Fernandez Daniel The Modernized Modern Defense, 492,688

Position after: 6...Bb4!?
7.Bxf7!
7.1f3 also deserves consideration, trying to set up quick castling. 7...1c6
Position after: 7...Nc6
A) 8.0-0 %e6 9.5d1+ .e8! 10.%xe6 fxe6 This version is better than 6...%e6 because here White
needs to do something unusual to prevent ...%xc3 and ...1xe4 ideas, for instance 11.1b5 5c8

12.%d2 – but this gives Black the time he needs to organise with 12...%xd2 13.1xd2 g5Ǳ.
B) 8.%xf7! 1xe4 9.0-0 .e7!
Position after: 9...Ke7!
10.%b3 [10.%d5 1xc3 11.bxc3 %xc3 12.%g5+ .d6! 13.5ad1 %f5!=; 10.1xe4 .xf7 11.c3 %e7
12.%g5 %f5 13.%xe7 %xe4 14.1g5+ .xe7 15.1xe4 5ad8=] 10...1xc3 11.%g5+ .e8 12.bxc3 %xc3
13.5ad1 h6!
Position after: 13...h6!

A precise move. Now White has nothing but a choice of dynamically balanced endings. 14.5d3
[14.%d2 %xd2 15.5xd2 .e7 16.5e1 5e8 17.%d5 5d8! 18.%xc6 5xd2 19.1xd2 bxc6 20.5xe5+
%e6=] 14...hxg5 15.5xc3 g4!
Position after: 15...g4!
Forcing the issue: either now or sometime soon White will have to execute the trade implied by
16.1xe5 1xe5 17.5e1 5h5 18.5ce3 %d7 19.5xe5+ 5xe5 20.5xe5+ .f8= when the game fizzles out
to a draw.
7...Rf8
7...1xe4 gives White too many options, e.g. 8.1ge2 %f5 [8...5f8 9.%d5!v] 9.%e3 %xc3+ 10.bxc3
1d7 11.1g3∞ with a strong attack.
8.Bb3
8.%d5?! is now simply met by the generally useful 8...c6w.
8...Nxe4 9.Nge2 Nc5

10.Bg5+
White is best off capturing with the a-pawn rather than trying to use the c-file, and this looks like the
best preparation.
A) 10.%c4 is neither here nor there, and White doesn’t get pressure against the e5-pawn. 10...%e6
11.%xe6 1xe6 12.%e3 1d7 13.0-0-0 c6=
B) 10.0-0 1xb3 11.cxb3 1c6 12.5d1+ .e8 13.1d5 %d6 14.1ec3 %e6 15.%e3 [15.1b5 %xd5
16.5xd5 .d7=] 15...5d8 16.5ac1 5f7

Position after: 16...Rf7
An interesting position: you might think White has good pressure on the c- or d-file, but in fact
Black has everything adequately covered, and if allowed a few moves like ...a6 or ...h6, he might
start to take over the game.
C) 10.%e3 1xb3 11.cxb3 1c6 12.0-0-0+ .e8!=
10...Ke8 11.0-0-0 Nxb3+ 12.axb3

Position after: 12.axb3
The forcing portion of the opening is over, and now I will suggest some common-sense moves, which
more or less have to be played in some order by each side. The point is not so much that Black is
equal, rather that he has reasonable chances even after White started with such a good version of the
endgame AND found his way to this point.
12...Nc6 13.Nd5 Bd6 14.f3 Be6 15.Nec3 h6 16.Bh4
Position after: 16.Bh4
White can get this kind of thing practically by force after 6...%b4. I would like to argue for some
confidence in Black’s position, despite how it might look: there are enough ideas that White isn’t
going to be able to simply surround the e5-pawn. For instance:
16...Kf7 17.Rhe1 g5 18.Bf2 Rad8 19.Ne4 b6 20.h3 Kg6„

Position after: 20...Kg6„
Black has ideas like ...h5 or ...1d4 in the pipeline.

Conclusion to Chapter 5
The Modern is not a simple opening to play. In different ways, it overlaps with the Sicilian, Pirc,
King’s Indian, Benoni and others. The entirety of Part II was devoted to Pirc transpositions, and
throughout this Part, we’ve looked at some of the other links, culminating in the present chapter. In
similar vein, the next Part will feature a lot of Sicilian structures.
While both of the specific lines considered here are favorable to White after correct play, I think
anyone with the Modern in their repertoire for the long haul should be familiar with these
‘neighboring’ openings. Concretely, those reading these lines from the White perspective should
remember that 4.%e3! is a good antidote to the Sniper and that 6.%c4!? is probably the best move in
the Serbian System.

Part IV
Theoretical Pure Moderns
Chapter 1
Four Piece Systems
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6
Chapter Guide
Chapter 1 – Four Piece Systems
1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1c3 d6

1.1) Move-order nuance: 4.%e3 a6 5.1f3 b5
1.2) 4.%e3 a6 5.4d2 b5 6.1f3 and other minor systems
1.3) 4.f4 a6 5.1f3 b5 6.%d3 1d7 7.%e3 %b7 introduction
1.4) 4.f4 a6 5.1f3 b5 6.%d3 1d7 7.%e3 %b7 8.0-0 1h6 9.1g5 and others
1.5) 4.f4 a6 5.1f3 b5 6.%d3 1d7 7.%e3 %b7 8.0-0 1h6 9.h3
1.6) 4.f4 a6 5.1f3 b5 6.%d3 1d7 7.%e3 %b7 8.0-0 1h6 9.1e2!?
Introduction to Chapter 1

The first two subchapters here deal with lines that don’t quite classify as either a ‘proper’ Austrian
Attack or a valid 150 Attack move-order. There are several of them and so I’m going to have to be a
bit loose with the boundaries between the lines, but I have covered everything. The common thread
through most of this chapter (except a few of the notes) is that White plays his bishops to e3 and d3,
and his knights to c3 and f3 (hence ‘four piece systems’) and in 1.3) we get stuck into the main
branch of this approach: the one featuring 4.f4.
This is certainly quite a dangerous approach as Black usually can’t undermine the centre with ...c5 (at
least, before White plays e5 himself) but after my suggestion of 8...1h6, analysed in lines 1.4)-1.6) I
don’t think there’s any danger of being overrun. That’s because the same developing move (%e3) that
makes ...c5 harder to execute, also provides a handy target for a future gain of tempo with ...1g4/f5.
Note that this move is much better than 8...1f6 because in response to 9.e5 Black doesn’t have to
move the knight; instead 8...1h6 9.e5 c5! is a very handy extra option.
1.1) Move-order nuance: 4.Be3 a6 5.Nf3 b5
1.e4 g6 2.d4 d6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Be3 a6 5.Nf3
This order is inaccurate. After the best order 3.1f3 d6 4.%e3 Black would be forced to play a Pirc
setup (see Part II) but here there is an extra option.
5...b5!?
Position after: 5...b5!?
6.Bd3!?

6.a4 b4 7.1d5 [7.1a2 1f6! is fine for Black] 7...%b7! [7...a5?! 8.1f4 c6 9.h4 1f6 10.e5 1g4 11.e6!v
White was better and was unlucky not to ultimately win in Pijpers, A – van Foreest, L Dutch League
2020.] 8.h4!? Everything else is quite trivial and so needs to be taken seriously. [8.%d3 a5 9.c3 e6
10.1f4 1f6=; 8.1xb4 %xe4 9.%c4 %b7 10.1g5 1h6= Black continues with ...0-0, ...a5, ...1f5.; 8.c3
e6 9.1xb4 a5! 10.1a2 %xe4=; 8.%c4 e6 9.1xb4 %xe4 10.d5 e5 11.0-0 %f5Ǳ]
Position after: 8.h4!?
A) A slower move like 8...1d7?! leads to concrete problems. 9.h5 e6 10.1xb4 c5 [After 10...%xe4
White can possibly even just take on a6, but 11.d5!v is most principled.] 11.dxc5 dxc5 12.1d3 %xe4
13.c3ǭ
B) 8...%xd5! 9.exd5 1f6 10.%c4 c6

Position after: 10...c6
B1) The computer is captivated by the idea of 11.h5 cxd5 12.h6 but I don’t think it’s especially
good. A human solution now is 12...%f8 [12...%xh6!?] 13.%b3 e6 14.a5 %e7 15.%a4+ 1bd7m when
White has enough for the pawn, but not more.
B2) 11.dxc6 d5 12.%b5!? Inspired by the famous Kramnik – Morozevich game, but here there is
no third pawn to provide backup. [12.%d3 1xc6 13.4e2 4c8=] 12...axb5 13.axb5 5xa1 14.4xa1
4b6 15.0-0 4xb5 16.c7 0-0 17.cxb8=4 4xb8=
6...Bb7

Position after: 6...Bb7
The most ‘normal’ option. I have also analysed ...1d7 and ...1f6, but one alternative here is enough.
7.e5
A) In the following subchapter we will be investigating things like 7.4d2 1d7 8.a4 b4 9.1e2, with
the general idea being to play 1g3 and c3 next.
B) 7.0-0 1d7 8.a4 b4 9.1d5 %xd5 10.exd5 1gf6Ǳ
7...c5!?
A novelty at the time of my original analysis, but since played in a game Perelshteyn – Piasetski.
7...1d7?! deserves to be put out of action by 8.e6, and indeed I don’t believe Black’s position after
this. Likewise, in the Austrian lines I am more reluctant than most to play both ...%b7 and ...1d7. I
also came up with a gambit idea beginning 7...e6, but that isn’t worth giving.

Position after: 7...c5!?
8.e6!?
A) 8.exd6 cxd4 9.1xd4 4xd6=

B) 8.dxc5 dxe5 9.0-0 [9.%e4 4xd1+ 10.5xd1 %xe4 11.1xe4 1c6=] 9...1f6! 10.1xe5 4c7
Position after: 10...Qc7
11.f4 [11.1g4 1fd7!=] 11...1bd7 The most White can extract here is the bishop-pair, but after

12.c6 %xc6 13.1xc6 4xc6= I still like Black.
C) 8.%e4 d5! 9.%d3 1c6w
D) 8.0-0 cxd4 9.%xd4 1c6 10.%e4 dxe5 11.%xe5 1f6=
8...f5!
8...fxe6?! 9.dxc5 1f6 [9...1c6 10.1g5ĩ; 9...4d7 10.1g5 1f6] 10.1g5 4d7 11.h4!v The details work
for White.
9.dxc5 dxc5
Position after: 9...dxc5
10.Ng5!
This is the critical move. As the position feels quite experimental Black should have something
specific in mind.
10.%xc5 4c7 11.%e3 1f6m
10...Nf6!?
10...%xc3+ 11.bxc3 4d5 is given by some engines, but I think after the simple 12.%f1!v I would
prefer White’s position.
11.Nf7 Qc7 12.Nxh8 Bxh8

Position after: 12...Bxh8
In my initial notes, I ended the line here claiming good counterplay for Black. Let me just give some
sample lines to back up this verdict, which hasn’t changed.
13.f3
A) 13.4e2 1c6! 14.%xc5 1e5 15.%d4 1h5! In exchange for just one more pawn, Black’s pieces
have achieved an amazing level of energy.

Position after: 15...Nh5!
B) 13.0-0?? is a terrible idea: 13...1g4 14.g3 %xc3 15.bxc3 4c6–+.
13...c4 14.Be2 Nc6 15.0-0 Nd8
Position after: 15...Nd8
16.Qd2
Equalizing the material stakes is also possible: 16.a4 b4 17.1a2 1xe6 [17...1d5 18.%d4 %xd4+
19.4xd4 1xe6 20.4f2 f4=] 18.1xb4 a5 19.1a2 1d5 20.%f2 0-0-0 21.4c1 1ef4 22.5e1 1xg2!
23..xg2 1f4+ 24..f1 1xe2 25.5xe2 4xh2 26.4e3 4h3+ 27..g1 %xf3 28.4c5+ .b8 29.4b6+
.c8=

Position after: 29...Kc8=
and White must give perpetual check.
16...Nxe6 17.Rad1 Kf7©
Position after: 17...Kf7©
Black has a pawn for the exchange and White suffers from a distinct lack of ideas.

1.2) 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.Nf3 and other minor systems
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6
Position after: 4...a6
5.Qd2
This is the logical way for White to start setting up the ‘4 piece system’, assuming of course that he
wants 4d2 to be a part of that. The advantage of doing things in this way is that Black does not really
have a Pirc option that makes sense to me.
A) At some point we should briefly discuss the hybrid line with 5.f4!? which can transpose to
elsewhere in this chapter, but more likely is being played with the plan of %e2-f3 in mind. 5...b5
6.%e2 [6.a4 b4 7.1d5 %b7! 8.1f3 e6 9.1xb4 a5! 10.1d3 %xe4= Black should be happy with this
pawn trade.] 6...1d7 [Also playable is 6...%b7 since Black doesn’t really have to execute ...c5 in a
hurry in this line.] 7.e5 1h6 8.%f3 5b8 9.1ge2

Position after: 9.Nge2
In hindsight, with his choice of 6th move, Black has committed to not playing ...%b7 for a while,
and doing so now is a bit inconsistent. 9...1b6!N [9...%b7?! 10.1g3 1b6 11.%xb7 5xb7 12.4f3
5b8 13.0-0v Hague, B – Fernandez, D Tauranga 2020] 10.0-0 0-0 11.1g3 f6= with ...1f5 to follow
in short order.
B) I don’t think 5.%d3 b5 has any independent significance.
5...b5

Position after: 5...b5
6.Nf3
Not many people try and combine the 150 attack (on which much more later!) with placing the bishop
on d3. The usual upshot of playing like this is that White has to play 1h3 without having forced
Black into ...h5, which is usually a bad combination. After something like 6.%d3 1d7 7.a4 b4 8.1ce2
c5 9.c3 1gf6 10.f3 the position is roughly equal.
6...Bb7 7.Bd3 Nd7
This should be seen as the main position of the ‘4 piece system’ without f4.
8.a4
A) 8.1e2 1gf6 9.%h6!? [9.1g3 1g4ĩ] 9...%xh6 10.4xh6 %xe4 11.%xe4 1xe4 12.0-0 e6m
B) 8.0-0 is too slow off the mark and Black can get the kind of Sicilian position he is really after:
8...c5 [8...1gf6 9.e5 dxe5 10.dxe5 1g4 11.e6 1de5Ǳ is not stupid, but is rather unnecessary.]
9.5ad1 cxd4 10.%xd4

Position after: 10.Bxd4
10...%xd4 [10...1gf6= is also playable] 11.1xd4 1gf6 12.4h6 4b6Ǳ
8...b4 9.Ne2 c5
10.c3

10.1g3 cxd4 11.%xd4 %xd4 12.1xd4 4b6 13.1f3 a5w Black was more comfortable at this point
although he later lost in Apicella, M – Shoker, S Cannes 2008.
10...Ngf6 11.Ng3 h5
Position after: 11...h5
12.Bg5
A standard answer, using the ‘space left behind’ and preventing ...h4.
12.e5? bxc3 13.bxc3 cxd4 14.cxd4 dxe5 15.dxe5?! %xf3Ů
12...bxc3 13.bxc3 Qa5

Position after: 13...Qa5
14.Rb1
A) 14.0-0 h4!= A rather sophisticated tactic which it would pay to remember. White’s pieces are
overloaded and he has to struggle to stay afloat.
B) 14.h3?! d5 15.exd5 [15.e5? 1e4Ů] 15...%xd5=
C) The sacrifice 14.h4 d5 15.exd5 1xd5 16.0-0 is best ignored: 16...cxd4 17.cxd4 4xd2 18.%xd2
1c7=.
14...Rb8 15.h4!? Qxa4=

Position after: 15...Qxa4=
White will be able to play d5 and later take back his pawn on a6, but in that time Black can liberate
his position.
1.3) 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 introduction
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6

5.Nf3
No other way of developing the pieces springs to mind; if 5.%d3 White gains nothing and risks Black
taking on d4. Whereas if 5.%e3 b5 a transposition is also likely, unless White plays the 6.%e2 system
from the previous subchapter.
5...b5 6.Bd3 Nd7
7.Be3
It is quite intuitive that this should be the best order for White if he’s not looking for an immediate
7.e5: after all, it holds Black back from playing ...c5. Another nuance is that after 7.4e2 Black can
play 7...c5 immediately without worrying about having to take back with the d-pawn. 8.e5 cxd4
9.%e4 dxc3 10.%xa8 1h6m
7...Bb7
7...c5 looks enticing when you first see the position, but the structure after 8.dxc5 1xc5 9.%xc5 dxc5
10.e5v actually holds a lot of dangers for Black.

8.0-0
This being an ‘intro’ type subchapter, I’m going to investigate a significant number of alternatives for
White.
A) 8.4e2 c5 Now this is fine. 9.dxc5 1xc5 10.%xc5 %xc3+! 11.bxc3 dxc5
Position after: 11...dxc5

12.c4 [12.e5 1h6!= The old rule that we meet e5 with ... 1h6 holds good.] 12...bxc4 13.%xc4 4a5+
14.4d2 4xd2+ 15.1xd2 1f6 Black has enough play against White’s centre to compensate for a
slightly fragmented structure.
B) 8.e5 An odd mashup of White’s main strategies in this opening. While this is technically the
most common move, it fails to convince me. 8...1h6!
B1) 9.0-0 c5! 10.%e4 [10.e6 fxe6 11.1g5 %xd4 12.%xd4 cxd4 13.1xe6 4b6w] 10...1g4 11.%c1
4b8 12.%xb7 4xb7 13.exd6 0-0m
B2) 9.h3 0-0 10.0-0 c5 11.dxc5 dxe5!=
B3) 9.%e4 White should not delay this move. 9...4c8!

Position after: 9...Qc8!
10.%xb7 White is looking for an endgame, but I think Black isn’t. [10.0-0 b4 11.%xb7 4xb7
12.1e2 c5 13.c3 0-0=; 10.1g5!? is the most commonly played move. 10...b4 11.4f3 As
introduced in Ye, J – Bacrot, E Batumi 2001. Now Black has 11...%xe4!? 12.1cxe4 1b6, avoiding
endgames for the time being.] 10...4xb7 11.4d3 [11.0-0 0-0] 11...0-0 12.4e4 4xe4 13.1xe4 f6!=
Position after: 13...f6!=
White’s central domination is being eroded.

C) The Sicilian-esque play after 8.4d2 c5 9.dxc5 1xc5 10.0-0 4c7= has a very similar character to
that in the analogous positions without the inclusion of f4 from White.
D) The standard re-routing with 8.a4 b4 9.1e2 c5 10.c3 1gf6 11.1g3
Position after: 11.Ng3
is not so accurate here, but it is important to react accurately. 11...0-0! The point is that every move
White can make now has a drawback. Castling runs into ...1g4 ideas, as does e5. 12.h3 bxc3
13.bxc3 d5! 14.e5 1e4= Black exploits the fact that the g3-knight was left undefended. This
equalizes easily.
8...Qc8!?

Position after: 8...Qc8!?
This move might well be possible, but my main problem with it was it being just slow enough to
allow White a reasonable version of the a4/c3, 1e2-g3 setup. In the remaining subchapters we will
deal with the (in my opinion) more accurate ...1h6.
9.a4! b4 10.Ne2 Ngf6 11.Ng3 c5
11...h5 is premature: 12.e5 1g4 13.4e2ǭ Black is worse and must play moves like ...1f8 to stay in
the game.
12.c3
12.4e2 cxd4 13.%xd4 0-0=
12...h5

13.Ng5!
13.h4 c4! White’s bishop is at great risk of becoming entombed on b1, and the a1-rook with it.
14.%b1 1g4! 15.4e2 [15.%d2 e5w] 15...e5 16.cxb4 1xe3 17.4xe3 exd4 18.1xd4 1f6m
13...Ng4 14.Qe2 Nxe3 15.Qxe3²
I tried a variety of things here, but the first impression (i.e. that Black is severely under-developed)
seems to hold up to scrutiny.

Position after: 15.Qxe3²
1.4) 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 8.0-0 Nh6 9.Ng5 and others
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 8.0-0 Nh6
Position after: 8...Nh6
Now White faces another rich choice.

9.Ng5
A) 9..h1 c5! 10.dxc5 1g4 Now if anything White is in trouble, e.g. 11.%d4 e5 12.fxe5 dxc5
13.%g1 1gxe5ĩ
B) 9.e5 c5 10.%e4 is typically unbothersome, and in addition to the usual ...%xe4 or ...4c8 Black
also has another option here: 10...1g4!? 11.%c1 4b8
Position after: 11...Qb8
12.1g5! [12.exd6 cxd4 13.1xd4 4xd6!=] 12...cxd4 13.e6 dxc3 14.exd7+ .xd7 15.4xg4+ f5
16.%xf5+ gxf5 17.4xf5+ .c6∞ The position looks like great fun to play for either side, but there is
also the risk of being lost in 5 moves.
C) 9.a4?! makes sense, but this is the one time that Black doesn’t need to reply to the threat with any
real care. 9...1g4 10.%d2 [10.4e2 1xe3 11.4xe3 b4 12.1e2 c5Ǳ] 10...c5!

Position after: 10...c5!
C1) 11.axb5 lands White in trouble: 11...cxd4 12.1d5 axb5 13.5xa8 %xa8 14.1g5 [14.%xb5 0-0
15.h3 1gf6w] 14...%xd5 15.exd5 1e3 16.%xe3 dxe3 17.%xb5 0-0w
C2) 11.h3! cxd4 12.1d5 %xd5 13.exd5 1e3 14.%xe3 dxe3 15.axb5 axb5
Position after: 15...axb5
16.%xb5 [16.5xa8 4xa8 17.%xb5 0-0! 18.%xd7 4a7 19.4e2 4xd7w] 16...0-0 17.4e2 1f6Ǳ White
probably needs to be a little more careful, but still has his own trumps too.

9...e6!
Position after: 9...e6!
This is good preparation for ...c5 and helps stall White’s central pushes.
10.e5
A) 10.f5 exf5 11.exf5 0-0Ǳ

B) After 10.a4 the following line is close to forced: 10...b4 11.1e2 1g4 12.%c1 h6 13.1f3 0-0
14.h3 1gf6 15.1g3 c5

By comparison to the 7.%e3 %b7 8.0-0 4c8 positions Black has gained two tempi (though one of
them is ...h6, which is of questionable value.) 16.c3 a5! 17.%e3 %a6= Black is totally fine.
10...c5! 11.Nce4
A) 11.dxc5 dxe5 12.%e4 %xe4 13.1cxe4 0-0=

B) 11.d5? deserves credit for trying, but unfortunately the following defence is more than good
enough: 11...exd5 12.e6 0-0!! 13.exd7 d4Ů.
11...Nf5

Position after: 11...Nf5
12.g4
The only consistent follow-up.

12.%f2?! h6! Forcing White into some kind of sacrifice. 13.1xe6 [13.1xf7 .xf7 14.g4 d5! 15.1xc5
1xc5 16.gxf5 1xd3 17.fxg6+ .e8 18.4xd3 5f8w] 13...fxe6 14.4g4 1f8 It is also possible to castle.
15.1xd6+ 1xd6 16.exd6 %xd4 17.%xd4 cxd4 18.%xg6+ .d7
Position after: 18...Kd7

19.%e4!? [19.f5 e5 20.f6+ .xd6w] 19...%xe4 20.4g7+ .c6 21.4xh8 4xd6w
12...Nxe3 13.Nxd6+ Ke7
Position after: 13...Ke7
14.Nxb7!
A) 14.4e1?! 1xf1 15.1xb7 4b6 16.1d6 c4 17..xf1 [17.%e4 f6!Ů] 17...cxd3 18.4b4 4c6!!Ů
B) 14.4e2?! 1xf1 15.1xb7 4b6Ů gives a worse version of the above, not least because there is no
4b4/h4 idea.
14...Qb6 15.Qf3 Nxf1 16.Rxf1 h6

17.dxc5
17.f5 hxg5 18.f6+ %xf6 19.1xc5 5ad8∞ is not worse for Black either.
17...Nxc5 18.Nxc5 Qxc5+
18...hxg5 19.b4m is needless drama.
19.Kg2 Rad8 20.Ne4 Qc6©

Position after: 20...Qc6©
White has acceptable compensation for his material, but not more.
1.5) 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 8.0-0 Nh6 9.h3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 8.0-0 Nh6 9.h3
This move is somewhat logical, but essentially demands that White be willing to play d5 next, which
is quite uncommon for this system.
9...c5

White lacks great waiting moves, and besides there is a significant threat of ...c4, ...b4, ...%xe4.
10.d5!
A) 10.4e1 This is the early machine recommendation, but first of all the exchange of wing for
centre pawns should usually favour Black; and second of all there is a forced line to follow. 10...c4!
11.%e2 b4 12.1d5 [12.1a4 %xe4 13.%xc4 %c6w] 12...e6

Position after: 12...e6
13.4xb4 [13.1xb4 a5w] 13...5b8 14.1c3 %xe4 15.4xc4 d5 16.4xa6 1f5 17.%f2 Now there is a
choice between drawing by ‘perpetual queen’ with ...5a8-b8, or the more ‘interesting’ 17...%xf3
18.%xf3 0-0m when Black will recover one pawn instantly, and keep reasonable compensation for
the other.
B) 10.4d2?! is natural, but gives Black a second option besides ...c4: 10...f5!? 11.5ae1 0-0∞ with a
horribly tense position that favours the player with the clearer head.
C) 10.g4 cxd4 11.1xd4 1g8 is quite a reasonable ‘Dragondorf’ for Black.
D) It’d be reasonable to wonder about 10.dxc5 1xc5 11.%xc5 dxc5 12.e5
Position after: 12.e5
(especially in light of my disparaging comments about precisely this structure a few pages ago.)
However, specifically here it is fine because Black develops fast. 12...4b6 13.%e4 [13..h2 1f5
14.4e2 0-0 15.%e4 5ad8= is similar; ...f6 or ...1d4 will probably come soon and liberate Black’s
game.] 13...5d8 14.4e2 0-0 15.5ad1 1f5!Ǳ
10...Ng8

Position after: 10...Ng8
11.a4!?
Not even perhaps the best move, but the most stylistically annoying. After a ‘building’ move like
11.4e1 Black is able to generate normal Modern play against the e4-pawn: 11...c4 12.%e2 1gf6
13.a3 1c5∞
Position after: 13...Nc5∞

when Black will typically play ...e6 in the next few moves, after ...1fd7 and/or ...0-0.
11...b4 12.Ne2 Bxb2
Position after: 12...Bxb2
13.Rb1
13.c4 4c7 almost certainly transposes, because White has few useful moves that can precede 4d2 or
5b1, and he would rather not recapture on a1 with a rook.
13...Bg7 14.c4 Qc7
Black’s plan is very simple: castle queenside, and then challenge the centre with ...e6 or ...e5.
At various points the weakness of White’s a4-pawn might become a factor, and in the long run
Black’s light-squared bishop will likely emerge via c8. For instance:
15.Qd2 0-0-0 16.Ng3 e5„

Position after: 16...e5„
Black is not worse.
1.6) 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 8.0-0 Nh6 9.Ne2!?
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 8.0-0 Nh6 9.Ne2
Position after: 9.Ne2

This move makes a slightly strange impression when not played in response to ...b4, but it is
nevertheless a very serious idea.
9...e5!?
9...c5 is normal, and now play follows stereotyped channels: 10.c3 1g4 11.%c1 4b6 12..h1
Position after: 12.Kh1
The position is objectively equal, but I wasn’t really able to find anything to dent White’s idea of h3,
1g3, %e3, so the text might set him more problems.

Position after: 9...e5!?
10.c3
A) 10.fxe5 dxe5 11.a4 [11.d5 is thematic, but weakens the king too much: 11...1g4 12.%d2 c6!w]
11...exd4! 12.%xd4 [12.%g5 f6 13.%d2 c5 14.axb5 axb5 15.5xa8 %xa8 16.%xb5 0-0=] 12...0-0!
Position after: 12...0-0!
Since White lacks immediate tactics, Black will be able to consolidate his position around the strong
central dark squares and fight for the advantage. 13.4d2 [13.axb5 axb5 14.5xa8 %xa8 15.%xb5
1f6!=] 13...%xd4+ 14.1exd4 1g4 15.axb5 axb5 16.1xb5 5xa1 17.5xa1 4f6!=
B) 10.dxe5 1g4 11.%c1 dxe5 12.h3 h5!!

Position after: 12...h5!!
Without this move, Black would be worse. As it is, the tricks hold water and Black is in time along
the a7-g1 diagonal. 13.hxg4 hxg4 14.1g5 exf4 15.%xf4 [15.1xf7 4e7! 16.1xh8 4c5+=] 15...4e7
16.4d2 [16.%e3 %h6 17.4d2 f6 18.1f4 %xg5 19.1xg6 4h7∞] 16...0-0-0w
Position after: 16...0-0-0³
A detailed analysis of this position, which I shall spare you, would reveal that it is White in more
danger here. Black has ideas of trapping the g5-knight, in addition to the more usual ones like

doubling on the h-file or ...%xb2-a3-c5.
10...0-0
Position after: 10...0-0
11.a4
11.1g3 is natural, but Black has just enough to equalise in the bizarrely Ruy-like structure after
11...c5 12.h3 exd4 13.cxd4 c4 14.%c2 f5!Ǳ.
11...Ng4
11...f5!? merits some attention.
12.Bd2
12.%c1 exd4 13.cxd4 c5 at least equalises instantly, since by contrast to the main line, after 14.axb5
cxd4 15.bxa6 Black has time for a clever move to regain the pawn, such as ...1c5 or ...4b6.
15...1c5!=.
12...exd4 13.cxd4 c5 14.axb5 axb5 15.Rxa8 Bxa8=
White should think relatively quickly about how to liquidate every pawn west of the f-file and make a
draw, because Black’s activity is quite significant.

Position after: 15...Bxa8=
These lines are by no means the sharpest you will find in the book. The placement of White’s bishop
on e3 means Black needs to show some inventiveness in how he develops, but as long as you pay
careful attention to the circumstances under which you can play ...c5 (and, very occasionally, also
...e5 or ...f6) there should be no real issues. The most challenging way for White to handle the
Austrian Modern is given in the next chapter.

Chapter 2
Austrian Modern without the early Be3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5
Chapter Guide
Chapter 2 – Austrian Modern without the early Be3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1c3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.1f3 b5

2.1) Minor lines and 6.a4 b4 7.1e2 e6 8.1g3 1d7 9.h4!?
2.2) 6.a4 b4 7.1e2 e6 8.1g3 1d7 9.c3
2.3) 6.%d3 1d7 7.a4
2.4) Minor lines after 6.%d3 1d7 7.e5 1h6
2.5) 6.%d3 1d7 7.e5 1h6 8.0-0 0-0 9.a4 %b7 10.axb5
2.6) 6.%d3 1d7 7.e5 1h6 8.a4 b4 9.1e4 c5
White has two basic ways of playing the ‘proper’ Austrian. The first is to play a4, force ...b4 and then
re-route his c3-knight to the kingside. The second is to set up a central battery with 6.%d3, intending
e5 very soon (possibly after a preparatory move such as 4e2.) There is some degree of overlap as

well as possible transpositions back to the last chapter. However, in my opinion it’s important to
emphasise the split, because among other things White has much more serious ideas of playing e5-e6
in this line.
In 2.3) I reveal my main intention in this line, which is to keep the c8-bishop at home for a while, thus
taking a lot of the sting out of ideas like %e4 and e6. In some sense this line is the most critical in the
chapter, because it must surely be more efficient to play the knight re-routing via e2 in such a way
that the f1-bishop does not get blocked in. The second link in this concept is that after 7.e5 I want to
play ...1h6 (2.4 onwards) which all but forces White to play some kind of a4 idea if he would like to
make progress. In the case that both sides have inserted castling it actually makes sense to respond to
a4 with a pawn sacrifice, which I think is quite an original idea that can revitalise this line.
Meanwhile, against 8.a4! (2.6) Black lacks the opportunity to sacrifice a pawn, so I have instead
developed a tricky line involving an exchange sacrifice...
2.1) Minor lines and 6.a4 b4 7.Ne2 e6 8.Ng3 Nd7 9.h4!?
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6
5.Nf3
A) It is a bit more contrived, but White can also avoid playing a full ‘four piece system’ even with
the inclusion of %e3. 5.%e3 b5 6.%e2 [6.a4 b4 7.1d5 %b7! 8.1f3 e6 9.1xb4 a5 10.1d3 %xe4 is at
very least not worse for Black.] 6...%b7 7.%f3 1d7

8.e5 [8.1ge2 e6 9.0-0 1e7= and with ...0-0, ...1b6 and ...f5 in the pipeline (in some order), Black
will achieve fully sufficient counterplay against the White centre.; 8.4d3 1b6 9.e5 4c8 10.%xb7
4xb7 11.1f3 1h6Ǳ] 8...4c8 9.4e2 1h6 10.0-0-0 1b6 11..b1 b4 12.1e4 1f5 13.%f2 h5Ǳ
B) 5.a4 gives Black a reasonable choice of ways in which he can play, of which the Hippo is quite
an enticing one; however the most sensible is probably 5...1c6 6.%e3 [6.1f3 %g4 7.%e3 %xf3
8.gxf3 e6Ǳ] 6...1f6 7.1f3 0-0Ǳ Black follows up with ...b6, ...%b7 and ...1b4.
Position after: 7...0-0„

C) Following 5.%c4 the simplest recommendation is to play against the c4-bishop and then develop
logically, e.g. 5...b5 6.%d5 [6.%b3 e6 7.1f3 1e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.%e3 1d7=] 6...c6 7.%b3 7...d5!?
Various moves are possible, but this one is most thematic, and ties in well with my previous book on
the Caro-Kann... 8.1f3 %g4 9.h3 [9.exd5 b4 10.1a4 cxd5 11.1c5 1f6=] 9...%xf3 10.4xf3 e6=
Position after: 5.Nf3
5...b5
5...1d7 might be viable as an order, were it not for immediate tactical problems: 6.%c4!

Position after: 6.Bc4!
Threatening %xf7. 6...e6 [6...1h6 7.a4! cuts out Black’s main breaks, leaving as the main alternative
something like 7...c5 8.h3 cxd4 9.1xd4 0-0 10.%e3u when Black has a disgustingly bad version of a
Sicilian.] 7.f5! exf5 8.exf5 1df6 [8...1b6 9.fxg6 hxg6 10.%b3v is similar] 9.fxg6 hxg6 10.0-0v Black
will need to play ...d5 to cut off the c4-bishop’s access to f7, but this will then result in inferior statics
(of the ‘French Exchange’ variety, but without several tempi.)
6.a4!?
A) 6.%e3 In general this move is less critical to White’s attack than %d3 is. Concretely, here Black
should be able to proceed in quite a forcing fashion, without any need to transpose back into the
‘four piece system’ chapter. While he could also do that, here is an extra option. As is also the case
elsewhere in this Part, it takes the form of a flank advance. 6...b4

7.1e2 [7.1b1 %b7 8.%d3 1d7 9.1bd2 c5= is unchallenging.; 7.1d5 %b7 8.1xb4 %xe4 9.%e2
1f6=; 7.1a4 1f6 8.e5 1d5 9.%d2 0-0 10.c4 bxc3 11.1xc3 %b7Ǳ] 7...1f6 8.1g3 0-0 9.%d3 1bd7
Position after: 9...Nbd7
10.h3 Once again this is the most constructive move White has, and Black has no ...d5 idea to play
against it. [10.0-0 c5 11.h3 cxd4 12.%xd4 1c5Ǳ; 10.c3 e5! 11.fxe5 dxe5 12.d5 bxc3 13.bxc3 1g4
14.%g1 %h6ǭ; 10.a3 bxa3 11.5xa3 5b8 12.5a2 e5 The centre is detonated, leaving a dynamically

balanced position.] 10...c5 11.c3 4a5! A sophisticated move. 12.4d2 [Or 12.%d2 4b6: Black has
gained his tempo, with White still effectively unable to castle and the plan of ...a5/...%a6 coming
shortly.] 12...bxc3 13.bxc3
Position after: 13.bxc3
13...e5! 14.fxe5 cxd4 15.cxd4 4xd2+ 16.%xd2 [16..xd2 dxe5 17.d5 is most natural, but now Black
has 17...1xd5! 18.exd5 f5= and the piece gets regained with equality.] 16...dxe5 17.dxe5 1e8
18.%b4 [18.%c3 1c7=] 18...1xe5 19.5d1 1xd3+ 20.5xd3 a5 21.%xf8 %xf8m Black has fantastic
compensation for the exchange. Neither of White’s knights work well and Black has ...%a6 and
...1c7-e6 in mind.

Position after: 21...Bxf8©
B) 6.%d3 is the main move.

C) At least once, we should check a line where White takes a tempo out to prevent ...b4: 6.a3 %b7
7.%d3 1d7 8.%e3 c5=.
6...b4 7.Ne2
Notice Black’s play in the following sample line. 7.1d5!? %b7! The thematic response. 8.%d3

Position after: 8.Bd3
8...1d7 [8...%xd5 9.exd5 1f6 10.f5 is less easy to play: White follows normal Closed-Sicilian type
plans and Black’s plans don’t flow.] 9.1xb4 [9.0-0 c5Ǳ] 9...c5 10.dxc5 1xc5 11.4e2 1f6! 12.e5
[12.1d2 0-0m] 12...1fd7 13.exd6 a5 14.1a2 1xd3+ 15.cxd3 1c5 White has won a second pawn, but
all his pawns are weak and the queenside does not inspire confidence.
7...e6 8.Ng3 Nd7
9.h4!?
This is a sophisticated attempt: White wants to play h5, and if Black goes ...h5 himself then the push
f5 will be very strong indeed.
A) 9.%d3 c5 10.c3 bxc3 11.bxc3 1e7 transposes.
B) 9.f5 exf5 10.exf5 1gf6!=
9...c5 10.d5!?
10.h5 cxd4 11.1xd4 4c7w and White already looks over-extended.

Position after: 10.d5!?
10...exd5!? 11.Qxd5 Qc7 12.Qxa8
12.e5 %b7 13.exd6 4b6 14.4d3 0-0-0!w
12...Nb6 13.Bb5+ axb5 14.Qa5 bxa4
Position after: 14...bxa4

15.e5
A) 15.5xa4 1f6ĩ
B) 15.0-0 1e7 and White should really play e5 now.
15...Ne7
Position after: 15...Ne7
Now White has a massive choice, but in all cases Black should avoid worrying and trust his bishop
pair.
16.Ne4
A) 16.%e3 1ed5 17.exd6 4c6 18.4xc5 4xc5 19.%xc5 %xb2ǭ

B) 16.exd6 4xd6 17.0-0 0-0 18.1e4 %d4+ 19..h1 4c6=
C) 16.0-0!? keeps the options open. 16...0-0 17.%e3 1ed5 18.exd6 4c6! [18...4b7 19.%xc5 %xb2
20.d7 %xd7 21.%xf8 .xf8v is fun, but maybe not quite enough compensation.] 19.4xc5 4xc5
20.%xc5 %xb2m
D) 16.h5 0-0!w
16...dxe5 17.fxe5 0-0!

Position after: 17...0-0!
18.Qxc5 Qxc5 19.Nxc5 Bg4 20.Nxa4 Ra8 21.b3 Bxf3 22.gxf3 Bxe5 23.Ra2 Nbd5©
Position after: 23...Nbd5©
White’s queenside will not untangle itself, and his kingside is full of holes too, so from the practical
perspective Black is better.
2.2) 6.a4 b4 7.Ne2 e6 8.Ng3 Nd7 9.c3

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.a4!? b4 7.Ne2 e6 8.Ng3 Nd7 9.c3
Position after: 9.c3
Eventually White will probably want this move, and I think it is likely to be the best one right here
too.
9...bxc3 10.bxc3 Ne7 11.Bd3
11.h4

Position after: 11.h4
White’s attack lacks, in many cases, the extra momentum of a queen or bishop swinging in. Black can
react sharply:
A) 11...c5 12.h5 0-0 13.5b1 4c7 14.%d3 5b8Ǳ
Position after: 14...Rb8„
is not stupid, but there is a problem in that the f8-rook doesn’t have work available whereas the h1-
rook does. Further analysis indicates that Black is probably okay.
B) 11...h5!?

Position after: 11...h5!?
12.f5!? [12.e5 %b7 13.%d3 c5 14.0-0 %xf3 15.4xf3 0-0Ǳ Black wants to play ...1d5 and perhaps
also ...cxd4 before routing his bishop to a more open diagonal.; 12.5b1 1f6 13.%e2 %d7 14.0-0
5b8=] 12...exf5 13.exf5 1xf5 14.1xf5 gxf5 15.1g5 0-0 16.%e2 1f6 17.0-0 c5∞
11...0-0 12.0-0 c5

13.Rb1
A) 13.f5 cxd4 14.cxd4 exf5 15.exf5 1f6=

B) 13.e5 %b7 14.5b1 5b8 15.1e4
Position after: 15.Ne4
15...%xe4 [15...cxd4 16.cxd4 dxe5 17.fxe5 1f5Ǳ] 16.5xb8 4xb8 17.%xe4 d5 18.%d3 4b6 is a
standard ‘French-type’ structure which we can obtain in such positions. Black may play to attain, for
instance, a knight on c4.
13...Rb8 14.Rxb8 Nxb8

Position after: 14...Nxb8
White should try and play concretely, because otherwise his queenside will be vulnerable to ideas like
...4a5, ...%d7, or ...cxd4 followed by ...1bc6.
However, after:
15.dxc5 dxc5 16.e5 Bb7„
Black obtains a perfectly decent game anyway.
2.3) 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.a4
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7

This is the order I suggest against White’s main move 6.%d3. The old move, 6...%b7, is quite well met
by 7.4e2 1d7 8.e5.
7.a4!?
This is almost always worth considering. Notice of course that if White does nothing in particular (for

instance 7.4e2) then ...c5 is quite strong.
7...b4 8.Ne2 c5
9.c3
9.d5 is rarely a good answer to ...c5, in general because of the potential of the ...c4 counterstrike.
Concretely, here White is unable to protect against it because of tactics on the long diagonal. 9...1gf6
10.1g3 [10.c4 bxc3 11.1xc3 0-0 12.0-0 1e8Ǳ with a reasonable Benoni-type game for Black]
10...4c7 White is not in time to reinforce his centre. 11.4e2 0-0

12.0-0 [12.5b1 1b6 13.b3 c4!w; 12.5a2 5e8 13.0-0 e6!w] 12...1b6 13.a5 c4!=
9...cxd4 10.cxd4 a5
There aren’t really any forced lines here, so I thought I would show one natural line that illustrates
what both sides want.

11.0-0 Ngf6 12.Ng3 0-0 13.f5 Qb6 14.Kh1 Ba6!? 15.Bxa6
15.e5 dxe5 16.dxe5 5fd8!!w
15...Qxa6 16.e5 Nd5 17.e6 fxe6 18.fxg6 hxg6 19.Re1 Qc4∞
Position after: 19...Qc4∞
White has a slight initiative, but Black has the centre and enough mess to outplay virtually any
opponent on the right day.
2.4) Minor lines after 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.e5 Nh6
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.e5

7...Nh6!
Once more, a little-studied alternative turns out to provide salvation.

7...c5 8.%e4 5b8 9.0-0 1h6 [The ‘exchange sac line’ is now Black’s best practical option but
unfortunately White stands better after 9...cxd4 10.1xd4 dxe5 11.1c6 4b6+ 12..h1 1gf6 13.1xb8
4xb8 14.fxe5 1xe5 15.%f4 0-0 16.%f3v with the idea of 4e2.] 10.exd6! 0-0 11.f5 1f6

12.dxc5!N [12.fxg6 4xd6Ǳ Kramer, J – Hillarp Persson, T Helsingor 2017] 12...exd6 13.fxg6 hxg6
14.%g5 dxc5 15.4c1!v The last difficult move. White is now considerably better in this concrete
position that has arisen.
8.0-0
A) 8.%e3!? %b7 transposes back to chapter 1.

B) 8.a4 will be the subject of the final subchapter, but let us tie up some loose ends first: 8...b4
B1) 9.1e2 This move looks unassuming, but the knight is coming to g3 soon, neutralising Black’s
h6-knight, so there needs to be some plan in mind. 9...c5!

10.1g5 [10.c3 cxd4 11.cxd4 a5 12.0-0 0-0= is fine for Black, who will continue ...e6, ...1b6, and
maybe ...%a6 if convenient.; 10.exd6 exd6 11.0-0 0-0 12.f5 cxd4!=] 10...cxd4 11.%e4 5b8
12.1xd4 dxe5 Play now transposes to the 10.1eg5 variation in subchapter 2.6.
B2) 9.1d5 %b7 10.1xb4 c5 11.dxc5 1xc5
Position after: 11...Nxc5
I think few experienced players would quibble with the idea that Black has compensation here. A

brief variation to illustrate: 12.%c4 0-0 13.a5 Else ...4b6 is annoying after castling. 13...dxe5!
Other moves are possible, but this one simply takes back the pawn, following (for instance)
14.4xd8 5fxd8 15.fxe5 1g4 16.0-0 e6! 17.%f4 %xf3 18.5xf3 1xe5=.
8...0-0
9.a4
A) 9.%e4 is an engine suggestion, but it only helps Black, because following 9...5b8 there isn’t
really another move to counteract ...c5 (%e3 runs into ...1g4!) 10.h3 c5 11.%e3 b4ĩ.
B) 9.h3 is similarly slow, and if followed with the logical 9...c5 10.%e3 then Black can choose
between taking a pawn and the simple 10...cxd4 11.%xd4 dxe5 12.fxe5 %b7!=.
C) It is not clear what White gains by trying to play something like 9.1e4 %b7 10.c3 c5= without
inserting a4.
9...Bb7!?

Position after: 9...Bb7!?
As far as I know, this is the only place in the Modern where sacrificing the b5-pawn in such a manner
is necessary.
10.Be4
The critical move is obviously 10.axb5, on which more next.

10.exd6 Now it is possible to play the rather original 10...c5!? after which White would be well
advised to release all the tension. 11.dxe7 4xe7 12.axb5 cxd4 13.5e1 4d8

Position after: 13...Qd8
14.1e4 [After 14.1e2 %xf3 15.gxf3 axb5 16.5xa8 4xa8 17.%xb5 4xf3! 18.%xd7 5d8 Black forces
either perpetual check or a queen swap.] 14...axb5 15.5xa8 %xa8 16.%xb5 1f5m
10...Qc8 11.Qe2 c6!?
This is not a common move for the ...a6-Modern, but here it makes sense because White’s bishop on
e4 looks slightly awkward right now.
12.Nd1
12.%d2 b4 13.1d1 c5 14.c3 %xe4 15.4xe4 bxc3 16.bxc3 e6=
12...bxa4 13.Rxa4 c5„

Position after: 13...c5„
2.5) 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.e5 Nh6 8.0-0 0-0 9.a4 Bb7 10.axb5
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.e5 Nh6! 8.0-0 0-0 9.a4 Bb7!? 10.axb5
axb5 11.Rxa8 Qxa8
Position after: 11...Qxa8
Black sacrificed a pawn but has enough concrete answers to hold the balance, and it is my job to

simply show them.
It should almost go without saying that a large fraction of these answers involve either ...c5 or ...4a7.
12.Bxb5
Probably the most accurate move as well as the most obvious.

A) 12.exd6 White would like to get an unassailable knight on b5 or else gain a tempo with it, but
Black has a clever reaction available. 12...%xf3! [12...cxd6 13.1xb5 %c6 14.c3v] 13.4xf3 %xd4+
14.%e3 4a7
White can try various things, none of which gets an advantage. 15.dxe7 [15.%xd4 4xd4+ 16..h1
4xd6!=; 15.5e1 exd6 16.1xb5 %xe3+ 17.4xe3 4b7=] 15...%xe3+ 16..h1 5e8 17.%xb5 c6
18.%xc6 5xe7 19.1d5 %c5 20.1xe7+ %xe7Ǳ
B) 12.1xb5 c6
B1) 13.1c3 c5 14.1b5 [14.d5 dxe5 15.fxe5 1b6=] 14...cxd4 15.exd6 exd6 16.1xd6 %d5m
B2) 13.1a3 c5

14.c3 [Inserting 14.%b5 5d8 must only benefit Black.; 14.e6 fxe6 15.4e2 %xf3 16.4xe6+ .h8
17.5xf3 %xd4+ 18.%e3 %xe3+ 19.5xe3 1f6=] 14...cxd4 15.cxd4 dxe5 16.fxe5 [16.dxe5 1c5
17.%c4 1e4m sees White run more risks than the pawn is worth.] 16...4a7
Black threatens to win back the pawn. To keep it for the long term, White has to play 17.%xh6, but
following the recapture 17...%xh6m Black has sufficient compensation.

12...Rd8
Position after: 12...Rd8
Now White has to sort out the traffic jam on the d-file.
13.Qe2!
A) 13.1e2 dxe5w
B) 13.%d3 c5 14.d5 1b6=
C) 13.e6 fxe6 14.%c4 1f8=
D) One way to keep the pawn is 13.exd6 cxd6 14.1e2 1f5 15.c3 1f6m.

Position after: 15...Nf6©
E) 13.4e1 1f5 14.%e2 c5
13...Nf5!
It is more intuitive to play 13...c5, but concretely 14.1a4! gets annoying, e.g. 14...cxd4 15.%xd7
5xd7 16.1b6 %a6 17.4d1!v and White will net a pawn for limited compensation.
14.Rd1
14.e6 %xf3w
14...Nf8∞

Position after: 14...Nf8∞
The forcing chess is at an end. White’s position continues to be quite difficult to play, and with a
knight on e6 Black will be well placed to exploit the doubled f-pawns which he will likely be able to
inflict.
2.6) 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.e5 Nh6 8.a4 b4 9.Ne4 c5
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.e5 Nh6! 8.a4 b4 9.Ne4 c5!

We have reached what seems to be the most critical position in the first two chapters of this Part.
Now White has a very significant choice to make.
10.e6!
This is the most testing move, in my opinion.

A) 10.dxc5 dxe5
Position after: 10...dxe5
A1) 11.c6 1b8! This might look awkward, but in fact there is nothing White can do about this
knight’s favourable re-development. 12.1xe5 4c7! 13.1g5! [13.4f3 1xc6 14.1xc6 %g4!w]
13...0-0! 14.4f3 1f5 15.0-0 1d4 16.4d5 1bxc6=
A2) 11.fxe5 %b7 12.4e2 0-0 13.%g5 5c8 14.0-0-0

Position after: 14.0-0-0
A2.1) 14...4a5?! This was originally going to be my recommendation, but upon a deeper search
the line 15.%xe7 5fe8 16.%d6 4xa4 17..b1 %xe4 18.%xe4 1xc5 19.b3! posed problems. [Not
19.%d5 b3 20.cxb3 1xb3ĩ and Black has more tricks working for him.]
A2.2) 14...1xc5 15.1xc5 5xc5 16.%xg6 [16.4e3 4c7 17.%xh6 %xf3 18.gxf3 4xe5!=; 16.%xa6
%xa6 17.4xa6 4c7ǭ] 16...4c7 17.%d3 [17.%e4 5c8w] 17...1g4! This looks a bit worrying, but it
is all under control, e.g. 18..b1 1xe5 19.%f4 %xf3 20.gxf3 4c6= The e5-knight can cover
everything from g6 if need be, and White’s king is not totally safe either.
B) 10.c3 This is the move lots of humans would pick if given the position ‘cold’. One of the
paradoxical features of the Modern is how often the machines favour immediate releases of tension
only to change their minds a few moves later. However, experienced masters calmly blitz out
superior moves that retain the tension. 10...0-0 The machine wanted ...cxd4, and now it favours cxb4
for White.

B1) 11.1eg5 is direct. 11...cxd4 12.cxd4 a5 13.e6 [13.h4 1b6 14.h5 %g4!Ǳ] 13...1f6 14.4e2 fxe6
15.1xe6 %xe6 16.4xe6+ .h8=
Position after: 16...Kh8=
Black’s knights have enough outposts for them to match the bishop-pair.
B2) 11.cxb4 cxd4 12.e6 is a mystifying choice by the engine, which realises its mistake after
12...fxe6 13.1eg5 1b6=.

B3) 11.dxc5!? dxe5! [11...d5!? is messy but ultimately favourable to White, e.g. 12.cxb4! dxe4
13.%xe4v] 12.cxb4 4c7 13.0-0 [13.fxe5 1xe5 14.0-0 %g4m gives Black far too much play, as the
c5-pawn can be undermined by ...a5 at a moment of Black’s choice.] 13...exf4
Position after: 13...exf4
14.1fg5 This is most forcing. [14.%d2 1f5 15.4c1 1e3 16.%xe3 fxe3 17.4xe3 1e5m gives Black
easy enough play.] 14...e5 15.%c4 White plays for tricks, but his queenside pawn mass will
disintegrate. [15.a5 %b7w] 15...a5 16.4d6 4a7! 17.%d5 axb4 18.%xa8 4xa8m
C) 10.1eg5 allows Black to play a good version of the exchange sacrifice that is so common in
these lines. 10...cxd4 11.%e4 [11.e6 1c5 12.exf7+ 1xf7 13.1xf7 .xf7 14.0-0 1xd3 15.4xd3 %f5
gives White compensation, but not more than that.] 11...5b8 12.1xd4 dxe5! 13.1c6 4c7 14.1xb8
4xb8 15.0-0 0-0

Black’s knights have tremendously logical posts on c5 and f5, to be occupied within a handful of
moves.
D) 10.exd6 releases the tension too early, and Black can clean up in the centre. 10...0-0 [10...cxd4
makes sense too: 11.0-0 0-0 12.dxe7 4xe7 13.5e1 1c5= was Arenas Vanegas, D – Comas Fabrego,
L Barcelona 2017] 11.dxc5 exd6 12.cxd6 5e8 13.0-0 %b7 14.1f2 4b6=
Position after: 14...Qb6=

E) 10.1fg5 0-0! 11.e6 [11.4f3 d5 Black equalizes thanks to some ...1e5-based details, e.g. 12.1f2
5b8! 13.e6 fxe6 14.1xe6 1e5!=] 11...1f6 12.1xf7 1xf7 13.exf7+ 5xf7
Position after: 13...Rxf7
14.1g5 [After the greedy 14.dxc5 1xe4 15.%xe4 5b8 16.cxd6 5b6m White must immediately think
about how to give up both the pawns in order to develop his queenside.] 14...5f8 15.dxc5 %g4
16.%e2 [16.4d2 dxc5= White cannot take the exchange, and his co-ordination is too frazzled to take
proper advantage of Black’s weaknesses on the e-file.] 16...%f5 17.cxd6 [It is possible to go too far:
17.g4 %d7 18.%e3 dxc5 19.%xc5 4c7Ů] 17...exd6 18.0-0 5c8 19.%d3 4a5m

Position after: 19...Qa5©
Black has excellent compensation.
10...Nf6
10...fxe6 is playable, but Black’s position looks a little congested for my taste: 11.1eg5 1f6 12.4e2
4d7 13.dxc5 1f5 14.c6v.
11.f5
You can’t play e6 and then hold back!

11.1xf6+ exf6 12.f5 [12.exf7+ .xf7! 13.0-0 5e8= is actually totally fine for Black, who will soon
play moves like ... %e6 and ...1f5.] 12...1xf5 13.%xf5 gxf5 14.exf7+ [14.d5 fxe6 15.1h4 is not
stupid, but it does fall into the realm of ‘too much talent’. 15...e5 16.4h5+ .d7 17.1xf5 4g8!w]
14....xf7 15.0-0 5e8Ǳ

Position after: 15...Re8„
White has full compensation (good compensation, even) but Black has enough ideas based on trades
of dark-squared bishops or queenside pawn-pushes to hold the balance.
11...Nxe4
11...fxe6 might seem a logical try, but king safety is a problem for Black after 12.1xf6+ exf6
13.fxg6! f5 14.gxh7ǭ.
12.exf7+ Nxf7 13.fxg6 hxg6 14.Bxe4 Bf5

Position after: 14...Bf5
Now let’s compare the different ways in which White can take the exchange.
15.Bc6+ Bd7 16.Bd5!?
16.%xa8 4xa8
Position after: 16...Qxa8
I think it is self-evident enough to say that Black would have a better version if his d7-bishop were on

f5 now.
17.dxc5 [17.0-0 cxd4m Now there will always be a strong central component to Black’s
compensation.] 17...4e4+ 18.4e2 4xe2+ 19..xe2 dxc5 Black continues to get compensation with
the queens off, e.g. 20.%e3 %xb2 21.5ab1 %g7 22.%xc5 a5 23.%d4 e5 24.%b6 e4 25.1d2 5h5m.
16...cxd4!
Position after: 16...cxd4!
17.0-0
17.1xd4 5h5 18.4f3 5e5+!Ǳ Reminding White that his king may also face issues during the ensuing
slugfest.
17...Rh5 18.Qd3
18.%xa8 4xa8 gives Black the usual amazing compensation, e.g. 19.4e1 a5 20.4g3 4e4!m.
18...Rxd5 19.Qxg6 Rf5™ 20.Qxg7 Bc6

Position after: 20...Bc6
21.Nxd4
This is the most natural move, but also probably the only critical one.
A) 21.4xd4 %xf3 22.gxf3 5c8m
B) 21.h4 %xf3 22.5xf3 5xf3 23.4g8+ .d7 24.4g4+ .c7 25.4xf3 1e5=
Position after: 25...Ne5=

21...Rxf1+ 22.Kxf1 Bd5
Position after: 22...Bd5
23.Qg6!
After 23.%d2 .d7 24.%xb4 1e5 White has managed to gather a further pawn but thanks to Black’s
aggressively posted pieces White should already think about how to stay equal. An adequate answer
would be to threaten 5xe5: 25.5e1 4g8 26.4xg8 5xg8 27.g3 5b8 28.%c3 1g4m.
23...Qc8 24.Kg1!
24.%e3 .d8 25.5e1 1e5 26.4g3 4c4+ 27..g1 .d7m
24...Qc4 25.Be3 0-0-0

Position after: 25...0-0-0
The position is roughly dynamically balanced, with good chances for either side to outplay the other.
White has a pawn, but cannot readily ease the pressure which Black will inevitably generate against
the kingside passers.
26.Qf5+
A) 26.4g4+ .b8 27.4e2 4c8ǭ is similar.

B) 26.5d1 is the engine recommendation, but things aren’t so much clearer after (say) 26...1e5
27.4f5+ .b8 28.%g5 5g8∞.
26...Kb8 27.Qf1 Qc8 28.Nf5 Bb7 29.Nxe7 Qe6 30.Nf5 Ne5∞

Position after: 30...Ne5∞
The mess continues, with the engine providing the typically unhelpful ‘0.00’ assessment – however,
if anything White’s king is in more danger, which will be of great help to Black in a practical game.
The whole concept with ...1h6 is not very common at the moment, but I expect this to change. There
is also a clear harmony between the recommendations in this chapter and the previous one, and I
think the variations no longer support the dogma that ...%b7 is a necessary follow-up to ...b5. In some
cases Black wants to swap rooks along the b-file, and in others he simply wants to avoid problems on
the e6-square. Ironically, the main case in which I have recommended ...%b7 in this chapter was the
pawn sacrifice in line 2.5), to which I think you should pay quite careful attention.

Chapter 3
150 Attack without 6.f3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.h4
Chapter Guide
Chapter 3 – 150 Attack without 6.f3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1c3 d6 4.%e3 a6 5.4d2 b5

3.1) 6.0-0-0 and other early deviations
3.2) An extra weapon: 6.h4 h5 7.f3 c6!?
3.3) 6.h4 h5 7.f3 1d7 8.0-0-0
3.4) 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 b4 8.1ce2 and 7...1d7?!
3.5) Minor moves after 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 b4 8.1d5 a5
3.6) 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 b4 8.1d5 a5 9.1f4
3.7) 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 b4 8.1d5 a5 9.f3
This is the chapter in which the move-order nuances can be most mind-boggling. White can castle on
any of three moves, and play h4 on any of four. His usual aim is to bring the g1-knight to g5, to

which end he may sometimes delay playing f3 for tactical reasons. The more straightforward 6.f3 is
considered in the next chapter; White gets fewer options there, but so does Black. Do note that we
also reach the next chapter if in line 3.3) White opts for 8.1h3.
One general piece of advice is that Black is still ultimately playing for ...c5 in the first half of this
chapter, except if White has castled queenside and played a3 (thus inviting ...a5 and ...b4).
In the second half of this chapter we see the very principled attempt to delay f3 and perhaps avoid
playing it for the whole opening, which contrary to popular belief is possible within the 150 attack.
The most critical line here is perhaps 3.6), where Black has to use quite specific dynamic resources
(in particular, the development ...1a6-c5) to counteract White’s long-term chances based on his
superior structure. In my opinion Black has just enough here, which is just as well because I’m not
giving a backup line against the 150 Attack. (You may safely conclude that I consider the 150 Attack
a much better follow-up to 3.1c3 than the ever-popular Austrian.)
3.1) 6.0-0-0 and other early deviations
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6
Position after: 3...d6
4.Be3
4.h4!? is worth mentioning at this point too. We tend to not have a problem responding to h4 with
...h5, so without further ado let us do that, although ...1f6 is perfectly fine as well. Then, the main
independent value of the line is 4...h5 5.%g5!?

Position after: 5.Bg5!?
This is not a bad move, although in my opinion Black can now play a ...c6 system without worrying
too much about the potential risk of e5. 5...a6 [5...1f6 6.4d2 c6 7.f3 b5Ǳ This is the kind of extra
option Black can look at if White pushes h4 before ...a6, but there’s no need to analyse it here.] 6.4d2
1d7
7.0-0-0 [7.%c4 b5 8.%d5 5b8 9.a3 c5Ǳ] 7...c5 8.1f3 cxd4 9.1xd4 1gf6 10.f3 4c7 Black has

obtained a good version of the famous Dragondorf. He can castle at a moment of his choosing and
White lacks any real kingside play until that time.
4...a6 5.Qd2 b5
6.h4
Personally, I think this move is less critical than 6.f3 (next chapter) but it does lead to some
interesting systems where, in the spirit of maximalism, White tries to economise on playing f3 unless
and until Black goes ...1f6.
6.0-0-0 b4!

Position after: 6...b4!
A) After 7.1d5 a5 the knight on d5 is not an especially strong piece, and Black can react to 8.h4 in
ways other than the bog-standard ...h5. Particularly strong seems to be 8...h6 9.f3 e6 10.1f4 1e7Ǳ
with the idea that the knight on f4 gets in the way of the usual plan of h5, (...g5), f4.
B) After 7.1a4 a5 Black is going to play ...%d7 next, and I don’t think White has benefited at all
from not inserting h4, ...h5. If he does so now then we reach a position discussed later in the chapter.
C) 7.1ce2! 1f6 8.f3 a5

Here there seem to be two ways of trying to make use of the fact that h4 and ...h5 have not been
played yet.
C1) 9..b1 h5 leads to a completely unexplored position where White needs to try and make a
more useful move than h4, especially given that 1h3 leads to an ugly pawn structure. Black may
reply to 10.1f4!? with the slightly unconventional 10...1c6Ǳ intending ...e5.
C2) 9.%h6!? %xh6 10.4xh6 a4
To my knowledge this is also a completely unexplored position. Black’s idea is to play ...4a5,
cuing up some kind of ...b3, (cxb3), ...a3 break (usually best left as a threat, unless it really opens
lines by force) and also protecting the g5-square in case he wants to try for ...g5 in future to isolate
the enemy queen. Play could continue 11.1f4 c6 12.g4 4a5! 13.1ge2 [13.1gh3 %a6Ǳ] 13...g5!
14.1d3 5g8 with an irrational position.
6...h5

7.a4
Not the main move but one which it is worth analysing in many different cases as a response to ...b5
(except, typically, if White has already castled long.)
A) 7.1f3 1f6! 8.1g5 1g4=
B) After 7.f3 my main recommendation is ...1d7 but an artefact of the move-order is that Black may
also choose 7...c6!? as analysed in the next subchapter.
C) 7.1h3 %xh3 8.5xh3 1d7 should be no more a problem for Black than it is with f3 and ...c6
included, but there are some differences.
D) Later in this chapter we will also look at the main way to try and make an early h4 useful, which
is 7.0-0-0 without delay. In all these lines White’s secret ambition is to reach the ‘tabiya’ positions
from the Shimanov – Shtembuliak game in Part I.
7...b4

At this moment White’s knight doesn’t really have good squares.
8.Nd1
8.1d5 a5 9.f3 [After 9.1f3 e6! 10.1f4 1f6 11.1g5 1g4 Black wins the bishop pair, which in
positions like this with an ill-defined centre is very much an advantage.] 9...e6 10.1f4 1e7
[10...%a6!?] 11.1gh3 1bc6 12.1g5 e5=
8...d5!

Position after: 8...d5!
9.Bd3
By now this is the lesser evil.

A) 9.exd5 1f6 10.4xb4 1xd5 11.4d2 1xe3 12.fxe3 c5m
B) 9.f3 is an overextension: 9...dxe4 10.fxe4 c5 11.d5 1f6 12.1f2 1g4! 13.1xg4 %xb2–+
C) 9.e5 c5

C1) 10.c3 1c6 11.cxb4 cxd4 12.%xd4 1xd4 13.4xd4 e6w In my experience, this kind of position
is incredibly hard for White to hold. There will follow ...1e7, ...%d7 and ...0-0; then Black will
regain a pawn in some way (probably the one on b4) and press with the bishop-pair.
C2) 10.f4 cxd4 11.%xd4 1c6 12.1f3 %g4w
9...c5!
This break gives Black play, e.g.
10.dxc5 Nc6 11.exd5 Qxd5 12.f3 Bf5 13.Ne2 Qe5 14.Bxf5 Qxf5 15.0-0 Rd8 16.Qc1 Nf6„

Position after: 16...Nf6„
Black has no problems.
3.2) An extra weapon: 6.h4 h5 7.f3 c6!?
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.h4 h5 7.f3 c6!?

8.0-0-0
On principle, White should play this rather than 1h3, because Black has already given away his
intentions against that move. This should be seen as the most refined way for White to play.
A) 8.1h3 %xh3 9.5xh3 1d7 10.g4! Threatening to dominate the g8-knight and thereby also lock
Black’s kingside rook in. [10.0-0-0 1gf6 11..b1 4c7= was the continuation of Hecht, C – Mons, L
Vienna 2019, a game which I analysed for ChessPublishing.] 10...hxg4 11.fxg4
Position after: 11.fxg4
This is a tricky position for Black, because the kingside is about to be thrown open.
A1) 11...b4!? 12.1d1 c5 13.dxc5 1xc5 14.g5! [14.4xb4 5b8 15.4a3 1f6m is desperately unsafe
for White, even if the computer doesn’t see a problem.] 14...1xe4 [14...a5 15.%d4!v] 15.4xb4 d5
[15...f5!?] 16.1f2! [16.%xa6 .f8! and Black is even better!] 16...1xf2 17.%xf2 5b8 18.4c5 e6
19.%xa6 1e7 20.%b5+! .f8 21.0-0-0 .g8v

Position after: 21...Kg8²
Nothing is especially clear yet, but the risk of Black’s chances petering out and him being
swarmed on the queenside probably exceeds the risk that his pieces will slip the net (...1f5, ....h7,
...4a5, ...5hc8) and cause a devastating attack.
A2) 11...1gf6 12.4g2! [12.g5 gives Black a few options, like ...b4 or 12...1g4 13.%g1 c5Ǳ;
12.h5!? 1xg4 13.hxg6 fxg6 14.%g5 4a5∞ Black can always castle long if he has to, and this fact
means he is still very much in the game.] 12...4a5 13.h5 b4

14.1e2! The key way for White to fight for an edge is to have this knight on g3. [14.1d1 gxh5
15.gxh5 %h6= is much less troubling for Black] 14...gxh5 15.gxh5 %h6 16.%xh6 5xh6 17.1g3
A2.1) 17...b3+!? is appealing but Black doesn’t get quite enough time after the queen swap.
However, White has to play extremely accurately to make it count. I was able to discover the
precise sequence 18.4d2 4xd2+ 19..xd2 bxc2 20.1f5! 5h8
Position after: 20...Rh8

21.5e1! [21.%d3 c5=] 21...1g8 [21....f8 22.h6 c5 23.e5u] 22.h6! [22..xc2 1h6 and White has
nothing more than the usual bishop-for-knight nominal plus.] 22...e6 23.h7 exf5 24.hxg8=4+
5xg8 25.exf5+ .d8 26.5h7 5e8! 27.5xe8+ .xe8 28.5h8+ 1f8 29.%g2! d5 30.5h6v The c2-
pawn is going nowhere; it is more important that White fix all the opponent’s pawns on light
squares.
A2.2) 17...e6 18.4d2 5h7!
Position after: 18...Rh7!
It is better to place the rook on a square where it can’t be forked in the future, and although White
can force it back with %d3 that move also has drawbacks. 19.%d3 [19.a3 5b8 Now a continuation
could be: 20.h6 c5 21.d5 1e5 22.%e2 c4∞] 19...5h8 20.a3 c5 21.dxc5 1xc5 22.%e2 [22.4xb4
1xd3+ 23.cxd3 4g5m White’s king safety will suffer for a while.] 22...5b8∞ With a chaotic
position.
B) 8.a4 b4 9.1d1 a5 10.c3

Position after: 10.c3
10...1f6!? 11.cxb4 axb4 12.4xb4 0-0m is a convincing if unnecessary pawn sacrifice.

C) If we compare this position to the one without h4, ...h5 included, then there is one major
difference in each side’s favour. Having ‘carved out’ the g5-square for the king’s knight is clearly to
White’s advantage, but the downside is that he can no longer begin the kingside play with g4 (at
least, until Black castles) because that would be a pawn sacrifice. Both of these factors make 8.1ge2
quite an illogical move. 8...1d7 9.0-0-0 %b7Ǳ
8...Nf6

Black should avoid 8...1d7 because that nullifies the point of the waiting move ...c6.
9.Kb1!
A) 9.e5 1d5! Black is fine here, e.g. 10.f4 [10.1xd5 cxd5 11.%f4 dxe5 12.%xe5 %xe5 13.dxe5 1c6
14.4xd5?! 4b6m] 10...%g4 11.%e2 %xe2 12.1gxe2 1d7 13.1xd5 cxd5 14.exd6 e6=
Position after: 14...e6=

B) 9.%d3 is actually worse than not developing the bishop at all. 9...4c7 10.1h3 1bd7! 11.1g5 c5
Black is justified in taking play back into normal lines a tempo down, because the position of the
bishop on d3 impedes so many of the tactics White wants to make work.
C) 9.1h3 %xh3 10.5xh3 1bd7 transposes to 8.1h3 territory.
9...Qa5!
Position after: 9...Qa5!
Prophylaxis against 1ge2.
10.a3
10.e5 dxe5 11.dxe5 1d5 12.1xd5 4xd2 13.5xd2 cxd5

Position after: 13...cxd5
14.f4 [14.5xd5 %e6=] 14...e6= Black is doing fine in this endgame: there are enough pieces on the
board that the weakness of his light-squared bishop isn’t yet crucial.
10...Nbd7 11.Nh3!
I don’t see a realistic alternative to completing the standard knight manoeuvre without delay,
especially since Black has a knight on d7 preventing him from taking on h3.
11...Qc7 12.Ng5

12...Rb8!?
Not the only move, but the best: keeping ...b4 and ...c5 both on the cards.
A) 12...%b7 13.f4 leads to a worse version of 8...1d7.
B) 12...a5 13.1e2!?v is a theme we have already seen. As soon as ...c5 is effectively ruled out,
White’s queen’s knight does its best work on f4.
13.Ne2!
13.f4 is the other constructive move, but Black’s light squares are just too good after something like
13...1b6 14.e5 1fd5=.

Position after: 13.Ne2!
13...Nb6
This is the principled reaction to White’s knight retreat.

13...c5?! 14.dxc5 [14.1f4 cxd4 15.%xd4 e5 16.1fe6 fxe6 17.1xe6 4c6 18.1xg7+ .f7∞] 14...dxc5
15.1f4

The problem is that White threatens too many ideas related to 1xg6 or 1fe6. (For instance, ...%b7 is
met by 1xg6.) Black can roll the dice with the ambitious 15...0-0?! 16.g4 b4u but as long as White
takes care to balance defence and attack, he will get an edge.
14.Nf4
The computer wants to play 14.4a5, but one queen is not enough to hold back Black’s whole attack,
and in the meantime Black can sort out his own issues on the other side because 14...0-0 15.g4?!
hxg4Ů is favourable for him.
14...Nc4
15.Bxc4
Giving up the other bishop is of course possible, but as in the Dragon it fails to inspire. 15.4c1 1xe3
16.4xe3 e6=
15...bxc4
Now White can play accurately and obtain an advantage, but once the g5-knight is exchanged he will
find himself playing a long game where the plans are not obvious.
16.Qc3 Qb6 17.Ka1 a5 18.Rb1 Qa6 19.Rhg1 Nh7²
Due to the amount of work White has to do to get there, we should consider 7...c6 to be a serious

extra resource in Black’s arsenal and therefore that White’s best move order with which to attempt to
reach the tabiya is not the one starting with 6.h4.
Position after: 19...Nh7²
3.3) 6.h4 h5 7.f3 Nd7 8.0-0-0
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5

6.f3
Henceforth I will use the 6.f3 move order, because of the additional resource in the previous
subchapter. But of course the lines here can be reached via 6.h4 h5 7.f3 1d7 and now 8.0-0-0, while
if 8.1h3 c5 we reach a position discussed in the next chapter.
6...Nd7
7.h4
The remaining permutation is 7.0-0-0, after which I advocate the consistent 7...1b6: 8.%d3 [8.a3 is a
similar waiting move, with the difference being that it gives Black a ‘hook’: 8...c6 9.g4 a5Ǳ] 8...c6
9..b1 [9.h4 h5 is just the main line of this subchapter.] 9...4c7!? 10.g4

Position after: 10.g4
10...h5 [Initially I wanted 10...1f6 11.%h6 %xh6 12.4xh6 c5?! but White has the very strong pawn
sacrifice 13.e5!u] 11.g5 e6m With such a closed centre and White’s f5 break still miles off, Black has
adequate time to develop his queenside play.
7...h5 8.0-0-0

The first of White’s “early castling lines”. This is the most likely position to arise if White fulfils
these criteria:
1) Has an intelligent strategy for the opening,
2) Does not want to allow the lines with ...%xh3,
3) Prioritises prevention of ...c5 over installing a knight on g5, even given #2.
8...Nb6!?
This is the move that keeps closest to the philosophy of how I want to handle Black’s position in this
opening. The threat is ...b4 and White’s c3-knight lacks good options.
8...%b7?! 9.1h3 c5 [9...1gf6 10.1g5 – see Part I.] 10.dxc5 1xc5 11.%d4v This is one of the
positions I have been at pains to avoid in all move-orders.
Position after: 8...Nb6!?
9.Bd3!?
This move makes use of the fact that ...c5 is impractical for Black right now.
A) 9.1h3 Since Black has indicated he won’t be playing ...%b7, White may as well do this now, but
it is a slightly less sophisticated choice. 9...%xh3 10.5xh3 4c8!?N

Position after: 10...Qc8!?N
This is, for me, the most plausible way of preventing g4, since it also lines up ...c5 in one move.
11.5h1 [Black gets good Sicilian play after, for instance, 11.d5 b4 12.1b1 1d7! 13.a3 bxa3
14.1xa3 c6Ǳ; White also can’t wait forever for Black to castle, e.g. 11.a3 5b8 12.4e1 1f6 13..b1
4b7Ǳ; 11..b1 b4 12.1e2 1c4 13.4d3 1xe3 14.4xe3 e6 15.g4 c5Ǳ]
Position after: 11.Rh1
A1) 11...1f6 is also possible, with the claim being that White has been move-ordered somehow.

12.%d3 as in the 10...1f6 line can now be met in various ways, e.g. 12...1fd7 13.f4 c5!=.
A2) 11...b4 An ambitious but not entirely necessary move. 12.1b1 a5 13.d5 [13.a3 1f6!? 14.axb4
axb4 15.4xb4 0-0m Black has good compensation based on the queenside files.] 13...4d7! 14.b3
[14.a3 1a4 15.%d4 %h6 16.f4 1f6 17.g3 0-0=] 14...c5 15.a4! White has to do this to stop Black
getting ...a4 in, but now the position becomes irrational: 15...1xa4 16.bxa4 4xa4 17.4d3 4a1
18..d2 .f8∞
Position after: 18...Kf8∞
B) On positional grounds it might make sense for White to try and get a knight on c6, but this is
impossible to bring about in reality. 9.d5 %d7! 10.%d4 [10.1ge2? b4 11.1b1? 1c4–+] 10...1f6
11.a3 4c8! 12.1h3 5b8 13.1g5 c5 14.dxc6 4xc6ǭ

Position after: 14...Qxc6‚
C) 9.a3 stops Black’s main counterplay idea, but it was hardly the only one, since ...1c4 is also an
option. 9...1f6 10.1h3 [Following 10.d5 Black plays as in the 9.d5 line: 10...%d7 11.1h3 5b8
12.1g5 4c8 followed by ...c5.] 10...c6 Black is no longer obliged to play ...%xh3 and can play for a
...b4 plan instead. 11.1f4
11...a5!? [11...4c7 12.e5 dxe5 13.dxe5 1fd5 14.1fxd5 1xd5=] 12.e5 b4 13.exf6 bxc3 14.4xc3

%xf6 15.4xc6+ %d7m
D) 9..b1 immediately is met by 9...b4= and the knight lacks a good square.
9...c6
10.Kb1!
The most sophisticated continuation. Now Black needs to worry about running out of steam if he
plays ...1c4, and about e5 ideas if he plays ...1f6. I think the answer is to play ...1f6 only a little bit
later.
A) 10.1ge2 4c7Ǳ
B) 10.4f2 4c7 11.1h3 %xh3 12.5xh3 b4 13.1e2 c5!∞ is just a very messy position.
10...Qc7

This move and ...5b8 are quite good general preparing moves. White will have to do something
eventually, so the most likely continuation is:
11.Nh3
Bear in mind that once again the seemingly harmless waiting move a3 allows ...a5 followed by ...b4.
11.4f2 5b8 12.1h3 %xh3 13.5xh3 c5!Ǳ This is another good instance of the ...c5 break.
11...Bxh3 12.Rxh3 Nf6!

Position after: 12...Nf6!
13.e5
13.5hh1 e6 and Black is very solid. His standard plan will still be to play for ...c5, for example
14.%g5 1fd7 15.1e2 c5=
13...dxe5 14.dxe5 Nfd5
Position after: 14...Nfd5

White has a couple of forcing continuations here, all related to playing f4. I wouldn’t worry about
anything else leading to a White advantage.
15.Nxd5
A) 15.%xb6 4xb6 [15...1xb6?! 16.e6u] 16.1xd5 cxd5 17.f4 e6Ǳ It isn’t yet clear to me which side
is better prepared for the battle of attacks on the king, since the factor that usually decides in such
positions is bishop quality but both bishops are being stifled by the opponent’s pawns.
B) 15.f4 1xc3+ 16.4xc3 1d5 17.4e1 e6 is no different to the main line.
15...Nxd5 16.f4 e6=
Position after: 16...e6=
White lacks active possibilities. The computer gives White a slight advantage due to the bishop-pair
(+0.4) but I can’t see a meaningful plan for him if Black continues with simply ...%f8 and potentially
...a5-a4.
3.4) 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 b4 8.Nce2 and 7...Nd7?!
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.h4
Except for the very next comments, treat this as equivalent to 5.4d2.
5...h5

6.Qd2
A) It is dangerous to venture 6.1h3 before Black has played ...b5, due to the option of 6...%xh3
7.5xh3 1d7 when Black will keep ...b5 in reserve. 8.4d2 c5 9.0-0-0 cxd4 10.%xd4 %xd4 11.4xd4
1gf6 A draw was agreed here in Meier, G – Svidler, P Le Port Marly 2009.
B) 6.f3 b5 has no independent value since White must essentially play either 4d2 or 1h3 now.
6...b5 7.0-0-0!?
This is a very serious attempt, the idea being to get the knight on g5 as fast as possible and only play
f3 in response to ...1gf6. In the next chapter we will examine only the more common tries where
White plays f3 proactively and castles later.
A) 7.1h3 %xh3 8.5xh3 1d7 should be no more a problem for Black than it is with f3 and ...c6
included, but there are some differences.
B) 7.f3 was considered at length in the previous files.

Position after: 7.0-0-0!?
7...b4!
It is important to take full advantage of the nuances of the move-order. Quite a few of them favour
White but there are also the ones that don’t: for instance, the e4-pawn is presently not protected, and
there is very little risk of White gaining an advantage with a later a3 push.
Black has been doubly move-ordered if he plays the compliant 7...1d7?!: no chance to play ...c5, and
also no chance to take on h3. True, something similar happens in the next chapter, but there White
has made some concessions already: f3 as well as two prophylactic moves on the queenside (.b1 and
a3). Let me just explain why this is bad (and provide the best order for White.)

Position after: 7...Nd7?!
A) After something like 8..b1 1b6 9.1h3 1f6! 10.f3 [10.1g5 1g4 is fine for Black] 10...%xh3
11.5xh3 Black has options to transpose into the next chapter, as well as the more obvious 11...b4
12.1e2 1c4 13.4d3 1xe3 14.4xe3 c6= eliminating the bishop pair and equalising.
B) 8.1h3! This is a noticeable improvement over 8.f3 which would transpose to the previous line.
8...c6 [8...1gf6 9.f3 c6v is an attempt to transpose to a line with ...1b6, but White has some
annoying extra options associated with an early e5.] 9.1g5 4c7 10.f3 1gf6 In some sense this is a
subsidiary tabiya or critical position.

Position after: 10...Ngf6
White has successfully avoided the options with a quick ...c5, and also those with ...%xh3, but now
has to find a waiting move. 11..b1! [11.g3 0-0 12.g4 1b6Ǳ] 11...%b7 [Black also has to wait,
because 11...c5 12.dxc5 dxc5 13.f4u is very dangerous.]
B1) 12.1e2 c5! Now Black is essentially okay. 13.d5 1e5 14.1f4 4b6 15.%e2 a5 16.4e1 a4
17.5g1 1c4 18.%c1 1d7ǭ Kobalia, M – Potapov, P Sochi 2017
B2) 12.f4!? Since Black is trying to play slowly and get his pawns to the fourth rank in two moves,
White shouldn’t rule out the possibility of doing the same. But the concrete details work out okay
for Black. 12...b4! [12...1g4 13.e5 1b6 14.%e2 1xe3 15.4xe3ǭ] 13.1e2 1g4 14.%g1 c5 15.e5
dxe5 16.fxe5 0-0 17.e6 f6! 18.exd7 fxg5 19.dxc5 5ad8m
B3) 12.g3! The right answer.

Position after: 12.g3!
12...c5 [12...0-0?! 13.g4! creates a weird impression, but the attack is strong.; 12...a5 13.1e2! Now
that ...c5 isn’t possible, White can play this move and gain an edge. 13...a4 14.1f4 0-0 15.g4ǭ]
13.dxc5 dxc5 [13...1xc5 14.%h3 b4 15.1d5 %xd5 16.exd5 0-0v At risk of repeating myself a bit,
this type of position is painful to play for Black.] 14.%h3u Black continues to face difficulties
completing development. If he moves the knight from d7, then ideas of 4f2 or e5 come into play.
White also has occasional tactics based on %e6 (for instance, this seems to work after ...5d8).
Back to 7...b4.

Position after: 7...b4!
8.Nce2
The obvious 8.1d5 will occupy us for the rest of the chapter.
8.1a4 This move cries out for Black to make an exception to the rule that his bishop belongs on b7.
8...a5 9.b3 %d7 10.1b2 1f6 11.f3 a4 12.bxa4 1c6 Black has definite targets on the queenside (which
is more than can be said for White on the kingside right now) and I would probably prefer to take his
position in a practical game in spite of the engine’s ‘+0.3’. Worth bearing in mind is the idea that %c4
can often be met by ...d5.
8...Nf6
Normally, I would prefer to delay ...1f6 even further, but 8...a5 9.1f4 seems to sign up for rather
unnecessary complications where White can play e5 without bothering with f3 at any stage; see the
next subchapter.
9.f3 a5
Here, too, it makes sense for White to continue avoiding 1h3, and instead try to develop with %c4.
10.Nf4
10.1h3 %xh3 11.5xh3 c6 12.1f4 1bd7 13.%e2 4c7Ǳ Black has consolidated the centre and White
lacks any obvious breaks until such time as Black castles. Black can either prepare to do so (...5b8,

...a4) or play for something else, such as ...%h6 and ...e5.
10...Nc6!
Position after: 10...Nc6!
Every rule has its exceptions and this is perhaps the one place in the whole 150 attack where it makes
sense for Black to play ...e5 in the opening. In the next chapter, we will see a case where Black could
try and transpose to this 7.0-0-0 b4 line, but having already played ...c6 compromises his options
quite a bit.
11.Bb5
A) 11.1gh3 e5 is likely to transpose.

B) 11.4e1 1d7 12.1ge2 e5=
C) 11.4f2 e6=
11...Bd7 12.Ngh3 e5 13.Bxc6 Bxc6 14.dxe5 dxe5 15.Nd3 Nd7

Black is doing fine here with the two bishops and central stability balanced against a slight lack of
control over the light squares.
16.Ng5 Qe7 17.Kb1 f6=
Novgorodskij, V – Newerovski, G Kstovo 1994
3.5) Minor moves after 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 b4 8.Nd5 a5
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.h4! h5 6.Qd2 b5 7.0-0-0!? b4 8.Nd5 a5

We have reached a critical position in which White has to decide on a plan. All his moves have
drawbacks: spending time on f3, ruling out f3, and so on.
9.Nf3
The most direct, but there are two other moves that definitely deserve separate attention in the
following subchapters.
A) 9.1h3 %xh3 10.5xh3 c6 11.1f4 1d7 12.f3 1gf6 transposes to 8.1ce2 as in the last subchapter.
B) 9..b1 This is not such a productive waiting move in this position, because Black has time to
start play against the e4-pawn. 9...%b7

Ensuring that White won’t be able to defend both d5 and e4 in the way he wants; this is a big reason
for playing 9.1f4. 10.%c4 [10.1f3 gives Black the extra option of 10...%xd5!? 11.exd5 1f6.] 10...e6
I really wanted to recommend ...1d7 here, but the move is simply not sound. 11.%g5 [11.1f4 %xe4
12.1gh3 d5=] 11...4d7 12.1f4 1e7 13.f3 %a6
Position after: 13...Ba6
14.%b3 [14.4e2 a4Ǳ] 14...a4 15.%xe6 fxe6 16.%xe7 1c6!! A good resource to remember against

White’s piece sacrifice options.
9...e6
Position after: 9...e6
Black should avoid falling in line with ...%b7 and instead prefer the aggressive approach.
10.Bg5!
White should plough on ahead with the piece sacrifice.

10.1f4 1f6 11.1g5 1g4 12.f3 1xe3 13.4xe3 %h6!?Ǳ

Position after: 13...Bh6!?„
10...f6 11.Nf4
It turns out that by targeting the d4-pawn Black can play some quite sophisticated tempo games
before eventually taking the bishop on g5.
11...Ne7!
Position after: 11...Ne7!

12.Bc4!
Given that Black can’t ever play ...d5 before castling, it is just common sense to place the bishop on
this square. The computer suggests as its second option the rather mysterious 12.4e3. Black can
consider castling now, but also not bad is 12...fxg5 13.1xg5 %h6 14.%c4 %xg5 15.hxg5 1bc6
16.1xe6 %xe6 17.%xe6 4b8 18.f4 4b5 generating counterplay on the queenside.
12...Nbc6!
Position after: 12...Nbc6!
13.Bxe6
A) 13.1xe6 %xe6 14.%xe6 fxg5 15.1xg5 1xd4!? The more cautious 15...5f8 is also possible, but I
haven’t found a refutation of this move. 16.%f7+ .d7 17.c3 bxc3 18.bxc3 1b5∞
B) 13.5he1 fxg5 14.1xg5 1xd4 is Black’s point.

Position after: 14...Nxd4
He is surviving in the extremely messy tactical lines after 15.c3 bxc3 16.bxc3 d5 17.exd5 4d6!!∞
when both kings are in huge trouble.
13...Rf8!
Position after: 13...Rf8!
Reaching another critical position.

14.Bd5!?
A) Both orders White has to try and get a knight entrenched on e6 suffer quite specific problems.
The first is 14.d5 fxg5 15.1xg5 1d4Ǳ when White has an issue with the ...5xf4 tactic.
B) The second is that after 14.%xc8 4xc8 15.d5 Black gains the d8-square for his knight and can
delay capturing the bishop on g5 for yet another move. 15...1d8! 16.1xg6 1xg6 17.%h6 %xh6
18.4xh6m
C) Sacrificing a whole rook with 14.4e3 fxg5 15.1xg5 %xd4 16.5xd4 1xd4 17.4xd4 5xf4 isn’t
totally out of the question, but it seems insufficient for now.
14...fxg5
Position after: 14...fxg5
15.hxg5!
A) 15.1xg6 1xd5 16.exd5 Now Black achieves dynamic equality in a rather spectacular way.
16...5xf3! 17.gxf3 .f7 18.dxc6 %f5!!∞ Avoiding awkward checks on g5. Black is fine here.
B) 15.1xg5?! is met by another familiar tactic: 15...1xd4 16.%xa8 5xf4w
15...Ra6„
White has obvious compensation for the minor material deficit (a piece for two pawns) but Black has
obvious next moves (...5b6, ...%g4, ...a4) and none of the central breaks are working right now for
White. As there are no forcing continuations (16.1h4 fails to 16...%xd4) I will leave the analysis here
until some practical tests appear.

Position after: 15...Ra6„
Note that the natural 15...%g4 walks into 16.1xg6 1xg6 17.%xc6+ .e7 18.%xa8 4xa8 19.5de1v
when the material imbalance, while fascinating, is somewhat in White’s favour.
3.6) 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 b4 8.Nd5 a5 9.Nf4
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.h4! h5 6.Qd2 b5 7.0-0-0!? b4 8.Nd5 a5 9.Nf4!
Position after: 9.Nf4!

Other than 9.f3, this is the most productive thing White can play. The idea is to avoid lines where
Black attacks the e4-pawn via x-ray.
While 9.1f3 is more complicated, this move was more difficult to write about!
9...Nf6 10.e5!
This is the critical option.
10...dxe5 11.dxe5 Qxd2+ 12.Rxd2 Ng4
Position after: 12...Ng4
13.e6
13.1d5?! %xe5 does not give White enough compensation after something like 1f3, so his best
choice is 14.%d4 %xd4 15.1xc7+ .f8 16.5xd4 1xf2 17.5h2 5a7 18.5d8+ .g7 19.1e8+ 5xe8
20.5xe8 5c7∞ with a very murky position. Both White’s rooks are in awful locations.
13...Bxe6 14.Nxe6 fxe6

Position after: 14...fxe6
This is quite a critical position. In spite of Black’s apparent lack of co-ordination I have not been able
to find a clear route to an edge for White.
15.Bd3
A) Humanly one wants to try and keep the dark-squared bishop, but for instance 15.%g5 1d7
[15...a4!?] 16.f3 1ge5 17.f4 1f7 18.%d3 5g8 19.5e2 1c5∞ does not lead to the outcomes White
wants.
B) If the g7-bishop gains a toe-hold on White’s queenside then Black can even become better, e.g.
15.%f4 a4 16.%c4 a3 17.b3 %c3 18.5e2 1c6!ĩ with ...e5 to come. The point is that after 19.%b5 0-0-
0 the knight is immune!!
C) 15.1h3 1xe3 16.fxe3 %h6 17.1f4 0-0 18.g3 1a6Ǳ
D) Maybe the quiet 15.1f3 is the best White can do, followed by trying to play against the e-pawns
after 15...1xe3 16.fxe3 1d7 17.%d3 1e5 18.1xe5 %xe5 19.%xg6+ .f8, but it’s really not a big
advantage at all and Black also has his ideas.
E) 15.%b5+ c6 16.%d3 0-0 seems reasonable and very similar to the main line.
F) Just taking back the pawn in itself isn’t enough for White: 15.%c4 1xe3 16.fxe3 1d7 17.%xe6
1c5=
15...0-0

16.Nh3!
A) 16.1f3 1xe3 17.fxe3 1a6 18.%xg6 1c5m White may even go a pawn up, but Black has very
decent pressure on the queenside.
B) 16.%xg6? 1xe3 17.fxe3 5f1+ 18.5d1 %xb2+w
Position after: 16.Nh3!

16...Na6
16...1c6 17.%xg6! [17.%g5 1ge5 18.%b5 a4m] 17...1xe3 18.fxe3 1e5 19.%xh5 1c4 20.5d7∞
White’s connected passers are more important than Black’s tricks.
17.Bxg6 Nxe3 18.fxe3 Nc5
19.Bxh5
A) 19.1f2 is unnecessary and Black should be okay after 19...a4 20.1e4 [20.%xh5 a3 21.b3 %b2+
22..d1 5xf2!! 23.5xf2 1e4w] 20...1xe4 21.%xe4 5a5Ǳ
B) 19.1f4 1a4 20.1d3 5ad8 21.%xh5 1xb2=

Position after: 19.Bxh5
19...Na4
In this version 19...1e4?! 20.5dd1 doesn’t win anything, because the f2-square is covered and
20...1g3 is met by 21.%f3!u.
Position after: 21.Bf3!±
20.b3!?

20.1g5 %xb2+ 21..b1 %e5 22.1xe6 1c3+ 23..b2 1e4+ 24..c1 1xd2 25.1xf8 5xf8 26..xd2
5f2+ 27..d3 5xg2=
20...Nc3 21.Rd7∞
Position after: 21.Rd7∞
It still seems that White has more ideas, but after a move like ...a4 lots of lines open up, the machine
gives 0.00 and the focus is brute-force calculation.
3.7) 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 b4 8.Nd5 a5 9.f3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.h4! h5 6.Qd2 b5 7.0-0-0!? b4 8.Nd5 a5 9.f3

Position after: 9.f3
On balance this seems to be the best concession for White to make.

Like the 8.1ce2 line he may play 1f4 next in place of 1h3, and unlike the 8.1ce2 line the option
doesn’t come at the cost of blocking the bishop on f1.
9...e6
9...%e6?! was my initial recommendation (followed by taking on a2 in lots of lines) but thorough
analysis indicates that this is just the wrong side of the fine line between ‘risky’ and ‘trashy’.
10.Nf4 Ne7

11.Ngh3
It seems to me that the knight jump is indispensable.

11.g4 hxg4 12.fxg4 a4 13.4xb4 e5∞
11...Nbc6 12.d5!
White should hurry as otherwise Black gets the chaos he craves: 12.1g5 a4 13.%b5 b3∞.
12...exd5 13.Nxd5

Position after: 13.Nxd5
13...Nxd5
13...0-0?! 14.%g5 %xh3 15.5xh3!u is a very awkward pin for Black to play with. [15.1f6+ .h8
16.5xh3 4c8Ǳ]
14.Qxd5
14.exd5 1e5Ǳ
14...Bd7 15.Bb5 Ne5

16.Bg5
If White wants to fight for an advantage he has to risk the bishop being trapped, and go full speed
ahead on the kingside.
The bishop on e5 and rook on a5 balance defence and attack admirably following 16.f4 %xb5
17.4xb5+ 4d7 18.4d5 1c6 19.f5 gxf5! 20.exf5 a4Ǳ.
16...Qc8 17.f4 Bxb5 18.Qxb5+ Nd7

Now White can play various things but it seems that the attacks are landing at approximately equal
pace, e.g.
19.f5 0-0 20.Nf4 a4!∞
The position is unclear.

It should be clear, reading through this chapter in sequential order, that the logical extreme of trying
to play ‘h4 before f3’ is the line where White does away with the latter altogether. There are many
lines sharper than 3.6) in the book, but not many where I would be as worried about finding an
improvement for White. By contrast, 9.f3 (the line we have just seen) is almost a cop-out.

Chapter 4
150 Attack with 6.f3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.f3 Nd7 7.h4 h5 8.Nh3 c5
Chapter Guide
Chapter 4 – 150 Attack with 6.f3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 %g7 3.1c3 d6 4.%e3 a6 5.4d2 b5 6.f3 1d7 7.h4 h5 8.1h3 c5
4.1) Introduction and less critical 9th moves
4.2) 9.dxc5 1xc5 10.0-0-0
4.3) 9.dxc5 1xc5 10.1g5
It is important to be real: the Modern is not what you want to play if you want to be able to guarantee
equality. In fact, this is the case in both 4.2) and 4.3). However, the former line demands that White
play an aesthetically awkward position where his knight remains stuck on a6 for a while, and the
latter leads to a risk-free endgame only after 25 moves of ridiculous complications. I will let the lines
speak for themselves here, but just make the comment that the computers don’t fully appreciate the
trouble Black faces in one particular type of position: the one where he has had to play ...%xd5 and
White replies exd5 with play along the e-file, seen for instance in the note about 9...%b7 in line 4.1).

4.1) Introduction and less critical 9th moves
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.f3!
Position after: 6.f3!
6...Nd7
6...c6 seems best met by 7.1ge2 when some sort of contradiction arises from the fact that Black must
nevertheless play for ...c5 eventually. 7...1d7 [7...%b7 is less flexible: most likely White is now also
okay with Sicilian constructions such as 8.a3 1d7 9.g4 c5 10.0-0-0v] 8.g4

Position after: 8.g4
8...h5 [8...c5 9.dxc5 1xc5 10.0-0-0 %b7 11.1d5v ends up being a worse version of the positions from
later on in this subchapter.] 9.gxh5! [9.g5 e6 could be better for White, but it is hard to come up with
plans where his space is particularly useful.] 9...5xh5 10.1f4 5h8 11.0-0-0! [11.h4 e5! leads to a
messy position where Black has options such as the deliciously exotic 12.dxe5 5xh4 13.5xh4 1xe5!?
∞.] I really wanted to be able to recommend this way of playing for Black, but unfortunately his
queenside play just doesn’t match the tempo of the position, e.g. 11...1b6 12.h4 b4 13.1b1 a5
14.h5u.

7.h4
The second most common move is actually 7.a4 but as in many other cases, it is inferior to the
versions where White plays 6.h4 h5 7.0-0-0 and Black’s best is to play ...b4 unprompted. 7...b4
8.1d1 c5!
White has no trouble-free way of developing both his kingside pieces. The most consistent is to try
and reinforce the centre. 9.c3! [9.1e2 1gf6 10.g4 %b7 11.1f2 5c8Ǳ; 9.%c4 1gf6 10.c3 0-0Ǳ;
9.dxc5 dxc5 10.1h3 1gf6=] 9...bxc3 10.bxc3 4c7

Now I will follow a correspondence game in which White followed a natural course of development.
Since there are no forced lines, I won’t try and analyse it too deeply: 11.%d3 5b8 12.1e2 e6 13.1b2
1e7 14.1c4 d5!?N [14...0-0 15.%f4 e5 16.%g3 1b6 17.d5 1xc4 18.%xc4 f5 19.%f2Ǳ Dugo, I –
Bonoldi, F ICCF email 2015] 15.exd5 1xd5 16.%f2 Here I can’t resist giving 16...0-0!? 17.%g3 4a7
18.%xb8 1xb8∞ when Black has no pawns for the exchange, but good compensation!
7...h5

8.Nh3
A) 8.0-0-0 was considered in the last chapter.

B) 8.1ge2 makes sense in conjunction with the positional plan of d5, 1d4-c6. But this is a bit slow:
8...%b7 9.d5 c5! 10.dxc6 %xc6 11.1d4 %b7 12.0-0-0 1gf6 and Black has obtained a ‘good
Dragondorf’.
8...c5!
9.0-0-0
A) 9.%e2 and other such moves tend to be met by the general formula: 9...cxd4 10.%xd4 %xd4
11.4xd4 1gf6=.
B) 9.1g5 cxd4 10.%xd4 %xd4 11.4xd4 1gf6

12.a4!? The only consistent move. [12.1d5 %b7 13.1xf6+ 1xf6= just loses more tempi for no
reason; 12.0-0-0 4b6=] 12...bxa4 13.1xa4 0-0Ǳ Black was fine at this point in Kritz, L – Zozulia,
A Ascona 2007
9...cxd4

Following White’s long castling Black is almost obliged to go for a ‘Dragondorf’ position, but there
is of course a choice of them. This is the most solid option and seems to equalize.
A) Let me just make a quick comment about a position type reachable from 9...%b7: 10.dxc5
[10.1g5 cxd4 11.%xd4 %xd4 12.4xd4 1gf6 is an improved version of 9...cxd4.] 10...1xc5 11.%d4!
[11.1g5 5c8 is less critical] 11...%f6 [11...%xd4 12.4xd4 1f6 13.e5! is the problem.]
12.1g5 This position is similar to subchapter 3, but the differences are in White’s favour. [12.1d5
%xd5 13.exd5 %xd4 14.4xd4 1f6=; 12.a3 4c7 13.1f4 %e5!Ǳ] 12...4c7 13.g3 5b8 14.1d5 [14.a3
%xd4 15.4xd4 1f6 16.%h3 0-0=] 14...%xd5 15.exd5 %xd4 16.4xd4 1f6v In general, I have made a
stylistic decision to avoid most versions of this structure – where White plays exd5 and plays with
the bishop and knight against knight-pair.
B) 9...4a5?! is an interesting attempt to create an imbalance, but after 10.dxc5 %xc3 11.4xc3 4xc3
12.bxc3 1xc5 13.c4!v the concrete details aren’t working out so well.
10.Bxd4 Bxd4 11.Qxd4 Ngf6

12.Nf4!
12.1d5 %b7 13.1xf6+ 1xf6 14.e5 dxe5 15.4xe5 4b8= is relatively harmless.
12...Bb7
A) 12...4b6 would be the normal move, but Black faces some problems related to the b5-pawn,
which are unusual given that White has castled: 13.1fd5 4xd4 14.5xd4 1xd5 15.exd5 1f6 [15...0-
0 16.a4 bxa4 17.5xa4v]

16.a4 [The other sensible plan is 16.%e2 %d7 17.g4 hxg4 18.fxg4 but I don’t feel Black should be
threatened by this, e.g. 18...5b8 19.a3 .f8Ǳ] 16...%d7 17.axb5 axb5 18.1xb5! [18.b4!?] 18...5a1+
19..d2 0-0 [19...5xf1 20.1xd6+ exd6 21.5xf1u] 20.1c3 5b8 21.1d1v White can untangle slowly.
B) 12...e5? doesn’t work yet: 13.4xd6 exf4 14.e5 and White has a crushing attack.
13.Nfd5!

The only move to keep fighting for an advantage.
A) 13.g4 hxg4 14.fxg4 4b6=
B) 13.1cd5? e5–+
C) 13.%e2 4b6 no longer has the issues of the earlier version: 14.1fd5 %xd5 15.exd5 0-0Ǳ.
D) 13.a4 0-0! 14.axb5 [White is busted if they take time out to deal with the threat of ...e5, e.g.
14.4d2 bxa4 15.1xa4 %c6 16.1c3 1e5w; 14.g4 hxg4 15.h5 g5!
Position after: 15...g5!
White is struggling now, for instance 16.1fd5 gxf3 17.5g1 %xd5 18.5xg5+ .h8 19.exd5 5g8w]
14...axb5 15.%xb5 This is good for a draw but not more, and White is unlikely to enjoy the journey
there. 15...e5 16.4xd6 exf4 17.%xd7 [17.e5? 5a1+ 18.1b1 %d5!Ů] 17...5a1+ 18.1b1 1xd7
19.4xd7 4a8 20.4d4 %c8

Position after: 20...Bc8
Now White’s king has to evacuate the queenside, leading to a rook swap and an interesting kind of
positional bind after the almost-forced 21..d2 %e6 22..e1 5c8 23.1c3 5xd1+ 24.4xd1 4b8
25.4c1 4b4m.
13...Bxd5
I tried to make the more combative 13...0-0 14.g4 e5 work, but unfortunately couldn’t.
14.Nxd5
14.exd5 4b6=
14...Rg8

Position after: 14...Rg8
Reaching a position which looks passive, but where Black has similar counters to pretty much any
White plan:
15.Nxf6+!?
This is at least different.

A) 15.a4 1xd5 16.4xd5 bxa4Ǳ
B) 15.f4 1xd5 16.4xd5 [16.exd5 4b6! 17.a4 .f8∞] 16...5c8 17.g3 5c5 18.4d2 4c7Ǳ The idea is
...1b6 and ....f8-g7.
C) 15..b1 1xd5 16.4xd5 5c8 17.c3 4b6 18.g3 .f8Ǳ
D) 15.%e2 1xd5 16.4xd5 [16.exd5 4b6 is once more the right answer] 16...5c8 17.4d2 1f6Ǳ
15...Nxf6 16.f4

Position after: 16.f4
16...Rb8
16...5c8 17.5h3! leaves Black without a good move due to the various 5a3, 5c3 and e5 ideas.
Relatively best might be 17....f8 18.e5 1e8v
17.e5
Against anything else Black can play slowly, with major pieces finding homes on the queenside and
the knight settling on g4.
17.a4 4b6! 18.5h3 .f8 19.axb5 axb5 20.5b3 4c6! 21.e5 dxe5 22.fxe5 1g4∞
17...dxe5 18.Qxe5 Qb6 19.Re1
19.%e2 5c8 20.5he1 .f8 is similar.
19...Rb7 20.Be2 Rc7 21.Bf3 Kf8=

Position after: 21...Kf8=
This seems like a good place to stop. Black hasn’t managed to play ...1g4 or activate his queen
properly, but on the plus side ...b4 or ...4c5 can come next. I don’t have a problem with Black’s
position here.
4.2) 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.0-0-0
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.f3 Nd7 7.h4 h5 8.Nh3 c5! 9.dxc5
This is the most direct response, and one where White can achieve a mathematical advantage in two
lines.
9...Nxc5

Position after: 9...Nxc5
10.0-0-0
A) 10.%d4 %xd4 11.4xd4 e5! 12.4f2 1e7= It transpires that Black can sometimes play in this anti-
positional way, since White’s king’s knight is terrible. [12...%xh3 13.5xh3 1f6=]
B) 10.a4 b4 11.1d1 %xh3! 12.5xh3 4b8=
C) 10.%xc5 dxc5 11.4xd8+ .xd8

Position after: 11...Kxd8
12.a4 [12.0-0-0+ .c7 13.1d5+ .b7 14.1g5 e6!=; 12.1g5 1h6 13.a4 looks worrying, but it turns
out Black can keep a pawn as well as structural integrity, e.g. 13...5b8! 14.axb5 %xc3+ 15.bxc3
axb5 16.%e2 .c7 17..f2 c4 18.5hb1 5b6 19.5a5 %a6=
Position after: 19...Ba6=
Just in time!] 12...b4 13.0-0-0+ .c7 14.1d5+ .b7 15.1g5 e6 16.1e3 1h6 17.1c4 .c7 18.a5
5d8Ǳ
10...Bxh3! 11.Rxh3 Rc8!

Position after: 11...Rc8!
The most important feature of this position was the vulnerability of Black’s knight on c5, and the
present move addresses that.
12.Kb1!
12.%d4 1f6! 13.1d5 %h6 14.1xf6+ exf6 15.%e3 %xe3 16.4xe3 4c7m Black should avoid castling in
this position and simply station the king on g7. His chances seem alright.

Position after: 12.Kb1!
12...Nd7
Forcing White to take action by strongly hinting at ...%(5)xc3.

12...4a5?! 13.%d4 1f6 14.a3! 1e6 15.%xf6 %xf6 16.1d5 4xd2 17.5xd2! 0-0 18.1xf6+ exf6
19.5xd6u
13.Nd5!
One peculiarity of these positions with minor piece imbalances is that the threat of %d4 is almost
always stronger than the execution.
13.%d4 %xd4 14.4xd4 1gf6 15.1d5 .f8∞
13...Ngf6 14.Nb4 a5 15.Na6 b4 16.Bb5 0-0∞
Position after: 16...0-0∞
The computer thinks this is +/=, but my assessment would just be that I’m confused. Black has some
quite clear plans, e.g. ...1e8-c7, and the engine calms down quickly in most of the lines.
4.3) 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.Ng5
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.f3 Nd7 7.h4 h5 8.Nh3 c5! 9.dxc5 Nxc5 10.Ng5!

Position after: 10.Ng5!
If not the best, then at least the most testing.
10...Bb7 11.a4!
This minor move has received a good amount of attention lately. Additionally it was played by
AlphaZero in a game Matthew Sadler analysed in his book Game Changer and on YouTube.
Essentially, White wants to castle kingside, but by doing so in a non-trivial manner he sets Black
some problems.
11.0-0-0 is met by 11...5c8 or ...1d7 and Black is okay.
11...Qa5

12.Bd4
A) 12..f2!? is an engine move, and one that underestimates the ...%xc3 ideas: 12...%xc3 13.4xc3
4xc3 14.bxc3 1xa4 15.c4 %c6 16.cxb5 axb5=
B) The immediate 12.%e2!?
Position after: 12.Be2!?

seems quite dangerous even while leading to a calmer game than the main line. I was forced to look
at it after realising that Black can’t rely on ...4b4 ideas at all here. On the level of principle, Black
should defend his c5-knight so as to remove the sting from a future %d4.
B1) 12...b4?! Now White has a path to an advantage. 13.1d5! [13.1a2 %xb2 14.5b1 1xa4∞]
13...%xb2 14.5b1 1xa4
Position after: 14...Nxa4
15.5xb2! 1xb2 16.1b6! [16.4d4 %xd5 17.4xb2 1f6 18.exd5 0-0∞ is not so simple as Black has
many pawns.] 16...1f6 [16...f6!? 17.1xa8 %xa8 18.0-0!!u] 17.1xa8 [17..f2!? also seems OK for
White] 17...%xa8 18.0-0 0-0 19.5b1 1a4 20.4xb4 4xb4 21.5xb4 %c6 22.%xa6 1d7v

Position after: 22...Nd7²
B2) 12...%c6?! 13.%d4! %f6 transposes to 13...%c6 below.

B3) 12...5c8! 13.0-0
Position after: 13.0-0
13...1xa4 This is a good time for Black to bail out and seek exchanges. [13...b4?! 14.1d5 %xb2
15.5ab1 1xa4 16.5xb2 1xb2 17.%d4 %xd5 18.exd5u] 14.1xa4 [I found nothing special about
14.%d4 1f6Ǳ.] 14...4xd2 15.%xd2 bxa4 16.c3 %c6! 17.%d1 1f6 18.%xa4 1d7v Objectively

White has a small plus here, but it’s not so easy to suggest how to continue and Black can get
strong pressure on the b-file to compensate for the isolated a6-pawn.
12...Bf6
13.Be2!
The best developing move.

13..f2 4b4! is just fine in this version, because Black either gains a tempo or forces White into
works out for Black. 14.%xf6 exf6 15.5d1 [15.4xd6 5d8! 16.4c7 1e7!w] 15...fxg5 16.4xd6 1e7
17.axb5 0-0Ǳ and the knight is taboo!

Position after: 13.Be2!
13...Rd8!
Black covers the d-pawn with his rook and thus prepares ...%xd4 followed by ...e5.
A) 13...4b4? 14.%xf6 exf6 15.axb5 fxg5 16.4xd6 1e7 17.0-0! and Black can’t castle at this exact
moment, which is incredibly inconvenient.
B) 13...%c6?! 14.0-0 1xa4 15.f4 5d8 16.%xf6! White is already a lot better. The manner in which it
turned this advantage into a stable one over the next 7 moves is exemplary. 16...exf6 17.4d4 5b8
18.1xa4 bxa4 19.%c4 4c5Ȅ

Position after: 19...Qc5™
20.4xc5 dxc5 21.1xf7 5h7 22.1d6+ .d7 23.e5u Somehow, Black dug in and held in AlphaZero –
Stockfish 8, London 2018, but this is really a disgusting position.
14.0-0
14.%xf6 1xf6 15.b4 initially causes some computer excitement, but then they are unable to improve
substantially on 15...4xb4 16.axb5 axb5 17.5b1 4a5 18.%xb5+ .f8Ǳ with decent play for Black.
14...b4

15.Na2
15.1d5 %xd5 16.exd5 1d7 17.1e4 %xd4+ 18.4xd4 1gf6 19.1xf6+ 1xf6=
15...Bxd4+ 16.Qxd4 f6
Position after: 16...f6

This is probably a good moment to reiterate that White is definitely better in this line, but I think
Black can manage the situation and (in many cases) have winning chances.
17.f4!
Sadler also mentions 17.1h3 b3! 18.cxb3 1xb3 19.4a7 5d7 when the position is far from clear.
Position after: 19...Rd7
[19...1xa1?! 20.4xb7u] 20.5ad1! e5 21.f4 [21.1c3!? 1e7 22.4f2v is a computerish continuation

whose point is not especially clear given that Black wants to trade queens anyway.] 21...4c5+
22.4xc5 1xc5 23.1c3 .e7

Position after: 23...Ke7
24.b4 White has to force the issue. [24.1f2 a5 25.1d5+ %xd5 26.5xd5 1h6=] 24...1xe4 25.1xe4
%xe4 Now the positions become imbalanced in a different, very interesting way.
Position after: 25...Bxe4
White has two connected passed pawns on the queenside while Black essentially has two in the
centre, so while White has a certain advantage it certainly isn’t pressing without risk. 26.%xa6
[26.fxe5 fxe5 27.1g5 %f5 28.%xa6 1f6∞ is similar.] 26...5a7 27.b5 1h6 28.5c1 %f5v

17...Nh6!
Preparing a unique tactical defence.
18.Nxb4
18.f5 5g8 19.1xb4 [19.1e6 5c8w and White is overextended] 19...fxg5 20.hxg5 1g4Ǳ White has
nothing special here and Black’s well-centralised pieces are enough to offer him a good game.

Position after: 18.Nxb4
18...Nxe4!
Now the position descends into real chaos. White does have a path to an advantage, but I don’t have a
problem recommending this for Black in any case.
18....d7?! The computer’s choice is destroyed by a ‘ridiculous’ piece sacrifice for long-term
compensation. 19.1c6!! [19.1d5 1xe4 20.1b6+ .e8 21.1xe4 %xe4 22.b4 1f5! 23.bxa5 1xd4
24.%xa6 might also be something] 19....xc6 20.b4! 4c7 21.a5!
Position after: 21.a5!
Cuing up a future 4a4+ in this way gives White a large advantage. 21...fxg5 22.bxc5 .d7 23.hxg5
1f7 24.5ab1u
19.Nxe4 Nf5 20.Qc4
With this move White sets out to reach an endgame Black can never win.
20.1xf6+!? I initially disregarded this line as giving Black back the piece too easily, but in fact it
takes some effort to get to a position where we are comfortable. 20....f7! 21.4c3 [21.4c4+ .xf6=]
21...exf6 22.1xa6 4xc3 23.bxc3 1xh4 24.5f2 5c8 25.1b4 5xc3 26.a5 5b8

Position after: 26...Rb8
A) 27.%d3!? Trying to be clever with tempi. Now this isn’t forced, but I think Black should accept
the pawn: 27...%xg2 28.5xg2 5xb4 29.5f2 5c7 30.a6 5a7∞ and because all the exchange-up endings
are draws (almost without exception) White has few chances to create something meaningful.
B) 27.a6 %a8 The bishop does its best work from the corner. Next Black tries to bring his knight to
g3, which White can only avoid by clever tempo play. 28.5a4 1f5 29.a7 [29.%d3 1g3=] 29...5e8
30.%b5! 5e1+ 31.5f1 5e4 32.%d3 5e3
Position after: 32...Re3

33.5f3! 5xf3 34.gxf3 1e7v White’s not managed to grow his advantage at all, and the position is (if
anything) more chaotic than when queens were first traded!
20...Rc8!
Position after: 20...Rc8!
21.Qe6
21.1xf6+ .f8 22.1d7+ .g7 does not succeed in keeping the piece: 23.4b3 5hd8 sets a very unique
trap, the like of which we will see once more in these pages. 24.c3 [24.%xh5? gxh5 25.4e6 5h8!!w]
24...5xd7 25.%d3 1xh4=
21...Qxb4 22.Nxf6+ Kf8

Position after: 22...Kf8
23.c3!
White should keep the tension.

Following 23.1d7+ .g7 24.c3 4a5 25.%d3 Black manages to get a word in edgeways before White
takes on f5.
Position after: 25.Bd3

25...5ce8!? This is possible because of some details to do with the d7-knight. [25...%d5!? 26.4e2
4d8 27.%xf5 gxf5 28.4f2 %e4 29.1b6 5b8 30.a5 5g8Ǳ The newly open g-file will be a useful
source of counterplay.] 26.b4 [26.%xf5 gxf5 gives Black play based on ... 5h6-g6.] 26...4c7
27.5ae1 [27.%xf5 gxf5 28.4xf5 5h6!w; 27.c4 %c8 illustrates the main threat!] 27...%c6 28.%xf5 gxf5
29.5e3 5h7! and White should bail out with: 4xe7 and a perpetual!
23...Qb6+
23...4a5? 24.%d3u

Position after: 23...Qb6+
24.Rf2
24..h1 4e3!= threatens mate and thus forces White to seek an escape hatch.
24...Qxb2 25.Rd1
White needs to support the d3-square, since attacking the f5-knight is the only way he can make
useful progress. Now Black needs to remember that the only way this ends well for him is if he
defends frontally with the queen. These 5 or so moves are close to being forced.
25...Qxc3 26.Nd7+ Kg7 27.Bd3 Rhe8! 28.Bxf5 gxf5 29.Qxf5 Qg3!
Since this position is never going to come up, the analysis could be ended here, but I just had to check
I wasn’t missing a forced win for White.

Position after: 29...Qg3!
30.Re1
A) 30.5b1 5c7 31.5e2 e6 32.1f6 exf5 33.1xh5+ .h6 34.1xg3 5xe2 35.1xe2 %e4 36.5b6 5c2
37.5xd6+ .h5 38.1g3+ .xh4 39.1xe4 fxe4= with a drawn rook endgame.
Position after: 39...fxe4=
B) 30.5e2 4g4 31.4g5+ 4xg5 32.fxg5 5c7 33.1f6 5h8 34.1d5 %xd5 35.5xd5 5b8=

C) 30.4xh5 5ed8 31.1b6 5c5 32.4xc5 dxc5 33.5xd8 .f7= and White cannot easily stop ...%xg2,
forcing a draw.
30...Qg6 31.Qa5 Qg4
Position after: 31...Qg4
32.f5!
32.4d2 4xd7 33.f5 5g8! White has nothing better than 34.5xe7+ 4xe7 35.f6+ 4xf6 36.5xf6 .xf6
37.4xd6+ .g7 38.4d7+ .h8 39.4xb7 5c2= followed by almost inevitable simplification to a drawn
pawn ending.
32...Qd4 33.Qb6 Qxb6 34.Nxb6 Rcd8 35.a5 Kf6²

Position after: 35...Kf6²
White has slightly the better minor piece and is pressing somewhat, but Black is not without chances
in this endgame because the only non-fixed pawn is his passed d-pawn.
And so it comes. Right at the end of the book, a forcing way (rather than the somewhat insidious
3.1f3 d6 4.c3) in which White can get an advantage. While marginally less theoretical than the
Austrian (purely because of the incredible variety of move-orders; nobody can quite work out which
one is best!) the 150 Attack is a very, very serious way for White to challenge the Modern, and my
analysis indicates that it’s the best of the ‘forcing’ approaches (as compared to, for instance, the
somewhat insidious 3.1f3 d6 4.c3.)
I think that just replying ...1d7, ...%b7, ...1gf6 with one’s eyes closed is a sure-fire way to fail, and
White’s paths to an advantage have been worked out in excruciating detail by various analysts
(including myself in Part I.) It’s much more interesting to try and take advantage of the weaknesses of
each individual move-order by White: castling early allows options with ...b4, while failing to castle
allows options with ...c5 such as the one discussed in this chapter. While my opinion is still that
White should somehow be better, this line is a much more fertile ground for investigations and,
realistically, even if your opponent does know theory in line 4.2) or 4.3) the resulting positions are
still playable.
Finally, I hope you have enjoyed this voyage through the labyrinth that is the Modern. This is above
all an opening where passion and calculation reign supreme; the polar opposite of the Berlin.
Sometimes, playing an opening like this leads to great pain, and so does writing about it. But the
highs are worth the lows. Ultimately, you have to enjoy the positions that result (and I wish you great
enjoyment in using the lines you have played through before reaching this paragraph!) But then again,
isn’t all of chess about enjoyment?

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Fernandez Daniel The Modernized Modern Defense, 492,688

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Fernandez Daniel The Modernized Modern Defense, 492,688

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Position after: 6...Bb4!?

7.1f3 also deserves consideration, trying to set up quick castling. 7...1c6

Position after: 7...Nc6

Position after: 9...Ke7!

Position after: 13...h6!

Position after: 15...g4!

8.%d5?! is now simply met by the generally useful 8...c6w.

8...Nxe4 9.Nge2 Nc5

10...Ke8 11.0-0-0 Nxb3+ 12.axb3

12...Nc6 13.Nd5 Bd6 14.f3 Be6 15.Nec3 h6 16.Bh4

Position after: 16.Bh4

16...Kf7 17.Rhe1 g5 18.Bf2 Rad8 19.Ne4 b6 20.h3 Kg6„

Black has ideas like ...h5 or ...1d4 in the pipeline.

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6

Chapter 1 – Four Piece Systems

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

1.1) Move-order nuance: 4.Be3 a6 5.Nf3 b5

1.e4 g6 2.d4 d6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Be3 a6 5.Nf3

Position after: 5...b5!?

Position after: 8.h4!?

A) 8.exd6 cxd4 9.1xd4 4xd6=

Position after: 10...Qc7

Position after: 9...dxc5

11.Nf7 Qc7 12.Nxh8 Bxh8

B) 13.0-0?? is a terrible idea: 13...1g4 14.g3 %xc3 15.bxc3 4c6–+.

13...c4 14.Be2 Nc6 15.0-0 Nd8

Position after: 15...Nd8

and White must give perpetual check.

16...Nxe6 17.Rad1 Kf7©

Position after: 17...Kf7©

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

Position after: 4...a6

6...Bb7 7.Bd3 Nd7

Position after: 7...Nd7

10...%xd4 [10...1gf6= is also playable] 11.1xd4 1gf6 12.4h6 4b6Ǳ

Position after: 9...c5

Position after: 11...h5

12...bxc3 13.bxc3 Qa5

14...Rb8 15.h4!? Qxa4=

1.3) 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 introduction

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 a6

Position after: 4...a6

5...b5 6.Bd3 Nd7

Position after: 6...Nd7

Position after: 11...dxc5

Position after: 8...Nh6!

Position after: 13...f6!=

White’s central domination is being eroded.

Position after: 11.Ng3

9.a4! b4 10.Ne2 Ngf6 11.Ng3 c5

12.4e2 cxd4 13.%xd4 0-0=

13...Ng4 14.Qe2 Nxe3 15.Qxe3²

Position after: 8...Nh6

Now White faces another rich choice.

Position after: 11...Qb8

Position after: 15...axb5

Position after: 9...e6!

A) 10.f5 exf5 11.exf5 0-0Ǳ

A) 11.dxc5 dxe5 12.%e4 %xe4 13.1cxe4 0-0=

The only consistent follow-up.

Position after: 18...Kd7

12...Nxe3 13.Nxd6+ Ke7

Position after: 13...Ke7