Alexander Khalifman

Sergei Soloviov

Squeezing
the Caro-Kann:_..
I •
 Contents

Title Page
Preface 6

The Caro-Kann Exchange Variation

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3

Part 1. Setup without h3

1 Rare; 4...Nf6 5.c3 14

2 4...Nc6 5.c3 Rare; 5...e6 6.Nf3 25
3 4...Nc6 5.c3 g6 6.Nf3 37
4 4...Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.Na3 61
5 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Rare; A) 6...Qb6 7.Qb3; B) 6...e6 7.Nd2 70
6 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 w/o 7...Qc8 & 7...Qd7 84
7 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 102
8 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qd7 8.Nd2 111

Part 2. Setup with Early Move h3

9 4...Nf6 5.h3; 4...Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.h3 132

10 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e6 7.Nf3 143
11 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3 157
12 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e5 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Nf3 178

Complete Games 193

1 Tari – Firouzja, New In Chess Classic 2021 193
2 Warmerdam – Dang Hoang, Chess.com 2019 196
3 Blomqvist – Grandelius, Malmo 2021 199
4 Timman – Stellwagen, Cogas Energie 2005 202
5 Bacrot – Fier, Tbilisi 2017 206
6 Gabuzyan – Sorokin, Chicago 2019 214
7 Fromm – Rosner, Magdeburg 2021 218
8 Harika – Paikidze, KO Stage Chess.com 2021 221
9 Artemiev – Deac, European Online Club Cup 2021 225
10 Tari – Iturrizaga Bonelli, Chessable Masters 2021 230
11 Alekseenko – Hess, Douglas 2019 233
12 Chigaev – I.Bocharov, Sochi 2019 236
13 Antipov – Ivanchuk, Caleta 2020 239

2
14 Grandelius – Harikrishna, EU Cup Online 2021 243
15 Alekseev – D.Bocharov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2016 246

Index of Variations 252

Index of Complete Games 255

3
 Squeezing the Caro-Kann:
Simple Chess

Alexander Khalifman and Sergei Soloviov

Chess Stars Publishing

www.chess-stars.com

Copyright © 2022 by Alexander Khalifman, Sergei Soloviov

Cover by Rustam Taichinov

Bibliography

Books

A Practical Black Repertoire with d5, c6 (vol.2) by Alexei Kornev, Chess Stars 2017
Bologan’s Caro-Kann by V.Bologan, New in Chess 2018
Playing the Caro-Kann by Lars Schandorff, Quality Chess 2021

Electronic/Periodicals

Chess Informant
New in chess Yearbook
Bestlogic Database
Chessbase online database
ChessOK Correspondence Database
Correspondence Database
FICGS DataBase
GameKnot Database
ICCF Database
LSS Database

4
Mega Database

5
 Preface

With this book we are trying to test a very original approach – to fight Black’s minimalist
treatment of the opening with equally minimalist counter-measures with White.

Dear reader,

The authors of this book would like to recommend to you an economical and quite promising
method for White to fight against the Caro-Kann Defence – the Exchange system (3.exd5 cxd5
4.Bd3). Still, before dealing in detail with the ideas and the variations, we should like to raise the
subjects of history and psychology. This will help us to explain our choice and to debunk some
harmful, but still current, stereotypes.

Nearly 150 years have passed since the respected maestros Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann invented
their Caro-Kann Defence. It is almost impossible for us to understand their motives, but in the second
half of the 20th century this opening acquired a quite deserved reputation.

It is considered to be a solid and reliable defence and even extremely difficult to beat, (naturally, in
some very good hands...). Black’s position is admittedly a bit passive, but this is compensated in most
cases by the fact that he has no chronic weaknesses or “bad” pieces (you can see here the contrast
with the somewhat similar French Defence, in which Black must worry constantly about his
miserable light-squared bishop).

White has several well-tested ways of obtaining a slight advantage (we have in mind the main
classical variation 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4), but from the black point of view the key-word here is
“slight”. After the opening there usually arise very simple positions, at least from the strategic point
of view, although this simplicity is sometimes deceptive. On the other hand, nowadays, just as before,
Black does not need any substantial or detailed opening knowledge to play the Caro-Kann Defence
successfully. He is not striving to obtain complete equality, as after 1...е5, and is not fighting to seize
the initiative after a single imprecision by the opponent, as after the move 1...c5. But still, in contrast
to the above-mentioned possibilities, in order to play the move 1...c6 regularly, without the risk of an
immediate opening disaster, it would be sufficient for Black to be acquainted with several thin
opening booklets. This approach to the opening had (and still has) numerous adherents and it is not
surprising that the ex-World Champions Tigran Petrosian and Anatoly Karpov were among them.

This was how the situation stood round about the year 1990. There are many people who might
think that it is almost the same nowadays, but plenty of time has passed since then.

Bearing in mind everything we have mentioned so far, it might seem that for White to combat the
Caro-Kann Defence using an economical, minimalist approach would be in many ways mirror

6
Black’s approach, and therefore would not seem very reasonable. Indeed, why struggle for a minimal
advantage if it is there in any case? Why try to avoid the theoretical jungle, where none exists? Why
transfer the struggle to strict positional channels, when this is exactly what the opponent is striving
for? All this quite sensibly and understandably explains why, in the last century, despite some
individual attempts even by the strongest players, the Exchange system failed to achieve even relative
popularity.

In the 21st century, however, things have changed radically. First of all, under the critical eye of the
computer, it has gradually become clear that the very minimal advantage for White in the classical
system with 3.Nc3 turns out to be microscopic if we just delve 2-3 moves deeper. At the same time,
many new resources have been discovered in the closed system with the move 3.е5 and this became
the main focus of theoretical debate. A clear advantage for White is still not apparent there, but the
character of the struggle has changed significantly. In all the main lines there the positions are very
complicated from the strategic viewpoint. What is even more important is that the need for Black to
have detailed knowledge of the theory of the main lines of the Caro-Kann has increased
exponentially. Therefore despite the fact that some common features of the Caro-Kann Defence have
been preserved (White’s spatial advantage and the absence of chronic weaknesses and “bad” pieces in
Black’s camp), everything else looks quite different today. The players who use this defence have a
quite different approach to it, in comparison to the days of Petrosian and Karpov. In fact, for the last
30 years, the collective general profile of the adherents to the Caro-Kann Defence has changed
considerably.

This is the reason our minimalist approach against this classical opening deserves very serious
attention today. This is confirmed incidentally by the fact that at present the popularity of the
Exchange system (particularly after the year 2017) has increased considerably, and at quite different
levels. This can be easily understood, especially if we have in mind just one name, which is Magnus.
Although in practice he has tried many different variations, not all of them have become popular so
convincingly.

Now we should like to apologise for repeating ourselves, but the easiest way to explain the essence
of our approach is to quote the description given in the previous books of this series.
1. White controls the centre, develops quickly and castles. We DO NOT strive for a direct clash
with the opponent after the first few moves in the opening.
2. We begin active operations only after the completion of our development; as a rule, these will
take place in the centre and on the kingside.
3. Of course it is necessary to know the theory and to calculate the variations precisely, but in
general we are striving to reach positions in which the basic strategical principles, the correct
evaluation of the arising positions and the ability to choose the correct plan will be at least as
important.
4. Finally, we are still fighting for an advantage in the opening. It may be just a small edge, but let’s
see...

7
 Black can indeed equalise but not just anyhow ... by no means. Even at the elite level there is no
consensus regarding the clearest path to equality and even grandmasters of 2700+ level often fail to
cope with the problems of the opening. And besides, even if Black plays the opening successfully,
White’s play will be on “the bright side of equality”. This is also because White’s play is easier and
clearer.

In most cases, depending on Black’s play (the essential distinction is where he develops his dark-
squared bishop), one of two basic pawn structures will arise. One is traditionally named the Carlsbad
structure and it often arises with colours reversed. This is when Black places his pawn on e6 at some
point and develops his bishop to e7 or d6. The second possible pawn structure that may arise is when
Black fianchettoes his dark-squared bishop. This is quite similar to the previous one, but it has no
special name. Meanwhile, the strategic concepts behind White’s play are more or less the same:
1. He relies on the outpost on e5 and the semi-open e-file;
2. He prepares active operations on the kingside;
3. He tries to thwart the minority attack which Black usually begins on the queenside.

Since, despite all the latest trends, the requisite theoretical knowledge to play the Caro-Kann
Defence is considerably smaller than what is required after 1...е5 or 1...c5, the authors have
considered it appropriate to recommend to players with White two different schemes in the Exchange
system, one with an early h2-h3 and the other without this move, and we have analysed these in two
different chapters. Which one to choose is a matter of taste and from the practical viewpoint the
optimal decision would perhaps be to employ them both.

Alexander Khalifman
St Petersburg

8
 Part 1
Setup without h3

The main factor in the evaluation of outcome of the opening in the Exchange system against the
Caro-Kann Defence is the issue of the development of Black’s light-squared bishop. This is why we
recommend that White should begin his piece development with the move Bd3, immediately
depriving the enemy bishop of its ideal developing square on f5. After this, the way that both sides
cope with the situation arising will determine the strategic features of the further struggle.

Black can try to solve this problem in three different ways:

1. The bishop has been hemmed in – so what? Won’t the bishop be useful on d7 or b7? Spoiler
alert: no, it won’t.

2. Can’t the bishop come to f5 anyway? Surely Black can eventually try to deploy his bishop on f5
after the move g6. As a sub-variation of this idea, Black can play g6 and leave his light-squared
bishop on its initial square for now, first developing his kingside development.

3. If there is no access to the f5-square, the bishop might still come out to g4. In this situation
White’s reaction will be critical.

In Chapter One we have analysed variations in which Black refrains from the most natural and
popular move 4...Nc6. He will hardly manage to find a better square for his queen’s knight in this
pawn-structure, so in these lines there will often arise transpositions to variations covered in the
following chapters. Nevertheless, among the lines which may lead to original positions we should
mention 4...Nf6 5.c3 Bg4 (Black activates his light-squared bishop) 6.Qb3 Qc7 (now he prevents the
appearance of White’s bishop on its best square – f4). This set-up seems to be quite reasonable and if
White does not react energetically Black will easily solve his opening problems. There is just one
concrete problem here. If White plays 7.h3! Black will have to enter a forced variation which
involves a pawn-sacrifice. This sacrifice has quite acceptable positional justification and provides
Black with compensation which is almost sufficient for equality. But the key-word here is – almost.
Chapter Two is devoted to the analysis of some relatively rare lines arising after 4...Nc6 5.c3. Of
the more or less justified attempts to fight for equality, it is worth highlighting the two moves with the
king’s pawn. After 5...e5, the pawn-structure changes, but the important fact is that after White’s most
precise reaction 6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Qe2, in addition to an isolated pawn, Black will have problems with
the comfortable development of his pieces. After 5...e6 instead, it is of paramount importance that
Black’s light-squared bishop is now cut off from the kingside and White has every chance of
gradually developing a decisive attack in that sector of the board. This is especially the case if Black
develops his king’s knight to f6, after which his eventual counterplay on the queenside develops too
slowly, while in the centre he has no counter-measures available. A more complicated situation arises

9
if Black places his dark-squared bishop on d6 and his king’s knight on e7, aiming for activity in the
centre with f7-f6 and e6-e5 later. In this case it makes sense for White to forget about his kingside for
a while and to try to gain space with a pawn offensive on the opposite wing of the board.

In Chapter Three we cover variations in which, after 4...Nc6 5.c3 g6, Black fianchettoes his dark-
squared bishop. The traditional main idea of this set-up is not that his bishop would be active on the
long diagonal (White’s pawn-chain b2-c3-d4 restricts its activity considerably), but with the aim of
placing the light-squared bishop on the f5-square anyway. In this case however, the trade of the light-
squared bishops will not solve all Black’s problems. If White methodically improves his position (it is
very important for him to accomplish the manoeuvre Nf3-e5-d3, followed by a transfer of his rook
along the route Rf1-e1-e3), then the weakening of Black’s kingside becomes a much more important
factor than his control of the e4-square. Black also has the opportunity to try to exchange the light-
squared bishops on f5 without weakening his pawn structure, for which he has to develop the king’s
knight on h6. However, in that case White can simply evade the exchange of bishops, and then it is
not easy for Black to coordinate the action of his minor pieces.

Chapter Four is devoted to the very popular move order 4...Nc6 5.c3 Qc7. Before deciding on his
own scheme of development, Black prevents White from developing his dark-squared bishop to its
best square – f4. Now, together with the move 6.h3, which will be analysed in Part II, the original zig-
zag manoeuvre of his queen’s knight 6.Na3 a6 7.Nc2 seems promising. Now Black again has a
choice of development schemes, akin to what was available a couple of moves earlier. Once again
equality seems to be close, but no convincing way for him to solve all his opening problems is yet
apparent. It is also important that if Black goes in for variations with an early e7-e5, leading to
positions with an isolated pawn, White’s knight on c2 controls the key blockading square d4.

In Chapter Five we continue to approach the main variations of the Exchange system and after
4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 we analyse all the moves for Black apart from his most popular and strongest
move 6...Bg4. None of these sub-variations leads to equality for Black, but we should especially
mention that after 6...Qb6 7.Qb3, the exchange of queens in one version or another does not make
Black’s life easier – rather the opposite in fact.

Finally, the last three chapters are devoted to the main line of the Exchange system, which is
4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3. All the variations that we have analysed in the previous chapter
are doubtless important, but nevertheless Black’s most serious claims to complete equalisation have
traditionally been, and still are, connected with this particular order of moves.

In Chapter Six we analyse some less common ways for Black to protect his pawn on b7 (yes,
Capablanca played 7...Na5 almost a century ago, Petrosian half a century ago and Karjakin has
employed this move even today, but nevertheless White retains a slight but stable advantage
relatively easily and naturally). We must also consider a computer discovery of the 21st century –
7...e5!? Of course, it might be very unpleasant to encounter such an original thrust without
preparation, but after studying this continuation it has become clear that following White’s strongest

10
move 8.h3!, to avoid the worst, Black has to go into a rather boring endgame, where a draw is the
maximum that he can dream of. It is understandable that Black would not be happy to play a gambit
variation to end up in a position like this.

Chapter Seven is devoted to the variations arising after 7...Qc8. This position of Black’s queen
seems to be more passive, in comparison to the d7-square, but it has one advantage, which is not
immediately obvious but is very important. The eventual sortie of White’s knight to the e5-square in
numerous variations will not come with tempo by attacking the black queen. This leads to the
possibility for Black that in the variations following 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7 he will be able to transfer
his bishop via g4-h5-g6 to accomplish the strategically favourable exchange of the light-squared
bishops. However, in the present century it has become evident that the fortifications of Black’s king,
after the exchange of bishops on the g6-square, are not completely secure. White has the possibility of
using the g5-square for his minor pieces and gradually preparing an advance of his h-pawn, which
promises very attractive attacking possibilities. Of course, the evaluation of the resulting positions is
unclear, but Black cannot feel completely comfortable.

Accordingly the centre of attention has returned to the variation with 7...Qd7 (Chapter Eight). Here,
after 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.0-0 0-0, there arises what is nowadays practically the
most critical position of the Exchange system of the Caro-Kann Defence. White’s play is quite clear
and is based on exploiting the e-file and the e5-square and increasing the pressure on the kingside.
Meanwhile, Black’s position remains solid and his resources to organise counterplay on the queenside
should not be underestimated. It seems very likely that with time the merciless analysis of the
computer will lead to an evaluation of this variation as a forced draw. We believe, however, that from
the point of view of human play, this would scarcely be relevant. White’s game is more comfortable
and easier to understand.

11
 Chapter 1
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3

abcdefgh
This is the basic position of the exchange variation of the Caro-Kann Defence. White prevents with
his last move the development of the enemy light-squared bishop to the f5-square.
4...Nf6

About Black’s main response here 4...Nc6 – see the following chapters.
His alternatives lead only very seldom to original positions.
4...e6 5.Nf3 Bd6 (about 5...Nf6 6.c3 – see 4...Nf6; 5...Nc6 6.c3 – see 4...Nc6) 6.0-0 Ne7 7.b3!? 0-
0 (7...Nbc6 8.c4 Nb4 9.Be2 0-0 10.Nc3²) 8.c4 Nbc6 9.Nc3²
4...Qc7 5.Nc3!? Nf6 (The move 5...e6? would enable White to develop his pieces with tempo
6.Nb5 Qa5+ 7.Bd2 Qb6 8.Bf4 Qa5+ 9.c3+–) 6.Nb5 Qb6 7.Bf4 Na6, Linder – Scholl, Germany
1997, 8.Nf3 Nh5 9.Bd2 g6 10.0-0 Bg7 11.Re1± Black has not castled yet and his knights are
scattered at the edge of the board.

4...g6 5.Nf3

12
 About 5...Nf6 6.c3 – see 4...Nf6.
5...Nc6 6.c3 – see 4...Nc6.
5...Bg4 6.0-0 Bg7 7.c3 Nc6 8.Bf4, or 7...Nf6 8.Bf4 0-0 9.Nbd2 Nc6 10.h3 – see Chapter 3.
5...Bg7 6.0-0 Bg4 (6...Nf6 7.Nc3 – see 4...Nf6; 6...Nh6 7.c3 0-0 8.Bf4 Nc6 9.Re1, or 8...f6 9.Re1
Nc6 10.c4 – see Chapter 3, variation a) 7.c3 Nf6 (7...Nc6 8.Bf4 Nf6 9.Nbd2 – see Chapter 3,
variation b) 8.Bf4 0-0 9.Nbd2 Nc6 10.h3 – see Chapter 3, variation b.
Black should better refrain from 5...Nh6 6.0-0 Bf5 7.Re1 Bxd3 (7...Bg7? 8.Bxh6 Bxh6 9.Bxf5 gxf5
10.Nh4 Qd7 11.Qh5+– White has inflicted a double strike and wins a pawn. Black’s pawn-structure
is horrible and his king has nowhere to hide.) 8.Qxd3 Nc6, Heim – Malachowski, Germany 1994. If
Black manages to castle his position would be quite acceptable, so White must act aggressively: 9.c4!
dxc4 10.Qxc4 Bg7 11.d5 Nb8 12.Bg5 Nf5 13.g4 Nd6 14.Qa4+ b5 15.Qa3 f6 16.Nd4+– His knight
penetrates to the e6-outpost and the game is practically over.

5.c3

13
 Now we will analyse in details the moves: A) 5...e6, B) 5...Qc7, C) 5...Bg4.
About 5...Nc6 6.Bf4 – see Chapters 5-8.

5...Qb6 6.h3

abcdefgh
About 6...Nc6 7.Nf3 g6 8.Qc2 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Re1 – see 6...g6.
Following 6...Bd7 7.Qe2 g6 8.Nf3 Bg7 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Nbd2 0-0 11.Nb3², White controls all the
important squares in the centre, while Black would have great problems to organise any meaningful
counterplay.
6...g6 7.Qc2 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Re1 Re8, Kraemer – Klose, Schloss Schney 1999. Here,
White can maintain a slight but stable edge with the line: 11.Na3 Bd7 12.Ne5² Black can hardly

14
make his light-squared bishop useful and he would have great difficulties to organise any active play.
5...g6 6.Nf3 Bg7 (about 6...Nc6 7.Bf4 – see Chapter 3) 7.0-0 0-0 8.Bf4 Bg4 9.Nbd2 Nh5 (about
9...Nc6 10.h3 – see Chapter 3, variation B) 10.Be3 Qd6 11.h3 Be6 12.Re1 Nc6 13.Nb3 f5 14.Nc5
Bc8, Alonso Garcia – Sariego Figueredo, Holguin 1991. Here, it would be very logical for White to
occupy the e5-square with the line: 15.Bb5 Nf6 16.Nd3± He dominates over the e5-outpost with his
knights, while the enemy knight can be ousted from the e4-square with the move f2-f3. Black’s
backward e7-pawn would need permanent protection.

A) 5...e6
Black closes voluntarily his light-squared bishop on c8 and will suffer for long because of that.
6.Nf3

6...Bd6

About 6...Nc6 7.0-0 – see Chapter 2.

The move 6...Be7 is not so active. 7.0-0 0-0 8.Re1 Nbd7 (8...Nc6 9.Bf4 Nh5 10.Be3 Bd6 11.Ne5
Nf6 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 Be7, Ortiz – Mpinganjira, Tromsoe 2014. Now, White can provoke a
weakening of the enemy kingside with the line: 14.Bc2 Qc7 15.Qd3! Ne4 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Nd2 f5
18.Qe2 Nc6 19.Ndf3± His knight on e5 is very powerful, while Black will have great problems to
activate his bishop. White maintains a stable advantage.) 9.Bf4 a6 10.a4 b6 11.Nbd2 Bb7, Welker –
Kuschmann, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse 2020. He dominates completely in the centre and can begin
an attack against Black’s king with 12.Ne5 Rc8 13.Re3ƒ White’s rook will go to the g3-square, or to
h3, and Black will suffer, since he has no counterplay whatsoever.

7.0-0 0-0 8.Bg5

15
Black does not have a bishop on e7 and White exploits that by pinning the enemy knight.

8...Nbd7

About 8...h6 9.Bh4 Nbd7 10.Re1 – see 8...Nbd7.

9.Re1 Qc7

About 9...h6 10.Bh4 Qc7 11.Nbd2 – see 9...Qc7.

10.Nbd2

16
 10...h6

As for 10...b6 11.Qe2 Bb7 12.Ne5 h6 13.Bh4 – see 10...h6.

11.Bh4 Ng4

11...b6 12.Qe2 Bb7 13.Ne5 Nh7 14.f4 Nxe5 15.fxe5 Be7 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Rf1± Black is faced
with great defensive problems on the kingside and the following developments just confirmed this
evaluation. 17...Ng5 18.Rf4 f5 19.exf6 Rxf6 20.Rxf6 gxf6 (If Black captures on f6 with his queen,
White’s rook would enter the actions with tempo, while Black would remain with a backward pawn
on e6 and a permanent weakness on the e5-square.) 21.h4 Nh7 22.Qe3 e5 23.Qxh6+– Megaranto –
Tran, Ho Chi Minh City 2009.

12.Nf1 e5 13.Bf5±

abcdefgh
Black would hardly manage to maintain the material balance here without compromising the pawn-
shelter of his king. 13...h5, Mourao – Costa, Rio de Janeiro 2014, 14.h3! Nh6 15.Bxd7 Bxd7
16.dxe5 Bc5 17.Ng3+– Black’s position is hopeless. He is a pawn down, his weaknesses on h5 and
d5 are practically impossible to defend and his king may easily come under a crushing attack.

B) 5...Qc7
Black prevents the appearance of the enemy bishop on f4.
6.h3

17
 abcdefgh
White, in his turn, thwarts the development of Black’s light-squared bishop.
6...e6
About 6...Nc6 7.Na3 a6 8.Nc2 – see 4...Nc6.

6...g6 7.Ne2! White’s knight is more flexibly placed here than on the f3-square.

7...Bf5. With this move Black compromises his kingside pawn-structure. 8.Bxf5 gxf5 9.Bf4 Qd7
10.Nd2 Bg7 11.Nf3 – Now, after White’s queen’s knight has occupied the f3-square, it becomes
evident why he had developed his knight on e2 at the first place. 11...Nc6 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Ne4
14.Nd4 e6 15.0-0 0-0 16.f3 Nc5 17.Qd2± White will prepare sooner or later g2-g4 and will organise
a powerful attack on the kingside.

18
 7...Bg7 8.Bf4 Qb6 9.Qb3

9...Qxb3. This trade of the queens is in favour of White, because his rook on a1 will become active
right from its initial square. In addition the march of his pawn on b3 to b5 will fix the weak enemy
pawn on a7. 10.axb3 Nc6 11.b4 0-0 12.b5 Nd8 13.0-0± Black will have great problems to protect his
weak pawn on a7, while White’s active play on the a-file is quite simple.
9...0-0 10.Qxb6 axb6 11.Na3². In this version of an endgame Black’s pawn on b6 has become a
chronic weakness, since its advance forward is impossible. Now, White will occupy the b5-square
and after that Black will hardly manage to organise any counterplay.

7.Nf3 Bd6 8.0-0 0-0 9.Re1

abcdefgh

19
 9...Nc6

9...Nbd7 10.Qe2 a6, Savarese – Kern, Arco 2007, 11.a4!? Re8 12.Ne5 Nf8 13.Bf4 N6d7 14.a5²
White dominates all over the entire board.

10.Bg5 Nd7
10...Ne8 11.Na3!? White’s knight is headed for the e5-outpost via the route c2-e3-g4. 11...Bxa3
(11...a6 12.Nc2 h6 13.Bd2²) 12.bxa3 h6 13.Bd2 Nd6 14.Ne5² White’s queenside pawn-structure has
been horribly compromised indeed, but he has excellent attacking prospects on the kingside.
14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nc4? 16.Bxh6 gxh6 17.Qg4+ Kh8 18.Qh4+– Black’s pieces fail to come to save
his king.

11.Nbd2

11...b6

11...f6 12.Bh4

20
 12...e5? R.Kovacevic – Giordani, Belgrade 2019, 13.c4! Black is threatening to create a powerful
pawn-centre, so White breaks it. 13...e4 (13...dxc4 14.Nxc4 exd4 15.Qc2 h6 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.Qb3+
Kh8 18.Bg3 Nde5 19.Nh4+– Black is helpless against the threat Ng6+) 14.cxd5 exf3 15.dxc6 Bh2+
16.Kh1 fxg2+ 17.Kxg2 Nb6 18.Qh5 g6 19.Bxg6 Bf4 20.Bc2 Bxd2 21.Bb3+ Kg7 22.Bg3 Qxc6+
23.d5+– Black’s rook on а8 and his knight on b6 fail to come in time to assist in the protection of his
king.
It is also bad for him to opt here for 12...g5?! 13.Bxh7+! Kxh7? 14.Nxg5+ Kg6 15.Nxe6+– All
Black’s pieces are on the queenside and cannot participate in the defence of his king. White’s attack
is impossible to parry.
Black had to play instead 12...Nb6 13.a4 a5 14.Nf1 e5 15.dxe5 fxe5 16.Bg3 h6 17.Bb5 Re8 18.Rc1
Bd7 19.Ne3±, but even then he would have been too far from equality. His hanging pawns in the
centre are vulnerable and White is threatening to play c4, followed by the occupation of the d5-
outpost by his knight.

12.c4
This move is much more energetic than the standard reply 12.Nf1, because now, Black’s central
pawns are bound to remain immobile. In addition, White will be the first to occupy the c-file.
12...Bb7

12...Nb4 13.Bf1 dxc4 14.Nxc4 Bb7 15.Nfe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bc5 17.a3 Nd5 18.Rc1² White will
have excellent attacking prospects on the kingside thanks to his powerful pawn on e5.

13.cxd5 Nb4

21
 This position was reached in the game Dragun – Xiong Jeffery, chess.com 2020. White should have
played the powerful line: 14.Rc1 Qb8 15.Bb5± Black’s knight does not have a good square to retreat
to, so he will have to enter a position with a rook against two minor pieces for White.

C) 5...Bg4

abcdefgh
This is Black’s most principled move. The adherents to the Caro-Kann Defence prefer to develop
the light-squared bishop outside of the pawn-chain.
6.Qb3 Qc7
This is a logical place for his queen. It not only protects the pawn on b7 but also prevents the
development of the enemy bishop to the f4-square.

22
 6...Qd7 7.Bf4 a6 (About 7...Nc6 – see 4...Nc6; after 7...e6?? 8.Bxb8! Black cannot capture with his
rook because of the loss of the queen after the move Bb5.) 8.Nd2 Nc6 9.Ngf3 – see 4...Nc6.

6...Qc8 7.h3 Bd7 (7...Bh5 8.g4 Bg6 9.Bxg6 hxg6 10.g5 Nh5 11.Qxd5± White has an extra pawn
and Black’s knight will hardly manage to join into the actions anytime soon, being isolated at the
edge of the board.) 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.Bf4 e6 10.Nbd2 Be7 11.0-0 0-0, Dong – V.Nguyen, Hanoi 1995.

Now, White must occupy the e5-outpost and this would provide him with excellent prospects on the
kingside: 12.Rfe1 Na5 13.Qc2 Nc4 14.a4 b5 15.Ne5 Nxd2 16.Bxd2 bxa4 17.Nxd7 Qxd7 18.Rxa4±
Black has succeeded in trading his passive light-squared bishop, but the vulnerability of his pawn on
a7 dooms him to a long and laborious defence, moreover that White has a powerful bishop-pair.

6...Qb6 7.h3 Bh5 (7...Bd7 8.Bf4 e6 9.Nf3 Be7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1² Black has failed to solve the
problem with his light-squared bishop.).

23
 abcdefgh
8.Qxb6 axb6 9.Na3 e6 10.Nb5 Kd7. Here, in the game Kobalia – Vachier Lagrave, chess.com
2020, there followed 11.Bf4 Nc6 12.Be2 Be7 13.Bxh5? Nxh5 14.Bh2 Ra5–+ and White was losing
at least a pawn. Meanwhile, after the more accurate move 11.Ne2², his position would have been
preferable thanks to the powerful placement of his knight on b5 and the vulnerability of Black’s
queenside. 11...Bg6 12.Nf4 Bxd3 13.Nxd3 Nc6 14.Bf4 Be7 15.Kd2² White has connected his rooks
and his knight on b5 is safe. He has excellent chances of exploiting Black’s queenside weaknesses.
8.f4!? e6 9.g4 Bg6 10.f5 exf5 11.Qxb6 axb6 12.gxf5 Bh5 13.Bf4 Nc6 14.Nd2 Kd7 15.Ne2 (It
would be less accurate for White to choose here 15.Ngf3 Bd6 16.Ne5+?! Kc7³ and Black would
have an excellent counterplay. He is ahead in development and White will fail to preserve his knight
on the e5-square.) 15...Bd6 16.Bxd6 Kxd6 17.Ng3 Rhe8+ 18.Kf2 g6 19.Ndf1 Ne7 20.Ne3² White
maintains a slight but stable edge, because Black will have problems with his light-squared bishop
and numerous weaknesses on the queenside to worry about.

7.h3

24
 abcdefgh
7...Bh5

It is less logical for Black to choose here 7...Bd7. He did not develop his bishop outside of his
pawn-chain to take it back after all... 8.Nf3 e6 (about 8...Nc6 9.0-0 e6 – see 8...е6) 9.0-0 Bd6 (After
9...Nc6 10.Re1 Bd6 11.Qd1, in the game Kurajica – Olafsson, Amsterdam 1976, Black decided to try
to improve the placement of his knight on f6 and following 11...Ng8?! 12.b3 Nge7 13.c4±, he could
have come under powerful pressure in the centre and on both flanks, but even after 11...0-0 12.Qe2²,
Black’s defence would have been very difficult, because White would seize unavoidably the
important central e5-square – see game 1) 10.Re1 Bc6

11.Qc2!? (11.Na3 a6 12.Ne5 0-0 13.Bf4 Nh5 14.Bh2 f6 15.Nf3 Bxh2+ 16.Nxh2 Nf4 17.Bf1 Bd7

25
18.g3 Ng6 19.c4 Ne7 20.Rac1 Nbc6 21.Nf3² White maintains the tension in the centre and his
position is preferable thanks to his more actively deployed pieces.) 11...Nbd7 (After 11...0-0 12.Ne5
Nbd7 13.Bf4², White occupies the e5-square and can try to exploit it as a base for a forthcoming
kingside attack.) 12.b3 0-0 (about 12...a5 13.a4 0-0 14.Ba3 Rac8 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Na3 – see 12.0-0)
13.Ba3 a5 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.a4 Rac8 16.Na3² White wishes to exploit the e5-square and eventually
the b5-square as bases for his knights. Black’s main problem is that he has no active counterplay at
all.

8.g4!?

abcdefgh
This is a principled and very important decision. White wins a pawn but would have to pay for that
with a slight lag in development.
8...Bg6 9.Bxg6 hxg6 10.g5

26
 10...Nfd7

10...Nh5 11.Qxd5 e6 (11...Nc6 12.Nf3 e6 13.Qe4 Bd6 14.Be3 Ne7 15.Nbd2 Nf5 16.0-0-0±
Abdusattorov – Sadhwani, Lichess.org 2020. White has a solid extra pawn.) 12.Qe4 Bd6 13.Be3 0-0
14.Ne2 Nc6 15.Nd2 Na5, Zetocha – Straka, Slovakia 2015. He must solve the problem with the
safety of his king, but Black has not created any dangerous direct threats yet, so it would be
reasonable for White to fortify his queenside with 16.b3 Nc6 17.c4²

11.Qxd5

abcdefgh
11...e5

27
 About 11...Nc6 12.Be3 e5 13.Ne2 – see 11...e5.

11...e6 12.Qf3 Nc6 13.Ne2 0-0-0 (13...Bd6 14.Be3 e5 15.Nd2±) 14.Qxf7 Nce5 (14...Bd6 15.Be3.
White has already two extra pawns and his queen is safe from being trapped. Black will hardly create
any threats against the enemy king, so White’s position is almost winning. He would only need to
ensure the safety of his king on the queenside.) 15.Qxe6 Nd3+ 16.Kf1± White’s king has remained
in the centre, but his defensive resources are quite sufficient to parry Black’s eventual threats.
16...Bc5 17.Be3 Rhf8 18.Qxg6 N7e5 19.Qe4 Qf7 20.Rh2 Nf3 21.Rg2 Nfe1 22.Nd2 Nxg2 23.Qxg2
Bb6 24.Kg1± Now, White’s king is completely safe and he has completed his development. He has
numerous pawns as compensation for the exchange and his position would be clearly preferable
particularly if he manages to occupy the e5-square with his knight.

12.Be3

After 12.dxe5?! Na6 13.Nf3 0-0-0ƒ, Black’s great lead in development would be more than
sufficient compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

12...Nc6 13.Ne2

13...Nb6

13...exd4 14.cxd4 Nb6 15.Qe4+ Be7 16.Nbc3 0-0 17.d5. White has an excellent position with an
extra pawn in the centre. 17...Ne5 18.Nb5 Qd7 19.Qxe5 Nc4 20.Qe4 Qxb5 21.Qxe7 Rac8 22.a4
Qxb2 23.Rc1. Black has sacrificed a piece and White has problems with the safety of his king, as well
as with his king’s rook. 23...Rfe8 24.Rxc4! Qb1+ 25.Nc1 Rxe7 26.Rxc8+ Kh7 27.0-0. The position
remains very complicated, but White’s pieces should gradually manage to cope with the enemy

28
queen. 27...Qf5 28.Rc4 Qxd5 (28...Qf3 29.Nd3 Rxe3 30.Rh4+ Kg8 31.Ne1 Qxd5 32.fxe3 Qxg5+
33.Ng2+–) 29.Rd4 Qf3 30.Rh4+ Kg8 31.Nb3 Qd5 32.Rc1 f6 33.Rhc4 Re4 34.Rxe4 Qxe4 35.Rc8+
Kh7 36.Rc7 Qb1+ 37.Kh2 Qxb3 38.gxf6±

14.Qf3 0-0-0 15.Nd2

15...exd4

Following 15...Kb8 16.h4 f5 17.gxf6 gxf6 18.Nb3², Black must still work hard to prove that his
compensation for the sacrificed pawn is sufficient, because he would hardly manage to prevent the
move 0-0-0.

16.Nxd4 Nxd4 17.Bxd4 Rh4

17...Bc5 18.Bxc5 Qxc5 19.0-0-0 Qxg5 20.Qxf7± Chigaev – Rozum, Moscow 2019. White’s king
is completely safe and Black has not obtained any compensation for the missing pawn.

18.Qg3 Re8+

29
 19.Kd1 (It is also possible for White to play here 19.Kf1 Qc6 20.Kg1 Rh5 21.h4², but still, his
king would not be so safe on the kingside as on the opposite side of the board.) 19...Rf4 20.Kc2 Bd6
21.Be3 Rf5 22.Qg4² White has preserved his extra pawn and his king is safe, but he would have still
to work hard to realise his advantage.

30
 Chapter 2
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3

abcdefgh
In this chapter we will study some rarely played lines: A) 5...e5 and B) 5...e6.
The main variations for Black – 5...g6, 5...Qc7 and 5...Nf6 will be analysed in the following
chapters.

About 5...a6 6.Bf4 Nf6 7.Nd2 – see Chapter 5.

5...h6 6.Bf4 g5 (about 6...Nf6 7.Nd2 – see Chapter 5) 7.Bg3 Bg7 8.h4 g4 9.Ne2 Nf6 10.Na3 0-0
11.Qd2± Black will have problems with the protection of his king due to its weakened pawn-shelter.

5...Qb6. Black has worsened the placement of his queen. 6.Qe2 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.0-0 Nf6 (8...Bg4.
Black’s light-squared bishop is usually not so active in similar pawn-structures, but its exchange for
the knight is in favour of White. 9.Nbd2 Nf6 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Nxf3 0-0 12.Re1²) 9.h3 0-0 10.Bf4
(10.Re1²) 10...Nd7 11.Na3 a6, S.Ivanov – Ernst, Fuegen 2006. Now, White should continue with the
transfer of his knight to the e3-square with the move 12.Nc2!?

31
 It would not be good for Black to try the greedy line: 12...Qxb2? 13.Rfb1 Qxc3 14.Bd2 Nxd4
15.Ncxd4 Qc5 16.Rc1± He has obtained three pawns for the knight, but his queenside is not
developed and it would be very difficult for him to advance his central pawns.
Following 12...Re8 13.Ne3², Black will have problems with the protection of his central d5-pawn.
If he plays the move 13...Nf6, then the main idea of his opening set-up would not be realised – not to
allow the enemy knight to occupy the e5-square, or to advance himself – е7-е5.
12...e5 13.dxe5 Qxb2 (13...Re8 14.Ne3² Black fails to protect his pawn on d5 and to capture on e5
at the same time.) 14.Qd2 Qb6 15.Rfe1 Re8 16.Nb4² White’s pawn on e5 has provided him with a
space advantage and his has a clear-cut plan for actions against the weak enemy pawn on d5.

A) 5...e5
This activity in the centre is a bit premature.
6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Qe2!

32
 White forces his opponent to place his queen on e7 impeding the development of the bishop on f8.

7...Qe7 8.Be3 Nxd3+

About 8...Nf6 9.Nf3 Nxd3+ 10.Qxd3 – see 8...Nxd3+.

9.Qxd3 Nf6

9...Qc7 10.Qxd5 Ne7 (Following 10...Nf6 11.Qd3 Be7 12.Nf3 0-0 13.Nbd2², White’s extra pawn
provides him with better prospects, for example: 13...g6 14.0-0 Bf5 15.Qe2 Rfe8 16.Rfe1!?², or
16.Qd1 Nd5 17.Bh6 Bd6 18.Re1 Rxe1+ 19.Qxe1 Nf6 20.h3² Pospisil – Ryder, ICCF 2016. The
excellent outpost on d4, in addition to the extra pawn, guarantees the advantage for White. Black has
a bishop-pair, but White has no weaknesses in his position.) 11.Qe4

33
 11...Bd7 (11...Bf5 12.Qf3² Black’s light-squared bishop is attacked by the enemy queen, so he will
have to lose some time in order to retreat his bishop.) 12.Nf3 Bc6 13.Qf4 Qxf4 14.Bxf4 Bxf3
15.gxf3 0-0-0 16.Nd2 Nd5 17.Be3 Re8 18.Ke2² White has a doubled pawn, but it is an extra pawn,
while it would be very difficult for Black to exploit effectively the juxtaposition of his rook with the
enemy king, because after 18...f5? 19.Kd3 Nxe3 20.fxe3 Bc5 21.Rae1 Rd8+ 22.Kc2±, White’s pawn-
structure would be corrected and he would be capable of beginning to realise his extra pawn,
Duzhakov – Bublei, Sochi 2018.

10.Nf3

10...Ng4

34
 10...Qc7 11.Nbd2 Be7 12.0-0 0-0 13.Rfe1 Be6 14.Ng5 Qd7 15.Nxe6 fxe6 16.Bd4² Pacholsky –
Bystricky, ICCF 2011. Black’s e6-pawn is weak, while White’s bishop on d4 is dominant all over the
entire board. He has taken the control over the e5-square and his knight will be headed there in the
nearest future.

11.0-0 Nxe3 12.Re1 Bf5

abcdefgh
13.Qd4

White’s prospects are preferable too after 13.Qb5+ Qd7 14.Rxe3+, Vocaturo – Kucuksari,
Helsingor 2019, although after 14...Be6², Black will preserve a very solid position, which would be
rather difficult for White to break.

13...Qc5

The move 13...0-0-0?! would lead to the loss of a second pawn for Black. 14.Qxa7 Qc5 15.Qxc5+
Bxc5 16.fxe3 Rhe8 17.Nd4±

14.Rxe3+ Be6 15.Nbd2 Qxd4 16.Nxd4 Kd7

35
 17.Rd1² White plans to attack the enemy pawn on d5 with c3-c4.

B) 5...e6

abcdefgh
Black closes voluntarily his light-squared bishop on c8 inside his own camp and that does not
correspond at all with the main idea of the Caro-Kann Defence.
6.Nf3 Bd6
Black prevents Bc1-f4 and plans to prepare the pawn-advance e6-e5 with the idea to activate his
light-squared bishop.

36
 6...Qc7 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Re1 Nge7 (about 8...Nf6 9.Bg5 – see variation B2) 9.b3 – see variation B1.

6...Nf6 7.0-0 Be7 (7...Bd6 8.Bg5 – see variation B2; 7...Qc7 8.Re1 Bd6 9.Bg5 – see variation B2;
8...Be7 9.Nbd2 0-0 10.Ne5 – see 7...Be7) 8.Re1 0-0 9.Nbd2

abcdefgh
9...a6 10.Ne5 Nxe5 (Following 10...Qc7 11.Ndf3 b5, Santos – A.Garcia, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1995, it would be useful for White to trade a couple of knights. 12.Nxc6 Qxc6 13.Ne5 Qc7 14.Re3±
Now, Black’s king is seriously endangered. He would lose immediately after the rather naïve line:
14...Bb7? 15.Rh3 Rfe8 16.Bxh7+!+–) 11.dxe5 Nd7 12.Nf3 f6 (12...Nc5 13.Bc2²) 13.exf6 Nxf6
14.Be3 Qe8 15.Bd4 Qh5 16.Re5 Qe8, Hadjieff – Р.Penz, Austria 1997. Here, after the simple
variation 17.Qd2 Bd7 18.Rae1±, White would maintain a stable advantage. Black’s e6-pawn is a
chronic weakness and the dark squares in the centre have been firmly seized by White, while Black
has no meaningful counterplay in sight.
9...Qc7 10.Ne5 Bd6 (10...Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd7 12.Nf3 b6 13.Bf4 Bb7 14.Nd4± White’s e5-pawn
cramps Black’s position considerably and White’s control over the key-squares in the centre provides
him with excellent attacking prospects.) 11.Ndf3 h6 (Black loses immediately after 11...Nd7??
12.Bxh7+! Kxh7 13.Ng5+ Kg8 14.Nxd7 Bxd7 15.Qh5+–, or 12...Kh8 13.Ng5+–, followed by
Qh5.) 12.Bf4 Nh5 13.Bd2 a5 14.Qc1 f5 (Black’s careless move 14...a4? would enable White to
deprive the enemy monarch of any pawn-shelter after 15.Bxh6 gxh6 16.Qxh6 f6 17.Qxh5 fxe5
18.dxe5+–) 15.a3 a4 16.Bb5² Black’s light-squared bishop is still horribly isolated from the actions,
his pawns on e6 and a4 are chronically vulnerable, while White has the control over the important e5-
square.
9...Bd7 10.Ne5 a6 (After 10...Rc8 11.Ndf3², White occupies the e5-outpost and is ready to begin
decisive actions on the kingside. It would be even more interesting for him to try here 11.Qf3!? with
the following exemplary variation 11...b5 12.a3 a5 13.Qh3 b4 14.axb4 axb4 15.Ndf3 bxc3 16.bxc3±
White has concentrated his forces in the vicinity of the enemy king and will create powerful attack
against it in the nearest future.).

37
 abcdefgh
11.Qf3!? This is an aggressive move. 11...b5 12.Qh3 b4 13.Ndf3 bxc3 14.bxc3! (This move is
much more accurate than the more resolute line: 14.Ng5 h6 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Qxe6+
Kh8 18.Qxe7 Qb6 19.Qe2 Rfe8 20.Be3 cxb2 21.Rab1 Rab8 22.Red1 Ne4 23.Bxe4 Rxe4 24.Rd2 Bb5
25.Rdxb2 Qc6² White has ended up only with an extra pawn in a position with bishops of opposite
colours. Still, if his bishop occupies the e5-square, Black’s position will become hopeless with major
pieces present on the board.) 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Ne4 16.Rxe4 dxe4 17.Bxe4 g6 (17...h6??
18.Bxh6!+–) 18.Bxa8 Qxa8 19.Qh6± White’s extra pawn is not so important in this position. What is
essential is that the dark squares around Black’s king have been hopelessly weakened and in
connection with that, White’s forthcoming attack will be practically impossible for Black to parry.
It is also possible for White to play here the calm move 11.Ndf3, for example: 11...b5, Todua –
Dorofeeva, Moscow 2019. Now, White has the pleasant choice between 12.Re3² and the transfer of
his rook to the kingside would provide him with additional attacking chances, or he can at first take
some prophylactic measures against Black’s eventual queenside counterplay with the move 12.a3²

7.0-0

38
 Here, Black is faced with a choice where to develop his king’s knight: B1) 7...Nge7, or B2)
7...Nf6.
7...Qc7 8.Re1 Nge7 (about 8...Nf6 9.Bg5 – see variation B2) 9.b3 – see variation B1.

B1) 7...Nge7
Black plans to advance f7-f6, followed by e6-e5, with the idea not only to activate his light-squared
bishop on c8, but also to obtain an advantage in the centre.
8.Re1

abcdefgh
8...0-0

39
 About 8...Ng6 9.a4 0-0 10.b4 – see 8...0-0.

In answer to the move 8...f6, it would be very good for White to play immediately 9.c4!, for
example: 9...0-0 10.Nc3ƒ Black’s pawn-centre is under an attack, the consequences of the idea e6-e5
are disastrous for him and his kingside is vulnerable.

8...Qc7 9.b3!?. White is preparing a pawn-offensive on the queenside. 9...b6 10.c4 Bb4 (10...Bb7
11.Nc3 a6 12.a3²) 11.Re3 Bb7 12.a3 Bd6 13.Nc3± Now, Black cannot castle kingside in view of the
standard bishop-sacrifice on h7. White is threatening Nb5 and there is tension in the centre, which is
rather unpleasant for Black. His d5-pawn is hanging and in the variation 13...0-0-0? 14.Nb5 Qd7
15.Nxd6+ Qxd6, Yi Wei – Jun Zhao, Xinghua 2020, his king’s position will come immediately under
a crushing attack after 16.c5! bxc5 (16...Qc7 17.b4+–) 17.dxc5 Qxc5 18.b4 Qd6 19.b5 Na5 20.Ne5
Rhf8 21.Bd2+–

8...Bd7 9.a4 0-0 10.Na3 a6 11.Ng5!

abcdefgh
The idea behind White’s last move can be seen in the variation 11...h6 12.Nh7! Re8 13.Nf6+! gxf6
14.Qg4+ Kh8 15.Bxh6 Ng6 16.Qh5 Nce7 17.Bf4+ Kg8 18.Bxd6+– As a result, Black’s king is bare,
White has regained his sacrificed piece and has an extra pawn. His attack against the enemy monarch
continues.
11...g6 12.Nc2 Qc7 13.h3² White has managed to provoke a weakening of Black’s kingside and
later he plans to transfer his queen and knight closer to the enemy king with Qg4-h4 and Ne3-g4.
11...Nf5 12.g4!? Nh4 13.Bxh7+ Kh8 14.Qd3

40
 abcdefgh
14...f6 15.Nxe6 Bxe6 16.Rxe6 Re8 17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.Nc2² White has obtained several extra
pawns and the moment he completes his development, his position would be considered as winning.
It is essential that he does not lose his bishop in this variation, because after 18...g6 19.Qh3!, Black
would have either to free it from its exile, or exchange it for his knight on h4.

abcdefgh
9.a4

It would be less convincing for White to choose here 9.Ng5 Nf5! 10.g4 Nh4 11.Bxh7+ Kh8÷ He
has won a pawn indeed, but the position of his king has been weakened.

9...f6

41
 9...Ng6 10.b4 Qc7 11.Ba3 a6 12.b5 Na5 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Nbd2² Black’s knight on a5 and his
light-squared bishop may fail to enter the actions anytime soon.

10.b4 e5
10...a6 11.Ba3 Qc7 12.Nbd2²
11.b5 e4 12.bxc6 bxc6

After 12...exf3?! 13.cxb7 Bxb7 14.Qxf3±, it becomes quite unclear why Black has given up a
pawn, because White does not have any defects in his position.

abcdefgh
13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Rxe4² Black has a bishop-pair and this provides him some compensation for the
sacrificed pawn, despite the fact that it is insufficient. Meanwhile, White plans to trade one of the
enemy bishops with the move Ba3.

B2) 7...Nf6
The basic defect of this move is that Black’s knight might get pinned.
8.Bg5

42
 We will analyse now the moves: B2a) 8...Qc7 and B2b) 8...0-0

8...h6 9.Bh4 0-0 (about 9...Bd7 10.Re1 0-0 11.Ne5 – see 8...0-0) 10.Re1 – see 8...0-0.

In response to 8...Qb6, M.Socko – Bai, Abu Dhabi 2019, White must seize the control over the key
e5-square and to preserve his pawn on b2. He can solve both these tasks with the move 9.b4!?

9...Ne4 (9...0-0 10.Nbd2²) 10.Bxe4 dxe4 11.Nfd2 h6 (11...Qc7 12.Qh5 0-0 13.Nxe4² White has
an extra pawn and dangerous threats on the kingside and one of them is already – Nf6+.) 12.Be3 Qc7
13.Nxe4 Bxh2+ 14.Kh1 Bf4 (Black has regained his pawn, but has no time to castle kingside, since
following 14...0-0 15.g3 f5 16.b5 fxe4 17.bxc6 Bxg3 18.fxg3 Bd7 19.Rf4 Qxc6 20.Qe2±, White

43
manages to neutralise all the threats against his king. He only needs to complete accurately his
development and his extra piece would settle the issue.) 15.Qg4 Bg5 16.Na3 0-0 17.Bxg5 f5
18.Nb5± Now, Black would have to compromise his pawn-structure on the kingside in order to
regain his piece.

B2a) 8...Qc7 9.Re1

abcdefgh
9...Bd7

9...Ng4? Black loses two tempi after this move. 10.h3 Nf6 (It would be more consequent for him to
continue here with 10...Nxf2? 11.Kxf2 Bg3+ 12.Kg1 Bxe1 13.Qxe1, but White can begin an
immediate decisive attack in the variation 13...0-0 14.Qh4 h6 15.Bf4 Qb6 16.Qg3 Kh8 17.b3+–,
while following 13...f6 14.Bh4 0-0 15.Nbd2±, White can prepare gradually his attack after
completing at first his development, Olchowko – Kotula, Borowice 2012.)

44
 11.c4!? (White has a very good alternative here – 11.Nbd2 Bd7, Nuernberger – Tauchmann,
Bayern 2014, 12.Rc1², he plans to advance c3-c4 and although there would arise an isolated pawn on
d4 in his position, Black’s pieces are displaced to attack it effectively.) 11...dxc4 (11...Bd7 12.Nc3±)
12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Bxc4 0-0 14.Nc3 a6 15.d5 Na5 16.dxe6 Qxc4 (16...Nxc4 17.Nd5+– Black will
have to give up a piece for the enemy pawn on e6 and the pawn-shelter of his king is in ruins.)
17.Qxd6 Bxe6 18.Ne4+– Black’s king is horribly endangered and White’s queen, together with his
two knights, are very likely to checkmate it soon.
9...Nd7 10.c4!? Black has abandoned the control over the d5-square, so it would be quite logical for
White to attack it immediately. (It would be also good for him to continue in a standard fashion
10.Nbd2 0-0 11.Rc1²) 10...dxc4 11.Bxc4

abcdefgh

45
 11...h6 (11...0-0 12.Nc3 Nb6 13.Bb3 Bd7 14.Rc1² Black’s pieces are misplaced in order to fight
effectively against White’s isolated pawn on d4.) 12.Bh4 Nb6 13.Bb3 Na5, Wilke – Zoll, Germany
1998. Here, White must preserve on the board his light-squared bishop, since it is one of his most
important attacking pieces. 14.Bc2 Nd5 15.Nc3 Nxc3 16.bxc3 0-0 (16...Qxc3? 17.Rc1 Qa3
18.Ba4+–) 17.Qd3 f5 18.Bg3± After the trade of the dark-squared bishops, the weakness of the e5-
square would hurt Black even more.

10.Nbd2

abcdefgh
10...h6

10...Ng4 11.Nf1 h6 12.Bh4 g5 13.Bg3 Bxg3 14.Nxg3 0-0-0, Johansson – Miezis, Stockholm 2013.
The standard action in a position with castling on opposite sides is to organise an attack against the
enemy king, so 15.b4! and here, after 15...Kb8 16.b5 Na5 17.Nh5±, it turns out that Black has no
threats on the kingside, since his own knight on g4 impedes the advance of his pawns and it cannot
retreat, so after 15...h5 16.Nxg5 Rdg8 17.Nxf7 Nxf2 18.Qd2 h4 19.Nxh8 hxg3 20.Ng6+–, his attack
would be over, while he would remain an exchange down. In addition his rook on g8, the knight on
c6 and the bishop on d7 would remain completely isolated from the actions.

11.Bh4

46
 11...g5

11...Nh5 12.c4! (In answer to 12.Ne5, Novotny – Wiedersich, Hradec Kralove 1995, Black can
accept the pawn-sacrifice 12...Bxe5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Qxh5 Nxd3 15.Bg3 Qc5 16.Nb3 Qe7 17.Re2
Nc5 18.Bh4 Qd6÷) 12...Nf4 13.Bf1 dxc4 14.Nxc4 Nd5 15.Nxd6+ Qxd6 16.Bg3 Qb4 17.a3 Qb6
18.Bd6 Nce7 19.Bc5 Qd8 20.Bc4± Black will have great problems to complete his development,
because he would be incapable of castling kingside due to the possibility Bxd5.

12.Bg3 Bxg3 13.hxg3 0-0-0 14.b4 Ng4

abcdefgh
Now, White must play actively immediately: 15.b5! (In the game Marzano – Spano Cuomo,

47
Cecchina 1997, there followed 15.a4 and after 15...h5 16.Nxg5 Rdg8„, Black could have obtained
excellent prospects on the kingside.) 15...Na5 16.Rc1 Kb8 17.Qe2 f5 18.c4! dxc4 19.Nxc4 Nxc4
20.Bxc4 Qd6. Here, he would have the pleasant choice between 21.a4!?‚ and the more natural line:
21.Bxe6 Bxe6 22.Qxe6 Qxe6 23.Rxe6±, with an extra central pawn, while Black’s knight on g4 has
no moves.

B2b) 8...0-0
Black can hardly continue comfortably this game without castling kingside.
9.Re1

abcdefgh
9...h6

9...Be7?! Black is reluctant to put up with the unpleasant pin, but coming back with the bishop to
the e7-square is an obvious loss of a tempo. 10.Nbd2 Bd7 (10...h6 11.Bf4 Nh5 12.Be3 f5 13.Ne5
Nf6 14.Ng6 Re8 15.Bf4± Black’s pawn on e6 is hopelessly weak, as well as the e5-square.) 11.Ne5
Nxe5 12.dxe5 Ne8 13.Bxe7 (White has a very interesting alternative here 13.Qh5!? g6 14.Bxe7
Qxe7 15.Qh6 f5 16.Nf3± Black’s king’s position has been weakened, while White’s pawn on e5
cramps considerably Black’s pieces.) 13...Qxe7 14.Nf3 h6 15.Nd4 Qg5, Martin Martin – Gil
Fernandez, Collado Villalba 2010, 16.Re3± Black’s queen will be attacked by White’s pieces,
Black’s bishop on d7 is practically useless and his knight is a sorry sight as well.

10.Bh4 Be7

10...Bd7 11.Ne5 Be7 12.Nd2 Rc8 13.Ndf3 Nh5 14.Bxe7 Qxe7, Baciu – Popa, Calimanesti 2014
(The move 14...Nxe7?? would lead to the loss of a piece for Black after 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Ne5+–)
15.Re3ƒ. White has excellent attacking prospects on the kingside, while Black has no counterplay

48
whatsoever.

11.Nbd2

abcdefgh
11...Nd7

11...Nh5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Bc2± The defence of Black’s kingside would be very difficult for him
with his dark-squared bishop absent from the board, so he has no time for the activation of his light-
squared bishop. After 13...Qf6?! 14.Ne5 Nf4 15.Ndf3 Ne7? 16.Ng4+–, Black would need to give up
a piece in order to save his queen, Pham – Nguyen, Vietnam 2013.

11...Qc7 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nh7 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Qc2 g6, Floch – Fouques, France 1997,
16.Nb3 Bd7 17.Nd4± White’s game is tremendously easy now. He has to transfer his rook to the
kingside with Re1-e3-g3 (h3) and then to bring his second rook to the actions on the kingside. If
necessary, he might advance his h2-pawn, while Black has no active possibilities whatsoever.

12.Bxe7 Nxe7

12...Qxe7, Ali Marandi – Soysal, Konya 2019, 13.Re3 a6 14.a4 Nf6 15.Ne5² Black’s queenside
actions have reached their dead end, while White can continue to bring pieces to the kingside
preparing an attack there.

49
 13.Nf1!?
White plans to deploy his forces like Ng3-h5, Qd2-f4-g3, organising a dangerous attack.
It is also possible for him to follow with the calmer line: 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Qb6 15.Qb3 Qxb3
16.axb3 Bd7, Janke – Sahidi, Senica 2011, 17.f4² White’s minor pieces are much more powerful than
their counterparts, which can be seen by a naked eye.

13...Nf6

After 13...Rb8, White can try to realise his main idea in this position: 14.Ng3 b5 15.a3 a5 16.Nh5
b4 17.cxb4 axb4 18.a4 Ra8 19.Rc1 Bb7 20.Qd2 Rxa4 21.Qf4‚

14.Ng3 Bd7 15.Ne5 Nc6 16.Re3 Rb8 17.Bc2 b5 18.Qd3‚

50
 18...Be8

Following 18...b4 19.Nh5 Ne4 20.Rg3!, Black may parry his opponent’s attack only if he parts
with his knight 20...g6 21.Nxd7 Qxd7 22.Qxe4 dxe4 23.Nf6+–

19.Rf3 g6 20.Qe3 Kh7 21.Ne2 Rc8 22.Rh3 h5 23.g4+–

51
 Chapter 3
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 g6 6.Nf3

We will analyse now: A) 6...Qc7 and B) 6...Bg7.

About 6...Nh6 7.0-0 Bf5 (7...Bg7 8.Bf4 – see variation B1) 8.Be2 Bg7 9.Bf4 – see variation B1.

6...Bg4 7.0-0 Bg7 8.Bf4 Qb6, Barglowski – Stryjecki, Krakow 2004 (about 8...Nf6 9.Nbd2 – see
variation B2) 9.b4!? Nf6 10.Nbd2 0-0 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3² White has the two-bishop advantage and
is ready to advance his b4-pawn ensuring the occupation of the e5-square.

6...Nf6 7.Bf4 Bf5 (about 7...Bg4 8.Nbd2 Bg7 9.0-0 – see variation B1; 7...Bg7 8.0-0, or 7...Nh5
8.Be3 Bg7 9.0-0 – see variation B2) 8.Bxf5 gxf5 9.Qb3

52
 9...Qd7 10.Ne5 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Bg7 12.Nd2 0-0 13.Nf3 Ne4, Pavelka – Hosek, Czech Republic
2014, after 14.Bf4 Rfc8 15.0-0², White plans to transfer his rook from a1 to e2, to deploy his knight
on d3 and to oust the enemy knight away from the e4-square with the move f2-f3. Later, he will
prepare an attack on the kingside, beginning with the pawn-advance g2-g4.
9...Qb6 10.Na3 e6, Alaz – Magalashvili, Istanbul 2017 (10...Qxb3 11.axb3 Nh5 12.Bd2 Bg7,
Aparicio Garcia – Lobo Rodriguez, Oviedo 2000. Now, White must fix the enemy pawn on a7 as
quickly as possible. 13.b4 0-0 14.Nc2² His plans include the pawn-advance b4-b5 and an attack
against the pawn on a7 and if Black plays a7-a6, then White’s knight on c2 will be headed for the c5-
square via d3.) 11.Qxb6 axb6 12.Nb5 Kd7 13.Ke2² Black’s compromised pawn-structure on the
queenside dooms him to a long and laborious defence, since he has considerable problems to organise
active counterplay.

6...Bf5 7.Bxf5 gxf5 8.Bg5!?

53
 This is an interesting decision. White does not allow the enemy knight to occupy the f6-square and
plans to turn his opponent’s kingside pawn-structure into ruins. He also impedes the appearance of
the enemy bishop to the d6-square where it would be much better placed than on g7.
In response to 8...Qb6, Predojevic – Saltaev, Germany 2018, it seems very good for White to
continue with the sharp line: 9.0-0!? Qxb2?! (This is a principled decision for Black, but still, it
would have been better for him to choose here 9...Bg7 10.Nbd2²) 10.Nbd2 Qxc3 (Black must
capture now a second pawn; otherwise it would have attacked the centre: 10...e6 11.c4! Nge7 12.Re1
Qb6 13.Bxe7 Nxe7 14.cxd5 Nxd5 15.Ne5ƒ Black will have serious problems to complete his
development, for example: 15...Bg7?? 16.Qa4+–) 11.Rb1 Bg7 (11...0-0-0? 12.Qe2 Qa5 13.Rfc1 Bg7
14.Nb3 Qc7 15.Nc5+–) 12.Rxb7± At the price of only a pawn, White has kept the enemy king
stranded in the centre and is ready to organise a crushing attack against it with all his forces.
8...Bh6 9.Bxh6 Nxh6 10.0-0 e6 11.Nbd2 Ng4 12.Qe2² Black has managed to trade his passive
bishop, but has lost too much time for that. His main problem now is that no matter where he would
evacuate his king, it would be rather unsafe. If White manages to advance c3-c4, followed by d4-d5,
then Black’s pawn-structure in the centre would be tremendously vulnerable.
8...Bg7 9.0-0 Nf6 10.Nbd2 0-0 11.Ne1 e6 (11...Ne4, Szilagyi – Kluger, Budapest 1952, 12.Be3 e6
13.Nd3² White’s knight is perfectly placed on the d3-square and from there it not only impedes his
opponent’s queenside pawn-minority attack, but is also ready to join into his kingside operations at an
opportune moment.) 12.Nd3 Ne7 13.Bxf6 Bxf6, Shcherbakov – Sosnicki, Minsk 1998. In this
position White must continue with active actions on the kingside. 14.Qh5 Kh8 15.Kh1 Ng6 16.g4
fxg4 17.Rg1 Rg8 18.Rxg4 Rg7 19.Rag1 Qe7 20.Nf3 Rag8 21.Qh6 Nf8 22.R4g3² Black has no
counterplay at all and if he exchanges on g3 this would only improve White’s pawn-structure.
8...Qc7. The basic defect of this move is that Black’s control over the all-important central d5-
square is diminished and White can exploit this immediately. 9.0-0 e6

54
 10.c4!? (This move is much more energetic than 10.Re1 Be7, Dominguez Perez – Kobalia, Moscow
2019, 11.Qd2², although even then White’s play would be much easier and simpler.) 10...Nge7
11.Bf6 Rg8 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.c5 Nc6 14.Nc3² Black is incapable of creating any real threats on the
kingside, while White has a clear cut plan for an offensive on the queenside.

A) 6...Qc7
It is considered that White’s bishop is perfectly placed on f4, so Black’s move with the queen
seems to be quite logical. The basic defect of this move is that Black loses his control over the d5-
square, so he would need to consider the possibility – c3-c4!?
7.0-0

55
 7...Bg7

7...Nf6 8.Re1 Bf5? Aronian – Nepomniachtchi, chess.com 2020. Suddenly Black loses a pawn after
this standard exchange. (He should better play 8...Bg7 – see variation B2.) 9.Bxf5 gxf5 10.Nh4±
Black’s f5-pawn is beyond salvation.

7...Bf5 8.Bxf5 gxf5 9.c4!?

This is White’s most energetic decision. Black has problems to complete his development without
complying with the appearance of weaknesses in his position.
After 9...Nf6 10.Bg5 Bg7 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.cxd5 Na5 13.Qa4+ Kf8 14.d6 exd6 15.Nc3± Black’s

56
king has remained stranded in the centre and his pawn-structure is just horrible.
9...dxc4 10.Nc3 Rd8 11.Qa4

Following 11...Nf6 12.Qxc4 Qd7 13.Bg5, it would be rather dangerous for Black to choose
13...Nd5 14.Rfe1ƒ – he will have problems to complete his development, as well as 13...Bg7 14.Rfe1
0-0 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.d5 Na5 17.Qf4 b5 18.a4 Nc4 19.axb5 Nxb2 20.Re3± White is already perfectly
prepared to begin an attack against the enemy monarch, while Black will have to worry about how to
save his knight isolated on the b2-square.
11...Qa5 12.Qxc4 Nf6 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd5 (14...Qxe5? 15.Bf4 Qd4 16.Qb5+ Qd7
17.Qb3+–) 15.Nxd5 Qxd5 16.Qa4+ b5 17.Qxa7 Bg7 18.Bg5 Rd7 19.Qb8+ Rd8 20.Qc7 Rd7 21.Qc2
0-0 22.Rfd1 Qe6 23.Rxd7 Qxd7 24.Qe2± White has preserved his extra pawn and the protection of
Black’s king is much inferior than that of his counterpart.
8.Re1

57
 abcdefgh
8...Nf6

8...Nh6 9.Bg5 0-0 10.Qd2 Nf5 11.Na3 a6 12.Bf4 Nd6 13.Nc2² Later, White’s knight will go to
the e3-square and eventually to g4.

8...Bg4 9.h3 Bd7 (9...Bxf3 10.Qxf3 Nf6 11.Bg5 0-0 12.Nd2² White has obtained the two-bishop
advantage and has attacked an enemy pawn. He is ready to continue to concentrate his forces in the
centre and on the kingside and to double his rooks on the e-file. It is essential that Black will have
great problems to organise any active counterplay.) 10.Nbd2

abcdefgh
10...e6 (10...Nf6 11.Ne5 0-0 12.Ndf3²) 11.Nb3 Nge7 12.Nc5 0-0 13.h4 Bc8 14.h5 e5 15.h6 Bh8

58
16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Nb3 Nc6 19.Be3² Anwuli – Ankit, Dubai 2016. Black’s king is
rather unsafe and his isolated d5-pawn has been reliably blocked. After an eventual trade of the dark-
squared bishops, his position would become even worse, since the dark squares on his kingside would
become even more vulnerable.

9.Nbd2 0-0

abcdefgh
10.Qe2

What Black is trying to do can be best illustrated by the game Karjakin – Vachier Lagrave, Saint
Louis 2018: 10.Nf1 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Qd1 Nxd3 15.Qxd3 Qc6 16.Be3
Ne4 17.Bd4 Nc5 18.Qd2 Bxd4 19.Qxd4 Ne6 20.Qf6 d4= White cannot attack effectively his
opponent’s isolated d5-pawn, because it would be unavoidably exchanged. He cannot utilise for an
attack the weakened dark squares around Black’s king either, because it would be very difficult for
him to bring pieces there quickly.

10...Nh5

10...Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3² and White obtains the two-bishop advantage, Kannenberg – Bildt,
Fuerth 2014.

10...Bf5 11.Bxf5 gxf5 12.Nb3 Ne4 13.Ng5 e6 14.Nh3 b6 15.Bf4 Qd7 16.f3 Nf6 17.Nc1 Nh5
18.Bd2 Ne7 19.Nd3² Later, White’s plan includes the organisation of an attack against the enemy
king and he can do that with the move g2-g4, occupying the e5-square.

11.Nb3 Nf4 12.Bxf4 Qxf4 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5

59
 abcdefgh
White’s knight has obtained the excellent d4-square. In combination with his extra space and active
pieces, this provides him with a very comfortable game.

14...Bg4
After 14...e6, Astasio Lopez – Camarena Gimenez, Mislata 2007, Black closes voluntarily his
bishop inside his own camp. 15.g3 Qh6 16.h4 f6 17.exf6 Bxf6 18.Bc2² Now, he will have problems
to advance his central pawns and they have turned into an excellent object for an attack by White.
Black’s light-squared bishop is horribly isolated from the actions and his kingside is vulnerable.

15.f3 Bf5 16.Bxf5 Qxf5 17.Rad1 Rad8 18.Qe3 b6 19.Nd4² White’s knight is more powerful than
Black’s bishop, since it is restricted by the pawn on e5. The only way for him to get rid of it would
lead to the weakening of the e6-square.

B) 6...Bg7 7.Bf4

60
 We will deal now with B1) 7...Nh6 and B2) 7...Nf6.

7...Bf5 8.Bxf5 gxf5 9.0-0 e6 (about 9...Nf6 10.Ne5 – see variation B2) 10.Nbd2 Nge7 11.Nb3
Ng6, Dek – L’Ami, Hilversum 2009, 12.Bd2 0-0 13.Re1 Re8 14.Nc5 b6 15.Nd3² White plans to oust
the enemy knight on g6 with h4-h5, occupying later key squares in the centre and on the kingside.

7...Bg4 8.Nbd2 f6. Black wishes to occupy the centre with the move e7-e5. (about 8...Nf6 9.0-0 –
see variation B2) 9.0-0 e5 (as for 9...Nh6 10.Re1 – see 7...f6) 10.Re1 Nge7. Black has managed to
occupy the centre, but it would be subjected to an attack, since he lags considerably in development.
(Black cannot win a piece, because in the variation 10...e4? 11.Bxe4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nge7 13.Nd6+
Kf8 14.Qb3+–, the only way for him to defend against being checkmated on f7 would be to give back
all the gobbled material.) 11.dxe5 fxe5 12.Bg5 0-0 13.c4² Now, Black’s beautiful centre will be
either destroyed, or will be deprived of its mobility, because he would lose after the logical line:
13...e4? 14.cxd5 exf3 15.dxc6 Qxd3 16.cxb7+– and his knight on e7 is hanging as well as his rook on
a8.

7...Qb6 8.Qb3. Now, irrelevant of where the queens would be exchanged, on b6 or on b3, the
endgame will be in favour of White. 8...Qxb3. If Black allows the exchange on b6, his doubled pawns
would be a chronic weakness. 9.axb3. Now, White’s b3-pawn will be advanced, occupying additional
space on the queenside and his rook on a1 will become an active participant in the fight. 9...Nf6 10.b4
0-0 11.Nbd2 Bg4 12.b5 Nd8 13.h3 Ne6, Spicak – Piotrowski, Warsaw 2013, 14.Bh2 Bf5 15.Bxf5
gxf5 16.Nh4 f4 17.Nf5± White’s knight on f5 is very powerful, while Black’s pawn on a7 and his
pawn on f4 are permanent weaknesses.

7...f6 8.0-0 Bg4 (about 8...Nh6 9.c4 – see variation B1) 9.Re1

61
 9...Qb6, Prelati – Napoli, Di Roseto 2010, 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 Rd8 12.b4+– It is now almost
impossible for Black to complete the development of his kingside: 12...Nh6 13.Bxh6 Bxh6 14.Qxf6.
9...Qd7, Cornette – Genzling, Espalion 2017, 10.Nbd2 Nh6 (10...0-0-0?! 11.b4‚) 11.Nb3 b6 12.h3
Bxf3 13.Qxf3 0-0 14.Bb5± The transfer of White’s knight to the b3-square has provoked additional
weakness of the light squares in Black’s camp. The pin of his knight on c6 is very unpleasant and it
would be tremendously difficult for him to get rid of it.
9...Nh6 10.Nbd2 0-0 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3 Nf7, Teuffer – T.Hoffmann, Bad Duerkheim 1997.
Black has the rather unpleasant threat e7-e5, followed by e5-e4, so White must attack immediately his
opponent’s centre. 13.c4! e5 14.dxe5 fxe5 15.cxd5 Qxd5 16.Bg3 Rad8 17.Be4± Black’s e5-pawn is
weak and his pieces are squeezed with its defence, while the light squares on the board are practically
dominated by White’s light-squared bishop, since it has no opponent.

B1) 7...Nh6
The main idea behind this move is the transfer of Black’s knight to the f7-square and the
subsequent pawn-advance e7-e5, obtaining a mobile pawn-centre.
8.0-0

62
 8...0-0

About 8...Bf5 9.Be2 0-0 10.Re1, or 8...Nf5 9.Re1 0-0 10.h3 – see 8...0-0.
8...f6 9.c4!

This is a standard reaction against the weakening of the light squares on Black’s kingside.
9...0-0 10.cxd5 Qxd5 11.Nc3 Qd8, Onur – Gulsoy, Istanbul 2018. Black’s kingside has become
vulnerable. 12.h3 Nf7 13.Be4 e5 14.dxe5 fxe5 15.Be3± Black’s e5-pawn is weak, the shelter of his
king is not sufficiently reliable and his bishop on g7 is passive.
9...Bg4 10.cxd5 Bxf3 (10...Qxd5 11.Nc3 Qd7 12.d5 Nd4 13.Nxd4 Bxd1 14.Bb5 Bg4 15.Ne6±
White regains his queen and wishes to occupy quickly with his rooks the penultimate rank.) 11.Qxf3

63
Nxd4 12.Qe3 Ndf5 (12...Nhf5 13.Qe4 0-0 14.Nc3± Black’s knight on d4 lacks sufficient support,
his bishop on g7 is passive and the pawn on e7 is weak.) 13.Qh3 0-0 14.Nc3 Qc8, Santos – Blanco
Sanchez, Madrid 2012, 15.Rfe1 g5 16.Bd2± All White’s pieces are perfectly placed, while Black has
great problems to activate his forces and to coordinate them. His pawn on e7 is weak as well as the
entire light-squared complex in his camp.
9.Re1

abcdefgh
9...f6

9...a6. This is a loss of a tempo for Black. 10.h3 f6 11.c4 dxc4 (Following 11...e6 12.Nc3 Nf7
13.cxd5 exd5 14.Qb3±, Black will have serious problems with the protection of his pawn on d5. In
response to 14...Ne7, he would need also to consider the possibility 15.Rxe7!) 12.Bxc4+ Kh8 13.d5
Na5 14.Bf1± Black’s pawn on e7 is weak and he risks losing his knight on a5. In addition he has
great problems with his development.

9...Kh8 10.Qd2 Nf5 11.Na3 a6 (11...f6 12.h3²) 12.Nc2 Nd6 13.Ne3 e6 14.h4 f6, A.Horvath –
Berescu, Szatmarnemeti 1996. As usual, White should counter Black’s attempt to advance e7-e5 with
the preventive strike 15.c4! dxc4 16.Nxc4 Nb5 (Black’s only possible counterplay here is connected
with an attack against White’s isolated pawn on d4.) 17.h5 Nbxd4 (17...g5 18.Be3 g4?? 19.h6+–)
18.Nxd4 Qxd4 19.Be3+– White will capture the enemy bishop on his next move with h6-h7.

9...Bf5. White should better avoid the trade of his light-squared bishop, because it may become a
very important piece for him at an opportune moment.

64
 It deserves attention for him to try here 10.Be2!?N, for example: 10...f6 (10...Rc8 11.Qd2 Ng4
12.h3 Nf6 13.Qd1 Ne4 14.Nbd2²) 11.c4 Be4 (11...e6 12.h3² with the idea g4) 12.cxd5 Bxd5 13.Nc3
e6 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.b4² Black cannot capture the pawn on b4, because after Qd2, he would lose a
piece. He has great problems to coordinate his pieces.
10.Bf1 f6, Kobalia – Rozman, chess.com 2020, 11.c4! Be4 12.Nbd2 (It may be also interesting for
White here to transfer into a technical endgame with the line: 12.cxd5!? Bxd5 13.Nc3 Bxf3 14.Qxf3
Nxd4 15.Qxb7 e5 16.Bd2 Rb8 17.Qxa7 Rxb2 18.Bxh6 Bxh6 19.Reb1 Rb8 20.Rxb8 Qxb8 21.Qxb8
Rxb8 22.a4ƒ and his passed a4-pawn would provide him with excellent winning chances.)

12...f5 (Following 12...Bxf3 13.Nxf3 Kh8 14.Rc1±, having preserved his valuable light-squared
bishop, White maintains complete domination over the entire complex of light squares all over the

65
entire board. 14...Nf5? 15.cxd5 Qxd5 16.Bc4 Qd8 17.d5 Na5 18.Bf1 b6 19.Ba6+– Black’s knight on
a5 has been trapped and will perish unavoidably after the move b4.) 13.Nxe4 fxe4 14.Bxh6 Bxh6
15.cxd5 exf3 16.dxc6 bxc6 17.g3± Black has so many weak pawns in his position that White’s
prospects are clearly preferable.

9...Re8 10.h3 Nf5 (10...Bf5 11.Bf1 f6. Here, besides the standard move 12.c4!, White has another
very interesting alternative – 12.g4!? Be4 13.Nbd2 Bxf3 14.Qxf3 Nf7 15.Rad1 e5 16.dxe5 fxe5
17.Bg3 Rf8 18.Qd3 e4 19.Qb5 Nfe5 20.Bg2± Black’s central pawns are under an attack and their
defence would be a very difficult task for him.) 11.Na3 a6, Lezcano Jaen – Roos, Las Palmas 1993,
12.Nc2

abcdefgh
12...f6 (12...b5 13.Ne5 Na5 14.Nb4± Black’s knight on a5 is misplaced and White has the
unpleasant threat a2-a4.) 13.c4 dxc4 14.Bxc4+ e6 (14...Kh8 15.d5±) 15.a3 b5 16.Ba2² Black’s e6-
pawn is weak, his bishop on g7 is horribly misplaced for the fight against his opponent’s isolated
pawn and Black must consider at every move White’s pawn-break d4-d5.

9...Nf5. The fact that Black’s knight is not headed already for the f7-square is a definite
achievement for White. 10.h3

66
 10...a6 11.Nbd2 Re8, Szczepkowska – Gunina, Reykjavik 2015, 12.a4² White prevents the enemy
pawn-advance b7-b5, so it is not easy to see what Black plans to do next, while one of the possible
ideas for White would be to advance his queenside pawns.
10...f6. Black wishes to push e7-e5. 11.Nbd2 Re8 12.Qb3 e5 13.dxe5 fxe5 14.Bg5 Qd6 15.g4 Nh6
(In answer to 15...Nfe7, Caessens – Franke, Germany 2009, it would be very good for White to
centralise 16.Ne4 Qe6 17.Bxe7! Nxe7 18.Neg5 Qd6 19.Rad1± Black’s central pawns have turned
into an excellent object for an attack.) 16.c4! Be6 17.cxd5 Bxd5 18.Bc4 Bxc4 19.Nxc4 Qd5 20.Rad1
Nd4 21.Ncxe5 Qxb3 22.axb3 Nxb3 23.Nd7 Nf7 24.Nf6+ Bxf6 25.Bxf6² The bishop is much
stronger than the knight in actions on both sides of the board. White’s rook is ready to penetrate to the
penultimate rank and Black’s king is rather unsafe.
10...Nd6 11.Nbd2

67
 In response to 11...f6, Shyam – Nihal, Voronezh 2017, having in mind that Black is not threatening
e7-e5, White can begin actions against the enemy knight on e6 with 12.b4!?, for example: 12...Kh8
(12...Bf5 13.Bxf5 Nxf5 14.Nb3± White’s knight is headed for the e6-outpost.) 13.b5 Na5 14.Qe2
Re8 15.Nh4± Black has great problems with the defence of his kingside and would lose quickly if he
follows with the consequent line: 15...e5 16.Nxg6+ hxg6 17.Bxg6+–
11...b6 12.Ne5 Bb7, Svane – Vastrukhin, chess.com 2020. Black’s bishop on b7 is useless and the
only defender of his kingside is his bishop on g7, so it seems quite logical for White to play
aggressively 13.h4 e6 14.h5 Qh4 15.Ng4 Rad8 16.hxg6 fxg6 17.Bg3± Black’s pawn on e6 is a
chronic weakness and White will attack it.
11...Bf5 12.Bf1! It would be reasonable for White to avoid here the trade of the light-squared
bishops. 12...Rc8 (12...h6 13.Bh2 g5, Bruedigam – Papp, chess.com 2020, 14.a4!? Rc8 15.Qb3 e6
16.Qa3²) 13.Qb3 e6 14.g4!? (This move is stronger than 14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.g4 Be4 16.Nxe4 dxe4
17.Rxe4² Sokolin – Klekowski, chess.com 2020. Now, White has an extra pawn, but his king is a bit
weakened.) 14...Be4 15.Qa3 Nc4 16.Bxc4 Bxf3 17.Bd3 Qf6 18.Qd6± There is material balance on
the board, but Black must parry the threat Be5 and he cannot do that with the help of the active move
18...Rfd8?, because of 19.g5+–

10.c4!
This strike against the centre is practically always very effective after f7-f6, since following it there
arise unavoidably multiple weaknesses on the light squares in Black’s position.

68
 10...Bg4

10...Nb4 11.Bf1!? This potentially dangerous bishop should be better preserved by White.
(Meanwhile, he can also play here 11.Nc3 g5, Kobalia – Weetik, chess.com 2020, 12.Be3 Nxd3
13.Qxd3 Bf5 14.Qe2² – Black’s dark-squared bishop has been restricted by his own pawns and his
e7-pawn is weak.) 11...Bf5 12.Nh4 Be4 13.cxd5 f5 14.Nc3 Nxd5 15.Nxe4 Nxf4 16.Ng5± White’s
light-squared bishop will go soon to the c4-square and will become very powerful there. Black’s king
will be greatly endangered.

10...dxc4 11.Bxc4+ Kh8 12.Nc3 (White has a very good alternative here 12.d5!? Ne5 13.Nxe5
fxe5 14.Bg3 Qb6 15.Qb3², Black’s pawns on the e-file are weak and his minor pieces are very
passive.) 12...Bg4 (12...g5 13.Be3²) 13.d5 Ne5 14.Be2 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 Qb6, Bioret – Galan, France
2005, 16.Rb1² Black has no compensation for his weak backward pawn on e7.
10...Nf7 11.cxd5 Qxd5 (11...Nb4 12.Nc3 Nxd3 13.Qxd3 Nd6, Kokanovic – Lazic, Cetinje 1992,
14.Nd2 Bf5 15.Qf3± Black will have great problems on the e-file, he must protect both his e7-pawn
as well as the e6-square and can only dream about activating somehow his pieces.) 12.Nc3

69
 12...Qa5, Kokoszczynski – Wikar, Warsaw 2019, 13.Qb3 Bg4 (13...e5 14.dxe5 fxe5 15.Be3±
Black’s e5-pawn is weak, while White’s pieces are much better coordinated.) 14.Qxb7 Rac8 15.Be2±
White has an extra pawn and Black still has numerous weaknesses in his position to worry about.
12...Qd8 13.Be4 f5, Oliva Valero – Chevannes, Sabadell 2010 (13...Nxd4?, Manic – Jablonicky,
Trnava 1983, 14.Nxd4 e5 15.Ndb5. Now, after 15...exf4 16.Bd5+–, Black’s position crumbles in
view of White’s threats Nd6 and even the immediate capturing on f7, while after an eventual transfer
into an endgame with 15...Qxd1 16.Raxd1 exf4 17.Bd5 Bg4 18.f3+–, White’s pieces would be so
active that he would be very likely to win soon much material.) 14.Bxc6 bxc6 15.Qc2 Bxd4. Without
this move White will place his rook from a1 to d1 and will send his knight to the c5-outpost. 16.Rad1
c5 17.Nb5 Bb7 18.Nbxd4 cxd4 19.Nxd4 Qd5 20.f3 Rac8 21.Qe2± Black’s pawn on e7 will be soon
blocked by White’s knight and Black’s light-squared bishop has been neutralised by the pawns on g2
and f3, the dark squares on his kingside are weak and because of that the safety of his king is
seriously endangered.

11.cxd5

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 11...Nxd4

In response to 11...Qxd5, Marcus – Westerinen Wijk aan Zee 1976, White can protect his pawn on
d4 with 12.Nbd2 Kh8 (he was threatening 13.Bc4) 13.Be4 Qd7 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Nxf3 Nf5 16.d5 Ne5
17.Qe2 Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Nd4 19.Qxe7 Nxf3+ 20.gxf3 Qxh3 21.Bg3 Rad8 22.d6± The passed d-pawn
is tremendously dangerous.
12.Bc4

abcdefgh
12...Bxf3

But not 12...Nxf3+? 13.gxf3 Bh3, Bapple – Smail, ICCF 2012, 14.d6+ e6 15.Bxe6+ Bxe6

71
16.Rxe6+–

In the variation 12...Nhf5 13.d6+ e6 14.Bxe6+ Nxe6 15.Rxe6², White will have an extra central
pawn and Black’s attempt to weaken the position of the enemy king with 15...Bxf3? 16.gxf3 Qb6,
Urban – Barrios Troncoso, ICCF 2000, would lead to a hopeless position for him: 17.Nc3+– White’s
powerful passed d6-pawn and the excellent coordination of his pieces is decisive.

13.Qxd4 e5 14.Qd2

It is also possible for White to play here 14.Qd3 Bg4 15.Bd2 Nf7 16.Bb4 Nd6 17.Nc3² White’s
passed d6-pawn is very strong and Black’s blocking knight on d6 can be either ousted from there, or
exchanged.

abcdefgh
14...Nf5

But not 14...exf4 15.d6+ Kh8 16.gxf3 f5 17.Nc3+–

15.gxf3 exf4 16.d6+ Kh8 17.d7± White’s passed pawn has squeezed Black’s major pieces.

B2) 7...Nf6
This is the most natural development of Black’s knight.
8.0-0

72
 8...0-0

He has numerous possibilities to choose from, but practically all of them would lead to one and the
same variation: 8...Bg4 9.Nbd2 0-0 10.h3, or 9...Nh5 10.Be3 0-0 11.h3, or 8...Nh5 9.Be3 0-0
10.Nbd2, or 9...Qc7 10.Re1 0-0 11.Nbd2, or 9...Qd6 10.Re1 0-0 11.Nbd2, or 10...Nf4 11.Bf1 0-0
12.Nbd2, or 10...Bg4 11.Nbd2 0-0 12.h3 – see 8...0-0.

8...Bf5 9.Bxf5 gxf5

10.Ne5 e6 (about 10...0-0 11.Nd2 – see 8...0-0) 11.Nd2 Nxe5, Yudasin – Magem Badals, Leon
1992 (11...0-0 12.Nd3 – see 8...0-0; 11...Ne4 12.Nxe4!? fxe4 13.Nxc6 bxc6 14.Qg4 Kf8 15.Qe2 h5

73
16.f3ƒ. White has excellent attacking prospects.) 12.dxe5!? Ne4 13.Nb3 Rc8 (13...0-0? 14.f3+–)
14.Qe2 0-0 15.Kh1 Kh8 16.f3 Nc5 17.Nd4± White’s pieces have occupied wonderful positions and
his task is to prepare a decisive attack against Black’s monarch.
It is also possible for White to opt here for 10.Nbd2 Ne4 (about 10...0-0 11.Ne5 – see 8...0-0)
11.Ne5!? (as for 11.Ne1 0-0 12.Nd3, or 11...e6 12.Nd3 0-0 13.Re1 – see 8...0-0) 11...Nxe5 (11...0-0
12.Nd3 – see 8...0-0) 12.dxe5 Nxd2 13.Qxd2 e6 14.Rfd1 Rc8 15.Qe2² White has completed his
development, while Black’s kingside pawn-structure has been compromised and because of that he
might have serious problems with the defence of his king.

9.Nbd2

9...Nh5

9...b6. Black’s bishop would not be active on the b7-square, but would not impede the the
movements of his other pieces. Still, the first factor is more important. 10.Re1 Bb7 11.Ne5 Nxe5
12.Bxe5 Nd7 13.Bxg7 (13.Bf4!? Rc8 14.Nf3 Nf6 15.a4² White wishes to begin active actions on the
queenside with the move a4-a5.) 13...Kxg7 14.Nf3² Coimbra – Lindholm, Mureck 1998. After the
exchange of the dark-squared bishops, Black’s king is obviously insufficiently protected, so White
should consider an offensive on the kingside with the help of the pawn-advance h4-h5.
9...Bd7 10.Re1 Nh5 11.Be3 Qc7 12.Nb3 Rae8, Eryshkanova – Charochkina, St Petersburg 2018
(12...e5 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Bxe5 15.g3 Rfe8 16.Bf1² White has a comfortable game against his
opponent’s isolated pawn and if he manages to trade the dark-squared bishops, Black’s king will
become rather unsafe.) 13.Qd2 Bg4 14.Be2² Black will have problems to organise active actions
without creating weaknesses in his own camp.

9...a6 10.Re1

74
 10...Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3 b5, Seul – Sztokbant, chess.com 2020 (about 12...e6 13.Rc1 – see
9...Bg4). Black will hardly manage to fight effectively for the light squares without a light-squared
bishop, so it seems attractive for White to continue with 13.a4!? b4 14.Ne5ƒ Black’s pawns on e5 and
b4 are weak. 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nh5 16.Bh2 Bh6 17.cxb4 Nf4 18.Bf1± White has an extra pawn and
Black has no compensation for it at all.
10...b5 11.Ne5 (11.h3!? b4 12.Rc1 bxc3 13.Rxc3² White has completed his development and plans
to continue with active actions on the c-file.) 11...Nxe5 12.Bxe5

12...Bg4, Van den Bergh – Rademakers, Utrecht 2009, 13.Qc2 Qd7 14.Nb3² White will transfer
his knight to the c5-square and from there it would squeeze Black’s queenside
After 12...Nh5 13.Bxg7 Nxg7, Dudel – Gosciniak, Kolobrzeg 2001, it seems again very good for

75
White to transfer his knight to c5 with 14.Nb3 Bf5 15.Nc5² Later, White plans to begin active
operations on the queenside with the move a2-a4.
12...Qb6, Hug – Bartkowiak, Lienz 2009, 13.a3 Bg4 14.Qb3 Bh6 15.Nf1² Black must find a way
not to lose his pawn on d5, while White’s pieces are perfectly placed and are ready to begin active
actions on both sides of the board.

9...Bf5. Black exchanges the light-squared bishops. This looks like a good decision if we have in
mind the pawn-structures, but ... the shelter of Black’s king is weakened. 10.Bxf5 gxf5 11.Ne5

The idea of White’s last move is easy to understand after 11...Rc8 12.Nd3!?² His knight has
occupied the perfect square in this pawn-structure and is ready to go later to c5, as well as to go to h5
in order to join into his attack on the kingside. In the process, it has prevented Black’s planned pawn-
minority attack on the queenside.
11...e6 12.Nd3 Ne7 (about 12...Ne4 13.Re1 – see 11...Ne4) 13.Re1 Ng6 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6,
Ahmadinia – Tabatabaei, Tabriz 2013. Now, it is the right moment for White to begin active actions
on the kingside. 16.Re3 Kh7 17.Rh3 b5 18.Nf3 a5 19.Qd2² Black’s activity on the queenside has
reached its dead end, while the actions on the kingside are just beginning.
11...Nxe5 12.dxe5!? White’s pawn on e5 cramps considerably Black’s position and he would
hardly manage to exchange it, because then White will occupy important squares on the e-file.
12...Nd7 (It would be worse for Black to choose here 12...Ne4 13.Nb3 Rc8 14.Qe2 Qc7 15.Nd4 e6
16.f3 Nc5 17.Kh1± He is unlikely to manage to break on the queenside, while White will try to
prepare the pawn-advance g2-g4.) 13.Re1 e6 14.Qh5 f6 (Following 14...Rc8 15.Re3‚, Black will
have to try to parry his opponent’s direct attack.) 15.exf6 Nxf6 16.Qe2 Re8 17.Be5 Qb6 18.Rad1²
The dark squares in the centre have been occupied by White and Black’s king is not sufficiently
protected. He cannot win a pawn with the line: 18...Qxb2?! 19.Rb1 Qa3 (This move is necessary in
order to parry the activity of White’s rook, which is rampant on the penultimate rank.) 20.Rxb7 Re7!
21.Rxe7 Qxe7 22.c4 Rd8 23.c5± White’s passed c5-pawn may become very dangerous.

76
 11...Ne4 12.Nd3 e6 13.Re1 Ne7 (13...f6 14.f3 e5 15.Be3 Nxd2 16.Qxd2² Black’s pawns have
been stopped and may turn into an object to attack.) 14.Re3 Ng6 15.Rh3 Nxf4 16.Nxf4 Qg5
(16...Ng5 17.Rg3 Kh8 18.Qh5‚ Now, Black’s kingside is subjected to a powerful attack.) 17.Nxe4
Qxf4 (17...dxe4 18.Nh5 f4 19.Qb1 f5 20.Qc1± Black’s pawn on f4 would need permanent
protection.) 18.Qh5 h6 19.Rh4 Qc7, Ali – Omar, Doha 2011, 20.Nc5± Now, almost all White’s
pieces are taking part into the attack and if he manages to bring his second rook to the kingside the
defence of Black’s king would become nearly impossible.

9...Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Nxf3 e6 12.Re1. Black has succeeded in trading his passive bishop and his
position looks solid at first sight. Still, he will have serious problems to organise active counterplay,
while White can continue to improve patiently his position.

abcdefgh
Following 12...Ne8 13.Qd2 Nd6, Jeremic – Arkell, Berlin 1998, it would be reasonable for White
to bring his last piece into the actions with 14.Rad1 Na5 15.Qe2 Nac4. He has mobilised all his
forces, they are perfectly placed in the centre and are ready for an offensive on the flanks. 16.h4 h5
17.b3 Nb6 18.Bg5 Qc7 19.Ne5± White’s threat 20.Nxg6! Is very powerful and Black must also
consider the possibility g2-g4.
12...Qb6 13.Qd2 (13.Qb3!? Nd7, Prasca Sosa – S.Sanchez, Cartagena 2019. Here, in anticipation
of a very complicated endgame, White should better improve his position on the kingside with 14.g4
Rfe8 15.Kg2²) 13...Na5 14.Ne5 Rac8 15.g4 Nc6, Kincs – Gyomber, Balaton 2005, 16.Re2 Nxe5
17.Bxe5² White’s prospects on the kingside are much better, while the basic defect of Black’s
position is that he will be incapable of organising meaningful counterplay.
12...a6 13.Rc1 Nh5 14.Bh2 Bh6 15.Rc2², White transfers his pieces to the kingside in order to
organise an attack against the enemy monarch.
12...Rc8 13.Qd2 Na5 (Following 13...Re8 14.Re2 Na5 15.Rae1 Nc4 16.Qc1², White is perfectly
prepared to begin an offensive on the kingside.) 14.Qe2 Nc4, De Francesco – Schuette, Bayern 1995.
Now, it would be useful for White to play 15.g4. He plans to follow later with Kg2, Ne5, after which

77
he may bring his h3-pawn into the attack. 15...Nd6 (Black wishes to fight for the e4-square.) 16.Ne5
Nfe4 17.f3 f6 18.Nxg6 hxg6 19.fxe4 e5 20.dxe5 fxe5 21.Bg3± White has an extra pawn and
excellent prospects on the light squares and against his opponent’s pawn-weaknesses.

9...Re8. Black wishes to advance e7-e5. 10.Re1

10...Nh5 11.Be3 e5 (about 11...Qc7 12.Nb3 – see 9...Nh5) 12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.Nf3
Bg7, Bebel – Tyda, Gdansk 2011, 15.Qb3 Nf6 16.Bd4² Black’s pawn on d5 is weak and he has
problems with the development of his queenside. White’s bishop on d4 is active on both sides of the
board and if Black exchanges it, the defence of his weakened kingside will become a very difficult
task for him.
10...Nd7 11.Qb3 e5 12.dxe5 (12.Bg5!? Qa5, Bertholee – Foucaut, Cagnes sur Mer 1977, 13.Nxe5
Ndxe5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Bb5 Re6 16.Bf4², Black’s d5-pawn needs additional protection and if White
manages to trade the dark-squared bishops, Black will have serious difficulties to defend his king.)
12...Ndxe5 13.Bb5 Nxf3+ 14.Nxf3 Be6 15.Ng5²
10...Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3 Nd7 (12...Qb6 – see game 2; 12...e6 13.Qd2 a6 14.Ne5 Nxe5
15.Bxe5 Nd7, Sznapik – Urban, Cetniewo 1991. It is still too early to exchange the bishops. After
16.Bf4², White will gradually prepare h4-h5 with excellent attacking prospects.) 13.Qb3 Nb6 14.a4

78
 14...a5. This move weakens the b5-square and White can exploit this immediately. 15.Bb5 e6
16.Ne5 Nxe5, Lubbe – Barrmeyer, Lingen 2000, 17.dxe5 Rf8 18.Rac1 Rc8 19.Qd1 Qc7 20.Qe2 Nc4
(Black would lose the exchange after the tactical strike 20...Nxa4?! 21.Bxa4 Qc4 22.Bd7±) 21.h4²
Black has come under a positional bind without having any counterplay. His knight is well placed on
the e4-square, but it cannot create any real problems for White.
14...Na5, Marfil – Gutierrez de las Heras, Malaga 1986, 15.Qb5 Nbc4

abcdefgh
16.Bxc4! It is a well-known fact that one of the advantages of having a bishop-pair is that this side
can trade one of his bishops if necessary at an appropriate moment. Now is the time... (16.b3 a6
17.Qb4 Nc6 18.Qxb7 N4a5 19.Qc7 Qxc7 20.Bxc7 Nxb3 21.Rab1 Nca5², Black’s knights are
roaming inside his opponent’s camp and his a6-pawn is weak and would need additional protection.)

79
16...dxc4 17.Rad1 a6 18.Qg5 e6 19.Qg3 Nc6 20.Nd2 b5 21.Ne4² The dark squares are vulnerable in
Black’s camp and this provides White with excellent attacking prospects. He would have very good
chances in the endgame as well if he trades the dark-squared bishops.

10.Be3

10...Qd6
Black wishes to ensure for his bishop to occupy the f4-square at some moment.

The move 10...f5 seems to be too risky for Black. 11.Nb3 f4 (11...Qd6 12.Re1 – see 10...Qd6)
12.Bd2 Bg4 (12...Qd6 13.Re1 – see 10...Qd6) 13.Be2 b6 (13...Qd6 14.Re1 – see 10...Qd6) 14.Nc1!?.
White’s knight is transferred quickly to the d3-square in order to attack the enemy pawn on f4 and to
increase his control over the e5-squaree. (14.Re1 Qd6 15.h3 – see 10...Qd6) 14...Qd6 15.Nd3±

10...Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3 Rc8 13.Re1 Re8, Fette – Lenz, Berlin 2006. Now, White’s most
logical plan seems to be to centralise his pieces with 14.Qd2 a6 15.Re2 e6 16.Rae1 Na5 17.Ne5 Nc4
18.Nxc4 dxc4 19.Be4² He is ready for active actions on both sides of the board.
10...f6 11.c4!

80
 This is a standard reaction for White against Black’s move and it is appropriate in this particular
case as well.
11...dxc4 12.Bxc4+ Kh8, Otetea – Zvereva, Porto Carras 2015, 13.Re1 f5 (13...Na5 14.Bf1±)
14.Nb3± Black’s backward e7-pawn is subjected to an attack, while White’s pawn on d4 is perfectly
protected.
11...f5 12.Nb3 Nb4 13.Be2 dxc4 14.Bxc4+ Nd5 15.Nc5 b6 16.Qb3 Nhf6 17.Nd3² White’s
isolated pawn on d4 cannot be considered to be a weakness, because Black can hardly attack it
effectively, while his weaknesses on the e5 and e6-squares, as well as of the e7-pawn, provide White
with excellent prospects. 17...Kh8 18.Nde5 Be6 19.Ng5 Bg8 20.Bd2 e6 Martin Barcelo – Cuadras
Avellana, Barcelona 2020, 21.Rfe1±

10...e5. This attempt by Black to free his position would only lead to the appearance of a weak
pawn in the centre. 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Bxe5 13.Nf3

81
 13...Bg7 14.Qb3 b6, Chamorro – Beaulieu, IECG 2000, 15.Rfe1± Black’s d5-pawn is a chronic
weakness and White will soon attack it.
13...Bf4 14.Re1 Bxe3 15.Rxe3² The trade of the dark-squared bishops has emphasized the
vulnerability of the dark squares on Black’s kingside and has provided White with sufficient time to
mobilise his forces. After 15...Nf4, Brynell – Rylander, Haninge 1997, 16.Qd2 Bg4 17.Nd4±, White
occupies the e-file and this in combination with the other pluses of his position would make Black’s
defence tremendously difficult.
13...Bg4 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Qc7, Valet – Giese, Germany 2012, 16.Qxd5 (White does not need
to be in a hurry with this capture, because after 16.Rfe1±, he would have a bishop-pair, active
prospects on the kingside and Black’s pawn on d5 would be still very weak.) 16...Nf4 17.Qc4 Nxd3
18.Qxd3±

10...Qc7 11.Re1

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 11...Re8 12.Nb3 b6, Favarel – Gozzoli, Chartres 2019, 13.a4 Bd7 (13...a5 14.Nbd2² Black’s
counterplay on the queenside has been stopped, so White will transfer his knight to the weakened b5-
square via the route Nd2-b1-a3-b5, or to the kingside.) 14.h3 e5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Rxe5
17.Nd4²
11...Nf4 12.Bf1 Nh5, Zumsande – Hove, Porto Carras 2018 (12...Bf5 – see game 3) 13.a4 Bg4
(13...e6 14.Nb3² and White’s knight will be transferred to the d3-square via c5, or c1.) 14.h3 Bxf3
15.Qxf3 e6 16.Nb3 b6 17.a5±
11...a6 12.a4 (It also seems very good for White to opt here for 12.Nb3!? b6 13.a4², with the idea
to weaken the c5-square.) 12...Bd7, Chukavin – Kuzubov, Tallinn 2020, 13.Bf1 Rfe8 14.h3², White is
perfectly prepared for actions on both sides of the board.
11...Nf6 12.h3 Bf5 13.Bb5!? Ne4 (13...a6 14.Bxc6 Qxc6 15.Ne5²; 13...Rad8 14.a4 a6 15.Bxc6
Qxc6 16.Ne5²) 14.g4 Nxd2 15.Qxd2 Bd7 16.Bf4 Qd8 17.Bf1² Black is incapable of exploiting the
weakened shelter of White’s king.
11...Bg4 12.h3 Bd7 13.Qb3 (White has a very attractive position and he can play also 13.Nb3, or
13.Rc1.) 13...Rad8 14.Qxd5 (White exchanges a flank pawn for a central pawn. He could have
postponed that, though... 14.a4!? Rfe8 15.a5² and he occupies space on the queenside.) 14...Bxh3
15.Qg5 Bc8, Singer – Rozentalis, Lienz 2015, 16.Qh4 e5 17.Qh2 Rd7 18.Nb3 exd4 19.Qxc7 Rxc7
20.Nbxd4 Nxd4 21.Nxd4 a6 22.Nf3²

11.Re1

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 11...f5

11...Rb8 – see game 4.

11...Nf4 12.Bf1 h6, Esipenko – Sakaev, St Petersburg 2018. Now, White can deploy his knight on
the e5-outpost. 13.Ne5! Ne6 14.f4! Nc7 15.Qf3 b5 16.Nb3 b4 17.Rac1± Now, it would be easy for
Black neither to exchange White’s centralised knight, nor to oust it from there.

11...Bd7 12.Nb3 b6 13.a4 Nf4 14.Bf1 Ne6 15.Qd2 Rfd8, Persson – Lundin, Stockholm 2013,
16.Ng5 Nxg5 17.Bxg5 Re8 18.a5ƒ. White’s pieces are ready for active actions on both sides of the
board.
11...Re8 12.h3 b6 13.a4 Bb7 14.Nb3 a5 15.Qd2 (Now again, after Black has weakened the b5-
square, it would be quite reasonable for White to send his knight there with the line: 15.Nbd2!? Ba6
16.Bxa6 Rxa6 17.Nb1 Raa8 18.Na3²) 15...Ba6 16.Nc1 Bxd3 17.Nxd3 Nf6 18.Bf4 Qd8 19.Bh6²
Black’s main problem here is that he has no counterplay at all. 19...Ne4 20.Qe3 Bh8 21.Nd2 Nd6
22.Bf4 e6 23.Qg3 Nf5 24.Qh2 Ra7, Tari – Prohaszka, Gallipoli 2017. White is perfectly prepared for
an offensive on the kingside with 25.g4 Nfe7 26.h4‚

11...Bg4 12.h3 Bxf3 13.Nxf3 Rac8 14.Qd2 e6

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 15.Bh6 (White has a very interesting alternative here 15.g4 Nf6 16.Bf4 Qe7 17.Qe2² He
concentrates his forces on the kingside, because Black would be incapable of exploiting the
somewhat open position of the enemy monarch.) 15...Rfe8 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Ne5 Nf6 18.Qh6+
Kg8, Timoscenko – Mikhalchishin, Ashkhabad 1978, 19.Re2 Qf8 20.Qe3² After White’s second
rook occupies the e1-square, his kingside pawns will be ready to advance.

11...b6 12.Nf1 (It is also good for White to play here 12.a4!? Bb7 13.Nb3 a5 and he has the
pleasant choice between 14.Qd2 Rfe8, Fenil – Wang, Douglas 2018, 15.Qe2 Nf4 16.Bxf4 Qxf4
17.Ne5² as well as 14.Nbd2 Nf4 15.Bb5 Ne6, Ambartsumova – Burmakin, Pontevedra 2017,
16.Nb1 Nc7 17.Bf1 Ba6 18.Bxa6 Nxa6 19.Na3² White’s knight will be transferred to the b5-square
and it will occupy a perfect position there.).

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 Following 12...a5 13.Ng3 Nxg3 14.hxg3 Ba6, Zhalmakhanov – Pridorozhni, Cheliabinsk 2019, it
would be useful for White to fix his opponent’s rather imperfect queenside pawn-structure with
15.Bxa6 Rxa6 16.a4²
12...Nf4 13.Bb5 Ne6 14.Qd2 a6, Janous – A.Efremov, ICCF 2009, 15.Bd3² White plans to
concentrate his forces on the kingside and to prepare an attack against the enemy king there.
12...f6 13.Ng3 Nxg3 14.hxg3 e5 15.dxe5 fxe5 16.Qd2 Be6 17.Rad1 Rad8 18.Bh6 Bg4 19.Bxg7
Kxg7 20.Be4² Black will have great problems to hold on to his hanging pawns.

12.Nb3

abcdefgh
12...f4

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 12...a6 13.h3 (13.a4!? e6 14.Bf1 h6 15.Nc1 f4 16.Bd2 Nf6 17.Nd3 g5 18.b4± Black’s bishops are
very passive, so he can hardly organise any serious counterplay.) 13...Kh8, Zor – Agamaliev, Konya
2018, 14.a4!? Bd7 (14...e5? 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Bc5+–) 15.Nc5 f4 16.Bc1± The dark squares are very
weak in Black’s position and it would be bad for him to try the risky line: 16...e5? 17.Nxd7 Qxd7
18.dxe5+–

In answer to 12...b6, Yudovich – Zagoriansky Moscow 1949, it seems very promising for White to
provoke further weakening of Black’s kingside with 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bd2

abcdefgh
14...Bd7 15.Bb5± White is ready to trade his powerful bishop for the enemy knight in order to
deploy his own knight on e5.
14...Nf4 15.Bxf4!? (Once again it seems very good for White to choose the not so greedy move
15.Bb5±) 15...Qxf4 16.Bb5 Qc7 17.Bxc6 Qxc6 18.Rxe7 f4 19.Re1±
14...e5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bxe5 17.Rxe5!? (It might be also good for White to choose the
calmer move 17.h3±) 17...Qxe5 18.Bxh6 Rf7 19.Qd2 Bd7 20.Nd4 Re8 21.Nf3 Qd6 22.Rd1² White
has a pawn for the sacrificed exchange and complete domination over the dark squares on the
kingside.

13.Bd2

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 13...Bg4

13...Kh8 14.c4 (It is also possible for White here to develop his initiative on the queenside with
14.h3!? Bf6 15.a4 Ng7 16.a5 g5 17.Nc5± After some calm developments Black is unlikely to
manage to protect the numerous weaknesses in his camp, while after the rather risky line: 17...h5
18.a6 b6 19.Nb7 Qc7 20.Rc1 g4 21.c4 dxc4 22.Rxc4 gxf3 23.Qxf3 Nxd4 24.Qe4 Bf5 25.Rxc7 Bxe4
26.Rxe4+–, his counterplay would reach its dead end and the weaknesses in his position would even
increase.) 14...Bg4 15.cxd5 Nxd4 16.Nbxd4 Bxd4, Murphy – Qiu, England 2014, 17.Be4 Bf6 18.h3±
Black’s activity on the kingside has weakened it considerably, his pawns on e7 and f4 are vulnerable
and his knight on h5 is very passive.

14.Be2 Rae8

14...b6 15.h3 Bxf3 16.Bxf3 Nf6 17.Nc1± Black has prevented the appearance of his opponent’s
knight on c5, but it will come unavoidably to the d3-square and from there it would go to the even
better outpost on e5. 17...Nd7 18.Qb3 Nf6 19.Nd3 g5 20.Re5 Na5 21.Qc2 Nc4 22.Rae1 Ne4
23.Bxe4 Nxe5 24.dxe5+– Tuncer – Polterauer, Graz 2020.

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 15.Rc1!?N
with the idea c3-c4. White wishes to penetrate inside his opponent’s position via the queenside.
This is a much more energetic move that the one that had been tried before – 15.Nc1.
15...e5

15...Nf6 16.c4 e6 (16...Bf5 17.h3 h6 18.Nc5 b6 19.Nd3 g5 20.Nde5± White has occupied the key
e5-square.) 17.h3 Bh5 18.c5 Qc7 19.Ng5 Bh6 (Black would lose a pawn after 19...Bxe2 20.Rxe2
Qd7 21.Bxf4 Ne4 22.Be3 Nxg5 23.Bxg5 Rf5 24.Qd2 e5 25.dxe5 Rfxe5 26.Rxe5 Rxe5 27.Rd1±)
20.Bxh5 Bxg5 21.Bf3 h5 22.Bc3 Bh6 23.Nd2 a5 24.a3 a4. White plans to advance b2-b4, followed
by an offensive on the queenside, so that is the only way for Black to organise some counterplay.
25.Qxa4 g5 26.Qd1 Qf7 27.b4±

16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Nbd4

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 17...Nc4

17...Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 Be5 20.Qd3 Nf6 21.Nf3² Black has numerous weaknesses in
his camp. His king cannot be attacked at the moment, but it is bare and if there arises a transfer into
an endgame with major pieces, he would hardly manage to survive in it.

18.Bxc4 Rxe1+
18...dxc4? 19.Rxe8 Rxe8 20.Qa4 Rc8 21.Qxa7±
19.Qxe1 dxc4 20.Qe4 b6
20...Rb8 21.Re1± Black’s pieces are passive and his f4-pawn is weak. White’s pieces have
occupied excellent squares in the centre.
21.Re1² White has a wonderful position with his centralised pieces.

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 Chapter 4
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7

abcdefgh
This move has become popular thanks to several convincing wins of grand-master Alexey Dreev.
Black’s main idea is easy to understand. He wishes to prevent the development of White’s bishop to
the f4-square, where it would be most active.
6.Na3!?
This move practically forces Black to lose a tempo defending against the sortie of the enemy knight
to the b5-square.
6...a6 7.Nc2
From here, White’s knight is ready to go to d4, or to e3 if the opponent ends up with an isolated
pawn on d5 and secondly, from e3, it may go to g4, or to f5 in order to support his kingside offensive.
In addition, it may go to the d3-square, eyeing the c5 and e5-squares and finally it does not impede
his rook on a1 to join into the fight by coming to the centre.

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 7...Nf6

7...g6 8.Ne2. White still insists on the possibility to develop his knight to f4. 8...Bf5 (8...Bg7
9.Bf4²) 9.Bxf5 gxf5 10.Bf4 Qd7, Bulmaga – Mader, Germany 2019.

Black lags in development, so White can afford to continue with the resolute line: 11.c4!? (It may
be also interesting for him to try here 11.Ng3!? – his knight is ready to go to h5, thwarting the natural
development of Black’s kingside.) 11...e6 12.c5 a5 (In the variation 12...Bg7 13.b4 Nge7 14.a4±, you
can see another important plus of the manoeuvre of White’s knight to the e3-square. Now, thanks to
it, his queenside pawns are already advancing and b4-b5 will be very unpleasant for Black.) 13.0-0
Bg7 14.a4 Nf6 15.Na3± White’s knight is headed for the b5-square and from there it may go to d6,

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or to the c7-square.

7...e5. Black complies with having an isolated pawn in his position in order to free the development
of his pieces. 8.dxe5 Nxe5, Divya – Gunina, chess.com 2020, 9.Nf3!

The trade of Black’s knight for his opponent’s bishop is in in favour of White due to his better
development. 9...Nxd3+ 10.Qxd3 Bd6 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4 Ne7 13.Ne3² Black’s d5-pawn is weak
and White can exchange his opponent’s dark-squared bishop by playing Bh4-g3.
9...Bg4 10.Be2 Bxf3 11.Bxf3 Nf6 12.Qe2 Bd6?! (It seems more reliable for Black to play here
12...0-0-0 13.Bg5 Nxf3+ 14.Qxf3 Qe5+ 15.Qe3 Qf5 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.0-0², although even then the
vulnerability of his pawn on d5 would hurt him.) 13.Bg5± Black will be incapable of holding on to
his pawn on d5 and after 13...0-0-0 14.0-0-0 Rhe8 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Bxd5 Kb8 17.Kb1±, White
would be much better not only because of his extra pawn, but also due to Black’s horribly
compromised kingside pawn-structure. With the major pieces present on the board, the bishops of
opposite colours would not impede White to realise his advantage.

7...e6. The basic defect of this move is that Black’s bishop on c8 would remain restricted inside his
own camp. 8.Nf3 Bd6 9.0-0 Nge7 (about 9...Nf6 10.Qe2 0-0 11.h3 – see 7...Nf6) 10.Re1

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 In response to 10...Bd7, Vokhidov – Shimanov, St Petersburg 2019, White should not wait until
Black advances f7-f6, followed by e6-e5, but should continue with 11.b3, beginning immediate active
actions on the queenside. 11...0-0 12.c4ƒ dxc4 (Following 12...b6 13.Bb2², Black would need to
consider at every moment the possibility of White opening the a1-h8 diagonal with the move c4-c5,
after which his dark squared bishop would turn into a very dangerous attacking unit.) 13.bxc4 b5
14.c5 Bf4 15.Bxf4 Qxf4 16.a4 b4 17.Ne3² Black’s light-squared bishop is isolated from the actions
inside his own camp and is bound to remain very passive, while White’s knights have an access to
several very attractive dark squares inside the enemy position.
10...Ng6 11.Ne3 0-0, Predojevic – Gupta, Lichess.org 2020. Black’s knight on g6 is misplaced,
because it provides White with tempi for the development of his kingside initiative. 12.h4 Nf4
13.Bc2 Bd7

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 14.Bd2 f5 15.c4 Be8 16.cxd5 exd5 17.Bb3ƒ After the active f7-f5 move Black’s king has been
deprived of its safe shelter and if his d5-pawn disappears off the board, his monarch would be
seriously endangered. 17...Bf7 18.Ng5!? Nxd4 19.Rc1 Qd7 20.Nxf7 Qxf7 21.Nc4 dxc4 22.Bxc4
Nfe6 23.Bc3 Bh2+ 24.Kh1 b5 25.Bxe6 Nxe6 26.Kxh2² White has a very powerful bishop and this is
also due to Black’s premature advance of his f-pawn. In a fight on both sides of the board White’s
bishop is much more powerful than the enemy knight, which has no reliable squares in the centre.
It may be also interesting for White to try here 14.g3!? Nh3+ 15.Kg2 Nxf2 16.Kxf2 Bxg3+
17.Kg2 Bxe1 18.Qxe1 f5 19.Kh1² He has obtained two minor pieces for a rook and a couple of
pawns, but the position is closed and Black cannot create any threats against the enemy king. His
bishop is restricted by his own pawns and if White manages to deploy pieces on the f4 and e5-
squares, Black’s position would become tremendously difficult.

8.h3

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 abcdefgh
8...g6

8...e5. There are not so many players who would like to play calm positions having an isolated
pawn. 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nf3! Bd6 (Following 10...Nxd3+ 11.Qxd3 Bc5, Magalakis – S.Andreev,
Thessaloniki 2020, White should exchange immediately his opponent’s most dangerous piece with
12.Be3 0-0 13.Bxc5 Qxc5 14.0-0² Black’s d5-pawn is weak and he has no counterplay at all.)
11.Nxe5 Bxe5 12.0-0 0-0 13.Be3

In response to 13...Ne4, Tsolakidou – Sargsyan, Antalya 2019, White should prepare the ousting of
his opponent’s centralised knight, but at first he should coordinate his pieces in the centre. 14.Re1 f5
(After 14...Be6 15.Nd4², White improves the placement of his knight with tempo.) 15.Bf1 Rd8

96
(15...Be6 16.Nd4²) 16.f3 Ng3 17.Bg5 Rd7 18.Nb4 b5 19.Nc6 Qb6+ 20.Nd4 Bxd4+ 21.cxd4 Nxf1
22.Kxf1 Rf7 23.Bf4± There are major pieces on the board and the presence of bishops of opposite
colours is obviously in favour of White. It would be sufficient to compare the activity of the bishops
of both sides.
13...Re8, Firouzja – Salem, Abu Dhabi 2017, 14.Qf3 Bd7 (14...Ne4 15.Rae1 Bd7 16.Nb4²;
14...Be6 15.Rfe1 Rad8 16.Re2 Ne4 17.Rae1 Bh2+ 18.Kh1 Bd6 19.Nd4² Black’s knight on e4 is
beautiful, but it cannot provide him with meaningful counterplay, because he has no other active
pieces.) 15.Rfe1 Re6 16.Bf5 Re7 17.Bxd7 Qxd7 18.Rad1 h6 19.Nb4 Rd8 20.Nd3 Ne4 21.Qg4² Now,
irrelevant of whether Black would manage to exchange the queens or not, he would be faced with a
very difficult and laborious defence, because of his weak pawn on d5.

8...e6. This voluntary exile of Black’s light-squared bishop on c8 would not be attractive to the
adherents to the Caro-Kann Defence. 9.Nf3

9...Be7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Qe2 b5 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.Bf4 Nfd7, Cabrera Torres – Gonzalez Gomez,
Matanzas 2007, 14.dxe5 Nc5 15.Rfd1 Bd7 16.Nd4² White’s bishop on d3 is ready to avoid the
exchange on the c2-square and if Black captures it then White’s rook will go to the g3-square and this
would endanger the safety of Black’s king.
9...Bd6 10.0-0 Bd7 (10...0-0 11.Qe2 b5 12.a4²; about 10...b5 11.a4 bxa4 12.Rxa4 0-0 13.Qe2 Bb7
14.Re1 – see 9...b5) 11.Qe2 h6 12.Re1

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 12...g5? This attempt by Black to organise an attack against the enemy king is rather dubious. (He
had better prefer here 12...0-0 13.Ne5², although even then White’s knight has occupied a wonderful
position at the centre and it would be very difficult for Black to cope with it without positional or
material concessions. Behind its cover White would like to organise an attack against Black’s
monarch.) 13.Ne5 Rg8 14.Bd2 h5 15.a4 (White can also change the order of moves here: 15.b4!? h4
16.a4±) 15...h4 (15...Na5 16.Qf3 Be7 17.h4 g4 18.Qe2 Nb3 19.Bf4 Nxa1 20.Rxa1 Bd6 21.Ne3±
White’s pieces are so powerful that his prospects are preferable despite being an exchange down.)
16.b4 g4, Carlsen – Artemiev, chess.com 2020. Here, White can afford capturing the pawn on g4:
17.Nxg4 Nxg4 18.hxg4 0-0-0 19.Ne3 f5 20.b5 Na5 21.c4‚ Black’s king is much more endangered
than its counterpart.
9...b5 10.0-0 Bb7 11.Qe2!?ƒ

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 abcdefgh
White’s queen is practically perfectly placed on this square. It is eyeing the enemy pawns on a6 and
b5, can participate in the preparation of the pawn-advance a2-a4 and eventually can be transferred
quickly to the kingside.
After 11...Be7 12.a4! bxa4 13.Rxa4, Black will be forced to weaken the b5-square – 13...a5,
Karousos Theodorakis – Vaishali, Heraklion 2019, and White’s knight is immediately headed there.
14.Na3 0-0 15.Nb5 Qb8 16.g3 Ba6 17.Bf4 Qb6 18.Rfa1ƒ
11...Bd6 12.a4 bxa4 (Following 12...b4 13.cxb4, Black will be faced with a very unpleasant choice
in the variation 13...Nxb4 14.Nxb4 Bxb4 15.Ne5ƒ White has obtained excellent attacking prospects
and following 13...Bxb4 14.Nxb4 Nxb4 15.Bd2 Nxd3 16.Qxd3±, he will manage to create a
dangerous passed pawn on the queenside in the nearest future.) 13.Rxa4 0-0

99
 14.Re1² (The immediate reaction 14.Bxa6? Qb6³ would leave White with a pawn, but for the
exchange.) 14...a5 15.Na3 Bxa3?! This voluntary exchange of the important defender of the kingside,
seems rather dubious for Black. (It was more accurate for him to choose 15...Be7 16.Nb5 Qb8 17.g3
Ba6 18.Bf4 Qb7 19.Ne5², although this would not have solved all his problems at all. White’s pieces
are very active, while Black’s a5-pawn is weak.) 16.Rxa3 Qb6, Artemiev – Dreev, St Petersburg 2018
and here, White organises rapidly a dangerous attack against the enemy king with 17.Bb1! Ba6
18.Qc2 Ne7 (18...h6?! 19.Ne5‚) 19.Bg5 Ng6 20.h4‚ and the threat to exchange on f6, followed by
h4-h5, is very unpleasant for Black.

9.Ne2

9...Bg7

9...Bf5. This trade of the light-squared bishop looks quite logical for Black. His kingside pawn-
structure changes seemingly in his favour. His presence in the centre increases and his rook gains
access to the g-file. 10.Bxf5 gxf5 11.Bf4

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 In answer to 11...Qb6, Bodnar – Vaibhav, Chess.com 2020, White can ignore the threat against his
pawn on b2 by playing 12.0-0. Now, after 12...Qxb2? 13.Rb1 Qxa2 14.Ne3 e6 15.c4 dxc4
16.Rxb7+–, Black would lag horribly in development and would be unable to complete it without
great material losses, while following 12...e6 13.b3 Bg7 14.c4 0-0 15.c5 Qd8 16.b4², White would
begin active actions on the queenside, while Black would not have any counterplay at all.
11...Qd7, Gorodetzky – Kochavi, Netanya 2019, 12.Ne3 0-0-0 (12...e6 13.g4! fxg4 14.hxg4 Bd6,
Vokhidov – Sevian, chess.com 2020, 15.Qc2 0-0-0 16.0-0-0² After the elimination of the pawn on f5,
Black’s h7-pawn has become very weak.) 13.c4 e6 (13...dxc4?! 14.Nxc4 Nd5 15.Rc1 Qe6 16.0-0±
Black must still develop his kingside, while White’s attack has already begun. He is threatening Nc4-
a5 as well as the advance of his queenside pawns.) 14.0-0 Bd6 15.cxd5 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Qd2±
Black’s pawn-structure on the kingside and in the centre is completely in ruins and he does not have
sufficient resources to organise an attack against the enemy monarch.

10.Bf4

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 10...Qb6

10...Qd8. This move looks like a loss of two tempi (Black’s queen has gone to c7 and then has
returned to its initial square.), but White’s knight does not occupy the f3-square any more. 11.0-0 0-0
12.Ng3 Re8 13.Re1 Bd7, Tsolakidou – Solozhenkina, Antalya 2019. White’s knight on g3 has
prevented Black’s knight to oust White’s bishop on f4 away from its excellent placement with the
move Nh5 and White’s other knight will soon come to f3. 14.Re2 Rc8 15.Ne1 b5 16.Nf3² White
concentrates additional forces to the kingside in order to organise an attack against Black’s king. He
may follow later with Qd2 and then Bh6.

10...e5 11.dxe5

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 11...Nh5 12.Bh2 Bxe5 13.Bxe5 Nxe5 14.Ne3 Be6 (14...Nxd3+? 15.Qxd3 0-0 16.Qd4± White’s
position is almost winning due to the horrible weakness of the dark-squared complex around Black’s
king, as well as to the vulnerability of his pawn on d5. White does not need to capture it immediately,
because it seems much more interesting for him to advance his kingside pawns with g2-g4, h2-h4 and
an attack.) 15.Qa4+ Bd7 16.Qd4 0-0-0 17.0-0-0² Black must worry permanently about his pawn on
d5.
11...Nxe5 12.0-0 0-0 13.Ng3 (It also seems good for White to opt here for 13.Ned4 Re8 14.Re1
Bd7 15.Bf1² – the pin of the knight on e5 is very unpleasant for Black and his pawn on d5 will be
attacked by White’s knight on c2.) 13...Be6 14.Nd4 Nfd7, Tsolakidou – Kojima, Djenovici 2018,
15.Re1 Qb6 16.Rb1 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Nc5 18.Qd2² Black’s pawn on d5 is weak and has been blocked
reliably by White’s knight. His subsequent plans include the trade of the dark-squared bishops with
the move Bh6.

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 This position was reached in the game Evdokimov – Moiseenko, Sochi 2016.
11.0-0!?
This is White’s most resolute move. It would be too dangerous for Black’s queen to capture the
pawn on b2 and his reluctance to take it would lead to a loss of time, which he needs for his
development.
11...0-0

11...Qxb2. This is a principled decision for Black. 12.Bc7! White deprives his opponent of a square
that his queen needs to retreat to. 12...0-0 (Black’s queen is already beyond salvation. 12...Bh6 13.g4
Bd7 14.f4 Rc8 15.Qd2 Rxc7 16.Rfb1 Qxa1 17.Nxa1 Bg7 18.Nb3± White has a queen for a rook, a
bishop and a pawn for Black, but this material equivalent is insufficient, because White’s pieces are
still tremendously active.) 13.Qd2 Ne8 (13...e5 14.Rfb1+–) 14.Rfb1 Qxa1 15.Nxa1 Nxc7 16.f4²
White still needs to work hard in order to realise his queen, but the fact that it is stronger in this
position than Black’s rook, bishop and pawn is beyond any doubt.

12.a4 Re8

After 12...Qxb2? 13.Rb1 Qa2 14.Qd2+–, Black will be incapable of saving his queen, because
White is threatening Ra1, followed by Rfb1.

13.Re1

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 13...e5

It is not preferable for Black to choose here 13...Nh5 14.Bh2 e5 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.a5 Qxb2
17.Bxe5 Rxe5 18.Nb4! and once again he loses his greedy queen. 18...Be6 19.Ra2 Rxe2 20.Rxb2
Rxb2 21.Re2 Rxe2 22.Bxe2 Nf4 23.Bg4 Bxc3 24.Bxe6 fxe6 25.Qb3 Rc8 26.Na2 Bxa5 27.Qxb7±
White’s queen remains tremendously active and it would be questionable whether Black would
manage to build up a fortress.

14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.a5²

abcdefgh
White has occupied space on the queenside and plans to organise a siege against his opponent’s

105
isolated d5-pawn. After the principled line: 15...Qxb2 16.Bxe5 Rxe5 17.Nb4 Rxe2 18.Rxe2 Qxc3
19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Re8+ Bf8 21.Rc1 Qxa5 22.Rcxc8 Rxc8 23.Rxc8±, White still maintains the
advantage, due to his extra exchange and the vulnerability of the enemy king. It is essential that
Black’s queenside pawns are still static and may also turn later into an object for an attack.

106
 Chapter 5
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4

We will analyse now: A) 6...a6, B) 6...Qb6 and C) 6...e6.

About 6...Bg4 7.Qb3 – see Chapters 6-8.

6...g6 7.Nf3 – see Chapter 3.

The alternatives for Black are not so logical.

6...h6. After this move he will not be able to place his bishop on g4, because it would not have the
possibility to go to the g6-square. 7.Nd2 g5 (About 7...e6 8.Ngf3 Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.0-0 0-0
11.Re1 – see variation C; 7...Bg4 8.Qb3 Na5, Elkiess – Paliy, Berlin 2015, 9.Qc2 Rc8 10.h3 Bd7
11.Ngf3 e6 12.0-0², White has established a considerable lead in development, while Black has failed
to solve the problem with the activation of his light-squared bishop.) 8.Bg3 Bg7 9.h4 Bg4 (9...g4
10.Ne2² and later one of White’s knights will go to f4 and the other to e3 exerting pressure against
Black’s vulnerable pawns.)

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 10.Qb3 Nh5 11.Bh2 Nf4 (Following 11...Qd7 12.f3 Be6, Vocaturo – Larino Nieto, Sitges 2019,
13.Ne2², Black has neither succeeded to solve the problem with his light-squared bishop, nor has
organised any meaningful counterplay on the kingside.) 12.Bxf4 gxf4 13.Qxb7 Bd7 14.Qb3 e5
15.Qxd5 exd4 (15...0-0 16.Ngf3 exd4 17.0-0 dxc3 18.bxc3 Ne7 19.Qh5 Qc8 20.Rac1 Bg4 21.Qa5
Qd8 22.Qa6 Rc8 23.Rfe1 Nd5 24.Bc4 Nb6 25.Bb3 Bxc3 26.Red1² The shelter of Black’s king has
been weakened and all his pawns would need additional protection.) 16.Qe4+ Qe7 17.Ne2 dxc3
18.bxc3 Rd8 19.0-0 Qxe4 20.Bxe4 0-0 21.Rfe1² White has an extra pawn and the weaknesses on his
opponent’s kingside provide him with much better prospects.
It is also possible for him to play here 10.Ne2!?, for example: 10...Nh5 11.Bh2 Nf4 (11...e5
12.dxe5 Nf4 13.Bxf4 gxf4 14.Qb3 Nxe5 15.Bb5+ Nc6 16.Qb4 Qb6 17.Qxf4 Qxb5 18.Qxg4 0-0
19.0-0 Qxb2 20.Rfd1 Ne5 21.Qf5² The shelter of Black’s king is vulnerable and he has numerous
pawn-weaknesses in his position, so White maintains a clear advantage.) 12.Bxf4 gxf4 13.f3 Bd7
14.Qb3

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 14...e5 15.dxe5 Qc7 16.0-0-0 Bxe5 (16...Qxe5 17.Qa4 0-0-0 18.Qxf4² White has an extra pawn
and no weaknesses in his position.) 17.Qxd5 Nb4 18.Qe4 Nxd3+ 19.Qxd3 0-0-0 20.Nd4² Black’s
pawns are weak, while White has an extra pawn and an advantage.

A) 6...a6
This move is sometimes useful in this pawn-structure, but sometimes it is a loss of an important
tempo, weakening the dark squares on Black’s queenside.
7.Nd2

7...Bg4

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 About 7...e6 8.Ngf3 Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.0-0 – see variation C.

About 7...g6 8.Ngf3 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Re1 – see Chapter 3, variation B.

7...b5? This is a consequent move for Black, but it enables White to begin an immediate offensive
on the queenside. 8.b4! g6 9.a4! Nh5 (But not 9...bxa4? Torrado Quintela – Aledo Yanguas, Linares
2019, 10.Qxa4 Bd7 11.b5+–; 10...Bb7 11.Nb3 e6 12.Na5 Qd7 13.Nxb7 Qxb7 14.b5+–) 10.Be3
Rb8± Black’s b5-pawn is chronically weak, while White’s knight will be perfectly placed on the c5-
square.
8.Qb3

The diagrammed position is one of the basic in the exchange variation and we analyse it in
Chapters 6-8, but with the important inclusion of the moves Nbd2 for White and a6 for Black. It is
quite easy to understand that White has in fact an extra tempo and this provides him with an
advantage in all the lines.

8...Na5

8...Qd7 9.Ngf3 – see Chapter 8.

8...Nh5 9.Bg5 h6 10.h3 Na5 (10...Bd7 11.Be3 e6 12.Qd1 Nf6 13.Bf4² Black’s light-squared
bishop has returned to its initial position, while White’s dark-squared bishop has occupied its perfect
placement.) 11.Qc2 Bf5 12.Bxf5 hxg5 13.Ndf3 e6 14.Bd3 Nf4 15.Bf1 Bd6 16.g3 Nh5 17.Bd3² The
vulnerability of the pawn on g5 impedes the possibility for Black’s knight on h5 to go back to f6 and
White plans to complete his development with Qe2, Ne5, N1f3, to deploy his king on g2, to play
Rae1 and to begin a kingside offensive with the move h3-h4.

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 8...Ra7. Black has protected reliably his pawn, but his rook is likely to remain isolated on this
square for long. 9.Ngf3 e6 10.0-0 Be7 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 (12.Bxe5!? Bh5 13.a4 0-0 14.a5²
Black’s rook on a7 is still isolated from the actions and it is not easy to recommend to him how to
free it.) 12...Nd7 13.Be3 Ra8, Morozevich – Fedoseev, Moscow 2016. White must prepare the
opening of the central files in order to take advantage of his lead in development. 14.Bd4 Qc7
15.Rae1 0-0 (15...Bh5 16.c4ƒ) 16.Qc2 g6 17.Nb3² White will accomplish later the transfer Qd2-f4
and Black will have serious problems with his light-squared bishop.

9.Qc2

9...e6
About 9...Bh5 10.Ngf3 Bg6 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.0-0 e6 – see 9...e6.
9...Rc8 10.Ngf3 Nc6 11.0-0 e6 12.Qb3 Nh5 13.Be3 Bxf3 14.Nxf3 Qc7, Medina Garcia – Ivkov,
Palma de Mallorca 1968. Black has lost too much time and lags considerably in development. His
king is stranded in the centre and he will hardly manage to evacuate it from there anytime soon. So,
White must play energetically, open the files in the centre and organise an attack against the enemy
king. 15.c4! Nf6 (It might seem at first sight that White has blundered a pawn, but in the variation
15...dxc4?! 16.Bxc4 Na5?, he has the resource 17.Qa4+ b5 18.Bxb5+ axb5 19.Qxb5+ Nc6
20.Qxh5+–) 16.Rac1 Be7 17.cxd5 Nxd5 18.Ne5 0-0 19.Bxa6±

10.Ngf3

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 10...Bd6

About 10...Nc6 11.0-0 Bd6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Rae1 – see 10...Bd6.

10...Bxf3 11.Nxf3 Bd6 12.Ne5 0-0 13.0-0 Qc7 14.Rfe1 Nc4 15.Qe2² White has managed to
preserve his control over the e5-square and this enables him to prepare a kingside attack.

10...Bh5 11.0-0 Bg6, Quast – Riazantsev, Germany 2019. This is a standard transfer of Black’s
bishop in order to neutralise the activity of its counterpart on d3. 12.Bxg6 hxg6 13.g3 Be7 14.h4 Nh5
15.Bg5² The light-squared bishops have disappeared off the board, but Black has not equalised yet.
No matter where his king would be evacuated, it would not be safe at all.

11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.0-0

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 12...Bh5

About 12...0-0 13.Ne5 Bh5 14.Rae1, or 12...Nc6 13.Rae1 0-0 14.Ne5 Bh5 15.Re3 – see 12...Bh5.

13.Ne5 0-0 14.Rae1 Bg6, Tjiam – Strating, Netherlands 2007 (14...Nc6 15.Re3 Rac8 16.Qb1²
White is perfectly prepared for a kingside offensive.) 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Re3!? (or at first 16.f4!?)
16...Rac8 17.f4 Qb6 18.Qc1 (with the idea Rh3, Qe1-h4) 18...Nc6 19.Ndf3 Nxe5 20.Nxe5² White
has a powerful knight on e5 and has created threats on the h-file, which are very unpleasant for Black,
who has still failed to organise his standard pawn-minority attack on the queenside with b7-b5-b4.

B) 6...Qb6

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 Black enters an endgame, which is not so good for him.
7.Qb3 Qxb3

About 7...Bg4 8.Ne2 – see Chapter 6.

8.axb3

8...Nh5

8...Bg4 9.h3!? (about 9.Ne2 – see Chapter 6) 9...Bh5 10.b4 e6, Babiy – Schlein, Germany 2012,
11.Nd2 Be7 12.b5 Nb8 13.Ngf3 0-0 14.Ra2 Nbd7 15.0-0± Black’s pawn on a7 is weak and he will

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hardly manage to save it.

8...e6 9.h3 a6 10.Nf3 Bd7 11.0-0 Be7, De Freitas – Faris, Barbacena 2019, 12.Re1 0-0 13.Ne5 Be8
14.Nd2І Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nd7 16.b4² Black’s position is cramped and and he has no counterplay at all.

8...Bd7 9.b4 e6 10.Nf3 Be7 11.b5 Nd8 12.Ne5 0-0 13.Nxd7 Nxd7 14.Nd2± The pawn on a7 is
vulnerable and Black lacks space. In addition his knight on d8 is horribly misplaced. He has managed
to get rid of his light-squared bishop, but this has not helped him to solve the problem how to activate
his pieces.

8...g6 9.b4 Bf5 (Following 9...Bg7 10.Nf3 0-0, Spicak – Piotrowski, Warsaw 2013, it is good for
White to continue with the natural move 11.0-0, having interesting possibilities all over the entire
board. 11...Bf5 12.Bxf5 gxf5 13.b5! Nd8 14.Nh4! Nh5 15.Bc7! Ne6 16.Ba5 f4 17.Nf5 Bf6 18.Bb4
Rfe8 19.b6 a6 20.Ra5 Rad8 21.Re1± The transfer of White’s bishop to b4 and the activation of his
rook via the a5-square has created great problems for Black.) 10.Bxf5 gxf5 11.b5 Nd8 12.Be5 Bg7
13.Ne2 Ne6 14.0-0 0-0 15.Ng3 f4 16.Nf5 Rfe8 17.Re1² Black’s pawns on a7, f4 and e7 are weak,
while White’s powerful knight on f5 is in perfect coordination with his beautiful bishop.

9.Be3

9...e6

9...e5?! Black not only creates an isolated pawn on d5 in his position, but also loses a pawn with
this move. 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Be2 Nf6 12.Rxa7 Rxa7 13.Bxa7±

9...a6 10.Nf3 Bg4 11.Nbd2 Nf6 12.b4 Rc8 13.Ne5² White maintains a considerable lead in
development.

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 10.Nf3 Bd6 11.g3 0-0 12.b4² Black does not have any active possibilities, while White’s
queenside actions are running effortlessly. 12...Bd7 13.b5 Ne7 14.Ne5 Rfd8 15.Nxd7 Rxd7,
Khazankin – Tihonov, Alushta 2009, 16.Ke2 Nf6 17.Ra4± White has a very simple plan for actions
against the weak enemy pawn on a7.

C) 6...e6
This voluntary closing of Black’s light-squared bishops contradicts the main idea of the Caro-Kann
Defence.
7.Nd2

7...Bd6
White’s bishop on f4 is powerful, so Black’s desire to exchange it is easy to understand, but now
the passivity of his light-squared bishop is emphasized.

7...Be7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.h3. After the development of the knight to f3 White ensures the h2 square for
his bishop in case Black plays Nh5. 9...Bd7 10.Ngf3 a6 11.0-0 (It is also possible for White to play
here 11.a4!?, preventing b7-b5 and preparing future actions on the queenside.) 11...Nh5 12.Bh2 f5
13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Nf6 15.Nf3 Ne4 16.Bh2² White’s knight is perfectly placed on e5 and he will
oust later the enemy knight away from the centre with the move f2-f3.

7...Bd7 8.h3 Be7 9.Ngf3

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 About 9...0-0 10.Qe2 – see 7...Be7.
9...a6 10.0-0 b5 (about 10...0-0 11.Qe2 – see 7...Be7) 11.b4! Qb6, Yaremenko – Vulf, Lvov 2001,
12.a4± White creates a weak pawn for his opponent on the queenside. Later, he will transfer
unavoidably his knight with Nd2-b3-c5, improving even more his position on the queenside.
9...Qb6 10.Rb1 0-0 11.0-0 Rac8 (11...Rfc8 12.Re1 a5, Jugelt – Rehberg, Luebeck 2016, 13.Ne5 Be8
14.Re3ƒ White concentrates his forces for an attack against the enemy king.) 12.Re1 Na5 (In answer
to 12...Rfd8, it would be interesting for White to try the aggressive line: 13.b4!? Be8 14.a4±,
cramping maximally his opponent’s pieces.) 13.Ne5 Bb5 14.Bc2 Nc4 15.Ndxc4 Bxc4, Boget –
P.Nielsen, Lyngby 1989, 16.a4± Black’s light-squared bishop has been freed, but it does not impede
at all White’s kingside actions.
9...Rc8 10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1

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 About 11...Qb6 12.Rb1 – see 9...Qb6.
11...a6 12.a4 Na5 (12...Be8 13.b4²; 12...Qb6 13.b4± White cramps maximally his opponent on the
queenside before the beginning of his kingside offensive.) 13.Ne5 Nc6, Keravuori – Tocklin,
Kurikka 2008, 14.Re3 Kh8 15.Qe2² White has consolidated his forces for the attack on the kingside.
11...Na5 12.Ne5 b5, Colijn – French, Hoogeveen 2017, 13.Qe2

13...b4 (13...Nc4 14.a4 a6 15.axb5 axb5 16.b4± Later, White’s knight will go the the c5-outpost,
covering the weakness on c3, while Black’s weak b5-pawn will be helpless.) 14.cxb4 Bxb4 15.a3
Bxd2 16.Bxd2 Ba4 17.Bxa5 Qxa5 18.b4 Qb6 19.b5 Rc7 20.Qd2 Rfc8 21.Qb4 Bc2 22.Bf1± White’s
knight has occupied the excellent outpost on c6 and from there it paralyses both Black’s rooks.

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 8.Bxd6 Qxd6 9.Ngf3

9...0-0
Black will hardly manage to continue the game without this move.

About 9...Bd7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1, or 9...a6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1, or 10...b5 11.b4 0-0 12.Re1 – see
9...0-0.

9...Nh5 10.g3 (10.0-0!? Nf4 11.Bc2 0-0 12.g3 Ng6 13.Re1² White has prevented his opponent’s
pawn-advance e6-e5 and later he can begin to push forward his h-pawn attacking the enemy knight on
g6.) 10...Nf6 11.Qe2 0-0, Hoang – Acs, Hungary 2018, 12.Ne5!? Ne7 13.h4ƒ The powerful knight
on e5 enables White to continue with his active actions on the kingside postponing his castling.

10.0-0

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 We will analyse now: C1) 10...Bd7 and C2) 10...e5.

Black has tried in practice many other possibilities. White can answer practically all of them acting
according to the following scheme: he deploys his knight on e5 and prepares an attack against the
enemy monarch under its cover, concentrating all his forces on the kingside.

10...Rb8 11.Re1 b5 12.b4. White’s temporary reluctance to continue with his basic plan is quite
justified. He prevents his opponent’s counterplay and obtains an excellent square on c5 for his second
knight. 12...a5 13.a3 a4 (Without this move White’s knight would occupy the c5-square.) 14.Ne5
Nd7, Spiesberger – Petroczi, Austria 2002, 15.Qe2 Ba6 16.Ndf3± Black’s light-squared bishop is
like a big pawn and his attempt to transfer his knight to the weakened c4-square would lead to his
immediate demise. 16...Nb6?? 17.Bxh7+! Kxh7 18.Ng5+–

10...a6. Black is trying to organise the pawn-minority attack. 11.Re1 b5 12.b4! Bd7, Bossi –
G.Fernandez, Email 2011, 13.Nb3 a5 14.a3± One of White’s knight is headed for the c5-square and
the other to e5. The light-squared bishops of both sides are quite different in strength and Black’s b5-
pawn is weak.

10...h6. This move only weakens Black’s kingside. 11.Re1 Nd7 12.Qe2

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 12...Re8 (In response to the rather slow move 12...a6, Kuzuev – Alavkin, Perm 1998, it looks
excellent for White to build the battery queen + bishop with the line: 13.Bc2 b5 14.Qd3 g6 15.h4! h5
16.Qe3 Kg7 17.Nf1 Nb6 18.Ng3‚ Black’s king is horribly endangered, for example he would lose
immediately after 18...Nc4? 19.Nxh5+–) 13.Ne5 Nf8 14.Qh5ƒ White has obtained excellent
attacking prospects, while Black has no counterplay whatsoever. 14...Nxe5 15.dxe5 Qe7 16.Re3 Qg5
17.Qe2 (17.Qxg5 hxg5 18.Rg3 f6 19.Re1± Black’s position on the kingside is so weakened that
White maintains a clear advantage. For example, he is already threatening to exchange on f6 and to
win a pawn later with the pawn-march h2-h4.) 17...Ng6 18.Nf3 Qe7 19.Qd2 Nf4, Pluemer – Lucas,
Bad Woerishofen 2010, 20.Bc2 Bd7 21.Nd4± Black has failed to preserve his pieces in front of his
pawns on the kingside and this would lead to the concentrating of White’s forces there.

10...Re8. Black fails to prepare the pawn-advance e7-e5 in this way. 11.Re1

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 About 11...Bd7 12.Ne5 – see 10...Bd7.
11...e5? 12.dxe5 Nxe5, Van Foreest – Kazarian, Spakenburg 2018. Black is ready to defend an
inferior endgame, but after 13.Rxe5! Rxe5 14.Nc4+–, White ends up with an extra piece.
11...Nd7 12.Re3² He concentrates his forces on the kingside. White’s plans include Qe2, Rae1 and
the deployment of his knight on the e5-square. 12...Nf8? This move enables White to occupy
immediately a very important square for his forthcoming attack. 13.Ne5 Nxe5 (13...Ng6? 14.Qh5+–
14.dxe5 Qd8 15.Qh5 g6, Tonteri – Hytonen, Finland 2018, 16.Qg4 Bd7 17.Nf3‚
11...h6 12.Ne5 Nd7 13.f4 Ncxe5 (13...Ndxe5 14.fxe5 Qe7 15.Rf1 Qg5 16.Rf3 Rf8 17.Rg3‚ Black
will hardly manage to defend his kingside, for example: 17...Qe7? 18.Qh5 Kh8 19.Rf1 Bd7 20.Rf6
1–0 Preuss – Kloster, Germany 2011.) 14.fxe5 Qe7, Podkoritnik – Skok, Ljubljana 2013, 15.Re3 Nf8
16.Rg3‚ In this situation White’s attack is practically impossible for Black to parry: 16...Bd7 17.Qh5
Kh8 18.Rf1+– His f7-pawn is hanging and White is threatening Rf6! with an unavoidable checkmate.

10...b6 11.Re1 Bb7 12.Ne5²

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 White has occupied a very important outpost in the centre and under the cover of this knight he will
begin to prepare an attack against the enemy king. It is also essential that Black has no counterplay at
all.
12...Qc7 13.Qf3!? Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd7 15.Qh3 h6 16.Nf3 a5 17.Re3 Ba6 18.Bc2 Nc5 19.g4‚
White’s attack is becoming even more dangerous. He is threatening g4-g5 and his rook on a1 will
come unavoidably to the g-file.
12...Nd7, Quevedo – Bianco, Punta del Este 2020, 13.Re3!? Ncxe5 14.dxe5 Nxe5? (Black is
obviously reluctant to enter the line: 14...Qe7 15.Nf3² and later White plays Nd4 bringing at first his
rook and then his queen into his kingside attack, but that was still the best possibility for Black.)
15.Bxh7+! Kxh7 (15...Kh8? 16.Rh3+–) 16.Ne4! It is already quite easy to see that Black is beyond
salvation: 16...Qd8 17.Qh5+ Kg8 18.Ng5 Re8 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.Qh8+ Ke7 21.Qxg7+–, or 16...Nf3+
17.Rxf3 Qe5 18.Nf6+! gxf6 19.Rh3+ Kg6 20.Qd2 Rh8 21.Rg3+ Kh7 22.Re1+–
12...Ne7 13.Qf3!? (It is also very good for White to opt here for 13.Re3, with the idea after
13...Ng6?! 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Rh3‚, to transfer his queen to the h4-square.) 13...Ng6 14.Re3

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 14...Nd7? 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.Qh5 Qe8 17.Rae1 Bc8 18.Nf3 h6 19.Bxg6 fxg6 20.Qxd5+–
G.Kovacs – Haertl, Oberwart 2011. White has played in a quite natural fashion and has won a pawn,
compromising his opponent’s pawn-structure.
14...a5, Zjajo – Sussmann, Untergrombach 1999, 15.Bxg6 hxg6?! (Naturally, Black is reluctant to
play 15...fxg6 16.Qe2± – his e5-square and the pawn on e6 would remain horribly weak after this
decision, but now, he is practically helpless against the attack on the h-file.) 16.Qh3! b5 17.f4 b4
18.g4! White deprives the enemy knight of the f5-square. 18...bxc3 19.bxc3 Rac8 20.Qh4+– and his
attack is victorious.

C1) 10...Bd7 11.Re1

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 11...Rac8

11...Rfe8 12.Ne5 Ne7 13.g4 (13.Re3!? White brings immediately his rook into the attack against
the enemy king.) 13...Bc6 (13...Ng6 14.g5 Ne4 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Nxe4±) 14.g5 Ne4 (14...Nd7??
15.Bxh7+ Kxh7 16.Qh5+ Kg8 17.Qxf7+ Kh8 18.Re3+–) 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Nxe4± White has already
an extra pawn and his attack on the kingside continues.

11...a6 12.Ne5 b5 (12...Be8 13.Re3ƒ, followed later by Qe2, Rae1 and possibly f4, g4.) 13.b4 Qc7,
Fieberg – Oster Daum, Bergisch Gladbach 2001. Now, White can improve considerably his attacking
prospects by a preliminary transfer of his knight to the c5-square: 14.Nb3 Rfc8 15.Nc5 Be8 16.Ng4
Nd7 (16...Nxg4?! 17.Qxg4‚ Later, White will bring his rook to the kingside, attacking the enemy
king.) 17.Qf3 Nxc5 18.bxc5 b4 19.Qh3‚

In answer to 11...Qf4, Banawa – Korley, Saint Louis 2019, it is very good for White to continue in
a standard fashion 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Ng4 14.Nf3 f6 15.exf6 Rxf6 16.h3 Nh6 17.Qc2 Nf5
18.Ne5± Black has failed to organise counterplay on the kingside, because White’s blocking knight
on e5 is very powerful and Black can hardly manage to eliminate it.

11...Rab8 12.Ne5 b5 13.b4 a5 14.a3 Qc7 15.Re3!? (It is simpler for White to play here 15.Nb3±,
transferring his knight to c5 and only then to try to concentrate his forces on the kingside.) 15...Ne7
16.Nb3 (It is also attractive for him to play here 16.g4!? Ng6 17.g5. Now, after 17...Ne8? 18.Rh3+–,
Black will have to part with too much material in order to avoid being checkmated, while in the
variation 17...Ne4 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.Bxe4±, White will have an extra pawn and Black
will have great problems to parry the threat Qh5+ Rh3.) 16...Ng6 17.Nc5 Bc8 18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.Rh3
Re8 20.Qd2 Kf8 21.Qf4 1–0 Vojtech – Kovar, Decin 1995.

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 11...Rfc8. Black plays this move with the idea that after he protects the f7-square with his bishop,
his rook would not remain isolated from the actions. 12.Ne5 Be8 13.Re3 Rab8 14.Qf3 b5, Mikheev –
Kreines, Vladimir 2009. Here, White can afford to play aggressively 15.g4!? (He could have also
tried the calmer line: 15.a3 a5 16.Nb3² Black’s a5-pawn is under an attack and if he advances it
forward his queenside activity would be over.)

15...h6 16.h4‚ White is very active on the kingside and he would follow with g4-g5, Kg2,
attacking on the h-file.
15...b4? 16.g5 Nd7 (16...bxc3 17.gxf6+–) 17.Bxh7+! Kxh7 18.Nxf7 Qe7 19.Qh3+ Kg8 20.Qh8+!
Kxf7 21.g6+. White has sacrificed two pieces and has brought the enemy king into the open and now,
he checkmates convincingly: 21...Kf6 22.Rf3+ Kg5 23.Kh1+–, or 21...Kxg6 22.Rg3+ Kf5 23.Qh7+–
15...Qe7 16.Nxc6 Bxc6 17.a3 a5 18.g5 Ne4 (18...Ne8?? 19.Bxh7+ Kf8 20.Qh5+–) 19.Bxe4 dxe4
20.Qf4² Black will fail to save his pawn on e4.

12.Ne5

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 12...Ne7

In reply to the move, with which Black stalemates his own rook – 12...Be8, Vlacil – Svitek,
Czechia 2006, it is very strong for White to continue with 13.Re3 a6 14.Qf3 b5 15.Qh3ƒ and here it
would be bad for Black to play consequently 15...b4?, because after 16.Ng4+–, White’s attack would
be impossible to parry.

13.Re3 Ng6
13...b5 14.Rh3. White has created the powerful threat Bxh7+, followed by Qh5, so Black will have
to play 14...Ng6 15.Bxg6. Now, he is faced with the rather unpleasant choice between 15...hxg6
16.Qf3‚, with the idea Qf4-h4, or 15...fxg6 16.a3 a5 17.Qe1 Rc7 18.Nb3 Qb6 19.Nc5± Vinciguerra
– MacMillen, Email 2015. White has occupied the c5 and e5-squares, while Black’s e6-pawn is weak
and he has no counterplay at all.

14.Bxg6

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 14...hxg6 (14...fxg6, Da Silva – Ferreira, Batatais 2014, 15.Qe2±) 15.Rh3‚ Here, White has a
clear-cut plan for actions. He must deploy his queen on the h4-square. Black would be incapable of
preventing that. 15...Qb6 16.Rb1 Be8 17.Qf3 Qa5 18.Qg3 Qxa2 19.Qh4 Nh5 20.g4 f6 21.gxh5 fxe5
22.h6 Rf4 23.Qg3±

C2) 10...e5 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 13.Re1

abcdefgh
There has arisen a standard position with an isolated pawn on d5 for Black. The absence of the
dark-squared bishops off the board is definitely in favour of White and he would be ready to trade
even more pieces. It would be essential for him not to allow the exchange of the isolated pawn, so he

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must attack it necessarily. In order to do that he must transfer his queen to the d4-square and the best
place for his knight would be the e3-square.
13...Qf4

Following 13...Qd6, White should follow the scheme analysed in the variation with 13...Qc7:
14.Qa4 Bd7 15.Qd4²

13...Qc7 14.Qa4 Bd7 15.Qd4²

abcdefgh
15...Rfe8 16.Rxe8+ Bxe8, Biti – Draganic, Pula 2009. Now, White must concentrate his forces into
the attack against the pawn on d5. 17.Nf1!? Bc6 18.Ne3 b6 19.Be2 Rd8 20.Bf3 h6 21.Rd1± Black’s
pieces are squeezed with the protection of the weak pawn on d5, while White is threatening c3-c4.
Black must also consider his opponent’s eventual pawn-offensive on the kingside.
15...Qb6 16.Qxb6 axb6 17.f3 Rfe8 18.Rxe8+ Nxe8 19.Nf1 Nd6 20.Ne3 Be6 21.a3 Nc4, Soldano –
Beck, Email 2011.

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 Black has managed to solve a part of his problems. It would not be so easy now for White to attack
the pawn on d5, but he has activated his knight and after 22.Bxc4 dxc4 23.Rd1 Kf8 24.Rd6 Ra6
25.Rd8+ Ke7 26.Rb8 Ra7 27.g4 Kf6 28.f4 g6 29.Kf2+–, Black’s rook would remain very passive as
well as his bishop. White’s king will be headed into the centre in the nearest future and this would
quickly lead to material gains for him.
14.g3

abcdefgh
14...Qc7

In response to 14...Qh6, Jasz – Ferencz, Hungary 2011, White should set-up immediately his pieces
according to the correct scheme: 15.Nf1 Be6 16.Qa4 Rfe8 17.Ne3 Bd7 18.Qd4±

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 15.Qa4 Bd7 16.Qd4 a6 17.Re7. He occupies the e-file and will decide later what to do with his
knight. 17...Rae8 18.Rae1 Rxe7 19.Rxe7 Qa5 20.a3 Qd8, Bieker – Hitzegrad, Email 2006, 21.Re2 h6
22.Qb4 Qc7 23.Nb3² White does not risk anything in this position. Later, his knight will go to d4,
blocking the weak enemy pawn on d5 and then he will gradually organise actions on the kingside.
Black’s defence in this position will be tremendously difficult and he will have no chances of seizing
the initiative.

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 Chapter 6
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4
Bg4 7.Qb3

This is no doubt White’s best move. He has attacked the pawn on b7 and Black can protect it in
many different ways, but not all of them are good for him.

In this chapter we will deal in details with the moves: A) 7...e5 and B) 7...Na5.
About 7...Qc8 – see Chapter 7, 7...Qd7 – see Chapter 8.

7...Qb6. This is a standard way of protecting the pawn on b6 in some other openings, but here, it is
not so good, because it would not be advisable for Black to exchange the queens on b3, since this
would enable White’s rook to become active on the a-file and his b3-pawn may advance. Black will
also fail to avoid the trade of the queens. So, he must only wait for his opponent to double his pawns.
8.Ne2! (White should not ignore his quick development. Naturally, his knight should be headed for
the b5-square, but after the immediate reaction 8.Na3 Nd7! 9.Nb5 e5. Black would manage to
organise counterplay.)

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 8...e6 (We have already mentioned before that the exchange of the queens on the b3-square would
be in favour of White: 8...Qxb3 9.axb3 e6 10.b4 Nh5 11.f3 Nxf4 12.Nxf4 Bd6 13.Nxd5 exd5
14.fxg4±, Black is a pawn down and has a weakness on d5, Ripper – Angermann, Email 2001.)
9.Na3 Qxb3 (After 9...Be7 10.Qxb6 axb6 11.Nb5 Kd7 12.h4² Black has no compensation for his
weakened queenside and may have problems with his light-squared bishop.) 10.axb3 Bh5 11.b4 Bg6
12.Nc1² White wishes to deploy his knight on the c5-square and this would provide him with better
prospects in combination with his pressure on the a-file and his pawn-majority on the queenside.

7...Nh5. Black forces the active enemy bishop on f4 to abandon its position, but his knight will
have to go back to f6 sooner or later, so this line can hardly be recommended. 8.Be3

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 8...Qd6 (Black would end up a pawn down in an endgame practically by force after the seemingly
active line: 8...e5 9.Qxb7 Bd7 10.Bf5! Rb8 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.Qxd7+ Kxd7 13.dxe5 Nxe5 14.b3±
Plebanczyk – Reig Pinol, Email 2008, but even after the more accurate variation 8...Qd7 9.h3 Be6
10.Nf3 a6 11.Nbd2 g6, Saric – Cvorovic, Split 2005, White can exploit his great lead in development
with the help of the aggressive line: 12.Ng5 Bf5 13.Be2 h6 14.Nxf7 Kxf7 15.g4 Ng7 16.gxf5 Nxf5
17.Nf3± After the end of White’s operation Black’s king is vulnerable and he has a weakened pawn-
structure in the centre and on the kingside.) 9.Na3 Nf6 (Black is forced to sacrifice a pawn, since in
the variation 9...0-0-0 10.h3 Be6 11.Nb5 Qd7 12.Nf3+–, his king would come unavoidably under a
dangerous attack, for example: 12...a6 13.a4 axb5? 14.axb5 Nb8 15.Ne5+–) 10.Qxb7 Rb8 11.Qa6
Rb6 (After 11...Rxb2? Black regains his pawn, but loses the exchange: 12.Nb5 Qd7 13.Qa3+–)
12.Qa4 Bd7 13.Qc2 Qb8 14.b4 e6 15.Nb1² Black has some compensation for the sacrificed pawn,
but his kingside has not been developed yet, so White’s chances of completing his development and
parrying his opponent’s activity seem to be quite promising.

A) 7...e5!?

abcdefgh
This is a modern move and it was introduced into the tournament practice less than ten years ago.
Black inflicts a strike in the centre and is trying to obtain immediate counterplay by ousting the
enemy pieces, gaining tempi to develop his forces and to begin an attack.
8.h3!
Black’s light-squared bishop is very active, so White must oust it away from its active placement.

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 8...Na5

About 8...Qe7 9.hxg4 exf4+ 10.Kf1 – see 8...exf4.

Following 8...exf4 9.hxg4, Black’s pawn on f4 will soon come under an attack and White’s rook
will exert powerful pressure on the h-file. 9...Qe7+ (9...Nxg4 10.Qxb7 Rc8 11.Ne2² There is
temporary material balance on the board, but White leads in development and Black will have great
problems to protect his weaknesses, while the aggressive line: 11...f3 12.Bb5!± would lose a pawn for
Black in a transfer to an endgame.) 10.Kf1

abcdefgh
One of White’s rooks is actively placed on the h-file, while his second rook will be deployed on the

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e1-square. His king is in the centre at the moment, but is quite safe there.
In reply to 10...Ne4, Demchenko – Yurtseven, Lisbon 2018, threatening to capture on f2, White’s
most precise reaction would be 11.Bxe4! dxe4 12.Nd2. He completes his development and attacks his
opponent’s far-advanced pawns. 12...e3 (about 12...0-0-0 13.Re1 e3 14.Ngf3 – see 12...e3) 13.Re1 0-
0-0 14.Ngf3 g6 15.Nc4 Bg7 16.fxe3 fxe3 17.d5 Nb8 18.Qb5± Black’s pawn on e3 would perish
unavoidably and White will come closer to entering an endgame after activating his queen.
10...Nxg4. This is possibly Black’s most prudent move and with it he maintains the material
balance. 11.Nd2 Qd7 12.Re1+ Be7 13.Nh3 0-0-0, Freude – Von Mettenheim, Willingen 2019.
Meanwhile after 14.Nf3 h5 15.Nxf4 g6 16.Bb5², it is easily noticeable that it would be much easier
for White to create threats against the enemy king than for Black to do the same. In addition, he must
worry about his weak pawn on d5, since White is likely to capture it soon.
10...0-0-0 11.Nd2

White’s king’s knight is working well at its place covering the king and being ready to attack the
enemy pawn on f4, or to go to the e5-square, while he wishes to place his rook at the centre of the
board.
11...g6 12.Re1 Qc7 13.g5 Nh5 14.Be2 Ng7, Shankland – Liang, Saint Louis 2018. Here, White’s
most energetic reaction would be to occupy the e5-square with the line: 15.Qa4 Be7 16.Ngf3 Ne6
17.Bb5 Nxg5 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.Ne5 Rd6 20.Nb3± He is a pawn down indeed, but Black has
problems with his kingside and his pieces are in complete disharmony.
It would not be preferable for him to choose the aggressive line: 11...g5 12.Ndf3 h5 13.Qc2 Bh6
14.Re1 Qc7 15.Bb5 Nxg4 (15...hxg4 16.Qf5+ Nd7 17.Nxg5 Bxg5 18.Rxh8 Rxh8 19.Qxg5+–
Black’s kingside pawns look like an easy prey for White’s pieces.) 16.Rxh5± Black will fail to
maintain the material balance, due to the vulnerability of the f5-square.
11...Kb8 12.Re1 Qd6 13.g5 Nd7, Kostenko – Yoo, Chess.com 2020. Black’s minor pieces do not
have good squares and his pawns on f4, d5 and h7 will be juicy targets for White’s forces. 14.Ndf3
Be7 15.Bb5! Rde8 and here White has a choice between 16.Nh3 h6 17.Nxf4 hxg5 18.Rxh8 Rxh8

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19.Bxc6 Qxc6 20.Qxd5 Rh1+ 21.Ng1± winning a pawn immediately and entering an endgame. He
will have some problems though, to parry the activity of Black’s rook. His alternative would be the
line: 16.Qc2 g6 17.c4 dxc4 18.Qxc4± activating maximally his pieces. White’s immediately plans to
include the exchange on c6 and to attack the weak enemy pawns, while Black has no active
counterplay in sight.

9.Qc2

9...exf4

9...Bd1!? Black is reluctant to allow the opening of the h-file. 10.Qxd1 exf4 11.Nf3 Bd6 12.Nbd2
0-0 13.0-0 Re8 14.b4 Nc6, Vaibhav – Ravi, Majitar 2019, 15.Qc2 g6 16.a4² Black’s f4-pawn
impedes the possibility for White’s bishop to attack the enemy king, but he plans to place a pawn on
a5 (and if possible even on the a6-square, attacking the light squares) and then to prepare the
penetration of his knight to the c5-outpost.

10.hxg4 Nxg4

10...Qe7+ 11.Kf1± Now, White’s rook will be placed on e1 with tempo, while following 11...Nxg4
12.Na3, Black will have to go with his king to the d8-square, which would provide White with
excellent attacking possibilities.

11.Qe2+ Qe7 12.Nh3

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 12...f3
Black is trying to compromise his opponent’s pawn-structure.

12...Nf6 13.Nxf4 g6 14.Nd2 Qxe2+ 15.Kxe2 Bd6 16.Kf3 h5, K.Wang – Balakrishnan, Charlotte
2020. Now, White must regroup his forces in order to create pressure against the weak enemy pawn
on d5: 17.g3 Kf8 18.Ng2 Kg7 19.a4 Rae8 20.Ne3 Re6 21.Kg2 Rhe8 22.Be2 Nc6 23.Bf3 Ne7
24.Rae1²

13.gxf3 Nf6

About 13...Qxe2+ 14.Kxe2 Nf6 15.Nd2 – see 13...Nf6.

14.Nd2² Qxe2+ 15.Kxe2 Bd6 16.f4

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 16...Nh5

In response to 16...0-0, Savchenko – Bocharov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2020, White can transfer his
knight to the centre of the board: 17.Nf3 Rfe8+ 18.Ne5² Here, the weakness of the pawn on f4
becomes irrelevant and he has good prospects for active actions on the open files on the kingside.

17.Kf3 g6
It would be more accurate for Black to play now 17...Nc6 18.f5²

18.f5 0-0-0 19.Nf1 Nc6 20.Ne3 Ne7 21.Ng5 Rdf8

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 22.Rxh5! gxh5 23.f6 Ng6 24.Nxd5 h6 25.Ne4 Rd8 26.Rh1+– Demchenko – Postny, Fagernes
2019. White’s pieces are powerfully centralised and very active as compensation for the exchange-
sacrifice.

B) 7...Na5
This is a logical move for Black. He forces his opponent to remove the attack against the pawn on
b7.
8.Qa4+

8...Bd7

It is less logical for Black to choose here 8...Nc6 9.Nd2 – he has lost several tempi, but White has
also lost two moves to go with his queen to the a4-square, so this might not be so bad for Black.

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 9...a6. Black is trying to exploit the exposed position of the enemy queen in order to organise the
pawn-minority attack. 10.Ngf3 b5 11.Qc2 Bxf3 (After 11...e6 12.a4! b4 13.0-0 Bd6 14.Ne5 Qc7
15.h3 Bh5 16.Nxc6 Bxf4 17.Nxb4± Black’s compensation for the pawn is obviously insufficient.)
12.Nxf3± White has a lead in development and the two-bishop advantage. 12...h6? 13.Ne5 Rc8,
P.Fischer – Wagner, Homburg 2010, 14.Qe2 e6 15.Nxc6 Rxc6 16.a4+–
9...e6 10.Ngf3

10...Bxf3. This exchange is premature. 11.Nxf3 Bd6 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.0-0 0-0 14.Rae1. In Chapter
8 we analyse an analogous position, but in it Black’s rook is already on the b8-square enhancing his
possible counterplay on the queenside by advancing b7-b5.
In reply to 10...Nd7, Constantinou – Gordon, Sheffield 2011, it seems reasonable for White to

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continue with 11.0-0 Be7 12.Qb3!?, deflecting the enemy queen away from the kingside and after
12...Qb6, he can try either 13.Qxb6!? Nxb6 14.a4² with a clear-cut plan for active actions on the
queenside in the endgame, or 13.Qc2 13...Bh5 14.Rae1 Bg6 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.h4 – White fixes his
opponent’s static pawn-structure and making use of the fact that it would be too risky for Black to try
16...Bxh4?! 17.Rxe6+ fxe6 18.Qxg6+ Kf8 19.Bd6+ Ne7 20.Qxe6 Rh6 21.Bxe7+ Bxe7 22.Qxd7±
His king is vulnerable, his pieces are dis-coordinated and his pawn on d5 is weak.
10...Bd6 11.Ne5 0-0 (11...Bxe5. Black captures the powerful enemy knight, but White’s dark-
squared bishop becomes tremendously powerful without an opponent. 12.Bxe5 Bh5, Murray – Van
Dijk, Guernsey 2009, 13.Bb5! Strangely enough, Black has a serious problem to protect his pawn,
because after 13...Rc8 14.Qxa7 0-0 15.Qxb7 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Ng4 17.Nf3±, he would be already two
pawns down and his lead in development would not be so great, while in the variation 13...Qb6
14.c4! a6 15.Qa3! Nd7 16.0-0 Ndxe5 17.dxe5 0-0-0 18.Bxc6 Qxc6 19.b4‚ Black’s king would be
seriously endangered.) 12.0-0 Bh5 (12...Bxe5 13.Bxe5 Rc8, Kozlowski – Musitani, ICCF 2007, 14.h3
Bh5 15.Rfe1²) 13.Rae1 Qc7 14.Bg3 Ne7

15.c4! b6 16.Rc1 (16.cxd5!? Nfxd5 17.Ndc4) 16...Qb7 17.c5 bxc5 18.dxc5 Bc7 19.Ba6 Qxb2,
Kvaloy – Olsen, Ballerup 2018, 20.Nb3! Bxe5 21.Rb1 Qc2 (21...Qc3 22.Rfc1) 22.Bxe5± White’s
passed pawn on c5 is supported by all his pieces and is ready to advance after the move Rbc1. In
addition, Black must also consider the possibilities Bb7 and Bd6.

9.Qc2

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 We will analyse now the moves: B1) 9...e6, B2) 9...Nh5, B3) 9...Rc8 and B4) 9...Qb6.

About 9...Nc6 10.Nf3 Rc8 11.Qe2 – see 9...Rc8.

9...g6. Black is reluctant to close his bishop on the d7-square and keeps the possibility to develop it
to f5, or to g4. 10.Nf3 Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 12.h3

In response to 12...Qb6, Kozak – Maletin, Dombai 2013, it seems good for White to continue in a
standard fashion 13.a4!? – he prevents the move Bd7-b5. 13...Rac8 14.Nbd2 Nc4 15.Rfb1, with the
idea Nf1, b3 and active actions on the queenside, for example: 15...Rfd8 16.Nf1 Nh5 17.Bh2 Bh6
18.b3 Na5 19.Ne3 Be6 20.c4±

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 12...Rc8 13.Re1 Re8 (13...Nc4 14.Nbd2 Bb5 15.Nf1 Re8 16.a4 Bc6 17.N1d2 e6 18.Ne5 Nxe5,
Hague – Wang, Auckland 2013, Black has failed to activate his light-squared bishop. 19.dxe5 Nd7
20.Nf3² White will soon deploy his knight on the d4-square and this would enable him to attack later
his opponent’s kingside.) 14.Nbd2 Qb6 15.a4 Nc6, Sveshnikov – Agrest, Tallinn 2015 (15...Nc4
16.Ne5²).

abcdefgh
Here, it would be quite reasonable for White to remove his queen away from the juxtaposition with
the enemy rook with the move 16.Qb1!?, with the idea to begin an offensive on the queenside with
the move b2-b4. 16...a5 17.Ra3 (White wishes to transfer his knight to the c5-outpost via b3.)
17...Qd8 18.Nb3 b6 19.Qd1 Nh5 (19...Bf5? 20.Ba6+–) 20.Bh2± Black has great problems to
organise active counterplay.

9...a6. This move is played with the same idea as Qb6 – Black wishes to trade the light-squared
bishops. 10.Nf3. This is an important moment. White ignores the possibility to prevent the exchange
of the bishops. (Meanwhile, after 10.a4 Bg4 11.Nd2 Bh5 12.Ngf3 Bg6 13.Ne5 e6, Campora –
Tukmakov, Biel 1988, White can obtain an advantage with the line: 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.Nf3 Bd6
16.Bg5 Nc4 17.g3 0-0 18.0-0²) 10...Bb5 11.Bxb5+ axb5 12.Nbd2 e6 13.a3

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 He has fixed his opponent’s weak pawn on b5 and Black’s queenside counterplay is over. 13...Be7
14.0-0 0-0 15.Rae1 Nc4 16.Ne5 Ra6 17.Nd3!

On this square White’s knight not only protects the pawn on b2, but also controls the important b4-
square. Later, at some appropriate moment, it can abandon defending and join into the attack on the
kingside. 17...Rc6 18.Qd1 Rb6 19.Nf3 Ne4 20.Nfe5 Bf6 21.f3 Ned6 22.Ng4 (22.Re2!? Re8 23.Nb4
Nc8 24.Ned3 Ne7 25.g4ƒ Black’s knight on c4 looks attractive, but is completely useless.) 22...Bh4
23.g3 Bg5 24.Bxd6 Nxd6 25.h4 Be7 26.h5ƒ Aronian – Karjakin, Kolkata 2018. White has excellent
prospects on the kingside while Black has no counterplay at all.

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 B1) 9...e6
With this premature move Black loses the possibility to develop his light-squared bishop on the g4-
square and presents his opponent with some additional resources.
10.Nf3

10...Be7

In answer to the move 10...Qb6, White does not need to weaken his queenside with the move 11.a4
(see variation B4), since he has at his disposal the much more natural move 11.Qe2 (11.0-0?! – see
game 5).

11...a6 12.a4 Be7 13.0-0 0-0 14.b4 Nc6, Castillo – Slipak, Buenos Aires 2003, 15.h3± White has

146
ensured an important diagonal for his bishop.
11...Be7 12.0-0 (12.Ne5!? 0-0 13.Bg5 Be8 14.Ng4ƒ Now, Black must either comply with the
weakening of his kingside, or stop his attack against the enemy pawn on b2 after which White’s
queenside will join quickly and advantageously into the actions.) 12...0-0 13.Ne5 Rac8, Hlavac –
Cech, Frydek Mistek 1998, 14.b4 Nc4 15.a4 a6 16.Rc1² White completes the development of his
queenside and has excellent prospects to prepare an attack against the enemy king thanks to his
powerful knight on e5. In addition, Black’s bishop on d7 is completely isolated from the actions.

11.0-0 0-0 12.Nbd2 Rc8 13.Ne5

13...b5

13...Nc6 14.Qd1 Be8 15.Re1 Nd7, Kovalevskaya – Beikert, Pardubice 1997. Black has managed to
exchange the powerful enemy knight on e5, but after 16.Nxd7 Bxd7 17.Re3 Re8 18.Nf3 Bf6 19.Qd2
g6 20.Rae1±, the concentration of White’s pieces in the centre and on the kingside seems threatening,
particularly if we have in mind the weakened dark squares in the vicinity of Black’s monarch.

14.Rfe1!?

This move is more precise than 14.Nxd7 Qxd7, Gentil – Dos Santos, Sao Paulo 1997, 15.Nf3 Nc4
16.Qe2² although even then Black’s kingside looks endangered.

14...Nc4

14...b4 15.Re3 bxc3 16.bxc3 Nc6 17.Qd1 Be8 18.Rh3‚ White is threatening 19.Bxh7+, followed
by Qh5. Black fails to exploit the vulnerability of the enemy pawn on c3.

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 15.a4 a6 16.Ndf3 Be8 17.axb5 axb5 18.Qe2² Black’s position is solid, but very passive and his
knight on c4 is insufficient for him to create meaningful counterplay. White plans to occupy the a-file
with Ra7, Rfa1. Later, Black’s pawn on b5 may turn into an attractive object for an attack.

B2) 9...Nh5

This placement of Black’s knights at the edge of the board may seem amusing, but he deprives his
opponent of an important resource – the control over the h2-b8 diagonal.
10.Be3 g6

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 Black can hardly continue the game without this move, for example: 10...Qc7 (This is also a useful
move for him, since he may decide later to deploy his knight on the f4-square.) 11.Nf3 Nc6 (About
11...g6 12.0-0 Bg7 13.Nbd2 – see 10...g6. It would be premature for Black to opt here for 11...Nf4
12.Bxf4 Qxf4 13.Ne5²) 12.0-0 g6 (Black would lose tempi after 12...Bg4?! 13.Ne5±, while
following 12...e6 13.Nbd2 Bd6 14.Rfe1² he should not capture on e5, because in that line his king
would remain stranded in the centre for long and he would lag in development considerably.)
13.Nbd2 Bg7 14.Rfe1 0-0 15.Qb3 – see 10...g6.

11.Nf3 Bg7 12.Nbd2

12...Qc7

12...0-0 13.0-0 f5 (about 13...Qc7 14.Rfe1 – see 12...Qc7) 14.Nb3 Nc4 15.Bg5!? White provokes a
weakening of the light squares on his opponent’s kingside. (He has some other interesting
alternatives: 15.Qe2 Nxe3 16.Qxe3 b6 17.Rfe1 e6 18.Ne5² White has occupied an important outpost
in the centre and his position seems very aggressive, M.Novikov – Gusev, Bogoroditsk 2011, or
15.Bxc4!? dxc4 16.Nc5 Bc8 17.Qa4 Qd5 18.Rfe1 b6 19.Na6 b5 20.Nc7 bxa4 21.Nxd5 Bb7
22.Nxe7+ Kf7 23.d5 Rfe8 24.Nc6± – Black will have to try to regain his pawn and to correct his
pawn-structure.) 15...h6 16.Bc1 Nd6 17.a4 Ne4 18.Ne5±

13.0-0 0-0 14.Rfe1

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 14...Nc6

14...Rac8 15.a4!? (Unfortunately for White after 15.Ne5, Black can simplify the position 15...Bxe5
16.dxe5 Ng7 17.Nf3 Bf5, Zaugg – Balta, ICCF 2016.) 15...Nc4 (Following 15...Nc6 16.Qb3 e6
17.Qd1 Rfe8 18.Nb3², Black’s bishop would remain passive on d7 and although his position seems
rather solid his attempts to organise some counterplay would lead to the appearance of weaknesses in
his position.) 16.Nxc4 dxc4 17.Be2 Nf4 18.Bf1 Nd5 19.Bd2 Bf5 20.Qd1 Rfd8 21.Ne5. Black’s
pawn on c4 is very weak, so he is forced to exchange his important bishop. 21...Bxe5 22.Rxe5 Qb6
23.g4!? Black’s knight on d5 is beautiful and powerful, so White will try to begin an attack on the
kingside. 23...Bd3 24.Bg2 e6 25.Qe1!? Qxb2 26.Rc1© White has managed to provoke a weakening
of the important f6-square and because of that his attacking prospects have improved considerably.
26...Qb6 27.Bh6 Qc6 28.Bxd5 Rxd5 29.Qe3‚

15.Qb3

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 15...e6, Morozevich – Grischuk, Prague 2002 (Following 15...Qd6 16.a4 Rfe8, Salcedo Mederos –
Ayrosa, ICCF 2009, it seems reasonable for White to continue with 17.a5² b6 18.a6, provoking a
weakening of the enemy queenside.) 16.Qd1!? White must prepare his offensive on the kingside, so
he has to transfer his queen there. 16...Nf4 17.Bf1 Rab8 18.Ne5! Nh5 19.g4! Nf6 20.Bf4± White’s
attacking prospects have been enhanced considerably after the occupation of the e5-outpost.

B3) 9...Rc8
This looks like a useful move for Black. His rook has been deployed on a semi-open file, in
juxtaposition with the enemy queen, but Black loses time for this, which he needs in order to
complete his development.

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 abcdefgh
10.Nf3 Qb6

10...e6 11.0-0 (11.Ne5 Nc6 12.Qe2²) 11...Nh5 (about 11...Be7 12.Nbd2 0-0 13.Ne5 – see 9...e6)
12.Bg5 Be7 (12...f6?! 13.Bxh7 fxg5 14.Qg6+ Ke7 15.Qxh5+–) 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.g3² White’s
bishop is much more active than its counterpart and this, in combination of the appearance of his
knight on the e5-square, would provide him with a stable advantage.

10...Nc6 11.Qe2 Bg4 12.Nbd2 e6 13.Qe3!? White’s knight is ready to occupy the e5-outpost, so he
will have excellent prospects for active actions on the kingside: 13...Bh5 (13...Be7 14.Ne5²; 13...Bd6
14.Ne5²) 14.Ne5 a6, Mestel – Barcza, Hastings 1972, 15.Qh3 Be7 16.g4 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Bxg4
18.Qg3+–

11.Qe2!
Now, due to Black’s transposition of moves, White would not need to play the move a2-a4, which
would have weakened his position!
11...Bg4

It would be again too risky for Black to choose here 11...e6 12.0-0 Bd6 13.Ne5² White not only has
occupied an important square, but is already threatening to win material: 13...0-0? 14.b4 Nc4
15.Bxc4 dxc4 16.Nxc4 Rxc4 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Qxc4+–

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 This position was reached in the game Beikert – Godard, France 2003.
12.Nbd2!
White completes calmly his development making use of the fact that his pawn on b2 is “poisoned”.
12...e6

12...Qxb2 13.Rb1 Qa3 (13...Qxa2? 14.0-0 Nc4 15.Ra1 Qb2 16.Rfb1 Qxc3 17.Rc1 Qb2 18.Rab1
Qa2 19.Rc2+–) 14.Bb5+ Bd7 15.Ne5 a6 16.Bxd7+ Nxd7 17.Nxd7 Kxd7 18.Nb3!± Black will not
preserve his extra pawn and his kingside pieces are likely to fail to take part in the defence of his
king.

13.Bb5+ Nc6 14.h3 Bf5 15.g4 Be4

15...Bg6 16.Ne5 Be7 17.h4± Now, in connection with White’s threat h4-h5, Black will either lose
material, or will end up with a very bad pawn-structure on the kingside.

16.0-0

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 16...Bxf3

16...a6 17.Bxc6+ Rxc6 18.Ne5 Rc8 19.g5 Nd7 20.Nxd7 Kxd7 21.Nxe4 dxe4 22.Qxe4+–

17.Nxf3 Be7 18.Ne5²

White maintains an advantage thanks to his powerful bishop-pair and his dominance over the
important e5-outpost. It is also essential that Black will have problems to evacuate his king away
from the centre: 18...0-0? 19.Bxc6 bxc6 20.g5 Ne4 21.Nd7±

B4) 9...Qb6
This is Black’s most logical move. He wishes to trade the light-squared bishops, combining this
idea with creating pressure against the enemy b2-pawn.

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 abcdefgh
10.a4!
This is a very unpleasant move for Black, but White has some good alternatives.

Black defence would not be easy after White’s simple developing move 10.Nf3, for example:
10...Bb5 11.Bxb5+ Qxb5 12.Na3 Qb6 (The move 12...Qa6 would lead to an inferior endgame for
Black with weak queenside pawns for him. 13.Qa4+ Nc6 14.Qxa6 bxa6, Degraeve – Fontaine,
Narbonne 1997, 15.Ke2²) 13.0-0 e6 14.Qa4+ Nc6 15.Nb5 Rc8 16.Rfe1 (This is a more resolute
move than 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 17.Bxd6 Ne4 18.Ba3, Romanovsky – Konstantinopolsky, Moscow 1945,
since after 18...f6÷ Black would ensure the f7-square for his king, which would be quite reliable and
safe.) 16...Be7 (16...Ne4?! He has covered the d6-square and plans to follow with f7-f5 on his next
move, building the “Pillsbury set-up”, but... 17.Rxe4! dxe4 18.Nd2 a6 19.Nd6+ Bxd6 20.Nc4+–
White regains the exchange and plans to gobble pawns on the e-file.) 17.Nd6+ Bxd6 18.Bxd6 Ne4
19.Ba3 Qa5 20.Qc2 f6 21.Nd2 Nxd2 22.Qxd2 Kf7 23.Re3ƒ Black’s e6-pawn, just like his entire
kingside, would need additional protection.

10...Rc8

About 10...Qb3 11.Qe2 e6 12.Nf3 – see 10...e6.

10...e6 11.Nf3

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 11...Qb3. Black wishes to trade the queens in order to ensure the safety of his king. He loses tempi
in the process however and fails to evacuate his king away from the centre. 12.Qe2 Nc4 (12...Bxa4?
13.Nbd2) 13.Bc1 a5 (Following 13...Ne4 14.0-0± Black’s lag in development would hurt him
seriously.) 14.0-0! Be7 15.Ne5 Nxe5 16.Nd2 Qb6 17.dxe5±
11...Rc8 12.0-0 Nc4 (12...Be7 13.Re1 Nc4 14.Ra2!? 0-0 15.Nbd2²) 13.b3 (13.Ra2!?, followed by
Ne5) 13...Na5, Urrutia Polo – Pila Diez, Zaragoza 1997, 14.Nbd2 Bd6 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.b4 Nc6
17.Qb2 0-0 18.b5 Na5 19.Ne5ƒ Black will try to capture on c3, while in the meantime White will
prepare an attack on the kingside. 19...b6 20.f4 Rc7 21.g4 Rfc8 22.g5! Ne8 23.f5 Rxc3 24.f6 g6
25.Ndf3 Rb3 26.Qf2 Nc4 27.Nxf7+–
11...Nb3. Black forces his opponent’s rook to occupy the a2-square. From there it would have great
difficulties to be transferred to the centre, or to the kingside. 12.Ra2 Rc8, Fell – Sorin, Buenos Aires
2018.

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 13.Qd1!? It is reasonable for White to remove his queen away from the juxtaposition with the
enemy rook. He wishes to deploy his knight on e5 and to begin active actions on the kingside.
13...Be7 14.Ne5 0-0 (14...Na5 15.Nd2 Nc6 16.0-0 0-0 17.Qf3 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Ne8 19.Qh3 f5 20.Be3
Qc7 21.Nf3± White maintains a clear advantage thanks to his dominance over the d4-square and his
extra space, while Black’s pieces remain very passive.) 15.Nxd7 Nxd7 16.Bb5 Rfd8 17.Qxb3 a6
18.Na3 Bxa3 19.Rxa3 axb5 20.Qxb5 Qxb5 21.axb5± In order to win the game, White must bring
into the actions his rook on h1 and to organise a pawn-offensive on the queenside.

11.Nd2

11...e6

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 11...Nc4 12.Nxc4 dxc4. Black has obtained the excellent d5-square for his pieces, but must solve
rapidly the problems with the development of his kingside and the protection of his pawn on c4.
13.Be2 Bc6 (After 13...Qa5, Black will not be in a hurry to bring new pieces into the actions. 14.Nf3
Bf5 15.Qc1 Be4 16.0-0 Qf5? 17.Ne5 Bd5, Parle – Hu, Sydney 2020. Now, White can begin decisive
actions relying on his great lead in development. 18.g4! Qe6 19.b3 cxb3 20.c4 Be4 21.d5 Qb6 22.c5
Rxc5 23.Bb5+ Rxb5 24.axb5+–) 14.Nf3 a5 15.0-0 e6 16.Ne5 Bd5, Jovanic – Zelcic, Marija Bistrica
2011, Black’s bishop on d5 is perfectly placed, but must protect his pawn on c4 and cannot be
replaced by his knight. White must prepare active operations on the kingside with the line: 17.Rae1
Bd6 18.Bd1 0-0 19.Re3ƒ

11...Nc6 12.Qb3!? White exchanges his opponent’s most active piece. 12...Qxb3 13.Nxb3

13...Nh5. Black should try to remove immediately his opponent’s dark-squared bishop from the
important diagonal. 14.Be3 e6 15.Nf3 Bd6 16.Nc5 Rc7 17.Nxd7 Rxd7 18.Ne5 Rc7, Ehlvest –
Gersov, Santo Domingo 2006, 19.Nxc6 bxc6 20.b4²
Following 13...e6 14.h3!, it would be much more difficult for him to neutralise its actions: 14...Nh5
15.Bh2 g5 16.Ne2 f5 17.g4 Nf6, Zuriel – Slipak, Villa Martelli 2001 and here, White’s most
energetic reaction would be 18.h4!? Nxg4 19.hxg5 Be7 20.Bg3 Bxg5 21.f3 Ne3 22.Kf2 Nc4
23.Bxc4 dxc4 24.Nc5 b6 25.Nb7 Be7 26.Rh6 Kf7 27.Nd6+ Bxd6 28.Bxd6 Rcg8 29.Nf4+– White is
a pawn down at the moment, but it is much more important for him to dominate on the dark squares.

12.Ngf3

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 12...Nc6

12...Be7 13.Ne5 Nc6 14.Qb1 (14.Nxc6!? Bxc6 15.0-0 0-0 16.Nf3² White’s knight will go to the
e5-square, then his rook to e3 and he can begin the advance of his g2-pawn.) 14...Nh5 15.Nxd7 Kxd7
16.Be3 Qc7 17.g3 Bd6 18.0-0 Nf6 19.c4± Maier – Kranz, Goetzis 1997. Black will soon suffer with
his king stranded in the centre.

12...Bd6. The trade of the dark-squared bishop will facilitate a bit Black’s defence of his cramped
position, but his chances of organising counterplay would be reduced. 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.0-0 0-0
15.Rfe1

abcdefgh

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 15...Nc4 16.Ne5 Nxd2 17.Qxd2 Bc6 18.Re3 Ne4 19.Qe1 f5 20.f3 Ng5 21.a5 Rf6, Messa –
Passerotti, Rome 1980. White has a powerful knight on e5 and thanks to it he may continue with
active operations on both sides of the board. Still, it seems most logical for him to begin an offensive
on the kingside. 22.h4 Nf7 23.g4ƒ h6 24.a6 b5 25.Qe2 b4 26.f4 fxg4 27.Qxg4± White’s king is not
protected by any pawns; nevertheless, it is much safer than its counterpart.
15...a6 16.Ne5 Nc6, Graham – Maltzov, corr. 1977. White’s task is to concentrate all his forces in
the centre and on the kingside and his best way of doing this is the line: 17.Qd1 Rfd8 18.Re3 Be8
19.Qe2² Later, he will begin his offensive by advancing the pawns in front of his king.

13.Qb1

13...Nh5
We have already seen in numerous lines that White’s bishop on f4 is very powerful.
Following 13...Be7 14.h3 0-0 15.0-0 Qd8 16.Ne5 Be8, Perelshteyn – Doettling, Menorca 1996, he
can begin the standard transfer of his rook to the e3-square by playing 17.Re1²

14.Be3 h6

The move 14...Qc7 seems to be more accurate for Black. 15.0-0 Nf4 16.Bxf4 Qxf4 17.Re1 Bd6
18.Re3 Qf6. His bishop on d7 has remained passive, but the accomplished exchange was in his
favour. 19.Nb3 (19.Qe1!? Bf4 20.Re2 0-0 21.Ne5 Nxe5 22.dxe5 Qg5 23.Nf3 Qh5 24.h3², followed
by Nd4, g3, Kg2 and under the cover of his powerful centralised knight White will try to prepare
gradually an attack on the kingside.) 19...b6 20.a5 h6 21.axb6 axb6 22.Qe1 0-0 23.Ne5 Qe7, Bes –
P.Nielsen, ICCF 2010, 24.Qe2² White has preserved his mighty knight on e5 and as usual must find
the right moment to begin a massive offensive against Black’s kingside.

15.Ne5 Nf6

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 16.h3

White has an excellent alternative here: 16.0-0!? Bd6 17.f4² – he controls the e4-square and his
“Pillsbury’s knight” is very dangerous. Black will be incapable of exploiting the insufficient
protection of the enemy bishop on e3 by capturing twice on e5, because of the pawn-advance a4-a5.

16...Bd6 17.0-0

17...Kf8? Fischer – Petrosian, Belgrade 1970 (After the line analysed by Fischer: 17...0-0
18.Ndf3², Black’s game would not be easy at all, but still, there would be a lot of fight left.) 18.c4!
Nxd4 (Black loses after 18...dxc4 19.Nxd7+ Nxd7 20.d5+–, as well as following 18...Qc7 19.Nxc6

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bxc6 20.c5 Bf4 21.b4 e5 22.Bxf4 exf4 23.b5+–) 19.a5 Qc5 20.Nb3+–

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 Chapter 7
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4
Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8

This move has the reputation of being reliable, but somewhat passive.
8.Nd2 e6
This is Black’s most natural move.

Following 8...Bh5 9.Ngf3 Bg6 (about 9...e6 10.0-0 – see 8...e6), White has the pleasant choice
between 10.Bxg6 hxg6 11.0-0 e6 12.Rae1 – see 8...e6 and 10.Be2!? e6 11.Ne5

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 11...Nxe5 12.Bxe5 Nd7, Lengyel – Zeitlein, Budapest 1994. Black has postponed the evacuation of
his king away from the centre, so it seems logical for White to inflict a strike in the centre – 13.c4!
Nxe5 14.dxe5 dxc4 15.Nxc4 Be7 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 17.Qa4+ Kf8 18.exd6±
After 11...Nh5 12.Be3 Bd6, Muschik – Perez de Miguel, Kirchweyhe 2018, Black may have
problems with his light-squared bishop: 13.h4 Nf6 (The move 13...f6 would lead to the appearance of
weaknesses on the kingside in Black’s camp: 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.0-0-0±) 14.h5 Bf5 15.g4 Bxe5
16.gxf5 Bd6 17.0-0-0± The position is with material balance indeed, but Black’s defence will be
difficult. He has problems with the protection of his pawn on g7 and eventually also with the safety of
his king.
11...Nd7, Sedlak – Simacek, Dresden 2007, 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.0-0 Be7 14.Nf3 0-0 15.h4 Nf6 16.g3
Nh5 17.Bd2² White has the two-bishop advantage and has managed to fix his opponent’s pawn-mass
on the kingside, preventing its advance forward.

8...g6. The basic defect of this move is that it becomes very difficult now for Black to exchange the
light-squared bishops, since his pawn has deprived his bishop of an important square on the kingside.
9.h3

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 The drawbacks of Black’s move eight can be clearly seen in the line: 9...Bf5 10.Be2! White would
not mind the trade of Black’s light-squared bishop on f5, but only for the knight and not for the
bishop. 10...Bg7 11.Ngf3 0-0 12.0-0 Na5 13.Qa4 Nc6 14.Rfe1 Nd7 15.Bf1 Nb6 16.Qd1 Re8,
Grachev – Timofeev, Sochi 2015, 17.a4 a5 18.Qb3 Qd8 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.dxe5±
9...Be6 10.Ne2!? This move has been played with the idea to transfer this knight to g3 in order to
control the e4, h5 and f5-squares. (White can also continue his development according to his habitual
scheme: 10.Ngf3 Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rfe1 Ne4, Pabalan – Istratescu, Dubai 2019, 13.Qc2 Nxd2
14.Qxd2²) 10...Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 (11...Nh5 12.Bh2 0-0 13.Rae1 Rd8 14.g4 Nf6 15.Nf4 Bd7 16.Re3 e6
17.Qd1 a5 18.Rfe1±) 12.Ng3 Qd7 13.Rae1² Black’s position is cramped and his attempt to free it
from the positional bind with the line: 13...Ne4?! 14.Ndxe4 dxe4 15.Bc4 Bxc4 16.Qxc4 Na5!
17.Qb4 Nc6 18.Qb3! Na5 19.Qa3! Nc4 20.Qb4 Nb6 21.Rxe4 Nd5 22.Qb3± would lead to the loss
of a pawn.

9.Ngf3

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 9...Be7

About 9...Bh5 10.0-0 Be7 11.Rae1, or 10...Bg6 11.Bxg6 hxg6 12.Rae1 Be7 13.g3 – see 9...Be7.

9...Nh5 10.Be3 Bd6 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3

12...Nf4, Medina Garcia – Van den Berg, Wijk aan Zee 1971, 13.Bxf4 Bxf4 14.g3 Bd6 15.h4 0-0
16.Kf1!? White wishes to open the h-file (16.0-0!? Qc7 17.Kg2²) 16...Qc7 17.Re1 Rab8 18.Ng5 h6
19.Bh7+ Kh8 20.Bb1‚
There would arise almost similar positions after 12...Qc7 13.0-0 Nf4 14.Bxf4 Bxf4 15.Qc2 h6
16.g3 Bd6 17.Kg2 0-0 18.Rae1² and 12...0-0 13.Qc2 h6 14.0-0 Nf4 15.Bxf4 Bxf4 16.Rae1² In both

166
variations White’s pieces are better mobilised and the presence of bishops of opposite colours on the
board would enable him to organise a powerful attack on the kingside.

9...Bxf3. Black presents his opponent with a tempo without waiting for the move h2-h3. 10.Nxf3
Nh5, Iermito – Menna Barreto, Buenos Aires 2017 (about 10...Be7 11.0-0 – see 9...Be7). 11.Bd2.
White plans to inflict a strike in the centre with c3-c4. 11...Bd6 12.0-0

12...Bf4. This is the right way for Black to deprive his opponent of the two-bishop advantage. (In
the variation 12...0-0 13.Qc2 h6 14.Rae1 Nf4 15.Bxf4 Bxf4 16.g3 Bd6 17.Nh4!? Qc7 18.f4 Ne7
19.f5 exf5 20.Bxf5², the bishops of opposite colours on the board would not be a drawing factor at
all. White’s bishop on f5 is very powerful, while Black must protect his pawn on d5, moreover that
his entire kingside is endangered and his inaccurate reaction 20...Nxf5?! 21.Nxf5 Rae8 22.Qg2 Rxe1
23.Rxe1 Qc6 24.Re5+– would lead to the loss of an important central pawn for him.) 13.Qc2 Bxd2
14.Qxd2 0-0 15.Rae1 Qc7 (15...Nf6 16.Qf4ƒ) 16.Qg5 Nf4 17.Bb1 Ne7 18.Re3ƒ Black’s kingside
will be the cause of great worries for him.

10.0-0

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 10...Bh5!?
This is a standard transfer of Black’s bishop to the g6-square in order to neutralise White’s bishop
on d3.
About 10...Bxf3 11.Nxf3 0-0 12.Rae1 – see 10...0-0.

10...0-0 11.Rae1

About 11...Bh5 12.Qc2 – see 10...Bh5.

11...Nh5 12.Be3 Nf6 (In response to 12...f5, Fezza – Camber, Rijeka 2010, it seems logical for
White to try to trade the dark-squared bishops in order to occupy the weakened e5-outpost with
13.Bg5 Bd6 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Nxf3² It is essential that Black cannot trap the enemy bishop, because

168
after 15...f4 16.Qc2 h6 17.Bh7+ Kh8 18.Nh4+–, White’s attack will be victorious.) 13.Ne5 Bd6
14.Nxg4 Nxg4 15.g3² He will follow a standard plan – to concentrate his forces on the kingside and
to begin an attack there.
11...Bxf3. Black gives voluntarily his bishop for the enemy knight, but this cannot solve his
defensive problems on the kingside. 12.Nxf3 a6 (12...Nh5 13.Bc1ƒ) 13.Qc2 b5 14.Ne5 b4 15.Re3ƒ
11...Re8 12.Ne5 Bh5 13.Qc2 Bg6 14.Nxg6 hxg6, Ovetchkin – Bryzgalin, playchess.com 2007.
Here, White can continue to bring his forces closer to the enemy monarch with the line: 15.Nf3 Nh5
16.Be5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nf4 18.Bb5 Rd8 19.Qd2 g5 20.g3 Ng6 21.Bd3±
11...a6 12.Ne5!

White has occupied an important basic square. Black has in response two reasonable possibilities.
1) 12...Nxe5. He captures the powerful enemy knight, but weakens his own king. 13.dxe5 Nd7
14.Qc2 g6 (Following 14...f5 15.exf6 Nxf6 16.h3 Bh5, Pourkashiyan – Saleh, Abu Dhabi 2004,
White occupies important squares in the centre with the move 17.Nb3±) 15.h3 Bf5 16.Bxf5 gxf5
17.Bh6 Re8, Buchenau – Falk, Verden 2006. The shelter of Black’s king has been weakened, but his
pawn on f5 is perfectly placed and White cannot create any real threats without eliminating it,
therefore, he must continue with: 18.g4! fxg4 19.hxg4 Kh8 (19...f6 20.exf6 Nxf6 21.f3 e5 22.Nb3²)
20.Kg2 Rg8 21.f3 Bh4 22.Re2 Bg5 23.Rh1 Bxh6 24.Rxh6 Rg6 25.Rh5² and White plans to increase
his pressure on the h-file.
2) 12...Bh5 13.Qc2 b5 (about 13...Bg6 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.Nf3 b5 16.a3 – see 13...b5) 14.a3

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 14...Bg6 15.Nxg6 hxg6 16.Nf3 Ra7 (In the variation 16...Nh5 17.Bc1 Bd6 18.Ne5 Nf6 19.f4±,
White manages to obtain a “Pillsbury knight” and under its cover he plans to transfer his queen and
rook to the h-file.) 17.Qe2 Re8 18.h4 Bd8 19.g3 Ne7 20.Kg2 Nf5 21.Rh1‚ White has concentrated
all his forces on the kingside and his attack has become crushing: 21...Bc7 22.Ne5 Bb8 23.g4 Nd6
24.h5 Nfe4 25.hxg6 f6, Berkes – McShane, Heraklion 2017, 26.Rh7 Kf8 27.f3 fxe5 28.dxe5+–
In reply to 14...Na5, Novkovic – Zechner, Austria 2012, it seems very good for White to activate
his rook with 15.Re3! Nc4 16.Rh3. He is threatening to capture on h7, so Black is practically forced
to play 16...Bg6 17.Nxg6 hxg6. This is a standard recapture towards the centre. (After 17...fxg6,
Black would open the f-file, but would weaken his e6-pawn. 18.Re1 a5 19.Nf3 Ne4 20.Bxe4 Rxf4
21.Bxd5 exd5 22.Rxe7± He has ended up a pawn down with an endangered king.) 18.Nf3 a5 19.Qe2
b4 20.cxb4 axb4 21.b3! Nd6 (21...Nxa3?! 22.Ne5 Bd8 23.g4 Bb6 24.g5 Nd7 25.Nxg6+–) 22.axb4!
Nde4 23.b5! White has won a pawn and has obtained the excellent c6-square for his knight and after
for example: 23...Ra3 24.Ne5 Rxb3 25.Nc6 Qd7 26.f3 Nd6 27.Ra1 Nc8 28.Be5+–, the material is
equal indeed, but Black’s position is very difficult, because White’s pieces are much more active.

11.Rae1

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 11...Bg6
Black can hardly continue the game without this move.

11...a6 12.Ng5!? White is trying to provoke an advance of the other rook-pawn of his opponent.
(Meanwhile, it would be also good for him to continue in a standard fashion 12.Qc2 Bg6, Nakamura
– Topalov, Saint Louis 2017, 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Qd3 0-0 15.Ng5 – see 11...0-0.) 12...Bg6 (After
12...h6 13.Ngf3 0-0 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Nxf3± White’s threats on the kingside seem to be extremely
dangerous.) 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Ndf3 0-0 15.h4!? This move is played with the idea g3, Kg2, Rh1, h4-
h5. (It was also possible for White to have tried 15.Qc2 b5 16.Qe2²) 15...Na5 16.Qc2 b5 17.g3 b4
18.Kg2 bxc3 19.bxc3 Nc4 20.Rh1ƒ He has obtained promising attacking prospects.

11...Nd7 12.Re3 (Here, it is also interesting for White to opt for 12.Ng5!? h6 13.Ngf3 0-0 14.h3
Bxf3 15.Nxf3±) 12...a6 13.a4 Bg6 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Rfe1 Na5 16.Qc2 0-0 17.h4 Nc4 18.Nxc4 Qxc4
19.h5! (This move is more energetic than 19.Qd1 Rfe8 20.h5 gxh5 21.Nd2 Qa2 22.Qxh5 g6, Piscopo
– Macieja, Senigallia 2009, although even then, after 23.Qh2 Qxb2 24.Nf3 Nf6 25.Ne5+–, White’s
attack would be decisive.) 19...gxh5 20.Ne5 Nxe5 21.Bxe5 g6 22.Rh3 (22.g4 hxg4 23.f3 g3 24.f4+–)
22...Qc6 23.g4+–

11...0-0 12.Qc2. White’s queen is misplaced on the b3-square and must be transferred to the
kingside. 12...Bg6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Qd3

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 Following 14...Nh5 15.Bg5 b5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7, Kobalia – Yuffa, Sochi 2018, it seems reasonable
for White to occupy the outpost in the centre with 17.Ne5ƒ, with this exemplary variation 17...a5
18.Nb3 b4 19.Rc1² He is ready to continue with active actions on the kingside.
After 14...Qd8 15.h4 Qb6 16.Qb1², White has his standard play on the kingside, while the transfer
of Black’s queen to the b6-square has impeded his eventual “pawn-minority” attack on the queenside.
14...a6 15.Ng5 Nh5 16.Qh3 Re8 (16...Bxg5 – see game 6; Black cannot solve his problems with
the freeing move 16...e5 17.dxe5 Qf5 18.g3 d4 19.Ndf3 dxc3 20.bxc3 Qxh3 21.Nxh3 Nxf4 22.Nxf4
Rfd8 23.h4± Inarkiev – Esipenko, Sochi 2018. His compensation for the sacrificed pawn is obviously
insufficient.) 17.Ndf3 b5, Melkumyan – Belenkaya, Caleta 2019 (17...Bxg5 18.Bxg5²) 18.Be5 f6
(18...Nxe5 19.dxe5 Qd8 20.g4 Bxg5 21.gxh5 gxh5 22.Qxh5 Bh6 23.Kh1 Kf8 24.Rg1‚) 19.g4 fxg5
(19...fxe5? 20.gxh5+–) 20.gxh5 gxh5 21.Qxh5 Rf8 22.Re3± Black’s kingside pawns are vulnerable,
so he would hardly manage to maintain the material balance.

12.Bxg6 hxg6

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 13.g3!?
White’s task now is to make all the useful moves, to wait for his opponent to castle kingside and
then to prepare an attack there.

Having in mind all this, it would have been more precise for him to have played 13.h4.

About 13...a6 14.g3 – see 13.g3.

13...Qd7 14.Re2 (14.g3?! This is not a precise order of moves and it provides Black with chances of
obtaining counterplay on the h-file. 14...Nh5. Now, in response to the move 15.Bg5?, Abdusattorov –
Horak, chess.com 2020, it would be very good for Black to continue in an energetic fashion 15...f6!
16.Be3 g5 17.hxg5 e5µ and White’s king would be seriously endangered, but even after his more

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accurate reaction 15.Be3 f6 16.c4 g5! 17.hxg5 0-0-0 18.Kg2 e5 19.Rh1 exd4 20.Nxd4 Nf4+ 21.Bxf4
Nxd4÷, there would arise a very complicated position with mutual chances.) 14...Nh5 15.Bh2 Bd6
16.Bxd6 Qxd6 17.g3² Later, one of White’s knights will go to the e5-square and the other will be
headed for g5, or to c5.
13...Nh5 14.Bg5 f6 15.Be3 Qc7 16.Qc2 (16.c4! Rd8 17.cxd5 exd5 18.Nb1 Qd7, Ding – Carlsen,
chess24.com 2020, 19.Nc3² Black’s weak pawns on g6 and d5 make his position very unpleasant,
because he has no real counterplay at all.) 16...Kf7, Ding – Carlsen, chess24.com 2020, 17.Re2 Rae8
18.Rfe1 Bd6 19.g3² Black’s main problem here is that his knight on h5 is completely isolated from
the actions, so White must start active operations on the queenside by advancing c3-c4.

13...Qd7

13...Nh5 14.Be3 0-0 15.Ne5 a5 16.a4²

13...a6 14.h4 b5, Kopinits – Cvitan, Austria 2020 (14...Qd7 15.Qc2!? The transfer of White’s
queen to d3, followed by Ne5, promises him excellent prospects, for example: 15...b5 16.Kg2 Rc8
17.Qd3 b4 18.Rc1 0-0 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.dxe5 Ng4 21.c4²), 15.Kg2 Nh5 16.Bg5 0-0 17.Bxe7 Nxe7
18.Ne5 a5 19.Ndf3 Rb8 20.Nd3 Nf6 21.a3 Nc6 22.Nfe5 Nxe5 23.Nxe5 Nd7 24.Nd3² Black’s
counterplay has reached its dead end, while White plans to prepare an offensive on the kingside.

In answer to 13...0-0, Duda – Van Foreest, Wijk aan Zee 2019, 14.Kg2 (14.h4 b5!? 15.Qxb5 Nh5
16.Bg5²) 14...Re8 (14...Nh5 15.Bg5²) 15.h4 a6 16.Rh1ƒ, White will have excellent chances of
organising and attack on the kingside and he would be able to choose between many attractive ideas.
16...b5

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 He has several interesting possibilities in the diagrammed position.
17.Qd1 Nh5 18.Ng5 b4 19.Ndf3 Nxf4+ 20.gxf4 Qc7 21.Qd2± Black has counterplay against the
enemy pawn on c3 indeed, but it is obviously insufficient, because he must worry about the safety of
his king on the kingside.
17.Ng5 Nh5 (17...Nd7 18.Qd1 Nf8 19.h5 Bxg5 20.Bxg5 f6 21.hxg6 Ne7 22.Qh5 Nexg6 23.Bf4±
Black’s king is endangered and he has problems to organise counterplay.) 18.Qd1 Nxf4+ 19.gxf4 b4
20.Rh3 bxc3 21.bxc3 Ra7 22.Reh1‚ White will advance unavoidably h4-h5, after which Black’s
defence will become tremendously difficult.
17.Ne5 Nh5 (Following 17...Nxe5 18.dxe5 Nh7 19.Be3± Black has great problems to defend his
kingside, while White dominates over the strategically important d4-square.) 18.Ndf3 Nxf4+ 19.gxf4
Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Bd6 21.h5 Bxe5 22.fxe5 Qd8 23.Re3‚ White’s king is rather exposed in this
endgame with major pieces, but is still much safer than its counterpart.

14.Qc2 0-0 15.Qd3

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 15...a6

After 15...Bd6 16.Bxd6 Qxd6 17.Ne5² White has occupied an important central square and is
ready to prepare an offensive on the kingside.

16.h4 b5

Now, the main issue in the fight is who is faster. Black’s task is to create weaknesses for his
opponent on the queenside and to force him to begin defending. White’s task is to organise an attack
on the kingside. 17.Kg2 b4 18.Ng5 bxc3 19.bxc3 Rac8 20.Ndf3 Nh5 (20...Bd6 21.Bxd6 Qxd6
22.Rh1 Ne7 23.Ne5 Qc7 24.h5 Qxc3 25.hxg6+–; 23...Ne4 24.c4± Now, White has the possibility to

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develop his initiative all over the entire board.) 21.Bd2 Qb7 22.Nxe6!? He should not be reluctant to
sacrifice material in order to create decisive threats against the enemy monarch. 22...fxe6 23.Qxg6
Nf6 24.Ng5 Ba3 25.Nxe6 Rfe8 26.Ng5 Rxe1 27.Rxe1ƒ White has more than sufficient
compensation with three pawns for the piece, moreover that his forces are tremendously active. He
plans to transfer his bishop to the e5-square, or the idea Ne6+Bh6, or to advance of his h-pawn.

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 Chapter 8
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4
Bg4 7.Qb3 Qd7

Black is not afraid of his opponent’s knight-sortie to the e5-square, but he must play very
accurately; otherwise, the knight-move might become dangerous.
8.Nd2 e6
Black can hardly continue the game without this logical move.

8...g6. This move does not combine well with the development of Black’s bishop to the g4-square.
9.Ngf3 Nh5 (He fails to obtain compensation for the pawn in the variation 9...Bg7 10.Ne5 Qc8
11.Nxg4 Qxg4 12.Qxb7 0-0 13.Bg3 Qe6+ 14.Kf1 Na5 15.Qc7± Afek – Maas, Haarlem 2000.)
10.Be3 Bg7 11.h3 Bf5. Here, it would be logical for White to retreat his bishop in order to preserve
more pieces on the board. 12.Be2 Nf6 13.Ne5 Qc8, Babiy – Stefanova, chess.com 2020, 14.0-0 0-0
15.Ndf3² White’s control over the e5-square provides him with excellent prospects.

8...a6 9.Ngf3 Nh5, Lukas – L.Schneider, Wiesbaden 2014 (about 9...e6 10.Ne5 or 9...Bxf3
10.Nxf3 e6 11.Ne5 – see 8...e6) 10.Ne5!? (This move is more energetic than the line: 10.Be3 Bxf3
11.Nxf3 e6 12.0-0 Bd6 13.Rae1 0-0 14.Qd1 – see 8...Nh5.).

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 10...Nxe5 11.Bxe5 f6 (Following 11...Nf6 12.0-0 e6 13.c4!ƒ, Black’s lag in development hurts him
seriously.) 12.h3 fxe5 13.hxg4 Nf4 14.Bf1 exd4 15.Nf3± White regains his pawn and remains with a
superior pawn-structure and a lead in development, since in the greedy variation 15...dxc3?? 16.Ne5
Qe6 17.Qa4+–, Black would lose a knight.
10...Nxf4!? Black obtains three pieces for a queen and White must play very precisely in order to
prove that his queen is stronger. 11.Nxd7 Nxd3+ 12.Kf1 Bxd7 13.Qxd5 Nf4 14.Qf3 e5 15.Nc4 Be7

16.Rd1! (After the seemingly attractive move 16.d5?, Black would activate radically his forces after
16...Rd8! 17.dxc6 Bxc6÷) 16...Rd8 (16...0-0? 17.dxe5+–) 17.dxe5 Ng6 18.Nd6+ Bxd6 19.exd6 0-0
20.h3± Black’s knights do not have access to any reliable squares in the centre, so White’s task would
be to bring his rook on h1 into the actions as quickly as possible and he can do that by transferring his

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king to the h2-square.

8...Nh5 9.Be3

About 9...Nf6 10.Ngf3 e6 11.Bf4 – see 8...e6.

The move 9...e5 would lead to lively actions, but White is better prepared for them. 10.dxe5 Nxe5
11.Bb5 Nc6 12.Ngf3 Be6 13.Ne5 Qc7 14.Qa4 Rc8 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.Be2 Nf6, Huette –
Schmedders, Nordrheinwestfalen 2012. Here, White can simply grab a pawn, because after 17.Qxa7
Qxa7 18.Bxa7 c5 19.a4 Ra8 20.Bb6², he would not lose his bishop. Meanwhile, Black has some
compensation for the pawn, despite its being insufficient for equality. He dominates in the centre.
9...g6 10.h3 (about 10.Ngf3 – see 8...g6) 10...Be6 (After 10...Bf5, Black fails to trade the bishops.
11.Be2! Nf6 12.Ngf3 Bg7 13.Ne5 – see 8...g6.) 11.Ne2 Bg7 (The move 11...f5? weakens too much
the central squares in Black’s camp. 12.Nf4 Ng7 13.Nf3± Zozulia – Babayan, Sharjah 2017.) 12.g4
Nf6 13.Nf4 0-0, Thomas – Cherta, Barcelona 1935. It may seem that the bishop is well placed on d3,
but it has nothing to do in the centre, while following 14.Bf1 Rac8 15.Bg2², White would increase his
pressure against the d5-square.
9...e6 10.Ngf3 Bxf3 (About 10...Nf6 11.Bf4 – see 8...e6; the move 10...Bd6? would lose a piece for
Black after 11.Ne5! Bxe5 12.dxe5 a6 13.h3 Nxe5 14.Bf1 Bf5 15.g4+– Kasparov – Costa, Lisbon
1999.) 11.Nxf3 Bd6 12.0-0

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 12...0-0 13.Rae1 a6, Blasco – Rodes, Aragon 2008. Now, White must concentrate his forces on the
kingside and the best way to do that is the line: 14.Qd1 Nf6 15.Bg5²
12...Nf4 13.Bxf4 (He has a good alternative here – 13.Bb1 0-0 14.Qc2 f5 15.a3 Kh8 16.Ba2 Nh5
17.c4² The absence of Black’s light-squared bishop hurts him seriously, because after an exchange on
c4, White would exert rather unpleasant pressure against the e6-square; otherwise, Black must
consider his opponent’s pressure against the pawn on d5 as well as the possibility c4-c5, followed by
a positional bind on the queenside.) 13...Bxf4 14.Rfe1 0-0 15.g3 Bd6 16.Re2 a6 17.Rae1 Rfe8 18.Qc2
h6 19.Qd2 Rad8 20.Bb1 Bf8 21.Qd3 g6 22.h4‚ Pfleger – Pomar Salamanca, Olot 1972. White’s
forthcoming attack is enhanced considerably by the presence of bishops of opposite colours on the
board.
9.Ngf3

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 We will analyse now: A) 9...Bxf3 and B) 9...Bd6.

9...a6?! This is a loss of a very important tempo. 10.Ne5! Nxe5 11.dxe5 Ng8 12.h3 Bh5 13.c4 Ne7
14.0-0² White leads in development, so Black must play very accurately. For example, after
14...dxc4? 15.Nxc4 Nd5, Vardanyan – Eigminas, Vilnius 2018, 16.Bg3 b5 17.Nd6+ Bxd6 18.exd6
Bg6 19.Be2 0-0 20.Bf3±, White’s passed pawn would be very powerful.

9...Be7 10.Ne5 Qc8 (10...Nxe5? 11.dxe5 Nh5 12.Bb5+–) 11.Nxg4 Nxg4 12.0-0 0-0 13.Qc2 Nf6
(13...h6 14.Nf3 Qd8, Bouyt – Caprio, France 1997, 15.h3 Nf6 16.Rae1²) 14.Nf3 g6 15.Rae1 Qd7
Valtonen – Hannus, Finland 1978 16.Qe2² White plans to prepare gradually an attack on the
kingside.

9...Na5 10.Qc2 Bd6 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Ne5 Nc6 13.Nxg4 Nxg4 14.Nf3 Nf6 15.0-0 0-0 16.Rae1
Rac8, Medina Garcia – Ramirez Gonzalez, Spain 2003, 17.Qe2² White plans to deploy his knight on
e5 on his next move and to begin an attack on the kingside under its cover.

9...Nh5 10.Ne5!?

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 10...Nxe5? 11.dxe5! Now, in view of the threat Bb5, Black fails to capture the enemy bishop.
11...a6 12.Be3 g6 13.f3 Bf5 14.Be2+– Black is helpless against the threat g2-g4 and loses a piece.
10...Qc8. This move is too passive. 11.Bg5 h6!? 12.Bxh6 Bh3 13.Be3 Bxg2 14.Rg1 Bh3 15.Ndf3
Be7 16.0-0-0± Black’s tactical tricks have failed to help him and he will have a problem to find a safe
haven for his king.
10...Qc7 11.Bg5 f6 12.Nxg4 fxg5 13.g3 Nf6 14.Qd1 0-0-0 15.Qe2² White has a very comfortable
game against the numerous weaknesses in Black’s position.

A) 9...Bxf3 10.Nxf3

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 10...a6
Black’s best reaction in this position is 10...Bd6 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.0-0 – see variation B.

10...Na5. Black forces the enemy queen to go to the kingside, but it belongs there anyway. 11.Qd1
Bd6, Drzazga – Bablok, Augustow 1996, 12.Ne5 Qc7 (12...Bxe5?! 13.dxe5 Qc7 14.0-0 Nc6 15.Re1
Nd7 16.Qg4± White has an excellent position thanks to his extra space and more actively placed
pieces.) 13.0-0 0-0 14.Re1 Nc4 15.Qe2² Black will hardly manage to get rid of his opponent’s
powerful knight on e5 and White plans to organise an attack against the enemy king under its cover.

10...Nh5 11.Bd2 Bd6 12.g3. Without this move Black’s knight would occupy the f4-square. 12...0-
0 13.0-0 Rac8 14.Rae1 a6 15.Qd1 Nf6 (15...g6 16.Re2 Rfe8 17.Rfe1 b5 18.Bh6 b4 19.c4± Black will
have great problems on the kingside due to his weakened king, as well as on the queenside, because
his pawn on a6 is vulnerable there, as well in the centre, because of the concentration of White’s
pieces there.) 16.Bg5 Be7 17.h4 b5 18.Kg2ƒ White is preparing an attack against the enemy king,
while Black’s counterplay on the queenside is confronted with difficulties, for example: 18...b4
19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.dxe5 Ne8 21.Bxa6±

10...Be7. Black’s bishop is rather passive on this square. 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rae1 Rfd8 13.Qd1 Qe8,
Arkhipov – Anastasian, Dubai 1999. White has obtained a very comfortable position and can prepare
patiently an attack against the enemy king. 14.Qe2 Rac8 15.Nd2 a6 16.g4! g6 17.Bh6 Bf8 18.Bg5
Be7 (18...Bg7 19.f4‚) 19.f4‚

11.Ne5!?

White’s knight is headed for its perfect place with tempo.

11...Qc8

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 11...Nxe5 12.dxe5 Ne4 (Following 12...Nh5?! 13.Be3 g6, Santos – Rodrigues Nogueira,
Florianopolis 2020, White can turn his opponent’s knight into a big pawn by playing 14.g4 Ng7 15.0-
0-0±) 13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Qc2 Qc6 15.0-0 Be7 16.Rfe1± Black loses his e4-pawn and White can begin
the technical realisation of his advantage.

12.0-0 Be7

12...Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Nd7 14.Bg3 Be7 15.Rae1 0-0, Komendatyan – Strunin, Samara 2010. White
has two powerful bishops and must open the centre to utilise their power, so he must play 16.c4!, for
example: 16...dxc4 17.Bxc4 Bf6 18.Bd6 Re8 19.Rc1 Qd8 20.Qxb7 Bxd4 21.Rfd1±

13.Rae1

13...0-0

13...Nd7 14.Nf3 h6, Pokorny – Pilar, Czechia 2000, 15.Re3 Nf6 16.h3 b5 17.Qd1 0-0 18.Ne5±

14.Qd1 Re8

14...b5. This move is too careless. 15.Re3 b4 16.Rh3 (White is threatening Bxh7+) 16...g6, Lyell –
Topal, London 2016 (16...bxc3? 17.Bxh7+ Nxh7 18.Qh5+–), 17.Nxc6 Qxc6 18.Be5‚ Black will
have great problems to protect his kingside, for example: 18...Ne4 19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.Qh5!+–

In response to 14...g6, Soleimanian – Shahpasand, Rafsanjan 2015, it seems very good for White to
continue with the energetic move 15.h4!?

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 It would be too risky for Black to play here 15...h5 16.Bh6±, for example, after 16...Re8 17.Nxg6
fxg6 18.Bxg6+–, he would not manage to save his opened king.
15...Nh5 16.Bh6 Re8 17.Qf3± It would not be so easy for Black to defend the f7-square as it might
seem at first sight 17...Nxe5 (17...f5? 18.Bxf5 exf5 19.Qxd5+–) 18.dxe5 Qd8 19.g4 Ng7 20.Kg2 Rf8
21.Qh3+– Black’s knight is practically static and White plans an attack along the h-file.

15.Re3

White has a very interesting alternative here – 15.h4!? Qd8 16.h5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nd7 18.Qg4 Kh8
19.Re3‚ Black will have great problems to defend his kingside and he has no counterplay
whatsoever.
15...g6

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 16.h4!? (This energetic move is much more interesting than the quiet natural line: 16.Rfe1 b5
17.Rh3 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Ne4 19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.Rxe4± Wang Yu – Wu Wenjin, Hefei 2010. White has
won a pawn and begins to realise his advantage.) 16...Nxe5 (16...Nh5?? 17.Qxh5+–) 17.dxe5 Nh5
18.Bh6‚ Black will have great problems to parry his opponent’s kingside attack. He would lose
quickly after the greedy line: 18...Bxh4 19.Rh3 Be7 20.Rxh5+–

B) 9...Bd6

Black must neutralise his opponent’s powerful bishop on f4.

10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.0-0 0-0

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 About 11...Rb8 12.Rfe1 0-0 13.Ne5, or 11...Bxf3 12.Nxf3 0-0 13.Rfe1, or 12...Qc7 13.Rfe1 0-0
14.Qc2, or 12...Rb8 13.Rfe1 0-0 14.Qd1 – see variation B2.

In the diagrammed position White’s main task is to occupy the e5-square with his knight and to
prepare later an attack on the kingside. He can try to do that with the moves: B1) 12.Rae1 and B2)
12.Rfe1.

B1) 12.Rae1
White wishes to exploit the power of his rook on the f-file, but in order to do that he must deploy
his knight on the e5-outpost and to advance f2-f4.
We will deal in details now with the moves: B1a) 12...Rab8 and B1b) 12...Bxf3.
12...a6 13.Ne5 b5 14.Qc2 Bh5, Bethke – Laux, Schwaebisch Gmuend 2019, 15.a3. White has
prevented his opponent’s planned pawn-minority attack on the queenside and plans to use the c5-
square. 15...Rfc8 16.Nb3²

12...Ne7 13.Ne5 Bf5 14.Bxf5 Nxf5 15.g4 Ne7 16.f4ƒ White has created powerful pressure on the
kingside. 16...Rab8 17.Qb5 a6 18.Qd3 b5, Kotronias – Olsen, Aarhus 2018, 19.f5 exf5 (19...b4
20.fxe6 fxe6 21.Ndf3ƒ) 20.gxf5 b4 21.Re2 bxc3 22.bxc3ƒ White’s threats on the kingside are very
powerful.

12...Nd7. This is a logical move for Black. He takes control over the key e5-square. 13.Re3

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 13...f5?! 14.Rfe1±
Following 13...Bh5 14.Qc2 Bg6 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Rfe1², White’s knight will occupy the e5-
outpost anyway.
13...Rab8 14.Qc2 h6 15.Rfe1!? (15.Nh4 Qe7 16.g3 Bh3 17.Rfe1 Qd6, Abdusattorov – Gukesh,
chess.com 2020, 18.Qd1 Nf6 19.Ndf3 Bg4 20.Qd2²) 15...Bxf3 16.Nxf3 b5 17.a3 a5 18.b4² White
has managed to fix the weak enemy b5-pawn.
13...Rfc8 14.Rfe1 Bh5 15.a3!? It is essential for him to cover the b4-square in order to be able to
play later Qc2. 15...Rab8 16.Qc2 Bg6 17.Bxg6 hxg6 18.Qd3 b5 19.Ng5 Nf8 20.h4 a5 21.Nb3 b4
22.cxb4 axb4 23.a4²

12...Qc7. The idea behind this move is that now, the exchange on e5 becomes possible without the
threat of a double attack. 13.Ne5

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 About 13...Rab8 14.Re3 – see variation B1a.
13...Bh5. This transfer of the bishop is too late. 14.f4 Bg6 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Re3! Rab8 (16...Rfc8
17.Qd1 b5, Abdusattorov – Svane, chess.com 2020. Now, after the standard move 18.Rh3, White’s
attack becomes decisive. 18...b4 19.Qe1 Nxe5 20.Qh4 Nf3+ 21.Nxf3 Kf8 22.f5 gxf5 23.Ne5 Ke7
24.Qg5 Rg8 25.g4 fxg4 26.Rh7+–) 17.Qd1 b5, Abdusattorov – Izoria, chess.com 2020, 18.Rh3 b4
19.Qe1 Ne7 20.Qh4 Nh5 21.g4 f6 22.Nd3 bxc3 23.bxc3 Qxc3 24.Nb3+–
13...Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd7 15.Qb4! White transfers his queen to an attacking position in the quickest
possible way. 15...Bh5 16.Qh4 Bg6 17.Bxg6 fxg6, Porth – Meyner, Hamburg 2011 (After 17...hxg6?!
18.Nf3 Rfe8 19.Re3 Nf8 20.Rfe1±, it is not easy to see how Black can defend against the threats
Ng5+Rh3 without losing material.) 18.Nf3 Rae8 19.Nd4² White’s superior pawn-structure provides
him with a stable advantage.
13...Bf5 14.Bxf5 exf5, Gubajdullin – Vogel, St Petersburg 2019. Now, White must prepare active
actions in the centre with 15.Re2 Rfe8 16.Rfe1, for example: 16...Nxe5 (After 16...Re7 17.Nxc6 Rxe2
18.Rxe2 bxc6 19.Qd1 h6 20.Nb3 a5 21.Nc5 Ne4 22.Nd3 a4 23.f3 Nd6 24.Qe1 Kf8 25.h4², White
occupies the only open file and has a superior pawn-structure.) 17.dxe5 Ne4 18.Qxd5 Rxe5
(18...Rad8 19.Qc4±) 19.Qd4 Rd8 20.Qxa7 g6 21.Nxe4 Rxe4 22.Rxe4 fxe4 23.Qe3² Black has some
compensation for the pawn. He dominates on the d-file, but there are just a few pieces left on the
board, so he would have to fight long and hard for a draw.

B1a) 12...Rab8

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 This is a logical move for Black. He protects his pawn on b7 and is ready to advance it.
13.Ne5 Bh5

Following 13...Bf5 14.Bxf5 exf5, Robson – Chen, chess.com 2018, White should prepare active
actions in the centre with 15.Re2 Ne4 16.Qd1 Rfe8 17.Rfe1 Nxe5 18.dxe5 Qa6 19.Nb3 Qxa2 20.f3
Ng5 21.Qxd5²

13...b5 14.a3 a5 (14...Bh5 15.Qc2² – see 13...Bh5) 15.Qc2 g6 (15...b4 16.axb4 axb4 17.Bxh7+
Nxh7 18.Nxg4 bxc3 19.bxc3 Rfc8 20.Qd3² White will have problems to realise his extra pawn, but it
provides him doubtlessly with better chances.) 16.Nxc6 (16.Nb3!? a4 17.Nc5 Nxe5 18.Rxe5²)
16...Qxc6 17.Nb3²

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 14.a3!?
This move is played with the idea to remove White’s queen to a2, or to c2 in order to exploit the c5-
square, which was weakened unavoidably after Black’s pawn-minority attack on the queenside, with
the move Nb3.
It also seems good for White to opt here for 14.Re3!? b5 15.a3.

14...Bg6

14...Rfc8 15.Qa2 (15.Re3 b5 16.Qa2 a5 17.Nb3²) 15...a5 (15...b5 16.Nb3²) 16.a4 Qc7 17.Ndf3
Nd7 18.Nxd7 Qxd7 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.Rxe5 Bg6 21.Bb5 Qd6 22.Rfe1² Black has no counterplay at
all.

14...b5 15.Qc2² White has numerous active ideas, while Black’s counterplay has been impeded
considerably.

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 15...Na5. This is a standard transfer of Black’s knight to the c4-square. 16.f4 (16.b4 Nc4 17.a4!?
Nxd2 18.Qxd2 bxa4 19.Ra1 Ne4 20.Bxe4 dxe4 21.Rxa4 f6 22.Nc4 Qc6 23.Nb2± Black has failed to
win a pawn, his bishop has remained passive and the pawn on a7 would need additional protection.)
16...Nc4 17.Nb3 a5 18.Nc5 a4 19.g4 Nxg4 20.Bxh7+ Kh8 21.Nxg4 Bxg4 22.h3 Bh5 23.Bd3±
15...Bg6 16.Nxg6 (White has a very good alternative here – 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.Nb3 Qc7 18.Nxc6
Qxc6 19.Qd1! – preventing the pawn-advance b5-b4. 19...Qc7 20.Re3²) 16...hxg6 17.Nf3²

This position was reached in the game Shahinyan – Yeritsyan, Jermuk 2019.
15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Re3 b5 17.f4 a5 18.Rh3 b4

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 19.axb4

It is also possible for White to place immediately his queen on the h4-square: 19.Qd1 bxa3 20.bxa3
Rb6 21.Qe1 Qd8 22.g4 Ne4 (22...Nxe5 23.Qh4 Nh5 24.Qxd8 Rxd8 25.fxe5+–) 23.Nxe4 dxe4
24.Nc4 Rb3 25.g5 f5 26.gxf6 Qxf6 27.Nd2 Nxd4 28.Nxb3 Nxb3 29.Rg3±

19...axb4 20.Qd1 bxc3 21.bxc3 Rb6 22.g4 Qd8 23.Qe1

The moment White’s queen reaches the h4-square Black’s king would be seriously endangered.
23...Ne4

Black fails to evacuate his king quickly to the centre: 23...Re8? 24.Rh8+ Kxh8 25.Nxf7+.

24.Nxe4 dxe4 25.g5 Nxe5 26.dxe5 Re8 27.Qh4 Kf8 28.Qh8+ Ke7 29.Qxg7±

B1b) 12...Bxf3

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 Black solves radically the problem with his light-squared bishop by trading it without
compromising his pawn-structure. As we have seen, analysing some variations before, if it is
exchanged on the g6-square, he may get checkmated on the h-file.
13.Nxf3 Rab8
Black is preparing the pawn-minority attack on the queenside.
13...a6. This move is worse, because the pawn on a6 would either turn into an object for an attack,
or Black would have to push it to a5 losing a tempo. 14.Ne5 b5 15.Re3 Rfc8 (Black would need his
second rook on the b8-square.) 16.Qd1 b4 17.Rfe1 bxc3 18.bxc3 Ne7, Espinosa – Leyva, Las Tunas
1996, 19.Rh3! Ng6 (Black cannot afford to ignore his opponent’s main threat, since after 19...Rc7?
20.Bxh7+ Nxh7 21.Qh5+–, he can avoid being checkmated only at the price of huge material losses.
It is also bad for him to play 19...g6? 20.Qf3 Kg7 21.Rxh7+–) 20.Bxg6 fxg6! (20...hxg6?? 21.Rh8+–)
21.Rhe3²

13...Nd7. Black prevents the appearance of the enemy knight on the e5-square. 14.Re3 g6 (about
14...Rab8 15.Qc2 g6 16.Rfe1 Kg7 17.h4 – see 14...g6) 15.Rfe1 Kg7 (15...Rab8 16.h4ƒ) 16.Qc2 Rab8

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 17.h4. White cannot continue the game without this thematic move. 17...Ne7, Nikolovski – Postny,
Antalya 2017, 18.Ng5! Now, Black must consider different possible sacrifices – on e6, g6, or h7.
18...Ng8 (Black cannot ignore his opponent’s threat: 18...b5? 19.Rxe6! fxe6 20.Rxe6+–) 19.h5 Ndf6
20.hxg6 hxg6 21.Bxg6! fxg6 22.Nxe6+ Kf7 23.Nxf8 Rxf8 24.Qe2± The material is equal indeed, but
White is clearly better, because Black would have great problems to activate his pieces.
It is possibly reasonable for White to postpone the pawn-advance h2-h4 for a while. 17.Qd2!? b5
18.a3 a5 19.h4! b4 20.h5. White has excellent attacking prospects. 20...bxa3 (20...Nf6 21.Ne5 Nxh5
22.Rh3, threatening g2-g4, or even Rxh5) 21.bxa3 Qf4 (After 21...Qxa3? 22.Ng5 Rb2 23.Bc2 Qa2
24.Rc1‚, Black’s king would be defenceless.) 22.g3 Qh6 23.Kg2 gxh5 24.c4ƒ

13...Qc7. Black is ready to counter the enemy knight-sortie to the e5-square by trading the knights.
14.Qc2

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 In response to 14...Rac8, Kovalev – Riazantsev, Sochi 2017, White will have to defend against the
threat Nb4. 15.a3! a6 16.Re3 b5 17.Rfe1 Qb6 18.Qe2 Na5 19.Ne5 Nc4 20.Rh3‚ Now, he is
threatening the tactical strike Bxg7+, followed by Qh5, so Black would be forced to weaken his
kingside, which would enhance White’s attack.
14...g6. This move weakens the dark squares in the vicinity of Black’s king. 15.Qd2 Kg7 16.Re3
Rab8, Ter Sahakyan – Swapnil, chess.com 2018, 17.Rfe1 b5 18.Ne5 Nxe5 19.dxe5 Ng4 20.R3e2 a5.
Black is trying to organise counterplay. (It was more accurate for him to opt for 20...h5 21.Qf4 Qe7
22.a3² a5 23.h3 Nh6 24.Re3ƒ, although even then White’s threats should not be underestimated.)
21.Qf4 h5 22.h3 Nh6 23.g4‚
14...Rfc8 15.a3! h6 (It would be too slow for Black to choose here 15...a6 16.Re3 b5 17.Qe2 Rab8
18.Ne5 a5 19.Rh3‚ This standard regrouping of White’s forces provides him with a crushing attack.)
16.h3 (16.g3!? a6 17.Kg2 b5 18.Qe2 Na5 19.Ne5 Nc4 20.g4‚) 16...Rab8 17.Re3!? White’s rook is
perfectly placed on the third rank. It is ready to go to the kingside in order to join into his attack,
operates perfectly in the centre and protects the c3-pawn in case that would be necessary. (Still, even
after the calmer line: 17.Qe2 Re8 18.Ne5 Nxe5 19.dxe5 Nd7 20.f4² Steinkellner – Rekhtman, ICCF
2013. White’s prospects are preferable, because his bishop is more powerful than the enemy knight.
Black will have great problems with his kingside and has no counterplay at all.) 17...b5 18.Qe2 Na5
19.Ne5 Nc4 20.Rg3 Kh8 (After 20...a5 21.Ng4 Nxg4 22.hxg4!?ƒ, White’s threat g4-g5 would be
tremendously unpleasant for Black.) 21.Re1²

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 14.Ne5

White has an excellent alternative here – 14.Qa4!?N

14...Rfc8 15.Ne5 Qc7 16.f4ƒ, followed by a transfer of the rook from e1 to the h3-square.
14...Nd7 15.Re3 a6 16.Qc2 g6 17.Qd2 Kg7 18.h4! h5 19.Rfe1 Rfe8 (19...b5? 20.Bxg6! Kxg6
21.Ng5‚ Black cannot save his king without huge material losses. 20.g3 b5 21.Kg2 a5 22.a3 b4
23.cxb4 axb4 24.a4²

14...Qc7

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 14...Nd7 15.f4 f5 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.Re3²

14...b5!? 15.Bxb5 Nxe5 (In the position, arising in the variations 15...Ne7 16.Qa4 a6 17.Qxa6
Qxa6 18.Bxa6 Rxb2 19.a4² and 15...Nxd4 16.cxd4 a6 17.a4 axb5 18.a5², White will have a powerful
outside passed pawn and it would provide him with excellent chances of victory.) 16.dxe5 Qc5
17.exf6 Qxb5 18.fxg7² White would have serious difficulties to realise his extra pawn, but Black
would have to fight long and hard for a draw.

15.f4 b5

This position was reached in the game Aravindh – Andreikin, Astana 2019.
16.h3!?
White deprives the enemy knight of the g4-square. In addition, he would have the move Ne5-g4,
for example after f4-f5, the exchange of the pawns and the knight (Nc6-e7xf5) for the bishop on f5
and the doubling of the rooks on the f-file.

Now, it would be bad for White to play 16.Bxb5? Nxe5 17.fxe5 Ne4 18.Qa4 Nc5³, as well as to
choose immediately 16.f5? Nxe5 17.dxe5 Ng4! (17...Nd7 18.Qc2÷) 18.Qc2 exf5 19.Bxf5 Qb6+.
Black wins the exchange.

16...b4

He begins immediately the pawn-minority attack. 16...Ne7. Black is busy with prophylactic. 17.f5
exf5 18.Bxf5 Rfe8 19.a3 Nxf5 20.Rxf5 Rb6 21.Rff1² White’s knight is perfectly placed on e5, while
Black is forced to protect his pawns on d5 and f7; 19...a5 20.Qd1 b4 21.cxb4 axb4 22.a4 Qa7 23.Bc2
b3 24.Bxb3 Rb4 25.Rf4 Reb8 26.Re3² White has an extra pawn and should try to trade pieces.
Naturally, the exchange of the queens would be most favourable for him.

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 17.Qa4 Rb6
After 17...Nxe5 18.fxe5 Nh5 19.cxb4², Black would not have any compensation for the pawn.
18.cxb4 Nxb4 (18...Nxd4 19.Rc1 Qb7 20.a3²) 19.Rc1 Qb7 20.Be2 Na6 21.a3² The powerful
knight on e5 and the pawn-majority on the queenside promises White much better prospects.

B2) 12.Rfe1

abcdefgh
White leaves his rook on the a1-square for the moment, implying that he would have better chances
in actions on the queenside.
We will deal in details now with: B2a) 12...Bxf3 and B2b) 12...Rab8.

12...Ne7. Black is planning to trade the light-squared bishops on the f5-square. 13.Ne5 Bf5 14.Bf1
(White should better preserve the bishop. 14.a4 Bxd3 15.Nxd3 Rab8÷ Carlsen – Firouzja,
Lichess.org 2020.) 14...Rab8 15.a4 Ne4 16.Nxe4 Bxe4 17.a5² The rook on a1 has turned out to be
useful for him and because of it Black will have considerable problems to organise counterplay. For
example, his attempt to break in the centre with the line: 17...f6?! 18.Nd3 Bxd3 19.Bxd3 e5? can be
countered by White with the resolute reaction 20.c4 exd4 21.cxd5 Kh8, Anand – Mamedyarov, Saint
Louis 2018 and here he wins with the line: 22.Ra4! Qxd5 23.Qxd5 Nxd5 24.Rxd4 Nc7 25.Re7 Na6
26.Rg4 g6 27.Rh4+–

12...Nd7. Black has covered the e5-square and has in mind to advance e6-e5. 13.Qc2 h6 (about
13...g6 14.Re3 Bxf3 15.Nxf3 – see variation B2a, 13...Nd7) 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Nxf3 a6 16.Re3 b5
17.Rae1 b4 18.Nh2 bxc3 19.bxc3 e5 20.dxe5 Ncxe5 21.Bh7+ Kh8 22.Bf5 Rad8 23.R3e2 Qf6 24.Rd1
Nb6 25.Ng4 Nxg4 26.Bxg4²

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 12...Qc7. Black is preparing to exchange on e5. 13.Ne5

13...Bh5 14.Qc2 a6 15.Re3 Rac8 16.Nxc6 Qxc6 17.Nf3 (17.Rh3!? Bg6 18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.Nf3²
Black has problems with the protection of his king.) 17...Bg6 (17...Bxf3 18.Rxf3 b5 19.a3 a5 20.Qe2
b4 21.cxb4 axb4 22.a4ƒ White has much better prospects thanks to his outside passed pawn.)
18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.Ne5! (It would be less appropriate for him to continue with 19.Ng5 b5 20.a3 a5
21.Qd3 b4„ Zhigalko – Rakhmanov, Moscow 2019.) 19...Qd6 20.Qe2 b5 21.a3²
Black’s prepared exchange would not help him to equalise. 13...Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd7 15.Qb4! Bh5
16.Qh4 Bg6 17.Bxg6 fxg6 (After 17...hxg6? 18.Nf3 Qc4 19.Nd4 f6 20.f4±, Black’s e6-pawn is weak
and he will have problems with the protection of his king.) 18.Nf3² Blomqvist – Prohaszka, Batumi
2019. Black dominates on the f-file as compensation for his weaknesses, but still has not any real
counterplay.

B2a) 12...Bxf3 13.Nxf3

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 abcdefgh
13...Qc7

13...Nd7 14.Qc2 g6 15.Re3 e5 16.dxe5 Ndxe5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5 18.Be2² White’s bishop is more
powerful than the enemy knight and Black’s d5-pawn is vulnerable. 18...f5, Vocaturo – Arizmendi
Martinez, Skopje 2019, 19.Rd1 f4 20.Rh3 Rad8 21.Bf3² Black still has problems with the defence of
his pawn on d5 and his king has been opened.

The move 13...a6 looks like a loss of time.

14.Qd1!? Naturally, White’s queen belongs to the kingside. (14.Ne5 Nd7, M.Perez – Caruana,
chess.com 2020, 15.f4 f6 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.Re3²; 15...Rab8 16.Re3 b5 17.Qc2 f5 18.Nxd7 Qxd7

202
19.Rae1 Nd8 20.g4ƒ) 14...Rfe8 (Following 14...b5 15.b4, it would be good for White to enter the
lines: 15...Rfc8 16.a4 Na7 17.Ra3 Qc7 18.Qa1²; as well as 15...a5 16.a4 bxa4 17.b5 Nb8 18.Rxa4²
He has obtained a passed pawn and exerts pressure against the weak enemy pawn on a5.) 15.Ne5 Qc7
16.Re3 (It is also possible for White to play here 16.f4 Rac8, Kravec – Simo, Sliac 2011 and here, he
should continue with the resolute move 17.g4!ƒ) 16...b5 (16...g6 17.Qe2²) 17.Ng4!? (It is also good
for him to opt here for the standard move 17.Qe2²) 17...Nxg4 18.Qxg4 g6 19.Rh3ƒ White has
excellent attacking prospects.

13...Rab8. Black is preparing the pawn-minority attack. 14.Qd1.

14...a6 15.Re3ƒ
14...b5 15.b4! Rfc8 (15...a5?! 16.a4±) 16.a4 a6 17.axb5 axb5 18.Qe2 Ne7 19.Rec1 h6 20.Nd2 Qb6
21.Nb3² White’s knight will go unavoidably to the c5-outpost and this, in combination with his
pressure against the pawn on b5, would lead to his occupation of the a-file.
14...Qf4 15.Qe2 (15.g3!?) 15...a6 16.a3 Nd7 17.Qc2 g6 18.Re3 Rfe8 19.Rae1 b5 20.g3 Qf6 21.Qe2
Nb6, Ganguly – Kovalenko, Saint Louis 2019. Here, it would be reasonable for White to prevent the
appearance of the enemy knight on the c4-square with the move 22.b3 and then, for example:
22...Na5 23.Ne5 Qg7 24.h4‚

14.Qc2

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 abcdefgh
14...Rac8

14...Rab8 15.a3 Ne7 (15...b5 16.b4!?²) 16.Ne5 Nc8 17.Re3 Nd6 18.Rh3 h6 19.Re1ƒ White has
completed his development and has excellent prospects on the kingside. Black’s defence will be very
difficult. 19...b5 20.Qc1 Nfe4 21.f3 Ng5 (21...Nf6 22.Rxh6 gxh6 23.Qxh6+–) 22.Rg3 f6 23.Ng6
Rfe8 24.h4 Ngf7 25.Nf4 g5 (25...Qd7 26.Nh5+–) 26.hxg5 fxg5 27.Nxe6+– Muzychuk – Gunina,
Kazan 2019.

14...g6. Black prevents radically the possible tactical strike on the h7-square, but weakens his
kingside. 15.Qd2 Kg7 16.Re3 h6 (16...Ng4 17.Re2 Rab8 18.h4 Nf6 19.a4 a6 20.g3 Na5 21.Qe3 Nc4
22.Bxc4 dxc4 23.a5² Black has problems with the protection of his pawn on c4 as well as with the
defence of the dark squares on his kingside.) 17.Rae1 Nd7 18.h4 Nf6 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.dxe5 Ng4
21.Rg3 h5 22.Be2 Nh6 23.Rg5 Nf5 24.Bd3² Pepene – Rydholm, ICCF 2018.

14...Rfc8 15.Qe2 Rab8 16.a4 a6 17.h4 Na5 18.Ne5 Nc4 19.Bxc4 dxc4 20.a5 Nd7 21.Qf3 Nxe5
22.Rxe5 b6, Shubin – Rozentalis, Netanya 2019, 23.axb6 Qxb6 24.Rea5 Qxb2 25.Rxa6 Rb3 26.Kh2²
White’s plan includes the exchange of a couple of rooks in order to ensure the safety of his pawn on
c3 and to combine his threats on the kingside with the pressure against the enemy pawn on c4. (His
pawn on c3 is untouchable: 26...Rxc3?? 27.Ra8+–; ).

15.Re2 Qf4

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 16.Qb3

It is also possible for White to play here 16.Rae1!? a6 17.Qd1 b5 18.a3 Rb8 and now, Black must
consider the calm line: 19.b4 Rfc8 20.Nd2², as well as the active variation 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.dxe5
Nd7 21.Re3 Rfc8 22.h4 Nb6 23.Rg3 Nc4 24.Qe2²

16...Rc7 17.h3 Ne8 18.Ne5 Nd6 19.Qa3² White’s queen is eyeing both sides of the board and that
can be seen after 19...Nxe5, Amin – Baskin, Hoogeveen 2018, 20.dxe5! Ne4 (20...Nc4? 21.Bxh7+–)
21.Qxa7±

B2b) 12...Rab8

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 This is Black’s most natural and logical move. He is not in a hurry to exchange on f3 and is
preparing the standard plan for this pawn-structure – the pawn-minority attack.

13.Ne5 Bh5

13...b5?! This move is too risky. 14.Bxb5! a6 15.Bxc6 Rxb3 16.axb3± White has more than
sufficient compensation for the queen. Black’s main problem in this position would be how to contain
his opponent’s passed b-pawn after the unavoidable loss of his a6-pawn.

13...Rfc8 14.Qa4 a6 15.a3 Bh5 16.Re3 Bg6 (16...Qd8 17.Nxc6 Rxc6 18.Qc2 a5 19.Nb3 b5
20.Qd2² White restricts his opponent’s possibilities on the queenside and plans later to organise an
attack against the enemy king.) 17.Bxg6 hxg6 18.Qd1 b5 19.Ndf3 a5 20.Ng5 Rb7 21.Qf3² Black’s
position may look solid, but he has not solved all his defensive problems yet. If he advances b5-b4,
then White’s rook on a1 will join into the actions: otherwise, Black can hardly create any meaningful
counterplay.

14.Qa4

It is also good for White here to continue in a standard fashion 14.Re3 Qc7 15.Rae1 b5 16.a3 Na5
17.Qc2 Nc4 18.Rh3 Bg6 19.Bxg6 hxg6, Praggnanandhaa – Tari, chess24.com 2019. Now, he can
organise a crushing attack after 20.f4 Rfc8 21.Ndxc4 bxc4 22.Qf2 Kf8 23.Qg3 Ke7 24.f5!+–

14...Qc7

206
 15.Nb3

Here, White has again an interesting alternative – 15.h3!? Nxe5 (15...Nd7 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.Bb5
Qc7 18.Bxc6 bxc6 19.b4± Black will hardly manage to hold the vulnerable dark squares in his
camp.) 16.dxe5 Nd7 17.Qh4 Bg6 18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.Nf3²

15...Nd7?!
It would be more accurate for Black to choose here 15...a6 16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Qa3 (It is essential for
White not to be greedy: 17.Bxa6? Ra8 18.Nc5 Nd7 and his bishop on a6 would be horribly
endangered.) 17...Bg6 18.Bf1²

16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.Bb5²

207
 abcdefgh
17...Rfc8?
This is a blunder of a pawn. Anand – Mamedyarov, Stavanger 2019. After Black’s alternatives
however, White will deploy his knight on c5 in combination with an exchange on c6 and the move
b2-b4 to follow.
18.Qxa7 Nxa7 19.Bxd7 Rc7 20.Nc5 Ra8 21.Ba4±

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 Part 2
Setup with Early Move h3

In this part of the book we shall analyse the sub-variations of the Exchange system against the
Caro-Kann Defence in which White prevents the development of Black’s light-squared bishop to the
g4-square in a radical, mechanical way by playing the move h2-h3. Even though there are some
variations in which this sems to be bordering on a loss of a tempo, we shall try to prove that it is
perfectly acceptable for White to play this way. At the same time we have no intention to compare the
two plans recommended by us in the first and the second parts of our book, in terms of “better or
worse”. If one of these plans were unambiguously more promising, then the other one would not be
worth covering. In our opinion these two alternatives for White are about equally strong and each has
its own nuances.

The variations with h2-h3 have been encountered in practice for quite some time but they were
always considered to be just a way for White to calmly develop the pieces and to transfer the focus of
the struggle to the middle game. Unlike the options discussed in the first section, h2-h3 never made it
to the level of the candidates’ matches. Only in the new millennium (and it is hard to link the change
in perception to a specific game or player) did it gradually become apparent that all the generally
accepted paths to equality in these variations were not so convincing after all.

In Chapter 9 we deal with variations in which Black tries to avoid the development of at least one
of his knights to their standard positions – the c6- and f6- squares. With the order of moves 4...Nf6
5.h3, he can only postpone the development of his knight to the c6-square for a few moves, after
which play will usually transpose to the variations covered in the following chapters. Any attempts by
Black to deploy his queen’s knight to other squares are rather artificial and do not promise him even
approximate equality.
On the other hand, after the moves 4...Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.h3 there are several independent and
important options. However, in the event of 6...g6 7.Ne2!, it quickly becomes clear that the inclusion
of the moves Qc7 and h3 is quite harmful for Black, while in the positions with an isolated pawn
arising after 6...e5, although the early development of the queen may not be so detrimental for Black,
nevertheless it definitely fails to provide him with any advantages in comparison to the lines in
Chapter 12. Thus it seems that it is only the sub-variation with 6...e6 that looks relatively principled,
particularly if it is connected with the deployment of the bishop to d6 and the king’s knight to e7.
Here the inclusion of the moves Qc7 and h3 will often lead to original positions, in comparison to
Chapter 2, but somehow White has enough resources to adequately counter Black’s most dangerous
plan, based on f7-f6 and e6-e5.

In Chapter 10 we move on to an examination of the main position of the variation with h2-h3,
namely the one arising after the moves 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3. In addition to some lines which are
played only very seldom and in which Black has few prospects of equalising, we also analyse the

209
move 6...e6, which is encountered in practice almost as often as his other main lines. It does not
promise anything good for Black, though. Even though the usefulness of White’s move h2-h3 is
debatable in the positions arising, the type of situation with a passive black light-squared bishop and
with no meaningful counterplay can hardly provide him with any promising prospects. The best that
he can hope for is to enter a pawn-structure with an isolated pawn on d5 at some moment, in order to
evert an eventual strong attack against his king. However, this would be a much less favourable
version for Black, in comparison to the positions analysed in Chapter 12.

Chapter 11 is devoted to the lines arising after 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 g6. It is precisely the
fianchetto of the dark-squared bishop and the development of the light-squared bishop on the f5-
square that has long been considered to be Black’s best reaction against White’s plan of h2-h3.
Indeed, in the structures arising after the exchange on f5, the advance of the white rook-pawn often
turns out to be simply weakening and White already needs to play carefully not to come under an
attack along the semi-open g-file. The radical re-evaluation of this variation took place only quite
recently, when it turned out that after the development of Black’s bishop on the f5-square White can
simply retreat his bishop to e2. The set-up of the white pieces might seem to be harmless for the
opponent at first sight, but it turns out that Black has no reasonable active plan, while White will be
capable of improving gradually his position. In most lines White’s attempts to make progress are
associated with attacking with his pawns on the queenside, but there are other resources as well.
Black has tried recently to rehabilitate this variation with the idea of following after g6 and Bf5 with
the development of his dark-squared bishop not to g7 but to d6. This is a crafty manoeuvre but it can
hardly solve all Black’s problems.
Finally, in the final Chapter 12, we analyse Black’s best way of fighting against the variation with
h2-h3, which is 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e5!? This move was introduced into tournament practice back
in the year 1907 by the legendary Czech master Duras and it has proved its reliability since then.
However, it is essential to understand that, although the arising positions are close to equality, they do
not lead to rapid dead draws. On the contrary, there will be plenty of fight ahead. The positions with
an isolated pawn belong to another special category and it often happens that the play depends largely
on the experience of the player, particularly for the side with an isolated pawn with Black.
Accordingly, many adherents to the French Defence feel comfortable in positions of this type, while
players who use the Caro-Kann Defence are more experienced in playing against an isolated pawn (as
in the Panov Attack and similar systems). This is why the choice of the move 6...e5 may lead to
certain psychological difficulties for players with Black. The authors believe that the positions
covered in this chapter are much easier to play with White and the statistics confirm our evaluation.

210
 Chapter 9
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3

abcdefgh
In Chapters 9-12 we will analyse schemes in which White plays early the move h2-h3, preventing
forever Black’s possibility Bc8-g4.
4...Nc6

After 4...Nf6, White can also play 5.h3

abcdefgh

211
 and Black will hardly manage to find a reasonable set-up, or an order of moves without Nb8-c6,
which might lead to original positions, so in the majority of the cases there would arise transposition
to the variations with 4...Nc6.
Still, we will analyse some possible attempts of this type.
5...g6 6.Nf3 Bf5 (About 6...Nc6 7.c3 – see 5...Nc6; 6...Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.c3 Nc6 9.Bf4 – see
4...Nc6; 8...Bf5 9.Be2 – see 6...Bf5; 8...Qc7 9.Re1 Nc6 10.Na3 – see 4...Nc6; 9...Re8 10.Na3 a6
11.Nc2 Nc6 12.Ne5 – see 4...Nc6.) 7.Be2 Nbd7 (about 7...Bg7 8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 Nc6 10.Bf4, or
9...Qc7 10.Be3 Nc6 11.Nbd2 – see 4...Nc6) 8.0-0 e6 9.Bf4 (9.c4!? dxc4 10.Bxc4 Bg7 11.Nc3 0-0
12.Re1 Rc8 13.Bb3 h5 14.Bg5²) 9...Qb6 10.b3 g5?! This is an interesting idea, but it is still
insufficient for Black to obtain a meaningful counterplay. (White would have maintained the
advantage after 10...Ne4 11.c4²) 11.Bxg5 Ne4, Tari – Aronian, Stavanger 2020, 12.Be3 Rg8 13.Kh1
0-0-0 14.c4± Black has no compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
5...e6. Black gives up the idea to develop his light-squared bishop to the f5-square (which is
positional concession...) and hopes either to trade the bishops with the help of the move Bc8-a6, or to
deploy it to the b7-square, followed by a penetration of his knight to the e4-outpost. 6.Nf3

6...Be7 (about 6...Nc6 7.c3 – see 4...Nc6) 7.0-0 0-0 (7...Nc6 8.c3 – see 4...Nc6) 8.c3 Nbd7 (About
8...Nc6 9.Qe2 – see 4...Nc6; 8...b6 9.Re1 Ba6 10.Bc2! Nc6, Drzazga – Barwinski, Jastrzebia Gora
2016, 11.Bf4 Nh5 12.Bh2 g6 13.a4 Bd6 14.Na3² Black’s light-squared bishop is practically idle and
White would like to exchange the dark-squared bishops in order to exploit Black’s weaknesses on the
kingside.) 9.Bf4 Nb6 10.Nbd2 Bd7 11.Ne5 Rc8 12.Re1 a6, Bellin – Palasto, Buenos Aires 1978
(12...Be8 13.Rc1²) 13.a4² (13.Re3²). Black’s rather passive play has led to a clear advantage for
White.
6...Bd6 7.0-0 0-0 (about 7...Nc6 8.c3 – see 4...Nc6) 8.Re1 b6 (8...Nc6 9.c3 – see 4...Nc6) 9.Qe2.
White prevents the development of the enemy bishop to the a6-square. 9...Bb7 10.Ne5 Ne4 11.Nd2

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 Now, after the trade of the knights, Black’s idea to develop his bishop to the b7-square becomes
senseless and his alternatives have definite positional defects. 11...Bxe5 (Black is reluctant to
exchange the bishops, but after 11...f5, White can play 12.Ndf3², establishing firm positional control
over the e5-outpost.) 12.dxe5 Nxd2 (It might seem reasonable for Black to try here 12...Nc5!?, but
following 13.Nf3 Nxd3 14.Qxd3, he will still have to play 14...h6², preventing the enemy knight-
sortie Ng5 and White’s advantage would be doubtless.) 13.Bxd2 Qh4, Oelke – Fechner,
Mecklenburg 2002, 14.Rad1 Nc6 15.c3 d4 16.c4² White’s bishop-pair and his pawn-majority on the
queenside provide him with better prospects.

5.c3 Qc7
This is a logical move. Black wishes at first to place his queen on c7 in order to prevent the
development of the enemy bishop Bf4.
We will analyse his main line 5...Nf6 in the following chapters.

6.h3!?
We would like to remind you that White’s other attractive possibility 6.Na3!? has been analysed
before – see Chapter 4.

213
 abcdefgh
Now, Black’s most logical moves are: A) 6...g6 and B) 6...e6.

About 6...Nf6 7.Nf3 – see 5...Nf6.

Black’s principled reply 6...e5!?, would practically lead to transposition of moves after 7.dxe5
Nxe5 8.Nf3 Nxd3+ (but not 8...Bd6? 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.Bb5+–) 9.Qxd3 Nf6 10.0-0 Be7 11.Be3 0-0
12.Nbd2, or 9...Be6 10.0-0 Nf6 11.Re1 Be7 12.Be3 0-0 13.Nbd2 – see 5...Nf6 6.h3 e5.

A) 6...g6
Black is not in a hurry to play Nf6, in order to be able to develop later his king’s knight to the h6-
square. White can also react flexibly and now, we will analyse A1) 7.Nf3, as well as A2) 7.Ne2!?

A1) 7.Nf3
After this move it would be quite probable to arise variations, which we would be dealing with after
some other orders of moves.

214
 7...Nh6!?
This is the only move for Black after which there arise original positions. He wishes to trade the
light-squared bishops hoping later to deploy his knight on f5. Meanwhile he loses in the process his
control over the centre and we will see that White is not obliged to cooperate with his opponent’s
idea.

About 7...Bg7 8.0-0 Nf6 9.Re1, or 7...Bf5 8.Be2 Bg7 9.0-0 Nf6 10.Be3, or 7...Nf6 8.0-0 Bg7
9.Re1, or 8...Bf5 9.Be2 Bg7 10.Be3 – see 5...Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3.

8.0-0

abcdefgh

215
 8...Bg7

After the immediate move 8...Bf5, it is very good for White to continue with 9.c4! Bxd3 10.Qxd3
dxc4 11.Qc3! Qa5 (Black has no other satisfactory defence against the threat d4-d5. He loses after
11...Bg7? 12.Bxh6 Bxh6 13.d5+–) 12.Qxc4 Rd8 13.Nc3. Black may try to neutralise his opponent’s
initiative with the move 13...Qb4, with an attempt to trade the queens, but White still preserves full
control over the position.

14.Qb3!? White chooses an advantageous version to exchange the queens, since he opens the rook
file in the process. 14...Qxb3 15.axb3 Nxd4 (If 15...a6, then 16.d5 Na7 17.g4! Bg7 18.Re1² and
Black is left with very bad pieces.) 16.Nxd4 Rxd4 17.Rxa7 Rd7 18.Rd1 Rxd1+ 19.Nxd1 Kd7
20.Rxb7+ Ke6 21.g4² White has quite real winning chances due to his extra passed pawn, despite its
being doubled.
14.Qe2. This is a principled move. 14...Nf5 (The greedy line: 14...Nxd4? 15.Nxd4 Rxd4 16.Be3
Rd8 17.Rad1 Rxd1 18.Rxd1 Bg7 19.Nd5+–, would end in a catastrophe for Black.) 15.a3 Qb6 16.d5
Ncd4 17.Nxd4 Nxd4 18.Qe5 (White does not allow his opponent to complete effortlessly his
development.) 18...f6 19.Qf4 e5 (Without this move Black’s knight on d4 would be endangered.)
20.dxe6 Qxe6 21.Be3² with an obvious advantage for White.

9.Re1
This is the correct order of moves. White frees the f1-square for his bishop.
9...0-0

216
 10.Nbd2

He has an interesting alternative here – 10.Na3!? a6 11.Bd2 (Now, Black would need to consider
the possibility Qc1.) 11...Bf5 12.Bf1! f6 13.b4² with slightly preferable prospects for White.

10...Bf5

Black cannot solve his problems with 10...Nf5 11.Nf1 e6 12.Ne3² – he has failed to activate his
light-squared bishop.

abcdefgh
11.Bf1!

217
 This is the right move. White avoids the exchange and impedes the activation of Black’s knight on
h6.
11...Rad8

If Black begins with 11...Rfe8, then White replies with 12.Nb3 (preventing the pawn-advance e7-
e5) 12...Rad8 13.Ne5 f6 14.Nxc6 bxc6, Kulicov – Lalith, Dubai 2007, 15.c4±, with a clear advantage
for White.
11...f6 could be met by 12.b3 Nf7 13.Ba3², followed by c3-c4.

12.b4!
White makes an improvement in comparison to the game Jaroch – Lada, Chojnice 2008, in which
the move 12.Nh4?! was played.

12...Rfe8 13.b5 Na5 14.Ba3!

White sacrifices a pawn ans gains several tempi seizing firmly the initiative.
14...Qxc3
Without this move Black is simply clearly worse.
15.Re3 Qc7

Following 15...Qc2 16.Qxc2 Bxc2 17.Bxe7², White regains his pawn and Black will have
problems with his displaced knight on a5.

16.Rc1 Qd7

218
 abcdefgh
17.Bb4²
White has excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

It is also good for White to play here 17.Ne5 Bxe5 18.dxe5 Be6 19.Rec3 Nc4 20.Nxc4 dxc4
21.Qxd7 Rxd7 22.g4², with an edge in the endgame.

17...b6

17...Nc4 18.Nxc4 dxc4 19.Bxc4±

18.Bxa5

219
 18.Qa4!? Nc4 19.Nxc4 dxc4 20.Bxc4 Bxh3!? Black is trying to change the character of the fight,
but this attempt is insufficient. 21.gxh3 Qxh3 22.Ne5 Qh4 23.Nxf7! Nxf7 24.Qb3± White gives
back the piece and creates powerful threats.
18...bxa5 19.Ne5 Qd6 (Black should better refrain from 19...Bxe5 20.Rxe5±, with an advantage
for White after the transfer of his knight to the c5-square via b3.) 20.g4 Be4 21.Nc6 Rd7 22.Nxe4
dxe4 23.Rxe4²

A2) 7.Ne2!?

White wishes to deploy harmoniously his pieces. His dark-squared bishop will go to the f4-square
after which his knight may go to g3. Meanwhile, the f3-square will remain free for the transfer of his
queen’s knight.

7...Bf5

7...Nf6 8.0-0 Bf5 (about 8...Bg7 9.Bf4 – see 7...Bg7) 9.Bf4 and later analogously to the lines with
7...Bf5.

The trade of the dark-squared bishops is in favour of White: 7...Bh6 8.0-0 Bf5 (8...Bxc1 9.Qxc1
Nf6 10.Qh6± Conquest – Houska, Canterbury 2010) 9.Bxf5 gxf5 10.Bxh6 Nxh6 11.Qd2 Ng8 (After
11...Qd6, it would be very good for White to continue with 12.c4! dxc4 13.Na3±) 12.Qg5 0-0-0
13.Qxf5+ e6 14.Qf4± Bernadskiy – Leiva, chess.com 2020.

Following 7...Bg7 8.0-0 Nf6, White will realise the planned set-up of his forces with 9.Bf4 Qd8
(9...Qb6 10.Qb3 Bf5, Oyama – Batchelor, Torquay 2013, 11.Bxf5 gxf5 12.Na3. He is ready to
exchange on b6 and then to deploy his knight on the b5-square, so Black will have to cope with

220
defending an inferior endgame after 12...Qxb3 13.axb3 0-0 14.b4², or 13...a5 14.Nb5 0-0 15.Ra4²)
10.Nd2 0-0

11.Ng3 (White can also allow the exchange of the bishops, beginning with the move 11.Nf3!?,
because the line: 11...Bf5 12.Bxf5 gxf5 13.Ne1!? e6 14.Qd3±, promises him excellent prospects.)
11...Nd7. Black’s only active possibility is to organise a pawn-break in the centre. 12.Nf3 e5 13.dxe5
Ndxe5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Re1 Nc6 16.Qd2 d4 (If 16...Be6, then 17.Bg5 Qd7 18.Bh6²; Black would
suffer an immediate catastrophe after the inaccurate line: 16...Qf6? 17.Bg5 Qd6 18.Bc4 d4 19.Ne4
Qc7 20.Nf6+ Kh8 21.Ne8+– Bagaturov – Edzgveradze, Tbilisi 1996.) 17.c4! Be6 18.Rac1², with a
positional advantage for White.

8.Bf4

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 8...Qd7

Following 8...Qb6 9.Bxf5 gxf5, White can ignore the threats against his pawn on b2 and choose
10.0-0!? and if 10...Qxb2?!, then 11.c4! Qxa1 (11...dxc4 12.Nbc3+–) 12.Qd2! dxc4 13.Na3 Qxf1+
14.Kxf1. Black has two rooks for the queen indeed, but his lag in development would be the decisive
factor. 14...Nf6 15.Nxc4 Nd5 16.Qb2 0-0-0 17.Ne5 Nxf4 18.Nxc6 bxc6 19.Nxf4 Bg7 20.Qc2 Rd6
21.Qxf5+ Kb8 22.Qxf7 Bxd4 23.Ne6 Bf6 24.g4 h6 25.Kg2+–

After 8...Qd8, White can react simply with 9.Bxf5 gxf5 10.0-0²

9.Bb5!?
This is a principled decision. White attacks the defender of the e5-square and is ready to exchange
it if necessary.
9...a6

He would maintain a stable advantage after 9...Nf6 10.0-0 Bg7 11.Nd2 0-0 12.Ng3 Be6 13.Re1²
10.Bxc6

222
 10...Qxc6

Following 10...bxc6 11.Nd2 f6 12.Ng3², Black may have serious problems later with his pawn-
structure.

11.0-0 Bg7

11...Bxb1 – see game 7.

12.Nd2 Nf6 13.Ng3 Be6 14.Nf3²

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 White controls the central e5-square and has concentrated his minor pieces on the kingside, so this
promises him very good prospects in the forthcoming middle game.

B) 6...e6

abcdefgh
Black chooses this move usually planning to deploy his bishop on d6 and then to transfer his knight
to the g6-square, via e7, preserving the possibility for the pawn-advance f7-f6.

7.Nf3 Bd6

After the passive line: 7...Nf6 8.0-0 Be7, White would maintain a stable advantage. (About 8...Bd6
9.Re1, or 8...h6 9.Re1 Bd6 10.Nbd2 – see 5...Nf6.) 9.Re1 0-0 10.Bg5 (10.Ne5!? Nd7 11.Qh5 g6
12.Qe2 Ndxe5 13.dxe5²)

224
 10...b6 (White is again better after 10...h6 11.Bh4 Bd7 12.Ne5 a6, Thurner – Groiss, Vienna 2003,
13.Nd2 Rac8 14.Ndf3²; or 11...Nh5 12.Bxe7 Nxe7 13.Nbd2 Nf4 14.Bf1²; 12...Qxe7 – see game 8)
11.Nbd2 Bb7 (White would not allow the trade of the light-squared bishops after 11...a5, because of
12.Rc1 Ba6, Bulatovic – Krstin, Herceg Novi 2008, 13.Bb1! Rac8 14.Ne5 Nd7 15.Ndf3²) 12.Ne5
Nxe5

13.dxe5 (White can also try here the surprising variation 13.Bf4!? Nf3+ 14.Qxf3 Bd6 15.Be5 Bxe5
16.dxe5 Nd7 17.Qg3² with an advantage for him.) 13...Ne4. This move is forced. (After 13...Ne8?
Kondaratsev – Iksanov, Ufa 2009, 14.Nf3 g6 15.Qd2±, White would maintain an overwhelming
advantage.) 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Nxe4² Black has no compensation for the sacrificed
pawn.

225
 8.0-0

8...Nge7

About 8...Nf6 9.Re1 – see 5...Nf6.

Black has also tried in practice the somewhat slow line: 8...f6 9.Re1 Qf7 and White can counter that
with 10.b4!? (10.c4 Nge7 11.Nc3 0-0 12.a3² Ehlvest – Iotov, Dallas 2013) 10...Nge7 11.a4 0-0
12.Ba3 b6 13.a5!, in order after 13...bxa5?!, to play 14.b5! Bxa3 15.Rxa3 Nd8 16.Rxa5±, realising
the important exchange of the dark-squared bishops and creating pawn-weaknesses for his opponent.

9.Re1!

Now, White must play very precisely and the order of moves is tremendously important.

We will see that he has an important resource c3-c4, but he must realise this pawn-advance only at
an opportune moment. After the rather hasty line: 9.b3 0-0 10.c4, Black can equalise easily with
10...e5!N 11.c5 e4 12.cxd6 Qxd6=

226
 9...0-0

9...h6 – see game 9.

About 9...Bd7 10.Nbd2 0-0 11.a3 – see 9....0-0.

9...Ng6 10.b3!? (Now, White should not continue in a standard fashion 10.Nbd2, because Black
can follow his idea and play immediately 10...Nf4, after which it would be very difficult for White to
obtain a real advantage, for example: 11.Bc2 0-0 12.Nf1 f6 13.g3, Krapivin – Yevseev, St Petersburg
2005, 13...Nxh3+! 14.Kg2 e5÷ with mutual chances.) 10...0-0 (10...Nf4 11.Bxf4 Bxf4 12.c4²) 11.c4
dxc4 (11...Bb4 – see game 10) 12.bxc4. There has arisen a pawn-structure with hanging pawns,
which is quite favourable for White. 12...Nce7 13.Nc3 a6, Antipov – Taher, Tornelo 2021, 14.Qb3
Rd8 (14...Bf4 15.Ba3 Rd8 16.h4 h5 17.d5±) 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bxg6 hxg5 17.Be4±

After 9...f6, it would be very good for White to play immediately 10.c4! dxc4 (or 10...0-0 11.Nc3
a6, Sergeev – Hofer, Bregenz 2016, 12.c5 Bf4 13.Na4 Bxc1 14.Rxc1±) 11.Bxc4 Nd8 12.Qd3 0-0
13.Nc3 a6 14.Bb3 Bd7 15.Bc2 Ng6 (15...g6 16.Bh6 Re8 17.Bb3±) 16.h4ƒ The weak pawn on e6 and
the unsafe king doom Black to a long and laborious defence.

10.Nbd2

227
 10...Ng6

This move provides White with the possibility to advance his rook-pawn with tempo, but even after
Black’s alternatives he would hardly manage to equalise completely.

After 10...Bd7, White can choose 11.a3!? Ng6 12.c4 dxc4 (following 12...Nf4, White’s simplest
reaction would be 13.Bf1²) 13.Nxc4 Be7 14.Be3 Rfd8 15.Rc1 Rac8 16.b4ƒ with powerful initiative
for White.

10...f6 11.c4 (Here, it also deserves attention for White to try the provocative move 11.a3!?, with
the idea after 11...e5, to sacrifice a piece for two pawns with the line: 12.c4 e4 13.Nxe4! dxe4
14.Bxe4©, obtaining as minimum for it mobile passed pawns.) 11...Bd7 (11...Nb4 12.Bf1 dxc4
13.Nxc4 Rd8 14.a3 Nbd5 15.Bd2 b6 16.Rc1 Qd7 17.Nxd6 Qxd6 18.Bc4²) 12.a3 Rad8 13.b4 dxc4,
Grandelius – Yuffa, Linares 2020, 14.Bxc4!? Nd5 15.Ne4 b6 16.b5! Na5 17.Ba2² Now, it would not
be good for Black to play here 17...Bxb5, in view of 18.Bxd5 exd5 19.Nxd6 Qxd6 20.a4± and White
wins the exchange.

11.Nf1 Bd7

228
 12.h4
This is a logical decision, but White could have started with 12.Ng5!?, provoking the move h7-h6.
There might follow 12...Nce7 13.h4 h6 14.h5 Nf4 15.Bxf4 Bxf4 16.Nf3², with somewhat better
prospects for White.

12...Rad8 13.h5²

abcdefgh
This position arose in the game Yudin – Yuffa, Sochi 2019. After 13...Nf4, the simplest for White
was to play 14.Bxf4 Bxf4 15.g3 Bd6 16.Rc1 f5 17.Ng5 Rf6 18.f4², maintaining a slight but very
stable advantage.

229
 Chapter 10
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6

abcdefgh
We begin now the analysis of the most studied and popular line in this variation.

6.h3!?

In this chapter we will deal with the move 6...e6 and some other possibilities for Black, while the
most popular and principled lines for him 6...g6 and 6...e5 will be analysed consequently in Chapters
11 and 12.

6...e6

This move is somewhat passive, but still, quite solid. White must act very enterprisingly in order to
obtain a serious advantage.
It is also possible for Black to play here 6...Qc7, but this would most probably lead to transposition
of moves. After 7.Nf3, it would be a mistake for Black to opt for 7...e5? (About 7...g6 8.0-0 – see
6...g6; 7...e6 8.0-0 Bd6 9.Re1, or 7...h6 8.0-0 e6 9.Re1 Bd6 10.Nbd2 – see 6...e6.) 8.dxe5 Nxe5
9.Qe2 Nfd7, Palchuk – Gabriel, chess.com 2020.

230
 10.0-0 Be7 11.Re1 Nxf3+ 12.Qxf3 Nc5 13.Bb5+ Bd7 14.Bf4 Qc8 15.c4!± and if 15...dxc4, then
16.Bd6 Ne6 17.Bxe7 Bxb5 18.Ba3 and White’s direct attack against the enemy king, stranded in the
centre, should settle the issue.

Black has tried sometimes in practice 6...h6, but even then White obtains effortlessly a slight
advantage. 7.Bf4 e6 8.Nd2 Bd6 9.Bxd6 Qxd6 10.Ngf3 0-0 (About 10...a6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Re1 – see
10...0-0; 10...Nh5 11.g3²; 10...Bd7 11.Qe2²) 11.0-0

11...e5. Without this move White will improve calmly his position maintaining an advantage.
12.dxe5 Nxe5 13.Nxe5 Qxe5 14.Nf3 Qf4, Shalagin – Tubakin, Zelenograd 2018 (It would be
tremendously risky for Black to choose here 14...Qh5?! 15.Re1 Re8 16.Rxe8+ Nxe8, McCann –

231
Todortsev, San Francisco 2012, 17.Bc2 Nf6 18.Qd3 Be6 19.Re1+–) 15.Re1 Bd7 16.Bc2 Rfe8
17.Qd4² White has obtained a very favourable endgame with an isolated pawn for Black.
11...Re8 12.Re1 Bd7 13.Ne5 Rac8, Perschke – Adamusinska, Brzeg Dolny 1995, 14.Re3 a6 15.Qf3
Ne7 16.Qf4 Nf5 17.Rf3ƒ
11...a6 12.Re1 Nd7 (After 12...b5, White can react in a standard fashion 13.b4! Bd7 14.Nb3²)
13.Qe2 Re8 14.Ne5² and after the exchange 14...Ndxe5 15.dxe5 Qd7 16.Nf3 Rb8, Mach – Pradhan,
London 2016, 17.Rad1±, his advantage would increase considerably.

Black has tried sometimes in practice 6...Ne4, but White can counter that with 7.Nd2, preserving a
slight advantage in all the variations.

abcdefgh
7...f5 8.Ndf3 e6 9.Bf4 Be7 10.Ne2 0-0 (10...g5 11.Bh2 Bd7 12.Ne5 f4 13.Nxd7 Qxd7 14.Qc2²)
11.0-0 Bf6 12.Bh2 Bd7 13.Bb5 Qb6 14.a4 Be8, Idani – Daneshvar, Teheran 2019, 15.Nf4 Bf7
16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Nd3² White occupies the e5-outpost.
7...Bf5 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Bc2 e5 10.d5 Ne7 11.g4! Bd7 (Now, Black is forced to give up a pawn,
since he cannot play 11...Bg6??, because of 12.Ba4+–) 12.Bxe4 Nc8 13.Bg2² Now, Black can rely
only on having partial compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
7...Nd6, Alekseev – Kovalenko, Sochi 2019, 8.Qb3! (White prevents the move Bf5.) 8...e5!? (It
would be too passive for Black to choose here 8...e6 9.Ne2 Be7 10.Nf3 0-0 11.0-0 Bd7 12.Bf4²)
9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Qxd5 Nxd3+ 11.Qxd3 Qg5 12.Qf3 Bd7 13.Nb3 Qe7+ 14.Qe2² Black’s two bishop
advantage would enable him to fight for the draw in this endgame with a pawn down, but this would
be the maximum that he might dream about.

7.Nf3

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 7...Bd6
With a bishop on the d6-square Black will have no hopes of advancing e6-e5.

7...Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qe2 (This move is a bit more flexible than 9.Re1, because White can advance at
some opportune moment f2-f4 and his rook on f1 would be at the right place.). The subsequent
developments depend largely on whether Black would manage to advance a7-a6, followed by b7-b5,
or will have to be content with the modest move b7-b6.

abcdefgh
Following 9...a6, Black’s queenside activity might backfire. 10.Re1 b5, Prishchepa – Fedotov,
Zhukovsky 2010, 11.Bf4 b4 (11...Bd6 12.Ne5 Bb7 13.a3 Ne4 14.Nd2²; 11...Bb7 12.Nbd2 b4
13.Nb3 bxc3 14.bxc3 Ra7 15.Nc5² White is better after 15...Bxc5 16.dxc5 Qa5 17.Bd6 Rc8

233
18.Qe3±) 12.a3 bxa3 (12...b3?! 13.Nbd2 Na5 14.Ne5±) 13.b4² He is ready now to begin exploiting
Black’s weaknesses on the queenside.
9...b6 10.Bf4 Bb7 11.Nbd2

It would not be logical for Black to lose a tempo by playing 11...a6 12.Rfe1 b5 13.b4 Rc8, Eckert –
Pazdzior, Gelsenkirchen 2019, 14.a4! bxa4 15.Rxa4 Na7 16.Bxa6 Qd7 17.Ra5 Rxc3 18.Ne5 Qc8
19.b5±
The move 11...Bd6 would only help White to realise a standard idea. 12.Bxd6 Qxd6 13.Ne5 Nd7
14.f4² Rebhan – Brueckner, Schney 2018.
In the game Broemel – Weiss, Germany 1995, Black was doomed to a passive defence after
11...Nd7 12.Rfe1 Re8 13.Rad1 Nf8 and here, White could have increased calmly his initiative with
the help of the line: 14.Nf1 Bd6 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.h4²
11...Re8. Now, it is the right moment for White to continue with 12.Ne5! Nxe5 13.dxe5 Nd7
14.Nf3 Nc5, Hemmert – Te Sligte, Germany 2010, 15.Bb5! Rf8 16.Rfd1 a6 17.Bd3 Nxd3 18.Qxd3
a5 19.Nd4 Ba6 20.Qg3 Bh4 21.Qg4², with an advantage for him thanks to his reliable control over
the centre and excellent prospects for active actions on the kingside.

8.0-0

234
 8...0-0

Black sometimes postpones his castling kingside, or even refrains from it, but he can hardly
manage to realise any advantages out of that.

White is better after 8...Bd7 9.Re1 Qb6?! (Black should better prefer here 9...0-0 10.Ne5 – see
8...0-0, or 9...Qc7 10.Qe2 – see 8...Qc7.) 10.Ne5 Ne7 (10...Qc7 11.Bf4²) 11.a4 0-0 (White’s
position is preferable following 11...a5 12.Na3 Rc8, Benedetti – Ferronato, Mirandola 2014,
13.Bg5±) 12.Nd2²

8...h6 9.Re1 Qc7 (about 9...0-0 10.Nbd2 – see 8...0-0) 10.Nbd2 Bd7 (10...0-0 11.Qe2 – see 8...0-0)
11.Qe2

235
 It would be difficult to recommend to Black 11...0-0-0?!, in view of 12.Ne5 Rdf8, Badestein –
Wolf, Bad Bevensen 2003, 13.b4 and White’s queenside attack is running effortlessly. 13...Ne8
(13...Kb8 14.a4 g5 15.b5 Na5 16.c4 dxc4 17.Ndxc4 Bb4 18.Ba3 Bxa3 19.Rxa3 g4 20.Nxa5 Qxa5
21.hxg4+–) 14.b5 Na5 15.c4 dxc4 16.Ndxc4 Kb8 17.Nxd6 Nxd6 18.Ba3+–
11...Nh5 12.Nb3 Nf4 13.Bxf4 Bxf4 14.Nc5 0-0, Maciak – Niedbala, Iwonicz 2016, 15.h4!? Rae8
16.Bc2 Bc8 17.Nd3 Bd6 18.Nde5²
11...0-0 12.Ne5 Be8 (Black frees the d7-square for his knight.) 13.Ndf3 Nd7. White’s initiative is
running unopposed. 14.Bc2 (14.Ng4!? Rd8? 15.Nxh6+ gxh6 16.Bxh6+–; 14...Bf4 15.Nfe5 Bxc1
16.Raxc1 Ne7 17.Bc2 Rc8 18.Nxd7 Bxd7 19.Qd3 f5 20.Ne5 Nc6 21.Nf3²) 14...Rc8 (It would be
even worse for Black to play here 14...Bxe5? 15.dxe5, followed by 15...Rc8 16.Qd3 f5 17.exf6 Nxf6
18.Rxe6±, or 15...f5 16.exf6 Rxf6, Galic – Vukelic, Dubrovnik 2008, 17.Nh2 e5 18.Qd3 Bg6
19.Qxd5±) 15.Ng4ƒ White has wonderful attacking prospects.

8...Qc7 9.Re1

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 It does not seem reasonable for Black to evacuate his king on the queenside with 9...Bd7 10.Qe2 0-
0-0?! (about 10...0-0 11.Ne5 – see 8...0-0), because after 11.a4, White is clearly ahead of his
opponent in the development of his initiative. 11...Be8 12.Na3 Na5 13.Nb5 Bxb5 14.axb5 Kb8
15.Qc2 b6 16.b3 (16.Ra4!?) 16...Rc8 17.Bd2 Nd7 18.Ra4 Bf4 19.Bxf4 Qxf4, Peng – Ghatti, Irving
2017, 20.b4 Nb7 21.Qa2 a5 22.bxa5 Nxa5 23.Rxa5 bxa5 24.Qxa5+– with a crushing attack for
White.
It would be more prudent for Black to opt here for 9...b6 10.Qe2 Bb7 11.Ne5 0-0 12.Bf4 Ne4
13.Nd2 Bxe5 14.Bxe5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Nxd2 (15...Qxe5? 16.f3±) 16.Qxd2 a5 17.Re3 Ba6, but even
then White’s prospects would be preferable after 18.Bc2² Swiercz – Shimanov, chess.com 2020.

9.Re1

This is a universal decision. White will make up his mind later how to deploy his pieces on the
queenside, while now he prepares the penetration of his knight to the e5-outpost.

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 We will analyse as main possibilities for Black the moves: A) 9...h6 and B) 9...Qc7.

9...Re8. The defect of this move is that the f7-square is weakened. 10.Ne5 Qc7 (10...a6 11.Bf4 Qc7
12.Nd2²) 11.Qe2 Bd7 12.Nd2 (12.a4!? a6 13.Bf4²) 12...a6 (In the game Kaufmann – Mayer,
Karlsruhe 2003, Black tried to regroup his pieces in a bit artificial way with 12...h6 13.Ndf3 Re7 and
here, White could have continued with 14.Bf4 Be8 15.Nh4!?, after which Black loses after 15...g5?
16.Nxc6 bxc6 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Nf5!+–, while if 15...Bxe5, then 16.Bxe5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nd7
18.Rad1 Nc5 19.Bb1 Bc6 20.Nf3 Ne4 21.Nd4± with a great advantage for White.) 13.Ndf3 h6
(13...b5? Lutard – Ferrari, France 2012, 14.Ng5! Nd8 15.Ng4 Nxg4 16.Bxh7+ Kf8 17.Qxg4+–)
14.Bf4² White has fortified his position in the centre and has obtained a stable advantage.

After 9...Bd7, White can play, without any preparation – 10.Ne5 Qc7 11.Qe2

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 11...Be8. with the idea Nf6-d7. 12.Nd2 a6 (It looks rather risky for Black to play immediately
12...Nd7 13.Ndf3 Ndxe5?! 14.dxe5 Be7, Tot – Trifunovic, Ljubljana 1938, 15.Bc2 Bd7 16.Qd3 g6
17.Bh6 Rfd8 18.Qd2‚) 13.a4 Nd7 14.Ndf3 h6 (but not 14...Na5? Hahmann – Uhl, Koblenz 2003,
15.Bxh7+! Kxh7 16.Ng5+ Kg8 17.Nxd7+–, followed by Qh5) 15.Ng4! This is the right moment to
play this move, because Black is ready to exchange the knight on e5. 15...Ne7 16.Nxh6+! gxh6
17.Bxh6 Bf4 18.Ng5 Nf6. Now, White is not so insistent to win material, but can simply increase his
pressure with 19.g3! Bxg5 20.Bxg5 Kg7 21.Qf3 Nfg8 22.Bf4 Qd8 23.h4 Ng6 24.Bd2 Bd7 25.h5‚
Black’s attempt to sacrifice a pawn would not seem to be quite correct after 11...Bxe5 12.dxe5 Ne4
13.Bxe4 dxe4 14.Qxe4²
After the rather timid move 11...a6, Fruebing – Behm, Ueberlingen 2000, White can choose
between 12.Nd2!? Rfc8 13.Ndf3² and 12.Bf4 Rfc8 13.Nd2 Be8 14.a4 Nd7 15.Nxc6 Qxc6 16.Bxd6
Qxd6 17.a5², with a slight advantage for him in both the variations.

Following 9...a6, it would be logical for White to begin with 10.Nbd2

239
 10...b5 11.Ne5 Bb7 (11...Qc7 12.Ndf3 Bxe5?! 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd7, Moses – Fromm,
Sebnitz 2012, 15.a4! b4 16.Bf4 bxc3 17.Rc1±) 12.Ndf3 (12.Nb3!?) 12...h6, Kudzaishe – Madi, Al
Ain 2013. Now, the simplest for White would be to play 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Ne5 Be8 15.Bf4 b4
16.Re3², with powerful pressure on the kingside.
10...Qc7 11.Nf1 Re8 (After 11...b5, it is also good for White to choose 12.Bg5 Nd7, Merx –
Kunath, Verden 2015, 13.Bh4! Bb7 14.Bg3², followed by a favourable exchange of the dark-squared
bishops.) 12.Bg5 Nd7, Mosionzhik – Kock, Rowy 2000, 13.Ne3 Ne7 (White was threatening to
capture on d5.) 14.Ng4

abcdefgh
14...f6 (14...h6? 15.Bxh6! gxh6 16.Nxh6+ Kg7 17.Nxf7! Kxf7 18.Ng5+–) 15.Bh4 Ng6 (15...g5?
16.Nxg5! fxg5 17.Rxe6 gxh4 18.Nh6+–) 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.Qd3 Kh7 (After 17...g5?, White would

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have the powerful strike 18.Qg6!+–, while following 17...Kf7?!, he would continue with the beautiful
variation 18.Nge5+! fxe5 19.Ng5+ Kg8 20.Qxg6 Nf6 21.dxe5 Bxe5 22.Rxe5! Qxe5 23.Qf7+ Kh8
24.Qxe8+! Nxe8 25.Nf7+–, ending up in a winning endgame with an extra pawn.) 18.Re3± He has
excellent prospects.

A) 9...h6
This is a useful waiting move for Black. He plans to counter 10.Ne5 with 10...Nd7, or even
10...Ne4!?, with the idea 11.Nxc6 bxc6 12.Bxe4 dxe4 13.Rxe4 c5!©, with very good compensation
for the sacrificed pawn. White is not obliged however, to comply with his opponent’s plans.

10.Nbd2

abcdefgh
10...Qc7

10...a6 11.Ne5 Nd7 (about 11...Qc7 12.Qe2 – see 10...Qc7) 12.Ndf3 Ndxe5, Meteliov – Arabadji,
Kishinev 2014, 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.dxe5 f5

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 15.exf6!? Qxf6 16.Be3 e5 17.Qb3 Qf7 18.Bc5 Re8 19.f3², with an advantage for White thanks to
his powerful bishop-pair and the pressure against Black’s central pawns.
It also seems good for White to play here 15.Bc2, so that after 15...d4 16.cxd4 Nxd4 17.Bb1 Rf7, to
have the resource 18.a4! He will gradually develop his forces, will oust the powerful enemy knight
away from the centre and will maintain the advantage. 18...Rd7 19.Ra3 b5 20.Be3 Nc6 21.Qc2 Nb4
22.Qc3 a5 (but not 22...Nd5?, in view of 23.Qc6+–) 23.axb5 Bb7 24.Qc4²

11.Qe2

abcdefgh
11...Nd7

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 White should not be afraid of 11...Nh5, since following 12.Nb3 Nf4 13.Bxf4 Bxf4, Sidorov – Gao,
Kemer 2009, he will manage to break successfully his opponent’s defence with the line: 14.Bc2! Bd6
15.h4 Bd7 16.Qd3 f5 17.Nc5 Rae8 (It would be rather problematic for Black to choose here
17...Bxc5 18.dxc5 Rad8 19.Ba4 Rfe8 20.Bxc6 Qxc6 21.Qd4±) 18.Nxd7 Qxd7 19.Ba4² Black is
faced with a long and laborious defence.

After 11...a6 12.Ne5 b5, it would be logical for White to play at first 13.a3, so that after 13...Na5,
to have the possibility 14.Bc2 Nc4, Nouali – Wong, Shenzhen 2011, 15.Ng4! Nxg4 16.hxg4

16...Bh2+. Black must react somehow. 17.Kh1 Bf4 18.g3 Bxd2 19.Bxd2 Nxb2 (He has nothing
better.) 20.g5 Nc4 (20...hxg5 21.Kg2±) 21.Bf4 Qd7 22.gxh6 g6 23.a4 Kh7 24.axb5 Qxb5 25.Be5²
He is still holding the position, by a miracle, but White’s advantage is doubtless.
The rather indifferent move 16...a5, may lead quickly to tragic consequences for Black after 17.g5!
hxg5 18.Nxc4 dxc4 19.Bxg5 Bb7?! 20.Qh5 f5 21.Re3 Qc6 22.Qh3 Kf7 23.Rd1 Rh8 24.d5! Qxd5
25.Rxd5 Bxd5 26.Bh4+–
16...f5 17.a4ƒ

12.Nf1
Black has managed to preserve his control over the e5-square, but now, White’s queen’s knight will
be headed for the g4-square.

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 12...a6

The move 12...e5 looks logical, but still cannot provide Black with complete equality. 13.dxe5
Ndxe5, Walkusz – Fudalej, Jastrzebia Gora 2016, 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 (If 14...Bxe5, then 15.Bc2 and here,
after 15...d4, White will follow with 16.Qd3 f5 17.Bd2 Rd8 18.Qf3², while if 15...Re8, then 16.Ng3
Be6 17.Qd3 f5 18.Nxf5 Bh2+ 19.Kf1 Ne5 20.Qd1 Rad8 21.Nd4 Bd7 22.Be3²) 15.Bf4 Re8
(15...Nc6 16.Bxd6 Qxd6 17.Bc2²) 16.Ne3 Be6 17.Rad1² White maintains a stable advantage and it
is also very important that Black’s attempt to solve his problems with the line: 17...d4?! 18.cxd4
Nxd3 19.Bxd6 Qxd6 20.Qxd3 Bxa2, would not end up well for him after 21.d5! Qb4 22.d6 Rad8
23.b3! Qxb3 (23...Bxb3 24.Rb1+–) 24.Qd2±, with a great advantage for White thanks to his strong
passed pawn and the powerful centralisation of all his pieces.
12...b6

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 White can continue his plan with 13.N1h2 Nf6 14.Ng4 Nxg4 15.hxg4 f6 16.Nh4ƒ, with very
strong initiative on the kingside.
He has also an additional possibility at his disposal – 13.Ng3!? – sacrificing a pawn for the sake of
opening the f-file. We will see the same idea in the main line. 13...Bxg3 14.fxg3 Qxg3 15.Rf1

It would be too risky for Black to leave his queen on the g3-square, for example: 15...Bb7 16.Nh2!
±, threatening Ng4 and Rf4, trapping the enemy queen, or 15...Nf6 16.Bb5! Bd7 17.Bxc6 Bxc6
18.Ne5±, followed by Rxf6 and Ng4.
15...Qd6 16.Qe1! This is White’s most effective response. 16...e5 (Without this move, White’s
queen will come to the h4-square, threatening the crushing sacrifice on h6.) 17.Qg3 f5 18.Nxe5
Ndxe5 19.Bf4 Qg6 20.Bxe5 Qxg3 21.Bxg3² White’s two-bishop advantage and his superior pawn-

245
structure provide him with much better prospects in this endgame.

abcdefgh
13.Bd2!?
This is a new and promising idea. White continues the mobilisation of his forces and prepares in the
process the transfer of his knight to the g3-square.

In the game Friedrich – Woll, Email 2018, White managed to maintain a minimal edge after
13.Ne3 Nf6 14.Nc2!? (We will mention that it would not be good for Black to choose here 14.Ng4
Nxg4 15.hxg4 f6 16.Nh4 g5! 17.Ng6 Rf7÷, with rather unclear consequences.) 14...b5 15.Ne5 Na5
16.Bf4 Bb7 17.Ne3²
13...b5

The move 13...Re8 is connected with the support of Black’s pawn-advance in the centre, so it
would be reasonable for White to play 14.Rad1 e5 15.dxe5 Ndxe5 16.Bc2 Bd7 17.Ne3 Nxf3+
18.Qxf3 Ne5 19.Qh5², exerting pressure on the kingside, as well as against Black’s isolated pawn on
d5.

246
 abcdefgh
14.Ng3!?

The standard move 14.Ne3², followed by Ng4, also promises White a slight edge, but the move
Ng3 is much more ambitious and braver, although it has not been tested in practice yet.

14...Bxg3 15.fxg3 Qxg3 16.Rf1

16...Nf6
Black plays this with the idea to follow at some moment with Ne4, in order to give back the extra
pawn and to diminish somehow White’s attacking potential.

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 After the careless move 16...Bb7, White can realise his concealed threat 17.Nh2!±, with the idea to
trap the enemy queen with the move Rf4 and to transfer his knight to the g4-square.

Following 16...Qd6 17.Nh4‚, all White’s pieces will gradually join into the attack against the
enemy king and Black’s defence would be tremendously difficult, for example: 17...b4 18.Rf3 bxc3
19.bxc3 Ne7 20.Bf4 Qc6 21.Bxh6 gxh6? 22.Rg3+ Kh8 23.Qh5+–

17.Ne1!
This is a surprising and very powerful resource for White. His knight leaves the f-file and comes
closer to another of Black’s weaknesses – the c5-square.
17...Re8
17...Qd6? 18.Rxf6 gxf6 19.Qg4+ Kh8 20.Qh4+–

18.Rf3

After 18.Bxh6?!, Black will reply with 18...e5!÷, obtaining counterplay.

18...Qh4

Following 18...Qd6?!, White will continue with 19.Rxf6! gxf6 20.Qg4+ Kf8 21.Bh7! Ke7 22.Nd3
Kd8 23.Qh4 Qe7 24.Bxh6 Kc7 25.Re1±, with an overwhelming advantage.

19.Re3!²

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 White has played very precisely and has obtained more than sufficient compensation for the
sacrificed pawn, despite the fact that Black has defended with practically only moves.
19...Nh5
19...e5 20.Nf3 Qh5 21.dxe5 Ne4 22.Rxe4 dxe4 23.Qxe4 Qg6 24.Qxg6 fxg6 25.Bxg6 Rf8 26.Be4±
20.g3 Qxh3 21.g4 Ng3 22.Qf3 e5 23.Qxg3 Qxg4 24.dxe5 Nxe5 25.Bf1²

B) 9...Qc7

abcdefgh
This is Black’s most popular and logical move. He takes immediate control over the e5-square, but
White also has several very promising possibilities.

249
 10.Bg5
Now, in order to create real problems for his opponent, White must act flexibly. He must preserve
the possibility to develop his queen’s knight via the d2-square, as well as via a3 and watch carefully
what his opponent plans to do.
10...Nd7

White is better after Black’s passive line: 10...Be7 11.Nbd2 b6, Ranker – Giesau, Neustadt 2017
(Black would not solve his problems with 11...Ne8, Jordan – Jung, Korbach 2008, 12.Rc1 Bxg5
13.Nxg5 Nf6 14.Ngf3 Bd7 15.Ne5²) 12.Ne5 a5 (12...Bb7 13.f4²) 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.Nf3²

After 10...Ne8, Petrovic – Mrdak, Belgrade 2005, it is good for White to continue with 11.Na3 a6
12.Nc2 b5 (12...Na5 13.Qe2 Bd7 14.Bd2 Nf6 15.b3²) 13.Qe2 Rb8 and now 14.a4! bxa4 15.Bc1 Bd7
16.Rxa4 a5 17.Ra2², ending up with an excellent pawn-structure on the queenside.

After Black’s quite logical move 10...Nh5, Frei – Herold, Austria 1994, it deserves attention for
White to try the seemingly strange move 11.Bd2!?, the idea of which is that with a knight on f4,
White’s bishop on g5 seems rather awkwardly placed (for example after 11.Na3 a6 12.Nc2 Nf4=,
Black’s prospects would not be worse at all).

11...Nf4 12.Bf1 b6 13.a4!? This is an important inclusion for White, before playing Na3. 13...Bb7
14.Na3 a6 15.Nc2

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 15...Nh5 (Black has nothing better than to go back with his knight, since it is active on the f4-
square, but very unstable; 15...Na5 16.Ne3 Nc4 17.Bc1 Nxe3 18.Bxe3²) 16.Ne5 (White makes use
of the right moment to occupy the e5-outpost.) 16...Nf6 17.Bf4 Ne4 18.Bh2 f6 19.Nf3 Bxh2+
20.Nxh2² Black will have a hard time to prepare the pawn-advance e6-e5, so White maintains a
slight advantage.

abcdefgh
11.Nbd2

Here, White can also try 11.Na3 a6 12.Nc2 (or even 12.c4!?), but in general Black can counter
more effectively White’s actions on the queenside with a knight on the d7-square.

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 11...b6

Black’s attempt to enter a pawn-structure with an isolated pawn with the line: 11...h6 12.Bh4 e5
(White is better after 12...Nb6 13.Nf1 f6 14.a4ƒ) has been tried in the game Cibikova – Tomcikova,
Liptovsky Mikulas 2018.

abcdefgh
Here, White could have opened surprisingly the game with the help of the move 13.c4!, for
example: 13...dxc4 (It would be very risky for Black to opt for 13...e4 14.cxd5 exf3 15.dxc6 Bh2+
16.Kf1 fxg2+ 17.Kxg2 bxc6 18.Qf3±) 14.Nxc4 exd4 15.Nxd6 Qxd6 16.Bg3 Qf6 17.Rc1±, obtaining
a great advantage thanks to his powerful bishop-pair and much more actively placed pieces. This
exemplary variation illustrates perfectly how difficult Black’s defence would be: 17...Nb6 18.Bb1
Bf5 19.Rxc6! bxc6 20.Be5+– with decisive material gains for White.

252
 12.Rc1!

This is an improvement in comparison to the game Dragun – Xiong, chess.com 2020, in which
White played immediately 12.c3-c4. He is ready to advance c3-c4, while Black would not have the
response Nc6-b4.

12...Bb7 13.c4²

abcdefgh
13...Rfe8

These exemplary variations show how the forthcoming fight might develop:

253
 13...h6 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Bh4²;
13...dxc4 14.Nxc4 h6 15.Bh4 Bf4 16.Ne3 Qd6 17.Be4²
14.cxd5 exd5 15.Rxe8+ Rxe8 16.Nf1 h6 17.Bh4² Now, White’s position seems preferable in a
pawn-structure with an isolated pawn, as well as with fixed pawns on d4 and d5.

254
 Chapter 11
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6

abcdefgh
In this chapter we will analyse a very popular and solid scheme for Black. The main idea behind the
move 6...g6 is not so much to accomplish a fianchetto of the dark-squared bishop, but to prepare the
strategically advantageous exchange of the light-squared bishops with the move Bf5.
White will need to make purposeful efforts in order to obtain even a minimal advantage, but still,
he has the possibility to create problems for his opponent. It is essential for him to be flexible and to
understand how to react optimally against the move Bf5, which Black will play sooner or later. In the
majority of the lines we will focus on a new and promising idea, connected with avoiding the trade of
the bishops, but still in some variations we will comply with the exchange and will concentrate on
exploiting the defects of the changed pawn-structure in Black’s position.
7.Nf3
We will deal now with A) 7...Bg7 and B) 7...Bf5.

It is also acceptable for Black to play here 7...Qc7, but this would much rather lead to transposition
of moves after 8.0-0 (It also deserves attention for White to continue here with 8.Qc2!?) 8...Bg7
(about 8...Bf5 9.Be2 – see 7...Bf5) 9.Re1 – see 7...Bg7.

A) 7...Bg7
Black most often chooses in practice this attractive move.
8.0-0

255
 8...0-0

About 8...Bf5 9.Be2 – see 7...Bf5.

About 8...Ne4 9.Re1 f5 10.Bf4 0-0 – see 8...0-0.

8...Qc7 9.Re1 0-0 (Black should better avoid here the move 9...Bf5?, in view of 10.Bxf5 gxf5
11.Nh4! 0-0-0 12.Nxf5 Rhg8 13.Qf3 Qd7 14.Nd2± and he was left a pawn down in the game
Thorhallsson – Agrest, chess.com 2018.) 10.Na3 a6 (10...Bf5 11.Bxf5 gxf5 12.Ne5²) 11.Nc2

abcdefgh
After 11...Nh5, White can choose 12.a3!? Rd8 13.Nb4², or 12.Be3 Na5, Shabalov – Salem, Berlin
2015, 13.Ne5 Nc4 14.Nxc4 dxc4 15.Be2 Nf6 16.Bf3² and in both cases he maintains a slightly

256
better chances.
11...Re8 12.Ne5 Nxe5 (12...Nd7 13.Ng4! e5 14.Bf4! h5 15.Nxe5 Ndxe5 16.dxe5² and it would be
very risky for Black to play here 16...Nxe5?!, because of 17.Nb4±) 13.dxe5 Ne4, E.Romanov –
Saric, playchess.com 2020, 14.Bf4 Nc5 15.Nd4², with an advantage for White and the eventual
exchange of the knight for the bishop after 15...Nxd3 16.Qxd3±, would only increase Black’s
problems.
11...Bf5 12.Bxf5 gxf5 13.Ne5

abcdefgh
13...Nxe5 14.dxe5 Ne4?! 15.Bf4 Qb6 16.Nd4±; it is better for Black to play 14...Nd7 15.Bf4 – see
13...e6.
13...e6 14.Bf4 Nxe5, Pina – Britez, Foz do Iguacu 2017, 15.dxe5 Nd7 16.Qh5! White sacrifices his
central pawn, but Black will come under a pin if he captures it. 16...Nxe5 17.Nd4 Rfe8 18.Bg3! This
is another very precise move.

257
 18...f4 (Black is forced to play like this, since White would counter 18...f6? with 19.f4+–, while he
was threatening in the process simply to double his rooks on the e-file.) 19.Bxf4 f6 20.Qg4! Nxg4
21.Bxc7 Ne5 22.f4 Nd3 23.Rxe6 Nxb2 24.Rb1 Na4 25.Rxb7 Nxc3 26.Rc6² White maintains an
advantage in this endgame thanks to his active pieces and the considerably better pawn-structure.

9.Bf4
The fight for the e5-square is of key strategical importance in this pawn-structure, so White
develops his bishop on f4, exploiting the fact that Black still has not placed his queen on c7.

We will analyse in details now: A1) 9...Ne4, A2) 9...Re8 and A3) 9...Nh5.

258
 About 9...Bf5 10.Be2 – see 7...Bf5.

9...a6. This move is hardly so useful for Black. 10.Nbd2

About 10...Bf5 11.Be2 – see 7...Bf5.

10...Re8 11.Re1, or 10...Nd7 11.Re1 Re8 12.Qb3 – see 9...Re8.
10...b5 11.Re1 b4 (11...Bb7 12.b4! Re8 13.Nb3±) 12.Qc2 bxc3 13.bxc3 Ne8, Kholmov – Turner,
Pardubice 2001, 14.Nb3 Nd6 15.Nc5 Na5 16.Qe2 Re8 17.Ne5± White has excellent prospects due
to the weakness of the c5 and e5-squares.
10...Nh5 11.Bh2 Bh6 (11...f5 12.Re1 f4, Peral – Quevedo Gomez, Onati 1994, 13.b4 Qd6 14.a4ƒ)
12.Re1 Bf4 (12...Nf4 13.Bf1 f6, Lerch – Feuerstack, Germany 2017, 14.b4 Kh8 15.a4ƒ) 13.Bf1
Bxh2+ 14.Nxh2 Qd6, Milde – Stubbs, ICCF 2012, 15.Ndf3 Ng7 16.Ng4 Bxg4 17.hxg4 Ne8 18.Ne5
Nf6 19.Bd3² White has a very comfortable game.

9...Bd7. This is a patient move for Black. 10.Nbd2

259
 10...Rc8 11.Re1 a6 (about 11...Re8 12.Nb3 – see 9...Re8) 12.Nb3 Bf5 13.Bxf5 gxf5, Swayams –
Saravana, Jammu 2018. Now, White can begin the occupation of the c5 and e5-outposts: 14.Ne5 a5
15.Nc5 Nxe5 16.Rxe5 e6 17.Re3 b6 18.Nd3²
10...Qc8 11.Re1

About 11...Re8 12.a4 – see 9...Re8.

11...a6 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Ne8 14.Bg5 Qd8, Khotenashvili – Krush, Saint Louis 2019, 15.Nf3±
11...Bf5 12.Bf1. White has managed to regroup his forces and his bishop has been perfectly placed
on f1. 12...h6, Bubalovic – Kalajzic, Bizovac 2001, 13.b4 Ne4 14.Rc1²

After 9...Qb6, White’s simplest reaction would be 10.Qb3, in an attempt to enter an advantageous

260
endgame and all the possible changes of the pawn-structure, after an eventual exchange of the queens,
would be in his favour. 10...Qxb3. Black must do something; otherwise White will simply capture on
b6. (It would be too passive for Black to opt here for 10...Nd7 11.Re1 Re8 12.Nbd2 e6,
Tscharotschkin – Emmanouilidis, Skopje 2014, 13.Qxb6! Nxb6 14.a4ƒ, with powerful initiative for
White on the queenside.) 11.axb3 Bf5 (11...Nd7 12.Bb5²) 12.Bb5

12...Rfc8 (After Black’s alternatives White will capture on c6 creating long-term weaknesses for his
opponent: 12...Ne4 13.Bxc6 bxc6 14.b4², or 12...a6, Vollmer – Streicher, Stuttgart 2004, 13.Bxc6
bxc6 14.Ra5 Rfe8 15.Nbd2²) 13.Re1 Kf8 (13...Bxb1 14.Rexb1 a6 15.Bd3²) 14.Nbd2 a6 15.Bxc6!?
(15.Bf1 Nd7? Aranha Filho – Dianda, Sao Paulo 2000, 16.g4 Bc2 17.Rac1 g5 18.Bxg5 Bg6
19.Nh4+–; 15...h5 16.Nh4 Bd7 17.Ra2ƒ, followed by b3-b4, Nd2-b3, increasing the pressure on the
queenside.) 15...Rxc6 (It would be probably even worse for Black to choose here 15...bxc6 16.g4 Be6
17.Ng5 Bd7 18.b4 h5 19.f3±) 16.Ne5 Rcc8 17.g4 Be6 18.b4² Later, White’s knight will be headed
for the c5-square, via b3, while after the move b7-b6, the a6-pawn would become vulnerable.

A1) 9...Ne4 10.Re1

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 10...Bf5

10...Nd6 11.Nbd2 f6 (White will counter 11...Bf5 with the thematic move 12.Bf1²) 12.b4 (It would
be interesting for him to begin here with 12.Bh2!? e6, Shyam – Nihal, Voronezh 2017 and now –
13.b4ƒ) 12...e5 (Without this move White would be clearly better, moreover that then the transfer of
Black’s knight from f6 to the d6-square would become senseless.) 13.dxe5 fxe5

abcdefgh
14.Bh2! (Following 14.Bxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5 Nf7 16.Nxf7 Rxf7 17.Re3², White will again maintain
an edge, because after 17...Bxc3?, he would have the resource 18.Bxg6+–, but the move 14.Bh2!,
threatening to capture on e5 with the knight, is even stronger.) 14...e4. This move will be countered
by White with a tactical refutation, but Black had nothing better anyway. 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Nxe4!

262
Qc7 17.Qb3±

10...f5, Iljiushenok – Sadovsky, Sochi 2018.

abcdefgh
11.h4!? This is important prophylactic. (Black could have countered 11.Nbd2 with the line:
11...g5!? 12.Nxg5 e5! and White would have to comply with a very unclear position with non-
standard material ratio in the variation 13.Ndxe4 fxe4 14.Bxe4 dxe4 15.Qb3+ Kh8 16.Nf7+ Rxf7
17.Qxf7 exf4 18.Rxe4 Bd7 19.Rae1 Rc8÷) 11...Qb6 12.Re2!² White has fortified the b2 and f2-
squares (after an eventual pawn-advance e7-e5) and has obtained a stable advantage. Later, he can
even increase it thanks to the defects of Black’s pawn-structure and his “bad” light-squared bishop.

11.Bf1
This is an accurate move after which White can already develop his knight to the d2-square.
11...Re8 12.Nbd2

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 12...Nxd2
White will enjoy a comfortable edge now.

12...Qb6, Licardo – Sygulski, Pula 2016, 13.Nxe4 Bxe4 (It would be too risky for Black to opt for
13...dxe4 14.Nd2 Qxb2?! 15.Rc1±) 14.b4 e5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bxe5 17.Bxe5 Rxe5 18.a4² The
position has been simplified indeed, but Black still has serious problems.

13.Qxd2 f6

13...Be4, Kostro – Uhlmann, Lugano 1968, 14.Ne5 (14.Ng5 Bf5 15.g4 Bd7 16.b4ƒ) 14...Nxe5
15.dxe5 Qa5 16.Rad1 Rad8 17.c4± Black’s bishop on e4 is still rather artificially placed.

264
 abcdefgh
14.Bh2!? After this precise move it would not be good for Black to choose 14...e5?!, in view of
15.dxe5 fxe5 16.Rad1± and White would exert powerful pressure against Black’s vulnerable central
pawns.

A2) 9...Re8 10.Re1

abcdefgh
The inclusion of these rook-moves would enable White to use the freed f1-square for his bishop.
10...Nd7

10...Bf5 11.Bf1 h5 12.Nbd2 Rc8 13.Ne5²

265
 White can counter 10...Qb6 with the standard response 11.Qb3 and he would enter a favourable
endgame after both possible versions of the exchange of the queens: 11...Qxb3 12.axb3², or 11...Bf5
12.Qxb6 axb6 13.Bxf5 gxf5 14.Na3²

10...Nh5 11.Bh2 Bh6 12.Bf1!? (White avoids the line: 12.Nbd2 Bf4.) 12...Bf4 13.Bxf4 Nxf4
14.Qd2 Qd6. Now, he can continue with 15.c4! dxc4 16.Nc3 Rd8 17.Rad1 Nd5 18.Qh6ƒ, beginning
to exploit his opponent’s weaknesses on the kingside.

10...Bd7 11.Nbd2 Rc8 (11...Qc8, Zecevic – Gnjezdur, Bizovac 2005, 12.a4 Bf5 13.Bf1 h5 14.a5ƒ)
12.Nb3

abcdefgh
12...Bf5. Black’s position is rather cramped and he wishes to simplify even at the price of losing a
tempo. 12...Na5 13.Nxa5 Qxa5, Bastian – Sadjadi, Saarlouis 2004, 14.a4²) 13.Bxf5 (White is not
forced to trade the bishops now.) 13...gxf5 14.Nc5 Ne4 (14...b6 15.Nd3²) 15.Nd3 e6 (It would be
tremendously risky for Black to play here 15...f6?! Orwatsch – Koellner, Griesheim 2002, 16.Nh4 e6
17.Qh5±, followed by f2-f3.) 16.a4² White has fortified his position in the centre thanks to the
transfer of his knight to the important d3-square and maintains a slight advantage.

10...a6 11.Nbd2

266
 About 11...Nd7 12.Qb3 – see 10...Nd7.
Following 11...b5, White can fight for the initiative with the line: 12.a4 b4, Jendrian – Rotz, Kiel
1992, 13.Rc1 bxc3 14.bxc3 Bf5 15.Bxf5 gxf5 16.Ne5 Rc8 17.Re3²
11...Bf5 12.Bxf5!? (White has an interesting alternative here – 12.Bf1, or even 12.Be2 Rc8 13.Bf1
– see 7...Bf5.) 12...gxf5 13.Nf1 Ne4 14.Ng3 e6 15.Nh5ƒ

11.Nbd2

abcdefgh
11...e5
This attempt by Black to free his position is logical, but cannot solve all the problems for him.

267
 11...a6 12.Qb3 e5 13.Bg5 Qa5 14.Nxe5 Ndxe5 15.dxe5 Rxe5 16.Nf3 Re6, Benyei – Kanyog,
Hungary 2011, 17.Rxe6 fxe6 18.Re1±

White would be better after 11...f6 12.c4!, emphasizing the vulnerability of the light squares in his
opponent’s camp. There might follow: 12...Nb4 13.Bf1 dxc4 14.Nxc4 Nd5 15.Qb3 Kh8 16.Bg3±;
12...e5 13.dxe5 Ncxe5 14.Bxe5 fxe5 15.cxd5 Nb6, Lobanov – Milanto Harifidy, Durban 2014,
16.Ne4 Qxd5 17.Nfg5 Kh8 18.a4±; 12...Nb6 13.a3 dxc4 14.Nxc4 Nd5 15.Bh2 Bh6 16.Be4±

12.dxe5 Ndxe5 13.Bb5!

abcdefgh
13...Nxf3+

Black loses a pawn after 13...Bd7 14.Qb3 Na5 15.Qxd5 Bxb5 16.Qxb5 a6, Nagy – Zacik, Slovakia
2007, 17.Qf1 Nxf3+ 18.Nxf3 Qd5 19.Rxe8+ Rxe8 20.Re1 Rf8 21.Re2±

14.Nxf3 Rxe1+ 15.Qxe1 Be6, Marcellier – Schulz, Innsbruck 2019 (Following 15...Bf5 16.Rd1²,
White would still exert rather unpleasant pressure. 16...Be4?! 17.Ng5 Qb6 18.Qe2 a6 19.Ba4+–
Djordjevic – Krunic, Zrenjanin 2018.) 16.Bxc6!? bxc6 17.b4 a5 18.Be5² He has obtained a very
comfortable blocking game on the dark squares.

A3) 9...Nh5

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 This is one of the most principled decisions for Black. If he has played like this, that means he has
allowed his opponent to play Bf4, having in mind just the knight-sortie Nh5.
10.Bh2 Bh6
This is the most interesting continuation for Black.

The strange move 10...Nf6 can be considered as a silent draw-offer, but White can simply continue
with 11.Re1 Bf5 12.Bf1 Qb6 13.Qb3² with better prospects.

Black’s attempt to isolate from the actions the enemy bishop on h2 with the line: 10...f5 11.Nbd2 f4
has evident positional defects. 12.Re1 Qd6 (12...Kh8 13.Nb3ƒ) 13.Nb3

abcdefgh

269
 After 13...b6, Vo – Pham, Hue 2009, White can occupy the e5-outpost with the line: 14.Nc1 Bf5
15.Be2 Rae8 16.Nd3 Be4 17.Nde5! Nxe5 18.dxe5 Bxe5 19.Nxe5 Qxe5 20.f3 Bf5 21.Bb5± and he
wins the exchange.
13...Bf5 14.Bb5! White should better preserve his bishop, while on the contrary, Black’s bishop
feels rather uncomfortable. 14...Rac8 (14...Be4 15.Nc5 Bxf3 16.Qxf3 e5 17.Nxb7 Qe6 18.Nc5 Qd6
19.b4 e4 20.Qg4±) 15.Nh4! e5 (15...Be4 16.Be2 Nf6 17.f3±) 16.dxe5 Bxe5 17.Nd2² Black has
numerous weaknesses, so White’s advantage is doubtless.

11.Re1

abcdefgh
11...Nf4

The move 11...Bf4 has definite drawbacks. Now, it would be most precise for White to choose
12.Nbd2, because the exchange 12...Bxh2+ 13.Nxh2, would contribute to the favourable regrouping
of his forces. 13...Nf4 (13...Qd6 14.Bf1 Bd7 15.Ng4 Nf4 16.Qf3²) 14.Bf1 Qd6, Nandhidhaa –
Mrudul, Managiri 2019, 15.Qf3!? (White’s idea is that after 16.Ng4 Bxg4 17.hxg4, he would prevent
the pawn-advance e7-e5.) 15...a5 16.Ng4 Bxg4 17.hxg4 a4 (17...e5?? 18.dxe5+–) 18.g3 Ne6
19.Qe3² White’s prospects are preferable, because Black would miss badly his dark-squared bishop
in the forthcoming battle.

12.Bf1
In response to the active actions of Black’s pieces, White has managed to regroup his forces and is
ready to continue the fight for the advantage in the opening.
12...Bf5

In the game Farago – Bodi, Budapest 2021, Black tried to begin with the move 12...f6. White had a

270
powerful resource against that – 13.c4!

Now, the complications are in favour of White after 13...Bf5 14.Nc3 Nb4 15.Nh4! Bc2 16.Qf3
Nfd3 (16...Nbd3 17.Bxf4 Nxf4 18.g3+–) 17.Bxd3 Nxd3 18.Re6! dxc4 19.Qe2 (Black’s pieces are
stuck inside the enemy camp and he would be unable to avoid the material losses.) 19...Qxd4 20.Nf3
Qxf2+ 21.Qxf2 Nxf2 22.Kxf2 Rfe8 23.Rae1 Kf7 24.Nd5+– and White will realise easily his
advantage in a technical fashion.
Following 13...dxc4 14.Bxc4+ Kh8 15.Nc3 Na5 16.Bf1±, the position would be very unpleasant
for Black and a single imprecise move might lead immediately to a catastrophe for him, for example
in the variation 16...Bf5? 17.d5 b6 18.Nd4 Nb7 19.Qf3+– and his beautiful knight on f4 has been
trapped.

After 12...Qb6, White can react in a standard way 13.Qb3, so that after 13...Bf5?! (It is probably
best for Black to play here 13...Rd8²), just like in the main variation, to continue with 14.g4! Qxb3
15.axb3 Bxb1, Yu – Groszpeter, Paks 2007, 16.Raxb1 Ne6 17.b4± with a great advantage for White
in this endgame. Meanwhile, it deserves attention for him to try here 13.b4!? Bf5 14.Nbd2, since the
seemingly attractive move for Black 14...Nd3, would only help White’s active actions on the
queenside: 15.Bxd3 Bxd3 16.Nb3 Bc4 17.Nc5 Rfd8 18.a4±, with an obvious advantage for him.

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 13.g4!

In the game Velickovic – Ratkovic, Ruma 2020, White was reluctant to advance the pawn in front
of his king and that was a wrong decision.

13...Bxb1 14.Rxb1 Ne6 15.Qb3

White is attacking the pawn on b7 and what is even more important exerts pressure against the
enemy central d5-pawn, provoking in the process Black’s next move.

15...Na5

After 15...b6 16.Ba6±, the light squares in Black’s position have been seriously weakened. White is

272
also clearly better following 15...Qd7 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.Rxe5 Rad8 18.Bg2±

16.Qb5 a6 17.Qe2² White controls reliably the centre and the further advance of his kingside
pawns with h3-h4 and g4-g5 would be perfectly justified. Later, his bishop-pair may become a very
important factor in this position.

B) 7...Bf5

This is a popular move and it is a logical consequence of Black’s previous move. After an exchange
on f5, he may not place his bishop on the g7-square, but can deploy it on d6 (after the move e7-e6)
and follow with castling queenside with subsequent active actions on the kingside, exploiting the
opened g-file.
8.Be2!?
This is a fresh approach in an already well familiar position. White does not intend to comply with
his opponent’s intentions, despite losing a tempo. It looks like Black has solved the problem with his
light-squared bishop, but as we will see later it may turn out to be rather vulnerable on the f5-square.
In addition, from the e2-square (later, even from f1) White’s bishop may participate in the fight on the
queenside.
The move 8.Be2 was introduced into the tournament practice during the last several years. Among
its ardent exponents is one of the best contemporary grandmasters – Fabiano Caruana. This
circumstance has influenced greatly the increased interest towards the once considered as harmless
variation with h2-h3.

We will analyse now: B1) 8...Bg7 and B2) 8...Qc7.

8...Bxb1 9.Rxb1 Bg7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Bf4 Re8 12.Re1 e6, Michalik – Velicka, Prague 2019, 13.Bd3

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Nh5 14.Bg5 Qc7 15.Qd2²
8...e6 9.0-0 h5. Black is building a pawn-barrier, so that later he may develop his bishop on d6, or
to the e7-square. (After 9...h6, Studer – Peralta, Barbera del Valles 2020, White can begin an
immediate fight for the e5-square with the line: 10.Bb5 Rc8 11.Nbd2 g5 12.Ne5 Bg7 13.f4 0-0
14.Bd3 Bxd3 15.Nxd3²) 10.Re1

It is hardly purposeful for Black to try here 10...Bg7 11.Bf4 0-0 12.Nbd2², with a slight advantage
for White.
10...Bd6. This is a natural move for Black. 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Nbd2 Ne4 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Nxe4
(14.Bb5!?) 14...Bxe4 15.Nd2 Bf5 (15...h4?! 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Bc4 f5 18.f3 0-0-0 19.fxe4± Ne5?
20.Bxe6+ Qxe6 21.exf5 gxf5 22.Rxe5+– Ortega – Shuvalova, chess.com 2020) 16.a4 Kf8 17.a5 Kg7
18.Bb5 Rac8 19.Nf3² The bishop on f5 is still vulnerable and Black will have to worry later about the
weakness of his dark squares, so White’s prospects are slightly preferable.
After the somewhat patient line: 10...Ne4 11.Nbd2 Nd6,

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 White can choose between the aggressive approach 12.c4!? Bg7 (12...Be7 13.c5 Ne4 14.Bb5²)
13.cxd5 exd5 14.Bb5+ Be4 (14...Ne4 15.Nxe4 Bxe4 16.Ne5²) 15.Bxc6+ bxc6 16.Ne5 0-0
(Following 16...Qb6?! 17.Nb3±, Black cannot castle, because of the double attack on the d7-square.)
17.Nxc6², winning a pawn and Black’s compensation for it seems to be insufficient;
and the calmer line: 12.Nf1 Be7 13.Ng3 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bd3 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 g5 (The
inaccurate move 16...0-0? can be countered by White with 17.Bh6 Re8 18.Rxe6! Kh7 19.Ng5+ Bxg5
20.Rxe8 Qxe8 21.Bxg5±, ending up with a solid extra pawn.) 17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.Rxe5 g4 19.Bf4! Bd6
20.Bg5 Qc7, Quintiliano Pinto – Fedoseev, chess.com 2020, 21.Re3², would lead to a slight edge for
White. The position has been simplified indeed, but Black still has serious problems. He will hardly
manage to avoid the appearance of pawn-weaknesses on his kingside and he must consider the safety
of his king.

B1) 8...Bg7

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 In this line Black allows his opponent to deploy his bishop on the f4-square.

9.0-0 0-0

About 9...Qc7 10.Be3 – see 8...Qc7.

10.Bf4 Ne4

10...Qb6 – see game 11.

The move 10...a6 cannot create any serious problems for White. 11.Nbd2 b5, Ragger – Ghaem
Maghami, St Petersburg 2018 (11...Rc8 12.Re1 Re8, Skrondal – Machlik, Norway 2019, 13.Bf1 h6
14.a4ƒ). Now, White can simply ignore his opponent’s actions and continue with 12.Re1 b4 13.Rc1
bxc3 14.Rxc3² Now, his active piece play is more than sufficient to compensate the arising defects of
his pawn-structure.

White’s most precise reaction against 10...Nd7 is the move 11.Re1

276
 abcdefgh
Now, Black cannot equalise completely with the line: 11...e5 12.dxe5 Ndxe5 13.Nxe5 Nxe5, in
view of 14.Na3 a6 15.Nc2² and White preserves his control over the d4-square.
11...f6 12.Bh2 (He can also choose here the principled line: 12.c4!? dxc4 13.Bxc4+ Kh8 14.Nc3 e5
15.Be3 Nb6 16.Bb3², trying to exploit the vulnerability of the light squares in Black’s camp.)
12...Nb6 (12...e5 13.Qb3 Nb6 14.a4²) 13.a4² White has better prospects and that was confirmed in
the online game between Caruana – Firouzja, chess.com 2020, in which there followed 13...a6?!
(Black’s attempt to prevent the advance of the enemy rook-pawn only worsened considerably his
situation.) 14.Nbd2 e5 15.a5 Nc8 16.Nb3 e4 17.Nfd2±

11.Nbd2

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 11...Rc8

The fight is still rather calm, therefore there are multiple possibilities on every move, about equally
strong, so we will have to pay attention to the possible transpositions of moves, while studying them.

11...f6. Black is preparing e7-e5, but this would hardly solve his problems. 12.Nxe4 Bxe4 13.Nd2
(It would be interesting for White to try here 13.Bg3!? e5 14.dxe5 fxe5 15.Qb3² with positional
pressure for him.) 13...Bf5 14.Nb3 (14.Bg3 e5 15.dxe5 fxe5, Ding – Navara, Prague 2019, 16.Qb3
Qd7 17.Rad1 Rad8 18.Rfe1²) 14...e5 15.Bh2 b6, Yemelin – Antoniewski, Czech Republic 2020
(15...Re8 16.Re1 a6 17.Qd2²) 16.Bb5! This move emphasizes the vulnerability of Black’s central
pawns. 16...Nb8 17.dxe5 fxe5 18.Nd2²

11...Nxd2 12.Qxd2

Following 12...a6 13.Rfe1 Re8, White can continue with 14.g4!? Bd7 15.Bf1 Na5 16.b3 Rc8
17.Ne5 Nc6, Kaczur – Medvegy, Budapest 2019, 18.Nd3²
12...Re8 13.Rfe1 Qb6 (about 13...Rc8 14.g4!? – see 11...Rc8) 14.Bf1 Rac8, Gumularz – Papp,
Tornelo 2020, 15.b4 a6 16.a4ƒ, with a very active play for White on the queenside.
There would arise almost similar actions after 12...Rc8 13.Rfe1. There might follow: 13...f6
(13...a6, Maksimovic – Svetushkin, Nis 2019, 14.Rad1 f6 15.Nh2 Qd7 16.Ng4 g5 17.Bh2 Kh8 18.c4
e6 19.c5ƒ) 14.Rad1² Now, It would not be good for Black to choose 14...e5? 15.dxe5 fxe5 16.Bg5±

After 11...Nd6,

278
 White will have the pleasant choice between 12.Qb3 Rc8 13.Rfe1! (He should avoid the trap:
13.Qxd5?? Be6 14.Qg5 Nf5–+) 13...Na5 14.Qxd5. Now, White can already capture the pawn
14...Be6 15.Qg5 Nf5 (15...Bh6 16.Qg4±) 16.Bh2 Qb6 17.b4 Nc4, So Wesley – Vachier Lagrave,
chess.com 2019, 18.Nxc4 Bxc4 19.Qd2 Bh6 20.Qb2 Bxe2 21.Rxe2 Qc6 22.Rc2² Black will have to
fight long and hard for a draw in a position with a pawn down;
and 12.Re1 Rc8 (It would be insufficient for Black to opt for 12...b5 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Bxb5 Rfb8,
Baches Garcia – Remizov, Chess.com 2020, because of 15.Bxc6 Qxc6 16.Nb3 a5 17.Re2²) 13.Nf1
(13.Bf1!? Na5 14.Rc1 Nac4 15.Nxc4 Nxc4 16.b3²) 13...Na5 14.Ne3 Be4 15.Nd2 Nf5, Dauletova –
Zimina, Tornelo 2020, 16.Bf1 Nc6 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Qa4²

11...Re8 12.Re1 h6 (about 12...Nxd2 13.Qxd2 – see 11...Nxd2) 13.Bf1 g5. Black frees space for
the retreat of his light-squared bishop, but after the opening of the centre his king may turn out to be
very vulnerable. 14.Bh2

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 14...Qd7, Caruana – Shankland, chess.com 2019 (If 14...Qb6, then 15.Nxe4!, after which it would
not be good for Black to play 15...dxe4?! 16.Nd2 Qxb2 17.Re3!±, while following 15...Bxe4 16.b4²,
White would maintain a stable advantage.) 15.Nb3!? He is eyeing the c5 and the d4-square, which
might be freed after an exchange on e5. 15...a6 (15...Bg6 16.Ne5²) 16.a4 Bg6 17.Ne5 Nxe5
18.Bxe5² White continues to create problems for his opponent.

11...Qd7 12.Re1 Rad8 (12...Rfe8, Baches Garcia – Juhasz, chess.com 2021, 13.Bf1 Rad8 14.Bh2 f6.
Black has made numerous useful moves, which improve his position, but still, now is the right time
for White to play 15.g4! Nxd2 16.Nxd2 Be6 17.Nb3², maintaining the initiative.).

In the game Caruana – Mamedyarov, Stavanger 2019, there followed 13.Nf1 f6 and here White had

280
to continue with the prophylactic move 14.Bh2!?, so that after 14...e5 (If Black refrains from the
pawn-advance e7-e5, White would still preserve his advantage, for example: 14...Be6 15.Bd3²) he
would have the resource 15.Bb5. Now, he would be better after 15...a6?! 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.dxe5 fxe5
18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.Nxe5±, or if 15...Be6, then 16.dxe5 fxe5 17.Qe2²
13.Bf1!? White has in mind a concrete response to the move f7-f6. 13...f6. This is a principled
move, but in this case it is refuted tactically. 14.Nxe4 dxe4 (14...Bxe4 15.Nd2 Bf5 16.g4 Be6
17.b4ƒ).

abcdefgh
15.d5!? Now, there arise complications in which White will prevail, because his pieces are much
more active than their black counterparts. 15...exf3 16.dxc6 Qxc6. The exchange of the queens would
lead to a very difficult endgame for Black. 17.Qb3+ e6 18.Bb5 Qb6. After the other retreats of
Black’s queen, White would follow with g2-g4. 19.Be3 Qd6 20.Rad1 Qe7 21.Bxa7 fxg2 22.Bb6 Rd6
23.Qc4! (This is a key-resource. It is now bad for Black to capture the bishop and White is
threatening 24.Bc5.) 23...Bxh3 (23...Rxb6 24.Rd7+–) 24.Ba5!± He has avoided the trap (24.Bc5?
Rxd1 25.Rxd1 Rd8!µ) and creates great difficulties for Black due to the threat Ba5-b4.

12.Re1

281
 12...h6

12...Qb6 – see game 12.

Black has some alternatives here, but White will preserve a slight but stable advantage anyway, for
example: 12...e6 13.Bb5², or 12...a6 13.Bf1 Qb6 14.Qb3 Qxb3 15.axb3²

After 12...Re8, White can advance bravely 13.g4!

abcdefgh
Following 13...Be6, White has the reply 14.Bd3² Here, it is essential that Black’s rook has
abandoned the f-file, so that White does not need to be afraid of f7-f5.

282
 He is better in the complications arising after 13...Bd7 14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Ng5 e5 16.Bc4 exf4
17.Bxf7+ Kh8 18.Bxe8 Bxe8 19.Ne6 Qh4 20.Rxe4 Qxh3 21.Nxf4 Qh4 22.Qe2 Bf7 23.Ne6²
13...Nxd2 14.Qxd2 Bd7, Turski – Rackauskas, Kouty nad Desnou 2019 (If 14...Be4, then 15.Ne5!
Nxe5 16.dxe5 and in view of the threat f2-f3, Black would have to play 16...h6 17.h4 d4 18.Qxd4
Qxd4 19.cxd4 Red8 20.f3 Bc2 21.Be3², complying with the defence of an endgame with a pawn
down.) 15.Bf1 Na5 (15...f6 16.Bg2²) 16.b3 Nc6 17.Re3 a5 18.a4 Qb6 19.Rb1² White has restricted
considerably his opponent’s possibilities on the queenside and can begin active actions on the
opposite side of the board.

13.Nf1

It would be also interesting for White to try here 13.Qb3!? Qd7 (13...Na5 14.Qb4²) 14.Rad1²,
increasing calmly his control over the centre and forcing the opponent to consider the possible
exchange on e4, as well as the knight-sorties to the e5, or h4-squares.

13...g5
Black has nothing better, since White plans to deploy his knight on e3 after which Black would
have to play the move e7-e6.
14.Bh2²

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 This position was reached in the game Caruana – Le Quang Liem, chess.com 2019. Black chose
14...e6, after which White could have continued with 15.N3d2! (with the idea to trade this particular
knight and to transfer the other one to the h5-square via g3) and if 15...Qb6, then 16.Qb3 Nxd2
17.Qxb6 axb6 18.Nxd2² with a minimal edge for White in the endgame thanks to his superior pawn-
structure.

B2) 8...Qc7

This is a very reasonable decision not to allow White’s knight to occupy the f4-square and
increasing in the process his control over the central e5-square.

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 9.0-0 Bg7

The placement of Black’s pawns on the light squares on the kingside enables White to choose a
more active set-up with a bishop on the g5-square and you can see this in the following variations:

9...h5, Zvjaginsev – Lobanov, Moscow 2019, 10.Bg5 Bg7 11.Re1 0-0 12.Nbd2 Rfe8 13.Bf1 Rac8
14.a4 Ne4 15.Nxe4 Bxe4 16.Nd2 Bf5 17.Nb3 e5 18.dxe5 Rxe5 19.Be3²,

or 9...e6 10.Bg5 Bg7 (10...Be7 11.Nbd2²) 11.Nbd2 0-0 12.a4², with better prospects for him in
both lines.

abcdefgh
10.Be3
When Black’s queen is on c7, it would be sensible for White to place his bishop on e3. From there
it increases his control over the d4 and c5-squares and the freed c1-square can be useful for his rook.
Later, under favourable circumstances, his bishop may be placed on f4.
10...0-0

10...h6 11.Nbd2 g5 (about 11...0-0 12.Re1 – see 10...0-0) 12.Nh2 e6, Blomqvist – Kosteniuk,
chess.com 2021, 13.Rc1 Ne4 (If 13...0-0, then 14.f4 gxf4 15.Bxf4 Qb6 16.Qb3 Qxb3 17.axb3!?²,
with a favourable endgame for White.) 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 (After 14...dxe4, White has the powerful
resource 15.Qe1!?, preserving the possibility to advance his f2-pawn once, or twice, followed by
15...0-0-0 16.f3², or 15...0-0 16.f4 exf3 17.Bxf3², with an advantage for him.) 15.a4 0-0 (It would be
too risky for Black to opt here for 15...0-0-0 16.b4 h5 17.c4‚) 16.f3 Bg6 17.f4² and White can begin
to exploit the weaknesses on Black’s kingside.

11.Nbd2

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 11...Rad8

The drawback of the pawn-advance b7-b5, which is typical for this pawn-structure, is the
weakening of the c5-square. 11...a6 12.Re1 b5 13.Nb3 Ne4 (or 13...Nd7, Fiedorek – Exler, Czech
Republic 2020, 14.Qd2 Rfd8 15.Nh4±) 14.Nfd2! Rfd8, Goryachkina – Girya, Satka 2018, 15.Nxe4
dxe4 16.Rc1 (White’s last move prevents 16...e5?, since it can be countered with 17.d5 Ne7 18.c4+–)
16...Be6 17.Nc5 Bd5 18.a4²

11...Rab8. Black plays this move with the idea to prepare b7-b5, without a7-a6. 12.Re1!? (12.a4
Rbe8 13.Rc1 h6 14.b4 Rc8 15.Re1 Rfd8, Goryachkina – Gunina, Satka 2018, 16.a5²) 12...b5 13.Qc1.
This move emphasizes the vulnerability of Black’s major pieces. 13...Rfc8 14.Nb3 Ne4 15.Bf4 e5
16.dxe5 Nxe5 17.Nbd4²

11...Rfe8 12.Re1 a6, Salgado Lopez – Dreev, Moscow 2019. Now, White must prepare to counter
his opponent’s pawn-advance e7-e5 and he can do that with the lines: 13.Rc1 e5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5
15.dxe5 Qxe5 16.Bf1 Qd6 17.Qb3 Be6 18.Bd4², or 13.Nb3!? Ne4 (13...e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5
Qxe5 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.Qb3²) 14.a4 Rad8 (14...a5 15.Bb5²) 15.a5 f6 16.Nfd2 Nxd2 17.Qxd2²

11...h6. This move cannot solve the problems for Black. 12.Re1 g5 (12...Rfd8, Utiatskaja – Houska,
Caleta 2020, 13.Qc1!? Kh7 14.Nb3 Ne4 15.Bf4²). Now, it would be sensible for White to switch to
active actions on the kingside with 13.Nf1 e6, Baches Garcia – Pantzar, chess.com 2020, 14.Ng3 Bg6
15.h4 g4 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Qxe5 18.Bxg4² Black’s problems now are due not so much to his
bad pawn-structure, but to his vulnerable light-squared bishop.

11...Ne4

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 Here, White can choose the calm line: 12.Rc1 Rfd8 (12...Rad8 13.Re1 e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5
Bxe5 16.Nf3 Bg7 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.Qb3²) 13.Re1 a6, Grandelius – Kjartansson, chess.com 2020,
14.Bf1 (14.g4!? Be6 15.Bd3 Nxd2 16.Qxd2 f6 17.Bf4²) 14...e5 15.dxe5 Nxe5 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.Bf4²
It deserves serious attention however, to try a more ambitious approach, which has not been tested
before – 12.g4!?N, after which there arise very complicated positions in which White’s chances of
obtaining an advantage would be considerable. 12...Bd7 (He would be better after the line: 12...Nxd2
13.Qxd2 Bd7 14.Bf4²) 13.Nxe4! dxe4 14.Ng5 f5 15.gxf5 (15.Bc4+ Kh8 16.Nf7+?! Rxf7 17.Bxf7 f4
18.Bc1 e6÷) 15...Bxf5 (Naturally, it would be a disaster for Black to play here 15...gxf5?? 16.Bc4+–,
followed by Qh5.) 16.Qb3+ Kh8 17.Ne6 Qd6 18.Nxf8 Rxf8 19.Kg2. Black does not have sufficient
compensation for the lost exchange. 19...Nd8 20.d5 Qf6 21.Rh1 Qh4 22.Kf1². Now, Black cannot
play 22...Bxh3+?, in view of 23.Ke1 g5 24.Kd2 g4 25.Rag1 h5 26.d6 exd6 27.Qd5+–

12.Re1

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 12...Rfe8

After 12...Ne4 13.Rc1, White will prepare the pawn-advance b2-b4, but this is not the only
reasonable idea for him. 13...Rfe8, Svane – Fridman, Magdeburg 2021, 14.Bf1 a6 (14...e5 15.dxe5
Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5 17.Nf3 Bg7 18.Qa4 a6 19.Rcd1²) 15.g4!? and Black has serious difficulties.
15...Bc8 (15...Nxd2 16.Qxd2 Bc8 17.Bf4 e5 18.dxe5 Nxe5 19.Rxe5 Bxe5 20.Nxe5 Rxe5 21.Re1! f6
22.Qd4 Rde8 23.Re3 g5 24.Bxe5 Rxe5 25.Bg2 Rxe3 26.Qxe3 Qf7 27.a4±, with a considerable
positional advantage for White in this endgame.) 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Ng5² Now, Black is forced to
give up his central pawn, hoping to exploit his opponent’s weaknesses on the kingside, but the
compensation would be hardly sufficient.

13.Rc1 h6 14.b4!?

288
 abcdefgh
After a calm and accurate play by Black, the advance of White’s b-pawn seems to be the most
logical and promising decision, which would enable him to continue the fight for the opening
advantage.
14...b6

14...e5 15.Nxe5 (It would not be so effective for White to choose here 15.b5 e4=, with approximate
equality.) 15...Nxe5 16.dxe5² Black cannot capture on e5 with his rook, since he would lose the
exchange, while if he captures with his queen, he would lose his pawn on a7.

So, it would be reasonable for him to try the move 14...a6!?, but even then, after 15.a4 e5 16.dxe5
Nxe5 17.a5², White would maintain a minimal edge.

abcdefgh
289
 15.b5

He has an interesting alternative here – 15.Bb5!? Bd7 16.a4², emphasizing the defects of Black’s
move 14.

15...Na5 16.c4² White has deployed quite advantageously his pieces and has opened the c-file just
in time. 16...dxc4 17.Nxc4 Nxc4 18.Bxc4 Qb7 19.Ne5 e6 20.Nc6² Antipov – Ivanchuk, Caleta 2020
(see game 13). White has occupied the c6-square and has solidified his advantage, while Black would
be forced to defend passively.

290
 Chapter 12
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e5

abcdefgh
In this chapter we will analyse one of the strongest and doubtlessly the most principled lines for
Black. In response to the somewhat timid move by White Black accomplishes immediately a freeing
pawn-advance in the centre. The pawn-structure is changed radically and there will arise a fight “for
and against” Black’s isolated pawn in the centre and this change of the character of the forthcoming
events is not to the liking of all the adherents to the Caro-Kann Defence.

7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Nf3

291
 Now, in order to obtain an acceptable game, Black must play very energetically, so his most
purposeful lines in this position are: A) 8...Bd6, aimed at the quickest possible development and B)
8...Nxd3, which provides him with the two-bishop advantage.

The exchange 8...Nxf3+ 9.Qxf3 is in favour of White. 9...Be7 (It would be rather dubious for Black
to play here 9...h6?! 10.0-0 Be7 11.Qg3 Nh5 12.Qe5 Nf6 13.Re1 Be6 14.Bb5+ Bd7 15.Na3± and he
would end up in a very difficult position.) 10.0-0 0-0 11.Be3 Be6 12.Nd2 Nd7, Makarczyk –
Regedzinski, Lodz 1930, 13.Qg3² White has developed harmoniously his forces and has seized the
initiative.

After 8...Nc6, White obtains a slight but stable advantage. 9.0-0 Be7 (9...Bc5 10.Re1+ Be6
11.Nbd2 0-0 12.Nb3 Be7 13.Nbd4²) 10.Bf4. This is the optimal decision for White with a black
bishop placed on the e7-square. 10...0-0 11.Re1

292
 11...Be6 12.Nbd2 Re8 13.Nb3 Qd7 14.Nbd4 Bc5, Brunello – Cvitan, Balatonszarszo 2017,
15.Qb3 Bb6 16.Rad1² White has completed favourably the mobilisation of his forces.
11...h6 12.Nbd2 d4. Black is trying to change the pawn-structure. (He would fail to solve his
problems with the line: 12...Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Qc2 Be6 15.Nb3 Rac8 16.Qd2²) 13.c4! This is a
standard reaction by White against his opponent’s last move and now, Black would have to take care
of the safety of his pawn on d4. 13...Bd6 (After the inaccurate response 13...Be6 14.Nb3 Kh8?!
15.Qc1±, White’s threat to sacrifice his bishop on h6 would become very unpleasant for Black.)
14.Bxd6 Qxd6 15.Ne4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Rd8 17.Qb3 a5 18.Rad1 a4 19.Qc2 Be6 20.b3 Nb4 21.Qb1²

A) 8...Bd6
Black would not mind the trade of the knight and chooses his optimal reaction against that, hoping
to exploit the circumstance that White’s king, after castling kingside, would be deprived of its main
defender.
9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.0-0 0-0 11.Nd2 Bc7

About 11...h6 12.Nf3 Bc7 13.Re1 – see 11...Bc7.

12.Nf3

293
 abcdefgh
Here, Black’s most reasonable possibilities are the immediate move A1) 12...Qd6 and the
preliminary A2) 12...Re8.

After the rather humble alternative 12...h6, White’s task would be much simpler. 13.Re1 Re8
14.Rxe8+ Qxe8 15.Be3 Be6 16.Bd4 (16.Qb3!? Qd7 17.Qb5²) 16...Ne4, Dzhumaev – Li, Kolkata
2001, 17.Qe2 Qc6 18.Bb5 Qd6 19.Be5 Qb6 20.Bxc7 Qxc7 21.Nd4² Here, as it often happens in a
position with an isolated pawn, the simplifications have only consolidated White’s advantage and his
position has become completely safe.

A1) 12...Qd6
This is a logical continuation of the move 11...Bc7, but as we will see, it has certain drawbacks.
13.Re1

294
 White takes the control over the central file and prevents the sortie of the enemy knight to the e4-
square. He prepares the move Ne5, after which he would be able to develop his bishop to the f4-
square.
13...Bd7 14.Ne5 Rfe8

14...Be6 15.Bf4 Qb6, Low – Melkumyan, Bangkog 2018, 16.Qc2 Rfe8 17.Be3! White has
regrouped his minor pieces and this has enabled him to increase his pressure on his opponent’s
kingside. 17...Qd6 18.Nf3 a6 19.Bd4 Bd7 (If 19...Qf4, then 20.Qd2 Qxd2 21.Nxd2 Nd7 22.Nb3²,
with a very advantageous endgame for White.) 20.Rad1 (The hasty decision 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.Bxh7+
Kf8, threatening g6 and Bxh3, would be quite in favour of Black.) 20...h6 21.Ne5², followed by c3-
c4, or Re1-e3.

15.Bf4 Bc6

15...Ne4 16.Bxe4 dxe4 17.Rxe4 Qxd1+ 18.Rxd1 Bc6 19.Ree1 Bxe5 20.Bxe5 f6 21.Bd4²
Lupulescu – Nemes, Baile Olanesti 2010. Now, Black will have to defend a position with a pawn
down relying on the drawing tendencies of the endgames with bishops of opposite colours.

295
 abcdefgh
16.Bg3!?

This move creates the threat of a strike on the f7-square and will cause greater worries for Black
than the line: 16.Qf3 Ne4 17.Nxc6 Qxf4=, with gradual simplification of the position, Sevian –
Gukesh, chess.com 2020.

16...Qc5 17.Qf3²

abcdefgh
White has increased considerably his piece-pressure on the kingside.
Now, Black will have to consider the threats Ng4, Qf5, as well as the advance with tempo of the
enemy b-pawn. 17...Re6 18.Nxc6 Qxc6 (Following 18...Bxg3? 19.Rxe6 fxe6 20.Nd4±, Black would

296
lose a pawn.) 19.Rxe6 fxe6 20.Re1²

A2) 12...Re8

Black takes the control over the e-file and plans to follow with Qd6, preventing his opponent’s set-
up mentioned in the previous note (Re1, Ne5, Bf4).
13.Be3 Qd6 14.Re1 Ne4

14...Bd7, Nikitin – Wolski, Krakow 1999, 15.Qb3!? a5 (After 15...Bc6, it seems very good for
White to continue with 16.Qb4!? Qxb4 17.cxb4², with a slight edge in this endgame.) 16.Rad1 a4
17.Qc2 a3 18.b3 Rac8 19.Bd4 h6 (19...Qf4 20.Qd2 Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Qxd2 22.Nxd2²) 20.Ne5 Be6
21.Re3 Bb6 22.Nf3 Bxd4 23.Nxd4² White still maintains the advantage and Black’s a3-pawn, cut off
from the rest of his forces, may create problems for him later.

297
 abcdefgh
15.Qb3!?
White’s queen is eyeing the b7 and d5-squares and creates real difficulties for Black.

This move is stronger than 15.c4, Sieber – Seibicke, Germany 2002, which can be countered by
Black with 15...Qg6! 16.cxd5 Bxh3 17.Ng5 Bf5=, equalising.

15...h6

White would be better after 15...b6 16.Bb5 Rd8 17.Rad1 Bb7 18.Bd4², while following 15...Qg6
16.Qxd5 Bxh3, he would have the resource 17.Ng5! Bf5 18.g4! and Black would be forced to defend
the rather unpleasant endgame arising after the forced line: 18...Nxg5 19.Bxf5 Qd6 20.Qxd6 Nf3+
21.Kf1 Bxd6 22.Red1² White has the two-bishop advantage in this open position and this would be a
very important factor later.

16.Bb5 Rd8 17.Rad1

298
 17...Be6

In this position once again the attempt to exchange the d5-pawn for the h3-pawn would be
insufficient for Black to equalise: 17...Qg6 18.Rxd5 Bxh3 19.Bf1 b6 20.Rxd8+ Rxd8 21.Qc4 Bd6
22.Bf4! Bf5 23.Bxd6 Nxd6 24.Qc7² and he would have great problems due to the vulnerability of his
queenside pawns.
18.Qa4 a6 19.Bd3 Nc5

White is obviously better after 19...Nf6?! 20.Qh4±

20.Bxc5 Qxc5 21.Qc2²

White has deployed harmoniously his forces and controls reliably the d4-square maintaining a
minimal edge.
21...Re8

299
 22.Bh7+!
This is an important intermediate check.
22...Kh8

After 22...Kf8, Black will need to watch carefully the h7-square, for example after 23.Bf5, it would
be bad for him to play 23...Bb6? 24.Bxe6 Rxe6 25.b4 Qc6 26.Qh7+– and White wins.

23.Bf5 Bb6 24.Bxe6 Rxe6 25.Rxe6 fxe6 26.Re1 Re8 27.Ne5 Kg8 28.Ng4 Qe7 29.Qg6ƒ The
position has been simplified indeed, but White still maintains the initiative.

B) 8...Nxd3+

300
 This is Black’s most popular move. He obtains the two-bishop advantage, but this would hardly be
an important factor in this position, because his light-squared bishop is severely restricted in its
actions and his dark-squared bishop is very likely to be exchanged.
9.Qxd3

We will analyse now: B1) 9...Bc5, B2) 9...Be7 and B3) 9...Bd6.

About 9...h6 10.0-0 Be7 11.Be3 – see 9...Be7.

B1) 9...Bc5
The drawback of this natural development of the bishop is that it would be rather unstable on this
square.

301
 10.Qb5+
This check leads to a slight dis-coordination of Black’s pieces and provokes later the not so useful
move for him – a7-a6.

White has an interesting alternative here – 10.Be3!? b6 (10...Bxe3 11.Qxe3+ Be6 12.0-0 0-0
13.Nbd2²) 11.0-0 0-0 12.Nbd2², with a slight advantage for him.

10...Nd7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Nbd2

abcdefgh
12...a6

302
 Following 12...Qc7 13.Nb3 b6 14.Re1 Nf6, Bombek – Aalderink, Email 2004, White can try to
maintain an edge with the line: 15.Nxc5!? bxc5 16.b4 Ne4 (16...cxb4 17.cxb4²) 17.Ng5!

abcdefgh
Now, after the move 17...Nxc3, White would have the spectacular resource 18.Qd3 Ne4 19.Rxe4!
dxe4 20.Qxe4 g6 21.Nxh7! Kxh7 22.Bb2! and Black would have to play 22...Qd8 23.Qxa8 Qd2
24.Be5², complying with having a somewhat inferior position.
If he chooses 17...Bd7, then White would continue with 18.Qd3 Rfe8 19.Nxe4 dxe4 20.Qc4 Rac8
21.a4², with a very good game thanks to his superior pawn-structure.

13.Qd3 Nf6 14.Nb3

14...Bd6

303
 The move 14...Bb6 enables White to trade advantageously the dark-squared bishops and to obtain a
comfortable advantage. 15.Be3 Bxe3 16.Qxe3 Re8 17.Qc5 Bf5 18.Rfe1 Be4 19.Nfd2 h6 20.Re3²

15.Bg5 Be7

Black’s attempt to sacrifice a pawn with the line: 15...h6 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Qxd5 Rd8 seems quite
logical, but it would be very unlikely that after 18.Qe4 Bf5, Vokhidov – Hansch, chess.com 2020,
19.Qh4!? Qg6 20.Rfe1², he would have full compensation for the material deficit.

16.Rfe1²

abcdefgh
White has a slight but stable positional advantage. After 16...h6, he can choose between the calm
line: 17.Bh4 Be6 18.Re2 Ne4 19.Bxe7 Qxe7 20.Rae1² and the more dynamic possibility 17.Qe3!?
Bd6 18.Bh4 Bf5 19.Qd4 Be7 20.Re3 Qd7 21.Rae1ƒ and in both variations he would have better
prospects.

B2) 9...Be7

304
 This is Black’s most popular move. He is trying to prevent the possible pin of his knight on f6 and
not to lose his control over the important d5-pawn.
10.0-0 0-0

About 10...h6 11.Be3 0-0 12.Nbd2 – see 10...0-0.

11.Be3!?

This is the optimal decision for White. If he develops his bishop to f4, or to g5, Black would have
the excellent reply 11...Qb6. The idea behind the move 11.Be3 is that in many lines it would be
perfectly placed on the d4-outpost and he would be able later to use the e-file in order to double his
rooks.

305
 Now, Black can choose between several, about equally strong, possibilities.
11...Re8

11...Ne4 – see game 14.

About 11...h6 12.Nbd2 Re8 13.Rfe1 – see 11...Re8.

He can try to fortify the central d5 and e4-squares with the help of the line: 11...b6 12.Nbd2
(12.Nd4 – see game 15.) 12...Bb7 13.Rfe1 Ne4, Skorpik – Ragnarsson, ICCF 2000, but this would
provide White with the chance of breaking his opponent’s pawn-structure on the queenside by
advancing his rook-pawn. 14.a4 Nc5 15.Qf5!? Bc8 16.Qc2 a5 17.Nd4 Ba6 18.Nc6 Qd7 19.Nxe7+
Qxe7 20.Bxc5 Qxc5 21.Nb3 Qc7 22.Nd4², with a long-term advantage for him.

11...Qc7 12.Nbd2 Bd7 (Black will end up in a very passive position after 12...Be6 13.Rfe1 Rfe8,
Koscielski – Mueller, playchess.com 2020, 14.Ng5 Bc5 15.Bd4 Bxd4 16.Qxd4²) 13.Rfe1 Rfe8
14.Bd4 Bc6

15.Ne5!? (15.Ng5 Ne4 16.Ngxe4 dxe4 17.Nxe4 Qf4 18.Qg3 Qh6 19.Qg4² Black’s compensation
for the sacrificed pawn is insufficient, Timofeev – Kim, Moscow 2020; 15...h6 16.Bxf6 hxg5,
Tsoukkerman – Cuno, ICCF 1999, 17.Bxe7 Rxe7 18.Rxe7 Qxe7 19.Nf3 f6 20.Re1 Qd7 21.Qd4²)
15...Nd7 16.Ndf3 Nxe5 17.Bxe5 Qb6 18.Nd4 Bf8 (If Black plays inaccurately here, that might cause
his immediate demise, for example: 18...Rad8? 19.Qg3+–, or 18...Qxb2? 19.Bxg7! Kxg7 20.Nf5+–)
19.Re2 Bd7 20.Rae1ƒ

After the move 11...Be6, Black would need to consider the fact that his bishop would be attacked
on this square later. 12.Nbd2

306
 About 12...Qc7 13.Rfe1 Rfe8 14.Ng5 – see 11...Qc7.
As for 12...Re8 13.Rfe1, or 12...Qc8 13.Nd4 Bd7 14.Rfe1 Re8 15.Bg5 – see 12...Re8.
12...Rc8 13.Ng5 Bc5 14.Rfe1²
12...h6 13.Nd4 Bd7 14.Nf5 Re8 15.Nxe7+ Qxe7 16.Rfe1²
12...a6 13.Rfe1 Qd7, Terentiev – Nedochetov, Briansk 1995, 14.Nd4 Rfe8 15.Re2 Bd6 16.Bg5²
Now, Black is forced to give up a pawn with the move 16...Ne4, since it would be very bad for him to
continue with 16...Be7? 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Rae1 Bd8 19.Nf3±

12.Nbd2

12...h6

307
 12...Be6 13.Rfe1

abcdefgh
13...a6, Pisk – Juhasz, Austria 2011, 14.Ng5 Bd7 (14...Qd7 15.Nxe6 Qxe6 16.Bd4 Qd7 17.Re2²)
15.Bd4 Bb5 16.Qc2 h6 17.Bxf6 hxg5 18.Bxe7 Rxe7 19.Nf3²
13...Qc8 14.Nd4 (after 14.Ng5, Black would have the resource 14...Bf5) 14...Bd7 15.Bg5 h6
16.Bh4 Qc7 17.Re2 g5 (This is a rather risky attempt by Black to diminish his opponent’s pressure
after 17...Qb6 18.Rae1², but now, the f5-square has been horribly weakened.) 18.Bg3 Bd6, S.Pavlov
– Ignatenko, Kiev 2002, 19.Bxd6 Qxd6 20.Nf1 Rxe2 21.Qxe2 Re8 22.Qd2 Nh5 (22...Ne4 23.Qc2²)
23.Ne3² Black’s d5-pawn is vulnerable and he has weaknesses on the kingside, so White’s advantage
is doubtless.

13.Rfe1

308
 13...a6

13...b6 14.a4!? (14.Bf4 Bb7 15.Nd4 Bf8 16.Nf5ƒ) 14...a5 (14...Bb7 15.a5 bxa5 16.Nb3²) 15.Qb5
Rb8 16.Bd4 Bd7 17.Qd3 Be6 18.Be5 Rc8 19.Nd4²

In the game Honfi – Kranzl, Linz 1993 Black chose 13...Bd7 14.Bd4 and only then 14...Be6. In this
position White could have calmly increased the pressure with 15.Re2 a6 16.Rae1 Rc8 17.Nh4²
14.Bd4!
White must play accurately; otherwise, his advantage might evaporate.

In the game Ivanchuk – Leko, Moscow 2008, there followed 14.Rad1 Bf8 15.Nb3 Qc7÷ and
Black’s prospects were not inferior.

14...Be6 15.Re3 Nd7

Black would not solve his problems with 15...Qd7 16.Ne5 Qc7 17.Rae1ƒ

16.Rae1 Nf8 17.Nf1²

309
 White’s prospects are obviously preferable in this position. Here, he is threatening to transfer his
knight to the h5-square, via g3. After 17...Bd6, Nevednichy – Istratescu, Hungary 2007, it would be
quite reasonable for White to play 18.R3e2!? Rc8 19.Ne3², after which he might deploy his knight to
f5, or to g4, while Black’s pawn on d5 might be hanging.

B3) 9...Bd6

Having in mind that Black is perfectly prepared to counter the possible pin of his knight on f6, after
the move Bg5, this move might be considered as his best choice.
10.0-0 0-0

310
 11.Be3!?
Now, just like in the previous variation, we will recommend to you the set-up for White including
the placement of the bishop on the e3-square. Objectively speaking, he is trying to obtain only a
minimal edge, but it is also essential that his play would be much easier in the arising positions, while
Black would have to play very precisely. This is the reason that White enjoys very favourable statistic
in this position.

We must also mention that White would fail to obtain an advantage after 11.Bg5 h6 12.Bh4
(12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Qxd5 Rd8©) 12...g5! 13.Bg3 Bxg3 14.fxg3 g4 15.hxg4 Nxg4 16.Nd4 Qg5 17.Nd2
Ne5 18.Qe2 Bg4 19.N2f3 Rae8!=, followed by exchanges and complete equality.

11...Re8

11...Ne4 12.Rd1

311
 In the game Shuvalova – Predke, Cheliabinsk 2020, Black sacrificed the central pawn with the
move 12...Qe7!?, but White had to react with the cold-blooded line: 13.Qxd5 Rd8 14.Qb3 Be6
15.Qc2 Bf5 16.Re1², beginning gradually to neutralise his opponent’s initiative.
Following 12...Be6, White will have the resource 13.c4! and after 13...Qd7, it would be good for
him to try to gain material with 14.cxd5 Bf5 15.Qf1 Rfe8 16.Nd4 Bg6 17.Nd2 Be5 18.Nc4 Bb8
19.Nf3 b5 20.Na5², as well as to opt for the more reliable line: 14.Nbd2!? Nf6 15.c5 Bc7 16.Bg5
Bf5 17.Qd4 Nh5 18.Be3² and in both variations his prospects would be preferable.

11...Be6. This is a solid move for Black. 12.Nbd2

After 12...Re8, Goldgewicht – Bacrot, Cannes 1996, White can try to maintain a slight advantage

312
with 13.Ng5 Qd7 14.Nxe6 Rxe6 15.Nf3²
12...Qd7 13.Rfe1 Bf5 14.Qf1. He preserves the d4-square for his minor pieces. 14...a6, Drtina –
Bazant, Czechia 2006, 15.Nh4!? Be6 16.Bd4 Nh5 17.Be5. The trade of the dark-squared bishops is
usually in favour of White in pawn-structures of this type. 17...Nf4 18.Ndf3 Bxe5 19.Nxe5 Qc7
20.Rad1 Rfe8 21.Nd3² Black is faced with a long and difficult defence, because all his active pieces
will be gradually exchanged and he will be left only with his restricted in its mobility bishop on the
e6-square.

12.Nbd2

12...Ne4
Black makes use of the fact that his pawn on d5 is indirectly protected and is trying to activate
maximally his pieces.

After 12...Bc7, the best move for White would be 13.Rfe1 (The routine response 13.Rad1 would not
create serious problems for Black. 13...h6 14.Nd4 a6 15.Rfe1 Bd7 16.Nf1 Ne4 17.f3 Ng5 18.h4,
McShane – Ghasi, Tornelo 2021, 18...Ne6÷), planning later to double the rooks on the e-file. 13...h6
14.Bd4 Be6

313
 15.Re3 (It is a good alternative for White to play here 15.Re2!?, provoking the opponent to react
with 15...Nh5 16.Be5! f6 17.Bxc7 Qxc7 18.Re3 Nf4 19.Qc2 Bf7 20.Rae1 Rxe3 21.Rxe3 Re8 22.Nf1
Rxe3 23.Nxe3²) 15...a6 16.Rae1ƒ White has powerful initiative.

Black has not tried in practice yet the quite logical move 12...h6N

Now, White should better not play analogously to the main line 13.Rfd1, because Black would
counter that not with 13...Ne4 14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Qxd6 Qxd6 16.Rxd6 exf3 17.g4², with a better
endgame for White, but with 13...Be6 14.Bd4 Nh5÷ and White would not be able to claim any
achievements.
Instead, it would be more precise for White to play 13.Rfe1! Ne4 14.Rad1 (He should better avoid

314
14.Nd4 Qh4 15.Nf1 Bd7 16.Rad1 Rad8=) 14...Bf5 15.Nf1, creating, at last, a real threat against the
enemy pawn on d5. After the best answer 15...Qc8!,

abcdefgh
Black should be able to hold the balance in the complications arising after 16.Qxd5 Bxh3! 17.Bxh6
(17.gxh3 Qxh3 18.N1d2 Qg4+ 19.Kf1 Nxf2=; 17.Bc1 Bxg2 18.Rxe4 Qh3 19.Rh4 Qxf3 20.Qxd6
Bxf1 21.Kxf1 Re2 22.Qg3 Rxf2+ 23.Qxf2 Qxd1+ 24.Qe1 Rd8=) 17...Qg4 18.Ne3 Qg6 19.Bg5 Be6
20.Qd3 Bxa2 21.Nf1 Nxg5 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Qxg6 Nxf3+ 24.gxf3 fxg6 25.Rxd6 Kf7=, but White
can refrain from entering forced developments and choose instead 16.Nh4!? Be6 17.Bd4², still
maintaining a slight advantage.

13.Rfd1!?
Now, just like in many other variations, it would be sensible for White to free the f1-square for his

315
knight.

In the game Antipov – Shuvalova, Moscow 2020, White chose the traditional line: 13.Rad1 Bf5
14.Qb5, but Black had the very powerful resource 14...a6!÷, after which it would be very risky for
White to capture the pawn on b7.

13...Bf5
This is a principled decision and it is connected with a pawn-sacrifice.

Following 13...Bc7, White would have two promising possibilities.

aa~•R•~•~
w~i~ iw~.--%i ~
7~~ ~ ~ ~~

3~ ~~~0~R
n. ~~--~
6~t %;~
~ ~~--%n. ~~
2 % z:----~ ~t6~
~!L_l: %;~ % ~
1
~✓-
[V/~ ~g~
~ ~ ~
,nn%

abcdefgh
14.Nf1!? Be6 15.c4 Nf6 16.c5 Ne4 17.Rac1 Rc8 18.b4 a6 19.Nd4 Bd7 20.Qb3² White maintains
an advantage thanks to his powerful outpost on c5 and his pawn-majority on the queenside.
14.Nxe4 dxe4 15.Qc4. This line is much more concrete.

316
 15...Qe7 16.Bg5 Qf8 (After 16...Qe6 17.Qxc7 exf3 18.Re1 Qxe1+ 19.Rxe1 Rxe1+ 20.Kh2²,
Black’s two rooks are weaker than White’s queen.) 17.Qxc7 exf3 18.g4!² Black will have great
difficulties due to the restricted mobility of his pieces.
15...Qf6 16.Qxc7 exf3 17.Rd6 Qh4 18.Rd4 Qh5 (18...Qf6 19.Rf4±) 19.Rd8 Be6 20.Rxa8 Rxa8
21.Rd1 Re8 22.Rd8 f6 23.g4 Qf7 24.Rxe8+ Qxe8 25.Qxb7 h5 26.g5² As a result of the almost forced
play, White has ended up with an extra pawn, but Black would still have chances of holding this
position thanks to his bishop-pair.

14.Nf1
This is a thematic cold-blooded move after which Black would have to sacrifice a pawn in order to
justify his active actions.

317
 14...Qd7 15.Qxd5 Rad8

It would not work for Black to play here 15...Bxh3? 16.gxh3 Qxh3, in view of 17.Ng5! Qg4+
18.Kh1 Qh4+ 19.Kg2 Qg4+ 20.Ng3 Nxg3 21.Qxf7+ Kh8 22.f3 Qh5 23.Rh1!+– and White wins.

16.Qc4!
He must still play very precisely. After an eventual sacrifice of the bishop on h3, the queen would
be able to go back to the f1-square.
16...b5 17.Qe2²
White has an extra pawn and a very solid position, Black’s bishop-pair is not good enough to
compensate his material deficit.

318
 COMPLETE GAMES

1 Tari – Firouzja
New In Chess Classic 2021
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.c3 Bg4 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.h3 Bd7 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.0-0 e6
10.Re1 Bd6 11.Qd1 0-0 12.Qe2

abcdefgh
White has a very simple and clear plan to increase his pressure on the kingside (Ne5, Nb1-d2-f3
etc.). Black will have very great difficulties to counter that plan.
12...Be8
He prevents the main idea of his opponent, but White can begin by developing his queen’s knight.
13.Nbd2
13.Ne5 Bxe5 14.dxe5 Nd7 15.f4 f6∞
13...Nh5
This is an interesting resource, but the two-bishop advantage, which Black will obtain after Nh5-f4,
would not solve all his problems.

319
 14.Nb3

It was more logical for White to transfer his knight to the kingside: 14.Nf1!? Nf4 15.Bxf4 Bxf4
16.Rad1²

The consequences of the sacrifice 14.Bxh7+ Kxh7 15.Ng5+ Kh6 16.Ndf3 Nf4∞ would be
completely unclear.

White’s attempt to preserve both his bishops with 14.Bc2 Nf4 15.Qe3 Kh8∞, would lead to the
dis-organisation of his pieces.
14...Nf4 15.Bxf4 Bxf4

320
 abcdefgh
16.Ne5
This move is too straightforward. Now, White must consider the possible exchange on e5 in many
different versions.
16.g3!? Bd6 17.h4 a5 18.Kg2²

16...g6
16...a5!? 17.a4 Qb6.
17.a4
17.g3 Bxe5 18.dxe5 f6∞
17...a6 18.a5 Rc8
18...b6!?

321
 19.h4

Following 19.g3 Bxe5! 20.dxe5 b6! 21.axb6 Qxb6 22.Bxa6 Ra8°, Black will have sufficient
compensation for the sacrificed pawn indeed, but that was how White had to play after all.
19...Qe7

Black overlooks an excellent chance of seizing the initiative. 19...Nxe5! 20.dxe5 f6 21.g3 fxe5!
22.gxf4 e4°

20.g3

322
 20...Bh6?!
This is already a serious mistake and it will lead to grave consequences for Black.

After 20...Bxe5! 21.dxe5 d4! 22.Nxd4 (22.cxd4 Qb4) 22...Nxd4 23.cxd4 Bc6∞, Black will have
quite sufficient counterplay to hold the game, despite still being a little worse.

21.h5±
Now, White’s attack will develop literally unopposed and Black will not have any advantageous
possibility to exchange on e5.
21...Nxe5
21...Bg7 22.hxg6 hxg6 23.f4±
22.dxe5 g5?!
This move shows that Black is panicking, but it looks like it is already too late to give him a good
advice.
22...Bd7 23.Kg2±

22...f5!? 23.hxg6 hxg6 24.f4±

23.Nd4 Bd7

abcdefgh
24.Nf3

24.Bb1 f5∞

White’s most accurate plan, preventing all possible counterplay by Black, was not easy to find in
this position. It included the activation of his rook along the route a1-a3-b3-b6. 24.Ra3! Rc7 (24...Rc5
25.Bb1 f5 26.exf6 Rxf6 27.Rb3+–; 24...f5 25.exf6 Rxf6 26.Rb3+–) 25.Rb3 Rfc8 (25...Bg7 26.h6

323
Bxh6 27.Qh5 Kg7 28.Rb6+–) 26.Rb6 Bg7 27.h6 Bxh6 28.Qh5+–

24...Bg7 25.h6?!

25.Qd2 h6 26.Re3 (26.Bc2 f5) 26...f6 27.exf6 Bxf6 28.Rae1±

25...Bh8?
This position proved to be too difficult to handle in a shortened time-control. This is the reason the
play became rather chaotic...
25...Bxh6 26.Ra3!? (26.Kg2 Bg7) 26...Bg7 27.Rb3 Rc7 28.Nd4°

26.Nh2

26.Nd4!? f6 27.f4! gxf4 28.Qg4+ Kf7 29.Bxh7+–

26...f5 27.exf6
27.Ra3!?

27...Bxf6?!

27...Qxf6 28.Qd2! (28.Ng4 Qf3 29.Qxf3 Rxf3 30.Rad1 Rc7) 28...Qxh6 29.Ng4 Qh5 30.Qd1 Kg7
31.Kg2 e5 32.f3 Rxf3 33.Qxf3 Bxg4 34.Qxd5 Qh3+ 35.Kg1±

28.Ng4 Rce8

324
 29.Ne5?
This knight is too strong to be exchanged for Black’s bishop.
White had to play instead 29.Bc2! Rf7 30.Ba4±

29...Bxe5 30.Qxe5 Rf3?

Black had excellent chances of holding the endgame after 30...Bc6! 31.Rad1 Qf6 32.Qxf6 Rxf6
33.Re5 Rxh6 34.Rxg5+ Kf8∞

31.Re3

It was again better for White to choose here 31.Be2!? Rf5 32.Qd4 Qf6 (32...Rf6 33.Bg4 Rxh6
34.Re5) 33.Bg4 Qxd4 34.cxd4 Rf6 35.Rac1 Bc6 36.Re5 Rxh6 37.Be2±

325
 31...Ref8?!
Strangely enough, the trade of a couple of rooks in this position is in favour of the attacking side
and this is White!
Black had better opt for 31...Rf7! 32.Qd4 Ref8²

32.Rxf3 Rxf3 33.Bc2 Rf8

33...Rf7!? 34.Ba4! Bxa4 35.Rxa4 Qf6 36.Qxf6 Rxf6 37.Rb4 Rf7 38.Kf1±

34.Rf1 Bc8?
34...Qf6 35.Qc7 Qf7 36.Qxb7 Bb5 37.Qxf7+ Kxf7 38.Rd1+–

326
 35.f4!+– This is a decisive break after which White won the game without any surprising
developments. 35...g4 (35...gxf4 36.Rxf4 Rxf4 37.gxf4+–) 36.Re1 Rf7 37.Qh5 Bd7 38.Qxg4+ Kf8
39.Re5 Qc5+ 40.Kg2 Qb5 41.Qg5 Qxb2 42.Qd8+ Be8 43.Qd6+ Re7 44.Re2 Qxc3 45.Bxh7 Qc6
(45...Qf6 46.f5 Qxh6 47.f6 Qxh7 48.fxe7+ Qxe7 49.Rxe6 Qxd6 50.Rxd6+–) 46.Qa3 Qa4 47.Qxa4
Bxa4 48.Bb1 d4 49.g4 Bb5 50.Rd2 d3 51.Kf3 e5 52.fxe5 Rxe5 53.Bxd3 Bxd3 54.Rxd3 Rxa5
55.Rd8+ 1–0

327
 2 Warmerdam – Dang Hoang
Chess.com 2019
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.c3 Nc6 6.Bf4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg4 8.Nbd2 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0
10.Re1 Re8 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Nxf3

abcdefgh
12...Qb6
This is a strange move. The natural plan for Black to organise counterplay is to prepare the pawn-
minority attack. It is difficult to realise indeed, but he had at least to try and not to block the way
forward of his pawns.
This game is very instructive particularly from the point of view of White’s play. Everything
happened just like in the classic games. Black’s minimal resistance helped the creation of a very
convincing example.

13.Qd2 a5?
This is another senseless move – see the previous notes.

13...Na5 14.Ne5±

Black fails to advance e7-e5: 13...Nd7 14.Re2 e5 15.dxe5 Ndxe5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5 17.Rae1±

14.a4

328
 Now, the queenside has been fixed and White can prepare patiently an offensive on the opposite
side of the board.
14...Nd7 15.Bb5
This move does not spoil anything yet, but was hardly necessary.

White had better play here 15.Re2 e5? 16.Nxe5 Ndxe5 17.dxe5 Bxe5 18.Rae1+–

15...Rad8 16.Re2 Na7 17.Bd3 e6 18.h4 Nf6

Black would not be able to stop his opponent’s offensive with 18...h5 19.Rae1 Nc6 20.Ng5±

19.Bg5 Nc6
Black will suffer decisive material losses after this move.

Meanwhile, the line: 19...Qc7 20.Ne5 Nc6 21.Qf4 is only slightly preferable for Black.

329
 20.h5
This move is more typical for the blitz games.
White was winning quite simply with 20.Qf4!+–
20...Ne7?

Black had to defend here with 20...Nxh5! 21.g4! Nf6 22.Qf4 Nd7 23.Bxd8 Qxd8 24.g5±
Naturally, his extra pawn would not be sufficient to compensate the missing exchange, but still, his
position would not have been so easy for White to break.

21.hxg6 hxg6

330
 22.Qf4
The simplest winning line for White here was: 22.Bb5!? Nd7 23.Rae1+– and the placement of
Black’s knights and rooks would look just miserable.
22...Qd6 23.Qh4
3.Ne5!?+–
23...Nh7
23...Nf5 24.Qh3.
24.Bf4 Qb6 25.g4!+–

White has somehow finished with his “cat and mouse” play and begins the decisive faze of his
attack. Black is completely helpless against the threat Kg2 and Rh1.
25...Nc6 26.Kg2! Nf8 27.Rh1
White was winning faster with the move 27.Bh6!?+–

27...f6 28.Bh6 Qc7 29.Bc1

29.g5!?+– f5 (29...Bxh6 30.gxf6) 30.Bxg7 Qxg7 31.Bb5.

29...e5 30.dxe5
30.g5!?
30...Nxe5

30...fxe5 31.Bxg6! Nxg6 32.Qh7+ Kf7 33.Rh5+–

31.Nxe5

331
 31...Rxe5?

Following 31...fxe5 32.Bb5 Re6 33.Bg5 Rc8 34.Rd1±, White would still need to work hard in order
to realise his advantage.

32.Bf4+– Finally, White wins the exchange. The rest is simple and does not need comments.
32...d4 (32...Rde8 33.Bxe5 fxe5 34.f4 Ne6 35.Qh7+ Kf8 36.Rf1+–) 33.Bxe5 fxe5 34.Bb1 d3
35.Ba2+ Ne6 36.Bxe6+ Kf8 37.Re4 d2 38.Rd1 Rd6 39.Ba2 Qc6 40.f3 Qb6 41.Qf2 Qxb2 42.Bc4
Qc2 43.Qc5 Ke7 44.Rxe5+ Bxe5 45.Qxe5+ Kd7 46.Bb5+ Kc7 47.Qc5+ Rc6 48.Qe7+ Kb8
49.Bxc6 bxc6 50.Qe2 Qxc3 51.Rxd2 Kc7 52.Qe7+ Kb6 53.Qd8+ Kc5 54.Qd6+ Kb6 55.Re2 Qb3
56.Re5 Qxa4 57.Qb8+ Ka6 58.Re7 Qe4 59.Qb7#

332
 3 Blomqvist – Grandelius
Malmo 2021
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 g6 7.Nf3 Nh5 8.Be3 Qc7 9.0-0 Bg7
10.Re1 0-0 11.Nbd2 Nf4 12.Bf1

12...Bf5
We have analysed in the main part of our book the return of Black’s knight to the h5-square. It does
not seem to be quite logical, but the move in the game is hardly any better.
13.Nb3 Rfe8?!

Here, Black had to go back to h5 with his knight. It is doing nothing on the f4-square and may soon
be hanging 13...Nh5 14.Nc5²

14.Qd2
This move is not so concrete.

Following 14.Nh4! Bd7 15.Qf3±, White would have won a pawn without any particular
compensation.

14...Nh5 15.h3 Nf6 16.Bf4

333
 abcdefgh
16...Qc8
On this square Black’s queen only impedes the coordination of his own pieces.

The move 16...Qb6!? would have created much greater problems for White. 17.g4!? (17.Rad1²)
17...Bc8 18.Ne5 Ne4 19.Qc2² (19.Qe3 a5„).

17.Rad1
This move still holds the position, but it would have been much more energetic for him to have
continued with 17.g4!? Ne4 (17...Bd7 18.Ne5±) 18.Qe3 Bd7 19.Ne5± and Black’s pieces would be
completely cramped.

17...Ne4 18.Qc1

334
 18...f6?!
Black is trying to organise counterplay and this attempt finally worked somehow, but it was caused
by hopelessness. If he had tried to play in a calmer fashion, his position would have become gradually
inferior.
18...a5 19.Na1!?±
18...h5 19.Nh4±

19.c4!

abcdefgh
This is a standard reaction by White and it is also very good. Now, Black is faced with the task to
avoid the immediate material losses.
19...g5

335
 19...Be6 20.Nc5!±
20.Bh2

White could have won very quickly after a temporary piece-sacrifice: 20.cxd5! Nb4 21.Nc5! Nxc5
22.dxc5 gxf4 23.Qxf4+–

20...e6
After this move Black manages to stabilise his centre and White maintains only a slight edge.
21.Nfd2
21.Nc5!?
21...Bg6?!
Black overlooks his opponent’s threat.
Following 21...Nxd2 22.Qxd2 Bf8 23.a3 Qd7 24.cxd5 exd5 25.Nc5 Qf7 26.b4², White would have
a clear positional advantage, but not more...

22.Nxe4! dxe4
This is practically Black’s only move.

The other capture is even worse: 22...Bxe4 23.Nc5 Bg6 (23...Bf5 24.cxd5 exd5 25.Rxe8+ Qxe8
26.Nxb7) 24.Nxe6! Rxe6 25.Rxe6 Qxe6 26.cxd5+–
23.d5!
Now, White’s passed pawn is tremendously powerful.
23...Nb4

23...exd5 24.cxd5 Ne5 25.Nc5±

336
 24.d6
This move looks quite natural, but loses a part of White’s advantage.

24.dxe6! Qxe6 25.a3 Nc6 26.c5 Kh8 27.Nd4 Nxd4 28.Rxd4±

24...Nd3! 25.Bxd3 exd3 26.c5 e5 27.Qc4+ Kh8

28.Rxd3
This exchange-sacrifice seems to be very attractive at first sight, but advancing White’s pawns after
it would not be so simple.
Therefore, it would have been preferable for him to have refrained from such extreme measures.

337
28.Qd5! Qd7 29.Na5 Rab8 30.b4±

28...Bxd3 29.Qxd3 Qc6

Now, we cannot talk about an advantage for White any more, but just for him having sufficient
material compensation for the minimal material deficit. It is still present, but in the next few moves,
as it often happens, he lost his compensation as well...
30.h4?!

30.Rc1 b6 31.cxb6 Qxb6 32.Qd5°

30...g4?!

It was better for Black to play here 30...gxh4! 31.Qe4 a5µ

338
 31.Qf5

31.Rd1!?

31.Rc1!? b6 32.cxb6 Qxb6 33.d7 Red8 34.Bg3! Rab8 35.Qf5 Qb7 36.Rd1 Qc6 37.Qxg4 (37.h5 h6
38.Bh4 Rb5) 37...h6! 38.Na5 Qb5 39.b4 Qa4!∞

31...b6

32.Qxg4?

339
 32.Nd2! Red8 33.Qxg4 Qxc5 34.Ne4 Qb4 35.Qe2°

32...bxc5 33.d7?

33.Rd1 Rad8 34.Na5 Qa6 35.Nc4 Bf8µ

33...Re7. White’s proud pawn-centre has disappeared off the board and Black realised easily his
material advantage. 34.Rc1 Qxd7 35.Qxd7 Rxd7 36.Nxc5 Rc8 37.b4 Bf8 38.f4 e4 39.f5 Rd5 40.Re1
Bxc5+ 41.bxc5 Rcxc5 42.Rxe4 Rd1+ 43.Kf2 Rc2+ 44.Kf3 Rd3+ 0-1

340
 4 Timman – Stellwagen
Cogas Energie 2005
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.Ngf3 Nh5 9.Be3 Qd6
10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1

abcdefgh
11...Rb8

This move seems to be quite logical (Black is preparing the pawn-minority attack b7-b5-b4.), but
he plays it only very seldom...This is rather strange...

12.Nb3

This is why! When Black has fianchettoed his dark-squared bishop the pawn-minority attack cannot
solve his problems. Just the opposite, because his queenside actions usually backfire. The reason for
this is the presence of the powerful c5-outpost for White’s knight.
It might be even more accurate for him to start here with the prophylactic move 12.h3!? b5 13.Nb3.

341
 12...b5?!

Without this Black’s previous move would be senseless.

It would be relatively better for him to choose now 12...Bg4, but even then after 13.h3 Bxf3
14.Qxf3², White would still maintain his positional advantage.

13.Qd2
This move does not lose the edge.

Still, it would be much more precise and energetic for White to continue with 13.h3! b4 (13...Nf4
14.Bf1 Ne6 15.Qd2±) 14.Rc1 bxc3 15.Rxc3 and he would be perfectly prepared to organise pressure
on the c-file. Black’s pieces are not harmoniously deployed and he is incapable of creating
counterplay against the d4-square.
13...b4

13...Bg4 14.Be2 b4 15.h3 bxc3 16.bxc3 Bxf3 17.Bxf3±

342
 abcdefgh
14.Bh6?!
It is understandable that White wishes to organise an attack against the enemy king, but he is not
well prepared for that yet.

He should have resorted at first to some prophylactic and only later begin active actions on the
opposite side of the board. 14.h3! (14.c4 Bg4 15.c5 Qd7²) 14...bxc3 15.bxc3 (15.Qxc3 Rb6∞)
15...Rb6 16.Rac1±

14...bxc3 15.bxc3

15...Bxh6

343
 Black, at his turn, is also playing inaccurately. He should have solved immediately the problem
with the knight on f3, since that was the right moment for that. 15...Bg4! This precise move would
have parried outright all possible attempts by White to organise an attack (His knight on f3 was the
key-piece for that...) and he would have needed to worry how to maintain the balance. 16.Bxg7
(16.Be2 Bxh6 17.Qxh6 Bxf3 18.Bxf3 Nf6³; 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Bxe5!? 18.h3 Bd7 19.Bxf8
Kxf8°) 16...Nxg7 17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.Rxe5 Bf5=

16.Qxh6

abcdefgh
16...Qf6

16...f6 17.g3² e5?! 18.c4!±

16...Bg4? Now, this bishop-sortie is obviously too late 17.Ng5 Nf6 18.Re3+– and White’s attack is
decisive.

17.Ne5
It was probably better for him to wait a little bit with the possible route of his knight.
After 17.Bf1 (17.Nc5 Nf4) 17...Nf4 (17...Qf4? 18.Ng5 Nf6 19.h3) 18.Ne5 Rb6 19.g3 Ne6
20.Bg2², White would have still maintained some pressure.

17...Rb6

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 abcdefgh
18.g3
This move provides Black with the possibility to regroup advantageously his forces and to equalise
completely.

White had to bring back his queen to the centre, although even then his edge would have been quite
minimal, if at all... 18.Qd2!? Nf4 19.Bf1²

18...Ng7! 19.f4?!
This move is enterprising, but a bit dubious. Having in mind that White’s attack brought him
victory after all, we would be reluctant to criticise it, but still... 19.Bf1!? Nxe5 20.Rxe5 Re6∞

19...Nf5 20.Bxf5

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 abcdefgh
20...Bxf5

This move is not so bad, but it keeps alive White’s dreams of a victorious attack.
After Black’s precise reaction 20...Nxe5!? 21.fxe5 (21.Rxe5 Bxf5) 21...Qxf5 22.Rf1 Qh3³, it
would have become quite clear that White’s attack was over and he would need to consider an
accurate way of organising his defence.

21.g4!
Now, White’s attack is running smoothly.
21...Bc8 22.h3 Nxe5 23.Rxe5 Qc6 24.Nc5

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 24...Qb5
Black’s queen is removed too far from the protection of his king.

He should have preferred the consolidating reaction 24...Qc7!? 25.Rae1 e6∞, and it would be not
easy to see how White could increase his pressure.
25.Rae1

He could have tried here a prophylactic operation 25.Qh4!?, but naturally, that would have been too
exquisite. We are just reluctant to criticise him for not finding this idea, moreover that his advantage
would have not been so great after that. 25...Qa5 26.Qe1²

25...Qc4!
This move is necessary and played at the right moment. Black manages to organise counterplay.
26.Nb3! Qxc3 27.R5e3 Qb4 28.Rxe7 Be6

It is possible that Black had to prefer here the more practical approach 28...Bd7!? 29.Qh4 Ba4
30.Nc5 Qxd4+ 31.Qf2=

29.Qh4 Ra6
29...h6!?
30.f5

30.Re2!? h6 31.Qf6 Qc3 32.Kh2 Qf3=

30...gxf5 31.Qg5+ Kh8 32.Re2

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 32...Qc3?
Black was in a time-trouble and had to solve rather difficult problems. He failed to do that.

After the best move 32...fxg4, White would have to choose only between different ways of giving a
perpetual check – 33.Qf6+ Kg8 34.Re5 h6! 35.Qxh6 Qxe7 36.Rg5+ Qxg5 37.Qxg5+ Kh7=

Meanwhile, the exchange-sacrifice 32...Rxa2!? 33.Rxa2 Qxb3, should have been sufficient for
Black to make a draw, because in that variation both kings would have been subjected immediately to
a perpetual check. 34.Rd2 (34.Rg2 Qb1+ 35.Kh2 Qb8+) 34...fxg4.

33.Qf6+ Kg8 34.gxf5

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 Now, it is all over. White’s speculative attacking operation brought him victory after all... 34...Bxf5
35.Qxa6 Bxh3 36.R7e3 1–0

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 5 Bacrot – Fier
Tbilisi 2017
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Na5 8.Qa4+ Bd7 9.Qc2 e6
10.Nf3 Qb6

11.0-0?!

White plays this move rather often (Its statistic is also very good!), nevertheless, Black’s task is
much more complicated if White prevents the trade of the light-squared bishops with the move 11.а4
(Have a look at the eternal classic game Fischer – Petrosian), or with 11.Qe2!?, as we have
recommended in the main part of our book. Despite all that, we have decided to comment thoroughly
this game, because later, there arises a position, which is tremendously important for the
understanding of the exchange system of the Caro-Kann Defence.
11...Bb5!
The trade of the light-squared bishops facilitates considerably Black’s defensive task under the
circumstances.
12.Bxb5+ Qxb5 13.Nbd2 Be7

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 14.Rae1
This is the classical treatment.

Black would need to solve somewhat different problems if White follows with a pawn-offensive on
the queenside. Still, he should manage to cope with this if he plays accurately. 14.b4!? Nc4 (14...Nc6
15.a4 Qb6 16.a5 Qa6? 17.Qa4+–; 16...Qd8 17.a6 b6 18.Qa4 Qd7 19.b5 Na5 20.Ne5 Qc8 21.Rac1 0-
0 22.c4±; 16...Qb5 17.Nb1! Nb8 18.Na3 Qd7 19.Bxb8 Rxb8 20.Ne5 Qc8 21.Qa4+ Kf8 22.c4 dxc4
23.Naxc4 g6 24.b5²) 15.a4 Qa6 (15...Qc6 16.b5 Qc8 17.Nxc4 Qxc4 18.Ne5 Qc8 19.Rfc1 0-0
20.Qe2²) 16.b5 Qa5 17.Nxc4 dxc4 18.Be5 0-0 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Rfb1²

14...Rc8

It may seem attractive for Black to prepare the exchange of White’s knight when it occupies the e5-
square and trade it immediately, but this would not solve all the problems for Black. 14...Nc6 15.Ne5
Nxe5 16.Bxe5 0-0 17.Re3², and this white rook is ready to go to the h3-square, while his other rook
will occupy the e-file. Black’s position is not so dangerous yet, but still, he is far from complete
equality.

15.Ne5 Nc6

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 16.Qb1
This prophylactic move is rather indifferent.

Naturally, this is not a sharp position from the Sicilian Defence, with castling on opposite sides, but
you should not be tricked into thinking it is quite calm. It is very likely to arise a situation with
castling on opposite sides, so losing tempi should better be avoided. White had to bring instead
additional resources to the kingside with the move 16.Ndf3!?

16...Ne4?! 17.c4! Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Qa5 19.c5ƒ

Here, Black should better not be in a hurry to exchange the enemy knight on the e5-square.
16...Nxe5 17.Nxe5 (17.Bxe5 0-0 18.Ng5 g6=) 17...0-0 18.Bg5 (18.Re3!? Ne4! 19.Rh3 Bg5 20.Bxg5

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Nxg5 21.Re3²) 18...Qe8 (18...Bd6 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Ng4 f5=; 19.a4! Qe8 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Qd2!
Bxe5 22.dxe5 Qe7 23.exf6 Qxf6 24.Re3±; 21...fxe5 22.Qg5+ Kh8 23.Qf6+ Kg8 24.Re3 exd4
25.Rh3 Qe7 26.Rg3+ Bxg3 27.Qxe7 Be5 28.f4 Bg7 29.Qxb7±) 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.f4 b5 21.Qd3²
16...0-0!? 17.Re3 h6!? (17...Ne4 18.Rfe1ƒ) 18.Rfe1 a5∞

16...Nxe5
This trade is very useful for Black at this moment and it reduces considerably White’s attacking
potential.

Black’s defensive task would have been much harder after 16...0-0 17.Bg5ƒ

17.Bxe5

Following 17.dxe5 Nd7, there would arise another typical pawn-structure and Black would have
sufficient counterplay on the queenside. It is essential that he would not need to be in a hurry to
castle. 18.Nf3 Nc5 19.Rd1 a5„

17...0-0
Black has quite sufficient counter chances, connected mostly with the preparation of the pawn-
minority attack on the queenside. Both sides need to play very energetically and precisely now. The
position is not so simple as it might seem to be at first sight.
18.Re3

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 This is a typical plan. White’s rook is headed for the h3-square in order to provoke a weakening of
the pawn-shelter of the enemy king.
18...g6
This prophylactic does not deserve serious critics, but it would have been interesting for Black to
have tried a “mirror” plan with the move 18...Rc6!? The idea is just analogous to the one of the
opponent. His rook is going to the b6-square. 19.Rh3 h6 20.Rg3 (20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.f4 Rb6ƒ) 20...Rb6
21.Nb3 Nh5 (21...a5?! 22.Qd1! a4 23.Nc5!±) 22.Rh3 Nf6= As it often happens, the logical result of
the balance between the attack and defence would be the repetition of moves.

18...a5 19.Rh3 h6 20.Bxf6! Bxf6 21.f4 Rc6 22.Nf3 Rb6 23.Rf2±

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 19.Bf4
White is trying to attack without presenting the enemy queen with the outpost on the e4-square.
This is in vain, however...

19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Nf3. This attempt by White to obtain a favourable structure with a knight on d3
against his opponent’s dark-squared bishop is too straightforward and Black’s counterplay with his
pawn-minority attack would be sufficient for him to equalise. 20...a5 21.Ne1 Qd7 22.Nd3 b5 23.a3
Be7„
It deserved serious attention for White to have chosen here 19.Nf3!?, after which there might arise
the following exemplary variations:

If Black plays 19...Rc6, with the idea that we have already mentioned in our notes to Black’s
previous move (by a transfer of his rook to the b6-square to weaken his opponent’s pawn-structure),
then White would have a powerful argument against that – 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Ne1!² and his knight
will be transferred to the excellent d3-square after which Black’s counterplay would be seriously
impeded, while White’s kingside pawns would be ready to advance.
19...Ne4. Black’s knight looks beautiful on this square, but it is not so useful. White can ignore it in
his actions and later, depending on the situation, can oust it from there, or exchange it, or even
sacrifice the exchange on e4. 20.Bf4 Qa4 21.h4 b5 (21...h5 22.Rfe1 b5 23.Ng5!±) 22.h5 b4 23.c4!±
19...Qa4 20.Rfe1 b5. As a response to Black’s standard pawn-minority attack on the queenside,
White is capable of organising an attack against the enemy king very rapidly. 21.Ng5! Nh5! This is
Black’s only move; otherwise, his position would be lost (21...b4? 22.Rh3!; 21...Ng4? 22.Nxh7)
22.f4 b4 23.g4 Nf6 24.Rh3 Nxg4 25.Nxh7 Nxe5 26.Nxf8 Nf3+ 27.Rxf3 Kxf8² Black has some
positional compensation for the exchange sacrifice indeed, but it is still White who fights for the
advantage.

19...Rfe8

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 With this move, followed by Black’s next few moves, he continues to play too patiently and as we
have already mentioned before this is not in the spirit of this position.

19...Qa4!? 20.Nf3 b5 21.a3 a5=

20.Rfe1

White ignores the possibility to bring his knight into the attack. 20.Nf3!? Qa4 (20...Ne4 21.Rfe1;
20...Bf8 21.Ne5 Bg7 22.Nd3!?) 21.Ne5 b5 22.a3 a5 23.Rf3! b4 24.Bh6! (24.axb4 axb4 25.Bh6 Rc7)
24...Rc7 25.cxb4 axb4 26.Rc1!±

20...Bf8

20...Qa4!? 21.Nf3 b5 22.Ne5 b4 23.b3 Qa6 24.c4∞

21.h4

21.Nf3!? Bg7 (21...Ne4 22.Ne5) 22.h3!? (22.Ne5 Nh5 23.Bg3 Bxe5 24.Bxe5 f6 25.Bd6 Qd7
26.g4 Qxd6 27.gxh5 Kf7∞) 22...a5 23.Ne5²

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 21...Nh5?!
This attempt by Black to exploit some nuances in the deployment of his opponent’s pieces is
obviously connected with miscalculation and only helps White to increase his pressure on the
kingside.

Black had to try to impede White’s offensive in another way. 21...Bg7! 22.Nf3 Ng4 23.R3e2 h5∞

Black’s try to organise the pawn-minority attack would be obviously too later after 21...Qa4 22.Nf3
b5 23.a3 a5 24.Ng5! b4 25.axb4 axb4 26.Rf3!‚ and White’s threats would be very dangerous.

22.Bg5 Bg7

Black had evidently planned 22...h6?, but after 23.g4! hxg5 24.gxh5+–, his kingside would be
immediately in ruins.

His relatively best defence would have been 22...Ng7!?, but even then after 23.Rh3! h5 24.Nf3ƒ,
White’s pressure would increase.

357
 23.g4
This move is quite logical.

Still, even now (as it has happened numerous times...), it would have been much stronger for him to
improve at first the placement of his knight, particularly having in mind that Black’s knight would
have no access to the e4-square any more. 23.Nf3!? a5 (23...Qd7 24.Ne5 Bxe5 25.dxe5±) 24.g4 Nf6
25.Bxf6 Bxf6 26.g5 Bg7 27.Kg2±

23...Nf6 24.Bxf6 Bxf6 25.g5 Bg7

26.f4?!

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 This pseudo-active move is however detrimental to White’s attack. The f-file was crucially
important for his major pieces. 26.h5! (26.Nf3!?) 26...Qd7 (26...gxh5 27.Kg2ƒ) 27.Qd1 b5 28.h6
Bh8 (28...Bf8 29.Qg4‚) 29.Qg4 b4 30.Nf3 bxc3 31.bxc3±

26...Qd7
Black finally finds the correct plan – the pawn-minority attack, although being rather late with
that...
27.Nf3 b5

28.b4?
This is one of the standard reactions for White against the pawn-minority attack, but it does not
work well here. He has too many weaknesses and fails to transfer his knight to the c5-square.

He has to play more consistently with: 28.h5 b4 29.h6 Bf8 30.Ne5 Qb7 31.Ng4„, maintaining
dynamic balance.

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 28...a5
Now, Black seizes the initiative.
28...Rc4!? 29.Nd2 Rc6 30.Qd3 Rec8 31.Nb1 a5! 32.a3 axb4 33.axb4 Ra6µ

The subsequent developments were influenced too much by the permanent time-trouble of both
sides. The evaluation of the position was fluctuating several times and at the end, in a rather simple
endgame, the class of the player with White prevailed...

29.bxa5?!

29.a3 Rc4 30.Ne5 (30.h5? Qc7 31.h6 Bf8–+; 30.Nd2 Rc6 31.Nb3 Qc7–+) 30...Bxe5 31.fxe5 axb4
(31...Qc7 32.Rc1 Rc8 33.Rd3³) 32.axb4 Rec8µ
29.h5!? axb4 30.Qxb4 gxh5 31.Qb2³
29...Qc7 30.Ne5 Qxa5 31.Qb3? (31.Qb2! Bxe5 32.fxe5 Rc4 33.a3 Ra8 34.Ra1 b4 35.cxb4 Rxb4
36.axb4 Qxa1+ 37.Qxa1 Rxa1+ 38.Kf2 Rb1 39.Rf3³)

360
 31...Rc7? (31...Bxe5! 32.fxe5 Rc4 33.Rf1 Rec8 34.Rff3 b4–+) 32.Rf1?! (32.Rb1 Rec8 33.Qxb5
Qxa2 34.Rb2 Qa3 35.Qb4³) 32...Rec8 33.Rff3

33...Qa4? (33...Bxe5! 34.fxe5 Rc4 35.Rd3 Ra4 36.Rf2 Ra3 37.Qb2 Raxc3 38.Qd2 b4–+) 34.Qxa4
bxa4 35.Kf1 Rb8µ 36.Ng4!? Rb1+ 37.Re1 Rb2 38.Re2 a3 39.Rd3 Rcb7 (39...h5! 40.gxh6?! Bh8
41.Rh3 Kh7µ; 40.Ne5 Bf8 41.Kf2 Bd6µ) 40.Rd1 (40.c4! Rb1+ 41.Kg2 dxc4 42.Rxa3 h5 43.Nf6+
Bxf6 44.gxf6 Rd1³) 40...Kf8?! (40...Rc7!?µ; 40...f5!? 41.gxf6 h5 42.Ne5 Bxf6; 41.Ne5 Bxe5
42.dxe5 Rb1) 41.Ke1 Ke7 42.Nf2=

361
 42...Rxe2+ (42...Kd7 43.Rxb2 Rxb2 44.Rd2=) 43.Kxe2 Rb2+ 44.Rd2 Rb1 45.Rd1 Rb2+ 46.Rd2 h6
47.Nd3 Rb8 48.Rd1 f6 49.Rg1 Kf7 50.Kd2 hxg5 51.hxg5 Rh8 52.Kc2 Rh3 53.gxf6

53...Kxf6 (53...Bxf6 54.Ne5+ Bxe5 55.fxe5 Rh8 56.Kb3 Rb8+ 57.Kxa3 Kg7°) 54.Ne5 Kf5
55.Nxg6 Bf6 56.Rg2 Bd8 57.Ne5 Kxf4 58.Rf2+ Ke4 59.Re2+ Kf5 60.Nc6 Bg5 61.Re5+ Kf6
62.Nd8

362
 62...Re3?! (62...Rh2+ 63.Kb3 Rb2+ 64.Kxa3 Rb6 65.Rxe6+ Rxe6 66.Nxe6 Kxe6 67.Kb4=)
63.Rxe3 Bxe3 64.Nc6 Kf5 65.Kb3 Bc1 66.Nb4 Ke4 67.Na6

67...Kf5? (67...Bd2 68.Nc5+ Kf5 69.Na4 Bc1 70.Nb6 Ke4 71.Nd7 Bd2 72.Nc5+ Kf5=) 68.Nc5?
(68.Nc7 Bg5 69.Kxa3 e5 70.dxe5 Kxe5 71.Nb5) 68...Bd2 69.Nd3 Ke4 70.Kc2 Bh6 71.Nc5+ Kf5
72.Nd7 Bf4 73.Kb3 Bd2 74.Ne5 Ke4 75.Nc6 Kd3 76.Nb4+ Ke4 77.Nc2 Kd3 78.Nb4+ Ke4
79.Kc2 Bh6 80.Nc6 Bf4 81.Kb3 Bd2 82.Na7

363
 82...e5?! (82...Kd3 83.Nb5 Be1=) 83.dxe5 Kxe5 84.Nb5 Ke4?! (84...Ke6 85.Kxa3 Kd7 86.Kb4
Kc6 87.a4 Bf4 88.Nd4+ Kb6 89.Nf3 Bd6+ 90.Kb3) 85.Kxa3 Bg5 86.Kb3 Ke5?! (86...Kd3 87.Nd4
Bf6 88.Nb5 Bd8 89.a4 Ba5=) 87.a4 Ke6 88.Kb4 Be7+ 89.Ka5 Bd8+ 90.Ka6 Kd7 91.a5 Kc8
92.Nd4 Bh4 93.Kb6

93...Bd8+? (93...Be1! 94.Nb5 Kb8 95.a6 (95.Kc6 d4!=) 95...Bf2+ 96.Kc6 Be1 97.Kxd5 Bxc3=)
94.Kb5 Kb7 95.a6+ Ka8 96.Ne6+– Bh4 97.Nc7+ Ka7 98.Nxd5 Bf2 99.c4 Bg1 100.Nb4 Bf2
101.Nc6+ Ka8 102.Ne7 Ka7 103.Nc8+ Kb8 104.Nd6 Ka7 105.Ne4 Be3 106.c5 Bd4 107.c6 Be5
108.Nc5 Bg3 109.Ne4 Bh2 110.Nc3 Bg3 111.Nd5 Kb8 112.Kc5 Kc8 113.a7 Bf2+ 114.Kd6 1–0

364
 6 Gabuzyan – Sorokin
Chicago 2019
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 e6 9.Ngf3 Be7
10.0-0 0-0 11.Rae1 Bh5 12.Qc2 Bg6 13.Bxg6 hxg6 14.Qd3 a6 15.Ng5 Nh5 16.Qh3

16...Bxg5
White’s knight there was making Black nervous and he would have to exchange it sooner or later at
some moment. Still, it would have been more flexible for Black to have begun with a move which we
have analysed in our Chapter 7 – 16...Re8.
17.Bxg5 Re8

18.Qh4?!

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 Here, besides the move 18.Nf3!?², which leads to positions analysed in the main part of our book,
White has some other promising possibilities. The move in the game is not among them and he loses
his advantage with it.

18.f4 Nf6 19.Bxf6 gxf6 20.Qh6 Re7 21.Rf3 Qf8 22.Qh4 Qg7 23.Rfe3²
18.Re3 f6 19.g4 e5 20.Qg2 exd4 21.cxd4 Qd7 22.gxh5 fxg5 23.hxg6 Nxd4 24.Qxg5 Qf5 25.h4²

18...e5!
This is the right move for Black! The isolated pawn is not a defect in his position under the
circumstances on the board.

19.dxe5
19.Nb3 a5!?„
19...Nxe5 20.h3

20...Qc6
Black defends calmly against the threat g2-g4, although this was not absolutely necessary at the
moment.

20...Nd3 21.Rxe8+ Qxe8 22.Qd4²

Following 20...Qd7!? 21.g4 Nf6 22.Bxf6 gxf6 23.Qxf6 Re6 24.Qg5 Rae8° , Black would have
excellent compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

21.Qd4 Nd7
This move is a bit careless.

366
 It was sensible for Black to get rid of his isolated pawn. Still, his position remains quite reliable and
White has no advantage at all. 21...Nc4!? 22.Nxc4 (22.b3 Nd6) 22...dxc4=

22.Be7
After this move White will have to give up his bishop for the enemy knight in the nearest future.

It was probably reasonable for him to try to preserve all the minor pieces on the board, although
after 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Nf3 Nhf6 24.Be3², White’s position would have been only slightly
preferable.

22...Nhf6 23.Re3

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 23...Nf8!
This is a precise move.
Without this, after White doubles his major pieces on the e-file, he would have sufficient reasons to
be optimistic. Now, Black’s threat Nf8-e6 practically forces further simplifications and complete
equality.

24.Bxf6

After 24.Ba3?!, White can preserve his dark-squared bishop, but it would remain on an awkward
position 24...Ne6 25.Qh4 b5³

24.Bxf8 Rxe3 25.Qxe3 Rxf8 26.Nf3 Re8 27.Qd3 b5=

24...gxf6

This is still not the right moment for Black to exchange queens. After 24...Qxf6?! 25.Qxf6 gxf6
26.Rd3 Rad8 27.Rd1², the pawn on d5 would be a permanent weakness in his position.

25.Rfe1 Rxe3 26.Rxe3 Kg7=

27.Nf1

White could have placed his knight on f3 and would have blocked reliably the enemy isolated pawn
27.Nf3 Ne6 28.Qd1 Rd8 29.Rd3 Qb5=

Still, after that, it would be inconceivable for him how to improve later his position. Therefore, with
the move in the game, he is trying to transfer his knight to the e3-square and to win that pawn. He

368
fails however, to block it reliably...

27...Ne6 28.Qd2 Nc5

This manoeuvre is still not so bad for Black.

It was however much simpler for him to concentrate on advancing d5-d4. 28...Rd8!? 29.Rd3! Qc5
30.Ne3 d4 31.Ng4 Qg5=

29.Ng3

After 29.Re1 Rd8 30.Ne3, Black would need to go back to the e6-square with his knight: 30...Ne6
31.Ng4 Rh8!=

29...Ne4 30.Qd4

30...Re8
Black avoids the trade of the knights and this makes us think that he wished to try to seize the
initiative. He needed however, to postpone his active intentions for a more appropriate moment,
although the position still remained within equality.

Naturally, it was much more simple and reliable for him to have continued with the line:
30...Nxg3!? 31.fxg3 (31.Rxg3 Re8) 31...Rd8= 32.Rd3 Re8!?„

31.Ne2 Ng5?!
With this move Black risks having great problems in the nearest future.

He had to try to exchange the rooks in another way 31...Nd6!? 32.Rxe8 Qxe8=

369
 32.Nf4!

Now, Black’s pawn on d5 has suddenly become a real weakness.

32...Re4
It was difficult for him to make a choice between this move and the immediate exchange on е3.

Following 32...Rxe3 33.fxe3 (33.Qxe3 Ne6=), Black would have to part with a pawn, since the
king and pawn ending would be hopeless for him, despite the equal material. 33...Qd7 (33...Ne6?
34.Qxd5 Nxf4 35.Qxc6 Nxh3+ 36.Kh2 bxc6 37.Kxh3 f5 38.Kh4 Kf6 39.a4+–) 34.Qxd5 Qa4²
Here, Black’s counterplay should be sufficient for him to draw, despite being a pawn down.

33.Rxe4 dxe4 34.Nd5 Qe6!

370
 Black’s defensive resources should help him to save the game, but he should still play very
precisely. So...
35.c4

35.h4!? Nh7 36.c4 Nf8! 37.b3 (37.Nc3 e3 38.fxe3 Nd7∞) 37...Qf5 38.Nc3 Qf4 39.Nxe4 Ne6
40.Qe3 Qxh4 41.Nd6 f5²

35...Qf5 36.Qb6

36.Nc3!? Qxh3 (36...Qf4 37.Qe3 Qxe3 38.fxe3 f5 39.Nd5²) 37.gxh3 Nf3+ 38.Kf1 Nxd4 39.Nxe4
b5 40.Nc5 bxc4 41.Nxa6²

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 36...Nxh3+??
This blunder looks very strange, but we know that everything may happen in the time-trouble...

36...Ne6! 37.Qxb7 Qg5! 38.Ne3 Qa5=

37.gxh3 1–0. The illusion of a perpetual check has disappeared: 37...Qg5+ 38.Kh1 Qc1+
39.Kh2+–

372
 7 Fromm – Rosner
Magdeburg 2021
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.h3 g6 7.Ne2 Bf5 8.Bf4 Qd7 9.Bb5 a6
10.Bxc6 Qxc6 11.0-0

11...Bxb1
Black is trying in a straightforward way to equalise by reducing the number of the minor pieces on
the board. We have analysed in the main part of our book the move 11...Bg7. It is also insufficient for
him to equalise, but preserves more tension in the position.

12.Rxb1 Nf6

373
 13.Re1
This move is quite logical, but it was also interesting for White to transfer immediately his knight to
the d3-square. Later, he can place his queen’s rook on e1 and his king’s rook will be helpful on the
f1-square when he advances his f-pawn.

13.Nc1!? Bg7 14.Nd3 0-0 15.Qd2 Rfe8 16.Rbe1²

13...Bg7 14.Nc1! e6 15.Nd3

As we have already mentioned in our notes to the game Bacrot – Fier, White’s knight is perfectly
placed on this square in similar pawn-structures. On the one hand it impedes the enemy pawn-
minority attack and on the other hand it can occupy one of the important e5, or c5-squares at an
opportune moment.
15...0-0

374
 16.h4
It is not a fact that White should begin his kingside offensive with just this move, but this idea
could have worked very effectively in this particular game.

His alternative was – 16.Qf3!?, planning at first to double the rooks on the e-file and to decide only
later whether to advance his kingside pawns, or to prepare the trade of the bishops. It is very
important that with a bishop on g7 Black would have great difficulties to prepare an effective pawn-
minority attack.

16...Rae8 17.Qf3 Ne4?!

After this pseudo-active move, Black’s difficulties could have increased considerably.
Instead, he had at first to block the kingside (temporarily, though). 17...h5 18.Re2 Ne4 19.Rbe1²

375
 18.Qh3?!
This is not a concrete approach by White.

He had instead to exploit the chance to advance immediately his rook-pawn. 18.h5! f6 (Here is an
important nuance – 18...g5 19.h6! Bxh6 20.Qh5±) 19.h6 Bh8 20.Rbd1± and it would not work for
Black to play 20...e5? 21.Nb4 Qe6 22.dxe5 fxe5 23.Nxd5 exf4 24.Nc7 Qc6 25.Nxe8 Rxe8 26.Rxe4
Rxe4 27.Rd8+ Kf7 28.Rxh8+–

18...h5 19.Re2
White underestimates his opponent’s counterplay.

Following 19.f3!? Nf6 (19...Nd6 20.Re2²) 20.a3², he would be well prepared to increase gradually
his pressure, while it would be very difficult for Black to find any active resources.

376
 19...f6!
This is an important and timely decision for Black, which naturally, required very precise
calculation of the arising variations.
20.f3

White obviously had much better chances of fighting for the advantage after a positional approach
20.Rbe1 e5 21.dxe5 fxe5 22.Bh2 Qc4 23.Qe3²

20...e5
This move is forced, but it still works.
21.fxe4 dxe4 22.Nb4 Qb5 23.Rxe4 exf4

377
 Now, White can end up in a position with an extra pawn in several different ways, but he would not
have any advantage anyway.

24.Rbe1
24.Rxf4 f5°

24...f5! 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Rxe8+ Qxe8 27.Nd3

27...Qe4?!
This move is imprecise.

Black had to choose instead 27...Bf6!„ and the weakness on h4 would preclude White from

378
fighting for the advantage. 28.Nxf4 Qe1+ 29.Kh2 Bxh4 30.Nxg6?? Bf2–+

28.Qf3 Qxf3 29.gxf3 Bf6 30.Nxf4 Kf7 31.Ng2

It is rather questionable whether White can realise his extra pawn in this endgame. It is an
interesting question, but it goes out of the theme of this book. In fact later, the development of this
game was characterised by numerous mutual mistakes and it finally ended in a draw.
31...b5! 32.Kf2 f4? (32...a5! 33.Kg3 a4²)

33.Nxf4?! (33.Ke2 g5 34.Kd3+–) 33...Bxh4+ 34.Ke3 (34.Ke2!? g5 35.Nd5 Bg3 36.Nb4 a5

37.Nc6±; 34...Kf6 35.Ng2 Bg5 36.f4 Bh6 37.Kf3±) 34...Bg3? (34...g5! 35.Nd3 Bg3=)

379
 35.Ne2? (35.b3! Kf6 36.Ke4+–) 35...Bc7 36.Ke4 Kf6 37.b3 (37.Nf4 Bb8!=) 37...g5 38.c4
(38.Ng1 Bh2! 39.Nh3 Bb8! 40.c4 bxc4 41.bxc4 g4 42.fxg4 hxg4 43.Nf2 g3 44.Ng4+ Ke6 45.Kf3
Ba7=; 43.Nf4 g3 44.Ng2 Ke6!=) 38...bxc4 39.bxc4 Bh2! 40.c5 h4 41.f4 h3 42.c6 Bxf4 43.Nxf4
gxf4 44.c7 h2 45.c8Q h1Q+ 46.Kxf4 Qf1+ 47.Ke4 Qh1+ 48.Kd3 Qd1+ 49.Ke4 ½-½

380
 8 Harika – Paikidze
KO Stage Chess.com 2021
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Bd3 Qc7 6.h3 Nf6 7.Nf3 e6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Re1 0-0 10.Bg5
h6 11.Bh4 Nh5 12.Bxe7

abcdefgh
12...Qxe7
This move is hardly better than capturing with the knight, which we have analysed in the main part
of our book. Meanwhile, Black’s position in both cases is already rather unpleasant. The key factor
for that is the difference in the activity of the bishops.
13.Bf1
This move is a bit too academic, but still, White preserves his advantage.
He could have left his bishop on its main diagonal for operations 13.Bc2!? Nf4 14.h4!±

381
 13...a6
Black’s pawn-minority attack in this position is doomed to remain a dream that cannot be realised.
In fact, if he manages to accomplish it, his position would only become worse.

It was preferable for him to begin a fight for the e5-square with the line: 13...Nf4!? 14.g3 Ng6
15.Nbd2 Qc7 16.h4²

14.Nbd2 Nf6 15.Bd3 b5

abcdefgh
16.a3
This is a solid move and even much rather too solid. White plans an attack on the kingside and will
be quite consistent with it.

382
 Meanwhile, the situation was very favourable for him to start active actions on the opposite side of
the board. His basic purpose had to be to fix advantageously the pawn-structure on the queenside with
16.b4!? Bd7 17.a4±

16...Rb8
Black still plans to advance b5-b4, but somewhat rather indifferently.

He had more chances of obtaining meaningful counterplay by transferring his knight to the c4-
outpost. 16...Na5!? 17.Qe2 Nc4 18.Nb3 Nd7². Naturally, White’s position would have remained
preferable, but the situation would have remained double-edged.

17.Qe2

17.b4!?

abcdefgh
17...Bd7

The transfer of the knight to the c4-square would not have helped Black much in this position
17...Na5 18.b4 Nc4 19.Nb3±
18.Ne5± Rfc8

18...Nxe5 19.dxe5 Nh7 20.Qe3±

19.f4
White’s prospects for a decisive attack are becoming more and more real.
19...a5

383
 20.b4
This pawn-advance would have been very strong on the previous move, while now, this would not
be the case...

White could have maintained a great advantage with the non-standard, but very effective line:
20.Nb3!? b4 (20...Qd8 21.Nc5±) 21.cxb4 axb4 22.a4±

20...Nxe5?
Black panics.

In fact, after the move 20...Be8, the position would have remained quite unclear. Naturally, after
21.Nb3 Nxe5 22.fxe5 Ne4! 23.Bxe4 dxe4 24.Nc5 axb4 25.axb4 Bc6², White’s position would have
been still preferable, but not with such a great advantage as several moves before.

21.fxe5 Ne8 22.Rac1+–

384
 abcdefgh
Now, Black’s position is completely hopeless. He has no counterplay whatsoever and is absolutely
helpless against the forthcoming attack against his king.
22...a4
If he does not close the queenside, with the hope to exploit the a-file, then White’s knight will come
to the c5-square and Black’’s situation would be even more desperate.
23.Nf3 Nc7
The line: 23...f5 24.exf6 Nxf6 25.Ne5+– would only make the unavoidable demise for Black faster.
24.Bb1 Na8 25.Qd3 g6 26.Qd2 Kg7 27.Bd3 Nb6 28.Re3

White’s play is simple and easily understandable. He does not need to be in a hurry.

385
 28...Nc4 29.Bxc4 dxc4
The opening of the long diagonal for his bishop would not help Black. Still...
30.Qf2 Bc6

31.Rf1
White does not lose his advantage with this move, but it was much simpler for him to have
preserved the minor pieces on the board. Following 31.Nh2! h5 32.Rf1+–, his rook would go to f6
and later, his knight will join into the actions via the f1-square and the defence of Black’s king would
crumble. His bishop would remain completely useless.
31...Rc7

Here, the trade of the minor pieces would not help him. 31...Bxf3 32.Rxf3 Rc7, but White would
still need to find the line: 33.d5! exd5 34.Qd4 Kh7 35.Rf6+–

32.Nd2

32.Nh2!?+–
32...Rd8

386
 33.Ne4?

This is already a serious mistake.

33.h4!?+–

33...Bxe4 34.Rxe4 Rf8

Naturally, after the move 34...Rdd7!?, Black’s position seems to be seriously endangered;
nevertheless, it is far from clear how White can break it. Amazingly, Black’s queen will manoeuvre
on the last rank and will hold somehow the defence. 35.Rf4 Qd8 36.h4 Qe8 37.Rf6 Qe7.

35.Rf4

387
 35...Rd7?
It was still not too late for Black to go back to the correct defensive plan – 35...Rd8!? 36.Rg4 Rdd7
37.Qg3 Kh7 38.Rf6 Qe8 39.h4 Qg8 40.Qf3 Kg7!

36.h4 Qd8

Now, it is already too late.

36...Rc8 37.Qg3 Qe8 38.Rg4 Rcc7 39.Rf6+–

37.Rf6 Qe7

37...Re7 38.h5 g5 39.d5! exd5 40.Rd6.

38.Qf4

388
 Black’s rook is stranded on the f8-square and he fails to coordinate his defence. 38...Rd5 39.Rf3
Rd7 40.Rg3 (40.Qg4!?+–) 40...Kh7?! (40...Rg8 41.Rf3 Rf8 42.Qg4 h5 43.Qg5+–) 41.h5 Rg8 (41...g5
42.Rxg5 hxg5 43.Qxg5 Qxf6 44.exf6 Rg8 45.Qxb5+–) 42.hxg6+ Rxg6 43.Rgxg6 fxg6 44.Qg4 Qg7
45.Qxe6 Re7 46.Qd5 Rb7 47.Qf3 Re7 48.e6 Kg8 49.d5 Re8 50.d6 Qa7+ 51.Kh1 1–0

389
 9 Artemiev – Deac
European Online Club Cup 2021
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.h3 e6 7.Nf3 Bd6 8.0-0 Nge7 9.Re1

abcdefgh
9...h6
Black’s immediate castling (see the main part of our book) promises him more chances of
equalising than the prophylactic move he played in the game.
10.Na3!?
This is an interesting manoeuvre, although it is not universal. White is ready to comply with the
worsening of his pawn-structure in order to eliminate his opponent’s important dark-squared bishop.
10...a6

After 10...Bxa3 11.bxa3, White’s trumps seem to be more substantial 11...0-0 (11...Bd7 12.a4 0-0-
0?! Black considers that his king is safer on the queenside, but he is wrong. 13.a5! This beautiful and
not so obvious move fixes White’s great advantage 13...Qxa5 (13...Nxa5 14.Ne5; 13...a6 14.Rb1)
14.Bf4‚) 12.a4 (12.Rb1!?) 12...Bd7 13.Rb1 b6 14.Nh4!?ƒand he is ready to bring his rook into the
actions via the e3-square.

11.Nc2 0-0 12.Ne3

390
 Naturally, White’s knight could have come to this square via the route b1-d2-f1-e3, but then he
would not have won the tempo forcing the opponent to play a7-a6.
12...f5
Now, irrelevant of whether this move is prophylactic against the knight-sortie Ne3-g4, or
preparation for active actions on the kingside, the weaknesses, connected with it, seem to be much
more important.

Black’s light-squared bishop has nothing to do on the long diagonal: 12...b5 13.Bd2 Bb7?! 14.Ng4!
±

He had better complete at first his development 12...Bd7!? 13.Bd2 (It would be obviously
premature for White to choose here 13.c4?! dxc4 14.Nxc4 Nb4³; he would not obtain any advantages
with the line: 13.Ng4 f6 14.c4 Rad8∞) 13...b5 14.b3² White is preparing c3-c4 under favourable
circumstances and preserves a slight edge.

13.c4
This is the right idea, but it would have been more accurate for White to have realised it in another
way.

13.Bd2!? b5 (about 13...Bd7 14.c4 – see the game) 14.a4²

391
 13...Bd7?!
Black’s position was unpleasant anyway, but after this move it would become critical.

13...dxc4 14.Nxc4 Bb4 15.Bd2²

14.Bd2

This move does not lose the advantage for White, but it was much more energetic for him to clarify
immediately the situation in the centre with the line: 14.c5! Bf4 15.Nc2±

14...Be8 15.cxd5
This move is too straightforward.

White’s idea to close the centre would have worked well even now 15.c5! Bf4 16.Nc2 Rf6 17.b4
Bh5 18.Be2±

15...exd5

392
 16.Qb3
It may seem that White is winning a pawn, but things are far from simple...

He would have preserved more chances of maintaining the advantage after the not so obvious line:
16.Nh4!? Qd7 (16...Nxd4 17.Rc1 Qd7 (17...Qb6 18.Bc3) 18.Bc3±) 17.Bc3²

16...Rd8
Well, White wins the pawn on d5 indeed, but he would fail to preserve his pawn on d4.

16...Bh5!?

17.Nxd5

17.Bc3!? Kh8 (17...Bh5 18.Nh4) 18.a3²

17...Nxd5 18.Qxd5+ Kh8

393
 19.Qb3

19.Rxe8. This exchange-sacrifice looks very interesting, but it does not promise an advantage to
White. 19...Rdxe8 20.Nh4 Rf6 21.Nxf5 Qd8.

19...Bh5

Black would have equalised even simpler with the line: 19...Nxd4!? 20.Nxd4 Bh2+ 21.Kh1 Rxd4
22.Rac1 Bc6 23.Be3 Rd7=

20.Bf1 Bxf3 21.Qxf3 Nxd4

394
 abcdefgh
Black has regained his pawn indeed, but White still has the two-bishop advantage. This is not going
to be decisive, but Black needs to play very accurately.
22.Qh5 Qf7
He complies with defending a somewhat inferior endgame.

Instead of this, Black could have equalised with a not so obvious line: 22...Nc2!? 23.Bc3 Bh2+!
(23...Bf4? 24.g3 Nxe1 25.gxf4 Nd3 26.Rd1! Nxb2 27.Rxd8 Rxd8 28.Be5 Qb6 29.Qf7 Rg8
30.Be2!+–) 24.Kh1 Bf4 25.Re6 (25.g3? Nxe1 26.gxf4 (26.Rxe1 Bd2–+) 26...Qc6–+) 25...Nd4
26.Ree1 Nc2=

23.Qxf7 Rxf7 24.Rac1

White’s bishops are not so active yet, but this situation may change at any moment, because the
position is quite open. Black’s defence would not be easy at all.

395
 abcdefgh
24...Rfd7?
He underestimates White’s tactical resources.

24...Nc6² 25.Bxa6?! bxa6 26.Rxc6 Bh2+ 27.Kxh2 Rxd2=

25.Ba5!
Now, suddenly it becomes clear that Black would come at least under a very unpleasant pin on the
d-file.
25...Rf8

25...Ra8 26.Rcd1 Bc5 27.Rd3±

26.Bb6!± Nc6 27.Bxa6

This is a reliable technical solution.

It was also very attractive for White to have chosen here 27.Rcd1!?

27...Bf4 28.Rc4 bxa6 29.Rxc6 Rd2 30.Bc5

Following 30.Rb1! Be5 31.Be3 Rxb2 32.Rxb2 Bxb2 33.Rxa6+–, White’s task to realise his extra
pawn would have been quite simple.

30...Ra8
This move will be refuted in a beautiful fashion.

It was more tenacious for Black to have defended with 30...Rb8!?±

396
 31.Ba3

It is very difficult to imagine that with this material ratio the most effective way of winning the
game with White would be to sacrifice the pawns on the queenside in order to organise an attack on
the kingside. In fact, this is the reality! 31.Bb4! Rxb2 32.Bc3 Rxa2 33.Re7 Rg8 34.g3 Bd2 35.Be5+–

31...Bg5 32.Rce6 Bf6 33.R1e2 Rad8

34.Bc5?
White had better avoid the simplifications under the circumstances.

397
 After 34.b3±, his advantage would have been quite sufficient to win the game, although its
realisation would not have been an easy task for White.

34...Bxb2 35.Rxd2 Rxd2 36.Rxa6 Bd4 37.Bxd4 Rxd4

There has arisen on the board a thematic, theoretical rook and pawn ending, which requires an
accurate, but still not so difficult defence. 66 moves later it ended in a draw indeed, but only after
very interesting developments.
38.Kh2 f4 39.f3 Rd2 (39...Kh7!?=) 40.h4 h5 41.Ra5 g6 42.Ra7 Rc2 43.a4 Ra2? (43...Rc4!=)

8~~~-
~ ~ ~ %'.. ,,%
1//'~ ~ ~ ~

4 R~ ~ ~ ~
s~ ~ ~R~
2a~ ~ ~RW
1-~~~~~-··"

abcdefgh
44.a5? (44.Kg1! Rc2 45.Re7+–) 44...Kg8? (44...Rc2 45.Kg1 Rc5=) 45.a6 Kf8 (45...Ra1 46.g3!
Ra2+ 47.Kh3 Ra3 48.gxf4 Rxf3+ 49.Kg2 Ra3 50.Kf2 Kf8 51.Ke2 Ke8 52.Ra8+ Kf7 53.Kd2+–)

398
46.Kg1 Ke8 47.Kf1 Kf8 48.Ke1 Ke8 49.Kd1 Kd8 50.Ra8+ Kc7 51.a7 Kb7 52.Rg8 Kxa7 53.Rxg6
Kb7 (53...Ra1+ 54.Ke2 Rh1 55.Kd3 Rxh4 56.Ke4 Kb7 57.Kf5+–)

54.Ke1? (54.Rg5 Kc6 55.Ke1 Kd6 56.Kf1 Ra1+ 57.Kf2 Rh1 58.Rxh5 Ke6 59.Rh7+–) 54...Ra1+
55.Kf2 (55.Ke2 Rh1 56.Kd3 Rxh4=) 55...Rh1 56.Ke2 Rxh4 57.Kd3 Kc7 58.Ke4 Kd7 59.Kf5 Ke7
60.Rg7+ Kf8 61.Rg5 Kf7 62.Ke5 Ke7 63.Rg7+ Kf8 64.Kf6 Rh2 65.Rf7+ Kg8 66.Rg7+ Kf8 67.Ra7
Kg8 68.Ra2 h4 69.Kg6 Kf8 70.Kf5 h3 71.Kf6 Ke8 72.Ra8+ Kd7 73.gxh3 Rxh3 74.Ra3 Rh6+
75.Kg5 Re6 76.Ra5 Ke7 77.Rf5 Ra6 78.Rxf4 Rb6 79.Rf5 Ra6 80.f4 Rb6 81.Kg4 Rb1 82.Ra5 Rb6
83.Kg5 Kf7 84.Ra7+ Kf8 85.Rd7 Rc6 86.Kf5 Rb6 87.Ke5 Ra6 88.f5 Rb6 89.Kf4 Ra6 90.Kg5 Rb6
91.Ra7 Rc6 92.Rh7 Rb6 93.Rh6 Rxh6 94.Kxh6 Kf7 95.Kg5 Kg7 96.f6+ Kf7 97.Kf5 Kf8 98.Kg6
Kg8 99.Kh6 Kf7 100.Kg5 Kf8 101.Kg6 Kg8 102.f7+ Kf8 103.Kf6 ½-½

399
 10 Tari – Iturrizaga Bonelli
Chessable Masters 2021
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.h3 e6 7.Nf3 Bd6 8.0-0 Nge7 9.Re1 Ng6
10.b3 0-0 11.c4

abcdefgh
11...Bb4
This attempt by Black to simplify the position deserves serious attention, together with the
immediate exchange on c4, which we have analysed in the main part of our book. Still, it would be
hardly sufficient for him to equalise.
12.Bd2
White will fail to avoid the simplifications, but this is not so necessary.

12.Re3 e5∞

12...Bxd2
It is important for Black to follow the right order of exchanges. After 12...dxc4 13.bxc4 Bxd2
14.Nbxd2! Rd8 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.d5±, his difficulties would be much greater.

12...Rd8 13.Bxg6!? hxg6 14.Bxb4 Nxb4 15.Qd2 Nc6 16.Nc3²

13.Qxd2

Now, capturing with the knight should better be avoided: 13.Nbxd2 Qf4„

400
 abcdefgh
13...dxc4
About 13...Rd8 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Nc3 – see 12...Rd8.

14.bxc4 Rd8

The calm completion of the development for Black would not solve all the problems for him.
14...b6 15.Na3!? This move may seem to be paradoxical, but it is in fact quite typical for positions
with hanging pawns (15.Nc3 Qf4 16.Qe3 Ba6 17.Bxg6 Qxe3 18.Bxf7+ Rxf7 19.fxe3 Bxc4∞)
15...Bb7 (15...Qf4 16.Qe3!? Ba6? 17.Bxg6±) 16.Nb5 Qf4 17.Bxg6 Qxd2 18.Bxf7+ Rxf7 19.Nxd2
Rd8 20.Ne4²

abcdefgh

401
 15.d5!?
This is a logical move, but White could have tried here 15.Bxg6 hxg6 16.Nc3 Ne7 17.d5ƒ
15...exd5

15...Na5 16.Na3±

16.cxd5 Nce7 17.Nc3

This is an interesting and complicated position. Black’s pieces lack the proper coordination in order
to block reliably, or to capture White’s passed pawn.
17...Bf5
Black’s attempt to trade the queens would not be sufficient for him to equalise. 17...Qf4 18.Qxf4
Nxf4 19.Bxh7+ Kf8 20.Be4 Nfxd5 21.Nxd5 Nxd5 22.Rad1 Be6 23.Ng5²

abcdefgh
18.Rac1

It was preferable for White to have preserved more pieces on the board. 18.Bf1! Rac8 (18...Nc8
19.Rac1 Qa5 20.h4!ƒ) 19.Rac1²

18...Qa5

Black ignores the possibility to trade the bishops and in vain... 18...Bxd3!? 19.Qxd3 Rac8 20.Qd2
b6=

19.Bc4 Nc8 20.Bb3 Nd6

The pawn has been blocked, but still not so reliably.

402
21.g4! Bd7 22.Ne4 Qa3
22...Qxd2 23.Nfxd2 Ne8 24.Nc4²
22...Qb6!?
23.Nfg5
23.Rc7!?
23...h6
23...a5!?

abcdefgh
24.Nxd6

403
 White overlooks an interesting tactical possibility. It was not easy for him however, to calculate
precisely the consequences. 24.Nxf7!? Nxf7 (24...Kxf7 25.Rc7 Rac8 26.Qc1! Qb4 27.a3 Rxc7
28.axb4 Rxc1 29.Nxd6+ Kf8 30.Rxc1 b6 31.Ne4±) 25.d6 Kh8! 26.Rc3 Nfe5 27.f4 Nxf4 28.Qxf4ƒ

24...Qxd6 25.Ne4 Qf4 26.Qxf4 Nxf4 27.Rc7

27...Nxh3+?!

It was difficult for Black to refrain from the possibility to capture two pawns, but his main priority
should have been to organise active counterplay. 27...a5! 28.d6 a4 29.Bxf7+ Kxf7 30.Nc5 Kg8
31.Nxd7 Ra6 32.Rd1 b5∞

28.Kh2 Bxg4 29.d6 Rf8 30.Kg3 Bf5

404
 31.f4
White fails to isolate completely the enemy knight from the actions.

He had to begin immediately the organisation of the decisive advance of his central passed pawn.
31.Nc5! b6 32.Bd5 Rac8 (32...bxc5 33.Bxa8 Rxa8 34.Re5 Ng5 35.Rxf5 Ne4+ 36.Kf3 Nxd6
37.Rfxc5+–) 33.Nb7 Ng5 34.Ree7+–

31...Rad8 32.Rxb7
With this move White loses his advantage altogether.

Meanwhile, even after 32.Bc2!? Nxf4 33.Kxf4 Bxe4 34.Rxe4 Rxd6 35.Rxb7 a6, Black should
manage to hold the position.

32...g5! 33.fxg5 Bxe4 34.Rxe4 Nxg5 35.Rd4

405
 35...Rxd6
Black has finally managed to annihilate his opponent’s main weapon.
36.Rxd6 Ne4+ 37.Kf4 Nxd6
Now, Black is even slightly better, but in general, the draw is practically unavoidable.
38.Rd7 (38.Rxa7!?=) 38...Nc8 39.a4 a5 40.Kf3 Kg7 41.Rd5 Ne7 42.Rxa5 Nc6 43.Rd5 Rb8
44.Bc4 Rb4 45.Bb5 Nd4+ 46.Ke3 Nxb5 47.axb5 Kg6 48.Kd3 h5 49.Kc3 Rb1 50.Kc2 Ra1 51.b6
Ra8 52.b7 Rb8 53.Rb5 h4 54.Kd3 h3 55.Rb2 Kg5 56.Ke3 Kg4 57.Kf2 f5 58.Rb6 f4 59.Rg6+ Kf5
60.Rb6 Ke4 61.Re6+ Kd5 62.Rb6 Ke4 63.Re6+ Kd5 64.Rb6 Ke4 ½-½

406
 11 Alekseenko – Hess
Douglas 2019
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3 Bf5 8.Be2 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bf4
Qb6

In this position the queen-sortie seems to be more appropriate than in the game Chigaev – Bocharov
(Black’s rook is still on a8 and can become useful there after an eventual exchange of the queens on
the b6-square), but still, it would have been better for him if he had managed to avoid it.
11.Qb3 Qxb3?!
This straightforward approach looks rather naïve. Such a trade of the queens can be good for Black
only under exceptional circumstances and this is not the case here at all...

11...Rfc8!? 12.Re1!? (12.Qxb6 axb6 13.Na3 Rxa3 14.bxa3 Ne4 15.Rfc1 Ra8 16.g4 Bd7 17.Bd3
Rxa3 18.Bxe4 dxe4 19.Nd2²; 13...h5!?) 12...Na5 13.Qxb6 axb6 14.g4 Bd7 15.Na3²

12.axb3

407
 White’s plan now is quite simple and clear. He must advance b3-b4 and transfer his knight from b1
to c5.
12...Nd7

Black can prevent his opponent’s plan at its very beginning with the move 12...a5, but this would
not solve all his problems. After 13.Nbd2², White would be ready to double his rooks on the a-file
and Black’s pawn on a5 will turn into a real weakness.

13.b4

13.g4 Be4 14.Nbd2 f5 15.g5 e5 16.dxe5 Ndxe5∞

13...e5
Black is reluctant to wait passively how his opponent will improve his position, but this pawn-break
only creates a new weakness on d5.

It was probably relatively best for him to continue here with 13...a5!? White would still maintain an
edge, but only with a very precise play 14.b5 Nd8 15.Nbd2 Ne6 16.Be3! (16.Bh2 Bh6∞) 16...Nc7
17.b3!² (17.Ra3 Nb6=).

14.dxe5 Ncxe5 15.Rd1 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Nb6 17.Nd2

Now, White is preparing to double his rooks on the a-file.

408
 17...d4?
Black continues with his enterprising active actions in the centre, but this only leads to a completely
hopeless position for him.

Meanwhile, it is too late to give him a good advice. Following 17...h6 18.Ra5 Be6, White would
have a powerful prophylactic resource 19.h4!±, preparing b5 and Rda1 (Playing these two moves
immediately would not be so clear: 19.b5 g5 20.Be3 Rfd8²; 19.Rda1 d4 20.Rxa7 dxc3 21.Rxa8 Nxa8
22.bxc3 Bxc3 23.Ra7 Bxb4²) 19...d4?! 20.Bxb7 Rad8 21.Rc1+–

18.c4!
Now, Black’s passed pawn would not go too far and his queenside is in ruins.
18...Bc2 19.Rf1 d3 20.Bxb7 Rad8 21.c5
White’s passed pawn turns out to be much more dangerous.
21...Na4
21...Nd5 22.Bxd5 Rxd5 23.Rxa7 Bxb2 24.Bh6 Re8 25.c6+–

409
 22.b3?!
This is the only imprecise move by White in this game and it could have complicated considerably
the realisation of his advantage.
He could have won simply with the line: 22.c6! Bxb2 23.c7 Rc8 24.Ra2 Bd4 25.Ne4+–
22...Nc3
Suddenly, Black creates some counter threats.
23.Bg5
23.Be3!?±

23...Rb8?
Black overlooks a very fortunate chance...

410
 After his best move 23...Rde8, the position would have remained rather unclear. 24.g3! (24.Rxa7 h6
25.Be3 Ne2+ 26.Kh1 Rxe3! 27.fxe3 Ng3+ 28.Kg1 Nxf1 29.Nxf1 Bc3 30.Ra2 Bb1 31.Rf2 Bxb4
32.c6 Ba5 33.b4 Bc7 34.Rb2 Bc2 35.b5 Bb6 36.c7 Bxc7 37.b6 Be5 38.Rb5 Bc3∞) 24...h6 25.Be3
Re7 26.c6 Nd5 27.Bc5 Bxa1 28.Bxe7 Re8 29.Rxa1 Rxe7 30.Rxa7 Re2 31.Ra8+ Kg7 32.Rd8 Nc7
33.Nf1 Bxb3 34.Rxd3±

24.c6
Now, Black succeeds neither to block his opponent’s passed pawn, nor to de-block his own passed
pawn.
24...Nd5
24...Bd4 25.Be3! Ne2+ 26.Kh2 Rfe8 27.Bxd4 Nxd4 28.Rxa7 Re7 29.Rfa1+–
25.Rxa7 Bd4
25...Rbe8 26.Nf3+–
26.Ra5 Nxb4 27.Rb5 Na2 28.c7 Nc3
28...Rbe8 29.Rd5 Nc3 30.Rd8+–
29.cxb8Q Rxb8

30.Rb4. This move is necessary and quite sufficient. The subsequent moves to the end of this game
were practically irrelevant... 30...Ne2+ 31.Kh1 Bc3 32.Rb6 h6 33.Be3 Ba5 34.Rb5 Bxd2 35.Bxd2
Nd4 36.Rb4 Nxb3 37.Bd5 1–0

411
 12 Chigaev – I.Bocharov
Sochi 2019
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Bf4 Bf5 8.Be2 Bg7 9.Nf3 0-0 10.0-0
Rc8 11.Nbd2 Ne4 12.Re1

abcdefgh
12...Qb6
After this move there arises juxtaposition between the queens and this is not so comfortable for
Black.

He would have been closer to equality after the move which we have analysed in the main part of
our book – 12...h6!?

13.Qb3

412
 After this move the exchange on b3 would not be attractive for Black in the majority of the
positions. At first because White will capture on b3 with the pawn (In this case the doubling of the
pawns would not worsen his pawn-structure, but just the opposite – would improve it.) and later he
would be able to continue with the plan b3-b4 and Nd2-b3-c5, after which his pressure on the
queenside would increase considerably.
White is not threatening to capture immediately on b6, but he can still choose the most appropriate
moment for that. In addition, Black must permanently consider the possibility g2-g4 in numerous
variations. In general, his position is very unpleasant.

13...Rfd8

Following 13...Nxd2 14.Nxd2, Black has the possibility to change radically the character of the
fight with a positional piece-sacrifice (After 14.Bxd2 Qxb3 15.axb3 a6 16.b4², the route of White’s
knight to the c5-outpost would be too long, so his edge would be just minimal.). 14...Nxd4!?
(14...Qxb3 15.axb3 a6 16.b4±). In the line: 15.cxd4 Qxd4 16.Qg3 e5 17.Bg5±, Black’s compensation
for the sacrificed pawn would be insufficient.

Black could have prevented here the idea g2-g4, but this would not have solved his problems.
13...h5 14.Nf1!? e6 15.Qxb6 axb6 16.N1h2!? Nf6 17.Rac1±
14.Bf1
This move is too academic.

White could have tried instead the energetic line: 14.g4!? Nxd2 (14...Be6? 15.Qxb6 axb6 16.Nxe4
dxe4 17.Ng5±) 15.Nxd2 Bd7 16.Bf1²

14...Nxd2 15.Nxd2

413
 abcdefgh
15...h6
Here, Black had to fortify his bishop on its active position with the move 15...h5!?
16.a4
This is an interesting idea for White, but it was again much more sensible to oust the enemy light-
squared bishop with
16.g4! Bd7 17.a4 e6 18.Qa2²

16...g5 17.Bh2
With this move White presents his opponent with the possibility to equalise.

He could have still maintained a minimal positional advantage after the immediate trade of the
queens 17.Qxb6 axb6 18.Bh2² and here, it would not work for Black to play 18...e5?! 19.dxe5 d4
20.Nc4.

17...e6
This move is too accurate.

It was much more energetic for Black to choose here 17...Qxb3!? 18.Nxb3 e5!? 19.Bxe5 (19.dxe5
d4) 19...Bxe5 20.dxe5 d4∞ and he would have very good compensation for the pawn thanks to his
active pieces and the possibility to attack White’s pawn-weaknesses.

414
 18.Qb5!
This is a powerful move. Now, White is perfectly prepared to transfer his knight to the c5-outpost
and Black would be again under very unpleasant pressure.
18...Bf8 19.Nb3 Bd6
The pawn-shelter of Black’s king becomes obviously unreliable after the trade of the dark-squared
bishops.

Having this in mind, we can understand why he preferred to give up his bishop for the enemy
bishop and not for his knight. 19...Rd7 20.Nc5!? Bxc5 21.dxc5 Qd8 22.a5²

20.Bxd6 Rxd6 21.Nc5 Rb8

415
 abcdefgh
22.Bd3
The exchange of the remaining couple of bishops looks reasonable from the point of view of the
preparation of the attack against Black’s king, but it was interesting to consider the immediate
transfer of White’s queen to the kingside with the move 22.Qe2!?
22...Ne7
Black’s last minor piece comes to join into the defence of his king.
23.Bxf5 Nxf5 24.Qe2
Now, the essence of White’s plan is the preparation of the pawn-break f2-f4 at an opportune
moment.
24...Qd8 25.Qe5 Nh4 26.a5

This move is not detrimental to White’s plan, but he could have focused all his attention to the
kingside 26.Nd3!? a5 (26...Ng6 27.Qg3±) 27.Rf1±

26...Ng6 27.Qe2
27.Qe3!?
27...Rc6

White has acted somewhat indecisively and Black had here the promising possibility to remember
about the thematic pawn-minority attack. 27...b6!? 28.axb6 Nf4 29.Qf3 axb6 30.Nd3 Nxd3 31.Qxd3
b5² White is still a bit better indeed, but Black’s queenside counterplay should help him to hold the
position.

28.Nd3 Ra6

416
 29.Ne5

White’s other possibility here was to ignore the pawn on a5 and to break immediately on the
kingside. This would have created concrete problems for Black, but his position would have been still
defensible after best play. 29.f4!? gxf4 (29...Rxa5 30.Rxa5 Qxa5 31.fxg5 hxg5 32.Qh5±) 30.Rf1 Qg5
(30...Rxa5 31.Rxa5 Qxa5 32.Nxf4±) 31.Rf2 Kh7 32.Raf1 Rg8 33.Nxf4 Nxf4 34.Rxf4 f5²

29...Nxe5 30.Qxe5 Rc8

30...b6!? 31.f4! bxa5 32.fxg5 hxg5 33.Rf1 f5 34.Qe2ƒ

31.f4 Qc7?!
Black relies on the theory that “all rook and pawn endings are a draw...”, but his motives for such
categorical decision are not well justified.

After his best defence 31...Kh7! 32.Rf1 (32.f5 f6) 32...f5², his position would have remained with
good drawing chances.

417
 abcdefgh
32.fxg5

This is a practical decision by White, but it was interesting for him to have continued with his
attack 32.Qf6!? Qxf4 33.Qxh6 e5 34.Qh5 exd4 35.Rf1 Qc7 36.cxd4 Rg6 37.Rf5±

32...Qxe5 33.Rxe5

Here, even if Black could have managed to save this endgame, his defence would have required
super-precise play. He failed to cope with this task in the game.
33...hxg5 (33...Kg7!?±; 33...h5!?±) 34.Rxg5+ Kh8 35.Kh2?! (35.h4! b6 36.Rf1 Rg8 37.Rxf7 Rxg5
38.hxg5 Rxa5 39.Kh2 Ra2 40.Kg3+–)

418
 35...Rg8? (35...b6! 36.Rf1 Rg8! 37.Re5 Kg7 38.axb6 axb6±) 36.Rxg8+ Kxg8 37.g4 f6 38.Kg3 Kf7
(38...e5 39.h4 e4 40.Kf4+–) 39.h4 Kg6 40.Kf4 b6 (40...Rc6 41.Ra4+–)

41.axb6! Rxb6 42.b4 Rc6 43.h5+ Kh6 44.Rxa7 Rxc3 45.Rf7 1–0

419
 13 Antipov – Ivanchuk
Caleta 2020
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nf6 5.h3 g6 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.Be2 Bg7 8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 Qc7 10.Be3
Nc6 11.Nbd2 Rad8 12.Re1 Rfe8 13.Rc1 h6 14.b4 b6 15.b5 Na5 16.c4 dxc4 17.Nxc4 Nxc4 18.Bxc4
Qb7 19.Ne5 e6 20.Nc6

White has occupied the c6-square and has solidified his advantage, while Black is forced to defend
passively.
20...Rd7

The move 20...Rc8 would not help Black to oust, or to exchange White’s knight on c6, but it would
have been still the optimal resource for Black. After White’s best move 21.f3!, he would still
maintain a comfortable advantage in all the variations, but it would not have been simple for him to
increase his pressure. 21...g5 22.Bf2 (22.Qd2 Nd5 23.Bf2 Ne7 24.Bb3 Nxc6 25.bxc6 Rxc6 26.Bd5!
±) 22...Kh7 (22...Nd5? 23.g4 Bg6 24.Bxd5 exd5 25.Ne7+–) 23.Qd2 (23.Qe2 Bg6 24.a4 Nh5²)
23...a6 24.a4 Nd5 25.h4 gxh4 26.Bxd5 exd5 27.Bxh4 axb5 28.axb5 Bg6 29.Bg3²

21.Bf4!
Now, White does not need to prevent the appearance of the enemy bishop on the long diagonal and
he just improves the placement of his own bishop.

21.f3 g5 22.Bf2 Nd5²

21...Be4

But not 21...Nd5? 22.Bxd5 Rxd5 23.Qf3!+–

420
 22.Be5

abcdefgh
22...Bd5
Black’s bishop is beautifully placed on this square, but is not very useful if we have in mind that it
would be tremendously difficult for him to prepare a situation in which it would become possible to
capture on c6. In addition, the fact that the d5-square has been occupied by his bishop means that his
knight cannot go there. This is really another piece of bad news for Black...

22...Bxc6 23.bxc6 Qxc6 24.Qe2!+–

23.Bd3! Bxa2
This risky move is quite justified from the practical point of view.

After a passive defence Black’s position may soon become just horrible. 23...Qa8 24.Qa4 (24.a4
a6) 24...Rc8 25.Rc3± White is well prepared to increase his pressure on the c-file and Black is
incapable of countering that, mostly because his rook on d7 is deprived of any mobility.

23...Rc8 24.a4±

421
 abcdefgh
24.Ra1
This move seems to be quite natural, but White had a much stronger possibility here, which was
however not easy at all to find over the board. In fact the real problem was not so much to find it, but
to evaluate correctly the consequences of playing it...

After 24.Qc2! Bd5 25.Bxg6 fxg6 26.Bxf6 Rf8 27.Bh4! (This is a very important nuance!) 27...Kh7
28.Re3±, White’s attack will soon become decisive.

24...Bd5 25.Rxa7

25...Qc8

422
 It might seem very attractive at first sight for Black to sacrifice his queen here with: 25...Qxa7
26.Nxa7 Rxa7, in order to activate finally his pieces at the price of small material concession and to
try to build up an unassailable fortress. 27.Qd2± Still, there would not be possible for him to find a
universal defensive set-up under such material ratio. He would need to defend sooner or later and his
weaknesses on b6 and on the entire kingside would provide White with sufficient reasons to be
optimistic.

26.Ra1

26.Ra3!? Bxc6 27.bxc6 Qxc6 28.Qb1 Ree7 (28...Rd5 29.Rc1 Qd7 30.Rc7 Qd8 31.Bxg6±) 29.Bb5
Qb7 30.Bxd7 Rxd7²

26...Qb7

In this particular moment however, Black overlooks a real chance to build up a fortress with an
exchange-sacrifice for a pawn. The variations, which can arise after that are rather tricky and
complicated, but that was how he had to play. 26...Bxc6! 27.bxc6 (27.Rc1 Bf3! 28.Qxf3 Qd8=)
27...Qxc6. No, Black has not won a pawn. After 28.Qe2, he would have to part with an exchange.
Still, this is not so bad for him in this situation (28.Qb1 Ra8!). 28...Rd5! 29.Bc4 (29.Rec1 Qd7 30.Rc7
Rxe5! 31.Qxe5 Qd8 32.Bxg6 Nd5 33.Bxf7+ Kf8 34.Qh5 Nxc7 35.Bxe8 Nxe8 36.Ra7 Qf6²)
29...b5!? 30.Bxd5 Nxd5 31.Bxg7 Kxg7 32.Ra5 Rd8 33.Rxb5 (33.Qxb5 Qxb5 34.Rxb5 Nf4=)
33...Nf4 34.Qe5+ Kg8 35.f3 Qd6 36.Re4 Qxe5 37.dxe5 g5²

27.Qa4!?

abcdefgh
Now, despite the material equality and the absence of chronic weaknesses in Black’s position, his

423
defence would be tremendously difficult even for a great master. The main reason for that is the lack
of vital space for his pieces. It is also essential that he would fail to prepare an exchange-sacrifice on
c6 under favourable circumstances.
27...Nh5
Black is trying to remedy the situation somehow by trading pieces. Now however, his knight
remains horribly misplaced.

It was probably more tenacious for him to continue with this plan freeing the g8-square for his
knight, but even then White would have maintained a clear advantage after 27...Kh7 28.Rec1 Ng8
29.Rc3 Ne7 30.Qc2±

27...Rc8 28.Rec1 Kh7 29.Qb4 Ng8 30.Rc3!±

28.Re3

28.Ra3!?

28...Rc8 29.Bf1 Bxe5?!

29...Nf6 30.Rea3 Kh7 31.Bc4 Bxc4 32.Qxc4 Nd5 33.Qe2 Bxe5 34.Nxe5 Rdc7 35.Nc6 Rxc6
36.bxc6 Qxc6 37.Qe5±

30.dxe5

30...Rdc7?

It was reasonable for Black here to try to transfer his knight to the other side of the board in order to

424
make a last effort to oust the enemy knight on c6 away from its dominant position. This would have
been hardly sufficient for him to save the game, though... 30...Ng7! 31.g4 Ne8! 32.h4 Nc7 33.Rc1
Kh7 34.h5 g5 35.Rec3±

31.g4!
This move is necessary and quite sufficient. White’s knight will remain on the c6-outpost.
31...Ng7 32.Bg2+– Rd7
32...Rf8 33.Rea3 Qc8 34.Rd3+–
33.Qf4 Kh7

33...Rxc6 34.Bxd5 exd5 35.bxc6 Qxc6 36.Rea3 d4 37.Ra8+ Kh7 38.R1a7+–

34.Rea3! Bxg2

34...Rxc6 35.Bxd5 exd5 36.bxc6 Qxc6 37.Ra7+–

35.Kxg2 Rxc6. Now, Black must part with the exchange anyway, but this would not promise him
any chances of saving the game, because his knight is horribly misplaced. 36.bxc6 Qxc6+ 37.Qf3
Qc7 38.Qe4 1–0

425
 14 Grandelius – Harikrishna
EU-Cup Online 2021
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e5 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Nf3 Nxd3+ 9.Qxd3 Be7
10.0-0 0-0 11.Be3

-~·-~
8 w~~~w~;,,,,%
~--~ ~ ,,,,,1/,

7 ~RJ ~ .l ~ ~RJ .l .l

s~ ~tt~f~l~R
211~ ~ ~R~
1 r,✓/~0~
~/, ~ ~gw
~ ,hnh

abcdefgh
11...Ne4
This energetic move is not stronger than the alternative for Black, which we have analysed in the
main part of our book. The weakness of his isolated pawn does not enable him to fortify this knight to
its active placement. Meanwhile, we do not say that White has obtained a great advantage yet.

12.Rd1

The immediate move 12.Nbd2!?, which postpones the decision which rook to deploy on what line
seems to be more accurate. 12...Nc5 (12...Bf5 13.Rfd1²) 13.Bxc5 Bxc5 14.Nb3 Bb6 15.Rfe1²

12...Be6 13.Nbd2 Nc5 14.Qe2

Now, the exchange 14.Bxc5 Bxc5 15.Nb3 Bb6∞ (analogously to the previous not) looks less
convincing, because White would need to lose some tempi in order to deploy his rooks in the optimal
way.

14...Qc8
Black’s queen is passive on this square and prevents the normal development of his queen’s rook.

14...Qc7 15.Nd4 Bd7 16.Qf3²

15.Nd4

426
 After this move Black will have a problem to preserve both his bishops on the board. It is important
for White now to choose the most appropriate moment to exchange his knight for the enemy bishop.
15...Re8

15...a6!? 16.N2f3 Ne4 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Nd2²

15...Bd7 16.Qf3 Rd8 17.c4!? dxc4 18.Nxc4²

16.N2b3
This is a step into a wrong direction.

Having in mind the forthcoming exchange Nxe6 fxe6, White’s knight would have been much better
placed on the f3-square (controlling the e5-square!). 16.N2f3!?²

Even the immediate exchange on e6 was preferable. 16.Nxe6!? Qxe6. It is better for Black to
continue the game with an isolated pawn (The change of the pawn-structure 16...fxe6 17.c4!± seems
to be absolutely unattractive for Black under the circumstances.) 17.Nf3²

427
 16...b6!
Now, Black is ready to capture on e6 with his pawn after which it would be difficult for White to
attack, or to block the enemy pawn-centre. The position of his knight on b3 turns out to be awkward.
17.Nxe6 fxe6

17...Qxe6 18.Nd4 Qd7 19.Qb5²

18.c4
This is a standard resource in similar pawn-structures, but here it is connected with the
underestimation of Black’s tactical resources.

White could have still preserved some chances of maintaining a minimal edge with the line:

428
18.Bd4!? Bd6 19.Be5²

18...Qa6! 19.Nxc5
White’s desire to get rid of his useless knight is understandable, but now, he must play precisely in
order to maintain the balance.
19.Bxc5 bxc5 20.Re1 h6„
19...bxc5

20.Rd2?!

20.Rac1 d4 (20...Qxa2 21.Qc2=) 21.Bf4=

20...Bf6?!

Black overlooks an excellent possibility to advance his pawns and to seize the initiative. 20...d4!
21.Bf4 e5! 22.Qxe5 Qxc4³ Naturally, nothing horrible has happened yet, but White’s defence of that
position would have been very unpleasant.

21.Bxc5 Rac8 22.Qe3 Qxc4

429
 Now, the pawn-structure has become symmetrical and the position is still within equality. Later,
both opponents overlooked some possibilities to create some problems for each other and the game
ended quite logically in a draw.
23.Bxa7 Ra8 (23...h6!? 24.f4 e5„) 24.Rad1 (24.b3!? Qc6 25.Rad1²; 24...Qc7 25.Bb6²) 24...h6
(24...Qxa2!?=) 25.b3 Qc6 26.Bc5 (26.h4! Bxh4 27.Bd4 Bg5 28.f4 Bd8 29.Rb2²) 26...Bg5 27.f4
Bxf4 28.Qxf4 Qxc5+ 29.Kh2 (29.Qf2!?=) 29...e5 30.Qf5 (30.b4!? Qb6 31.Qf3=) 30...Rad8 31.Qg6
d4 32.Re2 Qd5 (32...Qd6!? 33.Qe4 Qd5³) 33.Re4 Qf7 34.Qg3 Qf5 35.Qd3 Qf6 36.Rde1 Kh8
37.R1e2 Rc8 38.a4 Rc3 39.Qb5 Rf8 40.Qxe5 Qxe5+ 41.Rxe5 Rxb3 42.Rd5 d3 43.Rd2 Ra8
44.R5xd3 Rxd3 45.Rxd3 Rxa4 ½-½

430
 15 Alekseev – D.Bocharov
Khanty-Mansiysk 2016
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e5 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Nf3 Nxd3+ 9.Qxd3 Be7
10.0-0 0-0 11.Be3 b6

In the majority of the positions in which Black has an isolated pawn on d5 the development of his
bishop to the b7-square is not approved and quite deservedly so. As a rule it is passive there, since its
actions are restricted by the isolated pawn and does not control several important squares (in
particular the f5-square). Still, at this moment, this choice should not be criticised. The point is that
White already does not have a light-squared bishop and after eventual complications the long
diagonal may be opened and Black’s light-squared bishop may become tremendously powerful.

12.Nd4 Bb7

431
 13.Bg5
White can exploit the defects of the scheme chosen by Black with concrete actions, but... this is not
the right way.

White could have preserved slightly better prospects after the active knight-sortie 13.Nf5!? Bc5
(13...Ne4 14.Bd4 Bf6 15.Nd2²; 13...Re8 14.Nxe7+ Rxe7 15.Na3) 14.Nd2 Re8 15.Rfe1²

He would have obtained less after the calm completion of his development: 13.Nd2 Re8 14.Rfe1
Ne4.

13...h6 14.Bh4

432
 14...Qd7

It also seems very good for Black to opt for the active line: 14...g5!? 15.Bg3 Ne4 16.Nd2 Qd7 and
his f-pawn would be ready to advance.

15.Re1 Rae8 16.Nd2

Now, White is ready to increase comfortably his pressure, but...it is Black to move.

White could have prevented the accomplishment of his opponent’s active plan with the line: 16.Nf5
Bc5 17.Nd2, but even then Black would have the attractive choice between two principally different
possibilities: 17...Rxe1+ 18.Rxe1 Re8 19.Rxe8+ Nxe8=, or 17...Nh5!? 18.Qf3 g6 19.Nxh6+ Kg7
20.Ng4 f5 21.Ne5 Qc7 22.Nd3 d4°

433
 16...g5!
This active move is played at the right moment. Now, the character of the fight is changed
radically.
17.Bg3 Ne4
Naturally, after this move the pawn-shelter of Black’s king is considerably weakened, but he has an
active plan, connected with the advance of his f-pawn and White must find a way to counter it. The
value of every move increases considerably.

18.Nf1

18.Bh2 g4!?„

18...f5! 19.f3

434
 19...Nc5?
Black is the first to make a mistake in view of the increased tension. This, seemingly natural, retreat
of the knight places him on the verge of defeat.

19...Nxg3? 20.Nxg3+–

Instead, Black could and had to ignore the capturing on e4 with the line: 19...f4! 20.Bf2 (After
20.fxe4 dxe4 21.Rxe4 Bxe4 22.Qxe4 fxg3 23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Qxh6+ Kg8, White would not have any
reasonable reasons to avoid the perpetual check: 25.Nxg3 Bf6 26.Nh5 Bd8!?³) 20...Bc5!„ 21.fxe4
(After the calm continuation 21.Nd2 Nxf2 22.Kxf2 Qh7! 23.Qxh7+ Kxh7 24.N2b3 Bd6=, there
would have arisen an endgame in which Black’s bishop-pair would have compensated the defects of
his pawn-structure.) 21...dxe4 22.Qc4+ Bd5 23.Qe2 e3 24.Bxe3 fxe3 25.Nxe3 Qd6° Here, once
again, Black’s active bishops compensate fully the sacrificed pawn.

20.Qc2

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 abcdefgh
After the removal of Black’s knight from its active position, the vulnerability of his kingside
becomes fatal immediately.
20...Bc8
This passive defence could have led to a very rapid demise for him.

From purely practically point of view maybe it was sensible for Black to place back in desperation
his knight under a strike 20...Ne4!?, but following 21.fxe4 dxe4 22.Rad1 f4 23.Bf2±, his
compensation for the piece would have been obviously insufficient.

Even after Black’s objectively best line: 20...Ba6 21.Rad1 Bf6 22.Nxf5 Rxe1 23.Bxe1 Bd3, White
would have the comfortable choice between 24.Rxd3 Qxf5 25.Rd2 Qxc2 26.Rxc2 d4 27.cxd4 Bxd4+
28.Bf2 Bxf2+ 29.Kxf2±, with excellent chances of realising the extra pawn and 24.Nxh6+ Kg7
25.Rxd3 Nxd3 26.Qxd3 Kxh6 27.Ne3± He has two pawns for the exchange and very good prospects
to combine the attack against the enemy king with the pressure against the weakness on d5.

436
 abcdefgh
21.Bf2?!
Now, there arise some rather chaotic developments which were probably due to the mutual time-
trouble.

Meanwhile, after the simple move 21.Ne3!+–, Black’s position would have been completely
hopeless, despite the material equality and the absence of directs threats by White. Black would be
completely helpless to counter his opponent’s simple plan, connected with the increasing of the
pressure against the pawn on d5. In addition, White would have the very unpleasant threat Ne3-g4! in
numerous variations.
21...Bd6
Black misses his chance as well...

He had somehow to reduce the quantity of the attackers against his main weakness on d5. After
21...Bf6!? 22.Ne3 Bxd4 23.cxd4 Nb7 24.Rac1±, White would have still maintained a solid positional
advantage, but with nothing decisive in sight.

437
 abcdefgh
22.Ng3?!
He has determined correctly the direction of the main strike, but failed to find the right order of
moves.

Meanwhile, after 22.Rxe8! Qxe8 (Black is losing after 22...Rxe8 23.Ne3.) 23.b4! (This is an
important nuance), Black’s knight will be ousted to a very unfavourable position. (The alternatives
for White are less effective: 23.Ne3 Qe5∞ 24.Re1? Qh2+ 25.Kf1 Ba6–+; 23.Re1 Qf7 24.Ne3 g4.)
23...Nb7 (23...Na6 24.Re1 Qf7 25.Nb5 Bb8 26.Ne3+–) 24.Re1 (24.Ne3 Qf7 25.Re1±) 24...Qf7
25.Ne3. Black’s position is defenceless, mostly due to the miserable position of his knight, which is
just comic, while several moves ago it was dominant on the e4-outpost...

22...Rxe1+ 23.Rxe1
Now, the only thing that White can brag about is a “better position”.
23...Qf7

It deserved attention for Black to play here 23...Qh7!? 24.b4 f4! 25.bxc5 bxc5∞

438
 24.b4!
It is an excellent idea to oust the enemy knight to a bad placement, but this is not so effective at the
moment.
24...Nb7

24...Na6 25.Nb5 Bb8 26.Qd3 f4 27.Ne2±

24...f4. Now, this intermediate move does not help Black much. 25.bxc5 bxc5 26.Ngf5! This
decision is not so obvious, but is quite strong. 26...Bxf5 27.Nxf5 Qxf5 28.Qa4± White regains his
pawn and maintains a great positional advantage.

439
 25.Nge2

The further developments were in a mutual time-trouble. The grandmasters made some excellent
decisions and made plenty of mistakes too. Black was the last to blunder. We have decided that it
would be pointless to comment what happened later in this game in a book devoted to the theory of
the opening...

25.Nf1! g4 26.hxg4 fxg4 27.fxg4 Bxg4 28.Ne3 Bd7 29.Nf3±

25...Bd7 26.Qd3 (26.f4!? g4 27.hxg4 fxg4 28.Bh4)

26...Bb8! 27.Nc2 (27.b5!? Nc5 28.Qd2²) 27...f4 (27...Nd6! 28.Ned4 g4„) 28.Ned4 Nd6 (28...h5!
29.b5 g4∞) 29.b5! Nc4 30.Nb4 (30.Nc6!? Bd6 31.N2b4±) 30...Ne5 31.Qc2 (31.Qb1! Re8
32.Nbc6±) 31...Rc8?! (31...Re8 32.a4 Bd6²) 32.Qb3 (32.Nbc6! Bxc6 33.bxc6 h5 34.Qe2±;
33...Nxc6 34.Nf5 Kh8 35.c4) 32...Rc4 (32...Bd6!? 33.Nxd5 Kf8 34.Rd1 h5 35.Nc6!? Bxc6 36.bxc6
Rxc6 37.Qc2ƒ) 33.Rd1 Bc7 (33...h5 34.Nxd5 Bd6 35.Ne2±; 34...Qxd5 35.Nc6)

440
 34.Qa3! Bd6 35.Qxa7 Rxc3 36.Qa8+ (36.Re1!?; 36.Ndc2! Bf5 37.Qxb6 Nc4 38.Qc6 Bxc2
39.Nxd5 Rd3 40.Rxd3 Bxd3 41.b6 Be5 42.b7 Ne3 43.Bxe3 fxe3 44.Nxe3 Bb8 45.Nd5±; 37...Bxc2
38.Nxd5 Bxd1 39.Nxc3 Bc7 40.Qb7 Bc2 41.Qc8+ Kg7 42.b6 Bxb6 43.Bxb6 Bf5 44.Qa8±) 36...Rc8
37.Qxd5 Bxb4 38.Qxe5 Re8 39.Qc7 Bc5

40.a4?! (40.Nc6 Bxc6 41.Qxf7+ Kxf7 42.bxc6 Re5 43.Bxc5 Rxc5 44.Rd6 h5 45.h4 Ke7 46.Rd7+
Ke6 47.Kh2 gxh4 48.Rh7 Kd6 49.c7 Rc1! 50.Rxh5 Kxc7 51.Rxh4 Rc4 52.g4 fxg3+ 53.Kxg3 Rc3=)
40...Qd5!° 41.Rd2 h5 42.a5 Rc8 43.Qa7 g4!? (43...Ra8 44.Qc7 Rc8=) 44.hxg4 hxg4 45.fxg4 Bxg4
46.a6

441
 46...Bd6?! (46...Bxd4 47.Bxd4 Rc1+ 48.Kf2 Qg5 49.Qg7+ Qxg7 50.Bxg7 Kxg7 51.Rd6=) 47.Rc2
(47.Nb3!? Rc1+! 48.Nxc1 Qxd2 49.Qa8+ Kf7 50.Qb7+ Be7 51.a7 f3! 52.Qc7 Qd1+ 53.Kh2 fxg2
54.Qf4+ Bf6 55.Kxg2 Be6 56.Be3²)

47...Rxc2? (47...Bc5! 48.Rxc5 Qxc5 49.Nc6 Qxb5 50.Ne7+ Kf8 51.Nxc8 Bxc8=; 48.Qb7 Qxb7
49.axb7 Rb8 50.Nc6 Bxf2+ 51.Rxf2 Rxb7 52.Rxf4 Be2 53.Nd4 Bc4=) 48.Nxc2 Qd1+ (48...f3
49.Ne3 Qe4 50.Qb7 Qxb7 51.axb7 Bd7 52.gxf3 Bb8 53.Kg2; 52...Bxb5 53.Nf5 Bb8 54.Bg3+–)
49.Ne1 Bc5 50.Qb8+ Kh7 51.Qb7+ Kh8 52.Qe4 Be2 53.a7 Qxe1+ 54.Kh2 1–0

442
 Index of Variations

Chapter 1 4.Bd3
various 14
4...Nf6 5.c3 various 15
A) 5...e6 6.Nf3 16
B) 5...Qc7 6.h3 17
C) 5...Bg4 6.Qb3 20

Chapter 2 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3

various 25
A) 5...e5 6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Qe2 Qe7 8.Be3 Nxd3+ 9.Qxd3 26
B) 5...e6 6.Nf3 various 28
B1) 6...Bd6 7.0-0 Nge7 8.Re1 30
B2a) 7...Nf6 8.Bg5 Qc7 9.Re1 32
B2b) 8...0-0 9.Re1 35

Chapter 3 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 g6 6.Nf3

various 37
A) 6...Qc7 7.0-0 39
B) 6...Bg7 7.Bf4 various 42
B1) 7...Nh6 8.0-0 43
B2) 7...Nf6 8.0-0 49

Chapter 4 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.Na3 a6 7.Nc2

various 61
7...Nf6 8.h3 63

Chapter 5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4

various 70
A) 6...a6 7.Nd2 71
B) 6...Qb6 7.Qb3 74
C) 6...e6 7.Nd2 various 75
C1) 7...Bd6 8.Bxd6 Qxd6 9.Ngf3 0-0 10.0-0 Bd7 80
C2) 10...e5 82

Chapter 6 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3

various 84
A) 7...e5 8.h3 85

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B) 7...Na5 8.Qa4+ Nc6 9.Nd2 89
8...Bd7 9.Qc2 various 90
B1) 9...e6 10.Nf3 92
B2) 9...Nh5 10.Be3 94
B3) 9...Rc8 10.Nf3 95
B4) 9...Qb6 10.a4 97

Chapter 7 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2
various 102
8...e6 9.Ngf3 103

Chapter 8 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qd7 8.Nd2
various 111
8...e6 9.Ngf3 various 113
A) 9...Bxf3 10.Nxf3 114
B1) 9...Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rae1 117
B2) 12.Rfe1 124

Chapter 9 4.Bd3
4...Nf6 5.h3 132
4...Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.h3 e5 7.dxe5 134
A1) 6...g6 7.Nf3 134
A2) 7.Ne2 137
B) 6...e6 7.Nf3 139

Chapter 10 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3

various 143
6...e6 7.Nf3 Be7 8.0-0 145
7...Bd6 8.0-0 various 146
8...0-0 9.Re1 various 147
A) 9...h6 10.Nbd2 149
B) 9...Qc7 10.Bg5 154

Chapter 11 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3

A) 7...Bg7 8.0-0 various 157
8...0-0 9.Bf4 various 159
A1) 9...Ne4 10.Re1 161
A2) 9...Re8 10.Re1 162
A3) 9...Nh5 10.Bh2 164
B) 7...Bf5 8.Be2 various 167
B1) 8...Bg7 9.0-0 169

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B2) 8...Qc7 9.0-0 174

Chapter 12 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e5 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Nf3

various 178
A1) 8...Bd6 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.0-0 0-0 11.Nd2 Bc7 12.Nf3 Qd6 180
A2) 12...Re8 181
B1) 8...Nxd3+ 9.Qxd3 Bc5 10.Qb5+ 183
B2) 9...Be7 10.0-0 185
B3) 9...Bd6 10.0-0 188

445
 Index of Complete Games

1 Tari – Firouzja, New In Chess Classic 2021 193

2 Warmerdam – Dang Hoang, Chess.com 2019 196
3 Blomqvist – Grandelius, Malmo 2021 199
4 Timman – Stellwagen, Cogas Energie 2005 202
5 Bacrot – Fier, Tbilisi 2017 206
6 Gabuzyan – Sorokin, Chicago 2019 214
7 Fromm – Rosner, Magdeburg 2021 218
8 Harika – Paikidze, KO Stage Chess.com 2021 221
9 Artemiev – Deac, European Online Club Cup 2021 225
10 Tari – Iturrizaga Bonelli, Chessable Masters 2021 230
11 Alekseenko – Hess, Douglas 2019 233
12 Chigaev – I.Bocharov, Sochi 2019 236
13 Antipov – Ivanchuk, Caleta 2020 239
14 Grandelius – Harikrishna, EU Cup Online 2021 243
15 Alekseev – D.Bocharov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2016 246

446
Table of Contents
Title Page 4
Preface 6 6
Part 1. Setup without h3 9
1 Rare; 4...Nf6 5.c3 14 12
2 4...Nc6 5.c3 Rare; 5...e6 6.Nf3 25 31
3 4...Nc6 5.c3 g6 6.Nf3 37 52
4 4...Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.Na3 61 91
5 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Rare; A) 6...Qb6 7.Qb3; B) 6...e6 7.Nd2 70 107
6 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 w/o 7...Qc8 & 7...Qd7 84 132
7 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qc8 8.Nd2 102 163
8 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.Bf4 Bg4 7.Qb3 Qd7 8.Nd2 111 178
Part 2. Setup with Early Move h3 209
9 4...Nf6 5.h3; 4...Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.h3 132 211
10 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e6 7.Nf3 143 230
11 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 g6 7.Nf3 157 255
12 4...Nc6 5.c3 Nf6 6.h3 e5 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Nf3 178 291
1 319
2 328
3 333
4 341
5 350
6 365
7 373
8 381
9 390
10 400
11 407
12 412
13 420
14 426
15 431

447
Index of Variations 252 443
Index of Complete Games 255 446

448