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The Modernized Najdorf PDF
The Modernized Najdorf PDF
Title Page
Key To Symbols
Preface
Chapter 1 - 6th Move Sidelines (Part 1)
Chapter 1 - 6th Move Sidelines (Part 2)
Chapter 2 - The 6.f4 Variation (Part 1)
Chapter 2 - The 6.f4 Variation (Part 2)
Chapter 3 - The 6.Bc4 Variation (Part 1)
Chapter 3 - The 6.Bc4 Variation (Part 2)
Chapter 4 - The 6.g3 Variation (Part 1)
Chapter 4 - The 6.g3 Variation (Part 2)
Chapter 5 - The 6.Be2 Variation(Part 1)
Chapter 5 - The 6.Be2 Variation (Part 2)
Chapter 6 - The 6.h3 Variation(Part 1)
Chapter 6 - The 6.h3 Variation (Part 2)
Chapter 7 - The 6.Bg5 Variation (Part 1)
Chapter 7 - The 6.Bg5 Variation (Part 2)
Chapter 7 - The 6.Bg5 Variation (Part 3)
Chapter 7 - The 6.Bg5 Variation (Part 4)
Chapter 8 - The 6.Be3 Variation(Part 1)
Chapter 8 - The 6.Be3 Variation (Part 2)
Chapter 8 - The 6.Be3 Variation (Part 3)
Chapter 8 - The 6.Be3 Variation(Part 4)
2
The Modernized Najdorf
By
Milos Pavlovic
www.thinkerspublishing.com
3
Key to Symbols used!
! a good move
? a weak move
!! an excellent move
?? a blunder
!? an interesting move
?! a dubious move
□ only move
= equality
∞ unclear position
⩲ White stands slightly better
⩱ Black stands slightly better
± White has a serious advantage
∓ Black has a serious advantage
+- White has a decisive advantage
-+ Black has a decisive advantage
→ with an attack↑with an initiative
⇆ with counterplay
Δ with the idea of
⌓ better is
≤ worse is
N novelty
+ check
# mate
© with compensation for thesacrificed material
4
Preface
The Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defence is so popular that the total number of games played in this
line exceeds the number of games played in many complete openings! It has been the favourite line of
many world champions and grandmasters. Famous lines such as the Poisoned Pawn, the Polugaevsky
Variation, the Sozin, the English Attack, to name just a few, are known to all chess players as belonging
to the Najdorf Sicilian.
Championed by young American Bobby Fischer, the Najdorf line gained popularity and with time it
became the most popular Sicilian. Even when Fischer lost a game to Spassky in the Poisoned Pawn line
during their 1972 world championship match in Reykjavik, somehow the Najdorf didn't lose its
popularity. On the contrary, a new generation of players simply continued to work on the line, with
Kasparov in first place and followed by many strong grandmasters.
Perhaps the secret for such popularity should be sought in the amazing flexibility that the Najdorf offers.
Often Black can choose between e6 setups or e5; even g6 is often played. You don't find such a variety of
ideas in other Sicilians. It is considered one of the top three best lines against 1.e4, the other two being
the Berlin and the Marshall, both belonging to the Ruy Lopez opening.
With Black in the Najdorf I have always tried to implement the ...e5 reaction any time I considered it
suitable. In Sicilians Black doesn't often have a chance to have a pawn on e5; only in the Najdorf does
Black frequently have this possibility at his disposal.
From Kotov, Najdorf himself and Bronstein to Polugaevsky, Fischer, Tal, Gligoric, Portisch, Kasparov,
Nunn, Ljubojevic, Timman, these and many others have made serious contributions in this line. Among
todays younger generation Vachier Lagrave and Nepomniachtchi head the many standard-bearers of the
Najdorf. It is important also to mention players who contributed with the white pieces: Karpov, Geller,
Velimirovic, Anand, Short, and even Fischer himself, who often played the Sozin line. Many others too
have been trying to find the ultimate weapon against such a strong line.
Sometimes it is a new positional idea and sometimes a tactical one, depending on players styles, but the
Najdorf is very resilient and new efforts by one side are countered by new efforts from the other. It just
goes from strength to strength. I used to play it with both colours, and that experience helped me to write
this book. Going through an amazing number of complex lines, deciding which line to put in this book
and which to leave out is a big job but as I analyzed it often from the White side somehow such decisions
came easier to me
Learning the Najdorf will help all players to understand Sicilians in a better way. Different aspects of
chess such as defence, attack and sacrifice, positional themes and tactical storms, can be found in my
book.
Milos Pavlovic
Belgrade 2018
5
Chapter 1
6th Move Sidelines
Chapter Guide
Chapter 1 – 6th Move Sidelines
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
a) 6.Rg1 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.g4 d5 9.exd5
b) 6.Rg1 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.g4 d5 9.g5
c) 6.Bd3
d) 6.Qd3 Nbd7 7.Be2 g6 8.Bg5
e) 6.Qd3 Nbd7 7.Be2 g6 8.0-0
f) 6.Qe2
g) 6.Qf3 Qb6
h) 6.Qf3 Nbd7
i) 6.a3
j) 6.a4
k) 6.h4
6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Rg1
I remember that in my youth we wanted to find new ideas against the Najdorf and this was one of the
moves that we experimented with.
Bobby Fischer had already introduced 6.h3, which is now very popular again and will be treated as one of
the main lines, so 6.Rg1 came as an interesting idea later found also by others. It seems that Black has
nothing to fear in the resulting endgames, as we will see.
9...Nxd5 10.Nxd5 Qxd5 11.Be3 Nc6 12.Qxd5 Bxd5 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14.Bb6 Rd6
7
Position after: 14...Rd6
15.g5
8
17.Nc4 [17.Kb1 Be7 18.Bc4 Rhd8 19.Rge1 Bh4 20.Re2 Bxc4 21.Nxc4 Rf6 22.Rf1 d3 23.cxd3 Rxd3
Again Black is fine.] 17...Bxc4 18.Bxc4 Rf6 19.Rgf1 Rf4 20.f3 Kc7 21.Kb1 g6 22.Rde1 b5 23.Bd5
Bd6. The rook on f4 is standing nicely and we can conclude that Black’s chances in this endgame are
equal.
D) 15.a3 In this endgame, one of the ideas for Black is to retreat ...Be6, provoking g5 which will give
him additional assets for counterplay. 15...Bxb3!? An interesting concept to make a quick draw.
[15...Be7 16.g5 Be6! 17.Rxd6 This game ended in an early draw but it illustrates the motif of provoking
g5. ½-½ Rosso, P - Myakonikikh, D corr. 2009.] 16.Rxd6 Bxd6 17.cxb3 Bc7
18.Be3 Nd4 19.Bxd4 ½-½ Van Foreest, J (2605) – Sasikiran, K (2661) Sitges 2016. For example
19...exd4 20.h4 Bd8 21.h5 Bh4 22.Rg2 Re8 is satisfactory for Black.
E) 15.c3 Be7 16.g5 Be6 17.Rxd6 Bxd6 18.h4 h6! 19.g6 f6 20.Bg2 h5 21.Nc5 Bxc5 22.Bxc5 Kc7
Another good endgame for Black. ½-½ (26) Kokorin, V – Yurov, A corr. 2010.
F) 15.Rg3!? A clever move. 15...Be7 16.g5 [16.Rgd3 Nb4 17.Rc3+ Bc6 is very acceptable for Black;
16.h3 Bd8 17.Bc5 Bg5+ 18.Kb1 Rd7 and Black can also be happy here. 19.Rgd3 Rhd8 20.Bb6 e4!„]
16...Be6 17.Nc5 Bf5!
9
Position after: 17...Bf5!
One of the important motifs here. 18.Rxd6 Bxd6 19.Bh3 g6 20.Ne4 Bc7 21.Bxf5+ gxf5 22.Bxc7 Kxc7
23.Nf6 e4 24.Rh3 Kd6! 25.Rxh7 Rxh7 26.Nxh7 Ke5 Again Black enjoys full equality. Active play is
an important theme to remember.
10
18.Be3
18.h4 h6! 19.Nc5 Bf5!? [19...hxg5 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.hxg5 Bxg5+ 22.Kb1 Rh2 Black is all right. ½-½
(41) Simmelink, J – Bernal Varela, N corr. 2005] 20.Re1 g6 21.Bxc6 bxc6 22.Rxe5 Bd6 23.Re1 hxg5
24.hxg5 Bf4+ 25.Kb1 Bd2 26.Rd1 Bxg5 Black is fine.
21.Ne4!
21...Rxh6 22.Nxg5 Rg6 23.h4 f6 24.Bh3 Bxh3 25.Nxh3 Rg4 26.h5 Rh4 27.Ng1 Rxh5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Rg1 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.g4 d5 9.g5
11
Position after: 9.g5
14.Bd2
12
A) 14.Be3 Rd8 15.Nc5 Bxc5 16.Bxc5 h6 17.gxh6 Rxh6 18.Rxg7 Rxh2 Black is active in this endgame.
½-½ (36) Landa, K (2542) – Nevostrujev, V (2466) St Petersburg 1999.
B) 14.f4 g6!? 15.fxe5 h6! 16.h4 Nxe5 17.Bf4 Bd6 18.Nc5 Bf5 19.0-0-0 Bxe4 20.Nxe4 Nd3+ 21.Rxd3
Bxf4+ 22.Kb1 hxg5 23.hxg5 Rh4 Black has no problems.
14...h6!
15.g6
White causes no difficulties with 15.h4 hxg5 16.hxg5 Rh4 17.f3 a5.
15...f5!
15...fxg6 16.Rxg6 Bf7 17.Rg3 This endgame favours White. 0-1 (67) Zivkovic, S (2313) – Arsovic, G
(2478) Belgrade 2007.
16.Bxc6 Kxc6
17.Bc3
13
Position after: 19...b6
This is absolutely fine for Black, for example: 20.Nb3 Rhe8 21.f4!? e4 22.Rxd6 Kxd6 23.Bxg7 Bxb3
24.axb3 Re6 25.h4 Rg8 26.Be5+ Rxe5! 27.fxe5+ Kxe5∞.
14
Position after: 20...Rd7
21.Rge1
21.h5 b5 22.Rge1 Rhd8 23.Kb1 e4 24.Ba5 Re8 White has fixed the weakness on g7 but Black has an
easy endgame anyway.
24...Bc5
c) 6.Bd3
An interesting move order. I remember some old game in which Portisch lost as Black in this rather rare
line. I opted for the ...g6 set up because when we compare it with the 6.f4 line, which we will also
analyze later, Black here has many more options.
6...g6 7.f4
Certainly not the only move, but it has to be said when White has a bishop on d3 he usually follows up
15
with an attack based on f4, 0-0 and Qe1-Qh4.
A) 7.h3 Bg7 8.Be3 0-0 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.0-0-0 d5
11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bh6 Qa5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.b3 Rb8 15.Rhe1 Qa3+ 16.Kb1 d4 17.e5 Nd7 18.Ne2
Nb6 19.Ka1 c5 Black has a good position. ½-½ (25) Short, N (2660) – Gelfand, B (2695) Dortmund
1997.
B) 7.0-0 Bg7 8.Kh1 [8.f4? Is a well-known mistake, worth remembering: 8...Qb6 9.Kh1 Qxd4
10.Bb5+
16
Position after: 10.Bb5+
10...Nfd7! Black wins; this has happened in GM games at least once!] 8...0-0 9.f4 b5 10.Nf3 Bb7
11.Qe1 Nbd7 12.f5 Nc5
13.a3 [The typical attack plan doesn’t work here: 13.Qh4 b4 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Nxd3 16.cxd3
Bxd5 and Blackhas no worries.] 13...e6 14.Qh4 Nfxe4! The advantage is with Black.
7...Bg7 8.Nf3
17
Position after: 8.Nf3
8...0-0
Another interesting plan here is 8...Qb6!?. Preventing White from castling is a perfectly logical option.
9.Qe2 0-0
A) 10.Qf2 Exchanging queens helps Black a lot in this type of position. 10...Qxf2+ 11.Kxf2 b5 12.Re1
Bb7 13.h3 Nbd7 14.e5 dxe5 15.fxe5 Nd5 16.Be4
16...Nxc3! [Or 16...N7b6 17.a4 with an interesting endgame ahead. ½-½ (38) Gdanski, J (2535) –
Wahls, M (2579) Germany 2000] 17.Bxb7 Ra7 18.Be4 [18.Bc6 Na4„] 18...Nxe4+ 19.Rxe4 Rc7 20.Re2
Rfc8 21.c3 Nc5 Black has fine play.
B) 10.Rb1 Nc6 11.Be3 Qa5 12.0-0 Bg4 13.h3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 Nd7 15.Bd2 Rac8 16.g4 Nc5 Black’s
counterplay is working well. 0-1 (44) Patterson, R (2107) – Nakamura, H (2771) Victoria 2012.
C) 10.Bd2
18
Position after: 10.Bd2
C1) 10...Qxb2!? 11.Rb1 Qa3 12.Rb3 Qc5 13.Na4 Qc7 14.Nb6 Ra7 15.Be3 This looks rather
dangerous, but Black has an idea in mind... 15...Nc6 16.Nxc8 Rxc8 17.Bxa7 Nxa7 18.0-0 Nd7
19.Kh1 Nc6 20.Qf2 Nc5 Black enjoys useful compensation. 0-1 (41) Papp, J (2130) – Rowson, J
(2527) Pula 2002.
C2) 10...Nc6 11.0-0-0 Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Rac8 14.Rhe1 Nd7
19
15.e5?! dxe5 16.Nd5 Qd8 17.Bc3 exf4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Qxf4 e6 Black is simply a pawn up. 0-1
(33) Guliev, L (2389) – Idani, P (2496) Urmia 2015.
9.0-0 Nbd7
10.Qe1
Alternatively White can try to slow down Black’s play on the queenside:
10.a4 Nc5 11.Qe1 e5!?
20
Position after: 11...e5!?
A) 12.fxe5 Nxd3 13.cxd3 dxe5 14.Qh4 [14.Be3 Re8 15.Rd1 Ng4 16.Bg5 f6 17.Bh4 Be6 18.h3 Qb6+
19.Kh1 Nh6„] 14...Be6 15.Bg5 Qb6+ 16.Kh1 Nh5„
B) 12.Qh4 d5! 13.fxe5 Nfxe4 14.Qe1 Nxc3! [≤ 14...Nxd3 15.cxd3 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Bf5 17.Bg5!N
17...Qb6+ 18.Be3 Qc7 19.Qd2 Rac8 20.Bd4 Rfe8=] 15.Qxc3 [15.bxc3 Bg4³] 15...Nxd3 16.cxd3 Qb6+
17.d4 Bf5³
10...Nc5
11.Qh4
21
Position after: 13...Re8
Black has the bishop pair and pawn activity on the queenside, which is more then enough to say that
Black is doing fine. Let’s extend the analysis: 14.Ne2 [14.Kh1 b4 15.Ne2 a5 16.a3 Ba6 17.Nc1 e5
18.fxe5 dxe5 19.Bxe5 b3!?©] 14...Bg4 15.h3 Bxf3 16.Rxf3 e5 17.fxe5 dxe5 18.Bc3 Re6 19.Qf2 Rc8
20.Rf1 Qd7 21.a3 Rc7
22
11...b5
12.f5
The typical attacking move, and the only logical way to continue. But White is not sufficiently prepared
for such action.
12.e5 Nxd3 13.cxd3 Nd7 14.d4 Nb6 15.b3 b4 16.Ne4 Nd5 17.a3 Bf5 18.Re1 Qb6 Black is more than
fine here.
12...b4 13.Ne2
13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Nxd3 15.fxg6 fxg6 16.cxd3 Qb6+ 17.Kh1 Bb7 18.Bh6 Bxd5 19.Bxg7 Kxg7
20.Qxe7+ Rf7µ
13...d5!? 14.e5 Nfe4 15.fxg6 fxg6 16.Bh6 Bxh6 17.Qxh6 Bg4 18.Nf4
23
Position after: 18.Nf4
18...Rf7
18...Nxd3!? 19.cxd3 Qb6+ 20.Kh1 Qe3 21.dxe4 Qxf4 22.Qxf4 Rxf4 23.exd5 Rd8 24.Rad1 Re4=
An improvement on 20...Qf8 21.Qxf8+ Raxf8 22.Nxd5 Rxf3 23.gxf3 Ng5 24.Nxe7+ Kf7 25.Nc6 and
White is slightly better. ½-½ (44) Wege, J (2277) – Bekker Jensen, S (2462) Reykjavik 2015.
21.cxd3 Nd2!
24
Position after: 21...Nd2!
25
Position after: 6.Qd3
This is a new attempt to confuse the usually well-prepared Najdorf players, but it does not seem very
logical to me. I consider it weaker than any other early queen move at this point, but still it has to be
treated seriously.
6...Nbd7
11.f4
26
Position after: 23.d7
23...Rxc3! Typical play. 24.bxc3 Rd8 Black is much better. 0-1 (38) Vallejo Pons, F (2698) – Grischuk,
A (2792) Dubai 2014.
B) 11.Kb1 Qc7 12.Qe3 b5 13.g4 Bb7 14.g5 hxg5 15.Bxg5 b4 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Qe4
N7f6 19.Bxf6 Nxf6 20.Qg2 Rfc8 21.h4 e5 22.h5 exd4 23.Bd3 Nxh5–+ 0-1 (28) Oparin, G (2604) –
Nepomniachtchi, I (2751) Zurich 2017.
27
Position after: 13...Nxe4
14.Bxd8 Nxd6 15.Be7 Re8 16.Bxd6 Bxc3 17.Bf3 Bg7 18.Bxf4 Ne5
To me this position looks satisfactory for Black. Let’s continue for a few more moves:
19.Rde1 Rb8 20.Nc5 g5 21.Bg3 f5 22.Bxe5 Rxe5 23.Nd3 Rxe1+ 24.Rxe1 Bf8 25.Re8 Kf7 26.Bh5+
Kg7
28
Position after: 26...Kg7
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Qd3 Nbd7 7.Be2 g6 8.0-0
29
We have the so-called Dragadorf, a mixture of the Dragon and the Najdorf,
which in this case looks to me quite pleasant for Black.
10.Qe3
13.h3 Rac8
14.Qf3
30
Position after: 16.exd5
f) 6.Qe2
One of the new lines against the Najdorf, and quite logical. White is aiming for a fast 0-0-0, when the
31
queen on e2 will not be in the way of his other pieces, and nor will it be a potential target in this early
phase of the game.
6...e5
Whenever possible, or, to be more precise, whenever I feel that ...e5 has the most potential, I will suggest
it – as this is in my opinion the real essence of the Najdorf.
7.Nf5
7.Nb3 Be6 [Interesting is: 7...Be7 8.Bd2 Be6 9.0-0-0 0-0 10.Rg1 a5 11.a4 Nc6 12.Kb1 Nb4 13.g4 Qc8
14.g5 Nxe4!
Black has seized the advantage. A notable combination, that represents one of many possible ideas for
counterplay.] 8.Bd2 Nbd7 9.0-0-0
32
Position after: 9.0-0-0
9...b5!? [9...Be7 is worse: 10.Rg1 b5 11.g4 Nb6 12.f4 exf4 13.g5 Nfd7 14.Bxf4 White quickly grabbed
the initiative. 1-0 (42) Gormally, D (2477) – Van Delft, M (2393) London 2017] 10.Kb1 Qc7 11.Rg1
Rc8 A perfectly logical plan that gives Black counterplay.
10.Qf3
33
White’s setup is very aggressive, but not necessarily strong.
A sharp alternative is 10.f4 Qa5 11.fxe5 dxc3 12.exf6 Be6 13.Rd5 Qxa2 14.bxc3 gxf6 15.Bxf6 Rg8
16.Kd2 Rg6 17.Bh4 f6. It seems that Black’s chances are by no means worse here. 0-1 (51) Anikin, V –
Sherwood, H corr. 2014.
10...Be6
34
Position after: 12...Nb4
B1) 13.Nxd4 Bc5 14.Nb3 [After 14.Ne6!? fxe6 15.Bc4 exd5 16.Rhe1 Qc7 17.Bxd5 Be3+ 18.Kb1 Rf8
19.Qxe3 Qxc2+ 20.Ka1 Qxd1+ 21.Rxd1 Nc2+ 22.Kb1 Nxe3 Black is ahead.] 14...Qg6 15.Rd2
Nxa2+ 16.Kb1 Qxg5 17.Kxa2 0-0 Black is doing well. ½-½ (53) Bujdak, P – Le Duigou, J corr.
2014.
B2) 13.Bd2!? Qf6 14.g4 h5 15.Qb3 [15.Qe4 Nxa2+ 16.Kb1 Nc3+ 17.bxc3 Qb6+ 18.Ka2 Qa5+ Draw
by perpetual.] 15...hxg4 16.Nxd4 Qb6 17.a3 exd4 18.Bxb4 Bxb4 19.Qxb4 Qxb4 20.axb4 Ke7
21.Rxd4 Kd6 The endgame looks balanced.
11.Nd5
35
Position after: 13...g6
14.Nfe3 [14.Ng3 Bg7 15.Bc4 Na5 16.Bb3 0-0 17.h4 f5 18.Nc7 Bxb3 19.Nxa8 fxe4 20.Qg4 Rf4 21.Qh3
Bd5 Black is much better.] 14...Bg7 15.Ng4 f5 16.Qb3 Bxd5 17.exd5 Na5 18.Qa3 Rc8 19.Nxe5 Bxe5
20.Re1 Qc7 21.Bd3 Kf7 22.Rxe5 Qxe5 23.Qxa5 Rhd8 Again White is facing tough times. ½-½ (60)
Peczely, S (2197) – Cao, J (2309) Gyor 2014.
11...Bxd5 12.Bxf6
36
12...Qxf6!
If 12...Bxe4 13.Qxe4 Qxf6 14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Rxd4 g6 16.Bc4 Bh6+ 17.Kb1 0-0 18.Rd7 the position
favours White.
1-0 (37) Czebe, A (2487) – Vojtek, V (2295) Slovakia 2011.
13.exd5 Ne7 14.Nxe7 Bxe7 15.Qe4 Bd6 16.Rxd4 Qxf2 17.Rd2 Qf4 18.Bd3 Qxe4 19.Bxe4 h5!
With the obvious idea of ...g6 followed by ...f5. Black surely has better chances in this endgame of
opposite-coloured bishops.
37
g) 6.Qf3 Qb6
Another new attempt, probably the most logical of the early queen moves. An important aspect of this
move is that it prevents the thematic Najdorf idea ...e5. I offer two ideas for Black; both look logical, but
the positions are rather complex.
6...Qb6
Driving a knight away is a common idea in the Sicilian, and in this position I think it makes sense. The
queen on f3 blocks the pawn on f2, which helps Black to achieve fast development.
We have a sharp position in which we can see a certain disadvantage of the early queen move to f3: the
pawn on f2 is a long way behind the action.
38
Position after: 11...b5
12.a3
A1) 14...Nce5?! I am not sure about this move, although Black won a game with it. It simply provokes
White to play f4. 15.Ng3 Rc8 16.Rc1 Nb6 17.f4 Nec4 18.Bxb6! Nxb6 19.g6 fxg6 20.Qxe6+ Qe7
39
21.Qg4 White’s position is superior. 0-1 (53) Van den Berg, H (2136) – Van Assendelft, F (2393)
Amsterdam 2011.
A2) 14...Rc8!? 15.Rc1 g6 16.f4 Ne7 17.Bg2 Bg7 18.Ng3 [18.Ned4 e5!„; 18.Nbd4 e5!∞] 18...h6!?„
B) 12.Qh3 Nb6 13.a3 Na4 14.Bd2 g6 15.f4 Bg7 16.Qd3 Nb6 17.Be3 Nc4 18.Bf2 Bb7 Black has
strong play.
12...Rb8!
13.Qg3
The line 13.Kb1 b4 14.axb4 Rxb4 15.h4 Nc5 16.Nxc5 dxc5 17.Qg3!? Qxg3 18.fxg3 h6 19.gxh6 gxh6
20.b3 Ne5 21.Be2 Rg8 22.Bf4 Bg7 gives Black a good share of the action.
13...b4 14.axb4 Nxb4 15.f4 Bb7 16.Bg2 Ba8 17.Rhf1 Qb7 18.Qf2 Be7 19.Ba7 Rc8 20.h4 0-0 21.Bd4
a5
40
Position after: 21...a5
h) 6.Qf3 Nbd7
41
7.Be2
7.h3 Looking for expansion with g4. 7...Qb6 Now this is even stronger as h3 is a bit slow. 8.Qe3!? The
only way, though somewhat artificial. [8.Nb3 Qc7 9.g4 h6 10.Be3 b5 11.0-0-0 e6 12.Qg2 Bb7 13.Bd3
Ne5³ 0-1 (38)
Hrabusa, M (2330) – Navara, D (2722) Czechia 2013] 8...g6 9.Nb3 Qc7 10.g4 h6 11.f4 Bg7 12.Bd2 b5
13.g5 hxg5 14.fxg5 Ng4 15.Nd5 Qb8 16.Qg3 Nge5 17.0-0-0 e6 18.Nf4 Bb7
Black can be satisfied with his position. 0-1 (40) Vila Gazquez, X (2461) – Ortiz Suarez, I (2609)
Barcelona 2013.
42
Position after: 10...h6
11.Qg2
11.0-0-0 b5 12.e5 Bb7 13.exf6 Nxf6!? Interesting tactical play. 14.Qg3 b4! 15.Nb1 Ne4 16.Qh2 Rc8
17.Bd3 Nc5!
43
18.Bc4 [18.f3 Bd5‚] 18...e5 19.Rhe1 [19.Nb3 Na4„] 19...0-0 20.f4 exd4! [20...d5 21.Nb3!∞ 0-1 (40)
Delgado Ramirez, N (2615) – Mareco, S (2599) Barreirinhas 2015] 21.Bxd4 Bxd4 22.Rxd4 d5–+
11...b5!
11...e5 12.Nb3 Rb8?! 13.h4 Nb6 14.g5 hxg5 15.hxg5 Rxh1+ 16.Qxh1 Ng8 17.Bxb6 Qxb6 18.Nd5
White has grasped the initiative. ½-½ (56) Pichot, A (2532) – Mareco, S (2612) San Salvador (rapid)
2016.
12.e5
12.h4 b4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Bb7 15.0-0-0 Rc8 16.Rd2 Qa5! Black has a sizeable advantage.
16.Bxa6
16.Bf3 e4! 17.Nxe4 Nd5 Again Black can be content with his position.
i) 6.a3
44
Position after: 6.a3
Imitating Black, but it’s not so simple. Actually this move does have its points. For instance the Dragon
reaction with 6...g6 is not advisable; although we have very few examples it seems that the inclusion of
a3 and ...a6 favours White then. To me the normal 6...e6 is the best reaction.
6...e6
7.Be2
45
Most logical, but we will see that the early a3 actually is not useful here. There are other ideas for White,
but in none of them is the early a3 helpful.
A) 7.Bc4 This line will be analyzed under 6.Bc4.
B) Another idea is: 7.g4 h6! [7...b5 8.g5 Nfd7 9.Be3 transposes to a Keres Attack line which is
dangerous for Black.] 8.Bg2 Nc6!?
Black wants to transpose to favourable lines such as 6.h3 e6 7.g4 h6 in which White never plays an
early a3 because it is just a waste of time. 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.e5 Nd5 11.exd6 Bxd6 12.Ne4 Bc7 13.c4
Nf4
46
Position after: 13...Nf4
14.Nd6+ [14.Bxf4 Bxf4 15.Qf3 Qa5+ 16.Kf1 Qc7 17.Nd6+ Ke7 18.Qxf4 Qxd6 19.Qe3 Rd8=]
14...Qxd6 15.Bxf4 Qxf4! [15...Qxd1+?? 16.Rxd1 Bxf4 17.Bxc6++–] 16.Bxc6+ Ke7 17.Bxa8 Bd7
18.Bf3 [18.Bg2 Rb8 19.b4 Be5‚] 18...h5 19.gxh5 Rb8©
C) 7.f4 b5 8.Bd3 Nbd7 9.Qf3
An agressive setup which is known with a bishop on e3 instead of a pawn on a3. That changes things a
47
lot and probably makes life easier Black. 9...Bb7 10.g4 Nc5 11.Be3 Nfd7 12.g5 Rc8 13.Qh3 g6! 14.Rf1
Nxd3+ 15.cxd3 Nc5 16.Ke2 Bg7
Black has harmonious play. 17.f5?! exf5 18.exf5 Qd7 cedes the advantage to Black. 0-1 (34) Fuchs, F
(2250) – Babula, V (2559) Pardubice 2015.
48
10.Kh1
14.Nf3 [14.f6 Bxf6 15.Nf5 Kh8 16.Be3 Nd7 does not give White enough for the sacrificed pawn.]
14...Nd7 15.Rad1 Kh8 16.Bg5 Bxg5 17.Nxg5 Nef6 18.Qd3 h6 Black is doing well here. 0-1 (30)
Delanoy, A (2315) – Cvitan, O (2525) Cannes 1990.
49
Position after: 11...Nxd4
12.Qxd4
17.Bh6 [17.Rad1 Rad8 18.Rd2 Ng6 19.Be3 Bh4 20.Qf3 Bf6 21.Bd4 Be5 22.Qe3 Qe7 23.Bxe5 dxe5
24.Rfd1 Rxd2 25.Qxd2 Nf4 Black’s play is progressing nicely. 0-1 (47) Kali, Y (1897) – Malakhatko, V
(2514) Almaty 2016] 17...Ng6 18.Be3 Rac8 19.Bd4 Bh4 20.Qe3 Ne5 21.Bb6 Qe7 22.Qd2 Bg5 23.Be3
Bxe3 24.Qxe3 Rfd8 Black has fine play in this typical position. 0-1 (68) Pogonina, N (2382) – Potkin, V
(2533) playchess.com 2004.
12...b5
50
Position after: 19.Qc5
19...Rc8 [19...Qg5!? 20.Bf3 Bxf3 21.Rxf3 Nf6! 22.Re1 Rad8 23.Qf2 Nd7∞] 20.Qe3 Nc7 21.Qg3 Nd5
22.Ne4 f5!N [22...Ne7 23.Rad1 Qc7 24.Nd6 Rcd8 25.Bd3 Ng6 26.Bxg6! enabled White to seize the
initiative in ½-½ (65) Fedorchuk, S (2667) – Horvath, A (2536) Germany 2013] 23.exf6 Nxf6 24.Nxf6+
Rxf6 Black stands well.
13.Rad1
13.f5 Rb8!?
51
Position after: 13...Rb8!?
14.Rad1 e5 15.Qd3 b4 16.axb4 Rxb4 17.Bg5 Rxb2 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Nd5 Qxc2 20.Nxf6+ gxf6 21.Qg3+
Kh8 22.Qh4 Qxe2 23.Qxf6+ Draw by perpetual check.
Black has secured counterplay. 1-0 (51) Yurtaev, L (2515) – Hansen, C (2595) Yerevan 1996.
j) 6.a4
52
Position after: 6.a4
A good, logical move, though not so popular. Some players use it as a positional attempt to confront the
Najdorf.
Often White wants to transpose to the 6.Be2 lines but avoid 6...e5. The standard reaction with 6...e5 is
possible, but 6.a4 is useful then.Therefore I think that g6 now is the best way for Black to take advantage
of White’s slow move. Compared with 6.a3, the 6.a4 line simply deprives White from even thinking
about castling long.
The idea of gaining space with an early a5 does not always work successfully: 8.a5 Nc6 9.Nb3 Be6
10.Be3 Bxb3 11.cxb3
53
Position after: 11.cxb3
11...e6! [11...Nxa5 12.Nd5 Nc6 13.Bb6 Qc8 14.Nc7+ Kf8 15.Nxa8 Qxa8 16.b4!ƒ] 12.Bb6 Qe7 Black
is well placed.
8...0-0
We have a Dragon with ...a6 and a4 included. Usually this is nothing special for White, but the important
thing to notice is that here White uses a slightly different, more solid, path compared to normal Dragon
54
lines.
9.Be3
White makes life easier for Black if he proceeds with standard play as in a normal Dragon even though
the moves ...a6 and a4 have been played. 9.Nb3 Nc6 10.Bg5 b6 11.f4 Bb7 12.Bf3 Nd7
13.Kh1 [13.Re1 Rc8 14.Qd2 Na5 15.Nxa5 bxa5 16.Kh1 Re8 17.Rad1 Nb6 18.e5 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Nc4
Black has taken over the initiative. ½-½ (27) Upton, T (2290) – Piket, J (2605) Elista 1998] 13...Nc5
14.Nxc5 bxc5 Already we can say that Black is doing nicely. 15.e5?! This advance is premature:
[15.Nd5 f6 16.Bh4 e6 17.Nc3 Nd4 18.Bg4 Qb6 19.a5 Qc6 20.Bh3 f5 and Black’s position has
developed very well. 0-1 (38) Djingarova, E (2263) – Fressinet, L (2536) Saint Affrique 2000] 15...h6!
55
Position after: 15...h6!
A useful move for the coming endgame. 16.Bh4 dxe5 17.Qxd8 Raxd8 18.fxe5 Bxe5 19.Rae1 Bxc3
20.bxc3 Rd7 Black has a favourable endgame. 0-1 (40) Fishbein, A (2497) – Christiansen, L (2571)
Seattle 2002.
9...Nc6 10.Qd2
56
Position after: 10...Bg4!
Probably the best equalizer. For example: 11.Nxc6 Bxe2 12.Nxe7+ Qxe7 13.Qxe2 Rae8 14.Bd4 Nxe4
15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Nd5 Qd7 17.Qd3 f5 18.Qd4+ Kg8 19.c3 Re6 20.a5 Nf6 Black is in no danger here.
10...Bd7
11.Rfd1
A) 11.f3 Rc8 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Rfd1 Nd7 14.a5 Qc7 15.Ra3 [15.Bd4 Rfd8 16.Bc4 Bf6 17.Bb3 e6!
18.Bxf6 Nxf6 19.Qd4 Qe7 20.Qe3 Qc7 Black has no problems. ½-½ (28) Efimenko, Z (2649) –
Gharamian, T (2657) Germany 2015.] 15...Be5!? 16.b4 Nf6 A slightly unusual setup but it seems to
work. 17.Bb6 Qd7 18.Rb3 Bxc3 19.Rxc3 Bb5!
57
Position after: 19...Bb5!
20.Bd4 Bxe2 21.Qxe2 Rxc3 22.Bxc3 Rc8 23.Be1 Qe6 24.Qd3 Nd7 Black has a healthy position. 0-1
(74) Efimenko, Z (2651) – Kovchan, A (2585) Rivne 2016.
B) 11.Nb3 Trying to get in a5 since Black’s bishop is commited on d7. 11...Na5! 12.Nxa5 Qxa5
13.Rfd1 Rfc8 14.Bd4 Be6 15.Bxf6 exf6!
16.Bd3 [16.Qxd6 f5 17.exf5 Bxf5 18.Nd5?! Rd8µ] 16...f5 17.exf5 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Bxf5 19.Bxf5 Qxf5
58
20.Rab1 b5 21.axb5 axb5 22.h3 Ra2 Black is doing well here. ½-½ (32) Movsesian, S (2653) –
Dominguez Perez, L (2732) Huai’an 2016.
11...Rc8 12.f3
12...Re8
12...Nxd4 is a decent option as well: 13.Bxd4 Qc7 14.a5 Be6 15.Rdc1 Bc4! 16.Kh1 e6 17.Bxc4 Qxc4
18.Ra4 Qc6
59
Position after: 18...Qc6
19.Rb4 Rfd8 20.Bb6 Re8 21.Ne2 h5!? 22.c3 Kh7 23.Rd1 d5 24.e5 Ng8!„ Black’s knight is heading to
f5. ½-½ (29) Bruzon Batista, L (2677) – Gelfand, B (2717) Beer Sheva 2005.
13.Bf1
13.Rac1 Qa5 When White moves his rook such ideas are possible. 14.Nb3 Qb4 15.Nd5 Qxd2 16.Rxd2
Nxd5 17.exd5
17...Nb4! 18.c3 Na2 19.Rb1 Bxa4 20.Na5 b5 21.Nc6 e6 22.Bg5 Rc7 Black holds the advantage. 0-1 (25)
Jansa, V (2499) – Markowski, T (2626) Germany 2011.
13...Qc7 14.Qf2
60
Position after: 14.Qf2
14...Nxd4
14...Na5 15.Ndb5 axb5 16.Bb6 Qb8 17.Bxa5 bxa4 18.Nxa4 Bxa4 19.Rxa4 White has some adge here.
½-½ (52) Kamsky, G (2725) – Ivanchuk, V (2779) Nice 2009.
61
An important motif to remember.
k) 6.h4
Theory develops so fast that I only recently discovered that such a move existed, and had even been
played against strong GMs. I think it’s nothing special, but as usual Black has to know what he is doing.
6...e5
Playing on both sides of the board is a demanding task, especially in the Sicilian. Spassky is the only
player I have seen doing this successfully (see the Spassky – Byrne match, San Juan 1974).
A little finesse, the point of which is to keep the bishop on c8 for a little longer.
10...Bb7 11.Qe2 h6 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Rd1 h5 14.Rh3 g6 15.Nd2 Kf8 16.Nf1 b5 17.axb5 axb5 18.Bxb5
62
Qa5 Black has some compensation. 1-0 (52) Nepomniachtchi, I (2751) – Gelfand, B (2724) Zurich (blitz)
2017.
11.Bxf6
12...Rc8!? A new idea, although there was nothing wrong with Black’s position in the following game:
[12...Nh5 13.Bf2 Ndf6 MVL creates interesting play with his knights. 14.g3 Qc7 15.Qe2 0-0 16.0-0-0
Rfc8 17.Nd2 b5! Black has a big advantage. 1-0 (66) Nepomniachtchi, I (2732) – Vachier Lagrave, M
(2796) Leuven (blitz) 2017] 13.Qd3 [13.Qe2 Nh5! 14.Bf2 Nf4 15.Qf1 Rxc4 16.Qxc4 Nxg2+ 17.Kf1
Nf4 Black has strong compensation.] 13...d5!? 14.exd5 [14.Bxd5 Nxd5 15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Qxd5 Bxh4+
17.Kf1 Be7 18.c3 Qc7∞] 14...e4 15.Qe2 exf3 16.gxf3 Ne5 17.Nd2 [17.Bxa6 Bxa6 18.Qxa6 Nxf3+
19.Ke2 0-0! 20.Kxf3 Rxc3! 21.bxc3 Qxd5+‚] 17...0-0 18.0-0-0 b5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Bxb5 Rxc3 21.Bd4!
Nxd5 22.bxc3 Ba3+ 23.Kb1 Qa5 24.Qxe5 Qxb5+ 25.Nb3 f6 26.Qg3
63
Position after: 26.Qg3
26...Bc8!! A great move, transferring the bishop to the b1-h7 diagonal. Black stands well.
That is a key position. Black controls g4 and the real question is: where should White go with his king?
Not such an easy decision in Sicilians!
64
13.0-0-0
13.Rg1 Bg4!? 14.f3 b5! 15.axb5 [15.fxg4 bxc4 16.Qxc4 Nxg4³] 15...axb5 16.Rxa8 Qxa8 17.Nxb5 Be6©
13...b5!
Of course! Such moves are thematic in these situations. Black has an attack and I will give some more
moves as an example.
18.g5 Nxe4! 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.Bxd5 Nc5 21.Kb1 Qa7 22.Bxa8 Rxa8©
Conclusions to Chapter 1
Here we have a mixture of new and old lines that are attracting attention. Probably they will continue to
be played, but not as main ideas. As surprise weapons they could be unpleasant for Black, but I think
solutions are not so difficult to find. Most solid of them all is of course 6.a4.
65
Position after: 6.a4
This move has a positional background. Other ideas such as 6.Qf3 or 6.Qe2 or even 6.Qd3 are sharp, but
probably not so dangerous, while 6.h4!?
is surely entertaining to see, but I doubt that it can pose any danger.
The variation that starts with 6.Bd3 is interesting as it can transpose to some other ideas such as 6.f4.
66
The 6.a3 line played by world champion Magnus Carlsen is interesting, but most likely will transpose to
some other system, where such a move is not dangerous.
67
Chapter 2
The 6.f4 Variation
Chapter Guide
Chapter 2 – The 6.f4 Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.a4 Be7
a) 7th and 8th moves alternatives
b) 9.Bc4
c) 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 exf4 11.Bxf4
d) 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 exf4 11.Kh1 Nh5 12.--
e) 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 exf4 11.Kh1 Nh5 12.Nd5
f) 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 exf4 11.Kh1 Nh5 12.Ne1
68
Position after: 6.f4
6...e5 7.Nf3
7.Nf5 Bobby Fischer tried this line in his younger days, so it is worth investigating. 7...Nxe4 8.Nxg7+
Bxg7 9.Nxe4 d5 10.Ng3 Nc6 11.Nh5 Rg8 12.Nxg7+ Rxg7 13.g3
69
Position after: 13.g3
13...Bf5!N [13...e4 14.c3 Bg4 15.Be2 f5 16.Be3 Qd6 17.Bxg4 Rxg4 18.Qb3 0-0-0 19.0-0-0∞ ½-½ (47)
Dvalishvili, P (2439) – Najer, E (2646) Moscow 2014] 14.Bg2 Qb6 15.c3 0-0-0³
7...Nbd7
This approach seems to me the most logical line for Black against 6.f4.
8.Bd3
Without a4, which we will see at a later stage, this setup does not offer White any chances for an
advantage.
11.a3
11.Qe1?! Bb7
70
Position after: 11...Bb7
12.fxe5 dxe5 13.Bg5 Nc5 14.Rd1 Qc7 15.Qh4 [15.Nh4 b4µ] 15...Rad8 16.Qg3 Nfxe4µ 1-0 (21) Ausan
Jr, L – Itter, E corr. 2000.
14.Bg5
71
The idea of this move is to expedite a quick transfer of the rook to d1.
A) 14.Qg3 Nc5! 15.Bh6
A1) 15...Bf8 16.Bg5 h6!?
An unusual way to play, but sound. 17.Bh4 [17.Bxh6 Nxd3 18.cxd3 Qxd3 19.Rad1 Nxe4!µ] 17...Qe7
18.Rad1 [18.Nd2 g5 19.Qf3 gxh4 20.Qxf6 Qxf6 21.Rxf6 Be7 gives the advantage to Black.]
18...Ncd7 19.Qh3 Qe6! Black is in good shape.
A2) 15...Nh5!? 16.Qxe5 g6
72
Position after: 16...g6
17.Nd5 [17.Qd4 Qxd4 18.Nxd4 Rad8 19.Nf3 Bf6 20.e5 Nxd3 21.cxd3 Bh8 22.Ng5 f5 23.exf6 Nxf6
24.Nge4 Bxe4 25.dxe4 Nxe4 26.Nxe4 Rxe4 Black is fine.] 17...Bf8 18.Qg5 Qxg5 19.Bxg5 Nxe4
Black is ahead.
B) 14.b4!? An interesting idea that is often used when the bishop is on d3 in different Sicilian lines.
14...Rc8 15.Bb2 The plan is to transfer the knight from c3 to e3, if possible. 15...Qc7 [15...Bf8!?
16.Nd1 Nb6 17.Bxe5 Nc4 Black has fine play along the e-file.] 16.Nd1 Qc6 17.Ne3! [17.Nd2 Nh5!
18.Nf3 Qg6 19.Ne3 Bxe4 20.Bxe4 Qxe4 21.Rd1 Nhf6 Black has a solid plus. 0-1 (42) Dzhumaev, M
(2439) – Kozionov, K (2423) Moscow 2018.] 17...Nxe4 18.Rd1 Nc3 [18...Nd6 19.Qg3 White’s pawn
sacrifice has gained him the initiative.] 19.Bxc3 Qxc3 20.Bf5 Nf6 21.Bxc8 Qxc8 Black has useful
compensation for the sacrificed exchange.
14...Nh5 15.Qh4 g6
16.Bxe7
16.g4 Nf4 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.Nxe5 Nxd3 19.Nxd3 Rxe4 20.Qxd8+ Re8+ 21.Kg1 Raxd8 Black has
equalized. ½-½ (34) Raaste, E (2390) – Olafsson, H (2425) Reykjavik 1981.
73
Position after: 18...Nc5
19.Be2! [19.Rad1 Nxd3 20.Rxd3 Rad8 21.Rxd8 This is a clearly better position for Black. ½-½ Mas, H
(2290) – Mithrakanth, P (2360) Kuala Lumpur 1996] 19...Nf4 20.Nxf4 exf4 21.Qxf4 Nxe4 22.Rae1=.
B) 17...h6 18.Rxf7 Qd8! 19.Qh3 Bc8 20.Ne6 Qb6
White’s attack seems to just vanish, leaving Black with a winning position.
74
Position after: 19...Kg7
b) 9.Bc4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.a4
75
8...Be7 9.Bc4
This is an interesting option that used to be very popular in the 80s. White wants to profit from Black’s
early commitment to the typical ...e5 pawn structure by placing a bishop on a strong diagonal. I have to
say that this line is indeed a solid option for White, but no more then that.
The main move, 9.Bd3, will be checked in the next subchapters.
9...Qa5 10.Qe2
10.Bd2 exf4
11.Qe2 [The direct assault does not work: 11.Bxf7+? Kxf7 12.Nd5 Qc5 13.Ng5+ Ke8 14.Ne6 Qc4
15.Ndc7+ Kf7 and Black wins.] 11...0-0 12.Nd5 [12.0-0 Ne5! 13.Bb3 Ng6 14.Kh1 Qc5 Black is a pawn
up without any visible compensation for White.] 12...Qd8 13.Bxf4 [13.Nxf4 Nc5 This works well for
Black.] 13...Nxd5 14.Bxd5 Nf6!
76
Position after: 14...Nf6!
Challenging the strong bishop on d5. 15.Bb3 [15.0-0 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bf6 17.c3 Re8 Black has no
problems.] 15...Qa5+ 16.Bd2 Qc7 17.0-0 Be6 This is another good position for Black.
I think this is the best here, directly confronting the strong bishop on b3.
77
14.Nd4
A) 14.Kh1 Ng6 15.Be3 Bxb3 16.cxb3 d5 17.e5 Ne4 18.Bd4 Nxc3 19.bxc3 Nf4! 20.Qe3 Ne6 Black is
perfectly OK. ½-½ (67) Schwabeneder, F (2377) – Seyb, A (2420) Austria 2015.
B) 14.Bxe6 fxe6 15.Ng5 Qc5+ 16.Kh1 Qc8 17.Bxe5 dxe5 18.Nd1 Bc5 19.Qc4 Ba7 20.Qb3 Re8
21.Nf2 Qc6 Black can be happy here.
Black has calculated that this risky-looking move works very neatly.
78
Position after: 20...Rb8
21.Kf2 Bf6 22.Ke2 b5 23.axb5 axb5 24.Nd1 Rc8 25.Ne3 b4 26.Bb3 Nc6 With equal chances in this
endgame. ½-½ (33) Debnar, I – Olano Aizpurua, J corr. 2010.
Black’s idea is prevent White’s a1-rook from manoeuvring along the third rank.
79
23.c3
23.a5 Be5 24.g3 Nf6 25.c3 Nxd5 26.exd5 h5 Also a good endgame for Black.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.a4 Be7 9.Bd3
We have a fundamental position of this system. In some ways it is similar to the 6.Be2 line, except that
here White is ready to give up his bishop pair (after a possible ...Nc5xd3) in return for gaining space and
different attacking plans, which consist mainly of pressure on the f5 and d5 squares and exploitation of
the semi open f-file.
The first critical line. The other one, which we will see later, is 11.Kh1.
80
Position after: 12...Qxb2
An important line, in which Black immediately challenges White’s play. It resembles the Poisoned Pawn
line, with the difference that White tries not only to attack, but also sometimes to apply positional
pressure.
13.Qe1
81
Position after: 14...Nc5!
Black uses an important asset that we will come across more than once: by eliminating the white-
squared bishop he gets easier play and also reduces the risk of a direct attack by White. 15.Qe2 [15.Rb1
Qa2 16.Ra1 Draw by repetition, which is probably White’s most sensible choice.] 15...Nxd3 16.Qxd3
Re8!? New idea. 17.Rae1 Bd7 18.Rb1 Qf6 19.Bg5 Qf5 20.Bxe7 Rxe7 21.Rxb7 Qxd3 22.cxd3 Kf8 With
an unclear endgame.
B) 13.Qd2 Qb6
B1) 14.e5 dxe5 15.Nxe5 Nc5 16.Be3 Qc7 17.Bxc5 Qxc5 18.Rae1 Be6 Black has an edge. 0-1 (27)
Cinar, N (2085) – Brustman, A (2325) Manila 1992.
B2) 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Nc5! 16.Rae1 Qd8 17.h3 Bd7 18.a5 Rc8 19.Re2 Nxd3 20.cxd3 Bf5
21.Rfe1 Bf6 Black has no worries. 1-0 (43) Adams, M (2640) – Van Wely, L (2560) Garmisch
Partenkirchen 1994.
B3) 14.Rab1 Qc7 15.g4!? A new idea and a most interesting try. [15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.exd5 Re8 17.a5
Nc5 18.Rb6 Bg4 White doesn’t have sufficient compensation.] 15...Nc5 [Grabbing a pawn is possible
but more risky: 15...Nxg4 16.Nd5 Qd8 17.Qg2 Nde5 18.Nd4 Kh8 19.Nb6 Rb8 20.Nxc8 Qxc8
21.Nf5 Bf6 22.Rb6 Qc7 23.a5 Rbd8 Probably this also works for Black.] 16.g5 Nh5 17.Nd5 Qd8
82
Position after: 17...Qd8
18.Be3 Be6 19.Nb6 Rb8 20.Nd4 Nxd3 21.cxd3 g6 We have arrived at a complex positon with
chances for both sides.
13...Qb6
14.Nd5
83
A) 14.Rb1 Qd8 15.Be3!? White’s idea is to prevent the knight from moving to c5, a good manoeuvre
that we have seen in many examples. [15.e5 dxe5 16.Nxe5 Nc5 17.Bc4 Be6 18.Bxe6 Nxe6! This looks
simple and good.] 15...Ne5 16.Bd4 Qc7 17.Nxe5 dxe5 18.Qg3 Bd6
19.Rxf6 exd4 20.Qxd6 Qxc3 21.Rff1 Qc6 22.Qxd4 Be6 Black has secured equal chances. ½-½ (33)
Bjazevic, P – Hernandez, J corr. 2007.
B) 14.Bg5!? Nc5 15.Qh4 Another important attacking setup. 15...Nxd3 16.cxd3
84
B1) 16...Be6?! 17.Ne2!? A new idea. 17...Qd8 18.Nf4 Such positions can be unpleasant for Black.
18...Bd7 19.Nh5 Re8 20.Nxg7! White goes over to the attack.
B2) 16...Qa5!? 17.Ne2 [17.e5 Qxc3 18.Rac1 Qb2=] 17...h6 18.Bd2 [Or 18.Ng3 hxg5 19.Nxg5 Nh5–
+; 18.Bxh6 gxh6 19.Qxh6 Qh5µ] 18...Qd8
19.Qe1 [19.Qf2 Bd7 20.a5 Rc8=] 19...Bd7 20.Nf4! [20.Nfd4 Ng4 21.Qg3 Bf6 22.Rab1 Be5 23.Bf4
Rb8 24.Nf3 Bxf4 25.Nxf4 f5„ ½-½ (35) Navara, D (2656) – Maksimenko, A (2505) Germany 2008]
20...Rc8 21.Qg3 Rc5„
B3) 16...Qd8! 17.Ne2 [17.e5?! dxe5 18.Ne4 Re8 simply wins for Black; 17.Nd4 h6!µ; 17.Rae1 h6
18.Bxh6 gxh6 19.Qxh6 Ng4 20.Qf4 Bf6 21.Nd5 Bg7 Black should defend this position successfully.]
17...h6 18.Bxh6 [18.Bd2 d5 19.e5 Ne4 Black is also doing nicely here.] 18...gxh6 19.Qxh6 Ng4
White doesn’t have enough for the sacrificed piece.
85
Position after: 15...Qd8
16.c4
86
Black is just fine, for example: 21.axb5 axb5 22.Ne6 Bxe6 23.dxe6 Re8 24.Qf3 [24.d4 b4 25.d5 Ra3
26.Qe2 Qa5 27.Bxd6 Qxd5 28.Bxb4 Ra4 looks perfectly OK for Black.] 24...b4 with counterplay.
B) 16.Qg3 Nc5 17.Nd2!? Trying to put pressure on the d6 pawn. [17.Rae1 Nxd3 18.cxd3 Bf5 19.Re3
Re8 20.Rfe1 Qd7 Black is also going well here. ½-½ (50) De Firmian, N (2580) – Van Wely, L (2570)
Akureyri 1994] 17...Nxd3 18.cxd3 Bf5 19.Nc4 b5 20.axb5 axb5 21.Nxd6 Bg6 Black has counterplay.
The plan is to transfer this bishop to g6. That will give Black a good defensive formation around his king,
as well as pressure on the h7-b1 diagonal.
18.Qg3
87
Position after: 21.Qg3
21...Bf6! [21...Bxf5 22.Bxf5 g6 23.Raf3 Bf8 24.h4 White gets a serious attack.] 22.Bxd6 Ne4 23.Bxe4
Rxe4 24.c5 Bxf5 25.Rxf5 b6 26.Raf3 Bh4 27.Qh3 Re1+ 28.Rf1 Rxf1+ 29.Rxf1 bxc5 30.Bf4 h6 Black’s
position is secure.
18...Bh5 19.Nd4
A) Direct attack doesn’t work: 19.Bxh7+? Kxh7 20.Qh3 g6 21.g4 Qd7 22.Rg1 Ne4 and Black wins.
B) 19.Rae1 Bg6 20.Bxg6 fxg6!
88
Position after: 20...fxg6!
An important defensive motif: Black opens a file for his rook and minimizes White’s chances of a
successful attack
Of course it goes against some positional rules, but anyway Black is a pawn up. 21.Rxe7 [21.Bg5?
Rxf3! Black wins. 0-1 (30) Mahesh Chandran, P (2436) – Saravanan, V (2393) Nagpur 2002] 21...Qxe7
22.Bxd6 Qe2 23.Re1 Qxc4 24.Bxf8 Rxf8 Black has a satisfactory position.
23.Bh6
23.Ra3 h5 24.Qd1 Bg5! A key defensive idea. 25.Bxg5 Qxg5 26.Rg3 Qh6 27.Bc2 Rae8 Black is much
better. ½-½ (29) Negele, M – Mueller, G corr. 1998.
White doesn’t have enough play here. 0-1 (55) Rebord, M – Sferle, M corr. 2008.
89
d) 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 exf4 11.Kh1 Nh5 12.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.a4 Be7 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 exf4
11.Kh1
This is a less forcing line, and does not permit ...Qb6+ followed by ...Qxb2 as we saw in the previous
variation.
11...Nh5!
This surprising idea from some 10 years ago simply sidelined 6.f4, as White was (and still is) unable to
show any kind of real chances for an advantage. The essential idea is that while Black cannot really
defend the f4-pawn, he will get certain simplifications which will benefit him in the long run.
12.Nd4
Another way (though hardly ever played) is possible for White: 12.Be2 Nc5 13.Nd4 Nf6 14.Bf3 Ne6
15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.Bxf4 Rc8
90
Position after: 16...Rc8
17.Qd2 [17.Qd4 Rc4 18.Qd2 Qc7 19.Rfd1 Rd8 20.h3 h6 Another interesting position in which Black has
counterplay.] 17...Re8 18.a5 [18.Rfd1 Qb6!„; 18.h3 Qb6 19.e5 dxe5 20.Bxe5 Red8 21.Qf4 Rc4 22.Qg3
Ne8 This looks all right for Black.] 18...Rc5!„
12...Ndf6 13.Be2
13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.exf5 d5 15.Be2 d4! 16.Bxh5 Nxh5 17.Ne2 Bf6 Black is doing well.
13...g6
91
Position after: 13...g6
14.Bxh5
21.h3 [21.Qxd6 Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Rb4! is advantageous for Black.] 21...b5! 22.axb5 axb5 23.Qxd6 Qxd6
24.Rxd6 b4 25.Nd5 Bxd5 26.Rxd5 Rxc2 27.b3 R2c3=. ½-½ (32) Pagano, F – Bachmann, W corr. 2007.
B) 14.Bxf4 Nxf4 15.Rxf4 Nd7 16.Nd5 Bg5 17.Rf1 Nf6 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Bc4 Qe7 20.c3 Bd7 21.Bd5
leads to balanced play.
92
Position after: 18...Bd7
After an almost forced sequence of moves and some simplifications, we come to a knight-versus-bishop
type of middlegame. The knight is strong on d4 but the pawn on e4 is not and all the squares around the
pawn are weak too. Black has nice outposts on e5 and c5 for his rooks, and his bishop can attack the
pawn on e4.
19.Qd2
19.c3 Qg5 20.Qf3 Rae8 21.Rf1 Re7 22.b3 Qe5 Play is balanced.
20...Qe5 21.Rd1 Rae8 22.h4 Qc5 23.c4 Re7 24.Nf3 Bc6 25.Qxd6 Qxd6 26.Rxd6 Bxe4 Black is in good
shape.
21.Raf1 Rc5!
93
Position after: 21...Rc5!
22.h3 Re5 23.Qd3 Kh8 24.Nf3 Rh5 25.Nd2 Be6 26.c4 Kg8
A waiting strategy is the right way to play in this positon. Black has no problems.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.a4 Be7 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 exf4
11.Kh1 Nh5 12.Nd5 Ndf6 13.Nxf4 Bg4
94
Position after: 13...Bg4
In this interesting position Black’s main plan is to transfer his light-squared bishop to g6, building big
pressure on the e4 pawn and also safeguarding his king.
14.Qe1
A) 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Re8 16.a5 g6 17.c3 Bf6 18.Ra4 Qd7 19.Rb4 Ng7 Play has become unclear.
B) 14.c3 Re8 15.Qb3 Qd7 16.Nd4 Bd8
95
It is important to keep the knight on f6 safe for as long as possible. Black’s main idea here is ...Nxf4
followed by ...Bh5-g6, and in order to achieve that he must anticipate White moving his dark-squared
bishop to g5. 17.Qc2 Nxf4 18.Bxf4 Bh5 19.Nf5 Re6 20.Be3 Bg6 21.Bd4 Rc8 22.Rae1 Ne8 23.Qd1
Bf6 Now Black has decent play.
C) 14.Nxh5?! Playing exactly what Black wants. 14...Bxh5 15.Be3 Bg6 16.Nd2 Qc7 17.Qf3 Qc6
18.Rfe1 Rfe8 Black is going well. 0-1 (54) Dalemans, D (1947) – Bezemer, A (2335) Maastricht 2011.
D) 14.c4 Re8 15.Qc2 Bf8 16.Nxh5 Bxh5 17.Bg5 h6 18.Bh4 Be7 19.h3 Bg6 20.Bg3 Nd7 Black has a
promising position. 0-1 (50) Arakhamia Grant, K (2454) – Areshchenko, A (2570) Gibraltar 2005.
14...Re8
15.Nd5
96
Position after: 19...Rxe5
20.gxh4 Neg3+ 21.Qxg3 Nxg3+ 22.hxg3 Re1+ 23.Rf1 Qa5 24.c3 Rae8 25.Bd2 Rxa1 26.Rxa1 Qb6 and
Black is better here, because the queen is stronger then the three pieces in this particular position. 0-1
(47) Della Morte, G (2383) – Perez Ponsa, F (2390) Buenos Aires 2009.
17...Bf6
97
Or 17...Nf6 18.c4 Bf5 19.Bxf5 Qxf5 20.Qxb7 Qd3 21.Re1 Ne4 and Black has strong counterplay.
With the other rook soon coming to e8, Black is doing nicely.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7 8.a4 Be7 9.Bd3 0-0 10.0-0 exf4
11.Kh1 Nh5 12.Ne1
15.Nd3
98
Position after: 17.Nb4
17...Qb6!N [Here 17...Bc4 18.Qd2 Nf6 leads to unclear play. 0-1 (73) Herrera, I (2432) – Quesada, R
(2244) Las Tunas 2001] 18.Qxb6 Nxb6 19.Nbd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 f5 Black holds the initiative in this
endgame.
B) 15.Nf3 Ng6 16.Be3
16...d5!?N [16...Ng4 17.Bg1 Bf6 18.Nd4 Bxd4 19.Qxd4 White has developed some advantage here. ½-
99
½ (42) Stellwagen, D (2254) – Nakamura, H (2204) Oropesa del Mar 1999] 17.Nd4 dxe4 18.Nxe6 fxe6
19.Bc4 Qc8 20.Qe2 Qc6 There is nothing wrong with Black’s position.
15...Ng6! 16.Bg3 d5
17.Bf3
A) 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bf3 Rc8 20.Ne5 Bxf3 21.Qxf3 Rxc2 Now Black’s position is
perfectly acceptable. ½-½ (33) Stellwagen, D (2254) – Zhao, X (2374) Groningen 1999.
B) 17.e5 Ne4 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.Nf4 Nxf4 20.Rxf4 Qd5 Another good position for Black. 0-1 (23)
Rolsen – Abc123 corr. 2003.
100
Position after: 20.h3
20...Be6
20...Bxe2 21.Qxe2 Rc8 22.Rf5 Qd7 23.Rd5 Qc6 24.Rxd4 Qxc2 Black can have no complaints about his
position.
101
Black’s position is superior. ½-½ (51) Bauer, C (2517) – Gelfand, B (2692) France 2000.
Conclusions to Chapter 2
This line used to be popular in the eighties but now it is rarely seen. After the initial moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3
d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 e5 7.Nf3 Nbd7
8.a4
102
Position after: 10...exf4
103
Chapter 3
The 6.Bc4 Variation
Chapter Guide
Chapter 3 – The 6.Bc4 Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5
a) 7.a3 alternative
b) 7.a4 alternative (10...Qc7)
c) 7.a4 alternative (10...Bd7)
d) 8.f4 & 9.Be3
e) 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.0-0-0
f) 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.--
g) 8.0-0 Be7 9.f4 Bb7 10.e5
h) 8.0-0 Be7 9.f4 Bb7 10.Be3
i) 8.0-0 Be7 9.Be3
j) 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0 11.Re1
k) 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0 11.Bh6 & 13.Nf3
l) 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0 11.Bh6 & 13.f4 or 13.Nce2
104
m) 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0 11.Bh6 & 13.Rfe1 or 13.a3
a) 7.a3 alternative
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.a3 Be7 8.Ba2
An old line sometimes used as a surprise weapon. The idea itself makes some sense: White not only
moves his bishop away from an exposed square but also prevents any Black ideas of fast ...b4
counterplay. It is important to notice that White can also get this line from the 6.a3 e6 7.Bc4 move order.
8...0-0 9.0-0
Direct attack is also interesting: 9.g4 d5 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxd5 exd5 12.Be3 Nc6 13.Qe2 Bf6!?N
[13...Nxd4?! 14.Bxd4 Re8 15.0-0-0 Bg5+ 16.Be3 Bxe3+ 17.fxe3 Be6 18.Rd4 White has gained a useful
edge. 1-0 (29) Amonatov, F (2620) – Vachier Lagrave, M (2804) Doha (rapid) 2016] 14.0-0-0 Qe7
15.Qf3 Ne5 16.Qxd5 Bxg4 17.Rde1 Rfd8 Black is better.
105
Position after: 10...Bb7
11.f5
This traditional plan has some good motivation here as Black has already castled, so ...h5 ideas are out of
the question. Slower setups for White help Black to get strong play along the c file.
The alternative 11.Qe2 is a solid option but no more then that: 11...Nbd7 12.e5 dxe5 13.fxe5 Bc5 14.Be3
Nxe5 15.Nxe6 Bxe3+ 16.Qxe3 fxe6 17.Qxe5 Qb6+ 18.Kh1 Rae8 19.Rad1 Kh8 20.h3 Qc6 21.Rd2. The
position is equal. ½-½ Ciric, D – Polugaevsky, L Rostov on Don 1961.
106
Position after: 14...Rxc3!
This position has been tested in the past and the general conclusion is that Black’s chances are more than
fine.
18.c4
107
Position after: 20.Kh1
20...Qh4!? [20...Rc8 21.Rf3 Nxc3 22.f6 Qe6 23.Qe1 Nd5 and Black, although he eventually lost, was
doing rather nicely in 1-0 (89) Klovsky, R (2200) – Katalymov, B (2410) Riga 1975.] 21.Qf3 d5 22.g3
Qf6 23.Rfe1 Qc6 24.Re3 f6 25.Rd1 Rc8 26.Kg2 h6 27.Rdd3 Kh7µ 0-1 (44) Ciric, D – Gligoric, S Novi
Sad 1965.
108
Black expands on the kingside while preventing White from trying the same.
21.cxb5 axb5 22.Qxb5 Qa7+ 23.Kh1 h4 24.Qb3 Ng4 25.h3 Ne3 26.Rg1 Nxf5
Black has reached a winning position. 0-1 (33) Ermenkov, E (2495) – Portisch, L (2655) Skara 1980.
The double advance is more solid than the 7.a3 line, but on the other hand the b4 square now lacks
protection so Black finds counterplay in a different way. The main thing to note is that any plan involving
0-0-0 is out of the question now.
While analyzing, I discovered that this line is far from simple. I will give a few ideas so that readers can
get a broader picture of what is going on.
10...Qc7
This move is very popular but I am not too fond of it. We will check 10...Bd7 in the next subchapter.
11.Qe2
109
11...Na5 12.Ba2 b6
13.f4!
110
A) I am not very happy with the standard response: 14...Rac8 15.f4 Nc4
A1) 16.e5 dxe5 17.fxe5 Nd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Nf5 Bxg2+ 20.Qxg2 exf5 21.Rxf5
21...Kh8!? [21...b5 22.axb5 axb5 23.e6 fxe6 24.Rxb5 Here White’s chances are slightly preferable. 0-1
(37) Emms, J (2585) – Sutovsky, E (2575) Harplinge 1998] 22.c3 g6 23.Bh6 Ne3 24.Bxe3 gxf5
25.Bd5 White has quite dangerous compensation.
A2) 16.Rd3!
111
A new idea that crossed my mind while analyzing this position. White does not need to rush. 16...Rfe8
17.Rh3 [17.Rg3!? Bf8 18.e5 dxe5 19.fxe5 Nd7 20.Nf3 g6 21.Ng5 Ncxe5 22.Bf4 The play is very
complex, and this is just one sample line.] 17...Bf8 18.b3 Na5 19.e5 Nd7 20.Qh5 h6 21.f5! White has
a strong attack.
B) 14...Nc6!?N I am not sure that the typical knight transfer to c4, which we have seen in some earlier
examples, is the best approach. 15.f4 b5!
16.e5 [16.axb5 Nxd4 17.Rxd4 axb5 18.Nxb5 Qb6 19.Bc4 Bxe4 20.Be3 Qb8 Black has gained
counterplay.] 16...dxe5 17.fxe5 Nxd4 18.Rxd4 Nd7 19.axb5 axb5 20.Nxb5 Qxe5 21.Bc4 Bc6 Black is
fine.
112
Position after: 15.Nf3
15...Rac8
15...Nxe4 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.Bxd5 Nf6 18.Bxa8 Rxa8 19.Bg5 h6 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Rad1 Rd8 22.Qe4
White seems to have better chances.
17.Qf2?! Nd4!„ [17...Ng4 18.Qg3 Nxe3 19.Qxe3 Nd4 20.Rac1 Qd8 21.Nf3² ½-½ (27) Ostrovskiy, A
(2444) – Almasi, Z (2707) Dresden 2017]
113
Position after: 20.Bb3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.a4 Nc6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Kh1 Bd7
This is my suggestion.
114
11.f4 Rc8 12.Ba2
12.Qe2 Nxe4! 13.Nxe4 d5 14.Bd3 dxe4 15.Bxe4 Qc7 16.c3 Bf6 17.Nb3 Ne7 Black is doing fine.
12...Nxd4 13.Bxd4
13.Qxd4 Ng4! 14.Bg1 Bf6 15.Qxd6 Bxc3 16.bxc3 Bxa4 17.Qxd8 Rfxd8 Black has a nice endgame.
13...Bc6 14.Qe2
14.Qd3
Black has two choices here. 14...b5 [Or 14...d5 15.e5 Ne4 This knight jump takes advantage of the fact
that the pawn on a4 is hanging. For instance: 16.Qe3 Nxc3 17.Bxc3 Bxa4 18.Bxd5 Qxd5 19.Rxa4
Rfd8³.] 15.axb5 axb5 16.b4 d5 17.e5 Ne4 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.Qd2 Bd5 20.c3 Bxa2 21.Rxa2 Qd5 22.Rd1
Rfd8 23.Raa1 f5=
115
Position after: 14.Qe2
14...Qa5!?
Weaker is 14...b5 15.axb5 axb5 16.b4 d5 17.e5 Ne4 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.c3² Bxb4?! 20.f5!±.
With complex play; the idea of the rook capture on c3 is in the air.
116
d) 8.f4 & 9.Be3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.f4 Bb7
9.f5
9.Be3!? A system developed by GM Dragoljub Velimirovic who won some nice games with it, for
instance against Suba and Gutman. Essentially, he introduced a new concept, which came to be known as
the Velimirovic Attack. 9...b4 10.Na4 Nbd7 11.0-0 Be7
117
Position after: 11...Be7
12.c3! Another Velimirovic idea. [12.f5 e5 13.Ne6 fxe6 14.fxe6 Nf8 15.Nb6 Bc6 White doesn’t have
enough for the material he sacrificed. 0-1 (23) Seretakis, N – Georgiev, K (2475) Athens 1993] 12...bxc3
13.f5 e5 14.Ne6!
The knight sacrifice on e6 was a new concept in this line. 14...fxe6 15.fxe6 0-0! [15...Nf8 16.Nb6 Bc6
17.Ba4! White conducts a strong attack.] 16.exd7+ Kh8 17.Nxc3 Qxd7 18.Qd3 a5!
118
19.Nd5 [19.Rad1 a4 20.Bc4 Bc6 21.Bg5 Ng4! With equal play. ½-½ (41) Pavlovic, M (2460) –
Rashkovsky, N (2490) Vrnjacka Banja 1988. I recall that I was blitzing my moves while my opponent
was using a lot of time, but he found the best defence.] 19...Ba6 20.Bc4 Nxd5 21.exd5 Bxc4 22.Qxc4
Rfc8 23.Qd3 Bf6 With yet another balanced position. ½-½ (60) Velimirovic, D (2520) – Cvetkovic, S
(2470) Vrnjacka Banja 1991.
9...e5 10.Nde2
119
Position after: 14.Nh5
14...Rxc3! 15.bxc3 Bxe4 16.Nxg7+ Kf8 17.Nh5 d5 18.Nxf6 Bxf6 19.Qh5 a5 20.a3 a4 21.Ba2 Rg8
Black is close to winning.] 13...b4 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Nd5
15...Bxd5! [15...Nxd5?! 16.exd5 0-0 17.0-0 With a white knight coming unchallenged to e4 it’s now a
totally different story.] 16.exd5 0-0 17.0-0 Qb6+ 18.Kh1 Qd4 Black can’t be worse here.
12...Nxf6
120
Position after: 12...Nxf6
13.Qd3
13.Ng3 h5 14.Nd5 h4 15.Nf1 Bxd5 16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.Qxd5 Rc8 18.0-0-0 Qc7 19.Qd3 Bg5+ The
possibility of the bishop on e7 shifting to g5 often creates problems for White as it limits his scope for
manoeuvring. 20.Kb1 Qc4 Black’s position has developed nicely. 0-1 (59) Snuverink, J (2307) – Levin,
E (2472) Aix-les-Bains 2011.
13...Rc8 14.0-0-0
14.0-0 h5!? Why not? Preventing a knight from coming to g3. 15.Kh1 h4 16.Ng1 Intending send the
knight to h3. 16...Rxc3! Black is better.
14...Qb6
121
Position after: 14...Qb6
15.h3
15.Kb1 was played in a game between engines: 15...0-0 16.Qf3 b4 17.Nd5 Nxd5 18.Bxd5 Bxd5
19.Rxd5 Rc6 20.c3 Rb8 21.b3 a5 22.c4 Qa7 23.Qg3 a4 Black has a strong attack on the a-file.
18...Qb5 19.Ng3 Qxd3 20.Rxd3 h5 21.Ne4 h4 22.b3 Rh5 23.Rf1 Bg5+ 24.Kb2 Ke7 The middlegame
has moved into a well-balanced endgame. ½-½ (36) Platonov, I – Polugaevsky, L Rostov on Don 1971.
19.Kb1 Rc7
122
Position after: 19...Rc7
20.h4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Qf3
123
Position after: 9.Qf3
An aggressive setup: White is not only well ahead in development, but he has placed his pieces on the
most active squares, so Black has to know exactly how to play. One main problem for White is that he is
missing a full pawn centre, so he has no pawn break in the centre except for the purely tactical e4-e5.
This factor greatly eases Black’s defence. As we see, Black has the elastic e6/d6 pawn structure that
controls all the squares around those pawns. In order to smash through White has options of piece
sacrifices or the e4-e5 break, but it seems that these ideas are just not enough.
124
Position after: 13...Ne8
14.a3 [14.Nf5? exf5 15.Nd5 Qd8 16.Nxe7+ Qxe7 17.exf5 Qf6 Black is winning.; 14.Bd5 Bb7 15.Bxb7
Qxb7 16.a3 Kh8 17.Bg5 Bxg5+ 18.Qxg5 b4 19.axb4 Qxb4‚; 14.f4 b4 15.Na4 Bd7 16.Nxc5 dxc5
17.Nf3 Bb5µ] 14...Rb8 15.Kb1 b4 16.axb4 Rxb4 17.f4 Qb6! [17...Nxb3 18.Nxb3 a5∞ ½-½ (30)
Nowak, K (2313) – Wozniak, M (2180) Marianske Lazne 2016] 18.f5 Bf6 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Be3 a5
Black has a dangererous initiative.
B) 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.g4 b4
125
B1) 13.Nce2 Nd7! In many Najdorf lines a knight stands best at c5! 14.Qe3 Nc5 15.f4 Bd7 16.Kb1
a5 17.f5 e5 18.Nf3 Nxb3 19.Qxb3 a4 The two bishops and play along the c file give Black the better
chances. ½-½ (41) Nisipeanu, L (2684) – Blomqvist, E (2418) Kallithea 2008.
B2) 13.Ba4+ Nd7 14.e5 Bb7 15.Ne4 0-0 16.exd6 Bxd6 17.Bc6 Ne5 18.Qg3 Bxc6 19.Nxc6 Qxc6
20.Nxd6 Nc4 21.Nxc4 Qxc4 22.Kb1 Rfd8 Black can be happy with his position.
C) 11.e5 Bb7 12.Qg3 Nxe5 13.Bxe6 fxe6
14.f4 [14.Nxe6 Qd7 15.Nxg7+ Kf7 16.Rhe1 Rag8 17.f4 Nf3 18.Rxe7+ Kxe7 19.Rxd6 Kxd6 20.Bxf6
Rxg7 21.Bxg7 Rg8 22.f5+ Kc5 23.f6 Rd8 Black has fended off the attack and now holds the
advantage.] 14...Bc8 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Rhe1 0-0 17.Qxe5 Qxe5 18.Rxe5 Bd6 19.Re2 Bxh2 20.Nxe6 Re8
21.Bf4 Bxe6 22.Bxh2 Bg4 23.Rxe8+ Rxe8 Black has the better ending. 0-1 (59) Doghri, N (2364) –
Bluvshtein, M (2531) Turin 2006.
11...Nc5
126
Position after: 11...Nc5
12.Bd5!? exd5!?
127
Position after: 16.Qc3
16...b4! [Not 16...Qg5+ giving White the advantage, as Ftacnik correctly pointed out in his book.]
17.Qd4 [17.Qxb4 Qd7µ] 17...Ne6 18.Qc4 Qd7 19.Nb6 Qb7 20.Nxa8 Bxf2! 21.Rxd6 0-0 Black is well
placed.
18...Qe8!
19.Nxe5 f6!
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.Bg5
128
Position after: 8.Bg5
This is a thematic idea but it caught on only recently, after an interesting and unusual queen sacrifice
introduced by Ivanchuk. Still, Black has sufficient resources to find good play.
White has one alternative: 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.0-0-0 b4
A) 12.e5 Bxe5 13.Ba4+ Nd7 14.Qxa8 bxc3 15.b4 [15.Qc6 Kd8!? 16.Qxc3 Bf4+ 17.Kb1 Qxc3 18.bxc3
129
Nc5 19.Bb3 Bb7 20.f3 Ke7 Once again Black has typical Sicilian compensation] 15...0-0 16.Qc6 Qb6!
17.Qxb6 Nxb6 18.Bb3 Bb7 19.f3 Ra8! 20.Rd3 a5 Black has nice play for the sacrificed exchange.
B) 12.Ndb5 axb5 13.Nxb5 Qc5!? 14.Nxd6+ Ke7 15.e5 Qxe5 16.Nxc8+ [16.Qxa8? Qxb2+ 17.Kd2
Rd8 18.Ke2 Ba6+ Black wins.] 16...Rxc8 17.Qxa8 Qxb2+ 18.Kd2 Qe5! 19.Kc1 Qb2+ Draw by
perpetual check.
10...Bb7
The alternative is the idea that I mentioned in the introduction to this section. 14.Qxe6+!?
130
Position after: 14.Qxe6+!?
14...fxe6 15.Nxe6 Qe7 16.Rhe1 Qxe6 17.Rxe6+ Ne7 18.Rde1 [18.Bxf6 gxf6 19.Bd5 Kf7!? 20.Rxe7+
Kxe7 21.Bxb7 Ra7 22.Re1+ Kf8 23.Bd5 Bxf2 24.Re6 Kg7 Black has gained the advantage. 0-1 (52)
Arenas Vanegas, D (2406) – Fluvia Poyatos, J (2491) Badalona 2012] 18...0-0-0
19.Bxf6 [19.Rxe7 Bxe7 20.Rxe7 Rhe8 21.Be6+ Kb8 22.Rxe8 Rxe8 23.Bh3 Bc6³] 19...gxf6 20.Ne4 Bxe4
21.R1xe4 f5
131
Position after: 21...f5
A) 22.R4e5 Bd6 23.Rxe7 Bxe5 24.Rxe5 Rhe8! Due to the back-rank mate threat, White must settle for
this dull endgame where Black has the better chances: 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Kd2 Kc7 27.c3 Rd8+ 28.Ke2
Kd6 Only Black can play for a win here. ½-½ (48) Senzacqua, F – Dijk, H corr. 2014.
B) 22.Re2 Kb8 23.Rxa6 Nd5 24.a4 Nf4 25.Re5 Rhe8 With a plus for Black. 0-1 (42) Dubois, Y –
Broudin, M corr. 2011.
14...gxf6
132
Position after: 14...gxf6
15.Nd5
The alternative brings no rewards. 15.Ne4 Bxd4 16.Rxd4 Nxd4 17.Nxf6+ Kf8 18.Qxd4 Rd8 19.Qh4 h6
20.c3 [20.Re1? Qd6 Black wins at once!] 20...Qe5 21.Nh7+ Kg7 Developed in Ftacnik’s book as a
winning attempt. [Black has the option of a draw if he is happy to settle for that: 21...Ke8 22.Nf6+ Kf8.]
22.Bc2 Rhe8 White is skating on thin ice.
15...Qe5!
Simplifying is usually one of the best methods that Black can use in the Sicilian. This position is no
exception.
16.Qxe5 Nxe5
133
Position after: 16...Nxe5
17.Nc7+
17.f4 exd5 18.Rhe1 0-0-0 19.fxe5 Rhe8 20.Nf3 fxe5 21.Rxe5 Rxe5 22.Nxe5 f6 23.Nd3 Be3+ 24.Kb1
Rd6 Black has adequate play in this endgame.
18...Bxa8!?
134
Position after: 18...Bxa8!?
19.Rhe1 [19.f3 Rg8 20.Rd2 Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Rxg2³] 19...Bxg2 20.c3 Rc8 21.Re2 Bh3 22.Re3 Bg4 23.Rd2
Bh5! Transferring this bishop to g6 will give Black excellent play.
19.Rhe1
19.Rhg1 Bxa8
20.Rg7?! [20.Rg3 f5 with fine play.] 20...Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Ng6 22.h4 Bf3 23.Rd3 Bh5 Black has taken the
lead. 0-1 (48) Fernandez Cardoso, A (2450) – Hernandez Carmenates, H (2570) Balaguer 2011.
135
Position after: 20...Nf3
21.Rxe6+! fxe6 22.Rg4 Rxa8 23.Rxg2 Kf7 24.Rg3 Nd4 25.Rh3 Kg6 26.Rg3+ Kf7=
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.0-0
136
Now we start with castling kingside, where White has some ideas similar to the ones we analyzed earlier.
8...Be7 9.f4
This was for some decades the main line of the Sozin-Fischer variation, until it was found that 9.Qf3 is
also an interesting idea which may give White chances for the advantage.
9...Bb7 10.e5
For a long time this line has not had a good reputation. Black can establish good play in various ways.
12...Bxd4!?
The old move still works too: 12...Nc6 13.exf6 Bxd4 14.fxg7! This old idea represents White’s best
chance. [14.Qe2 Bxe3+ 15.Qxe3 Qd4 Black is comfortable here.] 14...Bxe3+ 15.Kh1 Rg8
137
Position after: 15...Rg8
A) 16.Qf3 Rxg7 17.Bxe6 [17.Qxe3 Qd4 Black has an appealing position.] 17...Qe7! 18.Nd5 Ne5
19.Bxf7+ Rxf7 20.Qxf7+ Qxf7 21.Rxf7 Kxf7 Black wins.
B) 16.Bxe6 Rxg7 17.Bxf7+ [17.Qh5 Ne5!–+] 17...Rxf7 18.Qh5 Ne5 19.Qxe5+ Qe7 20.Qh5 Kf8
21.Qxh7 Bd4 22.Ne4 Rd8!? Black is developed and a piece up, so we can say that his chances of
victory are very good.
13.Bxd4 Nc6
138
Position after: 13...Nc6
14.Rf4
14...Qc7 15.Qe2
15.Qf1 Nh5! 16.Rh4 Nxd4 17.Rxh5 0-0 18.Qd3 Nf5 Black is much better.
15...Rd8!?
15...0-0-0 16.Be3!
With a4 to follow, this can give White the queenside play he is looking for. However, after 16...Qxe5
[16...Nxe5 17.a4!ƒ] 17.Qf2 h5 18.h3 Rh6! (Black must speed up his counterplay) 19.Re1 g5!? 20.Bc1
Qxe1+ 21.Qxe1 gxf4 22.Bxf4 Rg6 23.Kf1 Rd7 Black is doing OK anyway, for instance, 24.g3 Kd8! en
route to the safe square e8.
139
Position after: 17...0-0
140
h) 8.0-0 Be7 9.f4 Bb7 10.Be3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.0-0 Be7 9.f4 Bb7
10.Be3 b4
11.e5!?
141
Position after: 12...Bxf6
13.f5!
The critical point in this line, which has somehow been underrated by theory even though Black’s life
here is far from easy.
A) 13.Ba4+ Nd7 14.f5 0-0! 15.fxe6 Nc5 Black has the upper hand.
B) 13.bxc3 0-0 14.Qd2
142
B1) Previously Black played here 14...Qc7 15.Rad1 Nd7 16.f5 e5 17.Ne6 fxe6
18.Qxd6!? A new idea here. [Usual has been 18.fxe6 d5!? 19.exd7 Qxd7 20.Bxd5+ Qxd5 21.Qxd5+
Bxd5 22.Rxd5 Rac8 leading to an equal endgame.] Now after 18...Qxd6 19.Rxd6 Nb8 20.fxe6 Kh8
21.Bg5 Nc6 22.h4 Rae8 23.Ba4 Bxg5 24.hxg5 Rxf1+ 25.Kxf1 Rf8+ 26.Ke2 Ne7 27.Rd7 Bc6
28.Bxc6 Nxc6 29.Rc7 Na5 30.Ke3
143
We have quite a position! Defending this is an unpleasant task for Black.
B2) 14...Nd7!? We can consider this as a new attempt. Stationing a knight on c5 gives Black better
chances so White must react quickly. 15.f5 e5 16.Ne6 fxe6
17.fxe6 [17.Qxd6 Bd5! Note the difference compared to variation B1, where 18.Qxd6 attacked
Black’s queen.] 17...Kh8 18.exd7 Qxd7 19.Rad1 Qc6 With balanced play.
13...e5
144
Position after: 13...e5
14.Ba4+
14.Ne2 cxb2 15.Rb1 0-0 16.Rxb2 Qc7 This is considered OK for Black, who after all is a pawn up for no
obvious compensation.
14...Nd7!?
Another sharp position. Black appears able to handle it safely, though it has to be said that it’s far from
simple.
A) 18.c4 Rab8 19.Nc3 [19.Bxd7 Qxd7 20.Nc3 Ba8 21.Rd2 Rhd8 22.Nd5+ Bxd5 23.Rxd5 Qc6 24.Qd3
Rbc8 25.Rc1 Kf8 This looks acceptable for Black.] 19...Ba8 20.Rc2 Nb6 21.Nd5+ Nxd5 22.cxd5 Qa5
145
Position after: 22...Qa5
23.Bc6 Bxc6 24.dxc6 Rhc8 25.Qf3 Rb5 26.Rfc1 Ke8 27.c7 d5 Great complications but apparently
Black is doing all right.
B) 18.Qd2 Rab8
19.Nc3 [An attempt such as 19.Ba7 Rbc8 20.Rfb1 Ba8 21.Be3 Rhd8 just provides Black with a good
position.] 19...Ba8 20.Rxb8 Rxb8 21.Bb3 Nb6 22.Rd1 Rc8 23.h3 Bb7 White has achieved his ideal
146
setup but the knight on c3 is weak so we can say that Black should be OK.
C) 18.Rxb7!? This completely new idea crossed my mind and it turns out that it is not at all so simple
for Black. With White taking firm control over the d5 square it’s hard for Black to find counterplay.
18...Qxb7 19.Nc3
147
22...Ke8 [22...a5 23.a4 Ke8 24.Qh5 Nc5 25.Ba2©] 23.Qg4 Kf8 24.Qh5 Nc5 25.Nxf6 Nxb3 26.Nh7+
Kg8 27.Nf6+ A draw is imminent.
C2) 19...Rac8!? Keeping the other rook on the kingside. 20.Nd5+ Kf8
21.Bxd7 [21.Bb3?! h5!µ] 21...Qxd7 22.Nb6 Qa7 23.Qxd6+ Be7 24.Qxe5 Qc7 25.Qe4 Qc6 26.Nd5
Bc5 Black can defend here; the next rook will come to e8.
148
Position after: 16...0-0
17.exd7
17.Bxd7 Qc7 18.bxc3 Bc6 19.Qg4 Bxd7 20.exd7 Rad8 21.Qe6+ Kh8 22.Rab1 Qxd7 23.Qxd7 Rxd7
24.Rb6 Rc8 25.Rxa6 h5 Black is fine in this endgame. ½-½ (39) Deiko, A – Gelfand, B Belarus 1983.
17...Qa5!?
A) 18.bxc3 Bc6 19.Qg4 [19.Bb3+ Kh8 20.Qh5 Bxd7 Black is well placed here. 0-1 (38) Forgo, E
(2150) – Wiese Jozwiak, M (2185) Warsaw 1986] 19...Bxa4 20.Qxa4 Rf7 21.Qe4 Rd8 22.c4 Qxd7
23.Rad1 Qa4 After all the excitement Black looks safe enough now.
B) 18.Qg4! cxb2
149
Position after: 18...cxb2
B1) 19.Rad1 Bd5! [19...e4 20.Qe6+ Kh8 21.Qb3 d5∞ 0-1 (34) Burrows, M (2153) – Forsaa, E (2305)
Gibraltar 2013] 20.Rxd5 Bg5!µ
B2) 19.Rab1! Bd5 20.Rfd1 Bf7 21.Rxb2 Qc3 22.Bc1 Qc5+ 23.Kh1 d5 With a complex game still to
be fought out.
150
21.Rad1 Qxd7 22.Bxd5 Qxd5 23.Qxd5 Bxd5 24.Rxd5 Rfc8
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.0-0 Be7 9.Be3!?
9...0-0
151
Position after: 11.e5!
This move has a long history and is regarded as bad, but I disagree. 11...bxc3 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.f5! An
interesting new idea, although the main line leads only to a draw. [13.bxc3 Nc6 Is OK for Black. 0-1 (33)
Kengis, E (2565) – Kupreichik, V (2525) Germany 1995] 13...e5 [13...cxb2 14.Rb1 e5 15.Ne6 fxe6
16.fxe6 Bc6 17.Rxb2 Qe7 18.Qh5+ Kd8 19.Qd1 White has attacking potential, and the play will be
complex.] 14.Ne6!
14...fxe6 15.fxe6 Bc6 16.Rxf6 Qxf6 17.Qxd6 Qd8 18.Qxe5 cxb2 19.Rf1 Rf8 20.Rxf8+ Kxf8 21.Qf5+
152
Qf6 22.e7+ Kxe7 23.Bc5+ Kd8 24.Bb6+ Draw by prepetual.
10.f4 b4 11.Na4
The central pawn push is a possible alternative but doesn’t have the same strengh: 11.e5 bxc3 12.exf6
Bxf6 13.bxc3 Nd7
14.Qf3 [14.f5 Nc5 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Qg4 Kh8! Again we can say that Black is doing all right.] 14...Qc7!
15.f5 Bb7 16.Qg3 e5 17.Ne6 fxe6 18.fxe6 d5 19.exd7 Qxd7 Black has come through all these
complications in fine shape.
11...Bd7
153
Position after: 11...Bd7
12.e5
A) 12.a3 bxa3 13.Rxa3 Nxe4 14.f5 d5 15.Ra1 Nc6 Black should be better.
B) 12.Qd3 Nc6 [12...Ng4 13.c3 Nc6 14.Rad1 Nxe3 15.Qxe3 Nxd4 16.Rxd4 bxc3 17.Nxc3 Qb6 Black
has no troubles.] 13.c4 Nxd4 14.Bxd4 e5!?
15.fxe5 [15.Be3 Bc6∞] 15...dxe5 16.Bxe5 Bxa4 17.Qxd8 Raxd8 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Bxa4 Bxb2=
154
12...dxe5 13.fxe5 Nd5 14.Bxd5
14.Bf2 Qc7 15.Nf5 Bxa4 16.Nxe7+ Nxe7 17.Bxa4 Nbc6 18.Qd6 Qb7 19.Rad1 Rac8 In this type of
position two knights are better than two bishops.
16.Nxc6
16.c5 Nxe5 17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.Rxf5 Qc7 19.Qxd5 Ng4 20.Bf4 Qa5 21.b3 Rad8 Black is getting
counterplay.
155
Position after: 20...Bd5!
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3
The most popular line nowadays. Black has many ways to confront it; I have chosen a classical one.
156
9...Qc7 10.Qg3
White can play other moves, such as 10.Re1 or 10.a3, but usually they transpose to normal lines as the
queen will come to g3 anyway.
10...0-0 11.Re1
An interesting waiting move. I decided to give the same path as against the main move 11.Bh6, which we
will check in the next subchapters.
11...Bd7 12.Bh6
12.a3 Nc6 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Bh6 Ne8 15.Re3 a5 16.Bg5 Bxg5 17.Qxg5 Rb8 18.Rae1 a4 19.Ba2 b4
20.axb4 Rxb4 Black has drummed up counterplay. 0-1 (29) Arizmendi Martinez, J (2472) – Pelletier, Y
(2483) Bermuda 1999.
12...Ne8
13.Nce2
A) Direct aggression is possible: 13.Nf5!? exf5 14.Nd5 Qd8 15.exf5 Bf6 16.Be3 Kh8 17.Bb6 Qc8
18.Rxe8 Bxe8!
157
Position after: 18...Bxe8!
19.Qxd6 Nd7 20.Nxf6 gxf6 21.Bd4 Rg8 22.Bd5 Qb8! Black defends successfully.
B) 13.Rad1 Nc6 simply transposes to the position after 12.Bh6 Ne8 13.Rad1 Bd7 14.Rfe1.
C) Kasparov tried 13.a4 but it doesn’t pose any problems: 13...b4 14.Nce2 Nc6 15.Nxc6 Bxc6
16.Nd4 [16.Nf4 Kh8 17.Bg5 Bxg5 18.Qxg5 h6 19.Qh4 Nf6 20.Nh5 Nxh5 21.Qxh5 f5!„] 16...Bb7
17.Rad1 Kh8 18.Bg5 Bxg5 19.Qxg5 Nf6 This is good play for Black.
158
13...Nc6 14.Nxc6 Qxc6 15.Nf4 Kh8 16.Bg5 Bxg5 17.Qxg5 Nf6
18.e5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0
11.Bh6 Ne8
159
Position after: 11...Ne8
12.Rad1
This move is necessary to defend the d4-knight, as White prepares f2-f4. Also sometimes if the black-
squared bishops are exchanged then White can try to put pressure on d6.
12...Bd7
First of all, why this move? Black wants to play ...Nc6 in order to challenge the knight on d4 and also to
recapture on c6 with the bishop, and this is a correct strategy. Then ...a5 ideas beome even stronger, and
that’s why this particular move established itself as a main line.
13.Nf3
Firstly I want to emphasize certain aspects of this entire line. White develops quickly and harmoniously,
his queen on g3 is very active, the rooks are well connected, but the pawn on f2 is blocked so it cannot be
brought into action for a while at least. A very important aspect, which Velimirovic pointed out to me a
long time ago, is that the bishop on c1 actually has no particular significance and there is no good square
for it. So the best that White can do is to exchange it on g5, but that fact helps Black to maintain the
balance. Also 13.Nf3 is a very interesting positional idea, trying to bring pieces closer to the kingside.
This line became popular after a famous game Kasparov – Gelfand.
13...Nc6
160
Position after: 13...Nc6
14.Bf4
As I said, the black-squared bishop is struggling to find meaning in this line so hitting the d6-pawn is
probably the best idea.
The alternative brings White no joy: 14.Ne2 Ne5 15.Ned4 [15.Nfd4 Kh8 16.Bg5 Bxg5 17.Qxg5 Nf6
18.Ng3 Qc5 19.Kh1 Rac8 20.Qd2 Nc4 21.Bxc4 Qxc4 Black has counterplay. ½-½ (27) Kanninen, M –
Sorvari, J Tampere 1996] 15...Nxf3+ 16.Nxf3 Bc6
161
Position after: 16...Bc6
17.Rfe1 Qb7 18.Qg4 Kh8 19.Bg5 Bxg5 20.Nxg5 h6 21.Qh3 Qe7 22.Nf3 Qb7 23.Ng5 Qe7 24.Nf3 Qb7
A clever repetition of moves; neither side wants to break the balance. ½-½ Rublevsky, S (2525) – Vaulin,
A (2500) Kurgan 1993.
14...Qb7
15.Rfe1
A) 15.a3 a5 16.e5 dxe5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Bc6 with similar play to note B).
B) 15.e5 dxe5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Bc6 18.Ne2 Bf6 19.f4 a5 20.c3 Be4 21.a3 b4„
C) 15.Bg5 Bxg5 16.Qxg5 Na5 17.e5 b4 18.Ne2 Nxb3 19.axb3 Bb5 20.Rfe1 dxe5 21.Qxe5 Nf6
22.Ned4 Rac8 Black has a good position.
162
Position after: 19...Qe7
20.Nf3
20.Qxe7 Nxe7 21.Ng3 g6 22.Nf3 Rc8 23.Ba4 Rc5! 24.a3 bxa3 25.bxa3 Nc8 26.Bb3 Nf6 Black has a
good endgame ½-½ (26) Boumbar, M – Ould Ahmed, S corr. 2008.
This move looks unusual, but without counterplay on the c-file White will just stand worse.
22.axb3 Rd8 23.c4 Nc7! 24.Rd2 f6 25.Nf3 Ne6 26.Red1 Nc5 Black is better. ½-½ (45) Hardy, D –
Fages, J corr. 2002.
163
Position after: 24...Nf6
25.Ng3 Rc8 26.Nd2 Rfd8 27.Rxc8 Rxc8 28.Nc4 Ne8 29.Rd1 f6 30.Kf1 Rc6 31.Ke2 Kf7=
l) 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0 11.Bh6 & 13.f4 or 13.Nce2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0
11.Bh6 Ne8 12.Rad1 Bd7
164
13.f4
A very direct build-up. Now the f4-f5 pawn break is a main theme of White’s play.
13.Nce2 White is trying to transfer his pieces from the queenside to the kingside. Moreover, by playing
c2-c3 White can enable his bishop on b3 to change diagonals. 13...Nc6 14.c3 One of White’s ideas is to
support pieces on d4 with a pawn. 14...Kh8
Now, as I said, what can White do with his black-squared bishop except to place it on g5? Probably
nothing; going to g5 is basically a main theme of White’s play in the whole 9.Qf3 line.
A) 15.Be3 Nf6 16.Bc2 b4 17.Bb1 [17.Nxc6 Bxc6 18.f3 Bb5 19.Rfe1 Bxe2 20.Rxe2 bxc3 looks good
for Black.] 17...bxc3 18.Nxc3 Qb7 Again Black has enough play.
B) 15.Bg5 Bxg5 16.Qxg5 Nf6
165
Position after: 16...Nf6
17.Ng3 [17.Qe3 Ne5 18.h3 a5 19.f4 Nc4 20.Bxc4 bxc4 21.Ng3 a4 22.a3 Rfb8 23.Rd2 Ra5! 24.Re1 h6
Black’s position is satisfactory. ½-½ (32) Sychov, A – Narozhny, Y corr. 2014.] 17...h6 18.Qd2 Rad8
[It is also possible to play differently: 18...Rfd8 19.f4 Be8 20.Kh1 Rab8! 21.Qe2 b4 22.c4 Na5 23.Nf3
Rbc8 24.Rfe1 Nxc4 and Black has found good play.] 19.f4 Bc8!
It looks more logical to me to transfer the bishop to the a8-h1 diagonal rather than keep it on e8. 20.Kh1
Na5 21.h3 Bb7 22.Qe2 Rfe8 Complex play lies ahead.
166
13...Nc6
14.Nxc6
14.Nce2 Kh8 15.Bg5 Nf6 16.Qh4 Rae8 17.f5 exf5 18.Nxf5 Bxf5 19.exf5 Bd8
20.Ng3 [20.Nf4 Ne5 21.h3 Nc4 gives Black counterplay.] 20...Ne5 21.Qd4 Qb7! 22.Kh1 Neg4 23.Bxf6
167
Nxf6 Black is at least equal. 0-1 (34) Blomqvist, E (2492) – Anand, V (2784) Gibraltar 2016.
16.fxe6!?
This sacrifice is difficult to assess. I guess White has compensation but Black has enough defensive
ideas.
A) 16.Bg5?! Bxg5 17.Qxg5 Nf6 18.fxe6 fxe6 19.Bxe6 Qa7+! 20.Kh1 b4 21.Nd5 Nxe4 Black wins.
B) 16.Be3 b4 17.Na4 [17.Ne2 e5 With ...Nf6 to follow Black can be happy with his opening.] 17...Nf6
18.fxe6 Nxe4 19.Qh3 [19.Qg4 would transpose.] 19...fxe6 20.Nb6 Rae8 21.Qxe6 Nf6 Black is in fine
shape.
C) 16.f6 gxh6 17.fxe7 Qxe7
168
Position after: 17...Qxe7
18.Qf2 [18.Qf4 b4 19.Ne2 Bb5 20.Rf2 Qg5 21.Ng3 Qxf4 22.Rxf4 Kg7 is fine for Black, e. g. 23.Nh5+
Kg6 24.Ng3 Kg7 25.Nh5+ Kg6 26.Ng3 Kg7 27.Nh5+ Kg6 ½-½ Yu Ting (2184) – Hu, Y (2043)
Beijing 2017.] 18...Rb8!? The idea is to develop a pawn break on the queenside with ...a5 and ...b4.
Meanwhile the knight sits on e8 for a while. 19.Qd4+ f6 20.Ne2 a5 21.a3 [21.c3 Rg8 22.Rf2 Rg5!
23.Nf4 Re5 24.Re2 b4 Black is all right here.] 21...e5 22.Qe3 f5!
Activity in Sicilians is always very important. Now with one move Black emerges from a passive
169
position and stirs up active play. 23.exf5 Nf6 24.h3 Qg7 25.Ng3 Rbd8 Black’s position has blossomed.
16...gxh6
17.exf7
The pawn on f7 creates serious problems for Black, so White does have compensation for his sacrificed
bishop. Black must be precise here.
17.Rxf7 Rxf7 18.exf7 Ng7 19.Qf2 Rf8 20.a3 d5! With counterplay. ½-½ (33) Hauschild, A – Muller, H
corr. 2007.
17...Nf6
17...Ng7!? 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.Rxd5 Rac8 20.Kh1 Qb6 21.Qh3 Rc5 22.Qxh6 Rxd5 23.Bxd5 Qd4 24.g4
Qe5 Black is able to defend here. ½-½ (32) Farfan Ortiz, E (2256) – Olivares Olivares, C (2234)
Santiago 2014.
18.Kh1!?
170
Position after: 21.Rxf6
21...Bd5! [21...Ba4?!µ ½-½ (24) Kerr, S – Humphries, S corr. 2000] 22.Qxc7 Rxc7 23.Rxh6 Bxb3
24.cxb3 Rc2 Black wins.
B) 18.Qf4 b4 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.Bxd5 Qc5+ 21.Kh1 Nxd5 22.Rxd5 Qc4 Black can face the future with
confidence.
C) 18.Qh4 b4 19.Rxf6 bxc3 20.Qf4 cxb2 21.Rxh6 Bd7!
171
What a defence! I am giving all the lines to demonstrate the threats and the key defensive ideas.
18...b4
18...a5!?
19.Be6 [19.Qh4 b4 20.Rxf6 Qd8 21.e5 bxc3 22.Qxh6 Bxf6 23.exf6 Rxf7 24.Bxf7 Qf8 25.Qh3 Qxf7
26.Qxc3 Be4 27.Rxd6 Rf8 Black has nothing to worry about.] 19...b4 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.exd5 Qxc2 This
is better for Black but I have to add that the position is really unusual, and White does have his chances.
172
Position after: 20.Bxd5
20...Rab8
20...Nxd5 21.exd5 Bg5 22.h4! That is the problem for Black -- his bishop has no good moves.
m) 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0 11.Bh6 & 13.Rfe1 or 13.a3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3 Qc7 10.Qg3 0-0
11.Bh6 Ne8 12.Rad1 Bd7
173
Position after: 12...Bd7
13.Rfe1
A more positional idea. White defends his pawn on e4 and wants to trade black-squared bishops so that
later he can put pressure on the d6-pawn.
13.a3 Nc6 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.Bf4
An idea of Short from his match with Kasparov. It’s similar to the 13.Rfe1 line, into which we can
174
transpose right now with 15.Rfe1. 15...Bf6!?
A) 16.Rxd6 Nxd6 17.Bxd6 Qa7 18.Bxf8 Rxf8 19.e5 Be7 20.Rd1 Rd8 21.Rxd8+ Bxd8
White is a pawn up but on account of his weak dark squares and Black’s bishop pair, we can say that
actually he has to find the right moves in order to keep the balance. 22.Ne2 Bb6 23.c3 Qd7 24.Nd4
Bxd4 25.cxd4 Qxd4 26.Qc3= ½-½ (48) Kaskelaynen, A – Trofimov, V corr. 2007.
175
B) 16.Bxd6 Nxd6 17.Rxd6 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Bxe4 Black has a pleasant position.
C) 16.Rfe1 a5!
17.e5 Bxe5 18.Bxe5 dxe5 19.Qxe5 Qxe5 20.Rxe5 Nf6 21.Rc5 [21.Rd6 Rfc8 22.Rc5 Bd7 is just a
transposition; 21.Nxb5 Nd7! 22.Rg5 h6 23.Rh5 g6 24.Nd4 gxh5 25.Nxc6 Nb8 26.Ne5 a4 27.Bc4 Rc8
is not dangerous for Black.] 21...Rfc8
176
22.Rd6 Bd7 23.Rxc8+ Rxc8 24.a4 b4 25.Nd1 Bc6 26.Rxe6 Bxa4 27.Ra6 Bxb3 28.cxb3 Kf8 Black is in
great shape here.
18.Nb5 Bxb5 19.Qxb5 bxa3 20.bxa3 Nf6 Here too, Black doesn’t experience any problems at all. ½-½
Rublevsky, S (2680) – Dominguez Perez, L (2678) Foros 2007.
20.Rd4!?
20...Ra5!? 21.Qe3
21.Qd2 Rfa8
177
Position after: 21...Rfa8
22.Nc1 [22.Nxb4 Ra1 23.Nxc6 Qxc6 24.e5 Qc5 25.Rxd6 Rxe1+ 26.Qxe1 Qxe5 27.Rd1 Qxb2 Black is
fine.] 22...Rb5 23.h3 [23.Rxb4?! Rxb4 24.Qxb4 Bxe4µ] 23...d5 24.exd5 Bxd5 25.Nd3 Bxb3 26.cxb3
Rd5! 27.Nxb4 Rxd4 28.Qxd4 h6 Black has good play.
21...Rb5
22.f3
178
22.Nxb4 Bxe4!„
22...Rfb8 23.Qd2 R5b6 24.Re3 h6 25.h3 d5 26.exd5 Bxd5 27.Nxb4 Bxb3 28.Rxb3 Ra8
29.Ra3
29.Re3 e5 30.Rc3 Qe7 31.Nd5 Nxd5 32.Rxd5 Rxb2 Black is doing well.
179
Position after: 33...Re6©
Conclusions to Chapter 3
This Sozin line was once a favourite of Bobby Fischer, but today it is not so popular. Counter-play has
been found for Black, although during analysis I found that some positions were completely
underestimated by theory. Therefore knowledge of this line and its nuances is important for Black
players.
180
Position after: 6...e6
While writing the book I realized that 7.a4 is much more complex than I had initially thought. Interesting
positions are ahead of us.
We can immediately notice that, exactly as in the 6.Bg5 line, Black is more or less obliged to play 6...e6.
So some acquired knowledge about such structures is important. Still the most popular line for White is:
7.Bb3 b5 8.0-0 Be7 9.Qf3.
181
But our analysis shows that these positions are OK for Black.
182
Chapter 4
The 6.g3 Variation
Chapter Guide
Chapter 4 – The 6.g3 Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5
a) 7.Nde2 Be7 8.--, 8.Bg2 0-0 9.--
b) 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.--
c) 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.Nd5
d) 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.a4
e) 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Nd7
f) 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.--
g) 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.Bd2
h) 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.a4
183
Position after: 6.g3
A positional and very solid line, probably one of the most solid Sicilians that you can choose for White.
He controls the centre with a fianchettoed bishop and aims for play which is often typical of the English
Opening, for instance. One aspect of this approach is that sharp play with ideas like a g4 attack is not
something that you will find often in the g3 line.
6...e5 7.Nde2
An old line and an interesting one. This knight will find a square on g3 (after h3 and g4) or simply switch
places when the other knight goes from c3 to d5.
7.Nb3 will be covered in the second half of this chapter.
7...Be7
184
Position after: 7...Be7
8.Bg2
8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.Bh3!? A speciality of Matulovic, who employed it successfully a few times. It’s old stuff
but still worth investigating. [9.Bg2 Qb6!? An interesting idea, which threatens both ...Ng4! and ...Qxb2.
White reacts with 10.Qc1 0-0 11.0-0 h6 12.Be3 Nc5 13.Rd1 Qc7 14.a4 Bd7 15.h3 Bc6, which looks OK
for Black.]
185
A) 9...0-0 10.a4 h6 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.Bxc8
12...Rxc8 [12...Qxc8 13.0-0 Qc4 14.b3 Qc5 15.Qd3 Rfd8 16.Rfd1 Rac8 17.Ra2 White has managed to
make some progress but still it’s a long way to achieve more than just an aesthetic advantage. 1-0 (98)
Maric, R – Bogdanovic, R Titograd 1965] 13.Qd3 Qa5 14.0-0 Rfd8 15.Rfd1 Rc5 16.Nc1 Qc7 17.Nb3
Rc4 18.a5 Qc6 19.f3 Rd7 20.Kh1 Again similar stuff, White achieved better play in both games! 1-0
(44) Matulovic, M – Minic, D Belgrade 1965.
B) 9...b5!?
186
Position after: 9...b5!?
Bobby Fischer came prepared, as usual of course! 10.a4 [Or 10.Bxd7+!? Qxd7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Nd5
Bd8 13.Nec3 0-0 14.0-0 Qb7 15.Qd3 with unclear play.] 10...b4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 Rb8 13.Bxe7
Kxe7! 14.Qd2 Nf6 15.Bg2 Bb7 16.Qd3 Qb6 17.0-0 a5 18.Rfd1 Ba6 19.Qd2 Rhc8 This time it is Black
who is having all the fun! 0-1 (40) Matulovic, M – Fischer, R Vinkovci 1968.
8...0-0
9.h3
The knight on e2 has two options to look for a better placement: shifting to c3 when the other knight
advances to d5, or simply after h3 and g4 finding a haven on g3. Before castling White speeds up the idea
to station a knight on g3.
9.a4 This move doesn’t bring White much (if anything) with a knight on e2. 9...Nc6 The same idea we
will see in the 7.Nb3 line; the knight will go to b4. 10.0-0 Nb4
187
Position after: 10...Nb4
11.b3 [11.Be3 Be6 12.Qd2 d5 13.exd5 Nbxd5 Black has gained easy play without much difficulty. ½-½
(54) Ponomariov, R (2706) – Gelfand, B (2734) Almaty (blitz) 2016] 11...Be6 12.Ba3 a5 13.Qd2 Rc8
14.Rac1 Re8 15.f4 [15.h3 d5 16.exd5 Nfxd5 17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Bxe7 Rxe7 19.Rfd1 Rd7 20.Qe1 Nb4
Black has equalized. 0-1 (50) Lupulescu, C (2620) – Wojtaszek, R (2722) Gjakova 2016.] 15...d5!
16.exd5
16...Bc5+!N [16...Nfxd5?! 17.Nxd5 Bc5+ 18.Kh1 Bxd5 19.Bxd5 Qxd5+ 20.Qxd5 Nxd5 21.Bxc5 Rxc5
188
22.fxe5 Rxe5 23.Nd4= ½ – ½ (25) Aravindh, C (2579) – Nitin, S (2421) Ahmedabad 2017] 17.Kh1 e4!µ.
This type of position we will see with a knight on b3. Here it’s a slightly different story.
189
Position after: 14...Rd7!?
A) 15.Rd1 Nc6! [15...Qa5!? 16.0-0 Nc6 17.b3 Bd8 18.f4 f6 19.f5 Bf7 20.Kh2 Bb6 21.Bxb6 Qxb6
22.g5∞ 1-0 (66) Whitfield, C (2010) – Kraus, T (2197) Kocaeli 2011] 16.0-0 h6!? Preparing ...Bg5.
17.b3 Bg5 18.c4 bxc3 19.Bxg5 Qxg5 20.Qxc3 Rc8 Black is fine.
B) 15.Qxb4 d5 16.Qa4 d4! [16...Rb7 17.c3 Rxb2 18.Bc1 Rb5³ ½-½ (38) Kholmov, R (2485) –
Jakubiec, A (2315) Wisla 1992] 17.Bc1 Qb6 18.0-0 Rc8 Black has already seized the initiative.
15.0-0
15.Ng3 g6 16.0-0 Qc7 17.Rfc1 Nd7 18.b3 Rc8 19.Ne2 Nc5 20.c4 a5 21.Rd1 Ra8 Black has active play.
1-0 (36) Motwani, P (2510) – Spencer, E Glenrothes 1995.
15...Nd7
16.f4
16...exf4 17.Nxf4 Ne5 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.Rxf8+ Qxf8 20.Rf1 Qc8 21.b3 a5 22.g5
190
Position after: 22.g5
22...Rc7!
22...Ng6 23.Qf2 Ne5∞ ½-½ (48) Timofeev, A (2690) – Wang Hao (2724) Ningbo 2010.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5
191
Position after: 9...b5
Direct play. It is important to understand whether Black can do this in both cases (meaning Nb3 and
Nde2).
10.h3
192
Position after: 19.Rad1
14.Qf3 [14.Nd5 Nfxd5 15.exd5 Bg5 16.Qd3 Rc8 17.b3 Nd7 18.Be3 h5!? 19.gxh5 f5 Black holds the
initiative.] 14...Rc8 15.Bh6 Re8 16.Rfd1 Nfd7 17.b3 Nc5 18.Nge2 Bh4 19.Qe3 Re6!?
193
Position after: 19...Re6!?
We can call this a standard setup for this system. Let’s see how the game might continue from here.
14.Ng3
194
14.a3 Ba6 15.axb4 axb4 16.Bd2 Bg5! 17.Bxb4 Qb6 18.c3 Bh4 19.Qc2 Bc4 20.Rxa8 Rxa8 21.b3 Ba6
22.Kh1 Nf6©
16...b3!?
16...bxa3!? 17.Rxa3 Rb8 18.b3 [18.Ne4 Qe7 19.b3 f5 20.gxf5 Nf6 21.Nxf6+ Qxf6 22.Rxa5 Bxf5©;
18.Rxa5 Nc5 19.b3 f5 transposes.] 18...Nc5 19.Rxa5 f5 20.gxf5 Bxf5 21.Nxf5 Rxf5 22.Qg4 Qf6 23.Qe2
h5‚
17.cxb3
17.Ne4 Qe7 18.cxb3 f5 19.gxf5 Nf6 20.Ng3 h5 21.Nxh5 Nxh5 22.Qxh5 Rxf5 23.Qd1 Qf6ƒ
17...Nc5
195
Position after: 17...Nc5
18.b4
White does not have enough compensation for the sacrificed material, because of his bad king position.
196
18...axb4 19.axb4 Rxa1 20.Qxa1 Nd3! 21.b5 f5 22.Qa3 Nf4
Black has a strong attack so White must be careful to maintain equality, for example:
23.Qxd6 fxg4 24.h4 Qxh4 25.Qxe5 h5 26.d6 Nxg2 27.Nxh5 Rf7 28.Qe8+ Rf8 29.d7 Bxd7 30.Qxd7
Qxh5 31.Kxg2 Qh3+ 32.Kg1 Kh7=
197
c) 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.Nd5
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5
12.Qd1!?
198
A very solid line. White wants a fast transfer of his knight to c3 and later to d5. 12...Nd7 13.Nc3 Nf6
14.Bg5 Be6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nd5 Bg5 17.h4 Bh6 18.a4 [18.b4 Qb8! 19.a4 Rc8 20.axb5 axb5 Black has
no problems.] 18...Qd7 19.Nb6 [19.axb5 Qxb5!=] 19...Qc6 20.a5 Rc7 21.c3 g6 22.Qf3 Rb7 23.Kh2 Kg7
Black looks all right here as well.
12...Rb7!?
An unusual-looking move. Black has not decided where to go with his c8- bishop, and he also keeps the
option of moving his knight to either c6 or d7.
13.b3
A) 13.Nc3 b4 14.Na4 Nd7 15.c3 Nf6 16.Qd3 a5 17.b3 Bd7 18.Rfc1 h6 19.Nb2 Qb8∞
B) 13.a4 b4 14.c3 a5 15.cxb4 Rxb4 16.Nc3 Be6 17.Qd2 Nc6 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.Qxd5 Nd4 Black can
face the future with confidence. ½-½ (28) Adams, M (2738) – Giri, A (2755) Baku 2016.
C) 13.Qd2 Nd7!
199
Position after: 13...Nd7!
White is ready to put a knight on c3 so Black needs counterplay. 14.Nc3 Nf6 15.Bg5 Be6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6
17.Nd5 Bg5 18.Qd3 Qd7 19.c3 Rc8 20.h4 Bd8 We have a typical Sveshnikov Sicilian structure, as in
some of the previous lines and notes. We can say that the position is satisfactory for Black. ½-½ (88)
Lupulescu, C (2620) – Huschenbeth, N (2596) Hamburg 2017.
D) 13.Qd3 Be6 14.b3 Nd7 15.Nc3 Nf6 16.a4
16...Qd7 [16...Qb8 17.axb5 axb5 18.Bg5 b4 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nd5 Bd8 Roughly equal. 1-0 (35) Vidit,
200
S (2693) – Areshchenko, A (2652) Linares 2017] 17.axb5 axb5 18.Ra6 [18.Bg5 Rc8 19.Bxf6 Bxf6
20.Ra2 Qc6! 21.Nd5 Bxd5 22.exd5 Qd7 Black is fine.] 18...Rc8 19.Rfa1 b4 20.Na4 Qc7 21.Ra2 Nd7
Black is doing quite nicely here. 0-1 (49) Adams, M (2747) – Nepomniachtchi, I (2751) Moscow 2017.
16...b4!N
16...Ng4?! 17.axb5 Nxe3 18.Qxe3 axb5 19.Rfd1 Qc8 20.Bf1² ½-½ (31) Anand, V (2776) – Gelfand, B
(2695) Moscow (blitz) 2018.
17.Nd5
201
Position after: 18...Ng4
202
d) 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.a4
The most popular retreat; placing the knight on the queenside already shows White’s intention of playing
on that side. Also it is important to mention that White has the interesting idea of transferring a knight to
e3!
This move is typical for the 6.g3 line, either before or after ...b5 is played.
The main move 9.0-0 will be covered in the next subchapters.
9...Nc6
203
Position after: 9...Nc6
This is the best reaction now, Black hits the b4 square while retaining flexibility over the destination of
the c8-bishop.
10.a5
Or 10.0-0 Nb4 11.Be3 Be6 12.a5 Rc8 13.Qd2 d5 14.Bb6 Qd7 15.exd5 Nfxd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.c3 Qc6
18.Bh3 Be6 19.Bg2 Bd5 with a possible draw by repetition.
10...Nb4
With the knight on this square Black can easily get in ...d5, which will help him to obtain good play.
11.0-0
204
Position after: 11.0-0
11...Bg4!?
12.f3
205
Position after: 14...Qd7!
20.Bb6
After 20.f6 Bxf6 21.Nc5 Qe7 22.Bxd5 Bg5! 23.Bxf7+ Bxf7 24.Rxd8+ Rxd8 25.Qe2 Bd5 Black has
206
counterplay.
It seems that Black is doing all right; the pin on the d-file is not so strong. But let’s look a bit deeper.
24.f6!?
24...g6 25.Nc1 Qc5+ 26.Qf2 Qxa5 27.b3 Nxf6 28.Rxd8+ Qxd8 29.bxc4 Ng4 30.Qf1 Qd4+
207
Position after: 30...Qd4+
Draw.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Nbd7
An interesting sideline. Actually I always thought it should bring some advantage for White, but when I
208
started to write about 6.g3 I gave it a second look. So let’s see...
10.a4
10...Nb6
11.a5
Not the only move here, and I will add that 11.Re1 is a serious alternative worth studying.
A) 11.Nd2 Bg4! 12.f3 Be6 13.a5 Nbd7 14.f4 exf4 15.gxf4 Rc8 16.Qe2 Bg4
209
Position after: 16...Bg4
A complex position. Moving his f8-rook to e8 will give Black extra chances of counterplay.
B) 11.Re1 A good positional idea. White is ready to transfer his knight from b3 to e3! 11...Be6 12.Nd2
[12.a5 Nc4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Bd7 15.Nd2 Rc8! Black must be active. 16.Nxc4 Rxc4 17.b3 Rd4!
18.Qe2 f5 19.c4 Rg4 20.Be3 Rg6 Black has managed to involve both rooks on the kingside and play has
become sharp.]
210
B1) 12...d5!? A pawn sacrifice. 13.Nxd5 Nbxd5 14.exd5 Bxd5 15.Rxe5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Re8!?
17.c3 [17.Qf3 Qc7 18.Re2 Bf8 19.c3 Rxe2 20.Qxe2 Re8 21.Qf3 Qd7 22.Nb3 Re1 23.Bg5 Rxa1
24.Nxa1 Qxa4=] 17...Qc7 18.Nf3 Qc6 19.Kg1 Bc5 [19...Ng4 20.Nd4 Qd7 21.Re4] 20.Nd4 Bxd4
21.cxd4 Qd7 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Bg5 Nd5 24.Qf3 h6 25.Bd2 [25.Be3 Nxe3 26.fxe3 Qe6 27.Ra3 Rc8
28.Rc3 Rxc3 29.bxc3 Qb3=] 25...Nf6 26.Be3 Re6 27.b3 Qd5 28.Qxd5 Nxd5=
211
Despite being a pawn down Black has a good endgame.
B2) 12...Rc8
B2.1) 13.Nf1 d5 14.exd5 Nbxd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.c3 f6 17.Ne3 Nxe3 18.Bxe3 Qc7 It’s more or
less equal: White’s pressure on b7 is not that strong, and his queenside pawn majority is still not
really threatening. ½-½ (72) Wei Yi (2707) – Nepomniachtchi, I (2767) Doha (blitz) 2016.
B2.2) 13.a5 Nc4 14.Nxc4 Rxc4 15.Be3 Qd7 16.Re2 Rfc8 17.Rd2 Rb4„
11...Nc4
212
Position after: 11...Nc4
The knight occupies a good square but Black will be forced to play ...b5, after which he will be left with a
pawn on a6 that could become a target. On the other hand, the open b- and c-files will help Black to
obtain counterplay.
12.Ra4!?
An important possibility, which I am promoting since it is the strongest one according to my analysis.
12.Qd3 Qc7 13.Ra4 b5 14.axb6 Nxb6 15.Ra1 Be6
213
Position after: 15...Be6
Now we have a queen on d3 instead of e2 as we saw previously; it’s a small difference but there are some
nuances. 16.Re1 Rfc8 17.Nd2 [Transferring a knight to a5 is also possible here: 17.Na5 Nc4 18.Nxc4
Bxc4 19.Qf3 Be6 20.Bf1 That’s why the rook is on e1 rather than d1. 20...a5 21.Bd3 Qc6 22.Qe2 h6
23.Bd2 Bd8 with complicated play.] 17...a5 18.Nf1 a4 19.Ne3 Bf8
20.Qe2 [20.Bd2 Nc4 21.Nxc4 Bxc4 22.Qf3 Be6 23.Bf1 Rcb8 24.Bb5 Qc5 25.Qe2 h6 26.Bd3 Bg4
27.Qf1 Bd7 Chances are equal.] 20...h6 21.Ncd5 Nbxd5 22.exd5 Bd7 Typical Sicilian counterplay.
12...Qc7 13.Qe2
214
Position after: 16...Rfc8
Now White has two plans: one is to put one knight on a5 and then the other one on d5, aiming to plant a
knight on c6 eventually (after Black takes on d5 and White recaptures with the pawn); the other, slower,
plan is to transfer a knight from b3 to e3 via d2 and f1.
17.Na5
17.Nd2 a5 18.Nf1 Rab8 19.Ne3 [19.Rxa5 Nc4 20.Ra2 Nxb2 21.Rxb2 Qxc3 Black is just fine.] 19...g6
215
Restricting the knight on e3 and also having in mind some activity with ...h5. 20.Qf3 h5! 21.h3 Nc4!
22.Nxc4 Bxc4 23.Bf1 Be6 Black has a good position; his pressure along the b- and c-files is enough for
counterplay.
19.Qe3
The alternative 19.Qe1 leads to similar play: 19...Be6 20.Rd3 [20.Bf1 a5 21.Bd2 h6 22.Bd3 Bg4 23.Rdc1
Qd7 24.Qe3 Bd8! One more time we see that Black has enough resources to create counterplay.] 20...a5
21.b3 Nd7 22.Bb2 [22.Be3 Nc5 23.Bxc5 Qxc5 24.Ra2 Qb4 Again the position closely resembles the
Sveshnikov Sicilian structure, and it is satisfactory for Black.] 22...Qb7 23.Rd2 Nc5 This looks
reasonable for Black, who has ideas relating to ...a4.
19...Be6 20.Rd3
White can use a slightly different plan to combat pressure along the c- and b-files: 20.Bd2 Qb7 21.b3
Bd8 22.Qd3 Bb6! 23.Ra2 Bd4 24.Ne2 Bc5 25.h3 h6 with unclear play.
216
Position after: 24...Rb6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5
A consequent move: Black is going for this active line hoping that his position justifies this activity.
217
10.Nd5
A logical try; White has still not decided whether to include a4 or not.
10.Bg5 Nbd7 11.a4 b4 12.Nd5 a5 13.c3!? [13.Qd2 h6 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Rfd1 Be7
17.Qe2 Qc7 Black stands well. 0-1 (61) Licznerski, L (2344) – Wojtaszek, R (2716) Trzcianka 2014.]
13...Nxd5 14.Qxd5 Nb6 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Qc6 Rb8 17.cxb4 [17.Nxa5?! Bd7 18.Qc7 Rfc8 19.Qa7
Qd8µ] 17...Be6 18.Qc3 axb4 19.Qf3 Rfc8 Black is very active.
14.a4
A) 14.Na5!? Qc7 15.f4 f6 16.c4 Nc6! 17.Nxc6 Qxc6 18.cxb5 axb5 Black has no problems.
B) 14.f4 a5 15.Nc1 Nd7 [15...Qc7 16.Nd3 f6 17.Rfd1 Rc8 18.Rac1 Nd7 19.Qe2 Qb7 20.b3 Rc3 21.Bf2
Rac8 22.Rd2 Bf8 Black has got decent counterplay. ½-½ (23) Tomson, H – Dmitriev, V corr. 2013]
16.f5 Bc4 17.Nd3 b4 18.b3 Bb5 19.Rfc1 Nf6 This gives Black enough counterplay.
14...Nc6
218
19...Bd7 20.Nd3 Ra8 21.Nb4 Qc8 22.Rxa8 Qxa8 23.h3 h6 24.Kh2 Be6 and this should give Black
adequate play.
A) 18.Na5 Nxa5 [18...Ra8 19.b4 Qd7 20.h4 h6 21.Bf1 Nd4 22.Bxd4 exd4 23.Rc1 Bf6 24.f4] 19.Qxa5
Rc8 20.c3 Bf8 21.Qb6 [21.Qa7 Qc6„] 21...Qxb6 22.Bxb6 Rb8 23.Be3 [23.Ba5 Ra8 24.b4 Bc4 25.Bf1
Bxf1 26.Kxf1 g6 27.Rd1 f5=] 23...b4=
B) 18.Nc1 Ra8 19.Rxa8+ Qxa8 20.b3 h5 21.h4 Bf8 22.Kh2 g6 23.Nd3 Bg7 This is also a solid position
for Black.
19...h6 20.h4 Ra6 21.Rxa6 Qxa6 22.Bf1 Qa4 23.b3 Qa5 Black was solid here too. ½-½ (58) Naiditsch, A
(2710) – Vidit, S (2693) Linares 2017.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.Bd2
219
Position after: 10.Bd2
A positional idea, anticipating possible action on the queenside after a4 ...b4 or after Nd5 at once.
10...Nbd7 11.Re1
18.Rc1 [18.Nxa5 Rxa5 19.Bxa5 Qxa5 20.b4 Qa7 21.a5 Bb6 22.Rc3 Bd4 23.Rc6 Ba6 24.Rfc1 Nf6!
Black is much better.] 18...Qa7! Next comes bishop to b6 and the knight to c5 or f6, and Black is doing
very nicely.
B) 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 a5! 13.a4 b4 transposes.
11...Nb6
220
Position after: 11...Nb6
12.Na5
12...Bg4!
12...Qc7 13.Nd5 Nfxd5 14.exd5 Nc4 15.Nxc4 bxc4 16.Re3! This is one of the reasons why the rook
belongs on e1.
13.Nc6
13...Qc7 14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 15.Qc1 Rfc8 16.b3 Qe6!? 17.a4 b4 18.Nd1 Bh3!?
221
Position after: 18...Bh3!?
19.Bh1
19.Bxb4 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 d5 21.a5 Nbd7 22.exd5 Nxd5 23.Bd2 Qc6 24.Kg1 Qxc2 Black’s position is
fine.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5 10.a4
222
Position after: 10.a4
14.Qd2 Rb7
223
This also leads to positional play. 15.Rfd1 The correct approach in my opinion. [15.f4 Nd7 16.f5 Bc4
17.Rfd1 a5 18.Bf3 h6 19.Nc1 Nf6 Black is going well.] 15...Qc7 16.Rac1 Nd7
A) 17.Bf1 Ra8 18.c4 a5 19.Qc2 Qc6 20.Rd5!!
A really nice move, and a thematic one. What is interesting is that White even exchanges queens! A rare
motif indeed. 20...Bxd5 21.cxd5 Qxc2 22.Rxc2 Bd8 23.Bb5! White dominates the board so Black has to
be careful. 23...Rxb5 24.axb5 a4 25.Nd2 Kf8 26.Rc6 a3 27.bxa3 bxa3 28.Ra6 Nb6 29.Kf1 a2 30.Nb3
Rb8 31.Nd2 Ra8 A draw is a logical outcome after all the excitement. ½-½ (31) Adams, M (2729) –
Alekseev, E (2716) Calvia 2007.
B) 17.c4 Rc8
224
Position after: 17...Rc8
18.Bf1 Rbb8 19.Qd3 h6 20.f4 Bg4 21.Rd2 Nf6 22.Rdc2 Qb7 As in the previous example, both sides
have built solid positions. It’s not easy for either side to break the balance. ½-½ (36) Mamedov, R
(2660) – Le Quang Liem (2664) Moscow 2011.
14...Ra8!?
225
15.f4
A) 15.a5 Qc7 16.Qd2 Nd7 17.Nc1!? A systematic approach: White wants to attack b4 at once.
17...Rfc8 18.Nd3 Qxc2 19.Qxc2 Rxc2 20.Nxb4 Rxb2 21.Rab1 Rxb1 22.Rxb1 Nc5 23.Nc6 Kf8 The
endgame is equal.
B) 15.Nd2!? A solid approach. In both the games that follow Black played poorly.
B1) 15...Qc7 16.Rfc1 Nd7 17.c3!?
B1.1) 17...Rfc8?! 18.cxb4! [18.c4 Nc5∞ ½-½ (57) Sitnikov, A (2182) – Areshchenko, A (2462)
Oropesa del Mar 2001] 18...Qxc1+ 19.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 20.Nf1 Rc4 21.Bd2 White has the edge here.
B1.2) 17...Nc5?! 18.cxb4 Nxd3 19.Rxc7 Bd8 20.Rc3 Nxb4 21.Nc4 Rc8 22.Bf1 White has the better
endgame. ½-½ (46) Kollars, D (2429) – Teplyi, I (2433) Aarhus 2016.
B1.3) 17...Qb8!? Probably best. 18.cxb4 Qxb4 19.b3 Rfb8 20.Rab1 Nc5 21.Qc3 Qxc3 22.Rxc3 Rb4
23.Bf1 f6 The position is about equal.
B2) 15...Nd7!?N
226
Position after: 15...Nd7!?N
16.Rfc1 a5 17.h4 Nc5 18.Qf1 Qc7 19.b3 h6 20.Rd1 Nd7 Black has no worries.
17...f6
Solid play.
227
17...exf4!? 18.gxf4 Nd7 19.Bd4 Bh4 20.Re2 Rac8 21.Nf3 Bf6 22.Rd2 Bc4 23.Qe3 Rfe8 Black has
achieved counterplay. 0-1 (44) Smirin, I (2637) – Belov, V (2561) Biel 2008.
18.f5 Bf7 19.Rc1 Na6 20.c4 bxc3 21.Qxc3 Qb8 22.Rff1 Nb4 23.Qc7 Qe8
Black is fine. The knight on b4 is very strong, and ...d5 is also in the air. 0-1 (39) Hou Yifan (2652) –
Grischuk, A (2750) Moscow 2017.
Conclusions to Chapter 4
This line is essentially a positional one. It has a very solid reputation in general, and not only against the
Najdorf.
228
Position after: 6.g3
Again I decided to opt for 6...e5, giving White two options of retreat: 7.Nb3 and 7.Nde2.
Both ideas lead to solid positional chess with chances for both sides.
The moves of the two main lines are shown on the right.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 b5
229
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nde2 Be7 8.Bg2 0-0
230
Chapter 5
The 6.Be2 Variation
Chapter Guide
Chapter 5 – The 6.Be2 Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7
a) 7.Nf3 alternative, 8.Bg5
b) 8.Be3
c) 8.0-0 0-0 9.a4 & 9.Bg5
d) 8.0-0 0-0 9.Kh1 & 9.f4
e) 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qd3
f) 8.0-0 0-0 9.Be3
g) 8.0-0 0-0 9.Re1 & 9.Bf3
231
Position after: 6.Be2
A very good line; together with 6.g3 it represents a very solid approach against Sicilians, and also serves
as a universal tool. White has many ideas.
This system was mostly popularized by Karpov and Geller; Karpov’s famous matches against
Polugaevsky and Spassky (Spassky played the Scheveningen) did a lot to make the Be2 lines more
popular.
Karpov and Geller found a lot of ideas and they changed the way the system was perceived. Another
player who used it with great positional understanding is Smyslov, of course.
6...e5 7.Nb3
7.Nf3
232
Position after: 7.Nf3
Smyslov’s old idea with a strong positional point behind it. Sometimes the knight is better placed on f3
rather than on b3; there are some interesting aspects to it. 7...Be7 8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6 Bxf6
In the remaining chapters we will cover this positon with the knight on b3. Here White will use the b3
square for his bishop. 10.0-0 [10.Nd5 Nd7 11.0-0 Rc8! 12.Re1 0-0 13.c3 Be7! Another aspect of having
the knight on f3 is that it prevents bishop to g5 ideas. 14.Bf1 Nf6 15.Qb3 Nxd5 16.exd5 Bg4 Black has a
nice position. 0-1 (39) Tari, A (2578) – Ding Liren (2772) Antalya 2017] 10...Be7 11.Nd5 Nd7 12.Bc4!
233
Position after: 12.Bc4!
We see now a main aspect of White’s idea. Very solid play. 12...b5!? 13.Bb3 0-0 14.Re1 Nc5 Probably
the correct idea; similarities with the Sveshnikov Sicilian are obvious. 15.h3 [15.c3 a5 16.Bc2 Rb8
17.Qd2 Bxd5 18.Qxd5 b4 Black stands well.] 15...Rc8 16.c3 a5 17.Bc2 Bg5 18.a3 Bh6
19.b4 An over-optimistic approach. 19...Nd7 20.Bb3 Bxd5 21.Bxd5 Rxc3 Black is perfectly fine. 0-1
(62) Kovalenko, I (2635) – Salomon, J (2476) Internet (rapid) 2018.
234
7...Be7 8.Bg5 Be6
9.Bxf6
A well-known idea in Sicilians, especially when Black’s pawn is on e5, as it often is in the Najdorf.
A) 9.Qd2 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 This does White no favours. 10...b5 11.f3 b4 12.Na4 Rb8 Black has a good
position.
B) More to the point is: 9.f4 exf4 10.Bxf4 Nc6
235
Position after: 10...Nc6
(This positon can arise also from a slightly different move order: 8.Be3 Be6 9.f4.) 11.Qd2 d5 12.exd5
Nxd5 13.Nxd5 Qxd5
B1) 14.Qxd5 Bxd5 15.0-0 g6!? 16.c4 [16.Rad1 0-0-0!=] 16...Be6 17.Rad1 0-0 18.Bd6 Bxd6 19.Rxd6
Rac8 Black is doing nicely, for example 20.Nc5 Bxc4! 21.Bxc4 Ne5 22.Bxf7+ Rxf7 23.Rxf7 Nxf7
24.Rd5 b6 25.Nxa6 Rc1+ 26.Kf2 Rc2+ 27.Kf1 Rxb2=.
B2) 14.0-0-0 Qe4 15.Bf3 [15.Qe3 Qa4 16.a3 0-0 17.Kb1 Rfe8 18.Qg3 Rad8 This is also all right from
Black’s point of view.] 15...Qc4
236
Position after: 15...Qc4
16.Bg5 [16.Bxc6+ bxc6 17.Qd4 0-0 18.Qxc4 Bxc4 19.Rhe1 Rfe8 20.Nd4 Bd5 21.Nf5 Bb4 This is yet
another good position for Black.] 16...Bxg5 17.Qxg5 0-0 18.Rhe1 h6 19.Qc5 Qf4+ 20.Kb1 Qxh2
21.Qb6 Rfc8 22.Nc5 Bf5 Black has a good game.
9...Bxf6 10.Qd3
In this section we deal only with queen to d3 and 0-0-0. Kingside castling will be analyzed in a different
237
section.
10...Be7 11.0-0-0
White can also try a more positional idea: 11.Nd5 Nd7 12.Rd1 Bxd5 13.Qxd5 Qc7 14.c3 Nf6 15.Qd3 0-
0
238
White could also have tried to transfer the knight via d2 and f1 but in any case Black brings the bishop
to h6 in order to eliminate the knight. 20...Bh6 21.Nc2 a5 22.Na3 b4 23.Nb5 Qc5 24.a4 bxa3 25.Nxa3
Rab8 Black is fine. 0-1 (71) Ponomariov, R (2694) – Salem, A (2638) Riyadh (rapid) 2017.
B) 16.Nd2 Rfd8 17.Bf3 b5 18.0-0 g6 19.Ra1 Nd7!?
Introducing a plan. 20.Rfd1 Nb6 21.g3 d5! 22.exd5 f5 Black has fine play. 0-1 (34) Onischuk, V (2602)
– Vachier Lagrave, M (2811) Bastia (rapid) 2016.
11...Nd7
239
Position after: 11...Nd7
12.Nd5
12.g3 0-0 13.f4 Rc8 14.Kb1 b5 15.f5 Bc4 16.Qf3 Bxe2 17.Qxe2 Rxc3! 18.bxc3 Nb6 Black is in fine
shape.
240
We have an interesting position in front of us. First of all opposite-coloured bishops, which raises the
question of which bishop is stronger? That will actually give us the answer to the question of who is
better or whether it’s equal. Let’s look deeper:
14.Kb1
21...Ra5! (∆...d5) 22.a3 d5 23.exd5 Nxd5 24.Rd2 g6 25.Rfd1 Nf6 Black has a good endgame.
B) 14.Bc4 0-0 15.Qd3 Rac8 16.Bd5 a5 17.Kb1 a4 18.Nd2 Nb6 19.c4 Qc5 20.Rhf1 Rc7∞
14...0-0 15.h4 b5
241
Position after: 15...b5
16.Qd3
16.g4 a5!? 17.Bxb5 [17.Nd2 Rfc8 18.Qd3 Nc5 19.Qf3 Ne6µ] 17...a4 18.Nd2 Nf6 19.Qc6 Qa7 20.g5
Rfc8 21.gxf6 Rxc6 22.Bxc6 Bxf6 23.Bxa8 Qxa8 24.h5 Bg5 25.f3 Qc6 26.b3 Qc3 27.Nc4 Qxf3 28.Nxd6
h6 Black can be happy here.
16...a5 17.Nd2
17...Nc5
242
Position after: 17...Nc5
18.Qf3
White has a few options, but needs to accept that moving the queen to e3 is not a good idea because he
will want to transfer his knight to that square.
18.Qd5 Centralizing is always an important idea. 18...Rfb8 Black must play ...a4 threatening ...a3
followed by knight to a4. If White plays a3, Black will react with ...b4. For example: 19.Nf1 Ra7 20.Ne3
a4 21.Bh5 Bf8 22.Rh3 a3 23.b3 g6 24.Bf3 Na4! and Black wins.
18...Qb7
243
Position after: 18...Qb7
19.Nf1!
Due to the ...a4 threat I think White simply has no time to waste.
19...a4 20.Ne3 a3 21.b3 Nxe4 22.Nd5 f5 23.Bd3 Qxd5! 24.Bc4 Qxc4 25.bxc4 Rac8!
244
A fantastic position. Black has only two pieces for a queen but what activity his pieces have!
A strong alternative is: 25...bxc4 26.Ka1 [26.Kc1 Bd8 27.Rh3 Bb6 28.Qe2 Ra4 29.c3 Bc5 30.Rf3 Rb8©]
26...d5 27.Rb1 Bc5 28.Rhd1 Bd4+ 29.Rxd4 exd4‚.
26.Qxa3 Rxc4 27.Rd3 Rfc8 28.f3 Nc3+ 29.Kc1 Na4 30.Rd2 Nc3=
b) 8.Be3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.Be3 Be6 9.Nd5
245
Position after: 9.Nd5
I decided to analyze this line before castling because we have another interesting attempt here for White,
an older one.
9...Nbd7 10.Qd3
A very popular modern line. One of White’s basic ideas in the 6.Be2 line is to get a pawn majority on the
queenside and later on seize the initiative. One of the most prominent players who popularized this entire
system against the Najdorf is Geller. An important point is that the queen on d3 not only defends the
pawn on e4, it also deters Black from taking with a knight on d5 and gaining the bishop pair. It is also
important to note that the same line can arise from a slightly different move order: 8.0-0 0-0 9.Be3 Be6
10.Nd5 Nbd7 11.Qd3.
The alternative 10.f3 is an old attempt, but a logical one, so it has to be analyzed. 10...Nxd5 Now Black
can take with a knight on d5 and that is always best if possible. 11.exd5 Bf5 12.Qd2 0-0 13.0-0 Qc7
246
Position after: 13...Qc7
A) 14.c4 a5 15.f4 [15.Rad1 Bg6 16.Na1 f5 17.Nc2 f4 18.Bf2 Qd8 19.Na3 Bh4„] 15...a4 16.fxe5 axb3
17.Rxf5 Rxa2 18.Rb1 dxe5 19.Qc3 Nc5 Black is going well.
B) 14.Na5 Qxc2 15.Qxc2 Bxc2 16.Rfc1 Rfc8 17.Nxb7 Nf6 18.Bg5 a5 19.b3 Bf5 Black is fine here.
C) 14.Rac1!? The idea is to avoid closing the diagonal for the bishop on e2, as we will see in a few
examples: 14...a5
247
15.a4 [15.f4 Be4!? Making use of a strong outpost on e4. 16.fxe5 dxe5 17.c4 Bb4 18.Qd1 a4 19.a3
Bxa3 20.bxa3 axb3 21.Qxb3 Nc5 22.Qb4 b6„] 15...Bg6 16.Bb5 f5 17.Nxa5
Here’s the critical point: does Black has enough for the sacrificed pawn? 17...f4 18.Bf2 e4 19.fxe4 f3
20.Nc4 [20.Bd4 Nf6 21.gxf3 Rxa5 Black enjoys a fine position.] 20...fxg2 21.Rfe1 Nc5 22.e5 Ne4
23.Rxe4 Bxe4 24.Re1 Rxf2! 25.Qxf2 Rf8 Black is better.
10...0-0
10...Bxd5 11.exd5 Rc8 12.c4 0-0 13.0-0 Ne8 leads to the same position.
248
Position after: 12.exd5
The queen on d3 can come under attack, which gives Black additional counterplay. On the other hand,
Black had to give up his bishop pair, which gave White an asset.
We have reached a typical position in this line. Black’s last move shows his clear intention to push ...f5.
From e8 the knight can go to g7, and also the important idea of the bishop to g5 is now possible. We
should also note that the position resembles the King’s Indian and to some extent the plans are the same.
14.Qd2
249
Position after: 14...e4!
15.Qe2 [15.Qxe4 Nef6 16.Qd4 Nxg4 17.Qxg4 Ne5 18.Qe2 Nxc4 19.Bd4 Bf6 Black is fine.] 15...f5
16.Bh3 g6 17.Nd4 Ng7 18.Bh6 Bf6 19.Ne6 [19.Bxg7 Bxg7 20.Ne6 Qh4! With nice play for Black; the
e6-knight simply can’t make up for the other bad pieces.] 19...Nxe6 20.dxe6
White will win the exchange but Black’s good piece coordination compensates for that.
A1) 20...Ne5 21.Bxf8 Qxf8 22.b3 Re8 23.Rad1 Rxe6 24.f4 exf3 25.gxf3 Qe7 26.Qd2 Nc6 27.Rfe1
Bd4+ 28.Kh1 Be3 29.Qd3 Kg7 Black has good play.
250
A2) Another possible way is 20...Nc5 21.Bxf8 Qxf8 22.f3 Re8 23.fxe4 [23.b4 Nxe6 24.fxe4 Bxa1
25.Rxa1 Nf4 Black wins.] 23...Rxe6 24.Qd2 Rxe4 25.Rad1 Rd4 26.Qc2 Rh4 Black stands well.
B) 14.Rac1!?
White keeps the option of moving the bishop to g4, as the c4-pawn is now defended. 14...f5 [14...Bg5
15.Bxg5 Qxg5 16.Na5 Rc7 17.b4 Nef6 18.Rfd1 White has some pressure; 14...b6 15.Bg4! Here’s the
idea. 14...g6 15.Qd2 Ng7 16.Na5! Qc7 17.Bd3 f5 18.f3 e4?! 19.fxe4 Ne5 20.b4± 1-0 (37) Efimenko, Z
(2636) – Nijboer, F (2519) Bremen 2018] 15.f4 [15.f3 b6 16.Qd2 Nef6 17.Bd3 g6 We have play similar
to the main line.] 15...g6 16.fxe5 [16.Qd2 Nef6 17.Qb4 exf4 18.Bxf4 Ne4 19.Bf3 b5 20.cxb5 Qb6+
21.Qd4 axb5 22.Be3 Nec5 Black gets good play.] 16...Nxe5 17.Qd2
251
Position after: 17.Qd2
17...Nf6! Black needs to fight for good squares for his knights. [17...Bf6 18.c5² 1-0 (37) Saveliev, A
(2392) – Sjugirov, S (2660) St Petersburg (blitz) 2016] 18.Nd4 Ne4 19.Qe1 Bg5! Timing is everything
in Sicilians. Black is simply taking over.
14...f5
Before going into action Black can use a slightly different plan: 14...b6!?
252
15.Rac1 [15.g3 a5 16.Rad1 f5 17.f3 g6 18.Na1 Bf6 19.b3 Nc5 20.Nc2 Bg7 21.Na3 Nc7!? This is
interesting. Black waits, anticipating that White wants to send his knight to b5, and so preventing it.
22.Rfe1 Qf6 23.Nc2 Rce8 With a highly complex game.] 15...a5 16.Na1 g6!? Black wants to shift a
knight to g7 because placing a knight on f5 instead of a pawn is a strong idea. 17.b4 Ng7 18.bxa5 bxa5
19.Bd3 Nc5 20.Bc2 a4 21.Rb1 e4 22.Bxc5 Rxc5 23.Bxa4 Rxc4 24.Bc6 Nf5
Black has gained counterplay. 0-1 (66) Carlsen, M (2853) – Grischuk, A (2771) Saint Louis 2015.
253
15.g3
A) 15.f4 g6 16.Rae1 Logical play, considering that White opted for f4. [16.Na5 exf4! 17.Bxf4 Nef6
18.Kh1 Ne4 19.Qb4 Qc7 20.Rac1 Bf6 Black has a good game. 0-1 (31) Hovhannisyan, R (2592) –
Areshchenko, A (2701) Martuni 2014] 16...Nef6 17.Qb4 Ne4 18.Bf3 Nec5 19.Nxc5 Nxc5 20.fxe5
dxe5
A highly unbalanced position. It seems that Black can block White’s potential activity with b4, which is
crucial here. 21.Qd2 e4 22.Be2 a5! Just in time! ½-½ (42) Kahl, F – Bruening, R corr. 2012.
B) 15.Qb4!? Computer-style chess, but when we look closer it is not at all about grabbing a pawn on b7.
15...b6 16.Qa3 a5 17.f4 Rf7 18.Nd2!
254
Position after: 18.Nd2!
This square is vacant now and that was the idea. The knight is heading towards the centre. 18...Bf6
19.Kh1 exf4! 20.Bxf4 Be5 21.Be3 g6 22.Nf3 Re7!
The exclamation mark is awarded for the unorthodox thinking. The knights here are not worse than the
bishops, and Black has nice control of the e-file.
15...Nef6
255
Position after: 15...Nef6
16.f3
White has to stop Black’s activity before he can undertake operations on the queenside.
16.Na5 Ne4 17.Qe1 Rc7 18.b4 Bg5 19.Bd3 Bxe3 20.Qxe3 Ng5 21.f4 exf4 22.gxf4 Re8 23.Qg3 Ne4
Black is better.
16...b6 17.Bd3 g6
256
Position after: 17...g6
18.Rae1 a5!?
Another similar idea is: 18...Nh5 19.Kg2 f4 20.Bf2 fxg3 21.hxg3 Bg5 22.Qe2 Rf7 23.Nd2 Bf4 24.Ne4
Ndf6 25.Rg1 b5 26.cxb5 axb5 27.Nxf6+ Qxf6 Black has counterplay. ½-½ (42) Panyushkin, B – Brasier,
J corr. 2014.
19.Na1!?
257
Position after: 23...f4
19...Nh5
20.Kg2 f4 21.Bf2 fxg3 22.hxg3 Bg5 23.Qd1 Nc5 24.Bb1 Bf4 25.Rh1 e4!
258
Position after: 25...e4!
26.Rxh5 exf3+ 27.Qxf3 Bd2 28.Qg4 Bxe1 29.Bxc5 Qf6 30.Bxg6 hxg6 31.Rg5 Qf1+ 32.Kh2 Rf2+=
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0
259
9.a4
9.Bg5 This move is possible before and after castling. After castling it has a purely positional theme.
9...Be6
A) 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Nd5 Nd7 12.Bg4 With a knight on d7 this type of strategy is not so effective.
[12.a4 Rc8 13.c3 Bg5 14.a5 g6 15.Ra4 Bxd5 16.Qxd5 Nf6 17.Qd3 Qd7 18.Rb4 Rfd8 19.Rd1 h5 With
balanced play. ½-½ (32) Felgaer, R (2557) – Wojtaszek, R (2723) Caleta 2013] 12...Bg5 13.g3
[13.Bxe6 fxe6 14.Nc3 Nb6 15.Na5 Qd7 16.Qe2 Rac8 17.Rad1 Be7 18.Rd3 Na4 19.Nd1 Qc7 Black is
better.] 13...Bxd5! 14.Qxd5 [14.exd5 f5 Another great positon for Black.] 14...Nf6 15.Qd1 Nxe4 Black
is better.
B) 10.f4 exf4 11.Bxf4 Nc6 12.Kh1 d5!
260
Position after: 12...d5!
For many decades this has been a well-known equalizing method. 13.e5 [13.exd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Qxd5
15.Bf3 Qxd1 16.Raxd1 Rfd8 17.c3 a5 This endgame looks OK for Black.] 13...Nd7 14.Nxd5 Ndxe5
15.c4 [Getting the bishop pair here does not help White to gain an advantage: 15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Nd4
Rad8 17.Nxc6 Nxc6 18.Qe1 Bd5 19.Qf2 Rfe8 20.Rae1 Qf6 Black is well centralized.] 15...Bg5 16.Nc5
Bxf4 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Nxf4 Qxd1 19.Raxd1 Rf6 20.Kg1 Raf8=
9...Nc6
261
Position after: 9...Nc6
The same reaction as in the 6.g3 line. Before making a decision as to where to place his queen’s bishop,
Black is sending the knight to b4.
10.Bg5
Probably best, and most solid. It is similar to other lines but Black’s knight is committed to c6 now. Other
moves are possible, mostly connected to ideas with f4:
A) 10.Be3 Be6 11.Bf3 Nb4 12.a5 Rc8 13.Re1 Qd7 14.Re2 [14.Ba7 Rc6 15.Re2 Rfc8 16.Rd2 h6 17.Nc1
Rxc3! Such moves should not be missed in Sicilians. 18.bxc3 Rxc3 19.Nd3 Nc6 20.Bb6 Qc8©] 14...d5
15.exd5 Nfxd5 16.Nxd5 Nxd5 17.Ba7 [17.Rd2 Nxe3! 18.Rxd7 Nxd1 19.Rxe7 Nxb2³ 0-1 (36)
Filimonov, A – Shcherbatyuk, S corr. 2013] 17...Rfd8 18.Rxe5!? [18.Rd2 Qb5³ ½-½ (61) Duda, J
(2534) – Idani, P (2480) Kocaeli 2013] 18...Bf6 19.Nc5 Qb5 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Rxd5!
21...exd5 22.Bb6 Rd6 23.Rb1 It seems that this time it is White who has enough for the sacrificed
material.
B) 10.Kh1 Nb4 11.f4 Bd7 12.Be3 Bc6 13.Bf3 Transposing to the main line.
C) 10.f4 Nb4 11.Kh1 Bd7 12.Be3 Bc6 13.Bf3 Rc8
262
Position after: 13...Rc8
C1) 14.Rf2 exf4! 15.Bxf4 d5 16.Rd2 [16.e5 Ne4 17.Rf1 Bg5³] 16...dxe4! 17.Rxd8 Rfxd8 18.Qe2 exf3
19.Qxe7 Nxc2 20.Rc1 Re8 21.Qd6 f2 22.Bg3 Ng4 Black has a dangerous initiative.
C2) 14.a5 d5
C2.1) 15.fxe5 dxe4 16.Be2 Qxd1 17.Bxd1 Nfd5! [17...Nd7 18.Nd4 Bc5 19.Nxc6∞ ½-½ (21)
Rayner, E (2325) – King, D (2435) London 1984] 18.Bd4 e3µ
263
C2.2) 15.Bb6 Qd6!
[15...Qd7 16.fxe5 dxe4 17.Nxe4 Qxd1 18.Nxf6+ gxf6 19.Raxd1 fxe5 20.Bxc6 bxc6 21.Rd7± ½-½
(43) Van der Sterren, P (2400) – Kavalek, L (2570) Wijk aan Zee 1978] 16.exd5 [16.Bc5 Qc7
17.fxe5 Qxe5 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 20.exd5 Rfd8 21.c3 Nbxd5 22.Re1 Qc7 This looks OK
for Black.] 16...Nfxd5 17.Bc5 [17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.fxe5 Qxe5 19.c3 Bd6 20.Bg1 Bxf3 21.Qxf3 Nc6
22.Rad1 Qe6=] 17...Qd8 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd5 Bxc5 20.Bxc6 Rxc6 21.fxe5 Qc7 22.Nxc5 Rxc5
23.e6 fxe6 24.Rxf8+ Kxf8 25.Qg4 Rf5 26.h3 Kg8=
264
Position after: 14...Bh6
15.c4
15.c3 g6 16.Re1 f5 17.Bf3 Kh8 This position strongly resembles the Sveshnikov; it’s complex in any
case.
15...g6
15...Bxd5 16.cxd5 Ne7 17.Nd2 g6 18.Nc4 f5 19.Bf3 Rc8 20.b3 Rc7 Black can play like this as well.
17...Nxa5 18.c5!ƒ
265
Position after: 19...Bg7
The position looks balanced. I will give a few more logical moves.
21.c5 Nd4 22.Nxd4 exd4 23.Qg4 Qe7 24.cxd6 Qxd6 25.Nc4 Qc6 26.b3 e5 Black has no problems.
21...Rde8 22.c5 Nd4 23.cxd6 Qxd6 24.Nxd4 exd4 25.f4 Qc6 26.e5 Rd8
266
Black has enough counterplay.
267
d) 8.0-0 0-0 9.Kh1 & 9.f4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Kh1
A classical line, very popular in the past. Before moving f4 White secures his king against possible
checks along the a7-g1 diagonal.
White still has not decided whether he is going to play f4 or adopt some other idea, so we can say that
Kh1 is a useful waiting move in any case.
9.f4 An old line, completely abandoned a long time ago. I don’t think it’s that simple though. 9...b5!
268
Position after: 9...b5!
10.a4 b4 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.exd5 [12.Qxd5 Qb6+ 13.Kh1 Bb7 14.Qd3 Nd7 15.Be3 Qc7 16.a5 Rac8
17.Rac1 Nc5! Black has the better prospects.] 12...Nd7
A) 13.a5 Qc7 14.Bd2 Rb8 15.Kh1 [15.c4 bxc3 16.Bxc3 Nf6„] 15...Nf6 16.fxe5 dxe5 17.Be3 Bb7
18.Bb6 Qc8 19.d6 Qc6 20.Bf3 Qxd6 Black has a good position.
B) 13.Kh1 Bf6 14.f5!? Bb7 15.c4 bxc3 16.bxc3 e4 17.Ra3! Bxc3 [It is possible to ignore the pawn
sacrifice: 17...Be5 18.Be3 Re8 19.c4∞] 18.Nd2 Be5 19.Nc4! [19.Nxe4 Qh4µ] 19...Nf6 20.Nxe5 dxe5
21.d6 Bd5 22.Rg3©
9...Be6
10.f4
We see that here White didn’t waste time on a4 but played Kh1 instead. So now Black doesn’t have ...d5
, but I am giving this line on purpose as I think that still it’s all right for Black to play like this.
12.Nd4 Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Rc8 14.Rad1 Rc6 15.Bf3 Nd7 16.Qf2 Qc7 17.e5 dxe5 18.Bxc6 Qxc6! 19.Be3 f5
20.Qd2 Bb4 21.Bg1 Bxc3 22.Qxc3 Qxc3 23.bxc3 Rc8 With good play for the sacrificed material.
269
12...Ne8
For the moment Black goes passive with his knight but at the same time he has enabled the e7-bishop to
go to the good squares f6 and g5. This also deters White from moving his queen to g3, because of ...Bh4.
12...Nd7 13.Rd1 Nde5 14.Nd5 Bg5 15.Bg3 This doesn’t entirely solve Black’s problems in this line.
13.Rd1
Another possible line is 13.Nd5 Bg5 14.Bg3 [14.Rd1 Bxf4 15.Nxf4 Qe7 16.Qg3 Nf6 17.Nxe6 Qxe6
Black is fine.] 14...Nf6 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Rd1 Be5 17.Bxe5 Nxe5 18.Qb4 Bg4! 19.Bxg4 Nxg4
20.Qxd6 Ne3 Black’s position inspires confidence. 0-1 (44) Rojicek, V (2426) – Jakubiec, A (2529)
Czechia 2010.
270
Position after: 13.Rd1
13...Bf6
14.Qg3 Qe7 15.Qe3 Be5 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 Bxf4 18.Qxf4 Ne5 19.Nd4 g6 20.c4 Ng7
271
Position after: 20...Ng7
This is typical good play for Black in this line. Two knights are better than knight and bishop here, and
his pawn majority on the kingside is better than White’s counterpart on the queenside.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qd3
272
Compared to the 8.Be3 Be6 9.Nd5 line here we will see a slightly different way of handling this Qd3
idea.
9...Be6 10.Bd2!?
A relatively new plan. The idea is to be ready at once with action on the queenside after the knight jumps
to d5, and it’s an interesting try. Of course 10.Be3 Nbd7 11.Nd5 leads to a line analyzed under 8.Qd3.
There are a few other moves worth noting:
A) 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 Bc8 12.a4 [12.f4 Nd7 13.f5 Bg5 14.Kh1 a5 15.Qg3 Bxc1 16.Raxc1 Nf6
17.c4 a4 18.Nd2 Qb6 19.Rc2 Re8„] 12...f5 13.a5 Nd7 14.c4 e4 Black is creating counterplay.
B) 10.Qg3 Nc6 11.Be3 [11.Bh6 Ne8 12.Be3 Nb4 13.Rac1 Rc8 The idea is ...Rxc3 followed by ...Nxa2,
which would give Black good play.] 11...Nb4 12.Rac1 Rc8 13.Nd2 Kh8 14.a3 d5!?„
C) 10.Rd1!? With play similar to the main line. 10...Nbd7 11.Nd5 Bxd5 12.exd5 Ne8 13.Bd2 a5 14.a4
f5∞
10...a5!?
12.Nxd5 [12.Rad1 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 Qxd3 14.Bxd3 Nc6 15.Rfe1 Rac8 16.Be4 f6 17.g3 Rfd8=] 12...Qxd5
13.Qe3 Nc6 14.Bc3 Bf5 15.Bf3 e4 16.Rfd1 Qe6 17.Bh5! Making it hard for Black to post his queen on
g6. 17...b5 18.a3 a5 19.Nd4 Nxd4 20.Bxd4 b4=
273
11.a4
White can try to ignore Black’s ...a4 idea: 11.Be3!? a4 12.Nd2 a3 13.Rab1 Nc6 14.bxa3 Rxa3 15.Nc4
[15.Rxb7 Qc8!µ] 15...Rxc3!
16.Qxc3 Nxe4 17.Qb2 d5 18.Nxe5 [18.f3 dxc4 19.fxe4 b5! 20.Qxb5 Nd4 21.Bxd4 Qxd4+ 22.Kh1
Qxe4 Black has enough play.] 18...Nxe5 19.Qxe5 Bf6 20.Qf4 Nc3 21.Bd3 d4 22.Bd2 Nxb1 23.Rxb1
Bd5=
11...Nc6
Black can use a different path which may lead to the same thing but also has some drawbacks as well:
11...Na6!? 12.Nd5 Bxd5 13.exd5 b6
274
Position after: 13...b6
14.Rfd1 Nc7 15.Bf3 Nd7 Black uses King’s Indian strategy. It’s not easy for White to create play on the
queenside, while Black is ready to play ...f5 and get an easy game. 16.Bg4! Nf6 17.Bf3 Nd7 18.Bg4 Nf6
19.Bf3 Draw by repetition; both sides believe there is nothing to be gained by upsetting the balance. ½-½
(19) Nepomniachtchi, I (2749) – Grischuk, A (2742) Sharjah 2017.
275
14.Bxb4
14.Qb5 Nxc2 15.Rac1 Nd4 16.Nxd4 exd4 17.Rc4 Ne4! 18.Rxd4 Nxd2 19.Rxd2 Bf6 Black is well
placed.
16...Rfc8 17.Rfc1 g6 18.c4 bxc3 19.bxc3 Bf8 20.c4 Bh6 21.Rc2 Re8
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Be3 Be6 10.Qd2
A famous line introduced by Karpov; for a long time it was even a main idea against the Najdorf. White’s
play is based on very solid positional ground, preventing ...d5 and later on trying to transfer a knight from
b3 to e3, as we saw earlier in some other lines. Today we can say that antidotes have been found but still
the positions are solid so good play is required from both sides.
10...Nbd7
Best.
276
11.a4 Nb6
This was one of the first reactions when Karpov introduced his idea, but just recently the entire line has
been modified and it seems that gaining the bishop pair early is a good thing to do.
15.Nc1
277
Position after: 21...Rc5!
22.Ne2 Bh4!? (With the idea of ...Rxa5!) 23.Ng3 g6 24.c4 Qb8 25.Qc3 Bd8 26.Nd3 Rc8∞
C) 15.f3 Rc6 16.Qf2 [16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.exd5 Rc8 18.Nc1 Bb5 19.b3 Bd7 20.c4 f5 21.f4 exf4 22.Bxf4
g5 23.Be3 f4 24.Bd4 Qe8„; 16.Bb6 Qc8 17.Qe1 Bd8 18.Bf2 b5 19.axb6 Bxb3 20.cxb3 Bxb6 21.Bxb6
Rxb6 Leading to equal play.] 16...Qc8 17.Nc1 Qe6 18.Nd3 d5 Black has a promising position.
15...d5!
278
16.Bb6 Qe8 17.Nxd5
17.exd5 Bb4 18.d6 Qd7 19.Nd3 Bxd6 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Qxd7 Nxd7 22.Rxd7 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Bb5
24.Rxb7 Rxc3 25.Rc1 Rfc8 26.h3 h6=
17...Nxe4 18.Nxe7+
18...Qxe7 19.Qe1
22.Rd3
22...Ng5 23.f4
Searching for complications is not always advisable: 23.Ne2 f4 24.Nc3 e4 The complications are mostly
in Black’s favour.
23...Ne4 24.fxe5 Qxe5 25.Ne2 f4 26.Nc3 Bg6 27.Ra2 Rce8 28.Re2 f3! 29.gxf3 Qg5+ 30.Rg2 Nxc3
279
31.Qxc3 Qf5 32.Bd4 Rf7
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5 7.Nb3 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Re1
280
Position after: 9.Re1
A contemporary line which is actually based on an idea of Karpov’s, but modernized and strengthened.
White frees the f1 square and will control d5 with a bishop coming to f3, while the knight from b3 can go
quickly to f1 and eventually to e3. Very interesting positions can arise and we will look deeply into them.
I will analyze in detail two options that White can basically use: one is to play a5 as soon as possible and
the other is to wait with that decision.
Also possible is a slightly different move order, a kind of modified line in which White plays a quick a5
but keeps the rook on f1 for the time being: 9.Bf3 Be6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.a5
11...Rc8 12.Be3 Rc6!? 13.Nd5 [13.Nd2 Qc7 14.Qe2 Rc8 15.Rfd1 g6 16.Qe1 Qd8 17.h3 R6c7 This is
fine for Black.; or 13.Re1 Qc7 14.h3 Rc8 15.Nd2 Qd8 16.Nf1 g6 17.Re2 h5 We have play similar to that
in the main line.] 13...Rc8! 14.Qd3 [14.Rc1 Nxd5 15.exd5 Bf5 Usually this is OK for Black. 16.c4 Bg6
17.Be2 f5 18.f4 Bf6 19.fxe5 Bxe5 20.Qd2 Nf6 21.Bf3 Ne4 22.Bxe4 fxe4 23.Rxf8+ Qxf8 24.Nd4 Qf6„]
14...Bxd5 15.exd5 Ne8
281
Position after: 15...Ne8
Another position similar to what we saw in the 9.Qd3 line, so Black can follow the footsteps of that line
without worrying about making any big mistakes. The only difference is that this time the pawn on a5
stops Black’s active knight from coming to a5.
9...Be6
10.Bf3
282
This old way of handling the line was actually a Geller innovation at the time. 10.Bf1 Nbd7 11.Nd5
Nxd5 12.exd5 Bf5 13.a4 Bg6 14.a5 Rc8 15.c3
With this move White keeps the option of placing the knight on c4, from where it would create pressure.
15...f5 16.Ra4 Nf6 17.Rb4 Qd7 18.f3 f4!? Now the bishop stays back on c1, while Black seeks a King’s
Indian-style attack with ...Rf7, ...Bf5, and ...g5!. 19.c4 Rf7 It seems that Black has easier ways to execute
his plan than White.
283
Position after: 11...Rc8
12.a5
Sooner or later this will come, of course. There are nuances all the time; this line is new and it’s still
under investigation for both sides.
12.Be3 Nb6 13.Nd2 Nc4 14.Nxc4 Rxc4 15.a5 Qd7
284
Position after: 18.Bg5
18...Rcc4!? An interesting pawn sacrifice. 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Rxd6 Qc7 21.Be2 Rc5 22.Rb6 Rd4 23.Bd3
Rd7 24.Ra3 Bd8 With a rook trapped on b6, White’s position does not look good at all. 0-1 (48)
Rublevsky, S (2683) – Oparin, G (2602) Moscow 2017.
12...Rc4!?
A bold decision. Black actually wants to triple on the c-file, and later on try some activity such as the
285
...g6 and ...h5 expansion, connected with a possible bishop rerouting via g5.
13.Be3
13.Re3 This has some logic, though it has to be said that the rook will be a bit cramped on d3. 13...Re8
14.Rd3 Qc7 15.Be3 Rb4!? 16.Bd2 Rc4 17.Qe1 Rc8 18.Be3 d5! 19.exd5 Bf5©
286
Position after: 15...Rc8
So both sides got what they wanted. From here it’s not easy to improve either side’s position, so let’s see
how a game may continue with various ideas.
16.Bd2!?
16.h3 g6 17.Bd2!? [17.Re2 h5!? 18.Bd2 Nh7! 19.Ne3 Bg5„ 20.Ncd5 Qd8
287
A tense positon but it seems that Black managed to play his trumps just in time.] 17...Rc4!
Change of plan. [17...Rc5 18.Ne3 Rxa5 19.Ncd5 Rxa1 20.Nxe7+ Kf8 21.Nxg6+! That’s the difference
between having the pawn on g7 and g6. 21...hxg6 22.Qxa1²] 18.Ne3 Rd4!? An interesting idea – the
rook on d4 looks somewhat lost but that is not the case. 19.Qc1 h5 20.Ned1 Qd8 21.Be3 Nh7!? With the
idea of ...Bg5.
16...Rc5!
288
Position after: 16...Rc5!
17.Ra3
19.Qd3 [19.Qb1 Bxa4 20.Rxa4 Rxc3 21.bxc3 Qxc3 22.Ne3 Qc7 23.Rb4 Nc5 24.Rb6 g6 25.Rd1 Qb8
With similar play. The knight on c5 is really strong, and Black’s dark-squared bishop is better than
White’s light-squared one.] 19...Bxa4 20.Rxa4 Rxc3 21.Qxc3 Qxc3 22.bxc3 Rxc3 23.Ne3 Nc5 With a
firm grip on c5, Black has no worries here.
17...Qd8
289
Position after: 17...Qd8
18.Qa1
A highly complex line. Among other things, Black wants to play ...Qf8 followed by ...Bh6.
290
Conclusions to Chapter 5
The 6.Be2 variation is an old but always popular idea, a favourite of many positional players and a
Karpov trademark on his way to the top and later on. I decided to react with 6...e5 so we are heading
towards interesting positional play.
Modern lines that come after the initial moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2
e5 7.Nb3 Be7 are very popular.
291
Position after: 9.Re1
C) An important new idea worth mentioning is: 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qd3 Be6 10.Bd2!?.
The focus is on these lines now but that doesn’t necessarily mean that other lines are bad, far from it. As I
said, the
6.Be2 line is a very solid one.
292
Chapter 6
The 6.h3 Variation
Chapter Guide
Chapter 6 – The 6.h3 Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5
a) 7.Nb3 alternative
b) 8.--
c) 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Bg2 Be7 10.0-0
d) 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Bg2 Be7 10.a4
e) 8.Bg5 Be6 9.f4
f) 8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Nd5 Qd8 11.--
g) 8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Nd5 Qd8 11.Nec3
a) 7.Nb3 alternative
293
Position after: 6.h3
Played by Fischer a long time ago and only recently completely revived. White wants to advance g4.
The positions are similar to the Scheveningen and in many lines after 6...e6 the game practically
transposes to that system. However I had decided to analyze 6...e5 whenever I think that Black should opt
for that typical Najdorf approach.
6...e5 7.Nb3
This move, compared with 7.Nde2, brings us more to a traditional way of handling Sicilians.
7...Be6 8.f4
294
Position after: 8...d5
9.g5 [9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Bg2 Nxc3 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.bxc3 Kc7 13.f4 Nc6 14.Be3 exf4 15.Bxf4+ Bd6
16.Bxd6+ Kxd6 17.0-0-0+ Kc7 18.Nc5 Rhe8 This endgame is all right for Black.] 9...Nxe4 10.Nxe4
dxe4 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.Bg2 Nc6 13.Bxe4 Kc7 14.Be3 Rd8 15.c3 f5 16.gxf6 gxf6 17.Nc5 Bxc5
18.Bxc5 Bd5! 19.Bxd5 Rxd5 Black stands well. 0-1 (61) Shirov, A (2673) – Oparin, G (2616) Moscow
(blitz) 2016.
8...g6!?
295
Position after: 8...g6!?
An interesting possibility. There are reasons why this move works here, and one of them is the fact that
6.h3 gives Black certain tactical options.
9.Be2
15.bxc3 Nf6 16.Bd4 Nfd7 Black has compensation.] 11...dxe5 12.0-0-0 [12.Qf2 Nb4 13.a3 Ng3!„]
12...Qxd2+ 13.Nxd2 Ng3 14.Rg1 Rd8 Black is all right in this endgame.
C) 9.Qf3 Nc6 10.Be3 [10.f5 Bxb3 11.axb3 Nd4 12.Qf2 gxf5 13.exf5 d5 14.Bg5 Rg8 15.Bxf6 Qxf6
16.Nxd5 Qc6 17.c4 0-0-0
296
Position after: 17...0-0-0
Black has a strong initiative. 0-1 (34) Lu Shanglei (2627) – Wojtaszek, R (2749) Doha (rapid) 2016]
10...exf4 11.Bxf4 [11.Qxf4 Nh5 12.Qf2 Bg7 13.0-0-0 Be5 14.g4 Ng3 15.Rg1 Nxf1 16.Rgxf1 Bc4 With
unclear consequences.] 11...Nh5 12.Bh2 Qh4+ 13.g3 Qg5 14.g4 Qh4+ 15.Qf2 Qxf2+ 16.Kxf2 Nf6
17.Rd1 Ne5 18.Nd4 Be7 19.Bg2 Rc8 20.Rhe1 Nfd7 Black is doing nicely. ½-½ (31) Karjakin, S (2767)
– Gelfand, B (2748) Baku 2014.
297
Position after: 10...Rc8
11.f5
11.Be3
A) 11...Be7 I am not so sure about the merit of this move.
A1) 12.Qe1 exf4 13.Bxf4 0-0 14.Rd1 Re8!? [Or 14...Ne8 15.Kh1 Bf6 16.Nd4 Ne5 17.Qg3 Bh4
18.Qe3 Bf6 19.Bh6 Bg7∞ 0-1 (40) Gabuzyan, H (2570) – Areshchenko, A (2677) Minsk 2017.]
15.Qg3 Bf8! 16.Kh1 [16.Bxd6? Rxc3 17.Qxc3 Bxd6 18.Rxd6 Nxe4–+] 16...Qb6 With unclear play.
A2) 12.f5!? gxf5 13.exf5 Bc4 14.Bxc4 Rxc4 15.Nd2 Rh4 [15...Rc6 16.Qf3 gives White the initiative.]
16.Bg5 Rd4 17.Qe1 Rg8 18.Be3 Rb4 19.Rb1 This seems better for White – the rook on b4 looks out of
play.
B) 11...Rxc3!? 12.bxc3 Nxe4 13.Bf3 Nxc3 14.Qd2 Qc7 15.fxe5 Nxe5! 16.Bxb7 [16.Nd4 Bg7 17.Nxe6
fxe6 18.Be2 Ne4; or 16.Bd4 Nb5 In both cases Black has developed a good position.] 16...Qxb7
17.Qxc3 Bg7 18.Bd4 Bd5 19.Rf2 0-0 20.Rd1 Re8 Black has compensation.
C) 11...exf4!? 12.Bxf4 Be7 13.Kh1 [13.Qe1 transposes to the above-mentioned game.] 13...Ne5
14.Qe1 [14.Bh6 Rxc3! 15.bxc3 Nxe4 16.Qe1 f5 17.Nd4 Bf7 18.Bd3 Bh4 Black has counterplay.]
14...0-0 15.Rd1 Nfd7 16.Qg3 Re8 With unclear play.
298
Position after: 12...Bc4
13.Bxc4
The alternative 13.Re1 also leads to sharp play: 13...Qb6+ 14.Kh1 Bxe2 15.Qxe2 Qc6 16.Nd4 [16.Bg5
Rg8 17.Bh4 Be7 18.Qf2 b5 19.a3 Qb6 20.Qf3 Qc6 This looks sufficient for Black.] 16...Qb6 17.Nf3
Bg7 18.g4 h6 19.a4 Qc6 20.a5 Kf8 A position that is difficult to assess.
13...Rxc4 14.Nd2
14.Qd3 Qc7 15.Be3 Rg8 16.Rf2 Rh4 17.Kf1 Qc6 18.Na5 Qc7 19.Nb3 b5 20.a3 Qc6 21.Rd1 Rg3 Black
has gained much better play. 0-1 (40) Gharamian, T (2626) – Rodshtein, M (2698) Chartres 2017
14...Rh4!?
299
Position after: 14...Rh4!?
14...Rc6 15.Nde4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 Rg8 [16...Nf6 17.Nxf6+ Qxf6 18.a4 Qh4 19.Ra3 White has a
favourable position. 0-1 (62) Sadzikowski, D (2551) – Cheparinov, I (2688) Izmir 2016] 17.Kh2 [17.c3
Qh4 18.Qd3 Nb6 19.Kh1 d5µ] 17...Nf6 18.Nxf6+ Qxf6 19.c3 Qh4 20.Qd5 The position is unclear.
15.Qe1
300
Position after: 18...Rh4
Playing with a rook on the h-file is a bit risky, but it seems that it is possible.
b) 8.--
White’s intentions are clear: g4 followed by the knight coming to g3; it is actually an accelerated version
301
of the 6.g3 line, where we saw White trying the same strategy. Black has to react fast and the line that I
am analyzing is exactly that: a fast and sharp double- edged reaction.
7...h5
A very modern approach! When analysing the 6.h3 line I noticed the increased popularity of this move.
It’s not that I am unfamiliar with ...h5 ideas in general in Sicilians, but what is interesting here is that in
this case it has become a main option, which is unusual. It’s not only about preventing a fast g4, it also
has some other slightly hidden aspects of play: restricting a knight on e2 is one point worth mentioning,
and often after a possible g3 by White comes the reaction ...h4, trying to create counterplay on that side
as well. Let’s now examine two side options, the two main moves (8.g3 and 8.Bg5) being examined later
in the chapter.
8.Ng1!?
An experimental type of chess! White brings his knight to f3 now that Black has weakened himself with
...h5.
One interesting possibility that never really caught on is 8.Nd5.
It’s a logical try, but at the present moment it’s not considered dangerous. The following game shows it
perfectly: 8...Nxd5 9.Qxd5 Nc6 10.Qd1 Be6 11.Nc3 Rc8 12.Be3 g6 13.Qd2 Bg7 14.Bd3 0-0 15.f3 Nb4
16.Be2 d5 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Black has a good game. ½-½ Kobalia, M (2628) – Sasikiran, K (2674)
Moscow 2017.
302
Position after: 10...Be7
11.Qf3
11.a4 b4 12.Bc4 0-0 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.Bxd5 Bxd5 15.Qxd5 Nd7 16.Nf3 Rc8 17.Qd3 Nc5 18.Qe2 d5
Black is better.
11...Nc6! 12.Bd3
12.Be3 Nd4 13.Bxd4 exd4 14.Nd5 0-0 15.h4 [15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.h4 g6µ] 15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Bxg5
17.hxg5 Re8+ 18.Kd1 g6µ
303
Position after: 13...Rc8
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.g3
A positional line. It follows the steps of the 6.g3 line, but of course it is not the same -- having pawns on
304
h3 and h5 makes a crucial difference. We will see that the plans are different.
8...Nbd7 9.Bg2
9.Bg5 Be7 10.a4 b6 11.Bg2 Bb7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Qd2 Qc7 14.Rfd1 Rfc8 15.h4 Rab8 16.Bh3 Rd8 17.b3 g6
18.Rac1 Kg7
With balanced play. ½-½ (22) Georgiadis, N (2496) – Leko, P (2678) Biel 2017. I will add here that in
case of, let’s say, 19.Qe3 then 19...Ng8! is a point of Black’s previous move that gives counterplay.
9...Be7 10.0-0
First we will see how the game may continue when White allows the ...b5 idea.
10...b5
305
Position after: 10...b5
11.Be3
Not the only move here, there are some other playable tries:
A) 11.a4 b4 12.Nd5 Nxd5 13.Qxd5 Rb8 14.c3 Nc5 15.Be3 Be6 16.Qd1 h4 17.g4 0-0 Black is better. 0-
1 (45) Arias, D (2252) – Bruzon Batista, L (2652) San Salvador 2017.
B) An interesting idea that is known from some other Sicilians is 11.b4!? The plan is a4 but without
giving Black the ...b4 option. 11...Nb6 12.a4 bxa4 13.Nxa4 Nxa4 14.Rxa4 Bd7 15.Ra3 a5 16.bxa5
Rxa5 17.Qd3 0-0 18.c4 Rxa3 19.Bxa3 Qc8 20.f4 Re8 21.Kh2 Be6 22.Rc1 Qa6∞ Black has achieved
counterplay.
C) 11.Bg5 Bb7 12.a3 [12.b4 Nb6 13.a4 bxa4 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nxa4 Nxa4 16.Rxa4 h4 17.g4 Rc8
18.Qd3 Qc7 This is fine for Black.] 12...Rc8 13.Qd2 Rc4 14.b3 Rc7 15.Nc1 Nc5! [15...Qc8 16.N1a2 0-
0 17.Rac1 Rd8 18.Rfd1 Nc5 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nb4 Qe6 21.Nbd5± 1-0 (70) Zude, A (2390) – Nabuurs,
J (2307) Germany 2016] 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.N1a2 h4 18.Nb4 Bg5 19.Qe1 Ne6 20.Ncd5 Rc8 21.c3 0-0
Again we have good counterplay for Black. He has enough activity, thanks to the control of the dark
squares and also the limited action of White’s bishop on g2.
D) 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.Qxd5 Qc7 13.Nc3 Nb6 14.Qd3 0-0 15.h4 Be6 16.b3 Rfc8 17.Bd2 g6 18.Rfe1
Rab8 19.Rac1 Qb7 20.Qe2 Bf8 21.Nd1 Nd7 22.Ne3 Nf6 Interesting play for both sides, with solid
positions for both: chances are equal.
11...0-0
306
Position after: 11...0-0
12.Nd5
A) 12.Qd2 Bb7 13.a3 Rc8 14.Rfd1 Nc5! Provoking f3 but in a better way. [14...Rc4 15.f3 Qa8 16.b3
Rc7 17.g4 Rfc8 18.g5 Nh7 19.h4ƒ 0-1 (41) Caruana, F (2804) – Topalov, V (2761) Leuven (blitz) 2016]
15.f3 Qc7 16.Bg5 Rfd8 The idea is ...d5. 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nd5 Bxd5! 19.Qxd5 h4 20.g4 Bg5 Black is
better.
B) 12.f4 b4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 a5 15.fxe5 Nxe5 16.Nd4 Ba6 17.Re1 h4 18.g4 Bg5∞ With typical
counterplay. 0-1 (28) De Sousa, J (2262) – Ftacnik, L (2551) Vila Nova de Gaia 2010.
12...Nxd5 13.Qxd5
307
Position after: 13.Qxd5
13...Qc7 14.Nc3
14.Qxa8 Bb7 15.Qa7 Ra8 is good for Black. In such positions, two rooks are not stronger than a queen.
14...Bb7 15.Qd1 h4
308
16.Nd5
16.Qg4 Nf6!„
21.exd5 e4 22.g4 Bc5 23.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 24.Kh1 Rfe8 25.Rf5 Rcd8 26.Rd1 e3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Bg2 Be7 10.a4
309
Position after: 10.a4
10...h4!?
Now when White has committed himself to a4 obviously long castling is out of the question, so Black
can do this without wondering if it’s just a waste of time.
11.g4 Nc5
310
Position after: 11...Nc5
Rarely seen, but in my opinion this deserves more attention. Black wants to put pressure on e4 but at the
same time this knight is heading for e6, from where it can control f4 and support the plan of the bishop
coming to g5.
12.Be3
A) 12.0-0 Bd7 13.Be3 0-0 14.Qd2 Bc6 15.f3 d5 Black is fine; this is an example of exactly what Black
wants.
B) 12.Bg5 b6 13.Qd2 Bb7 The game can transpose to Georgiadis – Leko, cited above. 14.Bxf6!? Bxf6
15.Rd1 Be7 In this example we see the advantage of having inserted ...h4: play on the dark squares
gives Black good chances. 16.b4 Ne6 17.Nd5 Bg5„.
C) 12.a5 Bd7 13.0-0 0-0 14.b4 Ne6 15.Be3 Rc8 16.Bb6 [16.Qd3 Qc7 17.Rfc1 Qc4 18.Ra3 g5 19.Rb3
Nf4 20.Nxf4 exf4 21.Bb6 Qxd3 22.cxd3 Be6 Black is looking good.] 16...Qe8 17.Qd3 Bb5!? A new
approach. 18.Nxb5 axb5
Now we see why the insertion of ...h4 and the transfer of the knight to e6 are both good for Black. 19.c3
[19.a6 bxa6 20.Rxa6 Qc6 21.Rfa1 Qc4³] 19...Rc4 20.Rfd1 Qc6 21.f3 g6 22.Bf2 Nd7 23.Qd5 Rc8 Black
has good play.
311
Position after: 14.Nd5!?
14...Ncxe4!
15.Bxe4
15.Bb6 Nxd5!
312
Nice tactics! 16.Bxd8 Ne3 17.Bxe4 Bxe4 18.Qd2 Nxc2+ 19.Kf2 Bxd8 20.a5 [20.Rhc1 Bb6+ 21.Kf1
Ne3+ 22.Ke1 Ng2+= With a possible draw by repetition.] 20...Nxa1 21.Rxa1 0-0 22.Qxd6 Re8 Black
has good counterplay here despite having only rook, bishop and pawn for a queen, but the bishop pair is
an important factor here.
An unusual positon but it seems that Black has enough play here.
20.Rf1
20.0-0-0 exf4 21.Nxf4 Bg5 22.Rhf1 Qe8 23.Be3 Qe5 24.Kb1 Ng3 25.Rf2 Ne4 Another draw by
repetition.
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e) 8.Bg5 Be6 9.f4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.Bg5
White logically takes possession of the g5 square, from which it will be difficult for Black to dislodge the
bishop. On the other hand, Black has normal development and the h5-pawn will be an asset in most
cases, not a weakness.
8...Be6 9.f4
Another interesting line. White’s idea is obvious: push f4-f5 driving the bishop to c4, followed by the
knight moving to g3. White wants to take control of the white squares, especially d5.
A risky alternative is: 9.Ng3 Qb6!?
314
Position after: 9...Qb6!?
A) 10.Qf3 Nc6! 11.0-0-0 Nd4 12.Qd3 Rc8 13.Be3 Qa5 14.Bxd4 [14.a3 h4µ] 14...exd4 15.Qxd4 Rxc3!
16.Qxc3 Qxc3 17.bxc3 h4 18.Ne2 Nxe4 19.Rg1 Nxf2 20.Re1 d5 Black has at least equalized.
B) 10.Rb1 h4 11.Nf5 Nxe4 12.Nxg7+ Bxg7 13.Nxe4 f6 14.Be3 [14.Nxf6+ Bxf6 15.Bxf6 0-0–+]
14...Qb4+ 15.Nd2 d5 16.c3 Qe7 Black has the edge.
9...Nbd7
315
Position after: 9...Nbd7
10.f5
The alternative 10.Qd2 does not help much: 10...Rc8 11.g3 [11.f5 Bc4 12.Ng3 h4 13.Bxc4 Rxc4
14.Nge2 b5 With play similar to the main game.] 11...b5 12.Bg2 Be7 13.0-0 0-0 14.b3 b4!? 15.Na4 Nb6
16.f5 Bd7 17.Nxb6 Qxb6+ 18.Kh2 Bb5„
10...Bc4 11.Ng3
A) 11.Nc1!?, with the idea to shift the knight to b4 via d3, would be quite unclear: 11...Qc7 12.Bxc4
Qxc4 13.Qd3 Rc8 14.0-0 Be7∞.
B) 11.b3 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 Rc8 13.Qf3 Qa5 14.Bd2 Qc5 15.Rd1 Be7 16.Bd3 h4 17.a4 Bd8 This also leads
to unclear play.
11...Rc8 12.Bxc4
Directly following the main idea of seeking control of the white squares.
An alternative is 12.Qf3 Qa5
316
Position after: 12...Qa5
A) 13.Bxc4 Rxc4 14.0-0-0 Rxc3! 15.Qxc3 Qxc3 16.bxc3 h4 17.Bxf6 gxf6!? [17...Nxf6 18.Ne2 Nxe4©]
18.Nf1 Nc5 19.Re1 Bh6+ 20.Kb2 Kd7
317
Qxc4 his efforts only result in a better position for Black.
12...Rxc4 13.Qd3
13...Qc7
14.Nge2
14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.0-0-0 h4 16.Nge2 Be7 17.Rhg1 Qc6 18.b3 Rxe4 19.Nxe4 Nxe4©
14...Be7!?
318
Position after: 14...Be7!?
There are some hidden tactical aspects of this move that we will see soon.
15.0-0-0
15.b3 Rc6 16.Bxf6 [16.0-0-0?! Nc5 17.Qf3 Ncxe4! 18.Nxe4 Nxe4 19.Bxe7 Rxc2+ 20.Kb1 Rxe2–+]
16...Nxf6 17.0-0-0 b5 18.g4 b4 19.Nd5 Nxd5 20.exd5 Rc5 21.Rhg1 Bg5+ 22.Kb1 h4 Black is ahead.
15...Qc6 16.Bxf6
16.b3 Nxe4 17.Bxe7 Nxc3 18.bxc4 Nxe2+ 19.Qxe2 Kxe7 20.Rd4 Rc8 21.Rhd1 Qa4„
319
Position after: 19...Kd7
Black has compensation. We see that the knight on e2 is restricted and Black has play along the c-file. It
is also important to note that for the exchange Black got the central e4-pawn.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6
320
The main line.
11...Nd7 12.0-0-0
White wants to put his e2-knight on c3, and then prepare the h4, g3 and Bh3 plan. Meanwhile after ...Nc5
White’s queen can now safely retreat to e2.
12...g6 13.Kb1
A prophylactic move. Before deciding on a specific plan White moves his king to a safer place.
13.Nec3 Rc8 [13...b5!? is also playable: 14.a3 Rb8 15.h4 Nc5 16.Qe2 Bd7 17.g3 a5 18.Bh3 Bc6 19.b4
Ne6 20.Qd3 Nd4 21.f4 Ra8 22.Rhf1 Bh6 23.Kb2 0-0 24.f5 Ra7∞ ½-½ (50) Oparin, G (2625) –
Sasikiran, K (2674) Moscow 2017.] 14.Kb1
321
Position after: 14.Kb1
A) 14...Nc5 15.Qe2 h4!? An interesting idea. Now the white bishop on f1 is a bit restricted, so White
has to find a different route for it: 16.g3 Bh6 17.Bg2 0-0 18.Bf3! White found the best way to activate
his bishop. 18...Rb8 19.Bg4 b5 20.a3 Bxd5 21.Nxd5 a5 22.b3 Kh7 The position is hard to assess.
B) 14...Bh6 15.h4 [15.g3 also leads to unclear play, for example: 15...h4 16.Be2 Nc5 17.Qf3 0-0
18.Nf6+ Kg7 19.Ng4 b5 20.gxh4 b4 21.Nd5 Qxh4 22.Nxb4 a5 23.Nd3 Nxd3 24.Qxd3 Bf4 25.Qxd6
a4 26.Qa3 Rb8∞] 15...0-0 transposing into our main line.
13...Bh6
322
Position after: 13...Bh6
14.Nec3
A) 14.g3 Nc5 15.Qa3 b5 16.Nec3 0-0 17.Be2 Rb8 18.b4 a5!ƒ 0-1 (33) Ameir, M (2399) – Wei Yi
(2728) Khanty-Mansiysk 2017.
B) 14.Qa3 Nc5 15.Nec3 0-0 16.Be2 b5 17.g4 h4 18.Rhf1 Rb8 [18...Re8∞ 1-0 (40) Schulze, L (2091) –
Engel, R (1973) Hoogeveen 2017] 19.b4 a5! The same idea as in the Wei Yi game. Black is doing well.
14...0-0
19.Qe1! Preventing ...a5 for a while in order to gain time, and also preparing to bring the bishop to e2.
[19.g4 hxg4 20.fxg4 Bg5 21.h5 Qa5 22.Qf3 b4! 23.axb4 Rxb4 24.Nxb4 Qxb4‚] 19...Qa5!? [19...Bd7
20.b4 Ne6 21.Qf2 With g3 and f4 coming next it seems to me that White has the easier and clearer plan.
½-½ (32) Rook, D – Kunzelmann, F corr. 2015] 20.Be2 Rhc8 21.g4 hxg4 22.fxg4 Bf4 23.h5 Bxd5
24.Nxd5 Qxe1 25.Rhxe1 Nxe4 26.Nxf4 exf4 27.Bf3 Ng5 Black is doing OK here.
15.h4 Rc8
323
Position after: 15...Rc8
16.g3
A) Instead 16.Be2 Nc5 17.Qg3 Bxd5 18.Rxd5 b5 19.a3 Qc7 gives Black good play.
B) 16.f3 f5!? 17.exf5 [17.g4!? fxg4 18.fxg4 Bxg4 19.Be2 Be6 20.Rdg1 Kh7 21.Qg3 Qe8 22.Rg2 Nf6
White doesn’t have enough here.] 17...gxf5
18.a3 [18.g4!? Nc5 19.Qe2 fxg4 20.fxg4 hxg4 21.Bg2 Kh8 22.Rhf1 b5 23.a3 Qe8 A complex position;
324
White has compensation but Black has resources too. ½-½ (35) Strautins, V – Degerhammar, R corr.
2015] 18...Kh8 19.g3 Nf6 20.Nxf6 Qxf6 21.Bh3 Rcd8 22.Nd5 Qf7 With very complicated play ahead
of us. 0-1 (46) Mousessian, J – Roques, P corr. 2015.
18.Qe2
18.f4 Nc5 19.Qe2 Bxd5 20.Nxd5 Nxe4 21.Qe1 f5 22.Bg2 Re8 This is quite acceptable for Black. ½-½
(24) Demchenko, A (2629) – Firouzja, A (2469) Yerevan 2016.
18...Nc5!?
Apart from this new idea, Black has a few other interesting options:
A) 18...Nb6 19.Nxb6 Qxb6 20.Nd5 Qb7
325
Position after: 20...Qb7
21.g4!? [21.f3 Rd4 22.Rxd4 exd4 23.Bxe6 fxe6 24.Nb4 a5 25.Nd3 Be3„ ½-½ (28) Biedermann, K –
Waller, A corr. 2016] 21...hxg4 22.Bxg4 f5 23.Bf3 Bxd5 24.Rxd5 Rfc8 25.Qd3 [25.c3 b4–+] 25...Rxc2
26.Qxc2 Rxc2 27.Kxc2 Qb6 28.Rf1 Kf8 Black’s queen is not worse than White’s two rooks here.
B) 18...Rd4!? The idea is to get in ...b4. 19.a3 Nf6 20.Nxf6+ Qxf6 21.Bxe6 [21.g4 Bc4!„] 21...fxe6³
19.f3 Qa5
326
20.a3
20...Kh8 21.Na2
21...Qd8 22.Nab4
327
Position after: 24...Qxc6!
27...c3!? 28.Nxc3 Rb8 29.Nb5 Qxb5 30.Qxb5 Rxb5 31.Rxd6 Na4 32.b3 Be3„
28.c3 Rb8 29.Ka1 Qxb2+ 30.Qxb2 Rxb2 31.Rb1 Rg2 32.Rhg1 Rh2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e5 7.Nde2 h5 8.Bg5 Be6 9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Nd5
Qd8 11.Nec3 g6 12.Bc4
328
Position after: 12.Bc4
The best move: White contests control of d5 and prepares kingside castling.
14.Bb3
14.a3 0-0 15.Ba2 Rc8 16.Qd3 Nd4 17.Kh1 Qh4 18.Kg1 Kh8 19.Rae1 b5 20.Nb4 a5 Black has gained
good counterplay. ½-½ Fedorchuk, S (2639) – Van Kampen, R (2565) Korinthia 2012.
329
Position after: 15...Rc8
The diagram illustrates the main themes of this line. White has firm control over d5 but Black is using a
strategy against it; his two bishops come in handy, and the knight can conveniently occupy the strong d4
square.
A more positional approach is: 17.Ne2 Nxb3 18.Qxb3 b5 Two knights versus two bishops is interesting
stuff, but overall I think it’s OK for Black. 19.a4 Rc5 [19...Rb8 20.axb5 Rxb5 21.Qa2 a5 22.Nec3 Rc5
23.Rd3 Qb8 24.Rfd1 Rfc8 25.Qa3 Kg7 Play is unclear here too.] 20.Nec3
330
Position after: 20.Nec3
20...Qg5! [20...Qb8 21.axb5 axb5 22.Na2 Rc4 23.Rfe1 Kh8 24.Nab4 Qa7∞ ½-½ (37) Kritz, L (2583) –
Xiong, J (2473) Richardson 2015] 21.Rd3 Rb8 22.axb5 axb5 23.Qa3 Qd8 24.Ra1 Rc4„
20.Kh1 Bg7 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Qxd6 Rxf1+ 23.Rxf1 Qe5 24.Qd7 Rf8
25.Rxf8+
25.Rd1 Rf2µ
25...Bxf8
331
Position after: 25...Bxf8
Due to Black’s fine bishop and strong threats along the b8-h2, and a7-g1 diagonals, we can say that he
has reached good play.
Conclusions to Chapter 6
This line, basically known only since Bobby Fischer’s appearance, has undergone an amazing surge in
popularity. At first it looked like a desperate attempt by players of the white pieces to escape heavily
analyzed lines, and the basically sound positions that Black achieves, but it suddenly became a highly
dangerous weapon for White against the Najdorf. It has now established itself as one of the top three lines
against the Najdorf, together with 6.Be3 and 6.Bg5. 6.h3
332
Position after: 6.h3
After searching for adequate play I decided to select 6...e5 and on 7.Nde2 h5!?.
An ultra-modern reply, in the spirit of our current times. Practically everything related to 6.h3 is new, so
it is too early to give any overall conclusions about this system. What I can say is that the material
presented here looks OK for both Black and White: balanced play is the likely outcome.
333
Chapter 7
The 6.Bg5 Variation
Chapter Guide
Chapter 7 – The 6.Bg5 Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6
a) 7.Qe2 alternative
b) 7.Qf3 alternative
c) 7.Qd3 alternative
d) 9.a3 Be7 10.--, 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.--
e) 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.g4 g5
f) 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.g4 Bb7 14.Bg2
g) 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.g4 Bb7 14.h4
h) 9.Qd3
i) 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Nb3
j) 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.Bxf6
k) 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.Be2
l) 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.f5
334
m) 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.e5 dxe5 12.dxe5 Nfd7
n) 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.e5 dxe5 12.dxe5 g5 (17.--)
o) 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.e5 dxe5 12.dxe5 g5 (17.Qe1)
a) 7.Qe2 alternative
This is probably the sharpest and most popular line to combat the Najdorf Sicilian, and over decades it
has brought White huge success. Simplicity is often a key play in chess and this line definitely represents
such chess. White develops in a most aggressive way with the obvious intention of castling on the
queenside. All the great players used this line in the past. On the other hand, Black has many ways to
confront this plan. I decided to go for a modern approach, actually for an old line in a new coat, so to
speak. Highly interesting and sharp play is ahead of us, with lots of long variations, forced draws and
sacrifices.
6...e6 7.Qe2
This is one of the early queen moves. White delays f4 in order to castle long as soon as possible. White
hopes to transpose into some other lines after a later f4, while avoiding variations like the Poisoned Pawn
and the Polugaevsky.
7...h6 8.Bh4
Other moves are possible but don’t represent any danger for Black.
335
A) 8.Bd2 b5 9.a3 Nbd7 10.0-0-0 Bb7 11.f4 Rc8 12.g4 Qb6 13.Be1 This position is difficult to assess.
B) 8.Be3 b5 9.a3 Bb7 10.f3 Nbd7 11.0-0-0 Rc8 12.Qe1 Qc7 13.Bd3 Play has become unclear. ½-½
(21) Ziatdinov, R (2511) – Browne, W (2516) San Francisco 1999.
8...Be7
9.0-0-0
A) 9.Bg3 e5
336
Position after: 9...e5
A1) 10.Nb3 b5 11.f4 0-0 12.Qd3 [12.fxe5 dxe5 13.Bxe5 Nc6 14.Bg3 Re8 Black has strong play in the
centre.] 12...Nbd7 13.Be2 Bb7 14.0-0 Rc8 The game has transposed into a typical Scheveningen type
of line (6.Be2), and Black is fine here. 0-1 (57) Smyslov, V (2560) – Portisch, L (2640) Tilburg 1979.
A2) 10.Nf5 Bxf5 11.exf5 Qc8 12.f4 Qxf5 13.fxe5 dxe5 14.Bxe5
14...0-0! [14...Nc6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.0-0-0 0-0 17.Nd5 White has some initiative. 1-0 (73) Ziatdinov,
R (2433) – Chulivska, V (2238) Vladimir 2008] 15.0-0-0 Nc6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 There’s the difference
from the game just cited! 17.Nd5 Bg5+ 18.Kb1 Rad8 Black has a good position.
B) Another interesting pawn sacrifice has been tried here: 9.f4!? Nxe4 10.Bxe7 Nxc3 11.Qc4 Kxe7
12.Qxc3 Re8 13.0-0-0 Kf8
337
Position after: 13...Kf8
We reach a position where Black is a pawn up, and it’s not really clear exactly what White has. 14.Nf3
[14.g4 e5 15.Nf5 Bxf5 16.gxf5 Nc6 17.Kb1 Qf6µ 1-0 (47) Blazi, J – Keller, A (2160) Marktredwitz
1984; 14.Be2 e5!? 15.fxe5 Qg5+ 16.Kb1 dxe5 17.Nf3 Qe7 18.Bd3 Nc6 19.Be4 Be6 Black stands
well.] 14...d5 15.g4 Nc6 16.Kb1 Qf6 Black is doing OK here. 0-1 (23) Meurs, T (2247) – Ruck, R
(2579) Groningen 2011.
9...Nxe4
338
Position after: 9...Nxe4
Of course White anticipated this idea. Now we enter a sequence of more or less forced moves.
17...Be5! [17...Bg5 18.Bc4+ Kg6 19.h4 Bf6 20.g4 Nc6 21.g5∞ ½-½ (46) Zambrana, O (2472) – Ali, A
(2315) Tromso 2014] 18.Bc4+ Kg6 19.g4 Nc6 20.Bd3 Rxd3! No need for this, but it’s good. 21.Qxd3
Be6 22.h4 Kh7 23.gxf5 Bxa2+ Black wins.
339
Position after: 13.Nxf7
13...Bg5+
13...Bxf7 14.Rxd8+ Bxd8 15.Qf3 White has some initiative. ½-½ (35) Solodovnichenko, Y (2587) –
Fier, A (2624) Drancy 2016.
14.f4
340
Position after: 15...Rxd8
16.h4!? [16.Qf3+ Bf6 17.Bd3 Nc6 18.Re1 Bd5 19.Qg4 Kf8 20.a3 Re8 21.Rd1 Bf7 Black is much better.
½-½ (42) Shabalov, A (2606) – Baklan, V (2655) Khanty-Mansiysk 2009] 16...Be7 17.g4 Bd5 18.Rh3
Nc6 19.g5 Rd6 20.Re3 Kf8 21.Qg4 Bf7 With a complex game ahead of us. ½-½ (52) Iriarte Gomez, E –
Jarecki, M corr. 2007.
341
17.Qf3 Kg8 18.Bd3 Be5 19.Qxb7
19.Qe4 Nc6 20.Qh7+ Kf8 21.Rf1+ Ke7 White has gained nothing.
22.Rf1 Nf6µ
b) 7.Qf3 alternative
This is similar to the previous line, but this time the queen is more actively placed. On the other hand, the
pawn on f2 is blocked for a while and that helps Black to develop his pieces more freely as there are no
immediate threats in the centre.
7...h6
342
Position after: 7...h6
8.Bh4
This endgame is usually considered satisfactory for Black but there are a few moments that can turn the
tables. 10.Be2 [10.f4 h5 11.f5 Nc6 12.Rd1 Bd7 13.Bc4 Ke7 14.Bb3 Bh6 15.Rf1 Nxd4 16.Rxd4 Rag8
343
Black is better here, as his bishop pair and g- file are big assets. ½-½ (55) Short, N (2683) – Kasparov,
G (2851) Sarajevo 2000] 10...h5 11.h4!? White fixes the weakness on h5 and threatens to move a knight
to g3 or f4, thus preparing to take the pawn on h5. 11...Nc6 12.0-0-0 Bd7 13.Kb1 Kd8!?
The idea is to cover the b6-square before playing ...Bh6. Black does not castle long here because then
White could play Nxc6 and Black can’t recapture with the b-pawn. 14.f4 Bh6 15.g3 Kc7 16.Nb3 Rag8
17.Rd3 Bf8 This endgame is hard to judge.
B) 8.Be3 e5
344
Position after: 8...e5
B1) 9.Nde2 b5 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.exd5 Nd7 12.g4 Qa5+! [12...Qc7 13.0-0-0 With typical play in this
line.] 13.Bd2 Qc7 14.0-0-0 Nf6 15.h3 Bb7 Black can be happy here.
B2) 9.Nb3 b5 10.h3 [10.Bd3 Be7 11.h3 Nbd7 12.g4 Bb7 13.0-0-0 b4 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Nf6
16.Be4 a5 Black is better.] 10...Nbd7 11.g4 Bb7 12.0-0-0 Rc8 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Be7
15.h4!? [15.Kb1 Bh4 16.Nd2 Nf6 Black is fine here.] 15...Nf6 16.g5 Qc7 17.c3 e4! 18.Qg3 Nxd5
19.Bh3 Nxc3 20.bxc3 Qxc3+ 21.Kb1 Qc2+ We have a draw by repetition.
345
Position after: 9...Qc7
We are at a crossroads. White has a few options here, all leading to sharp play.
10.Be2
10.g4 Nbd7 11.Qh3 b5 12.Bg2 [Another interesting variation is 12.a3 Rb8 13.f4 b4 14.axb4 Rxb4
15.Bg2 Bb7 16.Rhe1 Nc5 17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5 Ng8 19.Bf2 Bg5+ 20.Kb1 Ne7 The game is highly
complex.] 12...b4 13.e5 dxe5 14.Bxa8 bxc3 15.Nc6 Nb6 16.Nxe7 Kxe7 17.Bg2 Na4 18.Rd3 cxb2+
19.Kb1 Bd7 Black is much better. 0-1 (24) Colucci, J – Spyrydonov, D corr. 2007.
10...Nbd7
346
Position after: 10...Nbd7
11.Qe3
A) 15...Nfd7 16.f4! gxf4 17.Bxf4 b4 18.axb4 Rxb4 19.Rf1 [19.Nf5!? This engine’s suggestion is
actually all right for Black after 19...exf5 20.Nd5 Qb8 21.Nxb4 Qxb4 22.exf5 Kd8∞] 19...Qb6 Black
has developed counterplay. 0-1 (57) Tal, M – Platonov, I Alma-Ata 1968.
347
B) 15...Nh5!?N 16.Bf2 Nf4 Black is more than fine.
11...g5
Black can also proceed with the usual queenside play: 11...b5 12.a3 Rb8 13.f4 b4 14.axb4 Rxb4 15.Be1
Rb8 16.Bg3 Qb6 17.b3 Bb7 18.Bf3 0-0 19.e5 dxe5 20.fxe5 Nh7 21.h4 Rfc8 Black has adequate play.
16...b5!?
16...Nfg4 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.Rh7 Qc5 19.a3! [19.Qd4 Qxd4 20.Rxd4 g4 This endgame is fine for Black.
½-½ (50) Liberzon, V (2545) – Portisch, L (2655) Skara 1980] 19...0-0-0 20.b4 Qc7 21.Bxe5 dxe5
22.Rxf7 It is doubtful whether Black has enough compensation here.
17.a3 Rb8
Black doesn’t need to castle here. This is very similar to some Rauzer Sicilian lines.
348
Position after: 20...axb4
21.Nb1
21.fxe5 bxc3–+
c) 7.Qd3 alternative
349
Position after: 7.Qd3
The third option of early queen moves. White doesn’t block his f1-bishop or his f2-pawn and has similar
ideas of a fast 0-0-0. On the other hand, the queen can be hit by a knight moving to c5 and we will see
that there is another point here that Black can use.
7...b5!?
A swift reply.
8.0-0-0
350
Position after: 9...b4
10.Nd5 [10.Nce2 Nc5 This will transpose to the main line unless White goes 11.Qf3 Bb7 12.Ng3 Be7
13.Bd3 h6 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 and here Black has successfully countered White’s setup.] 10...exd5 11.exd5
[11.Nc6 dxe4–+] 11...Nc5 12.Re1+ Be7 13.Qc4 Bd7 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Nc6 Bxc6 16.dxc6 Rc8 17.Qd5
Qc7 18.Bc4 Rf8 19.Kb1 Qxc6 Black can defend successfully.
B) Possible but not really challenging is: 8.a3 Nbd7 9.0-0-0 Bb7 10.f4 Be7 11.Be2 Rc8!?
351
12.Qg3 [12.Bf3 Qb6 13.Rhe1 Nc5 14.Qe2 b4 15.axb4 Qxb4 Black is going well.] 12...Rxc3! That’s the
way, as usual. 13.Qxc3 Nxe4 Black is better.
8...b4
9.Nce2
9.Bxf6 Qxf6 10.Qc4 Qg5+ 11.Kb1 Qc5 12.Na4 Qxc4 13.Bxc4 Nd7 14.Rhe1 Bb7 Black has equalized.
9...Nbd7 10.f4 Nc5 11.Qe3 Qc7 12.Ng3 Bb7 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Nh5 0-0-0
352
Position after: 14...0-0-0
15.Bd3
15.Nxf6 Be7 16.Nh5 Kb8 17.Ng3 e5 18.Nb3 d5! Black has achieved a winning position with surprising
speed!
353
Black is fine. For example, in case of...
17.g4?!
19.fxe5 Ne4µ 0-1 (24) Vukovic, Z (2470) – Pavlovic, M (2500) Vrnjacka Banja 1999.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6
I will call this the Modernized Poisoned Pawn line, although it’s not a new line. It has been around for a
long time actually, but just in the last few years many new ideas have appeared and now it’s probably one
of the best lines against the direct 6.Bg5 system. I always thought that the Poisoned Pawn represented the
best play for Black against the 6.Bg5 setup. It has been a viable system for a long time and it survived all
the engines’ analysis, which says a lot. I know that many players don’t like forced lines which lead only
to a draw but when writing a book I always concentrate on presenting the best lines.
9.a3!?
Who would have thought that this little move would become probably White’s best bet in trying to get
354
any kind of advantage? It became very popular in the last few years, and it represents one of the main
differences between the Modern Poisoned Pawn and the old one.
9...Be7 10.Bf2
That is the idea behind the early ...Be7 here. 11.Bxe7 Nxc3 12.bxc3 Kxe7 13.Qg4 Qc5 14.Qxg7 Qxc4
15.Qxh8 Qxc3+ 16.Kf2 e5 17.Ne2 Qc5+ 18.Kf1 Nc6 19.Qxh6 Be6 Black has strong counterplay.
B) 10.Qd3
355
Position after: 10.Qd3
10...d5!? [10...Nbd7 11.0-0-0 g5 12.fxg5 Ne5 13.Qd2 Nh7 14.Nf3 hxg5 15.Bf2 Qc7 16.Be2 Bd7 17.h4
Rg8 18.h5 White holds the initiative. ½-½ (30) Caruana, F (2807) – Vachier Lagrave, M (2791) Saint
Louis 2017] 11.exd5 [11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.e5 Be7 13.0-0-0 Nc6„; 11.e5 Ne4 12.Bxe7 Qxb2 13.Nb3
Qxc3+ 14.Qxc3 Nxc3 Black is in good shape here.] 11...Qxb2 12.Rb1 Qxa3 13.dxe6 0-0! 14.exf7+
Rxf7 15.Be2 Bc5 16.Bxf6 Rxf6 17.Qc4+ Kh8 18.Ne4 Nd7! Black has achieved good play.
10...Qc7
356
Position after: 10...Qc7
11.Bd3
A) 11.Qe2 Nc6 12.0-0-0 [12.h3 b5 13.g4 Bb7 14.Bg2 Rc8 15.Nxc6 Qxc6 16.0-0-0 Qc4 17.Rhe1 Qxe2
18.Rxe2 Nd7 With good play for Black. ½-½ (26) Nepomniachtchi, I (2716) – Dominguez Perez, L
(2725) Havana 2012] 12...Nxd4 13.Rxd4 b5 14.g4 e5 15.Rd3 exf4 16.Rg1 Be6 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5
Nd7 19.Bd4 Ne5 20.Rc3 Qd8 21.Bxe5 dxe5 22.Qxe5 0-0 Black has a nice position here. 1-0 (56)
Kotronias, V (2597) – Hagen, A (2453) Plovdiv 2012.
B) 11.Bg3 Nc6
12.Be2 [12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Nf3 dxe5 15.fxe5 Qb6 Black has strong counterplay. 0-1 (60)
Houdini 4 ProA – Stockfish 140215 64 Internet (blitz) 2015] 12...0-0 13.Qd3 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 b5 15.Bf3
Bb7 16.Qd3 Rfd8 Black has a good version of the Scheveningen. 0-1 (51) Durarbayli, V (2539) –
Zhigalko, S (2651) Warsaw 2011
11...Nc6
357
Position after: 11...Nc6
12.Qf3
12.Qe2 e5 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.exf5 exf4 15.0-0-0 d5 Black is well set up.
12...0-0 13.0-0-0!? Nxd4 14.Bxd4 e5 15.fxe5 dxe5 16.Qg3 Bd6 17.Be3 Bxa3
18.Bd2
358
A) 18.bxa3 Qxc3 19.Bxh6 Bg4µ
B) 18.Kb1 Bb4 19.Na2 Be7 20.Bxh6 Nh5 21.Qf3 Nf6 22.Qg3 Nh5 Repetition of moves is the most
logical outcome.
18...Bb4 19.Bxh6
22.Qxh5
22.Bg5 can’t bring White anything good: 22...Nf4 23.Bxf4 exf4 24.e5 Qe3+ 25.Rd2 g6 26.Re1 Qc5
27.Qxf4?! Qxc3 28.Kd1 Be6µ.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.a3!? Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7
11.Qf3 Nbd7
359
Position after: 11...Nbd7
12.0-0-0
12.Be2!? This rarely-played line is far from simple: 12...b5 13.0-0-0 Bb7 14.Qe3 Nc5 15.Bf3 Rc8
16.Kb1 Nfd7!?
17.h4 [17.g4 Nb6 18.Be2 d5 19.e5 Ne4 20.Be1 Bc5 21.h4 Na4 22.Nxa4 bxa4 23.c3 Qb6 24.Ka1∞]
17...Nb6 18.Be2 0-0 19.g4 Nba4 20.Nxa4 Nxa4 21.Rd2 e5 22.Nf5 exf4 23.Nxe7+ Qxe7 24.Qxf4 Qxe4
360
Black can be pleased with his position.
12...b5 13.g4
13...g5
That’s one of two main reactions and I decided to include both. The next subchapters will deal with what
is probably Black’s best play.
14.h4
361
Position after: 15...Nxe4
16.Nxe4 [16.g6 Nxf2 17.gxf7+ Kd8 18.Nxe6+ Kc8 19.Nd5 Bg5+ 20.Nxg5 Bxd5 Black wins.]
16...Bxe4 17.Bg2 [17.g6 Bxg6 18.Bd3 Bxd3 19.Qxd3 Rc8 20.Kb1 Nc5 21.Qe2 d5 Black is doing well,
and is ready for ...Ne4.] 17...Bxg2 18.Qxg2 Rc8 19.g6 fxg6 20.Qe4 Bg5+ 21.Kb1 Nc5 22.Qxg6+ Qf7
Black is in fine shape.
C) 14.f5 Ne5 15.Qe2 Nfxg4 16.Bg3 h5 17.h3 Nf6 18.Kb1 Bd7∞
14...gxf4 15.Be2!
362
Position after: 15.Be2!
We will see that the e2-bishop is a key asset that creates problems for Black, compared with the next
subchapter.
19.Qxf6! Bxf6 20.Nd5 Qd8 21.Nf5! This became widely known after a game Caruana – Nakamura.
White has very strong play.
363
Position after: 18.Qf3
18...hxg5
18...Ne5!? This has never been tested in practice, but it seems that White has the initiative: 19.Qg2 Rg8
20.Kb1 hxg5 21.hxg5 0-0-0 22.Rh3 Kb8
23.Ndxb5!? axb5 24.Nxb5 Qxc2+ 25.Kxc2 Bxe4+ 26.Qxe4 Nxe4 27.Rb3 Nc5 28.Bxc5 dxc5 29.Nd6+
Ka8 30.Nxf7 Nxf7 31.Bf3+ Ka7 32.Rb7+ Ka6 33.Rxd8 Bxd8 34.Rxf7 Bxg5 Somehow White still has
364
the initiative here.
21.Be3!
After this move Black simply can’t reach his optimal play.
21.Kb1 Nde5 22.Qg3 0-0-0 23.Rd1 Kb8 24.Bg1∞ 1-0 (57) Ruiz C, J (2350) – Giron, D (2152) San
Salvador 2017.
21...Nde5
365
Position after: 23.Kb1
23...Kb8
A) 23...Rh8 24.Rxh8+ Nxh8 25.a4 bxa4 26.Nxa4 Kb8 27.Qf1 White wields the initiative.
B) 23...Qd7 24.Nb3 Rh8 25.Rd1 Again White has easy play and keeps up the pressure with no risk at
all.
25.Rxf7 Nxf7 26.Qxf7 Ne5 27.Qxe6 Qd7 28.Qb3 Rh3 Black is mounting up counterplay.
25...Nxh8
366
Position after: 25...Nxh8
26.a4
White still has pressure, and Black does not have an easy task.
367
f) 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.g4 Bb7 14.Bg2
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7
11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.g4 Bb7
This represents best play, in my opinion. It is really early to draw any firm conclusions -- after all, the
line has not been investigated thoroughly, but after analyzing it that is my conclusion.
14.Bg2
That is one of two basic ideas here. 14.h4 is covered in the previous subchapter.
14...g5 15.h4
Alternatives are very much possible, and they lead to complex positions:
A) 15.Qh3 0-0-0 16.Ndxb5 axb5 17.Nxb5 Qc4 18.Na7+ Kb8 19.Rd4
368
Position after: 19.Rd4
An over-optimistic sacrifice. 19...Qa6 [19...Qa2 20.Qd3 Nc5 21.Qb5 Kxa7 22.e5 Nfe4 23.Rxe4 Kb8
24.Ra4 dxe5 25.Ra8+! Kxa8 26.Bxb7+ Ka7 27.Bxc5+ Bxc5 28.Qxc5+ Kxb7 29.Qb5+ Draw by
perpetual; 19...Qe2 20.Rb4 Qxf2 21.Nc6+ Kc7 22.Rf1 Qxf1+ 23.Bxf1 Bxc6 Black should win.] 20.Rb4
Nc5 Black is better. 0-1 (50) Kulaots, K (2597) – Santos Ruiz, M (2473) Minsk 2017.
B) 15.f5 e5 16.Nb3
369
Black has two interesting options now.
B1) 16...Rc8!? 17.Qe2 h5 18.h3 Bc6 [18...Nb6 19.Na5 Nc4 20.Nxc4 Qxc4 21.Rd3 hxg4 22.hxg4
Rxh1+ 23.Bxh1 a5 24.b3 Qc6 25.Nd5 Nxd5 26.exd5 Qa6 27.Rh3 Bf6 28.Be4± ½-½ (44) Agopov, M
(2434) – Palliser, R (2455) Rhodes 2013] 19.Be3!? [19.Rd2 Rb8 20.Rd3 a5 With complicated play. ½-
½ Geissler, W – Wharam, D corr. 2012] 19...a5!
20.Bxg5 b4 21.axb4 axb4 22.Na2 Bb5 23.Qd2 Rg8 24.h4 Nc5 25.Nxc5 dxc5 26.Bxf6 Bxf6 27.g5 Rd8
28.Qe3 Ra8 29.Qb3 Be7 30.Qd5 Rd8 31.Qb3 Ra8 We have a possible repetition of moves.
B2) 16...h5 17.h3 Rc8 18.Rhe1?!
370
Position after: 18.Rhe1?!
371
Position after: 17.Qxf4
This is similar to the previous line, 13...g5, except that here White’s bishop is on g2 and Black’s bishop is
on b7, which changes the position a lot.
A) 20.Rh8+ Nf8 21.Qg3 0-0-0 22.Kb1 Nfg6 23.Rh7 Kb8 The position is rather messy.
B) The alternative is very interesting: 20.Be3!?
B1) 20...0-0-0 21.g6! That is the idea behind the Be3 move, but still it’s not entirely clear: 21...Nc5
22.Kb1 fxg6 23.Rh7 Kb8 24.Nf3 [24.Bh3 g5 25.Qg3 g4 Black is all right here.] 24...g5 25.Nxg5 Rd7
372
Position after: 25...Rd7
26.Bxc5 Bxg5 27.Qxg5 Rxh7 28.Qg8+ Bc8 29.Bxd6 Qxd6 30.Qxh7 Nc4 31.Qh4 Qc5 32.Qg3+ e5
White is a pawn up, but Black has good activity here.
B2) 20...Nf8 21.Kb1 0-0-0 22.Bf1 Nfg6 23.Qf2 Rh8∞
20...0-0-0
373
21.g6!?
Now we are entering very interesting and sharp lines. It’s a tough challenge if Black is not well prepared.
Karjakin opted instead for a rook lift to the third rank: 21.Rh3 Kb8 22.Be3 Rg8 23.Rg3 Rg7 24.Bh3 Rh7
25.Qf2 Nc5„
This is exactly the type of play Black is looking for. 0-1 (59) Karjakin, S (2760) – Vachier Lagrave, M
(2789) London 2017.
21...Rg8
374
Position after: 21...Rg8
22.gxf7
White has a few options of sacrificing the g6-pawn in order to get activity:
A) 22.Nf3 Qd8 23.Nxe5 Nxe5 24.gxf7 Rxg2 25.Bh4 Ng6 26.Bxe7 Qxe7 27.Rh8+ Kd7 28.Qf1 Qg5
29.f8=Q Nxf8 30.Qxf8 Qd2!
A great position! Black has a direct mating threat. 31.Qe8+ Kc7 32.Rh7+ Kb6 33.Rxb7+ Kxb7 Again
375
the complications result in a draw.
B) 22.Bf1!? Rxg6 23.Rh8+ Nf8 24.Bh3 Kb8 25.a4 bxa4 26.Nxa4 Qa5 27.b3 Qd8!?
Tough defence. 28.Qe3 Bg5 29.Nxe6 Bxe3 30.Nxd8 Bxf2 31.Rxf8 Kc7 32.Nxb7 Kxb7 33.Bc8+ Ka7
34.Bf5 Rg1+ Black is going well.
376
25.Nxf8
25.Rxf8+ Bxf8 26.Qf6 Qf1+ 27.Ka2 Nc6 28.Qh8 Qc4+ 29.Ka1 Qxe6 30.Qxf8+ Kd7 31.Nd5 Rxf2
32.Nb6+ Kc7 33.Nd5+ Kd7 Another fabulous draw in the Najdorf!
25...Qf1+ 26.Nd1
A) Trying to play for a win is not possible here for White: 26.Ka2? Rxf2!
Discovered checks don’t help White at all here. 27.Ne6+ Kd7 28.f8=Q Bxf8 29.Nxf8+ Kc6 30.Qg3
Qc4+ 31.Ka1 Rf1+ 32.Nb1 Qxc2 33.Qc3+ Qxc3 34.bxc3 Nc4 Black should win this endgame.
B) 26.Be1 Qxf4 27.Ne6+ Kd7 28.Nxf4 Rg1 29.f8=Q Rxe1+ 30.Ka2 Bxf8 31.Rxf8 Bxe4 Reaching an
equal endgame.
377
Position after: 27...Qxc2!
g) 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7 11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.g4 Bb7 14.h4
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.a3 Be7 10.Bf2 Qc7
11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.0-0-0 b5 13.g4 Bb7 14.h4
14...Nc5 15.Bd3
378
Position after: 15.Bd3
15...h5
I decided to devote a big part of the analysis in this subchapter to an idea that looks entertaining and is a
possible improvement over a Giri – Vachier Lagrave game from Palma 2017. On the other hand, I really
don’t see a big problem if Black goes a different way. Actually during August 2018 while this book was
being edited, new games popped up and it’s Vachier Lagrave in a main role this time in no fewer than
three games, against Caruana, Anand and Grischuk! Two ideas tested are presented in this book.
A) While I was finishing the analysis of this line, another interesting move came up: 15...d5!? 16.e5
Nfe4 17.Bxe4 Nxe4 18.Rh3 h5! 19.Be1 g6 20.gxh5 Rxh5 21.Qg4 Qb6 22.Nce2 Rc8 Black has gained
good counterplay. Of course the position is full of potential, so we will see what new games will bring
us in the future. ½-½ (51) Caruana, F (2822) – Vachier Lagrave, M (2779) Saint Louis 2018.
B) 15...Nxd3+!? 16.Rxd3 d5 17.e5 Ne4
379
Position after: 17...Ne4
18.Be1 [18.f5 Qxe5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Be3 Rf8 21.Qh3 0-0-0 This looks good enough for Black; 18.Rhd1
b4 19.axb4 Bxb4 20.Be1 a5„; 18.Bg1 b4 19.axb4 Bxb4„] 18...0-0-0 19.g5 Again, this move came up
when the book was about to be published. MVL played this line and it seems he came to the same
conclusion as I did, that the position is playable. But Anand was also familiar with the position. The
highly interesting encounter Anand – Vachier Lagrave, Saint Louis 2018, continued: [19.Qe2 Kb8
20.Kb1 Rc8 Another unclear position.] 19...hxg5 20.hxg5 Qb6 21.Nce2 Kb8 22.Qg2 g6
380
23.Rxh8 [23.b4!? Anand mentioned in the post-mortem that he considers this move to be an interesting
option.] 23...Rxh8 24.Rh3 Rc8 25.Bb4 Bxb4 26.axb4 a5 27.Qh2 axb4 28.Rh8 Qa5 Soon a draw was
agreed.
16.g5
16...Ng4
Black has closed the kingside for the moment and sometimes he has the option of castling short.
17.Rhg1
Probably a critical position. White wants to play Rxg4, and that happened in Giri – Vachier Lagrave
2017. In that game Black was under pressure so I had to come up with something new to speed up
Black’s counterplay.
A) 17.f5 Nxd3+ 18.cxd3
381
Position after: 18.cxd3
18...d5!? [18...e5 19.Nc2 Rc8 20.Kb1 d5 21.Rc1 d4 22.Nd5 White holds the initiative. ½-½ (38)
Konguvel, P (2388) – Niekras, D (2291) Warsaw 2017] 19.Kb1 [19.g6 0-0! 20.gxf7+ Rxf7 21.Nxe6
Qc8 22.Ng5 dxe4 23.dxe4 Rxf5 24.Qxf5 Qxf5 25.exf5 Nxf2µ] 19...Nxf2 20.Qxf2 Qb6 21.fxe6 0-0
22.Qf3 Qxd4 23.Qxh5 g6 24.exf7+ Rxf7 25.Qxg6+ Qg7 26.Qe6 Kh8 27.Rhf1 Raf8 28.Rxf7 Qxf7
Black is going nicely.
B) 17.Bg1 g6 18.Kb1 0-0 19.Rh3 Rac8 20.Rg3 [20.Qe2 e5µ] 20...Nxd3 21.Rxd3 e5 22.Nde2 a5µ
17...Qb6!?
382
Position after: 17...Qb6!?
GM Roiz mentions this idea in his analysis for Chess Publishing, but quickly deviates from my analysis.
Black is looking for a fast ...b4, probably the best try for counterplay here.
After 17...g6?! 18.Rxg4! hxg4 19.Qxg4 Black somehow managed to survive in the stem game: 19...e5
20.Nf3 Rc8
21.fxe5 [21.Bxc5 Qxc5 22.Nd5 looks unpleasant for Black as well] 21...dxe5 22.Kb1 Rd8 23.Nd5 Bxd5
24.exd5 Nxd3 25.Rxd3 0-0 26.Bg3!± [26.h5 Qc4!„ ½-½ (31) Giri, A (2762) – Vachier Lagrave, M
(2796) Palma de Mallorca 2017].
After 17...Qb6!? White has a few options:
18.Rxg4
383
Position after: 19...0-0
20.Nxe6!? Nxd3+ 21.Qxd3 Qxf2 22.exf5 Rac8 23.Re2 Qf3 24.Qd2 Bxh4 25.Nxf8 Rxf8 26.Qxd6
Another chaotic position that leads to unclear play.
B) 18.Kb1 b4 19.axb4 Qxb4
And a third game that came just in time for this book! This was also played in Saint Louis by MVL
when he faced Grischuk as Black, and opted for a main idea presented in this book! Well it happens --
not the first time to me, and it also happens to other authors -- that ideas found for a book are played by
384
others before the book is published! We live in fast moving times indeed! 20.Rxg4 [20.Nb3 Nxd3
21.Rxd3 a5 22.Rd4 Qb6 23.Rd2 Qb4 24.Rd4 A draw looks likely.] 20...hxg4 21.Qxg4 Rb8 22.Na2 Qa4
23.Nc3 Qb4 24.Na2 Qa4 25.Nc3 Qb4 ½-½ Grischuk, A (2766) – Vachier Lagrave, M (2779) Saint
Louis 2018.
C) 18.Be1 g6 19.Rxg4 [19.Kb1 Bf8!? Transferring this bishop is a nice positional idea. 20.Rxg4 hxg4
21.Qxg4 Bg7 22.Nb3 Nxd3 23.Rxd3 Rc8 24.f5 exf5 25.exf5 gxf5 26.Qxf5 Qg1∞] 19...hxg4 20.Qxg4
C1) I thought at first that Black can now play 20...d5 21.exd5 0-0-0 but then saw 22.dxe6! Rxd4
23.exf7+ Kc7 [23...Rd7 24.f5!?ƒ] 24.Qe2!!ƒ Unbelievable lines, and such a calm move! White is
hoping – with good reason – to have four passed pawns on the kingside.
C2) 20...b4 21.axb4 Qxb4 22.Qe2 Rb8
385
Position after: 22...Rb8
23.Ncb5 [23.f5 Bxe4 24.Bxe4 Qxb2+ 25.Kd2 Rb4!! 26.Ke3 gxf5 27.Bc6+ Kf8∞] 23...Nxd3+
24.Qxd3 Qa4 25.Nc3 Qa1+ 26.Kd2 Qa5 27.f5 gxf5 28.exf5 Bd5 29.b3
29...Bxg5+! 30.hxg5 Rh2+ 31.Nde2 Rc8 Black has enough pressure; next comes ...Rxc3 or ...Qxc3.
18...hxg4 19.Qxg4
386
Position after: 19.Qxg4
19...b4!?
White has a strong initiative here, for example: 23...Qc6 24.Kb1 Nxd3 25.Rxd3 Qd7 26.Qf4 Here Roiz
387
points out that after 26.Bg7 White cannot be worse, with which I agree. 26...0-0-0 27.f6 Bf8 28.Nd5
White is a rook down but Black’s pieces are badly placed. The engines evaluate this as unclear, but I
can’t recommend such play unless perfect defence can be achieved.
20.axb4 Qxb4
21.g6
388
Position after: 22...Kxf7
Now in this complicated positon White has a few interesting attacking options:
23.e5
A) 23.f5 Bf6 24.fxe6+ Kg8 25.Qg6 Bxd4 26.Qf7+ Kh7 27.Qh5+ Kg8=
B) 23.Rg1 Bf6 24.Qg6+ Ke7 25.e5 dxe5 26.fxe5 Bxe5
389
The position is very murky, for example 27.Rg4 [27.Bb5 Rhc8 28.Be3 axb5 29.Bg5+ Kf8 30.Rf1+ Kg8
31.Qf7+ Kh7=] 27...Qa5 28.Ndb5 Nxd3+ 29.Qxd3 Qa1+ 30.Kd2 Rhd8 31.Bc5+ Kf7 32.Nd6+ Bxd6
33.Qg6+ Ke7 34.Qxg7+ Ke8 35.Qg6+ Kd7 36.Rd4 Kc7 37.Bxd6+ Rxd6 38.Qf7+ Kc6=
C) 23.h5 Bf6 24.e5 dxe5 25.fxe5 Bxe5 26.Bg3
26...Qxb2+! 27.Kxb2 Bf3+ 28.Ka2 Bxg4 29.Rf1+ Kg8 30.Bxe5 Rc8 31.h6 Rxh6 32.Ne4 Rh5 33.Nxc5
Rxe5 34.Nxa6 Rd5 35.Rf4 e5 36.Rxg4 Rxd4 Black has managed to simplify the position and a draw is
the probable result here. 37.Re4 Rxe4 38.Bxe4 Kf7 39.Kb3 g5 40.c4 g4 41.c5 g3 42.c6 Ke7 43.c7 Kd6
44.Kc4 Rxc7+ 45.Nxc7 Kxc7=
D) 23.Na2
390
Position after: 23.Na2
D1) 23...Qa4 24.Rg1! Bf6 [24...Rh7 25.Nc3±] 25.e5 dxe5 26.Qg6+ Kf8 27.fxe5 Bxe5 28.Nxe6+
Nxe6 29.Qxe6 Qf4+ 30.Kb1 Qxf2 31.Rf1 Qxf1+ 32.Bxf1 Re8 33.Qb6 Re7 34.Bc4 Rh6 White is
better here.
D2) 23...Rxh4!
D2.1) 24.Bxh4 Qxd4 25.Nc3 [25.Bxe7 Bxe4µ] 25...Bxh4 26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.Qxh4 Bxe4 28.Nxe4
Nxe4 29.Bxe4 Qe3+ 30.Kb1 Qxe4 Black’s position is fine.
D2.2) 24.Qe2
391
Position after: 24.Qe2
24...Qb6 [Also possible is 24...Nxd3+ 25.Qxd3 Qxb2+ 26.Kxb2 Bxe4+ 27.Kc1 Bxd3 28.Bxh4
Bxc2 29.Kxc2 Bxh4 30.f5 exf5 31.Nxf5 Bf6 32.Nxd6+ Ke6 With no pawns on the board and two
knights, White can’t really hope for anything more than a draw.] 25.Bxh4 Bxh4 26.Nc3 Bxe4
27.Bxe4 Qxb2+ 28.Kd2 Bf6 29.Rb1 Nb3+ 30.Nxb3 Bxc3+ 31.Kd3 Qxb1 32.Kxc3 Qg1∞ It’s really
hard for the players to understand this position.
23...Rh6
24.Rg1
24.f5 exf5 25.Qxf5+ [25.e6+ Kg8 26.Bxf5 Ba8 27.Rg1 Qxb2+ 28.Kd2 Bf6 29.Rb1 Nb3+ 30.Kd3 Nc1+
Yet another draw.] 25...Kg8 26.Rg1
392
Position after: 26.Rg1
26...Ba8!? A very clever move! [26...Bc8 27.e6! isn’t so clear.] 27.Be3 [Now in case of 27.e6 Black
would just win: 27...Qxb2+ 28.Kd2 Rf8–+.] 27...Nxd3+ 28.Qxd3 Rxh4 29.Nf5 dxe5 30.Rxg7+ Kf8
31.Rxe7 Qxb2+ 32.Kd1 Qa1+ 33.Ke2 Rh2+ 34.Bf2 Qg1
Yet another fantastic line here! 35.Rf7+ Kxf7 36.Qd7+ Kg8 Again the excitement dies down and it’s a
draw.
393
24...Nxd3+ 25.cxd3 Bg2!
26.Nde2!?
394
31.Qxg2
31.Rxg2 exd4+ 32.Nxd4 Bf6 33.Qd1 Rd8 34.Nce2 Qc5 35.Qd3 e5 36.fxe5 Qxe5+ Black is at least fine.
31...exd4+ 32.Nxd4 Bf6 33.Nce2 Qc5 34.Qc6 Rb3+ 35.Ke4 Qxc6+ 36.Nxc6 Rb2 37.Re1 Rh5 38.Ne5+
Bxe5 39.fxe5 a5 40.Bg3 g5 41.hxg5 Rxg5
395
h) 9.Qd3
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd3
An important line. When Black plays an early ...h6 the g6-square can become vulnerable, so White is
aiming for that.
A) An old line goes 11.e5 dxe5 12.fxe5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.e6 Nc6 15.exf7+ Kxf7 16.c3 Be7!
396
Position after: 16...Be7!
An important new idea here. 17.Qf3+ Ke8 18.Qh5+ Kf8 19.Bxe7+?! [19.Qf3+ Ke8 This leads to a
draw. Trying to play for a win is dangerous.] 19...Kxe7! 20.Nxc6+ bxc6 21.Qe5+ Kd8 22.Qxg7 Rf8
Black can be perfectly satisfied with his position.
B) 11.Be2 Be7 12.0-0 Qa5 13.Kh1 Nbd7 14.Rbe1 0-0 15.Bd1 Nc5 16.Qf3 Qd8 17.Bf2 Bd7 Black
managed to develop and keep a pawn, so is obviously OK. 0-1 (44) Thorhallsson, T (2441) – Wei, Y
(2501) Reykjavik 2013.
11...Be7!
397
Position after: 11...Be7!
Basically we see a significant difference when h6 is included. This simple move is often a good reaction
in this line.
13.Rxb7 Nbd7 Simply ignoring a rook on b7 is an amazing new approach. 14.Nxe6 fxe6 15.Be2 Rc8
16.Rb3 Qc1+ Black is doing nicely.
13...fxe6 14.e5
A very direct attempt, and always a critical one. The alternative is much slower but still playable.
14.Be2 Nbd7 15.0-0 Rc8
16.Rb3 [The alternative also achieves nothing for White: 16.Be1 Qc5+ 17.Kh1 Qe5 18.Qh3 0-0 19.Bg3
Qxc3 20.Qxe6+ Rf7 21.Bh5 Rcf8 22.Bxf7+ Rxf7 23.Rxb7 Qc6 Black is much better. 0-1 (38) Swiercz, D
(2583) – Wojtaszek, R (2706) Warsaw 2012] 16...Qc5+ 17.Bf2 [17.Kh1 0-0 18.Qh3 Qe5 19.Bf3 Nc5
20.Bg3 Qg5 21.Rbb1 b5 Black is in fine shape.]
A) 17...Qc6 18.Qh3 Nc5 19.Bh5+ Nxh5! [19...Kf8? 20.Bd4! White has a strong attack. Even after
20.Rbb1 Kg8 21.Bg6 as in Sanal, V (2474) – Nakamura, H (2779) Doha (rapid) 2016, 0-1 (34), White
has the initiative.] 20.Qxh5+ Kd8 21.Rb4 Rf8 Black stands well.
B) 17...Qc7! 18.Qh3 0-0 Motif is nice! 19.Qxe6+ Kh8 20.Kh1 Rce8 21.Bd4 Bd8 22.Qh3 Qc6 23.Rbb1
Ne5 Black is doing great.
398
14...dxe5
15.Bxf6
15.Qg6+
A) 15...Kf8 16.Rb3! [½-½ Hevia, A (2492) – Vazquez, G (2436) Brownsville 2017] 16...Qc1+ 17.Nd1
399
It seems that already here Black is bereft of good defensive ideas. 17...Qf4 [17...Nc6 18.Be2!N gives
White a strong attack. The game Matinian, N (2514) – Oparin, G (2622) Batumi 2018, ½-½ (89), was
unclear after 18.Rg3 Rg8 instead.] 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Rxb7 Kg8 20.Bd3 e4 21.Bxe4 Nd7 22.Rxd7 Rf8
23.Bf3 Qb4+ 24.Ke2 Qc4+ 25.Qd3 Qxa2 26.Ne3 1-0 Krzyzanowski, M (2377) – Bulski, K (2543)
Lazy 2012.
B) 15...Kd8!
16.Rb3 Qc1+ 17.Nd1 Qf4 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Qd3+ Kc8 20.g3 Rd8 21.Qc4+ Nc6 22.Bg2 e4 23.Bxe4
Rd6 24.Rf1 Qe5 Black has no worries here.
15...gxf6
400
Position after: 15...Bxf6!?
16.Qg6+ [16.Be2 0-0 17.0-0 Nc6 18.Rxb7 Rad8 19.Qh3 Nd4 20.Bg4 Bg5 Black is better. ½-½ (33)
Kakabaev, M (2329) – Duzhakov, I (2424) Moscow 2017]
A) 16...Ke7 17.Ne4 Nd7
18.Bd3! [18.Nxf6?! Qc3+ 19.Ke2 Qc4+ 20.Kd1 Qd4+ 21.Ke2 Rhf8! [21...Qc4+ 22.Kd1 was a draw
in Polok, K (2228) – Sadzikowski, D (2492) Krakow 2014] 22.Qxg7+ Rf7 23.Qg4 Rxf6 24.Qxd4 exd4
401
25.Rxb7 Kd6 Black is better in this endgame.] 18...Rhf8 19.0-0 Nc5 20.Nxc5 Qxc5+ 21.Kh1 b5 22.a4
Rab8 23.axb5 axb5 24.h3 b4 25.Be4 Rbd8 26.Ra1 Rd4 27.Ra6 Black has built a good fortress; we can
say that chances are equal.
B) 16...Kd8! 17.Ne4 Rf8
18.Bd3 Be7 19.Qxg7 Nc6 20.c3 Kc7 21.Qxh6 Rad8 And Black has seized the initiative!
402
16.Be2
16.Rxb7 f5 17.Be2 0-0 18.Qg3+ [18.Bf3 e4 19.Nxe4 Qxd3 20.cxd3 fxe4 21.Bxe4 Bh4+ 22.g3 Bf6
23.Rf1 a5 24.Rf4 h5 White has compensation, but only enough for a possible draw. ½-½ (30) Avotins, M
– Peñafiel Lopez, J corr. 2014] 18...Kh8 19.Rc7 Qd6 20.Qg6 Bh4+ 21.g3 Qxc7 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Bc4
23...Rf6 [23...Qxc4 24.Qg6+ One more draw. ½-½ (26) Roos, J – Baranowski, T corr. 2013] 24.Bxe6+
Rxe6 25.Qxe6+ Kg7 26.Nd5 Qf7 27.Qxf7+ Kxf7 28.gxh4 Nd7 29.0-0 Rg8+ 30.Kh1 f4 Black has the
better endgame. ½-½ (44) Dulany, L – Ottesen, S corr. 2015.
16...e4
403
Position after: 16...e4
17.Bh5+
17.Qc4 Nd7 18.Nxe4 [18.Rxb7 Ne5 19.Qb3 Qxb3 20.axb3 f5 21.Bh5+ Kd8 22.Ke2 Nc6 23.Rd1+ Kc8
24.Rdd7 Bd8 Black is fine.] 18...Qa5+ 19.c3 f5 20.Nf2 Qe5 21.Rxb7 Nc5 22.Nd3 Nxd3+ 23.Qxd3 Rh7
24.Rb3 Rg7 25.0-0 Kf8 With equal chances. ½-½ (41) Peli, G – Nowak, A corr. 2016.
17...Kf8 18.Qh3
404
18...Nd7!
22.Ne4
22.gxf5 Qxc3 23.fxe6+ Nf6 24.Rb3 Qc6+ 25.Bf3 Qc5 White doesn’t have enough for the sacrificed
piece.
22...Qd5 23.Qxe3 Nf6 24.gxf5 Qxe4+ 25.Qxe4 Nxe4 26.fxe6+ Nf6 27.Rxb7 Rc8
405
Position after: 27...Rc8
White has some compensation but I think that’s just enough to maintain the balance, not more.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Nb3
This is a popular line in the Poisoned Pawn, but only without ...h6 included. Here there is a big
406
difference.
10...Be7!
Again we see this clever idea. Usually when confronted with the a3 and Ra2 idea, Black has to play
something else. But in this line with ...h6 included there are many tactical differences.
11.Bxf6
A) 11.a4 Nxe4! 12.Nxe4 Bxh4+ 13.g3 Bf6 14.Nxd6+ Ke7 15.Ne4 Rd8 16.Qb4+ Ke8 17.Nxf6+ Qxf6
18.Bg2 Nc6 Black is in good shape.
B) 11.Bf2 Qa3 12.Be2 Nc6 13.0-0 Bd7 This is all right for Black.
C) 11.e5 dxe5 12.a3 exf4!
13.Bf2 [13.Ra2 Ne4! Wins for Black.] 13...Nd5 14.Bd4 Nc6! 15.Nxd5 Nxd4 16.Nc7+ Kf8 17.Qxd4
Qxd4 18.Nxd4 Ra7 Black regains his piece with a winning advantage.
11...Bxf6
407
Position after: 11...Bxf6
12.e5
12.Na4N might be safer, although after 12...Qa3 13.Nb6 Bxa1 14.Nxa1 Qc5 15.Nxa8 0-0 16.Nb3 Qa7
17.Nc7 Qb6 18.Na8 Qa7 Black can at least force a draw if he wants to.
12...dxe5 13.Na4 Qa3 14.Nb6 0-0 15.Nxa8 Rd8 16.Qa5 Qxa5+ 17.Nxa5 exf4 18.Nb3 b5 19.Be2
408
All this has been played, and here Black could have got a decisive advantage.
19...Bxa1!N
19...Bc3+? 20.Kf2 Bxa1 21.Rxa1 Bb7 22.Nb6² 1-0 (65) Weichhold, P (2428) – Sadzikowski, D (2548)
Poland 2017.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1
Qa3 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Be2
12...h5
After this move, which is the usual one, basically there is no difference between this variation and the
direct 7...Qb6 line; it simply transposes.
Waiting a little while before deciding where to put the knight from b8.
409
15.f5
15.Bf3 Nd7!? 16.Rfe1 Kf8 [16...Nc5 17.Nf5! This is the strong idea behind 16.Rfe1.] 17.Qe3 Qc7
Complex play lies ahead.
15...Nc6
16.Nxc6
16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Nxc6 bxc6 18.Qd3 Qe5 19.Na4 d5!? 20.Nb6 dxe4 21.Qc4 h4 22.Qxc6+ Kf7 23.Rxf6+
Kxf6 24.Qxa8 Rf8
410
Position after: 24...Rf8
Black is fine as after 25.Nxc8 Bd6 26.g3 hxg3 27.Rf1+ Kg7 28.Qa7+ Bc7 29.Rxf8 g2+ 30.Kxg2 Qxh2+
31.Kf1 Qh3+ 32.Ke1 Qc3+ he has a draw by repetition.
16...bxc6 17.Bf3
17.Qd3 Kf8 18.Qc4 [18.Bf3 Transposing to the main line.] 18...Ra7 19.Rf3 [19.Qd4 Rc7 20.fxe6 Bxe6
21.Qb6 Qxb6 22.Rxb6 d5 Black has no problems in this endgame.] 19...exf5!
411
One of the key ideas in this particular line. 20.Qxc6 [20.exf5 Rb7!? 21.Qxc6 Rxb1+ 22.Nxb1 Bxf5
23.Bxa6 Kg7 This is great for Black.] 20...Rc7 21.Qd5 Rc5 22.Qd4 Re5 23.h3 Qc5 24.Qa4 Bd8 25.exf5
d5 26.Bxa6 Bxf5∞
17...Kf8
18.Rb3
412
Position after: 22.Bf5
22...Bd6! 23.g3 Bc5 24.Nxc6 Qd6 25.Nd4 Bxd4 26.Qxd4 Qe5 27.Qc5+ Kg7 Black is fine again.
22.Qxd6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1
Qa3 11.Be2
413
Position after: 11.Be2
Another well-known line. White develops first before deciding what action to take in the centre.
A direct attempt and, as we will see, an interesting one. There are other ideas as well:
A) 13.e5 dxe5 14.fxe5 Nxe5 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Rxf6 gxf6 17.Ne4 f5
414
Winning for Black. This is actually reminiscent of a famous game Tal – Ftacnik but here the pawn is on
h6 instead of h7, as in the game mentioned, and that makes a crucial difference.
B) 13.Rf3 Qa5 14.Bf2 Qc7 15.Rg3
15...g5!? 16.fxg5 hxg5 17.Rxg5 b5 18.Rg3 Bb7 19.Qe3 Nc5 20.Bf3 Nfd7 Black is developing good
play.
C) 13.Kh1 0-0 14.Rf3 Qc5 15.Bf2 Qc7 16.Rg3 b5 17.f5 Ne5!
415
18.Be3 [18.Qxh6 Neg4! Black wins.] 18...Kh7 This is all right for Black.
This might be a critical try as White tries to profit from Black’s early ...h6.
416
A highly complex position, but it seems that Black maintains equal chances.
20.Rxb7
20.Bg7 Ng6 21.Bxh6 Rc8 22.Qg5 [22.Nd5 Bxd5 23.Qxd5 Qc5+ 24.Qxc5 Rxc5 25.Rxb7 Rxc2 Leading
to equal chances.] 22...Nf4 23.Qf6 Rxc3 24.Bxf4 Qxa2
25.Rb2 [25.Rxb7? Qa1+ wins for Black.] 25...Qxb2 26.Qxe6+ Kd8 27.Qxd6+ Kc8 28.Qe6+ Kd8
29.Bg5+ Kc7 30.Qxe5+ Kc6 31.Qd5+ Kb6 32.Qd4+ Kc6 Draw by repetition.
20...Ng6
417
Position after: 20...Ng6
21.Bf6
21.Rc7 Rc8 22.Nd5 Rxc7 23.Nxc7+ Kd7 24.Nxe6 Nxh8 25.Qxh6 Nf7 26.Qf6 Qe3+=
418
Position after: 26...Kf8
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1
Qa3 11.f5 Be7!
This illustrates an important difference between this line and the usual ...Qb6 line without ...h6. Black is
now ready to castle safely, forcing White to rush his decisions.
13.Be2 0-0 14.0-0 Nc6 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.Rf3 Qa5 17.Rbf1 Bd7 Black has a comfortable position.
13...Nxe4!
As we saw in some other lines, this is the usual tactical motif here and it helps Black immensely.
419
Position after: 16...hxg5
We have arrived at another critical point in this line. White has a couple of options, but so far none has
offered chances for an advantage.
17.0-0
A) 17.Bxe6 Qxg3+!
420
18.hxg3 Rxh1+ 19.Kf2 Rh2+ 20.Ke3 Rxd2 21.Bxc8 Rxd4 22.Bxb7 Rc4 23.Bxa8 Nd7 This endgame is
of course better for Black, thanks to his active rook on c4. ½-½ (31) Tagelsir, A (2216) – Arias, D
(2285) Baku 2016.
B) 17.Nxe6 Bxe6 18.Bxe6 Qxg3+!
Such an important motif! 19.hxg3 [19.Qf2 Qxf2+ 20.Kxf2 Ra7 21.Rb6 Nc6 22.Kg3 Kd8 23.Rf1 Kc7
24.Rb3 b5 Black is much better. 0-1 (40) Schuermans, R (2132) – Docx, S (2490) Brasschaat 2013]
19...Rxh1+ 20.Ke2 Rh2+ 21.Kd3 Rxd2+ 22.Kxd2 Ra7 23.Bd5 Nd7
421
Position after: 23...Nd7
Overall we can say that only Black can play for a win, though most likely the game should be a draw
due to the doubled pawns on the g-file. 24.Rxb7 [24.Bxb7 Nc5 25.Bc6+ Kd8 26.Rf1 Rc7 27.Bd5 Re7
28.Rf8+ Kc7 ½-½ (39) Dileep, K (2053) – Debarshi, M (2313) Mumbai 2018] 24...Rxb7 25.Bxb7 Nc5
26.Bf3 ½-½ Suliborski, J (2007) – Jarmula, P (2174) Lazy 2013.
C) 17.Rf1 Rh6 18.Rb3 Qc5 19.Rc3 [19.Re3 Qxc4 20.Rc3 Qxa2 21.Rxc8+ Kd7 22.Rg8 Qa1+ 23.Ke2
Rxh2+ 24.Rf2 Rxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Nc6 26.Rxg7+ Ne7 27.Rxe7+ Kxe7 28.Qxg5+ Heading to another
draw.] 19...Nc6 20.Nb3
C1) 20...Qb4 21.a3 Qxa3 22.Qxg5 Rf6 23.Qxg7! [23.Rxf6 gxf6 24.Qg8+ Ke7 25.Bxe6 ½-½
Cawdery, D (2446) – Perez Garcia, R (2142) Lisbon 2018] 23...Rxf1+ 24.Bxf1 Qb4 25.Kf2! White
should win.
C2) 20...Qe5+!N 21.Re3 Qb2 22.Qxd6 [22.Ref3 Rf6 Again, OK for Black.] 22...Qb1+
422
Position after: 22...Qb1+
23.Kf2 [23.Kd2? Rxh2+ 24.Re2 Qxf1 25.Rxh2 Qxc4 Winning for Black.] 23...Qxc2+ 24.Ke1 Qb1+
Sealing the draw.
D) 17.c3 Qc5 18.Bxe6 Qe5+ 19.Qe2 [19.Kf2? Bxe6 20.Rbe1 0-0+! 21.Kg1 Bh3 0-1 Robson, R (2583)
– Dominguez Perez, L (2710) Lubbock 2011] 19...Nc6 20.Bd5 Kd7 21.Qxe5 dxe5 22.Bxc6+ bxc6
23.Nf3 Kc7 Black enjoys fine play.
E) 17.Rb3 Qc5
423
E1) 18.Bxe6 Nc6! 19.Nf5? [19.Rc3 Qxd4 20.Qxd4 Nxd4 21.Bxc8 b5 22.Bb7 Rb8 23.Bd5 Kd7
24.Kd2 g4 Black is better in this endgame. 0-1 (39) Sukandar, I (2366) – Kovchan, A (2554) Biel
2011] 19...Bxe6 20.Nxg7+ Kd7 21.Rxb7+ Kc8 22.Rc7+ Kb8 23.Nxe6 Re8 24.Kd1 Rxe6 Black
should win. 0-1 (30) Heinemann, J (2008) – Harazinska, E (2050) Al Ain 2013.
E2) 18.Qd3 Rh6 19.Rc3 Nc6 20.Nf3 g4 21.Bb3 Qa3 22.0-0 gxf3 23.Qxf3 Rf6 24.Qh5+ Ke7 25.Qg5
Kd8 26.Rd1 d5 Black is winning. 0-1 (37) Dam, J – Geus, J corr. 2013.
E3) 18.Re3 e5 19.Rf1
19...Qxc4!N [19...Nc6 20.Bf7+ Ke7 21.Nxc6+ bxc6 22.Rc3 Qb4 23.Bb3 Ke8 24.a3∞ 1-0 (51)
Kanarek, M (2417) – Reza, W (2043) Murzasichle 2011] 20.Rc3 Qxf1+ 21.Kxf1 Bh3+ 22.Ke1 exd4
23.Qxd4 Nc6 24.Qxd6 Rh6 25.Re3+ Kf7 26.Qd5+ Be6 27.Qxg5 Rd8 Black should win.
E4) 18.Rc3 Nc6
424
Position after: 18...Nc6
E4.1) 19.Nxe6 Bxe6 20.Bxe6 Qd4 21.Qxd4 Nxd4 22.Bd5 Kd7 23.Rf1 Rae8+ 24.Kd1 Rxh2 Black
has some advantage here. ½-½ (26) Ermolaev, E (2191) – Kostitsina, L (2033) Astrakhan 2013.
E4.2) 19.Nxc6 bxc6 20.Rf1 [20.Bxe6 Rxh2!
An important tactical motif here, giving Black a winning position.] 20...Rb8 21.Bb3 Qe5+ 22.Kd1
Rb4 Black is better. 0-1 (30) Lu, S (2542) – Wei, Y (2453) Beijing 2012.
425
E4.3) 19.Nb3 Qf5 20.Rf1 Qe4+ 21.Kd1 Ne5 22.Bd3 Nxd3 23.Rxd3 Bd7
Black will castle queenside. 24.Rd4 [24.Rxd6 0-0-0„] 24...Qe5 25.Re1 Qf6 26.Rxd6 0-0-0 27.Kc1
g4∞ 0-1 (35) Folk, P (2217) – Nguyen, T (2349) Pardubice 2015.
17...Qc5
426
18.Qf2
An interesting alternative is 18.Bxe6 Bxe6 19.Rbe1 Nc6 20.Rxe6+ Kd7 21.Rf7+ Kc8
A fascinating position! Black calmly defends. 22.Re4 [White has two interesting paths now: 22.c3 Ne5
23.Rf5 Kb8! 24.Rg6 Ka7 Black’s king has reached a safe place and his other pieces are well positioned,
so we can say that Black is fine.] 22...Ne5 23.Re3!? Kb8 24.Rc3 Qd5 25.Rxg7 g4 26.Rb3 Ra7 27.a4
Ka8!
427
Position after: 27...Ka8!
What a defence! The knight on e5 is a great piece, the queen is beautifully centralized, the pawn on g4 is
a strong asset and finally the rook on h8 is playing an active role as well.
18...Nc6 19.Nxe6 Qxf2+ 20.Rxf2 Bxe6 21.Bxe6 Rb8 22.Bd5 Ne5 23.Bxb7 Kd7
Probably the best square at the moment. The king is ready to go to the queenside if it is needed there.
24.Rb3
24.Rff1 Kc7 25.Bxa6 Rxb1 26.Rxb1 Ra8 27.Bd3 Rxa2 With an equal endgame that will usually lead to a
draw. ½-½ (46) Havelka, J (2330) – Nguyen, T (2429) Marianske Lazne 2017.
428
Position after: 27...Rxb3
28.cxb3
28.axb3 Kb6 29.Rd4 Kc5 30.c3 Rb8 We have come to an equal endgame. ½-½ (42) Baumgartner, M –
Dvoinikov, A corr. 2012.
This is yet another good endgame for Black. ½-½ (51) Romero Rodriguez, J – Gutierrez Dopino, J corr.
2013.
429
m) 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.e5 dxe5 12.dxe5 Nfd7
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1
Qa3 11.e5
A modern tabiya of the system, with completely new approaches by both sides. You can find this position
in older books, but theory has evolved to a remarkable degree since then.
This was the main response in the early days of the line.
12...g5!? – see the next subchapter.
430
Position after: 14.Rd1!
The start of a new plan (new in the sense of the last 15 years) that completely changed the look of the
Poisoned Pawn line. For a long time White had not been able to make a serious breakthrough, until this
completely new plan saw daylight. As far as I know the idea belongs to the very talented French GM
Nataf, with whom I did a lot of interesting work over a long period of time.
In the 2018 European Championship, the talented young Russian Dubov went wrong with 17.0-0?
allowing 17...Nc6 18.c3 0-0 19.Bg3 Qd5 with a big plus for Black already. 0-1 (47) Dubov, D (2701) –
Sjugirov, S (2652) Batumi 2018.
17...Qd5
431
Position after: 17...Qd5
A refinement of the line. Previously they played 17...Bxd4 at once, but in view of the idea that Black
wants to use, it is rather important to take the c4-square away from White’s pieces.
That is the point of Black’s play, giving up an exchange to ease the position.
432
22.Bxf8 Nxf8 23.Nd6
We have reached an interesting positon where White is an exchange up and his knight on d6 dominates
the board, but Black has repulsed the direct attack and also has three healthy pawns for the exchange. His
main plan is to exchange queens, which should not be difficult to do.
23...Nbd7
After this move Black has ...Qc5 at his disposal, or even ...Qe5. White has a couple of interesting options
here, but if Black manages to exchange queens he will have simplified, easy play.
24.Bf3
A) 24.0-0 Qc5! 25.Kf2 Rb8 26.Bf3 b6 27.Rb1 At this point Black is a tempo up on a Radjabov – Giri
game from 2016, already a good sign. 27...g5!? The idea is to transfer the king to e7! 28.g3 Kg7 29.h4
Qxe3+ 30.Kxe3 Kf6 This endgame is fine for Black; next his king comes to e7.
B) 24.Bh5 Qc5 25.Ke2 b6 26.Rb1 Rb8 27.Qxc5 Nxc5 28.Bf7+ Kh7 29.Nxc8 Rxc8 30.Rxb6 Nfd7
31.Rxd7 Nxd7 32.Rxe6 Rxc4 33.Bg6+ Kg8 34.Rxa6 Re4+=
C) 24.g4 Also a critical idea. 24...fxg4 25.Bxg4 [25.0-0 Qc5 26.Rd4 e5 27.Rd3 h5 28.Qxc5 Nxc5
29.Rd5 b6 30.Rxe5 Be6 31.Rxh5 Rd8 32.Nf5 g6 33.Rg5 Rd2 Black has good counterplay.] 25...Ne5
433
Position after: 25...Ne5
C1) 26.Be2 Qa1+ 27.Bd1 [27.Rd1 Qa5+=] 27...Bd7 28.0-0 Bc6 Both sides are developed and it seems
that Black is holding on well here: 29.Rdf2 Qa5 30.Nf7 [30.Bh5 Nfg6 31.Re2 Rd8 32.Bxg6 Nxg6
33.Qxe6+ Kh7 34.Qf5 Qxf5 35.Nxf5 a5 This is a good endgame for Black.] 30...Nfg6 31.c5 Nxf7
32.Rxf7 Rf8 33.Bb3 Rxf7 34.Rxf7 Nf8 35.Rf1 Qd8 Black has a good game here, and White’s king is
weak.
C2) 26.Rg1 Bd7 27.Nxb7 [A more active move doesn’t help much: 27.Bh5 Bc6 28.c5 Nfd7 29.Qxh6
Qa1+ 30.Rd1 Qc3+ 31.Ke2 Qb2+= White can’t escape from the perpetual.] 27...Nxg4 28.Rxg4
Qa1+!?N
434
Position after: 28...Qa1+!?N
A new idea. 29.Rd1 Qf6 30.Rf4 Qb2 31.Nc5 Bc6 32.Nxe6 Ng6 33.Rg4 Qf6„ As soon as Black
stabilizes his position we can say that the game is unclear or unbalanced, and this position is no
exception.
24...Rb8
Probably best, in my opinion. There are a few other options but they seem to me a bit imprecise.
A) 24...Qc5 25.Ke2! Rb8 26.Rb1 b6
435
Position after: 26...b6
A1) 27.Qxc5 Nxc5 28.Nxc8 Rxc8 29.Rxb6 Nfd7! [29...Ncd7 30.Rb7 Ne5 31.c5 Rxc5 32.Rd8 Nxf3
33.Kxf3 f4 34.Kxf4± ½-½ (74) Wei Yi (2700) – Liu, Y (2413) China 2016] 30.Rbd6 Rc7 31.Rc6
Rxc6 32.Bxc6 Ne5 33.Rd8+ Kf7 34.Rc8 Ke7 Black is fine; his knights and his king are well placed.
A2) 27.g4!? fxg4 28.Bxg4 Qxe3+ 29.Kxe3 Bb7
30.c5!? [30.Ra2 Ne5 31.Rxb6 Nxg4+ 32.Kf4 Ng6+ 33.Kg3! N6e5 34.Rxb7 Rf8„] 30...Ba8 31.cxb6
436
Nxb6 32.Rdb2 Nd5+ 33.Kf2 Rd8 34.Ne4 With only one white pawn left on the board Black should
have good chances of securing a draw, but there are still a lot of pieces left and it seems that the white
pieces are better coordinated.
B) 24...Qa1+ 25.Bd1 Qa5 26.0-0 Qc5 27.Qf2!? a5 28.g4!
28...f4 [28...Qxf2+ 29.Rdxf2 Nc5 30.gxf5 exf5 31.Nxc8 Rxc8 32.Rxf5 Again we see that White’s
strategy of breaking Black’s pawn structure was successful.] 29.Qxc5 Nxc5 30.Rxf4 e5 31.Rf1 Be6
32.Bf3 White has pressure.
437
Position after: 24...Rb8
25.0-0
A) An interesting king move featured in this game: 25.Ke2 Ne5! 26.Rb1 Nfg6 27.Bh5 Kh7 28.Kf1
Bd7 29.Qd4 Bc6 30.Re1 b5 31.c5 Bd5 With unclear play. ½-½ (49) Llorente Alvarez, J – Caruso, A
corr. 2015.
B) 25.Kf2!? Trying to profit from having his king closer to the centre, expecting a queen exchange on
c5. 25...Nc5!?
Considering that the white king is more exposed on f2, Black anticipates the following play.
B1) 26.h4 Bd7 27.h5 Bc6 Black has good play.
B2) 26.Rf1 Bd7 27.Kg1 Bc6 The idea is ...Rd8 in many lines. 28.Bxc6 [28.g4 Bxf3 29.Rxf3 fxg4
30.Rf7 Qb6! Calm defence, also creating a threat: rook to d8.] 28...bxc6 29.g4 Rb3 30.Qe2 f4!?
438
Position after: 30...f4!?
This idea is an important asset for Black in this line. 31.Rxf4 Rb1+ 32.Rd1 Rxd1+ 33.Qxd1 Ng6
34.Rf1 Ne5 Again Black creates interesting counterplay.
B3) 26.g4 f4! 27.Qxf4 Ng6
28.Qe3 [28.Qf7+? This apparently logical move is actually a mistake. 28...Kh7 29.Rhd1 Bd7 The
threat of Rf8 is very strong.] 28...Bd7 29.Rf1 Rf8 30.Kg1 Bc6 31.Bxc6 Rxf1+ 32.Kxf1 bxc6 Black has
439
compensation in his strong knights and queen, and White’s exposed king.
B4) 26.Rb1!? Probably best here as it slows down Black’s main idea, bishop to d7. 26...Kh7 27.Kg1
Ng6 28.Bh5 Bd7 29.Rf1 Bc6 30.g4 Nh4 31.gxf5 Rf8 32.Bg6+ Kg8 33.Rdf2 Ne4!!
A fantastic solution! 34.Nxe4 exf5 35.Ng3 [35.Ng5 hxg5 36.Qe6+ Kh8 37.Bxf5 Qc5 38.Be4 Bxe4
39.Qxe4 Rf4 40.Qe8+ Kh7 41.Qh5+=] 35...Nxg6 36.Rxf5 Rxf5 37.Nxf5 Kh7 38.Qd4 Ne5 Black has
gained counterplay.
25...Qc5!
440
Position after: 25...Qc5!
We see a difference with the ...Qa1+ line: here the bishop on f3 is blocking White’s potential pressure on
the f-file.
27.Rb2 Nfd7 28.Rfb1 Kf8 29.Nxc8 Rxc8 30.Bxb7 Rb8 31.Bc6 Rxb2 32.Rxb2 Ne5 33.Rb8+ Ke7 34.Bf3
Kd6©
441
Black is fine. This is an excellent example of what is a safe position for Black, even though he is an
exchange down.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1
Qa3 11.e5 dxe5 12.fxe5 g5
442
Position after: 12...g5
This is a refinement of Black’s play and probably the best choice at the moment.
13.exf6
The main idea and the best one, al-though sidelines are occasionally seen and cannot be neglected:
A) 13.Bg3 Nh5 14.Ne4 [14.Bf2 Qa5 gives Black better play as the pawn on e5 is weak now.] 14...Nd7
15.Rb3 Qxa2 16.Be2
443
16...Qa1+! 17.Bd1 Nc5! 18.Nxc5 Nxg3 19.hxg3 Bxc5 20.c3 Qa5 21.0-0 Qc7 22.Bh5 Rf8 23.Kh2
Qxe5 24.Re1 Qd5 25.Rb2 g4!
26.Qxh6 [26.Bxg4 Qg5 27.Qe2 Rg8 Black wins.] 26...Bxd4 27.cxd4 Bd7 28.Re5 Qxd4 29.Qf6 Qxb2
30.Rxe6+ Bxe6 31.Qxe6+ Kd8 32.Qd6+ Ke8 with perpetual check.
B) 13.Bf2 Ng4 14.Bg3 Nd7 15.Be2 Ngxe5
444
16.Nxe6 [16.0-0 Bg7 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Ne4 Rf8 19.Bh5+ Ke7 20.Rb3 Rxf1+ 21.Kxf1 Nc4 22.Rxa3
Nxd2+ 23.Nxd2 b5 Black is fine; or 16.Ne4 Bg7 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Rb3 Qa4 19.Nd6+ Ke7 20.0-0 Qc6
Black should be able to defend.] 16...fxe6 17.Bh5+ Ke7 18.Qe3 Qa5 19.0-0 Bg7 20.Ne4 Rf8 21.Rfd1
Nc4 22.Qe2 b5 23.Kh1 Qb6 Another successful defence.
13...gxh4
14.Be2
Again best.
14.Ne4 Qxa2 15.Rb3 [15.Rd1 Bd7 16.Be2 Qd5 17.Qe3 Qa5+ 18.c3 Nc6 19.0-0 0-0-0 Black is in fine
shape.] 15...Nd7 16.Qc3 b6
445
Position after: 16...b6
17.Nxe6™ 17...fxe6 18.f7+ Ke7 19.Qxh8 Qxc2 20.Re3 Bb7 21.Qd4 h3 22.Rg1 Bxe4 23.Qxe4 Qxe4
24.Rxe4 Nf6 25.Rc4 Kxf7 26.Rc7+ Be7 With at least adequate play for Black.
A big decision point for White. At least three ideas lead to complex positions.
446
17.Rf4
21...Qxg2+!? Not necessary, but it’s a nice idea. 22.Qxg2 Rxg2 23.Kxg2 h3+ 24.Kh1 Rc8 25.Rxf6 Rxc3
26.Bxa6 [26.Bd3 Ra3 With good play for Black.] 26...Bc5 27.a4 Ke7 28.Rff1 Rxc2 29.Bb7 Bd6 30.Rfe1
f6! The bishop comes to e5 and Black has a good endgame.
The main move, 17.Re1, will be checked in the next subchapter.
17...e5
17...Bd6 18.Nxe6! White should win; this is a key idea for him here.
18.Nd5 exd4
447
Position after: 18...exd4
19.Qxd4
Winning a rook does not achieve much: 19.Nc7+ Kd8 20.Nxa8 d3 21.Bxd3 Bd6 22.Rbf1 Bxf4 23.Rxf4
Re8 24.h3 Re6 25.Qb4 Qc5 26.Qxc5 Nxc5 27.Bc4 Re4 28.Rxe4 Nxe4 29.Bxf7 Nxf6 Black stands well.
19...Kd8
The main idea. Now White has a few possibilities but it seems that none gives any chances for attack.
An alternative leads almost by force to an endgame which I think is probably OK for Black: 19...Bc5
20.Qe4+ Kd8 21.Rf5 Re8 22.Qxe8+ Kxe8 23.Rxg5 hxg5 24.Nc7+ Kd8 25.Nxa8 Nxf6 26.Bf3 b5
27.Rd1+ Ke7 28.h3! Bd7 29.Nc7 Bd6 30.Re1+ Kd8 31.Nd5 Nxd5 32.Bxd5 f6 This looks basically OK
– the king will go to c7 and the bishop on e5 is a strong piece.
448
Position after: 19...Kd8
20.Ne7
449
24.Rf4 [24.Nf4 Re8! 25.Rxc5 Re1+ 26.Rxe1 Qxe1+ 27.Bf1 b5 28.Kg1 Bb7 Black is OK.] 24...Qg5
25.Rf5 Qh4 26.Rf4 Qg5 Another repetition of moves. ½-½ Karasova, E – Gulevich, A corr. 2015.
C) 20.Rd1 h3!?
C1) 21.g3 Bd6 22.Bg4 [22.Re4 Re8 23.Nb6 Rxe4 24.Qxe4 Qc5 25.Nxa8 Nxf6 26.Qc4 Ke7 27.Qxc5
Bxc5 28.Bf3 Ng4 Black is doing well.] 22...Bxf4 23.Bxd7 Bxd7 24.Qb6+ Ke8 25.Qb4 Kd8= Leading
to a draw.
C2) 21.gxh3 Bc5 22.Qd3 Re8 23.Bf3 Re3!? 24.Qh7 Re5
450
Position after: 24...Re5
25.Rg4 [25.Rc4 Qf5 26.Qg8+ Re8 27.Qg2 Qg5 28.Rg4 Qf5 29.Rf4 Qg5 With a probable draw.]
25...Rxd5 26.Bxd5 [26.Rxg5 Rxd1+ 27.Bxd1 hxg5 28.Qxf7 a5 29.Be2 b5 30.Bf3 Ra6 31.Qg8+ Kc7
32.f7 Rf6µ] 26...Qxf6 27.Rg7 Bd6 28.Rxf7 Qe5
29.Qg8+ Kc7 30.Qg3 Qxg3 31.hxg3 a5 With ...Ra6 coming, Black has a satisfactory position.
451
Position after: 23...f5
24.Rxf5
24.Re1 Qg5 25.Rd1 fxg4 26.Qd4 Rg8 27.Rf7 Qb5 28.c4 Qc6 29.Rf6 Rg6 30.Rxc6 Rxc6 31.c5 a5 32.Qf4
Raa6 33.Qf8+ Kc7 34.Qf4+ Yet another clever repetition of moves.
24...Re8 25.Rd5
25.Rd1 Kc7 26.Rf7 Qxf7 27.Qd6+ Kd8 28.Qb6+ Ke7 Another draw is imminent.
In this long line, White now has two paths both leading to draws:
30.a4
30.c4 Qh7! 31.Qb2 Re2 32.Qxe2 Qxb1+ 33.Kh2 Re8 34.Qf3 Qe4 35.Qxe4 Rxe4 36.cxb5 axb5 37.Rxb5
Ra4
30...Rad8 31.axb5 a5 32.c4 Rxd5 33.Qxd5+ Kb8 34.Qd2 Qe4 35.Qd6+ Kb7 36.Qd7+ Ka8 37.Rg1
Qe6
452
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6 9.Qd2 Qxb2 10.Rb1
Qa3 11.e5 dxe5 12.fxe5 g5 13.exf6 gxh4 14.Be2 Qa5 15.0-0 Nd7 16.Kh1 Qg5 17.Qe1 Nxf6 18.Nf3
Qg7
19.Ne5
The alternative is interesting but still doesn’t create enough problems for Black: 19.Nxh4 Be7 20.Rb3!?
[20.Bf3 0-0 21.Nf5 exf5 22.Qxe7 Be6 23.Bxb7 Rad8 Black is fine.] 20...b5
453
Position after: 20...b5
21.a4 [21.Nxb5 axb5 22.Rg3 Qf8 23.Rxf6 Bxf6 24.Bxb5+ Bd7 25.Bxd7+ Kxd7 26.Rd3+ Ke8 27.Qe4
Ra6 28.Qc4 Rd6 29.Qb5+ Kd8 30.Qb8+ Kd7 One more draw by repetition.] 21...0-0 22.Nxb5 [22.axb5
axb5 23.Nxb5 Ra4 24.c4 Ne4! Tough defence but Black is doing OK.] 22...Ne4!
An important motif. 23.Bf3 axb5 24.Bxe4 Rxa4 25.Rg3 Bg5 26.Nf3 f5 27.Bd3 f4 28.Rh3 e5 29.Bxb5
Ra7 30.Rh5 Bf6 31.Nxe5 Re7 32.Rxf4 Bxe5 33.Bc4+ Be6 34.Rxe5 Rxf4 35.Rxe6 Rxe6 36.Qxe6+ Kh8
Black again reaches a safe position.
19...Be7
454
Position after: 19...Be7
20.Na4
20.Bf3 0-0 21.Qxh4 Qg5 22.Qe1 Bd6 23.Nc4 Bc7 24.Nb6 [24.Bxb7 Rb8 25.Bxc8 Rxb1 26.Nxb1 Rxc8
Black is fine; or 24.Ne4 Nxe4 25.Bxe4 Qh5 26.g3 Qc5„] 24...Rb8 25.Rb3 Qf4!
An important move that prevents White from moving a rook to g3. 26.g3 Qe5 27.Ne4 Nxe4 28.Bxe4 f5
29.Bf3 Qxe1 30.Rxe1 Bxb6 31.Rxb6 Kf7 Black has achieved good play.
455
20...0-0 21.Nb6 Rb8
22.Rb3
The alternative is a long line that leads to an equal endgame: 22.Qxh4 Nd5 23.Qd4 Nxb6 24.Rxb6 f5
Planning ...Bf6. 25.Bc4 [25.Qe3 Bd8 26.Rb3 Bc7 Black enjoys better play.] 25...Kh7 26.Bxe6 Bf6
456
27.Rxf5 Bxe6 28.Rxe6 Bxe5 29.Qxe5 Qxe5 30.Rexe5 Rxf5 31.Rxf5 Rc8 32.Rf2 b5 33.g3 Rc3 34.Kg2
Ra3=
White is an exchange up, but Black has some important extra pawns in return, plus nice control over the
dark squares.
26.Bh5
Another possible line is: 26.Rd3 Rf8 27.a4 Nc5 28.Rd4 Qe5 29.Rc4 a5 30.Bf3 Qxe1 31.Rxe1 b6 Black
has a no problems in this endgame.
26...Nd2 27.Rxf7 Nxb3 28.Qxe6 Kh8 29.Rxe7 Rf8 30.Kg1 Qxh5 31.cxb3 Qd1+=
Conclusions to Chapter 7
This line has been one of White’s most popular choices ever since the beginning of the Najdorf. White
develops his pieces to the most active squares, practically forcing Black to react in the best possible way.
For this book I decided to go for a Modified Poisoned Pawn line, which has become popular in recent
years:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6
457
Position after: 8...Qb6
This involves huge complications, but they are satisfactory for Black. The main line continues 9.Qd2
Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3 11.e5 dxe5 12.fxe5.
Here we saw that Black has two decent moves: 12...Nfd7 and 12...g5. The former is my favourite; I find
it easier to play. However, 12...g5 leads to double-edged positions where all three results are possible.
Of course there are certain positions that require exceptional care: here I refer to 9.a3!?.
458
Position after: 9.a3!?
This little move doesn’t give White anything against the standard Poisoned Pawn (without ...h6), but here
it’s probably White’s most dangerous attempt.
I hope my analysis stands the test of time; recent games from Saint Louis in which Najdorf expert
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave came independently to similar conclusions reassure me on that point.
459
Chapter 8
The 6.Be3 Variation
Chapter Guide
Chapter 8 – The 6.Be3 Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f3
0-0 11.g4 b5
a) 7.Nde2 alternative
b) 7.Nf3 alternative (10.Qe2)
c) 7.Nf3 alternative (10.Bxe6)
d) 7.Nf3 alternative (10.Bb3)
e) 8.h3 alternative (9.--)
f) 8.h3 alternative (9.f4)
g) 10.f4 alternative
h) 12.Rg1 Nb6 13.Na5 Qc7
i) 12.Rg1 Nb6 13.Na5 Rc8
j) 12.h4, 12.g5 b4 13.--
k) 12.g5 b4 13.gxf6
l) 12.g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.f4 a5 15.f5 a4 16.fxe6
460
m) 12.g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.f4 a5 15.f5 a4 16.Nbd4 (main line 22.--)
n) 12.g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.f4 a5 15.f5 a4 16.Nbd4 (main line 22.h4)
a) 7.Nde2 alternative
The English Attack is so popular that players of the White pieces in recent years have started to use it
against almost any Sicilian. In the Najdorf it is probably the most critical line, with many ideas to take
into account. I decided to take 6...e5 as the main response. When the white knight goes to b3 (after 6...e5)
usually we will see White castle queenside and follow up with the typical f3 and g4, or else the more
modern f4 scheme. Such a straightforward strategy actually is much more complex than it may seem;
apart from his attacking ideas, often White also makes use of the d5 square. As for Black, we can say that
he develops harmoniously and quickly, and he controls the centre with a pawn on e5. Later on, he can
push ...b5 and generate play along the half-open c-file.
6...e5 7.Nde2
We first start with move 7 sidelines. This one is a slightly unusual strategy, but not something that can be
neglected. Combining the moves Be3 and Nde2 is not ideal, but it can be done.
7...Be6 8.f4
461
Position after: 8.f4
8...Nbd7
Not the only move here. An interesting alternative is: 8...Qc7 9.f5 Bc4 10.Ng3 Nbd7
11.Nh5 [11.Bxc4 Qxc4 12.Qe2 Rc8 13.0-0-0 h5 14.Qd3 b5 15.a3 Qxd3 16.Rxd3 h4 17.Nf1 h3 18.g3
Ng4 Black is fine in this endgame. 11.a3 h5!? 12.Qf3 Rc8 13.Bd3 h4 14.Nf1 Bxd3 15.cxd3 d5 16.Nxd5
Nxd5 17.exd5 Qa5+ 18.Nd2 Bc5„] 11...d5
462
Position after: 11...d5
12.exd5 [12.Bxc4 Qxc4 13.Nxd5 Rc8 14.Ndxf6+ Nxf6 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Qd3 Bb4+ 17.Kf1 Qxc2
18.Qxc2 Rxc2 19.Rc1 Rxc1+ 20.Bxc1 Ke7=] 12...Bxf1 13.Rxf1 0-0-0 14.a3 Bc5 15.Nxf6 Nxf6 16.Bg5
e4 17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.Qd2 Qxh2 19.0-0-0 Qe5 20.Kb1 Kb8 Black is fine.
9.f5 Bc4
10.Nc1
463
A) 10.b3 Bxe2 11.Bxe2 Rc8 12.Qd3 [12.Qd2 d5 13.Nxd5 Nxe4 Black has the initiative. 0-1 (26)
Todorovic, G (2477) – Aveskulov, V (2471) ICC INT 2006] 12...Be7 13.0-0-0 0-0 Black has good play
along the c-file.
B) 10.Ng3 Rc8 11.Bxc4 Rxc4 12.Qd3 Qc7 13.0-0-0 Be7 14.Bg5 b5 15.Kb1 0-0 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Nf1
b4 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.Qxd5 Bg5 Black is ahead here. 0-1 (48) Saric, I (2576) – Palac, M (2571) Zagreb
2009.
13...Rxc3!?
13...Nb6 14.Bxb6 Qxb6 15.Qd3 Be7 16.0-0-0 b4 17.axb4 Qxb4 18.g4 h6 19.h4 Nxg4 20.Qxa6 [20.Nd5
Qc4µ] 20...Qc4 21.Qxc4 Rxc4 Black has now generated good play. ½-½ (66) Andreikin, D (2532) –
Areshchenko, A (2647) Dresden 2007.
14.bxc3 Qc8!?
464
Position after: 14...Qc8!?
15.a4
15.Qd3 d5! 16.exd5 Bd6 Now ...e4 followed by ...Ne5 is Black’s idea. 17.Na5 e4 18.Qd2 Ne5 19.Bg5 0-
0 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Nb3 Nc4 22.Qh6 Be5 23.0-0-0 Nxa3 24.Qe3 Qc4 Black has compensation here. He
is planning ...Qa4 followed by ...Nc4.
465
Black has garnered two pawns for the exchange, but White has potential pressure on the b-file.
19.Rab1 g6 20.Na5
20.g4 gxf5 21.gxf5 Rg8 22.Na5 d5 23.Rg1 Rxg1 24.Bxg1 d4 25.Rb7 Bc5 26.Nb3 Bb6 Black is fine here.
466
Position after: 7.Nf3
Now we switch to this apparently slow type of play, but actually the line is very solid and dangerous if
Black doesn’t know how to handle it.
7...Be7 8.Bc4
White’s approach is very solid, using the fact that Black’s d6-pawn is a weak point. White tries to profit
from that in a most positional way.
I already wrote about this line in one of my previous books, and now I am revi-siting it after quite some
time has passed. In my opinion this is the safest approach for Black.
10.Qe2
467
Position after: 10.Qe2
10...Bxc4!?
The advantage of this move is that it can be used against both 10.Qe2 and 10.Qd3. Also it’s rare, so it
might offer scope for creative analysis – a rare luxury in the Najdorf, as it is a highly demanding and
heavily analyzed opening.
468
Position after: 15...Qc7!
16.Rac1 Nf6 17.Qd3 h6 18.Nh4 Rfd8 19.Nf5 Bf8 20.Bd2 Qb7 21.Ne3 d5 22.exd5 Nxd5 23.Qe4 Rd7
24.Qxe5 Rad8 25.Qe4 Bc5 Black has great activity as compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
B) 13.Bg5 b4 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 15.Nd5 Nxd5 16.Qxd5
Of course such exchanges would not be good for Black if White had time to bring his knight to d5. But
here that is not the case, and Black’s activity outweighs the d5-square issue. 16...Rc8 17.Qd3 Qb6
469
18.Nd2 Qb5! 19.Rfc1 d5 20.Qxd5 Qxd5 21.exd5 Rfd8 22.b3 Rxd5 23.Nc4 Bc5 Black is fine.
13...Qc7
14.Rfd1
14.Nh4 Nc5 15.Bxc5 dxc5 16.Nf5 g6 17.Ne3 c4 18.Qe2 Bc5 19.Ncd5 Nxd5 20.Nxd5 Qc6 This
position is OK for Black: the bishop is not worse than a knight, and Black has ...f5 ideas.
14...Rfc8 15.h3
470
Position after: 16...Nxf6
17.Nd2 Beginning to transfer the knight via f1 to e3, a thematic idea for this whole 7.Nf3 system of
play. [17.Ne1 Rc5„] 17...Bd8!? An interesting positional idea for Black, activating the bishop at the
cost of a pawn. Dynamics is a key word in Sicilians. 18.Qxd6 [18.Nf1 Ba5„] 18...Bb6 19.Nd5 Nxd5
20.exd5 Rxc2
21.Qxe5 [21.Ne4 Bd4µ] 21...Qd7 22.d6 Re8 23.Qd5 Rc5 24.Qd3 Re6 25.Nf3 h6 26.Rd2 Rc6 27.Rad1
Bc5 Black is in good shape.
471
B) This next idea is important as it represents typical play: 15.Nd2 Rab8 16.Nf1 Bf8
17.f3 [17.Bg5 b4 18.axb4 Rxb4 19.Bxf6 Nxf6 20.Ne3 Rxb2 21.Ncd5 Nxd5 22.Qxd5 Qa7 23.Qd3 a5
Black is all right here.] 17...Nc5 18.Bxc5 Qxc5+ 19.Ne3 g6!
So White is ready to plant a knight on d5, but we will see that in some positions that doesn’t mean a
great deal. 20.Kf1 [20.Kh1 a5 21.Qe2 Bh6 22.Ng4 Nxg4 23.fxg4 Bg5! 24.g3 b4 25.axb4 Rxb4 26.Qf3
472
Rb7 27.h4 Bd8 28.g5 Qc4! 29.Rxd6 Rxb2„] 20...h5 21.Qe2 Bh6 22.Ned5 Nxd5
23.Rxd5 [23.Nxd5 Qxc2 24.Ne7+ Kg7 25.Nxc8 Rxc8 26.Qxc2 Rxc2 27.Rd3 Rxb2 Black has good
counterplay for the sacrificed exchange.] 23...Qc7 24.Rd3 Kg7 25.Rad1 a5 26.Rxd6 b4 27.axb4 Rxb4
28.Rd7 Qc4 Black enjoys fine counterplay.
473
17.Bg5
17.Nf1 a5 18.Nxb5 Qxc2 19.Nxd6 Rc6 20.Nf5 Bf8 21.Qd2 g6 22.Nh6+ Kg7 23.Qxa5 Rc5! 24.Qa7 Rc7
25.Qa5 Rc5 Black is all right.
21...Bd8!
A typical manoeuvre.
22.Rxa6 Bb6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3 Be7 8.Bc4 0-0 9.0-0 Be6 10.Bxe6
fxe6 11.Na4
This is a very solid positional approach. In my previous work I highly praised this idea, but since then I
have realized that Black’s chances of equalizing are much better then I had initially thought.
474
Position after: 11.Na4
11...Ng4 12.Qd3
The alternative 12.Bb6 leads to complicated positions: 12...Qe8 13.c4 Qc6 14.Nd2 Nf6 15.Be3 Nbd7
16.Nc3 Nc5
17.Qc2 [17.Bxc5 Qxc5 18.Qb3 Qc6 19.a4 Bd8 20.a5 Rc8 21.h3 Rf7 Play is highly unclear; 17.a4 Nfxe4
18.Ncxe4 Nxe4 19.Qg4 Nxd2 20.Qxe6+ Rf7 21.Bxd2 Bf6 22.b3 e4 23.Rab1 Re8 24.Qg4 b5 Black has
475
reached good play.] 17...Ng4 18.Bxc5 Qxc5 19.b4!? Qd4
A sample line now: 20.Ne2 Qb6 21.Nf3 Rac8 22.Qb3 Qc6 23.Nd2 Bh4! 24.Ng3 Nf6 25.Rfe1 Kh8
Another highly complex game with mutual chances.
476
A key defensive idea here, Black is ready to meet any a4 with ...bxa4.
16.Qd2
19.Nd2 [19.a4 Rc8 20.Qb3 Kf7 21.axb5 axb5 22.Ne1 Rbc7³] 19...Qd4!³ [19...Rc8 was played in
Karjakin – Areshchenko (Kiev 2013), but after 20.Qh3! d5 21.exd5 Rd8 22.d6 Qxd6 23.Ne4 White
would have had some pressure.]
16...Qd7
Forcing matters.
Instead 16...Re8 may lead to similar positions:
477
Position after: 16...Re8
A) 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Rfd1 [18.Rad1 Rb6 19.Ne1 Qb7 20.f3 b4 21.Nd3 a5 22.c3 bxc3 23.Qxc3 Nc6
24.Rc1 Nd4 25.Qd2 a4 26.Kh1 Rc6=] 18...Rb6 19.a4 bxa4 20.Rxa4 Rxb2 21.Rb4 Rxb4 22.Qxb4 Nc6
23.Qb6 Qd7 24.Qxa6 h6 25.h3 Kh7 With similar play to the main text.
B) 17.a4 bxa4 18.Rfb1 [18.c3 Bf8 19.Ne3 Nd7 20.Rxa4 a5 21.Rd1 Qb8 22.Ra2 Nc5 23.Qc2 Be7
24.Nc4 a4 25.Ne1 Ra7 Black stands well here.] 18...Bf8
478
19.Nc3 [19.Ne3 Nd7 20.Rxa4 Nc5 21.Rc4 a5 Black is OK here.] 19...Nd7 20.Nxa4 Nf6! Attacking the
pawn on e4 is Black’s most serious counterplay. 21.Qd3 Rb4 22.Nd2 a5 23.c3 Rb8 Black is fine.
17.Nxe7+
17...Qxe7
18.Rfd1
18.Rad1 Rb6 19.Ne1 Nd7 20.Nd3 Nf6 21.f3 Qc7 22.c3 a5 23.Qe3 Rc6 24.Rd2 Rb8 We can say that this
position is equal. ½-½ (35) Giri, A (2793) – Wojtaszek, R (2741) Baku 2015.
18...Rb6
Black is now ready to develop his knight to c5 or f6, which would give him nice play. White must hurry.
19.Qg5!?
19.a4 bxa4 20.Rxa4 Rxb2 21.Rb4 Rxb4 22.Qxb4 Nc6 23.Qb6 Qd7 24.Qxa6 h6 25.h4 Rd8 26.c3 Qc7
27.Qc4 Qd7 28.Qb5 Qc7=
19...Qxg5 20.Nxg5 Rc8 21.c3 h6 22.Nf3 Nd7 23.Ne1 Kf7 24.f3 Ke7=
479
Position after: 24...Ke7=
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nf3 Be7 8.Bc4 0-0 9.0-0 Be6 10.Bb3
10...Nc6
480
11.Bg5
That’s in the spirit of this line. After taking on f6 White will occupy the d5 square, and after that he will
try to build a stronger initiative.
11.Qe2 Na5 12.Rfd1 This used to be a main line of this positional system. 12...Nxb3
A) 13.cxb3 Qe8 14.Ne1 Ng4! Nice judgement by Karjakin: now when White cannot protect a knight on
d5 with the c-pawn, Black goes for the bishop pair. 15.Nc2 f5 16.f3 Nxe3 17.Nxe3 fxe4 18.Nxe4 Rd8
19.Nd5 Qf7 20.Qd3
481
Position after: 20.Qd3
20...Bxd5! 21.Qxd5 Qxd5 22.Rxd5 Kf7 23.Rad1 Ke6 Black is better. 0-1 (50) Carlsen, M (2698) –
Karjakin, S (2672) Cap d’Agde 2006.
B) 13.axb3 Qc7 14.Bg5 Nh5
B1) 15.Ne1 Bxg5 16.Qxh5 Bh6 17.Qh4 f5 18.Nd5 Qf7! 19.Ne7+ Kh8 20.exf5 Bxf5 21.Nxf5 Qxf5
22.Rd5 [22.Rxd6 Bg5 23.Qg3 e4 Black should win.] 22...Be3! 23.Nd3 Ba7 24.c4 Rae8 Black holds
the advantage.
B2) 15.Nxe5 Bxg5 16.Qxh5 Bf6 17.Nf3 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Qxc3 19.Nd4 Rfe8 20.Qa5 Rac8
482
Position after: 20...Rac8
21.Qb6 [21.Qxc3 Rxc3 22.Ra5 f6!? 23.f3 Kf7 24.Kf1 Rc5 25.Ra2 d5=; 21.f3 Qxa5 22.Rxa5 Rc3
23.Kf2 Kf8 24.Rda1 Rec8 25.Ke1 Ke7 26.Kd2 R3c5 27.R5a4 f5 Black gains counterplay. ½-½ (36)
Kamsky, G (2732) – Gelfand, B (2733) Kazan 2011] 21...d5! 22.e5 Bg4 23.f3 Qe3+ 24.Kh1 24...Bf5!
25.Re1 Qc3 26.Nxf5 Rxe5 27.Rec1 Rxf5 28.Qxb7 Rxf3 29.gxf3 Qxf3+ 30.Kg1 Qg4+ 31.Kh1 Qf3+
Draw. ½-½ Czarnota, P (2561) – Kempinski, R (2586) Poland 2017.
483
Position after: 12...Qxe7
By exchanging the dark-squared bishops Black simplifies the defence and also enables ... f5, which, as
we will see, will be his best counterplay.
13.Nd5
21...Rde8!?N [21...Qh5 22.Nh2 Rf7 23.f4 Be6∞ ½-½ (40) Akopian, V (2684) – Gabuzyan, H (2441)
Plovdiv 2012] 22.Nc3 Re6 23.Rfd1 Bxh3 24.Ne1 Bg4 25.f3 Bf5 26.Rxd6 Rg6 27.Rxg6 Qxg6 Black is
OK.
13...Qd8
484
Position after: 13...Qd8
14.Qe2
16.h3 [16.Ne3 Nxb3 17.axb3 Nc5! 18.Nd5 f5 19.exf5 Bxf5 20.Re3 Kh8 21.b4 Ne6 22.h3 Bg6 23.Qd2
Bh5 24.Nh2 Be8 25.Rae1 Bc6 With unclear play. 0-1 (33) Gonzalez de la Torre, S (2459) – Dominguez
Perez, L (2720) Monzon 2016] 16...h6 17.Ne3 [17.Bc2 Nc4 18.Rb1 Nf6! Black is doing well.] 17...Nxb3
485
18.axb3 Nc5 19.Nd5
19...f5! 20.exf5 Bxf5 21.b4 Ne6 22.Nd2 Qh4 23.Re3 Kh8 With complicated play ahead of us.
14...Nc5 15.Rad1
486
17...f5!N [17...Ne7? 18.Nb6 Rb8 19.Nxe5± 1-0 (42) Grischuk, A (2761) – Topalov, V (2749) Paris
2017] 18.exf5 Bxf5 19.Ne1 [19.Rd2 Bg4 20.Ne1 Nd4„] 19...Nd4 20.Ne7+ Qxe7 21.Rxd4 Rad8
22.Rad1 Bg6 23.R4d2 Bh5 24.f3 Qc7 25.c4 Rfe8 Black has counterplay based on ...e4 ideas.
15...Kh8
Logical preparation for the ...f5 advance, which is Black’s main asset here.
16.h3
487
Position after: 18...h6!?
19.Rfe1
Again we have reached a complex position with chances for both sides.
488
e) 8.h3 alternative (9.--)
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.h3
A modern line. This can actually be reached from the 6.h3 e5 move order and therefore it is a very
important line. There are two main options for White: one is to go Qf3 and 0-0-0, and the other is a fast
f4. We will look at both.
8...Be7
We will now see two important alternatives to the main line 9.f4 (next subchapter).
9.Qf3
489
Position after: 11.Bg2!?
White is going for an interesting endgame, which may lead to an entertaining draw: 11...Nxe3 12.Qxd8+
Bxd8 13.fxe3 Bh4+ 14.Kf1 Nc6 15.Nc5
15...Bc4+ 16.Kg1 0-0-0 17.b3 Bg5 18.Re1 Bh4 19.Rb1 Bg5 20.Kf2!? Bh4+ 21.Kf3!?
490
Position after: 21.Kf3!?
Trying to play for a win. All this was shown by David Navara! 21...e4+! 22.Kf4 [22.N5xe4 Ne5+
23.Kf4 Ng6+ 24.Kf3 Ne5+ Just another draw.] 22...g5+ 23.Kf5 Rhe8 24.Rhd1 Re5+ 25.Kf6 Rg8
26.bxc4 Rg6+ 27.Kxf7 Re7+ 28.Kf8
28...Reg7!N A novelty at move 28! [28...Rf6+ 29.Kg8 Rg6+ 30.Kh8 Rf6 31.Rf1! Bf2 32.Rxf2 Rxf2
33.Rf1! Black had problems in 1-0 (48) Navara, D (2724) – Wojtaszek, R (2733) Biel 2015] 29.Ne6
Rg8+ 30.Kf7 Ne5+ 31.Ke7 Nc6+
491
Position after: 31...Nc6+
32.Kd6!? Re8 33.Kc5 Rgxe6 34.Nd5 Bg3 35.Nb6+ Kb8 36.Rd7 Na5 37.Kd5 Bc7 38.c5 Re5+ 39.Kd4
Nc6+ 40.Kc4 Na5+ Draw at move 40!
9...0-0
10.0-0-0
492
Probably best.
10.g4 a5!? 11.Bb5 [11.0-0-0 a4 12.Nc5 a3 13.b3 Qa5µ; 11.a4 Na6 12.0-0-0 Rc8 13.g5 Nd7 14.h4 Rxc3
15.bxc3 Qc7© Black surely has good play in such positions.] 11...Na6 12.0-0-0 Nc7 13.Bb6 Nd7
14.Bxc7 Qxc7 15.h4 Nb6 16.a4 Rfc8
17.Qe2 [17.g5 Bc4 18.Bxc4 Qxc4 19.Qd3 Qb4 20.Kb1 Rxc3 21.Qxc3 Qxc3 22.bxc3 Nxa4 23.Rd3 b5©]
17...Qd8!? 18.g5 Rxc3 19.bxc3 Qc7 20.Qd3 Rc8 21.Kb2 Bc4µ
493
Position after: 13...Bc8
We have reached an interesting setup. White gained time through the retreat of Black’s bishop to c8, but
we will see that the bishop has flexible choices from that square.
14.Kb1 a5 15.Nd2
15...a4
494
Position after: 15...a4
16.Bd3
A) 16.Qe4 b3 17.axb3 [17.cxb3 f5! 18.Qb4 Na6 19.Qb5 Bd7 20.Qb7 f4 21.Bb6 Qc8 22.Qxc8 Rfxc8
23.a3 Rcb8 24.Ba5 axb3 25.Ne4 Be8 26.Bd3 Bg6 27.f3 Bxe4 28.Bxe4 Nc5 Black is fine.] 17...f5
18.gxf5 Bxf5 19.Qc4 axb3 20.Nxb3 Qd7
21.Bd3 Bxd3 22.Qxd3 Qa4 23.Rdg1 Qa2+ 24.Kc1 Nd7 25.Rg4 Bf6 26.Re4 Rfc8 27.Rg1 Rab8 28.Kd2
Qxb2 Again we see that Black has developed strong activity.
B) 16.Nc4 Nd7 17.Bd3 Qc7 18.Qe4 g6 19.f4 Nf6 20.Qg2 exf4 21.Bxf4 Bb7³
C) 16.Rg1 Qc7 17.Qe4 Na6 18.Bd3 g6 19.f4 f5 20.Qc4 exf4 21.Qxf4 fxg4 22.Qh6 b3
495
Position after: 22...b3
23.Bb6! [23.Bxg6 Bf6!µ] 23...Qxb6 24.Bxg6 hxg6 25.Qxg6+ Kh8 Leading to another perpetual check.
D) 16.Ne4 b3!
17.cxb3 axb3 18.a3 f5 19.gxf5 Bxf5 20.Bd3 Ra4! 21.Qg2 Na6 22.f3 Nb4! 23.axb4 Rxb4 24.Rhg1 g6
25.Rc1 Qa5 26.Rc3 Ra8 27.Kc1 Qa1+ 28.Bb1 [28.Kd2 Qxb2+ 29.Kd1 Ra1+ 30.Rc1 Rxc1+ 31.Bxc1
Qd4µ] 28...Ra2!
496
Position after: 28...Ra2!
16...Ba6!
17.Bf5!?
497
17.Ne4 Bxd3 18.Rxd3 Nd7 19.g5 Qc7 20.Rc1 f5 21.gxf6 Nxf6
22.Nxf6+ [22.Ng5?! Nd7! 23.Qg4 Bxg5 24.Qxg5 a3 25.b3 Nc5 26.Bxc5 Qxc5 Black has better play.]
22...Bxf6 23.Qe4 Rab8 24.c4 bxc3 25.Rdxc3 Qb7 26.R1c2 Qb4 Arriving safely at an equal position.
498
19...Nb6!?
19...Nc5 20.Ne4 Nxe4 21.Bxe4 Bb5!? [21...Rfb8 22.Bd2²] 22.Bd2 b3 23.cxb3 axb3 24.a3 Ra4 Here too
Black achieves counterplay.
20.Ne4 Bb7
24.Qh5
24.Bxh7+ Kxh7 25.Qh5+ Kg8 26.Nf6+ gxf6 27.gxf6 Qxf6 28.Rg1+ Qg7=
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.h3 Be7 9.f4
499
Position after: 9.f4
500
Position after: 12...Nce5
An interesting position and a very popular line recently. White plans the usual g4 and h4 taking more
space on the kingside while Black has his usual ...Rc8xc3 ideas using the fact that White’s queen is a bit
misplaced on e2.
13.Kb1
A prophylactic move typical for Sicilians, but White can try to do without it:
13.Nd4 Rc8 14.Qe3 [14.Nf5 Bxf5 15.exf5 Rxc3! 16.bxc3 Qa5 Black is going well.] 14...Bf6!?
A) Grabbing a pawn doesn’t bring White any joy: 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.Rxd6 Qe7 17.Rd1 0-0 18.Be2 Rc6!
Preparing either ...Nb6 or ...Rfc8, or both! 19.Rhf1 Rfc8 20.Qg3 Rxc3 21.bxc3 Qa3+ 22.Kd2 Ng6
23.e5 Ndxe5 Black is better.
B) 15.Kb1 Nb6 16.Nf5 Nbc4 17.Qg3 0-0 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.Rxd5 Qc7 20.Bxc4 Nxc4 21.Qb3 Rfd8
22.Bc1 b5„
C) 15.Nf5!? An interesting move that will take us to complex tactics. 15...0-0!
501
Position after: 15...0-0!
16.Nd5 [16.Nxd6 Rc6©] 16...Bxd5 17.Rxd5 Rc6 18.Rxd6 Rxd6 19.Nxd6 Black has compensation here:
19...Qc7 20.Nf5 Nc5 21.Kb1 Re8 22.Be2 [22.g4 h6 23.Bg2 Qb6©] 22...Qb6
23.c3 [23.b3 Qc6 24.Bf3 Nxf3 25.gxf3 Nxe4! 26.fxe4 Rxe4 27.Nh6+ gxh6 28.Rg1+ Bg7 29.Qd3 f5
30.Bc1 Kf7 This should also lead to counterplay.] 23...Ng6 24.Nd6 Re6 25.Nc4 Qc6 26.e5 b5 27.Bf3
Qc7 28.Bg3 Bh4 29.Bxh4 Nxh4 30.Qf2 Nxf3 31.Qxf3 h6 32.Nd6 Rxe5 Black has no problems here.
502
13...Rc8 14.Qe3
A) 15.Rxd5 0-0 16.h4 Bf6! 17.Rxd6 Nc4 18.Rd5 Ncb6 19.Rd6 [19.Rd1 Bxb2!µ] 19...Nc4 20.Rd5 Ncb6
This will probably end in a repetition of moves.
B) 15.exd5 0-0 16.g4 Re8
503
Position after: 16...Re8
17.h4 [17.Qg2 Bg5 18.Bg3 Bh4 19.Nd4 Bxg3 20.Qxg3 Nc5 21.c3 Qb6 22.Ka1 Ne4 23.Qf4 Ng6
24.Qh2 Ne5 Black is well centralized.] 17...Ng6 18.Qh2 Nxf4 19.Qxf4 Bf8 20.g5 Re5!
21.Bd3 g6 22.Rdf1 Qe7 23.h5 Bg7 24.Qh4 Nf8 25.hxg6 hxg6 Black has a satisfactory position.
14...Qc7 15.Bg5
There is a logical alternative, but it doesn’t offer much either: 15.Nd4 Nb6
504
Position after: 15...Nb6
A) A sharp line, more or less forced, is: 16.Qf2 Nec4!? 17.Nf5 Nxb2 18.Bb5+!? [18.Nxg7+ Kd7µ]
18...axb5 19.Nxb5
19...Qxc2+!? [Also possible is 19...Qc5!? 20.Nbxd6+ Kf8 21.Qxc5 Rxc5 22.Kxb2 Na4+ 23.Kc1 Nc3
24.Rde1 Bxf5 25.exf5 Rc6 26.Re3 Nxa2+ 27.Kb2 g5 28.fxg6 hxg6 29.Rd1 Nb4 Black is fine.] 20.Qxc2
Rxc2 21.Nbxd6+ Bxd6 22.Nxg7+ Kf8 23.Nxe6+ Ke7
505
Position after: 23...Ke7
24.Kxc2 [24.Rxd6 Rxg2 25.Rxb6 Nc4 26.Rxb7+ Kxe6 27.Rc1 Rc8 Also leading to a good game for
Black.] 24...Nxd1 25.Rxd1 Rc8+ 26.Kb3 Nc4 27.Bxd6+ Nxd6 28.e5 Nc4 29.Nd4 Nxe5 Black has got
through to an equal endgame.
B) 16.Qg3 0-0
17.Be2 [17.h4 Rfe8 18.h5 Bf6 19.h6 g6 20.Bc1 Nbc4„] 17...Bf6 18.Rhf1 Rfe8 19.Bc1 Nbd7 20.Nf5
Bxf5 21.Rxf5 b5 22.a3 Nc4 23.Bxc4 Qxc4 24.Qxd6 Bxc3 25.Qxd7 Bf6 26.Qd3 Qxe4 Black is in
really good shape here.
15...Qb6!
506
Position after: 15...Qb6!
16.Qd2
16...Rxc3!
507
Position after: 16...Rxc3!
17.bxc3 h6!?
A more complex alternative is: 17...f6 18.Be3 Nc5 19.Bd4 0-0 20.Be2 Re8 21.Rhf1 Bf8 22.g4 h6 With a
hugely complicated game ahead of us.
18.Bxe7
Black has developed fast and now if he can win the pawn on c3 he will have a good endgame.
21...b5©
A sample line:
22.Qb4 Nb6 23.Nd4 Na4 24.c4 Qc5 25.Qxc5 dxc5 26.Nxe6 fxe6 27.cxb5 axb5
508
Position after: 27...axb5
g) 10.f4 alternative
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f4
509
A well-known line, basically connected with a pawn sacrifice. White is not planning the classical English
Attack but uses this particular move order to achieve certain aims such as making f5 an effective threat
after Black’s early development of his bishop to e6. Highly complex, and less investigated, positions are
in front of us.
10...b5 11.f5
White can postpone this push, combining it with some other ideas as well:
A) 11.Kb1 Qc7 12.f5 Bc4 13.g4 h6
Here again we have a few interesting options: 14.Rg1 [14.a3 Rb8 15.Qg2 a5 16.h4 a4 17.g5 axb3
18.cxb3 Bxf1 19.Rhxf1 b4 20.axb4 Rxb4 21.gxf6 Nxf6 22.Nd5 Nxd5 23.Rxd5 Bf6 24.Rc1 Qb8 Black
is fine.] 14...Bxf1 15.Rdxf1 b4 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.exd5 [17.Qxd5 Rc8 18.Qd3 Bg5!? 19.Rc1 Ke7„
followed by ...Qc4]
510
Position after: 17.exd5
A1) Black can resort to the usual plan: 17...a5 18.h4 a4 19.Nc1 Qc4! 20.g5 hxg5 21.hxg5 b3
22.Rh1 [22.axb3 axb3 23.Nxb3 Bxg5! 24.Bxg5 Qa4 25.Qf2 Nc5! Black wins.] 22...Rxh1 23.Rxh1
bxc2+ 24.Qxc2 Qxd5 25.Rh8+ Bf8 26.a3 Qb7 27.Na2 Rc8 28.Qxa4 Qf3 Black has developed good
counterplay.
A2) 17...Nf6!?
511
Position after: 17...Nf6!?
512
Position after: 13...a5!?
This will take us to an interesting endgame. 14.Nxe7+ Qxe7 15.Bg2 a4 16.Na1 Nc5 17.Qxd6 Qxd6
18.Rxd6 Ncxe4 19.fxe5 Nxd6 20.Bxa8 Rxa8 21.exd6 b3
22.cxb3 [22.axb3 axb3 23.Kb1 bxc2+ 24.Nxc2 Ne4 25.Rd1 Rd8 26.Bf4 Nf2 27.Rd4 Nxh3 28.Be3 f5
Black has managed to equalize in this endgame.] 22...axb3 23.a3 Rc8+ 24.Kd2 Ne4+ 25.Kd3 Nxd6
26.Rc1 Nc4 Black is in fine shape here.
513
11...Bc4 12.g4 h6!?
13.Qg2!?
13...Bxf1 14.Rhxf1 b4
There is an alternative that is very playable, although I think that it has never been tried before:
14...Rc8!?
514
Position after: 14...Rc8!?
15.h4 [15.a3 Rxc3! 16.bxc3 Nb6 17.Bxb6 Qxb6 18.Rfe1 Nd7 19.Qg3 Bg5+ 20.Kb1 Qc7 21.h4 Bf4
22.Qd3 Ke7 Black has compensation here.] 15...b4 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.Rxd5 Bxh4 18.Rxd6 Bg5 19.Bxg5
Qxg5+ 20.Kb1 Nf6 21.Rxa6 0-0 Again here we have reached a playable position for Black.
15.Nd5 Nxd5
16.Rxd5
515
That is White’s main idea here, keeping up pressure on the d6-pawn and preparing h4.
16.exd5 Bg5 17.Bxg5 hxg5 18.Kb1 Rc8 19.Nd2 Nf6 20.h3 Rc5 21.Ne4 Nxe4 22.Qxe4 a5 23.Rf3 Qb6
Black enjoys fine play.
19.h4!
516
Position after: 20...Rc8
With the threat of ...a3. 21.c4 [21.c3 a3 22.b3 Nf6 23.Rd3 Bxe3 24.Qxe3 Qb8 25.h3 bxc3 26.Rcxc3 Rxc3
27.Rxc3 0-0 Black is fine here; 21.Rb5 a3 22.Rxb4 axb2 23.Rxb2 Ke7 Black has compensation.] 21...Nf6
22.Rd3 Bxe3 23.Qxe3 a3 24.b3 Nxg4 25.Qg3 Nf6
26.c5 [26.Qxg7 Ke7 27.Qg3 Rhg8 Black stands well here. 28.Qh4 Rg4!µ] 26...Nh5 27.Qg4 Nf4
28.Rxd6 [28.Qxg7 Nxd3 29.Qxh8+ Kd7 30.Qf6 Nxc1 31.Qxf7+ Kd8 32.Qf8+ Kd7 Leading to a draw.]
28...0-0 With highly unbalanced play.
517
19...Rc8 20.Rc1
20...a3
20...Bxh4 21.Qh3 a3 22.c4 axb2 23.Kxb2 Be7 24.g5 White wields the initiative.
21.c4
21.bxa3 bxa3 22.c4 Rb8+ 23.Ka1 Bxh4 24.Qh2 Be7 25.g5 Rb2‚
23.Ra5 Qc6 24.g5 hxg5 25.hxg5 Na4+ 26.Ka1 Nc3 Black is fine here.
23...Qxb6
518
Position after: 23...Qxb6
24.Qg3
24.g5 hxg5 25.hxg5 Qe3 Black simply has to accept that his king is safest on e8. We can say that Black is
all right in this position.
24...Ra8 25.Kb1 Qa7 26.Rc2 Bxh4!? 27.Qxh4 Qg1+ 28.Rc1 Qa7 29.Re1
519
Position after: 30...Qa4!
It seems that White cannot make progress from here, so probably a draw will be the result. Black wants to
castle and then play ...Rfc8.
520
h) 12.Rg1 Nb6 13.Na5 Qc7
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f3
0-0 11.g4 b5 12.Rg1
A very interesting line. White is avoiding the heavily analyzed variations that we saw after 12.g5 b4 etc,
and instead is trying to steer the game into less forced play.
12...Nb6 13.Na5
This is a main aspect of White’s play here. He anticipates jumping Nc3-d5 and thus prepares a possible
transfer of the a5-knight to c6 after recapturing with a pawn on d5. This idea is connected with a pawn
sacrifice; the knight on a5 will be hanging if Black takes twice on d5, but that’s all part of the plan.
13.g5 Nh5 14.Qf2 Nc4 15.Bxc4 bxc4 16.Nc5 Qc7 17.N5a4 Rab8 18.Nb6 Nf4
521
Position after: 18...Nf4
With interesting play, e.g. 19.Nbd5 Nxd5 20.Nxd5 Bxd5 21.Rxd5 Rb5 22.Rxb5 axb5 23.c3 f5 Black’s
position was fine here, although he later lost. 1-0 (72) Secer, A (2282) – Istratescu, A (2631) Kemer
2007.
13...Qc7
This alternative 13...Rc8 (next subchapter) is not only possible, but equally important.
522
14.g5 Nh5 15.Nd5
15.Kb1 d5!
This is a key point of the fast queen to c7 idea. 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5 18.Be2 Rfd8 19.Qe1 Rac8
Black is better. 0-1 (29) Wang, J (2396) – Wei, Y (2607) Santa Clara 2014.
523
Position after: 17.Kb1
This interesting position is similar to the main line. We will see both sides playing over the whole board.
Now White prepares c4.
One of the main ideas here is:
17...g6
Perhaps Black can try without the preparatory g6: 17...Rfe8!? 18.c4 Nf4!?
19.Rc1 [19.Bxf4 exf4 20.Nc6 Qb6 21.Bd3 bxc4 22.Bxc4 g6 23.Qxf4 Bf8 24.Qd4 Qxd4 25.Rxd4 Bg7
26.Rd2 Re3 27.Rf2 f6 Two bishops and strong play along the e-file give Black ample compensation.]
19...Bd8 20.Nc6 Bf5+ 21.Ka1 Qb7 22.Bxf4 exf4 23.Nxd8 [23.Qxf4 Bb6 24.Qxf5 Bxg1 25.Bd3 g6
Black is OK here; 23.Bd3 Bxd3 24.Qxd3 Qb6 25.a3 Re3 26.Qc2 g6 27.h4 Be7 28.Rg4 Bf8 29.Rxf4 Bg7
Again with counterplay.] 23...Raxd8 24.Qxf4 g6
524
Position after: 24...g6
Black sacrificed a pawn in order to gain counterplay. Let’s see how the game might continue: 25.Qd4
[25.Qd2 Qb6 26.Bd3 Bxd3 27.Qxd3 Re3 28.Qd2 Rxf3 Black is doing nicely here.] 25...Rc8 26.b3 a5
27.h4 a4 Already it’s dangerous for White.
18.c4
525
18...Rfe8!?
A) An idea of Nepomniachtchi is: 18...f6 19.Rc1 [19.gxf6 Bxf6 20.Rc1 Bf5+ 21.Ka1 Qd7 22.Nc6 bxc4
23.Rxc4 Bg7∞] 19...Bf5+ 20.Ka1 Bd8 21.Nc6 fxg5 22.Nxd8 Qxd8 23.Bxg5 Qd7 24.Be3 but I think
that this position favours White slightly.
B) 18...Nf4!? 19.Rc1 Rfc8 20.Nc6 Bf8 21.a3 Bxc6 22.cxb5 axb5 23.dxc6 d5 24.Bxf4 exf4 25.Bxb5
25...Bxa3! 26.bxa3 Rxa3 27.Qb4 Rca8 It seems that Black has enough attack for the sacrificed piece.
19.cxb5
526
Position after: 22...e4!?
23.f4 [23.fxe4 Rxe4 24.Qxe4 Bf5 25.Qxf5 gxf5∞ ∆...Bb6] 23...Bb6 24.Qxb5 Reb8 25.Bxb6 Qxb6
26.Qxb6 Rxb6 27.Bc4 Nxf4 28.b3 Bxc6 29.dxc6 d5 Black has enough play.
21.Bxf4
527
21.Bxb5 Nxd5!„
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f3
0-0 11.g4 b5 12.Rg1 Nb6 13.Na5 Rc8
528
Position after: 13...Rc8
19.Bd3 [19.c4 Nf4 20.Bxf4 exf4 21.cxb5 axb5 22.Qxb5 Qa7 23.Bc4 Qf2 24.Qb3 Qxh2 Black has
enough play here.] 19...Qc7 20.Be4 White sacrificed a pawn with good reason, gaining the bishop pair
529
and a strong outpost for the queen on d5, but it’s not easy to make a breakthrough. On the other hand
Black will try ...f5 to get more space and activity. 20...Kh8 21.Qd2 a5 22.Bd5 f5 23.f4 b4
24.Rc1 [24.Bf3 Ng7 25.h4 e4 26.Be2 d5! Black is fine now.] 24...Rfe8 25.c3 Qb8 26.Bf3 Bf8! Again we
see that Black managed to regroup his pieces in a good way.
530
19.c4
24...Bb6!? 25.Be4 Qd6 26.Qf2 exd4 27.Bxd4 Bxd4 28.Rxd4 Qc5 Black is all right here. ½-½ (62)
Kraujunas, V – Paleckis, E corr. 2012.
B) 19.h4 Bd8 20.Nc6 Bxc6 21.dxc6 Qxc6 22.Bh3 Rc7 23.Qxd6 Qxc2+ 24.Ka1 Nf4
531
25.Qxe5 [Instead 25.Bg4 b4!? gives Black counterplay as well.] 25...Nxh3 26.Rxd8 Rxd8 27.Bd4 Rxd4
28.Qe8+ Leading to a draw.
A slightly unusual retreat, but Black is doing this for a good reason.
21.Bxf4
532
Position after: 23...Qb6
24.cxb5 Qxg1 25.Bh3 Qxc1+ 26.Qxc1 Bxh3 27.b6 Bf8 28.Ka2 Re3 29.b7 Rce8 30.b8=Q Rxb8
31.Nxb8 Rxf3„
That’s one interesting line, amongst others, that ends up fine for Black.
533
j) 12.h4, 12.g5 b4 13.--
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f3
0-0 11.g4 b5
12.g5
534
Position after: 14...Rfc8
15.Rh2 [15.Bd3 a5 16.Qc3 Qb8 17.Qd2 Qb4 18.Nc3 a4ƒ] 15...a5 16.Qc3 Qb7 17.Qd2 [17.Qd3 Rc4
18.Nc3 a4 19.g5 Rxc3 20.Qxc3 axb3 21.axb3 d5!–+] 17...Qc6 Black has whipped up a strong attack.
B) 13.Nd5 Bxd5 14.exd5 a5
15.g5 [15.Kb1 Nb6 16.Bxb6 Qxb6 17.h5 a4 18.Nc1 Ra5 19.Bc4 Rc8 20.b3 h6 Black is fine.] 15...a4
B1) 16.gxf6 axb3 17.cxb3 [17.fxe7? bxa2–+] 17...Nxf6 18.Kb1 Qa5 19.a4 bxa3 Again Black can be
535
happy with the outcome of the opening.
B2) 16.Na1 Nh5 17.Qxb4 Ng3 18.Rh2 Nxf1 19.Rxf1 Qc7
20.a3 Rfb8 21.Qe4 Nb6 22.Bxb6 Rxb6 23.c3 Rab8 24.Qxa4 f5 Black has compensation; the knight on
a1 is doomed to stay there, out of play, for some time.
12...b4
536
13.Ne2
18.Nd4!? [18.fxe4 Nhf6„] 18...Qe7 19.Nxe6 Qxe6 20.fxe4 Ndf6 21.b3 Qe7 22.Bc4 Rfc8 23.Nc3
Rab8 24.Nd5 Nxd5 25.Bxd5 Nf4 26.Rd2 Qf6 27.Rf1 Rb5 28.Qa3 a5 Black is not worse here.
B) 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Bf5 15.h4 [15.Rg1 a5 16.Bd3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 a4 18.Nd2 f5 19.gxf6 Nxf6
20.Kb1 Qc8 21.Ne4 Nh5 22.Qd2 b3„] 15...a5 16.Bd3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 f5 18.gxf6 Nxf6 19.h5 a4
20.Nd2 Qc7
537
Position after: 20...Qc7
21.Ne4 [21.Kb1 Ra5 22.Ne4 Nxd5µ] 21...b3 22.Kb1 bxc2+ 23.Qxc2 Qxc2+ 24.Kxc2 Rac8+ 25.Kb1
Nxe4 26.fxe4 Rc4µ
13...Ne8
Now apart from 14.f4, which represents best play, White has some other options as well. We will look at
them in this subchapter.
538
14.Ng3
16...Nc7 [16...Nb6 17.Ng3 d5 is a known equalizer but I decided to try to find an alternative idea.] 17.f4
Nc5 18.Bg2 exf4 19.Nxf4 Bg4 20.Rdf1 b3 21.Ncd3 [21.cxb3 axb3 22.a3 Ra4ƒ; 21.a3 bxc2+ 22.Qxc2
Rb8 23.Ncd3 Nxd3 24.Nxd3 Rb3 25.Ka1 Nb5µ] 21...Re8!?
539
Stationing his rook on the e-file, Black wants to put pressure on the e4-pawn. 22.Rhg1 [22.Rf2 Bf8 23.h5
Nxe4 24.Bxe4 Rxe4 25.g6 Qe7„] 22...Nxd3 23.Qxd3 [23.cxd3 a3µ] 23...bxc2+ 24.Qxc2 a3 25.b3 Rc8
26.Qf2 d5 27.Nxd5 Bh5!
28.Bb6 [28.Nf4 Nb5 29.Nxh5 Qd3+ 30.Ka1 Qc3+=] 28...Nxd5!! 29.Bxd8 Nc3+ 30.Ka1 Rexd8©
540
Black is ready for ...d5 and ...a3 or ...b3 ideas.
17.f4
19.Qxb4
541
Position after: 20...dxc5!
[20...bxa2+?! 21.Ka1 dxc5 22.Nf5 Re8 23.Nxe7+ Qxe7 24.Bd6 Qd7 25.Bxc5± ½-½ (72) Smirin, I
(2630) – De Firmian, N (2605) Polanica Zdroj 1995] 21.Nf5 [21.Qxd8 Rfxd8 22.Be2 Rdc8 23.Nf5 Bf8
24.c4 bxa2+ 25.Ka1 Na6„] 21...Nd5! 22.Nxe7+ Nxe7 23.Qxd8 bxc2+ 24.Kxc2 Rfxd8 25.Rxd8+
Rxd8 26.Bb5 Bxa2 27.Bxa4 Rd4 28.b3 Rxe4 29.Bd2 c4 Black can be happy here.
C) 19.Bxd6 a3 20.b3 [20.Bxc5 Bxc5 21.Qxd8 Rfxd8 22.Rxd8+ Rxd8 23.Bd3 axb2 24.Kxb2 g6! Black
has a good endgame despite being a pawn down.] 20...Bxd6 21.Qxd6 Qxg5
542
22.h4 [22.Qxc7 Rac8 Black should win.] 22...Qf6 23.Qd4 Qxd4 24.Rxd4 Rab8 25.Bc4 Rfd8 26.Rhd1
Rxd4 27.Rxd4 g6 This endgame is good for Black.
19...Rb8
20.Qc3
20.Qd2 Qc8 21.Nd3 Qb7 22.Bg2 Nxd3 23.cxd3 Bxa2+! 24.Kxa2 Qb3+ 25.Kb1 Nb5 26.Rc1 Rfc8
Black should win.
20...Bg4 21.Be2
21...Nb5 22.Bxb5
543
Position after: 23...Ne6!
24.Bxg4 [24.h4 Nxf4 25.Bxg4 a3 26.b3 d5 transposes.] 24...Nxf4 25.h4 a3 26.b3 d5 27.Nf5 Bb4
28.Qxf4 Bd6 29.Qe3 Bf4 30.Qc5 Be5+ 31.c3 Bxc3+ 32.Kb1 Bd4 Black wins.
25.f6
544
25.Rhe1 Rfb8 26.Nd3 Nxd3 27.Rxd3 Qxf5³
k) 12.g5 b4 13.gxf6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f3
0-0 11.g4 b5 12.g5 b4 13.gxf6 bxc3 14.Qxc3 Nxf6 15.Na5
Another important position in this line, first developed some years ago.
White has the two bishops, but Black on the other hand has a good bishop on e6 and a knight that can go
to h5 and f4. Also very important is Black’s ability to push ...d5.
18.Qa5
545
Position after: 19...Qc7!?
20.c3 [20.Bd3 Rb8 21.Kb1 Nd7 Yet another example of complicated play.] 20...Rb8 21.Bd3 [21.Rg2
Bh3 22.Rxg7+!? Kxg7 23.Bxh3 Nh5 24.Rd2 Nf4 25.Bf1 Kg8 26.Kc2 Ne6 27.Kd1 An interesting
position, not bad for Black.] 21...Kh8 22.Rg2 d5
Black’s position seems comfortable. 23.Bc2 dxe4 24.fxe4 Bg4 25.Re1 Bh5! 26.Rd2 a5 27.h3 h6 28.Bf2
Bg6 Black has managed to develop pressure and we can say that the position is about equal.
546
18...Rc6
19.Kb1
19.Rg1 Rfc8 20.Rg2 [20.c3 Nd7 21.Bh6 g6 22.Bg5 f6 23.Be3 Nc5 24.Kb1 Rb8 25.Rg2 Kg7 26.Rgd2
Nb7 27.Qa3 Qc7 Black is fine; he will return the knight to c5 and play ...a5. ½-½ (31) Serradimigni, R –
Dunlop, G corr. 2015] 20...Bh3 21.Rgd2 Bxf1 22.Rxf1 Qe6 23.Rff2 h6 24.Kb1 Qh3 Black has
counterplay. ½-½ (54) Topalov, V (2761) – Vachier Lagrave, M (2819) Saint Louis 2016.
19...Rfc8 20.Rg1
20.c4!? Exchanging the c-pawn for the a-pawn is a logical idea: 20...Bxc4 21.Bxc4 Rxc4 22.Qxa6
547
Position after: 22.Qxa6
22...d5!? 23.exd5 Qd7 24.Rc1 Rxc1+ 25.Rxc1 Qf5+ 26.Ka1 Rxc1+ 27.Bxc1 h5 28.d6 Qc2 29.Qf1 Qxh2
30.Qc4 e4! Black is fine here. The h-pawn is very fast.
20...d5
548
21.b3!
White prepares a retreat for his bishop to c1 and gives himself the option of moving it to a3.
21.Bg5 dxe4 22.fxe4 Kh8 23.b3 [23.Bd3 h6 24.Bh4 Bc4! 25.Bxc4 Rxc4 26.Qxa6 R8c6 27.Qa8+ Rc8
28.Qa6 R8c6=] 23...h6 24.Bxf6 Qxf6 25.Bd3 White has built a solid setup and his queen on a5 is a
nuisance for Black. 25...Rc5 26.Qxa6 Qf2 27.Qa3
27...Qxh2!? [27...Rc3!? 28.Qc1 Qb6 29.Qb2 Kh7 30.Rg3 R8c7 31.Rf1 g6 32.h4 h5 33.Rgf3 Kg7 It is not
clear at all how White can make progress here. Black’s bishop on e6 is very strong and so are the rooks
on the c-file.] 28.Qc1 f6 29.Rh1 Qf4 30.Qxf4 exf4 31.Rdf1 g5 32.Rxh6+ Kg7 33.Rfh1 Bg8 With two
passed pawns, Black has no worries.
21...d4 22.Bc1
549
Position after: 22.Bc1
22...Nd7
22...Rxc2 23.Ba3 Qb7 24.Bxa6 Qa8 25.Bb4! It seems that White has the better of it.
23.f4 Nc5
This variation is so complex that move after move the position dramatically changes its nature.
23...Rxc2!? After this move Black is ready to sacrifice a piece. 24.f5 Bxb3 25.axb3 Nc5
550
Position after: 25...Nc5
What a peculiar position: Black is a rook down but has huge activity. It seems that Black is holding his
own, and it is worth mentioning that ...a3 is a constant threat.
B) 26.Bxa6 Qa7 27.Bh6 g6 28.fxg6 Qxa6 29.gxh7+ Kxh7 30.Qxa6 Nxa6 31.Bd2 R2c7 32.Rg3 f6
33.Rdg1 Kh8 Black has survived the first wave of the attack and has nothing to worry about.
551
Position after: 23...Nc5
24.Ba3
A) 24.fxe5 Nxe4 25.Rxd4 Nc3+ 26.Ka1 Rc5 27.Qxa6 Qc7 28.Qd6 Qa5 29.a4 R5c6 30.Qe7 g6
31.Bd3 [31.Bb2 Nxa4!µ] 31...Ne2 32.Bxe2 Rxc2 33.Bb2 Rxb2 34.Rgd1 Ra2+! 35.Kxa2 Bxb3+!
36.Kxb3 Qc3+ One more draw.
B) 24.Bb2 f6 25.fxe5 fxe5 26.Ba3 Qf7 is unclear, for example: 27.Bd3 Nxd3 28.cxd3 Qf4 29.Ka1 h6
552
30.Rdf1 Qxh2 31.Bf8 Bg4 32.Bxg7 Kxg7 33.Rxg4+ Kh7 34.Rgg1 Rf8=
24...Qb7
25.Ka1
25.f5
25...Nxb3! 26.axb3 Bxb3 27.Ka1 Bxc2 28.Rc1 Qb8 Black’s attack is strong.
553
Position after: 26...fxe5
27.Rg5!?
Exchanging one rook here is a good idea. 31.Rxf7 Bxf7 32.Bxc5 Rxc5 33.Kb2 a5 Black is doing nicely.
554
B) 27.Be2 Qb6 28.Qxb6 Rxb6 29.Rg5 Nd7 30.c4 g6 The position is roughly equal. ½-½ (31) Klischat,
H – Bars, J corr. 2015.
C) 27.Bxc5 Rxc5 28.Qxa6 Qe7 29.Bd3
29...Kh8 [29...g6 30.Qa3 Qc7 31.Qb2 Ra5 32.Kb1 Rca8 33.a4 Rb8 34.Bb5 Bd7 35.Bc4+ Kh8 36.Bd5
Rxa4„ ½-½ (37) Herrera H, B – Osorio B., J corr. 2016] 30.Qa3 Qc7 31.Qb2 Ra5 32.Kb1 Qe7 33.Rg3
Qb4 34.Rdg1 Rc7 35.h4 Rca7 36.a4 Rc5 Black is in fine shape here.
555
Position after: 29...Nc5
30.Bc4 Bxc4 31.Rxc5 Bd3™ 32.Rxc8+ Rxc8 33.Bxd4 Bg6 34.Qe5 h6 35.Rg1 Kh7 36.h4 h5=
556
l) 12.g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.f4 a5 15.f5 a4 16.fxe6
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f3
0-0 11.g4 b5 12.g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8
A highly popular line; indeed it is considered the main line against the English Attack.
White has many ways to play from here but it seems that Black is flexible enough to find counterplay
against any of those ideas. Very sharp positions are ahead of us, lots of them with analysis going to move
40!
14.f4 a5 15.f5
557
Position after: 17...Bxg5
18.Nxe6 [18.Rg1 Bf6 19.Nh5 Be5 20.Nd3 a3 21.b3 Bc3 Black is all right here.] 18...Bxe3 19.Nxd8
Bxd2 20.Rxd2 Rxd8 21.Rd4 Rb8 22.Nd3 Ne5 23.Rxb4 Rxb4 24.Nxb4 Nf6 25.Bd3 g5!
15...a4
558
Position after: 15...a4
16.fxe6
Direct play.
The main move, 16.Nbd4, will be analyzed in the next subchapters.
16...axb3 17.cxb3
17.exf7+ Rxf7 18.Kb1 [18.cxb3 Rxa2 19.Ng3 Rxf1 20.Rhxf1 Ra1+ 21.Kc2 Qc8+ 22.Kd3 Qa6+ Leading
to a well-known draw.] 18...bxc2+
559
Position after: 18...bxc2+
24.Qd3 [If 24.Qe2 the white queen happens to be misplaced after 24...Qc8! as 25.Rhf1 Rxf1 26.Rxf1
Qa6 gives Black the devastating threat of 27...b3!] 24...Rc8!? [24...Qc8 25.Rhf1 Rxf1 26.Rxf1 Qa6]
25.Rhe1 Bxg5 26.Bxg5 Qxg5 27.d6 Rd7 28.Qd5+ Kh8 29.Qe6 Qg2 30.Nd3
560
30...Qxb2+! 31.Nxb2 Na3+ Draw by perpetual check.
B) 19.Qxc2!? An interesting pawn sacrifice. 19...Bxg5 20.Bxg5 Qxg5 21.Ng3 Kh8 22.Bc4 Rf4 23.Qd2
23...Qd8 [23...Ndf6!? 24.Qxb4 Qg4! The queen must go to the queenside at once. 25.Rc1 Qc8 26.Bb3
Qb8 27.Qxb8 Rxb8 28.Rc2 h5 29.Rg1 h4 30.Nf5 Nxe4 31.Ne7 g5 32.Ng6+ Kg7 33.Nxf4 exf4 34.Bd5
N8f6 Black is not worse here.]
B1) 24.Rhf1 Rxf1 25.Rxf1 Rb8
561
26.Qd5 [26.Rf7 d5!? 27.Qxd5 Nef6 28.Qd6 Nc5 29.Qxd8+ Rxd8 30.Re7 Rd4 31.b3 Ncxe4 32.Nxe4
Rxe4 33.a4 bxa3 34.Ka2 g5 35.Kxa3 g4 With equal chances.] 26...Nef6 27.Qxd6 Qb6 28.Qxb6 Rxb6
29.Kc2 g6 Restricting White’s knight and creating luft for his own king. 30.Ra1 Kg7 31.a4 bxa3
32.bxa3 Rc6 Black can be happy here.
B2) 24.Qxb4 Rb8 25.Qd2 Nc5 26.Rhe1 Qb6 27.b3 Rf8
28.Nh5 [28.Rf1 Rxf1 29.Rxf1 Nf6 30.Rxf6 gxf6 31.Qh6 d5 Black defends here; 28.Nf5 Nxe4
29.Rxe4 Rxf5³] 28...Nf6 29.Nxf6 Rxf6 30.h4 h6 31.h5 Rbf8 32.Re2 [32.Ka1 Rf2„] 32...Qb7 33.Bd5
Qb6 Black can feel pleased with his position.
17...fxe6
562
Position after: 17...fxe6
18.Bh3
20.a4 [20.Bc4? d5!N 21.exd5 Nb6! 22.Bxb6 Qxa2+ 23.Kc2 Rxb3 Black should win.] 20...bxa3 21.Qxa5
Rxa5 22.Bc4 Rxe3 23.Bxe6+ Kf8 24.Rhf1+ Ndf6 25.gxf6 Nxf6
563
Position after: 25...Nxf6
Black is fine, e.g. 26.Rc1 a2+ 27.Ka1 Rc5 28.b4 Rxc1+ 29.Rxc1 g6 30.Rc7 Bd8 31.Rf7+ Ke8 32.b5
Re1+ 33.Kxa2 Rc1 Black is not worse here.
18...Rxa2 19.Bxe6+
19.Kb1 Qa5! 20.Bxe6+ Kh8 21.Bxd7 Ra1+ 22.Kc2 Qc7+ 23.Nc3 Rxd1 24.Qxd1 Qxd7 25.Nd5 Nc7
26.Nxe7 Qxe7 27.Rf1 Ra8 28.Kb1 d5 29.exd5 Qd6 30.Qd3 Nxd5 31.Bd2 e4! 32.Qxe4 Qa6 Black has
achieved sufficient counterplay.
19...Kh8 20.Ng3 Nc7 21.Bc4 Qa8 22.Rhf1 Rxf1 23.Rxf1 Ra1+ 24.Kc2 Rxf1 25.Bxf1 d5
564
Position after: 25...d5
After a virtually forced line, we have reached a very interesting endgame. White has the two bishops so
Black has to be careful here; on the other hand, the simplified position helps Black a lot.
26.Qf2
A) 26.exd5 Nxd5 27.Bf2 Qc6+ 28.Kb1 Nf4 29.h4 h6 30.gxh6 g6 31.Bc4 Kh7 32.h5 gxh5 33.Qc2+
Kh8 34.Nf5 Bf8 35.Be3 Nf6 It seems that Black is doing OK all the way.
B) 26.h4 d4 27.Bg1 Ne6 28.Qe2 Ndc5 Black has the upper hand. 0-1 (41) Caruana, F (2774) – Gelfand,
B (2755) Moscow 2013.
26...g6
565
Position after: 26...g6
Now White has many ways to play this endgame. The positions are interesting and mostly balanced:
27.h4
A) 27.exd5 Nxd5 28.Bd2 Kg7 29.Kb1 Qf8 30.Qg2 N5b6 31.Bd3 Qf7 32.Bc2 Qd5 33.Qf2 Qc5
34.Be3 [34.Qe1 Nd5 35.h4 Nf4 36.h5 Qd4 37.h6+ Kf7 38.Be3 Qd5 39.Ne4 Nf8! 40.Nd2 N8e6 It
566
seems OK for Black.] 34...Qc6 35.Qe2 Nd5 36.Bc1 Nc7 37.h4 Ne6 38.Qc4 Qxc4 39.bxc4 Kf7 40.Bd2
Nd4 41.Be3 b3 42.Bd1 Nc5 Black has counterplay. ½-½ (51) Persson, C – Loinjak, S corr. 2012.
B) 27.Kb1 d4 28.Bxd4 Bxg5 29.Bh3 Nb5 30.Bc5 Nf6 31.Qe1 Bf4 32.Qxb4 Bxg3 33.hxg3 Qxe4+
34.Qxe4 Nxe4 35.b4 Kg7 36.Kc2 Kf6 37.Kd3 Ned6!
567
Position after: 31...Bxc5
White will try to create play using his light-squared bishop and the strong outpost for his knight on e4.
32.Qe4
32.Bc4 Qf3! 33.Bxd5 [33.Qe4 Nc3+ 34.bxc3 Qd1+=] 33...Qxd5 34.h5 Be7 35.hxg6 hxg6 36.Ne4 Qb7
This position is equal.
32...Qd6 33.Qf3
33.Bc4 Nc3+ 34.bxc3 Qd1+ 35.Kb2 bxc3+ 36.Kxc3 Qc1+ 37.Kd3 Qd1+ Another draw in this line.
33...Be3 34.Bc4
568
Position after: 34.Bc4
34...e4! 35.Nxe4 Qf4 36.Qh1 Ne7 37.Bd3 h6 38.Qh3 Nf5 39.h5 Qh4 40.gxh6+ Bxh6 41.Qxh4 Nxh4
42.hxg6 Nxg6
569
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f3
0-0 11.g4 b5 12.g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.f4 a5 15.f5 a4 16.Nbd4
That’s the main idea in this line, and the critical one. All the next moves are forced!
16...exd4 17.Nxd4 b3! 18.Kb1 bxc2+ 19.Nxc2 Bb3! 20.axb3 axb3 21.Na3 Ne5
570
A very dynamic position. Black’s knight on e5 is strong and his pressure along the a-file cannot be
ignored. The knight on e8 may look passive but after a potential ...d5 it can occupy the strong d6 square.
White on the other hand has massive pressure on the kingside but is a bit under-developed and his knight
on a3 is passive. So it’s a highly unbalanced game. In this subchapter we are dealing with all moves
except 22.h4. Let’s have a closer look.
22.Bf4!?
This represents one of White’s most solid efforts and will soon produce an endgame. I didn’t analyze this
line in my previous book on the Sicilian Najdorf with 6.Be3.
A) 22.Qg2 Qb8 23.Bf4 Ra4 24.f6 Bd8 25.Bxe5 dxe5
It’s unclear, for example: 26.Bb5 Rxa3 27.bxa3 Nd6 28.fxg7 Kxg7 29.Ba6 Qb6 30.Qb2 Kg8 31.Bd3
[31.Qxe5 Bc7 Things have gone wrong for White.] 31...Qa7 32.Qxb3 Be7 33.Ka2 Rb8 34.Qc3 Rc8=.
B) 22.f6 gxf6 23.gxf6 Nxf6!? 24.Bh6 Kh8 25.Bxf8 Bxf8 26.Qd4 [26.Qe3 d5! 27.exd5 Bxa3 28.bxa3
Qd6 29.Qxb3 Rxa3 30.Qb2 Ne4 Black has strong counterplay here.] 26...Bg7
571
Position after: 26...Bg7
27.Bb5 [27.Qxd6 Qa5 28.Qd4 Bf8! 29.Rg1 Bxa3 30.bxa3 Qxa3 31.Qb2 Qa4 Black has achieved good
play; 27.Be2 Qc8 28.Rc1 Qb7 29.Rhd1 Nxe4 30.Qd5 Qxd5 31.Rxd5 Bh6 32.Rcd1 Rg8 Again, good
play for Black.] 27...Qa5 28.Rhf1 Nfg4
29.Be2 [29.h3 Nf3 30.Qxd6 Ne3 31.Rxf3 Nxd1 32.Qxd1 Bxb2 33.Rxb3 Bxa3 34.Qd4+ Kg8 35.Rg3+
Kf8 The draw is imminent.] 29...Ng6 30.Qd2 Qe5 31.Rxf7 Ne3 32.Rxg7 Nxd1 33.Rxg6 Qxe4+
34.Bd3 Qh1!
572
Position after: 34...Qh1!
Another great position! 35.Qc1 hxg6 36.Qh6+ Kg8 37.Qxg6+ Kf8 38.Qxd6+ Kg8 39.Qg6+ Kf8
40.Qf6+ Kg8 41.Bc4+ Kh7 Resulting in another impressive draw.
22...Ra5 23.Qg2
23...Qa8 24.h4
573
Position after: 24.h4
24...Ra4
26...Bxf6 [26...Bxa3 27.bxa3 Nc4 28.Bxc4 dxc4 29.fxg7 Rfxf5 30.Bc1 White appears to be better.]
27.Bxe5 Bxe5 28.Rxd5 Nd6 29.Rxa5 Qxa5 30.Rxb3 Qe1+ 31.Ka2 Rc8 32.Bd3 Qxh4
574
Black is a pawn down but his bishop on e5 is really strong, and we can say that he has compensation.
27...Nc7
27...Rg4 28.Nb5 f6 29.Be2 Rg2 30.Nd4 fxg5 31.hxg5 Bxg5 32.Bxg5 Rxg5 33.Ne6 Rgxf5 34.Nxf8 Rxf8
35.Rxb3 g5
575
Position after: 35...g5
30.Rxd6
30.Rb7 Nd5! 31.Bxd8 Ne3„ E.g.32.Be7 Nxd1 33.Bxf8 Kxf8 34.f6 gxf6 35.gxf6 Ke8 36.Nb5 Kd8
37.Nxd6 Rf4 38.Be2 Rxf6 Another draw is on the cards.
576
Position after: 34...Rg1
Black has defended well and we can say his position is all right.
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Qd2 Be7 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.f3
0-0 11.g4 b5 12.g5 b4 13.Ne2 Ne8 14.f4 a5 15.f5 a4 16.Nbd4 exd4 17.Nxd4 b3 18.Kb1 bxc2+
19.Nxc2 Bb3 20.axb3 axb3 21.Na3 Ne5 22.h4 Ra4
577
Position after: 22...Ra4
I already covered this line in one of my previous books. I did research to find out what new ideas had
appeared since then; some lines have remained the same while others have had new light shone upon
them.
23.Bd4
578
Position after: 29.Qd4
29...Qc6!? [The simple 29...Qa5 leads to a draw.] 30.f6 Rc8 31.fxe7 Nb5 32.e8=Q+ Qxe8 33.Bxb5
Qxb5 34.Rhh2 Nc4 35.Rd1 Na3+ 36.Kb2 Nc4+ Once again we see a repetition of moves. ½-½ (38)
Wei Yi (2501) – Cheparinov, I (2709) Reykjavik 2013.
B) 23.Qc3 Qa8 24.Rd4 Rxd4 25.Qxd4 Nc7 26.Rh3 Nc6 27.Qb6 Ne5
28.Qxb3!? [Playing for a win, otherwise 28.Qd4 Nc6 leads to a repetition of moves.] 28...Rb8 29.Qc2
579
Qxa3 30.Bb6 Qb4 31.Bxc7 Qe1+ 32.Qc1 Qxe4+ 33.Qc2 Qe1+ Securing a draw anyway.
C) 23.f6 gxf6 24.Qg2 Kh8 25.Bb5 Rxa3!? 26.bxa3 Qa5
27.a4 [27.Bxe8 Nc4! 28.Bc1 Rxe8ƒ] 27...Nc7 28.gxf6 Bxf6 29.Bd4 Nxb5 30.axb5 Rg8 31.Qf2 Bg7
32.Rhg1 Qxb5 33.Rg3 Rc8 34.Qxf7 [34.Rdg1? Qc6–+ Black wins.] 34...Nxf7 35.Bxg7+ Kg8 36.Bh6+
Chalk up another draw.
D) 23.Qg2 Qa8 24.Bd4 Nc7
580
25.f6 [Instead 25.h5 Rb8 also leads to unclear play. A sample line would be: 26.g6 fxg6 27.Bxe5 dxe5
28.h6 Bxa3 29.bxa3 Qc6 30.hxg7 Rxa3 31.fxg6 h6 32.Rxh6
32...Qc2+ 33.Qxc2 bxc2+ 34.Kxc2 Ra2+ 35.Kc3 Ra3+ 36.Kd2 Rd8+ 37.Ke1 Rxd1+ 38.Kxd1 Ra1+
39.Ke2 Ne6 The point will be shared.] 25...Bd8 26.fxg7 Kxg7
27.h5 [27.Bc4 Rxc4 28.Nxc4 Qa2+ 29.Kc1 Ne6µ; 27.Bc3 Kg8 28.Rxd6 Be7 29.Rb6 Rd8 30.Rxb3
581
Bxa3 31.Rxa3 Rxa3 32.bxa3 Qxa3 33.Qc2 Nf3µ] 27...Ne6 28.Bxe5+ dxe5 29.g6 Bg5
30.h6+ [30.gxf7 Rxf7!? 31.Bb5 Qxe4+ 32.Qxe4 Rxe4 33.Bc4 Rf6 34.Bxb3=] 30...Kxg6 31.Rd5 Rc8
32.Bb5 Rxa3 33.bxa3 Qxa3 34.Qb2 Qxb2+ 35.Kxb2 Nd4 Black can be satisfied with his position.
23...Nf3!?
582
This is a relatively new concept of play.
28.Bc4
583
Position after: 31...g6
32.Bc4 Rxe4 33.h5 gxf5 34.g6 hxg6 35.hxg6 Qxg6 36.Bd3 Ne6 37.Bxe4 fxe4 Play has become highly
unclear.
B) 28.Nc4 Qa7 29.Bd3 Bc5 30.Nd2 Qa2+ 31.Kc1 Be3 32.Bb1 Bxd2+ 33.Qxd2 Qa6 34.Qd3 Qb6
35.Kd1 Nd6
36.Ke2 Re8 Now we see harmony among the black pieces and that compensates for his minus pawn.
584
Position after: 29...Nd6
30.g6
30.Bxb3 Nxe4„
Black is two pawns down, but it seems that due to the bad position of White’s king we can say that Black
585
has compensation here.
35.Rd1
That is one possible line that leads to good play for Black. Despite being two pawns down, he is not
worse! E.g.
42.Rc1? Qb5–+
42...Rxa3+ 43.Kb2=
Conclusions to Chapter 8
This line is of course one of the most comprehensive systems against the Najdorf. The way to handle the
game can be either positional or attacking, sometimes even both these ways mixed together, so we enter
really complex play. Black needs to find real antidotes or he will simply be outplayed, because White’s
plan in the main line is rather simple: Qd2 followed by f3, g4, 0-0-0 and so on. It’s a straightforward
plan, easy for White to play.
586
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e5 and now material is divided into two
groups:
A) 7.Nf3
This usually implies that White will castle kingside, and I think that Black can obtain counter-play here.
But it has to
be said that the game is heading to a very solid style of chess, meaning that understanding such chess is
essential.
B) 7.Nb3
587
Position after: 7.Nb3
On the other hand, retreating the knight to b3 leads the game into highly unbalanced but heavily analyzed
lines. White has several ideas: to play with h3 and f4/g4, or with f3 and g4, both of them involving
queenside castling. For the moment it seems that Black can establish counter-play, but he really has to be
accurate. Black just needs to know a lot of things and to understand unbalanced positions in order to find
counter-play, dynamic possibilities and other ideas.
An important note here: transpositions to the 6.Be2 line are possible, for example after 7...Be6 8.Be2
Be7. That’s one of the reasons why I insist on replying 6...e5 whenever possible.
588
Table of Contents
Title Page 3
Key To Symbols 4
Preface 5
Chapter 1 - 6th Move Sidelines (Part 1) 6
Chapter 1 - 6th Move Sidelines (Part 2) 38
Chapter 2 - The 6.f4 Variation (Part 1) 68
Chapter 2 - The 6.f4 Variation (Part 2) 90
Chapter 3 - The 6.Bc4 Variation (Part 1) 104
Chapter 3 - The 6.Bc4 Variation (Part 2) 141
Chapter 4 - The 6.g3 Variation (Part 1) 183
Chapter 4 - The 6.g3 Variation (Part 2) 203
Chapter 5 - The 6.Be2 Variation(Part 1) 231
Chapter 5 - The 6.Be2 Variation (Part 2) 268
Chapter 6 - The 6.h3 Variation(Part 1) 293
Chapter 6 - The 6.h3 Variation (Part 2) 314
Chapter 7 - The 6.Bg5 Variation (Part 1) 334
Chapter 7 - The 6.Bg5 Variation (Part 2) 368
Chapter 7 - The 6.Bg5 Variation (Part 3) 396
Chapter 7 - The 6.Bg5 Variation (Part 4) 430
Chapter 8 - The 6.Be3 Variation(Part 1) 460
Chapter 8 - The 6.Be3 Variation (Part 2) 489
Chapter 8 - The 6.Be3 Variation (Part 3) 521
Chapter 8 - The 6.Be3 Variation(Part 4) 557
589