Position after: 6...

b5

A1) 7.0-0 %b7 8.5e1 Now Black can’t get a Sicilian structure because of the dxc5, e5 motif (see
main line), nor a ...%xe4, 1xb4 structure because of concrete tactical issues, but nevertheless he
has the option of 8...e6 9.a3 1gf6= to equalize.
A2) 7.a4 b4 8.1d5 a5 9.0-0 %b7= is completely fine for Black.
A3) 7.d5 1gf6 8.1d4 %b7 9.f3 [9.b4!? c5 10.dxc6 %xc6 11.1xc6 4c7=] 9...0-0 10.0-0 5e8
11.4d2 e6=
B) 6.e5!? White unquestionably gets play for this pawn, but not more than that. 6...dxe5 7.dxe5
1xe5 8.4xd8+ .xd8 9.%f4 1xf3+ 10.%xf3 %xc3+! 11.bxc3 c6m


Position after: 6.0-0

6...e6

Given where the alternative ends up (a roughly equal position that is extremely hard to win) I would
probably play this in a game. There are three factors which make this a reasonable choice, making
this a rare case where enough factors come together for the Hippo option to actually be the best
equalising option. Firstly, the White knights are on c3 and f3 blocking the disruptive pawn breaks.
Secondly, the light-squared bishop is probably slightly suboptimal on e2 when compared to its usual
home in the Hippo of d3. Thirdly, White has castled kingside, thus making ...g5 ideas more attractive.
6...c5 7.%e3


Position after: 7.Be3

A) 7...b5?! was my dubious innovation in one game, based on a rather cheerful sense of optimism
about playing with an isolated pawn. Maybe at some point in what follows White could have
improved and got a slightly bigger edge. 8.dxc5 1xc5 9.e5 %b7 10.exd6 4xd6 11.4xd6 exd6
12.5ad1 0-0-0 13.%d4 %xd4 14.5xd4 1e7v

Position after: 14...Ne7²

Froeyman – Fernandez, Gent 2019


 B) 7...cxd4! 8.%xd4! [8.1xd4 1gf6 Now we obtain one of the rare exact transpositions to a known
Sicilian line, which is not at all bad for Black.] 8...1gf6

Position after: 8...Ngf6

B1) The thematic continuation is 9.a4 0-0 10.a5 b5 11.axb6 1xb6 but in spite of the worse
structure I don’t think this position is hard for Black to play. For example: 12.4d3 [12.e5 dxe5
13.1xe5 %b7 14.%f3 %xf3 15.1xf3 1bd5=] 12...1bd7 13.5fd1 %b7 14.1d2 4c7 15.1b3 a5DZ.
B2) 9.e5! A move which frustrates Black’s hopes of winning. 9...dxe5 10.1xe5


Position after: 10.Nxe5

10...0-0 [10...4c7 11.1xd7 %xd7 12.1d5 4d6 13.%c3!v is mildly annoying.; 10...1xe5 11.%xe5
%e6 12.%f3v] 11.%f3 4c7 12.4e2 Just like the other positions after 9.e5, Black still has some
untangling work to do, though I can’t imagine he’s seriously worse either.

Position after: 6...e6

7.Bf4

Let’s just briefly examine a continuation where White resolutely refuses to play a4 at all. Note that
putting the bishop on e3 would be a worse version of this, because there the bishop gets hit by ...1g4
or ...1f5 in many lines. After 7.a4 Black should probably begin with 7...h6 and there are good
chances of reaching the kind of Hippo position discussed in the next chapter.

7...Ne7 8.Qd2 h6 9.h4

9.5ad1 lets Black push on the other flank as well if he so chooses: 9...g5 10.%e3 f5!?∞


Position after: 9.h4

9...b6

This is playable as long as Black remembers not to close the centre prematurely. After the intuitive
9...b5 10.b4! I wasn’t able to find satisfactory answers for Black in the rapidly opening position.

10.Rad1

10.e5!? %b7! 11.exd6 cxd6 12.%xd6 1f5DZ

10...Bb7 11.Rfe1


Position after: 11.Rfe1

11...Nf6

Black is heading to the g4-square.

11...b5!? is by now playable as well.
Conclusion to Chapter 2
The structure which arises in lines 2.3) and 2.4) will repay detailed investigation by both the
meticulous White player and the committed Modern enthusiast. The final line is ‘punchy’, similar to
4.%c4 in the last chapter, but in my opinion does not represent anything like the threat of 4.c3. This is
a move I have ‘bigged up’ quite a bit, but it’s not an existential threat that should make you seriously
question your move-order choice. While it’s possible to avoid 4.c3 systems by playing the Pirc
instead of the Modern, you lose out on a lot of the richness of the ...a6 systems (Part IV), and
furthermore I consider that the 150 attack is incredibly dangerous against the Pirc.


 Chapter 3
Systems with a preventative 5.a4

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.a4 b6

Chapter Guide

Chapter 3 – Systems with a preventative 5.a4

1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1c3 d6

3.1) 4.%e3 a6 5.a4 b6
3.2) 4.%e3 a6 5.a4 1f6
3.3) 4.1f3 a6 5.a4 b6?!
3.4) 4.1f3 a6 5.a4 1f6

Introduction to Chapter 3
Here we proceed even further with our discussion of how the precise order in which White quietly
develops his pieces can be incredibly relevant. After 3.1c3 d6, in most cases Black will be quite
happy to play ...a6 on the next move, but what he does next (after White responds with a4) is very
much up for discussion. I have decided to analyse White’s two main orders, and against each of them
consider both 5...b6 and 5... 1f6. As should be clear from a schematic look at this book, I do not
generally think highly of Black’s chances in the ‘150 Pirc’, meaning the general complex where


Black plays an early ...1f6 and White is free to respond with f3. For me, some kind of waiting games
have to take place first in which White discloses information about his intentions. Therefore, in 3.1) I
recommend that Black meet 4.%e3 a6 5.a4 with ...b6, the ‘Hippo’ move that retains the flexibility to
play with ...e6 and ...1e7 in some cases; the following line is a brief look at 5...1f6.
By contrast, after 4.1f3 a6 5.a4 I consider 5...b6 to be too slow, because after 6.h4 h5 there is a hole
on g5 which White’s bishop or knight can reach in one move, and after 6.h4 h6 White is in time to
open the centre. On a general level as well, ...h6 and ...1f6 do not coexist very happily. Thus, after
considering that option in 3.3) I move on to the stronger 5.a4 1f6! in line 3.4). The position after
6.%e3 0-0 is rather toothless from White’s perspective; neither the Pirc nor Sicilian structures that
result are really that promising for him. Overall, if Black has a bit of experience (or memory) of the
move-order subtleties, then the systems involving a4 ‘after ...a6, but before ...b5’ are fine for him.

3.1) 4.Be3 a6 5.a4 b6

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.a4

Position after: 5.a4

This is probably one of the most psychologically challenging lines for Black to face. One core feature
of the Hippo is White’s inability to play either f4 or c4; that then means that a4-a5 and h4-h5 can be
met by ...b5 and ...g5 respectively. With f4 still on the cards for White without loss of time, that
property is destroyed.

5...b6!?


Position after: 5...b6!?

6.h4!?

As the sidelines will help explain, this move makes most sense played immediately. It certainly poses
a difficult question to Black: without ...b5, where can counterplay come from in a ‘150 structure’?
A) The moment White plays 6.f3 Black can commit to a full-on Hippo structure with ...e6 and ...h6.
6...e6 7.h4 h6! 8.h5 g5 9.f4 gxf4 10.%xf4 1c6DZ
B) 6.4d2 1d7 7.f3 e6 8.h4 h5 is also not a mistake, as evidence the game Lazic – Delchev Turin
2000.
C) A very principled alternative is the move 6.f4, but Black has enough play. In spite of not having
the option of ...b5, he can play ...1b4 at the right moment and cause some inconvenience. 6...%b7
7.1f3 1f6


Position after: 7...Nf6

8.1d2!? [8.%d3 1c6 9.e5 1g4 10.%g1 1b4 11.h3 1xd3+ 12.4xd3 1h6 13.0-0-0 b5!? With the
bishop pair in a fairly tense yet open position it is easy to see that Black’s chances are alright.] 8...c5
9.d5 e6

Position after: 9...e6

10.dxe6 [10.1c4?! exd5 11.exd5 0-0ǭ] 10...fxe6 11.1c4 d5 12.e5 dxc4 13.4xd8+ .xd8 14.exf6
%xf6 15.%xc4 5e8 16.0-0-0+ 1d7= Black has enough dynamism to compensate for the slightly


 weakened structure.
D) If White plays 6.1f3 first then, once again, it becomes reasonable to play ...h6 in response to a
future h4 from White. So Black has options other than just transposing into one of the lines
discussed later. 6...%b7 7.4d2 e6DZ [7...1f6 8.%h6!? is quite an annoying gambit to face.]

6...h5

Position after: 6...h5

This is the critical position, and against most of White’s tries Black may choose either ...1f6 or ...e6.
6...c5? 7.h5!u

7.Nf3

A) One way to try and exploit Black’s early ...h5 is 7.f3 e6 [7...1f6 will likely transpose to a
different White 7th move.] 8.4d2 1e7


Position after: 8...Ne7

9.0-0-0 [As a comment, the line 9.g4 c5 10.dxc5 dxc5 11.4xd8+ .xd8= is actually sufficient to
encompass a couple of other cases of early g4 from White.] 9...b5!? 10.axb5 [10.g4 bxa4 11.1xa4
%d7 12.1c3 1bc6=] 10...axb5 11.%xb5+ %d7m
B) After 7.4d2 1f6 8.f3 c6 White lacks a logical waiting move, which leaves: 9.1h3 [9.0-0-0 b5
10..b1 4c7 Eventually, the need to play 1h3 will probably catch up with White.] 9...%xh3
10.5xh3 1bd7 11.e5 dxe5 12.dxe5 1xe5 13.4xd8+ 5xd8 14.%xb6 5a8m The idea is ...e6 and
...1d5.
C) From the above it should be obvious that 7.1h3 is met by 7...%xh3 8.5xh3 and now a patient
move such as 8...1d7DZ gives Black good play.
D) 7.%c4 Here the bishop is basically just a target. 7...e6 [7...1f6 or, similarly, 8.f3 %b7 9.1ge2
d5DZ] 8.1f3 1f6 9.1g5 %b7 10.0-0 d5=


Position after: 7.Nf3

7...Nf6! 8.Bc4

8.d5 This is not often a good idea if Black’s knight is still on b8. 8...0-0 [8...c5!?; 8...%g4!?] 9.1g5
1g4 10.%d4 f6 11.1h3 c5DZ

8...0-0 9.Ng5 Nc6 10.f3 e6 11.Be2

11.g4 d5!w

11...Bb7


Position after: 11...Bb7

I don’t see a way White can make use of his knight on g5.

3.2) 4.Be3 a6 5.a4 Nf6

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.a4 Nf6

Position after: 5...Nf6


Here, I think 5...b6 is a perfectly decent alternative (previous subchapter) but this move can be fun.

6.f3

Thus, White stops ...1g4 in a way that leaves his kingside pawns mobile.
6.h3 b6= Black will be able to complete development soon with ...%b7 and ...1c6-b4.

6...c6!?

A not especially aesthetic or common move with a few special ideas. Nakamura has played this
move, which means that we should take it seriously. 6...0-0 is the most common move, e. g.
Nepomniachtchi, I – Kramnik, V Moscow 2010.

Position after: 6...c6!?

7.Qd2

7.a5 This must be one of the critical moves, of course. (Meanwhile if 7.%c4 then simply ...d5.)
7...1bd7!


Position after: 7...Nbd7!

The point here is that White has to push immediately on the kingside.
A) 8.%d3 e5 9.1ge2 d5=
B) 8.1ge2 e5 and White’s best is probably 9.d5, when we reach a Najdorf-esque structure discussed
extensively in Part I.
C) 8.%c4 It might seem that Black has been move-ordered out of meeting this with ...d5, but there is
a shocking resource available: 8...d5! 9.exd5


Position after: 9.exd5

9...1b8!! 10.%g5 [10.dxc6 1xc6 11.1ge2 1xa5 12.%d3 0-0=] 10...cxd5 Black has to play
dynamically given his structural weaknesses on the queenside. 11.%xf6 exf6 12.1xd5 1c6 13.1b6
5b8= Regaining the pawn and reaching a position where the doubled f-pawns balance Black’s better
bishop and there is scope for outplaying by either side.
D) 8.g4!? 0-0 [8...b5 9.axb6 4xb6 10.b3 d5DZ is another option.] 9.4d2 e5 Now 10.h4 leads to the
next diagram, while 10.1ge2?! exd4 11.1xd4 1e5 is just fine for Black.
E) 8.h4 e5 9.4d2 [9.%c4 exd4 10.4xd4 1e5 11.%b3 0-0 12.1ge2 %e6DZ] 9...0-0 10.g4 d5 Reaching
a critical but novel position. White’s centre is unstable enough that it’s hard to imagine him being
better as a result of the kingside pawn pushes.

Position after: 10...d5

E1) 11.h5 5e8 12.hxg6 fxg6! Black’s kingside structure is not that important right now (since
White has already compromised his own.) What is important is the e-file: White would be well
advised to temporarily sacrifice a pawn to get away from it. 13.0-0-0 [13.%e2 exd4 14.%xd4 1e5=]
13...4xa5 14..b1 exd4 15.%xd4 c5 16.%xf6 1xf6 17.exd5 b5=
E2) 11.exd5 5e8!! A very clever zwischenzug. [The pedestrian 11...1xd5 12.1xd5 cxd5 13.0-0-0=
also seems possible but it is far from intuitive to a human.]


Position after: 11...Re8!!

12.%e2 [12.0-0-0 4xa5Ů; 12.dxc6 exd4 13.4xd4 1xg4 14.4xg4 5xe3+ 15..f2 1f6Ů] 12...1xd5
13.1xd5 cxd5 14.0-0-0 exd4 15.%xd4 %xd4 16.4xd4 4xa5 17.h5 1e5=

Position after: 17...Ne5=

White may regain his pawn, but there is no prospect of an advantage in the resulting endgame.

7...0-0


7...h5 8.%d3 a5 9.1ge2 1a6 10.0-0 0-0DZ Radjabov, T – Nakamura, H Stavanger 2013, a game
analysed in Part I.

Position after: 7...0-0

8.h4

A) 8.1ge2 This plan is too slow and Black gets very good play with a standard plan like 8...4a5
9.1g3 c5 10.d5 e6DZ.
B) 8.%h6 c5 9.%xg7 .xg7 10.1ge2 1c6= This is fine for Black in spite of having spent two tempi
on ...c5.
C) 8.a5 1bd7 almost certainly transposes to 7.a5.

8...h5


Position after: 8...h5

9.g4!?

A) 9.a5 b5 10.axb6 4xb6DZ

B) If White castles first and lets Black know where his king will be, then counterplay can come
faster. 9.0-0-0 b5 10.g4 1bd7!DZ

9...hxg4 10.0-0-0

10.h5 1xh5 11.4g2 e5! 12.fxg4 exd4 13.%xd4 %xd4 14.gxh5 g5∞

10...gxf3 11.Nxf3 b5


Position after: 11...b5

Reaching a critical position. As this is one of the few lines in the book where I advocate castling into
it and running a considerable risk of getting mated immediately, I’ve been quite careful with
examining all the forcing alternatives.

12.e5

12.h5 A tempting move. 12...b4

Position after: 12...b4


 A) 13.h6 bxc3 14.4e2 cxb2+ 15..xb2 4b6+ 16..c1 4b4 17.hxg7 4a3+∞ Both sides are attacking
and Black’s resources are not worse.
B) 13.1e2 %g4 [13...4a5!? 14.hxg6 1xe4 15.4d3 %f5DZ] 14.%g2 1xh5∞
C) 13.hxg6 bxc3 14.4xc3 1xe4

Position after: 14...Nxe4

15.4e1! [15.4b3 1d7 16.%c4 d5 17.%xd5 cxd5 18.gxf7+ 5xf7 19.4xd5= is a computer line, but
Black is fine after giving back some material with ...%b7 or ...1d6.] 15...fxg6 16.%d3 %g4
C1) 17.1h4 %xd1 18.%xe4 [18.4xd1 1f2 19.%xf2 5xf2 20.4g4 5f6w] 18...%h5!m


Position after: 18...Bh5!©

White can get enough play for the rook, but not more. A knight on f6 and rook on f8 (or vice
versa) will fulfil most of Black’s defensive needs.
C2) 17.4h4 %xf3 18.4h7+ .f7 19.5df1 .e8 20.4xg7 .d7 21.5hg1 .c7m

12...Nh5 13.Bd3 Bg4!

Position after: 13...Bg4!


A good move to remember. The next few moves, however, fall broadly within the remit of common
sense.

14.Qg2 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 dxe5 16.dxe5 Qc8 17.Be4!

17.5hg1 1d7 18.e6 1e5 19.exf7+ 5xf7 White has full compensation for the pawn but as he’s losing
the bishop-pair, both sides can vie for the full point.

17...e6

Position after: 17...e6

18.Qg2 Nd7 19.Bxc6

19.%xg6 fxg6 20.4xg6 1f4!=

19...Nxe5 20.Bxa8 Qxa8 21.Qxa8 Rxa8 22.Bd4 bxa4²


Position after: 22...bxa4²

White has worked hard to get an advantage (+0.5), but while Black doesn’t have equality, he does
still have the sort of unbalanced mess that Modern players strive for.

3.3) 4.Nf3 a6 5.a4 b6?!

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 a6 5.a4 b6?!

Position after: 5...b6?!


This is the ‘main Hippo position’. White hasn’t tried to play an order which leaves the option of f3 or
f4 open. However, the devil is in the detail: he rarely needs to play f3 early if his bishop is not on e3,
and furthermore it can be useful to play %g5 in one move in some cases when Black responds to h4
with ...h5.

6.h4!

A) I cannot resist one example of absolutely terrible play from White, back in the days before this
system was widely understood. 6.h3 e6 7.%g5?! It is really remarkable, playing through some games
in the Hippo, how frequently Black is gifted a tempo in this manner by his opponent. The position is
already equal (and easier for Black.)

Position after: 7.Bg5?!

7...1e7 8.4d2 h6 9.%f4 %b7 10.%e2 [The right reaction to 10.d5 is to continue reserving judgement:
10...1d7!=] 10...1d7 11.5d1 g5 12.%e3


Position after: 12.Be3

12...f5! 13.exf5 1xf5 14.4d3?! 0-0 15.%c1 c5 16.dxc5 1xc5 17.4c4 5c8Ů Yuferov, S –
Chepukaitis, G St Petersburg 1996.
B) White can play 6.%e2 immediately, which gives us some obvious similarities with (and possible
transpositions from) the 5.%e2 line in chapter 2. Since the move doesn’t protect e4 at all but it does
protect d5, by implication White wants to react to a challenge on the long diagonal by pushing d5.
One other nuance this can lead to is that White can’t easily attack a knight on g6, making the push
...g5 a lot more attractive for Black. So for instance: 6...%b7 7.0-0 e6 8.5e1 1e7 9.%f4 h6 10.4d2
g5!? 11.%e3 1d7 12.h3 1g6DZ


Position after: 6.h4!

6...h6

6...h5 7.%c4v Here, the comparison with subchapter 1 is an unfavourable one. If Black plays ...1f6,
then e5 is always a worry. Furthermore, if he plays for ...d5, then ...1xd5 will come without tempo.

7.Be3

White can play other things, but for the rare White player that has bought this book it suffices to show
the most flexible order against the Hippo.

7...e6


Position after: 7...e6

Now there are three separate patterns the game can follow other than the standard one where White
plays %d3 and short castles, and Black simply places all his pieces on the second rank. All of these
extra options give White an edge.

8.d5

The first one involves White castling queenside (and not helpfully providing a tempo with which
Black can play ...b5.) 8.4d2 1e7 9.0-0-0 1d7 10.d5 [10.%d3 b5!DZ] 10...exd5 11.1xd5 %b7 12.%d4
[12.%c4 b5!=] 12...1e5 13.%c4ǭ


Position after: 8.d5

8...Ne7

A) 8...e5?! 9.1d2 1d7 10.h5 g5 11.g4v The light squares are just a mess and White can station a
knight on g3 and then take absolutely all the time he wants preparing to eventually open the
queenside.
B) 8...%xc3+?! Black doesn’t have time to close both the queenside and the centre, for instance
9.bxc3 e5 10.a5! b5 11.c4v.

9.dxe6

The second option is 9.%e2 1d7 10.4d2 focusing on just preventing Black from castling. Personally,
I wouldn’t mind playing this as Black and would likely just take it slow with something like 10...exd5
11.exd5 1f5v trusting in the bishop pair to eventually compensate for White’s grip on the queenside.

9...Bxe6 10.Bd4²


Position after: 10.Bd4²

The third option. This is quite a clean plus for White.

3.4) 4.Nf3 a6 5.a4 Nf6

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 a6 5.a4

Position after: 5.a4


5...Nf6!

This move makes sense given that White can no longer play a ‘150’ setup. There are obvious
similarities with the Classical Pirc in part II, where we played ...c6 in place of ...a6; however, here
White has abandoned the idea of playing c4 so ...a6 is fine. Black will play for ...c5 in the future,
though there are also positions where ...b6 makes sense. Note the instructive difference: if White
plays 1c3, 1f3 and a4 then ...1f6 is a good answer, while if he plays 1c3, %e3 and a4 then ...b6 is
the better answer. Note also that this discussion only really pertains to (Modern) lines where White
plays 1c3, because if he doesn’t, then Black most likely won’t play ...a6 and then there is no
justification for a4.
5...1c6!? is a possible response which has quite a bit of merit: Black wants to play ...e5 and invite the
endgame. For space reasons I won’t analyse it, but you could look at the games of Gawain Jones in
this line.

Position after: 5...Nf6!

6.Be3

6.%e2 The most common move, but not all that critical. 6...0-0
A) 7.0-0 1c6 8.h3 e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 Black scores rather well from this position. The inclusion of a4,
...a6 benefits him as White can never play %b5 but Black can sometimes use the b4-square. 10.%c4
h6 11.%e3 4e7 12.4e2 %e6 13.5fd1 5ad8 14.%b3 5fe8= Wang, H – Yu, Y Huaian 2017
B) 7.a5 1c6 8.0-0 [8.d5 1a7 9.0-0 1b5DZ] 8...e5 9.d5 1a7 10.1d2 %d7 [10...1b5 11.1xb5 axb5
12.%xb5 c6 13.dxc6 bxc6 14.%xc6 5xa5m might be enough compensation, but the sacrifice is not
necessary.] 11.5e1 1b5 12.1xb5 axb5=


6...0-0 7.Qd2

7.h3 might end up transposing to 7.4d2 1c6 8.h3, but Black also has the worthwhile possibility of
7...d5 8.e5 1e4 9.1xe4 dxe4 10.1d2 c5DZ.

Position after: 7.Qd2

7...Nc6

A) 7...b6 This is worth looking at more seriously than on move 5, because White has played without
a particularly clear plan and ...1g4 is once again on the cards. 8.%h6!? [8.%d3 %b7 9.0-0 1c6
10.%h6 e5 Black had basically equalised in Vachier Lagrave, M – Todorov, T France 2009.] 8...c5!?
[8...%b7 9.h4!? can be tricky to face.] 9.%xg7 .xg7 10.d5 [10.%d3 cxd4 11.1xd4 %b7 12.0-0
1bd7=


Position after: 12...Nbd7=

Black has completed development and can play with standard Sicilian ideas like ...5c8 and ...1e5.]
10...%g4! Disturbing the White knight on f3 so that dxe6 becomes an unfavorable reply to ...e5.
11.1h4 e5 12.h3 [12.dxe6 %xe6=] 12...%c8 13.1f3 1bd7= A long manoeuvring game will follow
in which the computer prefers White’s position but I don’t particularly understand why. It could just
be an artifact of the silicon’s preference for White in KID structures as a whole.
B) If Black wants a Sicilian game rather than a KID one, he can opt for: 7...1bd7 8.h3 c5

Position after: 8...c5


 9.a5!? [9.d5 5b8 10.a5 b5 11.axb6 4xb6DZ; 9.%e2 is just a normal Sicilian. 9...cxd4 10.1xd4 1c5
11.%f3 %d7 with decent play for Black.] 9...cxd4 10.%xd4= GM Ly Moulthun was happy with
Black’s position in his notes for ChessPublishing and I have no special reason to disagree.

Position after: 10.Bxd4=

8.h3 e5 9.d5

9.dxe5 dxe5= will play out similarly to Wang – Yu above.

9...Ne7


Position after: 9...Ne7

There is no more forcing chess to be analysed. I think Black has decent KID-type play here.
Conclusion to Chapter 3
It really is quite simple: if Black plays ...1f6 after 1f3 then there are limited chances of being
attacked on the kingside, whereas against more subtle move-orders such as in line 3.1) it can be a
good idea to delay ...1f6 until such time as there are supporting tactics. Concretely, White does not
seem to have any way of waiting without allowing at least some of these tactics. From White’s
perspective, this is one of the rare ‘quiet systems’ that benefits from a delayed 1f3, specifically for
this reason.


 Chapter 4
Systems with 3.c4 or 4.c4

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nf3 e5 5.Nc3

Chapter Guide

Chapter 4 – Systems with 3.c4 or 4.c4

1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.c4 d6

4.1) 4.1f3 e5 and not 5.1c3
4.2) 4.1c3 e5 and not 5.1f3
4.3) 4.1c3 e5 5.1f3 exd4
4.4) Minor lines after 4.1c3 e5 5.1f3 1c6
4.5) 4.1c3 e5 5.1f3 1c6 6.%g5 f6 7.%e3 %h6 8.dxe5!?

Introduction to Chapter 4
King’s Indian players will be perfectly happy to meet lines starting with 3.c4 (and, equivalently,
3.1f3 d6 4.c4) in their own fashion. But for a lightweight chapter that can slot into a Modern book,
despite the huge thematic crossover between the two openings and the fact that the Saemisch is not an
issue, it’s not possible to recommend you play the main line King’s Indian. Hence, like Tiger Hillarp
Persson before me, I will investigate the lines involving ...e5 before ...1f6. After dealing with some


deviations in 4.1) and 4.2) we proceed to consider the diagram position for the rest of the chapter.
It’s pedagogically important to consider the idea of 5...exd4 (line 4.3) even if practically the line is so
fraught with one-sided risks that you would have to be either mad or a professional to sign up for it. A
more realistic alternative (which is also in keeping with my goal of playing closed positions if I have
worse co-ordination) is 5...1c6, and after fairly deep analysis in a few directions my conclusion is
that White’s best try then is to play the pawn exchange dxe5 at the most surprising moment.

4.1) 4.Nf3 e5 and not 5.Nc3

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.c4 e5

Position after: 4...e5

5.Bg5!?

This move is cleverer than it might seem at first sight. Either of the two ‘tempo-winning’ moves ...f6
and ...h6 carries significant disadvantages.
A) 5.d5 We should always consider this move, but right here I believe Black can respond with an
immediate f-pawn push. 5...f5! 6.exf5 [6.1c3 is covered via the 4.1c3 order in the next subchapter.]
6...gxf5 7.g3 [7.1g5 1f6=] 7...1a6 8.%g2 1e7 9.0-0 0-0=
B) 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.4xd8+ .xd8


Position after: 6...Kxd8

Reaching a better (for Black) version of the ‘Serbian’ endgame discussed in the next chapter.
7.%e3 The argument goes that since the b1-knight will usually end up ‘opposed’ by ...c6 (a generally
useful move for Black), one may as well try and place it on c4 instead. However, this is a little slow
and allows Black to illustrate a major feature of his position. [7.1g5 encourages Black to make a
move he generally doesn’t mind: 7...1h6 which can then be followed with ...f6 and ...1f7.] 7...f6
8.1bd2 %h6!= With this precise and principled move, Black highlights the disadvantage of %e3 and
equalises. There’s no longer any need for ...c6; indeed, that move leaves Black with a worse
position.


Position after: 5.Bg5!?

5...f6

After 5...1e7 6.1c3, ...h6 leads to White gaining a tempo with 4d2 compared to the analogous lines
after 5.1c3; ...f6 allows us to be move-ordered somewhat; and the direct routes into the ‘Serbian’
endgame have problems. That leaves 6...1bc6!? 7.dxe5 h6m, which is a bit experimental.

6.Be3

6.%h4 is likely to accelerate Black’s standard King’s Indian pushes more than anything else, e.g.
6...1e7 7.1c3 0-0ĩ


Position after: 6.Be3

6...Nh6

This is the extra option which White granted us by playing 5.%g5 instead of 5.1c3. In some vague
sense we expect the knight to not be so well placed here if White does not commit in the centre on the
next move, but there is no real way to prove anything nevertheless.
6...1c6 is of course playable, keeping the option of either ...%h6 or ...1h6 according to what White
does next. But 7.1c3 leads to the 6th and 7th subchapters, which I consider less reliable than the
alternative in the 5th. 7.d5 [After 7.%e2 I recommend 7...exd4 8.1xd4 1ge7 9.1c3 f5, transposing
into the 7.%e2 line of subchapter 5.; 7.h4 makes no sense if Black hasn’t taken on d4: 7...%g4! 8.d5
1d4 9.%xd4 exd4 10.4xd4 4e7m with full compensation.] 7...1ce7


Position after: 7...Nce7

A) In this specific case, after 8.1c3 Black can play ...f5 without worrying about the e6-square:
8...f5! 9.1g5 [9.g3 1f6 10.%g2 h6DZ] 9...f4 10.%d2 h6 11.1e6 %xe6 12.dxe6 4c8 White will
probably obtain compensation, but not more.
B) 8.c5
B1) 8...f5 9.cxd6 cxd6 is also interesting, and made possible by the tactic 10.1g5 f4 11.%c1
1xd5!?, for instance 12.4xd5 4xg5 13.1c3 1e7 14.4xd6 0-0=, but while the computer is okay
with this final position, I am not. It seems too likely that light-squared bishops will get traded,
leaving Black in an unenviable ending.


Position after: 14...0-0=

B2) 8...%h6!? This move is a very good reason for Black to keep the h6-square free at earlier
junctures. 9.cxd6 [9.%xh6 1xh6 10.4d2 1f7 and White must in any case take on d6.] 9...cxd6

Position after: 9...cxd6

10.%xh6 [10.%d2!? may seem clever, but Black is okay with exchanging dark-squared bishops in a
variety of ways, and not just on h6. For instance: 10....f8 11.1c3 f5 12.%e2 .g7 13.0-0 1f6!?DZ]
10...1xh6 Now the game becomes a race between Black’s plan to consolidate the kingside and


 play ...f5, and White’s ambitions on the c-file. Black is in time to make White bail out somehow at
the end, e.g. 11.%b5+ .f8 12.0-0 .g7 13.4c2 f5 14.1bd2 1g4 15.5ac1 1f6=.

Position after: 6...Nh6

7.Be2!

A) 7.h3 A natural move, but White risks being worse here. 7...f5! 8.%g5 [8.dxe5 fxe4 9.1g5 1f5
10.4d5 4e7 11.exd6 1xe3 12.fxe3

Position after: 12.fxe3


 12...c6!!w] 8...4d7 9.d5 1f7 10.%e3 a5ĩ
B) The endgame after 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.4xd8+ .xd8 9.%e2 1f7= does not raise any special issues for
Black.

Position after: 7.Be2!

7...0-0

A) 7...f5 cannot be recommended: 8.dxe5 fxe4 9.%g5! 4d7 10.1fd2 1f7 11.%e3 1xe5 12.1xe4
1bc6 13.0-0 0-0 14.1bc3v
B) 7...1c6 8.dxe5 leaves Black without a particularly good recapture (since he can no longer play
...c6 in an endgame), although the tricky ...1g4 may be somewhat interesting. [8.d5 1e7 9.1fd2
f5DZ Buhmann, R – Nakamura, H Mainz 2008] 8...dxe5 9.1c3 1g4 10.%c5 %f8 11.%xf8 4xd1+
12.5xd1 5xf8 13.1d5 5f7 14.h3 1h6 15.b4v Ipatov, A – Ivkov, B Valjevo 2012

8.Nc3

Black’s game is certainly playable here in at least a couple of ways, e.g.


Position after: 8.Nc3

8...Ng4

8...1c6 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.4b3 f5∞

9.Bc1 Nc6 10.h3 Nh6„

Position after: 10...Nh6„


With all these moves having been included, Black is ready to recapture on d8 with the knight;
therefore he stands well. White might play something else, but then there is always ...f5.

4.2) 4.Nc3 e5 and not 5.Nf3

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 e5

Position after: 4...e5

5.d5

A) White can play for a Maroczy structure with something like 5.%e3 exd4 6.%xd4 1f6 7.f3 %e6
8.4d2 1c6 9.%e3 0-0=, but it is an unthreatening version and Black can play a variety of strategies
without risking being worse.
B) Following 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.4xd8+ .xd8 White’s ability to play f4 is not relevant to the evaluation
of the position. Note that Black can play ...c6 in this position without worrying about the plan of c5,
1bd2-c4 as White has already committed the queen’s knight. One independent continuation could
be: 7.g3!? c6 8.f4 1f6 9.1f3 exf4 10.gxf4 .c7DZ followed by ...1h5 with counterplay.

5...f5


Position after: 5...f5

6.h4

Given that White will eventually want to take on f5 in almost all cases, this move extracts the
maximum number of concessions before doing so.
A) Some guidance is appropriate for the type of position that we get after 6.exf5 gxf5 7.g3 1f6
8.1f3 0-0 9.%g2=: Black should maintain the pawn front at e5 and f5 for as long as practical,
instead preferring to improve with moves like ...a5 and the routing of one or other knight to c5.


Position after: 9.Bg2=

B) 6.1f3 1f6 7.%d3 1bd7!?N

Position after: 7...Nbd7!?N

This move seems to rest upon a very rocky tactical foundation, but it turns out that after the logical
8.exf5 (anything else will lose a tempo because the e4-pawn will need protecting) 8...1c5 9.%b1
%xf5 10.b4 Black has the unexpected resource 10...1ce4!= Meanwhile, after 7...1a6 White might
have been able to get away with 8.b4; not the last time we will see this tactical motif.

6...Na6!

6...1f6 7.h5 1a6?! is too slow because of the following instructive line:


Position after: 7...Na6?!

8.hxg6! hxg6 [8...fxe4!? 9.b4!v is similar] 9.5xh8+ %xh8 10.b4v This is the right position in which to
execute this tactical idea, since the tension on the kingside is largely gone.

Position after: 6...Na6!

7.h5

In this way, White at least obtains the concession that Black will be taking back on f5 with the


bishop.
A) 7.b4 1f6 8.h5 doesn’t work so well because White needs to spend a tempo thinking about the
b4-pawn. 8...1xh5 9.5xh5 gxh5 10.4xh5+ .f8w
B) 7.exf5 gxf5!= is the kind of position Black wants.

7...Nc5 8.exf5!

Nothing else is consistent, e.g. 8.1ge2 1f6=.

8...Bxf5

8...gxf5 9.h6 %f6 10.4h5+ .f8 11.b4 1a6 12.a3v With the pawn already on h6 and the Black king
displaced, White can manage to generate a considerable attack.

Position after: 8...Bxf5

9.h6!

White could also have played the last two moves in the other order.
A) 9.1f3 e4 10.1d4 4d7DZ is too compliant: Black can move his bishop to e5 in one move if it is
attacked, and otherwise ...1h6 will come soon, solving his kingside problems.
B) The exuberant 9.g4 %d7 10.g5 does not manage to actually trap Black’s knight on g8, and for
that reason it is a failure: 10...e4! 11.%e3 1e7 12.4d2 0-0 13.%xc5 %xc3 14.4xc3 dxc5∞.

9...Bf6 10.Nf3


Now, of course, there would be nothing wrong with a move like ...a5, but Black can also opt to try
something more tactical.
10.%e3 %g5! [When White hasn’t played 1f3, the move 10...e4 can very easily backfire, e.g. 11.4d2
%e5 12.0-0-0 1f6 13.f4!v]

Position after: 10...Bg5!

11.%xc5 [11.%xg5 4xg5 12.1f3 4f6=] 11...dxc5 12.%d3! [12.1f3 1xh6 13.d6 1f7?!w] 12...1xh6
13.%xf5 It makes no sense to play something else and allow Black to play ...1f7 preparing the pawn
recapture, or ...%g4 if he does not feel so inclined. 13...1xf5 14.1e4 0-0m White has perfectly good
play for the pawn, but Black is solid and can establish a knight on d4.


Position after: 14...0-0©

10...Bg4!? 11.Be2!

Accepting the invitation.

11.%d3 1e7 12.%e3 b6= White won’t be able to establish control over the e4-square without making
concessions in return.

11...e4 12.Nd4


Position after: 12.Nd4

12...Nd3+

12...%xe2 13..xe2!v

13.Kf1 Bxd4 14.Bxg4 Bxc3 15.bxc3 Qf6 16.Be3

16.4a4+ c6 17.%e3 4xc3 18.5b1 1e7!DZ

16...Qxc3 17.Rb1 Nf6 18.Kg1 Qxc4 19.Rxb7 Ke7!

This position is critical. I have not been able to find anything of substance for White against the
simple plan of exchanging the b7-rook.

Position after: 19...Ke7!

20.Bg5

20.%e6 5hb8 21.4b1 1b4! 22.5xb8 5xb8 23.%g5 1bxd5 24.%xf6+ .xe6 25.4xb8 4c1+ 26..h2
4f4+=

20...Rab8 21.Qb1 Rxb7 22.Qxb7 Qc3!=


Position after: 22...Qc3!=

Black sets up perpetual-check type ideas of his own. Remarkably, with a rook on d8 and knight on f6
Black is able to cover all the bases at home.

4.3) 4.Nc3 e5 5.Nf3 exd4

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nf3 e5 5.Nc3 exd4 6.Nxd4 Ne7

Position after: 6...Ne7


7.h4!

This is the worrying move, and the possibility which I try and avoid wherever possible. However,
after some concrete analysis it seems that Black is doing fine.
7.%e2 1bc6 8.%e3 f5

Position after: 8...f5

Now we transpose into a position I recommend playing in subchapter 3.

It made sense to move the coverage here and better highlight the differences from the line where
White has played h4-h5.
A) 9.0-0 0-0


Position after: 9...0-0

A1) To Jobava’s 10.1xc6 bxc6 11.%f3!? – which has the aim of capturing on e4 with the bishop –
one answer is 11...fxe4 12.%xe4 1f5!? with good compensation, e.g. 13.%xc6 1xe3 14.fxe3 5xf1+
15.4xf1 5b8 16.4f2 %d7m
A2) 10.exf5 %xd4! is a by-now-famous twist: White cannot avoid having his structure wrecked.
11.%xd4 1xf5 12.%e3 1xe3 13.fxe3 %e6=
A3) 10.4d2 fxe4 [10...f4?! is appealing, but the compensation isn’t convincing after 11.1xc6 fxe3
12.1xe7+ 4xe7 13.4xe3v] 11.1xe4 1f5 12.1xf5 %xf5 13.1c3 transposes to the main line.
[13.1g3 %e6 14.5ad1 4h4 15.b3 a5DZ]
B) 9.exf5 If White wants to do this – and he probably does – it should be done immediately.
9...1xf5 [I don’t particularly trust the Petroff-esque positions after 9...%xf5 10.4d2 4d7 11.0-0v.]
10.1xf5 %xf5 11.0-0 [11.c5 dxc5 12.%xc5 %d4! is riskier for White.] 11...0-0


Position after: 11...0-0

B1) 12.c5 holds some dangers for Black, despite the fact it makes no structural sense: 12...dxc5
13.%xc5 4xd1 14.5axd1 5fd8 15.%f3 a6 [15...%e6!?=] 16.1d5 %xb2 17.1xc7 5xd1 18.5xd1
5d8?! 19.5xd8+ 1xd8 20.%d5+ .g7 21.1e8+ .h8 22.1d6 %e6 23.%xe6 1xe6 24.1xb7u
Umetsubo, C – Matsuura, F Blumenau 2016
B2) 12.4d2 Now I believe 12...4f6 to be the strongest move, and I think Black is fine here.

Position after: 12...Qf6


 At the same time, there are no forced lines, and so I will leave you with two practical examples on
which to base study.
B2.1) 13.5fd1 .h8 14.5ac1 5ae8 15.b3 4f7 16.h3 a5 17.%d3 %c8 [17...1e7!?] 18.%e4 1e5
19.4d5 %e6∞ Brunner, N – Fressinet, L Belfort 2012
B2.2) 13.5ad1 .h8 14.5fe1 1b4 15.5c1 1a6 [15...5ae8=] 16.%f1 5ae8 17.f3DZ Ivanchuk, V –
Vachier Lagrave, M Biel 2009

7...Nbc6 8.Be3 f5 9.h5 fxe4

Position after: 9...fxe4

10.hxg6!

10.1xe4 should obviously be considered, but in my opinion White is better served by trading rooks.
10...1f5! 11.%g5 4d7 12.1xf5 4xf5 13.%d3 4f7 14.4e2 0-0DZ I have analysed this position at some
length and Black seems to be holding his own.

10...hxg6 11.Rxh8+ Bxh8 12.Nxe4


Position after: 12.Nxe4

12...Nf5

12...%f5 was seen in a practical test, albeit a blitz game: 13.1xf5 1xf5 14.%g5 4d7 15.4d2 1ce7
16.0-0-0 0-0-0 17..b1v Grischuk, A – Nepomniachtchi, I chess. com 2018

13.Bg5 Qd7 14.Nb5

14.1xc6!? could be an interesting attempt to play a longer game.

14...a6 15.Nbc3 Qf7 16.Qd2 Be6 17.0-0-0


Position after: 17.0-0-0

17...Nfd4

17...%xc4? Accepting the pawn is risky: 18.5e1! .f8 19.%xc4 [19.g4!u] 19...4xc4 20.5h1 %xc3
21.1xc3 .g7 22.f3v Grischuk, A – Svidler, P Sochi 2014.

18.Nd5!?

If I was trying to guess Grischuk’s intention, this move would make the list.
18.4e3 .d7!= and White is already in some trouble.

18...Bxd5 19.cxd5 Qxd5©


Position after: 19...Qxd5©

4.4) Minor lines after 4.Nc3 e5 5.Nf3 Nc6

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nf3 e5 5.Nc3

Position after: 5.Nc3

5...Nc6!?


This move is natural, but must always be played with great caution in these systems.
5...%g4!? is the other move that allows the endgame, but here it’s not a great version. 6.dxe5! dxe5
7.4xd8+ .xd8 8.%e3v Black will probably have to play ...%xf3 at some point to avoid being worse,
and then face the undermining move f4 not once but twice; the desirable ...%h6-type attempts all fail.

6.Bg5

6.d5 1d4 7.%e3 %g4 8.%e2 Now I don’t consider the ‘majority choice’ of ...%xf3 to be as good as
8...1xe2 9.4xe2 f5 10.h3 %xf3 11.4xf3 4d7!?DZ.

6...f6 7.Be3

Position after: 7.Be3

7...Bh6!?

A) 7...exd4?! This order is the worst of all worlds. 8.1xd4 1ge7 Now White can play h4 or %e2,
transposing to material from the 5...exd4 line, or go for 9.c5!? instead.
B) 7...1h6


Position after: 7...Nh6

B1) 8.%e2 1g4 9.%c1 f5=

B2) 8.h3 1f7 [8...exd4!? 9.1xd4 f5 is possible if risky.] 9.c5 dxc5 10.dxe5 1fxe5 11.1xe5 fxe5
12.%b5 %d7 13.%xc6 %xc6 14.%xc5 %f8= Giri, A – Carlsen, M Wijk aan Zee 2015
B3) 8.dxe5! This is the best version of the Serbian endgame which White will ever get, and we can
already intuit that other moves are unlikely to be that promising. 8...dxe5

Position after: 8...dxe5


 B3.1) 9.4xd8+ .xd8 10.0-0-0+ %d7 11.h3! probably also gives some edge, although I have
found some quite deep strategies for Black to mitigate it. [11.h4 1g4 12.h5 1xe3 13.fxe3 1e7DZ]
B3.2) 9.%e2! Transposing to Ipatov – Ivkov in the 7...1c6 note in subchapter 3.
C) 7...%g4!? initiates a pawn sacrifice which is not entirely without merits. 8.d5 1d4 9.%xd4 exd4
10.4xd4 1h6v
D) 7...f5 8.exf5 %xf5 9.d5v White can choose between the automatic %d3 and the ambitious c5 next
move.

8.Bxh6 Nxh6

Position after: 8...Nxh6

It almost goes without saying that this position is poorly understood by our silicon colleagues. There
are not many forcing lines, but it makes sense to divide coverage into three canonical categories:
White moves the h-pawn one square, two squares, or not at all.

9.d5

A) If White tries to avoid commitment, then ...g5 could be the way for Black to go. 9.4d2 1f7
10.d5 1e7 11.%e2 .f8 12.0-0 .g7 13.b4 g5!?DZ
B) As soon as White commits to h3, Black can be content to play ...f5, knowing that ...%g4 was no
longer on the cards anyway. 9.h3 1f7 10.d5 1e7 11.b4 0-0 12.%d3 a5 13.a3 f5 14.0-0 .g7DZ This is
not the only way Black can possibly play, but it seems like a logical one.

9...Ne7 10.h4


Position after: 10.h4

White’s most testing approach involves grabbing space on the kingside. If this line becomes more
explored and concrete orders for White to get an edge become clear, then Black might well have to
revert to subchapter 5.

10...Nf7

10...%g4 should probably be held in reserve unless Black is certain he would like to take on f3.

11.Be2

In the structure after 11.h5 %g4 12.hxg6 hxg6 13.5xh8+ 1xh8 14.4b3 Black can either ‘brick-wall’
the queenside with ...b6 and potentially ...a5, or try and use the a7-square (!) for his queen. Remember
that major-piece trades are generally acceptable for him.


Position after: 14.Qb3

14...b6 [14...4b8!?] 15.%e2 %xf3 16.%xf3 1f7 17.0-0-0 .f8 18.5h1 4d7 19.4d1 .g7 20.g3 5h8=

11...h5 12.a3 a5 13.b4 Kf8 14.Nd2 Kg7 15.c5 f5∞

Position after: 15...f5∞

4.5) 4.Nc3 e5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bg5 f6 7.Be3 Bh6 8.dxe5!?


1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nf3 e5 5.Nc3 Nc6!? 6.Bg5 f6 7.Be3 Bh6!? 8.dxe5!

Position after: 8.dxe5!

A very surprising move (why could it be better to play with doubled e-pawns than without?!) but a
remarkably effective try to play for an advantage.

8...Bxe3

The line 8...dxe5 9.4xd8+ .xd8 10.5d1+ %d7 11.c5 %xe3 12.fxe3v provides us with an answer to
that rhetorical question: White obtains great play against the f6-pawn.

9.fxe3 Nxe5

It is difficult to imagine White seriously challenging for an advantage with the doubled, isolated e-
pawns, but that is what happens nevertheless.
9...dxe5 10.%e2!v [10.4xd8+ 1xd8= is now completely fine for Black because White can’t fork the
c7 and f6 pawns; 10.4b3!? is another way to consider playing.]


Position after: 9...Nxe5

10.c5!

A) 10.4b3 1d7 11.0-0-0 1h6= is too slow.

B) 10.1xe5 fxe5 likely transposes.

10...c6!

10...dxc5?! 11.4xd8+ .xd8 12.0-0-0+ %d7 13.1xe5 fxe5 14.%c4! c6! 15.5hf1 [15.1a4 .e7
16.1xc5 1f6 17.1xb7 1xe4= Both sides have fragmented structures and all three results are still
possible.] 15....e8 16.5f7 5d8 17.5df1!v White has an advantage, and that’s all we need to know.


Position after: 17.Rdf1!²

11.Nxe5

11.4xd6 4xd6 12.cxd6 %e6= White’s extra pawn is in grave danger, and it’s not that important even
if it stays on the board.

11...fxe5 12.cxd6

Black is solid against middlegame attacks, e.g. 12.%c4 dxc5 13.4b3 1h6! 14.0-0 5f8 15.5ad1?!
4e7w when the king finds refuge on g7 or c7.

12...Nh6


Position after: 12...Nh6

Despite White’s far-advanced pawn, Black has full compensation here.

13.Bc4

13.4d2 %e6 14.0-0-0 0-0m

13...Rf8 14.Qd2

14.4d3 %g4ǭ Since White can’t easily arrange 0-0-0, this position could even be more comfortable
for Black.

14...Ng4! 15.Nd1

15.5f1 5xf1+ 16..xf1 1xh2+ 17..g1 4h4!DZ Black threatens ...1g4.

15...Bd7©


Position after: 15...Bd7©

Perhaps not the only move, but good enough. While White is figuring out how to castle, Black can
play ...4g5 and ...0-0-0.
Conclusion to Chapter 4
In my opinion, White loses some optionality by volunteering for King’s Indian (KID) structures
without Black having played ...1f6 yet. In similar vein to chapter 2, the vehicle through which this
lack of choice can best be exploited is most likely a quick ...e5. (Note that 3.c4 e5 runs into 4.dxe5
%xe5 5.1f3 when Black’s lack of development is quite clear and he doesn’t have the usual
compensating factor of a chokehold on the d4-square.)
The structures where Black has to play ...f6 lend themselves to trades of dark-squared bishops with
...%h6, which is far easier to arrange here than in some KID lines (a common plan in that opening is
...h5, ....h7, ...%h6.) White has only one concrete attempt to make use of the time taken up by
moving the bishop twice in this way and it’s discussed in line 4.5), making that the critical
subchapter.


 Chapter 5
Systems Chess links for Black

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 c5

Chapter Guide

Chapter 5 – Systems Chess links for Black

5.1) 1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1f3 c5

5.2) Inferior lines after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1c3 c5
5.3) 1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1c3 c5 4.%e3!
5.4) Minor lines after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 1f6 3.1c3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.4xd8+ .xd8
5.5) 1.e4 d6 2.d4 1f6 3.1c3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.4xd8+ .xd8 6.%c4

Introduction to Chapter 5
Just as I found time to discuss a line of the Berlin within my Petroff DVD (made for ChessBase in
2018), here too I think there are links to other openings that deserve to be made. Past a certain point
in your journey of memorising opening theory, you start to think schematically about structures and
borrow ideas from one opening while playing another. Thus, the two lines considered in this chapter
are somewhat different from the initial concept of the Modern (‘go ...g6 and ...%g7, then ...d6, and
then decide between ...a6, ...c6 or ...1f6) and you would have to be trying quite hard to find an exact


transposition.
In 5.1)-5.3) the line under consideration is the famous ‘Sniper’, a term coined by English FM Charlie
Storey, although the concept dates back at least to Botvinnik’s time. This is the purest form in which
a Modern player can showcase his ‘intellectualism’: on some level his basic desire might be just to
obtain a favourable Sicilian structure, in particular without risking annoying anti-Sicilians like
3.%b5(+) or 4.4xd4. So he goes straight for it with 3...c5 right after fianchettoing the king’s bishop.
Personally, I can see a case for considering the move against 3.1f3 (line 5.1) because White has to
make a rather specific sequence of 5 moves in order to get an advantage without entering a Benoni
setup, and they are not especially obvious. Meanwhile, regrettably, after 3.1c3 c5 there is little
temptation for White to go for the desired Sicilian structures (4.1f3 cxd4 5.1xd4 is a very decent
Dragon for Black, since he can additionally consider some tricks to do with delaying either ...d6 or
...1f6). That leaves 4.dxc5 as a way White can go wrong, at least practically (line 5.2) and 4.%e3 as
the correct answer (5.3).
In 5.4) and 5.5) I explore a famous endgame, perhaps the earliest example of a queen trade in
mainstream opening theory. That arises after 1.e4 d6 (the only time in the book!) 2.d4 1f6 3.1c3 e5,
and now the best move is probably 4.1f3 leading to a Philidor Defence, but we will only occupy
ourselves with the endgame after 4.dxe5 due to its obvious connection to the endgames of the
previous chapter.

5.1) 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 c5

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 c5!?

Position after: 3...c5!?


White is probably best advised to take place into a Benoni structure, which I’m not going to discuss
here beyond saying that it’s a relatively good version for him. One other option seems to get an edge
as well:

4.dxc5

A) 4.c3 cxd4 5.cxd4 d5 6.e5 1c6=

B) 4.1c3 cxd4 5.1xd4 and Black can choose to play a Dragon (either Accelerated or not) or
something with a slightly more exotic flavour such as 5...a6!?.

4...Qa5+ 5.c3

5.%d2 4xc5 6.1c3 1f6 7.h3 d6 8.%d3 0-0 9.0-0 b6= is more or less harmless and Black has the kind
of Sicilian-esque game he was after.

5...Qxc5

Position after: 5...Qxc5

6.Na3! Nf6

6...d6 Nothing equalizes, but this move lets White play more simply than the alternative. 7.1b5 a6
8.%e3 4c6 9.1a7! 4c7 10.1xc8 4xc8 11.4b3v

7.Nb5!

7.%e3 4c6! 8.e5 1d5 9.%d4 1f4∞


7...b6!?

Position after: 7...b6!?

Now White has to commit somehow.

8.b4

A) 8.e5 1g4 9.4d4 1xe5 10.4xc5 1xf3+ 11.gxf3 bxc5 12.1c7+ .d8 13.1xa8 %b7 14.%e2 %xa8v
This material imbalance will prove tricky for both sides to handle. I think White’s winning chances
are considerably reduced by the fragmented structure.
B) 8.%d3?! %b7 9.%e3 4c8=

8...Qc6 9.e5 Ne4 10.Nfd4 Qb7 11.Bd3 d5 12.exd6 0-0 13.0-0 Nxd6 14.Nxd6 exd6 15.Bf4²


Position after: 15.Bf4²

White has a clear lead in development.

5.2) Inferior lines after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5

Position after: 3...c5


This version of the ‘Sniper’ is about as good as the other one, but has the benefit that few people
know the reply.

4.dxc5?!

In this line White has to go to great lengths to obtain an advantage.

4...Bxc3+ 5.bxc3 Qa5

Position after: 5...Qa5

6.Qd4

This is the accepted antidote, but during my analysis I discovered that some lines were very far from
being clear advantages for White.
After the logical 6.1e2 Black can generally get play for the pawn, e.g. 6...1c6 7.%e3 1f6 8.f3 b6
9.cxb6 axb6m with the idea of ...d5 next. The c4-square (and sometimes also c5-square) are very
handy for Black’s knights.

6...Nf6 7.Qb4!

7.1e2 1c6 8.4e3 0-0 9.f3 b6 10.cxb6 d5∞


Position after: 7.Qb4!

7...Qc7!

Black can regain the pawn, e.g. 7...4xb4?! 8.cxb4 1c6 9.a3 1xe4 10.%b2u but this position is
miserable.

8.f3!?

White displays an intention to play the optimal setup however long it might take (i. e. the one with
%e3 and 4a3.)
8.1f3 The most played move, and natural.


Position after: 8.Nf3

A) 8...1c6 9.4a4 1e5 10.4d4 [10.%e3 b6DZ frees Black’s game immediately.] 10...1c6 11.4e3 b6
12.cxb6 axb6 13.%e2 %a6m
B) 8...0-0 9.%d3 1a6!?N [9...a5?! 10.4c4 b5 11.cxb6u Fressinet, L – Bellon Lopez, J France 2000]
10.%xa6 bxa6

Position after: 10...bxa6

Now Black’s reorganisation continues as in the following line: 11.0-0 5b8 12.4d4 5b5 13.e5 1h5


 14.%e3 1g7 15.4d3 1e6= with decent play against the tripled pawns.

8...b6!?

Position after: 8...b6!?

Breaking first and managing to keep queens on.

Even if Black complies with White’s basic idea, matters aren’t completely straightforward. 8...0-0
9.%e3 1c6 10.4a3 b6!?


Position after: 10...b6!?

11.%b5! [11.cxb6 4b7 12.bxa7 d5∞ is hideously unclear; with White’s king still in the centre Black
can often even sacrifice the exchange on a7.] 11...1e5 [11...%b7 Right now White is well enough
developed that he can also play an open position with the queens on. 12.1e2 bxc5 13.4xc5 d6
14.4g5!v] 12.1e2 bxc5 13.4xc5 4xc5 14.%xc5 d6 15.%d4v Obviously Black has some
compensation along the b- and c-files, but my impression is that a pawn should basically be a pawn
here.

9.cxb6

Now I still don’t quite believe that Black has equality, but I have discovered some frankly incredible
resources in his favour, which I will claim author’s prerogative and give in full, rather than just
leaving the position with a verdict of ‘interesting’.
A) 9.%e3
A1) 9...1a6!? 10.%xa6 %xa6 11.0-0-0 bxc5 12.4xc5 4xc5 13.%xc5 d6m This position is rather
different from the previous note in that Black’s play on the open files is further advanced and also
harder to stop (since White’s queenside rook cannot challenge for the b-file.)
A2) 9...1c6 10.4a3 bxc5 11.4xc5 d6 12.4g5 h6! White’s queen cannot really feel at home on the
kingside, and retreating with 13.4g3 opens up play with, for instance, 13...1b4!?ǭ.
B) Black can answer 9.%h6 in various ways, but clever seems to be 9...%a6 when White would be
well advised to take the transposition to the main line.

9...axb6 10.Bh6

10.%e3 1a6 11.%xa6 %xa6 12.%xb6 4c6 13.%d4 0-0!


Position after: 13...0-0!

White’s development is now a big problem, especially in view of the idea 14.4xe7 1xe4! 15.fxe4
5ae8 16.4f6 5xe4+ 17..d2 5xd4+! 18.4xd4 4xg2+ 19.1e2 4xe2+ 20..c1 %b7 21.5g1 %e4
22.4d2 4c4m and Black has enough play for a draw.

10...Ba6

Position after: 10...Ba6


11.Bd3

A) 11.5b1 %xf1 12..xf1 1c6 13.4xb6 4xb6 14.5xb6 5xa2=

B) 11.%xa6 1xa6 12.4b2 is the computer suggestion but leads to positions where White effectively
can’t castle either, and the compensation comes soon after for Black: 12...4c5 13.1e2 5g8 14.%f4
d5∞.

11...Nc6 12.Qa4

Retreating to c1 instead is much the same: 12.4a3 5g8 13.%g5 4c8 14.%xa6 5xa6 15.4c1 d5!?
16.%xf6 exf6 17.exd5 1e5 18.1e2 4c5m with a position that is still very hard to handle for White.

Position after: 12.Qa4

12...Rg8!

A ridiculous move, playing for lines in which both of White’s bishops are trapped, in symmetrical
ways, on opposite sides of the board! I think this order makes White do the most work.
Black gains nothing by playing 12...4c8 13.4b3 1e5 14.%xa6 5xa6: White can still always play
%g7xf6 if he so chooses, and there are some lines where the option to play ...1h5-g7 would have
been useful.

13.Bg5!

The bishop has done its work on h6 and should return. Now, taking on f6 will always cause Black
strategic issues.


 A) 13.%xa6 loses claim to an advantage: 13...g5 14.4b5 [14.1h3 g4 15.1f2 gxf3 16.gxf3 4a7m]
14...1b8 15.1e2 5xa6 16.5b1

Position after: 16.Rb1

16...1xe4! 17.fxe4 5g6 18.%xg5 5a5 19.4d3 5axg5DZ Anything is possible in this position!
B) 13.1h3 stops ...g5 but gives Black time to establish a knight on c4 or c5: 13...4c8 14.4b3 1e5
15.%xa6 [15.5d1 %c4!=] 15...5xa6 16.0-0 d6DZ

13...Qc8


Position after: 13...Qc8

14.Qb3!

Restricting Black’s options.

14.%xa6 5xa6 15.4b3 1h5 is like the main line but without Black having ever needed to go ...1e5.
This flexibility may make a difference, e.g. 16.1e2 1a5 17.4b4 f6m.

14...Ne5

14...1h5?! The computer really doesn’t like this move, but it takes a while to work out the issue.
15.1e2 [15.4xb6? %xd3 16.cxd3 1e5 17.4d4 f6 18.%e3 5a6!ǭ] 15...1e5

Position after: 15...Ne5

A) 16.4d5 is another possible independent move, but after 16...d6! Black gets the much-needed
central solidity. [16...1c4 17.5b1u] 17.5b1 [17.0-0 4c5+ 18.4xc5 bxc5m] 17...h6! 18.%xa6 5xa6
19.4b5+ 1d7 20.%e3 5a5 21.4b3 4a6 22.5b2 g5 23.1d4 1f4DZ
B) 16.5d1! 1g7 17.%f4 1c4 18.0-0 1e6 19.%c1u


Position after: 19.Bc1±

While Black has been messing around with his knights, White has managed to achieve a coherent
position where his dark-squared bishop controls useful squares and his knight can challenge for the
centre.

15.Bxa6

15.5d1 %xd3 16.cxd3 4a6= seems to secure an equal ending

15...Rxa6


Position after: 15...Rxa6

16.Bxf6

16.1e2 1h5! 17.0-0 1g7 18.5ad1 1e6 19.%c1 4c4DZ If we compare this to the version with light-
squared bishops still on (note to Black’s 14th), Black has significantly more activity here.

16...exf6 17.Ne2 Kf8!?²

Black should cut his losses and back down here, with a marginally worse but still very dynamic
position.
17...4c5 This is the consistent move, trying to stop White castling.


Position after: 17...Qc5

18.5d1! Another key move (if a rather natural one.) White uses small features of the position to
navigate his way to a small endgame edge. [18.4b4 d5! 19.exd5 .e7 20.4e4 (notice that we could
also have gotten this position from 19.4f4 at the end of the note to White’s 12th!) 20...5ga8DZ gives
Black good play.] 18...5a3 19.5d5 5xb3 20.5xc5 5b1+ 21..f2 5xh1 22.5c8+ .e7 23.5xg8v I have
analysed this endgame and found White to have a slight advantage.

Position after: 23.Rxg8²


 5.3) 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.Be3!

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5 4.Be3!

Position after: 4.Be3!

This is the less well-known but more reliable antidote.

4...cxd4

A) 4...4a5 5.1f3 1f6 [5...cxd4 6.1xd4v is a bad Dragon.] 6.4d2 Black has nothing here, because
the positionally desirable 6...1g4 runs into 7.1d5!u.
B) 4...1c6 5.dxc5 %xc3+ 6.bxc3 4a5 7.4d2 is a significantly better version of subchapter 2 from
White’s perspective.

5.Bxd4 Nf6

5...%xd4 6.4xd4 1f6 White can choose various moves here, for instance 7.1d5 0-0 8.1xf6+v
Harikrishna, P – Ehlvest, J chess.com 2019.

6.e5 Nh5


Position after: 6...Nh5

7.Nge2!

A) 7.4d2 d6 8.exd6 4xd6 leads to a variety of endgames where White has basically nothing, e.g.
9.%xg7 4xd2+ 10..xd2 1xg7 11.1d5 .d7 12.1f3 .d6!?DZ
B) If White craves excitement, the pawn sacrifice 7.g4 1f4 8.%e3 %xe5 9.4d2m is not completely
without merit, though of course it is very unnecessary.

7...f5 8.f4


Position after: 8.f4

Now White has a major bind. Black will need to play ...d6, but the frustrating thing about that will be
that White is not interested in keeping the pawn and so the recapture ...exd6 will be needed.

8...Nc6 9.Bf2 d6 10.exd6 Nf6

Position after: 10...Nf6

11.g3!


The engine’s suggested 11.1b5 0-0 12.1ec3 a6 13.1c7 5b8∞ quickly degrades into chaos.

Position after: 13...Rb8∞

11...0-0 12.Bg2 Re8 13.Qd2²

Long castling is coming and there is a limit on how clever Black can be about taking back on d6.

5.4) Minor lines after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+ Kxd8

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5

This is a line I shall be (re?)naming as the Serbian System.

4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+ Kxd8


Position after: 5...Kxd8

6.Bg5

Here is an interesting attempt to riff on the concept of 6.f4, without allowing Black the possibility of
...%b4 as below.
A) 6.f4 This is one of the most principled moves. In the examples we shall see over the coming
pages, both sides have usually developed enough pieces that the move isn’t immediately an issue for
Black, but the more general theme of White opening the centre is still relevant to those discussions.
6...%b4! 7.%d3 [7.%d2 exf4 8.0-0-0 1bd7=] 7...1bd7 8.1f3 5e8 9.fxe5 1xe5 10.1xe5 5xe5 11.0-0
%xc3 12.bxc3 %e6=


Position after: 12...Be6=

Both sides have the obvious strengths and weaknesses in their positions, and these roughly balance
each other out.
B) 6.1f3 If Black were able to play ...f6, this move would have very little point. We will see
versions of this endgame where Black is able to immediately oppose both knights (...f6 and ...c6),
then trade dark-squared bishops and play for a win. 6...%d6 [6...1bd7? 7.1g5 .e8 8.%c4 is
embarrassing.] 7.%e3 .e7 8.h3 %e6 9.0-0-0 1bd7

Position after: 9...Nbd7


 Black can also play in other ways, but this is the most principled, setting up ... %c5 ideas. 10.1d5+
[10.1g5?! %c5 11.1xe6 %xe3+ 12.fxe3 fxe6w saw one of the more unusual structures arise in
Mousseri, D – Khachiyan, M San Diego 2014] 10...%xd5 11.exd5 h5DZ

Position after: 11...h5„

The flexibility of Black’s structure, combined with the lack of prospects faced by White’s f1-bishop
and his nominal majority on the queenside, compensate adequately for the bishop-pair.

6...Be6


Position after: 6...Be6

7.0-0-0+

With the next three moves, White sets up some interesting practical questions that he can pose to his
opponent.
7.g3!? is interesting; White is trying not to play with an isolated king’s pawn. Instead Black can
choose to be the one playing with...doubled, isolated pawns on the f-file. The dynamics of 7....c8
8.f4 %b4 9.%xf6 gxf6 10.1f3 work out fine for him, e.g. 10...exf4 11.gxf4 %g4 12.%e2 5e8 13.h3
%h5 14.1d2 %xe2 15..xe2 f5=.

7...Kc8 8.f4 exf4

Position after: 8...exf4

9.Nf3!

A) 9.1ge2 1bd7 10.1xf4 %b4 11.1xe6 fxe6 12.%c4 5e8DZ is one of those odd positions where
White is perfectly developed, but Black has just enough co-ordination to stay in the game and begin
reminding White of his structural issues.
B) 9.e5 h6 10.%xf4 1g4 11.5d2 %c5=

9...Bb4! 10.Nd5!

10.%xf6 gxf6 11.1d5 %xd5 12.5xd5 1d7 13.5f5 %c5 14.%c4 c6 15.%xf7 %e3+ 16..b1 .c7 17.%e6
5ae8!= is nothing special, as long as Black isn’t afraid of ghosts.


10...Bxd5 11.exd5

Position after: 11.exd5

11...Ng4!?

The ambitious continuation.

11...%d6 12.%xf6 gxf6 13.%d3 1d7 14.%f5 .d8=

12.Bxf4 Nf2 13.Rd4 c5 14.Rxb4 cxb4 15.Rg1 Rd8?!

15...5e8!N The value of the e-file, and the fact that my exchange plus does not deserve to survive,
should have been apparent to me. White doesn’t really have much: 16.%b5 1d7 17.1e5 5xe5
18.%xd7+ .xd7 19.%xe5 f6 20.%d4 1e4 21.5e1 5e8=.

16.Bc4 Ne4?! 17.Re1²


Position after: 17.Re1²

I later drew a worse ending through sheer force of willpower in Mihok, O – Fernandez, D Kecskemet
2015.

5.5) 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+ Kxd8 6.Bc4

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8+ Kxd8 6.Bc4!

Position after: 6.Bc4!


The most critical move. The annoying thing about it is that Black must choose between two isolated
e-pawns on a closed file, or one on an open file.

6...Bb4!?

A) The structure Black has after 6...%e6 7.%xe6 fxe6v is by no means as bad as it looks, but if White
keeps both his knights (say, on d3 and c3) then his advantage will be very stable indeed.
B) 6....e8 is possible, although I don’t very much like the positions after White plays 7.f4 (and has
a particular insight into the importance of Black’s king position.) 7.f4 [7.f3 c6 8.a4 a5 9.%e3

Position after: 9.Be3

and I offered a draw here in Fernandez, D – Strikovic, A Ruma 2017, locking in the final 0.1 rating
gain I needed for my grandmaster title!] 7...%b4 8.%d2?! [8.%d3! 1bd7 9.1f3v and by contrast to
the 6.f4 positions, Black lacks the ideas of ...5e8!] 8...%e6! 9.%d3 exf4 10.1ge2 1bd7 11.%xf4
[11.1xf4 c6 12.a3 %d6=] 11...c6 12.h3 .e7 13.0-0 %c5+ 14..h2 %d6 15.g3 h5w Black even went
on to win in Naiditsch, A – Navara, D Sibenik 2009.