Contents

Title Page and Bibliography

Preface 5

Introduction 7

Chapter 1. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.Nf3 g6 11

Main Ideas Step by Step Annotated Games

Chapter 2. The Barry Attack 3.Bf4 g6 4.Nc3 31

Main Ideas Step by Step Annotated Games

Chapter 3. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.Nf3 g6 4.c4 57

Main Ideas Step by Step Annotated Games

Chapter 4. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 with ...b6 75

Main Ideas Step by Step Annotated Games

Chapter 5. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 with ...c5 99

Main Ideas Step by Step Annotated Games

Chapter 6. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 145

Main Ideas Step by Step Annotated Games

Chapter 7. The Classical London System 171

Main Ideas Step by Step Annotated Games

Chapter 8. The Benoni Approach 181

Main Ideas Step by Step Annotated Games

Index of Variations 194

Fighting the London System, Nikola Sedlak, Chess Evolution
2016
System
Fighting the Anti-King’s Indians, Yelena
Dembo, Gloucester Publishers 2008

The Safest Grünfeld, Alexander

Delchev and Evgenij Agrest, Chess Stars
Chess Stars Publishing
2011
www.chess-stars.com
The Grünfeld Defence Volume One,
Boris Avrukh, Quality Chess 2011

Understanding the QGA, Alexander

Copyright © 2017 by Kiril Georgiev Delchev and Semko Semkov, Chess Stars
2015
Cover by Kalojan Nachev, Semko
Semkov
Periodicals
Translation and editing by Semko Chess Informant
Semkov
New in Chess

Internet resources
Bibliography Databases

The Week In Chess

Books
(www.theweekinchess.com)
The Agile London System, Alfonso
Romero Holmes and Oscar De Prado, 10 Days (www.Chessmix.com)
New in Chess 2016
Chess Publishing
Winning With the Modern London (www.chesspublishing.com)
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvlntr0
Preface
9zppzp-zppzpp0
Are you still curious what are the best 9-+-+-+-+0
openings for White? I have an answer for 9+-+p+-+-0
you: almost any normal development! At 9-+-zP-vL-+0
depth 50, modern engines evaluate most 9+-+-+-+-0
main lines as 0.00! Suppose that I want to 9PzPP+PzPPzP0
build a repertoire against the Slav. I have 9tRN+QmKLsNR0
tried everything against it and I assure you xiiiiiiiiy
that the Meran is 0.00. I have also tested
the Botvinnik Variation. The most It has been played by world champion
principled lines follow a very narrow path, Carlsen, Kasparov, Kramnik, So,
reaching 0.00 well after move 40. The Nakamura... the list could go on several
same applies to the Queen’s Gambit etc. pages. The computer is almost useless if
Thus any strong player faces the same you ask it what is the best answer to it.
question before every White game: how My favourite example is the following
to throw the opponent out of his home position:
preparation as early as possible without XIIIIIIIIY
crossing the red line? Sharp openings 9rsn-wq-trk+0
mean more narrow paths, therefore less to 9zplzp-+pzpp0
memorise. Even a master would be able 9-zp-vlpsn-+0
to hold to a draw a super GM in the 9+-+p+-+-0
Botvinnik.
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zPLzP-vL-0
Lately the chess elite solves the problem 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
by adopting the following anti-computer 9tR-+QmK-sNR0
strategy: they choose openings without xiiiiiiiiy
narrow paths. The more candidate-moves
Would you believe that Stockfish 8 at
of equal worth on every split, the better!
depth 41 offers as best the following line:
Nobody can memorise at home a variation
8.Rc1!!? Ne4 9.Ne2 Nf6!!? 10.Ng1!!?,
tree with a huge crown of branches. Even
evaluating it at 0.00!!
better would be to find systems where the
computer tends to underestimate White’s The closed centre and virtually no
chances. One of the most serious threats make such positions difficult for
candidates for the title “Opening of the computer analysis. On any turn both sides
future” is the London System, more have at least 4-5 candidate-moves of equal
precisely, the Accelerated London System. worth. It is a laborious task to encompass
It arises after 1.d4 d5 (1...Nf6) 2.Bf4. the maze of branches and transpositions
that arise. You could easily drown into the
sea of variations.

I have endeavoured to select several

systems for Black so you could pick out
something that suits your taste. My task
was to offer clear plans and answers in
the “Main Ideas” sections, and a tree-like
presentation in the “Step by Step”
sections. The annotated games often
present back-up lines or additional
information which would only distract you
from the more important lines.
Note that I’m not biased towards
Black’s cause. I started playing the
London about 10 years ago with White
and I have hundreds of blitz and rapid
games on the ICC server at highest level
(3300+ Elo).
Practical experience shows that many
Black players at some point begin testing
the London System with White, too. That
is possible because this opening counts on
understanding the plans and structures. If
you feel confident with Black, you should
perform well with the other colour, too.
Kiril Georgiev
July 2017
 the Barry Attack – 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5
Introduction 3.Bf4 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 – Chapter 2.
I’ll start by defining the terms. The XIIIIIIIIY
classical treatment of the London System 9rsnlwqk+-tr0
is the move sequence 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 9zppzp-zppvlp0
3.Bf4. 9-+-+-snp+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+p+-+-0
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 9-+-zP-vL-+0
9zppzp-zppzpp0 9+-sN-+N+-0
9-+-+-sn-+0 9PzPP+PzPPzP0
9+-+p+-+-0 9tR-+QmKL+R0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPP+PzPPzP0 In it the white knight is already on f3.
9tRN+QmKL+R0 Knowing this system is indispensable if
xiiiiiiiiy you prefer a repertoire based on the
Grünfeld approach.
I devote Chapter 7 to this particular
order of moves (and to 3.c3). For the same reason I consider 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 (Chapter 3) – it is
In the rest of the book I assume that a pure Grünfeld, but you cannot not skip
White delays Nf3 in favour of the more it. Thus the first three chapters provide you
flexible and trendy approach 2.Bf4, with everything you would need to meet
followed up by e3 or c3. It is called the Bf4 by ...g6.
Accelerated London System. In most
cases the lines interweave and I try to point Black’s main set-up with ...g6 is shown
out the pros and cons of the different move on the following diagram.
orders. XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
I also pay attention to schemes with an 9zpl+-zppvlp0
early 3.Nc3. I have not separated them in 9-zpn+-snp+0
an independent chapter, since the character 9+-zpp+-+-0
of play greatly depends on Black’s choice. 9-+-zP-vL-+0
For instance, 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.Nc3 is 9+-zP-zPN+P0
commonly called the Jobava Attack. 9PzP-sNLzPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
I analyse in detail 3...e6 in Chapter 4, xiiiiiiiiy
Game 14 Sheng-So, rapid, chess.com
2017. However, Black hasanother good It is easy to play as he has a clear plan –
answer, 3...g6, and it is covered in Chapter to trade light-squared bishops with ...Qc8
2, which deals with the Grünfeld and advance on the queenside. The bishop
approach. on g7 secures Black’s castling position
against any sharp attack White could
A special case of the Jobava Attack is attempt. The Grünfeld approach is not
currently in the limelight, but it is very sidesteps Bb5.
solid and easy to learn.
The forth plan against the London is too
Chapter 4 presents another rare antidote popular to be omitted. It is based on early
to the London System – 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 ...c5, followed by ...Bf5 or ...Bg4. In
3.e3 e6 4.Nd2 Bd6 5.Bg3 b6 (or 5...0-0 Chapter 6 I focus on the move order 1.d4
6.Bd3 b6). Its main feature is that Black d5 2.Bf4 c5. Black’s play is
refrains from early ...c5 in favour of the straightforward and it does not require a
queen’s fianchetto. That neutralises lot of learning. Basically, he must be
practically all the trendy plans White is acquainted with the following two
accustomed to employ. Our typical set-up positions:
is: XIIIIIIIIY
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+kvl-tr0
9rsn-wq-trk+0 9zpp+-zppzpp0
9zplzp-+pzpp0 9-wqn+-sn-+0
9-zp-vlp+-+0 9+-+p+l+-0
9+-+psN-+-0 9-+pzP-vL-+0
9-+-zPn+-+0 9+-zP-zPN+-0
9+-+LzP-vL-0 9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9PzPPsN-zPPzP0 9tRN+-mKL+R0
9tR-+QmK-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
xiiiiiiiiy
and
We have avoided both Carlsen’s Bb5 XIIIIIIIIY
and e3-e4 from White, and Ne5 is not of 9r+-+kvl-tr0
any concern to us, as we always have ...f6 9zpp+qzppzpp0
or ...f5. We do not have to worry about 9-+n+-sn-+0
dxc5, followed by c4, either. 9+-zpp+l+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
This is my favourite way to play for a 9+QzP-zP-+-0
win against the London System! It leads 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
to safe, but tangled positions with a lot 9tR-+-mKLsNR0
of pieces. White’s strategic tasks are xiiiiiiiiy
significantly more complex than in the set-
ups with ...Bf5. And White is usually The first one could arise if White used
completely surprised when facing it! the classical move order with Nf3, while
the second is typical for the Accelerated
Chapter 5 delves deeper in the same London. In all events, Black does not
direction, but this time I consider move experience any theoretical problems. In
orders with ...c5 before ...b6. In my my opinion, play is more boring,
opinion, they have no advantages over the compared to the previously mentioned
lines from Chapter 4, but they are very hot, plans.
as all the elite plays them. My “little” trick
here is to delay ...Nc6. That effectively Finally, Chapter 8 deals with 1.d4 Nf6
2.Bf4 c5. Of course, Black has an After 4.Nc3 we can either capture the
enormous choice of other plans – such as pawn, allowing repetition of moves, or
the Queen’s Indian approach with ...b6 demonstrate a strong determination with
without ...d5, or the King’s Indian set-up ...4...d6.
with ...d6 with further ...e5. However, I
prefer to exploit White’s moves more You can start by picking out one of the
concretely by hitting his sore point – b2 plans I consider, and then enrich your
by 2...c5 3.e3 Qb6. In all the events this arsenal with others. In all cases you should
queen sortie hampers the enemy normal be obtaining decent positions in the
development. opening, but you’ll play some of them
XIIIIIIIIY more confidently, depending on your
9rsnl+kvl-tr0 personal style.
9zpp+pzppzpp0
9-wq-+-sn-+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
Chapter 1. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 9zppzp-zppvl-0
3.Bf4 g6 9-+-+-snp+0
Main Ideas 9+-+p+-+p0
9-+-zP-vL-zP0
Move order 9+-+-zP-+-0
The first three chapters of this book are 9PzPP+LzPP+0
devoted to the Grünfeld approach towards 9tRN+QmK-sNR0
the London System. I’ll consider the move xiiiiiiiiy
order:
In my opinion, the insertion of h4 h5
Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 Bg7
1.d4XIIIIIIIIY may be in Black’s favour. In many lines
9rsnlwqk+-tr0 with White’s short castling, he can no
9zppzp-zppvlp0 longer fear the positional threat of g4
9-+-+-snp+0 which typically earns White more space.
9+-+p+-+-0 Our bishop gets stable stands on f5 or g4.
9-+-zP-vL-+0 The real test of our set-up should be plans
9+-+-zPN+-0 with long castling:
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKL+R0 6.c3
xiiiiiiiiy
6.Nf3 c5 7.0-0 (7.Nbd2 Qb6) 7...cxd4
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6!? 4.Nf3 Bg7 8.exd4 Qb6 9.Nc3 0-0.
leads to the same position. 6.f3?! c5.
White cannot extract anything positive
6...c5 7.Nf3 0-0 8.Nbd2 Bg4!? 9.Ne5
from delaying 4.Nf3:
(9.dxc5 Qc8; 9.0-0 Qb6 10.Qb3 Nc6)
9...Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Nbd7 11.0-0-0 Qb6!
a) 4.Nd2 Bg7 5.c3 0-0 6.Bd3 c5 7.dxc5
is dubious. Black would get an
XIIIIIIIIY
overwhelming position after 7...Nfd7
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+nzppvl-0
8.Nb3 a5 9.a4 e5 10.Bg3 Qe7 11.Bb5
9-wq-+-snp+0
Nxc5 12.Qxd5 Nba6 13.Bxa6 Nxa6
9+-zppsN-+p0
14.Nf3 Be6 15.Qb5 f6 16.0-0 Rfc8µ.
9-+-zP-vL-zP0
b) 4.h4!? Bg7 5.Be2 is a more
9+-zP-zP-+-0
challenging try. I propose not to cede any
9PzP-sNQzPP+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
space and answer 5...h5.
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s attack is quick and natural:
12.Nxd7 (12.Ndf3 Rac8) 12...Nxd7 13.g4
Rac8 14.Kb1 hxg4 15.Qxg4 cxd4 16.cxd4
Qb5 17.Qh3 e5„.

I believe that the Grünfeld set-up is one
of the most unpleasant weapon against
the London – both psychologically and
theoretically.
It does require knowledge of the pure
Grünfeld line 5.c4 0-0 6.Nc3 c5 (covered
in Chapter 3), but on the other hand, it has
always been a sideline which brings White
a modest 45% in practice. Its theoretical
overhead is nothing in comparison to the
monstrous amount of variations you would
need to swallow before daring into the
Grünfeld Exchange System, for example.
Besides, the overall effort to master the
king’s fianchetto against the London is
relatively small, as Black’s play is
surprisingly clear and easy.
Things get even better if you already
have the Grünfeld in your repertoire. Then
you should consider the following move
order: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6!?. Many adepts
of the London System hate to play 3.Bf4
here because of 3...d6, so they would have
to resort to the Barry Attack 3.Nc3, when
3...d5! immediately evens the chances.
We’ll discuss it in Chapter 2.
Black’s main set-up
White’s most popular scheme is to
secure his dark-squared bishop by playing
h3 early. Then we fianchetto the second
bishop to reach the following position:
4.e3 Bg7 5.h3 0-0 6.Be2 c5 7.c3 b6!
8.Nbd2 Bb7 9.0-0 Nc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-zppvlp0
9-zpn+-snp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zPN+P0
9PzP-sNLzPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Note two important moments here.
1. After 7.c3, we defended our c5-pawn
with 7...b6!
2. We have clearly shown that we were
not focused on a plan with ...e5 or we
would have prepared it with ...Nfd7.
Instead, we want to keep the tension in
the centre and prepare ...e5 only if White
weakens his kingside: 10.Qb3 Nd7
11.Rfe1 Qc8 12.Rad1 e6, see Game 1
Pakleza-Bartel, Katowice 2016.
We could meet plans with a4 by the
same ...Nd7, ...e5.
Do not close the centre with ...c4 unless
you have something concrete in mind.
White saves h3
White can deviate from this scenario in
various ways. The most challenging plan
is to organise an attack on the h-file. His
strategic aim is to reach something like the
following position:
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0 9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpl+-zppvlp0 9zpp+-zp-vlp0
9-zp-+-snp+0 9-+n+-zpp+0
9+-zppsN-+-0 9+-zpp+-+n0
9-+-zP-vL-zP0 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0 9+-zP-zPNvL-0
9PzP-sNLzPP+0 9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Although White’s attack is not too 10...cxd4 11.cxd4 Nxg3 12.hxg3 e5 (or
dangerous, I cannot deny him an initiative. after some preparation) 13.dxe5 fxe5
The key point of his idea is the early leap 14.e4 Kh8∞.
Ne5. My receipt is to oppose it by playing
Nh5, but not before White had played c3 Commonly the appropriate moment for
or Nbd2. ...Nh5 is on move 6 or later:

When to play ...Nh5 5.Be2 0-0! 6.Nbd2 (bingo!) 6...Nh5!

Suppose we played ...Nh5 too early, XIIIIIIIIY
White answered Be5 and the following 9rsnlwq-trk+0
position has arisen: 9zppzp-zppvlp0
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+p+0
9rsnlwq-trk+0 9+-+p+-+n0
9zpp+-zp-vlp0 9-+-zP-vL-+0
9-+p+-zpp+0 9+-+-zPN+-0
9+-+p+-+-0 9PzPPsNLzPPzP0
9-+PzP-+-+0 9tR-+QmK-+R0
9+-sN-zPNzP-0 xiiiiiiiiy
9PzP-+LzPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0 7.Be5 is no longer attractive due to
xiiiiiiiiy 7...f6, so White answers 7.Bg5. That
eliminates the threat of Ne5 in view of the
White’s knight is active on c3 and that fork at f6, and we can comfortably return
forces Black to take a passive stand with to our main plan: 7...c5 8.c3 b6.
...e6.
White plays Bd3 instead of Be2
However, if White has already We follow the same scheme as against
committed his knight to d2, ...Nh5 is a fair Be2 – ...c5, ...b6, ...Nc6. If White omits
option as we would have time to occupy h3, we answer ...Nh5. In general, the
the centre with ...e5: development Bd3 hides less venom than
Be2, since the bishop does not control h5,
blocks the d-file and hampers Qb3 (in
view of the fork ...c4).
White saves Nbd2 pawn structure.
If White leaves his queen’s knight on
b1 for too long, we could exploit that by Here is another example:
hitting b2: 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c5 7.c3 Nc6 XIIIIIIIIY
8.Ne5 Qb6! 9.Qb3 9-+rwq-trk+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+l+nzppvlp0
9r+l+-trk+0 9-zpn+-+p+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0 9zpLzpp+-+-0
9-wqn+-snp+0 9Q+-zP-vL-+0
9+-zppsN-+-0 9+-zP-zPN+P0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9+QzP-zP-+-0 9tR-+R+-mK-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0 xiiiiiiiiy
9tRN+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 13.c4! cxd4 14.cxd5 Nc5?! 15.dxc6
Nxa4 16.cxb7 Rc7 17.Bxa4 Rxb7
9...c4=. See Game 2 Michna-Kachiani, 18.exd4±, Spark 1.0-Hiarcs 13.2, 2011.
Dresden 2014.
Instead, it is better to counter the
To summarise: If White delays h3, we enemy’s flank assault with a break in the
play ...Nh5, and if he delays Nbd2, we centre:
play ...Qb6. XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
Positional decisions 9zp-+nzppvlp0
The following examples could help you 9-zpn+-+p+0
in practice when you have to take 9+-zpp+-+-0
important decisions. 9P+-zP-vL-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+QzP-zPN+P0
9r+-wq-tr-+0 9-zP-sNLzPP+0
9+l+-zppmkp0 9tR-+-mK-+R0
9-zp-+-snp+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9zpLzpp+-+-0
9P+-zP-+-+0 Korobov-Edouard, Dubai 2014, saw
9+-zP-zP-+P0 10...e5 and Black had nice compensation
9-zP-sN-zPP+0 for the pawn.
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy Do not trade light-squared bishops too
early. This piece may be passive, but it
White often displays activity on the hampers White’s active plans with e4 or
queenside. Do not stop a4 with the semi- c4. Furthermore, our knight would take a
automatic ...a5. That would open a hole at really bad place on a6 instead of his
b5 and would deprive our pawn formation natural stand on c6:
of flexibility. One possible way to exploit
it is 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.c4 with the better
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zp-sn-zppvlp0
9-zp-+-snp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zPN+P0
9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.dxc5 bxc5 12.Be5 Ne6 13.c4.
The plan with ...Bb7-a6 would be
justified at a later stage, when Black had
consolidated and could enable the
exchange with Qd8-c8.
Theoretical status
This set-up has remained untouched by
the current burst of popularity of the
London System. It is difficult to find
meaningful theory on it. Ten years ago
Prié was quite confident about White’s
chances after his two wins against Boudre.
He then wrote for ChessPublishing.com
about 3...g6: “Although the way to combat
this set-up is far from evident for the first
player, it is reputed to be dubious for the
fianchettoed side because of the dark-
squared dragon spitting his craving for
space against the heat-resistance of the
c3-d4-e3 wall.“
I like the emotion, but the bitter truth
is somewhat different. Time has passed,
and White players have come to realise
that the pride of the London System, the
d3-bishop, is also biting on granite against
the heat-resistance of the h7-g6-f7 wall.
That effectively neutralises White’s play
on the kingside while Black, as a rule,
remains more active in the centre thanks to
his c5-d5 pawns.
Sedlak in Winning With the Modern
London System, 2016, bases his White
repertoire on 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 c5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-zPN+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tRN+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
7.c3 Nc6 8.Ne5 Qb6 9.Qb3, but he
does not consider 9...c4 at all.
Interestingly, Romero and De Prado in
The Agile London System, 2016, promote
the same variation, but propose 7.Nbd2
instead of 7.c3. However, they do not even
mention the most logical answer 7...Nc6,
and 7...Qb6!? (my sign) deserved just
“8.dxc5 Qxb2 9.Be5=”.
It is indicative that both authors claim
that the early h3 is “just a waste of time”,
but completely fail (or avoid) to analyse
Black’s most principled retort to the lines
they advocate.
I encourage you to try yourself the
Grünfeld set-up. You will be surprised
how easy and natural Black’s play is.
 5...0-0.
Chapter 1. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5
3.Bf4 g6 Black could also try 5...Nh5?!.
Step by Step
Commonly this move offers White a
Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6
1.d4XIIIIIIIIY slight initiative after 6.Be5 f6 7.Bg3
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 Nxg3 8.hxg3, due to the possibility of
9zppzp-zpp+p0 pressurising the centre with c4, Qb3.
9-+-+-snp+0 The innocuous 5.c3 makes this plan
9+-+p+-+-0 less efficient and should not cause
9-+-zP-vL-+0 Black serious trouble. For instance:
9+-+-+N+-0 8...e5 9.c4 (9.dxe5 fxe5 10.e4 c6 was
9PzPP+PzPPzP0 fine for Black in Suvrajit-Ganguly
9tRN+QmKL+R0 Mumbai 2003.) 9...exd4 10.Qxd4 Nc6
xiiiiiiiiy 11.Qxd5 Qxd5 12.cxd5 Nb4 13.Na3
Nxd5 14.Bc4 Nb6 15.Nb5 c6
4.e3 16.Nd6+ Ke7=.
4.Nbd2 Bg7 More testing is 6.Bg5! h6 7.Bh4 g5
8.Ne5 Nf6 9.Bg3 Ne4 10.Nd2 Nxg3
There is no point to deviate with 11.hxg3 and the open h-file assures White
4...Nh5?! 5.Be5 f6 6.Bg3 Nxg3 of the initiative, Skoberne-Beliavsky, Bled
7.hxg3 c6 8.e4. 2016.
5.Ne5?!

5.c4?! c5 6.dxc5 0-0 7.e3 Nbd7 is

pleasant for Black.
5.e3! transposes to 5.Nbd2.
5...Nh5! 6.Bg3 c5 7.c3 Qb6 takes over
the initiative.
4...Bg7
It is very interesting to investigate
4...c5!?, hoping for 5.c3 Nc6.
A. 5.h3 0-0 6.Nbd2 c5
When the queen’s knight goes to d2, we
could no longer fear c4. That allows us
to postpone the attack on the centre and
fianchetto our bishop first – 6...b6 7.c3
Bb7 8.Be2 and now it would be best to
return to our main set-up with 8...c5, as
8...Nbd7 9.0-0 Ne4 10.a4 c5 11.a5 would
give the opponent a slight initiative.

A. 5.h3; B. 5.Nbd2; C. 5.Be2; D. 5.Bd3.
5.Nc3 is the subject of Chapter 2.
5.c4 is covered in Chapter 3.
5.c3 should transpose to other lines after
7.c3 b6!
I do not see any reason to play 7...Nc6?!
although it is as popular as 7...b6. First of
all, 8.Be2 Nd7 9.0-0 e5 10.dxe5 Ndxe5
11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Nf3 was a tad better for
White in Dominguez-Mamedyarov, Doha
2016. And second, after 8.dxc5!? a5 9.a4
Nd7 10.Nb3 e5 11.Bg5, Pomes-Lautier,

Terrassa 1991, Black still has to prove that
his centre is worth a pawn.
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zp-+-zppvlp0
9-zp-+-snp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zPN+P0
9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.a4
This move has been played recently by
Nakamura and Korobov. It aims to
discourage 8...Ba6 whereupon White
would take on a6 in one leap. Note that
I do not recommend this exchange even
after:
8.Bd3
Although the ABC book teaches us to
trade this “bad” bishop in such
positions, White would get some play
after 8...Ba6 9.Bxa6 Nxa6 10.0-0 Nc7,
Anikonov-Dreev, Khanty-Mansiysk
2016, 11.dxc5!? bxc5 12.Be5 Ne6
13.c4. Instead, we should adhere to
another rule, namely to put our pieces
on good places near the centre:
8...Nc6 (or 8...Bb7 9.0-0 Nc6) 9.0-0
Bb7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-zppvlp0
9-zpn+-snp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-zPLzPN+P0
9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The “bad” b7-bishop would become
excellent should White execute his only
active plan based on e3-e4. Furthermore,
it would protect our central pawn in the
event we push ...e5 ourselves. However, I
consider this break not too wise as it would
not improve our chances in any way. It
would be better to manoeuvre in the centre
and on the queenside, keeping ...e5 in
reserve against a possible White’s
expansion on the kingside. Of course, if
White presented us with a couple of tempi
like in the game Vazquez-Stany, Roquetas
de Mar 2017, we might “concede” to push
...e5:
10.Bh2 Nd7 11.Bb5 a6 12.Be2 e5
13.dxe5 Ndxe5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Nf3
Nc6 16.Ne1 Ne5 17.Nf3, when 17...Nd7
would have preserved slightly the better
chances.
A more natural approach for White is to
bring his rooks in the centre:
10.Qe2 Nd7 11.Rad1 Re8 12.Rfe1 with
a balanced game. We could chose virtually
any natural move here – 12...e6, 12...f5,
or open the centre with 12...e5 13.dxe5
Ndxe5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Bb5 Re7=.
8.Be2 is similar, but it allows White to
play Qb3 at some point since ...c4 would
not be a fork: 8...Bb7 9.0-0 (9.Ne5 Nfd7=)
 XIIIIIIIIY
9...Nc6 10.Qb3 9-trlwq-trk+0
9zp-+n+pvlp0
10.a4 transposes to the main line. 9-zpQ+-+p+0
10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Nd7 12.Bxg7 9+-zp-+-+-0
Kxg7 13.f4 (13.a4 e5=) 13...Qc7=. 9P+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPN+P0
10...Nd7 11.Rfe1 Qc8 12.Rad1 9-zP-sNL+P+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9tR-+-mK-+R0
9r+q+-trk+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9zpl+nzppvlp0
9-zpn+-+p+0 Objectively, Black’s compensation may
9+-zpp+-+-0 be enough just for maintaining the
9-+-zP-vL-+0 balance. However, in a practical game the
9+QzP-zPN+P0 cost of his mistakes is lower and the 2700
9PzP-sNLzPP+0 White player Korobov lost in 32 moves
9+-+RtR-mK-0 against Edouard in Dubai 2014. The game
xiiiiiiiiy went 14.0-0 Nf6 15.Rae1 Qe7 16.Bd3
Bb7 17.Qb5÷.
Both sides have no weaknesses. Black
could boast with a slightly better centre More simple was 15...Bb7 16.Qb5 Bh6
due to the active pawn on c5, but his 17.Bc4 a6 18.Qb3 b5 19.axb5 axb5
pieces have defensive functions. In near 20.Bxb5 cxd4 21.exd4 Ba6 22.c4 Bxb5
future ...e5 should unload the tension, but 23.cxb5 Qd5= or 15...Bd7 16.Qd6 Bxa4
it is not obligatory at all. In practice Black 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8 18.Ra1 Be8 19.Rxa7
prefers to wait – see Game 1 Pakleza-
Nd5=.
Bartel, Katowice 2016.
9...Nd7
8...Nc6 9.Bd3
This move order prevents 9...Bb7
9.Ne5 Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Nd7 11.Bxg7
10.Ne5 which should not be a cause of
Kxg7 12.Be2 Qc7 13.a5 Rb8 14.axb6
concern for us anyway. We could choose
axb6 15.0-0 Bb7 16.Qc2 Ra8= occurred
between 10...Nxe5 11.Bxe5 a5!?
in the correspondence game Hugo-Solar,
(11...Nd7) 12.0-0 e6 13.Re1 Qe7 14.Be2
2014.
Nd7=, 10...Nd7, 10...a5, and 10...e6.
9.Be2 Nd7 10.Qb3 e5
10.0-0 Bb7
10...Bb7 was also possible, as
11.Qxd5?! runs into 11...cxd4 12.exd4
Nxd4 13.Qxb7 Nc2+ 14.Kf1 Nc5.
11.Qxd5 exf4 12.Qxc6 fxe3 13.fxe3
Rb8
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+nzppvlp0 B. 5.Nbd2 0-0
9-zpn+-+p+0 5...Nh5 6.Be5 f6 7.Bg3 Nxg3 8.hxg3
9+-zpp+-+-0
9P+-zP-vL-+0 is better for White. Although the
9+-zPLzPN+P0 queen’s knight could have been more
9-zP-sN-zPP+0 active on c3 instead of d2, the pressure
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 on d5 after c4 would assure him of the
xiiiiiiiiy initiative.

11.Bg5 6.c3
Nakamura opted for 11.Bh2, intending 6.Be2 Nh5 – see line C.
to meet 11...e5 by 12.e4?
6.Bd3 c5 7.c3 Nc6 – see line D.
12.Nxe5 Ndxe5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Be2
Re8 15.Nf3= was called for. 6...b6
6...Nh5 is possible, but I prefer to delay
12...dxe4!
it until the next move. 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4
Nd7
Yu Yangyi in Doha rapid 2016,
actually answered 12...exd4 13.exd5
Our position will break apart after
Nce5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Bxe5
8...Nc6?! 9.h3 f5 10.Bd3 Qd6 11.Rg1
16.c4 a5³, but failed to break in and
e5 12.g4 Nf4 13.exf4 e4 14.g5 h5
the game ended in a draw.
15.Bc2±.
13.Nxe4 cxd4 14.Nd6 dxc3 15.bxc3
9.h3 c5 10.Qc2 Nhf6 11.Be2 b6 12.0-0
Na5µ.
Bb7 13.b4 and White’s centre is more
fluid.
The immediate 11.e4 dxe4 12.Bxe4
cxd4 13.Nxd4 is dubious. Besides
6...c5 is a little shaky. Perhaps White
13...Qc8=, Black could take over the
should play first 7.Be2!?, intending to
initiative with 13...Bxd4!? 14.cxd4 Nf6
capture on c5 on the next turn.
15.Bxc6 Bxc6 16.Be3 Rc8.
7.dxc5 was roughly balanced after
11...Qc7 7...Bg4 8.Be2 Nbd7 9.Nb3 Rc8 10.0-0
Black is consistent – he aims to fully
Nxc5 11.Nxc5 Rxc5 12.Be5,
equalize with ...e5. 11...f6 was more direct,
Taimanov-E.Geller, Leningrad 1971,
but after all, it weakens the light squares,
when best was 12...Ne4=.
e.g. 12.Bh4 e5 13.a5!?∞.
7...b6
Perhaps he could prepare the same idea
with ...f6 by 11...a6!? 12.Re1 f6. 7...Nc6 is enterprising, but risky.
Nisipeanu in 2016 took the pawn:
12.Be2 e5 13.dxe5 Ndxe5=, Korobov-Yu 8.dxc5 Nh5 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5
Yangyi, blitz, Doha 2016. 11.Bg3 Nxg3 12.hxg3, but Graf’s
 12...b6!? probably surprised him and
he quickly signed a draw after
13.Bb5?! Qc7 14.Qc2 Rd8 15.e4.
Critical is 13.cxb6 Qxb6 14.Qb3².
7...Nbd7 8.h3 throws us out of our
main set-up in which we aim for
...Nc6+Nfd7.
7...Qb6 8.Qb3 is also not in my taste
when White has not spent a tempo on
h3. For instance, 8...Nc6 9.Qxb6 axb6
10.Bc7 practically forces 10...cxd4
11.exd4 Bf5. White will not take on
b6, but will castle and try to exploit
later Black’s split queenside pawns.
8.Ne5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zp-+-zppvlp0
9-zp-+-snp+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0
9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White may not have anything tangible,
but at least he has gained the
psychological initiative. He occupied the
e5-square and now he will launch the h-
pawn – 8...Nbd7 9.h4 or 8...Nfd7 9.h4
(9.Ndf3 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 f6 11.Nd3 Nd7)
9...Nxe5 10.Bxe5 h5 11.Bxg7 Kxg7
12.dxc5 bxc5 13.c4.
This line explains why we should
prepare our action in the centre by 6...b6.
7.Be2
7.h3 leads us straight into line A.
7.Bd3 is popular, but the bishop looks
misplaced there. It supports neither
h2-h4-h5 nor Be2-f3. Furthermore, a
possible ...c4 would be with tempo. The
only reasonable idea could be to fight for
the queenside light squares with 7...c5 (For
consistency sake, we may include 7...Nh5
8.Bg5, as against 7.Be2, and only now
8...c5.) 8.0-0 Bb7 9.Qe2 Nc6, when I do
not see a more useful move than 10.h3,
which transposes to line A.
7.a4 is hardly White’s most useful move
so early in the opening. We could follow
as in the main line – 7...Nh5
7...a5 only creates a hole on b5 – 8.h3
Nbd7 9.Bb5 Bb7 10.0-0 Ne4 11.Re1
Nxd2 12.Qxd2 f6 13.Bg3²,
Prié-Boudre, Gap 2007.
8.Bg5 c5 9.a5 Nc6 10.axb6 Qxb6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zp-+-zppvlp0
9-wqn+-+p+0
9+-zpp+-vLn0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPN+-0
9-zP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White is lagging behind in development
and must be careful. He still has a narrow
path to equality – 11.Qb3 Qxb3 12.Nxb3
h6 13.Bb5! Nxd4 14.cxd4 hxg5 15.Nxc5
g4 16.Ne5 Bxe5 17.dxe5 Rb8=.
7.Ne5 is an attempt to execute the active
plan Be2, h4. We should exploit the
absence of h3 with 7...Nh5! 8.h4 (what
else?!) 8...Nxf4 9.exf4 f6 10.Ng4
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zp-zp-zp-vlp0
9-zp-+-zpp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-zPNzP0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has the bishop pair and no serious
weaknesses. He has at least two promising
ways to counter-attack:
a) 10...e5! 11.fxe5 Qe7 12.Ne3 (12.Be2
Bxg4; 12.h5 fxe5 13.dxe5 Bxe5 14.Nxe5
Nd7) 12...fxe5 13.Nxd5 Qf7ƒ.
b) 10...c5 11.h5 cxd4 12.cxd4 Qd6,
intending to defend g6 with the queen, e.g.
13.hxg6 hxg6 14.Bd3 Bxg4 15.Qxg4 f5
16.Qh4 Nc6 17.Nf3 Kf7, or 13.Ne3 Nc6
14.Nf3 Bd7!? (14...e5 15.dxe5 Qb4+=)
15.hxg6 hxg6 16.Rc1 e6 17.g3 Kf7
18.Bd3 Qb4+ 19.Qd2 Rh8=.
7...Nh5!?
My idea is to drag the bishop to g5 and
leave it there. That deprives White of his
main plan based on Ne5, which would be
forked with ...f6. Thus we spoil his plan of
attacking with Ne5, h4.
I do not like the idea of 7...Ba6 since
8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.Qa4 Qc8 10.b4 leaves us
with a bad piece on a6 and no active plan.
8.Bg5
8.Be5 f6 9.Bg3 Nxg3 10.hxg3 e6
(10...e5!? 11.c4 e4) 11.c4 a5 12.Rc1 Bb7
13.0-0 c6 builds up a Stonewall-like
defence line, e.g. 14.Re1 f5= or 14.cxd5
exd5 15.e4 Bh6 16.Re1 Na6 17.Bf1 dxe4
18.Rxe4 Nb4=.
8...c5 9.0-0 Bb7
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-zppvlp0
9-zp-+-+p+0
9+-zpp+-vLn0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPN+-0
9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has successfully neutralised the
most dangerous plans with Ne5 and h4, e4
is also under control. White has nothing
left, but to display some activity on the
queenside with b4, a4, which will result
in closing it if we answer ...c4. For
instance:10.Bh4 Nd7 (Another decent set-
up is 10...Nc6 11.Rb1 Qd6.) 11.a4 a6
12.b4 c4 13.Qc2 Nhf6=.
C. 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0
6.Nc3 Bg4 is line C of Chapter 2.
6.Ne5 is rather pointless since after
6...Nfd7 White has nothing better than
returning to f3. However, 6...Ne4! 7.f3
Nd6 is more testing.
6.Nbd2 is best met by 6...Nh5
6...c5 7.c3 b6 (7...Nc6 8.dxc5²)
8.Ne5!?, intending h2-h4, leads to a
position I commented in line B, 6...c5.
7.Bg5
7.Be5 f6 8.Bg3 e5 9.c4
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0 9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zppzp-+-vlp0 9zppzp-zppvlp0
9-+-+-zpp+0 9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+pzp-+n0 9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0 9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-zPNvL-0 9+-+-zPN+-0
9PzP-sNLzPPzP0 9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0 9tRN+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy

9...e4 (It looks more consistent to open 6...c5!

up the centre with 9...Nxg3 10.hxg3
exd4 11.Nxd4 c5 12.N4b3 d4 13.exd4
cxd4 14.0-0 Nc6, but our limit here is
a draw, e.g. 15.Bf3 a5 16.Bd5+ Kh8
17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Nf3 f5 19.Nbxd4 f4
20.gxf4 Rxf4 21.Ne2 Rf8 22.Qxd8
Rxd8 23.Rad1 Bg4 24.b3 Kg8 25.Ng3
a4°.) 10.Ng1 Nxg3 11.hxg3 c6
12.Nh3 g5 reminds me of the Keres
Attack in the English. The same
position might arise from line B, where
Black’s “extra” tempo of ...b6 actually
compromises his set-up due to the
weakness of the c6-square.
White lacks space, but he does not
have any weaknesses. We should play
energetically on the kingside: 13.g4
h6! 14.f3 (14.Rc1 f5) 14...f5 15.gxf5
exf3 16.gxf3 Bxf5 17.Qb3 Re8 18.Nf2
Na6 19.cxd5 cxd5 20.e4 Bg6=.
7...c5 8.c3 b6 – play has transposed to
line B.
We no longer fear the attack with
h2-h4-h5, but on the other hand, White
preserved the possibility of playing c4,
Nc3, e.g. 6...b6 7.c4 Bb7 8.Nc3.
6...Nh5 is dubious owing to the same
reason – 7.Be5! f6 8.Bg3 Nxg3 9.hxg3 e5
10.c4 e4 11.Nfd2 c5 12.Nb3².
Therefore, we should create the threat
...Qb6 in order to narrow the enemy’s
choice.
7.c3
7.Nc3 cxd4 8.exd4 Nc6 9.Ne5 Bf5 is
perfectly comfortable.
7.Nbd2 offers us an additional
possibility – 7...Qb6
Note that 7...Nc6! transposes after 8.c3
Qb6 or 8.dxc5 Nh5 9.c3 d4!. Only
8.Ne5 is of independent significance,
but it hardly deserves any attention –
8...cxd4 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.exd4 Qb6.
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0 9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0 9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-wq-+-snp+0 9-wqn+-snp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0 9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-zPN+-0 9+QzP-zP-+-0
9PzPPsNLzPPzP0 9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 9tRN+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
8.c4 9...c4

8.Rb1 Nc6 9.c3?! drops the b2-pawn
owing to 9...cxd4 10.exd4 Bf5.
Romero mentions 8.dxc5 Qxb2
9.Be5=. Indeed, 9...Qb4 10.c4 Qxc5
11.Nb3 Qc6 12.Rc1 Nbd7 13.Bf4
promises White just enough
compensation for the pawn although
Black could play this for a win.
8.Qc1 puts White on the defensive
after 8...Nc6 – 9.c3 Nh5.
8...cxd4 9.Nxd4 (9.exd4 Qxb2) 9...Nc6
10.Nxc6 bxc6=, Pecorelli-Fedorowicz,
Havana 1985.
7...Nc6
7...Qb6 8.Qb3 c4 does not transposes as
after 9.Qa3 Nc6 White has 10.b3!, which
is more useful than Dreev’s 10.Nbd2.
8.Nbd2
8.dxc5?! surrenders the centre after
8...Ne4 – this is the price of delaying
Nbd2!
8.h3 b6 9.Nbd2 Bb7 is covered in line
A.
8.Ne5 Qb6 9.Qb3 brings White
excellent results, but we have good
antidotes:
The game Berkes-Yu Yangyi, Moscow
2017, went 9...Nxe5?! 10.Bxe5 Nd7,
when instead of 11.Bxg7 White had
11.Qxb6! axb6 12.Bc7 e5 (12...c4
13.Na3) 13.Rd1 exd4 14.cxd4 cxd4
15.exd4 Nf6 16.Nc3 Be6 17.Bxb6±.
Sedlak considers 9...Ne4. I’m not sure
why Black should spend a tempo on
provoking 10.f3 (10.Qxb6 axb6
11.Nd3 c4 12.Nb4=), but it looks
enough for equality: 10...Nf6
[10...Nd6 11.Rd1 Na5 12.Qxb6
(12.Qxd5 cxd4 13.b4 Nc6 14.exd4
Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Be6 16.Qc5 Rfc8
17.Qxb6 axb6 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.a3
Bf5 20.Bd3 Bxd3 21.Rxd3 Ra6
22.Nd2 b5=) 12...axb6 13.Na3 g5
14.Bg3 Be6 15.Nb5 Bxe5=.]
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-wqn+-snp+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+QzP-zPP+-0
9PzP-+L+PzP0
9tRN+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.Qxb6 [11.Nd3 c4 12.Qxb6 axb6
13.Nb4 Bf5! 14.a3 (14.Nd2 Nxb4
15.cxb4 Nd7ƒ) 14...Nxb4 15.cxb4
 Bxb1 16.Raxb1 b5=] 11...axb6 12.g4
Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Bd7=.
10.Qa3
10.Qxb6 axb6 11.Nd2 b5 12.a3 is
comfortable for Black. This pawn
structure is often met in the London
System so I devoted to it a detailed
analysis. See Game 2
Michna-Kachiani, Dresden 2014.
10...Ne4!?
This is more challenging than
10...Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Bg4, BlackMamba
2.0-Komodo 6, 2015, when 12.Bxf6
Bxe2 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.Re1 Bd3
15.Nd2 Rfd8 16.e4 would have been
level. The game went instead 12.Re1
Bxe2 13.Rxe2 Rfe8 14.Nd2 (14.b3
Qc6 15.Nd2 cxb3³) 14...Qc6 15.Rc1
Bf8 16.b3 Nd7 17.Qb2 Nxe5 18.dxe5
whereas 18...cxb3! 19.axb3 a5ƒ should
be pleasant for Black who has a bishop
in an asymmetric position.
11.Nxc6 (11.f3 Nd6 12.Nxc6 bxc6)
11...Qxc6 (11...bxc6÷)
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+q+-+p+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+pzPnvL-+0
9wQ-zP-zP-+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tRN+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It turns out that Black has enough
compensation for the pawn after 12.Qxe7
g5 13.Bg3 because of his space advantage.
For instance:
13...f5 14.Bf3 f4 15.exf4 Rf7 16.Qd8+
Rf8 is a draw while 16.Qa3?? loses to
16...Bf8 17.b4 gxf4 18.Bh4 a5 19.Qc1
Qh6, or:
13...Bf5 14.b3 b5 15.a4 a6 16.bxc4 bxc4
17.a5 Rae8 18.Qc7 Qa8 19.Bf3 Re6
20.Bxe4 Bxe4 21.Rc1 Bd3.
8...Nh5
This is our typical reaction when White
tries to save h3.
8...b6, as in line A, is also possible, even
though Black is practically a tempo down:
9.Ne5
Or 9.dxc5 bxc5 10.c4 Nh5 11.cxd5
Nxf4 12.dxc6 Nxe2+ 13.Qxe2 Qb6.
9...Bb7 10.b4 c4 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.a4
a6 13.a5 (13.e4 dxe4) 13...b5 14.Be5
Bh6=.
9.Be5
9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Ne1?! (11.Bg3
Nxg3=) runs into 11...cxd4! 12.cxd4 Nf4!.
9.dxc5 d4 10.cxd4 Nxf4 11.exf4 Nxd4
12.Nc4, Arnold-Spiriev, Hungary 1989,
12...Qd5! regains the pawn and the bishop
pair fully compensate the split pawns after
13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Qxd4 Bxd4 15.c6 bxc6
16.Rfd1 c5=.
9...f6 10.Bg3 cxd4 11.cxd4 Nxg3
12.hxg3
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0 9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zp-vlp0 9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-zpp+0 9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0 9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-zPNzP-0 9+-zPLzPN+-0
9PzP-sNLzPP+0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 9tRN+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
It is clear that Black has solved the
7...Nc6
opening problems. He could quietly ditch
Black could exploit the placement of the
himself behind the pawns, but the bishop
bishop on d3 to gain space with 7...Qb6!?
pair dictates to open up the centre with
8.Qb3 c4 as White cannot answer 9.Qa3.
12...e5!? 13.dxe5 fxe5 14.e4 Kh8÷.
From a theoretical standpoint, this is
perhaps the best continuation. With the
knight still on b1, White cannot defend
D. 5.Bd3 0-0 6.0-0 the b2-pawn with Rb1 and has to trade
After 6.Nbd2, we attack the centre with queens. The position after 9.Qxb6 axb6
6...c5 7.c3 Nc6 10.Bc2 b5! (The trick is that 11.Na3?!
would run into 11...b4! 12.cxb4 Na6 13.b5
In contrast with line C, we are not Nb4 14.Rfc1 Bd7 15.Ne5 Be6 16.h3 Rfc8
afraid of 8.dxc5 as 8...Nfd7 threatens with a strong pressure on the queenside.)
to fork a piece with ...e7-e5-e4. 11.Nbd2 Bf5 is fine for Black although a
little too static to play it for a win.
8.0-0
8.Nbd2
XIIIIIIIIY
8.Ne5 allows 8...Nh5.
9r+lwq-trk+0
8.h3 b6 achieves the set-up from line 9zpp+-zppvlp0
A, although even better is to save ...b6 9-+n+-snp+0
in favour of 8...Nd7. The recent game 9+-zpp+-+-0
Jojua-Mchedlishvili, Tbilisi 2017, 9-+-zP-vL-+0
lasted only 3 more moves: 9.0-0 e5 9+-zPLzPN+-0
10.dxe5 Ndxe5 11.Be2 Nxf3+ ½-½. 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
8...Nh5, transposing to the main line. 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
6...c5 7.c3
8...Nh5
This is the easiest way to win the battle
for the e5-square. 8...Nfd7 is not so
effective in view of 9.Bb5.

9.Bg5 Qd6
 Two computer games finished in a draw
after 9...h6 10.Bh4 Qb6 11.Rb1 cxd4, but
I would not alter the pawn structure in this
way since Black would remain without the
plan of pushing ...e5.
10.dxc5
White cannot keep the tension in the
centre with 10.Re1 because 10...e5
11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 equalizes at
once – 13.Bh4 Bf6 (13...Qc7 14.e4 d4
15.cxd4 Bxd4=) 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.e4 dxe4
16.Bxe4 Qg5=.
10...Qxc5 11.e4 dxe4!
11...Nf6 12.h3 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Nxe4
14.Bxe4 Be6 15.Qa4 Bc4 16.Be3 Qb5
17.Qxb5 Bxb5 18.Rfd1 was in White’s
favour in Beliavsky-Faibisovich,
Leningrad 1967.
12.Bxe4 Nf6 (or 12...Qb6 first) 13.Nb3
Qb6
Black has a comfortable game. After
14.Bxc6, both captures are solid:
14...Qxc6 15.Re1 Re8= or 14...bxc6
15.Re1 Re8 16.h3 Qc7=.
 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+r+-mk0
Chapter 1. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 9zpq+n+-vlp0
3.Bf4 g6 9-zp-+pzpp+0
Annotated Games 9sn-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
1. Pakleza – Bartel 9zP-zP-zPNvLP0
Warsaw 17.01.2010 9-zPQ+RzPP+0
9+-+R+NmK-0
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nf3 0-0
xiiiiiiiiy
5.Be2 b6 6.0-0 c5 7.c3 Bb7 8.h3 d5
9.Nbd2 Nfd7 10.Qb3 Nc6 11.Rad1
XIIIIIIIIY The computer chose 21...f5 and went on
9r+-wq-trk+0 to draw eventually. I admit that this natural
9zpl+nzppvlp0 move is perhaps best, but it is difficult to
9-zpn+-+p+0 win after it. A human player might prefer
9+-zpp+-+-0 21...e5 22.dxe5 fxe5 23.Red2 e4 24.N3h2
9-+-zP-vL-+0 with two sharp options: 24...Nc4 25.Rxd5
9+QzP-zPN+P0 Nf6 26.Rg5 Bh6 and 24...c4 25.Rxd5 Nc5
9PzP-sNLzPP+0 26.f3 Nd3, with mutual chances in both
9+-+R+RmK-0 lines.
xiiiiiiiiy
And here is an example where White
Chances are even, but what should pushed e4: 12...Rd8 13.Bg3 e6 14.Rc1 Ba6
Black do from here? This game offers a 15.Qd1 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Qb7 17.e4
good model to follow. The first step is XIIIIIIIIY
to evacuate the queen and consolidate the 9r+-tr-+k+0
centre. 9zpq+n+pvlp0
9-zpn+p+p+0
11...Qc8 12.Rfe1 e6
9+-zpp+-+-0
We can observe similar manoeuvring in
9-+-zPP+-+0
the computer game Equinox
9+-zP-+NvLP0
3.30-Protector 1.7 2015: 9PzP-sNQzPP+0
9+-tR-tR-mK-0
12...Re8 13.a3 e6 14.Qc2 Ba6 15.Nf1
xiiiiiiiiy
Bxe2 16.Rxe2 Qb7 17.Ng3 Rac8 18.Qd2
Na5 19.Nf1 f6 20.Bg3 Kh8 21.Qc2 17...Rac8 18.exd5 exd5 19.Nb3 ½-½,
Ribli-Adorjan, Hungary 1995.

13.Bf1 Ba6 14.Qa3 Bxf1 15.Nxf1

 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+-trk+0
9zp-+n+pvlp0
9-zpn+p+p+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9wQ-zP-zPN+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9+-+RtRNmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is time for decision. Perhaps the most
ambitious plan is to gain space on the
queenside with ...Qb7, ...a5, b5. On the
other hand, that would give White some
hopes on the kingside with Ng3, h4,
although I do not nose out any danger for
us with his queen in exile on a3.
The safest plan is undoubtedly
connected with ...f5.
The idea of ...e5 is also positionally well
founded, but it does not look too attractive
to me as we’ll stay pretty, but without a
clear plan.
It seems that the higher rated player,
Bartel, opted for a waiting game.
15...Re8 16.Ng3 Na5 17.Qa4 Qc6
18.Qc2 Rac8 19.Qe2 f5
In the last 5 moves White has improved
his queen while Black has achieved
nothing. Bartel reasonably decides to
secure himself against an opening of the
centre. However, I like 19...cxd4!?,
intending to trade queens with 20.exd4
Qc4!.
20.h4 h6 21.Nf1 c4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+r+k+0
9zp-+n+-vl-0
9-zpq+p+pzp0
9sn-+p+p+-0
9-+pzP-vL-zP0
9+-zP-zPN+-0
9PzP-+QzPP+0
9+-+RtRNmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
22.g4?
The idea of breaking through with g4 is
certainly good, but I do not understand her
rush. 22.N1h2 Nb7 23.g4 led to a normal
position with mutual chances, e.g.
23...Nd6 24.Kh1 e5 25.dxe5 Bxe5
26.Nxe5 Nxe5 27.Bxe5 Rxe5 28.Nf3 Re4
29.Nd4 Qd7 30.f3 Re7 31.Rg1 Kh7. After
the hasty sacrifice, Black has at least two
ways of getting the upper hand.
22...fxg4 23.N3h2 h5 24.f3 gxf3
24...e5! 25.dxe5 Bxe5µ was more clear.
25.Nxf3 Nb7 26.Qg2 e5 27.dxe5 Nxe5
28.Nd4 Qf6 29.Qxd5+ Qf7 30.Qxf7+
Nxf7
Black is positionally better, and won
after mutual mistakes:
31.Nb5 Nc5 32.Re2?! Nd3 33.Rg2 Kh7
34.Nh2 a6 35.Nd4 Re4 36.Ne2 Rce8
37.Rd2 Bh6 38.b3 Rxe3 39.Bxh6 Kxh6
40.bxc4 Nfe5 41.Nd4 Nf4 0-1
2. Michna – Kachiani Gersinska
Dresden 24.11.2014
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7
5.c3 0-0 6.Nbd2 c5 7.Be2 Nc6 8.Ne5
Qb6 9.Qb3 c4!
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0 9r+l+-tr-+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0 9+p+nzppmkp0
9-wqn+-snp+0 9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+psN-+-0 9+p+p+-+-0
9-+pzP-vL-+0 9-+pzP-+-+0
9+QzP-zP-+-0 9zP-zP-zP-+-0
9PzP-sNLzPPzP0 9-zP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0 9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
I believe that we should fight for every 15.e4².
inch of ground.
And a similar example:
10.Qxb6 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
After 10.Qa3, we must consider the 9+p+l+pvl-0
pawn sac 10...Bf5 11.Nxc6 Qxc6 12.Qxe7 9-+n+p+p+0
Rfe8 13.Qd6 Qa4©. The point is that the 9+p+p+-+p0
white queen is in danger, and its exchange 9-+pzP-vL-+0
would offer Black tangible pressure, e.g. 9zP-zP-zPL+P0
14.Bd1 Qb5 15.Qb4 Qxb4 16.cxb4 a5. 9-zP-sN-zPP+0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0
10...axb6 11.0-0 b5 12.a3
XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy
9r+l+-trk+0
9+p+-zppvlp0 17.Rad1².
9-+n+-snp+0
9+p+psN-+-0 Black would be fine if she prevented e4
9-+pzP-vL-+0 by putting a piece on e4, or if she activated
9zP-zP-zP-+-0 his light-squared bishop with the
9-zP-sNLzPPzP0 manoeuvre ...Bc8-f5-d3:
9tR-+-+RmK-0 XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9r+-tr-+k+0
9+p+-zppvlp0
We have nothing to worry about our 9-+n+-snp+0
position, since White is left without an 9+p+psNl+-0
active plan on the queenside. The only 9-+pzP-vL-+0
danger for us is to remain with a passive 9zP-zP-zPL+P0
bishop on c8. If it remained caged in after 9-zP-sN-zPP+0
...e6, White would enjoy a lasting 9tR-+-+RmK-0
initiative, e.g. xiiiiiiiiy
14...Ne4= 15.Nxe4 Bxe4.

12...Nd8?!
Kachiani chooses a passive set-up.
Perhaps simplest was to prevent any White unpleasant. Black would still be able to
expansion on the kingside with 12...h5 hold thanks to the tactics 24...Nc6 25.Nb6
13.h3 Be6, but 13...Bf5 was also fine in Nxd4 26.Nxd5 Nxe2+ 27.Kf2 Nd4!=.
the game Nocci-Ruggieri, ICCF 2009 – The a-pawn suddenly enters play in a
14.Rfe1 Rfd8 marvellous fashion.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0 The attempt to improve with 25.Re1 e6
9+p+-zppvl-0 26.Kg2 is neutralised by 26...Bxc4!
9-+n+-snp+0 27.Bxc4 Rc8.
9+p+psNl+p0
9-+pzP-vL-+0 24...Bxc4 25.Nxc4 b5 26.Nb6 Ne6
9zP-zP-zP-+P0 27.Rd1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-zP-sNLzPP+0 9-+-+-trk+0
9tR-+-tR-mK-0 9+-+-zppvl-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-sN-+n+p+0
9+p+-+-zPp0
15.Nef3 Ra6 16.Ng5 Rda8 17.Rad1 9p+-zP-+-zP0
Nd8 18.Bf3 Ne6 19.Nxe6 Rxe6 ½-½. 9+-zP-+P+-0
9-zP-+-+-vL0
13.h3 Ne6 14.Bh2 Ng5 15.f3 h5 16.h4 9+-+R+-mK-0
Ne6 17.g4 Nd8 18.g5 Nd7 19.Nxd7 xiiiiiiiiy
Bxd7XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-sn-trk+0 27...Rd8
9+p+lzppvl-0 27...f6! 28.gxf6 Bxf6 29.Nd7 Rd8
9-+-+-+p+0 30.Nxf6+ exf6 was easier to play with
9+p+p+-zPp0 Black.
9-+pzP-+-zP0
9zP-zP-zPP+-0 28.Kf1 f6 29.Re1 Kf7 30.gxf6?!
9-zP-sNL+-vL0 It was better to remain active with 29.d5
9tR-+-+RmK-0 Nc5 30.Bc7 Re8 31.Kg2. The text
xiiiiiiiiy practically drops the h4-pawn.

20.e4! 30...Bxf6 31.Bg3 g5?

Had Black one tempo, she would have
blocked everything with 20...f6 21.f4 f5,
but now White takes the initiative.
20...Bc6 21.exd5 Bxd5 22.a4 Rxa4
23.Rxa4 bxa4 24.Bxc4?!
24.Nxc4 would have been more
The pawn was doomed after 31...Ng7,
but Black exchanges it!
32.hxg5 Nxg5 33.Kf2 Ne6 34.Re4 Ng5
35.Re1 Ne6 36.Re4 Ng5 37.Re1 Ne6 ½-
½

Chapter 2. The Barry Attack
3.Bf4 g6 4.Nc3
Main Ideas
Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7
1.d4XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPP+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The Barry Attack is surprisingly
popular, although the typical move order is
2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4. I found in my
database about 5000 games which reached
the diagram position, but only a hundred
of them followed the sequence of my main
line. Obviously White chooses the Barry
Attack reluctantly, just to avoid King’s
Indian set-ups with ...d6, and prefers 4.e3
and Nbd2 when he has a choice. That is
a strong hint for players with ...g6 in their
repertoire. For instance, I’m not afraid of
entering the Grünfeld, so I would choose
against a London player 2...g6!. I believe
that Black has a fine game after 3.Nc3 d5,
with more active options than in the event
of 2...d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.e3 followed by c3.
In the diagram position the staunchest
advocate of the Barry Attack, Hebden,
opts for:
5.Qd2. He counts on a quick attack with
0-0-0, Bh6 and h4, so he refrains from
e3. Then 5...Ne4 forces exchanges in the
centre and practically takes the sting out
of White’s plan – see Game 3
Cooper-Batchelor, email ICCF email
2011. However, it reduces our own
striking power as well.
I suggest to pick up the gauntlet and
ignore completely the attack with:
5...c6!?
This opens a path for the queen to the
queenside and prepares ...b5-b4. The latter
is a nasty threat since Black would gain
control over e4. The key point of our set-
up is the line 6.Bh6 Bxh6! 7.Qxh6 Bf5
8.0-0-0 b5! 9.Ne5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqk+-tr0
9zp-+-zpp+p0
9-+p+-snpwQ0
9+p+psNl+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPP+PzPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
It may look dangerous for us, but in
fact our attacking prospects are more
substantial. White should desperately seek
counterplay with e2-e4 or he will become
clearly worse. For instance, 9...b4 10.e4!
would be unclear. More promising for
Black is 9...Qa5!? 10.e4! Nxe4
(10...dxe4=), or 9...Nbd7!? 10.e4!∞.
5.h4 is a modification of Hebden’s plan.
White is planning e3, Be2, Ne5, h4. He
refrains from Qd2 in order to avoid ...Ne4.
I suggest to answer it with: 5...c6 6.e3
(6.Ne5 Qb6) 6...Qb6!?, aiming to
provoke weaknesses on the queenside that
would prevent White from castling there.
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+-tr0 simple decisions to make. More
9zpp+-zppvlp0 importantly, we do not need to know any
9-wqp+-snp+0 theory after it. Note that the bishop sortie
9+-+p+-+-0 would have been premature one move
9-+-zP-vL-zP0 earlier as White’s queen would have
9+-sN-zPN+-0 obtained an active stand after 6.h3 Bxf3
9PzPP+-zPP+0 7.Qxf3. With the actual move order, 7.h3
9tR-+QmKL+R0 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 c6 leaves White without a
xiiiiiiiiy clear plan – see my Game 6 Miles-Kiril
Georgiev, Wijk aan Zee 1989.
On 7.a3 we answer 7...Bg4 and do not
rush with castling. 7.Ne5 Bxe2 8.Qxe2 Nbd7 9.h4 c5
10.0-0-0 Rc8
XIIIIIIIIY
We saw that the direct attack with Qd2, 9-+rwq-trk+0
Bh6 was not too efficient. That explains 9zpp+nzppvlp0
the popularity of the slower approach: 9-+-+-snp+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
5.e3 0-0 6.Be2
9-+-zP-vL-zP0
In this line White preserves the option 9+-sN-zP-+-0
of castling in both directions. He could 9PzPP+QzPP+0
still play Ne5, h4, but if we weaken our 9+-mKR+-+R0
queenside, he may shift his attention xiiiiiiiiy
leftwards.
XIIIIIIIIY The exchange sacrifice on c3 should
9rsnlwq-trk+0 offer us a lasting initiative.
9zppzp-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0 ...c6 or ...c5?
9+-+p+-+-0 By refraining from c4, White gains a
9-+-zP-vL-+0 tempo for his development, but allows us
9+-sN-zPN+-0 to expand with ...c6 and ...b5.
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0 In short, plans with ...c6 are always
xiiiiiiiiy possible against the Barry Attack, but they
are most effective against long castling.
We could answer 6...c5 7.Ne5 Nc6 – Note that after 5.Qd2 c6 White cannot
Game 5 Wang-So, Edmonton 2014. 6...c6 comfortably switch to the plan with e3,
is also consistent, albeit less active. Be2, 0-0 due to ...b5, ...Bb7, when ...Ne4
would be a constant threat.
My practice shows that after 6.Be2 we
have a simple way of levelling the game at An early ...c5 is called for when White
once: delays development, commonly with an
early h3. That enables typical Grünfeld
6...Bg4!? motifs:
This offers Black an easy game with
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0 attack.
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0 Theoretical Status
9+-zpp+-+-0 Nikola Sedlak does not grant in his book
9-+-zP-vL-+0 any attention to the Barry Attack at all.
9+-sN-zPN+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0 Alfonso Romero and Oscar de Prado
9tR-+QmKL+R0 consider mostly irrelevant lines so their
xiiiiiiiiy coverage is of no interest to us. Their main
game features 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 c6 (?!) 7.h4
The trick is that 7.dxc5 runs into Bg4 8.Ne5 Bxe2 9.Qxe2. My proposition
7...Nbd7! 8.Be2 Ne4!µ. is 6...Bg4! and then ...c5, while 6...c6 is
unnecessarily passive against White’s
Here is another example: harmless development.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trl+-trk+0 Conclusion
9zp-+-wqpvlp0 The Barry Attack offers Black a wide
9-+p+-+p+0 range of plans. He can either aim for
9+Nzpp+-+-0 exchanges in the centre with an early
9-+-zPn+-+0 ...Ne4 or shift the focus of the game to the
9+-+-zP-+P0 flank with ...c6 and ...b5.
9PzPP+-zPPvL0
9tR-+QmKL+R0 I do not expect dramatic discoveries that
xiiiiiiiiy could change the evaluations of my main
lines in near future.
14.Bxb8 cxd4!! with an overwhelming
 0-0-0, Bh6, h4.
Chapter 2. The Barry Attack
3.Bf4 g6 4.Nc3 5...c6!?
Step by Step From a theoretical standpoint, 5...Ne4!?
is the most principled answer as it forces
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.Nc3 White to take 6.Nxe4.
Lately White has been ardently testing
the so-called Jobava Attack 1.d4 Nf6 6.Qe3?! does not work owing to 6...c5!
2.Bf4 d5 3.Nc3 (although Jobava himself 7.Be5 Nf6! gaining the bishop pair in
seems to have migrated to Bg5 already). an open position. (7...f6 8.Bxb8 is
It is trendy to meet it by 3...a6 or 3...e6. I pleasant for White, but 7...Bxe5!?
cover the latter in Chapter 4. 8.Nxe5 f6 is a nice alternative to
7...Nf6, e.g. 9.Nd3 Nxc3 10.bxc3
However, 3...g6!? is perfectly playable, cxd4 11.cxd4 Nc6 and White’s pieces
even though Black’s defence is more stand awkwardly.)
complicated compared to the Barry Attack
7.Nxe4 dxe4 8.Qxe4 may be even
where the knight is already on f3. You
worse since both 8...Nc6 and 8...cxd4
can find a detailed analysis of this line in
9.Be5 Qa5+ favour Black.
Game 7 Ratkovic-V.Spasov, Kragujevac
2015. 6...dxe4 7.Ne5
XIIIIIIIIY
4...Bg7
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9rsnlwqk+-tr0 9zppzp-zppvlp0
9zppzp-zppvlp0 9-+-+-+p+0
9-+-+-snp+0 9+-+-sN-+-0
9+-+p+-+-0 9-+-zPpvL-+0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 9+-+-+-+-0
9+-sN-+N+-0 9PzPPwQPzPPzP0
9PzPP+PzPPzP0 9tR-+-mKL+R0
9tR-+QmKL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
xiiiiiiiiy
7...c5!?
I do not see any advantage in delaying
the fianchetto with 4...c6. 7...Nd7 has established itself as a solid
equalizer in correspondence chess. See
Game 3 Cooper-Batchelor, email
ICCF email 2011.
A. 5.Qd2; B. 5.h4; C. 5.e3
The text is sharper and gives more
chances to fight for a full point.
5.h3 0-0 6.e3 c5! transposes to line C.
8.e3

8.dxc5?! Qxd2+ 9.Kxd2 hands Black

A. 5.Qd2 the initiative: 9...0-0 10.e3 Be6 11.Rd1
A modern approach. White aims for Rc8 12.Kc1 Nc6 13.Nxc6 Rxc6
14.Kb1 Rxc5 15.f3 (15.Be2 h5 16.h4
Bxa2+! 17.Kxa2 Rxc2) 15...Rac8
16.Rd2 Rd5ƒ.
8...0-0 9.Bc4
9.0-0-0 cxd4 10.exd4 Nd7 is balanced,
e.g. 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.d5 Qa4 13.Kb1
Rd8= or 11.Qe3 Qa5 12.Bc4 Nb6
13.Bb3 Be6∞.
9.Be2 has no venom. A good line for
Black is 9...Be6 10.c3 Nd7 11.Nxd7
Qxd7 12.0-0 Rac8 13.h3 Rfd8=.
9...Nd7
It is possible to define immediately the
centre with 9...cxd4 10.exd4 Nd7, as
11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Be3 is roughly
equal after 12...b5 13.Be2 Bb7=.
10.0-0-0
10.Nxd7 Qxd7! has been tested in
several games, where White has to
play carefully in order to maintain the
balance:
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+qzppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+LzPpvL-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.dxc5 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2 Bxb2
13.Rab1 Rd8+ 14.Ke2 Ba3 15.Rhd1
Bg4+ 16.f3 Rxd1 17.Rxd1 Bf5 is
obviously drawish, but:
11.c3 could be dangerous for White –
11...b5! 12.Be2 Bb7÷ (12...b4!?;
12...a5 13.Rd1 a4 14.a3 c4÷), when
the greedy 13.dxc5 Qc6ƒ 14.b4 runs
into 14...a5 15.Rb1 Rfd8 16.Qb2
Rd3!!µ 17.Bxd3 exd3 18.f3 axb4
19.Qxb4 Ra4 20.Qb3 Qxc5.
10...cxd4 11.exd4 Nxe5 12.dxe5
(12.Bxe5 Bxe5 13.dxe5 Qc7 14.Qc3
Be6=) 12...Qc7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zppwq-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+L+pvL-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.Qc3
Or 13.Bd5 Bxe5 14.Bxe5 Qxe5
15.Qe3 Bf5 16.h3=.
13...Be6 14.Bxe6
14.Bb3 Qxc3 15.bxc3 Rac8 16.Kb2
Rc5 17.Rhe1, Hebden-Hunt, England
2011, could be dangerous only for
White after 17...Bxe5 18.Bxe5 Rxe5
19.f4 Rh5 20.h3 Bxb3 21.axb3 f5
22.Rd7 g5 23.fxg5 Rxg5 24.g4 e6
25.Rxb7 f4!?.
14...Qxc3 15.bxc3 fxe6 16.g3 g5
17.Bxg5 Rxf2=.
5...0-0 waits for White to define his
plan. It also brings Black good results:
6.Bh6
6.0-0-0 Ne4 7.Nxe4 (7.Qe3 c5ƒ)
7...dxe4 8.Ne5 b5 or 8...Qd5 9.b3 Nd7
passes the initiative to Black.
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0 strong players adhere to this approach.
9zppzp-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snpvL0 7.Bxg7 Kxg7 8.0-0-0 Qd6
9+-+p+-+-0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-zP-+-+0 9r+l+-tr-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0 9zppzp-zppmkp0
9PzPPwQPzPPzP0 9-+nwq-snp+0
9tR-+-mKL+R0 9+-+p+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
a) 6...c6 9PzPPwQPzPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
It turns out that White’s attack is not xiiiiiiiiy
developing smoothly owing to the
weakness of the g4-square. This position has occurred in four
Hebden’s games.
7.Bxg7
In 2009 he fought for e5 with 9.Nb5
Hebden employed 7.h4, but I do not
Qd7 (9...Ne4!? 10.Nxd6 Nxd2=)
see what White could oppose to
10.Qf4 (10.h4 a6 11.Nc3 h5 12.e3 b5
7...Bxh6! 8.Qxh6 Qb6. The only game
13.Bd3 b4 14.Na4 Nxd4÷), but
in my database went 9.0-0-0 Ng4
10...Ne4! would have been nice for
10.Qf4 Nxf2 11.Qh6 Nd7–+, Kohout-
Black. Later he turned to:
Svoboda, Czechia 2009.
9.e3 Bg4 10.h3 and signed a draw after
7...Kxg7 8.Ne5 Nbd7 9.f4 may be
10...Bxf3 (Hebden-Jones, Kilkenny 2012).
balanced, but it looks too static to me.
I would mention that 11.gxf3 e6 12.e4
b) 6...Ne4 7.Qe3!? Nh5 leads to a complex position with
mutual chances.
7.Nxe4 dxe4 8.Ng5 e5! offers Black
full compensation after 9.dxe5 Qxd2+ After 5...c6!?, I will focus on:
10.Kxd2 Rd8+.
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
7...Nxc3 8.Bxg7 Kxg7 9.Qxc3 This 9zpp+-zppvlp0
position is somewhat easier to play with 9-+p+-snp+0
White OTB, although the engines tend to 9+-+p+-+-0
evaluate it as 0.00. A good model to follow 9-+-zP-vL-+0
is 9...Qd6!? 10.e3 Bf5 11.Bd3 Bxd3 9+-sN-+N+-0
12.cxd3 a5 13.0-0 Nd7 14.e4=, 9PzPPwQPzPPzP0
Hebden-Berg, Oslo 2012. 9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
c) 6...Nc6!? Paying White in the same
coin. Black hurries to complete A1. 6.Bh6; A2. 6.e3; A3. 6.Ne5
development. More importantly, it takes
e5 under control. It is indicative that most 6.h3 Nbd7 7.e3 transposes to A2.
 6.0-0-0 b5 7.Bh6 9...Qa5!? is a fair alternative. After
XIIIIIIIIY 10.e4 (10.a3 b4), Black could force a draw
9rsnlwqk+-tr0 by repetition with 10...dxe4 11.d5 b4
9zp-+-zppvlp0 12.Nc4 Qc5 13.Na4 Qxf2 14.Rd2 Qe1+
9-+p+-snpvL0 15.Rd1 Qf2, or play on for a win with
9+p+p+-+-0 10...Nxe4 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.a3 a6 13.Be2
9-+-zP-+-+0 Qc7∞.
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPPwQPzPPzP0 10.e4!?
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This looks somewhat desperate, but it
7...Bxh6 8.Qxh6 b4 9.Nb1 Qa5 is plain is the only way to distract Black from the
bad for White. queenside. 10.Nxd7 Kxd7! helps Black to
evacuate his king to a safer place and to set
up connection between the heavy pieces.

A1. 6.Bh6 10.e3?! cedes the centre in view of

The Barry Attack in its purest form, yet 10...b4 11.Na4 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Ng4.
it yields White a meager 39% after the
following answer: 10...Nxe5
10...Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Bxe4 12.Qg7 Rf8
6...Bxh6! 7.Qxh6 Bf5 8.0-0-0
XIIIIIIIIY 13.Nxd7 Kxd7! 14.f3 Bf5 15.Qxh7 Qc7=
9rsn-wqk+-tr0 is also possible, if you prefer calmer play.
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+p+-snpwQ0 11.dxe5
9+-+p+l+-0 Black’s chances are slightly better after
9-+-zP-+-+0 11.exf5 Neg4 12.Qh4 g5 13.Qxg5 b4
9+-sN-+N+-0 14.Na4 Qd6 due to the weakness of f2.
9PzPP+PzPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0 11...Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.e6! Qd6
XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9r+-+k+-tr0
9zp-+-zpp+p0
8...b5 9-+pwqP+pwQ0
Revealing the main idea behind 5...c6. 9+p+p+-+-0
The threat of ...b4 does not leave White a 9-+-+l+-+0
choice. 9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
The slower 8...Nbd7 gives time for 9.h3 9+-mKR+L+R0
b5 10.g4 Be4 11.Bg2 Qc7 12.Rhf1 a5 xiiiiiiiiy
13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.Bxe4
Nc4∞. A critical position. White has enough
compensation, but he must find a series
9.Ne5 Nbd7 of strong moves to prove it – 14.f3 Bf5
15.exf7+ Kxf7 16.g4 Bd7 17.h4 Raf8
17...a5 18.Bd3 a4 seems too arrogant,
although White is unable to extract
anything substantial from his attacking
position – 19.a3 e5 20.h5 Qf6 21.Qd2
Qf4 22.Qxf4+ exf4 23.g5!=.
18.h5 Ke8 19.Re1!? Kd8 20.Qe3 d4
21.Qd2 g5 22.Re4 Rf4 23.Qa5+=.
A2. 6.e3 Nbd7
6...Nh5!? is always an option when
White saved h3. 7.Be5
7.Bg5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Bg3 Nd7
10.0-0-0 is risky for White –
10...Nxg3 11.hxg3 b5 12.Kb1 Rb8
13.Qe1 b4 14.Na4 Qa5 15.b3 e6.
7...f6 8.Bxb8
Or 8.Bf4 Nxf4 9.exf4 Bg4 10.Be2
Nd7 11.0-0-0 Qc7.
8...Rxb8 9.Be2 0-0 10.Nh4 e5 11.Bxh5
gxh5 12.0-0-0÷. The only White’s threat
is Nc3-e2-g3-f5, but we could prevent it
with the manoeuvre 12...Bh6!? 13.Ne2
Bg5.
7.h3XIIIIIIIIY
0-0
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-+p+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-sN-zPN+P0
9PzPPwQ-zPP+0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.Be2
8.Bd3 does not make sense ,as the
bishop bytes on the granite g6-pawn and
leaves h5 without control. A good retort is
to gain space on the queenside with 8...b5
9.Ne5 Bb7 10.0-0 a5 11.a3, and then turn
to the centre with 11...Nxe5 (or 11...Nb6
12.b4 e6) 12.Bxe5 Bh6= 13.Qe1 Nd7
14.Bg3 Bg7 15.f4 e6.
8...b5 9.a3
9.0-0 is harmless – 9...Bb7, and White
cannot establish a favourable dark-squared
blockade. For example, 10.a3 a5, or 10.b4
a5 11.a3 Ne4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Ng5 c5
14.Bxb5?! (14.bxc5 Nxc5) 14...cxd4
15.exd4 h6 16.Nxf7 Rxf7³.
9...a6 10.Ne5 Bb7 11.b4
11.h4 is more enterprising, but risky. It
would be more to the point in schemes
without e3.
Black can allow h4-h5 with 11...c5
12.h5 e6 13.Bg5 Qc7 or opt for the
more challenging:
11...h5 12.g4 (12.0-0-0 c5) 12...Nxe5
13.Bxe5 Nxg4 14.Bxg4 hxg4 15.h5 f6
16.Bg3 Bc8! 17.hxg6 Bf5 where Black is
better on both wings.
11...a5
We have been following the game
Eslon-Ubilava, Terrassa 1996, where
Black simply blocked everything with
12.0-0 a4 13.Rae1 Nb6 14.Bh2 Ne8 15.e4
e6 16.Ng4 Nd6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.e5 Qe7
19.f4 Bc8 20.Qe3 Bd7 21.Nb1 h5 22.Nh2
f5 23.Nf3 Bh6 24.h4 Kf7 25.g3 Kg8
26.c3 ½-½. Nothing urged him to close the
queenside though. He could safely play on
with either 12...Re8 or 12...Nxe5, having
...e5 in mind.
Even more straightforward was
 XIIIIIIIIY
11...Ne8 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.0-0 f6 14.e4 9r+lwqk+-tr0
e5 15.Be3 Nc7 with mutual chances. 9zp-+-zppvl-0
9-+p+-snp+0
9+p+pvL-+p0
9-+-zP-+-zP0
A3. 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.h4 9+-sN-+P+-0
7.f3 Nh5 8.Nxd7 Nxf4 9.Ne5 offers 9PzPPwQP+P+0
Black a pleasant choice: 9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...f6!? 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Qxf4 0-0
12.e4 (12.Qd2 Rb8 13.Na4 e5 14.e3 Qe7
A sharp fight is ahead, but Black’s
15.Be2 Bh6µ) 12...e5 13.dxe5 Rb8
kingside is permanently compromised.
14.Qd2 Rxb2 15.exd5 cxd5 16.Qxd5+
For instance: 10.e3 Kf8 (10...a5
Qxd5 17.Nxd5 Rxc2°;
11.Bd3 Kf8 12.0-0 Nd7 13.Bg3 Qb6
9...Bxe5 10.dxe5 Ne6 11.e4 d4 12.Ne2 14.Qf2 Bb7 15.Ne2 c5 16.c3 Kg8)
c5 13.Ng3 Qb6 14.b3 Bd7 15.Bc4 Bb5 11.Bd3 Nd7 12.Bxg7+ Kxg7 13.e4.
16.Bd3 0-0-0∞. 9.Nxe4 Bxe5 10.dxe5 dxe4. The arising
XIIIIIIIIY endgame is drawish:
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+nzppvlp0 11.0-0-0
9-+p+-snp+0
9+-+psN-+-0 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.0-0-0+ Kc7 13.e3
9-+-zP-vL-zP0 Bf5 14.a3 Rad8 15.Bc4 f6.
9+-sN-+-+-0 11...Qxd2+ 12.Rxd2 (12.Kxd2 f5
9PzPPwQPzPP+0 13.exf6 exf6 14.Ke3 Ke7) 12...f6 13.h5
9tR-+-mKL+R0 g5 14.exf6 exf6 15.f3 Ke7!=.
xiiiiiiiiy
8.Bh2 Nxe5 9.dxe5 f6 10.exf6 Nxf6
7...Nh5!? 11.f3 0-0 12.0-0-0 Be6!?
7...Nxe5 8.Bxe5 (8.dxe5 Ng4 9.e4 d4³) Chatalbashev-Avrukh, Benidorm2008,
8...Ne4 looks rather dull, but it is the saw 12...b5 13.e4 Qa5 (13...b4!? 14.Na4
simplest solution. Qa5 15.b3 dxe4 16.Bc4+ Kh8∞) 14.a3 d4
15.Qxd4 Ng4 16.Qc5 Nxh2 17.Rxh2 Qc7
Black could also stop the h-pawn with 18.Rh1 Be6 19.Kb1 Be5 20.h5 g5 21.h6
8...h5 9.f3 b5 Rf6 22.Ne2 Bf7 23.Nd4 Qd6 24.b4 a5
25.Be2 ½-½.

13.g4 (13.e3 Qa5) 13...Qa5

Black’s attack would be faster after
14.h5?! d4 15.Qxd4 Nxg4 16.Qe4 Bxa2µ,
so White should probably switch to
defence with 14.a3.
 18.a3 Qe7 19.gxh5 fxe3 20.Qd3 exf2+
21.Kxf2 c5!µ.
B. 5.h4
This is a modification of the plan from 11.Nd3 Re8! The threat of ...e5 should
line A. White is planning e3, Be2, Ne5, make White castle short – 12.0-0 Qd8
h4. He refrains from Qd2 in order to avoid 13.Nac5 e5!? (or 13...Nxc5 14.Nxc5 Ng4
...Ne4. I suggest to answer it again with: 15.f3 e5=) 14.dxe5 Nxc5 15.Nxc5 Ng4
16.Bxg4 hxg4ƒ.
5...c6 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
Our idea is to play ...Qb6. Then Rb1 9zpp+-zppvlp0
would cancel long castling, while Na4 9-+p+-snp+0
Qa5+ would provoke c3, b4. White would 9+-+p+-+-0
hardly risk to “hide” his king on that wing. 9-+-zP-vL-zP0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
Another possible plan is 5...0-0 6.e3 c5 9PzPP+-zPP+0
7.Qd2 cxd4 8.exd4 Nc6 9.Ne5, Inarkiev- 9tR-+QmKL+R0
Volokitin, blitz, Doha 2016, when Black xiiiiiiiiy
could open the centre with 9...Ng4!?
10.Nxg4 Bxg4 11.Be2 Bxe2 12.Nxe2 6...Qb6!?
e5„.
This move has occurred in only one
6.e3 game. More popular is 6...Bg4 7.Be2
Nbd7 8.Ne5 Bxe2 9.Qxe2 h5 10.0-0-0,
6.Ne5 Qb6 7.Na4 Qa5+ 8.c3 Nbd7 XIIIIIIIIY
9.e3 0-0 10.Be2 9r+-wqk+-tr0
XIIIIIIIIY 9zpp+nzppvl-0
9r+l+-trk+0 9-+p+-snp+0
9zpp+nzppvlp0 9+-+psN-+p0
9-+p+-snp+0 9-+-zP-vL-zP0
9wq-+psN-+-0 9+-sN-zP-+-0
9N+-zP-vL-zP0 9PzPP+QzPP+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0 9+-mKR+-+R0
9PzP-+LzPP+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy but I do not like this course of events.
White’s pieces are clearly more active and
Now 10...h5 is a natural way to cut he has no weaknesses around his king. The
across White’s plan. His further attempts latest game Karjakin-Giri, blitz, Stavanger
to attack could only compromise his 2017, saw 10...Qa5 11.Kb1 Rc8 12.e4ƒ. Li
position: Chao had previously tried against Karjakin
10...Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Qd7 12.f3ƒ.
11.b4 Qd8 12.Nc5 a5 13.Nexd7 Nxd7
14.g4 axb4 15.cxb4 e5! 16.Nxd7 exf4 7.a3
(16...Qxd7 is also good) 17.Nxf8 Qxf8
 XIIIIIIIIY
7.Rb1 Bg4 is a greatly improved version 9rsnlwq-trk+0
of 6...Bg4. 9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
7.Na4 Qa5+ 8.c3 Nbd7 9.Be2 0-0 10.b4 9+-zpp+-+-0
Qd8. The queen has fulfilled its mission. 9-+-zP-vL-+0
Now White cannot castle long. The 9+-sN-zPN+P0
c5-square is not of any use for him, and the 9PzPP+-zPP+0
b4-pawn gives us a lever on the queenside 9tR-+QmKL+R0
– 11.0-0 b6 12.Nb2 Bb7 13.a4 a5 14.Qc2 xiiiiiiiiy
axb4 15.cxb4 c5 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.bxc5
Rc8 18.Nd3 Ne4 19.Rac1 Qa5=. 7.Be2

7...Bg4 8.Na4 Qd8 9.Nc5 Ne4 10.Nd3

XIIIIIIIIY The point is that 7.dxc5, played by
9rsn-wqk+-tr0 Capablanca and Aronian (in blitz),
9zpp+-zppvlp0 runs into 7...Nbd7! 8.Be2 Ne4!µ.
9-+p+-+p+0 7.Nb5 is a strike at the air owing to
9+-+p+-+-0 7...Ne4!. White does win a pawn with
9-+-zPnvLlzP0 8.Bc7 Qd7 9.Bxb8 Rxb8 10.Nxa7, but
9zP-+NzPN+-0 his queenside is terribly weakened by
9-zPP+-zPP+0 the lack of the dark-squared bishop.
9tR-+QmKL+R0 After 10...cxd4, he should concede to a
xiiiiiiiiy slightly worse position following
11.Nxd4 (as 11.exd4 Qa4 12.Nxc8
10...Nd7 Qb4+ 13.c3 loses to 13...Qxb2!)
10...0-0 11.Be2 c5 12.c3 Nd7 is a bit 11...Qd6 12.Nxc8 Rfxc8 13.c3 b5³.
more risky.
Finally, 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.0-0 b6 is roughly
11.Be2 f6 12.Bh2 a5∞ equal.
Everything is covered and we can 7...Ne4! 8.0-0
calmly wait for White to define his plan.
8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Ne5 cxd4 10.exd4 Qb6
would cost White a pawn as 11.Rb1
Be6 12.b3? Nc6 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.c3
C. 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 c5 is lost altogether.
6.h3 waists precious time and should
encourage us to seek a tactical refutation 8...Nc6
in the Grünfeld style:

6...c5!
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-+p+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zPnvL-+0
9+-sN-zPN+P0
9PzPP+LzPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s chances are already preferable –
9.Nb5 stumbles into 9...a6, 9.Na4 does not
improve White’s position either – 9...cxd4
10.exd4 a6, preparing a minority attack.
After 6.Bd3, we can still play 6...Bg4 as
in the main line, but I like the more refined
move order 6...c5! 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 Bg4.
Finally, 6.h4 is not too consisting with
White’s previous move. We should attack
the centre with 6...c5 7.Qd2 Nc6 8.Ne5
Qa5 9.Be2 Nd7.
6...Bg4
I played this move twice and I still like
it as it offers Black an easy game with
simple decisions to make. At the same
time, two alternatives also deserve serious
attention:
6...c5 7.Ne5
Another possible move order is 7.0-0
cxd4 8.exd4 Nc6 9.Ne5 Bf5=.
7.dxc5 is best met by 7...Nbd7! – see
Game 4 Stefanova-Dunnington,
London 1997.
7...Nc6=.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
I consider this set-up in Game 5 Wang-
So, Edmonton 2014.
6...c6 is more contestable here than in
the line 5.Qd2. White has not committed
his king to the queenside, so he could
castle short. It is still a decent option.
7.h3
7.h4 is dubious – 7...Qb6 8.Rb1 Bg4
9.Ne5 Bxe2 10.Qxe2 Nbd7.
7.Ne5 could be repelled by 7...Nfd7!
8.Qd2 f6.
7...Nbd7
Carlsen-Salem, blitz, Doha 2016, saw
7...Bf5, but I do not understand the
reason behind this development.
Carlsen’s sharp choice 8.Ne5 Nbd7
9.g4 Be6 10.f3 led to a messy position,
but the quiet 8.0-0 Re8 (White’s pawn
formation is more flexible after
8...Nbd7 9.g4 Be6 10.Ng5 Ne8
11.Nb1 c5 12.c3.) 9.Bh2 promises
some initiative on the kingside.
8.0-0
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0 7.Ne5
9zpp+nzppvlp0 White can gain the bishop pair with 7.h3
9-+p+-snp+0 Bxf3 8.Bxf3, but after 8...c6 he remains
9+-+p+-+-0 without a clear plan since e4 would only
9-+-zP-vL-+0 weaken the d4-pawn.
9+-sN-zPN+P0
9PzPP+LzPP+0 See my Game 6 Miles-Kiril Georgiev,
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 Wijk aan Zee 1989.
xiiiiiiiiy
7...Bxe2 8.Qxe2 Nbd7 9.h4 c5 10.0-0-0
8...b5 Rc8
Pinpointing the sore point of White’s
I chose this plan for consistency sake, set-up. In many lines Black could sac the
but any sensible move as 8...a5 or exchange on c3.
8...Re8 should not be any worse. Also
the somewhat paradoxical 8...b6 brings 11.f3
Black good results: 9.a4 a5 10.Ne5 White could defend c3 by 11.Rh3, but
Nxe5 (more cunning is 10...Bb7!? it costs a tempo in a race-type position:
first) 11.Bxe5 Re8 12.Bf3 e6, and the 11...a6 12.g4 b5 13.h5 b4 14.Na4 Qa5
game Malaniuk-Aronian, Batumi 15.b3 c4 16.Nxd7 Nxd7 17.hxg6 fxg6
1999, ended at this point with a draw. 18.Rdh1 Rc6!. Black’s threats are more
tangible.
9.a3 a5 10.Bd3 Bb7
11.Qf3 frees e2 for the c3-knight and
Aimed against 11.e4, when Black
wins a tempo by hitting d5, but it is not
would take over the initiative with
enough to maintain the balance – 11...e6
11...b4 12.axb4 axb4 13.e5 bxc3
12.g4 b5 13.h5 cxd4 14.exd4 b4 15.Ne2
14.exf6 Nxf6 15.bxc3 c5.
Nxe5 16.Bxe5
Kantans opted twice for 10...Nb6, but XIIIIIIIIY
I think that the knight is better placed 9-+rwq-trk+0
on d7 from where it controls e5. 9zp-+-+pvlp0
11.Re1 Re8 12.Bh2 e6 13.Rb1 Qb6=. 9-+-+psnp+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+pvL-+P0
9rsn-wq-trk+0 9-zp-zP-+P+0
9zppzp-zppvlp0 9+-+-+Q+-0
9-+-+-snp+0 9PzPP+NzP-+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9+-mKR+-+R0
9-+-zP-vLl+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-sN-zPN+-0
16...h6. Black’s king is absolutely safe
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
unlike its white counterpart.
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy The text enables Qe2-h2 and takes
control of e4. The idea of ...a6, ...b5 is
 XIIIIIIIIY
already slow. 9-+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
11...Nb6 12.g4 9-+-+-snp+0
12.h5 cxd4 13.exd4 Nxh5 14.Rxh5 is 9+-+psN-+-0
overly optimistic – 14...gxh5 15.Rh1 9n+-zP-vLPzP0
Qe8µ. 9+-zP-+P+-0
9P+P+Q+-+0
12...cxd4 13.exd4 Rxc3 14.bxc3 Na4 9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has full positional compensation
for the exchange – 15.Qe3 (or 15.Rd3 h5;
15.Bd2 Qb6) 15...h5°.

Chapter 2. The Barry Attack
3.Bf4 g6 4.Nc3
Annotated Games
3. Cooper – Batchelor
email ICCF email 2011
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7
5.Qd2 Ne4 6.Nxe4 dxe4 7.Ne5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-sN-+-0
9-+-zPpvL-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPPwQPzPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7...Nd7 (7...c5!?) 8.Nxd7 Qxd7 9.e3
If White followed the dream of mating
the opponent with the overt 9.0-0-0 0-0
10.Bh6?!, he would soon notice that
Black’s attack was more dangerous –
10...Bxh6! 11.Qxh6 Qd5 12.h4 (12.a3
c5–+) 12...Qxa2 13.h5 e3 14.fxe3 Qa1+
15.Kd2 Qa5+ 16.c3 g5µ.
9...0-0 10.Qb4
This is Hebden’s attempt to improve on
the older 10.Qc3 c6. In both cases the
position is close to equal. The stem game
for this line is Kogan-Krasenkow,
Sanxenxo 2003: 11.Be2 b6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zp-+qzppvlp0
9-zpp+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zPpvL-+0
9+-wQ-zP-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.Qb3!
12.0-0-0 c5 13.Be5 Bxe5 14.dxe5 is
well met by the same manoeuvre
14...Qf5, or 14...Qe6 15.Bc4 Qf5
(proposed by Dembo).
14...Qc6 15.h4 Be6 16.h5 Rad8 is also
solid. The only danger for Black would
stem from ungrounded attempts to
attack the white king, for instance:
16...Qa4?! 17.a3 g5 18.h6 Rac8
19.Qe1 b5 20.f4 Kh8 21.Qg3 Rg8
22.f5 c4 23.c3 Bxf5 24.Rhf1 Be6
25.Rxf7 b4 26.axb4 a5 27.Rg7!‚.
12...Qf5 13.c3. Here, instead of 13...c5,
I like first 13...Be6 while we are still
controlling the d5-square. Later we could
push ...c5.
10...b6 11.0-0-0
Hebden has played twice 11.Rd1. Then
Black should be careful to avoid a
blockade of the queenside since the
e4-pawn would allow White to obtain an
initiative with the break f2-f3. Hebden-
Holmes, rapid Daventry 2013, went
11...Bb7 12.Bb5 c6 13.Be2 Rac8 14.0-0
Rfd8 15.a4 e6 16.c3 Qd5 17.a5 Bf8
18.Qa4 b5 19.Qa1 a6 20.b4 Qf5.
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rtr-vlk+0 9r+ltr-+k+0
9+l+-+p+p0 9zp-+qzppvlp0
9p+p+p+p+0 9-zp-+-+p+0
9zPp+-+q+-0 9+-zp-+-+-0
9-zP-zPpvL-+0 9-wQ-zPpvL-zP0
9+-zP-zP-+-0 9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+-+LzPPzP0 9PzPP+-zPP+0
9wQ-+R+RmK-0 9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Black is deprived of counterplay and his
13.Qb5
b7-bishop is particularly bad.
White should seek a queen trade since
13.Qb3?! simply loses a pawn after
The correct approach was demonstrated
13...cxd4 14.exd4 Bxd4 15.Bc4 Qf5
in the game Bender-Schludecker, BdF-
16.Bc7 Rd7 17.h5 gxh5³.
Schachserver 2014: 11...a5! 12.Qb5 a4
13.a3 Qxb5 14.Bxb5 Bb7 15.c3 Ra5
13...cxd4 14.exd4 Qb7!?
16.Be2 Rc8 17.h4 e6 18.g4 h6 19.0-0 Bf8
Playing for a win! 14...Qxb5 15.Bxb5
XIIIIIIIIY Bg4 16.Rde1 Bxd4 17.Rxe4 Bxf2
9-+r+-vlk+0 18.Bg5= reduces the material.
9+lzp-+p+-0
9-zp-+p+pzp0 15.Bc4
9tr-+-+-+-0 15.h5!? Be6 16.hxg6 also looks logical.
9p+-zPpvLPzP0 Then Black should take the difficult
9zP-zP-zP-+-0 decision to open the h-file – 16...hxg6!
9-zP-+LzP-+0 (16...fxg6 would have left the doubled e-
9+-+R+RmK-0 pawns defenceless in the endgame after
xiiiiiiiiy
17.Bc4 Bxc4 18.Qxc4 Qd5) 17.Bc4 Bxc4
This diagram favourably defers from the 18.Qxc4 Rac8 19.Qb3 Rxd4! 20.Rxd4
previous one – the b7-bishop controls f3, Bxd4 21.Qh3 Kf8. It turns out that White
Black’s rooks are active. White is unable is still to prove that he has sufficient
to make progress as the only sensible plan compensation.
20.c4 is easily parried with 20...Kg7
15...Bg4 16.Rd2 Rac8
21.Rd2 Bd6. Instead, the game saw
Black might include 16...h5, for
20.Kg2 Kg7 21.Rh1 (21.c4 Bd6) 21...Bd6
instance, 17.Qb3 e5 18.dxe5 Rxd2
22.g5 hxg5 23.hxg5 Rf5 24.Rh4 ½-½.
19.Bxd2 Re8=.
11...Rd8 12.h4 c5
17.c3?!
White obviously missed the following
pawn sac. 17.Qa4!, threatening Ba6,
maintained the balance.

17...a6! 18.Qxa6 Qc6 19.Be2

 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rtr-+k+0
9+-+-zppvlp0
9Qzpq+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zPpvLlzP0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9PzP-tRLzPP+0
9+-mK-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
19...Be6
I would have taken the queen –
19...Rd5! 20.Bxg4 Ra8³, since the text
allows the ingenious defence 20.d5! Rxd5
21.Rxd5 Bxd5 22.Qb5 Qf6 23.Be3 Bxa2
24.Kd2= and White’s king escapes.
20.Be3 Qd5 21.Kb1?
This loses on the spot. 21.c4 still kept
White in the game.
21...Ra8! 22.c4 Qd7 23.Qxb6 Rdb8
24.Qc5 Qa4 25.a3 Rb7 26.Bd1 Qa6
27.a4 Bxc4–+ 28.h5 Bd3+ 29.Rxd3 exd3
30.hxg6 hxg6 31.b4 Qe6 32.b5 Rc8
33.Qb4 Rbc7 34.Bb3 Qe4 35.Bd2 Qxg2
36.Rd1 Qxf2 37.b6 Rd7 38.Bc3 Bxd4
39.Bxd4 Rxd4 40.Qd2 Qxd2 41.Rxd2
Rb4 42.Rxd3 Rxb6 43.Kb2 Kg7 0-1
4. Stefanova – Dunnington
London 1997
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7
5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 c5 7.dxc5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-zPp+-+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7...Nbd7
7...Ne4 is only good for equality after
8.Nxe4
8.Nxd5?! Bxb2 9.Nc7, Van Foreest-
Deepan, Basel 2017, 9...Nd7! favours
Black.
8...dxe4 9.Qxd8 Rxd8 10.Ng5 or
10.Ne5=.
7...Qa5 8.Nd2 Qxc5 9.Nb3 Qb6 is the
most popular line. Although Black has
more pawns in the centre, his queenside
is undeveloped. White scores well after
10.a4 (10.Nb5 Na6 or even 10...Ne8 is
balanced) 10...Nc6 11.a5 Qd8 12.0-0, but
that is mostly due to Black’s middlegame
mistakes. A solid stand with 12...Re8
should keep him safe.
8.Nb5
8.Nxd5 Nxd5 9.Qxd5 Bxb2 10.0-0
(10.Rb1 Qa5+ 11.Kf1 Bg7ƒ) 10...Bxa1
11.Rxa1 Qa5 12.Bh6 Qxc5 offers Black
the better pawn structure after 13.Qb3 b6
14.Rd1 Nf6.
After 8.0-0 Nxc5 9.Be5 (9.Nb5 Bg4),
we should find a way of developing our
bishop. The simple 9...b6= is well tested,
but I like the more aggressive 9...Bg4!?
10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Qxd5 Qb6
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-wq-+-vlp+0
9+-snQ+-+-0
9-+-+-+l+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White needs a series of accurate moves
to keep the balance – 12.Nd4 Bxe2
13.Ndxe2 Rfd8 14.Qc4 Rac8 15.Rab1
Abdulla-Hossain, Dhaka 1999, saw
15.Nd5?! Qxb2 16.Nd4 Ne6
17.Nxf6+ exf6 18.Qb3 Qxb3 19.axb3
Nxd4 20.exd4, when 20...a6³ wins a
pawn.
15...Nd3 16.Qe4
16.Qg4?! Ne5 17.Qh3 Nc4 18.Nd5
Qc6 19.Nxf6+ Qxf6³.
16...Nc5 17.Qf3 (17.Qc4=) 17...Qa6
18.Rfd1 Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Na4 20.Rd7 Nc5
21.Rd1=.
8...Nxc5 9.Bc7
9.Nc7 Rb8 10.Nb5 is a draw, but Black
could try to mess things up by: 9...Nh5!?
10.Nxa8
Of course White should take the rook.
Palacios de la Prida-Yevgeniy
Vladimirov, Marchena 1989, saw
10.Qxd5? Nxf4 11.Qxd8 Nxg2+
12.Kf1 Nxe3+ 13.fxe3 Bh3+–+.
10...Nxf4 11.exf4 Bxb2 12.Rb1 Bc3+
13.Kf1 Ne4
XIIIIIIIIY
9N+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-+nzP-+0
9+-vl-+N+-0
9P+P+LzPPzP0
9+R+Q+K+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A spectacular position! Black is
currently a whole rook down, but he will
capture the stray knight to obtain sufficient
compensation. For example:
14.Bd3 Bf5 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Qxd8
Rxd8 17.Ne5 Rxa8 18.Rxb7 Rd8 19.Ke2
Rd2+ 20.Ke3 Rxc2°.
9...Qd7 10.Be5 a6 11.Nc3 b6
Only 11 moves have been sufficient for
Black to obtain the better game. His pawn
centre should allow him to gradually
organise an attack on the kingside. Now
White could simplify to an opposite
coloured bishops endgame, but the distant
passer on the a-file would be a strong
trump – 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Nxd5 Bxb2
14.Nxb6 Qxd1+ 15.Rxd1 Rb8 16.Nxc8
Bc3+ 17.Nd2 Rfxc8 18.0-0 Rb2 19.Nb3
Rxa2 20.Nxc5 Rxc5 21.Rd7 Kf8 22.Bd3
a5³.
12.0-0 Bb7 13.a4 Rac8 14.Qd4 Qd8
15.Qb4 Ncd7 16.Bd4 Re8 17.Ne5 Bf8
18.Rfd1
White’s only chance to keep his bishop
on the active square d4 was 18.f4.
18...e6 19.Qb3 Nxe5 20.Bxe5 Nd7
21.Bg3 Nc5 22.Qa2 Bg7 23.Bf3
 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwqr+k+0 8.0-0
9+l+-+pvlp0 8.dxc5 Qa5= hardly deserves an
9pzp-+p+p+0 attention.
9+-snp+-+-0
9P+-+-+-+0 8.h4 is more consistent. A good reply is
9+-sN-zPLvL-0 8...cxd4 9.exd4 Qb6
9QzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+R+-mK-0 Cebalo and Lalic successfully tested
xiiiiiiiiy 9...h5, but it looks too risky. For
instance, White’s pieces are more
Black has achieved everything one active after 10.Qd2 (10.Nxc6 bxc6
could want from the opening. Now he has 11.Qd2 Bf5 12.Be5 c5 13.dxc5 Ne4)
to devise a plan for a further expansion. 10...Nd7 11.Nxd5 Ndxe5 12.dxe5
A natural continuation would be 23...Qe7, Nxe5 13.0-0-0 Be6, Bentley-Lalic,
followed by ...h5. White lacks space and it rapid 2003, 14.Kb1.
would be difficult for him to manoeuvre. 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Na4 Qa5+ 12.c3 Nd7
More importantly, he could not activate his 13.b4 Qd8 14.h5 e5 15.Be3 Re8 16.hxg6
queen. For instance, 24.h3 Red8 25.Qa3 hxg6 17.Qd2
h5 26.Qb4 Rd7 27.Qxb6?! would be XIIIIIIIIY
disastrous due to 27...h4 28.Bh2 d4µ. 9r+lwqr+k+0
9zp-+n+pvl-0
I can only guess that Dunnington fell
9-+p+-+p+0
under the charms of the 18-year-old
9+-+pzp-+-0
Antoaneta and he gallantly steered the
9NzP-zP-+-+0
game to a draw:
9+-zP-vL-+-0
9P+-wQLzPP+0
23...Nd7 24.Qb3 Ne5 25.Be2 Nd7
9tR-+-mK-+R0
26.Bf3 Ne5 27.Be2 Nd7 ½-½
xiiiiiiiiy
5. Wang – So
Edmonton 21.06.2014 This position occurred in
Zichichi-B.Lalic, Bratto 2001. White’s
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 attack is a total failure as he is
0-0 6.Be2 c5 7.Ne5 Nc6
5.e3XIIIIIIIIY undeveloped and does not control the
9r+lwq-trk+0 centre. Black could start a decisive
9zpp+-zppvlp0 counter-offense with 17...a5 18.Bh6?
9-+n+-snp+0 Bf6–+.
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 8...cxd4
9+-sN-zP-+-0 In such positions we should always take
9PzPP+LzPPzP0 into account the option of dxc5. Pert-
9tR-+QmK-+R0 Palliser, Witley 2000, saw 8...Bf5 9.dxc5!
xiiiiiiiiy Qa5 10.Nxc6 bxc6 11.Be5 Qxc5. The
transformation of the pawn structure is in
White’s favour since he possesses a clear
plan on the queenside – 12.b3! Nd7 11...Rxc6
XIIIIIIIIY
13.Na4 Qa5 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.c4. 9-+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9.exd4 Bf5! 9-+r+-snp+0
Black is not afraid of 10.Nxc6 bxc6 9+-+p+l+-0
11.Na4 as 11...Nd7 would cover c5 while 9-+-zP-vL-+0
preparing the break ...e5. 9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
Many games have featured 9...Qb6 9tR-+QtR-mK-0
10.Nxc6 Qxc6. Stayed the queen’s knight xiiiiiiiiy
on f3, White could have hoped for an
initiative. However, it is clearly awkward
12.Be5?!
on c3 and chances are roughly even after:
It was more accurate to cover the
XIIIIIIIIY e4-square first – 12.Bf3 Qd7 13.Be5 Rfc8
9r+l+-trk+0 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nxd5 Bxc2=,
9zpp+-zppvlp0
Chatalbashev-S.Nikolov, Pleven 2005.
9-+q+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0 12...Ne4 13.Nxe4 Bxe5! 14.dxe5 dxe4³
9-+-zP-vL-+0 15.c3?!
9+-sN-+-+-0 15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Rad1 Rxd1 17.Bxd1
9PzPP+LzPPzP0 h5³ is pleasant for Black as his rook is
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
very active. Still it was more stubborn.
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Rc5 16.Qxd8 Rxd8 17.Rad1 Rxd1
11.Bb5
18.Bxd1 Rxe5 19.f4 Rb5 20.Bb3 a5
XIIIIIIIIY
11.Re1 a6 12.a4 Bf5 13.a5 Rad8= is 9-+-+-+k+0
similar. 9+p+-zpp+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
11...Qb6 12.a4 a6 13.a5 Qd8 14.Be2 9zpr+-+l+-0
Bd7=. Hebden-Tukmakov, Neuchatel 9-+-+pzP-+0
2003, went further 15.Qd2 Rc8 16.Rfe1 e6 9+LzP-+-+-0
17.Bh6 Bxh6 18.Qxh6 Ne8 19.Bd3 Qf6 9PzP-+-+PzP0
20.Qe3 Nd6 21.Na4 Bxa4 22.Rxa4, when 9+-+-tR-mK-0
instead of 22...Rc6 23.c3 Rfc8 24.Rb4 xiiiiiiiiy
R8c7 25.Qg3 Kg7 26.h3 Qd8 27.h4²,
Tukmakov should have fixed a draw with
21.Re2 Rb6 22.Kf2 Be6 23.Bxe6 Rxe6
22...Nc4 23.Bxc4 Rxc4 24.Rxc4 dxc4
24.Ke3 f5 25.Kd4 Kf7 26.Kc5 Kf6
25.Qe5 Qxe5 26.Rxe5 Rd8 27.c3 Rd5=.
27.Kb5 Ra6 28.a4 e5 29.fxe5+ Kxe5
30.b4 axb4 31.cxb4 f4 32.a5 e3 33.Kc4
10.Re1 Rc8 11.Nxc6
Ke4 34.Ra2 Rc6+ 35.Kb3 Kd3 36.b5
More tension preserved 11.Bf3 Re8,
Rc8 0-1
Torre-Ganguly, Pattaya 2015. 11...h6 is
another useful move. 6. Miles – Kiril Georgiev
 XIIIIIIIIY
Wijk aan Zee 18.01.1989 9r+-+-trk+0
9+p+nzppvlp0
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7
9-wqp+-+p+0
0-0 6.Be2 Bg4 7.h3 Bxf3 8.Bxf3 c6
5.e3XIIIIIIIIY
9zp-+-+-+-0
9rsn-wq-trk+0 9P+-zPLvL-+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0 9+-+-+-+P0
9-+p+-snp+0 9-zPP+-zPP+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-sN-zPL+P0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
14.Be3
9tR-+QmK-+R0
14.c3 Qxb2 is possible and should lead
xiiiiiiiiy
to simplification.

9.0-0 Perhaps 14...Rfe8!? 15.Qc2 e5÷ is a

White’s attack has no bite without the better way to play for a win.
king’s knight – 9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 b5
11.g4 (11.h4 h5) 11...Nb6 12.g5 Nc4 15.Qf3 f5 16.Bd3 Qxc3 17.Rac1 Qb2
13.Qe1 Nd7 14.e4 e5 was winning for
17...Qxd4? is worse – 18.Bc4+ Kh8
Black in Em.Lasker/Haalebos-Reti/
19.Rfd1 Ne5 20.Qg3 Qxc4 21.Rxc4
Oskam, Rotterdam 1923.
Nxc4 22.Rd7±.
9...Nbd7 10.a4 18.Rc4 e5 19.Rb1 Qa3 20.Rxc6 Kh8
It looks reasonable to include a4 a5 as it 21.Rxb7=.
deprives Black of a future minority attack.
Besides, the pawn on a4 makes more risky 14...Nf6 15.Bf3 Nd5 16.Bxd5
a possible capture on b2 after ...Qb6. White cannot preserve a flexible pawn
Many years after this game, in Cetinje structure – 16.c4? Nxe3 17.fxe3 e5µ is
2013, Kosic played against me 10.e4 dxe4 murky for him, and 16.Bg5 e6 17.c4 Nb4³
11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Bxe4 Qb6 13.c3?!, and is not attractive either.
I obtained the better game with 13...Qxb2
14.Rb1 Qxc3 15.Rxb7 Nf6³. 16...cxd5 17.Qd2 Rfc8 18.c3 Rc4 19.Rfe1
Rac8XIIIIIIIIY
Correct would have been 13.Be3 Nf6 9-+r+-+k+0
14.Bf3 Nd5 15.Bxd5! (15.Rb1 Nxe3 9+p+-zppvlp0
16.fxe3 c5³) 15...cxd5 16.Rb1, although 9-wq-+-+p+0
the plan with ...b5 would still give me 9zp-+p+-+-0
some initiative. 9P+rzP-+-+0
9+-zP-vL-+P0
10...a5 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 9-zP-wQ-zPP+0
13.Bxe4 Qb6 9tR-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

20.Re2
 We have finally reached a static pawn
structure which leaves little choice to both
sides. Of course, I can display some
activity with ...b5, but the b2-pawn is
easily defended. Now Miles could have
chosen a solid, but very passive stand with
20.Ra2 e6 21.Bf4 Qc6 22.Qd1=. Instead,
he decides to trade bishops.
20...Qc6 21.Bh6 e6 22.Bxg7 Kxg7
23.Qd1 Rb8 24.Ra3
24.f4 does not really threaten f4-f5 since
it would only weaken White’s king. After
24...b5 25.axb5 Rxb5 26.Rf2 Qb7 27.Qe2
Rc6 28.g4 Rcb6 29.Ra2 Qb8, White
should maintain the balance by swapping
queens, as 30.Kh1 a4 (intending...Rb3,
...a3) 31.f5 exf5 32.gxf5 Kg8! would give
me new targets.
24...b5 25.axb5 Rxb5 26.Qa1 Qb6 27.g3
h5 28.h4 Rc7 29.Kg2 Rb7 30.Ra4 Qd8
31.Ra3 Kh7
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-wq-+-+0
9+r+-+p+k0
9-+-+p+p+0
9zpr+p+-+p0
9-+-zP-+-zP0
9tR-zP-+-zP-0
9-zP-+RzPK+0
9wQ-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
I have reached the maximum I could
extract from the position, but it is not
enough. The point is that I can never play
...g5? owing to Re5!.
32.Ra4 Rb8 33.Ra3 Qb6 34.Ra4 Kg7
35.Ra3 Kf6 36.Ra4 Rxb2 37.Rxb2 Qxb2
38.Qxb2 Rxb2 39.Rxa5 Rc2 40.Rc5 Kf5
41.Kf3 f6 42.Ke3 g5 43.hxg5 fxg5
44.Kf3 ½-½
7. Ratkovic – V.Spasov
SRB-chT Kragujevac 24.08.2015
This game shows that Black can employ
the Grünfeld approach even if White has
not played Nf3. It is a decent, albeit
double-edged weapon against the Jobava
attack.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Qd2
4.e3 Bg7 5.h4 c6 6.Nf3 Qb6 is covered
in the “Step by Step” chapter, line B.
The purely speculative exchange sac
6.h5?! Nxh5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+p+-+p+0
9+-+p+-+n0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPP+-zPP+0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
7.Rxh5 gxh5 8.Qxh5 Nd7 9.Qh2
occurred in Wei Yi-Tomashevsky, blitz,
Doha 2016. Simplest is 9...Nf8 to cover
the g-file from g6. However, if you are
afraid of it, you could slightly alter the
move order and answer 4.e3 by 4...c6 5.h4
Qb6, harassing White’s queenside. After
6.a3 Bg7, 7.h5 is no longer a threat, as the
b2-pawn would be hanging.
4...Bg7
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0 9r+l+-tr-+0
9zppzp-zppvlp0 9zpp+-zppmkp0
9-+-+-snp+0 9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9wq-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 9-+-zP-+P+0
9+-sN-+-+-0 9+-sN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQPzPPzP0 9PzPPwQ-+-zP0
9tR-+-mKLsNR0 9tR-+-mKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Black is better developed and controls
5.0-0-0
the centre. Therefore, he should not be
The most principled line is 5.Bh6 0-0
afraid of the enemy attack. He is going
6.Bxg7 Kxg7. The chips are down, the
to meet 11.h4 by 11...h5 12.0-0-0 Rh8
race is about to start. Typical plans with
13.Be2 Rb8 14.Kb1 Be6 15.gxh5 Nxh5
...c6, ...b5 are ineffective as White has not
committed his king to the queenside yet. 16.Bd3 b5 17.Nh3 Bxh3 18.Rxh3 e6.
Instead we should strike in the centre with
11.g5 does not make sense either –
...c5. White has tried from here:
11...Ne8 12.h4 Nd6 13.h5 Bf5 14.hxg6
7.e3 c5 8.dxc5 (for 8.f3 – see 7.f3) hxg6 15.a3 Rh8µ.
8...Qa5 9.Ne4 Qxd2+ 10.Nxd2 Bf5
7.0-0-0 c5! 8.e3
11.Bd3 Nbd7 12.Nb3 Rfc8 13.Bxf5 gxf5
14.Nd4 e6=, Kovalev-Karjakin, rapid, 8.dxc5 Qa5 transposes to the main
Berlin 2015. The game went 15.b4?! game.
which gave Black the initiative after
15...a5. 15...b6 was even stronger. 8...Qa5!

7.f3 c5 8.e3 Qa5 9.g4 Black should be careful with his

hanging centre. 8...Nc6 left Black a
Giving up the centre with 9.dxc5 clear pawn down – 9.dxc5 Be6 10.Bb5
should nor bring White success – Ne5 11.Qd4 Qc7 12.Nge2 Rac8
9...Nc6 10.g4 Qxc5 11.0-0-0 Rd8 13.Nf4±, Van Foreest-Grandelius,
12.Nge2 e5 13.g5 Nh5 14.Ng3 d4 Wijk aan Zee 2017.
15.Nxh5+ gxh5 16.Ne4 Qb6 and 9.f3
White’s attack has been stalled.
9...cxd4 10.exd4 Nc6 9.dxc5 Rd8 10.h4 h5 effectively cuts
across White’s main plan – 11.Nf3
Qxc5 12.e4 Nc6 13.exd5 Be6,
regaining the pawn.
Here in Delchev-Zakhartsov,
Paleochora 2015, Black correctly judged
that he should push ...b5, but he over-
optimistically decided not to prepare it at
 XIIIIIIIIY
all and unnecessarily sacrificed a pawn 9r+lwqk+-tr0
with: 9zp-+-zppvlp0
XIIIIIIIIY 9-snp+-snp+0
9rsnl+-tr-+0 9+p+p+-+-0
9zpp+-zppmkp0 9-+-zP-vLPzP0
9-+-+-snp+0 9+-sN-zPP+-0
9wq-zpp+-+-0 9PzPPwQ-+-+0
9-+-zP-+-+0 9+-mKR+LsNR0
9+-sN-zPP+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
9+-mKR+LsNR0 9...h5 10.g5 Nfd7 11.e4 b4 12.Nce2 a5
xiiiiiiiiy 13.b3 0-0 14.e5 c5µ;
9...b5?!. However, this pawn is 7.Kb1 Nbd7 8.e3 Nb6 (8...0-0!? 9.g4
important for the attack, so it was better to Re8) 9.Bd3 a5 10.e4, Alekseev-
play first: Grigoriants, Moscow 2017, 10...b4
11.Nce2 Nc4 12.Qe1 Qb6ƒ.
9...c4! 10.g4 Rd8 11.g5 Nh5 12.e4 and
7...b4 8.Na4 dxe4 9.fxe4 Qa5 10.Nc5
now 12...b5 is already strong – 13.a3 e6
Nbd7 11.Nxd7 Bxd7 12.Bc4 Nxe4
14.Bh3 Nc6.
13.Qe1 Nf6 14.Nf3 0-0³.
Finally, 7.Nf3 blunts White’s attack and
6.Bh6
gives Black a wide choice. He could play
Another plausible option is 6.f3 c5
in the centre with 7...Qd6 8.e3 Nbd7,
7.dxc5
intending ...Ne4, or with 7...c6 8.e3 Nbd7
9.h3 Qc7, Kotainy-Timman, Germany 7.e3 Nc6 8.Kb1 is solid. (Black’s
2017. attack is faster after 8.g4 Qa5 9.Kb1
c4 10.h4 b5 11.g5 b4³.) Black should
5...0-0
probably try the pawn sac 8...c4 9.e4
After White’s castling, the plan with XIIIIIIIIY
5...c6! 6.f3 b5 becomes topical, too: 9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0
7.e4 9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
Alternatively: 9-+pzPPvL-+0
7.h4 h5 8.e4 b4; 9+-sN-+P+-0
9PzPPwQ-+PzP0
7.e3 Nbd7 8.g4 Nb6 9.h4 9+K+R+LsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy

9...b5!? 10.Nxb5 dxe4 11.Bxc4 Qb6

12.Nc3 Rd8 13.Nge2 Na5 14.Bb3
Nxb3 15.axb3 exf3 16.gxf3 Nd5 with
full compensation. The f3-pawn is
 XIIIIIIIIY
very weak, Black’s bishop pair and 9rsnl+-tr-+0
heavy pieces will target the enemy 9zpp+-zppmk-0
king. 9-+-+-snp+0
7...Nbd7 8.e3 (8.Nxd5? Nxd5 9.Qxd5 9+-wqp+-+p0
Qa5) 8...Nxc5 9.Be5 Qb6 10.Qd4=. 9-+-+-+-zP0
9+-sN-zP-+N0
6...c5 7.dxc5 Qa5 8.Bxg7 Kxg7
XIIIIIIIIY 9PzPPwQ-zPP+0
9rsnl+-tr-+0 9+-mKR+L+R0
9zpp+-zppmkp0 xiiiiiiiiy
9-+-+-snp+0
9wq-zPp+-+-0 11...Bxh3!
9-+-+-+-+0 A good strategic decision. In positions
9+-sN-+-+-0 with opposite attacks, knights are often
9PzPPwQPzPPzP0 stronger than bishops.
9+-mKR+LsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy 12.Rxh3 Nc6 13.f4 e6
Black has a huge positional edge. All his
pieces are active.
9.h4
The point is that 9.Nxd5 Qxa2 10.Qc3
14.Kb1 Rfd8 15.Be2 Rac8 16.Rg3 Ne4
is not any better for White. Black could
17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Qc1 Rxd1 19.Qxd1
answer 10...Rd8 11.e4 Be6„. Even
Nb4XIIIIIIIIY
10...Qa1+ 11.Kd2 Qa4 was playable,
Cabrera-Dvirnyy, Catalunya 2014.
9-+r+-+-+0
9zpp+-+pmk-0
9...h5 9-+-+p+p+0
This is an almost automatic reaction, but 9+-wq-+-+p0
Black could also take over the initiative 9-sn-+pzP-zP0
with 9...d4!? 10.Qxd4 Nc6, followed by 9+-+-zP-tR-0
...Bf5. It is not easy to weigh up the
9PzPP+L+P+0
ensuing complications, though.
9+K+Q+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A clever alternative was also 9...Nc6!?,
20.a3 (20.c3 Nd3 21.Bxd3 Rd8)
hoping for 10.h5? d4 11.hxg6 h5! 12.Nb1
20...Nxc2 21.Qd2 Qd5 22.Qxd5 exd5
Qxc5 with a devastating attack. Instead,
23.Bd1 Ne1 24.Bb3 Rc5 25.f5 Nd3
10.e3 h5 would transpose to the game.
26.Rg5 d4 27.fxg6 Rxg5 28.hxg5 dxe3
10.e3 Qxc5 11.Nh3 0-1
 problem for us, but we have to include
Chapter 3. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 one more line in our home preparation.
3.Nf3 g6 4.c4 That’s why I consider the move order with
Main Ideas 1...Nf6 preferable, provided that you are
not afraid of 2.c4, to be sure.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7
5.Nc3
XIIIIIIIIY After 5...0-0, White could aim at
9rsnlwqk+-tr0 building a pawn centre or stake on quick
9zppzp-zppvlp0 development:
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-vL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0 A. 6.Rc1 dxc4 7.e4
9PzP-+PzPPzP0 It is not late to return to the more
9tR-+QmKL+R0 prudent 7.e3, when 7...Be6 8.Ng5 Bd5
xiiiiiiiiy 9.e4 h6 is the proven equalizer – see
Game 9 Del Rio de Angelis-
Espinosa,Linares 2016.
5...0-0
The move order 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3
Instead, I suggest a surprise line which
g6 rules out the line 3.Nf3 g6 4.c4 Bg7
runs 7...Nbd7!? 8.Bxc4 Nh5 9.Bg5 h6
5.Nc3 0-0 6.Rc1, but enables 4.c4 Bg7
10.Bh4 g5
5.Nc3, where instead of Nf3, White has
XIIIIIIIIY
played e3.
9r+lwq-trk+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9zppzpnzppvl-0
9rsnlwqk+-tr0 9-+-+-+-zp0
9zppzp-zppvlp0 9+-+-+-zpn0
9-+-+-snp+0 9-+LzP-+-vL0
9+-+p+-+-0 9+-sN-zPN+-0
9-+PzP-vL-+0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-sN-zP-+-0 9+-tRQmK-+R0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0 xiiiiiiiiy
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy Although it is a very rare guest in
practice, it is the weapon of choice of
Now 5...c5 6.dxc5 Qa5 7.Rc1 dxc4
famous adepts of the Grünfeld as
8.Bxc4 would throw us out of our Kasparov, Svidler, Cheparinov. Black will
repertoire after 8...0-0 9.Nge2 or 9.Nf3. counter-attack in the centre with ...e5 or
Therefore, we go 5...0-0, when 6.Nf3 ...c5. His bishop pair is a potential winner,
reaches line B. However, White has two so White must play concrete, energetic
major alternatives with independent chess. That would assure fair winning
significance: 6.Rc1 and 6.cxd5. I consider chances to the better player.
them in Game 11
Wojtaszek-Nepomniachtchi, Wijk aan Zee 7...Bg4 8.Bxc4 Nh5 9.Be3 Bxf3 10.gxf3
2017. They do not pose any theoretical
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0 9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zppzp-zppvlp0 9zpp+-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0 9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+n0 9+-zPp+-+-0
9-+LzPP+-+0 9-+P+nvL-+0
9+-sN-vLP+-0 9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zP-zP0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQmK-+R0 9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Here the main line is 10...e5 11.dxe5 We are going for a kill! White is still
Bxe5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8=, see Game 8 to find an adequate reaction to this sharp
Zubov-Timofeev, Moscow 2009. Instead, I move.
have another surprise for White in store:
8.Rc1 Nd7!? 9.cxd5 Qa5
XIIIIIIIIY
10...e6!? 11.f4 Qh4 12.Qf3 Nc6 13.e5 9r+l+-trk+0
(or 13.Ne2 Rfd8! 14.e5) 9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
In practice Black invariably put his 9wq-zPP+-+-0
queen’s rook on d8 and his bishop on f6. 9-+-+nvL-+0
That allowed White to mount an attack 9+-sN-zPN+-0
with Kh1, Rg1 and the h6-bishop was 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
hanging in some lines. I recommend a 9+-tRQmKL+R0
much better redeployment: xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 It is a bit awkward to recommend here
9zppzp-+pvlp0 to White 10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Nxc5
9-+n+p+p+0 12.e4 Bd7 13.Bd2 Rac8! 14.c4 Qb6.
9+-+-zP-+n0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+LzP-zP-wq0 9-+r+-trk+0
9+-+-vLQ+-0 9zpp+lzppvlp0
9PzP-+NzP-zP0 9-wq-+-+p+0
9+-tR-mK-+R0 9+-snP+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+P+P+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
13...Rfd8! 14.Ne2 Bf8 9P+QvL-zPPzP0
This position is completely unexplored. 9+-tR-mKL+R0
Black’s play is rather easy. He is planning xiiiiiiiiy
...Ne7, ...Ng7-f5, ...Bh6, ...c6, and White’s
The e4-pawn falls after ...Ba4 and
centre will be paralysed.
White should be struggling for the draw,
with his compromised pawn structure.

B. 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Ne4!? Still, that may be the lesser evil, as the
more popular 10.Nd4 Nxc3 11.bxc3
Qxa2³ is not fun either. See Game 10
Simantsev-Shishkin, Police 2013.
Theoretical status
The Bf4 System has seen its moment of
fame in the 80-ies when Karpov employed
it against Kasparov, but it is currently
struggling. In most lines Black has found
clear equalizers. Even more, I show that
Black has plenty of ways to aspire to the
initiative at an early stage of the opening.
My main lines are practically uncovered
by the best latest books on the Grünfeld.
The surprise effect should be on your side.
 (Avrukh).
Chapter 3. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6
3.Nf3 g6 4.c4
Step by Step
A. 6.Rc1 dxc4
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.c4 Bg7 6...c5 7.dxc5 Be6 8.Nd4 Nc6 9.Nxe6
5.Nc3
XIIIIIIIIY fxe6 10.e3 d4!? is a decent option. 6...Be6
9rsnlwqk+-tr0 7.e3 dxc4 transposes to A1.
9zppzp-zppvlp0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-snp+0 9rsnlwq-trk+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9zppzp-zppvlp0
9-+PzP-vL-+0 9-+-+-snp+0
9+-sN-+N+-0 9+-+-+-+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0 9-+pzP-vL-+0
9tR-+QmKL+R0 9+-sN-+N+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9+-tRQmKL+R0
5...0-0
xiiiiiiiiy
5...c5 is a major option against an early A1. 7.e3; A2. 7.e4
e3, but it is dubious here. White can
answer 6.dxc5 Qa5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qxd5
Bxc3+ 9.Bd2 Be6 10.Qxb7 Bxd2+
11.Nxd2 0-0 12.b4! Qa4 13.e3². A1. 7.e3 Nbd7!?
The solid equalizer is 7...Be6 8.Ng5
A. 6.Rc1; B. 6.e3 Bd5 9.e4 h6 – see Game 9 Del Rio de
Angelis-Espinosa,Linares 2016.
6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Nxd5
The text is an enterprising alternative,
Akobian keeps defending 7.Be5, but meant for players willing to take some
the natural 7...Bxe5 8.Nxe5 Nxc3 risks. In practice it brings nice dividends,
9.bxc3 Nd7 is fine for Black, probably because White is less prepared to
especially after 10.Nxd7 Bxd7 11.e4 meet it.
e5!.
7...c5 8.Bxg7 Kxg7 9.e3 Nc6 10.Rc1 8.Bxc4 Nh5
cxd4 11.Nxd4 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bd7 8...c5?! 9.0-0 cxd4 10.Nb5 Ne8
13.Be2 e5 was also better for Black in (10...dxe3 11.Ng5±) 11.Nc7 Nxc7
Akobian-Khachiyan, chess.com 2017 12.Bxc7 Qe8 13.Nxd4 Nb6 14.Bxb6 axb6
15.Qb3 Bxd4 16.exd4 Qd8 17.Qb4 b5
7...Qxd5 8.Bxc7 has nearly disappeared
18.Bb3 e6² is an inferior alternative.
from practice owing to the following line:
8...Nc6! 9.e3 Bf5 10.Be2 Rac8 11.Bg3 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5
Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Nb4 13.0-0 Rc2 14.Qe1
Rxb2 15.Ne5 Bxe5 16.Bxe5, Anikaev-
Giorgadze, Soviet Union 1973, 16...Qa3!³
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0 9r+lwq-trk+0
9zppzpnzppvl-0 9zpp+n+pvl-0
9-+-+-+-zp0 9-+-+p+-zp0
9+-+-+-zpn0 9+-zp-+-zp-0
9-+LzP-+-vL0 9-+LzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0 9+-sNQzPNzP-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9PzP-+-zPP+0
9+-tRQmK-+R0 9+-+RmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy

11.Bg3 Here 14...g4 15.Nh4 cxd4 (15...b6

11.Nd2 e5 12.Qxh5 exd4 13.exd4 gxh4
14.0-0 Nb6 15.Bb3 Qxd4 16.Nde4 h3,
intending ...Qe5, was comfortable for
Black in L’Ami-Cheparinov, Tromsoe
2014. This game is important for the
theory, as L’Ami was Cheparinov’s second
and both opponents were undoubtedly
well prepared for each other.
11.g4 Nb6 12.Bb3 Bxg4 13.h3 Bxf3
14.Qxf3 Nf6 15.Bg3 is interesting.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zppzp-zppvl-0
9-sn-+-sn-zp0
9+-+-+-zp-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+LsN-zPQvLP0
9PzP-+-zP-+0
9+-tR-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White’s bishop pair could become
dangerous, so Black should seek
counterplay at all cost: 15...c5! 16.dxc5
Nbd7 17.Na4 Qa5+ 18.Kf1 b6 19.cxb6
axb6 20.Kg2 Rac8, planning ...h5-h4,
...g4.
11...Nxg3 12.hxg3 c5 13.dxc5
In my opinion, 13.Qd3! e6 14.Rd1,
which preserves the tension in the centre,
is the most challenging option.
16.Qe4!) 16.exd4 Qg5 17.0-0 Rd8 is
too dangerous as White gets a strong
initiative after 18.f4 gxf3 19.Qxf3 Nf6
20.Bb3!. White’s main threats are
based on the break d4-d5 and the
attack on h7. Therefore, we should
make the prophylactic move:
14...Re8!, when 15.d5 (14.0-0 Qa5
15.Ne4 cxd4 16.exd4 Rd8∞) 15...exd5
16.Bxd5 Qe7 17.Nb5 Nf6 18.Nd6 Rf8
19.Bc4 Be6 20.Nf5 Bxf5 Qe4! is roughly
equal.
13...Nxc5 14.Qc2 e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pvl-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9+-sn-+-zp-0
9-+L+-+-+0
9+-sN-zPNzP-0
9PzPQ+-zPP+0
9+-tR-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.Nh2
Naturally, 15.0-0 cannot be scary.
Timofeev-Artemiev, Khanty-Mansiysk
2015, saw 15...Qb6 16.a3, when 16...Bd7=
would have been more reasonable than
16...a5. More natural would be to
complete development with 15...Bd7 and
only after 16.Rfd1 – 16...Qb6=.
 XIIIIIIIIY
15...b5! 16.Bxb5 Rb8 9rsn-wq-trk+0
Black has full compensation for the 9zppzp-zppvlp0
pawn. Matsenko-Ipatov, Izmir 2016, went 9-+-+-+p+0
17.Be2 Ba6 18.Bxa6 Nxa6 19.0-0 Nb4°. 9+-+P+-+-0
The computer finds an amazing resource: 9-+L+PwQ-+0
17...Bxc3!! 18.bxc3 Bb7 19.f3 Bc6! 9+-sN-+-+-0
aiming at a4. The point is that 20.Ng4? is 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
not a threat owing to 20...f5! and Black’s 9+-tR-mK-+R0
counter-attack is crushing. xiiiiiiiiy
The game Novikov-C.Horvath, Cairo
1997, went 11...Qd6 12.Qe3 c6 13.0-0
A2. 7.e4 Bg4 8.Bxc4 cxd5 14.exd5 Nd7. Even better is to leave
Alternatively: the queen on d8: 11...c6 12.0-0 cxd5,
intending to meet 13.exd5 by 13...Nd7 and
8.e5? Nh5 9.Be3 c5 10.dxc5 Qxd1+ 13.Bxd5 by 13...Qb6.
11.Rxd1 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Bxe5 13.Bxc4
Nc6³, Borges-Llobel Cortell, Albacete 9.Be3
2002. 9.Bg5?! just drops a pawn after 9...Bxf3
10.Qxf3 Qxd4, since 11.Nd5 e6 12.Nxc7
8.Be3 is more consistent, but it gives Qe5 13.Nxa8 Qxg5 14.0-0 Nc6 promises
us a wide choice between 8...Nh5, 8...c5 Black a devastating attack, for instance:
9.dxc5 Qa5 10.Qc2 Be6 and even 8...b5 15.Nc7 Be5 16.Nb5 a6 17.Nc3 Bf4
9.e5 Nd5 10.Nxb5 c5 11.Bxc4 Nxe3 18.Rc2 Ne5 19.Qe2 Bxh2+ 20.Kxh2 Nf4.
12.fxe3 a6 13.Nc3 Nc6 14.dxc5 Qa5
15.Qa4 Qxc5 16.Ne2 Qa5+ 17.Qxa5 9...Bxf3 10.gxf3
Nxa5 18.Bd5 Rab8=. After 10.Qxf3 Bxd4 11.0-0, we should
refrain from taking on e3. Instead, 11...e6
8...Nh5 or 11...c5 are fine.
This move order is not obligatory. XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
8...Bxf3 transposes after 9.gxf3. In 9zppzp-zppvlp0
practice White has tried to exploit the 9-+-+-+p+0
move order by 9.Qxf3 Nh5 10.d5 Nxf4 9+-+-+-+n0
11.Qxf4, but the arising position is rich 9-+LzPP+-+0
and promising for Black. 9+-sN-vLP+-0
9PzP-+-zP-zP0
9+-tRQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy

10...e6!?
The established equalizer is 10...e5
11.dxe5 Bxe5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8=, see Game
8 Zubov-Timofeev, Moscow 2009.
 The text brings about sharp,
strategically unbalanced positions, where
the strongest player has higher chances to
win compared to the above-mentioned
endgame.
11.f4 Qh4
Mounting the tension.
11...Nc6!? is of equal worth. It forces
White to open the centre since after
12.e5?! Bh6 White cannot play 13.Qf3 as
the d4-pawn will hang. Remains:
a) L.Portish answered 12.d5 exd5
13.Nxd5, when best is 13...Qh4! 14.Be2
Nf6 15.e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zppzp-+pvlp0
9-+n+-snp+0
9+-+NzP-+-0
9-+-+-zP-wq0
9+-+-vL-+-0
9PzP-+LzP-zP0
9+-tRQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...Nxd5
15...Nd7!? 16.Qd3 Nb6 is more
ambitious.
16.Qxd5 Rad8 17.Qg2 f6. Black has
good counterplay, but White could draw
with 18.e6 (18.f5∞) 18...f5 19.0-0 Rfe8
20.Bb5 Bxb2 21.Bxc6 bxc6 22.Rxc6 Bd4
23.Bxd4 Rxd4 24.Rxc7 Qxf4 25.Qb7
Qg4+=.
b) 12.Be2 Bxd4 13.Bxh5
Or 13.Bxd4 Qxd4 14.Bxh5 gxh5
15.Qxh5 Rad8 16.Qg5+ Kh8 17.Rd1
Qg7 18.Qxg7+=.
13...Bxe3 14.Qxd8=.
12.Qf3 Nc6 13.e5
13.Ne2 most likely will transpose after
13...Rfd8! 14.e5.
After 14.Rd1, Black could repeat
moves with 14...Na5 15.Bd3 Nc6
16.Bc4, while 16.Bc2 Nb4 17.Bb3 c5
would be fine for him. More
interesting is to play on with 14...Rac8
15.e5 Nb4 16.0-0 Bh6.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zppzp-+pvlp0
9-+n+p+p+0
9+-+-+-+n0
9-+LzPPzP-wq0
9+-+-vLQ+-0
9PzP-+NzP-zP0
9+-tR-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...Rfd8!
Only this move assures Black of
adequate counterplay. Its idea is to free
f8 for the bishop which would enable the
manoeuvre ...Nh5-g7-f5. At the same time
the bishop might enter the play from b4.
In practice Black has only tried 13...Rad8,
but after 14.Ne2 Bh6?! 15.Rg1 Ng7
16.Bd3 Nb4 17.Bb1! Nd5 18.Rg3 the
threat Rh3 is extremely unpleasant
because the h6-bishop is hanging.
14.Ne2 Bf8
This position is double-edged, but it is
more demanding strategically from White
since his pawn structure is compromised.
Possible continuations are:
a) 15.f5 exf5 16.Rg1 Ng7 17.Kf1 Be7∞.
 b) 15.Bb3 Rac8 16.f5 exf5 17.Rg1 Ng7 fashionable move. It has two serious
18.Rxc6 bxc6 19.Bg5=. drawbacks: the arising positions may be
drawish in view of the symmetrical pawn
c) 15.0-0 Ne7 16.Ng3 Ng7 17.Qxb7 c6 structure; you should remember a lot of
XIIIIIIIIY theory. The main line goes:
9r+-tr-vlk+0
9zpQ+-snpsnp0 8.Rc1 dxc4 (8...Rd8 – Carlsen) 9.Bxc4
9-+p+p+p+0 Qxc5 10.Bb3 Nc6 11.0-0 Qa5 12.h3 Bf5
9+-+-zP-+-0 13.Qe2 Ne4 14.Nd5 e5
9-+LzP-zP-wq0 XIIIIIIIIY
9+-+-vL-sN-0 9r+-+-trk+0
9PzP-+-zP-zP0 9zpp+-+pvlp0
9+-tR-+RmK-0 9-+n+-+p+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9wq-+Nzpl+-0
9-+-+nvL-+0
White’s queen is cut off from the 9+L+-zPN+P0
kingside. That requires accurate defence, 9PzP-+QzPP+0
e.g. 18.Rc3 Rac8 19.Kh1 Ngf5 20.Bc1 9+-tR-+RmK-0
Bh6ƒ. xiiiiiiiiy
d) 15.d5 exd5 16.Bxd5 Nb4 17.Bc4 This position became extremely popular
Nd3+ 18.Bxd3 Rxd3 19.Rxc7 Qd8 20.Rc1 after Karpov’s exchange sacrifice
Bb4+ 21.Nc3 Rc8 22.0-0 Bxc3 23.bxc3 15.Rxc6!? in his world title match against
b6=. Kasparov in 1986. Later White has also
tested extensively 15.Bg5 and 15.Bh2
with long forced variations in all cases.
They are covered in Chess Stars book The
B. 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5
Safest Grünfeld. Black may be holding his
7.Be2?! dxc4 8.Bxc4 Bg4 9.Be2 Nc6 is own, but I do not see any reason to
unacceptable for White. recommend such lines when we have such
XIIIIIIIIY a noteworthy alternative as 7...Ne4.
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0 8.Rc1
9-+-+-snp+0 8.Nxe4? dxe4 9.Qxd8 Rxd8 10.Nd4 e5
9+-zPp+-+-0 11.Bg5 f6 12.Nb5 fxg5 13.Nc7 Na6 is
9-+P+-vL-+0 plain bad for White.
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0 8.Be5 Bxe5 9.Nxe5 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Qa5
9tR-+QmKL+R0 11.Rc1 Nc6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.cxd5 cxd5
xiiiiiiiiy 14.Be2 was drawn in L.Portisch-Ruck,
Hungary 2003, but nothing hampers Black
7...Ne4!? to play on from the final position.
This should be a little surprise for your
opponents as 7...Qa5 is by far the most 8...Nd7!?
 8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Qa5 is slightly
premature, as the pawn on c3 enables the
line 10.cxd5 Nd7 11.Qb3 Nxc5 12.Qb4.
Black may try 9...dxc4 10.Qxd8 Rxd8
11.Bxc4 Nd7 12.Rd1 Rf8 13.Bg5 Bxc3+
14.Ke2 Bf6 15.Bxf6 Nxf6 16.Ne5 Bf5
17.c6, where White preserves some
pressure and plays with a draw in the
pocket.
9.cxd5 Qa5 10.Nd4
10.Bc4?! Nxc3 11.bxc3 Bxc3+ 12.Ke2
Nxc5 is best punished by 12...b5!.
10.Qc2 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Nxc5 12.e4 Bd7
13.Bd2 Rac8! 14.c4 occurred in
Prohaszka-Jansa, Germany 2016, when
14...Qb6! instead of 14...Qa6 would have
been disturbing for White. The point is
that the queen controls b1 so ...Ba4
threatens to win the e4-pawn. The only
move would be 15.Be3 (15.Be2 Ba4;
15.Rb1 Qa6) 15...Bb2 16.Rb1 Bc3+
17.Bd2 Bxd2+ 18.Nxd2 Qa5 19.Be2 Ba4
20.Qb2 Nxe4 21.Qb4 Qxb4 22.Rxb4 Nc5
23.f3! with even chances.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0
9wq-zPP+-+-0
9-+-sNnvL-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...Nxc3
10...Ndxc5 is less popular and scores
horribly, but in fact it also offers Black a
nice game:
11.Bc4
11.Qc2 Rd8 (11...Nxc3!? 12.Qxc3
Qxc3+ 13.bxc3 Rd8 14.Bc4 Bd7=)
12.Bc7 Qxc7 13.Nxe4 Qa5+ 14.Qc3
Qxc3+ 15.Nxc3 Nd7 16.Bc4 Bxd4
17.exd4 Nf6 is enough for a draw, for
instance: 18.0-0 a6 19.a4 b6 20.Rfe1
Kf8 21.Re5 Bb7 22.Rce1 Rd7 23.f3
Rad8=.
11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 Bd7
12...e5 is brutal, but effective play for
a draw: 13.dxe6 Bxe6 14.Bxe6 Nxe6
15.Nxe6 Bxc3+ 16.Kf1 fxe6 17.Qb3
Qa6+ 18.Kg1 Bf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+-+-+p0
9q+-+pvlp+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9+Q+-zP-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+-tR-+-mKR0
xiiiiiiiiy
19.h3 Rad8 20.Kh2 Rd2 21.Rc2 Rxc2
22.Qxc2 Qc6 23.Qxc6 bxc6 24.Rc1
Rc8 25.Bd6 Kf7 26.Kg3 Be7 27.Bc5
Bxc5 28.Rxc5 Ke7 29.Ra5 c5!
30.Rxa7+ Kd6 31.Kf3 c4 32.Ke2 Rb8
33.Kd2 Rb2+ 34.Kc3 Rxf2 35.g4 h5
36.gxh5 gxh5 37.Kxc4 ½-½
Gustafsson-Safarli, Porto Carras 2011.
13.0-0
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 White. He cannot retain the extra pawn:
9zpp+lzppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0 13...Na4 14.Qb3 Nb6 15.Bb5 Bxd4
9wq-snP+-+-0 16.Bxd7 Bg7 17.Bb5 a6 18.Be2 Nxd5
9-+LsN-vL-+0 19.c4 Nxf4 20.exf4 b6³, Sanikidze-Gupta,
9+-zP-zP-+-0 Istanbul 2012.
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0 11.bxc3 Qxa2³
xiiiiiiiiy Practice has proved that the a-pawn is
more dangerous than White’s centre. See
This typical position has been tested in Game 10 Simantsev-Shishkin, Police
a number of games with poor results for 2013.
 16.Bxf7+ Kxf7 17.b4 Bc7 does not
Chapter 3. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 look dangerous.
3.Nf3 g6 4.c4 XIIIIIIIIY
Annotated Games 9rsn-tr-+k+0
9zppzp-+p+p0
8. Zubov – Timofeev
9-+-+-+p+0
Moscow 31.01.2009 9+-+-vl-+n0
9-+L+P+-+0
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 9+-sN-vLP+-0
5.Bf4 0-0 6.Rc1 dxc4 7.e4 Bg4 8.Bxc4 9PzP-+-zP-zP0
Nh5XIIIIIIIIY
9.Be3 Bxf3 10.gxf3 9+-tR-+RmK-0
9rsn-wq-trk+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9zppzp-zppvlp0
9-+-+-+p+0 13...Nd7
9+-+-+-+n0 13...Nc6!? is a little more
9-+LzPP+-+0 straightforward. Then 14.Ne2 transposes,
9+-sN-vLP+-0 and 14.Nd5 Na5 15.Bg5 Rd7 16.Bb5 c6
9PzP-+-zP-zP0 17.b4 cxb5 18.bxa5 Re8= 19.Rc5 a6
9+-tRQmK-+R0 20.Rfc1 f6 21.Be3 ½-½ was the short
xiiiiiiiiy game Sumets-Shishkin, Crespi 2009.

10...e5
This is a well tested route to an equal
endgame. I consider 10...e6!? in the “Step
by Step” chapter.
11.dxe5
After 11.d5, Black should undermine
the centre with 11...c6 or prepare the break
with 11...Nd7 12.h4 Rc8.
11...Bxe5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8 13.0-0
13.Ne2 commonly transposes, but it is
good for White to keep the more active
option of Nd5.
13...Nc6 14.0-0 Bxb2 15.Rb1 Ne5
returns to the main game.
14...Nd4!? 15.Nxd4 Bxd4 16.b4 Be5
17.b5 Nf4 18.Rfd1 b6= occurred in
Jankovic-Naumann, Austria 2012. The
game soon finished in a draw.
14...Na5 is also possible, as 15.Bd5 c6
14.Ne2
The somewhat passive Black’s 13th
move, which did not target d4, allows
White to keep more tension with 14.Rc2!?
Bf4
14...Nb6 15.Bb3 c6 16.Ne2 Rd3 17.f4
Bc7 was seen in Epishin-Ftacnik, Bad
Zwesten 1999. White preserves a
space advantage after 18.Kg2 Rad8
19.Kf3².
15.Nd5 Bxe3 16.fxe3 c6 17.Nc3.
14...Bxb2!
White’s pieces are more coordinated,
but he is unable to gain dividends from
that.
15.Rb1 Ne5 16.Rxb2 Nxc4 17.Rxb7
Nxe3 18.fxe3 Rd2 19.Nc3 c6
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-+k+0 9-+-+-+-+0
9zpR+-+p+p0 9zp-tR-+pmkp0
9-+p+-+p+0 9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+n0 9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0 9-+-+P+-+0
9+-sN-zPP+-0 9+-+-+PmK-0
9P+-tr-+-zP0 9r+-+-+-zP0
9+-+-+RmK-0 9+-+-+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
The asymmetric kingside pawns
20.Rc7
facilitate White’s defence. Shift the
20.e5 Rd3 21.Nd1 Rad8 22.Nf2 Rxe3
e4-pawn to g2, and his task would have
23.Ng4 Re2 24.Nh6+ Kg7 25.Nxf7 Rdd2
been more difficult.
26.Nd6+ is a perpetual.
30...a5 31.Ra7 a4 32.e5!? Kf8 33.e6 fxe6
20...Rd3 21.Rxc6 Rxe3 22.Nd5 Ra3
34.Rxh7 a3 35.Ra7 Ra1 36.Kg2 Ke8
23.Rf2
37.Ra6 Ke7 38.h4 Kd7 39.Kh2 Ke7
At this point the game
40.Kg2 Kd7 41.Kh2 Kc7 42.Rxe6 Kb7
Janczarski-Nurkiewicz, Warsaw 2013,
43.Re3 ½-½
ended in a draw. This is a logical outcome,
but equal endgame still does not mean a 9. Del Rio de Angelis – Espinosa
draw. An important factor here is that Linares 10.08.2016
Zubov is about a hundred Elo points lower
rated than Timofeev and perhaps that 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d5
makes him rush to trade more pieces. 5.Bf4 0-0 6.Rc1 dxc4 7.e3 Be6 8.Ng5
Bd5XIIIIIIIIY
23...Re8 24.Nf6+?! 9rsn-wq-trk+0
Why voluntarily give a perfect 9zppzp-zppvlp0
centralised knight for the one at the edge 9-+-+-snp+0
of the board?!. Anything like 24.Kg2 or 9+-+l+-sN-0
24.Rc7 maintained the balance. The text 9-+pzP-vL-+0
suddenly gives Black considerable 9+-sN-zP-+-0
chances as his pawn structure is much 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
better. 9+-tRQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
24...Nxf6 25.Rxf6 Re5 26.Rc6 Kg7
26...Rg5 27.Kf1 h5!, intending ...h4-h3, 9.e4
was perhaps more testing. The latest top level game with 9.Nxd5
Nxd5 10.Bxc4 was Wang-Grischuk,
27.Rc7 Rea5 28.Kg2 Rxa2 29.Rxa2 blindfold, Beijing 2011. It went 10...Nxf4
Rxa2+ 30.Kg3 11.Qf3 e6 12.Qxf4 c5 13.dxc5 Qa5+
14.Ke2 Nd7 15.Rc2 Nxc5 16.Rhc1, when
16...b5! 17.Bb3 Nxb3 18.axb3 Rad8 is
slightly better for Black since he could
attack pawns on both flanks, for example,
19.Ne4 b4 20.Nf6?! Bxf6 21.Qxf6 Qh5 or
21...Qd5.
9...h6 10.exd5 hxg5 11.Bxg5 Nxd5
12.Bxc4 Nb6 13.Bb3 Nc6
13...Qxd4 14.Qxd4 Bxd4 15.Nb5 Bxb2
16.Rc2 Be5 17.f4! Bd6 18.Nxc7 Bxc7
19.Rxc7 e6! (19...Nc6 20.f5!?) is another
interesting line.
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+-trk+0
9zpptR-+p+-0
9-sn-+p+p+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+L+-+-+-0
9P+-+-+PzP0
9+-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black should be holding after 20.g4
Na6, but he would need accurate defence.
14.d5
14.Ne2 is passive. In G.Garcia-
Uhlmann, Cienfuegos 1973, White
managed to hold the draw after 14...Nxd4
I do not see much sense in inserting
14...a5 15.a4 Rc8 as recommended by
Avrukh in his book The Grünfeld
Defence. After 16.0-0 Nxd4 17.Nxd4
Qxd4 18.Bxe7, the position is a dead
draw. Or 14...Rc8 15.0-0 Nxd4
16.Nxd4 Qxd4 17.Qf3 e6 18.Qxb7
Nd5=, Lauber-Baramidze, Griesheim
2017.
15.Nxd4 Bxd4 16.0-0 c6 17.Qg4 Bxb2
18.Rcd1 Nd5 19.Rd3 Kg7 20.Bxd5 cxd5
21.Qb4 Bf6 22.Bxf6+.
14...Nd4 15.0-0 Qd7 16.Re1
16.Be3 Nxb3 17.Qxb3 Bxc3!? is
satisfactory for Black.
16.h4 looks more disturbing, but
16...Rfe8 17.h5? fails to 17...Qf5. Thus
White should transpose to the main game
with 17.Rfe1.
16...Rfe8 17.h4 Rad8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trr+k+0
9zppzpqzppvl-0
9-sn-+-+p+0
9+-+P+-vL-0
9-+-sn-+-zP0
9+LsN-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9+-tRQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
18.a4
The latest try.
18.h5 Qf5 is already less clear as White
has 19.hxg6 Qxg5 20.gxf7+ Kxf7 21.d6+
with compensation. On the other hand,
Black could slightly modify his idea with
18...gxh5! 19.Qxh5 Qf5 20.Bd1 Nxd5
21.Qh4 Nf6 22.Ne4 c6 23.Rc5 Ne2+
24.Bxe2 Qxe4³ to gain the upper hand in
Nguyen-Li, China 2010.
18...Nxb3 19.Qxb3 Bxc3!
19...c6 20.dxc6 bxc6 21.Qb4 gave
White an initiative in Dreev-Tari, Gjakova
2016.
The text equalizes, although Black
should have strong nerves to defend with a
naked king.
20.Rxc3
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trr+k+0 9r+l+-trk+0
9zppzpqzpp+-0 9zpp+nzppvlp0
9-sn-+-+p+0 9-+-+-+p+0
9+-+P+-vL-0 9+-zPP+-+-0
9P+-+-+-zP0 9-+-sN-vL-+0
9+QtR-+-+-0 9+-zP-zP-+-0
9-zP-+-zPP+0 9q+-+-zPPzP0
9+-+-tR-mK-0 9+-tRQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy

20...Qxa4? 12.c6
A critical point. I can understand 12.Qb3 Qxb3 13.Nxb3 was bad for
Black’s longing for an endgame, but his White in Swayams-Melkumyan, Riga
wrong decision should cost him a pawn. 2014 – 13...a5 14.c6 Nb6 15.e4 bxc6
20...Nxd5 was better and after 21.Rg3, 16.Bc7 Na4µ.
both 21...Kg7 22.h5 Qd6 and 21...Kh8!?
22.Bd2 Rg8 23.h5 gxh5 24.Qf3 Rxg3 His best chance is perhaps 12.Nb3 a5
25.Qxh5+ Kg8 26.fxg3 Nf6 should hold. 13.e4 Qb2 (13...a4 14.Nd2) 14.Bd2 a4
15.Rb1 Qa3 16.Nd4=.
21.Qxa4 Nxa4 22.Rxc7 f6 23.Bh6 Kf7
24.Rxb7 Rxd5 25.Bc1? 12...Nc5 13.Be2 Qxd5 14.Bf3 Qc4
Now Black escapes. 25.Be3! a6 26.Rc1 15.Be2 Qa2
XIIIIIIIIY
dominates the a4-knight and 26...Rb5 9r+l+-trk+0
27.Rxb5 axb5 does not help much – 28.b3 9zpp+-zppvlp0
Nb2 29.Rc5 b4 (29...Rb8 30.Rd5) 30.Kf1 9-+P+-+p+0
Nd1 31.Bd2 Ra8 32.Ke2±. 9+-sn-+-+-0
9-+-sN-vL-+0
25...a6 26.Ra7 Rb5 27.Re2 Nc5 28.Be3 9+-zP-zP-+-0
Na4 29.Bc1 Nc5 30.Be3 Na4 ½-½ 9q+-+LzPPzP0
9+-tRQmK-+R0
10. Simantsev – Shishkin
xiiiiiiiiy
Police 18.07.2013

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7
5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Ne4 8.Rc1 Nd7
9.cxd5 Qa5 10.Nd4 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qxa2
Of course, Black rejects the draw by
repetition of moves. His distant passed
pawn has great prospects and White
should find the only move to keep the
balance – 16.0-0! e5 17.Ra1 Qb2 18.Rb1
Qxc3 19.Nb5 Qa5 20.Bg5 .bxc6 21.Be7
cxb5 22.Rxb5 Qa4 23.Bxc5 Qxd1
24.Rxd1 Ba6 25.Bxf8 Bxb5 26.Bxb5 and
the ending is a draw – 26...Bxf8 27.Rd7 f5
28.Bc6 Rc8 29.Bd5+ Kh8 30.g4. Instead,
he hands the initiative to his opponent.
16.Bg5 e5 17.Be7 exd4 18.Bxc5 dxe3
19.0-0?
White surrenders without much fight.
19.Bxf8 exf2+ 20.Kxf2 Bxf8 21.Re1
Bc5+ 22.Kf1 bxc6 may look scary, but
at least he would have been an exchange
up. If we look a few more moves ahead,
the manoeuvre 23.Qd8+ Kg7 24.Qg5 Bf5
25.Qf4 Qe6 26.g4= would ensure a luft for
the king at g2 and sufficient counterplay.
19...Re8 20.cxb7 Bxb7 21.Bxe3 a5
22.Ra1 Qd5 23.Qxd5 Bxd5 24.Ra3 Rec8
25.Bd4 Bf8 26.Raa1 a4 27.Bf3 Bxf3
28.gxf3 a3 29.Rfb1 Rcb8 30.Kg2 Rxb1
31.Rxb1 Bg7 32.Bxg7 Kxg7 33.Kf1 Kf6
34.Ke2 a2 35.Ra1 Ke5 0-1
11. Wojtaszek – Nepomniachtchi
Wijk aan Zee 2017
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7
5.e3XIIIIIIIIY
0-0
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zppzp-zppvlp0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-vL-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
6.Rc1
Two decades ago 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Nxd5
Qxd5 8.Bxc7 was considered the most
principled retort to 5...0-0.
The point is that 8...Nc6, which
promises Black the better game in the
line with Nf3 instead of e3, is not so
effective as White has 9.Ne2 Bg4
10.f3.
8...Na6 practically regains the pawn
since 9.Bg3 Bf5 would be dangerous for
White. So he takes 9.Bxa6 Qxg2 10.Qf3
Qxf3 11.Nxf3 bxa6 12.Rc1 and hopes to
exploit the full control of the c-file.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zp-vL-zppvlp0
9p+-+-+p+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zP-zP0
9+-tR-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White had some initial success because
Black could not find the right place for his
light-squared bishop. If he put it on d7,
White would answer Kd2, and on ...Bb7
the retort is Ke2. In both cases White
preserved some pull. Then Black
discovered the clever waiting set-up:
12...f6! 13.Rg1 Rf7! and the current
verdict is that the chances are completely
even. Black obtains enough counterplay
with ...e5:
14.Ke2 Bd7
14...e5!? 15.dxe5 Bd7 16.exf6 Bxf6„
may be a simpler solution.
15.d5 e5=.
Here are a couple of recent examples
where White tried the new idea 13.b3 –
13...Rf7 14.Rg1 Bb7 15.Ke2 Bf8
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-vlk+0 better than two minor pieces, but the d3-
9zplvL-zpr+p0 and d4-square are very weak and Black’s
9p+-+-zpp+0 pieces will use them to invade the enemy
9+-+-+-+-0 camp.
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+P+-zPN+-0 7.c5XIIIIIIIIY
c6 8.Bd3
9P+-+KzP-zP0 9rsn-wq-trk+0
9+-tR-+-tR-0 9zpp+-zppvlp0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+p+lsnp+0
9+-zPp+-+-0
16.Ba5 e6 17.Nd2 Re8 18.h4 e5 19.h5 9-+-zP-vL-+0
exd4 20.hxg6 hxg6 21.Rxg6+ Kh7=, Li 9+-sNLzP-+-0
Chao-Giri, Stavanger 2016; 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQmK-sNR0
16.Nd2 e6 17.Bg3 Rd8 18.Nc4 Rd5 xiiiiiiiiy
19.f3 Rfd7 20.Rgd1 e5 21.e4 Rxd4
22.Rxd4 exd4 23.Na5 d3+ 24.Kd1 Bb4 8...Bc8!
25.Nxb7 Rxb7 26.Rc6 a5 27.Rxf6 a4 I do not see any reason to provoke f3
28.Rc6 axb3 29.axb3 Kf7 30.Rc4=, Lysyj- with 8...Bg4 9.f3 (9.Nge2 Bxe2 10.Bxe2
Dominguez Perez, Sochi 2016. Nbd7=) 9...Bc8 10.Nge2 Nbd7 11.b4 e5
12.Bg5 exd4 13.exd4 Re8 14.0-0.
6...Be6!
White misses the option of Ng5. This 9.Bg3
is the drawback of 5.e3. The only attempt 9.Bg5 does not hamper Black’s
to punish Black is 7.Qb3 c5 8.Qxb7, but counterplay – 9...h6 10.Bh4 b6 11.b4 a5
8...Qb6! 9.Qxb6 axb6 has turns out to be 12.b5 (12.a3 axb4 13.axb4 Na6) 12...bxc5
pleasant for Black! 13.dxc5 Nfd7 14.Na4 cxb5 15.Bxb5 Ba6
XIIIIIIIIY 16.Be2 Qc8ƒ.
9rsn-+-trk+0
9+-+-zppvlp0 9.Nf3 allows 9...Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3
9-zp-+lsnp+0 11.Qxf3 Nbd7 12.0-0 Re8 followed up by
9+-zpp+-+-0 ...e5. In principle, Black should be glad to
9-+PzP-vL-+0 trade his light-squared bishop, even at the
9+-sN-zP-+-0 cost of shuttling along the c8-h3 diagonal.
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mKLsNR0 9...b6 10.b4 Nh5 11.Bh4 a5
xiiiiiiiiy
10.Nf3 dxc4 11.dxc5 (11.Ng5 cxd4
12.exd4 Bd5) 11...bxc5 12.Ng5 Bd5 13.e4
(13.Rd1 e6) 13...Bb7 14.Bxc4 (14.f3
Ba6µ) 14...h6 15.Nxf7 Rxf7 16.f3 Ba6³,
Li Bo-Xu Minghui Shijiazhuang 2016. As
a rule, a rook and two pawns should be
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0 12...axb4 13.Na4 Nd7 14.Rxc6 Bb7
9+-+-zppvlp0 15.Rc1 Bf6
9-zpp+-+p+0 This is not a mistake, of course, but
9zp-zPp+-+n0 Black could have offered the e7-pawn –
9-zP-zP-+-vL0 15...Nxb6!? 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Bxe7 Rfe8
9+-sNLzP-+-0 18.Bc5 Qa5 19.Kf1 Nf6 with tangible
9P+-+-zPPzP0 threats. After the text, the game sets course
9+-tRQmK-sNR0 to a peaceful end.
xiiiiiiiiy
16.Bxf6 Nhxf6 17.Nf3 Nxb6 18.Nc5
12.cxb6 Bc8 19.Qb3 Nbd7 20.0-0 Qa5 21.Rc2
White cannot preserve his space Nxc5 22.Rxc5 Qxa2 23.Qxb4 Ra4
advantage since 12.a3 axb4 13.axb4 Na6 24.Qb1 Ba6 25.Qxa2 Rxa2 26.Bxa6
14.Rb1? drops the c5-pawn. White’s lag in Rxa6 27.Rc7 e6 28.Ne5 Ne4 29.Rfc1 Ra2
development left the c3-knight hanging. 30.f3 Nd6 31.R1c2 Rxc2 ½-½
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
Chapter 4. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 9zppzp-+pzpp0
3.e3 e6 with ...b6 9-+-vlpsn-+0
Main Ideas 9+-+p+-+-0
In this chapter I will offer you a simple
9-+-zP-vL-+0
and straightforward way to combat the
9+-+-zP-+-0
London System by a hybrid between the
9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
Queen’s Gambit and the Queen’s Indian.
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
Its main pluses are:
xiiiiiiiiy
Our first goal is to make White define
• It is very reliable for Black;
• It is easy to learn; the place of his bishop at once. That is
• It is practically unexplored so important since if he does not retreat it to
your opponents would not find g3, we take on f4 and aim to trade the other
models to follow; bishopvia a6. In this scenario we need our
• It is psychologically unpleasant knight on b8 in order to support ...Ba6:
for White since his main plan of 5.Ngf3 Bxf4 6.exf4 b6 7.Bd3 c5 (or
pushing e4 does not work. 7...0-0 8.Qe2 a5) 8.c3 0-0 9.0-0 Ba6=.
XIIIIIIIIY
We start with: 9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zp-+-+pzpp0
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nd2 Bd6! 9lzp-+psn-+0
White’s move order does not bother us – 9+-zpp+-+-0
we play the same against 4.Nf3. 9-+-zP-zP-+0
9+-zPL+N+-0
Depending on your repertoire against
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
1.d4, you could also choose 1.d4 e6 2.Nf3
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
d5 3.Bf4 Bd6 4.Bg3 Nf6 or move orders xiiiiiiiiy
with 1...Nf6, 2...e6.
Remember that such an early exchange
I consider the early Nf3 as a of our light-squared bishop is commonly
concession from the first player as we can not very good because White could use the
no longer fear a number of unpleasant set- temporary misplacement of our knight by
ups where White plays Nh3 or f4 before opening the centre. In our case we do not
Nf3. Sometimes he just has more useful fear it since the e3-pawn has moved to f4,
moves than Nf3, e.g. he could build a depriving White of the break e3-e4. See
Qb1-Bd3 battery towards our king. Game 12 Baron-Rodshtein, Biel 2016.

5.Bg3 0-0 6.Bd3 b6

The point of our set-up. We are going to
play ...Bb7 and stop e4 even by means of
...Ne4, ...f5, if needed.

Note that we could play ...b6 on the

previous turn and in most cases play
would transpose. Here are the pros and
cons of that particular move order:
After 5...b6, the only important
independent line is 6.Bb5+ c6 7.Bd3 Bb7
8.Ngf3 c5 which leads to positions from
the next chapter.
The only minor drawback of 5...0-0
6.Bd3 b6 is that White could play 7.e4
dxe4 8.Nxe4 Bb7 9.Qe2 Nxe4 10.Bxe4
Bxe4 11.Qxe4 Nd7 which is equal, but
easier to play with both sides than the main
lines of the London System.
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zp-zp-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+LzP-vL-0
9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has the following sensible plans
from here:
White insist on e4
This is possible only after the move
order with 4.Nd2 when White can make
use of the delay of Ngf3:
5...b6 6.Bd3 Bb7 7.Qe2. However, e4 is
not such of a threat as long as we have
our bishop on b7 – we can ignore it with
7...0-0 and meet 8.e4 by trading
everything on that square. Besides, the
stubborn 7...Ne4 is also possible.
In the diagram position White has 7.e4
directly, but as I mentioned above, it does
not bring White any advantage.
White plays Ne5
Less experienced players like this leap
very much since they hope to win with
a quick kingside attack based on f4, Qf3
and probably g2-g4-g5. Our set-up works
very well against it, as we have ...Ne4,
followed up by ...f6:
7.Ngf3 Bb7 8.Ne5 Ne4 (8...Nbd7!? is a
more subtle retort) 9.Qh5 (the only
sensible try against the threat ...f6)
9...Nd7!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zplzpn+pzpp0
9-zp-vlp+-+0
9+-+psN-+Q0
9-+-zPn+-+0
9+-+LzP-vL-0
9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This is White’s most aggressive
approach, but it also gives us excellent
counterplay. 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.Nxd7
Qxd7 and 10.0-0-0 f5 are clearly not what
White had hoped for, so 10.f3 remains the
only way to pour some oil into the fire.
10...Ndf6 11.Qh3 Nxd2 12.Kxd2 g6. I
think that after ...c5 White’s king will soon
begin to feel rather exposed in the centre.
White could also wait for us to push
...f5, and only then play Ne5:
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zplzp-+-zpp0
9-zp-vlp+-+0
9+-+psNp+-0
9-+-zPn+-+0
9+-zPLzP-vL-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Indeed, we do not have ...f6 anymore,
but the white queen is clearly misplaced
on c2. Without an active support from the
queen, the knight on e5 is just a cause of
concern for White. We play 10...c5! when
11.0-0-0 would stumble into 11...cxd4
12.exd4 Bxe5!³. Remains 11.f3 Nxd2
12.Qxd2 Nc6=, winning the battle for e5.
White plays on the queenside
7.Ngf3 Bb7 8.c3 Ne4 9.Qc2 f5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zplzp-+-zpp0
9-zp-vlp+-+0
9+-+p+p+-0
9-+-zPn+-+0
9+-zPLzPNvL-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position is the main goal of our
plan with the early ...b6. However, note
that we play ...f5 only after White’s knight
has landed on f3. Otherwise Nh3! would
take control of f4 while leaving the option
of f2-f3 open. White can now switch to
10.c4 Nd7 11.0-0, but he gets a really
harmless version of the Stonewall. Almost
all of his pieces are passive and we have
decent chances on the kingside after
11...Nxg3! 12.hxg3, see Game 13 Van
Foreest-Jakubowski, Berlin 2017.
Plan with a2-a4-a5
It was practically never tried in this
setting, but I thought I should mention it.
Let’s consider 6.c3 b6 7.a4 Bb7 8.a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zplzp-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9zP-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-vL-0
9-zP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
We have achieved our goal of
preventing e3-e4. White does not have any
threats on the kingside either, so we can
take a course towards taking over the
initiative with 8...c5! 9.Bd3 Qc7, followed
by ...Nbd7.
Positional decisions
White could take on d6 at any moment.
Perhaps both recaptures ...Qxd6 and
...cxd6 are equally good, but I prefer to
take by queen inorder to preserve a more
fluid pawn structure.
When to build a Stonewall
construction? It is rather passive, so I
would resort to it only when I see strong
indications in its favour, for instance, to
stop White’s battery Qc2, Bd3. I would
definitely refrain from it when the white
knight is on g1, in order to avoid:
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0 9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zplzp-+-zpp0 9zplzp-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlp+-+0 9-zp-vlp+-+0
9zP-+p+p+-0 9+-+psN-+-0
9-+-zPn+-+0 9-+-zPn+-+0
9+-zPLzP-vL-0 9+-+LzP-vL-0
9-zP-sN-zPPzP0 9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-sNR0 9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
10.Nh3! with a positional edge. 9.Qh5, when he ignores the best option
9...Nd7!.

As a whole, the early fianchetto is

Theoretical status uncharted territory. It deserves serious
Only Sedlak mentions briefly the plan attention.
with ...b6, Bb7, giving the game Heberla-
Pinkas, Katowice 2015:
 isolator – 5.Nc3
Chapter 4. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6
3.e3 e6 with ...b6 5.dxc5 Bxc5 6.Nc3 leads to a popular
Step by Step position from the 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
3.Nc3 Be7 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.e3 c5 6.dxc5
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 Bxc5 variation, with a clear tempo up
I analyse in detail the Jobava Attack for Black.
3.Nc3 e6 in Game 14 Sheng – So, rapid,
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bb4
chess.com 2017. The other good answer,
XIIIIIIIIY
3...g6, is covered in Chapter 2. Another
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
version of it – 1.d4.d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.Nc3, is
9zpp+-+pzpp0
considered in Chapter 6.
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
3...e6
9-vlPzP-vL-+0
3...c5 4.Nc3, 4.c3 – see Chapter 6.
9+-sN-+-+-0
XIIIIIIIIY 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 9tR-+QmKLsNR0
9zppzp-+pzpp0 xiiiiiiiiy
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0 7.Nf3
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0 The greedy 7.Bxb8?! Bxc3+ 8.bxc3
9PzPP+-zPPzP0 Rxb8 9.Qa4+ Bd7 10.Qxa7?! brings
9tRN+QmKLsNR0 White to the edge of losing after
xiiiiiiiiy 10...0-0 11.Nf3 dxc4 12.Bxc4 Bc6.
7.a3?! hands Black the initiative after
4.Nd2
7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Qa5 9.Nf3 0-0!
4.c4 does not fit in with the concept of
10.Rc1 Bd7.
the London System. That does not mean it
is a bad move and we should be ready to 7...0-0 8.Bd3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Nd5 10.Bd2
face it. Nc6 11.a3 Be7=. Black has won the battle
for the tempo, Vitiugov-Zvjaginsev, rapid,
4...Bd6 5.Bxd6 Qxd6 6.Nc3 0-0 is St Petersburg 2014.
certainly possible, but it would leave
us with little chances of showing 4.Bd3 Bd6 5.Bxd6
activity.
5.Bg3 c5 or 5...0-0 transpose. Instead,
4...Bb4+ is a more exploitative attempt 5...Ne4? drops a pawn owing to
since the f4-bishop can neither protect 6.Bxe4 dxe4 7.Qg4.
the a5-e1 diagonal nor is it pinning the
f6-knight. Still, 5.Nd2 keeps things 5...Qxd6 6.Nd2 0-0 7.f4 is senseless,
under control. In my opinion, the most as after 7...c5 8.c3 cxd4 White has to
challenging retort is: recapture 9.cxd4 when 9...b6 is pleasant
for Black.
4...c5, aiming at playing against an
 4.Nf3 Bd6 5.Bg3 should transpose to is harmless owing to 10...Bxf4 11.exf4
the main line after 5...0-0. e5 12.fxe5 Qxe5+ 13.Qe2 Qb8!?
14.0-0 Re8 15.Qc2 Ng4 16.g3 Ne5,
Many adepts of the London System when 17.Be2 runs into 17...Bf5.
prefer to avoid the Stonewall set-up:
Giri chose against Hou in Wijk aan
5...Ne4, planing to meet Nbd2 and
Zee 2016:
Bd3 by ...f5. I do not believe that
wasting a tempo on move 5 could be 8.Nd2 Qc7 9.Ndf3 b6 10.Nxc6
the best option. White has at least two
promising options: 10.Bg3 Ne7 11.Qb1 Nf5 is fine for
XIIIIIIIIY Black.
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0 10.h4!? Bb7 11.h5 cxd4 12.exd4 Ne4
9-+-vlp+-+0 13.Bh2 f6∞.
9+-+p+-+-0 10...Qxc6 11.Ne5 Qc7 12.Qf3 Ne4!
9-+-zPn+-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
9+-+-zPNvL-0 9r+l+-trk+0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9zp-wq-+pzpp0
9tRN+QmKL+R0 9-zp-vlp+-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zPnvL-+0
a) 6.Bxd6 Nxd6 7.Nbd2 b6 8.c4 Bb7 9+-zPLzPQ+-0
9.cxd5; 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
b) 6.c4!? Nxg3 7.hxg3 c6 8.g4!?ƒ,
xiiiiiiiiy
Vazquez-Candela, Madrid 2013.
Finally, 4.Nf3 Bd6 5.Ne5 is an attempt 13.Nc4?! Bxf4 14.Qxf4 Qxf4 15.exf4
to save a tempo on Bg3. However, White Ba6 16.Bxe4 dxe4µ, and miraculously
lacks the option of f4 in this line. A solid saved a difficult game.
retort is 5...0-0 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3 Nc6
(Another consistent plan is 7...b6 8.Nd2 4...Bd6
Ba6.) It is good to make White define his
XIIIIIIIIY intentions about the f4-bishop first. After
9r+lwq-trk+0 4...c5, we should also worry about 5.Bd3
9zpp+-+pzpp0 Nc6 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bxd6 Qxd6 8.f4, as in
9-+nvlpsn-+0 Kramnik-Grandelius, Stavanger 2016.
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 5.Bg3
9+-zPLzP-+-0 5.Bxd6 is best met by 5...Qxd6.
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmK-+R0 The engines will tell you that 5...cxd6
xiiiiiiiiy is completely equal. That may be true
after 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.c3 0-0 8.Ne2 e5
9.0-0 Re8=, but we lack any active
Now 8.Qf3 Qc7 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.dxc5
plan.
 6.f4 from the next chapter so you would need
more preparation. Play continues:
6.Ngf3 looks totally harmless. We
have a wide range of possible plans. 6...c6
Simplest is to play for ...e5 with 6...0-0
7.Bd3 Nbd7. 6...Nbd7?! 7.Bc6 Rb8 8.c4 earned
XIIIIIIIIY White space in Stefanova-Rudolf,
9rsnl+k+-tr0 Mamaia 2016.
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-wqpsn-+0 7.Bd3 Bb7
9+-+p+-+-0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-zP-zP-+0 9rsn-wqk+-tr0
9+-+-zP-+-0 9zpl+-+pzpp0
9PzPPsN-+PzP0 9-zppvlpsn-+0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0 9+-+p+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+LzP-vL-0
White has built a Stonewall formation 9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
with two details in his favour – he has 9tR-+QmK-sNR0
traded his bad bishop, and he has not xiiiiiiiiy
committed his king to the kingside. In
order to insure myself against long 8.Ngf3
castling, I would play 6...Qb6! 7.Rb1 c5
Or 8.Qe2 c5 9.c3 Nc6 (9...0-0 10.e4!?)
8.c3 Bd7 9.Bd3 Bb5 with nice prospects
10.Ngf3 0-0;
for a minority pawn attack on the
queenside. Our queen’s knight could help 8.c3 0-0;
the defence from e7.
8.e4? dxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 f5!.
5.Ngf3 Bxf4 6.exf4 is not without 8...c5 9.c3 0-0.
venom. It is true that e3-e4 is no longer
a threat, but Black may experience lasting If you still prefer 5...b6, here are more
problems with his remaining bad bishop. White options on move 6:
I think that its exchange should be our
primary goal, so we go 6...b6 7.Bd3 c5 (or 6.Ngf3 0-0 7.Bd3 Bb7 transposes.
7...0-0 8.Qe2 a5) 8.c3 0-0 9.0-0 Ba6=. See
6.Bd3 Bb7 7.Qe2 nurtures the idea of
Game 12 Baron-Rodshtein, Biel 2016.
pushing e3-e4-e5 when Black would lack
5.c3 Bxf4 is similar to the above line. ...Nh5, e.g. 7...c5 8.c3 0-0 9.e4 Be7
10.e5∞.
5...0-0
This move order aims to avoid the check
from b5:

5...b6!? 6.Bb5+. It is not really

dangerous, but transposes to positions
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wqk+-tr0
9zplzp-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+LzP-vL-0
9PzPPsNQzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is easily parried with 7...Ne4, when
8.Bxe4 dxe4 9.0-0-0 is harmless owing
to 9...Qe7, preparing long castling, e.g.
10.Kb1 10...f5 11.f3 Nd7 or 10.f3 exf3
11.gxf3 Nd7.
However, White could answer 8.c3
with complex play. For instance:
8...Nxd2 9.Qxd2 c5 10.Bxd6 Qxd6
11.f4, or 8...Nd7 9.0-0-0.
The simplest solution is:
7...0-0 as 8.e4 is not such of a threat
– 8...dxe4 9.Nxe4 Nxe4 10.Bxe4 Bxe4
11.Qxe4 Nd7 12.Nf3 Nf6 13.Qe2 c5
14.0-0-0 Qc7 looks fine for Black.
6.c4 is certainly inconsistent with the
knight already committed to d2. Black can
play in the centre with 6...0-0 7.Ngf3 c5 or
7...Bb7 8.Rc1 c5.
White could also try to postpone Ngf3
with 6.c3!? Bb7 7.Bd3 0-0
7...Ne4!? considerably restricts
White’s choice, when 8.Nxe4 dxe4
9.Qa4+ Nd7 10.Ba6 Bxa6 11.Qxa6
leaves White with a slightly more
flexible pawn structure, although the
evaluation remains equal.
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zplzp-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zPLzP-vL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
a) 8.a4 c5
I recommend to avoid the Stonewall
set-up 8...Ne4 9.a5 f5 while the white
knight remains on g1 in view of the
possibility of 10.Nh3!. The f3-square
remains free for the pawn or for the
other knight.
9.Ngf3 Nc6 10.0-0 Bxg3 11.hxg3
occurred in Sergeev-Ovsejevitsch,
Zalakaros 2010. The game went 11...Qe7
12.Re1 e5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Qxe5
15.a5 h6 ½-½. While the plan with ...e5
does equalize, it should be the last resort
for Black if he wants to play for a win. It is
better to choose a waiting game first, e.g.
...h6, ...Rfc8, ...Rfb8.
b) 8.Qb1 is a known idea in positions
with ...c5. White is eyeing h7 while
supporting b4. It also denies ...Ne4. The
best retort is 8...c5 9.Ngf3 Nc6 10.Ne5,
when the typical manoeuvre ...Ne7,
preparing ...f6, should assure Black of
even chances. See Game 16 Skoberne-
Halkias, Baku 2016, of the next chapter.
6.Bd3
6.Ngf3 b6 7.Ne5 (7.c3 Bb7 8.Bd3 is
line B.) 7...Bb7 8.Bd3 is line A.
6...b6 7.Ngf3
7.e4 dxe4 8.Nxe4 Bb7 9.Qe2 Nxe4
10.Bxe4 Bxe4 11.Qxe4 Nd7=.
 XIIIIIIIIY
7.Qe2 Bb7 8.Bh4 (8.Ngf3 is the main 9r+-wq-trk+0
line) is harmless. Black could play in the 9zplzpn+pzpp0
spirit of this chapter, without ...c5: 9-zp-vlp+-+0
8...Nc6!? 9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zPn+-+0
8...c5 9.c3 Nbd7 is quite good, too. 9+-+LzPNvL-0
9.c3 e5 10.Qd1, when the manoeuvre 9PzPPsNQzPPzP0
10...Qe7 11.Ne2 Qe6 unpins the knight. 9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7...Bb7
XIIIIIIIIY
10.Ne5 Bxe5 11.dxe5 Nec5 12.h4
9rsn-wq-trk+0
Nxd3+ 13.cxd3 c5 14.h5 b5 15.Kb1 c4ƒ.
9zplzp-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0 A. 8.Ne5 Ne4
9+-+LzPNvL-0 This is our main idea, but 8...Nbd7!?
9PzPPsN-zPPzP0 is more safe and could be the best
9tR-+QmK-+R0 continuation. The obvious plus of this
xiiiiiiiiy move is that it does not allow Qh5. White
on his turn can deny us ...Ne4 with:
A. 8.Ne5; B. 8.c3
a) 9.Qf3, but then he will be unable to
8.0-0 is a solid move, but it is too
bolster the e5-knight with f4. We start the
modest to set us problems. We can follow
battle for e5 – 9...c5 10.c3 Qc7 11.Nxd7
our main scheme with 8...Ne4 9.Bxd6
Qxd7 12.Bh4 Ne8 13.Qh3
Qxd6 10.c4 c5 11.Rc1 Nxd2 12.Qxd2
Nd7 13.Rfd1 cxd4 14.Nxd4 Ne5.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+ntrk+0
If you wish to avoid positions with a 9zpl+q+pzpp0
bishop vs a knight, you could consider 9-zp-vlp+-+0
8...Bxg3 (this exchange is always an 9+-zpp+-+-0
option after White has castled short) 9-+-zP-+-vL0
9.hxg3 Nbd7 10.Re1 (10.Ne5 Nxe5
9+-zPLzP-+Q0
11.dxe5 Ne4) 10...c5 11.c3 Qe7=.
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
8.Qe2 is thematic against schemes with xiiiiiiiiy
an early ...c5, but here it is quite
13...g6
questionable, as we simply stop e3-e4 by
8...Ne4!? (8...c5 9.c3 Nc6 is line A13 of Keeping the tension in the centre. The
the next chapter.) 9.0-0-0 Nd7 (9...c5!?) flank approach is also possible –
13...f5 14.0-0 Nf6 15.Bg3 c4 16.Bc2
b5 17.Nf3 b4 18.Ne5 Qe7=.
14.0-0 f6 15.Bg3 Rd8 16.Rfe1 Bxg3
 XIIIIIIIIY
17.Qxg3 Nd6 18.Rad1 Qe7 9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-+-zpp0
Black maintains a firm grip on e4, 9-zpnvlpzp-+0
while his threat ...e5 is real, e.g. 19.a3 9+-zpp+-+-0
e5. 19.f4 does not prevent it due to 9-+-zP-+N+0
19...Rfe8. Black controls the course of 9+-zPLzPPvL-0
the game so he could choose the best 9PzP-wQ-+PzP0
timing for ...e5. Perhaps the best White 9tR-+-mK-+R0
could do is to open the centre with: xiiiiiiiiy
19.c4 Ba6 20.Bf1 Nxc4 21.Nxc4 dxc4
Black has more space, but he lacks
22.Qf3 with counterplay.
targets – 13.Bxd6 (13.Bb5 Ne7)
b) Another consistent move is 9.f4 c5 13...Qxd6 14.0-0 f5 15.Nf2 e5=.
10.c3 Ne4 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.Bb5 Now
9...Nd7!
simplest is to kill the strong knight:
Finally Black completes development
XIIIIIIIIY
and obtains a good game. Heberla-Pinkas,
9r+-wq-trk+0
Katowice 2015, saw 9...f5?! 10.Nxe4 fxe4
9zpl+n+pzpp0
11.Bb5!. Although Black could still hold
9-zp-vlp+-+0
9+Lzp-sN-+-0 with 11...Ba6!, White’s pieces remain
9-+-zPpzP-+0 slightly more active and he could play for
9+-zP-zP-vL-0 the break f2-f3. Instead, Pinkas completely
9PzP-+-+PzP0 forgot about development – 11...c6?!
9tR-+QmK-+R0 12.Be2 c5? 13.Bg4 Qe8 14.Qh3 Bc8,
xiiiiiiiiy when 15.Nc4!± would have nailed him
down at once.
12...Nxe5 13.fxe5 Be7 14.0-0 a6 XIIIIIIIIY
15.Ba4 Rc8 16.Bc2 b5 17.a3 a5 18.Qg4 9r+-wq-trk+0
Bg5÷, but 12...Nf6 13.Bh4 cxd4 is also 9zplzpn+pzpp0
possible. After 14.exd4 (14.exd4 a6=) 9-zp-vlp+-+0
14...a6 15.Ba4, we could play 15...Kh8, 9+-+psN-+Q0
planning to take ...gxf6. The imbalances in 9-+-zPn+-+0
the position should give us fair chances to 9+-+LzP-vL-0
play for a win. 9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
9.Qh5 xiiiiiiiiy
It would be senseless to support the
e5-knight with 9.f4, as 9...f6 would repel A1. 10.f3; A2. 10.0-0-0; A3. 10.Nxe4
it anyway – 10.Ng4 c5 11.c3 Qe8³
A1. 10.f3 Ndf6
(11...Nxd2 12.Qxd2 Nc6³).
10...g6!? 11.Qh6 Nec5! 12.Be2 Nxe5
9.f3 is more to the point and play is 13.dxe5 Be7 14.h4
roughly equal after 9...Nxd2 10.Qxd2 c5
11.c3 f6 12.Ng4 Nc6
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0 to find. For example, 18.Bg3 Ba6! 19.Bc2
9zplzp-vlp+p0 Ne8! 20.g5 (20.Qh6 a4 21.a3 f6) 20...cxd4
9-zp-+p+pwQ0 21.exd4 b5.
9+-snpzP-+-0
9-+-+-+-zP0 Perhaps White should play for a draw
9+-+-zPPvL-0 with:
9PzPPsNL+P+0
9tR-+-mK-+R0 18.Bb5! cxd4
xiiiiiiiiy Black could try 18...Rfc8!? 19.Bf6
(19.Nd7 Ne8) 19...cxd4 20.exd4 a4
is less complicated, but it is also less 21.Qh6 Bf8 22.Nd7 Nh5
demanding from White. XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-vlk+0
Black’s defence is based on the idea of 9+lwqN+p+p0
meeting h5 by ...g5 – 14...f6 15.0-0-0 Rf7 9-zp-+pvLpwQ0
16.e4 fxe5 17.Bxe5 Bf6 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 9+L+p+-+n0
19.h5 g5=. 9p+-zP-+P+0
9+-zP-+P+-0
Or 14...f5 15.Nb3 Nxb3 16.axb3 Qd7 9PzP-+-+-zP0
(16...Rf7 17.Bf4 a5!?) 17.Bf4 Rf7 18.Rh3 9+-mKR+-+R0
Kh8 19.h5 Bf8 20.Qg5 Be7=. xiiiiiiiiy
11.Qh3 Nxd2 12.Kxd2 g6 23.Qxh5!! Bc6!=, when it is White’s
A sharp position with imminent turn to defend accurately – 24.Bxc6 Qxc6
opposite attacks has arisen. White will 25.Ne5 Qb5 26.Nxg6! (or ...a3 would be
complete an artificial castling after: nasty) 26...fxg6 27.Qe5 Rc6 28.Kb1 Qc4
29.Rhe1 a3 30.Qe2=.
13.Rad1 c5 14.c3 Nh5 15.Kc1
Now Black should aim to activate his 19.Nd7 dxc3 20.Nf6+ Kh8 21.Nxh7
passive bishop: cxb2+ 22.Kxb2 Be5+ 23.Rd4 Bxd4+
24.exd4 Rac8 25.Bf6 Qc2+ 26.Ka1
15...a5 16.Bh4 Qc7 17.g4 Ng7
XIIIIIIIIY Qc3+ with a perpetual check.
9r+-+-trk+0
9+lwq-+psnp0
9-zp-vlp+p+0 A2. 10.0-0-0 f5 11.Nxe4 fxe4 12.Be2 Rf5
9zp-zppsN-+-0 13.Qh3
9-+-zP-+PvL0
9+-zPLzPP+Q0
9PzP-+-+-zP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is unclear whose attack is more
dangerous, but Black’s moves look easier
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-+k+0 9r+-+-trk+0
9zplzpn+-zpp0 9+-zp-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlp+-+0 9-+qvlp+-+0
9+-+psNr+-0 9zpp+-+-+Q0
9-+-zPp+-+0 9-+-zPp+-+0
9+-+-zP-vLQ0 9+-zP-zP-vL-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+-+R0 9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Black is more active, but the position
13...Bxe5
remains equal since White has no
13...Nxe5 14.dxe5 Bxe5 15.Bg4 Qf6
weaknesses – 16.Rfc1 Rfb8 17.b3 a4=.
16.c3 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Qxc3+ is only a draw.

14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.f4! exf3 16.gxf3 Nxf3

17.Bd3 d4
B. 8.c3 Ne4 9.Qc2
17...Qe8 is also noteworthy – 18.Bxf5
9.Qe2 is commonly met by 9...Nbd7
(although 9...c5 and 9...a5 also deserve
18.Bxc7 Ng5 19.Qg3 Ne4 20.Bxe4
attention). Play might continue 10.0-0-0
dxe4 21.Be5 Qf7 22.h4 Rf3 23.Qg2
Rf5 24.Qg3=.
Weaker is 10.Ne5 Bxe5.
18...exf5 19.Qxf5 Qxe3+ 20.Kb1 d4=.
In Yermolinsky-Luther, Tekirdag 2016,
Black showed a fresh plan against
18.Bxf5 exf5 19.Qxf5 Qe7 20.exd4
10.0-0: 10...Nxg3 11.hxg3 Re8!?
Nxd4 21.Rxd4 Bxh1 22.Qe5=
12.Ba6 Qc8 13.Bxb7 Qxb7, with ...e5
to follow.
A3. 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 10...Qe7 11.Bh4 (11.Ne5 Bxe5=)
12.Bb5 11...Qe8.
12.Bc4 Bd5 13.Bxd5 exd5 14.Bxd6
Qxd6 is equal, but we could also try 9...f5
XIIIIIIIIY
12...g6, followed by ...f5. 9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zplzp-+-zpp0
12...Bc6 13.Bxc6 Qxc6 14.c3 b5 15.0-0 9-zp-vlp+-+0
a5 9+-+p+p+-0
9-+-zPn+-+0
9+-zPLzPNvL-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position is the main goal of our
plan with the early ...b6. Remember that
the white knight should be already on f3,
to avoid possible Nh3.
10.c4
This is more accurate than 10.0-0, when
Black could already take the bishop –
10...Nxg3 11.hxg3 Nd7.
10.Ne5 is well met by 10...c5, waiting
for White to define his plans. We want to
see where he is going to castle and whether
he will play f3.
10...Nd7 11.Ndf3 (11.Nxd7 Qxd7
12.Bf4=) is a bit easier for White. For
instance:
11...Nxg3 12.hxg3 Bxe5 13.Nxe5
Nxe5 14.dxe5 d4 15.exd4 Bxg2
16.Rh2 Bf3 17.Be2 Bxe2 18.Qxe2 h6
19.f4;
11...Ndf6 12.Bf4 (12.Bh4 Qe8)
12...Nh5 (12...c5 13.h4) 13.0-0 c5
14.Be2 a6 15.a4 Qc7.
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-+-zpp0
9-zp-vlp+-+0
9+-zppsNp+-0
9-+-zPn+-+0
9+-zPLzP-vL-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.f3
If White tries to follow the previous
example with 11.Ndf3, we can answer
11...Qe7 12.Qe2 Bc6 (12...a5!?)
13.Bf4 Be8.
11.Bxe4?! fxe4 12.0-0-0 is simply bad
owing to 12...cxd4 13.exd4 Bxe5
14.dxe5 Qg5 15.Kb1 Ba6 16.Ka1 Bd3
17.Qc1 Nd7µ.
11.Nxe4 fxe4 12.Be2 Nc6 is balanced
– 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.0-0
e5=.
11...Nxd2
The engines assess that Black has
more space, so they prefer to keep
more pieces – 11...Nf6!? 12.0-0 Qc7.
It is up to you to decide, according to
your mind frame for the game.
12.Qxd2 Nc6=.
10...Nd7 11.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zplzpn+-zpp0
9-zp-vlp+-+0
9+-+p+p+-0
9-+PzPn+-+0
9+-+LzPNvL-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has achieved his positional goals.
He prevented the break e4 and long
castling. Now he can safely take on g3 as
he does not fear an open h-file. On the
contrary, he might use it in his favour. The
engines like 11...Bxg3 12.hxg3 c5 13.cxd5
exd5 14.Bb5 Ndf6, but they tend to
overestimate the importance of the
e4-forepost.
Human grandmasters would prefer to
keep the dark-squared bishop and part
with the knight: 11...Nxg3! 12.hxg3, see
Game 13 Van Foreest-Jakubowski, Berlin
2017.
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
Chapter 4. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 9+-zp-+pzpp0
3.e3 e6 with ...b6 9lzp-+psn-+0
Annotated Games 9zp-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-+0
12. Baron – Rodshtein 9+-+L+N+-0
Biel 02.08.2016 9PzPPsNQzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bd6
xiiiiiiiiy
5.Nbd2 Bxf4 6.exf4 b6 7.Bd3
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0 This position occurred in Prohaszka-
9zp-zp-+pzpp0 S.Zhigalko, Gjakova 2016. The game
9-zp-+psn-+0 finished with a quick draw after 10.Rfe1
9+-+p+-+-0 a4 11.Ne5 Bxd3 12.Qxd3 c5 13.f5 exf5
9-+-zP-zP-+0 14.Qxf5 a3 15.bxa3 Rxa3 16.dxc5 bxc5
9+-+L+N+-0 17.c4 d4 18.Nb3 Qc8 19.Qg5 h6 20.Qc1
9PzPPsN-zPPzP0 Ra4 21.Qc2 Ra3 22.Qc1 Ra4 23.Qc2 Ra3
9tR-+QmK-+R0 ½-½.
xiiiiiiiiy
8.c3 0-0 9.0-0 Ba6 10.Bxa6 Nxa6
7...c5 11.Ne5 Nc7
After the exchange of the dark-squared It was objectively safer to fix the centre
bishops, we are left with a classical at once with 11...cxd4 12.cxd4 Nc7
example of a “bad” bishop. While White’s 13.Rc1 Nb5 14.Qa4 Nd6 15.Qa3 Nf5!?=.
pawn was still on e3, we had reason to XIIIIIIIIY
keep it on b7 in order to hamper e3-e4. 9r+-wq-trk+0
When this plan is no longer valid, we 9zp-+-+pzpp0
should obviously aim to trade our bishop 9-zp-+psn-+0
via a6. The question is, what is the best 9+-+psNn+-0
way to arrange the exchange. Some 9-+-zP-zP-+0
players include first 7...Qd6 8.g3, but I’m 9wQ-+-+-+-0
not convinced this is in our favour. 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
In my opinion, we should not hurrywith xiiiiiiiiy
...c5, since it offers White chances to
attack us in the centre with c4. So I would We do not have any weaknesses and
recommend 7...0-0 8.Qe2 a5 9.0-0 Ba6 White should be careful with his sensitive
(perhaps 9...c5 10.c3 Ba6 is more pawn on d4.
accurate)
Rodshtein, who is the clear Elo-
favourite in this game, prefers to keep the
tension in the centre. He allows 12.dxc5!?
bxc5 13.c4. I would not say White has
something tangible here, but Black should
make some tough decisions. He is likely to 17...Nb5 18.Rac1 Rae8 19.a4 Nd6
be straddled with hanging pawns soon, and 20.Rfe1 Nde4 21.Nxe4 dxe4 22.Nc4
it is not a trivial task to defend them. Qxb3 23.Nd6 Re6 24.Nxe4 Nd5 25.Qd2
XIIIIIIIIY Qc4 26.f3 h6 27.Red1 Re5 28.a5 Rb8
9r+-wq-trk+0 29.Rb1 Rxb1 30.Rxb1 f5 31.Nd6 Qxc3
9zp-sn-+pzpp0 32.Qxc3 Nxc3 33.Rb8+ Kh7 34.Rb7 a6
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+psn-+0 9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zppsN-+-0 9+R+-+-zpk0
9-+P+-zP-+0 9p+-sN-+-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0 9zP-zp-trp+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 9-+-+-+-+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 9+-sn-+P+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-+-+PzP0
9+-+-+-mK-0
He should probably seek counterplay xiiiiiiiiy
down the b-file with 13...a5 14.Rc1 Na6
15.cxd5 exd5 16.Nb1 Rc8 17.Nc3 Nb4÷
35.Rb6?!
or in the centre with 13...Nce8 14.cxd5
35.Kf1 or 35.Ra7 should allow White to
exd5 15.Rc1 Rc8 16.Nb3 c4 17.Nd4 Nd6
draw. The text suddenly puts White under
18.b3 Qb6. In both cases White’s initiative
a nasty pin after 35...Nd5! 36.Rxa6 Re1+
should gradually fade away.
37.Kf2 Re6 and he must find only moves
12.Qf3?! Nb5 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.f5 to stay in the game – 38.Kg3 c4 39.Rc6
White plays for a draw! He trades his c3 40.a6 Rg6+ 41.Kf2 Nb4 42.Rc4 Nd3+
doubled pawn, but meanwhile he loses the 43.Ke3 Rxd6 44.a7 Rd8 45.Rxc3 Nb4³.
initiative. Rodstein misses this opportunity and the
game flows smoothly towards the draw.
14...exf5 15.Qxf5 Nd6 16.Qf4 Qb6
17.b3 35...f4 36.Kf1 c4 37.Rxa6 Re6 38.Rb6
XIIIIIIIIY
Nd5 39.Rc6 Ne3+ 40.Kf2 Nd1+ 41.Kf1
9r+-+-trk+0
9zp-+-+pzpp0 Ne3+ 42.Kf2 Nd5 43.Rxc4 Rxd6 44.Rd4
9-wq-sn-sn-+0 Rd7 45.a6 Nf6 46.Rxd7 Nxd7 47.a7
9+-zppsN-+-0 Nb6 48.Ke2 Kg6 49.Kd3 Kf5 50.Kd4
9-+-+-wQ-+0 g5 51.Kc5 Na8 52.Kd5 Kf6 53.Kd6 Kf7
9+PzP-+-+-0 ½-½
9P+-sN-zPPzP0 13. Van Foreest – Jakubowski
9tR-+-+RmK-0 Berlin 18.03.2017
xiiiiiiiiy
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bd6
Black is slightly more active, but play 5.Bg3 b6 6.Nbd2 Bb7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.c3
remains roughly equal. The next 20 moves Ne4 9.Qc2 f5 10.c4 Nd7 11.0-0 Nxg3
do not tip the balance, but just before the 12.hxg3
time control White commits a mistake:
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0 trade minor pieces; White cannot
9zplzpn+-zpp0 effectively attack the hanging pawns
9-zp-vlp+-+0 until the black bishop is alive. If White
9+-+p+p+-0 had a dark-squared bishop, he would
9-+PzP-+-+0 have targeted the c5-pawn (with Na4,
9+-+LzPNzP-0 Ba3). In the concrete position, it is
9PzPQsN-zPP+0 more realistic to hit d5.
9tR-+-+RmK-0 17...Qd7 18.dxc5 bxc5 19.b3 with
xiiiiiiiiy complex play.

12...c6 14...exd5 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.Rfd1 Qe7

Black chooses to keep the centre closed 17.Bb5 Nf6 18.Qa4
and to attack on the kingside. The doubled
White is trying to trade bishops, but in
g-pawns guarantee him an open h-file after
vain. He is doomed to remain with both
...g5-g4, ...h5-h4.
clumsy pieces – the bishop and the
The other logical plan is to aim for d2-knight. Black is already better.
hanging pawns in the centre. Artemiev- XIIIIIIIIY
Grandelius, Doha 2016, saw 12...g6
9r+-+-trk+0
13.Rac1 c5
9zpl+-wq-+p0
9-+-vl-snp+0
It was still possible to play 13...Qe7 9+Lzpp+p+-0
14.Nb1 c6 15.Nc3 Rac8. 9Q+-+-+-+0
9+-+-zPNzP-0
14.cxd5 9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9+-tRR+-mK-0
Stronger is 14.Nb1!. Besides xiiiiiiiiy
improving the knight, it also opens the
way for the white queen to e2. 14...Rc8 18...Rfc8 19.Ba6 Bc6 20.Qc2 Rcb8
15.Qe2 Nf6 16.cxd5 exd5 21.Nb3 Rb6 22.Bf1. Now instead of
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0 22...Rab8³, Black erred with 22...Ba4?!
9zpl+-+-+p0 23.Bc4!= and even went on to lose the
9-zp-vl-snp+0 game.
9+-zpp+p+-0
13.Rfc1 Qe7
9-+-zP-+-+0
It seems that Jakubowski is still hesitant
9+-+LzPNzP-0
9PzP-+QzPP+0 about his plan and postpones his decision.
9+NtR-+RmK-0 It was time to start the offensive with
xiiiiiiiiy 13...g5!.

14.a3 a5 15.cxd5 cxd5

17.Ba6! It may look that Black’s
bishop is “bad”, but two other
positional factors have higher priority
here: White lacks space so it is good to
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 9-+-+-trk+0
9+l+nwq-zpp0 9+r+-wq-+-0
9-zp-vlp+-+0 9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9zp-+p+p+-0 9zpQ+p+p+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0 9-+-zP-sNpzp0
9zP-+LzPNzP-0 9zP-sN-zP-zP-0
9-zPQsN-zPP+0 9-zP-+-zPP+0
9tR-tR-+-mK-0 9tR-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
It transpires that 24.gxh4 loses to
16.Nb1
24...g3.
16.Bb5!, hitting the d7-knight, would
have prevented 16...g5 altogether.
24...Bxf4
16...Rad8 would not help as then White
Another continuation of the attack was
would attack b6 with 17.Qb3. That means,
24...hxg3 25.fxg3 Bxf4, but the text is
Black would have to play for equalization
more straightforward.
with 16...Nf6 17.Qb3 h6 18.Ne5 Rfc8.
25.gxf4 g3 26.f3 Ne8 27.Qd3?!
16...g5 17.Nc3 Rac8 18.Qe2 g4 19.Ne1
The threat ...h3 should have been
h5 20.Ba6 Nf6 21.Qb5 Rb8 22.Bxb7
prevented with 27.Qf1, intending to meet
Rxb7 23.Nd3?
27...Qh7 by 28.Rc2. Then 28...Rf6
By trading the bishops, White prepared
29.Rac1 h3 is winning, but Black has to
to invade through the c-file. It is certainly
find the line 30.Nb5 hxg2 31.Qxg2
a serious threat, but only enough to keep
XIIIIIIIIY
the balance. Black’s potential attack on the
9-+-+n+k+0
opposite wing ensures sufficient
9+r+-+-+q0
counterplay, and White should have
9-zp-+ptr-+0
devised a solid stand against it. The
9zpN+p+p+-0
e1-knight may be passive, but it is a good 9-+-zP-zP-+0
defender. For instance, it prevents ...h4. 9zP-+-zPPzp-0
Instead of moving it, White could have 9-zPR+-+Q+0
simply double his rooks on the c-file, e.g. 9+-tR-+-mK-0
23.Rc2, since 23...h4? 24.gxh4 g3 would xiiiiiiiiy
be neutralised with 25.f4! Ng4 26.Nf3.
31...Rd7! (31...Rh6 32.Rc8=) 32.Rc8
23...h4!µ 24.Nf4 Kf7 33.Ra8 Rh6 34.Rcc8 Nf6 35.Na7!
Rh2 36.Qxg3 Rh3 37.Qg2 Qh4 38.Rf8+
Ke7 39.Rae8+ Nxe8 40.Rxe8+ Kf6
41.Rf8+ Rf7 42.Qg5+ Qxg5+ 43.fxg5+
Kg7 44.Rxf7+ Kxf7 45.Kg2 Rh7 46.f4
Kg6 and then he should show good
technique. It is not trivial to convert the
exchange.
 After White’s mistake, Black is winning I showed that 3...g6 is a reliable option.
with 27...Qh7! 28.Qf1 Rg7 29.Rc2 Rf6. Here we’ll discuss play in QG style.
Instead, all his advantage goes down the
drain and he was lucky to escape: 3...e6
3...Bf5 4.f3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.h4 may not
27...h3?? 28.gxh3 Qh4 29.Kg2 Nd6 be too dangerous, but at least gives White
30.Ne2 Rh7 31.Ng1
XIIIIIIIIY a psychological initiative.
9-+-+-trk+0
9+-+-+-+r0 Similarly, the trendy 3...a6 4.e3 e6 also
9-zp-snp+-+0 allows 5.g4 c5 (5...h6 6.Qf3 b5 7.h4) 6.g5
9zp-+p+p+-0 Nfd7 7.Nf3 Nc6 8.a3 b5 9.h4 Bb7 10.h5ƒ
9-+-zP-zP-wq0 offers White too much space, Carlsen-
9zP-+QzPPzpP0 Caruana, Stavanger 2017.
9-zP-+-+K+0
9tR-tR-+-sN-0 4.Nb5
xiiiiiiiiy Apparently, this is the only chance to
pose some problems.
I guess, Black missed this defensive
manoeuvre. 4.e3 is more popular, but Black has a
wide choice of decent plans. I suggest to
31...a4 32.Rc6 (32.Qa6!±) 32...Qd8 opt for the most aggressive one:
33.Rac1 Rh6 (33...b5=) 34.Qa6 Nc4
35.R1xc4 dxc4 36.Qxc4 b5! 37.Qxb5 4...Bb4!?
Qb8 38.Qe2 Qb3 39.Rc3 Qb7 40.Qc2 XIIIIIIIIY
Rb8 41.Qxa4 Qxb2+ 42.Rc2 Qb1 9rsnlwqk+-tr0
43.Qc4 Rb2 44.Rxb2 Qxb2+ 45.Ne2 9zppzp-+pzpp0
Qd2 46.Qc8+ Kf7 47.Qd7+ Kf8 9-+-+psn-+0
48.Qd8+ Kf7 49.Qd7+ Kf8 ½-½ 9+-+p+-+-0
9-vl-zP-vL-+0
14. Sheng – So 9+-sN-zP-+-0
rapid chess.com 08.03.2017 9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4
1.d4XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zppzp-zppzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0 The idea of this stab (in connection
9+-+p+-+-0 with...Ne4) is to drag White’s king’s
9-+-zP-vL-+0 knight to e2 where it stands obviously
9+-sN-+-+-0 worse than on f3. With this mission
9PzPP+PzPPzP0 accomplished, we could retreat the
9tR-+QmKLsNR0 bishop to e7.
xiiiiiiiiy White cannot ignore our threats with
5.Nf3?! Ne4 6.Qd3, as after 6...c5³ he
This opening is often named after cannot prevent...c4 and must take on
Jobava and Prié. In Chapter 2, Game 7 c5.

Jobava tried against Caruana 5.Nge2
0-0 6.a3 Bd6 7.g3 (After 7.Qd2 c5
8.0-0-0, Black’s attack could be very
quick – 8...cxd4 9.exd4 Nc6 10.Bxd6
Qxd6 11.Kb1 Rb8 12.Nc1 a6‚.)
7...b6 8.Bg2 Bb7 9.0-0 c5, it is unclear
what White could do.
The most natural answer is:
5.Bd3 c5
It is pointless to harass the f4-bishop
with 5...Nbd7 6.Nge2 Nh5 7.Bg3,
since it would be dangerous to take on
g3 before White castled.
6.dxc5 Nbd7 7.Nge2 a6 8.a3 Bxc5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9+p+n+pzpp0
9p+-+psn-+0
9+-vlp+-+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9zP-sNLzP-+-0
9-zPP+NzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is obvious even at a cursory glance
that Black has a nice position due to his
mobile pawn centre. In the game
Bakalchuk-Postny, Tiberias 2016, White
rushed to break it with 9.e4?!, but 9...e5
10.Bg3 d4³ gained even more space. More
accurate was 9.Bg3 b5 10.b4 Be7 11.h3
0-0 12.0-0 Bb7 13.a4=.
Another frequent move is 4.Nf3. I
suggest to follow the same course: 4...Bb4,
with a split:
a) 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 c5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9zP-zP-+N+-0
9-+P+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
We’ll employ typical French motifs:
7.g3 (7.dxc5 Qa5 8.Qd3 Qxc5 9.e3 Nc6
10.Ne5 Nd7 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bg3 e5
13.Qd2 0-0 14.Bd3 f6 15.0-0 Nb6 16.a4
a5³) 7...Qa5 8.Bd2 Qa4 9.h4 Nc6 10.Bh3
Ne4 11.0-0 b6³.
b) 5.Qd3 Ne4
It is natural to discourage long castling
by damaging White’s pawn structure.
5...c5 6.dxc5 Nbd7 (6...0-0 7.a3 Bxc5
8.e4 Qa5 9.0-0-0 leads to a perpetual
check – 9...Bxa3 10.bxa3 Qxa3+
11.Kb1 Qb4+ 12.Kc1 Qa3+=) 7.a3
Bxc5 8.e4 Ng4 is messy after 9.Bg3
Qb6 10.0-0-0 Bxf2 11.h3 Bxg3
12.hxg4 Ne5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.exd5
Bd7 15.dxe6 Bxe6 16.Qf3 a6÷.
6.Nd2 Nxc3 7.bxc3 Bd6∞.
4...Na6 5.a3
Preventing ...Bb4, but wasting a tempo.
More principled is 5.e3 c6 6.Nc3 when we
have to decide at what kind of play we are
aiming. Simplest solution is:
6...Nc7 7.Bd3 Bd6 8.Nf3 Bxf4 9.exf4
b6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Ne5 Bb7 12.Qf3 c5
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0 Black will achieve ...Ba6. The question
9zplsn-+pzpp0 is will he get enough compensation for the
9-zp-+psn-+0 a5-pawn after:
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-+0 13.Qc3 Ne4! 14.Qxa5 Ba6 15.Rfe1 Bd8
9+-sNL+Q+-0 16.Qb4 Bc4 17.Nc5 a5 18.Qb7. Now he
9PzPP+-zPPzP0 could take over the initiative with
9tR-+-+RmK-0 18...Nxc5 19.Qxc8 Rxc8 20.dxc5 Be7
xiiiiiiiiy 21.b4 (21.Nc3!?=) 21...Bf6 22.Rb1 e5
23.Bg3 Ra8©, or pour more oil into the
Black has no weaknesses, he can easily fire with 18...Bh4?! 19.g3 Qxb7 20.Nxb7
parry kingside attacks. For instance: Be7 21.f3 Nd2 22.Kf2 Ra7 23.Nc5 e5!?
13.Ne2 Nce8 14.c3 Nd6 15.Qh3 Rc8 24.Bxe5 Bxe2 25.Rxe2 Nc4. Suddenly it
16.g4 g6 17.Rad1 (17.f5 exf5 18.gxf5 Rc7) transpires that Black is winning a piece,
17...Nd7 18.Rfe1 Rc7 19.Nf3 Re8=. but 26.e4! grabs a third pawn for it and
although the computer sees 0.00 at depth
6...Bb4 7.Bxa6 bxa6 is strategically 45, only White could win OTB.
double-edged. The key issue here is how
Black could bring his light-squared bishop Of course, White could preserve his
into play. If he solved this task, his bishop bishop, but 7.Nge2 0-0 8.a3 Bd6 9.Ng3 is
pair could prevail. rather comfortable for Black:
XIIIIIIIIY
8.Nge2 9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
Or 8.Nf3 a5 9.0-0 Ba6 10.Re1 c5=. 9n+pvlpsn-+0
8...a5 9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
8...0-0 should probably lead to similar 9zP-sN-zP-sN-0
positions. White cannot prevent both 9-zPP+-zPPzP0
...Ba6 and ...c5, e.g. 9.a3 Be7 10.Na4 9tR-+QmKL+R0
a5 11.Qd3 Nd7 12.0-0 c5. xiiiiiiiiy
9.a3 Be7 10.Qd3 Bb7 11.Na4 0-0
12.0-0 Qc8 The blitz game Rapport-Wei Yi,
XIIIIIIIIY Yancheng 2016, went: 10.Bd3 Re8
9r+q+-trk+0 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.f4 c5∞.
9zpl+-vlpzpp0 Throughout the book, I preach to take
9-+p+psn-+0 on f4 whenever possible, in order to
9zp-+p+-+-0 make the enemy pawn structure more
9N+-zP-vL-+0 static:
9zP-+QzP-+-0
9-zPP+NzPPzP0 9...Bxf4 10.exf4 b6 11.Bd3 Nc7 12.0-0
9tR-+-+RmK-0 Ba6=. Our next step will be the thematic
xiiiiiiiiy knight transfer to d6, and the break ...c5 –
13.Nce2 Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Qd7 15.Rfe1 g6

16.Qe3 Nce8 17.Nc1 Rc8 18.Nd3 Nd6
19.c3 Qc7. At last, ...c5 is coming, so the
game is balanced.
5...c6 6.Nc3 Bd6 7.e3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9n+pvlpsn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zP-+-0
9-zPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
7...b6
I prefer 7...Bxf4! 8.exf4 b6. Then 9.g4
Bb7 10.Qf3 0-0 11.g5 Ne8 12.Bd3 only
looks dangerous. Black has good
counterplay on the queenside – 12...c5
13.Nce2 Nb8 14.c3 Nc6 15.Qh3 g6
16.Nf3 Ng7 17.0-0 a5, planning to trade
bishops via a6.
Jobava-Topalov, Baku 2016, saw
7...Nc7 8.Nf3 Bxf4 9.exf4 Qd6?!
This move could prove to be a waste
of time. 9...b6!= is easier.
10.Ne5 b6 11.Qf3 c5 12.Nb5 Nxb5
13.Bxb5+ Bd7 14.Nxd7 Nxd7 15.0-0-0
0-0 16.Bxd7 Qxd7 17.f5 Qe7 18.Rhe1
cxd4 19.Rxd4 Qf6 20.Qf4 Rae8 21.Re5
exf5 22.Rdxd5 Rxe5 23.Rxe5 g6=.
8.Nf3
8.Bxd6! Qxd6 9.g4 offers White some
initiative.
8...Bxf4 9.exf4 0-0 10.Be2 c5 11.0-0 Nb8
12.Ne5 Ba6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-wq-trk+0
9zp-+-+pzpp0
9lzp-+psn-+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-+0
9zP-sN-+-+-0
9-zPP+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
At many occasions in the book I point
out that such an early exchange has a
sound position reasoning and should
gradually equalize. At the same time, it
always gives White a slight iniatiative, due
to the arising weakness of our light
squares. Black would have more chances
to win if he completed his development
first, e.g. 12...Bb7, then, ...Nc6, and
prepare ...Ba6 at a later stage of the game.
13.Nb5
13.Bxa6!? Nxa6 14.Re1 Nc7 15.a4 is
roughly equal. The text is pointless, as
Black can easily force the bishops trade
anyway.
13...Ne4 14.f3 Bxb5
I do not understand this move. It wastes
a tempo and allows White to repair his
pawn structure 14...Nd6 was a natural
retort.
15.fxe4 Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Nd7 17.exd5
exd5 18.Rad1 Nf6!
Preserving the knights for defence.
18...Qc7 19.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.dxc5 bxc5
21.f5 would retain some threats.
19.c4
19.dxc5 bxc5 20.c4 d4 21.b4 Qc7=
would break the symmetry a little.
19...Qc7 20.cxd5
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 series of horrible blunders and is irrelevant
9zp-wq-+pzpp0 for the opening:
9-zp-+-sn-+0
9+-zpPsN-+-0 21.dxc5 Qxc5+ 22.Kh1 Rad8 23.Rc1
9-+-zP-zP-+0 Qd6 24.Qf3 f6?? (24...Qe6=) 25.Nc6
9zP-+-+-+-0 Rd7 26.Rfd1 Rc8 27.Ne7+ Nxe7
9-zP-+Q+PzP0 28.Rxc8+ Nxc8 29.Rxd6 Nxd6 30.Qc6
9+-+R+RmK-0 Re7 31.h3 (31.Qd5+! Kh8 32.g4 Nb7
xiiiiiiiiy 33.b4+–) 31...Ne4 32.g4 g5 33.Kg2 Kg7
34.h4 gxf4 35.Kf3 Nc5 36.Kxf4?=
20...Nxd5 Nd3+ 37.Kg3 Re3+ 38.Kg2 Re2+
The position is totally dry and 20...Rad8 39.Kf3?? Ne5+ 40.Kxe2 Nxc6 41.Ke3
21.dxc5 Qxc5+ 22.Qf2 Rxd5 would have Ne5 42.Kf4 Nd3+ 0-1
underlined it. The rest of the game saw a
 those threats. If we neutralise them and
Chapter 5. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 live up to a short castle from White, we
3.e3 e6 with ...c5 could start thinking about more long-term
Main Ideas planning.

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nd2 Bd6 As long as we maintain the tension in
5.Bg3 0-0 6.Ngf3 c5 7.c3
XIIIIIIIIY the centre, Ng5 will be connected with
9rsnlwq-trk+0 an unclear pawn sac, for instance: 11.Ng5
9zpp+-+pzpp0 Bxg5 12.Qxh5 g6 13.Qe2 cxd4 14.h4
9-+-vlpsn-+0 Be7!?. Therefore, the first players
9+-zpp+-+-0 commonly choose:
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPNvL-0 11.a3 a5 12.Qe2 and we have a wide
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 choice at our disposal.
XIIIIIIIIY
9tR-+QmKL+R0 9r+lwq-trk+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+-vlpzpp0
9-zpn+p+-+0
The sudden burst of popularity of this 9zp-zppzP-+n0
line is based on the discovery that 7...Nc6 9-+-zP-+-+0
8.Bd3 b6 9.e4 Be7!! holds Black’s 9zP-zPL+NvL-0
position together. It is critical for him as 9-zP-sNQzPPzP0
he cannot avoid it by delaying ...Nc6 in 9tR-+-mK-+R0
favour of ...b6: White could choose the xiiiiiiiiy
particular move order 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3, when
7...b6?! (7...Nc6!) 8.e4! is slightly more On the defensive side, all is clear – we’ll
pleasant for White. Thus the first thing stay with ...g6 and ...f5 at some point.
you should learn is how to deal with the What about the queenside? In most games
following position: Black opts for ...c4, ...b5. For instance,
12...Bd7!? 13.0-0?! c4 14.Bc2 b5, or
10.e5 Nh5
XIIIIIIIIY 12...Ra7!? 13.0-0?! c4, as in Game 15
9r+lwq-trk+0 Grischuk-Nakamura, Skopje 2015. While
9zp-+-vlpzpp0 this plan quickly creates targets in White’s
9-zpn+p+-+0 camp, at a later stage we might regret that
9+-zppzP-+n0 we deprived our light-squared bishop of
9-+-zP-+-+0 any prospects.
9+-zPL+NvL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 I think that our game would be much
9tR-+QmK-+R0 easier if we got rid of that bishop before
xiiiiiiiiy closing the flank. My recommendation is:

White has two sharp ways of attacking 12...Bb7!?, preparing to meet 13.0-0 by
– Ng5 and h4, threatening Bh2, g4. 13...Nxg3 14.hxg3 Qc8 15.Kh2 Ba6
Whatever variation we calculate, we 16.Rh1 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 Qa6 18.Qe3
always should answer first how we meet
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 White plays Ne5
9+-+-vlpzpp0 7...Nc6 8.Bd3 b6 (or 7...b6!? 8.Bd3
9qzpn+p+-+0 Nc6) 9.Ne5 Bb7
9zp-zppzP-+-0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-zP-+-+0 9r+-wq-trk+0
9zP-zP-wQNzP-0 9zpl+-+pzpp0
9-zP-sN-zPPmK0 9-zpnvlpsn-+0
9tR-+-+-+R0 9+-zppsN-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zPLzP-vL-0
Having exchanged the bishops, we 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
should execute the second stage of our 9tR-+QmK-+R0
plan – to open the f-file with ...Rae8, ...f6. xiiiiiiiiy
Of course, White should delay castling. The simplest way to treat this position
is to ignore the e5-knight and to aim to
A typical manoeuvre is 13.Nf1. I put our own knight on e4. We’ll start with
propose to always counter-attack it by ...Ne7, but then we’ll need the manoeuvre
13...cxd4 14.cxd4 b5! ...Ne7-f5-d6. Once our king’s knight lands
XIIIIIIIIY on e4, we’ll be in command, and our
9r+-wq-trk+0 counterplay on the queenside should
9+l+-vlpzpp0 promise us excellent chances. White has
9-+n+p+-+0 tested two ways of contesting e4 – with
9zpp+pzP-+n0 Qf3 and Qb1:
9-+-zP-+-+0
9zP-+L+NvL-0 a) 10.f4 Ne7 11.Qf3 (11.0-0?! Ne4
9-zP-+QzPPzP0 12.Bh4 f6) 11...Nf5 12.Bf2 Be7! 13.g4
9tR-+-mKN+R0 Nd6 14.g5 Nfe4 15.0-0-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A key position for the plan with Ne5.
15.Bxb5 a4!„, intending ...Qb6, ...Ba6. XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
The best retort to the waiting 13.Rd1 is 9zpl+-vlpzpp0
13...g6. 9-zp-snp+-+0
9+-zppsN-zP-0
Finally, 13.h4!? may be White’s best
9-+-zPnzP-+0
choice, playing for a draw after 13...Nxg3
9+-zPLzPQ+-0
14.fxg3 Qc8 15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Ng5+ 9PzP-sN-vL-zP0
Kh6 17.Qd3 g6 18.h5 Kg7 19.Nxf7=. 9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Let’s now consider White’s other major
plans. We can do little to avoid it. The big
question is who is ahead in the race. I
think I know the answer – Black’s attack
is more dangerous, but only because of the
novelty:
15...cxd4! 16.exd4 b5!‚.
b) 11.Qb1 is less committing as it
assumes a short castle. I consider in the
annotations to Game 17
Sandipan-Kryvoruchko, rapid, Dubai
2014, several good plans against it. A safe
stand is 11...g6!? 12.0-0 Nh5!? 13.Bf2 f6
14.Nef3 Nc6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-+-snp0
9-zpnvlpzpp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-zPP+0
9+-zPLzPN+-0
9PzP-sN-vL-zP0
9tRQ+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Our “Hedgehog” on the kingside is
flexible and sturdy. See the similar Game
16 Skoberne-Halkias, Baku 2016.
White castles short
Instead of defining his plan with 9.Ne5
or 9.e4, White could choose the
noncommittal 9.0-0. I suggest to answer
9...Bxg3 10.hxg3 Bb7, when White does
not have a clear plan. 11.Qa4 could be met
by 11...Rb8, preparing ...c4.
White plays 8.Bb5
This calm positional plan was
popularised by Kamsky and then adopted
by Carlsen, Kramnik and other top
players. It aims to repel (or exchange) the
c6-knight from the centre and then push e4
or c4. Initially Black semi-automatically
answered 8...Ne7 but the surprising
follow-up 9.Bd3!, intending e4, offers
White some initiative. I suspect that Black
should try to prove that his bishop is not
worse than a knight. A key moment in his
counterplay is the b-file. I recommend:
8...Qe7 9.Bxc6 bxc6 10.Qa4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zp-+-wqpzpp0
9-+pvlpsn-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9Q+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPNvL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...Bxg3! 11.hxg3 cxd4 12.cxd4
Rab8!?.
Although my analyses suggest that
Black should gradually equalize, I must
admit that White’s position is extremely
solid, without any pawn weaknesses. In
other words, he would often play with a
draw in the pocket. I prefer more double-
edged play, so I offer to sidestep the plan
with Bb5 by delaying ...Nc6. In line B I
consider the clever move order 7...b6! and
we lead out our knight only when we see
Bd3.
Move Order
We have seen from the above paragraph
that delaying ...Nc6 with 7...b6! has the
obvious advantage of avoiding 8.Bb5. In
fact, this move order could restrict White’s
choice even further. If he played an early
Nf3, he would not be able to enter another Analysis
critical line, A11. 9.e4, as well, remaining XIIIIIIIIY
only with the Ne5-plan. Besides, Black 9-+lwq-trk+0
could also use his knight at b8 to trade 9+r+-+-+p0
light-squared bishops via a6. 9-+-+p+p+0
9zp-vlpzP-+-0
As a partial anti-dote, White should 9-zppsN-zPP+0
leave his king’s knight on g1. His most 9zP-zP-wQ-zP-0
flexible sequence is 4.Nd2 Bd6 5.Bg3 0-0 9-zPL+-+K+0
6.Bd3 c5 7.c3. 9+R+-+-+R0
XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0 30...bxa3 31.bxa3 Rxb1 32.Rxb1 Bxa3
9-+-vlpsn-+0 33.f5‚.
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0 Remember the following typical hit:
9+-zPLzP-vL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 Analysis
9tR-+QmK-sNR0 XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+lwq-trk+0
9tr-+-+-zpp0
Now 7...b6?! would stumble into 8.e4!, 9-+n+pvl-+0
so 7...Nc6 8.Ngf3 b6 is indispensable. 9zp-+p+-+-0
White will have at his disposal all the 9-zppzP-+-zP0
options on move 9 – lines A11 to A14, but 9zP-zP-wQNzP-0
without line A2. 8.Bb5. 9-zPLsN-+P+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

Positional decisions 19.Nxc4! dxc4 20.Qe4.

Black’s biggest problem is what active
plan to choose. The most natural idea is Even against a long castle, the pawn
to close the queenside with ...c4 and push storm is not too efficient:
b6-b5-b4. I cannot say it is a bad plan, but
Analysis
it is rarely the best one. At least it is quite
risky as the d4-pawn is no longer hanging
and that gives White a free hand on the
kingside. Another obvious drawback is
that Black remains with a poor light-
squared bishop. Even when Black wins a
pawn on the queenside, his position could
still be dangerous owing to the
concentration of white pieces on the
opposite flank.
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0 9r+-wq-trk+0
9+l+-vlpzpp0 9+l+-vlpzpp0
9-+-+p+P+0 9-zpn+p+-+0
9zp-+-sNn+P0 9zp-zppzP-+-0
9-zppzPpzPQ+0 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0 9zP-zPL+NzP-0
9PzP-+-vL-+0 9-zP-sNQzPP+0
9+NmKR+-+R0 9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
21...fxg6 22.h6! Qe8 (22...Nxh6? 14...Qc8 15.Kh2 Ba6.
23.Rxh6! gxh6 24.Nxg6) 23.hxg7 Kxg7
24.Rh2 Rg8∞. Whatever our active plan is, we should
not forget the defence. We can hardly
The plan with ...c4 is more viable if survive a gradual attack without opening
White has already castled and Black’s the f-file with ...f6 or ...f5. Our typical
bishop is on d7 (to enable counterplay stand on the kingside should be similar to
with ...f6): the following diagram:

Kamsky-Goryachkina Analysis
XIIIIIIIIY
Gibraltar 2016 9r+-wq-trk+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+l+-vlp+p0
9r+-wq-trk+0 9-zpn+p+p+0
9+-+lvlpzpp0 9zp-zppzP-+n0
9-zpn+p+-+0 9-+-zP-+-zP0
9zp-zppzP-+n0 9zP-zPL+NvL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0 9-zP-sNQzPP+0
9zP-zPL+NvL-0 9+-+RmK-+R0
9-zP-sNQzPPzP0 xiiiiiiiiy
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 14...f6 15.exf6 Rxf6„.

13...c4!? 14.Bc2 b5 15.Rfe1 Nxg3 Here are negative examples where

16.hxg3 b4ƒ. Black remained without counterplay:

I’m not entirely against the idea of Pechac-Caletka

closing the centre, but I prefer to resort to
it after having traded light-squared bishops Slovakia 2016
with ...Bb7, ...Qc8, ...Ba6. That would
reduce the opponent’s attacking potential:

Nguyen-Tregubov

Doha 2016
 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+q+-vlk+0 diagonal. It all depends on who owns the
9zp-trntrp+p0 initiative.
9-zp-+p+p+0
9+-+pzP-+-0 Kramnik-Hou Yifanrapid Medias 2016
9-+-zP-+NzP0 XIIIIIIIIY
9zP-+RwQNzP-0 9-+-tr-trk+0
9-zP-+-+P+0 9zpl+-+pzpp0
9+-+-+RmK-0 9-zp-wqpsnn+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
Black’s strategy has led him to a 9+-zPLzPQ+-0
positional disaster. He has gained full 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
control of the c-file, but it is often fruitless 9+-+R+RmK-0
since Black lacks targets and invasion xiiiiiiiiy
squares. On the kingside he did not create
any counterplay either. The game saw White has the more active pieces and
further 25.Nf6+ Kh8 26.h5 Bg7 27.Qf4 his next move weakens Black’s castling
Qf8 28.Qh4 and White went on to win. position: 15.Bxg6! hxg6 16.Qh3ƒ Ba6
17.Rfe1 Nh7 18.f4 Bb5 19.Ndf3 Qe7
Kamsky-Dreev 20.Qg3 Be8 21.Rf1 Qf6 22.Ng5+– Qe7
Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 23.Rf3 f6 24.Nxh7.
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+ltrk+0 Carlsen-Ghaem
9zp-wq-sn-zp-0
9-zp-+p+-zp0 Baku 2016
9+-+pzPp+P0 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-zPnvLP+0 9r+l+k+-tr0
9zP-+LzP-+-0 9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-zP-sNQ+-mK0 9-+nwqpsn-+0
9+-+R+-tR-0 9+-zpp+-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPNzP-0
A similar example of a one-way-game. 9PzP-sN-zPP+0
After 31.g5! Black would have faced 9tR-+QmKL+R0
serious problems. xiiiiiiiiy
The open h-file is a strong factor in
White’s favour. Carlsen developed his
“Bad” bishop initiative with 9.Bb5 Bd7 10.Bxc6 Bxc6
White often aims to saddle the opponent 11.Ne5 Qc7 12.Qf3 h6 13.Qf4 Qe7 14.g4
with a poor light-squared bishop. Indeed, Nh7 15.Qg3².
sometimes a knight might be stronger than
the bishop, but more often our bishop Grachev-Litvinov
would be quite useful on the a6-f1 Moscow 2016
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 Ba6‚, his positions is spectacularly
9+-+n+p+p0 falling apart. The a6-bishop plays a big
9-zplwqp+p+0 role in that.
9zp-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0 Analysis
9+-zPLzP-+-0 XIIIIIIIIY
9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9r+-wq-+-mk0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 9zp-+lvlp+p0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-zpn+p+rzP0
9+-+pzP-zp-0
The theory of the “bad” bishop might 9-+-+-+-+0
prompt White to take on d7. However, 9+-zP-+NvL-0
17.Nxd7 Qxd7 would be even slightly 9P+LwQ-zPP+0
more pleasant for Black because he would 9tR-+-mK-+R0
have a clear plan of advancing on the xiiiiiiiiy
queenside. 17.Nxc6 Qxc6 18.a4= is more
solid. 22...Na5! 23.Bxg6 hxg6µ. Again,
Black’s “bad” bishop could become the
Finally, I want to show you two extreme hero of the day.
examples to support my assertion that we
should weigh the dynamic factors first:

Analysis Theoretical status

XIIIIIIIIY This set-up is still too young and
9r+-+r+k+0 unexplored. I could not understand well
9zplwq-snpzpp0 what Romero and Sedlak recommend for
9-zp-vlp+-+0 White as they prefer to show examples
9+LzppsN-+-0 with awful play from Black.
9-+-zPnzP-vL0
9+-zP-zP-+-0 It seems that lately White tends to avoid
9PzP-sNQ+PzP0 Bd3 in favour of Bb5 (which is easy to
9+-+RmK-+R0 prevent, as I have shown!). Black, for his
xiiiiiiiiy part, investigates the early ...Nh5, as in
Game 19 Kamsky-Nakamura, Saint Louis
It looks that White has made all the right 2017.
moves. His pieces are active, he is
threatening the rook. But he delayed In all events, Black should expect rich,
castling for too long. After 14...Nf5!! double-edged middlegames with mutual
15.Bxe8 Rxe8 16.Bf2 cxd4 17.exd4 chances. It is unlikely to get early
(17.cxd4 Bb4) 17...f6 18.g4 Nxf2 19.Qxf2 endgames, so typical for the set-ups with
Nh6 20.g5 fxe5 21.gxh6 exd4 22.cxd4 ...Bf5.

Chapter 5. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6
3.e3 e6 with ...c5
Step by Step
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nd2 Bd6
5.Bg3 0-0
5...c5 should transpose.
5...Bxg3 is dubious in all possible
settings, since it offers White a tangible
structural advantage – the semi-open h-
file. For instance, 6.hxg3 Nbd7 7.g4! is
obviously in White’s favour.
I have realised a more complex version
of the idea of g4 in the game Kiril
Georgiev-Lazic, Padowa 2015. In it I had
already the king’s knight on f3: 4.Nf3 Bd6
5.Bg3 Bxg3?! 6.hxg3 Nbd7 7.c4 dxc4
8.Bxc4 c5 9.Nc3 a6 10.a4 cxd4 11.Qxd4
Qa5 (11...Nb6 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Rh4)
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9+p+n+pzpp0
9p+-+psn-+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9P+LwQ-+-+0
9+-sN-zPNzP-0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12.g4! e5 13.Qd6
13.Bxf7+!! Kxf7 14.Qc4+ was killing:
14...Kf8 15.Ng5 Nd5 16.Qxd5 Qxd5
17.Nxd5 Nf6 18.Nb6 Rb8 19.f3+–;
14...Ke8 15.Qe6+ Kd8 16.Ng5 Rf8
17.Nf7+ Rxf7 18.Qxf7; 14...Ke7
15.Ng5 Rf8 16.Qe6+ Kd8 17.Nf7+
Rxf7 18.Qxf7 Kc7 19.0-0-0+–.
13...Qb6 (13...Ne4 14.Qd5) 14.Qa3! e4
15.Nd2+– Qa5 16.g5 Qxg5 17.Ndxe4
Nxe4 18.Nxe4 Qa5+ (18...Qe7 19.Nd6+
Kf8 20.Nxf7 Qxa3 21.bxa3 Rg8
22.Rxh7+–) 19.Kf1 1-0
6.Ngf3
6.Bd3 prunes one important branch
based on Bf1-b5. Play should transpose
to line A after 6...c5 7.c3 Nc6! 8.Ngf3.
White has also tried 8.f4, but 8...Ne7
9.Ngf3 Nf5 10.Bf2 Ng4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-vlp+-+0
9+-zpp+n+-0
9-+-zP-zPn+0
9+-zPLzPN+-0
9PzP-sN-vLPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.Qe2 Nxf2 12.Qxf2 Qb6 13.Rb1 f6 is
pretty for Black – we control the centre,
White cannot castle long.
On the other hand, the delay of Ngf3
discourages lines with ...b6 without ...Nc6
because White could push e3-e4: 6.Bd3 c5
7.c3 b6?! 8.e4!
The difference with line A11 is that our
knight cannot reach h5. This is not
dramatic, but makes our castling position
more vulnerable:
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0 9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zp-+-+pzpp0 9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0 9-+-vlpsn-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0 9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zPP+-+0 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zPL+-vL-0 9+-zP-zPNvL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-sNR0 9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
8...Be7 9.e5 Nfd7 10.Qb1! A. 7...Nc6; B. 7...b6!

Provoking a weakness without wasting
a tempo.
10.Qh5 g6 11.Qe2 cxd4! 12.cxd4
Nbc6 13.Ngf3 Nb4 14.0-0 Nxd3
15.Qxd3 a5 solves Black’s main
positional problem – the activation of
the light-squared bishop. The blitz
game Grachev-Malakhov, Moscow
2014, went 16.Rfc1 Ba6 17.Qe3, when
simple trade of rooks would assure
Black of penetration squares down the
c-file – 17...Rc8! 18.h4 Rxc1 Rxc1
Qb8 20.h5 Rc8=.
10.Ngf3 is even easier – 10...Ba6!
11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.0-0 b5= (or
12...Nc7=), Grachev-Sakaev, St
Petersburg 2015.
10...g6
10...h6 is not safer – 11.Ne2 Ba6
12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.0-0 b5 14.f4 with
f4-f5 in mind.
11.h4! Ba6 12.h5 with an initiative,
although 12...Bxd3 13.Qxd3 g5 keeps
things under control.
6...c5 7.c3
The latter aims to cut off most of
White’s choices and to steer the game into
line A14. 8.Ne5.
A. 7...Nc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+nvlpsn-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPNvL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position has been put under the
microscope lately. It looks like Black is
slightly lagging behind in the theoretical
dispute and constantly has to catch up with
White’s new ideas. That is not surprising
if we look at White’s team, led by Carlsen,
Kramnik and a strong field of 2700+ GMs.
The newest trend is A2. 8.Bb5, while
A1. 8.Bd3 had been the main line.
8.Ne5?! is premature because Black
could save ...b6 and go directly for the
main plan with ...f6:

8...Qc7
 XIIIIIIIIY
There is no reason to play for 9r+lwq-trk+0
equalization with 8...Bxe5 9.dxe5 Nd7 9zp-+-+pzpp0
10.f4 (10.Nf3 c4) 10...f6 11.exf6 Nxf6 9-zpnvlpsn-+0
12.Be2 Bd7 (12...Ne7) 13.0-0 Be8=. 9+-zpp+-+-0
9.f4 cxd4 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zPLzPNvL-0
9...c4 10.Bh4 Nd7 11.Be2 f6 is also a 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
good option. 9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.exd4 g6 11.Bd3
XIIIIIIIIY A11. 9.e4; A12. 9.0-0; A13. 9.Qe2;
9r+l+-trk+0 A14. 9.Ne5
9zppwq-+p+p0
9-+nvlpsnp+0 9.e4 Be7!
A11.XIIIIIIIIY
9+-+psN-+-0 9r+lwq-trk+0
9-+-zP-zP-+0 9zp-+-vlpzpp0
9+-zPL+-vL-0 9-zpn+psn-+0
9PzP-sN-+PzP0 9+-zpp+-+-0
9tR-+QmK-+R0 9-+-zPP+-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-zPL+NvL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
Black commonly gets this position 9tR-+QmK-+R0
with ...b6, ...Bb7. xiiiiiiiiy
11...Nh5! 12.Qf3 f6 and White quickly This surprising retreat is the cause of
lost after 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Bxg6 Ng7µ, the current popularity of the set-up with an
Macagno-Yudasin, chess.com 2017. early e6. It put the question on the whole
concept based on the e4-break. The bishop
retreat was first played by Rogers in 1992,
but the London had then the status of an
A1. 8.Bd3 b6
“irregular” opening so nobody paid
The fianchetto has been dominating the
attention. It returned gloriously to the front
scene, but 8...Qe7 9.Ne5 Nd7 10.Nxd7
stage only in 2015 thanks to Nakamura.
Qxd7! is close to equal.
9...dxe4?! 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 Bb7
10...Bxd7? loses a pawn to 11.Bxd6
12.Qa4 Rc8 13.dxc5 Bxc5 14.Rd1
Qxd6 12.dxc5 when 12...Qxc5? fails
obviously favours White.
to 13.Bxh7+!!.
11.dxc5 Bxc5 12.0-0 Bd6 13.Bxd6 ½- 10.e5
½, Chigaev-Kravtsiv, Riga 2016. The text Kamsky’s attempt to improve with
is certainly more interesting and double- 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nxe4 12.Nxe4
edged. dxe4 13.Bxe4 is best met by 13...Rb8!
when:
 14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.Rd1 Rxd1+ White should play 13.Rd1 – see 11.a3
16.Kxd1 Bb7 is totally equal. More a5 12.Qe2 Bd7.
challenging is:
I propose 11...a5, when Kamsky did not
14.Qg4 Bb7 15.Bc2 find anything better against Taborsky than
XIIIIIIIIY to transpose to our main line with 12.a3.
9-tr-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-vlpzpp0 11.Ng5 is one of White’s major
9-zp-+p+-+0 resources, so we should know what to do
9+-zp-zP-+-0 against it. 11...Bxg5 12.Qxh5 g6 13.Qe2
9-+-+-+Q+0 cxd4 14.h4 and we face a choice:
9+-zP-+-vL-0 XIIIIIIIIY
9PzPL+-zPPzP0 9r+lwq-trk+0
9tR-+-mK-+R0 9zp-+-+p+p0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-zpn+p+p+0
9+-+pzP-vl-0
The engines suggest here to grab a 9-+-zp-+-zP0
pawn, but this is not too practical as 9+-zPL+-vL-0
White enjoys an initiative after 9PzP-sNQzPP+0
15...Bxg2 16.Rg1 Bc6 17.Rd1 Qc7 9tR-+-mK-+R0
18.Rd3 g6 19.Re3 Rfd8 20.Bf4 Rd5 xiiiiiiiiy
21.Qh5. The game is too chaotic and it
14...Be7!?
is easy to err in rapid time controls. It
is safer to answer: I would feel uneasy to play OTB
15...Qd5 16.f3 g6 17.0-0 (17.Bf4 Ba6) without my dark-squared bishop:
17...Qd2 18.Rf2 Qg5=. 14...Bxd2+ 15.Qxd2 dxc3 16.bxc3 d4
17.c4 Qe7 18.Rb1 h5 19.Bf4 Bb7
10.exd5 is also harmless owing to (19...Ba6∞) 20.0-0 Rfc8? 21.Bg5 Qf8
10...Qxd5 11.Bc4 Qh5 (or 11...Qf5). 22.Bf6±, Van Foreest-Svane, Aachen
2016.
10...Nh5 11.a3
14...Bh6 15.h5 dxc3 16.bxc3 Bg7
Aiming to prevent queenside
counterplay with b4. (16...Qe7 17.hxg6 Bxd2+ 18.Qxd2
fxg6 19.Bh4 Qg7 20.f4°, Shimanov-
Kamsky tested 3 times 11.Qe2. We Abasov, Minsk 2017; 16...g5 17.Nf3
should not underestimate it as we could f5 18.exf6 Qxf6 19.0-0 Bg7 20.Rae1
easily find ourselves thrown out of our Bd7 21.Bb5!².)
repertoire.

For instance, Romero and De Prado

only mention 11...Bd7 12.a3 a5
13.0-0?! c4 14.Bc2 b5 15.Rfe1 Nxg3
16.hxg3 b4ƒ, Kamsky-Goryachkina,
Gibraltar 2016, but instead of castling
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0 9-+rwq-+r+0
9zp-+-+pvlp0 9zpl+-vlpmkp0
9-zpn+p+p+0 9-zpn+p+p+0
9+-+pzP-+P0 9+-+pzP-+P0
9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zPL+-vL-0 9+-zP-wQNvL-0
9P+-sNQzPP+0 9P+-+-zPP+0
9tR-+-mK-+R0 9+L+RmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
20...g5 21.Qd3 Kf8 22.Qxh7 Ba6
17.Kf1!? (Sedlak) is also tangled.
23.Bd3 Bxd3 24.Rxd3 Rg7=.
(17.f4 Qc7 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.Nf3 Ne7
20.Rc1 is unclear, Filipovic-
11.0-0 looks harmless. Kamsky twice
Derakhshani, Flims 2016. The
failed to equalize with White against
g7-bishop is rather poor, and White
11...Bd7, e.g. 12.Re1
has fair compensation for the pawn.)
XIIIIIIIIY
17...Qe7 18.Re1 Bd7 19.Qg4 f5
9r+-wq-trk+0
(19...g5 20.h6 f5 21.Qh5∞) 20.exf6
9zp-+lvlpzpp0
Qxf6 21.Nf3 Qxc3∞.
9-zpn+p+-+0
15.h5 9+-zppzP-+n0
9-+-zP-+-+0
15.Nf3?! dxc3 16.bxc3, Lupulescu- 9+-zPL+NvL-0
Aleksandrov, Minsk 2017, allows 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
16...h5 or first 16...d4 17.Be4 Bb7 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
18.Rd1 Qc8 19.c4 and now 19...h5, xiiiiiiiiy
when it is unclear how White could
develop his attack. Kamsky-Muzychuk, Gibraltar 2016:

15...Kg7 The idea is to defend with ...g5
or ...f5. For instance:
16.Nf3 dxc3 17.bxc3 Bd7 18.Nh2
18.Qe3 g5 19.h6+ Kh8 20.Bc2 Rg8
21.Qd3 Rg6 22.Qd2 Na5³; 18.Bh4 g5.
18...f5 19.exf6+ Bxf6 20.Rd1 (20.0-0 e5
21.Rad1 Qe8∞) 20...Bxc3+ 21.Kf1 Qf6∞,
or:
16.Rd1 Bb7 17.Bb1 Rc8 18.Nf3 dxc3
19.bxc3 Rg8 (20.Kf1 Na5 21.Kg1 g5)
20.Qe3
12...Nxg3 13.hxg3 a5!? 14.a3 a4
15.Nf1?! b5! 16.Ne3 b4 17.cxb4 cxb4
18.axb4 Nxb4³. Critical would be 15.g4!,
intending to mount an attack on the h-file;
Kamsky-Nakamura, Saint Louis 2015:
12...Rc8 13.a3 Nxg3 14.hxg3 f5 15.dxc5?!
bxc5 16.b4 g5³. The obvious 15.exf6 Bxf6
16.Nf1 cxd4 17.cxd4 Nxd4 would be
roughly equal, but White’s moves look
more easy since he is free of apparent
weaknesses.
I think that instead of 11...Bd7, Black
could play 11...a5 (intending ...Ba6)
12.Qe2 Bb7 as in the main line. Instead, our king:
12...c4 13.Bc2 b5 14.Ng5 Nxg3 (14...g6!?
15.h4∞) 15.Bxh7+ Kh8 16.Nxf7+ Rxf7 13.Rd1!
17.fxg3 is a draw by perpetual check.
13.0-0?! c4 14.Bc2 b5 15.Rfe1 Nxg3
11...a5 16.hxg3 b4ƒ, Kamsky-Goryachkina,
11...g6 is not a bad move either. Gibraltar 2016.
13...g6
12.Qe2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0 13...c4 would give White a freehand
9+-+-vlpzpp0 on the kingside – 14.Bc2 b5 15.Ng5.
9-zpn+p+-+0
14.Qe3
9zp-zppzP-+n0
9-+-zP-+-+0 Or 14.Nf1 cxd4 15.cxd4 b5!.
9zP-zPL+NvL-0
9-zP-sNQzPPzP0 14...cxd4 15.cxd4 b5
9tR-+-mK-+R0 XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9r+-wq-trk+0
9+-+lvlp+p0
12...Bb7!? 9-+n+p+p+0
Played with the undisguised intention to 9zpp+pzP-+n0
trade light-squared bishop with ...Qc8,
9-+-zP-+-+0
...Ba6. Then Black’s queen could attack
9zP-+LwQNvL-0
the b2-pawn through b5.
9-zP-sN-zPPzP0
9+-+RmK-+R0
Another approach is to prepare ...f5, e.g. xiiiiiiiiy
12...g6 13.0-0 f5 14.exf6 Bxf6. It is safer
16.h4 Nxg3 17.fxg3 f5 18.exf6
from a practical standpoint, as it
anticipates any White’s attack on the 18.Bxb5 Nb4 19.axb4 Bxb5 20.bxa5
kingside, but we remain with a bad bishop. Rxa5 promises sufficient
compensation.
Black can choose a pawn storm with
...c4, ...b5 after the prophylactic move 18...Bxf6 19.Ne5 (19.h5 Qc7)
12...Ra7!?. See Game 15 19...Nxe5 20.dxe5 Be7 21.Nf3 b4 22.h5
Grischuk-Nakamura, Skopje 2015. (22.Qh6? Rf7 23.h5 g5) 22...g5 23.0-0
bxa3 24.bxa3 Rb8 25.Kh2 a4 26.Rb1÷.
He could also prepare ...c4 with I’m afraid that Black does not have serious
12...Bd7!?. It maintains the hit on d4 so winning chances with his weak king.
13.Ng5 would drop the pawn. The only
thing I do not like about it is that Black 13.Rd1!?
abandons the fine positional plan of The direct 13.Ng5?! Bxg5 14.Qxh5 just
trading like-squared bishops. In my drops the d4-pawn.
opinion, White should delay castling in
order to provoke some weakening around Castling short would mean to abandon
all hopes for a quick attack – 13.0-0 Nxg3
14.hxg3 Qc8 15.Kh2 Ba6 16.Rh1 Bxd3
17.Qxd3 Qa6 18.Qe3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+-+-vlpzpp0
9qzpn+p+-+0
9zp-zppzP-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9zP-zP-wQNzP-0
9-zP-sN-zPPmK0
9tR-+-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son-Tregubov,
blitz, Doha 2016. went 18...cxd4
19.cxd4 Rfc8 20.g4 Bf8 21.Kg3 h6
22.Rh5 Ne7 with a tangled game
where Black is holding his own. Still,
it is scary to allow such a
concentration of white pieces against
our king. I suggest to counter-attack in
the centre with:
18...Qb5 19.Rab1 Rae8 20.g4 cxd4
21.cxd4 f6! 22.exf6 Bd6+ 23.g3 Rxf6
24.Kg2 e5ƒ.
13.h4!? might be White’s best option. It
seems that we have nothing more than a
draw after 13...Nxg3
13...cxd4 14.cxd4 Nxg3 15.fxg3 f5
may be interesting, but White should
be slightly better after 16.exf6 Bxf6
17.Ng5 h6 18.Qxe6+ Kh8 19.Nf7+
Rxf7 20.Qxf7 Qe8+ 21.Qxe8+ Rxe8+
22.Kd1². This line shows the
drawback of 12...Bb7 – it leaves the
e6-pawn unprotected. If Black refrains
from ...f5, White has a draw with
15...Rc8 16.Ng5 (or 16.Bxh7+ Kxh7
17.Ng5+ Kh6 18.Qd3 g6 19.h5 Kg7
20.Nxe6+ fxe6 21.Qxg6+=) 16...h6
17.Qg4 Bxg5 18.hxg5 Qxg5 19.Qxg5
hxg5 20.Bh7+ Kh8 21.Bd3+ Kg8=.
14.fxg3 Qc8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+-trk+0
9+l+-vlpzpp0
9-zpn+p+-+0
9zp-zppzP-+-0
9-+-zP-+-zP0
9zP-zPL+NzP-0
9-zP-sNQ+P+0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Now 15.Ng5 does not make much sense
owing to 15...h6 so the following forced
line looks imperative:
15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Ng5+ Kh6 17.Qd3
g6 18.h5 Kg7 19.Nxf7 gxh5 20.Qf3 Ba6
21.Qxh5 Bd3 22.Ng5 Bxg5 23.Qxg5+
Kf7 24.0-0-0. Black cannot escape from
the perpetual check: 24...c4 25.Rdf1+
(25.Nf3 Ke8 26.Rxd3 cxd3 27.Rh7 Ra7=)
25...Bxf1 26.Rh7+ Ke8 27.Qh5+ Kd8
28.Qg5+ Ke8 or 24...Ke8 25.Nf3 Be4=.
The only other way to delay castling
is 13.Nf1. I propose that we thematically
meet it by 13...cxd4 (or even 13...b5 at
once) 14.cxd4 b5!
The engines also claim that 13...Qc8
14.Ng5 g6 15.Nxh7 cxd4 16.Nxf8
Qxf8 gives full compensation for the
exchange, but it is far from obvious.
For instance: 17.cxd4 Nxd4 18.Qd1
Qg7 19.Ne3 Nxg3 20.hxg3 Qxe5° or
17.Nd2 dxc3 18.bxc3 d4 19.c4 Bxa3
20.0-0 Be7 21.Qg4 Nb4 22.Be4 Bxe4
23.Nxe4 Nxg3 24.Qxg3 Qd8°.
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0 9r+q+-trk+0
9+l+-vlpzpp0 9+-+-vl-zp-0
9-+n+p+-+0 9lzpn+psn-zp0
9zpp+pzP-+n0 9zp-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0 9-+-zP-+-+0
9zP-+L+NvL-0 9zP-zP-+NvL-0
9-zP-+QzPPzP0 9-zPQ+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKN+R0 9+L+RmKN+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
15.Bxb5 a4! 16.Bd3 Qa5+ 17.N1d2 At first sight it seems that all the fun
Qb6ƒ. is for White, but note a subtle detail –
White’s king cannot castle! That brings
13...g6 suspense in the game:
13...Qc8 is dubious owing to 14.Ng5.
18.Ne3 cxd4 19.Ng4 (19.cxd4? Qe8
We could prevent that threat with 20.Bh4 Ne4–+) 19...Ne4
13...h6 and the engines are fond of this
move. I have invested a lot of time in it, 19...d3 20.Nxf6+ Bxf6 21.Rxd3 Ne7!
but I could not convince myself that 22.Bd6 Bxd3 23.Qxd3 Qc4 24.Qh7+
weakening the h7-b1 diagonal is the best Kf7 25.Ne5+ Bxe5 26.Bxe5 Rg8∞.
idea. My analysis suggests that Black has
20.Nxd4 Nxd4 21.Rxd4 Rf5 22.f3
probably good counterplay, but my human
Nxg3 23.hxg3 Bc5 24.Rf4 Bd6 25.Rd4
intuition hints that 13...g6 is safer. Let’s
What a mess! You can take the draw or
delve deeper in 13...h6:
play on with ...Qe8.
a) 14.Nf1 Qc8 15.Bb1
18.Bh4?! cxd4 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.cxd4
Ne7 21.Qh7+ Kf7 22.Ne3 Rh8 23.Qc2
15.Ne3 Ba6 16.Ng4 (16.Bxa6 Qxa6
Qxc2³.
17.c4 Rfd8) 16...Bxd3 17.Rxd3 Qa6
18.Qe3 Qb5³;
b) 14.0-0!? Qc8 15.h4 Nxg3 16.fxg3
15.h4 Ba6 (15...Nxg3 16.Nxg3 Ba6 Ba6 17.g4 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Qa6 19.Qe3
17.Nh5 Kh8 18.Nf4 cxd4 19.cxd4 a4 XIIIIIIIIY
20.Rh3 Ra7 21.Nh5 Bxd3 22.Qxd3 9r+-+-trk+0
Na5 23.Ng5 g6 24.Nf6 Kg7 25.Nh5+ 9+-+-vlpzp-0
Kh8) 16.Bh2 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 f6 9qzpn+p+-zp0
18.exf6 Rxf6 (18...Nxf6=) 19.N1d2 9zp-zppzP-+-0
Qd7 20.0-0 Raf8 21.Rde1 Nf4 22.Bxf4 9-+-zP-+PzP0
Rxf4 23.g3 R4f5 24.Re3=. 9zP-zP-wQN+-0
9-zP-sN-+P+0
15...Ba6 16.Qc2 f5 17.exf6 Nxf6
9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
19...b5 allows White to start the attack
at once with 20.g5 h5 21.g4 hxg4 14...f5 is another decent retort, but it
22.Nh2÷, since Black lacks 22...Nxd4. hangs on a tactical sequence: 15.exf6 Bxf6
The computer comes up with ingenuous 16.Ne3 Bg7 17.Ng4 cxd4 18.cxd4
defence and somehow holds the position, XIIIIIIIIY
but it is scary to play this over the board. 9r+-wq-trk+0
9+l+-+-vlp0
14.Nf1 9-zpn+p+p+0
We meet 14.h4 by 14...f6 (14...Nxg3 9zp-+p+-+n0
15.fxg3 Qc8 16.0-0 Ba6 is more risky) 9-+-zP-+N+0
15.exf6 Rxf6 16.0-0 cxd4=. 9zP-+L+NvL-0
9-zP-+QzPPzP0
14.Qe3 allows 14...Ba6=. 9+-+RmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.0-0 gives us time for our main
strategic idea – 14...Qc8 15.Qe3 18...Nf4! 19.Bxf4 Rxf4 20.Qxe6+ Kh8
21.Nge5 Nxe5 22.Nxe5 Qe8 23.Qxe8+
15.h3 Nxg3 16.fxg3 Ba6 17.Rf2 Bxd3 Rxe8 24.Bb5 (24.Be2 Re4=) 24...Re4+!
18.Qxd3 Qc7, preparing ...f6. 25.Kf1 Bxe5 26.Bxe8 Ba6+ 27.Kg1 Bxd4
15...Nxg3 16.fxg3 Ba6 17.Bxa6 Qxa6 28.h4 Bxb2 29.Bc6 Bxa3 30.Rxd5 Re6
18.Rf2 31.Rd8+ Kg7=. The black pawns are
XIIIIIIIIY dangerous.
9r+-+-trk+0
9+-+-vlp+p0 14...Qc8?! is too slow and gives White
9qzpn+p+p+0 good attacking prospects – 15.Ne3 Ba6
9zp-zppzP-+-0 16.Ng4 Bxd3 17.Rxd3 a4 18.0-0 cxd4
9-+-zP-+-+0 19.cxd4 Na5 20.Qd2 Nc4 21.Qh6.
9zP-zP-wQNzP-0
9-zP-sN-tRPzP0 15.Bxb5 cxd4 16.cxd4 a4 17.Ne3 Qa5+
9+-+R+-mK-0 18.Rd2 Qb6 19.Ng4
XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9r+-+-trk+0
9+l+-vlp+p0
18...Qb5 9-wqn+p+p+0
9+L+pzP-+n0
Another idea is 18...b5 19.Nf1 b4 9p+-zP-+N+0
20.h3 cxd4 21.cxd4 bxa3 22.bxa3 9zP-+-+NvL-0
Rae8 23.N3h2 f5 24.exf6 Bxf6. 9-zP-tRQzPPzP0
19.Nf1 Qb3 20.Qd2 Rae8 21.Re1 f6
9+-+-mK-+R0
22.exf6 Bxf6 23.Ne3 Bg7 24.Ng4 b5„.
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has successfully shifted the focus
14...b5!
of the game to the queenside. His initiative
I recommended the same pawn sac
fully compensates for the missing pawn.
against 13.Nf1. Whenever White decides
For instance:
to spend two tempi on the knight
manoeuvre, we could throw in a pawn.
 a) 19...Na5 20.0-0 Ba6 21.Bxa6 Qxa6 Qg5, grabbing the e5-pawn. Of course,
22.Qe1 Rfc8 23.Bh4 Bf8 24.Qe3 Nc4 White is very active, but he lacks
25.Nh6+ Bxh6 26.Qxh6 Nxd2 27.Qxd2 targets.
Ng7; 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.e4 Ng6 14.Rad1 Qb6
15.b3 Rad8 16.e5 Nd7=.
b) 19...Ba6!? 20.Bxa6 Qxa6 21.0-0
Qxe2 22.Rxe2 Nxg3 23.hxg3 Ra7 24.Rc1 b) 11.Ne5 looks more challenging, but
Na5 25.Ne3 Nb3 26.Rc3 Rb8 27.Rec2 the thematic exchange operation
Bd8 28.Ng4 Kg7 29.Ne3 Raa8 30.g4 Na1 11...Nxe5! 12.dxe5 Ne4 saves the day.
31.Rc1 Nb3 32.R1c2=.
c) Finally, 11.Qa4 also makes sense.
White prepares a queen lift to the kingside
A12. 9.0-0 after a possible dxc5. We can ignore the
After the short castle, we can calmly threat – 11...Rb8, intending to wait for the
trade bishops: best timing for advancing our queenside
pawns. Then 12.dxc5 bxc5 13.Qh4 can be
9...Bxg3 parried by both:
This looks more straightforward than XIIIIIIIIY
9...Bb7, which allows 10.Bh4. Of course, 9-tr-wq-trk+0
we have 10...Be7 (10...e5? 11.e4) 11.Re1 9zpl+-+pzpp0
Ne4, but the text is simpler. As a rule, 9-+n+psn-+0
we should take on g3, whenever White 9+-zpp+-+-0
castles. 9-+-+-+-wQ0
9+-zPLzPNzP-0
10.hxg3 Bb7
XIIIIIIIIY 9PzP-sN-zPP+0
9r+-wq-trk+0 9tR-+-+RmK-0
9zpl+-+pzpp0 xiiiiiiiiy
9-zpn+psn-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0 13...e5 14.e4 Ne7 15.Nxe5 Qc7 16.Ng4
9-+-zP-+-+0 Nxg4 17.Qxg4 dxe4 18.Bc4 Ng6 19.Rfe1
9+-zPLzPNzP-0 Kh8 20.Qf5 Rbe8 21.f4!=, and the sharper
9PzP-sN-zPP+0 line:
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 13...h6 14.g4 d4 15.cxd4 (15.g5 dxc3
16.gxf6 cxd2 17.fxg7 Kxg7) 15...cxd4
The position is roughly equal. 16.g5 dxe3 17.fxe3 hxg5 18.Nxg5 Qxd3
Harikrishna-Nakamura, chess.com blitz 19.Nde4 Ne5 20.Nxf6+ gxf6 21.Rxf6
5m+2spm 2016 saw further: Qxe3+ 22.Kh2 Be4 23.Re1 Qxe1
24.Qxe1 Ng4+ 25.Kg1=.
a) 11.Qe2 Ne7

More simple is 11...Re8 12.Ne5

(12.Rfe1 e5) 12...Nxe5 13.dxe5 Ne4 A13. 9.Qe2 Bb7 10.Rd1
14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Bb5 Rf8 16.Rad1
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0 9-+-tr-trk+0
9zpl+-+pzpp0 9zpl+-+pzpp0
9-zpnvlpsn-+0 9-zp-wqpsnn+0
9+-zpp+-+-0 9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-zPLzPNvL-0 9+-zPLzPQ+-0
9PzP-sNQzPPzP0 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9+-+RmK-+R0 9+-+R+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
A recent and quite fashionable idea. 15.Bxg6! hxg6 16.Qh3ƒ Ba6 17.Rfe1
White brings the rook in the centre while Nh7 18.f4 Bb5 19.Ndf3 Qe7 20.Qg3 Be8
delaying the castle. His idea is to define 21.Rf1 Qf6 22.Ng5+– Qe7 23.Rf3 f6
his further plan after seeing our answer 24.Nxh7.
(and take on d2 by rook in the event of
Nf6-e4xd2). However, after 11.0-0 Black could
answer 11...Nf5 and recapture by knight
10.e4 (or 10.dxc5 bxc5 11.e4 Be7) is on d6. Therefore, it would be more
still met by 10...Be7. principled to exchange the bishops at
once:
10.0-0 has no venom – 10...Bxg3
11.hxg3 with a wide choice before Black. 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Ne5 Qc7 13.0-0
The most thematic way is 11...Qe7 (or Rad8 14.a3
11...Re8) 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Ne4=.
14.Qf3!, as in Kramnik’s game, was
Nakamura played 11...Ne7, and I would stronger.
suggest the useful waiting move 11...h6.
14...c4 15.Bc2 b5 16.Qf3
10...Re8!?
XIIIIIIIIY
10...h6 is another popular retort, but it
9-+-tr-trk+0
9zplwq-snpzpp0
does not work well against plans with
9-+-+psn-+0
Nf3-e5.
9+p+psN-+-0
10...Ne7 is a fine idea when White has
9-+pzP-+-+0
played Ne5 and especially f4, but it does
9zP-zP-zPQ+-0
not make much sense here. White can
9-zPLsN-zPPzP0
9+-+R+RmK-0
trade bishops and try to mount a piece
xiiiiiiiiy
attack on the kingside. The purest form
of this approach is displayed by the game 16...Nc6?!
Kramnik-Hou Yifan, rapid Medias 2016:
The e5-knight should be repelled, not
11.0-0 Qc7?! 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Ne5 exchanged. The correct stand was
Rad8 14.Qf3! Ng6 16...Ne8! 17.Rfe1 g6 with ...f6 in
mind.
 After the text, White was better in the
game Shimanov-Lenic, chess.com
2017.
17.Qg3 a5?! and here 18.Nxc6! Qxc6
19.Qh4 Qe8 20.g4 would have been
awkward for Black.
11.e4
11.0-0 Bxg3 12.hxg3 e5 was
comfortable for Black in Javakhadze-
Sevian, Dallas 2016 – 13.dxe5 Nxe5
14.Nxe5 Rxe5 15.Nf3 Re7 16.Ba6 Qc8
17.Bxb7 Qxb7 18.Rd3 Qa6 19.a3 Qa4.
11.Ne5 Qc7
11...Ne7 allows the trick 12.Bb5 Rf8
13.Nd7.
12.f4 Ne7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0
9zplwq-snpzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-+0
9+-zPLzP-vL-0
9PzP-sNQ+PzP0
9+-+RmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
I consider such positions in line A14.
The main difference is the inclusion of
Rd1 Re8. To me, it can only be in Black’s
favour as the rook supports plans with ...e5
and defends e6 in the event Black plays
...f6. On the contrary, it is doubtful that the
white rook is more active on d1 than on a1
if Black opts for a queenside pawn storm.
The game Ziegler-Sevian, Stockholm
2016, went further:
13.Qf3 Nf5 14.Bf2 Be7 (14...Bf8!?)
15.g4 Nd6 16.g5 Nfe4 17.h4 f6! 18.gxf6
Bxf6 19.Ng4 Rf8 20.h5 Kh8 (20...Qe7!)
21.Nxf6 Rxf6 (21...gxf6µ) 22.Bh4 Rf7
23.Qh3 cxd4 24.cxd4 Nf5µ. In this game
Black did lose a tempo on Re8-Rf8, but
it was much more important that White
could not castle long.
11...Be7 12.e5 Nh5 13.a3 g6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqr+k+0
9zpl+-vlp+p0
9-zpn+p+p+0
9+-zppzP-+n0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9zP-zPL+NvL-0
9-zP-sNQzPPzP0
9+-+RmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Nf1
14.0-0 Nxg3 solves all the problems –
15.fxg3
15.hxg3 h5 (15...f5?! 16.exf6 Bxf6
17.Bb5) 16.b4 Kg7 builds a solid
defensive line. If White pushed g4 at
some point, we would answer simply
...Rh8.
15...f5 16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Bb5 cxd4
18.Bxc6 d3 19.Qf2 Bxc6. White does not
have time to construct Nimzowitsch’s
ideal blockading set-up Nd4+Ne5.
14...f5 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Ne3 e5ƒ
Black’s centre is hanging, but it is very
dynamic. See the beautiful Game 18
Sedlak-So, Baku 2016.
A14. 9.Ne5 Bb7
We could delay ...Bb7 with 9...Qc7.
The idea is to fight for e5 with ...f6:
 10.f4 – 10...Qc7 11.Qf3?!. Perhaps 11.Nxc6
Bxc6=, Perez-S.Zhigalko, Doha 2016, was
A small minus of 9...Qc7 is that White more realistic.
could answer 10.Nxc6 Qxc6 11.a4=.
10.0-0!? Qc7 or 10...Ne7 will most
10...Ne7 11.Bh4 Ne8 12.Bxe7 Bxe7
probably transpose to 10.f4.
13.Qh5 g6 14.Qe2
Independent lines are:
14.Qh6 Bd6 15.h4 f6.
14...f6 15.Nef3 10...Ne7 11.Qf3 (Kamsky opted for
XIIIIIIIIY 11.Qb1 g6 12.Nef3 Nf5 13.Be5=)
9r+l+ntrk+0 11...Qc7 12.Ng4 Nd7 13.Bxd6 Qxd6
9zp-wq-vl-+p0 14.Qg3 (or 14.Qh3 f5 15.Nf3 fxg4
9-zp-+pzpp+0 16.Qxh7+ Kf7 17.Qh5+ g6 18.Ng5+ Ke8
9+-zpp+-+-0 19.Bxg6+ Nxg6 20.Qxg6+ Ke7 21.Qg7+
9-+-zP-zP-+0 Ke8 22.Qg6+=) 14...Qxg3 15.hxg3 a5
9+-zPLzPN+-0 16.Rfd1 a4=, Shengelia-Dragun, Czech
9PzP-sNQ+PzP0 Republic 2016.
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy 10...Qc7 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6
13.f4
Sedlak puts here a “²” sign, but I would XIIIIIIIIY
gladly take Black. White has not crossed 9r+-+-trk+0
the central line yet, while we have a clear 9zp-+-+pzpp0
plan of a pawn storm. Play might continue 9-zplwqpsn-+0
15...Nd6 16.0-0 c4 17.Bc2 b5 18.a3 Bb7 9+-zpp+-+-0
19.e4 f5 20.exf5 gxf5. 9-+-zP-zP-+0
9+-zPLzP-+-0
10.f4 9PzP-sN-+PzP0
10.Qb1 Qc7 is discussed in detail in 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
Game 16 Skoberne-Halkias,Baku 2016, xiiiiiiiiy
while 10...Ne7! leads to Game 17
Sandipan-Kryvoruchko,rapid, Dubai The simplest way to generate
2014. counterplay here is to launch a minority
attack with 13...cxd4 14.exd4 b5 because
10.Ndf3?! Ne7 leaves White with two after 13...b5 14.g4 Nd7?! (it is safer to
knights crowded at only one square, e5, defend with ...Ne4) 15.g5 cxd4, White
and the prospect is to lose even that one could already recapture 16.cxd4 or even
after ...f6. ignore the pawn by 16.Rf3.

10.Qe2 has been played in a number of 10...Ne7

games even by strong grandmasters, but I faced 10...Qc7 in my game
I fail to see any idea behind it. Agrest Kir.Georgiev-Rauk, rapid Puhajarve 2013.
even “corrected” himself on the next turn
 XIIIIIIIIY
a) I chose 11.0-0 Nd7 9r+-+-trk+0
9zplwqn+-zpp0
11...Ne7 is seen much more often, and 9-zpnvlp+-+0
it is probably the best plan. Still, I do 9+-zppsNp+-0
not understand why Black should 9-+-zP-zPPvL0
combine Qc7+Ne7. In any event, he 9+-zPLzP-+-0
has a solid position. For instance: 9PzP-sN-+-zP0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
9zplwq-snpzpp0 xiiiiiiiiy
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9+-zppsN-+-0 13...Ndxe5 14.fxe5 Be7 15.Bg3 Bg5
9-+-zP-zP-+0 16.Bf4 Bxf4 17.Rxf4 Ne7. Everything
9+-zPLzP-vL-0 is protected, but White is more active.
9PzP-sN-+PzP0 12...f5 13.Qe2 Nf6 14.Bh4 Ne4
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9r+-+-trk+0
9zplwq-+-zpp0
12.Bh4?! Ne4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Qe2 9-zpnvlp+-+0
f6 15.Nef3 Nxd2 16.Qxd2, when 9+-zppsNp+-0
16...e5 was drawish in Boskovic- 9-+-zPnzP-vL0
Krivokapic, Subotica 2010, while 9+-zPLzP-+-0
16...c4!? would be more challenging. 9PzP-sNQ+PzP0
After 12.Qf3 Nf5 13.Bf2 Be7, White
9tR-+-+RmK-0
has tried 14.Rac1 Rad8 15.Rfd1,
xiiiiiiiiy
14.Ng4 Nxg4 15.Qxg4 Nd6 16.Bh4
f5, and 14.Qh3 Ne4, with a The e4-knight does not leave me much
comfortable game for Black. chances and I decided to trade it, but
perhaps 15.g4 deserved more attention.
12.Qh5?! For instance: 15...Nxe5 16.dxe5 Be7
17.Bxe7 Qxe7 18.gxf5 exf5 19.Nxe4
Too hasty! I should have exploited the
fxe4 20.Ba6 Bxa6 21.Qxa6∞.
absence of a knight on f5 to activate
my bishop with 12.Bh4!. The idea is to 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Bb5 Nxe5
meet 12...f6 by 13.Qh5 or 12...g6 by (16...Bxe5=) 17.fxe5 Be7=.
13.Rf3.
Alternative lines are:
The only defence is 12...f5 13.g4
b) 11.Bh4?! Ne4! (11...Ne8 is also
possible.) 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Bxe4 cxd4
14.exd4 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Bxe5 16.Bxh7+
Kxh7 17.Qh5+ Kg8 18.fxe5 Qc4 with
excellent compensation for the pawn.

c) 11.Qb1 g6 is Game 16 Skoberne-

Halkias, Baku 2016. 14.0-0

d) 11.Qf3!? 14.Qh3 g6 15.g5 cxd4 16.exd4 Ba6.

XIIIIIIIIY 14...Ba6 15.Bxa6 Rxa6=. It transpires
9r+-+-trk+0 that White should turn his attention to the
9zplwq-+pzpp0 queenside in order to keep the balance.
9-zpnvlpsn-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
9+-zppsN-+-0 9r+-wq-trk+0
9-+-zP-zP-+0 9zpl+-snpzpp0
9+-zPLzPQvL-0 9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9PzP-sN-+PzP0 9+-zppsN-+-0
9tR-+-mK-+R0 9-+-zP-zP-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-zPLzP-vL-0
11...Ne7 12.Bf2
9PzP-sN-+PzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
12.Bh4 does not rule out 12...Ne8 xiiiiiiiiy
13.Qh3 g6 14.Ndf3 f6 since 15.Qxe6+
Kg7 16.Qh3 cxd4 17.exd4 Bc8 18.g4 11.Qf3
h5 is double-edged. Besides, 12...Ng6 We were threatening to stop any further
also deserves consideration. attack with 11...Ne4, for instance after
11.Bh4?!.
12...Ne8 13.g4 (13.0-0 f5=) 13...a5!?
The game Ivanisevic-Pavlovic,
It is not realistic to play for ...Ne4, so
Belgrade 2014, saw 11.0-0?! Ne4 12.Bh4
we do not need our bishop on the long
f6 13.Nxe4? dxe4 14.Bc4 Bd5 with an
diagonal anymore. Still, the thematic
overwhelming strategic advantage.
defence based on 13...f6 14.Qh3 g6 is
also effective. Black could then It is clear that White should take control
rearrange his pieces in the following of e4:
way: 15.0-0 Nc6 16.Nef3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+ntrk+0 11.Qb1 brings better practical results,
9zplwq-+-+p0 but you can see in the annotations to
9-zpnvlpzpp+0 Game 17 Sandipan-Kryvoruchko, rapid,
9+-zpp+-+-0 Dubai 2014, that Black has at least two
9-+-zP-zPP+0 good plans against it – 11...Ng6 and
9+-zPLzPN+Q0 11...g6!?.
9PzP-sN-vL-zP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0 11.Qc2 suffers from the obvious
xiiiiiiiiy drawback of taking the c2-square.
Andreikin-Karjakin, Baku 2015, saw
11...c4 12.Be2 Nf5 (12...b5!? was more
16...Qd7 17.Bg3 Bc7, followed up by
straightforward, intending to meet 13.Bh4
...Nd6. Black’s queen could easily
by 13...Ne4) 13.Bf2 Be7 14.Ng4 Nxg4
reach g7 to neutralise White’s attack.
15.Bxg4 Nd6, and White was lucky to
save the game.
11.Qe2 is aimless as 11...Ne4 blocks e4
and threatens ...f6.
11...Nf5
11...Ne8, intending ...f6, has a “major”
drawback – White could force a draw after
12.Bf2 cxd4 13.exd4 f6 14.Bxh7+ Kxh7
15.Qh3+ Kg8 16.Qxe6+=.
12.Bf2 Be7 13.g4
13.0-0 is safer for both sides. We can opt
for a queenside advance: 13...Nd6 14.Qh3
14.Rad1 c4 15.Bc2 Nfe4 16.Qh3 Qc8
17.g4 f6 18.Nef3 b5;
14.Bh4 Nfe4.
14...c4
Or 14...cxd4!? (to avoid dxc5) 15.exd4
Nfe4.
15.Bc2 Nfe4 16.g4 f6.
13.Qh3 does not change our plan –
13...Nd6 14.Bh4 Nfe4 15.Bxe7 Qxe7
16.Rd1 f6 17.Nef3 c4 18.Bc2 b5 19.Rb1
Rab8 20.0-0 a5 21.Nxe4 dxe4 22.Nd2 f5³.
15...c4
16.Bc2(?) 16...b5 “and Black was
much faster n the queenside, Karjakin-
Adams, Wijk aan Zee 2016.”
Indeed, 17.Qh3 b4 18.Nxe4 dxe4
19.Be1 Bd5 20.Rg1 b3 21.axb3 cxb3
22.Bb1 f5 was clearly better, but White
should not lose a tempo on 16.Bc2.
Correct is:
16.Bxe4! dxe4 17.Qg4! b5
17...Bd5 18.h4 f6 is risky – 19.gxf6
Bxf6 20.h5 Nf5 21.Rdg1 Qc7 22.h6∞.
18.h4 b4 19.h5 a5 20.Nb1 Nf5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+l+-vlpzpp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9zp-+-sNnzPP0
9-zppzPpzPQ+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0
9PzP-+-vL-+0
9+NmKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White obtains sufficient counterplay
here with 21.g6 fxg6 22.h6! Qe8 23.hxg7
Kxg7 24.Rh2 Rg8 25.Rdh1 h6

13...Nd6 14.g5 Nfe4 15.0-0-0

XIIIIIIIIY 25...Rh8 26.Qg1 Bd5 27.Nxg6 hxg6
9r+-wq-trk+0 28.Rxh8 Qxh8 29.Rxh8 Rxh8=.
9zpl+-vlpzpp0 26.Rg1 Kh7 27.Qh3 Bf6 28.Ng4 Bg7
9-zp-snp+-+0
29.Bh4 Rf8 30.Ne5 Bxe5 31.fxe5 h5
9+-zppsN-zP-0
32.Bg5 Bd5 33.Qg2 Rb8 34.Qe2 Rh8
9-+-zPnzP-+0
35.Bf6 Rg8 36.a3. Neither side could
9+-zPLzPQ+-0
make progress from here.
9PzP-sN-vL-zP0
9+-mKR+-+R0 The “flexible” 15...b5 may seem clever,
xiiiiiiiiy
but 16.dxc5! Nxc5 17.Bxh7+! Kxh7
18.e4!! removes the defender of e6 and
15...cxd4! enables a perpetual check after 18...Ncxe4
Sedlak only mentions:
19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.g6+! Kg8 21.Qh3 fxg6 unclear.
22.Qxe6+ Kh7 23.Qxg6+. 18.cxb4 a5 19.b5 a4 20.a3 Qb6
16.exd4 b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
Black owns the initiative.
9+l+-vlpzpp0
The straightforward 17.h4?! b4 18.cxb4
9-wq-snp+-+0
a5 19.b5 a4 20.a3 Qa5 21.Be1 Qb6
9+P+psN-zP-0
22.Qe2 Rac8+ 23.Kb1 Nxb5 24.Bxb5
9p+-zPnzP-+0
Ba6 25.Nd7 Bxb5µ was terrible for White
9zP-+L+-+-0
9-zP-sNQvL-zP0
in Sodomski-Fedorov, ICCF 2011.
9+-mKR+-+R0
Instead, he should think about
xiiiiiiiiy
prophylaxis.Stockfish at depth 40
suggests: 21.Nd7 Qc7+ 22.Nc5 Rfb8, followed
up by ...Ra5, and Black captures on b5.
17.Nb3 Nc4

17...a5 18.Nc5 b4 19.Nxb7 Nxb7

20.c4. A2. XIIIIIIIIY
8.Bb5
18.Rhg1 Qc7 19.Nc5 Bxc5 20.dxc5 9r+lwq-trk+0
Nxe5 21.fxe5 Qxe5 22.Bxe4 dxe4 9zpp+-+pzpp0
23.Qg3, 9-+nvlpsn-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+Lzpp+-+-0
9r+-+-trk+0 9-+-zP-+-+0
9zpl+-+pzpp0 9+-zP-zPNvL-0
9-+-+p+-+0 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9+pzP-wq-zP-0 9tR-+QmK-+R0
9-+-+p+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-zP-+-wQ-0
9PzP-+-vL-zP0 A21. 8...Ne7; A22. 8...Qe7!?
9+-mKR+-tR-0
xiiiiiiiiy 8...a6 might be enough for equality after
9.Bxc6
but “it” does not “feel” that the endgame
after 23...Qxg3 24.Bxg3 Bd5 25.Bd6 f5! Let me also note the game Nisipeanu-
26.Bxf8 Rxf8 is highly unpleasant for Cornette, Germany 2016: 9.Bd3 b6
White. 10.e4 Be7 11.exd5 exd5 12.Ne5 Bb7
13.0-0 cxd4 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.cxd4. I
Perhaps the most stubborn defence is: understand White’s idea to weaken the
queenside pawns, but such subtleties
17.Qe2!? (preparing to take on e4) are not enough for a substantial
17...b4 advantage. Instead of 15...Bb5?!,
Black could have equalized with
17...a5 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.Bxb5 is 15...Ne4!.
 9...bxc6 10.Qa4 cxd4
10...Rb8?! is worse when the pawn is
on a6, as it deprives Black of ...Ba6 or
...Rb8-b6-a6 e.g. 11.Bxd6 Qxd6
12.Qa3 Nd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9-trl+-trk+0
9+-+n+pzpp0
9p+pwqp+-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9wQ-zP-zPN+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13.0-0!? (13.Nb3 e5 14.Nxc5 Nxc5
15.dxc5 Qg6 16.0-0 e4 17.Nd4 Bh3
18.g3 is also slightly better for White.)
13...e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5. In
these examples White obtains a more
flexible pawn structure and in many
positions his knight is more efficient
than the opponent’s bishop.
11.cxd4 a5!. A similar idea was
successfully tested in the game Le Roux-
Bellahcene, Chartres 2017.
12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.0-0 Ba6 14.Rfc1 Bb5
15.Qc2 a4=. The only drawback of this
stand is that it is a little passive.
A21. 8...Ne7 9.Bd3
9.0-0 is not threatening with e4, so we
could safely answer 9...b6!?
Closing the centre is also possible –
9...c4 10.Ba4 b5 11.Bc2 b4 12.Be5
bxc3 13.bxc3 Bxe5 14.Nxe5 Nd7. We
have a bad bishop, but this is balanced
by our space advantage on the
queenside.
10.Bd3 Bb7 11.Qe2 Bxg3 12.hxg3 Qc7
13.Rac1 Rac8 14.dxc5 Qxc5 15.c4 Rfd8
16.Nb3 Qb4 17.cxd5 Bxd5 18.Nfd4 Rxc1
19.Rxc1 Bxb3 20.Nxb3 g6 21.Rc4 Qd6
22.Rd4 Qc7 23.Rxd8+ Qxd8 24.Qc2 ½-½,
Golubov-Moskalenko, Sochi 2016.
9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.Bd3 b6 hardly deserves
any attention, despite Kramnik’s name on
the White side (it was a blitz game, after
all).
9...c4!?
This logical retort has been nearly
unexplored. It is understandable that Black
would like to preserve tension in the
centre, but that is exactly White’s
intention, too. His pieces are better placed
for such course of events as Black’s knight
had been pushed back to e7.
Two games of Carlsen showed that
White was on top after 9...b6 10.e4! –
10...Bxg3? 11.hxg3 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Ng6
was Carlsen-Korobov, rapid Doha 2016.
White was winning with 13.Ne5!.
10...dxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Bxe4 Rb8?
13.dxc5 occurred in Carlsen-Bosiocic,
blitz Doha 2016. 12...Nd5 was stronger,
but 13.dxc5 still leaves White with the
better game.
9...Nf5
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0 a) 11.e4
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-vlpsn-+0 This move is the main idea behind the
9+-zpp+n+-0 manoeuvre Bf1-b5-d3, but here it is not
9-+-zP-+-+0 too effective because White cannot
9+-zPLzPNvL-0 eliminate completely the central pawns –
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 11...dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Rb8
9tR-+QmK-+R0 14.Qe2
xiiiiiiiiy
The mundane 14.Bxh7? Kxh7
10.Bxf5 exf5 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.dxc5 15.Ng5+ fails to 15...Kg6.
Qxc5 13.0-0 Re8, Izoria-Khachiyan, 14.0-0 is also innocuous – 14...Bb7
chess.com 2017, also results in a static (14...f5!? 15.Bc2 Bb7, followed up by
pawn formation where White could press ...Bd5, is also a sturdy construction.)
for many moves. 15.Bxb7 Rxb7 16.Bxd6 Qxd6=.
10.Bc2 14...h6
Wei Yi-Ganguly, China 2016, saw the
strange retreat 10.Bb1?! b5 11.Bh4 Ng6 A simple prophylactic move. 14...Bb7
12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.h4 and White was better allows 15.Ng5 h6 16.Bxb7 hxg5
after 13...e5? 14.h5 Ne7 15.dxe5 Bxe5 17.Be4 Nd5 and White could further
16.Nxe5 Qxe5 17.Nf3 Qd6 18.Rh4 Rb8 unbalance the position with h4.
19.Bc2 b4 20.h6². Of course Black should 14...f5 15.Bc2 Ng6∞ is also a bit too
have carried on his plan with 13...Rb8 provocative.
14.h5 (14.Ng5 h6) 14...Ne7, but even
15.0-0 Bb7=.
more interesting is to recapture on f6 by
pawn – 12...gxf6. I consider such positions
b) 11.Ne5 enables the queen manoeuvre
below, with a bishop on c2.
Qd1-f3-h3. Our position has no
weaknesses and it could withstand a direct
10...b5
XIIIIIIIIY attack, but I’d prefer to open quickly a
9r+lwq-trk+0 second front on the queenside with:
9zp-+-snpzpp0
9-+-vlpsn-+0 11...b4
9+p+p+-+-0
9-+pzP-+-+0 This trades pawns and equalizes. The
9+-zP-zPNvL-0 slower 11...a5 is more ambitious,
9PzPLsN-zPPzP0 intending 12.0-0 Qc7 13.b3 Bb7.
9tR-+QmK-+R0 Perhaps critical is 12.e4 Nxe4
xiiiiiiiiy 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Bxe4 Ra7
This position is virtually untested so it is
difficult to select a main line. White has a
rich choice. Let’s consider the most logical
options:
 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+lwq-trk+0 12...Nf5 13.Nxf7! Rxf7 14.e5 b4
9tr-+-snpzpp0 15.exd6 is positionally better for
9-+-vlp+-+0 White.
9zpp+-sN-+-0 Perhaps best is:
9-+pzPL+-+0
9+-zP-+-vL-0 12...Bxg3 13.hxg3 dxe4 14.Ngxe4
9PzP-+-zPPzP0 Ned5 15.Qe2 Rb8 16.0-0 Nd7 17.a4 a6
9tR-+QmK-+R0 XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9-trlwq-trk+0
9+-+n+pzp-0
15.a4 f5 16.Bc2 Bxe5 17.Bxe5 b4=.
9p+-+p+-zp0
9+p+n+-+-0
12.cxb4 Bxb4 13.0-0 Ba6 14.Nb1. 9P+pzPN+-+0
Chances are even, as 14...c3?! 15.bxc3 9+-zP-+-zP-0
Bxf1 16.cxb4 could be only in White’s 9-zPLsNQzPP+0
favour due to the closed centre. 9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
c) 11.Ng5!? intends to push 12.e4 and
recapture by knight. White owns the initiative, but we should
be able to gradually neutralise it by
11...Rb8 12.e4 dxe4 13.Ngxe4 Nxe4 counter-attacking c3:
14.Nxe4 Bxg3 15.hxg3 f5 16.Nc5
Qd5 17.Qf3² is obviously unattractive, 18.Rfc1
so:
18.axb5 axb5 19.b3 cxb3 20.Nxb3
11...h6 12.e4! appears to be critical.
Bb7 21.Nbc5 (21.Bd3 N7f6 22.Rfb1
XIIIIIIIIY Nxe4 23.Qxe4 Nf6 24.Qe1 Qd5
9r+lwq-trk+0
25.Bf1 Bc6 26.Nc5 Ra8=) 21...Nxc5
9zp-+-snpzp-0
22.Nxc5 Nf6 23.Rfb1 Qd5=.
9-+-vlpsn-zp0
9+p+p+-sN-0 18...Qc7 19.axb5 axb5 20.b3 f5 21.bxc4
9-+pzPP+-+0 bxc4 22.Ng5 N7f6 23.Nxe6 Nxc3 24.Qe3
9+-zP-+-vL-0 Bxe6 25.Qxe6+ Kh8=.
9PzPLsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0 d) 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Ne5 Nd7 13.f4
xiiiiiiiiy f6∞.

e) 11.Bh4 Ng6 12.Bxf6 (12.Bxg6 hxg6

White’s cunning design is to mate us if
13.0-0 a5) 12...gxf6 13.h4 (13.a3 Kh8)
we choose 12...hxg5? 13.e5 Ne8 14.h4
13...b4 14.cxb4 Bxb4 15.a3 Ba5 16.Kf1
g4 15.Qxg4!! and Black is helpless
Ba6 17.Kg1 Rb8„.
despite having an extra piece –
15...Bc7 (15...f5 16.Qh5‚) 16.Nf3
Nf5 17.Qh5 Nh6 18.a3 Qd7 19.Bf4 f5
20.Qg6 Qf7 21.h5 Qxg6 22.hxg6‚. A22. 8...Qe7!? 9.Bxc6
 After 9.0-0 Black could safely take on opened the e-file with ...e5. The game Le
g3 – 9...Bxg3 10.hxg3 Bd7=. Roux-Bellahcene, Chartres 2017, went:

9...bxc6 10.Qa4
XIIIIIIIIY 15.Qc2 a4 16.Ne5 Rfc8 17.Qc5 Qd8
9r+l+-trk+0 18.Rc3
9zp-+-wqpzpp0
9-+pvlpsn-+0 18.b4!? Ne8 19.a3 Nd6 20.Qc2 f6
9+-zpp+-+-0 21.Nef3=.
9Q+-zP-+-+0 18...Ne8 19.Rac1 f6 20.Nd3 Nd6
9+-zP-zPNvL-0 21.Nf4 Qd7 22.f3 Re8 23.Nd3 Nf5
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 24.Nf1 e5µ.
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy Perhaps White should answer 15.Qd1
a4 16.Ne5 Nd7 17.Nxd7 Qxd7 18.Nb1
10...Bxg3! Rfb8 19.Rc5 Bc4 20.Nd2, when simplest
10...cxd4 allows the intermediate is 20...Rxb2=.
11.Bxd6.
13.Qc2
It is essential that Black avoid the pin The only way to fight for the advantage
along the a3-f8 diagonal. The recent game is to allow ...Ba6.
Gajewski-B.Socko, rapid, Zgierz 2017,
saw 10...Rb8 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Qa3 13.0-0 Rxb2 14.Rfb1 Rxb1+ 15.Rxb1
Rb5?! (12...Nd7 13.0-0 e5 is more critical) Qc7 16.Ne5 c5 17.Qc6 Qxc6 18.Nxc6
13.Nb3 Ne4 14.dxc5, winning a pawn. Bd7 19.Nxa7?! c4 was promising for
Black in Raznikov-Li Ruifeng, Dallas
11.hxg3 cxd4 12.cxd4 Rab8!? 2016. Better is 19.Ne7+! Kh8 20.dxc5
This is a bit more aggressive than Re8 21.c6 Re7 22.Rb7! Kg8 23.cxd7=.
12...a5!? 13.0-0 Ba6 14.Rfc1 Bb5
XIIIIIIIIY 13.b3 Rb6 (threatening ...Ra6) 14.Qa5
9r+-+-trk+0 Ba6 15.Ne5 Rc8 and 13.Nb3 Rb6 are also
9+-+-wqpzpp0 fine for Black.
9-+p+psn-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
9zpl+p+-+-0 9-trl+-trk+0
9Q+-zP-+-+0 9zp-+-wqpzpp0
9+-+-zPNzP-0 9-+p+psn-+0
9PzP-sN-zPP+0 9+-+p+-+-0
9tR-tR-+-mK-0 9-+-zP-+-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+-+-zPNzP-0
9PzPQsN-zPP+0
Black seals the queenside and his 9tR-+-mK-+R0
defensive line from a4 to c6 looks xiiiiiiiiy
unassailable. At the same time the
b5-bishop is more than a “big pawn” as 13...Ba6
its role could become important if Black 13...Qb4!? 14.Qb3 Nd7 equalizes
immediately – 15.Qxb4 Rxb4 16.b3 Rb6 19.g5 axb4 20.a4 Ba6 21.Nb3 (21.gxh6
17.Rc1 a5 18.0-0 Ba6 19.Rfe1 Rc8 20.Rc3 c5 22.hxg7 f5) 21...c5 22.Nxc5 b3
c5. XIIIIIIIIY
9-trr+-+k+0
The text aims to face White with more 9+-+-wqpzpn0
complex tasks. 9l+-+p+-zp0
9+-sNpsN-zP-0
14.a3 h6 9P+-zP-zP-+0
You could certainly try 14...c5 15.dxc5 9+p+-zP-+-0
e5 in a rapid game. White cannot castle 9-+Q+-+P+0
short, the centre is fluid – all this for a 9tR-+-mK-+R0
mere pawn. Yet, White may be somewhat xiiiiiiiiy
better. For instance: 16.b4 Rfe8 17.Nb3
d4 18.Na5 (18.0-0-0 is another option that 23.Qd2 (23.Qc3 f6) 23...Rxc5„.
needs analysis.) 18...dxe3 19.Nc6 Qb7
20.Nxb8 exf2+ 21.Qxf2 Qe4+ 22.Kd1
Rxb8 23.Kc1 Bd3 24.Rh4 Qf5² with sharp
play. B. 7...b6! 8.Bd3
8.Ne5 Bb7 9.Bd3 Nc6 transposes to
15.b4 Rfc8 16.Ne5 Bb5 17.g4
XIIIIIIIIY line A14.
9-trr+-+k+0
The new trend, however, is 8.Ne5 Bb7
9zp-+-wqpzp-0
9.Bb5.
9-+p+psn-zp0
9+l+psN-+-0 The only reason behind it is to provoke
9-zP-zP-+P+0
9...a6 10.Bd3. This way White hampers a
9zP-+-zP-+-0
future plan with ...Qc8, ...Ba6. However,
9-+QsN-zPP+0
Black can also play in the centre. The
9tR-+-mK-+R0
game Agrest-Roberson, chess.com 2017,
xiiiiiiiiy
saw further:
Black has sufficient counterplay thanks
10...Nc6 11.f4 Ne7 12.Qb1 g6 13.Bf2
to the break ...a5. For instance:
cxd4 14.exd4 Nf5 15.0-0 Be7 16.Qc2
17...a5 18.g5 hxg5 19.Ndf3 Ne4 Nd6 17.Bh4 Nfe4 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Rae1
20.Nd2 Nf6 is a draw by repetition. b5 20.Nb3

A bolder try is:

17...Nh7 18.f4 a5

Or even 18...f6 19.Ng6 Qe8 20.Nh4

a5 21.a4 Ba6 22.bxa5 Nf8 23.Kf2
Nd7 24.g5 fxg5 25.fxg5 c5 26.gxh6
gxh6„.
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 12.Bc2 f5 (12...b5 13.Qg4 Nd7
9+l+-wqp+p0 14.Qh3 f5 15.Ndf3 Ndf6 16.0-0 a5³)
9p+-snp+p+0 13.Bxe4 (on 13.Nxe4 we recapture
9+p+psN-+-0 13...dxe4) 13...fxe4 14.Qg4 Qe7
9-+-zPnzP-+0 (14...Bc8 15.h4 Nc6 16.h5 h6 17.Bh4
9+NzPL+-+-0 b5 18.a3 Nxe5 19.fxe5 Be7÷) 15.Bh4
9PzPQ+-+PzP0 Qe8 16.0-0 Nd7 with complex play.
9+-+-tRRmK-0 Gupta decided to open a second front
xiiiiiiiiy on the queenside with 17.b3, but Black
has the bishop pair and should
It is obvious that until Black holds e4, welcome any imbalances – 17...cxb3
he would not be running serious risks. 18.axb3 a5.
Roberson chose here 20...Rac8
(20...Rfc8=) 21.Qe2 Rfe8 22.Ra1 f6 with 11.Bh4 Ne4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.0-0
at least equal play – 23.Nf3 Nc4 24.a3
This balanced position occurred in
Rc7
Andreikin-Zhou Weiqi, China 2016.
Black chose here the consistent move
Or 24...Qc7 25.Rae1 Re7.
13...f6 14.Qg4 Rae8 15.Nc4 a6
25.Kh1 Kg7 26.Rab1 Qd6 27.Nfd2 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.dxc5 Qxc5 18.Ba4
Nexd2 28.Nxd2 e5 29.Bxc4 dxc4 30.dxe5 b5=, but we should always resort
fxe5 31.Nf3 Bxf3 32.Rxf3 e4 33.Rff1 Qe6 reluctantly to pawn moves near our
34.Rbd1 e3³. king. It is better to improve the knight:

Although 9...a6 is possible, I prefer: 13...Ne7

XIIIIIIIIY
9...Qc7 10.f4 9r+-+-trk+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9zplwq-snpzpp0
9rsn-+-trk+0 9-zp-vlp+-+0
9zplwq-+pzpp0 9+Lzp-sN-+-0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0 9-+-zPpzP-vL0
9+LzppsN-+-0 9+-zP-zP-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-+0 9PzP-+-+PzP0
9+-zP-zP-vL-0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
9PzP-sN-+PzP0 xiiiiiiiiy
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy 14.Bxe7 (14.Qg4 Nf5 15.Qh3 a6
16.Be2 b5 17.Ng4 f6µ) 14...Qxe7 15.dxc5
10...Nc6 (15.Nc4 Bb8) 15...Bxc5 16.Qe2 Qc7
17.Nd7 a6 18.Nxc5 Qxc5=.
In Gupta-Borisek, chess.com 2017,
Black closed the centre with 10...c4 8.a4 is aimed against 8...Ba6 when
and White practically presented a White has 9.Bb5. We can answer 8...Nc6
tempo by retreating the bishop in 9.Bb5 Bb7 or 9...Ne7 10.Bd3 Bb7
advance: 11.Ba4?! (11.0-0) 11...Ne4 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Ne5 Ne4 13.a5 Nxd2
14.Qxd2 f6 15.Nf3 e5 16.dxe5 fxe5 17.e4
Kh8∞.
8...Bb7
8...Ba6!? is the most principled
alternative. Engines and latest games
suggest that White does not achieve any
significant advantage after 9.Bxa6 Nxa6.
My only objection to this plan is that it is
easy for White, too. Possible continuations
are 10.Ne5 Nb8 11.0-0 Qc7 or 10.Qe2
Nb8!?
10...Nc7 11.Ne5 cxd4 12.cxd4 Ne4?!
(12...Qe7 13.0-0 Rfc8), as in
Iturrizaga-Adams, Caleta 2017, is
slightly annoying after 13.Nxe4! dxe4
14.0-0 Nd5 15.Nc6.
In both lines we should expect further
exchanges and even chances.
9.Ne5
It is useless to try 9.Qe2 in view of
9...Ne4 10.Bxd6 Qxd6, when 11.Bxe4?!
dxe4 12.Ng5 f5 13.Nc4 Qe7 14.Qh5 h6
15.Nh3 cxd4 16.exd4, Romanov-
Gagunashvili, Gjakova 2016, would be
clearly in Black’s favour after 16...Nc6µ,
intending ...e5 or ...Ba6.
9.0-0 at best could transpose to the game
after 9...Nc6 10.Ne5. However, Black
might also play 9...Bxg3 10.hxg3 Nbd7,
since he is no longer afraid to open the h-
file.
9.Qb1 Nc6 10.Ne5 leads us to Game 17
Sandipan-Kryvoruchko.
9...Nc6
Play has transposed to line A14. Thus
Black has sidestepped the slightly
annoying line A2.

Chapter 5. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6
3.e3 e6 with ...c5
Annotated Games
15. Grischuk – Nakamura
Skopje 2015
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bd6
5.Bg3 c5 6.Nbd2 Nc6 7.c3 0-0 8.Bd3 b6
Be7 10.e5 Nh5 11.a3 a5 12.Qe2
9.e4XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+-+-vlpzpp0
9-zpn+p+-+0
9zp-zppzP-+n0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9zP-zPL+NvL-0
9-zP-sNQzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Ra7!?
The idea behind this move is to
discourage sharp onslaughts with Ng5.
For instance, the line 13.h4 Nxg3 14.fxg3
f6 15.Ng5, which draws against
12...Bb7!?, fails here due to 15...fxg5
16.Qh5 g6 17.Bxg6 Bd6!.
A small drawback of the rook
manoeuvre is that it does not prepare any
constructive plan. Thus it has purely
prophylactic merits.
Note that closing the centre at this point
with 12...c4?! 13.Bc2 b5 offers White a
stable positional advantage after 14.Ng5
Bxg5 15.Qxh5 g6 16.Qe2. The threat of
h2-h4-h5 forces Black to undermine the
centre in unfavourable circumstances –
16...f5 17.exf6 Qxf6 18.h4 Bf4 19.Bxf4
Qxf4 20.g3 Qf6 21.f4±, Kramnik-
Zhigalko, rapid Berlin 2015.
A better setting of the same plan is
12...g6!? 13.0-0 (13.h4 and 13.Nf1 are
strongly met by 13...f6.) 13...c4 14.Bc2 b5
15.Qe3 Bd7 16.h4∞.
13.0-0
13.Ng5 was not a threat, as the d4-pawn
is hanging.
13.Nf1 deserves attention.
The point is that our thematic retort to
this manoeuvre, mentioned in the
analysis of 12...Bb7 and 12...Bd7, is
not so effective here – 13...b5 14.dxc5!
Bxc5 15.N1d2 b4 16.Nb3 Bb6
17.axb4 axb4 18.Rxa7 Bxa7 19.Nfd4
with slightly the better chances.
Sedlak’s recommendation 13...c4
14.Bc2 b5 is not clear. Instead of
15.Ng5 Bxg5 16.Qxh5 g6 17.Qe2 f5
18.exf6 Bxf6 19.Ne3 e5„, White can
try 15.Ne3 b4 16.Nd2 g6 17.Ng4÷.
13...g6!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+lwq-trk+0
9tr-+-vlp+p0
9-zpn+p+p+0
9zp-zppzP-+n0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9zP-zPL+NvL-0
9-zP-+QzPPzP0
9tR-+-mKN+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Now 14.Ne3 cxd4 15.cxd4 f5! is
excellent for Black due to the attack on d4,
and 14.Rd1 allows 14...b5 as noted below.
13.Rd1!? is a clever waiting move.
Then 13...c4 14.Bc2 Bd7 stumbles into
15.Ng5 Bxg5 16.Qxh5 g6 17.Qe2±.
 13...h6 14.0-0 c4 15.Bc2 b5 16.h3 20.Qh5 Bd6 21.Ng4 f5 22.Nf3 Kh8
Nxg3 17.fxg3 b4 (17...f5 18.exf6 Bxf6 23.Ng5 Qe8 24.Qxe8 Rxe8 25.Nf6 Rf8
19.Kh2²) 18.Nh2 bxc3 19.bxc3 Rb7 26.Nh5 a4 27.Nf4 Nd8³. Without queens,
20.Nxc4 dxc4 21.Qe4 g6 22.Ng4 Bg5 White’s queenside is rather weak.
23.Qxc6 is unattractive. Remains:
16.Bh2!
XIIIIIIIIY
13...g6 14.Nf1 b5 15.Bxb5 Qb6 16.Ne3
cxd4 17.cxd4 Ba6„.
9-+lwq-trk+0
9tr-+-vlp+p0
13...c4 14.Bc2 b5 9-+n+p+p+0
XIIIIIIIIY
9zpp+pzP-+n0
9-+lwq-trk+0
9-+pzP-+-zP0
9tr-+-vlpzpp0
9zP-zP-+N+-0
9-+n+p+-+0
9-zPLsNQzPPvL0
9zpp+pzP-+n0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
9-+pzP-+-+0
xiiiiiiiiy
9zP-zP-+NvL-0
9-zPLsNQzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0 16...Bxh4
xiiiiiiiiy It was safer to seek counterplay with
16...f5 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.Qe3 Ng7 19.Qh6
Nh5 20.Rae1 Bg7.
15.h4?!
15.Qe3! maintained the balance –
17.g4
15...Nxg3 16.hxg3 f6 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.b3
This is a bit hasty. 17.Nxh4 Qxh4
might be even more pleasant for White,
18.Nf3 Qg4 19.Qe3 was stronger. Black
so Black should continue his offensive –
will be unable to keep the knight on h5
15...b4 16.axb4 axb4 17.Rxa7 (17.b3=)
anyway, e.g. 19...f5 20.exf6 Rxf6 21.Ne5
17...Nxa7 18.Ra1 Nb5 19.cxb4 Nxg3
Nxe5 22.Bxe5 Rf8 23.f3 Qh4 24.Qh6 Qe7
20.hxg3 Bxb4 21.g4 (or 21.Nh2) with
25.g4.
complex play. The sight of Black’s light-
squared bishop induced me to promote the 17...Ng7 18.Nxh4 Qxh4 19.Kg2 f5
plan with 12...Bb7, ...Qc8 for a main line 20.exf6 Qxf6 21.Bd6
against White’s set-up. While it defends White should have staked on piece play
well the weak e6-pawn in the event of – 21.Nf3!, threatening to smother the
21...f6!, it is difficult to play for a win with opponent. Black would have to return the
such a piece. pawn in order to activate his bishop –
21...e5 22.Nxe5 Nxe5 23.Bxe5 Qg5
15...g6?!
24.f3=.
The white bishop should be killed on
the spot after h4. It may look unemployed, 21...Rff7 22.f4?!
but in fact it is important for the attack. White could have partly repaired the
15...Nxg3 16.fxg3 f6 would have kept damage with 22.Qe3, but he had a
White’s activity under control. Even better (wrong!) plan...
was 16...b4 17.Nh2 (17.axb4 axb4 18.Nc4
Ba6) 17...bxc3 18.bxc3 f5 19.exf6 gxf6
 XIIIIIIIIY
9-+l+-+k+0 33.Kf2 Qxd5 34.Qxd5+ Bxd5 35.Bxf5
9tr-+-+rsnp0 Rxe5 36.Re1 Rxe1 37.Kxe1 b4 38.axb4
9-+nvLpwqp+0 axb4 39.Be6+ Bxe6 40.Rxe6 Nc7 ½-½
9zpp+p+-+-0 16. Skoberne – Halkias
9-+pzP-zPP+0 Baku ol 10.09.2016
9zP-zP-+-+-0
9-zPLsNQ+K+0 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 d5 4.e3 Bd6
9tR-+-+R+-0 5.Bg3 0-0 6.Nbd2 c5 7.c3 b6 8.Qb1 Bb7
xiiiiiiiiy 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.Ne5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
22...e5! 9zpl+-+pzpp0
A nice shot. Black takes over the 9-zpnvlpsn-+0
initiative. 9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
23.dxe5 Qh4 24.f5 gxf5 9+-zPLzP-vL-0
24...Nxf5! 25.e6 Nxd6! 26.exf7+ Kf8 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
would win the g4-pawn. Then even the 9tRQ+-mK-+R0
endgame would be in Black’s favour. xiiiiiiiiy
25.Rh1 Qd8 26.Qe3 d4 27.cxd4 Ne8 10...Qc7
After 27...Bb7 White should avoid the The diagram position is of crucial
trap 28.d5 Nd4!! 29.Qxd4 Ne6„. Correct importance for our set-up. White wants to
is 28.Kf2!! Ne7 29.Bxe7 Qxe7 30.Rh6², provoke weaknesses in our king’s position
maintaining the grip. and then advance the f- and g-pawn.
XIIIIIIIIY Knowing that, it looks superfluous to force
9-+lwqn+k+0 f4 by 10...Qc7. The game course shows
9tr-+-+r+p0 that the queen development is not bad – it
9-+nvL-+-+0 controls the seventh rank against possible
9zpp+-zPp+-0 sacrifices, but it is not strictly necessary
9-+pzP-+P+0 for the moment. 10...Ne7 might be a
9zP-+-wQ-+-0 slightly improved version – see Game 17
9-zPLsN-+K+0
Sandipan-Kryvoruchko,rapid, Dubai
9tR-+-+-+R0
2014. Black should not be afraid of 11.Bh4
xiiiiiiiiy
Ng6 (11...Qc7 is also good) 12.Bxf6

28.Rh6? Or 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.f4 cxd4 14.cxd4

28.Bc5! or 28.d5 kept a big advantage. Qd7.

28...Rg7 29.Rg1 Rad7? (why not
29...Rxg4+?!) 30.d5? (30.Kf1+–)
30...Ne7 31.Bxe7 Rdxe7 32.Qd4 Bb7?
Black stubbornly avoids taking on g4
and the game ends in a draw.
12...gxf6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 since 14.Bxg6
fxg6 15.Qxg6+ Kh8 is a perpetual.
Besides, he could play on with 12...Qxf6!
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 his attack with 14.Rf3.
9zpl+-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlpwqn+0 14.g4
9+-zppsN-+-0 White still nurtures some hopes for an
9-+-zP-+-+0 attack, but they are not too realistic. A
9+-zPLzP-+-0 correspondence game featured 14.Ng4?!
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 f6 15.h3 h5! 16.Ne5 cxd4 17.cxd4 g5µ
9tRQ+-mK-+R0 and Black went on to win.
xiiiiiiiiy
A more positional decision was to part
13.f4 (13.Nd7 Qg5ƒ) 13...cxd4 14.cxd4 with the bad bishop and maintain the
Bxe5 15.dxe5 Qh4+ 16.g3 Qh3 17.Bf1 balance by piece manoeuvring:
Qh6 18.Bd3 d4 19.Be4 dxe3 20.Nf3 Bxe4
21.Qxe4 Qh3 22.0-0-0 Ne7=. 14.Bxe7 Qxe7

11.f4 g6 12.0-0 Another solid stand is 14...Bxe7

This is a good sign that we are in 15.Rf3 Nd6 16.Rh3 f5 17.g4 Bf6=.
command. After the short castling Black 15.Rf3 f6
is safer, but 12.Bf2 Ne8 13.h4 was simply
bad due to 13...cxd4 14.exd4 f6 15.Nxc6 Naturally, Black could always seal off
Bxc6 16.h5 g5! 17.fxg5 e5! 18.Be2 e4. the centre with 15...f5=.
This line shows that delaying the
16.Rh3 fxe5 17.dxe5 Bxe5
manoeuvre ...Nc6-e7 has its own pluses –
the queen protected h7! Do not be greedy! 17...Bc7?? fails
spectacularly to:
12...Ne7 13.Bh4
XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 9r+-+ntrk+0
9zplwq-snp+p0 9zplvl-wq-+p0
9-zp-vlpsnp+0 9-zp-+p+p+0
9+-zppsN-+-0 9+-zppzP-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-vL0 9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-zPLzP-+-0 9+-zPLzP-+R0
9PzP-sN-+PzP0 9PzP-sN-+PzP0
9tRQ+-+RmK-0 9tRQ+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy

13...Ne8 18.Bxg6! hxg6 19.Qxg6+ Ng7 20.Nf3

This was the idea of 11...g6 – to defend
h7 in order to enable the knight retreat.
Then all will be ready for ...f6 and Black’s
defensive line would be practically
unassailable. Strong GM Motylev chose
instead 13...Kg7, but it does not look like
a long-term solution. White could carry on
and Black is helpless despite his two
extra pieces, e.g. 20...Rf5 21.Ng5
Rxg5 22.fxg5 Rf8 23.Qh7+ Kf7
24.Rf1+ Ke8 25.Rxf8+ Qxf8 26.Rf3
Qe7 27.Qg8+ Kd7 28.g6+–.
18.fxe5 Nc7 19.Qe1
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 9r+-+-trk+0
9zplsn-wq-+p0 9zplwq-+-snp0
9-zp-+p+p+0 9-zpnvlpzpp+0
9+-zppzP-+-0 9+-zpp+-zP-0
9-+-+-+-+0 9-+-zP-zP-vL0
9+-zPLzP-+R0 9+-zPLzPN+-0
9PzP-sN-+PzP0 9PzP-sN-+-zP0
9tR-+-wQ-mK-0 9tR-+-wQRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Chances are even here because Black
17...f5
has enough counterplay down the f-file.
I cannot blame this normal human
For instance:
decision to put safety first against a decent,
equally rated opponent. From this moment
19...Ba6 20.Bc2 Rf7 21.Qg3 Raf8
on, it is a one way road. Black is not
22.Re1= (22.Nf3 d4!µ). Black could try
risking anything on the kingside, while
here 22...d4 23.c4 d3!? or 22...Rf2!?, but
White still has to withstand a pawn storm
the threat on g6 should be sufficient for
on the opposite wing. Yet, 17...cxd4!?
a draw in both events, e.g. 23.Bxg6 hxg6
18.Nxd4 (18.cxd4 Nb4) 18...fxg5!
24.Qxg6+ Qg7 25.Qxg7+ Kxg7
19.Bxg5 e5 was more enterprising.
26.Rg3+=.
White’s naked king would demand
14...f6 15.Nef3 Ng7 16.Qe1 Nc6 17.g5 unfaltering defence.
Gholami-Krush, Doha 2015, saw
18.Qf2 c4 19.Be2 b5 20.Bg3 b4?!
17.Bg3, when Black hastily opted for
Not the best way of conducting the
17...e5 18.fxe5 fxe5. The most such a
advance. White could now take on b4 and
break could achieve is equality, as all the
prepare b3. 20...a5 preserved more tension
white pieces are in the centre and well
– 21.Rfc1! Bc8 (21...b4 22.b3) 22.Qf1
prepared to meet it, e.g. 19.e4=. On the
Bd7.
other hand, Black’s set-up is more flexible
XIIIIIIIIY
– such is the nature of the Stonewall. He
9r+-+-trk+0
could keep on improving his position with
9+-wql+-snp0
17...Rae8, preserving all his options open.
9-+nvlp+p+0
For instance, he could gain more space
9zpp+p+pzP-0
on the queenside. It is unclear what White
9-+pzP-zP-+0
could oppose in his turn.
9+-zP-zPNvL-0
9PzP-sNL+-zP0
9tR-tR-+QmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
At some point Black could try ...b4,
...a4-a3.

21.Ne5?

A grave positional mistake. It is not
important that White plugs the hole on e5.
The big fault of his position will transpire
when he tries to defend the queenside
pawns. He should have never left two
targets – on a2 and c3. Correct was
21.cxb4 Bxb4 22.Rfc1.
21...bxc3 22.bxc3 Nxe5 23.fxe5 Ba3
24.Rfb1 Bc6 25.Nf3 Qa5 26.Qe1 Rfb8
27.Qd2 Rb6 28.Rxb6 Qxb6 29.Be1 Rb8
30.Qc2 Qb2 31.Qxb2 Bxb2 32.Rb1 Ba4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-+k+0
9zp-+-+-snp0
9-+-+p+p+0
9+-+pzPpzP-0
9l+pzP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPN+-0
9Pvl-+L+-zP0
9+R+-vL-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White cannot prevent the penetration of
Black’s rook. The game should have
finished quickly was not for Halkias’
mistake 3 moves later:
33.Bd1 Bxd1 34.Rxd1 Ba3 35.Kf2
Ne8?!
35...Rb2+! 36.Rd2 Rb1 37.Ke2 Ra1
38.Rc2 a5 39.Ng1 a4 puts White in near
zugzwang. The coup-de-grace will come
from the kingside after ...Nh5, ...f4, and
the g5-pawn will be doomed to fall.
In his turn, White misses the defence
36.Bd2 Rb2 37.Ra1 after which Black
should start working hard all over again.
36.Ke2 Nc7 37.Rd2 Rb1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9zp-sn-+-+p0
9-+-+p+p+0
9+-+pzPpzP-0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9vl-zP-zPN+-0
9P+-tRK+-zP0
9+r+-vL-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
38.Rc2?
The last moves look influenced by time
trouble. 38.Rd1 was a must.
38...Nb5 39.Nd2 Ra1 40.Nf3 Kf7 41.h4
a6 42.Bd2 Rb1 43.Be1 Ke8 44.Kf2 a5
45.Nd2 Ra1 46.Nf3 Kf7 47.Ke2 a4
48.Kf2 Ke7 49.Ke2 Ke8 50.Kf2 Kd7
51.Ke2 Kc6 52.Kf2 Rb1 53.Nd2 Ra1
54.Nf3 Bc1 55.Bd2 Bxd2 56.Nxd2 a3
(56...Nxc3!–+; 56...Na3–+) 57.Nf3 Kd7
(57...Nxc3!–+) 58.Ne1 Nc7 59.Ke2 Na8
60.Kd2 Nb6 61.Rc1 Rxa2+ 62.Nc2 Rb2
63.Ra1 a2 64.Kc1 Na4 65.Nb4 Rb1+
66.Rxb1 axb1Q+ 67.Kxb1 Nxc3+
68.Kc2 Ne4 69.Na2 Kc6 70.Nc1 Ng3
71.Kd2 Kb5 72.Na2 Ka5 73.Nc3 Kb4
74.Kc2 Ka5 75.Kd2 Ne4+ 76.Nxe4 fxe4
77.Kc3 Ka4 78.Kb2 Kb4 79.Kc2 c3
80.Kc1 Kb3 81.Kb1 c2+ 82.Kc1 Kc3
83.h5 Kd3 0-1
17. Sandipan – Kryvoruchko
rapid Dubai 16.06.2014
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 d5 4.e3 c5 5.c3
Nc6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bg3 0-0 8.Bd3 b6
9.Ne5 Bb7 10.f4 Ne7 11.Qb1
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-snpzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-+0
9+-zPLzP-vL-0
9PzP-sN-+PzP0
9tRQ+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...Ng6
previous annotated game.
I chose to annotate this game because
it presents an entirely different approach,
compared to the previous game. I would
not say it is superior to ...g6, but by some
reason it brings Black better results.
Perhaps White is unprepared against it.
11...g6!? is more popular. White could
castle or attempt to mount an attack:
a) 12.0-0 Nh5!?
12...Qc7 13.Bh4 transposes to Game
16 Skoberne-Halkias.
The standard plan is 12...Nf5 13.Bf2
Be7 having in mind to meet 14.g4 by
14...Nd6 or 14.b4 by 14...Qc7 15.a4=.
It offers Black a comfortable game, but
I believe it would be difficult to win
without removing the knight from e5
by ...f6.
13.Bf2 f6 14.Nef3 Nc6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-+-snp0
9-zpnvlpzpp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-zPP+0
9+-zPLzPN+-0
9PzP-sN-vL-zP0
9tRQ+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position is very similar to the
b) 12.Bf2 Nh5!?
This is provocative, indeed, but it is
the most challenging option.
12...cxd4 13.exd4 Nh5 is safer as it
forces 14.g3. Then Black has a tempo
for 14...f6 15.Nef3 Qc8 16.0-0 Ba6
17.Re1 Ng7=, Grischuk-Wang, Beijing
2014. However, the exchange on d4
deprives Black of his main plan – a
pawn storm on the queenside with ...c4
and ...b5.
12...Ne8 is at least risky as it does not
stop the march of the h-pawn – 13.h4
f6 14.h5!.
Vocaturo chose 12...Nd7. It prepares
...f6 more effectively than 12...Ne8 as
13.h4 f6 14.h5? fails to 14...fxe5
15.fxe5 Bxe5, while 14.Nxd7 Qxd7
15.h5 is unclear after 15...cxd4
16.cxd4 e5 or 15...Kg7!. However,
13.Bb5 could force a repetition after
13...Nf6 14.Bd3.
13.g4 Ng7
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpl+-snpsnp0
9-zp-vlp+p+0
9+-zppsN-+-0
9-+-zP-zPP+0
9+-zPLzP-+-0
9PzP-sN-vL-zP0
9tRQ+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Now after 14.0-0 or 14.Nef3, Black will
repel the knight from e5 and will take the
defensive stand from the above-mentioned
game Grischuk-Wang, but he will still
possess an active plan, based on ...c4, ...b5.
14.g5 is awful as it boxes in the dark-
squared bishop – 14...cxd4 15.exd4 Bxe5
16.fxe5 Nc6 17.Nf3 Nb4.
The only consistent continuation of
White’s previous play would be 14.h4?!,
but White is so behind in development that
we could strike back with 14...f6 15.h5
(15.Nef3 cxd4 16.cxd4 e5!) 15...fxe5
16.fxe5 Bxe5 17.dxe5 c4 18.Bf1 d4–+.
Finally, the game Romanov-Fraczek,
ICCF 2013, demonstrates that Black could
even aim to break through White’s
stronghold at e5: 11...cxd4 12.exd4 g6
13.Bf2 Ne8 14.Ndf3 Ng7 15.Be3 f6
16.Ng4 Qc7 17.Qc1 Rae8 18.0-0 Ngf5
19.Bd2 h5 20.Nf2 Kg7 21.g3 Nc6 22.Qd1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+rtr-+0
9zplwq-+-mk-0
9-zpnvlpzpp+0
9+-+p+n+p0
9-+-zP-zP-+0
9+-zPL+NzP-0
9PzP-vL-sN-zP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
22...Bc8 23.Rc1 e5ƒ.
12.Nxg6?!
The hasty 12.h4 is well parried by
12...cxd4 13.cxd4 Bb4 14.h5 Nxe5
15.fxe5 Ne4 16.Bxe4 Bxd2+ 17.Kxd2
dxe4 18.h6 Qg5ƒ.
12.0-0! looks innocuous, but it offers
us to reveal our plan. One logical option
is 12...a5! – preparing ...Ba6 or ...c4,
followed by ...b5-b4.
The blitz game Kamsky-Dreev,
Khanty-Mansiysk 2013, took on a
different course. Black decided to open
the c-file with 12...Nh5?! and Kamsky
obliged – 13.Be1. (Actually, ...Nxg3
was not a threat since 13.Ndf3 Nxg3
14.hxg3 would be in White’s favour.)
13...cxd4 14.exd4 Nf6 15.a3 Rc8
16.h3 Qc7?! Black has achieved his
idea, to discover that he has no way to
penetrate through the c-file. On the
contrary, White’s attack would be
unpleasant after 17.Ng4!.
13.a4 Qc7
13...Ba6 allows 14.Bxa6 Rxa6 15.f5 so
Black takes e5 under control.
14.Re1 Ba6=.
12...hxg6 13.Bh4
 We should meet 13.0-0 the same way as difficulties after 21...b5! 22.Kf2 Rab8.
on the previous turn – 13...a5 14.Bh4 Qc7 White could only hope to return his queen
15.a4 Ba6 (or 15...Rfb8 first). back to safety.

13...cxd4 14.cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY 21...Rc7?! 22.Rxc7 Qxc7 23.Qa4?!
9r+-wq-trk+0 23.Qe2 Rc8 24.Ne1 covers the
9zpl+-+pzp-0 c2-square. Black would still be slightly
9-zp-vlpsnp+0 better thanks to his bishop, but without any
9+-+p+-+-0 concrete threats.
9-+-zP-zP-vL0
9+-+LzP-+-0 23...Qc4 24.g3 Rc8 (24...b5!) 25.a3? Bd2
9PzP-sN-+PzP0 26.Qxc4 Bxe3+ 27.Kg2 Rxc4 28.Rd1
9tRQ+-mK-+R0 Rc2+ 29.Kh3 Rf2 30.Nh4 g5 0-1
xiiiiiiiiy 18. Sedlak – So
Baku ol. 06.09.2016
14...Bb4
It is tempting to drag the enemy king to 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6
the centre, but this line could lead just to 5.Nbd2 e6 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bg3 0-0 8.Bd3 b6
a draw after 15.a3 Bxd2+ 16.Kxd2 Ne4+ 9.Qe2 Bb7 10.Rd1 Re8 11.e4 Be7 12.e5
17.Bxe4 Qxh4 18.g3 Qh3 19.Bd3 Qg2+ Nh5 13.a3 g6
20.Be2 Ba6 21.Qf1=. Sedlak assigns a “?!” mark to 10...Re8
in his book, but he does not consider
14...Qd7! 15.Qd1 Bc6 16.Qe2 Ne4 13...g6 at al. It is all the more interesting
retained more tension. to watch his reaction to this typical plan of
Black.
15.Qd1 Qd7 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.0-0 Bc6
18.Nf3 Bb5 19.Rc1 Bxd3 20.Qxd3 Rfc8
XIIIIIIIIY 14.Nf1 f5 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Ne3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+r+-+k+0 9r+-wqr+k+0
9zp-+q+p+-0 9zpl+-+-+p0
9-zp-+pzpp+0 9-zpn+pvlp+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9+-zpp+-+n0
9-vl-zP-zP-+0 9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+QzPN+-0 9zP-zPLsNNvL-0
9PzP-+-+PzP0 9-zP-+QzPPzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0 9+-+RmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy

21.Qa6?! 16...e5
The position is equal and White could The most straightforward continuation.
prove it by trading all the rooks with Alternatively:
21.Qb1! Bd6 22.Rxc8+ Rxc8 23.Rc1.
Instead, he makes an awful “active” move 16...cxd4 17.cxd4 Nxg3 18.hxg3 e5
which could have faced him with 19.dxe5 Nxe5 20.Be4
 20.Nxe5 Rxe5 21.0-0 Qe7 22.Rfe1 24.c4?
Re8=, Artemiev-Sevian, Lake Sevan This turns out to be the decisive
Martuni 2016. mistake. The only defence was 24.Nc4!
dxc4 25.Qxe5+ Bf6 26.Qf4 cxd3 27.Rxd3
20...Nf7 21.Bxd5 Bxd5 22.Qb5 a6
Qc6 28.f3 with a balanced game. Both
23.Qxd5 Qxd5 24.Rxd5 Bxb2=, Carneiro-
Black’s bishops are biting on granite.
El Debs, Florianopolis 2017. The text is
sharper.
24...Rae8 25.cxd5 Rxe3 26.fxe3 Bxe3+
27.Rf2
XIIIIIIIIY
17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Nxg3 19.hxg3
Rxe5 20.Bc4
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+-+0
9r+-wq-+k+0 9zpl+-+-mkp0
9zpl+-+-+p0 9-wq-+-+p+0
9-zp-+-vlp+0 9+-zpP+-+-0
9+-zpptr-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0
9-+L+-+-+0 9zP-+Lvl-zP-0
9zP-zP-sN-zP-0 9-zP-+QtRP+0
9-zP-+QzPP+0 9+-+R+-mK-0
9+-+RmK-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy
xiiiiiiiiy
27...c4!! 28.Bxc4 Rf8 29.Rdf1 Qd4
White is tied up and down. The point
20...b5!
is that when his moves with the a-pawn
The exclamation mark is for the
finish, he will have to push d6, fatally
psychological value of this pawn sacrifice.
opening the long diagonal. Then the march
Black takes over the initiative and faces
of the h-pawn will lead to this mating net:
his opponent with difficult practical
decisions. So’s phenomenal calculation
XIIIIIIIIY
abilities soon tip the balance in his favour.
9-+-+-tr-+0
9zpl+-+-mk-0
Objectively slightly better is 20...Kg7 9-+-zP-+p+0
21.0-0 d4 22.b4 Re7 23.bxc5 bxc5 24.Qa2 9+-+-+-+-0
Qd7 25.Nd5 Bxd5 26.Bxd5 Rae8 with a 9-+Lwq-+-zp0
slight plus for Black, but the opposite-
9zPP+-vl-zP-0
coloured bishops might lead to a draw.
9-+-+QtRP+0
9+-+-+RmK-0
21.Bxb5 Qb6 22.0-0 Kg7 23.Bd3 Bg5 xiiiiiiiiy
23...c4 24.Bc2 Bg5 looks also attractive
1.gxh4 Qe4 2.Kh2 Qxh4+ 3.Kg1 Qg3
since 25.Nxc4 loses a piece to 25...Rxe2.
threatening Qxg2#!
However, Black would be missing the
threat of ...d4 so White would survive with The computer needs depths of 40-50
25.Rde1 Rae8 26.Kh2, for instance: half-moves to reach the verdict: White is
26...Bc6 27.Qd2 Rxe3 28.fxe3 Bxe3 doomed! Over the board, things remain
29.Qd1 Re5 30.g4 Qc7 31.g3 Qe7 32.Ba4 very complicated. For instance, 30.d6!
Bb7 33.Qf3=. Bc6 31.b4 h5? allows White to escape
after 32.b5 Bb7 33.d7 h4 34.Kh1 hxg3 31...h4 32.Kh1 Rxf2 33.Rxf2 hxg3
35.Rf7+ Kh6 (35...Rxf7 36.Rxf7+ Kh6 34.Rf7+ Kh6 0-1
XIIIIIIIIY
37.d8=Q! controls h4!) 36.R1f4!=. In this 9-+-+-+-+0
line the c4-bishop helped in the defence by 9zpl+-+R+-0
ensuring the check from f7. The computer 9-+-zP-+pmk0
discovers the decoy combination 31...a6!!. 9+-+-+-+-0
Zugzwang! 9-+Lwq-+-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9zPP+-vl-zp-0
9-+-+-tr-+0 9-+-+Q+P+0
9+-+-+-mkp0 9+-+-+-+K0
9p+lzP-+p+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-+-+-+-0
9-zPLwq-+-+0 The pawn is still on d6 (compare with
9zP-+-vl-zP-0 the line 30.d6! where it quickly reached
9-+-+QtRP+0 d7!) so the mate from h4 is unavoidable!
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 19. Kamsky – Nakamura
Saint Louis 01.04.2017
Now 32.Bxa6 h5 is already winning and
This game discusses the latest trend
32.Qe1 drops a piece after 32...Bxf2+.
against the London System – the plan with
...Nh5. In my opinion it has no advantages
30.b3 h5 31.d6
over the queen’s fianchetto, but it certainly
If White maintained a passive stand, e.g.
deserves attention as a backup line.
31.Qe1, cutting off the b7-bishop and
protecting his own one with the b3-pawn,
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 d5 4.e3 c5 5.c3
he would lose after 31...h4 32.gxh4 Qf4
We could meet 5.Nbd2 by 5...Nc6 (or
33.h5 Qg3 34.hxg6 Rf6 35.Kh1 Bxf2 and
5...Qb6 6.Rb1) since 6.Bb5 Qb6
there is no perpetual check. Black could
(6...Bd7?! 7.0-0 a6 8.Be2!) 7.a4 a6
even improve this idea by bringing his
8.Bxc6+ bxc6 9.a5 Qb7 is not a problem.
king into the attack: 31...Kh6! 32.Qe2
Kg5! 33.Qe1 Kg4 5...Nc6 6.Nbd2 cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY Another version of the same plan is
9-+-+-tr-+0 6...Nh5 7.Bg5 f6 when White lacks the
9zpl+-+-+-0 retreat to e3. On the other hand, he
9-+-+-+p+0 controls the f4-square and could meet
9+-+P+-+p0 8.Bh4 cxd4 by 9.cxd4÷. The super-speedy
9-+Lwq-+k+0 blitz game Giri-So, chess.com 2017, saw
9zPP+-vl-zP-0 instead: 8...g6 (8...Bd6 9.Ne5 g6 10.Be2)
9-+-+-tRP+0 9.Bd3 cxd4 10.cxd4 Be7 11.0-0 with long
9+-+-wQRmK-0
manoeuvring ahead.
xiiiiiiiiy
7.exd4 Nh5
A spectacular activity of the king!
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0 13.Ng5 Bxe5, White should have done it
9zpp+-+pzpp0 with 13.0-0! Nxe5?! 14.Nxe5 Bxe5
9-+n+p+-+0 15.dxe5 Qxe5 16.Re1 Bd7 17.Bg4
9+-+p+-+n0 (17.Bxh5 Qxh5 18.Qxh5 gxh5 19.Re3 h4)
9-+-zP-vL-+0 17...Qd6 18.Bxh5 gxh5 19.Qxh5². Of
9+-zP-+N+-0 course, taking on e5 is not obligatory, and
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 13...f6 would lead to a passive, but sound
9tR-+QmKL+R0 position.
xiiiiiiiiy
We see that the hit on e5 does not bring
8.Be3 dividends, so it would be better to meet
There is no reason to provoke ...f6 with 10.Ndf3 by 10...0-0!, intending to push
8.Bg5 f6 9.Be3 (9.Bh4 Be7) 9...Bd6 10.g3 ...e5.

10.Bb5 0-0 11.0-0 a6 (or 11...Bd7 The game Zavortink-So, chess.com

12.Re1 Qe8÷) 12.Ba4 Bd7 13.Ne1 2017, went 11.Be2?! f6 12.Nxc6
Nf4 14.g3, Karjakin-Nakamura, Blitz (12.Ng4 Bf4) 12...bxc6 13.Qd2 e5³.
Stavanger 2017, 14...Ng6÷. More testing is:

10...0-0 11.Bd3 11.Bh6 Re8 12.Bb5 Qb6 13.Qe2

11.Bg2?! f5 12.Ne5 f4ƒ, Giri-So, 13.Qd3 a6 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.0-0 a5

London 2016. 16.Rfe1=.

11...Qe8 12.Nh4 g6 (12...g5?! 13.Ng2) 13...f6 14.g4 Ng7

13.0-0. XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
8...Bd6 9.Ne5 g6 10.g4 9zpp+-+-snp0
The critical line, but this game suggests 9-wqnvlpzppvL0
that it is only balanced. Naiditsch chose 9+L+psN-+-0
against Kravtsiv in Sharjah 2017 the less 9-+-zP-+P+0
committing 10.Ndf3!? Qc7 11.Be2 0-0 9+-zP-+N+-0
12.Bh6 Re8 9PzP-+QzP-zP0
XIIIIIIIIY 9tR-+-mK-+R0
9r+l+r+k+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9zppwq-+p+p0
15.h4! This looks scary, but 15...Rf8!
9-+nvlp+pvL0
16.h5 fxe5 17.dxe5 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5
9+-+psN-+n0
19.Qxe5 Qxf2+ 20.Kd1 Qf6 evens the
9-+-zP-+-+0
chances – 21.Qxf6 Rxf6 22.Bg5 Rf7
9+-zP-+N+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0 23.hxg6 hxg6 24.Bd3 e5 25.Bxg6 Bxg4+
9tR-+QmK-+R0 26.Kc2 Rf2+ 27.Kb3 Bf5 28.Bxf5 Nxf5
xiiiiiiiiy 29.Bf6 Re8 30.Rh8+ Kf7 31.Rxe8 Kxe8
32.Bxe5=.
Here instead of sacrificing a pawn with
 XIIIIIIIIY
10.Qa4 occurred in Alekseev-Matlakov, 9r+lwq-trk+0
Sochi 2017. 9zpp+-+psnp0
9-+-+pvlp+0
Then 10...Qc7 11.Be2 Ng7 12.Nxc6 9+-+p+-+P0
bxc6 was roughly equal. However, 9-+-+-+P+0
Black could offer a pawn: 9+-zP-vLN+-0
10...0-0!?, when 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Qxc6 9PzP-wQ-zP-+0
would be risky as Black will open the 9tR-+-mKL+R0
centre with 12...Rb8 13.Rb1 e5. xiiiiiiiiy

10...Ng7 11.h4
XIIIIIIIIY 15...d4!
9r+lwqk+-tr0 This move turns the tide and now White
9zpp+-+psnp0 should be accurate. Kamsky is up to this
9-+nvlp+p+0 task.
9+-+psN-+-0
9-+-zP-+PzP0 16.cxd4
9+-zP-vL-+-0 A later game saw 16.Bxd4 e5 17.hxg6?
9PzP-sN-zP-+0 exd4 18.0-0-0
9tR-+QmKL+R0 XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+psnp0
11...Nxe5 9-+-+-vlP+0
11...h5 12.Bg5 Qb6! 13.Bf6 Rg8 14.Rb1 9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zp-+P+0
White failed to prove enough 9+-zP-+N+-0
compensation after 14.Qf3 Bxe5 9PzP-wQ-zP-+0
15.dxe5 hxg4 16.Qxg4 Nh5 17.0-0-0 9+-mKR+L+R0
Qxf2 18.Bg5 Qg3 19.Qa4 Bd7 20.Bb5 xiiiiiiiiy
Qxe5 21.Bxc6?. White had to put his
18...dxc3 19.gxf7+ Kxf7 20.Bc4+ Be6
rooks on f1 and e1 and it is unclear
21.Bxe6+ Nxe6 22.Qc2, Lie-Arvola,
how Black could improve his position.
Stavanger 2017, when 22...Qb6 23.b3 Bg7
14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Bc5 16.Qe2 hxg4 is close to winning.
17.Nb3 Be7 18.Bxe7 Kxe7 19.Qxg4 Bd7
20.Qg5+ Kf8 is holding, too. White’s 16...b6 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.Ne5 Bb7 19.Rh3
pieces are more active, but his king does Rc8 20.Be2 Bg2 21.Rg3 Bd5
not have a shelter: 21.h5 Nxh5 22.Be2
(22.Nd4 Qd8=) 22...Bb5 23.Bxh5 gxh5
24.Qxh5 Bc4=, or 21.Bd3 Bb5 22.Bxg6=.

12.dxe5 Bxe5 13.Nf3 Bf6 14.h5 0-0

15.Qd2
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0 22.Rh3! Bg2 23.Rg3 Be4 24.Rc1 Qd6
9zp-+-+-snp0 25.a3 Rxc1+ 26.Qxc1 Bxe5 27.dxe5
9-zp-+pvlp+0 Qxe5 28.Qd2 Bd5 29.Bd4 Qe4 30.f3
9+-+lsN-+-0 Qf4 ½-½
9-+-zP-+P+0
9+-+-vL-tR-0
9PzP-wQLzP-+0
9tR-+-mK-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
 I consider it in detail in line B. My
Chapter 6. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 conclusion is that after 8.Qc1, 8...Nh5
Main Ideas 9.Bg3 is roughly equal. My suggestion is
In this chapter I will discuss systems to go for 8...e6 and save ...h6. Our desired
with ...Bf5 or ...Bg4, focusing on the move set-up is: 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.Be2 0-0 11.h3
order: XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 9zpp+-vlpzpp0
It is fashionable to call it The 9-wqn+psn-+0
Accelerated London System, in contrast 9+-+p+l+-0
with the “Classical” London with 2.Nf3. I 9-+pzP-vL-+0
devote a special chapter on the intricacies 9+-zP-zPN+P0
of the latter move order. 9PzP-sNLzPP+0
9tR-wQ-mK-+R0
The idea of delaying the knight xiiiiiiiiy
development is to avoid the famous line
2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.c3 Qb6 11...Rfc8!, aiming for ...Qd8, ...Bd6
6.Qb3 c4 7.Qc2 Bf5, ...b5. While our plan of a pawn storm is
XIIIIIIIIY well outlined, White’s play is much more
9r+-+kvl-tr0 obscure. My attempt against Artemiev to
9zpp+-zppzpp0 attack the centre with b3 was dubious, as
9-wqn+-sn-+0 ...cxb3 highlighted the awkward
9+-+p+l+-0 placement of the queen at c1. Whenever
9-+pzP-vL-+0 White plays Nh4, for example on move
9+-zP-zPN+-0 10, we answer 10.Nh4 Be4 11.f3?
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9tRN+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Toth-Csirik
when White should retreat ingloriously
Hungary 2008
to c1. The same position could arise after
2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.c3.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
Note that the inclusion of Nf3 Nf6 is a 9zpp+-vlpzpp0
must. If you are too hasty to demonstrate 9-wqn+psn-+0
the tactical trick ...Bf5, you would be in 9+-+p+-+-0
for a nasty surprise: 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Nc6
9-+pzPlvL-sN0
4.c3!? Qb6 5.Qb3 c4 6.Qc2 Bf5? 7.Qxf5!
9+-zP-zPP+-0
Qxb2 8.Qxd5 Qxa1 9.Qb5±.
9PzP-sN-+PzP0
9tR-wQ-mKL+R0
The diagram position has been reached xiiiiiiiiy
in hundreds, even thousands of games. I
11...Bd3! 12.Bxd3 cxd3µ. Do not
must admit, I also played it as White in
misunderstand me – we are better here not
2013, even though it was just a blitz game.
because of the pawn on d3, but because the
h4-knight is hanging. That was the reason
to provoke f3 – to ban its retreat to f3.
Black often plays ...Bd3 in various
different settings, but I do not recommend
it in general. The computer as a rule
evaluates positions with a pawn on d3 and
a knight on f3 as 0.00, but in practice the
overextended pawn is a nuisance, as it
needs constant attention and protection.
Let’s now return to the “accelerated”
move order:
2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Nc6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvlntr0
9zpp+-zppzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
A lot of players favour 2...Nf6 3.e3 c5,
but I think that it is important to lead first
our queen’s knight. That eliminates a
number of tricky lines with Nc3 and other
tactical attempts.
4.c3
4.Nc3 hides no venom here in view of
4...cxd4 5.exd4 Bf5, taking the sting of
Nb5 in view of ...Rc8.
4...Nf6 5.Nd2
Until we have not played ...Bf5, we
could still shift to variations from Chapter
5, e.g. 5.Nf3 e6.
5...Bf5
Some players prefer the simple 5...cxd4
6.exd4 Bf5, arguing that the exchange
transforms the opening into a timid side
line of the Caro Kann. I agree that Black
has no problems there, but my task
throughout the book is not just to show
you how to even the chances. I have tried
to offer first-rate schemes with a good
potential to play them for a win. Whenever
possible, I prefer to preserve the c5-pawn
in order to have the active plan with ...c4
in reserve.
6.Qb3
Or 6.Ngf3 e6 7.Qb3 Qc8!
6...Qd7!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvl-tr0
9zpp+qzppzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-zpp+l+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+QzP-zP-+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
Please note that against the Accelerated
London I never consider ...Qb6. We
defend the b7-pawn by either ...Qd7 or
...Qc8 (if White’s knight is already on f3).
This approach preserves more tension.
7.Ngf3 c4 8.Qd1 e6 9.Be2
We meet 9.Nh4 semi-automatically by
9...Be4, e.g. 10.f3 Bg6 11.g4 Bd6.
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0 9r+-+kvl-tr0
9zpp+q+pzpp0 9zpp+-zppzpp0
9-+nvlpsnl+0 9-wqn+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0 9+-zpp+l+-0
9-+pzP-vLPsN0 9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zPP+-0 9+QzP-zP-+-0
9PzP-sN-+-zP0 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0 9tR-+-mKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
We also offer this exchange if White 7.dxc5!.
does not play f3+g4. It is an important link
of our plan of pushing ...b5-b4. Without it Another point is not to spend a tempo on
we could not put a rook on b8. h6 at the early stage of the opening. It is
better to use it on development.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
Key points 9zpp+qvlpzpp0
In most lines we’ll have a choice – 9-+n+psn-+0
whether to play ...Qb6 or not. I tried to 9+-+p+l+-0
formulate a rule: we go there only if we 9-+pzP-vL-+0
can meet Qb3 by ...c4 and ...Bf5. The 9+-zP-zPN+-0
following diagrams show what to avoid: 9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
XIIIIIIIIY 9tR-+QmK-+R0
9r+l+kvl-tr0 xiiiiiiiiy
9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-wqn+-snp+0 We meet 10.Nh4 by 10...Be4 11.Nxe4
9+-zpp+-+-0 Nxe4 12.Nf3 Bd6=.
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+QzP-zP-+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKLsNR0 Theoretical status
xiiiiiiiiy The Accelerated London is White’s
latest hope of confusing the opponent by
7.Qxb6! axb6 8.Bc7 Nd7 9.Bb5. Black its flexibility. The move order I suggest –
is tied with the defence of b6. with ...Nc6 before ...Nf6, allows to prune
most of the unclear lines and reach sound,
We should always keep in mind that well tested positions where White should
White could take on c5: even be careful if he wants to maintain the
balance.
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
Chapter 6. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5
9zpp+-zppvlp0
Step by Step 9-+-+-snp+0
9+-zpP+-+-0
1.d4XIIIIIIIIY
d5 2.Bf4 c5 9-+-+pvL-+0
9rsnlwqkvlntr0 9+-sN-+-+-0
9zpp+-zppzpp0 9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0
9-+-+-+-+0 9tR-+-mKLsNR0
9+-zpp+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-+-+-0 7.0-0-0 a6! 8.d6 b5!
9PzPP+PzPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0 8...Nc6 9.dxe7 Qxd2+ 10.Bxd2,
xiiiiiiiiy Miladinovic-Nikolic, Murska Sobota
2008, 10...Nxe7 is also good.
3.e3 9.dxe7 Qxd2+ 10.Rxd2 Bb7 11.Nge2
3.e4 is obviously inspired by the Albin Nc6 12.Ng3 Nd4 13.Be5 Rg8 14.Rd1
Countergambit. I suggest to take the Bc6³.
challenge – 3...dxe4!, and ignore White’s
extra tempo: 3.c3 Nc6 4.e3 transposes to line A, and
4.Nf3 Nf6 5.e3 is considered in line B.
3...Nc6 is not bad, but it leads to many
complex, but balanced endgames, for 3.Nc3!? Nc6 4.e3 (4.e4 cxd4 transposes
instance: to 3.e4 Nc6) is an aggressive set-up, based
4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Nc3 Qxd4 6.Nd5 e5 on long castling. I suggest to adopt the
7.Nc7+ Kd8 8.Nxa8 exf4 9.Nf3! most natural development:
Qxd1+ 10.Rxd1+ Bd7 11.Bb5 Kc8
4...cxd4 5.exd4 Bf5
12.0-0 f6=;
4.Nc3 cxd4 5.exd5 dxc3 6.dxc6 5...a6 is quite popular, but I prefer to
Qxd1+ 7.Rxd1 bxc6 8.Bc7 e6 9.Rd8+ lead out a piece rather than spend a
Ke7 10.b3 Nf6 11.Ne2 Nd5 12.Ba5 tempo on unnecessary prophylaxis.
c5 13.g3 Bb7=.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvlntr0
4.d5 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Qd2 Bg7 9zpp+-zppzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+p+l+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
6.Nf3 e6 7.Bb5
 XIIIIIIIIY
The only way to exploit the absence of 9r+lwqkvlntr0
...a6. 7.Bd3 could be met by 7...Bg4. 9zpp+-zppzpp0
7.Ne5 Nxe5 8.Bxe5 f6 9.Bf4 Bb4 is 9-+n+-+-+0
easy for Black. 9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
7...Bd6, followed up by ...Nge7. Black’s 9+-+-zP-+-0
pieces stand harmoniously. 9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
3.Nf3 cxd4 (3...Nc6!? is also possible, xiiiiiiiiy
of course.) 4.Bxb8 (4.Nxd4 f6 is awkward
for White.) 4...Rxb8 5.Qxd4 was played Now A. 4.c3 follows in the spirit of The
by Alekhine. 5...a6 is not bad, but we did Accelerated London while B. 4.Nf3
not take on d4 to chicken out later. We returns to the classical treatment of this
should consider a pawn sac – 5...Nf6 system.
6.Qxa7 Bd7 7.e3 e6 8.Nc3 Be7
4.Nc3 transposes to 3.Nc3!? Nc6 4.e3.
The main idea of the sacrifice is that if
White’s queen returns home with
9.Qd4, 9...b5 will offer Black a
tangible initiative. A. 4.c3 Nf6
4...Qb6 5.Qb3 c4 6.Qc2 Bf5? is a
9.a4 0-0 (9...b6 10.Bb5 0-0©) 10.Bd3
common mistake. This tactical device
does not work when the d5-pawn is
10.Qd4 Qa5 threatens ...b5, so White
unprotected, owing to 7.Qxf5 Qxb2
should play 11.Nd2 Bc5 12.Nb3 Bxd4
8.Qxd5 Qxa1 9.Qb5 0-0-0 10.Bxc4±.
13.Nxa5 Bxc3+ 14.bxc3 Rfc8=.
10...b6= and Black has a repetition of Black could try to justify the queen
moves. sortie to b6 by 5...Nf6 6.Nd2 g6

Finally, 3.dxc5 Nc6 4.Nf3 6...c4 7.Qc2 g6 8.e4 Nxe4 9.Nxe4

dxe4 10.Bxc4 Bg7 11.Be3 Na5 12.Be2
4.e4 Nf6 5.exd5 (5.e5 Ne4 6.Nd2 Qc6 13.Rd1 Nc4 14.Bxc4 Qxc4
Nxc5 7.Nb3 Bf5=) 5...Nxd5 6.Bg3 15.b3².
Bf5=, Bu Xiangzhi-Ding Liren, rapid XIIIIIIIIY
Shenzhen 2016. More challenging is 9r+l+kvl-tr0
6...e5!?. 9zpp+-zpp+p0
9-wqn+-snp+0
4...e6 5.e3 (5.e4 Bxc5 6.Nc3 Nge7=) 9+-zpp+-+-0
5...Bxc5 is comfortable. 9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+QzP-zP-+-0
3...Nc6 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
Perhaps the position after 7.Qxb6 axb6
 XIIIIIIIIY
8.Bc7 c4! (all 4 games have seen 8...Nd7 9r+q+kvl-tr0
9.Bb5²) 9.Bxb6 e6 is not bad for Black, 9zpp+-+pzpp0
but it needs practical tests. 9-+n+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
5.Nd2 9-+-zPNvL-sN0
5.Nf3 Qb6 transposes to line B, and 9+QzP-+-+-0
5...e6, followed up by 6...Bd6, is 9PzP-+-zPPzP0
considered in the previous chapter. 9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Nakamura tried 5.Bd3 against Kramnik,
but it was a blitz game. Both recaptures are possible:

It went 5...Bg4 6.Nf3 e6 7.Nbd2 10...Nxe4 11.Nf3 Bd6=, and 10...dxe4

Bd6=. Critical is, of course: 11.g3 Be7 12.Ng2 Nd5 13.Bd2 0-0
5...Qb6 6.Nd2 Qxb2 7.Ne2 cxd4 14.Nf4 Nf6 15.Be2 Qd7=.
8.exd4 e6 9.0-0, Schlosser-Gross, Bayern
6.Qb3
1995,
6.Ngf3 e6 brings about another
XIIIIIIIIY
important position.
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0 6...Qb6 could be met by 7.Nh4!
9-+n+psn-+0 (7.Qb3 c4 8.Qxb6 axb6³; 7.dxc5
9+-+p+-+-0 Qxb2 8.Nd4 Bg4) 7...Bd7 8.Qb3 c4
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9.Qc2 Nh5 10.Bg3.
9+-zPL+-+-0
9Pwq-sNNzPPzP0 7.Qb3
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 7.Qa4 Nd7 8.Bb5 is well met by the
natural 8...Rc8! when 9.Bxc6 Rxc6
9...Qa3! 10.Re1 Be7 11.Nf3 0-0 12.Rb1 10.Qxa7 is dubious in view of
Ne4, and White does not have clear 10...Bd3 and White’s king remains in
compensation for the pawn, e.g. 13.Qc2 the centre. Therefore, he should castle,
f5. when 9.0-0 a6 is at least equal. Black
could even sac a pawn with 9...Be7
5...Bf5 10.Rfe1 0-0 (10...a6) 11.Bxc6 Rxc6
I prefer to preserve the c5-pawn. 12.Qxa7 g5 13.Bg3 g4, trying to shift
the focus of the game to the kingside.
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 is also possible, However, 14.Ne5 Nxe5 15.dxe5!
though. 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Ngf3 e6 9.Nh4 Be4 (15.Bxe5 cxd4 16.exd4 Bg5 17.Nb3 f6
10.Nxe4 leads to the following position: 18.Bg3 Qc8 19.f3 gxf3 20.gxf3
Kh8‚) looks safe enough. The
computer finds only a draw after
15...Qa8 16.Qxa8 Rxa8 17.e4 dxe4
18.Bf4 Rb6 19.Nc4 Rba6 20.a3 b5.
7.Bb5!? is the better way of pinning advance on the kingside. Important
the knight. Then 7...Nd7 (hoping for continuations are:
8.Qa4 Rc8), could be met by 8.0-0,
followed by Re1, e3-e4. Therefore, a) 8.Bb5 a6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 10.h3 Be7
Black should employ another defence: 11.0-0 0-0=.
7...Qb6! 8.Qa4 a6 9.Bxc6+ bxc6 with
a balanced game, for instance: b) 8.c4 cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+kvl-tr0 b1) 9.Nxd4 dxc4!
9+-+-+pzpp0
9pwqp+psn-+0 It is essential to take on c4 while our
9+-zpp+l+-0 c6-knight is still alive. That eliminates
9Q+-zP-vL-+0 10.Nxc4? owing to 10...Bb4+.
9+-zP-zPN+-0 10.Qxc4
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0 10.Bxc4 Nxd4 11.exd4 a6 12.Rc1
xiiiiiiiiy Qd7= has no venom.
10...Nxd4
10.c4 Be7 (10...Bd3 11.dxc5) 11.dxc5
Bxc5 12.cxd5 Nxd5 13.0-0 0-0 14.Be5 10...e5 11.Bxe5 Nxe5 12.Qb5+ Nc6
(14.Nb3 Bb4 15.Nbd4 Be4 16.a3 Bxf3 13.Qxf5 Nxd4 14.Qxc8+ Rxc8
17.Nxf3 Nxf4=) 14...Bg6 15.Rfc1 15.exd4 Bb4 should be drawn –
Rfd8 16.Bd4 Bxd4 17.Qxd4 c5=. 16.Bb5+ Ke7 17.a3 Ba5 18.Ke2 Rhd8
7...Qc8! 19.Rhc1 Rxc1 20.Rxc1 Rxd4=.
11.Qxd4 Qc6 12.Qc4
I do not like 7...Qb6 because of the
XIIIIIIIIY
dull endgame arising after 8.Qxb6
9r+-+kvl-tr0
axb6 9.Bb5 Nd7 10.h3! (10.Ne5 only
9zpp+-+pzpp0
trades another piece) 10...Be7 11.g4
9-+q+psn-+0
Bc2 12.0-0 White’s pieces are more
9+-+-+l+-0
active, and he could open the centre at 9-+Q+-vL-+0
an opportunity. 9+-+-zP-+-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+kvl-tr0 9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9zpp+-+pzpp0 9tR-+-mKL+R0
9-+n+psn-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-zpp+l+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 12...Qxc4
9+QzP-zPN+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 Sedlak claims that 12...Nd5?!
9tR-+-mKL+R0 13.Qxc6+ bxc6 14.Bg3 Nb4 is equal,
xiiiiiiiiy but only White could win after 15.e4!
Nc2+ 16.Kd1 Nxa1 17.exf5 Rd8
White can now open the centre or 18.Kc1 exf5 19.Be5².

13.Bxc4 a6. White is ahead in
development, but 14.f3 b5 15.Bb3 Bd3
16.Kf2 a5 17.Rhc1 (17.a4 Bb4) 17...a4
allows Black to hold.
b2) 8...a5!?, enabling ...Bb4, requires
more difficult decisions from White:
9.dxc5
9.Qa4!? is a more solid retort. After
9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 Bb4 11.Rd1 Black
has two ways of obtaining a complex
fight where his active knights balance
the opponet’s bishop pair: 11...0-0
12.Nxf5 exf5 13.a3 Bxd2+ 14.Rxd2 d4
15.Bd3 dxe3 16.fxe3 Re8 17.0-0 g6÷
and 11...dxc4 12.a3 Bxd2+ 13.Rxd2 c3
14.bxc3 0-0 15.Nxf5 exf5 16.Bd3 Rd8
17.Qc2 Qe6 18.0-0 Ne5 19.Be2 Rxd2
20.Qxd2 Ne4 21.Qb2 b6 22.Rd1 h6=.
9...Bxc5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Bg3 0-0!?
12.e4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+-trk+0
9+p+-+pzpp0
9-+n+p+-+0
9zp-vln+l+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+Q+-+NvL-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Bxe4 13.Nxe4 Bb4+ 14.Ned2
Bxd2+ 15.Kxd2 a4 16.Qa3 e5. The
computer can make a draw here, but OTB
White’s task is not easy.
c) 8.Nh4 Be4! 9.f3 Bg6 10.g4 (or
10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.g4 Be7 10...Be7
11.Nxg6 hxg6 with mutual chances. See
Game 20 Sapis-Korneev, Cappelle-la-
Grande 2004.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9zpp+-zppzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-zpp+l+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+QzP-zP-+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
6...Qd7!
6...Qb6 is thematically met by 7.dxc5
Qxb3 8.axb3 e5 9.Bg3 Bxc5 10.Ngf3 and
Black’s central pawns are weak – 10...Nd7
11.b4 Bd6 12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.exd4 f6
14.Be2².
7.Ngf3
7.dxc5 is less efficient with queens,
since we can use our strongest piece to
protect the central pawn pair – 7...e5
8.Bg3 Bxc5 9.Ngf3 Qe7 10.Bb5 Bd6
11.c4 a6 12.cxd5=.
7...c4 8.Qd1
8.Qb5 is a weird attempt to trade queens
via b6-c7. At the same time White is
planning b3.
The safest retort is to stabilise our
space advantage with 8...Qc8 9.Ne5 a6
10.Qb6 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Nd7 12.Qc7 b5
13.a4 e6=. More ambitious is to switch
to tactics by:
8...e6 9.b3 a6 10.Qb6 cxb3 11.axb3
Qc8!? intending to win a piece after
12.Be2 g5 13.Nxg5 e5 14.Bxe5 Nd7
15.Qc7 f6. Although White obtains 3
pawns, our chances are at least not worse
and play is very tangled.
8...e6 9.Be2
A major alternative is 9.Nh4 Be4
 By provoking f3, we deprive the may finish in a draw by perpetual check
h4-knight of retreat squares. That will after 21.h4 Qf4 22.Nd6+ Ke7 23.Qe4
force a further weakening – g4, which Qxe4+ 24.Nxe4 Ne3+ 25.Kb3 Na5+
will saddle White with a backward 26.Kb4 Nc6+ 27.Kb3, since 27.Kxb5??
pawn on h3. Compare it with 9...Bg6 Rd5+! 28.Kxc6 Rb8! traps the king in a
10.Be2 b5 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.Qc2 Bd6 mating net.
13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.h3, where our semi-
open h-file is useless. 9.b3 is dubious owing to 9...Ba3, so
White should play first:
10.f3
9.a4 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.b3 cxb3
10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Nf3 b5 12.Qc2 Bd6
12.Qxb3 0-0 13.Be2
was comfortable for Black in
XIIIIIIIIY
Vorobiev-Moiseenko, Kazan 2017.
9r+-+-trk+0
10...Bg6 11.g4 Bd6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 9zpp+-+pzpp0
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+nwqpsn-+0
9r+-+k+-tr0 9+-+p+l+-0
9zpp+-+pzpp0 9P+-zP-+-+0
9-+nwqpsnl+0 9+QzP-zPN+-0
9+-+p+-+-0 9-+-sNLzPPzP0
9-+pzP-+PsN0 9tR-+-mK-+R0
9+-zP-zPP+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
9PzP-sN-+-zP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0 I have seen Prohaszka recently opting
xiiiiiiiiy for this plan (although Black lost a tempo
on 8...h6 in that game). he then pushed
White’s pieces are passive and do not a4-a5 and c3-c4. The extra tempo gives
support his advanced pawns. In Pakleza- us the pleasant choice between 13...Na5
Jarmula, Szklarska Poreba 2013, he made 14.Qb5 b6= and 13...Rfc8 14.a5 Qd8
a serious positional mistake – 13.g5?! Nd7 15.Qa3 b6 16.axb6 axb6 17.Qb2 Rxa1+
14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.f4. Of course, it is 18.Qxa1 Na5 and White will never
wrong to close the position having a achieve c4. For instance, 19.0-0 Ne8
bishop vs. a knight. 15...b5 16.Qe2 Ne7 20.Ne5 Nd6, followed up by ...f6.
would have promised Black an initiative XIIIIIIIIY
on the queenside. 9r+-+kvl-tr0
9zpp+q+pzpp0
13.e4 is much more natural. 9-+n+psn-+0
9+-+p+l+-0
Then 13...Ng8 14.Be2 Nge7 stops 9-+pzP-vL-+0
White’s offensive, but Black could 9+-zP-zPN+-0
pose more problems with: 9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
13...e5!? 14.exd5 Nxd5 15.Nxc4 Qe7 9tR-+QmK-+R0
16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.dxe5 Qh4+ 18.Kd2 Rd8 xiiiiiiiiy
19.Qe1 Qg5+ 20.Kc2 b5„. The game
9...Be7
We should not spend a tempo on 9...h6
as White will enjoy some initiative after
10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Be7 12.b3 cxb3
13.Qxb3! (13.axb3 0-0=) 13...0-0 14.0-0.
This line is a hint to bolster our c4-pawn
with:
9...b5. Indeed, it is a good option, e.g.
10.0-0 Bd6 11.Ne5 Qc7 12.g4 Bg6
13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.Bg3 0-0 15.Kg2=.
We should always be ready to counter-
attack in the centre with...e5 so our
knight should not leave c6. For
instance, 15...b4?! would be premature
due to 16.cxb4 Nxb4 17.g5 Nh7
18.Nf3, intending to meet 18...Nc6 by
19.b3!. The best solution is:
15...Rab8 16.g5 Nh7 17.Bxd6 Qxd6
18.h4 e5!=.
10.Ne5
10.Nh4 should not be of any concern to
us – we are fully developed and have a
clear plan on the queenside – 10...b5=. The
thematic 10...Be4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Nf3
Bd6 is also good.
10...Nxe5 11.Bxe5 b5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9zp-+qvlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+p+pvLl+-0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0
9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
It transpires that we are not forced to
define our king’s position yet. The game
Berkes-Thorhallsson, Reykjavik 2014,
reached a messy position after 11...0-0
12.g4 Bg6 13.h4 Qb5 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.h5
Bd3 16.Bxd3 cxd3, when 17.Nb3 e5 18.g5
e4 19.gxf6 Bxf6 is double-edged. White
could win a pawn with 17.Qb3 Qc6
18.Nf3 b5 19.Qd1 b4 20.Qxd3, but
Black’s pressure evens the chances.
12.g4 Bg6 13.g5 Ne4 14.Bxg7 Rg8
15.Bh6 Nxg5 16.Rg1 f6 17.Bxg5 fxg5
18.Nf3 Bf6 19.Ne5 Bxe5 20.dxe5 Qe7∞
A sharp fight is ahead. Our king will
stay on the f-file, ...Rb8 will support
...b5-b4, while White’s only active idea
seems to be f3, e4. Play might continue
21.Qd4 Kf7 22.f3 b4.
B. 4.Nf3 Nf6
Another approach against the early Nf3
is to pin the knight with 4...Bg4.
5.c3
White has tried many other ideas here.
The only fifth move which brings White
a positive score in my database is 5.Nbd2.
The absence of c3 suggests 5...Qb6 as the
most principled retort.
We could also reach positions from
Chapter 5 with 5...e6!? 6.c3 (6.Bb5
Bd7) 6...Bd6. The only independent
line is 7.Bd3 Bxf4 8.exf4.
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0 9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0 9zpp+-zppzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0 9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0 9+LzPp+-+-0
9-+-zP-zP-+0 9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-zPL+N+-0 9+-wq-zPN+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0 9P+PsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0 9+R+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
Now both 8...e6 and 8...g6 offer Black
We do not have the plan with ...b6 I
fair chances. See Game 22 Böhme-Buzek,
recommended, since the knight is
Lechenicher SchachServer, 2013.
already on c6. However, Black’s task
is even simpler here thanks to the
5.Nc3 is a slightly improved version of
tactical trick 8...Qb6! 9.Qb3 (9.Rb1?!
3.Nc3, since the inclusion of Nf3 Nf6 is in
cxd4 10.cxd4 0-0 11.Nb3 Nb4 is in
White’s favour. That is due to the fact that
Black’s favour.) 9...Qc7 10.dxc5
in some lines Black would have preferred
Qxf4=.
to develop his knight on e7, as I noted in
Karjakin, Topalov, and many other the beginning of this chapter.
GMs prefer 5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.c3
e6 8.Qb3 Qc8, but I treat this position A good model to follow is the game
without the exchange on d4 – see line Torre-So, Manila 2011: 5...Bg4 6.Be2 e6
A. Unfortunately, the immediate 7.0-0
5...Bf5 does not transpose, as White XIIIIIIIIY
has 6.dxc5!? e6 7.Nd4, taking the 9r+-wqkvl-tr0
f5-bishop. 9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
Finally, if you prefer to insure yourself
9+-zpp+-+-0
against any sharp home preparation,
9-+-zP-vLl+0
but still preserve tension, you could
9+-sN-zPN+-0
choose 5...Bg4 6.c3 e6 – see Game 21 9PzPP+LzPPzP0
Naiditsch-Meier, Karlsruhe 2017. 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qc3 8.Bb5 xiiiiiiiiy
7...Bxf3 8.Bxf3 cxd4 9.exd4 Bd6
10.Bg5 Be7=.

5.Bb5?! Qa5+ 6.Nc3 Ne4 damages

White’s pawn structure.

5.dxc5 e6 6.a3 Bxc5 7.c4 0-0 offers

Black a clear extra tempo over one of the
main lines of the Queen’s Gambit with
Bf4.
5.Be2 counts mostly on 5...Qb6 6.Nc3,
although 6...c4 is playable.
Perhaps 5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6 is
the most solid option.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqkvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9+-+p+l+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPP+LzPPzP0
9tRN+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
After 8.c3, White could choose between
8...Bd6, 8...Be7, and even 8...Ne4,
followed up by 9...Bd6.
5...Qb6
5...Bf5 is questionable owing to 6.dxc5.
You can improve on the above line with
5...Bg4 which is in many aspects similar
to the schemes with ...Bf5, only 6.dxc5?!
does not work in view of 6...e5. Instead
White answers 6.Nbd2 e6 7.Qb3 Qc8 –
see Game 21 Naiditsch-Meier, Karlsruhe
2017.
5...e6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 could still transpose
to Chapter 5.
On the contrary, 5...g6 only looks
similar to Chapter 1, but the knight on
c6 mars the picture, since the c5-pawn is
hanging in a number of variations.
6.Qb3
This is the big main line, but I’m not
sure it is better than the humble:
6.Qc1 Bf5. Black preserves the option
of opening the c-file with...cxd4. That
deprives White of active plans on the
kingside. 7.Nbd2 e6
7...cxd4!? 8.exd4 Rc8 is also a
promising set-up.
8.Be2 (8.Nh4 Be4) 8...Be7 (8...Rc8!?)
9.0-0 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-wqn+psn-+0
9+-zpp+l+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zPN+-0
9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-wQ-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black’s queen is more active, but White
does not have weaknesses. The game
might continue 10.Nh4 Be4 11.f3
(11.Nxe4?! Nxe4 12.Nf3 g5 13.Bg3 f5ƒ)
11...Bg6 12.Nxg6 hxg6=.
6.Qc2 invites Black to play 6...Bf5?
when White has 7.dxc5!
6...g6 is a natural move, but you
should still avoid ...Bf5 – 7.Nbd2 Bg7!
(mind the little trick 7...Bf5 8.dxc5!)
8.h3 (8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 Nh5 10.Bg5 h6
11.Bh4 Bf5 with slight pressure)
8...0-0 9.Be2 Nd7 10.0-0 e5=.
Perhaps simplest is 6...Nh5! 7.Be5
(7.Bg3 Nxg3 8.hxg3 g6) 7...f6 8.dxc5
(8.Bg3 cxd4 9.exd4 e5) 8...Qxc5 9.Bd4
Qa5 10.b4 Qc7 11.Qb3
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0 exd4³;
9zppwq-zp-zpp0 9.Bg5 f6 (9...h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3
9-+n+-zp-+0 Nxg3 12.hxg3 Bg7 13.Nbd2 Rc8
9+-+p+-+n0 14.Be2 0-0³) 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 e5
9-zP-vL-+-+0 12.dxe5 Nxg3 13.hxg3 Nxe5³.
9+QzP-zPN+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0 9...Nxg3 10.hxg3
9tRN+-mKL+R0 XIIIIIIIIY
xiiiiiiiiy 9r+-+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-zppzpp0
11...e5! 12.Qxd5 exd4 13.Qxh5+ g6 9-wqn+-+-+0
14.Qh4 dxe3 15.fxe3 Bf5 16.Bb5 0-0-0 9+-+p+l+-0
with an active bishop pair. 9-+pzP-+-+0
9+-zP-zPNzP-0
6...c4 7.Qc2 9PzP-+-zPP+0
7.Qxb6?! axb6 is perfect for Black if 9tRNwQ-mKL+R0
Bb5 is impossible – 8.a3 b5 9.Nbd2 b4 or xiiiiiiiiy
8.Na3 Na7 9.Be2 Bf5 10.Nh4 Bd7.
10...h6 11.Nbd2 e6 12.Be2 Be7
7...Bf5! 8.Qc1
XIIIIIIIIY 13.Bd1=.
9r+-+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-zppzpp0 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.Be2
9-wqn+-sn-+0 10.Nh4 does not achieve to kill the
9+-+p+l+-0 bishop, as 10...Be4 11.f3? Bd3 12.Bxd3
9-+pzP-vL-+0 cxd3µ is awful for White. Young Kamsky
9+-zP-zPN+-0 chose 11.Be2 0-0 and acknowledged his
9PzP-+-zPPzP0 mistake by going back – 12.Nhf3 Bg6=.
9tRNwQ-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy 10...0-0 11.h3
I played 11.b3?! against Artemiev in the
World blitz championship 2013, but it only
8...e6
offered Black an active plan on the
8...Nh5 is much less popular. Black kills
queenside after 11...cxb3 12.axb3 Rfc8,
the enemy bishop, but the resulting
threatening ...Nb4.
position is closed and roughly balanced:
11.0-0 Rfc8= will transpose to the main
9.Bg3
line, but 11...Nh5 is also an option –
The other retreats allow Black to gain 12.Be5 f6 13.Bg3 Nxg3 14.hxg3 Bg6!,
space: 9.Be5 f6 10.Bg3 e5 11.Be2 keeping the bishop pair. (Pakleza-Macieja,
(11.Nbd2 0-0-0 12.Be2 exd4 13.Nxd4 Warsaw 2010, saw 14...Qc7?! 15.Nh4 b5?
Nxd4 14.cxd4 Nxg3 15.hxg3 Kb8³) 16.Nxf5 exf5, when 17.a4 a6 18.b3 would
11...0-0-0 (or 11...Nxg3 12.hxg3 exd4 have gained the initiative.)
13.Nxd4 Nxd4 14.cxd4 Bb4+³, Ider-
Wagner, Chartres 2017) 12.Nbd2
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0 12...Bd3 13.Bxd3 cxd3 is too
9zpp+-vlpzpp0 committing. Although the computer
9-wqn+psn-+0 finds it equal, the d3-pawn would be a
9+-+p+l+-0 cause of constant concern for us.
9-+pzP-vL-+0 13.Nxe4 Nxe4 14.Nf3 Bd6=.
9+-zP-zPN+P0
9PzP-sNLzPP+0 12.g4 Bg6! 13.g5 is another principled
9tR-wQ-mK-+R0 try.
xiiiiiiiiy
13.Nh4 Be4 14.Nhf3 does not
11...Rfc8 necessarily lead to a repetition. Black
A standard regrouping of the major can play on with 14...Qd8.
pieces. Black’s plan is ...Qd8, followed up 13...Nh5!? (13...Ne4 14.h4 Bf5∞)
by ....b5. 14.Bh2
XIIIIIIIIY
Another popular set-up involves
9r+r+-+k+0
11...h6!?. It is mostly a matter of taste
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
whether to spend a tempo on this
9-wqn+p+l+0
prophylactic move. As I noted before,
9+-+p+-zPn0
12.b3 cxb3 13.axb3 Rfc8 is promising for
9-+pzP-+-+0
Black. The attempt for a direct attack with 9+-zP-zPN+P0
12.g4 Bg6 13.Rg1 Ne4 14.h4 should not 9PzP-sNLzP-vL0
disturb us as White’s pieces, and 9tR-wQ-mK-+R0
especially his queen, are passive. A safe xiiiiiiiiy
retort would be:
XIIIIIIIIY 14...f6! 15.Rg1 fxg5 16.Nxg5 Bxg5
9r+-+-trk+0 17.Rxg5 Nf6„.
9zpp+-vlpzp-0
9-wqn+p+lzp0 12...Qd8
9+-+p+-+-0 This is consistent with our previous
9-+pzPnvLPzP0 play, but White’s timid last move
9+-zP-zPN+-0 encourages 12...h6!?. We can no longer
9PzP-sNLzP-+0 fear a pawn storm against our king. See
9tR-wQ-mK-tR-0 Game 22 Lazic-Nabaty, Belgrade 2015. It
xiiiiiiiiy is a model example of Black’s plan in this
pawn structure.
14...Qd8 15.g5 h5, but Black could also
launch a counter-attack with 14...e5! 13.g4
15.dxe5 Nc5 16.g5 h5 17.Kf1 Rae8 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 b5³ is a onesided
18.Kg2 Bd8, regaining the e5-pawn. game.

12.0-0 13.Nh4 Be4 14.f3 Bd3³ leaves the

The acid test of Black’s set-ups without h4-knight hanging.
...h6 is 12.Nh4 Be4
13...Bg6 14.Nh4 b5 15.Nxg6 hxg6 Both sides have realised their plans. It
16.Bf3 b4 17.e4
XIIIIIIIIY is obvious that Black’s play is much more
9r+rwq-+k+0 straightforward and effective. He could
9zp-+-vlpzp-0 now thrust forward his a-pawn – 17...a5!,
9-+n+psnp+0 intending ...a4-a3. 17...dxe4 18.Nxe4 Nd5
9+-+p+-+-0 19.Rd1 a5³ is also pleasant for him.
9-zppzPPvLP+0
9+-zP-+L+P0
9PzP-sN-zP-+0
9tR-wQ-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy

Chapter 6. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5
Annotated Games
20. Sapis – Korneev
Cappelle-la-Grande 01.03.2004
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.c3 Nf6
5.Nd2 Bf5 6.Ngf3 e6 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nh4
Be4!XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zPlvL-sN0
9+QzP-zP-+-0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...Bg6 is sound, but passive. By
provoking f3, we create imbalances which
we’ll try to exploit in future. Of course,
White might attempt to avoid f3 by 9.Bg5,
but we’ll keep the tension with 9...Be7
10.Nxe4 (10.dxc5 0-0) 10...Nxe4 11.Bxe7
Nxe7 12.Bb5+ Nc6. Our aim here is to
gain more space with ...c4 so 13.Qc2 looks
logical. 13...a6 14.Bd3 f5 15.f3 Nf6 16.g4
c4 17.Be2 g5 18.Ng2 fxg4 19.fxg4 Qc7
20.0-0-0 0-0-0÷.
9.f3 Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.g4 Be7
The first important decision in this
game. It is connected with a pawn sac
since 12.dxc5!? Bxc5?! 13.0-0-0 e5
14.Qb5² would be a little unpleasant.
Fortunately, we can delay recapturing the
pawn with 12...a5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+k+-tr0
9+p+-vlpzp-0
9-+n+psnp+0
9zp-zPp+-+-0
9-+-+-vLP+0
9+QzP-zPP+-0
9PzP-sN-+-zP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
It is easy for White to fall under attack
– 13.Bb5 Nd7 14.0-0-0 a4 15.Qc2 Ra5
16.Bxc6 bxc6. He should stop the
advance of our pawn, but then his
castling position will be a bit shaky:
13.a4! Nd7 14.0-0-0 Nxc5 15.Qc2 Qd8
16.Kb1 Bd6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Ne4 Qe7
19.Nxc5 Qxc5 20.Qf2 Na7 and the threat
of ...b5 offers enough counterplay –
21.Qd2 Rb8 22.e4 dxe4 23.Qd7+ Kf8
24.fxe4 Nc6=. We have a nice square on
e5 for our knight.
In the correspondence game Dos Reis-
Bowyer, ICCF 2008, Black obtained a
decent position with the prophylactic
11...Nd7 12.Bg3 a6 13.Bg2 Be7, but why
to remove a piece from the centre without
a serious reason?!
12.Bg2
A strange move at first sight – it is
unnatural to put a bishop behind its own
pawns. White’s choice betrays an intention
to keep the king on f2 or g1, and an extra
piece around it would be reassuring.
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+k+-tr0 9r+-+-+-tr0
9zpp+-vlpzp-0 9+-+-mkpzp-0
9-+n+psnp+0 9p+qvlpsnp+0
9+-zpp+-+-0 9+p+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-vLP+0 9-+-zP-+P+0
9+QzP-zPP+-0 9zP-zPL+PvL-0
9PzP-sN-+LzP0 9-zP-+-mK-zP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0 9tR-+Q+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy

12...a6?! Another option was 20...Nd7 21.Qe2

Such a move would have made sense if Nb6 22.Kg2 Nc4 23.f4∞.
White’s bishop were still on f1 and could
The king move sets up the positional
go to b5. The game shows that Black was
trap of fixing the h2-pawn, which White
planning ...b5, but we do not need ...a6 in
could have prevented with 21.Kg2!.
order to push it.
21.Qe2? Rh3! 22.Rag1?
It was time to devise a plan. Black can
White should have assumed a passive,
opt for ...c4, ...b5, but that would give
but firm stand with 22.Rhg1.
White a free hand in the centre. Stronger is
...cxd4, followed by a minority attack with 22...Rah8 23.Rg2 Ne8?!
...b5-b4. In all events he needs to exchange It seems that Korneev does not trust his
the g3-bishop to gain access to b8. Thus technique too much, so he prefers to keep
his first steps should be 12...Qd7 13.Bg3 the pressure with even material.
cxd4 14.exd4 Bd6. If White takes 14.cxd4, 23...Bxg3+ 24.Rxg3 Rxh2+ was a clear
we play the same 14...Bd6 and probably pawn up. After the text, White gets the
...g5. In this symmetrical structure we chance to correct his mistake on move 22.
might not need ...b5 at all.
24.Re1 Nc7?!
13.Bg3 b5 14.a3?! It was essential to stop f4 with 24...g5
This apparently aims to prevent 14.0-0 25.Qd2 f6.
c4 15.Qc2 b4, but the whole Black’s
concept of closing the flank is wrong. 25.f4 a5 26.f5 Bxg3+ 27.hxg3
XIIIIIIIIY
White would bust his fragile construction 9-+-+-+-tr0
with 16.b3 or 16.e4. Instead of 14...c4?!, 9+-sn-mkpzp-0
Black should castle 14...0-0 and fight for 9-+q+p+p+0
the dark squares with ...g5 and ...e5 at an 9zpp+p+P+-0
opportunity. 9-+-zP-+P+0
9zP-zPL+-zPr0
14...Na5 15.Qd1 cxd4 16.exd4 Nc4 9-zP-+QmKR+0
17.Nxc4 Qxc4?! 9+-+-tR-+-0
Why not 17...bxc4³ ?! xiiiiiiiiy
18.Bf1 Qc6 19.Bd3 Bd6 20.Kf2 Ke7
27...b4?! 5.Nbd2 Bg4
XIIIIIIIIY
Black fails to adapt to the new reality. 9r+-wqkvl-tr0
Instead of playing to convert an extra 9zpp+-zppzpp0
pawn, he should think about defence. A 9-+n+-sn-+0
good solution was 27...gxf5 28.gxf5 R8h6. 9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vLl+0
28.axb4 axb4 29.fxg6 f6? 9+-+-zPN+-0
Sheer panic. 29...fxg6 30.Qe5 bxc3 9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
31.Qxg7+ Kd8 was nearly equal, and even 9tR-+QmKL+R0
29...bxc3 30.gxf7 Rf8 31.Qe3 e5! was xiiiiiiiiy
tenable.
White’s move order is specifically
30.g5+– bxc3 31.gxf6+ gxf6 aimed against 5...Bf5, which would be met
The winning idea here is to bring the by 6.dxc5. However, Black’s bishop has a
passive rook at g2 to the queenside with backup route!
32.Qg4! R3h6 33.Kf3!!+–.
6.c3 e6
White misses his chance and the game Meier had previous bad experience with
sets off for a draw. 6...Qb6?! 7.dxc5! Qxc5 8.Qb3 and he
XIIIIIIIIY went on to lose to Kramnik in 2015.
9-+-+-+-tr0
9+-sn-mk-+-0 7.Qb3 Qc8
9-+q+pzpP+0 You have learned from the previous
9+-+p+-+-0 sections of this chapter that I disapprove
9-+-zP-+-+0 of 7...Qb6 when White’s bishop is able to
9+-zpL+-zPr0 reach b5 – 8.Qxb6 axb6 9.Bb5². 7...Qd7
9-zP-+QmKR+0 is also dubious owing to 8.Bb5.
9+-+-tR-+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 8.h3
Kramnik, Karjakin and yours truly had
32.Qc2? R3h5 33.Qxc3 Qxc3 34.bxc3 opted for 8.Ne5 Nxe5:
Rg5 35.g4 Kd6 36.Re3 e5 37.dxe5+ fxe5 XIIIIIIIIY
38.Bf5 Ne6 39.Kg3 Nf4 40.Rh2 Rxh2 9r+q+kvl-tr0
41.Kxh2 Nxg6 42.Bxg6 Rxg6 43.Kg3 9zpp+-+pzpp0
Rg8 44.Kh4 Rh8+ 45.Kg5 e4 46.c4 Ke5 9-+-+psn-+0
47.cxd5 Rg8+ 48.Kh5 Kf4 49.Re1 Rg5+ 9+-zppsn-+-0
50.Kh6 Rxg4 51.d6 Rg8 52.Rf1+ Ke3 9-+-zP-vLl+0
53.d7 Ke2 54.Rf7 e3 55.Re7 Re8 56.Kg6
9+QzP-zP-+-0
Kd2 ½-½
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
21. Naiditsch – Meier xiiiiiiiiy
Karlsruhe 19.4.2017
I chose 9.dxe5 against Mads Andersen
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 in 2016, when the most critical answer is
9...Nd7 10.e4 b5.
9.Bxe5 c4 10.Qc2 Bf5 11.Qd1 is a
typical London position with mutual
chances.
8...Bh5 9.g4 Bg6 10.Nh4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psnl+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vLPsN0
9+QzP-zP-+P0
9PzP-sN-zP-+0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...Be4
A rather provocative decision. Black’s
queen is a little awkward, the opponent
will soon get the bishop pair advantage.
All that suggests to drain out the dynamic
with 10...cxd4!? 11.exd4 and complete
development without any risks. Curiously,
the same position has arisen several times
with a clear tempo up for White. For
instance, Parligras-Solodovnichenko,
Konya 2016 saw 4.e3 cxd4 5.exd4 Nc6
6.c3 Bf5 7.Nbd2 e6 8.Qb3 Qc8 9.Nh4
Bg4 10.h3 Bh5 11.g4 Bg6 – and the game
finished quickly in a draw after 12.Nxg6
hxg6 13.Bg2 Be7 14.0-0 0-0 15.Rfe1 Qd7
16.a4 ½-½.
In P.Prohaszka-Jo.Horvath, Hungary
2016, Black preferred 10...Ne4 11.Nxg6
Nxd2 12.Qd1 hxg6 13.Qxd2 Qd7, but the
trade of knights has left his king
unprotected and 14.0-0-0 (instead of the
harmless 14.Bg2) would have assured
White of a promising position.
11.f3 Bg6 12.Be2
When we keep the tension in the centre,
we should always think of the possible
dxc5, especially if the opponent is ahead
in development. Here 12.dxc5 Bxc5
13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.0-0-0 looks dangerous,
but Black should hold with 14...e5!
15.Qb5 Be7 16.Bg3 d4 17.cxd4 a6
18.Qd3 Nb4+ 19.Qc4 exd4 20.exd4
Nxa2+ 21.Kb1 Nb4.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+q+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psnl+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vLPsN0
9+QzP-zPP+P0
9PzP-sNL+-+0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...Be7
Meier is playing with fire. He invites
White to take on c5 and castle long, and
that would give him an initiative.
Our thematic plan in such positions is
12...c4 13.Qd1 Qd8, planning to exchange
the bishops from d6.
13.Bg3?! a6 14.Kf2 b5 15.Qd1 Qd8
16.a4
The only sharp plan of White is to take
on g6 and push h4. Shifting the focus of
the game to the queenside perfectly suits
Black.
16...b4 17.a5?! c4 18.Nxg6 hxg6 19.h4
Bd6
Black has finally picked out the right
idea and his game is already preferable.
Naiditsch continues to act chaotically:
20.f4 Rb8 21.Qc2
 XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-wqk+-tr0 26...Ke7? 27.Rxb8 (27.Qc1+–) 27...Rxc2
9+-+-+pzp-0 28.Rb7+ Nd7 29.gxf7 Rxd2 30.Bh4+
9p+nvlpsnp+0 Kf8 31.Rxd7 Be7 32.Bxe7+ Nxe7 33.g5
9zP-+p+-+-0 Kxf7 34.Ra7 Rc2 35.Ke1? (35.Rxa6+–)
9-zppzP-zPPzP0 35...Rxc3 36.Kd2 Ra3 37.Bh5+ g6
9+-zP-zP-vL-0 38.Bxg6+ Kxg6 39.Rxe7 Ra2+ 40.Kc3
9-zPQsNLmK-+0 Ra3+ 41.Kd2 Ra2+ 42.Ke1 Kf5= 43.Kf1
9tR-+-+-+R0 c3 44.Rc7 Rc2 45.g6 Kxg6 46.Ke1 Kf5
xiiiiiiiiy 47.Kd1 Rd2+ 48.Kc1 Rd3 49.Kc2 Rxe3
50.Rc6 Rf3 51.Rxa6 Ke4 52.Rxe6+ Kxd4
21...Rb5? 53.a6 Rf2+ 54.Kb3 Rb2+ 55.Ka3 Rb1
White is seemingly preparing e4, but 56.Rc6 Kd3 57.a7 Ra1+ 58.Kb3 d4
Meier ignores the threat. 21...Ne7!µ 59.Rc7 c2 60.Kb2 c1Q+ 61.Rxc1 Rxa7
would have discouraged it, leaving Black 62.Rh1 Rc7 63.f5 Rc2+ 64.Kb3 Rf2
on top. 65.Rh3+ Ke4 66.Rh4+ Kd5 67.Rh8 Rxf5
68.Kc2 Ke4 ½-½
After the text, 22.e4! would have
22. Böhme – Buzek
changed the character of the game since
Lechenicher SchachServer, 2013
22...Nxe4? was bad owing to 23.Nxe4
dxe4 24.Bxc4. Black should concede to 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nd2 Nc6
22...Bc7 23.exd5 bxc3 24.bxc3 exd5 25.h5 5.Ngf3 Qb6
XIIIIIIIIY
gxh5 26.g5 Ng8 27.Bxh5 Nge7∞, when 9r+l+kvl-tr0
the open files would promise White 9zpp+-zppzpp0
certain compensation for the doomed 9-wqn+-sn-+0
pawn at a5. 9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
22.h5? bxc3 23.bxc3 Qb8? (23...gxh5 9+-+-zPN+-0
24.g5 Ng8µ) 24.hxg6 Rxh1 25.Rxh1 Rb2 9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
26.Rh8+
XIIIIIIIIY 9tR-+QmKL+R0
9-wq-+k+-tR0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-+-+pzp-0
9p+nvlpsnP+0 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qc3 8.Bb5 g6!?
9zP-+p+-+-0 The fianchetto is a rare guest in practical
9-+pzP-zPP+0 chess, but it performs well in
9+-zP-zP-vL-0 correspondence games.
9-trQsNLmK-+0
9+-+-+-+-0 8...e6 is the main line. As you’ll see
xiiiiiiiiy below, it is viable continuation, too. 9.0-0
Now 26...Bf8 would be balanced, but 9.Ne5 Bd7
both players were not at their best level.
The rest is entertaining, but irrelevant to 9...Be7 10.Ne5 Bd7
the opening.
Black commonly refrains from
 XIIIIIIIIY
10...Qxc5 in view of 11.c4 0-0 9r+-+-trk+0
12.Nb3. However, it turns out that he 9zppvLlvlpzpp0
obtains serious compensation for the 9-+n+psn-+0
exchange after 12...Qa3 13.Nxc6 bxc6 9+LzPp+-+-0
14.Bxc6 Ba6 15.Bxa8 Rxa8 16.Re1 9-+-+-+-+0
dxc4 17.Nd4 9+-wqNzP-+-0
XIIIIIIIIY 9P+PsN-zPPzP0
9r+-+-+k+0 9+R+Q+RmK-0
9zp-+-vlpzpp0 xiiiiiiiiy
9l+-+psn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0 12...b6!
9-+psN-vL-+0
9wq-+-zP-+-0 Two top level games saw the weak
9P+-+-zPPzP0 12...Ne8?! 13.Rb3 Qf6 14.Bg3². The
9+R+QtR-mK-0 text solves all the problems at once.
xiiiiiiiiy
13.Rb3 Qa5 14.c4 Rac8 15.cxd5 exd5
16.cxb6 axb6=, Indjic-Fridman, Warsaw
The best move order now is 17...c3
2017.
(the game Van
Foreest-Brunner,Vaujany 2016, saw 9.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
17...Rc8 18.Be5 c3 but 18.Rb8 would
9r+l+kvl-tr0
have been slightly better for White)
9zpp+-zpp+p0
18.Be5 Rc8 19.Bxf6 gxf6 and White 9-+n+-snp+0
cannot avoid the elegant combination 9+LzPp+-+-0
20.Qc2 (or 20.h3 Bd3! 21.Qxd3 c2 9-+-+-vL-+0
22.Qxa3 cxb1Q 23.Rxb1 Bxa3=, 9+-wq-zPN+-0
although Böhme-Buettner, corr. 2013, 9P+PsN-zPPzP0
went 20...f5 and soon ended in a draw.) 9+R+Q+RmK-0
20...Bd3!! 21.Qxd3 c2 22.Qxc2 Rxc2 xiiiiiiiiy
23.Nxc2 Qxa2=. It seems that
10...Qxc5 is a sound alternative.
9...Bg7
11.Nd3 It is not a good idea to eat the pawn as
White will develop a strong initiative after
Or 11.Nxd7 Nxd7 12.e4 0-0 (12...a6 9...Qxc5?! 10.c4.
13.exd5 axb5 14.dxc6 bxc6 15.Ne4
Qc4 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 17.Qxd6 Qxc5 10.Nb3 (10.Nd4 Bd7) 10...0-0 11.Bxc6
18.Qc7 Qb6=) 13.exd5 exd5 14.Ne4 bxc6 12.Be5 Qc4 13.Qd4 Qa6
dxe4 15.Qxd7 Bxc5 16.Qxb7 Rac8 In positions with a bishop vs. a knight
17.Kh1 Bb6=, Cornette-Feuerstack, we should seek to break the symmetry.
chess.com 2017. Besides, d4 is a nice square for the enemy
11...0-0 12.Bc7 knights. Therefore, we should consider
13...Qxd4! 14.exd4 a5, taking over the
initiative.
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c5 4.c3 Nc6
9+-+-zppvlp0 5.e3 Qb6 6.Qb3 c4 7.Qc2 Bf5 8.Qc1 e6
9-+p+-snp+0 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.h3 0-0 11.Be2 Rfc8
9zp-zPpvL-+-0 12.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-zP-+-+0 9r+r+-+k+0
9+N+-+N+-0 9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9P+P+-zPPzP0 9-wqn+psn-+0
9+R+-+RmK-0 9+-+p+l+-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+pzP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zPN+P0
White has enough counterplay after 9PzP-sNLzPP+0
15.Nbd2 Bh6 16.Rfe1 Bf5 17.Bg3 Ra7 9tR-wQ-+RmK-0
18.Rb6 Rc8 19.Bb8 Ra8 20.Bg3= though. xiiiiiiiiy
14.h3 Ne8 15.Bxg7 Nxg7 16.Qe5
12...h6
Time to take stock. The c8-bishop does
Almost everybody plays here 12...Qd8,
not have clear prospects for now, the
which is consistent with Black’s previous
c6-pawn is weak. White’s major pieces are
moves. However, White’s phlegmatic
also more active. Black should devise an
development offers us the luxury of
accurate defensive set-up in order to
spending a tempo on ensuring a retreat
neutralise threats like Qc7, Ne5, c4.
square to our bishop.
16...Ne6 17.Qc3 f6 18.Nfd4 Rb8 19.Rfe1
13.Ne5
Re8XIIIIIIIIY
Another typical manoeuvre is 13.Bd1
9-trl+r+k+0 Qd8 14.Bc2, when we have a choice.
9zp-+-zp-+p0
9q+p+nzpp+0 I generally prefer to keep my pawn
9+-zPp+-+-0 chain flexible, but 14...Bxc2 15.Qxc2
9-+-sN-+-+0 b5 enables 16.e4. Of course, it does
9+NwQ-zP-+P0 not create any threats as e4-e5 would
9P+P+-zPP+0 be a strategic suicide, but it
9+R+-tR-mK-0 undermines the base of our c4-pawn. A
xiiiiiiiiy better option is:
Everything is covered and Black will 14...b5
soon be able to claim full equality. White
undertakes a last attempt:

20.Qa5 Nxd4 21.exd4 Kf7 22.Qxa6

Bxa6 23.Na5 Rxb1 24.Rxb1 Rc8 25.f4
Ke6 26.g4 ½-½
23. Lazic – Nabaty
Belgrade 2015
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+rwq-+k+0 the f5-bishop. Perhaps White should put
9zp-+-vlpzp-0 his hopes on the bishop pair by 18.Nd6!
9-+n+psn-zp0 Bxd6 19.exd6 Nc5 20.Rd1 Nd3 21.Qe3,
9+p+p+l+-0 intending 21...e5 22.Qxb6 axb6 23.g4!=.
9-+pzP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zPN+P0 15...Bd3 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.Re1 b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9PzPLsN-zPP+0 9r+rwq-+k+0
9tR-wQ-+RmK-0 9zp-+-+pzp-0
xiiiiiiiiy 9-+-+pvl-zp0
9+p+p+-+-0
Now the plan with e4 will cost White a 9-+pzP-+-+0
tempo – 15.Re1 9+-zPlzPL+P0
9PzP-sN-zPP+0
15.Bxf5 exf5 would leave White with 9tR-wQ-tR-mK-0
no plan at all. xiiiiiiiiy
15...b4 16.e4 dxe4 17.Nxe4 Nd5
18.Bd2 Rab8, Abdulla-Gagare, Kolkata 18.Be2?!
2015. Black is clearly ahead in his play. For better or worse, White had to push
18.e4. It would open the e-file and create
13...Qd8 14.Bf3
XIIIIIIIIY a target on d5. The game
9r+rwq-+k+0 Archangelsky-Rublevsky, Aalborg 1993,
9zpp+-vlpzp-0 went further 18...b4 19.exd5 exd5 20.Nf1
9-+n+psn-zp0 bxc3 21.bxc3 Qa5 22.Ne3 Rd8 23.g3 Bg5
9+-+psNl+-0 24.h4 Bxe3 25.Rxe3 Rab8 26.Qd2=.
9-+pzP-vL-+0
9+-zP-zPL+P0 18...Bg6 19.a4
9PzP-sN-zPP+0 This clarifies the reason behind White’s
9tR-wQ-+RmK-0 19th move – he aims at blocking the
xiiiiiiiiy queenside with b4. However, it has two
flaws: the resulting position is unpleasant
14...Nxe5 for him, and, more importantly, Black
The obvious 14...b5 is stronger. It turns could cut across this plan by 19...b4!
out that the tactical threat of Ndxc4 does 20.cxb4 a6!!
not help White – 15.Re1 b4 16.Ndxc4 XIIIIIIIIY
bxc3 17.bxc3 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Ne4 with 9r+rwq-+k+0
strong pressure. 9+-+-+pzp-0
9p+-+pvllzp0
15.Bxe5 9+-+p+-+-0
It is difficult to evaluate the position 9PzPpzP-+-+0
after 15.dxe5!? Nd7 16.e4 dxe4 17.Nxe4 9+-+-zP-+P0
Qb6!. White’s space advantage is 9-zP-sNLzPP+0
delusive, as the d3-square is weak and 9tR-wQ-tR-mK-0
easily accessible by a knight from c5 and xiiiiiiiiy
 It transpires that White fails to eliminate just move the king along the first line. That
the queenside pawns, e.g. 21.Qc3 Be7 should earn him a draw. Instead, he
22.b3 Qb6 23.b5 axb5 24.axb5 Qxb5 completely forgot any textbooks he might
25.bxc4 Qb4!, and Black’s c-pawn is alive have read, and opened the centre himself!
and rushing forth.
26.g3 Bc2 27.Kg2 g6 28.h4 Be7
19...a6 20.axb5 axb5 21.b4 Rxa1 29.Bf3?! Bd3 30.e4??
XIIIIIIIIY
22.Qxa1 Ra8 23.Qb2 Ra4 24.Ra1 Qa8 9-+-+-+k+0
25.Rxa4
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+-vlp+-0
9q+-+-+k+0 9-+-+p+pzp0
9+-+-+pzp-0 9+p+p+-+-0
9-+-+pvllzp0 9qzPpzPP+-zP0
9+p+p+-+-0 9+-zPl+LzP-0
9RzPpzP-+-+0 9-wQ-sN-zPK+0
9+-zP-zP-+P0 9+-+-+-+-0
9-wQ-sNLzPP+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy Do not do this, even at home!

30...e5! And the game is suddenly over.

25...Qxa4?
31.exd5 exd4 32.Ne4 dxc3 33.Qxc3
From a practical standpoint, in near-
Bxe4 34.Bxe4 Qxb4 35.Qd4 Qc5 36.Qe5
fortress positions one should be eager to
h5 37.Qb8+ Kg7 38.Qe5+ Bf6 39.Qb8
unbalance them. 25...bxa4! 26.Qa3 Bc2,
b4 40.d6 Be5 41.Qc7 Bxd6 42.Qxc5
with a further ...e5 in mind, not only
Bxc5 43.Bd5 c3 44.Bb3 Kf6 45.Kf3 Kf5
created a passer. It also immobilised the
46.Ke2 Kg4 47.Bxf7 Kh3 48.Bxg6 b3
white queen – Qb2? would lose on the
49.Bf7 c2 50.Kd2 Ba3 0-1
spot to ...a3. After the text, White could
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
Chapter 7. The Classical
9zpp+-zppzpp0
London System 9-+n+-sn-+0
Main Ideas 9+-zpp+-+-0
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 is the older way of 9-+-zP-vL-+0
entering the London System. Lately
9+-sN-zPN+-0
Carlsen, Karjakin and other top players
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
prefer 2.Bf4, which is the subject of our
9tR-+QmKL+R0
next chapter. I explained the reasons for
xiiiiiiiiy
the decline of the Classical London that The inclusion of Nf3 Nf6 might be in
arises after 3.Bf4 in Chapter 6. White’s favour in some lines with Bb5,
XIIIIIIIIY when Black’s knight would stay better on
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 e7.
9zppzp-zppzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0 In the diagram position the best way to
9+-+p+-+-0 take the sting of White’s set-up is to pin
9-+-zP-vL-+0 and kill the f3-knight. Another link of our
9+-+-+N+-0 plan is to exchange on d4, obtaining a
9PzPP+PzPPzP0 Carlsbad structure in which the c3-knight
9tRN+QmKL+R0 would be on a wrong place. We could
xiiiiiiiiy shape all this in the following way:
The main argument against this move
5...Bg4 (or 5...cxd4 first) 6.Be2 e6 7.0-0
order is the line 3...c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.c3 Qb6.
Bxf3 8.Bxf3 cxd4 9.exd4 Bd6
Chapter 5 provided another way of
XIIIIIIIIY
exploiting the early knight development:
9r+-wqk+-tr0
3...e6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Bg3 0-0 6.Nbd2 c5 7.c3
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+nvlpsn-+0
b6!? (instead of 7...Nc6) and White cannot
9+-+p+-+-0
push e4 at all.
9-+-zP-vL-+0
The only small plus of playing Nf3
9+-sN-+L+-0
early is the system with Nc3:
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
3...c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nc3 xiiiiiiiiy
Our natural plan in this structure is the
minority attack with ...b5 and ...a5.

Another trendy approach after 2.Nf3 d5

is to discourage ...c5 by choosing the
tricky move order 3.c3, having in mind
3...c5 4.dxc5
 The Agile London System generously If you prefer an easier life, you could
gives this move a “!”, but my analyses regain the pawn with 6...b6. This way you
suggest that White should play very avoid positions with two passed pawns on
accurately after it not to become worse. the queenside, which are commonly
4...e6 5.b4 a5 6.e3 pleasant for Black, but the cost of mistakes
XIIIIIIIIY is higher.
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9+p+-+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9zp-zPp+-+-0 Theoretical status
9-zP-+-+-+0 It seems that The Classical London
9+-zP-zPN+-0 System is unanimously assessed as
9P+-+-zPPzP0 completely harmless by modern theory.
9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy First players try completely new ways
of treating it. They experiment with 3.c3
The most challenging line now is or an early Nc3, but this chapter shows
6...axb4! 7.cxb4 b6 – see Game 24 that the ball is still in White’s court.
Thompson-Matheis, ICCF 2007.
 I suspect that best is 7.c4∞ or 7.Nbd2.
Chapter 7. The Classical The latter transposes to Chapter 6, line
London System A – 6.Ngf3.
Step by Step
In conclusion, 3...Bf5 deserves serious
attention and might be the most
Nf6 2.Nf3 d5
1.d4XIIIIIIIIY
principled retort to the ultra-
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 sophisticated 3.c3.
9zppzp-zppzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0 The main idea behind 3.c3 is to meet:
9+-+p+-+-0 3...c5 by 4.dxc5
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0 Another version of this idea is 4.Bf4
9PzPP+PzPPzP0 Nc6 (White should also be prepared to
9tRNvLQmKL+R0 play the Exchange Variation against
xiiiiiiiiy the Slav after 4...cxd4 5.cxd4. Another
fair option is 4...Qb6 5.Qb3 c4 6.Qc2
3.Bf4 g6=.) 5.dxc5
A modern way to discourage systems
XIIIIIIIIY
with ...c5 is to play first 3.c3.
9r+lwqkvl-tr0
9zpp+-zppzpp0
Then 3...g6 (Chapter 1) and 3...e6 9-+n+-sn-+0
(chapters 4-5), are decent options. 9+-zPp+-+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
3...Bf5 does not transpose to the main 9+-zP-+N+-0
line since 4.Qb3 drags the black queen 9PzP-+PzPPzP0
to c8. Although 4...Qc8 5.Bf4 e6 6.e3 9tRN+QmKL+R0
c5 xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnq+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0 Black has two promising continuations
9-+-+psn-+0 here:
9+-zpp+l+-0 5...Ne4 brings him nice results, but the
9-+-zP-vL-+0 simple 6.Nbd2! (6.b4 g6 7.Nfd2 Bg7
9+QzP-zPN+-0 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Qxd8+ Nxd8 10.a4
9PzP-+-zPPzP0 a5© is easier for Black.) 6...Nxc5 7.b4
9tRN+-mKL+R0 Ne6 8.Bg3 leaves White with the more
xiiiiiiiiy harmonious pieces.
I faced with White 5...e6! 6.b4 a5 7.b5
is far from clear, there have been no
(7.Nd4 axb4 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.cxb4 Ng4
candidates to test 7.Bxb8 Rxb8!
10.Qd4 Be7 11.Qb2 e5 12.Bd2 d4°)
8.Bb5+ Kd8!. I have won a similar
position, but with colours reversed 7...Ne7 8.e3 Ng6 9.c6 bxc6 10.bxc6
(and the corresponding extra tempo, of Nxf4 11.exf4
course).
 XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvl-tr0 9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9+-+-+pzpp0 9+p+-+pzpp0
9-+P+psn-+0 9-+-+psn-+0
9zp-+p+-+-0 9zp-zPp+-+-0
9-+-+-zP-+0 9-zP-+-+-+0
9+-zP-+N+-0 9+-zP-zPN+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0 9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKL+R0 9tRNvLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy
6...b6!?
It transpires that White has nothing
here.
This move equalizes easily. More
11...Qb6 (11...Bc5!? 12.Bd3 Qb6) challenging is 6...axb4! 7.cxb4 b6. The
12.Qb3 Rb8 (12...Qc7! 13.Bb5 a4 arising Noteboom structure is very
14.Qc2 Ra5³ – capturing on a4 loses tangled and difficult to play with both
to ...Qxf4) 13.Nbd2 Bd6 14.Qxb6 sides as the cost of mistakes is high.
Rxb6 15.g3. Chances are even, After 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7
although I went on to win, Kiril 10.a4 bxc5 11.b5 Bd6 12.0-0 0-0,
Georgiev-Goloshchapov, Dubai 2014.
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
It seems that the inclusion of Bf4 Nc6 9+-+n+pzpp0
is in Black’s favour. 9-+-vlpsn-+0
4...e6 5.b4 9+Pzpp+-+-0
9P+-+-+-+0
Or 5.Be3 a5 (5...Qc7 6.b4 a5) 6.c4 9+-+-zPN+-0
Na6 7.cxd5 Qxd5=. 9-+-+-zPPzP0
9tRNvLQ+RmK-0
5...a5 6.e3 xiiiiiiiiy
The game Norwood-Wahls, Germany
1993, ended in a quick draw after White must find a couple of only
6.Qb3 b6! (It is better to preserve the moves to stay in the game, but if he
a-pawn) 7.cxb6 Qxb6 8.Be3 (8.b5 a4! consolidated, play would be double-
9.Qb2 Nbd7 10.e3 Bd6 11.Be2 0-0 edged. Exchanges may charge the
12.0-0 Bb7 13.Qc2, Stefanova-Graf, white passers with terrible power. See
Recklinghausen 1998, 13...a3! is Game 24 Thompson-Matheis, ICCF
promising for Black.) 8...Qb7 9.bxa5 2007.
Rxa5 10.Nbd2 (10.Qxb7 Bxb7) My suggestion is safer as it prevents
10...Nbd7 11.Bd4 Bd6 12.c4 e5 the creation of two passed pawns.
13.Bc3 Ra3 14.Qxb7 Bxb7 15.Bb2
7.Bb5+7.a4 bxc5 8.b5 c4³) 7...Bd7
Ra4 16.e3 Ke7 ½-½.
8.Bxd7+ Qxd7
Similar is 6.Nbd2 axb4 7.cxb4 b6
8.cxb6 Qxb6 9.a3 Bxb4=. 8...Nfxd7 9.b5 Nxc5 10.0-0 Nbd7
 11.Nbd2 Qf6 12.Nd4 e5 13.Nc6 and 8.Nd6+ Bxd6 9.Bxd6 Ne4=.
Nb8=.
6.Bb5 e6 7.h3 Bxf3!
9.Ne5 (9.cxb6 axb4 10.0-0 Qc6=)
9...Qa7 10.Qa4+ Nfd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 Alekhine answered against
12.Qxd7+ Kxd7. The ending is equal, Nimzowitsch 7...Bh5, but it is a
since Black easily regains the pawn – mistake, as the pin ensures an initiative
13.cxb6 axb4 14.Bb2 bxc3 15.Bxc3 Nc6 after 8.g4 Bg6 9.Ne5 Qb6 10.a4!.
16.a4 Bb4 17.Bxb4 Nxb4 18.Ke2 Rhb8=.
8.Qxf3 cxd4 9.exd4 Be7 (9...Bd6!?)
3...c5 4.e3 10.0-0 0-0 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.Na4 Qa5
4.dxc5 has no venom here – 4...e6 5.e3 13.b3 Ne4=.
Bxc5 6.Be2 0-0 7.0-0 Nc6=.
6...e6 7.0-0 Bxf3!?
4...Nc6
XIIIIIIIIY Correspondence players prefer 7...Rc8!?
9r+lwqkvl-tr0 XIIIIIIIIY
9zpp+-zppzpp0 9-+rwqkvl-tr0
9-+n+-sn-+0 9zpp+-+pzpp0
9+-zpp+-+-0 9-+n+psn-+0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 9+-zpp+-+-0
9+-+-zPN+-0 9-+-zP-vLl+0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9+-sN-zPN+-0
9tRN+QmKL+R0 9PzPP+LzPPzP0
xiiiiiiiiy 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has now two moves of
independent significance: with equal play after 8.Ne5 Bxe2
9.Nxe2 Be7 10.Nxc6 Rxc6 11.c3 0-0. The
A. 5.Nc3 and B. 5.Be2 text has a sound strategic background.
Black aims to trade dark-squared bishop
5.Nbd2 is covered in Chapter 6, line B. which would free his hands for a minority
attack. The game Torre-So, Manila 2011,
went further:

A. 5.Nc3 Bg4 8.Bxf3 cxd4 9.exd4 Bd6 10.Bg5

The battle is for the e5-square, so the
pin looks natural. Black often includes
5...cxd4 6.exd4 and only then 6...Bg4
(6...Bf5 7.Bb5). Most likely the game will
transpose to the main line after 7.Be2 or
7.Bb5.
6.Be2
6.dxc5 e6 7.Nb5 Rc8 is comfortable for
Black after both 8.Bd6 Ne4 9.Bxf8 Kxf8
10.Ne2? Bxf4 11.Nxf4 Qb6 12.c4 dxc4
cost White a pawn in M.Popovic-Solak,
Valjevo 2011.
10.Be3 a6 11.Ne2 Qc7 12.g3 0-0
13.Nc1 b5 14.Nd3 b4 15.Kg2 Rfc8 was
already more pleasant for Black in
Kovalev-Onischuk, Khanty-Mansiysk
2017.
 XIIIIIIIIY
10...Be7 11.Ne2 0-0 12.c3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0
9r+-wq-trk+0 9zpp+-+pzpp0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0 9-+nwqpsn-+0
9-+n+psn-+0 9+-+p+-+-0
9+-+p+-vL-0 9-+-zP-+l+0
9-+-zP-+-+0 9+-zP-+N+-0
9+-zP-+L+-0 9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9PzP-+NzPPzP0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy
xiiiiiiiiy
A typical Carlsbad structure with
The most straightforward way now is reversed colours has arisen. However,
12...b5 13.a3 a5 with a balanced game. after 11.Ne5 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 White has the
best of it since the minority attack with
...Rab8, ...b5 is not effective without
bishops. White could meet it by a3, b4,
B. 5.Be2 Nb3-c5.
This modest-looking move is better than
its appearances. In most lines it is similar 6.exd4 Bf5 7.0-0 e6 8.Nbd2 (8.Nh4
to 5.Nc3, only the white knight stands Nh5=) 8...Be7 9.c3
XIIIIIIIIY
better on d2. 9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
First of all, we cannot choose the plan 9-+n+psn-+0
with 5...e6 6.0-0 Bd6, since 7.dxc5! Bxc5 9+-+p+l+-0
8.c4 0-0 9.Nc3 dxc4 10.Bxc4 a6 11.Rc1 is 9-+-zP-vL-+0
slightly annoying – White is about 2 tempi 9+-zP-+N+-0
ahead in a symmetrical position. 9PzP-sNLzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
5...Qb6 also lead to a passive position xiiiiiiiiy
after 6.Nc3! a6 7.0-0 (similar is 7.Na4
Qa5+ 8.c3) 7...cxd4 8.exd4 Bg4
9...h6!
(8...Qxb2? 9.Na4 Qb4 10.c4±) 9.Na4
We need to preserve more pieces. All
Qa7 10.c3 e6 11.b4, occupying the
the games in my database have featured
c5-square.
9...0-0 10.Nh4 Bg4
5...cxd4
10...Be4 11.Nxe4 dxe4 12.g3 Nd5
This exchange is indispensable if we
13.Ng2 Nxf4 14.Nxf4 Bd6 is double-
want to lead out our bishop to f5.
edged, but White possess the cunning
Another option is 5...Bg4, but I believe 11.g3 first, when the above line does
that we have only modest chances to win not work.
after 6.0-0 e6 7.Nbd2 cxd4 8.exd4 Bd6 11.Bxg4 Nxg4 12.Qxg4 Bxh4. Chances
9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.c3 0-0. may be roughly equal, but Black does not
have a clear plan.
10.Ne5 0-0 11.Re1 dark-squared bishops, so his immediate
In this complex position Black’s task is to put ...Bd6, for instance: 11...Bd6,
chances are in no way worse. He cannot ...Qc7. Then he should reevaluate his
start a minority attack before trading the plans according to the enemy actions.
 8...Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Nbxd7 10.a4 bxc5
Chapter 7. The Classical 11.b5 Bd6 12.Bb2?
London System This game shows that the natural set-up
Annotated Games with Bb2 is nearly lost! The only correct
way is 12.0-0 0-0 13.Nbd2!
24. Thompson – Matheis XIIIIIIIIY
ICCF 2007 9r+-wq-trk+0
9+-+n+pzpp0
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 c5 4.dxc5 e6
9-+-vlpsn-+0
5.b4XIIIIIIIIY
a5 6.c3
9+Pzpp+-+-0
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 9P+-+-+-+0
9+p+-+pzpp0 9+-+-zPN+-0
9-+-+psn-+0 9-+-sN-zPPzP0
9zp-zPp+-+-0 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
9-zP-+-+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-zP-zPN+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0 The point is that 13...Qb8 14.Qc2 Rc8
9tRNvLQmKL+R0 15.h3! e5? 16.e4 c4 is not threatening the
xiiiiiiiiy fork ...c3 and White is much better after
17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Ng5. Instead, Black
6...axb4 7.cxb4 b6 8.Bb5+ should try 15...Qb7 16.Bb2 Bc7, followed
White follows the general rule that by ...Ba5, or:
exchanges are good with less space. 8.a4
bxc5 9.b5 Bd6 10.Bb2 Nbd7 11.Be2 0-0 15...c4 16.Ba3! Nc5 17.Bb4 e5 18.Rfb1
12.Nbd2 Bb7 13.0-0 Bc7 14.Qc2 c4 is the XIIIIIIIIY
same structure as in the main game, but the 9rwqr+-+k+0
e2-bishop is obviously unemployed. The 9+-+-+pzpp0
game Barber-Brasier, ICCF 2014, went 9-+-vl-sn-+0
further 15.Ba3 Re8 16.Bb4 Ba5 17.Qc3 9+Psnpzp-+-0
Qb6 18.Bxa5 Qxa5 19.Qxa5 Rxa5 and 9PvLp+-+-+0
White found nothing better but embark on 9+-+-zPN+P0
a difficult struggle for the draw with: 9-+QsN-zPP+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9tRR+-+-mK-0
9-+-+r+k+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+l+n+pzpp0
A critical position for the Noteboom
9-+-+psn-+0
structure arising after White’s 8th move.
9trP+p+-+-0
9P+p+-+-+0 It offers chances to both sides, although
9+-+-zPN+-0 Black has a slight initiative. For instance:
9-+-sNLzPPzP0
18...Nb3 (18...Ra7 19.Qf5) 19.Nxb3
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 19.Rxb3? cxb3 20.Qxb3 Bxb4
21.Qxb4 Nd7 22.e4 Qc7 23.exd5
20.Bxc4 dxc4 21.Nxc4 Raa8³.
 Qc3³. 15...e5!
15...c4 16.Bc3 Nc5 17.Rfb1 is tangled.
19...Bxb4 20.Nc1 Ba5 21.b6 Qb7
Black’s play is not clear. He must do
22.Nxe5 Re8 23.Nf3 Re6 24.Ne2=.
something, but exchanges favour White.
12...0-0 13.Nbd2 Qb8! Cifuentes-Bauer, San Sebastian 2009, saw
The most popular continuation is 17...Ng4? 18.h3 Ne5 19.Nxe5 Bxe5
13...Qc7?! 14.0-0 c4 20.Bxe5 Qxe5 21.a5 and the pawns were
XIIIIIIIIY unstoppable.
9r+-+-trk+0
9+-wqn+pzpp0 16.e4 c4 17.exd5 c3! 18.Bxc3 Bb4
9-+-vlpsn-+0 19.Nb1 Nxd5 20.Qb3 Bxc3 21.Nxc3
9+P+p+-+-0 Nxc3 22.Ng5 Nf6 23.Qxf7+ Kh8
9P+p+-+-+0 24.Qe6 h5 25.Nf7+ Kh7
XIIIIIIIIY
9+-+-zPN+-0 9rwqr+-+-+0
9-vL-sN-zPPzP0 9+-+-+Nzpk0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0 9-+-+Qsn-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9+P+-zp-+p0
9P+-+-+-+0
15.Qc2 9+-sn-+-+-0
9-+-+-zPPzP0
Correspondence games have also 9tR-+-+RmK-0
tested 15.Bc3 and Black has not scored xiiiiiiiiy
a single win. Play might continue
15...Rfb8 16.Qc2 e5 17.h3 Rb7 The dust has settled and it becomes
18.Rfb1 Rab8 19.Qb2 h6 with a clear that Black has won the opening
dynamic equilibrium. battle. The only question is could he
convert his advantage. White could now
15...Nc5 16.h3 e5 17.Rfb1 Nd3,
take a third pawn, but 26.Qf5+ Kg8
Morovic-Slipak, Buenos Aires 2017.
27.Nxe5 Qd6 gives Black the initiative.
White chose 18.Ba3 and eventually won.
His extra knight at c3 is perfectly placed.
Stronger was 18.Bc3!, setting his pawns in
With hindsight, that could still be his best
motion.
chance. At least he would suffer with
equal material.
14.0-0 Rc8 15.Qc2
XIIIIIIIIY
9rwqr+-+k+0 26.Rfe1?! e4 27.h4 Rc5 28.Ng5+? Kh6
9+-+n+pzpp0 28...Rxg5! 29.hxg5 Ng4 wins at once
9-+-vlpsn-+0 – 30.Qf5+ Kh8 31.g3 e3 32.f4 (32.Rxe3
9+Pzpp+-+-0 Nxe3 33.Qf3 Ned5) 32...Qb6.
9P+-+-+-+0
9+-+-zPN+-0 29.Nf7+ Kg6 30.Ng5 Qb7 31.Re3 Qd5
9-vLQsN-zPPzP0 32.Qe7 Re8 33.Qa7 Rc4 34.g3 Ra8
9tR-+-+RmK-0 35.Qe7 Rcxa4 0-1
xiiiiiiiiy
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvl-tr0
Chapter 8. The Benoni
9zpp+pzppzpp0
Approach 9-wq-+-sn-+0
Main Ideas 9+-zp-+-+-0
In the previous chapters we assumed by 9-+-zP-vL-+0
default that Black would play d5 on move
9+-sN-zP-+-0
1 or 2. However, recently many top
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
players, as Carlsen and Karjakin, became
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
leading out their bishop against 1.d4 Nf6
xiiiiiiiiy
– 2.Bf4, without waiting for ...d5. That Now 4...Qxb2 might lead to a repetition
invites King’s Indian’s and Benoni’s of moves – see Game 25 Prié-Argandona,
aficionados to push 2...c5. San Sebastian 2011. I beieve that we can
XIIIIIIIIY safely keep the tension with 4...d6!?. Our
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 plan is to fianchetto both bishops! A key
9zpp+pzppzpp0 point is to neutralise the positional threat
9-+-+-sn-+0 of d5. We could accomplish that in
9+-zp-+-+-0 different ways, but best is to exchange
9-+-zP-vL-+0 early on d4. That would give us more
9+-+-+-+-0
breathing space. Our target position should
9PzPP+PzPPzP0
be: 5.Rb1 g6 6.h3 Bg7 7.Nf3 cxd4! 8.exd4
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
0-0 9.Be2 a6 10.0-0 Qc7 11.a4 b6 12.Qd2
xiiiiiiiiy
Bb7=.
In my opinion, ...c5 should always be XIIIIIIIIY
met by d4-d5 – nobody has revoked the 9rsn-+-trk+0
rule that we should gain space in the 9+lwq-zppvlp0
opening. However, the London fans 9pzp-zp-snp+0
obviously hate this move, as statistics 9+-+-+-+-0
confirms – 3.d5 is 8 times less popular 9P+-zP-vL-+0
than 3.e3. I propose a novel approach: 9+-sN-+N+P0
3...d6 4.Nc3 e5 5.Bd2 e4!, ensuring an
9-zPPwQLzPP+0
open diagonal for our beloved KI bishop.
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
3.c3 Qb6 4.Qb3 Qxb3 does not deserve
Then we could think of ...e5.
any further attention, so let’s move on to
the main line: White’s only way to cut across our plan
is 5.Bb5+, when 5...Bd7 would be solid,
3.e3 Qb6! 4.Nc3
but not very promising – see Game 26
Prié-Kiril Georgiev, Aix les Bains 2011.

5...Nbd7 preserves more pieces and it is

also less explored: 6.a4 a6 7.a5 Qc7
8.Be2 cxd4 9.exd4
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0 Nd5 6.a3 a6 7.Rb1 Qa2 8.Qc1?! axb5 is
9+pwqnzppzpp0 not covered correctly by theory.
9p+-zp-sn-+0 XIIIIIIIIY
9zP-+-+-+-0 9rsnl+kvl-tr0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 9+p+pzppzpp0
9+-sN-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0
9-zPP+LzPPzP0 9+pzpn+-+-0
9tR-+QmK-sNR0 9-+-zP-vL-+0
xiiiiiiiiy 9zP-+-zP-+-0
9q+P+-zPPzP0
9...b5! This thematic break gives us 9+RwQ-mKLsNR0
active pieces and targets on the queenside. xiiiiiiiiy
Our a-pawn only looks weak – in fact it is
an important resource. We’ll push it up to The truth is that Black preserves
a4 in order to fix b2. practical chances to win, but 8.Ra1 is an
immediate draw.

4...d6 5.Bb5+ Nbd7!? is virtually

Theoretical status ignored so the effect of surprise should
The line 3.e3 Qb6! 4.Nc3 Qxb2 5.Nb5 give you some psychological advantage.
 correspondence chess the score is
Chapter 8. The Benoni roughly even.
Approach
4.Nc3
Step by Step XIIIIIIIIY
Nf6 2.Bf4 c5
1.d4XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zpp+-zppzpp0
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 9-+-zp-sn-+0
9zpp+pzppzpp0 9+-zpP+-+-0
9-+-+-sn-+0 9-+-+-vL-+0
9+-zp-+-+-0 9+-sN-+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 9PzPP+PzPPzP0
9+-+-+-+-0 9tR-+QmKLsNR0
9PzPP+PzPPzP0 xiiiiiiiiy
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy 4...e5!

In this chapter I consider King’s Indian
set-ups with ...c5. The move order 1.d4
g6 2.Nf3 Bg7 3.Bf4 c5, followed up by
...Nf6, should also lead to the main line.
3.e3
3.c3 Qb6 is unpleasant for White –
4.Qb3
The queen is misplaced on c2 – 4.Qc2
cxd4 5.cxd4 Nc6 6.e3 d5 or 6...d6,
threatening ...Nb4, ...e5.
4...Qxb3
4...cxd4 5.Qxb6 axb6 6.cxd4 Nc6 7.e3
Nb4 8.Kd1 Rxa2= wins a pawn, but
White’s king’s rook quickly enters
play.
5.axb3 cxd4 6.cxd4 Nc6 7.Nf3 Nd5
8.Bd2 Ndb4 9.Na3 f6 (9...d5 10.Ne5=)
10.e3 d5.
3.d5 d6 is safest.
The Bf4 gives us a valuable tempo. As
long as 5.dxe6 Bxe6 6.e4 Nc6 7.Nf3
d5 is totally equal (Black could also
keep the tension with 7...Be7), White
commonly answers:
5.Bd2
Now we should not allow 6.e4, as
White would get a comfortable space
advantage in a closed centre where
tempi are irrelevant. e.g. 5...Be7 6.e4
0-0 7.Be2 Nbd7 8.Nf3 Ne8 9.a4,
Carlsen-Aronian, blitz, Leuven 2017.
Instead, we could prevent it by
5...Bf5!? 6.e3 h5 7.Nge2 (7.f3 e4
8.Nge2 h4) 7...h4 8.h3 Na6.
5...a6 6.e4 b5 is interesting, but White
can preserve his centre with 7.Qf3!,
intending a4.
The most straightforward approach is:
5...e4!

There is abundant practice with

3...Qb6 4.Nc3 Qxb2 5.Bd2 Qb6 6.e4
d6 7.f4. It confirms that Black’s game
is not easy, at least in tournaments. In
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0 4.Nc3 Qxb2.
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-zp-sn-+0 Black can avoid the draw with 4...d6!?
9+-zpP+-+-0 5.Nc4
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0 5.Nf3 Qxb2 6.Nb5 Qb4+.
9PzPPvLPzPPzP0 5...Qc7 6.a4
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy 6.Nf3 g6 7.Be2 Bg7 8.0-0 0-0 9.h3 b6
(9...b5 10.Ncd2 a6=) 10.c3 Bb7=.
Black is planning ...a6 (or ...Na6), ...g6, XIIIIIIIIY
...Bg7. 6.Bg5 is not a problem due to 9rsnl+kvl-tr0
6...Be7 7.e3 0-0 8.Nge2 Nh5. 9zppwq-zppzpp0
9-+-zp-sn-+0
3.dxc5 Na6 4.Qd4 Qa5+ 5.Nc3 Nxc5 9+-zp-+-+-0
has been tested by Meister and Rapport. 9P+NzP-vL-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+-zP-+-0
9r+l+kvl-tr0 9-zPP+-zPPzP0
9zpp+pzppzpp0 9tR-+QmKLsNR0
9-+-+-sn-+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9wq-sn-+-+-0
9-+-wQ-vL-+0 6...Be6!
9+-sN-+-+-0
In this structure White’s biggest threat
9PzPP+PzPPzP0
is to gain space with d5. For instance,
9tR-+-mKLsNR0
6...g6 7.d5! Bg7 8.Ne2 is better for
xiiiiiiiiy
him.
6.Bd2 Qb6 7.Nf3 7.Nd2 cxd4 8.exd4 Bf5 9.Nc4 (9.c3 e5)
9...Nc6 and Black will prepare ...e5.
7.f3 d6 8.e4 would bring about a very
nice Sicilian, e.g. 8...e5!?. The bottom line is that White’s knight is
7...d6 8.Na4 Nxa4 9.Qxa4+ Bd7 not any better on a3 than on c3. It would
10.Qb3 g6!, Meister-Ftacnik, Dresden need quite a few tempi before finding a
2015. White has not equalized yet. good place.

3...Qb6 Another version of the pawn sacrifice

The idea of this move is to uncoordinate
White’s pieces and drag the opponent into
unfamiliar schemes. For instance, 3...g6
4.c3 would certainly be more comfortable
for the London player.
4.Nc3
4.Na3 Qxb2 5.Nb5= transposes to
is 4.Nf3!? Qxb2 5.Nbd2. It may be not
any worse than 4.Nc3, but is totally
unexplored. A natural continuation is
5...e6.
5...Nc6 hampers the queen to return
home – 6.dxc5 (6.Rb1 Qxa2) 6...Qc3
7.Rb1 Qxc5 8.Bd3 d6 9.0-0∞.
 XIIIIIIIIY
6.Bd3 d5 (6...Qc3!?) 7.c4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 9rsnl+kvl-tr0
Bb4. White is ahead in development, but 9+p+pzppzpp0
I’m not sure if that compensates for the 9p+-+-+-+0
missing pawn. 9+Nzpn+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
4.b3 is often seen, but it only 9zP-+-zP-+-0
encourages us to fianchetto our bishop – 9q+P+-zPPzP0
4...g6 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.c3 0-0 7.Be2 d6. 9+R+QmKLsNR0
XIIIIIIIIY xiiiiiiiiy
9rsnl+-trk+0
9zpp+-zppvlp0 Now 8.Ra1= ends the game with a
9-wq-zp-snp+0 repetition, so we should investigate:
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 8.Qc1 axb5 9.Ra1 Qxa1 10.Qxa1 Nc6
9+PzP-zPN+-0 11.Bb5!?. This rich position offers
9P+-+LzPPzP0 excellent chances to the better player,
9tRN+QmK-+R0 although in correspondence chess it is
xiiiiiiiiy drawish. See Game 25 Prié-Argandona,
San Sebastian 2011.
We easily complete our development
with ...Nc6 and ...Bf5. 5.Bb5+
The check is undoubtedly the most
4...d6 testing continuation as it allows White to
This might not be the best move, but we develop without spending tempi on
do not have much of a choice if we want to defending the b2-pawn.
avoid a forced draw.
5.a3 looks superfluous, as White might
The critical line is, of course, 4...Qxb2! still have to protect the b2-pawn by Rb1
5.Nb5 later. We could continue in the KI spirit:

Grischuk tried 5.Nge2, but he would 5...g6

need to prove his compensation after
5...Qa3 6.Rb1 d6 . The exchange 5...cxd4 6.exd4 is
always an alternative – 6...Bd7 7.Rb1,
5...Nd5 6.a3 (6.Rb1 is a draw.) 6...a6
when 7...e5 would be premature due to
7.Rb1 Qa2
8.Be3!.
6.h3 Bg7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.Be2
 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0 between 12...Bf5 13.d5 Ne5 14.Nd2
9zpp+-zppvlp0 Rab8 and 12...b6 13.Qd2 Bb7 14.Bh6
9-wq-zp-snp+0 Rac8 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Nd1 e6.
9+-zp-+-+-0 6...Bg7 7.Nf3 cxd4 8.exd4 0-0 9.Be2
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zPN+P0 Or 9.Bd3?! Nc6 10.Be3 Nb4 11.Bc4
9-zPP+LzPP+0 Bf5 12.Bb3 Qa6³, Harmon-Ehlvest,
9tR-+QmK-+R0 Oak Bridge 2000;
xiiiiiiiiy
9.Bc4 Qc7 10.Qe2 a6 11.a4 Nc6
The game Glienke-Rotstein, Bled 1997, 12.0-0 Bf5=.
went further: 8...cxd4 9.exd4 Bf5 10.Rb1 9...a6 10.0-0 Qc7 11.a4 b6 12.Qd2 Bb7
Nc6 11.0-0=. The exchange on d4 is XIIIIIIIIY
usually meant to discourage d4-d5, but in 9rsn-+-trk+0
the diagram position it is still not threat 9+lwq-zppvlp0
owing to the hanging b2-pawn. I prefer the 9pzp-zp-snp+0
Sicilian set-up: 9+-+-+-+-0
9P+-zP-vL-+0
8...a6!? 9.0-0 Qc7 10.a4 cxd4 11.exd4 9+-sN-+N+P0
Nc6 12.Bg5 e6=, taking d5 under control. 9-zPPwQLzPP+0
13.d5?! would be a mistake – 13...Nxd5 9+R+-+RmK-0
14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Qxd5 Bxb2 16.Rab1 xiiiiiiiiy
Be6 17.Qd2 Bg7 18.Rfd1 Rfe8 19.Qxd6
Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Bf8 21.Rd2 Bb4³. White could choose a piece attack with
13.Bh6 Nbd7 14.Nh2 e5=, or gain space
5.Rb1 is a natural move. After 5...g6 with 13.d5 Nbd7 14.Rfe1 Nc5 15.Rbd1,
White commonly plays 6.h3 at once. when we should prepare ...e5 even at the
Another move order is 6.Nf3 Bg7 7.Be2 cost of the d6-pawn – 15...Rad8 16.Bh6
cxd4 8.exd4 0-0 9.0-0 a6 10.Re1 Qc7 (16.Bf1 Rfe8 17.Kh1 e5 18.dxe6 Nxe6
11.a4 Nc6 19.Bxd6 Qc8 20.Qc1 Bxf3) 16...e5
XIIIIIIIIY 17.dxe6 fxe6„.
9r+l+-trk+0
9+pwq-zppvlp0 5...Nbd7
9p+nzp-snp+0 In the Moscow Variation of the Sicilian
9+-+-+-+-0 we have the same dilemma – to trade or
9P+-zP-vL-+0 to keep the bishops. 5...Bd7 is much more
9+-sN-+N+-0 popular than the text, but without the light-
9-zPP+LzPPzP0 squared bishop we would have less active
9+R+QtR-mK-0 options in future. See Game 26 Prié-Kiril
xiiiiiiiiy Georgiev, Aix les Bains 2011.

Now 12.d5 Nb4 13.Qd2 b6 is fine for 6.a4 a6 7.a5 Qc7 8.Be2 cxd4
Black so White should probably resort It is possible to delay this exchange –
to 12.h3, whe we could choose 8...g6 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.0-0 cxd4 11.exd4 0-0
12.Qd2 b5 13.axb6 Nxb6 14.Bh6 Bb7 11.Bg5 e6 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.d5 e5
15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Rfc1 e5÷. 14.Nf3 f5 would offer Black the best of
the Sveshnikov.
9.exd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0 11...g6 12.0-0 Bg7 13.Na2
9+pwqnzppzpp0 White should push c4 before Black put
9p+-zp-sn-+0 his king’s rook on c8 or b8.
9zP-+-+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0 13...0-0 14.c4 Bb7 15.Rc1 Ne4 16.Be3 e5
9+-sN-+-+-0 Black has finally achieved the main KI
9-zPP+LzPPzP0 goal. He is ready to meet d5 by ...f5 or
9tR-+QmK-sNR0 open the centre by ...exd4 if allowed. As
xiiiiiiiiy it often happens in the KI, White enjoys
a space advantage, but Black’s pieces
9...b5 constantly generate threats. For example,
This break is not urgent, but it is 17.b4 a5!? (or 17...Rfe8, intending to take
indispensable in the long run. Without it, on d4) 18.dxe5 (18.c5 Nd5 19.c6 axb4
Black will suffer on the queenside. 20.cxb7 Qxb7 21.Bc4 Nxe3 22.fxe3
Bh6©) 18...dxe5 19.c5 Nd5 20.c6 Nxe3
10.axb6 Nxb6 11.Nf3 21.cxb7 Qxb7 22.fxe3 Bh6©.

Chapter 8. The Benoni
Approach
Annotated Games
25. Prié – Argandona
San Sebastian 18.07.2011
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Qb6 4.Nc3 Qxb2
5.Nb5 Nd5 6.a3 a6 7.Rb1 Qa2 8.Qc1
(8.Ra1=) 8...axb5 9.Ra1 Qxa1 10.Qxa1
Nc6XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9+p+pzppzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+pzpn+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9zP-+-zP-+-0
9-+P+-zPPzP0
9wQ-+-mKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.Bxb5!
Three days before the current game Prié
lost to Gonzalez de la Torre after
11.dxc5?! b4 12.a4 Nc3 13.Nf3 (13.Ne2
is also insufficient for equality owing to
13...g5! 14.Bxg5 Rg8 15.Bf4 Bg7, Pirs-
Fajs, ICCF 2006) 13...Rxa4µ.
11...cxd4 12.Bxc6 bxc6
12...dxc6 also looks logical. Then the
pieces sac 13.Qxd4 f6 14.Nf3!? (14.c4
Nxf4 15.exf4 Rxa3 16.Nf3 e5 is roughly
balanced.) 14...e5 15.Bxe5 fxe5 16.Qxe5+
Be7 is difficult to assess. Most likely
White does not risk a lot in view of Black’s
poor coordination and a naked king.
13.Qxd4 f6
The a3-pawn will not run away. Leben-
Heinemann, ICCF 2011, saw 13...Rxa3?!
14.Nf3 e6 15.0-0 f6 16.Nd2 Nc3 17.Qb6
Ra8 and Black miraculously survived in
this passive position.
14.c4 Nxf4 15.exf4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9+-+pzp-zpp0
9-+p+-zp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+PwQ-zP-+0
9zP-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-zPPzP0
9+-+-mK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...e5!!
A very courageous decision! It is
counter-intuitive, since when the opponent
has a queen, it is generally of utmost
importance to have a safe shelter for the
king.
It was no secret that Prié played
regularly this system, but even if
Argandona had found this move during his
home preparation, he deserves the highest
praise. The arising complications are hard
to assess, but I believe that Black is at least
not worse, and he obtains decent practical
chances. In a later correspondence game
Black preferred the passive, but solid
15...Rxa3 16.Nf3 e6 17.0-0 Be7 18.c5 Kf7
19.Rc1 Rd8 20.h3 g6, holding firmly the
draw, Cvetnic-Gábris, ICCF 2014.
The book The Agile London System
decorates 15...e5 with an interrogation
mark, missing the check from e8 after
16.fxe5 Bxa3 17.exf6 0-0 18.fxg7.
16.fxe5 Bxa3 17.exf6 0-0 18.Ne2?!
Black’s audacity bears fruit. Prié
instinctively tries to keep his pieces closer
together, but his hesitant move is second-
rate. If he were to suffer an attack anyway,
it would have been better to destroy the
enemy pawns by 18.fxg7 Re8+ 19.Kd1 d6 Simpler alternatives are:
20.Nf3 Bb4 21.Ng5 Bf5
XIIIIIIIIY 18.Nf3 Bb4+ 19.Ke2 Ra2+ 20.Kd1
9r+-+r+k+0 Rxf6 21.c5 Ba6 22.Qxb4 Be2+ 23.Kc1
9+-+-+-zPp0 Bxf3 24.Re1 Ra1+ 25.Kb2 Rxe1 26.Qxe1
9-+pzp-+-+0 Bxg2 with a fortress.
9+-+-+lsN-0
9-vlPwQ-+-+0 18.Nh3 Bb4+ 19.Kf1 d6 20.Ng5 Rxf6
9+-+-+-+-0 21.Ne4 Rf4 22.f3 Ra2=.
9-+-+-zPPzP0
9+-+K+-+R0 These evaluations are for the record
xiiiiiiiiy only. Over the board, Black’s pieces
generate more threats, so White’s task
Black’s long-ranged pieces exert looks more difficult.
tremendous pressure, but the computer
finds a draw: 18...Bb4+ 19.Kd1 Rxf6 20.c5 Rb8
21.Ng3
22.Qf6 Bg6 23.Ne6 d5 24.Nc7 Ra2 21.Nf4?! (recommended by Romero
25.Nxe8 Rd2+ 26.Kc1 Rc2+ 27.Kb1 and De Prado in their book) 21...d6
Rxf2+ 28.Ka1 Rxf6 29.Nxf6+ Kxg7 22.Nh5 Rf7 23.cxd6 Rb5 24.Nf4 is far
30.Ng4 dxc4=. from equal, since Black enjoys a strong
attack after 24...Ba5! 25.Qe4 Bd7 26.g3
Or 22.c5 Bxc5 23.Qf6 Bg6 24.Ne6 g5 27.Rg1 Bg4+! 28.f3 Bd7µ.
(24.Re1 Reb8=) 24...Rab8 XIIIIIIIIY
9-trl+-+k+0
24...Bb4 is also a draw – 25.h4 Bh5+ 9+-+p+-zpp0
26.f3 Rab8 27.Nf4 (but not 27.g4? Bf7 9-+p+-tr-+0
28.Ng5 Bb3+ 29.Kc1 Re2–+). 9+-zP-+-+-0
25.Nxc5 dxc5 9-vl-wQ-+-+0
XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+-+-sN-0
9-tr-+r+k+0 9-+-+-zPPzP0
9+-+-+-zPp0 9+-+K+-+R0
9-+p+-wQl+0 xiiiiiiiiy
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0 21...d5
9+-+-+-+-0 Perhaps Black wanted to deprive the
9-+-+-zPPzP0 opponent of 21...d6! 22.Ne4 (22.f3 Bxc5
9+-+K+-+R0 23.Qa1 Bb4ƒ), but then 22...Rf5 would
xiiiiiiiiy retain the initiative.

26.Kd2 Rb3. Only a computer could 22.Qe5

claim that this is a draw! Black has always 22.f3 Rb5 23.Qe5 Bd7 24.Qc7 Be8
a perpetual check with his rooks, but not a 25.Qe5 is equal, as the queen constantly
win. harasses the black pieces.
22...Rf8 23.f3 Rb7 24.Qd6?! Rf6?! 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Qb6 4.Nc3 d6
The end of the game has been marred 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.a4 a6 7.a5 Qc7
XIIIIIIIIY
by mutual mistakes. Firstly Black missed 9rsn-+kvl-tr0
24...Bd7ƒ, then White made 28.Qd6 on 9+pwqlzppzpp0
the board instead of claiming a draw by 9p+-zp-sn-+0
repetition of moves. Perhaps he was 9zPLzp-+-+-0
expecting a verbal proposition of draw, but 9-+-zP-vL-+0
Black suddenly got an insight and deviated 9+-sN-zP-+-0
from the repetition: 9-zPP+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-sNR0
25.Qd8+ Rf8 26.Qd6 Rf6 27.Qd8+ Rf8 xiiiiiiiiy
28.Qd6 Bd7!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0 8.Ba4
9+r+l+-zpp0 In a recent game Agrest also decided to
9-+pwQ-+-+0 preserve the bishop, but he retreated to d3
9+-zPp+-+-0 – 8.Bd3 cxd4 9.exd4 Nc6 10.Nf3, and got
9-vl-+-+-+0 nothing after 10...Bg4 11.d5 Ne5. I would
9+-+-+PsN-0 fianchetto my bishop with 10...g6.
9-+-+-+PzP0
9+-+K+-+R0 The sternest test of Black’s set-up in my
xiiiiiiiiy opinion is:

This course of events must have been 8.Bxd7 Nbxd7 9.d5!?

a shock for Prié, as he immediately
blundered decisively: 9.Nf3 would give me a tempo for
9...cxd4 10.exd4 g6, when d4-d5
29.Nh5? would be already double-edged.
Only 29.Kc2 kept him in the game. The XIIIIIIIIY
text loses as it allows a check from f5. One 9r+-+kvl-tr0
possible line was 29...Bc3 30.Kc2 d4 and 9+pwqnzppzpp0
White lacks 31.Rb1. 9p+-zp-sn-+0
9zP-zpP+-+-0
29...Bc8?? 9-+-+-vL-+0
Black has changed his mind and already 9+-sN-zP-+-0
wants the draw! But his move simply 9-zPP+-zPPzP0
gives up a pawn – 30.Qxc6! 9tR-+QmK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
30.Ng3? ½-½
Despite the tragicomedy at the end, it What should be our plan here? If we
was a fine game of a big theoretical push ...e5, then Bf4-g5xf6 would give
importance. White a lasting pull. In such a scenario we
would strongly miss our exchanged light-
26. Prié – Kiril Georgiev squared bishop. Our only real counterplay
Aix les Bains 26.03.2011 could be based on ...b5. The best timing
for it is probably not at once. Let’s castle a possible d4-d5, but I wanted to keep the
first and see what happens: pawn structure undefined. d5 is still not a
threat in view of ...b5.
9...g6 10.e4 Bg7 11.Nf3 0-0 12.0-0 b5!
11...Nbd7 12.Nf3 0-0 13.0-0 Rfe8
12...Nh5 13.Bg5 Rae8 14.Re1 only Sticking to the same “flexible” strategy.
distracts us from the queenside and This move cannot be bad, of course, but
does not help us at all. I might have designed an active plan
13.axb6 Nxb6 already. For instance, 13...cxd4 14.exd4
b5! 15.axb6 Nxb6 16.Ra2 Rfc8 17.Rfa1
13...Qxb6 is another possible set-up. a5! 18.Qd3
XIIIIIIIIY
14.Qd3 a5 15.Ra3 a4 16.Rb1 Qb7
9r+r+-+k+0
17.Nd2 Nfd7
9+-wq-zppvlp0
XIIIIIIIIY 9-sn-zp-snp+0
9r+-+-trk+0 9zp-+-+-vL-0
9+q+nzppvlp0 9-+-zP-+-+0
9-sn-zp-+p+0 9+-sNQ+N+-0
9+-zpP+-+-0 9RzPP+-zPPzP0
9p+-+PvL-+0 9tR-+-+-mK-0
9tR-sNQ+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy
9-zPPsN-zPPzP0
9+R+-+-mK-0 My pieces are clearly more active –
xiiiiiiiiy 18...h6 19.Bd2 (19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Rxa5
Rxa5 21.Rxa5 Nc4 22.Ra2 Nxb2 wins
We have fixed a target at b2 which
d4-pawn, too.) 19...a4.
balances our own weak pawn at a4. We
should not mind trading queens, e.g. 14.h3 e6!
18.Nd1 Qa6=. Finally I address the problem of d4-d5.
It is no longer possible due to ...b5.
8...g6 9.Bg5 Bg7 10.Qd2 Bxa4 11.Rxa4
XIIIIIIIIY Perhaps my move also “opened the eyes”
9rsn-+k+-tr0 of my opponent for the importance of
9+pwq-zppvlp0 having more space and he tries to achieve
9p+-zp-snp+0 d5. But he had missed the moment.
9zP-zp-+-vL-0
9R+-zP-+-+0 15.e4 b5! 16.axb6 Nxb6 17.Ra2 cxd4
9+-sN-zP-+-0 18.Nxd4
9-zPPwQ-zPPzP0
9+-+-mK-sNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
We have exchanged the bishops in
favourable circumstances – White has not
taken the centre. Perhaps I should have
take now on d4 to ensure myself against
 XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+k+0 I return to ...d5. However, meanwhile he
9+-wq-+pvlp0 has accumulated significant piece power
9psn-zppsnp+0 on the kingside. The waiting 27...Be7 was
9+-+-+-vL-0 certainly safer.
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+P0 28.e5 Bh8 29.Ng3?! (29.Ned4) 29...Qc7
9RzPPwQ-zPP+0 30.Bf4 a5 31.Rda1 a4! 32.h4 Rab8 33.h5
9+-+-+RmK-0 axb3 34.cxb3 Qc3 35.Re1?!
xiiiiiiiiy The first critical moment of the game.
White should have given up a pawn to
The game has transformed to the activate his pieces – 35.Qxc3! Rxc3
Sicilian Defence. In such structures Black 36.Ne2 Rxb3 37.Nfd4 Rd3 38.Nc6 Re8
should always consider ...d5. It is possible 39.Ra7=. Instead, his move gave me the
right now, but it would only simplify opportunity to complicate things with
White’s task. I decided to transfer my 35...d4 36.Qd2 (36.Qxd4 Qxd4 37.Nxd4
pieces to the queenside, but the f6-knight Nd5 38.Bg5 Bxe5) 36...Nd5.
was already on its perfect place. Perhaps
I should have played ...Rec8, ...Qb7 and 35...Bg7 36.h6 Bf8 37.Ra7 Qb4 38.Ne2
XIIIIIIIIY
wait. Note that 18...Qb7 would take aim at 9-trr+-vlk+0
e4 so White would not be able to keep his 9tR-+n+p+p0
queen on the c1-h6 diagonal. 9-sn-+p+pzP0
9+-+pzP-+-0
18...Nfd7?! 19.Nde2 Rec8 20.Bh6 Nc4 9-wq-+-vL-+0
21.Qc1 Bf6 22.Rd1 Qc6 9+P+-wQN+-0
It was better to play 22...Qb7 23.b3 9-+-+NzPP+0
Ncb6=. 9+-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
23.Nd4 Qc5 24.Nce2 Ncb6 25.b3 Qc7
26.Qe3 Qb7 27.Nf3 d5
XIIIIIIIIY 38...Nc4??
9r+r+-+k+0 38...Nc5 or 38...Ra8 would have
9+q+n+p+p0 maintained the balance. My combination
9psn-+pvlpvL0 is based on a wrong assessment. The
9+-+p+-+-0 arising position with 3 pieces vs a queen
9-+-+P+-+0 and a pawn is very difficult for Black.
9+P+-wQN+P0 Fortunately, my opponent shared my
9R+P+NzPP+0 delusion, so we signed a draw!
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy 39.bxc4 Bc5 40.Rxd7 Bxe3 41.Bxe3
Qxc4 42.Ned4 Qa4 ½-½
Prié has not offered me any “present” so
 3.e3 g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 71) 2...d5 3.Bf4
Index of Variations g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0 (The Grünfeld with
Chapter 1. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 Bf4) 57
(The Grünfeld set-up) 11
XIIIIIIIIY 6.Rc1 dxc4 7.e3 Nbd7 61 (7...Be6 69)
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zppzp-zpp+p0 7.e4 62
9-+-+-snp+0
6.e3 64
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzPP+PzPPzP0 Chapter 4. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 with
9tRN+QmKL+R0 ...e6, ...b6 75
xiiiiiiiiy
3.e3 (3.Nc3 The Jobava Attack 3...e6
4.e3 Bg7 5.h3 16 (5.Nc3 – Chapter 2;
94, 3...g6 53) 3...e6 (3...c5 4.Nc3, 4.c3
5.c4 – Chapter 3; 5.c3 16)
– Chapter 6) 4.Nd2 (4.c4 79; 4.Nf3 80)
4...Bd6 5.Bg3 (5.Bxd6 81; 5.Ngf3 89)
5.Nbd2 19
5...0-0 (5...b6 82) 6.Bd3 b6
5.Be2 22 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
5.Bd3 25 9zp-zp-+pzpp0
9-zp-vlpsn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
Chapter 2. 1.d4 Nf6 (2.Bf4 d5 3.Nc3 9+-+LzP-vL-0
(The Jobava Attack), 3...g6 53, 3...e6 93) 9PzPPsN-zPPzP0
2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 (The Barry 9tR-+QmK-sNR0
Attack) 31 xiiiiiiiiy

5.Qd2 c6 (5...Ne4 34; 5...0-0 36) 6.Bh6 7.Ngf3 Bb7 83

37
8.Ne5 Ne4 9.Qh5 Nd7 10.f3 85
6.e3 38
10.0-0-0 86
6.Ne5 39
10.Nxe4 86
5.h4 40
8.c3 87
5.e3 41

Chapter 5. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6

Chapter 3. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 (2.Bf4 d5 with ...c5 99
 4.Nd2 (4.Nf3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 cxd4 4.c3 (4.Nc3 – 3.Nc3) 4...Nf6 149
7.exd4 Nh5 141) 4...Bd6 5.Bg3 0-0
6.Ngf3 (6.Bd3 106) 6...c5 7.c3 107 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.c3 155 (5.Nbd2 Qb6 155;
XIIIIIIIIY 5...Bg4 162)
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-vlpsn-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0 Chapter 7. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 (The
9-+-zP-+-+0 Classical London System) 171
9+-zP-zPNvL-0
3.c3 c5 (3...Bf5 175) 4.dxc5 175
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 156
xiiiiiiiiy
5.Nc3 175
7...Nc6 8.Bd3 b6 9.e4 108
5.Be2 176
9.0-0 115

9.Qe2 116
Chapter 8. The Benoni Approach
9.Ne5 117
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 c5 181
8.Bb5 Ne7 123
3.e3 (3.c3 183; 3.d5 183) 3...Qb6 184
8...Qe7 126 XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+kvl-tr0
7...b6 128 9zpp+pzppzpp0
9-wq-+-sn-+0
9+-zp-+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
Chapter 6. 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 145 9+-+-zP-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
3.e3 (3.e4 148; 3.Nc3 148; 3.Nf3 149; 9tRN+QmKLsNR0
3.dxc5 149) 3...Nc6 149 xiiiiiiiiy
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqkvlntr0 4.Nc3 d6 (4...Qxb2!? 188) 5.Bb5+
9zpp+-zppzpp0 Nbd7 186 (5...Bd7 190)
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9PzPP+-zPPzP0
9tRN+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy