The Even More Flexible French 9056915746

Citation preview

Viktor Moskalenko

Strategic Ideas & Powerful �apons

NEWiNCH�

The Even More Flexible French

Viktor Moskalenko

The Even More Flexible French Strategic Ideas

&

Powerful Weapons

2015 New In Chess

© 2015 New In Chess

Published by New In Chess, Alkmaar, The Netherlands www.newinchess.com All rights reserved. No part of this book 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

photos: New In Chess Archives, unless indicated otherwise.

Cover design: Steven Boland Supervisor: Peter Boel Proofreading: Rene Olthof Production: Anton Schermer Have you found any errors in this book? Please send your remarks to [email protected]. We will collect all relevant corrections on the Errata page of our website ww w.newinchess.com and implement them in a possible next edition. ISBN: 9 78-90-5 69 1 -574-2

Contents Explanation of Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 On 'The Even More Flexible French' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Foreword 8 Seven Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 .

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Part One - Advance Variation - 1 .e4 e 6 2.d4 d 5 3 .es . . . . . . . .. .. . . . 11 Chapter 1 - Looking for Satisfaction: 5 ...'ifb6 6.a3 tllh6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 2 - Bringing the King's Knight Straight into Play: S ... llih6/S ... llige7 Chapter 3 - Don't Touch the French Bishop on c8!: 4 . ../S ... .id7 . . . . . . . . Chapter 4 - The Problematic 6 . .id3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter S - A Dynamic Set-up against Nimzowitsch's Gambit: 4.'iVg4 . . . Chapter 6 - Labyrinths of the Old System: 6 ...c4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part'I'wo - Tarrasch Variation - 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . tLld2 Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

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7 - Beyond Tarrasch: 3 . . .llif6 4 .e S lllfd7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 - Salta Mortale: 9.tllf4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - Fianchetto versus Symmetry: 7.tllgf3 g6 . . . . . . . . . . 10 - Plan with the Exchange .ic8x.ifl: 6 ... b6 . . . . . . . . 1 1 - A Pawn Wedge: S .f4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 - Romanishin Variation: 3 ... .ie7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 - A French-Scandinavian Hybrid: 3 ... cS 4.exdS °ifxd5

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13 31 38 44 SO SS

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. 87 . 97 1 03 1 13 1 23 139 1 61

Part Three - Classical System - 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . tLlc3 W6..... . . . 177 Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

14 - Morozevich's Resources: 4.eS lllfd7 . . . . . . . . lS - The Proper Scope of the Move 7 ... .ie7 . . . . . . 16 - Use Your Own Head in the French!: 8 ...'iVb6 . 17 - A Legendary Pin: 4.£.gs .ib4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 - Russian Roulette: 4.e5 tllfd7 S . tlJf3 cS 6.dxc5 .

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178 19S 207 219 2SO

Part Four -WinawerVariation - 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tLlc3 �b4 . . . . . . 267 Chapter 19 - My System in the Winawer: 4.e5 b6 5 .'ifg4 .ifs . . . . . . . . . 269 Chapter 20 - The Old Winawer: 4.e5 c5 S .a3 �xc3+ 6.bxc3 "i:fc7 . . . . . . 278 Chapter 21 - Black Queen Blues (Portisch/Hook Variation): 6 ...'i:Va5 . . . . . 2 9 1

Part Five - Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players . .. . . . . . . . 3 1 9 Chapter 2 2 - How to Break the Symmetry (the Exchange French) : 3 .exdS . . Chapter 23 - King's Indian Attack: 2.d3 dS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 24 - Weathering the Storm: 3 ...tLlf6 4.�gS �el S.eS tLlfd7 6.h4 0-0 Chapter 2S - Kortchnoi's Wedge: 2.tLlf3 d5 3 .e5 c5 4.b4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 26 - Reti/Papa Gambit: 2.b3 dS 3 . �b2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Index of Variations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Biography/Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

320 332 338 343 3 46 3SS 3S8 363

5

The Even More Flexible French

Explanation of Symbols The chess board with its coordinates: 8 7 6

5 4 3

i � .i. � • � i .t. .t. .t. l l .t. .t. .t. • • • • • • • • •

;;!;;

+

± + +-+ = 00

� > f2 'ti'b6 32.lt:Jf1 ? This allows a cool sacrifice which will conquer all White's pawns in return.

In this - for the author - unforgettable game, grandmaster Sveshnikov did not manage to demonstrate a single effective idea in his favourite variation against my counterattack with 1 0 ... a5 and 1 3 ... a4! . While fighting for the initiative, he for­ got to defend his advanced pawns. As a summary of the main plan with 5 ...�b6, 6 ...tLlh6 and 9 ... tLle7, I can assert that Black gains counterplay in almost all lines. Still, I was not completely satisfied and I thought that White could improve his play at certain points. 9 . Ad7 Alexei Shirov (2710) Mikhail Gurevich (2652)

GAME 2

-

.

.

Khanty-Mansiysk 2005 (3)

32 ... tt:Jxa3!-+ A combination resembling draughts: you sacrifice a piece and in return you get to capture three or four pawns. 33. 'ti'xa3 'ifxd4+ 34.'it>e1 'ii'e 4+! 35.@d1 'ii'xf4 36.ll\d2 'ii'xh2 37. 'ii'xa4 'ii'xg2

A lone knight is protecting the 'naked' white king. The game is over. 38. 'ifa8+ @g7 39. 'ii'xb7 'ti'gl + 40.r.t>e2 f4 41 . tt:Jc6 'ii'e3+ 42.'it>d1 i.g4+ 43.@c2 i.fS+ 44.'it>d1 f3 45. 'ii' b5 i.d3 46. 'ii'xd5 f2 0-1 20

In my opinion, this was an important game for the Advance Variation, which increased the popularity of 9... £d7. I recommend the reader to make a deep study of the secondary lines, since the alternatives (and new updates) given there are equally important as the game moves. 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 cs 4.c3 tt:Jc6 5. lllf3 'ii' b6 6.a3 liJh6 7.b4 cxd4 8.cxd4 liJfS 9.i.b2 i.d7!?

A creative continuation, allowing the advance g2-g4. Now the natural moves 10.£d3 , 1 0 .tLlc3 or 1 0.tLlbd2 would simply lose the d4-pawn. 1 0.g4!

Chapter 1 Obviously, White chooses the most ag­ gressive move available. He achieves less than nothing after the alternatives: A) 1 0.�e2 is too slow: 10 ... �e7 1 1 .0-0 h5!? 1 2.'tWd3 a6!? (1 2 ...g5 1 3 .bS tt:Jas 14.4:Jfd2 ncs 1 5.a4oo) 1 3 .4:Jbd2 (l3.nd1 l:rc8!) 1 3 ... 4:Ja7 14.4:Jb3 Abs�; B) On the other hand, 10.Ad3 is too aggressive: 10 ...4:Jcxd4 1 1 .4:Jxd4 4:Jxd4 1 2 .4:Jc3 g6!?N 1 3.0-0 .tg7+ PUZZLE: The variation 10.4:Jc3 4:Jfxd4 1 1 .4:Jxd4 ftfxd4! l 2."ifxd4 4:Jxd4 1 3 .tlJxdSoo is interesting.

4*

This pos1t10n is like a jigsaw puzzle! 13 ...4:Jc2+ 14.Wd2 �c8!? 1 5 . .l:f.cl 4:Jxa3! 1 6.4:Jc7+ Wd8 1 7.4:Jxe6+ �xe6 1 8.nxc8+ Wxc8 l 9.�xa3 �e7!?t and Black is in ex­ cellent shape. He plans to continue with ... a7-a5, ...Wb8 and ... .!:l'.c8/�d8. 1 0 tllfe7 A logical retreat. r- WEAPON: But the most dynamic option seems to be 1 0 ... 4:Jh6!?. ...

b

b

� M tiJ

ttJ b w� � analysis diagram

b

b M

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Looking for Satisfaction: 5 ... 'tWb6 6.a3 tllh 6

Preparing a classical counterattack against the centre. Now: A) l l .h3 f6 (the classic French break. Alternatively, 1 1 ....l:tcS!? 1 2.4:Jc3 tlJaS! offers creative chances: 1 3.4:Ja4 �c6 14.ncl tlJc4� Shirov-Sadvakasov, Astana 2001) 1 2 .exf6 gxf6 1 3.4:Jc3 4:Jf7! and Black is solid: 14.4:Ja4 'tWc7 1 s.nc1 'iVf4 1 6 . .l:t.c3 b6!� was 0-1 (45), Cori Tello-Malakhatko, Gibraltar 2010; B) There are also many games with 1 1 .�gl .l:!c8! (1 1 ...f6!? is still the main line: 1 2 .exf6 gxf6 1 3.4:Jc3 4:Jf7 14.4:Ja4 "iYc7 1 5.ncl 'iVf4� etc.) 1 2.4:Jc3 tlJaS! 1 3.tlJa4 �c6 14.tlJcS tlJc4 1 5.�cl 4:Jg8 16.�d3 �xcS 1 7.dxcS b6 (Black's position is clearly better) 1 8.ihc4 1/2-1/2 Sveshnikov-Dizdar, Bled 2005. 1 1 .tllc3

1 1 ... tlla5 !? A well-known resource in these struc­ tures. Grandmaster Psakhis wrote in The Complete French: 'White got a few weak­ nesses on the queenside and Black tries to exploit them. This move has become quite popular in the last couple of years'. An equally good alternative is the jump with the other knight: 1 I ...4:Jg6!? and now: A) 1 2 .h4 h5! 1 3.tlJa4!? (13.g5?! 4:Ja5! 14.tlJa4 "i¥c6! 15 .tlJc5 tllc4t is favour­ able for Black, Sveshnikov-Ostenstad, Oslo tt 2008) 1 3 ... 'i'd8! 14.gS �e7!?N (preparing kingside castling; 14 ... ncS!?� (Dahl-Kraai, Indianapolis 2009) 1 5.ncl 21

Part I -Advance Variation: l .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 .e5 0-0 16.tllc S Axes 1 7.�xcS tllce7!=i=. White has many potential weaknesses, also around his king; B) 1 2 .tlla4 °iVd8 ! 1 3 .tllc s (13.h4 h5! 14.gS b6 1 5 . Ad3 tllf4 1 6 . ga6 tlle 7 l 7.tllc 3 tllfS+:t Nevednichy-Lputian, Ohrid Ech 2001; 1 3 .l: k l a6 14.tllc S gxcS 1 5.l:r.xc5 f6!+:t) 13 ... gxcS 14.dxc5 'lWc7 1 5 .�e2 (Vysochin-Prezerakos, Korinthos 2004) and now the best solu­ tion for Black is 1 5 ... 0-0!?, intending l 6.h4 d4!+:t with satisfactory counter­ play ; C) 1 2.l:r.cl .Yl.e7 (12 ... hS!?; 1 2 ...'i!Vd8!? 1 3 .h4 hS!+::t) 1 3.h4 (1 3 .tlla4 °iVd8 14.tllc S -2.xcS 1 5.l:r.xc5 hS+::t) 13 ...'iVd8? (13... hS!+::t) 14.tllb s (14.hS! tllh4 1 5.tllxh4 .Yl.xh4 1 6 .tllb 5i) 14 ... a6 1 5 .h5? (� 1 5 .tlld 6+ .2.xd6 1 6.exd6 hSoo) 15 ... axb5 1 6.hxg6 fxg6 and Black is better, Sveshnikov-Agrest. Oslo tt 2008.

,,._ WEAPON: The immediate break 1 1 ...hS!? is also an interesting re­ source:

analysis diagram

The critical pos1t10n. 1 5 ...tllc 8! (1 5 ...tlld S? 16.tllxc4±; the line 1 5 ... c3 is interesting, but more complicated: 1 6 .'ii'xc3!? tlld 5 1 7.°iVb3oo Haba-Kosic, Calvia Olympiad 2004) 1 6 .tllxc4 b5! with good compensation for the pawn: 1 7.tlle 3 'iYxc2 1 8 .tllxc2 .2.c6 l 9.f3 tllb 6! (the alternative 19 ... h5 is probably worse, since this advance has no point and it allows the f8-bishop to be blocked in: 20.g5± Sveshnikov-Lopez Martinez, Stepanakert 2005) 20.tlle 3 (20.@f2 ge7 2 1 .h4 tllc4+:t) 20 ... �e7 !N (developing is more precise than the immediate attack with 20 ... tlla4 2 1 .0-0-0!oo Molander­ Johannessen, Stockholm 2005) 2 1 .h4 aS+:t and Black gets an attractive game for only a pawn. 1 2 ... .:ca! 1 3 . .:lc1 Both sides still have many resources to wage a serious battle. If 1 3 .tlla4 'iYc6! l 4.tllc 5 tllc 4!+:t.

analysis diagram

1 2 .tlla4 °ifc7!? 1 3 .gS tllg 6 14 . .l:!cl °iVd8!N (14 ...a6oo Tomba-Cora, Italy 1 996) 1 5 . Ad3 tllf4 (1s ...b6!?) 16.�fl b6+:t. 1 2.tbd2 A defensive move. That same year White tried 12.'iYc2!?, which can lead to a balanced endgame: 12 ...tllc4 1 3 . gxc4 dxc4 14.tlld 2 'i!Yc6 1 5 .tllce4.

22

1 3 . . . lbg6!

Chapter 1

-

Looking for Satisfaction: 5 ... 'i&'b6 6.a3 tbh6

A) 14 ... h5!? 1 5 .gxh5 lLlf4h7 51 . 'ifhS+ @g7 S2 . ..tg5 'ifc3+ S3. r.fi>g2 h3+ S4. 'i!fxh3 'it'c6 S5 . ..tf6+ r.fi>g6 S6.'i!fg4+ 1 -0 Grandmaster Vasily Ivanchuk has been recognized as maybe the best theoreti­ cal player of all time - and in all possi­ ble openings - but he still needs more knowledge, strategic as well as tactical, of the French Defence. In the starting position of this line, after losing an important tempo with the French bishop, Black is too passive. See what went wrong in the following game.

GAME S Alexander Grischuk (2746) Vasily lvanchuk (2768) Khanty-Mansiysk (rapid) 201 1 (6)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.eS c5 4.c3 llJc6 S. llJf3 ..td7? !

Black plays slowly, not applying the dy­ namic idea of the opening: the direct attack on d4! 6 . ..te2 llJge7 7.0-0;t; Now Black is too passive. 7... llJg6 The same strategy, although it was an 'improvement' by Ivanchuk. However, the knight is badly placed on g6: it does not attack d4, and it can be punished with h2-h4-h5 . 42

A) The main point is 7 ... cxd4 8.cxd4 and now 8 ...tt'lfs is too late: 9.tt'lc3! 'iVb6 1 0 .tt'la4;;!;; B) In the previous game of the match Ivanchuk played 7...tt'lfS, but with the same result.

analysis diagram

Black seems to be ready to attack d4, however: 8 .dxcS! (instead of 8.tt'la3, see the comment in Game 6) 8 ... .2.xcS 9. .2.d3 tt'lfe7 (9 ... tt'lh4 10.tt'lbd2 0-0 1 l .b4 tt'lxf3+ 12.tt'lxf3 �e7 1 3.'iVc2 h6 14.bS tt'las 1 5.'iVa4 fS 16.exf6 �xf6 1 7.tt'leS b6 1 8.�e3± Mitrovic-S.Popov, Vrnjacka Banja tt 1 996) 1 O.ti:Jbd2 ti:Jg6 1 l .tt'lb3 �b6 1 2.I:f.el 'iVb8 (now eS is Black's tar­ get) 1 3.�e2 �c7 14 . .2.xg6 ('A forced ex­ change, which, however, has the merit of increasing White's overall control on the dark squares' - GM Marin, CBM 145). 14 ... hxg6 1 5.h4 I:t.hs 1 6 . .2.gS (the computer suggests 16.tt'lcS!±; or 16.�f4!?;;!; with the idea 1 6 .. .f6? 1 7.tt'lcs fxe5 1 8.tt'lgS!-+) 1 6 ...tt'lxeS 1 7.tt'lxeS .2.xe5 1 8.'iVxeS 'iVxeS 19.I:f.xeS f6 20.�e3 fxgS 21 .hxgS i::t.xgS 22.tt'lcS. White won this slightly better endgame on move 44, Grischuk­ Ivanchuk, Khanty-Mansiysk (rapid) 201 1 . 8.g3 Preparing h2-h4, instead of the common 8 . Qe3 'iVb6!?. 8... ..te7 Black prefers to castle first, since he is not well prepared for activity: 8 .. .f6 9.exf6! 'iVxf6 1 0 . .2.gs 'iYf7 1 1 . �e3!N (1 1 . c4!? Vysochin-Grigoriants, S t Petersburg

Chapter 3 - Don't Touch the French Bishop on c8! : 4. . . /5 . . �d7 .

2002) l l ...cxd4 1 2.cxd4;!;; and White can play for the initiative. 9.h4! 0-0 1 O.h5 tbh8

� .1 • � .t i. i i i � i ii8 8 8 8 0i 8 88 �8 I:r C/J � 'iV � � .I ii

One does not need to be a grandmaster m evaluate this position - White is bet­ Ier according to all the chess rules. 1 1 .dxc5! 1 1 .h6!?. 1 1 ... .b:c5 1 2.b4 l 2.c4!?; 1 2.tl'ibd2!?. 1 2 ... ..te7 1 3.b5 tba5 1 4.h6 l+.gd3!?. 1 4...f5 1 5.hxg7 'iti>xg7 1 6. 'iti>g2 tbg6 1 7. .J:[h1 .J:[f7 1 8 . ..th6+ 'iti>h8 1 9.tbbd2 'ilrc7

20Jk1 The rest of the game was played in ex­ treme time-trouble, leading to a huge number of amazing mistakes by both players. After the immediate 20.c4! White was probably winning. 20 ... :ge 21 .c4 d4 22. �d3 22.tl'ib3 !?. 22 ... bG 23.tbxd4 'ii'xe5 24.tb2f3 'ii'c7 25.tbg5 �xg5 26.bg5 e5!+t 27. 'ii'h 5? �c8! 28.c5?? exd4 29.cxbG �b7+?? 29...'li'xb6+. 30.@g1 ?? 30.f3±. 30 ... 'ii'e5 31 . .J:[c7 :Xc7 32.bxc7 .J:[g7 32 ... gxhl+. 33 . .J:[h2?

33 ... :Xc7?? The last turn on this rollercoaster track. 33 .. .f4 was winning for Black. 34. 'ii'xg6 .J:[c1 + 35 . .b:c1 1 -0

Summary of Chapter 3 -=-he early development of the c8-bishop is probably a waste of time, since it allows \\-hite to castle and develop an initiative. Clearly, even elite grandmasters do not know the best moves and set-ups to defend 3.gainst the Advance Variation! The best and most dynamic concept for Black is to immediately create pressure 3.gainst the centre: by attacking the d4-pawn.

43

Part I - Advance Variation: l .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 .eS

Chapter 4

-

The Problematic 6. il.d3

Game 9 - The Milner-Barry Gambit 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 lbc6 5.lllf3 'i!Vb6 6. ..td3

In the 1 850s, when the main Advance move 6.a3 was not discovered yet, Paulsen used to play the natural move 6 . .2.d3, but he experienced problems after Black's log­ ical answer 6 ...cxd4 7.cxd4 .2.d7, attacking the pawn on d4 - since White's gambit idea of 8.0-0 appeared in practice only much later, in the middle of the Twentieth Century! The Gambit Accepted: 6 ...cxd4 7 .cxd4 �d7 8.0-0 tlJxd4

This normally leads to the Milner-Barry Gambit, in which White gives up one or two central pawns for quick development.

German master Louis Paulsen ( 1 8 3 3 - 1 89 1 ) . After many years of playing 6. �d3, without much success, he finally introduced 6.a31 in 1 8 7 9 .

44

.-:::- STATISTICS: 2549 games = 47,4%, a slightly negative score for White. This gambit has now been relegated to the rare sidelines, but we should also look at new ideas here, for example on White's 9-I Oth moves: 9.tbxd4 'iYxd4 I O.tbc3.

Chapter 4 The Problematic 6. �d3 -

Instead of the risky 10 ...�xeS (main game), Black has some possible improvements on move 1 0 , mainly the prophylactic 1 0 ... a6!?.

This rules out tDb5, while keeping the position closed. We will test four attacking ideas for White: 1 1. .�el , 1 1 .'li'e2, 1 1 .�f3 and 1 1 .�hl , preparing f2-f4. Gambit Declined: 6 ... tt:Jh6! ? 7.0-0 cxd4 8.cxd4 tllfs 9. �xfS exfS 1 0.tDc3 �e6 _.\fter this quite forced sequence, the original pawn structure (d5 -f5 -f7) of the ..\dvance Variation, along with the old concept, arrive on the scene:

Who is better, White or Black? For many years the answer depended on a good :.mderstanding of this well-known position. During the 1 980s and 1990s, theory :-a.voured White in this structure, but, suspecting that the books might be wrong, I 5tudied the position more closely and eventually managed to achieve outstanding :-esults with black. From here on the play is long-winded and strategic - see the plan described in :he game Schenk-Moskalenko (2 0 0 0 ) . But there is already a nice collection of similar e..xa.mples in the games before that.

45

Part I - Advance Variation: l .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 .eS

The Problematic 6.�d3

-

Game

GAME 9 6.�d3 Orestes Rodriguez Vargas (2425) Yukio Miyasaki (2280) -

Skopje ol 1 972 (2)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 cs 4.c3 tbc6 5.tLlf3 'ifb6 6.�d3

analysis diagram

6... �d7?! As we already learned in Games 7 and 8, touching the French bishop prematurely is wrong - be careful! TRICK: If Black is going to take the pawn on d4, the best way is 6 ... cxd4! 7.cxd4 .td7 (but not immediately 7...lt:Jxd4?? 8.ltJxd4 'lWxd4 9 . .tbs+ and Black lost his queen in 3 1 games in the Mega­ Base!) 8.0-0 ltJxd4, which leads to the main Gambit line. PLAN: Fortunately Black is not forced to accept the material: 6 ... lt:Jh6!?. First he continues his development. This is my favour­ ite line: 7.0-0 cxd4! 8 .cxd4 ltJfS 9. .txfS (gambiting with 9.ltJc3 is still possible, but now Black has a knight on c6 instead of g8: 9...lt:Jfxd4! 1 0.ltJxd4 'lWxd4 1 1 .ltJbS 'lWxeS!? (the principled option) 1 2 . .!::f.e l 'lWb8 1 3.'lWf3 eS!N 1 4.'lWxdS �b4!? and Black has an extra pawn and better chances) 9... exfS lO.ltJc3 .te6. 46

Once again, the original Advance struc­ ture. Actually, this typical position is playable for both sides - if you enjoy pure strategy. For instance: l 1 .ltJe2 (1 1 .ltJa4 'lWc7!? 1 2.�e3 h6 1 3 . .!:f.cl .te7 14.ltJcS 0-0 1 S .b4 'lWb6!+:t with at least equal chances, O.Lopez-Moskalenko, Barbera del Valles 2000) l l ... h6! (this avoids the simplification with �gS, and prepares ...g7-gS!?) 1 2.'lWa4 (12.ltJf4 gS! 1 3.ltJxe6 fxe6 1 4.ltJel !? 0-0-0!? l S .ltJc2 l:!.h7 1 6.b4 .l:tc7+ Degraeve-Kosten, Belfort 1 997) 12 ... �e7 1 3.a3 0-0 14.b4 .i:!.fc8 ! and Black is dominating the entire board: 1 S . .td2 a6 1 6 . .l::i.fcl gS!t (a typical attack with pawns in this strategic line) l 7.'lWb3 ltJaS!? 1 8.'lWd3 ltJc4 1 9.ltJel f4 20.g3 fxg3 21 .hxg3 �g4! 22.ltJc3 'lWe6 23 . .te3 bS 24.'lWfl .!:f.a7 2S.'lWg2 lt:Jxe3 26.fxe3 .!:f.ac7, winning easily, Schenk-Moskalenko, Palma de Mallorca 2000. 7.0-0 White is accommodating and allows the gambit again. TRICK: 7.dxcS! .txcS 8.0-0;;!;; is considered better for White (see also the comments in Game 7). I repeat here the main point: 8 ...lt:Jge7?? (8 ...'lWc7 9.b4t) 9.b4 and the bishop on cS is lost.

7 ... cxd4 8.cxd4 tLlxd4

Chapter 4 The Problematic 6. �d3 -

.! ll 'ii'

•

• .t. � .! .t. i l l l 18 • Ail

�

88 Jd Cjj �'iY

Cjj 888 Jd

The key position of the gambit. The strategic operation 8 ... tt:lb4 9.�e2 �bS will cost Black many tempi: I O.�xbs+ 'iYxbS 1 1 .tLlc3 'ifb6 1 2.a3 ..'.Llc6 1 3 .b4 tt:lge7 14.�d3;!;; and White should be better, with the possibility of action on both flanks: tt:la4 or h2-h4. 9.tlJxd4 There are two main alternatives: A) 9.tt:lbd2 is the favourite line of Czech IM Jiri Nun and Australian GM David Smerdon:

analysis diagram

9 ... �cS!? (9...tt:lc6 1 0.tt:lb3oo) 1 0.tt:lxd4 (10.l:f.bl .ibS!=F; 1 0.b4 'ti'xb4 1 1 .l:f.bl �a4+ Pap-Gleizerov, Predeal 2006) 1 0 ... .ixd4 1 1 .tLlf3 tt:le7!? 1 2.tt:lxd4 (12 . .id2!?N) 1 2 ...°iVxd4 1 3.l:f.el b6!?N (a new idea, probably a good defence against �e3; 1 3 ...tt:lc6 14.�e3 'ifxeS 15.�cS� Milliet-Prusikin, Merlimont tt 20 1 1) 14 . .!::tb l (14.�e3? '1Wxb2! 1 5 .°iVg4 �g6+ Smerdon-Sadler, England tt 2013/14) 14... .l:tc8 (14...tt:lc6!?) 1 5 . .ie3

°ti'h4oo is still unclear, Melekhina­ Zatonskih, St Louis ch-USA W 2014; B) 9.tt:lgS 'This is known as Sorensen's Gambit. It has undergone a spurt of popu­ larity and White has enjoyed a number of nice attacking victories, but it is dubious at best if the opponent is prepared.' John Watson, Play the French, 3rd edition.

analysis diagram

For instance, 9...tt:lc6 is considered to be the safest continuation, avoiding the pin with .ie3 . 10.°iVe2 (probably the best chance for White since after 10.l:f.el �cS! l 1 .'YWf3 tLlh6! 1 2 .tt:lc3 tt:ld4 Black is better in all lines, Asensio Linan-Vasquez Schroeder, Barcelona 2014) 1 0 ...tt:lb4!? 1 1 . �xh7. Here, l 1 ...�e7!? was played once (the computer gives 1 1 ...tLlh6!?+ as best) 12 . .ixg80 �xg8 1 3 .tt:lc3 .l:th8!? and the position looks fine for Black, with the idea 14.'i:Vf3 f6!. 9... 'ifxd4

.! ll •

•

1 0. ttJc3 A) 1 0 . .l::te l .ld.c8!? 1 1 .tLlc3 a6! is similar to Black's main weapon; 47

Part I - Advance Variation: l .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . e5 B) I O.°iYe2 C/Je7 l I .C/Jd2 (I I .C/Jc3 C/Jc6 t::,. 12.C/Jbs �xeS!+; 1 1 .�hl C/Jc6 12.f4 C/Jb4 13.�bs 0-0-0 14.C/Jc3 �cs+) l 1 ...C/Jc6 1 2.C/Jf3 �b6 13.�e3 �cs 14.�xcS �xcS I S . .l::i.fcl °iYe7+ - analysis. 1 0... 'ifxe5 Taking the second pawn is not a mistake, but it is a risky decision, and White gets full compensation in an open position. There is no time for natural develop­ ment: 10 ...tlle 7?! 1 1 .C/JbS! �xeS 1 2.�el °iVb8 and now 1 3.°iVf3 !?� with good results for White. For instance, 13 ... eS 14.l:heS ! �xeS 1 S .�f4t, Magem Badals-Purgimon, Andorra Zonal 1 987. t'fl"- WEAPON: IO ... a6! , defending against the threat of C/JbS , is by far the safest move.

analysis diagram

White has four natural continuations: A) 1 1 .'Mfe2 is the most popular line by far, but Black's position is solid af­ ter 1 1 ...l:!.c8 !?, preparing ... �cS: 1 2 . .ld.dl 'iVb6 (12 ... �cS!?) 1 3 .Whl �cs 14.'Mfg4 g6+ Startseva-Esebua, Mureck jr 1998; B) White has better statistics with 1 1 .Whl - but not after 1 1 ...°ifxeS ! 1 2.l:te l (12.f4 'Mfd6+) 12 ...'Mfd6+ and here, in comparison with the main game, Black has won a decisive tempo, ... a7-a6!; C) 1 1 ..l::!.e l is simply a useful move: 1 1 ...C/Je7 (1 1 ...llc8!?) 12.�e3 'iYxeS 1 3.°iVg4 (the forced line, which leads to a better position for Black. Also after the popular 13.�cS 'iVc7 the score is 2:7 for 48

Black) 1 3 ...hS! 14.'Mfb4 C/Jc6! 1S.'Mfxb7 l:i.b8 16.�xa6 C/Jb4 1 7.°iVa7 C/Jxd3+, Vazquez Torres-Moreno Ruiz, Madrid 2010; D) Finally, White's most recent try is 1 I .'iff3, for example: 1 1 ...C/Je7! 1 2.lidl 'ifxeS ! 1 3 .�f4 °iVf6 14.kte l .

analysis diagram

Here Black can simplify with 14 ... gS!, suggested by Watson on chesspublishing. com (14 ... �c6!? is the common answer here, but the results are not good: 1 S .'ifg3 C/Jg6 16.�gS °iYd4 1 7.l:!.adl °ifcS 1 8 .°ifh3 is extremely complicated) l S.�eS °ifxf3 1 6.gxf3 l:1g8 1 7.�xh7 l:rg7! 1 8.�d3 fS 1 9.�xg7 �xg7+ and Black gets a wonderful endgame. 1 1 . l:te1 'ifd6 Defending the dS-pawn. 1 1...'iYb8 1 2.C/Jxds �d6 13.'iVg+ (13.h3!? �c6 14.°ifg+ wfs

GM Orestes Rodriguez Vargas.

Chapter 4 - The Problematic 6. �d3 15.tllb4�) (13.VJl/hs Wf8oo) !3 ... Wf8 14. .2.d2 hS 1 5 .VJl/h3 exdS (15 ... �c6 16.tllb4�) 16.VJl/xd7 �xh2+ 1 7.Whl tllf6 18.'iYfs �d6 1 9.�acl 'tWd8 20.�gs� Borg-P.Nikolic, Kavala Zonal 1985. 1 2. tllbS!

1 2 ... 'ifbB? l 2 ... VJl/b6D with a possible draw by repetmon: 13.�e3 VJ/fas (1 3 ...VJl/d8? 14.�J4±) 14.�d2 'tWb6 15 . .2.e3 =. 1 3.'iff3!t Threatening 14. .2.f4. 1 3 ... ..tdS 1 4. 'ii'x dS? This leads to extremely unclear play. White is better after 14.tllxd6+! 'i¥xd6 1 S . .2.f4_. followed by 1 6 .'i¥g3 !. 14 ... hh2+ 1 5.�h1 a6 1 6. 'ifg5 g6 16 ...Wf8!?. 1 7.g3 h6?? The decisive mistake in a sharp position.

After the correct defence 1 7... .2.xg3 ! 18.fxg3 .2.c6+ 1 9.Wh2 axbSoo Black re­ mains three pawns up in an open position. 1 8.'ii'c S!+Considerably improving the position of the queen - see move 21 ! 1 8 ... ..txg3 1 9.fxg3 axbS 20.i.f4 'ifa7

21 Jbe6+!! A n amazing and highly effective combi­ nation. The black fortress collapses im­ mediately. 21 ...fxe6 Or 21 ....2.xe6 22.-2.xbs+ �d7 23 . .id.el+ Wd8 24.VJl/c7#. 22. hg6+ �dB 23.'ii'fB+ Black resigned. It's mate next. This relatively old game shows why the gambit has been popular for so long.

Summary of'The Problematic 6.�d3': _.\ccepting the gambit leads to a complex game. After sacrificing his central pawn White leads in development, the position is quite open and in addition the black king remains in the middle. Therefore, deep knowledge and a sharp tactical eye are the two decisive factors when playing this line for either side. In the Declined line, after the exchange �d3xtllf5 , usually the better positional player (on either side) manages to outplay his opponent without much risk. 6 . �d3 may not yield White much, but the game is not forced even after Black accepts the gambit ( 6 . . . cxd4 7 .cxd4 .2.d7) , and so new improvements may be found at any point.

49

Part I AdvanceVariation: I .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 .e5 -

Chapter 5

-

A Dynamic Set-up against

N imzowitsch 's Gambit

Game 1 0 - The Nimzowitsch Gambit 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 cs 4. '#g4 •

The attacking move �g4 is basically the sharpest option for White in all the main lines of the French Defence. In this oldest gambit variation, after bringing the queen to the kingside, White's idea is co block the centre first (making use of Black's doubled cl-pawns) , and then to prepare the following set-up: tLlf3 , �d3 , 0-0, �e l , trying to develop an initiative in the centre - combined with pressure on the kingside with h2-h4. Nowadays, this variation is not a serious threat to the French, but it is quite popu­ lar in Internet games and a favourite of many club players. � STATISTICS: approximately 950 games = 53.2% in White's favour. In practice, as Black I usually faced this gambit in rapid and blitz games (also on playchess.com, under the hand­ le CapNemo) , when there is not much time to concentrate on the opening phase. Therefore, I focused on the most dynamic anti-gambit options for Black, against typi­ cal white play. 4...cxd4 is the principled response (two interesting alternatives were played by classical masters: Alekhine's 4 . . . tLlc6 , and Botvinnik's tricky check 4 . . . �a5 +) . s.tLlf3 tLlc6 6.�d3 The well-known classical grandmaster Aaron Nimzowitsch was the first successful explorer of this gambit idea - see his stem game against Jeno Szekely in J 9 2 7 .

50

Chapter 5

-

A Dynamic Set-up against Nimzowitsch 's Gambit: 4. �g4

This is the key opening position of the French Advance Gambit. Among several good and bad ideas (see the options I give on moves 6 and 7 ) , our main line is the following: 6 ... tt:Jge7! 7.0-0 tLlg6! 8 .l:f.e l Vi'c7! 9. 'tWg3 f6! . Black's set-up is extremely active, with great pressure on e5 (which was the fundament of Nimzowitsch's attacks) . As the above diagram shows, with his energetic play Black has created a crisis in the middle of the board. Now White has to make some tough decisions . .

.m::- sTATISTICS: beside my own Internet/OTB practice, there are only 1 3 games in MegaBase=8.5 points for Black.

c 1

Part I - Advance Variation: l .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . e5

A Dynamic Set-up against Nimzowitsch's Gambit - Games GAME 10 - 4. 'ti'g4

Caralho Voador CapNemo (Moskalenko) playchess.com 2009

Since the 'dynamic anti-gambit set-up' is still hardly developed in tournament practice, I am forced to use one of my Internet blitz games as a model game. 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.es cs 4. 'ifg4

The oldest gambit begins with White's most active anti-French move. However, according to general chess rules this at­ tack should be premature PUZZLE: Keep in mind the trans­ position to the main line: 4.�d3 cxd4 5.�g4 etc. 4... cxd4! There are two interesting alternatives: A) Natural development with 4 ... lt:Jc6!? s.lt:Jf3 lt:Jge7!? (5 ... cxd4 leads to the main line) 6 .c3 (6.dxcS lt:Jg6!?b8 1 7.h4 'it>a8 1 8.h5 h6 1 9.CLJM Jl..e 7 20.CLJeg2 ndg8 2 1 ..ie3 g6 22.'it>hl .ie8 23.�e2 g5! 24.CLJf3 CLJd7 25.CLJh2 [5 26.exf6 CLJxf6-+ Korneev-Pogorelov, Collado Villalba 2000. Black is ready for l 1 .b4?!: l 1 ...cxb3 1 2.�b2 (if 1 2.CLJxb3 �a4 1 3.CLJfd2 'iVxc3+) 12 ...CLJc8 1 3 .CLJel tbb6 14.CLJd3 CLJbc4+ Orti Boix-Moskalenko, Tarragona 2008. 1 1 . t2Jg6!? An unexpected meeting ofking's knights. 1 2.t2Jdf3 This plan does not seem too promising. But l 2.CLJxg6 doesn't offer White much either: 1 2 ... hxg6 1 3.CLJf3 CLJb3 14.�g5!? (trying to exchange dark-squared bishops) 14 ... a5!? 1 5 .h3 b5�. 1 2 ... ttJxh4 1 3.ltJxh4 f&.e7 1 4.l{jf3 ..

analysis diagram

65

Part I Advance Variation: l .e4- e6 2 .d4- dS 3 .es -

1 4...fS!? Building a fortress in Dutch Stonewall style. Another strategic move is 14-... h6!?, pre­ venting �gs. 1 5 . .tgS White has equalized, but the 'moral' advantage and the advantage in space favour Black. 15.exf6?! gxf6 16 . .l::!.e l 0-0-0 would give Black a nice game. 1 5... .tc6 1 6.g3?! 16.�xe7 'lliYxe7 1 7.tlld 2 tllb 3=. 1 6 ...0-0-0 1 7.be7 'iVxe7

24... gxf4 2s.:12 ,:[fS--+

:hg8

26. 'ii'c2

Black has excellent attacking chances, while White still has no real counterplay. 27.'iti>g1 ,:[fgS 28.,:[d1 'ifhS 29.�h1 ,:[fS! ? and White resigned, probably i n view of 30 ... 1:1'.g3 !. In the Labyrinth System with 6 ... c4-, you can also find your own paths. In the next game we see another idea for Black: the immediate break 9 .. .f7-f6.

Black has completed his development and he now has some advantage: more space and greater piece activity. 1 8.lLlh4 Displaying something of an obsession in bringing his knights to h4-. Either White underestimated the danger, or he didn't see a decent alternative. 1 8 ... gS! 1 9. lLlg2 f4! ? Vaganian immediately takes the oppor­ tunity to seize space on the kingside and take the initiative there. 1 9... hS!?-+. 20.�h1 If 20.gxf4- gxf4- 2 1 . �g4- 1:1'.df8i with the idea ... �e8-�g6. 20 ... :dta 21 . .ths lLib3 22.f3 .tea An even stronger option was to include 22 ... fxg3 ! 23.hxg3 �e8. 23. .bee 'iVxea 24.gxf4 24-.�e2 fxg3 25.hxg3 hS-+.

66

GAME 14 Yury Lapshun (2479) Viktor Moskalenko (2560) Banyoles 2007 (9)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.es cs 4.c3 'ifb6 5.llJf3 lLlc6 6.a3 c4 7.lLlbd2 lLlaS In my opinion, this reply is almost forced. For 7.. .f6!? see Game 2 1 . a. .te2 .id7 9.0-0 f6! ?

Chapter 6 Labyrinths of the Old System: 6 . . . c4 -

_.\n ultra-modern move order, m1xmg the blockade idea with that of the classic French break. The text prepares ...tt::lh 6f7. 9 ,�e7!?; 9... tt::lh 6!?; 9... tt::le 7 is more common (Games 1 1 , 1 3 and 22). 1 0. .l:.e1 _.\ logical move. In this line, other moves lead to complicated play: A) 1 0.exf6 gxf6! 1 1 .l::!.b l 0-0-0 12.b3 cxb3 1 3 .tt::lxb3 �a4!+:t Kosikov-Liukin, Kiev 2005; B) 10 . .l:Ibl tt::le 7 l I .b3 cxb3 12.c4 'iic 7 13.c5 tt::lg 6 (13 ... �a4!?) 14.exf6 gxf6 1 5.�d3 tt::lf4 (15 ... �a4!) 16.tt::lxb3 tt::lxd3 l 7.'i!Vxd3 tt::lc 6 1 8 . �e3 0-0-0oo Wall­ Pert, London 200 1 . 1 0 ... tt:\hG It would be premature to play 1 0 ... 0-0-0 1 1 .l::!.b l intending 1 2 .b3t. 1 1 .b3 �y opponent tries to open up the game. He should have prepared this advance with 1 1 .l::!.b l!? and if 1 1 ...tt::lf ??! (better is l l ...f5!?) 1 2 .b3 cxb3 1 3.c4! White has the initiative. 1 1 ... cxb3 1 2 . .tb2 �e7!

Black finally closes the centre. 16 ... tt::lc 6!? was another option. 1 7.has 'ii'xas 1 8.ll\xb3 'ii'c7 1 9. 'ifd2 h4 20 . .l:.eb1 b6 21 .cxbG axb6 22.ll\c1 'ifc3!

Preparing an escape route for the king in the centre. 1 3 ... 0-0 is the correct plan after b2-b3. 1 3.c4 0-0!� With equal chances. 1 4. �d3 :ace 1 5.cS 'ii'c7 1 6. �c3 fS!

A typical French ending. The white pawns on a3 and d4 are significant weaknesses. 27 ... .1:.bcS 28.a4 �d8 29.�1 f2 bS 33. 'ite3 tLixeS 34.tLixeS l:txeS+ 3S. 'itf2 l:tgs 36.�f3 as 37.g4 'ifi>d6 38. 'ifi>g3 :g7 39. 'ith4 b4 40.axb4 axb4 41 .gS+ 112-112

The draw in this position is a gift to White. Summary of Uhlmann's plan: The immediate 7.g3 f6! offers dynamic play. Black's idea is to open up the centre in order to exploit the weaknesses created by g2-g3. However, I am not sure that this is absolutely necessary. Logically, the main idea behind 6 ...c4 is to play with a closed centre, at least until the end of the opening. In the variation with 6 ... c4 it is perhaps better to postpone ... f7-f6 and develop the minor pieces first.

GAME 21 Alexander Grischuk (2669) Yannick Pelletier (2531 ) Biel 2001 (4)

Now Black is clearly better and he keeps the advantage until the end of the game. 1 8. �g2 gS!? 18 ... 1:!.fs+. 78

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.es cs 4.c3 tLic6 S.tLlf3 'iVb6 6.a3 c4 7.tLlbd2 f6 Black does not play the usual 7...lLiaS , but instead exerts pressure on the centre.

Chapter 6 Labyrinths of the Old System: 6 . . .c4 -

12 . .2.f3 0-0 1 3.�e2 'Wiie ? 14.g3;;!;; T.Pahtz­ Uhlmann, Nordhausen ch-DDR 1 986. 1 0.dxeS

It's not clear at this point who will profit from the immediate opening of the centre. 8. .ie2! The best reply. After castling White will be ready to engage in action in the centre. A) 8.g3?! is similar to the previous game: 8 .. .fxeS ! 9.tDxeS tDxeS 1 0.dxeS �cs 1 1 .'W!ihs+ g6 1 2 .'tWe2 tDe7 1 3 . �g2 �d7 14.0-0 0-0-0+:t Honfi-Uhlmann, Solingen 1 974; B) 8.b3 is not very appealing: 8 ... fxeS 9.bxc4 e4 1 0 .tDM (10.tLlgS tDf6+) lO ... ttJf6 l l .g3?! .2.e7 1 2 . �bl 'tWc7 l3.�e2 0-0 14.0-0 tLlaS with advantage to Black, Enders-Uhlmann, Eggesin ch­ DDR 1978. 8...fxe5! ? This is Uhlmann's plan. Trying to mix .. .f7-f6 with other 'Laby­ rinth' plans would now be a serious mis­ take: 8 ... �d7 9.0-0 0-0-0? 1 0.b3! cxb3 l l .tDxb3 'Wiie? 1 2 . �bl .2.e8 1 3 . �f4i Sveshnikov-Meshkov, Podolsk 1 990. 9.tiJ>CeS 9.dxeS is worse: 9 ... ttJh6 10.0-0 �cs l l .b4 �xf2+N (or 1 1 ....2.e?!?+:t; two games) 1 2 . .l:i.xf2 tLlg4 1 3 .'Wliel 0-0�. 9 ... tiJ>Ce5 Uhlmann's other idea is rapid develop­ ment with 9...tDf6, but White is more comfortable after 1 O.f4! .2.d6 1 1 . .2.hs+ ( ! i .tLldf3, planning 0-0, 'tWc2, @hl , �e3, i s suggested by Sveshnikov) l l ...g6

Another key moment. 1 0.. .tcs .s' TRICK: 1 0 ...ttJh6? l 1 .tLlxc4! dxc4 T.Pahtz-Uhlmann, W 1 2 . .2.xh6-+ Erfurt 198S. 1 1 .0-0 �7 Alternatively, 1 1 ...'W!ic?!? is mteresting, and if 1 2.b4!? as in the main game, Black has 1 2 ... .2.b6!. 1 2.b4!? In this way White gains the bishop pair and he can fight for the initiative, while Black will have the better pawn struc­ ture. A complicated option is 12.�hS+!? g6 1 3.�g4 .

analysis diagram

1 3 ... hS!? ( 1 3 ... .2.d?) (13...0-0) 14. .2.e2 (14.�h3?! gS!) 14 ... �d? l S.�bloo and the game ended in a draw on move S6, Vallejo Pons-Pelletier, Biel 2002. 79

Part I AdvanceVariation: l .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 .es -

1 2 ... cxb3 1 3.llJxb3 0-0 1 4. llJxcS 'ii'xcs Uhlmann has played this position three times.

1 5. \i'd3! This is the best square for the white queen. A) The move 1 5 .'iVc2?!, played in Haba­ Uhlmann, Wattens 1 996, is passive. Now 1 5 ...tLlfS!? was best; B) Also after l S.'iVb3 tLlfS 1 6.a4 V/l/c7 1 7.�a3 !:if? 1 8 . .l::f.ael ild7 1 9.�d3 .l:!.c8 20.ilb2 'iVc6= Black's position is not worse, J.L.Roos-Uhlmann, Germany Bundesliga 1 997/98. 1 5 ... 'ii'c 7! The alternatives are worse. 1 6 . ..tgs Black is in good shape after 16.f4

Grandmaster Yan nick Pelletier is another 'Francophile' and a fan of an early . . . f7-f6. In this game he faces one of the greatest experts on the white side of the Advance Variation.

Moves like 1 7...tLlfS!? and 1 7...'iVcs+!? 1 8 .�hl .G.d7+:t are possible improve­ ments for Black. 1 8 . ..thS 'ifcS+

1 9.@h1 ?! An ambitious move by Grischuk. l 9.'iVd4! ? 'iVxd4+ 20.cxd4 g6 would have been equal. 1 9 .. :ne 20.:ab1 ?1 b6 Allowing a dangerous counter. 20 ... tLlfS!+ was necessary, when Black has an almost ideal position. 21 .c4! With complicated play. 21 ... tt:\fS! 22.cxdS h6� .

analysis diagram

1 6 ... .G.d? 1 7.ile3 .G.e8 1 8 . .G.g4 'lWc6! ? 1 9. .l:!.fcl �g6 20.V/l/d4 h S 2 1 . ilh3 .G.fs+ Illijin-Huss, Biel Open 2000. 16 ... :f7!? 1 7.f4 .i.d7 80

Chapter 6 Labyrinths of the Old System: 6 ... c4 -

K i

i

K• i

i i 'it' LS LS � � � b .t

We will now take a look at the successful career of the expert Evgeny Sveshnikov. We will check a whole series of his games against 6 ... c4 and try to under­ stand his ideas.

GAME 22 Evgeny Sveshnikov (2485) Vereslav Eingorn (2560) Palma de Mallorca 1 989 (7)

:\nd after a sharp and dramatic battle, rhe game ended in a draw on move 6 1 : 23.dxe6 i.xe6 24.i.g6 1Wc4 2S.1i'h3 taJ7 26.i.d3 1Wa2 27.'ifhS ttJfS 28.i.f6 i.dS 29.1i'g6 1Wxg2+ 30. 1Wxg2 i.xg2+ 31 . @xg2 taJ3+ 32.@h3 lLixf1 33.i.e7 l:tfe8 34. i.b4 taJ3 3S.l:te1 as 36.i.d6 l:tad8 37.i.g6 ttJc4 38.he8 l:txe8 39.l:td1 J:ld8 40.J:lc1 lLixd6 41 .exd6 l:txd6 42. @g4 �7 43. �s J:ldS+ 44. @e4 .l:ld2 4S . .l:lc7+ @go 46 . .l:lb7 l:txh2 47.l:txb6 J:lh3 48.fS l:txa3 49. .l:lbB+ @f7 SO . .l:lb7+ �6 S1.l:t b6+ @f7 s2.:b1+ @go s3.i:tbs+ @h7 S4 . .l:lb7 l:ta4+ ss.@es :a1 ss.:a1 @go s1.:as+ @11 sa.:a1+ @gs s9.:as+ ..th7 so.:a1 @he s1 .:as+ @h7 %-% Summary of the breakthrough 7...f6 after 7.tllbd2: This is a dynamic option, but quire risky as well. In general, White gains a lead in development and the bishop pair. It is difficult to analyse all the sharp possibil­ ;ries. In the 6 ... c4 variation, Black is quite solid, so after 7.tllbd2 I recommend that tie postpone playing .. .f7-f6 and activate his minor pieces first. In Game 14, for �nstance, the author successfully tried 7.�bd2 tlla S! 8.�e2 �d7! 9.0-0 and now 9.. .f6!?, although this is still com­ plicated. Summary A) B) C): -

-

1 .e4 cs 2.c3 e6 3.d4 dS 4.eS 1i'b6 S.ltJf3 ttJc6 6.a3 c4 7.ltJbd2! Now the main threat is 8.b3 !. 7... lLiaS! In my opinion, this move is forced. The first wins by Sveshnikov are characterized by a harsh punishment of his opponents for their typical mistakes: ..._.-- TRICK: 7...tllg e7?? 8 . �xc4 W dxc4 9.tllxc4 "i¥a6 1 0 .tlld6+ @d7 l l .tllxf7 1:1g8 1 2."i¥c2!?± and Black's position is awful, Sveshnikov-Milos, Budapest 1 988; A) Another dubious option is 7... �d7?!,

analysis diagram

where the expert found 8 .b3!t (if 8.l:1bl tlla S! returning to usual patterns: 9.�e2 tlle 7 1 0 .tllf l "i¥b3 (the exchange of queens is sufficient for equality, but if Black prefers more ambitious play rhe best option is 1 0 ...tllb3) l l .�f4 �a4 1 2."i¥xb3 �xb3 1 3 .tlle 3 tllg 6= Sveshnikov-Eingorn, Sochi 1 985) 8 ... cxb3 9.tllxb3 tlla S 10.tllx aS �xaS l l .�d2 �a4 1 2 .�bl ! �c6 1 3 . �d3± 81

Part I - Advance Variation: l .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 .eS (the desired set-up for White) 1 3 ...tt:Jel 14.0-0 h6 1 5.l:lc l ! tt:Jc8?! 1 6.c4! dxc4 l l.l:lxc4 'li'b5 1 8.'iYxbS .2.xb5 1 9. l:lxc8+ Ii.xc8 20 . .2.xb5+ and White won in Sveshnikov-Timman, Tilburg 1 992; B) There was only one game with the French break l.. .f6, which went 8 . .2.e2 gd7?! (another typical mistake, mixing different plans. A better option is 8 ... fxe5, Game 21) 9.0-0 0-0-0? 1 0.b3! t cxb3 l l .tiJxb3 'li'cl 1 2 . l:lbl .2.e8 13 . .2.f4±, Sveshnikov-Meshkov, Podolsk 1 990. 8.�e2 In recent years Sveshnikov has pre­ ferred the fianchetto 8.g3 .2.dl 9.h4 (9. .2.h3 is the 'Armenian fianchetto': 9... f5? (9... .2.el! is the most effective move, see Game 1 7) 10.exf6 gxf6 1 1 .0-0 0-0-0 1 2 . .l:t.bl �gl 1 3 . .!:!.el tt:Jh6 14.b3 ! cxb3 1 5.tt:Jxb3 .l::!.de8 16.�xh6! .2.xh6 l l.tlJc5 'ti'c6 1 8 .c4!-+ Sveshnikov-Simon Padros, Calvia 2001) and now:

Cheliabinsk 2004; the sharpest game continued: 9...°iYc6!? 10.tLlg5 h6 1 1 .lLlh3 'ti'a4 12."i!Vf3 V!fc2 1 3.lLlf4 tLlel 14.tLlg2 'ti'hl 1 5.b4! ! cxb3 1 6 . .2.d3 "i!Vg8 ll.l:lbl .2.a4 1 8.tLle3 l:lc8 1 9.c4!t dxc4 20.tLldxc4 lLlxc4 2 1 .tLlxc4 tLld5 22 . .2.d2 .2.el 23.0-0 g5? 24.h5 Vifgl 25.tLle3 .2.c6 26.lLlxd5 .2.xd5 2l. .2.e4 g4 28.'iVe2 .2.c4 29. .2.d3 gd5 30 . .2.bs+ l:lc6? 3 1 ..2.xc6+ bxc6 32.l:lxb3!? gxb3 33.l:lbl 0-0? 34.l:lxb3± Sveshnikov-Eingorn, Sochi 1 986) 10 . .2.h3 f5! 1 1 .exf6 gxf6 12.0-0 lLlh6 13 .l:lel -2.gl (13 ...lLlf5!? - Game 1 8) 14.l:lbl .l::!.he8 15.'iVc2 e5! 16.�xdl+ .!:!.xdl l l.'li'xhl?! f5 1 8 .h5?? e4-+ ... this was Sveshnikov's only defeat (after 36 moves), Sveshnikov­ Batchuluun, Turin Olympiad 2006. Summarizing: In the fianchetto lines Sveshnikov has not demonstrated any advantage or, for that matter, any especially effective plans for White. He gained his points thanks to his opponents' lack of knowledge or lack of attention in the sharp middlegame. 8... �d7 9.0-0

analysis diagram

9... 0-0-0 (the best plan, intending 10 ... f5!, which was discovered by Portisch - see Game l l; 9... h5 10.gh3?! lLlh6 1 1 .tLlfl tLlb3t 1 2.l:lbl tLlxcl 1 3.'ti'xcl 0-0-0 (13 ... ga4!) 14.tLle3 @b8 15.0-0 .2.el 1 6.tLlg2 g6 l l.tLlf4 �a4!=F Sveshnikov-Balashov, Novgorod 1 995; 9 ... tLlel!? (see also Game 12) 10 . .2.h3 �cl 1 1 .0-0 tLlc8 12.tLlel h5?! 13.l:lbl tLlb6 14.tLldf3 0-0-0 15.gg5 l:le8 1 6.tLlg2 .2.a4 ll.'li'e2 tLldl 1 8 .tLle3 @b8 1 9.gf4 tLlc6 20.l:lbeloo Sveshnikov-Golovanov, 82

This is a key moment in the line with 8 . .2.e2 (see Games 1 1 - 1 5). 9 ... t2Je7 1 0.l:te1 Awaiting the action in the centre. An equivalent alternative is 1 0. l:lbl ! ? and now: 1 0 ...h 6 ! ? (the old defence used by Petrosian. 10 ... tLlec6 1 1 . l:le l gel 1 2.'li'c2 l:lc8 ! ? 1 3 .lLlfl 'ti'b3 ! ? 1 4. gdl 'li'xc2 1 5. gxc2 tt:Jb3= Sveshnikov­ Donchev, Lvov 1983; 1 0 ... .2.b5! ? is an

Chapter 6 Labyrinths of the Old System: 6 ... c4 -

idea that looks odd to me: 1 1 .tlle l tllb 3 12.tllxb3 �a4 13 . .2.f4 �xb3 14.'ifd2 .'.bc6 1 5 .g3 tlla 5 1 6 .tllg2 �a4 1 7.�h5 �e7 1 8 .h4 h6 1 9.�e3 g6 20.�f3 tllb 3 21 .'ife2 0-0-0= Sveshnikov-Ivkov, Sochi 1 983) l 1 ..l:1el .2.c6 (1 1 ...tllc 8 1 2 .tllfl �b3?! 1 3.'ifxb3 tllxb3 14 . .2.f4 �a4 1 5 .tllg3 b5?! 1 6 .tllh 5oo Sveshnikov-Lutz, Berlin 1 989) 1 2 .tllfl "ifb3?! (better is 12 ... tllb 3 or 12 ... 0-0-0) 1 3 . �f4 �a4 14.'llVc l "ilib6 1 5 .tll3 d2 tllg 6 16 . .2.e3 ·8h4 1 7.f4 h5 1 8 . �f2 tllf5 1 9.tllg3 8xg3 20 . .2.xg3= Sveshnikov-Eingorn, Riga ch-URS 1985. 10... 'it'c6!? Showing a certain obsession with reach­ ing the 'magical' square a4 and ex­ changing the queens, but 1 0 ...tllec6 (or I O ...tllg 6!?) is more natural: 1 1 .�fl .2.e7 12.g3 0-0!?=. IO ... h6!? is also very solid, for example: I I ."ifc2 0-0-0 12 . .l:1bl @b8

analysis diagram

13 . .2.dl (1 3 .tllfl 'ii'b 3 1 4."ilixb3 tllxb3 1 5 . .2.f4 tllc 8 1 6 .tllg 3 1/2- 1/2 Sveshnikov­ �ikolenko, Moscow 1 991) 1 3 ... .l:1c8 (13 ...'ii'c 7 1 4.tllfl tllc 8 1 5.�e3 tllb 6 '.V /2 Sveshnikov-Vaisser, Sochi 1 985) 14.tllf l tllb 3!? 1 5. �f4 @as 16.tllg3 �a4 (16 .. .f5! ?) 1 7."ifeloo Sveshnikov-Casper, \foscow II 1 987. 1 1 . 'it'c2 ttJc:a This manoeuvre is not forced, but Ein­ gorn always brings his g8-knight to the queenside.

I

�

.I. .I.

� 8 : 1 2. ltJgS

� .I.

9 t! j_

.I.

.1. 8 8

.i

.I. .I. .I.

•

8 ttJ 8 V/if {ij .§i 8 8 8 � : �

1 2 . �dl tllb6 1 3 .tllf l (13 . .!d'.bl �a4!) 1 3 ...tllb 3 14 . .l:1bl tllx cl ! ?+:t. 1 2 ... h6 1 3.ltJh3 lLib6 1 4. ltJf4 0-0-0 1 5.lLihS 'it'c7 1 6.a4! TRICK: If 16 . .l:!.bl?? �a4! and the white queen has great trouble in escaping. 1 6 ... .tcs 1 7 . .td1 @be 1 a . .:e3!? Sveshnikov, on the other hand, always brings his army to the kingside.

ti(

1 8 ... .:ca 1 9.l:[g3 g6 20.tLit6 lLid7! Trying to exchange some pieces. 21 . ltJxd7+ 'ii'xd7 22.l:[f3 l:[c7 23. 'it'b1 'it'e8 24.h4?! A dubious advance, weakening his king. However, the two players are playing on different sides of the board. 24.b4!?. 24 ... hS?! A symmetrical mistake. Why not 24... g5!? or 24... .2.e7!?. 25.l:[g3 .td7 26.ltJf3 lLib3 27.hb3 cxb3 28.aS �bS 29.�gS �e2 30.�f6 l:[g8 31 .ltJgS �h6 32.ltJh3 �g4 33. �gS hh3 Sticking to the same strategy. 83

Part I - Advance Variation: l .e4 e6 2 . d 4 d5 3 .e5 34Jlxh3 .bgS 35.hxgS 'irda 3S. .:lg3 36.'tWcl !?. 3S... :cs 37. 'irf1 :as 3a. 'irbS :ea 39.c4 dxc4 40. .:lc3 :cs 41 .:Xc4 lbc4 42. 'irxc4 'Wxg5 43.aS :ca 44.'Wxb3 .:lc1 + 45.:Xc1 'irxc1 + 4S.�h2 'iff4+ Y2-% It's perpetual check. Summary of the players and plans: In most of his games Sveshnikov wins by taking advantage of his opponents' mistakes, but he obtains positions with no advantage. Grandmaster Eingorn, a reputed expert and a 'fan' of this line, followed his own concepts: trying to exchange the queens and to simplify the position as much as possible. This is the reason why he made some mistakes at key moments in his games against Sveshnikov. Tigran Petrosian has demonstrated some very rich possibilities in these posi­ tions, looking for creative plans instead of exchanging pieces. The most successful try was the 'Stonewall' set-up created by Portisch, and later also used by Rafael Vaganian. •

•

•

•

� Statistics - Summary of the Old Blockade System Nowadays the most popular continuation for Black is the blockading move 6 ... c4, preventing 7.b4 - we can find almost 3000 games (2840, approximately) in Mega­ Base, with an equal score for the two sides. • In this line the play is not spectacular during the initial moves, but it is a solid de­ fence which allows for a sharp middlegame and enjoyable tactics at a later stage. • White has some space advantage, but this factor is not too relevant in the po­ sitions that arise. • After castling queenside, Black often succeeds in developing an initiative on the kingside. • This seems to be another good and creative possibility for Black after 6.a3 - as long as you do not get lost in the Labyrinth! Focus your attention on the games played by the experts! Conclusions on the Advance Variation: At the moment, and after a long study of the various ways of playing against 3.eS, I am satisfied with both lines, since they allow Black to play real chess. I would point out that nowadays the historical move 3 .eS is not as popular as 3 . tl:lc3 (see Parts Three and Four) , so you should simply choose one of the two sys­ tems ( I . Forcing a counterattack with 5./6 ... 'tWb6/ tl:lh6, or 2. The solid plan with 6 ... c4) and study it well, in order to develop a strong weapon against the ambitious Advance Variation. 84

Part Two Weapons and Dog mas Tarrasch Variation - 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. ltJd2

Dedicated to Siegbert Tarrasch, Vasily Ivanchuk and Michael Adams A

Repertoire for White and for Black 'Dogmas exist to camouflage defects and fears' - the author

The illustrious grandmaster Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch ( 1 8 62- 1 934) was well known as an 'anti-dogmatic' chess player in the end of the I 9th-beginning of the 20th century. He was the first to play 3 . t2:ld 2 against the French.

A Bit of History In the period 1 8 9 1 -94, Dr. Siegbert Tarrasch played (in Germany) the historic first three games with the move 3 .4Jd2 and won them all. But during the rest of his career he mainly played 3 .4Jc3 when facing the French Defence. It should be noted that the (French) line 3 .4Jd2 cS 4.exdS exdS is quite similar to the Queen's Gambit with an iso­ lated pawn on dS, and thus it resembles the Tarrasch Defence. The theoretical question is: where in the French Defence is Tarrasch most conspicuously present? Strategies and Problems 3 .4Jd2 is undoubtedly more flexible than 3.eS. It supports the pawn on e4 and of85

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . ll'id2 fers a foundation for lines with very different structures and styles of play. It is true that it allows Black secondary escapes such as 3 ...dxe4, or, for instance, going into the Tarrasch Variation with 3 ... cS 4.exdS exdS. However, as we have already commented, the main aim of this book is getting to understand the genuine French Defence variations. The main problem for Black when facing 3 . tlld 2 is how to achieve satisfactory counterplay. In order to solve this problem, in Chapters 7-1 1 we will check the main lines after 3 ... tllf6 4.eS tllfd7, analysing some of the most interesting and dynamic lines in my repertoire. In most of the variations in Part Two, the keys that lead to black counterplay are the thematic breaks ... c7-c5 and .. .f7-f6. Exotic Deviations Chapter 1 2 - Investigates modern ideas like 3 ... �e7, an odd 'poker-style' move. Chapter 1 3 - Here we examine 3 .. cS 4.exdS �xdS!?, an interesting hybrid defence in French-Scandinavian style. .

This part is useful for increasing the second player's arsenal of weapons against 3 .tlld 2, in order to make his black repertoire more universal.

86

Chapter 7

-

Beyond Tarrasch

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.ttJd2 tllf6 4.es tllfd7

Introduction Ukrainian grandmaster Vasily Ivanchuk is one of the best-known modern chess players. In 2007 he reached second place in the world rankings. He tends to play all theoretical variations without any clear preference. However, when facing the French Defence he used to play 3 .tlld 2 very often; he played this move even in our last game in Barcelona 2005! - see Game 23. In this important key game we will discover some things about the French Defence; and we will try to expose some persistent dogmas and to show some new weapons.

Ukrainian top grandmaster Vasily !vanchuk (born I 969) is an incredibly versatile open­ ing player. But against the French Defence. he used to preferTarrasch's move 3 . /2Jd2.

Directions and Concepts In my view (I play this opening with black), if Black wants to enjoy the true spirit of the French Defence he should continue 3 ...tllf6!?. As usual, the pressure on e4 forces White to close the centre with 4.eS (4.�d3 cS 5.eS tllfd7 is a similar line). After 4 ...tllfd7 (see diagram above) the genuinely French (tem­ porarily blocked) positions arise. The black knight on d7 is rather passive (whereas in the Advance Variation 3.eS it is more flexible on its original g8-square). For this reason, Black must attack the centre immediately with his pawns by ... c7-c5 and .. .f7-f6, activating his minor pieces as well. In this position White has five interesting plans at his disposal, which we will inves­ tigate here and in the following chapters.

87

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tt:ld2 Dynamic alternatives in the most popular lines - 5.c3 c5 6.Qd3 tllc 6 7. tlle 2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 tllxf6 I O. tllf3 �d6 1 1 .0-0

Here Black has two different possibilities: 11 ... 0-0, see Game 23, and 11 ...'iVc7, see Game 24. Black can prepare the thematic sacrifice . . . llx tllf3 . This is an important resource in the middlegame, but also after the queens are exchanged.

88

Chapter 7 - Beyond Tarrasch: 3 . . . tLlf6 4.e5 tLlfd 7 Beyond Tarrasch - Games When analysing Ivanchuk's games, I noticed a little detail: sometimes he is un­ comfortable when his opponents counter­ attack! In certain cases he prefers to play safer, technical lines, trying to exploit a minimal advantage. This knowledge was the key to my preparation and my strategy during this important game (we had both won our three previous games in this short tournament).

A) Theory has always condemned 7... f6. Psakhis: 'This once popular move can today only be encountered in the first rounds of open tournaments.' However, we will continue our analysis, testing the dogmas: 8 .tLlf4 (the advantage of 7... f6 is clear in the variation 8 .exf6 'iVxf6!? (preparing ... e6-e5) 9.tLlf3 �d6 1 0.0-0 0-0+z; the presence of the pawns on c3 and c5 favours Black) 8 ...'iVe7

GAME 23 Vasily lvanchuk (2748) Viktor Moskalenko (2529) Barcelona 2005 (4)

1 .d4 e6! ? 2.e4 Played immediately. 2 ... d5 3.lbcl2 ttJf6!? Played genuinely! 4.e5 PUZZLE: 4.�d3 c5 5.dxc5 (5.e5 transposes) 5 ... dxe4 6.tLlxe4 tLlxe4 7.�xe4 'iVxdl+ 8.'it>xdl �xc5 9.�e2 tLld7= Vinogradov­ Moskalenko, Alushta 1 999.

..

4 ... ttJfd7 5.c3 cs 6 . ..td3 ttJc6 7.&De2 This is the most natural development. The other knight will go to f3 .

7... cxd4!? Black was always considered to be forced to exchange the central pawns before playing .. .f7-f6.

analysis diagram

9.tLlf3 !? (this is the only defence. If 9.'iVhs+ 'iVf7+z Black looks OK, for ex­ ample 10.�g6? hxg6 1 1 .'iVxh8 fxe5=i=) 9... cxd4! (an inferior option is 9 ... fxe5?! 1 0.dxe5! tLldxe5 1 1 .tLlxe5 tLlxe5 1 2 .'Wh5+ tLlf7 1 3 . �xh7! 'iVg5 14.�xg5 tLlxg5 1 5.�c2 tLlf7 1 6 .tLlg6;;!;; with a solid advantage for White, Motwani-De Jager, Netherlands tt 1996) 1 0.cxd4 (or 1 0.exf6 'i¥xf6!+:t) 1 0 .. .fxe5 1 1 .dxe5 tLldxe5 1 2.tLlxe5 tLlxe5 1 3 .°iVh5+ tLlf7 14.0-0 (now 14.�xh7? does not work in view of 14 ...'i¥b4+! 1 5 . �d2 'iVxb2+) 14 ... g6 1 S.'i¥e2 �g7! 16.�b5+ 'it>f8 1 7.�e3�. In return for his pawn, White has an edge thanks to his better development and the good positions of his pieces. However, things are not clear yet; B) I have tested 7 ... 'iVb6 in several games, trying to exchange the queens: 8.tLlf3 cxd4 9.cxd4 �b4+ 1 0.�d2 (in the AVRO tournament of 1 93 8 , Alekhine defeated Capablanca with 1 0.'it>fl ! ?, but 89

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tbd2 1 0 .. .f6 instead of Capablanca's 1 0 ...tbe? leads to a complicated position after 1 1 .tlJf4 tbdxe5!? 1 2.dxe5 fxe5oo) 1 0 ... �xd2+ 1 1 .�xd2 �b4.

analysis diagram

In the ensuing endgame Black is slightly passive, but he has no weaknesses, for instance: 1 2.a3 (12 . .l:f.cl 'tWxd2+ 1 3.@xd2 tlJb6 14.b3 �d7 1 5.tlJf4 0-0!? 1 6.h4 f6+:t Korneev-Moskalenko, Sants 1 999) 12 ...�xd2+ 1 3 .@xd2 tbb6 14.b3 �d7 1 5 . .l:f.acl f6+:t Narciso Dublan-Moskalenko, Catalunya tt 2004. 8.cxd4 f6!

Black attacks the centre in order to acti­ vate his minor pieces. 9.exf6 The immediate attack 9.tbf4 will be analysed later, in Games 25 and 26. TRICK: 9.f4?! does not work here: 9 .. .fxe5 ! 1 0.fxe5? (better 1 0 .dxe5 tbc5=F) 1 O ..tt:Jxd4! 1 1 .tlJxd4 'iVh4+ favours Black.

1('

.

90

9... tbxf6 1 O.ltJf3 ..td6 1 1 .0-0

The key position of the main line 3 .tbd2 tbf6. Black has several options. 1 1 ...0-0!? This natural move allows the strategic exchange of the dark-squared bishops. 1 1 ...�c? is more ambitious, controlling the b8-h2 diagonal. See Game 23. 1 2 . ..tf4 According to theory, White has a slight advantage in this line, but I think that Black has enough resources to equalize. The main line is: 1 2 ... ..txf4 ffl"- WEAPON: My favourite line in order to complicate is 1 2 ...tbh5!? (91 games in MegaBase) 1 3.�xd6 �xd6.

analysis diagram

With the idea of the thematic sacrifice 14 ... l:f.xf3 !?, for example: A) 14.�c2 h6!? 1 5 .tlJg3 tlJf4+:t 1 6.a3? tbxg2! 1 7.@xg2 l:f.xf3+ R.MilosCapNemo, playchess.com 2008;

Chapter 7 - Beyond Tarrasch: 3 . . . ttJf6 4.eS ttJfd7 B) 14.lLlg3 lLlf4� 1 5 . �c2 a6 l6.ne1 �d7 1 7.ncl g6!? 1 8.a3 nae8 1 9.°iYd2 lLlh3+! 20.@h1 nxf3! ? 2 1 .gxf3 nf8 22.'li'h6? eS! 23.tLlhS nf7 24.dxeS lLlxeS-+ Kobalia-Moskalenko, play­ chess.com 2005; C) 14.ncI nxf3 !? (14... a6 1 s.ne 1 nxf3!? 1 6.gxf3 �d7 1 7.lLlg3 lLlf4� Maratonac-CapNemo, playchess.com 2007) 1 5.gxf3 �d7 16.�bs nf8 1 7.nc3 nf6 1 8.lLlg3 ttJf4� 1 9.nel °iYf8 20.a3 nh6!-+ 2 1 . �xc6 �xc6 22.nes °iYf6 B.'i:Yb3 'i:YM 24.tLin ng6+ 2s.tLig3 �h3 0-1 Atlas-Lion-CapNemo, play­ chess.com 2006; D) 14.'li'd2 a6!? (in order to avoid the strategic idea �bS and �xlLlc6, controlling the eS-square. However, 14 ... nxf3! ? 1 5.gxf3 �d7 1 6 .'li'gs g6 1 7.nadl nf8� Basas Gamazo­ Moskalenko, Catalunya 2006, or 14 ... �d7!? 1 s.nadl nxf3 ! ? 1 6.gxf3 nf8 1 7.'li'e3 eS!? 1 8.dxeS lLlxeS 1 9.f4 lLlxd3 20.'iYxd3 lLlxf4 2 1 .tLlxf4 nxf4� Wolff-Moskalenko, Wijk aan Zee B 1992) 1 5.l::tacl (15.'iYe3 lLlf4! 1 6.lLlxf4 �xf4=) 1 5 ... nxf3! ? ( 1 5 ... �d7 1 6.'li'e3 tLlf4=) 1 6.gxf3 (White has many weak­ nesses in his pawn structure and his king is unsafe now) 1 6 ... �d7 1 7.°iVgS (1 7.°iVc2 lLlf4!? 18.�xh7+ Wh8 19.�d3 nf8�) 17 ... g6�. Black's plan is ... nf8 and ...lLlf4.

analysis diagram

1 8 .@hl !? nf8! 1 9.ngl ltJf4! (the game is complicated and interesting for both sides) 20.'iYg3 (20.�bl nf7 ! ? 2 1 .lLlxf4 'iYxf4 22.'iYxf4 nxf4 23.ng4!? .r!xf3� with a typical French ending, Gergoo­ CapNemo, playchess.com 2008) 20 ...'iYb8!? 2 1 . ngdl (more logical is 2 1 .l::tcdl oo) 2 1 ...nf6! (preparing 22 ...'iYf8) 22.b4 lLlxb4 23.nbl??T �a4!-+ Garrido Dominguez-Moskalenko, Roquetas de Mar 2006. Summary of the plan with 1 2 tLlhS : Black has good counterchances after the extremely interesting sacrifice ... nxttJf3. Otherwise, the positions are quite balanced. 1 3. ttJxf4 l004 Another key position. •..

1 4.l!Vc1 Here is an overview of the most impor­ tant alternatives: A) 14.ltJhS g6 (14...'li'b6! ?) 1 5.tLlg3 lLlxg3 1 6.hxg3 'iYb6 1 7.°iVa4 a6! with equality, Rios Parra-Moskalenko, Cata­ lunya tt 2002; B) 14.g3 gS! ? (14 ...�f6 1 5.h4 h6 16.tLleS lLlxd4�) 1 5 .tLlhS �d7 16.lLleS �e8!�; C) If 14.lLle2 the typical sacrifice 14 ... nxf3 is more popular, but also more complicated: (14 ... �d7! ? with quiet play, for example: 1 5.�xe4 dxe4 16.tLld2 °iYh4! 1 7.�b3 b6=) 1 5.gxf3 tLlgS. 91

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . �2

analysis diagram

In general terms, White must be slightly better, but there are plenty of compli­ cations: 16.c;tih l ! (16.f4 tLlh3+ l l.@hl �h4d2 ..to>f7 28.'it>e3 'it>f6 29.g3 tLice 30.tLif4 �ea 31 . �d3 tbd6 32.b3 After this game and our post-mortem, Ivanchuk more often chose 3 .tLlc3!?.

1 6 ... 1Wxc1 17 .l:axc1 a6!= After this important prophylactic move Black equalizes without trouble.

Black's game is very solid, leading to a probable draw. The problem is that he is

t(

92

Summary of 1 1

...

0-0:

Chapter 7 Beyond Tarrasch: 3 . . . tt:Jf6 4.eS tt:Jfd7 -

:oo passive to improve on this result. To :est the 'dogmas', it is very interesting : o analyse almost forgotten possibilities such as 7.. .f6!?, 12 ... hS, 1 7 ... a6! and many Jther lines after 1 1 ...0-0!?.

the following game, Black changes '.:is 1 1th move, activating his queen and ::-ying to complicate. In these lines the :b.ematic sacrifice ... .!:f.xtLlf3 can be an ::-nportant resource, both in the middle­ .same and after the exchange of queens. =n

GAME 24

Sergey Fedorchuk (241 5) Viktor Moskalenko (2469) Alushta 1 999 (3)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ttJd2 tl:if6! 4.e5 lllfd7 5 . .td3 c5 6.c3 tl:ic6 7.tfJe2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6! 9.exf6 tl:ixf6 1 O.tl:if3 .td6 1 1 .0-0 'ifc7!?

Ukrainian GM Sergey Fedorchuk is another protagonist of the 'Beyond Tarrasch' move J . Cilc:l2. He appears throughout Part Two as White in many games.

1 2 . .tgS With the popular manoeuvre �g5h4-g3, White continues the fight for the h2-b8 diagonal. The main alternatives are: A) I think that the manoeuvre start­ ing with 12.tLlc3 is too hasty, since the knight is more effective on e2 than on this square: 12 ... a6 1 3 . �gS 0-0 14.�M

•

-:-he ideas behind this move are analysed :n many books on the French Defence, md are easy to understand: Black con­ :rols the b8-h2 diagonal, reinforces his cS-point and temporarily avoids the -:: xchange of the dark-squared bishops. .-\lso, the black queen is more active :m the seventh rank and does not iisturb the development of the queen­ side. However, these factors are not :oo noticeable at this point, and White -:: ontrols the situation.

i. l 'iV 11 1 � i. 1 � 1 8 tlJ � 88

:

analysis diagram

14 ...tLlhS!? (alternatively, l 4... g6 1 5.l:tcl tt:Jhs 1 6.tLla4 �d7 1 7.tt:Jes llf4!? 18.�gs l:lxd4 1 9.tLlxd7 �xh2+ 20.@hl �f4 2 1 .tLlf6+D tt:Jxf6 22.�xf6 eS+: Kuijf­ Moskalenko, Wijk aan Zee B 1 992) 93

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . l2Jd2 1 5 . .l:i.el g6 1 6 . .l:i.cl Af4 1 7. .l:i.c2 'ifg7 1 8 .i..f l �d7 1 9.tlie2?! gd6

analysis diagram

20.a3 h6! 2 1 .tlig3 tlif4 22.tlie2 tlih5 (22 ...tlih3+!?) 23.gg3 tlixg3 24.tlixg3 .l:i.f4 (24... .!:1xf3!) 25 .tlie2 l:If7 26.'i¥d3 .l:i.af8 and Black is clearly ahead, as in Kruppa-Moskalenko, Kharkov 1 984; B) 1 2 .g3!? intending 1 3 .�f4, brings us back to simplification: 1 2 ... 0-0 1 3 .i..f4

analysis diagram

1 3 ...tlig4!? (the most creative idea for Black; 1 3 ... e5?! 14.dxe5 tlixe5 1 5 .tlixe5 �xe5 1 6 . .l:i.cl;;!;; 1 3 ... .id? 1 4. .l:i.cl tlie4!? intending 1 5 .tlie5 Axe5! 1 6 .i..xe5 'i¥b6+:t Gomez-Ganguly, Guangzhou 2010) 1 4. .l:i.cl Axf4 1 5.tlixf4 .l:i.xf4! 16.gxf4 'iWxf4 1 7.�e2 tlif6!?� (Black's position is quite satisfactory) 1 8 .'ti'd2 (18.�hl tlie4!�) 1 8 ...'i¥xd2 1 9.tlixd2 tlixd4= Heinemann-Kipper, Germany Bundesliga 2009/ 1 0. 1 2 ...0-0 1 3.l:tc1 94

1 3 ... tbhS!? An original and effective manoeuvre: the idea is .l:i.xtlif3. Other possible move orders are: /fl"- WEAPON: 1 3 ...tt:Jg4!? 1 4.h3 (14.tlig3 �b6!+:t Jobava-Larino Nieto, 2007) Torrelavega 14 .. Jhf3! 1 5.hxg4 .l:i.f?+:t. A) Another popular line is 13 ... �d? 14.tlig3 h6 1 5 .i..d 2 �b6!? 1 6 .i..c 3 Af4 1 7. .l:i.c2oo Korneev-Moskalenko, Moscow 1 995; B) 13 ... a6 is quite similar to the main game: 14.�h4 g6 (or 14 ... tlih5 1 5 .'ti'c2 h6= Alsina Leal-Moskalenko, Barce­ lona 2004) 1 5.�g3 tlih5 1 6 . .ixd6 °iVxd6 1 7.°iVd2 �d7 ( 1 7... .l:i.xf3!? Kolev­ Moskalenko, Castellar 1 999) 1 8.�e3 tlif4=. 1 4. .th4

1 4...gG!?

Chapter 7 - Beyond Tarrasch: 3 ... tllf6 4.eS tllfd7 In my opinion, this move is quite use­ ful: it defends the bl-h7 diagonal and prepares a queen's fianchetto with ... �g7, attacking the pawn on d4. It also enables the manoeuvre ...tllg7-f5. The immediate sacrifice is interesting: 14 .. Jhf3!? 1 5.gxf3 .ixh2+ 1 6 .Whl �d6gg. 1 5. 'iVd2N a6!? Preventing 16.�bS . .\gain, l 5 ... .ld.xf3 deserves closer analysis: 16.gxf3 .ixh2+ 1 7.Wg2 .if4 1 8 .tllx f4 �xf4+ 1 9.Whloo. 1 6.'iVe3 .id7 1 7. .ig5 :ae8 1 8 . .ih6 l:.f6 1 9.'iti>h1 'iVbB

.i

•

3lack's queen acts as a submarine, pre­ \"enting 20.tlle S. 20 . .ic2!? tllg 7!? The typical advance 20 ... eS leads to equality. 21 . 'iVd2 l:.ef8 22.0.eg1 .if4!? :Jnexpectedly, Black offers to simplify, :n order to profit from the passivity of :he remaining white pieces. ..\nother possibility was 22 ...bS!? with :he idea of ...�b6 (pressing on d4), ... �b8 and ...�c7+. 23.hf4 1Vxf4!? 24. 1Vxf4 .:.Xf4 ..\fter the exchange of queens, the pawn on d4 is weaker than the one on e6. 25.0.e2 l:.4f7 26.l:.fe1 0.eB! In order to activate the knight: ... tlle 8d6. 27.'iti>g1 ltJd6=F

28.l:.ed1 At this point my opponent was already rather short of time. So I decided to improve my position first, and then ap­ ply the main idea of ... .ld.xf3 . 28... 'iti>g7 29.h4 bS 30 . .ic2 h6 31 . .:.11 gs 32.tl:lg3? Now this knight is not defending d4. 32 ... .:.Xf3!

The most desired moment for a French Defence player! 33.gxf3 tllc4 33 ...tllxd4!+ was better, when the white pawns begin falling like ripe fruit . 34.0.e2 tllxb2 35.'iti>g2 tllc4 35 ... �e8!?. 36.l:.cd1 36.h4!?. 36 ... ..ieB! 37.tllg 3 hS! The black pawn avalanche decides. 38.l:.fe1 h4 39.0.e2 .ihS 40.tllg 1 l:.f6 41 . .ib1 �7 42. .ic2 l:.f4 43 . .id3 tllxd4 44 . .ixc4 bxc4-+ 95

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tlld 2 White's position is hopeless. 45.l:le3 g4! 46.fxg4 l:lxg4+ 47.@h3 l:lf4 48 ..:tf1 tllf3! ? 49.tllxf3 .b:f3 50.l:la3 d4 51 .l:lxaG d3 52 . .l:a7+ @16 53.l:td7 �dS 54.a4 c3 55.l:lc7 l:lc4 0-1

Summary of 1 1 . . '!1Vc7: This move is more aggressive than 1 1 . 0-0, and it can be used to change Black's way of playing the opening. White should try to simplify with g2-g3 and �f4, but this does not guarantee him any advantage. .

.

96

.

Chapter 8

-

Saito Mortale: 9. t2Jf4

This acrobatic knight manoeuvre creates the threat of 10.'li'hS+. This may be the :nost aggressive idea for White. Black can choose from three creative defences. 9 . . �e7 and 9 . .fxeS are relatively :-are options. However, the counter-jump 9 . . tLlxd4! offers more resources, and :herefore it is analysed more thoroughly in Games 2 5 and 2 6 . .

.

.

97

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tt:Jd2 Salto Mortale - Games GAME 25 Ni Hua (2621 ) Wang Hao (2622) Singapore 2006 (5)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tlld2 tllf6 4.es tllfd7 5.�d3 cs 6.c3 lllc6 7. llle2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9. lllf4

With this knight jump, with contempt for death, White wants to launch a direct attack with the threat of 1 O.°iVh5+. In these original lines the black king moves back and forth. 9 ... tllx d4!

Chinese Grandmaster Wang Hao fought like a samurai against his opponent's 'salto inortale ' .

98

The main response. Black is not afraid of entering the complications. PUZZLE: 9 ... 'iVe7 is an old line, which basically leads to Game 2 3 , see the analysis of 7.. .f6 there. t'fl*- WEAPON: 9 .. .fxe5!? is a fresh idea: 1 0.lt:Jxe6 (White has nothing after 1 0.°iYhs+ We7 1 I .lt:Jg6+? hxg6 1 2 .°iYxh8 e4+ Schuster-Wehner, playchess.com 2004) 1 0 ...'iVb6

..

analysis diagram

1 1 .°iVhs+ (1 1 .0-0!? lt:Jf6 1 2.dxe5 tt:Jxe5 1 3.lt:Jxf8 lt:Jxd3 14.�e2+ Wf7 1 5 .'ifxd3 l:1xf8± and a draw was agreed on move 57 in Battaglini-Ulibin, Winterthur 20 1 0) 1 l ...We7! 1 2.lt:Jxf8 (if 1 2.lt:Jg5 lt:Jf6! 1 3 .'iff7+ Wd8 and the black king is in great shape) 1 2 ...'it>xf8 1 3.dxe5 tt:Jdxe5! 14.�e2? (14.0-0 �g4 1 5 .'ifg5 h6!? 1 6.'iff4+ 'it>g8�) 14 ... �g4! 1 5 . �xg4 lt:Jd3+ 1 6 .Wdl D lt:Jxf2+- Vysochin­ Owczarzak, Warsaw rapid 2007. 1 0. 'it'hS+ @e7

Chapter 8 Saito Mortale: 9. tl'if4 -

1 1 .exf6+! PUZZLE: l l .tl'ig6+?! hxg6 1 2.exf6+ is a favourable trans­ position for Black: l 2 ...Wxf6! 1 3 .'iix h8 Wf7 and the white queen must lose more time to get back into play. 1 1 ... lbxf6 1 2. tt:Jg6+ hxg6 1 3. 'ii'x h8 @17! �ow that the position has stabilized, the play becomes calmer. The immediate 13 ... e5?! would appear to be weak: 14.�xg6 (14.tl'if3 transposes into the main line) 14 ...'iYa5 1 5.0-0! 8e2+ 1 6.Whl tl'ixcl 1 7.tl'if3 ! ± with the initiative for White. 1 4. 'ii' h 4 A) The following was a model game for Black: 14.0-0 e5 1 5 .tl'ib3 tl'ixb3 16.axb3 �f5 (the line 1 6 ... �e6!? 1 7.�g5 e4 18.�e2 'iVb6 brings good results for Black) 1 7.�xf5 gxf5 1 8 . �g5 .2.c5! with play typical of the 9.tl'if4 variation:

•

analysis diagram

TRICK: 1 5.0-0?? tl'ie2+ 1 6 .Whl �h4 0-1 Murillo-Minero Pineda, Costa Rica 1 997. A) 1 5 .g3? e5!t 16.fxe5 tl'if3+ 1 7.Wdl tl'ixe5 1 8 . �e2 tl'if6 1 9. .!d.fl �f5 20.tl'ib3 d4-+ Majdan-Arutyunova, Heraklio jr 2002; B) 1 5 .'iVh7 �h4+ 16.g3 'iVg4t 1 7.0-0 .2.d7! and White is lost because of the threat of 1 8 ...tl'ixg3! , Barbitsky1.Smirnov, St Petersburg 2000. 14 ...eS+t 1 5. tllf3 lbxf3+ An automatic move. Analysis of the re­ source 1 5 ...e4!? can be found in Game 26. 1 6.gxf3 .�..fS 17 . ..bfS gxf5 18 . ..tgS! The only chance to attack the black for­ tress.

:I ii

analysis diagram l 9.�h3!? (1 9.'iVxd8 l:!xd8=F) l 9...�d7 :'.O.b4 (20 . .2.xf6 'it>xf6!) 20 ... �b6 :'. l . �xf6!? Wxf6 22 . .l:i.a3 g6 23.'iYM+ �e6! 24.g4 f4 (24 ... �e7!?) 25 . .l:!el �g7 :'.6.�h3 e4! 27.gs+ Wd6 28.�g4 .l:i.fs+ and the endgame l:!-2.� vs l:!l:! is bet­ ter for Black. Kengis-Moskalenko, Lviv 1 984; B) 14.f4?! is met by the strong 14...tl'ih5! and now:

•i . � i i i� Yi' • • £::, £::, £::, £::, £::, }d }d � �

This well-known position is quite bal­ anced. 1 8 ... 'ii'aS+!? An evergreen check. The alternative is 1 8 ... .2.c5 1 9.0-0-0!? d4 (19 ... 'iVb6!?oo) 20.'t!\Yh3 (20.'it>bl 'iVh8!) 20 ...�d7 99

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tt::id 2 2 1 . �xf6 gxf6! (2 1 ...Wxf6? 22.nhgl t and White's heavy pieces guarantee him the initiative, Yandemirov-Moskalenko, Kemerovo 1 98S) 22.f4 e4 23.�b3+ We? 24. .l:i.hgl Wd6!oo (analysis). 1 9.@11 g6 Taking advantage of tactical motifs (20.�xf6 �a6+), Black prepares ...tLlhS or ... �g7 and ... nh8. This is probably not the only possible plan: 1 9... d4!? 20.wg2 (20 . .l:tcl �d6!?) 20 ... �d6 (20 ...�dS!?) 2 1 . .l:thel �dS 22J1acl .l:i.g8= Martin Rueda-Gonzalez Menendez, Mondariz 2004. 20.�xf6 More testing was 20.�h8!? �a6+ 2 1 .Wg2 l:{d8! (21 ...ne8?! 22.�acl �e7 23.�h6 �d6 24. .l:i.c2!t) 22.Ilacl �e7 23.�h6 (23 .�M �d6 24.nc2 lLlhs= Stukopin-Mokshanov, Loo ch-RUS jr 2014) 23 ...�d6 24.nc2 d4 2s.nhcI d3!+z (analysis). 20 ... 'ifa6+ 21 .g2 'ifxf6 22. 'ifa4!? White must keep the queens on the board. 22.�xf6+ is worse: 22 ...Wxf6 23.l:Iacl �d6gg.

22 ... 'ifc6! 23. 'ifb3 �h6! Holding off the white rooks. 23 ... �cS complicates matters: 24. .l:i.adl .l:i.d8 2S .h4!oo. 24.:ad1 .:I.dB 25.J:d3!? f7�. or else :apturing with the pawn: l 2 ... gxf6!? : 3 .fUxh8 tt:Je5gg_ 1 3.'ii'x hB @17 1 4. 'ifh4!? es 1 S.tl:)f3 e4! ? ...

:::enainly a creative idea. Its resources are ::.ased on the many intermediate checks :..::i the position. Still, this move has not ::-een played too often in practice.

1 6.tl)xd4 �b4+! A check in the style of the Fabulous Bu­ dapest Gambit! 1 7. rJ;;f1 With interesting complications. The white king will be a target. Psakhis's recommendation for White is 1 7. �d2!? �xd2+ 1 8.@xd2 'iYas+ (an­ other intermediate check) 1 9.@dl exd3 ...

analysis diagram

... and now the best move is 20.tLlb3!? (if 20.'iVf4? 'iVb4+; or else 20.f3? �d7 2 1 .'iYf2 �c8t 22 . .l:i.el? .l::!.c4! 23."tWe3 'iVb4 0 - 1 , And.Horvath-Bakk, Budapest 1 997) 20 ...'iVc7! 21 ..l:i.cl "tWe5 22 . .l::i.e l �g4+! (one more check) 23.f3 "tWxb2! (this tactic is the best idea. 23 ... tl:ie4?, Ferguson-C.Morris, England tt 2000/0 1 , i s refuted by 24. .!::!.xe4! �xe4 25.!tc7+ c;t>g8 26."tWe7 "tWxe7 27. .l::!.x e7± and the French bishop is poor) 24. .l:i.c7+ @g8! .

analysis diagram

This leads to balanced positions, or even a draw by force: 25.'iVg5 (if 25 . .l:i.ee7 101

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tlld 2 tl:le8 26.'i¥xg4 tl:lxc7=; or 25.fxg4 'iVxa2 26.�xg7+ xg7 27 . .l:i.e7+ g8 28.'iVxf6=) 25 ... l:le8 26.l:lxe8+ tl:lxe8 27.'iWxds+ h7 28.l:le7 'iVxg2 29.tl:ld2 tl:lf6 30.'i¥xd3 .tfS= (analysis). 1 7 ...exd3� We are on a very narrow path, where good analysis is still lacking.

• .t "i¥ .t i • • .t .i! t2J .t 88 :=: �

. ... �i

1 9. �xf6 (1 9.tl:lb3 tl:le4t) 1 9...iVxf6 20.'i¥xf6+ gxf6 2 1 . �dl (21 .h4 b6 2.2.hS .ta6!?gg Simacek-Danin, Czech tt 2013/14) 2 1 ...b6! 22.a3 �cs, intending 23.tl:lbS?! (23.tl:lb3 �a6gg) 23 ... �d7!+ with an excellent position for Black. 1 9.g3 TRICK: After 19 . .ildl ! ? the best de­ fence is 19 ... 'i¥b6! 20.�xf6 .l::!.e 8!, leading to equality (analysis) .

V

1 9 ... i;ftg8 20. i;ftg2 'ilb6 21 . i.xf6 gxf6 22 . .l:[hd1

'iV 888 � :=:

1 8.i.gS A) 1 8.'i¥f4 'i¥b6 1 9.tl:lb3 �d7 20.�e3 1/2- 1/2 Arzumanian-Cech, Brno 2004; B) 1 8.tl:lf3 'iWe7 1 9.�e3 �fS 20 . .l::i.c l a.e8gg And.Horvath-Dobcsanyi, Buda­ pest 1997. 1 8 ... i.d7 After this move the position is balanced. In the stem game with 15 ... e4 the contin­ uation was 1 8 ...'iVb6!?. This manoeuvre offers better chances of active counter­ play. After publishing The Flexible French in 2008, already 9 new games have been played with this recommended move:

• .t .t "i¥ .t 88 :=:

•

.t i t2J .t

.t i

'iV 8 8�8

:=:

22 ... gS Forcing the draw. (23.tl:lb3oo) 22 ... l:le8 ! ? 23.l:i:xd3?! 23 ...g7!t. 23. 'ilh6 'ifxd4 This leads to perpetual check. 24. 'ifg6+ ';ftf8 25.:Xd3 'ifes 26. 'ilh6+ i;ftg8 27. 'ilg6+ i;ftf8 28. 'ilh6+ i;ftg8 29. 'ifg6+ 112-112

Summary of the 'Saito Mortale' - 9.tl:lf4 It is obvious that White does not have enough resources to unleash a serious attack. After a forced sequence of moves, the resulting positions are balanced, but the ma­ terial is not. The advantage will be on the side of the player who has analysed these positions better and understands them more deeply. Key moments: Black can choose from three defences: 9 . . . 'iWe7 , 9 . . . fxeS or 9 . . . tl:lxd4. In the main line, after 9 . . . tl:lxd4! 1 0. 'iVhs+ We7 , the move l I . tl:lg6+?! seems to be a mistake ( 1 1 .exf6 + ! is better) , and 1 5 . . . e4! ? is useful for its surprise value, but it probably leads to a forced draw, while 1 5 . . . tl:lxf3 is more flexible and offers many possibilities to both sides. 1 02

Chapter 9

-

Fianchetto versus Symmetry: 7. ltJgf3 g6 .i ..t 'iV • ..t i i ,. i ,. i i ii8 8 8 Ji. ei 8 8 ei 8 8 g Ji. � �

.i i

8 g

What are White's intentions after 7.tl:igf3!?. If Black plays the 'logical' 7... 11!fb6?!, his :fl ! cxd4 1 l .cxd4 �d4 1 2 .tt::lxd4 °iYxd4 1 3 .tt::lf3 'i!Vb6 :-t-.'ifa4t with a dangerous initiative . a single pawn, Jirovsky-De Andres :'or Gonalons, Hamburg 1 999) 10.tt::lxgS ::xd4 1 1 .cxd4 �xd4! (very complicated, '.mt objectively necessary. If 1 1 ...tLlxd4 : 2 .tt::ldf3 ! tt::lc6 1 3 .tt::lxh7 �e7 14.'iVel O'b4+ 1 S.'1t>fl 'ifg4 1 6.h6 tLldxeS '. 7.£.gS! �xgS 1 8 .tt::lh xgS±; all this was ?layed in Zojer-Arslanov, Groningen 201 3) 1 2 .tt::ldf3 �b4+ 1 3 . i.dl 'i!Vxb2 :-t-.l:ibl 'iVa3 1 S.I;lb3 and now the critical ::esponse is 1 5 ...'i!Vxal! , recommended in :-he Flexible French (2008): :s

analysis diagram

For instance: 1 0.dxcS?! tt::ldxeS 1 1 .tLlxeS tt::lx eS 1 2 .tt::lb 3 'iVc7 1 3 .h6 i.d7 14.�e3 0-0-0 1 S .tt::ld4 fS!+: Jones-Sengupta, Gibraltar 2007. 9.lLib1 !? Absurd, but not necessarily bad! The knight goes back to its home square to free the path for the queen's bishop. Let us check some important alternatives: A) The most popular continuation is quite absurd as well: 9.0-0?!.

analysis diagram

"This position is hard to assess without :leep analysis. With two extra pawns, 3lack is threatening ...tt::lc s or ...tt::ld xeS, :mt it is clear that his king will remain

analysis diagram

1 09

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tD:f2 In my opinion, this move is not very logical after h2-h4. 9 ...gS!? is the move I advise! Generally speaking, this is Black's best resource in this line. (9... kg7!? 1 0.llel 0-0 (10 ... gS!? is al­ ways interesting here) l 1 . kc2 (if 1 1 .tllfl cxd4! l 2.cxd4 f6!+:t Black has reached his desired position) l l . ..cxd4! 1 2.cxd4 f6 1 3.exf6 'tWxf6 14.'tWe2 es 1 S . kb3 tllxd4 1 6 .tllxd4 exd4 1 7.kxds+ @h8+:t Antoli Royo-Moskalenko, Montcada 2008) 10.c4!?. A sharp attack, invented by a still young star, Fabiano Caruana. A genuine duel arises after 10 ...g4!? (a bit safer is 1 0 ...tllb4 1 1 .kbl and now l l ...g4! the position is double edged) 1 1 .cxdS! gxf3 (or 1 1 ...exdS!? - staying cool is impor­ tant here) 1 2.dxc6 fxg2 1 3.cxd7+ kxd7 14.Wxg2 'iYxh4 l S.llgl .llg 8+ 1 6.Wfl .ld.xgl+ 1 7.Wxgl kc6 1 8 .dSD kxdS 19.ke4 0-0-0! 20.'iVf3 kg7 2 1 . kxdS llxdS 22.'iYxf7 'iYg4+ 23.@fl 'iYdl+ 24.@g2 'tWg4+ with a guaranteed draw for Black, Gopal-Ganguly, Dhaka zt 2007; B) Several strong players, even grand­ master Adams, used to play 9.kc2 b6!?.

..t :ii • ..t i: � ' '� ' ' ' ii8 8 8 8 t2J 8 8 Ji, t;j 8 8 : � Vi' � :

C) Another common move is 9.a3, playing similarly (b2-b4) to the Advance Variation (3 .eS).

i:

' '

..t

I.ti

• ..t '

i:

� .\ ' ' ii8 8 8 8 8 Ji, t2J 8 t2J 8 8 : : Ji, 'iV @ analysis diagram

9 ...'tWb6! (9... kg7?! 1 0.b4;;!;;) 1 0.0-0 cxd4 l l .cxd4 tllxd4 1 2 .tllxd4 'tWxd4 1 3 .tllf3 'ti'g4 14.kd2 gS with very tactical play, Boguszlavszkij-Simonsen, Budapest 2004; D) The computer suggests 9.b3!? fol­ lowed by kb2 as the optimal set-up, but Black can do the same:

i:

'

analysis diagram

Now the most logical option is to acti­ vate the other bishop via a6: 1 0.0-0 ka6 (1 O ... gS!?) 1 1 . l:le l cxd4 1 2.cxd4 tllb4 (12 ...gS!?) 1 3 .tllb l V/iic 7 14.tllc 3 tllxc2 l S.'iYxc2oo with scope for creative play, Gopal-Ghane Gardeh, Visakhpatnam Ach-tt 2008; 1 10

analysis diagram

9 ... kg7 10.kb2 0-0!? 1 1 .'ti'e2 (Sethuraman-Ganguly, Chennai 2008), and now: 1 1 ...f6!+:t; E) Another knight jump, 9.tllfl ?!, seems not very helpful: 9...V/iib 6!? 10.kc2 cxd4 l l .cxd4 kb4+ 1 2 .We2D Oratovsky-Moskalenko, Reus rapid 2009. Here, for instance, 1 2 ... ke7!?+:t; F) Finally, one more recent game: 9.'lie2 cxd4!? (9 ... "tl!Vb6!? 1 0.dxcS 'iVc7+:t) 1 0.cxd4 tllb4+:t looked fine for Black in Hamdouchi-Moskalenko, Salou 201 1 .

Chapter 9 Fianchetto versus Symmetry: 7. l4Jf3 g6 -

9 ... .tg7

E E .i. 'iV 9 i i � i .i. � i ii ii8 8 8 8� 88 88 kl kl tlJ � iY @ Following the main plan. However, at chis point in the opening Black could in­ clude 9...�b6!+±, attacking d4, as in the :\dvance Variation. 1 0. .te3! Black is strong in the centre, so ... 1 0...aS!? I 0 ... 0-0?! is a provocative option: l l .'1Wd2 , with a potential attack. 1 1 .lllbd2 _.\.fter an absurd intermezzo, we have landed in the variation 3 ... d2, with the ·extra' 10.tbe3. 1 1 ...bS! 1 1 ...0-0?! is still dangerous. 1 2.hS gS 1 3.lllh 2?! 0-0!

tfl-- WEAPON: As in many other cases, the best option is to include the exchange 14 ... cxd4! 1 5.cxd4 and now 1 5 .. .fS! 16.exf6 tbxf6 1 7.tbxf6+ �xf6 1 8.tbf3 eS!+:Z.

1 5.exf6 lllxf6 1 6.lllxf6+ 'i!Vxf6 1 7.lllf3 Going back to the set-up of the stem game. 1 7.dxcS! was a good chance to take advantage of Black's error on move 14. 1 7 ... cxd4 But now, best was 1 7 ... g4! 1 8.tbh2 est. 1 8.cxd4 e5!

E

Eventually, I have managed to execute the same plan as if White had played 8.0-0, and I have gained the initiative. The position is not so clear after 18 ... g4 1 9.l::tc l ! eS!. 1 9.dxeS lllxe5 20.llld 4? The blockade does not work. 20.tbxeS was more natural: 20 ...�xeS 2 1 .0-0, with chances of equalizing. 20... lllg 4!-+

E .\r just the right time! This is exactly -.,-hat Black needs to achieve a comforta­ :Jle position. 1 4.lllg 4 fS?! _.;. good idea, but an inaccurate move =,rd er.

.i.

i. i 88 kl

.i. i t2J �� 'Ii' �

•• .i. 'iV i i8 � 88 kl I 1 1

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tlJcf 2 Now my friend Charles faces a tough defence. 21 . 'i!fd2 tbxe3 22.fxe3 ..tg4! 23 . ..tg6 'ties 24.ttJf3 'tWxb2 2S. 'tWxdS+ @ha 26.0-0 liad8 27. 'tWe4 ..txf3 28.gxf3 .:td2 Time-trouble is the deciding factor in such situations: 28 ... geS! 29.f4 gxf4-+. 29.f4 gxf4 30.liab1 'ii'es The technical way. 30 ... �xa2!?. 31 Jb:f4 :Xf4 32.exf4 1i'd4+ 33.@h1 1i'd8 34.1i'e1 .tea 3S. 'tWe8+ "ifxe8 36 . ..txea :Xa2 37. ..txbS? 37. .l::i.g l £d2!+. 37 ...axbS 38.:XbS ..td2-+

And my opponent resigned soon after: 39. .:b8+ @g7 40. .:b7+ �g8 41 . .:b8+ � 42. .:b7+ @ea 43.�92 ..txf4+ 44.@13 ..tgS 4S.@g4 :as 46. .l:lg7 @18 47. .l:lg6 � 48.@g3 lia4 0-1

Conclusions regarding 'Fianchetto vs. Symmetry' 7. l2Jgf3 g6 It is clear that the best option for White is 8 .h4! . However, after the semi-block­ ading move 8 ... h6!? (8 ... ge7 is also interesting, whereas the immediate 8 ... �b6 is risky), the h-pawn cannot progress and it becomes quite weak. White must revert to central action - his d4-pawn is in trouble - and solve the problem of his queenside development. In the attack against the centre Black can combine three important resources: . . . f7 -f6 , . . . �b6 and . . . g6-g 5 , at any moment during the opening. The arising posi­ tions are very complicated and neither side is guaranteed success. Michael Adams, Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu and other grandmasters have won several games with white, but later Mikhail Gurevich, Evgeny Bareev and the author of this book, among others, improved the line and its statistics. Since it is hard to imagine a thematic tournament where all doubts will be resolved, we will have to wait for new games in this line! -

1 17

Chapter 10 - Plan with the Exchange itc8x itf1: 6 . . . b6

This is an old strategic method to avoid the main lines. Among the 9 1 5 games played in this line, we find the names of some specialists on the French Defence, such as Botvinnik, Petrosian, Kortchnoi, Portisch, Short, Yusupov, Knaak, Moskalenko ... and, more recently, Socko. This non-standard move has a sound positional idea: Black is intending to force the favourable exchange of light-squared bishops by 7 . . . Ji.a6 . However, this plan is rather slow and it gives White several additional tempi for his development. White can choose between two main plans: f2-f4, strengthening his centre with a 'concrete pawn wall ' , or, alternatively, the knight manoeuvre 7 . tbh.3 , preparing an attack with his pieces. The two resources can also be combined. The most dangerous set-up for Black is the one that prepares an attack with pieces: 0:,e2 / ttJh.3_ Cjjf4_ �g4. After a crisis was experienced in this uncomfortable (for Black) set-up, many grandmasters abandoned the 6 . . . b6 variation. I have made a deep investigation of this, my favourite scheme, trying to reanimate it. I even delved into Mikhail Botvinnik's fundamental key ideas! See Games 2 9 - 3 0 .

1 13

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tt:'id2 Plan with the Exchange �c8x�fl - Games In the following game I was not able to improve my score against Ivanchuk, but thanks to it I learned a great deal about the French Defence, and this knowledge was very useful to me in subsequent games. What I especially learned about was the kind of positions Black should avoid.

serious counterattack: 7... t2Jc6 (7... cxd4!? may be a better move order) 8.tbgf3 cxd4 9.cxd4 lbb4.

.t iV • i. ,. .t. .t. .t. .t. i .t. 8 • 4 8 � t2J 8 8 ttJ 'JJl/ 8 8 8 : � � : i. i

GAME 29 Vasily lvanchuk (2535) Viktor Moskalenko (2440)

analysis diagram

Lvov 1 988 ( 1 2)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ll:id2 ll:if6 4.es ll:ifd7 5.c3 c5 6 . .td3 b6

i. ,. .t 'iV • .t i. .t. ,. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. 8 8 8� 8 8 tfJ 8 8 8 : � 'iV � qs : The idea behind this move is to ex­ change White's most dangerous piece with ... �a6 and �a6x�d3 and from then on to block the position as much as possible. White has two different plans in this position, but he can also combine both of them. 7.f4 Vasily chooses the plan of maintaining the centre with pawns. Another useful move is the king's knight manoeuvre 7.tbh3 , with which White aims to attack with his pieces. See Game 30 for all the ideas with this knight. The automatic response 7.�e2?! tempo­ rarily avoids ... �a6, but it allows a more 1 14

Now Black succeeds in exchanging the terrible �d3 'for free'. TRICK: Here, 1 0 . �bS?? is another automatic response, played very often in my Internet games! After 10 ...ttJc2+! my opponents close the window! 1 0 .0-0 tbxd3+. 7 ... ..b6

t('

'iV • .t i. ,. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t .t. .t. .t. 8 8 8 8� 8 8 t2J : � 'iV � The ball is again in White's court. 8. .tb1 !? A radical concept. White keeps his bishop as an extra attacking resource. Black must react in an ultra-active way. Natural moves would help Black to exe­ cute his plan: A) 8 . �xa6 tbxa6 9.t2Jdf3 tbc7!? (my plan is to prepare the super-blockade .. .f7-f5 and ... c5-c4) 10.tbe2 fS!?.

Chapter I O Plan with the Exchange .2.c8x .2.f 1 : 6 ... b6 -

.2.e7 (10 ... hS Vachier-Lagrave-Akobian, Moscow 2006) 1 1 .0-0 'i¥c7 with equal chances, Ramesh-Buchenau, Sitges 2006. 1 O.cxd4 l:lc8 1 1 . tl:ie2

analysis diagram

In Nimzowitsch style. l l .a4 (1 1 .exf6 tllxf6 12.tlle s .2.d6 is OK) l 1 ...tLlb8! 12.b3 tllc 6. A successful end to a long journey: ...tllg 8-f6-d7-b8-c6. Black won on move 28, Ortel-Moskalenko, Cannes 1990; B) 8.tbdf3 .2.xd3 9.'li'xd3 'li'c8 !? (9... tllc 6=) is a different strategy.

I i � 'ib' 1* ,. i l l l l l l j. 8 8 8 8 'if ttJ 88 88 .: � � tb .:t analysis diagram

Black is aiming to exchange the queens using the same exit. In this game there were some interesting hidden resources: 1 O.f5! 'li'a6! l 1 .'li'e3 (1 1 .'li'xa6 tllxa6=) l 1 ...tllc 6 12.fxe6 fxe6 1 3.tDel .1le7 (13 ...cxd4!?) 14.0-0 0-0= Kr.Georgiev­ Moskalenko, Orange 1 990. 8. . ttJc6 9.tl:idf3 cxd4!? Theoretically, the development of the 6 ...b6 system hardly changes. However, for The Flexible French I already found a few fresh games with 9... g6, another way to prevent f4-f5: 1 0 .tbel .

The critical position for the plan imple­ mented by Ivanchuk (8 . .1lbl). 1 1 .. fS Since I could not find a single dynamic idea over the board, I decided to trust in the fabulous concept of the blockade. In the 1 980s I spent some time studying the series of books about strategy written by Aaron Nimzowitsch. I discovered that he adhered to many dogmas and his concepts don't work well in dynam­ ic positions. Chess might need a 'New System' in the 2 1 st Century! � WEAPON: Of course, possibili­ ties involving the check must be investigated: l l ... .2.b4+! 12 . .2.dl (12.@f2 f6!� Dole-Kobese, Cape Town 201 1) 1 2 ... ii.xdl+ 1 3 .'ti'xdl 'ti'e7!? 14.0-0 'ti'b4�. .

I 1* I l ,. i l l 1. 1 ,. l 18 'iK 8 8 ttJ 8 8 'if tb 8 8 :� :� analysis diagram

115

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tb.d2 I think that, with regard to the resulting ending, Black's position is satisfactory. 1 2.0-0 Another critical move was 1 2 .tllg S �b4+!? (an automatic defence) 1 3.Wf2 tllf8= Graf-Priehoda, Leipzig tt 2002. 12 ... ..te7 1 3.l:l.f2 0-0 1 4.h3

The resulting position is hard to assess. White prepares g2-g4 and Black should wait, since at the moment he has no counterplay. 1 4... ..th4 A slightly desperate move. Any alterna­ tive was probably better. For instance, 14 ... :l'.f7 1 5 .g4 g6 16.l:!.g2 ld.g7=. 1 5. ltJxh4 'ii'x h4 1 6 . ..te3 tras 1 7.b3 ttJb8 1 7... .l:!.c7=. 1 8 . ..tc2 ttJbc6 1 9. 'ii'd 2 l:l.c7 20 . ..td1 l:lfc8 21 .a3 �7

27.tlJc3 ..ia6 28.l:l.f2 ttJge7 29.tlJa2 ..ibS? 30.a4 ..ia6 31 . ..tc3 ..tb7?! 32.b4 a5? 33.bS tlJb4 34.hb4 axb4 35.ltJxb4± And White had no trouble in converting his advantage: 35 ... l:l.c3 36. 'ii'd2 ttJg6 37.ttJd3 l:l.a3 38.l:l.c1 l:l.xc1 39.ltJxc1 'ii'ce 40. ..tb3 l:l.a1 41 .l:l.f1 l:l.a3 42. 'ii'b2 'ii'f8 43.ttJd3 hS 44.l:l.f3 h4 45.�h2 c;i;>h7 46.tlJcS 1 -0 The truth is that I did not get many chances in this game. Ivanchuk in­ creased his advantage very carefully. From a theoretical point of view, the creative plan implemented by lvanchuk with 8.�bl is interesting. I think that the easiest way to equalize is 1 1 ...�b4+!, but the blockade option 1 1 ...fS is quite solid as well. In the following game we will analyse the natural knight manoeuvre 7.tllh 3 (7.tlle 2 and 7.tllf3). White prepares to at­ tack with his pieces, or he can combine this idea with the advance f2-f4. For his part, Black has several defensive set-ups. There are a considerable number of good and bad examples!

GAME 30 lbragim Khamrakulov (2480) Viktor Moskalenko (252 1 ) Salou 2002 (8)

The position is still balanced, but easier to play for White. 22.l:l.f3 ttJg6 23 . ..tf2 'ii'e7 24 . ..te1 'iff8 25. 'ii'e3 tlJc6 26 . ..id2 ..ibS?! 116

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ttJd2 ttJf6 4.es ttJfd7 5 . ..id3 cs 6.c3 b6 7. �2 The knight's position on e2 is very flexible, so this is the most practical move. Back to the position after 7.(fje2 . A) The natural development 7.{fjgf3 offers fewer ideas: 7... �a6 8.�xa6 (not 8 .c4? cxd4 9.0-0? tllc 5! 0-1 Monroy­ Moskalenko, France tt-2 2002/03, an ultra-miniature!) 8 ... (fjxa6 9.0-0 �el

Chapter 1 0 Plan with the Exchange �c8x�fl : 6 ... b6 -

•

analysis diagram

JO.'tWe2

• PUZZLE:

1 0 .l::i.e l transposes to Chapter 12, Game 37, Andriasian­ Nepomniachtchi.

IO ... lllc 7 1 1 .dxc5 bxc5 1 2.c4 0-0 1 3 . .l:i.dl ,-6! (or, for example, 1 3 ... a5 14.a4 'tWc8 15.b3 �b7 16.�a3 l::i.fe8 1 7.rf.acl .:ad8= A.Frolov-Moskalenko, Lviv ch­ -:JKR 1 988) 14.cxd5 (14.exf6 �xf6=) 1+ ... exd5 1 5.e6 llle 5 16.lllx e5 fxe5 : 7.'tWxe5 �d6 1 8 .'tWh5 �f6 1 9.lllf3 =.ae8+. Black's pieces and pawns are :::iore active, A.Frolov-Moskalenko, 5imferopol ch-UKR 1 990; B) 7.lllh 3!? is another popular and ;;,uong move, with many similarities :::> the lines with lll e 2: 7... �a6 8.�xa6 :: xa6 9.0-0 and now we reach a very :.:nportant position in the 6 ...b6 varia­ :ion:

PUZZLE: 9... cxd4!? is a very inter­ esting try to solve Black's prob­ lems: 1 0.cxd4 lllb 4 1 1 .lllf3 l::!'.c 8 l 2.�d2 �e7 1 3 .tlJf4 leads to an­ other line in the main game, see below under 9.tiJf4; B2) 9 ...b5 is rather provocative: 1 0 .'iVg4!? (10.f4 'tWb6 l 1 .tiJb3 c4 1 2 .tiJd2 tt:Jc7 1 3 .@hl f5 14.exf6 lllxf6 1 5.f5 �d6! 16.fxe6 0-0+ Siklosi-Moskalenko, Budapest 1 988; 1 O.a4 cxd4!N l l .axb5 dxc3! 12 . .l:txa6 cxd2 1 3 . �xd2 'iVb8! 14.'ifh5! g6 1 5 .�e2 with equal chances, Fernandez Garcia-Moskalenko, Solsona 2003) 10 ... cxd4!?N l 1 .cxd4 tiJb6 1 2 .b3 �d7 1 3.a4?! bxa4 14.bxa4 tt:Jb4 1 5.a5 tt:Jc4 1 6.tt:Jxc4 dxc4 1 7.�e3 .l:tc8 with good prospects for Black, Semeniuk­ Moskalenko, Riga 1 988; C) 9 ...lllc7. This manoeuvre maintains the centre and prepares the usual plans in this line: ... c5-c4/. .. b6-b5/. . .f7-f5. lO.tiJf4 (an interesting game was 10.'ifg4!? c4 1 1 .b3 b5 1 2.a4 cxb3 1 3 .a5 b4 14.c4 tiJb8 1 5 . �b2 tLic6 1 6 . .l:tfcl tLie7 1 7.tlJf4 g6 1 8.'iVf3 �h6 1 9.tiJxb3 0-0 20.c5? f6!-+ Mestre Bellido-Moskalenko, Montcada 2009) 10 ... �e7 1 1 .'iVg4.

analysis diagram

analysis diagram

This is a dangerous queen manoeuvre, especially in the Winawer Variation. See Part Four. 1 1 ...g6 12.tiJf3 c4. In my opinion, closing the centre is very risky from a tactical point ofview. White begins 117

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . 0.d2 to exert pressure on the kingside, where his pieces are well placed to unleash an attack (I have tried 1 2 ... h5!? 1 3.°iVg3 g5! 14-.tLle2 g4-+:t Siklosi-Moskalenko, St Ing­ bert 1990). 1 3.h4- h5 (13 ... h6!?) 14-.�g3 b5 (14-...tLlb8!?) 1 5.tLlh3 .

.i '!¥ 9 � � 1. i i i i i8 i i8 8 8 ttJ W tt:J 88 88 :� : iil

7 i..a6 ...

.i i

analysis diagram

Starting from this position, there are two games of theoretical interest, but with a dismal outcome for Black: 1 5 ...tLlf8!? is the best defensive move, and now: (1 5 ... a5 1 6.tLlfg5-+ with a massacre on the kingside, Berelovich-Jussupow, Germany Bundesliga 2002/03) 1 6.a4bxa4- (1 6 ... b4-!?) 1 7. .l::txa4- a6 1 8.tLlfg5 tLlh7 1 9.�f3 tLlxg5 20 . .2.xg5 .l::tb8 2 1 ..l::ta 2 �xg5 22.tLlxg5 �e7 23 . .l::te l 0-0 24- . .l::te 3 tLle8 25.g4- hxg4- 26.'ifxg4- tLlg7 27. .l::txa6 .l::txb2 28.llf3 .l::tb l+ 29.Wh2 'fib? 30 . .l::td6 ...

'+JV

.i

.i 9 i� :i i i 8 tlS i8 'if 8 8 : 8 � analysis diagram

... with a sharp position, Rublevsky­ Kosyrev, Kazan 2005. 1 18

8. .ba6 If White combines tLle2 with Ivanchuk's idea, he achieves nothing: 8 . �bl tLlc6 9.tLlf3 cxd4- 1 0.cxd4- �b4-+!.

.i .i '!¥ 9 i � iii ..t i � i i8 ..t 8

analysis diagram

Simplifying the position with gain of tempo is always interesting (a concept I also learned from the previous game!). l l .�d2 .2.xd2+ 1 2.'ifxd2 �e7 1 3.a3 (if 1 3 .0-0, then 13 ...�b4-!+:t; against 1 3 .tLlc3 a possible answer is 13 ... tLla5 14-.�d3 �xd3 1 5.�xd3 0-0 16.0-0 .l::tfc 8 17. .l::tacl a6 with equal chances, Baron Rodriguez-Moskalenko, Alcudia 2003) 1 3 ... tLla5!+:t 14-.�c2 .l::tc 8 1 5 .b3 0-0 1 6.0-0 .l::i.c 7 (alternatively, 16 .. .f6!?) 1 7. .!:ifbl �xe2 1 8.�xe2 .l::tfc 8 with a slight initiative for Black, Rozentalis­ Moskalenko, Odessa 1 989. 8 ... ttJxa6 9.0-0 A key moment in the 6 ... b6 variation. White can also show his cards before castling:

Chapter 1 0 Plan with the Exchange �c8x�fl : 6 . . . b6 -

A) For 9.8f3 see the line after the move 7.tLlf3; B) For 9.f4 8c7!? 1 0.0-0 fS see the main game. PUZZLE: 9.8f4

tv • � ii i �i ii8 8 � 8 88 � 88 : k � f1 'fi'h1 + 33. �e2 'ifxg2+ 34. d 3 'fi'd2+ 35. @e4 'ifxe1 + 36. xf4 J:[f8! 37. �g4! g2! 38 . ..txd4 g1 'if+ 39 . ..txg1 'ifxg1 +

40.J:[g3?? These things always happen on the last move before the time control. 40.Wh3!= would have saved the game. 40 ... 'fi'd1 + I repeat my previous words! 40 ...�d4+! 41 .Wh3 .l::f.f6-+. 41 .l:tf3! 41 .Wh3 �hs+ 42.Wg2 �e2+ 43.'it>h3 l:1:f6-+. 41 ... 'ife2!--+ Black has to start from scratch again. 121

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tt:Jd2 47... .l:f.hl mate was better. 48.@g2 'ifg4+ 49. .:tg3 .:td2+ 50. 'ii'f2 'ife4+ 51 . .:tf3 :Xf2+ 52.@xf2 'ii'c2+ 53.@e3 'ii'xa2 54.@e4 'ii'a3 55 . .:tc3 'ifcs 56.@d3 es 57.b4 'ifd4+ 58.@c2 e4 59.cS e3 60.c6 e2 61 .c7

42.@g3 'ii'e5+ 43.@h3 :dB! 44. 'ii'b7? My opponent was tired. But objectively, 44.�bs �el 45.�b7 �hl+ 46.'i¥tg3 �gl + 47.'it>h3 �g6! was still winning for Black. 44 ... 'ifhS+ 45.@g3 'ifg6+? 45 ...�gs+!. 46. @h3? 46.'i¥tf2!. 46... .:td1 47. 'ii'xa7 'ifh5+!? Enjoying the attack and time-trouble at the same time.

61 ... 'ifxc3+! The last hit in this memorable game. 62. @xc3 e1 1i'+ 63.@c4 'ifc1 + 64.!ifi>bS 'ifxc7 White resigned. Exactly on the 64th move!

Summary of the �c8x�fl exchange plan with 6 ...b6 Even if Black gets to exchange White's best piece, he loses some tempi and has little space. Nowadays, the best French Defence players hardly use 6 ... b6. This might be due to the difficulty of obtaining serious counterplay and also to its bad statistics (Short and Jussupow have lost nearly all the games they played in this variation). The most dangerous plan is CiJe2 / tbh3-4Jf4- �g4, which promises White a long­ term initiative and a possible attack on the kingside. At this point, closing the centre with . . . c5-c4 is very risky, but Black cannot afford to open up the game either! From a dynamic point of view, in many lines White has more tempi available. Some advice to fans of the . . . b7 -b6/ . . . �a6 plan: the idea 9 . CiJf4 cxd4 1 0 .cxd4 CiJb4! ? is interesting. Apparently this does not allow White to play the most annoying plan with �g4, bringing the queen to the kingside. Please, analyse all the possibili­ ties here for yourself (see again Game 3 0 ) . Otherwise, Black can try other variations against 3 . CiJd2. The dogma according to which the c8-bishop is bad might not be correct. As yet there is no convincing evidence for this rule!

1 22

Chapter 11

-

A Pawn Wedge: 5.f4

1 .e4 es 2.d4 dS 3.t2Jcl2 tllf6 4.es tllfd7 5.f4

.i � i. tv • .t .I i i i� i ii i i8 • 8 8

White makes solid preparations, creating a broad chain of central pawns. This line has been very popular since the 1 960s (now there are already 5000 games in MegaBase with it). So, we must study the best possibilities against (and with) this white wall. After S ... cS! White can play in classical style, without c2-c3, trying to occupy the d4-square with his knights: 6.tLlgf3. See the comments to Game 3 1 and in Part Three (Classical System, by transposition). However, the most appropriate move in this line is 6.c3 !?, strengthening the centre with another pawn.

.i � i. if • i. .I ii � iii i ii8 8 8 8 8 8 g2 ll:ic8! 30. �d2 �7 31 . ll:if3 i..d 7 32.ll:ig5 'White has returned his knight to its former position, from where it at least prevents the opponent from tripling on the h-file' - Botvinnik. 32 ... .J:[g7 33.ll:if1 ll:ig8 34.'iti>h1 .J:[e7 35 . .J:[h4 ll:if6+

j.

• .t E _t j. � E j. j. j. ttJ 8 j. 8 8 :g: 8 : 8 8 il iV ttJ � 'From this point until the time con­ trol White does not do anything, since he has no such opportunity, and Black waits for the end of the time scramble' - Botvinnik. 127

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . �2 36 . .rl2h3 @ca 37.lllg 3 'iff8 38.@g2 �c6 39. �1 as 40. l:[h2 40.tllxe6? 'i1fe8 4 1 .tllxf5 l::rxe6! 42.tllx d6+ a'.xd6, winning. 40 ... 'ifea 41 .-..e 1 llle4 42.lll5 xe4 dxe4!

43.-..e2 �dS 44.a3 l:[b7 4S.�2 .:r.91 46.lllf 1 �e7 47. .:r.4h3 •ga 4a. .:r.93 .:.Xg3 49.lllx g 3 •de SO. •11 �h4 S1 . 'ifh3 .:.XhS S2.@e2 l:[h8 S3.lllxfS? exfS S4.�e1 �f6 SS. •xtS+ @c7 S6 . .:.Xh8 hh8 S7. �h4 .d7 S8 .•f8 •g4+ S9.@d2 e3+ 60.@xe3 'ifxh4 61 .•cs+ 0-1 Summary of the blockading 7. c4: In all honesty, I have not been able to find an immediate refutation of this legendary, but forgotten plan. However, I greatly enjoyed analysing the games of the best players of that period! I doubt whether the authors of books like Beating the French Defence (and other good defences) could actually have defeated heroes such as Petrosian, Kortchnoi or Botvinnik. The value of their ideas will be retained for as long as our game is played! ..

GAME 32 Vitaly Pesotsky Viktor Moskalenko Chernigov 1 985 (7)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. llld2 lllf6 4.eS lllfd7 S.f4 cs 6.c3 lllc6 7.llldf3 cxd4!? 1 28

In order to determine White's pawn structure. 8.cxd4

a ...as With this advance Black prepares an at­ tack on the queenside, while keeping the usual possibilities open. This idea had not been very widely developed before The Flexible French came out in 2008 (35 games in total). Now there are already 85 games, including several high-level ones.

tfl*- WEAPON:

In some Internet games I have practised the dy­ namic check 8 ... £.b4+!?. This could be another route to inves­ tigate: 9.Wf2 (9.£.d2 'i1fa5 1 0.a3 .2.xd2+ l 1 .'i1fxd2 'i1fxd2+ 1 2.Wxd2 tllb 6+:t with an equal ending, David Howell­ CapNemo, playchess.com 2007) 9 ... f6 1 0.£.e3?! waste of time (10.g3 (56 Mega games) 10 ... 0-0 l 1 .Wg2 tllb 6 12 . .2.d3 .2.d7oo Za4od-CapNemo, play­ chess.com 2007) 1 0 ... 0-0 1 1 .tlle2 fxe5!? 1 2.fxe5 tlld xe5! 1 3 .dxe5 tllx e5- Fallen in love-CapNemo, playchess.com 2006. 9.�d3 Some alternatives which turned out suc­ cessfully for Black: A) 9.a4 f6! 1 0.h4 'i1fb6 l 1 . £.b5 .2.b4+ 1 2.Wf2 0-0 1 3.Wg3 'i1fc7 14.�c2 fxe5 1 5.fxe5 tllf6! .

Chapter 1 1

analysis diagram

-

A Pawn Wedge: 5.f4

Now Black gets good counterplay with the manoeuvres ...tlla 5-b3 and ...tllbc4. 1 1 .ttJh3 Alternatively, l 1 .tlle 2 �e7 (1 1 ...tlla S!?) 1 2.Wf2 (12.0-0 �d7 1 3 .tllc 3 tlla S+:t Suradiradja-Dzhumaev, Jakarta 20 1 2) (12.M �d7 1 3 .hS tllc4 14.tllc 3 bS+ Hou Yifan-Harika, Sharjah 2014) 1 2 ... �d7 1 3.g4?! tllc4 14.fS imrb6+ Zinchenko­ Ganguly, Paleochora 2012. 1 1 ... tLias 1 2.0-0 tLib3 1 3.l:l.b1 tLic4

Black's initiative has become very dan­ gerous, Heinel-Bukal, Pula 1 997; B) 9.tlle2 a4 1 0.g4?! (10.a3 tllb 6+:t is similar to the main game) 10 ... hS!? (10 ...tllb6) 1 1 .gxhS .l:rxh5 1 2 .tllg3 .!:f.h8 13.M tllb 6 14.hS tllc4+ Laubsch-Becker, Germany Bundesliga B 2006/07. 9 ...a4

E

.t � 9 .t E j. " j. j. j. " j. j. 8 it. • 8 8 � t2J 88 ttJ �

1 0.a3 This natural blockade weakens the squares b3 and c4, which will be the next destinations of Black's knights. fl!-- WEAPON: Another option for White is to ignore the advance of the a-pawn: 1 0.tlle 2!? tllb 6 1 1 .0-0 �e7! 1 2 .g4 (12.tllc 3 �d7+:t) 1 2 ... h5 (12 ...tllc4!?) 1 3 .gxhS �xh5 14.tllg 3 �h8 1 5.fS tllc4 1 6.fxe6 �xe6 1 7.tllfs �xf5 (1 7... �f8!?) 1 8. �xfS 'i!Vb6+:t with a sharp Motwani-Dolezal, position, Luxembourg 1 990. 10 ... tLlb6

Black celebrates his opening success. 1 4 . ..tc2 White is in trouble and he fails to find a suitable plan. If 14.imrel bS!. 14 ... 'ifb6 1 5 . ..txb3 axb3 1 6. ttJf2 ..td7 1 7.ttJd3 ..te7 1 8.:Z.f2 0-0 Black has a comfortable advantage. 1 9 . ..td2 tlJxd2! 20.:Xd2 l:tfc8 2 1 . ttJc1 ..ta4 22.tlJe2 'if as 23.ttJc3 :Xc3! 24.bxc3 'ifxc3 25.l:l.d3 'ifc4 26.l:f.e3? 26.llbxb3!? b5!? 27.imrbl �xb3 28 . .!:f.xb3 .i:!.aS!+:. 26... ha3 27. 'ifd3 ..tc1 28.ll:d2 'ifxd3 29Jb:d3 b2 30.ttJb3 hb3 0-1 Summary of 7. cxd4 cxd4 8.aS!?: At the moment, this plan has not yet been widely explored. It may present a new field for investigation by black players. Nowadays, the main weapon to meet the 'Pawn Wedge' is the dynamic coun1 29

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tb.d2 terattack connected with 7...1'Vb6 (ana­ logically to Black's set-up in the Advance Variation, but with the black knight on d7 instead of g8). First we will test White's fashionable prophylactic move 8.a3.

GAME 33 Zvonko Stanojoski (2475) Sergey Volkov (2605) Elista ol 1 998 (4)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.ttJd2 ll:if6 4.es ll:ifd7 5.f4 cs 6.c3 ll:ic6 7.ttJdf3 Now the most effective manoeuvre is: 7 ... 'ii' b6!

r�1

E .t • .t E ii � iii 'iV � i ii8 8 8 Cjj 8 88 88 :I � iV c;t> � Cjj :I

needs to be combined with further un­ dermining measures (sometimes ...g5, which carries its own risks) in order to be really effective. However, the po­ tential weakness of b3 remains the key issue, and Black's direct attempt to ex­ ploit it that we witness here is one of his main antidotes.' 8... cxd4 I also like GM Dgebuadze's natural plan of 8 ... �e7 as a strong alternative: A) If for example 9.h4, Black can return to the main idea: 9 ... cxd4 1 0.cxd4 4.:laS! 1 1 .l::l.h 3 (1 1 .4.:le2 4.:lb3 1 2 . .ld.bl 4.:lxcl ! 1 3.1'Vxcl 1'Vd8!? and ... 4.Jd7-b6) 1 1 ...4.:lb3 12.nb1 4.:lxcl 1 3.1'Vxcl �as+ (13 ...�d8!? with the idea ...4.:ld7-b6) 14.4.:ld2 4.:lb6 1 5.l:!'.c3 0-0 1 6.4.:lb3 'ifa4 1 7.4.:lf3 1'Ve8 1 8 .4.:lcs 4.:la4 1 9.nc2 4.:lxc5 20.dxcS f6!l Howell-l'Ami, Wijk aan Zee B 2010; B) 9.b4 cxd4 1 0.cxd4

E *' i i � .t i i i 'iV � i i8 8 8 Cjj 88 :I � 'iV c;t> � Cjj :I E

PLAN: In this set-up Black com­

�� bines the moves ...11ib6, ...cxd4 and ... �b4+, and then .. .f7-f6 or even ... g7-g5, thus trying to crush the white centre. This plan will appear more clearly in the next game. 8.a3 GM Peter Wells wrote in CBM 102: 'This has become quite fashionable in recent times with Luke McShane employing it in a series of impressive attacking games. It makes a good deal of sense, not just cutting out ... �b4+, but also intro­ ducing the aspiration to play the space gaining b4 himself. Compared with the 6.a3 line in the Advanced, White's pawn chain is less vulnerable at the head - f6 1 30

.t

analysis diagram

10 ... a6!?, planning the set-up ...1!fc7-b54.:lb6-4.:lc4. TRICK: some tactical ideas ap­ pear in the line 1 0 .. .f6!? l l . �d3 0-0 1 2.4.:le2 fxe5 1 3.fxeS?! I:i.xf3! 14.gxf3 �h4+ 1 5 .�fl 4.:ldxeS!t David Howell-CapNemo, play­ chess.com 2008. 1 l . �b2 (similar is l 1 .h4 1'Vc7 12.If.bl b5! 1 3 . �d3 4.:lb6 14.4.:le2 �d7!� Dutreeuw­ Dgebuadze, Aalst 2005) 1 1 ...'ifc? 1 2.4.:lel

t(

Chapter 1 1 A Pawn Wedge: 5.f4 -

b5 1 3 .lbc3 lbb6! 14.'iVc2 �d7 1 5 .:tcl �b7 16.�d3 lbc4+ 1 7.fS? �xb4! 18.fxe6 �xe6+ Rudd-Dgebuadze, Liver­ pool 2006. 9.cxd4 ll:)aS!?

• .i. .I � .t. .t. .l .t. .t. 8 8 8 ttJ 8 88 � 'iV� � tb : .i.

Immediately exploiting the weakened squares b3-c4 after White's 8.a3. 1 0.b4 /fl"- WEAPON: The main alternative for White is 1 0 .lbe2 and now: 1 0 ...lbb3!? (simplifications are welcome for Black! 1 0 ...'iVb3 leads to a complex endgame after l l .�d2!? lbc4! 1 2 .'ifc3 �xc3+ 1 3.lbxc3 a6 14.b3 lbas 1 5 . .ld.bl lbb6 16.�d3 �d7oo Swiercz-Vallejo Pons, Plovdiv Ech 201 2) 1 1 ..ld.bl lbxc l ! 1 2 .'ifxcl �e7 1 3.lbc3 °i:Vd8 !?N , followed by ...lbd7-b6/. .. �d7/. .. .ld.c8 etc., and Black gets active counterplay. 1 0... tlJc4

.I .i. • .i. .I .t. .t. � .t. .t. .t. 'iV .t. .t. 8 8�8 8 8 ttJ 88 : � 'iV � � ttJ : 1 1 . �d3

I've played many Internet blitz games in the 'Pawn Wedge' line, mainly against the great fan of 3 .lbd2, grandmaster David Howell. Curiously, I always got better positions as Black. Maybe David is not so good as a blitz player! l l .�xc4 dxc4 12.lLle2 a5! (12 ...�c6 1 3.dS!?)

• .i. � .t. .t. .t. 8 .t. 8 .t. 8 8 8 ttJ ttJ 8 : � 'iV � .i.

.I .t.

8 :

analysis diagram

1 3 .bS (13.bxaS �xas+ 14. �d2 'iYa6!? 1 5.0-0 lbb6+) 13 ...'iVc7!? (13 ...'iVxbS 14.lbc3 �c6 1 5.dS exd5 1 6 .lbd4 'ii'g 6! 1 7.0-0 �cs 18.�e3oo David Howell­ CapNemo, playchess.com 2009) 14.lbc3 lbb6 1 5.�e3 lbds 1 6 .lLlxdS exd5 1 7.°'iYc2 g6! 1 8.0-0 �fs+ David Howell­ CapNemo, playchess.com 2009. 1 1 ...aS!t

.I

.t. �

.i.

•

.I .t. .t. .t.

.t. .t. .t. 8 8�8 8 8 � ttJ :

�

� 'iV �

88 ttJ :

Now Black's position is more than satisfactory. 1 2.'ii'a4 _.-- TRICK: 1 2.bxaS �xa5+ 1 3 . �d2? 11 lbxd2 14.lbxd2 �c3 1 5 . �bS �xd4-+ Mortensen-Visser, Andorra 200 1 . 131

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tlJd2

1 2 ... 'ifc6 Continuing the simplifications. How­ ever, Black is clearly better also after 1 2 ...�c7!? or 1 2 ...'iWa7!?. 1 3.'ifxc6 bxc6 1 4. i.xc4 dxc4

S4.:ae .:Xf6 ss.h4 .:.14 s6 . .:.a1+ @ea S7.hxgs hxgs se.:as f6 S9.:a7 l:f.e4 60.@13 .l:e7 0-1 With a 'mixed salad' oflines we conclude the study of 3 ... tbf6. Here Black combines all his resources in the fight against the pawn wedge created by 5/6.f4.

GAME 34 Leonid Yudasin (2475) Viktor Moskalenko Lviv 1 984 (2)

The endgame is very promising for Black in every way. 1 S.bxas cs 1 5 ... �xaS!+. 1 6.0.e2 i.b7 1 7.i.d2 i.e7 1 8. @f20-0 1 9.@g3 .:.tee 20.:Chc1 .ie4 21 .dxcS i.d3 22.0.ed4 ttJxcS 23 . .ib4 0.e4+ 24.'iii>h3 i.cs 2s.:a2 h6 26.g4 .:.c1 27.fS exfS 28.gxfS tbgS+ 29.'iii>g4 .:.de 30.lt:JbS .:.b7 31 .lbd6 i.xd6 32.exd6 0.e4 33.a6 .:.a1 34.0.eS .:.Xa6 3S.ttJxd3 cxd3 36 . .:.c4 ttJxd6 37. .:.d4 lt:Jb7 38 . .:.XdB+ ttJxd8 39.:Cd2 lbc6 40.@14 ttJxb4 41 .axb4 .:.b6 42 . .:.Xd3 .:.Xb4+ 43.@g3 @18 44. .:.d7 @ea 4s.:a1 .:.d4 46.f6?

• •

�

8

46 ... gS!-+ 47.h3 .:.t4 48.:a6 f2

A Pawn Wedge: 5.f4

i. .i.. • i. ii � iii 'it' � i i8 .i.. 8 8 Cf'J 8 88 � 8 : ii.iV ii, Cjj �

i. .i.. ii ii � 'it' � i i i8 .i.. 8 8 Cjj 8 ii. �8 Cjj � analysis diagram

-

Now Black must start tactics with the help of his foot soldiers. 1 0 . . gS!? An important resource invented by the American IM Edward Formanek. Nowadays, this fantastic idea has been transferred to the Classical Variation 3 .tlJc3 tlJf6 (see the famous games by Alexander Morozevich in Part Three). Starting the counterattack with the other pawn is insufficient: 1 0 .. .f6 l l .g2! (1 1 .�h3? fxeS 12.fxeS tlJdxeS!) 1 1 ...0-0 1 2 .M!? (1 2.�d3! is also possi­ ble: 1 2 ... �e7 1 3.tlJe2±) 12 ... .!:i.f? 1 3 . �d3 tlJf8 14.a3 �e7 1 5 .b4 �d7 1 6.tlJe2±, White dominates the board, Boleslavsky­ Laurine, Stockholm 1 963/64. 1 1 .h3 A defence against ... g5-g4!. Other critical replies are: A) 1 1 .fxgS!? tLldxeS 12.tLlxeS tlJxeS 1 3.\t>g2 tLlc6 14.tlJf3 �f8! .

i. .i.. ii 'it' � •

i.

• .i.. i i i 8

i

8

analysis diagram

135

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . 0id2 1 5 .b3 il!.g7 16.Ab2 �d7 1 7. .l:f.cl h6! 1 8.�d2oo �b4 1 9. il!.c3 �e7 20.g6 fxg6 2 1 . il!.d3 0-0oo P.Neuman-Kulhanek, Czechia 2004; B) l 1 . Ah3!? h5 (1 1 ...il!.e7!? is still pos­ sible) l 2.fxg5 tlJdxe5 1 3.tlJxe5 tt:Jxe5 14.@g2 tlJg6 (14 ... tlJg4!? Vartapetyan­ Moskalenko, Yalta 1 996) 1 5.tlJf3 �d6� Jadvizhena-T.Kononenko, Kiev 1 998; C) A very interesting position arises after 1 1 . �e3

analysis diagram

l l ...f6 (with l l ...g4 Black has a very good score: 12.tlJd2 h5 1 3 .h3 h4!�) 12.�h3 gxf4 (12 ... 0-0oo) 1 3.gxf4 fxe5 14.fxe5 tLJf8� with the idea 15.tLJg5 �e7!N. 1 1 ... gxf4 l l ...f6!?� is quite similar. 1 2. hf4 The development of the pieces is a natural concept. f � l PLAN: In the event of 1 2 .gxf4, �ig' supporting the centre, Black continues to bomb the 'Pawn Wedge" 1 2 .. .f6! 1 3 . Ae3 Ae7 (13 .. .fxe5!? l 4.fxe5 tlJf8 is a similar plan) 14.�d2 tLJf8! preparing queen­ side castling: 1 5. il!.d3 (or 1 5 .h4 il!.d7 16.exf6 Axf6 1 7.tlJe5 �xe5 1 8.fxe5 tlJg6 1 9.tLJf3 0-0-0� Langier-Dgebuadze, Roque Saenz Pena 1997) 15 ... il!.d7 16.tlJe2 0-0-0 1 7.l::tacl @b8 1 8.tlJc3 fxe5 1 9.fxe5 tlJg6+ with clear counter1 36

play on all parts of the board, Vasiukov-M.Gurevich, Moscow 1987. 1 2 .. .f6 1 3. �g2

The king's fianchetto has been success­ fully carried out. 1 3... �fa This counter-argument was my home preparation. However, other options are also interesting: A) 13 ... Ae7!? 14.b3 fxe5 1 5.tt:Jxe5 (15. dxe5 tlJc5�) 15 ...tLJdxe5 16.dxeS �d7 1 7.�hs+ @d8+ Buchholz-Frohne, Germany tt 1 995/96; B) Or first 13 .. .fxeS!? 14.tlJxe5 (14.dxe5 �e7�) 14 ... tt:Jdxe5 1 5.dxe5 il!.d7� with a 0-4 score for Black. 1 4.:lb1 14.J:lh2 �g7 1 5.@hl 0-0 16.il!.d3 fxe5 1 7.dxe5 tlJcS 1 8 . �xh7+ @xh7 1 9.tlJg5+ 'it>g8 20.�h5 �f5= Borge-Laptev, Gyor 1 990. 14 ... ..tg7 1 5.i..d 3 0-0!

.i .t .t. .t. � .t .t. � � .t. l .t. 8 8 Ji,, Ji,, Cjj 8 8 � Cjj :g

Chapter 1 1 Black is well prepared for the tough fight ahead. The wedge will soon dissolve. 1 6.exf6 1 6.�c2 h6!?. 1 6 ... tbxf6 1 7. i..d 6 l 7.lLle2 lLlb4!?; 1 7.a3 lLle4 1 8.lLle2 eS!. 1 7... .J:[d8 1 8.i..c5 'ii'c7 1 9. 0.e2 0.e4! 20 . .ia3 e5!t The culmination of Black's strategy.

21 .dxe5 tbxe5 22.tbxe5 he5! 23 . .J:[c1 'ifb6 24. 'ii'g 1 'ifh6 24 ... �g6!? 25 .�e3 �fst. 25. .J:[c2 Or, for instance, 25.�xe4 dxe4 26.�cS �gs+. 25 ... i..f5 This seems like a strong move. 25 ... b6!?t; 25 ... �e6!?+.

-

A Pawn Wedge: 5 . f4

26.g4 'ii'g 7! Another good continuation was 26 ...WhS!? with the idea 27. �cS d4! and Black is winning. 27.'We3 :ea 27... hS!+. 28. 'Wf3 i..d 7 29.lllf4 i..c6 30.lllh5D 'ifh6 31 .h4?

31 ... @hB?T Too slow. The correct move was 3 1 .. . .l:f.f8 ! 32.�xf8 .l:rxf8 with a decisive advan­ tage. 32.g5 .J:[g8? 32 ...�e6!. hg3 33.lllg 3! 'ii'g 6 34. .:.e1 35. 'Wxg3 tbxg3 36.i..xg6 hxg6 37.xg3 J:.ge8 Draw agreed. A really interesting and dramatic game.

Summary of the 'Pawn Wedge' S I 6. f4 In any database you can find almost 5000 games with this scheme. I offer four model games (3 1 -34), which contain (almost) all the important themes for both sides. Enjoy these complicated positions and the sometimes quite bizarre play! -

General Conclusion to Chapters 7 - 1 1 Beyond Tarrasch (3.g7 34.:Xd6 ..txa2 3S. llleS .tb1 36.l:td7+ fit.?f6 37.llld3 l:Z.c2+ 38.@d1 .l:lh2 39.fit.?c1 l:th1 + 40. 'it>d2 :ha 41 .lllcS :h2+ 42.'it>e3 b6 43.llla4 .l:.h7 44.:Xh7 hh7 4S. 'ifi>d4 'ifi>e6 46. lllc3 fit.?d7 47.lllbS as 48.fit.?c3 fit.?c6 49.llld4+ @cs SO. lllb3+ fit.?bS S 1 . ttJd4+ @a4 S2. llle6 112-112 Summary of the plan with 7.�e2 and 0-0-0: This is an interesting and fashionable set-up, which deserves much attention, but it does not guarantee White any advantage in all the lines that arise after 9... �e7 or 9 ..�b4+. And it does not even guarantee White an easy life after 9... a6!? and the Sicilian advance ...b7b5!. .

GAME 42 Petr Velicka (2442) Viktor Moskalenko (2520) Solsones Open 2003 (9)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.ttJd2 cs 4.exdS 'fi'xdS S. tllgf3 cxd4 6 . .tc4 'fi'd6 7.0-0 lllf6 8. lllb3 lllc6 9. lllbxd4 tbxd4 1 0. 'fi'xd4

K .i. ii

Quite a modest continuation. The most ambitious try is 10.lllxd4! - see the next three games. 1 65

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tlld2 1 6 .tt:ld2 tt:lxd2 1 7. �xd2 �d4! 1 8 . �e3 �xe3 1 9.fxe3 @e7= Fluvia Poyatos­ Moskalenko, Catalunya 2003. 12 . ..tcS! ? .

.

The game Velicka-Moskalenko in progress.

1 0... 'lfxd4! 1 0 ... �d7!?. 1 1 . ttJxd4 The main idea for White after the queen exchange is to reach a better ending: three pawns against two on the queen­ side and more active minor pieces. How­ ever, historically and technically this rule only prevailed in Capablanca's day. 1 1 ... .td7 With an equal position. 1 1 ...�cS!? is another developing strategy: 1 2.tt:lb3 (12.tt:lbs @e7!? 1 3 .�f4 a6!? 1 4.tt:lc3 bS+:t) 1 2 ... �e7 1 3 .�f4 �d7 14.�e2 tt:ldS 1 S . �g3= Akopian-Shirov, Merida 2000. 12 . .te2 A) If 12.tLlbS?! .!d.c8!; B) Or, for instance, 1 2 . �bS?! .!d.d8 (12 ... �cS!?) 1 3.c4 �xbS 14.tt:lxbS a6 1 S .tt:lc3+. Here Black has many moves to gain a slight advantage, Rios Parra­ Moskalenko, Barbera 2003; C) Or else 1 2 .�f4 .!d.c8 1 3 . �e2 (13.�b3 �cs 14 . .l::!.a dl 0-0 1 S .h3 .!d.fd8 16.�eS aS 1 7.a4 �e8 1 8 .�xf6?! gxf6=F Rios Parra-Moskalenko, Montcada 200S) 1 3 ... �cS 14.tt:lb3 �b6 1 S .c4 tt:le4+:t

1 66

Attacking the knight with gain of tempo is a logical decision. 1 3.l2Jb3 .tb6 1 4.a4 a6!? The blocking move 14 ... aS is more com­ plicated: I S .c4 �c6 1 6 .�f4 tt:le4 1 7.�f3 tt:lcS 1 8 . �xc6+ bxc6 1 9.tt:lxcS �xcS 20 . .!d.fdl We7 2 1 ..l::!.d 3 .!:f.hd8 22.l::radl .!d.xd3 23.I:!.xd3 f6 24.�d2 .!d.b8 2S.b3 �b4 26.�e3 and a draw was agreed very soon in Motylev-Ivanchuk, Moscow 2002. 1 5 . .tf3 0-0-0

Black has solved all his opening prob­ lems and his position is quite flexible for a change. 1 6 . ..tgS? ! 16.l:!e! @b8 (16 ... �c6!?=) 1 7.aS �a7 1 8 .�f4+ 1/2- 1/2 Nevednichy-Akopian, Heraklion Ech-tt 2007. 1 6 ... h6 1 7. .txf6

Chapter 1 3 - A French-Scandinavian Hybrid: 3 . . . c5 4.exd5 "tWxd5 A dubious exchange, after which Black will play for a win. In the event of 1 7.�h4 �c6 1 8.�xc6 bxc6xc2 f2-+. 3 S... e4 36.:.d7+ @es 37.c4 dxc3+ The b-pawn has changed direction many times! Before its capture, let us re­ member its route: ... bxc6-cxd5-d4-dxc3.

38.@c2 .:I.cs 39. l:tdB .:.XaS 40.@xc3 :.a2 41 .l:.eB+ @f6 42.g4 .:.Xf2 43.l:.fB+ @gs 44.l:.gB+ 'itt4 4S.gxfS .l:.g2 0-1

Summary: The endgame is extremely important. After the queen exchange 1 0.�xd4 "tWxd4! , the only thing the two players can demonstrate is their tech­ nique!

GAME 43 David Larino Ni eto (2487) Viktor Moskalenko (2582) Salou 2011 (3)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. llld2 cs 4.exdS 'ifxdS S.lllgf3 cxd4 6.�c4 'ild6 7.0-0 lllf6 8. lllb3 lllc6 9. lllbxd4 lllx d4 1 0.lllxd4 The critical moment for Black. There are only two correct moves in this position! 1 0... �e7!?

This possibility is not very popular (only 98 games in the MegaBase), but it can be useful for players looking for a quick draw (see Tigran Petrosian's lines), just as in the Rubinstein Variation with 3 ... dxe4. Instead, 1 0 ... �d7 is more ambitious, or even 1 0 ... a6 - see Games 44 and 45. 1 1 .c3 White prepares the queen move. There are three alternatives that should be checked: 1 67

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tD:i2 A) 1 1 .tllb S is the most aggressive move, looking for tricks. But White won't find anything effective: l 1 ...'lic6!? (1 1 ...'lib8 is another good option: 1 2 .g3 0-0!? 1 3 .Vi'e2 eS+%) 1 2.Wie2 0-0 1 3 .�f4 a6 (1 3 ... b6!? 14.tlld4 'lies l S.l:tadl �b7=) 14.tlld4 'lies= 1 S .tllb 3 'ti'c6 1 6 .tlld4 �cs 1/2-1/2 Tal-Petrosian, Tbilisi 1 976; B) l l . �e3 0-0 1 2.'l!ff3 Wic7 (12 ... eS!? 1 3 .tllbs 'i¥b4 14.'1We2 �g4 1 S.f3 �cs 1 6.b3 a6+%) 13.�b3 �d7 14.h3 and the position is completely equal, Onischuk­ Gulko, New York Open 1 998.

analysis diagram

Now the simplest continuation is 14 ... �cS l S . .!:i.adl eS 1 6 .tllfS �xfS 1 7.'irVxfS �xe3 18.fxe3 .!:i.ad8=; C) l l .b3!? with the idea of defending the bishop on c4 and preparing �b2: 1 1 ... 0-0! l 2.�b2.

.i .t .t. .t. •

14.tllxf3 b6= Bok-Giri, Netherlands tt 2013/14) 1 3 ... .!:td8 (13 ... �cS 14.tllf3 b6 l S.'l!feS 'irVxeS 16.tllxeS �b7= Berbatov­ Dizdarevic, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010) 14 . .!:i.adl �d7 1 S.�d3 (ls . .i::rfel �b4!?+% A.Sokolov-Smagin, Riga ch-URS 198S) l S ... �cS (1S ... .!:i.ac8!?) 16.tllf3 �c6 1 7.tlle S �e4! 18.lldel ! ? Akopian-Kamsky, Nalchik 2009. Now: 1 8 ... �g6!+%. 1 1 ... 0-0 Another key moment.

.i .t .t. .t. •

1 2. 'iff3!? 1 2.'i¥e2 a6!? (12 ... �d7) 1 3 .�dl Wic7 14.�gS b6!?=. 1 2 ... 'ifc7!? To defend b7 and prepare ... �d7. More forcing is the advance 12 ... eS!?, an important resource here or on one of the next moves: 1 3 .tllfS �xfS 14.'ti'xfS g6 1 S.'i¥f3 e4 1 6 .'i¥e2 'irVeS +% Wehmeier­ Kaser, Germany tt 2001 /02. 1 3. �b3 1 3 . �d3 was tested recently: 1 3 ... �d7 14.l:!'.el .!:i.fe8

analysis diagram

I found some games which reached this position by transposition (... �d 7/. .. �el): 1 2 ...'i¥f4 1 3 .'i¥e2!? (13.'i¥f3 'i¥xf3 1 68

analysis diagram

Chapter 1 3 - A French-Scandinavian Hybrid: 3 . . cS 4.exdS 'iVxdS .

15.�gS (1 5.�f4 �d6 16.�xd6 �xd6 1 7.a4 .l:Iad8!= Vallejo Pons-Giri, Beijing rapid 201 1) 1 5 ...tlld S 16.�xe7 .l:he7 17 . .l::!.adl i.e8 1 8.'iVe4 tllf6 1 9.'iVM .l::!.d8 20.ne3 h6 2 1 .l::rdel r!ed7 22.l'.:!.g3 @fg 23.l:1f3 'iVaS= Mamedov-Greet, Troms0 Olympiad 2014. 1 3 ... �d7=

This position is not dangerous for Black. He has saved several tempi compared to the line 10 ... a6 (Game 45). Not so clear is 13 ... �d6 14.h3 i.d7 (14 ... �eS!?) 1 5. i.gs i.h2+ 1 6 .@hl �es - but anyway, this position is much better for Black than the ones offered in certain anti-French books and articles! 1 4. �f4!? A) 1 4.l::re l i.d6 1 5 .h3 e5!+% Tiviakov­ Makarov, Podolsk 1 992, by transposi­ tion; B) 14.�gS

analysis diagram

14 ... .l::!.ad8 (simpler may have been 14 ... tlld S!? - Illescas) 1 5 . i.M (after

1 5.l:rfel !?= (Aagaard-Almasi, Budapest 1 996), Black can continue as in the game) 1 5 ... �c8 16.l:1fel a6 1 7. .l::!.a dl .I:!.fe8 18.�c2 tlld s 1 9.�g3 i.d6 20.�b3 .txg3 2 1 .hxg3 tllf6 22.tllc 2. In this completely equal position a draw was agreed in Illescas Cordoba-Moskalenko, Barcelona 2008. 1 4... 'ifb6 14 ... eS!?. 1 5.l:ad1 l:ad8 1 6. �e5

My opponent was very happy with his position after the opening. His pieces are on the best squares, ready to attack ... while I had to try and find some superb defensive plan. 1 6 ... llJeS!? Black prepares simplifications: with ... �e7-.tf6. A possible alternative is 1 6 ... aS in order to activate the queenside. 1 7.'ifh3!? With the clear intention to attack the black king. 1 7.'iVe3 i.d6!?. 17 ... �f6! 1 8.f4 .tc6! Step by step, Black has also improved his pieces. 19 . .tc2 This seems to be a logical continuation. If 1 9.@hl �e4!?, defending the king­ side. 1 9... g6! However, after this move the bishop on c2 is no longer dangerous. 1 69

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . 0.d2 20.b4 In the event of 20.@hl ?! 'li.fxb2! 2 1 . �b3 i.xeS 22.fxeS ctJg7=F Black is a pawn up. 20 ... .txe5! ? 21 .fxe5 After only a few moves the position has changed: White cannot continue his attack. 21 ... t2Jg7 22.'ifi>h1 Obviously, White has to liberate his knight on d4. 22 ... tlJfS ! Following the rules of the game, Black offers one more exchange. 23 . .txf5 exf5

Summarizing the result of the middle­ game (offense vs. defence): after a num­ ber of simplifications, White does not have enough resources to attack, while Black has gained some strategic advan­ tages; the white pawns on c3 and eS are potentially weak. 24. 'ii'h S White continues optimistically, without sensing the danger. 24... .te4! The French bishop on e4 turns into the best piece on the board. 25 . .J:.de1 25.l:i.f4 f6!. 25. .. .J:.xd4! A thematic sacrifice (l:i.xtt::l) , which changes the course of the game. 25 ... 'li.fc7!? was also possible, with more complicated play after 26.e6!?. 26.cxd4 'ifxd4 1 70

In this position (�+ti, vs . .l::!.) , the re­ maining white pawns are weak. 27. 'ife3 Now it is White who seeks simplifica­ tions - a good sign! 27.e6!? fxe6 28 . .l:ldl 'li.fc4!+. 27... 'ifxe3 28.l:.xe3 A schematic ending arises, where the black bishop on e4 continues to domi­ nate the game. 28 ... .l:.eB! 29.h4 .J:.xe5 30.@h2 .J:.d5 31 .l:.f2 @g7 32.@g3 .J:.d4 33.a3 h6!? Preparing the advance ...g6-g5. 34.b5 g5! 35.hxg5 hxg5 36.:Z.c3 f4+! 37.@h2 .J:.d1 ! The white king will not escape. 38.a4 @g6-+

Black will now soon realize his big ad­ vantage. The direct plan: ...WfS and the push of the g-pawn is unstoppable. 39 . .J:.c4 .td5 39...@fS ! . 40 . .J:.cc2 .te4 41 .J:[c7 f6 42 . .J:.e7 .J:.e1 43.a5 'itf5 44 . .J:.c7 b6 45 . .lba7

Chapter 1 3 - A French-Scandinavian Hybrid: 3 . . . c5 4.exd5 �xd5 g4 46 . .l:.g7 bxaS 47.b6 .l:.b1 48 . .l:.gB a4 49.l:tg7 a3 50 . .l:.gB a2 51 . :Xa2 g3+ 52.:Xg3 fxg3+ 53.@xg3 :Xb6 0-1 54.@h4 �g6 55 . .l:.a4

previous game) I 2 . .2.b2 �f4?! (em­ ployed by GM Yury Kruppa; 1 2 ... .2.e7!? is more solid) 1 3 .g3!? 'iWh6.

Summary: In my opinion (and also that of Aki­ ba Rubinstein and Tigran Petrosian), the plan with I O ... �e7 and I 1 ...0-0 is slightly passive but very solid.

GAME 44 Magesh Chandran Panchanathan (2482) Zviad lzoria (2641) Philadelphia 2007 (4)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.tlld2 cs 4.exdS 'it'xdS 5. tllgf3 cxd4 6 . .tc4 'ifd6 7.0-0 tllf6 8.tllb3 tllc6 9. tllbxd4 tllxd4 1 O. tllxd4 .td7! ?

This developing move is quite useful as well, since it defends bS and enables Black to castle queenside. 1 1 .c3 I cannot figure out why this modest move is the most popular. A) I I .lbb5 has been played in only a few games: 1 1 ...'i¥b6!? 12.�e3 �cs 1 3 . �xc5 'ii'x c5=; B) However, the fianchetto I 1 .b3!? is quite active: I J .. . l:ld8 (if I 1 ...0-0-0?! 1 2 . �b2 �c7 1 3 .'iWe2 .2.d6 14.h3 .2.h2+ I S .@hl .2.f4 16 . .l::f.adJ ;;!; and Black does not get enough counterplay, Jobava­ Khamrakulov, Spain tt 2007; 1 l ...�e7!? is a similar plan with ... 0-0, as in the

analysis diagram

The queen switches to the kingside and becomes a secret weapon, but after 14. .i::i.e l ! (14.�f3 .2.cSoo Solak-Kruppa, Predeal tt 2007) 14 ... .2.cs l S .ltJfs 'iWh3? (1 5 ... .2.xf2+D) 1 6.lbxg7+ @e7 1 7.'ii'd4! ! White wins in a wonderful way, Parligras-Kruppa, Eforie Nord 2008; C) Some attractive tactical ideas have been seen in the line I I . .2.b3 �c7 12 . .2.gs tbe4 1 3.�M �d6 14.�g4 .2.xh2+ I S.Whl �f4!

.i ii .

.t

.i iii i.

•

ttJ � 'if 'iY' .i

analysis diagram

1 6.'iWxg7 'iWxM 1 7.�xh8+ @e7 1 8.tbf3 �h6 I 9.�xa8 lbg3+ 20.fxg3 �xg3+ 21 .@gl �e3+ 22.�hl 'll!Yh 6+ 1/2-1/2 Stean-Mestel, Llanelli ch-BCF play-off 1974; D) And, last but not least, l I . .2.e3 'ii'c 7!? 12.�d3 a6 (12 ... .2.d6!?) 1 3 .l:tel �d6 14.h3 0-0 1 5 . .2.gs �es 1 6.c3 h6 171

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . tt:Jd2 1 7.tt:'if3 i.xc3 1 8 . ncI hxg5 1 9.nxc3 i.c6= I.Armas-Vaganian, Germany Bundesliga 1 990/9 1 . 1 1 ... 'ifc7 A typical manoeuvre in this line, aiming to prepare a set-up with ... i.d6, con­ trolling the b8-h2 diagonal. A) Again, 1 1 ...iile7!? is a solid choice, after which some games finished after just a few more moves: 1 2 . .l:te! 0-0 (12 ...�c7 1 3 . .ib3 0-0 1 4.i.g5 tt:'id5 1 5 . i.xe7 tt:'ixe7 1 6 .�h5 .l:tad8 1/2-1/2 Balashov-Spassky, Munich 1 979) 1 3 . i.b3 .ic6 14 . .ig5 1/2-1/2 Adams-Seirawan, Bermuda m-5 2000; B) 1 1 ...0-0-0!? is a sharper and riskier option: 1 2 .'fif3?! (or else 12 . .ie3 �c7 1 3 .'fie2 tt:'ig4!? 1 4.�xg4 �xc4+:! Matanovic-Klinger, Vienna 1 986) 1 2 ...'tWc7 13 . .ib3 h5 (1 3 ... e5!) 14.'tWe2 tt:'ig4t.

ff!I"- WEAPON: 1 2 . i.b3?! offers aggressive play: 12 ... .id6 1 3.h3 and now: 13 ... i.h2+!? (we can always follow the standard plan, employed by former World Champion Tigran Petrosian: 1 3 ... 0-0 14.'tWe2 �h2+ 1 5 .f8 1/2-V2 Radulov-Petrosian, Moscow Ech­ tt 1 97 7) 14.'it>hl �f4 1 5 .�xf4 �xf4 16.�a4 0-0-0! (with a psy­ chological initiative!) 1 7. iil.xd7 + .ihd7 1 8.�b3 �hd8 19.'fia4?? e5!-+ and Black won the knight on d4, Erenburg-Izoria, Khanty­ Mansiysk 2005.

12 . 0-0-0!? Just in time. Let us check the other resources: A) 12 ... �d6 leads to positions with a slight but stable advantage for White: 1 3 .tt:'ib5!? �xb5 (13 ... �xh2+? 14.'it>hl 'tWe5 1 5.g3±) 14.�xb5+ 'it>e7 1 5 .g3 .l:!.hd8 (15 ...h5 16.h4!± Psakhis-Herzog, Vienna 1991) 1 6 . .l:!.el 'it>f8 (this manoeuvre does not change the character of the position) 1 7.'fif3!? (intending .ifl-g2), Adams-Sei­ rawan, Bermuda m-3 2000; B) Typical blunders are: 12 ... a6 1 3 .h3 .id6 14.tt:'if5?! �h2+ 1 5 .'it>hl 0-0 1 6 .tt:'ixg??? 'it>xg7 1 7.g3 .ixg3-+ Korneev-Fernandez Romero, Pamplona 2002. If 1 8.fxg3 �xg3 and ... i.c6+. ..

analysis diagram

A dream position in the 4 ...'tWxd5! variation. 1 5 .g3 e5 1 6.tt:'if3 h4!? 1 7. i.e3 hxg3 1 8.hxg3 tt:'ixe3 ! 1 9.'fixe3 .ic5 20.'tWxe5 i.c6! and Black has a winning initiative, Zapata-Klinger, Havana 1 986; C) Also popular is l 1 ...a6 with a quiet game: 1 2.'tWe2 i.e7 1 3 . i.g5 0-0 14.l:!'.adl �c7 1 5.f4 .l:!.fe8 16.'it>hl l:iad8= and Black won a queen ending on move 60, Adams-Andersson, Biel 1 9 9 1 . 1 2. 'ife2 Continuing to play natural moves. 1 72

Chapter 1 3 - A French-Scandinavian Hybrid: 3 . . . cS 4.exd5 �xd5 1 3.a4 h5!? 13 ...t2lg4?! seems to be a mistake due to 14.g3 ! h5 1 5.�gS!t nes 1 6 .ttJbS with a huge advantage for White, Rachels-Zil.Rahman, Los Angeles 1 99 1 . 1 4. ltJb5 �xb5 1 5.axb5 �c5! Again, 1 S ...t2ig4?! is premature: 1 6.g3 ! �cs 1 7.Wg2 ( 1 7. .!:i.a4!? or 1 7.AgS!?, trans­ posing to Wolff-Bonin, Philadelphia 1 990) 1 7...'it>b8 (1 7...�eS 1 8 .h3 !±) 1 s.na4!±.

analysis diagram

This is a key game for white players. 1 8 ... J:1he8 1 9.h3 t2Jf6 20.�gS nd7 2 1 . nfa1 ttJds 22.�xdS ! .l::i.xds 23.�f4 eS 24.b4!+- (a decisive attack with the two b-pawns and the c-pawn) 24...�d7 25.�gS �b6 26.c4 .!:i.d3 27.cS �xbS 28.Wh2! Ac7 29. .!:i.xa7 Wc8 30 . .!:i.a8+ �b8 3 1 . .!:i.d l ! 1 - 0 Adams-Lautier, Biel 1 99 1 . 1 6. :&4! 1 6 .g3!? could be another key move in this line: 16 ... M 1 7. �f4! �e7 1 8 .b4 Ab6 and since Black threatens 1 9...tlJdS , White's reply 1 9. .l:!.fdl is forced, but then Black simplifies with 19 ... hxg3 20.hxg3 nxdl+ 2 1 ..l:!.xdl l:ld8!?, and with correct play he will achieve an equal position. 1 6 ... @bO Once more, the sortie 1 6 ... t2lg4 has no significance: 1 7.g3±. 1 7. �d3 1 7. �b3!? no games; 1 7.g3 t2id7!?+:t. 1 7 ... ltJg4 -

At this point we can already assess the outcome of the opening. White's attack has been delayed, his pieces are passive and the b- and c-pawns cannot advance yet. 1 8.g3 f5! In order to play ... h5-h4. 1 9. �g5 Some illustrative lines: A) 1 9.�xe6 nxd3 20.�f4 .!:i.d6 2 1 .�xfS g6+:t; B) 1 9.b4!? Ab6 (19 ... �xf2+ 20.nxf2 �xc3oo) 20.c4 (20.AxfSoo) 20 ... .l:i.d4!. 19 ...h4! 20. .b:dO :Xd8 21 .:Xg4 fxg4 22.b4 �b6 23.c4

23 ... 'ifd6?! This leads only to a draw. 23 ... hxg3! 24.cSD gxh2+ 25.Whl �d7! 26.cxb6 �xd3+ with winning chances in the endgame. 24.c5 'ii'xd3 25. 'it'xd3 :Xd3 26.cxb6 :b3 27.l:.e1 :Xb4 28.gxh4 :Xb5 29.bxa7+ @xa7 30.:Xe6 l:.h5 31 .l:.g6 :Xh4 32.:Xg7 @a6 33.@g2

173

Part Two -Weapons and Dogmas: 3 . 0J2 b5 34. ttga b4 35. .J:[bB was 36 . ..tg3 l:lh6 37.wxg4 :Xh2 38.f4 'iii>a4 39.fS b3 40.f6 .J:[f2 41 .@gS b2 42.f7 ..ta3 43. �96 rhf7 44. ..ti>xf7 112-112

Summary: As we have seen, the move 1 0 ... £.d7 is quite flexible, and it offers a good range of continuations and ideas with very dif­ ferent concepts. After ... 0-0-0, for Black it is very important to study the counter­ attacking set-up with ... h7-h5 and ...lLlf6g4 at every point in the game.

GAME 45 Michael Adams (2734) Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu (2693) Sofia 2007 (3)

This brilliant game is the last one in our study of the ...WVxdS variation and also the last game in Part Two. 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. llld2 c5 4.exd5 'iVxd5 5.lllgf3 cxd4 6.i..c4 'iVd6 7.0-0 lllf6 8.lllb3 lllc6 9. lllbxd4 lllxd4 1 0.lllxd4 a6

The real idea behind this move is hard to understand (is it aggressive or defen­ sive?), but it is the most popular move in practice. It forestalls any tricks on bS and prepares the Sicilian-style advance ... b7b5. However, according to general rules, White should be able to take advantage of his lead in development, and he has to attack at any price. 1 1 . l:le1 ! ? 1 74

A forceful manoeuvre which obliges Black to abandon his original plans and to take good care of his e6-square. A) 1 1 .£.b3 is an unnecessary manoeuvre: 1 1 ...WVc7 12.WVf3 �d6 and now: 1 3 .�hl (an interesting idea, introduced in the game lvanchuk-Anand, Reggio Emilia 1 9 9 1 /92. 1 3 .h3 0-0 14.�gS tlJd7oo is the main line: 1 5 .c3 bS 16.�c2 �b7 1 7.WVhS g6 1 8 .WVM .l:i.fe8 19 . .l::!:fel lLlb6 20 . .l:i.e2 £.e7 and the position is equal, Tiviakov-Lalic, Port Erin 2005) 13 ... 0-0!? (13 ... �d7 14.£.gs �es 1 5 . .!d.adl h6 16.�h4 0-0 1 7. .l:i.fel ;;!;; Adams-Bareev, Wijk aan Zee 2004) 14.�gS lLld7 1 5 .c3 ltJes 16.WVhs lLlg6 1 7.�c2 h6 1 8.xf2 l:1b4 1 8 .e3 @el 19.l::!.fbl with an equal game, De la Riva Aguado­ Ulibin, Zaragoza 1993; B) The attacking player's choice has always been 9.h4 b4 1 0 .tbe2 �el (10 ... c4!?) 1 1 .dxcS tbxcS!+:t Anand­ Morozevich, Monaco (blind) 2004; C) But the computer move is 9.�e2 �bl!? (9 ... 'fHb6 10.tl:JdI b4 1 1 .0-0 aS+:t Svidler-Morozevich, Monaco rapid 200S) 1 0.0-0 �e7 1 1 .@hl 0-0 l 2.a3 �cl 13 . .!:!.ael .!:!.ac8 14.�d3 cxd4 1 s.tl:Jxd4 tl:Jcs and the position is equal, Nijboer-Visser, Tilburg 2003. 9 'Wb6 A) 9... �bl!? is another positive move: Al) After 1 0.dxcS gxcS 1 1 .hcS tbxcS Morozevich showed in the following game that he favours dynamic factors (rapid de­ velopment) over static ones (exchange of the dark-squared bishops): 12.�d3 b4+:t 1 3.tbe2 (after this voluntary retreat, all the aspects mentioned in the previous com­ ment seem to become valid: 1 3 ...'li'b6 14.�e3?! d4! - a thematic pawn sacrifice in order to activate the pieces, Svidler­ Morozevich, Morelia/Linares 2001; A2) 10.�e2 'fHb6 1 1 .tbdl l::!.c 8 l 2.c3 cxd4 1 3 .tl:Jxd4 tl:JcS!+:t Almasi-Cao Sang, Nyiregyhaza ch-HUN 2008; A3) 10.g3 �aS!? I 1 .l::!.a 2 'iYcl!?+:t Paikidze-Malakhatko, St Petersburg 201 0 ; ...

A4) 1 0.tbe2 �cl!? l l .g3 cxd4 1 2.tl:Jfxd4 tl:Jxd4 1 3 .tbxd4 tbcS!+:t Lopez Martinez-Moskalenko, Catalunya tt 2008; AS) 1 O.�d3 �cl 1 1 .0-0 0-0-0 (there are not enough games here to draw any conclusions, but this seems to be risky) 12.tbdl ? cxd4 1 3.tbxd4 gS!?.

i

i

analysis diagram

The 'Black Jet' in Monaco? The rest is almost forced! 14.tbxc6 �xc6 1 S . �d4 gxf4 1 6.�xf4 l::!.g 8 I l.tbe3 [6 1 8.exf6 es 19.fl l::!.xg2+ 0-1 Svidler-Morozevich, Monaco blind 2001. B) 9 ... cxd4 introduces play similar to the next game: 1 0.tbxd4 tbxd4 l l . �xd4 �cs

E

1- iV • .. i i i i i 1. i 8 � 8 8 tlJ 8 8 8 V//J @� .:

E i

8 .:

analysis diagram

1 2.0-0-0 (12.�xcS tbxcS 1 3.'fHf2 �cl 14.�d3 0-0 I S.0-0 f6+:t Perpinya Rofes-Moskalenko, Sabadell 2008) 1 2 ... �bl 1 3.h4 0-0 14.�e3 �xd4 1 S . .!:!.xd4 f6!? 1 6.exf6 �xf6 l l.g3 .l:r.ae8 1 8 . �h3 tl:Jb8!? 1 9.'iVd2 tl:Jc6 20.l::!.d 3 1 81

Part Three - Classical System: l .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . tt:Jc3 tt::lf6 tt::la S 2 1 ..l:i.el tt::lc4i Kogan-Moskalenko, La Gomera 2006; C) The French experts' choice has al­ ways been the more aggressive 9 ... gS.

.i

i. � - � .. i i .. i iii8 i 8 8 8 ttJ � tt:J l:i 8 £'.i iY, 2:1 'it> �

1 3 ... �b7 1 4.0-0 tbe4!? A common manoeuvre in these posi­ tions. 1 S. 'ife2 tllxd4 1 6.tllxd4 16.�xd4 �cS+:t . 1 6 ... �cs 1 7.c3 o-o

li 2:1

analysis diagram

A dubious blow, but prepared by Morozevich especially to play a 'Black Jet' roulette game in Monaco! 1 0.fxgS (10.tt::lxgS cxd4 l 1 . �xd4 tt::lxd4 1 2.'ti'xd4 £.cs 1 3.'ti'd2 'ti'b6�) 1 0 ... cxd4 l 1 .tt::lxd4 (the main reply. The stem game continued l 1 ..G..xd4 �g7 12.0-0-0oo Anand-Morozevich, Monaco (blind) 2005) 1 1 ...tt::lcxeS!? (1 1 ...tt::ldxeS 1 2 . �e2 h6 1 3 .g6!i) 12 . .G..d 3 �b7 1 3.0-0 �g7 14.tt::lce2 0-0 l S.tt::lg 3 and White is better, Li Chao-Ding Liren, Beijing zt 2009. 1 0. tbe2 'ifc7!?

.i

i. • i. .i � .. i i i i .. i i i i l:i � 8 8 � tt:J 8 8 'iY tt:J 8 8 2:1 � � 2:1 1 1 .g3 cxd4 Of course Black can also wait before ex­ changing and develop his bishops first. 1 2. tbexd4 tllcS 1 3. �d3 _.; TRICK: 1 3.°iYc3 i.d7 14.tt::lxbS W axbS 1 5 . i.xcS b4!+.

1 88

I think that this position is equal. How­ ever, if White tries to open up the game his king will be in a dangerous position. 1 8 . .t[fc1 Or l 8.a4 bxa4! l 9 . .l:i.xa4 aS=. 18 ... l:tfc8 1 9.a4 bxa4 20. :Xa4 aS 21 Jka1 g6 2 1 ...°iYb6!?. 22.tllb3 �b6! 23. �bS tllc S!? A provocative manoeuvre. 23 ... �a6!+. 24.tllxcs hes 2S.�d4 25.'ti'f2 �xe3 26.'i¥xe3 .l:i.cb8+:t. 2S ... �xd4+ 26.:Xd4 'ifb6 27.l:.82 �c6 28. �xc6 �c6 29. g2 Some small problems are starting to ap­ pear. 29 ... .:b8 30.@h3 :cs 3 1 . l:tda4 l:tbSi

Chapter 1 4

-

Morozevich 's Resources: 4.e5 ttJfd7

This is what I had hoped for from this line. Now the white king is quite weak. 32.c4 dxc4 33. 'ii'xc4 'iti>g7! A very useful manoeuvre, preparing a bold attack by the h-pawn. 33 ... .l:i.d8!?; 33 ...�gl ! ?. 34. 'ii'e2 In time-trouble dangers in the position are better hidden. 34.�d4 �c6+. 34... hS!-+-

'if i .I g

i 8

g t::,

The key position in this line. 1 0... a6 Preparing ... b7-bS.

i !;i i i 8 8 r:J;; 8

A fresh resource. 35.1i'd2 J:[dS 36. 'ii'e 1 'ti'd8 36 ... h4! . 37. .l:e4 37.l::[x aS .l:i.dl 38.�e4 h4 39 . .l:i.a8 hxg3-+. 37... h4! 0-1 White should be losing in many ways, but the most elegant would have been ... on time!

GAME 48 Dmitry Yakovenko (271 0) Alexander Morozevich (2755) Moscow ch-city 2007 ( 1 )

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lLic3 ll:if6 4.es ll:ifd7 5.f4 cs 6.lLif3 lLic6 7. i..e3 cxd4!? After this exchange Black wants to exert pressure on d4 with his pieces. 8.lLlxd4 i..c5 A sharp line arises after 8 ...�b6!? - see Chapter 1 6 . 9 . 'ifd 2 0-0 1 0.0-0-0

,.,.,,,.. WEAPON: 10 ... tllxd4!? l l .�xd4 a6 is an idea that deserves at­ tention: 1 2 .@bl (12.�f2, see the main game) 12 ...bS 1 3 . �xcS (13.tlle2 �b6 14.�e3 b4� Ya . G e l l e r - N e p o m n i a c h t c h i , Dagomys 2004) 1 3 ...tllxcS 14.'i¥d4 'Y!Vb6!? 1 S.a3 l:tb8!

analysis diagram

1 6.g3 b4! 1 7.axb4 �xb4 1 8.�xb4 .l::i.xb4 19.tlla 2 .l:!.b6 20 . .l::!.d4 aS 2 1 .b3 �d7 22.�g2 .ld.fb8f Kruppa-Moskalenko, Chernigov 1 985. 1 1 . ti'f2 This move was brought back into fashion by Kramnik, after he scored a very con­ vincing win with it over Radjabov in Linares. A) The advance l 1 .h4!? is always rele­ vant: 1 1 ...tllxd4 1 2 . �xd4 bS 1 3.hS 1 89

Part Three - Classical System: l .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . tllc 3 tlJf6

.t 'if �

.i

i. . 111

l

l l .t. 1 8 8 � 8 ttJ 8 8 8 VJ!i 8 � :ti: � :ti:

a5! 16.a3 b5 1 7.g4+:t with a double-edged position, Svidler-Morozevich, Moscow ch-RUS Superfinal 2005. 1 1 ... 'ii'e7!?

analysis diagram

13 ... b4 (13 ... �b7 is also playable: 14.h6 g6 1 5 .�e3 �c8 16.�xc5 tt:Jxc5 1 7.ld'.d4 'lte7 1 8 .Wbl nc7 1 9.g3 b4! 20.tt:Jd1 a5 2 1 .tt:Jf2 a4 22.£,g2 .i:l.'.fc8+ A.Ivanov-Moskalenko, Frunze 1 987) 14.c1:Je2 (14.tlJa4 �xd4 15.'ltxd4 "iYa5 16.b3 gb7oo with the idea 1 7... gc6, De la Riva Aguado-Campos Gambuti, Barcelona 1993) 14... a5 1 5."iYe3 "iYc7! 16.�bl ga6 1 7.gxc5 c1:Jxc5 l 8.tlJg3 (covering the e4-square; 1 8.c1:Jd4 a4 1 9.�xa6 nxa6 20.f5 tlJe4 2! .'ltf4 a3-+) 1 8 ... .l::!.fc8 19.l:rcl a4 20.�xa6 .l:i.xa6 2 1 .�hdl a3 22.b3 nc6t and soon after, Black won the game, Topalov­ Morozevich, Sarajevo 1 999; B) l I .c1:Jce2 White's idea is to exchange the dark-squared bishops, reducing Black's attacking potential on the queen­ side: l !..."iYe7 1 2 .tlJb3 �xe3 1 3.'ltxe3 f6!.

i.

.t.

i. . � 'if 1 1 l � 11 18 8 'iY ttJ 8 8 8 ttJ 8 8 � :ti: � :ti: l

analysis diagram

Starting counterplay in the centre. l 4.exf6 c1:Jxf6 1 5.h3 (White has to waste a tempo since ...c1:Jg4 is not easy to meet: 1 5.tlJed4 c1:Jg4 l 6."iYf3 c1:Jxd4 l 7.c1:Jxd4 e5!+:t) 1 5 ... 1 90

An important improvement: the queen is much better placed on e7. A) l l ...tt:Jxd4 is rather different: 12.�xd4 'ifc7?! 13.�d3 b5 14.�h4!, with the idea to create a couple of weaknesses on the kingside and to push his pawns to open up the position of the black king, Kramnik-Radjabov, Linares 2003; B) l l ...gxd4!? 12.gxd4 b5 1 3.�e3! (13.gd3 b4 14.c1:Je2 aS+:t Kharitonov­ Iliushin, Krasnoyarsk ch-RUS 2003) 1 3 ... �b7!? (much better than 1 3 ... b4 14.c1:Ja4! a5 15.h4! ga6 16.h5t Ragger­ Stellwagen, Yerevan Wch-jr 2007) 14.�d3 f6 (14 ... c1:Jb4!? Kramnik-Shirov, Monaco blind 2003) 1 5.exf6 'ltxf6+:t Dominguez Perez-Narciso Dublan, Barcelona 2007. 1 2 . .td3 1 2 .�bl c1:Jxd4 1 3 .gxd4 b5 Radjabov­ Ivanchuk, Morelia/Linares 2008. 12 . fG 1 3.exfG lbxf6 ..

Chapter 1 4 1 4.h3 14 . .l:!.hel? g5 Wf7 53.Wh5 llbs+ 54.g5 lla5 55.Wh6 Wg8= is an obvious draw. 50... J:r.b2?!T Better was 50 ... I:l.b4+ with the typical idea 5 1 .Wf5 lla4! 52.lla2 Wd7!=. 51 .l:r.e6+

51 ... �d7?? 51...Wc5D 52.l::!:a6 a2 53.l::!:a8 Wb5 54.We5 l:!c2 55.g5 .l:!.c5+ 56.We4 .ld.c4+ 57.Wd5 .!d.a4 58.llb8+ rJ;>a6 59.na8+ Wb5=. 52. l:r.a6+- a2 53.g5 @e7 54. �g4 rJff7 55. @h5 l:r.h2 56.l:r.a7+ 'iite6 57.@g6 llb2 58.h5 l:r.b8 59.h6 J:[gB+ 1 -0 60.�hS 'iitfS 61 . l:aS+

213

Part Three - Classical System: I .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 . l2Jc3 lt.Jf6 A Prophylactic Move - 9.a3

GAME 58 Manuel Aguas

Viktor Moskalenko (2555) 8enasque 1 993 (9)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ta:3 ll\f6 4.e5 ll\fd7 S.f4 cs s.ll\f3 ta:s 7. i..e3 cxd4 8. ll\xd4 'Wb6 9.a3

I: ..t • ..t .t. .t. lj .t. .t. 'i¥ lj .t. .t. � t2J 8 8 ttJ � 88 8 n 1W � �

I: .t.

Quite similar to the previous game, but iile2 may be more useful than a2-a3 . 1 4. 'Wb4!? The only logical idea after a2-a3 . Quite absurd is 14.�e2?! which con­ firms White's loss of a tempo: 14 ... �a6! (against Dreev, I had no time to play this move) 1 5.iildl 'libs 1 6.b4 .l:!.c8 1 7.lt.Jb2 'lWc6 1 8 . .l:i.cl 0-0+ and Black later won in a sharp game, Kamsky-So, Khanty­ Mansiysk 2009. 1 4... 'Wxb4 1 S.axb4 The endgame is balanced, but there is still a lot of play ahead ...

8 n

Compared to Dreev's logical move 9.iile2 in the previous game, this seems to be simply a loss of time. 9 ... i..cS PUZZLE: 9...tt.Jxd4!? 1 0 .iilxd4 iilcs 1 l .tt::'la4 'iY'aS+ 1 2 .c3 �xd4 1 3.'i¥xd4 also leads to the main game. 1 0. ll\a4 Alternatively, 10.tt.JcbS tt.Jxd4 1 I .iilxd4 0-0 12.b4 iilxd4 13.'li'xd4 aS!? and the resulting endgame is drawish, as in Saric-Martinovic, Plitvicka Jezera 2013, and Macieja-Shimanov, Nakhchivan 2013. 1 0 ... 'iia 5+ 1 1 .c3 .txd4 1 2. bd4 ll\xd4 1 3. 'Wxd4 b6

•

..t

• lj

.t. .t. .t.

.t. .t. 8 'li' 8 8 n 214

8

8

1S ...a6 1 6. i.e2 .tb7 1 7.0-0 :ca 1 8.bS aS 1 9 . .:tad1 d2 and the position is balanced, Saric-Lalic, Bal na Bracu 201 3 ; B) 1 6.fS!? i s also interesting:

analysis diagram

16 ...iVc8!? 1 7.nb3 �c4 1 8.fxe6?! (better is 1 8 .tiJdI �cs 1 9.c3 �xd4 20.cxd4 exfS 2 1 .0ie3 �c6 22.0-0 0-0= Watson) 1 8 .. .fxe6 1 9. .l:.fl �e7 20.iVd3 llc8+ Karjakin-Nakamura, Zug 2013. 16 ... .l:lb8

1 7. l:txbS TRICK: 1 7. �b6? �cS+!.

analysis diagram

1 6 ...�c8 1 7. .l:.c7 �d8 1 8.�d4 .l:.c8 (for instance, 1 8 ... �a3 1 9.tbbl �e7 20.c4! 216

• •

TRICK: 1 7. .l:rfbl nxb7 1 8 . .l:i.xb7 �c8 19.l:!b3 �cS=. 1 7 ... 'ii'x b8 1 8.f5 18.l:!bl �c7= Watson.

Chapter 1 6 1 8 ... 'i!VcB!? With pressure on fS . 1 9.f6 l 9.'i¥d3 �cS=. 1 9... gxf6! 20.lhf6 20.exf6 l:tg8!? favours Black. Now he could also play the rook move. 20 ... hS 21 . l:tf3 'i!Vc4 22.h3 �e7=

E • .i. .i. i i ,. i 8 ., �� M 8 ttJ 8 8 V/ii 8 @ 'With the bishop pair, Black has an edge' - Watson. 23.a3 ba3?! 23 .. Jlg8 !?. 24.tbe4! 24.tllxdS 'iVxdS 25 . .!l.xa3 l:ig8 26 . .i::!.b 3= Watson. 24 ... dxe4 2S.lha3 l:tg8 26.l:tb3 'i!Vc7 27.l:tc3 e3!? 28.�xe3 'ifxeS 29.l:td3 'i!VbS !? 30.l:tb3 'i!Vc6 31 . l:tbB+ .ice 32.c4!? 'ii'xc4 33.l:tb4?! 33.'i¥d6! 'i¥c2 34.g3= Watson. 33 ... 'ii'c6 34.l:td4 f6?! 34 ... �d7!:+. 3S.@h1 ? 35 . .l:!.d8+. 3S ... @t7 36. l:tds 'fibs+

-

Use Your Own Head in the French!: 8 . . . 'i¥b6

37.�h2 h4 37...'iYeS+!?. 38. �f4 'iffS 39.l:tc6? @g6? 39... l::rxgl+!-+ Agdestein. 40. :tc7 es 40 ...'i¥e4!-+ Agdestein. 41 . �e3 �e6?! 41 ...'i¥e4!:+. 42. 'ii' b 4! l:tg7 43. lhg7+ @xg7 44.'Wb7+ �f7 4S.'fi'xa6 'i!Ve4 46. 'i!Ve2 fS 47. 'Wf3 'ii'xf3 48.gxf3 @g6 49.f4 exf4 %-%

A Fresh and Flexible Move 1 5 I:i.cS!? •••

GAME 61 Sergey Karjakin (2771 ) Alexander Morozevich (2731) Dubai 2014 ( 1 5)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. l2Jc3 lLlf6 4.eS tiJfd7 S.f4 cs 6.tiJf3 tiJc6 7. �e3 cxd4 8.tiJxd4 'i!i'b6 9. 'i!i'd2 'fi'xb2 1 O. l:tb1 'ii'a 3 1 1 .�bS tiJxd4 1 2. �xd4 a6 1 3. �xd7+ �xd7 1 4.:Z.b3 'We7 1 S.lhb7 l:tc8!?

.!. i

8

�

• E .i. � i i i i i8 � 8

ttJ 8 iV @

88 M

At the time of writing, only 9 games have been played with this creative move. It looks more attractive than the previous passive lines 1 5 ...'ti'd8/�h4. 1 6.0-0 As in the previous game, castling allows favourable tactics (based on ... gcs), one of the points of which will be seen on the next move. 217

Part Three - Classical System: 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 . tbc3 tbf6 /fl"- WEAPON: 1 6.fS!? and now: 1 6 ...'iVM+! ? (16 ...'ifa3 1 7. .!d.b3 �a5?? fails to 18.�b6!+-, but 1 6 ...exfS!? is definitely worthy of consideration: 1 7.tllx dS 'ifh4+ 1 8 .'i2td1 0 �e6 1 9.tllc7+ .llx c7 20 . .llxc7 �e7�) 1 7.g3 'ifg4oo Seyb-Ikonnikov, Furth 2014 (or 1 7...'ifh3!? with a double-edged game, according to Watson). 1 6 ... 'ii'a 3!

i � 8

a.

I.

• .t I. .t i i i i i8 � 8

l2J 8 'ii

88 g�

This move has the idea ... Acs, ... Axd4+ and ..."ifcs. 17 . .J:[b3 A) 1 7.fS Acs 1 8.tlle2 ( 1 8 . .!d.f3 �as) 1 8 ... exfS 19.'%}fgs g6 20.@hl �e7 2 1 ."iVh6 Af8 22."ifgs �e7 23.'1Wh6 �f8 24."ifgs 1/2-V2 Andriasyan-Bajarani, Moscow 2014; B) 1 7.l:tf3 "ifas 1 8.h3 (18.'1We3 l:tc4!?) 1 8 ... �cS 1 9.@h2 Ac6+:t 20.l:tb3 0-0 2 1 . �xcS 'ifxcS 22.tlle2 d4 23 . .l::!.g3 �a4 24. .l::i.a 3 .2.bs 25.fS 1/2-1/2 Ganguly-Potsch, Vlissingen 2012;

C) The most tricky option is 1 7.@h l !? -'!.b4! ( 1 7... AcS?? 1 8 . .2.xcS �xcS 1 9.tlle 4+- Asgari-Bajarani, Tehran 2014) 1 8.l:tf3 Ac6 1 9 . .l:f.b6 'iVaS ! ?+:t. 1 7 ... 'iYaS= 1 a. 'iYe3?! TRICK: 1 8 .-'!.b6?! -'Les+.

ti(

1 8 ... ..icS=F

i:

• .t

i iii

i i8 � 8 :a: l2J 'ii 88 8 8 n� Black is OK! 1 9. tlle2 0-0 20. .txcS :XcS 21 . tlld4 .J:[c4 22 . .J:[b7 .tea 23.l:.b2 'ifcs 24.:d1 .td7 2s.h3 h6 26. @h2 .tbs 27. ttd2 .J:[c3 28.'it'f2 i..a4 29.fS exfS 30. 'iYxfS 'iYc7 31 . .J:[b4 :ea 32.l:.e2 .td7 33. 'it'f4 f6 34. lllf3 .tbs 35.:e1 :Xc2 36. 'ii'g3 fxe5 37.lllxe5 l:.c3 3a. 'iYf4 .J:[c4 39. :Xc4 dxc4 40.'iYd4 .J:[dB 41 . 'ii'c3 .J:[d3 42.'ii'c2 .J:[d5 43. 'iYc3 l:.d3 44. 'ifc2 'it'd6 45.@h1 .J:[d2 46. 'ii'fS 'it'f6 47.'it'g4 :Xa2 4a. 'it'd4 .J:[f2 49. 'it'dS+ @h7 50. @g1 c3 S1 .lllf3 .J:[b2 s2.:c1 'ifg6 53.tlle5 'iYb6+ 54.'iPh2 'ii'e3 55.h4 'it'f4+ 56.@h3 .J:[e2 S7. lllg4 'ifxc1 sa. tllf6+ @g6 S9. lllg 4 'ifh1 + 60.@g3 'ifxg2+ 0-1

Summary: After playing a total of three games with 8 ...'iVb6 I never repeated it again, as I don't much like forced variations and computer lines. Such an early queen sortie is not typical for the usual strategic, closed-and-slow French game, but it provokes White into making instant decisions, at move 9 , for example. Over the years, computer chess has become more and more similar to human chess, but likewise humans have started to play more and more like machines. Even so, my surprising weapon, created in 1 9 84, is still alive and successful. 218

Chapter 17

-

A Legendary Pin

The Maccutcheon Variation 1 .e4 es 2.d4 dS 3.ttJc3 tllf6 4.�gS i.b4

'As in many positions in the French Defence, both sides have a big variety of moves and plans to follow, especially in Winawer structures (occurring mostly after l .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 .tl'ic3 �b4 4.eS cS 5.a3 �xc3+ 6.bxc3).' - GM Mekhitarian in CBM 142. But we can say the same about Maccutcheon lines! Introduction The MacCutcheon Variation emerged at the end of the 1 9th Century. The first re­ corded game with it was in a simultaneous display against William Steinitz at the Manhattan Chess Club on Thanksgiving Day, November 1 885. For a long time a refutation by White of this popular variation has been sought, but I think that the old MacCutcheon still has many resources and several unexplored ideas. This is the reason why the variation stays alive year after year and has been successfully defended even at the highest levels by super grandmasters such as Viktor Kortchnoi and Alexander Morozevich. The Variation's Secret The opening begins with a few tactical tricks (such as 5.eS h6!), but after that almost the entire game is based on the strategy of preparing attacks. The main positions are very closed if Black blocks the centre by playing . . . c7-c5-c4 (see Kortchnoi's games in the following) , or semi-open after . . . c7 -c5 -cxd4/ 'i:Va5 (Morozevich's preferred plan) or White's move dxcS . In all cases the game develops quite progressively. In contrast to other, similar variations in the French, in this line two minor pieces are exchanged ( . . . �c3 and . . . tl'ixd 2 ) , so the potential to play for an attack dimi­ nishes, although the major pieces remain on the board, as do most of the pawns (usually, 1 4- 1 6 of them) . A feature of this variation is that White can easily increase the number of his pieces on the kingside. 219

Part Three Classical System: 1 .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . tllc 3 tt:Jf6 -

Meanwhile, after exchanging his f8-bishop and his g8-knight, Black is slightly pas­ sive and he must either prepare counterplay in the centre with his usual French break ... c7-c5 or block the centre with ... c7-c5-c4, preparing a counterattack on the queenside with ... b7-b5/... a7-a5/...b5-b4.

With the centre closed, White can also advance his f-, g- and h-pawns to attack on the kingside. Finally, the best part of this variation is that the kings can move freely! Directions 5.e5 h6 -

i: ii i� i i8 � 8 •

t2J 888 888 :g: '{i' � � t2J :g: .t

Main Line: 6.lld2 llxc3 7.bxc3 tt::'ie4 8.'iYg4 (Games 62-69) Old Lines: 6.llh4 (Game 70) Modern Lines: 6.lle3 (Game 71) and 6.llcl (Game 72) Analysis of the Main Lines with 6.lld2, 8. 'iYg4 The opening continues with S.eS h6, after which 6.�d2!? is the most popular move for White. Now, after 6 ... llxc3 7.bxc3 tt::'ie4 White attacks g7 with 8.'ifg4!. This is the most aggressive move against the French Defence in general.

220

Chapter 1 7 - A Legendary Pin: 4. �gs �b4

We have arrived at the main position in the system. White is preparing action on the kingside .

.-::.. Some Statistics Black has two normal ways of defending his g7-pawn: A) 8 @f8 ( 1 1 3 0 games in Mega Base, with the result=44.4%) . B) 8 g6 (2 0 3 7 games=46%) . Morozevich used to play 8 ... @f8, but later he replaced this with 8 ... g6, whereas Kortchnoi did the opposite, opting for 8 ... @f8. White usually plays 9 . �d3 / W3 /h2-h4 and sometimes 'ti'f4 / 'ti'd l without worrying about the order of these moves. ...

...

A) 8 @f8 ...

-

the 'strategic' defence

• :I j. ' j. j. j. 8 8 � 'Ii' 8 8� This is a 'strategic' defence of the g7-square, appropriate in the French. Black loses the right to castle, but he keeps his kingside free of weaknesses and retains a flexible pawn structure. Today, this is the favourite option of Kortchnoi and Volkov, two Maccutcheon experts (Games 62-66).

771

Part Three - Classical System: 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . tbc3 tbf6 B) 8 g6 - the most popular, 'dynamic' move ...

:i i i i� - - i �·i=- �·-ic=-· �i i8 8� � 8 8 Ji 8 8 8 � Ji ttJ M. With this move Black keeps the option to castle queenside, but the price is the weakening of his kingside and, especially, of the f6-square. This line has been used by Morozevich quite often (Games 67-69). Analysis of the Modern Lines: 6.�e3 and 6.�c l One of Black's main resources i n many lines o f the Maccutcheon Variation is the 'Black Jet' plan with the pawn moves ... h7-h5 and ...g7-g5.

:i � .i. 'i!V . :i ii i i ii8 ii 8 � iY 8 Ji ii 8 8 888 M. � tt:J M. Felgaer-Moskalenko (6.�d2, 9.�e3)

:i � .i. 'i!V . :i i ii i ii8 ii 8 � iY 8 8 Ji ii 8 888 M. � tt:J M. Erdogdu-Moskalenko (6.�e3)

See Games 65, 69 and 7 1 (the black king may be on e8 or f8 and the white a2-pawn may be on a3). For other examples on 6.�c l . see Game 72 .

•

PUZZLE

Finally, there is a quite striking optical secret in the MacCutcheon that may be of practical interest: there is not so much difference between 6.�d2 and 6.�e3, since after 6.�d2 �xc3 7.bxc3 tZ:le4 8.�g4 g6 (or 8 ...Wf8) White can always surprise Black by playing 9.�e3!? and the same position arises, the only difference being the a-pawn's position: a2/a3, and the black king being on e8 or f8. However, for the reasons I mentioned, the variation with 6.�cl!? can be even more tricky! (Game 72)

222

Chapter 1 7 - A Legendary Pin: 4. �gS �b4

A Legendary Pin - Games Games 62-66: 8 @f8 ...

First we study White's natural develop­ ing move 9.t2Jf3 . In my opinion, the fol­ lowing was the sharpest in this line.

GAME 62 Nigel Short (2660) Alexander Morozevich (2590) Germany Bundesliga 1 998/99 (3)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. c!OC3 ttJf6 4. .tgs i.b4 5.e5 h6

I 1 • .t 'i¥ 9' i i iii i� i i 8 it .t 8 c1J

888 888 : 'iV� il tt:J l:'. 6.i.d2 Two old and almost forgotten methods are 6.exf6 and 6.�h4 (see Game 70). Two other popular moves for White are 6.�e3 and 6.�c l . which will be exam­ ined in Games 7 1 and 72. 6 ... i.xc3 7.bxc3 Incidentally, 7.�xc3 does not seem to be a good idea: 7 ... t2Je4 8.t2Je2 0-0 9.�b4 cS! 10.�a3

10 ...t2Jc6!? (this move promises Black good chances in the forthcoming strug­ gle. (10 ...bS!?+:t is also good: 1 1 .dxcS? b4! 12.�xb4 �h4! etc.) l l .f3 bS! 1 2.fxe4 b4i and Black's lead in development begins to play a significant role, Svidler­ Morozevich, Frankfurt 1 999. 7 ... tbe4 8. 'ii'g4 �f8

9' I ii i i i8 8 � 'Ii'

8 8 il

888 � il tt:J l:'.

Keeping the pawn structure intact. Later, Morozevich chose 8 ... g6 (Games 67-69). 9.tbf3 cs 1 0. i.d3 tbxd2 1 1 . �xd2 c4 1 2 . i.e2 c!OC6 The critical position in this line.

ff!"'- WEAPON: In many games, ex­ pert grandmaster Sergey Volkov has played 1 2 ...bS!?. For example, 1 3 .a4 bxa4 14 . .l:i.xa4 �d7 1 5 .l::ra al t2Jc6 16.h4 as 1 7.'iff4 a4 1 8.g4oo Ganguly-Volkov, Moscow 2007.

I .t 'if • I ii ii i � i i8 � i8 8 c1J 8 � il 8 8 8 l'I

analysis diagram

TRICK: 10.dxcS? 'iWh4!-+.

1 3.a4!? To prevent ...b7-b5. Some alternatives, leading to typical play, are: 1 3 .h4 bS 14.a3

223

Part Three - Classical System: 1 .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 . tlx3 tt::lf6

• .i II • I I I I8 I8 "J/il /j 8 8 ttJ 8 \!J il. 8 8 � � .i I

.! if

analysis diagram

and now: 14 ... �d7 (or 14 ... a5 1 5 .°iVf4 �e7 16.h5 .l:!.b8 1 7.g4 with a complex game, Smeets-Socko, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010) 1 5 .h5 (1 5.'iVf4 is similar: 1 5 ... We7 1 6.h5 �e8 1 7.tLlM a5 1 8.'iVg3 ng8 1 9.'iie 3 �d7 20.f4 b4!? 2 1 ..!::lhbloo and this tense game ended in a draw, J.Polgar­ Kortchnoi, Wijk aan Zee 2000) 1 5 ... a5 1 6.'iVf4 'iVe7 1 7.'iVe3 ti.b8 1 8 .ti.hbl We8 1 9.g4 Wd8 20.g5 Wc7 2 1 . l:Igl hxg5 22.'iixg5 'iYxgs+ 23.tt::lxg5 .l:i.bf8= without any possibilities of improv­ ing the position, Hernandez Guerrero­ Moskalenko, Evry (rapid) 2001 . 1 3 ... .td7 1 3 .. .f5!?N is in Nimzowitsch style. 1 4.h4! There's no other way.

.i i .I 8 �

if .i.

• .i II I • I 18 Wil 8 18 8 ttJ 8 � il. 8 8 �

1 4 ... a6 Volkov has preferred: A) 14 ...'i¥e7 1 5.h5 b6 1 6 .tt::lM 'i¥g5+ 1 7.f4 'iYxg4 1 8 . �xg4 tt::le 7 1 9.a5 b5!= Akopian-Volkov, Port Erin 2006, and

224

B) 14... �e8 1 5 . ti.h3 .l::i.g 8 16.h5 We7 l 7.tt::lh4 �a5oo T.L.Petrosian-Volkm-. Moscow Aerofl.ot 2006; C) But 14 ...'i¥a5!?� is the option given by the engine: with the possibility to at­ tack (and win) the pawn on a4. 1 5. 'iff4 b5 1 6.g4 Short replies symmetrically by attacking on the other flank. If 1 6 . .l:!.hbl bxa4!?. 1 6... b4!? This advance is always interesting. A) 1 6 ...bxa4!? is also possible; B) Or 1 6 ... tt::le 7 1 7.axb5 axbS 1 8 .hS .l:!.a4�. which is a strong defensive con­ cept, Antok-Baches Garcia, Barcelona 2003. 1 7.cxb4 tillc: b4 1 8.c3 ttJc6 1 9.l:lhb1 l:lb8 20. .td1 lba5

.i I • 8

if .i.

• .i II

I 18 1 8 °il 8 8 8 ttJ \!; 8 � � iL

The position is balanced, but there is still a long game ahead ... 21 . �e1 ! ll:ib3 22. .txb3 cxb3 23.'ii'c 1 g5 I assume that Morozevich did not want a draw, as in the line 23 ... Wg8 24.'iVa3 'i¥b6 25.tt::ld 2 °iVd8=. 24.'ifa3+ 24.hS!?. 24... g7 25.l:lxb3? This allows Black to open the game on the opposite wing. 2s.wd2!?00. 25 ... l:lxb3 26. 'ii'xb3 h5!t Now Black's counterplay becomes very dangerous.

Chapter 1 7 - A Legendary Pin: 4. �gs �b4 tial advantage will tell, since he can bring his pieces to either wing more quickly. This is White's main advantage. Black must prepare ...b5-b4 carefully. In any case, there are many possibili­ ties and resources in these complicated lines. The critical line occurs when White plays h2-h4 and �h3 . 27.gxhS g4 28.llld2 lb:h5?! 28 ...�xh4!, to activate the queen. 29. �e2 'ifxh4 30.l:tg1 l:[fS 30 ...�gS!?. 31 .l:tg3 l:[f4 32.lllf1 f5?! This is too risky. 32 ... aS=. 33. 'ii'b 7! 'ife7 34. 'ifxa6 l:te4+ 35.l:te3 :Xe3+ 36.lllxe3

if 8

A 'if 9 i i8 i i 8 8 QJ rJ;; 8

36... i.eB? The decisive mistake. Black had to try 36 ...�a3 D , with possibilities of escaping. 37.aS i.hs 38.'ifdG 'ii'f7 39.'ifde g3+ 40.�1 f4 41 .'ifg5+ 'it;f8 42.lllg2 i.e2+ 43.@e1 f3 44.lllf4 g2 45.lllxe2 fxe2 46. 'ifxg2 'iffS 47. 'ifg3 'ifc2 48. 'ii'f4+ 'ilte8 49. 'ifd2 'ifa4 50. �xe2 'ifxa5 51 . 'ifd3 �8 52. � 'ifa1 53. �4 'ifh1 54. 'iff3 'ii'h7 55. 'iff8+ Black resigned.

Summary of 9. ti:Jf3 :

Black has no serious weaknesses, but when complications arise White's spa-

GAME 63 Andrey Volokitin (2671 ) Viktor Kortchnoi (261 5) lgualada 2005 (1)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lllc3 lllf6 4. i.g5 i.b4 5.e5 h6 6.i.d2 i.xc3 7.bxc3 lt:le4 e. 'ii'g 4 �ta 9.i.d3 lt:lxd2 1 0. �xd2 cs For the endgame after 1 0 ...�gS+!?, see Iglesias-Moskalenko, Game 66. 1 1 .h4!?

I � A :ei • I ii ii i i • ii8 8 'if 8 8� 8 8� 8 8 ll tlJ .s

A logical move. White brings his rook to the third rank - this is the plan favoured in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings. 1 1 ... lllcG

� WEAPON: Kortchnoi invariably closes the pos1t1on: 1 1 .. .c4 1 2..�.fl !? (this is another im­ portant possibility, in order to play tLie2-tl:if4-tl:ihS. 1 2 . �e2 is the move in the present game) 1 2 . .. tLic6 1 3.tl:ie2 bS 14.a3 as 1 5 .l::l'.h 3.

225

Part Three - Classical System: l .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 . tlx3 tLlf6 TRICK: 1 3 . . . dxc3+? is a mis­ take: 14.@e l g6 1 5 . �xg6 t[.g8 16.�f3!+-.

,. ii 8 :

i i i8 i8 'iY 8 8 : 8 � (fj 8 8 �

analysis diagram

It is dangerous for Black to delay seek­ ing counterplay for too long: 1 5 ... �d7 (1 5 ... .l::i.g 8 prepares an escape route for the king: 1 6 .tllf4 .i'.:!.a7 (after 1 6 ...tlle 7 17. .l:i.f3 tllf5! Black retains counterplay, J.Polgar-Kortchnoi, Zurich blitz 2006) 1 7.l:rf3 �d7 l8.nb1 .l::!.b7 1 9. �e2 tlle 7 20.�hS We8 21 .'tWg4= was a draw in 65 moves, Aronian-Vallejo Pons, Menorca jr 1 996) 1 6 .tllf4 tlle 7!? (a typical defensive resource. However, it reduces Black's possibilities of counter­ attacking on the opposite wing. 16 ... b4 1 7. .ld.f3 bxc3+ 1 8 .@dl h5 1 9.tllxh5 .l::i.g 8 20.Wel �b6� was Lutz-Kortchnoi, Essen 2002) 1 7.tllh 5 ng8 (or 1 7... tllf5!? 1 8.�f4 b4!� Fressinet-Belozerov, Izmir 2004) 1 8.�f4?! b4! 1 9.axb4 axb4 20 . .l::i.x a8 bxc3+ 2 1 ..l:i.xc3 �xa8 22.g4 'llia S!+: and Black has made the best of the Maccutcheon, A. Muzychuk-E.Pahtz, Krasnoturinsk 2007. The alternative is 1 1 ...'llia 5!?. Surprisingly, this counterattack is not used by the best players. Perhaps they are afraid of White's attack... 1 2 . l:rh3!? (White sur­ renders his centre. The main alternative, 1 2.dxcS, is given below - see the line 1 1 ...tllc6) 1 2 ...cxd4 1 3.ng3. The critical position in this line. If there is no mate, Black is OK. 1 3 ... g5? (panic!) 14.hxg5!± with an ini­ tiative for White, Ara Minasian-Volkov, Jurmala jr 1 992. 226

TRICK: 13 ... g6 14.iiL.xg6? (14.�xd4 tllc 6 1 5.'iVf4oo) 14 ... l:lg8 1 5 . .l::i.f3 .l:i.xg6! 1 6.'iYxg6 'iVxc3+!. winning in all lines.

,_,,,.. WEAPON: 13 ... 'iYxc3+! could be the critical move: 14.We2 ng8

.i � .t ii

analysis diagram

1 5.I;iel!? (15.�h7? d3+!-+, Salgado Lopez­ Diaz Rodriguez, Sevilla 2006) 15 ...tllc6!? 16.@fl �d7= W.Adams-Shipman, South Fallsburg 1 948. Summary: The sharp possibility I 1 ... 'iVaS!? 12 . .l:!.h3 has not been well ex­ plored. The king on f8 is not very safe now, but White does not have great attacking resources either. Both sides should investigate 13 ...'iYxc3, a line full of interesting resources. 1 2 . .:th3 c4

.i .t 'if • .i ii ii ,. i i i8 i8 'iV 8 :g 8� 8 8� 8 8 (fj :g

Chapter 1 7 - A Legendary Pin: 4. �g5 �b4 The plans for both sides are perfectly plain: White tries to create something on the kingside, while Black plays on the opposite side, aiming to advance ...b5b4. 1 3 . .ie2 For 13.�fl . see the comments to l l ...c4. 1 3 ... bS I'm sure that Kortchnoi has tried out all the possible moves in this line, like 13 ... l:tg8 14.V!i'f4 �d7 1 5 . �h5 �e8oo Anand-Kortchnoi, Dos Hermanas 1 999. /fl"- WEAPON: I have personally analysed a radical idea: 13 ...tlle 7!? 14.h5 and now 14...'iYb6!?N, pre­ paring a counterattack with the queen: ...'iYb2.

• E �i i i i i8 8 i8 � � 8 8 \tf ]L 8 8 tlJ

E .t ii 'iV

8 �

A more recent example saw 14 ... �d7 1 5.�h5 �e8 16.nf3 V!i'e7 1 7.a3

E i

.t • E 'iV i i i � i i i8 j, i8 � 8 � 8 8 8 \t/ 8 8 � tlJ analysis diagram

1 7... a5 (1 7... l:tb8!? with the idea ... l:1b6a6) 18.tllh3 l:ta7 l 9.'iYg3 b4!+ Al Modiahki-Peralta, Troms0 Olympiad 2014. 1 5 . .ihS @ea 1 6.a3 as 1 7J:tg3 l:l.ge 1 8.lllf3 J:.a7 1 9.lllh2

• E 'iV i i i � i ii i8 j, i8 � 8 8 8 � 8 \t/ 8 8 tt:J .t

i

analysis diagram

This plan becomes effective because White has given up his control of the first rank with l:th3: 1 5.V!i'f4 �d7 16.l:!.f3 �e8 and two white pieces ('iV+l:!.) is not enough material for a serious at­ tack, so 1 7.'it>el 'i¥b2!?, forcing White to exchange the queens: 1 8 .'iVcl 'iVxcl+ 19 . .l::i.x cl b5 and this interesting end­ game seems to favour Black slightly. 1 4. 'Wf4 The variation 14. .!:1f3 �d7 (l 4... a5 1 5.'iVf4 l:ta7�) 1 5 .tllh 3 tlle 7 is quite balanced, but after 16.tllf4? tllf5! now White has problems, Lopez Barrera­ Wilson, ICC Internet 2005. 1 4 ... 'We7

Volokitin tries to improve his pieces for the attack, however Black has already made more progress on the queenside. 1 9... @de 1 9...b4!?. 20. .ie2 b4t Black's chances are better now. 21 .axb4? 2 1 .h5 �b7!?. 21 ...axb4 22.l:l.xa7 'ifxa7 More attractive was 22 ... bxc3+! 23 . .l:txc3 'tj'xa7 24.tllf3 @e7 25.'iVe3 'iVa5f. 23.cxb4 lllx d4 24. 'We3 Now neither side has enough material to create dangerous threats. The game tac­ tically ends in a draw. 227

Part Three - Classical System: 1 .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . tllc3 tLif6 24 ... 'ifa1 25. 'ifa3 lllb3+ 26.:Xb3 'ii'd 4+ 27. c,1;>c1 cxb3 28. 'ifaS+ �e7 29. 'ifc7+ .td7 30. 'ii'd6+ �e8 31 . 'ii' b8+ c,1;>e7 32. 'ifd6+ %-%

Sununary of 1 1 .h4: A study of this interesting collection of games by experts such as Viktor Kortchnoi (Black) and other elite players with white will always help the reader. In my opinion, Black's position is solid, but somewhat passive; behind the barri­ cades. After l 2 .I::th 3, please pay attention to my radical counter-plan with 1 3 ...tbe7 and 14...'ii'b 6!. Black's main alternative is to play a semi-open game without the blockading move ... c5-c4, but with ... cxd4 for Black or dxcS for White, as shown in the fol­ lowing game.

GAME 64 Viacheslav Borisenko (2302) David Anton Guijarro (2462) Albena 201 1 (3)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.lOC3 tt::\f6 4. .ig5 .ib4 5.e5 h6 6 . .id2 .ixc3 7.bxc3 tt::\e4 8. 'ifg4 �8 9. .td3 tt::\xd 2 1 0. c;f;>xd2 c5 1 1 .tt::\f3 cxd4!? This might be a universal solution against the opening move 4Jf3 (instead of h2-h4). Here are some possibilities in­ volving White's dxcS: l I ...4Jc6!?...

analysis diagram

228

... and now: 1 2.dxcS (trying to open the position; l 2.'li'f4 'ife7!? (for 1 2 ...'MVaS!? see the present game; and l 2 ...c4 is similar to Game 62) 13.a3 ..id? 14.mi.bl b6 1 5.'iVe3 tLias 16.'tt>e l �c8 (Black could also close the position now with 16 ...c4!?, when he will have gained several tempi compared with Kortchnoi's ideas mentioned in Games 62 and 63: 1 7. ..ie2 ..ia4=) 1 7.Wfl=_ In this position any reasonable move or plan is valid for Black, Anand-Ivanchuk, Linares m-8 1992) 12 ...'ifaS 13.'iVf4 'ifxcS 14.4Jd4 tllxd4! (exchanges ease Black's task. 14 ... �d7!? was seen in Morozevich-Vallejo Pons, Pamplona 1998/99) 1 5.'VWxd4 (if 1 5.cxd4 Vi!YaS+ 16.We2 b6!? with the idea 1 7.�g6 Vi!Ybs+ 18.Wf3 'ife8=) 1 5 ...'ifxd-l­ (15 ...'1We7= or 1 5 ...'1Wc7= amount to the same) 16.cxd4 ..id? 1 7.IDibl �b8!=. White retains slight pressure on the queen­ side, where there is nothing to attack. A draw is the most likely result, Lacasa Diaz­ Moskalenko, Catalunya 2006. Summary of dxc5: In a semi-open game Black does not have the aggressive resources that arise in the blocked posi­ tions after ... c5-c4. His king is not very safe on f8, but White also lacks attacking resources. After a few exchanges, unbal­ ancing the position becomes an impos­ sible task.

1 2.cxd4 ,,,.... WEAPON: 1 2.4Jxd4 'IWgS+!? (a similar idea appears in Game 66 or 1 2 ... 4Jd7 1 3.'1Wf4 tLlcS+:t Espinoza Palomino-Oms Pallisse,

Chapter 1 7 Havana 201 1) 1 3.'ifxg5 hxg5 14.h3 0id7 1 5 . .l::.tael 0ic5� Inarkiev-Nepomniachtchi, Novo­ sibirsk 2012. 1 2... 'ti'a5+ 1 3.c3 1 3.\t>e2

-

A Legendary Pin: 4. £.gs £.b4

24 ... ttJxe5!+ Tactics and strategy - both should go to­ gether. 25.Ae2 25.dxe5 d4-+; 25.'ifxeS 'ti'xc3+ 26.Wdl 'ti'd3+-+. 25 ... .:1.fcB 26.tiJb5 tbc4+ 27. hc4 :Xc4 28. 'ii'g3 .txb5 29.axb5 :Xd4+ 30. @c2 .:l.a4 31 . :Xa4 0-1 'ii'xa4+ 32 . .J:r.b3 d4

Summar y of this semi-open line: l l .h4 'ifa5 is unclear. l l .0if3 0ic6 1 2.dxc5 is equal. l l .0if3 cxd4!? is interesting. These are all valuable alternatives to the closed positions which arise after ...c5c4. An attacking plan worked out by Peter Svidler is 9.�e3, imitating the popular idea of 6.£.e3 (another possible plan for White is 9.'ti'f4/'ti'dl with the idea . .. 0ixd2, 'ti'xd2 and kingside castling). •

•

•

analysis diagram

1 3 ...b6!? (13 ...0ic6 14.°iVf4 b6 is similar, Roser-Vallejo Pons, Aix-les-Bains Ech 201 1) 14.'iff4 £.a6� Viszlai-Vavrak, Tatranske Zruby 2002. 13 ... b6! With active counterplay on the queenside. 1 4. 'ii"f4 tbc6 TRICK: But not immediately 14 ... �a6?? because of 1 5 . �g6+-. 1 5.h4?! Too late. 1 5 ... AaG=F Black's king is safer now. 1 6. Ag6 lDdB 1 7. llle 1 'ti'b5 1 8. 'ii'f3 l:!.c8 1 9.tbc2 q;e7 1 9... Wg8!?. 20.Ah5 J:f8 21 .a4 'ira5 22.:l.hb1 tbc6 23.1i'e3 .l:tc7 24.ll)a3

f('

We will begin the study of Black's defensive resources against the modern 6.£.e3 with the following game, and we will analyse this plan more deeply in Games 69 and 7 1 .

GAME 65 Peter Svidler (2672) Nigel Short (2683) Internet (rapid) 2000

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. tbc3 tLlf6 4.Ag5 Ab4 5.e5 h6 6.Ad2 Axc3 7.bxc3 llie4 a. 'ii'g 4 @fa 9. Ae3 Peter Svidler's attack. 6.�e3 is more popular, but at first sight the same posi­ tion arises! Only here the white pawn is on its original square instead of a3, and both players may be able to take advan­ tage of this difference. 9.'ti'dl is another strange plan. This manoeuvre allows White to castle (if ...0ixd2, 'iVxd2), but he wastes several tempi and some attacking chances (with

229

Part Three - Classical System: l .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 . �3 tLlf6 9.�f4 White has the same problem): 9 ... cS l0.�d3 tLlxd2 l l .�xd2 tLlc6! l 2.tLlf3 c4!? (as usual, semi-open play was the main alternative: 1 2 ... Was 1 3 .dxcS �xcS 14.�bl playing for the centre and the queenside, Kurnosov-Volkov, Dresden Ech playoff rapid 2007. However, Black is very solid and has no weaknesses. For example, 14 ... b6!?) 1 3 . .2.e2 We7!? (with the idea ...�a3) 14.a4!? b6 1 5 .g3 We8 (15 ... Wg8!? was another way to 'castle') 1 6.tlJM Wd8 1 7.f4 g6 1 8.tLlg2 hS= Ricardi-Kortchnoi, Buenos Aires 200 1 . 9... lt:Jxc3 Capturing the pawn is not forced, and it is certainly out of place in the Mac­ Cutcheon! /f1"'- WEAPON: I am sure that 9... cS! will always be the most creative reply, giving Black many interesting resources: 1 0 . .2.d3 and now Black must take profit of his extra move: 1 0 ...tLlxc3!? (10 ... hS!? would be in the spirit of the variation: l l .�f4 gS!? is a famous resource in the MacCutcheon Variation 1 2.�f3 tLlxc3oo) 1 1 .dxcS �aS!?+:t.

(13 .tLld2 tLlxcS!) 13 ... tLlxcSoo and from here on, both sides can try to show what they're worth. 1 0. �d3 10.tLle2! ?. 1 0 ... tllcG PUZZLE: 10 . . .cS!? 1 1 .dxcS 'ti"aS transposes to 9... cS. 1 1 . tllf3 tllb4 1 2. �d2

*

• I ii i i i8 � 8 �� 8� 8 8 8 �

1 2 ... lt:Jxd3+ 1 2 ...tLlbxa2 is very risky, since the black knights are not safe on enemy territory. 1 3.h4!?�. 1 3.cxd3 tlla4 1 4.0-0 �d7 1 s. :ab1 b6 1 6.tllh 4 'ifeB 1 6 ... cS!?. 1 7. .J:[fe1 !? Svidler chooses to attack with his pieces. 1 7.f4 g6oo. 1 7... @gB 1 8 . .J:[e3 .J:[h7! A truly spectacular move. 1 9 . .J:[g3 'it>hB 20. .J:[e1 White needs more material for his attack. 20 ... :ca 21 . .J:[ee3 c5! 22 . .J:[ef3 cxd4 23. 'ifxd4 .l:[c2+

j_

analysis diagram

PUZZLE: Now it is clear that the position is different from those arising after 6 . .2.e3 , since White's a-pawn should be on a3 in order to play 1 2 . �b4. (1 1 ...tLlc6! ?) 1 2.tLlf3 (12.�d2 'ti°a4!) 12 ...tLle4+ 1 3 .Wfl 230

� 8

�

.

iii i i i8 � ttJ 8 gg I� 8 8 8 �

Chapter 1 7 - A Legendary Pin: 4. �gs �b4 Black has a clear advantage in this position. Both players are deploying their rooks to maximum effect. 24. 'ii'f4 :Xa2 25.h3 :Xd2? Now, however, Svidler's rooks will finally manage to gain control of the board. 2S ...@g8! 26.�b4 tt:'ics+ was better. 26. 'ifxd2 g5! A typical MacCutcheon advance. 27. 'ii'b4 as 2a.'ii'd 4 'ifca 29 . .l:[e3 'ii'c3 30. 'ii'g 4 d4 31 .l:[e4 lllc5 32.:Xd4

32 ... a4?? The decisive error by Short. 32 ...�el+!?; 32 ... tt:'ib3 33 . .l::!.xd7 �cl+ 34.@h2 tt:'id2 3S.tt:'ig6+ fxg6=. 33.ltJf3 'ii'c 1 + 34. h2 h5 If 34 ... a3 3S.tt:'ixgS �xgS (3S ... hxgS 36.�f3+-) 36.�f3 �d8 37 . .l::!.dg4 and White wins. 35.'ii'x gS 'ii'x g5 36.ttJxgS .l:[g7 37. .l:[d6 :Xg5 3a.:Xg5 a3 39.d4 a2 40.dxcS a1 'ii' 41 . lhd7 'ii'c 1 42 . .:.XhS+ g7 43 . .l:[h4 bxc5 44.g3 wra 45 . .l:[f4 �ea 46. Afxf7 1 -0

Summary: In my opinion, the 9.�e3 manoeuvre is dubious in this situation. Black gains a tempo, a pawn, and sufficient coun­ terplay. In any case, we should analyse more deeply the reply 9 ... cS, simply because it is more in the Maccutcheon spirit! More analysis of similar positions after 6.�e3 tt:'ie4 7.'i¥g4 Wf8 will be given in Game 7 1 .

After 8 ...@f8 9.�d3 tt:'ixd2 10.@xd2 Black has a peculiar alternative: 1 0 ...�gS+!? - endings are basic!

GAME 66 Jorge Iglesias (2256) Viktor Moskalenko (251 1 ) Spain 2001 (3)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3. lllc3 ltJf6 4.�g5 �b4 5.e5 h6 6.�d2 �xc3 7.bxc3 ttJe4 a. 'ii'g 4 @fa 9.�d3 The immediate attack against the knight on e4 allows the exchange of queens: 9 ... ttJxd2 1 0.@xd2 'ii'g 5+!? A possibility that has not been used very often. However, I think that the ending offers interesting motifs. 10 ... cS is the usual move. 1 1 . 'ii'x g5 hxg5

• i. ii i i8 8 8 Ji 8� 8 8 8 tLJ � 1 2.ttJh3!? A) Slightly passive is 1 2 .tt:'ie2 cS! TRICK: 13.f4? c4 winning a piece, Capablanca-Stearns, Cleveland simul 1 922. B) Against the critical move 12.g4!? a good option seems to be 1 2 .. .f6! 1 3.h4 fxeS 14.dxeS tt:'ic6 (14 ...tt:'id7 I S.tt:'if3 gxh4 16.J;lael h3! 1 7.tt:'igS �e7oo) 1 S.tt:'if3 gxh4 1 6 . .l::!.ael h3! 1 7. .!:!h2 �d7 1 8 . .l:Iehl @e7 1 9.t:l'.xh3 .ld.xh3 20.�xh3 �g8=, Gdanski-Dittmar, St Vincent Ech 2000. 1 2 ...g4! 12 .. .f6? is a mistake here: 1 3 .f4! g4 14.tlJf2 fS I S .g3! cs 1 6.h3 and White is better.

t('

23 1

Part Three - Classical System: l .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . tllc3 t:Df6 1 3. tllf4 1 3 .llJg5 .ld.hS !?. 1 3... g5! The 'Black Jet' attack is a famous resource in the Maccutcheon Variation. The alternative is 13 ... cS and now: 14.h3 (;::: 14.�e2 tllc6 1 5 .@e3 llJaSoo Jackova­ Repkova, Turin Olympiad 2006) 14 ...g3! TRICK: 1 5.fxg3? gS 1 6.llJe2 c4, trapping the �d3 . 1 4. tlle2 c5d 2 Or also 3 1 .f4 c4 32.�e2 (32.�h7? @g7) 32 ... �xc2+. 31 ... e5! 32.dxe5+ �xe5 33. 'iti>e3 d4+! Winning easily. 34.cxd4+ cxd4+ 35.@f3 i..c6+ 36.'itg3 i..e 4! 37.f3 i..xd3 38.cxd3 b5! Pawns are the soul of chess! 39.f4+0 gxf4+ 40. �f3 a5 41 .g5 b4! 42.g6 @16 0-1 This can be an interesting line for those who like to play endgames. If White wants to avoid this ending, he will have to play 9.llJf3, which considerably narrows down his options in the opening.

Summary 8 @fS: ...

This king move allows Black to con­ trol the situation, equalizing the game in many lines, but in order to win he needs superior endgame technique. White must attack without letting up.

Chapter 1 7 The critical line is characterized by the white moves h2-h4 and k!.h3 (Games 63 and 64). In the following games (67-69) we will investigate Black's most popular 8th move: 8 ... g6. First we will check the classical blockade ... cS-c4 in another game by Viktor Kortchnoi.

-

A Legendary Pin: 4. �gs �b4

,_.... WEAPON: The direct l l ...c4 is an

interesting option, with the idea l 2 . �e2 �d7!?, controlling the f6-square and preparing .. .f7-f6 and/or .. .f7-fS (which is unusual according to Kortchnoi).

GAME 67 Vasily Panov Viktor Kortchnoi Leningrad ti 1 953

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.tLic3 tllf6 4. i..g 5 i..b4 5.e5 h6 6. i..d2 .b:c3 7.bxc3 tlle4 8. 'Wg4 g6!? As we see, veteran grandmaster Kortchnoi used this move early on, but later he re­ placed it by the king move 8 ...c;t>fs. 9. i..d 3 tllxd2 1 0. �xd2 cs

analysis diagram

There could follow: 13 . .l:i.h3 (1 3.hS?! gS 14.f4 is met by 14 .. .fS! 1 S .�g3 g4+ and White's minor pieces cannot get into play) 1 3 ...'ti'e7 (counterattacking with the queen by 1 3 ...'iYb6!? could be an interesting alternative; Black plans to follow up with ...�b2) 14.f4 l::tg 8!. Now .. .f7-fS is coming, Sedlak-Delchev, Subotica 2003. 12. tllf3 1 2.�f4 c4!?.

,_.... WEAPON: 1 2.hS gS 1 3 .f4 1 1 .h4 White must do something. This is a di­ rect try against Black's king. Another, more recent attempt is l l .ti:Jf3 c4 1 2. . �e2 ti:Jc6 1 3.�f4 �e7 14.�f6 �xf6 1 S.exf6 Wd7 (1S ...ti:Jb8!? 16.ti:JeS ti:Jd7=) 1 6 .tlle s+ �xeS 1 7.dxeS c;t>c6 1 8.We3 f8 1 8 .tbe l 'it>g7 1 9.f4 b4� Su7338CapNemo,. playchess.com 2006. 1 5 ...0-0-0 r�l PLAN: The main characteristic of �� 8 ...g6 is that it retains the option of castling queenside. 1 S ...'ltxf6!? 16.exf6 0-0-0=. 1 6.hS g5 1 7. 'ifxe7 ttJx.e7 1 8. tlJh2

32 . .:lg6 .:lc6 33. 'ifi>e2 'iti>d7 34. .:lg7+ 'ifi>e6 35 . .:Xb7 .:as 36. 'ifi>f3 .:Xa2 37. 'iti>xf4 .:as 38.'ifi>e4 .:Xh5 39. .:Xa7 llh4+ 40. 'iti>e3 h5 41 . lla6+ @15 42.llaS+ 'iti>g4 43 . .:lcS .:lh3+ 44. 'iti>d4 .:lf3 45. 'ifi>xc4 .:lf4+ 46. 'iti>d3 h4 47 . .:ca h3 48 . .:tha 'iitg3 White resigned. Good technique is an important qual­ ity in the MacCutcheon Variation. This blockading line with ... cS-c4 is very safe; its evaluation has not changed for a century.

In the following line Black aims for a semi-open centre either without the possibility of castling, or preparing queenside castling. 234

Chapter 1 7 - A Legendary Pin: 4. �gS �b4

GAME 68 Peter Leko (2749) Alexander Morozevich (2741 ) Morelia/Linares 2007 (2)

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.ttJc3 tllf6 4 . .igS .ib4 5.es h6 6 . .id2 .ixc3 7.bxc3 tlle4 8. 'ifg4 g6 Both players had some experience with the main alternative 8 ...Wf8. 9 .id3 A famous classic battle went: 9.tllf3 cS 1 0.dxcS . .

E E 4l .t 'if e i ii i ii 8i8 4l � 8 ttJ 8 8 il 8 8 8 \ti ll : : analysis diagram

Instead of the traditional flank attack, White gets ready to open up the cen­ tre. 1 O . tlld 7 l l . �d3 tllxd2 1 2.@xd2 tllxcS 1 3 . .!d.hel �d7 14.l:i.e3 'Mic7 and Marshall's army had the better of it in Lasker-Marshall, World Championship, 4th match game, United States 1 907. 9 ... tl\xd2 1 0 . ..ti>xd2 c5! .

.

Black would not be able to breathe with­ out this resource. 1 1 .h4

We have already seen this move in the previous games, but this advance may not be as effective now as in the event of 8 ...Wf8. Romain Edouard gives it a ' !?'. If 1 1 .dxcS tlld 7+ . l'fl"- WEAPON: The main alternative is 1 1 .tllf3 , but now Black plays l l ...�c7!? (instead of the standard l 1 ...tllc6 1 2 .dxcS!?: 'White releases the central tension, and will try to create play in the b-file, and consolidate a blockade with iVf4tlld4. He avoids any ...cxd4 ideas (when cxd4 would be forced, and Black could play something like ...�aS+/b6-�a6)' - Mekhitarian (CBM 142) 12 ...'iYas 1 3.'iff4 'iYxcS 14.tlld4oo Anand-Naka­ mura, Monaco rapid 201 1) with a very interesting idea: l 2.h4 cxd4 1 3.cxd4 tllc6 14.'iYf4

E .t i i i¥ 4l

i i8 8 'iY' 8 iL ttJ 8 \ti 8 8 :

analysis diagram

14 .. .fS ! . With this blockade White can­ not make progress on the kingside, Aseev-Dolmatov, Odessa ch-URS 1 989. 1 1 ... 'ifas Black opts for a semi-open game. As usual, Morozevich aims for as compli­ cated a fight as possible. Other possibilities, apart from closing the centre, are: l 1 ...tllc 6!? 1 2.'iYf4!? (con­ trolling f6 and h6 - for 12.hS gS 1 3 .f4 c4! see our weapon in the previous game; the manoeuvre 1 2 . !!h3?! is not very effective because of 12 ... cxd4 1 3.cxd4 23S

Part Three

-

Classical System: I .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . tlx3 lill6

'ti'b6!?t Spassky-L.Grigorian, Moscow tt 1 967; or 1 2.tbf3 cxd4 1 3.cxd4 'ti'a5+ 14.'it>e2 b6 1 5 .'iVf4 .ia6 with counter­ play, Feygin-Gharamian, Belgium tt 2007/08) 1 2 ...cxd4!?.

s o 14. . .dxc3+ 1 5 .We2 cannot help him defending. If 14...Vi'xc3+ 1 5.We2 gxh5 16.ld.abl would be very dangerous for Black: White will go .l::!.x h5, ld.xh6, and tbg5-tbh7 in the event of ... .i::rfs. Still, maybe this is the line to be checked)

analysis diagram

With the strategic idea ... �a6 (mentioned in the above comments by Mekhitarian), to exchange the bishops. 1 3 .cxd4 'l:Wa5+ 14.c3 (14.We2 b6+:t) 14 ... b6 (14 ... b5!?) 1 5.'iVf6 (1 5.h5 gxh5!) 1 5 ... ngs 1 6 .t2Je2 �a6 1 7.�xa6 'ti'xa6 1 8.h5 .l:f.c8+:t and Black has a strong position, Rodriguez Cespedes-Moskalenko, Catalunya tt 2008. 1 2. tl:if3

analysis diagram

1 5.'l:Wf6oo Anand-Shirov, Bilbao 2010. 13 . .J:f.hb1 A logical reaction, preventing Black from taking the initiative on the queenside. The tempting 1 3 . �xg6!? could have been met by the cool-headed 1 3 ...tbb6!gg

analysis diagram

1 2 ... ttJd7N It would be interesting to know how Morozevich came to choose this move. 1 2 ...tbc6 is more natural: 1 3.'l:Wf4 cxd4 14.h5! (14.tbxd4 is the usual concept: 14 ...t2Jxd4 1 5 .'iYxd4 �d7 1 6 . .l::i.hbl 'ti'c7= Nyysti-Glek, Helsinki 2002) 14 ... g5 (Black has enough time to take on c3,

236

.. . when Black gains time for his development, whereas the small material disadvantage is of a temporary nature, Dudukovic-B.Maksimovic, Subotica 2008. 1 3 .cxd4 1 4. 'ifxd4 From a structural point of view the opening has been quite a success for Black. 1 4 ...a6 1 5 .J:f.b4 'f//c7 ..

.

Chapter 1 7 - A Legendary Pin: 4. �gs �b4 To improve the queen's position before playing ... b7-b6 and ...tl'ib7. 1 6.c4 White must open up the game. 1 6 ... as 1 7. .l:[b3 dxc4 1 8. 'ifxc4 lllcS 1 9 . .i:r.c3 b6 20. 'iff4 i.b7

As we have seen in many examples, a semi-open game is also acceptable for Black. In the next game, we will analyse White's attempt to keep his dark-squared bishop on the board.

GAME 69 Ruben Felgaer (2636) Viktor Moskalenko (2529) Barcelona 2005 (2)

Black has almost completed his development. But now he needs to bring his king into safety. 2 1 . ttJd4 'ifd8 22.f3 gS!? This resource was an idea of Maccutcheon himself. 23. 'ife3 gxh4 24.ll:ibS @18 25.ttJd6 i.dS 26 . .l:[b1 'ifgS 27. i.f1 'ifxe3+ 28.:Xe3 .l:[b8 29. i.c4 .l:[g8

1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3. lllc3 ll:if6 4. i.gS i.b4 s.es h6 6.i.d2 6 . �e3 is another popular move, which we will look at in Game 7 1 . 6 ... hc3 7.bxc3 t2Je4 8. 'ifg4 g6 9.i.e3 Alexander Finkel on ChessBase: 'I don't think White can fight for an opening advantage by wasting another tempo to keep the bishop on the board.' Just as in the event of 8 ... Wf8, let us look at White's alternative 9.�f4.

analysis diagram

Black's plan has been crowned with suc­ cess. White does not have any chance of an advantage. 30. .l:[e2 i.xc4 31 . tbxc4 h3 3 1 ...I:i.d8+!? 32.�c3 We?+. 32.gxh3 .l:[g3 33.@e3 ll:ia4 34. @f4 .l:[gS 35 . .l:[b3 @e7 36.h4 .l:[fS+ 37.�g3 .l:[g8+ 38.@f2 llf4 39.lbxb6 :Xh4 40.tbxa4 :Xa4 41 . .l:[b7+ 112-112

This move has the aim of recapturing on d2 with the queen in order to castle king­ side. 9 ... cS! 1 0.�d3 and now: 10 ...tl'ixd2 (also, 'iff4 can always be met by 10 ... gS!?, an interesting alternative 'Black Jet' plan, gaining space. Now, for instance: l l .'i:Ye3 tl'ixd2 12.'i'xd2 tl'ic6 13.�bS �as 14.a4 .2.d7 1 5.�xc6 �xc6 with equal chances, Demchenko-Skorchenko, Sochi 2005) l I .'i:fxd2 tl'ic6 1 2.tl'if3 c4!? (12 ...'li'aS is an equivalent alternative) 1 3 . �e2 �d7 14.0-0 (realizing the main 237

Part Three - Classical System: I .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . tt:Jc3 lllf6 idea of °iVf4. The truth is that White has nothing here) 14...'i:Ve? (14.. .f5 ! ?).

1 0 ... hS!? The attack against White's queen begins. 10 ...'tiVaS?! is weaker on account of l 1 .tLle2 cxd4 12 . .2.xd4 tl:lc6 1 3 .0-0+ Olea Perez-Redondo Arguelles, Asturias 1999. tfl-- WEAPON: However, 10 ...tl:lxc3!? is interesting, and if 1 1 .dxcS 'i:VaSf8 9. .te3 , White lacks his pawn on a3 in order to continue with �b4! (see Game 65). 1 1 . 'ii'f4N A) If 1 1 .°iVdl tl:lxc3 1 2.'iYd2 cxd4! 1 3 . .2.xd4 tl:le4 14 . .2.xe4 dxe4 with equal chances; B) Or, for instance, 1 1 .'iYf3 tl:lxc3 ! 1 2.dxcS tl:ld7!? and Black is doing fine. 1 1 ... gS!

.

238

A typical attack in Maccutcheon style! 1 2. 'ii'f3 tlJxc3 1 3. 'ii'g 3? A) If 1 3.tLle2 tl:lxe2 14..2.xe2 cxd4 1 S . .2.xd4 tl:lc6+; B) The best option was 1 3 .dxcS, when Black has a pleasant choice: 1 3 ...tl:lc6!? (or including the advance 1 3 ...d4!? with an unclear position; or else 1 3 ...tl:ld?!? 14 . .2.d4 'i:VaSa2 g4 29. @b3 1;..d7 30. 1;..a 3 @17 31 .aS 1;..eS 32 . .tb4 l:k8 33. 1;..c4 'iti>f6 34.l:l.e1 hc3 3S.Axc3+ es 36.l:l.d1 t2Jxd1 37.rl.x:d1 1;..xbS 38. AxbS rl.x:cS 39 . .tf1 l:l.h1 40. Ae2 l:l.xd1 4 1 . hd1 'i!r>gS 42. 1;..e2 f4 43.a6 bxa6 44. Ab4 l:lc7 4S.exf4+ exf4 46.c4 f3 47. Af1 'iti>fS 48.cS as 49 . .b3 'iti>e4 And White resigned.

Conclusion: The theory of this curious but dynamic retreat 6.�cl is not well developed yet. However, in actual practice it makes it difficult for Black to choose between standard options (see the old 6.�d2 or the modern 6.�e3) and concrete antidote ideas. This model game can serve as a starting menu. - 6 ...tt:Jfd7!? is an interesting deviation in the direction of the Classical French. - 7...'iit>f8 and 7...g6 are true MacCutcheon dishes, but here Black needs to cook up a new filling! 249

Part Three - Classical System: I .e4 e6 2 . d4 d5 3 . tl:lc3 tLlf6

Chapter 18

-

Russian Roulette

History - The SteinitzVariation (Cl I ) Wilhelm Steinitz, the first World Champion, already employed an 'open method' against the French more than 1 0 0 years ago. Classical System: 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.tllc3 lLif6 4.eS lLifd7 S.ltJf3 cs 6.dxcS tllc6 7.i.f4 hes 8.i.d3 f6 9.exf6 ltJxf6 1 0. 'iYe2!? 0-0 1 1 .0-0-0!

In this chapter we will investigate a sharp idea for White in the Classical, Steinitz Variation, which usually arises on the board by transposition from the Two Knights Variation: 2.lLif3 dS 3 .lLic3 tLlf6 4.eS lLifd7 S.d4 cS, etc. The first player surrenders his pawn centre in order to develop quickly and smoothly. Introduction: Zakharov's idea Not long ago a young Russian player, Alexander Zakharov, devised an interesting idea in this complex variation. This new idea regained life in The Flexible French (2008). The entire set-up offered in that book soon become very popular in practice, and useful for players looking for a real fight. In the old days, great masters such as Steinitz, Nimzowitsch, Tarrasch, and later Keres and others, discovered a powerful but practically forgotten way of fighting with white against the French Defence: by sacrificing or, in our case, simply exchanging his central pawns. What concepts lie behind this idea?

250

Chapter 1 8

-

Russian Roulette: 4.e5 tt:Jfd7 5 . tt:Jf3 c5 6.dxc5

I - By vacating the d4- and e5-squares, White secures control over them, gaining the possibility of establishing his minor pieces or queen on those squares. 2 - The two half-open files allow White to quickly activate his rooks. 3 - Black has many weaknesses in his pawn structure. 4 - The above-mentioned factors, in addition to his space advantage, allow White to start an attack quickly in the centre and/or on the kingside. 5 - The play becomes much more dynamic than in other variations of the French with a closed or semi-open centre. 6 Also, the line which we analyse in this part is sharper, due to the fact that the kings castle on opposite sides ('Russian Roulette'). 7 - The middlegame starts early, and lengthy theoretical variations are avoided! -

Directions and Plans After 1 1 .0-0-0 Black has several plans to choose from: A) 1 1 ... �d7 Nowadays this natural move is the most popular response for Black, preparing the development of his major pieces. From the stem game of this variation, Game 7 3 (Zakharov-Potkin, also a model game) , we can understand Zakharov's main idea. This is a very aggressive plan, but also a risky one, beginning with 12.tLleS!? and preparing the sharp g-pawn thrust g2-g4-g5. Black, for his part, can choose from several interesting defences. We will find other possibilities for White in the line with I I . . . �d7 in Game 7 4: Nepomniachtchi-Volkov.

Here we will analyse more solid plans: • 12.'lt>bl !?, a normal move in this kind of position; • 12 .!::f.hel , with pressure against the centre, and • 12.h4!?, another possible attack on the kingside. .

B) 1 1 .. 'ilias and 1 1 ...tlJhS? The move 1 1 ...�aS!? is a direct counter-action on the queenside. 1 1 . ..tLlhS? looks dubious, since it allows the brutal blow 1 2 . �xh7+!. .

25 1

Part Three

-

Classical System: I .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 . ti:Jc3 ttJf6

Both moves are analysed in Game 75: Kosteniuk-Giddins. C) 1 1 ...a6 The analysis of the other popular response 1 1 . .. a6 demonstrates a typical plan for Black in the French Defence, preparing a set-up with �d6/'ltc7 and fighting for control of the eS-square. After 12.tt:::le S �d6 13.�gl 'li'c7! the knight can no longer stay on eS.

(Game 76: Alvarez Pedraza-Moskalenko) Other possibilities for both sides after I l ...a6 (12.h4, 1 2 . .l:thel and 1 2 .�bl) can be found in the notes to Game 7 7: Esplana-Schneider. D) Novelties: 1 1 ...tt:::lb4, 1 1 ... �d6, 1 1 . ..'lte7 Game 78, Slovineanu-Warner, concludes our study of the Zakharov Variation. It provides an update with several novelties for Black on move 1 1 . More recently we have seen l t. ..tt:::lb4!?, a fresh manoeuvre, with the idea of exchanging tt:::lxd3. The move 1 1 . .. �d6 looks slightly hasty, while 1 1 ...'lte7 prepares central action. Strategy and Tactics! After 1 1 .0-0-0 the positions that arise are very flexible, so during the opening both players can change their strategic plans, play waiting moves or enter very specific tactical lines.

252

Chapter 1 8

Russian Roulette - Games

The main ideas of a new system are usually investigated and developed by young players.

GAME 73 Alexander Zakharov (2330) Vladimir Potkin (231 0) Moscow 1 997

1 .e4 e6 2.ll:if3 Also possible is 2.tllc 3, for Closed Sicilian adepts. 2 ...dS Black can still transpose into a Sicilian with 2 ... cS. 3.lDc:3

-

Russian Roulette: 4.e5 tt:Jfd7 5. tt:Jf3 c5 6.dxc5

6.cxd4 (6.eS tllfd7 7.cxd4 cxd4 8.tllexd4 tllxeS 9.flbs+ tlle c6= etc.) 6 ... cxd4 7.tllexd4 tllxe4 8 .tllxe6 �xe6 9.�a4+ tllc 6 I O.'iVxe4 �cs 1 1 .�c4 0-0 1 2.0-0 i::f.e 8 1 3 .d3 h6= Myagmarsuren­ Adamski, Polanica Zdroj 1 972. 4.e5 ll:ifd7 If 4 ...tlle 4 S.tlle 2!?. 5.d4 cs 6.dxcS 6.�gS transposes to a famous trap in the Steinitz Variation: 6 ...'iVb6 7.dxcS �xcS 8 .'iVd2.

• 3 ... ll:if6 The advance 3 ... d4 is another option with which Black can aim for an Indian structure, for example: 4.tlle 2 cS S .c3 (5.b4 tllc6) S ... tllf6! (S ... tllc 6?! 6.cxd4 cxd4 7.'iVa4!; S ...dxc3 6.bxc3 tllf6 7.tllg 3 fle7 8 .d4oo Ljubojevic-Garcia Martinez, Palma de Mallorca 1971)

analysis diagram

analysis diagram

TRICK: And now 8 ... ..txf2+? (8 ...tllc 6!+ is the correct answer) 9.'iVxf2 �xb2 10.�d2 'iYxal 1 1 . �bS 'ifxhl 1 2 .�cS 'iVxg2+ 1 3 .�cl 'ifxgS+ 14.tllxgS tllc 6 1 S.�xc6 bxc6 1 6.'ifxc6 .l:Ib8 1 7.tllx dS ! exdS 1 8 .e6t etc. 6 ... lDc:6 7. �f4

7... .b:cs The most popular continuation. Black develops his bishop and prepares .. .f7-f6.

2S3

Part Three - Classical System: I .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . lt.Jc3 tbf6 The main alternative is 7... tt::lxc5 and now, for instance: 8.h4 a6 (8 ... �e7 9.h5oo Nepomniachtchi-Ding Liren, St Petersburg rapid 2012) 9.a3 bS 1 0.hS h6 l 1 ..ld.h3oo Nepomniachtchi-Ding Liren, Sochi 2009. 8.i.d3 f6! ? Theoretically the best recipe. � TRICK: 8 ...'iVb6?! 9.0-0 'f6xb2? • lO.tbb5t 0-0 l l .Axh7+!�.

� TRICK: 8 ... 0-0? would be a fatal W mistake because of 9.�xh7+!

�xh7 1 0 .tt::lg s+ �g6 (10 ... �g8 1 1 .'iYh5) l 1 .'iYd3+ f5 1 2 .'iYg3� with an obvious 4-0 score. 9.exfG xc4 3S. �d2 @d4 36.b3 ..ie4 37.l:c1 gS 38.hxgS hxgS 39. �e2+- g4 40. �1 ..if3 41 . .llc7 �d3 42.b4 'iPd2 43.a4 @d1 1 ·0 44. .:r.d7+ This was an important battle, where a new aggressive weapon against the Clas­ sical French was born. White plays in 'Russian Roulette' style. The key moves of Zakharov's plan are 1 1 .0-0-0, 1 2 .tlle 5, 14.g4 and 1 5 .g5. 255

Part Three - Classical System: 1 .e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . t2Jc3 tlJf6 In the next game, a strong Russian ex-

pert on the French, grandmaster Sergey Volkov, is beaten by another young pio­ neer of the Zakharov Variation.

A

GAME 74 Ian Nepomniachtchi (2520) Sergey Volkov (2628) Tomsk 2006 ( 1 )

1 .e4 e6 2.tllf3 d5 3. tllc3 tllf6 4.e5 tllfd7 5.d4 c5 6.dxc5 tllc6 7. .tf4 .txc5 e . .td3 f6 9.exf6 tllxf6 1 0. 'ii'e2 0-0 1 1 .0-0-0 .td7

1 2. �b1 A prophylactic move which is very com­ mon in the Sicilian Defence. Other important options (besides 12.tlJe5 from Game 73) are: A) 12.l:ihel !?. A solid move; White is well prepared for central action. 12. .. a6 (12 ... .tb+ is an interesting move: 13.tlJe5oo Nepomniachtchi-Zorko, Herceg Novi jr 2005) 1 3 .lLie5! tlJxe5 14.�xe5 b5 and here White pursued a path similar to Zakharov's main plan: 1 5.g4oo Zakharov-Dolmatov, Novgorod 1 997; B) 1 2.M!?. Strategically, I like this advance, as it does not weaken the white position and prepares action on the kingside. In two games Black now tried out different queen moves: 1 2 ... a6!? (12 ...�b6 1 3.tlJa4;!; Van de Oudeweetering-Holzke, Amsterdam 2006) 1 3 .h5 b5 14.lLie5 tlJxe5 1 5 . .txe5 b4 1 6.tlJbl �b6 1 7.h6!.

256

analysis diagram

White's threats look much more serious than Black's: 1 7... g6 1 8 . .ixg6! hxg6 1 9.h7+ �h8 20.�f3� with an almost decisive advantage for White, Sambuev­ Potkin, St Petersburg 200 1 . 1 2. . JkS!? Other typical examples are: A) 12 ... a6 1 3 .tlJe5 t2Jxe5 14.�xe5 b5 1 5 .g4

analysis diagram

1 5 ...�e8 (a quite modern game saw 1 5 ... .te8 1 6.g5 .th5 1 7.f3 tlJd7 1 8 . �xg7! �xg7? 1 9.�xe6 lLif6 20.tt:Jxd5 �xf3 2 1 .gxf6+ 1 -0 Danin-Kniest, Werther 2014) 1 6 .g5! tlJh5 (Garcia Cervera­ Martinez Ahrens, Valencia 2009) l 7.g6! hxg6 1 8.�g4±; B) 1 2 ...�e7 1 3 .tLleS!? t2Jxe5 (1 3 ... .l:f.ae8 14 . .l::!.hel !?) 14 . .ixe5 b5 1 5.f4 a6 1 6.�f3 b4 1 7.lLie2 .ib5 1 8.t2Jd4 tlJd7 Grabarczyk-Babula, Opole ch-POL 2007, l 9.�xg7!?t. 1 3. tlle5

Chapter 1 8

-

Russian Roulette: 4.e5 8fd7 5 . tlJf3 c5 6.dxc5 42 ... hS 43. l:tf4 l:[gB 44.l:[h2 l:[xf4 4S. tbxf4 h4 46.gxh4 l:[g4 47. .:lf2 .b:h4 48.l:[f3 'iti>e7 49. Wc3 �e1 + SO.'iti>b3 �as S1 .tt:Jd3 l:[h4 S2.l:tg3 'iti>f7 S3. tt:Jb4 cs S4. tt:Jd3 �b6 SS.a3 l:[e4 S6.l:[f3+ 'iti>g7 S7. 'iti>c3 �as+ S8.b4 cxb4+ S9.axb4 �c7 60.cS l:[g4 61 .l:[f2 �b8 62.c6 l:th4 63.'iti>b3 l:te4 64.l:ta2 l:td4 6S.t0CS 'iti>f7 66.c7 1 -0

Of course, this is not the only possible move. 1 3 ... �eB 13 ... a6!?oo Lastin-Volkov, Tomsk tt 200 1 . 1 4. tbxc6 :Xc6 1 S. ltJa4 �e7 1 6.�bS tbe4 1 7.f3 :Xf4 1 8.fxe4 The fight is very sharp right to the end. At the key moments, the pressure caused Volkov to stray from the correct path. 1 8 ... lld6 18 ... .ig6!? 19 . .ixc6 �xe4g? with a good position for Black. 1 9. �xeB 'iVxeB 20.t0C3 d4 21 .g3 l:[fB 22.eSD l:td8 23. tbe4 'ifc6 24.llhe1 lldS 2S.tt:Jf2 :as 26. tlld3 'iVa4 27. lOC1 D l:tfS 28.'iVe4 l:[dS 29.tt:Jb3 l:[f2 30. 'iVg4!t

3 0... 'iVd7 31 .h4 d 3 32.c4 'iVc6 33. 'iVe4 l:[d7 34. 'ii'xc6 bxc6 3S.l:te3 g5? 36.hxgS d2 37.'iti>c2 hgS 38 . .:le4 'iti>f7 39.lOCS l:[d8 40. l:[g4 �e7 41 . tt:Jd3 l:[fS 42.l:[xd2± Now White obtains good winning chances.

Summary 1 2.@bl / 1 2.llhel / 1 2.h4: With these alternative moves White looks for different plans. But many lines just lead to very similar positions. In 1 999, young analysts incorporated the system into their repertoire.

GAME 75 Alexandra Kosteniuk (2324) Stephen Giddins (2376) Port Erin 1 999 (6)

Here we have an interesting fight be­ tween youth and experience. Giddins tries an alternative on the I Ith move. 1 .e4 e6 2. tt:Jf3 dS 3. tt:Jc3 tt:Jf6 4.es tt:Jfd7 S.d4 cs 6.dxcS lOC6 7. �f4 hes 8.�d3 f6 9.exf6 tbxf6 1 o. 'ife2 0-0 1 1 .0-0-0 'ifaS! ? I n order t o start hostilities on the queen­ side.

� � iil ttJ 8 8 8 W/ 8 8 8 h8D 257

Part Three - Classical System: I .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . lLX3 tbf6 1 3 .tbgs+ Wg6 1 3 . �d2t) 14.tbxe6!-+ with a decisive advantage for White, Kosteniuk­ Stellwagen, Wijk aan Zee 2000. 1 2. �b1 1 2 .tbeS!?. 1 2 ... tl:ib4!? This seems to be a logical move. In the event of 1 2 ... �d7 the game reverts to usual Zakharov lines: 1 3 .tbeS!? tbxeS (better may be 1 3 ... .l:i.ae8!?) 14.�xeS bS 1 5 .g4!

.I . .t. .t. A ·� �·�·� .i l

analysis diagram

1 5 ...b4 16.gS!+- Alagulian-Sambuev, Moscow ch-city 1999. 1 3. i.eS i.d7 1 3 ... d4? is an unsuccessful counter: 14.tbxd4! tbfdS 1 5 .tllb 3 (1 5 . .,tc4!?) 1 5 ...tbxc3+ 16.�xc3 'iYxa2+ 1 7.Wcl .l::rx f2.

.I A ''

• ''

. ,. • • •

analysis diagram

TRICK: And now it is White's turn: 1 8 .'iVeS! �f8 1 9.�xb4 �xb4 20 . .,txh7+ Wxh7 21 .'iYe4+ Wg8 258

22.'iYxb4+S.Navarro-Stella, Fiuggi ch-ITA-jr 2007. 1 4. tl:id4 �xd4 1 5.�xd4

.I ''

.i.

.1 • '' ·�

' � � tt:J � 8 8 8 VJ!/ 8 8 8 � : :

�

This may be the critical position in the 1 1 ...'iYas line. 1 5 ... tl:ic6 TRICK: The trap 1 5 ...eS?! does not work because of 16.Vi'xeS! (but not 1 6 . .,txeS �ae8+:t) 1 6 ... tllc6 1 7.'iYf4 tllg4 1 8 .'iYgs tbxd4 1 9.�c4!! and White is better in all lines. The most natural move would be 1 5 ... .l:i.ac8!? with lots of possibilities for both sides. 1 6.i.es tt::ixes 1 7. 'ifxes :ace According to my engine, l 7...tbg4 1 8 .'iYhS tbf6 offers better chances of equalizing. 1 8.f3!;!;; White has a classical strategic advantage, as Black's minor pieces are now inactive. 1 8... 'ifc7 1 9. l:.he1 'ii'xes 20 . .:.Xes tt::iee

t(

.i

�·· .t. .t. A ' •• : tt:J � 888 � :

Chapter 1 8 In the ending that now arises White has a clear advantage, but Kosteniuk failed to do the technical job properly. 21 . t2Je2 2 1 . �bS!? �xbS 22.ti.JxbS .l:If6 23.l:l'.del with pressure for White. 21 ... l2Jd6 22.f4 l:r.ce8 23.l:r.e3 i.bS 24. .bbS tillc bS 25.g3 @17 26.b3 h6 27. l:r.eS @f6 28.c4 0£7 29.tllc3 gS!� Changing the character of the game. 30.cxdS gxf4 31 .gxf4 exdS 32.tillcdS+ tillcd S 33. l:r.exdS l:r.e2 34. l:r.d6+ @15 35.llxh6 l:r.c8! 36. l:r.f 1 l:r.cc2=

• 8 8

-

Russian Roulette: 4.eS ti.Jfd7 S . ti.Jf3 cS 6.dxcS

John Watson (on Chesspublishing): 'Moskalenko effused over White's sys­ tem with 1 1 .0-0-0 in his Flexible French. Now we get to see him play against it!'

GAME 76 Aramis Alvarez Pedraza (251 5) Viktor Moskalenko (2564) Catalunya tt 2011 (5)

1 .e4 e6 2.tllf3 dS 3.tllc3 tllf6 4.es lllfd7 5.d4 cs 6.dxcS 0£6 7. i.f4 i.xc5 8.�d3 f6 9.exf6 tillcf6 1 0. 'iVe2 0-0 1 1 .0-0-0 a6!?

Jd

8 .i �

.i

8 Jd

Even though Black is two pawns down, the ending is still a draw. The active position of his rooks on the second rank compensates for the missing material. 37.llhS+ �f6 38.:SS a6 39.h4 llh2 40.hS llb2+ 4 1 . @a1 l:r.bd2 42.b4 llde2 43.I:lb1 llef2 44.bS llxhS 45.lla4 Not 45.bxa6?? J;:txaS 46.axb7 l:l'.axa2 mate. 45 ... :XbS 46. llxbS axb5 47.llb4 @e6 48.llxbS llxf4 49. llxb7 @d6 50.@b2 @c6 51 . llb8 rJ;;c7 112-112

Summary: After 1 1 ...�aS and 1 2 ...tt.Jb+ Black was unable to create any support for his active pieces and he soon had to switch to passive defence. In any case, this was a complicated game right up to the last move.

Quite a useful move in these lines. Actu­ ally this is the most common response. 1 2. tlJeS!? White chooses Zakharov's plan, just like after l l . . . �d7. 1 2.h4!?, 12.l:l'.hel and 1 2 . Wbl have also been played - see the next game. 1 2 .. �d6! Continuing in proper French style, fighting for the control of the central square eS: preparing 1 3 ...�c7. PUZZLE: 1 2 ... tt.Jxe5 1 3 . �xeS �d7 14.g4 �e8!?oo. If we included the moves ld.hel and ... b7-b5 now, we would find ourselves in the Zakharov-Dolmatov game seen in the comments to Game 74. .

•

1 3.i.g3 TRICK: 1 3 .Wbl? �c7! 14.lt.Jxc6 (14.Ilhel g6!:+) 14 �xf4 1 S.ti:Jd4 eS is miserable for White.

•

...

259

Part Three - Classical System: I .e4 e6 2 .d4 d5 3 . ttJc3 tli6 1 3 ... 'ifc7!

1 4. li:Jg4 Black's pressure forces White to abandon the e5-square. 14.f4 is weak because of 14 ...g6!i2, in­ tending 1 5 ... ti:Jhs. TRICK: 14 . .tf.hel? reveals the key of Black's defence: 14 ...tbxeS 1 5 . gxeS .txeS 16.'iVxeS 'iYxeS 1 7. .l:ixeS tbg4! 1 8.Iie2 tbxf2+.

W

1 4... li:Jxg4! This exchange reduces White's initiative. Another try had been played earlier: 14 ... �d7 1 5.�bl bS 16.�fS!? .l::!.a e8 with approximate equality, Zakharov­ Kashtanov, St Petersburg 1 997. 1 5. 'ifxg4 0.eS!

Now the black knight dominates on eS (threatening ...tbxg4 and ...tbxd3). 1 6.'ifd4!? In the year 2004, Spanish youngsters already improved their repertoire with this line: 16.'lihs tbxd3+ 1 7. .l:txd3 nfs 260

1 8.'lie2 �d7i2 Rodriguez Guerrero­ Cuenca Jimenez, Seville 2004. The chances are at least equal, as White has no time to build a strong pawn structure. 1 6 ... .id7 1 7.llhe1 li:Jxd3+ 1 e.:Xd3 :ace!

The placement of the major pieces of both armies is almost perfect: therefore, the minor pieces and the pawns, and certainly also the time factor, will decide the battle. 1 9.a3 b5! 20.@b1 ! l:l.f7 Prophylaxis against the tactical threat 2 1.tlJxdS!. 21 . llee3 White continues aggressively, the oth­ er rook on e3 increases his attacking potential. Objectively, better was 2 1 . �xd6 'lixd6 22.g3!?, intending f2-f4, but my opponent was afraid to become the passive side, after for example 22 ... aS!?i=Z. 21 ... 'ifcS! From the beginning Black uses simpli­ fication as the best defensive method in the 'Russian Roulette' game. 22.hd6 'ii'xd6 23.llf3 .tee A bit premature. 23 ... .l:!.c4!i first was more accurate. 24. :Xf7 24.tlJe4!i2 was the last chance for White to improve his knight. 24... hf7 25.lle3 25 . .l:tg3 .ig6+. 25 ... .ig6!

Chapter 1 8 - Russian Roulette: 4.e5 tllfd 7 5. tt:Jf3 c5 6.dxc5 Definitely improving the bishop. Now Black's strategy becomes clearer: the fight of � vs tfJ. According to Watson (and all the engines), the simple material gain 25 ...'iYxh2 was the better option. 26.g3 l:.c6 27.f4 h6 Again, prophylaxis. 27 ... aS!--+ is hard to meet - Watson. 28.h4 l:.c4 29. 'ifes 't\fxeS 30 . .:.Xes 'ittf7+

� PUZZLE: How to play? ""'fs... .ib3+! 46. '1tb1 If 46.CfJxb3 axb3+ 47.Wxb3 d2, queening. 46 ... l:.c2 ! 47.tDxb3 axb3 48. l:te1 .J:.e2! The key rook manoeuvre. 49.l:.d1 d2 0-1

Summary of 1 1 . .. a6, 1 2. tLleS: A flank attack should be met by an attack in the centre! Following this classical concept, Black played ... a7a6/. .. �d6/. ..�c7, and defended his position against Zakharov's dangerous plan. After this White had neither the time nor the resources to attack the opponent's king.

Watson: 'With the 2:0 central pawn ma­ jority and bishop-versus knight, only Black can win this.' 31 .hS .ifs 32.l:.e2 �6 33.l:.e3 :cs 34. :es l:.c6T The usual time-trouble came, but I man­ aged to keep control. 34 ... aS!+. 3S.l:.e2 l:.c4 36.l:le3? Finally allowing the winning move. 36 ... aS! 37.lDxbS hc2+ 38.�a2 a4 38 ... d4!. 39.l:.e1 d4 40.tt:Jd6 l:.c6 41 . l004+ �S 42. tlJf2 d3 43 . .l:eS+ 'ifi>f6 44. l004+ ltrf7 45. ttJd2

In the next game we investigate the various possibilities after I I ... a6.

GAME 77 Christian Esplana (2389) Dmitry Schneider (2405) Yucay 2001 (7)

1 .e4 e6 2.ltJc3 dS 3.ltJf3 ttJf6 4.eS ttJfd7 S.d4 cs 6.dxcS ltJc6 7. .if4 .ixcs 8 . .id3 f6 9.exf6 tDxf6 1 0. 'ii'e2 0-0 1 1 .0-0-0 a6 1 2.h4!? In my opinion, this advance is a strong option. As in the line with 1 1 ...�d7, we will check the alternatives: ,-.- WEAPON: 12 ..!d'.hel b5 1 3 .CfJeS!?.

analysis diagram

26 1

Part Three - Classical System: I .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 . tbc3 tt:Jf6 is ready for a Russian Roulette game! 13 ... lllx e5 (13 ...llld4 14.'iYd2 'iYa5 1 5 .�e3 b4 1 6 .lllb loo Hammer-Time, Gausdal 2006) 14.gxe5 gd7 1 5 .g4 llle 8? 16.f4 b4 and now 1 7.lllb l (1 7.llle 4! dxe4 1 8.'MVxe4 g6 19.�c4±) 1 7...llld 6 1 8 .llld 2 lllf7 1 9.lllb3 �b6 20.gd4± Mirzoeva­ Khudaverdieva, Chisinau 2005. On the other hand, after 12.Wbl �b4!? All

.i i

.t 'iV i

6

.i � ii i6

1 5 .llle 5 ( 1 5 . 1ilxg6!?) 15 ...lllxeS (15 ...llld4!?) 1 6 . .Q.xeS b4oo Pitl-Juenger, Wolfsberg 2014; B) l 2 ... �d6!? is more balanced: 13.gxd6 'iYxd6 14 . .l:i.hel (14.h5!? Goodger-Dilleigh, Gatwick 201 1) 14... .Q.d7 1 s.nd2 .l:i.ae8 16.llle S lllxe5 1 7.�xe5 �xe5 1 8 . .l:f.xe5 lllg4 1 9. .l::!.ee2= Navarro Cia-Martins, Hinckley Island tt 2014. 1 3.�d2 'ifc7

i .t

.i CiJ .i CiJ 8 8 8 "fi 8 8 8 fl � J::i. analysis diagram

TRICK: ... now the key move 1 3 .llle 5?? (2 13.�d2oo) is too late: 13 ... �xc3 14.bxc3 llle4! (14...�a5?! 1 5 . .td2oo Skorchenko­ Pipnikov, Belorechensk 2007) 1 5.gxe4 .l:i.xf4+ and Black's po­ sition is much better. 1 2 ... �b4!? Playing in Maccutcheon style. Other ways to gain counterplay are: A) l 2 ... b5, a normal counterattack: 1 3 .h5 (13.llle 5 �d6!?) 13 ...�a5 14.h6 g6

analysis diagram

262

1 4.g4 Too risky. � WEAPON: Of course, 14.h5!? was a more natural move, with the idea of playing h5-h6, and if 14... e5? 1 5 .lllx d5! 1 4 ... �d7 According to the engine 14 ... e5! was fine for Black. 1 s. xh7 1 9.'li'hs+ Wg8 20.g6 tbxg6 21 .'li'xg6oo. 1 a ... tillcd 3 1 9. tillcd 3 Ad6!

And Black won after a tough battle: 20. 'ifg2 ll:id4 21 . .ie3 ll:if5+ 22 . .ic1 .ic6 23.:lde1 b5! 24. :lh3 b4 25.ll:ie2 .ib5 26 . .id2 a5 27.:lc1 'ii' ba 28. \i'g1 .:ca 29.hS llc4 30.b3 lle4 31 . \i'g2 a4 32.c4 bxc3 33.tillcc3 lld4 34. tillc bS 'ii'xb5 35.llc3 :aa 36 . .ic1 'ifaG 37.gG h6 38.'ife2 :le4 39.\i'c2 axb3 40. 'ii'xb3 :lb8 41 . 'ifxb8+ hb8 42.ll:icS llb4+ White resigned.

1 1 ... ll:ib4 Only two more games were played with this line so far. Black abandons control of the strategic eS-square, but he can exchange the dangerous bishop on d3. Two other novelties are: A) l l .. . �d6 - this manoeuvre may be slightly premature. The best option is to wait until White moves his knight to e5: 12 . .ixd6 (12.�g3!?) 12 ...'iYxd6 1 3 J1hel �d7 14.'iii>b l .ld.ae8 1 5 . .ibS!?

Summary:

The alternatives 1 2.h4, 1 2 . .l:lhel and 1 2 .Wbl merely provide more bullets for a game of Russian Roulette! In recent years there has been consider­ able activity in this variation, with the introduction of several new ideas.

analysis diagram

15 ...Wh8 16 . .ixc6 �xc6 1 7.tbeS tt.Jd7 18.f3 tt.Jxe5 1 9.�xeS �xeS 20 . .l::rxeS± and step by step White managed to win this ending, Madan-Castaldo, Torre del Greco 2006; 263

Part Three - Classical System: 1 .e4 e6 2 .d4 dS 3 . tllc3 tllf6 B)

l 1 ...'i'e7

is a waiting move:

analysis diagram

1 2 .tlle S (12.l::rhel!?) 12 ... �d4 1 3 .tllxc6 bxc6 14.�eS ....- TRICK: 14.�xh7+ tllx h7 1 5 . l:txd4 • c5 1 6 .tllxdS °iVf7 1 7.tlle 7+ 'i¥xe7 1 8.�d6oo. 14 ... �xeS 1 5 .'ifxeS °iVb4 (15 ...tt::ld ?!? 1 6.'i:Wg3 1lb8 1 7.a3 eSb8 16.0-0 fS!? followed by... iile8, attacking the h5pawn) 1 5 .tllf3?! (15.hxg6 fxg6 1 6 .tllf3 ndg8� with complex play, but I don't think Black is worse here) 1 5 ... gxhS! (this is logical and effective. 1 S ... b8 is equal, Riff-Berry, Cappelle la Grande 2009) 1 6.@f2 l:tdg8=F. White can never touch the hS-pawn because if the h3-bishop retreats, Black has ...tllf5!.

,,,,,_.. WEAPON: 1 1 .g4 is another ad­

These positions tend to be very solid and White is obviously running out of ideas. His next move gives Black the opportunity that he has been waiting for: 2 1 .tllg2?! (21 .tllxfS tllxf5 22.iilxfS= might have been a wiser option) 2 1 ...gS! Goh Wei Ming wrote on Chesspublishing about this game: 'With all of Black's pieces optimally placed, this pawn thrust carries quite a bit of punch. In general, Black should be playing for this par­ ticular idea whenever White plays h2h4-h5.' 22.hxg6 fxg6 23.g4 gs 24.l:tf3 hS!t Al Modiahki-Toufighi, Subic Bay 2009: a great game by Toufighi against a very strong opponent. It served as a good advertisement for the system. I think I have shown that Black is completely fine against White's plan of 8.'ifbl and 9.h4. The Iranian IM is a young fighter. He is also a huge French Defence fan and has many different lines in his repertoire. He made Al Modiahki face some stub­ born resistance. 300

vance which looks aggressive but is hardly dangerous for Black. l l ...�d7 1 2 . �h3 0-0-0 1 3 .tlle 2 tllg e7 (1 3 .. .f6!?) 14 . .2.e3 (14.0-0?! ndg8� Klimov-Gorovykh, St Petersburg ch­ city 2009. I prefer the direct 14 .. .f6!?) 14 ... ndf8 1 5.@d2 (intended to find a safe place for the white king, but we are not in Warsaw structures here) 1 5 .. .f6! 1 6.f4 f5!? 1 7.'iYgl fxg4 18 . .2.xg4 nhg8 l 9.tllg3 g6! with dangerous counterplay, Bacrot-Eingorn, France tt 2007.

,.._ WEAPON: l I .tllf3 is the universal move. l I ...tllge7 (the alternative is l I ...iild7!? (I prefer to keep the knight on g8) and now: 12.g3 0-0-0 13.iilg2 f6!? 14.exf6 tllxf6 1 5 .tlle S tllxeS 16.dxeS tlle4! 1 7. .2.xe4 dxe4 1 8.�e3 .2.c6 1 9.0-0 'iWaS!t Colovic­ Moskalenko, Figueres 2009) l 2.g3 (White's plan is iilh3/tllh4/f4-f5) 1 2 ... �d7 13.�h3 0-0-0 14.�cl �df8 15.tllM 'iYas 16.0-0 g5! 1 7.tllg2?! (� 1 7.hxg6 tllxg6�) was seen in Svetushkin-T.Willemze, Sarajevo 2010. Now 1 7.. .fS! forces White to respond: 1 8.exf6 tllg 8!t. Black is better, even if he loses the e6-pawn. 1 1 ... ttJge7 Perhaps I would prefer the direct 1 I ...iild7!?, keeping the possibility of .. .f6-exf6 tllxf6.

Chapter 2 1 - Black Queen Blues (Portisch/HookVariation):

6 . . . �aS ;

7 ... �a4

1 2. tllf3 �d7

1 3.0-0?! Kingside castling is not logical after advancing the h-pawn. But we have al­ ready seen most of the other attempts!

ff!I"- WEAPON: Here is my third 'blues' game against Cuban GM Corrales (the final result being 1 -2 in my favour): 1 3.g3 0-0-0 14.g8 is an option to equalize.

1 5. lLlf4!? g6!? Preventing 1 6 .tllh S. 1 s.:a2 @de 1 1.0-0 xg3 tbf6 and White loses his queen. 23 ...exfS 24.hS? A 'ping-pong' reply would be 24.tbxf7! h8 1 7.0-0-0 'ii'g7

analysis diagram

Here several options should be checked: l 1 ...�e8!? (a defensive resource, threat­ ening ... �f8. 1 1 ...fS? 1 2 .tLlge2!i Abasov­ Bajarani, Baku ch-AZE jr 201 1) 1 2 . �xe7 ! (1 2.hS �f8!) 1 2 ... �xe7 (12 ...'i¥xe7 1 3 .hS+) 1 3 .hS! 13 ...°'fif80 14.hxg6 (14.�gS f6!) 14 .. .fxg6 (14 ... �xh6 1 S.gxh7+!) 1 S .°'fih4� and White has a clear advantage on the kingside; B) On 1 1 .hS ?! the critical continuation is 1 1 ....2.xgS! 1 2.fxgS �e7 ! , when Black seems to maintain his fortress, for in­ stance:

Now Smirin sacrifices two pieces, trying to put an end to the game. 1 8 . .bfS? � 1 8 .�hS!? �d7 (18 ... d4!?) 1 9.f4 tLlg6oo. 1 8 ... 'ifxh6 1 9.lbh6 lbfS 20.ttJxdS exdS 2 1 . lbdS ltJf7T 2 1 ...tLlc6 22.g6 .2.e6-+. 22. :XfS .bfS 23.l:lf6 ttJd6 24.lbd6 l:lf8 25.@d2 'ifi>xh7 26.c3 'ifi>g7 27.b4 cxb4 28.cxb4 l:le8 29.a4 tte7 112-112 The position is technically winning for Black, but the old time control did not allow me to finish the game properly. 341

Part Five - Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players (White and Black) Summary of the 'storm' variation 6.h4 0-0!? in the Alekhine-Chatard-Smirin Attack: This ensures a hard fight for the initiative with bags of adrenalin and lots of enjoy­ able tactics. All this thanks to my old notebook, where all the details of this battle were preserved.

342

Chapter 25

-

Kortchnoi 's Wedge

1 .e4 e6 2.ttJf3 dS 3.es cs 4.b4 d4

Before we learn an opening or a certain line properly, we should check the games of the experts and, after that, try to find our own directions. In this gambit, which used to bother me, the idea of 4 . . . d4! ? was invented by spe­ cialistViktor Kortchnoi. Black uses his cl-pawn as a 'wedge' on d4. I like this concept, where Black fights for space in the centre.

343

Part Five - Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players (White and Black) GAM E 101

Stefaan Deman Danny Haberkorn Antwerp 1 999 (3)

1 .e4 e6 2.tLif3 dS 3.es cs 4.b4 d4!? A) With 4 ... cxb4 5.a3 White can sacri­ fice a pawn, with quite the same idea as in the Benko Gambit, but in this case the centre is blocked. For instance: 5 ... tbc6 6.axb4 �xb4 7.c3 �as (or else 7... �e7 8.d4�) 8.d4 tLlge7 9.�d3 h6 1 0.0-0� with a typical position in this gambit: Black is slightly passive and he does not have any counterplay, Westerinen­ Brinck Claussen, Esbjerg 1978; B) I once tried to put up another block­ ade with 4 ... c4!?

.! � .t ii

· � � .! i i .t.

�----�--,-----

i8

8i t2J 8 88 888 1: tt:J .�:iY � � 1: analysis diagram

5.c3 (or, for instance, 5.a3 b5 6.a4 �xb4oo Simferopol Stripunsky-Moskalenko, ch-UKR 1 990) 5 ... a5!? (5 ...tbe7 6.d3oo Vafiadis-Moskalenko, Kavala 1 998) 6.b5 tbd7 7.d4 cxd3 8.�xd3 f6!?+2 Naer-Moskalenko, Moscow 1 995. S.bxcS If 5.�b2 tLlh6!? Zahorbensky-Balacek, Czechia tt 201 1 . s ... .b:cs 6.h3!? White carries on with his main idea. 6.�d3 does not offer anything special: 6 ...tbc6 7.'iie 2 tLlge7 (7.. .f5!?) 8.0-0 tLlg6+:t. 6 ... 'ifaS! The best option. 7.hcs 344

If 7.'iie 2!? �d7 8 .�xc5 'iixc5 9.'iic4 �xc4 10.�xc4 tbc6+:t Sievers-Kotlyar, Germany tt 2008/09. 7 ... 'ifxcS 8.c3 tLic6 9.cxd4 tl:ixd4 1 0. 'ifa4+

The Flexible French: 'Only seven games have been played with this line, but in one of them Black found a very attractive pos­ sibility:' 10 ... .id7! ! This knight sacrifice is an unexpected resource (today, 201 5=9 games) 1 0 ...tbc6?! has mainly been played. This reply seemed to be forced, but after 1 1 .tLlc3 White gains the initiative, threat­ ening tbe4-d6+: 1 1 ...�a5 (Boersma­ Kortchnoi, Leeuwarden ch-NED 1977). Now: 1 2 .�g4! @f8 1 3.�f4t. 1 1 . 'ifxd4 'it'c1 + 1 2. '1i>e2 .tbs+

A spectacular check. This is the key po­ sition for this idea. If the opponent is not ready for this surprise, finding the right response over the board is a tough task.

Chapter 25 - Kortclmoi's Wedge: 2. t2Jf3 d5 3 .e5 c5 4.b4 1 3. 'ifi>ea � WEAPON: The alternative is 1 3 .d3 (1 game only) 13 ... nds 14.tlJbd2D 't/Wa3 ! (14 ... i.xd3+? is a mistake in view of 1 5.'t/Wxd3 't/Wxal 1 6.'t/Wc2!+-) 1 S.'t/Wf4 (1 5.tbc4? i.xc4 1 6.'iVxc4 °iVb2+ winning the rook on al) 1 5 ...'t.Wb2 16.�dl i.xd3+ 1 7.@el i.c2oo and the position remains compli­ cated, Florstedt-Van Schyndel, Bad Godesberg 201 1 . 1 3 ... �xf1

•

� .I .t. .t. .t.

...---·

.-�-

8 \i9 8 8 ld tLi 'iV

•

� ttJ 888 .i. ld

Another key moment. 1 4. 'ii'c 3? White makes too many defensive mis­ takes. The best ideas are: A) 14.�a4+ @f8 1 5 .°iYbS (Nabuurs­ Van der Griendt, Netherlands tt 20 1 1 I 12) and now, for instance, 1 5 ...'tlfxd2+!+ winning a pawn; B) Or else 14.'tlfd3 'iVc5+! 1 5.�d4 �xd4+!? (15 ..."IWcl = repeats moves)

16.tbxd4 i.xg2 1 7.J;igl �c6 1 8 . .l::Ixg7 tbe7 with interesting counterplay for Black. 1 4 ... 'ii'd 1 !t

• .t. 8 � 8 ld tLi

� .I .t. .t. .t. •

� ttJ 8 888 'iV .i. ld

Threatening 1 5 ...�e2+ and 1 6 ... i.xg2 . 1 5. :Xf1 Also after 1 5 .'t/Wd3 Black has the better chances, for example: 15 ... 'li'xf3+!? 1 6.gxf3 i.xd3 1 7.c;;t>xd3 tbe7+ Olsarova­ Zhukova, Tbilisi Ech 201 1 . 1 5 ... 'ii'xf1 1 6.ttJa3 'ii'a 6!-+ And Black did not have any trouble con­ verting his material advantage. 1 7. 'ii'cs tf::e7 1 8.lLibS o-o 1 9.lLic7 lLif5+ 20.@14 'ii'a4+ 21 .d4 :ace 22.lk1 l:tfd8 23.l:tc4 'ii'd 7 24. 'ii'a5 0-1 tf::e7 25.'ii'c3 .:.Xc7 It is obvious that 'Kortchnoi's wedge' 4.b4 d4!?, reinforced with the fantastic resource 10 ... �d7! , can be a nasty sur­ prise for b4-gambit lovers - incidentally, this is a line which is especially popular on the Internet.

345

Part Five - Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players (White and Black)

Chapter 26

-

Reti/Papa Gambit

The well-known classical grandmasters Richard Reti, Rudolf Spielmann and Savielly Tartakower were the first explorers of an interesting anti-French weapon: 1 .e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3.i.b2

8 8 � 8 ti 8 8 8 :s: tLJ 'iV @ � tLJ � You can also reach the diagram position from several different openings (for in­ stance, l .b3 dS 2 . ..ib2 e6 3.e4!?). History In those classic times, White played many attractive games with the Reti Gambit, but somehow the line remained underdeveloped. However, I also found some modern games between high-rated players, where Black did not get more than a couple of draws ... Personally, I have played many blitz games on the Internet with black against this gambit and it's a quite annoying line - with easier play for the white side. Therefo­ re, Black should keep some counter-ideas in store here. Nowadays, this is far from being a typical anti-French set-up for White, but at a theoretical level it has never been analysed deeply and it could be an interesting variation for nearly all levels! All this is sufficient reason to devote a separate chapter to this subject. Directions So, what do you think is Black's best defence? Game 1 02: deviations: 3 tl:if6 (3 tl:ic6 and 3 cS). The first option I checked was declining the gambit with 3 . tl:if6, but after the natural continuation: 4.eS! tl:ifd7 (for ...

...

Richard Reti.

346

.

.

...

Chapter 26

-

Reti/Papa Gambit: 2.b3 d5 3 . �b2

4 ...tLlg8 ! ? see the main game) 5 .f4 c5 6.�g4! tLlc6 7.tLlf3 White achieves a solid advantage, mainly due to his strong central pawn wedge and the powerful posi­ tion of his queen.

White's plan is quite easy: after .ie2 and 0-0 he can go for d2-d4 or tLlc3-tLldl-tLle3, improving the queen's knight. Unfortunately, I did not manage to find any effective counterplay for Black here. See my summary at the end of Game 1 0 2 . The same goes for the other deviations: • 3 ... tLlc6 4.eS!? with the black knight on c6 (without previously playing... c7-c5), White can also close the centre. • 3 ... c5: it is important to note that this position also can arise from the Sicilian Defence l .e4 c5 2.b3 (Transpositions, Game 1 03). Game 103: accepting the Gambit with 3 dxe4 4.tLlc3 tLlf6. ...

The main position ofReti's anti-French Gambit. White usually chooses between two moves: A) 5.g4 is a typical but overly risky direct attack. Here, a possible refutation may be found, starting with s . .tt:Jc6!?. B) 5.�e2!? is a solid positional plan, preparing queenside castling, after which g2g4 is a strong threat. .

347

Part Five - Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players (White and Black)

Reti/Papa Gambit - Games The two model games show White's main idea in the Reti Gambit, and how Black can face it. GAME 102

Lisa Schut (221 9) Yochanan Afek (2280) Amsterdam 2010 (4)

1 .e4 e6 2.b3 d5 For instance, 2 ...b6 is recommended by John Watson in Play the French, 2003. Another possible move order goes 2 ... lLlc6 3 . i.b2 d5 4.e5! (closing the centre is a quite logical concept: here Black has played ...lLlc6 without ... c7-c5.

E .t tv • .t ,. E 111 111 ,. l l8 •

Rejecting the gambit is a practical op­ tion, but it seems quite passive. The main move is 3 ... dxe4, see next game. PUZZLE: 3 ...c5 can occur via a transposion from the Sicilian: 4.exd5 exd5 5.�bs+. A typical tricky and dynamic check: the main idea is 5 ...lLlc6?! (z 5 ... �d7 6.�e2+!? �e7 7.lLlc3 �xe2+?! 8.�xe2! ± Aronian-Van Wely, Monaco rapid 2006) 6.�e2+! �e7 7.lLlc3! lLlf6 8.0-0-0 d4 9.Si.xc6+! bxc6 1 0.lLla4t. Black's pawns and king are weak, Puschel­ Hannebauer, Germany tt 2004/05.

•

4.e5!

� � · . ---

analysis diagram

4 ... lLlge7 (4...lLlh6 was an improvement that was implemented in the same tour­ nament, but I think this does not greatly change the evaluation of the position. White has various possibilities to get active play: 5.lLlf3 Si.e7 6.d4 0-0 7.Si.e2 f6 8.0-0 lLlf5 9.c4 dxc4 10.Si.xc4 a6 l I . Si.d3 �d7 1 2.�d2 b5 1 3.a4 fxe5 14.dxe5 bxa4 1 5 . 1:1xa4t WindPower-Lukulus, playchess.com INT comp 2007) 5.d4 lLlf5 6.lLlf3 Si.e7 7.�d3 0-0 8.0-0 f6 9.exf6 Si.xf6 1 0 . .l:i.el lLlfxd4 l 1 .lLlxd4 lLlxd4 12.Si.xd4 �xd4 1 3 . Si.xh7+ 'i.t>xh7 14.�xd4t; White's advantage includes a better pawn structure plus lLl vs. Si.: WindPower-Dark Anakin, playchess. com INT 2007. 3.i.b2! tllf6 348

8 8 Jl 8 8 8 8 8 ld � �w � ttS ld The first key position of this chapter. 4... tllg 8!? In order to play... lLlh6/lLlf5.

t'fJ"-- WEAPON: The main option is

4 ...t2Jfd7 5.f4 (the direct 5.�g4!? also works perfectly well: 5 ... lLlc6 6.f4 f5 7.�g3!? lLlb6 8.lLlf3 t2Jb4?! 9.lLla3 �d7 1 0.c3 lLlc6 l 1 .lLlc2± and Black seems to be in zug­ zwang, Papaioannou-Haritakis, Athens ch-GRE 1996) 5 ... c5 (this is a standard idea) 6.�g4! . The most active move i n any French var­ iation. 6 ...lLlc6 7.lLlf3t (in my opinion, White has the better chances in this structure since Black has no real coun­ terplay on the queenside) 7...g6 (the

Chapter 26 - Reti/Papa Gambit: 2.b3 d5 3 . �b2 most popular method. With 7... a6 Black can change the move order, but the arising positions tend to be similar: 8 . �e2 b5 9.0-0 tbb6 1 0.d4!?±; White dominates the centre and the kingside, Montreal Arngrimsson-Malakhatko, 2009) 8 . �e2 a6 9.0-0 �g7 I O.tbc3! b5 1 1 .tDdl �b7 1 2.�g3 tbe7 1 3 .a4!? b4 14.tbe3 tbf5 1 5.tbxf5 exf5 1 6 . �d3 0-0.

l l ...�e7 1 2.tDdl �d7 1 3 .tbe3 g6 14.'ti'f2 (14.tbxf5!? gxf5 1 5.'ti'fH) 14... d4 1 5.tbxf5 exfS 16.c3 dxc3 1 7.dxc3± Moskalenko-Gonzalez Rodriguez, Torredembarra 2010. 8.0-0 �e7 PLAN: 9.c3!?: tba3-tbc2.

analysis diagram

�l, PLAN: In order to activate the

This position occurred in Repkova­ Macek, Sibenik tt 2005. Now: 1 7.�xf5 ! ! i s winning after 1 7. . .gxf5 1 8.tbh4! @h8 1 9.t2Jxf5 �g8 20.t2Jd6+-. 5.f4 TRICK: 5.h4!? 6. 5 ... �e7? 6.'ifg4!t Papaioannou-Haritakis, Aegina 1 996. s ...cs 6. ttJf3 Now there is no sense in 6.'ti'g4 tbh6!. 6 ... ttJc 6 7.�e2 tbh6

•

9.ttJc3 �� 9 ..0-0 1 0. 'ife1 !? .

queen via e l-g3 and to prepare the manoeuvre tbdl -e3. 1 0... �d7 1 1 .'ith 1 ! ? a6 1 2.a4?! This move is not useful. It prevents ...b7b5, but weakens the b4-square. I prefer 1 2.a3 bS 1 3 .tbdl , etc. �

/fl/*'- WEAPON:

7... h5 8.0-0 t2Jh6 9.tbc3 tbf5 1 0.a3 a6 1 1 .°ifel !?.

i.

.i. :iV • .i. i. ii i i IS i i i 8 /S i 8 l2J 8 8 0i il 8 8 il 8 8 1:1 WI I;i. w analysis diagram

Dutch WIM Lisa Schut (she was my student at the time) . In this game, Lisa applied a winning positional set-up, but could not finish the game tactically'

349

Part Five - Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players (White and Black) 1 2 ... :ce 1 3 . .:tc1 f6 1 4. lt::id 1 ! ? Defending eS and preparing tLle3 1 4 ... lt::if7 1 S.t2Je3 � 1 5 .exf6!? �xf6 16. iil.a3oo. 1 S ... fxes 1 6.fxes lt::ih 6 1 6 ... d4!?; 1 6 ...tLlh8 !?. 1 7. 'ifg3 'ife8 1 8. 'ii'h 3!? lt::id 8? A very passive move. 1 9.d4 1 9.�d3 !?;;!; was logical. 1 9 ... cxd4? 20. lt::ixd 4t lt::idf7 21 . lt::ixd S!± .

!.

'ii' !. . j_ _t: � i i i � Cjj B, t;j

Up to here White has played quite strongly. 21 ... ..igS? 2 1 ...�cS 22.�g3 ! exdS 23.e6 �d6 24.�h3±. 22 . .:tcd1 ! lt::ifS 23.lt::ixfS 23.tLlb6+-. 23 ... exdS 24. ..id3 White has more material and will give checkmate in the end, but 24.�d3+­ was a technical win. 24... 96

2S.lt::ig7??T At least two moves should be winning here: 25.e6--+ or 25.�a3+-. 2S ... ..ixh3 26.tt::ixee ..ig4 27.e6 ..ixd1 28.exf7+ lb:f7 29.:Xf7 :Xe8 30 . .:tf1 ..ig4 31 .h3 ..id7 32 . ..ic3 ..ih4 33. @h2 ..ic6 34. ..id4 ..id8 3S.g3 ..ic7 36.h4 :es 37.'ifi>h3 ..tes 38. hes :Xes 39. .:tf6 @g7 40. .:tf2 :e1 41 .@g4 ..id7+ 42.@f4 @16 43 . .:tf1 :es 44.g4 gS+ 4S.hxgS+ :XgS 46 . ..ixh7 :Xg4+ 47.'ifi>f3 .:tg7 48 . ..id3 @es 49.c3 ..ic6 so.:e1 + 'ifi>d6 S1 .'ifi>e3 as S2.@d2 @cs S3 . .:te2 .:tg3 S4. .:te3 .:tg1 ss.:e1 .:tg4 S6.@c2 .:th4 S7.l:te2 ..id7 S8. .:td2 .:th3 S9 . .:tg2 .:thS 60 . .:tf2 ..ie6 61 .l:td2 d4 62 . ..ie4 dxc3 63. @xc3 b6 64. ..ic2 .:th3+ 6S . .:td3 l:l.h2 66 . .:te3 .ids 67. .:tg3 l:th4 112-112

Summary after 3 ... tLlf6 4.eS!: I think that the arising positions slightly favour White and are easier to play for him. Black does not have any clear counter­ attacking plan, and in the long run he will be under attack on the kingside. In the following game I have tried to illustrate White's attacking resources and Black's defensive ones. The material and the analysis are not a summary, but a collection of the best ideas. Probably Black can balance the game, playing accurately and defensively, for instance with 5...�e7!? 6.tLlxe4 0-0!. The choice is yours. GAM E 103

Leonid Totsky (2450) Andrey Tarasenko (2250) Moscow 1 995 (7)

1 .e4 e6 2.b3 Lev Psakhis (CBM 058): 'Totsky played this strange move many times and usually with success. It doesn't mean

350

Chapter 26 - Reti/Papa Gambit: 2.b3 dS 3 . i.b2 that the move is good, it just means that maybe it is better than its reputation.' 2 ... dS 3 . .ib2 dxe4!? Accepting the gambit. 4. tbc3 tLlf6 This is an automatic response. /fl"- WEAPON: 4 .. .fS

8 CiJ 8�8 8 8 8 8 iV � � ttJ ::t ::t analysis diagram

S .d3!? (5.f3 is less clear: 5 ... �d6 6.tllx e4!? fxe4 7. .1l.xg7 °iYh4+ 8 .We2 tlle 7 9.�xh8 tllg 6 10.'lWeloo) 5 ... exd3 (5 ... tllf6 6.dxe4 'lWxdl+ 7. .ld.xdl fxe4 8.tllh 3;;!;) 6.�xd3 tllf6 7.'iVe2 tllc6 8.tllf3t and White can be happy with this position. 5. 'ife2 5 .g4.

l I . Ji.xe4 Ji.f6 12.tllf3t Papaioannou­ Gleizerov, Cappelle la Grande 1998; B) 5 ... Ji.cS?! 6.gS 'lWd4 7.tllh 3 tllfd7 8 .'iYe2 0-0 9.0-0-0t 'tWeS?? 1 0 .tllb s+­ Van Riemsdijk-Mendes, Sao Bernardo 1 968; C) 5 ... Ji.d7 6.gS tlld s 7.tllxe4 �c6 8 .'tWe2 tllf4 9.fHe3 tlld S=; D) 5 ... .1l.e7 6.gS tlld S 7.tllxe4 0-0oo; E) 5 ... tllc 6!? (probably the most active counter-set-up, preventing 6.'iVe2? tlld4!) 6.gS (6.Ji.g2 eS!? 7.gS �g4!:+) 6 ... tlld s

.i .t 'iV • .t .i iii iii ,. i ,. 8 i

analysis diagram

7.tllxe4 eS!? (just a natural human move; 7... h6!? 8.g6 fS! Chichirivichi­ Pawntobewild, playchess.com, INT 2007) 8.tlle 2? (this leads to catastrophe.

analysis diagram

This brave attack may be too hasty. However, it can turn out dramatic for either player - whoever does not play aggressively! A) 5 ... h6 6.Ji.g2 .1i.d7 7.'iVe2 .tc6 8.0-0-0 �cs 9.tllxe4 Ji.d4 1 0.c3 tllxe4

GM Leonid Totsky.

35 1

Part Five - Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players (White and Black)

� 8 .tLlf3 Trifonov-Bychkov, Orsk 2002)

E • .t 11V • E iii iii • • i 4J

8 ... �g4 (8 ... h6!?) 9. .l:f.gl 'l!Vdl+ 1 0.d3 tLld4!? l l .l::f.xg4??.

4J i 8 4J tt:J : 8 8 8 � 8 tt:J 8 'if k :

i 8 1J 8 tt:J 8 k 8 8 W/ 8 8 k tt:J l::!: : !'::,

analysis diagram

Enriching the collection of chess minia­ tures: l l ...tLlf3 mate, Arvola-Westerinen, Troms0 2008. 5 ..tb4 Looking for some counterplay (... �xc3 or ...'l!Vel), but in the arising positions White has better prospects. A) The modest 5 ... �el!? may be a practical solution for a solid player: 6.tLlxe4 0-0! ...

analysis diagram

For instance, 6 ...tLlc6 l.0-0-0 (l.gS!?) l ... 0-0 8.gS tLldS 9.h4oo with a typical Reti/Papa game � TRICK: 6.tLlxe4? tLlxe4 l.'l!Vxe4?? W °ifxd2 mate. 6 .. 'ti'e7 Preparing l... �a3. 6 ... �xc3?! looks too ambitious: l.dxc3!? 'l!Vel 8.g4!. .

analysis diagram

analysis diagram

l.tLlf3 aS!? 8.a4 tLlc6 9.0-0-0 b6 1 0 .'l!Ve3 �bl l 1 .tLlxf6+ �xf6 1 2 .d4 tLlb4!t Ponomarenko-Krivoshey, Yalta 1996; B) Similarly good is 5 ... tLlc6!? 6.tLlxe4 �el l.tLlf3 0-0 8.0-0-0 aS 9.d4 a4� Karasev-Farago, Polanica Zdroj 1 914. 6.0-0-0

t'fl"'- WEAPON: 6.g4 is an interesting idea here. 352

Psakhis (CBM 058): 'For just one pawn White has the pair of bishops, an advan­ tage in development and the initiative not a bad deal!' 8 ... h6 9.�g2 eS (9... 0-0 I O.Mt) 1 0.h3 �dl l 1 .'l!Ve3! �c6 1 2.c4 tLlbdl 1 3 .tLle2t and White is clearly better, Totsky-Zakharov, Perm 1 991 (1-0 in 21 moves). 7.@b1 Typical prophylaxis against the threat ... �a3 . l.tLlxe4!? is a good option for technical players:

Chapter 26 - Reti/Papa Gambit: 2.b3 dS 3 . �b2

:I � .i. I. I. I. .

• 'iV I. '�

1 8. .th3 ltJfB 1 9.c4 @be 20.llg1 es 21 . 'ti'e3 .:.ea 22.a4 ltJhS 23 . ..tfs 'ti'f6 24. he4 'ti'f4

l2J .i. 8 l il l l 'fi l 8 8 :g il l2J :g analysis diagram

7... �a3 8.tLlxf6+ "Y:1Vxf6 9.d4 �xb2+ I O.'it>xb2;:!;; Totsky-Legky, Orel 1 994. 7... .txc3 7... �a3!? 8.�al as 9.tLlxe4 t2Jbd7oo Garcia Castro-Perez Lopez, Villava 2009. 8.dxc3 b6 8 ... eS 9.h3� Sperdokli-Makka, Aspropyrgos ch-GRE 2003. 9.g4! .tb7 10 . .tg2 h6 1 1 .h4 ltJbd7 1 2.gS ltJdS 1 3. ltJh3t

:I e I l. .i. l. � 'iV l. I. I. I. I. 8 � 8 I. 88 l2J l il l 'iY l il :g :g Psakhis (CBM 058): 'With a promising position for White.' 1 3 ... hxgS 1 4.hxgS fS 1 5.gxf6 ltJSxf6 1 6.ltJgS Ilxh1 1 7. Ilxh1 0-0-0

25. 'ife2 25.�d3±; 25.�f3±. 25 ... .txe4 26. ltJxe4 ltJf6 27. ltJc3 ltJe6 28. ltJdS 'ifh2 29. 'iff1 ltJe4 30. 'ifg2 'i!i'xg2 31 . :Xg2 ltJf4 32. ltJxf4 exf4 33.f3 ltJg3 34 . .ixg7 lle1 + 35. 'iii>b2 .:m 36 . .tes .i:txf3 37. llh2 ltJe4 38 . .l:thB+ @b7 39. llh7 llf1 40. Ilxc7+ '>ta8 41 .aS bxa5 42.cS l:tg1 43.c6 .:tg8 44 . .txf4 a6 45 . .te3 ltJf6 46. lla7+ @b8 1 -0 47 . .tb6

Conclusion The ancient, aggressive Reti/Papa Gambit is not fashionable nowadays, but it is still a good and surprising anti­ French weapon - even against high­ rated players. Combining the ideas of this chapter, you may even be able to dabble with b2-b3 against other openings as well. Good luck!

353

Game List Games marked with an asterisk

(*)

are new, i.e. not in 'The Flexible French'.

Part One GAME i

Evgeny Sveshnikov

Viktor Moskalenko

Norilsk 1 9 8 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6

GAME 2

Alexei Shirov

Mikhail Gurevich

Khanty-Mansiysk 2 0 0 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0

GAME 3*

Semen Dvoirys

Alexey Goganov

Vladimir 2 0 0 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5

GAME 4* Jose Fernando Cubas

Wesley So

Klunty-Mansiysk 2 0 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8

GAME S

Evgeny Sveshnikov

Viktor Moskalenko

Rostov-on-Don 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 Vlissingen 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

GAME 6 *

Harmen Jonkman

Mikhail Gurevich

GAME 7 *

Alexander Grischuk

Alexander Morozevich Khanty-Mansiysk 2 0 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

GAME 8*

Alexander Grischuk

Vasily Ivanchuk

GAME 9*

Orestes Rodriguez Vargas

Yukio Miyasaki

Skopje ol 1 9 7 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

CapNemo

playchess.com 2 0 0 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2

GAME I O* Caralho Voador GAME I I

Kl1anty-Mansiysk (rapid) 2 0 1 1 ... 42

Tigran Petrosian

Tbilisi 1 9 5 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 9

GAME 1 2 Hikaru Nakamura

Jan Timman

Malmo/Copenhagen 2 0 0 5 . . . . . . . . . . 6 1

GAME 1 3

Semen Dvoirys

Rafael Vaganian

Izmir tt 2 0 0 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

GAME 1 4

Yury Lapshun

Viktor Moskalenko

Banyoles 2 0 0 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

GAME I S

Alexander Shabalov

Varuzhan Akobian

Philadelphia 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Mikhail Tal

GAME 1 6 Peter Clarke

Tigran Petrosian

Munich ol 1 9 5 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

GAME 1 7

Teimour Radjabov

Sarajevo 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1

GAME 1 8 Josef Klinger

Lajos Portisch

Dubai 1 9 8 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 3

GAME 1 9 Vasily Ivanchuk

Evgeny Bareev

Monaco (blind) 2 0 0 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 5

GAME 2 0 Vladimir Malaniuk

Wolfgang Uhlmann

Tallinn 1 9 8 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7

GAME 2 1

Yannick Pelletier

Biel 2 0 0 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8

Vereslav Eingorn

Palma d e Mallorca I 9 8 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1

GAME 2 3 Vasily Ivanchuk

Viktor Moskalenko

Barcelona 2 0 0 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

GAME 24 Sergey Fedorchuk

Viktor Moskalenko

Alushta 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

GAME 2 S N i Hua

Wang Hao

Singapore 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

GAME 2 6 Thomas Luther

Carlos Matamoros Franco Cienfuegos 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 1

Sergei Movsesian

Alexander Grischuk

GAME 2 2 Evgeny Sveshnikov

Part Two

GAME 2 7

Swayangsu Satyapragyan

Viktor Moskalenko

Andorra 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 04

GAME 2 8

Charles Monroy

Viktor Moskalenko

L'Estartit 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 8

GAME 29 Vasily Ivanchuk

Viktor Moskalenko

Lvov l 9 8 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 4

GAME 3 0

Ibragim Khamrakulov

Viktor Moskalenko

Salou 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 6

GAME 3 1

Predrag Ostojic

Mikhail Botvinnik

Wijk aan Zee 1 9 69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 5

GAME 3 2 Vitaly Pesotsky

Viktor Moskalenko

Chernigov 1 9 8 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 8

GAME 3 3 * Zvonko Stanojoski

Sergey Volkov

Elista ol 1 99 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 0

GAME 34 Leonid Yudasin

Viktor Moskalenko

Lviv 1 9 8 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 2

GAME 3 S

Alexander Morozevich Sarajevo 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 42

Michael Adams

GAME 3 6 Alexander Onischuk

Alexander Morozevich Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 .. 1 46

355

Even More Flexible French GAME 3 7

Zaven Andriasyan

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Kirishi 2 0 0 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 48

GAME 3 8 * Zahar Efimenko

Yury Vovk

Kiev ch-UKR 2 0 1 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 S I

GAME 39

Vasilios Kotronias

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Moscow 2 0 0 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 S S

GAME 40

Ivan Cheparinov

Alexander Riazantsev

Hoogeveen 2 0 0 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I S 8

GAME 4 I

Frank De La Paz

Viktor Moskalenko

Montcada 2 0 0 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 3

GAME 42

Petr Velicka

Viktor Moskalenko

Solsones Open 2 0 0 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 6S

Viktor Moskalenko

Salou 20 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 7

GAME 43* David Larina Nieto

GAME 44 Magesh Chandran Panchanathan Zviad Izoria GAME 45

Michael Adams

Philadelphia 2 0 0 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 1

Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu Sofia 2 0 0 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 4

Part Three GAME 46

Alexander Morozevich

Viktor Moskalenko

Moscow m 1 994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 1

GAME 47

Karsten Rasmussen

Viktor Moskalenko

L'Estartit Open 2 0 0 7 / 0 8 . . . . . . . . . . . I 8 S

GAME 48

Dmitry Yakovenko

Alexander Morozevich Moscow ch-city 2 0 0 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 9

GAME 49* Julian Radulski

Viktor Moskalenko

Montcada Open 2 0 0 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 2

GAME 50* Roeland Pruijssers

Li Shilong

Dieren 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 8

GAME 5 I * Fabiano Caruana

Murtas Kazhgaleev

Khanty-Mansiysk 20 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 9

GAME 5 2* Piotr Bobras

Evgeny Naer

Germany Bundesliga 20 I 0 1 1 1 .. 2 0 0

GAME 5 3 * Bartlomiej Macieja

Alexander Morozevich S t Petersburg 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 2

GAME 54* Li Chao

Yu Shaoteng

Suzhou 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 3

GAME 5 5 * Li Chao

Zhou Weiqi

Xinghua ch-CHN 2 0 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 S

GAME 56* Vitaly Levchenkov

Viktor Moskalenko

Riga 1 9 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2

GAME 5 7* Alexey Dreev

Viktor Moskalenko

Lvov I 9 8 S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 2

GAME 5 8 * Manuel Aguas

Viktor Moskalenko

Benasque 1 9 9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 4

GAME 5 9 * Bela Lengyel

Beat Ziiger

Budapest 1 9 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 4

GAME 60* Alexander Grischuk

Simen Agdestein

Stavanger 2 0 1 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 S

GAME 6 1 * Sergey Karjakin

Alexander Morozevich Dubai 2 0 1 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 7

GAME 62

Nigel Short

Alexander Morozevich Germany Bundesliga 1 9 9 8 / 9 9 . . 2 2 3

GAME 63

Andrey Volokitin

Viktor Kortchnoi

Igualada 2 0 0 S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 S

GAME 64 Viacheslav Borisenko

David Anton Guijarro

Albena 2 0 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 8

GAME 65

Nigel Short

Internet (rapid) 2 0 0 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 9

Viktor Moskalenko

Spain 200 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 1 Leningrad tt I 9 S 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 3

Peter Svidler

GAME 6 6 Jorge Iglesias GAME 6 7

Vasily Panov

Viktor Kortchnoi

GAME 68

Peter Leko

Alexander Morozevich Morelia/Linares 2 0 0 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 S

GAME 6 9

Ruben Felgaer

Viktor Moskalenko

GAME 7 0

Konstantin Landa

Alexander Morozevich Samara 1 99 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240

Barcelona 2 0 0 S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 7

GAME 7 I * Mert Erdogdu

Viktor Moskalenko

Ankara 20 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

GAME 7 2 * Lazaro Bruzon Batista

Nigel Short

Havana 20 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246

GAME 73

Alexander Zakharov

Vladimir Potkin

Moscow 1 9 9 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 S 3

GAME 74

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Sergey Volkov

Tomsk 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 S 6

GAME 7 5

Alexandra Kosteniuk

Stephen Giddins

Port Erin 1 9 9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 S 7

GAME 76* Aramis Alvarez Pedraza

Viktor Moskalenko

Catalunya t t 2 0 1 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 S 9

GAME 77

Dmitry Schneider

Yucay 2 0 0 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 1

Oliver Zier

Marianske Lazne 2 0 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 3

Christian Esplana

GAME 7 8 * Jacek Bielczyk

356

Index of Games Part Four GAME 79

Alexander Chistiakov

GAME 80 GAME 8 1 GAME 82

Tigran Petrosian

Moscow ch-city 1 9 5 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 0

Garry Kasparov

Vasily lvanchuk

Horgen 1 9 9 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 2

Viktor Moskalenko

Jorge Gonzalez Rodriguez Montcada Open 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 5

Jordi Fluvia Poyatos

Viktor Moskalenko

Catalunya ch 2 0 0 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 0

GAME 8 3 * Daniel Alsina Leal

Viktor Moskalenko

Barcelona 2 0 0 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 2

GAME 84* Lars Oates

Twan Burg

Venlo ch-NED jr 2 0 0 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 4

GAME 85* Alexander Kovchan

Richard Rapport

Groningen 2 0 1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 5

GAME 86* Emil Sutovsky

Viktor Moskalenko

Evry 2 0 0 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 8

GAME 8 7 * Vladimir Potkin

Viktor Moskalenko

Tenerife (rapid) 2 0 0 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9 4

GAME 88* Kutwal Shashikant

Thomas Luther

Mumbai 2 0 1 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9 8

GAME 89* Ilmars Starostits

Viktor Moskalenko

Renedo 2 0 0 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 3

GAME 90* Daniel Alsina Leal

Viktor Moskalenko

Barcelona tt 2 0 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 7

GAME 9 1 * Hikaru Nakamura

Yury Shulman

S t Louis ch-USA 2 0 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1 2

Part Five GAME 9 2 * Bernat Martinez Gutierrez

Viktor Moskalenko

Badalona 2 0 0 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 1

GAME 93

Fernando Braga

Viktor Moskalenko

Barbera 2 0 0 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 3

GAME 94* Francisco Esteban Moreno

Viktor Moskalenko

Valencia 2 0 0 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 5

GAME 9 5 * Boris Spassky

Viktor Kortchnoi

Zurich 2 0 0 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 7

GAME 96* Dragoljub Velimirovic

Wolfgang Ohlmann

Skopje 1 9 7 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 8

GAME 9 7 * Garry Kasparov

Nigel Short

Tilburg 1 99 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 9

GAME 98* Dmitry Svetushkin

Andrey Zhigalko

Eilat tt 20 1 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 3

GAME 99

Viktor Moskalenko

Alushta 1 9 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 5

GAME I 00 Ilia Smirin

Viktor Moskalenko

Beijing 1 9 9 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 9

GAME I 0 I Stefaan Deman

Danny Haberkorn

Antwerp 1 999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344

GAME 1 0 2"tisa Schut

Yochanan Afek

Amsterdam 2 0 I 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348

GAME I 0 3 "teonid Totsky

Andrey Tarasenko

Moscow 1 9 9 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5 0

German Kochetkov

357

The Even More Flexible French

I ndex of Variations French Defence 1.e4 e6 Part One - Advance Variation 2.d4 dS 3.eS cs

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11

.i " .t � - � .i i .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. .t. 8 8

888 888 l:'. ttJ � 'li' � � ttJ l:'. Chapters 1, 2, 4, 6 - 4.c3 tLlc6 5.t2Jf3 5 ...�b6 6.a3 6 ...t2Jh6 6 ... c4 . . 6.�d3 . . . 5 ...tLlh6 . . . . 5 ... t2Jge7 . . . .

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. . Games 1-4 . Games 1 1 -22 . . . . Game 9 . . . . Game 5 . . . . Game 6

Chapter 3 - 4.c3

4 ... �b6 S .t2Jf3 �d7 . . . . . . . . . . Game 7 4 ... tLlc6 s.t2Jf3 �d7 . . . . . . . . . . Game 8

Chapter 5 - 4.�g4

4 ... t2Jc6/4 ...�a5/4 ... cxd4 . . . . . . . Game 1 0

358

Index ofVariations Part Two -Tarrasch Variation 2.d4 dS 3. llld2

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85

.I � .t :it' • � .I ill ill l l 88

8 8 8 0i 8 8 8 l:'. � iY � � ttJ l:'. Chapters 7-1 1 - 3 lllf6 4.eS lllfd7 •..

5.c3 cS 6.�d3 lllc 6 7.llle2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 . . . . . . . . . . . Games 2 3 , 24 9.lllf4 . . . . . . . . . . . . Games 25, 26 7.lllgf3 g6 . . . . . . . . . . Games 27, 28 6 ...b6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Games 29, 30 S.f4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Games 3 1-34 Chapter 12 - 3 �e7 ...

4.eS . . 4.c3 . . 4.lllgf3 4.�d3

Chapter 1 3

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. . . .

. . . . Game 35 . . . . Game 36 . . . . Game 37 Games 38-40

3 ... cS 4.exdS �xdS

.i � .t

� ..t '!al .i

j. j.

j. 'iV

[j,

j.

j. j. j.

•

5.lllgf3 cxd4 6.�c4 °i¥d6 7.�e2 . . Game 41 7.0-0 lllf6 8.lllb 3 lllc6 9.lllbxd4 lllxd4 1 0.�xd4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 42 10.lllxd4 . . . . . . . . . . . Games 43-45

!'::, !'::, !'::, lZ:l !'::, !'::, !'::, .tr � � � � lll .ld:

359

The Even More Flexible French Part Three - Classical Variation 2.d4 dS 3 . tlJc3 tt:Jf6

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1 79

Chapters 14-16 - 4.eS 4.Jfd7 5.4.Jce2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.f4 c5 6.4.Jf3 4.Jc6 7.i.e3 7... a6 8.�d2 b5 . . . . . . 7...cxd4 8.4.Jxd4 �c5 . . 7...�b6 . . . . . . . . . . . . 7... �e7 . . . . . . . . . . . . 7... cxd4 8.4.Jxd4 �b6 .

. . . . . Game 46 . . . . .

. . . . .

. . . . Game 47 . . . Game 48 . . . . Game 49 Games 50-55 Games 56-61

Chapter 1 7 - 4.�gs �b4 5.es h6 6.i.d2 �xc3 7.bxc3 4.Je4 8 .�g4 8 ...Wf8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Games 62-66 8 ...g6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Games 67-69 6.exf6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 70) 6.i.h4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 70 6.i.e3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 7 1 6 . �cl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 72 Chapter 18 - 4.eS 4.Jfd7 5.4.Jf3 cS 6.dxc5 4.Jc6 7.�f4 i.xc5 8.i.d3 f6 9.exf6 4.Jxf6 10.�e2 0-0 1 1 .0-0-0

.i

j. j.

360

1 1 ...�d7 . . . . . . . . 1 1 ...�aS (1 1 ...4.JhS) 1 l ...a6 . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 ...4.Jb4 (1 I ...i.d6,

. . . . . . . Games 73, . . . . . . . . . . . Game . . . . . . . Games 76, 1 1 ...�e7) . . . . Game

74 75 77 78

Index ofVariations Part Four -Winawer Variation 2.d4 d5 3. tbc3 �b4 4.e5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 7

Chapter 19 - 4...b6 S .�g4 �f8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 79 S.a3 �f8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Games 80, 81

Chapters 20, 21

-

4 .cS S.a3 .ixc3+ 6.bxc3 ..

6 ...'i{Vc7 7.VWg4 fS 8.VWg3 tlJc6 . . Games 82-84 8 ...tbe7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 85 8 .�hs+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 86 6 ...'VWas 7.�d2 VWa4 8.VWb3 . . Games 87, 88 8 .�g4 g6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 89 8.�g4 Wf8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Game 90 8/9.h4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game 9 1

361

The Even More Flexible French Part Five - Surprise Weapons for Dynamic Chess Players (White and Black) . . 3 1 9

Chapter 2 2 - 2.d4 dS 3.exdS exdS (Games 92-97)

Chapter 2S - 2.tLlf3 dS 3.eS cS 4.b4 (Game 1 01)

Chapter 23 - 2.d3 dS 3.tLld2 (Games 98, 99)

Chapter 26 - 2 .b3 dS 3 . .2.b2 (Games 102, 1 03)

Chapter 24 - 2.d4 dS 3.tLlc3 tLlf6 4. .2.gs .2.e7 s.es tLlfd7 6.h4 0-0 (Game 1 00)

362

A Brief Biography Viktor Moskalenko - Born April 12, 1 960 in Odessa, Ukraine - Champion of Ukraine in 1987 - Champion Catalunya (Spain) in 200 1 , 2005, 2007 - Chess Grandmaster since 1 992 - Residing in Barcelona, Spain, since 2000 - Winner of numerous interna­ tional tournaments - Chess coach, FIDE Senior Coach (recently working in UAE as Federal Youth Coach) - Specialist in theoretical articles - E-mail: [email protected]

Bibliography Programs ChessBase 1 3 MegaBase 201 5 , ChessBase Magazine, the theoretical surveys Houdini 4 and the latest chess engines Database with approximately 500 own games, and another base with over 700 games on Internet playchess.com (Nickname CapNemo). •

•

•

•

Books Yearbooks - New in Chess. French Defence - Advance Variation, by Evgeny Sveshnikov, Volumes 1 and 2, Olms 2007 Play The French, by John Watson, Everyman Chess 2003 Play The French, by John Watson, Everyman Chess 2012 Dangerous Weapons: The French, by John Watson, Everyman Chess 2007 The Complete French (Tarrasch 3 .tl:ld2, Winawer 3 .tl:lc3 �b4), by Lev Psakhis, Batsford 2003 The Modern French, by Dejan Antic & Branimir Maksimovic, New In Chess 2012 Grandmaster Repertoire 14 and 1 5 , by Emanuel Berg, Quality Chess 201 3 and 2014. •

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363

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Th.e Even More Flexible French When Viktor Moskalenko's The Flexible French appeared in

2008,

it caused a

sensation. It was hailed by reviewers from all over the world as eye-opening, full of new ideas, easy to read, sparkling, and inspirational. Time has not stood still, and the popular French Defence has seen a lot of new theoretical developments, not few of which were inspired by The Flexible French. Seven years after its publication, Viktor Moskalenko has decided to fully revise, update and extend his modern classic.

The Even More Flexible French has largely the same structure as its predeces­ sor, but the content is fully up-to-date on the latest theory. There are twelve new chapters on lines that have grown in importance,

28

more games, and throughout

Moskalenko has found hundreds of improvements, alternatives, new ideas and fresh weapons that will delight and surprise the reader. The book contains a more or less complete French repertoire for Black. Yet Moskalenko also presents quite a few weapons and opportunities for White. The Ukrainian Grandmaster's analysis is, as before, high-level, his touch has remained light and fresh. PRAISE FOR

Viktor Moskalenko (1960)

The Flexible French:

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