS! 1 9
18 . . . �15 fails to 1 9 c£!!6+ and 20 b 3 § xc3 2 0 § xc3 l!d2 2 1 -'l.f.3
4)xe8) 1 7 . . . c£Jxc3, and Black § xa2 22 �xb7 §b8 23 �c6 l!a3
gained sufficient compensation for 24 �bS a6 2S -'l.a4 §b4, and Black
the queen, Yuferov-Gufeld, Mos­ regains his pawn, with a level
cow 1 977. ending, Uhlmann-Schmidt, Pol­
b) 13 e5 c£Jd7 1 4 c£Jd7 �xdS IS anica Zdroj 1 97S.
�xdS l!ad8, with chances for lS . . . � xeS
both sides. 1 6 cS d3!
c) 13 -'l.f4, and again Black has Weaker is 16 . . . c£!c4 1 7 4)c7:
compensation · for the pawn. a) 17 • 4)xd6 18 cd i!fxd6 19
• .

d) 13 c£ld2! l!ed8 14 �f4 c£ld4 I S 4)xa8 � xa8 20 �d3, with

c£JdS -'l_xdS 1 6 cd c£Jxe2+ 1 7 advantage to White.
'{lfxe2 i!fb4! 18 a3! i!fxb2 1 9 b) 17 . 4)xb2 18 i!fd2 d3 1 9
• •

l!ab I i!fd4 20 -'l.e3 i!feS 2 1 f4 i!fe 7 -'l.xd3 c£J xd3 2 0 i!fxd3 -'l. x a l 2 1
22 d6!! l! ?<d6 23 eS l!e6 24 § xa l �gS!? 22 h4! �xh4 23
'{lff.3 ± Uhlmann-Sznapik, Berlin . 4)xe8! § xeS 24 �bS i!fd8 (24 .. . .
1 979. §c8 offered better chances) 2S
1 3 eS i!fxb7 �a8 26 c6! , with a decisive
After 13 �xeS? c£J xe2+ 1 4 advantage, Forintos-Trevelyan,
�xe2 i!fc8 White loses the Nice OL 1 974.
exchange. 1 7 -'l.xd3 §c8
In the event of 13 c£Jxd4 cd 1 4 If 1 7 . . . �xd3 18 i!fxd3 §c8
'!'+'xd4 c£Jxe4! I S i!fxe4 i!fxd6 1 6 (with the threat of 19 . . . � xeS) ,
�xb7 �ab8 1 7 �xa7 § xb2 it is the game can continue 1 9 l!ad I
not easy for White to parry his i!faS ( 1 9 . . . a6?! 20 c£Jc3 b6 2 1
opponent's activity. �xa6 be 22 �eS �g5 23 Jlxg7
13 . . . c£Jd7 when Black has no ·compensation
1 4 �xd4 lt>r the pawn, Forintos­
A level position results from 1 4 Asmundsson, Reykjavik 1 974) .
l! e l �15 I S c£Jxd4 c d 1 6 i!fxd4 After 17 §c8, in
�xeS, Uhlmann-Bielczyk, Pol­ Uhlmann-Schmidt, Brno 1 97S,
anica Zdroj 1 97S. White tried to 'hang on' to his two
14 . . . cd bishops by 18 -'te2, but after 1 8 . . .
l S 4)bS c£lc4 19 b3 (or 1 9 i!fa4 c£J xb2 20
If l S �xd4 4)xeS 1 6 -'\_xeS i!fb4 aS!, with advantage to Black)
� xd4 1 7. -'l.xd4 -'l_xd4 18 §ad , 19 . . . c£lb2 20 �d2 (20 i!rc l is
152 4 e4: Averbalch
somewhat better) 20 . . !! xeS 2 1
. with �c2 and JtgS does not
�b4 !!c2 22 �d l oi)cl3 23 �a4 guarantee White an opening
� xf2 24 � xf2 .£)xf2 25 He I oi)cl3 advantage, although it leads to a
he was forced to capitulate. game rith in possibilities for both
'
Thus the system of development sides.
 13 4 e4: Various

1 d4 .£!1'6
100
2 c4 g6
3 .£lc3
B
.
_Qg 7
4 e4 d6
Instead of further development
along the lines of the Classical
System, 5 .£!f3 and 6 �e2, and the
Averbakh 5 �e2 0-{) 6 .Q.g5 White
can resort to various deviations. A
number of these occur compara­
tively rarely, and are considered in 5 ... 4):6
sections A to E. 6 .£Jge2 e5
We divide the material as follows: 7 d5 .£Jcl4!
A S �d3 8 .£Jxd4 ed
B 5 .£Jge2 9 .£lb5 0-{)
c 5 h3 Black is already ahead of his
D 5 .Q.g5 opponent in development.
E 5 �f4 1 0 0-{) �e8
F 5 �e2 1 1 �el .£Jg4
G 5 .£lf3 0-D 6 .Q.g5 1 2 h3
A This was the course taken by
5 �d3 ( 100) Korchnoi-Ligterink, Amsterdam
White develops his bishop, while 1 976. By continuing 1 2 . . . a6 1 3 hg
leaving e2 available for his knight . ab 14 cb i!rh4! Black could havegain­
. But · on d3 the bishop is only ed excellent attacking chances for the
apparently more actively placed pawn: he threatens 1 5 . . . �xg4,
than at e2. In fact the d4 square is while if 1 5 g5 then 15 . . . �e5.
weakened, and Black easily gains B
count�r-play. 5 .£Jge2 ( 10 1)
154 4 e4: Various
/OJ
B .Q.xe5 .
This can transpose into the
Samisch Variation, or into the
variation where White fianchettoes
his bishop at g2. The move 5 �e2
is or independent significance only
if White wishes to obtain a set-up
similar to the Samisch, but without
1'2-1'3, ror which he transfers his
knight to g3 to support his e4 pawn.
From there it can support the
advance or the r-pawn to !5, but at
the same time White's control ofd4
is weakened, and Black can exploit
this.
5 ... 0-{)
The most exact . For the moment
Black does not disclose his
intentions.
The immediate 5 . . . e5 is also
possible, and now:
a) 6 .a,gs h6 7 .a,h4 g5? (this
weakens the white squares on the
lfi'-side; 7 . . . c6 or 7 . . . �bd7
gives Black a good game) 8 .a,g3
�h5 9 de de 10 "¥txd8+ lt( xd8 I I
0-D-D+ �d7 1 2 �d5 c6 1 3 �e3,
with a clear advantage for White,
Botvinnik-Smyslov, USSR Ch
(Match Tourney) 194 1 , e.g. as the
game continued 13 . . . lf(c7 1 4
� !5 .Q.lli? 1 5 !! xd7! lf(xd7 1 6
.·
b) 6 d5 d'·.y 4:Jg3, and:
b l ) 7 . . �bd7 8 .a,e2 a6 9 0-{) h5
.
10 .a,g5 �18 followed by . . . 4Jflh7,
with counter-play, Barczay­
Bogdanovil:: , Sarajevo 1968.
b2) 7 . . h5!? 8 .a,d3?! (White
.
should have halted his opponent's
activity by 8 h4) 8 . . . h4 9 �n
�h5 10 g3 �ffi I I Ag5 hg 1 2 fg
.a,h3!, with a good game for
Black, Taimanov-lvkov, Palma de
Mallorca 1 970.
c) 6 f3. Black must also reckon with
the fact that by this move White
can transpose into a favourable line
or the Samisch Variation.
The flank attack on the c4 pawn
is also possible: 5 . c6 (6 . . . c5 7
. .
d5 e6 transposes into a Benoni type
of position) 6 4:Jg3 (here White can
transpose by 6 f3 or 6 g3 into
variations considered earlier, in
chapters 3 and 4) 6 . . . a6 7 a4 a5! 8
.a,e2 �a6 9 h4 h5 I 0 .a,g5 '§'b6,
and Black has the initiative on the
fr-side, Navarovszky- Filip, De­
brecen 1 969.
6 4Jg3 e5
The alternatives are weaker:
6 . �c6 7 d5 �e5 8 Ae2 c6 9
. .
f4 �ed7 1 0 .a_e3, and White is well
ahead in development, Bertok­
Bilek, Budapest Z 1960.
6 . . . �fd7 (as in the previous
line Black aims for piece pressure on
d4) 7 .a_e3 c5 8 d5 b5 9 cb a6 10

�d2 ab 1 1 �xb5 �a6 1 2 �xa6
4)xa6 1 3 �h6, and Black has to
demonstrate that he has sufficient
compensation for the sacrificed
pawn, Szabo-Gufeld, Leningrad
1 967.
6. . c5 7 d5 e6 8 �e2 ed 9 cd!?
.
c£jbd7 10 �f4 c£le8 I I i!fd2 a6 1 2
a4 fibS 1 3 0-0 c£je5 1 4 �h6, and
White has attacking chances on the
�-side, Taimanov-Bertok, Vin­
kovci 1 970.
7 d5 c6
8 �e2 cd
9 cd 4)bd7
1 0 .Q.g5 h6
I I .Q.e3 a6
1 2 0-0 b5
1 3 b4 c£jb6
1 4 a4 c£lxa4;
The pawn sacrifice 1 4 . . . c£lc4?
is incorrect: 1 5 ab c£jxe3 1 6 fe i!i'b6
1 7 �d3 .Q.g4 1 8 fl xa6 fl xa6 1 9
ba �xb4 20 .Q.xg4 4)xg4 2 1 h3
c£jffi 22 c£jb5, and White has a
decisive advantage, Szabo-R.
Byrne, Havana OL 1966.
15 c£jxa4 ba
1 6 fl xa4 h5!
The position of the white knight
at g3 gives Black an extra tempo,
thanks to which he has good
attacking chances on the �-side.
E.g. 1 7 f3 h4 1 8 4)h I 4)h5 1 9 b5
4)h4 20 ba .Q.h6! 2 1 c£jf'2 c£lh3+ 22
4)xh3 .Q.xe3+ 23 esfth 1 (23 c£)1'2
�b6) 23 . . . .Q.xh3 24 gh �d7,
and Black soon won, Szabo­
Yanovsky, Winnipeg 1967.
4 e4: Various 155
C
5 h3 ( 102)
102
B
This move is more justified than
the two examined above. It was
suggested by Reti, and later
analysed by Makagonov and
Sokolsky. Spassky explains the
move as follows: 'White prepares to
develop his · bishop at e3, and
defends against the possible attack
on it by . . . �4. In addition he has
the possibility of g2-g4 in mind,
and, in contrast to the Samisch
Variation, the square f3 is available
for his knight'.
5 ... 0-0
Or 5 . . . c6 6 .Q.e3 a6 7 c£jf3 b5 8
e5 c£jfd7 9 ed (9 e6 fe 1 0 �5 lcads
to interesting play) 9 . . . ed 1 0 .Q.g5
(instead of this second move with an
already developed piece, 1 0 .Q.d3
deserved consideration) 1 0 . c£lffi
. .
I I �e2+ (again it was preferable
to develop the bishop: I I .Q.e2) I I
. . . <it>ffi , with a very sharp and
obscure game, Bronstein-Pilnik,
Bcverwijk 1 963.
6 4)£3
/56 4 f4: Varinu.1·
The position can be reached also plans. He can play for a counter­
by s c£!13 o-o 6 h3. attack against the c4 pawn by . . .
This is a modernization of the b5, or he can strike at the centre
initial idea of the entire variation with his �'",p awn or e-pawn. We
with h2-h3. If, as wa� planned by therefore analyse:
Reti and Makagonov, White plays C l 6 . . . c6
6 Jte3, then Black can obtain good C2 6 . . . c5
play by striking at the centre with C3 6 . . e5
.

his c-pawn or e-pawn: Cl

a) 6 . . . c5 7 de 't'i'aS 8 Jtd3 de 9 eS 6 c6
c£je8 I 0 f4 ffi I I c£!13 c£jc6 1 2 0 -Q 7 Jte3 a6
c£jc7 1 3 c£!d5 c£jxd5 1 4 cd c£jb4, B Jtd3
and Black has counter-chances, Also possible is the immediate B
since White's centre is insulliciently e5 c£jl(l7 9 ed ed 10 Jtd3, trans­
secure, Arutyunov-Doroshkevich, posing into a continuation
Moscow 1 967. examined below.
b) 6 . . e5 7 d5, and now:
. B b5
bI) 7 . c£je8?! (Formerly, when
• • 9 e5
playing 6 -'1,e3, this was the only This active advance disturbs
move White reckoned with.) B g4 15 Black's plans.
9 efgf I 0 gf Jtx15 I I c£!ge2 i!fh4 1 2 The quiet 9 0-0 c£jbd7 I 0 §c l ,
c£lg3 Jtg6 1 3 i!fg4!, and White's Book-Gufcld, Tallinn 1 969, al­
firm control over e4 gives him the lowed Black to strike at the centre
advantage, Sokolsky-Kogan, Ukraine by 1 0 . . . e5 I I d5 be 1 2 Jtxc4 c5!
Ch l 94B and Makagonov-Veresov, . 13 c£jd2 c£je8 14 �e2 15, with
USSR Team Ch 1 960. active play on the lf;-side.
b2) 7 • • c£jbd7 8 g4 c£jc5 9 i!rc2 c6
• 9 ... c£jfd7 ( 103)
10 c£lge2 cd I I cd, and:
h2 1 ) 1 1 itaS? (premature) 1 2 103
• • .

c£!g3 Jtd7 1 3 Ad2 §feB 1 4 § b l w

�dB 1 5 i!fd I aS 1 6 i!rf3 §ab8 1 7
g5 c£jeB 18 h4, with attacking
chances for White, Bronstein­
Gligoric, Zurich C 1 953.
b22) 11 •Jtd7 12 c£lg3 §cB, and
• •

Black threatens by . . . �a4 to be

the first to begin active play on the
�-side.
After 6 c£!13 Black has several 1 0 e6!
 4 e4: Various 157
This is stronger than I 0 ed ed I I 9 ed
0-{), and now: After 9 cd b5.!, Engels-Euwe,
a) 1 1 . 4)b6 1 2 b3 4)8d 7 1 3 a3 be
• . The Hague 1 929, Black had an
1 4 be, when White's position is excellent game, since both of the
better, since the black pieces on the following lines· are favourable for
i!f-side are in each others' way, him: 1 0 �xb5 4)xe4 1 1 .Q.xe4
Osnos-Polugayevsky, 3 1 st USSR ges, and 10 .Q.xb5 �xe4 1 1
Ch 1 963. �xe4 i!ta5+ 1 2 i!td2 i!fxb5 1 3
b) 11 • • be 12 .Q.xc4 4)b6, and
• �xd6 i!§'a6 1 4 �xeS ge8+ .
Black can hope to occupy d5. 9 ... i!te7+
10 . . . fe Or 9 . . . ge8+ 10 .Q.e3, and
I I 4)g5 4)16 now:
1 2 h4! a) 10 • .Q.h6 (dubious) 1 1 0-{)!
• •

White has a clear lead m .Q.xe3 12 fe H xe3 1 3 �d2 ge8 1 4

development and excellent attack­ �5, with a n attack down the f-file.
ing chances, Portisch-Minic, b) 10 • �6 I I 0-0 .Q.d7 1 2 .Q.g5
. •

Zagreb 1965. h6 1 3 .Q.f4 i!te7 14 gel � 1 5

Thus we can conclude that i!tb3!, and White has an undis­
Black's preparation for counter­ puted advantage in space and in
play on the i!t-side against the c4 the activity of his pieces.
pawn gives White the possibility of Quinteros-Ghitescu, Olot 1 974.
making a break-through in the 10 i!te2!
centre, and sacrificing a pawn for Here 10 .Q.e3 is less good, since
attacking chances. after 10 . . . .Q.h6 1 1 0-0 .Q.xe3 1 2
C2 fe Black can capture on e3 with
6 . . •
c5 ( 104) check.
10 . . . ges
/04 1 1 i!§'xe7 g xe7+
12 'ltd l �bd7
w
1 3 .Q.g5 h6
14 .Q.h4 g5
1 5 .Q.g3 4)e8
1 5 . . . 4)e5 1 6 4)xe5 de 1 7 f.3
4)h5 1 8 .Q.l'2 also gives White the
advantage.
Now after 16 '1td2 4)e5 1 7
4)xe5 .Q.xe5 1 8 .Q.xe5 g xe5 1 9 f4
7 d5 e6 gf 20 E!afl White had the better
� .Q.d3 ed ending, in view of his opponent's
158 4 t4: Various

pawn weaknesses, Bagirov - �h 7 1 2 ,ild3 15 1 3 ef gl; with an

Borisenko, USSR 1 974. · eq u a l g a m e , Sha mkov i c h -
C3 Liberzon, ·. Lone Pine 1 97S.
6 ... e5 ( 105) c) 9 ,ild3 Wh ite s strongest move,
,. '

6 . . . 4:)c6 7 .Q..e 3 eS 8 dS 4:)e7 is defending the e4 pawn and retain­

favourable for White, since the ing the possibility of '#fd2.
knight at e7 is lacking in prospects; C31
after 9 g4 c6 I 0 4:)d2 IJS I I de IJ4 1 2 7 ... 4:)h5
4:)dS 4:)xc6 1 3 .Q..gS Ae6 1 4 4:)!3 Black seeks countn-play on the
White had the advantage in �-side by preparing the advance
Larsen-Westerinen, Helsinki 1 969. . . . 15.
The inclusion of the moves 7 . . .
105 �a6 8 Ae3, and only now 8 . . .
IV 4:)hS, leads to an advantage for
White: !) �12, and Black must
waste a tempo on ihe defence of his
'hanging' knight at hS: 9 . . . i!§'e8
1 0 �b3 15 I I cS! f4 1 2 Ad2 �xeS
1 3 �xeS de 1 4 Ae2 �!6 ( 1 4 . . .
f! ffi is better) I S b4!, and White
seized the initiative, Uhlmann­
Kapengut, Berlin 1 967.
7 dS 8 �h2!
White cannot win a pawn by 7 de Here too White can exploit the
de 8 i!fxd8 f! xd8 9 �xeS f!c8 1 0 insecure position of the knight at
f4, in view o f 1 0 . . . �bd7 I I hS.
�xd7 4:)xe4! It is essential to take action
Now ntack has two main con­ against Black's plan, since 8 ,ileS 15
t inuat ions: 9 er gr 1 0 Ae2 (hut not 1 0 .£J xe5?
C3 1 7 . . . 4:)hS �e8!, with the threat of . . . f4) 1 0
C32 7 . . . �bd7 . . . � ffi I I i!§'c2 �a6 gives Black
7 . . . aS has also been played, counter-play, Moiseev-Simagin,
when there can follow 8 AgS 4:)a6 19th USSR Ch 1 95 1 .
and now: I f 8 g3 15 9 ef gf 1 0 4:)xe5? i!§'e8
a) 9 �d2; this attempt to seize the + + .
c l -h6 diagonal runs up against a 8 i!fe8
counter-attack on the e4 pawn: 9 9 Ae2 .£jf4
. . . �cS. 1 0 Ar.3 15
b) 9 ftc2 h6 1 0 Ae3 �e8 I I 'i!fd2 I I g3!

If White wastes a tempo on
safeguarding his h-pawn, then after
11 h4 .£la6 1 2 g3 .£lc5! ! Black seizes
the initiative. Kavalek-Quinteros,
Bauang 1 973, continued 1 3 gfef l4
eS! de 15 Jte2 i!fe7 1 6 <tln f3! 1 7
Jtxf3 e4 1 8 d6! Jtxc3+ 1 9 be cd
20 Jtgs �eS 2 1 lte2 �xc3 + ,
with advantage t o Black.
Kuzmin-Gufcld, 40th USSR Ch
1972, continued 1 1 Jte3 �a6!? 1 2
0-{) �cS 1 3 b4 �xe4 1 4 �xe4 fe
1 5 Axe4 aS! + .
11 .£lxh3
1 2 .ft�2 fc
1 3 -'te3 jtf5
1 4 �4
White has the advantage after
both 14 . . . �f4 1 5 gf hS 1 6 �h2
�7 1 7 fe, Bagirov-Vukic, Banja
Luka 1 976, and i 4 . . . hS 1 5
Jtxh3 �d7 1 6 .£lxe4 hg 1 7
Jtg2.
C32
7 • • . �bd7
8 Jte3 �cS
9 �2 �c8
Or 9 . . a5, and:
. can transpose into the Makagonov­
a) 10 Jte2 .£le8, with two
examples:
a 1 ) 1 1 0-0 f5 1 2 ef Jtxf5 1 3 �1'3
�e7, with equal chances, Gligoric­
R. Byrne, Leningrad IZ 1 973.
a2) 11 g4 f5 12 ef gf 13 "t'tc2 .£la6!
14 f3 Jth6!, and Black equalized
com p l e t e l y , M a k ag o n o v ­
Boleslavsky, 1 5th USSR C h 1 947.
b) 10 g4 �8 1 1 h4 f5 1 2 gf! (if l 2 ef
gf 1 3 gSt then 1 3 . . . e4, with great
4 e4: Various · /59
complications) 1 2 . . . gf 1 3 i!te2
.£la6 (White also has the advantage
after 1 3 . . . f4 1 4 Jtxc5 de 1 5 Jth3
Jtxh3 1 6 � xh3 �6 1 7 0-Q-Q) 1 4
Jtg5! Jtffi 1 5 0-Q-{) f4 1 6 �. and
White has good attacking chances,
Bagirov-Sigurj onsson, Tbilisi
1 974.
10 g4
An alternative plan for White: 10
h4 f5 I I hS, hoping for I I . . . f4 1 2
JtxcS d e 1 3 Jte2 and Jtg4, met
with an interesting refutation in
Bagirov-Petrushin, USSR Cup
1 974: 1 1 . . . c£le6!? 1 2 de f4, and
Black had sullicient counter-play.
However, 10 b4!? .£la6 1 1 a3 f5
1 2 .£lb3 c£)ffi 1 3 Jtd3 deserves con­
sideration, since until he castles �­
side White does not have to fear the
usual attack involving . . . f4, . . .
gS, . . . hS and . . . g4.
10 . . . f5
I I ef gf
1 2 �e2 .
Now 1 2 . . . aS ( here too 1 2 . . .
�e6 is interesting) 1 3 i!fc2 .£la6!
Boleslavsky game given above.
Thus the conclusion must be that
the central counter . . . e5 giv.es
Black an equal position.
D
5 Jtg5 ( 106)
This is directed against the usual
counter . . . e5. But Black can
attack the centre with his c­
pawn.
5 ... h6
160 4 e4: Various
I Ofi
II
Before Black takes action in the
centre, it is useful to force the white
bishop to select its post, and to give
himself an additional chance,
associa ted with the advance of his
�-side pawns.
6 Ah4
Unsatisf<tctory is 6 Ae3 4Jg4, or
6 Af4 4Jc6 7 d5 e5.
6 ... c5
Black must not delay: 6 . . . 0 -{)?
can be answered by 7 f4, and if7 . . .
c5, then 8 e5.
7 d5 i!ra5
7 . . o-o is a quiet developing
. at a I undefended, 8 �d2 gives
move, which forces White to reveal
his intentions, e.g. after:
a) 8 Ae2 e6 9 4J13 ed 1 0 cd a
position from the Modern Benoni is
reached.
b) 8 Ad3 e6 9 de Jtxe6 1 0 4Jge2
(After I 0 f4 Black takes the
initiative by I 0 . . . i!ra5, e.g. I I 5
Ad 7 1 2 4J13 gf 1 3 ef .§ e8+ 1 4 �n
Ac6 1 5 i'td2 4Jbd 7) and now:
b l ) After 10 . 4Jc6 I I f4 g5! 1 2
. .
fg 4Jg4 1 3 i!rd2 4Jce5 1 4 o-o
( Uhlmann-Giigoric, Buenos Aires
1 960) Black could have obtained an
ex�ellent game by 1 4 . . . 4Jxd3 1 5
i!fxd3 hg 1 6 ..Q...�3 4Je5.
b2) 1 1 . j}g3 4jh5 1 2 0-0 4Jc6 1 3
i!fd2 �es 1 4 b3 4Jg6 1 5 f!ac l
Ae5 with equal chances is
Sliwa-Durao, Leipzig OL 1 960.
7 . . . �a5 is an interrsting
attempt to I'Xp loit the early
development of the white bishop,
which can no longer return to d2.
As an example here is the
ILLUSTRATIVE GAME No. 1 1 ,
Stein -Gellcr, USSR Team Cham­
pionship, Moscow 1 966.
B Ad3
A t the time when this game was
played, the theoretical guides
attached a question mark to this
move, on the basis of Bisguier­
Perez, Utrecht 196 1 , and recom­
mended instead 8 -&,d2. When I
studied the position resulting alier 7
. . . i!ra5, I carne to the opposite
conclusion. Since it leaves the rook
Black good hopes in the future of
playing . . . b5. As for the move
played, White could have Im­
proved significantly on the
aforementioned game.
8 ..
. g5
9 Ag3 4Jxe4!?
A rather risk� continuation, by
whi<-h Black wins a pawn, but
allows White good attacking
chances. 9 . . . 4jh5 appears
sounder, and if 10 4Jge2, then 1 0
. . . 4Jxg3 I I h g 4Jd7, when Black
can possibly castle on the �-side.
 4 e4: Various 161
1 0 Jtxe4 Jtxc3+ This emphasizes Black's advan­
Black is forced to part with his tage. Clearly, White cannot retreat
bishop: I 0 . . f5 I I �h5+ Cjffd 8 1 2
. his bishop, in view of 1 5 . . f3.
.

�e2 gives White a very_ strong 16 hg hg

attack. 1 7 c£jxf4?
I I be �xc3+ I n a difficult position White
1 2 �n f5 ( 107) commits an oversight, which
accelerates his defeat. I 7 �e I was
107 his only defence, when, apart from
w 1 7 . . . fg, Black also has the
possibility of 1 7 . . . c£jd7! 1 6 J1,h2
c£je5 1 9 f3 §hB, when White's
prospects are still not very bright.
17 . . . gf
1 8 J1,h2
At the last moment Stein noticed
that the planned move 1 6 J1,h4
loses to 1 6 . . . §hB.
1 3 c£je2? 16 . . . c£jd7
White repeats the mistake made 19 g3 c£je5
in the Bisguier-Perez game, and 20 �h5+ �dB
loses a highly important tempo. 2 1 gf c£lg4
Soon it turns · out that the white This wins a piece, and the game.
queen, being tied to the defence of 22 � e 1 §hB
the rook at a I , cannot be switched 23 Jl.h7 i!fg7
at �he appropriate moment to h5. White resigns
Correct is 1 3 §cl �g7 (weaker 24 Ag3 is met by 24 . . . c£jf6.
is 1 3 . . . �f6 1 4 h4 fe 1 5 �h5+ , E
when White wins back his pawn, 5 jtf4 ( 108)
and retains a positional advantage)
JOB
14 h4 gh 1 5 �h5+ �dB 1 6 § xh4
( 1 6 Jl.xh4 is unpleasantly met by B
16 . . . �b2) 16 . . . fe 1 7 § xe4,
when White has sufficient com­
pensation for his minimal material
deficit.
13 . . . �f6
1 4 J1,c2 f4
1 5 h4 §18 !
162 4 1'4: Vn�ious
This is occa� ionall y played but it h) 6 Ag5- sec Avcrbakh Vari­
is much weaker than S Jl.gS, and a t ion, Chapter 1 2.
cannot be recommended. Black can c) 6 f4 can tran�pose into lines of the
e i t he r prepare . . . cS, e.g. by 5 . . . Four Pawns.. '
Attac k , Chapters I and
0-0 6 4jf3 Ag4, or attack the 2.
centre with his c-pawn: 5 . . . c5 6 G
dS 0-0 7 c£)13 i!faS 8 .il,d3 Ag4 9 5 c£)£3 0-0
0-0 c£)bd7 1 0 h3 Axl3 I I � x f3 6 .ilg5 ( / 09)
{)eS 1 2 i!fc2 c£) x d 3 1 3 fr x d 3 a6,
and in Bisguicr-Fischcr, USA Ch 109
1 960 /6 1 , White could find nothing n
bcuer than to retreat with 1 4 .il,d2,
thus l osi ng a tempo.
F
S Ae2 0-0
S . . . e S i s not good, in view of 6
de de 7 �xd8+ �xd8 8 f4! , when,
despite the exchange of q ueens, t h e
posi tion is o f a m i d d l e- ga m e
character. T w o ex a m p les , in each White resorts to .il,gS a move
of which White had good win ning l a ter, b u t here too Black c a n obtain
d 1 a n r es : a good game.
a ) 8 . . . Ae6 9 c£)13 c£)c6 10 0 - 0 e f 6 . . . h6
I I .Q.xf4 c£)d7 12 §.ad I , Pol uga­ Also possible is first 6 . . . c5 7 dS,
yc\"sky-Stein, 34th USSR Ch, a nd then 7 . . . h6.
1 966 /67 . R l a c k a ls o g ai ns co u n ter- p l a y by
h) 8 . . . c£)fd7 9 c£) 13 h 6 (9 . . . c6, 6 . . • Ag4 7 Ac2 c:£lla 7 8 ciS ( t he
w i t h the idea of . . . �c7, 1s threat was . . . c:£ldi) II . . . c:£lh6! 9
son ww h a t l n·l ln) 10 0 0 {)cG I I c£jd:l .ft x l'2 10 'f�' X t':l, a n d now:
Ae3 c£)d4 1 2 §.ad I c£)xe2+ 1 3 a) 10 . , . c£)8d7 I I 0 0 eli 1 2 f4
c£) x e2 cf l 1 A )( f4 §.e8 1 S eS c6 1 6 §.c8 1 3 §. 13 trc8 l ·l .§ e l c6, and
c£)r3 �c 7 1 7 c£)e4 gS 1 8 Jl�3 g4 1 9 Black breaks up his o p pon e n t 's
c£)h4 {) x eS 20 c:£ld6 Ae6 2 1 cen tre, U hl mann .. Stcin, !\lar del
{)h 15+ A x l5 22 §. x l5 �18 23 Pl a t a 1 966.
4:J xc8, Pan no - 1\ l i n i c , Pa lm a de h) 10 , . . #d7 I I 0-0 c:£Ja6 1 2 �e3
� l a l lorca 1 970. §.e8 1 3 Jl.h6 Jl,h8 1 4 a3 c6, and
After 5 . . . 0-0 White ca n play B l a c k a t t acks the centre with
a) 6 c:£lf3 t ra nsposing into the a norm a l game, U h lmann­
Classical chaptns. Cioraltea, Szonma thcly 1 966.
 4 e4: Various 163
7 �h4 Or 1 1 er er 1 2 <tJd4.
7 �r4 allows Black to gain a 11 . . . <tJxg3
tempo after 7 . : . <tJc6!, and if8 d5, 1 2 hg fe
then 8 . . . e5 9 A,e3 <tJd4, when he 1 3 <tJxe6 �xe6
temporarily sacrifices a pawn and 14 de �xc3+
obtains an excellent game, Khasin­ 15 be � ( 1 10)
Tal, Hastings, 1 963 /64.
7 .. . g5 110
Thr plan with 7 . . . it�4 8 �e2 w
<tlfd7 leads to a quieter game, but
not 8 . . . .£jbd7 9 o-o e5 10 d5 g5
I I .ilg3 .£jh5 12 h3 �xf3 13 A,xf3
<tlf4 14 Ag4, when Black has
conceded the white squares and is
faced with difficulties, Malich­
Marovic, Zinnowitz 1966.
8 .a...�3 .£jh5
9 A.c2 e6 This was the course taken by
Black intends to play . . . f5. Uhlrnann-Fischer, Havana OL
After 9 . . . <tJd7 1 0 0-0 e5 1 1 d5 1966. A complicated and double­
a pos i t ion is reached which was edged position has been reached.
considered earlier, (cr. p. 94) , while The game continued 1 6 e7! He8
11 de de 12 Axe5 A,xe5 13 .£Jxe5 ( 1 6 . . 'i!+'xf2+ 1 7 �d2 !!e8 18
.

.£jxe5 14 A,x h5 i!r xd I 1 5 �xd I !! xh6 favours White, since the

.£jxc4 16 !!c l gives White the black king is in danger) 1 7 !! c l
better ending, Uhlmann-Boey, .£Ja6 1 8 'i!+'d4 i!rg7. White's pawn
Siegen OL 1970. formation is spoiled, but on the
10 d5 15 other hand his king is better
I I 4:)<11 defended.
Index of Variations

Four Pawns 1 d4 4Jf6 2 c4 g6 3 c£)c3 �7 4 e4 d6 5 f4

5 . . . c5 6 de 7
6 d5 0-{) 7 �d3 10
5 . . 0-{) 6 .£)1'3 �4 2
.

5 . . . 0-{) 6 .£)1'3 e5 4
6 4jf3 c5 7 �e2 cd 8 c£)xd4 4Jc6 12
8 . . . c£)a6 / 7
7 d5 e6 8 �e2 ed 9 cd 19
9 ed 20
9 e5 22

Simisch 1 d4 4Jf6 2 c4 g6 3 c£)c3 �7 4 e4 d6 5 f3

5 . . . e5 28
5 . . . c6 6 �e3 a6 7 c5 64
7 "i'td2 64
7 �d3 65
5 . . . 0-{) 6 �e3 e5 7 de 34
7 c£)ge2 34
7 d5 4)115 38
7 . . . c5 43
7 . . . c6 8 g4 45
8 �d2 46
8 �d3 52
5 . . 0-{) 6 �e3 c5 55
.

6 . . . c£)bd7 7 �d2 56
7 4)h3 58
6 . . . b6 7 �d3 a6 59
7 . . . �b7 60
5 . . . 0-{) 6 �e3 c£)c6 7 �d2 67
7 c£)ge2 a6 8 a3 71
8 c£)c l 73
8 �d2 73
 Index of variations 165

Classical I d4 � 2 c4 g6 3 c£)c3 �7 4 e4 d6 5 c£)£3 ()....() 6 �e2

6 . . . _Q_g4 77
6 . . . e5 7 d5 a5 87
7 d5 ct)bd 7 8 0-{) 83
8 _Q_g5 h6 9 �h4 a6 92
9 . . g5 94
.

6 . . . e5 7 de 101
7 �e3 103
7 0-{) ed JOB
7 0-{) c6 109
7 0-{) �bd 7 8 I!el c6 9 �n a5 / 10
7 0-{) �6 8 �e3 / 16
8 d5 �e7 9 b4 118
9 �d2 124
9 c£)<12 126
9 c£)e l 130

Averbakh 1 d4 4JC6 2 c4 g6 3 .£)c3 _Qg7 4 e4 d6 5 �e2 ()....() 6 �5

6 . . . h6 7 �e3 140
6 . . . �bd 7 7 �d2 e5 142
7 . . . c6 143
6 . . . c5 7 d5 a6 145
7 . . . e6 147
7 • . h6 8 �r4 e6 149
.

Various 1 d4 4Jf6 2 c4 g6 3 �3 �7 4 e4 d6
5 �d3 153
5 �e2 153
5 h3 155
5 �5 159
5 �4 161
5 �e2 162
5 .£lr.3 0-{) 6 �5 162
ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES
Alekhine-Euwe 46
Korchnoi-Geller 49
Korchnoi-Stein 39
Larsen-Tal /36
N ei-Pol uga yevsk y 23
Petrosian-Gligoric 123
Stein -Geller /60
Tal-Dvoretsky /05
Tal-Fischer 92
Tal-Tolush 30
Uhlmann-Geller 15
S y mbols

+ Check
Balanced position
;!;; Slight advantage for White
:f Slight advantage for Black
± Clear advantage for White
+ Clear advantage for Dlar.k
±± Winning advantage for White
++ Winning advantage for Black
00 The position is unclear
Good move
!? Interesting move ·deserving attention
?! Dubious move
? Weak move
?? Blunder
1 -{) Black resigned
0-1 White resigned
! -! Draw agreed
Ch Championship
Corres Correspondence game
OL Olympiad
c Candidatci
IZ Interzonal
Z Zonal
F Final
!F Semi final
!F Quarter final
W or B Beside each diagram, indicates the player to move.
Over the last twen ty years the King's survey of the King's I ndian ; i t also
I ndian Defence has proved i tself to be an examines the u nderlying c haracteristics
ideal weapon for tournament play. I t of each system and explains the correc t
provides a tense and dynamic struggle i n strategy for bot h sides.
the vast majori ty of lines a n d i s ideal for Eiim Geller, the curren t USSR
a player trying to \\'in with Black. Champion , is one of the world's leading
All lines i n which White plays an theoreticians and has made many
early e4 are covered in this book while a significant con tri bu tions to this popular
comp,anion \·olume King's Indian Defence: defence.
gJ Systems deals with variations i n which ;
\Vhite fianchet tos his king-bishop,
I

togct' er wi th any less common I I o diagrams

di\ �"Cnccs. .·

This book not only provides a

completely authori ta tive and up-to-datc :-\ BATSFO R D C H ESS BOO K

Otha books in this snit·s Nimzo-Indian Defence: Leningrad

BATSFO R D ALGEBRA I C System
CH ESS O PE� I:'\GS � l � l acDonald-Ross

NimzowitschfLarsen Attack
Benko Counter Gambit
R D Keen e
D :'\ L L<.T\'
Ruy Lopez: Breyer System
Benoni
L S Blackstock
\ \' R Harts ton
SiciHan Dragon: Yugoslav Attack
Colle, London and Blackntar­
A .J � � iles, E � loskow
Diemer Systems
T D Hardi ng S"cilian
1 " : •es • •

.i
T D H a rding :
French: Classical Lines
\V Heidenfeld , T D Hardi ng Sicilian: Lasker-Pelikan
R G \\'adc,J S Speelman ,
French: MacCutcheon and
N' E Povah, L S Blackstock
Advance Lines
T D Harding Sicilian: Najdorf .
M F Stean
King's Indian Defence: g3 · • ·
• . .

E Geller Spanish (Ruy Lopez}: Marshall �

T D H ard.mg
- 4... • '
. ·.�·:;
.

Nimzo-Indian 4 �: Nhnzowitsch,
.

. .

Hubner & Taimanov Variations . Spanish (Ruy Lopez};.

C W Pritchett O'Connell "
·

Kj