Estrin, Panov - Comprehensive Chess Openings - Vol.2 (1980)

Y Estrin N.
Panov
Pergamon Press
PERGAMON-RUSSIAN CHESS SERIES
COMPREHENSIVE
CHESS OPENINGS
VOLUME 2
PERGAMON-RUSSIAN CHESS SERIES
Executive editor: M. J. Richardson
AVERBAKH, Y.
Chess Endings Essential Knowledge
:
BOTVINNIK, M.
Anatoly Karpov: His Road to the World Championship
KARPOV, A.& ROSHAL, A.

Anatoly Karpov: Chess is My Life
NEISTADT, Y.
Catastrophe in the Opening
SUETIN, A. S.
Modern Chess Opening Theory
COMPREHENSIVE
CHESS OPENINGS
VOLUME 2
Semi-Open Games
by
Y. ESTRIN
and
V. N. PANOV
translated by
KENNETH P. NEAT
and
HERI-BERT STEIMEL
PERGAMON PRESS
OXFORD NEW YORK TORONTO SYDNEY PARIS FRANKFURT
• • • * •
U.K. Pergamon Press Ltd.,Headington Hill Hall,
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Translation Copyright © 1980 Pergamon Press Ltd.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in
any form or by any means: electronic, electrostatic,
magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without permission in writing from the
publishers
First edition 1980
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Estrin, lA
Comprehensive chess openings.
Vol. 2: Semi-open games - (Pergamon Russian chess
series).
1. Chess-Openings
I. Title II. Panov, V N
794.22 GV1450 79-40286
ISBN 0-08-024110-7 hardcover

ISBN 0-08-024109-3 flexicover
ISBN 0-08-0241 14-X Set of 3 vols hardcover
ISBN 0-08-024113-1 Set of 3 vols flexicover
Translated from the 5th Russian edition of

Kurs Debyutov, published by
Fizkuljtura i Sport, 1973
Printed in Hungary by Franklin Printing House

CONTENTS
Foreword to the English Edition by Y. Estrin vii
Foreword to the 5th Russian Edition by M. M. Botvinnik ix
Introduction xiii
Semi-Open Games 1
Centre Counter Game 2

Game No. 38 Bronstein-Lutikov 4
Alekhine’s Defence 6
Game No. 39 Polyak-Panov 17
Game No. 40 Ravinsky-Fridstein 19
Game No. 41 Merchant ship “Dyesna” vs. Atomic ice-
breaker “Lenin” 20
Game No. 42 Smyslov-Spassky 22
Game No. 43 Polgar-Bagirov 24
Nimzowitsch’s Defence 27
Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence 30
Game No. 44 Estrin-Zhukhovitsky 37
Game No. 45 Fischer-Benko 39
Game No. 46 Savon-Shamkovich 40
Caro-Kann Defence 44
Game No. 47 Nimzowitsch-Capablanca 66
Game No. 48 Grigoriev-Panov 68
Game No. 49 Levenfish-Konstantinopolsky 71
Game No. 50 Tal-Bronstein 72
V
VI CONTENTS
French Defence 75
Game No. 51 Chigorin-Tarrasch 107
Game No. 52 Tarrasch-Teichmann 109
Game No. 53 Alekhine-Fahrni 111
Game No. 54 Smyslov-Botvinnik (1944) 113
Game No. 55 Smyslov-Botvinnik (1954) 115
Game No. 56 Shamkovich-Prokhorovich 117
Sicilian Defence 121

I. Closed, or Chigorin System 121
. Nimzowitsch-Rubinstein System 124
III. Dragon Variation 127
IV. Najdorf Variation (2 . . . P-Q3 and 5 . . . P-QR3) 135
V. Modern Continuation (2 . . . N-QB3 and 5 . . . P-Q3) 145
VI. Classical Continuation 163
VII. Scheveningen Variation 167
VIII. Paulsen System 169
Game No. 57 Chigorin-Paulsen 173
Game No. 58 Panov-Grechkin 176
Game No. 59 Kholmov-Bronstein 177
Game No. 60 Kostro-Simagin 179
Game No. 61 R. Byrne-Fischer 181
Game No. 62 Karpov-Gik 182
Game No. 63 Kupreichik-Tal 185
Game No. 64 Parma-Balashov 187
Index of Variations 191

FOREWORD TO THE ENGLISH EDITION
This book was written as a standard opening treatise for Soviet readers.
However, the language of chess is international, and so it may be hoped
that English-speaking players will also welcome it.
Books on the openings lose their topicality far more quickly than
those on the endgame. This book (the 5th edition) first appeared in Mos-
cow in 1973. It was originally created by two authors, one of whom died
a few years ago, and I did not consider that I had the right to change the
general structure of the book. Only some essential additions and correc-
tions have been made. The former World Champion, Professor M. Bot-
vinnik, wrote an introduction to the 5th edition, and it will no doubt be
read with interest.
Computers have not yet reached the standard of a chess master.
However, the program developed under Botvinnik’s direction solved an
—
endgame study by Richard Reti on 28th January 1977 and it solved it
exactly as a human chess player would have done.
March 1977
Y. Estrin
World Correspondence Chess Champion
vii
!
FOREWORD TO THE 5TH RUSSIAN EDITION
Everything is in a state of flux and change —and this includes the world
of chess. Historical materialism teaches that everything that appears
begins to develop, reaches its peak, and then dies away, before giving
way Some 20 years ago a prominent specialist in energetics
to the new.
asked me, “When will the hegemony of Soviet chess come to an end?”
At that time was astonished by such a question; after all, Spassky and
I
Tal were only just over 20 years old. But no one can be surprised by such
a question now. Since then, Fischer has been World Champion. Our
current optimism is based on the fact that the new World Champion,
Anatoly Karpov, young
is still
When Soviet chess was making its rapid progress —from the twenties
up to the fifties — ^we witnessed the appearance not only of outstanding
players, but also of theorists, composers and, in particular, organizers.
Chess, like any creative activity, can exist only through the combined
efforts of those who have creative talent, and of those who have the
ability to organize this creative work.
It is hardly necessary to list all those who aided the development of
Soviet chess; theirnames are well known. During the most favourable
period we had both highly talented young players, and also talented
young organizers.
The situation has now changed. It cannot be said that we have neither
the one nor the other; they exist, but they are fewer in number. There is
nothing surprising in Suppose that 100,000 young players produce

this.
one great talent. If hundreds of thousands of youngsters have a passion

for chess, then a whole group of grandmasters appears. But what if
only tens of thousands play? Then it may happen that no really outstand-
ix
X FOREWORD TO THE 5TH RUSSIAN EDITION
ing player will emerge. This was the situation that the Soviet chess organ-
ization found itself in for a period of some 15 years. Young people
were less interested in chess, and readily devoted their Uves to some other
field of creative activity. Recently the situation has changed somewhat,
and the interest in chess in our country has grown. We will return again
to this question, but it should be remembered that it is never forbidden

to hope ! And if there is hope, then everything possible must be done to
assist the development of talented young players. This is possible only if
on opening theory.
there are good-quafity books available, including ones
And this is where I can recommend to you the present book; Kurs
by the well-known theorist V. N. Panov (1906-1973) was well
received in its first four editions. This fifth edition contains a valuable
contribution by another prominent theorist, Y. B. Estrin, who in the
fourth edition supplemented and modernized the basic opening material
of the book.
Of course, the essence of chess is not to be found in the opening of the
game. The basic ingredient of chess is that in a complex, original situa-
tion, where no source of help is apparent, a player must find the correct
solution or move. Anyone who is able to do this can feel confident at the
chess board.
So, the opening is unimportant? Such a conclusion would be over-
hasty. Normally, the opening is important if it is an introduction to a
scene called “the middlegame”. It is of little help in winning the game if
the middlegame plan is only weakly finked to the opening.

In this book, the games included show the inseparable connection
between the opening and the strategy of the middlegame. Young players
should not forget about this fink between the opening and the middlegame,
otherwise they may find themselves in the same laughable situation that
the author didsome 50 years ago. At that time a theory of openings by
N. Grekov and V. Nenarokov was being published in individual issues.
As soon as the section on the Ruy Lopez appeared, I carefully learned
by heart a variation often played by Vitya Mil 3aitin, one of the strongest
players in my school. In our very first encounter at the board, I rattled
off the whole variation with Black (in the book it was reckoned to be
in Black’s favour), but within only a few moves was forced to resign.
FOREWORD TO THE 5TH RUSSIAN EDITION XI
There is no need to “swot up” variations; they should stick in your

memory of their own accord. Swotting up variations is even worse than
playing in tournaments without having even looked at any openings
books.
It may be expected that in this well-tested book the reader will always
find good advice to help him in his practical play.
But let us return to the question already posed: Will the situation
change in the future as regards the appearance of outstanding talents?
Yes, probably — ^interest in chess is again growing. But definitely yes,
if something extraordinary happens which will sharply increase interest
in the art of chess.
There is a chance that some such “extraordinary” thing will happen.
Chess players and programmers are working on the problem of teaching
a computer to play chess (in August 1977 the Second World Computer
Chess Championship will take place). If this work turns out to be suc-
cessful, the situation will be changed considerably. Such a success would
end for the hegemony of the human brain in
signal the beginning of the
the solving of complicated problems. In the history of mankind, one
might compare in importance the appearance of a synthetic grandmaster
with the discovery of fire.
Then all, or nearly all, inquisitive minds will want to know how this
has been brought about. And, if we forget for the moment questions
associated with computer technology and programming, it will be pos-
sible to understand this only by a serious study of chess. Hundreds of
thousands of youngsters will once again start playing chess, which will
make possible the “extraction” of several highly talented players (as well
as theorists, composers and organizers). And chess will once again move
forward.
This useful book will then be especially necessary. Let us hope for
a favourable wind for talented young players and this revised edition of
Kurs Debyutov.
M. BOTVINNIK
3rd February 1977
E9
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—
INTRODUCTION
The first four editions of Kurs Debyutov, 145,000 copies in all, were
sold out in very short time; the book has twice been translated
into Spanish and Hungarian —and has been well received by readers
and critics. In the main, this can be explained by the fact that a com-
pact yet diverse openings book of this type is vitally necessary to the
strong amateur chess player (non-professional!) who can devote to the
theory of the game only his leisure hours, i.e. the time not taken up by
his main job.
And same time, Kurs Debyutov is intended for players of
yet at the
high standard candidate masters and players of first and second cate-
:
gories, who number many tens of thousands in the Soviet Union.

In this book, the reader is given an analytical review of both ancient
and modern chess openings, illustrated by 100 sample games by players
from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
It is impossible to cover in one book all the recommendations of rapidly
developing modern theory. The authors were faced by a difficult task:

from the boundless ocean of opening variations, adopted in practice and
mentioned in Soviet and foreign openings books, they had to choose
the most interesting, strategically sound, and tactically inexhaustible
opening schemes.
Normally, openings books analyse in detail the systems and variations
adopted by anyone, anywhere, and at any time during the last 150 years,
as well as new contributions first recommended by analysts. Many of
these old variations have been shelved or have lost their practical value,
as simpler and stronger systems have been found. On the other hand,
in the quest for completeness, these books often include variations taken
xiii
XIV INTRODUCTION
from games by weak players, i.e. sometimes a variation is included
not because it is new and good, but simply because it is new, even though
it may be bad. It cannot be denied that the name of the inventor is of
great importance. A variation played or recommended by a World
Champion is regarded quite differently to one which occurs in a game
between two second-rate players.
And, in general, this tendency towards an exhaustive coverage of all
systems, variations and moves ever played, towards a superfluous detail-

ing of openings, is pointless and unnecessary for the chess amateur.
Our young players want not only to assimilate theoretical knowledge in
general, but also to make immediate practical use of it at the board.
Such young, rapidly improving players should avoid the danger of
becoming bookworms, knowing the contents of openings books by heart,
but being unable to correctly assess the strategical essence of a system,
or distinguish a good continuation from a weak one. The young practical
player must first of all understand the strategical content of an opening,
study the most important schemes and systems which reflect the methods
of attack and defence, and know the approximate tactical implementa-
tion of the set strategic goal. One cannot avoid recalling the wonderful
words of the founder of the Russian school of chess, M. I. Chigorin,
calling for independent analytical research: “In every opening, in almost
every variation, one can avoid routine, book continuations, and thereby
achieve results which are just as good, if not better.”
The young player should not concentrate on the most
his attention
popular openings, which are constantly practised by grandmasters and
masters, but should gradually master and include in his repertoire other
openings which suit his individual style.
As a result of these various considerations, the authors have not at-

tempted to include in this book all the most fashionable and complicated
contributions, but have given basic preference to those opening systems,
variations and moves which have stood the most serious test of all the —
test of time. In every opening there are systems and variations laid on
such a sound positional basis that they do not age over a period of several
decades, despite numerous attempts to discredit them. As examples, one
can name Chigorin’s systems of defence in the Ruy Lopez, his “King’s
INTRODUCTION XV
Indian” schemes, the classical Orthodox System in the Queen’s Gambit
Declined, etc. So that if, when
book appears, it seems to the reader
this
that some system or other has “grown old”, or has been “refuted”, he
should not be confused by this. It should be remembered that a good
modern opening system consists of a sound strategical base and its
tactical treatment —
specific manoeuvres, combinations, and individual
moves. The tactical treatment of the system may be refuted, certain

manoeuvres and moves may grow old, but the strategical idea is unshake-
able And one must simply seek improvements in the tactical possibilities,
!
new variations, combinations and moves. The battle is waged not only
at the chess board in the tournament hall, but also in the quietness of
study rooms. One analyst improves a variation, another refutes the
improvement, a third refutes the refutation, a fourth refutes the refutation
of the refutation, etc.
In Chigorin’s recently discovered letters to the Moscow player Pavlov,

the founder of the Russian chess school, who was the foremost analyst
of the last century, gave the following warning to chess theorists, on the
basis of his vast experience: “How I fear those terrible words —the
‘best’ defence, the ‘best’ move, the ‘strongest’ move. And I myself some-
times err in this way. The point is that it is the ‘best’, the ‘strongest’
move today, but tomorrow it is already ‘weaker’.
This call by Chigorin for a creative and critical approach to analytical
material, for a tireless search for new paths, should also be borne in
mind by the readers of Kurs Debyutov.
Modern-day chess theory is developing extraordinarily quickly, both
in the creation of new original systems, and also in the deeper and more
detailed analysis of older opening variations. Great has been the contri-
bution to this by Soviet grandmasters, masters and Soviet analysts in
general. A valuable contribution has also been made by players from
Socialist countries, and by leading players from Capitalist countries.
A constant “revaluation of values” is taking place, and some variations
and sensational innovations are discarded as quickly as they come into
fashion. But all this analytical work and practical testing leads to an
ever-deeper understanding of approved opening systems, which signifies
the unceasing development of theory.
XVI INTRODUCTION
In their analytical review, the authors have made use of theoretical
guides, handbooks, monographs, and analyses by Soviet and
articles
foreign theorists, after checking most carefully the assessments and con-
clusions given in them. The reader will also find in this book the authors’
own analyses.
Kurs Debyutov is on the one hand, to give the
arranged so as,
practical player the minimum essential theoretical knowledge, and

on the other hand, to indicate the direction for independent analytical
work. The name of an opening is first given, together with its charac-
teristic moves, as well as its basic strategic idea. An opening system is
often called after its inventor: The “Cliigorin Defence”, the “Alekhine
System”, the “Rauzer Attack”, etc.
A tactically original treatment of an opening idea is called a “vari-

ation” and is also frequently associated with the name of a player. It is
unfortunate that in theoretical literature the concepts of “system” and

“variation” are often confused, as a variation in its development often
becomes more complicated, and grows into a system.
Most of the systems analysed are taken as far as a critical position,
which is given in a diagram.
The authors have chosen a layout of the text which has enabled them
to combine maximum conciseness with, if necessary, detailed analysis,
and to separate the main information from that of lesser impor-
tance.
Weak continuations, not recommended by the authors, are only given
if they are traps which an experienced player should know.
The opening analyses are illustrated by interesting games chosen from
the point of view of their correspondence to the strategical ideas of attack
and defence in the system in question. The games do not duplicate the
analysis, but supplement it. From the games, the reader can also judge
as to how certain openings were handled in their early days, and can gain
an impression not only of the grandmasters and masters of our time, but
also of the style of play of such famous players from the past as Anders-
sen, Lasker, Chigorin, Capablanca, Alekhine and others. The games are
annotated very concisely, showing only the connection between opening
and middlegame, the main strategic ideas and tactical possibilities.
INTRODUCTION XVU
The authors wish readers of this book success, both in the creative and
competitive sense, and hope that an important part in their learning and
preparation for events will be played by this “condensed” handbook.
This book had already been sent to the typesetter when we learned
the sad news of the death of its author Vasily Panov.
International master V. N.Panov was a player of a clear, original style,
and great talent. His creative work was wide and diverse. His deep
research and analyses enriched the theory of openings, and his books,
which sold a total of one and a half million copies, and his various
journalistic articles, made him very popular.
We shall remember V. N. Panov as a highly interesting chess writer,
from whose books many Soviet chess players have learned, and will
continue to learn.
Y. Estrin
2
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SEMI-OPEN GAMES:
1 P-K4 WITHOUT THE REPLY 1...P-K4
Semi-Open Games, which enjoyed gical situation determined by

little popularity until the present White, in Semi-Open Games
century, are now flourishing Black’s opportunities for counter-
greatly. The reason for this is, in play are considerably greater.
the first place, the attractiveness of A second important reason for
the basic principle of Semi-Open the popularity of Semi-Open
Games - initially the play is dictat- Games is that the opening phase
ed not from White’s point of view, normally consists of positional
but from Black’s. Thus, whereas manoeuvring, and sharp combina-
in Open Games Black’s problem tional clashes begin later than in
normally reduces to choosing the the Open Games.*
best system of defence in a strate-
This comment hardly seems applicable to certain lines of, for instance, the
Sicilian Defence (K.P.N.)
2* 1
..
CENTRE COUNTER GAME: 1 P-K4 P-Q4
This is the oldest of the Semi- or else 4 ... N-N3 5 N-KB3

Open Games. The idea of it is to B-N5 6 P-B5! BxN (after 6 . .
develop the queen early and then N-Q4 7 Q-N3 BxN 8 QxP!
to create counter-play in the centre White obtains a material advan-
with the pieces. However, the loss tage, while on 6 N(N3)- . . .
of a tempo caused by the early Q2 Q-N3 N-QB3, 8 P-Q5! is

7
development of the black queen, good) 7 QxB N-Q4 8 Q-QN3
and the absence of any strong P-QN3 9 B-KN5 Q-Q2 10 N-B3
points for Black in the centre, P-K3 11 NxN QxN 12 QxQ
assure White of a lasting initiative PxQ 13 P-B6! (Suetin-Sham-
plus the superior position. For kovich, 1965).
this reason the Centre Counter The following variation, which
Game is rarely played nowadays. resembles the Griinfeld Defence,
is interesting:
2PxP QxP 2 N-KB3 3 P-Q4 NxP
...
4 P-QB4 N-N3 followed by . .
The classical continuation, which P-KN3, e.g. 5 N-KB3 P-N3

reflects the basic idea of the open- 6 B-K3 B-N2 7 N-B3 0-0 8
ing. Q-Q2 N-B3 9 P-KR3 R-Kl
After 2 ... N-KB3 3 P-Q4 10 0-0-0 P-K4 11 P-Q5 N-R4
NxP 4 P--QB4 White obtains an 12 P-QN3 P-K5 13 N-Kl, with
active position, e.g. 4 . N-KB3
. . a very complicated position (Luti-
5 N-KB3 B-N5 6 B-K2 (6 Q-N3 kov-Khodos, 1959). The retreat of
is also good) 6 ... P-K3 7 the black knight to KB3 is weak-
B-K3 B-K2 8 N-B3, or 4... er, and gives White a superior
N-N5 5 P-QR3 N(N5)-B3 6 P-Q5 position after 4 ... N-KB3 5
N-K4 7 N-KB3 N X N + 8QxN, N-KB3 P-KN3 6 N-B3 B-N2
2
7
CENTRE COUNTER GAME 3
P-KR3 0-0 8 B-K3 QN-Q2 P-QR4 1 1 P-Q3 P-Q4 12 N-N5, in

9 Q-Q2. both cases with advantage to White.
After 3 ... NxP, 4 N-KB3 is But unfavourable for White is
also possible, and if 4 ... B-N5, 3 P-QB4 P-B3 4 PxP (4 P-Q4

then 5 P-B4, or 4 ... B-B4 5 P X P leads to the Panov Attack in
B-Q3 BxB 6 QxB N-QB3 7 the Caro-Kann Defence) 4 ...
P-B4 N(Q4)-N5 8 Q-N3 P-K4 NxP 5 P-Q3 P-K4 6 B-K2
9 0-0! NxQP 10 NxN QxN B-QB4 7 N-KB3 N-KN5 8 0-0
11 N-B3 Q-N3 12 P-B5!, with Q-N3 9 Q-Kl N-N5, and for
advantage to White (Tal-Korchnoi the pawn Black has excellent
1962). counter-play.
After 2 . . . N-KB3 White can
also play to keep his extra pawn, 3 N-QB3 Q-QR4
e.g. B-N5 + B-Q2 4 B-B4 B-N5
3
(if 4 ... P-QN4 5 B-N3 B-N5,
then 6 N-KB3 NxP 7 N-B3
After 3 . .
.
Q-Ql 4 P-Q4 Black
often plays 4... P-KN3, when
NxN 8 N-K5! Q-Q5 9 QxB
White does best to continue 5
QxN+ 10 K-Bl Q-K7+ 11 B-QB4 B-N2 6 N-B3, and if
QxQ NxQ 12 KxN, with
6 ... N-KR3, then 7 BxN BxB
advantage to White. After 5 B-K2
8 P-KR4! and 9 P-R5.
NxP 6 P-Q4 P-K3 7 N-KB3
P-QB4 8 0-0 Q-N3 9 P-B4 NP x P
10 xP
White again has the ad- 4 P-Q4 N-KB3
vantage (Voronov-Mikenas, 1971),
5 P-KB3 B-B4 6 N-B3 (pos- The risky move 4 . . . P-K4 is
sible is 6 P-KN4 B-Bl 7 N-B3 favourable for White, e.g. 5

QN-Q2 8 P-N5 N-N3 9 B-N5 + N-B3! (weaker is 5 PxP B-QN5
KN-Q2 10 P-B4 with advantage 6 N-B3 N-QB3 7 B-Q2 B-N5
to White, Fischer-Bergrasser, 8 P-QR3 N-Q5 1 9 B-K2 QB x N
1966) 6 ... QN-Q2 7 Q-K2 10PxQB 0-0-0 11 0-0 BxN 12
N-N3 8 B-N3 Q-Q2 9 P-Q6! PxB N-K3!, with sharp compli-
QxP 10 N-N5 Q-Q2 11 Q-K5 cations) 5 ... B-QN5 6 B-Q2
0-0-0 12 NxRP+ K-Nl B-N5 7 B-K2 PxP 8 NxP Q-K4
13 N-N5 (Shagalovich-Roizman, 9 QN-N5! QBxB 10 QxB Bx
1961), or 9 ... BPxP 10 P-QR4 B-h 11 KxB QxQ+ 12 KxQ
.
4 COMPREHENSIVE CHESS OPENINGS

N-QR3 13 KR-Kl, with the better Game No. 38
ending for White. Bronstein-Lutikov
(Leningrad, 1960)
5 N-B3 B-N5
6
1 P-K4 P-Q4
On 5 ... B-B4 White replies 2PxP N-KB3
6 N-K5! (with the threat of N-B4) 3 B-N5 + B-Q2
6 ... P-QB3 7 P-KN4!, while 4 B-K2
5 . . . N-B3 is met by 6 B-QN5!
The classical continuation here
6 P-KR3 B-R4 is 4 B-B4, but Bronstein chooses a

new path.
... BxN 7 QxB P-B3 8
B-Q2 QN-Q2 9 0-0-0 is to White’s 4 . . NxP
advantage. 5P-Q4 P-KN3
6 P-QB4 N-N3
7 P-KN4 B-N3 7 N-QB3 B-N2
8 N-K5 P-B3 8P-B5
9 P-KR4!
The black bishop is at Q2 instead
of its usual square QBl, which
forces the knight to retreat to the
back rank.
8 . . . N-Bl
9 P-Q5 P-QB3
10 Q-N3 P-N3
11 B-B3 0-0
White has a clear advantage NPxP fails to 12 Q-N7

11 ...
both after 9 . .
.
QN-Q2 10 N-B4 N-N3 13 PxP B-QBl 13 P-B7!,
Q-B2 11 P-R5 B-K5 12 NxB and White wins.
NxN 13 Q-B3, and after 9 ...
N-K5 10 B-Q2. 12 B-K3 PxQP

N-B3
CENTRE COUNTER GAME 5
14 R-Ql Q-B2 leads to a decisive advantage for

15 N-N5 Q-N2 White.
16 N-Q4 R-Nl
17 KN-B3 P-K4 18... RxB
19NxN BxN
Black finds the pressure unbear-
able, and tries at all costs to free
Or 19 ... QxN 20 N-N5
himself from the unpleasant pin.
B-Kl 21 R-Q8 B-Bl 22 NxR
17 ... P-K3 was stronger, al-
X N 23 B-R6 !.
though even then Black has a

20 R-Q8 + B-Bl
difficult position.
21NxP PxP
Black has no satisfactory de-
fence. If 21 ... K-N2, then 22
NxR QxN 23 B-R6+.
22 B-R6 P-B5
23 QxQ QRxQ
24 NxR RxN
25RxN BxP
26 R-Nl B-N2
18BXP + ! 27RXB + RxR
28BxR KxB
This unexpected combination 29 R-N5 Resigns.
.
ALEKHINE’S DEFENCE: 1 P-K4 N-KB3
One of the “youngest” of open- 2 P-K4, or can play 2 ...

...
ings! It was first played by Ale- P-Q4 3 P-K5 (after 3 P x P N x P

khine in 1921, and proved to be a 4 B-B4 N-N3 5 B-N3 P-QB4 6
real theoretical sensation, on ac- Q-R5 P-K3 7 P-Q3 N-B3 8
count of the originality of the stra- KN-K2 Black has an equal game)
tegical idea involved. Apparently 3 ... KN-Q2 (3 ... N-K5 is
contrary to the basic principles of weaker in view of 4 QN-K2!, but
development, in the opening itself the standard simplifying manoeu-
Black happy to lose two or three
is vre 3 . . .P-Q5 is perfectly playable,
tempi, with the aim of weakening and if 4 P X N, then 4 ... P x N
the opponent’s pawn formation. 5 PxNP PxQP+, or 4 QN-K2
With the passage of time, it has N-Nl). After 3 ... KN-Q2
become clear that in most varia- White can either simplify by 4
tions White obtains the better posi- NxP NxP 5 N-K3 P-QB4 6
tion, and statistics have shown N-B3 NxN+ 7 QxN N-B3 8
that wins for Black are compara- B-N5 B-Q2, or by the pawn sacri-
tively rare. Nevertheless, even today fice 4 P-K6!? can create sharp
Alekhine’s Defence is considered complications, e.g. 4 ... PxP
to be a valid opening, and in recent 5 P-Q4 P-B4 (weaker is 5 ...
years has constantly occurred in P-K4 6 PxP! P-K3 7 B-Q3!) 6
practice. N-B3 N-QB3 7 PxP P-KN3
(7 ... NxP 8 B-QN5 B-Q2
9 B-K3 is favourable for White)
2 P-K5
8 P-KR4 N-B3 9 B-QN5 B-Q2
10 B-K3 (if 10 P-R5, then 10 . .
After 2 N-QB3 Black can either PxP, but not 10 ... NxP? 11
transpose into the Vienna Game by RxN! PxR 12 BxN BxB 13
6
ALEKHINE’S DEFENCE 7
N-K5) 10 . . . B-N2 with chances 4 P-B5 N~Q4 gives White no

for both sides. advantage, e.g. 5 N-QB3 P-K3!
6 NXN (if 6 P-Q4, then 6 ...
2 . . . N-Q4 P-Q3!) 6 ... PxN
P-Q4 P-Q3 7
8 BPxP PxP 9 N-B3 N-B3
Now White has a choice of 10 B-K2 PxP 11 PxP B-
continuations. QN5 + 12 B-Q2 Q-R4, or 5 B-
B4 P-K3 6 N-QB3 P-Q3! (regard-
ing 6 ... N X N, cf. Game 40 —
1.
Ravinsky-Fridstein) 7 N X N P X N
3 P-QB4 8 X P P-QB3 (but not 8 ... !
PxKP 9 Q-B3), and the sacrifice

3 N-QB3 is not dangerous for 9 BXKBP+ KxB 10 BPxP is
Black ; the simplest reply is 3 ... hardly justified in view of 10 ...
NxN4 QPxNP-Q3(4 . . . P-Q4 Q-Kl !, threatening ... QxP and
4
5 P-QB4 P-Q5 is also possible) 5 ... X P. The game Vasyukov-
N-B3 N-B3 6 B-QN5 B-Q2 7 Spassky (1959) continued 11
Q-K2NXP8 NxNPxN9QxP Q-B3+ K-Nl 12 Q-K3 B-K3

P-KB3! 10 Q-K2 P-K4 11 B-K3 13 N-K2 N-Q2 14 0-0 NxP!
B-Q3 12 0-0-0 0-0 with equal 15 QxN B-B5 16 QxR RxQ
chances (Kupreichik-Bagirov, 17 P-Q3!, with a quick draw.
1965). 3 . . . P-K3 is also good.
4 ... P-Q3
3 . . . N-N3
Moves 3 and 4 can be made in
reverse order. Now the following

variations are possible:
(1)
5 P-B4
The so-called “Four Pawns’

P-Q4 Attack”, which Alekhine himself
considered to be the most logical, Game No. 43, Polgar-Bagirov).
and the most dangerous for Black. The line 6 B-K3 P-K3 7 N-KB3
5 N-KBS, as Alekhine demon- N-R3 8 N-B3 P-QB4 9 B-K2
strated, is by no means better in B-K2 10 0-0 0-0 has also been
view of 5 . . B-N5! 6 B-K2 PxP
. played, and leads to a sharp posi-
7 P-B5 !
(the pawn sacrifice 7 tion. After 7 ... N-R3 White’s
NxP BxB 8 QxB QxP 9 0-0 simplest reply is 8 PxP, forcing
QN-Q2 10 NxN QxN! is un- the reply 8 . . . P x P, when Black’s
sound) 7 ... P-K5I 8 PxN (8 knights have no future.
N-N5 is unclear) 8 ... PxN 9 The interesting gambit move 5
BxP BxB 10 QxB, and here . . . P-N4 ! ? was made in the game
Black can play either 10 . . . N-B3 Tringov-Planinc (1970) which con-
11 0-0 N-B3 RPxP 13
P-K3 12 tinued 6 KPxP NPxP 7 PxBP
P-Q5 PxP 14 NxP R-R4 15R- QxBP 8 N-QB3! (threatening
Kl-fN-K2!(butnotl5 ... B-K2 N-N5 P-K4 9
or P-B5) 8 ...
16NxBNxN17B-N5! RxB 18 PxP N-B3 10 BxP B-K3 11

QR-Ql Q-Bl 19 Q-K3), or 10 N-K4 B-QN5 + 12 K-B2 NxBP
... RPxP 11 QxNP N-Q2 12 13 BxN BxB 14 N-KB3 R-Ql
B-B4 P-K4! 13 BxP NxB 14 15 Q-Bl Q-N3+ 16 B-K3, with
PxN B-r$5+ 15 N-B3 BxN+, great advantage to White. It is
in both cases with equal chances. unlikely that the original “inno-
vation” 5 ... P-N4 has much
5 ... PxP future.
Also possible is 5 ... B-B4, 6 BP X P N-B3

which normally leads merely to a
transposition of moves, but which Argunov’s wild continuation 6
sometimes involves an original ... P-QB4 7 P-Q5 P-K3 8
strategical idea: to avoid bringing N-QB3 PxP 9 PxP Q-R5-h 10
out the queen’s knight until the P-KN3 Q-Q5 is unfavourable for
development of the K-side is com- Black. As indicated by Radchenko,
plete, in order to play . . . P-QB4 White obtains an irresistible attack
in the most favourable circum- by 11 B-QN5 + B-Q2 ! 12 Q-K2

stances: after 6 N-QB3 PxP 7 NxP 13 P-K6!, e.g. 13 PxP . . .
BP X P P-K3 8 N-B3 B-QN5 (cf. 14 QxP + N-K2 15 N-B3 Q-B3

16 Q-K2 BxB 17 NxB N-R3

18 B-N5 Q-N3 19 0-0-0 (Bala-
shov-Grigoryan, 1967), or 13 ...
BxB NxB Q-QN5+

14 15
B-Q2 QxP 16 PxP+ KxP 17
Q-R5 +K-K3 1 8 N-KB3 Q X R + !
19 K-B2!, with a quick win.

Instead of 9 ... Q-R5 -f, Mike-
nas has recommended 9 . . . P-B5,
when White’s simplest reply is 10
9 ... B-K2
P-QR3!, preventing 10 . . . B-QN5
and securely defending the QP,
or even 10 P-Q6. The best continuation. The coun-
ter-attack 9 ... N-N5 10 R-Bl
7 B-K3 P-QB4 is premature, e.g. 11 B-
K2 pawn sacrifice 11 P-Q5,
(the
recommended by Mikenas, leads
Sorokin’s continuation 7 N- to an equal game after 1 1 ...PxP
KB3 B-N5 8 P-K6!? PxP 9
12 P X P N (N5) X QP 1 3 B-KN5 B-
P-B5 is favourable for Black.
K2 14 B-N5 + K-Bl if 1 1 B-N5, ! ;
After, for instance, 9 ... N-Q4! then 11 ...P-B312KPxPNPxP

10B-QN5 Q-Q2 11 QN-Q2 P- 13 B-R4 B-K2!, while on 11 P-
KN3 12 Q-R4 B-N2 13 N-K5 QR3 Black replies 11 ... PxP 12
BxN 14 PxB N-K6! 15 Q-K4 B-N5 PxN! 13 BxQ RxB 14
0-0! 16 QxN N-N5! Black wins. Q-N3 PxP 15 QxP N-R5!, in
both cases with the advantage)
1 ... B-B4 11 ... B-K2 (weaker is 11 ...
8 N-QB3 PxP 12 NxP N-B3 13 NxB

QxQ+ 14 RxQ PxN 15 0-01,
or 12 ... B-N3 13 P-QR3 N-B3
8 B-Q3? is a blunder in view
of8 ... BxB9QxBNxKP. 14 NxN PxN 15 QxQT, when
White’s strong bishops plus his
Q-side pawn majority give him the
8 ... P-K3 advantage). Now after 12 P-QR3
9 N-B3 • • PxP 13 NxP N-B3 14 NxB
PxN 15 0-0 followed by N-Q5, P-KR3!, again with the better
or 12 0-0 PxP 13 NxP B-N3 chances for White.

14 N(Q4)-N5, White’s position is
preferable. 10 B-K2
The line 9 . .
. Q-Q2 10 B-K2
0-0-0 11 0-0 is advantageous for A sharp game, in the end favour-
White, since Black does not suc- able for White, results from 10
ceed in setting up pressure on the P-Q5, which was first played in
QP, whereas White can mount a the game Kopilov-Tolush (1948).
piece attack on the enemy king Black should reply 10 ...
position: 11 . . . P-B3 (if 11 ... N-N5 (but not 10 ... PxP? 11
B-KN5, then 12 P-B5! N-Q4 13 PxP N-N5 12 N-Q4 B-N3 13

NxN QxN 14 N-N5!; or 11 ... B-QN5+ K-Bl 14 0-0) 11 N-Q4
B-K2 12 P-Q5 PxP 13 BxN B-N3 12 P-QR3 P-QB4 13 N x P!
RPxB 14 PxP N-N5 15 N-Q4 (after 13 PxN PxN 14 QxP
P-N3 NxB PxN 17 16 RxP! BxP15PxP Black stands better)
B-B4+ 18 K-Rl NxQP 19 13 ... PxN14PxNBPxP, and
P-K6! PxP 20 RxN! — here here, according to analysis by
15 . . . B-B4 fails to 16 RxB) 12 Bagirov, White should play 15
P-Q5! (suggested by Argunov) N-R4! 0-0 16 NxN PxN 17
12 ... NxKP 13 NxN PxN 14 RxR QxR P-Q6 B-Ql
18 19
R-Bl or 14 P-QR4 with serious B-K2 B-K5 20 R-Bl BxP 21
threats. RxR+ KxR 22 K-B2 with
The continuation 9 . . . B-KN5 the advantage, despite Black’s
is not dangerous for White, though extra (tripled!) pawn. In the event
if he wishes he can avoid it by of 15 ... N-Q2 16 Q-Q4!, White
playing B-K2 and then
first 9 10 again has the advantage (Kuprei-
N-B3. After 10 Q-Q2 N-R4 11 chik-Gipslis, 1972).
P-QN3 B-N5 12 B-K2 and 13 In the above variation the tempt-
0-0, it turns out that the black ing continuation 15 N-N5 0-0 16
knights are misplaced, and that the P-Q6 is dangerous for White, as
pin along the . .
.
QN5-K8 diago- was demonstrated in the brilliant
nal contains no real threats. If in game Kokkoris-Marovic (1970),
reply to 10 Q-Q2 Black plays 10 which continued 16 ... B-N4 17
. . . B-K2, then 11 0-0-0 0-0 12 B-Q4 B-K6!! 18 BxB (if 18
.
P-KN3 then 18 ... B-K5) 18 11 Q-Q2 P-B3 12 PxP BxP

... K-Q2 RxB! 20
Q-R5-b 19 13 P-KR3 B-N3 14 0-0-0 is risky
RxR NxP+ 21 K-K2 B-R4 + for White, since his K-side pawn
22 R-B3 BxR+ 23 KxB R- offensive is slower than Black’s Q-
KBl-f- 24 K-K2 Q-N5+ 25 side counter-attack: 14 . .
.
Q-K2
K-Kl QxP, and White resigned. 15 P-KN4 Q-N5 16 P-N3 P-K4!,
Another attacking possibility for or 16 N-QN5 QxQ+ 17 RxQ
White after 10 P-Q5 N-N5 is A. QR-Bl 18 P-N3 P-QR3 19 N-B3
Zaitsev’s suggestion of 11 R-Bl, in P-K4!, with advantage to Black
order to meet any reply by Black (Kamishov-Ragozin, 1944).
with 12 P-QR3, driving the knight
to . .
.
QR3, and practically putting 11 . . . P-B3
it out of the game. Black should
choose the quiet continuation 11
This standard idea of undermin-
... 0-0 12 P-QR3 N-R3 13 B-Q3
ing White’s pawn centre was first
BxB 14 QxB N-B4, since the
adopted in the game Geller-Korch-
attempt to complicate matters by
noi (1960). Instead of 6. . N-B3,
11 P-KB3
... misfires after 12
Korchnoi had played 6 . . . B-B4,
P-QR3 N-R3 13 P-KN4!, e.g.
and after 7 N-QB3 P-K3 N-B3 8
13 ... BxNP (if the bishop re-
0-0 P-KB3 a
B-K2 9 B-K2 0-0 10
treats, the KP is lost without com-
position similar to the one in ques-
pensation) 14 R-KNl P-KB4
tion was reached, except that Black
15 P-R3 BxN 16 QxB 0-0
had the possibility of developing
17 R-B2 Q-Q2 18 R-Q2 QR-Kl
his knight at Q2. Thus the game
19 P-Q6 with an overwhelming
Shiyanovsky-Smyslov (1961) con-
advantage for White (Velimirovic-
B-R5 +
tinued B-K3 PxP 11 12 NxP
Gipslis, 1971), or 15 ...
QN-Q2 13 N-B3 P-B3 14 Q-Q2
16 K-Q2 B-R4 17 RxP PxP
Q-Kl 15 QR-Kl R-Ql 16 Q-Bl
18 PxP NxP? 19 Q-R4+ and
N-B3, with equal chances.
White won (Tringov-Rodriguez,
1971).
12PxP
10 . . . 0-0
110-0 Regarding 12 N-KR4, cf. Game
No. 41.
12... BxP Or 13 . .
.
Q-Kl 14 B-N5 R-Ql
13 Q-Q2 15 BxB RxB 16 QR-Ql B-N5
17 N-K4 R-B4 18 Q-K3, with the
better game for White.
Black also fails to equalize with
Mikenas’ move 13 R-B2, with . . .
the idea of doubling heavy pieces on

the Q-file. After 14 QR-Ql R-Q2
15 P-B5! N-Q4 16 NxN PxN
17 N-K5! BxN 18 RxB B-B3
19 B-N4 White again has the ad-
vantage (Lutikov-Bagirov, 1960).
The critical position, where in
all variations White’s chances are (2)
preferable. For example, 13 ... 5 PxP

Q-K2 14 QR-Ql QR-Ql 15 Q-Bl
K-Rl (in a game against Gipslis This exchange leads to a quiet
(1970) Mikenas tried here 15 ... manoeuvring game with a slight
P-K4. Instead of exchanging on K5 positional advantage for White.

with a rapid simplification. White
should have played 16 P-Q5 N-Q5 5 . . . KP X P
17 NxN PxN 18 BxP B-N4
After 5 ... BPXP6B-K3P-N3
19 Q-Rl)K-Rl R-Q2 17F-Q5!
16
7 N-QB3 B-N2 8 N-B3 B-N5
(17 R-Q2 KR-Ql 18 KR~Q1 B-N5
9 B-K2 N-B3 10 P-QN3 0-0
leads to a game of manoeuvre,
11 0-0 P-K4 (if 11 ... P-Q4,
with approximately equal chances)
then 12 P-B5 N-Bl 13 P-N4!
17... N-K4 (or 17 ... N-N5
P-QR3 14 R-Nl) 12 P-Q5 N-K2
18 P-QR3 N-R3 19 P-QN4 with
advantage to White. 17 ... PxP
(if 12 ... P-K5, then 13 NxP
is bad in view of 18 NxP NxN BxR 14 PxN!) 13 R-Bl White
stands better.
19 PxN and 20 B-B5) 18 NxN
BxN19P-KN4!B-N320RxR + 6 B-K3
QxR21 PxP, with an extra pawn
for White (Estrin-Zilberberg, cor- 6 B-Q3 or 6 N-QB3 normally
respondence, 1970/1). comes to the same thing, although
.
..
ALEKHINE’S DEFENCE
N-QB3 P-KN3 7 N-B3 B-N2

after 6 0-0, then 11 P-KR3!) 11 P-B5 N-
White can play 8 B-N5! P-KB3 Bl(butnot 11 ... N-Q212NXP
9 B-K3 P-B3 10 P-QR4, with the NxBP? 13 PxN BxR 14 QxB,
advantage. or 12 ... 0-0 13 R-QBl) 12 0-0
On 6 B-K2 Black does best to 0-0 13 P-KR3 B-K3 followed by
reply 6 . . N-B3 7 N-KB3 7
. . . . . . N(B1)-K2-B4.
B-B4 or 7 . . . B-N5.
8 . . . N-B3
6 . . . P-N3 9 B-K2 0-0
10 0-0
The initial move of the Mikenas
System, the idea of which is to pre-
In the game Tolush-Mikenas
pare the advance . . . P-Q4 after
(1944) White played the weaker
N-B3, 0-0 and
. . . . . . . .
10 Q-N3 R-Kl 11 0-0 P-QR41
KR-Kl, so as after the reply
12 KR-Kl P-R5 13 Q-R3 P-Q4
P-B5 to develop a piece attack on 14 P-B5 N-Q2, and Black had the
White’s QP. The continuation
initiative.
6 . . . B-K2, with the same idea, is
also playable (cf. Game No. 39, 10 . . . B-N5
Polyak-Panov). 11 R-Bl
7 N-KB3
Another plan, preventing the

development of the black bishop at
. KB4, is possible here 7 B-Q3
. . :
B-N2 8 N-QB3 0-0 9 KN-K2 N-B3

10 0-0 .
7 . . . B-N2
8 QN-Q2
White’s position is preferable.
The plausible 8 N-B3 allows He threatens to drive away the

Black to carry out easily his stra- black bishop by P-KR3, and then
tegic plan : 8 . . . N-B3 9 B-K2 play P-Q5 and B-Q4, exchang-
B-N5 10 P-QN3 P-Q4! (if 10 . . ing the black-squared bishops, when
1. .

the drawbacks to the move . . After 4 . . . P-KN3 White gains
P-KN3 are clearly revealed. But the advantage by 5 N-N5 (with the
Black can forestall this plan by 1 threat of 6 Q-B3) 5 ... PxP
3
. . . N-K2
P-KR3 B-Q2, when 12 6 PxP N-QB3 B-QB4 P-K3 7
White should continue 14 N-N3 8 N-KB3 B-N2 9 Q-K2 (but not
N-B4 15 B-B4. 11 ... P-Q4 12 9 0-0 N-N3). Also good is 5 B-QB4
P-B5 N-Bl is also possible, with P-QB3 6 0-0 B-N2 7 PxP QxP
chances for both sides. 8 R-Kl 0-0 9 B-KN5 (Smyslov-
Hort, 1966).
II.
On 4 . . . B-B4 White’s simplest
P-Q4 reply is 5 B-Q3!, exchanging the
bishops with gain of tempo, since
This is considered to be the 5 ... B-N3 is bad in view of
strongest system for White. He 6 BxB RPxB 7 P-B4 N-N3
does not hurry to play P-QB4, but 8 P-K6!.
first completes the development of After 4 ... PxPSNxP, very
his K-side, and obtains a lasting risky is 5 . . . N-Q2, as in the game
initiative. Tal-Larsen (1965), where White
avoided the highly promising sac-
3 . . . P-Q3 rifice 6 NxP, which would have
4 N-KB3 given him a dangerous attack.
After 6 ... XN 7 Q-R5 + K-K3
4 B-QB4 N-N3
B-N3 is often 5
a wild position is reached, which
played, and if 5 ... P x P, then
has been studied by many analysts.
6 Q-B3, while 5 N-B3 is strong- . . .
Here are the main variations:
ly met by 6 P-K6 After 5 ... !
8 P-QB4 N(Q4)-B3 9 P-Q5 +
P-Q4, 6 Q-B3 is possible, prevent-
K-Q3 10 P-B5 + NxP (or 10 . .
ing the development of Black’s

KxP 11 B-K3+ K-Q3 12
queen’s bishop.
B-KB4+ K-B4 13 Q-K2!) 11
4 . . . B-N5 B-KB4+ K-Q2 12 B-QN5 +
P-B3 13 PxP+ PxP 14 QxN
4 ... N-QB3 is a mistake in PxB 15 QxNP+ K-K3 16
view of 5 P-B4 N-N3 6 P-K6! Q-B6+ K-B2 17 QxR, with a
PXP 7 N-N5 or 7 B-Q3 with an decisive material advantage.
attack. 8 P-KN3 is weaker, when Larsen
. .
sen gives 8 . . . P-QN4 9 P-QR4 nas’ manoeuvre 9N(Q4)-K2!, . . .
5
P-B3 PxP P-N3 11
10 Q-K2 + e.g. 10 B-K3 N-B4 11 0-0 Q-R5!,
K-B2 12 PxP N(Q2)-B3. White but not 11 ... NxB 12 PxN!
has three pawns for the knight, and B-B4 Q-B4 0-0 14 N-B3 Q-Q7
13
a hard struggle is in store. 15 QR-Kl Q X BP 16 N-K4, which
gives White a dangerous initiative.
B-K2 pawn sacrifice 5 P-B4

Alekhine’s
N-N3 6 B-K2 PxP 7 NxP BxB
Panov’s continuation 5 P-KR3 8 QxB, or 7 P-B5 P-K5!, leads
gives White no advantage. After to sharp play.
5 ... X N (if 5 ... B-R4, then
6 P-K6!) 6 QxB PxP 7 PxP 5 . . . N-QB3
P-K3 (7 . N-QB3 is weaker in
. .
view of 8 B-QN5 !), it is unfavour- After 5 ... PxP 6 NxP BxB

able for White to play 8 P-R3, as 7 QxB N-N3! P-QB3 is a {1 ...
Black seizes the initiative by 8 ... mistake in view of 8 Q-B3 N-KB3
N-Q2 9 Q-KN3 (or 9 P-B4 N-K2 9 Q-QN3, but now 8 Q-B3 can be
10 QxNPP-QB3!) 9 ... P-KR4 met by 8 . Q-Q4) 8 0-0! QN-Q2
.
.
10 P-KR4 N-K2!. The variation (8 ... QxP 9 R-Ql is risky)

8 B-Q2 N-Q2 9 Q-KN3 N-B4 9 R-Ql White gains the advantage.
10 N-B3 NxN 11 BxN N-K5 On 5 ... N-Q2 there follows
leads to colourless exchanges. But 6 P-KR3, and if 6 ... B-R4, then
even the best move, 8 B-QB4, is 7 N-N5 BxB 8 P-K6!.
not dangerous for Black. True, it is 5 P-KN3 is weak in view of
. . .
not good for him to reply 8 . . 6 N-N5 BxB 7 QxB with the
N-Q2 9 Q-K2 P-QB3 10 0-0 Q-B2 threats of 8Q-B3 and 8 N x BP.
11 R-Kl, followed by N-Q2-B3, Flohr’s move 5 ... P-QB3 is
or 8 ... QN-B3
N-N5 9 0-0! best met by 6 P-B4 N-N3 7
(9 ... NxBP 10 QxNP N-Q2 QN-Q2!, and if 7 ... PxP, then
11 B-QN5!) 10 R-Ql N-Q5 8 NxP! BxB 9 QxB QxP
11 Q-K4 N(N5)xBP 12 B-K3 10 N(Q2)-B3 and 11 0-0, with a
P-QB4 (if 12 ... B-B4, then strong attack for White in return
13 P-QN4 B-N3 14 N-B3) 13 for the pawn. The reply 6 N-N5
B-QN5 +. But after 8 N-B3 . . . leads to a complicated game where
9 Q-K4 Black equalizes by Mike- White keeps the advantage 6 : . .
3
BxB (or 6 ... B-B4 7 P-K6!) 10 PxP N-K2 (but not 10 ...
7 QxB PxP 8 PxP P-K3 9 0-0 BxN 11 PxB!).

N-Q2 10 R-Kl !, or 9 ... B-K2
10 N-K4. 9 . . . B-K2
On 5 ... P-K3, good is 6 0-0
B-K2 7 P-B4 N-N3 8 P x P !, lead- 9 ... BxN 10 BxB NxBP
ing to the main line. 11 P-Q5! gives White a strong
attack.
6 0-0
10 P-QN3 B-B3
Also possible is 6 P-B4 N-N3 11 B-K3 0-0
7 PxP KPxP Game No. 42, (cf.
Smyslov-Spassky). 6 P-KR3 x N The manoeuvre 11 ... P-Q4

7 BxB
9 PxP 8 PxP P-K3 9 0-0 1212P-B5 N-Q2, suggested by
N(Q4)-N5 ! leads to an equal game. Mikenas, is nicely refuted by 13
P-N4! NxNP 14 R-Nl N-QB3
6 . . . P-K3 15 RxP BxN (15 ... NxBP
16 P X N KB X N fails to 17 Q-R4 !)
6 . . . P-KN3 is a mistake in view 16 BxB NxBP? (Black should

of 7 P-K6! PxP 8 N-N5! BxB play 16 . . . 0-0 17 Q-R4 Q-Bl)
9 QxB NxP 10 Q-Q3!, with a 17 NxP!.
dangerous attack.
P-QR3
7 P-B4 N-N3
After 7 . . . N(Q4)-K2 8 PxP

QxP9N-B3!BxN lOBxBQxP
11 QxQ NxQ 12 BxP R-QNl
13 B-K4 White has the advantage.
8PxP PxP
N-B3
9 P-Q5 is often played, when White stands better. If 12 ...

Black should reply 9 ... PxP P-Q4, then 13 P-B5 N-Q2 14
P-N4, while against passive de- squared bishop by ... N-N5 X B.

fence White plays R-Bl, and then However, in doing this Black would
begins a pawn advance on the Q- and so both the
lose several tempi,
side. manoeuvre indicated, and the pro-
phylactic move 8 P-QR3, can
Game No. 39
hardly be recommended. Better is
Polyak-Panov
8 N-QB3.
(Moscow, 1946)
1 P-K4 N-KB3 8 . . . B-B3

2P-K5 N-Q4 10
9 N-K2 B-N5
3 P-QB4 N-N3
4P-Q4 P-Q3 The idea of this move, apart
5PxP KPxP from the threat of 10 ... BxP, is
6B-K3 • • • to transfer the bishop to the K-side
after weakening White’s square.
A game Konstantinopolsky-
N-QB3
Panov (1946) continued 6 P-B3 B-R4
B-K2 7 B-K3 N-B3 8 B-K2 0-0 11 0-0 B-N3
9 N-B3 B-N5 10 P-QN3 R-Kl 12 QN-B3 0-0
11 B-B3
0-0 12 R-Bl P-Q4 13 P-QN3
13 P-B5 N-Bl 14 P-KR3!, and
here, instead of 14 ... B-R4?, The game Slepukhov-Panov
which is bad in view of the threat (1946) continued 1 3 x RP x (if
of P-KN4, Black should have 13 ...NxBP?, then 14 BxRP+)

played 14 ... B-K3 and then 14 P-QN3 R-Kl 15 B-B2 P-Q4
. N-K2-B4 with a sharp game,
. . 16 P-B5 N-Bl 17 P-QN4 N(B1)-
although White’s position is pref- K2 18 P-N4 P-KN4 19 Q-Q2
erable. N-N3 20 QR-Kl P-N3, with
the initiative for Black.
6 . . . B-K2
7 B-Q3 N-B3 13 . . . R-Kl
8 P-QR3 14B-KB2 P-Q4!
The aim of this move is to pre- Fixing White’s QP for attack by

vent the exchange of the white- the black pieces.
3*
R .

15 P-B5 N-Bl Black also has a positional ad-
16 N-B4 N(B1)-K2 vantage after 21 Rx R +.
In this position, the possibility of 21... BxP

obtaining the pair of bishops by 22 BxB N(B3)xB
NX does not give White even a 23N(B4)xP ...
minimal advantage, as the black

17
knights are very actively placed, Both now and later, P-N4 is not
and besides, this exchange would dangerous for Black in view of . .
only strengthen the position of N-R5.

Black’s king.
23 . . . QR-Ql
R-Kl
24QR-Q2?
24 R-KB2 was better, when

Threatening 18 NxP. Black replies 24 . . P~QB3 25 N-
.
N6 Q-K2, or 25 N-B4Q-B2,
17 . . .
Q-Q2 with a strong attack.
18 P-QN4 P-QR3
19 R-R2 24 . . . R-K4
25N-B4 N-K6!
White should have simplified
the position by 19 BxB RPxB
20 Q-Q2, and if 20 N-B4, then
. . .
21 N(B4) X QP.
19 ... BxB
20QxB N-B4!
Black has completed his devel-

opment, and now exchanges off The point of this move is that
both the QPs, which gives him
26 Qx N(Q4) fails to 26 . . . Nx
control of the central files.
27 Q X Q R-K8 mate.
21 R-Ql 26 R-Kl Q-K2

.
Threatening 27 ... N x BP +. when Black has two pawns for the

exchange and a solid position)
27 K-Rl N-B5 10 ... R-KNl (10 ... NxP?
28RxR QxR fails to 11 Q~R5) 11 N-R3 B-K2
29 R-Ql 12 P-B4 NxP 13 PxN BxB
14 Q-R5 P-KR3! 15 0-0 R-N2
There is no defence : if 29 R-KB2, 16 B-Q3 (with the threat of
then 29 . . . N-K3 30 QxN Qx 177 RxP) 16 ... Q-K2 18 R-B3.
N(B6)!. The attempt to “economize” on
a tempo, by doing without the
629 N-N7
. . .
apparently modest move 14 ...
Resigns. P-KR3, led to a crushing defeat
for Black in the game Erler-Espig
(1971): 14 . . . R-N2 15 0-0P-N3?
Game No. 40 16 RxP! B-K6+ 17 R-B2 +
Ravinsky-Fridstein
K-K2 18 Q-B3 BxR+ 19 NxB
(Moscow, 1947) B-R3 20 Q-B6 + K-K1 21 QxR
X 22 N-K4 Q-K2 23 N-B6
1P-K4 N-KB3
and Black resigned.
2P-K5 N-Q4
... Q-R5 8 Q-K2 BxP
3P-QB4 N-N3
9 N-B3 is not good, since White
10
4P-B5 N-Q4
has a clear lead in development.
5B-B4 P-K3
6 N-QB3 NxN Q-N4 K-Bl
8
. . . P-Q3 ! is better (cf. analy-

sis), declining the pawn sacrifice.
Now Black comes under a dan-
gerous attack, but 8 . . . B-Bl 9
7QPxN BxP B-KN5 is also bad. In the event of
8 ... Q-K2 9 QxNP Q-Bl 10
A sharp, complicated game re- Q X Q + and 1 1 N-B3 White again
sults from 7 . . N-B3 8 B-B4 BxP keeps the advantage.
9 Q-N4 Q-R5 is also playable)
(9
9 ... P-N4 lOBxNP (lOQxNP 9 B-B4 P-Q4
QxQ 11 BxQ NxP! 12 B-B6 0-0-0 B-Q2
NxB 13 BxR NxP is weaker, 11 B-Q3 B-K2
Not, of course, 11 ... BxP?, B-KB3 23 R-N3-f K-R2 24
when 12 N-R3 B-B4 13 KR-Bl RxQP, and Black is helpless.
is crushing.
21QxKP PxB
12 P-KR4 P-QB4 22 PXP Resigns.
13 P-R5 B-QR5
14 R-Q2 P-B5
15B-N1! Game No. 41
Merchant ship ^^Dyesna'" vs.
Simple and convincing. Now Atomic ice-breaker ^Menin'^

White’s attack develops without (Radio Tournament, 1960)
5
hindrance, whereas 15 BxBP
Q-B2 gives Black counter-play. This game shows the high stand-
ard of play of which the average
15 . . . N-Q2 amateur is capable. In this radio
6
16 R-R3 P-B4 tournament, chess players from
ITPxPe.p. NxP the various crews formed teams,
18 Q-K2 K-B2 and demonstrated genuine mastery
19 N-B3 N-Q2 in their play.
20
1 P-K4 N-KB3
2 P-K5 N-Q4
3 P-QB4 N-N3
4 P-Q4 P-Q3
5P-B4 PxP
. . . B-B4 is often played here,

which can be explained by compet-
itive rather than theoretical con-
Now comes a spectacular finish. siderations — Black does not wish
to disclose his projected strategical
B-N6 + K-Bl plan to his opponent straight
away.
20 . . . PX loses quickly to
21 PxPH- KxP 22 QxKP + BP X P N-B3
.
7 B-K3 B-B4
8 N-QB3 P-K3
9 B-K2 B-K2
10
Other possibilities are consid-
ered in the analysis.
B-N3 0-0
11 0-0 P-B3
12 N-KR4 17 K-Rl
The same position was reached,

12PxPBxP13 Q-Q2 is strong- after a transposition of moves,
er. White intends to sacrifice a in the game Spielmann -Colie
pawn, hope of obtaining an
in the (1928). White played 17 N-R4,
overwhelming positional advan- hoping to advance P-B5, but the
tage, but Black has a convincing Belgian champion boldly sacrificed
tactical counter at his disposal. a pawn by 17 ... P-QN4!, and
obtained a formidable attack. The
12... PXP game continued 18 PxP B-Q3
13NxB PxN 19 QR-Kl Q-K2! 20 B-Q3 (20
14P-Q5 N-Q5! B-B4 would have been stronger,
forcing 20 Q-N4) 20 N-K4
. .
.
. . .
21 K-Rl (if 21 BxP, then 21 . .
Weaker is 14 N-R4 15 P-
RxB RxR N-B6-b 23 RxN
. . .
22
QN3!, or 14 ... N-Nl 15 P-B5,
with a powerful pawn offensive in
QxR+ 24 R-Bl BxP+, while
on 21 P-QN4 there would follow
the centre.
21 . .
.
Q-B3! 22 K-Rl Q-R3 23
RxN QR-Kl!) 21 ... P-B5 22
ISBxN PxB R-K2 QR-Kl 23 N-B3 (or 23
16QxB N-Q2! KR-Kl Q-R5 24 RxNQxR + !)
23 ... Q-R5 24 N-K4 N-N5
The plausible 16 . . . B-B3 gives 25 P-KR3 P-B6 26 RxP RxR
White the advantage after 17 Q-Q3 27 N-B6+ K-B2! and White
followed by K-Rl and QR-Ql. resigned.
Since the present game shows 23 . . . R-KR3
that Black has a dangerous attack 24 N-K6
even after the best reply 17 K-Rl,
it means that both games are of If 24 N-N5, then 24 . . . B-B3
theoretical significance. 25 QR-Kl Q-N6 and 26 ...
B-K4.
17 . . . B-B4
18 Q-Q3 Q-N4 24 ... Q-N6
19 N-N5 25 P-KR3 B-Q3
26 K-Nl RxP
Resigns.
The point of this move is not so
much to attack a pawn, but rather
The threat of 27 . . . R-R8 + ! is
to transfer the knight to K6 via
crushing.
Q4, or to exchange it for Black’s
dangerous bishop. But Black can
easily counter this plan, and 19 Game No. 42
QR-Ql was better. Smyslov-Spassky
(Moscow, 1960)
19... QR-Kl!
1P-K4 N-KB3
2P-K5 N-Q4
Again offering a pawn, with the
3P-Q4 P-Q3
aim of creating irresistible threats
4N-KB3 B-N5
after 20 NxBP R-K6 21 Q-Q2
5B-K2 N-QB3
B-Q3 22 N-K6 Q-R5.
6P-B4 N-N3
R-K6
7PxP KPxP
20 B-B3
8 0-0 B-K2
21 Q-Q2 R-B3
9N-B3 0-0
22 P-QN4 B-K2
23 NxBP?
Also possible was 9 ... xN
lOBxBNxBPllBxN+PxB
Up to here White has defended 12 Q-R4 N-N3 13 QxBP+ Q-
well, butnow he seems to overesti- Q2, with roughly equal chances.
mate his chances. He should have
played 23 QR-Kl. 10 P-QN3 B-B3
.
10 ... P-Q4 is premature. In 15 QR-Ql P-QR4

the game Matulovic-Minic (1967) 16 KR-Kl N(B1)-R2
White gained the advantage after
11P-B5 N-Bl 12P-KR3B-K3 13 Alas, this knight does not have
B-QN5 B-B3 14 BxN PxB 15 a more convenient square.
B-B4.
17 B-KB4 Q-Q2
11 B-K3 R-Kl 18 P-KN4
A game Estrin-Gik (1 968) contin- Further restricting the mobility

ued instead 11... P-Q4 12 P-B5 of the Black pieces.
N-Bl 13 P-KR3 B-K3 14 P-QN4
P-QR3 15 R-Nl N(B1)-K2 16 18 . . B-N3
P-N4 P-R3 17 N-Kl P-KN4 18 19 B-N3 P-R3
N-N2 N-N3, with a double-edged 20 Q-B4 R-K2
position. The advance of the QNP 21 B-Bl QR-Kl
hardly worthwhile, as
is it gives
22RxR RxR
Black time to regroup his pieces, 23 P-KR4! • • •
and White should have developed

pressure on the K-side as in the
game under consideration.
12 P-KR3 B-R4
13 Q-Q2 P-Q4
White’s pieces are more actively

placed than in the game Polyak-
Panov examined above, where the
move . . . P-Q4 enabled Black to
begin a siege of the opponent’s Black’s situation has gradually
central pawn. In the present game become critical. Against the threat
the move only makes Black’s of 24 P-N5 there is no satisfactory
defence more difficult. defence.
14 P-B5 N-Bl 23 R-K5

.

This exchange sacrifice does not In the opinion of Mikenas, if
make Black’s position any easier, there is a refutation of Alekhine’s
but White also wins after 23 . . Defence, it is to be found only in
B-K5 24 P-N5 BxN 25 PxB the Four Pawns’ Attack.
BxR 26 PxR B-R4 27 NxP!.
5 . . . B-B4
24NxR PxN 6 N-QB3 PXP
25 P-R5 B-R2 7 BP X P P-K3
26 P-N5 PxP 8 N-B3 B-QN5
27 NxP BxN
28 QxB P-B3 new move was suggested by
This
29 B-QB4 + Resigns. Keene in reply to 8 B-K3, and has
been tested in a number of games
by Soviet players. The idea of the
Game No. 43 move is to prepare P-QB4 . . .
under favourable conditions, with-

Polgar-Bagirov
out allowing the break-through
(Hungary, 1971)
P-Q5, which is typical of this vari-
ation. The game Lazarevic-Kush-
1 P-K4 N-KB3 nir (1971) had the interesting con-
B-K3 B-QN5 9 Q-N3
tinuation 8
Of the experts on Alekhine’s P-QR4!? 10 P-QR3 P-R5, and

Defence, a particularly important here White, fearing a prepared
contribution to its theory and variation, avoided the continua-
practice has been made by the tion worked out by Georgian play-
Soviet masters Bagirov, Kopilov ers : 1 1 Q x N-B3 12 Q-B5 R-R4
and Mikenas, and by the Danish 13 N-N5 N-Q2 14 NxP-b QxN
grandmaster Larsen. 15 Q-Q6 Q-N3, with the threats
of . .
. Q X NP
N(Q2) x P. and . . .
She retreated her queen to Ql, and

2 P-K5 N-Q4 Black played 11 ... B-K2, when
3 P-Q4 P-Q3 a position was reached where
4 P-QB4 N-N3 Black’s chances were at any rate
5 P-B4 no worse.
.
but should have simply played 10

0-0. For example, 10 ... PxP 11
NxP B-B4 12 B-K3 BxN 13
BxB N-B3 14 N-N5 NxB 15
NxN B-N3 16 P-B5 N-Q2 17
B-N5, with advantage to White.
10 . .
. Q-Q2
11Q-Q2?
9B-K2
Here too he should have castled.
The following continuations are Now Black quickly gains the ad-
also possible: vantage.
P-QR3 BxN+ 10 PxB
9
P-B4 11 B-K3 0-0 12 P-QR4? 11... N-B3
N-B3 13 B-K2 N-R4, with coun- 12P-QR3 BxN
ter-play for Black (Dobson-Kush- 13 PxB N-R4!
nir, 1969). 14 R-Ql
9 Q-N3 P-B4 10 B-N5 Q-B2
11 0-0-0 (threatening 12 PxP On 14 P X P there follows 14 . .
BxP 13 R-Q8+, or 12 N-N5) N-N6 15 QxQ+ NxQ.

11 ... BxN 12 QxB N-R3 (if
12 ... PxP 13 NxP QxKP?, 14 . . . P-KR3
then 13 NxB), and here White
could have obtained the better
chances by 13 P-QR3 (Estrin-
14 ... N(N3)xP 15 Q-R2
Schmidt, 1971).
Q-Q4 was simpler.
The move in the game is also

perfectly playable.
15 PxP QxQ +
9 . . . P-B4 If 15 ... PxB?, then 16QxP!.
10 B-N5
16BxQ N(N3)xP
White should not yet have deter- 17 N-Q4 R-QBl
mined the position for his bishop, 18 P-B6
With the obvious trap 18 ... 27 R-Kl R-N7-i-

NxBP?
19 19 NxB. 28K-N1 P-QB4
18... PxP The simplification resulting from

0-0
28 . . . X P 29 N X BP is favour-
able for White.
After 19 NxB PxN 20 0-0
P-N3 Black again keeps his extra
29 N-N5 P-N3
pawn with an active position.
White’s bishops are short of oper-
30 B-B3 NxP
ational space.
31 NxP NxRP
19 . . . B-R2 Black’s dangerous passed pawn

20 B-R5 0-0 giveshim an easy win. White could
21 B-B4 N-N7 now have resigned, and would
probably have done so, had he not
21 ... NxP 22 N-K2 R-B2 been in time trouble!
was also good.
32R-QR4 N-B5
22 QR-Kl N-Q6 33N-B6 N-Q7
23R-K2 R-Nl 34 B-K2 BxB
24P-B4 NxB 35RxB K-N2
36R-R7 R-Bl
If24 ... N X BP, then 25 N X BP 37 N-K7 R-Ql
R-N2 26 B-N3. 38 N-B6 R-Q6
39 R-Kl P-B5
25RxN R-N8 + 40 R-B7 P-B6
26 K-B2 B-Q6 Resigns.
?
NIMZOWITSCH’S DEFENCE: 1 P-K4 N-QB3
2
In contrast to Alekhine’s Defence, sistent advantage after 4 . . . P-Q3
the early development of a black (if 4 ... Q-B3 5 B-N3 N-N3,
knight in this opening is less then 6 P-K5!) 5 N-QB3. The
active, since the knight does not exchange 5BxNPxB6QxQ +
attack a centre pawn. There is no KxQ 7 N-QB3 P-QB3 leads to
direct refutation of Nimzowitsch’s an equal game.
Defence, but White is assured of a White also has a good game in
positional advantage : he attains the variations 4 P-KB4 N-N3
more space and a harmonious 5 B-K3 (otherwise 5 ... B-B4)
development for his pieces. 5 ... N-B3 6 P-K5, or 4 ...
N-QB3 5 B-K3 6 P-K5 Q-K2
P-Q4 7 Q-B3.
In reply to 4 ... N-QB3,
2 N-KB3 or 2 N-QB3 allows 5 B-QB4 is also good, when
Black to transpose into one of the 5 ... B-B4 fails to 6 X P +,
Open Games. while if N-B3, then 6 P-K5
5 ...
Q-K2 7 Q-K2 !, when 1 ... N-Q5
2 . . . P-Q4 loses to 8 P X N !, while on 7 ...
N-KNl there follows 8 N-QB3,
This is what Nimzowitsch nor- with the better position. After
mally used to play. quieter lines such as 5 ... P-Q3
2 . . . P-K4 is also played. After 6 N-KB3! N-B3 7 N-B3, or
3 PXP (weaker is 3P-Q5 QN-K2 5 ... B-N5+ 6 P-B3 B-R4
followed by ... N-N3, with a 7 B-K3 White’s position is again
satisfactory position for Black) preferable.
3 ... NXP White can play
4 B-KB4, with a slight but per- 3 N-QB3
+ .

Less strong is 3 P-K5 B-B4! X P Black has no difficulties
(Nimzowitsch’s variation 3 ... (Chistyakov-Chaplinsky, 1969).

P-B3 4 P-KB4 B-B4 5 N-K2 White gains no advantage by
B-K5 6 QN-B3 P-B4 leads to a 5 B-KB4 N-N3 6 B-N3 P-QR3
difficult position for Black after (preventing 7 N-N5) 7 B-QB4
7 NxB QPxN 8 B-K3 P-K3 N-B3
5 8 Q-Q4, when Black has
9 P-B4 B-N5+ 10 K-B2 N-R3 several good possibilities, e.g. 8 . .
11 P-KR3 Q-R5+
K-Nl!) 12 P-B4! 9QxBP P-K4 10 Q-K3
4 N-K2 P-K3 5 N-N3 B-N3, N-N5 11 QxP P-B4 12 Q-K2
which bears a certain resemblance P-B5 P-KR3 N-B3 14 B-R2
13
to one of the variations of the B-QN5, or 8 ... P-K4 9 BxP
Caro-Kann Defence. NxB 10 QxN+ Q-K2 11 Q-Q4
If 3PxP, then 3 ... QxP Q-B4 12 KN-K2 QxQ 13 NxQ
4 N-KB3 B-N5 5 B-K2 0-0-0 B-QN5.
with good counter-play.
7
B-KB4
3 ... PxP
The Gambit Variation 5 P-B3
4 P-Q5 N-Nl
PxP 6 QxP N-KB3 7 B-KB4
P-QR3 8 B-B4 P-KN3 (or 8 ...
4 . . . N-K4 is also possible, and P-K3 9 0-0-0) 9 P-KR3 B-N2
if 5 P-B3 PxP 6 NxP NxN+, 10 0-0-0 0-0 11 P-KN4 also gives
then after 7 Qx N N-B3 8 B-KB4 White an advantage, but Black
P-QR3 9 P-KR3 P-KN3 10 obtains a satisfactory game by
P-KN4 B-Q2 1 1 0-0-0 White has 5 . . . P-K3!.
a very strong attack.
P-B3 Black should
In reply to 5 5 . . . N-KB3
play 5 ... P-K3! 6 Q-Q4 B-Q3 6 B-B4 P-B3
7 P-B4 P-QB4 8 P X P e.p. NxP
9 QxNP Q-B3, with a good On 6 ... P-QR3, 7 Q-K2 is
position. In the event of 5 Q-Q4 good.

N-N3 6 QxKP (6 P-B3 is strong
here) 6 ... N-B3 7 B-QN5 7KN-K2 PxP
P-B3! 8 PxP NxQ 9 P-B7 +
Q-Q2 10 BxQ+ KxB 11 NxN . . . P-QN4? is a mistake in
NIMZOWITSCH’S DEFENCE 29
view of 8 P X P, and if 8 ...
QxQ + ? 9 RxQ PxB, then

10 X N, when 10 ... Rx fails
to 11 P-B7 N-Q2 12 RxN!.
A pretty combination!
8NxQP NxN
9 KB X N P-K3
10BxP(K4) QxQ +
llRxQ White has positional superiority.
PIRC-UFIMTSEV
DEFENCE: 1 P-K4 P-Q3
On the basis of Black’s first move, N-Q2 5 Q-Q2 P-QB3 6 P-B3

this system of development belongs Q-R4 7 KN-K2 P-QN4, then
formally to the Semi-Open Games, 8 N-Bl !, with advantage to White
although its strategical similarity (Suetin-Polugayevsky, 1966).
to the King’s Indian Defence is
clearly apparent. In the last cen-

tury, this original opening was often
adopted by the well-known Ger-
man master Louis Paulsen. In
recent years the defence has be-
come very popular.
2 P-Q4 P-KN3
A different order of moves some-
times occurs, in which Black avoids After 3 N-KB3, White has
. . .
. . . P-K4 P-KN3 2 P-Q4

P-Q3: 1 three main alternatives 4 B-KN5, :
B-N2 3 N-QB3 P-QB3 4 N-B3 4 P-B4 and 4 N-B3.

P-Q4, or 4 P-B4 P-Q4 5 P-K5 In recent years 4 P-B3 has also
P-KR4, transposing into a line of been played frequently, followed
the Caro-Kann Defence. by the development of the bishop
3 N-QB3 N-KB3
at . P-B3 5 B-K3
After 4 . . .
QN-Q2 6 Q-Q2 B-N2 7 N-R3!

Black often plays 3 . . . B-N2, (7 0-0-0 is less strong in view of
delaying the development of his 7 . .
.
Q-R4) Q-R4 1 ... 8 N-B2
king’s knight, so as to avoid P-QR3 9 B-K2 P-QN4 10 0-0
4 B-KN5. If, for example, 4 B-K3 White’s position is preferable.
30
..
4
PIRC-UFIMTSEV DEFENCE 31
B-K2 B-N2 5 P-KR4 is also queens after 5 P-K5 P x P 6 P x P,

possible, when Black can reply without the white knight being able
5 N-B3 6 B-K3 P-K4 7 P-Q5
. . . to move to Q5 or QN5) White
N-Q5, sacrificing a pawn and plays 5 Q-Q2 (on 5 Q-K2, with
5
obtaining a dangerous counter- the threat of P-K5, Black can
attack after 8 BxN PxB 9 QxP reply 5 . . P-KR3 6 BxN PxB
.
0-0 10 Q-Q2 R-Kl 11 P-B3 7 0-0-0 B-N2 8 P-B4 0-0) 5 . .
N-R4 or 1 1 ... P-B4. Also good B-N2 6 P-B4 0-0 7 N-B3, with
is 5 ... P-B4 6 PxP Q-R4 the better position. On 4 ...
7 K-Bl QxBP 8 B-K3 Q-QR4 QN-Q2 there follows 5 P-B4,
9 P-R5 PxP! (weaker is 9 ... with the threat of P-K5.
N-B3 10 P-R6 B-Bl 11 N-Q5,
with advantage to White) 10 BxP Q-Q2
N-B3 11 B-K2 B-K3 12 N-R3
0-0-0, with a perfectly satisfactory On 5P-K5 Black should play
game. 5 . . . KN-Q2, and if 6 P-B4, then
In reply to 6 ... Q-R4, Mikenas 6 . . . P-KB3. 5 ...
suggests 7 PxP!? NxP 8 PxP QxQ+ 7 RxQ KN-Q2 8 P-B4,
NXN 9 P X N, but after 9 ... with the threat of N-Q5, or 7 ...
N-B3! Black obtains a good N-N5 8 P-KR3! NxKP 9 N-Q5,
positionand soon advantageously is clearly unfavourable for Black.
regains the two pawns, whereas The energetic 5 P-B4 deserves
BxP-b 10 K-Bl BxR
after 9 ... consideration, when it is bad for
1 1 B-KN5 N-B3 12 Q X R-KNl ! Black to reply 5 P-B4 6 P-K5
. . .
13 N-B3 White has good attacking BPxP 7 PxN PxP 8 QxP

chances. Q-K2+ in view of 9 QN-K2!.
After 5 ... P-KR4, White Instead, Black should play 5 . .
controls the strategically important 0-0, and if 6 P-K5, then 6 ...

square KN5. N-N5.
I. 5 . . . P-B3
4 B-KN5 B-N2
5 . . . 0-0 is also good. In the
On 4 . . . P-B3 (with the inten- event of 5 ... P-KR3 6 B-KB4
tion of allowing the exchange of Black should reply 6 . .
.
QN-Q2
4
7 N-B3 P-B4 8 P-Q5 P-KN4 II.
9 B-N3 N-R4, whereas 6 ... P-B3

4 P-B4
7 0-0-0 P-QN4? is weak in view
of 8 P-K5! P-N5 9 PxN PxN
This move, preparing the break-
10 QxP BxP 11 N-B3, with through P-K5, is the most popular.
advantage to White. A correspond-
ence game Kamenetsky-Dubovik 4 ... B-N2
(1964/5) continued 11 ... P-B4 5 N-B3 0-0
12 B-K5, when Black was in
serious difficulties. 5 . . . P-B4 is weaker in view of
6 B-N5+ B-Q2 7 P-K5 and if
6 P-B4 I ... N-N5, then 8 N-N5! BxB
9 QxN B-Q2 10 P-K6, or else
immediately 8 P-K6 BxB 9
A sharp game
from results
PxP+ K-Q2 10 NxB Q-R4-f
6 0-0-0 0-0 7 P-B3, followed by
I I N-B3. Although Black is ahead
P-KN4 and P-KR4, with a swift
in development, his king is not
pawn storm of Black’s K-side.
very well placed at . . Q2.
6 B-KR6 is weaker inview of
.
In reply to 5 ... P-B4, also

6 ... BxB 7 QxB Q-R4 8 0-0-0
PxP Q-R4
possible is 6 7 B-Q3
P-QN4.
QxBP 8 Q-K2 0-0 9 B-K3
Q-QR4 10 0-0, with the better
6 . . . 0-0
prospects for White (match
7 N-B3 Spassky-Fischer, 1972).
Also good is 7 B-K2 and 8 0-0-0

or the immediate 7 0-0-0 followed
by P-K5. White stands better
thanks to his strong pawn centre
and chances of a successful K-side
attack after castling on either side.
Black has purely tactical possibili-
ties, which can always arise in such

a complicated and little-studied
position. 6P-K5
.
PIRC-UFIMTSEV-DEFENCE 33
Formerly 6 B-K2 was often 9 KPxP NxP 10 PxP NxP

played (cf. Game No. 44, Estrin- gives Black the initiative) 8 ...
Zhukhovitsky). P-QB4 9 P-B3 gives White the
Also frequently played is 6 B-Q3, better chances.
directed in the first instance against
6 ... P-B4, on which there can 6 . . . KN-Q2
follow 7 PxP PxP {1 ... Q-R4
does not work, since White’s KP On 6 N-Kl, 7 B-K3 is good,
. . .
is protected by his bishop) 8 Q-K2 and if 7 ... N-Q2, then 8 P-KR4,

B-K3 9 P-B5, or 8 ... N-B3 with a dangerous attack. The
9 P-K5 N-Q4 10 NxN QxN pawn sacrifice 7 ... P-B4 8
1 1 B-K4, with advantage to White. QPxP N-QB3 does not give
If Black plays 6 ... N-B3 he Black sufficient compensation. In
loses the possibility of undermining the game Estrin-Karasyev (1968)
the enemy centre, and White can after 9 B-K2 Q-R4 10 BPxP
successfully play 7 P-K5 (if 7 PxP 11 Q-Q5! Q-N5 12 Q-N5
P-Q5, then 7 ... N-QN5 or (12 0-0-0 is also good) 12 ...
1 ... N-Nl, while if 7 0-0 B-N5 PxP 13 QxQ NxQ 14 0-0-0

8 B-K3, then 8 . . P-K4) 7
. . . White gained the advantage.
PxP 8 BPxP N-Q4 9 N-K4. After 6 ... PxP, White can
In the game Karpov-Nikolayevsky play either 7 BP x P N-Q4 8
(1971) Black played instead 8 . . B-QB4 B-K3 9 Q-K2, or 8
N-KR4 9 B-K3 B-N5 10 B-QB4 N-K4 B-B4 9 N-N3 B-N5 10
K-Rl 11 Q-Q2 P-B3, but after B-K2, with chances for both sides,
12 PxP BxP 10 0-0 BxN 11 or 7 QPxP QxQ+ 8 KxQ
RX White had the better chances. R-Ql + 9 B-Q3! N-Q4 10 NxN
Regarding 6 ... B-N5, cf. RxN 11 K-K2 R-Ql 12 B-K4,
Game No. 45 (Fischer-Benko). with the better prospects (Minev-
6 ... QN-Q2 is sometimes Stefanov, 1966). Instead of 8 ...
played, and if 7 Q-K2, then 7 . . R-Q1+, 8 ... N-N5 9 K-Kl
P-B4 8 P-Q5 N-N3 9 P-QR4 N-QB3 is when White
also played,
P-K3! (Polugayevsky-Gipslis, does best to continue 10 B-N5!
1963), or 7 0-0 P-K4!. Only the P-B3 (or 10 ... N-N5 11 B-R4)
energetic continuation P-K5
7 11 P-KR3 N-R3 12 N-Q5!
N-Kl 8 N-K4! (8 0-0 P-QB4! (Estrin-Kotkov, 1971).
4*
!

7 P-KR4 a very strong attack by playing
14 B-K3 and 15 Q-Q2, followed
By the advance of this pawn by castling Q-side.
White aims to open up the position

of the hostile king. Also of in-
terest is the pawn sacrifice 7
P-K6!? suggested by Konstanti-
nopolsky. After 7 ... P x P 8
N-KN5 N-N3 (8 ... N-KB3
9 B-B4 P-Q4 10 B-Q3 leaves
Black with a seriously compro-
mised position) 9 B-Q3 N-B3 10
B-K3 N-N5 11 P-KR4 NxB +
12 QxN N-Q4 13 P-R5 Q-Kl
14 0-0-0 White has a very strong 8 P-K6!
attack.
7 B-B4 also deserves considera-
pawn sacrifice is associated
This
tion. After B-K3 7 . . . P-K3 8
with a new idea. Earlier, the only
P-QR3 9 P-KR4 P-QN4 10 line played was 8 P-R5 BPxP
B-Q3 P-QB4 11 B-K4! P-N5 QxP PxP 10 Q-B2, or 9
9
12 N-QNl BPxP 13 PxQP a
RPxP!?PxN 10PXBP+ RxP,
complicated position with chances
with great complications.
for both sides is reached. In the
event of 7 N-N3 8 B-N3
...
8 ... PxKP
N-B3 9 B-K3 N-R4 10 Q-K2
White has the freer position.
Black is forced to accept the
7 . . . P-QB4 sacrifice, after which White’s attack
down the KR-file grows signifi-
In a game against Gipslis (1965), cantly in strength, as Black’s main

Botvinnik played 7 . . N-N3, but on the K-side
strong-point is un-
after 8 P-R5 B-N5 9 RPxP dermined, and the white pieces
BPxP 10B-K2PXP N-KN5! 11 acquire invasion squares.
B-B4 12 BP X P P-KR4 1 3 P-KN4

PxP White could have obtained 9P-R5 NPxP
P
Strange as itmay seem, only this

unexpected move allows Black to
defend successfully. After 9 ...
N-KB3 lORPxPRPxP 11 B-Q3

White’s attack develops unhin-
dered.
lOPxP
Also good is 10 RxP N-KB3 For the pawn White

sacrificed
11 R-R4, with the threat of has a lasting initiative. The corres-
P-KN4-N5. In the event of 1 1 ... pondence game Estrin-Sanakojev
P X P 12 N X P P-K4 White should (1968/70) continued 16 0-0-0 Q-N3
continue 13 B-B4 -f K-Rl (13 ... 17 Q-K2 KR-Bl B-Q4 P-N4
18
P-Q4 loses to 14 NxP! NxN 19 P-KN4 P-N5 20 P-N5 N-R4
15 Q-R5 P-KR3 16 PxP, with 21 P-B5!, with dangerous threats.
numerous threats) 14 PxP PxP
15 N-B3, or 12 N-B3 13 B-K3
. . .
III.
P-K4 14 NxN PxN 15 PxP
P X P 16 B-QB4 + K-Rl Q-K2, 4 N-B3 B-N2
17
with excellent attacking chances.
5 B-K2
5 B-KN5 is less strong in view

10... NxP
of 5 ... P-KR3, and if 6 B-R4,
11 RXP QN-Q2
then 6 ... P-KN4 7 B-N3 N-R4,
12 B-Q3 N-B3
with the exchange of the black-
13 R-R4 B-Q2
squared bishop, which is useful for
White in this system.
After 13 ... P-K4 14 PxP 5 B-QB4 is not good in view of
NxB+ 15QxNPxP 16Q-B4-f 5 ... 0-0 6 0-0 NxP! 7 NxN
and 17 NxP White has the ad- P-Q4, with simplification favour-
vantage. able for Black.
On 5 B-KB4 Black should reply
14B-K3 NxB + 5 . . . P-B4! 6 PxP (if 6 P-K5,
15 Q X N Q-Kl then ... N-R4 7 B-K3 BP X
. N

8 BxP N-QB3!) 6 ... Q-R4 10 NxBP NxN 11 B-QB4
7 B-QN5+ B-Q2 8 BxB + R-Q5.
QNxB 9 PxP NxP 10 0-0 On P-QR3 White should
6 . . .
NxN 11 PxN P-K4 12 B-N5 continue 7 R-Kl P-QN4 8 P-K5

P-B3 13 B-K3 0-0, with equal N-Kl (8 KN-Q2? is weak in
. . .
7
chances. 5 . .
.
QN-Q2 is weaker view of 9 P-K6! PxP 10 N-N5
in view of 6 Q-Q2 0-0 (or 6 . . N-KB3 11 B-B3, with an over-
P-B4 7 PxP NxBP 8 P-K5!) whelming position White also has ;
7 0-0-0 P-B3 8 P-K5 N-Kl the advantage after 8 ... PxP

6
9 P-KR4!, with a strong attack for 9 PxP QxQ N-Kl 10 BxQ
White. On 5 0-0 there . . . again 11 P-QR4 P-N5 12 N-Q5 N-QB3
follows 6 Q-Q2 and 0-0-0. 13 B-N5) 9 P-QR4 P-N5 10
N-Q5! with the better prospects.
5 . . . 0—0
6 0-0 P-B3 P-QR4
9
Also possible is 6 ...QN-Q2 White prevents 7 . . . P-QN4.

7 P-K5 N-Kl 8 B-KB4 N-N3 The continuation 7 P-KR3
9 R-Kl P-QB3 10 P-KR3 N-B2
P-K4 8 R-Kl QN-Q2 9 PxP
1 1 B-N3 P-KB4 (Filip-Petrosian,
PxP leads to an equal game.
1962). White should now have

7 . .
.
QN-Q2
continued 12PxPPxP13 P-Q5 !.
8 R-Kl
... B-N5 is often played,
hindering 7 P-K5, on which there
Or 8 P-K5 N-Q4 9 Nx N Px
follows 1 ... KN-Q2 8 P-KR3 10 PxP PxP P-B3, with a
11
BxN 9 BxB
N-QB3. After 7 minimal advantage for White.
R-Kl N-B3 8 B-K3 P-K4 9 P-Q5
If 8 B-KN5, then 8 . . . P-K4.
N-K2 10 Q-Q2 N-Kl a sharp,
complicated position results (Miag- 8 . . . P-K4
marsuren-Ivkov, 1967). 9 P-R5
Black can also play the im-
mediate 6 . . . P-K4, since he has 9PxPPxP10 P-KR3, follow-
no cause to fear the continuation ed by B-K3, is also possible.
7 PxP PxP 8 QxQ RxQ
9 NxP in view of 9 ... NxP ... PxP
10 NXP R-Kl KNl and P-KN4 (Vasyukov-

11 B-Bl N-B4 Kofman, 1953), or 7 B-N5 8
. . .
12 P-B3 K-Rl P-Q4 9 P-K5 N-Kl 10

N-KN5! (Ravinsky-Kogan, 1952),
or, finally, 1 ... P-QN4 8 P-
K5! N-Kl 9 N-K4 N-B2 10 P-

B3 P-KB4 11 N(K4)-N5 P-KR3
12 N-R3 (Estrin-Gusev, 1956),
when White’s attack develops
unhindered.
7PxP Q-R4
The chances are roughly equal. 7 ... PXP is a mistake in view

of 8 QxQ RxQ 9 P-K5 N-Kl
10 B-K3, when White has a clear
Game No. 44 advantage.
Estrin-Zhukhovitsky
(Baku, 1958) 8 0-0 QxBP +
9 K-Rl N-B3
1P-K4 P-Q3
2P-Q4 N-KB3 9 . .
.
QN-Q2 is interesting.
3 N-QB3 P-KN3 9 ... N-N5 gives White the

4P-B4 B-N2 advantage after 10 N-Q5! N-QB3
5N-B3 0-0 (10 ... N-B7 + ? 11 RxN QxR
6B-K2 P-B4 12 B-K3 costs Black his queen)
11 P-B3.
The most energetic reply. On In reply to 9 ... P-QN4 there
6 . P-B3 White replies 7 0-0,
. . can follow 10 P-K5 PxP 11 PxP
when it is difficult for Black to N-N5 12 Q-Q5 Q-N3 13 P-KR3
obtain counter-play. For example, (13 B-N5 is also strong, whereas
7 QN-Q2 8 P-K5 N-Q4
... 13 QxR
B-N2 14 N-Q5 Q-R3
9 N-K4 P-KB4 10 N(K4)-N5 16 N-N4 Q-N3 is sufficient only
N-B2 11 B-B4-b P-Q4 12 B-Q3 foradraw)13...N-KR3 14QxR
P-K3 13K-R1, followed by R- B-N2 15 N-Q5 Q-R3 16 N-N4
.

Q-N3 17 B-K3!, with advantage BxP! 14 BxB NXB 15QXN
to White. NxP, White found himself in a
difficult situation.
10 N-Q2
11 N-N3 Q-N3
10 B-Q3 is natural and good. 12 P-N4 QR-Bl
For example, 10 ... P-Q4 11 13P-B5! BxN
P-K5 N-KN5 12 Q-K2 N-R3 14RPxB N-QN5
13 B-Q2 B-B4 14 P-QR3 QR-Ql 15 B-QB4 Q-B3
15 P-QN4, and White gains the
advantage. It would appear that Black has
overcome all his opening difficul-
10 . . . B-K3 ties, and threatens to simplify
after 16 Q-K2 P-Q4!. But White,
The game Vasyukov-Bastrikov by sacrificing the exchange and
(1957) continued 10 ... N-Q5 two pawns, creates a very strong
11 N-N3 NxN 12 RPxN B-Q2 attack on the king.
13 P-K5! N-Kl 14 B-K3!, and
Black had to give up a pawn, as 16Q-B3! NxBP
after 14 ... Qx 15 N-Q5 Q-B4 17P-N5! NxR
16 P-QN4! he loses his queen.
Instead of 12 ... B-Q2, 12 . . Black has no choice, and is
P-QN4 is also not good in view of forced to fall in with his opponent’s
13 P-K5! PxP 14 PxP N-Kl intentions.
(the pawn cannot be captured on
account of 15 B-KB4 and 16 B-B3) 18PxN KPxP
15 P-QN4 Q-N3 16 B-N5 !, with a
clear advantage to White. 18 ... XP is no better in view
Black should continue 10 . . of 19 PxP RPXP20 N-Q5.
P-QR4! N-N3 (on 11 N-B4,
11
11 ... N-KN5 is possible) 11 ... 19 PXP RP X P
Q-N3 12 P-QR4 N-QN5 with a 20R-N1!
good game. In the game Korchnoi-
Fischer (1962), after 13 P-N4? The most consistent continua-
(13 B-B3 was correct) 13 ... tion of the attack. However, White
. .
should also win after 20 N-Q5 Game No. 45

KR-Kl 21 NxP+ BxN 22 Fischer-Benko
B-Q5! QxB(B8) 23 QxB!. (New York, 1964)
20 . . P-KN4 1P-K4 P-KN3

2P-Q4 B-N2
3 N-QB3 F-Q3
4P-B4 N-B3
5N-B3 0-0
6B-Q3 B-N5
7 P-KR3 BxN
8 QxB N-B3
9B-K3 P-K4
10 QPxP PxP
11 P-B5 PxP
21BxNP! PxB
22RxP 11 . . . N-Q5 12Q-B2N-Q2was
stronger, although even then White
Black is now a rook ahead, but has an excellent attacking position
his king’s position is defenceless.
after 1 3 P-KN4 and 14 0-0-0.
22 . . . P-Q4 12QxP N-Q5

23 NXP KR-Kl 13 Q-B2 N-Kl
14 0-0 N-Q3
If 23 . . . K-Rl, then 24 R-R5 + 15 Q-N3 K-Rl
B-R3 25 N-B6 K-N2 26 RxB!
X R 27 Q-R5 +, and mate in two After 15 . . P-KB4 16 B-KR6
moves. Q-B3 17 BxB QxB 18 QxQ +
24 N-B6 + K-Bl
KxQ 19 PxP N(Q5)xKBP 20
KR-Kl the ending is favourable
25 N-R7 + K-K2
for White.
26 Q X P + K-Ql
27 R-Q5 + QxR 16 Q-N4 P-QB3
28 QxQ + K-B2
29 Q-B7 + K-Nl Too passive. 16 . . . P-QB4 was
30 B-Q5 Resigns. stronger.
! .

17 Q-R5 Q-Kl? Game No. 46
Savon-Shamkovich
The decisive mistake. Black, of (Leningrad, 1971)
course, overlooked his opponent’s
fine rejoinder, and reckoned only 1N-KB3 P-KN3
onl8BxNPxB19 P-K5 P-KB4 2P-K4 B-N2
with counter-play. The only chance 3P-Q4 P-Q3
of putting up a defence was by 4 B-QB4 N-KB3
17 . . . N-K3, although even then
Black’s prospects are not bright. With a transposition of moves, a
rare variation of the Pirc Defence
has been reached, in which White
refrains from the normal move
N-QB3, and keeps open the possi-
bility of P-QB3 and QN-Q2.
5Q-K2 • • •
If immediately 5 QN-Q2, then

5 ... NxP.
18BxN! PxB
19R-B6! 5 ... 0-0
6 0-0 P-B3
A brilliant move! If 19 ...xR 7B-N3 B-N5
or 19 ... P-KR3, then 20 P-K5!
decides. Better was 7 . .
.
Q-B2 and 8 . .
P-K4, transposing into a strategi-

19 . . . K-Nl cal scheme reminiscent of the
20 P-K5 P-KR3 King’s Indian Defence, or 7 ...
21 N-K2! P-QN4, defending the . .
.
QB5
square and preparing the develop-
The simplest. 22 R x N is threat- ment of the bishop at QR3 in . .
.
ened, and on 21 ... N-N4 there some cases. Black is playing along
follows 22 Q-B5. Black therefore the lines of the game Gipslis-Bot-
resigned. vinnik (1963) which continued
. . .
... P-QR4 8 P-QR4 B-N5 whereas Black is forced to await

9 QN-Q2 P-Q4 10 P-K5! KN-Q2 events passively.
11 P-R3 BxN 12 NxB P-K3
13 B-N5 Q-N3, with chances for 12 . . N-B2
both sides, but wrongly avoids the
intermediate P-QR4,
move 7 . . . 12 . . . P-K3? leads to the loss of
forcing the reply 8 P-QR4, after the exchange for a pawn after
which White’s Q-side is somewhat 13 B-N5 Q-B2 (or 13 ... P-B3
weakened. 14PxPand 15 QxP+) 14 B-K7
Curiously enough, Savon had NxP15BxRNxN+ 16QxN
played the same variation (only BxB.
as Black!) seven years earlier
against Jansa, and after 7 ... 13 P-KR4!

P-QR4 8 P-QR4 preferred 8 . .
N-R3 and 9 ... N-B2, with a A deep evaluation of the posi-

sharp complicated position. tion! It is the KR-file which will
play the decisive role in settling
8 QN-Q2 P-Q4 the outcome of the game, as White’s
9 P-B3 heavy pieces will be opposed by
Black’s weak and unco-ordinated
P-K5 would have been more
9 forces.
consistent, as now Black could have

simplified the position and im- 13 . . . P-KB4
proved the prospects for his black-
squared bishop, by 9 ... PXP 13 . . . P-KR4 gave better prac-
10 NxP QN-Q2. tical chances of a successful de-
fence, preventing at any cost the ad-
9... QN-Q2? vance of White’s RP. For example,
10P-K5 N~K1 14 B-B2 (or 14 N-N5 P-B3) 14 . .
11P-KR3 BxN N-K3 15 B-K3 P-QB4 (or imme-

12NxB diately 15 ... Q-N3) with coun-
ter-play on the Q-side. White would
Now White’s positional advantage then have had much greater difficul-
is obvious. He can unhurriedly pre- ties to overcome than after the con-
pare an attack on the K-side, tinuation in the game, since now

. .

Black loses on account of the weak- PxP 18 PxP diagonals are
17
14 of the black squares of his
ness opened for both White’s bishops.
poorly defended K-side.
R-Rl Q-B2
P-R5 PXP
If immediately 17 ... Q-N3,
Otherwise Black’s king is de- then 18 B-B2, with the threat of
prived even of the flimsy protection N-R4.
of his KRP. Besides, after 14 . .
Q-Kl or 14 ... N-K3, White was 18 R-R4 Q-N3

threatening, apart from a direct 19 B-Q2 B-R3
attack on the king, to shut Black’s 20 QR-Rl BxB
bishop out of the game for ever by 21 QxB N-N2
15 P-R6. 22 N-N5 • • •
15
With the threat of 23 B-Ql
P-KR3 24 N-R3, and after 25
N-B4 White not only wins both
RPs, but also strengthens his attack
still further. Therefore Black makes
a last desperate attempt to compli-
cate the game.
22 . . P-B5
P-N3! 23 PxP N-K3
24B-B2 NxBP-b
There is no need for White to 25 QxN
hurry, and he sticks to the plan of
doubling rooks along the KR-file. Simpler was 25 K-Bl QxN
26 R-Nl QxR+ 27 KxQ, win-
15 . . . N-K3 ning the queen for rook and
16 K-N2 Q-Kl knight, with a continuing attack.
After 16 ... P-B5 17 R-Rl 25 . .

.
QxB
PIRC-UFI MTSEVDEFENCE 43
25 ... RxQ loses a piece after 31KxQ NxN

26 BxQ RxR 27 BxP(R7)+. 32 R X N QR-KBl
33 R-R8 + K-N2
26 Q-N3 Q-N3
27 RXP R-B4
28 P-KB4 N-Bl
Or 33 ... K-B2 34 RxR +
29 R-R6 Q-N2
KxR 35 K-N4.
30NxP QxQ +
34R(R1)-R7+K-N3
Or 30 . . . RxP 31 N-N5 R-B4 35 RXR RxR
32 R-R8-b QxR 33 RxQ + 36 RXP K-B4
KxR 34 Q-R3+ and 35 QxR. 37 K-B3 Resigns.
CARO-KANN DEFENCE: 1 P-K4P-QB3
This opening, which was devised his matches against Smyslov and
during the last century by the Ger- Tal.
man players Caro and Kann, at The main virtue of the Caro-
firsthad the reputation of being a Kann Defence is that Black has no
colourless, passive opening, which difficulty over the development of
allowed Black to avoid the sharp his queen’s bishop, which is a prob-
gambit play characteristic of that lem in many other openings.
time. Let us turn to an examination of
Due to the efforts of Soviet theo- the possible strategic systems after
rists, since the 1930s the Caro- 1 P-K4 P-QB3. On his second
Kann Defence has been enriched move White has a choice either —
with new strategical ideas, which to go in for the classical continua-
have considerably widened the pos- P-Q4 P-Q4, or to avoid it by

tion 2
sibihties of attack for White, and of 2 N-QB3. The move 2 P-QB4 is of
active defence for Black. no independent significance, since
The Caro-Kann Defence is the after 2 . . . P-Q4 3 KPxP PxP
favourite weapon of players with a 4 P-Q4 the Panov Attack is
positional style, who aim for a solid reached, while after 4 PxP P-
position with a large number of QR3! N-QB3 N-KB3 6 Q-R4 +
5
pieces on the board and a flexible QN-Q2 7 N-B3 P-KN3 (or 7 ...
pawn structure, so as to be able to R-QNl) Black regains the pawn
seize the initiative at the first oppor- with a good position.
tunity. The following continuation is
Capablanca was a great connois- unfavourable for White 2 : N-KB3

seur of the Caro-Kann. In the P-Q4 3 P-K5 B-B4 (3 . . . B-N5
post-war years, Botvinnik suc- 4 P-KR3 BxN 5 QxB P-K3 is
cessfully adopted this opening in also good) 4 N-Q4? (or 4 N-R4
44
. ..:
CARO-KANN DEFENCE 45
2
B-Q2 !) 4 . . . B-N3 5 P-K6 Q-N3 QxNP 6 N-N3, White gains a
6 Q-N4 P-QB4!, with the better lead in development and an attack,
game for Black (Tolush-Kotov, which compensates for the sacri-
1939). ficed pawn.
P-Q3 is sometimes played. In reply to 3 P-KB3 Black can
After 2 P-Q4 3 N-Q2 . . . fol- either go in for the main variation
lowed by P-KN3 and B-N2 this 3 ... PxP4PxPP-K4 5N-KB3
leads to the King’s Indian Attack, B-K3! 6 P-B3, when White has an
while in the event of 3 ... P-K4 active position, and his third move
4 KN-B3 N-Q2 White can play is justified, or he can choose a safer
5 P-Q4. and more solid closed system:
3 . . . P-K3 (Kopilov’s move 3 . .
P-KN3 also deserves considera-

I.
tion) 4 B-K3 N-B3 5 N-QB3 (or
2 P-Q4 P-Q4 5 P-K5 KN-Q2 followed by . .
3 N-QB3 P-QB4, transposing into a varia-

tion of the French Defence which
The unusual continuation 3 P- is quite satisfactory for Black;
KB3 has been little studied as 5 B-Q3 is answered by the imme-
yet, but it is not dangerous for diate 5 . . . P-B4 !) 5 ... Q-N3
Black. It is basically a trappy move, 6 R-Nl (here the sacrifice of the
since the advance of the pawn to QNP is hardly justified) 6 ...
KB3, taking away this square from P-B4! (the simplest way of expos-
the knight, and weakening White’s ing the drawback to 3 P-KB3:
K-side, is strategically unjustified. Black advantageously opens up
But if Black attempts to exploit the the QR2-KN8 diagonal) 7
. .
.
move 3 P-KB3 straight away by KPxP KPxP, with chances for

trying to win a pawn or seize the both sides.
initiative, then he can be lured into A manoeuvring game results
interesting tactical complications from the old continuation 3 P-K5

which are favourable for White. B-B4 4 B-Q3 (on 4 P-KN4? Black
After 3 . . P-K3 4 B-K3! (4 B-Q3
. should play 4 . , . B-Q2, but not
PxP 5 BxP P-KB4! is bad for 4 B-N3 in
. . . view of 5 P-KR4
White) 4 ... PxP5N-Q2!PxP P-KR4 6 P-K6 !, or 5 P-K6 straight
6 KNxP, or 4 . . Q-N3 5 N-Q2 away) 4 ... BxB 5 QxB P-K3
6
N-QB3 (in reply to 6 N-K2 or Of interest is Nezhmetdinov’s
6 P-KB4 Black can either make sharp continuation 4 P-KR4!?,
the simplifying manoeuvre 6 ... which occurred in the Tal-Botvin-
Q-R4+ 7 P-B3 Q-R3, or play nik return match (1961). After
6 ... Q-N3 and 7 ... P-QB4 4 P-KR3
... (4 ... P-KR4
with a good position) 6 . .
.
Q-N3! 5 N-QB3 P-K3 6 N-B3 B-KN5
7 KN-K2 P-QB4 8 PxP BxP 7 B-K2 P-QB4 8 B-K3 N-QB3
9 0-0 N-K2, and Black’s growing 9 PxP gave White the better
initiative on the Q-side is stronger prospects in the game Aronin-
than White’s chances on the K- Smyslov, 1961) 5 P-KN4 B-Q2 (the
side (cf. Game No. 47, Nimzo- game Aronin-Bronstein (1961) con-
witsch Capablanca). tinued 5 B-Bl 6 N-QB3 Q-N3
. . .
After 3 . . . B-B4, the continua- 7 B-R3 P-K3 8 KN-K2 P-QB4

tion 4 N-K2 P-K3 5 N-N3 9 0-0 N-QB3 10 B-K3, with
(5 N-B4 P-B4!) 5 ... B-N3 advantage to White) 6 P-R5 P-QB4
6 P-KR4 P-KR3 7 P-R5 B-R2 7 P-QB3 P-K3 8 P-KB4 Q-N3
8 B-Q3 BxB 9 PxB! deserves 9 N-B3 N-QB3 a complicated posi-
consideration. If 9 ... Q-N3, tion arises, with chances for both
then 10 B-K3 QxNP 11 N-Q2, sides.
with an excellent position for the Another possibility is 3 PxP
sacrificed pawn. 9 QxB is less PxP 4 B-Q3 (the move 4 P-QB4
strong; after 9 . . . P-QB4! Black initiates the Panov Attack, which
has counter-play. in view of its complexity is analysed
If, after 3 P-K5 B-B4, White separately in Section II) 4 ...
plays 4 P-QB4, avoiding the ex- N-QB3 5P-QB3N-B3 (5 . .
.
Q-B2
change of bishops. Black’s simplest preventing 6 B-KB4, is also good)
reply is 4 N-QB3 ... P-K3 5 6 B-KB4 (if 6 P-KR3, Black
PxP (also good is 5 ... N-Q2 equalizes by 6 ... P-K4 7 P x P !
6 PxP BPxP 7 KN-K2 N-K2 NxP 8 N-B3 N-B3! 9 0-0

8 N-N3 B-N3 9 B-KN5 Q-N3) B-K2, while on 6 B-KN5 the
6 BxP N-Q2 7 KN-K2 N-N3 simplest is 6 ... B-N5 7 Q-N3
8 B-Q3 N-K2 9 N-K4 KN-Q4, Q-Q2) 6 ... B-N5 7 Q-N3 (if
or 8 P-QN3 B-N3!, but not imme- 7 N-K2 or 7 N-B3, then 7 ...
diately 8 N-K2 9 B-R3 with
. . . Q-N3!) 7 N-QR4! 8 Q-R4 +
...
slightly the better position. B-Q2 9 Q-B2 P-K3 10 N-B3 Q-N3
(10 ... B-K2 is simpler, but Black in the event of 4B-QB4 N-B3
is preparing to exchange the white- 5 P-B3 P X P 6 N X P White has no
squared bishops by 1 1 ... B-N4). compensation for the sacrificed
3
The Fischer-Petrosian game from pawn.
the “Match of the Century” After 4 NXP Black has several
(1970) continued 11 P-QR4! R-Bl strategically different but equally
12QN-Q2 N-B3 13 Q-Nl N-KR4 good alternatives.
14 B-K3 P-KR3 15 N-K5, with
the better prospects for White.
(1 )
4 . . . B-B4
. . . PxP
This old move leads to a compli-
3 . . . N-B3 is unfavourable for
cated manoeuvring game, where
Black in view of 4 P-K5 KN-Q2
White keeps a persistent initiative.
(if 4 ... N-K5, then 5 QN-K2!,
threatening P-KB3) 5 P-K6! PxP

6 N-KB3 or 6 B-Q3 with an attack.
5 N-N3 B-N3
6 P-KR4
Recently the following set-up
has become fashionable : 3 ...
P-KN3 4 P-K5 B-N2 5 P-B4 After advancing

pawn. this
P-KR4, which can also arise by a White then forces the exchange of
different move order in Mod- the the light-squared bishops. “This
ern Defence. After 6 N-B3 B-N5 move”, wrote Alekhine, “followed
7 P-KR3 BxN 8 QxB P-K3 by castling Q-side, is one of the
9 P-KN3 Q-N3 Q-B2, as in the 10 oldest systems for White in the
Fischer-Petrosian game from the Caro-Kann Defence. It was played,
third round of the “Match of the not without success, by Chigorin,
Century” (1970), White should aim Pillsbury and others. But later it
for P-KN4 and P-KB5, which will was shown that Black can easily
give him the advantage. free himself, countering in the
centre with P-QB4
. . . at the ap-
4NxP propriate moment ...”
6 N-B3 is examined on page 51.
The gambit continuation 4 P-B3 On 6 N-R3, with the idea of

is met best by 4 ... P-K4!, while playing N-B4 and P-KR4 without
5
.
allowing . . . P-KR3, Black’s sim-

plest reply is 6 ... N-Q2 7 B-QB4
KN-B3 N-B4 P-K4!, and after
8
9 NxB RPxN 10 PxP Q-R4-h
11 B-Q2 QxKP-H White has
only a minimal advantage. Weaker
is 6 ... N-B3 7 N-B4 P-K4
8 PxP QxQ+ (after 8 ...
Q-R4+ 9 B-Q2 QxKPH- 10

B-K2 QxP 11 NxB RPxN 7N-B3
12 R-QNl! White has a big lead
in development) 9 KxQ N-N5 The classical continuation.
10 NxB RPxN 11 N-K4NXKP In the post-war years, a fre-

12 B-KB4! with advantage to quently adopted system was the
White (Stein-Kholmov, 1964). one in which White does not ex-
If 6 B-QB4, as in the game change the white-squared bishops,
Geller-Bagirov (1960), and in the but transfers his king’s knight to
15th game of the Tal-Botvinnik KB4, forcing the black bishop to
World Championship Match (1960), retreat to . . . KR2, and preparing
then 6 P-K3 7 N(N1)-K2 B-Q3
. . . a piece attack on the K-side. But
8 P-KR4 (if 8 0-0 Q-B2 9 P-B4, in this system, too. Black quickly
then 9 P-KR3. . . N-K2) 8 . . . equalizes by accurate defence.
9N-B4BXN 10BXBN-B3, with In the event of 7 N-R3 the sim-
a passive but solid position for plest way of countering White’s
Black. attack is with Capablanca’s move
After 6 . . . P-K3, 7 N(N1)-K2 7 . . . P-K4!. For example, 8 PxP
N-B3 N-B4 8 has also been played Q-R4 -b 9 B-Q2 (if 9 Q-Q2, then
(8 0-0 B-Q3 9 P-B4 is not dan- 9 ... B-N5! 10 P-QB3 QxKP +
who should play
gerous for Black, 11 B-K2 B-QB4, when 12 0-0
simply 9 Q~Q2 or even 9 . .
.
. . fails to 12 ... QxN, while 12
B-KB4 ?), and now 8
! B-Q3 . . . N-B4 is met by 12 . . . N-Q2 fol-
9 B-N3Q-B2 10Q-B3, with slight- lowed by . . . 0-0-0) 9 . . .Q X KP +

ly better chances for White. 10 B-K2, and here, despite the
obvious risk involved. Black should
6 . . . P-KR3 play 10 ... QxP.
.
Nowadays 7 N(N1)-K2 is often Bx KP Q-B2 R-Kl (White has 13

played, when 7 ... P-K4 is no more possibilities after 13 N-R5)
longer favourable for Black, since 13 QN-Q2!, but White can
...
in the variation 8 PxP Q-R4 + continue 11 R-Kl 0-0 12 P-QB3,

9 B-Q2 QxKP Black regains the when 11 ... QN-Q2 fails to 13
pawn without check, and by 10 NxP PxN 14 RxP, but 12 ...
B-B3 White can begin an attack. N-Q4! is sufficient to equalize.
But if Black continues as in the

9th game of the 1960 Tal-Botvin- 7 . . . N-Q2
nik match, 7 ... N-B3 8 N-B4
B-R2 9 B-B4 P-K3 (9 . . . P-K4 This exact move order is essen-
is weaker in view of 10 Q-K2! since by playing otherwise,
tial,
P-K5 11B-K3 QN-Q2 12 0-0-0,
8 N-K5, White drives back the
or 10 ... QxP 11 0-0, with an
bishop with gain of time. It is a
attack for White) 10 0-0 (or
mistake, for instance, to play 7 . .
10 Q-K2 B-Q3 11 B-K3 QN-Q2 P-K3 8 N-K5 Q-B3?? 9 B-KN5!,

12 N(N3)-R5 NxN 12 NxN and White wins.
R-KNl!, as in the 5th game of
the same match) 10 . . . B-Q3, the
8 P-R5
critical position of this system is
reached.
Regarding 8 B-Q3, cf. Game
No. 48 (Grigoriev-Panov).
8 . . . B-R2
9 B-Q3
In this position the development

of the bishop at QB4 is ineffective,
since after 9 B-QB4 KN-B3 10 0-0
P-K3 11 R-Kl B-K2 it has no
future.
The risky piece sacrifice offe-
red by Tal, 11 NxP?! has not 9... BxB

justified itself: 11 ... PxN 12 lOQxB Q-B2!
5*
Black not only prepares Q-side
11
strong attack) 14 PxN N-K2
castling, but also prevents B-B4. 15 0-0-0 P-QB4 16 P-KB4, with
the better prospects, while on 12
B-Q2 . . . B-Q3 there follows 13 N-K4
B-B5 14N-K5! BxB+ 15 NxB,
with good chances for White.
An original idea was tried in
the game Keres-Bagirov (1959):

11 R-R4 P-K3 12 B-B4 B-Q3 13 0-0-0 0-0-0
13 BxB QxB 14 N-K4 Q-K2 14 N-K5
15 0-0-0 KN-B3 16 NxN+,
and here instead of 16 ... NxN
17 N-K5 0-0-0 18 Q-KN3
KR-Nl 19 R-Q3 N-Kl 20 R-B4,
after which the rook’s develop-
ment along the fourth rank was
justified, in the later game Gligo-
ric - Petrosian (1959), Black re-
plied 16 ... PxN, depriving his

opponent’s pieces of the strong
point at K5.
14... NxN
11 . . . P-K3
12Q-K2! 14 ...N-N3 15 B-R5 P-B4 is
weaker in view of 16 P-QB4 P x P !
The strongest continuation. 17 K-Nl, and if 17 . . . B-Q3, then

White retains the possibility of 18 P-B5! BxP 19 R-QBl R-Q4
castling on either side. 20 N-Q3, and White must win.
12 . . . KN-B3 15PxN
In reply to 12 . . . 0-0-0 White Black now has a choice between

should continue 13 N-K5 NxN two roughly equivalent knight
(or 13 ... N-N3 14 P-QB3 N-B3 moves: 15 . N-Q4 16 P-KB4
. .
15 0-0 P-B4 16 P-N4!, with a P-QB4 17 P-B4 N-N5 (Spassky-

. .
CARO-KANN DEFENCE
5 51
Botvinnik, 1966) and 15 N-Q2. . . QN-Q2 6 N-B3 P-K3, or can

16 P-KB4 B-K2 17 N-K4 N-B4 choose one of the following varia-
(Spassky-Petrosian, 1 3th match tions :
game, 1966). In both cases White’s . . . P-K4 6 N-B3 (weaker is
position is preferable. 6 PxP QxQ+ 7 KxQ N-N5,

The game develops somewhat or 6 ... Q-R4 +, in both cases
differently without the moves 6 with advantage to Black) 6 ...
P-KR4 P-KR3, as this allows PxP 7 NxP B-K2! (if 7 ...
both players to castle K-side. For B-QB4, then 8 Q-K2+ B-K2
example, 6 N-B3 N-Q2 7 B-Q3 9 B-K3 P-B4 N(Q4)-B5 0-0 10
(after 7 B-QB4 the bishop has no 11 Q-B4 followed by B-Q3 and
future, although Black should 0-0-0, as in the well-known game
bear in mind the possibility of it Alekhine-Tartakower, 1927) 8 B-
being sacrificed at K6; therefore K2 0-0 9 0-0 B-QB4, with ap-
he should play 7 ... KN-B3 proximately equal chances.
8 P-B3 P-K3 9Q-K2 B-K2 10 5 ... P-B4 6 N-B3 N-B3
0-0 0-0 11 R-Kl N-Q4, fol- 7B-K3 Q-N3 8 B-Q3 P-K3 9 0-0
lowed by . .
.
Q-B2 and . . . N-B5, B-Q2!(9 ... QxP 10PXPB-K2
as in Yates-Reti, 1924) 7 P-K3 . . . 11 N-Q4 is risky for Black) 10
8 0-0 KN-B3 9 R-Kl B-K2 (or PxP BxP 11 BxB QxB 12
9 .Q-B2 10 P-B4 B-N5, while
.
.
P-B3, with slightly better prospects
10 N-B5 is met by 10 0-0-0) . . . for White.
10 P-B4 0-0 (or first 10 ... X ). 5 . . . P-KR4 6 P-KR4 (6 B-KN5
White has more freedom, but Black P-R5 7 X N? is a mistake in the:
has a sound position. game Schuster-Karls, 1914, there

followed 7 ... PXN 8 B-K5 R x P
9RxRQ-R4 + 10P-QB3QxB + !
(2 )
llPxQ PxR, and White re-
4 . . N-B3 signed) 6 B-N5 7 B-K2 BxB . . .
5NxN + 8 KNxB QN-Q2 9 Q-Q3, with

the slightly better game for White.
Besides this strong and natural 5 N-N5 deserves consideration.
move, 5 N-N3 is also played. Black Now 5 ... P-K4 fails to 6 B-QB4,
can either transpose into the sys- while if 5 ... P-KR3, then 6
tem examined in Section (3) by 5 . . N(N5)-B3 followed by N-K5 and
! .

N(N1)-B3 or N-K2-N3, depend- uation 5 ... KPxN, the basic
ing on Black’s play. disadvantage of which is that
In 1936 Alekhine tried the gambit White obtains a Q-side pawn
move 5 B-Q3 recommended by majority, which can tell, partic-
Tarrasch, and after 5 ... Q x P ularly in the endgame. On the
6 N-KB3 Q-Ql 7 Q-K2 NxN other hand, the doubled KBPs
8 BxN N-Q2 9 0-0 N-B4 10 strengthen Black’s K-side, and in
R-Ql Q-B2 11 N-K5 gradually some cases one of them can play
built up a dangerous attack. How- an important role in attack.
ever, this continuation is risky for And so, 5 ... KPxN 6 B-QB4
anyone who is not an Alekhine B-K2.
On 5 Q-Q3 Black should reply After the apparently more active
5 ... QN-Q2 followed by ... move 6 ... B-Q3 White replies
NxN, but should not open the 7 Q-IC2+, forcing Black either
game up by P-K4. A game ... to exchange queens, bringing closer
Reti-Tartakower, where this varia- the endgame which is unfavourable
tion occurred, finished surprisingly for him, or to lose a tempo on
quickly: 5 P-K4 ... 6 PxP the retreat of the bishop, giving
Q-R4 -i- 7 B-Q2 Q X KP 8 0-0-0! White the better game, e.g. 7 . .
NxN?? 9 Q-Q8-1-! KxQ 10 Q-K2 8 QxQ+ KxQ 9 N-K2

B-KN5 -b -f and , mate next move. B-K3 10 B-Q3! R-Ql 11 P-QB4
N-Q2 12 B-Q2, or 7 ... B-K2
5... NPxN 8 N-B3 B-KN5 9 P-B3 N-Q2
10 P-KR3 B-R4 11 P-KN4 B-N3
move appears
This less sound 12 N-R4.
than 5 KP X N, as
. . . it weakens N-K2 (if 7 Q-R5, then 1 ...
7
Black’s K-side and forces him to P-KN3 8 Q-B3 Q X P) 7 N-Q2 . . .
play very accurately in the open- 8 0-0 0-0 (8 ... N-N3, followed
ing. On the other hand, he obtains by ... N-Q4, is a mistake, as it
the semi-open KN-file, which is only assists the advance of White’s

important for counter-attacking central pawns: Black should aim
purposes (cf. Game No. 49), and in for an attack on the K-side,
general has more possibilities of and in some cases for control of
complicating the play. the K-file) 9 B-B4 R-Kl 10 Q-Q2
Let us first examine the contin- N-Bl.
8 0-0 N-Q2 9 P-B4, with chances
for both sides.
In view of the threat of a pawn
break-through in the centre. Black
should not begin his counter-
attack on the K-side until he has
fully completed his development,
as is demonstrated by the instruc-
tive game Matanovic-Szabo (1958):
6 N-B3 B-N5 7 B-K2 P-K3

White has a minimal positional
8 0-0 B-Q3 9 P-B4 R-Nl?
advantage. Now let us return to
(better is 9 ... Q-B2! 10 P-KR3
the main variation, 5 . . . NPxN.
X N 1 1 X N-Q2 followed by
... 0-0-0) 10 K-Rl P-KB4
6 P-QB3 11 P-Q5! BPxP 12 PxP P-K4
13 NxP! BxN 14 R-Kl N-Q2
This modest move has the aim of 15 P-B4, with an extra pawn and
reinforcing the QP, preventing the the better position for White.
check by the queen at . .
.
QR4, Also possible is 6P-KN3 Q-Q4
and forcing Black’s next move. 7 N-B3 B-B4 8 P-B4 Q-K5 +
The following continuations are 9 B-K2, or 7 ... B-N5 8 B-N2.
also possible: 6 B-QB4 is weaker than the
6 N-K2 B-N5 (if 6 ...P-KR4, other continuations, since in this
then 7 Q-Q3!, or 6 ... B-B4 way White relinquishes his main
7 N-N3 B-N3 P-KR4 P-KR4
8 trump — the possibility of exploit-
9 B-K2) 7 P-KR3 B-R4 8 P-QB3 ing his pawn advantage in the
N-Q2 9 Q-N3 Q-N3, and after centre. For example, 6 . . . B-B4
the exchange of queens and 11 7 N-K2 P-K3 8 N-N3 B-N3 9
N-B4 White gains the advantage P-KR4 P-KR4, when 10 B-K2
of the two bishops. B-Q3 11 NxP? fails to 11 ...
6N-B3 B-N5 {6 ... B-B4 7 BxN 12 BxB Q-R4+. In this

B-K2 P-K3 8 0-0 B-N2 is also variation, the importance of the
possible) 7 B-K2 Q-B2 (preventing move P-QB3 is seen.
B-KB4. 7 ... P-K3 8 B-KB4
B-Q3 9 B-N3 Q-B2 is also good) 6 * • » B-B4
The passive system of defence 10 QX Q-Q4 !, with counter-play
with 6 P-N3 7 N-B3 B-QN2
. . . for Black.
8 B-KB4 P-K3 9 B-K2 B-Q3 10
10 B-N3 is less promising for 8 . . . N-Q2

Black. 9 N-N3 B-N5
B-K2
7N-K2
If 10 P-B3, then 10 . .
.
Q-B2!
The best move, as White drives 11 K-B2 B-K3.
back the bishop with gain of tempo,
and forces Black into making the 10 . . . BxB
risky advance of his KRP. llQxB Q-R4
On N-B3 Black should play
7 12 0-0 0 - 0-0
7 8 P-K3 (7
. . . Q-B2 is weaker . .
.
in view of 8 B-QB4 P-K3 9 Q-K2

N-Q2 10 N-R4 B-N3 11 P-B4
0-0-0 12 P-B5! PxP 13 0-0
with advantage to White; with his
queen at Q1 Black can meet
...
11 P-KB4 with 11 ... P-KB4)
8 B-KB4 B-Q3 9 B-N3 Q-B2
10 B-K2 N-Q2 followed by castling
Q-side, with a roughly equal game.
1 ... P-KR4! The critical position, in which

the two sides’ respective flank
Simagin’s idea. Weaker is 7 ... attacks promise a sharp fight.
P-K3 8 N-N3 B-N3 9 P-KR4 Black’s KRP is weak, but it is
P-KR3 10 P-R5, and Black’s KB risky for White to win it, e.g.
is tied to the defence of his KRP. 13 P-QB4 P-K3 P-R3 Q-B2!

14
15 NxP P-QB4! 16 B-K3 PxP
P-KR4 17 BxP B-B4, with counter-play.
Thus in reply to 5 N x N + both
If 8 N-N3, then 8 . . . B-N5 5 ... KPxN and 5 ... NPxN
9 P-B3 P-R5, or 9 B-K2 BxB are playable for Black.
.
( 3) B-B4 8 0-0 P-K3. The move 6 . .
4 . . . N-Q2 P-KN3, recommended by Kopilov,

is also possible.
Nimzowitsch’s system, the idea

After 6 NxN+ NxN 7 B-QB4
of which is to prepare 5 . . . KN-B3. Black cannot play 7 ... B-N5?
X P + !, but 7
on account of 8 . .
5N-KB3 B-B4 8 N-K5 P-K3 9 0-0 (9

P-KN4 B-N3 10 P-KR4 achieves
On 5 Q-K2 Black should play nothing in view of 10 ... N-Q2!)
5 ... QN-B3!. Weaker is 5 ... 9 . . . B-K2 10 B-N3 P~QR4! gives
P-K3 6 B-KB4, while the “auto- Black a good position (Gligoric-
matic” reply 5 . . . KN-B3?? is met Smyslov, 1963). Also possible is
by 6 N-Q6 mate. 7 ... P-KN3 8 N-K5 N-Q4 9

The game Suetin-Smyslov (1960) Q-B3 B-K3 or 7 P-K3 8 0-0 . . .
continued B-QB4 KN-B3 6 5 B-K2, intending to castle and then

N-N5 P-K3 7 Q-K2 (less convinc- fianchetto the queen’s bishop.
ing is 7 N-K2 P-KR3 8 N-KB3

B-Q3 9 0-0 Q-B2 10 N-B3 ... P-K3
P-QN4!, Simagin-Smyslov, 1963)
7 . . . N-N3B-N3 P-KR3 (if
8 On 6 ... P-KN3 White can
8 . .
. Q X P, then 9 KN-B3 B-N5 + continue P-KR4, forcing the
7
10 P-B3 BxP+ 11 K-Bl, or reply 1 ... P-KR4, as 7 B-N2 . . .
9 . . Q-Q3 10 N-K5) 9 N(N5)-B3 8 P-R5 0-0 9 P X P is dangerous

.
B-K2 10 P-B3 P-B4 11 PxP for Black.
QN-Q2 with equal chances. In-

stead of 8 B-N3, 8 B-Q3 is more 7 B-Q3 B-K2
promising, since for an attack on
the hostile king the bishop is more Black sometimes plays 7 ...
actively placed at Q3. P-B4 immediately. For example,

8 P-B3 B-K2 9 0-0 0-0.
5 . . . KN-B3
6N-N3 8 0-0 P-B4
On 6 N-B3 Black’s best continu- This move order allows Black

ation is 6 ... N-N3 7 B-K2 to avoid the sharp line 8 . . . 0-0
9 P-B4 P-B4 10 P-N3 P-QN3 II.
11 B-N2 B-N2 12 Q-K2 R-Kl

2 P-Q4 P-Q4
13 QR-Ql! Q-B2, when on 14
3PxP PxP
B-Nl Black equalizes by 14 ...
4 P-QB4
Q-B3!. But 14 N-K5 deserves
consideration, as does 14 K-Rl,
intending to meet 14 ... Q-B3 The Panov Attack. Its merit lies
with 15 R-KNl). in the strategical diversity of the

resulting variations, which are
similar to positions from the
9P-B3
Queen’s Gambit Accepted, the
Sicilian Defence and the Grunfeld
9 P-B4 is unfavourable for White Defence. The opening play is often
in view of 9 ... PxP lONxP sharp and tense. Alekhine once
N-K4. wrote: “In my opinion, the Panov
Attack allows White more possi-
9 . . . 0-0 bilities than 3 N-QB3” — and he
10 Q-K2 P-QN3 successfully adopted this system
11N-K5 B-N2 in his games.
12B-K3 The originator of this system

has remarked with satisfaction
that for more than 40 years now it
has stood the test of time, and has

been included in the opening re-
pertoires of the world champions

Alekhine, Capablanca, Botvinnik,
Tal and Spassky.
4 . . . N-KB3
After 4 . . . N-QB3 White ob-

tains the advantage bySPxPQxP
In this sharp position White has 6 N-KB3 P-K4 (after ... B-N5
attacking chances, and Black must 7 B-K2 P-K3 8 N-B3 B-N5 9
defend carefully. 0-0 Q-QR4 10 P-QR3 N-B3 11
.
P-Q5! PxP 12 PxB! QxR 13 KR-Kl B-N5 17 QBxN BxB

N-Q2! a winning position for 18 N-Q5 (Tal-Botvinnik, 1966).
White is reached from the game After 8 P-N3, the gambit contin-
Alekhine-Podgorny, 1942, which uation 8 . P-K3 is
. . ! interesting,
began as a SiciHan Defence) 7 e.g. 9 PxP N-B3 10 PxP +
N-B3 B-QN5 8 B-Q2. K-Rl! 11 KN-K2 Q-K2 12
B-K3 N-KN5, and Black has the
5 N-QB3 initiative.
10
Now Black has three main alter-

8 . .
.
QN-Q2
natives: 5 ... P-KN3, 5 ...
P-K3 and 5 ... N-B3. 8 . . . N-R3 9 B-B3 Q-N3 has

also been played here.
(1)
9 B-B3 N-N3
B-N5
5 . . . P-KN3
After 10 B-B4 B-B4 11 R-Ql
This variation involves the sacri-
Q-Q2 a sharp position from the
fice (normally temporary) of a Grunfeld Defence is reached. By
pawn. returning the pawn. White obtains
the better chances.
6 Q-N3 B-N2
7 PxP 0-0 10 . . . B-N5
8 B-K2
After 10 R-Ql ... B-B4 11
In the event of 8 P-N3 N-R3 9 Q-Q2 12 P-KR3 P-KR4 13
B-N2 Q-N3 10 QxQ PxQ 11 KN-K2 KR-Ql 14 P-Q6! PxP
KN-K2 N-QN5 12 0-0 R-Ql 15 P-QR4, or 11 ... Q-Bl 12
White obtains the advantage by P-KR3 Q-B5 13 QxQ NxQ 14
13 P-Q6! RxQP 14 B-B4 R-Q2 P-KN4!, White again has the
15 KR-Ql, as in the match game advantage, since 14 ... B-B7
Spassky-Petrosian (1966). loses to 15 R-Q2! (Vasyukov-
Instead of 13 ... Rx QP, 13 . . Gurgenidze, 1969).
PxP is no better, in view of 14 In reply to 11 R-Ql, the move
B-N5 R-Kl 15 P-QR3 N-B3 16 11 . . . P-QR4 has also been tried.
.

but by 12 KN-K2 P-R5 13 Q-N5 6N-B3 B-K2!
P-R3 14 XN PX 15 0-0 R-Kl
16 P-Q6! White keeps his advan- 6 ... N-B3 is weaker, when
tage. White achieves one of the basic
The immediate 10 ... P-QR4 strategical ideas of this system —
affords Black more possibilities to set up a Q-side pawn majority
(Bagirov-Gurgenidze, 1969). with the position in the centre
stabilized P-B5 N-K5 8 B-QN5 : 7
llBxN QBxB NxN 9 PxN B-Q2 10 0-0 B-K2
12NxB BxB 11 B-KB4, or 7 B-K2 8 B-QN5 . . .
0-0 9 B-KB4 B-Q2 10 0-0 P-QN3

White also has a positional
11 BxN BxB 12 N-K5, with the
advantage after 12 ... PxB 13
better chances for White in both
0-0 Q-Q2 14 KR-Kl.
cases.
13 P-QR4! After 6 ... PxP 7 BxPa

position from the Queen’s Gambit
Accepted, favourable for White,
is reached.
7PxP
Alekhine’s move. The advance

P-B5, without Black’s knight being
at . .
.
QB3, is less favourable for
White; as Kasparian suggested in
After 13 Q-B2
... 14 0-0 1938, Black obtains counter-play
KR-Ql 15 P-R5 Q-B5 16 R-R3 by combining undermining opera-
White has the advantage. tions on the Q-side (. P-QN3), .
with a counter-attack in the centre

( 2) by . . . N-K5 and P-B4. However,
5 . . . P-K3 Black should only play P-QN3 . . .
after castling, as 7 P-B5 P-QN3

A quiet continuation, which 8 P-QN4 P-QR4 9 N-QR4
leads to a manoeuvring game with KN-Q2 10 B-QN5! is favourable
chances for both sides. for White.
.
In general, after 7 P-B5 Black R-N3 P-K5 N-N5 N-QB3 16

15
must defend very accurately, since Q-R5, or 12 ... RPxP 13 BxP!
a single superficial move can lead R-Kl 14 R-N3 B-B3 15 N-N5
immediately to a difficult position. PxB 16 N-R7 T, White has a
The following continuation often strong attack.
occurs : 7 P-B5 0-0 8 B-Q3 In the game Botvinnik-Golom-
P-QN3 9 P-QN4 P-QR4 10 bek (1956) Black played passively:
N-QR4 KN-Q2 (also possible is 9 . . . B-Q2 (instead of the energet-
10 ... QN-Q2!? 11 B-KB4 ic 9 ... P-QR4), and lost quickly
N-R4! 12 B-Q2 RPxP 13 P-B6! after 10 B-K3 (in order to meet
with complications, or 11 ... 10 ... P-QR4 with 11 P-N5) 10
RPxP P-B6 N-B4! 13 PxN
12 ... N-N5 11 0-0 P-QR4 12
PxP, obtaining three pawns for N-QR4.
the piece) 11 P-N5 P x P 12 P x P Botvinnik considers that 7 P-B5
P-K4! 13 P-B6 P-K5 14 PxN is “perhaps the only move to com-
N X P with equal chances, although plicate the game”.
Black must still play accurately: B-Q3, which prevents
Besides 8
15 0-0 PxN 16 QxP N-K4 8 ... N-K5, the continuation 8
17 Q-N3 NxB 18 QxN P-Q5! P-QN4 N-K5 9 Q-B2 P-B4 10
(Sokolsky-Simagin, correspond- B-Q3 B-B3 11 R-QNl deserves
ence, 1965-6). serious consideration. In the game
Besides 11 P-N5, two other con- Estrin-Ilivitsky (1964), after 11 . .
tinuations deserve consideration: P-KN4 12N~K2 Q-K2 13 0-0

11 Q-B2 and 11 P-R4!?. P-N5 14 N-K5 BxN 15 PxB
In the game Neishtadt-Cher- N-QB3 16 P-B3 White gained the
nishov (1959), after 11 Q-B2 advantage.
N-QB3 12 P-N5 N-N5 13 xP+ 7 B-KN5 transposes into the
K-Rl 14 Q-Nl PxP 15 PxP! line analysed in Section (3).
(this is stronger than 15 P-QR3)

15 . R-QNl 16 P-QR3 N-QB3
. . 7... NxP
17 B-N2 White gained the advant- 8 B-QB4
age.
P-R4 (threat-
In the event of 1 1 Botvinnik’s move. Alekhine pre-
ening 12BXP+) 11 ... P-R3 12 ferred 8 B-QN5 + B-Q2 9 x -b
R-R3 P-K4 13 BxP! B-B3 14 QxB 10 N-K5 NxN 11 PxN

Q-N4 P~QB4 Q-R4+ 1312 The most complicated and diffi-
B-Q2 B-N5 14 R-QNl, or 8 ... cult continuation.

9
N-B3 9 0-0 0-0 10 R-Kl, which
gives White “numerous possibihties
6 B-N5
based on his advantage in space”.
This move was introduced in an
8B-Q3 is also good.
10 analysis published by Panov in
1930, and was successfully adopted

8 . . . 0—0
by Botvinnik match
in 1933 in his
0-0 N-QB3
against Flohr. “A good move, but
lOR-Kl NxN no better than 6 N-B3”, wrote
11 Alekhine. The move 6 N-B3 is
... P-QN3, as Alekhine
examined in Section (4).
played against Botvinnik in 1938,
is a mistake in view of 11 NxN 6 . . . P-K3
PxN B-QN5! B-Q2 13 Q-R4
12
N-Nl 14 B-KB4, with advantage This move is given in the above-
to White. mentioned analysis as the best
reply to 6 B-N5, with the possible
PxN P-QN3 continuation 7PxPPxP8BxN
QX 9 N X P Q-Ql, leading to an
equal game.
On 6 ... P X P, the following
gambit continuation suggested by
Alekhine is strong : 7 xP ! QxP
8 QxQ NxQ 9 0-0-0, or 7 ...
NxP 8 N-B3 NxN+ 9 QxN,
with an attack for White. Also
good is 7 P-Q5 N-K4 8 Q-Q4
N-Q6+9KBxNPxB 10N-B3!
(Botvinnik-Flohr, 1933).
The two sides have approximat-
Flohr’s continuation 6 . . . B-K3
ely equal chances.
7 N-B3 P-KN3 is best met by 8
BxN PxB 9 P-B5, when White
( 3)
has the initiative and a Q-side
5 . . . N-B3 pawn majority.
!
Regarding 6 ... B-N5, cf. B-Q2 11 P-Q6! R-Bl 12 B-N5!,

Game No. 50 (Tal-Bronstein). and ifl2...BxB 13QxPRxN?,
The variation 6 ... Q-N3 7 then 14 P-Q7 + N x P 15 Q-B8 +
!
PxP QNxP leads to very sharp RxQ 16 RxR mate.

play (7 QxNP? is a mistake;
. .
.
the game Botvinnik-Spielmann 7 N-B3 B-K2

(1935) continued 8 R-Bl N~QN5 !
9 N-R4 QxRP 10 B-QB4 B-N5

11 N-KB3 BxN 12 PxB, and
Black resigned! In making his 6th

and 7th moves, Spielmann was
counting on the reply recommend-
ed in an analysis by Rejfir: 8
N-R4? Q-N5+ 9 B-Q2 QxP 10
PxN N-K5 11 B-K3 Q-N5 +
12 K-K2 PxP with a strong
attack for Black, but there proved
to be a “hole” in the analysis.) Here White can choose between
After 7 . .
.
QN x P, the reply Alekhine’s continuation 8 B-Q3
8 B-K3 allows Black to obtain PxP 9 BxBP 0-0 10 0-0 P-
counter-play by 8 ... P-K4 9 PxP QN3 11 P-QR3 B-N2 12 Q-Q3
e.p. B-B4 10 PxP+ K-K2 11 N-Q4 13 BxN PxB 14 BxB
B-QB4 R-Ql (or 11 KN-K2 NxB with a slight advantage to
QxP). Muller’s move 8 KN-K2 White, and the variation which
is also possible, when Black should occurred in the game Keres-Ale-
reply 8 . . . N-B4 ! 9 Q-Q2 P-KR3 khine (1938): 8 P-B5 0-0 9 B-N5
10 BxN KPxB 11 N-N3 B-Q3 N-K5 10 BxB QxB 11 Q-B2
12 B-N5+ K-Bl, with a tenable N-N4! 12 NxN QxN 13 BxN
position. PxB 14 0-0 P-K4!, with equal
The following promising contin- chances.
uation also deserves considera-
tion, although it has hardly been
(4 )
tested in practice : 8 N-B3 NxN+
(or 8 ... QxP 9 R-Bl!) 9 QxN 5 ...
^ N-B3
QxP 10 B-N5+, or 10 R-Bl 6N-B3 B-N5!
.

The best move. If 6 ... P-K3, with the slightly better endgame
then 7 P-B5!, while on 6 ... for White.
P-KN3 White plays 7 B-N5 N-K5 Besides 13 QxN(N5), 13 NxN
8 PxP NxN 9 PxN QxP 10 (N5) has also been played, e.g. 13
R-QNl Q-N3, with the
or 10 . . . P-QR3 14 N-Q4 K-B3 fol-
advantage. The game Panov-Mud- lowed by . . . P-N3 and . . . K-N2.

rov (1929), in which White first
tried out his new system, took the 8... R-Bl!

following
8 instructive course : 6 . .
B-B4 7 P-B5 P-K3 8 B-QN5 Alekhine considered this to be

N-Q2 B-KB4 B~K2 10
9 P-KR3 the best reply. 8 ... Q-R4 is
0-0 11 0-0 P-QR3 12 B-R4 R-Bl weaker: 9 Q-N3 BxN PxB 10

13 Q-K2 R-Kl 14 KR-Kl N-Bl NxN 11 PxN (11 BxN+ PxB
9
15 QR-Ql N-N3 16 B-R2 N-R5 12 Q-N7? is a mistake in view of
17 N-K5 B-Bl 18 NxN PxN 12 ... N-Q4+ 13 B-Q2 Q-N3!
19 Q X RP Q-N4 20 B-KN3 P-K4 14 QxR+ K-Q2 15 0-0 N-B2,
21 BxBP Q-R3 22 B-N7 R-K3 Nimzowitsch-Alekhine, 1931) 11
23 Q-Bl BxRP 24 BxN, and . . . P-K3 12 P-Q5! PxP 13 0-0,
Black resigned. with a strong attack.
The
10 move played against Ale-
7PxP KNxP khine by the Indian master Sultan
B-QN5 Khan, who flashed like a brilliant
meteor across the chess sky, de-
This is how Alekhine always serves consideration : 8 . . . P-
played, since he evidently did not QR3?! 9 BxN-b PxB 10 Q-R4
like the simplifying continuation NxN!llQxBP-}-B-Q2 12QxN
given in Panov’s analysis 8 : Q-N3 R-B 1 1 3 Q-K3 B-N4. In Alekhine’s
BxN 9 PxB P-K3 (after 9 ... opinion. Black has positional com-
NxN both 10 P X N and the wild pensation for the pawn.
reply lOQxNPNxQP 11 PxN!
are favourable for White) 10 Q x P P-KR3 BxN
NxP 11 B-QN5+ NxB 12 QX P-K3
Q-B6 + ! K-K2 13 QxN(N5) 11 0-0 B-K2
NxN 14 PxN Q-Q4 15 QxQ
PxQ 16 R-QNl K-K3! 17 B-K3, The chances are equal.
. . . ..
III 3 PxP 4 NxP

... N-B3 5
2 N-QB3 P-Q4 N X N + NP X N can lead to varia-
3 N-B3 tions White

analysed earlier if
plays 6 P-Q4. But 6 B-B4! is
Spielmann’s unusual move 3 stronger, as Smyslov played against

Q-B3, which has been undeserved- Botvinnik game of in the 17th
ly forgotten, is best met by their match in 1958, when 6 ...
3 ... P X P (after 3 P-Q5 4 . . .

B-N5? fails to 7 N-K5!. Black
B-B4, it is risky either to accept can play either 6 . . . B-B4, prepar-
the knight sacrifice, or to play 4 ing to castle long, or 6 ... B-N2
... N-B3 5 P-K5! PxN 6 PxN 7 P-KR3 B-B4 8 0-0 P-K3 9
PxNP 7 BxBP+. After 6 ... R-Kl 0-0! (but not 9 N-Q2 . . .
KPxP 7 QxP(B3) White stands 10 N-Q4 B-N3 11 BxP) 10 P-Q4
better. Muller’s suggestion 3 ... N-Q2 with a minimal advantage to

N-B3 4P-K5 P-Q5 5PxNPxN6 White. 6 P-KN3 is less strong in
PxNP PxP+ 7 BxP BxP 8 view of 6 B-N5 7 B-N2 Q-Q2 . .
0-0-0 Q-N3 is also unfavourable 8 0-0 B-R6, or 8 P-KR3 B-K3
for Black in view of 9 B-B3!) 4 followed by ... N-R3 and . .
NxP N-Q2, and after 5 P-Q4 0 - 0 -0 .
KN-B3 6 B-QB4 Black can accept After 3 ... PxP 4 NxP,

the pawn sacrifice : N-N3 7
6 . . .
Black can also play 4 B-N5 . . .
B-Q3 QxP 8 N-K2 Q-Ql (also immediately, e.g. 5 B-B4 P-K3
good is 8 ... Q-Q2, intending . .

(5 . N-B3? again fails to 6 N-K5!
.
Q-N5) 9 NxN+ KPxN 10 B-R4?? 7 QxB!) 6 P-B3 N-Q2

B-KB4 N-Q4, with good chances 7 P-Q4 KN-B3, with a passive
of keeping his material advantage. but solid position. 4 ... B-B4

is weaker; after 5 N-N3 Black must
On the other hand, after 6 ...
P-K3 7 B-KN5 B-K2 (7 ... play 5 . . . B-N5, since the routine

Q-R4 + deserves consideration) reply 5 ... B-N3? (in analogy
8 0-0-0 NxN 9 BxB White has with the variation 2 P-Q4 P-Q4
good development and an advan- 3 N-QB3 PxP 4 NxP B-B4
tage in space, so the early develop- 5 N-N3 B-N3) is refuted by 6
ment of his queen is justified. P-KR4 P-KR3 7 N-K5 B-R2 8 1
Q-R5 P-KN3 9 Q-B3 N-B3 (9 . .
3 . . . B-N5 Q-Q4 fails to 10 QxQ PxQ

6
.

11 B-N5+) 10 Q-N3 or 10 B-B4 nothing after 7 ... BxQ 8 NxN
with an excellent position for Q-N3!) 6 ... B-N3 7 B-N5 +
White. The game Lasker-Miiller N-QB3 (7 ... N-Q2 loses to 8
(1934), for instance, continued N-K5 N-B3 9 P-N5)8 N-K5
10 Q-N3Q-Q4 11 QxPQxN + R-Bl! (bad is 8. Q-Q3 9 P-Q4 .
5 10 NxB PxN 11 Q-Q3!,

12 B-K2 Q-Q3 13 QxR Q-B2 P-B3
14 P-QR4 B-N2 15 R-R3 0-0 when White wins a pawn, as 11
16 R-N3, and White won. ... K-B2 fails to 12 NxP!,
3 ... P-Q5 4 N-K2 P-QB4 while 11 ... 0-0-0 is met by 12
in unfavourable for Black in view BxN QxB 13 QxP) 9 P-Q4
of 5 P-B3 PxP 6 NPxP. Here P-K3 10 Q-K2! B-N5 11 P-KR4,
5 P-Q6 ? is even worse 6
... : with advantage to White (Gur-
N-B4 P-B5 7 Q-R4+, while if genidze-Bagirov, 1960).
4
5 ... N-QB3, then 5 PxP PxP
6 Q-R4, and in each case Black QxB N-B3!
loses a pawn.
After 3 . . . N-B3 3 P-K5 N-K5 This strong move was suggested
(or 4 ... KN-Q2 5 P-K6! PxP by Ilivitsky. Earlier, 5 P-K3 . . .
6 P-Q4, with an attack for the was played, when Boleslavsky’s

sacrificed pawn) White plays 5 pawn sacrifice 6 P-Q4! is possible.
N-K2!, e.g. 5 ... P-K3 (if 5 ... Thus his game with Flohr (1950)
B-N5, then either 6 P-KR3 xN continued 6 ... N-B3 7 B-Q3
7 PxB, or 6 N(B3)-N1, while 5 PxP8NxPQxP9B-K3!Q-Ql
. .Q-N3 is met by 6 P-Q4
.
(or 9 ... QxP 10 0-0, with a
P-QB4 7PxPQxBP8 N(K2)-Q4) dangerous attack) 10 0-0-0 (also
6 P-Q3 N-B4 7 P-Q4 N(B4)-Q2 good is 10 NxN+ QxN
11
(7 ... N-K5? 8 N(B3)-N1!) Q-N3!) 10 ... QN-Q2 11 B-
8 N-B4 P-QB4 9 P-B3, and QB4, with a positional ad-
White’s position is to be preferred. vantage which more than compen-
sates for the sacrificed pawn. But
P-KR3 XN if after 5 . . . P-K3 6 P-Q4 Black
plays 6 ... PxP, the pawn sac-
4 ... B-R4 is weaker in view rifice 7 NxP is unfavourable for
of 5 PxP PxP P-KN4 (6
5 White, since after 7 ... QxP
B-N5 + N-QB3 7 N-K5 achieves 8 B-K3 Q X P his king’s bishop is
.
not yet developed, and Black has a The critical position, in which
bishop check in reserve, while on a complicated manoeuvring game
8 B-Q3 Black replies 8 QN-Q2 . .
.
begins, with chances for both
9 B-K3 Q-R5!, preparing both sides.
the simplifying move N-K4, . . . What should White play?

and . . . 0-0-0. But White can con- The natural-looking move 7P-
tinue 7 Q X KP N-B3 8 Q-R4 B-K2 KN3 (with the aim of fianchetto-
9 B-Q2. ing his king’s bishop) is met by
7 ... B-N5!, and if 8 B-Q2
6 P-Q3 then 8 . . . P-Q5 9 N-Nl Q-N3!,
seizing the initiative and gaining
a positional advantage.
Now the pawn sacrifice 6 P-Q4 In one of the match games Smys-
is no longer justified, since after
lov-Botvinnik (1958) White played
6 ...PxP7NxPQxP Black is
7 P-R3, preventing the exchange of
attacking the knight, thereby forc- bishops which
the black-squared
ing its exchange or retreat, where-
is inevitable after 7 P-KN3 B-N5.
upon he successfully compl etes his
In this way, at the cost of atempo
development and keeps his material
he kept the advantage of the two
advantage. But after 6 P-Q3 the
bishops, and prepared to fianchetto
position becomes closed, which his king’s bishop. After 7 . . . B-K2
favours Black, as the advantage P-KN4 KN-Q2 (the preparatory
8
of the two bishops is imperceptible.
exchange 8 . . . P x P was stronger,
followed by . . . KN-Q2 and . .
6 . . . P-K3 B-N4) 9 P-Q4 N-Bl 10 B-K3

N-N3 11 Q-N3! White obtained
the advantage.
In the game Sakharov-Simagin
(1960), White adopted Zhilin’s
move 7 B-Q2, defending in advance

against the pin, but gained no ad-
vantage after 7 . . . B-K2 8 P-KN3
0-0 9 B-N2 N-R3.
would seem that White’s best
It
chance of gaining an opening ad-
6*
.

vantage is by 7 B-K2, and if 7 ... have played 14 QR-Bl N-B3
B-N5, then 8 0-0!, but not 8 15 B-B2 P-KR4 16 P-B4 PxP
Q-N3 P-Q5! 9 P-R3 B-R4 10 17 QxP 0-0 18 KR-Ql, preparing
P-N4 B-B2. the manoeuvre N-B3-K4.
14 . . . N-B3
Game No. 47 15 QR-Ql P-KN3
Nimzowitsch-Capablanca 16P-KN4?
(New York, 1927)
1 P-K4 P-QB3 A positional error. White weak-

ens his K-side, a factor which
2P-Q4 P-Q4
3P-K5 B-B4 Capablanca exploits brilliantly. He
4B-Q3 BxB should have played 16 B-B2 P-KR4
QxB P-K3 17 R-Q2 and R-Bl, preparing to
5
open up the QB-file.
6 N-QB3 Q-N3
7 KN-K2 P-QB4 16... NxB
8PxP BxP 17QxN P-KR4!
9 0-0 N-K2
10 N-R4 • • •
In this variation of the Caro-

Kann, Black experiences no difficul-
ties, and quickly equalizes. White
attempts to simplify the position,

but better was 10 P-QR3, pro-
voking 10 . . Q-B3.
10 ... Q-B3
11 NxB QxN A standard method of opening a
12 B-K3 Q-B2 file or creating a strong outpost.
13 P-KB4 N-B4
14 P-B3? • • •
18 P-N5
A passive move, after which If 18 P-KR3, then 18 ... PxP

Black assumes the initiative. As 19 PxP 0-0-0, with a counter-
Alekhine indicated. White should attack along the KR-file.
18
. . . 0-0 27R(K2)-Q2 R-B5

19 N-Q4 Q-N3! 28 Q-R3 K-N2
29 R-KB2 P-R4
Pinning the knight, and prevent-
ing 20 N-N5. White is restricted to waiting
moves, whereas Black, move by
20 R-B2 KR-Bl move, strengthens his position.
21 P-QR3 R-B2 In classical fashion Capablanca
22 R-Q3 N-R4 concludes the game, which is one
of his best creative achievements.
This move contains a trap, which
Nimzowitsch, who was an excel- 30 R-K2 N-B4!
lent tactician, sees through. Better 31NxN-b
32
was the immediate 22 N-K2, . . .
followedby QR-QBl, Q-R3,P-N4, On 31 R(K2)-Q2 Black would

Q-N3 and P-R4, beginning an have continued 31 ... NxN 32
attackon the Q-side while White RxN RxR 33 PxR R-B5 34
has no chances on the K-side. Q-K3 P-R5, with a big positional
advantage.
23R-K2! R-Kl!
31... NPxN
The attempt to win a pawn by Q-B3
23 ... N-B5 24 Q-B2 NxRP
fails to 25 P-B5!,butnot25 PxN? If 32 Q X RP, then 32 . . . R-KRl
Q-N8 +. 33 Q-B3 R-KR5, and Black wins.
24 K-N2 N-B3 32 . . . K-N3

25R(K2)-Q2 33 R(K2)-Q2 R-K5
34 R-Q4 R-B5
The immediate exchange of 35 Q-B2 Q-N4
knights would have given White 36 K-N3
better drawing chances.
Or 36 R X R(B4) Q X R 37 R-Q4
25 . . . R(K1)-QB1 Q-N6!, and in the event of the
26R-K2 N-K2! exchange of rooks, the queen
. .

ending is lost for White in view of B-R2 first (cf. analysis). In the
the exposed position of his king, subsequent course of the game, we
and Black’s protected passed pawn. will see how Black exploits the
position of the pawn at KR4 to
36 . . R(B5)xR seize the initiative.
37PxR Q-B5
38 K-N2 P-N4 8 . . BxB
39 K-Nl P-N5 KN-B3
9 QX
40 PxP PxP
41 K-N2 Q-QB8 In the third game of the Smys-
42 K-N3 Q-KR8! lov-Botvinnik match (1958) and
43 R-Q3 R-K8 in the first game of the Spassky-
44 R-KB3 R-Q8 Petrosian match (1966), Black
45 P-N3 R-QB8! continued 9 Q-B2, when there
. .
.
46 R-K3 • • •
followed 10 B-Q2 P-K3 11 0-0-0
Or 46 K-R3 R-B7.
0-0-0 12 P-B4 KN-B3 13 K-Nl
P-B4 14 B-B3 PxP 15 NxP
46 ... R-B8 P-R3. Here Smyslov played 16
Resigns. Q-K2, and Spassky 16 N-B3,
with a complicated positional strug-
gle in both cases.
Game No. 48
Spassky also played this, his
Grigoriev-Panov
favourite variation, in a game
(Moscow, 1928)
against Botvinnik in 1966 (with the
1P-K4 P-QB3 moves 8 P-R5 B-R2 included),
2P-Q4 P-Q4 but as Botvinnik remarked in the
3 N-QB3 PxP magazine Ogonyok, “unfortu-
4NxP B-B4 nately for my opponent, this whole
5N-N3 B-N3 variation was well known to me,
6P-KR4 P-KR3 since as long ago as 1928 I hap-
7N-B3 N-Q2 pened to be the annotator of the
8B-Q3 • • * Grigoriev-Panov game, where this
opening occurred”.
In recent years White has nor-
mally preferred to play 8 P-R5 10 B-Q2 P-K3
11 0-0-0 Q-B2 his KRP undefended, which Black
12 KR-Kl immediately exploits to gain an
important tempo and seize the
“With move”, writes Bot-
this initiative. 14 N-K4 N-B5 15
vinnik, “White makes a slight mis- BxNQxB-h 16 K-N 1 was better.
take, leaving his KRP undefended,
after which he is forced onto the 14... NxN
defensive as Black obtains a last- 15 PxN B-K2!
ing initiative. Correct was 12 Q-K2, 16 P-R5
when 12 . . . 0-0-0 is met, without
loss of tempo, by 13 N-K5 NxN On Q-N4 Botvinnik recom-
16
14 PxNN-Q4 15 P-KB4 B-K2 mends 16 P-KR4 17 QxNP
. . .
16 N-K4 with the unpleasant BxP (but not 17 ... N-B6 18

threat of 17 P-B4 N-N5 (17 ... QxP! NxR QxKPH-) 18 19
N-N3 18B-R5) ISBxNBxB 19 N-K4 QR-Nl 19 N-Q6-f- K-Nl
P-QB5. White would then stand 20 QxP QxQ 21 NxQ R-R2
slightly better.” 22 N-Q6 RxP, with the better
It is interesting that all these prospects for Black.
strategical ideas, which were men-
tioned by Botvinnik in 1928, are 16 . . . KR-Kl
still used today in this variation. 17 Q-N4 B-Bl
18P-KB4 P-QB4!
12 . . . 0- 0-0
13 Q-K2 Black not only prepares a pawn
attack on the king, but also plans
Moving the queen away from
to secure an unassailable post for
its unpleasant position vis-a-vis
his knight in the centre.
the rook. Nowaday, too, this queen
retreat is adopted in similar posi-
19 N-K4
tions.
13 . . . N-Q4! 19 P-B4 N-N5 20 BxN PxB

14 N-K5 was necessary, with a somewhat
inferior but tenable position for
White prevents the intrusion of White. The whole game demon-
the knight at . . . KB5, but leaves strates that White must play P-QB4
in this system, since otherwise after open the possibility of covering
. . . P-B5 Black obtains an im- his king with a rook, or else moving
pregnable square for his knight and it over to the QR- or QN-file.
good chances of an attack on the
white king. 24 B-K3 P-N5
25RPXP PxP
26 B-Q4 Q-R4
White’s attempt to gain the ini-
tiative on the K-side has failed;

the opponent’s attack on the oppo-
site flank has proved much more
effective. White is in difficulties,
and he is already threatened with

mate in three.
19... P-B5!
20 Q-B3 K-Nl 27 K-B2 Q-R5 +
21 P-KN4 28K-Q2 PxP + !
After 21 N-B3 Q-B3 22 NxN

R X N Black controls the only open Just at the right time, as White
file. cannot recapture either with his
bishop or his pawn.
21 . . . P-QN4!
29 NXP Q-N6
The beginning of the decisive
30 K-K2 R(K1)-Q1
pawn storm. White is forced to
defend passively, as his counter-
offensive on the K-side is not dan-
The immediate win of the pawn
gerous for Black.
would have simplified the position,
and given White counter-chances
22 P-R3 P-R4 in view of the exposed position
23P-B3 R-Q2! of the black king.
Black prepares to double rooks, 31 K-Bl B-N5

defends his second rank, and keeps 32 R-Rl R-N2
.
CARO-KANN DEFENCE
Now it is clear how useful Black’s 3N-B3 PxP
23rd move was. 4NxP N-B3
5 NxN + NPxN
33 Q-B2 XN 6 P-Q4 B-N5
34PxB NxQBP 7 B-K2 Q-B2
35 B-R7 + K-Bl 8 P-B3 N-Q2
36 B-B5 N-N4!
9 Q-R4 • • •
The concluding manoeuvre.

As often happens, the early
Black parries all attempts to com-
development of the queen turns
plicate the game by 37 R-R8 + out badly. Better was 9 B-K3,
R-Nl 38RxR + KxR39 B-Q6 + so as only after 9 . . . 0-0-0 to
and himself threatens a check at
play 10 Q-R4 K-Nl 11 0-0-0.
... KR6.
9 . . P-K3
37 K-N2 P-B6 10 B-Q2 R-KNl
38 R-R8 + R-QNl
39 R-R6 R-Q7 A clever manoeuvre, by which
40 R-K2 Q-Q4 + the rook is quickly transferred to
41 K-Bl the centre of the board.
41K-Nl fails to 41 ... R-Q8 + 11 0-0-0 B-KB4

42 R-Kl RxR+ 43 QxR Qx 12 QR-Kl R-N5
+.
12 ... R X P would be a mistake
41 . . . RxR in view of 13 N-R4. But now
42 XR P-B7 12 . . . N-B4 is threatened.
43 R-Rl N-B6 +
Resigns. 13P-KR3 R-K5!
14 Q-N3
Game No. 49
Other moves are answered by
LevenJjsh-Konstantinopolsky
the pretty combination: 14 ...
(Leningrad, 1947)
N-B4 and 15 ... RxB.
1 P-K4 P-QB3
2 N-QB3 P-Q4 14 • • • 0-0-0
18
In this short, sharp fight be- 17NxR BxN
tween two outstanding theorists, B-Q2
Konstantinopolsky — a master
with a subtle positional style — BxP, then
If 18 18 ... N-B4
succeeds in completely outplaying 19 Q-B4 P-N4!!, or 19 BxN
his highly experienced opponent. QxB, with a crushing attack in
both cases.
15 B-K3
18 . . . N-B4
After other moves White simi- 19 Q-N4
larly has no defence against the
coming attack, since his pieces The queen has no good move.
— and in particular his king! — If 19 Q-Ql, then 19 ... PxP
are very badly placed, in contrast 20 P X P Q-R4 is decisive.
to Black’s harmonious develop-
ment. 19 ... N-Q6 +
15... P-B4!
20 BxN BxQ
21 RxB PxP
16 N-Q2
22 BxP RxB
White is already in difficulties.
23 RxB RxBT
Resigns.
No better is 16 B-Q3 RxB 17
RxR BxB 18 RxB P-B5, or
16 PxP NxP 17 BxN B-R3-b
Game No. 50
18B-K3RXB.
Tal-Bronstein
(Leningrad, 1971)
1 P-K4 P-QB3
2 P-QB4 P-Q4
PxP
4 P-Q4 N-KB3
5 N-QB3
By a moves we
transposition of
16... PxP! have reached the Panov Attack,
which, as we have seen in the 9 P-Q5 N-K4

analysis, gives White good pros- 10 0-0
pects.
For the moment Black is a

5 . . . N-B3 pawn up, but he is seriously behind
6 B-N5 B-N5 in development, and his defence is
not easy.
This is not the best continua-
tion, as is convincingly demonstrat- 10 . . . P-KR3
ed by the ex-World Champion.
Black normally plays 6 . . . P-K3, It is difficult to suggest anything
6 . .
.
Q-N3 or 6 ... P X P. better. If 10 ... P-K3, then
11 BxN PxB 12 Q-R4-b Q-Q2
7B-K2! 13 N-N5 R-Bl 14 PxP PxP
15 QR-Ql, and White has an
excellent position, or 10
A very strong move, which gives
White the advantage. 7 P-B3 P-KN3 11 P-Q6! PxP (11 ...
B-K3 8 P-B5 used to be played,

B-N2 12 PxP!) 12 BxN QxB
13 N-Q5 Q-Ql 14 Q-R4-F, with
leading to a complicated position
decisive threats.
with the better chances for White.
7 . . . BxB 11 B-B4 N-N3

12 Q-R4 -b Q-Q2
13 Q X BP R-Bl
Black is forced to exchange, as
14 Q-N3
after 7 . . . B-K3 8 B-B3 he is in
difficulties.
As a result White has regained
his pawn, while keeping all the
8KNxB PxP advantages of his position.
This surrender of the centre is 14 . . . P-K4

also forced, since he cannot hold
his Q4 square. If 8 ... P-K3, then A desperate attempt to break
9PxPPxP10 Q-N3, and Black free. 14 ... NxB 15 NxN
is soon forced to shed a pawn. P-KN4 brings no relief, in view of
the elegant rejoinder 16 N-K6! 17 ... Q-Q2 18 KR-K1 +
PxN 17 PxP Q-B3 18 QR-Bl, K-Bl 18 QxQ NxQ 20 B-K3
and White must win. leads to a difficult and cheerless
position for Black, where in addi-
15PxPe.p. QxP tion he is a pawn down. In an
16 QXP B-B4 attempt to complicate the game he
sacrifices his queen, but this does
not ease his lot.
18 QR-Kl 0-0
After 18 . . . B-K4 BxB 0-0

19
20 BxN QxB 21 QxRP White
wins a second pawn.
19 RxQ PxR
would appear that, at the
It 20 B-Q6 KR-Ql
cost of a pawn, Black has succeed- 21 B-B7 R-Bl
ed in parrying the immediate 22 N-N5 B-K4
threats, since after 17 . . 0-0 his
. 23 BxB NxB
king will be out of danger. But he 24 QxRP • « •
does not manage to castle. The

ex-World Champion lands a de- The rest is simple.
cisive blow, after which further

loss of material for Black is inev- 24 ... N-Q4
itable. 25 Q-Q4 N-KN3
26 P-KR4 N(N3)-B5
17N-Q4! BxN 27 Q-K4 Resigns.
FRENCH DEFENCE:
1 P-K4 P-K3 2 P-Q4 P-Q4
The French Defence was not difficulty in developing his queen’s

especially popular in the last bishop, as a result of which White
century, but in the present century usually obtains the initiative and
it has been enriched by many new a spatial advantage (i. e. the freer
strategical ideas, and has gained game) in the resulting sharp and
general recognition. Important con- complex positions.
tributions to the theory of the Although the French Defence
opening for Black were made by is sound from the defensive point
Tarrasch, Steinitz, Rubinstein, of view, it gives Black fewer chan-
Nimzowitsch and Euwe, and nu- ces of seizing the initiative, and so
merous brilliant attacking methods in recent years it has been much
were found by Alekhine. Of the less frequently played than the
Soviet players who have made a Sicilian Defence or 1 ... P-K4.
thorough analysis of literally all
the variations of the French De- I.
fence, we should in the first in-

and
3PxP
stance mention Botvinnik
Rauzer.
A rarely played continuation,
The virtue of the French De- which leads to an equal game.
fence is that Black, after fortifying
as far as possible his K-side, and 3... PxP
while maintainins the balance in 4B-Q3 N-QB3!
the centre, at the first opportunity
launches a counter-attack on the The best move 4 ; ... B-Q3 is
Q-side by ... P-QB4. Its basic weaker in view of 5 N-QB3
disadvantage for Black is the P-QB3 5 KN-K2 Q-R5 (pre vent-
75
ing 5 7 B-KB4) 7 B-K3 N-B3 Alekhine’s manoeuvre, prevent-
8 Q-Q2!, and if 8 ... N-N5, then ing B-KB4. On the plausible
9 P-KN3, with advantage to 7 N-Q2 (with the aim of playing
White. 8 N-B3) Black replies 7 ...
B-KN5, and if 8 Q-N3, then
N-K2 8 ... 0-0-0 9 QxQP? N-B3,
with a strong attack. If Black is not
Also possible is the sharper aiming for complications he can
continuation 5 N-KB3 B-KN5 play 6 ... KN-K2, preparing
6 P-B3 Q-Q2 7 0-0 0-0-0, with . . . B-KB4.
pawn attacks against the respective
opposing kings. After 8 QN-Q2 7 P-KN3! Q-R4
B-Q3 9 R-Kl KN-K2 Black,
according to Euwe, should play 7 . .
.
Q-R6 is met by the same
10 . .
.
QR-Kl (vacating a square reply, while if 7 Q-K2, ... then
for the knight’s retreat in the event 8 0-0 followed by 9 R-Kl.
of P-QN4-N5) 11 N-N3 P-B3,
with equal chances. 8N-B4 QxQ +
9KxQ B-KN5 +
5 , . . B-Q3 10 K-B2 0-0-0
6 P-QB3 11 R-Kl
On 6 QN-B3 Alekhine recom- 11 NxP? fails to 11 ... B-B6.

mended 6 ... N-N5, either ex-
changing off White’s bishop, or
driving it onto a passive square
after 7 B-QN5 + P-QB3. However,
the knight manoeuvre N- . . .
N5 xB involves the loss of two

tempi, and White should not bother
to prevent it. After 6 QN-B3
N-N5 he can play 7 B-KB4, with
a lead in development.
Chances are equal. This whole
6 • • • Q-R5! variation has the deserved reputa-
FRENCH DEFENCE 77
tion of being a colourless drawing PxP 6 0-0 P-B3! (also good is
system, which gives White no Botvinnik’s 6 ... B-B4, when

advantage. White should play 7 QN-Q2
KN-K2 8 N-N3 B-N3 9 B-KB4
N-N3 10 B-N3, although Black
11 .
still stands better) 7 B-QN5 (7
3 P-K5 B-KB4 loses a pawn to 7 ...
P-KN4) 7 ... B-Q2 8 BxN
This old system, which was PxB 9 QxP. Here Black can
readily adopted by Steinitz and play 9 . . . P-KB4, or 9 ... Q-N3,
Nimzowitsch, is based upon the or 9 ... PxP 10 QxP (10 NxP
fact that White’s central pawn Q-N3!) 10 ... N-B3 11 B-B4
chain cramps Black’s develop- B-B4 12 N-B3 0-0, with a good
ment. However, Black easily ob- game.
on the Q-side,
tains counter-play 4 Q-N4, suggested by Nimzo-
which enables him to at least witsch, is interesting, when Black
equalize. replies 4 ... N-QB3 5 N-KB3
KN-K2! (Alekhine, the inventor of
3 . . . P-QB4 this move, writes: “The fact that
formerly this move wasn’t played
Now White is faced with the is yet a further demonstration of
choice of whether to defend his the short-sightedness of theory,
QP or, as Nimzowitsch preferred, since the problem of the king’s
to sacrifice it, thereby gaining a knight’s development —one of the
lead in development and hoping most difficult in this line —should
for chances on the K-side. be solved at the first opportunity.”
After 5 ... PxP 6 B-Q3 Q-B2
4 P-QB3 White is practically forced to
sacrifice a second pawn by 7 0-0 ? !
Practice has shown that the NxP 8 NxN QxN 9 B-KB4,

pawn sacrifice gives White in- as 7Q-N3 is met by 7 ... P-B3!,
sufficient compensation. For ex- and 7 B-KB4 by 7 ... KN-K2
ample, 4 N-KB3 N-QB3 (or and 8 N-N3) 6 P-B3 N-B4
...
immediately 4 ... PxP 5 QxP 7 B-Q3 PxP!, with advantage to

N-QB3 6 Q-KB4 P-B4!) 5 B~Q3 Black, since 8 PxP is met by
.
8
. N-N5!. Instead of 6 P-B3,
. . After 6 B-Q3 PxP 7 PxP
stronger is 6 B-Q3 N X QP 7 N X N B-Q2 White must either play
PxN 8 0-0!, when White has the 8 B-K2, losing a tempo, or give
initiative for the pawn. up a pawn. For example, 8 0-0
White fails to gain any advan- NxQP 9 NxN QxN 10 N-B3
tage by 4 PxP N-QB3! (if 4 ... P-QR3 (capturing the second
BxP, then 5 Q~N4, developing pawn gives White a very strong
the queen with gain of time) attack) 11 Q-K2 B-N5 12 R-Ql.
5 N-KB3 BxP 6 B-Q3 P-B4! White has a lead in development
(Lasker’s move. Also good is and the initiative, which com-
6 ... P-B3 7 B-KB4 PxP pensate for the pawn. Or 10 ...
8 NxP Q-B3, or 6 ... KN-K2 Q-N3 11 Q-N4 P-KR4 12 Q-N5
7 0-0 N-N3 8 R-Kl B-Q2 P-N3 13 P-QR4! B-R3 14 Q-R4
9 P-B3 B-N3!, preparing . . P-R3 15 BxB NxB 16 Q-B6
B-B2) 7 P-B3 P-QR3 (preventing R-KBl 17 NxP Q-Ql 18 Q-B4,
the driving away of his knight by with advantage to White (Tal-
P-QN4-N5, as well as the pin Stahlberg, 1961).
B-QN5) 8 QN-Q2 KN-K2, with Paulsen’s old move, 6 P-QR3,
good counter-play for Black. leads to a complicated position.
Black can reply 6 ... P-QR4
4 . . . N-QB3 7 B-Q3 B-Q2 8 B-B2 PxP
5 N-B3 9 PxP KN-K2, or 7 B-K2 PxP
8 PxP KN-K2, followed by
. N-B4. Also possible is 6 ...
. .
P-KB4, then 5
If 5 Q-N3 . .
.
P-B5 followed by ... N-R4
6 N-B3 N-R3, with advantage to
B-Q2 and 0-0-0, whereas. . .
Black.
after 6 ... PxP 7 PxP KN-K2
8 P-QN4! N-B4 9 B-N2 B-Q2
5... Q-N3! 10 N-B3 White’s position is pref-
erable.
A strong manoeuvre. The queen On 6 ... P-B3 White replies
attacks White’s QN2 and Q4 7 B-Q3.
squares, and hinders QN-Q2. 6PxPBxP7 Q-B2 is a mistake
in view of 7 ... P-B3! 8 B-Q3
6 B-K2 PxPl, with advantage to Black.
!
FRENCH DEFENCE 79
6 . . . KN-K2
7 N-R3
Euwe’s suggestion 7 P x P Q-B2

(if 7 ... Q X BP, then 8 B-K3)
8 N-Q4! deserves consideration
(8 B-QN5 is answered by 8 ...
N-N3). Here 8 ... NxP? 9

N-N5 QxP costs Black the ex-
change after 10 Q-Q4!, but also
In the resulting critical position,
after 8 QxP 9 0-0 (9 P-KB4 . .
.
the two sides have equal chances.
Q-B3 10 N-N5 is weaker in view
of 10 ... N-B4! 11 N-B7-f K-Ql
III.
12 NX R Q-R5 +), followed by
P-QN4, White has an active 3 N-Q2
position. For this reason. Black
often plays 6 . . . N-R3. This system was frequently and
P-QN3, then 7 ... PxP
If 7 successfully practised by Tarrasch,
8 P X P N-B4 9 B-N2 B-K2 with and for this reason bears his name.
a good game for Black after The Tarrasch System allows
. P-KR4,
. . B-Q2, 0-0-0 . . . . . . White to avoid the complicated
10
(or ... R-QBl), . . . P-B3. variations resulting from 3 N-QB3,
and gives a quiet manoeuvring
7... PxP game where he has slightly the
8 PxP N-B4 better position.
9 N-B2 B-K2
3 . . . P-QB4!
If 9 . . . B-N5 +, then 10 K-Bl The most active reply. 3 ...

B-K2 11 P-QN4. In this system. PxP 4 NxP leads to the Rubin-
Black should not in general allow stein System, examined in Section
P-QN4, but should prevent it by IV.
. P-QB5 or
. . P-QR4. . . .
After 3 ... P-K4 4 QPxP
PxP 5 Q-K2! White wins a pawn
R-QNl P-QR4 with the better position.
7
. .

On N-KB3 White plays
3 ... White can either transpose into a
4 P-K5 KN-Q2 5 B-Q3 (the con- slightly favourable ending: 10
tinuation 5 P-KB4 P-QB4 6 P-B3 B-Q2 BxB+ 11 QxB Q-N5
N-QB3 7 QN-B3 Q-N3 8 P-KN3! 12 R-QBl QxQ+ 13 KxQ, or
PxP 9 PXPB-N5+ 10 K-B2! is go in for sharp complications after
also worth consideration) 5 ... 13 K-Bl P~B3 1 ? (the only counter-
P-QB4 6 P-QB3 N-QB3 (6 . . chance, as 10 ... B-K2 11 P-QR3
P-QN3 leads to an advantage for leads to a difficult position for
White after 7 N-K2 B-R3 8 x Black) N-B4!? PxP 11 12
NX N-KN3,
9 0-0 followed by NxP(K6) P-K5 13 B-KB4, or
Q-N4 and P-KB4) 7 N-K2 Q-N3. 12 ... N-B3 13 NxNP+ K-Bl.
(Instead of 7 ... Q-N3 Black Since these continuations are un-
can also try the Leningrad Varia- favourable for Black, instead of
tion: 7 ... PxP 8 PxP N-N3 9 . . . B-N5 -b he normally prefers
9 0-0 B-Q2 10 P-QR3 P-QR4 9 ... P-B3 10 PxP Nx BP 110-0
11 P-QN3 P-R5 12 P-QN4 R-Bl, B-Q3, reaching the following criti-
with attacks on opposite flanks, or cal position.
8 ... P-B3 9 PxP QxP 10 0-0!

NxP 11 NxN QxN 12 N-B3
Q-B3 B-KN5, with an excellent
13
game for the pawn (Mordkovich-
Bagirov, 1958). If, instead of
9 PxP, White plays 9 N-KB4,
Black can reply 9 ... N x QP !.
Also playable for Black is the

sharp continuation 7 ... P-B3
8 N-B4 Q-K2 9 KPxP QxP
10 N-B3 B-Q3 11 N-R5 Q-K2 Each side has several interesting
12 0-0 P-KN3 13 PxP BxBP possibilities.
14 N-B4 0-0). For example, 12 B-Q2 B-Q2
8 N-B3 (if 8 0-0 PxP 9 PxP 13 B-B3 0-0 N-N3 QR-Kl, or
14
NxQP 10 NxN QxN II N-B3 12 N-B3 B-Q2 13 B-KN5 0-0-0
Q-N3 12 Q-R4, then 12 ... (Makagonov’s move. After 13 . .
Q-N5! 13 Q-B2 P-KN3) 8 ... 0-0 14 R-Kl a position is reached

PxP 9 PxP B-N5+, and here from the game Keres-Bronstein
:
FRENCH DEFENCE 81
(1956) where Black played 14 ... tage. Weaker is 6 P-B3 P-B3

N-KN5, with the threat of 15 ... 7 B-Q3 PxP 8 NxP N(B3)xN
QxNP, and on 15 B-R4 played 9 PXN NxP 10 Q-R5+ N-B2
15 . . . N-R3), or 12 N-B4 0-0 11 BxP B-Q2 N-B3 Q-B3 12
13 R-Kl, when Black can either 13 N-N5 B-B4 14 P-KB4 B-N3!,
temporarily sacrifice a pawn by or 6 P-B4 PxP 7 NxP N-N3. On
13 ... B-Q2 14 NxKP KR-Kl 6 B-Q3 there follows 6 N-N5 . . .
15 B-B5 B-N5! (Euwe’s move. 7 B-K2 P-QB4; or 6 B-K2 P-B3

15 ... N-QR4 is also good) 7 PxP QxP 8 N-Bl P-K4!
16 B-Q2 BxB 17 QxB, or play 9 PxP N(Q2)xP 10 N-K3
13 . . . N-K5. NxN4- 11 BxN P-Q5) 6 ...
The system with 3 . . . N-QB3 P-B3 (Black’s main counter-chance

is whereby Black vol-
interesting, in this system, which White should
untarily forgoes his main trump in always bear in mind. Also possible
the French Defence, the advance is B-K2 7 B-QN5 N(B3)-
6 ...
. . . P-QB4, but hopes instead to N1!) 7 B-QN5! (After 7 PxP
gain counter-play with his pieces QxP followed by ... P-K4
in the centre*. White has two Black has an active position.)
alternatives
(1) 4 P-QB3 P-K4 5 KPxP

(weaker is 5 QP x P in view of 5 ...
PxP, or 5 B-N5 QPxP 6 NxP

Q-Q4!) 5 ... QxP 6 KN-B3
P X P (6 P-K5 7 B-B4 Q-KB4 . . .
8 Q-K2 and 6 B-KN5 7 B-B4 . . .
BxN? 8 Q-N3! are bad for

Black) 7 B-B4 Q-KB4 (or 7 ...
Q-KR4) 8 0-0 B-K3, with equal

chances. In the resulting critical position,
(2) 4 KN-B3 (the best reply) it is unfavourable for Black to
4 . . . N-B3 5 P-K5 N-Q2 6 N-N3 play 7 ... PxP 8 PxP (if 8
(Botvinnik’s move, which gives BxN PxB 9 PxP, then 9 ...
White a slight but lasting advan- P-QR4!, but not 9 ... B-K2
* Editor’s note: In the West, this system is known as the Guimard Variation.
7*
1 . !
6
10 N-R5) 8 B-K2 in view of

. . . KN-B3 (or 6 PxP QxP 7
9 QN-Q4!, when 9 NxN 10 . . . Q-N4? N-K4! 8 QxP B-Q5)
NxN P-B3 11 NxKP Q-R4 + 6 . N-B3 7 Q-K2 (if 7 P-K5,
. .
12 B-Q2 QxB (N4) fails to 13 then 7 N-Q2 8 Q-K2 B-N3

. . .
N-B7 +, while on 9 ... N (Q2)-N1 9 N-N3 B-B2 10 B-KB4 P-B3!)

in the game Estrin-Bagirov (1958) I ... N-QN5 or 4 KN-B3 N- !,
N-KN5! BxN
there followed 10 QB3 (or 4 ... N-KB3 5 KPxP
1 Q-R5 + P-KN3 12 Q X Q X Q N X P) 5 B-N5 BP X P 6 0-0 N-B3
13 BxQ B-Q2 14 NxN NxN 7 P-K5 N-Q2 8 N-N3 P-QR3!
15 B-B6 R-KNl 16 B-K2 N-Q5 9BxNPxB.
17 B-Ql with advantage to White. On KN-B3 Black’s best reply
4
After 7 . . . P-QR3 White ob- is 4 ... N-KB3 5 P-K5 KN-Q2,
tains an attack, following the although he has to reckon with

example of the game Bronstein- the fact that after 6 P-B3 Q-N3
Szabo (1948): 8BxNPxB9
0-0 7 B-Q3 N-QB3 8 0-0 PxP
(if immediately 9 N-R5, then 9 . . 9 PxP NxQP 10 NxN QxN
B-N5-f 10 B-Q2 BxN) 9 ... II N-B3 Q-N3 12 Q-R4! White
P-QB4 10 P-B4! QPxP 11 N-R5 has the initiative for the sacrificed
N-N3 12 KPxP QxBP 13 PxP pawn.
Q-B4 14 B-N5 and if 14 ... If Black is slow to develop his
QxP, then 15 Q-Q8+ K-B2 16 K-side, a single incautious move
QR-Ql, and White wins. on his part can lead to an irre-
The best line for Black in the sistible attack for White, an ex-
diagram position is 7 ... B-K2 8 ample of which is the brilliant
B-KB4 0-0 (8 ... P-B4 is also miniature Tal-Uhlmann (1971):

good), and after 9 PxP he can 4 ... N-QB3 5 B-N5 QPxP 6
recapture either with the pawn or NxP B-Q2 7 B-N5 Q-R4 + ?
with a piece, according to taste, 8 N-B3 PxP 9 NxP B-N5 10
although in any case White’s po- 0-0 BxN 11 PxB QxBP? (11
sition is slightly better. . . . P-B3 was necessary) 12 N-B5 !
PxN R-Kl + B-K3 14 Q-Q6

13
4KPxP P-KR3 15 B-Q2 QxP 16 B-N4
P-R3 17 Q-B8-1- K-Q2 18 KR-
An equal game results from 4 -Q1 + K-B2 19 QxR, and Black
QPxP BxP 6 B-Q3 N-QB3 resigned.
FRENCH DEFENCE 83
4... KPxP P-QR3 (if Black wishes to avoid
the complications he can play
This leads to a quiet game with 7 ... QN-Q2) 8 B-N5!?PxB
equal chances. 4 . . . BP x P is a 9 RPxP QxN 10 RxR QxNP!
mistake in view of 5 B-N5 + (10 ... QxQ+ 11 KXQKN-Q2
B-Q2 6 PxP! BxB 7 PxP + 12 N-B4 P-QN3 is weaker in
KxP 8 Q-R5+. The following view of 13 R-R7!, with the irre-
sharp continuation is insuffi- sistible threat of 14 B-B4) 11

cient for equality: 4 ... QxP Q-B3 QxQ NxQ KN-Q2
12
5 KN-B3 PxP 6 B-B4 Q-Ql 13 N-K5 PxP 14 NxN KxN
(also Q-Q3 7
played is 6 ... 15 RxN B-Q3, with chances for
0-0 N-QB3 8 N-N3 N-B3 9 both sides (Boleslavsky-Chistya-
QNxP NxN 10 NxN B-K2 11 kov, 1956). However, stronger is
P-QN3 0-0 12 B-N2, with the 8 P-QN3 9 N-K5 Q-B2 10

0-0
better prospects for White) 7 0-0 R-Kl N-B3 11 N(Q2)-B3 and
N-QB3 N-N3 B-K2 (or 8 ...
8 if 11 ... NxN, then 12 PxN
N-B3 9 Q-K2 B-K2 10 R-Ql N-Q2 13 N-N5 with an attack,
0-0 11 QNxP) 9 Q-K2 (White e.g. 13 ... B-N2 14 NxBP!
does not try to win back the pawn KxN 15 BxKP + I.
immediately which would only The gambit variation introduced

equalize, but first brings his rook by Shaposhnikov is of interest:
onto the Q-file) 9 ... B-B3 10 4 ... N-KB3 5 PxKP BxP.
R-Ql KN-K2 11 KNxP NxN However, after KN-B3 (also
6
12 NxN BxN 13 B-K3, and possible is 6 B-N5+ N-B3 7
White has the better chances. For BxN+ PxB 8 QN-B3 PxP
this reason, instead of 5 ... PxP, 9 NxP, or 9 QxP Q-R4+ 10
5 . . . N-KB3 is better, aiming to B-Q2) 6 ... PxP (or 6 .. . N-B3
complete his development quickly, 7 B-B4!) 7 B-N5+ N-B3 8 0-0
and after 6 B-B4 Q-B3 7 0-0 White, who N-N3, and
threatens
QN-Q2 8. Q-K2 (or 8 N-K5 in some cases N-N5 or N-K5,
Q-B2) 8 ... P-QR3 9 P-QR4 gains the advantage.
P-QN3 Black develops his pieces
with B-N2, B-K2, and 0-0. After 5B-N5-f
6 B-B4 Q-B3 White can go in for
the sharp variation 7 P-QR4 Tt is possible to first play 5
KN-B3 and then 6 B-N5+, as 12 BxB QNxB 13 B-N5 could
after 5 P-QR3 White obtains
. . . have equalized by 13 ... B-R2)
the advantage by 6 PxP BxP 7 BxB + (or 7 QxQ+ BxQ 8
7 N-N3 B-R2 8 B--Q3 N-KB3 BxB+ NxB 9 PxP NxP 10
9 Q-K2+ B-K3 10 B-K3!, with N-N3 N-R5) 7 ... NxB 8
the exchange of bishops and con- PxP NxP 9 N-N3 (9 QN-B3
trol over the dark squares. Or he followed by B-K3 is also good)
can play the sharper 6 P-B4 9 ... QxQ+ (9 ... N-R5 is
N-KB3 7 B-K2 N-B3 8 BPxP met by 10 B-K3! NxP 11 N-B3,

KNxP 9 0-0. In reply to 5 with an attack) 10 NxQ NxN
KN-B3 N-KB3 6 B-N5 + B-Q2 11 RPxN B-B4 12 B-Q2 N-K2
7 BxB-f QNxB 8 0-0 B-K2 13 B-B3, with a minimal advan-
9 PxP NxP 10 N-N3 Black tage to White.
should play 10 ... N-K3, as
... 0-0? 11 NxN BxN 12 6 KN-B3
B-N5 leads to an unpleasant pin.
In addition, Black can also meet 6Q-K2-f-Q-K2 7PxPQxQ +
5 KN-B3 with 5 ... P-B5 6 10 NxQ BxP leads to positions
B~K2 (6 P-QN3 P X P 7 B-N5 + similar to those in the previous
is also good) 6 ... N-QB3 7 note. If Black wishes to avoid the
0-0 B-Q3. exchange of queens he can an-
swer 6 Q-K2 + with 6 . . . B-K2
5 . . . N-QB3 7 PxP N-B3 8 KN-B3 0-0 9
N-N3 R-Kl 10 B~K3 N-K5 11
Simplification, which in prin- 0-0-0 (or 11 0-0) 11 NxQBP,
. . .
ciple is desirable for White in view with sharp play.

of the comparative weakness of
Black’s QP, results from 5 ... 6 . . . B-Q3!
B-Q2 6 Q-K2 + Q-K2 (in order
to avoid the early exchange of On Q-K2 + White replies
6 . .
.
queens, Bronstein in his match 7 B-K2! PxP 8 0-0 Q-B2 9

against Botvinnik (1951) played N-N3 B-Q3 10 QNxP P-QR3 11
6 ... B-K2, and after 7 PxP P-QN3! KN-K2 12 B-N2, with
N-KB3 8 KN-B3 0-0 9 0-0 R-Kl the better position (Keres-Ca-
10 N-N3 BxP 11 Q-Q3 P-QR3 pablanca, 1938). On 6 ... P-B5
.
FRENCH DEFENCE 85
there follows 7 0-0 B-Q3 8 P-QN3 IV.
PxP9P-B4!QPxP 10 R-K1+.
3 N-QB3
7 0-0 N-K2
8PxP Now Black has a choice between
BxBP
a number of strategically independ-
9N-N3
ent systems, which we will exam-
ine in turn. (In view of its com-
plexity, 3 . . . B-N5 is analysed se-
parately in Section V.)
(1)
3... PxP
Rubinstein’s move. This sur-

render of the centre gives White
The critical position. Where a spatial advantage and the more
should the bishop retreat to? 9 active position, so that nowadays
. . . B-N3 is answered by Bot- the system is rarely adopted.
vinnik’s subtle reply 10 B-K3, 3 . . . N-QB3 cannot be recom-
which has the aim of seizing the mended, since Black’s own knight
black squares Q4 and QB5. Black’s prevents the normal advance . .
simplest reply is 10 ... 0-0, P-QB4. White’s simplest reply is

although 10 ... BxB gives White 4 P-K5, but also good is the con-
only a slight advantage after 11 tinuation of the 9th game of the
BxN+ PxB (if 11 ... NxB, Fischer-Petrosian match (1971):
then 12 R-Kl!) 12 PxB 0-0 13 4 N-B3 N-B3 5 PxP PxP 6
Q-Q2 Q-Q3 14 Q-B3 P-QR4. B-QN5 B-KN5 7 P-KR3 BxN
The alternative retreat, 9 ... 8 QxB B-K2 9 B-N5.
B-Q3, is also quite playable; after
10 QN-Q4 0-0 11 P-QN3 B-KN5 4 NXP N-KB3

12 B-N2 Q-N3 both sides have
chances, though the position is After 4 . . . N-Q2 White quickly
nevertheless somewhat better for completes his development, and
White. attains an attacking position. For
.

example, 5 N-KB3 KN-B3 6 (otherwise 7 B-KN5 and 8 B-Q3,
6
NxN+(6B-KN5 B-K2 7 Nx with an attack) 7 B-Q3 (7 P-KR4
N+BxN, or? BxNNxB fol- N-B3! 8 B-KN5 is not dangerous
lowed by ... 0-0 leads to an for Black: 8 ... PxB 9 PxP
equal game) 6 ... NxN 7 B-Q3 QxN!) 7 ... P-B4 8B-K3.
B-K2 (White has attacking chan-
ces in the event of 7 ... P-B4 8 N-B3
PxP! BxP 9 B-KN5 B-K2 10
Q-K2 0-0 11 0-0-0, or 7 ... If White wishes to prevent . .
P-QN3 8 Q-K2 B-N2 9 B-KB4 P-QB4, he should play 6 B-K3.

followed by 10 0-0-0) 8 0-0 0-0
9 N-K5 P-B4 10 PxP Q-R4 11
6 . . . P-N3
Q-K2 QxBP 12 B-KN5 (or 12
B-Q2). Black has a solid position,
6 . . . P-QB4 only helps White
to transpose into a favourable
but
5 White’s pieces are positioned
more harmoniously, and are di- ending after 7 B-K3 PxP 8
rected towards the enemy K-side.
QxP. He can also play 7 B-Q3
After 4 . . . B-K2 (intending to

PxP 8 0-0, with the better posi-
recapture on ... KB3 with the

tion. On 6 . . . P-KB4 or 6 ...
bishop) White builds up an attack

B-N2 White should play 7 B-QB4,
by 5 N-KB3 N-KB3 6 B-Q3 or 7 P-KN3 and 8 B-N2.

QN-Q2 7 Q-K2 0-0 (7 . . . Nx N B-KB4
7 B-QN2
8 BxN N-B3 fails to 9 BxNP) 8 B-B4 P-B3
8 0-0 NxN 9 QxN N-B3 10
9 Q-K2 B-Q3
Q-R4!. Also good is 6 NxN + 10 B~KN3 Q-K2
BxN 7 B-Q3 N-B3 8 P-B3,
when 8 . . . P-K4? fails to 9 PxP 9 . . Q-B2 is a mistake, since
NxP 10 NxN BxN 11 0-0!,
after 10
.
0-0-0 Black cannot play

and Black cannot play 11... 0-0
10 ... N-Q2 on account of 11
in view of 12 X P +. BxP!.
5NxN-|- PxN 11 0 -0-0
... QXN is unfavourable for The alternative strategical possi-

Black in view of 6 N-B3 P-KR3 bility is to castle K-side, so as after
. .
FRENCH DEFENCE 87
Q-side castling by Black to ex- 4 B-Q3 is relatively unex-

change the white-squared bishops plored ; Black’s best reply is 4 ...
by B-QR6, and begin a Q-side P-QB4 5 KPxP KPxP (if 5

pawn storm, when Black will ... BP X P, then 6 B-N5 + B-Q2
counter-attack on the K-side. 7 QxP, but not 7 PxP? BxB

8 PxP-b KxP 9 NxB Q-R4+)
11 . . . N-Q2 6 PxP BxP 7 N-B3 0-0 8 0-0
P-KR3, with an equal game.
Steinitz’s continuation 4 P-K5
leads to sharp play with good

counter-chances for Black : 4 . .
4 KN-Q2 P-B4 (or 5 QN-K2

5
P-QB4 6 P-QB3 N-QB3 7 P-KB4
P-B3 8 N-B3 Q-N3 9 P-KN3
PxQP 10PXQPB-N5+ 11N-B3
0-0 12 P X P N X BP 1 3 P-QR3, with
an equal game. 12 B-N2 is weak-
White’s position is preferable. er in view of 12 ... PxP 13
BPxP RxN 14 BxR NxQP.
The Gledhill attack 5 Q-N4 is
( 2)
unfavourable for White in view of
3 . . N-B3 5 ... P-QB4 6 N-N5 PxP
7 N-KB3 N-QB3 8 N-Q6-F
The classical continuation which BxN 9 QxNP BxP NxB 10
has been supplanted (though this Q-B3, or 6 N-B3 PxP 7 KNxP
is hardly justified !)
by 3 ... B-N5. NxP 8 Q-N3 QN-B3 9 B-QN5
P-QR3!, but not 9 B-Q2 10 ...
B-KN5 BxN NxB 11 N(Q4)-N5 R-Bl

12 B-B4 Q-N3 13 B-B7 Q-B4
4 PxP leads to a colourless 14 B-Q6! Q-N3 15 BxB KxB
game 4 : ... PxP (on 4 ... NxP 16 Q-Q6-f K-Kl 17 0-0-0, with
White can play 5 N-K4!) 5 B-Q3 an irresistible attack) 5 P-QB4
. . .
(or 5 B-KN5 N-B3) 5 N-B3 . . . 6 PxP N-QB3 7 P-QR3 BxP

6 KN-K2 B~K3 7 B-KN5 B-K2 (if 7 ... N X BP 8 P-QN4, then
8 0-0 P-KR3!. not 8 ... N-Q2 9 B-Q3 with
.

advantage to White, but 8 ... the risky win of the exchange, kept
P-Q5 9 QN-K2 P-Q6!, as sug- his extra pawn with a good posi-
gested by Lasker. Therefore on tion) 7 N-KB3 N-Q2 (on 7 ...
7 ... N X BP White should first B-Q2 White should follow the
play 8 N-B3 B-K2, and only now 23rd game of the Spassky-Petro-
9 P-QN4 N-Q2 10 B-Q3, or 8 sian match (1966): 8 Q-Q2! B-B3
... P-B4 9 PxP e. p. QxP 10 9 NxB+ QxN 10 N-K5 0-0
B-K3 P-QR3 Q-Q2 B-Q3 11 11 0-0-0 N-Q2 12 NxB PxN 13
12 0-0-0 0-0 13 P-KN3) 8 Q-N4 P-KR4!, with the advantage) 8
0-0 9 N-B3 P-B4 10 Q-R3 N-Q5 Q-Q2. White has the more active
(10 ... B~K2 followed by ... position, e.g. 8 . . . 0-0 9 0-0-0
N-B4 is also good) 11 B-Q3 Q-K2 P-KN4, or 8
10 P-QN3 . . .
P-QR3 or 11 B-N3, intend- . . . 9 B-N5 B-N2 10 NxB+. Also

ing . . . N-B4-K5. good is 8 P-B3 0-0 9 Q-B2, or 8
B-B4 0-0 9 Q-K2.
4 . . B-K2 The line 5 BxN PxB 6 NxP is
less favourable for White, e.g.
The exchange variation 4 ... 6 . . . P-KB4 7 N-QB3! (7 N-N3

PxP leads to positions similar to is weaker, since after P-B4 Black
those examined in Section (1). obtains counter-play) 7 . . . B-N2
White should play 5 N x P B-K2 (or 8 N-B3 0-0 9 Q-Q2 P-B4 10
5 ... QN-Q2 6 NxN+ NxN PxP Q-R4 11 N-QN5, with an
7 N-B3) 6 BxN BxB (if 6 ... approximately equal game (Ale-
PxB, N-KB3 P-N3 8
then 7 khine-T artakower , 1 922).
B-B4 B-N2 9 Q-K2 followed by The MacCutcheon Variation
10 0-0-0. 7 P-KN3 is weaker, 4 ... B-N5 leads to very sharp
since after 7 ... P-KB4 8 N-QB3 and complicated play, and was
B-B3 9 KN-K2 Petrosian’s in- especially popular in the 1930s.
novation 9 ... N-B3, played by We will examine the main varia-
him in the 3rd game of his match tions: 5 P-K5 (weaker is 5PxP
against Fischer in 1971, caused QxP 6 BxN PxB 7 Q-Q2
White’s 7th move to be discred- Q-QR4 8 KN-K2 N-Q2 9
ited. After 10 P-Q5 PxP 11 P-QR3 N-N3! 10 R-Ql B-K2,
NxP BxP 12 B-N2! 0-0! 13 with a good position for Black.
0-0! B-Rl Black, after avoiding On 5 KN-K2 Black can either
THE FRENCH DEFENCE 89
equalize by 5 ... P x P 6 P-QR3 The critical position of the

B-K2 7BxNBxB8NxPP-K4!, MacCutcheon Variation. Black has
or can play the sharper 7 ... Px two alternatives at his disposal:
8 NxP P-KN3 B-N2
P-N3 9 (1) 8 ... K-Bl 9 P-KR4 (if
10 B-N2 P-B3) 5 P-KR3 6 . . . 9 B-Bl, which was suggested by

B-Q2 (regarding Janowski’s move Duras in his time, then 9 ...
6 B-K3, cf. Game No. 56. Cliigorin P-QB4 10 B-Q3 NxQBP 11

recommended 6 PxN PxB 7 PxP Q-R4 12 B-Q2 QxBP or
PxP R-Nl 8 P-KR4 PxP! 9 12 ... Q-R5) 9 ... P-KB4!
Q-R5, but Grigoriev’s continua- (Euwe’s move, which forces a sim-
tion 9 Q-N4 Q-B3 10 RxP Qx plification of the position. 9 ...
NP 11 QxQ RxQ 12 R-R8-b P-QB4 is weaker, according to the

B-Bl 13 P-QB3 is also
0-0-0 following analysis by Maroczy: 10
good. On 9 N-B3 Black’s sim- R-R3 Q-R4 11 B-Q3 NxB 12
plest reply is 9 ... Q-B3 10 RxP R-N3! P-KN3 13 KxN PxP
N-B3) 6 ... BxN (if 6 ... KN- 14 QxQP N-B3 15 Q-KB4 P-Q5
Q2, then 7 Q-N4 B-Bl 8 0-0-0 16 N-B3! QxBP-b 17 K-K2
P-QB4 9 P-B4,N-B3 or 8 QxR 18 Q-B6R-KN1 19 P-R51
P-QB4 9 P X P N-QB3 10 N-QN5, with a dangerous attack, or 17 ...
with the better chances for White) N-K2 18 QxQP with a clearly
7 PX (after 7 x N-K5 White superior position). Now White has
cannot preserve his bishop by 8 a choice between 10 P X P e.p. Q X P
B-N4, in view of 8 ... P-QB4, 11 N-B3 N-B3 12 Q~B4 NxB 13
and if 9 PxP?, then 9 ... Nx QXN P-K4, with an equal game,
KBP!) 7 N-K5 8 Q-N4.
. . . and 10 Q-B4, which leads to a
complicated manoeuvring game
with chances for both sides.
(2) 8 . . . P-KN3, with the follow-
ing possible variations: 9 B-Q3
NxB 10 KxN P-QB4 11 Q-B4!
(1 1 N-B3 met by 1 1 ...
is Q-B2,
and if 1 1 Q-B4, then 11... P-B4)
11 ... PxP 12 PxP N-B3 13
N-B3 B-Q2 14 P-KR4, or 11
P-KR4 N-B3 12 R~R3 (with the
idea of answering 12 ... Q-R4 The continuation 5 BxN BxB

with 13 BxP!), but now Black 6P-K5 B-K2 7 Q-N4 0-0 8 B-Q3
obtains good counter-chances af- P-KB4 9 Q-R3 P-B4 10 PxP
ter 12 ... PxP 13 PxP Q-N3! N-Q2 is not dangerous for Black.
14 N-B3 B-Q2 followed by ...
5 . . . KN-Q2
0-0-0. If White plays 9 B-Bl,
which has the merit of preserving
On the rarely adopted move
his black-squared bishop and keep-
5 ... N-K5, White’s simplest
ing open the possibility of cast-
reply is 6 BxB QxB 7 NxN
ling K-side, Black replies 9 ...
PxN 8 Q-K2 N-Q2 9 0-0-0
P-QB4 10 B-Q3 NxQBP 11
P-KB4 10 PxP e.p. NxP 11
PxP Q-R4. Less strong is 1 1 ...
P-KB3, or 6 ... NxN 7 Q-N4!
N-B3 12 N-B3 Q-B2, for after
QxB 8 QxNP Q-N5 9 QxR4-
13 0-0, 13 ... NxKP fails to 14
K-Q2 10R-Q1INXR+ 11 KxN
Q-Q4, when White wins.
QxQP+ 12 B-Q3 QxNP 13
After 9 B-Bl NxQBP 10
QxP, and the rapid advance of
B-Q3 (if immediately 10 B-R3,
KRP
White’s must decide.
then 10 ... P-QB4 11 BxP
Q-R4, or 11 PxP N-K5!) it is
important for Black to both pre-

vent the following combination:
BxNP R-Nl; BxBP+ KxB;
Q-B3+ followed by QxN, re-
gaining the piece, and to stop

White from seizing the QR3-KB8
diagonal. To thisend he plays 10
. Q-K2 11
.
.
N-B3 B-Q2 12 0-0
N-B3 13 P-QR4 N-N5 14 B-R3 6 BxB
P-QR4, or 14 P-R5 NxB 15
PxN N-N4. However, White move leads to a quiet ma-
This
has a good game after 11 B-Q2 noeuvring game with chances for
N-R5 12 R-Nl, or 11 ... N-K5 both sides. Interesting complica-
12 BxN PxB 13 R-Nl!. tions arise in the Albin-Chatard
Attack 6 P-KR4!, introduced into
5P-K5 serious play by Alekhine. If Black
: ..
FRENCH DEFENCE 91
accepts the pawn sacrifice, White N X BP 13 B-Q3, and after N-K2-

obtains a compensating attack, as Q4 White has the advantage.
Game No. 53 (Alekhine-Fahrni) (2) 6 ... P-KR3 7 BxB (The
demonstrates- simplest. Sharp positions result
After 6 P-KR4, 6 . . . P-KB3 is from 7 B-K3 P-QB4 9 Q-N4
also unfavourable for Black in K-Bl 9 N-B3 N-QB3 10 0-0-0
view of 7 Q-R5 + ! P-KN3 (if PxP 11 BxQP NxB 12 QxN
7 ... K-Bl, then 8 PxP NxP B-B4! Q-Q2 Q-R4, or 7
13
9 Q-K2 P-B4 10 PxP or 10 B-KB4 P-QB4 8 Q-N4 K-Bl, and
N-B3, with the better chances for if 9 R-R3 PxP 10 R-N3, then
White) 8 PxP! NxP (after 8 10 .P-KN4!. The move recom-

. .
... PXQ 9 PX the ending is mended by Belavenets and Yudo-

better for White) 9 Q-K2, and vich, 7 Q-R5, with the threat
after 0-0-0, P-KN3 and B-R3 of NxP and P-K6, should be
White has the advantage. met by 7 ... P-KN3 8 X Q X
The
(1) correct plan of defence followed by ... P-R3 and . .
against the Albin-Chatard Attack P-QB4) 7 ... Q X 8 P-B4 P-R3

consists in maintaining the tension 9 Q-N4 K-Bl 10 0-0-0, and
in the centre, and playing for a White stands better.
Q-side counter-attack by ... P- (3) 6 P-QB4 (This sharp line

. . .
QB4 (either immediately or after is still popular) 7 BxB (7 Q-N4 is
preparation) met by 7... K-Bl, while on

6 ... P-QR3 (6... 0-0 is 7 N-N5 Black replies 7 . . . P-B3,
risky in view of 7 B-Q3 P-QB4 when neither of the following lines
8 N-R3 R-Kl 9 N-N51. If 8 ... is favourable for White : 8 KP X P
P-KR3, then BxP! PxB 10 9 NxP B-KB4 0-0 10 N-B7
9
Q-N4+ K-Rl 11 N-KN5) 7 N-Kll, or 8 B-Q3 P-QR3 9
Q-N4 K-Bl 8 P-B4 P-QB4 (af- Q-R5+ K-Bl 10 R-R3 PxN
ter 8 ... P-KR4, White is not 11 B-R6 PxB 12 QxP+, with
obliged to go in for the risky piece perpetual check) 7 ... x (if
sacrifice 9 Q-R3 P-KB3 10 PxP 7 ... QxB, then 8 N-N5 0-0

PxP 11 QxP N-N3, but can 9 N-B7 PxP 10 NxR Q-N5-1-
simply play 9 BxB+ QxB 10 11 Q-Q2 QxP 12 R-Ql N-QB3
Q-K2) 9 BxB+ QxB 10 N-B3 13 N-B3 N-B4 14 B-Q3, or 10 . .
N-QB3 11 0-0-0 P-QN4 12 PxP P-B3 11 QxP N-QB3 12 Q-Q2

—

PxP 13 0-0-0, and White beats P-KN3 is answered by 10 ...
off the attack) 8 P-B4 N-QB3 (if P-B3, while on 10 0-0-0, 10 ...
8 . .
.
Q-N3, then 9 N-B3 Q x P P-B5! is strong) 10 ... NxBP
10 N-QN5 Q-N5-f 11 K-B2 11 0-0-0 P-QR3 12 B-Q3 P-QN4,
N-QB3 12 P-B4!, or 11 ... with attacks on opposite flanks.

P-QR3 12 N-B7 R-R2 13 P-B4!, The old continuation 7 N-N5 is
with an attack for White. 10 ... based on a completely different
N-R3 is a mistake in view of strategical idea —that of reinforc-
11 P-QR3 N-N3 12 R-QNl Q-R7 ing White’s QP. The loss of time
13 Q-Bl N-R5 14 N-B3!! NxN involved allows Black to develop
15 R-Rl. After 8 ... Q-N3, his counter-initiative on the Q-side
9 R-R3 also deserves considera- by 7 ... N-N3
P-QB3 P-QR3 8
tion. On 8 ... PxP there follows 9 N-QR3 P-QB4 10 N-B2 N-B3
9 QxP N-QB3 10 Q-Q2) 9 PxP 11 P-KB4 N-R5 12 R-Nl P-QN4
NxBP 10 Q-N4 K-Bl 11 0-0-0, 13 N-B3 B-Q2 14 Q-Q2 R-QBl,
with an active game for White. with equal chances. Sometimes,
instead of 9 ... P-QB4, 9 ...
6 . .
.
QxB P-KB3 is played, giving Black
7 P-B4 excellent counter-play after 10 B-
Q3 PxP 11 Q-R5+ K-Ql
The most natural and logical 12 PxP N-R5 13 R-Nl NxNP,
move, supporting White’s K5, or 10N-B3 QN-Q2 11 PxPQxP
which is the key square in his posi- 12 B-Q3 P-K4 13 PxP NxP
tion. This enables him, after the 14 Q-K2 KN-Q2 15 0-0-0 0-0.
normal advance P~QB4, to . . . However, White attains the better
play PxP and then utilize his Q4 position by 10 PxP! QxP 11
square, in the middlegame as an Q-R5 + Q-B2 12 Q-R4, followed
unassailable post for the white by N-B3, B-Q3 and 0-0, or
knights, and in the endgame for 11 ... P-N3 12 Q-R6 P-K4
transferring the white king to the 13PxPQxP+ 14 K-Q2.
enemy Q-side (cf. Game No. 53
Tarrasch-Teichmann). 7 . . . 0-0
7 Q-Q2 leads to similar varia-
tions, e.g. 7 . . . 0-0 8 P-B4 P-QB4 7 ... P-QB4 is a mistake in
9 N-B3 N-QB3 10 PxP! (10 view of 8 N-N5. On the prepara-
.
FRENCH DEFENCE 93
tory move 7 P-QR3 White

...
replies 8 N-B3 P-QB4 9 PxP

N-QB3 (if 9 ... Q X P, then
10 Q-Q4, either driving back the
black queen, or forcing the exchan-
ge of queens, which is to White’s
advantage 10 : N-QB3 1 1 Q X Q
. . .
NxQ 12 B-Q3 K-K2 13 N-K2!

and then 14 N(K2)-Q4) 10 B-Q3
QxP 11 Q-Q2 P-QN4 12 P-QR3
After 13 0-0 P-QN3 14 Q-Q2
followed by Q-B2, seizing control
B-N2 15 QR-Kl QR-Ql a sharp
of his Q4 square, with the more
position arises, with chances for
active position.
both sides.
8 N-B3 P-QB4
9PxP V.
After 9 B-Q3 P-B4 10 PxP e.p. 3 N-QB3 B-N5

QxP (or 10 ... RxP 11 Q-Q2
N-B3 12 PxP NxP 12 P-KN3! The idea of this move is to pin
followed by castling on either side, the white knight, and then begin a
with an active position for White Q-side attack by . . . P-QB4, . .
and good prospects in the centre Q-B2, etc., while defending pas-
and on the K-side) 11 N-KN5 sively on the K-side. White’s strat-
Black can play 11 ... QxBP! 12 egy is, naturally, the opposite of
BxP+ K-Rl 13 Q-R5 Q-B7+, this: while defending on the Q-
with sharp play. side he aims to develop a piece

attack on the black king’s position.
9 . . . N-QB3 Let us examine the main varia-
10 B-Q3 P-B4 tions.
11 PxP e.p. The colourless exchange 4 PxP
leads to rapid equality and has
1 1 0-0 NxP followed by ...
gone out of use. “If White is aim-
N-K5 leads to an equal game.
ing at all for a fight”, said Ale-
11... QxKBP khine, “he should avoid the ex-

12 P-KN3 NxP change of pawns on the 4th move.”
..
After 4 . . . PxP 5 B-Q3 N-QB3 N-QB3, 6 ... P-KB4, with the

6 KN-K2 (if 6 N-B3, then 6 . . idea of maintaining the extra
B-N5) 6 ... KN-K2 7 0-0 B-KB4 pawn, is weaker in view of Ale-
8 BxB (or 8 N-N3 BxB 9 QxB P-B3 P X P 8 Q X P
khine’s reply 7 !
Q-Q2 followed by castling) 8 . . QxP 9 Q-N3, or 8 ... Q-R5 +

NX 9 Q-Q3 Q-Q2 10 B-KB4 9 P-KN3 QxQP 10 B-KB4 P-B3
Black can castle on either side, 1 1 Q-R5 + P-KN3 12 Q-K2 Q-N2
with equal chances. 1 3 0-0-0, with a very strong attack)
The move 4 Q-N4 is unfavour- 6 NxP N-KB3
N(K2)-N3 (or 7
able for White, since Black can 7 N(K2)-B3 N-B3! 8 B-K3 0-0
soon build up a counter-attack in 9 N-N3 P-QN3 with a good posi-
the centre 4 N-KB3 5 Q x NP
: . . . tion for Black; 9 B-K2 fails to
R-Nl 6 Q-R6 R-N3 7 Q-K3 9 ... NxN 10 NxN P-B4 and
P-B4! (suggested by Alekhine. 11 ... P-B5, winning a pawn)
7 ... NXP is weaker in view of 7 ... 0-0 8B-K2N-B3 + 9NXN
8 B-Q3 P-KB4 9 KN-K2 P-B4 BxN 10 P-QB3 P-K4 11 P-Q5
10 X N) 8 P-QR3 (8 B-Q2 N-N5 N-K2 12 P-QB4 N-N3 13 0-0.
9 Q-Q3 N-QB3 gives Black a
B-R4. Here (1)
strong attack) 8 . . .
White is faced with an unpleasant 4 P-QR3

choice. On 9 KN-K2 Black re-
This move was successfully
plies 9 ... N-B3, while 9 P-K5 is
adopted in matches for the World
met by 9 ... N-N5, with numer-
Championship by Alekhine against
ous threats. In the event of
Euwe in 1935, and by Smyslov
9 N-B3? QPxP, White loses a
against Botvinnik in 1954. Its vir-
piece. But even after the best reply,
tue is that White immediately
9 B-Q2, Black continues his
clears up the position in the centre
attack with 9 . . . N-N5 or 9 ...
and gains the advantage of the two
BPxP.
bishops. The disadvantage of the
After 4 KN-K2 Black equalizes
move is that in the resulting com-
by 4 ... PxP 5 P-QR3 B-K2
plications White loses several tempi,
(5 ... BxN+ 6 NxB N-QB3!
which allows his opponent to gain
7 B-QN5 KN-K2 8 B-N5 P-B3
counter-play.
9 B-K3 leads to double-edged
play; instead of Kan’s move 6 . . 4 • • • BxN +
6
5 Q-N4 N-KB3
9 .
FRENCH DEFENCE
. . R-N3
95
The continuation 9 ... N-B3

The most logical and sharp con- 10 PxP, recommended by Ale-
tinuation. Also possible, as indi- khine, and adopted by Smyslov
cated by Alekhine, is 6 ... K-Bl against Botvinnik in the 19th game
7 QxKP N-Q2 followed by of their match in 1954, is also
QN-B3. playable. It frequently transposes
into the variations examined below.
7 Q X NP R-Nl After 9 . P x P White’s
. . N-B3 10 !
8 Q-R6 P-B4 tripled pawns will be weak only in

9 the endgame, but for the moment
Alatortsev’s idea of 8 ... P-N3
they are a considerable force, as
followed by . . . B-N2 deserves con-
they enable the black-squared bish-
sideration. In the game Fischer-
op to utilize the central squares
Kovacevic (1970), after 8 ...
and hinder the development of
QN-Q2 9 N-K2 P-N3 10 B-N5
Black’s Q-side. Moreover, one of
Q-K2 11 Q-R4 B-N2 12 N-N3
thesepawns is an extra one, and
P-KR3! Black had an excellent
Black must waste time and effort
game. Golovko’s clever manoeu-
in order to regain it.
vre, 8 . . . R-N3 9 Q-K3 N-B3
If 9 ... B-Q2, then 10 B-N5!
10 B-N2 N-K2, is also played, but
is strong, e.g. 10 ... R-N3
White has the better chances after
11 Q-R4 B-B3 P-Q5! (but not 12
11 P-QB4 P-N3 12 N-K2 B-N2
immediately 12 N-B4 on account
13 N-B4 N-B4 14 Q-QB3!.
of 12 . .
.
Q-R4!).
9N-K2
B-N2 is no better, when the

game Lein-Zagorovsky (1959)
continued 9 . .
.
QN-Q2 10 N-R3
Q-B2 11 0-0-0 P-N3 12 B-N5
R-N3 (13 QxN was threatened)
13 Q-B4 QxQ 14 NxQ R-N5
15 P-N3 B-N2 16 KR-Kl 0-0-0,
with equal chances.
8
: .

In the resulting critical position diagram position Smyslov played
the following continuations are not 10 Q-K3 but 10 Q-Q2, Botvin-
possible nik avoided the pawn sacrifice
10 Q-K3 N-B3 (weaker is 10 . . N-B3 and replied 10 ...

10 ...
QN-Q2 11 N-N3, when by trans- QN-Q2 1 1 B-N2 P-N3, but here
position of moves a position favour- White could have gained an active
able for White, from the third game position by playing 12 N-B4
of the Alekhine-Euwe match (1935) R-KNl 13 B-N5, followed by
is reached) 11 PxP Q-R4! (Ale- P-B4.
khine’s idea; Black plans to move
his king to safety by . . . B-Q2 and
( 2)
, . . 0-0-0. If 1 1 ... P-K4, then
12 N-N3 B-N5 13 B-Q2 Q-Q4 4 B-Q3
14 P-QB4 Q-Q5 15 B-B3!; also
unfavourable for Black is 1 1 ... The Kondratiev System, which
N-KN5 12QXPQ-Q8+ 13KxQ can lead to a sharp game with
NxBP + 14K-K1 NxQ,as played chances for both sides, but only if
by Botvinnik against Smyslov in Black is agreeable.

the 7th game of their 1954 match,
in view ofN-B4 R-KNl
15 4 . . . P-QB4
16 B-Q3 NxP(B4) 17 BxP, and
White keeps his extra pawn. he wishes. Black can easily
If
In the 19th game of the same equalize by 4 ... PxP 5 BxP
match, after 9 . . . N-B3 10 PxP N-KB3 6B-B3 N-B3 7 KN-K2
R-N3 Smyslov played 11 Q-Q2 P-K4! 8 P-Q5 P-K5!.
(in order to avoid the queen being
attacked by the black knight, and 5KPxP
with the possibility of pressure
down the Q-file) 11 ... B-Q2 5 QPxP is weaker in view of
12 R-QNl Q-B2 ! 13 Q-Q6 0-0-0 5 PxP. If5N-B3, then 5 ...
...
14QxQ + KxQ, and here White QPxP 6 BxP N-KB3 7 B-N5
could have obtained the better posi- Q-R4!, while on 5 P-QR3 Black
tion by 15 N-N3!. BxN-b6PxB P-B5
replies 5 ...
Therefore v/hen, in the 21st 7 B-K2 PxP 8 BxP Q-B2, or
game of the same match, in the 7 B-Bl Q-R5!.
FRENCH DEFENCE 97
5 . .
.
QxP 11 B-N5 +, while 9 . . . N-QB3 is
6B-Q2! answered by 10 0-0-0.
Kondratiev’s clever idea : at the 9 . .

.
QxQ
cost of a pawn, White obtains 10 NX Q P-B3
active play.
Of interest is the trappy varia-
tion 6 N-B3 PxP 7 P-QR3
Q-QR4? (7 ... BxN + !) 8 PxB
QxR 9 NxP followed by 10
N-N3, winning the queen.
6 . , . BxN
If immediately 6 ... Q X NP??,

then 7 B-K4, and the queen is
The critical position of the
trapped.
Kondratiev System. White has a
positional advantage, but at the
same time Black’s position is solid.
7BxB PxP!
For example, after 11 R-KNl
K-B2 12 0-0-0 N-B3 13 B-B3
Stronger than 7 Q X NP
...
KN-K2 Black has good prospects
8 Q-B3 QxQ 9 NxQ PxP of successfully completing his
10 N X P, when White’s big lead in
development and occupying the
development compensates for the central squares with his knights,
pawn. thereby neutralizing the power of
White’s bishops. For this reason, it
8BxQP QxNP is better for White to play 11 0-0-0

9 Q-B3 N-B3 12 B-N5 B-Q2 13 KR-Nl
P-K4 B-B5 P-KN3 15 N-Q2,
14
An interesting possibility, which with the threat of N-B4. The fact

requires practical testing, is 9 that Black has an extra pawn does
Q-Q2!?, and if 9 . .
.
QxR, then not mean at all that the result of
10 P-KB3 N~QB3 11 0-0-0 NxB the game is decided, and the chan-
12 B-N5-f-, or 10 0-0-0 Q-N7 ces must be assessed as equal.
8*
.
( 3)
N-K2 11 B-Q2 N-B4 12 Q-QR3,
sacrificing a pawn, Panov-Batu-
4 B-Q2
rinsky, 1946) 10 ... N-Q4 11
Q-QN3 P-QR4, or 9 . P-K4
. .
This interesting gambit continu-

10 PxP NxP 11 0-0-0 B-K3,
ation was introduced by Mar-
with sharp play. Both 7 ... QXP
shall in a game against Chigorin in
8 0-0-0, and 7 . . . N-B3 8 KN-K2
1901,and was later developed into
B-Q2 9 0-0-0, are no better.
a harmonious system by Alekhine
and Soviet theorists. It leads to an
6 0—0—0 . . >
extremely sharp, tense game, with

chances for both sides.
Simplification results from
6 N-B3N-KR3! 7 QxP(K6)+J
4 . . . PxP (7 Q-B4 is weaker in view of 7 ...
P-K4, when White regains his

If Black wishes to avoid the pawn under less favourable cir-
complications, he can play 4 . .
cumstances) 7 ... XQ (7 ...
N-QB3 5 N-B3 N-B3 6 P-K5 PXQ is weaker, since after 8 NxQ
N-K5. BxN 9 BxB 0-0 10 B-B4 R-Kl
The following trap is interest- 1 1 0-0 White has the edge) 8 NxQ
ing: N-QB3 5 Q-N4 N-B3
4 . . .
B-Q2 9NXP.
6 Q X NP R-KNl 7 Q-R6 N X QP 6 KN-K2 is also playable.
8 P-K5? (8 0-0-0!) 8 ... N-B4
9 QXN B-K2. 6 . . . P-KB4
5Q-N4 QxP This move, played by Chigorin

in the aforementioned game
This is a more risky, but at the against Marshall, is stronger than
same time stronger and more con- the immediate return of a pawn by
sistent continuation than 5 ... 6 ... N-KB3 which involves, in
N-KB3 6 QxNP R-Nl 7 Q-R6 addition, a weakening of the K-
R-N3 8 Q-K3 (9 Q-R4 is also side. White replies 7 Q x NP R-Nl
good) 8 N-B3 9 KN-K2, and
. . . 8 Q-R6 B-Bl (8 . .
. Q X P fails to
now Black can play 9 ... xN 9 B-QN5 + and 10 R-Bl) 9 Q-R4
10 QxB (also good is 10 BxB R-N5 10 Q-R3 QxP (against pas-
! .
FRENCH DEFENCE 99
sive defence White’s attack is even 7 . . B-Q3

more dangerous) 11 B-K2 (a clever 8B-KB4 BxB +
move introduced by Batygin. If 9 QX Q-B4
now 11... R-R5, then 12 Q x R!
QxQ 13 P-KN3, while 11 ...
Rx P met by 12 B-K3. The im-

is
mediate 1 1 B-K3 is weaker in view

of 11 ... Q-R5 12 QxQ RxQ
13 B-KN5 B-R3) 11 ... R-N3
12 P-KN4. White’s and attack
superior development compensate
for the sacrificed pawn.
The interesting move 6 ...
P-KR4 was made in the game In this critical position White,

Ghitescu-Berthold (1959), which for his two sacrificed pawns, has a
continued 7 Q-N5 ? (7 Q x P(K4) ? ? lead in development and an attack.
X N) 7 B-K2 8 Q-N3? B-Q3
. . . The main tactical problem he is
9 B-KB4 P-R5! 10 Q-N4 (or faced with how to break through
is
10 Q-N5 Q-B3) 10 ... N-KB3! the opponent’s pawn mass. For

1 1 Q-N5 (if 1 1 Q X NP, then 11... example, 10 P-B3 N-K2 (after
BxB-b 12 K-Nl R-R2!) 11 ... 10 ... PxP 11 NxP N-KB3

BxB-fl2QxB Q-B4 with advan- 12 B-B4 White’s attack is danger-
tage to Black. White should not be ous) 11 PxP 0-0 12 N-B3 N-Q2
in a hurry to regain his pawns, but 13 PxP!.
should develop his attack by play-
ing 7 Q-K2, with the threats of (4 )
8B-KN5, or (in the event of 7 ...

4 P-K5
N-KB3) 8 B-KR6 Q-K4 9 P-B4!.
The continuation most frequent-
7 Q-N3 ly adopted. In contrast to the pre-
ceding systems, it leads to a com-
On 7 B-KN5, as Marshall played, plicated manoeuvring game, rather
the simplest reply is 7 . . PxQ
.
than a tactical skirmish.
8 RxQ B-K2 9 NxP N-KB3!,
with advantage to Black. 4 ... P-QB4
. ... .

Other continuations, once con- ens his K-side) 6 B-KN5 Q-Q2
demned by theory, also occur here. (if 6 ... N-K2, then 7 x N, and
Their main tactical and psycho- Black must recapture with his king,
logical advantage is that they allow Panov-Lilienthal, 1938) 7 0-0-0.
Black to avoid the heavily analysed Now White should try to exploit
variations arising after 4 P-K5 his superior development by pre-
P-QB4. paring a pawn break-through on
4 . . . N-K2 5 P-QR3 (5 Q-N4 the K-side: 7 B-R3 8 N-R3 . . .
is weaker in view of 5 ... N-B4 BxB 9 KRxB, or 7 ... P-KR3

6 B-Q3 P-KR4 7 Q-B4 Q-R5, or 8B-K3 B-R3 9 N-R3, or 7 ...
5 ... P-QB4 6 P-QR3 Q-R4 N-QB3 8 N-R3 B-N2 9 P-B4
7 B-Q2 PxP) 5 ... B-R4 (5 . . 0-0-0 10 Q-B3.
BxN+6PxB P-QB4 transposes 4 . Q-Q2
.
.
(this move allov/s
into the main line, while 6 . . Black to answer 5 Q-N4 with 5 . .
P-QN3 is met by 7 Q~N4 N-N3 P-KB4. The point of this system,
8 P-KR4 P-KR4 Q-N3 B-R3 9 which frequently transposes into

10 BxB NxB 11 N-B3 followed the preceding one, is that Black
by N-KN5, or 1 1 N-K2) 6 P-QN4 aims first of all to develop his Q-
B-N3 7 N--R4, with the better side, and only then begins his
game for White. counter-play in the centre) 5 P-QR3
4. . P-QN3 (the aim of this BxN+ PxB P-QN3 7 Q-N4
6
move is to exchange off White’s P-KB4 8Q-N3B-R39BxBNxB
king’s bishop, which is important 10 N-K2, Q-N4 P-KB4 or 5
for attack, but on the other hand 6 Q-N3 P-QN3 7 P-QR3 B-Bl
4 ... P -QN3 blocks the . . 8 N-B3 B-R3 9 X B, with advan-
Q1-QR4 diagonal, which in other tage to White.
variations is used by Black for the
development of his queen) 5 Q-N4
5 P-QR3
(a natural and strong reply, which
also prepares Q-side castling) 5 . .
B-Bl (the necessity for this retreat This is considered to be the best
makes Black’s 4th move dubious, reply: White immediately clears
but 5 ... P-N3 6 P-KR4 P-KR4 up the situation on the Q-side,
7 Q-N3 B-R3 8 BxB NxB and obtains the advantage of the
9 B-Q2 followed by 10 N-R3 weak- two bishops.
: !
5
FRENCH DEFENCE IQl
B-Q2 leads to simplification; B-N5 9 P-QR3. White has the

Black’s best reply is 5 ... N-QB3 better chances.
6N-N5 (or6P-QR3BxN7BxB 5 Q-N4 leads to complicated
PxP8BxPNxB)6...BxB + positions. The best reply is 5 ...
7QX N xQP 8 N X N (the pawn N-K2, when White has two alter-
sacrifice 8 N-Q6 + is incorrect natives (1 ) 6 Q X NP R-Nl 7 Q-R6
:
8 ... K-Bl 9 0-0-0 N-R3 10 (but not 7 QxRP? PxP 8 P-QR3

B-Q3 P-B4) 8 PxN 9 QxP . . . Q-R4 9 R-Nl PxN 10 PxB
N-K2 10 N-B3 B-Q2. Also pos- Q-R7!) 7 . PxP 8P-QR3B-R4
. .
sible is 5 ...N-K2 6N-N5BXB + Q-R4,then9PxB!QxR

(if8 ...
7 QX 0-0 8 P-QB3 QN-B3, or 10 N-N5) 9 P-QN4 Q-B2 10

6 P-QR3 BxN 7 BxB PxP N-N5 Q X KP + 1 1 N-K2, and (2)
8 QxP N-B4!. 6 PxP QN-B3 (if 6 ... BxN-f
The interesting system 5 PxP 7 PxB N-Q2, White should play
has been little studied: 5 . . . N-K2! 8 N-B3 N-KN3 9 B-QN5 0-0
(if 5 P-Q5, then 6 P-QR3
... 10 BxN BxB 11 0-0 Q-R4 12
B-R4 7 P-QN4 PxN 8 Q-N4!, Q-N4 Q-R5 and then, as in the
with advantage to White) 6 N-B3 game Estrin-Sokolsky (1961-2),
QN-B3 7 B-Q2! (the game Fine- 13 R-Kl! QxBP 14 QxP B-R5
Botvinnik (1938) continued 7 B-Q3 15 B-K3, with advantage to White)
P-Q5 8 P-QR3 B-R4 9 P-QN4 7 B-Q2 (on 7 N-B3 Black ad-
NxNP 10 PxN BxP 11 B- vantageously continues 7 . . . P-Q5
QN5 +, and
now, instead of 8 B-QN5 Q-R4 9 BxN-f- PxB!
11 ... N-B3? 12 R-R4!, Black 10 N-B4, or 10 QxNP
QxQP
could have obtained the better R-KNl 11 QxRP B-R3!) 7 ...
position by 11 ... B-Q2! 12 QxP 0-0 8N-B3 P-B4! 9Q-N3P-Q5
BxN+ 13 QxB BxB. White, in 10 N-QNl, with roughly equal
his turn, could have played more chances.
strongly: 11 0-0! BxN 12 R-Nl
B-Q2 13 N-N5 B-B3 14 Q-R5 5... BxN +
N-N3 15 NxKPl, with the ad-
vantage) 7 ... BxP (if 7 ... After 5 ... PxP 6 PxB PxN
N-N3, then 8 N-QN5 BxP 9 White obtains the advantage by
B-B3 P-QR3 10 QN-Q4!, with Rauzer’s move 7 N-B3! (7 PxP
advantage to White) 8 N-QR4! is weaker in view of 7 ... Q-B2!),
: .
e.g. 7 ... PxP 8 BxP N-K2

9 B-Q3 QN-B3 10 Q-Q2 N-N3
11 P-N5 QN-K2 12 P-KR4, or
7 ... Q-B2 8Q-Q4!PxP9BxP

N-K2 10 B-Q3.
5 . . . B-R4 leads to a cramped
position for Black after the reply
6 P-QN4! recommended by Ale-
khine. Here are the main variations
6 ... PxQP (or 6 ... PxNP
7 N-N5! PxP+ 8 P-QB3 B-B2 Botvinnik continued 10 ...
9 X P, while on N-QB3
7 ... N-Q2, and after 11 N-B3 (11 P~B4
there follows 8 PxP BxPH- is also strong) 11 N-Bl
... 12
9 P-QB3 B-K2 10 B-R3!, and Q-Q3 QxP 13 P-KR4 B-Q2 14
White’s attack compensates for B-N5 R-B! 15 N-Q4 Smyslov
the pawn) 7 Q-N4!
sacrificed gained an overwhelming advan-
(Nezhmetdinov’s bold move, which tage. If instead 11... Q-B2, then
leads to sharp positions with the White again obtains the upper
better chances for White. His game hand by 12 B-QN5! P-R3 (or
against Aramanovich (1949) con- 12 ... RxP 13 K-Bl R-KNl
tinued 7 N-K2 8 N -N5 B-B2
. . . 14 R-KNl) 13 BxN+ BxB
9 QxNP R-Nl 10 QxRP BxP 14 0-0 Q-B5 (or 14 0-0-0 15
. . .
11 N-KB3! R-Rl 12 Q-Q3 B-B3 B-N5) 15 N-N5 0-0-0 16 P-N3!

13 B-B4. If 10 ... P-R3, then In the event of 10 ... QN-B3
llNxB + QxN12N-K2QxKP 11 P-B4 QxP 12 N-B3 B-Q2
13 B-N2 QN-B3 14 0-0-0). 13 N-N5 R-KBl White’s simplest
Another plan against 7 . . . N-K2 is 14 R-QNl N-Q5 15 B-Q3, pre-
was adopted by Muchnik against paring castling, or 15 Q-Q3 Q-R5

Polyak (1951), and by Smyslov 16K-Q1.
in the 9th game of his World If Black meets 7 Q-N4 with 7 . .
Championship Match against Bot- K-Bl, then White obtains a strong

vinnik in 1954: 8 PxB PxN attack after 8 N-N5 B-N3 9 B-Q3
9 QxNP R-Nl 10 QxRP, when N-QB3 10 P-KB4 followed by
the following critical position was N-B3 and B-N2, or8PxBPxN
reached. 9 N-B3 (9 P-QR4 N-QB3 10
.
THE FRENCH DEFENCE

B-R3 + is also good) 9 N-K2 . . . suits P-B3 8 N-B3 from 7 ...
10 B-Q3 QN-B3 (if 10 N-Q2, . . . N-B3 9 Q-N3 P X P 10 P X P Q-B2)
then 11 Q-N4! Q-B2 12 0-0) 11 7 . . . N-K2 (on . . . B-Q2, with
0-0 QxP 12 R-Kl B-Q2 13 the aim of blockading White’s
P-KR4. Q-side and preventing the devel-
After 5 ... B-R4 6 P-QN4 opment of White’s bishop on the
PxQP, the continuation 7 N-N5 QR3-KB8 diagonal. White should
B-B2
6 8 P-KB4 N-K2 9 N-KB3, always reply P-QR4) 8 B-K2 (8
twice played by Smyslov in his P-QR4 is often played, when Black
1954 match against Botvinnik, replies 8 QN-B3 9 Q-Q2 P-B3 . .
.
leads to a quiet manoeuvring game. 10 KPxP NPxP 11 B-K2 P-B5

The first game of the match contin- or 11 ... N-N3; if 8 ... P-QN3,
ued 9 .. .
QN-B3 10 B-Q3 B-Nl then 9 B-QN5 + B-Q2 10 B-Q3, !
11 QNxQP P-QR3, while the avoiding the exchange of white-

third game went 9 ... B-Q2 10 squared bishops, or 9 ... KN-B3 ?
QNxP QN-B3 11 P-B3, and in 10 0-0 B-R3 11 N-N5 or 11
both cases White obtained an P-B4) 8 . .
.
QN-B3
B-Q2 9 0-0
active position. (if now 9 . . P-B3, then 10 KP X P
.
NPxP 11 N-R4 N-N3 12 B-R5

PX N-K2 Q-N2 13 Q-Q3! is strong) 10
P-QR4, with slightly the better
This is considered to be the position for White.
strongest continuation,and in addi-
tion it allows Black a wide choice 7Q-N4
of plans. Also good is 6 ... Q-B2
7 N-B3 (7 Q-N4 P-B4 8 Q-R5 + On 7 N-B3 Black replies 7 . .
P-KN3 9 Q-Ql, as suggested by Q-R4, and after 8 B-Q2 (if 8 Q-Q2,

Bronstein, is interesting here. The then 8 Q-R5 9 R-QNl P-B5 . .
.
!
first game of the Tal-Botvinnik 10 B-K2 0-0, with an equal posi-

match (I960) continued instead tion) 8 . . . P-B5 9 B-K2 QN-B3
8Q-N3 N-K2 9 QxP R-Nl 10 10 0-0 a complicated manoeu-
QxPPxP 11 K-Ql with a very !, vring game begins.
sharp position, advantageous to The following continuation also
White; a complicated game with occurs frequently: 7P-QR4QN-B3
the better chances for White re- (7 . .
.
Q-R4 is premature in view
: , .

of 8 B-Q2 P-B5 Q-N4, with a
9 pieces in order to realize his ma-
K-side attack) 8 N-B3 Q-R4. terial advantage, whereas White
can prepare a breakthrough in the
centre and on the K-side. After
8 B-Q2 P-B5 10 P-N3 B-Q2 11
B-R3 Black may castle Q-side,
when the two sides begin pawn
attacks on opposite wings.
Sometimes Black does not pre-
vent the development of White’s
(1)
bishop on the QR3-KB8 diagonal,
but aims to complete his develop-
In this position, White has two ment rapidly, and begin counter-
alternatives play in the centre. For example,
9Q-Q2PxP10PxPQxQ + 7 P-QR4 QN-B3 8 N-B3 B-Q2
11 BxQ N-B4 12 B-B3! (but not 9 B-Q3 (more !
accurate than
12 P-B3 N-R4!), when White’s 9 B-K2, as 9 ... 0-0 fails now
position, with his two active bish- to 10 X P -f, while if Black drives
ops, is preferable. Black can also the bishop away by . . . P-B5, the
play 9 ... P-B5, with a sharp black squares in his position are
game and chances for both sides weakened, and the other white
after 10P--N3 0-0 11 B-N2 P-B3 bishop can operate on them) 9 . .
12 PxP RxP, or 9 ... B-Q2, Q-B2 10 0-0 P-B5 11 B-K2

keeping open the possibility of ex- P-B3 12 R-Kl N-N3 (12...
changing queens and castling on 0-0-0 13 B-R3 N-B4 is stronger)
either side. 13 B-R3 !, with an attack for White
(2) 9 B-Q2 P-B5 1 0 N-N5 P~KR3 (Fischer-Larsen, 1971).
11 N~R3 N-N3 (preventing the
manoeuvre N-B4-R5) 12Q-B3 7 . . Q-B2
(12 B-K2, followed by B-R5, is
also good). 7 ... PxP 8 QxNP R-Nl
A sharp position with chances 9 QxRP Q-B2 leads to a trans-
for both sides arises. Although position of moves. White can also
Black can win the QRP, it will be reply 8 PxP Q-B2 9 B-Q2, or
difficult for him to regroup his 9 K~Q1, or 9 R-R2.
.
FRENCH DEFENCE 105
7 . . N-B4 8 B-Q3 P-KR4 is 12 ... NxP! is possible here,

possible, when White has a choice e.g. B-KB4 Q-N3 14 BxN
13
between 9 Q-B4 Q-R5 10 BxN Rx N 15 P-KR4 R-KNl 16 K-Kl
QxQ 11 BxQ PxB 12 PxP B-Q2, with counter-play for Black
B-K3 with a roughly equal game, (Matulovic-Uhlmann, 1967). After
and 9 Q-R3 Px P (9 ... N-B3 10 1 3 P-B4 R X N 114 P X R N{K4)~N3
N-B3 is favourable for White: 10 15 B-Q3 P-K4, Black has the ad-
... PxP P-N4 KN-K2 1211 vantage (Adorjan-Portisch, 1967).
PxP, or 10 ... Q-R4 11 B-Q2
P-B5 12 B-K2 B-Q2 13 P-N4) 13 P-B4 B-Q2
10 N-K2!, or 10 P-N4 Q-R4 11
N-K2 N-K2 12 B-Q2 PxP 13
BxP followed by 14 PxP, with
a complicated position.
8QxNP R-Nl
9QxRP PxP
10 K-Ql
1965)
10 N-K2 QN-B3 11 P-B4 is In this critical position White has
also good. the following possibilities 14 : B-Q3
Q-N3 15 R-Kl 0-0-0 16 NX BP
10 . . . QN-B3 RxN 17 QxR (O’Kelly-Pietsch,
11N-B3 PxP , or 14 Q-Q3 0-0-0 15

QxBP K-Nl (Minic-Korchnoi,
1966) and now 16 P-QR4, or,
A wild game with better chances
finally, 14 R~QN1 N-R4 15 Q-Q3
for Wiiite results from 11 ...
0-0-0 16 P-KR4 P-Q5 17 N-K4
NxP 12 B-KB4 QxP 13 NxN (Petrusiak-Uhlmann, 1967).
QxR+14B-BlP-Q615QxBP-b
K-Ql 16 Q-B6! PxP + 17 K-Q2
VI. The Chigorin System: 2Q-K2
Q-Q5-I- 18B-Q3 (Bronstein-Uhl-
mann, 1965). This method of development was
also adopted by Chigorin in reply
12 N-N5 R-KBl to 1 ... P-QB4. Both in the French

3 .

and in the Sicilian Defence, the of the two bishops plus an active
Chigorin System is essentially an position.
attempt to utilize as White the In the game Chigorin-Marco
ideas of the King’s Indian Defence, (1 895), after 2 N-QB3 3 N-KB3
. . .
in which the great Russian player P-K4 4 P-KN3 B-B4 5 P-B3

3
was an expert. N-B3 (5 P-Q3 6 B-N2 KN-K2
. . .
Tarrasch, against whom Chigo- preparing P-KB4, was strong-

. . .
rin consistently adopted his system er) 6 B-N2 P-Q3 7 P-Q3 0-0 an
2
in their match of 1893, gave the equal position was reached, rem-
following assessment of White’s iniscent of the original opening
2nd move: “The main value of occasionally adopted by Konstan-
this move, which Chigorin adopts tinopolsky: 1 P-K4P-K42N-KB3
in almost all his games, is that for N-QB3 3 P-KN3.
both sides the resulting play is
difficult to assess, and develops

P-KN3
along unexplored paths. Therefore
here the superiority of the strong-
Chigorin also used to frequently
er player can be more easily

play 3 N-QB3, 3 N-KB3 or 3
disclosed.”
P-KB4 followed by P-KN3, for,
in his own words, he did not attach

. . . P-QB4 much importance to the order of
these moves which were all part
of his system.
Sometimes Tarrasch played 2
. . . B-K2 against Chigorin, in
3 . . . N-QB3
order to prepare P-Q4. Chi- . . .
4 N-KB3
gorin would reply 3 P-QN3, which
was less in accordance with the Game No.
In 51 (Chigorin-
spirit of his system than the main
Tarrasch) this knight was develop-
line examined below. After 3 P~QN
ed at KR3.
P-Q4 4 B-N2, 4 B-B3 is of . . .
course answered by 5 P-K5, but 4 . . B-K2

on the other hand, 4 . . . N-KB3
is perfectly playable, as 5 PxP Botvinnik recommends 4 ...
PxP 6 BxN is favourable for KN-K2 B-N2 P-KN3 6 N-B3
5
Black, who obtains the advantage B-N2 7 P-Q3 P-Q4.
,
.
FRENCH DEFENCE 107
5B-N2 P-Q4 Game No. 51

6P-Q3 N-B3 Chigorin-Tarrasch
7 0-0 0-0 (St. Petersburg, 1893)
8N-B3 P-QR3
It is interesting to see how the
This is how the 4th game of the system
original of development
Chigorin-Tarrasch match devel- chosen by Chigorin, and the result-
oped. 8 ... P-QN3 and 9 . .
ing necessity for deviating from
B-R3 is also good.
the well-trodden paths, had a nega-
9B-N5 tive influence on Tarrasch’s dog-

matic thinking. The German cham-
pion treats the whole opening in an
uncertain manner, whereas Chi-
gorin plays it with enviable sim-
plicity and strength. The following
historical analogy suggests itself.
When Alekhine was once asked:

“How do you manage to finish off
your opponents so quickly?”, he
answered: “It’s very simple — I
The critical position of the Chi- force them to think for themselves
gorin System. White tries to force at every move.”
Black to advance . . . P-Q5, and
after the blocking of the centre, 1P-K4 P-K3
he plays N-Ql, B-Q2, and N-Kl 2Q-K2 P-QB4
followed by a swift pawn attack 3 P-KN3 N-QB3
on the K-side by P-KB4, P-KN4, 4B-N2 B-K2
etc. Black, on the other hand, does 5 N-QB3 Q-B2
best to maintain the tension in the 6N-R3 • • «
centre, and to take the initiative

on the Q-side by P-QN4, . . . . . A new idea, which Chigorin tries
B-N2, .R-Bl, etc.
. . out in this game. Normally he
In the diagram position, a com- played N-B3. Now, the Closed
plicated game is in prospect, with Variation of the Sicilian Defence is
chances for both sides. reached.

.

6 ... P-QR3 This attempt to win a pawn, or
7N-B4 N-Q5 provoke P-QB4, which would
8Q-Q1 N-KB3 strengthen the position of the
9P-Q3 P-QN4 knight at . .
.
QB, is elegantly re-
10 0-0 B-N2 futed by Chigorin.
11 B-K3 R-QBl ?
16N-Q2! Q-B2
The point of this move is not
He should have played 11...
clear. If 16 ... NX QP, then 17 N-B4
0-0 and then QR-Ql or KR-Ql, Q-K3 18 QBxN BPxB 19 BxN
preparing . . . P-Q4. This prema- QX 20 N-N6.
ture attempt to seize the initiative
is swiftly punished by Chigorin. 17 N-B4 P-KR4
A defensive move rather than an

attacking one. 17 ... 0-0 is dan-
gerous in view of 18 P-N4, with
the threat of 19 P-QB3. On 17 . .
P-Q3 there follows 18 B-R3, win-

ning the exchange in view of the
threat of 19P-QB3, while on 17
. N-B4 White replies 18 B-Q2,
. .
preparing R-Kl and B-R3.

12P~QR4! P-N5
13N-N1 P-K4? 18 P-B4 N-B4
19B-Q2 PxP
A serious mistake. Here, too,
20 X BP P-Q3
he should have castled.
21 Q-K2 R-Ql
14N-Q5 BxN 22 QR-Kl K-Bl
0-0 B-R3.
14 ... NxN 15 PxN N-B4! 22 . . . fails to 23
would have given better defensive

chances. 23 P-B3 P-R4
24B-Q2 PxP
15PxB Q-Q3? 25 PxP N-R3
FRENCH DEFENCE 09
26NXRP N(R3)-N1 1 P-K4 P-K3
27 N-B6 R-Kl 2 P-Q4 P-Q4
28 P-B4 Q-Q2 3 N-QB3 N-KB3
29 B-B4 P-R5 4 B-KN5 B-K2
5P-K5 KN-Q2
By his subtle manoeuvres, Chi- 6 BxB QxB
gorin has reduced his opponent to 7 Q-Q2 • • •
zugzwang.
The old continuation, by which

30P-N4! NxNP White keeps open the possibility
of castling on either side, depend-
If 30 ... QxP, then 31 QxQ ing10on the tactical situation. Now-
NxQ 32 NxB NxN 33 BxP. adays 7 P-B4 is normally played,
immediately strengthening the
31 B-R3 x\(Nl)-B3
centre.
32 B-N5 R-R4
33QBXN PxB 7 . . . 0-0
34QxN! Resigns.
8 P-B4 P-QB4
9 N-B3 N-QB3
If 34 . . . R-N4, then 35 Q x R. P-KN3
Game No. 52 Rubinstein’s move. Also fre-

Tarrasch-Teichmann quently played islOPxPNxBP
(San Sebastian, 1912) 11 0-0-0, or even 10 0-0-0 P-B5
1 1 P-B5, with attacks on opposite
In this encounter between two
outstanding German players — wings.
specialists in the art of positional

manoeuvring — Tarrasch succeeds 10 . . . P-QR3
in subtly exploiting the funda-
mental disadvantage of Black’s If 10 ... P-B3, then il KPxP
pawn structure, and with his custo- NxBP 12 0-0-0; or 10 ... PxP
mary precision converts an insig- 11 KNxP Q-N5 12 0-0-0, with

nificant positional advantage into a slightly the better position for
win. White. In the game itself Black
COMPREHENSIVE CHESS OPENINGS
chooses the slowest system of a considerable advantage in the
counter-play. endgame. It is instructive to follow
how White gradually increases this
11 B~N2 P-QN4 advantage.
12 0-0 !
16N-K2! B-Q2
Castling Q-side would be too 17 N-Q4 QR-Bl
risky. Now White has a persistent 18 K-B2! R-B2
initiative, thanks to his powerful 19 K-K3 R-Kl
centre.
Black adopts waiting tactics,
12... PxP as it is difficult for him to find an

13KNXP NxN effective counter-plan.
14 Q X N Q-B4
15QxQ NxQ 20 R-B2! N-N2
21 B-Bl N-R4
22 P-N3 P-R3
23 B-Q3 N-B3
24NxN BxN
25 K-Q4!
The white king has taken up an

ideal position, as, incidentally,
have all his other pieces. The final
stage of the game begins, in which

Black has succeeded in simpli- essentially only one side is playing,
fying the position, and he even while the other is helpless. The
offered a draw after his 15 th move, whole game is an excellent example
but in fact the game is only just of Tarrasch’s style, about which
starting. White occupies the key Spielmann wrote as follows: “The
central square with his knight, and direct attacking style had hardly
in addition the majority of Black’s given way to the positional style,
pawns are placed on squares of the before Tarrasch appeared with his
colour of his own and the oppo- preaching of new methods of play.
nent’s bishop. All this gives White If one follows these principles in
.
FRENCH DEFENCE 111
the games of Tarrasch himself, it 36 . . PxP

becomes clear that in them there 37BXKNP P-N5
is no spirit of attack. Slowly, 38 R-R7 + K-Ql
terribly slowly, almost stealing up, 39 B-Q3 R-B6
the troops go into battle. Their 40 P-R3 P-R4
motto is to avoid, as far as pos- 41 R-R8 + Resigns.
sible, a direct fight, and merely to
besiege the enemy, blockade him,
and wait until his resources are at Game No. 53
an end, and then slowly crush Alekhine-Fahrni
him.” (Mannheim, 1914)
25 . . . B-Q2 In this game the young Russian

26 P-KN4 B-Bl champion produces a classical
27 P-KR4 P-N3 example of an opening attack. The
28 R-Rl K-N2 game caused a formerly popular
29 P-R5 R-Rl variation of the French Defence
30 R(B2)-R2 B-Q2 to go out of fashion for a long time.
31 P-N5!
1 P-K4 P-K3
The break-through, which has 2 P-Q4 P-Q4
been painstakingly prepared. 3 N-QB3 N-KB3
4 B-KN5 B-K2
31... RPxP 5 P-K5 KN-Q2
32BPXP RxP 6 P-KR4!
33 R X R PXR
34 RXP K-Bl “This energetic move was played
35 R-R8 -b K-K2 in friendly games by the French
36 P-N6 amateur Chatard, and prior to this
by the Rumanian master Albin.
There was an even simpler win But it received its baptism of fire
by 36 R-R7 K-Bl 37 P-N6 PxP in a master tournament in the pres-
38 X KNP K-Nl 39 R-B7 K-Rl ent game”, wrote Alekhine.
40 B-R7!, and Black is in zug-
zwang. 6 . . . BxB
9
This game shows that it is too 16 B-Q3 P~K5
risky for Black to accept the sacri- 17 Q-N3!
fice. Alekhine considered 6 ...
P-QB4 to be the best reply, and if Threatening 1 8 KN x P, while if
7 N-N5, then 7 . . . P-B3. 17 ... Q-Q3, then 18 BxP PxB

19 RxKP followed by 0-N7.
7PxB QxP
8 N-R3 Q-K2 17 . .
.
Q-B2
If 8 ... Q-R3, then 9 P-KN3

and 10 B-N2, with the better posi-
tion for White.
9 N-B4 N-Bl
On 9 P-QR3 White can

...
advantageously continue 10 Q-N4

P-KN3 11 0-0-0 N-N3 12 B-Q3,
while in the event of 9 ... P-KN3
18BxP! PxB
10 B-Q3 N-Bl the piece sacrifice
19 N X P R-KNl
11 KNxQP PxN 12 NxP gives
White an attack. However, it is
If 19 ... QxP, then 20 NxP
also difficult for Black to defend
NxN 21 Q-N7.
himself after the move played.
20 Q-QR3 Q-N2
10 Q-N4! P-KB4
Or 20 ... Q-K2 21 Q-R5 +
The only move which parries
P-N3 22 Q-B3, with crushing
e threats of 11 QxNP and 12
threats.
xQP.
N-Q6!
21 N-QN3
11 PxP e.p. PxP 22 N-K8 Q-KB2
12 0-0-0 P-B3 23 Q— Q6 +
13 R-Kl K-Ql
14 R-R6 P-K4 And White gives mate in two
15 Q-R4 QN-Q2 moves.
FRENCH DEFENCE
Game No. 54 9 . . . P-B5
Smyslov-Botvinnik 10 N-N5
(Moscow, 1944)
The idea of this move lies in the
This hard-fought game was not
manoeuvre N-R3-B4-R5, which
only of decisive importance as
was recommended by Botvinnik.
regards first place in the 13th
But Black has the possibility of
USSR Championship, but was
preventing it.
also of great theoretical impor-
tance, as both players were experts
10 . . . P-KR3
on the French Defence. “Smyslov
11 N-R3 N-N3
claimed, on more than one occa-
12 Q-B3 B-Q2
sion,” wrote Botvinnik about this
13 N-B4 NXN
game, “that the system chosen by
me was bad for Black, and so I
14 QXN N-K2
adopted it in the present game
It is here that the disadvantage
with particular pleasure.”
of 7 P-QR4 tells - the pawn is lost.
1 P-K4 P-K3 True, Black’s bishop proves to be
2P-Q4 P-Q4 out of play for a certain time, which
3 N-QB3 B-N5 allows White to strengthen his
4F-K5 P-QB4 attack on the K-side.

17
5 P-QR3 BxN-b
6PxB N-K2 15 P~R4 XP
7P-QR4 QN-B3 16 P-R5 Q-N4!
8N-B3 Q-R4
9B-Q2 • • •
The usual continuation is 9

Q-Q2, in order to use the bishop
on the QR3-KB8 diagonal, but
then Black has the possibility of
exchanging queens by 9 ... P x P.
Smyslov, on the other hand, is
aiming for a piece attack against

the position of the black king. K~Q1
9*
.

This seems logical, since White Q-Q2 followed by ...B-N4,
is planning a pawn storm on the exchanging
21 a pair of rooks and
K-side, but now his queen’s rook freeing his bishop.
will be out of play, and the co-ordi-
nation of his pieces destroyed. P-N4!
Correct was 17 R-Bl, then B-K2
and 0-0, with good prospects of an Smyslov skilfully takes advantage
attack on either wing, and the pos- of the opportunity offered. The
sibility of utilizing all his pieces plausible 21 B-R3? fails to 21 ...
harmoniously. BxP22BxNQ-N7!.
23
17... R-QBl! 21 . . . P-B3
Black, on the other hand, takes Forced, as Black dare not allow
every opportunity to activate his P-N5.
pieces quickly. The rook will be
switched to the Q-side in order to 22PxP RxP
free the bishop, and to take part Q-B7
in the coming counter-attack.
The white pieces have immedi-
18 B-Bl R-B3 ately come to life, and the chances
19 B-K2 R-R3 are once again equal.
20 K-Q2
23 . . . R-B2
White’s king manoeuvres have 24 Q-Q8 + K-R2
not only lost time, but have led 25 P-B4! Q-R4
also to the blocking of the bishop’s
important QB1-KR6 diagonal. Botvinnik could have gone into
an approximately equal ending by
20 . . . 0-0 25... Q-Q2 26 QxQ BxQ 27
R x R P X R, but prefers to play for
In playing for a pretty trap. a win in the resulting sharp com-
Black puts his king in a dangerous plications.
position. As Botvinnik pointed
out, he should have played 20 . . 26 Q-QN8
FRENCH DEFENCE 115
The exchange of queens would 30... NxQP!

now be favourable for Black, as he 31 B-N4 Q-Ql
would avoid the doubling of his 32QxR PxQ
pawns. 33 P X N
26 ... N-B3 With his pawn still at KB4,

27 Q-K8 R-K2 White could have fought on suc-
28Q-N6 + cessfully, but now the game is
decided by Black’s next move,

28 Q-KB8 is met by 28 ...
which forces an entry for his queen.
Q-Ql, forcing the exchange of
queens.
33 . . . R-N2!
28 . . . K-Nl 34RxB Q-N4 +
29 B-R3 35 K-Ql P-R4
36 B-KB3
29 P-N5 was necessary, with
wild complications. By the move The other bishop cannot move
played White attacks the rook and on account of immediate mate.
prevents ... N x QP, but now
Black has the opportunity for a 36 . . . RX
fine combination. 37BXPT K-Bl
38 R-Bl + K-Kl
29 . . . P-K4 39 B-B6 + K-K2
Here Black should have played
40 RXR Q X NP +
Resigns.
29 . .
.
Q-B2 30 KR-Bl (the rook
cannot be taken, since then the
queen
BxN
The
?
have played 30
is lost)
decisive mistake.
30 .
B-Kl!, trapping the queen.

. .
QPxP, when
N-N5!!
He
31
should
his 1
(9th
P-K4
Game No.
Game
Moscow,
55
Smyslov-Botvinnik
of the World
Championship Match,
1954)
P-K3
powerful pawn chain gives White 2 P-Q4 P-Q4
excellent counter-chances. 3 N-QB3 B-N5
4 P-K5 P-QB4 12 Q-Q3 QXP
5 P-QR3 B-R4 13P-KR4!
For a long time this continuation The idea of this move is not to
has been considered unfavourable attempt to queen the passed pawn,
for Black, but it nevertheless occurs but to create a dominating post for
in practice. White’s black-squared bishop, and
to block the action of Black’s rook
6 P-QN4 along the KN-file.
Alekhine’s move. As mentioned 13 . . . B-Q2

in the analysis, the idea is that on 14 B~N5 R-BI
6 ... P X NP White continues 7 15 N-Q4 N-B4
N-N5 PxP+ 8 P-QB3, with a 16R-QN1!
strong attack for the pawn.
6 . . . P X QP
7 Q-N4 N-K2
Too risky. A few months later, 16

in a game against Unzicker, Bot-
vinnik chose the cautious move
7 . . . K-Bl, but again found him-
self in an inferior position.
The whole game takes a highly
8PxB PxN unusual course: both sides have
9 Q X NP R-Nl given up the right to castle and
10 Q X RP N-Q2 have left their kings in the centre,
while the battle takes place on
On 10 ... QN-B3 White can the flanks.
play 1 1 P-B4 QXP 12 N-B3 B-Q2
13 N-N5 R-KBl 14 B-K2, with , . . R-B5
the threat of N x BP !.
On 16 . . . P-N3, White has the

11 N-B3 N-Bl strong reply 17 N-N5, with the
FRENCH DEFENCE 117
threat ofl8QxNBxN19 Q-B6. Game No. 56

Comparatively best was 16 ... Shamkovich-Prokhorovich
NxN 17 QxN
P-N3, but here (Moscow, 1961)
too White has good winning chan-
ces thanks to his strong passed 1 P-K4 P-K3
pawn and his pair of bishops, 2P-Q4 P-Q4
which control the whole board. 3 N-QB3 N-KB3
4 B-KN5 B-N5
17NxN PxN 5P-K5 P-KR3
18RxP R-K5 + ? 6B-K3 • • •
In a difficult situation Black

makes an erroneous combination, The Janowski system, which
begins with this move, and which
which is refuted by White’s bril-
liant reply.
involves the sacrifice of a pawn for
Better chances of complicating

an attack, demands from Black an
exact and active defence.
the game and confusing the oppo-
nent were offered by the prepara-
tory exchange sacrifice : 18 ...
6 . . . N-K5
RxB 19 PxR R-K5 +, but even 7 Q-N4 K-Bl
then, by continuing 20 B-K2
N-N3 (if 20 . . . N-K3, then 21
Weaker is 7 ... P-KN3 8 P-
P-N6, and 21 N-B5 fails to ...
QR3 X N 9 P X P-QB4 10 B-Q3
22 QxR) 21 K-Bl NxP 22
Q-R4 1 1 N-K2. In a game Sham-
kovich-Chistyakov (1961), after 11
R-R8 + K-K2 23 Q-N5 Q x P 24
QxP Q-B8+ 25 B-Ql Q-Q7 26 . PxP 12 BxQP N-B4 13 0-0
. .
Q-B5 -F K-K3 27 R-K8 + White !

N-B3 14BxP!R-KNl 15BxP-b
wins.
KxB 16 Q-R5+, White had a
very strong attack for the sacrificed
19 QxRI QPxQ piece.
20 R-N8 T B-Bl
21 B-N5 f QxB 8 P-QR3
22RxQ N-K3
23 B-B6 RxP A little-studied continuation,
24 P-R5 B-R3 which leads to complicated, dou-
25 P-R6! Resigns. ble-edged positions. The normal
1

move was 8 B-Q3 N X N 9 P-QR3 R-R3, which is continued in the
N-R7+ (9 ... B-R4 10 B-Q2 present game.
N-R5! is better) 10 B-Q2 or 10 Of course, in such a sharp posi-
K-Bl!. tion, where every tempo is precious
one cannot waste time on slow
8 ... BxN-b manoeuvres. The immediate 10
. P-QB4 is necessary, and if 1
. .
On B-R4 the simplest

8 ...
PxP, then 11 ... Q-R4 12
reply is 9 B-Q3 NxN 10 B-Q2.
B-Q2 Q-R5, or first 11... N-B3,
Less clear is 9 P-N4 NxN 10
while on 11 P-KR4 Black should
P X B, or 9 KN-K2 P-QB4 and if drive back the dangerous bishop
P X P then N-B3 . . . !.
by 11 ... P-B5, e.g. 12 B-KBl
N-Q2 13 R-R3 P-B4 14 PxP e.p.
9PxB NxQBP NxBP, or 13 B-Q2 N-K5 14
Black boldly accepts the pawn
B-N4-b K-Nl, when both 15
sacrifice. After 9 ... P-QB4 10

X P and 15 P-KB3 fail to 15 ...
P-QR4.
B-Q3 N X QBP
P X P White has 1 1
an undisputed advantage. A game

Shamkovich-Tsvetkov (1965) con- 11 P-KR4! B-R3
tinued 11... N-B3 12 N-B3 Q-R4
12 R-R3 P-R4
13 0-0 B-Q2 14 P-QR4! R-QNl
R-R3, with a clear advantage for White was threatening 13 R-N3.
15
White.
12 ... BxB 13 PxB N-Q2 was
insufficient in view of 14 R-N3
10 B-Q3 P-QN3 P-N3 B-Q2! N-R5 16 P-R5
15
P-KN4 17 P-B4 P-KB4 18 Q-
Black follows the system of de- Ql!, with decisive threats.
fence adopted in a similar position
(with White’s bishop at QBl rather 13 Q-B4 Q-K2
than
Goldenov
) in
(1953),
the game Saigin-
which continued
14
15
R-B3
N-R3
K-Nl
BxB
10 . . . P-QN3 11 N-R3 B-R3 12 16 PX N-R3
N-B4 BxB 13 PxB, etc. Instead
of 1 1 N-R3, Keres suggested as an 16 . . . N-Q2 and 16 . . . N-B3
improvement 11 P-KR4 B-R3 12 both fail, of course, to 17 R-Bl.
.
17 FRENCH DEFENCE 119
Q-N3
White regroups his forces, after

which four of his pieces can take
part in the attack on the enemy
king.But the preparatory 17 B-Q2
was more accurate, driving Black’s
knight back to a passive position.
17 . . . P-QB4
18 B-N5 Q-Kl Despite his highly tenacious de-
fence, Black is in a critical position.
If 18 ... Q-Bl, then 19 N-B4.

23 . . . P-B3
19 B-B6 Q-Bl
White also wins after 23 ...
The only move. On 19 . . . R-R2 Q-Bl 24 N X RP N-B4 25 N-B6 -f

White continues 20 N-N5 PxB K-Rl 26 NxR NxR 27 N-B6
(or 20 ... R-R3 21 BxP!) 21 N-B4 N-R3 29
28 P-N4! N-R5
NxR-f KxN 22 RxP Q-KNl Q-KNl 30 NxP K-R2 31 B-B6,
23 Q-B4 Q-N5 24 Q-R6 + K-Nl followed by 32 Q-R5 and 33
25 R-B3, winning the queen. P-N5.
20 Q-N5 N-N4! 24 PXP Q-B2

25 N-N6 N-B3
Black defends as best he can,
26 K-Bl N-B2
27 R—K1 . .
but White’s pressure nevertheless
increases. 20 . . . R-R3 fails to 21
N-B4 P-N3 22 NxKP! PxN 23 White’s last undeveloped piece
B-R8!, and White wins. comes into the game.
21 R-N3 R-R2 27 ... N-N4

22 N-B4 NxQP 28 PxP N(N4)-Q5
23 B-K7! 29 B-B6 N-B4
The threat was 30 N-B8, win- R X P(N2) 33 X R Black is in a
ning the exchange. hopeless position.
32RXKP N-Q5
30 R-B3 R-R3
33 QxQ RxQ
N X NP loses quickly to
30 ...
34RXRP NxR
35 R-R8 + K-B2
31 BxN QxB 32 RxP N-Q5 36RxR NxP
33 QxQP.
37 BxN KxB
38RxP +
31RxN QxN
and White won soon, by ex-
After 31 ... RxN 32 QxP ploiting his material advantage.
SICILIAN DEFENCE: 1 P-K4 P-QB4
The Sicilian Defence, which in and finesses, apparently harmless

the last century had the reputation but cunning manoeuvres, which in
of being difficult and unfavourable their strategical effect can be jok-
for Black and was therefore rarely ingly compared with delayed-ac-
adopted, has now become a favour- tion mines. Below the reader will
ite weapon of chess players of all see examples of how even well-
countries ; it has been enriched to an known grandmasters and masters
extraordinary degree, and numer- have immediately lost a game on
ous new continuations have been account of a single hasty or routine
worked out for both sides. There move.
is perhaps no other opening whose
theory is developing so swiftly and

I. Closed, or Chigorin System
where certain variations quickly
spring into fashion, and then are 2 N-QB3 N-QB3
equally quickly discarded. 3 P-KN3
The characteristic feature of the
Sicilian Defence is that it demands In this system White, while main-
from both players extremely accu- taining control over the centre,
rate play in the opening, plus a aims to develop rapidly in order
detailed knowledge of a large to then begin storming the oppos-
number of theoretical variations. ing king position, or else by
The slightest inaccuracy, sometimes P-Q4 to open up the centre in the
a mere transposition of moves, can most favourable strategical situ-
lead to a serious deterioration of ation.

the position, and even a loss. Black, in taking measures against
From the very first moves, the P-Q4, creates for his knight a
opening battle is full of subtleties strong point in the centre, and at
121
! .

the first opportunity begins a coun- On 3 . . . N-B3, with the aim of
ter-attack with his Q-side pawns. playing . . . P-Q4, White can con-
Here is how Chigorin played this tinue 4B-N2 P-K3 5 KN-K2
system in a game against Schiffers B-K2 6 0-0 0-0 7 P-Q3 P-Q4
in 1895: 3N-B3 P-K3 4 Q-K2 8 PxP PxP 9 B-N5 P-Q5 10
B-K2 5 P-KN3 P-Q4 6 B-N2 N- BxN BxB 11 N-K4, with the
B3 7 P-Q3 0-0 8 0-0. The draw- better chances.
back to White’s system of devel-
opment is that his knight at KB3 4 B-N2 B-N2
hinders the attacking advance 5 P-Q3 P~Q3
P-KB4.
Nowadays this system is played 5 ... P-K3 6 B-K3 P-Q3 is
differently. often played, transposing into the

The continuation 3 P-B4 P-KN3 main line, but not 6 ... N-Q5,
4 N-B3 B-N2 5 B-B4 is also played when White obtains the advantage
when the reply 5 ... P-Q3 by Smyslov’s manoeuvre 7 QN-
6 0-0 N-B3 7 P-B5 0-0 8 P-Q3 K2 !, e.g. 7 . P-Q3 8 P-QB3 N X N
.
gives White the initiative, while in 9 NxN N-K2 10 P-Q4 Q-B2

the event of 5 ... P-K3 6 P-B5 11 Q-Q2, or 7 ... NxN 8 NxN
KP X P 7 P-Q3 KN-K2 8 0-0 P-Q3 BxP 9 R-QNl B-N2 10 BxP.
9 Q-Kl White has an active game If 9 ... Q-R4-1-?, then 10 B-Q2
for the sacrificed pawn. Instead of QxP 11 RxB QxR 12 B-QB3.
accepting the pawn sacrifice by Another good continuation for
6 ... KPxP or 6 ... NPxP, Black is 5 ... N-B3 6 KN-K2
Black should play either 6 ... P-Q3 7 0-0 0-0 8 P-KR3 N-Kl
KN-K2 P X KP BP X P 8 P-Q3
7 9 P-B4 P-B4.
P-Q4, or 6 ... P-Q4!? 7 PxQP 5 ... P-N3, intending the
PxQP8NxPBxBP. opposition of the white-squared
If in reply to 3 P-B4 Black bishops, is also playable. The 13th
plays 3 . . . P-K3 4 N-B3 P-Q4, game of the Smyslov-Botvinnik
then White obtains the better match (1954) continued 6 KN-K2
chances by continuing 5 B-N5 P-Q3 (if 6 B-N2, then 7 B-K3!,
. . .
KN-K2 6PxPPxP7
Q-K2!. and Black cannot prevent 8 P-Q4,
since on 7 ... N-Q5 there follows
3 P-KN3 8 BxN PxB 9 N-N5) 7 0-0
SICILIAN DEFENCE 123
B-N2, and here, instead of 8 interesting N-B3
course: 6 ...
P-B4 which was met by 8 ... 7 B-K3 0-0 8 P-KR3 P-K4
P-B4, Botvinnik recommends 8 9 0-0 B-K3 10 P-B4 N-Q5 11
B-K3, and if 8 ... N-Q5, then Q-Q2 N-Kl 12 PxP PxP, with
9 BxN PxB 10 N-N5 P-K4 a good game for Black.
1 1 P-QR4, with advantage to Also good is 6 P~K3 7 B-K3 . . .
White. N-Q5 8 0-0 N-K2 9 P-B4 R-QNl

10 R-Nl N(K2)-B3.
6 KN-K2 6 ... R-Nl is also possible,
when White does best to play
An old continuation, which leads 7 0-0P-QN4 8 P-B4 P-N5 9 N-Q5
to a complicated position with N-Q5 10NxNBxN+ 11 K-Rl
chances for both sides. 6 B-K3 is P-K3 12 N-K3, with fair prospects
sometimes played, when Black on the K-side.
should again reply 6 ... P-K4!. White can also choose an alter-
native plan: 6 P-B4 (instead of

6KN-K2) 6 . . . N-B3 {6 ... P-K3
7 N-B3 KN-K2 8 0-0 0-0 is
preferable, with chances for both

sides) 7 N-B3 0-0 8 0-0 R-Nl.
Now 9 N-KR4 is parried by
Geller’s strong reply 9 . . . N-Q5!.
White does better to play 9 P-KR3
P-QN4 10 P-R3 P-QR4 11 B-K3,
first aiming to render harmless the
opponent’s Q-side initiative, and
6 . . . P-K4! only then begin his attack on the
enemy king. This is how the 6th
A
good reply, which was first game of the Spassky-Geller match
played by Botvinnik in the 15th (1968) developed: 11 P-N5
...
game of his match against Smyslov 12 PxP RPxP 13 N-K2 B-N2

in 1954. 14 P-N3! R-Rl 15 R-Bl R-R7
The game Spassky-Simagin 16 P-N4 Q-Rl 17 Q-Kl, and
(1961), in which ... P-K4 was White’s attack came first.
played two moves later, took an White can also play 6 N-R3
.

(instead of 6 P-B4) 6 . . . N-B3 (1) 2 P-QN4 (The Sicilian
7 o_o 0-0. Wing Gambit, which is better

adopted a move later, after 2
7 N-Q5 KN-K2 N-KB3 P-K3, or 2 N-KB3 P-Q3)
8 P-QB3 NXN 2 ... P X P 3 P-QR3 (this is the
9PxN N-K2 point of the gambit; after 3 . .
PxP 4 NxP, followed by B-N2,

Black has a good game. The White has good piece play in
above-mentioned 15th game of the return for the pawn) 3 P-Q4! . . .
Smyslov-Botvinnik match contin- 4 KPxP (after 5 P-K5 N-QB3

ued 10 0-0 0-0 11 P-KB4 B-Q2 5 P-Q4 Q-N3 Black has the
12 P-KR3 Q-B2 13 B-K3 QR-Kl, advantage) 4 ... Q x P 5 N-KB3
with a good position for Black. (to meet the threat of 5 ... Q-K4 -b
The conclusion may be drawn and 6 ... Q X R) 5 ... P-K4
that, although the closed system 6PxPBxP7B-R3BxB8NxB
leads to complex and interesting (or 8 RxB)
N-QB3, and 8 ...
positions, White has less chances of Black keeps his extra pawn in a
gaining an advantage than in the good position. If 9 N-QN5, then
systems examined below. 9 .Q-Ql, or 9 B-B4 Q-K5 +.
.
.
(2) 2 P-KN3 P-Q4 3 PxP

II. Nimzowitsch-Rubinstein Sys- QxP 4 N-KB3 B-N5 5 B-N2
tem Q-K3 + ! K-Bl B-R6 7 P-Q4!
6
PP 8 NxP Q-Q2! 9 N-QB3
2 N-KB3 N-QB3, with equal chances.
(3) 2 P-Q4 PxP 3 N-KB3
The most popular move, which (weaker is 3 QxP N-QB3 4
is the start of a number of strate- Q-K3 N-B3 5 P-QB4 P-K3,
gically independent modern systems. and after . . . B-K2 Black gets
We list here some other, rarely in . . . P-Q4 with a good game).
played alternatives, which are Now Black can transpose into one
rightly considered unfavourable of the variations analysed below,
for White. by 3 ... P-Q3, 3 ... P-K3 or
P !
3 . . . N~QB3. It is risky to attempt tage) 4 PxP NxP 5 NxN QxN

to keep the pawn : 3 ... P-K4 6 P-Q4! P-K4 7 PxKP QxKP
4 P-B3! (4 NxKP? Q-R4+) 8 B-Q2 B-K2 9 B-B3 Q-N4
4 ... PxP 5 QNxP P-Q3 6 10 N-N3 0-0 11 B-Q3 R-Ql,
B-QB4, or 3 ... Q-R4 + 4 P-B3 with a roughly equal position.
P X P 5 N X P. In both cases White
obtains an attack which fully
2 . . . N-KB3
compensates for the sacrificed
pawn.
This move characterizes the
Nimzowitsch-Rubinstein System.
After 2 P-Q4 PxP, the Morra
Gambit 3 P-QB3 is possible:
It was Nimzowitsch who first began
3 ... PxP (Black can also decline playing it, but after 3 P-K5 he
used to retreat his knight to N1,
the sacrifice by 3 ... P-Q6 or
3 ...N-KB3) 4 NxP N-QB3 this losing two tempi.
5 B-QB4 P-K3
N-B3 P-Q3 6
3 P-K5
7 0-0 KN-K2 8 B-KN5 P-QR3
(but not 8 ... P-KR3? 9 N-N5!)
On 3 N-B3, 3 . . . P-Q3 is possi-
9 Q-K2 P-R3 10 B-K3 N-N3 ble. The following continuations
11 KR-Ql P-N4. lead to interesting play with chan-
(4) 2 P-QB3 (Alapin’s move) ces for both sides : 3 . . . P-Q4
2 ... P-Q4 3PxPQxP4P-Q4
4 PxP NxP 5 B-N5+ N-B3!
N-QB3! (after 4 ...
(but not 5 ... B-Q2? 6 N-K5!
White plays N-QB3 with gain of
BxB 7 Q-B3!) 6 N-K5 NxN
tempo) 5 N-B3 B-N5 6 B-K2 QPxN!, or 3 ... N-B3 4
7
P-K3 7 0-0 N-B3. Chances are P_Q4 p_Q4 5 KPxP KNxP.
equal.
For example, 6 QxN NxN
(5) 2 N-K2. Keres’ move. In 7 P-B4 Q-K5-b 8 B-K3 PxP
reply Black can either transpose
9 N X P P-K4 with an equal game,
into the normal lines by 2 ...
or 6 B-QN5 N X N 7 P X N Q-R4
N-QB3, 2 . . . P-Q3, or 2 . . . P-K3, 8 BxN+ PxB 9 0-0 B-N5 10
or can play 2 N-KB3 3 QN-B3 . . .
P-KR3, with the better chances
(if 3 P-K5, then 3 ... N-N5
for White.
4 P-KB4 P-Q4) 3 P-Q4 (or . . .
3 N-B3 4 P-KN3 P-Q4 5 Px

. . . 3 . . . N-Q4
NxP 6 B-N2, to White’s advan- 4 N-B3
Both 4 P-B4 N-B2 5 P-Q4 Larsen’s continuation. The quiet-
PxP4 6 QP N-B3 7 Q-K4 P- er 6 ...P-Q3 is also possible,
Q4 8PXP e.p. QxP 9 N-B3 Q- e.g. 7 B-QN5 + B-Q2 8 x +

N3!, and 4 P-Q4 PxP 5 QxP QxB 9 0-0 with the better pros-
P-K3 6 B-QB4 P-Q3! lead to pects for White, or 7 B-KN5
equality. Q-R4+ 8 P-B3 PxP 9 B-Q3!
PXP 10 0-0 with an active position
. . . P-K3 for the sacrificed pawns.
7PxP BxP
4 ... NxN 5 QPxN P-K3
8 QxP Q-N3
6 B-KB4 N-B3 7 B-B4 Q-B2
9 B-QB4
8 0-0 P-QN3 9 R-Kl ! is favoura-
ble for White, as is the simplification
The continuation 9 Q-Q2 0-0
of the position after 5 ... P-Q4
6 PxP
6 e.p. QxP 7 QxQ PxQ 10 B-Q3 P-Q3 11 PxP R-Kl +
is advantageous for Black.
8 B-KB4. 5 . . . P-QN3 is a mistake
in view of the elegant rejoinder
6 P-K6! QPxP (if 6 ... BPxP,
then 7 N-K5!) 7 QxQ+ KxQ
8 N-K5 K-Kl 9 B-QN5 + B~Q2
lONxB NxN 11 B-B4.
5NxN
5 N-K4 deserves consideration,

e.g. 5 ... P-Q3 6 PxP BxP
7 B-N5 + with advantage to 9... BxP +
White, or 5 ... N-QB3
P~QN3 6 10 K-K2 0-0
P-B4 7 N-B3 N-B2 8 B-N2 11 R-Bl
B-K2 9 P-N3 0-0 10 B-N2, and
White’s position is preferable. Also deserving of consideration
is the sharp continuation 11 R-Ql
5... PxN N-N5 12 Q-K4 P-Q4 13 P X P e.p.
P-Q4 N-B3 B-Q2 14 B-KN5 K-Rl 15 N-K5,
:
with a complicated position (Aro- 16

ces, but 15 ... B-N8! deserves
nin-Krasnov, 1962). consideration.
13
11 . . . B-B4 R-QNl P-QR4!

12N-N5! N-Q5 +
K-Ql After 16 ... NxN 17 RxB!
Q-Ql 18 BxN QxB 19 PxP
In the game GUgoric-Larsen B-N5 4- 20 K-B2 White has the
(1959), White chose a different advantage.
path: 13 K-Q3 Q-N3+ 14 Q-K4,
but after 14 . . . P-Q4 15 BxP
B-B4 RxB NxR 17 P-K6
16
QR-Ql 18 PxP+ K-Rl 19 P-B4
P-N4 ! Black gained the advantage.
13 . . . N-K3
14 P-B3
If 14 N-K4 P-Q3 13 P X P R-Ql

16 Q-R5, then after 16 ... BxP Here is what can follow: 17
17 B-Q3 P-B4! 18 RxP
N-Bl NxBP RxN 18 RxR KxR
19 NxB BxR 20 Q-B7+ K-Rl 19 PxP QxP 20 PxB QxQ 21
21 NxB Q-N8+ Black forces
BxQ R-R3, and Black is out of
perpetual check.
all his difficulties.
14... P-Q3!
15 P-QN4 BxP III. Dragon Variation
After 15 ... NxN 16 PxB 2 N-KB3 P-Q3

PxBP 17 BxN B-K3 18 Q-K4 3 P-Q4
BxB 19 QxB Q-N7 20 R-Bl
QxNP 21 B-K7! (Gligoric-Mata- Besides this natural and strong
novic, 1961), or 15 ... B-K6 continuation, other variations are
16 RxP! RxR 17 NxR BxB possible
18 NxP (analysis by Gligoric) (1) 3 P-QN4 PxP 4 P-Q4
White clearly has the better chan- N-KB3 5 B-Q3 P-Q4 6 QN-Q2
10
. . . 1

P-K3 7 Q-K2 N-B3 8 P-K5 N-Q2 the main PxPline, since after 4
9 B-N2 B-K2 10 0-0. White NxP5PxPP-K36B-Q3NxQP
prepares a K-side attack, but 7 0-0 B-K2 8 N-B3 0-0 Black
Black’s position is very solid. equalizes. 5 ... Q-N3 is unfav-
(2) 3 P-B3 N-KB3 4 P-K5 ourable for Black on account of
(4 B-N5 + B-Q25BxB + QNxB 6 Q-Q4 QxQ 7 NxQ NxQP
6 Q-K2 is possible; on 4 Q-B2, 8 N-QB3 B-Q2 9 N-Q5, with
Black can play 4 ... P-K4 !) advantage to White.
4 ... PxP5 NxPN-B3 6NxN
PxN 7 B-B4 B-B4 with equal 4 NXP N-KB3
chances.
(3) 3 B-N5 + N-QB3 (3 . .
4 ... N-QB3 or 4 ... P-KN3

B-Q2 leads to equality, e.g. 3
are weaker, since White replies
BxB+ QxB 5 0-0 N-KB3 6
5 P-QB4!, with the better position.
R-Kl P-K3 7 P-B3 N-B3 8 P-Q4
PxP 9 PxP P-Q4 10 P-K5
N-K5!, or 5 P-Q4 PxP 6 NxP
5 N-QB3
N-KB3 7 N-QB3 P-KN3 8 0-0
B-N2 9 B-K3 0-0 10 P-B4 R-Kl The strongest continuation. Rau-
11 Q-B3P-QR3 12QR-Ql,Korch- zer’s move 5 P-KB3, with the aim
noi-Moiseyev, 1966) 4 0-0 B-N5 of playing 6 P-QB4, gives White
5 P-B3 N-B3 6 R-Kl Q-N3 with no advantage, since Veresov’s reply
a satisfactory game. Weaker is 5 . . . P-K4 equalizes in all varia-
6 ... P~QR3 7 BxN+ PxB tions. For example, 6 B-QN5 +
8 P-Q4!, with advantage to White. (or 6N-N5 P-QR3 7 N(N5)-B3
If in reply to 3 B-N5 + Black B-K3 8 N-Q5 N X N 9 P X N B-B
chooses 3 . . . N-Q2, then after 4 10 P-QB4 P-B4, or 6 N-N3 P-Q4
P-Q4 PxP 5 QxP KN-B3 6 7 B-KN5 B-K3! 8 PxP QxP
B-N5 P-K3 7 N-B3 B-K2 8 0-0 9 QN-Q2 B-K2 10 B-QB4 Q-B3
White has the freer game. 11 Q-K2 0-0 12 0-0 QN-Q2, but
not 7 ... PxP? in view of 8
3 . . PxP QxQ+ KxQ 9 BxN+ PxB
10 P X P, with advantage to White)
On 3 . . N-KB3 White does best 6 ... B-Q2 7 BxB+ QNxB 8
to reply 4 N-B3, transposing into N-B5 F-Q4! 9 PxP Q-R4 +
.
5 SICILIAN DEFENCE 129
10 N-B3 N-N3 11 N~K3 QNxP 6 B-K2. Indeed, 6 B-K2 followed

12 KNxN 0-0-0!. by K-side casthng does not promise
White any opening advantage.
. . . P-KN3 6 P-B4 N-B3! (the strongest
(1)
reply. If 6 . . . B-N2, then 7 P-K5 !
This move, followed by the

PxP 8 PxP N-Q4 9 B-QN5 +
fianchetto of the bishop, charac-
K-Bl 10 0-0, when 10 ... BxP
Dragon Variation, which
terizes the
fails to 11 NxN QxN 12
leads to a sharp game where the
B-KR6-b! K-Nl 13 N-B5!
practice of recent years has shown
Q-B4+ 14 B-K3! Q-B2 15
White’s prospects to be better.
N-R6 + and mate next move.
On 5 ... QN-Q2, 6 B-QB4! is Instead of 8 ... N-Q4, Black can
best, e.g. 6 ... Q-B2 7 Q-K2
obtain a tenable position by 8 ...
P-QR3 8 B-KN5 P-N4 9 B-Q5 KN-Q2 9 P-K6 N-K4 10 B-QN5 -f
NxB 10 NxN (Tal-Taimanov,
QN-B3 11 PxP+KxP 12 0-0-j-
1966), or 6 ... N-N3 7 B-N3 B-B3) 7 NxN PxN 8 P-K5
P-K3 8 P-QR4 P-QR4 9 N(Q4)-N5 N-Q2 PXP a mistake in
(8 ... is
(Estrin-Simagin, 1968), with ad-
view of 9 QxQ + KxQ lOPxP
vantage to White in both cases.
N-Q2 B-KB4, followed by
11
The continuations 5 . . .P-QR3, 0-0-0; if 10 ... N-N5?, then 11
5 N-B3 and 5
. . . . . . P-K3 are B-KB4 B-KN2 12 0-0-0+ K-Kl
considered in subsequent sections.
13 N-N51, and White wins) 9
B-B4 N-N3 (bad is 9 ... PxP
10 0-0, or 9 ... P-Q4 10 NxP
PxN 11 QxP N-N3 12 QxP +
K-Q2 13 B-K3, with a win for
White) 10 PxP QxP (if 10 . .
NxB, then 11 Q-Q4) 11 QxQ

PxQ, with an equal game. As
can be seen, this whole variation
one trap after another,
consists of
which can be easily parried, but
6B-K3
which require care. More interest-
This continuation has in practice ing play arises after 6 P-B4 N-B3
supplanted the old lines involving 7 B-N5 B-Q2 8 N-B3 B-N2 9
10*
N
:

Q-K2 0-0 10 0-0, or 8 BxN 13 NxP 4- K-Rl 14 B-Q4 Q-N5
PXB9P-K5. 15 NxBQRxN i6BxNKR-Q]
(2) 6 P-KN3. This flank develop- 17 BxN BxB Black has the
ment of the white bishop occurs advantage. In this line 12 ...
very rarely in the Dragon Variation. Q-K3 is B-K3

also possible) 9 . . .
After 6 B-N2 7 B-N2 0-0

... 10 P-B4 N-QR4 11 P-B5 (the
8 P-KR3 N-B3 9 N-N3 White has Milner-Barry attack) 11 B-B5 . . .
only a slight advantage. 12 NxN BxB 13 QxB QxN

•
(3) 6 N-Q5!? B-N2 (6 . . . Nx 14 P-KN4 N-Q2 15 N-Q5 QR-Kl,

is weaker in view of 7 B-QN5 + with roughly equal chances. Or
B-Q2 8 PxN, while 6 NxP? 12 B-Q3 BxB 13 PxB NxN
is a mistake on account of 7 14 P X N, which also gives approxi-
B-QN5 + B-Q2 8 Q-K2 P-B4
! mate equality. Tartakower’s con-
9 P-KB3 N-B4 10 P-QN4) 7 tinuation 10 ... Q-Bl 11 Q-Kl
B-QN5 + B-Q28 0-0 0-0 9 R-Kl P-QR4 12 R-Ql leads to sharp
N-B3. Chances are equal. play.
(4) 6 B-K2 B-N2 7 B-K3 N-B3. 8 N-N3 0-0 9 P-B4 P-QR4I

(Alekhine’s move, the aim of
which is to force a weakening of
White’s Q-side pawns, and thus
cast doubts on his intended K-side
storm. In the event of 9 ... B-K3,
the attack devised by P. Rabino-
vich is possible: 10 P-N4 P-Q4
11 P-B5 B-Bl 12 BPxP RPxP
13 BxP
PxP N-N5 14 B-B3
15BxBNxB 16QxNNxBP +
The critical position of the old. 17 K-B2 NxR 18 RxN R-Bl!,
Dragon Variation. White has with roughly equal chances, or
a wide choice of continuations, 12 KPxP N-QN5 QxP 13 P-Q6
based on different strategical ideas 14 B-B5 Q-B5 15 R-KBl QxRP
8 0-0 0-0 9 N-N3 (the pawn 16 BxN NxP 17 BxN Q-N6 4-
sacrifice 9 P-B4 Q-N3 10 P-K5 18 R-B2 Q-N8+ with perpetual
is incorrect; after 10 ... PxP check, Alekhine-Botvinnik, 1936)
11 PxP NxP 12 N-B5 QxP 10 P-QR4 B-K3 11 0-0 N-QN5
(118 ... Q-Bl is weaker in view of Konstantinopolsky’s suggestion of

12 N-Q5! BxN 13 PxB N-QN5 9 ... P-Q4 (9 ... NxN 10 BxN
14 P-B4, with better chances for B-K3 is less promising for Black
White) 12 N-Q4 R-Bl. The posi- on account of K-Nl, and
11 if
tion is level. 11 ... Q-R4,thenl2N-Q5!).

Q-Q2 (the Grigoriev System)
8 ... 0-0 (or 8 ... N-KN5 at
once, transposing into the main
line after 9 BxN BxB 10 N-Q5 10
R-Bl 11 0-0, since on 11 P-B4
Black replies 11 ... Q-R4) 9 0-0
N-KN5 10 BxN BxB 11 N-Q5
R-Bl 12 P-QB4. White has a
spatial advantage; Black should
play 12 B-Q2, intending to...
undermine White’s pawn chain by PxP (this is more accurate
. P-QR3 and
. . P-QN4. . . . than 10 NxN PxN 11 PxP
Q-R4 12 P X P B-K3 with extreme-
6 . . . B-N2 ly sharp play, but 11 B-KR6 is
7 P-B3 0-0 possible) 10 ... NXP 11 N X QN

8 B-QB4 PxN 12 NXN (after the cautious
12 B-Q4 Black can avoid the

It is after this move that Black exchange of bishops and obtain a
finds it most difficult to create strong counter-attack by an inter-
counter-play. esting exchange sacrifice suggested
by Averbakh: 12 ... P~K4 13
8 . . . N-B3 B-B5 B-K3!? 14 BxR QxB
15 K-Nl R-Nl. White does better
A transposition of moves is also to play 14 B-B4) 12 ... PxN
possible: 8 Q-Q2 N-B3 9 B-QB4. 13 QxP Q-B2 (13 ... R-Nl,
Formerly the variation with suggested by Veresov, should be
9 0-0-0 was popular, but it was met by 14 P-QN3 Q-B2 !
15 Q-QB5
found that Black could obtain a with advantage to White, but not
satisfactory position. The main 14 QxQ BxP+ 15 K-Nl B-
rejoinder is considered to be Q5+) 14 QxR B-B4 15 QxR +
12
COMPREHENSIVE CHESS OPENINGS
132
XQ 16 R-Q2 P-KR4 17 B-K2. 0-0-0 Q-B2, with chances for

Black’s queen is stronger than the both sides.
two rooks. Let us return to the position after

If White avoids capturing the 8 B-QB4 N-B3:
rook and plays 14 Q-QB5, then by
14 . Q-R3 B-B4 16
.
.
Q-N2 15
B-QR6 Q-B2 17 Q-B5 Q-N3
(Averbakh’s move) Black forces
the exchange of queens and equal-
izes after 18QxQPxQ19 B-QB4
KR-Bl 20 B-N3 RxRP! 21
R-Q8+ (Ravinsky-Beylin, 1955).
Besides 9 0-0-0, White can play
9 N-N3, preventing P-Q4. . . .
This move leads to a sharp and In this position, 9 Q-Q2 and

difficult P-QR4
game. If 9 ... 9 B-N3 have been played. Often
10 N-R4 P-Q4, then 11 N-N6 R- these lead merely to a transposi-
N1 12 PxP N-QN5 13 P-QB4B- tion of moves, but completely differ-
B4 14 N-Q4, and here Fridshtein’s ent variations can also arise. For
suggestion of 14 ... N-K5!? Q-Q2 NxN 10 BxN
example, 9
15 P xN BxP is interesting. In B-K3 11 B-N3 Q-R4 12 0-0-0
the event of 11 0-0-0 B-K3 12 P-QN413K-N1 KR-Bl 14 KR-
B-N6 Q-Q3 13 K-Nl Black can K1 BxB 15BPxBP-N516BxN
continue 13 ... Q-K4! 14 PxP PxN 17 BxBP. White has the
NxP 15 Q-Kl Q-B3 16 B-B2 better position. In reply to 9 Q-Q2,
N(Q4)-N5, with excellent counter- 9 . . . P-QR4 is not convincing in
play (Panov-Estrin, 1949). view oflOP-QR4!
9 B-K3 has also occurred,
. . . Averbakh has proposed an ori-
when 10 P-N4 P-Q4 11 P-N5 is ginal system of development involv-

unfavourable for White in view of ing 9 . . . N-Q2. However, White
11 ... NxP 12 PXNP-Q5, while obtains the advantage after 10
after 10 0-0-0 the move 10 ... P-KR4 N-R4 11 B-N3 N-N3
P-QR4 is stronger than in the 12 Q-Q3! B-Q2 13 P-R5! R-Bl
previous line. If 10 N-Q5, then 14 PxP RPxP 15 0-0-0. The
10 ... BxN 11 PxB N-K4 game Fischer-Pure vzhar (1962)
!
is a typical example: 10 0-0-0 19 BxN RxB N-N3 Q-K4

20
N-N3 11 B-N3 N-R4 12 Q-Q3 was stronger) 19 QR-KRl N-B5 +
B-Q2 13 P-KR4 R-Bl 14 P-R5 20 BxN PxB 21 RxRP! NxR
N(N3)-B5 15 PxP RPxP 16 22 Q-R6 P-K3? (the losing move;
B-R6 P-K3 17 P-B4 P-K4 18 22 ... Q-K4 was essential) 23
N-B5 BxN 19 PxB NxP 20 P-B4! P-K4 24 P-N5! B-Kl
KxN P-K5 21 BxB! and White 25 N-K6!, and Black resigned.
won. As Voronkov has shown, The 2nd game of the Candidates’
better is 12 ... N x + (instead of Match Geller-Korchnoi (1971) con-
12 ... B-Q2) 13 RPxN P-QR4! tinued 11 0-0-0 N-K4 12 B-R6
The line 9 ... B-Q2 10 B-N3 BxB 13 QxB RxN! 14 PxR
R-Bl is more often played. P-R4!, with strong counter-play
for Black.
In the diagram position, White
should play 11 P-KR4! N-K4
12 NxRP 13 0-0-0 N-QB5
P-R5
14 BxN RxB 15 P-KN4 N-B3
16 B-R6, and if now 16 ... BxB
17 QxB RxQN, then White ob-
tains a decisive attack by 18 P-N5
N-R4 18 RxN PxR 20 R-Rl.
After 16 ... NxKP 17 Q-K3!
The game Tal-Wade (1966) was RxQN 18 PxR N-B3 19 BxB

important for the theory of this KxB the continuation 20 R-R2!
variation: P-KR4 Q-R4 12
11 Q-R4 (20... R-Nl is better) 21
P-R5 NxRP 13 P-N4 N-B3 N-N3! QxRP 22 QxKP leads
14 0-0-0 N-K4 15 B-R6 BxB to difficulties for Black, as was

(Tal considers that the immediate convincingly demonstrated by the
15 ... RxN! is better, as White 4th game of the Geller-Korchnoi
cannot then reply 16 Px R in view match (1971).

of 16 ... NxBP!17NxNNxKP
when Black’s king’s bishop comes 9 B-N3 Q-R4
into play with decisive effect)
16 RxB RxN 17 PxR R-Bl The most fashionable continua-

18 K-N2 P-QN4 (18 ... N-B5 + tion.
3
10 Q-Q2 B-Q2 The game Bouaziz-Geller (1967)

110-0-0 continued12K-N1 N-K4 13 P-
KR4 N-B5 14 BxN RxB 15
The attempt to mount an attack P-R5 (weaker is 15 N-N3 Q-R3
on the enemy king position without 16 P-K5 N-Kl 17 N-Q5 K-Bl!,
wasting time on Q-side castling: when White cannot continue 18
11 P-KR4 N-K4 12 P-N4 KR-Bl B-R6? on account of the fine
13 P-R5, by a counter-
is refuted rejoinder 18 ... RxP! followed
stroke discovered by Konstanti- by 19 B-B4, while 18 P-N4
...
nopolsky —
13 ... R-B5!. In a should be met by 18 ... P-K3
correspondence game A. Zaitsev- 19 N-B6 NxN
20 PxN BxP,
QR-QBl
Estrin (1970), after 14 0-0 with a tenable position) 15 ...
15 PxP RPxP 15 P-N5 N-R4 NX RP 16 P-KN4 N-B3 17 N-N3

17 N(Q4)-K2 B-K3 18 N-Q4 Q-Ql, and now, by playing 18
RxN(Q5) Black obtained the ad- P-N5 N-R4 19 N-Q5!, White
vantage. could have gained the advan-
tage.
11 . . . KR-Bl Instead of 17 ... Q-Ql, here
too the retreat of the queen to R3
Practice has shown that only deserves consideration. In the cor-
by moving his king’s rook to QBl respondence game Voitsekh-Es-
can Black secure active counter- trin (1971), after 18 P-K5 NxP
play. 19 PxN BxNP 20 PxP BxR
21 PxP BxP+ 22 QxB R-Kl
23 R-Ql R(B5)-B1 24 Q-K4
Q-K3 Black had a satisfactory
position.
In the correspondence game Si-
magin-Dubinin (1965/6) White

answered 12 ... N-K4 with 1
Q-K2 P-QN4 (13 ... P-QR3 14
P-N4 P-QN4 15 P-N5 N-R4
16 N-Q5 Q-Ql seems more prom-
ising for Black than this pawn
This is the critical position. sacrifice) 14 N(B3)xP QR-Nl
SICILIAN DEFENCE 35
15 N-R3 P-Q4 16 PxP NxQP 18 ...BxBP 19 PxN BxBP
17 BxN QxB 18 N-N3 Q-N2 20 PxP RPxP 21 N-Q5 B-K4
19 B-Q4 P-B3, with a complicat- 22B-N5RxP!23NxP+QxN!
ed game. 24 BxQ B-K5!!, and Black
Besides 13 P-KR4 and 13 Q-K2, won.
13 B-N5 deserves consideration, Regarding 12 P-KR4 N-K4 13
and if 13 ... N-B5, then 14 P-R5 NxR5 14 B-R6, cf. Game
KBxN RxB 15 N-N3, with ad- No. 62 (Karpov-Gik).
vantage to White.
The game Minic-Bikhovsky
(1967) took an interesting course 12 : IV. Najdorf Variation* (2 . . . P-Q3
P-N4 N-K4 13 K-Nl (the imme- and 5 . . . P-QR3)
diate 13 P-KR4 is more energetic,
and if 13 . . . N-B5, then 14 xN In the West the system beginning
RxB 15 N-N3 Q-R3 16 P-R5, with the moves P-K4 P-QB4 1
not wasting time on the king move. 2 N-KB3 P-Q3 3 P-Q4 PxP
In the game Bikhovsky-Gik (1968), 4 N X P N-KB3 5 N-QB3 P-QR3
after 16 ... RxN 17PxRB-K3 is named after M. Najdorf, for the
18 K-Nl R-QBl 19 B-Q4 R-B5 simple reason that he used this

20 P X P RP X P, White should have system in the early fifties — clearly
continued 21 Q-R2! Q-R6 (or inadequate grounds.
21 .R-R5 22 P-QB4 !) 22 x N
. . The move P-QR3 in similar
. . .
BxB 23 P-N5, with a clear ad- positions was practised long ago by
vantage. Instead of 13 ... N-B5, Paulsen, and the basic systems in-
Veresov’s move 13... R-B5 ! ? is volving this move have been ana-
of interest, and leads to a compli- lysed mainly by Soviet theorists.
cated position after 14BxRNxB

15 Q-Q3 P-QN4 16 N-N3 Q-R3 2 N-KB3 P-Q3
17 P-R3) 13 N-B5 14 BxN ...
3P-Q4 PxP
RxB 15 N-N3 Q-Ql 16 P-KR4
QR-Bl 17 P-R5 BxP! 18 P-K5 4NxP N-KB3
(18 PxB fails to 18 ... RxN!) 5 N-QB3 P-QR3
* This is the normal name for this system in the West, and so, despite the Soviet
authors’ possibly justified objections to it, it has been retained here. (K. P. N.)
.

N-N3 P-K3 9 B-B3 B-K2 10
Q-K2 0-011B-K3.
After 6 . . . P-K3, the game Ke-
res-Smyslov (1 959) took an interest-
ing course: 7 Q-B3 Q-N3 8 N-N3
N-B3 9 B-Q3 B-K2 10 B-K3
Q-B2 11 0-0 0-0 12 QR-Kl N-
QN5 with a double-edged position.
6 . . . P-K4 prevents a possible
P-K5, it is true, but on the other
In this position, White can choose
hand it justifies White’s 6 P-B4.
one of several different systems.
By playing 7 N-B3! Q-B2 8
We will examine the most impor-
B-Q3 QN-Q2 9 0-0 P-QN4
tant one in some detail, and the
10 K-Rl White prepares an attack
others more briefly.
on the K-side.
On 6 ... Q-N3 White should
The Attack B-B4 N-B3 8 NxN PxN
play 7
9 Q-Q3 P-K3 10 B-N3 followed
6 B-KN5 by B-K3.
On 6 ... P-KN3 White replies
This energetic move character- with a normal set-up against the
izes the strategical idea of the Soviet Dragon Variation: 7 B-K2 B-N2
analyst Ranzer. It is also adopted 8 N-N3 N-B3 9 B-K3 0-0 10
in other systems of the Sicilian P-N4 P-QN4 11 P-N5 N-Q2 12
Defence. By the bishop move. White Q-Q2 B-N2 13 P-KR4 with a
forestalls the counter-stroke . , strong attack (Nezhmetdinov-
P-Q4 and is ready, after castling Aronin, 1950).
Q-side, to begin an attack on the A complicated position arises
K-side. after 6 B-Q3 QN-Q2
. .
.
Q-B2 7
The following systems are also 8 0-0 P-QN4 9 P-QR3 B-N2 10
possible: Q-K2 P-K3 11 K-Rl N-B4 or
(1) 6 P-B4. Black has several 11 B-K2. White aims for an
...
good replies to this move. On 6 attack on the K-side, while Black

. N-B3 White obtains an active
. . seeks counter-chances in the centre
position after 7 B-K2 Q-N3 8 and on the Q-side.
.! ..
(2) 6 P-KN3 (this move often Here Black normally plays 10 . .
leads after 6 ... P-KN3 to the P-QR4, but also possible is 10 . .
Dragon Variation, or after 6 . . N-B3 11 B-N5 B-K2 12 Q-Q2

P-K3 to the Scheveningen Varia- P-R3
(4)
13 B-K3 P-QR4, with a
tion examined below) 6 P-K4
. . . promising position for Black (Ka-
(6 ... B-N5 7 P-B3 B-Q2 is rasev-Bronstein, 1971).
weaker; White should not play 6 B-QB4 (the idea of this
B-N2, since his bishop has no move, which initiates the so-called
future on this square, but 8 B-K3 Sozin Attack, K- is to prepare a

N-B3 9 0-Q2 P~K3 10 0-0-0 with side pawn storm by P-B4-B5,
an active position. In this line, 9 and in some cases P-KN4. The
. . . P-KN3? is a mistake in view of move also reduces the strength of
10N-Q5!KNxN 11 PxNN-K4, the counter-blow . . . P-K4, which
12 P-KR3 B-Bl 13 P-KB4 N-Q2 is met by KN-K2 with an active
14 B-N2 with a strong attack for position for White) 6 ... P-K3
White (Panov-Sorokin, 1953). The (the natural move, limiting the ac-
direct move 6 . . . P-QN4 is met by tivity of the white bishop. In some
7 B-N2 B-N2 8 0-0 P-K3 9 Q-K2 cases Black also threatens the
QN-Q2 P~QR3, preparing P-B4
10 standard simplifying combination
and P-KN4) 7 KN-K2 B-K2 8 ... NXP and P-Q4. 6
. . . . .
B-N2 0-0 9 0-0 P-QN4 10 P-KR3 N-B3 is weaker in view of 7 N x N

B-N2 11 N-Q5 NxN 12 PxN PxN 8 P-K5, when 8 ... PxP?
N-Q2 with equal chances. fails to 9 BxBP+, while after
(3) 6 B-K2 P-K4 (the system ... N-N5 9 P-K6! N-K4 10
devised by the Czech master Opo- PxP + NxPll BxN + KxB 12
censky) 7 N-N3
N-B3 is weaker (7 Q-B3 + White wins a pawn) 7 0-0
in view of 7 ... B-K2 8 0-0 0-0 (7 P-QR3, creating a retreat for
9 B-KN5 B-K3) 7 ... B-K3 the bishop at QR2, is less active,
(7 B-K2 is sometimes played,

. . . but an immediate 7 B-N3 is often
with slightly the better chances for played, and is examined below)
White after 8 0-0 0-0 9 B-K3 B-K3 7 B~K2 (it is very risky to win
. . .
10 P-B4! PxP 11 BxBP N-B3 a pawn by 7 ... P-QN4 8 B-N3

12K-Rl R-Bl 13 Q-Kl N-Q2 14 P-N5. It is true that after 9 N-Nl
R-Ql KN-K4 15 N-Q5) 8 P-B4 NxP 10 Q-B3 Black succeeds in
Q-B2 9 P-B5 B-B5 10 B-B3. beating off the attack with the
.

manoeuvre 10
clever B-N2 11 . . . P-QN4 8 0-0 (regarding 8 P-B4
B-R4-f N-Q2 12N-B6N(K5)-B4!, B-N2 9 P-B5, cf. Game No. 61,
or 12B-B6 BxB 13 NxB Q-N3 Byrne-Fischer) the following posi-

14 QxN P-Q4, but White can tion arises:
develop his attack by 9 N-R4
NxP 10 P-KB4. For example, in
the game Fischer-Tal (1959),
White obtained a dangerous attack
after 10 P-N3? 1 1 P-B5 NP X P
. . .
12 NxBP!. Black should have

played 10 . . . B-N2, but even then
after 1 1 P-B5 P-K4 the interesting
sacrifice 12 N-K6!? is possible.
Generally speaking, this whole
variation is for bold tacticians and Now in the event of 8 ... B-N2
for thosewho like gambits.) 8 B-N3 9 R-Kl QN-Q2 10 B-N5 N-B4
(preventing 8 ... N x P) 8 ... 0-0 White obtains a dangerous attack
9 P-B4 P-QN4 10 P-QR3 B-N2 by the piece sacrifice 11 B-Q5!.
11 P-B5. This was the course of The game I. Zaitsev-Savon (1969)
the game Krogius-Polugayevsky continued 11 ... P-N5 (if 1 1 ...
(1959), which demonstrates some PxB 12 PXP + K-Q2, then 13

of the possibilities open to White. P-QN4! N-R5 14 NxN PxN
If 11 ... P-K4 12 N(Q4)-K2 15 P-QB4, and White has an ex-
NxP 13 NxN BxN, then 14 cellent position) 12 BxB NxB
N-N3 B-N2 15 P-B6! KBxP 13N-Q5!, when Black was faced
16N-R5N-Q2 17 Q-N4!, threat- with serious difficulties.
ening 18 Rx B, while 17 P-N3 . . . If in reply to 11 B-N5 Black

ismet by 1 8 Q X N. In a later game, chooses 10 ... P-R3, then after
against Kotkov, Polugayevsky im- 11 BxN NxB 12 Q-Q3 N-Q2
proved Black’s play: 12 . .
.
QN-Q2 13 Q-R3 N-B4 14 B-Q5 Q-Q2
14 N-N3 N-B4 B-Q5 BxB 14 15 X N X B, as in the game Hon-
15 PX R-Bl 16 B-N5 N(B4)-Q2
! fi-Gufeld (1968), White does best
17 BxN NxB 18 QN-K4 R-B5, to play 16 P-QN4! B-K2 17 P-R4.
with much the better prospects. In the diagram position 8 . .
After 6 B-QB4 P-K3 7 B-N3 B-K2 9 P-B4 is often played, when

: . .
the following continuations are However, the continuation 9

possible 0-0-0! P-N4 10 B-N3 B-N2 11
9 ... P-N5
N-R4 B-N2 10 KR-Kl R-Bl (or 11 ... B-K2
11 P-K5 N-Q4 12 Q-N4 0-0 12 P-B4 N-B4 13 BxN PxB
13
...
PxP B-B4
PxN BxN
BxN BxB
dangerous attack for White, or
9 B-N2 10
12
14
14 P-B5, with a
P-K5 PxP
B-K3 N-B3
PxP BxB+
11
13
15
14 Q-K3 0-0-0 15 P-QR3 N X
16 NxN Q-B2 17 P-B5!, or 11
... N-B4 12P-K5 PxP
+
P X 14 N X KP N(B4)-Q2 15 BxN
NX 16 RxP K-B2 17 Q-K3!,
!
K-Rl R-KNl 16 Q-B3 RxP 17 Matsukevich-Vooremaa, corre-
X P Q-K2 1 8 B-Q5, with advan-
!
spondence, 1966) 12 P-K5! NxP
tage to White (Gufeld-Platonov, (if 12 ...P-N5, then 13 PxN
1969). Black should play 9 . . . 0-0 PxN 14Q-B4!) 13NxKP!PxN
10 P-K5 PxP 11 PxP KN-Q2 14 RxN PxR 15 BxN con-
12 B-KB4 B-N2, with a complicat- vinced Black of its disadvantages.
ed position. White can also castle K-side,
P-KR3 N-B3 7 P-N4 N X N
(5) 6 but this is less energetic. After
8 QxN P-K4 9 Q-Q3 B-K2 10 9 0-0 P-R3 (9 P-N4 is weaker
. . .
P-N5 N-Q2 11 B-K3 N-B4 12 in view of 10 B-Q5 P x 1 1 N-B6 !
Q-Q2 B-K3 13 0-0-0, and Wliite Q-N3 12 PxP) 10 B-R4 B-K2

has the better chances (Fischer- 11 QR-Ql N-K4 12 B-QN3 P-
Bolbochan, 1969). KN4 13 B-N3 N-R4 14B-R4 +
6 . . . P-K3 P-N4 15 BxN PxB 16 N-B6
At one time the variation 6 . .
Q-B2 17 NxB KxN Black ob-
tains counter-play (Tal-Korchnoi,
QN-Q2 7 B-QB4 Q-R4 8 Q-Q2
1959).
P-K3 was very popular.
7 P-B4
Against the unfashionable 7

Q-B3 Black’s best reply is 7 . .
P-R3! 8 B-R4 QN-Q2, or 8 ...

B-K2.
Also possible is 7 ... QN-Q2
8 0-0-0 Q-B2 8 Q-N3 B-K2,
: !

but not 9 . . . P-N4 as in the game noi-Tolush (1958) continued 12
Bronstein-Najdorf (1954), in which ... P-R3! B-R4 QxP 14
13
10 BxP PxB 11 N(Q4)xNP R-N3 Q-R8+ 15 K-B2 Q-R5
Q-Nl (if 11 ... Q-B4, then 12 16 B-QN5 PxB 17 NxNP B-
B-K3) 12 NxP+ BxN 13 QxB B4 + and Black won) 12
!, B-N5 . . .
QxQ 14 RxQ gave White the (12 ... B-K2 is weaker because of
better endgame. 13 BxKP! 0-0 14 0-0 BxB 15
QxB P-R3 16 Q-R5! with nu-
1 ... B~K2 merous threats, but 12 ... Q-R4
is good, e.g. BxKP!? PxB
13
The alternatives are 14 NxP NxP! 15 B-Q8 N-B6 +
(1) 7 ... Q-N3 (7... N-B3? 16 PxN Q-K4+ 17 K-Ql BxN
is a mistake in view of 8 NxN 18 R-Kl Q-KB4 with advantage
to Black, as in the correspondence
PxN 9 P-K5!) 8 Q-Q2 (after
8 N-N3 Q-K6 + chances are game Shalamov-Murey (1967), or
equal) 8 Q x P 9 R~QN1 Q~R6.

. .
.
13 0-0 NxP 14 QR-Kl QN-B3,
with a sound position for Black)
This is one of the most topical
variations.
13 R-N3 Q-R4 14 0-0 0-0 15
B-B6NxB 16 PxN R-Ql 17
RxB! QxR 18 Q-N5 P-KN3
19 N-K4 Q-Bl 20 N-KB3 N-B3
21 Q-R4. For the exchange and a
pawn White has a dangerous ini-
tiative. The chances are approxi-
mately equal.
Besides 10 P-K5, the continua-
tion 10 P-B5 has been success-
fully played in recent years, after
having first occurred in the game

10 P-K5 P X P (10 . . KN-Q2? is Gipslis-Korchnoi (1963). i\fter 10
a mistake on account of 1 1 P-B5 ... N-B3PxP PxP 12 NxN
11
NxP 12 PxP PxP 13 B-K2 PxN 12 F-K5 PxP (if 13 ...
QN-B3 14 NxN PxN 15 N-K4) N-Q4, then 14 NxN BPxN 15
11 PxP KN-Q2 12 B-QB4 (12 B-K2! PxP 16 0-0 B-B4+ 17
N-K4 is weaker; the game Korch- K-Rl with a strong attack for the
two sacrified pawns, as in Fischer- (2) 7 ... P-R3 8 B-R4 Q-N3 9

Geller (1967), or 14 N-K4 P x P 15 P-QR3. Now 9 ... QxP? fails
R-Ql! B-N5 16 P-B3 NxP to 10 N-R4, while in the event of
17 Q-Q8 + with dangerous threats) 9 ... N-B3 10 B-B2 Q-B2 11
14 BxN PxB 15 N-K4 B- Q-B3 B-K2 12 0-0-0 White has
K2 16 B-K2 0-0 White v/on by an active position (Tal-Olafsson,
a direct attack. Instead of 16 ... 1 959). Black’s best reply to 9 P-QR3
0-0, 16 ... P-KR4! is stronger, is 9 ... B-Q2, preventing N-R4,
as in Kavalek-Fischer (1967), but then White continues 10 B-B2
which continued 17 P-B4 P-KB4 N~N5 (after 10 . .
.
QxP?? 11
18 R-N3 Q-R5 19 0-0! PxN 20 N(Q4)-K2! the queen is trapped in

Q-B3 QxRP! 21 B-Ql R-Bl a different way) 11 B-Nl QxP
22 BxP+ K-Ql 23 R-QIH- 12 K-Q2!, with the advantage.
B-Q2 24 Q-K3! Q-R4 25 R-N7 Also possible is 9 Q-Q3, and
B-B4 26 R(Ql)xB+ K-Bl, with if 9 ... QxP, then 10 R-QNl
a draw by perpetual check. Q-R6 11 P-K5 N-Q4 (or 11 ...
10 BxN PxB 11 B-K2 has PxP 12 PxP N-Q4 13 NxN

also been played. QxQ 14 N-B7+ K-Q2 15 BxQ
R-QNl, the con-
Instead of 9 KxN 16 R-KBl. In the other
tinuation 9 N-N3 N-B3 10 XN possible wild variations White’s
PxB 11 B-K2 deserves considera- chances are again better) 12 NxN
tion. In the 11th game of the QxQ 13 BxQ PxN 14 P-K6!
Spassky-Fischer match (1972), af- with a strong attack, despite the
ter 9 ... Q-R6 10 BxN PxB exchange of queens (Mikenas-
11 B-K2 Black played 11 ... Tal, 1958).
P-KR4, although Fischer himself If Black avoids all complica-
had stated earlier that this move tions, he obtains an inferior po-
was a mistake. After 12 0-0 N-B3 sition.
13 K-Rl B-Q2 14 N-Nl! Q-N5 (3) 7 ... P-N4. This variation

15 Q-K3! Black found his queen was worked out and brought into
to be surrounded. The game con- practice by grandmaster Poluga-
tinued 15 ... P-Q4 (the threat yevsky. The critical continuation is
was 16 P-QR3 Q-R5 17 N-B3) 8 P-K5, to which Black usually
16 PxP N-K2 17 P-B4 N-B4 replies 8 ... PxP 9 PxP Q-B2
18 Q-Q3, and White won quickly. (if 9 . . . B-B4, then 10 KNx NP).
. !

12 PxN), White obtains an ir-
resistible attack by 11 PxN!

BxN+ 12 PxB QxBPH- 13
Q-Q2 QxR+ 14 K-B2 0-0
(on 14 . . . N-Q2, 15 PxP R-KNl
16 NxKP! PxN 17 B-K2 is
decisive) 15 PxP R-Kl 16 BxP!
QxR 17 BxR B-N2 18 BxP+,
or 17 ... QxRP 18 Q-N4!
Black also has problems after
In this position, Tal recommends 10 P X N, on which there can follow
10 N-B3 KN-Q2 1 1 Q-Q2 NxP 10 ...Q-K4+ 11 B-K2 (or
12 0-0-0, sacrificing a pawn for an 1 1 N-K4 Q X N + 12 N-K2 N-B3
attack. Simagin preferred 10 Q-K2, 13 Q-Q2 R-R2!) 11 ... QxQB
and if 10 ... KN-Q2 11 0-0-0 12 0-0 R-R2 13 Q-Q3 R-Q2
N-QB3 (a very sharp line is (13 ... Q-K4 is comparatively
possible after 11 ... B-N2 12 best) 14 N-K4 Q-K4 15 N-KB3
NxKP!? PxN 13 Q-N4 QxP Q X NP 16 Q-K3 B-N2 17 QR-Nl
14BxPPxB15 KR-Kl P-KR4!. QxBP 18 N(B3)-N5 P-N3 19
However, 12 Q-N4 is stronger, KR-Bl QxP 20 NX BP, with a
QxP 13 B-Q3 N-KB3
e.g. 12 ... very strong attack (Estrin-Vitohns,
14 BxN PxB 15 B-B5 P-KR4 1964).
16Q-R3 B-B4 17 KR-Kl Q-B5 + Other replies to 7 P-QN4
...
18K-N1 BxN 19 BxP! BxN are less energetic: 8 Q-B3 B-N2

20 PxB 0-0 (Tukmakov-Anika- 9 P-QR3 QN-Q2, or 8 B-K2
and now White could
yev, 1969), P-N5 9 N-R4 B-K2.
have won by 21 x P + !. For this (4) 7 ... QN-Q2. After this
reason Black should answer 12 move White can either go in for
Q-N4 with 12 ... Q-N3, with an interesting piece sacrifice (see
a very sharp and unclear position below), or else play 8 B-B4, again
after 13 BxP PxB 14 KNxNP threatening in some cases to
NxP 15 Q-B4 QN-B3!), then sacrifice a piece at K6. For
12 NxN QxN 13 Q-Q3!. In the example, 8 P-N4 9
... x KP
event of 10 ... B-N5 (if 10 . . PxB 10 NxKP Q-R4 (10 ...
P-N5, then 11 QN-N5! PxN Q-N3 is weaker in view of 1 1 N-Q5
:
NxN 12 QxN Q-K6+ 13 QxB PxP 17 Q-N4 N-K4 18

K-Bl N-N3 14 N-B7+ K-Q2 QxP.
15 Q-B7-f K-B3 16 N-Q5!
QxKP 17 Q-B7+ and White 8 Q-B3 Q-B2
wins, Matanovic-Gufeld, 1969)
11 NxB RxN 12 QxP Q-N3 This more accurate than
is
13 0-0-0 QxQ 14 RxQ P-N5 8 .

.
QN-Q2, on which 9 B-B4 is
15 N-R4 P-R3 16 B-R4 P-QR4 good.
17 KR-Ql (Tseitlin-Polugayevsky, After 8 ... P-R3 9 B-R4
1971). White has three pawns for a P-KN4 we reach a highly tricky
piece, and the chances are ap- variation, which received a bap-
proximately equal. tism of fire in the Goteborg
After 8 Q-B3 Q-B2 9 0-0-0 Interzonal, 1955. After 10 PxP
P-N4 (9 ... B-K2 leads to KN-Q2 (10 ... PxP 11 BxNP
variations examined below) 10 QN-Q2 12 B-Q3 N-K4 13 Q-K2
P-K5 B-N2 11 Q-R3 PxP is also possible) 11 NxP! PxN
12 NxKP!? PxN 13 QxKP + 12 Q-R5+ K-Bl B-N5! Black
13
B-K2 White has a dangerous should reply 13 ... R-R2! (but
initiative. By sacrificing a further not 13 ... N-K4, in view of
piece, he can obtain a ver\^ strong 14 BxP 15 0-0+ K-K2
B-N3
attack on the enemy king position 16BXNQ-N3+ 17K-R1 QPxB
14 NXP !
(also possible is 14 XN 18 Q-B7+ K-Q3 19 QR-Q1 +
PxB 15 B-K2 P-KR4 16 N-Q5 and White won, Geller-Panno,
BxN 17RxB N-N3 18 B-Q3!, 1955). 0-0+ K-Nl
After 14
or 14 BxP PxB 15 NxP Q-B3 15 P-N6 R-N2 16 R-B7 BxB
16 N-Q6+ K-Ql 17 PxP R-Kl 17 QxP RxR 18 PxR+ KxP
18 PxN PxP 19 NxB-f K-B2 19 Q-R7 + K-Kl (weaker is
20RXN+QXR21 B-B4 -f, with 19 . . . K-Bl 20 R-KBl + B-B3
advantage to White, Bronstein- 21 B-K2!, and White has a
Ciocaltea, 1968) 14 ... PxN dangerous attack) 20 Q-R5 +
15 BxP. In the game Zhelyandi- K-K2! White forces a draw by
nov-Polugayevsky (1967) Black perpetual check.
had to return one of the pieces, Instead of the piece sacrifice
which led to a double-edged 11 NxP,

White can also play
position after 15 ... 0-0-0 16 11 B-N3 PxP 12 0-0-0 Q-B2
11
9
13 B-N5!, or 11 Q-R5! N-K4 retreat his knight to N1, as the
12 B-B2 BxP 13 P-KR4, with piece sacrifice 15 ... NxP 16
double-edged play. NxN B-N2 17 P-B6! does not
give him adequate compensation.
0-0-0 QN-Q2 13 ... P-Q4 is also dubious in
9 ... 0-0 is risky, since White

view of 14 BPxP (Black also has
to reckon with 14 P-K5, when
can immediately start a K-side
attack: 10 B-Q3 N-B3 11 NxN 14 ... QxP loses the exchange to
QN-K2 followed by 12 P-KN4 15 N-B6) 14 ... BPxP 15 PxP
(1 1
0-0 16 B-Q3, with good prospects
is also good) P X N (or
11 ...
for White.
11 ... QxN 12 Q-N3) and now
Yudovich recommends 12 P-K5
In the game Shamkovich-K.
Grigorian (1971), Black answered
PXP13Q-R3.
9 ... N-B3 is possible. After
13P-B5 with 13 ... 0-0 14 P-N5
10 NxN PxN 11 P-K5 PxP N-KL The game continued 15
12 PxP N-Q4 13 BxB NxB R-Nl P-N5 16 RPxP RxP
17 R-N3! Q-B4 18 N-N3 Q-K4
14 N-K4 White’s position is
Black
19 B-Q3, with an excellent posi-
preferable, but can play
tion for White.
10 ... QxN 11 B-K2 B-Q2,
with a sharp position.
12 . . . N-Q2
10 P-KN4 P-N4
llBxN NxB
11 ... X ? is bad in view of
12 BxP! PxB 13 N(Q4)xNP,
while for 11 ... P X B, cf. Game
No. 59.
12 P-N5
12 P-QR3 R-QNl 13 P-B5!

also deserves consideration. If The critical position of this
Black continues with the usual variation.
plan of 13 ... P-N5 14 RPxP After 13 P-QR3 B-N2 14 B-R3
R X P, then after 15 P-N5 he has to 0-0-0 15 P-B5 X NP -M6 K-Nl
. . ..
P-K4 17N(Q4)xPPxN 18NxP ers who prefer a quiet positional

White obtained the advantage game are able in this way to
in the game Gligoric-Fischer avoid the sharp variations resulting
(1959). Instead of 15 P-B5, the from the main continuation 3
piece sacrifice 15 BxP! PxB P-Q4.
16 N X KP, as played by Tal With correct defence Black can
against Gligoric in 1963, is also equalize, but his task is by no means
interesting. It quickly gave White simple.
a decisive advantage after 16 ... For instance, the game Khol-
Q-B5 17 N-Q5 BxN 18 PxB mov-Keres (1959) continued 3 . .
K-N2 19 P-N3 Q-Bl 20 R-Q3 N-B3 4 P-K5 N-KN5? (4 . .
N-N3 21 R-B3. N-Q4 followed by 5 ... N-B2 is
In reply to 13 P-QR3 Black better) 5 BxN QPxB 6 0-0

does best to play 13 R-QNl.
. . . P-KN3 7 R-Kl B-N2 8 P-KR3
After 14 P-KR4 P-N5 15 PxP N-R3, with the better position
RxP 16 B-R3 he has several for White. Instead of 3 ... N-B3,
possibilities: 16 . . . 0-0 17 NxP the system of development in-
PxN BxP-b K-Rl 19 N-Q5

18 volving 3 ... P-KN3 is more
Q-B5!, or 16 ... N-B4 17 P-B5 promising for Black. For example,
Q-N3 (or 17 ... Q-N2), or 4 0-0 B-N2 5 R-Kl N-B3 (on
16 Q-N3 17 N-B5!, or finally,
. .
.
5 ... P-K4 White has the in-
16 ... Q-B4! 17 N-N3 (or 17 teresting gambit continuation 6

Q-Q3) 17 ... Q-N3. P-QN4!? NxP 7 P-B3 N-QB3
All these variations lead to a 8 P-Q4! KPxP 9 P-K5, or 6 ...
complicated game with chances P X P 7 P-QR3 KN-K2 8 P x P 0-0
for both sides. 9 P-B3) 6 N-B3 0-0, with a
good game for Black (Liebert-
Simagin, 1967), or 5 P-B3 N-B3
V. Modern Continuation (2 . .
6 R-Kl 0-0 7 N-R3 P-Q3

N-QB3 and 5 ... P-Q3)
8 P-R3 B-Q2 9 P-Q3 P-QR3
2 N-KB3 N-QB3 with an equal game (Damjanovic-
3 P-Q4 Simagin, 1967).
The variation 3 B-N5 has be- 3 . . PxP

come popular in recent years. Play- 4 NxP N-B3
11 *
!

The variation 4 . . . P-KN3 is The line 8 ... Q-R4 9 P-B3
interesting, the idea being that if P-Q4 10 PxP N-QN5 11 Q-Q2
White chooses the normal contin- QNxQP 12 NxN QxQ+ 13
uation 5 N-B3 B-N2 6 B-K3 BxQ NxN 14 BxN BxN
N-B3 7 B-K2 0-0 8 0-0 P-Q4! 15 0-0-0 R-Ql 16 B-N3 B-B3
9 PxP N-QN5!, then Black gains 17 B-KB4! gives White the better
a tempo in comparison with the chances in the ending.
Dragon Variation, since he has It is more promising for Black
played . . . P-Q4 in one move to move his queen to QR4 a move
instead of two. But Black has to earher, since this stops White cas-
reckon with the variation 7 NxN tling Q-side. After 7 Q-R4
...
NPxN 8 P-K5 N-Nl 9 B-Q4!. 8 Q-Q2 0-0 9 N-N3 Q-B2
In addition. White has the in- 10 P-B4 P-Q3 11 B-K2 the posi-
teresting possibility of 7 B-QB4, tion reached is similar to those
which may transpose into the considered earlier in the old varia-
Dragon Variation after 7 P-Q3 . . . tion of the Dragon.
8 P-B3 0-0. But it is also of inde- Black can also transpose into
pendent significance. For instance, the Dragon Variation by 7 ...
the game Bastrikov-Shamkovich P-Q3. The fine 8 P-B3 Q-N3 is
(1958) saw a combination by White of interest:
after 7 ... 0-0 (the immediate
7 ... N-QR4 can be met by 8
BxP+ KxB 9 P-K5) 8 B-N3
N-QR4 ? 9 P-K5 N X ! 10 KP X N
NxR 11 PxB. A year later
Reshevsky fell into the same trap
in an important game against
Fischer. He played 9 ... N-Kl
and lost his queen after 10 xP+
RxBllN-!.
In reply to 8 B-N3, 8 . . . N-KN5 In this position there are two
9 QxN NxN 10 Q-Ql! NxB basic continuations to consider:
11 RPxN P-N3 has also been 9 B-QN5 and 9 N-B5.
played, but after 12 B-Q4 P-B3 (1) 9 B-QN5 Q-B2 10 N-Q5
13 P-R4 White has
! the advantage. (after 10 Q-Q2 or 10 P-KN4 Black
calmly completes his development,

obtaining sufficient counter-play)
10 NxN 11 PxN P-QR3!
...
12 NxN PxB 13 B-Q4 PxN
14 BxB R-KNl 15 B-B3 PxP
16 Q X P Q-N2, with equal chances.
(2) 9 N-B5! (this double-edged
continuation is considerably more
promising) 9 ... QxPlONxBH-
K-Bl N-Q5 BxN
11 NxN
After 8 QxQ NxQ 9 N-B3 12
13 NX
(12QXNB-K3! + PxN N-QN5 10B-Q3NXB+ 11 PxN
14QxKPQxR+ 15K-B2 Q-B3 P-R3 the chances are equal.
leads to a roughly level posi- 8 Q-Ql is more popular, when
tion) 12 ... KxN 13 R-QNl there can follow 8 Q-N3
...
good is 13 0-0 Q-B6 14 R-Kl
(also 9 N-B3 KN-K2 10 P-KR4 P-KR4
Q-R4 15 Q-Bl, with a dangerous 11 B-KN5 P-Q4 12 PxP N-Q5!
initiative for White, Fischer-Cobo, 13 B-Q3 B-B4, with sufficient
1965) 13 . . . Q-B6 + 14K-B2 P-B3. counter-play for Black. In the
Black’s last move, which blocks game Fischer-Tal (1962), instead
the QR1-KR8 diagonal, has been of 12 P X P White played 12 XN
played many times but it does not P-Q5 13 B-KN5 PxN 14 PxP
get Black out of his difficulties. QxP + 15 B-K2 P-B3, and Black
14 . .
.
Q-R4! followed by 15 ... had no difficulties.
Q-B2, as suggested by Fridstein, 8 Q-B7 is also played. Euwe

would appear to be better. After considers this to be the strongest
14 ... P-B3 15 Q-Bl P-K3 move, but here too after 8 ...
16 R-N3 Q-R4 White gains a clear KN-K2 9 N-B3 N-N5 10 B-Q3

advantage by BxKP! BxB 17 P-Q4 11 0-0 P-Q5 Black has a
18 RxP+ B-B2 19 B-R6 + good game.
K-N120Q-N2. 8 Q-R3 is a good continuation.
Instead of 4 ... P-KN3, which After 8 Q-N3 9 B-K3! Q x KP
. .
.
leads to the Simagin Variation, the 10 N-B3 Q-QN5 11 QxQ NxQ

variation 4 ... P-K4 5 N-N5 12 0-0-0 N-K2 13 B-B5 N(N5)-B3
P-QR3 6 N-Q6+ BxN 7QxB 14 P-B4 P-Q4 15 PxP B-K3
Q-B3 is sometimes played. 16 B-Q6! White had a clear
.

advantage in Spassky-Utyatsky QxP obtained a strong attack by
(1960). the piece sacrifice 15 ... NxP!.
P-K4
The Maroczy System, 1 White meets 10 ... 0-0 with
If
P-QB4 2 N-KB3 N-QB3 3 P-Q4 llPxPQxP12 B-Q3, then Black
PxP 4 NxP P-KN3 5 P-QB4, has the strong reply 12 ... Nx Pi.
is another which continues to attract (2) 5 ... B-N2 6 B-K3 (Ale-
attention. khine’s manoeuvre 6 N-B2, inten-
ding N-K3 and N-Q5, can be met
by 6 ... P-N3. On 6 N-B2 P-Q3
7 B-K2 Euwe recommends 7 . .
P-B4; the adventurous continua-

tion 7 ... N-R3 8 P-KN4!
Q-R4-f- 9 B-Q2 Q-N3 10 N-B3
NxP? is refuted by 11 P-B5!,
but even then after 8 PxP x BP
9 0-0 N-R3 Black’s position is
dubious) 6 N-B3 (Veresov’s line

. . .
Black has the following possibil- 6 ... N-R3 7 N-QB3 0-0 8 B-K2
ities : P-B4 leads to sharp play) 7 N-QB3
(1) 5 . . . N-B3 6 N-QB3 NxN N-KN5 8 QxN NxN 9 Q-Ql
7 Q X N P-Q3. Black has lured the N-K3 (9 P-K4 is less strong
. . .
enemy queen to Q4, from where it in view of 10 N-N5! 0-0 11 Q-Q2

will later be forced to withdraw, Q-R5 12 B-Q3. After 12 P-Q4 . . .
thus losing a tempo. 13 BPxP NxN 14 BxN QxKP

The important game Portisch- White can choose between 15 P-B3
Szabo (1966) showed that after Q-R5-}- 16 B-B2 Q-B3 17 0-0,
8 P-B5 B-N2 9 B-QN5+ B-Q2 and the immediate 15 0-0 R-Ql
10 PxP BxB 11 NxB 0-0 16QR-Q1 B-K3 17PxB!?RxQ
12 0-0 PxP White has a slight 18 PxP+ KxP 19 RxR P-
advantage. QR3 20 B-Q3 Q-QN5 21 R-Bl,
In the game Shiyanovsky-Gufeld with sufficient compensation for
(1966) Black, instead of 10 ... the queen, Rozenberg-Dvoretsky,
BxB, played 10 . . . 0-0, and after 1972) 10 Q-Q2 P-Q3 11 B-K2
11P-K5? BxB 12NxB N-Q2 13 B-Q2 12 0-0 0-0 13 QR-Ql
P-B4 Q-R4+ 14 N-B3 PxP 15 B-QB3 14 N-Q5, with an active
.
position for White (Larsen-Petro- The trappy variation 6 B-K3 is
sian, 1966). interesting, e.g. 6 ... N-KN5

7 B-QN5 NxB 8 PxN (or
5 N-QB3 P-Q3 8 NxN Q-Q2) 8 ... B-Q2
9 0-0 N-K4? 10 N-B3, with an
attack for White. Black should play
9 ... P-K3 lOBxNPxB 11 P-
K5 B-K2 12 Q-B3 0-0 with equali-
ty, but not 11... P-Q4 in view of
12 Q-B3 Q-K2 13 P-QN4! P-N3

14 P-N5 P-QB4 15 P-K4!!, and
if 15 ... PxN, then 16 PxP,
threatening 17 P-Q6 (Karaklajic-

Averbakh, 1956). On 11 ... PxP
White has at his disposal three White replies 12 Q-R5 (12 Q-B3 is
basic systems of development: weaker on account of Fridstein’s
6 B-K2 (the Boleslavsky System), move 12 ... P-KB4! and if
6 B-KN5 (the Rauzer Attack) and 13 NxQBP, then 13 . . . P-K5)
6 B-QB4 (the Sozin Attack), which 12 . .
.
Q-K2 13 QxKP, when his
we will consider in turn. But first position is preferable.
we will look at some less topical 6N-N3 gives White no advan-

continuations. tage after 6 . . . P-QR3 ! 7 P-QR4
On 6 P-KN3 Black can, by P-KN3!, with a favourable version
6 ... P-K3, transpose into the of the Dragon Variation for Black.
Scheveningen Variation examined The unnatural move 6 N(Q4)-K2
in Section VII, or else play 6 . . leads to a good position for Black
P-KN3 7 B-N2 B-N5 8 P-B3 after 6 P-K3 7 P-KN3 P-Q4!

. . .
B-Q2 followed by B-N2, with . . .

8 PxP NxP 9 B-N2 NxN
a Dragon-like set-up. The reply lOQxQ+KxQ 11 NXNB-Q2.
6 . . . P-K4 is less strong, since
after 7 N(Q4)-K2 B-K2 8 B-N2 Boleslavsky System
B-K3 9 0-0 0-0 10 N-Q5, or 7
6 B-K2
. B-N5 8 B-N2 N-Q5 9 0-0
. .
N-B6-I- 10 K-Rl, White’s posi- This move, together with 6 ...
tion is preferable. P-K4, characterizes the Boleslav-

. .

sky System. Regarding 6 ... capture the KP since this loses a
P-K3, see the Scheveningen Varia- piece). Chances are approximately
tion. equal.
7
6 . . P-K4 7 . . . B-K2
8 0—0 ...
9
In this system Black has a
backward pawn at Q3, but on the After 8 B-KN5 NxP the posi-
other hand he gets good play for tion simplifies to Black’s advantage,
his pieces. while on 8 P-B3 there follows
8 ... P-Q4 9 NxP NxN 10
N-N3 PxN N-N5 11 P-QB4 B-KB4,
or 11 B-QN5+ K-Bl, with
The exchange 7 N x N (7 N-B5 ? counter-play for Black.
is weak on account of 7 ... P-Q4)
is unfavourable for White: 7 ... 8 . . . 0—0
PxN Q-Q3 B-K2 9 0-0 0-0
8 P-B4
10 R-Ql Q-Q2 11 B-KN5 R-Ql,
with a good game for Black. This logical move opens the
On 7 N-B3 Black replies 7 . . KB-file, which is important for
P~KR3 (preventing the pin B-KN5, attack, but on the other hand it
which make P--Q4 would . . . allows Black a strong post for

impossible) 8 0-0 B-K2 9 B-K3 his knight at K4, as well as counter-
(if 9 B-QB4, then after castling chances on the Q-side.
Black plays . . . B-K3, either The line 9 B-B3 B-K3 10 B-K3
exchanging the bishop or driving N-QR4 11 NxN QxN 12 Q-Q2
it back. On 9 P-QN3 or 9 R-Kl leads to a slow positional game,
Black replies 9 . . . 0-0 followed which is also not particularly
by . . . P-QR3, and then according promising for White.
to circumstances . . . B-N5 or On 9 P-B3 Black should reply
. . . P-QN4, with a Q-side coun- 9 . . P-QR4 10 P-QR4 N~QN5,
.
ter-attack) 9 ... 0-0 10 Q-Q2 or 10 N-Q5 N X N 1 1 P X N N-N5,

B-K3 11 QR-Ql R-Bl (11 ... with a good position.
N-QR4 is a mistake on account of
12 N-Q5!, when Black cannot 9 • • « P-QR4
. . .
13
Also possible PxP is 9 ... B-KN5

10 BxP Q-N3+ 11 K-Rl B-K3
followed by ... N-K4 and the The only method of preventing
exchange of White’s bishop, which .
13 B-B3 and
. . P-Q4, which . . .
will10have to go to Q3 or KB3. would give Black an excellent

The reply 12 N-Q5 xN 13 P X position.
N-K4 14 P-B4 is not dangerous for
Black in view of 14 ... N-K5 !.
. . . R-Bl
14B-B3
P-QR4
B-K3, then 10
If 10 . . . P-R5
11 N-Bl P-R6.
10 . . . N-QN5
IIK-Rl!
Forestalling possible combina-

12 based
tions on the check at . . QN3,
e.g. 11 B-B3 B-K3 12 P-B5?
The critical position, which can
B-B5 R-Kl NX BP!, or 11
13
be considered level. Black can play
B-K3 B-K3 12 B-B3? PxP!
either 14 B-B3 15 Q-K2 P-R3
. . .
13BxPNxBP.
16 B-R4 Q-B2 followed by ...
11 . . . B-K3 KR-Ql, or 14 P-R3 15 B-R4 . . .
12 P-B5 N-R2, provoking an interesting

tactical battle.
Forced, otherwise comes . .
R-Bl and . . . B-B5. Rauzer Attack
. . . B-Q2 6 B-KN5 P-K3
12 BxN
.... 13 PxB P-Q4 Averbakh’s continuation, 6 . .
14 PxP QNxP is weaker, since B-Q2, is an interesting attempt to

the advantage of the two bishops avoid the normal lines of the
will tell. Rauzer Attack. For example, 7
N-N3 P-K3 8 N-N5 Q-Nl 9 x N The pawn sacrifice 7 N x N P x N
PxB 10 B-K2 B-K2 11 0-0 8 P-K5, suggested by Richter, is
P-QR3 12 N(N5)-Q4 0-0 13 unfavourable for White. Black ob-
Q-Q2 K-Rl with equal chances tains the superior position by
(Spassky-Averbakh, 1960). Instead replying 8 . .
.
Q-R4 9 xN (or
of 8 N-N5, 8 Q-Q2 followed by 9 B-N5 PxB 10 PxN 11 P-N5
0-0-0 is stronger. Q-B3 Q-K4+ 12 B-K3 P-Q4,
N-N3, the line 7 Q-Q2
Besides 7 with advantage to Black) 9 ...
R-B 1 8 0-0-0 N X N 9 Q X N Q-R4 PxB lOPxQP Q-K4+ 11 Q-K2
10 P-B4 has recently occurred BxP 12 0-0-0 R-QNl 13 QxQ
frequently. Here Black has the BxQ,or8 ... PXP9Q-B3B-K2
possibility of an interesting ex- 10PxP + B-Q2 11 Q-B3 P-K5!
change
7 sacrifice: 10 ...RxN!?. 12NxPNxN 13BXBQ-R4 + !.
After 11 PxR P-K4 12 Q-N4 The interesting move 7 Q-Q3 is
QxQ 13 PxQ NxP 14 B-R4 a possibility, the idea being to

Black can advantageously continue swing the queen over to the K-side
14 ... P-KN4! 15 PxNP B- along the third rank. However, if
K2, as in the game Unzicker- White castles Q-side, Black obtains

Gheorghiu (1969). Instead of 14 counter-play after 7 ... B-K2
B-R4, 14 B-B4! deserves consi- 8 0-0-0 0-0 9 N-N3 P-QR4
deration, with the better chances 10 P-QR3 (or 10 BxN BxB 11
for White after 14 ... N-B7 QxP QxQ 12 RxQ P-R5 13

15 PxP. N-Q2 P-R6, with advantage to
White, of course, can also play Black) 10 ... P-R5 11 N-Q4
7 XN NP X B, but to obtain any P-R3 12 B-R4 Q-N3!. But if
advantage he must nevertheless White castles K-side, Black again

play 8 N-N3, avoiding further has a solid position : 7 . . . B-K2
exchanges, followed by Q-Q2 and 8 R-Ql 0-0 9 B-K2 B-Q2 10 0-0
0 -0 - 0. NxN 11 QxN
B-B3 12 K-Rl
Q-R4!, or 9 ... P-Q4 10 PxP
Q-Q2
N-QN5 1 1 Q-N3 KN X P 12 N X N
The idea of the Rauzer Attack NxN 13 BxB QxB.
is and then mount
to castle Q-side, The line 7 B-K2 B-K2 8 0-0 0-0
a piece or pawn attack on the leads to a sharp game. Here 9
black king. N(Q4)-N5 is unfavourable for
!
White in view of 9 ... P-QR3 Here Black has three good con-
10 BxN PxB (Smyslov-Botvin- tinuations : 7 . . .P-KR3, 7 ...
nik, 1948). On 9 Q-Q3 Black, as B-K2 and 7 ... P-QR3.
suggested by Shamkovich, can
NxN lOQxNNxP
play 9 ... (1)
llNxNBxB12NxBQxN13 1 ... P-KR3

QxQP R-Ql with equal chances,
or 11 BxB NxN 12 Q-KR4
Botvinnik’s favourite move.
NxB+ 13 K-Rl Q-N3 14 BxR However, experience has shown
KxB with interesting complica-
that Black obtains a solid but pas-
tions which are in his favour.
sive position, with fewer counter-
The move 7 B-N5 introduces
chances than in other lines.
new strategical motifs into the sys-
tem. However, after 7 . . . B-Q2 8 BxN
8 0-0 B-K2 9 K-Rl 0-0 White has 10
to reckon with the possibility of
8 B-R4 is unfavourable for
Black forcing favourable simpli-
White on account of 8 ... NxP.
fication by . . . N X N or . . . N X P.
Another move of Alekhine’s, 8... PxB
7 N-N3, can be met simply by
7 . B-K2 8 Q-Q2 (or 8 Q-B3
. .
8 ... QX is a mistake in view
P-QR3 9 R-Ql P-R3 10 B-Bl of 9 N(Q4)-N5 Q-Ql 10 0-0-0.
0-0) 8 P-KR3 9 B-R4 0-0,
. . .
and if 10 R-Ql or 10 0-0-0, then 9 0-0-0 P-R3

10 ... NxP, when Black equal- P-B4 B-Q2
izes. 11 B-K2 P-KR4
Black should not allow B-R5,

from where the bishop attacks
KB7, paralysing Black’s game.
The game Bondarevsky-Botvinnik
(1951) continued 11 ... Q-N3 12
B-R5 NxN 13 QxN QxQ 14
R X Q, with a slight but persistent
positional advantage to White,

since it was difficult for Black Possible is 8 ... NxN 9 QxN
to activate his bishops. 0-0 10 P-B4 (10 BxN BxB 11
Q X QP is risky in view of 1 1 ...
12 K-Nl Q-N3 Q-R4 with a counter-attack for
13 N-N3 Black, P-K5 PxP 11
but 10
White, who is aiming for a piece

QxKP B-Q2 12 P-KR4! is pos-
sible) 10 P-KR3 (if immedi-
. . .
attack, avoids the exchange of

ately 10 ... Q-R4, then by
queens.
Liskov’s move 11 P-K5 White
13 . . . 0-0-0 transposes into a better ending:
14 KR-Bl B-K2 11 ... QxKP QxQ

PxP 12
13 PxQ N-Q4 13 BxB NxB
14 N-R4 15 R-B3 NxN
... 15 B-Q3; 12 ... Q-N3? is a
16 RPxN K-Nl is weaker in mistake in view of 13 N-R4)
view of 17 N-R4, as in the game 11B-R4(11 BxNBxB 12QxQP
Keres-Botvinnik (1956). is unfavourable for White on
account of the reply 12 . .
.
Q-R4
15 R-B3 KR-Nl 13 P-K5 R-Ql Q-R3 RxR +
14
16 B-Bl P-R5 15 NxR QxQ 16 PxQ B-K2)
11 ... Q-R4 12 P-K5 PxP
13 QxKP QxQ 14 PxQ N-Q4
15 BxB NxB 16 B-N5 P-R3
17 B-Q3 P-QN4 18 B-K4 R-R2,
with a minimal advantage for
White. Instead of 12 P-K5, White
has the opportunity to complicate
matters by 12 Q-Q3 (preparing
1 P-KN4, which would be bad at
3
the moment on account of 12 ...
In this critical position. White’s
P-K4). Now 12 ... R-Kl? fails
chances are preferable.
to 13 BxN BxB Q-N5!,
14
while 12 . . . R-Ql can be met by
(2)
13 P-KN4, or 13Q-R3 B-Q2
7 . . . B-K2 14 B-Q3, or 13 B-K2 B-Q2 14
8 0-0-0 0-0 Q-N3, with the threat of P-K5.
1
.
Tolush’s move 12 Q-Nl also 17 PxB QR-Bl 18 Q-R4 QxQ

deserves consideration, with the 19 N X Q, with an equal game.
possible follow-up 12 ... B-Q2 On the modest move 9 K-Nl
13 P-KN4 B-B3. Black has the strong reply 9 . .
P-KR3!, forcing the exchange of

9 P-B4 bishops: 10 BxN BxB 11 N-N3
Q-N3 P-B4 P-QR4! 13
12 N-R4
This natural and solid continua- Q-B2, when 14 QxQP? fails to
tion leads to an interesting game 14 ... R-Ql!!.
with slightly better chances for Alekhine’s move 9 N-N3, with
White. the threat 10 x N, is very promis-
The gain of a pawn by 9 NxN ing for White. The 4th game of
PxN 10 BxN BxB 11 QxP the Tal-Larsen match (1969) con-
is unfavourable for White in tinued 9 ... P-QR3 10 BxN
view of 11 ... Q-N3!, with four PxB (10 ... BxB 11 QxP
threats: ... R-QNl, ... R-Ql, Q-N3 is weaker in view of 12
... BxN and . .
. Q X BP. 11... P-B4, when 12 ... BxN 13 PxB
Q-R4 is weaker in view of 12 Q- Q-K6-i- 14 K-N2 QxKP fails to
N3 BxN 13QxB QxP 14 B-B4. 15B-Q3 followed by 16 x KRP+)
If 9 N(Q4)-N5, then 9 ... 11 B-K2 K-Rl 12 B-R5 B~Q2
Q-R4 10 BxN (10 NX QP fails to 13 P-B4 P-N4 14 K-Nl Q-N3
10 ... R-Ql) 10 ... BxB 11 15 P-B5, with chances for both
NxQP (if 11 QxP, then 11 ... sides.
P-QR3!) 11 ... R-Ql (or 11 ... 9 N-N3 is often answered by

BxN 12 QxB QxP 13 B-B4 9 . . Q-N3, when 10 x N x
.
with advantage to White) 12 P-B4 11 Q X P is not good in view of 1

(12 Q-K3 is met by 12 . . . B-Q5!, ... QxP, while 11 N-R4 Q-B2
while on 12 Q-Kl Black replies 12 Q xP even loses to 12 ...
12 ... N-N5) 12 ... P-K4 13 B-N4+ 13 K-Nl R-Ql!. But by

Q-Q5 Q-B2 14 P-B5 N-Q5 (or continuing 10 P-B3! P-QR3 11
14 P-QR3 15 B-B4 R-Q2
. . . P-N4 R-Ql 12 B-K3 Q-B2 13
16 N-K8!) 15 N(Q6)-N5 Q-R4 P-N5 N-Q2 14 P-KR4 P-QN4
16 Q-B4 (Flohr’s move 16 Q-B5 15 P-N6! BPxP 16 P-R5 PxP
should be met by 16 ... P-QR3 17 RxP N-B3 18 R-N5 N-K4
17 P-QN4 P-QN3) 16 ... BxP! 19 Q-N2, as in the games Spassky-
Boleslavsky (1958) and Tal-Mohr- In the event of 9 ... P-Q4
lok (1962), White develops an 10 P-K5 N-Q2 11 BxB (11
attack typical of the Rauzer Sys- P-KR4 is interesting) 11 ... Q X
tem. 12 N-B3 N-N3 13 B-Q3 B-Q2
After 10 P-B3, 10 ... R-Ql 14 Q-Kl P-KR3 15 P-KN4 White
deserves consideration, e.g. 11 has the initiative.
P-N4 (1 1 B-K3 Q-B2 12 P-N4 is a

stronger alternative) 11 ... P-Q4 10 B-R4
(Kholmov-Taimanov, 1959).
On 9 B-K2 Black can reply Neither lONxNPxN 11 BxN
either 9 . . . P-QR3 or 9 . . . N x N. BxB 12 QxP Q-N3 13 P-K5
R-Ql 14 Q-R3 Q-K6-f- 15 K-Nl
RxRH- PxQ
16 NxR QxQ 17
B-K2, nor 10 BxN BxB 11
N(Q4)-N5 Q-R4 12 NxQP R-Ql
13 Q-Kl BxN gives White any
advantage. If White tries the
tempting piece sacrifice 10 P-KR4,
then after 10 ... PxB 11 RPxP
N-KN5 12 P-K5 Black should
play 12 ... NxN 13QXNQ-N3,
or 13 PxP 14 Q-K4 P-B4
...
15PxPe.p.NxP16RxQNxQ,
forcing the exchange of queens.
Two alternatives to this move
should be considered 9 : . . . P-K4 10 . . . P-K4
and 9 . . . P-Q4.
After 9 ... P-K4 10 N-B5 The simplifying combination 10
(with 10 P X P White achieves noth- ... N X P after 11 BxB N x Q
ing. Other knight moves also 12 BxQ NxKB 13 NxN PxN
give Black sufficient counter-play) 14 B-K7 R-Kl 15 KRxN RxB
10 ... BxN 11 PxB R-Bl 12 16 RxP B-N2 17 P-KN3 and
K-Nl N-Q5 13 B-Q3 Q-R4 14 17 KR-Ql gives Black only chan-
P-KN4 PxP 15 BxP White has ces of a draw, and that after a
clearly the better prospects. stubborn and passive defence. Af-
ter 10 ... NxN 11 QxN Q-R4 Also playable for Black is 8 ...
12 P-K5 (or 12 Q-Q3, or 12 B-Q2 9 P-B4 P-R3 10 B-R4
Q-Nl) we reach positions which NxP 11 Q-Kl N-B3 12 N-B5
were considered earlier. Q-R4 13 NxQP+ BxN 14
RxB 0-0-0,when White should
11 N-B5 play 15 R-Ql or 15 R-Q2.
A highly complicated line, ana-
In comparison with the similar lysed by the Moscow schoolboys
variation examined earlier (without Goriushkin and Gusev, provoked
. . . P-KR3), Black has better great interest : B-Q2 9 P-B4
8 . . .
chances of obtaining counter-play P-R3 10 B-R4 R-Bl 11 N-B3

after 11 ... BxN 12 PxB Q-R4 12 K-Nl P-QN4 13 P-K5
Q-R4. P-N5 14 PxN PxN 15 BPxP
PxQ (if 15 BxP, then
... 16
QxQP) 16 PxR=Q N-N5 17
( 3)
P-QR3 NxP 18 RxP? (or 18
7 . . . P-QR3 B-B6 NxP+ 19 PxN P-K4!)
18 ... NxP+ 19 PxN P-K4!
With this move Black parries at- 20 Q -B6 QxP, and Black wins.
tempts by his opponent to exploit This analysis was published in
the weakness of his QP. However, 1958, and its waseffectiveness
the development of his K-side is confirmed in the game Padevsky-
delayed somewhat, which allows Minev, which did not go on much
White to create tactical complica- longer: 21 R-N2 B-K3 22 B-
tions by exploiting the insecure QN5+ PxB 23 NxP PxN,
position of the black king. and White resigned. But later it
was discovered that White can
8 0-0-0 P-R3 beat off the attack by 18 NxP!
NxP+ 19 PxN P-K4 20 N-B4
This whole system, which was R-Nl + 21 K-R2 B-K3 22 RxP.
worked out by Aronin, leads to a White can avoid these complica-
sharp, tense game with chances for tions altogether if, instead of 12
both and is now considered

sides, K-Nl, he plays 12 B-B4 P-QN4
Black’s best weapon against the 13 B-QN3 P-N5 14 BxN PxB
Rauzer Attack. 15 N-K2 Q-N3 16 P-K5!.
: !

If after 8 ... B-Q2 9 F-B4 account of the insecure position of
Black plays 9 ... B-K2, White his king.
can continue 10 N-B3, with the

threat of P-K5, and if 10 ...
P-N4, intending a Q-side counter-

attack, then 11 BxN PxB 12
P-B5, with the advantage.
However, Simagin’s idea of 11
... BxB!? deserves considera-
tion, e.g. 12 QxP B-K2 13 Q-Q2
P-N5 (also possible is the im-
mediate 13 . . . R-R2, which leads
to an equal game, Jansa-Simagin,
9 B-R4!
1967) 14 N-K2 (14 N-QR4 is
stronger) 14 ... R-R2 15 K-Nl

0-0 16 N(K2)-Q4 Q-N3 17 NxN The strongest continuation, lead-
BxN, with counter-play for Black. ing to a slightly favourable ending.
Instead of 1 1 x N, P-K5 has
11 9 B-KB4 is not dangerous for
been played, but after 11... P-N5 Black; after 9 ... B-Q2, White
12 PxN PxN 13 QxBP PxP has two main alternatives
14 B-R4 P-Q4! Black’s position (1) 10 NxN BxN P-B3
11
is more promising in view of his (11 Q-Kl Q-R4 12 B-B4! B-K2!
strong pawn centre and the open 13 P-B3 R-Ql!, is also not dan-
lines on the Q-side. gerous for Black) 11 ... P-Q4
game Kholmov-Taima-
In the 12 Q-Kl B-N5 13 P-QR3 B-R4!
nov (1967) a new continuation (after 13 ... BxN 14 QxB
10 P-B5 was tried instead of White has a clear advantage) 14
10 N-B3. After 10 . . . R-QBl (or PxP (if immediately 14 P-QN4,
10 ... NxN 11 QxN PxP 12 then 14 ... B-N3! 15 PxP BxP
PxP BxP 13 B-QB4 0-0 14 16 NxB NxN 17 P-B4 Q-B3!
KR-Kl, with sufficient compen- 18 B-K5 B-K6 + ! 19 QxB NxQ
sation for the sacrificed pawn) 20 BxQ NxR 21 BxP R-KNl
11 PxP PxP 12 B-QB4 NxN 22 BxP N-B7, and Black is
13 QxN Q-R4 14 BxN PxB 15 assured of a draw) 14 ... NxP

B-N3 Black was in difficulties on 15 P-QN4 NxB 16 RxQ-f-
.
X R, and Black has enough for less, the prospects of this line being
the sacrificed queen, as White’s revived are still unclear.
Q-side is weakened (cf. Game
No. 60, Kostro-Simagin).
9... NxP
(2) 10 B-N3 B-K2 (10 ...
P-QN4 is a mistake in view of Also possible is 9 B-K2
...
11 BxQP BxB 12 NxN BxN 10 P-B4 B-Q2 11 N-B3 P-QN4

13 QxB QxQ 14 RxQ BxP 12 BxN, leading to positions
15 NxB NxN 16 RxRP! (Tai-

examined at the beginning of this
section.
manov-Aronin, 1951), but 10 . .
R-Bl! 11 P-B3 B-K2 12 P-KR4

10 Q-B4 N-N4
0-0 13 B-Kl P-Q4! is perfectly
playable, Dubinin-Simagin, 1967)
Weaker is 10 ... P-KN4 11
11B-K2 (11 P- B3 N-K4 12 P-B4 QxN PxB 12 NxN PxN 13
N-R4 is weaker, allowing Black to QxBP+ B-Q2 Q-B3 when
14
exchange knight for bishop, as
Black’s king is in some danger,
13 PxN fails to 13 . . . B-KN4!) while 10 ... N-B3? 11 NxN
11 ... 0-0, with chances for both
PxN 12 N-K4 is clearly bad for
sides.
him.
The continuation 9 B-K3 was
not considered dangerous in view 11 NxN PxN
of 9 ... B-Q2 10 P-B3 P-QN4 12 Q-R4 Q-N3
11 NxN BxN 12 Q-B2 Q-B2 13P-B4 N-R2
13 B-Q3 B-K2 (Smyslov-Botvin- 14P-B5! B-K2!
nik, 4th match game, 1957). 9 . .
N-KN5 10 NxN PxN

B-B5! 11 On 14 ... R-QNl White ob-
has been known to favour White tains a strong attack by 15 PxP
since the 2nd game of the same BxP 16 B-B4 B-K2 17 KBxB
match. The variation with 9 B- PxB 18 BxB KxB 19 Q-
once more returned to favour KN4 Q X P + 20 K-Q2 (Vasyukov-
following the game Suetin-Tal Zurakhov, 1960). Instead of 19 ...
(1967): 9 B-Q2
... 10 P-B4 QxP+, Boleslavsky recommends
Q-B2 1 1 P-KR3 B-K2 12 P-KN4 19 ... Q-K6+ 20 R-Q2 N-N4.
P-QN4 13 BxP!?, with complica-
tions favouring White. Neverthe- 15N-K4!
12
After 15 BxB? KxB Black B-N2 0-0 11 Q-K2 P-K4 12
repels the attack, and keeps his K-Rl Q-B2 13 QR-Kl N-Q2
extra pawn. 14 N-R4 White’s position is pref-
!
erable (Karpov-Stein, 1971). If he

wishes. White can transpose into
15... R-QNl!
the Scheveningen Variation by 7
N-N3 P-K3 8 0-0 B-K2 9 B-K3
Both 15 ... BxB 16 NxPH-, Q-B2 10 B-Q3.
and 15 ... P-Q4 16 BxB KxB
17 Q-R3 -f are bad for Black.
7 0-0
16 Q-R3! Q-N5!
White can also refrain from
castling immediately and play 7
The correspondence game B-K3. Of interest is the system of
O’Kelly-Simagin (1963/4) contin-
defence worked out by Krogius:
ued ITQxQRxQ ISBxBKxB 7 ... P-QR3 8 B-N3 N-QR4
19 NxP P-QR4 20 B-B4, with a 9 0-0 P-QN4 10 P-B4 NxB.
minimal advantage to White.
Sozin Attack
6 B-QB4
In recent years the Sozin Attack

has replaced the Rauzer Attack as
the main topic of discussion in the
Sicilian Defence.
11 BPxN
B-N2 12 P-K5 PxP
6 . . . P-K3 13 PxP N-Q2 14 Q-R5 P-N3
15 Q-R3 Q-K2 16 QR-Ql B-N2
6 . .
.
Q-N3 has recently become 17 B-N5 QxB 18 RxP (stronger
very popular. After 7 NxN PxN is 18NxKPPxN 19RxNKxR
8 0-0 P-K3 9 P-QN3 B-K2 10 20 R-B7+ K-Ql 21 Q-Q3 +
B-Q4 22 NX K-Kl 23 N-B6

Kx R
with perpetual check) 18 ...
19 Q X KP + K-B 20 N-Q5 xN 1
21 QxB R-Kl 22 Q-Q6+ Q-K2

23 R-KB1+ N-B3!, and Black
beats off the attack (Damjanovic-
Krogius, 1967), or 11 RP X N B-N2
12 P-K5 PxP 13 PxP N-Q2
14 Q-R5 P-N3 15 Q-R3 Q-K2
16 N-B3 B-N2 17 N-N5 NxP
18 N(N5)-K4 with chances for 11 KR-Nl! (The immediate 11
both sides. P-N4 also deserves consideration,
The system of development in- when Black can reply 11 ... NxN
volving Q-side castling for White 12 RxN P-QN4! 13 P-N5 N-Q2
enjoys great popularity: 7 B-K3 14 R-Nl N-B4 15 R-N3 P-N3,
B-K2 8 Q-K2 (the game Fischer- with a sharp and complicated
Geller, 1967, continued 8 B-N3 04) game. If Black plays 12 . . . P-K4,
9 Q-K2 Q-R4 10 0-0-0 NxN then after N-Q5 NxN
13 14
11 BxN B-Q2 12 K-Nl B-B3 RxN B-K3 15 R-Q3 White has
13 P-B4 QR-Ql 14 KR-Bl! the advantage. In the game Fi-
P-QN4 15 P-B5 P-N5 16 PxP scher-Larsen (1970), Black an-
PxN 17KPXP+ K-Rl 18R-B5 swered P-N4 with 11... N-Q2
1 1
Q-N5!, and Black won. Murey 12 P-KR4 N-B4 13 P-N5 P-N4

later showed that instead of 17 14 P-B3 B-Q2 15 Q-N2 P-N5, and
KPxP+ White could have won Black seized the initiative. In-
by 17 RxN! PxR 18 KPxP + stead of 12 P-KR4 Spassky re-
K-Rl 19 Q-N4!) 8 ... 0-0 (or commends 12 P-N5 followed by

8 . . . P-QR3 9 0-0-0 Q-B2 10 13 Q-R5 and the manoeuvre
B-N3 N-QR4 11 P-N4 P-QN4 KR-Nl -N3-R3) 11 ... P-QN4
12 P-N5NxB-f- 13RPXNN-Q2 (here 11 ... N-Q2 is also pos-
14 N-B5!? PxN 15 N-Q5 Q-Ql sible) 12 P-N4 P-N5 13 NxN!
16 PxP B-N2! 17 P-B6!, with a QxN 14N-Q5 PxN 15 P-N5
dangerous attack for the sacrificed PxP 16 PxN BxP 17 B-Q5
piece) 9 0-0-0 Q-B2 10 B-N3 Q-R5.
P-QR3.
12 *
favourable for White, but the
logical continuation 9 . . . P-Q4!?,
suggested by Konstantinopolsky,
deserves testing. Boleslavsky then
recommends 10 N-B3!, while an-
other possibility is the problematic
sacrifice lONxKPPxN 11 PxP,
with great complications.
Another interesting variation is
7 B-K3 B-Q2 8 Q-K2 P-QR3

In this critical position White 9 0-0-0 R-Bl 10 B-N3 N-QR4
has dangerous threats. The game 11 P-B3 B-K2 12 P-N4 0-0 13
Gipslis-Tal (1967) continued 18 P-N5 N-R4 14 KR-Nl P-KN3

B-Q4 (18 BxR is risky in view 15 P-B4 RxN, with a sharp
of 18 ... B~K3 or 18 ... QxRP, game (Ageichenko-Simagin, 1968).
while after 18 RxP+ BxR 19 The idea of R-QBl is better
. . .
R-Nl, Black has the saving move carried out with the move order
19 ... P-N6) 18 ... BxB 19 7 B-K3 B-K2 8 Q-K2 B-Q2
RxB B-K3 20 QxKP QR-Bl! 9 0-0-0 R-QBl.
21 BxB PxB 22 RxQP QxRP
23 RxNP+ KxR 24R-Q7 + 7 . . . B-K2
R-B2 25 RxR+ KxR 26 Q- 8 B-N3
N7+ K-B3 Draw.
27 QxR.
18 B-R6 can be parried by 18 8 B-K3 0-0 9 B-N3 B-Q2 leads
. . . B-B4!. The most promising to a transposition of moves.
continuation is 18 Q-R5, when
18 ... K-Rl loses to 19 B-Q4 8 . . . 0-0
BxB 20 RxB, while 18 . . . B-K3 9 B-K3 N-QR4
can be met by 19 RxP + BxR !
20 R-Nl KR-Bl 21 RxB + l. Also possible is 9 ... B-Q2 10

After sacrificing a rook and the P-B4 NxN 11 BxN 12 B-B3
exchange White develops a very Q-K2 P-QN4 13 NxP BxN
dangerous attack. 14 QxB NxP. After 15 P-B5
One gains the impression that B-B3 16 Q-Q3 White stands
the variation with 9 0-0-0 is better.
The 4th game of the Spassky- 14 N-B6 Q-Q3

Fischer match (1972) continued 15 Q X Q
9 ... P-QR3 10 P-B4 NxN 11
BxN P-QN4 12 P-QR3 B-N2 13 After 15 N-Q5 B-R5 ! 16 PxP+
Q-Q3,
10 when the important im- RxP RxR NxR 18 Q-KBl
17
provement 13 . . . P-QR4! 14P-K5 B-B3 19NxB + NxN Black won
PxP 15 PxP N-Q2 16 NxP in the game Bilek-Petrosian (1961).
N-B4 gave Black a good game.
15... BxQ
P-B4 P-QN3 16 RP X N XP
Botvinnik’s move. 10 . . . B-Q2 White has a slight advantage in

11 Q-B3 R-Bl also deserves con-
the ending.
sideration, and if 12 P-N4, then
12 ... N-B5 13 P-N5 N-Kl 14
VI. Classical Continuation
BxN RxB 15 P-KR4 P-KN3
16 P-B5 NPxP! 17 PxP P-K4!,
2 N-KB3 P-K3
with advantage to Black (Ritt-
3 P-Q4
ner-Simagin, 1968). 12 P-N4 was
shown to be an error.
Here the wing gambit 3 P-QN4
is again possible, and under more
11 P-K5 N-Kl
favourable circumstances for White
12 P-B5
than after 1 P-K4 P-QB4, or 1
P-K4 P-QB4 2 N-KB3 P-Q3. Now

Weaker is 12 R-B3 NxB 13
N-B6 Q-Q2, with advantage to
3 PxP 4 P-Q4 P-Q4 5 P-K5
. . .
Black (Neukirch-Botvinnik, 1966).

N-QB3 6 P-QR3 PxP 7 P-B3
B-Q2 8 NxP P-QR3 9 B-Q3
12... QPxP gives White attacking chances on
NxB the K-side.
Weak is 13 ...P-B3 14 N- 3 ... PxP

B5! NxB 15 N-Q5! N-Q5 16 4 NXP N-KB3
N(Q5)xB+ K-Rl 17 N-N6 +
and White won (Geller-Vatnikov, On 4 ... N-QB3 White can
1950). play either 5 N-QB3, or 5 N-N5
. .

P-Q3 6 B-KB4 P-K4 7 B-K3. KN-Q2 8 Q-N4 B-Bl 9 B-N5
If Black plays 6 . . . N-K4, then Q-N3 10 B-K3 Q-B3 11 P-B4
7 Q-Q4!, threatening 8 Nx QP +. White gains the advantage. If 9 ...
Q-R4, then White replies 10 Q-
5 QR4, when the queen cannot be
taken on account of mate, while
10 Q-N3 is again met by 11
. .
.
5
B-K3.
If White meets 5 ... B-N5
with 6 B-Q3, Black has a choice
between Alekhine’s continuation
6 ... P-K4 7 KN-K2 P-Q4 8
PxPNxP90-0N-QB3 lONxN
QxN P-QR3 B-R4 12 P-QN4 11
N-QB3 B-B2 13 R-Kl B-K3!, or 7 N-B5
0-0 8 B-KN5 P-Q4!, when 9
After 5 B-Q3 Black equalizes PXP fails to 9 ... P-K5, winning
by 5 ... N-B3 6 NxN QPxN 7 a piece, and the variation 6 . .
0-0 P-K4. N-B3, when White plays 7 NxN;

7 ... QPxN 8 P-K5 N-Q2 9
. . . N-B3 Q-N4 Q-R4 10 0-0! BxN 11
PxB QxKP 12 B-KB4, with an

The old “Four Knights’ Varia- attack for the sacrificed pawn, or
tion” has been reached. The move 7 ... NPxN 8 P-K5 N-Q4 9
5 ... P-Q3 is examined in Sec- Q-N4 B-Bl with the better posi-
tion VII. tion for White.
After 5 . . . B-N5 6 N(Q4)-N5 After 5 B-N5 6 P-K5 N-Q4
. . .
(the strong alternative 6 P-K5 is (6 ... Q-R4? is a mistake on

analysed below) Black should play account of 7 PxN BxN+ 8
6 . . . N-B3, transposing into the PxB QxBP+ 9 Q-Q2 QxR 10
main line, as after 6 ... NxF 7 P-QB3 Q-N8 11 B-Q3 Q-N3 12
Q-N4 NxN 8 PxN B~B1 9 PxP R-Nl 13 Q-R6, while if
B-KB4 N-R3 10 B-Q6 Q-B3 6 . N-K5, then 7 Q-N4 NxN

. .
11 B-Q3, or 6 . . . P-Q4 7 P-K5 (if 8 Q X NP R-Bl 9 P-QR3 N-N4 +

7 P X P, then 7 . . . P-QR3) 7 . . 10 PxB NxN 11 B-KN5 Q-N3
.
12 B-KR6 QxP-f 13 P-QB3 B-Bl 11 P-B4 R-QNl 12 N-Ql

N-B4 HPxQNxQ 15BxN. On B-R3, with the initiative for Black.
9 Q-R4 there follows 10 N-N3
. . According to Alekhine, Black
Q-Q4 11 B-Q3. After 6 P-K5 has an equal game after 6 NxN
N-K5 7 Q-N4 Q-R4 Euwe re- NPxN! 7 P-K5 N-Q4 8 N-K4
commends QxN BxN-b 9 8 (with the threat of P-QB4-B5)
PxB QxBP-f 10 K-Ql QxR 8 ... PxP e.p. NxP
P-KB4 9
11 N-N5 K-Ql 12 P-QB3!, while 10N-Q6+BXN 11 QXBQ-N3!
if 11 ... P-Q4, then 12 Q-QN4 (with the threat of Q x BP +) 1 1 . .
.
QxKP B-KB4 N-B3 14 BxQ

13 12 B-Q3 P-B4 B-KB4 B-N2 13
NxQ 15 N-B7-1-) 7 Q-N4 (also 14 0-0 R-QBl. After 8 Q-R4 + . .
.
good is 7 B-Q2 NxN 8 PxN the simplest reply is 9 P-QB3, as 9

B-K2 9 Q-N4 K-Bl 10 B-Q3 B-Q2 can be met by 9 ... N-N5
P-Q3 11 P-KB4 N-B3 12 0-0!, 10 P-KB4 Q-Q4 11 N-B3 Q-Q5,
or 7 ... N-QB3 8QNxNBxB + with counterplay for Black.
9 QxB PxN 10 0-0-0!) 7 ...
P-KN3 (after 7 ... Q-R4 8 6 . . . B-N5

QxNP BxN+ 9 PxB QxBP-b
10K-K2QXN 11 QxR+ K-K2 The best move. 6 ... P-Q4?
White wins by 12 B-R3 +) 8 B-Q2 is a mistake on account of 7 PxP
0-0 9 NxN BxB+ 10 KxB PxP 8 NxQP, winning a pawn.
PxN 11 Q-B4 N-B3 12 P-QB3 After 6 P-Q3 7 B-KB4 Black
. . .
NxN 13 QxN P-Q3 14 PxP must play 7 P-K4 8 B-KN5 . . .
QxP 15 B-Q3 White has attack- P-QR3 8 N-R3, for 7 N-K4? . . .
ing chances (P-KR4), while in loses a pawn after 8 Q-Q4! and

the event of exchanges, the end- 9 NxQPT.
game will be clearly better for him.
7 P-QR3
6N(Q4)-N5
A An
solid, quiet continuation.
The strongest move, assuring equal game results from 7 N-Q6 +

White of a slight advantage. 6 K-K2! 8 NxB+ RxN, while
B-K3 is weaker in view of 6 ... 8 B-KB4 P-K4 9 N-B5+ K-Bl
B-N5 7 B-Q3 P-Q4! 8 NxN 10 B-KN5 P-Q4! even gives Black
PxN 9 P-K5 N-Q2 10 Q-N4 the initiative.

. .

Also possible is 7 B-KB4 N x P 8 10 B-Q3 0-0
N-B7 + K-K2! (recommended by
Chigorin; if now 9 NxR, then After 10 ... B-N5 11 P-B3
9 ... NxN 10 PxN BxP+ 11 B-K3 12 0-0 P-KR3 (or 12 . .
K-K2 P-K4 B-K3 BxR, fol-

12 0-0) 13 P-B4 White has an active
lowed by . . . P-Q3 and B-K3, . . .
position.
winning a pawn. If Black plays
8 . . . K-Bl, then 9 NXR is now 11 0-0 P-KR3
bad in view of 9 ... Q-B3 with
a dangerous attack (but not 9 . .
This prevents
NxN 10 B-Q6+). White should the unpleasant
play Q-B3 P-Q4 10 0-0-0 B-KN5, e.g.

pin resulting from
9
11 ... B-N5 12 P-B3 B-K3 13
BxN 11 PxB R-QNl 12 NxQP
PxN 13 QxN PxQ 14 RxQ + B-KN5 Q-N3 + ? 14 K-Rl QxP
NxR 15 BxR, with a slight ad- 15 BxN PxB 16 Q-Q2, with a
dangerous attack for White.
vantage) 9 Q-B3 P-Q4 10 0-0-0
BxN 11 PxB P-KN4 12 B-N3
(12 Q X N is clearly weaker: 12 . .
12 R-Kl
PxQ! 13 BxP+ P-B3) 12 ...
P-B4 13 P-B4 P-B5 14 NxR Also possible B-KB4 P-Q5 is 12

(14 NxQP+ PxN 15 PxP is 13 N-N5 N-Q4 14 Q-B3 B-K3
weaker in view of 15 ... B-B4!) 15 QR-Ql, with a sUght advan-
14 ... PxB 15 PxQP PxQP tage to White.
16 B-B4 B-K3 17 KR-Kl Q-R4
18 N-B7, with advantage to White.
12 . . . P-Q5
7... BxN"|~
8NxB P-Q4
9PxP PxP
After 9 . . . NxP 10B-Q2 0-0
11 Q-R5 N-B3 12 Q-R4 Q-Q5
13 B-KN5! White has clearly the
better chances (Gufeld-Khasin,
1966).
The critical position. After 13 B-Q3 B-K2 10 B-K3 Q-B2 11
N-K4 NxN 14 BxN Q-B3, 0-0 0-0 with equal chances.
White’s position is preferable. F ormerly the system with P-KN3
and the subsequent flank devel-
opment of the bishop was popu-
VII. Scheveningen Variation lar, as worked out by Panov at
the end of the 1920s. From KN2

2 N-KB3 P-K3 the bishop develops strong pres-
3P-Q4 PxP sure along the KR1-QR8 diago-
4 NXP N-KB3 nal, and prevents the advance
. .P-Q4. After completing his
.
In recent years Paulsen’s old development and gaining control

move 4 ... P-QR3 has become of the centre. White begins a swift
popular. It is examined in the next attack with his KB and KN pawns
section, as is 4 ... N-QB3. (cf. Game No. 58, Panov-Grech-
kin).
5 N-QB3 P-Q3 The move 6 P-KN4 is interest-

ing, as played by Panov in a game
This pawn formation, which against Kotov in 1939. Black

limits the manoeuvrability of the should not reply 6 P-Q4? in . . .
white pieces, and sets up a cramped view of 7 B-QN5 + B-Q2 8 P x P !
but solid position, characterizes NxQP9NxNPxN 10Q-K2 +

the Scheveningen Variation, called B-K2 11 N-B5, or 10 ... Q-K2
after the name of a small Dutch 1 1 B-K3, with advantage to White.
town where it was first introduced. 6 . . . P-K4 is also inadequate in
The position can also be reached view of 7 B-QN5 + or 7 N-B5.
after a different move order: 2 After 6 . . . P-KR3, 7 P-N5 PxP
N-KB3 P-Q3 3 P-Q4 PxP 4 8 BxP is good for White. The
NxP N-KB3 5 N-QB3 P-K3. best line for Black is 6 ... N-B3
7 P-N5 NxN 8 QxN N-Q2; the
6 B-K2 immediate 7 . . . N-Q2 is weaker
in view of 8 N(Q4)-N5 N-B4
The game Keres-Smyslov (1959) 9 B-KB4 P-K4 10 B-K3 N-K3 11
continued instead 6 P-B4 P-QR3 7 N-Q5, with the better chances for
Q-B3 Q-N3 8 N-N3 N-B3 9 White. A new system of defence.
worked out by East German play- ningen, whereby Black for a long
ers, also deserves consideration: time avoids the prophylacticmove
6 ... P-QR3 7 P-N5 KN-Q2 . P-QR3. In this case the game
. .
8 B-K3 P-N4 9 P-QR3 N-N3!. can develop as follows: 6 B-K2

Although in his first nine moves B-K2 7 0-0 0-0 8 B-K3 N-B3 9
Black has only developed one P-B4 B-Q2 10 Q-Kl (instead of
minor piece, which he has moved this. White can also play, as in
three times, he has a good game the classical Scheveningen, 10 N-

since he has taken control of the N3, and then B-B3, preparing the
important . .
.
QB5 square. The pawn storm P-KN4).
game Estrin-Espig (1971) contin-
ued 10 B-N2 QN-Q2 11 P-B4
P-K4 12 N-B5? P-N3!, with
advantage to Black.
6 . . . P-QR3
This move, which was formerly

considered necessary in practically
all variations of the Sicilian De-
fence, is now frequently omitted On 10 ... Q-B2 White should
altogether. Black is not afraid of nevertheless continue 11 N(Q4)-
N-N5, as the enemy knight can N5! Q-Nl R-Ql. The Bul-
12
be immediately driven back. garian master Yankov has shown
that if now 12 ... P-QR3, then
7 P-QR4 B-K2 NxP! BxN 14 P-K5 BxP
by 13
15PxBQxP16 B-KB4 Q-QB4 +
A possible continuation is 8 0-0 17 K-Rl White obtains an ex-
Q-B2 9 P-B4 N-B3 10B-K3 0-0 cellent attacking position.
11 N-N3 P-QN3 12 B-B3 B-N2 Therefore in the diagram posi-
13 Q-Kl R-Kl 14 R-Ql, when tion, instead of 10 ... Q-B2,
White’s position is preferable (Le- Black should prefer Capablanca’s
venfish-Makogonov, 1939). favourite exchanging manoeuvre,
Now let us consider the more which he regularly adopted in such
modern variation of the Scheve- positions: 10 ... NxN 11 BxN
. ...
B-B3, and if 12 Q-N3, then 12 . . after 5 N-QB3 P-Q3 6 B-K2

P-KN3 (suggested by Korchnoi). N-B3 7 B-K3 B-K2. With this
The game Kholmov-Korchnoi order of moves. Black avoids the
(1964) continued 13 Q-K3 Q-R4 dangerous attack 4 ... N-KB3
14 P-K5 PxP 15 PxP N-Q2 16 5 N-QB3 P-Q3 6 P-KN4!.
QR-Ql B-B4 17 BxB QxB 18 N-QB3 White
In reply to 4 ...
QxQ NxQ 19 B-B3 QR-Bl, can play 5 N-N5 P-Q3 6 P-QB4
with a favourable ending for Black. (the continuation 6 B-KB4 P-K4
In the game Unzicker-Najdorf 7 B-K3 N-B3 8 B-N5 has brought
(1966), instead of 12 Q-N3 White White some success. After 8 . .
played 12 B-Q3 N-Q2 13 Q-N3 Q-R4-b 9 Q-Q2 NxP 10 QxQ

P-K4 14 PxP, which met with NxQ 11 B-K3 K-Q2 12 QN-B3
the strong rejoinder 14 ... B- NxN 13 NxN
White has excel-
KR5!. After 15 Q-R3 NxP lent play, as shown by the games
16 N-Q5 NX 17 PxB P-KN3 Fischer-Taimanov (1971) and
18 P-B4 B-B3 a position was Adorjan-Bobotsov (1971). How-
reached where the chances were ever, in the first game of the Candi-
roughly equal. dates’ Match Fischer-Petrosian
(1971) after the normal moves
8 . . . B-K3 QN-B3 P-QR3 10
9
VIII. Paulsen System
BxN PxB 11 N-R3 Black, in-
2 N-KB3 P-K3 stead of the former continuation
3P-Q4 PxP 11 ... N-Q5, introduced the im-
4 NxP P-QR3 portant innovation 11 ... P-Q4!,
and obtained an excellent position
This flexible system came into after 12PxPBxN 13PxBQ-R4

modern practice comparatively re- 14 Q-Q2 0-0-0 15 B-B4KR-N1,
cently, in approximately the mid- after which the whole variation
1950s, and immediately gained disappeared from practice) 6 . .
widespread popularity. Paulsen’s N-B3 7 QN-B3 P-QR3 8 N-R3

old move 4 ... P-QR3 allows B-K2 9 B-K2 0-0 10 0-0 B-Q2
Black to mask his strategic plans (the game Karpov-Tukmakov,
temporarily. 1971, continued instead 10 . .
The continuation 4 . . . N-QB3 P-QN3 11 B-K3 B-N2 12 R-Bl

leads to the Scheveningen Variation N-K4 13 Q-Q4 N(K4)-Q2 14
P-B3 P-Q4 15 KPxP B-B4 16 better prospects for White, as in
Q-Q2, with the better prospects the 7th game of the Petrosian-
for White) 11 B-K3 Q-B2 12 Fischer match, 1971), or 5 ...
R-Bl KR-Nl 13 P-B3, with B-B4 N-N3 B-R2 7 0-0 N-QB3
6
advantage to White (Langeweg- 8 Q-N4 (8 Q-K2 KN-K2 9 B-
Korchnoi, 1965). 10 QxB is also good)
White also has the advantage 8 ... N-B3! 9 Q-N3! P-Q3 10
after 11 ... Q-Nl 12 P-B3 (12 N-B3 P-QN4 11 K-Rl B-N2 12
P-B4 also deserves consideration) P-B4 (Ivkov-Polugayevsky, 1962);
12 P-QN3 13 Q-Kl R-R2 14
. . . 5 P-QB4 N-KB3 6 N-QB3 B-N5
Q-B2 R-N2 15 KR-Ql N-QN5 7 P-K5 N-K5 ! 8 Q-N4 N X N 9 P-
16 R-Q2 R-Ql (if 16 P-QN4, . . . QR3 B-Bl ! 10 P X N P-Q3 with a
then 17 QR-Ql, and 17 ... PxP complicated game. Instead of 7 ...
18 NxP P-Q4 fails to 19 N-R5) N-K5, 7 . .
.
Q-R4? is a mistake,
17 QR-Ql B-Kl 18 P-B4 (Kapen- which isby8PxNBxN +
refuted
gut-Balashov, 1971). 9 PxB QxBP+ 10 Q-Q2 QxR
11 B-K2 N-B3 12 PxP R-KNl
13 NxN NPxN 14 0-0 QxNP
15 P-N3 P-Q4 B-R3. Although 16
White is the exchange and a pawn
down, this is more than compen-
sated for by the domination of his
bishop on the black squares.
Also good, instead of 7 P-K5,
is 7 B-Q3 N-B3 8 NxN QPxN
9 P-K5, when both 9 . .
.
Q-Q5
5 N-QB3 and 9 . .
.
Q-R4 are bad in view of
lOPxNBxN + llPxBQxBP-b
There are the following alterna- 12B-Q2! QxKB13PxPR-KNl
tives : 14 B-R6, and White has the ad-
5B-Q3 N-QB3 6 N X N NP X N vantage. Black should answer 9
7 0-0 P-Q4 8 P-QB4 N-B3 9 P-K5 with 9 . . . N-Q2 10 P-B4
BPxP BPxP 10 PxP PxP (if N-B4 11 B-B2 QxQ+ 12 KxQ
10 ... NxP, then 11 B-K4) 11 P-QN4 13 N-K4 NxN 14 BxN
N-B3 B-K2 12 Q-R4 + !, with the B-N2 15 B-K3 0-0-0+ 16 K-K2,
.! !
and after 16 ... PxP (but not P-R3 16 B-B5+ B-K2 17 RxB!,
16 ... P-QB4? 17 BxB+ KxB White could have obtained a very
18 QR-QBl! PxP, and Black dangerous attack.
loses a pawn, Estrin-Masayev, Also after 7 . . . N-K2 Q-R5
8
QR-QBl P-QR4 18
1969/70) 17 QN-B3 9NxNBxN 10B-KB4!
P-QR3 B-K2 19 B-N6 R-Q2 20 N-N3 11 B-N3 White has the
QB X P R-Q5 the chances are better chances (Suetin-Gipslis,
roughly equal. 1966).
5 . .
.
Q-B2 6 B-K2
Black sometimes continues with Also possible B-K3 N-QB3

is 6
an immediate 5 ... P-QN4 6 7 P-B4 (or 7 P-QR3 N-B3 8 P-B4
B-Q3 B-N2, when after 7 0-0 NxN 9 BxN! QxP 10 P-KN3
Q-B2 (if 7 ... N-K2, then 8 Q-B2 1 1 P-K5, with an active
Q-R5) 8 R-Kl N-QB3 White ob- ! position for the sacrificed pawn)
tains the advantage by 9 NxN 7 ... P-QN4 8 NxN QxN 9
QxN 10 P-QR4 P-N5 11 N-Q5! B-K2 B-R6!?, to which White can
(Tal-Gipslis, 1958); no better is reply either 10 B-QBl, or else 10
8 . . . N-KB3 9 B-N5 P-N5 10 NxP PxN 11 PxB QxKP,
P-K5, or 8 ... B-Q3 9 Q-R5 when Spassky suggests 11 Q-Q4
N-KB3 10 Q-R4. N-B3 12QxQNxQ13BxP,with
In reply to the immediate 7 . . the better prospects for White.
P-N5 (instead of 7 ... Q-B2), The following move order is also
there is the possibility of the piece possible B-Q3 N-QB3 7 B-K3
: 6
sacrifice which occurred in the N-B3 8 0-0 N-K4 9 P-KR3
game Estrin-Shatskes (1967): 8 P-QN4 (or 9 ... B-B4 10 Q-K2
N-Q5! PxN 9 PxP BxP 10 P-Q3 11 P-B4 N-N3 12 N-N3
R-Kl + B-K2 (after 10 B-K3 . . . BxB-f 13 QxB 0-0 14 QR-Kl
11 Q-B3 R-R2 12 B-K3 R-B2 13 P-QN4, with a satisfactory game
B-KB4 R-Bl 14 QR-Ql Black’s for Black) 10 P-B4 N-B5 1 1 xN
position is hardly defensible) 11 QX 12 P-K5 (or 12 Q-Q3 P-Q4,
N-B5 N-QB3 12 NxP+ K-Bl, with complicated play) 12 ...
and now, by continuing N-R5 1 3 P-N5 13Q-B3 R-QNl 14 PxN

B-K3 14 Q-B3 B-B3 15 B-K3 PxN 15P-QN3 Q-B2 16P-B5!,
.

with an attack for White (Ivkov- Also possible is 8 ... P-Q3 9
Portisch, 1964). R-Kl NxN 10 QxN B-K2. The
Besides 8 . . . N-K4, Black can game Vasyukov-Liberzon (1969)
play 8 ... NxN 9 BxNB-B4 10 continued 11 P-K5 PxP 12 RxP
BxN! PxB 11 Q-N4!, or an 0-0 13 B-B4 B-Q3 14 R-Ql!,
immediate 8 P-QN4 9
. . . NXN and after 14 ... BxR (14 ...
QXN 10 P-QR3 B-N2 (or 10 . . R-Ql? loses immediately to 15

P-N5 11 PxP BxP 12 R-R4!) R-QB5!) 15 BxB Q-K2 16 N-R4
11 Q-K2 Q-B2 (11 ... P-Q4 12 N-Q2 17 B-Q6 Black was in diffi-
PxP NxP is weaker in view of culties.
13 B-K4, but 11 ... B-K2 is In reply to 9 R-Kl, Black has

better) 12 P-B4 P~Q3 13 B-Q4, also tried 9 ... B-Q2. After 10
which also gives White the advan- NxNPxN(if 10 BxN, then

...
tage. 11 N-Q5!) 11 N-R4 R-QNl (in

In reply to 8 0-0 Black does the game Tal-Najdorf, “Match of
best to play 8 . . . B-Q3 9 K-Rl the Century”, 1970, there followed
B-B5 10 X Q X 1 1 N(Q4)-K2
! 11 . . . P-K4 12 P-QB4 B-K2 13
Q-R5. Therefore Lutikov’s idea of P-B5, with advantage to White)
8 Q-Q2 (instead of 8 0-0) deserves 12 P-QB4 P-B4 13 N-B3 B-K2
consideration. After 8 B-Q3 ... 14 P-N3 B-B3 15 B-N2 White’s
9NxNNPxN 10P-B4 P-K4 11 position is preferable (Savon-Tal,
P-B5 White has good prospects of 1971).
an attack on the enemy king posi-
tion (Lutikov-Tal, 1969). 6 . . . N-QB3
Recently the old line 6 P-KN3 7 B-K3 N-B3
N-QB3 7 B-N2 N-B3 8 0-0 has 8 0—0 ...
become fashionable. For example,

8 ... NxN 9 QxN B-B4 10 The game Suetin-Vladimirov
B-B4! P-Q3 (White has the edge (1967) continued instead 8 P-QR3,
after 10 ... BxQ 11 BxQBxN but after 8 . . . B-K2 9 P-B4 P-Q3
12 PxBP-Q4 13 PxP NxP 14 10 0-0 B-Q2 11 N-N3 0-0 12
B-K5) 11 Q-Q3! N-Q2 12 N-R4 P-N4 P-Q4! Black obtains suffi-
P-K4 13 B-Q2 P-QN4 14 NxB cient counter-play. It is not hard

NxN 15 Q-R3, with the better to see that a position from the
prospects for White. Scheveningen Variation has been
reached, where White has made After 10 ... QPxN 11 N-N6
the unnecessary move P-QR3. On R-Nl 12 P-QB3 B-Q3 13 P-KN3
8 ... B-Q3, White should play White’s position is better, since 13
9 Q-Q2! B-K4 10 P-B4, or 9 ... ... NXP is risky in view of 14
NxN 10 BxN B-B5 11 Q-Q3. N-B4.
11 N-N6 R-Nl
12NxB KRxN!?
Black boldly sacrifices a pawn.

After 12 ... QxN, 13 P-K5 is
unpleasant.
R-Kl
There can follow 14 B-Q3 B-Q3

8 . . . B-N5 15 P-KB4 P-K4 16 P-B5 Rx P, or
9 N-R4! 0-0
15 P-KN4 P-R3 16 K-Rl B-K4
17 R-Nl X NP(Geller-Tal,1971),
9 ... NXP is, of course, bad in in both cases with counter-play
view of 10 NxN QxN 11 N-N6 for Black.
R-QNl 12 Q-Q4 B-Bl 13 B-B3

P-Q4 14 P-B4, with advantage to
White. In the event of 9 ... N-K2 Game No. 57
10 P-QB4! NxP 11 B-B3 N-QB4 Chigorin-Paulsen
12 P-QR3 NxN 13 PxB NxP (Berlin, 1881)
14 NxP!, a sharp complicated

position arises (Lepeshkin-Furman This win by Chigorin against
1965). the German champion Louis Paul-
9 . . . P-QN4 is weak in view of sen was described in the German
lONxNPxN 11 B-B5 !, while on magazine Deutsche Schachzeitung
9 . . . B-Q3 White has the favour- in the following terms : “This
able reply 10 N-N6!. single game is sufficient to recog-
nize the representative of Russia
10 NXN NP X N as a maestro of the first rank.”
.

And indeed, when one studies and accepted by modern theory as a
this game, the impression is gained clever innovation!
that it was played not in 1881, but
in the 1970s! Chigorin’s play com- 10 . .
.
Q-B2
bines the subtle strategy of modern 11 P-B4 P-Q3
times with a gradual accumulation 12 Q-N3 B-Q2
of positional advantages and a final 13 B-K3 QR-Ql
combinational attack. 14 N-Q2
1P-K4 P-QB4 With the aim of either playing

2 N-KB3 N-QB3 N-B4, or else switching the knight
3P-Q4
9
PxP for an attack on the K-side.
4NxP Q-N3
5N-N3 N-B3 14 ... P-Q4
6N-B3 P-K3
7 P-QR3! • • •
14 . . . P-QN4 would have been

better, not allowing the following
Preventing ... B-N5
10 reply.
some cases) . . N-QN5.
7 ... B-K2 15 P-K5 N-Kl

8B-K2 • • •
16 N-B3 P-B4
17 Q-B2! Q-Nl
If 8 B-Q3, then 8 . . . P-Q4, and 18 B-N6 R-Bl
Black successfully completes his 19 B-Q3
development.
By subtle positional manoeuvr-
8 ... 0-0 ing Chigorin has completely
0-0 P-QR3 “squeezed” his opponent, and he
Q-Q3 now regroups his pieces for a
storm on the K-side.
This move, followed by the
transfer of the queen to the K-side, 19 . . . N-B2
was “resurrected” by Soviet play- 20 N-K2 N-Rl
ers more than half a century later. 21 B-K3 N-R4
22 P-QN3 P-QN4 28 RP X P-N3

23 P-KR4! N-N2 29 K-N2 R-Nl
24P-QN4! 30 R-Rl R-B2
31 R-R6 R-KN2
Not allowing . . . N-B4 and the 32 QR-Rl N-B2
exchange of his important king’s
bishop. No better is 32 ... B-Bl 33
Q-R4 R-N2, when White wins
24 . .
.
Q-B2 brilliantly by 34 BxKNP! PxB
25 N(K2)-Q4 N-Ql 35 RxP!!.
33 R(R6)-R4 R-KBl
26 34 Q-N3 N-Ql
35 QXP N-N3
Now comes a fine combination,

which quickly decides the game.
36RxP! RxR
37 R X R R-B2
P-N4! 37 . . . Kx R fails to 38 Q-R5 +,

and White mates in two.
The painstakingly prepared at-
tack begins With this pawn sacri-
!
38 R-R6 N-B5
fice White opens lines for the inva- 39RXP+ K-Bl
sion of his pieces. 40 B-B2 B-Bl
26 ... PxP Preparing the way for his king

27 N-N5 XN to escape to the Q-side.
Bad P-R3 28 N-R7

is 27 ... 41 Q-R4 K-K2
R-Kl 29 B-N6 N-B2 30 P-B5!, 42 R-N8 K-Q2
or 27 ... P-N3 28 Q-N3 followed 43 P-N6 R-K2
by QxP and NxRP. 44 QXR+ ! Resigns.
13
.

Game No. 58 Black prepares Capablanca’s
Panov-Grechkin exchanging manoeuvre ... X : N N
12
(Odessa, 1949) and B-B3, but White prevents
. . .
this possibility.
1 P-K4 P-QB4
2 N-KB3 P-K3
3P-Q4 PxP N-N3 P-QN4
4NxP N-KB3 13P-QR3 B-Bl?
5 N-QB3 P-Q3
6 P-KN3 • •
At the cost of two tempi Black
wishes to transfer his bishop to
The point of this move is that at . . . N2, thus vacating his Q2
KN2 the bishop protects the king square for the retreat of his knight,
and exerts pressure along the but in doing so he falls behind in
KR1-QR8 diagonal, preventing development. In such positions,
, .P-Q4. After the subsequent
.
where one of the players is prepar-
10
advance of White’s K-side pawns, ing an attack, every tempo is
his queen can go to KR5 and one precious. Black should have played
of his rooks to KR3. This system 13 ... QR-Bl.
was first introduced by Panov in
1929.
14 P-B4 B-N2
6 . . P-QR3 15 P-KN4
7B-N2 Q-B2
8 0-0 B-K2 The advance of this pawn
9B-K3 0-0 “wing”, rotating as on an axis
Q-K2! around the Q5 square, is a charac-
teristic strategical feature of this
White must not be in a hurry to
system.
put his plan into operation. First
he should complete the develop-
15 . . . N-Q2
ment of his Q-side, and prevent the
16 P-N5 N-N3
standard counter-blow . . . P-Q4
worked out by Grechkin.
16 . . . P-B3 was bad in view of
10 . . . N-B3 17 B-R3. Best was 16 . . . KR-Kl
11 QR-Ql B-Q2 17 P-B5 B-KBl.
SICILIAN DEFENCE
17 P-B5 N-B5 the enemy pawn as a cover against
18 P-B6 B-Ql the mating threats.
19 B-Bl N(B3)-K4
27 . P-B4
. .
If 19 ... P-N3, then 20 Q-N4 28PxPe.p.+ K-B2

N(B3)-K4 21 Q-R4 P-KR4 22 29 N-B4 QR-KNl
N-K2,
23 followed by N-N3 and
30QXRP + ! RxQ
NxP. 31RXR+ KxP
32 N-Q5 + K-K4
20PxP KxP 33 R-R5 + K-Q5
34 B-K3 + K-B5
21 N-Q4 N-B3
22NxN QxN 35 P-N3 mate
R-Q3
Black now has no defence

against the attack of White’s
major pieces along the KN- and
KR-files.
23 ... B-N3 +
24 K-Rl N-K4
25 R-R3 R-Rl
26 Q-R5 N-N3 Game No. 59
27 N-K2 Kholmov-Bronstein
(Kiev, 1965)
The deciding knight manoeuvre. 1 P-K4 P-QB4

On 27 . .
.
QR-KBl there follows 2 N-KB3 N-KB3
28 Q-R6+K-N1 29 N-N3 fol- 3N-B3 P-Q3
lowed by N-R5 and N-B6+. If 4P-Q4 PxP
27 ... Q X BP, then 28 R(R3)-B3 5NxP P-QR3
gives White an irresistible attack, 6 B-KN5 P-K3
while 27 ... Q X KP is met by the 7 P-B4 B-K2
simple 28 R-KN3!. Black there- 8 Q-B3 Q-B2
fore gives up a pawn, hoping to use 9 0-0-0 QN-Q2
13 *
10 P-KN4 P-QN4
llBxN PxB
Regarding the recapture with

knight or bishop, see the analysis.
12P-B5!
The
12 best move, introduced by
Simagin; 12 P-QR3 is weaker, as
after 12 . . . B-N2 13 P-B5 Black
A brilliant move, which Black
had naturally underestimated. Sac-
can advantageously reply 13 ...
rificing a piece, and then a pawn.
P-K4, since his Q4 square is con-
White opens the way for his minor
trolled by his bishop.
pieces, which threaten to strike a
decisive blow.
. . . N-K4
18... NxN
12 ... P-N5 13 PxPPxN14 19P-K5! B-N4 +
PxN-1- BxP is weaker in view
of 15 P-K5!.
After 19 ... BxP 20 P-B6!
BxBP 21 B-Q3, or 19 ... NxP
13 Q-R3 0-0
20 N-K4 N-Q2 21 RxP PxP
14 P-N5 P-N5 22 RX ! Black is lost.
This move turns out to be a mis- 20 RX P-B3

take. Better was 14 ... BPxP 15 21 P X QP Q-KB2
PxP PxP NxKP Q-Q2 17 16 22 R-N3 PXN
N-Q5 QxN 18 QxQ + BxQ
19 NxB + K-B2, with a roughly Black has simplified the position,
equal ending. while keeping his extra piece. But
White’s attack continues.
15NPXP BxP
16 R-Nl + K-Rl 23B-B4! BPxP-b
17 Q-R6 Q-K2 24 K-Nl N-Ql
18N-B6!! 25 QR-Nl
.
SICILIAN DEFENCE I79
White could have won This continuation was worked

immediately by 25 P-Q7. out by Aronin.
25 • . . R—R2 8 0-0-0 P-R3

26 P-Q7 RxP
Here White has three alterna”
Black is forced to part with his B-R4, 9 B-K3 and 9 B-KB4.
tives : 9
material gains. Of these, 9 B-R4 would seem to be
the strongest. The continuation
27PxP NxP chosen by White does not cause
28 BxN R-Q8 + Black any difficulty (cf. analysis).
29RxR BxB
R-QNl + 9 B-KB4 B-Q2
31 K-Rl BxP lONxN
32 R(3)-Q3 • • •
This exchange makes life easier

Now it becomes clear that Black for Black. 10 B-N3 is preferable,
is unable to defend his first and when the little-studied 10 . . R-Bl
second ranks. deserves consideration, the idea
being to answer 11 NxN with
32 ... Q-K2 11 ... RxN.
Q-K3 +
34 R-N3 Resigns. 10 ... BxN
11 P~B3
Game No. 60
Tal’s recommendation of 11
Kostro-Simagin
Q-Kl also gives White no advan-
(Varna, 1966)
tage. After 11 . .
.
Q-R4 12 B-B4!
1P-K4 P-QB4 (or 12 BxQP BxB 13 RxB
2 N-KB3 N-QB3 BxP) 12 ... B-K2!, 13 BxQP
3 P-Q4 PxP BxB 14 RxB fails to 14 . .
.
Q-
4NxP N-B3 QB4!.
5 N-QB3 P-Q3
6 B-KN5 P-K3 11 ... P-Q4
7 Q-Q2 P-QR3 12 Q-Kl B-N5
.

13 P-QR3 B-R4 chances of an attack on the hostile
14PxP king.
On 14 P-QN4 Black should play 17... NxN +

14 ... B-N3 15 PxP BxP 18BxN 0-0
16 NxB NxN 17 P-B4 Q-B3 19 Q-B2
18 B-K5 B-K6 + !, with a good
game. In the correspondence game
Estrin-Simagin (1963/4), White
14... NxP played 19 K-Nl, but after 19 . .
15 P-QN4 B-B3 20 P-KR4 QR-Bl 21 P-N4

B-Q4 Black again had a good
game.
19 . . . B-B3
20 R-Ql P-QN4
With the unpleasant threat of

20 ... P-QR4. The white king
tries to escape from the danger
zone.
15... NxB 21 K-Q2 B-Q4

22 B-Q3 KR-Bl
23K-K2 R-B6!
A fine queen sacrifice, which
gives Black a good position, the
After this move Black wins a
play taking on a quiet positional
pawn.
character.
24 P-KR4
16RxQ-f BxR
17 N-K2 An attempt to mount a K-side
counter-attack, which proves un-
This leads to difficulties for successful.
White, but even after 17 N-K4 0-0
Black has a good game, with 24 ... QR-QBl
. ..
SICILIAN DEFENCE jgl
25 P-N4 B-B5! 3P-Q4 PxP

26 BxB • • • 4 NXP N-KB3
5 N-QB3 P-QR3
White has nothing better. 6 B-QB4
26 . . RxBPT
27 R-Q2 R(B7)xB Fischer is happy to play such
28 Q-N3 P-N4! positions either as White or as

Black.
The final finesse. This game is
something of a chess paradox, 6 . . . P-K3

since the white queen suddenly 7 B-N3 P-QN4
turns out to be a very weak piece. 10
The most ambitious continua-

29 P-R5 R-B6
tion. Both 7 . . . B-Q2 and 7 . .
30 Q-Q6 RxRP B-K2 lead to a good game for

Black.
The white pawns fall like ripe
apples. Black’s position is already

P-B4
8 B-N2
easily won.
9 P-B5 P-K4
31 Q-N6 R-B5 N(Q4)-K2 QN-Q2
11 B-N5 B-K2
32 Q-N8 -f K-N2
33 Q-Q6 R(B5)-B6 12 N-N3 R-QBl
34 P-B4 R-K6 +
35 K-Bl PxP Threatening in some cases the
36 Q-B7 R-R8 + standard exchange sacrifice . .
37 K-N2 P—B6 ~h RxN, leading to the destruction

Resigns. of White’s pawn centre. In the
game Polugayevsky-Donner (Be-
verwijk, 1966) Black played the
Game No. 61
weaker 12 . . . N-B4? 13 BxN
R. Byrne-Fischer
X 14 B-Q5 !, and White gained
(Sousse, 1967)
,
a clear advantage.
1 P-K4 P-QB4
2 N-KB3 P-Q3 13 0-0?
A serious mistake. White should be answered by 19 PxP, and
have played 13 BxN NxB 14 18 ... RxN by 19 R-B5.
N-R5.
18 ... P-N3
13 . . . P-KR4! 19 N-N7 4 -
K-Ql
20 R-B3 B-N6
Now White’s knight is unable 21 Q-Q3 B-R7 +
to move to KR5, and proves to be 22 K-Bl N-B4
badly placed. 23 R-R3! « • •
14 P-KR4 Byrne plays most ingeniously,

but is nevertheless unable to
recover from his mistake in the
opening. Now 23 ... NxQ 24
RxR+ K-Q2 25 B-R4+ leads
to complications.
23... R-R5!
24 Q-KB3 NxB
25RPXN RxR
26QxR BxN
14 B-KR4 would have been 27PxB QxBP +
slightly better. The present game 28 K-Kl Q-B5
is a good illustration of how easy
it is to lose in the Sicilian Defence White resigned, since he can
after making but one mistake! avoid mate only by giving up much
material.
14 . . . P-N5
ISBxN BxB Game No. 62
16 N-Q5 XP
Karpov-Gik
17 N X RP Q-N4
(Moscow, 1968)
18P-B6!
Anatoly Karpov’s exceptional
The only possibility of compli- chess talent revealed itself in his
cating the game. 18 ... Qx N can early teens, when he studied in a
Special chess school directed by analysis, both 13 K-Nl and 13
Botvinnik. He has gone on to win P-N4 are also possible.
first World Junior Champion-
the The immediate 13 B-R6 can be
ship, and then the World Cham- met by 13 ... BxB 14 QxB
pionship, and has won a series of RxN!, and after 15 PxR Black
first prizes in various international can choose between 15 ... QxBP
tournaments. 16 K-Nl P-R4 17 P-R4 P-QN4,
and 15 ... Q-R6+ 16 K-Q2
1 P-K4 P-QB4 P-QR4
14 17 P-R5 P-KN4! 18
2 N-KB3 P-Q3 QxNP+ K-Rl, when White’s
10
3P-Q4 PxP attack reaches a deadlock (Gurvich-
4 NXP N-KB3 Dubinin, correspondence game,
5 N-QB3 P-KN3 1968/9).
6 B-K3 B-N2
7 P-B3 0-0 13... NxRP
8 B-QB4 N-B3 B-R6
9 Q-Q2 Q-R4
0-0-0 B-Q2 White can also play 14 P-N4, as
the piece sacrifice 14 ... N x NP
One of the most popular posi- 15 PxN BxP 16 QR-Bl looks
modern opening theory has
tions in too risky. In the correspondence
been reached. White prepares a game Kauranen-Estrin (1968/70),
pawn storm on the K-side, aiming P-N4 N-KB3 15 QR-Nl
after 14
to open a file for his heavy pieces. P-QN4 16 B-R6 RxN! 17 QxR
Black, in his turn, develops a QxQ 18 PxQ Black had a good
counter-attack on the opposite game.
flank.
14 . . . BxB
11 P-KR4 N-K4
12 B-N3 KR-Bl An extremely sharp situation
13 P-R5 results from 14 . . . N-Q6 + 15

K-Nl! NxP (15 ... BxN is
White sacrifices a pawn so as to not good in view of 16 N-Q5!)

mobilize his forces as quickly as 16 KxN BxB 17 QxB QxN-f
possible. As was mentioned in the (17 ... RxN is weaker in view
of 18 P~N4 N-B3 19 P-K5! 17 K-Nl P-QN4 18 P-KB4 N-B5
RxB+20 RPxRPxP21 N-K2 19 P-K5, with double-edged play.
B-B3 22 P-N5 N-R4 23 RxN!, 16 ... R-QBl is also possible,
with a winning attack) 18 K-Nl. when White should play 17 K-Nl
or 17 N-K2.
ISQxB RxN
17 N-K2! Q-B4
Black must play actively, other-
wise White will seize the initiative, The tempting N-Q6 + 17 ...
and his attack will prove success- 18 RxN Q-R8-I- 19 K-Q2 QxR
ful. fails to 20 P-N4 N-N6 21 QxQ
NxQ 22 K-K3, when the Black

16PxR knight is lost.
18 P-N4 N-KB3
19 P-N5 N-R4
20 RxN!
16
The decisive exchange sacrifice.
20 . . . PxR
21 R-Rl Q-K6 -b
22 K-Nl Q X BP
16... QxBP?
After 22 ... QxN23QxP(R5)
As Karpov convincingly dem- there is no defence against the
onstrates, this natural move gives mate.
White an irresistible attack.
... N-KB3 deserves consid- 23 RXP P-K3
eration, and if 17 P-N4, only
then 17 ... QxBP! 18 N-K2 On 23 . . . N-N3 Wliite should
QxKBP. not play 24 Q X P + K-Bl 25 R-R6
In the correspondence game P-K3 26 RxN PxR 27 QxB
Smrcka-Estrin (1968/70), in reply Q X N, which allows Black to
to 16 . . . N-KB3 White continued escape defeat, but 24 R-Rl!
. :
(suggested by I. Zaitsev) followed 7 N-N3 P-K3

by 25 N-Q4, and if 24 ... P-K4, 8 B-K3 Q-B2
then 25 N-B3. 9 P-^B4
24P-N6! NxP 9. B-K2 is also good, leading to

25QxP+ K-Bl the Scheveningen Variation. White
26R-KB5! chooses an alternative piece set-up,
which is also very promising.
The concluding blow, after
which Black’s position is defence-

9 . . . P-QR3
less. The finish was 10 B-Q3 P-QN4
11 P-QR3 B-K2
26 . . QxB + 12 Q-B3 B-N2
27 RPxQ PxR 13 0-0 R-QBl
28 N-B4 R-Ql 14 QR-Kl 0-0
29 Q-R6 + K-Kl
30 NxN PxN
It is not difficult to see that both
31 QxP + K-K2
White and Black have deployed
32 Q-N5 + K-Kl
their pieces in the best way possi-
R-Bl
K-K2 ble. And while White plans an
34 Q-N8 +
attack on the enemy king position.
35 Q-N7 T K-Ql
Black aims for counter-play in the
36 P-B6 Resigns.
centre and on the Q-side.
15 Q-R3
Game No. 63
Kupreichik-Tal
(Sochi, 1970) 15 P-N4 is also possible, but
after such a flank advance White
1P-K4 P-QB4 must always reckon with the
2 N-KB3 P-Q3 possibility of P-Q4, even if . . .
3P-Q4 PxP Black thereby loses a pawn, since

4NxP N-QB3 White’s king becomes exposed.
5 N-QB3 N-B3
6 B-QB4 Q-N3 15 . . . P-N5
19... BxP
20 R(B3)-K3 B-Ql
21 Q-R4 QN-Q2
Moves by the other knight are

answered by a decisive queen
sacrifice: 21 . . . N-R4 22 QxN!,
or 21 ... KN-Q2 22 QxP + I,
and White mates.
16N-Q5!? 22 Q-R6 Q-N2
A very interesting and promising Here the highly interesting queen

piece sacrifice, in the style of Tal sacrifice found later by Tal deserves
himself. White attempts to utilize consideration: 22 ... Q-N3!!?
his advantage in a combinational 23 BxQ BxB 24 K-Bl N-N5
way. Such a knight sacrifice by 25 Q-R3 NxR+ 26 RxN BxR
White at Q5 occurs in many varia- 27 QxB, and with two rooks for
tions of the Sicilian Defence. the queen, Black has the better
prospects.
16... PxN
17 KP X P N-Nl 23R-N3 N-B4?
18 B-Q4 P-N3
19 R-B3 A serious mistake, untypical of
Tal. White’s attack could have been
White could have regained the refuted by 23 ... B-N3!, e.g.
piece by 19 P-B5 BxP 20 RxB! BxB+ (24 ... BxN

24 R-K7
QxR 21 PxP BPxP 22 BxN, 25BxNPBxB+26 K-Rl K-Rl
but after 22 . .
.
Q-K3 ! his attack 27 X BP N-N5 28 B-N6 R-KB2
comes to a halt. The tempting 29 RxR NxQ 30 RxP+ K-Nl
continuation 19 R-K3 BxP 20 31 B-K4+ K-Bl 32 BxQ RxP
Q-R4 can be met by 20 ... also leads to a win for Black, but
BxN! 21 RxB QxR 22 BxN not 27 ... N-K5? 28 QxRP + I!
Q-K6 + 23 K-Rl N-Q2, as shown KxQ 29 B-N8+, and mate next
by Shamkovich. move) 25 N X Q-N3 26 x NP
QxN4- 27 K-Bl K-Rl!, and 4 NXP N-KB3

Black wins (analysis by Tal and 5 N-QB3 P-QR3
Kupreichik). 6 B-KN5 P-K3
After the mistake made by 7 P-B4 Q-B2
Black, White’s attack is irresistible.
Balashov frequently adopts this

24NxN PxN move, which allows White a wide
25 P-B5 PX choice of alternatives. As was
shown in the analysis, 7 . . . B-K2
25 ... R-B2 also fails, to is safer.
26 BxP B-K2 27 B-Q4.
8 Q-B3
26BPxP BPxP
27 X NP K-Rl 8 BxN PxB 9 Q-Q2 was also
possible, transposing into a line
There was no longer any de- examined in the analysis.
fence. The deadly 28 B-B7 -f was
threatened. 8 . . . P-N4
28QxR+ N-Nl As the present game shows, this
29 B-B5 R-Nl is a highly risky move. 8 . . . B-K2

30 R-K8 Q-KB2 or 8 ... QN-Q2 is safer.
31 R-R3 Resigns.
9BxN PxB
There is no defence against the 10 P-K5 Q-N2
threat of 32 QxN+ QXQ 33
RxP mate, or 32 RxP-f. 10 ... B-QN2 is not good in
view of 1 1 Q-R5, with the threats
of 12 NxKP
and 12 PxBP. In
Game No. 64
choosing the move in the game.
Parma-Balashov
Black was evidently pinning his
(Moscow, 1971)
hopes on the continuation 1 1 QXQ
1 P-K4 P-QB4 BxQ 12 PxBP, or 11 PxBP
2 N-KB3 P-Q3 QxQ 12 NxQ, when he obtains
3P-Q4 PxP two powerful bishops which would

enable him to easily regain his pawn.
15
14... PxN
But White is not tempted by this
possibility and tries instead to 14 ... XN fails, of course, to

utilize his superior development. N-B6 +, and Black loses his
queen.
11 N-K4 BP X P
12PxP PxP 15 X KP Q-N3
13B-Q3! 16NxB RxN
13
Black would appear to have After 16 ... R-R2 17 R-KBl

underestimated this strong move. White remains a pawn up, with
He cannot capture the knight on numerous threats.
account of 1 4 N-B6 -f and 1 5 B-K4.
17 Q-R5 + R-B2
. . . P-B4 18 Q X KP + B-K3
R-K2, then 19 Q-R8 +

If 18 . . .
K-Q2 20 0-0-0+ and 21 BxR.
19 0-0-0
White moves his king into

safety, after which his attack is
decisive. 19 x R? would be a bad

mistake here in view of 19 ...
Q-B7+ 20 K-Ql R-Q2+ 21

A desperate attempt to compli- K-Bl Q-Q7 +, and mate in two
cate matters, which is easily refuted moves.
by the Yugoslav grandmaster.
19 . .
.
QR-R2
14NXKP! 20 R-Q6 Q-K6 +
21 K-Nl QR-K2
Simple and convincing. Black’s
position collapses like a house of Preventing 22 B-B6 +, on which
cards. there follows 22 ... N x 23
QxQ BxP-b, and it is Black position. On 22 . . . N-Q2 White

who wins. continues 23 RxR+ RxR 24
Q-R8+ N-Bl 25 B-B6 4- K~Q1
22RxB
26 R-Ql +, with an easy win.
Black resigned, since he is two This game was awarded the
pawns down and in an inferior brilliancy prize.
INDEX OF VARIATIONS
Centre Counter Game: 1 P-K4 P-Q4, 2-5 (Game No. 38)
Alekhine’s Defence: 1 P-K4 N-KB3 2 P-K5 (2 N-QB3, 6) 2 ... N-Q4, 6-26

I. 3 P-QB4 N-N3 4 P-Q4 (4 P-B5, Game No. 40) 4 P-Q3, 7-14 . . .
(1) 5 P-B4, 7-12 (Games Nos. 41 & 43)

(2) 5 P X P, 12-14 (Game No. 39)
II. 3 P-Q4, 14-17 (Game No. 42)
Nimzowitsch’s Defence: 1 P-K4 N-QB3, 27-29
(1)
Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence: 1 P-K4 P-Q3 2 P-Q4 P-KN3 3 N-QB3 (3 N-KB3 B-N2
4 B-QB4, Game No. 46) 3 N-KB3, 30-43
. . .
I. 4B-KN5, 31-32
(1)P-B4,
II. 4 32-35 (Games Nos. 44 & 45)
III. 4N-B3, 35-37
Caro-Kann Defence: 1 P-K4 P-QB3, 44-74

I. 2P-Q4 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 (3 P-KB3, 3 P-K5, 3PxPPxP4 B-Q3, 45- 47 ,
GameNo. 47)3 ... PXP4NXP, 47-56
4... B-B4, 47 - 51 (Game No. 48)
(2) 4 N-B3,
. . . 51-54 (Game No. 49)
4 ... N-Q2, 55-56
II. 2 P-Q4 P-Q4 3PXPPXP4 P-QB4 N-KB3 5 N-QB3, 56-62
5 ... P-KN3, 57-58
(2) 5 P-K3, 58-60
. . .
(3) 5 . N-B3 6 B-N5,

. . 60-61 (Game No. 50)
(4) 5 N-B3 6 N-B3, 61-62
. . .
III. 2 N-QB3 P-Q4 3 N-B3, 63-66
French Defence: 1 P-K4 P-K3 2 P-Q4 (2 Q— K2, 105- 107 ,

Game No. 51) 2 . . . P-Q4,
75-120
I. 3PxP, 75-77
II 3 P— K5 77-79
III. 3 N-Q2 P-QB4 (3 . . . N-KB3, 3 . . . N-QB3, 80-82), 79-85
IV. 3 N-QB3,
85-93
(1)3... PxP, 85-87
191
.
192 INDEX OF VARIATIONS

(2)
3 . . . N-B3 4 B-KN5 (4 P-K5, 87 -88), 87-93

4
(1). . . B-N5 (4 P X P, 88), 88-89 (Game No.
. . . 56)
B-K2, 88-93 (Games Nos. 52
4
(2). . . & 53)
(3)
V. 3 N-QB3 B-N5, 93-106
4P-QR3, 94-96
4B-Q3, 96-97
4B-Q2, 98-99
(4) 4 P-K5 P-QB4 (4 N-K2, 4 P-QN3, 4 . . . . . . . . .Q-Q2, 99- 100) 5 P-QR3
(5 B-Q2, 5 PxP, 5 Q-N4, 101 ) 5 BxN+ . . . (5 B-R4, 102- 103 ) 6
. . .
PxB, 99-105 (Games Nos. 54 & 55)
Sicilian Defence: 1 P-K4 P-QB4,

121-189
I. Closed, or Chigorin System: 2 N-QB3 N-QB3 3 P-KN3, 121-124
II. Nimzowitsch-Rubinstein
)
System: 2 N-KB3 (2 P-QN4, 2 P-KN3, 2 P-Q4,
-
2 P-QB3, 2 N-K2, 124 125) 2 ... N-KB3, 124-127
III. Dragon Variation: 2 N-KB3 P-Q3 3 P-Q4 (3 P-QN4, 3 P-B3, 3 B-N5+,
127 - 128 )) 3 ... PXP4NXP
N-KB3 5 N-QB3 P-KN3 6 B-K3 (6 P-B4,
6 P-KN3, 6 N-Q5, 6 B-K2, 129- 131 ), 129-135 (Game No. 62)
IV. Najdorf Variation: 2 N-KB3 P-Q3 3 P-Q4 PxP 4 N-KB3 5 N-QB3 NxP
P-QR3, 135-145
6 P-B4, 136
6 P-KN3, 137
6B-K2, 137
6 B-QB4,
(1) 137-139 (Game No. 61)
6P-KR3, 139
6 B-KN5 P-K3 (6 QN-Q2, 139 ) 1 P-B4 B-K2 (7
. . . Q-N3, 1 ... P-R3, . . .
-
1 ... P-N4, 1 ... QN-Q2, 140 143 1 ... Q-B2, Game No. 64) 8Q-B3, ,
136-145 (Game No. 59)

V. 2 N-KB3 N-QB3 3 P-Q4 (3 B-N5, 45) 3 ... PxP 4 N-B3 (4 NxP . .
P-KN3, 4 . . .
-
P-K4, 146 149 4 ... Q-N3, Game No. 57) 5 N-QB3 P-Q3,
,
149-163
Boleslavsky System: 6 B-K2 P-K4, 149-151
Rauzer Attack: 6 B-KN5 P-K3 (6 B-Q2, 151 - 152) 7 Q-Q2, 151-160 . . .
7 ... P-KR3, 153-154

( 2 7 ... B-K2, 154-157
(3) 7 P-QR3, 157-160 (Game No. 60)
. . .
Sozin Attack: 6 B-QB4, 160-163 (Game No. 63)

VI. Four Knights’ Variation: 2 N-KB3 P-K3 3 P-Q4 PxP 4 N-KB3 5 NxP
N-QB3 N-B3, 163-167
VII. Scheveningen Variation: 2 N-KB3 P-K3 3 P-Q4 PxP 4 N-KB3 5 NxP
N~QB3 P-Q3, 167-169 (Game No. 58)
VIII. Paulsen System: 2 N-KB3 P-K3 3 P-Q4 P x P 4 N x P P-QR3 (4 N-QB3, . . .
-
169 170 ), 169-173
comprehensiveche02estr
compfehensNeche02estt
prehensiveche02estr
com
PERGAMON RUSSIAN CHESS SERIES
Comprehensive
Chess Openii^
Volume2
Semi-Open Games
The three volumes which comprise this encyclopaedic work
provide a comprehensive survey of chess openings. Most
books on this subject analyse in detail the systems and
variations adopted by anyone, anywhere and at any time
during the last 150 years. Many of these systems are of little
interest to the modern-day reader, because they have since
been abandoned as simpler and stronger ones have been
discovered. In this work the authors, both acknowledged
world-authorities on opening theory, have not attempted to
include all the most fashionable and complicated openings,
but have given preference to those which have stood the
hardest test of all — the test of time.
These books will be an invaluable source of reference to all
players of the game.
Volumel
Open Games
Wume2
^ Semi-Open Games
Volumes
Closed Games
0080241093

Estrin, Panov - Comprehensive Chess Openings - Vol.2 (1980)

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Estrin, Panov - Comprehensive Chess Openings - Vol.2 (1980)

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Y Estrin N.

KARPOV, A.& ROSHAL, A.

CANADA Pergamon of Canada, Suite 104, 150 Consumers Road,

FRANCE Pergamon Press SARL, 24 rue des Ecoles,

Translation Copyright © 1980 Pergamon Press Ltd.

First edition 1980

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

ISBN 0-08-024110-7 hardcover

Translated from the 5th Russian edition of

Printed in Hungary by Franklin Printing House

Foreword to the English Edition by Y. Estrin vii

Foreword to the 5th Russian Edition by M. M. Botvinnik ix

Centre Counter Game 2

Sicilian Defence 121

Index of Variations 191

FOREWORD TO THE 5TH RUSSIAN EDITION

nothing surprising in Suppose that 100,000 young players produce

one great talent. If hundreds of thousands of youngsters have a passion

to this question, but it should be remembered that it is never forbidden

the middlegame plan is only weakly finked to the opening.

There is no need to “swot up” variations; they should stick in your

i-i ."I?! r- -r:r._ti^;.ij

ii— ,^#<-.- u <»

gories, who number many tens of thousands in the Soviet Union.

developing modern theory. The authors were faced by a difficult task:

systems, variations and moves ever played, towards a superfluous detail-

As a result of these various considerations, the authors have not at-

moves. The tactical treatment of the system may be refuted, certain

In Chigorin’s recently discovered letters to the Moscow player Pavlov,

practical player the minimum essential theoretical knowledge, and

A tactically original treatment of an opening idea is called a “vari-

unfortunate that in theoretical literature the concepts of “system” and

"5 ^^> • '

Semi-Open Games, which enjoyed gical situation determined by

CENTRE COUNTER GAME: 1 P-K4 P-Q4

This is the oldest of the Semi- or else 4 ... N-N3 5 N-KB3

of a tempo caused by the early Q2 Q-N3 N-QB3, 8 P-Q5! is

The classical continuation, which P-KN3, e.g. 5 N-KB3 P-N3

CENTRE COUNTER GAME 3

P-KR3 0-0 8 B-K3 QN-Q2 P-QR4 1 1 P-Q3 P-Q4 12 N-N5, in

also possible, and if 4 ... B-N5, 3 P-QB4 P-B3 4 PxP (4 P-Q4

sible is 6 P-KN4 B-Bl 7 N-B3 favourable for White, e.g. 5

4 COMPREHENSIVE CHESS OPENINGS

6 P-KR3 B-R4 is 4 B-B4, but Bronstein chooses a

White has a clear advantage NPxP fails to 12 Q-N7

N-K5 10 B-Q2. 12 B-K3 PxQP

14 R-Ql Q-B2 leads to a decisive advantage for

though even then Black has a

ALEKHINE’S DEFENCE: 1 P-K4 N-KB3

One of the “youngest” of open- 2 P-K4, or can play 2 ...

ings! It was first played by Ale- P-Q4 3 P-K5 (after 3 P x P N x P

N-K5) 10 . . . B-N2 with chances 4 P-B5 N~Q4 gives White no

PxKP 9 Q-B3), and the sacrifice

Q-K2NXP8 NxNPxN9QxP Q-B3+ K-Nl 12 Q-K3 B-K3

reverse order. Now the following

The so-called “Four Pawns’

16NxBNxN17B-N5! RxB 18 PxP N-B3 10 BxP B-K3 11

Also possible is 5 ... B-B4, 6 BP X P N-B3

in the most favourable circum- by 11 B-QN5 + B-Q2 ! 12 Q-K2

BP X P P-K3 8 N-B3 B-QN5 (cf. 14 QxP + N-K2 15 N-B3 Q-B3

16 Q-K2 BxB 17 NxB N-R3

BxB NxB Q-QN5+

19 K-B2!, with a quick win.

After, for instance, 9 ... N-Q4! then 11 ...P-B312KPxPNPxP