1.d4 - The Chess Bible - Armin Juhasz [PDF]

Zitiervorschau

Table of Contents Title page Key to Symbols Preface by GM József Horváth Introduction

Chapter 1 – The King’s Indian Defense Chapter 2 – The Grünfeld Defense Chapter 3 – The Benoni Defense Chapter 4 – The Slav Defense Chapter 5 – The Catalan Opening Chapter 6 – Frequent Endgame Types

2

1.d4! The Chess Bible Understanding Queen’s Pawn Structures by Ármin Juhász Thinkers Publishing 2021

www.thinkerspublishing.com First edition 2021 by Thinkers Publishing Copyright © 2021 Ármin Juhász All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher. All sales or enquiries should be directed to Thinkers Publishing, 9850 Landegem, Belgium. Email: [email protected] Website: www.thinkerspublishing.com

Managing Editor: Romain Edouard Assistant Editor: Daniël Vanheirzeele Typesetting: Mark Haast Proofreading: Conor O’Donnell Software: Hub van de Laar Cover Design: Iwan Kerkhof Graphic Artist: Philippe Tonnard Production: BESTinGraphics ISBN: 9789464201116 D/2020/13730/35 3

Key to Symbols !

a good move

?

a weak move

!! an excellent move ?? a blunder !? an interesting move ?! a dubious move ™ only move N novelty ‰ lead in development ʘ zugzwang = equality ∞ unclear position © with compensation for the sacrificed material ²

White stands slightly better

³

Black stands slightly better

± White has a serious advantage µ Black has a serious advantage +– White has a decisive advantage –+ Black has a decisive advantage ‚ with an attack ƒ

with initiative

„ with counterplay … with the idea of ¹ better is ≤ worse is + check #

mate

4

Preface by GM József Horváth All beginnings are difficult, claims a well-known maxim, and it happens to hold true for my present attempt to review this book. This situation reminds me of the rather simple joke when a worried elderly woman says to her doctor: “Doctor, I’m so afraid, this will be my first operation.” The doctor replies: “Don’t worry, it will be my first operation, too.” So here is this book lying in front of us (let this be the operation), the work of my young friend and former student, 23-year-old IM Ármin Juhász (obviously, he is the doctor). I remember vividly the founding of Géza Maróczy Chess School in Budapest in 2006. The School was very successful, especially during its first years. Following the examples of such outstanding Hungarian players of the olden days as László Szabó, Gedeon Barcza or Géza Maróczy himself, a number of excellent young players could declare their talents at the School, including Benjamin Gledura or Richard Rapport, currently ranked in the 13th place into the world. This is the School where the author of this book, Ármin Juhász studied, too. Was it easy for these students? Was it easy for us coaches? I think the answer is a clear yes. We had the privilege to invite as guest lecturers such internationally-known Hungarian chess greats as Pál Benkő, Lajos Portisch, Zoltán Ribli, Gyula Sax, István Csom, (members of the gold medalist team at the 1978 Chess Olympiad in Buenos Aires), and Judit Polgár, Zsuzsa Polgár, Zsuzsa Verőci and Mária Ivánka. Our young students had the opportunity to learn chess from no lesser names than these. And yes, IM Ármin Juhász, who became the youngest FIDE Trainer in Europe in 2018, was among these privileged students. In his first book (we hope he’ll write many more), the young Hungarian author makes a worthy attempt to talk his readers through a complete 1.d4 opening repertoire, but in doing this, he never forgets about the other, later phases of the game. As a result, the related middlegame and endgame elements are remarkably well-organized and help both beginner and advanced players acquire powerful 1.d4 skills. In addition, Ármin pays adequate attention to those tactical motifs that are quite significant in the dynamic games of many contemporary players. It seems he remembered the late excellent German master Richard Teichmann’s remark, according to which “Chess is 99% tactics”. This complex book follows a clear, no-nonsense structure, contains a large number of games and positions from outstanding players and various historical eras, and spices all this up, in the analyses sections, with tricks and insights mainly associated with the so-called Hungarian chess school tradition. I heartily recommend this book not only to those who are eager to boost their ELO-rating (does the dear reader know that dr. Árpád Élő was an American professor of Hungarian origin?) but also to coaching colleagues (including the ones with a GM title), because 1.d4! The Chess Bible is an excellent source of great examples and useful drills. I will certainly use it in my own coaching practice. Let me point out about the author that he comes from a dedicated chess family. His elder brother, IM Kristóf Juhász (aged 27) achieved his first GM norm in 2020, the year of the pandemic. His younger brother FM Ágoston Juhász (aged 15) was a U14 National Champion. See you at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest in 2024! 5

József Horváth Grand Master and FIDE Senior Trainer Budapest, January 2021

6

Introduction Dear Reader, Let me invite you on a special trip to the world of 1.d4 openings. Our journey has many stops which can, in turn, be further divided into smaller stages. You are advised not to skip any of these steps; instead, if you bear with me in the order I have presented the material, you will reap the maximum benefit by the end of the journey. In what way is this book special? How can it make someone a better player? These are perfectly legitimate questions and whenever I buy a new chess book, I essentially ask the same ones. The short answer is that this book will give you a comprehensive understanding of the chosen openings. Unlike many other books with a similar profile, it goes beyond pure theory and in addition to giving a great deal of practical advice, it touches on issues such as sample games, typical tactical strikes and, in the last chapter, endgames. On top of all this, a homework section enables you to immerse yourself in a given topic and achieve an in-depth understanding of it in your own time. We follow this structure because as a coach, I know how important it is to receive as much guidance as possible on a new opening. Only this can lead to true mastery. Let me recommend this book to any player who wants to learn more about closed openings, adopt a new approach to chess and build up a thorough and sophisticated repertoire. I have tested these openings with my students with good results, so I believe this book is suitable for anyone with an Elo rating from 1600-2500. A few practical suggestions • Whenever possible, use an actual board and actual pieces. Seeing all these openings in their physical reality will help you memorize them more effectively than simply reading them or viewing them on a computer screen. • Once you study a new theoretical variation, try it out in an online game. Only once you have some experience and success with it should you play it in an actual tournament. • Make sure you take the homework seriously. Analyzing the assigned games thoroughly will enhance your knowledge and familiarize you with other players’ strategies. • Repetition leads to mastery. It is paramount that you review the variations that have been covered from time to time. It is unlikely that every detail will stick in your memory the first time. I often tell my students that the sharper a given variation is, the more fatal any uncertainty or confusion can become. Theoretical knowledge is essential. • Share your knowledge with others! This is a fun, exciting and practical method of repetition. Teaching new material to friends and fellow players is a powerful way of consolidating your own knowledge. The 7 steps to acquire a new opening: 7

1) Studying the theoretical details and taking notes of the key motifs. 2) Analyzing sample games and relating them to the theory. 3) Memorizing typical opening tricks and motifs. 4) Trying it out in practice games (online or with a friend). 5) Thorough analysis of the practice games and correcting mistakes. 6) Detailed memorization of the theoretical variations. It should not be too difficult because by now you know several motifs, have some experience, and know the theoretical foundations. 7) Actually playing it in a tournament. This situation carries some risk, so you need to be as focused as possible. The spirit in which we play our openings: The following keywords characterize the opening systems I will be proposing for White in this repertoire book: Ambitious: I present openings that aim to achieve an advantage in the first phase of the game. Because these lines differ from standard theory, your opponent will likely find themselves in unchartered territory. Current: We focus on modern openings only, ones that actually appear in the repertoire of today’s leading grandmasters. Shrewd: As players, we want to have the knowledge and confidence of a professor, and we regard our opponents as students. If the students playing against us did not prepare adequately for the openings in this book, they will find themselves in deep trouble. Practical: This is essential. Even if a particular line is excellent, it can be problematic if it leads to unforeseeable complications and you don’t really get the main idea. For example Arkadij Naiditsch tends to play quite extraordinary openings but personally, I prefer simple, logical lines. The structure of the book: This book aims to provide a complete overview of a 1.d4 repertoire against five main openings (King’s Indian Defense, Grünfeld Defense, Slav Defense, Benoni Defense, and Catalan Opening), offering analysis of classical games and typical tactical motifs to provide an in-depth understanding of the associated middlegames. A concluding chapter explores typical endgames that are likely to arise from 1.d4. Each chapter includes: A thorough discussion of a particular opening, answering questions such as what types of players choose it, which world champions played it, or how games typically proceed afterwards.

8

• Classical games by grandmasters • Annotated games to demonstrate how White can play 1.d4 • Examples and analysis • Typical tactical motifs • Exercises for individual practice • Tips against the given opening

9

Chapter 1 The King’s Indian Defense 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6

Chapter Guide Chapter 1 – The King’s Indian Defense Introduction Model games (I) Theoretical section Model games (II) Typical tactics Homework Concluding tips Introduction These days the King’s Indian Defense is one of the most popular variations with the Black pieces. It appears at all levels, from beginner club players all the way up to the strongest players in the world. Why is it so popular? Part of the answer is that Black’s system is easy to memorize, and an active position can be achieved through schematic plans. It can be played positionally (for example with ...a5, ...Na6, ...Nc5) and it can also be played with aggressive intentions on the kingside. Of course, 10

much depends on White’s setup. The King’s Indian falls into the category of modern openings quite clearly, because it concedes the center and a space advantage to White early on. It strives to compensate for White’s space advantage through active piece play or a pawn storm. The Soviet grandmasters have contributed to the King’s Indian Defense significantly. Their detailed analyses helped them create plans and strategies that led them to many impressive victories. Alexander Konstantinopolsky, Isaac Boleslavsky and David Bronstein worked particularly hard on the development of this variation. Of modern-day players, Ding Liren, Teimour Radjabov and Hikaru Nakamura are the most notable ambassadors for the King’s Indian Defense. What types of players choose this opening? They are usually active players with a preference for complications, who prefer to avoid trades and keep as many pieces in play as possible. Quite a few grandmasters choose this strategy to defeat weaker players, and young tactical players select it with the hope of impressive kingside attacks. Is it considered to be a correct opening? Yes of course. It should be noted, however, that modern engines typically assess it as a comfortable advantage for White, mainly because of the space advantage and having more room to maneuver. White has many possibilities to choose from, for example a wild game with the Four Pawns Attack, or a calmer game with the fianchetto variation, or else simply choosing to occupy the center and develop. How should White relate to this opening? We should be happy about our space advantage, as we often have to struggle greatly to achieve it in other variations. Let’s select a variation which limits Black’s options, so that our preparation becomes easier. Finally, let’s follow our great predecessors who have had tremendous success against the King’s Indian Defense. Petrosian, Korchnoi and Kramnik spring to mind, but of course there are many others too. Let’s get down to details. The Petrosian variation is one of the most classical systems for White, leading to a clear space advantage. Due to the closed center, White can select a suitable game plan more easily and Black’s play becomes more predictable. ECO Code: E60-E99. Using this code makes it easier to search for specific motifs within a given opening rather than search for a particular position in ChessBase. Model games (I) 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 11

Position after: 4...d6 This is the starting position of the King’s Indian Defense. We can reach this position from 1.c4 or even from 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 Nf6. Now White can choose from many different setups like Nf3, Be2 (classical main line) or f3, Be3 (Sämisch variation) or Be2, Bg5 (Averbakh system) or Bd3, Nge2 or finally, the most ambitious Four Pawns Attack. I believe the classical Nf3, Be2 system is best as it develops the pieces to their natural squares and keeps White’s position flexible. Before we start to work on the theory of the King’s Indian Defense, I would like to show you four example games. Please note that we are not going to play the same line as White, but I still think it is necessary to have a basic knowledge of typical ideas, plans and maneuvers. Letelier Martner, Rene Fischer, Robert James Leipzig 1960 Let’s begin with what is arguably the most famous King’s Indian game ever from Black’s point of view. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 0-0!?

12

Position after: 4...0-0!? A tricky move order, tempting White into playing e5. The idea is that although White can create a big center with pawns on f4, e5, d4 and c4, this center can then be undermined with moves like ...d6 and ...c5 (and possibly ...f6) to favorably open up the diagonal for the g7-bishop and enjoy a pleasant position with a lead in development. 5.e5 I don’t like this move. According to modern theory, White should play Bg5 followed by a quick Qd2 as Laszlo Szabo played against Fischer in the same Olympiad. 5.Bg5 d6 [5...h6 6.Be3 d6 7.h3² White will win a very important tempo with Qd2.] 6.Qd2 Now Black cannot kick the bishop with ...h6 anymore. 5...Ne8 6.f4 d6 Black starts his plan immediately, aware that White has only one piece developed so an attack on the e- and d-files would be really strong. 7.Be3 7.exd6

13

Position after: 7.exd6 Question: Would you take with the e-pawn, c-pawn, knight or queen? 7...Nxd6! The knight will go to f5 and put pressure on the d4-pawn. We should improve the position of our worst-placed piece which was the passive e8-knight. [7...exd6 8.Nf3; 7...cxd6 8.Be2] 8.Nf3 Bg4 9.Be2 Nf5 10.d5 c6 with a slightly better position for Black. 7...c5! A dynamic pawn sacrifice. 8.dxc5 8.Nf3 cxd4 9.Bxd4 Nc6 gives Black everything he wants. 8...Nc6 9.cxd6 exd6 10.Ne4 Bf5 11.Ng3 11.Nxd6 Nxd6 12.Qxd6

14

Position after: 12.Qxd6 Question: would you exchange queens, or should we play ...Qe8? 12...Qe8! with the idea of ...f6 and ...Rd8 13.Nf3 f6 Black is better. 11...Be6 12.Nf3 Qc7 13.Qb1 13.exd6 This move only helps Black because the king on e1 will be exposed. 13...Nxd6 14.Rc1 [14.Qc1 Rfe8 15.Kf2 Nf5 16.Nxf5 Bxf5–+] 14...Rfe8–+ 13...dxe5 14.f5

15

Position after: 14.f5 White tries to close the center. 14...e4! Great move! Fischer was the master of intermediate moves as we can see right here. 15.fxe6 exf3 16.gxf3 f5 16...fxe6 also looks good. 17.f4 Nf6 18.Be2 Rfe8 19.Kf2 The last mistake. After this move Black wins easily. Better was 19.0-0 Rxe6 20.Bc5 b6 21.Ba3. 19...Rxe6 20.Re1 Rae8 21.Bf3 Question: How would you continue the attack?

16

Position after: 21.Bf3 21...Rxe3! 22.Rxe3 Rxe3 23.Kxe3 Qxf4+! A nice finish! 23...Qxf4+ 24.Kf2 [24.Kxf4? Bh6#] 24...Ng4+ 25.Kg2 Ne3+ 26.Kf2 Nd4–+ 0-1 So, Wesley (2779) Nakamura, Hikaru (2814) Saint Louis 2015 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 7.d5 will be my recommendation when we come to the theory section. 7...Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 This is the starting position of the Mar del Plata variation.

17

Position after: 8...Ne7 We have reached a typical pawn structure. What are the main plans here for White and Black? I always tell my students that in closed positions, the pawn structure helps you to find the best plan. White’s plans: 1. Break on the queenside with c4-c5-cxd6 and later try to infiltrate down the c-file. 2. Eventually play g4 to gain space on the kingside and slow down Black’s attacking plans. 3. Trade light-squared bishops to reduce Black’s attacking potential. Black’s plans: 1. Create a kingside attack with ...f5-f4 and ...g5-g4 followed by either ...g3 or ...gxf3. 2. Trade dark-squared bishops with ...Kh7 and ...Bh6. 3. Play ...c5 to slow down White’s queenside play. 9.Ne1!? White wants to transfer his knight to d3 in order to support the c5 break and also clears the way for f2-f3 to strengthen his pawn structure. 9.b4 This is called the Bayonet attack, championed by Kramnik who played it several times with excellent results. 9...Nd7 9...Ne8 10.Nd3 f5 11.Rb1 f4?! [¹ 11...Nf6] 12.Bg4!

18

Position after: 12.Bg4! The exchange of light-squared bishops is really advantageous for White from a positional point of view. White typically opts for a g2-f3-e4-d5-c4 pawn chain, so it’s a good idea to trade off the bad bishop. 10.f3 f5 11.Be3 f4 12.Bf2 g5 Black starts his usual kingside attack. 13.Nd3 Ng6 13...b6 Question: Is it a good idea to prevent White’s c5 move with ...b6? No, because it weakens the c6-square and after White’s logical continuation of b4 and c5, the position is going to become even more open on the queenside, which is White’s dream. 14.b4 a5 15.a3 Nf6 16.c5± 14.c5 Nf6 14...dxc5 This move just makes White’s life easier. 15.Nxc5 Nxc5 16.Bxc5 Rf6 17.Qb3 with the idea of Rad1 and d6. 15.Rc1

19

Position after: 15.Rc1 Try to find the best plan for Black. 15...Rf7! This is a key move in such positions. Black needs to secure the c7-square and he wants to regroup his pieces on the kingside. The rook will land on g7 from where it will put pressure on White’s king, and the dark-squared bishop will go to f8 to defend the d6-pawn. 15...h5 would be way too naive: 16.cxd6 cxd6 17.Nb5 a6 [17...Bd7? 18.Nxd6; 17...Rf7 18.Nxa7±] 18.Nc7 Rb8 19.Ba7±. 16.Kh1 h5 17.cxd6 At first it may look like 17.cxd6 is an option but it is not the most precise as it allows Black to play ...b7-b5 in the future. 17.Nb5!? looks better with the idea of 17...a6 18.Na3 and Black has no chance to play ...b5 because of the en passant. 17...cxd6 18.Nb5 a6! 19.Na3 19.Na7 Bd7 The knight on a7 is not a useful piece.

20

Position after: 19.Na3 19...b5! Black needs to stop the strong Nc4–b6 maneuver. 19...g4? 20.Nc4± 20.Rc6 g4 21.Qc2 White is trying to enter Black’s position down the only open file. 21...Qf8 22.Rc1 Bd7 23.Rc7 Bh6 24.Be1 h4!

21

Position after: 24...h4! Black is much quicker than White, who has not managed to create serious threats on the other side of the board. 25.fxg4? 25.Bb4 h3ƒ It’s much easier to play with Black. 25...f3! 26.gxf3 How should Black continue his attack? 26.Bxf3 Bxc1 27.Qxc1 Nxd5 28.exd5 Rxf3 29.gxf3 Qxf3+ 30.Kg1 Qxg4+ 31.Kh1 Qf3+ 32.Kg1 Bh3 wins for Black. 26...Nxe4!! A genius idea. Black needs to open up the position as soon as possible to try to mate the lonely king on h1.

22

Position after: 26...Nxe4!! 27.Rd1 A) 27.fxe4? Rf1+ 28.Kg2 Be3!! Bringing a new piece into the attack. 29.Bxf1 h3+ 30.Kxh3 Qf3+ 31.Bg3 Bxg4# B) 27.Rxd7 is the engine’s first idea but after 30 seconds it sees the following variation: 27...Rxf3! 28.Bxf3 Qxf3+ 29.Qg2 Qxd3 30.Rd1

Position after: 30.Rd1 23

30...Bd2!! Again the “bad” bishop plays an important role. 31.Bxd2 Nf4 32.Be1 [32.Bxf4 Qxd1+ 33.Qg1 Qf3+ 34.Qg2 Nf2+ 35.Kg1 Nh3+ 36.Kh1 Qd1+ 37.Qg1 Qxg1#] 32...Nf2+! 33.Qxf2 Qe4+ 34.Kg1 Nh3+ 35.Kf1 Nxf2–+ Black wins. 27...Rxf3 28.Rxd7 Rf1+ 29.Kg2 Be3!

Position after: 29...Be3! White cannot survive. 30.Bg3 30.Bxf1 h3+ 31.Kxh3 Qxf1+ 32.Qg2 Ng5+ 33.Kg3 Bf4+ 34.Nxf4 exf4# Nice mate! 30...hxg3 31.Rxf1 Nh4+ 32.Kh3 Qh6 33.g5 Nxg5+ 34.Kg4 Nhf3!

24

Position after: 34...Nhf3! The rest is easy. In these kinds of positions, king safety is much more important than the material count. 35.Nf2 A) 35.hxg3? Qh3# B) 35.Bxf3? Qh3# 35...Qh4+ 36.Kf5 Rf8+ 37.Kg6

25

Position after: 37.Kg6 37...Rf6+! Or 37...Nf7! 38.Kf5 Nd4+ 39.Kg6 Qg5#. 38.Kxf6 Ne4+ 39.Kg6 Qg5# What a game! 0-1 Now let’s see an example where White successfully manages to proceed with his plan. If you want to master these positional plans with White, I advise you to analyze Kramnik’s games. Kramnik, Vladimir (2801) Grischuk, Alexander (2761) Moscow 2012 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.d4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7

26

Position after: 8...Ne7 Again the Mar del Plata variation, but this time White plays something else: 9.b4!? The Bayonet Attack is a modern approach to begin queenside play as soon as possible and save time by leaving the knight on f3. 9.Nd2 or 9.Ne1 are other approaches. 9...Nh5! This is Kotronias’s recommendation in his repertoire book. 9...a5 10.Ba3 axb4 11.Bxb4 b6 12.a4 White will be able to open the a-file. 10.g3 10.Re1 is the main move here but I believe that after 10...f5 11.Ng5 Nf6 12.f3 Kh8 Black is okay. 10...f5 11.Ng5 Nf6 12.Bf3

27

Position after: 12.Bf3 12...c6 12...fxe4 13.Ncxe4 Nxe4 14.Bxe4² 13.Bg2 Now White has a big space advantage and it is not so easy to see where Black’s counterplay will come from. 13...h6 13...cxd5 14.cxd5 This exchange usually only helps White. 14.Ne6 Bxe6 15.dxe6 The e6-pawn is weak but it’s very hard to attack it. 15...Nxe4 16.Nxe4 fxe4

28

Position after: 16...fxe4 17.b5! White gains more space and also prepares Ba3 to put pressure on Black’s weakest pawn. 17.Bxe4?! would be too mechanical. 17...d5 18.cxd5 cxd5 19.Bg2 Qd6 Black will take the e6-pawn soon. 17...Rf6 18.Bxe4 Rxe6 19.Qa4 Chess is a team sport, so we should use all of our pieces. 19...d5 20.Rd1! Active piece play in the style of Fischer.

29

Position after: 20.Rd1! 20...Kh7 20...d4 21.bxc6 bxc6 22.Rb1 White has more than enough compensation for the pawn. We have control over the only open file and Black’s light squares are really weak. 21.cxd5 cxd5 22.Qb3 Rb6 23.a4 a6 24.Ba3 axb5 25.Bxe7 Qxe7 26.Rxd5 White is nearly winning – just look at the difference between the bishops on e4 and g7! 26...b4 27.a5 Qf7

30

Position after: 27...Qf7 Question: How should White create weaknesses in Black’s position? 28.h4! Excellent move! Black is unable to adequately prevent the threat of h5. 28...h5 28...Rf6 29.h5+– 29.Qd1!

31

Position after: 29.Qd1! A nice double attack to end the game. The rook on b6 and the pawn on h5 are hanging at the same time. 1-0 Let me share my own experience with you. I played this game against a talented French Fide Master in the European Youth Chess Championship. Juhasz, Armin (2411) Meunier, Clement (2293) Prague 2016 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.d4 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.Be2

32

Position after: 6.Be2 6...Nbd7 A new move compared to what we’ve seen in the previous two games. More common is 6...e5 but I guess my tactical opponent wanted to avoid the endgame line arising after 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 9.Bg5. I would recommend this line to anyone who enjoys playing endgames and for whom a draw is not a terrible result. 7.0-0 e5 8.Be3! 8.d5 would be premature since Black can organize his standard plan with 8...Nc5 9.Qc2 a5. 8...Qe7 8...Re8 9.d5! Typical play. When the rook lands on e8, this advance becomes much more favorable because ...f5 breaks are no longer supported by a rook on f8. 9.dxe5 9.d5 is also possible but I was in a mood for more open positions. 9...dxe5 10.Nd5

33

Position after: 10.Nd5 10...Qd8 10...Nxd5? 11.cxd5 This position is just great for White. The c7-pawn is weak and it’s easy for us to play. Our plan is simply Rc1 and Qc2. 11.Qc2 c6 It was probably more precise to play 11...Ng4! 12.Bg5 f6 but still White is better after the simple 13.Bd2. 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.b4 White’s plan is simply to roll the pawns on the queenside to win space and create weaknesses. 13.c5!? was also worth consideration. 13...a5 14.a3 Qe7 15.Rab1 Rd8 16.Rfd1 Nf8 17.Bc5 Rxd1+ 18.Rxd1 Qe8

34

Position after: 18...Qe8 19.h3! An incredibly important move! In this pawn structure after the trade of pawns on e5, the only weak square in our position is d4. Therefore we should stop Black’s positional plan of ...Bg4- Bxf3, followed by ...Ne6 and ...Nd4. 19...Ne6 20.Bd6 Nf4 21.Bf1 g5 22.Qc3 Ng6 Question: Try to find a plan to improve the position of the f3-knight. 23.Nh2! I would love to transfer my knight to d6 via g4-e3-f5-d6. 23...Be6 24.c5 Bd8 25.Ng4 f6 26.g3 Kg7 27.Ne3 Ne7

35

Position after: 27...Ne7 Question! Which move do you prefer: the positional Bc4 or the tactical Bxe5? 28.Bc4!? 28.Bxe5! Of course I saw this idea but I was not sure which one was stronger, so I decided to take the safer option. 28...fxe5 29.Qxe5+ Kf7 30.Bc4 [30.Nc4? Ng6 31.Nd6+ Kf8 with an unclear position.] 30...Bxc4 31.Nxc4 Kg8 32.bxa5 Qf7 33.Nd6 looks promising for White. 28...Ng6 29.Kg2 Qg8 30.Nf5+ Kh8 31.Nh6 Qe8 32.Qb3 Bxc4 33.Qxc4 Kg7 34.Nf5+ Kh8 35.Nh6 I was in time trouble so I decided to repeat moves once; following the advice of countless Grandmasters. 35...Kg7 36.Nf5+ Kh8 37.Qb3 Qg8 38.Rb1 Qxb3 39.Rxb3

36

Position after: 39.Rxb3 39...a4 39...axb4 40.Rxb4 [40.axb4!? b5 41.cxb6 Bxb6 42.Rc3+–] 40...Ra7 41.Bb8 Rxa3 42.Rxb7+– 40.Rb2+– White is going to open up the position with b5. 40...b5 40...Kg8 41.b5 Ra7 42.bxc6 bxc6 43.Rb8 Rd7 44.Rc8+– Black has too many weaknesses. 41.cxb6 Of course this pawn should be taken to create a huge weakness on c6. 41...Bxb6 42.Rc2 Rc8 43.Bc5

37

Position after: 43.Bc5 43...Bd8 43...Bxc5 44.Rxc5+– followed by b5. 44.Rd2 Bc7 45.Rd7 Kg8 46.Kf3! The king is a strong piece, so we should use it in endgames. 46...Bb8 47.Kg4 Re8 48.Kh5 Nf8 49.Bxf8 A smooth positional victory without making any difficult moves. 1-0 Theoretical section Quick review 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5

38

Position after: 6...e5 7.d5! With this move, the Petrosian system starts to unfold. It is one of the most classical systems, providing White with a clear space advantage. Due to the closed center, White can select a suitable game plan more easily and Black’s play becomes more predictable. 7.0-0 is White’s other main option. 7...Nc6 A) 8.dxe5!? dxe5 9.Bg5 I can recommend this line if a draw is a good result for you and you want to play without risk.

39

Position after: 9.Bg5 9...Qxd1 10.Rfxd1 Bg4! The only good move. 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Nd4 13.Nd5 Nxd5 14.cxd5 with a small positional plus for us. B) 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 [9.b4!?] 9...Nd7 10.Be3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.Bf2 I think this is hard to play well with the White pieces so let’s go with something more practical. 7...a5 This is a very popular continuation. Black attempts to slow down White’s queenside play which typically starts with b4. Additionally, Black can now think about playing ...Na6-c5 putting pressure on our e4-pawn. A) 7...Nbd7 8.Be3! Ng4 9.Bg5 f6 10.Bd2 is the topic of subchapter a). B) For 7...Na6 8.Bg5!? see subchapter b). C) 7...Ne8?! 8.h4! f5 [8...h6 9.h5 g5 10.Nh2 f5 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.Bd3 Qd7 13.Nf1 a5 14.Ng3 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Qg4 16.Nce4² Naumkin – Dupont, Lille 2015] 9.h5

40

Position after: 9.h5 9...f4 [9...Nf6 10.hxg6 hxg6 11.Nh4 Qe8 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Qc2 e4 14.Be3± Khenkin – Will, Bad Homburg 2016] 10.hxg6 hxg6 11.Bd2 g5 12.Nh2 Nf6 13.Ng4 Nxg4 [13...Nbd7 14.Qc2±] 14.Bxg4 Na6 15.Bxc8 Rxc8 16.Qg4 Nc5 17.Ke2! Bf6?

Position after: 17...Bf6? The final mistake. 18.Rh6! Qe8 19.Rah1 Rd8 20.Qf5 Qe7 21.Qg6+ 1-0 Naumkin – Poletti, Arco 2015 41

8.Bg5! h6 After 8...Na6 White could play 9.Nd2.

Position after: 9.Nd2 9.Be3 9.Bh4 is the old way of playing the Petrosian system. 9...Na6 10.a3 Bd7 11.Rb1 Qe8 12.b3 Nh7∞ 9...Ng4 9...Nh5 10.g3! stops Black from playing ...Nf4 and White’s next Nd2 move will gain an important tempo. 10.Bd2 f5 11.h3

Position after: 11.h3 11...Nf6 11...Nxf2? 12.Kxf2 fxe4 13.Nxe4 Qh4+ 14.Ke3 Qf4+ 15.Kd3+– Juhasz – Botlik, Ullo chess simul 2018 12.exf5 gxf5 12...Bxf5 is a typical mistake: 13.g4 Bd7 14.Qc1 g5 15.h4 with a dangerous attack. 42

13.Qc1

Position after: 13.Qc1 13...Kh7?! This is the most common reply at club level, but not a great move. A) 13...e4 14.Nh4!? – see subchapter c2) below for more details. B) 13...f4 is considered to be best: 14.g3! e4 15.Nh4 – see subchapter c3). C) 13...h5?! looks bad from a positional point of view. 14.Ng5 Na6 15.f4 Qe8 16.0-0 Bd7 17.Qe1 Qg6 18.Qh4² 1-0 (41) Ivanisevic – Borocz, Hungary 2015 14.g4!

43

Position after: 14.g4! We will discuss Black’s possible reactions in subchapter c1). a) 7...Nbd7 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.d5! Nbd7 A normal King’s Indian move but it temporarily blocks the c8-bishop. 8.Be3!

44

Position after: 8.Be3! 8...Ng4 8...Nc5?! 9.Nd2 Having reached the ideal setup, White is clearly better. 9...a5 10.a3

Position after: 10.a3 10...a4 [10...Bd7 11.b4 axb4 12.axb4 Rxa1 13.Qxa1 Na6 14.Qa3 Ng4 15.Bxg4 Bxg4 16.c5 dxc5 17.bxc5 Bc8 18.0-0± Henrichs – Osipiak, Dortmund 2017; 10...Ne8 11.b4 axb4 12.axb4 Rxa1 45

13.Qxa1 Nd7 14.g4 f5 15.gxf5 gxf5 16.exf5 Nb6 17.c5± Golubov – Rudolf, Porto Carras 2018] 11.Bxc5 dxc5 12.Nxa4 b6 13.0-0² I do not see Black’s compensation for the pawn. 9.Bg5

Position after: 9.Bg5 9...f6 A) 9...Bf6 10.Bd2!² White should keep the dark-squared bishops on the board. Our bishop on d2 will clearly be better than its Black counterpart which blocks the future ...f5 plan. B) 9...Ngf6 10.Nd2!² Again White has reached the ideal setup. 10.Bd2

46

Position after: 10.Bd2 10...a5 A) 10...Nh6 11.h4 a5 12.Qc1 Nf7 13.h5 g5 14.g4 h6 15.Nh2!±

Position after: 15.Nh2!± 15...Nc5 16.Be3 Bd7 17.Qd2 Qc8 18.f3 Re8 19.Nf1 Bf8 20.Ng3 Na4 21.Nd1 c5 22.a3 Qc7 23.Kf2 Reb8 24.b3 Nb6 25.Rb1 Nc8 26.Nc3 b6 27.b4 axb4 28.axb4 Ra7 29.Rb2 Rba8 30.Rc1 Ra1 31.Rcc2 47

R1a3 32.Nf5 Ne7 33.Ng3 Nc8 34.Nf5 Ne7 35.bxc5 bxc5 36.Ng3 Nc8 37.Nb5 Bxb5

Position after: 37...Bxb5 38.Rxb5 [38.cxb5 Nb6 39.Ra2±] 38...R3a5 39.Rcb2 Rxb5 40.Rxb5 Rb8 41.Qb2 Rxb5 42.Qxb5 Na7 43.Qa6 Be7 44.Bd1 Bd8 45.Ba4 Kf8 46.Nf5 Nc8? [46...Be7 47.Bd2+–] 47.Qb5 1-0 Demuth – Shen, Escaldes 2018 B) 10...f5 11.exf5

Position after: 11.exf5 48

B1) 11...Nc5 12.0-0 [12.fxg6?! e4 13.gxh7+ Kh8©] 12...e4 13.Ng5 Bxc3 14.Bxc3 Qxg5 15.Bxg4 gxf5 16.Bh5! f4?! 17.h4! Qxh4 18.Qd4+– B2) 11...gxf5 12.h3

Position after: 12.h3 12...Ngf6 [12...Nxf2 13.Kxf2 e4 14.Bg5 Nf6 15.Nd4 Ng4+ 16.hxg4 Qxg5 17.Nxf5 Bxf5 18.gxf5 Rxf5+ 19.Ke1 Qg3+ 20.Kd2±] 13.Ng5 Nc5 14.b4 Nce4 15.Ncxe4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 fxe4 17.0-0² 11.h3 Nh6 12.h4!

49

Position after: 12.h4! 12...Nc5 12...f5 13.h5 f4 [13...fxe4 14.Nxe4ƒ] 14.hxg6 hxg6 15.a3² 13.h5 g5 14.Be3 Bd7 15.Qd2 Nf7 16.g4

Position after: 16.g4 16...Qe7 16...Bxg4?! 17.Nxg5! A) 17...Nxg5 18.Bxg4 Ngxe4 19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Qc2 f5 21.h6 [21.Bxf5!?] 21...Bh8 [21...Bf6 22.Bxf5+–] 22.Rg1+– B) 17...Bxe2 18.Nxf7 Rxf7 19.Qxe2+– 17.Nh2 Rfd8 18.Nf1 Nh6 19.f3 Be8 20.Ng3 Bf8 21.Kf2±

50

Position after: 21.Kf2± We have reached a strategically winning position. 21.0-0!? is possible too. 21...c6 22.Kg2 Let’s see how Gupta converted this advantageous position. 22...a4 23.Rab1 Qc7 24.Rhc1 Be7 25.Rc2 25.Qc2!? 25...Qa5 26.Rd1 Kf8 27.Qe1 Nd7 28.Qf2

51

Position after: 28.Qf2 28...c5?! 28...Bf7 29.Rb1± 29.Nb5 Rdc8 30.Rb1 30.Bd2 Qd8 31.Nc3 was possible as well. 30...Nb8 31.Rc3 Na6 32.Ra3 Nb4 33.Bd2 Qd8 34.Rc1

52

Position after: 34.Rc1 34...Bxb5?! 34...Kg7 35.Nf1 Bd7 36.Ne3± 35.cxb5 Qd7 36.Bc4 Ra5 37.Qe2 Rca8

Position after: 37...Rca8

53

38.Nf1 ¹ 38.Re3 a3 [38...R5a7 39.b6 Ra5 40.a3+–] 39.bxa3 Rxa3 40.Rxa3 Rxa3 41.Rc3 Rxc3 42.Bxc3+– and White will trap the b4-knight with a3. 38...Bd8 39.Ne3 R5a7 40.Nd1 Ng8 41.Nc3 Ne7 42.Nb1 Nc8 43.Re3! Nb6 44.a3+–

Position after: 44.a3+– 44...Nxc4 45.Qxc4 Na6 46.bxa6 b5 47.Qe2 Rxa6 48.Rec3 Rb8 49.R3c2 Ra7 50.Be3 Rab7 51.Nd2 Ba5 52.Nf1 1-0 Gupta – Shailesh, Abu Dhabi 2018 b) 7...Na6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.d5 Na6

54

Position after: 7...Na6 8.Bg5!? 8.Nd2!? is also interesting, with the idea of 8...Ne8 9.h4 f5 10.h5. 8...h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Nxe4 10...Nh5 leads to the Petrosian game that we will analyze more deeply soon. 11.Nxe4 f5 12.Nfd2

55

Position after: 12.Nfd2 12...fxe4 12...f4 13.0-0 fxg3 14.hxg3² 13.Nxe4 White has a positional edge since we have control over the e4-square and Black cannot attack it with a pawn. 13...Bf5 13...b6 14.0-0 Nc5 15.f3² 14.Bd3

56

Position after: 14.Bd3 14...Bxe4 14...g4?! 15.0-0 h5 16.f3 Bxe4 17.Bxe4² Naumkin – Juhnke, Bad Woerishofen 2016 15.Bxe4 Nc5 16.Qe2 Qd7 17.0-0 Nxe4 18.Qxe4 Qf5 19.f3 Qxe4 20.fxe4²

Position after: 20.fxe4²

57

Banusz – Ferreira, Jerusalem 2015 c) 7...a5! 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.d5 a5!

Position after: 7...a5! This is the best and most popular continuation. Black’s idea is to slow down White’s queenside pawns. At the same time, the ...Na6–c5 maneuver to generate pressure on the e4-pawn is also a common idea in these positions. 8.Bg5 h6 9.Be3 Ng4 10.Bd2 f5 11.h3 Nf6 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Qc1

58

Position after: 13.Qc1 Now we will analyze Black’s three most common moves: c1) 13...Kh7; c2) 13...e4 and c3) 13...f4. c1) 13...Kh7?! 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.d5 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Be3 Ng4 10.Bd2 f5 11.h3 Nf6 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Qc1 Kh7?! Most of my opponents have chosen this move. 14.g4!

59

Position after: 14.g4! 14...Na6 This is probably the best defense. A) 14...fxg4? This move is way too naive. 15.hxg4 Nxg4 16.Ng5+ Kg8

Position after: 16...Kg8 17.Ne6 [17.Nge4 is the safer option. 17...Qe7 18.f3 Nf6 19.Bxh6+–] 17...Bxe6 18.dxe6 Nxf2 60

19.Rh2+– B) 14...Ne4? 15.Nxe4 fxe4 16.Qc2! Qf6 17.Qxe4+ Qg6 18.Qe3 Kg8

Position after: 18...Kg8 19.0-0-0 [19.Bd3!+–] 19...Na6 20.Nh4 Qf6 21.Nf5 Quintin Navarro – Fernandez Torre, Linares 2019 C) 14...e4 15.Nd4 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd4 17.Bxh6

Position after: 17.Bxh6 61

C1) 17...Rg8 18.Qd2 Nc6 19.0-0-0+± C2) 17...Bxf2+ 18.Kxf2 Qh4+ 19.Kg2 Qxh6 20.Qxh6+ Kxh6 21.Nxc7 Ra7 22.Rad1² D) 14...f4 15.Qc2+ Kg8 16.g5 hxg5 [16...Nh5?? 17.gxh6 Bxh6 18.Qg6 wins a piece for White.] 17.Nxg5 Qe7 18.0-0-0

Position after: 18.0-0-0 The open g-file makes the attack unstoppable. 15.g5 hxg5 16.Nxg5+! Kh8 16...Kg8 17.h4± 17.Rg1² Nc5 18.Qc2 c6 19.0-0-0 cxd5 20.cxd5

Position after: 20.cxd5 White has a nice attack. Arvind – Wofford, Ledyard 2019 c2) 13...e4N 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.d5 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Be3 Ng4 10.Bd2 f5 11.h3 Nf6 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Qc1 e4N

62

Position after: 13...e4N 14.Nh4!? 14.Nd4!? also leads to a better position: 14...Ne8 15.Ne6 Bxe6 16.dxe6 Qf6 17.0-0 Qxe6 18.Nd5©. 14...Kh7 14...Nxd5? 15.Nxd5 Qxh4 16.Nxc7± would be much better for White. 15.g3!

Position after: 15.g3! 15.g4 Nxd5 is not clear at all. 15...Na6 16.Ng2 16.Be3!? 16...Nc5 17.Nf4 Nfd7 17...Qe7 18.Qc2 Nd3+? 19.Nxd3 exd3 20.Qxd3 Ne4 21.0-0± 18.Be3 Ne5 19.Qc2²

63

Position after: 19.Qc2² With a small positional advantage for White. c3) 13...f4! 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.d5 a5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Be3 Ng4 10.Bd2 f5 11.h3 Nf6 12.exf5 gxf5 13.Qc1 f4! Black’s most accurate move. 14.g3!

64

Position after: 14.g3! White tries to open the position in front of the opponent’s king. 14...e4 A) 14...fxg3?! 15.fxg3 e4 16.Nh4 Kh7 17.Qc2± B) 14...Nh5 15.g4 Nf6 16.g5! hxg5 17.Qc2!‚ followed by Nxg5. [17.Nxg5?! runs into 17...Nxd5! „.] 15.Nh4 e3 15...f3? 16.Bd1! Kh7 [16...Re8? 17.Bxh6±; 16...Na6 17.Bc2 Nb4 18.Bb1²] 17.Bc2

65

Position after: 17.Bc2 17...Na6 [17...Qe7 18.0-0! Na6 19.Re1 Nc5 20.Be3+–] 18.Be3 Qe7 19.Nxf3± with a clear extra pawn. 16.fxe3

Position after: 16.fxe3 16...fxg3 66

16...fxe3?? 17.Bxe3 White is just winning. For example: 17...Kh7 [17...Qe8 18.Bxh6 Ne4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Nxe4 Qxe4 21.Qg5++–] 18.Bd3+ Kg8 19.Bxh6 Re8+ 20.Kf1 Rf8 21.Kg2+– 17.Ng6 This is the theoretically critical position of the line.

Position after: 17.Ng6 17...Rf7?! A) 17...Bf5?? 18.Nxf8 Kxf8 19.0-0 Qd7 20.Rf3+– Bxh3 21.Ne4 Ke7 22.Rxg3 Bh8 23.Nxf6 Bxf6 24.Bc3 Bg5 25.Rxg5 hxg5 26.e4 g4 27.Qh6 c6 28.Bf6+ 1-0 Shchekachev – Muller, Metz 2019 B) 17...Nfd7? 18.Nxf8 Nxf8 19.Rg1 Qh4 20.Kd1!

67

Position after: 20.Kd1! 20...Na6 [20...Bxh3 21.Be1+–] 21.Be1+– Be5 22.e4 Ng6 23.Qe3 Bf4 24.Qf3 Qf6 25.Rxg3 1-0 Shchekachev – Sadeghi, Metz 2019 C) 17...g2 18.Rg1 Bxh3 19.Nxf8 Qxf8 20.Qc2

Position after: 20.Qc2 C1) 20...Ng4 21.0-0-0 Nf2 22.Qg6! Na6 [22...Nxd1?! 23.Nxd1± followed by Bc3 and Bd3.] 23.Be1! Nxd1 24.Nxd1 Nc5 [24...Qf6? 25.Qg3+–] 25.Bc3 Qf7 26.Qg3+– 68

C2) 20...Nbd7 21.Qg6 Ng4 [21...Ne5?! 22.Qg3±] 22.0-0-0 Nde5 23.Qh5 Nf2 24.Be1

Position after: 24.Be1 24...Nfd3+ [24...Bg4 25.Bxg4 Nfxg4 26.Qh3±] 25.Kb1 Bf5 26.Ka1 Nb4 27.Rd2± D) 17...Re8!? 18.Nf4! [18.Qc2?! Na6 19.a3? Nc5 20.0-0-0 Nfe4! 21.Nxe4 Bf5!–+ Juhasz – Bokorovics, Budapest (blitz) 2020]

Position after: 18.Nf4!

69

D1) 18...Ne4 19.Nxe4 Rxe4 20.Rg1! Qh4 21.Kd1!

Position after: 21.Kd1! Vacating the e1-square for the bishop. 21...Na6 [21...Bxh3 22.Be1; 21...Re5 22.Qc2 Na6 23.Qg6 Bf5 24.Qxg3 Qxg3 25.Rxg3 Kh7 26.Bc3 Re7 27.Bxg7 Rxg7 28.Rxg7+ Kxg7 29.Bg4±] 22.Be1+– D2) 18...Na6 19.Qb1! [19.Rg1!?] 19...Nc5 20.Qg6 Re5 21.h4

Position after: 21.h4

70

21...Nce4 [21...Nfe4 22.Nh5 Qe7 23.Nxg3±] 22.Nxe4 Nxe4 23.Nh5 Rxh5 [23...Qe7 24.Nxg7 Qxg7 25.Qxg7+ Kxg7 26.Rg1 Bf5 27.Bc3 Nxc3 28.Rxg3+ Kf6 29.bxc3 c6 30.Kd2 cxd5 31.Rf1²] 24.Bxh5 Qe7 25.Rf1! g2 26.Rf4±

Position after: 26.Rf4± White is up an exchange. 18.Qc2 18.Rg1 Bf5 19.Rxg3 Na6∞

71

Position after: 18.Qc2 18...Nfd7? A) 18...g2? 19.Rg1 Bxh3 20.0-0-0± with Nf4 to come. B) 18...Nh7 19.0-0-0 Na6 20.Nf4 [20.a3? This move should be avoided. 20...Nb4! 21.axb4 axb4©] 20...Bf5 21.e4 Nb4 22.Qb1 Bd7 23.Rdg1± C) 18...Na6!

Position after: 18...Na6! C1) 19.0-0-0 Nb4 [19...b5!? 20.cxb5 Nb4 21.Qb1 Qe8 22.Rdg1 Ne4 23.Nh4 and White is better.] 20.Qb1 Nh7 21.Nf4 Rxf4 22.exf4 Qf6

72

Position after: 22...Qf6 23.Ne4 [23.Bd3 Nxd3+ 24.Qxd3 Bf5 25.Qxg3+–] 23...Qg6 24.Rhg1 Nxa2+ 25.Qxa2 Qxe4 26.Rxg3 Qxe2 27.Rdg1 Ng5 28.fxg5 h5 29.Re3+– 1-0 (40) Gledura – Turzo, Hungary 2016 C2) 19.Nf4 Nc5! [19...Nb4 20.Qg6 Nh7 21.0-0‚] 20.0-0-0 [20.Qg6? would be imprecise. 20...Nfe4! 21.Nxe4 Bf5µ]

Position after: 20.0-0-0 20...Nfe4! 21.Nxe4 Bf5 22.Bf3 Qe7 23.Ne6 Bh7 24.Rdf1 [24.Bg2? Rf2!µ] 24...Raf8 [24...Rxf3 73

25.Rxf3 Bxe4 26.Rxg3 Bxc2 27.Rxg7+ Qxg7 28.Nxg7 Be4 29.Rg1²] 25.Nxf8 Rxf8 26.Bg2 Nxe4 27.Rxf8+ Bxf8 28.Rf1 White is clearly better. 19.0-0-0 Ne5

Position after: 19...Ne5 20.Nf4! A strong novelty which is even better than Kramnik’s move (20.Rhf1 was played in Kramnik – Nakamura, London 2014). 20...Na6 20...Bf5 21.e4 Bh7 [21...Bc8 22.Rdg1+–] 22.Rdg1 Qh4 23.Ne6 Bh8 24.Be1+– 21.Rhg1 Nb4 21...Qh4 22.Be1± gives White great attacking opportunities. 22.Qb1 Qh4 23.Be1 Bf5 24.Bxg3±

74

Position after: 24.Bxg3± White is clearly better. Model games (II) Petrosian, Tigran V Freyre Forest, Jorge Nice 1974 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.d5 Bg4

75

Position after: 7...Bg4 I personally don’t like this move at all in the King’s Indian Defense because it gives up the bishop pair too easily without any concrete compensation. 8.Bg5!? Petrosian is faithful to his favorite move. A) 8.h3 was played by Smyslov a few years earlier. B) 8.Be3 also looks good as we don’t need to worry about ...Ng4 anymore. 8...Bxf3?! Why is this necessary? Black did not understand the position correctly. 8...Nbd7 looks more solid instead. 9.Bxf3 h6 10.Be3 Nbd7

76

Position after: 10...Nbd7 11.h4! An active and strong move. White wants to gain more space on the kingside. 11...a6 11...h5 12.Bg5² 12.h5 gxh5 12...g5 would create a long-term weakness on f5. A possible plan for White would be Nd1–e3 –f5. 13.Bxh5 Nc5 14.Bf3 Nh7

77

Position after: 14...Nh7 15.b4 15.Bxh6 Bxh6 16.Rxh6 Ng5 17.Rh5 was winning too. 15...Nd7 16.Bg4 Ng5 17.Bxg5 hxg5 18.Bf5 18.Bxd7 Qxd7 19.Qh5 f6 20.0-0-0+– [20.Nd1!?] 18...Re8 19.Qh5 Nf8 20.Nd1!

78

Position after: 20.Nd1! Bringing another piece into the attack. 20...Ng6 21.Bxg6 fxg6 22.Qxg6 Qf6 23.Qxf6 Bxf6 24.Ne3 Black resigned since his position is hopeless. White is up a pawn and the bishop on f6 is horrible. 1-0 Petrosian, Tigran V Yukhtman, Jacob Tbilisi 1959 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 e5 7.d5

79

Position after: 7.d5 7...Na6 7...a5 We already know that this is the best move but back then it was far from obvious. 8.Bg5 The usual move in this system. White pins the knight on f6 and provokes ...h6. 8...h6 9.Bh4 g5 This move looks very logical and tempting, but at the same time it creates a long-term weakness on f5. Also, it is well known that when Black plays ...g5 in the King’s Indian Defense, his future ...f5 break will be less effective because it cannot be recaptured by a pawn anymore. 9...Qe8 10.Nd2!? Tal – Vasiukov, USR 1959

80

Position after: 9...g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.Nd2 Nf4 11...Nxg3?! 12.hxg3 This exchange would only help White as it activates the rook on h1. 12.0-0 Nc5

Position after: 12...Nc5

81

13.Bg4! Again we see that as a general rule, it is typically in White’s favor to exchange light-squared bishops in these kinds of positions because it emphasizes the weakness of the f5-square. 13.b4 Ncd3 14.Rb1 Nxe2+ 15.Qxe2 Nf4 leads to unclear play. 13...a5 13...Bxg4 14.Qxg4 h5 15.Qd1 h4 16.Bxf4 exf4 17.Nb3 I prefer White here. 14.f3! This clears the f2-square for the bishop. White’s plan is to play Bf2 and later g3 to kick Black’s active f4-knight. 14...Ncd3 15.Qc2 c6 16.Kh1 h5 17.Bxc8 Rxc8 18.a3 cxd5 19.cxd5

Position after: 19.cxd5 19...Nc5?! This is overly passive. Instead 19...Qb6!? would lead to a complicated position. 20.Bxf4 Nxf4 21.Qb3 Qc5!?∞ [21...Qxb3 22.Nxb3 a4 23.Nxa4 Rc2∞] 20.Bf2 g4?

82

The beginning of a bad plan. It creates too many weaknesses in Black’s position. 21.g3! Ng6 22.fxg4 hxg4 23.Be3+– This position is strategically winning for White.

Position after: 23.Be3+– 23...b5? A desperate idea which simply loses a pawn for nothing. 24.Nxb5 Qb6 25.a4 Qa6 26.Nc4 f5 27.Rxf5 Rxf5 28.exf5 Qb7

83

Position after: 28...Qb7 29.Qg2 29.fxg6 Qxd5+ 30.Qg2 Qxc4 31.Nxd6+– 29...Nb3 30.Ncxd6 Qd7 31.Rf1 1-0 Petrosian, Tigran V Nikolaevsky, Yuri V Kiev 1957 1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 Bg7 3.d4 Nf6 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 c5

84

Position after: 7...c5 I don’t like this move since it prevents Black’s typical plan of maneuvering his knight to c5 via d7 or a6. The idea of ...c5 is to slow down White’s queenside invasion, but it has the drawback of weakening the d6-pawn forever. One of my Grandmaster friends told me that this pawn formation (c4, d5, e4 for White vs c5, d6, e5 for Black) is winning for White at GM level. It is a long-term weakness and makes it hard for Black to play actively. 8.Bg5 h6 8...Nbd7 9.Nd2 would lead to the ideal setup. 9.Bd2 Ne8 10.h4!

85

Position after: 10.h4! This is our typical response when Black goes for ...Ne8. We aim to gain space on the kingside and try to provoke weaknesses there. 10...f5 10...h5 11.0-0² 11.h5 g5 12.exf5 Bxf5 13.Be3?! 13.Nh2!? Nf6 14.Ng4 looks even better.

86

Position after: 13.Be3?! 13...a6?! This is way too slow. 13...e4! 14.Nd2 Bxc3!? is interesting because it creates long-term weaknesses in White’s position. There is a famous Bronstein – Petrosian game featuring the same idea, played in Amsterdam, 1956. 15.bxc3 Nd7 16.Rb1 b6∞ 14.Nd2 Kh8 15.Nde4 Nf6?

87

Position after: 15...Nf6? 16.Bd3?! 16.Nxg5! was best. 16...hxg5 17.h6 Rg8 [17...Nh7 18.hxg7+ Kxg7 19.g4 Bg6 20.Bd3+–] 18.hxg7+ Kxg7 19.Bxg5+– 16...Nxe4 17.Bxe4 Bxe4 18.Nxe4± b5 19.b3 Qe7 20.Qg4 Re8 21.Rd1 Nd7

Position after: 21...Nd7 88

22.Qe6 22.Qf5!? 22...Bf8 22...Qxe6 23.dxe6 Rxe6 24.Nxd6± 23.Qg6 Qh7 24.Rh3 Be7 25.Qxh7+ Kxh7 26.Rf3²

Position after: 26.Rf3² White is a bit better thanks to his well-positioned knight on e4. 26...Rf8 27.Rxf8 27.Ke2!? 27...Bxf8 28.Ke2 Kg7 29.Bd2 Nf6 30.Ng3 Kf7 31.Ba5 Ke7 32.Kd3 32.f3!? 32...Kd7 33.Rh1 Rb8 34.Bc3 Ng8 35.Ne4 Be7 36.f3 Ra8 37.Ra1 Bf8

89

Position after: 37...Bf8 38.cxb5! Finally White finds the correct plan and creates a dangerous passed pawn. 38...axb5 39.a4 b4 39...bxa4 40.Rxa4 Rxa4 41.bxa4 Kc7 42.Kc4+– 40.Bd2 Ne7 41.Nf6+ Kd8 42.Ke4 Bg7 43.Ng4 43.Nh7 Kd7 44.Nxg5 hxg5 45.Bxg5 leads to a sharp endgame. 43...Kc7 44.Ne3 Rf8 45.g3

90

Position after: 45.g3 45...Rf7 ¹ 45...Ng8 46.Rc1 Kd7 47.a5 Rf8 48.a6 Ra8 49.Ra1 Ra7 50.Ra5 Kc7 51.Nc4 Nc8 52.Be3 Nb6??

Position after: 52...Nb6??

91

White to move and win! 52...Bf8 53.f4 gxf4 54.gxf4 exf4 55.Bxf4 Kd7 56.Ne3± 53.Nxd6! Kxd6 54.Rxc5!+– 54.Bxc5+ Kc7 is not so easy. 54...Rc7 55.Rxc7 Kxc7 56.d6+ White’s passed pawns are going to decide the game. 56.a7 Na8 57.Bc5+– 56...Kc6 57.Bxb6 Kxb6 58.Kf5 Bf8 59.Kxe5 Kxa6 60.Ke6 1-0

Position after: 60.Ke6 Finally, I would like to show you my personal favorite from Petrosian’s games. This game shows his amazing positional and prophylactic ability. Petrosian, Tigran V Pilnik, Hermann Amsterdam/Leeuwarden 1956 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 Okay, this is not the Petrosian variation but the structure will be similar.

92

3.d5 e5

Position after: 3...e5 This is the Czech Benoni which is considered to be solid but passive. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 g6 5...Be7 is the modern way of playing the position, with the idea of ...Ne8 and ...Bg5 in the future. 6.Nf3 Bg7 7.Bg5!? 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 is more popular recently. 7...Na6 7...h6 According to Petrosian, this was more precise to avoid the setup seen in the game. 8.Be2 Nc7 9.Nd2! This is what I usually call the dream setup for White with my students. White is clearly better because we can play on the queenside with a3 and b4 or we can play on the kingside with h4 and g4. On the other hand, Black has no active counterplay.

93

Position after: 9.Nd2! 9...Bd7 10.a4 Preventing ...b5 in advance. 10...b6 10...a6 11.a5!± 11.Nb5! Bxb5?!

94

Position after: 11...Bxb5?! Which recapture is correct? After 11...Nxb5 12.axb5 the a7-pawn would be a huge weakness. 12.cxb5! White frees the c4-square for the knight. 12.axb5?! 0-0 13.0-0 a5 14.bxa6 Nxa6 15.Qb3 Nb4 is fine for Black. 12...0-0 13.b4! White proceeds with his usual play on the queenside. 13...h6

95

Position after: 13...h6 14.Bxf6! A surprising decision because White usually keeps his dark-squared bishop on the board, but on this occasion we give it up for concrete reasons. 14.Be3 would be the typical move but then Black could play 14...cxb4! with the strong plan of ...Nd7–c5. 14...Qxf6 15.0-0 Rfd8 16.Nc4 Bf8 17.g3!?

96

Position after: 17.g3!? White slowly but surely improves his position. 17...cxb4 18.Qb3 Kg7 19.Rfc1 19.Qxb4?! Ne6! provides counterplay for Black. 19...h5 20.Ne3 Ne8 21.Qxb4 Rdc8 22.Rc6 Qd8 23.Rac1 Nf6

Position after: 23...Nf6 What can we do against Black’s ...Nd7–c5 plan? 24.Bf1! A) 24.Nc4? Nxe4 25.Nxb6 axb6 26.Qxe4 Rcb8² B) 24.Qb1 Nd7 25.Kg2 Nc5∞ 24...Rcb8 24...Nd7? 25.Bh3

97

Position after: 25.Bh3 25...Rxc6 [25...Rcb8 26.Bxd7 Qxd7 27.Rc7+– leads to a positionally winning position.] 26.dxc6 Nc5 27.Nd5 with c7 to come next. 25.Bh3 a6!

Position after: 25...a6! Black tries to create some counterplay on the a-file. What should White do here? 98

26.Re1!! A genius move which is hard to find even with the help of the engine. White plays this passivelooking rook move prophylactically. Petrosian intends to play Nc4 in the near future to attack the weak d6- and b6-pawns, but at the moment that would leave the e4-pawn hanging. White protects the pawn first to prepare Nc4 a few moves later. 26.f3 looks good too but it creates weaknesses on the dark squares. 26...axb5 27.axb5 h4„ 26...axb5 27.axb5 Nh7 28.Nc4

Position after: 28.Nc4 White has finally achieved his ideal setup. The rest is easy for a positional master. 28...Ra2 29.Bg2 Qf6 30.Rf1 Ng5 31.Qb3! Stopping Black’s attacking chances. 31...Rba8 32.h4! Nh7 33.Rxb6+– Ra1 34.Rc6 R8a2

99

Position after: 34...R8a2 The last trick. Now ...Qxf2 is threatened. 35.Qe3 Qd8 36.Rxa1 36.b6+– looks even stronger. 36...Rxa1+ 37.Kh2 Nf6 38.f3 Qb8 39.Qb3 Nd7 40.b6 Nc5 41.Qb2 Ra4 42.Qb5 Ra2 43.Rc7 g5

100

Position after: 43...g5 Dramatically weakening the f5-square. 44.Ne3! gxh4 45.Nf5+ Kg8 46.gxh4 Ra6 47.b7 Ra7 48.Rc8 Qxb7 49.Qe8 Nd7 50.Nxd6 Petrosian showed, once again, his deep understanding of closed positions! 1-0 Typical tactics If you want to master an opening, you need to learn more than just the theory. You should study the middlegame plans, model games, how masters play in similar positions, and typical tactics too. In this part of the chapter, I will show you nine combinations which you should definitely know before facing the King’s Indian Defense. Before you start to think, check whose move it is, and the difficulty level indicated above the diagram: * indicates easy level ** is medium level *** is hard level I would advise you to solve these exercises without moving the pieces on the board, to improve your calculation and visualization skills. Good luck!

Test Your Knowledge

Show in Text Mode

1-*

101

□ 23.? +– Show/Hide Solution

23.Nf5! gxf5 23...Qd8 24.hxg6 fxg6 25.Bxg7+– 24.Qg5 Botvinnik – Breitman, Leningrad 1931 1-0

2-*

102

■ 10...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

10...Nfxe4! 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4?! 12.Be3 f5µ with a clear extra pawn. 12...Bf5 13.Qe3 Bxb1 14.Qb3 Qe8–+ Soshnikov – Onischuk, Lvov 2001 0-1

3-*

103

■ 16...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

16...Bd4+! 17.Kh1 Nxh2 18.Nge4 18.Kxh2?? Qh4# 18...Nxf1 19.Rxf1 Qh4+ 20.Bh2 Bf5

104

Position after: 20...Bf5 21.Qd2 21.g4 Bxc3 22.gxf5 Be5–+ 21...Bxe4 22.Nxe4 Rxe4 23.fxe4 Be5 24.g4 Re8 Sakhanovich – Gufeld, Kiev 1960 0-1

4 - **

□ 19.? +– Show/Hide Solution

19.Ng5! hxg5 20.fxg5 Qxf1+ 20...Qg7 21.Bxe6+ Kh8 22.Rf3+– [22.Rf7!? is also good.] 21.Rxf1 Ndxe5 22.Bxe6+ Szabo – Hemasisan, Varna 1962 105

1-0

5 - **

■ 17...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

17...Rxa1! 17...Ne5 18.Red1 leads to a complicated position. 17...Rxa1! 18.Rxa1 18.hxg4 Rxb1 19.Rxb1 Bxg4–+ Black has a clear extra pawn. 18...Nxf2!

106

Position after: 18...Nxf2! 19.Re3 A) 19.Kxf2? Nxb3 20.Reb1 [20.Qd3 Qxd4+ 21.Qxd4 Bxd4+ 22.Ke2 Bxc3–+] 20...Nxd2 21.Rxb6 Bxd4+ 22.Ke2 Bxc3–+ B) 19.Qxf2?! Nd3! 20.Na4 [20.Qd2 Nxe1–+] 20...Bxd4 21.Nxb6 Bxf2+ 22.Kf1 Bxb6–+ 19...Nxh3+ 20.Kh2 20.Bxh3 Bxh3–+ 20...Nf2!

107

Position after: 20...Nf2! 21.Rf3 21.Qxf2 Bxd4 22.Qe2 Nxb3–+ 21...Ncxe4 22.Qf4 Ng4+ 23.Kh1 f5 24.Nxe4 Rxe4 25.Qxd6 Rxd4 26.Qb8 Rd8 27.Ra8 Be5 28.Qa7 Qb4 29.Qa2 Qf8 30.Bh3 Qh6 Zita – Bronstein, Moscow 1946 0-1

6 - **

108

■ 10...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

10...Nxf2!! 11.Kxf2 fxe4 12.Nxe4 Qh4+ 13.Ke3 13.Ng3 e4–+ 13...Bh6+! 14.Kd3

109

Position after: 14.Kd3 14...Qxe4+ 15.Kxe4 15.Kc3 exd4+ 16.Nxd4 Bg7 17.Bf3 Qh4 18.Rf1 Kh8 19.g3 Qxg3 20.Kc2 Bxh3 21.Rg1 Qf2+ 0-1 Eletskikh – Pancevski, Herceg Novi 2005 15...Bf5+ 16.Kd5 c6+ 17.Kxd6 Rd8+

Position after: 17...Rd8+ 18.Ke7 A) 18.Kc7 Rd7+ 19.Kc8 Na6# B) 18.Kc5 Bf8# 18...Rd7+ 19.Kf6 Rd6+ 20.Ke7 Bf8+ 21.Ke8 Na6# 0-1

7 - ***

110

□ 21.? +– Show/Hide Solution

21.e5! Decisively opening the diagonal for the bishop on d3. 21...Bxe5 21...dxe5 22.fxg6+–

111

Position after: 21...Bxe5 22.Rxe5!! Eliminating Black’s most important defender. 22...dxe5 23.f6 Kh7 23...Qd6 24.Qh6+– 24.Rf5! Vitiugov – Ding, St Petersburg 2012 A) 24.Qg5?? Qg4! B) 24.Rf5! Qxf5 [24...gxf5 25.Qg5 with mate next move.] 25.Bxf5 gxf5? 26.Qg5+– 1-0

8 - ***

112

■ 19...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

19...Ng3+! 20.hxg3 Nf5!! 20...fxg3 wins too: 21.Bxe3 Nf5!–+. 21.Nxe3 21.exf5 fxg3–+ 21...fxg3 22.Kg1 Nxe3

113

Position after: 22...Nxe3 23.Bxe3 23.Qe1 Qh4 24.Qxg3 Qxg3 25.Bxe3 Bh3 26.Rf2 Bxg2! 27.Rxg2 Qe1+ 28.Kh2 Qxc3–+ 23...Qh4 24.Re1 Qh2+ 25.Kf1 Bh3! Bringing a new piece into the attack. 26.gxh3 g2+ Shumiakina – Karakashian, URS-ch (Women) 1989 0-1

9 - ***

114

□ 13.? +– Show/Hide Solution

13.Nf5!! A surprising move which destroys Black’s position. Black is forced to capture it because the d6-pawn is attacked three times and the king would be lonely without the g7-bishop. 13...gxf5 13...Bf8 14.Nxd6 Re6 15.Nxc8 Qxc8 16.e5+– 14.gxf5 d5 14...Nbd7 15.Rg1 Kh8 16.Qe1 Ne5 17.Qh4+– 15.cxd5 cxd5

115

Position after: 15...cxd5 16.Rg1! 16.e5 Bxf5 17.exf6 Qxf6 18.Nxd5 Qxb2∞ 16...Kh8 16...dxe4 17.Nxe4 provides a strong attack. 17.Rxg7!! Kxg7 18.Qg1+ Kh8 19.Bg5! 19.Bh6? Rg8„ 19...Bxf5 20.Nxd5 ≤ 20.exf5 Nbd7„ 20...Nbd7 21.Rd1!!

116

Position after: 21.Rd1!! A silent killer! The dual combination of pins along the d-file and h4-d8 diagonal is deadly. 21...Rg8 22.Nxf6 Rxg5 23.Qxg5 Qxf6 24.Qxh5+ Kg7 24...Bh7 25.Rxd7+– 25.exf5 Nb6 26.Qg4+ Kf8 27.Qb4+ Qe7 28.Qc3!

117

Position after: 28.Qc3! 28...f6 28...Qxe2 29.Re1!+– 29.Rg1 Rc8 30.Qd2 1-0 Gelfand – Amonatov, Tromso 2014

Homework If you want to master the King’s Indian structure, I recommend that you analyze the following selection of games, using this method: 1) Analyze the games yourself and identify the critical moments without using an engine. 2) Write down your analyses and possible improvements. 3) Check your work with the engine. 4) Make a conclusion about what you can learn from each game. Keres, Paul Walther, Edgar Tel Aviv 1964 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 Nbd7 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.h4 g4 12.Nh2 Nxg3 13.fxg3 h5 14.0-0 Bh6 15.Bd3 c6 16.Kh1 Nf6 17.Bc2 cxd5 18.cxd5 Ne8 19.Qe2 Ng7 20.Rf2 f5 21.exf5 Nxf5 22.Bxf5 Bxf5 23.Raf1 Bg6 24.Nxg4 hxg4 25.Qxg4 Kh7 26.h5 Bd3 27.Rxf8 Bxf8 28.Rf3 Bc2 29.Ne4 Kh8 30.Rf7 Qe8 31.Nxd6 Qa4 32.Qg5 Qa6 33.Qxe5+ Kg8 34.Rf6 Qd3 35.Kh2 Qh7 36.Qe6+ 1-0 Geller, Efim P Ljubojevic, Ljubomir Petropolis 1973 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Be2 e5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 Na6 10.Nd2 Qe8 11.0-0 Nh7 12.Nb5 Qd7 13.Bg3 Nc7 14.f4 exf4 15.Bxf4 Ne8 16.Nf3 Qe7 17.Qd2 g5 18.Bg3 Nhf6 19.Bd3 Nh5 20.Bf2 Nf4 21.Rae1 a6 22.Nc3 Ng6 23.h3 Kh8 24.Bg3 Qc7 25.h4 g4 26.h5 gxf3 27.hxg6 fxg6 28.e5 Bf5 29.Rxf3 dxe5 30.Bxf5 Rxf5 31.Rxf5 gxf5 32.Bxe5 Qb6 33.d6 Kh7 34.Nd5 Qd8 35.d7 Qh4 36.Qf2 Qxf2+ 37.Kxf2 Bxe5 38.Rxe5 Nd6 39.Re8 Rxe8 40.Nf6+ 1-0 Kramnik, Vladimir (2710) Kasparov, Garry (2805) 118

Linares 1994 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.d4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.d5 Nbd7 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 Nh5 11.h4 g4 12.Nh2 Nxg3 13.fxg3 h5 14.0-0 f5 15.exf5 Nc5 16.b4 e4 17.Rc1 Nd3 18.Bxd3 exd3 19.f6 Rxf6 20.Qxd3 Qf8 21.Nb5 Bf5 22.Rxf5 Rxf5 23.Nxc7 Rc8 24.Ne6 Qf6 25.Nf1 Re5 26.Rd1 Qf5 27.Qxf5 Rxf5 28.c5 Bf8 29.Ne3 Rf6 30.Nc4 dxc5 31.b5 Bh6 32.Re1 Re8 33.Re5 Re7 34.Rxh5 Ref7 35.Kh2 Bc1 36.Re5 Rf1 37.Re4 Rd1 38.Rxg4+ Kh7 39.Ne5 Re7 40.Nf8+ 1-0 Wojtaszek, Radoslaw (2704) Fedorov, Alexei (2609) Czechia 2012 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Nf3 d6 5.g3 0-0 6.Bg2 Nc6 7.0-0 Bf5 8.d5 Na5 9.Nd2 c5 10.e4 Bd7 11.Qc2 e5 12.b3 Ng4 13.Bb2 f5 14.exf5 gxf5 15.h3 Nf6 16.f4 e4 17.Nd1 Qe8 18.Kh2 Qg6 19.Rf2 Kf7 20.Ne3 Rg8 21.Rg1 Bh6 22.Bh1 b6 23.g4 fxg4 24.Rg3 Rae8 25.Bxf6 Qxf6 26.Nxe4 Qe7 27.Nxg4 Bxg4 28.hxg4 Qh4+ 29.Rh3 Qxg4 30.Ng5+ Bxg5 31.Qxh7+ 1-0 So, Wesley (2760) Ding Liren (2782) Bilbao 2015 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Be3 f5 11.f3 f4 12.Bf2 g5 13.Rc1 Ng6 14.c5 Nxc5 15.b4 Na6 16.Nd3 h5 17.Nb5 b6 18.Be1 Rf7 19.Bd2 Bf6 20.Nf2 Qe8 21.Qa4 Bd8 22.Qa3 g4 23.fxg4 hxg4 24.Nc3 Nxb4 25.Qxb4 f3 26.Bb5 Qe7 27.g3 Rh7 28.Qc4 Rh8 29.Qc6 Qh7 30.h3 Rb8 31.Ncd1 a6 32.Qe8+ Kg7 33.Qxd8 Rxd8 34.Rxc7+ Bd7 35.Rxd7+ Rxd7 36.Bxd7 gxh3 37.Kh2 Rb7 38.Be6 Nf8 39.Bf5 Qh5 40.Ng4 Nd7 41.Bh6+ Kh8 42.Nde3 Rc7 43.Bxd7 Rxd7 44.Rxf3 Rf7 45.Rf5 Rxf5 46.exf5 Qf7 47.Bg5 b5 48.Nh6 Qf8 49.f6 Kh7 50.Nef5 Kg6 51.Bh4 e4 52.f7 e3 53.Be7 e2 54.Nh4+ Kh7 55.Bxf8 e1=Q 56.Bxd6 Qf2+ 57.Kxh3 Qf1+ 58.Kg4 Qc4+ 59.Bf4 Qe2+ 60.Nf3 1-0 Concluding tips 1) Be careful to preserve your dark-squared bishop. It typically operates much more effectively with the c4-d5-e4 pawn chain than our light-squared bishop, so we generally aim to avoid playing moves like Be3xc5 or Bg5xf6, etc.). 2) Only advance your kingside pawns if the position is closed. Otherwise Black will be able to meet ill-timed g4 or h4 advances with ...c5, achieving a favorable version of the Benoni. 3) When developing your c1-bishop, think about whether Bg5 provoking ...h6 is a useful concession to force, or just a waste of a tempo. 4) Don’t rush into castling short, as in the Petrosian system we often decide to castle long. 5) If you can take Black’s f5-pawn without him being able to recapture with the g-pawn, we can gain 119

the e4-square as a permanent outpost. 6) Endgames with a space advantage give nice winning chances (see the Wang – Ivanchuk game in the last chapter).

120

Chapter 2 The Grünfeld Defense 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

Chapter Guide Chapter 2 – The Grünfeld Defense Introduction Model games (I) Theoretical section Model games (II) Typical tactics Homework Concluding tips Introduction The Grünfeld Defense has been seen as one of the most ambitious openings in the 20th century with Black seeking an unbalanced position and active piece play. Black yields the center to White initially but aims to exert permanent pressure on it through a ...c5 pawn lever and his powerful g7-bishop. I believe the Grünfeld is quite a professional opening, partly because of the vast number of lines and the strategic depth. My experience is that less advanced players find it difficult to master the opening 121

with Black, but of course there are exceptions. White has a large number of options against the Grünfeld Defense, while the choices for Black are quite limited. The deeper we delve into our chosen lines, the more options arise for Black. The opening is named after the Austrian player Ernst Grünfeld, who was a renowned opening theoretician and achieved the Grandmaster title in 1950. With the use of his favorite opening, he was even able to defeat Alexander Alekhine. What types of players choose this opening? They are usually active players who like complications and are ready to sacrifice and generate pressure from the very beginning of the game. Also, I should mention that it is well suited to players with strong memorization abilities, since they can play long theoretical lines and blitz out the first several moves. Is it considered to be a correct opening? Sure! The Grünfeld Defense is commonly seen in World Championship matches and it’s the regular choice of many top players against 1.d4, for example Svidler, Vachier-Lagrave and Leko. How should White relate to this opening? We should be ready to play an active position where White usually gains a space advantage. In my experience, the resulting positions are more tactical in nature compared to the King’s Indian Defense or the Slav Defense for example, because the position is more open and asymmetrical. ECO Code: D70-D99. Why did I choose the 5.h4 variation? I wanted to recommend a modern and aggressive variation where Black is unable to follow his usual strategies. This early h4 move allows us to quickly take the initiative, which is something that Grünfeld players often tend to dislike. Finally, this h4 move is quite logical once Black has committed to ...g6 since we can launch an attack against this “hook”. Model games (I) 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

122

Position after: 3...d5 This is the beginning of the Grünfeld Defense, one of Black’s most dynamic options against 1.d4. It was played by many World Champions including Alekhine, Fischer and Kasparov. Nowadays the biggest expert of the line from Black’s point of view is Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The French superstar has great theoretical knowledge and about 15 years of experience under his belt. So if you ever find yourself wondering what Black should do against a particular setup, it is often a good idea to check his games. Before we start to work on the theory of the Grünfeld Defense, I would like to show you four example games on the line. Please note that we are not going to play the same line as White, but I still think it is necessary to have a basic knowledge of typical ideas, plans and maneuvers. Byrne, Donald Fischer, Robert James New York 1956 This game is a perfect demonstration of just how dangerous the Grünfeld can be. Robert James Fischer was only 13 years old when he played this famous game. 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.d4 0-0 It is quite hard to understand the move order. If Black wanted to play the Grünfeld, then he could have gone for 4...d5 immediately. 5.Bf4 5.e4 Why not e4? With this move we can simply transpose to the King’s Indian Defense after 5...d6. 123

5...d5

Position after: 5...d5 Finally! Now we can see the Bf4 line of the Grünfeld. This is still a very popular line at club level, and it was my main weapon for many years. 6.Qb3 6.e3 Nowadays the main line goes as follows: 6...c5 7.dxc5 Qa5 [7...Ne4 is an even more recent approach.] 8.Rc1 [8.cxd5? Nxd5 9.Qxd5 Bxc3+] 8...dxc4 9.Bxc4 Qxc5 10.Bb3 Nc6 11.0-0 Qa5 12.h3 Bf5 13.Qe2 with a small advantage for White. 6...dxc4 7.Qxc4

124

Position after: 7.Qxc4 7...c6?! In general, this move is usually considered quite passive for Black in the Grünfeld. Why? Because Black’s main idea is to fight against White’s center with the ...c5 break. If Black ever decides to play it now, it will come at the loss of a tempo. A better plan could have been: 7...Na6 8.e4 c5 9.d5 [9.dxc5 Be6 gives great compensation.] 9...e6 10.d6

125

Position after: 10.d6 What should Black do against the pawn on d6? A) 10...Nh5 11.Be3 Qxd6? 12.g4 Nf6 [12...Bxc3+ 13.Qxc3 Ng7 14.Bh6 f6 15.e5±] 13.e5 Qc6 14.exf6 Qxf3 15.fxg7+– B) 10...e5! Black needs to play dynamic chess in this opening. 11.Bxe5 [11.Nxe5? Nh5 with a better position for Black.] 11...Nb4 12.Rd1 Be6 13.Qxc5 Nc2+ 14.Kd2 Nd7 15.Qc7 Nxe5 16.Qxd8 Raxd8 17.Kxc2 Ng4 18.Rd2 Bh6 19.Re2 Rxd6© Piket – Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 2000 8.e4

Position after: 8.e4 8...Nbd7 Once again, Black does not play in the appropriate spirit of the opening. 8...b5 looks more active with 9.Qb3 Qa5 leading to unclear play. 9.Rd1 Nb6 10.Qc5 Bg4 11.Bg5? A decisive mistake. Every tempo is important in this complicated position and White simply cannot afford to waste a tempo like this. It would have been simple and strong to play: 11.Be2 Nfd7 12.Qa3 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 e5 14.dxe5 Qe8 15.Be2 Nxe5 16.0-0. White is better thanks to his pair of bishops.

126

Position after: 11.Bg5? What would you do with Black? 11...Na4!! A beautiful move. We need to decoy the c3-knight so that after ...Nxe4 everything will be hanging. 12.Qa3 Even worse would have been: 12.Nxa4 Nxe4 13.Qxe7 [13.Qc1 Qa5+ 14.Nc3 Bxf3 15.gxf3 Nxg5] 13...Qa5+ 14.b4 Qxa4 15.Qxe4 Rfe8 16.Be7 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Bf8–+. 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3

127

Position after: 13.bxc3 13...Nxe4 Having said A, you must also say B! 13...Re8 14.Bd3 would be too passive for Black. 14.Bxe7 Qb6 14...Qd5 looks even better with the idea 15.Bxf8 Bxf8 16.Qb3 Qxb3 17.axb3 Re8 when White is helpless against Black’s numerous threats like Ng3+, Nxc3+ or Bxf3. 15.Bc4

128

Position after: 15.Bc4 What’s the best move for Black? 15...Nxc3! Well calculated. In such a sharp position, we should search for forcing moves. A) 15...Rfe8 would be too slow: 16.0-0 Qc7 [16...Nxc3? 17.Bc5] 17.Bh4 and White escapes. B) 15...Bxf3 16.gxf3 Nxc3 17.Bc5 and Black’s position is not so easy. 16.Bc5 Rfe8+ If you can bring a new attacker into play with tempo, you should probably go for it without too much calculation. 17.Kf1

129

Position after: 17.Kf1 We have reached the critical middlegame position. Black has only one move to keep his advantage. What do you think Fischer’s idea was? 17...Be6!! My favorite move of the game. Fischer was famous for his great intermediate moves. White’s best defender is the bishop on c4, so Black needs to eliminate it at any cost. 17...Nb5? 18.Bxf7+! White has some tactics of his own! 18...Kxf7 19.Qb3+ Be6 20.Ng5+ Kg8 21.Nxe6+–

130

Position after: 17...Be6!! 18.Bxb6 A) 18.Bxe6?? Qb5+ 19.Kg1 Ne2+ 20.Kf1 Ng3+ 21.Kg1 Qf1+ 22.Rxf1 Ne2# Nice mate! B) 18.Qxc3 Qxc5! 19.dxc5 Bxc3 20.Bxe6 Rxe6 Black is a pawn up and the c5-pawn is also weak. 18...Bxc4+ 19.Kg1 Ne2+ 20.Kf1 Nxd4+ 21.Kg1 21.Rd3 axb6–+ 21...Ne2+ 22.Kf1 Nc3+ 23.Kg1 axb6 24.Qb4 Ra4 25.Qxb6 Nxd1 26.h3 Rxa2–+

131

Position after: 26...Rxa2–+ The rest is easy. 27.Kh2 27.Qxb7 Nxf2 28.Rh2 Bd4! 29.Nxd4 Re1# 27...Nxf2 28.Re1 Rxe1 29.Qd8+ Bf8 30.Nxe1 Bd5 31.Nf3 Ne4 32.Qb8 b5 33.h4

132

Position after: 33.h4 33...h5 33...b4 34.h5 b3 35.h6 b2–+ 34.Ne5 Kg7 35.Kg1 Bc5+ 36.Kf1 Ng3+ 37.Ke1 Bb4+ 38.Kd1 Bb3+ 39.Kc1 Ne2+ 40.Kb1 Nc3+ 41.Kc1 Rc2# 0-1 This next game is a perfect example of how White should use his strong pawn center. Kramnik gave zero chances to his strong opponent. A great positional victory, as we will see! Kramnik, Vladimir (2810) Svidler, Peter (2747) London 2013 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3

Position after: 6.bxc3 This is the main line. White has a strong center while Black’s idea is to create counterplay against the pawn on d4 by playing ...c5, ...Bg7, ...Nc6, etc. 6...Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 ≤ 7...0-0 8.Be2 c5 9.0-0² 8.Be3 133

Position after: 8.Be3 This is the ideal square for the bishop to support the d4-pawn. 8...Qa5 The fight against the center is more important than castling in this line. 8...0-0 9.Be2 Qa5 10.0-0! Qxc3 11.Rc1 Qa3 12.Rxc5 Qxa2 13.Ng5 with excellent compensation for the pawn. 9.Qd2 9.Nd2 is also possible, leading to a drawish variation: 9...0-0 10.Nb3 [10.Be2!?] 10...Qxc3+ 11.Bd2 Qb2 12.Bc1 Qc3+ 13.Bd2 Qb2 14.Bc1 ½-½ Aleksandrov – Sjugirov, Moscow 2019. 9...Nc6 10.Rc1 cxd4 11.cxd4 Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2

134

Position after: 12.Kxd2 Without queens on the board, the king is not worried to find himself in the center. 12...0-0 13.d5 Rd8 A logical move to improve the position of the passive rook. 14.Kc2!

135

Position after: 14.Kc2! This was a novelty among high-level games at the time. Of course Kramnik is still in his preparation. 14.Ke1 Nb4 15.a3 Na2!= 14...Ne5 A) 14...Nb4+?! 15.Kb3 This is the big difference between 14.Ke1 and 14.Kc2. Now the knight must go to a passive square. 15...Na6 16.Bb5 White is better. B) 14...Na5 15.Bg5 f6 [15...Kf8 16.Kb1 will be followed by Rc7.] 16.Bd2 b6 17.Bxa5 bxa5 18.Nd4² 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Bc4 Bd7 17.f4 Bd6 17...Bg7 18.Kb1 b5 19.Be2² 18.Kb3 f6 What is the best positional move for White?

Position after: 18...f6 19.a4! Rdc8 20.h4! Rab8 Black wants to play ...b7-b5. How can we stop it? 20...h5 would weaken the g6-pawn in the long run.

136

21.Bb5! Of course! A great positional decision to prevent Svidler’s ...b5 move. 21.Bxa7? Ra8 and Black would be better. 21...Bxb5 22.axb5 a6

Position after: 22...a6 23.b6! 23.bxa6? To take is a mistake! 23...bxa6+ All of a sudden Black’s rooks are very active. 24.Ka2 Rxc1 25.Rxc1 Rb4 with great counterplay. 23...Kf7 24.h5 24.g4!? 24...Rxc1 25.hxg6+ Kxg6 26.Bxc1 Rg8 26...Rc8 27.Be3 White is better. 27.g4 Giving Black no chance to create any kind of counterplay. 27...h6

137

Position after: 27...h6 And now, what is the winning plan for White? 28.Rh5! White would like to play e5 and create a strong passed pawn. 28...Kf7 29.e5 Bc5 29...fxe5 30.fxe5 Bc5 31.e6+ Ke8 32.Rxh6 Bxb6 33.g5 looks winning for White. 30.e6+ Kf8 31.Rh4 Kg7 32.f5!

138

Position after: 32.f5! Playing according to the rule of Capablanca which says that you should put your pawns on the opposite color squares to your bishop. 32...Rd8 32...Rh8 33.Bf4! Bxb6 34.d6 exd6 35.Bxh6+! Kg8 [35...Rxh6 36.Rxh6 Kxh6 37.e7+–] 36.g5! fxg5 37.f6 gxh4 38.f7+ Kh7 39.e7+– 33.Bxh6+ Kg8 34.Kc4 Bxb6 35.g5 Bf2 36.Rg4 Kh7

139

Position after: 36...Kh7 37.gxf6! exf6 37...Kxh6 38.fxe7 Re8 39.d6+– 38.e7 Rc8+ 39.Kb3 Bc5 39...Kxh6 40.d6+– 40.Rc4

140

Position after: 40.Rc4 Game over. Black resigned as he cannot stop the threats of Rxc5 or d6. 1-0 Tari, Aryan (2556) Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2785) Gibraltar 2016 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5

141

Position after: 5...Nxd5 6.Na4 Quite a surprising move. The idea is to prepare e4 without allowing the standard response of ...Nxc3 followed by ...c5. The knight on a4 also keeps an eye on the crucial c5-square. Instead the mainline is: 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 with long theoretical lines. 6...Bf5 Black prevents e4. 6...0-0 7.e4 Nb6 is also possible. 7.Nh4 A funny position, isn’t it?

142

Position after: 7.Nh4 White sends another knight to the edge of the board. The idea is simply to kick the f5-bishop to facilitate e4. 7...Bd7 8.e4 e5! Played in true Grünfeld spirit. Fischer would be proud of Maxime for this nice intermediate move, making use of the poorly placed knight on h4. 9.Nf3 9.exd5? Qxh4 10.dxe5? Bxa4–+ 9...Qe7!

143

Position after: 9...Qe7! 10.Nxe5 ¹ 10.exd5 exd4+ 11.Be2 Qb4+ [11...d3 12.Qxd3 Bxa4 13.0-0 0-0 14.Be3²] 12.Bd2 Qxa4 13.Qxa4 Bxa4 14.Rc1 c6 15.b3 Bb5 16.Bxb5 cxb5 17.Rc7© 10...Qb4+

Position after: 10...Qb4+ 144

11.Nc3 11.Bd2 Qxd4 12.Nxd7 Qxe4+! The only move but it wins a pawn for Black. 13.Be2 Nxd7 14.0-0 00 15.Bf3 Qe6 16.Qb3 [16.Re1?! Ne5] 16...c6 17.Qxb7 Ne5 with an initiative. 11...Nxc3 12.Qd2 12.bxc3?? Qxc3+ 13.Bd2 Qxd4 Black wins the house. 12...Nxa2 13.Rxa2 Qxd2+ 14.Bxd2 Be6 15.Ra1 0-0 16.Bc3

Position after: 16.Bc3 16...Re8 16...Nd7 looks normal. 17.Bb5 c6 18.Bd3 Rd8 19.Ke2 Nd7 20.Nxd7 20.Nf3 Bg4 21.h3 Bxf3+ 22.Kxf3 [22.gxf3 Nf8! with the idea of ...Ne6 to increase the pressure against the d4-pawn.] 22...Nc5 23.dxc5 Bxc3 [23...Rxd3+ 24.Ke2 with equal chances.] 24.Rhd1 Bd4³ 20...Rxd7 21.e5 Bd5 22.Rhg1 f6 23.f4

145

Position after: 23.f4 23...c5! Again we see this typical strike. Black wants to open the position as soon as possible to fight against the exposed king on e2. 24.dxc5 24.exf6 Bxf6 25.dxc5 Bxc3 26.bxc3 Bc6 Black will win back the c5-pawn soon and generate practical winning chances thanks to his better pawn structure. Honestly, would you be happy to play this position against MVL? 24...fxe5 25.fxe5 25.f5 e4! 26.Bb5 Rc7³ 25...Bxe5

146

Position after: 25...Bxe5 26.Bb5? White makes a mistake in a complicated position. 26.Bxe5 is the only move to fight for a draw. 26...Re8 27.Rge1 Rxe5+ 28.Kf2 Rxe1 29.Rxe1 Bxg2 30.Bc4+ Bd5 31.Bxd5+ [31.Rd1?? Rf7+ 32.Ke3 Bxc4–+] 31...Rxd5 32.b4 with good chances to save a draw. 26...Re7 27.Bxe5 Rxe5+ 28.Kd3

147

Position after: 28.Kd3 What would you play here? Be precise! 28...Rd8! Of course! This rook is the last piece which needs to be activated. Now the king on d3 will not escape easily. 29.Kc3 29.Kd4 Re4+ 30.Kc3 Re3+ 31.Kd4 Rb3–+ 29...Re3+ 30.Kd2 Rb3 31.Ba4 Rb4 32.b3 a5 32...Bxb3+?! 33.Kc3 Rxa4 34.Kxb3 and the position is not so easy to win. 33.Kc3 Rc8–+

148

Position after: 33...Rc8–+ The rest is easy. 34.Kb2 Rxc5 35.Rgc1 Rxc1 36.Rxc1 b5 37.Rc5 Bc4 37...Bc4 38.Kc3 Bf1! The bishop on a4 is trapped. 0-1 Andreikin, D. (2722) Jones, G. (2702) Hengshui 2019 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.Be2 A solid move, but 8.Be3 is more popular. 8...Nc6

149

Position after: 8...Nc6 How would you deal with the pressure against the d4-pawn? 9.d5! A sharp and ambitious move which is perfect for Andreikin’s style. After 9.Be3?! Bg4 Black has great play against the d4-pawn. 9...Ne5 9...Bxc3+ 10.Bd2

150

Position after: 10.Bd2 A) 10...Bxd2+? 11.Qxd2 Na5 12.Bb5+ Kf8 [12...Bd7 13.Bxd7+ Kxd7 14.Rc1±] 13.Qc3± B) 10...Bxa1 11.Qxa1 Nd4™ [11...0-0 12.dxc6 bxc6 13.Bh6+–] 12.Nxd4 cxd4 13.Qxd4 0-0

Position after: 13...0-0 14.0-0 [14.Bh6 Qa5+ 15.Kf1 f6 16.Bxf8 Kxf8] 14...Qb6 15.Qc3 Bd7 [15...f6 16.Be3 Qd8 17.Bc4 with compensation.] 16.Bh6 f6 17.Bxf8 Rc8 18.Qf3 Kxf8 19.e5 Kg7 20.exf6+ exf6 Reaching an equal position. Grischuk – Nepomniachtchi, Moscow 2019 151

10.Nxe5 Bxe5 11.0-0

Position after: 11.0-0 11...0-0 The natural move. 11...Bxc3 would be too greedy because after 12.Bh6 Black’s king on e8 is vulnerable. 12...Bxa1 13.Qxa1

152

Position after: 13.Qxa1 13...Rg8 [13...f6 14.e5! When your opponent’s king is stuck in the center you should try to open up the position as soon as possible. 14...Qxd5 15.exf6 with great play for White.] 14.Rd1 gives Black a hard time to develop his pieces. White has excellent compensation. 12.Bh6 Re8 13.Qd2 e6 14.f4

Position after: 14.f4 White uses his pawn majority in a clever way. Without knights on the board, it is easier to attack! 14...Bc7 14...Bh8 15.d6 Bd7 16.e5 This strong pawn chain looks to be winning. 15.Bg5 White tries to provoke weaknesses in front of Black’s monarch. 15...Qd7 15...f6 16.Bh4 and we have weakened Black’s structure. 16.f5 16.Qb2 also looks good: 16...a6 [16...exd5? 17.Bb5+–] 17.Rad1±.

153

16...exf5 17.exf5

Position after: 17.exf5 17...Qd6? It is hard to understand this move. It gives White two extra moves in a dangerous position. 17...f6 seems to be the only move. 18.Bh6 [18.Bxf6?? Qd6–+] 18...gxf5 [18...g5 19.Bh5 Rd8 20.Rae1 White has a winning position because he controls the only open file and his pieces are very active.] 19.Bh5² 18.Bf4 Qe7 19.d6+– Bxd6 20.Bxd6 Qxe2

154

Position after: 20...Qxe2 White to move and win. Try to calculate until the end. 21.Rae1! Qb5 21...Qxd2 22.Rxe8+ Kg7

Position after: 22...Kg7 A) 23.Be5+?? f6 24.Re7+ Kf8 25.Bxf6 Bxf5–+ 155

B) 23.Bf8+? Kf6 24.Be7+ Kg7 25.Bf8+ is only a draw. [25.f6+ Kh6 26.Bf8+ Kh5–+] C) 23.f6+! Kh6 24.Bf4+! Qxf4 25.Rxf4 I hope you managed to calculate this far. 22.f6 The opponent is helpless against Qh6. Black resigned. 1-0 Theoretical section Quick review 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

Position after: 3...d5 4.Nf3 Please note that our aggressive h4 advance should not be played yet. Black achieves great counterplay after 4.h4?! c5 [4...Bg7?! 5.h5; 4...dxc4 5.e4] 5.dxc5 d4! 6.Nb5 e5. This is the reason why we need to play Nf3 first to have better control over the d4-square. 4...Bg7 5.h4!

156

Position after: 5.h4! This aggressive move is my recommendation against the Grünfeld. 5...c6 Black’s most solid reply in the style of the Slav Defense. Black is ready to recapture on d5 with the c6-pawn so that his knight can remain as a great defender on f6. A) 5...c5?! A very typical reaction (luckily for us). Black follows the advice of striking in the center against a wing attack, but this move simply loses a pawn. 6.dxc5! – see subchapter a) later on. B) 5...h5 is a common reaction in blitz chess, but it comes with the major drawback of weakening the g5-square forever. 6.Bg5² is discussed in subchapter b). C) 5...0-0 It’s quite risky to castle into the attack like this. 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.h5 More details can be found in subchapter c). D) 5...Bg4 This leaves the b7-pawn unprotected so we respond with the logical and strong 6.Qb3 – see subchapter d). E) 5...dxc4 6.e4

157

Position after: 6.e4 E1) 6...0-0 7.Bxc4 c5 8.d5 E1.1) 8...Bg4 9.Qc2 Ne8?! [¹ 9...Nbd7] 10.h5

Position after: 10.h5 10...Nd6 [10...Bxh5 11.Rxh5 gxh5 12.e5 with a strong attack.] 11.Be2 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 e6?! [12...b5] 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.e5 Nf5? [14...Bxe5 15.dxe6 Qf6 16.exf7+ Rxf7 17.Bd5±] 15.dxe6 Nc6 16.exf7+ Rxf7 17.Bd5 Nxe5 18.Bf4 1-0 Studer – Heimann, Bad Ragaz 2017 158

E1.2) 8...b5

Position after: 8...b5 Black uses a move which is thematic of the Benoni Defense. 9.Bxb5 Nxe4! 10.Nxe4 Qa5+ 11.Nc3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qxb5 13.h5 Further details can be found in subchapter e). E2) 6...c5 7.d5 b5 8.h5 also brings us to subchapter e). 6.Bg5

159

Position after: 6.Bg5 Black has a vast array of possibilities to choose from in this position: A) 6...h6 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.e3 B) 6...Ne4 7.e3 C) 6...dxc4 7.e4 D) 6...Nbd7 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Qb3 E) 6...Qb6 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.cxd5N F) 6...Be6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Qb3 G) 6...0-0 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.h5 These variations will be discussed in subchapter f). Detailed review 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4

Position after: 5.h4 Now Black can choose from six options. a) 5...c5?!, b) 5...h5, c) 5...0-0, d) 5...Bg4, e) 5...dxc4 and finally the main move f) 5....c6. a) 5...c5?! 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 c5?! 160

A very typical reaction (luckily for us). Black tries to strike in the center against an attack on the flank, but this move simply loses a pawn. 6.dxc5!

Position after: 6.dxc5! 6...0-0 A) 6...Qa5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 [7...Qxc5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Bd4 0-0 10.Qd2±] 8.Qxd5 Bxc3+ 9.Bd2! Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2

161

Position after: 10.Qxd2 10...Qxc5 [10...Qxd2+ 11.Nxd2 Be6 12.e3² Vitiugov – Belousov, St Petersburg 2014] 11.Rc1 Qf5 12.Nd4 Qd7 13.h5± with a fantastic position for White. B) 6...Na6 7.cxd5

Position after: 7.cxd5 7...Qa5 [7...Nxc5 8.Be3 b6 9.Bd4 0-0 10.b4 e5 11.Bxe5 Re8 12.bxc5 Rxe5 13.Nxe5 Ng4 14.f4 Nxe5 15.fxe5 Bxe5 16.Qd3+– Wagner, D – Salem, Biel 2018] 8.Bd2 Nxc5 9.Rc1± White is clearly 162

better. 7.cxd5

Position after: 7.cxd5 7...Na6 7...Qa5 8.Bd2 Qxc5 9.Qb3! The most precise move. [9.e4 Ng4 creates some disharmony in White’s camp.] 9...Nbd7 10.Rc1 a6 11.e4 Ng4?! [11...Qd6 12.Be2²] 12.Nd1!±

163

Position after: 7...Na6 8.e4! 8.h5 Nxc5 9.hxg6 fxg6 10.Bh6 Bxh6 11.Rxh6 Qb6 with counterplay. Inarkiev – Wei Yi, Magas 2018 8...Nxc5 9.Bd3 9.e5 Ng4 10.Qd4 Qb6 11.Be2 f6! 12.b4 fxe5 13.Qxc5 e4 leads to an unclear position. 9...Bg4 10.0-0

Position after: 10.0-0 10...Rc8 10...e6 11.Bc2 [11.Be3 Nxd3 12.Qxd3 Bxf3 13.gxf3 exd5 14.exd5 Nd7 15.Bg5²] 11...exd5 12.exd5 Re8 13.Bg5² 11.Re1² b) 5...h5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 h5 A common reaction in blitz chess but as mentioned, it comes with the huge drawback of weakening the g5-square forever.

164

6.Bg5²

Position after: 6.Bg5² The position looks similar to the classical 5.Bg5 line of the Grünfeld but the insertion of h4 and ...h5 is favorable for us. White is simply better. 6...Ne4 A) 6...c5?! 7.dxc5 Qa5 8.cxd5

165

Position after: 8.cxd5 8...0-0 [8...Nxd5 9.Qxd5 Bxc3+ 10.Bd2±] 9.Rc1 Nbd7 10.Qa4 Qxc5 11.e4 Ng4 12.Nd1 Qd6 13.Qa3!± Egresi – Szalanczy, Hungary 2019 B) 6...c6 7.e3 0-0 8.Be2

Position after: 8.Be2 B1) 8...Be6 9.Bxf6 Bxf6 10.Ng5!? Bxg5 11.hxg5 Kg7 [11...dxc4 12.Bxh5!] 12.e4 [12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Qb3²] 12...dxe4 13.d5 cxd5 14.cxd5 Bf5 15.Nxe4 Qa5+ 16.Nc3 Qb6 17.Qd2 Na6 18.Bxa6 Qxa6 19.f3

166

Position after: 19.f3 19...Qc4 [19...Qb6! was a much stronger defense.] 20.g4 hxg4?? 21.Qh2 Rh8 22.Qe5+ f6 23.Qxe7+ Kg8 24.Rxh8+ Kxh8 25.gxf6 Rg8 26.Kf2 g3+ 27.Kxg3 Bg4 28.f7 and Black resigned. 1-0 Vogel – Zhu, Hungary 2014 B2) 8...dxc4 9.Bxc4 Bf5 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Rc1² C) 6...dxc4 7.e4 c5 8.d5 Qa5 [8...b5 9.e5²] 9.Nd2! b5 10.e5 Ng4 11.d6ƒ

Position after: 11.d6ƒ 167

7.cxd5 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Qxd5 9.e3 c5 10.Be2 Nc6 11.0-0 0-0

Position after: 11...0-0 12.Nd2² With Bf3 to come next. Also good is 12.c4 Qd6 13.d5². c) 5...0-0 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 0-0 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.h5

168

Position after: 7.h5 White proceeds with his usual attacking plan. 7...c5! 7...Bg4 8.hxg6 hxg6

Position after: 8...hxg6 9.Bh6 [9.Qb3!? Nxc3 10.bxc3 c5 11.Qxb7 Nd7 12.e3 cxd4 13.exd4 e5„ Morozevich – Gelfand, 169

Sochi 2014] 9...Bxh6 10.Rxh6² 8.hxg6 hxg6 8...fxg6? weakens the a2-g8 diagonal. 9.e4 Nxc3 10.bxc3 e6 11.Be2² 9.Bh6

Position after: 9.Bh6 9...Bxh6 9...Nc6 10.Bxg7 Kxg7 11.Qd2 provides a strong attack, for example: 11...Rh8?? 12.Rxh8! Kxh8 [12...Qxh8 13.Nxd5+–] 13.Qh6+ Kg8 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Ng5+– 10.Rxh6 Nxc3 11.bxc3 cxd4 12.Qd2 12.cxd4!? is possible as well.

170

Position after: 12.Qd2 12...Kg7! A) 12...dxc3?? 13.Qxc3 f6 14.Ng5! fxg5 [14...Qd5 15.Rxg6+ Kh8 16.e4+–] 15.Rd1!+– B) 12...e5?! 13.Rh8+! Kxh8 14.Qh6+ Kg8 15.Ng5 Qxg5 16.Qxg5± C) 12...Qa5 13.Qxd4 f6 14.Rc1² 13.Ng5 See the Ter Sahakyan – Nikologorsky game below. Also see 13.Rd1 analyzed under the same game later in this chapter. d) 5...Bg4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 Bg4 6.Qb3 Of course! From here the queen puts pressure on both the b7- and d5-pawns. 6.Ne5 Be6 is okay for Black.

171

Position after: 6.Qb3 6...c5 A) 6...0-0?! 7.Qxb7 Nbd7 8.cxd5 Rb8 9.Qa6± B) 6...dxc4 7.Qxb7 Nbd7 8.Qc6 0-0 9.e4² 7.dxc5 Nbd7 A) 7...d4? 8.Nxd4! Qxd4 9.Qxb7 0-0 10.Qxa8 Qxc5 11.Qb7+– B) 7...Na6 8.cxd5 Nxc5 is a transposition to the main line. 8.cxd5 Nxc5

172

Position after: 8...Nxc5 9.Qa3 9.Qb5+ Nfd7 10.Qb4² is also promising. 9...Qd6 10.Be3 Nce4 11.Qxd6 exd6 11...Nxd6 12.Nd2 0-0 13.Bd4 Nf5 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nde4² 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Bd4!

173

Position after: 13.Bd4! White needs to neutralize Black’s g7-bishop. 13...0-0 13...Nf6 14.e3 0-0 15.Bc4² 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Nd2² e) 5...dxc4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.d5

174

Position after: 7.d5 7...b5 7...0-0 8.Bxc4 A) 8...b5 9.Bxb5 [9.Nxb5?! Nxe4 leads to a great position for Black.] 9...Nxe4! 10.Nxe4 Qa5+ 11.Nc3

Position after: 11.Nc3

175

11...Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 Qxb5 [12...Qxc3+?? 13.Bd2+–] 13.h5 Qc4 14.hxg6 fxg6 [14...hxg6? 15.Qd2±] 15.Rh4 Qxc3+ 16.Bd2 Qd3 17.Bh6! Qxd1+ 18.Rxd1 Re8 [18...Rd8?! 19.Ng5 gives White a slight advantage.] 19.Ng5 Nd7 20.Ne6 Rb8 21.Nc7 Rd8 22.Ne6 Re8 23.Nc7 Rd8 24.Re4 Rb7 25.d6 exd6?! [25...e5 26.f4 leads a sharp position where I prefer White.] 26.Ne8 Rb4 27.Re3

Position after: 27.Re3 27...Bb7?? [27...d5 28.Rxd5 Rd4 gives Black better chances of survival.] 28.Rxd6 Rd4 29.Bg5+– Rxd6 30.Nxd6 Rb8 31.Re7 Bc6 32.Bh6 Kh8 33.Nf7+ Kg8 34.Ng5 Ne5 35.Rxe5 Rb1+ 36.Kd2 1-0 Riazantsev – Kokarev, Novosibirsk 2016 B) 8...Bg4 9.Qc2 Ne8?! [¹ 9...Nbd7] 10.h5 Nd6 [10...Bxh5 11.Rxh5 gxh5 12.e5 with a strong attack.] 11.Be2 Bxf3 12.Bxf3

176

Position after: 12.Bxf3 12...e6?! [¹ 12...b5] 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.e5 Nf5? [14...Bxe5 15.dxe6 Qf6 16.exf7+ Rxf7 17.Bd5±] 15.dxe6 Nc6 16.exf7+ Rxf7 17.Bd5 Nxe5 18.Bf4 1-0 Studer – Heimann, Bad Ragaz 2017 C) 8...a6 9.a4 Bg4 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Be2² 8.h5

Position after: 8.h5 177

8...Nxh5 A) 8...0-0 9.hxg6 fxg6 10.e5 [10.d6!? is also well worth analyzing.] 10...Ng4 11.d6 e6 12.Rxh7! Rf5 [12...Nc6 13.Rxg7+ Kxg7 14.Bg5 Qa5 15.d7+–] 13.Rh3

Position after: 13.Rh3 A1) 13...Nc6 14.a4 b4 [14...Ngxe5 15.axb5] 15.Ne4 Ncxe5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 [16...Rxe5?? 17.Qxg4 Bb7 18.f3+–] 17.g4 Rf8 18.f4 Nd3+ 19.Bxd3 cxd3 20.Qxd3± Kvetny – Lei Tingjie, Boeblingen 2015 A2) 13...Bb7 14.Nxb5 Qa5+ [14...Nxe5 15.Nc7±] 15.Nc3 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 Rxe5+ 17.Be3 Nd7 18.Rg3 Be4 19.Bxc4

178

Position after: 19.Bxc4 19...Rh5?! [19...Nb6 20.Bd3±] 20.Bxe6+ Kh7 21.Rh3+– 1-0 (32) Vidit – Bok, Isle of Man 2016 B) 8...b4 9.h6 Bf8 10.Na4 Nxe4 11.Bxc4

Position after: 11.Bxc4 White has great compensation for the pawn. 11...Nd6 [11...Qa5 12.b3 Nd6 13.0-0 Nxc4 14.bxc4±] 12.Be2 Nd7 13.0-0 Nf5 14.Bb5! White is clearly better.

179

9.Nxb5

Position after: 9.Nxb5 9...0-0 9...Qa5+ 10.Nc3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qxc3+ 12.Bd2 Qf6 13.Rc1 0-0 14.Bc3+– 10.Bxc4 Bg4! 10...a6 11.Nc3² 11.Qc2 a6 12.Nc3 Bxf3! 12...Nd7?! 13.Nh2!± 13.gxf3 Qd6! 14.Ne2

180

Position after: 14.Ne2 14...Nd7 14...Be5 15.Rxh5!? [15.Bh6!?] 15...gxh5 16.f4 [16.Bg5²] 16...Bd4 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.Qd2 Qb6?! 19.b3± followed by Bb2. 15.f4ƒ White is more active. Hakobyan – Kulaots, Minsk 2017 f) 5...c6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 c6 This is Black’s most solid reply, played in the style of the Slav Defense. Black is ready to recapture on d5 with the c6-pawn so that the knight can remain on f6 as a strong defender. 6.Bg5

181

Position after: 6.Bg5 6...0-0 Challenging White right away. A) 6...h6 kicks the bishop and prepares to close the kingside with ...g5 after h4–h5. 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.e3

Position after: 8.e3

182

8...Bg7 [8...e6 9.Qc2 Nd7 10.0-0-0 Bg7 11.Kb1 0-0 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Bd3 b6 14.Rc1 a6 15.Ne2 Bb7 16.Qc7 Rb8 17.Qg3 Re8 18.Ne5 Nxe5 19.dxe5 Qe7 20.Nd4 Rbc8 21.f4² Hansen, S – Akesson, Pattaya 2013] 9.Qc2 0-0 10.Bd3 Be6 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Qb3!? Qb6 13.Qxb6 axb6 14.Kd2

Position after: 14.Kd2 White has a risk-free ending. 14...Rd8 15.Rhc1 Bg4 16.Nh2 Bf5 Black is a bit too willing to compromise his pawn structure. 17.Bxf5 gxf5 18.f4 Nc6 19.h5! e6 20.g4! fxg4 21.Nxg4 Kf8 22.Ne2 b5 23.Rc5 b4 24.Rb5 Rd7 25.Nc1! f5 26.Nf2 Bf6 27.Nfd3±

183

Position after: 27.Nfd3 The knight pair dominates. 1-0 (52) Najer – Wan, China 2013 B) 6...Ne4 7.e3

Position after: 7.e3 B1) 7...h6 8.Bf4 0-0 9.Bd3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Bg4 12.Qc2! Attacking the g6-pawn. 12...Bf5 [12...Bxf3 13.gxf3 e6 14.h5 g5 15.Bg3 White is better.] 13.e4 Bc8 14.h5!N

Position after: 14.h5!N 184

14...g5 [14...gxh5 15.Qd2 Kh7 16.Rxh5 looks like a winning attack.] 15.Bxg5! hxg5 16.h6 Bf6 17.e5 with a decisive advantage for White. B2) 7...Qa5 8.Qb3 e6 9.Bd3 Nxc3

Position after: 9...Nxc3 10.Qxc3 [10.bxc3 f6! 11.Bf4?! e5µ] 10...Qxc3+ 11.bxc3 Nd7 12.h5 h6 13.Bf4 g5 14.Bd6 Bf8 15.Bg3² B3) 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 0-0

185

Position after: 8...0-0 B3.1) 9.h5 h6 10.Bxh6 Bxh6 11.hxg6 Bg7 12.Ne5 fxg6! 13.Nxg6 Rf6 14.Qh5 Qa5 15.Nxe7+ Kf8 leads to a forced draw. 16.Ng6+ Kg8 [16...Rxg6? 17.Qxg6 Qxc3+ 18.Ke2 dxc4 19.Rd1+–] 17.Ne7+ Kf8 And the point is shared. B3.2) 9.Be2 c5 10.cxd5 cxd4 11.exd4 Qxd5 12.Bxe7 Re8 13.Bg5 Qc4 14.Rc1 Qxa2 15.Be3 Bg4 16.0-0 Qd5 17.c4 Qh5 18.Rb1 b6 19.Rb5± Gareev – Dale, Arlington 2014 B4) 7...Nxg5 8.hxg5

Position after: 8.hxg5 8...h5 [8...dxc4 9.Bxc4 Bg4?! 10.Qb3±] 9.gxh6 Rxh6 10.Rxh6 Bxh6 11.Bd3 Bg7 12.Qc2 dxc4 13.Bxc4 e6 14.0-0-0 Nd7 15.Bxe6!N [15.Bd3 Mozharov – Lagno, Moscow 2015] 15...fxe6 16.Qxg6+ Kf8 17.Ng5! Qe7 18.Rh1+– C) 6...dxc4 7.e4

186

Position after: 7.e4 C1) 7...Be6 8.e5 Nd5 9.h5 Nd7 10.h6 Bf8 11.Ne4 Aiming to land Nd6+! 11...f6 12.Bd2 b5 13.a4 Bf5 14.Ng3! e6 15.Nxf5 exf5 16.axb5 cxb5 17.Be2 Be7 18.0-0 a5?! [18...a6=] 19.b3!² Kasparov – Nepomniachtchi, Saint Louis 2017 C2) 7...b5 8.e5 Nd5 9.h5 h6 10.hxg6

Position after: 10.hxg6 C2.1) 10...hxg5 11.Rxh8+ Bxh8 12.gxf7+ Kxf7 13.Nxg5+ Kg6 14.Qf3 Nxc3 15.bxc3 Kxg5 187

Position after: 15...Kxg5 16.Qf7 [16.Qg3+ Kf5 17.Be2+] 16...Qd5 17.Qxe7+ Kh6 18.Qf8+ Bg7 19.Qxc8 c5 20.Qh3+ Kg6 21.Qg4+ Kh7 22.0-0-0 Nc6 23.Be2 cxd4 24.Qf5+ Kg8 25.Bf3 Qxe5 26.Bd5+ 1-0 Nepomniachtchi – Giri, Beijing 2013 C2.2) 10...fxg6 11.Bd2 Nd7 12.a4 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nf8 14.Nh4 Be6 15.axb5 g5 16.Qh5+ Bf7 17.Qg4 h5 18.Qxg5 White is a healthy pawn up and converted his advantage. 1-0 (35) Espinosa Veloz – Gledura, Santa Clara 2015 D) 6...Nbd7 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Qb3 Nb6 9.e3 0-0 10.a4 a5 11.Bf4² E) 6...Qb6 7.Bxf6 Bxf6

188

Position after: 7...Bxf6 8.cxd5N [8.Qd2!?] 8...Qxb2 9.Qc1 Qxc1+ 10.Rxc1 0-0 11.e3 and White is slghtly better. F) 6...Be6 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Qb3

Position after: 8.Qb3 8...Nc6 [8...Qb6 9.Qxb6 axb6 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.e3²] 9.Qxb7 Na5 10.Qb5+ Bd7 11.Qd3 Bf5 12.Qb5+ Bd7 13.Qd3 Bf5 14.Qd1 Nc4 15.e3 Nxb2

189

Position after: 15...Nxb2 16.Qb3 [16.Bb5+ Kf8 17.Qe2 Qa5∞ Prusikin – Fogarasi, Munich 2014] 16...Nc4 17.Bxf6 Bxf6 18.Nxd5² 7.Bxf6 Bxf6 8.h5

Position after: 8.h5 8...Bf5!? 190

An interesting way of handling the position. A) 8...g5 is a different approach. 9.e3 A1) 9...Be6 10.Qb3 Qb6 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.h6!² A2) 9...h6 10.Be2 Bg7 11.Qc2 Be6 12.0-0 [12.cxd5 cxd5 only helps Black since it clears the c6square for the knight.] 12...dxc4 13.Ne4² B) 8...b5?! Too ambitious. 9.hxg6 hxg6 10.cxb5 cxb5 11.Qd2 highlights the reason why. B1) 11...b4 12.Ne5 Bg7 [12...bxc3?? 13.Qh6 leads to mate in three.] 13.Na4 and White is better. B2) 11...Bg7 12.Nxb5 Nc6 13.e3 Rb8 14.Be2² Melkumyan – Holm, Reykjavik 2016 9.hxg6 9.Qb3 dxc4 10.Qxb7

Position after: 10.Qxb7 10...Qb6 [10...Qd7 11.Qxd7 Nxd7 12.e4 Be6 13.e5 Bg7 14.h6 Bh8 15.Ng5 Bd5 16.f4 f6 17.Nge4²] 11.Qxb6 axb6 12.e4 Be6 13.e5 Bg7 14.Be2 h6 15.hxg6 fxg6 16.a3 Na6∞

191

Position after: 9.hxg6 9...hxg6!? A) 9...Bxg6 10.cxd5 [10.Qb3?! dxc4 11.Qxb7 Qb6 12.Qxb6 axb6 13.e4 b5 14.e5 Bg7 15.Nh4 Na6 16.a3 Nb4 17.Nxg6 fxg6!? 18.Rc1 Nd5³] 10...cxd5 11.e3 Nc6 12.Bd3 with a slight advantage for White. B) 9...fxg6 10.Qb3 dxc4? [10...e6 11.Qxb7 Nd7 12.Qxc6 Rc8 13.Qa6 Nb8 14.Qa3 Rxc4 15.e3²] 11.Qxc4+

192

Position after: 11.Qxc4+ B1) 11...Rf7? 12.Rxh7! B2) 11...Kg7 12.e4 Bg4 13.e5+– B3) 11...Kh8 12.e4 Bg4 13.e5 Bg7 14.Ng5! h5 15.Be2 [15.Nf7+ Rxf7 16.Qxf7 Qxd4 17.Be2 also wins.] 15...Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Qxd4 17.Rxh5+!+– B4) 11...e6 12.e4 Bg4 13.Nh2! This move is often a useful tempo. 10.e3 10.Qb3?! dxc4 11.Qxb7 Qb6!

Position after: 11...Qb6! 12.Qxb6 [12.Qxa8? Qxb2–+] 12...axb6 13.e4 Be6 14.e5 Bg7 15.Ng5 [15.Be2 f6 16.0-0-0 Ra5 17.Nh4 Bh6+ 18.Kb1 Kg7 19.exf6+ exf6 20.g3 Re8 21.f4 g5 22.Bh5 Re7 23.fxg5 fxg5 24.Nf3 b5 25.Rde1 Bf5+ 26.Ka1 Rea7=] 15...Bd5 16.0-0-0 b5 17.Kb1 b4 18.Nxd5 cxd5³ 10...e6 11.Ne5!?N 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Bd3 Bg4 13.Qc2 Kg7 14.0-0-0 Nd7 15.Rdg1 Rh8 16.Kb1 Qe7∞

193

Position after: 11.Ne5!?N 11...Nd7? Ordinarily this would be quite a sensible move, challenging our strong knight on e5, but in this instance it is simply losing. A) 11...Bxe5 12.dxe5 Qg5 13.Qd4 Nd7 14.cxd5 exd5 15.e6 Nf6 16.e7 Rfe8 17.0-0-0 Rxe7?? allows 18.f4. B) 11...c5 Probably Black’s best try. 12.g4!?

194

Position after: 12.g4!? Played in the spirit of our aggressive opening line. 12...Be4 [12...cxd4 13.exd4 Be4 14.f3 Bh4+ 15.Ke2 leads to the same thing.] 13.f3 cxd4 14.exd4 Bh4+ 15.Ke2 f6™

Position after: 15...f6™ 16.Nd7!² [16.Nf7 Rxf7 17.Rxh4 g5 18.Rh6 Kg7; 16.Nxg6 Bxg6 17.Rxh4 dxc4 is a rather unclear position.] 16...Nxd7 [16...Qxd7 17.Rxh4 g5 18.Rh1 Bg6 19.cxd5 exd5 20.Kf2

Position after: 20.Kf2 195

White’s king on f2 is safer than his counterpart on g8. Our plan is to play Bd3 and then attack on the light squares with Ne2-g3-f5.] 17.Rxh4ƒ g5 18.Rh1 Bg6 19.cxd5 exd5 [19...e5!? 20.Kf2] 20.Kf2 gives us a nice attacking position. 12.Nxd7 Qxd7 13.g4!±

Position after: 13.g4!± Oops! As often happens in this line, the f5-bishop runs out of squares. Model games (II) Vidit, S.G. (2686) Bok, Benjamin (2594) Isle of Man 2016 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 dxc4 6.e4 c5 7.d5 b5 8.h5 0-0 9.hxg6 fxg6 We saw 9...hxg6 in the theory section. 10.e5 Ng4 11.d6 e6 11...Bb7? 12.Nxb5 Bxf3 13.Bxc4+ Kh8 14.gxf3 Nxe5 15.Bd5±

196

Position after: 11...e6 12.Rxh7! The key move in this line. White opens up the h-file and harasses the Black king. 12...Rf5 12...Kxh7?! 13.Ng5+ Kg8 14.Qxg4 looks scary for Black.

197

Position after: 14.Qxg4 14...Bxe5 [14...Nc6 15.Qh3 Rf5 16.Nce4ƒ; 14...Rf5 15.Be2 Nc6 16.Qh4‚] 15.Qh3! Rf7 [15...Qd7 16.Nxb5] 16.Nxf7 Kxf7 17.Ne4+– 13.Rh3 Bb7? 13...Nc6! 14.a4 b4 15.Ne4 Ncxe5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.g4 Rf8 18.f4 Nd3+ 19.Bxd3 cxd3 20.Qxd3± Kvetny – Lei Tingjie, Boeblingen 2015 14.Nxb5

Position after: 14.Nxb5 14...Qa5+ A) 14...Nxe5 15.Nc7± B) 14...Na6 15.Bxc4 Qd7 16.Qb3 Re8 17.Nxa7+– with Bb5 coming. 15.Nc3 Nxe5 16.Nxe5 16.Nh4 also looks promising, e.g. 16...Rf6 17.Bg5 Rf7 18.Qd2. 16...Rxe5+ 17.Be3 Nd7 18.Rg3 18.Qd2!?

198

18...Be4 19.Bxc4 Rh5 20.Bxe6+ Kh7 21.Rh3

Position after: 21.Rh3 21...Bxc3+ It is rarely a good decision to give up the important g7-bishop for a knight even if it wins a pawn. 22.bxc3 Qxc3+ 23.Kf1 Nf6 24.Rc1 Qe5 25.d7+– White is winning. He has an extra pawn, a pair of bishops (and a higher rating ☺). 25...Rd8 26.Rxh5+!

199

Position after: 26.Rxh5+! 26...gxh5 26...Nxh5 27.Qg4 Bd3+ 28.Kg1+– 27.Bh3 c4 28.Rxc4 Qb5 28...Qd5 29.Rd4+– 29.Qd4+– Bd5 30.Qxf6 Bxc4+ 31.Kg1 Rxd7

200

Position after: 31...Rxd7 32.Qf5+ 32.Bf5+!? looks even better, as seen in the following line: 32...Kg8 33.Bh6! Rd1+ 34.Kh2 Qb8+ 35.g3+– 1-0 Ter Sahakyan, Samvel (2547) Nikologorsky, Matfei (2235) St Petersburg 2018 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.h4 0-0 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.h5 c5 8.hxg6 hxg6 9.Bh6 Bxh6 10.Rxh6 Nxc3 11.bxc3 cxd4 12.Qd2 Kg7

201

Position after: 12...Kg7 13.Ng5N A scary looking novelty to face, but probably not the best one objectively. I prefer the choice of Li Chao. 13.Rd1 A) 13...dxc3?? 14.Qxd8 Rxd8 15.Rxd8 Kxh6 16.Rxc8+– B) 13...Rh8 14.Rxh8 Qxh8 15.cxd4² C) 13...Nc6 14.Rh4 This is the ideal square for the rook in these positions. It clears the h6-square for the queen and also targets the d4-pawn. 14...e5 [14...Rh8 15.Rxh8 Qxh8 16.cxd4²] 15.Qh6+ Kf6

202

Position after: 15...Kf6 16.Nxe5! C1) 16...Nxe5 17.Rhxd4 Qe7 18.Rd6+ Be6 19.f4± C2) 16...Kxe5? 17.Rhxd4 Nxd4 18.Rxd4 Qb6 [18...Kf6 19.Rxd8 Rxd8 20.Qh4+ g5 21.Qh6+ Ke7 22.Qxg5+ Ke8 23.e4+–] 19.Qxf8+– C3) 16...Qa5 Only move. 17.Qf4+ Ke6 [17...Kg7 18.Rc1] 18.Nxc6 Qxc3+ 19.Qd2 Qxd2+ 20.Rxd2 bxc6 21.Rhxd4² White retains better chances in the endgame. D) 13...Qa5 14.Nxd4 Nc6 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.Rh4 g5

203

Position after: 16...g5 17.Re4!? preserves a small plus for White. [17.Ra4 was played in the game Li Chao – Svidler, Geneva 2017, ½-½ (42).]

Position after: 13.Ng5N 13...Rh8?! The most natural move in a sharp position.

204

I prefer the more ambitious 13...e5!? 14.Rh7+ Kg8 15.cxd4 [15.e4 Nc6=] 15...Qxd4 16.Qxd4 exd4 17.e4 Nd7=. 14.Rxh8 Qxh8 15.cxd4 15.Qxd4+? f6 16.Nf3 Nc6 would allow Black to claim an advantage. 15...Nc6 16.Rc1 Qd8 17.d5 17.Nf3!? 17...Ne5 18.e4

Position after: 18.e4 18...Bg4?! I don’t really like this move. It simply takes the g4-square away from the knight and places the bishop in a vulnerable position. A) 18...f6 19.f4 Ng4 20.Nf3 Bd7 21.Qb4 I prefer White because of the better central control. B) 18...Bd7 19.Qb2 f6 20.f4 Ng4 21.Be2 Qa5+ 22.Kf1 Rc8= 19.f4 Nd7 20.Kf2 20.Qd4+ looks good too. 20...Qb6+ 21.Kg3 205

Position after: 21.Kg3 The king finds himself the perfect spot. 21...Bh5? Too passive. 21...f6 was the last hope for Black, but after 22.Qc3 White is still slightly better. 22.e5+– The power of the pawn center! 22...Nc5 23.Be2 23.d6!? 23...Bxe2 24.Qxe2 Qa6 25.Qe3 b6 26.Rh1 Qc4 27.Rh7+ Kg8 28.Kh2

206

Position after: 28.Kh2 28...f6 28...Rf8 29.f5 [29.Rh8+ Kg7] 29...gxf5 30.Rh8+ Kg7 [30...Kxh8 31.Qh3+ Kg8 32.Qh7#] 31.Ne6+! Kxh8 32.Qh6+ Kg8 33.Qg7# 29.exf6 exf6

Position after: 29...exf6 207

30.Rg7+! 30.Rg7+ Kxg7 [30...Kh8 31.Qh3+ Kxg7 32.Qh7+ Kf8 33.Qf7#] 31.Qe7+ Kg8 32.Qh7+ Kf8 33.Qf7# 1-0 Typical tactics If you want to master an opening, you need to learn more than just the theory. You should study the middlegame plans, model games, how masters play in similar positions, and typical tactics too. In this part of the chapter, I will show you nine combinations which you should definitely know before facing the Grünfeld Defense. Before you start to think, check whose move it is, and the difficulty level indicated above the diagram: * indicates easy level ** is medium level *** is hard level I would advise you to solve these exercises without moving the pieces on the board, to improve your calculation and visualization skills. Good luck!

Test Your Knowledge

Show in Text Mode

1-*

208

□ 17.? +– Show/Hide Solution

17.Nd6+! Gershon – Shabalov , Bermuda 2003 17...exd6 A) 17...Kf8 18.Qe6 inevitably leads to mate. B) 17...Kd8 18.Ne6# 18.Qe6+ Kd8 18...Kf8 19.Nxh7# 19.exd6 Black has no defense. 1-0

2-* 209

□ 26.? +– Show/Hide Solution

26.Bxg6+!+– 26...fxg6 26...Kxg6 27.Qg3+ Kh7 28.exd6+– 27.f7 Qe7 28.fxe8=Q Qxe8 29.Rf6 Qe7 30.Rbf1 Bringing the last piece into the attack. 30...Be6

210

Position after: 30...Be6 Finally the bishop is developed but it is too little, too late. 31.Qe4 31.d5!? Bxd5 32.e6 was more flashy but not necessary. 31...Bf5 32.R1xf5 gxf5 33.Qxf5+ Kg8 34.Rg6+ Sakaev, K – Belov, V, Krasnoyarsk 2003 1-0

3-*

211

■ 26...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

26...Na2+! Van Wely, L – L’Ami, E, Leeuwarden 2004 27.Qxa2 Qc2# 0-1

4 - **

212

□ 17.? +– Show/Hide Solution

17.Nd6! Nc5 Black prefers to lose his rook rather than succumb to the classic smothered mate: 17...exd6 18.Qe6+ Kh8 19.Nf7+ Kg8 20.Nh6+ Kh8 21.Qg8+ Rxg8 22.Nf7# 18.Nxc8 Qa6 19.Nxe7+ Kf8 20.Qf3+! Ke8 21.Qf7+ Kd8 22.Qd5+ Mohota, N – Karavade, E, Abu Dhabi 2004 1-0

5 - **

213

□ 33.? +– Show/Hide Solution

33.Nxg6+! hxg6 33...Qxg6 34.Bxf6++–

Position after: 34.Bxf6++–

214

34...Qxf6 [34...Rxf6 35.Rxd8+; 34...Kg8 35.Qxg6+ hxg6 36.Rxd8 Rxd8 37.Bxd8] 35.Qxh7# 34.Rxg7 Sokolov, I – Nijboer, F, Leeuwarden 2004 1-0

6 - **

■ 15...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

15...Nxf2! 16.Kxf2 Ng4+ 17.Kg1 Nxe3 18.Qd2 Nxg2! 18...Nxd1 19.Rxd1 would give White a clear edge. 19.Kxg2 d4! 19...Bxe2 20.Nxe2 Bxa1 21.Rxa1 with equal chances. 20.Nxd4 Bb7+

215

Position after: 20...Bb7+ 21.Kf1 A) 21.Kg1 Bxd4+ 22.Qxd4 Re1+! 23.Kf2 Qxd4+ 24.Rxd4 Rxa1–+ B) 21.Kf2 Qd7! wins because ...Rad8 and ...Qh3 are threatened. 21...Qd7! Byrne, R – Fischer, R New York 1963 21...Qd7! 22.Qf2 [22.Ndb5 Qh3+ 23.Kg1 Bh6–+ …...Be3+] 22...Qh3+ 23.Kg1 Re1+!! 24.Rxe1 Bxd4–+ 0-1

7 - ***

216

□ 23.? ± Show/Hide Solution

23.Bd6!! 23.Rd1? [0-1 (51) Peng, Z – Van Wely, L, Rotterdam 1999] 23...fxg5³ 23.Bd6!! fxg5 23...exd6 24.Nxd6 Qe6 25.Nxc8 Qxc8 26.gxh6 Bf8 27.Qg6+ Kh8 28.Rd1+– 24.Bxe7 Qe5 25.Qg4±

8 - ***

217

□ 35.? +– Show/Hide Solution

35.Rg8+! Ke7 35...Kxg8 36.exf7+ Rxf7 37.Qxe5+– 36.Qxf7+ Kd6 37.Rxe5 Rxg8 37...Kxe5 38.Qxc7++– 38.Qxg8 Agrest, E (2563) – Bacrot, E (2653) Leon 2001 1-0

9 - ***

218

■ 41...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

41...a1=Q!! 41...Qf4+!! wins as well: 42.gxf4 Bf2+ 43.Qg3 Bxg3+ 44.Kxg3 a1=Q 45.Rxf6+ Kg7 46.e5 b5 47.Kh4 b4 48.Kxh5 Qd1+ 49.Kh4 b3 50.e6 b2 51.Rf7+ Kg8 52.Rb7 b1=Q 53.Rxb1 Qxb1 54.Kg4 Qe4 0-1 Gelfand, B (2733) – Shirov, A (2699) Odessa 2007. 41...a1=Q!! 42.Qxa1 Qf4+!! 43.Rxf4 43.gxf4 Bf2# 43...fxg5# 0-1

Homework If you want to master the Grünfeld structure, I recommend that you analyze the following selection of games, using this method: 1) Analyze the games yourself and identify the critical moments without using an engine. 2) Write down your analyses and possible improvements. 219

3) Check your work with the engine. 4) Make a conclusion about what you can learn from each game. Karpov, Anatoly (2730) Kasparov, Garry (2800) Lyon/New York 1990 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Be3 c5 8.Qd2 0-0 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.Ng5 cxd4 11.cxd4 Nc6 12.h3 Bd7 13.Rb1 Rc8 14.Nf3 Na5 15.Bd3 Be6 16.0-0 Bc4 17.Rfd1 b5 18.Bg5 a6 19.Rbc1 Bxd3 20.Rxc8 Qxc8 21.Qxd3 Re8 22.Rc1 Qb7 23.d5 Nc4 24.Nd2 Nxd2 25.Bxd2 Rc8 26.Rc6 Be5 27.Bc3 Bb8 28.Qd4 f6 29.Ba5 Bd6 30.Qc3 Re8 31.a3 Kg7 32.g3 Be5 33.Qc5 h5 34.Bc7 Ba1 35.Bf4 Qd7 36.Rc7 Qd8 37.d6 g5 38.d7 Rf8 39.Bd2 Be5 40.Rb7 1-0 Svidler, Peter (2751) Gelfand, Boris (2753) Jerusalem 2014 1.c4 g6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Qb3 dxc4 5.Qxc4 Be6 6.Qb5+ Bd7 7.Qb3 c5 8.d5 b5 9.Nxb5 Qa5+ 10.Nc3 Na6 11.f3 c4 12.Qd1 e6 13.e4 exd5 14.e5 d4 15.exf6 dxc3 16.bxc3 0-0-0 17.Bd2 Ba4 18.Qc1 Qe5+ 19.Be2 Nc5 20.Kf1 Nd3 21.Bxd3 Rxd3 22.Ne2 Bc5 23.Ng3 Rhd8 24.Qe1 Be3 25.Bxe3 Rxe3 0-1 Euwe, Max Alekhine, Alexander Netherlands 1935 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Nh5 5.Be5 f6 6.Bg3 Nxg3 7.hxg3 c6 8.e3 Bg7 9.Bd3 0-0 10.Rxh7 f5 11.Rh1 e5 12.dxe5 Bxe5 13.Nf3 Bxc3+ 14.bxc3 Qf6 15.cxd5 Qxc3+ 16.Kf1 Qf6 17.Rc1 cxd5 18.Rc7 Nd7 19.Bb5 Qd6 20.Rc4 Nf6 21.Rch4 Qc5 22.Ba4 Qc3 23.Ng5 Kg7 24.Nh7 Rd8 25.Nxf6 Kxf6 26.Rh7 Be6 27.R1h6 Bf7 28.Kg1 Rg8 29.g4 Rg7 30.gxf5 Rxh7 31.Rxh7 gxf5 32.Bb3 Qe5 33.Qf3 Rc8 34.g4 Bg6 35.Rxb7 Qa1+ 36.Kg2 Rh8 37.g5+ Kxg5 38.Qf4+ Kf6 39.Qd6+ Kg5 40.f4+ Kh6 41.Qe7 1-0 Carlsen, Magnus (2875) Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2779) Zagreb 2019 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2 Nc6 10.Rb1 cxd4 11.cxd4 0-0 12.Qxa5 Nxa5 13.Bd3 Bg4 14.0-0 Bxf3 15.gxf3 e6 16.Rfd1 Rfd8 17.Bf1 b6 18.Ba6 Rd6 19.Rbc1 Rad8 20.Bg5 f6 21.Be3 h6 22.Bb5 f5 23.d5 g5 24.Bd2 fxe4 25.fxe4 a6 26.Ba4 exd5 27.Bb4 Re6 28.Rxd5 Rxd5 29.exd5 Re4 30.Rc8+ Kf7 31.a3 Be5 32.Be8+ Kg7 33.d6 Rd4 34.d7 Nb7 35.Be7 Re4 36.Rc6 Bd4 37.Rc7 1-0 220

Carlsen, Magnus (2690) Ivanchuk, Vassily (2750) Linares 2007 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 0-0 10.0-0 Na5 11.Bd3 b6 12.Rc1 cxd4 13.cxd4 e6 14.Qd2 Bb7 15.h4 Qe7 16.h5 Rfc8 17.e5 Rxc1 18.Rxc1 Rc8 19.Rxc8+ Bxc8 20.Bg5 Qc7 21.Bf6 Nc6 22.Qg5 h6 23.Qc1 g5 24.Bb5 Bd7 25.d5 exd5 26.Nd4 Bxf6 27.exf6 Qd6 28.Bxc6 Qxf6 29.Bxd7 Qxd4 30.g3 Qc5 31.Qxc5 bxc5 32.Bc6 d4 33.Bb5 Kf8 34.f4 gxf4 35.gxf4 1-0 Kramnik, Vladimir (2781) Giri, Anish (2701) Dortmund 2011 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Be3 c5 8.Qd2 Qa5 9.Rc1 cxd4 10.cxd4 Qxd2+ 11.Bxd2 0-0 12.Nf3 e6 13.h4 Nc6 14.e5 Bd7 15.Rb1 b6 16.h5 Ne7 17.hxg6 fxg6 18.Bc4 Rac8 19.Bb3 Nd5 20.Ng5 h6 21.Ne4 g5 22.Nd6 Rc7 23.Ke2 Rd8 24.Rh3 Bc6 25.Rbh1 Rf8 26.Rc1 Bd7 27.Rxc7 Nxc7 28.Rc3 Na6 29.g3 Rd8 30.f4 Bf8 31.f5 Bxd6 32.exd6 Bb5+ 33.Ke3 Rxd6 34.fxe6 Kf8 35.Rc8+ Ke7 36.d5 Rd8 37.Rxd8 Kxd8 38.d6 Nc5 39.Bd5 Bd7 40.exd7 Kxd7 41.Kd4 Kxd6 42.Bb4 a5 43.Bxc5+ bxc5+ 44.Kc4 1-0 Concluding tips 1) Try to build a strong pawn center and make sure that your c3- and d4-pawns remain well protected. 2) It is usually a good idea to trade your dark-squared bishop for Black’s g7-sniper. 3) Always be on the lookout for a timely d4-d5 push, even if it involves sacrificing an exchange. 4) If you go for the h4-h5 plan, don’t trade queens. You will need her later.

221

Chapter 3 The Benoni Defense 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5

Chapter Guide Chapter 3 – The Benoni Defense Introduction Model games (I) Theoretical section Model games (II) Typical tactics Homework Concluding tips Introduction The Benoni Defense has been a weapon of choice for many players with a preference for unbalanced, complicated positions. At the same time, it should be noted that over the past few years, it is only rarely seen at the highest levels. Among others, Wesley So, Li Chao and Ivanchuk resort to it occasionally when they need to win with Black. This line became popular in the 1950s when Mikhail Tal used it to score some spectacular victories 222

with Black. We will begin by taking a look at one of these. The Benoni Defense is seen as a tricky opening because it can arise from several different move orders. We will deal with the standard Modern Benoni move order, which is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6, but we should mention Black’s other options too: Old Benoni: 1.d4 c5 2.d5 Alekhine, among others, played this move order. The advantage is that it avoids sidelines such as the Trompowsky Attack (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5). However it also has a clear drawback: White can decide to play without c4, instead going for a quick Nc3 and e4. Later on, a knight will likely find its way to a strong square on c4. Czech Benoni: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5 Black creates a closed position immediately. Although this strategy is very safe in the short term, it leaves Black rather passive. White’s position is clearly better due to the space advantage and the weakness of Black’s d6-pawn later on. In my experience, players who choose it with Black are more fond of closed positions than tactical fights, as it leads to positions more strategic in nature. Snake Benoni: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 Bd6 This is one of the most original ideas that I have seen in an opening. Instead of the standard ...g6, ...Bg7 development, Black chooses to reroute the bishop via ...Bd6-c7-a5 instead. This system has quite a bad reputation. In our theoretical section, we will examine how White can gain an advantage. Late Benoni: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 This is called the Late Benoni because Black delays playing ...e6 and ...exd5 and first plays ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...0-0. The leading expert on this variation and the author of several excellent articles is GM Boris Chatalbashev. Our chosen setup will continue to work well here, and in most cases it will transpose back to the Modern Benoni. Finally, let me just point out that the Benoni structure can easily arise out of other openings too. Two possible transitions include: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 Bg7 4.d5 (Old Benoni structure) 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Be3 c5 7.d5 (Modern Benoni) And finally, we can also get it with reversed colors. 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 What types of players choose this opening? These players tend to prefer opening systems. As we will see, Black’s play is quite schematic, and he often follows a set of standard plans. Then there are also players who choose the Benoni simply because, inspired by Mikhail Tal, they want to win spectacular chess games. Is it considered to be a correct opening? To be honest, I don’t think so. Black creates a permanent weakness in his position on d6. 223

Furthermore, White almost always gains a space advantage. I believe it is quite difficult for Black to be successful with the Benoni Defense these days. How should White relate to this opening? We should be happy to see it on the board. White’s position is better because of the aforementioned long-term advantages. When I played 1.d4 as White, my highest win-rate was against the Benoni. ECO Code: A43-44 (Old Benoni) and A56-A79. Model games (I) Before we start to work on the theory of the Benoni Defense, I would like to show you four example games on the line. Please note that we are not going to play the same line as White, but I still think it is necessary to have a basic knowledge of the typical ideas, plans and maneuvers. Gurgenidze, Bukhuti Tal, Mihail Moscow 1957 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6

Position after: 5...d6 6.Nf3 Our line will be 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3. 6...g6 7.e4 224

Not the best move order because here Black can play 7...a6 8.a4 Bg4= which leads to a positionally favorable version of the Benoni for Black. After eliminating the f3-knight, Black can play ...Nd7-e5 more easily and no longer has to worry about White’s Nd2-Nc4 maneuver. 7...Bg7 8.Be2 A solid setup but not very ambitious. 8.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 is the main line. 8...0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Nd2

Position after: 10.Nd2 10...Na6 A typical knight maneuver. Black wants to play ...Nc7 to help carry out the thematic ...b5 plan. 10...Nbd7 11.Qc2 Ne5 12.b3 Bg4 13.Bxg4 [13.f3 Bd7„] 13...Nfxg4 14.Bb2 a6 15.h3 Nf6 16.f4 Ned7 17.Nc4 Nb6 18.Rae1 Nxc4 19.bxc4 Nd7

225

Position after: 19...Nd7 20.e5!? White gives up a pawn in return for control of the e4-square and shutting down Black’s strong g7-bishop. [20.Re2 b5!] 20...dxe5 21.f5 b5 [21...e4? 22.Nxe4 Ne5 23.f6±] 22.Ne4 Nb6 23.Bc1? [23.cxb5 axb5 24.fxg6 fxg6 25.Qxc5=] 23...Nxc4 24.d6 gxf5 25.Rxf5 Nxd6 26.Bg5 Qa5 27.Bd2 Qd8 28.Bg5 Qa5 29.Bd2 Qd8 [29...Qc7!?] 30.Bg5 ½ Aronian – Caruana, Moscow 2016 11.Re1 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Qc2 Ng4 An ambitious move in the style of Tal. More common is 13...Rb8 with the simple plan of ...a6 and ...b5. 14.h3?

226

Position after: 14.h3? Way too naive. 14...Nxf2! 15.Kxf2 15.Rf1 Nxh3+ 16.gxh3 Bxh3µ 15...Qh4+ 16.Kf1 16.g3? Bd4+ 17.Kf3 [17.Kg2 Qxh3+ 18.Kf3 Bg4+ 19.Kf4 g5+ 20.Kxg5 Be3+ 21.Kf6 Qh6#] 17...Qh5+ is mate in three. 16...Bd4!

227

Position after: 16...Bd4! This was the key idea. Black’s queen works really well in conjunction with his two powerful bishops. 17.Nd1 Qxh3! 17...Bxh3 18.Ra3 Bf5 19.Ne3 Bxe3 [19...Nxd5 20.Nf3!∞] 20.Rxe3 Nxd5 21.Bb5 Nxe3+ 22.Rxe3 Re5³ 18.Bf3 18.gxh3?? Bxh3# is a nice way to give mate with two bishops. 18...Qh2 19.Ne3 19.Nf2

228

Position after: 19.Nf2 What is the strongest move here for Black? A) 19...Nxd5! 20.exd5 Rxe1+ 21.Kxe1 Qg1+ 22.Nf1 [22.Ke2 Qxf2+ 23.Kd1 Qg1+ 24.Ke2 Ba6+ 25.Nc4 Re8+ 26.Kd2 Qe1+ 27.Kd3 Re3+ 28.Bxe3 Qxe3#] 22...Ba6–+ B) 19...f5 20.Nc4 Ba6 21.Be3 Bxe3? [21...fxe4 22.Nxe4 Bxe3 23.Rxe3 Bxc4+ 24.Qxc4 Qh1+ 25.Kf2 Qxa1–+] 22.Rxe3 Nxd5 23.Ree1 Nb4 24.Qc3 fxe4 25.Ng4 Qf4 26.Nf6+ Kf7 27.Nxe8 Rxe8 28.Kg1

229

Position after: 28.Kg1 28...d5? [28...Bxc4] 29.Be2 Kg8 30.Ne3 Bxe2 31.Rxe2 d4 32.Qc4+ Qf7 33.Qxf7+ Kxf7 34.Nc4 Re6?? [34...Kg7=] 35.Rxe4 1-0 Sebih – Assaad, Asia 1989 19...f5 20.Ndc4 fxe4 21.Bxe4 Ba6 22.Bf3 Re5 23.Ra3

Position after: 23.Ra3 23...Rae8 23...Rf8!? looks even better. 24.Bd2 Nxd5 25.Bxd5+ 25.Nxd5?? Qg1# 25...Rxd5 26.Ke2 Bxe3 27.Rxe3

230

Position after: 27.Rxe3 27...Bxc4+ 27...Bxc4+ 28.Kd1 [28.Qxc4 Qxg2+ 29.Kd1 Qxd2#] 28...Rxe3 29.Rxe3 Qg1+ 30.Re1 Qf2–+ 0-1 Shishkov, Andrei (2303) Berelowitsch, Alexander (2468) St Petersburg 1999 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.0-0 Ne8

231

Position after: 11...Ne8 Black wants to play ...Ne5 and then recapture with the bishop. 12.Bg5! The most accurate move. White wants to disturb Black’s plan and provoke additional weaknesses. 12...f6 12...Bf6 13.Bh6 Bg7 14.Qd2² 13.Be3 13.Bh4 Ne5 14.Nxe5 dxe5 followed by ...Nd6 is okay for Black. 13...Ne5 14.Nxe5! fxe5 Which plan should we go with here? Please choose from the following three options: 1) Qd2 followed by Bg5 or Bh6; 2) a5 with the idea of Na4-Nb6; 3) Be2-Bg4 intending to trade the lightsquared bishops. Of course not 14...dxe5? 15.Bxc5.

232

Position after: 14...fxe5 15.Qd2 A) After 15.Be2 Black can stop our intended Bg4 with 15...Nf6 16.Bg5 Bd7 with a normal Benoni position. B) 15.a5! I strongly believe that this is the best way to improve our position. White wants to play Na4-Nb6 and then later possibly Nc4 to put pressure on the d6-pawn. 15...b5 [15...Rb8 16.Na4 Bd7 17.Nb6±] 16.axb6 Taking on b6 is the correct response 99% of the time in situations like this where Black plays ...b5 in the Benoni. 16...Qxb6 17.Na4 Qc7

233

Position after: 17...Qc7 18.b4! cxb4 19.Nb6 Rb8 20.Nxc8 Qxc8 21.Rxa6± Black’s position is full of weaknesses. 15...Nf6 Black plans ...Nh5-f4. 16.Rfb1 Nh5

Position after: 16...Nh5 17.Kh2?! Trying to play prophylactically but I am not sure it was needed. 17.b4 Nf4 A) 18.Bf1 b6 19.bxc5 bxc5 20.a5± B) 18.bxc5?! Qg5 19.Bf1 Nxh3+ 20.Kh2 Qh4 [20...Nf4 21.cxd6±] 21.gxh3 Bxh3 22.Bg2! [22.Bxh3?? Rf3.] 22...Bxg2+ 23.Kxg2 Qg4+ 24.Kf1

234

Position after: 24.Kf1 24...Bh6!! [24...Rf3? 25.Qe2± The king will run like Usain Bolt with Ke1-Kd2.] 25.Qd1 [25.Bxh6 Qh3+ 26.Ke2 Qf3+ 27.Ke1 Qh1+ 28.Ke2=] 25...Qh3+ 26.Ke2

Position after: 26.Ke2 26...Rxf2+!! Another spectacular sacrifice. 27.Bxf2 Rf8! White has an extra rook and knight for only two pawns but still he cannot stop the perpetual check. 28.Qe1 Qf3+ 29.Kf1 Qh1+ 30.Ke2 Qf3+ 31.Kf1= 235

17...Nf4 18.Bf1

Position after: 18.Bf1 18...Qh4 18...Nxh3? 19.gxh3 Qh4 20.Ne2 Rxf2+ 21.Bxf2 Qxf2+ 22.Bg2+– 19.f3? This is a tactical blunder. 19.Qd1! Qh6 [19...Bd7 20.g3 Qh6 21.gxf4 exf4 22.Bd2 g5 23.f3 White successfully stopped Black’s attack.] 20.a5 [20.g3? Bxh3 wins an important pawn.] 20...Bf6 with an unclear position.

236

Position after: 19.f3? 19...Nxh3! An excellent sacrifice! Black is prepared for the attack. 20.gxh3?? 20.Qe1 was White’s only chance. If the queens remain on the board he is simply lost. A) 20...Qh5? 21.g4 traps the queen. 21...Ng5+ [21...Bxg4 22.fxg4 Qxg4 23.Bxh3+–] 22.gxh5 Nxf3+ 23.Kg3 Nxe1 24.Rxe1 gxh5 25.Be2+– B) 20...Qxe1 21.Rxe1 Nf4³

237

Position after: 21...Nf4³ Black has an extra pawn but White is solid and it’s really not easy to play for a win here. After 22.a5 Bd7 23.Ra3 White will play Rb3 applying pressure on the b7-pawn. 20...Rxf3–+ 21.Qe1

Position after: 21.Qe1 21...Rxh3+! 238

Everything is coming with tempo and working out perfectly. 21...Qh5 22.Bg2 Bxh3 23.Bxf3 Bg4+ 24.Kg1 Bxf3 25.Qd2 Bf6!? [25...Rf8!?] also looks promising for Black. 22.Bxh3 Qxh3+ 23.Kg1 What is Black’s only winning move here? 23...Bg4!–+

Position after: 23...Bg4!–+ As usual, the queen requires assistance to finish the attack. Now ...Bf3 is an annoying threat and the rook will soon join the party via f8 too. 24.Nd1 24.Qf1 Qxe3+ 25.Qf2 Qd3–+ 24...Bf3 25.Qd2 Rf8 25...Qh1+ 26.Kf2 Rf8 would be forced mate in eight moves. 0-1 Avrukh, Boris (2520) Rotstein, Arkadij (2455) 239

Tel Aviv 1997 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 b5!?

Position after: 9...b5!? This is quite a modern approach to fight against our Bd3 line. Black tries to make use of the fact that White has invested a tempo playing h3 instead of castling, so the king remains in the center for the moment. 10.Nxb5 10.Bxb5 Nxe4! is Black’s tactical idea. 11.Nxe4 Qa5+ 12.Nfd2 [12.Bd2?! Qxb5³] 12...Qxb5 13.Nxd6 Qa6 14.N2c4 Nd7 15.0-0

240

Position after: 15.0-0 A) 15...Nb6!? is the old main move. 16.Nxb6 Qxb6 17.Nxc8 Raxc8 18.Rb1 Rfd8 19.Bf4 Qb7 20.d6 Bf8 21.Qd3 Bxd6 22.Bxd6 Rc6= ½-½ (40) Ponomariov – Nakamura, Baku 2016 B) 15...Ne5! I was not able to find any advantage against this line. Black has enough compensation to make a draw (but no more). 16.Nxe5 Qxd6 17.Nc6 Bb7

Position after: 17...Bb7 18.Be3 [18.Qf3 Bxc6 19.dxc6 Rac8 20.Rb1 Qxc6 ½-½ Peralta – Mareco, Santiago de Compostela 241

2018] 18...Bxc6 19.dxc6 Qxc6 20.Rc1 Bxb2 21.Rxc5 Qe6 22.Qd5 Qxd5 23.Rxd5= ½-½ (33) Juhasz – Munoz Pantoja, Brena Baja 2019 10...Re8 10...Nxe4?? does not work now because after 11.Bxe4 Qa5+ 12.Nc3 Re8 [12...f5 13.Bc2 Ba6 14.Qd2!] 13.0-0 Bxc3 14.bxc3 Rxe4 15.Nd2 Re8 16.Re1

Position after: 16.Re1 White has a clear advantage. For example: 16...Qd8 [16...Rxe1+ 17.Qxe1 Qd8 18.Ne4 Bf5 19.Bg5 Qf8 20.Nf6++–] 17.Ne4 Nd7 [17...Bf5? 18.Nf6+!+–] 18.Bg5 Qc7 19.Bf4+– 11.0-0 11.Nc3? Nxe4 12.Nxe4 f5³ 11...Nxe4

242

Position after: 11...Nxe4 12.Qa4!? This is an interesting line which was fashionable in the late 90s, but I don’t think it’s good enough to play for an advantage. 12.Re1 will be our chosen line in the theory section. 12...Bd7 12...a6! 13.Re1 [13.Bxe4 Bd7!] 13...Nd7 14.Rxe4 Rxe4 15.Qxe4 Nf6 16.Qe2 axb5 17.Bxb5 Bb7 18.Bg5 Bxd5 19.a4 h6 20.Bf4= ½-½ Avrukh, – Pigusov, Linares 1997 13.Re1!

243

Position after: 13.Re1! 13...Qb6? A) 13...Nf6 14.Bg5² B) 13...a6 looks better: 14.Bxe4 Qb6 15.Bd2 Qxb5=. 14.Rxe4 Rxe4 15.Qxe4 Bxb5 16.a4!

Position after: 16.a4! 244

An important attacking move. Suddenly Black’s pieces get in each other’s way, causing problems with development. 16...Bd7™ 16...Bxd3? loses to 17.Qe8+ Bf8 18.Bh6 Nd7 19.Qxa8 Qxb2 20.Re1 Qb8™ 21.Qxb8 Nxb8 22.Re8 Nd7 23.Rd8+–. 17.a5 Qd8 17...Qc7 18.Qe7!? Bf8 19.Qh4 gives White a nice attack. 18.Bg5 Qc8 19.Qf4 Qf8 20.Qh4 f6 21.Bf4+– c4!? 22.Bxc4! 22.Bc2 Na6„ 22...g5

Position after: 22...g5 23.Bxg5! fxg5 24.Nxg5 White has three pawns and a powerful attack for the bishop – more than enough compensation. 24...Qf5 A) 24...Bf5 25.Ne6

245

Position after: 25.Ne6 25...Qc8 [25...Qf7 26.Qd8+ Bf8 27.Ra3!+–] 26.Nxg7 [26.Ra3!?] 26...Kxg7 27.Re1‚ B) 24...h6 25.Ne6+– 25.Ne6 Bxe6 25...Bf6 26.Qg3+ Kh8 27.Nc7+– [27.Qxd6!?+–] 26.Qd8+!

246

Position after: 26.Qd8+! 26...Bf8 26...Qf8 27.dxe6! Qxd8 28.e7++– 27.dxe6 With the devastating prospect of e7+ coming on the next move, Black sensibly decided to throw in the towel. 1-0 Gustafsson, Jan (2584) Naiditsch, Arkadij (2676) Germany 2006 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 A slight surprise from Arkadij who usually plays the Nimzo-Indian Defense as Black (3...Bb4). 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 Na6?!

247

Position after: 9...Na6?! We have seen this plan already in the Gurgenidze – Tal game, but it is less effective here as it is too slow for what the position demands. 10.0-0 Nc7 11.Re1 Re8 12.a4 b6 13.Bf4 Simple chess. White is playing standard developing moves. 13...Ba6 14.Rb1!

248

Position after: 14.Rb1! 14...h6 Black probably wants to play ...g5 and later ...g4, but this plan creates key weaknesses. White would still retain an edge after 14...Bxd3 15.Qxd3 a6 16.b4. 15.Bh2

Position after: 15.Bh2 249

As ...g5 seems to be Black’s next plan, White sensibly decides to retreat immediately to get out of harm’s way. 15...Rc8? In my opinion, this is already a decisive mistake. Now White gets the chance to go for a forced sequence exploiting Black’s weaknesses on d6 and a7. On the other hand, it is rather difficult to advise Black on a more constructive plan. As I said, I’m not a big fan of the ...Na6-Nc7 idea. 15...g5?! 16.e5! dxe5 17.d6!± 16.Bxa6 Nxa6

Position after: 16...Nxa6 Try to find the best plan for White. 17.Nd2! Correct, here comes the thematic knight maneuver. White wants to reroute this knight to the perfect c4-square in order to attack Black’s weakest pawn on d6 and support a potential e5 break at the same time. 17...Bf8 Extremely passive but it is hard to find anything better really. 18.Nb5 Ra8 250

18...Qd7 19.Qf3 Nh7 20.Qg3 Red8 21.Nc4+– White is going to win the d6-pawn. 19.Qf3 Nb4 20.Nc4 Nc2

Position after: 20...Nc2 21.Nbxd6! An elegant and strong move. White is more than willing to give up an exchange in return for a powerful pawn center. 21.Re2 a6 22.Nbxd6 Nd4! 23.Qd3 Nxe2+ 24.Qxe2² 21...Nxe1 22.Rxe1 Bxd6 23.Nxd6 Rf8 24.Nb7!

251

Position after: 24.Nb7! 24...Qe7 24...Qd7 25.Qxf6 Qxb7 26.Be5+– 25.Bd6 Qxb7 26.Qxf6 Rfe8 26...Rfc8 27.Be5 Kf8 28.Qg7+ Ke8 29.Bf6+– 27.Be5 Rxe5 28.Qxe5 Qa6 29.b3 c4

252

Position after: 29...c4 30.d6! 30.bxc4 Qxc4 [30...Qxa4 31.d6+–] 31.d6 Qxa4 32.Rc1+– 30...cxb3 30...Qc8 31.Rc1+– 31.d7+–

253

Position after: 31.d7+– As is often the case in the Benoni, White’s d-pawn decides the game. 31...Qxa4 32.Rd1 Rd8 33.Qe7 b2 34.Qxd8+ Kg7 35.Rb1 Qxe4 Nothing can save Black: 35...Qa1 36.Qf8+ Kxf8 37.d8=Q+ Kg7 38.Qd4+ Kh7 39.Rxa1 bxa1=Q+ 40.Qxa1 and resigns. 36.Rxb2 Qe1+ 37.Kh2 Qe5+

254

Position after: 37...Qe5+ 38.f4! 38.f4 Qxf4+ 39.g3 Qe5 40.Rf2+– 1-0 Theoretical section Quick review 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5

Position after: 5.cxd5 5...d6 5...Bd6 is the so-called Snake Benoni. It is quite rare and has a bad reputation, so we should be happy to see this move on the board. 6.e4

255

Position after: 6.e4 6...0-0 [6...Bc7?! 7.d6 Ba5 8.e5; 6...Qe7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Nf3 c4!? 9.Bxc4 Nxe4 10.0-0 Nxc3 11.bxc3 h6 Sivic – Miezis, Nova Gorica 2010 12.Re1N 12...Qf6 13.Qd4! White has a clear edge.; 6...Be5 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Nge2 d6 9.0-0 Re8 10.f3² 1-0 (29) Danner – Czebe, Oberwart 2007] 7.f4 Nxe4 8.Nxe4 Re8 9.Qe2

Position after: 9.Qe2 9...Bf8 [9...f5 10.Nxd6! Rxe2+ 11.Bxe2²; 9...Bc7 10.g4²] 10.g4 256

Position after: 10.g4 A) 10...d6 11.Nh3 Bxg4 12.Qxg4 Rxe4+ 13.Be2 Nd7 14.0-0!?² [14.Nf2 Nf6 15.Qf3 Re7 16.0-0 Nxd5 17.Bd2 Qb6 P.H Nilsen – Karjakin, Beijing (rapid) 2011] B) 10...b6 11.Nh3 Bb7 [11...Ba6 12.Qc2] 12.Bg2 Bxd5 13.0-0 Bxe4 14.Bxe4 d5 15.Bxh7+! Kxh7 16.Qd3+ Kg8 17.Ng5 g6 18.Qh3 Bg7 19.f5 gxf5 20.Qh7+ Kf8 21.Qxf5 1-0 Fajs – Beltins, e-mail 2006 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 7...Bg4?! 8.Qb3 is awkward for Black to deal with. 8.h3 0-0 9.Nf3

257

Position after: 9.Nf3 The first critical position where Black must choose his setup. 9...a6 A) 9...Na6 10.0-0

Position after: 10.0-0 A1) 10...Bd7?! 11.Bf4 Qb6 12.Qd2 [12.Nd2 Qxb2 13.Rc1 b5 14.Bxd6 Rad8 15.Nb3±] 12...Rfe8 258

13.Rfe1 Nc7 14.a4 a5 15.Bc4± A2) 10...Nb4?! 11.Bc4± A3) 10...Re8 11.Re1 Nc7 12.a4

Position after: 12.a4 12...b6 [12...a6 13.Bf4 Rb8 14.Bf1!?±; 12...Na6 13.Bf4 Nb4 14.Bb5 Bd7 15.Bc4± Varga P. – Ivanka, Budapest 1991; 12...Nd7 13.Bf4 Qe7 14.Qd2±] 13.Bf4 Bb7 14.Nd2 Nh5 15.Bh2 Qe7 16.a5± A4) 10...Nc7 11.Re1!?

259

Position after: 11.Re1!? A4.1) 11...Nd7 12.Bf4 Qe7 13.Qd2 Rb8 14.a4 a6 15.Bf1 f6 [15...b5? 16.e5+–] 16.Rab1 Ne5 17.Nxe5 fxe5 18.Bg5 Qe8 19.b4± A4.2) 11...a6 12.a4 Rb8 13.Bf1 Nd7 [13...b5 14.e5! White is better after this typical breakthrough.] 14.Bf4 Ne5 15.Nxe5 Bxe5 16.Bxe5 dxe5 17.Nb1!? With a slight but stable edge for White. B) 9...Nh5 10.Bg5

260

Position after: 10.Bg5 B1) 10...f6?! 11.Be3 f5 12.exf5 gxf5 [12...Bxf5 13.Bxf5 gxf5 14.0-0 f4 15.Bd2 Nd7 16.Re1±] 13.Ng5 Qe8 14.0-0 Be5 15.Nf3 Nd7 16.Nb5 Rb8 17.Nc7 Qf7 18.Ne6 Re8 19.Nfg5+– D. Fridman – W. Spoelman, Netherlands 2006 B2) 10...Bf6 11.Be3 Nd7 [11...a6 12.a4²] 12.Be2 Re8 13.Nd2 Ng7 14.0-0² C) 9...Qc7 10.0-0 c4 [10...a6 11.a4 c4 12.Be2²] 11.Be2 [11.Bc2 Nbd7 gives Black better chances compared to Be2.]

Position after: 11.Be2 11...Nbd7 [11...Re8 12.Qc2 Nbd7 13.Be3! White has a clear opening advantage.] 12.Be3!? a6 13.a4ƒ D) 9...b6 10.0-0!? [10.Qe2 Re8!? 11.0-0 a6 12.a4 Bb7 13.Qc2 Nbd7 14.Bf4 Qc7 would be another possibility.] 10...Ba6 11.Bf4!

261

Position after: 11.Bf4! D1) After 11...c4 12.Bc2 b5 13.a3 Black’s counterplay has been stopped and his bishop is left passive on a6. D2) 11...b5 D2.1) 12.Nxb5!? Nxe4 [12...Bxb5?! 13.Bxb5 Nxe4 14.Qe2ƒ] 13.Qe2 f5 [13...Re8?! 14.Bxe4 Bxb5 15.Qxb5 Rxe4 16.Rae1±] 14.Rae1ƒ D2.2) 12.Re1 b4 13.Bxa6 Nxa6 14.Nb5 Ne8 15.e5² D3) 11...Ne8 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.Re1 f6 14.a3± Lalic – Merda, Porto San Giorgio 2004 D4) 11...Re8 12.Re1 Bxd3 [12...Nh5 13.Bh2 Bh6 14.e5 dxe5 15.Nxe5 Bxd3 16.Qxd3 Nd7 17.Nc6± Van Herman – Guth, Berlin 1997] 13.Qxd3 a6 14.a4

262

Position after: 14.a4 14...Ra7 [14...Nh5 15.Bh2 Bh6 16.e5 dxe5 17.Nxe5 Nd7 18.d6 Bf4 19.Nc6 Bxh2+ 20.Kxh2 Qg5 21.g3±] 15.Bh2 [15.Rad1!?] 15...Rae7 16.Nd2± D5) 11...Bxd3 12.Qxd3 a6

Position after: 12...a6 D5.1) 13.Rfe1!? b5 14.e5 c4 [14...dxe5 15.Nxe5±] 15.Qd2 dxe5 [15...b4?! 16.exf6 bxc3 17.Qxc3 Qxf6 18.Qxc4±] 16.Nxe5± 263

D5.2) 13.a4 Ne8 [13...Re8 14.Rae1ƒ; 13...Ra7 14.Rfe1±] 14.e5 dxe5 15.Nxe5

Position after: 15.Nxe5 15...Nd6?! [15...Bxe5 16.Bxe5 Nc6 17.Bf4 Nb4 18.Qd2 Nd6 19.Rfe1ƒ; 15...Nd7?! 16.Nc6 Qh4 17.Bg3+– Seres – Suetin, Bern 1999] 16.Rfe1 Nf5 17.Rad1± Krasenkow – Lovkov, Warsaw 2010 E) 9...Bd7 10.0-0 [10.a4 is possible too.] 10...b5 11.a3!? [11.Nxb5 Nxe4 is not what we are looking for.]

264

Position after: 11.a3!? E1) 11...b4?! 12.axb4 cxb4 13.Na4± E2) 11...c4 12.Bc2 Na6 13.Re1 Re8 14.Bf4± E3) 11...Na6 12.Re1 c4 13.Bc2 Nc5 [13...Re8] 14.Bf4!? Qb6 15.e5 dxe5 16.Nxe5 Rad8 17.Qf3ƒ a5?! 18.Be3± Rc8?! 19.Ne4+– W. Browe – D. Gurevich, Philadelphia 1993 E4) 11...Re8 12.Re1

Position after: 12.Re1 12...c4 [12...a5 13.Bf4ƒ Qb6 14.Nxb5 Bxb5 15.Qb3±] 13.Bc2 Na6 14.Bf4 Qb6 15.e5 dxe5 16.Nxe5 Nc5 17.Qf3 a5 18.d6² 1-0 (34) Chatalbashev – Satyapragyan, Hastings 2008 F) 9...Re8 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Re1 a6 12.a4 would transpose to the 9...a6 line. However, Black can deviate with 10...c4 – see subchapter a). G) 9...b5 10.Nxb5!? allows Black to choose between 10...Nxe4 and 10...Re8, both of which are covered in subchapter b). 10.a4 Nbd7 11.0-0

265

Position after: 11.0-0 This position is discussed in subchapter c). Black has the following possibilities: A) 11...Qe7 12.Re1 B) 11...b6 12.Re1 C) 11...Rb8 12.Bf4!? D) 11...Nh5 12.Bg5 E) 11...Re8 12.Re1 Detailed review 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Nf3

266

Position after: 9.Nf3 Now Black can choose from three main options: a) 9...Re8 b) 9...b5 c) 9...a6. All other lines can be found in the quick review section. a) 9...Re8 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 Re8 10.0-0

267

Position after: 10.0-0 10...c4 10...Nbd7 11.Re1 A) 11...Ne5 12.Nxe5 Rxe5 13.Bf4

Position after: 13.Bf4 A1) 13...Nh5 14.Bh2 [14.Bxe5 Bxe5 might give Black compensation on the dark squares. Black’s 268

next move would be ...Qg5.] 14...Rg5 15.Kh1 Be5 16.Qd2 Bxh2 17.Kxh2 Qf6 18.g3² A2) 13...Re8 14.Nb5 Bf8 15.a4 a6 16.Na3!²

Position after: 16.Na3!² A typical maneuver. The knight is heading to c4 from where it will put pressure on the d6-pawn. B) 11...a6 12.a4 would transpose to the 9...a6 line. 11.Bxc4 11.Bc2!? is also possible but then Black could try 11...b5!?. 11...Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Bg5!

269

Position after: 13.Bg5! This intermediate move secures White a pleasant position. 13...Bf6 A) 13...f6 14.Bd3 Re8 15.Be3 Nd7 16.Rc1 Kh8 17.Nd4± 1-0 (32) Ribli, Z (2569) – Acs, P (2497) Hungary 2000 B) 13...Qf8 14.Qc2 Re8 15.Rae1 Bf5 16.Qd1 Nd7 17.Nd4 Ne5 18.Nxf5 Nxc4 19.Be7 Rxe7 20.Nxe7+± 1-0 (28) Mamedyarov, S (2726) – Pantsulaia, L (2581) Tbilisi 2012 C) 13...Qa5 14.Re1 Rxe1+ 15.Qxe1 Qxe1+ 16.Rxe1± 14.Qc2

270

Position after: 14.Qc2 14...Re8 14...Bf5?! 15.Bd3 Re8 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Bxf5 gxf5 18.Rae1± 15.Rae1 Rxe1 16.Rxe1 Nd7 16...Bxg5? 17.Nxg5 Qxg5 18.Re8+ Kg7 19.Qc3+ f6 20.Rxc8+–

Position after: 16...Nd7 271

17.Qd2! 17.Qc1!? is equally good. 17...Bxg5 18.Nxg5 Nf6 19.Qf4 a6 20.Re3 h6?! 20...b5 21.Bb3² 21.Ne6! fxe6 22.Qxh6 Qf8 23.Qxg6+ Qg7 24.Qd3 exd5 25.Bxd5+ Kh8 26.Qd4 Bd7 27.Qh4+

Position after: 27.Qh4+ With Re7 coming. 1-0 Doettling, F (2539) – Smeets, J (2461) Netherlands 2002 b) 9...b5 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Nf3 b5

272

Position after: 9...b5 10.Nxb5!? This is my preferred way to capture the pawn since it gives better winning chances and presents more practical problems for Black to deal with. 10.Bxb5 Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Qa5+ 12.Nfd2 Qxb5 13.Nxd6 Qa6 14.N2c4 Nd7 15.0-0 Ne5

Position after: 15...Ne5

273

16.Nxc8 [16.Nxe5!? Qxd6 17.Nc6 Bb7 18.Be3 Bxc6 19.dxc6 Qxc6 20.Rc1 Bxb2 21.Rxc5 Qe6 22.Qd5 Qxd5 23.Rxd5= ½-½ (33) Juhasz, A (2375) – Munoz, M (2482) La Palma 2019] 16...Raxc8 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 This whole line is very drawish if Black knows what they are doing. 10...Re8 10...Nxe4?! 11.Bxe4 Re8 [11...Qa5+ 12.Nc3 Ba6 13.Qc2±] 12.Nd2

Position after: 12.Nd2 12...f5 [12...Ba6 13.a4 Qa5 14.Qe2 Bxb5 15.Qxb5 Rxe4+ 16.Kd1 Qxb5 17.axb5 Rb4 18.Re1 Nd7 19.Re7 Nb6 20.Raxa7 Rxa7 21.Rxa7 Rxb5 22.Nc4+– 1-0 (30) Potapov, A (2402) – Kosmo, S (2168) Pardubice 2017] 13.0-0 fxe4 14.Nc4 Ba6 15.Nbxd6± 1-0 (25) Vovk, Y (2564) – Kislinsky, A (2478) Lviv 2018 11.0-0 11.Nd2 Nxd5 12.Nc4 Re6∞ 11...Nxe4 12.Re1

274

Position after: 12.Re1 12...a6! A) 12...Bf5 13.Na3± B) 12...Nf6 13.Rxe8+ Nxe8 14.Bg5²

Position after: 14.Bg5² White is better, as was demonstrated in the following game: 14...Bf6 15.Qd2 Nd7 16.Re1 Bb7 275

17.Rxe8+ Qxe8 18.Nxd6 Bxg5 19.Qxg5 Qb8 20.Qe7 Bxd5 21.Qxd7 Qxb2 22.Be4 [22.Qe7!] 22...Be6 23.Qc7 Rf8 24.Qxc5 Qxa2 25.Ng5 Qa1+ 26.Kh2 Qf6 27.Bc6 Ba2 28.Nde4 Qd8 29.f4 h6 30.Nf3 f5 31.Qxa7 Bd5 32.Bxd5+ Qxd5 33.Nc5 Qd6 34.Ne5 g5 35.Qa2+ Kh7 36.Ncd7 1-0 Basso, P (2459) – Lanzani, M (2281) Gallipoli 2018 C) 12...Bd7 13.a4 a6 14.Na3 Nf6 15.Nc4 Rxe1+ 16.Nxe1² 1-0 (40) Horvath, J (2515) – Dinstuhl, V (2365) Budapest 1994 13.Na3 Nf6 14.Rxe8+ Nxe8 14...Qxe8 would give White a bigger advantage: 15.Nc4 Bf8 [15...Qd8 16.Bf4±] 16.Bg5 Nxd5 17.Qd2! Ra7 18.Nxd6! Bxd6 19.Bc4±. 15.Nc4 Bb7 15...Nd7 16.Bd2² 16.Bf4²

Position after: 16.Bf4² c) 9...a6 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Nf3 a6 10.a4! This is almost always the correct response to ...a6 in the Benoni. We need to prevent Black from playing ...b5 as it would allow promising play on the queenside.

276

10...Nbd7 11.0-0

Position after: 11.0-0 11...Re8 A) 11...Qe7 12.Re1 Ne5 [12...Nh5 13.Bg5!? Bf6 14.Be3 Ne5 15.Be2 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Ng7 17.Qd2 Bd7 18.a5 Rab8 19.Na4!? Bxa4 20.Rxa4 b5?! 21.axb6 Rxb6 22.b4!] 13.Nxe5 Qxe5 14.a5!? Bd7 15.Ra3!? Rac8 16.Bc4 Rfe8 17.Rb3² B) 11...b6 12.Re1 Qe7 13.Bf4 Ne8 14.Nd2!? Ne5 15.Bf1 Nc7 16.Bg3² C) 11...Rb8 12.Bf4!? Qe7 13.Re1 Ne8 14.Qd2² D) 11...Nh5 12.Bg5 Bf6 13.Be3 [13.Bh6 Bg7!? 14.Bg5 Bf6 is a possible move repetition.] 13...Ne5 14.Be2 Nxf3+ 15.Bxf3 Ng7 16.Bf4² 12.Re1

277

Position after: 12.Re1 12...Qc7 A) 12...b6 13.Bf4 Qc7 14.Qd2 Bb7 15.Bc4 Nh5 16.Bh2² B) 12...Nh5 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Be3 Ne5 15.Be2 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Ng7 17.Qd2² b6 18.Rab1 Be5 19.Bg5 f6 20.Bf4² 13.Bf4

278

Position after: 13.Bf4 13...Rb8 A) 13...c4?! would be a strategic mistake, giving up control of the important d4-square. 14.Bf1 Rb8 15.Bh2² Nh5 16.a5 b5 17.axb6 Rxb6 18.Ra4! Rxb2 19.Rxc4 Qb6 20.Re3± B) 13...Nh5 14.Bh2 Ne5 15.Be2! Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Nf6 17.e5! Our thematic breakthrough works well here. 17...dxe5 18.d6 Qb6 19.Bxe5± Qxb2?? [19...Bd7 20.Re2±] 20.Rb1 Qa3 21.Rb3+– 14.Bc4! Nb6 15.Bf1 Nfd7

Position after: 15...Nfd7 16.Qd2± 16.a5 Na8 17.Nd2 b5 18.axb6 Naxb6 19.Bxa6 Bxa6 20.Rxa6 Ne5 21.Qe2 c4∞ ½-½ (62) Karpov, A (2730) – Timman, J (2680) Kuala Lumpur 1990 Model games (II) Let me share with you two of my own games where I used this line successfully. Juhasz, Armin (2252) Leitner, Gerald (2204) Austria 2013 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 b6?!

279

This is a rare and modest line. Black aims to exchange off his problematic light-squared bishop.

Position after: 9...b6?! 10.0-0 Ba6 11.Bf4! Nh5?! Better was 11...Bxd3!? 12.Qxd3² but White’s position is definitely easier to play. 12.Bh2 12.Bxa6!? was also an option to give Black two knights on the edge of the board. 12...c4 12...Re8 13.Re1²

280

Position after: 12...c4 13.Be2!N This is the right diagonal for the bishop. Now Nd2 is threatened with a double attack. 13.Bc2 b5 14.a3 Qb6 15.e5 f5? [15...dxe5 16.Nxe5 Bb7 was a better option but I still prefer White’s position.] 16.exd6 Nd7 17.Ng5 Be5 18.Bxe5 Nxe5 19.Ne6 Rf7 20.Nc7 Rb8 21.Re1 Nd7 22.Re6 Rbf8 23.Qd2 Bc8 24.N7xb5+– 1-0 (41) Agrest, E – Dzieniszewski, A, Mikolajki 1991 13...b5

281

Position after: 13...b5 14.a3 Playing positionally with this safe move is not bad but it was not the most precise continuation. A) 14.e5!? b4 15.Na4 dxe5 16.Nxe5 Qh4 [16...Nf6 17.d6 looks really unpleasant for Black.] 17.Bg4 gives White a slight advantage. B) 14.Nd4! was best: B1) 14...b4 15.Ncb5 Bxb5 16.Nxb5 Bxb2 17.Rb1

282

Position after: 17.Rb1 17...Be5 [17...c3 18.Bxh5 gxh5 19.Bxd6 Re8 20.Bxb4+–] 18.Bxh5 Bxh2+ 19.Kxh2 gxh5 20.Rxb4+– B2) 14...Qb6 15.Nc6!

Position after: 15.Nc6! A superb positional pawn sacrifice to clear the d5-square for our other knight. 15...Nxc6 16.dxc6 Qxc6 17.a4! [17.Nd5 Rae8 would be unclear.] 17...b4 [17...bxa4 18.Rxa4±] 18.Nd5 Qb7 [18...Rfe8 19.Nxb4 is winning for White.] 19.Bxd6 Rfd8 20.e5± with total domination. 14...Qb6 14...Re8 15.Nd4 Nf6 16.e5 dxe5 17.Ndxb5±

283

Position after: 14...Qb6 15.e5 Even better was 15.Nd2 intending a4 next. 15...Nf6 [15...Nd7 16.a4 bxa4 17.Nxa4 Qb8 18.Bxc4 Bxc4 19.Nxc4+–] 16.a4 b4 [16...bxa4 17.Qc2+–] 17.Nb5 Bxb5 18.axb5 c3 19.bxc3 bxc3 20.Nc4 Qxb5 21.Rb1 Qd7 22.Nxd6+– 15...dxe5 16.Nxe5 Nf6 17.a4 17.Bf3 Nbd7 18.Nc6 also looks nice. 17...Nfd7! 17...b4 18.Nb5 Bxb5 19.axb5 c3 20.bxc3 bxc3 21.d6 Nbd7 22.Ra6 Qb7 23.Nc6±

284

Position after: 17...Nfd7! 18.Nc6! A) 18.axb5 Nxe5 19.bxa6 Qxb2 20.Rc1 Nbd7= B) 18.Nxd7 Nxd7 19.axb5 Bxb5 20.Rb1 Ba6= 18...b4 18...Nxc6 19.dxc6 Ne5 20.Nd5 Qc5 21.Nc7± 19.a5! Qb7™ 19...Qc5?! 20.Ne4 Qb5 21.b3! Nxc6 22.Bxc4 Qb7 23.Nd6 Qc7 24.Nxf7 Nce5 25.Nxe5 Bxc4 [25...Bxe5 26.d6++–] 26.Nxc4+–

285

Position after: 19...Qb7™ 20.Ne4!? A) 20.Na4? Nxc6 21.dxc6 Qxc6 22.Bf3 Qb5 23.Bxa8 Rxa8© The g7-bishop gives Black enough compensation for the exchange. B) ¹ 20.Ne7+ Kh8 21.Na4 Bb5 22.d6± 20...Nxc6 21.Nd6

286

Position after: 21.Nd6 21...Qb8? 21...Qc7 was the only move for Black but it’s hard to find it over the board. 22.dxc6 [22.Ne8 Qd8 23.Nxg7 Nce5! 24.Ne6 fxe6 25.dxe6 Nd3∞]

Position after: 22.dxc6 A) 22...Ne5 23.Nxc4 Rad8 24.Qc1 Qxc6 25.Bxe5 Bxe5 26.Nxe5 Qxc1 27.Rfxc1 [27.Raxc1 Bxe2] 27...Bxe2 28.Rc7 a6 29.Ra4 b3 30.Rb4± White has good winning chances thanks to Black’s weak pawn. B) 22...Be5!? is an interesting suggestion from my engine. 23.cxd7 Bxh2+ 24.Kxh2 Rad8 25.Bg4 h5 26.f4 hxg4 27.Ne4± C) 22...Qxc6! 23.Bf3 Qc5 24.Bxa8 Rxa8∞ 22.dxc6 Ne5 23.Qd5+– 23.Nxc4 Bxc4 24.Bxc4 Qd8 25.Ba6±

287

Position after: 23.Qd5+– 23...Re8? The final mistake. 23...Qc7 24.Rfd1+– 24.Nxf7 The other capture was even better. 24.Nxe8 Qxe8 25.c7 Rc8 26.Qd6 Bb7 27.a6 Ba8 28.Rfe1+– 24...Nxf7 24...Qb5! 25.Qxb5 Bxb5 26.Nd6+– 25.Bxb8 Raxb8 26.Bxc4 Bxc4 27.Qxc4+– Bxb2 28.Rad1 Bf6 29.Rd7 Be7 30.c7 Rbc8 31.Re1 Kf8

288

Position after: 31...Kf8 32.Rexe7! Rxe7 33.Qxb4 Black resigned as mate is coming very soon. 1-0 Juhasz, Armin (2367) Vaczi, Imre (2239) Budapest 2016 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Nf3 a6 10.a4 Re8 11.0-0 Nbd7 12.Re1

289

Position after: 12.Re1 12...Qc7 A) 12...Nh5 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Be3² B) 12...Qe7 13.Bf4 Nh5 14.Bh2 Ne5 15.Be2! Bd7 16.a5!? Rab8 17.Nd2!?² 13.Bf4

Position after: 13.Bf4 290

13...Rb8!? Black’s most popular move. A) 13...c4?! 14.Bf1 Rb8 A1) 15.a5!? b5 16.axb6 Rxb6 17.Ra4! White wins the c4-pawn. A2) 15.Bh2

Position after: 15.Bh2 15...Nh5 [15...b5?! 16.axb5 axb5 17.Nd4± Qc5 18.Nc6 Rb7 19.Bf4!] 16.a5 b5 17.axb6 Rxb6 18.Ra4 White is clearly better. B) 13...Nh5 14.Bh2 Ne5 15.Be2!

291

Position after: 15.Be2! 15...Qe7 [15...Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Nf6 17.e5! dxe5 18.d6²] 16.a5!? Bd7 17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxh5 Bxh2+ 19.Kxh2 Qe5+ 20.g3 Qxh5 21.Qxh5 gxh5 22.e5² 14.Bc4!?

Position after: 14.Bc4!? A prophylactic decision which was first played by Karpov against Timman in 1990. 292

14...Nh5 A) 14...b6?! 15.e5! dxe5 16.d6 Qc6 [16...Qd8? 17.Bxf7+ Kxf7 18.Ng5+ Kf8 19.Qb3+–] 17.Qb3± B) 14...Nb6 15.Bf1 Nfd7 16.a5!? Na8 17.Nd2ƒ Karpov – Timman, Kuala Lumpur 1990 15.Bh2 Ne5 16.Be2! Nxf3+ 17.Bxf3 Nf6

Position after: 17...Nf6 18.e5! dxe5 19.Rxe5!? 19.d6 Qb6 20.Bxe5 Rxe5!? This is what I was afraid of during the game. 21.Rxe5 Be6 [21...Qxb2 22.Rxc5! Bf5 23.Rc7] 22.Re2 Bf8² 19...Rxe5 20.d6!

293

Position after: 20.d6! 20...Qd7? 20...Qb6 21.Bxe5 Bd7 22.Qc2² 21.Bxe5 Ne8?! 21...b6 22.Bxf6 Bxf6 23.Bg4 Qd8 24.d7 Bb7 25.Qd6 Be7 26.Qf4± 22.Qd5 ¹ 22.Bh2 b5 23.axb5 axb5 24.Nd5 Nxd6 [24...Kh8 25.Qd2 Bb7 26.Nb6+–] 25.Ne7++– 22...b6? How can White win material here? 22...Bxe5™ 23.Qxe5 Qe6™ 24.Qxc5 b6! [24...Qxd6 25.Qxd6 Nxd6 26.Rd1! Nc4 27.Rd8+ Kg7 28.Nd5 b5 29.axb5 axb5 30.b3 Nd2 31.Ne7+–] 25.Qg5 Bb7 26.Rd1 Bxf3 27.gxf3± 23.Bg4!

294

Position after: 23.Bg4! 23...Bb7 Black resigned after playing this move as he is simply losing a piece: 23...Qb7 24.Bxc8 Qxd5 25.Nxd5 Bxe5 26.d7+–. 1-0 Van Wely, Loek (2605) Topalov, Veselin (2740) Wijk aan Zee 1998 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Bd3 b5 10.Nxb5 Re8 11.Nd2 11.0-0 Nxe4 12.Re1 is the line that I recommend.

295

Position after: 11.Nd2 11...Nxe4! 11...Nxd5 12.Nc4 Bf8 13.0-0 Nc7 14.Bg5 Qd7 15.Nxc7 Qxc7 16.Ne3 Bb7 17.Bb5² 1-0 (70) Basso, P (2576) – Rogulj, B (2410) Spilimbergo 2019 12.Bxe4 12.Nxe4 f5ƒ 12...Ba6 13.a4 Qa5 14.Nxd6 14.0-0? would be a mistake since after 14...Bxb5 15.Nb3 Qb4 16.axb5 Rxe4 Black is a bit better. 14...Nd7!

296

Position after: 14...Nd7! Topalov stays true to his active and aggressive style. 15.Qc2 A) 15.f3? Be5! 16.Kf2 Bxd6–+ B) 15.Nxe8 Rxe8 16.f3 f5 17.Qc2 fxe4 18.fxe4 Nf6 19.Kd1 Nxd5! Black has great tactical chances here in a position where White can easily go wrong. 15...f5 16.Nxe8 Rxe8 17.Kd1 fxe4

297

Position after: 17...fxe4 18.Ra3 18.Nxe4 c4 gives Black great compensation for the pawn. 18...c4 19.Re3 Qxd5 20.Rxe4 Rf8 20...Rd8!? might also be an interesting option. 21.Rhe1 c3 22.bxc3?! [22.Re8+ Rxe8 23.Rxe8+ Kf7 24.Re3 cxd2 25.Qxd2 Qc6∞] 22...Bd3 Winning material and deciding the game. 21.f3 Nc5

298

Position after: 21...Nc5 Black has more than enough compensation for the pawn since White’s king is very weak and his pieces are passive. 22.Re7 Bf6 23.Rxa7 c3 24.Rxa6 24.bxc3 Bd3 25.Qb2 Bc4‚ 24...cxd2 25.Rxf6 dxc1=Q+ 26.Kxc1 Rxf6 27.Rd1 Qc6 28.Kb1 28.b4 Nxa4 29.Rd8+ Kg7µ 28...Nxa4

299

Position after: 28...Nxa4 The rest is just a matter of technique for Topalov. Let’s see how he finished off the game. 29.Qxc6 Rxc6 30.Rd8+ Kg7 31.Rd7+ Kh6 32.h4 Nc5 33.Rf7 Ne6 34.Ka2 Ra6+ 35.Kb1 Nd4 36.Rf4 Nf5 37.Re4 Rd6 38.Kc2 Ng3 39.Rg4 Nf1 40.Kc3 Ne3 41.Rg5 Nf5 42.Rg4 Kh5 43.b4 Ne3 44.Rd4 Rxd4 45.Kxd4 Nc2+

Position after: 45...Nc2+

300

46.Ke5 46.Kc5 Nxb4 47.Kxb4 Kxh4–+ 46...Nxb4 47.Kf6 Nd5+ 48.Kg7 Ne3 0-1 Typical tactics If you want to master an opening, you need to learn more than just the theory. You should study the middlegame plans, model games, how masters play in similar positions, and typical tactics too. In this part of the chapter, I will show you nine combinations which you should definitely know before facing the Benoni Defense. Before you start to think, check whose move it is, and the difficulty level indicated above the diagram: * indicates easy level ** is medium level *** is hard level I would advise you to solve these exercises without moving the pieces on the board, to improve your calculation and visualization skills. Good luck!

Test Your Knowledge

Show in Text Mode

1-*

301

■ 36...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

36...Nf3+! Chukaev – Gipslis, URS-ch23 Quarterfinal 1955 36...Nf3+ 37.Kh1 [37.Bxf3? Qxe1+ 38.Rxe1 Rxe1#] 37...Qxe4 38.Qxe4 Rxe4–+ 0-1

2-*

302

■ 34...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

34...Rxf2! 35.Kxf2 Bd4+ Mueller, H – Czerniak, M Vienna 1951 35...Bd4+ 36.Ne3 [36.Kf3 Qxd5+ 37.Ke2 Qxg2+–+; 36.Ke2 Nxd5–+] 36...Nxd5 37.Re1 Nxe3 38.Rxe3 Bxe3+ 39.Kxe3 [39.Qxe3 Qa2+–+] 39...Qxg2–+ 0-1

3-*

303

■ 12...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

12...Nxe4! 13.Bxg7 Nxd2 14.Bh6? 14.Qxd2™ 14...Bg4 15.Be3 Nf3+ 16.Bxf3 Bxf3 17.Rg1 Nd7 18.Qd2 Nf6 19.Nf4 g5 20.Ne2 Re5 21.0-0-0 Ne4 22.Qc2 Bxe2 23.Qxe2 Nc3 Mileika, J – Tal, M Riga 1953 0-1

4 - **

304

□ 23.? +– Show/Hide Solution

23.Nxf7! Rxf7 24.Re7 Nef6 24...Ne5 25.Bxe5+– 25.Rxf7 Kh8 26.Qg6 Avrukh – Uritzky Ramat Aviv 1998 1-0

5 - **

305

□ 18.? +– Show/Hide Solution

18.e5!

Position after: 18.e5! 18...dxe5 306

A) 18...Nfxd5 19.Nxd6 Nxf4 20.Rxf4 [20.Qf3 is also good.] B) 18...Nxc4 19.Qxc4 dxe5 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.f5 g5 22.Ne4ƒ 19.d6! Qc6

Position after: 19...Qc6 20.Bxf6! A) 20.Nxb6 exf4 21.Qd1! [21.d7 Nxd7µ] 21...Qxb6 22.Nd5 Nxd5 23.Qxd5 Rxe1 24.Rxe1 g5 25.Bf2 Bf8 26.d7 Rd8 27.Re8 Qc7 28.Bxc5 Rxd7 29.Rxf8+ Kg7 30.Qc4+– B) 20.fxe5! Nxc4 21.Qxc4 Rxe5 22.Rxe5 Qxd6 23.Re2+– 20...Bxf6 21.Nxb6

307

Position after: 21.Nxb6 21...Rcd8 A) 21...exf4 22.d7! B) 21...Qxb6 22.d7+– 22.Nbd5 Bobotsov – Muehlberg, Varna 1957 1-0

6 - **

308

■ 15...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

15...Nxe4! 16.Nxe4 16.Bxg4 Nxc3 17.Bxd7 Ne2+µ 16...Bd4+ 17.Kh1 Nxh2!

309

Position after: 17...Nxh2! 18.Ng5 18.g3 Nxf1 19.Bxf1 Bf5 20.Bd3 [20.Ncxd6 Bxe4+ 21.Nxe4 Qxd5 22.Bd3 c4–+; 20.Ncd2 Qe7 21.Bd3 Qf8–+] 20...Bxe4+ 21.Bxe4 f5 22.Bf3 Re1+ 23.Kg2 Qf8–+ 18...Nxf1 19.Bxf1 Re1–+ 20.Nd2 Qf8 21.Ra3 Qh6+ 22.Rh3 Bxh3 23.Nxh3 Qh5 24.Kh2 Qd1 Evdokimov, A (2569) – Volokitin, A (2674) Moscow 2008 0-1

7 - ***

□ 44.? +– Show/Hide Solution

44.Rd8!! 44.Rd7 Qxf7 45.Nxf7+ Kg8 46.Nh6+ Kh8 47.Rf7 Rxf3 48.gxf3 Nxe6 49.Ra7 Nac7∞ 0-1 (57) Dellanoi – Planatscher, Vorarlberg 1997 44.Rd8!! 310

Position after: 44.Rd8!! 44...Qxd8 A) 44...Nc7 45.Qxe7 Rxe7 46.Rxf8++– B) 44...Rxd8 45.Qxe7+– 45.e7+–

8 - ***

311

■ 28...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

28...h6!! 28...Qxa1 29.Qxe4 Be5 30.Qg4 Qf1! also gives Black good winning chances: 31.Qc8+ Qf8 32.Qe6+ [32.Qxb7 h6!–+] 32...Qf7 33.b3 b5–+. 28...h6!! 29.Rxe1 29.Bxh6 Bf6+ 30.Kg4 Nf2+ 31.Kf3 Nxd3–+ 29...hxg5+ 30.Kg4 Nf2+ 31.Kxg5 Nxd3 32.Re7 Bxb2

312

Position after: 32...Bxb2 33.Rxb7 33.Kxg6 Kf8 34.Rxb7 c4–+ 33...c4 34.Kxg6 Kf8 35.Rc7 c3–+ Analysis from Najdorf – Rubinetti, Argentina 1980.

9 - ***

313

□ 18.? +– Show/Hide Solution

18.Qxd4+! Eliminating the defender. 18.Kh1!? also leads to a better position but the move played in the game is more forcing. In such positions you should always calculate checks, captures and other forcing moves first. 18...Nh6 19.dxe6 Nc6 20.Bf4 White is much better. 18.Qxd4+! cxd4 19.Nf7+ Kg7 20.Nxd8 Rxd8 20...dxc3!? 21.Nxe6+ Bxe6 22.dxe6 Ne5 23.Bd5 Nbc6 24.bxc3+– 21.dxe6!

314

Position after: 21.dxe6! An important intermediate move. 21...Ne5 21...dxc3 22.e7 Re8 23.Rf7+ Kh8 24.Rf8+ Kg7 25.Rxe8+– 22.Ne4 Nbc6 22...Nxc4 23.Rf7+ Kh8 24.Nf6 forces mate. 23.Bg5!+–

315

Position after: 23.Bg5!+– 23...Re8 23...Nxc4 24.Rf7+ Kh8 25.Nf6+– 24.Bf6+ Kg8 25.Bxe5 Nxe5 26.Nf6+ Kf8 27.Nxe8+ Kxe8 28.Ba2 The rest is easy. 1-0 (40) Colias – Alexopoulos, New York 1993

Homework If you want to master the Benoni structure, I recommend that you analyze the following selection of games, using this method: 1) Analyze the games yourself and identify the critical moments without using an engine. 2) Write down your analyses and possible improvements. 3) Check your work with the engine. 4) Make a conclusion about what you can learn from each game. Karpov, Anatoly (2674) Hamarat, Tunc Vienna 2005 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 Re8 10.0-0 Na6

316

11.Re1 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Rb1 Ba6 14.Bf4 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 a6 16.b4 Nh5 17.Bg5 Bf6 18.Bd2 Rb8 19.bxc5 bxc5 20.Rxb8 Qxb8 21.Rb1 Qa7 22.g4 Ng7 23.e5 Bxe5 24.Nxe5 dxe5 25.Ne4 Rb8 26.Nf6+ Kh8 27.Bc3 c4 28.Rxb8+ Qxb8 29.Qxc4 Nce8 30.Qxa6 Qb1+ 31.Kg2 Nxf6 32.Qxf6 Qe4+ 33.Qf3 Qxa4 34.Bxe5 Kg8 35.Qf6 Qe4+ 36.Kh2 1-0 Jakovenko, Dmitrij (2709) Gashimov, Vugar (2717) Sochi 2008 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.e4 0-0 9.Bd3 a6 10.a4 Re8 11.0-0 Nbd7 12.Re1 b6 13.Bf4 Qc7 14.Qd2 Bb7 15.Bc4 Nh5 16.Bh2 h6 17.Rad1 Kh7 18.Qc2 Re7 19.Be2 Kg8 20.Nd2 Nhf6 21.Nc4 Ne8 22.f4 Bd4+ 23.Kh1 Rd8 24.Bf3 Qb8 25.Ne2 Bg7 26.Nc3 b5 27.axb5 axb5 28.Nxb5 Bxd5 29.exd5 Rxe1+ 30.Rxe1 Qxb5 31.f5 Qb4 32.Rf1 g5 33.Nxd6 Nxd6 34.Bxd6 Be5 35.Bxe5 Nxe5 36.Qe2 Nxf3 37.Rxf3 c4 38.f6 Rxd5 39.Re3 Rd8 40.Re8+ Rxe8 41.Qxe8+ Qf8 42.Qxf8+ Kxf8 43.Kg1 Ke8 44.Kf2 Kd7 45.Ke3 Ke6 46.Kd4 Kxf6 47.Kxc4 Ke6 48.b4 f5 49.b5 g4 50.hxg4 fxg4 51.Kd4 Kd6 52.Ke4 1-0 Wang, Yue (2689) Cheparinov, Ivan (2696) Baku 2008 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Bd3 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Nf3 a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.0-0 Re8 12.Re1 Nh5 13.Bg5 Bf6 14.Bh6 Bg7 15.Bg5 Bf6 16.Be3 Ne5 17.Be2 Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 Ng7 19.Qd2 Bd7 20.Be2 Rc8 21.Bf4 Bd4 22.Bxd6 Bxh3 23.Bh2 Bd7 24.Bf3 f6 25.d6 Ne6 26.e5 Ng5 27.Bxb7 Rb8 28.Bd5+ Kg7 29.Bf4 Bxe5 30.Rxe5 Rxe5 31.Bxe5 fxe5 32.Re1 Bf5 33.f4 Nf7 34.Bxf7 Kxf7 35.Qd5+ Kg7 36.Rxe5 Qf6 37.Re7+ Kh6 38.Qe5 Qxe5 39.fxe5 Rxb2 40.d7 Rd2 41.e6 Bxe6 42.Rxe6 Rxd7 43.Rc6 Kg5 44.Rxc5+ Kf4 45.Nd5+ Kg3 46.Rc3+ Kh4 47.Nf6 Rd4 48.Rh3+ Kg5 49.Nxh7+ Kg4 50.Ra3 Rf4 51.Kh2 a5 52.Rg3+ Kh5 53.Ng5 Rxa4 54.Nf7 Rg4 55.Ra3 a4 56.Ne5 Rh4+ 57.Kg1 Re4 58.Nd7 1-0 Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2726) Pantsulaia, Levan (2581) Tbilisi 2012 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.h3 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bd3 Re8 10.0-0 c4 11.Bxc4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Bg5 Qf8 14.Qc2 Re8 15.Rae1 Bf5 16.Qd1 Nd7 17.Nd4 Ne5 18.Nxf5 Nxc4 19.Be7 Rxe7 20.Nxe7+ Kh8 21.Qb3 Nd2 22.Qxb7 Nxf1 23.Kxf1 Rb8 24.Qxa7 Rxb2 25.Rc1 Rb8 26.Qxb8 Qxb8 27.Rc8+ Qxc8 28.Nxc8 1-0 Bacrot, Etienne (2555) Galego, Luis (2425) Escaldes 1998 317

1.d4 e6 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.h3 0-0 9.Bd3 a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.0-0 Qe7 12.Re1 Re8 13.Bf4 Nh5 14.Bh2 Ne5 15.Be2 Bd7 16.g4 Nf6 17.Nd2 g5 18.Nc4 h5 19.Bxe5 dxe5 20.a5 Rad8 21.Nb6 hxg4 22.Bxg4 Bxg4 23.hxg4 Nd7 24.Nxd7 Qxd7 25.Qf3 Rb8 26.Na4 Bf8 27.Kg2 Be7 28.Rh1 b5 29.Nxc5 Qd6 30.Ne6 1-0 Concluding tips 1) Always keep in mind that because Black has played ...c5 in the opening, your e4-d5 pawn chain gives you a space advantage and Black’s d6-pawn tends to be a long-term weakness. 2) White’s most typical maneuver is Nd2-c4 to improve the position of the knight and apply more pressure on Black’s weak d6-pawn. 3) Always consider a breakthrough with e5, even if it is a pawn sacrifice. If our d-pawn can advance afterwards, it is usually worth it. 4) Give careful consideration to evaluating Black’s counterplay on the b-file.

318

Chapter 4 The Slav Defense 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3

Chapter Guide Chapter 4 – The Slav Defense Introduction Model games (I) Theoretical section Model games (II) Typical tactics Homework Concluding tips Introduction The Slav Defense has always been seen as one of Black’s most solid, most reliable weapons against 1.d4. Black occupies the center firmly with a pawn on d5 secured by another pawn on c6. This setup has truly stood the test of time, having been favored by many historical world champions and masters such as Steinitz, Blackburn, Lasker, Alekhine and Capablanca. The Slav also features heavily in the contemporary world of chess; you will find it in the repertoire of 319

almost all elite players. Carlsen uses it frequently, while it is part of the main repertoires of Anand and Ding Liren. Flexibility characterizes this line in the sense that already from the opening, Black can choose from a large number of possible plans. It can be played with a quick ...e6 move, an ...a6, ...b5 plan, an early ...dxc4 or, in less frequent cases, even ...g6, ...Bg7. Similar to the Caro-Kann, one advantage of the Slav Defense is that ...e6 is usually delayed, allowing Black to develop his light-squared bishop with either ...Bf5 or ...Bg4. What types of players choose this opening? Mostly solid players who like to play classical chess and occupy the center from the beginning of the game in order to avoid conceding a space advantage. There are still many players out there who follow the classical school of chess and play 1.d4 d5 and 1.e4 e5. Is it considered to be a correct opening? Yes, it is considered one of Black’s best and most reliable options against 1.d4. How should White relate to this opening? We should be ready to play in more positional fashion in the opening. Our g3 system is not the main line, so it will likely surprise our opponent slightly and force them to make an early decision about which setup to adopt in response. ECO Code: D10-D19. Model games (I) Alekhine, Alexander Euwe, Max Netherlands 1937 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3

320

Position after: 3.Nc3 An interesting move order which tries to reach an improved version of the Slow Slav (3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3). 3...dxc4 3...Nf6 4.e3!? Bf5 [4...e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 would transpose to the Meran Variation of the Slav Defense.] 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 leads to a complicated line. 4.e4 A) 4.a4?! e5! 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Nxd1 Be6³ B) Personally, I prefer 4.e3 here with the idea of 4...b5 5.a4 b4 6.Ne4 Qd5 7.Ng3 Nf6 8.Be2!. White has compensation for the pawn since he can push e4 in several variations. There is also the option to win a tempo with Bf3. 4...e5!

321

Position after: 4...e5! 5.Bxc4 A) 5.dxe5 Qxd1+ 6.Nxd1 Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Nd7= B) 5.Nf3 is the most common move in recent times. 5...exd4 6.Nf3!? Alekhine plays in creative and adventurous fashion. White scores well from here according to my database.

322

Position after: 6.Nf3!? 6...b5?! How would you continue the game as White? A) 6...Bc5?! 7.Ne5

Position after: 7.Ne5 A1) 7...dxc3! 8.Nxf7 [8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nxf7+ Ke7 10.Nxh8 Be6 11.Bxe6 Kxe6 12.bxc3] 323

8...Qd4!? [8...Qxd1+ 9.Kxd1 Ke7! 10.Nxh8 Be6 11.Bxe6 Kxe6] 9.Qe2∞ A2) 7...Qf6? 8.Nxf7 dxc3 9.0-0!

Position after: 9.0-0! 9...Be6 [9...Qd4 10.Qxd4 Bxd4 11.Nxh8±] 10.Bg5! Qxg5 11.Nxg5 Bxc4 12.Qh5+ g6 13.Qh3 cxb2 14.Rad1 Nf6 15.Qc3 [15.Qc8+ Ke7 16.Qxh8+– looks even better.] 1-0 Kashdan, I – Polland, D New York 1938 B) 6...dxc3 7.Bxf7+ Ke7 [7...Kxf7?? 8.Qxd8+–] 8.Qb3

324

Position after: 8.Qb3 8...Qb6? [8...Nf6 9.e5 Ne4 10.0-0©] 9.Bxg8 Rxg8 10.Qxg8 cxb2 11.Bg5+! Ke8 12.Rb1± 1-0 (38) Sarapu, O (2320) – Garbett, P (2290) Upper Hutt 1976

Position after: 6...b5?! 7.Nxb5! 7.Bb3 was possible but Alekhine’s move is stronger. 7...Ba6 A) 7...cxb5? 8.Bd5+– B) 7...Nf6 8.Nbxd4 Nxe4 9.0-0+– gives White a crushing lead in development.

325

Position after: 7...Ba6 8.Qb3! 8.Qxd4!? Qxd4 9.Nfxd4 cxb5 [9...Bc5 10.Nxc6! Nxc6 11.Nc7+ Kf8 12.Nxa6+–] 10.Bd5+– 8...Qe7 9.0-0 Bxb5 10.Bxb5+–

Position after: 10.Bxb5+–

326

White is winning after only 10 moves! 10...Nf6 10...cxb5 11.Qd5+– 11.Bc4 After 11.e5 Ng4 12.Ba4+– it is hard to find a reasonable move for Black. 11...Nbd7 12.Nxd4 12.Bf4!? Nc5 13.Qd1 Rd8 14.Ne5+– 12...Rb8 13.Qc2 Qc5 14.Nf5

Position after: 14.Nf5 14...Ne5 14...g6 15.Be3!+– Let me share a nice variation with you: 15...Qb4 16.Nd4 Qxb2?! [16...Bc5 17.Nxc6 Qxb2 18.Qd1 Bxe3 19.fxe3+–] 17.Bxf7+! Kxf7 18.Qc4+ Kg7 19.Ne6+ Kg8 20.Ng5+ Kg7 21.Qf7+ Kh6 22.Ne6+ Kh5 23.Nf4+ Kh4 24.g3+ Kg5 25.Nxg6+ Kg4 26.f3+ Kh3 27.Nf4#. 15.Bf4 Nh5 16.Bxf7+ 16.Bxe5 Qxe5 17.Qa4+– looks even better.

327

16...Kxf7 17.Qxc5 Bxc5 18.Bxe5+– White simply has two extra pawns. 18...Rb5 19.Bd6 Bb6 20.b4 Rd8 21.Rad1 c5 22.bxc5 Bxc5 23.Rd5 Great game! 1-0 Euwe, Max Landau, Salo Netherlands 1939 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6

Position after: 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 This is White’s most common choice, following the advice of Dr. Tarrasch who said we should develop our knights first. 4...dxc4 A) 4...e6 This is the starting position of the Semi-Slav. Here White can choose between 5.Bg5, 5.g3, or 5.e3.

328

B) 4...a6 is called the Chebanenko Slav. Some people like to call it the Chameleon Variation because it can also transpose to the ...dxc4 or ...e6 systems. In my opinion White has two good options here. The more aggressive 5.c5 gains space and highlights the weakness of the b6-square, while the more positional 5.e3 b5 6.b3 leads to a small edge for White. 5.a4 White needs to stop ...b5. 5.e4 leads to the Geller Gambit where White sacrifices a pawn in return for a strong center and piece activity but I do not believe in this system. 5...b5 6.e5 Nd5 7.a4 e6 8.axb5 Nxc3 9.bxc3 cxb5 10.Ng5 Bb7 11.Qh5 g6 12.Qg4 Be7∞ 5...Bf5

Position after: 5...Bf5 6.e3 6.Ne5!? Nbd7 [6...e6 7.f3 Bb4 8.e4 Bxe4 9.fxe4 Nxe4 10.Bd2 Qxd4 11.Nxe4 Qxe4+ 12.Qe2 Bxd2+ 13.Kxd2 Qd5+ 14.Kc2 Na6 with a really sharp positon. If you want to know more about it I would recommend to study the game Kramnik – Shirov, Dortmund 1996.] 7.Nxc4 Qc7 8.g3 e5 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Bf4 Nfd7 11.Bg2

329

Position after: 11.Bg2 11...g5! [11...f6!?] 12.Ne3 [12.Nxe5 gxf4 13.Nxd7 0-0-0! gives Black good play.] 12...gxf4 13.Nxf5 with a complex position where I prefer White. 6...e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Qb3

Position after: 9.Qb3 9...Qb6?! 330

9...a5! 10.Na2 leads to a well-known drawing line. [10.Nh4!?] A) 10...Bd6!? Black can play for a win with this line. 11.Qxb7 Rb8 12.Qa6 0-0 Black has compensation for the pawn.

Position after: 12...0-0 Note that 13.Bd3?? loses to 13...Nc5! 14.dxc5 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Bxh2+ 16.Nxh2 Qxd3–+. B) 10...Be7 11.Qxb7 Rb8 12.Qa6 [12.Qxc6?? Rb6–+] 12...Ra8 13.Qb7= 10.e4! Bg6 10...Nxe4? 11.Nxe4 Bxe4 12.Bxe6!±

331

Position after: 10...Bg6 11.Bxe6!! Deep calculation by the Dutch World Champion. 11...fxe6 12.a5! 12.Qxe6+?? Be7³ 12...Bxa5 12...Qc7 13.Qxb4 Nxe4 14.Re1+– 13.Qxe6+ Kd8 13...Kf8? 14.e5 Re8 15.Qd6+ Kg8 16.exf6 Nxf6 17.Qa3 Bxc3 [17...Bb4 18.Qxa7 with a clear extra pawn for White.] 18.bxc3± The material count is equal now but White has better coordination and the more active position. 14.e5

332

Position after: 14.e5 14...Re8? A) 14...Bxc3! 15.bxc3 Ne4 16.Ra3 Re8 [16...Kc7? 17.Nh4 looks strong.] 17.Qg4 Qb5 18.Nh4 leads to complicated play with approximately equal chances. B) 14...Ne4? 15.Nxe4 Bxe4 16.Qf7 Bxf3 17.e6!+– C) 14...Ne8? 15.Bg5+ Kc8 16.Na4! Qc7 17.d5! Kb8 18.d6 Qc8 19.Qb3 gives White a winning attack. 15.Qh3

333

Position after: 15.Qh3 15...Bxc3 A) 15...Ne4? 16.Nxe4 Bxe4 17.Qh4++– B) 15...Ng8 16.Bg5+ Kc7 [16...Kc8 17.e6 Ndf6 18.e7+ Nd7 19.Ne5+–; 16...Ne7 17.d5! Bxc3 18.d6 Bxb2 19.Rad1+–] 17.Nd5+!! cxd5 18.Rfc1+ Kb8 19.e6! Very nasty things are going to happen on the b8-h2 diagonal. 16.exf6! Bb4 16...Bxb2 17.Bxb2 Qxb2 18.fxg7 with excellent play for White. 17.fxg7 Bd6 18.Ne5

334

Position after: 18.Ne5 18...Bxe5 18...Nxe5 is even worse: 19.dxe5 Bxe5 20.Rd1++–. 19.dxe5 Bf7 19...Nxe5 20.Bg5+ Kc7 21.Bf4 Qxb2 22.Rae1 Kb6 23.Qe3+ wins the e5-knight. 20.Rd1 Bd5 21.e6 Nf6 21...Bxe6? 22.Qxe6! Rxe6 23.g8=Q+ Re8 24.Bg5+ Kc7 25.Rxd7+! Kxd7 26.Rd1+ Kc7 27.Bf4++– 22.Bg5+–

335

Position after: 22.Bg5+– The c1-bishop makes its first move of the game with decisive effect. 22...Ke7 22...Rxe6? 23.Qxe6++– 23.Qc3 1-0 Aronian, Levon (2802) Anand, Viswanathan (2772) Wijk aan Zee 2013 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.e3

336

Position after: 5.e3 5...Nbd7 This is the starting position of the Meran Variation. 5...dxc4?! would be a mistake because White has not yet wasted a tempo with his f1-bishop. Black should wait for Be2 or Bd3 before taking on c4. 6.Bd3 6.Qc2!? 6...dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 Bd6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qc2 Bb7 11.a3

337

Position after: 11.a3 11...Rc8 11...a6 is the old main line where White can play 12.Ng5! [12.b4!?] 12...Bxh2+ 13.Kxh2 Ng4+ 14.Kg1 Qxg5 15.f3 with good compensation for the pawn. White will play e4 and play on the dark squares. 12.Ng5 In general, if White can stop Black’s ...c5 break he will have a superior position. 12.b4 c5!! Let me share with you one of my own games which ended in a draw against a strong Hungarian International Master. 13.bxc5 Bxf3

338

Position after: 13...Bxf3 A) 14.gxf3 Nxc5 15.dxc5 Rxc5 16.f4 Nd5 17.Bb2 [17.Bd2 Qh4=] 17...Nxc3 18.Bxc3 Qc7 19.Rfc1 Rc8 20.Bxh7+ Kh8 21.Bd3 Rxc3 22.Qxc3 Qxc3 23.Rxc3 Rxc3 24.Bxb5 Bxa3= B) 14.cxd6 Nd5 15.Bd2 Qg5 16.g3 Qh5 17.Rfb1 N7f6

Position after: 17...N7f6 18.d7 [18.Rxb5 g5!] 18...Nxd7 19.Rxb5 f5 20.Qb3 Rf6 21.Bf1 Rh6 22.h4 Qg4 23.Nxd5 Rxh4 24.Bg2 Bxg2 25.Kxg2 Qh3+ 26.Kf3 Qg4+ 27.Kg2 Qh3+ 28.Kf3 Qg4+ 29.Kg2 Qh3+ ½-½ 339

Szeberenyi, A (2316) – Juhasz, A (2267) Budapest 2014 12...c5! 12...Bxh2+?! 13.Kxh2 Ng4+ 14.Kg1 Qxg5 15.f3 Ngf6 16.e4 Qh4 17.b4² 13.Nxh7 13.Bxh7+ Kh8 14.Be4 Nxe4 15.Ngxe4 Bb8 Black has great compensation thanks to the bishop pair and a more active position. 13...Ng4!!

Position after: 13...Ng4!! Black starts his counterplay against the lonely White king. 14.f4 White tries to restrict Black’s d6-bishop but he weakens his e3-pawn at the same time. 14.h3 Bh2+ 15.Kh1 Qh4 16.Be4 [If 16.d5 then 16...Rfd8.] 16...Bxe4 17.Qxe4 f5 18.Qxe6+ Kxh7 19.Qxd7 cxd4 20.exd4 Bb8

340

Position after: 20...Bb8 21.Kg1 [21.Nd1? Nxf2+! 22.Nxf2 Qg3 wins.] 21...Bh2+ 22.Kh1 would lead to a draw by repetition. 14...cxd4!

Position after: 14...cxd4! Opening the c-file for the rook.

341

15.exd4 15.Nxf8 Bxf8 16.h3 dxc3 17.hxg4 Nf6 leads to a complicated fight. 15...Bc5! 16.Be2 16.dxc5?! Nxc5 17.Nxf8 Nxd3 18.h3 Qd4+! 19.Kh1 Ndf2+ 20.Rxf2 Nxf2+ 21.Kh2 Kxf8³

Position after: 16.Be2 Question! How should Anand continue his attack? 16...Nde5!! An amazing move which was still part of Anand’s preparation. 16...Bxd4+ 17.Kh1 Nxh2 18.Ng5 Be4! 19.Qxe4 Nf6 20.Qc2 Nxf1 21.Bxf1 with a complex position where White has two minor pieces for the rook and a pawn. 17.Bxg4 17.fxe5?? leads to forced mate: 17...Qxd4+ 18.Kh1 Qg1+! 19.Rxg1 Nf2#. 17...Bxd4+ 18.Kh1 Nxg4 19.Nxf8 White is up a rook. What did Anand have in mind now? 19.Ng5 f5! 20.h3 Rf6! 21.Nf3 [21.hxg4?? Rh6+ 22.Nh3 Rxh3#] 21...Rh6–+ with a winning attack.

342

Position after: 19.Nxf8 19...f5! A patient decision which stops White from playing Qh7+ in the future. 19...Qh4? 20.Qh7+! Qxh7 21.Nxh7 Kxh7 22.h3 Nf2+ 23.Kh2 [23.Rxf2? Bxf2µ] 23...a6 leads to an approximately equal position. 20.Ng6 Qf6 20...Kh7!? 21.h3 21.Ne5 Nxh2!–+ 21...Qxg6 22.Qe2 Qh5

343

Position after: 22...Qh5 23.Qd3 23.Rf3 Nf2+ 24.Kh2 [24.Rxf2 Qxh3+ 25.Kg1 Qxg2#] 24...Bxf3 25.Qxf3 Qxf3 26.gxf3 Bxc3 [26...Nd3!?] 27.bxc3 Rxc3–+ 23...Be3! White resigned since he has no good defense against ...Qxh3. What a brilliant game! Amazing preparation and great play by Anand. This is my all-time favorite game in the Slav Defense from Black’s point of view. 0-1 Kramnik, Vladimir (2797) Aronian, Levon (2816) Istanbul 2012 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 cxd5

344

Position after: 4...cxd5 The Exchange Variation has always been considered to be the most positional answer to the Slav. It has a drawish reputation but if White knows the plans and theory well, he can easily get better positions without long forcing variations. Kramnik won many nice games in this system in his time. Let’s see what he can do against the solid Armenian player! 5.Bf4 This is the ideal square for the bishop. From here it controls the h2-b8 diagonal and might later support a Nb5 idea. 5...Nc6 6.e3

345

Position after: 6.e3 6...a6 Black stops Nb5 forever and plans to push ...b5 later himself. 6...Bf5 is Black’s main move here. 7.Qb3 is White’s usual response. [7.Nf3 e6 8.Qb3 also leads to a tiny advantage for White: 8...Bb4 9.Bb5 0-0 10.Bxc6 Bxc3+ 11.Qxc3 Rc8 12.Ne5 Ng4 13.Qb4 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Rxc6 15.Qxb7 Qc8 16.Qxc8 Rfxc8 17.0-0 Rc2 18.b3 etc.]

Position after: 7.Qb3 346

7...Na5 [7...Qd7?! 8.Nf3! followed by Ne5 is annoying for Black; 7...Qb6?! 8.Qxb6 axb6 9.Nb5²] 8.Qa4+ Bd7 9.Qc2 e6 10.Bd3 with a small positional plus. If you want to study this system more deeply, I recommend you study the games of GM David Navara who plays it at the highest level. 7.Bd3 7.Be2!? is a modern idea intending to meet 7...Bf5 with 8.g4. 7...g6?! A rare mistake at the highest level. In this pawn structure with the c-file open, Black’s dark-squared bishop belongs on the a3-f8 diagonal; it won’t do very much from g7. The main difference between this position and the Grünfeld Defense is the pawn missing from c7; Black has no chance to play ...c5 to open up the long diagonal. More common is 7...Bg4 8.Nge2 e6.

Position after: 7...g6?! 8.h3! A prophylactic decision. White gives the bishop a safe square, intending to meet ...Nh5 with Bh2. This motif is seen quite often in the London system. 8.Nf3 Nh5! 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bg3 [11.Nd2 Nf4! 12.exf4 gxh4„] 11...Nxg3 12.hxg3 Bg7= 8...Bf5!? 8...Bg7 9.Nf3 0-0 10.0-0² 347

9.Nf3 9.Bxf5 gxf5 10.Nf3 e6 11.Rc1 Rg8„ 9...Bxd3 10.Qxd3 Bg7 11.0-0 0-0

Position after: 11...0-0 Try to find the best plan for White. 12.Rfc1! If you found this move, you already have a good understanding of this pawn structure. 12.Rac1 is fine too. 12...e6 13.Na4 Ne4 14.Nc5 Exchanging the opponent’s most active piece. 14.a3 g5 15.Bh2 f5 16.Nc5 Qe7= 14...Nxc5 15.Rxc5 Qd7 15...f6!? 16.Rac1 Rfc8 17.a3 Bf8 18.R5c2 f6 Try to find the correct plan for White. 348

18...Bd6 19.Bxd6 Qxd6 20.Qb3 Qd7 [20...b5 21.Rc5!²] 21.Qb6²

Position after: 18...f6 19.Nd2! A natural rerouting. We are beginning to learn that c5 is a great square for a knight in this structure. 19...Bd6 19...Na7 20.Rc7 Qd8 21.Nb3 Rxc7 22.Bxc7!!² [22.Rxc7? e5 23.Rxb7 exf4 24.Qxa6 Qc8³] 20.Bxd6 Qxd6 21.Nb3 Rc7 21...b6 22.Nd2 Qd7 23.Qb3 b5 24.Qc3 Ne7 25.Qa5 Rxc2 26.Rxc2 Qd8 27.Qb4² 22.Na5 22.Nc5 was also good. 22...Rac8 22...Qd7 23.Nxc6 bxc6 24.Rc5± White has a slight advantage thanks to his superior pawn structure.

349

Position after: 22...Rac8 23.Nxb7!! Great calculation to make this clever sacrifice. 23...Rxb7 24.Qxa6 Rbc7 25.b4! This was the point of the combination. Black is paralyzed. 25...Qd7 26.Qb6! 26.b5 Ne7 [26...Nd8? 27.Qxc8 Rxc8 28.Rxc8+–] 27.Rxc7 Rxc7 28.Rxc7 Qxc7 29.Qxe6+ Kf8 30.Qxf6+ Ke8 31.a4 Qa5 with drawing chances.

350

Position after: 26.Qb6! 26...Qe8 A) 26...Rb7 27.Rxc6 Rxb6 28.Rxc8+ Kf7 29.R8c7+– B) 26...Kf7 27.b5 Rb7 28.Qxc6+– C) 26...Rb8 27.Qxb8+ Nxb8 28.Rxc7 Qb5 29.R1c5 Qb6 30.Re7 Kf8 31.Rcc7+– 27.b5 Nxd4 28.Rxc7 Ne2+ 29.Kh1 Nxc1 30.Rxc8 Qxc8 31.Qc6

351

Position after: 31.Qc6 31...Qd8 White is winning in all variations. A) 31...Qb8 32.b6 Nd3 33.Qc7+– B) 31...Qxc6 32.bxc6+– 32.b6+– White’s passed pawn decides the game. 32...Kf7 32...Nd3 33.Qc7 Nxf2+ 34.Kg1 Qf8 35.b7+– 33.Qc7+ 33.b7 was easily winning too. 33...Ke8 34.Qa7 d4 35.b7 1-0 Theoretical section Quick review 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3

352

Position after: 4.g3 4...Bf5 A) 4...a6 is not very logical here. The plan of ...a6 and ...b5 is stronger when White has already committed to playing Nc3. Firstly, it would then be more awkward for White to comfortably defend his pawn on c4, and secondly Black might be able to gain a useful tempo at some stage with ...b4. 5.Bg2 Bf5 6.Nc3 e6 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.Nh4

Position after: 8.Nh4 A1) 8...Bg6 9.cxd5 exd5 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.e4! It is a good idea to open up the position to unleash the bishop pair. 11...dxe4 12.d5 [12.Re1!?²] 12...cxd5 13.Nxd5 Rh5?! [13...Nc5 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 15.Qc2] 14.Nc3 Nc5 15.b4± Giri – Le Quang Liem, Baku 2016 A2) 8...Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.Qb3

353

Position after: 10.Qb3 10...Qb6 [10...b5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.g4 Bg6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.e4²] 11.Qxb6 Nxb6 12.g4 Bg6 13.c5 Nbd7 14.Nxg6 hxg6 15.b4² B) 4...e6 5.Bg2 Nbd7 6.0-0

Position after: 6.0-0 This is a transposition to a line of the Catalan, and one which is quite pleasant for White. 6...Be7 [6...Bd6?! 7.Nc3 0-0 8.Nd2² followed by e4.] 7.Qc2 0-0 8.Rd1 b6 9.b3 Bb7 10.Nc3 Rc8 11.e4 354

Position after: 11.e4 11...dxe4 [11...Nxe4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Qxe4 Qc7 14.Qc2 Rfd8 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Bg5 Re8 17.c5! bxc5 18.dxc5 Nxc5 19.Be3 Na6 20.Ng5 g6 21.Qc4 Be5 22.Qh4 f6 23.Ne4 g5 24.Qh6± Gonda – Paszewski, Zalakaros 2015] 12.Ng5 h6 13.Ngxe4 Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Nf6 15.c5 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 Rc7 17.Be3 Qc8 18.b4² Maletin – Kannenberg, Bad Wiessee 2015 C) 4...dxc4 The most ambitious move for Black. 5.Bg2 – see subchapter a) for more details. D) 4...Bg4 5.Ne5 In subchapter b) you can find out more about the possible bishop retreats (...Be6, ...Bh5 and ...Bf5). E) 4...g6 5.Bg2 Bg7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Qb3!? This is a pet line of Mamedyarov. White puts pressure on both the b7- and d5- pawns. More about this line can be found in subchapter c). 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4!

355

Position after: 6.Nh4! This position will be analyzed in subchapter d). Black can either take the pawn on c4 or move the bishop to g6 or e4. Detailed review 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3

Position after: 4.g3 356

In this position we will deeply study Black’s four main options: a) 4...dxc4, b) 4...Bg4, c) 4...g6, and finally d) 4...Bf5. a) 4...dxc4 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 dxc4

Position after: 4...dxc4 This is Black’s most ambitious attempt. 5.Bg2 b5 5...e6 6.Ne5 If we can win back the c4-pawn, we will have an edge thanks to our better control of the center.

357

Position after: 6.Ne5 A) 6...Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Nd5 8.Bd2 Nb6 9.Ne4 Bxd2+ 10.Qxd2 0-0 11.Rc1 N8d7 12.Nd6 Qe7 13.Ndxc4 Nxc4 14.Nxc4 e5 [14...Nb6 15.0-0²] 15.d5 cxd5 16.Qxd5± Bindrich – Lenic, Austria 2017 B) 6...b5

Position after: 6...b5 B1) 7.Nxc6 Qb6 8.Na5 [8.Nxb8 Rxb8 Black is for choice with ...Bb7 coming next.] 8...Nd5!= 358

B2) 7.a4 Nd5 8.0-0 Bb7 9.b3 cxb3 10.axb5 cxb5 11.Qxb3 a6 12.e4 Nf6 13.d5! After a transposition of moves, we have reached a position from the Catalan Opening (covered in the next chapter). See the model game Giri – Morozevich, Beijing 2012 on page 220. 6.0-0 e6 7.Ne5

Position after: 7.Ne5 7...Bb7 A) 7...Qb6?! 8.a4! Bb7 9.Nc3 b4 10.Ne4 Nxe4 [10...Nbd7? 11.Nxc4 Qc7 12.Bf4+–] 11.Bxe4 Qa6 12.Qc2± B) 7...Be7 8.Nxc6 Nxc6 [8...Qb6?? 9.Nxe7+–] 9.Bxc6+ Bd7 10.Bxa8 Qxa8 11.f3±

359

Position after: 11.f3± Black hasn’t got enough compensation for the exchange. We will play e4 next move which will shut Black’s queen on a8 out of play. 8.b3

Position after: 8.b3 8.a4!? a6 9.b3 is also well worth consideration. 360

8...cxb3 8...Nbd7 9.bxc4 [9.Nxc6? Qb6] 9...Qc8 [9...Nxe5?! 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.cxb5±] 10.Bb2² 9.axb3 Be7 9...Bd6 10.Nc3 b4 11.Ne4 Nxe4 12.Bxe4 Bxe5 13.dxe5 Qxd1 14.Rxd1 Nd7 15.Ra5!± White will soon attack Black’s weak pawns on the queenside. 10.Nc3 Nd5 11.Ne4 Qb6 11...0-0 12.Bb2² 12.Bb2©

Position after: 12.Bb2© Adams – Merry, Isle of Man 2018. White is better thanks to his active knights in the center. b) 4...Bg4 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bg4 A relatively common move but personally I don’t like it. 5.Ne5!

361

Position after: 5.Ne5! 5...Bf5 A) 5...Be6?! 6.cxd5 Bxd5 7.f3 g6 8.Bh3 Nfd7 9.e4 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Bc4 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.Na3 Ba6 13.e6 fxe6 14.Bf4± Naroditsky – Siva, Doha 2015 B) 5...Bh5?! 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Nc3 e6 8.Qa4+! Nfd7 [8...Nbd7 9.e4] 9.g4 Bg6 10.h4 f6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.e4 dxe4 (Van den Doel – Admiraal, Belgium 2018) 13.d5!± 6.cxd5 cxd5 6...Qxd5 7.f3 Bxb1 8.Rxb1 Qxa2 9.Bd2 Qd5 10.e4 Qxd4 11.Qb3 Nxe4 12.Qxf7+ Kd8 13.Ba5+ 1-0 Dreev – Loiacono, Forni di Sopra 2019 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.f3!

362

Position after: 8.f3! 8...Bd7 A) 8...e6?! 9.g4 Bg6 10.h4± B) 8...Rc8 9.Bg2 e6 10.g4 Bg6 11.h4 h6 12.Nxg6 fxg6 13.Qd3± Le Roux, J – Shen, V Reykjavik 2015 9.Nxd7 Qxd7 10.e4 e6 11.e5 Ng8 12.Be3 Nge7 13.Bf2²

363

Position after: 13.Bf2² Naroditsky – Mulyar, Chicago 2015 c) 4...g6 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 g6

Position after: 4...g6 Black’s most solid response which transposes to the symmetrical g3 Grünfeld. 5.Bg2 5.Qa4!?

364

Position after: 5.Qa4!? Let me recommend this sideline as an alternative or Plan B if you want to avoid main lines. A) 5...dxc4 6.Qxc4 Bg7 7.Bg2 0-0 8.0-0 would transpose to our main line. B) 5...Nbd7 6.cxd5 cxd5 7.Nc3 Bg7 8.Bg2 0-0 9.0-0 Nb6 10.Qa5² 1-0 (51) Indjic, A (2566) – Padhya, S (2207) Cleveland 2015 C) 5...Nfd7 6.cxd5 Nb6 7.Qd1 cxd5 8.Bf4 Bg7 9.Nc3 0-0 10.Bg2 Nc6 11.0-0 gives a small plus for White. ½-½ (38) Kobalia, M (2632) – Pourramezanali, A (2506) Moscow 2016 D) 5...Bg7 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bg2 0-0 8.0-0 is what White wants. 5...Bg7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Qb3!? As already mentioned, this is a pet line of Mamedyarov. White simultaneously puts pressure on b7 and d5. 7.cxd5 cxd5 8.Ne5!? is another option to fight for the advantage, but it leads to more drawish play if Black plays correctly in the opening.

365

Position after: 7.Qb3!? 7...Qb6 A) 7...b6?! This move softens the a8-h1 diagonal. 8.Nc3 Bb7 9.Rd1 e6 10.Bf4 Nbd7 11.Rac1 Qe7 12.c5!² 1-0 (40) Rozum, I (2579) – Iniyan, P (2404) Abu Dhabi 2017 B) 7...dxc4 8.Qxc4 Bf5 9.Nc3 Nbd7 10.Re1 Ne4 [10...Nb6 11.Qb3] 11.Qb3 Nb6 12.Bf4 Rc8 13.Rad1² Dreev – Troff, chess.com 2017 C) 7...a5 8.cxd5 [8.c5 a4!=] 8...a4 9.Qd1 cxd5 10.Nc3

366

Position after: 10.Nc3 10...Ne4 [10...Qa5 11.Bd2 Qa6 12.b3 axb3 13.axb3 Qxa1 14.Qxa1 Rxa1 15.Rxa1² ½-½ (48) Inarkiev, E (2679) – Ponkratov, P (2622) Croatia 2018; 10...a3 11.bxa3 Ne4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Ne5ƒ] 11.Ng5 Nxc3 [11...Nxg5 12.Bxg5 Nc6 13.Nxd5 Be6 14.e4 Bxd5 15.exd5 Nxd4 16.Rc1² ½-½ (30) Rapport, R (2735) – Wen Yang (2586) China 2019] 12.bxc3 Nc6 13.e4 dxe4 14.Nxe4 Qa5 15.Bd2 Rd8 16.Rb1² 1-0 (44) Rapport, R (2735) – Amin, B (2707) Danzhou 2019 8.Nc3

Position after: 8.Nc3 8...Bf5 8...Rd8 9.Rd1 Qxb3 [9...Bf5 10.Ne1 dxc4 11.Qxc4 Na6 12.e4 Be6 13.Qa4 Qb4 14.Nc2 Qxa4 15.Nxa4 Nd7 16.Bg5 Re8 17.b3 Nb6 18.Nxb6 axb6 19.Rac1 Nc7 20.d5 cxd5 21.exd5 Bg4 22.Re1² Mamedyarov – Vachier-Lagrave, Novi Sad 2016] 10.axb3 Bf5 11.Ne1 Na6 12.Bf4

367

Position after: 12.Bf4 12...Ne4 [12...Nb4 13.Ra4 Nc2 14.Bc7 Rd7 15.Be5²] 13.Ra5 e6 14.h3N 14...h5 15.Nf3 Bf6 16.Rda1 White is slightly better. 9.Ne5

Position after: 9.Ne5 9...Be6 368

9...Rd8?! 10.cxd5 Qxb3 [10...cxd5 11.Nxd5 Qxb3 12.Nxe7+ Kf8 13.axb3 Kxe7? 14.Bxb7+–] 11.axb3 cxd5 12.Bg5 Nbd7 13.Nxd7 Rxd7 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nxd5 Bxd4 16.Ra4 Bc5 17.Rc1 Rc8 18.Rac4 b6 19.b4 Be6 20.e4 1-0 Andersen – Nilssen, Ballerup 2016 10.Qd1! dxc4 10...Qd8 11.cxd5 Nxd5 [11...cxd5 12.Bg5²] 12.Ne4² 11.Na4 Qd8 12.Nc5 Qc8 12...Bc8 13.Nxc4 Nbd7 14.Nb3² White has a space advantage so he sensibly avoids the trade. 13.Qc2 Bh3

Position after: 13...Bh3 14.Qxc4 14.Bxh3?! Qxh3 15.Nxb7 c5!= 14...Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Nbd7 16.Ncd3 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Nd5 18.b3 Rd8 19.Bb2 a5 20.Rad1²

369

Position after: 20.Rad1² White has a slight edge. Let’s see how Nakamura converted this position into the full point. 20...a4 21.e4 Nb6?! 21...Nc7 was better. 22.Qb4 Qc7 23.Bd4 Nd7 24.e6!

370

Position after: 24.e6! 24...Bxd4 24...fxe6?? 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Qxe7++– 25.exf7+ Kxf7 26.Qxd4 axb3 27.axb3 Nf8? 27...Qd6 28.Qc3 was a better chance for Black. 28.Qh8! Ke8 29.Nc5 Kf7 30.e5 Qc8 31.e6+!+–

Position after: 31.e6+!+– 31...Nxe6 31...Ke8 32.Qg8+– 32.Qxh7+ Ng7 33.Rde1! 33.Rfe1? lets Black off the hook on account of 33...Rxd1 34.Rxd1 Qh8. 33...Rg8 34.Re6 Qd8 35.Qxg6+ Kf8 36.Re3 1-0 Nakamura – Kramnik, Moscow 2018 d) 4...Bf5

371

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4!

Position after: 6.Nh4! 6...Be4 A) 6...Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 8.Qd3 Na6 [8...Nbd7 9.Bg2 Bd6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Rd1 Rc8 12.Bg5 Qe8 13.Rac1² Rodshtein – Koskinen, Antalya 2017] 9.a3 Qa5 10.Bg2 dxc4 11.Qxc4 Rc8 12.0-0 Be7 13.e4 0-0 14.Qe2 Rfd8 15.Be3² Cheparinov – Tejedor Fuentes, Skopje 2018 B) 6...dxc4 7.Nxf5 exf5 8.e3 Nbd7 9.Bxc4 Nb6 10.Bf1!? [10.Bb3 is possible too.] 10...Bd6 11.Bg2 Finally the bishop found its way to its best square. 11...0-0 12.0-0 Re8 13.Qb3 Qe7 [13...a5 14.Re1²] 14.a4² Izoria – King, New York 2015 7.f3 Bg6 8.Qb3

372

Position after: 8.Qb3 8...Qc8 A) 8...Qb6 9.Nxg6 [9.c5!?] 9...hxg6 10.c5

Position after: 10.c5 A1) 10...Qxb3 11.axb3 Na6 12.e3

373

Position after: 12.e3 12...Nc7 [12...Nb4 13.Ra4 a5 14.Bd2²] 13.b4 a6 14.Bd3 Be7 15.0-0 Nd7 16.e4² Korchmar – TerSaakian, Voronezh 2019 A2) 10...Qc7 11.e4 dxe4 12.Bf4 Qc8 [12...Qd7 13.fxe4 Nh5 14.0-0-0²] 13.fxe4

Position after: 13.fxe4 A2.1) 13...Be7 14.Bg2 Nbd7 15.e5 Nd5 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.0-0 White is clearly better. 1-0 (41) Chandra, A (2505) – Finegold, B (2481) Saint Louis 2017 374

A2.2) 13...Nbd7 14.e5 Nd5 15.Ne4² See the Berczes – Nguyen game for more details. A2.3) 13...Nh5 14.0-0-0 Nd7 15.Bc4

Position after: 15.Bc4 15...Be7?! [15...Nxf4 16.gxf4 Be7 17.f5±] 16.Bd6! Bxd6 17.cxd6 Nb6 18.e5 Nxc4 19.Qxc4 f5 20.Rhf1 b5 [20...0-0 21.g4 fxg4 22.Rxf8+ Kxf8 23.Rf1+ Kg8 24.Ne4+–] 21.Qd3 g5 22.Ne2+– Kantor – Assaubayeva, Budapest 2019 B) 8...b6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.e4

375

Position after: 10.e4 10...a6 [10...dxe4 11.Bb5+ Nbd7 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.fxe4] 11.Qa4+ Nbd7 12.Bxa6 Be7 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.exd5 exd5 15.Qb5± 9.e4!

Position after: 9.e4! White manages to fully occupy the center. 9...dxe4 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.fxe4 e5 12.dxe5 Ng4 13.e6! Qxe6 13...fxe6 14.Be2 Ne5 [14...Nxh2 15.Be3+–] 15.Bf4 Nbd7 16.0-0-0 Be7 17.h4± Tkachiev – Najer, Khanty-Mansiysk 2013 14.Qxb7 Bd6 15.Qxa8 Nxh2

376

Position after: 15...Nxh2 16.Bf4!N 16.Rxh2 Rxh2 17.Bf4 Bxf4? [17...g5!?] 18.gxf4+– Ivanisevic – Petursson, Berlin 2015 16...Nf3+ 16...g5 17.Bxd6 Qxd6 18.Ke2 Qxg3 19.Qxa7 Qf3+ 20.Kd2+– 17.Kf2 Rxh1 18.Kxf3 Bxf4 19.gxf4 Qc8 20.Qxa7+–

377

Position after: 20.Qxa7+– Model games (II) Wagner, Dennis (2488) Bailet, Pierre (2484) Vandoeuvre 2014 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bf5 Black’s most popular response. 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg4 6...Be4 is more common.

378

Position after: 6...Bg4 7.f3 7.Qb3!? Qb6 8.h3 Bh5 9.g4 Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bg2 Na6 12.Bf4 Qb4 13.0-0 dxc4 14.Qc2 0-0-0 15.Rfd1 Bd6 16.Bg5 Nc7 17.Ne4 Be7 18.Bd2 Qb5 19.Ng5 Rhf8 20.Nf3 Ncd5 21.Rdc1 Bb4 22.Bg5² 1-0 (46) Gelfand, B (2734) – Inarkiev, E (2730) Magas 2016 7...Bh5 8.Qb3 Qb6 9.c5

379

Position after: 9.c5 9...Qc7 9...Qxb3 10.axb3 A) 10...Nbd7 11.g4 [11.b4!?] 11...Bg6 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.b4 e5 14.e3² B) 10...Na6 11.Ra4!² with the idea of b4-b5. 10.Bf4 Qc8 11.g4 Bg6 12.e4 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.e3² 12...dxe4 13.Nxg6 hxg6

Position after: 13...hxg6 14.fxe4 14.Nxe4!? Nxe4 [14...Nd5 15.Nd6+ Bxd6 16.Bxd6±] 15.fxe4 Nd7 16.Bc4 Nf6 17.g5 Nh5 [17...Nxe4? 18.Qe3+–] 18.Be5 with a serious advabtafe for White. 14...Nxg4 15.Be2 Nf6 16.0-0-0

380

Position after: 16.0-0-0 White has given up a pawn in return for huge compensation including control of the center, actively placed pieces, and a big lead in development. 16...Be7 17.Bd6 Bxd6 18.cxd6 Nbd7 18...Rh3!? 19.e5 Nd5 20.Bg4 Re3 21.Rhf1± 19.e5 Nd5 20.Nxd5 cxd5+ 21.Kb1 0-0 21...Nb8 22.h4 Nc6 23.h5 g5 24.Qe3+–

381

Position after: 21...0-0 22.h4! White starts a decisive attack. 22...f6 23.Qg3 23.h5 was even better: 23...g5 [23...gxh5 24.Qh3 is crushing.] 24.h6 g6 25.Rc1 Qe8 26.Rc7+– 23...fxe5 24.dxe5 Rf5 25.Bd3 Rxe5 26.Rhg1 g5 27.hxg5 g6 28.Rh1+–

382

Position after: 28.Rh1+– 28...Qf8 28...Kg7 29.Rc1 Qd8 30.Rc7+– 29.Rh6 Qxd6 30.Rxg6+ Kf7 31.Rf1+ Ke7 32.Rg7+ Black resigned on account of 32.Rg7+ Kd8 33.Bb5 Nc5 34.Qxe5! followed by Rf8 mate. 1-0 Berczes, David (2506) Nguyen, Huynh Minh Huy (2503) Budapest 2015 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3! Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Be4 7.f3 Bg6 8.Qb3 Qb6

383

Position after: 8...Qb6 9.c5 9.Nxg6 hxg6 10.c5 Qc7 11.Bf4 Qc8 12.e4 dxe4 13.fxe4 reaches the same position via a different move order. 9...Qc7 9...Qxb3 10.axb3 Be7 11.Nxg6 hxg6 12.b4² 10.Bf4 Qc8 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxg6 hxg6 13.fxe4 Nbd7 14.e5 Nh5 15.Ne4² White has a very nice position already.

384

Position after: 15.Ne4² 15...Nxf4 15...Be7? 16.Bg5!+– In such structures, managing to trade the dark-squared bishops is nearly winning for White. 16.gxf4 White has a clear advantage from the opening. He has more space, more active pieces, and a better pawn structure. 16...Be7 16...b6 weakens the c6-pawn in the long run. 17.Nd6+ Bxd6 18.cxd6 with a slight advantage. 17.0-0-0 Qc7 18.Bc4

385

Position after: 18.Bc4 18...Nf8?! 18...0-0-0 19.h4! Kb8 [19...Rxh4?? 20.Rxh4 Bxh4 21.Nd6+ Kb8 22.Qh3 Be7 23.Nxf7+–] 20.Kb1

Position after: 20.Kb1 20...Rh6 [20...Bxh4?? 21.Nd6! Rdf8 22.Ba6 b6 23.Rc1+–; 20...Rh7 21.Ng5 Bxg5 22.fxg5±] 21.Ng5 Rf8 22.Be2² 386

19.Nd6+ Bxd6 20.exd6 Qd7 21.d5!

Position after: 21.d5! 21...0-0-0 A) 21...cxd5?? 22.Bb5+– B) 21...exd5 22.Rhe1+ Ne6 23.Rxd5 0-0-0 24.Rde5+– 22.Rhe1!

387

Position after: 22.Rhe1! This is the Hungarian chess school! White brings all of his pieces to the party. 22...Rh5?? A) 22...exd5 23.Qa4 a6 [23...Kb8 24.Re7 Qc8 25.Rc7 Qf5 26.Rxb7+! Kxb7 27.Ba6+ Kb8 28.Qb3+ Ka8 29.Qb7#] 24.Re7

Position after: 24.Re7 24...dxc4 [24...Qf5? 25.Rc7+ Kb8 26.Rxb7++–] 25.Rxd7 Rxd7 26.Re1 Ne6 27.Qxc4 Rxh2 28.Rxe6! fxe6 29.Qxe6+– B) 22...Kb8 23.dxe6 fxe6 24.Bxe6 Nxe6 25.Rxe6 Qf7 26.Re7 Qxb3 27.axb3 Rxh2 28.b4 White will slowly but surely convert the game. 23.dxe6 fxe6 24.Rxe6+–

388

Position after: 24.Rxe6+– 24...Qf7 24...Rxc5 25.Re7 b5 26.Rxd7 Nxd7 27.Kb1 Rxc4 28.Qe3+– 25.Re7 Qxf4+ 26.Kb1 Nd7

Position after: 26...Nd7

389

27.Be6 Even better was 27.Rf1 Qd4 28.Rxd7! Rxd7 [28...Kxd7 29.Qxb7+ Ke8 30.Qe7#] 29.Rf8+ Rd8 30.Be6+ Kb8 31.Rxd8#. 27...Rxc5 28.Bxd7+ 28.Bxd7+ Rxd7 29.Re8+ Rd8 30.Qe6+ Kb8 31.Rxd8# 1-0 Typical tactics If you want to master an opening, you need to learn more than just the theory. You should study the middlegame plans, model games, how masters play in similar positions, and typical tactics too. In this part of the chapter, I will show you nine combinations which you should definitely know before facing the Slav Defense. Before you start to think, check whose move it is, and the difficulty level indicated above the diagram: * indicates easy level ** is medium level *** is hard level I would advise you to solve these exercises without moving the pieces on the board, to improve your calculation and visualization skills. Good luck!

Test Your Knowledge

Show in Text Mode

1-*

390

□ 19.? +– Show/Hide Solution

19.Nxe6! Riazantsev – Maevsky, Warsaw 2010 19.Nxe6 Rg8 [19...fxe6 20.Qxe6+ Qe7 21.Qxe7#; 19...Rxc6 20.Nxg7#] 20.Nxd8 Rxc6 21.Nxc6+– 1-0

2-*

391

□ 8.? +– Show/Hide Solution

8.e4!+– A typical pawn sacrifice in order to open the diagonal for the bishop. Every one of White’s moves is coming with tempo so it’s clearly winning. 8...dxe4 8...Bxe4 9.Bb5+ Ke7 [9...Nbd7 10.Ne5 Be7 11.Bxf6+–] 10.Ne5 Bxg2 11.Rg1 Be4 12.Nxe4 dxe4 13.Qb4+ Qd6 14.Qxd6+ Kxd6 15.Nxf7+ Ke7 16.Nxh8+– 9.Bb5+ Nbd7 9...Ke7 10.Ne5 a6 11.Bd7!? [11.Bc6 Ra7 12.d5 is also winning.] 11...Nbxd7 12.Nc6+ Ke8 13.Nxd8+– 10.Ne5 Epishin – Vandenbempt, Leuven 2003 1-0

392

3-*

□ 10.? ± Show/Hide Solution

10.Nxd5! Nxd5 A) 10...Bxd2 11.Nxf6+ Nxf6 12.Qxd2 White has a clear extra pawn. B) 10...cxd5 11.Bxb4 Re8 12.cxb5+– 11.cxd5 Bxd2 12.dxe6! This intermediate move is the key. 12.Qxd2 cxd5

393

Position after: 12.dxe6! 12...Bc3?! Black falls into the second trick as well. A) 12...fxe6 13.Qxd2+– B) 12...Bb4 13.exd7 Bxd7 14.Ne5± 13.exd7 Bxd7 14.Bxh7+! Kh8 14...Kxh7 15.Qc2+ Kg8 16.Qxc3+– 15.Rc1 b4 16.Bd3 c5 17.dxc5 Qe7 18.Nd2 Riazantsev – Pokazanjev, Olginka 2011 1-0

4 - **

394

■ 12...? µ Show/Hide Solution

12...Nc5! 13.dxc5 13.Qc2 dxe4!? [13...Ncxe4] 14.dxc5 exf3 15.gxf3 Bxc5µ 13...dxe4 14.Qxd8 Rfxd8

395

Position after: 14...Rfxd8 Black is going to win back the piece favorably. 15.Na4 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.Be3 Nxc5µ 15...exf3 16.Rfd1 16.Nb6!? Ra6 17.Be3 Ng4µ 16...Rd3–+

Position after: 16...Rd3–+ 17.Bc3 Rad8 18.Re1 R8d7 19.Rac1 fxg2 20.Nb2 Rf3 21.Kxg2 Rf5 22.Na4?! Better was 22.b4 Nh5 followed by Nf4+. 22...Rd3 23.Rcd1 Rdf3 24.Re2 h5 ¹ 24...Ng4 25.h3 g5 26.b4 axb4 27.axb4 g4 28.hxg4 Nxg4–+

396

Position after: 28...Nxg4–+ 29.Rh1 29.Rf1 h4–+ 29...Rxf2+ 30.Rxf2 Nxf2 30...Rxf2+!? 31.Kg3 Rf5 was also good. 31.Ra1 h4 32.Nb6 h3+ 33.Kh2 Rg5 34.Rg1 Rxg1 35.Kxg1 Ng4 36.Nc8 Kf8 White resigned. Kozul – Illescas Cordoba, Yerevan 1996 0-1

5 - **

397

■ 29...? –+ Show/Hide Solution

29...Rh4!! A spectacular and completely unexpected move. 30.gxh4 30.Rf2 Nxf2 31.Qxf2 Qxd1+–+ 30...Nf4 31.Qf2 31.Rf2 Qxd1+ 32.Rf1 Qc2 33.Qf2 [33.Rf2 Qg6+! 34.Kh1 Qb1+–+] 33...Nh3+ is game over. 31...Nh3+ 32.Kg2 Nxf2 33.Rde1 33.Rxf2 Qxd1–+ 33...Qd2–+

398

Position after: 33...Qd2–+ 34.Kg3 Nd3 34...g5! looks even better. 35.Rxf2 [35.hxg5 h4+ 36.Kxh4 Qf4+ 37.Kh5 Qxh2#] 35...gxh4+ 36.Kg2 Qxe1–+ 35.Rxe6 Qxa2 36.c5 a5 37.Re3 Qxb3 38.f4 Qc4 39.Rff3 Nxc5 40.Kh3 Ne4 Volkov – Rublevsky, Kemer 2007 0-1

6 - **

399

□ 20.? +– Show/Hide Solution

20.Rxd7! Braun – Fridman Saarbruecken 2009 20.Rxd7! Kxd7 21.Bb5+ Ke7 22.Rc7+! This is the key move that White needs to have seen in advance. 22...Qxc7 23.Qb4+ Qd6 24.Qxd6# 1-0

7 - ***

400

□ 19.? +– Show/Hide Solution

19.Rxg7! Kxg7 20.Nf6! 20.Rg1+ Kh8 21.Nf6 also wins: 21...Nxf6 22.exf6 Rg8 [22...Bxf6 23.Bd3] 23.c6! Deflecting the queen from the 7th rank. [23.Bd3 Rg6] 23...Qxc6 24.Bd3 Rg6 25.Rxg6 fxg6 26.Bxg6+– 20...Nxf6 20...Bxf6 doesn’t change much: 21.Rg1+ Kh8 22.Bd3+– 21.exf6+ Bxf6 22.Rg1+ Kh8 23.Bd3 Mikhalevski – Rabinovich, Dieren 1999 1-0

8 - ***

401

□ 17.? +– Show/Hide Solution

17.Nxg7!! Kxg7 18.Qf5! 18.g4?! Kg8 19.Qf5 Red8∞ 18...Nf8! The most resilient defense. A) 18...Rad8 19.Qg5+ Kf8 [19...Kh8 20.Ne5] 20.Nh4+– B) 18...Kf8 19.Ng5+– 19.h4?! 19.Ne5 Kg8 20.Rhf1‚ looks better. 19...h6

402

Position after: 19...h6 20.g4?! 20.Qg4+! Ng6 [20...Kh7 21.Ng5+! Kg8 22.Bxf6] 21.h5± 20...Qc8! 21.Qxc8 Raxc8 22.g5 N8h7 23.e4 Rcd8 24.Rdf1 Kf8 25.gxf6 Bxf6 26.e5 Bg7 27.Rhg1± (37) Kasparov – Nikolic, Manila 1992 1-0

9 - ***

403

□ 14.? ± Show/Hide Solution

14.Nxb5!! cxb5 14...Qb6 15.Bxc6! [15.Nxd7?! Kxd7 16.Qf3! cxb5 17.Qxf7+ Be7 18.d5 exd5 19.Bxd5 Qf6 20.Qh5²] 15...Bxc6 16.Nxc6 Qxc6 [16...a6 17.Qf3 axb5 18.Ne5 with a double attack.] 17.Rfc1± 15.Rfc1 Qb6 16.Bc6!

404

Position after: 16.Bc6! The key move. 16...Rd8 A) 16...Bxc6 17.Rxc6 Qb7 [17...Qxd4? 18.Rxe6+! fxe6 19.Qxe6+ Be7 20.Qf7+ Kd8 21.Nc6++–] 18.Qf3! Be7 [18...Nxe5 19.Rxe6+ fxe6 20.Qxb7+–] 19.Qxf7+ Kd8 20.Rxe6+– B) ¹ 16...Bd6 17.Nxd7 Qxc6 18.Rxc6 Bxc6 19.Nc5+– 17.Qf3+– f6 17...f5 18.Qh5+ Ke7 19.Bxd7+– 18.Qh5+ Ke7 19.Ng6+ Kd6 20.Bxb7 Ehlvest – Fridman, Riga 1995 20.Bxb7 Rg8 21.Rc6++– 1-0

Homework If you want to master the Slav Defense structure, I recommend that you analyze the following selection of games, using this method: 405

1) Analyze the games yourself and identify the critical moments without using an engine. 2) Write down your analyses and possible improvements. 3) Check your work with the engine. 4) Make a conclusion about what you can learn from each game. Portisch, Lajos Johannessen, Svein Havana 1966 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 b4 9.Ne4 Bb7 10.Nxf6+ Nxf6 11.Qa4 Be7 12.Bd2 a5 13.e4 0-0 14.e5 Nd7 15.Qc2 h6 16.h4 c5 17.Rh3 Bxf3 18.Bxh6 Bxh4 19.gxf3 gxh6 20.Ke2 Nxe5 21.dxe5 Qd4 22.Rxh4 Qxh4 23.Rg1+ Kh8 24.Qc1 f6 25.Rg6 1-0 Kasparov, Garry (2770) Bareev, Evgeny (2680) Tilburg 1991 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 Bxc3 11.bxc3 Nxe4 12.Ba3 Qc7 13.Nd2 Ndf6 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Rfe1 0-0-0 16.Qb2 Rhe8 17.f3 Nd6 18.Bf1 Kb8 19.a5 Nc8 20.Bc5 f6 21.Ra4 e5 22.Rea1 Rd7 23.Rb4 Ka8 24.Bb6 Qb8 25.dxe5 Rxe5 26.Bf2 Qd6 27.Rd4 Rd5 28.Rxd5 Qxd5 29.Qb4 Qd6 30.Qa4 Rd8 31.Re1 Ne7 32.a6 b6 33.Rxe7 1-0 Ivanchuk, Vassily (2735) Shirov, Alexei (2690) Wijk aan Zee 1996 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 b5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Nxg5 hxg5 10.Bxg5 Nbd7 11.exf6 Bb7 12.g3 c5 13.d5 Qb6 14.Bg2 0-0-0 15.0-0 b4 16.Na4 Qb5 17.a3 exd5 18.axb4 cxb4 19.Be3 Nc5 20.Qg4+ Rd7 21.Qg7 Bxg7 22.fxg7 Rg8 23.Nxc5 d4 24.Bxb7+ Rxb7 25.Nxb7 Qb6 26.Bxd4 Qxd4 27.Rfd1 Qxb2 28.Nd6+ Kb8 29.Rdb1 Qxg7 30.Rxb4+ Kc7 31.Ra6 Rb8 32.Rxa7+ 1-0 Avrukh, Boris (2630) Kaspi, Alexander (2488) Ramat Aviv/Modiin 2000 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 b4 9.Ne4 Be7 10.0-0 Bb7 11.Nxf6+ Nxf6 12.e4 c5 13.Qa4+ Kf8 14.Re1 h6 15.Bf4 cxd4 16.Rac1 Ne8 17.Rc4 a5 18.Rxd4 Qb6 19.Be3 Bc5 20.Ne5 Nf6 21.Rd7 Bxe3 22.Rxf7+ Kg8 23.Rxe3 Qc5 24.Rg3 Nh5 406

25.Rgxg7+ Nxg7 26.Rxg7+ Kxg7 27.Qd7+ Kf6 28.Ng4+ Kg6 29.e5+ Be4 30.Bxe4+ Kg5 31.Qd2+ Kxg4 32.h3+ Kh5 33.Qe2+ 1-0 Topalov, Veselin (2813) Kramnik, Vladimir (2743) Elista 2006 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.a4 Bf5 6.e3 e6 7.Bxc4 Bb4 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Bg6 10.e4 0-0 11.Bd3 Bh5 12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Qe3 Bg6 15.Ng5 Re8 16.f4 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 f5 18.Be3 Nf8 19.Kh1 Rc8 20.g4 Qd7 21.Rg1 Be7 22.Nf3 Rc4 23.Rg2 fxg4 24.Rxg4 Rxa4 25.Rag1 g6 26.h4 Rb4 27.h5 Qb5 28.Qc2 Rxb2 29.hxg6 h5 30.g7 hxg4 31.gxf8=Q+ Bxf8 32.Qg6+ Bg7 33.f5 Re7 34.f6 Qe2 35.Qxg4 Rf7 36.Rc1 Rc2 37.Rxc2 Qd1+ 38.Kg2 Qxc2+ 39.Kg3 Qe4 40.Bf4 Qf5 41.Qxf5 exf5 42.Bg5 a5 43.Kf4 a4 44.Kxf5 a3 45.Bc1 Bf8 46.e6 Rc7 47.Bxa3 Bxa3 48.Ke5 Rc1 49.Ng5 Rf1 50.e7 Re1+ 51.Kxd5 Bxe7 52.fxe7 Rxe7 53.Kd6 Re1 54.d5 Kf8 55.Ne6+ Ke8 56.Nc7+ Kd8 57.Ne6+ Kc8 58.Ke7 Rh1 59.Ng5 b5 60.d6 Rd1 61.Ne6 b4 62.Nc5 Re1+ 63.Kf6 Re3 0-1 Concluding tips 1) The Slav Defense is considered to be the most solid opening against 1.d4 so we need to be ready for a tough positional fight. 2) If Black plays ...e6 with the bishop still on c8, we can simply transpose to a nice line of the Catalan. 3) When Black plays ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 in the opening, we should always consider whether Qb3 is a strong move with the b7-pawn no longer protected. 4) Note that although our line starts with 4.g3, that does not necessarily mean we will always play Bg2. There are a few lines where we follow up with f3 and e4 instead. 5) If Black plays the first part of the game inaccurately, they can easily find themselves stuck in a passive position.

407

Chapter 5 The Catalan Opening 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2

Chapter Guide Chapter 5 – The Catalan Opening Introduction Model games (I) Theoretical section Model games (II) Typical tactics Homework Concluding tips Introduction The Catalan Opening is one of White’s most popular and critical options against the Queen’s Gambit Declined. The Catalan can also be reached via the English Opening or the Reti. White plays g3 and Bg2 in order to control the long diagonal, put pressure on the d5-pawn, and create problems for Black’s c8-bishop. The Catalan has been played by many world champions including Alekhine, Botvinnik, Karpov, 408

Kasparov, Kramnik and Carlsen. Black must make a decision early on about whether to go for the Open Catalan with ...dxc4 or to avoid this capture and play the Closed Catalan. What types of players choose this opening? The Catalan Defense is considered to be ideal for active positional players. Of course some lines are sharper and some lines are calmer than others, it mostly depends on how Black reacts. Is it considered to be a correct opening? Yes, many strong players see it as one of White’s best options against the Queen’s Gambit Declined. GM Boris Avrukh wrote a great book about it a few years ago. At present, who is the biggest authority on this variation? Who should one follow with White? I recommend that you study the games of Ding Liren who plays the Catalan with both colors and knows everything about the system. I really like his game against Topalov from 2018 where he won with an impressive sacrifice on g6. ECO Code: E00-E09. Model games (I) Before we start to work on the theory of the Catalan, I would like to show you four example games on the line. Please note that we are not going to play the same line as White, but I still think it is necessary to have a basic knowledge of typical ideas, plans and maneuvers. Botvinnik, Mikhail Moisevich Lasker, Emanuel Moscow 1936 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2

409

Position after: 4.Bg2 This English Opening move order has the advantage of avoiding the ...Bb4+ lines. On the other hand, it gives Black the option of playing 2...d4 reaching a Benoni system with reversed colors. 4...Be7 A) 4...dxc4!? 5.Qa4+ Bd7 6.Qxc4 c5 gives Black good chances to equalize, for example 7.Ne5 [7.0-0 Bc6=] 7...Qc8!. B) 4...d4 gains space but opens the diagonal for the g2-bishop. B1) If 5.e3 then 5...Nc6!? might be a clever option since it keeps the c5-square free for the bishop. For example: 6.0-0 Bc5 7.b4 Bxb4 8.exd4 0-0 was played by Caruana against Hammer in Norway 2015. B2) 5.0-0 c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.exd4 cxd4 8.Re1 Bd6 9.d3

410

Position after: 9.d3 9...0-0 [9...e5? 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.f4±] 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.Nbd2 Qd8 with level chances. 5.0-0 0-0 6.d4

Position after: 6.d4 6...Nbd7

411

6...dxc4 has become more popular recently. 7.Qc2 a6 8.a4 Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 with long theoretical lines. 7.Nc3 7.Qc2 is the main variation which usually leads to the starting position of the Closed Catalan, e.g. 7...c6 8.Nbd2. 7...dxc4!

Position after: 7...dxc4! Black accepts the challenge and takes on c4. Usually this is a risky move because it opens the diagonal for White’s Catalan bishop but on the other hand, if Black manages to protect the pawn he might come out on top. 8.e4 c6 8...b5 is a modern approach. 9.e5 [9.Nxb5 Nxe4] 9...Nd5 10.Nxb5 Bb7 11.h4 N7b6 12.Ng5 Qd7 13.Na3 Bxg5 14.Bxg5 Rac8 [14...c3!?] 15.Rc1 c5= Bruzon Batista – Kryvoruchko, Varadero 2016 9.a4

412

Position after: 9.a4 It is necessary to prevent ...b5 as otherwise ...Bb7, ...a6 and ...c5 would follow with active play for Black. 9...a5 9...e5!? 10.dxe5 Ng4 11.Bf4 Qa5 12.e6 fxe6 13.Qe2 Nde5 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.Bxe5 Qxe5 16.Kh1 [16.Qxc4 a5„] 16...Bd7 17.f4 Qc5 18.e5 Rad8 19.Ne4 Qb4 with an unclear game: Banusz – Dreev, Jerusalem 2015. 10.Qe2 Nb6 10...b6!? 11.Rd1 Ba6 12.Bf4 Re8 13.h3 [13.Nd2 Bf8! 14.Nxc4 Qe7 The queen is going to b4.] 13...Bb4 14.g4 Qe7 15.Be3?! Bxc3 16.bxc3 Nxe4µ Wang Yue – Gelfand, Beijing 2014 11.Rd1 Bb4 11...h6 12.Bf4 Nh5 13.Be3 Nf6 14.Nd2² 12.Ne5 Qe7 13.Be3 Bd7 14.Nxc4 Nxc4 15.Qxc4

413

Position after: 15.Qxc4 15...b5? The beginning of a bad plan. 15...e5! was the only way to achieve a playable position. 16.Na2 [16.dxe5 Ng4 17.Bd4 Be6 18.Qe2 Rad8∞] 16...Bg4 With a dynamic position. 16.Qe2 It was also possible to accept the sacrifice: 16.axb5!? cxb5 17.Nxb5 Ng4 [17...Rfc8 18.Qe2 White is much better thanks to his clear pawn advantage.] 18.Bc1 Rfc8 19.Qe2 Bxb5 [19...h5 20.e5+–] 20.Qxb5 Rc2 21.Rf1± 16...Rab8 17.axb5 cxb5

414

Position after: 17...cxb5 What is the correct plan for White? 18.e5! White needs to open the diagonal for the g2-bishop. 18.Bf4!? also leads to a preferable position. 18...Rbc8 19.e5 Ne8 20.Ne4± 18...Ne8 18...Nd5 19.Nxd5 exd5 20.Bxd5 Be6 21.Be4+– 19.d5!+–

415

Position after: 19.d5!+– Black’s position is hopeless. 19...exd5 19...Bxc3 20.d6 Qd8 21.bxc3+– 20.Nxd5 Qxe5 20...Qe6 21.Nxb4 axb4 22.Qd2 is also overwhelming. 21.Nxb4 Black resigned since the d7-bishop is dropping. 1-0 Alekhine, Alexander Rabar, Braslav Munich 1942 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4

416

Position after: 4...dxc4 5.Qa4+ 5.Nf3!? leads to sharper lines. 5...Bd7 6.Qxc4 Bc6 Black wants to trade his passive bishop for the famous Catalan g2-bishop but obviously we are not going to allow this. 7.Nf3 Bd5 8.Qd3

417

Position after: 8.Qd3 8...c5?! 8...Be4 is more common. 9.Qd1 c5 10.Nc3 Bc6 11.0-0 Be7 [11...Nbd7 12.Be3²] 12.dxc5! Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Bxc5 14.a3 a5 [14...0-0 15.b4] 15.Ne5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Nbd7 17.Nxd7 [17.Nd3 Ke7 18.e4 Rhd8 19.Bf4 Rac8 20.Nb5² Deac – Vavric, Sovata 2018] 17...Nxd7 18.Bf4 Ke7 19.Rac1 with a nice positional plus for White. 9.Nc3 Bc6 10.0-0 Nbd7 11.Rd1!

418

Position after: 11.Rd1! White correctly decides to place his rook on the d-file which will open soon. 11...cxd4 12.Nxd4 12.Qxd4 Bc5 13.Qh4 Qb6„ 12...Bxg2 13.Kxg2 Be7 14.Qf3! 14.e4 was also possible but I prefer the game continuation. 14...0-0 15.Qe2 Qa5 16.Bf4²

Position after: 14.Qf3! 14...Qb6 14...Qc8 15.Bf4! e5 [15...0-0?! 16.Rac1+–] 16.Nf5! exf4 17.Nxe7 Kxe7 18.Rac1 Qb8 [18...Qc6 19.Nd5+ Nxd5 20.Rxc6 bxc6 21.Qa3+ Kd8 22.gxf4‚] 19.Nb5 Re8 20.Qa3+! Kd8 21.Rc2 with great attacking chances. 15.Be3! 0-0 15...Qxb2?? 16.Ncb5! 0-0 17.Rdb1+– traps the queen. 16.Nf5 Bc5 16...Qd8 17.Nxe7+ Qxe7 18.Qxb7 Rfb8 19.Qc6 Ne5 [19...Rxb2?? 20.Qxa8+] 20.Qc5 Qxc5 21.Bxc5 Rxb2 22.Bxa7!± with an extra pawn. 419

17.Na4 Qa5 18.Nxc5 Nxc5

Position after: 18...Nxc5 The knight is hanging on f5. How would you deal with it? 19.Nxg7!+– A fantastic sacrifice, eliminating the Black king’s most important defending pawn. Without the g7pawn, all the dark squares around the king are going to be weak and the f6-knight will be vulnerable. 19.b4!? The engine actually likes this move even more. 19...Qxb4 20.Nxg7 Kxg7 21.Bd4 e5 22.Bxe5 Qe4 23.Bxf6+ Kg6 24.Bd4 Qxf3+ 25.Kxf3+– gives White a healthy extra pawn. 19...Kxg7 19...Nce4 would have offered Rabar better chances of survival. 20.b4 Qe5 [20...Qxb4 21.Nh5!+–] 21.Bf4 Qc3 22.Nh5! Qxf3+ 23.Kxf3 Nxh5 24.Kxe4 Nxf4 25.Kxf4± 20.Bd4!

420

Position after: 20.Bd4! 20...Nce4 20...Ncd7 21.Bc3! Qc7 [21...Qf5 22.Qxf5 exf5 23.Rxd7+–] 22.Rxd7! Qxd7 23.Qxf6+ Kg8 24.Qg7# 21.Qxe4+–

Position after: 21.Qxe4+–

421

The rest is just a matter of technique. 21...Qf5 22.Qxf5 exf5 23.Rac1 Rfe8 24.Rc7 Rxe2 25.Rxb7 Kg6 26.Bxf6 26.Bxa7 also wins easily. 26...Kxf6 27.Rd6+!

Position after: 27.Rd6+! Precise technique! 27.Rd6+ Kg7 28.Rdd7 Rf8 29.a4 a6 30.b4+– 1-0 Giri, Anish (2720) Morozevich, Alexander (2748) Beijing 2012 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2

422

Position after: 5.Bg2 5...b5 A rare sideline which is way too risky in my opinion. 5...Nc6 and 5...a6 are more popular moves. 6.a4! A strong move which loosens Black’s pawn structure. 6...c6 7.Ne5!

423

Position after: 7.Ne5! The most typical move to challenge the c4-pawn. 7...Nd5 7...Bb7? 8.axb5+– leaves the bishop on b7 unprotected. 8.0-0 a6 8...Bb7 9.axb5 cxb5 10.b3 cxb3 11.Qxb3 a6 would transpose to the game.

424

Position after: 8...a6 9.axb5 9.e4 Nf6 10.d5!? is another possibility White could have tried to capitalize on his lead in development. 10...Qc7! [10...cxd5 11.exd5 exd5 12.axb5±] A) 11.Nxc6 Nxc6 12.dxc6 b4!= [12...Qxc6 13.e5 Nd5 14.Nc3 Bb7 15.Nxd5 exd5 16.e6∞] B) 11.Bf4 Bd6 12.axb5 B1) 12...cxb5?

Position after: 12...cxb5? 13.Nxf7! Kxf7 [13...Bxf4 14.Nxh8 Be5 15.Nc3+–] 14.dxe6+ Ke7 [14...Bxe6 15.Bxd6+–] 15.Qxd6+ Qxd6 16.Bxd6+ Kxd6 17.e5+ Kxe6 18.Bxa8+– B2) 12...Bxe5 13.Bxe5 Qxe5 14.bxc6© 9...cxb5 10.b3 Again 10.e4!? Nf6 11.d5² was also possible. 10...cxb3 11.Qxb3 Bb7 12.e4 Nf6 13.d5!

425

Position after: 13.d5! White has no time to waste. If Black is allowed time to castle, he will simply have an extra pawn. 13...Bd6? How should White continue his active play? A) 13...Qb6!? 14.Be3 Bc5 15.dxe6 fxe6 16.Bxc5 Qxc5 17.Qxe6+ Qe7 18.Qxe7+ Kxe7 19.Rc1 and White is slightly better. B) 13...exd5 14.exd5 Bxd5 15.Qe3! Qe7 [15...Be7 16.Rd1+–] 16.Ba3!? [16.Bxd5 Nxd5 17.Qe4 Qe6 18.Rd1] 16...b4 17.Bxb4 Qxb4? 18.Nc6++–

426

Position after: 13...Bd6? 14.Nxf7!! Great calculation by the Dutch Super-GM. 14...Kxf7 15.dxe6+ Ke8 15...Ke7 16.e5+– 16.e5 16.Bb2 also looks strong. 16...Bxg2 17.exf6

427

Position after: 17.exf6 17...Qxf6 17...Bxf1? 18.fxg7 Rg8 19.e7! Kxe7 [19...Bxe7 20.Qxg8++–] 20.Bg5+ Kd7 21.Bxd8+– 18.Kxg2 Qxa1 19.Bb2 Qa4 20.Qf3 Of course White wants to keep the queens on the board. 20.Qd5!? Qc4 21.Qxa8 Qc6+ 22.Qxc6+ Nxc6 23.f4² 20...Ra7 21.Rc1

428

Position after: 21.Rc1 21...Kd8? 21...Rc7 was a better try. 22.Rxc7 Bxc7 23.Bxg7 Ke7™ [23...Rg8? 24.Qf7+] 24.Bxh8 Kxe6 25.Nd2± [25.Nc3!?] 22.Bf6+! 22.Qd5 Ke7 23.Qh5 also wins. 22...Be7 22...gxf6 23.Qxf6+ Re7 24.Qxh8+ Re8 25.Qf6+ Be7 [25...Re7 26.Qf8+ Re8 27.Qxd6+ Nd7 28.Qxd7#] 26.Qe5 will lead to mate soon. 23.Qd5+

429

Position after: 23.Qd5+ 23...Nd7 23...Rd7 24.exd7 Bxf6 25.Rc8+ Ke7 26.d8=Q+ Rxd8 27.Qxd8+ Ke6 28.Qe8+ Be7 29.Nc3+– 24.Bd4 Rc7 25.Qa8+ A brilliant victory in the spirit of the Catalan! 1-0 Gelfand, Boris (2693) Georgiev, Kiril (2625) Mallorca 2004 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 This move order does not allow Black to play the Queen’s Indian Defense. 3...Bb4+ 3...b6?! 4.Bg2 is obviously not what Black wants. 4.Bd2 Be7 5.Bg2 d5 6.Nf3 0-0 7.0-0 c6

430

Position after: 7...c6 8.Bf4 8.Qc2 is the recommendation of Boris Avrukh in his great repertoire book Grandmaster Repertoire 1A: 1.d4: The Catalan. 8...Nbd7 9.Nc3 It’s always a bit risky to put the knight on c3 in the Catalan, since then ...dxc4 becomes a lot more logical as it will be more difficult for White to win the pawn back. 9.Qc2!? 9...dxc4 Challenge accepted! 9...b6 is more solid. There are several options for the game to continue: A) 10.Nd2 Nh5!= B) 10.Ne5!? was recently played by GMs Melkumyan and Ponkratov; C) 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Nb5 Ne8 and Black holds. 10.e4 a5 11.Re1

431

Position after: 11.Re1 11...Re8 11...b5 12.d5! would give White a nice initiative, e.g. 12...Qb6 [12...exd5 13.exd5 cxd5 14.Nxd5 Nxd5 15.Qxd5 Ra7 16.Nd4 Nf6 17.Qxd8 Bxd8 18.Nxb5±] 13.d6 Bd8 14.Qc2© [14.e5 Nd5 15.Ne4 Nxf4 16.gxf4 also looks a bit better for White.] 12.d5 cxd5 12...exd5 13.exd5 cxd5 14.Nxd5 Bc5 15.Rxe8+ Nxe8 16.Qc2ƒ 13.exd5 Nc5

432

Position after: 13...Nc5 14.Ne5 14.d6 Bf8 15.Bf1! Bd7 [15...Nh5 16.Bg5 Qxd6 17.Nd2²] 16.Bxc4 Bc6 17.Bb5² 14...exd5 14...Ra6!? was the best try for Black. 15.Rc1 exd5 16.Nxd5 Re6! Active defense! 15.Nxd5 Nxd5? This allows a nice tactical shot. White to move and win! 15...Be6! 16.Nxe7+ Rxe7 17.Qc2 reaches an unclear position where the chances are balanced. [17.Bg5 Nd3=]

433

Position after: 15...Nxd5? 16.Nxf7!! Well calculated. 16.Bxd5 Be6! allows Black to escape. 16...Kxf7 16...Nxf4 17.Nxd8 Rxd8 18.Qc2 [18.Rxe7? Rxd1+ 19.Rxd1 Kf8!–+] 18...Nfe6 19.Qxc4 Rd4 20.Qc2² Black has too many problems to solve here. 17.Bxd5+

434

Position after: 17.Bxd5+ 17...Kg6 A) 17...Be6?? 18.Qh5+ Kg8 [18...g6 19.Qxh7+ Kf6 20.Be5++–; 18...Kf8 19.Rxe6+–] 19.Rxe6 Nxe6 20.Bxe6+ Kh8 21.Bf5+– B) 17...Kf6?? 18.Qh5 g6 19.Be5# 18.Re5!

435

Position after: 18.Re5! White effectively uses both his minor and major pieces to sustain the attack. 18...Bf5 18...h6 would create an escape square on h7 but White is still on top after 19.Qh5+ Kh7 20.Bf7 Ra6 [20...Rf8 21.Qg6+ Kh8 22.Bxh6+–] 21.Bxe8 Nd3 22.Rd1±. 19.Rxf5! Kxf5 20.Qh5+

Position after: 20.Qh5+ Everything is coming with tempo. 20...Bg5 A) 20...Kf6? 21.Be5# B) 20...g5? 21.Qxh7+ Kg4 22.h3# 21.Qxh7+ Kf6 21...g6 22.Qh3+ Kf6 23.Bxg5+ Kxg5 24.Qh4+ Kf5 25.Qf4# 22.Bxg5+ Kxg5

436

Position after: 22...Kxg5 23.Bf7?! 23.f4+ was more accurate. 23...Kf6 24.Qh4+ Kg6 [24...Kf5 25.Qh5+ g5 26.Qh7+ Kg4 27.h3+ Kxg3 28.Qf5+–] 25.f5+ Kxf5 26.Qf4+ Kg6 27.Bf7+ Kh7 28.Qf5++– 23...Qd6 23...Kf6 24.Qg6+ Ke7 25.Re1+ Kd7 26.Rxe8+– 24.Qxg7+ Kf5 25.Bxe8 25.h4!? 1-0 Theoretical section Quick review 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2

437

Position after: 4.Bg2 4...Be7 A) 4...c5 would lead to the Tarrasch Defense. 5.cxd5

Position after: 5.cxd5 A1) 5...Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.0-0 Be7 [7...cxd4?! 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 Qb6 10.Qd3±] 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.Qc2 Qe7 [9...Bb6 10.Rd1 Qe7 11.Nbd2 0-0 12.Nc4²] 10.a3² 438

A2) 5...exd5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.0-0 Be7 8.dxc5 [8.Nc3 0-0 9.Bg5 is the official main line.] 8...Bxc5 9.a3! 0-0 10.b4

Position after: 10.b4 A2.1) 10...Be7 11.Bb2 Ne4 12.Nc3 Bf6 13.Rc1 Bf5 14.Qb3 Re8 15.e3 Nxc3 16.Bxc3 Be4 17.Rfd1

Position after: 17.Rfd1 17...Rc8 [17...Bxc3 18.Qxc3 Rc8 19.Qb2² Stefansson – Jensson, Reykjavik 2015] 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 439

19.Qc3 Qxc3 20.Rxc3 f6 21.Rdc1 Ne7 22.Nd4 Rxc3 23.Rxc3 Rc8 24.Rxc8+ Nxc8 25.Ne6² L’Ami, E – Dale, Wijk aan Zee 2015 A2.2) 10...Bb6 11.Nc3 [11.Bb2 Ne4 12.Nc3 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 Re8 is a balanced position.]

Position after: 11.Nc3 11...Re8 [11...a6?! 12.Bg5 Be6 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Rc1± Kozul – Skembris, Karlsruhe 2018; 11...h6 12.Bb2 Be6 13.Na4 Ne4 14.Nxb6 Qxb6 15.Nd4 Rad8 16.e3² Banusz – Stabolewski, Karlsruhe 2019] 12.Bb2 Bg4 13.Na4 [13.Rc1!?] 13...Ne4 14.Rc1 Rc8 15.Nxb6 axb6 [15...Qxb6 16.Qxd5±] 16.Qd3±

440

Position after: 16.Qd3± 16...Nd6 [16...Rc7 17.Rfd1 gives White a clear edge.] 17.Qxd5 Rxe2 18.Ba1 Qf8 19.Rfd1 Rd8 20.Qg5+– 1-0 (29) Vitiugov – Erdogdu, Gjakova 2016 B) 4...g6

Position after: 4...g6 This is a new line which became popular around 2019 but I don’t like the concept. In the Catalan, Black should keep his bishop on the a3-f8 diagonal to control those important dark squares. Additionally, it is not recommended to play both ...e6 and ...g6 from a positional point of view. 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Qc2 [7.b3 is less effective here because after 7...c5!? Black has active play in the spirit of the Grünfeld.] 7...Nc6 8.Rd1

441

Position after: 8.Rd1 B1) 8...Ne7 9.b3 c6 10.Nc3 b6 11.e4 Ba6 12.e5 Nd7 13.cxd5 exd5 14.Ne2 Re8 15.Nf4 Nf8 16.Ba3ƒ Matlakov – Wang Chen, Ningbo 2015 B2) 8...a5 9.a3 Ne7 10.Nc3 b6 11.Bf4 Bb7 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Rac1 Ne8 14.b4 [14.Qb3!?] 14...axb4 15.axb4² Matlakov – Lu Shanglei, Ningbo 2015 B3) 8...Qe7 9.Bf4 Rd8 10.Na3 h6 11.Ne5 Nb4 12.Qc1 Kh7 13.Nb5 Na6 14.Qc2 Bd7 15.Rac1 Be8 16.Nc3 c6 17.e4² Ding Liren – Wang Chen, Danzhou 2015 C) 4...Bb4+ 5.Nd2 0-0 6.Ngf3 is the subject of subchapter a). D) 4...dxc4 5.Qa4+ leads to subchapter b), in which the moves 5...c6, 5...Bd7 and 5...Nbd7 are covered. 5.Nf3 0-0

442

Position after: 5...0-0 In subchapter c) we will mainly focus on 6.Nbd2, after briefly discussing the more popular moves 6.Qc2 and 6.0-0. Detailed review 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2

Position after: 4.Bg2 443

Here we will check Black’s three main options. a) 4...Bb4+, b) 4...dxc4, and finally the most solid c) 4...Be7. a) 4...Bb4+ 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Bb4+

Position after: 4...Bb4+ A common idea in the Catalan, disturbing White’s normal development plan. 5.Nd2 I believe this will likely surprise your opponent. This move is less common than 5.Bd2 but it has already been played by Caruana, So and Giri in classical chess. 5.Bd2 is the main move but I like the knight on d2 since it will assist with a later e4 push. 5...Be7 [5...Bd6!?] 6.Nf3 0-0 7.0-0 c6 is an extremely solid position.

444

Position after: 5.Nd2 5...0-0 A) 5...dxc4?? is one of the main lines in the analogous position with the knight on f3 and the bishop on f1 (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Nbd2 dxc4), but here it loses directly. It would be nice to win like this, right? 6.Qa4+ Nc6 7.Bxc6+ bxc6 8.Qxb4+– B) 5...c6 will transpose to the 6....Nbd7 line. 6.Qc2 0-0 7.Ngf3 6.Ngf3 dxc4 Black’s most ambitious move. A) 6...b6 7.0-0 Bb7 8.Ne5 In these kinds of positions White is better because the g2-bishop is stronger than the unprotected b7-bishop. 8...Nbd7 9.Qa4!?

445

Position after: 9.Qa4!? 9...Bd6 [9...Bxd2 10.Bxd2 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Ne4 12.Rad1 Qe7 13.Be3 Rfd8 14.Qc2 c6 15.a3 f5 16.b4 h6 17.f3 Ng5 18.c5 bxc5 19.Bxc5± Rodshtein – Lopez Martinez, Minsk 2017] 10.Nxd7 Qxd7 11.Qxd7 Nxd7 12.cxd5 exd5 13.Nc4 Be7 14.Bf4 c6 15.Nd6 Bxd6 16.Bxd6 White has a long-term advantage thanks to the pair of bishops.

Position after: 16.Bxd6 16...Rfe8 17.Rfe1 Nf8 18.Rac1² Vallejo Pons – Karthikeyan, Tbilisi 2017 446

B) 6...Nbd7 7.0-0 c6 8.Qc2

Position after: 8.Qc2 B1) 8...b5?! 9.c5² B2) 8...Re8 9.Rd1 Qe7 10.e4 dxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.Qxe4 f6 13.Qc2 Qf7 14.c5 Ba5 15.Bf4 Nf8 16.Bd6 Ng6 17.b4 Bc7 18.Bxc7 Qxc7 19.Nd2! Bd7 20.Nc4 Nh8 21.Be4 f5 22.Bg2 Nf7 23.f4±

Position after: 23.f4±

447

Black’s position is just too passive. 23...b5 24.Na5 a6 25.a4 Perfect play! Let’s examine the rest of the game to learn from the German star. 25...Nh6 26.Bf3 Kf7 27.Qg2 Rac8 28.Ra3 Ng8 29.Rda1 Ne7 30.axb5 axb5 31.Nb3 Nd5 32.Qd2 Rb8 33.Nc1 Kg8 34.Nd3 Re7 35.Ne5 Be8 36.Bxd5 exd5 37.Qa2 Kf8 38.Ra8 Rb7 39.Qc2 g6 40.R1a6 Kg7 41.Qa2 h6 42.Rxe8 Rxe8 43.Rxc6 Qd8 44.Rxg6+ Kh7 45.Qa6 Ree7 46.Rxh6+ 1-0 Bluebaum – Mierins, Riga 2018 B3) 8...b6 9.e4 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 Bb7 12.Rd1 Nf6 13.Qe2 Bd6 14.Ne5 Qc7 15.Bf4 Nd7 16.c5! [16.b4!?²]

Position after: 16.c5! B3.1) 16...Bxe5 17.Bxe5 Nxe5 18.Qxe5 Qxe5 19.dxe5 bxc5 [19...Rfd8 20.b4±] 20.Rd7 Rab8 21.b3² B3.2) 16...bxc5?? 17.Nxd7 Bxf4 [17...Qxd7 18.dxc5] 18.Nxf8 Bh6 19.Nxe6+– fxe6 20.Qxe6+ Qf7 21.Qxf7+ Kxf7 22.dxc5 Ba6 23.Rd7+ Ke8 24.Bxc6 Rc8 25.Re1+ Kf8 26.Bd5 1-0 Prohaszka – Koukas, Aghios Kirykos 2019 7.0-0 b5 8.a4 c6

448

Position after: 8...c6 9.axb5 A) 9.Qc2?! is also popular but it gives nothing after 9...Bb7 10.b3 c5!=. B) 9.b3 c3 10.Nb1 Bb7= 9...cxb5 10.Ng5 Nd5™ 11.e4!

Position after: 11.e4! 449

11...Ne7!? A) 11...Qxg5?! 12.exd5 exd5 [12...Bb7 13.Nxc4 Qd8 14.Ne3 exd5 15.Qh5±] 13.Nxc4 Qd8 14.Ne5 [14.Ne3 Be6!] 14...a5

Position after: 14...a5 15.Bd2 [15.Qb3 Be6 16.Bf4²] 15...Bxd2 16.Qxd2 Be6 17.Rfc1² Bai – Zelcic, Zadar 2016 B) 11...Nc7?! 12.Nxh7 Kxh7 13.e5 Rh8 14.Bxa8 Nxa8

450

Position after: 14...Nxa8 B1) 15.Ne4 Bb7 16.Qf3 Qd7 17.Rxa7 Nc6 18.Rxb7 Qxb7 19.Nf6+ gxf6 20.exf6 Rd8

Position after: 20...Rd8 B1.1) 21.Re1!! Bxe1 22.Qg4+– B1.2) 21.Qh5+ Kg8 22.Bh6? [22.Qh6 Bf8 23.Qg5+ Kh7 24.Qh5+ Kg8=] 22...Ne5! 23.dxe5 Qe4µ Troff – Zajic, Dallas 2015 B2) 15.Rxa7 Nc7 16.Ne4

451

Position after: 16.Ne4 16...Be7! [16...Nc6?! 17.Bg5!; 16...Kg8?! 17.Bg5 Be7 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Nd6±] 17.Qg4‚ White has great attacking possibilities. Our first priority is to try to trade the dark-squared bishops with Bg5. Then we will be able to safely land our knight on d6 which will paralyze Black’s position. 12.e5 Nd5

Position after: 12...Nd5 13.Nxh7! 13.Nde4 If you want to play for a win and a draw is not an acceptable result, this might be a more suitable try. 13...Be7! 14.Qc2 g6 [14...Bb7?? 15.Nf6+! Nxf6 16.exf6 g6 17.Bxb7+–] 15.Qd2 with nice compensation for the pawn. 13...Kxh7 14.Qh5+ Kg8 15.Ne4

452

Position after: 15.Ne4 15...f6! 15...Be7? 16.Ng5 Bxg5 17.Bxg5 A) 17...f6 18.exf6 gxf6? [18...Qe8 19.Qh4 with a strong attack.] 19.Bh6+– B) 17...Qe8? 18.Bf6+– C) 17...Qd7™ 18.Bf6!

453

Position after: 18.Bf6! 18...gxf6 [18...Nxf6? 19.exf6 Qxd4 20.fxg7 Qxg7 21.Bxa8±] C1) 19.Qg4+? Kh7 [19...Kh8?? 20.Qh4+ Kg7 21.exf6+ Nxf6 22.Qg5+ Kh7 23.Qxf6+–] 20.Qh4+ Kg6 [20...Kg8?? 21.exf6+–] 21.Qg4+ Kh6= C2) 19.exf6! Nxf6 20.Qg5+ Kh7 21.Qxf6+–

Position after: 21.Qxf6+– 21...Bb7 22.Rfe1 Bxg2 23.Re5 Qd5 24.Ra3!! Be4 25.g4 Finally our third major piece is ready to join the attack with devastating effect. 25...Bd3 26.Re3+– 16.Nxf6+ 16.exf6!? Qe8™ 17.Qg5 Rf7 18.Qh5∞ 16...gxf6 17.Qg6+ Kh8 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Qg6+ Kh8=

454

Position after: 19...Kh8 Ivanchuk – Hou Yifan, Shenzhen 2017 With best play this line ends in a draw by perpetual check but this should not be a cause for concern. If your opponent is an average club player then there is no way they will be able to find all the best moves since we have so many possible tricks, and the Nd2 line will likely have caught them by surprise. b) 4...dxc4 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ White wins back the pawn immediately. This line is again slightly improved by having our bishop on g2 instead of our knight on f3, since now we retain the option of playing Nh3 in the future and the bishop already exerts pressure on the h1-a8 diagonal. The natural 5.Nf3!? is the other main possibility.

455

Position after: 5.Qa4+ 5...Nbd7 A) 5...c6 6.Qxc4 b5

Position after: 6...b5 A1) 7.Bxc6+?! would be too greedy. 7...Nxc6 8.Qxc6+ Bd7 9.Qc2 [9.Qa6 Nd5] 9...Rc8 10.Qd1 Bc6 11.Nf3 Bb4+ 12.Bd2 Bxf3 13.exf3 Qxd4³ 456

A2) 7.Qd3 Bb7 8.a4

Position after: 8.a4 8...a6 [8...Na6 9.Nf3 Nb4 10.Qd1²] 9.Nh3! It is clever to put the knight here to prevent Black’s ...c5 break. [9.Nf3 c5 10.axb5 c4!=]

Position after: 9.Nh3! 9...Nbd7 10.0-0 Be7 11.Nd2 0-0 12.Nb3 Nd5 13.Bd2 Rc8 14.Ba5 Qe8 15.Rfc1 bxa4 16.Nc5 Nxc5 17.dxc5± Burke – Ostrovskiy, New York 2018 457

B) 5...Bd7 6.Qxc4 Bc6 is a common attempt to solve the problem of the c8-bishop. [6...c5 7.Nf3 see the Li Chao – Cheparinov game.] 7.Nf3

Position after: 7.Nf3 Of course White should always try to avoid this bishop trade where possible. 7...Bd5 [7...Be7 8.Nc3²] 8.Qd3 Be4 9.Qd1 c5 10.Nc3 Bc6 11.0-0 Be7 [11...cxd4 12.Nxd4 Bxg2 13.Kxg2 Nbd7 14.Be3²] 12.dxc5 Qxd1 13.Rxd1 Bxc5

Position after: 13...Bxc5

458

14.Ne5 [14.a3 a5 15.Ne5 Bxg2 16.Kxg2 Nbd7 17.Nd3 Ke7 18.e4 Rhd8 19.Bf4 Rac8 20.Nb5² Deac – Vavric, Sovata 2018] 14...Bxg2 15.Kxg2 0-0 16.Bg5ƒ White has an initiative. 6.Qxc4

Position after: 6.Qxc4 6...a6 6...e5 7.Nf3 exd4 8.Nxd4 Nb6 9.Qd3 Bc5 [9...c5?! 10.Nb5 Qxd3 11.exd3 Nbd5 12.N1c3±] 10.Qb5+ Nfd7 11.Nb3 Bd6 12.0-0 c6 13.Qd3 Ne5 14.Qc2 0-0 15.Nc3² Qe7 16.Rd1 f5 17.Bf4 Nec4 18.e3 Be6 19.Nd4 Rad8??

459

Position after: 19...Rad8?? 20.Bg5! Qxg5 21.Nxe6+– Berkes – Aczel, Budapest 2018 7.Be3 Bd6 8.Qc2 0-0 9.Nh3!? I like this idea which keeps the long diagonal open for our sniper on g2, so Black is restricted from playing ...b5 and ...Bb7.

Position after: 9.Nh3!? 460

9...e5 A) 9...Rb8 10.0-0 b6 11.Nc3 Bb7 12.Bxb7 Rxb7 13.Ng5 h6 14.Nge4 Nxe4 15.Nxe4² B) 9...h6 10.0-0 Ng4 11.Bd2² 10.0-0 h6 10...Ng4 11.Bg5 f6 12.dxe5! Ndxe5 13.Bd2² 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nc3 Qe7 13.Rad1 Re8 13...Ng6 14.Rd2² 14.Nf4²

Position after: 14.Nf4² 14...c6 15.Bd4 g5 16.Nd3 Nxd3?! 16...Bf5 17.e4 Bg6 18.f4 also leads to a very pleasant position for White. 17.Rxd3 Be5 18.Qd2 Bf5 19.e4 Bg6 20.f4 gxf4 21.Bxe5 Qxe5 22.gxf4 Qc5+ 23.Kh1

461

Position after: 23.Kh1 23...Nxe4?! 23...Kh8 24.f5 Bh7 25.Qxh6+– 24.Nxe4 Rxe4 25.Rg3 Rd4 26.Qe3 1-0 Caruana – Anand, Batumi 2018 c) 4...Be7 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 Be7 5.Nf3 0-0

462

Position after: 5...0-0 6.Nbd2 This move allows White to achieve a small advantage without needing to learn long variations. We have already seen that the knight is well positioned on d2, from where it is ready to support a future e4 advance. A) 6.Qc2 is a common move but I believe Black can equalize easily. 6...c5! 7.0-0 [7.dxc5 allows 7...d4.] 7...cxd4 8.Nxd4 e5 9.Nf5 d4 10.Nxe7+ Qxe7= B) 6.0-0 is the main line but I was unable to find any promising variations in the spirit of our repertoire there. 6...dxc4 [6...c6 is also possible.] 7.Qc2

463

Position after: 7.Qc2 7...a6 [7...b6 and 7...b5 also exist.] 8.a4 [8.Qxc4 b5 9.Qc2 Bb7=] 8...Bd7 9.Qxc4 Bc6 If you want to master this position more deeply, I recommend that you study the games of Ding Liren and Wesley So.

Position after: 6.Nbd2 6...c5

464

A) 6...b6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.0-0 Bb7 9.b3 Nbd7 10.Bb2² White has easier play. B) 6...c6 7.0-0 b6 8.Qc2 Bb7 9.e4 Nbd7 [9...Na6 10.e5 Ne8 11.a3²] 10.e5 Ne8 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Re1

Position after: 12.Re1 B1) 12...Rc8 13.Qd1 Qc7 14.Nb1 [14.Nf1!?] 14...b5 15.Bf1 b4 16.Bd3 h6 17.Bf4 Qb6 18.Nbd2 Ba6 19.Bc2

Position after: 19.Bc2 465

19...f5 [19...Rc6 20.Rc1²] 20.exf6 Rxf6 [20...Nexf6 21.a4!²] 21.Rc1 Nd6 22.Ne5 Nf8 23.Ndf3 Nc4 24.b3 Na3 25.Ng4 Rf7 26.Nfe5 Rxc2 27.Nxf7 Rxc1 28.Nfxh6+ Kh7 29.Bxc1+– 1-0 (32) Gelfand – Stupak, Tbilisi 2017 B2) 12...Qc8 13.Qd1 Qc6 14.Nf1 Rc8 15.Ne3 b5 16.h4! Nb6 17.b3 b4 18.Bd2 Nc7 19.Rc1 Qd7 20.Ng5 Ba6 21.Ng4 Nb5

Position after: 21...Nb5 22.Nf6+! gxf6 23.exf6 1-0 Naiditsch – Kopylov, Basel 2016. 23...Bxf6 24.Qh5 Bxg5 25.Qxg5+ Kh8 26.Qf6+ Kg8 27.Bh6+– 7.cxd5

466

Position after: 7.cxd5 7...Nxd5 7...exd5 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.0-0 Nc6 10.Nb3 Bb6 11.Nfd4 A pleasant position playing against the IQP. 11...Re8 12.Be3

Position after: 12.Be3 12...Bg4 [12...Rxe3 13.fxe3 Qe7 14.Qd2 Ne5 15.Rxf6 Qxf6 16.Bxd5 keeps an extra pawn for 467

White.] 13.h3 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Bxd4 15.Qxd4 Bxe2 16.Rfe1 Bb5 17.Bg5 Qb6 18.Bxf6 Qxf6 19.Qxf6 gxf6 20.Bxd5² Ba6 21.b4 Rad8 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.a4 b6 24.a5 Bc8 25.axb6 axb6 26.Bc6 Rd8 27.Ra8± Malakhatko – Ruff, Karlsruhe 2019 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.0-0 Nc6 10.a3

Position after: 10.a3 10...Be7 10...a5 stops our b4 idea, but it also permanently weakens the b5-square. 11.Qc2 Be7 12.Rd1± White controls the open files and his fianchettoed bishop is much stronger than Black’s one on c8. White has a clear edge. 11.Nc4 11.b4?? would be careless: 11...Bf6 12.Rb1 Nc3–+. 11...Bf6 12.Qc2

468

Position after: 12.Qc2 12...Nb6?! 12...b5 13.Ne3 Bb7 14.Rd1² 13.Rd1 Qe7 14.Nxb6 axb6 15.Be3± Howell, D – Haria, R London 2018 Model games (II) Li Chao (2691) Cheparinov, Ivan (2666) China 2019 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ Bd7 6.Qxc4 c5!?

469

Position after: 6...c5!? A tricky move from the Bulgarian opening theoretician. 7.Nf3 A) 7.Bxb7 looks too risky. 7...Nc6! [7...Bc6? 8.Bxa8 Bxa8 9.Nf3 cxd4 10.0-0±] 8.Bxa8 [8.dxc5 Na5 9.Qc2 Nxb7 10.c6 Bc8 11.cxb7 Bxb7©] 8...Qxa8 9.f3 Nxd4 10.Na3 [10.Nh3?? Bb5] 10...h5 [10...e5!?] 11.Nh3 h4 12.Nf2 Qb8 13.Rb1 Nd5

470

Position after: 13...Nd5 14.Kf1?! [14.g4 was better.] 14...Nf5 15.Bf4? [15.Qb3] 15...Nxf4 16.Qxf4 Bd6 17.Qd2 hxg3 18.hxg3 Nxg3+ 19.Kg2 Nxh1 20.Rxh1 Rxh1 21.Kxh1 Bc6µ Kurbonboeva, S (2209) – Saduakassova, D (2440) Tashkent 2017 B) 7.dxc5 Bc6 8.Nf3 Nbd7 9.Be3 Bd5 10.Qc2 Be4 11.Qc1 [11.Qc4 Bd5=] 11...Nd5 12.c6 bxc6 13.0-0 Nxe3 14.Qxe3 Bd5 15.Nbd2 Be7= Ding Liren (2791) – Grischuk, A (2777) chess24.com 2020

Position after: 7.Nf3 7...Bc6 7...b5 8.Qd3 c4 9.Qc2 Bc6 10.0-0² 8.0-0 Nbd7 8...Bd5 9.Qc2 cxd4 10.Rd1² 9.Be3 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Bxg2 11.Kxg2 Nd5

471

Position after: 11...Nd5 12.Bd2 12.Nc3! I would recommend this brave move. 12...Nxe3+ [12...Nxc3 13.Qxc3 Be7 14.Rfd1 0-0 15.Rac1 Rc8 16.Qxc8! Qxc8 17.Rxc8 Rxc8 18.Nf5! A common motif in such positions. 18...exf5 19.Rxd7±] 13.fxe3

Position after: 13.fxe3

472

A) 13...Be7? 14.Rxf7! Kxf7 [14...Ne5 15.Rxe7+ Qxe7 16.Qb5+ Nd7 17.Rf1!±] 15.Qxe6+ Ke8 16.Nf5

Position after: 16.Nf5 16...Nc5 [16...Nf8?? 17.Nxg7#] 17.Qe5! Nd7 18.Qxg7 Rf8 19.Qxh7 Rxf5 20.Qxf5+– B) 13...Rc8 can be met by 14.Qa4² followed by Rad1. 12...a6 13.e4 N5f6 14.Nf3

473

Position after: 14.Nf3 14...b5 14...Be7 15.e5 Nd5 16.Nc3 Nxc3 17.Bxc3² 15.Qe2 Nc5 16.e5 Nd5 17.Nc3 Be7 18.Rfd1 0-0 18...Nxc3 19.Bxc3 Qb6 20.Bd4 Qb7 21.Rac1 Rc8 22.Qe3± 19.Nxd5 Qxd5

Position after: 19...Qxd5 20.Bb4 20.Bg5!? Qb7 21.Bxe7 Qxe7 22.Qe3± 20...Qb7 21.Qe3 Rfc8 21...Rac8 is a more natural move and also a better choice. 22.Rac1² 22.Rac1 Qa7?

474

Position after: 22...Qa7? White to move and win! 22...Qb6 23.Rc3± 23.Rd6!+– The c5-knight will fall. 1-0 Jumabayev, Rinat (2572) Can, Emre (2555) Moscow 2015 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Qa4+ c6 6.Qxc4 b5

475

Position after: 6...b5 7.Qc2 7.Qd3!? is my personal preference. You can find more details about this line in the theory section. 7...Bb7 7...Qxd4?? obviously leaves the rook on a8 unprotected after the trade on c6. 8.Bxc6+ Nxc6 9.Qxc6+ Qd7 10.Qxa8 Bc5 11.Qg2 Ng4 12.Nh3+– 8.Nc3 a6 8...Qxd4 9.Nxb5 Qb6 10.Nc3² gives White a pleasant edge. Black’s queenside pawns are all isolated. 9.Bg5 Nbd7 10.Rd1 Qb6

476

Position after: 10...Qb6 11.Nh3!? Again deploying the g1-knight cleverly. 11.Nf3 c5!= 11...c5 12.d5 b4 13.Bxf6 Nxf6 14.Qa4+ Ke7 15.Ng5 This is the critical position of the game. What is the only move for Black to equalize? 15.d6+? is a basic blunder on account of 15...Kd8 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 winning material.

477

Position after: 15.Ng5 15...exd5?? 15...Rd8! 16.d6+ Rxd6 17.Rxd6 Kxd6 A) 18.Nxf7+?? Ke7 19.Nxh8 [19.0-0 Kxf7–+] 19...Bxg2 20.Rg1 bxc3 21.bxc3 Bc6–+ B) 18.Qd1+ Ke7 19.Na4 Qb5 20.Bxb7 Qxb7 21.0-0 Qc6∞ 16.Nxd5+! Nxd5 17.Bxd5+– All of a sudden Black is dead lost. 17...Rd8 How should White continue the attack? 17...h6 18.Qb3 hxg5 19.Qe3+ Kf6 20.Qf3+ Kg6 21.Qxf7+ Kh6 22.Bxb7+– [22.g4!?] 18.Qb3!

478

Position after: 18.Qb3! This subtle queen retreat decides the game. 18...f5 19.Bxb7 Rxd1+ 20.Kxd1! 20.Qxd1? Qxb7„ 20...Kf6 21.h4 Black resigned. A great attacking game! 1-0 Typical tactics If you want to master an opening, you need to learn more than just the theory. You should study the middlegame plans, model games, how masters play in similar positions, and typical tactics too. In this part of the chapter, I will show you nine combinations which you should definitely know when studying the Catalan Opening. Before you start to think, check whose move it is, and the difficulty level indicated above the diagram: * indicates easy level ** is medium level *** is hard level I would advise you to solve these exercises without moving the pieces on the board, to improve your 479

calculation and visualization skills. Good luck!

Test Your Knowledge

Show in Text Mode

1-*

□ 10.? +– Show/Hide Solution

10.Nxc6! Bxc6 11.exd5 exd5 11...Bb7 12.d6 Bxd6 13.Bxb7 Rb8 14.Bg2+– 12.cxd5 Bb7 13.d6! Bxg2 14.dxe7 Qxe7 15.Kxg2±

480

Position after: 15.Kxg2± White has a clear extra pawn. 15...Rfd8 16.Qf3 h6 17.Be3 b5?! 17...Qb4!? 18.Rab1± 18.Nxb5 Qb4 19.a4 a6 20.Nc7 Ra7 21.Nd5 Qb3? 21...Nxd5 22.Qxd5± 22.Ne7+ Kh8 23.Nc6+– White won in the game Banusz – Cai, Escaldes 2016.

2-*

481

□ 10.? +– Show/Hide Solution

10.Nxd5! exd5 10...Nxe5 11.Nxe7+ Qxe7 12.dxe5 Bb7 13.Bg5!+– 11.Bxd5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 Bh3 13.Bxa8 Bxf1 14.Qxf1 14.Qxd8? Rxd8 15.Kxf1 Rd1+ 16.Kg2 Bb4„ 14...Nd7 15.Bg2 Nxe5 16.Bf4

482

Position after: 16.Bf4 16...Ng6 16...Bf6 17.Rd1 Qe7 18.Rd5 Rc8 19.Qd1 Ng6 20.Bd6 Qe6 21.Ba3 h6 22.Rd6 Qe8 23.Rd7+– 1-0 (71) Szabo, L – Ivkov, B Wageningen 1957 17.Rd1 Qe8 18.Be3 Qa4 19.Bd5 Bf6 20.Bb3 Qe4 21.Qg2 Qg4 22.Rd2 22.Qf3 Qxf3 23.exf3 Ne5 24.f4 Ng4 25.Bc1 Rd8 26.Rxd8+ Bxd8 27.Kg2± 22...h5 22...Rc8 23.Qd5 Rc1+ 24.Rd1 Rxd1+ 25.Qxd1 Bxb2? 26.Qd5+– 23.Qb7 Qh3 23...Ne5 24.f4 Ng6 25.Qd7+– 24.Qd7 Qxd7 25.Rxd7 Juhasz A – Menezes, Germany 2017 1-0

483

3-*

□ 15.? +– Show/Hide Solution

15.Bh6!! gxh6 15...0-0 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Qg5+ Kh8 18.Qxf6+ Kg8 19.Ne4+– 16.Qxf6 0-0 17.Ne4 Qb4 18.Qe5 Be7 19.a3 Qb6?! 19...Qa4 20.Rd4 f6 21.Qxf6 Bxf6 22.Nxf6+ Rxf6 23.Rxa4± 20.Rd7+– Portisch, L (2630) – Radulov, I (2490) Buenos Aires 1978 1-0 (35)

4 - **

484

□ 11.? +– Show/Hide Solution

11.Nxe4!! Qxe4 12.Ne5 Qf5 13.e4 Qe6 14.exd5 cxd5 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 15...Bxd7 16.Re1+– 16.Re1+

485

Position after: 16.Re1+ 16...Kf8 16...Kd8 looks even worse because from there the king cannot even try to hide behind his pawns. 17.Bxd5 Bxg3 18.hxg3 Qxd5 19.Re5+– 17.Bxd5! Bb4 18.Qf3! Bxe1 19.Ba3+ Kg8 20.Rxe1 h5 21.Re7 Qf5 22.Re8+ Kh7 23.Be4 Regedzinski – Factor, The Hague 1928 1-0

5 - **

□ 20.? +– Show/Hide Solution

20.Nf6+!! Bxf6 A) 20...Kh8 21.Nd7+– B) 20...gxf6 21.Qg4+ Kh8 22.exf6 Rg8 23.fxe7++–

486

21.exf6 Rfd8 22.Qg4 Ne8 22...g6 23.Re5+– 23.fxg7 Qb4 24.Bxc5 24.Be5 was a better move on account of 24...Rb6 25.Red1+–. 24...Qxc5 25.Re3 Nd6 26.Rae1 Nf5

Position after: 26...Nf5 27.Re5 27.Qh5+– 27...Qd4 28.Qf3 c5 29.Bh3 Nxg7 30.Kg2 Rbc8? 31.R1e4 Qd6 32.Qf6 Qc6 33.Bg4 Ne8 34.Rg5+ Kf8 35.Qh6+ Ke7 36.Bf3 Qc7 37.Rf4 Rd4 38.Rxd4 38.Rxf7+ Kxf7 39.Bh5+ Ke7 40.Bxe8+– 38...cxd4 39.Qh4 f6 40.Rb5 Nd6 41.Rh5 41.Qxh7+ Kd8 42.Qg8+ Kd7 43.Qg7+ Ke8 44.Bh5+ Kd8 45.Qxf6+ Kd7 46.Re5+– 41...h6 42.Rxh6 Rf8 43.Rh7+ Rf7 44.Rxf7+ Nxf7 45.Qxd4 Ne5 46.Qe4 Kd6 47.Qa8 Nd7 48.h4 f5 49.h5+–

487

Juhasz, A (2375) – Napoli, N (2321) La Palma 2019 1-0

6 - **

□ 19.? +– Show/Hide Solution

19.Nf6+!! gxf6 20.Qg4+ Kh7 A) 20...Bg7 21.Bxf6+– B) 20...Kh8 21.Bxf6+ Kh7 22.Be4# 21.Be4+ f5 22.Bxf5+ exf5 23.Qxf5+ Kg8 24.Rd7 Qxd7 25.Qxd7 Rb8 26.Qg4+ Kh7 27.Qf5+ Szabo, L – Padevsky, N Amsterdam 1972 1-0

7 - *** 488

□ 19.? +– Show/Hide Solution

19.Rxb6!! axb6 19...Qxb6 20.Bxd5+ Kf8 21.Qh5 Qc7 22.Bf4+– 20.Qh5+ Kf8 21.Bxd5+– Krasenkow – Smagin, Germany 2004 21.Bxd5 Rc7 22.Bf4 g6 [22...g5 23.Qh6+ Rg7 24.Bc7+–] 23.Bh6+ Rg7 24.Qf3+– 1-0

8 - ***

489

□ 24.? +– Show/Hide Solution

24.Rxg7+!! Kxg7 25.Rg1+ Kh8 26.Nh4! h6 26...Rg8 is logical but it loses to 27.Ng6+ Rxg6 28.fxg6+–. 27.Ng6+ Kh7

490

Position after: 27...Kh7 28.fxe6!+– 28.Nxe7 wins as well: 28...Rxe7 29.Rg6 Qb1+ 30.Kg2 Qe4+ 31.Kg3+–. 28...Ra6 29.Qf5 Qxe6 30.Nf8+ Avrukh – Sanikidze, Novi Sad 2009 1-0

9 - ***

□ 26.? +– Show/Hide Solution

26.Nxd5!! exd5 27.e6 Nf8 28.exf7+ Kxf7 29.dxc5 bxc5 30.Bxc5

491

Position after: 30.Bxc5 30...Bf6 30...Bb7 31.Qb3!+– 31.Qb3 Qe8 32.Rxd5 Ne6 33.Bxe6+ Potapov – Arbakov, Alushta 2002 1-0

Homework If you want to master the Catalan structure, I recommend that you analyze the following selection of games, using this method: 1) Analyze the games yourself and identify the critical moments without using an engine. 2) Write down your analyses and possible improvements. 3) Check your work with the engine. 4) Make a conclusion about what you can learn from each game. Kramnik, Vladimir (2769) Morozevich, Alexander (2758) Mexico City 2007 492

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.d4 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 6.Ne5 Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Nd5 8.0-0 0-0 9.Qc2 b5 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.b3 c6 12.e4 f6 13.exd5 fxe5 14.bxc4 exd4 15.dxc6 Be6 16.cxb5 d3 17.c7 Qd4 18.Qa4 Nd7 19.Be3 Qd6 20.Bxa8 Rxa8 21.Bf4 Qf8 22.b6 Ne5 23.Bxe5 Qf3 24.Qd1 Qe4 25.b7 Rf8 26.c8=Q Bd5 27.f3 1-0 Bauer, Christian (2582) Kortschnoj, Viktor Lvovich (2632) Enghien les Bains 2003 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.g3 Bb4+ 5.Bd2 Be7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.0-0 c6 8.Qc2 Nbd7 9.Rd1 b6 10.Bf4 Bb7 11.Nc3 dxc4 12.Nd2 Nd5 13.Nxc4 Nxf4 14.gxf4 g6 15.Rac1 Rc8 16.e3 Nf6 17.a3 Nd5 18.b4 a5 19.bxa5 bxa5 20.Qb3 Ba6 21.Ne5 Qd6 22.Ra1 Rb8 23.Qc2 Rfc8 24.Ne4 Qc7 25.Rdc1 Bb5 26.Nc5 Bxc5 27.Qxc5 a4 28.f5 gxf5 29.Bxd5 exd5 30.Kh1 f6 31.Rg1+ Kh8 32.Qd6 1-0 Mikhalevski, Victor (2535) Murey, Jacob (2420) Israel 1997 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Bg2 c5 6.0-0 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Qb6 8.Nc3 Bd7 9.Be3 Bc5 10.b4 cxb3 11.Rb1 Bxd4 12.Bxd4 Qc7 13.Qxb3 Bc6 14.Qa3 Bxg2 15.Nb5 Qd7 16.Nd6+ Kf8 17.Kxg2 Qc6+ 18.Kg1 Qa6 19.Qxa6 bxa6 20.Bxf6 gxf6 21.Rb7 Nc6 22.Rc1 Nd8 23.Rd7 Kg7 24.Rb1 Rf8 25.Rb4 f5 26.Ra4 Nc6 27.Rc7 Ne5 28.Rxa6 Rad8 29.a4 Rd7 30.Rxd7 Nxd7 31.Rxa7 Rd8 32.f4 Kg6 33.a5 f6 34.Rc7 Nb8 35.Nc8 Rd1+ 36.Kg2 Ra1 37.Ne7+ Kh6 38.Rc8 Nd7 1-0 Kasparov, Garry (2690) Kortschnoj, Viktor Lvovich (2600) London 1983 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2 dxc4 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.0-0 Rb8 7.a4 b6 8.Nfd2 e5 9.Nxc4 exd4 10.Qxd4 Bc5 11.Qd3 0-0 12.Nc3 Bb7 13.Bxb7 Rxb7 14.Qf3 Qa8 15.Bf4 a6 16.e4 Ra7 17.Nd5 b5 18.Na5 bxa4 19.Rfc1 Bd4 20.Rxa4 Bxb2 21.Ne7+ Kh8 22.Rc2 Qe8 23.Rxb2 Qxe7 24.Nc6 Qc5 25.Nxa7 Qxa7 26.e5 Ng8 27.Be3 Qa8 28.Qxa8 Rxa8 29.f4 Ne7 30.Rd2 1-0 So, Wesley (2808) Wojtaszek, Radoslaw (2750) Wijk aan Zee 2017 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.g3 d5 4.d4 Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.Qc2 c5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.dxc5 d4 9.a3 a5 10.Rd1 e5 11.Nc3 Bxc5 12.Nd5 h6 13.Bd2 a4 14.Bb4 Nxb4 15.axb4 Nxd5 16.bxc5 Nb4 17.Qd2 Nc6 18.b4 Qe7 19.Qb2 Bg4 20.Re1 Rfd8 21.Nd2 Be6 22.b5 Nb8 23.Qb4 f5 24.Nb3 Nd7 25.Bxb7 Rab8 26.Rxa4 Rxb7 27.c6 Qxb4 28.Rxb4 Rc7 29.cxd7 Rxc4 30.Rxc4 Bxc4 31.Rc1 Be6 32.Rc8 Rxc8 33.dxc8=Q+ Bxc8 34.b6 1-0 493

Concluding tips 1) Try to avoid trading off the g2-bishop because that is usually White’s strongest minor piece. 2) Note that when White plays Nc3, Black’s ...dxc4 idea becomes stronger. 3) If Black plays the opening inaccurately, they can easily find themselves in a passive position. 4) Trading off the dark-squared bishops will be in White’s favor because we can play c5 and Nd6 later. 5) White’s queen usually stands well on c2 from where she can control the c-file, support the e4 advance, and put pressure on the h7-pawn.

494

Chapter 6 Frequent Endgame Types In this final chapter we will explore endgame types that arise from 1.d4. We will analyze and discuss ten Grandmaster games to highlight frequent strategies, typical maneuvers, and key breakthroughs that may enable players to shift from having slightly favorable positions to scoring actual victories. I believe that having good technique is an indispensable requirement for anyone playing closed openings. This is because in closed positions we often gain positional, strategic, or long-term advantages, in contrast to sharp 1.e4 openings which are more likely to generate positions featuring mating attacks and tactical solutions. My advice is that you go through these games several times before drawing the appropriate conclusions from them. You need to pay particular attention to the following questions: what led to White’s victory, what was White’s plan, and what was the key move? Thinking about and answering these essential questions will also help you to memorize the key points from this chapter more easily. Wang Yue (2718) Ivanchuk, Vassily (2710) Huai'an 2016

28.c6! An excellent positional decision which creates queenside weaknesses no matter what Black does. In the game Black did not react in the best way. 28...Rb8?

495

A) 28...b6 was the most natural continuation. 29.b5 Kf6 30.Ra4 Ra8 31.Ra6! The advance of the apawn will create even more weaknesses in Black’s position. For example: 31...Kg5

Position after: 31...Kg5 32.Ke3! [32.a4? would be really impatient. In endgames you always need to be patient and identify the perfect time to execute your plan or idea. 32...Kf4 33.Kd3 Kg3µ] 32...Kf6 33.Kf3 Kg5 34.a4 Kh5 35.a5 bxa5 36.Rxa5 g5 37.Ra2 Kg6 38.Ke3 Kg7 39.Kd3+– The king march will decide the game. B) 28...bxc6!? Probably best. 29.Rxc6 Kd7 The a7-pawn is vulnerable. 30.Ra6 Rf4! Active counterplay is Black’s only chance. 31.Ke3 Rf1 32.Rxa7

496

Position after: 32.Rxa7 Black’s active rook gives him decent chances of survival. 32...Rb1 33.a3 Rb3+ 34.Kf2 Kc8 35.Ra8+ Kb7 36.Rg8 Rxa3 37.Rxg6 Rb3 38.Rh6 White is definitely better, but a lot of precision is required to convert this advantage into a full point. C) 28...b5?! 29.Rc3 a6 30.Ra3 Ra8 31.Ra5! Kf6 32.a4 bxa4 33.b5! Kg5 34.Ke3 a3 35.bxa6 Ra7 36.Rxa3 and White wins. 29.cxb7 Rxb7 30.Kf3! White’s position has improved dramatically in only two moves. The king is now heading for Black’s weak kingside pawns. 30...Kf6 31.Kg4 g5

497

Position after: 31...g5 32.Kh5! Don’t forget the king is a strong piece, we should use it! This prevents ...Kg6 so Black will soon be in zugzwang. 32...Rb8! 32...Rb5 33.a4 Rb7 34.b5+– puts Black in zugzwang. 33.a3! 33.Rxc7? Rxb4 Allowing the e4-pawn to be targeted gives Black unnecessary counterplay. 33...Rh8+ 34.Kg4 Rc8 Black must create counterplay and anticipate Rc3-f3-f5 which can now be met with ...c6. 34...Rh7 35.Rc2 …Rf2-f5

498

Position after: 34...Rc8 35.Rc3 35.b5! was even better with the idea a4-a5, followed by b6. 35...Kg6 Black’s last hope is ...Rf8 followed by ...Rf4# but it is easily stopped. 36.g3! hxg3 37.Kxg3 Kh5 38.a4 Kg6 [38...g4 39.hxg4+ Kg5 40.a5 Rb8 41.Rxc7 Rxb5 42.Rg7+ Kh6 43.Rxa7+–] 39.Kg4 Kf6 40.a5+– 35...Kg6 36.g3! 36.Rf3? c6! Suddenly Black is back in the game. 37.dxc6 Rxc6 38.Rf5 Rc4 39.Rxg5+ Kf6 The e4pawn falls. 36...hxg3 37.Kxg3

499

Position after: 37.Kxg3 37...Kh5 37...a6! was the only way to get counterplay. It would enable the c8-rook to move without leaving the a-pawn hanging after Rxc7. 38.Rc6 Rf8 39.Rxc7 Rf4 40.Rc4 g4 41.hxg4 Kg5 42.Rc6 Rxg4+ 43.Kf3± 38.Rc6 Kh6 39.b5! Preparing the a4-a5, b6 plan. 39...Rb8 40.a4 40.Rxc7 also wins. 40...Rxb5 41.Kg4!+– [41.Rxa7? Rb3+ 42.Kg4 Re3„] 40...Rb7 Black will soon be in zugzwang. 41.Kg4 Kg6 42.Rc4

500

Position after: 42.Rc4 42...Rb8 A) 42...Kh6 43.Kf5+– B) 42...Kf6 43.Kh5 Rb8 44.Rxc7 Rh8+ 45.Kg4 Rh4+ 46.Kf3 Rxh3+ 47.Kf2! g4 48.Rxa7 White is winning thanks to his connected passed pawns. 43.Rxc7 a6 44.Rc6+– 44.bxa6 Rb4 45.Kf3 is also good. 44...axb5 45.Rxd6+ Kf7 46.axb5 Rxb5 47.Kxg5

501

Position after: 47.Kxg5 1-0 Uhlmann, Wolfgang (2530) Andersson, Ulf (2535) Skopje 1972

33.b4!

502

White cleverly opens the position for his bishop pair. 33...cxb4 33...f5 34.bxc5 dxc5 35.Na4 creates a long-term weakness on c5. 35...Ngf6 36.Ke2 Nd6 37.Bd3 Nde4 38.Be3± 34.Na4 Ngf6 35.Nb6 Bd8 36.Bxb4 Bxb6 36...Kf8 37.Nc8 Bc7 38.Ke2± 37.axb6 Kf8 38.c5!

Position after: 38.c5! White needs to open the position for the bishops. 38...Nd7 38...dxc5 39.Bxc5+ Kg8 40.Bd4! Nxd5 [40...Nd7 41.Ba4 Nef6 42.d6 Black is paralyzed.] 41.Be4 Nef6 [41...Nxf4 42.Bxb7+–] 42.Bf3 Kf8 43.g4 g5 44.fxg5 hxg5 45.h4! gxh4 46.g5+– 39.c6! 39.cxd6? Nef6! [39...Nxb6?? 40.d7++–] 40.Bb3 Ke8 41.Ba5 Nc5 All of a sudden Black is the one playing for the win. The king will go to d7 and collect the pawns. 39...bxc6 503

39...Nxb6? 40.cxb7 Nd7 41.Ba4 Nb8 42.Bxe8 Kxe8 43.Bxd6+– 40.b7 cxd5 41.Ba4 Nb8 42.Bxe8 Kxe8 43.Bxd6

Position after: 43.Bxd6 43.Bxd6 Nc6 44.b8=Q+ Nxb8 45.Bxb8 a5 46.Ke2 Ke7 47.Be5 Ke6 48.Kd3+– White is winning easily. 1-0 Gulko, Boris F (2622) Radjabov, Teimour (2483) Wijk aan Zee 2001

504

Should White keep the queens on the board or does the endgame offer Gulko good winning chances? 26.Qxe8+! Nxe8 27.a5! Fixing the b7-pawn and increasing the space advantage even further. 27...Kf8 28.Kg2 Ke7 29.Kg3 Remember that the king is a strong piece in endgames. 29...Bd4 29...b6 30.axb6 Nxb6 31.b3± 30.Bc2 Ng7 31.b3 f5 31...Ne8 32.Ne2 Bg7 33.h4 Nef6 [33...h5 34.f5!] 34.Kh3 Nh7 35.Ng3 White will follow up with f5 or h5, making life unpleasant for Black. 32.Ne2 Bf6 33.Kf3 fxg4+ 34.hxg4 g5 35.Kg3 35.f5?! Ne5+ 36.Kg3 h5

505

Position after: 35.Kg3 35...gxf4+ 35...Nf8 36.fxg5 Bxg5 [36...hxg5 37.Ng1+–] 37.Bxg5+ hxg5 38.Nc3 Ne8 39.Ne4 Nh7 40.Nf2! [40.Nxc5?! dxc5 41.Bxh7 Nd6 gives Black perfect drawing chances.] 40...Nf8 41.Bf5+– 36.Nxf4 Bg5 37.Be1 Ne5 38.Ng6+ Nxg6 39.Bxg6 Kf6 40.Bh7 Ke7 41.Bg6 Ne8 41...Kf6 42.Bc2 Of course we don’t take the draw!

506

Position after: 41...Ne8 42.b4! This is the decisive breakthrough. White needs to open the position further to maximize the scope of his pair of bishops. 42...cxb4 42...Nf6 43.bxc5 dxc5 44.Bf5 Nd7 45.Bxd7 Kxd7 46.Kf3 Kd6 47.Ke4 Bd8 48.Kf5 Bg5 49.Bg3+ Kd7 50.Bf4+– The pawn ending is clearly winning due to Black’s weakness on h6. 43.Bxb4 Nf6 44.Bf5 Nd7

Position after: 44...Nd7 How should White continue? 45.Bxd7! Kxd7 46.Kf3 This is an insightful illustration of the principle of two weaknesses. The d6- and h6-pawns are vulnerable, and our king is more active. 46...Bd8 47.Ke4 b6 Looking for some counterplay but it loses a pawn. Passive defense was also hopeless: 47...Bg5 48.Kf5 Be3 49.Kg6 Bf4 50.Bc3 Be3 51.Bg7 Bd2 507

52.Bxh6 Bxa5 53.Kf7 b5 54.cxb5 axb5 55.Bc1+– The g-pawn is too fast. 48.axb6 Bxb6 49.Bd2!

Position after: 49.Bd2! Picking up a free pawn. 49...a5 49...h5 50.gxh5+– 50.Bxh6+– a4 51.Kd3 Ke7 52.Bg5+ Kf7 53.Kc3 Bc5 54.Kb2 Kg6 55.Bf4 Kf6 56.Ka2 Bb4 57.Bc1! Ke5 58.g5

508

Position after: 58.g5 58...Ba5 58...Kf5 59.Ba3 Bxa3 60.Kxa3 Kxg5 61.Kxa4 Kf5 62.Kb5 Ke4 63.Kc6 Ke5 64.Kd7+– 59.Ka3 1-0 Polugaevsky, Lev Uhlmann, Wolfgang Amsterdam 1970

509

Another typical position from the symmetrical Benoni. White has a clear advantage thanks to his bishop pair, extra space, and the weakness of Black’s d6-pawn. How would you improve the position now? 24.a5!± 24.Kf1 a5 [24...Ne8!? 25.Ne4 Be5] 25.Nb5 Ne8 26.Bg5+ Bf6 27.Bd2 b6 allows Black better holding chances. 24.a5!± h5 24...Nh5 25.Bd2 f5 26.g4 fxg4 27.hxg4 Nhf6 28.f3± followed by Kf2-g3 is excellent for White. 25.Bd2 Ne8 26.g3 26.g4?! hxg4 27.hxg4 Ne5 This exchange of pawns only helps the defender. 26...Bd4 27.Kg2 Ng7 28.f4 Nf5

510

Position after: 28...Nf5 29.Nd1! 29.Ne2? Ne3+ 30.Bxe3 Bxe3 31.Kf3 Bd2³ Black will win the a5-pawn. 29...Nh6 30.Kf3 f5! 30...Ng8 31.g4 hxg4+ 32.hxg4 Bg7 33.g5± followed by Nf2-e4. White is squeezing the opponent. 31.Bd3 Kd8 32.Ne3 Ke7 33.Nc2 Bb2 34.Ke3 Nf6 35.Ne1

511

Position after: 35.Ne1 35...Bd4+ 35...Ne4?! would be a brave pawn sacrifice to create counterplay. 36.Bxe4 fxe4 37.Kxe4 Nf5 38.g4! [38.Kf3? Nd4+] 38...hxg4 39.hxg4 Nd4 40.b4 Nb3 41.Kd3 Nxd2 42.Kxd2 cxb4 43.Nd3 Bc3+ 44.Kc2 Bd4 [44...Kf6 45.c5+–] 45.Nxb4± 36.Kf3 Bb2 37.Ng2 Nd7 38.Nh4 Kf6 39.Ke3 Nf7 39...Bd4+!? 40.Bc2 Ba1 41.Ke2

512

Position after: 41.Ke2 41...Bb2 41...Nh6! was more accurate. 42.Be1?! Still waiting for the right moment, but in fact he could have played g4 right away. 42.g4! hxg4 43.hxg4 fxg4 44.Nxg6 Nh6 45.Nh4 Bd4 46.Kf1+– 42...Ba1? ¹ 42...Nh6 43.b4 cxb4 44.Bxb4 Nc5 45.Nf3² 43.g4!+–

513

Position after: 43.g4!+– Finally White executes the key plan. Now Black’s position quickly becomes very precarious. 43...hxg4 44.hxg4 fxg4 44...Nf8 45.gxf5 g5 [45...gxf5 46.Nxf5+–] 46.Ng2 Nd7 [46...g4 47.Bh4++–] 47.Kf3+– 45.Nxg6 Kg7 45...Nh6 46.Bh4+ Kg7 47.Be7+– 46.Nh4 Kf8 46...Nh6 47.Nf5+ Nxf5 48.Bxf5 Nf6 49.Bc8+– 47.Bf5 Nf6 48.Bc8 Nd8 49.Nf5 Nh5 50.Bd2 Bd4 51.Nxd4 1-0 Uhlmann, Wolfgang Gligoric, Svetozar Hastings 1970

514

38.b4! Again the usual technique. White needs to create more weaknesses in Black’s camp to win the game. 38...cxb4 39.Bxb4 Nc5 40.Kd4 Nfd7 40...Nfe4

Position after: 40...Nfe4 A) 41.g4!? hxg4 42.hxg4 Ke7 43.gxf5 gxf5 44.Bxe4 [44.Bxc5 dxc5+ 45.Ke5 Nd6=] 44...Nxe4 515

45.c5 dxc5+ 46.Bxc5+

Position after: 46.Bxc5+ 46...Kd7 [46...Nxc5?? 47.Kxc5 Kd7 48.Kb6 Kc8 49.d6+–] 47.Bf8 Ke8 48.Ba3 Nd2! with a big fight ahead. B) 41.Bxe4 Nxe4 42.c5 is the perfect moment to strike. 42...dxc5+ 43.Bxc5 Ke8 [43...Kg7 44.Bb4 Kf6 45.Bc3! Kf7 46.Be1 Kf6 47.Bh4+ Kf7 48.Ke5+–] 44.Bb4 Kd7 45.Ke5+– 41.Bd1 Ke7 42.g4

516

Position after: 42.g4 It was more patient to begin with 42.Ke3!? and wait until everything is fully prepared before playing g4. 42...hxg4?! Passive defense. More active was: 42...fxg4! 43.hxg4 h4 44.Be1 [44.g5 b6 45.axb6 h3] 44...h3 45.Bg3 b6! 46.axb6 a5! Black has great play with his a- and h-pawns. [46...Nxb6 47.f5 gxf5 48.gxf5∞] 43.hxg4 Kf6 44.Ke3 b6?! Better was 44...Ke7 45.gxf5 gxf5 46.Bc2 Kf6 47.Be1². 45.gxf5 gxf5

Position after: 45...gxf5 46.Bxc5! The perfect moment to simplify! 46...Nxc5 A) 46...dxc5? is just losing. 47.Ba4 Ke7 48.Bxd7 Kxd7 49.axb6+– B) 46...bxc5 47.Ba4 517

Position after: 47.Ba4 B1) 47...Nf8 48.Bc6 Ng6 49.Bb7+– B2) 47...Ke7 48.Kf3 Nf6 49.Bc2 Ne4 50.Bxe4 fxe4+ 51.Kxe4 Kf6 52.Kf3 [52.f5?? Kg5=] 52...Kf5 53.Kg3 Ke4 54.Kg4

Position after: 54.Kg4 White is quicker, for example: 54...Kd3 55.f5 Kxc4 56.f6 Kb3 57.f7 c4 58.f8=Q c3 59.Qxd6 c2 60.Qc7+–. 518

B3) 47...Nb8 48.Kf3 Kg6 49.Kg3 Kh5 50.Be8+ Kh6 51.Kh4ʘ 51...Kg7 52.Kg5 Kf8 53.Ba4+– 47.axb6 a5 48.Bc2

Position after: 48.Bc2 48...Ke7 A) 48...a4? 49.Bxa4 Nxa4 50.b7+– B) 48...Kg6

519

Position after: 48...Kg6 What is the winning plan here for White? B1) 49.Ba4!? Kh5 [49...Kf6 50.Bc6] 50.Bc6 Kg4 51.b7 Nxb7 52.Bxb7 a4 53.Kd3 Kxf4 54.c5!+– is one way to win. B2) 49.Kf3! Kf6 50.Kg3 Kg6 51.Kh4

Position after: 51.Kh4 51...Kf6 [51...Nb7 52.Bd1! Nc5 53.Ba4 Nb7 54.Bc6+–] 52.Kh5 Nb7 53.Kh6 Nc5 54.Kh7 Nb7 55.Kg8 Nc5 56.Ba4! [56.Kf8?? Nd7+] 56...Ke7 57.Kg7+– 49.Kd2 Kd8 50.Bxf5+–

520

Position after: 50.Bxf5+– The rest is easy. 50...Na4 50...a4 51.Kc2 a3 52.Kb1 Nb3 53.Ka2+– 51.b7 Kc7 52.Bc8 Nc5 53.f5 Ne4+ 54.Kc2 Kb8 55.Kb3 Nd2+ 56.Ka4 Nxc4 57.f6 Ne5 58.Kxa5 1-0 Kramnik, Vladimir (2788) Van Wely, Loek (2641) Wijk aan Zee 2010

521

35.Bd1! Displaying a deep positional understanding of the position. In King’s Indian positions like these with a closed center (White c4, d5, e4 pawns vs. Black c5, d6, e5), White can make a big step towards victory if he manages to exchange the light-squared bishops. 35...Na6 35...Bd7 is too passive but still a solid option. White should reply 36.Be1ƒ with the idea of Ne2, Ba5. 36.Ra8 Bxd1 37.Nxd1 Rb7 38.Nc3 Nc7 39.Rc8 Nf7? 39...Ne8 According to the engine this position is close to equal. But still it’s much easier practically to play with White. The first thing I would do is bring my king to the center. 40.Ke2 Rb3 41.Kd2 Rxa3 42.Kc2© [42.Nxc5?! dxc5 43.Bxc5 Rb3 44.Bxa7 Rb2+ 45.Kd3 Bg5!„]

522

Position after: 39...Nf7? 40.Bxc5!!± A great piece sacrifice! Like in many 1.d4 games, the d-pawn will play the main role in deciding the game. The sacrifice is a good practical decision because Black has to play very precise moves to avoid losing immediately. 40...dxc5 41.Nxc5 Nd6 The only move. 41...Rb2 42.Rxc7+– 42.Nxb7 Nxc8 43.c5 Na6!

523

Position after: 43...Na6! 44.Ke2 44.d6? would be impatient: 44...Nxc5 45.Nxc5 Nxd6 leading to equal play. 44...Kg6 44...Bg7!? 45.c6 Bf8 46.Nb5 Nb8 was also possible but White is clearly better. 45.Kd3?! “Centralization of the king in the endgame is almost never wrong. However, it can be ill-timed.” (Shereshevsky – Endgame Strategy) 45.Nb5! was stronger. 45...Be7 45...Kf7!? 46.Kc4 Ke7 47.Nb5± 46.Na4 A) 46.Kc4? Bxc5! Tactics are not only for middlegames! 47.Nxc5 Nd6+ 48.Kb3 Nxc5+–+ B) 46.d6? Nxc5+ 47.Nxc5 Bxd6= 46...Kg5! 47.Kc4

524

Position after: 47.Kc4 Black has defended his position very well up to this point. Now he has to give back the piece and run for the g2-pawn. Only one move leads to a draw – which one is it? Please calculate precisely. 47...Bxc5?? Losing by force. It was better to keep the bishop on the board. 47...Nxc5 leads to a draw: 48.Naxc5 Kg4 49.a4!? [49.Nd3 Bxa3 50.Nxe5+ Kg3=] 49...Kg3 50.Nd3 Kxg2 [50...Nd6+? 51.Nxd6 Bxd6 52.Kb5 Kxg2 53.Kc6+–; 50...Bd6? 51.Kb5+–] 51.Nxe5

525

Position after: 51.Nxe5 A) 51...f3?! 52.Nd3 f2? 53.Nxf2 Kxf2 54.Kd4!! [54.e5 Ke3 55.d6 Ke4 56.dxe7 Nxe7=] 54...Kf3 55.e5 Kf4 56.d6 Kf5 57.a5!+– B) 51...Nb6+! 52.Kb5 [52.Kd4? Bf6] 52...f3 53.Nd3 Nd7! 54.d6 Bg5

Position after: 54...Bg5 55.Ne1+ [55.Nbc5 Ne5!] 55...Kg3 56.Nxf3 Kxf3 57.Kc6 Ne5+ 58.Kd5 Bf4 59.Nc5 Ng4! 60.d7 Bc7 61.Nb7 Kf4 62.d8=Q Bxd8 63.Nxd8 Ne3+ 64.Kd4 Nc2+ 65.Kc3 Ne1= 48.Naxc5 Nxc5 49.Kxc5 Kg4 50.d6+–

526

Position after: 50.d6+– 50...Nb6 50...Nxd6 51.Kxd6 Kg3 52.Kxe5 Kxg2 53.Kxf4+– 51.Kc6 Kg3 52.Nc5 Kxg2 53.d7 Nxd7 54.Nxd7 f3 55.Nxe5 f2 56.Ng4 1-0 Bauer, Christian (2641) Degraeve, Jean Marc (2546) Chartres 2005

527

35.Nf5! Forcing this exchange is the correct decision as it makes Black’s light squares even weaker. 35...Nxf5 36.Bxf5+ Kd8 37.h5!+–

Position after: 37.h5!+– Bauer knows what he is doing! He fixes the h6-pawn which will now inevitably be a victim of the king march. 528

Black must try to defend against White’s king penetrating via Kf3-e4-f5-g6, Bc8 hitting b7, and also the f4 break. There are simply too many problems to deal with. 37...Bf8 38.Kf3 Nc7 39.Ke4 Bg7 40.Be1 Bh8 41.Bh7 Clearing the path for the White monarch. 41...Ke7 42.Bg8

Position after: 42.Bg8 42...Bg7 42...Ne6 43.Kf5 Nf8 44.f4 exf4 45.exf4 gxf4 [45...Bg7 46.Bc3+–] 46.Kxf4 Nd7 47.Kf5 Nf8 48.Bg3 Bg7 49.Bd6+ Kd8 50.Bc4 Kd7

529

Position after: 50...Kd7 51.Bb3ʘ 51...Kd8 52.Be6! Now Black has nothing better than trading the bishop. 52...Nxe6 53.Kxe6+– All of Black’s pawns are going to fall soon. 43.Kf5 Bf8 44.Bd2 44.Kg6!? 44...Bg7 45.Bc4 Bf8

530

Position after: 45...Bf8 46.f4! White finds the correct plan. Black has too many weaknesses to be able to hold the position. 46...exf4 46...Bg7 47.fxe5 fxe5 48.Bc3+– 47.exf4 gxf4 47...Nd5 48.fxg5 fxg5 49.Bxd5 [49.b5 also wins.] 49...cxd5 50.Ke5+– 48.Bxf4 Nd5

Position after: 48...Nd5 49.Bxd5! Simplifying the position into a winning pawn ending. 49...cxd5 50.Bd6+ 50.Bd6+ Kf7 51.Bxf8 Kxf8 52.b5! axb5 [52...Ke7 53.c6 Kd6 54.cxb7 Kc7 55.bxa6+–] 53.c6 bxc6 54.a6+– The a-pawn runs in for a touchdown. 1-0 531

Roiz, Michael (2593) Radjabov, Teimour (2682) Saint Vincent 2005

33.a4!+– A perfect positional decision, fixing Black’s queenside pawns on dark squares. 33...Kf6 33...c6 34.dxc6 bxc6 35.Bd2+– would pick up the pawn on a5. 34.Ke2 Using the king actively, as we have discussed before. 34...Kf5 35.Kd3 h5 36.Bd2! Precise play. White forces Black to put all of his pawns on dark squares. 36...b6 37.Ke3 Bf6 38.Kf3

532

Position after: 38.Kf3 Intending to advance the g-pawn. 38...Kg6 38...h4 39.Be1 Bg5 40.g3! hxg3 41.Bxg3 The passed h-pawn will decide the game. For example: 41...Be7 42.h4 Bf6 43.Bf2 Be7 44.h5 Kg5 [44...Bg5 45.Be3 Bxe3 46.Kxe3 Kg5 47.Ke4 Kxh5 48.Kf5+–] 45.Ke4 Kxh5 46.Kf5+– 39.g4 Bh4 40.gxh5+ Kxh5

533

Position after: 40...Kxh5 41.Ke4 Better was 41.Be3 Bf6 42.Kf4 Bg5+ [42...Kg6 43.Kg4+–] 43.Ke4+–. 41...Kg6 42.Bf4 Bf6 43.Bg3 Kg5 43...Bd8 44.Kf4 Bg5+ 45.Kg4 Bf6 46.h4+– 44.c5!

534

Position after: 44.c5! The decisive breakthrough! 44...dxc5 A) 44...bxc5 45.Be1+– B) 44...Be7 45.cxb6 cxb6 46.h4+ Kg4 47.Bf4 Kxh4 48.Kf5 Kh5 49.Ke6 Bf8

Position after: 49...Bf8 535

50.Be3 [50.Bxd6? Bxd6 51.Kxd6 b5! 52.axb5 a4 53.b6 a3 54.b7 a2 55.b8=Q a1=Q] 50...Kg4 51.Bxb6+– This is an easy win for White. 45.Bxc7 b5 46.axb5 a4

Position after: 46...a4 47.d6 47.Bf4+ also wins: 47...Kh4 48.Bc1 Kxh3 49.d6+–. 47...a3 48.d7 a2 48...Kg6 49.Be5+– 49.Be5!

536

Position after: 49.Be5! The only winning move! Otherwise Black would survive. 49...Bd8 49...Bxe5 50.d8=Q+ Kh6 [50...Kg6 51.Qg8++–] 51.Qd2++– wins the pawn. 50.Kd5 Kf5 51.Ba1 1-0 Aseev, Konstantin N (2577) Inarkiev, Ernesto (2469) Elista 2001

537

A typical example of a good knight versus bad bishop endgame. The d3-knight is doing excellent work blockading the d4-pawn, supporting the e5-pawn, and putting pressure on the c5-pawn. 61.g4!+– fxg4+ 61...Kg6 62.Kf4 fxg4 63.Kxg4+– 62.Kxg4 Kf7 62...Kg6 63.Nf4+ Kf7 64.Kf5+– 63.Kf5 Ba7 64.Ke4 Ke6 65.Nf4+ Ke7 66.Kd5 Kd7 67.Nd3 Bb6

538

Position after: 67...Bb6 68.e6+ 68.Nxc5+?? would be way too impatient. 68...Bxc5 69.Kxc5 d3–+ 68...Ke7 68...Kc7 69.Ne5 Kd8™ 70.Kc6 Bc7 71.e7++– 69.Kc6

539

Position after: 69.Kc6 69...Bd8 The only move for Black to save the bishop. 69...Ba7 70.Kb7+– traps the passive bishop. 70.Nxc5 d3 70...Ke8 71.Nd3 Ke7 72.Kd5+– wins easily too. 71.Nxd3 Kxe6 72.Nc5+ Ke5 73.Nb7 Be7 74.Nxa5

540

Position after: 74.Nxa5 The rest is just a matter of technique. 74...Kd4 75.Kb5 Bd6 75...Kc3 76.c5+– 76.b4 Kc3 77.c5 Bf4 78.Nc4 Kd4 79.Nb6 Bg3 80.c6 Bd6 81.Na8! 1-0 Lukin, Andrei M (2440) Rogovoi, Mark (2233) St Petersburg 1999

541

This is a common situation from the King’s Indian Defense where White has played dxe5 and exchanged queens. White is better because his bishop controls two diagonals while its counterpart is quite passive. White also has full control of the d-file, which creates additional problems for Black. 21.Rd7 Kf8 22.a4! The beginning of a great plan! White opens the road to a6 for his king and also tries to create additional weaknesses in Black’s position. 22...Ke8

542

Position after: 22...Ke8 Should we trade rooks? 23.R7d5! Of course not! Black’s rook on e7 is more passive than ours on d5 so we should keep them on the board. In these kinds of positions every exchange favors one side or the other, so we need to be careful. 23.Rxe7+ Kxe7 24.Ka2 Rc8 is close to equality. 23...Rb8 24.a5! 24.Ka2 was also possible. 24...bxa5 24...Rc7 25.axb6 axb6 26.f3± 25.Rxa5

Position after: 25.Rxa5 Now there is a new target on a7 which can be attacked by all of White’s pieces, while Black’s bishop cannot do anything. 25...Rbb7 26.Rd6 543

Slowly but surely improving the position. 26...Rb4 Black has to find some counterplay. 27.f3 27.Rad5!? Rb8 where Black is passive but solid. 27...Reb7 28.Rd2 f5 28...Bf6 29.Bxh6!? g5 30.Rc5 White is clearly better. 29.Bc5 Rc4 30.Rc2!

Position after: 30.Rc2! Now is the right time to exchange one pair of rooks. Black’s rook on c4 was too active, so we decide to get rid of it. 30...Rxc2 31.Kxc2 Rc7 32.Kd3 a6?! Better was 32...Bf8 33.Bxf8 fxe4+

544

Position after: 33...fxe4+ 34.Kxe4 [34.fxe4 Kxf8 35.Rxe5 Rb7 36.Kc3 Rc7+ 37.Kb3 Kf7 gives good drawing chances for Black.] 34...Kxf8 35.Kxe5 Rb7 36.b4 Rxb4 37.Rxa7 Rb6. Black should be able to hold with precise play. 33.Kc4 Rc6 34.Kd5 Kd7 35.b4

Position after: 35.b4

545

35...Re6?? A blunder in a difficult position. Better was 35...fxe4 36.fxe4 Bf6 37.g4! with a slight advantage for White. 36.b5! 36.b5 axb5 37.Ra7+ wins the rook. 1-0

546

Table of Contents Title page Key to Symbols Preface by GM József Horváth Introduction Chapter 1 – The King’s Indian Defense Chapter 2 – The Grünfeld Defense Chapter 3 – The Benoni Defense Chapter 4 – The Slav Defense Chapter 5 – The Catalan Opening Chapter 6 – Frequent Endgame Types

3 4 5 7 10 121 222 319 408 495

547