Asa Hoffmann and Greg Keener

The Czech Benoni in Action

BOSTON
© 2014 Asa Hoffmann and Greg Keener

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0 9 8 7 6 54 3 2 1
 Greg dedicates this book to Vesta Thomas,
my dear gra ndmother who first taught me how the pieces move
and who has had such a profound impact
on my life and the lives of so many others.

Asa dedicates this book to his father, David Hoffmann, a lifetime chess­
player, politician, and organizer, who introduced me to the Royal Game. This
book is also dedicated to my darling wife Ginny, a lifelong chess enthusiast,
whose love and encouragement keep me going .
Contents

Acknowledgements 7
Introduction 9

Chapter 1: White Plays f4 15

Chapter 2: White Plays f3 31
Chapter 3: White Plays lt'lf3 43
Chapter 4: White Plays g3 and i.g2 :
The Pure Czech Benoni Approach 57
Chapter S: The Yukhtman Variation ( . . . g6 and . . . .ig7) 79
Chapter 6 : White Plays lt'lge2 93
Chapter 7: White Attacks with h3 and g4 105
Chapter 8 : White Plays h3 123
Chapter 9 : The Czech Snake 132
Chapter 10: Black Plays . . . lt'lg7 ! ? 140
Chapter 11: The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.lt'lf3 154
Chapter 12: Common Early Deviations 174
Chapter 13: Czech Benoni Potpourri 183

Tactics in the Czech Benoni 200

Solutions 204
Ac�nowledgements

he authors wish to thank the dedicated staff, board, and members of the
TMarshall Chess Club - in particular its executive director, Dr. Marcus Fenner,
and its current president, Stuart Chagrin. In addition, we would like to thank
Alex King, Ginny Hoffmann, Cameron Hull, Jacob Robinson, Marc Orleans, Boris
Izrayelit, Jeffrey Barke, Sean O'Hanlon, Natalie Paluck, and Allison Ruszkowski,
among many others. Finally, we would like to thank Mongoose Press for their
infinite patience, and for taking a chance on an oddball proposal for a game
collection in an esoteric opening; and the helpful guidance received from Jorge
Amador as editor, without whose help this book would not exist.
Introduction
ne night at the Marshall Chess
O Club, I gave a lecture on a few of
my recent victories in the Czech Beno­
ni, some of which are contained in this
volume. After the lecture, Greg Keener
approached me with several questions
about this defense, as well as for per­
mission to photocopy the scoresheets
that I had been using as notes for the
lecture. Several days later he asked me
again for book recommendations that
covered some of the lines that I had
discussed in my lecture, and I men­
tioned that I only knew of some games
by Yasser Seirawan and Tony Miles
that had apparently been forgotten.
To date, not much has been published
on the Czech Benoni other than some
unannotated pamphlets and Richard
Palliser's How to Play Against l . d4,
though even that neglected to cover the
lines that I favor. After further investi­
gation, it seemed that a lot of the recent
books that have been published on l.d4
repertoires - including Boris Avrukh's
highly acclaimed two-volume tome, as
well as Larry Kaufman's ambitious (if
gimmicky) repertoire book - give short
shrift to the Czech Benoni, failing to
mention the best resources for Black
and instead focusing on lines where
White achieves an edge without a fight.
At this point, it was Greg who had the
idea that if the book he wanted to buy
didn't exist, then we should write it
ourselves by compiling some of the
best Czech Benoni games ever played.
As you play through these games,
you will notice that we have paid more
attention to the ideas in the games
than to the names of the players who
played them. However, you also will
find the names of top players trying
their hand at the Czech Benoni, from
GM Seirawan to Mihail Marin and yes,
even Magnus Carlsen.
While this book is the work of two
authors, our intention is for "I" and
"me" to refer to FM Asa Hoffmann,
particularly when he is one of the
players named in the game header.
There is only one exception to this,
and that is in the game Sturt-Keener
in Chapter 3, in which "I" clearly refers
to G. Keener. As to our collaboration,
it has taken several years to gather
and refine the game collection that
you are holding in your hands . It
has expanded and contracted again
and again like an accordion as we
collected games, ruled out those that
were not interesting enough, and
delved further into those that were. It
contains many bristling ideas, sharp
gambits, and oddball knight moves
that are both par for the course in the
Czech Benoni and the signature of my
offbeat style.
The Czech Benoni has helped pro­
long my chess career during the last
four decades ! In my primitive (non­
master) period, I had some successes
with the Dutch Defense and the Albin
Countergambit, but when I faced some
strong, strategy-oriented players, these
openings usu ally failed m e . Next,
I switched to the Modern Benoni,
9
 Czech Benoni
thoroughly analyzed in Shakhmatny
Byulleten though barely mentioned in
the English-language chess literature
of the t i m e . Ag ain, I was able to
achieve some good results until a few
strong opponents turned up armed
with sh arp tactical variatio n s . I n
1969, I began t o play the Czech Be­
noni. To tell you the truth, I do not
recall how I first discovered it. Be­
ing a l . e4 player in those days, no
one would have had a chance to play
it against me, though once I took
it up I basically stopped losing ! It
seemed that only grandmasters were
able to beat me then. Among those
painful losses, I recall playing it against
GMs Gulko, Kaidanov, S. Polgar, I .
Ivanov, and an 1 8 -year-old Vishy
Anand. Unfortunately, after losing I
have a tendency to carefully file my
scoresheets away in the nearest trash
can, so many of those games - which
would no doubt have been instructive
- are lost forever.
After the moves l.d4 lt:lf6 2 .c4 cS
3 . d5 eS 4 . lt:\ c3 d6 5 . e 4 i.e7, White
now has no fewer than 15 reason­
able moves ! We can see that now the
next few moves can produce nearly
as many possibilities as the starting
position for the game of chess itself.
With so many choices and a lack of
forcing lines, writing an encyclopedic
manual for the Czech Benoni may be
impossible. Therefore, this volume
is presented as a game collection,
showcasing common variations and
thematic motifs in the Czech Benoni.
So many opening books these days
claim that their opening is an "ideas
opening," but the Czech Benoni truly is
one, and here you will find a treasure
trove of ideas for both sides in this
dynamic defense.
10
This structure, featuring a fixed
pawn center, is ideal for the player
who likes to maneuver in closed posi­
tions. White will try for pawn breaks
with f2 -f4 or b2-b4 while Black tries
for . . . f7-f5 and . . . b7-b5 . We think of
Czech Benoni games as, usually, long
endgame struggles. We will see, how­
ever, how Black can get mating attacks
on the kingside with active piece play.
I learned my openings the old­
fashioned way: playing over master
g a m e s in Sh a k h m a tn y B y u l l e t e n
and playing blitz for stakes with any
grandmaster I could fi n d . Al s o , I
looked for published books or analysis
on any of the openings that I played
- which, as I mentioned above, were
rather scarce whe n I first started
playing. In blitz, I faced some famous
Czech Benoni practitioners, includ­
ing Miles, Seirawan, and Yukhtman.
The latter was one of the first Soviet
emigres, arriving in the early '70s.
Obviously a great talent, he seemed
to have little interest in tournament
chess, preferring blitz, backgammon,
gin rummy, and the casinos in Atlantic
City. In his heyday, Yukhtman had
victories over some of the best players
in the Soviet Union, but to me he will
always be remembered for making the
most spectacular move ever played
in the Czech Benoni. In the following
 Introduction
game against Osnos (co-author of one
of the best books ever written on the
Richter-Rauzer) , Yukhtman demon­
strates the potential for a kingside
attack in the Czech Benoni in swash­
buckling style.
Osnos - Yukhtman
USSR 1969
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.g3 0-0 7 .tg2 �e8
•
8.�ge2 �d7 9.0-0 g6 10 .ie3 �g7
•
11.'f5d3 f5 12.fJ f4 13.gxf4 exf4
14.�xf4 g5 15.�e6 �e5!
16.'f5e2 �xe6 17.dxe6 he6 18.
�d5 hd5 19.exd5 �g6 20.gae1
.tf6 21.'i!>h1 .ie5 22 .th3 �f4
• or . . . t7-f5, while White would like to
23 .ie6+ �h8 24.'f5c2 'f5f6 25.J.g4
• get in b2-b4 and/or f2-f4. Much of the
b6 26 .ic1 gae8 27.ge4 'f5g6 28.
• early middlegame is a struggle around
gfe1 h5 29.i.d7 ge7 30 . .ia4 �h3
31.gf1 gef7 32.Ve2 g4 33.f4 .ixf4
34 . .ie8
34 .te3 ! ! 0-1
• • .
34 ... .ie3 is a complex interference
move , as it disrupts all of White's
forces with a single sacrifice. White's
best move is 35 ..ixf7 , though after 35 . . .
'f5xe4 + 36 .Vg2 �xg2 37. �xg2 i.xcl
Black is simply up a piece.
35J'!xe3 leads to mate after 35 . . .
gxfl+ 36.�xfl gxfl+ 37. �g2 ggl# .
35.�xe3 also leads t o mate after
35 . . . gxfl + 3 6 . � g 2 �xe 4 + 3 7 . � g 3
gsf3 + 3 8 . �h4 g x e 3 39 .i.xe3 �xe3
40 .i.c6 �e7+ 4l.�xh5 �g5# .
35.gxf7 leads to the same outcome
after 35 . . . �xe4+ 36.�g2 gxf7 37 . .ixf7
�d3 3 8 . i.xe3 �xe3 3 9 . �xh3 gxh3
40.hh5 �el # .
Common Themes
Perhaps the most common themes
in the Czech Benoni are the pawn
breaks that each side tries to achieve.
Black would like to play . . . b7-b5 and/
the threat of these pawn breaks, and
piece placement is often dictated by
these breaks accordingly.
11
 Czech Benoni
There are a number of ways for
Black to achieve the s e two pawn
breaks . On the queenside, he may
force the issue with the moves . . . a7-
a6, . . . j:'1b8 , . . . .id7, and . ..ti:,c7. White
will often try to prevent the queenside
pawn break with the constricting move
a2-a4. Note that when this does occur,
the b4 square becomes available as
an outpost for a knight, though how
useful this is depends on the specific
position.
Over on the kingside, Black some­
times plays . . . g7-g6 in order to place
his knight on the g7 square. This odd
knight placement is common in the
Czech Benoni: one of its main purposes
there is to support the . . .f7-f5 advance
as in the following diagram. This setup
can be played against many of the dif­
ferent variations from which White
may choose, and so we have dedicated
a chapter to this setup from Black's
point of view.
The d4 Outpost
Another key square that Black may
utilize is the d4 square. With pawns
on cS and eS, d4 is an ideal place to
put a piece, as if it is captured it will
be replaced with a protected passed
12
pawn, which may serve as a valuable
insurance policy in any ending.
Here, the dark-squared bishop has
managed to arrive on d4, from where
it exercises annoying control over the
dark squares in White's camp. This is
not as uncommon as it appears, as of­
ten Black will play . . . .igS at some point
to offer an exchange of his "bad bishop"
for White's "good bishop . " Because
Black begins the game by handing
White a space advantage, exchanging
off the dark-squared bishop both frees
up more squares for Black's remaining
pieces and gets rid of a bishop that
is largely obstructed by the central
pawns. For these reasons, White often
declines this exchange offer, preferring
to vacate the cl-h6 diagonal with his
own dark-squared bishop and leaving
Black with his bad bishop in a cramped
position. However, this naturally opens
the door to the possibility of this bishop
rerouting to the d4 square via e3 at
some point, as in the above diagram.
It goes without saying that put­
ting a knight on the d4 outpost can
also be very good for Black. Utilizing
d4 is therefore a key strategic aim of
the Czech Benoni, and is the kind of
middlegame goal that you should con­
stantly be trying to achieve, especially
if your opponent hands it to you.
 Introduction
The cS Square
If Black is able to clear the c5 square
by pushing his pawn forward to c4,
then often this can be a very useful
post for a knight, which in turn may
threaten to hop into the d3 square. This
is a particularly potent strategy when
used together with the Benko-style
gambit discussed in Chapter 4.
The eS Square
Should it become available, the e5
square can be a very useful staging area
for an attack. This usually occurs in the
lines where White plays an early f2-f4
as in the following diagram.
Here, White has traded off his
f-pawn for Black's e-pawn, leaving a
vacancy on the e5 square. Black was
quick to take advantage of this free
square, putting his bishop there and
then reinforcing it with a pawn.
When Black gets to place a knight
on f4 early in the game, as in the fol­
lowing diagram, it is also possible that
the e5 square may become available for
the other knight.
In this position, Black has managed
to plant a knight on the f4 square early
on, from where it is harassing White's
pieces. If White were to now play hf4,
then Black would simply recapture
with his e5-pawn, which would in
turn vacate the e5 square for his other
knight to enter the fray. This is a very
common theme in the Czech Benoni as
well. Thus, despite the fixed nature of
the pawns in the center, there is some
room for the position to become fluid
and open. It's important to recognize
these moments and to make the most
out of the squares vacated by the pawns
in the center when this does happen.
How This Book Is Organized
As we m e n t i o n e d above , it is
difficult to untangle the intertwining
variations of the Czech Benoni, as
so many transpositions are possible
and very few of the lines are forcing.
13
 Czech Benoni
Accordingly, we have selected games
according to various setups that White
may try against our system, organizing
the chapters around these thematic
tries by White.
In the back of the book, you will
find a collection of typical tactics
14
that arise out of Czech Benoni pawn
structures. I first encountered this
idea in Valeri Beim's wonderful book
Understanding the Leningrad Dutch.
Use these tactics as refreshers for
common themes, weaknesses, tricks,
traps, and positional mistakes to look
out for.
Chapter 1
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

White Plays f4
A s discussed in the Introduction, the f-pawn break is a thematic idea at White's
� isposal for spearheading an attack on Black's king. In this chapter, we look
at games in which White goes for it right out of the gate. The most crucial thing to
remember when White plays f2-f4 early is that the eS square must be controlled,
as Black is likely lost if White manages to come crashing through on that square.
Luckily, there is ample time for Black to coordinate his pieces in order to suffi­
ciently control if not occupy eS. However, depending on when White breaks with
f2-f4, some awkward piece placement might be necessary in order to maintain a
firm grip on this crucial central point.

J. Kelleher - A. Hoffmann 8 ••• 0-0 9.c!Llf3 c!Llh5!

New York 2002
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
d6 5.e4 �e7 6.J.d3 c!Llbd7 7.f4
White breaks with the f-pawn, ap­
plying pressure on eS. Black now must
capture the f-pawn and then focus
upon controlling the eS square with
his pieces.
The knight goes to the rim to buy
a necessary tempo, while also vacat­
ing the f6 square for the dark-squared
bishop to occupy later in the fight for eS.
10.J.e3
The bishop retreats to e3, and Black
maintains the grip on eS.

7 exf4 8.J.xf4
.•.
10 g6• • •

This thematic move prepares to

place the knight on g7, an odd-looking
placement which appears frequently in
the Czech Benoni, and particularly in
this variation.

There is another, riskier idea here

White begins the battle for the eS
square. White will next play tt:Jf3 and
threaten to push through on eS.
for the adventurous attacker: lO . . . gS ! ?
prepares a swashbuckling kingside at­
tack, and this move does not appear to
have ever been played. While it is ulti­
mately unsound, one possible variation
would be ll.eS g4 12.exd6 .hd6 13.ttlg5
ttleS 14.ttlge4 .ib8 15 . .ie2 fS :

15
 Chapter 1
analysis
This position is messy and compli­
cated. While my engine gives White an
edge, the placement of White's king to­
gether with the pawn storm renders the
position volatile and uncertain. While
this style of play may not be to every­
one's taste, it will certainly unsettle
your average queen's pawn player to
find his king under attack by move 15.
This, in addition to the surprise value,
gives it all the punch of a dangerous
and double-edged attacking idea.
11.0-0 .if6
The bishop comes to f6 in order to
bring another piece to the battle over
the e5 square.
12 .%M2 �e5 13 ..ih6 ge8 14 . .ie2
�x£3+ 15 . .ixf3�g7
16
15 ... .id4+ is better, though it might
lead to simplifications after White
interposes the bishop on e3. The text
move is more thematic, and is more in
line with the fighting spirit of keeping
pieces on the board and seeking com­
plications.
An odd move that does not seem
to accomplish much. A better plan for
White here is to reroute the queenside
knight to the kingside via e2.
16 ... a6 17,gael .ie5 18 .ig5 f6
•
The middlegame is defined by the
fight for e5, and here it is clear that
Black has won the day. By bolstering
this square with . . . f7-f6, now there is
little left to fear from White's plan of
crashing through the center. Mean­
while, Black now has a free hand to
attack on the flanks. On the queenside,
. . . .id7 and . . . b7-b5 are coming, while a
careful pawn advance on the kingside
is also in the works if White should err
with his piece placement.
19 .ih4 .id7 20.�e2 h5 21.�d2
•
g5 22 .if2 b5 23.%Ydl g4 24 .ie2 b4
• •
25.�a4 .b:a4 26.%Yxa4 .ixb2
 White Plays f4

With the center blocked, Black has 49 ••• Vgl+ 0-1

achieved play on both wings. You might
say this is the strategic objective of the
A. Burn - J. Blackburne
Czech Benoni in a nutshell: block the
center and proceed with operations Vienna 1898
on the flanks. The position is close to
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.dS eS 4.�c3
equal, though in our opinion Black's po­
d6 S.e4 .ie7 6.f4
sition is simply much the easier to play.

27 .id3 ga7 28 . .ih4 .ieS 29.ge2

•

gf8 30.Wdl We8 31.Wd2 Wg6

32.We3 aS 33.J.c2 a4 34 .ig3 ges
•

3S .ixeS gxeS 36.gef2 �e8 37.Vg3

•

c.!lg7 38.gf5 b3 39.axb3 a3 40.gal

gxf5 4t.exf5 VgS 42.Vf2 h4 43.b4
g3 44.Vel c.!lf8 4S.bxc5 dxcS 46.
Vgl gas 47.gxa3

6 �fd7! 7.f5 �a6 8.�f3 �f6

..•

9 .ie2 .id7 10.0-0 o-o u.c.!lht c.!lh8

•

47. . . gxh2?

Better is the recapture on a3, hold­

ing an equal if complicated position.
After the text move , White has an
advantage.
48.Wal?
A blunder under time pressure.
White has a winning game after the
straightforward 48.'\&e3.
Here White should consider playing
on the side where he has more space
- for instance, 12J�g1 with the idea of
playing g2-g4. If 12 . . . �g4, then 13.'\&e1
�b4 14.'\&g3, when both of Black's
knights will be repelled, and White's
pressure on the kingside may build
slowly due to his space advantage there.

48 h3 49.gxh3?
• .• 12.a3 We8 13.gbl .idS

Another blunder. Now Black wins 12 . . . '\&e8 and 13 . . . .id8 are surpris­
on the spot with the obvious check. ingly modern ideas for a game that

17
 Chapter 1
is more than 100 years old, and they
demonstrate that Bl ackburne had
a sophisticated, 2 1"1-century under­
standing of how to handle this closed,
maneuvering position. With this piece
arrangement, Black can put a halt to
any play that White may have on the
queenside. As White's intentions are
clearly aimed at getting in the pawn
break b2-b4, Black sets out to minimize
its effect. If 14.b4, then simply 14 . . . .ib6,
when capturing on cS would merely
grant Black a lovely outpost for one of
his pieces. Meanwhile, if 14 . .id3 as in
the game, then 14 . . ..b5 nullifies the
pawn break as well.
14 . .td3 Aa5 15.Ad2 gb8 16.�e2
hc3
While ceding this bishop for the
knight may not be the most accurate,
Black plays for queenside activity and
this exchange allows him to follow up
with the thematic pawn break . . . b7-b5.
17.hc3 b5 18.cxb5 hb5 19.
ltld2 ltlc7 20.ltlc4 hc4 21.hc4
ltlb5 22 . .td2 ltld4
The d4 square is an ideal outpost
for a piece in the Czech Benoni. From
this promontory, the knight surveys
White's position from inside enemy
lines, and if it is ever traded off, then a
18
protected passed pawn will replace it.
This strategy often serves as an insur­
ance policy against any simplification
to a boring ending, as the pawn will tie
down White's king. Sometimes, even
placing a rook on this square and allow­
ing it to be captured by a minor piece
pays off in a similar fashion.
23.�d3 ltld7 24.b4
White manages to play this move
finally; however, in this position it
achieves very little, almost nothing.
24 . . . �e7 25.�h3 f6 26.g4
White launches the strategy dis­
cussed on move 1 2 . H owever, now
White's space advantage is less impor­
tant, as Black has more than adequate
defensive resources to blunt the g­
pawn's advance.
26 .. ,gbc8 27,gbcl gc7 28,ggl
cxb4 29.axb4 gfc8 30 . .ia6 gxcl
3l,gxcl gxcl+ 32 .hcl ltlb6
The bishop pair versus the knight
pair. While at first blush it would ap­
pear that White has an edge due to his
two bishops, the light-squared bishop
is hampered by its own pawns and
therefore will struggle to find an active
role. Meanwhile, the knights may be
able to cooperate with the queen bet-
 White Plays f4

ter in this closed position, and if one

knight is exchanged off for a bishop
then Capablanca's Theorem (i.e., that a
queen and knight combo will outclass a
bishop and queen duo) will likely yield
Black a slight edge.

33.�c3 �d7 34.J.fl c!Lla4 35.�c4

c!Llb6 36.�c3 c!Lla4 37.Wh3 <.!?g8
38.g5 �c8 39.�h5

Protecting the bishop thanks to the The knight retreats and prepares to
mate threat. reemerge on g6 to help defend against
the coming attack. If now 13.e5, then
39 fxg5 40 .ixg5 Wf8 41.Wg4
••• • 13 . . . 'Ug6 14.'Uh3 'Uxf4 15.'Uxf4 dxe5
c!Llb6 42 .ig2 c!Lld7 43.�g3 c!Llf6
• 16.'Ud3 e4, when it's Black who comes
44.�c3 Wd8 45 .ie3 �6 46.�c8+
• crashing though on the e-file !
Wf7 47.�e6+ Wf8 48.�c8+ <.!?f7
lf2-lf2 13.h4 c!Llg6 14 .ig3 c!Lld7 15.c!Llf3
•

L. Portisch - J. Hajtun
Budapest 1955
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.f4 exf4 7 .bf4 0-0 •
8 . .id3 .ig4
An interesting placement for the
bishop, which indirectly fights fo r
control of e5 by preventing the knight
from developing to its logical square
on f3 without being captured.
9 .ie2
• .ixe2 10.Wxe2
11. 0-0-0
The first sign of aggression. In
this game, Portisch plays sharply by
castling queenside and launching an
all-out attack on Black's king.
ll . . . �e8 12.g4
Portisch does not hesitate to make
his intentions clear.
J.f8 16.<.!?bl a6
This move is thematic and con­
sistent with the idea that Black must
launch a queenside attack in order to
survive, but here it is simply too slow as
White's attack will come sooner. Better
was 16 . . . 'Uge5, seeking exchanges in
the center in order to relieve some of
the tension. Another issue facing Black
is that his lack of space does not allow
for his pieces to coordinate efficiently,
so by seeking to exchange off a pair of
knights Black makes more room for the
c!Llbd7 rest of his army.
17.g5 c!Llge5 18.h5?
It's difficult to criticize such a the­
matic move, but White could have real­
ly turned the screws with the simple
18J'!dfl, when 18 . . . 'Uxf3 19.�xf3 hands
White an attack that plays itself. After
the text move, Black can exchange on
f3 and reorganize his forces.
18 c!Llxf3 19.�xf3 Wxg5 20.
• • •

�dfl We7 21 .ih4 f6 22.�hgl Wh8

•

19
 Chapter 1
23.Y«h3 b5 24.�a1 b4 25.�e2 Yff7
26.Yfg2 Yfxh5 27 . .ixf6 �xf6 2 8.
gxf6 Yfe5 29.gf5 Yfe7 30.�f4 �g8
31.�e6??
This natural-looking move allows
Black to escape, while the crushing
3 1 .lt:Jg6 leaves Black in a hopeless
position as White's major pieces will
coordinate in a mating attack.
31 g6 32.gg5 .ig7 33.Y«h2 gf8
.•.
34.�xg7 Yfxg5 35.�e6 'ef6 36.�b1
Yff2 37.Yfxf2 gxf2 38.e5 dxe5 39.
�xc5 gaf8 40.d6 gfl.+ 41.gxf1
gxfl.+ 42.�c2 �f7 43.�xa6 �e6
44.c5 h5 0-1
L. Chemes - R. Garcia
Buenos Aires 1961
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.f4 exf4 7 .ixf4 0-0
•
8.�f3 �bd7 9 .ie2 �e8
•
20
The knight retreats, making room
on f6 for the bishop. The knight may
come back into the game on c7, from
where it will support the pawn thrust
. . . b7-b5.
10.0-0 .lf6 ll.Yfd2 Va5
An interesting idea, bringing the
queen to the queenside to pressure
c3 and possibly to help support . . .b7-
b5. However, here 11...'ee7 was likely
stronger, as from this square the queen
would help to control e5 and support
the d6-pawn as well.
12.gac1 a6 13. 'ee3 'ed8 14.gce1
Yfe7
The queen arrives on the square
where she is best placed, though per­
haps the moves spent on the sortie to aS
and back could have been better spent
with moves such as ... gbs and ... g7-g6.
15 .ld3 �e5
•
The knight moves to occupy the
central point of tension: e5. This move
also vacates the d7 square, allowing
Black to play ... !d7 in furtherance of
the goal of breaking with . . . b7-b5 at
some point.
16.h3 .ld7 17.�xe5 he5 18.
Yfg3f6
 White Plays f4
This move demonstrates a strong
understanding of the position. By en­
suring that the e5 square will be held,
Black has achieved equality.
19 .te2 b5 20 .be5 Vxe5 21.
• •
Vxe5 fxe5 22.cxb5 axb5 23 .bb5 • Black has managed to convert his
hb5 24.c!l:lxb5 gxa2
After this massive trade of material
in the center, the tension in the posi­
tion has been resolved and if anything
it is now Black who has a slight edge,
as White's e4-pawn may easily come
under some pressure.
25.ge2 ga4 26.gxf8+ �xf8
27.�£2 gb4 28.c!l:lc3 c!ilf6 29.g4 c!l:\d7
30.�e3 c4!
Now it is clear why Black retreated
his knight to d7 on the previous move :
this pawn push makes room on c5 for
the knight. Black's advantage in this
ending comes from his superior knight
and more active rook; while White's
pieces fall into passivity and defense,
Black seeks targets and pressures the
white pawns.
31.h4 c!l:\c5 32.gc2 gb3 33.�d2
�e7 34.�e2 �d7 35.c!l:ld1
White attempts to trade off pawns
so as to escape from the pressure.
35 c!l:lxe4 36.gxc4 c!l:\f6 37.c!l:le3
.••
gxb2+ 38.�£3 gb3 39.�e2 ga3
40.g5 c!l:\h5 41.gc2 c!ilf4+ 42.�£2 h6
43.gxh6 gxh6 44.h5 gd3 45.ga2
c!l:\xd5 46.c!l:\xd5 gxd5
superior knight and active rook into a
winning rook-and-pawn ending.
47.ga7+ �c6 48.gh7 e4 49.
gxh6 gf5+ so.�e2 �d5 51.ghs
�d4 52.h6 d5 53.gas ghs 54.
ga4+ �e5 55J�a6 gh2 + 56.�fl e3
57.�g1 ghs 58.�g2 �e4 59.ga4+
d4 6o.ga6 e2 61.�£2 x:&h2+ 62.�e1
�e3 63.ge6+ �d3 0-1
H. Kestler - K. Langeweg
Bamberg 1962
1.d4 c!l:\f6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!l:lc3
d6 5.e4 .te7 6.f4 exf4 7 .txf4 c!l:\bd7
•
8.c!l:lf3 0-0 9 .td3 c!l:\h5 10 .te3 g6
• •
11.0-0 .tf6 12.ti'd2 c!l:\e5 13.c!l:\xe5
.be5 14 .tg5 f6 15 .ih6 x:&f7
• •
An interesting positional i d e a .
Black is likely hoping t o play . . . ll:lg7
and at some point bring the other rook
to f8 to double on the f-file. A simpler
and likely more correct idea is simply
to play 15 .. J=1e8.
16 .te2 ll:lg7
•
21
 Chapter 1

This is not really a concession, as Black resigns as his position is now

this is where that the knight wanted to
be anyway. From here, the knight helps
to support the possible pawn thrust
.. .f6-f5, while also interfering with the
white bishop's attack on f8.
17.1f4 We7 18.1xe5 �xe5 19.
�f4 �xf4 20.gxf4 .id7 21.gaf1
gaf8?
hopeless . The rook will come to a6
next, pinning the knight to the rook.
I. Jankovec - V. Jansa
Ostrava 1976
1.d4 �f6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.f4 exf4 7 .bf4 0-0
•

2 1 . . . � e 8 followed by 2 2 . . . @g7, Also good here is 7 ... �bd7 as previ­

keeping the rook on the queenside, ously mentioned, as from this square
was best. the knight keeps watch over e5.

22.a3 �e8 23.b4 �c7 8.�f3 .ig4

This developing move also indi­

rectly fights for control of e5, as the
bishop pins the knight and threatens
to remove it if necessary.

9 .ie2 �bd7 10.0-0 �e8

•

An interesting idea ! Rather than

Better here was 23 . . . h5 24.bxc5
dxc5 25 .g3 �d6 26 . .id3 .ih3 27.1"!b1
@g7, when Black's position is solid and
White has no way to make progress.
playing 10 . . . �h5, gaining a tempo by
attacking the dark-squared bishop and
vacating the f6 square, here the knight
retreats and makes room for the dark­
squared bishop to come to f6.
ll.�d2 .ixf312.gxf3

24 .id3 @g7 25.g4f2 ges 26.

•

bxc5 dxc5 27.d6 �a6 28.�d5 ge6

With the pressure mounting, Black

falls into the quicksand. Better was
28 . . . 1"!ef8.

29.e5 gxe5 30.�xf6 @h8

31.�xd7 gxd7 32.gf7 gxd6 33.
gxb7 @g8 34 .ic2 ge3 35.gxa7
•

�b8 36 .id1 �d7 37 .if3 �b6

• •

38.l'�b1 ged3 39 .id5+ 1-0

• 12 .•• £5

22
 White Plays f4

This pawn break isn't as bad as it

looks, but it is inconsistent with the
strategic demands of the position as
it opens lines that would better be
left closed. Black's forces are poorly
coordinated, and White's bishop pair
will be more active as the diagonals
come open. Preferable are 12 . . . !h4 or
the thematic 12 . . . !f6, when one con­
tinuation would be 13.tt:lb5 !e5 14.i.xe5
tt:lxeS 15.f4 tt:lg6 and Black holds the
Double-rook-and-pawn endings
position and can look to the queenside
can be fraught with complications, but
for counterplay. One possible plan here
here Black's weak pawns give White too
is . . . l':'lb8, . . . a7-a6, and . . . b7-b5 .
many tempting targets and Black sim­
ply cannot defend them all. The rest,
13.exf5 �xf5 14 . .id3 �f7
as they say, is a matter of technique.

It's now clear that White's bishops
ensure an advantage in this position,
while Black's forces remain awkwardly
placed.
15.�ae1 .if6
27.�b5 �f8 28.�e3 �f4 29.�xc5
�d4 30.�e1 gd2 31.gc8+ 'i!.> h7 32.
gg1 gxa2 33.�xg6 'i!.>xg6 34.�a8 a4
35.c5 'i!.>f6 36.c6 gc2 37.d6 �xc6
38.d7 1-0

The bishop finds its way to the cor­ J. MOldner - S. Vautrin

rect square, but it's too little, too late Bad Bergzabern 1997
as Black's position is now collapsing.
The weak pawn on d6 cannot be ad­ 1.d4 c!L!f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
equately defended, and so White will d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.f4 c!L!bd7
emerge with a protected passed pawn
in any ending.

16.c!Lle4 !d4+ 17. 'i!.> h1 h6 18.

c!L!xd6 c!L!xd6 19.hd6 �b6 20.�e6
�xb2

Black wins back the pawn, but

acquiesces to entering this losing
endgame.

2 1.fixb2 .ixb2 22 .ig6 �f6 • An alternative to the pawn capture

23.�b1 c!L!e5 24.he5 .ixe5 25.�xb7 . . . exf4 that we have seen in the other
a5 26.�xe5 �xg6 games. White now has the option of

23
 Chapter 1
7.f5 when the position can quickly
become rather complicated.
On 7.f5 Black must beware being
run over by an oncoming pawn storm
g2 -g4-g5, etc. Black could try 7 . . . h5,
holding back White's pawn, or 7 ... g6
attacking White's advanced pawn on
fS. White could reply 8 .i.d3 or 8 .g4
with interesting play.
7 exf4 8 .ixf4 c!Llg4
• • • •
Black immediately begins to fight
for the eS square.
9 .td3 0-0 10.Y!ie2 a6 11.0-0
•
c!Llde5 12.ttlel i.g5! 13.h3
If White plays the superior-looking
13 .i.g3 , Black can draw by repetition
with 13 . . . tLl e3 and the rook has no
square but f2 and then 14 ... tLlg4 forces
a draw.
13 .ixf4 14.:gxf4 c!Llf6 15.c!Llc2
• • •
:ge8 16.:gafl We7 17.c!Lle3 :gb8 18.a4
Preventing Black's counterplay with
18 . . . b5.
18 b6 19.i.c2 :gb7 20.c!Llf5 hf5
• • •
21.gxf5 c!Llfd7 22.ttldl c!Llf8 23.c!Lle3
g6 24.:g5f4 h5?
24
Black should just hold tight with
24 . . . ttJfd7. There was no reason to fear
the variation 2 5 . tLlg4 ttJxg4 2 6Ji:xf7
Y!Yxf7 2 7Ji:xf7 W xf7 2 8 . Wxg4 ttJ e S
29.Wf4+ Wg7, when Black will take over
the f-file with his rooks.
25.Wf2 c!Llh7 26.Wh2 gf8 27.Wg3
Wg5 28.Wf2 b5 29.cxb5 axb5
30.a5
White eschews the capture on bS in
favor of creating a passed pawn.
30 • • • :ga7 31.b4
A successful bluff. Black now could
have captured 3 1 . . .cxb4 , answering
32 .tLlc4 or 32.tLlf5 with 32 .. Ji:a6.
31 :gcs 32.We2 c4
• • •
Now both sides have a protected
passed pawn on the queenside but
White has active rooks in that sector
while Black's rooks are passive. Also,
Black's h7-knight is badly placed.
33.c!Lldl Y!ie7 34.c!Llc3 Y!id7 35. We3
:gbs 36.g4f2 :gbb7 37.c!Lle2 Y!ic8
38.c!Lld4 wg7 39.Whl Y!id7 40.Y!ig3
Wh8 41.c!Llc6 ! c!Llxc6 42.dxc6 Wxc6
43.e5! d5
Black could not play 43 . . . dxe5? on
account of44.Wxe5+ Wg8 45.i.e4, win­
ning the exchange.
Black must capture or else face
45.e6 with a strong attack for White.
45.exf6 Wh7 46.Wg5 We8
47.Wxh5+ Wg8 48.Y!ih6 Wf8 49.
Y!ig5 d4 50 .ie4 •
 White Plays f4
Of course White avoids getting his
bishop shut in with so . . . d3 and now
gets the cleric to the strong dS square.
50 • • • :Bb8 51 .id5 !
• king is still stuck in the middle.
Decisive. Black cannot escape. If
51.. .\tlh7, then 52J''!:f4 wins.
51 :Bd7 52.Ybg6+
• • • \tlh8 53.
ti'h5+ Wg8 54 .ie4 1-0 •
V. Korchnoi - G. Pantelidis
Greece 2 0 0 2
1.d4 c!Of6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Oc3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.f4 c!Obd7 7.g3
The move 7.g3 is an interesting re­
ply to 6 . . . lt:lbd7 in this variation. Korch­
noi's idea is to maintain a pawn on f4,
thus ensuring a large pawn center and
threatening to push e4-e5 at the right
moment.
7 a6 8.c!O:f3 exf4
. • .
Bl ack should j u s t castl e . After
8 . . . 0-0 9.fxe5 lt:lxe5 lO.lt:lxeS dxeS, his
position is fine.
9.gxf4 c!Og4
This move is inferior to simply
castling: 9 ... 0-0 lO.eS lt:lhS ll.Wd3 bS
12.:B:gl g6, when an unstable situation
has been reached. Black's lead in de­
velopment and piece activity give him
adequate compensation, as White's
10.:Bg1 .ih4+ 11.We2 f5 12.exf5
We7+ 13.Wd2 c!Oe3 14.ti'e2 c!Oxfl+
15.�xfl \tld8 16.\tlc2 b5 17.t2:Jxh4
�xh4 18.c!Oe4 ti'e7 19.c!Og5 c!Ob6
20.c!Oe6+ he6 21.fxe6 bxc4 22.f5
h6 23.ti'g2 �f6 24.We4 :Bf8 25 .id2
•
c!Oa4 26.e7+ �xe7 27 .ia5+ Wd7
•
28.lhg7 1-0
D. Chatterjee - A. Abdulla
Dhaka 2008
1.d4 c!Of6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Oc3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.f4 exf4 7 .ixf4 c!Og4
•
8.�d2
H ere White employs a different
strategy, intending to castle early on
the queenside.
8 . . . f6
Unusual but fairly solid.
9.0-0-0 a6 10.c!O:f3 0-0 ll.h3
c!Oe5 12 .ie2 b5
•
Black offers a pawn for a queenside
initiative.
25
 Chapter 1
13.cxb5 axb5 14.hb5 .ia6 15.
ha6 �xa6 16.�xe5 fxe5 17.i.e3
§'b6
Black obviously has the initia­
tive. The plan of ... �d7 followed by
... .ie7-d8-a5 also looks very good for
Black.
White stym i e s Black's plan of
. . . i.e7- d 8 - a5 with his own idea of
�e2-g4-e6+ .
20 . . . �d7 21.�g4 �xg4 22.hxg4
h6
Black stops g4-g5 and establishes
the possibility of . . . .igS later on.
23.a3 �c7 24.gdf2 �e8 25.gf3
gb7 26.�c2 gabS 27.gb1 i.d8
Threatening . . . .iaS followed by
. . . .!Df6 with pressure on White 's e­
pawn.
28 . .id2 .ia5 29.g5
White dissolves his weak pawn
while preventing . . . .!Df6.
29 hxg5 30.hg5 hc3 31.
• •.
gxc3 �c7
26
The knight is headed for the d4
square via bS. Of course, 32 .a4? meets
with 32 . . . gb4, winning a pawn.
32.gh3 �b5
Now White cannot cover the d4
square with 33 . .ie3 because of 33 . . .
�xa3 + .
White gives u p his extra pawn to
simplify with a rook trade and to get
some play. Passive defense would have
allowed Black to proceed with . . . .!Dd4
followed by . . . c5-c4 and . . . l"lb3, etc .
33 .•• �d4+
34.�c1 gxb2 35.1"1h8+ �f7 36.
gfl+ �g6 37.gxb8 gxb8 38 .ie7 •
gb6 39.gf8 ga6 4o.gds �b5 41.a4
The only move. Black was threaten­
ing 4l.. .�t7 .
41 E:xa4 42.hd6 gxe4 43 .tf8
• • • •
c4 44.d6 gd4 45.gbs �c3
Of course not 45 . . . .!Dxd6?? 46.1"lb6.
46.gb7 �e2+ 47.�c2 c3 48.
gxg7+ �f6 49.gc7 gd2 + 50.�b1
�e6 51.l1�c8 �f7
 White Plays f4
Forcing White to abandon h i s
strong passed pawn due t o the threat
of 52 . . . c2 + . If 5 2 .i.e7, then 52 . . . e4
advancing Black's other passed pawn.
52 .th6 :Sxd6 53.J.f8 :Sd1 + 54.
• it would pressure the d6-pawn and
�c2 :Sd2 + 55.�b1 c2 + 56.:Sxc2
:Sxc2 57.�xc2 �xf8 58.�d3 �g3
0-1
G. Rozhnev - D. Akreev
Irkutsk 2010
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.f4 exf4 7 . .ixf4 0-0
8.i.d3 i.g4 9.�£3 �bd7 10.'m13
b6?
This reflexive response to the de­
ployment ofWhite's queen on b3 misses
an opportunity to apply pressure and
grab the initiative with 10 . . . ltlh5, for
instance 10 . . . ltlh5 ll.i.g3 (ll.i.e3 i.x£3
12.gxf3 i.h4+ 13.@d2 i.g5 ! [tactically
protecting the b7-pawn, as 14. W!xb7
'i!bB and the coming check on b2 will
be devastating] 14.i.xg5 Wffxg5+, when
Black clearly has the upper hand) 11 . . .
ltJxg3 12.hxg3 h6 13.0-0-0 i.f6 ! . Again,
there is no rush to defend the b-pawn, as
if the queen captures on b7 then ... '8b8
will get Black his material back with an
advantage, as in the line 14.Wffxb7 i.xc3
15.bxc3 '8b8 16.Wia6 Wfff6 when Black has
an enveloping attack on the white king.
11.0-0-0 i.h5 12 .h3 .ix£3 13.
gxf3 �h5 14.i.d2
The h2 square was a better retreat
for this wayward prelate, as from there
also control key dark squares along the
h2-b8 diagonal; whereas the retreat
to d2 essentially removes the dark­
squared bishop from play by ceding
these squares.
14 . . . �e5 15 .ie2 .tg5 16.:Sdg1
•
h:d2 + 17.�xd2
Bl ack exch anges off the dark­
squared bishops, giving his knights the
freedom to use these squares at their
leisure for operations in the center of
the board. This exchange also ensures
that Black's pawn chain will not risk
being undermined by a pesky bishop
in an ending.
17 VHf6 18.�d1 VHf4 19.�b1
• • .
This retreat l o o ks wro n g . The
knight is better placed on b5, from
where it pressures the d6-pawn and
remains a relevant participant in the
contest. From this sleepy corner on bl,
the horse merely observes the action
from afar.
19 . . . �g3 20.:Sh2 �f5 21.:Sf2
�d4
27
 Chapter 1
In this position, we can see Black's
plan of dark-square control fully real­
ized. The knights loom large from the
central posts d4 and eS, paralyzing
White's army with an endless web of
threats. Another good square for the
knight is e3, as in the line 2 1 . . .lt:le3+
2 2 . �el f5 23.ltld2 fxe4 24.lt:lxe4 lt:l3xc4
25.�c3 ltle3.
22.Yfc3 f5 23J:�fg2 g6 24.llld 2
�ae8 25.h4 Wxh4 26.Yfe3 f4 27.
Yfc3 �e7 28.lt:lfl �g7 29.lllh 2 Yfh3
30.-tfl Wh4 31.b3 a6 32.J.e2 h5
33.lt:lfl Wd8 34.lt:ld2 g5 35.�h2 h4
36.�h3 b5
White's position is completely
hopeless. Black has managed to achieve
a dream position, with pressure on
both wings and two well placed minor
pieces in the center. White's forces can
do little more than watch as the walls
come tumbling down.
37.a3 Yfb6 38.�ghl b4 39.Yfal
a5 40.a4 Yfd8
With the queenside resolved, the
queen slides back to the kingside. Black
has all the time in the world to carefully
plan a breakthrough.
28
Black marches his king towards the
center of the board before opening up
the kingside for an attack.
This is a blunder, as it allows the
pawn break on the g4 square. After this
breakthrough, the attack plays itself.
45 g4 46.fxg4 lllxg4 47.�:ff3
• . •
lt:lxf3 48.Wxf6+ 'i!>xf6 49.�xf3 l!>e5
50 . .!h3 lt:le3+ 51.We2 �g3 52.Wd3
�hg8 53 .!e6 �8g7 54 ..!h3 lt:ldl
•
55 .ie6 lilf2+ 56.We2 lllxe4 57.
•
�xg3 �xg3 58.lilf3+ 0-1
J. Meier - J. Rotstein
Germany 2 005
l.d4 lt:lf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.lllc3
d6 5.e4 !J.e7 6.f4 lllb d7 7.lllf3 exf4
8 .ixf4 lt:lh5 9./J.e3 .if6?
•
9 . . . a6 or 9 . . . 0-0 first are simple
and good.
10.lllb5 0-0
Black gives up the d6-pawn in ex­
change for the b2-pawn. One attempt
to hold onto this pawn might be 10 . . .
!J.e7, when White may push e4-e5 right
away with an initiative that Black must
carefully unwind. For instance, 10 . . .
!J.e7 11.e5 0 - 0 12.exd6 a6 13.dxe7 �xe7
 White Plays f4
14.ttJc7 \Wxe3+ 15.\We2 \Wxe2+ 16.he2
�a7 17. 0-0 and the position is roughly
equal, although White's side is much
easier to play. However, Black could
not try 10 . . . \Wb6 to hold the pawn ,
as ll.a4 leaves White with a sizeable
space advantage. Play might continue
ll . . . i.d8 12 .i.d3 0-0 13 .0-0 �e8 14.a5
\Wa6, when Black is clearly much worse
due to his terrible queen position and
White's control of the center gives him
a free hand to attack on the kingside.
ll.tiJxd6 hb2 12.�b1 i.c3+ 13.
<.!?f2 ttJhf6 14.<.!?g1
White castles by hand. This waste
of time allows Black to hold an equal
position, despite White's menacing
pawn center.
14 ... 'i'e7 15.tt�xc8 �axeS 16.
gxb7 %Yxe4 17.%Yd3 gfe8 18.J.f2
%Yxd3 19 . .b:d3 ttle5 20.ttlxe5 gxe5
21.g3 ttle4 22 .b:e4 gxe4 23 .b:c5
• •
gxc4 24 .b:a7 ga4 25.<.!?g2 gxa2+
•
We have reached an ending in
which White has a passed pawn in the
center. If Black manages to blockade
and win this pawn, then he will be the
only one with winning chances.
26.<.!?h3 .tf6 27.d6 h5 28.gfl
gd2 29,gc7 ges 3o.gd7 ge6 31.
.tc5 g5 32.g4 h4
Rather than focusing on the afore­
mentioned boring plan of blockading
the pawn in order to enter a likely
drawn ending, Black sets his sights
on White's king! By grabbing kingside
space with these pawn moves, Black is
able to box in the white monarch and
generate serious threats.
33,gf2 gd3+ 34.<.!?g2 h3 + 35.
<.!?g1 gds 36 .ta7 gas??
•
Allowing White to es cape with
37. �xf6 ! �xf6 3 8 .i.d4 �e6 3 9 . � d 8 +
<.!?h7 40 .�h8+ <.!?g6 4l.�g8+ 'it>h7 42 .d7
29
 Chapter 1

ga2 43.gh8+ l!?g6 44.ges gg2 + 45.\!?fl
gd6 46.d8'i;Y gxdS 47.gxd8 gxb2, when
the position is equal but still compli­
cated.
37.J.b6 ga4 38.!U3 gxg4+ 39.
@fl. gb4 40 .id8?
• White resigns as he will be mated,
This attempt to exchange off the
bishops is misguided, as it allows a
mating attack on the king.
4o ... gbt+ 4t.�f2 .id4+ o-t
for instance 4 2 . �g3 l'l:gl+ 43. �xh3
l'l:h6 # .

30
Chapter 2
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/ ///////////////////

White Plays f3
favorite line of GM Maxim Dlugy, 6.f3 is a popular move against the Czech
A Benoni. As opposed to the 6.f4 variation in which White tries to blast open
the position immediately, White aims for a safe and solid center, guards the g4
square, and is thinking about advancing the h4- and g4-pawns.

Black can play ... h7-h5, deterring White from playing g2 -g4 and trying to
take over dark squares on the kingside. White can counter this plan by playing
�d2 and castling queenside, hoping to break open the kingside later. Black will
try to occupy the f4 square on the kingside or to achieve . . . b7-b5 to attack on
the queenside. Pawn breaks become very important, as play on the flanks will
determine who comes out on top.

With the center firmly locked, this

R. Sturt - A. Hoffmann
New York 2012
1.d4 c!i)f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!i)c3
d6 5.e4 i.e7 6.£3 h5
White aims for a closed and ma­
neuvering game, as opposed to the 6.f4
variation. Black's 6 . . . h5 grabs kingside
space and, in addition to discouraging
the g2-g4 pawn push, it preemptively
neutralizes a white h-pawn advance.
knight heads for g6 via d7. This ma­
neuver is very common in the Czech
Benoni, particularly against 6.c!i)f3 or
6.f3. When the center is closed, Black
has ample time to reroute this knight
to the kingside in order to apply pres­
sure there.
8.1Yd2 c!l)f8 9.gb1 c!i)g6 10.b4
cxb4 u.gxb4 b6 12.a4 c!i)d7 13.
c!i)ge2 h4 14.c!i)cl c!i)f4 15 . .hf4 exf4

16.c!i)1e2 c!i)e5 17.�d4 i.d7 18.

7.i.e3 c!i)bd7 �cbS?!

31
 Chapter 2
An odd choice, as it invites Black to
simply play . . . a7-a6 when the knight
has nowhere better to go than the
square from which it has just left .
Better here is either 18.h3, firming up
the kingside and preventing Black's
h-pawn from advancing any further;
or the more sophisticated 19 .a5, which
will break up Black's queenside pawns
and allow White to apply pressure on
the quadrant of the board where his
offensive power is greater than Black's
ability to defend.
18 • • • a6 19.c!Oa3 .lg5 20.'ffb 2?
This allows Black to come crashing
through on the kingside by advancing
his h-pawn. Better is 2 0 .h3, stopping
Black from doing the same.
20 • . • h3 !
Now White's position comes crum­
bling down around his hapless king.
21.gxh3 .i.f6
With the immediate threat of 2 2 . .
tt:lxf3.
22 .i.e2
•
Responding to the threat, but al­
lowing Black to capture with the rook
32
on h3. Better are 2 2 .'�b3 or 2 2 .'�'d2,
which would accomplish the same
defensive task while breaking the pin
and preventing .. J'!xh3.
22 • . • gxh3 23. 0-0 .th4 0-1
White's position is hopeless, for
example 24 .!dl �g5 + 25 .�g2 !g3
26J''!b 2 !xh2+ 27. Whl ig3+ 2 8 . Wgl,
when Black's attack is overwhelming.
Y. Lapshun - A. Hoffmann
Marshall Chess Club 2011
l.e4 d6 2.d4 c!Of6 3.f3 c!Obd7
4.J.e3 e5 5.d5 J.e7 6.'ffd 2 c!Of8 7.c4
c5 8.c!Oc3 c!Og6
We reach our beloved Czech Benoni
setup via a modern move order. Having
a repertoire that includes the Modern
and the Old Indian frequently allows
for the possibility of transpositions into
Czech Benoni schemes. Here, Black
has achieved equality due to White's
restrained and un ambitious pawn
structure.
.
9 .1d3 h5 10.h4 a6 ll.c!Oge2 .id7
•
12.a4 b6 13.a5
White's plan of opening the b-file
seems inconsistent with the demands
of the position. White's forces are
 White Plays f3
better coordinated for activity on the
kingside; thus 13 .li:Jg3 seems slightly
more accurate, as the text move invites
Black's queenside counterplay.
13 ... bxa5 14.lL!dl a4 15 .ic2 0-0
• g4 c!Llxe3 27.c!Lldxe3 h4!
16.ha4 ha4
White rids himself ofhis bad bishop,
but this exchange also frees up squares
in Black's camp fo r h i s pieces to
maneuver and lessens the significance
of White's space advantage.
The knight heads fo r b 6 , fro m
where it will pressure the c4-pawn and
threaten to infiltrate the queenside.
18.ga3 c!Llxh4 19.c!Llg3 g6 20.
Ah6 ges 21.c!Llfl
Likely, 2 1 . Wf2 was called for in this
position, though it requires nerves
of steel to put one's king on the f-file
when the . . . f7-f5 pawn break is clearly
on the horizon. However, the idea be­
hind this king move is to maintain the
knight on g3, which helps to control
the fS square.
21 • • • c!Llb6 22.gc3 Wh7 23.�£2 f5
Black has created a nice initiative
with this pawn thrust and enjoys an
advantage with play on both wings.
This is a dream position for a Czech
Benoni player.
24.exf5 c!ilxf5 25 .ie3 Wg7 26.
•
Obviously not 27 . . . hxg4?? 28.lL!f5 ! !
Wf6 (28 . . . gxfs 29.�h6+ wt7 30 .�h7+
W f6 3 1 .l"lh 6 + W g S 3 2 .l"lh 5 + W f6
3 3 .!'lxf5 # ) 2 9 . �h 6 l"lg 8 ( 2 9 . . . Wxf5
30 .fxg4+ Wxg4 31.lL!e3 #) 3 0.fxg4 Wf7
31.�h7+ WeB 32.�xg8 +-.
28.�d3 e4
A very important move : by jettison­
ing this pawn, Black gains control of
the dark squares and gains the ability
to play . . ..if6 and/or . . . lL!d7-e5.
29.fxe4 c!Lld7 30.c!ilf5+?
A desperate sacrifice. White is
playing for complications and activity
instead of playing the cautious 30. Wg2
and getting squashed by Black's grip on
the dark squares.
30 gxf5 31.gxf5 c!Lle5 32.'l!Yh3
• • •
ggs 33.c!Lle3 Wf8 34.f6 hf6 35.gfl
ga7 36.�e2 gf7 37.gb3
Black's advantage is overwhelming.
33
 Chapter 2

37 . . J!g3 is likely the quickest way to I let the souffle collapse in time trouble.
end White's suffering. In a panic, I played the drawing move
67 �c4??. Of course, 67 . . . a5 ! wins.
• • •

38.V«e6 gg3 39.ga3 �b8 40.b3

gxe3+ ! 41.�xe3 �xc4+ 68.e5 lf2-lf2
Black is still winning, but much
stronger is 41. . . �b4 ! . J. LOpez Martinez -
R. Camarena Gimenez
42.�e2
La Massana 2008
Obvi o u sly not 4 2 . b x c 4 , wh e n
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
disaster strikes o n the f-fi.le after the
d6 5.e4 Ae7 6.£3 �h5 7.Ae3 0-0
bishop uncovers its rook with check:
42 . . . i.d4+ 43. @d3 gxfl. If, instead of castling, Black tries
for the thematic 7 . . . i.g5, then White
42 �xa3 43.gxf6 �5+ 44.
has 8.i.f2 ! intending to follow up with
•.•

�d2 �c4+ 45.�cl gxf6 46.�xf6+

h2-h4 and g2-g4.
�e8 47.V«g6+ �d8 48.bxc4 V«xc4+

We've reached a queen ending in 8.�ge2 g6 9.V«d2 f5 10.exf5

which Black clearly has an advantage. gxf5 ll.f4 exf4
He only needs to seek a queen exchange
If Black plays ll . . . e4 here, then
and/or to safeguard his king from
White again will push his kingside
checks in order to make progress with
pawns forward with g2-g4. In general, I
the passed a-pawn.
am skeptical of Black's strategy, which
49.�b2 �4+ 50.�c2 c4 51. weakens his kingside while White still
�f6+ �c8 52.V«xh4 �3+ 53.�cl has the option of castling queenside.
�c3+ 54.�dl �e5 55.'Mt7 �d4+ Perhaps a better continuation than
56.�el c3 57.�e7 V«e3+ 58.®fl capturing would be to develop and hold
V«c5 59.�el c2 60.�f8+ �c7 61. the center with ll . . . �d7.
V«g7+ �b6 62.�2+ �a5 63.V«a2 +
�b5 64.�b2+ �4+ 65.�xb4+
�xb4 66.�d2 �b3 67.�cl

12.�xf4 �xf4 13 .txf4 • �d7

14.0-0-0 �e5 15.Ae2 a6? !

After working so hard to achieve a Black should play 15 . . . i.f6 sup­

winning position against IM Lapshun, porting his knight, but he still must
34
 White Plays f3
face White's plan of h2-h3 and g2-g4,
which could prove quite dangerous in
this situation.
16 . .ixe5 dxe5 17. <.!.>bl 'itd6
Black is forced to blockade with his
queen - rarely a good a idea - while
White keeps a free hand to build up
an attack.
18.�hgl <.!.>h8 19.g4 e4 20.�e3
ees 21.gxf5 .ixf5 2 2 . <.!.> al J.d6
23.J.g4 J.g6 24.h4 �ae8 25.�del
�f4
Black is stil.l holding on but his
position looks very shaky.
26.a3 b5 !
Amazing ! Suddenly, Black has the
initiative.
27.cxb5 axb5 28.J.d7 �f3 29.
eel �a8 30.�xg6 �xa3+ 31.c!L)a2
31 . . . hxg6??
3 1 . . .�xd5? ! is a risky and trappy
idea here, as it appears at first glance
that Black is winning as in 3 2 . �b l
hxg6 3 3 . .txb5 .te5 ! . H owever, the
idea actually doesn't work if White is
able to find the resourceful 32 . .te6 ! ,
when Black i s lost. However, a better
move than the text is the forcing 3 1 . . .
�xa2 + , when the position settles into
equality as in the line 3 2 . <.!.>xa2 �xd5+
33.<.!.>bl �d3+ 34.<.!.>a2 �f8 35.�c3 �xc3
36.bxc3 hxg6 37.�xe4 �f2 + 38.<.!.>bl and
the powder-keg middlegame is trans­
formed through massive exchanges
into a drawn ending.
32.�h6+ <.!.> g8 33.J.e6+ 1-0
J. Rudd - J. Shaw
Liverpool 2 0 0 8
l.e4 d6 2.d4 c!L)f6 3.f3 c5 4.d5
e5 5.c4
A very unusual way to reach the
Czech Benoni.
5 . . . J.e7 6.c!L)c3 0-0 7.J.d3 c!L)bd7
8.c!L)ge2 c!L)e8 9.0-0 g6? !
We prefer the obvious 9 . . . .tg5 seek­
ing to get rid of the bad bishop, though
Black's plan is not without its merits.
35
 Chapter 2
Now White should play 10 .i.h6 and
follow up with '\1;lfd2 , which will force
Black to spend several moves to deal
with the annoying bishop on h6, i.e.
... lt:lg7, ... <.!ih8, ... lt:lf6, ... lt:lg8, etc.
10.a3 tilg7 11.tilg3
The knight has little future here as
Black has taken control of the fS and hS
squares. White would likely do better to
continue his queenside advance.
ll . . . �hS 12.gbl b6 13.gf2 .ig5
14.tilb5 tileS 15.J.c2 h6 16.tile2
.b c t t7.ti'xcl ti'g5
An interesting decision : Black de­
cides to go into an ending.
1S.J.a4
White tries to activate his bishop
and inhibit Black's pawn break on bS.
lS ... tbcl+ 19.gxcl tilbS !
Black has managed to put all of his
men on the back rank!
20.f4? !
This aggressive-looking move is ac­
tually rather dubious, since it weakens
the e4-pawn as well as the eS square.
36
However, it's difficult to find an active
plan for White in this position and it
is possible that White's best strategy
would be to simply sit tight and play
for a draw, though the computer gives
White a slight edge after the knight
retreat 2 0 . lt:lbc3 .
20 J.d7 21.gcf1 �g7 2 2.b4 a6
• • •
23.tilbc3 .ba4 24.tilxa4 tild7 25.
bxc5 bxc5 26.gbl
Seizing the b-file but allowing Black
to quickly coordinate his pieces in an
attack on White's center. Better is the
staid 2 6 .g3, supporting the f4-pawn
and holding onto important central
squares.
26 tilef6 27.tilec3 exf4 2S.
• • •
gxf4 gabS 29.gbfl gfeS
Only a few moves after having all of
his pieces on the back rank, Black has
achieved a winning position! This game
is a real Czech Benoni special.
30.g4f3 ge7 31.h3 tilh7 32.g3f2
tileS 33.tilb2 gb3 0-1
V. Agafii - V. Doncea
Kishinev 2 0 07
l.d4 tilf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tilc3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.f3 h5 !
 White Plays f3

The most challenging approach.

7 .ie3 h4 8.Yed2 �bd7 9.Ad3

•

�f8 10.�ge2 �6h7 11.0-0-0 a6

12.�b1 Ag5

White's extra pawn is worthless and

he has a bad bishop. Black's knight
soon takes over.

28.gg4 �f4 29.gxb4 gxh4

The thematic dark-squared bishop
exchange, but White will avoid the
queen trade, trying instead for a king­
side attack.
30.�c2 �f6 31.�d2 �4h5 32.�e3
�h7 33.Ae2 �g3 34.gg1 gxh3
35.�f2 �xe2

13.g3 he3 14.Yexe3 Yeg5 15.f4

fih6 16.'9£3 �g6 17.�a4 �f6

Due to the threat of . . . .ig4, Black

succeeds in luring White's f-pawn
forward.

18.f5 �f8 19.�b6 gbs 20.

gxh4?
White this move, Black initiates a
An ugly move. Since White cannot
series of exchanges culminating in the
get any attack with his g-pawn (because
win of a pawn.
Black controls the gS square), he goes
for an endgame where Black's bishop
36.�xe2 �f6 37.�g3 gh2+ 38.
is bad. 2 0 .i.c2 ! is clearly better.
gg2 �g4+ 39.�£3 gxg2 40.�xg2
2o YNhs 21.YexhS gxhs 22.
• . •
�e3+ 41.�£3 �xc4 42.b3 �a3
gdg1 �8d7 23.�xc8 43.�h5 b5 44.f6+ �d7 45.�g3
�c2 46.�e2 �b4 47.a4 �c2
If i n s t e a d Wh ite were to play 48.�d3 �d4 49.�c3 �f3 50.�d3
23.�xd7, then after 23 . . . hd7 Black �h2
would achieve the . . .b7-b5 pawn break.
Black's knight continues to gallop
23 gxc8 24.gxg7 gxh4 25.
. • . around the board attacking White's
�c3 �e7 26.h3 gch8 27.gg3 �h5 ! weaknesses at every turn.

37
 Chapter 2
51.tt:lh5 tt:lg4 52.a5 tt:lf2 + 0-1
T. Ernst - E. Malmstig
Hallstahammar 2 0 04
l.e4 d6 2.d4 tt:lf6 3.f3 e5 4.d5
.ie7 5.c4 c5
Again we reach our Czech Benoni
through an odd move order.
6.tt:lc3 0-0 7.J.e3 tt:lh5
Here Black employs a King's Indian
strategy of moving the knight to the rim
and pushing the f-pawn right away.
A similar plan was tried in the game
Simutowe - Matzat, Bad Worishofen
2 0 0 1 , when Black sacrificed a piece
on move 10 for a kingside attack but
quickly found himself losing in the
opening after White marched his king
to safety on the queenside : l.d4 li:Jf6
2.c4 cS 3.d5 e5 4.li:Jc3 d6 5.e4 i.e7 6.f3
tt'lh5 7 .g3 J.g5?? 8.f4 li:Jxf4 9 .gxf4 i.h4+
1 0 . c;ild2 exf4 l l . c;ilc2 fS 1 2 .i.xf4 fxe4
13.i.xd6 '\Wxd6 14.�h5+ '\Wg6 15.'\Wxh4
and Black soon resigned.
8.'1Wd2 f5?!
It seems dubious to push the pawn
and open the center before finishing
development. More in line with the
38
spirit of the Czech Benoni is 8 . . . g6
9. 0-0-0 li:Jg7 ! ? , when Black can calmly
finish his development and then pre­
pare the central strikes . . . b7-b5 and
. . . f7-f5 when the moment is right .
Another possibility in this variation
is to simply leave the knight on h5
until it is forced to move, as in the
game Ward - Wade, BCF 2 0 0 1 , in
which Black reached equality after
l.d4 d6 2 . e4 tt'lf6 3.f3 cS 4.d5 eS 5.c4
i.e7 6.tt'lc3 0-0 7.i.e3 li:JhS 8 .1Wd2 h6
9 . 0-0-0 a6 10 .g4 li:Jf4 ll. li:Jge2 li:Jxe 2 +
12 .i.xe2 bS 13.gdg1 = .
9.exf5 tt:lf4
While it would be great if Black
could stick his knight on this square
with impunity, White can gain space
and time by simply playing 10 .g3 as in
the text. A better idea here would be
to play the cool 9 . . . a6, which is both a
waiting move as well as an important
and necessary part of Black's queenside
strategy.
10.g3 tt:lh5 11.0-0-0 a6 12 .g4
tt:lf4 13.tt:lge2 tt:lxe2+ 14 .ixe2 b5
•
15.Wbf tt:ld7 16.tt:le4 tt:lb6 17.h4
.ib7 18.h5 h6? !
Black is being overrun by the white
pawn avalanche, and now he provokes
a strong sacrifice that wins by force.
 White Plays f3
Instead, Black should proceed with his
queenside play with 18 . . . bxc4.
19 .ixh6 gxh6 2 0.Ybh6 .ic8
• 11.0-0-0 b5
21.f4 exf4 22.J.d3 bxc4 23.f6 !
Decisive.
23 . . . .ixf6 24.c!bxf6+ gxf6 25.
�h7+ �£8 26.ti'h8+ �e7 27,ghe1+
ie6 28.'flYg7+ �e8 29 . .ig6+ gxg6
30.hxg6 ti'd7 31.�g8+ 1-0
This game and the games in the
notes to it are a great illustration of
how extremely risky it can be in this
variation to employ the King's In dian
Defense strategy of getting in a quick
. . . lilh5 and . . . £7-fS.
P. Blanche - A. Payen
Avoine 2007
1.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.£3 a6 7 . .ie3 c!Llbd7
8.�d2 �f8
This mysterious king move is un­
necessary. Better are the preparatory
8 . . . h6 or the active 8 . . . lilh5.
9 .id3 h6 10.c!Llge2 h5
•
Now Black moves his pawn again !
10 . . . lilh7 or even 10 . . . lile8 are prefer­
able.
Having already lost a significant
amount of time, Black now sacrifices
a pawn.
12.cxb5 axb5 13.hb5 .ia6
14.�b1 c!Llb6 15.'ilYd3 hb5 16.c!Llxb5
c!Llfd7 17.c!Llec3 g6 18.f4 �g7 19.
gbfl 'flYb8? !
H e r M aj esty was better left o n
her home square for the time being.
Another idea for queenside activity
might be 19 . . . lil a4 with the idea of
vacating the b6 square for the queen .
20.We2 exf4 21 .ixf4 c!Lla4 22.
•
gd3
White continues his solid play with
a pawn-up advantage.
22 ... c4 23,gdf3 c!Llxc3+ 24.
c!Llxc3 f6 25.h3 c!Lle5 26 . .ixe5 dxe5
Black has some potential activity for
his bishop, but White has a protected
passed pawn and a kingside initiative.
27.g4 hxg4 28.hxg4 g5 29.
ti'xc4 gcs
39
 Chapter 2
Black has pressure on the queenside,
but this is not enough compensation
for White's two-pawn advantage and
positional trumps such as the protected
passed pawn on dS. Black's backward
pawn on f6 is also a long-term weak­
ness.
30.Wb3 Wd6 31.ti�b5 %Yd7 32 .d6
Now Black's bishop is driven back
and White forces an exchange of all the
rooks, leading to a winning endgame.
32 J.d8 33.gh3 J.b6 34.gfhl
• • .
ghs 35.gxhs gxhs 36.g::ms <;!?xhs
37.Wh3+ <;!?g7 38.a4 J.c5 39.%Yd3
Wxg4 40.d7 J.b6 41.c!l�d6 !
White wisely decides to centralize
his bishop before trying to win Black's
bishop.
41 Vgl+ 42.<;!?a2 Vc5 43.�f5+
•••
<;!?g6 44.d8V J.xd8 45.%Yxd8 Vc4+
46.<;!?a3 Wxe4 47.�e7+ <;!?n 48.
Wd5+ %Yxd5 49.�xd5 <;!?e6 50.�e3
f5
Now a pawn race ensues in which
Black gains time by attacking White's
knight, but this does not change the
fact that White will promote with check
and ultimately win.
40
51.a5 f4 52.�g4 <;!?f5 53.�f2 g4
54.a6 g3 55.�h3 <;!?g4 56.�gl f3
57.�xf3 <;!?xf3 58.a7 g2 59.a8%Y+
e4 60.Wf8+ <;!?e2 61.Vg7 <;!?fl.
62.%Yf6+ <;!?e2 63.%Yg5 <;!?f3 64.Yif5+
1-0
C. Hoi - V. Jansa
Ostrava 1992
l.d4 d6 2 .e4 �f6 3.f3 c5 4.d5
e5 5.c4 i.e7 6.�c3 0-0 7 .ld3 �e8
•
8.�ge2 .lg5
Seeking to exchange the bad dark­
squared bishop. One idea for White
here is to play 9 .i.d2 such that, if
Bl ack wants to then exchange the
dark-squared bishop, he will have to
at least spend another move in order
to do it, and White will get to develop
the queen to d2 when he recaptures,
bringing him one step closer to con­
necting his rooks.
9.0-0 �d7 10.a3 g6
Initiating the plan of placing a
knight on g7 in order to support the
. . . t7-f5 pawn break.
n.<;!?hl �g7 12.b4 hc1 13.Wxcl
b6 14.Wd2
 White Plays f3

Better to defend the pawn with the

rook as in 32 .. J:'1d7, which is consistent
with the maxim that rooks belong
behind passed pawns. Meanwhile, the
c2 -bishop cannot be taken because
White will give check with VHxdS+ and
White's pieces will have the black king
in a noose.

33. \Wxd4 cxd4 34 .ib3 �c4 •

35.�f3 a5 36.�xd4 a4 37 .ia2 l!!b 7

•

We have reached a typical Czech Be­

38.ga1 \!;lf7
noni position where White has a space
advantage but the game is roughly
More advisable is 38 . . . ltle3, with
equal, with chances for both sides.
the idea that the d4-pawn will become
mobile after . . . \!;lf8 .
14 a6 15.gab1 l!! a 7 16.gb2 f5
• • •

17.exf5 gxf5 18.f4 exf4 19.c!i)xf4

�e5 20.bxc5 bxc5 21.gb8 \Wf6 39.\!;lg1 l!! c 7 40.�b5 1-0
22.�e6?!
Here we assume that Black's flag
This allows Black to eliminate the fell, as the position is equal.
pressure on his king by forcing several
exchanges. Better is 2 2.ltJ a4 with the
E. Kahn - R. Ovetchkin
idea of penetrating the queenside to
disrupt Black's forces with his steed. Budapest 1996

22 . . . .b:e6 23.l!!:xf8 + \!;l:xf8 24. 1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3

d6 5.e4 i.e7 6.f3 0-0 7 .ie3 �bd7
�e4 VHe7 25.dxe6 VHxe6
•

8.VHd2 �e8 9.�ge2 g6 10.g4 �g7

The position is now dead equal. 11.�g3 .th4!

26 .i.c2 �xc4 27.VHc1 d5 28.�g5

•

Yf/e5 29.�xh7+ \!;lg8 30.l!! e 1 \Wc3

31.�g5 �xa3 32.\Wd1

Black prevents White from opening

the h-file with an pawn sacrifice on h4.

12.0-0-0 a6 13.\!;lb1 �f6 14.l!! g1

32 . . . \Wd4 i.d7 15 .i.g5?
•

41
 Chapter 2
Drops a pawn without much com­
pensation.
15 • . . .ixg5 16. ibg5
16 ... ti)xd5 17.'1'd2 ti)xc3+ 18.
'l'xc3 'l'f6 19.'1'e3 .ic6 20.h4 gadS
2 1.g5 'l'e7 22 .ih3 f6 23.h5 ! ?
•
White sacrifices another pawn in
hopes of generating an attack.
23 ... fxg5 24.hxg6 hxg6 25.ti)e2
'l'f6 26 . .lg4 <ll f7 27.ti)c3 ti)e6 28.
he6+ <ll xe6 29.gxg5 <ll d 7
Black has managed to keep his
pawn advantage and has run his king
to safety.
42
30,gg3 <ll c7 31,gdg1 Y!Yf4 32.
Y!Yd3 gf6 33.a3 gbs 34.b4 gb2
35.ti)e2 'l'h6 36.b5 .id7 37.ti)c3
.ie6 38.b6+ <ll c6 39.gd1 .if7
Black continues to defend as cool
as a cucumber.
40.ti)d5 hd5 41.Y!Yxd5+ <ll xb6
42.f4
42 . . . gh3
The decisive stroke , combining
defense and counterattack.
43.fxe5 gxg3 44.exf6 'l'e3
45.Y!Yxd6+ ..t>a7 46.Y!Yd2 Y!Yxa3
47.Y!Ya2 'flYh4+ 0-1
Chapter 3
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

White Plays �f3

he system with tt'lf3 and i.e2 is a conservative way for White to play. One
Tidea for White is to continue with 0-0 followed by tt'lf3-el-d3, supporting a
possible kingside advance with f2-f4. The most common way for Black to answer
White's tt'lel plan is to play . . . tt'lf6-e8 himself, followed by . . . i.e7-g5 exchanging
his bad dark-squared bishop.

Another plan for White is a queenside advance, which is usually accomplished

by a2-a3, E:bl, and b2-b4. Black can try to defend the queenside with . . . b7-b6 or
he can try for . . . b7-b5 himself. On the opposite wing he can also try for . . . f7-f5,
often combined with "fianchettoing" the knight to g7.

An alternative plan for Black is to delay castling and maneuver his queen's
knight to g6 via . . . tt'lbd7-f8-g6 to control more kingside squares.

I first met Jay Bonin when I gave a simultaneous exhibition at Kingsborough

Community College. The event was arranged by Prof. Arnold Gallub, a grand­
master at checkers ! I was employing my usual simul strategy: trying to win as
quickly as possible, except when my opponent was an attractive girl. One would
hardly notice Jay. He is short, with a pleasant look and an unassuming demeanor.
Who would have guessed that he would become an IM and the most active strong
player in the U.S. for decades? As one watches Bonin play, we can see his feelings
etched on his face - a sly smile, a worried cloud, a visage of triumph. He shouldn't
take up poker! Over the years, Jay has played just about every possible system
against our opening - the Czech Benoni - with mixed results. In this book we
present some of our most interesting battles.

J. Bonin - A. Hoffmann
New York 2 0 10

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3

d6 5.e4 .!e7 6 . .!e2

This move is a slight finesse, as if

6.tt'lf3 then Black can try 6 . . . i.g4 with
the idea of simply taking the f3-knight
and following up with . . . i.e7-g5.
The idea behind this early pawn
6 • • • tt'lbd7 7. �f3 �f8 8.h4!? thrust is to inhibit Black's . . . tt'lg6.

43
 Chapter 3
8 ••• h6
A waiting move. While 8 . . . h5 is also
OK, it is more committal than 8 . . . h6.
9.a3 b6 10.b4 .!0 8h7 ll.g3 0-0
12 .!bd2 .!bd7 13 .!bb3 <.!lh8
• •
Another waiting move. One of the
benefits of playing a closed system such
as the Czech Benoni is that it affords
you the luxury of such moves, which
gives you a chance to see what your
opponent's plan is, or to determine
whether he has one at all.
t4 .id2 a6 ts,gbl �e8 16.<.!lfl
•
f5 !
This move potentially cedes the e4
square, but in turn it opens up some
avenues for attack. Not surprisingly,
the chess engine Houdini thinks that
it is a slight inaccuracy and prefers
either 16 . . . �d8 or even the waiting
move 16 . . . <.!lg8, giving a roughly equal
evaluation either way. However, the
text move is a thematic pawn break,
and while it may contain an element
of risk, in practical terms it is Black's
best hope for generating piece activity
and a kingside attack.
17.exf5 gxf5 18.<.!lg2 YlY£7 19.l!!fl
hh4! ?
44
Now on 2 0 . gxh4 �g6 21.<.!lh2 Wff6,
White will soon face a five-piece attack!
This back-of-the-envelope calculation
was enough to convince my opponent
that the bishop was poisoned. His
decision is understandable, as in the
heat of battle it is difficult to willfully
expose one's king to such an attack.
However, post-game analysis shows
that 19 . . . .ixh4 is in fact a blunder as
White can continue with 20.gxh4 W!g6+
21.<.!lh2 Wff6 22.f3! W!xh4+ 23.<.!lg2 E:gS+
24 ..ixg5 W!xgS 25.<.!lf2 W!h4+ 26.<.!le3,
and the white king will escape to the
quiet harbor of the queenside.
20 .!be4
• J.e7 2 1.bxc5 bxc5
22 .!ba5
•
Queenside infiltration. After 22 .ig4
ltldf6 23.ixf5 .ixfS 24.f3 Wfg6, Black
gains a second pawn for the exchange
and retains the initiative.
22 . . . .!bdf6 23 .!bc3 e4!
•
This move gives Black space as well
as access to the eS square for his pieces.
24 .!ba4 J.d7 25 .!bb6 gds?
• •
25 . . . E:f8 was obviously better, as
I decided to play it on the next move
anyway.
26 . .!bc6
White misses his opportunity to
disrupt the harmony of my pieces with
26.ltlxd7. Now the position is level once
again after my rook finds its way to the
right square.
26 . . . l!!f8 27.J.e3 .!bg5
 White Plays l!Jf3

A thematic move that activates

the dormant knight and threatens to
overwhelm the king. However, it is a
blunder, as the following continuation
shows : 2 8 . l!Jxd7 l!J xd7 2 9 . i.g4 l!J eS
3 0 .hf5 �xfS 31.hg5 hgS 3 2 .l!Jxe5
�xeS, when White is simply winning ­
the attack is over and Black is stranded
in an exchange-down endgame. Luckily
for me, my opponent did not find this
continuation.
Both sides were in time pressure.
White is up material, but what is he to
28.l!Jxd7 l!Jxd7 29,gb7 gf3 !
do? After the game, we both analyzed
With the idea to bring the queen that 34.Eixd6 !f4 ! 35.gxf4 Eixf4 36.!g4
to h3 . hS ! wins. Tricks involving . . . Eif3 are also
in the air. Also, 34.l!Je7 �fl appears to
cost White a piece. However, what we
both missed over the board was that
Likely an oversight, as after the White now has 35.i.h5 ! , when Black's
text move Black is fin e . H owever, position is hopeless. Therefore, the
White still could have achieved a players agreed to a draw out of mutual
winning position with 3 0 .l!Jxe7 �xe7 fear!
3 l .!xg5 hxgS 32 .Eihl+ 'it>g8 33.i.xf3
exf3 3 4 . 'it> h 2 , when the first player
is up the exchange in a simplified J. Bonin - A. Hoffmann
position. New York 2009

30 . . .'ilU5 31 .ixg5 � +
• l.d4 l!Jf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tLlc3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.J.e2 0-0 7.tLlf3 tLlbd7
3 1 . . .i.xg5 was t h e correct idea, 8.0-0 a6 9.a3 tLle8 10.b4 b6
when the position is dead equal. After
the text, Black will be down in mate­
rial in a complicated position. Luckily,
White was fearful of an attack and
quickly accepted a draw offer; Black's
attack is little more than a paper tiger
in this position as explained below the
diagram.

32.� �xf2 + 33.c;!(h3 .b:g5,

draw agreed.

ll.tLlel

45
 Chapter 3

White would like to bring his knight 23.ti'd1 c!Lldf6

to d3; however, this allows the . . . i.e7-g5
maneuver. On other moves, Black will
fianchetto his knight. Black can also try
. . . �h8 before playing . . . g7-g6, so as to
answer i.h6 with . . J:!g8 .

ll .ig5 12.t1:J d3 g6 13J�b1 c!Llg7

• • •

14.bxc5 bxc5 15.Wa4

Usually, Bonin likes to infiltrate

with his cavalry, but here he leads with
a queen sortie ! My favorite five-piece attack is
looming !
15 i.xc1 16.gfxc1 c!Llf6 17.ti'c6
• • •

ga7 18.gb6 c!Lld7 19.gb2 c!Lle8 24.£3 c!Llg7 25.c!Llf2 c!Llgh5 26.c!Lle2
fxe4 27 .ixc8 gcxc8 28.g3
•

White hoped to save himself with

this Zwischenzug, but the idea has a
fatal flaw.

28 • • • ti'g5 29.fxe4 c!Llxe4!

Black has protected the d6-pawn,

and the wandering queen will soon be
chased back.

20 .tg4? !
•

Why should White allow . . . f7-f5 After 3 0 . lLlxe4 \We3 + Black has a
with tempo? A quiet move was called mating attack. White resigns.
for.
0-1
20 • • . f5 21.i.h3 gc7 22 .ti'a4
ti'h4! M. Kekelidze - A. Hoffmann
New York 2 0 11
Black's queen now leaps into the
fray. 1.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3

46
 White Plays tiJf3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.tt::l f3 �bd7 7.g3 0-0
S .ig2
. 2S.axb3 �c5?
Walki ng into a very dangerous
gambit. White could try 8.a4 ! ? .
S . . . b5 ! 9.cxb5 a 6 10.bxa6 ha6
l l . .ifl c4 12 . .ie2 �c5 13. �d2
.tld3+ 14.hd3 cxd3 15.0-0 ti'cS
16.£3 .idS
Black's bishop finds a nice diagonal.
Ithink this variation is surely as good
as a Benko Gambit, if not better.
17.�g2 .ib6 1S.�b3
White is already desperate ! Black
threatened to put his bishop on d4.
1S h6?
.•.
I was in love with a passed pawn.
Of course, 18 . . . d2 is simple and good !
19 . .id2 YlYc4 20.1k1 gfbs 21.ge1
�d7 22 ..ie3 .id4 23.YlYd2 ti'b4
23 . . . .B:xb3 is a possible try.
24.hd4 exd4 25.�b1
26.\Wxb4 gxb4 27.�1d2 hb3
The right way is 28 .. J�a2 .
29.:!k4 gabS 30.gxb4 gxb4
31.gd1 �xb3?
Another error. Black could improve
his position first with 3 1 . . . �f8 and
32 .. .f6.
32.�xb3 gxb3 33.gd2 f6 34.f4
�f7 35.�£3 g6?
35 . . . �e7 and White's central break­
through does not work, though White
should still ultimately be able to win
with a kingside breakthrough.
36.e5 fxe5 37.fxe5 dxe5 38.
�e4 �f6 39.gf2 + �e7 40.�xe5
1-0
While I was unable to put the fin­
ishing touches on this position and
managed to let it slip into a loss, the
first stage of the game demonstrates
the power of this Benkoesque gambit in
our Czech Benoni pawn structure. GM
Kekelidze said to me after this game
.ic4 that he had never seen this idea before.
47
 Chapter 3

Chiong - A.Hoffmann
New York 2 0 05

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3

d6 5.e4 .te7 6.�f3 �bd7 7.g3 0-0
8.�g2 b5 9.cxb5 a6 10.b6

Attacking two pieces at once, but

Black has the idea of capturing on f2
with his bishop.

25 . . . .txf2+ 26.�xf2 �d3+??

Black should first play 2 6 ... ig6 !

A la Benko Gambit Declined. This is
and then . . . tt:ld3, when the combination
likely a better idea than accepting the
works.
gambit, though Black should still have
no problems.
27 ..ixd3 c4+ 28.�£3 cxd3?!
10 . . . �xb6 11.0-0 �e8 12.�d2
�c7 13.a4 Another mistake. 28 . . . hd3 29.tt:ld5
\Wxb3 30 .ic3 ! i.g6 ! and the game is
Necessary to prevent the knight unclear.
from reaching d4 via b5.
29,gxf5 \Wxb3 30,gxf8+ gxf8
13 . . . a5 14,gel �a6 15 .tfl �b4
• 31.d7 We6 32.�e4 Wxd7 33.�gl
16.�c4 f5 17.b3 f4 18.gxf4 1-0

Black never dreamed that White

could capture on f4.
18 . . . exf4 19.e5 dxe5 20.d6 .th4
21.�xb6 Wxb6 2 2.J.c4+ �h8
23.J.b2 J.f5?
2 3 . . JU5 is c o r r e ct , protecting
Black's e-pawn and heading for the
g5 square.
I. Figler - A. Lein
Frankovsk 1971
A fierce tactician and author of the
famous book Sharpen Your Tactics,
GM Anatoly Lein moved to the United
States in the 1970s and found himself
a big fish in a small pond. In Russia,
he had impressive results against the
finest players in the world, including
winning the 1971 Moscow Champion-

48
 White Plays tt:lf3

ship as well as placing first at Cien­ Placing the bishop on an active

fuegos in 1972, and first at Novi Sad diagonal, but now it can never capture
in the years 1972 and 1973 . I also recall the knight, which will end up on d3.
his finishing first at the World Open
together with Bernard Zuckerman in 12 . . . ttlc5 13.�c2 ttld3+ 14.�fl
1976 . As an adherent of our beloved �b6 15.�g2 �tb8 16.�bl h6 17.�dl
Czech Benoni, Lein had an influence .idS !
on me in my decision to turn to this
admittedly quirky sideline many years
ago. I remember that I never had a very
good score against him, mostly losses
and draws, and unfortunately those
games are all lost. Even in friendly blitz
matches at social events at Lombardy's
house, I recall Lein had an intense
competitive spirit and unyielding
desire to win. Here we see him in his
element, first sacrificing a pawn in
Benko Gambit style in order to gain
a dangerous queenside initiative, and Again, we see the dark- squared
later further sacrificing a piece to build bishop make use of this square in this
an unstoppable pawn roller in the cen­ variation.
ter of the board. The following game
demonstrates that the Czech Benoni is 18 ..te3 �a5 19.�gl .tb6 20.
not merely a boring and closed opening hb6 �b6 21.1J.fl
for old men, but can just as quickly turn
into a deadly weapon in the hands of a The bishop returns to its starting
fearless tactician. square. We see that White has lost a
lot of time, while Black has improved
l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ttlc3 his position.
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.g3 0-0 7 .ig2 ttlbd7
•

8.ttlf3 b5 ! 9.cxb5 a6 10.bxa6 .ixa6 21 .. J;ab8 2 2 .1J.xd3 cxd3

n . .tfl c4 12.1J.h3?! 23.�d2 �b4 24.b3 �4b7 25.�bcl
�c7 26.�b2 �bc8 27.b4 �b6 28.
h3 ttlxe4 29.ttlxe4 �c2 30.�c2
�xc2 31.�b3 .ic4 32.�a4 hd5

Black's combination has resulted in

a dominating central pawn mass.

33.�e8+ �h7 34.ttlfd2 �d4

35.�el �xb4 36.�fl .ie6 37.�bl
�b2 38.�xb2 �xb2 39.�c6 d5 40.
�c3 �c2 !

49
 Chapter 3
Winning a piece !
41.'ibe5 dxe4 42.ti'xe4+ g6
43.ti'f4 .ixh3+ 44.�g1 ti'xa2 45.£3
ti'a7+ 46.�h1 .ie6 47.g4 .id5
48.�g2 ti'e7 49. �f2 ti'e2 + 50. �g3
g5 51.ti'f5+ �g8 52.Vc8+ �g7 53.
ti'c3+ �h7 54.ti'a5 ti'e5+ 55.�f2
ti'd4+ 56.�fl �g7 57.ti'c7 'MJ2 0-1
Undaunted by some setbacks, Ilye
Figler has continued to play chess
competitively for the last 4 0 years .
He faced many of the world's best
correspondence players. Immigrating
to the United States in the 1990s, he has
recently gained the title oflntemational
Master, which is quite a remarkable
achievement for a man 60 years of age !
R. Sturt - G. Keener
New York 2 0 13
1.d4 tilf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tilc3
d6 5.tilf3 .ie7 6.e4 tilbd7 7.g3 b5
50
Black implements this idea one
move too early. Better is simply 7 . . . 0-0,
waiting for White to commit his bishop
to g2 when the pawn push . . . b7-b5 has
a more disruptive effeqt on White's
forces. Here, Black ha � played the
idea prematurely as White can grab
the pawn and stifle Black's play as we
will see.
8.cxb5 a6 9.a4 axb5 10 . .ixb5
.ia6 11 .ixa6 gxa6 12.0-0 c4
•
H aving rushed with the B enko
Gambit idea, Black finds himself sim­
ply down a pawn and now must strive
for piece activity in order to survive.
This pawn push is a critical idea behind
the gambit, vacating the cS square for
the knight which will now force White's
pieces to defend e4 for the rest of the
game. Objectively, though, White is
much better and need only contain
Black's counterplay and exchange
pieces.
13. Ve2 Vc8 14 .ie3 tilg4
•
Attacking the bishop in order to
take control of the cS square.
15 .ic1 0-0 16.tild2 tilc5 17.Vxc4
•
Houdini evaluates this position as
" + 2 " for White - but this is not the
 White Plays lilf3
whole story, as these gambits give
Black great piece activity and I think
some compensation at least.
17 f5
• • •
After the thematic . . . b7-b5 pawn
break, now it's time to break on the
other wing !
18.exf5 %Yxf5 19.�de4
A blunder that gives Black a winning
attack. Better is 19.�e2.
19 %Yh5 20.h4 .txh4 2t.c.!.>g2
•••
hg3 ! 2 2 . gh1
Black's attack is crushing. The
correct move here is 22 . . . %Yf7, but
unfortunately it took me another turn
to see it.
2 2 Jh4? 23 .tg5 ! %Yf7 24.gxh4
• • • •
%Yf3+ 25. c.!.> g1 h6 26 . .td2 g5
�
The threat is . . . lilxf2 . White's best is
to simply give up the exchange on h2,
which ads to perpetual check.
27. g5 hxg5 2s.gh5 �xf2 29.
gxg5+ h8 30.�f6
A move that contains some tricks,
but also one that loses on the spot.
Houdini gives Black a "+5" evaluation
after my next move.
30 %Yh1+
• • • 31. c.!.> xf2 gxf6+
32. c.!.> e3 gf3+??
Either 3 2 . . . �h3 or 3 2 . . . �f3 are
winning here. The natural-looking
rook check allows White to escape
and remain a pawn up with a winning
ending.
33. c.!.> e2 %Yh3 34.ti'g4 ge3+ 35.
c.!.> f2 �d3+ 36. c.!.> g1 ti'xg4+ 37.�g4
�f4
At this point, with only seconds left
on my clock, I stopped keeping score
and ultimately lost this ending. This
one was a real heartbreaker!
1-0
S. Ivanov S. Klimov
-
St. Petersburg 2 009
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 .te7 6.lilf3 �bd7 7.g3 0-0
8 .tg2 b5 9.cxb5 a6 10.bxa6 .ba6
•
u. .tfl c4 12 .te2 �c5 13.�d2
•
�d3+ 14.hd3 cxd3 15.0-0 ti'c8
So far we have the same moves as
in Kekelidze-Hoffmann, where White
51
 Chapter 3
now played 16.f3 weakening the g1-a7
diagonal.
16.gel J.d8
Once again we see the bishop using
this square in order to reroute and join
forces on the queenside assault.
17 . .!0fl .!Og4 18.£3
If 18.h3, then 18 . . . 4Jxf2 and 19 . . .
�xh3.
18 . . . J.b6 + 19 . .!0e3 .!Oxe3 20.
he3 he3 + 2l.gxe3 �e5
Thus far, Black has played simply
and logically. Now he forces White to
create another weakness.
2 2 .Wfd2 gabS 23 .b3 gfe8 24.
gel ge7 25 . .!0e2 Wfb6 26.gxe7 �xe7
27 . .!0c3 ges 28 .!0bl Wfe5 29.�g2
Wfd4 30 .!0 a3 ge3 !
•
•
52
White is running out of moves !
3l.g4 h6 3 2 . �g3 gel!
Decisive , as if now White tries
33.�xc1, then 33 ... d2 wins.
I
33 .!0e4 .he4 31.bxe4 gc3
35.a4 Wfxe4 36.a5 �a3 37.�h3
•
ga2 ! 38.Wfxd3 �el 39.Wfa6 �h7
40.gb3 �gl 0-1
M. Hehir - A. Hoffmann
New York 2012
l.d4 .!Of6 2 . e4 c 5 3.d5 e 5 4 .!0c3
d6 5 . .!0£3 J.e7 6.e4 .!Obd7 7.J.e2
•
.!Of8 8 . 0-0 .!Og6 9 . .!0el
Preventing ideas involving ... 4Jh5.
9 . . . 0-0 10 .!0d3 a6 ll.a4
•
Necessary if White is to stop the
. .. b7-b5 pawn break.
ll . • . b6
Played to prevent White fro m
playing a4-a5, which would severely
inhibit Black's queenside play. If Black
did not play this move now, but instead
played it later after allowing a4-a5 ,
then he could wind up with a weak
a-pawn.
12 .b4 .td7 13.gbl gbs 14.J.e3
h6
Making room for the knight to
arrive on the h7 square.
15.g3 J.h3 16.gel Wfd7 17.£3 !
Now I noticed that White is planning
g3-g4 and 4Jf2 , threatening to trap the
 White Plays tt:lf3
bishop. However, it doesn't quite work
as Black has the resource . . . h6-h5.
17 .'�c7 18.g4?
• •
After 18.a5! White will retain an
advantage.
18 h5 19.c!Df2? hxg4 20 .fxg4
cxb4!
• . •
Black turns the tables !
2 U�xb4 c!Df4 22 . .hf4 exf4
23.Vd4 c!Dd7! 24.Vd3 Vc5 25.gb3
.ih4 2 6 . c!D dl hg4 27.hg4 c!De5
28 .ti'h3 g5 !
With this move, Black closes off his
bishop but gains a powerful grip on
the dark squares. Black's strategy is
to exploit the awkward placement of
White's queen by playing . . . @g7 and
... Eih8. Despite his material superiority,
it is difficult for White to defend against
this simple and straightforward plan.
Under pressure, White goes astray.
Better here is 3 0 .Vc3 , when White
manages to hold the position together
and maybe even to claim an edge,
for instance 3 0 . Vc3 Vxc4 3 l . Vxc4
tt:lxc4 32 .tt:lb2 tt:le3 when White is only
slightly better due to Black's space
advantage and extra pawns, which are
adequate compensation for the piece.
30 ghs 31.Vc3
• • •
Black's monster knight is pinned,
but he checkmates without it.
31 hf2 3 2 . c!Dxf2 �xh 2 + 33.
ctt xh2 Vxf2 + 34.ctt h l gh8 + 35 .ih3
• • •
f3 0-1
•
V. Zaderman - A. Hoffmann
New York 2010
l.d4 c!Df6 2 .c4 c 5 3.d5 e 5 4.c!Dc3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.J.e2 c!Dbd7 7.c!Df3
c!Df8 8 .g3
An unusual move, but not necessarily
a bad one. White realizes that the idea
behind . . . tt:lf8 is to bring the knight to
g6, where it would threaten to jump to
either f4 or h4. By playing g2-g3, White
takes those squares away and puts in
question Black's methodical knight
redeployment.
8 a6 9. c!Dh4 g6 10.h3 J.d7 11.
c!Dg2 ! ?
• • •
An interesting move ! While i t i s
quite common for Black t o fianchetto
his knight on g7 in the Czech Benoni,
53

I don't recall ever seeing White trying
the same idea!
n ... bs 12.£3 gbs 13. c.t>f2 .!Dhs
Black has a comfortable position.
He only needs to solve the problem of
the f8-knight.
14.b3 .tf6 15.h4 h6 16 .tb2 ? !
bxc4
•
With the b-file, Black now threatens
to play on both wings as his pieces
become more active.
17.hc4 .ib5 18 .'fld3
19. Yl?xc4 'I'c8 !
Ostensibly protecting the a-pawn,
but more importantly this move also
targets the h3 square.
20.c!be2 c!bd7 2 1.g4 c!bg7 2 2 . gac1
0-0 23.gc2 .idS 24 . .ic1 h5 25 .g5
a5 26 . .td2
54
Chapter 3
26 f6 27.gxf6 c!bxf6 28.c.!.>g3
gb7
•••
C o n t i n u i n g a s e r i e s of s t r o n g
maneuvers.
29.c!bg1 gbf7 3o.gh3 .!Dh7 31.
c.!.>h2 g5 32 .ie1 g4 33.fxg4 hxg4
34.ge3 c!bh5 35 .ig3
•
35 ••• .tf6 !
The first in a series of four bishop
moves to reroute this p i e c e to a
powerful diagonal. In closed positions,
hc4 it is important to recognize when it
is possible to expend several tempi
improving the placement of a bishop
or a knight. The plan executed in
this game is a fantastic example of
Makagonov's principle, that you should
improve the placement of your worst­
placed piece in positions where there
are no other obvious candidate moves
or direct threats with which to concern
yourself.
36.'i'e2 .ig7 37.'f;Ye1 i.h6 38.gd3
.tf4
The dark-squared bishop arrives at
its destination. Black would be happy
to swap off this bishop, as not only is
its mobility restricted by the central
pawns but also Black still has a space
 White Plays .!Llf3

disadvantage, so trading pieces will However, in the last round I managed

free up more squares for his remaining to finish my game spectacularly against
forces to coordinate. Petrosian and the audience was on its
feet. I had never experienced such a

39.til e2 'f:Vd8 40.<i!?gl ti'f6

public ovation. I had to turn my back

41.�e3 .b:e3 + 42.l3:xe3 'f:Vh6 43 .

to the audience to hide feelings that

l3:cc3 S:f3 ! 44. �cl <i!?h8 45.i.h2 ti'f6

could be read on my face. After that I
continued to play chess.

Black's queen now follows a path

similar to the dark-squared bishop's. S. Gligoric - T. Petrosian

46.l3:xf3 gxf3 47.l3:c2 ti'g6+ 48.

Belgrade 1954

<i!?hl �7f6 49.�d3 �xe4 l.d4 �f6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3

d6 5.e4 �bd7 6 . �£3 a6 7 .ie2 .ie7
8. 0-0 0-0 9 . � el �e8 10.�d3 �c7
•

After 49 moves with a material bal­

ance, finally a pawn has fallen. Black's
positional superiority is overwhelming: Both sides have carefully rede­
with all of his opponent's pieces well ployed their knights for queenside
coordinated as well as a strong passed operations.
pawn, there is little hope for White.
U.a4 l3:b8 12 .ie3 .ig5
50 .'f:Vgl �hg3 + 51 .b:g3 �xg3 +
•

52.<i!?h2 'f:Vxd3 53.S:f2 l3:g8 54.'f:Vcl

•

As usual, Black seeks to exchange

<i!?h7 0-1 off his bad bishop. Gligoric also notes
that 12 . . . b5 is no good here because of
In his famous book I Play Against 13.axb5 axb5 14.cxb5 .!Llxb5 15 . .!Llxb5
Pieces, the late Yugoslav GM Svetozar �xb5 16 . .!Llxe5, etc.
Gligoric annotates the following game
in which he instructively dismantles 13 .'f:Vd2 .b:e3 14.'f:Vxe3 h6 15.a5
Tigran Petrosian in the Czech Benoni b5 16.axb6 �xb6 17.b3 l3:a8 18.f4
during a tournament to celebrate the
liberation of Belgrade. In 1954, Gligoric
had been working as a foreign-affairs
commentator and was contemplating
quitting chess entirely to focus on his
career, although he didn't make this
decision publicly known. About the
tournament, he wrote :
My 'secret decision' was not men­
tioned to anyone and when the interna­
tional tournament celebrating the an­
niversary of the liberation of Belgrade
Without giving Black time to organize
was organised - I took part, because
it was my home town, but at the same
his forces or play ... f7-f5, White strikes
time thinking that it could also be my with 18.f4 ! . This move demonstrates
last competition. I played neither too the awkwardness of Black's forces.
well nor too badly at the tournament. Normally, the drawback of this move

55
 Chapter 3

for White is that Black gains control of 3 3 . �h l Wxd3 3 4 . Vxd7 "\We4 ! , with
the e5 square as a useful outpost for his equality.
pieces. However, in this position there
is no way for Black to immediately 3 2 .Vxb4 l0b8
exploit this new resource, while White's
pressure on the kingside will mount
quickly and push Black into passivity.

18 . . . exf4 19.'9xf4 f6

Black controls e5, but leaves the light

squares in front of his king very tender.

20. l0dl '9e7 21.l0e3 g5 2 2 . l0f5

.hf5 23.'9xf5 Wh7

Black's light squares are irreparably In this position, Gligoric finds an

weak, and White maintains the light­ elegant tactic that quickly ends the
squared bishop. game in a few moves. Here we see a
general principle of attacking in the
24.'9g4 gae8 25.gf5 l0d7 late middlegame: when the attacker
26.gafl ge7 27.b4 cxb4 2 8 . c5 h5 is strong on the light squares, then
29.Wg3 gxe4 30.c6 gxe2 31.Vxd6 the breakthrough will come on a dark
lObS? square, and vice versa.

Black misses his chance to save 33.�g5 + ! �f7 34.gxf6+ �xf6

the game with 31.. .'�e7 32.'�xc7 Ve3+ 35.Vxf8 + �xg5 36.h4+ 1-0

56
Chapter 4
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

White Plays g3 and �g2 :

The Pu re Czech Benoni Approach
y far White's most popular way to meet the Czech Benoni is with a kingside
B fianchetto. This approach is widely advocated by opening repertoire books,
including Beating the Indian Defenses by Burgess and Pedersen, GM Boris
Avrukh's Grandmaster Repertoire, Vol.2, and The Kaufman Repertoirefor Black
and White by GM Larry Kaufman. It is not surprising that many of these books
give short shrift to the Czech Benoni, as it is so rarely played at high level and
repertoire books by design must devote more of their energy to covering lines
that their readers are likely to encounter. This brief treatment inevitably leads
to the authors' reaching hasty conclusions based on just a few games. However,
even your opponents who have carefully studied their repertoire books will likely
be surprised by the specific piece setup that we will advocate in this chapter, as
exemplified in the following game by Yasser Seirawan.

Black has two options for meeting this most popular variation. The first option,
which we review in this chapter, is more active and dynamic than the second
option, which we look at in the next chapter.

Known fo r his positional styl e ,
Yasser h a s faced the best a n d even
beaten some of them with the Czech
Benoni ! I first met Yasser Seirawan
when he visited New York as a teenager
in the 1970s. We have remained friends
for decades, though Yasser has far
outraced me in his chess ability and
has become a strong grandmaster. We
share the thrill of the chess struggle on
the board and the courage to do and
say what we believe in life. In 1996,
Seirawan published my first book,
Chess Gladiator, which is now out of
print. He himself has been the author
of many books and articles, though he
reached his finest hour as an author
with his recent game collection Chess
Duels, which features his games and
views of the world champions he has
faced as well as a Czech Benoni game
against none other than Anatoly Kar­
pov. Having met many of those great
players myself, his insights have special
meaning for me and I continue to learn
from Seirawan's deep ideas over the
board as well.
F. Baragar - Y. Seirawan
Zagreb Interzonal 1987
l.d4 ttlf6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ttlc3
d6 5.e4 J..e 7 6.g3 0-0 7 .J..g2 ttle8
8. ttlge2 ttla6 9 . 0-0 J..d7 10.a3 ttlec7

57
 Chapter 4
The idea behind Black's odd knight
placement is to ensure that the pawn
break . . . b7-b5 cannot be prevented. If
White were to now play ll.a4 in order
to contest this idea, then the knight
on a6 could hop into the b4 square,
from where it may someday arrive on
d4 via c2. Black can also play for . . . b7-
b5 with . . . a7-a6 and . . . Eia8-b8. This
piece arrangement was considered
to be the antidote to the g3 setup by
Miles and Seirawan, who both used it
frequently throughout their careers .
As it guarantees Black counterplay on
the queenside, it is a valuable weapon
to possess, all the more so because
so many repertoire books these days
treat the g3 setup as a simple answer to
the Czech Benoni without addressing
the problems posed by our suggested
variation.
ll.f4 .!f6
The idea behind putting the bishop
here is to occupy the eS outpost with
the bishop in case of fxeS, as well as
to prepare to fianchetto the bishop if
necessary.
12.�bl b5 13.cxb5 ttlxb5 14.
ttlxb5 hb5
The position is equal. Black has
achieved the ... b7-b5 pawn break, while
White has achieved the f2-f4 break.
58
15.�el �b8 16.ttlc3 ttlc7 17.J.e3
.!c4 18.f5 .!b3
The b3-bishop controls the squares
c2 and dl in White's camp, though
more i m p o rtantly it prevents the
simplifying pawn break b2-b4, which
might otherwise alleviate the pressure
on White's queenside and free him up
to focus on the kingside.
A useful maneuver a la Nimzo­
witsch - the knight redeploys to a more
useful square, aiming for c4 via b6.
20 .-tfl ttlb6 21.�ecl g6 22 .fxg6
2 2 .g4 is clearly a more dynamic
continuation, as now White has less of
a chance for a kingside attack.
22 hxg6 23.ttlb5 tileS 24 .te2
a6 25.ttlc3 a5 26.�fl .tg7 27.g4
. • . •
ttlb6 28.Eif3 ttlc4
This knight moved seven times,
only to be traded with this move .
However, Black obtains pressure on
the light squares now that White's
light-squared bishop is off the stage,
and this positional consideration is
enough to secure him a slight edge.
29 . .ixc4 hc4 30.<.!.>hl �b3
 White Plays g3 and .ig2

The rook penetrates into White's
position, though the idea behind this
move is likely just as much to still
stop the pawn break b2-b4 as to apply
pressure along the third rank.
The same variation as in the pre­
vious game. Here, Baragar tries .ie3
instead of f2-f4.
n . . . bs t2 .b3 gbs t3.Yfd2 .tf6
14JUbl gb7 15.cxb5 .ixb5 16. tt:lxb5
tt:lxbS

Now the black knight will jump to

d4 and stand well.

17.b4 tt:ld4

The knight c o m e s to a d r e a m
s q u a r e , fro m wh ere it w i l l either
terrorize the opposing camp or force
White to capture it, when it will be
31 .ih6 Wh4 32 .tg5
• • replaced by a protected passed pawn.

Better is 32 .hg7, as the text move

simply gives up an important pawn.

32 . . . ¥5xg4 33.gg3 Y5d7 34.fJ..h 6

<ifh7 35.hg7 <ifxg7 36.Wg5 Yfd8
37.Yfg4 gbs 38.gh3 Wc8 39.Yfxc8
gxc8

With an extra pawn and strong

pressure on the light squares, Black
'
18 .ixd4 cxd4 19.gcl
now has a winning advantage.
•

Next White is forced to weaken his

dark squares after 19 . . . .ig5.
After 42.hxg3 .id3, the action on
the light squares will net Black the 19 .tg5 20.f4 .th6 21.Yfd3 tt:lc7
2 2 . gc6 Wd7 23.gacl g6 24.a4 tt:la8
• • .

center pawns and an obviously winning

position. 25.b5 tt:lb6 26.gal We7 27. .th3
tt:ld7 2 8 .ixd7
•

F. Baragar - J. Hickl Of course the knight could not be

Zagreb Interzonal 1987 allowed to come to cS.

l.d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 c5 3 . d5 e5 4.tt:lc3

d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.g3 0-0 7.fJ..g2 tt:la6
8. tt:lge2 .id7 9.0-0 tt:le8 10.a3 tt:lec7 At last, a strike in the center. The
ll .ie3
• position is now nearly in balance ,

59
 Chapter 4
though White would gain a slight edge
after 3 0 . exf5 �xfS aS, when White's
space advantage and queenside ma­
jority would ensure winning chances.
30.fxe5 ? !
But White captures the other way,
allowing Black to achieve a strong grip
on the dark squares.
30 ••• .te3 + 31.<i!?g2 %Yxe5 3 2 .gf4
This move signals desperation and
highlights the hopelessness of White's
predicament. Better is 32 .exfS, though
Black is still winning with 32 . . J'idf7
33.g4 �xd5+ 34.<i!?h3 hS ! .
32 • • • .txf4
The game enters the technical phase.
33.gxf4 fxe4 34.�xd4 �xd4
35. ltlxd4 gxf4 36.ltle6 gf5 37. gc8 +
<i!?f7 38.gf8 + <i!?e7 39.gxf5 gxf5
40. <i!?g3 Wf6 41. Wf4 ge7 42.a5 e3
43. Wxe3 We5 44. ltld8 Wxd5 + 45.
<i!?f4 <i!?c5 o-t
J. Colas - A. Hoffmann
New York 2011
l.d4 ltlf6 2 . c4 c 5 3.d5 e 5 4.ltlc3
60
d6 5.e4 .te7 6.g3 0-0 7 .ig2 ltle8
8 . ltlge2 ltlc7 9 . 0-0 .id7
•
We arrive at our main variation
for Black via a slightly different move
order.
10 .a4
White plays this thematic move
with the idea of constricting Black's
queenside play. Ho udini shows the
following line leading to near-equality:
10.�d3 lt:Jba6 ll.a3 .igS 12 .lt:Jdl .ixcl
13 .�xcl b5= .
10 • • • ltlba6 11.f4 .tf6 1 2 .ie3 ltlb4
•
Several commentators have said
that this outpost is not so great for the
knight, as it doesn't really threaten
anything. However, when White allows
Black's knight to come to b4 he must
always keep the c2 square guarded as
otherwise the knight can jump to c2
and then to the promised land at d4.
13.f5 b6 14.ltla2 ? !
This is dubiou s . Trading a
centralized knight fo r one on the
b-file cannot be White's best plan in
this position.
14 • • • .ig5 15.hg5
 White Plays g3 and i.g2
Possible is 15.i.f2 , with the idea of
following up with h2-h4 and g3-g4.
15 .'fbg5 16.ll:lxb4 cxb4 17.c!Ocl
c!Oa6 18.'a!>hl g6 ! ?
•.
Black wants t o free his bishop.
19.f6 h5 !
Expanding on the kingside.
2 0 .'llte l c!Oc5 2 1.h4 'lltg4
In this position White played the
inferior 2 2 .'1We3, which allows Black to
attack on the kingside as in the game.
However, White could have bailed out
with a repetition after 2 2 .i.f3 \Wh3 +
23.'a!>gl 'a!>h7 24.i.g2 \Wg4 2S . .tf3 \Wh3,
etc.
2 2 .\We3 'a!>h7 23.'a!>h2 g5 !
Very strong. If White now takes
with the queen, his knight will be
dominated after the queen trade. Of
course not 23 . . . lt:Jxa4?? 24J.1xa4 ha4
25.i.h3.
24.hxg5 ggs 25.lt:Jd3 'lltxg5
This move leads to an advantage,
though a stronger if more complicated
variation is 25 . . . lt:Jxd3 2 6 . \Wxd3 h4 !
27JU3 �xgS 2 8 .�hl �hS 2 9 . 'a!>gl h3
30.i.fl �g8, when White's pieces are
passive and paralyzed and Black can
calmly continue by applying pressure
and improving his position:
26.'lltxg5 gxg5 27. lt:Jxc5 bxc5
28 .th3 hh3 29.'a!>xh3
•
White has traded off everything
except the rooks, but he hasn't solved
all of his problems.
29 gag8 3o.gf3 gg4 31.gel
gsgs 32 .b3 'a!>h6 33.ge2 gg6 34.
•••
gel h4 ! ! 35.gxh4 gg2 !
Putting White in a bind.
36.gle3 gg1 37.gf2?
Not the most accurate, as Black
can now simplify and enter a winning
ending without too many complications.
Stronger is 37.'a!>h2 �bl 38.�g3 �xf6
39.�gf3 �xf3 40.l:!xf3 aS 41.'a!>h3 'a!>g6,
when Black is only slightly better due
to his more active rook; however, this
is likely not enough to win.
37 gh1 38.gh2 gm2 39.'a!>xh2
gn6 40.'a!>h3 gf4 41. 'a!>g3 'a!>h5
•.•
42.ge2 f6 0-1
61
 Chapter 4

J. Gustafsson - A. Hoffmann A dangerous "runner" approaches !

25 gas 26.a5 �c8 27. �b5

116th New York Masters 2004

l.d4 �f6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3 �a6 !

• • .

d6 5.e4 !i.e7 6.g3 0-0 7./i.g2 �a6

8 .�ge2 �e8 9. 0-0 .id7 The pawn is blockaded.

Black follows the formula we have 2 8 . cbh2 gds 29.gfbl �e7 3 0 .

seen in the previous games. cbh3 !

10.a3 �ec7 ll.f4 !i.f6 12.£5 Protecting the h-pawn so as to

advance the g-pawn.
The most aggressive move, but also
the most committal. 30 • • • ti'd7 31.g4 g6? !

12 . . • b5 13.b3 bxc4 14.bxc4 gbs Trying to hold back White's pawns.

Making way for our favorite move
. . . lt:la8 !
15.h4 �a8 16./i.e3 �aS 17./i.d2
�c7 18 .�c2 �b6 19.�b5 ti'd8
20.�xa7
However, 31.. .lt:lc6 was better, as the
knight may now jump into d4 and this
move also opens an escape route for the
dark-squared bishop should White's
pawns start rolling forward.

Black has sacrificed for activity. White should pressure the kingside
with either 32.ti'g3 or 32.\Wfl.
20 /i.a4 21.�d3 �d7
32 gxf5 33. exf5
• • •

• • •

Black recovers the pawn.

33 e4!
2 2 . �c6
• • •

Breaking out. Black reasons that

If 2 2.lt:lb5, then 22 . . . lt:lxc4. since his bishop was going to be trapped,
he might as well give it up for a rook!
22 hc6 23.dxc6 ti'xc6 24.
�c3 �c7 25.a4 34.he4 d5 !
•••

62
 White Plays g3 and .ig2
Closing the diagonal so that his own
rook won't hang.
35.cxd5 hal 36.1:!xal �xd5
37 .tg5 �f6
•
I n p o s t - g a m e a n alys i s , White
mentioned that he had not seen this
possibility.
38 .txf6 �xd3 + 39.hd3 gxd3 +
40. <.!?f4 l:!b8 41.�c3 l:!b4+ 42. <.!?g5
•
<.!?f8
An inaccuracy. Better is 42 . . . B:d6
when Black can hold the balance, for
example 43 . .ie7 B:d7 44.B:el B:b8 45.i.f6
and the position is equal.
43.gel gbs 44. <.!?h6 <.!?gS 45.
�e4
Now Black is caught in a mating net.
45 B:c8 46 . .tg7 f6 47. �xf6 +
<.!? f7 48. �xh7 l:!d6+ 49.f6 <.!?g8 5 0 .
•.•
g5 1-0
D. Barlov - A. Miles
Zagreb Interzonal 1987
l.d4 �f6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 .te7 6.g3 0-0 7 . .tg2 �e8
8. �ge2 �a6 9.a3 .td7 10.0-0 �ec7
lU��el b5
Black achieves this pawn break -
and, with it, just enough counterplay
to solve his problems.
12.cxb5 �xb5 13 . �xb5 hb5
14. � c3 .td7 15 .ifl! ?
A different plan from the preceding
games. White initiates play on the
queenside by preparing to push his
own b-pawn.
15 . . . �c7 16.b4 cxb4 17.axb4
White now has achieved a space
advantage on the queenside.
17 • . • .ig5
This thematic move we have seen
before . Miles attempts to improve
his position by exchanging off his
bad bishop, and perhaps setting up
the possibility of playing on the dark
squares by removing its counterpart
on cl.
18 .b5 hc1 19 .�xcl �e7
B etter is the the m atic 19 . . . f5 ! .
After the text move, White achieves
a winning advantage by applying
pressure to the weaknesses on Black's
queenside.
20.�e3 l3ab8 21.gxa7 �aS
This knight placement, which we
have seen in previous games, is not as
good here since the position is open.
2 2 . gbl �b6 23.�a4
Gaining more space.
23 . . . �c8 24.1:!a6 f5
63
 Chapter 4

The only chance at counterplay, but A move we had not yet seen. Black
here it is too little, too late as White has now starts his queenside play a move
already achieved an advantage with his earlier.
queenside action.
10 . . . c!Llec7 11.f4 if6 12.f5 b5
25.exf5 .ixf5 26.:gc1 .id7 13.b3 :gbs 14 .ie3 bxc4 15.bxc4
27.c!Llb6 c!Llxb6 28.:gxb6 gbc8 c!Ll a8 !
•

29.gxc8 .ixc8 30.gc6 .ib7 31.b6

�f6 32 ..ic4 �g6 33 ..id3 �f6 34 .
.ie4 .ic8 35. �g2

All according t o our formula.

16.a3
With this move , White secures
everything, preparing for the final So as to answer . . . ltlb6 with �d3 .
pawn push.
16 .!g5
35 . . . .if5 36 .ixf5 �xf5 37.b7
.•.

�f7 38.gxd6 �xb7 39.�xe5

•

Once again, we see the thematic

With a decisive pawn advantage.
39 �a7 40.�e6+ �h8 41.�e3
�b7 42.gc6 h6 43.�d4 Wb3 44.
• • .
exchange of dark-squared bishops.
White must accept this offer, as other­
wise Black's dark-squared bishop will
go from being bad to quite powerful,

as it stares down the cl-h6 diagonal.

gxb6+ �g8 45. gg6 �f3 + 46. �g1
gf7 47.:ga6 gb7 48.:ga8+ �h7 17 ..if2 gb2 18 .ga2 gxa2 19.
49 .ga1 g5 50.d6 �f5 51.gd1 1-0 c!Llxa2 �a5

Black has a clear edge, as the aS­

J. Hernando Rodrigo knight prepares to come to b6 and
J. Gonzalez Rodriguez
-

pressure the c4-pawn.

20.c!Llac3 c!Llb6 !
Mislata 2001

1.d4 c!Llf6 2 . c4 c 5 3.d5 e 5 4.c!Llc3

d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.g3 0-0 7 .ig2 c!Lle8 If 2 0 . . . \Wxa3, then 21.\Wal with play
8 . c!Llge2 c!Lla6 9.0-0 .id7 10 .h3
•

for White.

64
 White Plays g3 and i.g2
2 1 .h4 Ae7 22 .Y«b3 gbs 23.gbl
li)c8 24.Y«a2 gxbl+ 25. li)xbl li)b6
White has exchanged all the rooks,
but he remains under some pressure.
26.c!l]ec3 li)c7 27.Afl. g6 2 8 .g4
Y«a6 29.Y«b3 Y«c8
Black's queen returns to the king­
side.
30 .h5 gxh5 3 1.gxh5 Vf8 32.a4
Vd8 33. li)b5 li)c8 34.Vg3 + �h8
35.h6 li)e8 36.Ae3 a6 37.tb5c3
li)b6 38 . .ie2 .th4 39.Vg2 li)xa4
40 .Ah5 Ve7 41. li)xa4 ha4 42.
li)d2 Vf8
Now that he has won a pawn, Black
is willing to exchange queens.
43 .!l)f3 Adl 44.Ad2 hf3
• when Black is unable to achieve a pawn
Likely better is to retain the bishop
pair by retreating with 44 . . . i.e7, when
Black has an advantage because of his
superior pieces.
45.hf3 AdS 46.Adl Y«g8 47.
ia4 li)f6 48 .Y«xg8 + �xg8 49.Ac2
li)b5
49 . . . a5 !?, following up by continuing
to push the a-pawn, is also possible.
50.�f2 li)f4 !
Black will now capture some pawns
and free his king from the corner.
51.hf4 exf4 52. �f3 .ig5 53.f6
hf6 54.�xf4 Ae5 + 55. �g4 �f8
56.Aa4 �e7 57.Ac6
If instead 57.r;flfs, then Black will
play 57 . . . .ic3 and go after the h-pawn.
57 �f6 58.�h5 Ab2 59.Ae8
a5 60.Aa4 �e5 6 1.Ac2 Acl 62 .Aa4
.•.
if4
Preparing for the final invasion with
the king. Black will take with the bishop
when White plays e4-e5, covering the
h8 square. This endgame demonstrates
nice technique by Black, who manages
to win a technical ending in style.
63.Ac2 �d4 64.e5 he5 65.
hh7 a4 66 ..tbl �xc4 67 . .ta2 +
�c3 0 - 1
D. Berkovich - A. Tregubov
Budapest 1992
This game is a good example of
what can go wrong in this variation
break. While Black achieves equality,
White's game remains much easier to
play thanks to his space advantage.
These kinds of positions are very
technical, and require careful piece
placement in anticipation of the various
possible pawn breaks that White may
try. Ultimately, if Black is unable to
achieve a pawn break in this variation,
he is a sitting duck as White has more
space and will more easily organize an
onslaught on the wings accordingly.
65
 Chapter 4
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6 .g3 0-0 7 .ig2 �a6
8. �ge2 �c7 9.f4 �d7 10.0-0 a6
•
ll.a4 i . f6 12 .ie3 b6 13 .Y9d3 l!!!b 8
14.l!!!tb 1 l!!! e 8
•
Black has achieved equality. How­
ever, barring a pawn break his position
will remain passive as White has much
more space, which he might be able to
use to squeeze and pressure Black into
making an error. In the previous game,
Black was able to break with . . . b7-b5
early, ensuring adequate counterplay
for survival. Here, White has stopped
this break for the time being by playing
a2-a4. Accordingly, Black should seek
counterplay by opening the position on
the other side of the board with an idea
like . . . exf4 at the right moment.
Another idea here is to capture with
15 . . . exf4 in order to widen the scope
of the bishop and then follow up with
. . . g7-g6 intending to place the bishop
on g7.
16.b4 cxb4 17. l!!!xb4 a5 18.l!!!b 1
�a6 19.'ilYd2 �b4 2 0 . �b5 �c5
Black's ponies have taken up ideal
squares on b4 and c5, and it would
66
appear that he has solved any opening
problems.
Better is 2 1 . . .'1Mfe7, with the idea of
bringing the queen over to the kings ide
to help defend against the coming
pawn storm.
2 2 .f5 gxf5 23.exf5 e4
White's extra space has paid divi­
dends, as Black has allowed a break­
through on the kingside where his
pieces are poorly coordinated. Now the
attack plays itself.
24.�f4 �bd3 25.�h5 ll!d7 26.
.ixc5 bxc5 27.'1Mfh6 ih8 2 8 .l!!!xd3
exd3 29. ll!f4 ll!e1+ 30 . .ifl 1-0
D. Berkovich - K. Honfi
Budapest 1992
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.g3 .ie7 6 .ig2 0-0 7.e4 �e8
8. �ge2 �a6 9 . 0-0 �ec7 10.f4 if6
•
ll.ie3 id7 12.a4
White prevents the immediate
. . . b7-b5 pawn break, but gives Black
the outpost on b4. The debate of the
relative merits of each side's position
 White Plays g3 and .ig2

has not yet been solved, but it would er. White had a clever tactic here as well
appear that Black is at least OK after - 23.hc5 dxc5 24.h3 Y;Yxg5 25.Y;fxg5
12 . . . tt:lb4 . hxg5 26.hxg4, with a clear advantage.

12 .•. c!Ob4 23 • • • g6

Better for Black is the capture 23 . . .

gxf6 when the position becomes quiet
again after 24.gxf6 1!ih7.

24.gxh6 c!Oxe3 25 .Y;fxe3 l!ih7

26 .ih3
•

White trades off his bad bishop, but

now Black's knight will come to the
strong outpost on d4 while White has
13.Y;fd2 b6 numerous weak pawns to attend to.

Black must build up for the . . . b7-b5 26 ••• c!Oc2 27.ti'd3 c!Od4
breakthrough.

14.f5 a6 15.g4 h6 16.li�g3

Black has managed to place his
knight on an ideal center outpost.
Together with his superior pawn
This move signals an aggressive
structure, this is enough to guarantee
plan that, admittedly, is dangerous
equality in what is a complicated posi­
for Black.
tion with plenty of possibilities.
16 • • • b5

Black achieves his pawn break, but

here it is probably more accurate to
seek a dark-squared bishop exchange
with 16 . . . .ig5.

17.t0h5 tOeS 18.axb5 axb5 19.

l:'lxa8 Wxa8 20.cxb5 Y;fd8 2 1 .t0xf6 +
t0xf6 22 .g5 c!Og4

As a result of his inaccuracy on

move 16, Black now stands much 28.l!U'2 ghs 29.�g2 l!igs 30.
worse. hd7

23.f6 A more interesting try for White is

30.b6 ! , as the pawn remains immune
White launches a series of aggres­ from capture due to Black's awkward
sive moves, but Black is a cool defend- king and rook in the corner.

67
 Chapter 4

30 %Yxd7 31.%Yh3 %Yb7 44.ti'g4 ti'xe3 45.%Yf5 + ®h8

46.%Yc8 + \ilh7 47.%Yf5 + \ilh8 48.
•••

Black should trade queens and then ti'c8 + \ilh7 49.%Yf5 + 1!2-1!2
play . . . \ilh7 - not . . . gxh6 after which
White's rook will reach the queenside
first. M. Medi - Z. Deur

32.gfl ®h7 33.%Yd3 gas 34.tLld1

Topusko 2012

gas 1.d4 tLlf6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tLlc3

Black could play for a win with 34 . . .
�xbS 35.�xb5 tt'lxbS, when h e will have
an edge because of White's pawn weak­
nesses compared to his own compact
pawn structure.
35.h4 gxb5 36.h5 !
Now White forces a serious weak­
ness in Black's kingside.
d6 5.e4 i.e7 6 .g3 0-0 7.i.g2 tLle8
8 .tLlge2 tLlc7 9.a3 ttJba6 10.0-0 i.d7
ll.f4 i.f6 12.a4
Losing a tempo in our main variation,
but still White manages to come up with
a dangerous attacking plan.
12 . . . tLlb4

36 . . . g5 37.%Yg3 ®xh6 3 8 . tLlf2

gxb2 39.\ilh1 tLle2 40.tLlg4+ \ilh7
41.ti'f3 tLlf4 42. tLle3 %Yb3 43,gg1
ge2

13. ®hl ! ? b6 14.tLlg1 a6 15.ttJf3

ttJe8?!

Black starts going backwards. Bet­

ter was the thematically consistent 15 . . .
b S with counterplay.

This looks great at first as now Black 16 .te3 %Yc7 17.%Yd2 gbs 18.
gad1 i.e7?
•

wins a piece, but it is actually a major

blunder because White can draw by
perpetual check! Correct is the careful
buildup of pressure as in the following
winning continuation: 43 . . . �b4 44J3fl
�d2 45.tt'lg4 E:b3 46.�f2 �d3 47.tt'le3
�xe3 48.�xe3 E:xe3.
This needless retreat loses control
of the crucial eS square. Instead, 18 . . .
E:d8 o r even 18 ... exf4 and Black is equal.
19.fxe5 dxe5 20.tLlxe5

68
 White Plays g3 and .ig2

c!Llec7 11.f4 .tf6 1 2 .f5 b5 13 .b3 �b8

14.'iNd2 'iNe7 15.g4 h6 16. c!Llg3 .i.g5

Black doesn't wait for White's knight

to come to hS as in Berkovich-Honfi.

17.cxb5 c!Llxb5 18. c!Llxb5 �b5

A simple and decisive tactic.

20 'fbe5 21 .i.f4 'iNh5 22 .hb8

.!g4 23 .i.f4 ! ?
• • • •

White decides t o return some mate­

rial in order to keep a solid position.

23 hdl 24. �xdl c!Lld6 25.b3 Miles captures with his rook, keep­
f6 26.�el c!Llf7 27.J.c7 .i.d8 28.M4
• • •

ing the bishop to watch over the square

c!Lle5 29.�fl c!Llbd3 fS.

Black succeeds in exchanging his 19. c!Llh5 f6 20.hg5 fxg5 !

b4-knight, but White's extra pawn
Not 20 . . . hxg5, after which an even­
and space advantage are too much to
tual pawn push to h4 could be danger­
contend with in this ending.
ous.
30.he5 c!Llxe5 31.d6 !
21.�f2 c!Llc7 22 .i.fl �b7 23.�g2
.i.e8
•

The final blow. With this move,

White gains use of the dS square.
Watching that knight!

31 YlYg4 3 2 .c!Lld5 'iNd7 33. c!Llf4 g5 24.h4 .i.f7 25 .tc4 c!Lle8 26. �f2
34.YlYd5+ �f7 35.c!Lle6 c!Llg4 36.�f3 .txh5 27.hxg5
• • •
•

c!Lle5 37.�f2 c!Llg4 38.�e2 c!Lle5 39.

c!Llxg5 fxg5 40.YlYxe5 .!f6 41.YlYd5
1-0

T. Marinelli - A. Miles
Lugano 1989

l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3

d6 5.e4 .i.e7 6.g3 0-0 7 .tg2 c!Lle8
8 . c!Llge2 c!Lla6 9. 0-0 .td7 10 .i.e3
•

69
 Chapter 4
This trick doesn't help, as White's
position soon becomes hopeless. If
instead 27.gxh5, then 27 . . . g4 ! would
also be good for Black.
27 . . .Ybg5 28.Ybg5 hxg5 29.
gxh5 ttlf6 30.�e3 g4 3U!hl
3 U l :h4 is more accurate, though
Black still has an edge on the kingside
where he will break through.
31 �h7 32 .h6 gxh6 33.ggh2
h5 0-1
•.•
V. Malakhatko - D. Chuprov
Moscow 2 007
l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ttlc3
d6 5.e4 j,e7 6.g3 ttla6 7 .ig2 ttlc7
•
A different variation from the one
we have seen thus far. Black brings his
queen's knight to c7.
8 . ttlf3 0-0? !
Black misses the opportunity to
play the dangerous Benko-style gambit
8 . . . b5 ! 9.cxb5 a6 10.b6 lt:lb5 with a fine
position. Like much of the Czech Be­
noni, the state of theory of this gambit
is not clear. Larry Kaufman mentions it
derisively in his repertoire book, giving
the game and concluding that it is no
70
good for Black. However, Avrukh says
that it is dangerous, and that White
would do better to take the option off
the table by adopting a move order
that makes it impossible for Black to
play it. The tension between those two
writers on the subject leads the present
authors to conclude that this gambit is
entirely playable, and in fact quite good
against Catalan players who prefer the
dreary and drawish landscape of the
Slav to the fireworks that flow from a
gambit such as this.
9 . 0-0 a6 10.a4 b6 ll.ttlel l:!b8
12. ttld3 b5 13 .b3 ttld7 14.a5
Stopping any knights from coming
to b6.
14 . . . j,f6 15.l:!a2 l:!e8 16.ttle2 ttlf8
Black continues to maneuver about,
waiting for White to push to f4.
17.i.e3 i.d7
Another idea is 17 ... h6, with the idea
of playing either . . . .ig5 or . . . lt:lh7 - or
both !
18.f4
The only try for an advantage. If
White fails to make this move, then
Black may have time to double rooks
on the b-file, or alternatively to place
his knight on g7 and play for . . . f7-f5.
18 exf4 19.gxf4 bxc4 20.bxc4
ttlg6 21. ttlg3 ttlh4
.•.
Going after the bishop that's pro­
tecting White's center.
22.e5
 White Plays g3 and .ig2

2 2 . .i h l lo oks s o l i d , but White Better is 26.E:gl, when White main­

opts for the immediate central break­ tains an edge.
through.
26 .bf.l 27. c!L\xfl gbl 28 .%Yg2
22 c!L\xg2 g6 29 .tgl !
• • •

•
• • •

Best, safeguarding his king.

29 %Yf5 3o.ga3 %Yxf6 31. c!L\d2

gdl 3 2 .c!L\e4 %Ye7
• • •

A balanced position has arisen in

which Black's pieces are better coordi­
nated and so, despite White's material
superiority, the game is level and if
anything Black has the better practical
chances.
White has achieved e4-e5, but the
position is fluid and Black has the
potential to gain control of the light
squares and possibly to penetrate with
his rook along the b-file.

23.�xg2 VIeS 24.�hl .lg4

Bl ack has taken over the light

squares; White must beware an inva­
sion on b3.
33. c!L\g3 gbs 34.c!L\f2 gel
25.%Yd2 .th3
Preferable is 34 .. Jk1 35.c!L\fe4 E:xc4
36.E:e3 c!L\xdS, when Black's advantage
is manifest.

35.c!L\f5 ti'd7 36.c!L\h6+ �g7 37.

c!L\hg4 h5 38.%Yg3 ! ?

With the threat of %Yc3 + .

The same theme, but Black i s not

Black sacrifices material so that his fooled.
rooks will now have open lines.
39 gxc4 40.c!L\e3 gd4 41. c!L\c2
26.exf6 gxd5
• • •

71
 Chapter 4

With the collapse of White's central White still has two minor pieces means
pawns, Black's winning plan becomes that some care is required to find the
simple and straightforward. correct winning plan.

42. ttle4 ttle8 43 .1i!e1 Vc6 44. 64.�g2 1i!a4 65.i.d2 f4 66 .ie1
Vg2 1i!f5 45.i.e3 ttlf6 �e6 67.ttlc6 1i!xa6 68. ttlxd4+ �d5
•

69.ttlf3 1i!a2 + 70.�h3 �e4 71. ttlg5+

Having picked off a couple of pawns, �e3 72 .ttlxt7 d5 73. ttl e5 f3
Black now simplifies to an endgame. 74. ttlg4+ �e2 75 .txh4 ga4 76 .ig3
1i!xg4 77. �xg4 d4 0-1
• •

46.ttlxf6 Vxg2 + 47. �xg2 1i!xf6

48 .i.d2 1i!e6 49 .1i!d1 1i!b3
A. Gusarchuk - 0. Maiorov
White is hemmed in by Black's Anapa 2 0 07
rooks and central pawns.
1.d4 ttlf6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ttlc3
50.�f2 �f8 51.ttle3 1i!e4 52.f5 d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.g3 ttla6 7.i.g2 ttlc7
1i!f4+ 53 .�e2 gxf5 54.ttld5 1i!e4+ 8. ttlge2 h5 9.h4 !
55.�f2 1i!d4 56.i.h6+
Best. If 9.h3 then 9 . . . h4 10 .g4 itJh7 ! .
White breaks out of the bind and
trades rooks. 9 a 6 10.a4 b6 11.0-0 1i!b8 1 2 .
1i!b1 ttld7
• . .

56 . . . �e8 57.1i!xd4 cxd4 58.

ttlc7+ �d7 59. ttlxa6 1i!h2 + 60.�e1 Most of us would have played the
thematic . . . b6-b5 here, but Black has
If the king moves anywhere else, a creative plan around the idea of
Black plays .. .l''! a2 and captures White's . . . g7-g5 ! .
only passed pawn.
13.YlYd3 g5
60 1i!xh2 61.ttlb4 1i!h1 + 62.�f2
ga1 63.a6 h4
..•

Objectively, this move cannot be

recommended as the simple 13 . . . 0-0
is equal, whereas White will enjoy an
edge now. However, from a practical
point of view, this move does shake
things up on the kingside !

A study-like position ! Black's over­

whelming pawn advantage secures
the full point, but the fact that all of
his pawns are isolated and weak while

72
 White Plays g3 and ig2
14.hxg5 hg5 15.f4 .ih6 16.ti'f3
!g7 17.!h3 ti'e7
White looks to have a clear advan­
tage after this move, but Black manages
to hang on. Black could have kept the
game level more easily with 17. . . h4 ! .
18 .id2? !
•
Better for White here is the familiar
rerouting 18.lt'ldl and19.lt'le3, when he
would have a clear advantage. With
this slow bishop move, White gives his
opponent a second chance to find the
crucial move . . . h5-h4.
18 ..• h4 ! 19.hd7+ hd7 20.£5
Logical, hemming in Black's bishop.
20 .ih6 2 1 .ixh6 �xh6 22 .ti'g4
hxg3 23. 't!.>g2 �g6
.•• •
24.ti'h5 �g8 25.)3f3 ti'f6 26.
�xg3 We7
All of a sudden, Black has connected
his rooks and p rotected his kin g .
Eventually the . . . b6-b5 pawn break
will happen.
27.)3hl �h8 28.ti'g5
This exchange is likely a bad deci­
sion. White had more promising pros­
pects staying in the middlegame.
28 Wxg5 29.)3xg5 �xhl 30.
'tt>xhl b5 !
..•
Of course - better late than never.
31.axb5 axb5 32.cxb5 hb5
33.�g2 .id3
The worm has turned; we know that
this configuration is winning for Black.
34. �g3 c4 35.)3£2 �a6 36.'tt> g 2
�c5 37. 'tt>f3 )3h8 38.'tt> g4 �g8 + 39.
'tt>f3 �b3
Heading for a better square.
40. �b5 )3b8 41.f6 + 'tt> d7 42.
�a3 �c5
White cannot defend against . . . lt'la4.
43.'tt> g4 )3g8 + 44.'tt> h4 )3xg3
45.'tt> xg3 �xe4+ 46. 'tt>f3 �xf2
47. 'tt> xf2 .ie4 48.�xc4 hd5 49.
�e3 .ib3 50. 'tt> f3 'tt> e 6 51. 'tt> e4 d5+
52. 'tt> d3 d4 0-1
S. Yuferov - 0. Maiorov
Sochi 1996
l.d4 �f6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6 .g3 �a6 7 .ig2 �c7
8 .�ge2 b6 9 .id2 h5 10.h4 a6
•
ll.a4 )3b8 12 .ti'c2 g6 13.�cl b5
•
14.b3 �g4 15.f3 �h6 16.�d3 f5
73
 Chapter 4

S. Osmanbegovic - 0. Averkin
Cetinje 1990

1.d4 t0f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.t0c3

d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.g3 t0a6 7 .ig2 t0c7
8. t0ge2 h5 9.h3?!
•

Black has achieved both of his

breaks at bS and fS against White's
passive play. However, White's pieces
are inarguably better placed than their
black counterparts. Therefore, White
holds a slight edge in this complicated
middlegame.

17.cxb5 axb5 18.b4 c4 19.t0b2 f4 We prefer h2-h4 for White in these

20.gxf4 hh4+ 21.<.!>e2 0-0 22 .J.h3?
White invites Black's pieces into his
camp. Better is 2 2 . axb5 with an edge.
White could also try 2 2 .fxe5, though
this would likely be better for Black as
in the possible continuation 22 . . . t0g4
23.e6! .ixe6 24.dxe6 lLlxe6 when Black
would still stand well.
positions, as it prevents the black
h-pawn from advancing any further.
9 . . . h4 10.J.e3 t0h7
Gaining the very important gS
square.
11. 'flrd2 hxg3 12.fxg3 .ig5 13.

22 hb3 23.gxh3 exf4 24. h4 ! ?

axb5 Ylrg5 25.<.!>fl t0g4 !
..•

Fighting for g S , but losing control

of g4 !

13 . . . .ixe3 14.ti'xe3 a6 15.a4 b6

16.gb1 t0f6 17.Ylrg5 <o!>f8

With a decisive attack.

26. t0xc4 t0f2 27,gh2 Ylrg3 28.e5

<.!>h8 29,gxh4 Ylrxf3 3o,gh2 t0g4+
31.<.!>e1 0-1

74
 White Plays g3 and ig2

Black calmly defends his g7-pawn D. Goodman - A. Hoffmann

and holds equality in a complex position. New York 2 007
18 .if3 �ce8 19.g4
l.d4 �f6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
•

d6 5.g3 .ie7 6 . .ig2 0-0 7.e4 �a6

8. �ge2 �e8 9 . 0-0 �ec7
Better is the brave 1 9 . 0 - 0 when
White's king remains safe. After the
text move, Black will break through on
the queenside.

19 • . • .i.d7 20.ggl

Once again, we see Black employ

this unique knight placement to battle
White's kingside fianchetto.

White's aggressive-looking moves 10.f4 .i.f6

have accomplished nothing, and his
king is now vulnerable.
Black places his bishop on f6 to
20 b5 21.axb5 axb5 2 2 . �xb5
bolster the eS square.
.ixb5 23.cxb5 ifb6 24.�c3 �c7
•.•

25 . .ie2 c4 26.gfl �xb5 27. �xb5 ll .i.e3 id7 12 .ifb3

ifxb5 2 8 .gxf6
•

This queen sortie is an odd choice,

Desperation. as Black was planning on playing 12 . . .
Elb8 anyway. More ambitious i s 12.lt:lc1
28 . . . gxf6 29.ifxf6 'i'b4+ or perhaps 12 .fxe5.

Defending d6. t2 •.• gbs t3. a4

White plays a2 -a4 to prevent the

The final blow!
32 .bxc3 ifxe4 33.ifxd6+ c.!lg8
34.gdl gxh4 35.id3 gbl + 36. c.!lf2
ga2 + 0-1
. . . b7-b5 break; however, once again we
see the black knight jumping into the
cozy hole on b4 as a result.

75
 Chapter 4
14.lbb5? !
An overreaction, and likely a du­
bious one as now Black can open lines
and create counterplay immediately.
Better are the calm and cool 14.�dl
or 14.f5.
14 .lbxb5 15.axb5 a6 16 .!Dc3
axb5 17 .!Dxb5 hb5 18.cxb5 Wfd7
. • •
19 .Wfc4 gas
•
Perhaps more testing here is 19 . . .
exf4, when the dark-squared bishop
is unleashed on the long diagonal and
Black's minor pieces threaten to out­
class White's frustrated clerical pair.
2 Q ,ga3 h6 21.gb1 gfe8 22 .if3
exf4
•
Now Black seizes the initiative with
this capture.
23.gxf4 Wfh3 24 . .ig2 gxa3 ! !
The simple 2 4 . . . �h4 h o l d s an
advantage for Black, but the fireworks
stemming from this passive queen
sacrifice are too tempting to ignore.
25.hh3 gxe3 26.e5 .ie7 27 .
.id7 gf8 28.�f2 gd3 29,ggl?
76
The push 29.e6 maintains the equi­
librium. After the text move, White
finds himself falling into the quicksand
of Black's superior piece coordination.
29 . . ,gd4! 30 .Yfe2 .!Dd3 +
This i s a critical finesse and far su­
perior to the shortsighted 30 .. J''!:xf4+,
which would allow White to save him­
self by activating his queen and rook,
as in the line 31. �g3 dxeS 3 2 .�xe5
.igS 33.�c7 t!JxdS 34.�xb7 Ei:d4 35.l"!:al,
when suddenly White is perfectly fine.
White's queen and rook look on
helplessly as Black's knight and rook
win material and generate new threats
with each move.
32 .Yff3 dxe5 33 .if5 c4?
•
An odd choice, as the clear 33 . . .
.igS o r even 3 3 . . . l!Jxd5 are simpler and
stronger, although the position is still
winning for Black and despite this brief
detour there are still many paths to the
same result.
34.�g3 g6 35.�£3 .ig5 36.h4
gxf5 37.hxg5 gd3 + 0-1
 White Plays g3 and i.g2
M. Hehir - A. Hoffmann
New York 2012
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5 .g3 Ae7 6.Ag2 0-0 7.e4 � a6
8.a3 �e8 9 . �ge2 �ec7
Once again we see Black adopting
our recommended knight placement
to combat the positional approach
of White's kingside fianchetto. Here,
White has played a2-a3, which controls
the b4 square and prepares the b2-b4
pawn push. On the other hand, this
committal move shows White's hand.
10.0-0 �d7 ll.Yfd3 Yfe8 12.f4
�f6
Again, we see our preferred reaction
to the f2 -f4 pawn break. Black calmly
steers his dark-squared bishop to f6,
from where it prepares to occupy to
outpost on eS should White decide to
capture.
13.fxe5 .b::e5 14.i.f4 gbs
Black prepares the . . . b7-b5 pawn
break so as to begin queenside opera­
tions.
15 . .b::e5 Yfxe5
The queen occupies the eS outpost.
While this is not the ideal square for
the queen, this recapture is obviously
preferable to the unsightly . . . dxeS
when White has a protected passed
pawn.
16.�b5? !
Perhaps White played this in order
to shake things up and prevent the
. . . b7-b5 pawn break. However, it lets
Black seize the initiative.
16 . . . �xb5 17.cxb5 �c7 18.a4
Yfxb2 19.�c3 Yfb4 2 0 .gf4 c4
An interesting idea. Black pushed
the c-pawn forward, winning a tempo
from the queen and vacating the cS
square . H oweve r, it is difficult to
imagine how Black is going to make
use of cS in this positi o n , as any
... a7-a6 ideas would be met by b5-b6 .
Another idea for Black here is . . . .!Lle8,
when the knight holds the weak d6-
pawn as well as perhaps hoping to
re-emerge someday on a more useful
square than c7.
21.Yfd4 f6 22 . .ifl a6 23.b6
Predictably, White has no interest
in letting Black bring his knight to the
cS outpost via a6, and instead grabs
space and pushes him back with this
pawn thrust.
77
 Chapter 4
23 tll e 8
. • •
An extremely complicated but level
position has been reached, in which
Black's queen is out of play and neither
side has managed to coordinate its
pieces fully.
This move looks natural, but upon
fu rth er inspection we realize that
White has doubled his rooks on a
closed file. The immediate 2 6 . ixc4
suggests itself as an alternative, though
the deep 26. '.tg2 would be better still
as it removes the possibility of queen
checks from c5.
78
26 . . . f5 27.S:b4 fxe4 2 8 . tll xe4
.1f5 29.hc4 he4
This capture decoys the white queen
away so that Black can play 30 . . . VBc5 + .
30.ti'xe4 ti'c5+ 31.'.thl tll f6
In the space of just a few moves,
Black has managed to coordinate his
major pieces in an attack down the
open c- and f-files as well as to bring
his knight to the more useful square
f6 with gain of tempo. Meanwhile,
White's rooks are doubled on a closed
file and his bishop remains frustrated
on inactive diagonals. White's position
is hopeless; for instance, now 32 .Wfh4
aS 33J!b5 Wfxc4 is decisive, while the
spite check 3 2 . Wf e 6 + doesn't solve
White's problems either as in the line
32 .Wfe6+ '.th8 33.!fl �ce8 34.�c4 Wff2
35JU4 Wfa2 36.Wff5 ll:Jg8 37.Wfd3 �xf4
38.gxf4 Wfxa4, when Black maintains
a winning advantage.
0-1
Chapter 5
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The Yu khtman Variation

( . . . g6 and . . . �g7 )
n his ChessBase DVD on the Czech Benoni, Andrew Martin recommends that
I Black adopt a flexible move order, opting for 5 . . . tt:Jbd7 instead of committing
to 5 . . . �e7. The idea is to keep open the option of playing . . . g7-g6 and . . . �g7 in
the event that White adopts a kingside fianchetto. Technically, where Black
fianchettoes his king's bishop, the game transposes into a King's Indian Defense
and is not strictly within the realm of the Czech Benoni. However, we like Black's
chances in this variation and the straightforward plans of preparing the thematic
pawn breaks . . .f7-f5 and . . . b7-b5.

Jacob Yukhtman (1935-1985) was the first emigrant chessmaster to arrive

in the United States from the Soviet Union. Born in Odessa, where he was
many times champion, he moved to Moscow and at the age of 24 reached the
Soviet Championship. There he defeated Tal and drew with Spassky, Korchnoi,
and Keres. He also won the blitz tournament with 15lf2-1lf2, a performance
reminiscent of Bobby Fischer's at Novi Sad.

Like many chessplayers, Yukhtman's fatal flaw was his naivete: he just wanted
to play chess ! His free spirit and a bit of a temper did not stand well with the
Soviet political chess machine. He was never given the opportunity to play abroad,
where he surely would have become a grandmaster. Sadly, he also developed a
heart condition, which greatly decreased his energy and stamina.

I first met Yukhtman in 1973 at the Chess and Checker Club of New York,
commonly known as the "Flea House. " I remember a short, stocky man with a
smile like a Cheshire cat, but when he was displeased with something, a dark cloud
would come over his face. A brilliant blitz player, there was no one to compete
with Yukhtman at the "Flea House" and he soon moved to "The Game Room" at
West 741h St. Here, one could play chess, Scrabble, backgammon, and gin rummy
day and night. The resident champion of "The Game Room" was master Steve
Brandywein. He and Yukhtman would play countless hours of blitz with about
equal results. I sometimes played these two myself, but could only manage to
win about 25% of my games against either of them. Though he only had the title
of "Master," Yukhtman's strength peaked at 2 6 2 2 . Despite his strength, love of
the game, and incredible creativity, he did not play in very many tournaments
in New York. Often, if asked whether he was going to register for an event, he
would respond by saying "No, I go to Atlantic," meaning a casino in Atlantic City.

79
 Chapter S

One reason why Yukhtman was 12 . . . f5!

drawn to offbeat openings might be
explained by the following quote : "In Obvious and strong in equal mea­
the 1950s, the name of Yakov Yukht­ sures.
man was well known among us young
players," wrote GM Lev Polugaevsky in
his work Sicilian Love. "He undoubt­
edly possessed a natural and rare tal­
ent, one that particularly manifested
itself in sharp positions, in which he
was very resourceful and strong. But in
simple, classical positions his ingenu­
ity markedly waned, and his play was
less strong. "

Polugaevsky - Yukhtman
t3.b4 gcs t4J;M3 h5
Baku 1958

l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3

So that White cannot play i.g4 after
d6 5.g3 g6 ! ?
Black plays .. .f5-f4.

15 .!d2 f4 16.®g2 c!Llb6 17. c!Lle2

•

Better was closing off the queenside

with 17.b5 as, after the text move ,
Black will be able to exchange pawns
with . . . cxb4 and then gain use of the cS
square for his knight.

17 . . . cxb4 18J3fcl

Already i n 1 9 5 8 , Yukhtman had

adopted the "modern" idea of playing
. . . g 7 - g 6 wh e n White pl ays g 2 -g3
against our Czech Benoni.

6.J.g2 !J..g7 7. c!Llf3 0-0 8 . 0-0 !J..g4

9 .h3 .b£3 lO .b£3 c!Lle8 ll.e4
•

We arrive at a book position via

slight transposition.

n . . . c!Lld7 12.a3 18 . . . b3 !

Better is 12 .g4 ! i.f6 13 .i.h6 tt:\g7 After 18 . . . bxa3, White enjoys good
14.'1Wd2 . queenside play.

80
 The Yukhtman Variation ( ... g6 and ....ig7)

19.Ybb3 c!Lld7 2 0 . c!Llc3 c!Llc5 21. d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.g3 0-0 7 .lg2 c!Lle8
Yfc2 Y«d7 2 2 . gcb1 .ih6 23.g4 8. c!Llge2 c!Lld7 9. 0-0 g6 10 .ie3 c!Llg7
•

With pressure against his king

building, White tries to close the
position.

23 c!Llf6 24.Yfd1 hxg4 25.hxg4

.lg5 26.Yfe2 �g7 27.c!Lla2?
• • •

A blunder. Als o , if 2 7 . gh 1 then

Black has 27 ... tt:lb3 and ... tt:ld4. Perhaps
27.gb2 is the best try.
Black decides to "fianchetto" his
knight, not such an uncommon plan
in the Czech Benoni. From g7 the
knight will help both to support the
. . .f7-f5 pawn thrust and to safeguard
the black king.

1l.Wd3 f5 12.f3 f4

Another possibility is to play for

queenside expansion with 12 . . . a6.The

27 )i�fxe4 2 8 .lb4 c!Llf6 29.

text move is much more to my taste,

hc5 gxc5 30. c!Llc3 gfc8

however: Black offers a pawn in ex­
•• •

change for taking control of the key

square eS where he will look to put a
Now the c-pawn falls and bishops
minor piece.
of opposite colors won't save White in
this position. 13.gxf4 exf4 14.c!Llxf4 g5 15.
c!Lle6 c!Lle5
31. c!Lle4 c!Llxe4 32 .he4 gxc4
33.£3 b6 34.gb3 Y«a4 35.gab1 gc3
36.gxc3 gxc3 37.ga1 ge3 38.Yfb2
The black knight arrives at eS. From

gxe4 39.fxe4 Y«xe4+ 40.�g1 f3

there, it will be able to harass White's

0-1
kingside.

16.We2 c!Llxe6 17.dxe6 he6 18.

Yukhtman made it look easy by c!Lld5 hd5 19.exd5 c!Llg6
s i mply r u n n i n g over his fam o u s
opponent with . . . f7-f5-f4 ! The position is equal, but Black's
game is easier to play.

Osnos - Yukhtman 2 0 . gae1 .if6 2 1 . �h1 .ie5

Volgograd 1969
Now it's the bishop's turn to land
1.d4 c!Llf6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3 on the eS square.

81
 Chapter S
2 2 . .ih3
This bishop is headed for e6.
22 . . . �f4 23 . .te6+
White achieves an advanced out­
post of his own, and the position is
roughly equal.
23 . . . mh8 24.�c2 �f6 25 . .tg4
Better is to remove the knight with
2 S . hf4, rather than voluntarily re­
treating this well placed bishop.
25 . . . b6 26 . .icl �ae8 27.�e4
�g6 2 8 .�fel h5 29 . .td7 �e7 30 .
.ta4 �h3
Black is clearly on top, with his h3-
knight bothering the white king.
31.�f1 �et7 32 .�e2 g4 33.f4
.ixf4 34 . .te8? .te3 ! !
This is most likely the most famous
combination ever played in a Czech
Benoni. It was published in Maxim
Blokh's tactics manual Combinative
Mo tifs, and has probably been re­
produced elsewhere at least a dozen
times. It is a triple interference with
82
all of White's forces being interrupted
by the impolite bishop barging in on
e3 where it is immune from capture in
three different ways !
0-1
V. Epishin - J. Rotstein
Werther 2 0 03
l.d4 �f6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 �bd7 6.g3 g6
Another possibility here is to play
in Benko style with 6 . . . bS. This move
is very different in spirit from the text
move, though my engine shows that
Black obtains some compensation
for the pawn after 7.cxbS a6 8 .bxa6
�aS 9 . .id2 .ixa6 10 . .ixa6 �xa6, when
Black will castle and build pressure
on the queenside in classic Benko
fashion .
7 . .tg2 .ig7 8 .h4
An unusual plan. White looks to
develop his knight to h3.
8 . . . a6 9.a4 0-0 10. �h3 �b8
u:�e2 h6 1 2 . �a3
 The Yukhtman Variation ( ... g6 and ... ig7)
This rook lift is a typical maneuver,
though usually played only by grand­
masters.
12 c!L\e8 13 .h5 g5 14.f3 c!L\c7
15.a5 !
• • •
Blunting the power o f the . . . b7-b5
pawn break.
15 b5 16.axb6 l!:!xb6 17.c!L\f2
c!L\f6 18. c!L\fdl J.d7 19.J.h3
•••
Having exchanged his bishop, now
White may occupy f5 with a knight.
19 hb3 20.l!:!xh3 Y«d7 21.l!:!h2
l!:!tb8 2 2 . c!L\e3 c!L\ce8 2 3 . c!L\f5
. • •
With this outpost, White gains
a strong grip on the kingside of the
board, and accordingly enjoys an edge.
23 • • • Y«b7
The queen triples on the b-file; how­
ever, there are no real targets on the
file, whereas White threatens to break
through on the kingside. Better is 23 . . .
'tt>h 8 when Black may b e able to hold, as
in 24.f4 exf4 25.gxf4 gxf4 26.:1'i:g2 tt'lh7
27.i.xf4 :B:xb2 28 .�f3 tt'lg5 and Black
is standing despite White's pressure.
24.f4
Finally a breakthrough !
24 c!L\h7 25.fxg5 c!L\xg5 26 .txg5
hxg5 27.gf2 J.f8 2 8 . c!L\dl
••• •
The tempting simplification that
follows after 28.h6 allows Black to hold
with a fortress-like position despite
White's obvious positional trumps, as
in the line 28.h6 :B:xb2 29.Y«xb2 �xb2
3 0 . :1'i:xb2 :B:xb2 3 1 . :1'i:xa6 l!:!b8 3 2 . tt'lb5,
when White cannot make any progress.
28 :1'i:b3 29.gxb3 Y«xb3 30.
c!L\fe3 Ae7 31.Y«f3 c!L\f6 32 .Y«f5
• • •
Much stronger is 3 2 . tt'l c3 ! , with
the idea that now the other knight can
come to fS with decisive effect without
Black's being able to exchange queens.
For instance, 32.tt'lc3 �b7 33.tt'lf5 idS
34.tt'lxd6, and White is clearly winning.
32 mh8 33.Y«xg5 c!L\g8 34.'fltf5
c!L\h6 35.'fltf3 ig5
• • •
By placing his minor pieces on dark
squares and putting his king in the
corner, it would appear that Black has
managed to organize a defense.
83
 Chapter S

The point of Black's queen move on

move 11 is now clear: the knight on hS
is now protected.

15.g4 h6 16.J.h4 �f4 17.�xf4

exf4 18.gxf5 �e5 19. �e4 f3 !

36.�e2 ggs 37,gf3 f6 3 8 , q,fl

�a4 39.�f2 �at+ 40,q,g2 gbs 41.
�edt �a5 42. �h3 q,g7 43. �xg5
fxg5 44,gf2 !

Protecting his b-pawn with the rook

frees up White's other men to attack.

44 . . ,gf8 45. �e3 gxf2 + 46.�xf2

Through some sharp tactics, Black

�b4 47, q,h3 g4+ 48, q,h4 �b8

has obtained a very strong position. All

49.�f5+ q,h7 50. �xh6 �d8 + 51.

of his pieces are placed well and poised

q,xg4 q,xh6 52 .�e3 +

to pounce on the white king.

20 . .txf3 .txf5 2 1.ge1 �d7 2 2 .

J.g3 �xc4 23 .�e2 �e5 24.he5
The check is decisive.
he5 25,q,ht gbe8 26.ggl+ q,hs
52 . . , q,h7 53.�g5 �c7 54.h6 a5
27.�d2 �h7 2 8 J �aet J.g6
55.�g7+ �xg7+ 56.hxg7 q,xg7 57.
q,g5 a4 58 .g4 1-0
Now Black will double rooks on the
f-file to decisive effect.
M. Ignacz - A. Martin
Birmingham 2006

l.d4 �f6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3

d6 5 .g3 g6 6 .1g2 .1g7 7.e4
•

If White tries to avoid playing e2-

e4 altogether, Black obtains a good
position by castling kingside and then
playing either . . . �hS or . . . �e8 followed
by . . . t7-f5.

7 . . . 0-0 8 . �ge2 a6 9 . 0-0 �bd7

10 .1g5 gbs ll.a4 �e8 1 2 . �cl �h5
13.�d3 f5 14.exf5 gxf5
•

84
 The Yukhtman Variation ( . . . g6 and ... .tg7)

Perhaps White could have tried 18 . . . i.d4+ 1 9 . @h l lLl f6 2 0 . h 3 fxe4

31.l'l:xe5 followed by �e3 or �c3 when,
although his position would still be
worse, he may retain some drawing
chances due to the activity of his queen
and the passed d-pawn.
2 1 . lLl cxe4 lLlxe4 2 2 . lLlxe4 .tfS, with a
slight edge for Black.
19.exf5 .i.d4+ 2 0 . Whl .txt'S
21 .!Dxf5 E!xf5 2 2 . c!D e4 hb2 23.
YlYxb2 c!Dxc4 24.'llYc3 E!h5 25.h3 .!Db6
•

31 1ha4 32 .ih3 h5 33.YlYel h4 26.'llYxa5 c!Dxd5 27.YlYd2?

34.E!xe5 hxg3 35.1hg3 dxe5 36.
• • • •

'llYxe5+ 'llYg7 0-1 White misses his chance to play

27.'llY a 7! with an advantage.
H. Steingrimsson - V. Jansa
Copenhagen 1992 27 . . . l'l:f5 2 8 .c!Dxd6 c!Dxd6 29.
hd5 + @g7 30 .i.g2 YlYf6
l.d4 .!Df6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Dc3
•

d6 5 .g3 g6 6 .i.g2 .i.g7 7.e4 0-0

8 . c!Dge2 c!Dbd7 9.E!bl a6 10.a3
•

Here we see another interesting

plan, in which White plays for b2-b4.

10 . . . c!De8 11. 0-0 E!b8 12 .b4 YlYc7

13.b5 ? !

I don't particularly like this move,

though White has already gone wrong
in the opening. If l3.�d3 cxb4 14.axb4
After a flurry of exchanges, Black's
bS ! 15.cxb5 axbS 16.lLlxb5 .ta6 ! .
strong passed pawn and centralized
1 3 . . . c!Db6 14.YlYb3 aS pieces give him a slight edge.

31.a4 l'l:d8 3 2 . E!bdl .!D£7 33.YlYe3

l'l:xdl? !

Exchanging here simplifies into

equality. If Black is going to do some­
thing with his passed pawn, he needs
to keep the position complicated with
something like 33 . . . lLld6.

34.E!xdl b6 35.E!bl c!Dd6 36.YlYcl

l'l:xf4 37.a5 c!De4 38.a6 c!Df2+ 39.
15 .i.b2 YlYe7 16.f4 exf4 17.gxf4
Wh2 YlYe5 40.YlYb2 l'l:d4+ !
f5 18. c!Dg3 'llYh4
•

Another idea for Black is to threaten Unpinning with pressure, though

to penetrate into White's camp with the position is dead equal.

85
 Chapter S
4 1 .<�g1 tt::l d1 42 .Yfa3 gd2 43.
a7??
A blunder, pure and simple. White
had to pin the black queen with 43.WI'a1
when Black is forced to bail out with a
perpetual check, as in the line 43 . . . tt:lc3
44.a7 W/e3 + 4S . . @h1 �xg2 ! 46. @xg2
Wl'e2 + , when Black gets his perpetual.
43 . . . Yfe1+ 44.�h2 �e4 45.�g3
tl:\e3 46.gg1 gxg2 + 0-1
B. Lalic - L. Wu
London 2007
1.d4 tl:\f6 2 . c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tl:\c3
d6 5.e4 tl:\bd7 6 .g3 g6 7.J.g2 J.g7
8.tl:\f3 0-0 9.0-0 a6 10.a4
Classically trained players always
play a2-a4 in this type of position.
10 tl:le8? !
• • •
As usual, we prefer . . . b7-b6 in this
structure with the idea of carefully
building up to play . . . b6-b5.
11.a5 gbs 12 .td2 b5 13.axb6
tl:\xb6 14.Yfe2 f5 15.exf5 gxf5 16.
•
gab1 tl:\a8
An extremely interesting position
has been reached, in which nearly all
86
of Black's pieces are on the back rank,
though rearranged as if this were a
game of Fischerandom Chess. And yet,
there is a method to Black's madness.
The position is only slightly better for
White, who must be careful of Black's
counterplay which can spring to life
at any moment. I can't help but think,
however, that Black's position would
be better if the knight on a8 had been
sent to the kingside earlier on.
17.b3 tl:\f6
The thematic pawn push 17 . . . e4
is likely better here. By displacing
White's knight and vacating the eS
square (which may become a valuable
outpost), this pawn push gains a tempo
and achieves more than one strategic
goal with a single move.
Weakening several key light squares
on the kingside.
19.tl:\e4 @h8 2 0 . tl:\g5 .ig4 21.f3
tileS 2 2 . tl:\xh7 @xh7 23.fxg4 fxg3
24.%Yd3 + 1-0
C. Garcia Palermo
M. Quinteros
-
Rio Hondo 1987
1.d4 g6 2 . e4 .tg7 3.c4 c5 4.d5
e5 5.tl:\c3 d6 6.g3 tl:\f6
Reaching the Czech Benoni via an
unusual transposition.
7 .tg2 0-0 8 . tl:\ge2 tl:\h5 ! ?
•
The modern move, here played by
GM Quinteros in 1987.
9.f4? !
 The Yukhtman Variation ( ... g6 and ...i.g7)
The most aggressive continuation.
This sharp-looking move, though, risks
losing control of the key e5 point.
9 . . . exf4 lO.tDxf4 tDxf4 ll.i.xf4
�e7
12 .Ylrd2 tDd7 13.0-0 tDe5 14.b3
i.d7 15.h3 h5 ! ?
Refusing to concede any kingside
space.
16.a4 b6 17.i.g5 f6 18 .i.h6 a6
19.i.xg7 �xg7 2 0 . gf2 gf7 21.tDe2
A. Maximov
h4
Now if White plays g3-g4, then
Black can respond with . . .g6-g5 and
with the kingside locked up, Black
will play for . . . b6-b5 and queenside
counterplay.
22.gxh4 ghs 23.a5 bxa5
24.gxa5 i.c8
S i m p l e ch e s s . Now to win the
a-pawn White will have to exchange
his knight for Black's bishop, leaving
him with the much weaker minor piece.
25.tDf4 �4 2 6 . tD e6+ he6
27.dxe6 �xe6 2 8 . gxa6 gd7 29.
�d5
There is no salvation in the endgame
that follows after the queen exchange.
29 . . . �xd5 30.cxd5 ghs 31.gb6
gas 3 2 .-tfl ga1 33. �g2 gb1 34.gc2
f5 35.exf5 gxf5 36.i.e2 tDg6 37.
�g3 f4+ 38.�f2 tDe5
Black's knight and pawn dominate
White's king and bishop !
39.i.g4 gds 40 .i.e6 �f6 41.i.g4
�g5 42.ge2 tDxg4+ 43.hxg4 gbl
0-1
Z. Igriashvili
-
Moscow 2001
l.d4 tDf6 2 . c4 c 5 3.d5 e 5 4.tDc3
d6 5.e4 g6 6 .g3 i.g7 7.i.g2 0-0 8.
tDge2 tDa6 9 . 0-0 tDc7 10.f4 exf4
ll. tDxf4? !
More to the point is ll.gxf4, as now
Black wins control of e5.
ll . • . tDg4 ! 12 .Ylre2? !
Better i s 12 .4Jd3, when White fights
for e5 and prevents Black from gaining
a dangerous grip on the center as in
the game.
12 i.d4+ 13. �hl tDe5 14.h3 b6
15. tDb5? !
• • •
Another dubious move, as now White
will have trouble on the fl-a6 diagonal.
87
 Chapter S
15 . . . �xb5 16.cxb5 a6
17,gd1 axb5 18 .Ybb5 i.a6 19.
ti'b3 g5
Winning material. If 2 0 . lt:lh5, then
2 0 . . . i.e2 ! .
Eliminating one of Black's strong
minor pieces, but soon Black's rooks
will come into play.
20 . . .cxd4 2 1 . �h5 f5 2 2 . exf5
gxf5 23.g4 gf2 24. Y;Vb4 gcs 25.
.ld2 l!! c 2
Black's advantage is overwhelming
and he finds a nice continuation to put
a quick end to White's suffering.
26.l!! d 1 i.e2 27,gc1 gxc1 + 2 8 .
hcl .if3
88
The final blow. After 29 .i.xf3 lt:lxf3 a
classic mate will occur. We also notice
that Black won this game without
moving his queen!
0-1
G. Grigorov - D. Dinev
6th Kesarovski Georgiev Memorial,
Sunny Beach 2007
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 g6 6 .g3 .lg7 7 . .ig2 0-0
8 . �ge2 �e8 9 . 0-0 f5 ! ?
Black goes for an early . . . f7-f5 break,
though the more conservative 9 . . . lt:lbd7
or 9 . . . a6 are likely better.
10 .le3 �d7 11.�d2 �ef6 12.f3
a6 13.a3 gbs 14.b4 b5
•
15.cxb5 axb5 16.a4 fxe4 17.
fxe4 �g4 18.�xb5 �xe3 19.�xe3
 The Yukhtman Variation ( ... g6 and ...i.g7)
\!!Yb 6 20 .bxc5 c!L!xc5 21.c!Llec3 l3xfl+
2 2 . 13xfl .ia6 23 .ih3 c!L!xa4 24.
�xb6 l3xb6 25.13al c!L!xc3 26.c!Llxc3
•
.ih6 27.i.fl ie3 + 2 8 . �g2 i.xfl+
29. �xfl i.d4 30.13bl l3a6 3 1.13b 8 +
�g7 3 2 . 13b7+ �f6 33. c!Llb5 h 5 34.
h4 l3al+ 35.�e2
Black can draw by repetition with
35 . . . !'ia2 + 36. �d3 Eib2 37. �c4 !'ic2 +
38.'it>d3 Eib2 39. 'it>c4 !'ic2 + , etc.
35 . . . J.c5?
Black misses his chance for the
repetition and now is d o o m e d to
struggle in an ending with a worse
position.
36. c!Llc7 l3a2 + 37.�d3
38.�c2
38 . . . 'it>e7
Black must jettison the exchange in
order to avoid the threat of 39.lt:Je8 # .
White wraps things u p neatly .
3 9 . c!Llb5+ �f6 40.c!Llxa3 .ixa3
41.�d3 ic5 42.�e2 g5 43.hxg5 +
�xg5 44.�f3 .ia3 45. 13£7 'it>g6
46.13f5 .ic1 47.13f8 .ig5 48.13e8 1-0
G. Forintos - A. Rosch
Germany 1995
l.c4 c!Llf6 2.g3 g6 3 .ig2 J.g7
4.c!Llc3 0-0 5.d4 c5 6 . d5 e5 7.e4 d6
•
8 . c!Llge2 �h8 9 .ig5 h6 10.J.d2 a6
11.0-0 c!Llg8 12 .le3
•
White m a n euvers a g a i n s t t h e
coming . . . f7-f5 break.
12 . . . c!Lld7 13.�d2 c!L!df6 14.f3
c!Llh7
l3a3 +
Black has formed a peculiar-looking
group of men on the kingside !
15.�hl .id7 16.a4 Yfe7? !
As usual, we prefer . . . b7-b6 to
prevent White from playing a4-a5. This
game illustrates the danger that comes
with allowing White to penetrate on
the queenside.
89
 Chapter S

17.a5 f5 18.B:ae1 c!Llhf6 19.exf5 46 . . . .ic8 47.c!Llxf5 .ixf5 48.B:b1

gxf5 20.c!Lld1 B:ae8 2 1.b4! h5 49.B:b7+ 'at>h6 50.B:f7 1-0

White adventurously tries for a

queenside breakthrough. C. Natsidis - P. Szablowski
Budapest 2011
21 ... cxb4 22 .Ybb4 .!c8 23.
c!Llec3 c!Lld7 24.c!Lla4 B:f6 25 .ic1 B:g6
•
1.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
26.f4 e4 27.c!Lle3 d6 5.e4 c!Llbd7 6.g3 g6 7 .ig2 .ig7
•

8.c!Llge2 0-0 9.0-0 a6 10.h3 c!Llh5

Stopping Black's expansion. White n.lt>h2 f5 12.f4
has greater flexibility to carry out his
plans than does Black.

27 . . . c!Llc5 28.c!Llxc5 dxc5 29.VHd2

.i.d4 30.c!Llc2 .i.f6 31 .i.a3 VHc7 32.
•

B:d1 .i.e7 33 .i.b2 + lt>h7 34.c!Lle3 .id6

•

35 .ih3
•

Black is being driven deeper into

defensive mode.

35 ... c!Lle7 36 .!c3 B:eg8 37.VHe2

•

B:f8 38.B:b1 VHd7 39.VHh5 VHa4?
Black wanders into the enemy camp
with a lone queen!
The most dynamic idea in this
position - meeting ... f7-f5 with f2-f4 !
But Black soon equalizes easily.
12 . . . exf4 13.c!Llxf4 c!Llxf4 14 .ixf4
•

40.B:fcl VHa2 41.B:b2 VHa3 42. c!Lle5 15.VHe2 J.d7 16.exf5 .ixf5 17.
VHd1 B:fg8 43.B:b3 VHa4 c!Lle4 .be4 18.he4 b5 !

Of c o u rs e ! B l a ck n o w gets a n
advantage o n the queenside.

19.b3 bxc4 2 0.bxc4 VHa5 21.

VHc2 B:ab8 22.B:ab1 VHa3 23.B:fc1
B:b4 24.B:xb4 Wxb4 25.VHe2 VHa4
26.Wc2

There is no salvation for White in

the endgame.

44 .hf5 c!Llxf5 45.B:xb7+ hb7

• 26 ... VHxc2+ 27.B:xc2 B:b8 28.
46.VHxa4 lt>g2 B:b4 29 .be5 .be5 30 .tf3 aS !
• •

Now Bl ack can't capture on e3 The p awn begins its inexorable

because of VHd7+ . march to promotion !

90
 The Yukhtman Variation ( ... g6 and ... .ig7)
31.g4 a4 32.�f2 a3 33.J.dl B:bl
34.B:d2 B:cl 35.Ab3 B:c3 36.h4
B:xb3 37.axb3 .ib2 38.b4 a2
39.B:dl cxb4 0-1
E. Gleizerov - M. Haddouche
Marrakesh 2 010
l.d4 c5 2.d5 e5 3.c4 d6 4.�c3
�f6 5.g3 g6 6 .ig2 Ag7 7.e4 0-0
•
8.�ge2 �a6 9.0-0 �c7 10.a4
�a6? !
Jumping back and forth . Black's
strategy seems inferior to the plari of
leaving the queen's knight on a6 and
bringing the king's knight to c7; how­
ever, it's unclear how White can pun­
ish Black for this seemingly egregious
waste of time.
ll.f4 ? !
This looks premature . Perhaps
White should prepare this move with
.ie3, h2-h3, etc.
ll • • • exf4 12.gxf4 �b4 13.�hl
�g4!
Now White will lose some time ,
a s he i s forced t o repel the annoying
knight from its post on g4.
14.h3 '1Wh4 15.�gl �h6 16.f5 ! ?
This move initiates a series of
exch a n g e s l e a d i n g to a l evel but
complex middlegame with chances
for both sides.
16 gxf5 17.Af4 fxe4 18.�xe4
. • •
hh3 19.hh3 Wxh3 20.B:a3 Wh5
21.�xd6 �g4 2 2.Ag3 �e5 23.B:e3
f5 ! ?
With the idea o f perpetual check
after 2 4 . .ixe5 .ixeS 2 5 J �xe5 � g 6 +
26.�h1 '1Wh6 27.�g1 Wg6+ , etc. Note
that 26 . . . �xd6 loses to 27.B:e6 �d7
28.�e1 ! .
24.�xb7 �g4 25.B:ef3 B:ae8
26.�f4 1Yh6 27.�e6 B:xe6 28.dxe6
Ad4+ 29.�g2 Wxe6 30.B:el �c6
31.�a5 �aS 32.1Yd2??
Either 3 2 . �h3 or 32 .�e2 is called
for, as now Black gets an overwhelming
attack with 32 .. .f4 ! .
32 • • • f4
33 . .txf4 �c2?
In a complex position, Black misses
the crushing 33 . . . lt::l e 5 ! .
34.1Yxc2 B:xf4 35. �d3?
Better is 35.'1Wb3, when Black's cute
knight move isn't a s convincing.
91
 Chapter S
35 .lilf2 ! 36.ti'b3 gg4+ 37.<;f{fl
•.
�e4 38.gxe4 gg1+ 39.<;!{e2 �xe4+
40.<;!{d2 gg2 + 41.<;!{d1 �e2 + 42.
<;!{c1 ti'e1+ 43.�d1 i.xb2+ 0-1
Z. Gyimesi - P. Shkapenko
Warsaw 2006
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 g6 6.g3 �g7 7.�g2 0-0 8.
�ge2 �h5 9.0-0 f5 10.f4
We see the critical type of position
with multiple possible pawn captures.
10 fxe4 11.�xe4 .if5 12.�g5 ! ?
.•.
An interesting try.
12 ... exf4 13.�e6 i.xe6 14.dxe6
�c6 15.i.xf4 �xf4 16.�xf4 �e7
17.<;!{h1
92
White is clearly better and Black
struggles to hold on.
17 .ie5 18.ti'g4 ti'c7 19.�d5
. • .
�xd5 20.hd5 ti'e7 2UU'7 :Sxf7
22.exf7+ <;!{g7 23.:Se1 gbs
Black has stopped the pawn and
now finds some play, though White
still maintains an advantage.
24.<;!{g2 b5 25.cxb5 gxb5 26.
�c8 gxb2+ 27.<;!{h3 ti'f8 28.ti'e8
gbs
A blunder in light of the wi n ­
ning exchange sacrifice on eS a s i n
the game. The only defense is 2 8 . . .
Ei:b6 ! . This move holds the position
together nicely, as now the sacrifice
fails after 2 9 . Ei:xe5 dxeS 3 0 . �xe5 +
Ei:f6 . This interposition was the idea
behind . . . Ei:b6, and now it is Black
who has an edge given that he has
rendered moot any threats from the
p a s s e d p awn by placing the rook
behind it.
29.:Sxe5 dxe5 30.�xe5+ <;!{h6
31.g4 ti'c8 32 .ie6 �d8 33.f8.i+
•
1-0
Chapter 6
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

White Plays � ge2

�is is a subtle waiting move. If Black now castles, White can transpose to the
� fianchetto variation with g2 -g3 or play an immediate f2-f4. White can also
play h2-h3, intending g2-g4 and tt:Jg3 and gaining space on the kingside. Another
try for White would be tt:Jg3 looking at the fS square and with the plan of pushing
the h-pawn to hS, an idea which is sometimes seen in the Modern Benoni as well.

Better than castling, Black should attempt to thwart White's plans by play­
ing an immediate . . . h7-h5 - stopping White's tt:Jg3 as Black's . . . h5-h4 would be
strong - followed by an eventual . � .tt:Jh5. Other moves for Black are . . . a7-a6 or
. . . tt:Ja6-c7, either way with the goal of achieving . . . b7-b5. Black may also try the
waiting move . . . tt:Jbd7, which is slightly more conservative.

V. Pedersen - I. Miladinovic positions Black will play . . . g7-g6 to take

Kavala 2 0 0 2 control of the hS and fS squares, so that
the knight cannot land there and start
l.d4 tt:Jf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tt:Jc3 harassing him.
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.tl:lge2
6 • • • tt:Jbd7 7.tt:Jg3 a6

Better now is 7 . . . g6 so as to prevent

the knight from coming into fS right
away.

8.h4

This aggressive pawn push is part

With this move, White maintains
the option of later playing g2-g3 or of
bringing his knight to g3. This chapter
will focus on games of the latter variety,
where White puts his knight on g3
and then pressures Black's kingside
by pushing the h-pawn. Often in these
of White's plan, but here White should
have plopped the knight on fS at once,
when already Black would have to play
either the awkward 8 . . .i.f8 or 8 . . . 0-0
and White would have a clear edge.
8 . . . h5 9.tt:Jf5 J.f8 10.g3 g6
n.tt:Je3 J.g7 12.J.d3 o-o 13.J.d2
gbs

93
 Chapter 6
The f7 / g 6 / h 5 p awn chain h a s
proved a n effective answer t o White's
o p e n i n g machinations . Black has
managed to solve his problems in the
opening and is now prepared to play
. . . b7-b5.
14.Y«e2 b5 ! ?
Black sacrifices a pawn for piece
activity and queenside counterplay.
Objectively, it's debatable whether this
sacrifice is sound. However, from a
practical standpoint it frees up squares
for Black's pieces in an otherwise
cramped position.
15.cxb5 axb5 16.hb5 r!Db6 17.
f3 r!Da8 18.b3 r!Dc7 19 .id3 ttlh7 •
2 0.g4
Perhaps a better plan for White
would be to play tt:lc4 with the idea of
placing the d6-pawn under pressure,
which Black would have to defend
awkwardly. This plan of pushing Black
into passive defense of the weakness at
d6 may be the way for White to prove
the inaccuracy of the pawn sacrifice
on move 14.
20 • • • r!Df6 21.l':!h2 .id7 22.<i!.>f1
l':!b4
This gives Black the option of put­
ting his rook on the incredible outpost
94
d4, where he might even consider
allowing it to be captured by a minor
piece in exchange for the protected
passed pawn that would take its place
on that square , further hindering
White's piece coordination and acting
as an insurance policy in any ending.
23 .ic4
•
White has no interest in having the
rook come to d4.
23 hxg4 24.fxg4 J.h6 25.g5
• • •
r!Dh5 26.<i!.>gt .ig7
Black has the opportunity to play
26 . . . tt:lf4 when the compensation for
his pawn in the form of piece activity
would have begun to take shape.
27.r!Dg4 gbs 28.l':!f2 .!Des 29.
<i!.>h2 r!Df4 30.Vf3
Obviously not 30.hf4 exf4 3l.l':!xf4
.ieS ! .
30 • • • f6
The position has settled into a
complex balance where both sides
have many options and - with so many
pieces left on the board - plenty of
room for error. Hidden in the shad­
ows is the following perpetual check,
visible only to "computer eyes," and
 White Plays ll:\ge2

given as the first line by Houdin i :
3 l . .ixf4 exf4 3 2 -l:l:g l l'l:b7 3 3 . ll:\ h 6 +
@h7 34.e5 dxeS 3 5 . .id3 ll:\ d 6 36.gxf6
l'l:xf6 37.�h5 e4 38.l'l:xg6 l'l:xg6 39.ll:\f7+
l'l: h 6 4 0 . ll:\ x h 6 � e 8 4 1 . ll:\ f7 + @ g 8
42.ll:\h6+ @h7 43. ll:\f7+ @g8 44.ll:\h6+
@h7 4 5 . ll:\ f7 + , etc. Such humbling
variations underline why, in the age
of computer chess, the Czech Benoni
is an invaluable system. By closing the
game and keeping pieces on the board
through non-forcing openings, new
and unanalyzed positions can occur
in which objective truth is irrelevant
to the nitty-gritty decisions that must
be made in the heat of the moment
between two humans.
31.ll:\h6+
This is a mistake, as it invites Black
to attack.
White applies pressure to the weak
d6-pawn and threatens to penetrate
with his rook, but allows Black to
capture the pawn on e4 and defend the
one on d6 at a single stroke.
48 . . . c!L)xe4 49.:Bxg6??
White is chasing ghosts with this
sacrifice, as there is no mating attack
despite the menacing pawn on h6 and
his major-piece coordination. Black's
defensive resources suffice to fend off
the checks.
49 . . , g,xg6 50.�g4+ @h7 51.
�xe4+ g,h8 52.�xd6 :Bf2 + 53,g,g3
:B2f5 54.:Bg6 �dl 55.@h2 We2 +
56.�g2 :Bh5+ 57.@g3 �xe3+ 58.
g,g4 :Bhf5 0-1
J. Gonzalez Garcia -

31 . . . @h7 32.�g3 fxg5 33.hxg5 X. Vila Gilzquez

.bh6? Barcelona 2009

33 . . . ll:\h5 wins, as in the following

l.d4 c!L)f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!L)c3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.c!L)ge2 c!L)bd7 7.c!L)g3
line: 33 . . . ll:\h5 34.�e3 l'l:f4 35.l'l:g2 l'l:h4+
h5 8 .ie2 g6 9.c!L)fl h4
36.@gl ll:\f4 37 . .ie2 l'l:h3 38.l'l:g3 .ixh6
•

39.gxh6 l'l:xh6 40 . .if3 �h4.

34.gxh6 ll:\f6 35 .ie2 c!L)xe2 36.

•

�xe2 c!L)g4+ 37.@g2 c4 38.c!L)dl tlli 6

The position is level again. Black

looks to double h i s rooks o n the
f-file and make the most of his well
coordinated pieces. However, White
still has plenty of defenders around his
king and there is no danger yet.
This pawn push is another effective
39.�cl cxb3 40.axb3 �a6 41. idea against the ll:\ge2-g3 plan. Either
:Bc4 1:U7 42.c!L)f2 c!L)f6 43.c!L)h3 .ixh3+ White has to spend a move with h2-h3
44.�xh3 :Bbf8 45, g,h2 �a1 46.:Bg2 or the knight is forced to move again
�d1 47 .ie3 �xb3 48.:Bc6?
• to an awkward square on fl. Another

95
 Chapter 6
idea behind this early h-pawn thrust is
that by pushing the pawn to h4, the h5
square is also vacated for the f6-knight
to use.
10.c!Lie3 c!L\h5 ll . .!g4 a6 12.a3
c!L\g7
Better than this voluntary retreat
is supporting the knight on h5 with
12 . . . c!L\df6.
13.b4 b6
The weaknesses that Black created
on the kingside now give White an
advantage in the middlegame, as the
queenside is uncomplicated and the
center is locked.
14.�b1 0-0 15.bxc5 bxc5 16.Wc2
.!g5 17.0-0 f5 18.exf5 c!L\f6 19 .!h3
• 8
c!L\gh5
White's advantage has become clear
as Black's kingside collapses.
20.fxg6 hh3 21.gxh3 c!L\f4 22.
c!L\f5 c!L\6h5 23.�b7!
Whit e ' s rook p enetrates to the
seventh rank. Black's king is now the
target of an enveloping attack from
which there is no escape.
96
23 ti'c8 24.�t7 gxf7 25.gxt7+
•••
'tt>f8 26.'tt> h 1 c!L\g7 27. .!xf4 hf4
28.�g1 Wxf5 29.Wxf5 c!L\xf5 30.
gg8+ 'tt> xf7 31.�xa8 1-0
M. Lim - A. Hoffmann
New York 2 0 13
1.d4 c!L\f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!L\c3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.c!L\ge2 c!L\bd7
An excellent waiting move against
this system, as after 6 . . . 0-0 White gets
an attack with the simple 7.lt:Jg3 and
8.h4.
7.c!L\g3 g6 8 .!e2 •
Now 8 . .ih6 is a possible (and likely
better) try for White.
. . • h5! 9.0-0? !
White cannot play h2-h4 to stop the
pawn advance as he will simply lose
the pawn. However, he should keep
the fl square open in case he needs to
retreat the knight, instead of castling
into Black's early kingside attack.
9 • • • h4 1o.c!L\h1 c!L\h5 ! ? n.gb1
Preferable is ll . .ixh5. White cannot
allow this knight to e n croach o n
 White Plays tt:lge2
the kingside unimpeded, and if he
can trade off his bad bishop for this
potentially strong knight it would
likely give him an edge, or at the very
least take the sting out Black's kingside
offensive.
ll ... a6 12.a3 tt:lf4
Black now stands well. This monster
knight will terrorize the white camp for
the rest of the game.
13.b4 i.g5 14 . .1e3 b6 15.a4? !
My experience with this opening
leads me to the conclusion that this
queenside pawn configuration is bad
for White, and I have even had the
opportunity to punish some grand­
masters who tried such a setup.
15 . . . cxb4 16.gxb4 �c5 17.hc5
bxc5 18,gb3 .1d7 19.f3?
Clearly a bad move as now the light­
squared bishop is doomed to passivity
for the near future - but what else can
he do? I was actually waiting for this
move to appear on the board as now
Black has a straightforward attacking
plan with :
19 . . . h3? !
Post-mortem analysis showed that
Black gets a much stronger attack with
19 . . . �h6 ! , with the idea of bringing the
queen to g5 with an enveloping attack
on the helpless white king, as in the line
19 . . . �h6 2 0 .l!b7 �g5 21.l!f2 �h3 2 2 .g4
hxg3 23.hxg3 �c8 ! , when Black nets a
decisive amount of material.
20.g3 �g2 !
As we have said elsewhere, it is
common in the Czech Benoni for Black
to "fianchetto" his knight, but generally
this is not on the opponent's side of the
board ! Black's pieces have invaded and
threaten to get a dangerous grip on the
dark squares in White's camp.
2 1.�d3 .ie3+ 22.�f2 �g5 23.
l:Ubl .1d4 24,gb7??
Losing a piece to a simple tactic.
24 . . . �f4 25.�c2 hc3 26 .1dl •
.1d4 27,gc7 �h5 0-1
N. de T Checa - A. Hoffmann
New York 2 0 13
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.�ge2
I ' m not sure whether they got
the idea from a book, a computer,
97
 Chapter 6
a teacher, or personal inspiration ,
but two very young players tried this
move against me in the same week!
Nicolas de T Checa is a polite young
man with inquisitive eyes and his
calmness at the board belies the fact
that he is only 11 years old. As one of
the youngest masters in the history of
U.S. chess, he is a fierce competitor
and a contender in World Youth and
other junior events. Naturally, it goes
without saying that he has quite a bit
of experience for a player his age and
a bright future ahead of him in profes­
sional chess.
6 . ti:Jbd7 7.c!i:'lg3
••
Consistent. Of course, 7.g3 trans­
poses to the fianchetto variation.
7 . . . g6 ! ?
The idea behind this i s t o limit the
scope of the g3-knight.
8 .id3 h5 9.h3
• has been reached in which Black has
A sensible and surprisingly sophis­
ticated response. White keeps the f1
square open for his knight to retreat
to if necessary.
9 ... a6 10 .ie3 h4 1V�:'lge2 c!L\h5
• now safe for Black to castle here and
12.a3
98
If 12 .\Wd2, then Black can play 12 . . .
gS ! .
12 ... .ig5 13 .hg5
•
This move loses time; better is the
solid 13.\Wd2, when the position would
be level after 13 . . . .ixe3 14.\Wxe3 Wf6.
13 ...\WxgS 14,gg1
A sensible move, although perhaps
White could h ave castled into the
pressure and held the balance with
simple moves instead of the ambi­
tious plan of queenside castling. For
instance, after 14 . 0 - 0 lLl f4 1 5 . lLl xf4
exf4 1 6 . \Wd2 lLJ eS 17.'i!?h1 Wf6 1 8 . f3
!d7= the position is solid and White
may look to the queenside for play
while easily defending any kingside
aggression by Black.
14 . . . c!L\f4 15.c!L\xf4 exf4
A thematic Czech Benoni position
the eS square and the superior bishop.
16.Wd2 c!L\e5 17. 0-0-0 Wf6 18.f3
.id7 19.We2 0-0
With the kingside locked up, it's
he can play . . . g6-g5 later if necessary.
 White Plays lLlge2

Black's king soon will be tucked away

at g7 in a well fortified castle.
Black builds up for the . . . b7-b5
break.

21.Wfc2 Wfd8 22.b3 bS 23.lLlbl

gabS 24.ti:ld2 gc7 2S.Wfc3 gcb7
26 .ic2
•

White has defended everything, so

Black gears up to advance the a-pawn.

26 ••• b4!

1S.a3 �g7 16.b4 b6 17 .ia4 tLlhS •

This is our familiar knight maneuver

associated with the . . . h7-h5-h4 pawn
advance. From this square, the knight
eyes both g3 and f4 and, together with
the dark-squared bishop and the h4-
and eS-pawns, Black has a strong grip
on the dark squares in White's kingside.

18 . .ic6 ga7 19.Ylfa4

27.axb4 gxb4 28.�b2 aS
29.gal a4 30.�cl axb3 31.hb3
WigS 32.�c2?
White loses patience and blunders.
Perhaps White could castle here
with 19.0-0 and attain a solid kingside
after 19 . . . h3 2 0 .g3 Wff6 2 1 .Ylrd3 .th6
2 2 . lLl a4 Wfd8.

32 Wfxg2 33.ggl Wff2 34.gadl

• • •
19 gc7 20.hd7 gxd7 21.bxcS
• • •

gxb3 0-1 bxcS 22.gb1 Ylff6 23.h3 gdd8 24.

gb6
B. Salvermoser - S. Skembris
White penetrates on the queenside,
Bad Worishofen 2008
but B l a c k ' s k i n g s i d e p r e s s u re i s
l.d4 lLlf6 2.c4 c5 3.dS eS 4.ti:lc3 mounting.
d6 S.e4 .ie7 6.t!:lge2 lLlbd7 7.tilg3
g6 8 .ih6 a6 9 .td3 J.f8 10.J.e3 hS
• • 24 .tf4 2S.�fl WigS 26.Wfc2
• . •

ll.f3 h4 12.lLlge2 .ih6 13 .if2 .igS

• J.e3
14 .ic2 �f8
•

Black seeks to trade off White's

Black's creative play has led to an defender of the dark squares so as to
unstable equality. White's king will increase his control on this complex
struggle to find s afe shelter while of squares around the opposing king.

99
 Chapter 6
27.�d1 hf2 28.�xf2 f5 29.
�dc3 �g3 30,:gd1 :gbf8 31.�xg3
hxg3+ 32.�fl \Wh4? !
This seems dubious compared with
32 . . . \We3, when the position would be
level.
33.�g1 :gf6 34,gc6 :gdf8 35.
gc7+ g6f7 36,gxf7+ :gxf7 37,gb1
g5 38.exf5??
Inviting disaster. Better are the
harassing 38.:Bb8 or the calm 38.\Wd3
preparing to m e e t 3 8 . . . fxe4 with
39. tLlxe4.
38 . . . fl!fxc4
Black is now clearly better.
39.fl:Yd2 §'d4+
Forcing the exchange of the queens
and producing a protected passed
pawn on d4.
40.Y«xd4 exd4 41.�e2
41.tLle4 loses to 41.. . .txf5, with a pin
on the knight to the bl-rook.
41 . . . .hf5 42,gc1 �f6 43.�xg3
�e5 44.�xf5 :Bxf5 45.�f2 �xd5
46.g4 ge5
100
Black has achieved a winning rook­
and-pawn ending.
47.f4 gxf4 48.h4 d3 49.h5 c4
50.h6 ge2 + 51.�£3 gb2 52.g5 d2
0-1
Y. Ayrapetyan L. Stark
-
Dos Hermanas Internet ICC 2009
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4. �c3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6. �ge2 �bd7 7.�g3
g6 8 .ie2 h5 9. 0-0 h4 10. �h1 �h5
•
We see Black employ the same piece
setup as in the previous game. Here,
though, White has had the chance to
castle and stows his knight on hl.
ll.g3
This move seems aimed at striking
the dark squares to avoid the kind of
stranglehold occurring that we saw in
the previous game. However, perhaps
a simpler solution would be to play
ll.i.xh5 :Bxh5 12 .f4.
ll ... �df6 12 . .ig5 .ih3 13,:ge1
hxg3 14.hxg3 Y«c8
Black could have achieved an edge
in a complex position with 14 . . . tLlxd5
15.\WxdS i.xg5 16.tLlb5 ie7 17.:Bedl tLlf6
18.fl!fxb7 0-0.
 White Plays ttJge2
Black misses the chance to play
the exquisite winning move 15 . . . ig2 !
16. <j;lxg2 1Mfh3 + ! , when the queen is im­
mune from capture because of 17. <j;Jxh3
tLlf4 # , and White cannot escape the
mate on h1 after 17.<j;lg1 tLlf4 ! . Mean­
while, Black recoups the piece with
ongoing pressure after 17.<j;Jf3 1Mfg4+
18.<j;Je3 1Mfxg5+ .
16.£3 .td7 17.<j;Jf2 tLlg7 18.l:'!gl
tLlg4+ !
18 . . . ttJxd5 is also possible.
19.fxg4 hg5 20.Yffl q;e7?
The simple 20 . . . ixg4 is much better
than the text move.
21.q;el �e8 22.�f2 �f6 23.l:'!hl
l:'!xhl 24. Yfxhl �xg4 25.�xg4 .ixg4
26.b4 .ixe2 27.q;xe2 b6 28.Yff3
cxb4 29.l:'!xb4 Wh3
Black's extra p awn ensures an
advantage in any ending, while his
control of the h-file also gives him
some attacking prospects against
White's king.
30.l:'!bl l:'!h8 3l.l:'!fl f6 32.<j;Jd3
Yfh2 33.�e2 q;d7 34.a4 <j;Jc7 35.
q;c3 Yfh5
Of course, Black's j ob would be
much easier with the ladies out of the
picture.
36.Wd3 Yfg4 37.c5?!
This dubious sacrifice gives Black
another clear pawn, though it offers
some real practical chances to compli­
cate matters as White emerges with a
protected passed pawn on d5.
37 dxc5 38.Yfa6 Yfc8??
•••
It's difficult to understand this
move, as the calm 38 . . . <j;Jb8 is clearly
superior.
39.Wb5?
White misses his chance to steal
the a7-pawn and capitalize on Black's
error.
39 • • • Wd7 40.Wa6 <j;Jb8
This time Black finds the correct
idea.
41.a5 Yfb7 42.Yfb5 a6
More accurate is the king move
42 . . . q;c7.
43.Yfxb6 Yfxb6 44.axb6 q;b7
45.l:'!bl l:!! d 8 46.q;c4 .te3 47.�c3 f5
48.l:'!fl f4 49.gxf4 exf4
101
 Chapter 6

A level ending has arisen in which

now White is suddenly the one pressing
and Black must have been wondering
where he went wrong.

50 . . . !%e8 is called for, applying pres­

sure to the e4-pawn and restraining
White's progress . The text move in­
vites disaster after the crushing check
analysis
!%h7+ .
For instance, if 6 5 . W d 6 ? , then
51.c!Lla4 g5 52.�h7+ c!>b8 53.
Black can draw! Check it out: 65 . . J'kl
�h8+ c!>b7 54.�h7+ c!>b8 55.e5 �g6
66.!%c7 !%bl 67.We7 !'1el+ 68.Wf7 !=1dl
56.�h8+ c!>b7 57.e6 fJ 58.e7 f2
69. We6 l'%el+ 70. Wd6 g4 71. !%g7 !'1cl
59.l3f8??
72 . We5 l'%el+ and White cannot make
progress.
Missing the mating attack in the
continuation 59.!'1b8+ Wxb8 60.e8�+
After 65. Wd4, Black's best chance
c!> b 7 6 l . � d 7 + W b 8 6 2 . � a 7 + W c 8
is 65 . . . g4 66.d6 ! (again, White must
63.�c7#.
play accurately as 66. We5? draws after
66 . . . !%g8 67.!%fl g3 68.d6 g2 69.!'1gl Wc8
59 �g8 60.e8�??
70.!'1cl+ c!>b7 71.d7 c!>xb6 72 .Wd6 !%g6+
•.•

7 3 . c!> e 7 !=1g7+ 74 . c!> d 6 !'1g6+ 75 . c!> e 7

Here the simple 60 .d6 is far supe­
!%g7+ and White cannot make progress)
rior to the text move.
66 . . . g3 67.!'1g7 g2 68.!'1xg2 c!>b7 69. c!>d5
!%h8 70J:!d2 !%d8 71.!'1d4 Wxb6 72 .!%b4+
60 fltf+ 61.l3xfl gxe8 62.�f7+
c!>a7, and White has achieved a winning
. • •

c!>b8 63.<!L!xc5 gcs??

position.

Allowing White to queen the b­

p awn : 6 4 . !% b 7 + WaS 6 5 . !% c 7 !% h 8
66.!%a7+ Wb8 67.ltlxa6+ Wc8 68 .b7+
c!>d7 69.b8�+ ha7 70.�xh8 and mate
to follow.
Black should have gone for the end­
ing after 63 . . .hc5 64.Wxc5 !%c8+, when
a study-like rook-and-pawn ending
is reached in which White wins with
accurate play, but can easily go wrong
and allow Black practical drawing
chances.
64.gc7 !%xc7 65.bxc7+ Wxc7
66.<!L!xa6+ c!>b6 67. <!L!b4 c!>a5 68.
<!L!d3 c!>a4 69.d6 c!>a3 70.d7 c!>a2
71.d8tf c!>bl 72.tfa5 .ic5 73.�b4+
c!>c2 74.tfb3+ c!>d2 75.tfb2+ 1-0
J. Colas - A. Hoffmann
New York 2010
l.d4 <!L!f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.<!L!c3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.<!L!ge2 <!L!bd7 7.<!L!g3
g6

102
 White Plays tt:\ge2
8.ie2 h5 9.f3 h4 10.�fl
Black has equalized in an unusual
manner by spending two of his first
10 moves pushing the h-pawn down
the board to dislodge the knight from
its abode on g3. With nowhere better
to go than fl, White's forces are oddly
misplaced and he will be forced to
spend time untangling them. However,
Black is also far from completing his
own development.
10 . . . �h5 ll.ie3
This is a bit of an inaccuracy, as
l l . tt:\ e3 is more natural. While the
bishop is posted well on the e3 square,
the knight on fl will likely need to be
redeployed someday and e3 is the best
place for it. Now, the bishop will first
have to vacate this real estate before
the knight can to take up residence, and
White will fall further behind in time.
ll ... .ig5 12.�b5 0-0?!
Black gambits the d6-pawn for fast
development. 12 . . . i.e7 retains the pawn
but loses time, while 12 . . . i.xe3 would
only help White to untangle his pieces
as the knight would recapture.
13.�xd6 �f4 14.ixf4 ixf4 15.
�xeS lhc8 16.g3 ih6 17.•d3 b5!
Black gambits another pawn in
order to liberate his pieces and attack!
18.�f2 bxc4 19 .•xc4 �b6
20. •c3 •gs 21. •e3
In an effort to ease the pressure
from the kingside attack, White under­
standably seeks to exchange queens.
However, after the solid 21. �g2 White
enjoys a stable advantage as Black's
attack is going nowhere.
2 1 . . ..h5 22.f4
This natural-looking move is inac­
curate, as it needlessly creates weak­
nesses in the king's position. Better is
simply putting the queen on b3, with
equality.
2 2 . . . hxg3+ 23.�g2
The only move that makes sense,
as after 23.tt:\xg3 the knight falls into a
pin with 23 . . . . Wfh4, and after 23.Wfxg3
the reply 23 . . . exf4 is also winning for
Black.
23 . . . exf4 24.ixb5 fxe3 25.if3
gxh2 26.lhh 2 if4 27,gb3 �c4
28.b3 �e5 29 . .ie2 c4 30.bxc4
�xc4 31 . .b:c4 gxc4 32.�f3 ges
103
 Chapter 6

Black emerges with a clear advan­

tage after the capture of the bishop, as
in the line 33. 'it>xf4 l:!cxe4+ 34. 'it>g3 e2
35.:1!el exfllLl + 36.:1!xfl l:!d4.

0-1

104
Chapter 7
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

White Attacks with h3 and g4

n this chapter, we review several games in which White plays for a quick king­
I side attack by thrusting his pawns forward with h2-h3 and g2-g4. This simple
plan contains plenty of venom, and a careful review of the following contests is
necessary to avoid getting wiped off the board quickly by a pawn storm. Other
than the system where White :fianchettoes his bishop, this may be the most test­
ing line for the Czech Benoni and accordingly you must be prepared to face it.
One common setup that we see attempted in this chapter, with mixed results,
is the kingside fianchettoed knight. From the games surveyed, it appears that
Black's best strategy is to retreat his f6-knight to e8 after castling in order to then
redeploy it to g7, or perhaps to c7 with the idea of then occupying the b4 outpost
via a6 after White has played the committal a2 -a4.

Black can thwart White's g2-g4 attack by not "castling into it." A good strat­
egy for Black is to delay castling and play . . . l!Jbd7-f8-g6, so that the knight can
jump into f4 once White plays g2-g4. Another good strategy for Black is to play
an early . . . h7-h5, stopping White's g2-g4 altogether. Sometimes these two plans
can be combined, as we will see.

J. Simon - A. Hoffmann following up with g2-g4, though the

Marshall Chess Club Swiss, main move is 7.l!Jge2.
05.05.2013
7 . . . h6
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.J.d3 �bd7 7.g4 ! ? Black responds with a waiting
move, while also stopping g4-g5.

8.h3 �f8 9 .J.e3 �g6 lO.�fJ

10. l!Jge2, followed by l!Jg3 looking

at l!Jf5, is more logical.

10 . . . a6 ll.Ylrd2 J.d7 12.a4

White must stop Black from playing

. . . b7-b5, but now it will be risky for
An unusual move i n this position. White to castle on either side as he has
Normal is to play h2-h3 first and then moved pawns on both flanks.

105
 Chapter 7

12 • • . b6 17 ••• gb8 18.o-o?

Consistent and correct. Another Safer is 18.'it>e2.

interesting idea here for Black is to play
the provocative 12 . . . lLlh7 with the idea 18 tLlh4! 19.J.e2 b5! 20.axb5
•••

of occupying gS. axb5 2 1.f4 exf4 22.J.xf4 %Ye7 23.

lLlg3

White has succeeded in activating

As mentioned, a thematic maneuver his pieces, but Black has gained control
to control the gS square. of the crucial eS square and enjoys
pressure along the b-file.

23 J.xf4 • • • 24.gxf4 bxc4 25.

Black follows through with the plan hc4 %Ye5
and stands slightly better due to his
piece activity on the kingside. All four
of Black's pieces are engaged in the
struggle, while White's d3-bishop is
doing the job of a pawn.

If instead 16.lLlf5, then 16 . . . .!xf5 .

Now on 17.exf5, Black replies 17 . . . lLlf4
with equality. Or if 17.gxf5, then 17 . . .
lLlh4 threatening t o invade o n f3 o r g2
with advantage.
2 6 J:1f2 is better, as now White's
16 • • • 0-0
queen is overworked.
Black misses the opportunity to
26 gxb2 27.%Yxb2 �xf4 28.
disrupt White's plan with the same
•••

ide a : 16 . . . lLlh4 ! , when the g7-pawn
is tactically defended by the fork on
f3 , as in the line 16 . . . lLlh4 17.lLlxg7+
'it>f8 , when White cannot both save
his knight and guard against the fork,
while the continuation ( 1 6 . . . lLlh4)
17.�e2 lLlg2 + 18.'it>d1 g6 19 .hg5 �xgS
leaves Black with a clear positional
advantage.
%Yf2 We5
White's position is untenable due
to the bad bishop, Black's protected
p a s s e d p awn, Whit e ' s weak dark
squares, and Black's control of the open
a- or b-files.
29.gc2 gb8 30.'it>h2 gb1 31.ga2
g6

17.ga3 Black secures everything.

White tries to activate his rook 32.ga7 J.e8 33 . .ie2 'it>g7 34.ga3
along the third rank. gb2

106
 White Attacks with h3 and g4
Decisive . Both of White's minor
pieces are pinned.
35.Yfe3?
Losing quickly; best is 35.ct!igl at­
tempting to untangle from the pins.
However, even then Black can simply
push the c-pawn forward with an over­
whelming advantage.
35 .tb5 36.'i!?g1 .ixe2 37.�xe2
• • •
:Bb1 + 38.�c1 Yfd4
Winning a piece. If 39.W/xd4 + , then
39 . . . cxd4 and White's knight is lost.
0-1
C. Vernay - S. Siebrecht
Naujac-sur-Mer 2008
1.d4 �f6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 .te7 6.h3 0-0? !
Dubious. Preferable is the maneuver
. . . lt:Jbd7-f8-g6 as in the previous game.
7.g4 �e8 8 ..1d3 .lg5
This succeeds in trading off the bad
bishop but loses a tempo.
9.hg5 W/xg5 10.�fJ Ylre7 11.
'flrd2 �a6 12.0-0-0 �ac7 13.�e1 a6
14.f4
White has more space and Black's
. . . b7-b5 plan is not dangerous here.
Still, the position is roughly level thanks
to the harmony of Black's deployment.
14 b5 15.�fJ .td7
• • .
This is slightly inaccurate; more
care was needed to secure the cen­
ter, such as with 15 .. .f6 or the more
straightforward 15 . . . bxc4 first.
16.'flrb2
Forcing Black to either take on f4
or play 16 . . .f6.
16 f6 17.b3 :Bb8 18.f5 aS 19.
..•
h4 a4 20.bxa4 bxa4 21.g5
White's kingside attack is faster
than Black's queenside play, however
the evaluation is still roughly equal in
view of Black's defensive resources.
2 1 ... �a6 22.:Bdg1 'flrd8?!
The correct idea here is 2 2 ... a3 !
intending to invade on b2.
23.h5 Ylra5 24.Ylrd2 a3 25.�d1
A logical continuation, as it guards
all squares and stymies Black's attack.
H owever, the computer-like 2 5 .h6 !
is winning, as in the line 25.h6 :Bb2
107
 Chapter 7

26.hxg7 fud2 27.gxf8�+ lt>xf8 28.\t>xd2 C. Vernay - A. Wohl

�b6 29J"!bl t2Jb4 30 J"!xh7 when White
has a clearly decisive advantage.
25 Vbd2 + 26.1i>xd2 .ia4 27.
•••
t2Jc3 :Sb2 +
Black has successfully penetrated
on the queenside.
28.1t>e3 .tc2 29.hc2
30.:Scl �cl 31.l3:xcl fxg5?
Naujac-sur-Mer 2008
l.d4 tilf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tilc3
d6 5.e4 ie7 6.h3 0-0 7.g4 tileS
This retreat serves two purposes.
First, it allows Black to quickly ex­
change his dark-squared bishop on
gS. Secondly, it prepares to bring the
�c2 knight to c7 where it will support the
. . . b7-b5 pawn break.

Letting White's knight into the 8 .id3 ig5 9.hg5 �xg5 lO.til£3
game. 31.. .t2Jb4 is a better try. �d8

32.t2Jxg5 t2Jf6 33.lLie6 :Sb8 34.

h6

A tactic forcing Black to put his

knight on the rim.

34 t2Jg4+ 35.\t>£3 t2Jxh6 36.:Sgl

• • •

:Sb7 37.tilb5 l3:d7 38.tilxa3 tilb4

39.tilb5 tilxa2

Black's knights are on ineffective This retreat, which leaves all of

s q u a r e s wh i l e Whi t e ' s a r e w e l l Black's pieces on the back rank, is an
centralized. alternative to 10 .. .'�e7.

40.E:al tilb4 41.l3:a8+ lt>t7 ll.�d2 tild7 12.g5 ! ?

42.tilf8 1-0
White presses the kingside plan of
using the pawns to pry open the king's
abode, but Black has plenty of time to
respond in kind on the opposite wing.

12 ••• a6 13.h4 l3:b8 14.h5 tilc7

Now Black is ready to strike at the

center with . . . b7-bS.

42 .. J'l:e7 43.t2Jxd6+ li>f6 44.t2Jxh7 White hurries with his kingside

is mate. attack. Playing 15.a4 first with the idea

108
 White Attacks with h3 and g4

of trying to restrain Black's . . . b7-b5 22.�e2

break is perhaps more accurate.
On 2 2 . hxg7, Black can play 2 2 . . .
15 b5
• • . .txf5 with a good attack ; whereas
2 V ! Jxg7 is answered by 2 2 . . . 'Llf4 when
the rook is immune from capture
because of the mate threat on g2.

2 2 hf5 23.exf5 �f4! 24.�xf4

..•

�g5+ 25.�h2 exf4 26.gadl

26.ggl 'f9xh6+ 27.�g2 f3+ and the

queen drops.

26 .'�h4+ 0-1
•.

16.b3 bxc4 17.bxc4 ges

K. Thorsteins - H. 6Iafsson
Vacating the f8 square fo r the Reykjavik 1988
knight.
l.d4 �f6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 Ae7 6.h3 0-0 7.g4 �bd7
18.�f5 �f8 19.0-0
H ere we see Black pursue a dif­
The king is probably safer in the
ferent piece arrangement than in the
center under the ready-made pawn
previous games. Black's plan is to play
cover than castling into an attack.
. . . g7-g6 at some point and "fianchetto"
his knight in order to hold off the king­
19 f6 20.h6 �g6 21.gxf6
• . •
side onslaught.

If instead 21. 'Llxg7, Black can simply 8.Ad3 a6 9.a4 �h8 10.�f3 b6
play 2 l . . J:l:f8 followed by . . . 'Llf4 with a ll.Ae3 �e8
healthy attack.

2 1 'fbf6
•••

Black has played . . . �h8 to make

room on g8 for the queen's knight,

109
 Chapter 7
though it is uncl e a r whether this
plan, which requires some odd piece
placement, offers any benefits over
simply playing . . . h7-h6 to blunt the
attack.
12.h4 �df6 13.�h2 �g8 14.g5
g6 15.�fl h5? !
Inviting disaster by allowing White
to open avenues of attack against the
king. Perhaps a better idea would be to
simply play 15 . . . 1!fg7, or even 15 .. J:1b8
to prepare the . . . b7-b5 breakthrough.
16.gxh6 �h7 17.�h2 hh4
17 . . . liJxh6 is a superior capture,
as the h6-pawn hinders the king's
mobility.
18.ti'd2 .tf6 19.0-0-0
White castles queenside to bring
his other rook into the attack. Black's
king is a sitting duck and his forces
watch helplessly as White weaves a
mating net.
White should be looking to crack
the kingside open with 21.f4 ! . This pas­
sive move allows for Black to achieve
some queenside play with 2 1 . . .b5.
110
2 1 . . . ti'e8
Black misses his opportunity and
hands the initiative back to White.
2 2.J.g5?
Much better is the forcing 2 2 .ltJg5+,
as now Black once again has time to
make a break on the queenside.
2 2 ... b5 23 . .txf6 �xf6 24.�g5+
l!fh8
While the task isn't easy, Black's
position is now defensible and it would
appear that White has missed his
chances to strike with f2-f4 and ltJgS
at the appropriate times. Black can
continue to cause some consternation
on the queenside of the board now
that his kingside is starting to look
more solid.
25.f4 �h5
The tour that this knight undertakes
uses up too much time and invites
White to improve his pieces. Better
is the patient buildup for a queenside
breakthrough with moves like .. J:1b8
or . . . :!k8.
26.f5 �f4 27.�e2 �xd3+ 28.
ti'xd3 bxc4 ??
 White Attacks with h3 and g4
Black no longer has the time for
this. His best hope is in the line 28 . . .
W!e7 29 .Wig3 i.e8 30.4Jxf7 W!xf7 31.fxg6
W!xg6 3 2 . Wixg6 i.xg6 33 J;:!:xg6 tt:l e 8 ,
when White has a winning ending but
Black can still make the task difficult.
In the space ofjust a few moves, the
position has gone from roughly level to
completely hopeless for Black.
29 ••• �e7
Black allows a quick, sacrificial fin­
ish, though he is also lost in any case
after 29 .. J'!g8, though not as quickly.
30.tl:lxf7+ ! :Sxf7 31.fxg6 1-0
E. Degtiarev - T. Heinrich
Oberliga 2012
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
d6 5.e4 i.e7 6.h3 c!Llbd7 7.g4 h5 ! ?
Here Black tries for a direct refu­
tation of White's plan by striking out
with . . . h7-hS ! . This plan invites a quick
resolution to the kingside tension, as
White must choose between an unfa­
vorable exchange or pushing the pawn
forward and closing off any possibility
of opening a file for attack.
8.g5 c!Llh7 9.h4
If 9.g6, then simply 9 . . . fxg6 10 .Wif3
i.h4 11.Wig2 tt:lgS and Black has an extra
pawn in a strange position.
9 • • • g6
And now we see the idea behind
Black's move 7. While his pieces are
somewhat cramped, there is no risk of
quick kingside onslaughts such as we
have seen in the other games. The stage
is now set for a slow struggle where the
kingside pawns are fixed.
10.J.e2 a6 ll.a4 0-0 12.J.e3 :Sb8
13.c!Llh3 c!>h8 14.hb5? !
This shot had been available for
several moves, but now White decides
to pull the trigger. Black did nothing to
put a stop to this tantalizing sacrifice
and now stands prepared to defend for
several moves and hold onto the extra
material.
14 gxh5 15.�xh5 �e8 16.0-0-0
•.•
:Sg8 17.f4 exf4 18 .txf4 c!Lldf6!
•
T h e knight cannot be captured,
as after 19.gxf6 J.g4 White is forced
to bail out and give up the queen for
three pieces. Normally that would be
quite good, but here White is already
down a piece and his only hope is to
keep attacking.
111
 Chapter 7
19.'e'e2 .ig4 2 0.We3 c!Llh5 21.
l3dg1 .bh3 22.l3xh3 f6 23.e5 c!Llxf4
24.'e'xf4 fxe5 25.Wf5 'e'g6
Black has masterfully weathered
the storm, and now with the exchange
of queens the rest is anticlimactic.
26.'e'xg6 l3xg6 27.c!Lle4 l3f8 28.
l3b3?
It's hard to blame White for activat­
ing his rook by hitting the weakness on
the b-file, but this continuation loses
quickly. Better is 2 8 J:(g4, hoping to
hold the position by building a fortress
and preventing the black rook from
penetrating on the f-file.
28 ... l3f4
Black has taken complete control
of the kingside. Any drawing chances
112
White may have had will fall with the
h- and g-pawns.
29.l3e1 l3xh4 30.l3xb7 c!Llxg5
31.c!Llxg5 hg5+ 32.c;!?b1 a5 33.l3g1
l3xc4 34.l3b8+ c;!?g7 35.l3b7+ c;!?f6
36.l3d7 <;!?{5 37.b3 l3d4 0-1
G. Miralles - D. Pira
Montpellier 1988
1.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.h3 c!Llbd7 7.g4 c!Llf8
8.c!Llge2 c!Llg6
Black tries for a familiar setup
by bringing his knight around to the
kingside via d7-f8-g6. From here, the
knight can help to blunt the attack and
potentially harass White by popping
into the sensitive f4 square if Black
manages to trade off the dark-squared
bishops. In some lines it may also be
good to play . . . tt:lf4 allowing the bishop
to capture the knight, as after . . . exf4
Black can gain control of and utilize
the valuable outpost on e5.
9.c!Llg3 0-0 10.g5? !
An odd choice. Rather than planting
a knight on f5, White decides to force
Black to play a move he was likely going
to play anyway.
 White Attacks with h3 and g4
10 . . . �d7 ll.h4 �f4
And here we see the idea given
above. If now the bishop were to re­
move the knight, Black would achieve
a very pleasant position for the price
of a single pawn, as in the line 12.i.xf4
exf4 13.lLlh5 f3 14.�xf3 �e5. Natu­
rally, White is not obligated to take the
knight and give Black this kind of fun,
but in that case the knight is allowed to
occupy f4 until further notice.
12.�h5 f6 ! ?
The simple retreat 12 . . . �g6 i s also
good here, though the text move is
unquestionably more dynamic.
13 . .bf4 exf4 14.�xf4 �e5
15.g6 �xg6?!
This move is inconsistent with the
ideas in the position. Black has a more
pleasant time of it after the solid 15 . . .
h6, when the light-squared bishop
could guard the sensitive e6 square
and the strong knight on e5 would be
preserved for future operations. By
giving this knight away and allowing
White to open the h-file, White now
has a strategically much easier posi­
tion to play while Black will struggle
to maintain the equilibrium.
16.�xg6 hxg6 17.h5 g5 18.Yl!fd3
White misses an opportunity with
18.h6, when suddenly Black's weak­
nesses on the light squares become
difficult to defend. For instance, 18 . . .
\WeB (to prevent \Wh5) 19.f4 f5 2 0 . e5
dxe5 2 l.fxe5 i.f6 2 2 .e6, and Black's
position, though defensible, is un­
pleasant.
18 . . . f5 19.0-0-0 .if6 20.exf5
.ie5
The bishop has managed to arrive
at e5, and now Black is once again
on solid ground and may even stand
slightly better as the f5-pawn cannot
be defended and the bishop pair will
pressure the white king.
21.�c2 .ixf5 22 . .id3
White seeks to exchange a pair of
bishops in order to relieve some of the
pressure on his king.
22 . . . �f6?!
This seems slightly dubious as now
White can escape into an ending. Better
was keeping the queens on the board
and pressing the attack, for instance
with 22 . . . i.xd3 23J�xd3 E:f4 24.lLld1 a6
25.h6 b5, when Black is clearly in the
driver's seat with a positional edge and
much more pressure on the queenside
than White can hope to muster on the
kingside.
23 . .ixf5 �xf5 24.Ybf5 gxf5
113
 Chapter 7
An endgame has been reached with
chances for both sides, though it seems
likely that Black's bishop will be able to
outclass White's knight in the long run
because of the strong central outposts
available to the bishop on eS and d4.
25.t0e4 �h7
A peculiar choice, as the more
natural 25 .. Jl:b8 preparing . . . b7-b5
practically suggests itself.
26.gdgl ges 27.�c2 �h6 28.
gg2 J.f4
With this move, Black firms up his
kingside weaknesses and gains yet
another useful square for the bishop.
However, it seems that the action may
still be on the queenside, and if Black
neglects to get on with the . . . b7-b5
idea he may fall into the quicksand of
simply responding to the paper tiger of
White's kingside pressure.
29.f3 a6 30.l::l e l l::lfe5 31.�dl b5
Better late than never.
32.b3 gbs 33.�c2 a5?
Inaccurate. Black stands better
after the logical 3 3 . . . bxc4 34 .bxc4
13b4 35.�d3 13f5 36.lt:Jg3 hg3 37.13xg3
114
�xhS. The text move allows White
to bail out with a draw after 34.cxb5
13xb5 3 5 . t0 xd6 ! 13xel 3 6 . lt:J xb5 13cl+
37.�d3 13dl+ 3 8 . �c4 13cl+ 3 9 . �d3
13dl+ 40. �c4 13cl+, etc.
34.l::lggl l::lf5 35.cxb5 l::lxb5
36.t0c3 l::lb4 37.l::l e 6+ gf6?!
This is unnecessary, as 37 ... �h7
protects the king without inviting
White's pieces into the fray or allowing
a passer to appear on the e-file.
38.t0e4 gxe6 39.dxe6 c4?
A decisive error. Black needed to
return to the seventh rank immediately
to babysit the passed pawn with 39 . . .
13b7, since now the pawn can create
problems when Black's pieces become
overloaded, as in the line (39 . . . c4?)
40.e7 13b8 41.13g4 cxb3 42.axb3 ih2
43.13xg5.
White misses the above idea, and
instead allows Black to almost equalize.
40 . . . cxb3+ 41.axb3 l::lb 8 42.
l::lxd6 �xh5 43.e7 l::l e 8 44.gd7 g4
45.fx:g4+ �xg4 46.t0c3 J.g5 47.
t0d5 �f5 48.l::l a 7 �g6 49.�d3 �t7
50.l::lxa5 he7 51.l::l a7 �f8 52 .b4 g5
 White Attacks with h3 and g4
53.b5 .lc5 54,gc7 .if2 55.b6 .ixb6
56.ltlxb6 ge7
This ending is a rather straight­
forward theoretical draw.
57.gc5 gg7 58.ltld5 g4 59.ltlf4
g3??
No doubt in time pressure, Black
misses an elementary tactic. 59 . . . l!:?e8
draws easily.
60.ltle6+ 1-0
0. Touzane - 0. Foisor
France 2007
l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ltlc3
d6 5.e4 .le7 6.h3 ltlbd7 7.g4 h6
8 .ld3 ltlh7 9.ltlf3 ltldf8
•
I n this g a m e , Bl ack adopts an
extremely interesting piece deploy-
ment early on with his knights on the
strange squares f8 and h7. This setup
appears to blunt any quick kingside
pawn storms seen in previous games
and entices White to overextend on
the queenside in search of attacking
chances.
10 ..ic2 a6 ll.a3 .id7 12 .ia4 •
White seeks to exchange his bad
bishop for its black counterpart, while
also appearing to help thwart the . . .b7-
bS thrust.
12 . . . ltlg5 13.ltlh4 g6?
Black misses a tactic with 13 . . . b5 !
14.cxb5 axbS 15.i.xb5 i.xbS 16.lLlxb5
�aS + 17.lLlc3 lLlxe4, when Black not
only wins a pawn but maintains the
pressure.
14.b4 ha4
Here Black misses another opportu­
nity to take control with 14 . . . b5 ! , when
White's best chance is to retreat into
passivity with 15 . .ic2 �c8 16.�e2 hS
17.gxh5 gxhS 18.i.xg5 gxgS. Black has
much better piece coordination and the
possibility of an attack.
15.Yba4+ Wd7 16.hg5 hg5
17.ltlf3 gcs 18.b5 gas 19.'i!?e2 ltlh7
The position is level but complicated
as White has a space advantage and a
pair of knights in a closed position.
With the text move, Black activates
his dormant knight and prevents his
pawns from being doubled, though a
more ambitious idea may have been
to first play 19 . . . .if4.
20.ghbl .ld8
115
 Chapter ?
A strange retreat, placing the bish­
op behind the pawn chain once again.
Much more natural is 20 . . . if4. How­
ever, Black's idea is not without merit.
From d8 the bishop can survey both
sides of the board and control the sen­
sitive squares aS and b6.
21.bxa6 1txa4 22.c!i)xa4 gxa6
23.c!i)c3 b6
In the endgame that ensues, it is dif­
ficult for either side to make progress
without taking considerable risks, and
the game predictably peters out into a
draw by agreement.
24.a4 c.!.> d7 25.c!i)d2 Ag5 26.c!i)f3
.!d8 27.gbs J.c7 2s.gh1 c!t)f6
29.gbbl gaa8 30. c.!.> d3 gaf8 31.
c!i)d2 gas 32.gbfl gaf8 33.c!i)dbl h5
34.f4 exf4 35,gxf4 c!i)e8 36.ghfl f6
37.gxh5 gms 38.h4 Ads 39,gg1
f5 40,gxg6 fxe4+ 4U�xe4 gxb4
42,gxh4 .!xh4 43.c!i)e4 .!f6
44.c!i)xf6+ lf2-lf2
C. Gabriel - C. Partos
Switzerland 1998
l.d4 c!i)f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!i)c3
d6 5.e4 Ae7 6.h3 0-0 7.g4 c!i)e8
8.c!i)f3 c!i)d7 9.Ad3 a6 10.a4 g6 11.
.ih6 c!i)g7
116
As we have seen, this is a typical
idea in the Czech Benoni. Black's
knight on g7 blunts White's dark­
squared bishop and helps to support
the . . . f7-f5 break.
White wastes no time castling and
readies the attack by bringing his
knight around to the kingside.
13 ... c.!.> h8
A waiting move with practical im­
plications, one of which is to free up the
g8 square so that . . . c!i)fg8 is possible in
order to put the question to the bishop
in a novel way. It's hard to believe that
Black has the luxury of such slow play,
though it is difficult to find anything
better given the stranglehold White's
forces have on the position. One am­
bitious idea that does spring to mind,
though, would be 13 . . . a5 ! ? with the
idea of planting a knight on b4 using
the now-empty a6 square, as in the ma­
neuver . . . lilfe8-c7-a6-b4. Such knight
tours are the hallmark of any clever
Czech Benonista.
14.'ee2 Ad7 15.Ad2 b5
This is an inaccuracy as the counter­
intuitive lS . . . hS leads to equality. The
 White Attacks with h3 and g4

text move invites complications and
leaves White with an outside passer
ready to march.
16.cxb5 axb5 17.hb5 hb5
1S.Ybb5 gbs 19.�d3 gxb2 20 . .!c3
gbs 2t.tt:ld2
Immediately pushing the pawn with
21.a5 seems best.
21 . . . tt:ld7 22.tt:lc4 gas 23.0-0
�c7 24.a5 ga7
3 3 ... hxg4 34,gb7 .!c7 35.hxg4
gbs 36.�3 exf4 37.tt:lxf4 tOeS?
A blunder that hastens the inevi­
table.
3S.tt:le6 gbaS 39.i.f4 haS 40.
1Hh3 c.t> gS 41.�h6 1-0
V. Antoshin - W. Hartston
Chigorin Memorial, Sochi 1979
l.d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tt:lc3
d6 5.e4 .!e7 6.h3 0-0 7.g4 tOeS

Once again we see Black employ

this multifaceted retreat.

S.tt:lfJ a6 9.a4

White gains space and restricts

Black's queenside play, though as
we have noted this does leave the b4
square wide open as a potential outpost
Lacking outposts for his pieces or
for a knight someday.
hopes of counterplay on either wing,
Black is just getting strangled by White.
9 . . . tt:ld7 10 . .!d3 g6
Simple moves are now all that's needed
for White to convert this positional
Once again we see Black employing
advantage into the full point.
the "fianchettoed knight" concept to
25.tt:le2 f6 26.ga3 gfaS 27,gbl bolster his kingside.
VHcS 2S,gab3 ga6 29 .id2 .idS
•

30,glb2 c.t> gS 31. c.t> g2 11 .!h6 tt:lg7 12.tt:le2 tt:lf6

•

White is in no rush and simply

improves his position.

31 ... h5

By the time Black gets around to

playing . . . h7-h5 he is already lost.

32.�g3 c,f;>f7 33.f4

More accurate is 33.gxh5, though

this wins, too . . . 13.tt:lg3 c.t>hS 14.�c2 .id7 15.a5

117
 Chapter 7

White clamps down on the queen­
side. Black should have considered
... b7-b6 earlier to avoid this positional
squeeze.
15 b5 16.axb6 Y!Yxb6 17 .td2
••• •
This releases the tension and allows
Black to reestablish control over key
squares. Winning is 3 2 .�h2 ! , when
Black is forced to give up the exchange
with 32 . . . gxg3 or risk losing the pinned
knight after 33.tilh5.

This voluntary retreat is unnecessary

32 ... .ixf6
and accomplishes nothing . Much
stronger is to castle now with the plan
of lining up the rooks on the a- and
b-files.

17 ... a5 18.�c3 a4

An interesting idea, though once

again the odd-looking 18 . . h5 leads to
.

an equal position and is likely to be

objectively best.

19.ga3 tilfe8 20.tilgl

Perhaps lulled into a false sense of
security by the black knight's retreat,
White responds in kind. 2 0 .�d2 poses
more serious problems for Black, as
the queen then threatens to penetrate
on the tender kingside dark squares.
After the text move, Black gets in the
. . .f7-f5 break.
20 ... f5 21.exf5 gxf5 22.tilxf5
33.�h2 gb7 34,gf2 gb4 35,ga2
ges 36.Yfc2 ge3 37,ge2 Yfe8 38.
tile4 gbb3 39,gxe3 gxe3 40.tilc3
a3 41.Yfd2 .td4
With this move, Black demonstrates
how White's pieces are overloaded. If
42.%1xa3, then 42 . . ..ixc3 wins, as the
threat of . . . l:%e 2 + keeps the bishop
immune from capture.

2 2 .gxf5 is preferable.

22 . . . tilxf5 23 .txf5 .txf5 24.gxf5

•

�f6?

Much better is 24 . . . tt'lg7, when the

pawn cannot be held and the position
is level.

25.tile2 'l'a6 26.Yfe4 i.d8 27.0-0

tilf6 28.Yfd3 Yfc8 29.f4 e4 30.'1'xe4
ga7 3t.tilg3 ggs 32 .txf6+• 0-1

118
 White Attacks with h3 and g4

Y. Bleiman - I. Veinger
Beer Sheva 1978

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3

d6 5.e4 !i.e7 6.h3 �a6 7.g4 �c7
8 . .id3 h5 9.g5 �d7 10.h4 �f8

With persuasively posted knights

on the b4 and eS squares, Black has
adequate compensation for his pawn.

2t.c.!?d2

Five of Black's first ten moves
have been knight moves ! Despite this
flagrant violation of basic opening
principles, Black has a solid position
with good prospects for counterplay
on both sides of the board.
No doubt nervous about the ma­
rauding knights, White places his
king on the very spot where his queen
should have gone.
21 a6 22 .YlYfl YlYb6 23.b3 �d8
• . •

24.�g2 'i!?d7 25.YlYg3 YlYa5 26.h5

ll . .ie3 .ig4 12.fJ .id7 13.�ge2
�b8
Not bothering with the preparatory
move . . . a7-a6, Black gets ready to play
. . . b7-b5 in one go.
14.a4
26.if4 is called for, when Black's
knight will have to vacate its lovely
residence at the tony eS address.
26 . . . �be8 27.�hfl 'i!?c8 28.h6
gxh6 29.gxh6 �eg8 30.YlYh3+ 'i!?b8
31.�f5 �g6 32 ..ih5 �hxh6 !

Puts a stop to any ideas of . . . b7-b5

without . . . a7-a6 first, but it leaves the
b4 square completely unguarded.

14 ... �a6

Black wastes no time in heading

towards the newly available outpost
on b4.

15.f4 exf4 16.�xf4 �b4 17 .ie2 •

.ig4 18.�xh5 .ixh5 19 .ixh5 �d7

• Black sacrifices the exchange to
20.!i.e2 �e5 generate an attack on the king.

119
 Chapter ?
33.hh6 �lxh6 34.Yie3 �f8
35 . .!e2
Allowing the black rook to pin
the bishop to the king with 35 . . Jl:h2
is a major oversight. Much better is
to stitch the kingside together with
35.�g3 .
35 . . . gh2 36.�g3??
Allowing 36 . . . .!h6+ and a game­
winning combination.
36 . . . .!h6+ 37.�d1 �bd3 ! 38.
�xh2 �xc3 39.hd3 �xa1+ 0-1
A. Zaitsev - S. Domogaev
Kireevsk 2 011
1.d4 c5 2.d5 e5 3.c4 �f6 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 .!e7 6.h3 0-0 7 . .id3 �bd7
8.g4 a6 9.a4
White plays to stifle Black's queen­
side counterplay, though it seems a
more direct approach here might be
9.g5 ! ? ltle8 10.ltlf3 ltlc7, when White's
intentions on the kingside are clear.
9 . . . gbs 10 . .ie3 h6 n.�f3 �h7
12.�e2 ges
This mysterious rook move vacates
the f8 square so as to bring the other
120
knight closer to the action on the king­
side.
13.�g3 �df8 14.�f5 �g6 15.
�fl? !
White decides to attempt castling
by hand in a closed position; however,
it seems that 15. �d2 is called for as now
Black will plant a knight on gS.
Obviously 16.�g2 is not possible
now as 16 . . . ltlxf3 forces the king into
the open with 17. �xf3, considering that
17.�xf3 fails to 17 . . .hf5 and . . . �h4+
with a family fork.
16 ... �xe7 17.h4 �h7 18.h5? !
Dubious : White needed to play
more actively by opening the h-file
with 18.h5 to avoid becoming passive
and cramped.
Black has achieved solid control
over the dark squares, and the knights
now threaten to outclass the bishops
in this closed position, while the white
king has a front-row seat for the attack
on itself.
 White Attacks with h3 and g4
The light-squared bishop plays on
both sides of the board, both pressuring
the g4-pawn and supporting the . . . b7-
b5 pawn break.
20.ti'd2 b5
With this break, Black has achieved
the Czech Benoni dream of initiative on
both wings while the center remains
fixed.
21.cxb5 tl:\xd3 2 2.ti'xd3 gxb5? !
While this move i s cute because
the rook can't be captured as 23.axb5
i.xb5 wins the queen, White is under
no obligation to play the queen-losing
variation. Black has a much more
pleasant position after the natural 2 2 . . .
axb5 23.a5 b4.
23.b3 gb4 24.tl:\d2 tl:\g5 25.£3
ti'f6 26.�g2 geb8 27.gab1 .!c8
28.gbc1?
An oversight, as the shot 28 . . . E:xb3
is now possible.
The rook cannot be touched, as
29.lt:lxb3 allows mate in two with 29 . . .
�xf3+ 30.�h2 �h3 # .
29.ti'e2 gb2 30.gb1 a5 31.gxb2
gxb2 32.gb1 .!a6 33.ti'd1 gb4
Black is in no hurry, and solidifies
his position. All exchanges now lead
to winning endings for Black, and
there is little hope for White to create
adequate complications to muddy the
waters.
34.ti'c2 ti'd8 35.�g3 tl:\h7
The knight retreats so as to reemerge
on f6 and control key central squares.
36.�f2 tl:\f6 37.�g3 ti'b8 38.gc1
ti'b7 39.�f2 gb2 40.ti'c3 ti'b4 41.
gc2
Capitulation: after the exchange of
queens, the a-pawn cannot be defended
and White's position is hopeless.
41 ti'xc3 42.�c3 ga2 43.gb3
.•.
tl:\d7 44.f4 f6 45.fxe5 fxe5 46.g5
hxg5 47.hg5 c4 48.gc3 �f7
49.�e3 gxa4 0-1
M. Cooke - A. Hoffmann
Manhattan CC Swiss, 05.05.2013
This game fragment is fro m a
Game/ 3 0 tournament, in which I
stopped keeping score in the late
middlegame and therefore the game
is incomplete. However, the approach
that I took here against the aggres­
sive h3/g4 attack in the opening is
noteworthy.
121
 Chapter ?
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.h3 �bd7 7.g4 �f8
8.�ge2 g6
In Czech Benoni fashion, Black
bolsters his kingside and makes way
for a curious piece arrangement on the
seventh and eighth ranks.
9.�g3 h5 10.g5 �g8 ! ?
Naturally, the computer prefers
10 . . . �6d7, but we retreat our knight
to this humble square instead with the
hopes of redeploying and attacking on
the kingside !
ll.h4 a6 12.a4
Consistent with the plan of prevent­
ing 12 . . . b5. Another approach is 12 .%Va4
i.d7 13.�b3, when White may continue
to harass Black on the queenside.
12 f6 13.gxf6 hf6
.•. 14.J.e3
.ixh4 15.gbl
Better is 15.%Vd2, preventing ideas
of . . . ig5 or . . . �h6.
15 ig5 16.%Vd2 he3 17.%Vxe3
•.•
%Vf6 18.b4 cxb4 19.gxb4 �d7 20.
aS �c5 21.gb6 h4 22.�ge2 g5 23.
�cl id7
122
Perhaps 23 . . . tt:ld7, evicting the rook,
is a better move here, as Black is now
all but forced to let go of the b-pawn.
Because of the pin along the sixth
rank, Black now must jettison the b7-
pawn in order to hold the c5 square.
More inspired is 2 6 . . . � e7, with
the idea of bringing the knight to c8
where it would hold the d6-pawn while
thwarting any checks along the eighth
rank.
27.J.e2 �f7 28.gb6 gxa5 29.c5
gal+ 30.J.dl 0-0 31.c6 J.g4 32.
�d2 hdl 33.�xdl gcs
From this position I went on to win
a complex ending, but the computer
concludes that the position is dead
equal after the queen trade on f4, when
neither side is able to make progress.
The brute simplicity of this silicon
insight reminds me of Nigel Short's
observation that, "if chess is a vast
jungle, computers are the chainsaws
in a giant environmentally insensitive
logging company."
Chapter S
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

White Plays h3
n this chapter we examine 6.h3. With this move, White attempts to prevent
I the pinning . . .i.g4. Another benefit of 6.h3 is that it prepares White to play
i.e3 without allowing Black the annoying . . . .tt:J g 4. White's main strategy with
6.h3, however, is to launch a kingside attack with g2 -g4, often combined with
queenside castling or not castling at all as we saw in the previous chapter. In
the present chapter, we examine games in which White delays playing g2 -g4 or
refrains from playing it at all.

I. Cheparinov - Y. Shulman strong. Naturally, 1 5 . a4 is another

Reykjavik 2 013 plausible strategy to prevent the pawn
break on bS.
l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ttlc3
d6 5.e4 ttlbd7 6.J.d3 J.e7 7.h3 ttlf8 15 ... b5 16.cxb5 axb5 17.b4!
8.ttlf3
Preventing Black's . . . c5-c4 followed
Straightforward development. An by . . . b5-b4.
aggressive but double-edged approach
would be 8 .g4.

8 . . . ttlg6 9.g3

Keeping the knight out of f4, but

now White has difficulty castling.

9 . • • a6 10.Yfc2

More common is 10.Yfe2.

17 c4 18.J.e2 0-0 19.Yfcl
.•.

10 ... �b8 ll.h4 h5 12.ttlg5 ttlg4?

A different type of strategy would
Now Black's knight is driven to a be 19.a4 ! ?, attacking the base of Black's
poor square. Preferable was 12 . . . .tt:J h 7. pawn chain.

13.f3 ttlh6 14.i.d2 .id7 15.�bl 19 ... f5?

A thematic plan to counter Black's It was better to wait with 19 . . . i.f6

. . . b7-b5 . If 15 . 0 - 0 - 0 , then 15 . . . b5 is or 19 . . . Yfc8 with the idea of . . . i.d8-b6 .

123
 Chapter 8
20.t0e6 he6 21.dxe6 f4 22.
t0d5
The combination of the pawn on
e6 and the knight on d5 is very strong.
22 . . . <!>h7 23.gxf4
Sacrificing some pawns to open
lines on the kingside.
23 ... hh4+ 24. <!>dl exf4 25.
.ic3
Black would be happy if White
played 25.lt:lxf4, as exchanging elimi­
nates White's strong knight.
25 �e8 26.<!>c2 gxe6 27.%Yd2
• • •
gb7 28.gbgl �f7 29 .id4 .ig3
• d6 5.e4 i.e7 6 . .id3 t0bd7 7.t0f3
Black abandons his h-pawn to close
the g-file. White threatened i.f1, i.h3,
and lYh2 , etc.
30.�xh5 tOeS 31.<!>bl %Ye8 32.
�ghl <!>g8 33.Yfc3 gb7 34.i.fl
Heading towards the h3-c8 diago­
nal.
34 . . • <!>hs 3s.ggs lYds 36.�hhs
36 • • • .iel? !
124
Dubious. Blacks goes in for some
tactics before White can carry out his
i.h3 idea.
37.Wxel t0xf3 38.t0xf4 ges
Black tries to survive by breaking
the pin on the g-pawn.
39.Yfdl t0xd4 40.%Yxd4 Wxg5
41.gxg5 �g5 42 . .ih3 �f7 43.%Yxd6
gf6 44.Vd2 ggl+ 45.<!>b2 �g3
46.%Yh2 �f3 47 . .if5 <!>g8 48.t0d5
1-0
J. Simon - A. Hoffmann
New York 1998
l.d4 t0f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.t0c3
t0f8 8.h3 t0g6 9 .ie3 a6 10.g3 i.d7
•
ll.lYe2 Yfc8
Forcing some concessions on the
kingside. Now White must play h3-h4,
g3-g4, or lt:lgl. If White wishes to castle
short, he must do so by hand.
12.l0gl 0-0 13.h4 h6
Now 14.h5 lt:lh8 looks dangerous for
Black but he will get the knight back
into the game via . . . lt:lf6-e8, . . . t7-f5,
and . . . lt:lh8-t7.
 White Plays h3

14.'tt>fl b5!

1 5 . cxb5 axb5 1 6 . i.xb5 ( 1 6 . tt:lxb5

hb5 17.hb5 tt:lxe4) 16 ... hb5 17.�xb5
tt:lg4 18 .�e2 f5 19.exf5 �xf5 and Black
has a dominating position.

1s ..t>g2 gbs 16.f3 .!Dhs 17.fid2

•

bxc4 18.hc4 f5 19.exf5 .ixf5

20 .!Dge2
•

The whole position around White's

king is collapsing.

29 .tf2 .!Dgxf4+ 30.'tt>fl .!Dd3 0-1

•

J. Ehlvest - A. Hoffmann
New York 2004

l.d4 .!Df6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4 .!Dc3 •

d6 5.e4 .te7 6.h3 .!Dbd7

20 . • • e4! This knight is headed for g6 via f8 .

Opening up avenues of attack on 7 .!Df3 .!Df8 8 .ie3 a6 9.a4 b6

• •

the kingside, and vacating the key e5 1o.gb1 .!Dg6 u. .td3 o-o 12.g3
square for the knight.
White plays g2-g3 to control the f4
21.f4 square, so that Black cannot plant a
knight there in the future. On the other
White guards e5 but is fatally weak hand, this is also a weakening move as
on the light squares on the kingside. the h3 and f3 squares are now rather
vulnerable.
21 • • • .!Df6 22 .gael i.g4 23 .!Dgl
•

.ld8 ! 12 • • • .td7 13.'tt> fl a5 ! ?

Activating the last black piece. Locking up the queenside. Obviously

the game will now be decided on the
24 .te2
• king's wing. I thought my chances were
at least equal.
If 24.tt:lce2, trying to prevent 24 . . .
i.a5, then 2 4 . . . i.f3 + ! 25.ttlxf3 exf3 2 6 . 14.fid2 .!DeS 15.'tt> e 2 !?
'tt> xf3 ttle5+ 27.fxe5 tt:le4 28. 'tt>xe4 �f5#.
White changes his mind and heads
24 .ta5 25.�c2 fif5 26.hg4
••• back toward the center instead of the
fixg4 27.gdl hc3 28.bxc3 .!Dh5 ! expected g2 square.

125
 Chapter S
15 • • • �c8 16.ti�gl f5 ! ?
Giving Black some chances, but the
tradeoff is that White gains control of
e4.
17.exf5 hf5 18.hf5 �xf5
19.�d3 �t7
I decided not to trade queens be­
cause White's king's knight is hemmed
in.
20.tt:� e4 h6
Necessary to prepare Black's . . . tt:'lf6
without allowing White's tt:'lgS and tt:'le6.
21.h4 tLlf6 2 2.tLlxf6+ �xf6 23.
�e4 gt7 24.�d2 gaf8 25.tLle2
.idS ! ?
Preparing the maneuver . . . tt:'le7-f5.
26.gbgl tL!e7 27.g4 �g6 !
Now trading is more favorable for
Black because White has weakened f4.
Vacating g6 for the knight.
30.h5 �h8 31.<i>e2 g3f4!?
126
Black offers a n exchange sacrifice
hoping to take over the dark squares
later.
32 .�d3 e4
If 33. tt:'lxe4, then Black has 33 . . .
tt:'lxdS ! 34.tt:'lxd6 tt:'lxe3 35.fxe3 (35.tt:'lxe8
tt:'lxg2 36.�g6 g4f7 is equal) 35 . . . �e5
when White is only slightly better.
3 4 . tt:'lxe4 tt:'l fS , and now 3 5 . gxf5
�xe4 threatening . . . l'!xe3 + , winning.
Likewise, 35.1t>xf3 tt:'lh4+ 36.\t>g3 tt:'lxg2
37. \t>xg2 �e4+ and White is fatally
exposed.
34 tLlg8 35.�xe4 �t7 36.\t>dl
• • •
ges 37.�g6 �f8 38.gel .if6 39 •
.id2 gxel+ 40.\t>xel
40 .hel !xc3 ; now 41.hc3 l'!xc3
42 .bxc3 �f3+ wins a rook. So White
must play 41 .bxc3 �f4 42 .1i>e2 l'!h3 !
and Black wins as the c-pawn cannot
be defended and the rest of White's
queenside pawns will fall.
40 .id4 41.tLle4 tLlf6 42.�dl
• • •
tL!xe4 43.�xe4 gx£2
Now this exciting game is looking
drawish.
 White Plays h3
44.� �xf2 45.�f5 �g1 + 46.
�c2 .tf6 47.�cS+ �h7 4S.�f5+
�hS 49.�cS+ �h7 50.�f5+ lf2-lf2
M. Kazhgaleyev ­
L.-D. Nisipeanu
Port Barcares 2 005
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 Ae7 6.h3 �bd7 7.Ae3 h5
s.Ad3 h4
Fearlessly grabbing space on the
kingside . This is a thematic idea in
many Czech Benoni positions: . . . h7-
h5-h4 with the idea of . . . ltlh5-f4 in
the air.
9.�£3 �h5 10.�e2
The knight retreats in order to
overprotect the f4 square.
10 • . • �f8 ll.�d2 a6 12.0-0-0
An overreaction. While Black has
been making menacing knight moves
on the kingside, castling long puts
White's king on the side of the board
where a pawn storm cannot be avoided.
12 �f6 13.�b1 �g6 14.�h2
• . •
gbS 15.f4 exf4 16 . .ixf4 b5 17.cxb5
axb5 1S.�f3 c!i)d7 19.Ah2 c!i)de5
20.c!i)f4
White looks to exchange off a pair
of knights, though better is the direct
20 . .b:e5 dxe5 21.d6! i.f6 2 V L \c3, when
White has good chances for active
play.
20 c!i)xf4 21 .ixf4 �xd3 22.
• • . •
�xd3 0-0 23.e5 gas 24.exd6 Af6
25.i.e5 g6
Threatening . . .i.f5, which will force
the white king into the corner.
26.�a1 i.f5 27.�c3 he5 2S.
�xeS �xd6 29.c!i)c6?
White was already in trouble, but
this move allows for Black to find a
quick and clean finish.
29 ... �a2 + ! 30.�xa2 gas+ 31.
c!i)a5 b4 32.�c1 b3+ 0-1
White resigns as it's mate in two
after 33.<�xb3 'tWb6 + 34.�c4 'tWb4# , or
33.�a3 c4+ 34.�a4 i.d7# .
E. Karavade - A. Kogan
Reykjavik 2010
1.d4 c!i)f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!i)c3
d6 5.e4 Ae7 6.h3 �bd7 7.Ae3 h5
Black takes space on the kingside
before White can do the same.
127
 Chapter 8

8.�fJ h4 9 .id3 �f8 10.ti'd2 a6

• B l a c k t h r e a t e n e d 2 5 . . . i. x h 3
ll.a3 �g6 12.b4 b6 13.gbl .id7 2 6 . 'it>xh3 g4+ 27.fxg4 ti:Jg5 + 2 8 . '1t>h2
14.�gl ti:Jxf3 + , winning White's queen.

White redeploys his king's knight 25 ••• g4! ?

to e2 where it will have an influence
on the f4 and g3 squares. Black sacrifices a pawn t o clear the
gS square for his knight, with various
14 �h7
.•. attacking possibilities.

Now that White's knight has left f3,
... ti:JgS or ... i.gS become possible.
15.�ge2 0-0 16.0-0 �g5? !
A one-move threat of . . . hh3. 16 . . .
26.hxg4 �g5 27.ti'cl .ia4!
Forcing the white rook off the b-file.
28.gc3 �g6 29.i.c2 .id7 30.
gcb3 gfe8 31 .iel! •

i.gS , exchanging the dark-squared

bishops, is more consistent. White heads towards the key
diagonal a1-h8.
17.fJ �h7 18.gb3
31 .ixg4?
• • •

Now that Black lost a little time,

White prepares to take over the b-file. This looks promising, but White is
able to defend.
18 i.g5 19.:Stbl Ylrf6 20.bxc5
•••

bxc5 2 1.<�h2 .if4+ 32.fxg4 fJ 33.gxf3 �xfJ+

34.'1t>hl �g5 35.®gl �xe4 36.:Se3
�g5 37 . .ic3 �fJ+

Now Black can block the diagonal,

but he is running out of attackers.

38.®hl �d4 39 .if5! •

White is forced to exchange pieces

and Black gets the key eS square for
his knight.

22.�xf4 exf4 23.i.f2 �e5 24.

�e2 g5 25. Ylrc3

128
 White Plays h3

Keeping out Black's queen. Now

White is in control and he finishes
Black off in short order.

39 . . . h3 40.YlYd2 B:xe3 41.Wxe3

�xf5 42.gxf5 Wxf5 43.B:g1 B:b8
44.�g3 YlYc2 45.�h5 �f8 46.�f6
Wf5 47.B:e1 �e5 48 .ixe5 dxe5 49.
•

Wxc5+ �g7 50.B:g1+ �h8 51.YlYe3

We4+ 52.Wxe4 1-0
16 • • • �h4
G. Van der Stricht - F. Berkes
Eliminating an important defender
Mallorca 2 004 of the king.

1.d4 �f6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3 17 . .id1 YlYe8 18.�xh4 .ixh4 19.
d6 5.e4 i.e7 6.h3 �bd7 7 . .id3 �f8 YlYd3 �c5 20.YlYf3 .idS !?
8.�f3 �g6 9.b4
Black activates his bishop on the
In my experience, an early b2-b4 by queenside.
White which is not supported by a2-a3
seldom succeeds because Black gains 21.a4 .ia5 2 2 . �b5 Wg6 23 . .ia3
control of the c5 square.
White gives up his e-pawn in order
9 cxb4 10.YlYa4+ �d7 U.Wxb4
•.• to capture Black's d-pawn.
0-0 12.0-0 �c5 13 .ic2 f5 •

23 �xe4 24 . .ic2 .if5 25 . .ixe4

• . .

Black has already achieved one of .ixe4 26.Wg4 B:f6 !

his goals for this opening.
14 . .ie3 �a6
14 . . . b6 is an obvious alternative.
15.YlYb1
Forcing Black to play . . . f5-f4, but
Black thereby gains more space and
forces White's pieces to huddle in a
little group on the queenside.
15 . . . f4 16 . .icl
Black finds the best continuation.
27.Wxg6 lhg6 28.f3 .id3 29.
�xd6 ! ?
White offers a n exchange sacrifice
to get rid of Black's effective light­
squared bishop and to establish a
strong passed d-pawn.
29 . • . .tb6+ 30.�h2 .id4 31.c5
Now Black has a choice of which
bishop to trade for a rook.

129
 Chapter 8

3t hf.l 32.gxfl gds 33,gb1

••• 4l,gxd5 gxc6 42,gf5+ lt>e7 43.
hc5! gxf4 c4 44,ge4+ 'o!.>d6 45.'o!.>g3 c3
46,gel lt>c5 47.'o!.>f2 'o!.>b4 0-1

White resigns because his king

cannot reach the queenside due to
. . J�e6, exchanging into a won ending;
or if White moves his rook off the e-file
then again simply .. J�e6, cutting off
White's king.

Y. Shen - C. Ning
Black simplifies into a winning China 2010
endgame.
l.d4 t0f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.t0c3
d6 5.e4 /Le7 6.h3 t0bd7
34.hc5 b6 !

An important Zwischenzug . Cap­ Waiting for White to show his hand.

turing the two pieces for a rook im­ Black refuses to commit himself by
mediately would lose the b-pawn and castling early.
peter out to a drawn rook ending.
7 .td3 t0f8 8.a3
•

35.t0f5
The advance a2-a3 and b2-b4 is rare
Wh ite s e e s that retreating the in the h3/.id3 variation, as in this line
bishop now is hopeless. usually White focuses on the kingside.

35 ... bxc5 36.t0e7+ 'o!.>f7 37,gb7 8 ... t0g6 9.t0ge2 0-0 10.b4 b6
ll.g3 tOeS
White has drawing chances after
the simple 37.lt:lxg6 \t>xg6 38J�b7 gxd5
39.gxa7.

Taking the rook now is worse than

if White had taken it on move 37, as
the first player has trouble stopping
Black's c-pawn advance given that now
the latter's king is closer to the c-file.

An alternative is 1 1 . . .h5 : if now

12 .h4?, then 12 ... .ig4; or if 12. /Le3, then
Continuing his policy of simplifying 12 . . . h4 13.g4 lt:lh7! and Black's pieces
into a winning ending. are heading to g5.

130
 White Plays h3

12 .\!«c2 .i.g5 13 .i.b2 &i'Je7?

• 25.bxa6 gxa6 26,ghs

Giving up control of f4. 13 . . . h5 ! is Provoking a target on g6 and a

preferable. weakness on the a1-h8 diagonal.

14.f4 26 ... g6 27,ghg5 &i'Jf5 28.&i'Jg3

&i'Jxg3 29.ti'xg3 ga4 30.Y«c3 &i'Jf6!
White is not scared of a check.

14 . . . exf4 15.gxf4 .ih4+ 16.ci!;>d2

&i'Jg6 17,gagl f5

Black gains f5 for his pieces but

relinquishes e4 to White.

18.exf5 &i'Je7 19.&i'Je4 .bf5 20.

&i'Jg5 .bg5 2l,gxg5 .bd3 22.Y«xd3
\!«d7 23,ghgl gf7 24.b5

Black holds the fort and threatens

a devastating fork!

Seeking counterplay.

D e s p eratio n . 3 3 . . . &i'J h 5 fails to

White tries to lock up the queenside, 34J!xh5 gxh5 35J'!e8+ l'!f8 36.l'!e7 and
hoping his kingside initiative will spell White wins. But if 33 . . . c;!;>g7, then 34.f5
victory. followed by 35.\!«g3 is decisive.

24 . . . a6 34 .ixd4 cxd4 35. Y«xd4 Y«d8

•

36.h4 &i'Jh5 37.f5 gxf5 38.gxf5

Black achieves some play on the gxf5 39.Y«b4 &i'Jg3 40.Y«xb5 &i'Je4+
queenside. 4t.ci!;>e3 1-0

131
Chapter 9
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ///////////////////

The Czech Snake

he Czech Snake is a hybrid system of two minor Benoni variations : the Czech
T Benoni and the Snake Benoni. The idea behind this awkward-looking bishop
placement is to "snake" the dark-squared bishop around to the queenside via d6-
c7-a5. This time-consuming effort is justified by the fact that the center is closed.
From the a5 square, it will either be exchanged off or possibly even support a
pawn storm. In general, the dark-squared bishop is a problem piece in the Czech
Benoni, as the center is blocked by the c5/d6/e5 pawn formation, so trading off
this piece early makes positional sense. In addition, one less piece in Black's
camp diminishes the significance of White's space advantage.

T. Radjabov - M. Carlsen the board to a5, where it likely would

Monte Carlo 2007 have been exchanged off for this knight
anyway.
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
.id6 ! ? 5 ... .ic7 6.�xc7+ Wxc7 7.fJ

This bizarre-looking move is A conservative approach. With no

characteristic o f the Snake Benoni.
knight on c3, it would appear that
White would need to build support for
the e4 square before placing a pawn on
it. However, the direct 7.e4 is likely the
best move in this position, as the pawn
cannot be captured: after 7.e4 lLlxe4
8.%¥g4 %¥a5+ 9. <;t> e2, for instance, there
is no way to hold the knight.

7 ... d6 8.e4 0-0 9 . .id3 b5 10.

�e2

Not 10.cxb5, when Black obtains

A rare continuation. White decides
to go after the "bad" bishop right away
rather than sit and wait for Black to
continue with his aforementioned
plan of "snaking" the bishop around
good play with the obvious rejoinder
10 . . . c4, both gaining control of the c5
square as a future outpost and also
disrupting White's forces early with
a thorny pawn deep in his camp that
forces the light-squared bishop back
to e2, as ll.Yfc2 ?? fails to ll .. .'�a5+.

132
 The Czech Snake

10 bxc4 ll.hc4 .ia6 12.'1;\'c2

. • • 17 . .ie3 �ab8 18.�abl h6 19.
�bd7 13.0-0 hc4 14.Ybc4 �Ub8 �fcl Y;\'a5 20.�dl �c5 21 .id2 �d3
•

Black has good play on the queen­

side.

The rook jumps to the middle of the

board, buying a tempo from the white
queen and preparing to double rooks
on the b-file. Another idea that is in
the air is the possibility of placing a
rook on the d4 square. This maneuver
is quite common in the Czech Benoni, This knight is clearly worth a rook!
and sometimes allowing the rook on d4
to be captured (even by a minor piece) 2 2.hb4 �xb4 23.�c3 Vxa2
is adequate for Black, as a protected 24.'1;\'c2 Ylra5 25.b3 �d7 26.�fl
passed pawn emerges on that square �7c5 27.bxc4 �c4 28.g3 �d4
only three short moves away from
queening. Black's strong position in the center
holds the balance and the game is soon
drawn.

16.Ylre2 c4

Now the future World Champion

opens the route to the d3 square. The
idea is to use c5, which he has vacated
with this move, to redirect a knight
to d3 where it will be protected by
the advanced pawn on c4. This is a
motif in this opening that we have
seen in previous games. It's amazing
how Carlsen has managed to weave
so many thematic ideas together in
this game.
In the final position, White has
a m aterial advantage . His pieces,
however, are far from harmonious .
Black has managed to post a rook on
d4, from where it both holds the b4-
knight as well as the d3 square should
one of the knights wish to make use of
it. Black's knights are also extremely
well placed, and there's no question

133
 Chapter 9

that Black has both more space and can make the game more complicated,
an easier game to play due to the even if it does leave Black worse off in
coordination among his queenside the short run.
force s . Finally, the outside passed
pawn on the a-file operates as an
insurance policy in any ending that
may be reached should White press
his luck by seeking exchanges. While
Houdini gives a favorable evaluation
to White in this position, it's easy to
see why White would agree to a draw
here despite the material superiority,
given the practical problems posed by
Black's well coordinated forces.

12.a3 h6 13.�e3 g6 14.b4 ltlh5 ! ?

Y. Benitah - T. Pasquier
France 2008
1.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ltlc3
�d6 5.e4 j_c7 6.j_d3 d6 7.ltlge2
ltlbd7 8.f3 a6
Naturally, both players could have
castled in this position with a good
g a m e . H oweve r, here we s e e the
opponents playing a game of cat-and­
mouse by leaving their kings in the
center while the middlegame begins
to take shape.
9 ..ig5 gbs 10.ftd2 fte7 n.ltlg3
ftf8 !
This interesting queen placement
breaks the pin on the knight and
prepares to play ... h7-h6 and ... g7-g6.
Another interesting idea in this game
is that Black delays exchanging off his
dark-squared bishop with . . . i.aS and
. .. hc3 . Instead he keeps the bishop,
perhaps with the long-term idea of
playing . . . i.d8 and rerouting it back
to the kingside. This plan is likely less
correct than simply seeking to trade the
bishop and then castling; however, it
An odd plan. Black hopes t o benefit
from the open g-file. This bold move
seeks to open up the kingside and
pressure White's king at the cost of a
pawn . However, White should have
ample defensive resources to neutralize
the pressure and simply enj oy the
superior position.
15.ltlxh5 gxh5 16.ftf2 b6 17.0-0
�g7 18.�h1
This reaction is easy to understand,
though it isn't yet necessary. Perhaps
White could have further improved his
position with moves like �abl, .id2 ,
or even \Wd2 with the idea of putting
pressure on the weak pawn on h6.
18 ... J.d8 19.J.c2 !
B oth s i d e s imp rove t h e i r b a d
bishops .
19 ••. 0-0 2 0.J.a4 ltlf6
Here Black misses the chance to
activate his bad bishop and seek to
correct his pawns with 20 . . . i.g5 ! .

134
 The Czech Snake
21.gabl gb7 2 2 . .ic6 gc7 23.
ttla4 h4
Black puts all of his eggs in one
basket. If the kingside attack fails to
break through, then White will simply
scoop up his opponent's queenside
pawns and win.
24.bxc5
Safe and logical, but White could
have transitioned into a winning if
complicated ending with 24.�d2 'it>h7
25.lt:lxb6 :B:xc6 26.dxc6 hb6 27.�xd6
lt:lhS 2 8.:B:gl fS 29 .bxc5 .ic7 30 .hh6
�xh6 31 .�xc7+ �g7 32 .�xg7+ lt:lxg7
33.exf5 lt:lxfS 34.:B:gel.
24 bxc5 25 .id2 ttlh5
• . . •
This move appears to threaten
... ltlg3+ with an overwhelming attack.
However, White can defend against the
sacrifice as in the line 26.ltlb6 ltlg3+
27.hxg3 hxg3 2 8 .�el �g6 2 9 . 'it>gl ! ,
when Black is simply down a piece.
Better is queenside penetration
with either 26 ..ia5 or 26.lt:lb6. White's
last move allows the mirage of Black's
kingside attack to begin to materialize
into genuine threats that require
responses.
26 f5 27 .ia5 fxe4! 28 . .ixc7
. • • •
�xc7 29.�e3 .ig5 30.�xe4 .if5
31.�el h3 !
Undermining White's king position.
32.g4 .ixbl 33.gxbl
If 3 3 . gxh5 , then 33 . . . .ic2 leaves
Black with an overwhelming advantage
in light of his kingside attack.
33 �t7 34.�fl ttlf4 35.ttlc3
. • •
ttlg2 lf2-lf2
A draw was agreed to in a compli­
cated position.
D. Istratescu - T. Pasquier
France 2009
l.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ttlc3
.id6 5.e4 .ic7 6.ttlf3 d6 7 .ig5 ttlbd7
•
8 . .id3 a6 9.0-0 h6 10 . .ih4? !
I think White's strategy is incorrect.
10 . • • ttlf8 ll.h3
A better plan for White would be
to reroute his light-squared bishop,
for example ll . .ic2 lt:lg6 12 . .ia4+ .id7
13 . .ixf6 �xf6 14.hd7 'it>xd7 15.�a4+
'it>e7, when White is ready to play a2-
a3 and b2-b4 with good prospects for
135
 Chapter 9
gaining the advantage on the queenside
before Black can generate any pressure
on the kingside. Another positional
benefit of this line is that Black would
then be left with the bad dark-squared
bishop while White would have two
agile knights in a closed position.
u. . . gs t2.J.g3 �g6 t3.�h2
This is a mistake. White needs to
expand on the queenside with a 2 -
a 3 and b 2 -b4. B y responding t o the
phantom pressure on the kingside,
White falls into the quicksand.
13 • •. h5 !
Black does not allow lt:lg4-e3 .
14.f3 J.d7 15.a3
White gets the right i d e a , but
too late. Black's pieces are now well
coordinated and he can begin to apply
pressure with moves such as 15 . . . lt:lf4
or lS . . . iaS.
15 ••. J.b6
An odd maneuver: Black will bring
his bishop to a7!
16.J.c2 �f8 17.Vd2 �h7 18.�e2
J.a7 19.J.f2 b5 20.b3 J.b6
136
Now that the . . .b7-b5 pawn push
has been achieved, the bishop returns
to this square.
21.�g3 bxc4 2 2.b4
If White recaptures on c4, then
. . . ia5-c3-d4 is on tap.
22 �f4 23.bxc5 .ixc5 24 .ixc5
• • • •
dxc5 25.Vc3 Vc7
This holds the eS-pawn, but stronger
is 25 . . . h4 ! 26.Vxe5 '\Wf6 27.Vxf6 lt:lxf6
2 8.lt:lhl :B:b8 29.:B:fbl �e7, when Black
has a slight edge thanks to his more
active pieces.
26.:gfel �f6 27.gadl ges
2s.lohfl g4!
A strong attack is brewing and
White's only trump in the position -
his passed pawn - doesn't help much
in the short term.
29.h4 gxf3 3o.gxf3 :ggs 3t.�f2
�h3+ 32.�e3 Vd6
The passed pawn is blocked and
Black's queen may invade from h 6
later.
33.a4 �f4 34.gd2 J.h3 35.gbl
�g2 + 36.�e2 �xh4 37.Vxc4 .bfl+
 The Czech Snake

38.ttlxfl gg2+ 39.<i>d1 gg1 40.<i>e2 White shows that he is not worried
ttld7 by the threat of . . . b7-b5 .

5 . . . .id6 6 .id3 .ic7 7.ttlge2 d6

•

8.0-0 .ia5 9.a3 ttlbd7 10.gb1

Logical play; White wants to carry

out the straightforward pawn break
b2 -b4.

10 . . . .ixc3

This is the simple way out of the

complications posed by White's plan,
The end is in sight, as Black's queen
though Black might also try 10 . . . 0-0
cannot be stopped from invading the
ll.b4 cxb4 12.axb4 i.b6 with the idea
kingside via g6.
of playing . . . a6-a5 later on.
41,gb7 ti'g6 42 .id3 ttlf6
•

ll.ttlxc3 h6
M u c h s t r o n g e r i s 4 2 . . . 'Ll x f3 !
43.gc2 'Lld4+ with a crushing attack. Preventing the annoying .ig5 pin.
If 43. <i>xf3 , then mate follows with
43 . . . ti'f6+ 44.<i>e3 ti'f4+ 45.<i>e2 ti'xfl+ 12.b4 b6 13 .ie3 0-0 14.g3
•

46.<i>e3 �g3 # .
White has more space. He wants to
43.d6 gds 44. YHxc5 li>g7 maintain control of the center while
advancing a pawn to f4 and launching
Again, 44 . . . 'Llxf3 is much better. a kingside attack.

45.ti'xe5 14 .. ,ges 15.f4 exf4 16.gxf4 ttlf8

17.\i>hl ! ttlg4
White has captured two pawns, but
he is losing everything after the text The knight is ultimately misplaced
check on g2. on this square, as it accomplishes little
and can easily be shooed away. Black
45 . . . ti'g2 + 46.<i>d1 gxfl+ 47. should have either played . . . .ig4, or
hf.l Wxd2+ 0-1 brought his other pony out of the stable
with 17 . . . 'Llg6 and equality after (for
And Black's unusual strategy has
example) 18.�gl h5 19 .ti'c2 ig4. The
triumphed.
text move leads to a situation where
Black's pieces are not working well
J. Sarkar - A. Hoffmann together and White can easily exploit
this as in the game.
New York 2010

1.d4 ttlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ttlc3 18 .ig1 ttlh7 19.bxc5 bxc5 20.
•

a6 5.e4 ttla4 ttlgf6

137
 Chapter 9

2 0 . . . �h4 �el l . 28 . . . J.f3+?? 29.l!!xf3 !

21.e5 The idea is that the rook on hS is

trapped, and will be collected by the
With this move, White seeks to blast queen in three forcing moves.
open the center, leaving himself with
two connected passed pawns after the 29 • . . �xf3 30. fltg2+ �g5 31. fltg4
smoke clears. 1-0

Black's rook is a goner.

V. Polyakin - A. Hoffmann
New York 2010

1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3

a6 5.a4

21 . . . dxe5 22 .fxe5 !!!xeS 23.

�xc5 J.g4

White has strong bishops and a

passed pawn, but Black isn't ready to
give up just yet.

This move weakens the b4 square,

26.l!!b 7 �g5 27 .txf6 gxf6 28.
•
which invites our Czech Snake idea
�e4 of bringing the bishop out to the
queenside.

5 J.d6 6.e4 J.c7 7 .!d3 d6

• • . •

8.�ge2 �bd7 9.0-0 J.a5 10.id2

�f8 11. flte1 �g6 12.f3

Needlessly weakening the kings ide

squares.

12 �h5 13.g3
••• 0-0 14.�d1
hd2 15.fltxd2 b6
Here Black could have achieved
equality with 28 . . . tt:lxe4 29 ..be4 fS ! Hoping to stop a4-a5 , but White
30 . .td3 �d6 . could have tried it anyway.

138
 The Czech Snake
16.b4 cxb4 17.Ybb4 gbs 18.
c!Lle3? figS 19.fid2
Putting himself in a pin. The visually
awkward but more correct 19.�f2 gives
White a slight edge, when Black's
kingside shenanigans come to a halt
and White's space advantage on the
queenside begins to tell.
19 • • • J.d7 20.gtb1 f5 21.c!Llfl
This is a blunder, as it allows Black
an attack that he doesn't deserve . A
waiting move such as 2l.!i:fl or even
21.�hl would have been just fine with
an equal position still. Now, Black can
play 2 1 . . . ll'lh4 ! , 2 1 . . . ll'lf4, or the text
move with an attack.
21 • . . f4 2 2.�h1 h6
Now . . . fxg3 ·is a threat.
23.g4
Anothe r n e e dl e s sly weake ning
move, as 23.ll'lgl would have held. Black
has a clear-cut plan of reorganizing his
pieces and engineering a breakthrough
with his pawns on the h-file.
23 • • • c!Llf6 24.h3 h5 25.c!Llh2 �f7!
Heading for h8 with the rook.
26.�g2
It's understandable that White
wants to remove his king from the
h-file, but here it invites disaster. A
more complicated struggle may have
ensued after 26.a5 hxg4 27.fxg4 !!:h8
2 8 . ll'lgl hg4 29.hxg4 !!:xh2+ 30.'�xh2
!!:h8 31.ll'lh3 �xg4 32 .i.fl ll'lxe4 33.!l:a3
ll'lg3+ 34.�gl ll'lxfl + 35. �xfl, when
White is strategically losing but lives on
to fight much longer than in the game.
26 ghs 27.gh1 hxg4 28.c!Llxg4
• • •
c!Llh4+ 29.�f2 c!LlxfJ !
The decisive blow.
30.�xfJ �3+ 31.gxh3 fixg4+
32.�f2 1fxh3 33.gg1 1fh4+ 0-1
139
Chapter 10
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Black Plays . . . tiJ g7 ! ?

s mentioned in previous chapters, Black often plays a sequence of moves
A:which include "fianchettoing" his king's knight via . . . g7-g6 and then either
. . . ttJg8-f6-h5-g7 or . . . 0-0 with . . . 'it>h8 and then . . . ltJg8-f6-e8-g7 .. The main purpose
of this maneuver is to get in . . . f7-f5 and then, if White captures with his e-pawn,
to recapture with the g-pawn, thus denying White the key e4 square for his pieces.
In this chapter we will delve more deeply into games that feature this setup.

White often tries to counter this

plan of Black's by arranging his forces
so as to answer . . . f7-f5 with a timely
f2-f4, which could liquidate the center
to White's advantage in certain cases.

Another plan for White is to answer

. . . ltJg7 with .ih6, pinning the knight
and attempting to stop or delay Black's
. . .f7-f5 break, or to launch his own at­
tack with h2 -h4-h5. Against White's
This strange-looking piece place­
.ih6 plan, Black often counters with
ment is a hallmark of the Czech Benoni.
the maneuver . . . 'it>h8 and . . . ttJd7-f6-
From g7, the knight supports the f­
g8, forcing White to either exchange
pawn break while hampering White's
his bishop for the knight or to retreat.
pawn storm.

V. Moskalenko - M. Marin 12.c!Llg3

Spain 2 0 05
l.d4 c!L!f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.J.d3 c!Llbd7 7.h3 a6
8.c!L!f3 0-0 9 .ie3 c!Llh5
• to give Black some problems in equal­
The knight goes to the rim in King's
Indian Defense style en route to the
g7 square. Note that the reveal on the
knight does not win a pawn as lO.ltJxe5
fails to lO . . . ttJxeS ll.�xhS ttJxd3 .
10.c!Lle2 g6 ll.g4 c!Llg7
This move is consistent with White's
plan, but a more common idea here is
to play 12 . .ih6, which has the potential
izing.
12 • • • b5
Black manages to get in this crucial
pawn break. White has left his king in
the center so that, after 13.cxb5 axb5
14 . .ixb5 �aS+, Black would win a piece.

140
 Black Plays ... tt:lg7!?

Accordingly, White supports the pawn 20.exf5 gxf5 21.gxf5 tlJh6 22.
and gets his king out of the center. gael gb7

13.b3 gbs 14.<!>fl V«e8 15.<!>g2 An unnecessarily risky solution,

<!>h8 as the simple 2 2 ... bxc4 23 .bxc4 !ic7
suffices to maintain equality and to
The king makes room on g8 for a
prevent the threats along the a1-h8
knight. More natural and likely better
diagonal.
is 15 . . . tt:lb6, contemplating queenside
action.
23.tlJxe5 ! dxe5 24.he5?
16.Y«e2 .idS 17 .td2 tlJf6 18 .tc3
• •

tlJg8 Much better is 24J::1x e5, as in the

line 24J::1xe5 Y«f7 25J:!e6 tt:lg8 26.l:'!:xa6
tt:lf6, with an edge for White.

24 • • . Y«:t7 25.f4 .th4? !

The bishop pins the knight to the

rook, but the rook wanted to be lifted
anyway. Much better is 25 . . .!if6, which
would force favorable exchanges for
Black.

26.ge3 bxc4 27.bxc4

Nearly all of Black's pieces are on
the eighth rank! Admittedly, White has
An inaccuracy; better is 27.�xc4.
an advantage, but what can he do with
it? A similar positional paradox is de­
27 .tf6
scribed by Mihail �uba in the new edi­
• • •

tion of Dynamic Chess Strategy (New

Now Black corrects his move 2 5
In Chess, 2 0 10). �uba writes about the
oversight a n d wrests t h e initiative
Hedgehog (p. 6 2 ) : "After the opening,
from White.
White's position has all the qualities of
a successful picture, but lacks concrete
28.gfl tlJhxfS 29.tlJxf5 .txf5
possibilities for improvement . . . Black's
30 .txf5 he5 31.fxe5 tlJxfS
position, in contrast, looks bad, but
•

has greater scope for improvement . . .

I t i s the fight o f a weaker but dynamic
structure against a perfect but static
build-up."

19.V«c2 f5

With this obvious pawn break that

has been in the air for several moves
now, Black equalizes and opens up the
possibility for something more.

141
 Chapter 10
32.gn'S??
White wastes a crucial tempo !
Now Black will win a full rook and the
two connected passed pawns will be
insufficient compensation as White's
king will quickly be faced with mate
threats that his lone remaining rook
cannot parry for long enough to push
the advanced pawns forward. Much
better is 3 2 .�xf5 �xfS 33 Jl:xf5 gxfS
34.e6 ! - the point! Houdini gives this
position an evaluation of ( - 0 . 18).
= 10
With this important tempo, the pawns
get one step closer to queening and
provide adequate compensation for
the rook.
32 • • • Wg6+
With this simple sidestep check,
which would not be possible in the
above variation, Black will pick up
a rook and have just enough time to
generate mating threats to bring his
king forward and stop the pawns.
33.S:g3 Wxf5 34.Vxf5 S:xf5
35.e6 S:b2 + 36.<.!.>g1 S:e5 37.<.!.>fl
S:ee2 38.S:d3 S:ec2 39.S:d1 <.!.> g7
40.d6 S:h2 0-1
Babula - Beil
Czech Championship 1994
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 g6 6.h3 �bd7 7 . .id3 a6
8.a4 �h5 9.g3
White plays this move to take firm
control over the f4 square so as to
prevent any thoughts of the knight's
settling there in the near future .
However, this pawn move is not as
solid as 9 . tLl ce2 which accomplishes
142
the same goal without weakening the
kingside.
9 . . . .ie7 10.J.e2
I n t h e o ry , t h i s move w i n s a n
important tempo - that i s , until we
realize that Black intended to play
. . . lLlg7 anyway and was only waiting
until he was prodded into completing
the idea.
• . . �g7 ll .ih6
•
This move is theoretically the most
testing idea against the "fianchettoed
knight" setups. This game is an ex­
cellent illustration of how White can
combine ideas of pushing the h-pawn
together with active kingside play to
punish Black for his esoteric choice of
piece placement.
11 ... 0-0 12.h4 f5 13.h5 .ig5?
This allows White to achieve the
kingside attack he has been aiming for.
It's better to meet this flank attack with
the central response 13 . . . fxe4 14.hxg6
hxg6 15.ttJh3 lLlf6, with an interesting
position in which Black has an extra
pawn in exchange for the pressure
against his king.
14.hxg6 hxg6 15.�£3
 Black Plays . . . ltJg7!?
White misses the chance to tum the
screws with 15.hg5 1,!;!lxg5 16.ttJf3 1,!;!le7
17.1,!;!ld2, with a big attack.
15 . . . hh6 16.11!:xh6 fxe4 17.�h4
e3 18.£3 11!f6 19.1,!;!ld3 �f8
This is one retreat too many, as
now White will generate an enveloping
attack with natural-looking moves.
20.�xe3 .i.f5 21.g4 .1d7 22.�e4
11!f4 23.�g2 11!xe4
Desperation, but what else is there?
Black never recovers from this material
deficit and the game winds d own
predictably.
24.1,!;!lxe4 b5 25.axb5 axb5
26.11!xa8 1,!;!lxa8 27.cxb5 �a1+
28.�f2 �xb2
Black seeks refuge in a pin, but
White has more than adequate re­
sources to defend.
29.1,!;!ld3 e4 30.�xe4 hb5
31.11!h1 h:e2 32.�xe2 �d4+
33.�e3 �e8 34.11!d1 �f4 35.�g2
�f6 36. �c4 �8h7 37.11!a1 �g7 38.
11!a7+ �h6 39.�e3
Aft e r the exch a n g e of qu e e n s ,
White's j ob becomes considerably
easier.
39 ... �xd5 40.�xf4+ �xf4+
41.�g3 g5 42.�xd6 �f8 43.�e4
�8e6 44.11!a6 1-0
Mellado - Medina
Seville 1993
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 a6 4.a4
e5 5.�c3 d6 6.e4 .1e7 7.�ge2 0-0
8.�g3 �e8 9 .ie2 .ig5 10.0-0 g6
•
11.11!a3 ! ? �g7 12.11!b3 ! ?
White's rook lift i s a n ingenious if
weird-looking way to prevent the . . . b7-
bS pawn break.
12 �d7 13.�c2 gb8 14 .1g4
• • • •
hc1 15.�xc1 f5 16.exf5 gxf5 17 •
.1h3
Black has established a nice pawn
presence in the center, and equality
along with it.
17 �h4? !
• • •
Too ambitious. Instead the staid
17 . . . ltJb6 keeps the balance.
18.f4 e4 19.ti:ld1
Missing the opportunity to win
three pawns for a piece with 19.ltJxf5
ttJ x fS 2 0 . .ixf5 :g xfS 2 1 . ltJ x e 4 ttJ f8
2 2 . ltJxd6, when White maintains nice
143
 Chapter 10

prospects for an attack against the An interesting idea. Rather than

exposed black king. waiting with moves like ll.a3 or ll.b3,
White wastes no time in launching an
19 :Sf7 20.�e3 �f8 21.Vel b6
••• all-out attack on Black's awkwardly
22 .�e2 �h5 placed kingside forces.

Better is 2 2 . . . � g 6 , s e eking the

queen trade on Black's terms.

23.�c3 �g6 24.a5 :Stb7 25.

:Sxb6 :Sxb6 26.axb6 :Sxb6?

It's hard to blame Black for materi­

alism in this position, but this move is
a blunder pure and simple as it allows
White to win a crucial center pawn.
Much better is 2 6 . . .�h4, seeking de­
tente and refuge in an ending. ll ... �f6 12.f3 �h8 13.�g3 �g8
14./a.e3

A general rule of thumb is to avoid

trading pieces when your opponent
has less space, and White chooses to
retain the bishop. A wise choice, as
exchanging with 14 . .bg7 would allow
Black to untangle his position.

14 •.. �e8 15.�g2 .!h4 16.�ce2

Ve7

27.�xe4! fxe4 28 .b:c8 :Sxb2

•
29.�g4 �f7 30.�c3
The twin threats of capturing the
rook and of giving a devastating check
on f6 invite resignation. 1-0
Galliamova - Lutsko
Kstovo 1994
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 d6 4.�c3
e5 5.e4 /a.e7 6./a.d3 0-0 7.�ge2 �h5
8.0-0 g6 9./a.h6 �g7 10.%M2 �d7
ll.g4
Black has achieved equality even
though most of his pieces remain on
the eighth rank and White retains
a greater share of the chessboard's
available real estate.
17.b4 b6 18.a4 a5 19.bxc5 bxc5
20.:Sabl �g7 2 1.Vc3 f5
Finally Black executes this freeing
pawn break, with threats.
2 2 .gxf5 gxf5 23.f4 �f6 24.fxe5
�g4 25 .!d2 hg3 26.hxg3 dxe5
•

144
 Black Plays ... tt:Jg7!?

27.exf5 .hf5 28.hf5 c!L)xf5 29.gf4

Yfg7 30.gxg4

A Petrosian -like sacrifice that

defends the position with aplomb .
Retreating would leave White worse
- for example, 3 0 J'Uf1 �g6 3U!be1
tt:l fe3 + 3 2 .i.xe3 �e4+ 3 3 . 'it>g 1 l"l:xf1
3 4 . l"l:xf1 tt:Jxe3 3 5 . l"l:f3 tt:lxc4 3 6 . �d3
Yfxd3 37.l"l:xd3 ti:)d6 and Black has a
winning endgame.
This is a difficult position for Black
30 Yfxg4 31.Yfxe5+ 'it>g8 32.
• • •
as he is cramped and White has simple
Yfe6+ gf7 33.gh1? 112-1/2 natural moves that keep an advantage.

A draw was agreed here, but in
fact Black is completely winning after
White's last move . Can you see the
idea?
12 .�d2 ti:)f6 13.0-0-0 lDg8 14.
.ixg7+
This exchange allows Black to solve
his problems and achieve equality.
White needed to maintain the bishop
with 14.i.e3 in order to hold an edge
and keep pressing Black's cramped
position.

14 'it>xg7 15.gdg1 ti:)f6 16.�b1

• . .

a6 17.ti:)e1 b5 18.ti:)g2 bxc4 19.i.e2

The clever decoy 33 . . . l"l:a6 win s !
For instance, 34.�xa6 �xe2+ 35.'it>h3
�h5+ 3 6 . 'it>g2 tt:lh4+ 37. l"l:xh4 �e2 +
38.'it>h3 �fl+ 39.'it>g4 �fS # ; or 34.�e8+
l"l:f8 35.�e5 l"l:g6 36.l"l:h3 tt:lh4+ 37.l"l:xh4
�xh4, etc.
Ulibin - Braga
Ibercaja 1993
1.d4 ti:)f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.ti:)c3
d6 5.e4 1J.e7 6.§J.d3 0-0 7.h3 ti:)bd7
8.g4 lDe8 9.ti:)f3 'it>h8 10.1J.e3 g6
ti:)eS 20.h4 ti:)c7 21.g5 ti:)b5 22.f4
Yfa5 23.fxe5 gbs 24.gc1 dxe5
25.ti:)e3 f5 26.gxf6+ gxf6 27.lDxc4
ti:)a3+ 28.ti:)xa3 Yfxa3 29.h5 gfb6
30.gc2?
Missing the game-winning inter­
ference 30 . .ib5 ! , when Black loses a
decisive amount of material . For in­
stance, if 30 . . .�a5 then 3l.hxg6 l"l:xg6
32 .�h2 ! with twin threats to h7 and eS.
Meanwhile, on 30 ... l"l:xb5 3l.ttJxb5 l"l:xb5
32.hxg6 Black has to jettison another
major piece with 32 . . . l"l:xb2+ to avoid
being checkmated.
30 h6 31.'it>a1 �b4 32.Yfd3
•••

11.1J.h6 ti:)g7 1J.g5 33.gd1 c4 34.�g3

145
 Chapter 10
34.�f3, threatening to penetrate on
the light squares, is more challenging.
34 J.f4 35.�g1 ti'a5?
• • •
An odd choice. The natural 35 . . . g5,
breaking the pin on the king, is good
enough for equality.
36.d6!
White disrupts the lateral defense
of g6 by the rook, and now Black is
suddenly facing threats that cannot
be rnet.
36 . . . !3xb2
Desperation, but what else is there?
37.ti'xg6+ <i!;lf8 38.ti'f6+ <i!;leS
39.ti'e7# 1-0
Loebler - Grabarczyk
Cappelle-la-Grande 1994
1.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
d6 5.e4 c!Llbd7 6.c!Llf3 J.e7 7.h3 0-0
8.g4 c!Lle8 9.!J.d3 a6 10.a4 g6 ll.a5
c!Llg7 12.!J.h6 <i!;lhS 13.ti'd2 b6 14.
axb6 �xb6 15. <i!;le2 gbs 16.ghb1
c!Llf6 17.c!Llh2 c!Llg8
146
Once again we see this maneuver.
The black king sidesteps to h8 so that
the knight can hit the h6-bishop from
g8.
18.J.e3 �d8 19.f3
A conservative approach. 1 9 . f4
practically suggests itself.
19 . . . f5
Black lashes out on the kingside.
H i s p i e c e s are p o i s e d to p o u n c e ,
although White can easily parry any
threats as his king is not in harm's way
and the position remains roughly level.
20.!3a4!
White counters the kingside attack
with queenside actio n . This move
prepares the b2-b4 pawn break.
20 . . . !J.h4 21.b4 cxb4 2 2 .gaxb4
gxb4 23.gxb4 !J.g3 24.!J.g5
Meeting a threat with a threat. This
looks preferable to the uncertainty that
might follow from 24.tt::l fl fxg4 25.tt::l xg3
'!Mfh4 26.tt'lf1 :!'1xf3, when Black's attack
is adequate compensation for the piece
and White will likely have to repay the
debt to avoid getting mated.
 Black Plays . . . l!Jg7!?

24 '\!lYaS 25.a:a4 �b6 26 .le3

••• • The bold 4 8 . �d3 was called for,
'l!lYd8 27 .lg5 'l!lYc7? !
• though after the text move White
should still be able to convert his
The queen should have returned advantage though his job will be made
to b6 when White would have nothing difficult by the well coordinated rook
better than a repetition. The move 27 . . . and knight.
'l!lYc7 i s a concession. Having gained
several tempi by attacking the black 48 a:xc2 49 .ixa5 l3:a2 50 .ic3
.•• • •

queen, White now has improved his lilxe4 51 .ixe5+ �f7 52.l3:b7+?
•

position while relegating the queen to

inactivity. It's hard to fault this natural­
looking move, though it allows Black
28.lilfl to escape with equality and a draw.
For instance, if 52 . . . �e8 53.lilf3 (to
This retreat allows Black's attack prevent the possibility of losing the
to regain its momentum. Better was knight to the rook check) , then 53 . . .
the solid 28.'\!lYe1, when Black remains l!Jf2 + 54.�c1 lild3+ 55.�b1 l3:f2 ! . The
worse. hard-to-see answer to this problem is
52. �e1, which takes these pesky knight
28 fxg4 29.lilxg3 gxf3 30.lilfl
• • • checks off the table and allows White to
'l!lYf7 31.�el l3:xh3? convert his material advantage.

Preferable is 3 1 . . .g3 ! 32 . .ie3 i.xh3

and Black has a clear edge.

32.lile2 lilh5 33.lilgl a:bt 34. Atahk - Starosek

'l!lYg2 g3 35.lilxg3 lilxg3 36.'\!lYxg3 h6 St. Petersburg 1994
37 .ie3 lilf6 38.l3:b4 �g7 39.c5
•

dxc5 40 . .ixc5 fl!fc7 41.�f2 �a5 42. l.d4 lilf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.lilc3
�dl fl!fal+ 43.l3:bl 'l!lYc3 44.�c2 fllfa5 d6 5.e4 .te7 6.g3 0-0 7 .tg2 lile8
•

45 .tb6 .tg4+ 46 .ie2 .ixe2 +

• • 8.lilge2 g6 9.0-0 lilg7
47.�xe2 a:h2 +

Wh i t e a d o p t s a c o n s e rvative
48.�dl? fianchetto setup instead of seeking to

147
 Chapter 10
immediately punish Black's peculiar
piece placement. This position begs
the question : which is better, the
fianchettoed knight or the fianchettoed
bishop?
10 . .ie3
Because White's knight is on e 2
instead off3, 10 . .ih6 could b e met with
10 . . . .ig5 ! .
1 0 .tbd7 ll.e'd2 a 6 12.gabl f5
. •
13.£3? !
This cautious move fails to test
Black's setup. A more testing idea
would be to follow through with the
queenside plan with the immediate
13.b4 ! .
1 3. . .fxe4 14.fxe4 gxfl + 15.gxfl
�f6
B l ack h a s s o lve d h i s o p e n i n g
problems and achieved equality.
16.h3 h5?
This weakening move is puzzling,
as the thematic . . . .id7 and . . . b7-b5 are
enough to hold a pleasant equality.
17.a3 h4! ?
Consistent b u t still in accurat e .
Black should have continued with the
. . . .id7/ . . . b7-b5 plan.
18.gxh4
White obliges Black and accepts
the pawn , though the solid 1 8 . g4
would have refuted Black's idea more
simply and left his king somewhat
148
exp o s e d . Now Bl ack can gene rate
some counterplay with his pieces on
the kingside.
18 . . . �h7 19 . .if2 .ixh4 20.b4 b6
21 ..bh4 e'xh4 2 2.Wel e'xel 23.
gxel cxb4 24.axb4 .id7
With the queens traded off, we
enter an ending in which Whit e ' s
space advantage persists though i t is
no longer clear how to make use of it.
The position is level but still full of life :
precisely the kind o f ending the Czech
Benoni aficionado relishes.
25.gal �h5 26.�b5 ! ?
A n interesting idea, forcing the
exchange of the bishop for the knight.
26 . . ..ixb5 27.cxb5 a5 28.bxa5
bxa5 29.�c3 �7f6 30.b6 gbs
31.gbl �d7 32.�a4 �hf6 33.gbs
@t7 34 .if3 @e7 35.@f2 g5 36.@e3
•
ghs
Both sides have activated their
kings and the material balance is
maintained. While the knight and
bishop may be slightly better in this
position than the knight pair, Black
should be able to hold this position
without too much trouble by making
natural moves.
 Black Plays ... ltlg7!?

37 .ig2 :E!b8 38 .if3 :E!h8 39 .ig2

• •
:E!b8 40 .ifl :E!f8 41.:E!xa5 �xd5+
• does not s e e m to be Whit e ' s best
42.exd5 :E!xfl 43.:E!a7 :E!hl 44.�e4
:E!xh3 45.�f5 :E!f3+ 46.�xg5 :E!b3
47.�f5 :E!b4 48.b7 �b8
The knight blockades the pawn and
White has no way to make progress.
• Voluntarily retreating this bishop
chance to press the advantage. Better
is simply to castle and leave the bishop
in place at h6, requiring Black to play
. . . lt:lg8 at some point to force the issue.
19 • • . a4 20 .ic3 �g8
•

49.�c3 :E!f4+ 50.�g5 :E!b4 51. Black chooses to place his knight
�f5 :E!f4+ lf2-lf2 here in spite of the fact that the bishop
has already abandoned h6, probably to
make way for the . . .f7-f5 pawn break.
M. Gurevich - J. Piket
Wijk aan Zee 2002 21.:E!a3

l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3 White prevents Black fro m oc­
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.h3 �bd7 7 .id3 a6 • cupying b3 with his queen. However,
8.�f3 :E!b8 9.a3 0-0 10.a4 �h5 2 l.'Wd2 - with the idea of an eventual
ll.�e2 g6 12.g4 �g7 13 .ih6 �f6 • .ic2 to threaten the aS-pawn - seemed
more pressing, as the black queen
Black's position is cramped and could always be evicted with :E!a3 later
White has a comfortable edge in space. if necessary.
However, Black can still enforce . . . b7-
b5 as well as follow through on the
. . . �h8/ . . . lt:lg8 plan to put the question
to the bishop. White castles by hand and con­
solidates his advantage, but pressing
forward is not so simple, as any move
to attack invites Black's forces into the
fray as well.

23 .'�c7 24.tfd2 f5 25.exf5

••

gxf5 26 .ic2 �e7 27.Wh6 �g6

•

28.�g5 hg5 29.Wxg5 :E!b4!

14.�g3 �h8 15.'ffc 2 .id7 16.a5

Enabling White to leave Black's

a-pawn isolated in the event of ... b7-b5.

16 b5 17.axb6 Wxb6 18.:E!a2

• • •

a5 19 .id2
•

149
 Chapter 10

An interesting idea! Black places his
rook on b4 where it can be captured
by a m i n o r p i e c e . If White p l ays
3 0 . i.xb4, then Black very quickly
obtains pressure and a passed pawn
supported by his queen, and finding
accurate defending moves over the
board would be tri cky fo r Whit e .
Accordingly, White refrains fro m
capturing the rook and looks t o the
other side of the board.
30.gxf5?
I nviting c o m p l i c a t i o n s o n the
kingside where Black's pieces have
been waiting for something to d o .
Better i s 30.b3, forcing the exchange
of Black's a-pawn and relieving the
pressure on the queenside.
White must jettison his queen, as
... :gg2 # is threatened.
36 . .ixf5 gxg4 37 . .b:g4 �e7
Even aft e r g a i n i n g a d e c i sive
amount of material , Black's attack
continues.
38.i.el gel 39.c,!,lg3 �g5 40.
gxa4 �e2 + 4t.c,!,lh3 �f4+ 42.c,!,lg3
c4 43.);a8+ c,!,lg7 44.ga7+ c,f,lf6
45.);d7 gxel 46.gxel �xh5+ 47.
c,!,lh3 �f4+ 48.c,!,lg3 h5 49.f3 hxg4
50.fxg4 �xd5 51.);xd6+ c,!,le7
52.gxd5 �f4+

30 • • . hf5 31.�xf5 �xf5

The fS-knight cannot be captured

because of the looming family fork
3 2 .i.xf5 :gxfS 3 3 .'1W xf5 tt:l h4 + . Still,
White's real problems have to do with
his unprotected king and with the fact
At first glance, it would appear that
that Black's forces have quick access to
White has achieved something in this
the kingside, while a major portion of
position, with two rooks and two pawns
White's army is somewhat out of play
vs. a queen and two pawns. However,
on the other side of the board.
White's rooks are poorly coordinated
and quickly fall victim to cascading
32 .h4 gxc4 33.h5? double-attack threats.

Now is the time for White to activate
his pieces with 33.i.xf5 �fl 34.i.xe5+
tt:JxeS 3 5 Ji:g3 :gb4 , although Black
remains slightly better due to his far
advanced a-pawn and the weakness
on b2.
33 .•. �f4+ 34.c,!,lh2 h6 35.�g4
ggs
53.c,!,lg2 �xg4+ 54.'iW2 �4+ 0-1
A. Mitenkov - A. Fedorov
Moscow 1995
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 �e7 6.g3 0-0 7 .i.g2 �e8
8.�ge2 g6 9.0-0 �g7

150
 Black Plays ... lt:lg7!?
Black wastes no time in placing his
knight on the g7 square.
10 .ie3 �d7 11.'f!td2 f5 12.f4
•
White commits himself early with this
central pawn break, leading to an equal
position. However, he could have fought
for an advantage with the annoying
12.i.h6 that we have seen in other games.
12 a6 13.a4 �b8 14.b3 J.f6
.••
15.�ael �h8 16.�hl
Both sides subtly improve their
position with these waiting king moves.
16 .•. t!ta5 17.Y«c2
Missing an opportunity to catch
Black's queen offside with 17.exf5 gxf5
18.%Yc2 e4 19.g4 ! .
17 exf4 18.gxf4 .th4 19.gdl fxe4
• • •
20.�xe4 Y«c7 21.�g5 �f6 22.�c3
J.g4 23 .ifJ t!td7 24.J.gl �tb5
•
Black's massing of forces on the
kingside gives him extra leverage in
the attack, and suddenly the c3-knight
seems out of play. In retrospect, White
should have played 2 2 .lt:lg3 instead of
2 2 .lt:lc3, when the knight would have
been better situated to deal with the
kingside pressure.
25.�e6 h£3+ 26.�:xf3 �xe6
27.dxe6 %Yxe6 28.�d5 �g8 29.
Ylrg2 �g7 30.gh3 �f5 31.�e3 /ie7
Retaining the bishop is superior
to capturing on e3 because White's
pieces are poorly coordinated and
exchanging would relieve this pressure
and improve the g1-bishop.
32.�el gf7 33 .if2 .if8 34.�d5
•
Ylrd7 35.Y«e4 .ig7
The bishop comes to g7, eyeing the
long diagonal and perhaps looking to
the d4 outpost.
36.�d3 gbf8 37.a5 t!td8 38.b4
Striving for the initiative, White
launches a minority attack to neutralize
Black's pawn majority.
38 ... cxb4 39.J.b6 Y«h4 40.�e2
�h6 41.c5 .ie5 42.cxd6 hd6 43.
Ylre6 �f5 44 ..if2 Ylrd8 45.�e3?
Now is not the time to retre at .
Exploiting the pin on the d-file with
45.lt:lxb4 was preferable.
45 ••. �e8 46.'f!td5 .ic7 47.Y«b3
�d4
Black puts himself in a pin, though
d6 was the correct square for this idea
as now on d4 White has 48.Wc4 with
enough pressure for equality.
151
 Chapter 10
48.�c4 b5 49.�xd4 �xd4
50.lhd4 lhf4 5Ulxf4 .txf4
A fascinating ending has b e e n
reached in which Black has three
pawns for the piece. With majorities
on both wings, it should be possible
for Black's pawns to outclass White's
knight, though the position is not at
all clear.
52.�g2 b3 53.�f3 hh2 54,gb2
gf8+ 55.�g2 i.c7 56.i.el ges
57,gxb3 �f7 58.�f3 �e6 59.�c2
gf8+ 60.�e3 g5 6l,gd3 h5 62.
�d4+ �f6 63.�f3 ge8+ 64.�f2 g4
65.i.c3+ �f7 66.�h4 gds 67,ge3
gds 68.J.b4 J.ds 69.�g3 J.gs 70.
gc3 i.f6
Of course, there is a multitude of
considerations and finesses in such
positions, and Black likely could press
on with 70 .. J%d4 or even 70 . . . .id8 .
7l,gb3
A draw was agreed here ; although
Black may have had something more,
the ending remains very technical and
any misstep may allow White's knight
to become a monster.
152
G. Andruet - D. Guigonis
France 1992
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.g3 J.e7 6.J.g2 0-0 7.e4 �e8
This knight retreats to make an
early . . . fl-fS possible.
8.�ge2 g6 9.0-0 f5 10.f4 �d7
Black brings his queenside knight
around to f6 via d7. Both sides have
played very direct plans on the kingside,
making an early clash inevitable.
11.b3 �df6 12.J.b2 a6 13.�d2
�g7
Black fianchettoes his knight, sup­
portirtg the fS-pawn, though another
idea here is to play the Benkoesque
13 ... b5 14.cxb5 axb5 15.�xb5 1Mfb6 with
thoughts of pushing . . . c5-c4+ and pick­
ing up the pawn by tactical means.
14,gael ges 15.�dl �xe4 16.
i.xe4 fxe4 17.fxe5?
Correct is 17.�ec3 with advantage
for White. The text move lets Black's
pieces into the fray.
17. . . i.g5 18.�f4 dxe5 19.1Mfc3
�f5 20,gxe4 �d4
 Black Plays ... 4Jg7!?
Black's knight finds a superb outpost
on d4. If captured, the knight will be
replaced with a protected passed pawn
that can act as an insurance policy in
any ending.
21.Wel J.f6 22.c!bc3 J.f5 23.c!be6
c!bxe6
Bl ack gives up his well placed
knight in order to win a pawn. This
material e d g e , together with the
bishop pair, secures a slight edge for
Black.
24.dxe6 gxe6 25.c!bd5 J.xe4
26. ti'xe4 J.g7 27 .g4 ti'd6 28.g5 gbs
29.gdt c;!?h8 ao.gda ti'c6 3t,gh3
c;!?g8?
Better is 3 1 . . .'1Mfc8 . After the text
move, with 32 .�h4 White's pressure
on the black king makes up for any
deficiencies in his position.
32 .Wh4 h5 33.gxh6 .1f6??
This drops a piece . Better is the
conservative 33 . . . .!f8 .
34.h7+ c;!?h8 35.c!bxf6 gxf6
36J�e3??
This is one time when piling up on
the pin is incorrect because it gives
Black a crucial tempo to defend. The
way to win is to strike while the iron is
hot with 36.i.xe5 and only then piling
up on the pinned rook!
36 . . . ti'd6??
One good blunder calls for another.
Here 36 . . . Eid8 holds the position, while
the text move invites disaster with
37.i.xe5 �xeS 38.Eixe5 Elbf8 39.Eixc5,
etc.
37.Wel??
The only explanation is that both
sides were in severe time trouble. Once
again the position is level.
37. . . gf5 38.ge2??
A strange choice. The only expla­
nation is that White overvalued the
bishop on the long diagonal. Naturally
the correct continuation is to exchange
into an equal ending with 38.ixe5 ElxeS
39.Eixe5 Wd4+ 40 .We3 �xe3 41.Eixe3
c;!?xh7 and the position is drawn.
38 . . . gg5+ 39.gg2 �g2 +
40.c;!?xg2 c;!?xh7
Suddenly, with the life taken out
of the game after these exchanges,
White's position is hopeless due to
Black's material superiority.
0-1
153
Chapter 1 1
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/ //////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The Kevitz Gambit:

White Plays 3 . �f3

popular way for White to try to avoid the Benoni is to simply play 3.lt:lf3,
A which transposes into a Symmetrical English. However, the line that we
recommend here is a nasty gambit that will likely shock most opponents and even
leave those who are familiar with it regretting their choice to try to sidestep our
pet Benoni line. Black sacrifices a pawn in return for rapid development, space,
and the possibility for a quick and deadly attack. After the moves l.d4 lt:lf6 2 . c4
cS 3.lt:lf3, the following position is reached:

In his book How to Play Against

With his third move, White has
refused to enter the sharp and forcing
lines that might follow from a Benoni
or Benko Gambit. In the diagram posi­
tion, after the central exchange 3 . . . cxd4
4.lt:lxd4 eS S.lt:lbS dS ! , Black gambits
a pawn in order to open up the game
and gain a lead in development. This
sharp variation has been played by
Garry Kasparov frequently enough
to be referred to by some authors as
the "Kasparov Gambit." However, the
crafty player Alexander Kevitz played
it years earlier, and I have always re­
ferred to it as the Kevitz Gambit.
l . d4, Richard Palliser advocates the
line 3 . . . cxd4 4. lt:lxd4 lt:lc6, although he
also labels the interesting alternative
4 . . . g6 with a "skull and cross bones"
warning label, as the position then
transposes into an Accelerated Dragon
after S.lt:lc3 i.g7 6.e4 lt:lc6 7.i.e3 . Some­
how I think players of the Sicilian
Dragon will likely see the skull and
cross bones less as a warning and more
as an endorsement. In any case, the
position after 4 . . . tt:lc6 is not nearly as
exciting as the gambit which we recom­
mend, and which to his credit Palliser
admits to playing himself.
A. Ramirez ­
L. Yurtaev
Moscow 2003
l.d4 tt:lf6 2 .c4 c5 3.ttlf3 cxd4
4.ttlxd4 e5 5.ttlb5 d5 6.cxd5 .tc5
7.ttl5c3 0-0 8.g3

154
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.tt:lf3
A common beginner's mistake here
is to instinctively support the advanced
d-pawn with 8 .e4?. However, in this
case Black can reply 8 . . . tt:lg4 ! 9 .i.e3
tt:lxf2 ! (the less flashy 9 . . . tt:lxe3 also
yields an advantage, though I like the
line that follows after 9 . . . tt:lxf2 for its
shock value) 10.i.xf2 i.xf2 + 11. �xf2
�b6+ 12.�g3, when Black has invested
some material for an attack. With 8.g3,
White hopes to develop his kingside
solidly and prop up his advanced d­
pawn with the bishop. Also common
is the simple 8.e3.
s ,ges 9 . .ig2 e4 10.0-0 e3 ! ?
.•
10 . . . tt:l a 6 o r 10 . . . i.f5 would b e more
thematic and correct, as after this move
White can blunt Black's initiative with
a simple f-pawn push.
ll.�h1??
An unlikely blunder, no doubt
brought about by White's confusion at
how Black has generated an attack so
quickly. However, the attack is a mi­
rage, as White could simply achieve a
better position with 11.f3 as in Ubilava
- Hodgson, Spain 1993, which contin­
ued with ll . . . h5 12.tt:la3 a6 13.tt:le4 tt:lxe4
14.fxe4, when White's central pawn
duo ensures an advantage. Also pos­
sible is ll.f4, when Black's far advanced
e-pawn shelters White's king from the
dark-squared bishop. After the text
move, however, Black's mirage of an
attack metamorphoses into an oasis of
tactical opportunities.
ll . . . exf2 12 . .ig5 .ig4 13.�d2
�bd7 14.h3 .ih5 15.g4 .ig6 16 .ih4 •
�e5 17 ..ixf6 YlYxf6 18.�de4 he4
19 .ixe4 �xg4 0-1
•
C. Sollars - J. Davila Vega
Novi Sad 1990
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.�f3 cxd4
4.�xd4 e5 5.�c2
This knight placement is not ag­
gressive enough, giving Black an easy
route to equality. The more ambitious
5.tt:lb5 is far more common and is really
the only move that justifies accepting
Black's gambit. With this retreat, White
lets Black simplify the position rapidly
into a toothless ending. While Black's
reply is likely the most "correct," it
leaves little room for uncertainty. If
Black is playing for a win, then a more
promising plan is 5 . . . i.c5 6.tt:lc3 tt:la6,
followed by ... d7-d6, ... 0-0, and ... i.f5,
when Black has ways to bother White,
though obviously this plan is more of
a true gambit.
155
 Chapter 11
5 d5 6.cxd5 �xd5
••• 7.�xd5
tt:lxd5
The position is already equal at
move 8 . Black's central presence is
ephemeral, as the move e2-e4 will both
place a pawn in the center and gain
a tempo by forcing the knight away.
However, Black will seek exchanges
with . . . ltlb4 and the race to a drawn
ending will be well underway.
8.e4 tt:lb4
Ifyou are stubborn and wish to keep
pieces on the board, then 8 . . ltlf6 may
.
avoid the drawish continuation that
follows. But, by playing this move, you
must accept that White will keep an
edge for some time. Although from a
theoretical standpoint the text is cor­
rect, as a practical matter if you are in
a must-win situation or are confident
that you can outplay your opponent
from a slightly worse position, then this
may be the right path for you.
9.tt:lxb4 .ixb4+ 10.tt:lc3 .ixc3+
ll.bxc3 i.e6
White has the bishop pair on an
open board, but his passive opening
play has given Black a jump in devel­
opment. It is very difficult for either
side to create complications in such
positions.
156
12 .ib5+ tt:ld7 13.J.a3 a6 14.
•
.ixd7+ hd7 15.0-0-0 l1!c8 16.1t>b2
.ia4 17.l1!d2 f6 18.l1!e1 lt>f7
In endings featuring bishops of op­
posite colors, it is very difficult for ei­
ther side to make progress. Abstractly,
it is as though one side plays a piece up
on the light squares, while the other
plays a piece up on the dark squares,
and this means that a pawn advantage
is almost always irrelevant.
19.l1!e3 l1!hd8 20.l1!ed3 lt>e8
21.l1!xd8+ l1!xd8 22.l1!xd8+ lt>xd8
23.J.f8 g6 24.c4 lt>d7 25.lt>c3 lt>e6
26.1t>d3 f5 27.f3 g5 28.exf5+ lt>xf5
29.1t>e3 1!2-1!2
C. Weldon - A. Hoffmann
New York 1981
1.d4 tt:lf6 2.c4 c5 3.tt:lf3 cxd4
4.tt:lxd4 e5 5.tt:lb5 d5
This line often proves to have tre­
mendous surprise value. In addition to
Kasparov, Armenian GM Rafael Vaga­
nian is among those viewed as modern
champions of this variation.
6.cxd5 .ic5 7.tt:l5c3 0-0
Almost at the same time that this
game was being played, the gambit
appeared in Kogan-Benj amin, U . S .
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.tt'lf3
Championship 1 9 8 1 . In that game,
the gambit arose from a Symmetrical
English, as opposed to the "Benoni
Declined" of this game. Kogan contin­
ued with 8.e3 and, after 8 . . . e4 9.tt'ld2
ifS 10 .g3 tt'lbd7 11.ig2 ge8, Black had
good play.
8.g3 �b6 ! ?
Black tries t o force the issue, com­
pelling White to weaken his kingside
light squares. 8 . . . tt'lg4 9.tt'le4 f5 10.tt'lxc5
�aS+ was tried in Ubilava - P. Gaprin­
dashvili, USSR 1981.
9.e3 ig4 10 .te2 .th3 11.c!l�d2
• 21.�xd4 exd4 22.c!fjf5 c!fjc3 + 23.
c!fjbd7 12.c!fjc4 �d8 13.if3
13.a3 is more prudent, but White
hopes to solidify his extra pawn with
e3-e4.
Increasing the pressure. Now 14.e4
could be answered by 14 . . . ixf2 + re­
gaining the pawn, or by 14 . . . id4 ! as
suggested by GM William Lombardy.
The losing move. 14.tt'ld2 or 14.a3
is necessary.
14 . • • ib4!
Winning by force in all variations,
due to the threat of 15 ... e4. For example:
15.�d2 e4 16.ixe4 tt'lcS; 15.id2 hc3
16.hc3 e4 17.ih5 g6; or 15.tt'ld2 gxc3 !
16.bxc3 ixc3 17.gb1 e4 18.ih5 g6.
15.e4 �c7 16.c!fje3
Denying Black the nice variation
1 6 . tt'l d 2 ixc3 17.bxc3 �xc3 1 8 . gb 1
�xc1+ ! 19,gxc1 gxc1+ 2 0.�d1 gxd1+,
l e avi ng the second player a piece
ahead.
16 .ixc3 + 17.bxc3 �xc3+ 18.
•••
�d2 V«xa1 19.g;,e2 �d4 20.g4 c!fjxe4
g;,d2 c!fjeS 0-1
K. Juhasz - R. Doros
Montenegro 2 008
1.d4 c!fjf6 2.c!fjf3 c5 3.c4 cxd4
4. c!fjxd4 e5 S.c!fjbS d5 6.cxd5 .tc5
7. c!fj5c3 o-o 8.g3 ges
Black has a number of options on
move 8 , such as . . . �b6 , . . . ifS , and
. . . e5-e4, though the move order may
be irrelevant here as Black's pieces will
find their way to these squares anyway.
9 .tg2 e4 10.0-0 .tf5 n . .tgs
•
c!fjbd7 12.c!fjd2 h6 13 .ixf6 c!fjxf6
•
14.c!fjc4 a6
157
 Chapter 11
14 . . . Eiac8 s e e m s m o re natural ,
though I like the text move as well.
Black prepares to drop his bishop back
to a7 when White finally gets around to
pushing b2-b4.
15.a3 %\'d7
This queen lift is incorrect ; 15 . . .
Eiac8 i s called for. White may now
proceed with 16.lt:la4, threatening to
jump into b6 and win an exchange,
forcing Black to reply 16 . . . %\'b5 17.l!Jxc5
%\'xeS 18.lt:le3 when White has a stable
advantage.
16.'Ml3
White returns the favor with this
odd choice, which returns the position
to near-equality.
16 • • • .ih3 17.gadl ?Hf5 18.d6
gadS
This logical-looking move is inaccu­
rate. To keep the balance, Black needs
to press his attack on the kingside with
18 . . . �h5. Now the b-pawn will fall and
White's passer begins to cast a longer
shadow as it approaches promotion.
19.ti'xb7 ti'h5
Black presses the attack, but the
tempo wasted on the previous move
has allowed White to bring his queen to
the seventh rank to bolster the passed
pawn.
20.c!Lld5 hg2 2 1.<!>xg2
Better is the artful 2 1 . lt:l f4, with
the plan of recapturing on g2 with the
knight, when White will have killed
any kingside attacking hopes for Black
158
while scooping up Black's a-pawn and
enjoying a straightforward victory on
the queenside.
2 1 ti'xe2 22.c!Llxf6+ gxf6 23.
• • •
d7?
A blunder which allows Black to
escape. Better is 23.ti'd5, when White's
passed pawn will remain a decisive
advantage.
23 • • • ti'f3+ 24.�h3
Not 24. �g1, when Black can win
with 24 . . . hf2 + 25.Eixf2 �xdl.
24 ••• ti'h5+ 25.�g2 VHf3+ lf2-lf2
J. Costa - J. Polgar
Biel 1987
The following game was described
by Leonard Barden in The Guardian as,
"the female version of Fischer's Game
of the Century." I hesitate to go that far,
but I will say that it demonstrates just
how venomous this gambit can be in
the hands of an 11-year old girl.
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.c!Llf3
This move, which used to be consid­
ered a solid and conservative continu-
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.tt::lf3

ation, is now played less often because Black has an advantage after 7 . . . 0-0
of the following line. 8 .tt::l c7 tt:Je4 9.e3 .tb4+ 10.tt:ld2 �xd6
l l . tt:lxa8 E!:d8 12 . .te2 tt:Jxd2 13 . .txd2
3 • • • cxd4 4.c!lJxd4 e5 5.c!lJb5 hd2 + 14.<!>f1 tt:lc6 15 .�c2 Y!fb8 16.E!:d1
.ta5 17.E!:xd8+ hd8. Note the possibil­
The only try for advantage. Black ity of Black's counterattack on f2 , as
equalizes easily after the alternatives. in Huque - Hodgson, London 1987,
For instance, S.tt:lb3 dS 6.cxd5 �xdS which continued 7 . . . tt:Je4 8 . tt:J c7 + ??
7 . .td2 .te7 8 . tt:lc3 �e6 9.g3 0-0 and (better is 8.�d5) 8 ... �xc7! 9.�a4+ �c6
Black has equalized. Meanwhile, after and White resigned.
S . tt:l f3 Black can play S . . . tt:Jc6 when
natural moves will hold the balance, Returning to the text, this position
as in 6 . tt::l c3 .tb4 7 . .td2 0-0 8 . e3 e4 is the real tabiya of this variation.
9.tt:lg5 Y!fe7 10.a3 hc3 ll.hc3 d6, etc.
Another choice for Black following the
passive S . tt:l f3 is S . . . e4, for example
6.tt:ld4 tt:Jc6 7.tt:lc3 .tcS 8.e3 0-0 9 . .te2
�e7 10.tt:lb3 .tb4 n . .td2 b6 and Black
is fine as well. Among the alternatives,
S.tt:lc2, covered above in Sollers-Davi­
la, is the most interesting.

5 • • • d5 6.cxd5 .ic5

In America, this gambit has been at­

tributed to National Master Alexander
Kevitz, whom I played several times.
He was among the top U.S. players
for decades, and at one point he was
number 3 in the country behind only
Samuel Reshevsky and Reuben Fine.
Known as a great innovator, he beat
both Jose Raul Capablanca and Eman­
uel Lasker in simultaneous displays,
At this point there are two plans
from which White chooses most fre­
quently. One is to simply play e2-e3 at
some point to blunt the pressure from
the dark-squared bishop, while the
other is to develop in Catalan fashion,
as in this game.
7 0-0 8.g3 c!lJg4 9.e3 f5 10 .ig2
. • . •

and was champion of the Manhattan f4 11.h3?

Chess Club for many years. In addition
to this gambit, he is also credited with
Provoking a strong sacrifice. 11.0-0,
pioneering the offbeat responses to
returning the pawn, is the best chance.
l.d4, l.. .tt:lc6 and l . . .tt:lf6 2.c4 tt:lc6, the
latter now commonly called the "Black
U . c!lJxf2 12.<!>xf2 fxe3 + 13.<!>el
Knights Tango. "
. .

g£2 14.ggl ygf8 !

7.c!LJ5c3
Now White has no good moves.
7.d6, threatening the fork on c7,
may look aggressive at first glance, but

159
 Chapter 11

White parries the aforementioned has ample compensation in the form of

threats, but only temporarily. space and piece activity.

15 . . . �a6 16.a3 .if5 17 .ie4 .ixe4

•

18.'fbe4

If 18.lt:lxe4 .id4 19 . .ixe3, then 19 . . .

l::i f3 recovers the piece with a strong
attack.

18 . . • J.d4! 19.he3

19.b4 l::i c8 20 . .ixe3 l::ixc3 ! is decisive.

9.a3 �bd7 10.�d2 ges ll.b4
.id6 12 .ib2 a6 13 . .ie2 b5
•

Trapping the queen.

20.hd4 exd4!

Better than 20 . . . lt:lxe4 2 1 .lt:lxe4, at­

tacking Black's rook and leaving White
up on material.

21.'ffxd4 ges+ 22.�dl 'f«£3+

After 23. �c1, the knight hops into

b3 forking the whole family and deliv­
ering mate as well. Not a bad game for
an 11-year old !
0-1
White has managed to arrange his
pieces logically on the queenside and
has good chances to maintain an edge
if he can hold his d-pawn while pres­
suring Black's e-pawn.

14.�b3 'f«e7 15.g4

G. Kamsky - A. Hoffmann
New York 1990
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.�£3 cxd4
4.�xd4 e5 5.�b5 d5 6.cxd5 J.c5
7.e3 0-0 8.�5c3 e4
Clamping down on White's position
and making natural development dif­
ficult. In exchange for the pawn, Black
A creative attacking idea from the
virtuoso Kamsky ; however, this is
usually more effective when there is a
bishop on fS as White can then gain a
tempo together with the flank attack.
Having solidified the queenside, White
undertakes action on the kingside de­
spite having neither castled nor placed
many pieces on that side of the board.

160
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.lLlf3
15 . . . tbb6 16.g5 t0fd7 17.h4 tbc4
An interesting position has arisen.
White's kingside attack has potential,
though it is still several moves away
from emerging. M e anwhile , Black
launches operations on the queenside
with this provocative knight posting.
18.h:c4 bxc4 19.tba5
Most players would place the knight
on d4 - the obvious central square for
the steed. Kamsky places his knight
instead on the dimly-lit rim, from
where it prevents ... .ib7 and threatens
to occupy c6.
19 . . . tbe5 20.tbc6 Vfc7 21.tbxe5
h:e5 22 .Yfd2 J.f5
H ere Black should have played
2 2 . . . .tg4 ! , when White's king would be
caged in the center.
23.0-0-0 Vfd7 24.Vfc2 J.g4 25.
�d2 .if3 26.�gl a5 27.b5 �adS
28.d6 ge6 29.�d5 J.h2 30.�el
gxd6 31.�xd6 Vfxd6
Unfortunately, this game was not
played at a classical time control, so the
score is incomplete. So many American
masterpieces are lost due to the format
of our tournaments, which is a shame.
However, in the diagram position Black
has achieved a decisive advantage and
he went on to win handily by rounding
up White's kingside pawns.
J. Horvath - z. Ba8agi
Sarajevo 2 004
l.d4 tbf6 2.tbf3 c5 3.c4 cxd4
4.tbxd4 e5 5.tbb5 d5 6.cxd5 J.c5
7.g3 0-0 8.t05c3 e4
Once again, we see this thematic
pawn push.
9.J.g2 ges 10.tba3
An interesting decision. The more
natural 10.0-0 is also perfectly playable
here, though the text move is not as
committal and maintains some flex­
ibility in development.
10 • . • tbg4
A direct move, tempting White into
taking the e-pawn when the simple
11. 0-0 would be stronger. One line after
castling would be 11.0-0 e3 1 2 .f3 lLlf2
13.�b3 lLlh3+ 14 . .txh3 hh3 15J�dl.
Though White would have an advan­
tage here thanks to his extra pawn and
Black's far-advanced pawn serving as a
shield for White, the pressure from the
161
 Chapter 11
two bishops may provide Black with
adequate pressure and White's posi­
tion is understandably not to every­
one's taste. After ll.e3 instead, Black
plays the simple 1 l . . .�xa3 1 2 .bxa3
tt'lxf2 ! 13. �xf2 �f6 14.�g1 �xc3 with
a clear advantage. Thus, White's deci­
sion to capture on the next move with
ll.tt'lxe4 is understandable given these
lines as alternatives.
11.ttlxe4 l!3xe4 12 . .ixe4
In the diagram position, Black is
down two pawns and the exchange but
enjoys more than adequate positional
compensation ! For one, his pieces are
coordinated in an attack on White's
vulnerable dark squares and, after the
bishop gives check with 12 . . . �xf2 + ,
White's king will b e uncomfortably
nudged to fl, as 13. �d2 would allow the
devastating 13 . . . �a5+ 14. �c2 �a4+
15.�d2 �xe4. One way for Black to
continue in the diagram position would
be 12 . . . i.xf2 + 13.�f1 �c5 14.�c2 �f6+
15. �f3 �d4 16.e3 ttlxe3 17.he3 �xe3
18.�g2 . Finally, it's important to note
that 12 . . . tt'lxf2 is insufficient, as the
queen will step to c2 hitting h7 and
the c5-bishop simultaneously. All of
this is to say that already on move 12,
Black has a lot to be happy about from
his opening. This is an example of the
gambit working wonderfully.
162
12 • • • YU6??
A game-losing blunder. While 12 . . .
�f6 seems t o cautiously add t o the
pressure on the focal point f2 , it over­
looks the direct riposte 13.f3 , when
even after 13 . . . tt'lf2 , White's queen will
scuttle away to c2 as in the previous
paragraph, from where it attacks both
bishops and threatens Black's vulner­
able back rank and the h7 square all
at once.
13.£3! ttla6 14.e3
Obviously, the knight cannot be
taken because then Black's mirage of
a dark-square attack will materialize
into an oasis of checks. However, the
maneuver 14.�a4 �e7 15.�c2 would
have made White's job easier, with
his forces overwhelming Black's on all
quadrants.
14 • • • ttlxe3
It's hard to fault Black for releasing
the tension with this exchange, though
preferable is 14 . . . �b4+ , as after 15.�d2
now 15 . . . tt'lxe3 wins the pawn.
15 .ixe3 he3 16.�e2 .ic5 17.
•
ttlb5 .id7 18.0-0-0 YlYb6 19.tLlc3 l!3e8
I can't help but think that c8 is the
better square for the rook in terms of
creating practical chances, though at
this point it matters little as Black is
completely lost. White conducts the
rest of the game with an eye towards
consolidating his material advantage,
and his superior forces effortlessly
dominate the board.
20.g4 YlYa5 21.mb1 b5 22.d6 b4
23.ttld5 .ie6 24.b3 hd6 25.ttlf6+
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.tt:lf3
gxf6 26J;xd6 tOeS 27.�c1 <i>f8
28.We3 ttJxe4 29.fxe4 We5 30.Wd4
'i'f4 31.'i'xb4 <i>g7 32.'i'd4 <i>g6
33.�c5 'i'fl+ 34.<i>b2 'i'g2 + 35.<i>a3
'i'fl 36.�h5 'i'c1+ 37.<i>a4 .id7+
38.�xd7 Wc6+ 39.<i>a3 1-0
K. Bischoff - G. Jones
Liverpool 2006
1.d4 ttJf6 2.c4 c5 3.ttJf3 cxd4
4.ttJxd4 e5 5.tLib5 d5 6.cxd5 .ic5
7.t05c3 0-0 8.e3 e4
This pawn push is standard, and we
might say that the resulting position is
a bit of a tabiya for this variation. The
ideas behind 8 . . . e4 are self-evident: 1)
it hinders White's natural development
by controlling the f3 and d3 squares,
while 2) also grabbing some central
space.
9 . .ie2 'i'e7 10.a3 gds
The queen and rook work in tandem
to control the d- and e-files, with the
queen supporting the far-advanced
thorn on e3 while the rook applies
pressure to the isolani on dS. This piece
placement is ideal and here it can be
said that Black has more than adequate
compensation for the pawn.
11.ttJd2 ttJxd5 12.ttJxd5 �xd5
Black recoups the pawn and main­
tains a lead in development together
with an edge in space. While his e4-pawn
is under pressure, Black will be able to
support it with the developing ... .ifS.
13.'i'c2
13.'i'a4? is no good according to
Palliser, who annotated this game in
his book Dangerous Weapons: Flank
Ope n ings. After 1 3 . 11fia4, Black can
continue with 13 . . . tt:ld7 14.Wc2 tt:lb6
15. tt:lxe4 .ifS 16. f3 �c8 17.Wb3 .ie6,
when his attack is overwhelming.
13 ••• .if5
Anoth e r p o s s ib l e move i s the
straightforward 13 . . .tt:lc6, when White
cannot capture with 14.Wxe4 because
it is tactically defended by 14 . . . �xd2
15.11fixe7 Elxe 2 + 16.<i>xe2 .ixe7, when
Black has a material advantage in an
uncomplicated position. The alterna­
tive 14.tt:lxe4 looks playable, though
it leaves Black with a slight plus after
14 . . . .if5 15. f3 Elad8 16.0-0 .ib6 17 . .ic4
El5d7 18.11fia4 .ixe4 19.fxe4 tt:leS. White's
doubled pawns are left weak while
Black's commanding control of the d­
file is more than adequate compensa­
tion for the advanced e-pawn.
14.b4 .ib6 15 .ib2 ttJc6 16.0-0
•
.ic7
163
 Chapter 11
One can't but help wonder what the
idea behind 18.�b3 was, if only on the
next move the queen ends up on a4.
19 b5 ! ?
.•.
Here Palliser recommends 1 9 . . .f5,
which would give Black a small edge,
though 19 . . . �h4 is also worth consid­
ering, as is the immediate 19 . . . i.xh2
2 0 . Wxh2 �d6+ when the knight on d2
will be captured.
20.hb5 .ixh2+
A speculative sacrifice. The tactic
mentioned above no longer justifies
this sacrifice, due to the pressure on
the c6-knight. Black should play 20 . . .
i.g4 21. i.xc6 �d6 2 2 .g3 i.xd1 23.'Llxe4
.b:a4 24. 'Llxd6 l:!xd6 25 .i.xa4, when
the position is equal but unbalanced.
White's two bishops and extra pawns
provide excellent compensation for the
exchange, though the second player's
centralized rooks likely are strong
enough to hold the draw.
21.Wxh2 ti'h4+ 22.Wgl gbs 23.
f4
This is incorrect. The move which
would have enabled White to refute
164
the sacrifice is the solid 23.f3, when
Black's attack loses momentum and
his material investment looks less like
a hedged bet and more like a volatile
mortgage-backed security in 2008. For
instance, in the line 23.f3 �h2 + 24.Wf2
i.h3 25.l:!g1 l:!g5 26.i.fl exf3 27.'Llxf3
�g3 + 28.We2 i.g4 29.l:!h1 l:!f5, White
has weathered the storm.
23 . . . ti'h2 + 24.wf2 gb3
A blunder born of optimism. Black
should settle for the repetition after
24 . . . �h4+ 25.Wg1 �h2 + 26. Wf2 , etc.
White returns the favor. Instead of
this knight retreat, the straightforward
25.'Llxe4 leaves White with a decisive
edge.
25 .•• gf3+ 26.Wel fixg2 27.l!!! d 2
figl
Missing 27 . . . l:!xf1 ! when there is no
hope for White. One line goes 28 . .txfl
'!Wf3 29 .i.e2 �g3+ 30 .Wd1 (obviously
not 3 0 . Wfl i.h3 # ) 30 . . . �g1 + 3 l . Wc2
'Llxb4# .
After this oversight, White i s lost
and Black finishes the game with
aplomb. It's very difficult to see, but
28 .�a6 is the best defense here. The
queen supports the bishop in its
heroic defense of the pinned knight.
Though even here Black can win, as
John Watson demonstrates with the
following line: 28 . . . l:!xe3+ 29.i.e2 .th3
30.Wd1 i.g4 ! 3l.We1 h5 ! .
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.tt'lf3

The game concluded with 28 • • •

i.h3 29.YlYa6 l:!xe3+ 30.l:!e2 YlYxfl+

3U!?d2 gds+ o-1.

A. Raetsky - D. Tyomkin
Biel 1999

Dimitri Tyomkin achieved a GM

norm in Biel using this nasty gambit.
His notes to the game serve to highlight
the practical implications of chess
preparation. For instance, after move 8
he tells us that, "In my home prepara­
tion to this game I found that Raetsky
had played too risky in this variation
and lost to a low-rated opponent. For
the opening stage of the current game
my opponent spent almost 1112 hours ­
meaning I made the right choice ! " And
therein lies the power of this gambit.
Even strong and well prepared play­
ers are frequently knocked off-balance
by the pesky piece activity that Black
Black's lead in development is stag­
gering. While an evaluation reveals the
position to be objectively equal, it is
easy to see why Tyomkin's opponent
spent so much time agonizing over
every move during the opening phase.
12.i.b2 'l:\e5
The simple 12 . . . tt'lb6 here is another
consideration, though I prefer the text
move.
13.�d2 gcs 14 .ie2 �d3+ 15.
•

hd3 exd3 16.l:!c1? !

is able to generate in exchange for a
pawn.
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.�f3 cxd4
4.�xd4 e5 5.�b5 d5 6.cxd5 .ic5
7.�5c3 0-0 8.h3 .!f5 9.a3
9 . e3 ig6 1 0 .g4 e4 l l .ig2 tt'l a6 ! ?
1 2 . g 5 tt'l b 4 1 3 . gxf6 'l:\ d 3 + 1 4 . 'it> d 2
After this inaccuracy, Black gets a
clear advantage. According to Tyomkin,
the correct way is 16.YlYf3 .ie5 17.YlYxf5
.ixc3 18 ..ixc3 fuc3 19.e4 l':k2 20J:'ld1 (20.
YlYf3 ge8 2l.'llYxd3 fud2 22.�xd2 'l:\xe4
23.YlYd4 'l:\c5+ ) 20 . . . �c7 21.0-0 �c3.
16 .!e5 17.YlYb3 hc3 18.l:!xc3
•••

YlYxf6 0 - 1 K . Aseev - Smirin, Klaipeda l:!xc3 19.hc3 YlYxd5 20.ti'xd5 'l:\xd5

1988. 21.'l:\b1 'l:\b6 !

9 .•. '2Jbd7 10.e3 e4

While this thematic pawn push does

cramp White, my computer prefers
10 . . . tt'lb6, as now Black threatens to
regain the pawn that he invested in
the opening.

ll.b4 i.d6

165
 Chapter 11
Black needs to handle the position
accurately. Tyomkin notes that White's
likely plan in this position was to block­
ade the pawn with his king and activate
his rook with <;t> d2 and Elcl. However,
Black prevents this plan with the text
move, as now the knight can hop into
c4 should the king try to blockade the
pawn.
22.f3 l:'!:c8 23.e4 .id7
From here, the bishop keeps an eye
on both sides of the board and prepares
to defend the pawn by arriving on the
c2 square via a4.
24. <;t>f2 .ia4 25.l:'!:cl .ic2 26 .id4
•
c!Llc4 27 . .ic5 b6 28 .ie3 f6 29.c!Lld2?
•
Tyomkin gives this punctuation for
White's last move because it allows
Black to achieve a winning ending.
More daring would have been 29.a4,
when the contest might have entered
into an interesting pawn ending.
29 . . . c!Llxa3-+ 30,gal c!Llb5 31.h4
h5 32.g4 hxg4 33.fxg4 <;t>f7 34.h5
l:'!:c3 35.<;t>f3 l:'!:a3 36.l:'!:hl
If 36.Elxa3, then 36 . . . c!Llxa3 37. <;t>f4
.idl.
36 ... l:'!:a4 37.h6 gxh6 38.l:1xh6
l:'!:xb4 39.<;t>f4
166
This enables Black to finish the
game in style.
39 ... c!Llc3 40.l:'!:h7+ <;t>g6 4l.l:'!:xa7
c!Llxe4! 42.c!Llxe4 l:'!:xe4+
And the pawn phalanx is unstop­
pable.
0-1
L. Aronian - E. Sutovsky
Dresden 2007
l.c4 c5 2.c!Llf3 c!Llf6
This game starts out as a proper
Symmetrical English. In his annota­
tions, Aronian writes that, "here I
started to worry a bit. Was he going to
play the gambit line, which I had not
prepared seriously?" There is no higher
praise for an opening from a top-flight
player than to say that he worries his
opponent might play it!
3.d4 cxd4 4.c!Llxd4 e5
According to Aronian, this variation
suits Emil's style, as Black can often
develop a strong initiative in practical,
over-the-board games.
5.c!Llb5 d5 6.cxd5 .ic5 7.c!LJ5c3
0-0 8.g3
Aronian aims for a kingside fian­
chetto as opposed to the 8.e3 we have
seen in earlier contests.
8 ... Yfb6
Here, 8 . . . .!Llg4 as in the Judit Polgar
game earlier in this chapter is also play­
able. In his notes, Aronian mentions
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.lt:Jf3
that the hero for this line, GM Rafael
Vaganian, favors this move as well.
9.e3 �g4 10 . .te2 .ixe2 ll.Ybe2
e4
Black puts a pawn on e4 so that
White can't.
12.a3 ltlbd7
Aronian points out another idea for
Black: 12 . . .l''l e8 so as to meet 13.lt:Jd2
with 13 .. .'�c7, preventing b2-b4 for the
time being.
13.ltld2 gfe8 14.b4 .tf8 15.0-0
V!fc7
An odd choice, as the natural 15 . . .
Eiac8 seems more straightforward than
this queen deployment.
16 .tb2 ltlb6 17.ltlb5. V!fd7 18.d6
•
ltlfd5 19.gac1 hd6 20.ltlxd6 V!!xd6
21.Eifd1 V!!e6
Aronian points out that Black's cav­
alry is not optimally placed, and would
be better traded off than remaining on
the board.
22.ltlb3 ltlf4 23.gxf4 V!!xb3
24.�h1 V!!e 6 25.gg1 f6 26.V!fh5
Threatening Eixg7 + .
2 7 . Eix g 7 + � x g 7 2 8 . Ei g 1 + � h 8
( 2 8 . . . �f8 loses after simply 29 .'11<�'xh7)
29.V!fxd5 Eie7 - Aronian.
27 �h8 28.gcg1 ge7 29.gh3
• • .
V!fg8 30.V!ff5 gf8 31 .td4 b6 32.gg4
•
l3c7 33.ghs
White coordinates his major pieces
for the attack.
33 ltle7 34.V!fxe4 g£7 35.l3g1
• • •
g6 36.ges 36 ltlc6? 37.ges 1-0
• • .
Black resigns in light of 37.Eie8 Eif8
38 .i.xf6+.
D. Kalashian - A. Ramirez
Gaziantep 2008
1.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 c5 3.ltlf3 cxd4
4.ltlxd4 e5 5.ltlb5 d5 6.cxd5 .tc5
7.ltl5c3 0-0 8.g3 e4 9.e3 .tg4 10 •
.te2
A surprising choice, as 1 0 . V!fb3
seems like a more thematic reply to
this bishop move.
Again it would seem that 11. V!fb3
is called for, though I like White's
ambitions here to simply attack on
the kingside while leaving his king
in the center. Another idea is to play
ll.g4 ! , seeking to trap the bishop on
h3. Black's best defense then would be
1l.. .V!fc7, attacking the h-pawn should
White try the maneuver Eig1-g3 to win
167
 Chapter 11
the bishop; however, White will secure
an advantage with g4-g5 and tt:ld2.
11 ... ti'c7 12.a3 gds 13.b4 .tf8
The bishop retreats to its home
square to help defend against the pres­
sure that White's dark-squared bishop
will exert from b2.
14.i.b2 a6 15.ti'b3 tLlbd7 16.
tLld2 .if5 17.tLlc4
Better was 1 7 Jk l , when White
would be more fully developed and
ready to pressure Black's e4-pawn.
17... b5 18.d6 ti'b8 19.tLla5
Isn't there a saying about knights
on the rim?
19 . . . tLle5
168
White has a far-advanced passed
pawn, though it is likely dead in the
water. The position is equal.
20.tLlxe4
Better was 20.tt:lxb5, with the same
idea of unleashing the dark-squared
bishop on eS, though removing the e­
pawn from the center of the board may
actually activate Black's light-squared
bishop, whereas the capture on bS
would have left White with a clear
distant pawn majority.
20 tLlxe4
• . • 21.he5 hd6
22 .i.d4 fic7 23.ti'b2 gac8 24.tLlb3
fie7 25.gdl hb4+
Black gives up the bishop for two
pawns and an attack.
26.axb4 ti'xb4+ 27.�fl
Obviously 27.tt:ld2 fails to the simple
27 . . . Eixd4, so White is forced to place
his king on this awkward square where
Black's light-squared bishop can give
an annoying check as in the game.
27. . . .th3+ 28.gg2 tLlc3 29.hc3
gxdl+ 30.hdl fixc3 31.fie2 .te6 !
This retreat to attack the knight is a
very nice finesse. Black is in no hurry
to win the exchange, which he can by
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.ltJf3
returning his bishop to h3 if need be to
collect later. Instead, he seeks to force
White into contortions in order not to
hemorrhage more material.
32.lt�d2 �d8 33.£3 .th3
Having done its job creating threats
elsewhere, the bishop returns to claim
its prize on g2.
34.�e4 �c1 35.�£2 .bg2 +
36.�xg2 �d2 37.Yltfl h5 38.e4 b4
It's clear that the connected out­
side passed pawns are the real asset
for Black in this position, and so he
pushes them.
39.e5 �c5 40.�e1 �d5 41.�g1
�b2 42.f4 h4 43.gxh4 �d2
44.�xd2 �xd2 45.�fl a5 46.�e1
�b2 47.�d3 �b1 48.�c5 b3 !
Black finds a breakthrough to queen
the a-pawn by jettisoning his b-pawn
and rook.
49.�xb3 a4 50.�d2 a3 51.�xb1
a2 52.�d2 a1Ylt
And the rest is a matter of technique,
as they say. While material is roughly
equal by a standard count, the queen
should outclass the bishop and knight
on the open board and round up the
stray pawns without too much trouble.
53.�£3 �c1 54.f5 �f4 55.e6 f6
56.�£2 �xf5 57.J.b3 �c5+ 58.�g3
�f8 59.�g2 Yltb5 60 . .td1 �d3
61.J.a4 �e2 + 62.�g3 �xe6 63.J.c2
f5 64.h5 �d6+ 65.�g2 Yltf4 66.h3
�e7 67 . .id3 �f6 68.J.e2 �h6
69.�g1 �e3 70 . .t:f3 �g5 71.�e2
�h4 72 .�g1 �e1 73 ..ie2 �g3+
74.�fl �g5 75 .id1 �f6 76 .ie2
• •
�e5 77 .i:f3 �f4 78.�e2+ �x£3
•
79.�xg3 �xg3 80.�e2 f4 0-1
L. Filip - E. Miroshnichenko
European Championship 2008
1.�£3 c5 2.c4 �f6 3.d4 cxd4
4.�xd4 e5 5.�b5 d5 6.cxd5 J.c5
7.�5c3 0-0 8.g3 e4 9 . .ig2 �e8 10.
e3 J.f5 ll.a3 �bd7 12.�d2 �c8
13.0-0 .ib6
The bishop retreats in anticipation
of b2-b4.
14.h3 J.g6 15.�b1 h5
It's difficult to criticize this move,
as it's one I myself would likely play in
this position. Black seeks to soften up
White's kingside by racing the h-pawn
down the board, and as a practical
matter this is at least an active plan
in a position that cries out for activ-
169
 Chapter 11
ity. However, better is 15 ... .!a5, which
pressures White on the opposite wing
where his pieces are awkwardly placed
and not yet ideally developed. This
move prevents the freeing move b2-b4,
which White needs to play in order to
activate his bishop, and also threatens
to remove the active knight on c3.
16.Yfe2 h4 17.g4
White gives Black's attack too much
credit with this move. Either 17.lLlc4 or
even the straightforward 17.gxh4 are
slightly more accurate. However, it's
important to recognize that Black's
bishops may benefit from any opening­
up of the position, and so 17.g4 may be
preferable from a practical standpoint.
17. . . �e5 18.�dxe4 �xe4
19.�xe4 :ac4 20.�d2 :ac2 21.e4
Yff6 22.®hl Yff4
An interesting choice. The more nat­
ural-looking 22 .. .1'!ec8 is also playable,
though Black probably avoided this con­
tinuation because of 23.f4, when White's
kingside pawns are menacing. The text
move both prevents this pawn advance
and invites White to release the tension
as in the game with the next move.
170
White invites a queen trade. The
tension from the position is released
over the next few moves, leaving little
left to say. The position is balanced,
and for remainder of the game neither
side seems to take too many chances to
disturb that balance.
However, White could have pressed
for an advantage with 23 .Yfd1 when
Black is in trouble, for instance 23 . . .
:aceS 24.lLlc4 Yff6 25.g5 Yfd8 2 6 . lLlxb6
Wxb6 27.f4 and White's central pawns
are a decisive factor. After 23 .Wd1,
Black's best shot would be to sac the
exchange with 23 . . . :axc1, when after
24.1'!xc1 lLld3 White would have had to
return the exchange.
23 . . . :axe2 24 . .txf4 �d3 25.
J.e3 he3 26.fxe3 �f2 + 27. ®gl
�xe4
The rest of the game progresses
smoothly towards a draw.
28.�d4 :axe3 29.:afel �d6
30.:axe3 :axe3 31.:adl ®f8 32.®f2
:ae7 33.:acl J.d3 34 .!£3 g6 35.b3
•
®e8 36.:ac3 J.e4 37.:ae3 ®d7
38.:ael a5 39.:ae3 :aes 40.�e2 f5
41.gxf5 gxf5 42.�f4 b5 43.:ael a4
44.bxa4 bxa4 45 . .Adl �c4 46.
ha4+ ®d6 47 ..ic6 :ae7 48.a4 �e5
lf2-lf2
J. Dudas - R. Stranz
Austria 2 0 03
l.d4 �f6 2.�£3 c5 3.c4 cxd4
4.�xd4 e5 5.�b5 d5 6.cxd5 .!c5
7.�5c3 0-0 8.h3 b5 ! :
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.ti:lf3
Black's move 8 is direct, and while
it appears to press his lead in develop­
ment, it is actually a way for Black to
achieve a quiet, equal position against
the 8.h3 variation.
9.a3 b4 10.axb4 hb4 ll . .id2
Not 11..ig5? ! , when Black can reply
ll. . . �xdS.
ll . . . .hc3 12 .hc3 �xd5
• 13.
.he5 �c6 14 .tc3•
Black's massive lead in develop­
ment and centralized knights provide
adequate compensation for the pawn,
and the position is equal. Of course,
the mere fact than an engine gives it
an equal evaluation does not mean
that it is lifeless. Here, Black's practical
chances are quite good and his position
is easier to play than White's, as White
still has some untangling of his pieces
to do, while Black will be able to cause
some problems for the next few moves
with his galloping cavalry.
14 . . . .tf5 15.e3 �xe3 !
Like a thunderbolt from a clear
blue sky, Black snacks on the pawn
that White has just advanced. Such
sacrifices are often in the air when one
side's forces still sit idly on their home
squares at move 15.
16.fxe3 �h4+ 17.'it>e2 gadS
18.�e1
It will come as no surprise that the
better move here was 18. ti:lbd2, as at
least it developed something ! Now
Black's pieces envelop the helpless
white king.
18 . . . .id3+ 19.'it>f3
White finally makes a mistake from
which he cannot recover. Better is the
ugly 19. 'it>d1, when Black still has an
advantage in addition to an attack, but
White at least keeps his queen.
19 . . . �e5+ 20.he5 �xe1
The rest merely wraps things up.
21 .hd3 §'xh1 22 .td4 §'d1+
• •
23 .te2 �c2 24.�c3 lUeS 25.'it>f2
•
�xb2 26.�b5 gxd4 27,gxa7 gd2
0-1
A. Mikhalchishin - G. Kasparov
Frunze 1981
1.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.�f3 cxd4 4.
�xd4 e5 5.�b5 d5 6.cxd5 .ic5
7.�5c3 0-0 8.e3 e4 9 .ie2 We7 •
171
 Chapter 11

10 . .!0d2 gds ll.a3 .!Oxd5 12 .!0xd5

•

gxd5

The passed b7-pawn stands very tall ,

This is a standard theoretical start­
ing point for this variation. Black has
regained the pawn investment, but
his pieces cannot stay in the center
for long.
13.ti'c2 .if5 14.b4
An alternative plan here is to attack
on the kingside with 14.h4 or even
14.g4.
14 . . . .ib6 15 . .ib2 .!Oc6 16.0-0
ti'g5 17,g,hl
The king steps to the side to avoid
any . . . i.h3 chicanery.
17 .. ,gd6 18 .!0xe4 he4 19.ti'xe4
•
though Black can halt its progress with
either . . . .icS or . . . i.aS as in the game.
23 . . . .ia5 24,gcs ti'b5 25,gfcl
ti'xb7 26.ti'e8 ti'xc8 ! 27.ti'xc8 .id2
A fascinating variation in which
Black has walked the tightrope of
reciprocal back-rank weaknesses. Ul­
timately, Black repays White with the
same coin. White's weak back rank
is the tactical resource that justifies
Black's 2 1"1 move, allowing for a seem­
ingly dangerous passed pawn to arrive
on the b7 square. Naturally, a player of
Kasparov's caliber saw this continua­
tion to the very end and realized that
the resulting ending, in which he would
have two active rooks, favors Black.
28.h3 h6

Both sides let in a little air.

White's bishop pair on the open 29.ti'c4 hc1 30.ti'xcl gxf2
board gives him a pleasant edge.

19 . . . gd2 20.b5?

The flashy 2 0 . .ia6 ! is superior

here, as now Black will gain a decisive
advantage with either 2 0 . . . :B:xe2 or
20 . . . .!0a5.

2 0 . . ,gxe2 21.bxc6 gxb2 22.

cxb7 gf8 23.gacl

172
 The Kevitz Gambit: White Plays 3.lt:Jf3
The smoke has cleared and we have
arrived at a two-rooks-vs.-queen end­
ing, which favors Black thanks to 1) his
superior pawns and 2) the fact that the
rooks are likely going to outclass the
single lady on the open board.
31.�c7 a6 32.�a7 �f6 33.a4
�d8 34.a5 �dl+ 35.c;t>h2 �d2 36.
�b8+ c;t>b7 37.�b4 �ff2 38.�e4+
f5 0-1
White resigns in light of the pres­
sure on the g2 -pawn, which will allow
Black to simplify into a winning king­
and-pawn ending.
173
Chapter 12
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Common Early Deviations

n this chapter, we will address some of the sidelines that you might encounter
Iwhile playing the Czech Benoni. Many of these deviations are simply not good
for White, or else they give Black a very easy game, and for that reason you will
run across them very rarely, if ever. However, a quick look at the ideas in these
byways is helpful, so as not to be taken by surprise at the board should your op­
ponent decide to sidestep the Czech Benoni.

Our first deviation arises when White snaps up the advanced e-pawn, captur­
ing en passant. This is a move likely to be made by weaker players, who are taken
by surprise by 3 . . . e5 and assume incorrectly that opening the position earlier is
favorable to the player who moved first.

J. Shutzman - A. Hoffmann Black achieves equality following this

New York 1992 move. This variation is not to be rec­
ommended for White, as Black now
l.d4 ltlf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4. equalizes with . . . d7-d5, a break that
dxe6 fxe6 cannot be prevented. Once Black gets
in . . . d7-d5, he will have a comfortable
presence in the center and straightfor­
ward development.

More common here is S.lik3, which

we examine in the next game. In either
case, Black's battle plan remains the
same: play . . . d7-d5, control the center
in classical style, and develop logically.

This early en passa nt capture is 5 ... d5 6.g3

tempting for players fearful of engag­
ing in the closed, maneuvering battle
of the mainline Czech Benoni, where
they expect their opponent will be on
their theoretical home turf. It is also
a choice often made by players who
do not appreciate the ease with which
An interesting choice : rather than
simplify by exchanging in the center
right away, White looks to fianchetto
and develop in Catalan fashion.
6 ... ltlc6 7.i.g2 d4

174
 Common Early Deviations

Black decides to clarify the center

rather than tolerate any further uncer­
tainty. His plan is to accept the space
which White has so graciously offered.
Also good here is simply keeping the
tension with 7 . . . i.e7 and . . . 0-0.

8.0-0 e5 9.e3

Already, Black has a healthy edge

due to his superiority in space . The
break with the e-pawn does little to
change this - in fact, here the pawn
break is likely premature. Better for
White may have been 9 . lLlbd2 i.e7
1 0 .�c2 0-0 l l . lLl gS lLlb4 1 2 .�bl d3
13. exd3 �xd3 14.�xd3 lLlxd3, when
White's dark-squared bishop will come
to life and give White some compensa­
tion for his lack of space.
9 • • • .ie7 10.b4?
The knight is placed better on
b3, where it can help to defend the
queenside while buying a tempo from
the dark-squared bishop.
19 ••• Wd6 20.Wd2 E!ad8?
Here Black misses a gorgeous win
with 20 . . . �g3 ! 2 U�e5 lLl e4 2 2 . !=(xeS
( 2 2 . l"(xe4 l"(xf3 23.i.d4 ltJxd4 24.fxg3
liJb3+ 2S. <;t> hl lLlxd2 26.hf3 liJxf3) 22 . . .
ltJxd2 23.fxg3 lLlxf3+ 24. <;t> hl l"(ae8-+.

The idea is to break up Black's 21.E!adl c!Dh7 22.E!fl E!fe8

d o m i n ating center and bring the
Logically taking the e-file, but now
dark-squared bishop into the game,
the position returns to equality. 22 . . .
but it's a gamble to allow Black such
l"( f7 i s better a s it forces White's pieces
a far-advanced passed pawn so early
to go into contortions in order to defend
in the game. A more careful mode of
Black's multiple threats - for instance,
development as described above was
22 . . . l"(f7 23.lLlel �g3 ! 24.lLlxd3 i.x£2 +
called for, when White would still
2S. <;t> hl .ie3, when Black has achieved
have been a little worse but retained
a strategically winning position. If in­
adequate practical chances.
stead after 22 . . . l"(f7 White tries 23. <;t> hl,
then Black can play 23 ... �e6 hitting the
10 cxb4 ll.exd4 exd4 12 .ib2
weak pawn on c4, and if White defends
• • • •

d3 13 .!Dbd2 0-0 14.�el .ig4

with 24.�cl we have 24 . . . l"(fd7 25.l"(fel
•

�t7 26.l"(d2 i.b6, when Black has con­

The direct 14 . . . a5 is likely better
as it intensifies the pressure on the
queenside, while the text move allows
White to gain several tempi off the
bishop while releasing some of the
tension on the kingside.
15.h3 .i.h5 16.g4 J.g6 17.c!Dh4
.ic5 18.c!Dxg6 hxg6 19.c!Df3
solidated the position with an extra,
far-advanced passed pawn.
23.E!del a5 24.E!xe8+ E!xe8 25.
l"(dl??
Naturally this move is a blunder.
Better is the simple 25.l"(el, when the
game would likely end in a draw.

175
 Chapter 12

25 . . . ge2 26. Yfxe2 At first blush this move looks ag­

gressive, as it pressures Black's center.
This amounts to capitulation, but However, Black already has an advan­
what else is there? tage in this position after 7 . .ig5. Better
for White is 7.e4, though White will
26 dxe2 27.gxd6 hd6 28.
• • • likely struggle to equalize no matter
.!Del c!bf6 29 .tf3 • what move he selects here.

H ere Black finds a nice forcing

move that leads to a winning ending.

7 d4 8.c!be4 c!bc6
• • •

8 . . .i.f5 is also good after 9 . lt:l xf6

29 •.. b3 !
This is a routine find for an FM,
though it is still aesthetically pleasing
in its dual functionality. At a single
stroke, Black creates a queenside pass­
er and activates his bishop. The move
also highlights the awkward placement
of White's knight on e l . Obviously,
the b3-pawn is immune from capture
because of (30.axb3) 30 . . . i.b4 ! , when
White will have to lose his knight.
Meanwhile, 30 .i.xe2 as in the game
allows Black to obtain a new dangerous
gxf6 . Black's space advantage and
central presence give him a free hand
and ensure an advantage.
9.e3?
Once again, as in the previous game
we see White tempted to play this move
prematurely. However, here it is even
worse in light of 9 . . . '?;Ya5 + . Simple
development was called for instead,
though again, White is already worse.
9 ti'a5+ 10.lt:ld2 lt:le4
•••

passed pawn.

30 .ixe2 bxa2 0-1

•

J. Lael - A. Hoffmann
New York 1984

l.d4 c!bf6 2 .c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.

dxe6 fxe6 5.c!bc3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5
7 .ig5
•

176
 Common Early Deviations
ll.�gf3 J.g4 12.J.f4
It is only move 12 and yet Black al­
ready has a sizeable advantage. In this
position, the straightfmward 12 . . . 0-0-0
gives Black everything he needs to win,
but here I found a more forcing move
with . . .
12 • • • g5 13.J.g3
Perhaps White could try 13 .i.c7,
though he would still be much worse
after 13 . . .'�xc7 14.ltlxe4 0-0-0 15.�a4
�e7, when Black's pressure is over­
whelming.
13 ••• dxe3
After this move, the wheels come
off.
14.fxe3 0-0-0 15.J.e2 .hf3 16.
hf3 �d2 17.J.g4+ 'ifld8 18.0-0
White is already lost, but his idea
behind castling is to concentrate the
rooks and bishops on Black's king for
the greatest practical effect. Black's
next move is designed to minimize any
practical chances that might remain by
trading off one of the raking clerics.
18 . . . �xg3 ! 19.�fJ �xfl 20.
�f6+ lflc7 21.gxfl �4 2 2.J.fJ
�xb2 0-1
Another way in which White may
try to deviate is with 3.e3, propping
up his center. This approach is fa­
vored by players who wish to sidestep
Benoni structures and prefer a more
classical-type game. Against 3.e3, we
recommend a transposition to the
Panov-Botvinnik Attack in the Caro­
Kann: after following the moves l.d4
ltlf6 2 . c4 c5 3.e3 cxd4 4.exd4 d5, the
following position is reached:
While a comprehensive treatment
of this variation is beyond the scope of
this book, the line is a necessary arrow
to have in your Czech Benoni quiver
and we give the following game as an
example of an enterprising gambit in
the Panov-Botvinnik for Black, which
we feel is in the fighting spirit of this
book.
D. Stenzwilk - A. Hoffmann
Philadelphia 1984
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5
4.c4 �f6 5.�c3 g6 6.V9b3 !
The sharpest try for an advantage.
Taylor - Hoffmann, Manhattan CC
Championship 1984, continued 6.ltlf3
J.g7 7.i.e2 0-0 8 . 0-0 dxc4 9 .hc4 i.g4
10 .h3 hf3 11.�xf3 ltlc6 12.:1l:d1 ltle8 ! ,
with chances for both sides .
177
 Chapter 12

6 • • • i.g7! 16 . . . a4 17.'\Wb4 a3 18 .b3 lLl b 2 , when

Black has obtained a protected passed
I became convinced that this sac­ knight!
rifice is correct while playing over
a collection of Mikhail Tal's games . 16 • • • exd6
Although Tal adopted several differ­
ent schemes against this variation, he This is the correct recapture, as now
never got an advantage against it. Black is forever blocking two pawns
with one and gaining the e-file for his
7.cxd5 0-0 8.i.e2 rook.

Other tries are 8.ttJf3 and 8 . .if4. 17.a4

8 ti:)bd7 9.J.f.J
• • • ti:)b6 lO.i.gS White loses material after 17.W/xb5?
ti:)e8 ! .ia6.

Recommended by some theoreti­ 17 ti:)xe3 18.fxe3

•••

cians, but seldom played. Note that

both 10 . . . i.f5 and 10 . . . i.g4 are well
analyzed moves that give White an
advantage.
ll.ti:)ge2 h6 12.i.e3 ti:)d6 13.0-0
ti:)bc4
Black now has options to advance
pawns on either wing, while it is dif­
ficult to find a good plan for White.
14J�adl b5 15.ti:)e4 aS
On 18.'\Wxe3? Black plays 18 . . . bxa4,
followed by . . . .id7, . . . :gbs, and . . . :gb4,
eventually tripling the major pieces
on the b-file.
18 b4 19.ti:)g3 ges
••• 20.gfel
Wb6
Increasing pressure on the center
and the queenside. If White now moves
his queen, then . . . b4-b3, to be followed
by an invasion on b4 when the weak
a-pawn will fall.

Losing a pawn, but after 2 2 .h3

:gae7 Black has the strong threat of
... t7-f5-f4.

22 ••• gae7 23.h3

2 3 . :gc6 Wxd4 ! 24.:gxd6 :gxe3 and

16.ti:)xd6? Black wins immediately.

16.tLlc5 is certainly a more inter­ 23 hd4 24.ti:)e4 i.eS 25.gc6

• . •

esting try. A possible continuation is Wd8 26.gecl

178
 Common Early Deviations
Here it would appear that White has
achieved some activity for his pieces,
but he is driven back easily.
26 i.b7 27.g6c2 .ig7 28.ti'c4
.••
f5 29.t1�d2 gxe3 30.tfc7
Now on 30 .. -l:'!:el+ 3l. 'tt> h 2?? .ieS+
32 .g3 tfh4, White gets mated. But if
White plays 31. j:'!:xel j:'!:xel+ 3 2 . 'tt> h 2
i.eS+ 33.g3 "*lh4?? 34."*'h8+ ! , it is Black
who is mated.
30 ti'xc7 31.gxc7 .ixb2 32 .ggl
• • •
Saving a tempo . On other rook
moves, Black plays 32 . . . j:'!:el + followed
by 33 . . . i.e5+ .
32 • • • g3e7 33.gxe7 �e7 34.tl:lc4
Suddenly, White has chances.
34 .ie5 35.tl:lxa5 gc7 36.tl:lc6
.••
White would still be in trouble after
36.4Jxb7 j:'!:xb7, as Black's pawn quickly
reaches the seventh rank.
36 . • • .ic3 37.gbl .ia6 !
Saving the pawn by the threat of
. . . j:'!:b7, pinning.
38.a5 .id3 39.gdl .ic2
Black's pawn will be escorted home
by the two bishops.
40.a6 b3 41.a7 gxa7 42.ll:lxa7
b2
Domination ! Now 4 3 . 4Jb5 .ixd l
44.4Jxc3 i.c2 leads to a won ending,
since Black's king easily reaches the eS
square. If 43.j:'!:gl, then 43 . . . .id4.
43.gfl ,ld2 44.�b5 .ld3 45 . .le2
White's poor bishop , a helpless
spectator since making its book move
at White's ninth turn, now sacrifices
itself for a tempo !
45 .ixe2 46.gbl .lcl 47.�a3
• • •
.ld3 48.'tt>g l .le3+ 49.'tt> h 2 .ixbl
50.�xbl 'tt>f7 51.�g3 'tt> f6 52.'tt> f3
.ld4 0-1
While transposing into the Caro­
Kann is likely the most theoretically
correct way to meet 3 .e3, some may
prefer to unbalance matters by staying
within the Benoni universe. For those
who do not like our previous recom­
mendation, there is also the possibility
of simply playing 3 . . . g6, which leads to
a Benoni King's Indian setup.
D. Stamenkovic - G. Milos
Sao Paulo 2008
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.
.lg5? !
179
 Chapter 12

This is a very uncommon move, and White's plan is to advance the h­

probably not a very good one. With pawn like a tin-can opener and pry
White's pawns on light squares, his open a weakness in Black's castled
dark-squared bishop has chances to king position.
become a valuable piece in the middle­
game. Therefore, exchanging it off for a 16 h6
• • •

knight in the opening seems dubious.

Preventing the immediate advance,
Similarly, if Black puts the question to
but creating a different weakness that
the bishop with ... h7-h6 then White will
may be exploited later.
be required to waste a valuable tempo
retreating the bishop.
17.£3?
4 . . . d6 5.c!Oc3 J.e7 6.c!Of3 0-0 7.
Inconsistent with the plan of attack­
e4 J.g4! ?
ing ! With this move, White controls
g4, but closes his queen's fastest route
Black adopts a similar strategy of
to the attack. Better was 17.a5 ! , killing
bringing out his queenside bishop
Black's counterplay on the queenside
to pin a knight. However, a slightly
before switching back to the kingside
wilder line was possible with 7 . . . c!Oxd5
offensive.
8 . c!O xd5 �xgS 9 . c!O xg5 WfxgS 1 0 . c!Oc7
c!Oc6 ll. c!Oxa8 Wfe7 12 . .ie2 .ie6 13.0-0 17 �d8 18.g3 c!Od7 19.<!>d2 J.g5
••.

l"i:xa8, yielding a complex position with 20.f4 J.f6

chances for both sides. While White
is up an exchange for a pawn, Black's
knight will come to d4 and be worth a
rook at least.

8.J.e3

The bishop retreats so as to help

Unprompted, White admits his
mistake and the dark-squared bishop
wastes a valuable tempo.
8 c!Obd7 9.h3 J.xf3 10.Wxf3
•••
maintain control of the crucial point
eS. Despite White's best efforts, Black's
king is comfortably ensconced in an im­
penetrable fortress and Black has good
prospects for queenside counterplay.
21.<!>c2 We7 22.J.d2 gabS 23.
�g4 gfe8 24.Wf5 c!Of8 25.gbe1 b6
26.g4?? g6 0-1

c!Oe8 ll.h4 a6 12.J.d3 c!Oc7 13.a4 White trapped his own queen in a
�b8 14.Wg4 c!Of6 15.�e2 Wc8 16.h5 complex position.

180
 Common Early Deviations
J. Hvenekilde - K. Pedersen
Denmark 1989
1.d4 tilf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.d6? !
This unusual pawn push seems to
almost immediately give Black an edge,
as White gets no clear piece action in
return for the gambit.
4 • • • Yfb6 5.tilc3 hd6
6.tilf3 e4
Perhaps a better course of action is
to retreat the dark-squared bishop to
c7 as in the Czech Snake, and prepare
to push . . . d7-d6 to hold the center and
make White work a bit harder to get
his pawn back or else show something
concrete for it .
7.tilg5 0-0 8.g3 .te5 9.tilgxe4
tilxe4 10.tilxe4 d6 u. .tg2 .tf5
12.0-0 tilc6 13.e3 gfe8 14.Yfc2 tilb4
15.tilf6+
This move leads to exchanges that
relieve the central tension. Therefore,
Black should have played 14 . . . g6 ! in
order to prevent this idea and keep
his edge.
t5 J.xf6 t6.Vxf5 ges t7.9bt
••.
ge7 18.gdl gds 19.a3 tilc6 20.Yfc2
tila5 21.gb1 tilb3 22 . .td2 tilxd2
23.gxd2 g6 lf2-lf2
Draw agreed, though in the final
position White now has a slight edge,
as he can torture Black's backward
d-pawn.
A. Tuchenhagen -
F. Scheckenbach
Sued 2000
l.d4 tilf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.
Wa4? !
With this move, White pins Black's
d-pawn to his king, preventing the logi-
181
 Chapter 12

cal central pawn structure thematic of 15 ... J.d7 16.Vc2 J.a4 17.Vbl
the Czech Benoni. However, this early �exc4
queen sortie accomplishes little else,
and Black can equalize easily with
simple moves, playing . . . d7-d6 anyway
after castling if he so wishes.

4 • . • J.e7 5.ti�f3 e4 6.�fd2 e3 !

This active pawn sacrifice will dis­

rupt the natural placement of White's
pieces, in addition to leaving his king
in search of safety throughout the
middlegame.
White's position is already hope­
7.fxe3 0-0 8.g3 �g4 9.�f3 J.f6 less.
10.Yfb3 l!!! e 8
18.�xc4 �xc4 19.b3 hal 20.
Bl ack has achieved equ ality - Wxal Wa5+ 2 1 . .ld2 �xd2 22.�xd2
though, of the two sides, which one J.d7 23.Yfh2 l!!!xe3 24.�f2 l!!! a e8
would you rather play? 25.J.f3 J.b5 26.l!!! e l J.a6 27.g4 Wb4
28.Wcl Wf4 0-1

White struggles to make sense of

his position and to develop his pieces
before falling into an enveloping at­
tack. ll.i.h3 is likely better than dimly
putting the knight on the rim.

ll d6 12.h3 �e5 13 .lg2 �bd7

• • • •

14.�b5 �b6 15.�a3

This retreat leaves Black with an

advantage. Harder to see is the correct White cannot avoid losing massive
15.�d2 . amounts of material.

182
Chapter 13
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Czech Benoni Potpou rri

A s mentioned in the Introduction, White has so many different possible setups
�gainst the Czech Benoni that the attempt to completely categorize them in a
single volume is doomed to fail. By the same token, there are many quirky move
orders through which we may arrive at the Czech Benoni. This chapter is meant
as a catch-all chapter, and it includes some interesting games which may not fit
neatly elsewhere in this book. Some of these games were published previously
in my first book, Chess Gladiator, though here they contain some additional
analysis with the aid of modern computer chess engines, which were not nearly
as strong at the time that that book was published.

G. Kirschbaum - A. Kogan time with �fl-g2 and wait and see

England 2 0 05 how Black plays before committing his
knight to this square. Another added
l.d4 lL!f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.g3 benefit to this artificial castling is that
d6 5 . .ig2 .ie7 6.e4 h5 7.h4 lL!a6 Black's waiting moves are met with
8.lL!c3 lL!c7 waiting moves, so White can avoid
showing his hand until Black makes a
committal move first.

13 ... �g7 14. lL!e3 �e8 15.b3 a6

16.a4 .id8 17 .id2 b6 18.�dl ! ?
•

White decides t o march his king to

the queenside in order to hold together
the base of his pawn chain should Black
open the position with . . . b6-b5.

9 .ih3 lL!d7 lO.lLI£3 �b8 11.1He2

•
18 . . . b5
g6 12.lL!d2 �f8 ! ?

I n a completely closed position with Black sacrifices a pawn in order

no immediate threats, Black has ample to open lines and generate pressure
time to castle by hand and decide later on the queenside, though White has
where the rook belongs. slightly the better of it because of his
space advantage.

19.axb5 axb5 20.cxb5 lL!b6

This knight heads for e3, though 21 . .ixc8 lL!xc8 2 2.�c2 1Hd7 23.�a5
another idea for White is to take his f5

183
 Chapter 13
Black achieves the . . . f7-f5 pawn
break and establishes a solid grip on
the center. However, White stays a
pawn ahead and will be able to place a
knight on c4, pressuring the d6-pawn
and supporting his b-pawn's advance.
24.exf5 gxf5
Black's pawns control key central
squares, though White still has a mate­
rial advantage.
25.�c4 �f7 26.gdl ti'g6 27.J.el
ges 28.:f3 'l!.>g8 29.'1!.>cl e4 30.fxe4
fxe4 31.J.d2 J.f6 32.b6 e3 33.bxc7
exd2 + 34.�xd2 gb7 35.�ce4 J.c3
36.ga4 gxc7 37.ti'c4 .id4?
M i s s i n g t h e e a s y 3 7 . . . i.x d 2 +
38.ltlxd2 ltlb6, forking the queen and
rook.
38.gfl gce7 39.�c3??
An incredible blunder. Following
39.ti'c2, the position is level but com­
plicated after 39 .. J''!:xe4 40.ltlxe4 �xe4
41.ti'xe4 �xe4 42 .�a8 �e8.
White resigned in light of this move,
as suddenly he realized that the black
bishop and queen work together with
184
the rooks to create mating threats, forc­
ing him to jettison the queen in order
to protect the king.
0-1
B. Altman-Desole ­
A. Hoffmann
New York 2011
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.h4 h6 7 .id3 �a6
•
Typically when White plays the
setup with i.d3, I prefer to play ... ltl bd7-
f8-g6 and angle for kingside pressure.
However, in this position, White has
played h 2 -h4 and threatens h4-h5,
which would deprive my knight of
the g 6 square . While Bl ack could
move the h-pawn a second time in
order to thwart this idea, that appears
to be a bit slow, even by Czech Be­
noni standards. So, Black chooses the
alternative deployment for this knight
with . . . ltla6-c7.
8.�ge2 �h5 9.g3 J.g4 10.J.e3
�c7 11. �d2 a6
Black has taken control of the light
squares on the kingside, and now
prepares to play the thematic ... b7-b5
pawn break on the other wing. The
position is equal but Black has the
possibility of active play on both wings.
 Czech Benoni Potpourri
t2J;fl gbs t3.f3 .id7 t4 . .if2
It looks like White should have
played 14.a4 with the idea of fighting
for the queenside as well . With the
text move, Black can now build some
initiative on that side of the board.
14 b5 15.g4 bxc4 16.hc4 �f4
. • .
17.�xf4 exf4 ts.ghl
Natu rally, the f4 - p awn is s afe
from capture in view of 18.'%lfxf4 E:xb2,
when Black has a clear edge. However,
White could have considered the canny
18.e5 ! , making the most of his center
and space advantage.
18 . . . J.f6 19.a4 J.e5 2o.ga3
The kind of move that is generally
either very good or very bad. Here, it
turns out to be the latter as the rook ends
up misplaced on an inactive square.
This rook lift, however, is thematic
of the Czech Benoni. Sometimes the
rook occupies d4 to harass the enemy
camp at close quarters.
21.b3
After this move , the a3-rook is
suddenly out of play.
21 . . • YU6
It is slightly more accurate here to
open lines on the kingside with 2 l . . .h5
2 2 .g5 f6 23.gxf6, and now 23 .. .'�xf6
when Black has a pincer attack on
both wings.
2 2.�e2 0-0?
Missing the tactical flourish 2 2 . . .
.ixg4 ! 2 3 . fxg4 f3 , when the knight
cannot move off e2 as . . . .ic3, winning
the queen, is threatened.
23.'.t>fl gfbs 24.g5? !
A strange choice by White, opening
lines in front of his own king. Better
is 24.h5, intending to keep the g-file
closed.
24 hxg5 25.hxg5 \Wxg5 26.
• . •
J.g3 gxc4 27.bxc4 gbl+?
This move allows White to escape
the attack by retreating his bishop
with 28 . .iel. More effective is the pawn
thrust 27 . . .f5 when Black is winning,
for instance 27 . . . f5 28.exf5 E:b2 29 . .ixf4
E:bl+ 30.Wf2 .ixf4 ! .
28 . .lel gb2 29.Wfdl tl:\e8
Again, 29 . . .f5 is the most forcing
way for Black to bring his advantages
to fruition.
30.J.c3 gb4?
Black makes this move with the
idea that the protected passed pawn
on b3 provides ample compensation
for the exchange. However, with this
rook traded off, the pressure on White
dissipates.
185
 Chapter 13
31.hb4 cxb4 32.gd3 c!Llf6
33.�el aS 34.�d2
Understandably, White wishes to
whisk his king away from the side of
the board where all of Black's pieces
are concentrated. However, the calm
and cool 34.�f2 is enough for White
to maintain an advantage.
34 • . • Yfg2
With this move, Black begins the
process of redeploying his queen to the
other side of the board.
35.ggl Yff2 36.gfl Yfc5 37.Yfb3
.ih3 38.gbl .ig2 39.ggl .ih3
Better is 39 . . . Yff2 , though psycho­
logically Black is already committed
to a queenside attack and it's difficult
to shift mental gears and see this move
once the plan to pressure the queenside
has been set in motion.
40.ghl J.c8 41.gcl c!Lld7 42.Yfc2
J.a6
Black has managed to transfer this
bishop to the queenside and suddenly
the bishops appear to be outclassing the
rooks. Black has generated sufficient
counterplay for the double exchange
sacrifice.
43.ghl 'llYf2 44.'llYc l .ic3+?
A n odd choice , as t h e straight­
forward 44 ... l!Jc5 brings another piece
into the attack and threatens to win
back the exchange, while the text move
drops a pawn.
45.gxc3 bxc3+ 46.Yfxc3 c!Lle5
47.Yfb3 c!Llxf3+ 48.�dl?
186
Fails to a tactic, while after 48. �c1 !
the back-rank threat of �b8+ is just
e nough for White to survive . For
exampl e , i n the l i n e 4 8 . � c 1 !c8
49 .�b8 'llY e 3 + 5 0 . �b 1 'llYx e4 5l.�a1
�e5 + 5 2 . �b1 'llY e 8 53.�xd6 , it's not
so simple for Black to convert his
advantage.
48 • • • 'llYx e2 + !
With this shot, Black quickly boils
things down to a winning ending.
49.�xe2 c!Lld4+ 50.�d3 c!Llxb3
51.gbl hc4+ 52.�c3 f3 53.ghl
.ie2 0-1
In the final position, Black's minor
pieces and pawn majority are too much
for the white king and rook to handle
as Black threatens simply to play
... f3-f2-fl'llY . For instance, 54J:'!h2 c!LlcS
55.Wd4 Wf8 56.e5 cJ:ie7 57.exd6 rJ:ixd6
and Black's extra kingside pawns will
settle the issue as White's rook is tied
to the defense of the advancing f-pawn.
J. Westbrook - A. Hoffmann
Marshall Chess Club Championship
1969
l.d4 c!Llf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!Llc3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6 .id3 0-0 7.c!Llge2
•
c!Llh5 8 .ie3 .ig5
•
 Czech Benoni Potpourri

Black seeks to trade off his bad An important strategic decision.

bishop. Capturing this bad bishop gives Black
counterchances on the queenside.
9.�d2 .ixe3 10.�xe3 a6
23.�xd3 b5 24.cxb5 f6 !
10 . . . h6 11.0-0-0 was played in Yusu­
pov - Partos, Lucerne 1982. 10 . . . �f6 ! Preventing a possible attack with
immediately is correct, to answer ll.g3 f5-f6.
with ll . . . .ig4.
25.ghgl?
ll.a3 �d7 12.h3 �f6 13.g3 !
White errs. He should play 25.h4.
The text move gives Black control of
Preventing 1 3 . . . �f4. Black will soon
the f6-square.
be forced to lose time with his exposed
queen and h5-knight.
25 . . . axb5 26.b4 cxb4 27.axb4
�c7 28.�d2 'l;Yc4 29.'l;Ya7?
13 • • . �h8 14.0-0-0 �b8 15.�c2?
An awkward maneuver. 2 9 .gb1,
Perhaps too cautious. White could
keeping the queen pointing at Black's
proceed immediately with 15.gdf1 or
kingside, is better.
15.f4.
29 .•. gb7 30.'i;Ya5 fxg5!
15 ges 16.gdfl �d8 17.g4
..•

�hf6 18.�g3 �f8 19.g5 �g8
A highly aesthetic position, typical
of the trench-warfare style. Who would
dream that Black's army is actually
poised to strike? Within a dozen short
moves, the troops will have all leaped
out, overwhelming the opposition.
The subtle reason why Whit e ' s
move 25 was a mistake. Black's knight
now enters the battle.
31.�xg5 tLlf6 32.�e3 i.d7 33.
�bl gcs 34.'l;Ya2 �c7 35.�al 'i;Yb6+
Decisive. Black controls all of the
key files and diagonals.

20.f4 tLlg6 21.f5 tLlf4 22.�ge2

�xd3 ! !

187
 Chapter 13

38.!:!gg1 .ih5+ 39.�g3 �e3+ 17.gb2?

0-1
Pointless ; immediately advancing
the a-pawn was best.
J. Bonin - A. Hoffmann
New York International 1978 17 c!bd6 18.c!bd2 ges 19.gcb1
•••

gbs 20.a4
1.d4 c!bf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.c!bc3
d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.c!bf3 Too late. Now 21.a5 is harmless.

As seen in Chapter 3, this is a solid if 20 .'llY c 7 21.gb3 g6 22.g4! ?

• .

unambitious continuation. Much more

dangerous are the lines where White Forestalling a possible . . . f7-f5 by
advances the kingside pawns early. Black, but weakening his kingside dark
Here, I try an interesting idea that's squares.
only briefly mentioned in Chapter 3 .
22 • • • �d8
6 ••• .tg4!? 7 .ie2 0-0?
•

Inconsistent strategy. Better is 7 . . . Black rushes to invade the weakened

.hf3, leaving White with a potentially territory .
bad bishop.
23.c!bd1 'ti'g5 24.gg3 c!bf6 25.
8.c!bd2 he2 9.�xe2 c!bbd7 gbb3 !
10.0-0 .!DeS ll.a3 .ig5
Forcing Black to retreat. The text
Black hastens to ensure that this threatens 26.h4 ! , winning material.
bishop will be exchanged.
25 • • • c!bd7 26.c!be3 !
12 .b4 gcs 13.c!bb3 h:c1 14.
gfxc1 a6 15.gab1 b6 16.bxc5 dxc5 Now tt:lfS i s i n the air.

26 • • • �e7 27.c!bg2

The beginning of a dubious plan to

bring White's major pieces to the h-file.
27.g5 is a reasonable alternative.

27 c!bf6 28.gh3 c!bd7 29.�e3

. . •

c!bf8 30.'ti'h6 f6 31.c!be3?

This square needs to be held in

So far, Black has been content to reserve for Her Majesty.
defend safely, but this double-edged
move sharpens the struggle. 31 • • • c!bt7!

188
 Czech Benoni Potpourri
Decisive. The lowly knight paralyzes
both a mighty queen and a powerful
rook!
32.%Yh4 tiJg5 33.�g3 %Yd7!
With the multiple threats of 34 . . .
%Yxa4, 34 . . . b5, and 34 . . . ttlfe6.
34.d6 ! ?
D e s p e rately striving fo r s o m e
counterplay b y making room for a
knight on d5.
34 . . . fbd6 35.tiJd5 %YdS 36.a5
b5 37.cxb5 axb5 3S.a6 tiJfe6 39.a7
�aS 40,gxb5 �xa7 41.�d3 gal + !
42. 'i!.> g2
Allowing for a surprise finish, but
other moves also lose quickly.
42 . . . %Yxd5 0-1
It's mate after 43.�xd5 (or 43.exd5)
43 . . . ttlf4+ 44.\t>g3 �gl.
E. Middleton - A. Hoffmann
New York City 1979
l.d4 tiJf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tiJc3
d6 5.e4 i.e7 6 .td3 tiJbd7
• 2l.ttle6 �f3 would not help.
Another wrinkle. Black retains the
option of bringing his knight to g6
should White advance his kingside
pawns immediately.
7.tiJf3 0-0 S.%Ye2 a6 9.h3 tileS
10.g4 tiJc7 11 .ie3 gbs 12.g5?
•
Overlooking the strength of the
reply. After the obvious 1 2 . a4 ! , as
played in Rajkovic - Ciocaltea, Bal­
kan Team Championship 1982, White
stands somewhat better.
12 . . . b5 !
13.cxb5 axb5 14.hb5 tiJxb5
15.tiJxb5 %Ya5+ 16.tiJc3 .ta6 17.%Yc2
f6 !
Black has achieved a highly favor­
able type of position akin to those in
the Benko Gambit. He now hastens to
open a file for his other rook.
1S.gxf6 tiJxf6 19.tiJg5 �b7
Gaining the option oflater doubling
rooks on either half-open file.
189
 Chapter 13

2 1 .ixg5 2 2 . gxg5 t0f4 23 .txf4

• • • • 35 ••• %¥fl+ 36.<!>d2 gb7 37.<!>c2
gxf4 24.gf5
The active 37.�a5 ! ? is parried by
37 . . . E:f4 38.�d8+ E:f8 (not 38 . . . <!>h7??
39.E:xh6 ! , mating).

The wandering rook heads back to

join its fellow for a queenside attack.

38.<!>b2 gf6 39.g6g3 .id3 40.a4

c4 41.b4 gf8 42.<!>a3 ti'dl

A shame. After playing so well ,

Black misses the winning combination
24 . . J �xb2 ! ! 2 5 . �xb2 E:xe4+ 2 6 . <tt> d 2
E:e 2 + 2 7 . <tt> c1 E:xb2 2 8 . <tt> x b 2 �b4 +
29.<tt> c 2 e4 ! .

25.gf3 gb4 26.gd2 gd4 27.gg3

�4 28.£3 Y«c4 29.t0e2

White defends stubbornly.

29 • • • �5 30.b3 gb4 31.'f«c3 h6?
A feeble move. I saw no win with
the active 3 1 . . .c4, but 3 1 . . .g6 was a
good pas s . It's amazing how many
weak moves and outright blunders are
made on the first move after the time
control ! Even an experienced master
can let down his guard.
32.gg6 Y«d7 33.a3 gbs?
33 .. J�b7 is indicated.
Threatening 43 . . . �xa4 (44. <!>xa4
E:a8 # ) . The white pawn guarding the
king continues to be forced forward.
43.a5 gas 44. �2 gxa5+
Initiating a forced sequence of
move s , cul minating in the win of
White's knight!
45.bxa5 gb3+ 46.<!>a2 gxb2+
47.<!>xb2 �3+ 48.<!>c1 �1+
49.<!>d2 ti'c2 + 50.<!>e3 ti'cl+ 51.<!>f2
ti'd2+ 52.t0e2 Y«xe2+ 53.<!>gl �e1+
54.<!>h2 g5 55.a6 Y«al 56.h4 ti'xa6
57.hxg5 h5

This l o oks strong, but 3 5 . E:f2 , Sidestepping White's final lunge.

keeping the black queen out and still
eyeing the d-pawn, is for choice. 0-1

190
 Czech Benoni Potpourri
What can one play against "Dzindzi,"
the winner of Lone Pine, formerly
ranked Number 11 in the world, and a
man considered by many to be one of
the greatest talents ever to play in the
United States?
R. Dzindzichashvili - Black hopes t o bring his knight t o f4,
A. Hoffmann
New York 1980
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.J.e2 �bd7 7.�f3 0-0
8 .h3 a6 9.a4 b6
White has played a2-a4 to prevent
the . . . b7-b5 break, and B lack has
responded in kind with . . . b7-b6 to
prevent the advance a4-a5.
10.g4 <.!?hS n.J.e3 g6! ?
Needlessly weakening. More solid
is ll. . lt:le8.
.
12.J.h6 �g8?!
Panic. Black feared the consequences
of 13.�g5 were he to move his rook, but
12 . . . !:1e8 13.�g5 c.!?g8 holds the position.
13 .txf8 �xf8 14.1fd2
• may have something more with 20 . . .
14 .•• g5 ! ?
" A move only a master o r a patzer
would make ! , " they were wont to say
in the old books. Black, who has just
sacrificed the exchange, presumably to
obtain dark-square counterplay, blocks
his bishop with a pawn ! H owever,
there is a method to this madness .
blockading the position.
15.a5 gbs 16.h4
White seeks to break open the game
on both flanks before Black can execute
his strategy.
16 •.• gxh4 17.b4 cxb4 18.�a4
bxa5
Black must take everything and
hope to survive.
19.c5 �g6
Black feared 19 . . . dxc5 20.lt:lxe5, but
now White establishes a strong passed
pawn.
2 0.c6 �f6?!
This move holds equality, but Black
lt:lf4 ! , when Black achieves his strategic
aim: 2 1.'1We3 is prevented and Black can
get in . . . 't:lf6 later.
2 1.We3 �e8 ! ?
2 1 . . .1Wc7 i s a better way t o protect
against the threatened 2 2 .1Wa7. Now
White forces an exchange of queens,
but the situation remains unclear.
22.Wa7 Wc7 23.Wxc7 �xc7 24.
�d2 �b5 25.�b3 �f4
191
 Chapter 13
B l a ck h a s o b t a i n e d s o m e fi n e
outposts and has good chances after
26.i.f3 i.gS 27.tLlxa5 tLld4.
26.tDxa5 tDxe2 27.'it>xe2 hg4+
28.f3
Why not 28. 'it>d3? White thinks his
passed pawn will prove stronger.
28 . . . tLld4+ 29.'it>f2 hf3 30.c7
gcs 31.ghcl h3 ! !
The culmination of Black's strategy.
The two formerly imprisoned bishops
now reign supreme !
32.tLlc6 i.h4+ 112-lf:z
The final position. Draw agreed !
White will be mated by force if he
moves his king to any square other
than f2 or e3. A remarkable conclusion!
British Chess Magazine described this
game as, "a true western."
D. Gurevich - A. Hoffmann
New York 1983
l.d4 tDf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.tLlc3
d6 5.e4 i.e7 6.g3 h5 ! ?
I introduced this theoretical novelty
against Tim Taylor just two weeks
192
before this game . He replied 7.tLlf3
i.g4 8 .i.e2 .tx£3 9 . .txf3 h4 ! and Black
stood well.
7.h4 tDa6 8.i.h3 tLlg4?
Careless. Black should continue
with the logical 8 . . . tLlc7.
9.f3 !
Black, thinking that 9 . . . ixh4 ? !
would give him good chances, under­
estimated this move . Upon further
consideration, he decided that the
sacrifice was unsound. Black feared
the defense 9 . . .i.xh4? ! 10.tLlge2 ! .ixg3+
ll.tLlxg3 %Yh4 12.tLle2. Curiously, after­
ward White said he would have played
10.gxh4 ! ?.
The first step in a remarkable king
journey. Was White trying to provoke
10 . . . g5?
lO . . . tLlc7 n.'it>g2 a6 12.a4 gbs
13.�3?!
An odd move. Usually, it is bad to
use the queen to restrain . . . b7-b5.
13 ... b6 14.hc8 %Yxc8 15.tLlh3
f6
To redeploy the h6-knight.
t6.ec2 tDn 17.i.e3 g6
The solid alternative 17 . . . 0-0 was
p erfectly playable here and likely
the "best" move from an obj ective
standpoint, though Black would then
lack viable counterplay as opening
lines in front of his king would not be
 Czech Benoni Potpourri
wise. The reserved-looking text move
was made with the intention of playing
the double-edged . . . t7-f5, but Black has
been preparing the . . . g7-g5 pawn break
for several moves now with . . . lLlt7,
... i.e7 and ... t7-f6, and now would have
been the time to play it in order to open
lines and gain practical chances on the
kingside.
18.1:iabl
Threatening 19.b4, so Black locks
up the queenside.
18 • • . a5 19.<.!.>f2 !
Now that the queenside has been
fixed, White's king seeks safer shelter
there.
19 f5 20.<.!.>e2 lLla6 21.1:ibfl gb7
• • •
22. <.!.> dl J.f8
Aiming to exchange bishops, but
this doesn't help much. Black's pieces
are not working well together.
23. <.!.> cl .ih6 24.hh6 gxh6
25.<.!.>bl ge7 26.lLlg5 lLlxg5 27.hxg5
ghh7 28.exf5
Opening up the position in White's
favor.
2s .tob4!
••
By this Zwischenzug, Black hopes
to gain the time to regroup his forces.
29.t0e4 ! !
A clever riposte ! 2 9 . . . lLlxc2 now
loses a couple of pawns after 30.lLlxd6.
29 •.• <.!.> d8 30.9e2 9xf5 31.g4!
The main point of White's play: he
unpins his knight with tempo before
Black can play the saving 3 1 . . . <.!.>c7.
31 9d7 32.t0f6??
• • •
An incredible oversight. Aft e r
3 2 . b 3 , Black would r e m a i n in sad
straits. Now the game begins anew!
32 • • • 9xa4 33.t0xh7 b5! !
An excellent attacking move, which
should ultimately carry the day for
Black.
34.gdl!
Relatively best. White has no time
to save his knight, e.g. 34.lLlf6 9a2 +
35.<.!.>cl bxc4, threatening . . . lLld3+ or
... c4-c3 . Nor does 34.cxb5 help, as then
193
 Chapter 13

a black pawn appears on c4 after 34 . . .

�a2 + 35.'it>c1 c4 ! .
With the possibility of .. J"!:h7+ .
3 4 Yfa2+ 35.'it>cl bxc4 36.c.t>d2
• • •

�xb2+ 37.c.t>el Yfc3+ 38.c.t>f2 �d3+ 49.g6 ! !

39.c.t>g3 !3xh7

Black has gained an advantage

and enj oys good attacking chances .
Wh i t e m u s t b e w a r e o f v a r i o u s
losing endgames. But White still has
resources !

40.gbl c.t>c7 41.gxh5 gxh5

42.ee4 l3g7 43.c.t>h4

A discouraging turn of events for

Black! White's king will continue to
march forward. There is no salvation in
49 . . . lilf6+ 50.'it>h6 lt:\xe4 5U"!:b7+ 'it>d8
5 2 J"!:b8+ 'it>e7 53J"!:1b7+ 'it>f6 54J"!:f8+
and mates.

49 . • • h3 50.c.t>h6

Gu revich h a s m o v e d h i s k i n g
43 . • • �f4? eighteen times !

The pendulum has swung back to

White again ! 43 . . . �d2 ! should win for
Black. The end is near for Black.

52 • • • !3h8 + 53. c.t> g7 l3d8 54.!3b8+

1-0
An all - p u r p o s e move , denying
Black's queen the crucial second rank
and preparing to double rooks on the D. Gurevich - A. Hoffmann
b-file. World Open 1984

44 �g6+ 45.c.t>g3 h4+ 46.c.t>g4

••• l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
�f8 47.!3hb2 �d7! d6 5.e4 J.e7 6.g3 �a6 !

Black has managed to defend his Having recently suffered with 6 . . .

king. He hopes to harass White with a h S 7.h4 ! against Gurevich and Ivanov,
possible . . . lt:\f6 + . Black tries out another obscure move.

194
 Czech Benoni Potpourri

7 .ig2 c!Llc7 8.f4!?

• The bishop returns ! White must
now capture, activating Black's queen.
As usual, Gurevich does not hesitate
to enter into sharp lines. 8 . lt:l ge2 is 2 2 .c!Llxh4 ti'xh4 23.f5 .id3 !
more conservative.

8 • • • exf4 9.gxf4 c!Llg4!?

Black cannot resist the chance to

force the opponent to move his king.

10.c!Llf3 .ih4+ l U�fl b5! ?

A surprising penetration into the

enemy position. Also good is the quiet
23 . . .f6, intending . . . lt:lf7-e5.

24.gcl

Not 24.'1Wxd3?? lt:lg4+ 25.�gl �f2 +

2 6.�hl \Wxel+ 27J�xel lt:lf2 + , winning.
Gambiting a pawn to mobilize his
forces. 24 • • • c4! 25.b4 ti'f2 26 .ial gas
•

12.cxb5 a6 13.h3 c!Llh6 Black's strong maneuvers h ave

forced White to return the extra pawn.
An unclear situation arises after
13 ... lt:lf2 14.ti'el i.g3 lSJ�gl lt:lhl ! . 27.a4 �b4 28.ti'f3 ti'xf3 29 •

.ixf3 f6 !
14.bxa6 .ixa6+ 15.�gl 0-0
16.�h2 .ie7? ! Securing everything. Against pas­
sive play, Black will bring his knights
An unnecessary retreat. 16 . . J�e8 or to eS and cS to decisive effect.
16 . . J:'1b8 are better.
30 .idl!
•

17-l:�el gbs 18.b3 ges 19 .ib2 •

gb4! The only way to activate the minor

pieces.
Provoking a weakn e s s o n t h e
queenside. 30 • • • c!Llf7 31.c!Lla2 gb7 32 .id4!
•

20.a3 gb7 21.gbl .ih4! ? A powerful centralization.

195
 Chapter 13

32 • •. �b5 33 .ial �c7?

• 45 ••• l3b8

33 . . . . lLla3 ! is a sharper continuation: Acceding to the draw because 45 . . .

34 .i.d4 lLlgS 3 5 . lLl c3 lLl c 2 ! winning g 6 looked very risky.
material ; or 34.h4 lLlb1 35 .i.d4 lLld2
36.lLlc3 lLleS and Black stands well. 46.l3e7+ ®f8 47.l3e8+ ®f7
48.l3e7+ ®f8 lf2-lf2
34 .id4 �g5 35.�c3 l3e8
•

White's center begins to crumble, R. Dzindzichashvili -

but his counterchances improve. A. Hoffmann

Philadelphia 1989
36.a5!
l.d4 �f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 4.�c3
Clearing an avenue for his light­ d6 5.e4 .ie7 6.�f3
squared bishop.
Unusual, as this move is not even
36 ®f7 37.h4 �xe4 38 . .ia4
• •.
mentioned in the Russian opening
l3e7 39.�xe4 he4? volume on the Benoni !

Better is 39 . . . E1xe4, though this too 6 • • • .ig4

is not entirely clear.
The logical answer. On 7.i.e2 i.xf3
40 . .ic6 l3b4 41 .ib6 hd5 42.
•
8 . .bf3 0-0 9 .i.e3 lLle8 10 .�d2 lLl d7,
l3xe7+ ®xe7 43.l3el+ ®f7 44 .id7! •
Black will play for an eventual ... t7-f5
or . . . b7-b5.
White is playing to win ! On 44 . .ixc7?
.ixc6 45 .hd6 E1b2 + , White can only 7.h3 hf3
hope to draw.
7 . . ..th5 8.g4 .ig6 9.i.d3 works better
44 ••. �a6 45 . .id8 ! for White.

8 .ti'xf3 �bd7 9.h4 a6 10.a4

l3b8 ll.g3 0-0 12.l3a3

An odd maneuver, meant to firm up

the queenside.

12 ... �e8 13 .td3 ! ?

•

Another surprise ! I thought that

A dangerous attacking battery has
been set up. "Three pieces are a mate,"
my classical teachers used to warn !
White's move 11 indicated that he
planned to post his bishop at h3.
13 ... �c7 14 ..!d2 ®h8 15.a5 b5
16.axb6 �xb6 17.b3 !

196
 Czech Benoni Potpourri
White's strategy has succeeded.
Black will be unable to generate any
queenside play.
17 Wd7 18.ti'f5 We8
. • •
18 .. .'�xf5 19.exf5 gives White the e4
square. 18 . . . g6 19.'\Wxd7 lLlxd7 20.lLla4
also looks good for the first player, so
Black avoids the queen exchange.
19.h5 �d7 20.c.t>e2 �f6!?
Threatening 2 l . . .g6 to o p e n the
f-file in Black's favor.
21.Wh3 h6?
Stronger is 2 1 . . .lLlg8 2 2 . lLl d l .if6
23.lLle3 �h6.
Whi t e ' s knight cannot now be
stopped from reaching the fS square.
White wants everything! He intends
2 5 . f4 and 2 6 . �f5 . After the simple
24.lLlf5 ! hd2 25.c.t>xd2 , White keeps
his advantage.
24 . . . .be3 !
A tactical shot - Black unexpectedly
seizes the initiative.
25 .be3 f5 26.f3
•
Not 26.exf5? e4 27 . .ic2 '!We5.
26 . . .f4 27.gxf4 exf4 28.J.d2
ti'e5
Black controls the key squares. If
White plays passively, Black will bring
his knights to eS and g5.
29.ti'd7 �e8 30.gcl
White dare not play 30J!xa6 Eixb3,
as Black's rook is more dangerous.
30 . . . �ef6 31.fte6?
The retreat 3l.'!Wh3 is the best try, as
31.. .lLlxh5 32 ..ic3 ti'g5 is murky.
31 . . . ti'xh5 32.ftxd6 gbe8!
The pin o f White's f3-pawn i s fatal.
D e c i s i ve , e . g . 3 4 . .i x e 4 � x e 4
35.ti'moves �g3+ 36.<.t>el lLlxf1 37.c.t>xfl
ti'xf3 + .
197

34.c.!?d1 gd4 35.c.!?c2
36. c.!?xd3 9g6 + !
The final point (37.c.!?c3 ttJe4+ ; or
3 7 . c.!? e 2 �e8 + 3 8 . @dl '!Wbl + 39 . .!c1
§'d3+).
37.c.!?e2 ge8+ 38.'flre6 gxe6+
39.dxe6 ltJh5 4o.gxa6 ltJg3+ 41.
c.!?f2 ttJf6 0-1 {Time}
R. Henley - A. Hoffmann
Philadelphia 1989
l.c!l�f3 �f6 2.g3 d6 3 .lg2 e5•
Black has opted for a strongpoint
at eS against White's Barcza System.
Numerous opening transpositions are
now possible.
4.0-0 .le7 5.c4 0-0 6.�c3
It now appears that we have an
English Opening.
6 •.• �bd7 7.d4
The English 7 . d 3 does not suit
White's mood; instead he chooses to
play against the Old Indian.
9. b3 is often seen here.
9 • • • .tf8 10.h3 a6 n . .te3
ll.dS was played in Keene - Schmid,
Gelstaad 1973. Black should reply 11 . . .
cxd5 12.cxd5 bS.
Black has dug in for a passive, but
solid defense.
198
Chapter 13
!hd3 13.a3 .lb7 14.d5?
Locking up the center and leading
to a Czech Benoni-type position where
Black is quite comfo rtabl e . 1 4 . b4 !
maintains some advantage.
14 c5 15.a4 g6 16.'flrd2 9d8
• • •
17.�h2 .lc8
Pointing towards the kingside. The
bishop had no scope on b7.
18.gb1
White decides to play for b2-b4,
but Black's forces are well prepared to
meet this advance. I was expecting the
aggressive 18.f4.
18 .lg7 19.b4 cxb4 20.lhb4
•••
�c5 21.geb1 �fd7 22.h4
His queenside play having accom­
plished little, White embarks on a
kingside expansion.
Thinking about ... f7-f5.
23.�f3 a5!
A surprise positional shot. Suddenly
all of White's pawns on the fourth rank
become targets.
 Czech Benoni Potpourri

24J�4b2 .ta6 25 .tfl gbs

• Again switching diagonals. Black's
army is now poised for the final assault.
Overprotecting the b6-pawn so that
one of his knights can move. 37.£3 h4 38.g4

26.c!Llg5? White dare not capture : 38.gxh4

tt:\h5, with a strong invasion on f4 to
The strategically losing move! Black follow.
replies . . . h7-h6 so that he can push
. . . f7-f5 without allowing c!Llg5-e6. 38 ... .if4 39,ghl �g7!

26 ... h6 27.c!Llf3 �h7 28.h5 The final point. Black's knight will
quickly come into play.
Stopping 2 8 . . .f5 , but Black will
benefit however the f-file is opened. 40.Yff2

28 . . . Yfc7 29.hxg6+ fxg6 30.

c!Llh2 .!Llf6 !

Holding back White's knight and

forcing his queen to an inferior square.

31.Yfc2 h5!

Another strong maneuver. Black

claims kingside territory and prepares
to exchange his bad bishop for White's
strongly posted one. 40 ... h3+ 41.�xh3

32.�g2 .th6 33.hc5 41.�fl ie3 42 .�g3 tt:\h7 and White

will soon lose material.
White ch o o s e s to t r a d e fo r a
knight instead, but now Black's queen 41 . . . .ie3 42.Yfg3 c!Llh7 43.�g2
becomes a menace. c!Llg5 44,gfl 0-1 {Time}

33 . . . Ybc5 34.c!Llb5 gb7! White overstepped the time limit,

but Black was winning by force after
Continued accurate play. Black 44 . . J'!h8 45J'!hl Eih3 46 .�el Eixh 2 +
prevents a possible tt:\a7-c6 and heads 47.Eixh2 tt:\xf3 48 .�g3 tt:\xh2 49.�xh2
towards White's vulnerable f2 square. ixg4 . Kudos to my friend GM Ron
Henley, who bounced back to tie for
35 .id3 gb£7 36.gfl .ic8
• first in this superstrong event!

199
 Tactics in the Czech Benoni
1. 4.

Black to move Black to move

2. 5.

Black to move Can Black play l. . . li:Jxd5?

3. 6.

White to move Analyze l . . . li:Jxd5.

200
 Tactics in the Czech Benoni

7. 10.

Black to move Black to move

8. 11.

Black to move Black to move

9. 12.

Black to move Black to move

201
 Czech Benoni

13. 16.

Black to move White to move

14. 17.

Black to move Black to move

15. 18.

Black to move Black to move

202
 Tactics in the Czech Benoni

19. 20.

Black to move Black to move

203
 Solutions
1 : (Osnos - Yukhtman, Volgograd 1969) l . . .�e3 ! . A triple interference move !

2 : (Shen Yang - Dronavalli, Beijing 2008) l . . .lt:lxd5 (if 2 .cxd5 or 2 . exd5, then
2 .. .'�xf2 and 3 . . . . . .'�g2 #) 2 .'�xd5 �e6 3.Eif1 hd5. Black actually played l . . .h5 here
and took much longer to win.

3 : l.li:lxfS ! �xf5 2 .g3 ! and the knight is trapped.

4: (E. Kahn - Ovetchkin, Budapest 1996) Here Black won a pawn with 1 . . .
lt:lxd5 ! . Now 2.'�xd8 fails t o 2 . . . lt:lxc3 + , buying the necessary tempo t o recapture
the queen, while 2 . lt:lxd5 would leave Her Majesty en prise. This is an incredibly
common tactic in the Czech Benoni and a good one to always be on the lookout for.

5: l . . . lt:lxd5 is a blunder here because of 2 .lt:lxd5 hg5 3.lt:lxg5 '\Wxg5 4.lt:lc7+ .

This is frequently the reason why . . . lt:lxd5 doesn't work, and a good pattern to
know when deciding whether to jump on the d5-pawn.

6 : l. . . lt:lxd5 also fails here to 2 .lt:lxd5 hg5 3.lt:lxg5 '\Wxg5 4.lt:lc7+ . This theme
is both common and critical to understanding when . . . lt:lxd5 can and cannot be
played.

7: (Zhao Xue - Aronian, World Team Chp. 2 005) l.. .hh3 ! and the bishop is
untouchable: 2.gxh3 �xh3+ 3.mg1 lt:lf3+ 4.Eixf3 �d4+ 5J�3f2 Elxe4, when Black
is winning.

8: l . . .lt:lg3+ 2.hxg3 '\Wh3 + 3.'\Wh2 '!Wxfl.

9 : (Doroshkievich - Averbakh, USSR Chp. 1970) l.. .lt:l7xd6 2 .lt:lxd6 lt:lxd6

3.mb1 (3.'\Wxd6 ha4+ ! wins the queen), and now with 3 . . . �f5 4.M5 Elxc4 ! 5.'\Wb3
gxf5 Black has an overwhelming advantage.

10: l . . .M2 ! 2 . mxf2 '\Wd4+ 3.me2 '\We3+ and Black recovers the piece with an
attack on the king plus a dangerous passed pawn.

11: 1.. .'\WhS 2 .h4 �4 3.mg2 (3.f3 is actually adequate to hold for White) 3 . . .
hg3 4.Eih1 Wf5 ! with dangerous threats.

12: l . . .fxe4 and the pawn is immune from capture. If 2 .lt:lxe4, then 2 . . . �d4+
3.mh1 and 4 . . . Eixf3 ; or 2 .'�fxe4 �d4+ 3.mh1 (3 .i.e3 Ele8 ! ) 3 . . . Eixf1+ 4.Eixf1 hc3 .

13 : (D'Israel - Averbakh, Netanya 1993) l . . . exf4, opening the long diagonal

for the dark-squared bishop. The game ended 2 .gxf4 i.f6 ! 3.lt:le3 Ele8 4.�f5 lt:lf8
5.'\Wg2 lt:lg6 6.Eie1 c3 7.bxc3 hc3 8 .�d2 Elb2 0-1.

2 04
 Solutions

14: (Bisguier - Panna, Buenos Aires 1955) l . . .ll:Jf4 ! . The game continued 2.Ek2
ll:Jxh2 ! 3.�xh2 !g4 4J:'le3 E:xh2 5.E:xh2 ll:Jxd3 6.E:xd3 f5 and White's position was
hopeless.

15: l . . .hf2 and the bishop cannot be captured because of 2 .ll:Jxf2 E:xh 2 +
3. <i>xh2 �xf2 + 4.<i>h1 f3 ! , and mate cannot b e prevented.

16: White wins with the clever l.i.g7! , for instance l . . . E:xd3 2.ll:Jxf6+ i.xf6
3.�xf6 �xf6 4.i.xf6 and White is up a piece. Or l . . .gxh5 2 .gxh5 <i>xg7 3 .h6+ <i>g8
4.ll:Je6+ picking up the black queen.

17: (Maximov - Igriashvili, Moscow 2 001) l...axb5 and White cannot recapture
because 2 .�xb5 i.a6 3 .�b3 g5 ! 4.ll:Jh5 i.e2 picks up the exchange. Meanwhile,
after 2 .�c2 ll:Jc4 Black has an overwhelming advantage.

18: l . . .hf5 2 .exf5 ll:Jf4 3.ll:Jxf4 �g5+ ! 4.<i>h2 exf4 5.E:ad1 �h4+ 6.<i>g2 �g4+
7.<i>h2 f3 .

1 9 : (Forintos - Bohosj an, Caorle 1972) l . . .ll:Jxf4 ! 2 .E:e3 ll:Jxe2+ 3.�xe2 i.xb3
0-1. The threat of . . . hc4 is decisive.

2 0 : l . . . ll:Jxf3 2 .<i>xf3 E:xh3 ! 3.E:xh3 �xg4+ 4.<i>f2 �xh3 and White must lose
material to avoid mate.

205