The Modern Tiger 1907982833, 9781907982835

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The Modern Tiger By

Tiger Hillarp Persson

Quality Chess www.qualitychess.co. uk

First edition 20 1 4 by Quality Chess UK Ltd Copyright © 20 1 4 Tiger Hillarp Persson

The Modern Tiger

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher. Paperback ISBN 978- 1 -907982-83-5 Hardcover ISBN 978- 1 -907982-84-2 All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess UK Ltd, 20 Balvie Road, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 7TA, United Kingdom Phone +44 1 4 1 204 2073 e-mail: [email protected]. uk website: www.qualitychess.co.uk Distributed in North America by National Book Network Distributed in Rest of the World by Quality Chess UK Ltd through Sunrise Handicrafts, ul. Skromna 3, 20-704 Lublin, Poland Typeset by Jacob Aagaard & Colin McNab Proofreading by John Shaw Edited by Andrew Greet Cover design by www.adamsondesign.com Back cover photo by Calle Erlandsson Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutriikikoja LLC

Contents Key to symbols used and Bibliography

4

Preface

5

:\.cknowledgements

8

1 1

3 4

4.f4-Austrian Style 4.f4 ttJf6 -The Back-up Plan

9 98

Flexible Dragon Unleashed

151

Flexible Dragon Restrained

201

5 6

The Hippopotamus

246

Classical Variation

299

4.�g5-Into Midair

338

8

4.�c4-Mad Dog

352

Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

394

10

Lazy Variation with c2-c3

421

11

Unusual Lines

449

12

Averbakh Variation

476

-,

9

Index of Main Games

529

Variation Index

531

Key to symbols used ± +

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a;

?

..,

? ?? !! !? ?! #

White is slightly better Black is slightly better White is better Black is better White has a decisive advantage Black has a decisive advantage equality with compensation with counterplay unclear a weak move a blunder a good move an excellent move a move worth considering a move of doubtful value mate

Bibliography Alburt & Chernin: Pirc Alert! (2nd edition) , Chess Information & Research Institute 2009 Greet: Beating Unusual Chess Defences: I e4, Everyman Chess 201 1 Hillarp Persson: Tiger's Modern, Quality Chess 2005 Khalifman: Openingfor White According to Anand 4, Chess Stars 2005 Lakdawala: The Modern Defence Move by Move, Everyman Chess 20 1 2 Palliser, McNab & Vigus: Dangerous Weapons: The Pirc and Modern, Everyman Chess 2009 Summerscale & Johnsen: A Killer Chess Opening Repertoire, Gambit 20 1 0 Vigus: Chess Developments: The Pirc, Everyman Chess 20 1 2

Electronic/Internet resources ChessBase Magazine ChessPublishing

Preface I know this defies the law ofgravity, but-you see- I never studied law. - Bugs Bunny

When I wrote Tiger's Modern ten years ago, I was a different chess player from what I am today, and more so than anything in relation to the opening that this book is about. Back then I thought, "Everyone should play the Modern - it's such an awesome opening!", whereas my attitude today is more along the lines of: "If you like to set yourself a challenge then the Modern is for you. (It's such an awesome opening.)" It is not a tectonic shift, but it makes a difference, and the difference will be felt as you continue reading. Tiger's Modern included sixty-nine games, of which I have re-examined and updated fifty-nine. For the remaining ten I found better examples and integrated the important parts into other games. More importantly, I added another forty-three games to cover the advances in understanding that have occurred in the past decade. So what is the Modern?

l.e4 g6 2.d4 J.g7

The Modern Tiger

6

This is the basic Modern position. This book is not a complete guide to the Modern, but more specifically about a particular interpretation of Black's position. This is best illustrated by adding another two moves:

3.ll:k3 d6 4..ie3 a6!

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This last move might seem like madness, yet there is method in 't. Black is planning . . . b5 in order to harass the knight on c3 and thereby weaken White's defence of the e4-pawn. This strategy is no uncommon occurrence in chess, and can be seen in the Najdorf Sicilian as well as the Modern Benoni, among others. So, why not play 4 . . . c6 with the same idea? I do not claim 4 . . . c6 is clearly worse, but logically it seems like the lesser move since Black can no longer play . . . .ib7 and attack the e4-pawn.

A History of the Modem with a6 ...

I wish I could take credit for the development of this system, but it does not seem fair when I consider those who came before me. In the sixties and seventies there were Ujtelky, Suttles, Keene and Ivkov, who broke new ground by employing . . . a6 in the Classical Pirc. Then in the eighties, Seirawan, Speelman and McNab developed the ideas further, followed by the giants of the nineties: Mikhail Gurevich and Azmaiparashvili. In the twenty-first century we have seen the likes of Svidler and Vachier-Lagrave try it out, and there are a number of other grandmasters who use it as a surprise weapon. Nowadays I seem to be the most consistent employer of the Modern with . . . a6, although I also play related systems like the Pirc. One of the beautiful things about the Modern is that there are so many ways to play it, that you are almost never stuck for an alternative.

Breaking the law? There are indeed times when I ask myself if the Modern Defence actually defies the 'laws' of chess, although usually it is a question that leaves me untroubled. If the Modern Defence is in conflict with something, it is really just with a collection of blunt guidelines - and I have never taken

Preface

7

rhese guidelines seriously. A certain disregard for rules and authority will actually help you in your quest to understand the Modern. I think Bugs Bunny would have handled it well. Still, if you do believe in some kind of chess 'rules', then I understand that the Modern might be fdt as something of an aberration. First of all, as anyone can see, there is the problem of territory - or rather the lack thereof. According to the Classical School of thought, it is of paramount importance to stake out a presence in the centre with the infantry (The Slav and the Ruy Lopez are typical examples of this line of thought) . Opposed to this, the Modern School says it is okay to leave the infantry in the barracks in order to land an early counterpunch on your opponent's centre (the majority of the Indian openings and the Sicilian are good examples of this style) . The truly radical way of handling the opening is the Hypermodern School, which is fine with a more laidback approach, just keeping an eye on the opponent's centre from a distance, while waiting to set up an ambush for later. There are not many openings that involve the third strategy, but the Modern Defence (perhaps it ought to have been called Hyper-Modern Defence?) is one of the few.

Bad news vs. good news I have noticed a couple of general trends in the first decade-and-a-half of the new millennium. The first trend is the return of Classical Chess, with more and more of the world's elite playing classical openings. The second is an enhanced focus on fighting and stretching the limits of the possible. Whereas the first trend clearly collides with the Modern, the second makes me more optimistic about its future. When I wrote Tiger's Modern, it was at a time when 4 ... a6 was only the third most common move after 4.�e3 . However, the last ten years have seen a dramatic shift, with 4 . . . a6 taking over as clearly the most common choice. I used to know almost no 'theory' on the Modern before I wrote a book about it, but I still managed to achieve good results. However, since then the . . . a6 Modern has received more attention, and it has become more difficult to use it as a weapon of surprise. Today it is more important to be well prepared and know a number of concrete lines. Still, if you compare the Modern to any main Sicilian variation, as well as the French, Caro-Kann or just about any other opening, you still need far less theoretical knowledge to be able to play it.

Looking Back, Moving Forwards The development of computer engines in the last decade has changed the way chess is played, and it has also changed the way I play the Modern. Before the era of super-strong engines I was happy to play a complex and unclear position more than once, whereas now I prefer not to repeat these lines too often, because I do not want to get involved in lines that my opponent might have analysed for hours with an engine. This is especially true of certain variations in the first chapter, where there are a number of lines that are really pressing the limits of the possible (which is the reason why I have given an alternative set-up for Black in Chapter 2) . The good news is that there is still plenty of room for new ideas in this arena. I have seen some improvements in the commentary to Modern games in the chess media of the twenty-first century, but there is still some dreadful 'information' being circulated. It is still

The Modern Tiger

8

easy to be misled by a strong engine unless you work with it rather than for it, and I am in no way immune to this misuse mysel£ That is why "all progress depends on the unreasonable man" more now than ever before. This is not the tale of the "ugly duckling", where in the end we come to realize that the duckling is in fact a swan. No, this duck is a duck, but I like this duck. It's a unique duck in its own right, and it may even turn into a hippopotamus. Tiger Hillarp Persson Malmo, Sweden November 20 1 4

Acknowledgements Special thanks to: Lucia, who made all the difference. My resourceful friends, Alfredo, Hanna and Henke. Carla, Garry, Jonathan and Ludvig for making me remember why I love chess. And my editors, Andrew, Jacob and John, who had more patience with me than I ever had mysel£

Chapter 1 a

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4.£4 Austrian Style -

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.�c3 d6 4..ie3 a6 5.a4!? b6 6.£4! Game 1 6 4.f4 a6 5.a4?! �c6!? Game 1 5 5 ..ie3 b5 6 ..ie2 Game 1 2 5.�f3 b5 6 ..ie3 .ib7 7..id3 �f6!? Game 9 (7 . . . ltld7 - 6.:kd3 lt:ld7 7.:fle3 :flbl) 6 ..id3 6 ... .ib7?! Game 5 6 ... �d7 7 ..ie3 .ib7! 8.0-0 c5 Game 1 0 8JWe2 b4!? Game 1 1 8.e5 8 ... c5!? Game 7 8 ... �h6 Game 8 7.a4 b4 8.�e2 8 ... c5 (8 . . . a5) Game 1 3 8 ... e6!? (8 . . . ltlgf6) Game 1 4 7.e5!? c5! 8.exd6? Game 6 8.�g5 8 ...cxd4 9.e6 f5! Game 1 8 ... �h6 Game 2 8 ..ie4 �b8 9 ..ie3 Game 3 9.0-0! Game 4

93 89 72 56 36 62 66 38 52 79 86 37 12 18 22 28

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Th e Modern Tiger

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wt>r sich nicht in Gefahr begibt, der kommt drin um. (He who does not face the danger will perish in it.) - Wolf Biermann

a place for it as a secondary option in my repertoire. See Chapter 2 for more about this. 4 . . . c6 is a popular alternative that I prefer to avoid. If Black continues with . . . b5 then he will get a worse version of the present chapter, as his light-squared bishop will not be able to attack the centre from b7. Another idea is to meet 5.lLlf3 with 5 . . . j,g4 6.j,e3 '1Wb6, but after 7.'1Wd2 j,xf3 8.gxf3 White has excellent prospects.

l .e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.lLlc3 d6 4.£4

s.lLla This is by far the most logical and common move, but 5.a4 and 5.j,e3, with the idea j,fl ­ e2-f3, are also played rather frequently.

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This is by far the most brutal way to meet the Modern. White is preparing to answer . . . lLl f6 with a future e4-e5, intending to smother us in our cradle. It is a simple strategy to understand, and not a bad idea from the smotherer's perspective. In this chapter we will examine the hyper-modern approach which characterizes the Modern Tiger.

4... a6! This seemingly provocative move is in fact highly logical, in that it prepares an attack on the e4-pawn with . . . b5-b4 and . . . j,b?. It is an invitation to a Danse Macabre to which I have, with only a few exceptions, remained faithful throughout my 22-year adventure with the Modern. There is no way for White to sidestep it while maintaining civility on the board. We have just turned chess into a game of All or Nothing. 4 . . . lLlf6 introduces the more domesticated Pirc Defence. In Tiger's Modern I explained my reasons for not playing this move, but since then my opinion has shifted, and I have found

1.-.t�--��� . .....;_' " "%··-·· ..... % ....% ••Y6 ·� "" � . �� � 8

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���n���� ���� ��£ - 11�-% 8 11� • 3 � m·-- � liS� 2 !n�. �.f� /.-- -/'----%�'0 �/0%; �..... 1 4s

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Black's set-up begins to take shape. The last move prepares . . . j,b? when ... b5-b4, winning the e4-pawn, is threatened (although as we will see, in certain variations there are concrete reasons why Black should delay the development of the second bishop) . The next step is to challenge White's centre by playing . . . lLl d7 followed by . . . c5, leading to the following structure:

Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style 8

11

seriously. 9.ie3 (Game 3) is not to be feared. Much more critical is 9.0-0 (Game 4) when the usual 9 . . . cxd4 sees Black rely on an exchange sacrifice, although if this does not appeal he can deviate with 9 . . . lt:lh6!?, my latest try which is discussed in the notes. The line featured in Game 7 is also complicated, although Black gets a satisfactory game with 9 . . . ixe4! 1 0.lt:lxe4 lt:lh6 .

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If the d4-pawn is exchanged or moves to d5, Black obtains control of the e5-square and can play . . .ltJ f6 without worrying about e4-e5 . In effect, Black intends to enter a Sicilian structure with a double fianchetto and knights on f6 and d7, then follow up with . . . Ek8 and strike at White's centre.

Possible Plans for White White has a wide choice of available systems, which can be categorized in the following way.

.!Llf3, i.d3 and e4-e5 followed by .!Llg5, trying to force through e5-e6 (Games 1 , 2 and 5) This plan is critical, but Black has two plausible replies: either play . . . c5 and . . . cxd4, meeting e5-e6 with . . .f5 (Games 1 and 5), or answer lt:lg5 with . . . lt:lh6 (Game 2) . Both ways lead to unbalanced positions where each player will have to take risks.

.!Llf3, i.d3 and e4-e5-e6 followed by .!Llg5 (Comments to 8th, 9th and 1 1 th moves in Games 1 , 5 and 7 respectively) I am not worried about this pawn sacrifice. If Black has already played . . . c5 then lt:lg5 can be met with . . . ixd4 and . . . ixc3t, and otherwise lt:lg5 can be met by . . . lt:lf8.

.!Llf3, i.d3 and e4-e5 followed by i.e4 (Games 3, 4 and 7) This is a popular plan that should be taken

.!Llf3, i.d3 and e4-e5 followed by exd6 (Game 6) Giving up the centre like this looks ridiculous to me, and there is nothing in Game 6 to make me change my mind.

.!Llf3, i.d3, �e2 and e4-e5 (Game 5) This plan gives White decent chances against Black's set-up with an early . . . ib7, as seen in Game 5. However, if Black plays the more accurate move order with . . . lt:l d7 followed by a quick . . . c5, he should get a good position. .!Llf3, i.d3, i.e3, and 0-0 (Game 1 0) When White plays ie3, Black should generally post his bishop on b7 before playing . . . c5. We will see that the set-up with quick castling does not give White anything special. .!Llf3, i.d3, i.e3 and �e2 (Game 1 1 ) This used to give me headaches, but we will see my old recommendation of 8 . . . b4 leading to a decent position for Black in the featured game . i.e2-f3 intending to exchange the b7-bishop (Game 1 2) This became quite popular after Morozevich won a few games with it in the late nineties. The main game features an attractive set-up for Black, who plays an early . . . lt:ld7 intending to meet if3 with . . . e5, keeping the bishop blocked in. This seems to work well, although the notes reveal a few other equally playable ways for Black to handle the opening.

Th e Modern Tiger

12

tiJf3, .id3, followed by a2-a4 (Games 1 3 and 1 4) In this line White strives to fortifY his centre before pressing the action with e4-e5 or f4-f5. It is one of the most challenging lines, and Black has to play precisely to avoid a bad position. Game 13 features 8 . . . c5 and 8 . . . a5, both of which lead to playable positions with just a modest edge for White. Game 14 focuses on 8 . . . e6!?, although the notes indicate that 8 . .lt:lgf6 may be a slightly more accurate move order. .

a2-a4, stopping ... b5 (Games 1 5 and 1 6)

5 b5!

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Game 1 5 shows that 4.f4 a6 5.a4?! is completely harmless, and Black has at least two good replies. Game 1 6 features the move order 4 ..ie3 a6 5.a4. Here the safest move for Black is 5 . . . tt:lf6, as seen in Chapter 4 on the Flexible Dragon Restrained. The alternative is 5 . . . b6!?, which also seems fully playable, as long as Black meets 6.f4! with 6 ... ib7 7.tt:lf3 tiJ f6! as given in the notes.

5 . . . tt:l d7 has been played, but I cannot recommend this move order because of 6.a4! b6 7 .ic4 when we have a structure similar to that of Turov - Hillarp Persson (Game 1 6) , but here White has not spent time o n ie3 and 'Wd2, which gives him much better chances to punish Black for being too meek. Lars Thiede has tried 6 . . . e6, but I do not like Black's position after 7.a5 .

4 . .ie3 a6 5.f4 (Game 9)

My years of playing this system have taught me that it is generally best to avoid playing . . . e6 for as long as possible, for two reasons:

Even if you do not intend to play 4.f4 a6, you still need to be ready for those players who begin with 4.ie3 and wait for you to play 4 . . . a6 before reverting to the Austrian set-up with 5.f4. White's ie3 set-ups force us to switch from the 'play . . . tt:l d7 and ... c5 before . . . ib7' rule, and after 5 . . . b5 6.tt:lf3 ib7 7.id3, we will see 7 . . . tt:lf6!? leading to a decent position for Black in Game 9, while the equally playable 7 . . . tt:l d7 reaches a position covered in Games 1 0 and 1 1 .

a) If White plays e4-e5, it will be much more difficult for Black to create counterplay with ... c5, as the d6-square will be too weak. See the following position after 1 3.tt:lce4:

Marc Ghannoum - Tiger Hillarp Persson lnternacional de Sants 2004

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.tiJc3 d6 4.£4 a6 s.tiJf3

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Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style I found myself in serious trouble in Anand - Hillarp Persson, Benidorm (rapid) 2003, as mentioned on page 94 in the note to Black's 8th move in Game 1 6. b) An early ... e6 gives White the possibility of f4-f5, opening lines on the kingside. Therefore, if . . . e6 has to be played, Black should at least wait for e4-e5 to be played, so that f4-f5 will no longer be an option. There are indeed quite a few strong players who have chosen to meet White's early e4-e5 with ... e6, stopping the white pawn from advancing any further. However, as we will see later, I do not consider the march of the white pawn to e6 to be a big threat.

13

Black has a choice: a) 9 . . .�b7 is playable, and transposes to Game 10. b) 9 ... lt:Jxd3!? is an attempt to punish White's move order. 1 0.'Wxd3 and 1 0.cxd3 are both met by 1 0 . . . tt:Jf6, when Black has a solid position and is ready to castle. White has a slight lead in development, but Black's bishop pair is useful, so the position is balanced.

7 c5! ..•

This is much more fun than 7 . . . �b7, when White has a pleasant choice. 8.'We2 transposes to Game 5, where we will see White is doing pretty well. However, the direct 8 .l2lg5! looks even stronger.

6..id3 tLld7! Since I recommended this move in Tiger's Modern, it has usurped 6 . . . �b7 as the most popular choice for Black. The advantage of developing the knight first is that Black is now ready for a quick . . . c5 .

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7.e5!?

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7 . . . e6?! has been played quite a few times, but let me repeat that this move should never be played unless White done something slow like a2-a3 or h2-h3, or perhaps �e3. Even then, I would not recommend it, as Black almost always has more useful moves available, and in the present position he has enough resources to withstand White's direct attacking attempts.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This is one of the most principled and sharpest set-ups available to White. Having developed his kingside pieces, he prepares for a direct attack in the centre.

8.tLlg5!

7.0-0 can be met by 7 . . . c5 8.dxc5 l2lxc5 . Now White has nothing better than 9.�e3, when

White has another 'I'm coming for you now!' move in 8.e6!?, which was first played by Dan Ostergaard against me in the Swedish Team

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The Modern Tiger

Championship of 1 993/94. In Tiger's Modern I showed an improvement on that game and behold! - a couple of years after publication, I got the chance to play it myselfl 8 . . . £Xe6 9.tLlg5 �xd4 I O.tLlxe6 ( I O.�e4 l'!b8 does not help White; l O .lLlxh7!? �xc3t l l .bxc3 lLl f8 1 2.lLlxf8 \t>xf8 1 3.'Wf3 l'!b8 1 4.'Wg3 ttJ f6 is highly unclear.) 1 0 . . . �xc3t l l .bxc3 'Wb6 12.'Wf3

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This is more challenging than any of the three main alternatives: I O.'Wf3? has not been played, and with good reason, as I O ... dxc3 l l .b3 l2J b6 1 2.'Wc6t f8 1 3.l2Jf7 �d7! 14.l2Jxd8 �xc6 1 5 .lLlxc6 t2Jf6 leaves Black with a clear advantage.

8 ... cxd4!?

10.�xf5 ?! is a bit trickier, but Black can defend successfully with: 1 O . . . l2J df6 l l .�e4 ( l l .�xg6t?! hxg6 1 2.'Wd3 \t>f8 1 3 .'Wxg6 'We8 is excellent for Black.) l l . . .d5 1 2.tLlf7 'Wa5 1 3.'Wxd4

This is Black's sharpest continuation, which even implies a queen sacrifice. The safer 8 . . . lLlh6 is seen in the next game.

9.e6 f5! I have used this concept (meeting e5-e6 with . . . f5, sacrificing the d7-knight) several times in slightly different situations. In Game 5 we will see it with the moves 'We2 and . . . �b7 included, and in Game 7, commenting on the 9th move, we will encounter it with the moves �e3 and . . . �b7 inserted. In the present position the black position is balanced on a razor wire, but I have not found any refutation of it.

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1 3 . . . dxe4! This gives Black a fine game, and improves on 1 3 . . . �xe6? as given in Tiger's Modern. Apart from the main line, I O.exd7t is the only

Chapter 1 - 4.£4 - Austrian Style move I found at all worrying, but Black should be fine after: 1 0 . . .�xd7 1 I .lt:l b 1 ! (Neither 1 I .lt:ld5N h6 nor 1 I .lt:le2 e5 impress for White.) 1 1 . . .e5 1 2.0-0

15

1 2 . . . '!Mfb8! 1 3.lt:lxh8 ( 1 3.lt:lb6 �xg2! 14.2"\g1 lt:l h6! is complicated but good for Black.) 13 . . . �xd5 1 4.lt:lxg6 hxg6 1 5 .�xg6t 'it?d8 Black has the advantage.

l l ....L:e6 12.lt:lxd8 .L:d5

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1 2 ... lt:l e7N ( 1 2 . . . lt:lf6 was played in Schnoor - Knickel, Chemnitz 2009, but I prefer to avoid obstructing the g7-bishop.) White has some problems disentangling his pieces. A possible continuation is 1 3.a4 h6 1 4.lt:lh3 e4 1 5 .�e2 '!Mfb6 1 6. W h 1 0-0 and Black maintains excellent compensation.

10 ... lt:lc5 l l.ltJf7 Black is fine after: 1 l .�xf5 �b7 ( I I . . .lt:lh6?! 1 2.�g4! was unclear in Calistri - Hillarp Persson, Paris 20 12. This goes to show that I have not always remembered my own recommendations from Tiger's Modern.) 1 2.lt:\f7 ( 1 2.lt:lxh7 l"'xh7 1 3.�xg6t Wf8 1 4.�xh7 �xd5 is nice for Black.)

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It is not everybody's cup of tea to play a position like this, but I believe Black is objectively fine here. After picking up the doomed knight, I will have two minor pieces and two pawns for the queen, so the material deficit is not too severe. Furthermore, I control the centre and my pieces will soon find active squares. On the other hand, White has a hard time finding a plan. If only he could get in a2a4 and exchange a few pieces. Yeah . . . try me!

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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After 1 3.a4 bxa4 14.'1Mfe2 lt:lf6 1 5 .0-0 2"\xd8 1 6.�xa6 lt:lxa6 1 7.'1Mfxa6 Wf7 Black has excellent counterplay down the c-file. Also possible is 1 3.�e2!? �xg2 1 4.2"1g1 �d5 which leads to unclear play. This position is a good example of what you are striving for when you make a positional queen sacrifice; the opponent's pawn structure is no good and you are dominating the centre, making the opponent's pieces passive . . . White's most challenging plan is:

The Modern Tiger

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1 3.b4! I looked at this move when researching Tiger's Modern, but somehow my analysis did not make it into the final book. Allow me to rectifY that oversight: 1 3 . . .l2Jxd3t Avoiding the trap 1 3 . . . lt:Ja4? 1 4.c4!. 1 4.cxd3 1"i:xd8 1 5 .0-0 lt:Jh6

The engines evaluate the position as something approaching "one pawn" better for White, but this does not mean much in a position with such an unusual material balance. Personally I believe Black is doing all right, as his queenside is holding together and he can obtain counterplay with . . . lt:Jf7 (or . . . lt:Jg4) and a timely . . . e5-e4.

13 .. J'hd8 14.b3 There is a case for 1 4.j,e2N here, when 1 4 . . . e6 1 5 .j,f3 lt:Je7 is unclear.

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1 6.a4N This is the most direct move, and the one on which my analysis was centred. White's plan is to open up the queenside and start creating threats with moves like 1"i:a5, j,b2 and W'al . In the game M . Andersen - Thiede, Solingen 20 1 1 , White played 1 6.1"i:e l followed by a2-a4, leading to similar play. This remains the only practical example with 1 3.b4!. 16 . . . 0-0 1 7.axb5 axb5 1 8.1"i:a5 1"i:b8 1 9.1"i:e1 1"i:fe8

1 4.b4! has been played, but after the correct 14 . . . lt:Jxd3!N ( 1 4 . . . lt:Ja4? 1 5 .c4! lt:J c3 1 6.W'b3 j,f7 1 7.j,d2 gave White a winning advantage in Gaponenko - Dussol, Le Port Marly 2009) 1 5 .cxd3 we transpose to 1 3.b4! above. 8

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14 . . . lt:Jf6 with the idea of 1 5 .j,b2 (or 1 5 .1"i:el lt:J fe4) 15 ... e5 might be better. A possible continuation is 1 6.a4 bxa4 1 7.b4 lt:Jxd3 1 8.W'xd3 0-0 1 9.W'xa6 lt:Jg4 20.W'xa4 lt:Je3 2 1 .1"i:f2 1"i:b8 with a nice bit of chaos.

15.'\�Mel?! Mter this move I prefer Black's position. a

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In Tiger's Modern I suggested that 1 5 .1"i:e1 would have been better for White. Although

17

Chapter 1 - 4.£4 - Austrian Style this is certainly a better try than the game continuation, I now believe that Black is all right here too. To get a taste of how wrong things can go for White, I offer a sample line: 1 5 . . . i.f6 1 6.a4 bxa4 1 7.b4 tt'lxd3 1 8.'1Wxd3 3c8 1 9 .i.b2 :B:c4 20.:B:xa4 0-0 2 l .c3?! :B:fc8 22.cxd4 :B:c2

17...i.xc4 18.bxc4

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.•.

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White collapses, since 23.:B:e2 :B:cl t! 24.'it>f2 tt:lg4t 25.'it>g3 :B:hl leaves him with no decent defence against the mating threats, which include both . . . :B:xh2 and . . . h5.

15 ...0-0? This is unnecessary, but I did not think twice about giving up material that day. Stronger is either 1 5 . . . i.f6 or 1 5 . . . :B:c8.

Offering the e-pawn again is quite stupid. 1 8 . . . :B:fe8! followed by . . . :B:c8 and . . . tt:l e4 is mouth-watering for Black.

19.h3 tl:\£6 20.'1Wxe7 tl:lfe4 2I.i.b2 :B:d7 22.YMh4 :B:b7 23.:B:a2 :B:fbs 24.i.a3 :B:bl 25.i.xc5 :B:xfl t A safer and better option was 25 . . . i.f6

16.a4!?

26.'1Wxf6 tt:lxf6 27.i.xd4 tt:lh5 28.:B:xa4 tt'lxf4 29.:B:xb l :B:xb l t 30.'it>h2 tt'l e6 with an extra pawn for Black in the endgame. Now the game should be a draw.

This is not as bad as I originally thought; the weak follow-up is the real problem for White.

26.'it>xfl dxc5!? 27.g4! i.£6

The principled continuation is: 1 6.'1Wxe7 tt'lg4 1 7.:B:e l ! (After 1 7.:B:b l :B:fe8 1 8.'1Wc7 :B:c8 1 9.iWxd6 i.a8 White has a hard time dealing with the plan of ...i.fS and . . . tt:lxd3 followed by . . . :B:c2.) 1 7 . . . tt'le3 1 8.i.xe3 i.f6 1 9.i.xd4 i.xe7 20.:B:xe7 :B:f7 2 l .:B:xf7 mxf7 22.i.fl i.e4 Material is equal and White keeps a microscopic advantage.

16 bxa4! 17.i.c4? .•.

1 7.bxa4 is correct, though after 1 7 . . . tt:Jg4 I S .:B:b l :B:fe8 Black has full compensation.

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18

Th e Modern Tiger

28.'®'el?? My opponent blunders - in my time trouble. Best play would have been 28.g5 2"\b l t 29.Wg2 �d8 30.2"\xa4 a5 3 1 .2"1a3 2"\cl 32.2"1b3 2"1xc2t 33.gl 2"\cl t 34.Wg2, and here Black has a lovely idea:

Vastly Yemelin - Genrikh Chepukaitis St Petersburg 2001

Chepukaitis is principally known for being a strong blitz player, but I believe he should also get a lot of credit for developing the . . . a6 lines in the Modern.

l .e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.ftlc3 d6 4.£4 a6! 5.lL1 f3 h 5 6 .id3 ftld7 7.e5 c5 s.ftlg5 lLlh6 •

This could be viewed as more reliable than 8 . . . cxd4, although it still leads to lively play. a

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34 . . . h5!! Giving up more material to cage the white queen. 35 .2"1b8 a4 36.2"\xdSt f7 I have re-checked the analysis in Tiger's Modern in an effort to find a win, but alas after 37.2"\d?t f8 38 .2"1d8t e7 39.2"1g8 f7 40.2"1d8 a3 4 1 .2"\a8 I see no way for Black to get anywhere.

28 J�bl! .•

Winning the queen.

29.2"1xa4 2"\xel t 30.Wxel .ih4t 3I.i>fl .ig3 0-1 Was that too strong for you? Well, some days I feel that way too. To play 8 ... cxd4 with confidence, you need to pay close attention to 1 0.exd7t taking the piece, as well as 1 3.b4! (or 1 4.b4!) following the queen sacrifice. Having re-checked my analysis for this book, I (just about) believe in Black's chances, although with so little practical testing I cannot guarantee that White is not capable of improving on my analysis somewhere. In the next game we will consider a different approach which does not commit Black to material sacrifices.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 9.e6

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9.�e4 is rare but playable, and 9 . . . 2"\b8 transposes to 9.ttJg5 ttJh6 in the notes to the next game. White has an important alternative in 9.'®'f3, when Black has rwo options: a) 9 . . . 2"\b8 keeps things tense and unclear, while b) 9 ... cxd4!? is a more concrete continuation, offering a small material sacrifice to fight for the initiative. a) 9 . . . 2"\b8 1 0.e6 tt::l f6

Chapter 1

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4.f4 - Austrian Style

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l l .dxc5! l l .exf7t is less challenging: 1 1 . . .lt:lxf7 1 2.dxc5 0-0! 1 3 .lt:lxf7 (Worse is 1 3.a4?! b4 14.lt:ld5 lt:lxg5 1 5 .fxg5 lt:lg4 [ 1 5 ... lt:l d7!? is also decent] 1 6.c6 l:'i:xf3 1 7.c7 Wfxc7 1 8.lt:lxc7 l:'i:f7 when Black is slightly better.) 1 3 . . . l:'i:xf7 1 4.cxd6 .ib7 1 5 .Wih3 Wfb6 Black has excellent compensation. l l ...fxe6 1 2.a4! In the event of 1 2.c6 lt:lf5, Black is doing well after 1 3.a4 Wfa5 or 1 3.lt:le2 Wib6. 1 2.cxd6 exd6 1 3.0-0 0-0 1 4.lt:lce4 lt:lxe4 1 5 .Wfxe4 Now instead of 1 5 . . . e5?!, as in Yemelin - Mehmedovic, Neum 2002, Black should have played 1 5 . . . lt:lf5!N with some initiative. The text move is critical, but Black has more than one playable reply.

dxc5 14 ..ixa6 0-0 1 5 . .ic4 lt:lf5! (avoiding 1 5 . . . lt:ld5 when 1 6.h4! gives White a dangerous initiative) with a complete mess, but not necessarily a bad one in Hagen Hillarp Persson, Holdturneringen 20 1 3 . 1 3.c6!?N 1 3.cxd6 has been played a few times, and 1 3 . . . exd6 14.Wfc6t 'ifle7 leads to unclear play. 1 3.0-0N b4 is fine for Black. 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.c7 Wfxc7 1 5.axb5 axb5! 1 6.Wie2 lt:ld5!

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1 2 . . . Wia5!? In 20 1 3 I completely forgot about my earlier analysis and played 1 2 . . . b4!? 1 3.lt:le2

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The position remains unclear and roughly balanced. b) 9 . . . cxd4!?

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1 0.lt:lxb5 1 0.Wfxa8N has not yet been tested, and after 1 0 . . . dxc3 1 l .Wfc6 dxe5 1 2.Wfxc3 0-0oo Black has a pawn for the exchange and a lot of activity.

The Modern Tiger

20

1 0 ... 1"i:b8 1 1 .lt:lxd4 i.b7 1 2.i.e4 1Wc8! This move has been played in a couple of games, and it improves over 1 2 . . . i.xe4?! 1 3.1Wxe4 lt:l c5 1 4.1Wc6t when White had the advantage in Kolev - Hillarp Persson, Salou 2005.

10.dxc5 Neither 1 0 .1Wf3 i.xe6 1 1 .lt:lxe6 fxe6 1 2.dxc5 0-0 nor 1 O.exf7t lt:lxf7 1 1 .lt:lxf7 'it>xf7 is anything to worry about.

10 ... dxc5!? In a few subsequent games Black has preferred I O . . . i.xe6 1 1 .lt:lxe6 fxe6, which also seems perfectly playable, as Black's fluid piece play will make up for White's bishop pair. Nevertheless, I do not believe Black needs to improve on the present game, as he keeps a fine position until a mistake on the next move.

l l.i.e3 1 3.lt:lc6 1 3.i.xb7 1"i:xb7f± Marrone - Guevara Pijoan, carr. 20 1 0. 1 3 . . . i.xc6 1 4.i.xc6 0-0! 1 5 .exd6 exd6 1 6.0-0 lt:l f5 1 7.c3 h6!?N 17 . . . lt:lh4 is also playable, and Black went on to draw in Mirkowski - Shepherd, corr. 20 1 3 . 1 8.i.xd7 1Wxd7 1 9.lt:le4 d5 Black has excellent compensation for the pawn.

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1 1 .1Wf3?! i.xe6 1 2.lt:lxe6 fxe6 1 3.1Wc6t 'it>f7 1 4.1Wxc5 1"i:c8 1 5 .1Wa7 1Wd6 favours Black. 1 l .exf7t lt:lxf7 1 2.1Wf3 i.g4! ( 1 2 . . . i.d7!? 1 3.lt:lxf7 Wxf7 1 4.f5 gxf5 1 5 .i.xf5 i.xf5 1 6.1Wxf5 1Wd4 is unclear) 1 3.1Wc6t i.d7 1 4.1Wxc5 1"i:c8 1 5 .1Wa7 0-0 reaches a position where Black has full compensation for the pawn. 1 l .f5!? is a critical alternative, but Black can fight back with: 1 l . . .gxf5 1 2.exf7t lt:lxf7 1 3.1Wf3

1 3 . . . 1"i:a7! 1 4.i.xf5 e6! The rook proves its value along the seventh rank, and Black obtains a fine position full of dynamism. h

21

Chapter 1 - 4.f4 -Austrian Style

pawns will help to control some important central squares. There is also an attractive plan of activating the rook with a timely . . . b4 and . . . :Sb5 . I have had quite a few of these positions with Black, and the outcome has often been like in this game.

Instead after l l . . . .txe6!N 1 2.tt:lxe6 fXe6 1 3 . .txc5 tt:ld5 Black stands better, as his excellent piece coordination more than compensates for his weaker pawn structure.

I2.V;Vf3! :Sbs 12 ... .tb7 1 3.exf7t tt:lxf7 14.tt:le6! is probably the point that Black overlooked when making his previous move.

13.f5 Black is under some pressure here, although he recovers well and stays in the game. The continuation from here is not theoretically important, but it is worth paying attention to the thematic endgame that ensues.

13 ... fxe6 14.fxg6 0-0 15.tlJxh7 tlJxh7 16.V;Vh3 tlJ£6 17.hl6 c4 18.0-0 .ixh6 I9.V;Vxh6 V;Vcst zo.@hi V;Vhs zi.V;Vxhs tlJxh5 22.:Sxf8t @xfS 23 ..ie2 tlJ£6 White's position can be evaluated as clearly better, or perhaps even winning in the absolute sense, considering the long-term potential of his kingside pawn duo. Still, it is not easy for him to keep control of the position. Black is active on the queenside and his doubled

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White should abandon all thoughts of saving the g6-pawn and instead start centralizing his forces with 24.:Se l , keeping a clear advantage.

24 ... @g7 25.h5 b4 26.tlJa4 Without the help of the latest computer technology, I was under the mistaken impression that this move was clearly worse than 26.tt:ldl :Sb5 27.g4, but there is no advantage to be found for White after: 27 . . . .tb7t 28.cj;>gl :Se5 29.cj;>fl tt:le4! 30.tt:le3 tt:lg3t 3 l .cj;>f2 tt:l e4t 32.@el tt:lg3=

26... :Sb5 27.g4?! Since this move does not stop the disintegration of the kingside, it was time for a reality check with 27.a3!.

27... :Sg5 28.:Sgl ?! This further error leaves White clearly worse. Instead 28.tt:lb6 .tb7t 29.cj;>h2 would have kept things close to equal.

The Modern Tiger

22

28 ... e5 Richard Forster - Etienne Bacrot Bermuda 1 999

l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.tLlc3 d6 4.f4 a6 s.tLlf3 h5 6.i.d3

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This is too cooperative, but 29.lt'lb6 �xg4 30.�xg4 lt'lxg4 followed by . . . E!:xh5t is also difficult for White.

29 ... tLlxh5 30.E:e3 tLlf6 3 I .tLlc5 aS 32.�h2 e4 33.tLlxe4 E:e5 34.i.f3 i.xg4 35.tLlxf6 Perhaps White lost on time, or maybe he noticed that 35 ... E:xe3 36.lt'le8t �xg6 37.�xg4 c3 38.b3 E!:d3!! would be hopeless for him. We may conclude that 8 . . . lt'lh6 seems theoretically reliable, and Black could have obtained an excellent position with the improvement noted on move 1 1 . The endgame also contained some instructive points, and showed how Black may create problems even in an objectively inferior situation.

White's second-most-popular move in the position has been: 6.a3 This is far from critical and, being a devoted . . . a6 fan, I feel rather provoked by such a passive move, and would even go so far as to call it a waste of a tempo. 6 . . . lt'l d7 7.�e2 This is the only real attempt to make sense of White's last move. With the bishop on e2 rather than d3, there is more reason for White to want to prevent . . . b4. 7.�e3 �b7 8.�e2 E!:c8 (8 . . . c5 is also fine) 9.0-0 c5 I O.dxc5 lt'lxc5 1 1 .�d4 was played in Nolsoe - Hillarp Persson, Faroe Islands 1 996, and now I should have played 1 l . ..lt'lf6N with an excellent position.

0-1 In the next two games we will consider a different idea for White on move 8.

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7 . . . c5! White's plan is revealed after 7 ...�b7 8.0-0 c5 9.d5, when he hopes that the b7-bishop will prove misplaced. After the further 9 .. .'�c7 (9 . . . lt'lgf6 can be met with 1 0.e5 without dropping the d-pawn, due to the bishop's placement on e2 instead of d3)

Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style 1 0.h l lt:lgf6 1 l .e5! the game became highly unclear in Berelovich - Svidler, Azov 1 996. 8 . .te3 8.d5 is less attractive before the black bishop has gone to b7. Black continues 8 . . . lt:lb6 followed by . . . lt:Jf6, . . . 0-0 and . . . e6, with a better position. 8 . . . .tb7! Now that the white bishop has gone to e3, this decision is justified. 9.d5 lt:lgf6 Black develops smoothly, as a quick e4-e5 can be met by . . . lt:lg4. 1 0.lt:ld2 0-0 1 1 .0-0 e6 1 2.dxe6 fxe6 Black had the more promising position in Boureville - Hamilton, Lugano 1 968.

6... tlJd7 7.e5 c5 s ..ie4 This move is less committal than the ultra­ aggressive 8.lt:lg5, but it is still one of White's most dangerous set-ups. The bishop takes up an active post in the centre while gaining a tempo against the rook.

Another option is: 9.lt:lg5 lt:lh6! 1 0.e6

23

1 0.lt:Jxf7? lt:Jxf7 l l .e6 cxd4 1 2.exf7t 'tt> xf7 1 3.lt:Jd5 lt:l c5 was clearly better for Black in P. Hansen - Hillarp Persson, Gibraltar 2008. 10 ... lt:l f6 1 l .exf7t lt:lxf7 12 ..tc6t 'tt> f8 This might seem awkward for Black, but a deeper analysis reveals that Black has nothing to complain about as his pieces are so active. Another game of mine continued:

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1 3.dxc5 .tf5!? If I reached this position again I would probably prefer the simple 1 3 . . . dxc5!N, since 14.1We2 lt:ld6 intending ... lt:lf5-d4 leads to the kind of chaotic game that I am striving to obtain when I play the Modern. 1 4.cxd6 Taking the offered pawn is risky. 14.1We2!N looks like a better try for an advantage, hence the suggested improvement for Black on the previous move. The next few moves feature a few inaccuracies on both sides. 1 4 . . J:':!:b6 1 5.1Wf3 1 5 .lt:J d5! lt:Jxd5 1 6.1Wxd5 lt:lxd6 1 7.a4! h6 1 8 .1.Wxf5t lt:lxf5 1 9.lt:le6t 'tt> f7 20.lt:lxd8t Ei:xd8 2 l .axb5 axb5 22.1%a8 would have led to an equal endgame. 1 5 . . . lt:lxd6?! 15 ... 1Wxd6! 16 ..td5 lt:lxg5 1 7.fxg5 1We5t 1 8 .1We3 lt:lxd5 1 9.1Wxe5 .txe5 20.lt:lxd5 Ei:e6 2 1 .0-0 g7 reaches an endgame that is objectively equal, but practically more difficult to play for White.

The Modern Tiger

24

to plant a most charming knight. I pointed out this improvement in Tiger's Modern and I stand by the assessment, even though the one subsequent practical encounter resulted in victory for Black in Jimenez - De Toledo, corr. 2006.

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1 6 . .id5 b4 1 7.lLla4 lLlxd5 1 8 ."\Wxd5 Ei:b5 1 9.lLlc5 Wfc8 20 . .ie3? 20.lLlge6t .ixe6 2 1 .lLlxe6t \t>f7 22.lLlg5t e8 23.Wfb3 is advantageous for White. 20 . . . .ixb2 The position is back to being an unclear mess, but I eventually won in Furhoff- Hillarp Persson, Stockholm 2007.

9 ... b4!

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In a few games White has chosen a different route for the knight: 1 0.lLla4 Wfc7! It is important for Black always to be able to answer dxc5 with . . . dxe5. If Black instead plays 1 O ... lLlh6, then 1 1 .dxc5! is unpleasant, as 1 1 . . . dxe5 allows 1 2.c6 lLldf6 1 3.Wfxd8t xd8 1 4 . .ia7!. Now 1 4 . . . Ei:a8? loses to 1 5 .c7t, and 1 4 . . . Ei:b5 1 5 ..id3 gives White a clear advantage. 1 1 .lLlg5 With the black queen safe from exchange, 1 1 .dxc5 is nothing to worry about: 1 1 . . . dxe5 1 2.fxe5 (1 2.c6 lLl df6 is advantageous for Black.) 1 2 . . . lLlxe5 1 3.0-0 lLlg4 14 . .if4 e5 The position is messy but fine for Black. Another game continued 1 1 .c3 lLlh6 1 2.0-0, and now Black should have played: 1 2 . . . bxc3!N (Instead of 1 2 . . . .ib7 1 3 . .ixb7 Ei:xb7, Mekhitarian - Ahmadinia, Zurich 20 1 0, at which point 14.exd6N exd6 1 5 .dxc5! could have led to an unhappy end for Black.) 1 3.lLlxc3 ( 1 3 .bxc3 0-0 is no problem.) 1 3 . . . lLlg4! 14.lLld5 Wfa7 1 5 ..icl cxd4 1 6.Wfxd4 Wfxd4t 1 7.lLlxd4 .ib7 Black is doing fine.

Black would like to put his queen on c7, so the knight must first be kicked away from the d5-square. 9 . . . lLlh6?! 1 0.dxc5! b4 1 1 .lLle2?! lLlg4 1 2 ..ig1 dxe5 reached an unclear position in Hoffman - Ree, Netherlands 200 1 . Unfortunately 1 1 .lLld5! lLlxc5 1 2 . .ixc5 dxc5 13.Wfe2 leaves Black with a mummified bishop on g7 and a hole on c4, where White sooner or later is going

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Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style �1

4:lh6 This is the standard reaction to a knight on g5, planning to meet e5-e6 with . . . 4:l f6. � 2.dxc5?! Although 1 2.e6 4:lf6 1 3.dxc5 fxe6 is better for Black, I believe White should prefer a position where his centre has not crumbled rotally. 12 . . dxe5 1 3.0-0 1 3.fxe5 4:lxe5 14.l2Jb6 4:lhg4! 1 5 .j,d4 0-0 gives Black a clear advantage. 13 . . . 0-0 ...

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IO lDh6?! ...

More accurate is: 1 0 . . . 1Wc7! Black will follow up with . . . 4Jh6, intending something similar to the game continuation, while avoiding the improvement given in the note to White's next move. 1 l .c3 Black was threatening . . . cxd4 followed by . . . dxe5. 1 1 ...l2Jh6 1 2.h3?! Now 1 2.dxc5 can be answered by 1 2 ... 4:lxc5, avoiding a symmetrical structure with the e-pawns still on the board. As a rule, I would suggest not going there. White should prefer 12.0-0N, since 1 2 . . . 4:lg4 1 3 .j,cl is tolerable for him. Still, 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.l'k1 j,b? should be fine for Black. After the text move Black is walking on the sunny side of the street.

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8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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1 2 . . . j,b7! It is more important to fight for control of the central light squares than it is to castle. In my dreams, I get my queen to e4 and knights to f5 and c4. 1 3.l2'lg3 I prefer Black after 1 3.j,xb7N 1Wxb7 1 4.0-0 4:l f5 1 5 .j,f2 bxc3 1 6.bxc3 0-0, but it is more a question of taste than an objective judgement. (I know, I am sick, sick, sick. .. ) 1 3 . . . bxc3 1 4.bxc3 j,xe4 1 5 .4:lxe4 1Wc6! a

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The Modern Tiger

26

After 2 1 .1"1cl 0-0 22.g4 i.xf4! 23.gxf5 lt:'lxe5 24.'Wc3 'Wb5 White's position is a wreck. 2 1 . . .i.xf4 22.gxf5 lt:'lxe5 23.'Wc3

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1 6.'Wd3 In the event of 1 6.d5 'Wb5 1 7.'We2 lt'l f5 1 8.exd6 lt:'lf6! Black is better. I think White should prefer 1 6.lt:'lg3!?N to restrict the knight on h6, and after 1 6 . . . 0-0 1 7.0-0 lt:'lb6 the position is about equal. 1 6 . . . lt'l f5 1 7.i.f2 i"i:b2! 1 8.lt:'lfd2 No better is 1 8.d5 'Wa4 1 9.g4 dxe5 20.gxf5 gxf5 2 l .lt:'lxc5 lt:'lxc5 22.i.xc5 e4 23.'We3 'Wc2, when Black has more than enough compensation for the piece.

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23 . . . 1"i:c2! 24.'Wb3 'Wxb3 25.axb3 lt:'l d3t 26.�e2 lt:'lxf2 27.U .-�� - - Y-�-·--�.i·

% � im -- - --,�%�J.r�----%�r�----%�-� �� � � t,fl'� t..,� � .&. :g4 ltlflt! 40 ..ixfl '?Nxg2t 0-1

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9 . . . dxc3! 1 0.ii.xa8 '!ff!c7 l l .h7 2 l .i.h4. If he instead tries 20.'Wf3?!, then 20 ... f5! leaves him struggling to find a good response to . . . E:h8. 1 8 . . . id4t 1 9.'Wxd4 cxd4 20.lLl e7t 'it>h7 2 l .i.xb8 ib7 Black has excellent compensation for the exchange.

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1 2.lLle5 1 2.E:e 1 N should be met by 1 2 . . . 'Wd6! intending 1 3.dxc5 'Wxd l 1 4.E:xd l lLlxc5, when Black has excellent compensation for the pawn and intends . . . if5, . . . ig4 or . . . lLl f5 next. 1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3.lLld5 Also after 1 3.lLlc6 'Wc5 the complications are not unfavourable to Black, for instance: 1 4.b4? ( 1 4.lLld5 should be preferred, although after 14 . . . ib7 1 5 .b4 'Wd6 1 6.ltJ de7t ci>h8 1 7.f5 ixc6 1 8.lLlxc6 E:be8! Black is better.) 14 ... 'Wxc3 1 5.id2 'Wb2 1 6.E:b l 'Wa3 1 7.E:f3 'Wa4 1 8 .'Wc l ( 1 8.lLlxb8 ltJ f6! 1 9.i.d3 ib7-+) 18 . . . ltJ f6 Black will

Chapter 1

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obtain a lot o f material and squares i n return for the queen: 1 9.E!:a3 '®xa3 20.'®xa3 lLlxe4 2 1 .lLlxb8 lLlxd2 22.:1'\c l lLl c4 Black should be winning. 1 3 ... '®d6! I spent some time calculating 1 3 . . . '®e6, but was correct to avoid it, as after 14.lLlc6 j,b? 1 5 .l2Jde7t 'it>h8 1 6.j,d5! '®d6 1 7.lLlxb8 E!:xb8 1 8.'®f3 Black does not have quite enough compensation for the exchange. 14.j,d2 Now in Tari - Hillarp Persson, Oslo 20 13, the strongest continuation would have been:

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4.£4 - Austrian Style

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14 . . . lLlc5!N With hindsight, it is a bit annoying that I did not even consider this move, instead preferring 14 . . . lLlxe5 . The game was eventually drawn. 1 5 .j,f3 1 5 .j,b4?! is pointless due to 1 5 . . . a5! 1 6.j,xc5 '®xeS 1 7.a3 j,b? and Black is dearly better. 1 5 ... j,e6 1 6.lLlb4 lLlf5 Black has a marvellous position. Just look at those minor pieces - not so minor now, eh? 9 ... l2Jh6!? has still only been played in four games according to my database, but it seems like a playable and quite fascinating topic for future analysis and practical testing. However, the time has come to return to the more common 9 . . . cxd4, as played in our main game.

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When I played this line against Kovacevic in 2009, my opponent sprung a novelty (at least in over-the-board play) on me, that I later learnt was a suggestion of Rybka: I O.'®xd4!? So, imagine that you have reached this position and you don't know any theory. How would you continue? 1 0 . . . l2Jh6!? The knight is generally well placed here when White has played e4-e5, which is just as well, as it does not have any other squares available. 1 0 . . . b4!? can be recommended for players looking to keep things relatively simple. I have a little something against moving the b-pawn too early in the game, but here it actually makes some sense. White has three main replies: a) l l .l2ld5N lLl c5 1 2.E!:dl l2Jh6 and Black should be fine. b) I l .lLla4N '®c7 1 2.'it>hl dxe5 1 3.fx:e5 e6 14.a3 aS I S .j,gS h6 1 6.j,h4 lLle7 17.j,f6 j,xf6 1 8.exf6 lLl f5 1 9.j,xf5 gxf5 With . . . j,b? and ... E!:g8 coming, Black is doing well. c) I l .lLldl lLl c5 1 2.j,c6t j,d? 1 3.'®d5 E!:c8 1 4.j,xd7t '®xd7 1 5 .lLl e3 was played in Galliano - Lanzani, corr. 20 1 2. Here Black exchanged on e5 and swapped down to an inferior endgame, which he failed to hold.

The Modern Tiger

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Instead 1 5 .. .l2Jh6!?N deserves consideration, intending 1 6.exd6 0-0!, sacrificing a pawn for typical compensation. l l .�a7 My opponent kept playing quickly. 1 1 . . .0-0

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1 2.Eidl White has two interesting alternatives: 1 2.lt:ld4N �b6 1 3.�xb6 lt:lxb6 14.lt:lc6 Elb7 1 5 .a4 bxa4 1 6.lt:lxa4 lt:lxa4 1 7.Eixa4 Elc7 reaches a typically unclear situation, despite the exchange of queens. Black intends . . . dxe5 or .. Jib7 next. 1 2.a3!?N dxe5! 1 3.fxe5 i.b7! 14.i.xb7 �c7 1 5 .�xa6 Elxb7 1 6.lt:lxb5 ( 1 6.i.e3 lt:lb8 1 7.�a8 e6 is promising for Black.) 16 . . . �c5t 1 7.lt:lbd4 Elb6 1 8.�d3 lt:lxe5 1 9.lt:lxe5 i.xe5 20.i.xh6 �xd4t 2 l .�xd4 i.xd4t 22.�h l i.xb2 23.i.xf8 i.xal 24.i.xe7 i.c3 25.g3 f5 26.Eif2 �fl White is too passive to have any real chance of converting his extra pawn. Still, this might be his best option. 1 2 . . . b4

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1 3.lt:la4?! After this move I start to get the upper hand. The superior 1 3 .lt:le2 was played in Cuccumini - Bonoldi, corr. 20 1 3, and here 1 3 . . . dxe5!?N 1 4.lt:lxe5 i.xe5 1 5 .fxe5 lt:lg4 1 6.e6 fxe6 1 7.h3 lt:lgf6 leads to yet another mess, where it seems to me that Black is doing fine. 1 3 . . . i.b7! 1 4.i.xb7 �c7 1 5.exd6 exd6 1 6.�xa6 Elxb7 1 7.i.e3 lt:l f5 1 8.i.f2 Elbb8 1 9.g4! 1 9.�d3? �c6 20.b3 i.xal 2 1 .Eixal Elfe8 is good for Black. 1 9 . . . Eia8 20.�d3 Here I should have played:

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20 . . . Eixa4!N The weaker 20 . . . lt:lh6?! left me having to fight for a draw, which I obtained on move 40 in Kovacevic - Hillarp Persson, Budva 2009. 2 l .gxf5 i.xb2 22.Eiab l i.c3 23.fxg6 hxg6 24.�xd6 �xd6 25.Eixd6 lt:l f6

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Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style Here it is White who will have to play accurately to draw.

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10 dxe5 l l .tLlc6 '\Wb6t 12.�hl tL!gf6

33

picture is the same: White is objectively better if he plays with computer accuracy, but the position is double-edged and any result would be possible in practice. 1 6.fxe5 ttlg4 1 7.h3 h5! 1 8.'\Wd5 White should avoid 1 8.if4?! ixe5 1 9.'1Wd2 tt:lxb3 20.axb3 g5 2 l .ixe5 '!Wxe5 22.hxg4 hxg4t 23.'it>gl ib7 when Black has at least a draw. 1 8 . . . tt:lxb3 1 9.axb3 ixe5 20.'\Wc6t 'it>f7 2 1 .ttle4 ttlf6 22.ttlg5t 'it>g7 Black has some compensation, although it is unlikely that it is fully sufficient. For players who do not mind sacrificing a bit of material for a chance to complicate the game, 12 . . . f5!?N could be worth trying.

.••

1 2 ... b4?! has been tried a few times by the young Swedish player Nithander, but I believe mat 1 3.tLla4! should lead to an advantage for White. Black's most interesting alternative is: 1 2 . .f5!?N 1 3 .tLlxb8 1 3 .id5 tt:lgf6 14.tt:lxb8 '!Wxb8 transposes. 1 3 ... '\Wxb8 14.id5 tt:lgf6 1 5 .ib3! 1 5 .ie6 e4 1 6.a4 b4 1 7.ttld5 a5 is a bit better for White, although Black has chances here too. .

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14.ic6?! 0-0 1 5 .'1We2 e6 1 6.g3 b4 17.ttle4 ttlh5 ( 1 7 . . . ttld5!? is also promising) 1 8 .ttlg5 exf4 1 9.gxf4 was played in Aagaard - Hillarp Persson, Malmo/Copenhagen 2004, and now I like the idea of l 9 ... a5!?N followed by . . . '\Wb6 and . . . ia6, although the game continuation of 1 9 . . . h6 was also pretty comfortable for Black. a

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1 5 . . . ltk5 With the help of Ludvig Sandstrom I have analysed lots of other moves, but the general

14 tlJxe4 .•.

In Tiger's Modern I gave 1 4 . . . tt:lxe5 as a better chance, while acknowledging that 1 5 .if4 0-0 1 6.if3 b4 1 7.'1We2 tt:lfd7 1 8 .ttl d5 2"i:e8 1 9.a3 bxa3 20.bxa3 gave White the better chances.

The Modern Tiger

34

I now consider this line more problematic for Black, and prefer the treatment in the main game.

15.ltJxe4

1 7.i,g5 Another direction is 17.ttJc3 '1Mfc5 (17 ... '\WbS!?) 1 8.i,e3 Wf5 and the analysis can go on. White is slightly better but, considering his weak king, he has little room for error in the battle ahead. 1 7 . . . '1Mfxb2 1 8.l'l:b 1 '1We5 1 9.lt:lf6t exf6 20.!l:xe5 lt:lxe5 2 1 .i,h4 8

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Another option that deserves consideration is: 1 5 . . . '1Wxe5!? 1 6.!l:e l !N The most challenging reply. 1 6.lt:lg5!? 0-0 1 7.c3 was played in Van der Weide - Shchekachev, La Fere 2003. Now instead of 1 7 . . . lt:l b6?, which should have lost on the spot to 1 8.lt:lxf7!N !l:xf7 1 9 .'\WdSt i,f8 20.i,h6!, Black ought to have played 1 7 . . . ttJf6!N when 1 8.i,f4 '1Wc5 1 9 .'1Mfe 1 i,b? gives him plenty of counterplay. 1 6 . . . 0-0

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The engines like this for White, but I find it hard to believe that he can win such a position unless he can hold on to the a-pawn, which does not appear to the case here. 2 I . . .i,e6 22.'1Wd6 g5 23.i,g3 i,xa2 24.l'l:d1 i,c4 Even if White manages to exchange rooks, there is no way for him to break through.

16.J.f4 '1Wb6 17.lNe2 1 7.'1Mfd5! looks like the most challenging move, and after 1 7 . . .i,b7 1 8 .'1Mfc5 '1We6 1 9.ttJg5 Black had to decide where to put his queen in Akdag - Burghoff, corr. 20 12. Possibly the best idea is to offer a queen exchange on our own terms with 1 9 ... '1Wc4!?N. ( 1 9 . . . '1Wc6N 20.'1Wxc6t lt:lxc6 2 l .c3 0-0 22.l'l:ad 1 i,c8 leaves White with some advantage.) Now exchanging on c4 would allow the black knight to take up an excellent outpost, so 20.'1Mfb6 looks logical, but after 20 . . . '1Mfd5 2 1 .'1Mff2 0-0 22.l'l:ad 1 Wc4 23.b3 '1Wc8 24.'1We2 ttJ c6 Black has a reasonable position, with two strong bishops, a pawn for the exchange, and a mobile kingside majority. White has a modest advantage at most.

Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style

35

17... 0-0 18J�ae1 VMc6!?

19 ....ib7

This is objectively speaking not the strongest move, but it bears witness to the intrinsic difficulty of these positions that such a tormidable player as Artur Yusupov does not manage to navigate the shoals.

Black's two main objectives are to mount some pressure on the a8-h l diagonal and to secure the pawns on e7 and fl. If he can achieve both, there will be happy days ahead.

20.E:fl VMcs .-\her 1 8 . . . �b7?! 1 9.�xe5 �xe5 20.t2Jc5 Black has to give up the bishop pair with 20 . . . 1Wxc5 21 .1Wxe5, leading to a difficult endgame.

More accurate is 20 . . . 1Wb6! 2 I .gl tLl c6 22.c3 b4! 23.cxb4 t2Jxb4 24.tt:Jc4 1Wb5 25 .b3 �d5 with full compensation for Black.

A.

21.t2Jb3 VMb6 22 ..ie3

more interesting alternative is 1 8 . . . �e6!?N, when I can give you an idea of how deeply I tend to analyse these positions: 1 9.�xe5!? �c4 20.1Wf2 1Wxf2 2 l .�xf2 �xeS 22.t2J d2 �d4 23.�f4 e5 24.�f6! �e6 25.c3 �a7 26.�xe5 �d8 27.tLlf3 �d3 28.�el g7 29.�fl �d8 30.�f4 �xa2 The endgame is far from clear. 1 8 ... t2Jc6! might be the strongest move, when 1 9.c3 �e6 20.b3 �f5 leads to a situation where all three results are possible. This position has been tested in two correspondence games, both of which ended in draws.

22.g l ! ? also gives White a slight plus.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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22 VMc7 23 ..id4 �ds 24.h3 E:d5 25.c3 •..

25 .1We3! is slightly more accurate, as after 1 5 . . . a5 26.1Wf4 e6 27.c3 White reaches the game position without having allowed the option given in the next note. However, it should be noted that 26.�b6 is not so great due to 26 . . .'\WcB 27.tLlxa5 �a8 28.ci>gl �f6 when the white pieces are not coordinating well. a

19.t2Jd2

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The active 1 9 .tLlg5! is stronger, and also happens to be the kind of move that computers are best at finding. Play continues 1 9 . . . �b7 20.�f2 t2J d7 2 1 .1Wxe7 tt:J f6 22.1Wd6 tt:Jg4 23.�d2 �xb2 24.h3 and Black is clearly worse.

25 a5?! •.•

Black should stabilize the central pawns with 25 . . . e6! before deciding what to do next. The following line is a nice illustration of what Black may look to achieve in such positions: 26.tt:J d2 h6 27.1We3 g5 28.1Wg3 1Wd6 29.tLle4 1We7 30.b4 f5 3 1 .tLlc5 f4 32.1Wh2

The Modern Tiger

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34J:l:gl l':!:d6 35 ..ia7 gg6

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32 . . . 1':!:xc5! 33 . .ixc5 'Wd7 Black has superb compensation for the two exchanges.

26.�e3 e6 27.�f4 a4 2S . .:!l)cl Better was 28.tLld2! a3 29.b3 g5 30.'Wg3! with advantage to White.

28 ... g5 29.�xg5 .:!l)g6 30.�g4? White could have kept an edge with 30.'We3 e5 3 1 ..ib6 'Wc6 32.'Wf3.

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The final error. 36.�h2 would have kept some hope of survival, although 36 . . . 'Wc7 37.g3 tLl d5 is far from fun for White.

36 ...�c8 37.�e3 .:!l)xh3 38.gd2 .:!l)xgl 39.�xgl .ih6 0-1 The next game is not so relevant for theory, because it involves a move order that is clearly suboptimal, for reasons discussed in the very first game of the chapter. However, I decided to keep it as part of my updated coverage, as it remains an excellent illustration of some of the crazier ideas in the 4.f4 a6 system.

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30 ... h5! 31 .�e2 .:!l)f4! 32.�e3 e5 33 ..ib6? White's best chance was 33.'Wg3 when 33 . . .exd4 34.1':!:xf4 a3 35 .1':!:e8t mh7 36.'Wd3t mh6 37.'Wd2 �h7 leads to a draw.

Nick De Firmian - Tiger Hillarp Persson Copenhagen 1 996

33 ...�c6

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3 . .:!l)c3 d6 4.f4 a6 s . .:!l)f3 b5 6..id3 .ib7?!

This move sets up some serious threats on the a8-h l diagonal, and White's ramparts will soon be broken.

Over time I have abandoned this move order in favour of 6 . . . tLl d7!, as it is imperative to strike with . . . c5 as quickly as possible. IfWhite

Chapter 1

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4.f4 - Austrian Style

proceeds as in this game with 7.11Ne2?!, Black easily gets a good position by following the plan: 7 . . . c5! (Black can rejoin the main game ''ith 7 ... i.b7, but it makes little sense here.) 8 . e5 cxd4 9.i.e4 At this point both 9 . . . 2"\bS and 9 . . . dxc3!? are promising for Black.

7.'We2!? When the bishop goes to b7 early, White can afford the time for this move, although it may not be best.

37

8 c5 •.•

8 . . . tLlh6!? is a playable alternative, when one game continued 9.tLle4 0-0 1 0.c3 c5 1 l .e6 f5! 1 2.exd7 c4 1 3.i.c2 fxe4 1 4.i.xe4 i.xe4 1 5 .11Nxe4 11Nxd7 and White had to fight for the draw in Sax - Vokac, Pardubice 1 994. However, White has a few ways to improve. 9.i.e3 transposes to Game 8, and 9.a4!? b4 1 0.tLle4 is an independent alternative which has scored heavily for White in practice.

9.lLlg5! -.e5 is one idea, hoping for 7 . . . tLl d7?! when White obtains a favourable version of the 6 ... tLld7 line. However, Black can instead play "7 c5! 8.dxc5 dxe5 with unclear play. • • •

7.0-0 is more critical, followed by 7 . . . tLld7 8.e5 c5 9.i.e4!. This can be compared with 9 .i.e4 in the notes to the main game below. White has an improved version, having castled instead of putting his queen on e2, but I will not analyse it in detail as we have already established that Black should avoid this whole variation with an early . . . i.b7.

7 tLld7 8.e5 .•.

8.i.e3 transposes to Game 1 1 , but the text move introduces a typical attacking scheme. The position is almost identical to Games 1 and 2, the only difference being the inclusion of the moves 11Ne2 and . . . i.b7.

I believe this is strongest, although there are three other moves that White may consider. 9.e6 fxe6 1 0.tLlg5 tLlf8 ( 1 0 . . . i.xd4!? could also be an option for risk-takers) 1 1 .dxc5 has been played in a couple of games, and now 1 1 . . .1!Nc7N is unclear. 9.exd6!? is not as bad as it is ugly. Black has a few possible replies: a) 9 . . . tLlgf6 is sensible: 1 0.dxe7N ( 1 0.0-0 e6 is solid for Black.) 1 0 . . . 11Nxe7 1 1 .11Nxe7t ct?xe7 1 2.0-0 l"\he8 Black's active pieces compensate for the missing pawn. b) 9 . . . cxd4!? is more adventurous: 1 0.tLle4 e6!N 1 1 .tLle5! i.d5! which is truly messy. A possible continuation is 1 2.a4 tLlgf6 1 3.tLlxf6t 11Nxf6 1 4.0-0 tLlxe5 1 5 .fxe5 11Nxe5 1 6.d7t ct?e7 1 7.11Nf2 f5 when I do not dare to give a definite verdict. 9.i.e4 Exchanging bishops is a thematic idea in such positions. 9 . . . i.xe4 1 0. tLlxe4 Commenting in ChessBase Magazine, Yudasin gives 1 0.11Nxe4 cxd4 ( l O . . . e6!? 1 l .exd6 tLlgf6 is promising for Black) 1 1 .tLld5?! l"'c8! 1 2.exd6 e6 with the idea of . . . tLlc5. Okay, but why not 1 2 . . . tLl c5 immediately? It wins for Black. White should of course play 1 1 .tLle2, though Black

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The Modern Tiger

38

is quite happy here after 1 1 . . .l':k8 1 2.lLlexd4 lLl c5 1 3 .W/e2 lLl h6. The f4-pawn is a lonely pillar; the last remains of a once mighty centre.

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1 o . . . cxd4 1 1 .exd6 lLlh6! Now it would be a mistake to play 1 1 . . .e6?! because of: 1 2.lLle5! lLlxe5 (Yudasin gives 12 . . . lLlgf6 1 3.0-0 Wb6 with a slight advantage for Black, but 1 3.lLlxf7! wins on the spot.) 1 3.fxe5 ixe5 1 4.0-0 White has enough compensation to last for this game and one more. 1 2.a4! This is the only move! IfWhite is not able to stir up some trouble before Black castles and plays . . . lLlf5, then White will have to fight a cold draught down the e- and c-files. 1 2 . . . 0-0 13.axb5 exd6 14.0-0 Not 14.lLlxd6? We? 1 5 .lLle4 l:!fe8 when White has no defence against ... f5 .

1 4 . . . l:!e8!N 14 . . . axb5?! led to an unclear game that eventually Black managed to win in Hartman - Gausel, Gothenburg 1 998. 1 5 .W/d3 d5 Followed by ... lLlc5, when Black is clearly on top.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

9 ... cxd4!

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By now there is no way of going back. Alternatives are dismal, for instance 9 . . . lLl h6? 1 0.e6 lLlf6 1 1 .exf7t lLlxf7 1 2.lLle6 and White wins.

IO.e6 f5! Again the only move. 1 0 . . . f6? 1 1 .exd7t! Wxd? 1 2.lLle6 dxc3 1 3.f5 cxb2 1 4.ixb2 �f7 1 5 .0-0 lLl h6 1 6.l:!ae 1 is horrible for Black.

l l.exd?t! The only move that worries Black, since 1 I .ixf5 ? lLldf6 1 2.ie4 d5 loses a piece, and 1 I .lLlf7?! '!Wa5 1 2.a3! dxc3! 1 3 .b4 We? 14.lLlxh8 lLlf8! 1 5 .lLlf7 '!Wc6 is clearly better for Black. a

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l l ...Y1fxd7

Chapter 1

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8 7 6 5 4 3 2

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39

4.f4 - Austrian Style

Nick's move is probably the strongest here, but there are some other tempting possibilities. 12.ttJe6?! dxc3 1 3.ttJxg7t cj;>f7 1 4.tt:lxf5 gxf5 I 5 .�h5t f7.) 1 5 . . . tt'le7 1 6.c3 e4 1 7 ..ib 1 d3 1 8.'1We 1 g5

play accurately in order to keep the position balanced... sorry, I mean "messy''. The right path is 1 5 . . . bxa4! 1 6.c3 tt'l e7 1 7 ..ic4! '1Wc6 1 8.0-0 l"'d8 1 9.b3 d3 20.'1Wf2 axb3 2 l ..ixb3 i>f8 and the mess must go on! Considering the improvement over my previous analysis on move 2 1 , I now believe the game continuation to be clearly strongest. Now the play becomes forcing for several moves.

15 ... e4 16.axb5 lLle7 17.bxa6 i.c6 18.i.c4 Black is doing fine after 1 8.0-0 exd3 1 9.cxd3 .ib5.

IS...ex£3 19.gxf3 i.d5

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"Aaaarghhh!" A better alternative is 14.c3, when 14 ... tt'le7 1 5 .cxd4 h6 1 6.tt'lh3 '\Wxd4 leaves Black with sufficient compensation.

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If I had been playing White in this position I would have gone for the draw with 20 ..ib5, but Nick is more ambitious - and rightly so!

20 ...'?Nxd5 2I.llJfl?

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14... h6 15.lLl£3!

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Nine years ago I thought the best chance to play for a win was 1 5 .tt'lh3, when Black has to

Originally I thought I was doing fine here due to my well coordinated and centralized forces. However, I find it difficult to deal with a new idea from the silicon beast: 2 1 .0-0! @f7 22.c4! and there is no doubt that Black is under pressure. I have not been able to find an equalizer here, but please knock yourself out trying.

Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style

41

25.'?Nxg6t �xg6 26.tilf4t

21...0-0 This looks like the obvious move, but is in fact a mistake.

Obviously I had missed that one.

26 ... �f7 27.tilxd5 I should have played 2 l . . .e6 30.b3 rJld5 3 l .j,g1 g5 Black has some winning chances.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Puh! With the knight back in the game, Black is back in the game.

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21 .E:d8?

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The correct continuation was 2 l .fxe5 fxe5 22.E:he 1 f6 23.E:d8 lLl d6 24.b3 j,fg followed by . . . j,e7 with a double-edged but roughly equal endgame.

2I. .ih6 .•

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In a later game Black deviated with the horrible 1 5 . . . rJlxd8?, but it is hard to imagine what he was thinking, since after 16.j,b6t rJlc8 1 7.lLlxf6 exf6 1 8.0-0-0 he was already losing in Smeets - Siebrecht, Netherlands 20 1 1 .

Black wins a pawn and secures a three-pawn plus on the kingside - bad news for White.

22.E:hd1 i.xf4t 23.b3?! White should be able to draw with 38.h4! �c6 39.h5 gxh5 40.E!:xf5 :B:h6 4 l .:B:f3 h4 42.:B:h3 �d5 43.�b3 followed by a2-a4 and/or c2-c4.

38 ci>c6 39.h4 i>d5 40.h5 i>e4! 4I.hxg6 �hg6 42.a4 f4 43.axb5 axb5 44.l:':i:e7t •..

.••

This throws away the draw. Correct was 46.:B:f7t! �g4 47.:B:g7t �h3 48.:B:f7 �g3 49.:B:g7t �f2 and only now 50.:B:g5 going after the b-pawn, when Black can cancel the winning attempts.

White's counterplay is too slow, and Vachier­ Lagrave wraps things up efficiently.

50.l:':i:h7 E:f5 S I .l:':i:hl fl 52.E:fl i>d5 53.b5 ci>c5 54.b6 l:':i:f3t 55.ci>d2 i>xb6 56.i>e2 E:f5 57.E:xfl E:xflt 58.i>xfl ci>c5 59.i>e3 i>b4 60. i>d2 ci>b3 0-1 The next game features a different but equally playable option for Black on move 8 .

The Modern Tiger

52

Adam Hunt - Peter Svidler Gibraltar 201 2

l .e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.ClJc3 d6 4.i.e3 a6 5.£4 It quite often happens that White begins by putting the bishop on e3, and only transposes to the Austrian set-up after . . . a6 appears on the board.

s bs 6.i.d3 i.b7 •.•

This move order is fine when White has already played an early ie3, and it even gives him an extra option as mentioned in the next note.

7.ctJf3 ClJd7

For a long time this move was considered the main line. I think it might be playable. . . with the emphasis o n "might". 1 0.0-0-0! 1 0.a4 b4 1 1 .tt:l e4 0-0 1 2.a5 tt:l d5 1 3.id2 c5 was fine for Black in Carlsson - Hillarp Persson, Gothenburg 2005. 1 0.tt:le4 '?Nd7 1 1 .0-0 0-0 12.Ei:ae l l2J d5 was all right for Black in Grischuk - Svidler, Astana (blitz) 20 1 2. However, I believe it is even better to hold back from . . . lLl d5 in favour of 12 .. .f5!N 1 3.lLlf2 e6 followed by . . . lLlf7. 8

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7 . . . tt:l f6!? is seen in Game 9.

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8.e5 ctJh6 This is a less forcing alternative to 8 . . . c5!? as featured in the previous game.

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1 o . . . '?Nd7 1 I .Ei:hgl ! 1 I .ie4 is not a bad alternative. 1 I . . .ixe4N (1 I . . .d5? 1 2.id3 was strategically almost lost for Black in D.V. Pedersen - Aagaard, Denmark 20 1 2.) 1 2.lLlxe4 Vfic6 1 3.id2 Vfic4 1 4.�xc4 tt:lxc4 1 5 .Ei:he 1 0-0 With the queens and a pair of minor pieces exchanged, Black's spatial disadvantage should not be a big concern. 8

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This was first played by Sznapik in 1 974, but it is only lately that certain players have been able to make it work. 9 . . .t2J b6

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Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style After the text move we have reached a critical position for the evaluation of Black's 9th move. Both a) 1 1 . . .0-0?! and b) 1 1 . . .lt:l d5?! have been played, but the untested c) 1 1 . . .b4!N looks best. a) In the stem game Black walked right into rhe line of fire: 1 1 .. .0-0?! 1 2.g4 tt:lxg4 1 3 .tLlg5 �xe3 1 4.'.Wxe3

1 2.tt:lxd5 ixd5 1 3.�b 1 The position is better for White. His plan is to roll the g- and f-pawns, while it will take Black far too long to achieve any real counterplay on the queenside. 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 3 . . . f6 14.c4!? bxc4 1 5 .ixc4 c6 1 6.E!:ge 1 is clearly better for White. 8

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14 . . . e6 Qacob Aagaard pointed out that 14 . . . b4? is losing due to 1 5 .e6 fxe6 1 6.tt:lxh7!! bxc3 1 7.E!:xg6 l::!: £7 1 8 .E!:dg1 !.) 1 5 .'.Wh3 White eventually prevailed in Dominguez Perez Ivanchuk, Barcelona 2006. There have been some attempts to salvage this line, but you can rest assured: there is no salvation, and White wins by brute force. b) In a later game Black played: l l . . .tt:ld5?!

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1 4.ic l White can also try 1 4.g4!?, when 1 4 . . . tt:lxg4 1 5 .tLlg5 tt:l h6 1 6.h4 tt:l f5 1 7.h5 looks dangerous for Black. 1 4 . . . f5 1 4 . . . '.Wc6!? may be a slight improvement, but I don't fully trust Black's position in any case. 1 5 .h3 '.Wc6 1 6.tt:ld2 E!:ab8 1 7.tt:lfl dxe5?! 1 8.dxe5 E!:fd8 1 9.tt:le3 White had a clear advantage in Haslinger Muse, Germany 20 10. c) 1 1 . . .b4!N is Black's most promising option, but it has yet to be tested. 1 2.tt:le4 Now I like the following idea: 1 2 . . . id5!? 1 3.'it>b 1 8

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The Modern Tiger

54

1 3 . . . '1Mla4! 1 4.b3 '1Mlc6! Now Black has something to bite into on the queenside. A possible continuation is 1 5 . .td2 (the machine's first choice) 1 5 . . . 0-0 1 6.h4 a5 1 7.h5 a4 1 8 ..txb4 E!:fb8 and Black has a wonderful position.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2

1 l ..te4! '1Mlc7 1 2 . .txb7 'IM!xb7 1 3 . 0-0-0 leads to an unenviable position for Black.

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The speculative 1 O.e6?! fxe6 1 1 .dxc5 does not work out well for White after 1 l . . . .txf3 1 2.'1Mfxf3 0-0. White has also tried: 1 0 . .te4 .txe4 1 l .lt:Jxe4 cxd4 1 2 . .txd4 lt:J f5 1 3.0-0-0 lt:Jxd4 1 4.E!:xd4 0-0 1 5 .E!:hd 1 Here Black should play 1 5 . . . lt:J b6N with an unbalanced game, rather than 1 5 . . . '1Mla5 ?! 1 6.b 1 lt:J b6 17.exd6 exd6 1 8.f5 when White had the initiative in Couso - Tikkanen, Stockholm 2007.

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This move is playable, but I believe White benefits from the exchange of a pair of knights, and should therefore try: 1 l .lt:Jxe5!N lt:Jxe5 1 2.fxe5 0-0! The most flexible move. After 1 2 . . . lt:J f5?! 1 3.0-0-0 Black is worse, since 13 . . . lt:Jxe3? is refuted by 14 . .txb5t. 1 2 . . . '1Mlc7!? 1 3.0-0 0-0 is another route to the main line. 1 3.0-0! 1 3.0-0-0 'IM!c7 1 4.E!:he 1 'IM!xe5 leads to just the kind of game I am looking for.

IO ... dxe5! This is the fundamental strategy in such positions. Time and again Black sacrifices the c-pawn in order to break up White's centre and leave a weak pawn on e5, which can be kept as a snack for later. An interesting idea is 1 0 . . . 0-0!? when Black gets plenty of counterplay in the event that White embarks on further pawn-grabbing, as seen after 1 l .cxd6?! exd6 1 2.0-0-0 dxe5 1 3.fxe5 '1Mlc7 1 4 . .tf4 b4 1 5 .lt:J e4 lt:Jg4 1 6.';t>b 1 lLlgxe5 1 7.h4 '1Mlc6. Unfortunately, the superior

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1 3 . . . '1Mlc7! 1 3 . . . '1M! c8 14. b4 leaves Black struggling to demonstrate compensation.

Chapter

1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style

l4.:B:ae l '1Wxe5! I also considered 1 4 ... :B:ad8, but after 1 5 .a3! it is difficult to see a continuation for Black, since 1 5 . . . e6 1 6.�e4 �xe4 1 7.tZJxe4 lL'lf5 l 8.�f4 is clearly better for White. l 5 .�xh6 '1Wxe2 1 6.:B:xe2 �xh6 1 7.:B:xe7 �c6 White remains a pawn up, but the bishop pair will save the day for Black. 8

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26.c3 26.lL'ld2 �xb2 27.lL'lf3 h6 is also equal. 26 . . .�xe4 27.�xe4 �g7 28.:B:c8t 'it>e7 29.�f3 :B:e 1 t 30.'it>h2 �e5t 3 l .g3 :B:cl Finally Black equalizes. In theoretical terms, the line is in good health, although a drawn endgame may not be an ideal outcome for those who play the 4 . . . a6 system. If this applies to you, then you should check out the earlier note with 9 . . . lL'l b6, as well as 8 . . . c5!? as featured in the previous main game.

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l 8.:B:c7 1 8.a4 bxa4! is fine for Black. l 8 . . . �e3t 1 9.�h l :B:ac8 20.:B:fXf7 :B:xc7 2 1 .:B:xc7 :B:f6 It is time to pause. White is two pawns up, but Black has an active pair of bishops and a safer king. Black is hardly any worse, as the following lines demonstrate. 22.h3 22.b4!? �d4 23.:B:xc6 :B:xc6 24.lL'ld5 �£7 25.g3 �e6 26.�e2 �xc5! leads to an endgame where Black's rook will be at least the equal ofWhite's two minor pieces. 22 ... �d4 23.:B:c8t 'it>g7 24.lLle4 :B:e6 25 .:B:c7t �f8

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I believe Black is already in the driver's seat, even though the machine still favours White slightly. How should he deal with the threat to the e-pawn?

12.e6!? After 1 2.0-0-0 0-0 1 3 .h4?! lL'lxe5 14.lL'lxe5 '\Wxe5 Black has excellent prospects. 1 2.�e4 is a logical try, but Black is fine here too: 1 2 ... �xe4 1 3 .lL'lxe4 lL'lxe5 14.0-0-0 0-0 1 5 .�b 1 (No better is 1 5 .�f4 lL'ld3t 1 6.'\Wxd3 '1Wxf4t 1 7.'it>b 1 :B:ac8 1 8.:B:he 1 lL'lg4! 1 9 .h3 lL'l f6 with some advantage to Black.) 1 5 . . . ll:J c4 1 6.�c l lL'lg4 It is worth remembering that the knight should rarely go to f5 in such positions, unless there is a really compelling reason. Black has a good position, although it is worth mentioning one critical line:

The Modern Tiger

56 8

The text move makes no sense, as it gives Black an easy target to bite into.

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16 .. J�ab8 17.i.f2 b4 18.a4 b3 19.c4 he4 20.VMxe4 tlJxc5 2I .i.xc5 'Wxc5 22.'11Nxe6t c.:t>hs

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White's position is a wreck, and it does not take Svidler long to break through to the king.

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1 7.b3 lLlf6! 1 8.tLlxf6t ii.xf6 1 9.bxc4 E:ab8! 20.tLld4 bxc4t 2 1 .\f;>al e5 22.E:hfl ii.g7 23.tLlf3 'Wa5 24.c3 'Wxc3t 25 .ii.b2 e4 26.tLld4 'Wb4 Black has good compensation and will soon get a third pawn for the piece.

12 ...fxe6 13.0-0-0 tiJf5! Svidler's move is stronger and more aggressive than 1 3 ... li:Jxc5 14.ii.xc5 �xc5 1 5 .li:Je4 ii.xe4 16.�xe4 E:d8 17.h4 when White is a little better.

'� "' . ·��. ·.1 Artyom Timofeev - Sebastian Siebrecht Dresden 2007

l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.tiJc3 d6 4.i.e3 a6 5.f4 b5 6.tiJf3

14 ... 0-0 15.c.:t>bl i.d5 16.a3? White should have preferred 1 6.ii.f2, when 1 6 . . . 'Wa5 and 1 6 . . . tLle5 both lead to complex and dynamic play.

It is also possible to play 6.ii.d3!? in order to overprotect the e4-pawn. After 6 . . . ii.b7! White has the following options: a) 7.tLlf3 transposes to the main game. b) 7.'We2!? lLl d7 8.tLlf3 links over to Game 11.

Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style c) 7.a4?! b4 8.l2k e2 tt:l f6! 9.ctJg3?! h5! 10.1Wd2 h4 1 1 .'1Wxb4 '1Wc8 and Black has a clear advantage.

6 ...ib7 7.id3

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. ttlf6!?

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57

8.a3 Considering that I always sneer at this move, it is not so bad here. The circumstances are a bit uncommon in that Black has developed the knight to f6 and cannot easily carry out . . . c5. 8 ... e6!?N I generally try to avoid this move, but when White has spent time on a2-a3 it should be okay. 8 . . . 0-0 and 8 . . . tt:lbd7 are normal moves that have done well for Black in practice. Even the pawn sacrifice 8 . . . c5!?N 9.dxc5 tt:l bd7 1 0.cxd6 exd6 seems playable, though it is hardly necessary. 9.e5 ctJd5 I O.tt:lxd5 j,xd5 Black has a solid position, and attempting to chase the light-squared bishop may lead to problems for White.

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This interesting move order is available specifically in those lines where White plays j,e3 before j,d3. The point is that when White follows f2-f4 with a quick tt:l f3 and j,d3, Black has to play a quick . . . tt:l d7 in order to prepare ... c5 . However, when White commits himself to the slightly slower j,e3, it gives us some leeway. Putting the knight on f6 may go against your instincts as a Modern player, but in this particular position it is full of purpose, as . . . b4 is a direct threat that needs to be addressed. Black can, of course, play 7 . . . tt:ld7 transposing to Games 7, 8, 1 0 and 1 1 .

8.e5 This is the critical move. White could try 8.h3!? b4 9.e5, but after 9 . . . bxc3 1 O.exf6 j,xf6 1 l .bxc3 tt:l d7 I find it hard to believe that Black is anything but fine. The only other way to safeguard the e4-pawn is:

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l l .b3 White should probably prefer 1 1 .a4 b4 1 2.0-0 0-0 1 3.c4 bxc3 1 4.bxc3 with a balanced position. 1 l . . .c5! 1 2.c4 1 2.dxc5 dxe5 1 3.fxe5 ctJ c6 is a bit better for Black. 1 2 . . . bxc4 1 3 .bxc4 j,xf3! 14.'1Wxf3 cxd4 1 5 .1Wxa8 dxe3 1 6.1:'!:d1 0-0 1 7.0-0 dxe5 1 8 .j,xg6 '1Wc7 Black has great play for the exchange.

8 ... tt:lg4

The Modern Tiger

58

1 0 . . . cxd4! 1 0 . . . l2lh6 1 1 .dxc5 dxe5 is unclear. 1 1 .'1Mfxg4 dxc3 1 2.e6 .tc8! A key theme that should be remembered. 1 3.l2lxf7 cxb2 14 . .txb2 7 6 4

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White has three alternatives, all of which should be taken seriously. 9.i.c l !?N This is an attempt to keep the bishop out of harm's way, but it is hard to believe that White can get an advantage by undoing an earlier developing move. 9 . . . c5 1 o.l2lg5 1 o . .te4 .txe4 1 1 .l2lxe4 cxd4 1 2.l2lfg5 ( 1 2.exd6 exd6! leads nowhere for White) 1 2 . . . l2lh6 1 3.exd6 exd6 1 4.0-0 0-0 1 5 .l2lg3 l2ld7 is a little better for Black. 1 0.dxc5 dxe5 1 1 .h3 l2lf6 ( l l . .. b4!? leads to heavy complications) 1 2.fxe5 l2l fd7 1 3 .e6 fxe6 gives Black an improved version of 9 . .td2 below. One simple point is that 1 4 ..te4?? is impossible here due to 1 4 . . . .txc3t.

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14 . . . Wfa5t 1 5 .c3 .txc3t 1 6 ..txc3 Wfxc3t 1 7. cj;Je2 l2l c6 Black gets the better of the complications. 9 . .td2!? This seems like a reasonable move, but Black can get a decent game. 9 . . . c5!N There is no time for 9 ... l2l d7? because of 1 0.e6! fxe6 1 1 .l2lg5 when Black's position is collapsing. 1 0.dxc5 After 1 0.l2lg5 l2lh6 1 1 .dxc5 dxe5 12.'1Mfe2 l2l d7 1 3 . .te4 .txe4 1 4.l2lcxe4 Wfc7 White must fight to keep the balance. 1 0 . . . dxe5 1 1 .h3 7 6 5

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Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style l l ...tLlf6! Black should avoid l l ...tLlh6 1 2.fXe5 tLld7 1 3 ..ie4 .ixe4 14.tLlxe4 We? 1 5 .We2 when the h6-knight is offside. 1 2.fXe5 tLl fd7 Black is doing well here. One possible continuation is 13.e6 fXe6 14 . .ie4 tLl c6 1 5 . .ie3 .ixc3t!? 1 6.bxc3 tLlf6 With a balanced game. 9.We2!? This is the most dangerous alternative to the main line. Now it is important not to panic and grab the enemy bishop. 9 ... c5! Thematic and strong. 9 . . . tLl d7 l O . .id2! is annoying. It looks natural to play 9 . . . tLlxe3?! 1 0.Wxe3, when at first sight Black appears to be doing well with either 1 0 . . . e6 or l O . . . tLl d7N. However, Black will face a big problem when White later plays h2-h4. Black must either allow the pawn to get to h5, leading to obvious danger on the kingside, or block it with . . . h5, giving White all kinds of tactical opportunities that I fear may be impossible to defend against. It is up to you to try and make this line work, but I myself have given up on it. Black's best shot at equality is l O . . . tLlc6!?, intending to move the knight to b4 or e7 later.

I O.dxc5 dxe5 This position is extremely complicated with lots of options for both sides on every turn. I will just give an overview here and recommend that you have a more serious look at it yourselves. 1 1 .fXe5 1 1 .0-0-0N is met by l l . . .Wc7!. The queen is often better here than on a5 . 1 1 . . .tLlxe5N Another idea is 1 1 . . .Wc7!?N 1 2.e6 f5 .

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1 2.tLlxe5 1 2.0-0-0 We? 13 ..ie4 .ixe4 1 4.tLlxe4 tLl bc6 is unclear, in a nice way. 1 2 . . . .ixe5 1 3.0-0-0 We? 1 4 . .ie4 .ixe4 1 5 .tLlxe4 0-0 1 6 .h4 tLl c6 Black intends . . . l'!ad8, with excellent counterplay.

9 ... c5!

It is important to strike while the iron is sizzling. The alternative is. . . there are no alternatives!

10.dxc5 White has a few other options: 1 0.h3N cxd4 1 l ..ixd4 dxe5 1 2.fXe5 .ixf3 1 3.Wxf3 Wxd4 1 4.Wxa8 Wxe5t 1 5 .tLle2 tLle3 with an initiative for Black. a

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1 0 . .ie4!?N looks weird, but is not at all bad. After 1 0 . . . d5! l l ..id3 c4! 1 2 . .ie2 tLl h6!

The Modern Tiger

60

followed by . . . f6 and . . . tLlc6, the position is complex and hard to evaluate.

would have given White at least an edge.

12.�e4 1 0.e6 f5! 1 l .dxc5 was played in Kling Karlsson, corr. 1 989, and here my analysis continues:

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White has also tried: 1 2.tLle4 tLl f6 1 3 .We2 ( 1 3.tLlxf6t exf6! 14.We2 is more critical, but I prefer Black's chances after 14 . . . 0-0.) 1 3 ... tLl d5 1 4.fxe5 t2J f4 1 5 .Wd2 tLlxd3t 1 6.cxd3 tLl c6 The engine insists that this position is preferable for White, but I would rather be Black any day.

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1 1 . . .Wc8!N 1 2.h3 tLl f6 ( 1 2 . . . j,xc3t!? 1 3.bxc3 tLlf6 1 4.cxd6 Wxe6t 1 5 .We2 Wxd6 1 6.a4 tLld5 1 7.axb5 tLlxf4 1 8 .j,h2 tLlxe2 1 9.j,xd6 exd6 20.\t>xe2 axb5 leads to equality.) 1 3.cxd6 Wxe6t 14.We2 Wxd6 1 5 .0-0-0 tLld5 1 6.tLlxd5 j,xd5 1 7.j,e3 tLl c6 1 8.c3 0-0 With unclear play.

IO ... dxe5 l l .h3

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17.j,h2 0-0 1 8.0-0 Wd5 1 9.:B:ad 1 Wxa2 20.d4 Wd5 2 1 .tLl f2 These moves were seen in Andrews - Hynes, email 2008. At this point 2 l . . .j,c8!N would have been best, reaching a position where White risks becoming a mere bystander as the black a-pawn races up the class ladder.

12 ... tLlc6! Black is not averse to a queen exchange, but it will be on his own terms.

13.Wfxd8t Mter 1 3.hxg4 bxc3 1 4.b3 exf4 White's pawn structure is a mess.

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1 l . ..e4?! 1 2.tLlxe4 tLlf6 was played in Svidler - Ponomariov, Biel 2000, and here 1 3.We2N

Another important line is 1 3.tLld5 tLlf6 1 4.tLlxf6t exf6! 1 5 .f5! gxf5 1 6.j,xf5 tLl e7 1 7.tLlh4 j,h6! and the threat of . . . j,g5 makes it impossible for White to maintain the balance.

13 ... :B:xd8 14.hxg4 bxc3 1 5.f5!

Chapter 1 - 4.£4 - Austrian Style

61

White sees that the c-pawn can become strong in conjunction with an open b-file and a blockade on the e4-square.

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1 9.Ei:b4! ( 1 9.ttJg5 e4 20.Ei:b 1 Ei:d5 is unclear.) 1 9 . . . gxf5 20.gxf5 h6 2 I .'it>e2 White is better since it is hard for Black to get the kingside pawn majority working. a

15 ... cxb2?!

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I am pretty sure I would have played this myself. It looks quite natural, but is an error. Best play would have been: 1 5 . . . lt:l a5!N 1 6.J.xb7 lt:lxb7 1 7.b4! (I 7.c6?! lt:l d6 leaves Black better, since White cannot hold the c-pawn; also after 1 7.bxc3 e4 1 8.ttJd2 J.xc3 1 9.0-0-0 gxf5 20.gxf5 Ei:g8 the initiative is with Black.) 1 7 . . . e4 1 8.ttJg5 Ei:d2 The position remains messy but balanced.

16J�bl ttJa5!? In the event of 16 . . .J.a8 1 7.Ei:xb2 lt:ld4 1 8.J.xa8 Ei:xa8 1 9.ttJxd4 exd4 20.Ei:b6 White has a slight endgame advantage.

17.ttJg5? A terrible move. It was much better to play 17.J.xb7! lt:lxb7 1 8.Ei:xb2 when Black is badly coordinated. The best defence goes: 1 8 . . . lt:la5 ( 1 8 . . . e4? 1 9.Ei:xb7 exf3 20.gxf3 gxf5 2 I .gxf5 is clearly better for White.)

19Jl:h3! E!bs 20.@e2 @d7?! Black is still better after 20 ... 0-0 2 I .l:l!c3 lt:la5 22.E!a3 E!b4 23.ttJc3 l:l!c4 24.l:l!xa5 l:l!xc3 25.l:l!xb2 l:l!a8, though White has decent drawing chances. After the game continuation, the pendulum swings back in White's favour.

21 .l:l!b3 @c7 22.@d3 lt:laS 23.l:l!b6 E!hdSt 24.@c3 l:l!xb6 25.cxb6t @c6 26.@xb2 tlJc4t 27.@b3 ttlxb6 28.hb6 @xb6 29.@c4t @c6

The Modern Tiger

62

It might come as a surprise that Black loses this position in eleven more moves, but it is always difficult to handle a bishop against such a monster of a knight. The position may already be technically lost, but I will not try to prove anything as this is not an endgame book.

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8 1-�i:J�-��· lill .t."lll "lill lilllill 4 ·lill· f·lilllill

7m '� ' � r�%� ·-w� -·%� - - -- %..... 6 5

•lillm:tmi!t51ill 2 d'DE• "�ill fD - - --� - --- %�-v� 1 � � � 3

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30.c3 gxf5 31.gxf5 �g8 32.a4 .if8 This does not turn out well, but the position was hard anyway.

33.g3 �g4 34.@d3 e6 35.£6 .ih6 36.�b8 �g6 37.�c8t @d7 38.�a8 .ig5 39.�a7t @es 40.tL!d6t 1-0 In the next game we will begin to explore the structure when Black plays an early ... c5 and White exchanges.

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We have seen that after 7.e5 or 7."We2, Black should hurry to strike at the centre with 7 . . . c5, without wasting time developing his bishop. Here the situation is the opposite, for two reasons. First, White has invested a tempo on il.e3, which slows down his attack, giving Black enough time to develop his own bishop without repercussion. Secondly, the placement of the bishop on e3 means that White can meet . . . c5 with dxc5, followed by exchanging his bishop for the knight on c5 if necessary, in order to force the positionally undesirable . . . dxc5 . The following line demonstrates why the immediate 7 ... c5?! is premature: 8.dxc5! lLlxc5 9.il.xc5 dxc5 (9 . . . il.xc3t 1 0.bxc3 dxc5 looks like a better try, although White keeps the pressure with l l .e5 "Wa5, and now Stellan Brynell's 1 2.0-0! looks dangerous for Black.) 1 0.e5

Hannes Stefansson - Tiger Hillarp Persson Gausdal 1 996

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.tLic3 d6 4.£4 a6 s.tL!f3 b5 6 ..id3 tLid7! 7 ..ie3 A different move order is 7.0-0 c5 8.dxc5 lLlxc5 9.il.e3, when 9 . . . il.b7 leads back to the main game. a

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Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style Black should generally avoid this structure with the knight on g8. After 1 0 . . . 1'l:a7 1 1 .'1Mfe2 !t:lh6 1 2.a4! '1Mfa5 1 3.0-0 b4 14.!t:le4 White had a clear advantage in Carlsen - Azmaiparashvili, Khanty-Mansiysk 2005.

8.0-0 8.'1Mfe2!? is a serious alternative which will be considered in the next game.

8

63

continuation is 1 l .ii.e4N ii.xe4 1 2.lt:lxe4 dxe5 1 3.fxe5 lt:lf5 1 4.c3 0-0 with a balanced position, where Black's ideas include . . . lt:lxd4, . . . lt:l b6 and possibly .. .f6. 9 . . . lt:lh6 is also possible: 1 O.ii.e4 ii.xe4 ( 1 0 . . . cxd4?! 1 l .ii.xb7 dxc3 1 2.e6 fxe6 1 3.lt:lg5! is better for White.) 1 1 .lt:lxe4 lt:l f5 1 2.ii.f2 cxd4 1 3.exd6 This was Barrientos Chavarriaga - Alonso Garcia, Havana 2007, and here l suggest 13 . . . 0-0N 14.lt:lxd4 ii.xd4 1 5 .ii.xd4 exd6 with unclear play.

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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This is White's typical plan in positions with the bishop on e3. It is the most challenging move here, although there are a few interesting alternatives. 9.�h l has been played a few times, but is not dangerous: 9 . . . c4 1 0.ii.e2 b4 1 1 .!t:la4 ii.xe4 1 2.ii.xc4 !t:lgf6 1 3.a3 Now 1 3 . . . a5!N maintains a harmonious position for Black, and improves over 1 3 . . . 1'l:c8 ?! 1 4.ii.b3 bxa3 1 5 .1'l:xa3 when White was slightly better in Herrneck - Bilek, Kecskemet 1 990. 9.e5!? This move is complicated but not roo dangerous, and Black has a few decent replies. 9 ... b4!? The most complex reply. 9 ... cxd4 1 0.ii.xd4 !t:lh6 is sensible. A logical

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1 0.ii.e4! 1 O.lt:la4 cxd4 1 l .ii.xd4 lt:l h6 is fine for Black. 1 0 . . . bxc3! Taking up the challenge. 1 0 . . . '1Mfc8 1 l .ii.xb7 '1Mfxb7 1 2.lt:la4! is hard to deal with, for instance 1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3.ii.xd4 dxe5 14.fxe5 e6 1 5 .a3! and White has a clear initiative. 1 l .ii.xb7 1'l:b8 1 2.ii.c6 cxb2 1 3.1'l:b 1 8

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64

The Modern Tiger

1 3 . . .lZlh6N I slightly prefer this over 1 3 .. .'\WcS 1 4.d5 as played in Dolzhikova - Andrenko, Poltava 20 1 1 . 1 4.dxc5 0-0 1 5 .cxd6 exd6 1 6.if2 ll'l c5 1 7.exd6 ll'le6 The position remains unclear.

This kind of structure is generally slightly better for White, but here Black has just enough resources to hold the balance.

9 ll'lxc5 •..

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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l l .. JWb6! 12 ..ie4 .L:e4 13.lLlxe4 lLlh6!

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On 1 0.a3 I planned to pick up a pawn with 1 0 . . . ixc3! 1 l .bxc3 ixe4. The g7-bishop should not be treated as a venerable member of a seventies music group. If it is past its date, then get rid of it! Generally speaking I am happy ifl can reach a Sicilian Dragon structure. In such positions the double fianchetto usually ensures excellent chances for Black, as shown in some of the later chapters.

Ifyou are to play the 4 . . . a6 system successfully, you must rid yourself of all prejudice against a knight on the rim. From h6 the knight can use f5 as a transit point before it moves on. Even if 13 . . . e6? did not allow a calamitous check on d6, it would leave the d6- and f6squares vulnerable against manoeuvres such as ll'lg5-e4-d6/-f6 in the future.

14.c4 In Tiger's Modern I suggested that this could be a good spot to search for an improvement for White. Since that time, almost all games from this position have continued:

10 ... dxc5 It is also possible to play 1 0 . . . ixc3!? 1 l .bxc3 dxc5, a line of action that is necessary when White has played the queen to e2 rather than having castled, as seen in the next game. The main difference in that line is that White gets the chance to recapture on e4 with the queen on move 1 3.

l l .e5

14.1We2 0-0 I would not hurry with: 14 . . . c4t?! 1 5 .1Wf2 1Wb7 The queen is not very well off on this square. (Better was 1 5 ... 1Wxf2t 1 6J:!:xf2 0-0 1 7.c3 f6 1 8.exf6 exf6 1 9.:ge1 :gfd8 20.:gfe2 :gac8 with equality.) 1 6.:gae 1 0-0 1 7.h3 f6?! 1 8.exf6 exf6 1 9 .ll'lc5 1Wc8 20.ll'le6 :ges 2 l .ll'lfd4 White had a clear advantage in Weiss - Heck, Germany 2009.

Chapter 1

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4.f4

1 5 .:�%ad l If Black wants to give the discovered check, this is a better moment for it. 8

7 6 5

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65

Austrian Style

"This move guarantees that Black will activate his slumbering forces on the kingside", as Tisdall explained in ChessBase Magazine. If Black did not have this method of opening the centre, White would have had the better position with his space advantage and centralized forces.

17.lL!c3 fxe5 18.lL!xe5?!

4

This is superficially active and hands over the initiative to me.

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1 5 . . . c4t 1 5 ... E!:fd8N is also fine, for instance 1 6.c3 f6 1 7.1Mfe3 fxe5 1 8.fxe5 l2lg4 1 9.E!:xd8t E!:xd8 20.1Mfxc5 1Mfxc5t 2 1 .l2lxc5 l2lxe5 22.l2lxe5 ixe5 23.ltJe6 E!:b8 with good chances in the endgame. 16.1Mff2 A draw was agreed here in Bos - Ludgate, corr. 20 1 2, but I would be tempted to keep the game going with: 16 . . . 1Mfxf2t 1 7.xd2 0-0-0t 1 5 .'it>e3 e6 Here, for once, Siliconbrain and I agree that Black is a bit better. This recommendation from Tiger's Modern was tested in the game Fiala - Neuman, Plzen 20 1 2, which was eventually won by Black.

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67

8 b4!? ...

This is an exception to the "Do not play . . . b4 unless White plays a4" rule, but it seems like the best bet for players seeking a complicated game. 8 . . . tt'l gf6?! 9.e5 tLld5 1 0.tt'lxd5! ( I O.e6?! fxe6 1 l .tLlg5 tt'l f8 1 2.i.xb5t c6 is unclear) 1 0 . . . i.xd5 1 1 .0-0 0-0 1 2.tLlg5 was clearly better for White in Ernst - Hillarp Persson, Umea 2003. 8 . . . c5 This move is perfectly sound, but after a few moves we reach a position where Black has a tiny disadvantage and little chance of winning the game. If this is what he desires then - some might argue - why not just play the Petroff or the French Rubinstein from the outset? 9.dxc5 tt'lxc5 After 9 . . .dxc5 1 0.e5! Black's position has lost its dynamic potential, the queenside pawns are weak and the kingside pieces are not participating in the central struggle. It is obvious that White has a clear advantage. An intriguing alternative is 9 ... tt'lgf6!?N 1 0.cxd6 exd6 intending ... 0-0 and ... l"i:e8 with counterplay. Also possible is the somewhat fantastic line 9 ... b4 1 0.tt'ld1 tt'lgf6!?N. A possible continuation is 1 l .cxd6 exd6 1 2.a3 bxa3 1 3.l"i:xa3 0-0 1 4.tt'lc3 l"i:e8 1 5.tt'ld2 d5 1 6.e5 tt'lxe5 1 7.fxe5 l"i:xe5 which is really messy.

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The Modern Tiger

68

1 0 . .txc5! After 1 0.0-0 Black should avoid 10 ... b4?!N 1 I .lt:J d5 .txd5 1 2.exd5 .txb2 1 3.Ei:ab 1 .tc3 1 4.lt:Jd4!. Instead 1 0 . . . Wfc8!?N intending . . . lt:J f6 is fine for him. 1 0 . . . .txc3t! 10 ... dxc5 ?! 1 l .e5 Wfb6 has been played, but after 1 2 . .te4!N Black is clearly worse. If you compare this position to the previous game, the positions are almost the same but the difference caused by the queen on e2 is considerable. In that game, play continued 1 2 . . ..txe4 1 3.lt:Jxe4 lt:Jh6 with unclear play, but here 1 2 . . . .txe4 is met by 1 3.Wfxe4! Ei:d8 14.a4 b4 1 5 .lt:J d5 with a huge advantage for White. 1 1 . bxc3 dxc5

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1 2.e5 Defending against . . .c4 and stopping Black from completing development with . . . lt:J f6. Now both 12 ... lt:J h6, as in Ramesh - Hillarp Persson, Amsterdam 2000, and 12 . . . e6!? are possible. However, I believe White keeps a small edge in both cases.

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1 0 . .td2N I considered this move in my previous book, but it has still not been tested. 1 0 . . . c5! The critical move seems to work, although 1 O . . . a5 1 1 .0-0 e6 should be playable too. 1 1 .c3! 1 l .e5 lt:J d5 1 2.e6 (Both 1 2.exd6 cxd4 1 3.dxe7 Wfxe7 1 4.Wfxe7t r!t;xe7 and 1 2.c3 bxc3 1 3.bxc3 0-0 are fine for Black.) 1 2 . . . £Xe6 1 3.lt:Jg5 .txd4!? ( 1 3 . . . lt:J f8 14.dxc5 dxc5 1 5.0-0 Wfb6 1 6.r!t;h 1 oo) 1 4.lt:Jxh7 ( 1 4.lt:Jxe6 Wl'b6 is also pretty unclear.) 1 4 . . . tt:J f8 1 5 .lt:Jxf8 Wxf8 1 6 ..txg6 WI'c8 However strange it might seem, I am not too worried about this kind of position; Black's control of the centre makes up for the slight draught around his king.

Let us return to 8 . . . b4!?, which seems like a better idea overall. When I analysed this move in Tiger's Modern it was a novelty, but it has since been tested in a few games. a

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Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style l l . . .bxc3 1 2.bxc3 0-0 1 3.0-0 1 3.e5 tLl d5 1 4.e6 cxd4 1 5 .cxd4 fxe6 is fine for Black. We have reached a critical position for the 1 O.j,d2 line. First of all I would prefer to avoid playing . . . e6, since it weakens the dark squares and invites the plan of e4-e5 and tLlf2-e4. Instead I propose:

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1 3 ... d5!? 13 ... tLle8!? intending 1 4.e5 tLl c7 1s also interesting. 14.e5 tLle4 It seems that Black is doing fine after 1 5 .tLle3 e6, or 1 5 .tLlf2 f5, or 1 5 .j,xe4 dxe4 1 6.tLlg5 cxd4 1 7.cxd4 tLlb6. This all needs testing of course.

69

reasons explained in the note to White's next move, I now believe it to be okay. The alternative is: 1 0 ... c5 1 l .c3 1 1 .dxc5 gives Black a choice: a) 1 l .. .t2Jxc5 is simplest, and 1 2.j,xc5 dxc5 1 3.0-0-0 '!Wc7! 1 4.e5 tLl d5 1 5.g3 0-0 is quite all right for Black since the knight is not shipwrecked on h6. b) 1 1 ...0-0!? is an interesting pawn sacrifice, when 1 2.cxd6 exd6 1 3.0-0 Ei:e8 1 4.j,d4 ( 1 4.tLld2 '!Wc7 1 5 .c3 bxc3 1 6.Ei:acl d5 17.Ei:xc3 '!WdSoo) 1 4 ... t2Jxe4! 1 5 .j,xe4 ( 1 5 .tLlxe4?! j,xd4t) 1 5 ... j,xd4 1 6.tLlxd4 j,xe4 17. tLlxe4 d5 looks all right for Black. 1 l ...bxc3 1 2.bxc3 0-0 1 2 . . . '1Wa5?! 1 3 . 0-0 '!Wxc3 is too greedy, and after 1 4.Ei:ab 1 j,c6 1 5 .Ei:fc l '!Wa5 1 6.e5 it would be a miracle if Black could survive. 1 3.0-0

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1 3 ... tLl e8!?N 13 ... '1Wc7 has been played, and leads to a similar type of game. The text move is intended to avoid a future e5-e6 push. 1 4.Ei:ab 1 '!Wc8 1 5 .Ei:b2 tLl c7 1 6.Ei:fb 1 j,c6 Even if White is slightly better here, Black keeps a solid position with plenty of dynamic possibilities. a

10 ...0-0!?

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I used to think this was a mistake but, for

1 1.0-0 1 l .e5!?N was the move that had put me off this position in the past: 1 1 ...tLld5 1 2.e6 fxe6

The Modern Tiger

70

( 1 2 .. .l2J7b6 1 3.f5) 1 3 .lt:J g5 In Tiger's Modern I gave this as outright bad, but since then the engines have forced me to change my mind: 1 3 . . . lt:J 7b6! 1 4.lt:Jxe6 'l¥fd7 1 5.lt:Jxf8 l'!xf8 1 6.0-0 'Wc6

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1 2 ... bxc3 1 3.bxc3 transposes to the earlier note with 1 0 . . . c5. 13 . .id2 1 3 .a3!? bxc3 14.bxc3 is also possible, when the advancing a-pawns have left weak squares on both sides. 1 3 . . . lt:J e8!? Getting away from the e-pawn before it gets too hot.

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Strangely enough, Black seems to have enough compensation for the exchange. 17 ..ie4 'Wc4 1 8 . .ixd5t ( 1 8.'1¥fxc4? lt:Jxc4 1 9 ..ixd5t .ixd5 20 . .icl .ixd4 is even better for Black.) 1 8 . . .'�xd5 1 9.lt:Jdl .ic6 20.l'!f2 .if6 Black is set to equalize with . . . .ih4.

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1 4.e5 1 4.lt:Jg4 is met by 1 4 . . .'1¥fb6 1 5.'i!?h l cxd4 1 6.cxd4 lt:J df6 and Black equalizes . 1 4 . . . lt:J c7 1 5.a3 cxd4 1 6.cxd4 lt:J b6 1 7.axb4 1 7.f5!? also leads to heavy complications. 17 . . . axb4 1 8.l'!xa8 '1¥fxa8 1 9.f5 8

7 6 5

4 3

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The principled move is clearly: 1 2.c3!? Trying to keep the centre intact. Here are a few lines I analysed. 1 2 . . . a5!?

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1 9 . . ..ixf3 20.gxf3 dxe5 2 1 .dxe5 '1¥fa5 Black has enough counterplay with . . . l'!d8 coming soon.

12 .. .lthc5 13.i.xc5 dxc5 14.e5 ltJd5 15.g3 Vf!c7

Chapter 1 - 4.f4 - Austrian Style The opening has been a success for Black, who has a fine pair of bishops without suffering from a misplaced knight on the rim.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

71

19 ...�h6 1 9 . . . 1"i:e5! would have kept up the pressure, and after 20.tt'l c4 gxf5 2 l .tt'lxe5 fXe4 22.'Wxe4 f5 23.1"i:xf5 !'i:xf5 24.'Wxf5 .ixe5 25.1"i:e l .id4t 26.fl 'Wf7 27.'Wxf7t i>xf7 28 ..ixh7 .ixb2 it is unlikely that White can survive the endgame.

20.tlJc4 g8 38.�xg4 �h7 39 ..id4 f6 40.Yfa2 Yfd6? This loses immediately, but 40 . . . ttl g5 4 1 . Wlg2 �bb3 42 . .ixf6 Wfxf6 43.�xg5 is also hopeless.

41.Vfg2 There was nothing to do but resign.

1-0

-

Austrian Style

97

Conclusion The "Modern Tiger" has survived close to a decade's worth of practical testing and computer analysis since Tiger's Modern was first published. White's three most challenging set-ups are those involving outright aggression with .id3 and a quick e4-e5, fast development with .id3 and .ie3, or regrouping with .id3 and a2-a4. Against each one, I have presented at least two playable set-ups for Black, attempting where possible to offer a choice between wild complications and a more restrained yet still lively alternative.

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Chapter 2

4 3

2 1

��i'=')�ruJ�� a

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4.£4 �f6 The Back-up Plan -

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.lLlc3 d6 4.f4 lLlf6 5.e5!? Game 1 9 5.lLlf3 0-0 6..ie3 Game 20 6 .ie2!? Game 24 6.a3!? Game 25 6.e5 lLlfd7 7.h4 Game 1 7 7 ..ic4!? Game 1 8 6..id3 tLlc6 7.0-0 Game 23 7.e5 dxe5 8.dxe5 Game 2 1 8.fxe5 lLlh5! Game 22

1 14 1 18 139 144

•

Notes to Game 1 7 - after 1 5 .Wh5

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1 5 . . . tt:l bc6!!

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100 109 135 126 129

Notes to Game 22 - after 1 6 .Wd3

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1 6 . . . i.xh3!!

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Notes to Game 25 - after l l .i.c4

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99

Chapter 2 - 4.f4 tLl f6 - The Back-up Plan My belief in the ... a6 system against 4.f4 has its own history of ups and downs. In my less optimistic moments I am disinclined to use it against a fellow grandmaster, unless I feel I will have the advantage of surprise. In my more optimistic moments I play it because I enjoy it (and playing what you enjoy is not a bad deal in the long run) . Still, I prefer not to allow my opponents to be completely certain about which line I will play, so I have included the Austrian Pirc in my repertoire in order to avoid being too predictable.

l.e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.ttlc3 d6 4.£4 ttlf6

although there are a few alternatives that will be considered later.

s ... o-o 5 . . . c5 is a common alternative, which may lead to hair-rising complications after 6.%l.b5t, while 6.dxc5 is another valid try for an advantage. I do not consider 5 ... c5 a bad move for Black, but playing it demands more theoretical knowledge. � �- A mli. ",��· W'� 8 .ei. gf .JL �'e� ���� �.f�{"''%%i'C/,{"'"Y-� --- - -:w� 7 �-�• w� • �-k(/� • �

%� ·�� ���". "' " "� , ;� :3 �--�--� � �rd""%·�2 i;)J[Jp%� � w;;�� ��j[J � /� �iVW:iLm M 6

"----"

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1@

----

/y_ _ _ _

��r� ---- - --

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I once thought this to be a bad, or rather illogical, moment to put the knight on f6, believing it to be exactly what White is hoping for, but I now recognize that this type of thinking is too simplistic. The upside to transposing to the Pirc, as opposed to playing 4 ... a6, is that Black doesn't need to do the blindfolded, backward mambo along the razor's edge. The downside is that the common mambo is a much wider discipline in which to compete. You will no longer be able to make up for a lack of technique with an excess of inspiration.

s.ttlo This is by far the most common move,

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Black's set-up has a completely different character to the 4 . . . a6 system, and it implies a clear "au revoir" to the idea of a fast . . . c5 (although Black may play this way against certain white set-ups) . Now White has a number of plans from which to choose.

Striking while the iron is hot with e4-e5 (Games 1 7, 1 8 and 1 9) It requires a certain degree oflearning by rote in order to play against this with Black. However, I am confident about Black's resources.

Overprotecting d4 with �e3 in order to make the ... ttlc6/ ... e5 plan less attractive for Black (Game 20) This makes e4 more of a target, and Black can continue with . . . b6 and . . . il.b7. It is a complex and interesting variation that I would be happy to play any day.

1 00

The Modern Tiger

Waiting for Black to play .. JDc6 before playing e4-e5, and meeting ... dxe5 with dxe5 (Game 2 1 ) Sometimes White goes for a symmetrical pawn structure in the hope of exploiting his space advantage, but Black has more than one route to a satisfactory game.

Similar to the above, but instead going for asymmetry with fxe5 (Game 22) The fact that Jonny Hector plays this way says it all.

Allowing Black to carry out the plan of ... �c6 and ... e5 (Game 23) This old main line does not pose much of a threat.

The rare bird 6.i.e2 (Game 24) This move invites 6 . . . c5 after all, a chance that Black should jump at. 6.a3!? (Game 25) This subtle move argues that Black needs information in order to come up with a good move. It also stops Black from playing . . . c5 under favourable circumstances, so it seems logical to renew the threat with 6 . . . tt'la6.

for those who prefer a more solid alternative to 4 . . . a6, I will give the most solid line although the sharp alternative is just as good.

6 ... �fd7 It is also possible to play 6 . . . dxe5 7 .fxe5 tt'ld5, when 8.i.c4 tt'lb6 9.i.b3 leads to a line analysed in the note to Black's 8th move in the next game - see 8 . . . dxe5 9.fxe5 on page 1 1 0.

7.h4 This looks like pure scare tactics, but is in fact quite a respectable move. However, the alternative 7.i.c4!?, as featured in the next main game, worries me somewhat more.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7 ... c5!

Emil Sutovsky - Vassily lvanchuk Kham y-Mansiysk (3.2) 201 1

l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.�c3 d6 4.f4 �f6 And so we enter Pirc territory. If I believe that my opponent has spent the whole evening preparing against my beloved 4 ... a6, I might decide to throw a stick in his or her wheel. I presume lvanchuk plays it for other reasons.

5.�f3 0-0 6.e5 This can lead to sharp play if Black is up for it. Since I have written this chapter especially

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There is no time to lose. Play may become extremely sharp from here, but in the majority of lines you will not have to memorize anything beyond about move 1 5, as most of the good moves should follow fairly naturally from there.

8.h5 White can also try: 8.e6!? Black has more than one decent way of handling the ensuing positions, but some accuracy is needed, as the following example illustrates.

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Chapter 2 - 4.f4 ltl f6 - The Back-up Plan 8 ... fxe6 9.h5! 9.lLlg5?! cxd4! 1 o.lLlxe6 �a5 1 1 .lLlxd4 ( l i .lLlxg7 lLl c6 1 2.lLle6 dxc3 1 3.b4 lLlxb4 14.lLlxf8 lLlxf8 is excellent for Black.) I I ...lLlc6! 1 2 . .!\c4t xd2 dxe5 is winning for Black

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1 2 . . . l2J b6! 1 3 . .ixe6t d2 Wa5t Now White should return with

The Modern Tiger

1 24

24.'it>c l , when Black can at least take a draw. (Instead 24.xd3 tLlg4 would be dangerous for White.) 8

7

20 ...VNc7 20 . . . Wfa4 is playable, although after 2 1 .'1Mfb3 Wfxf4t 22 . .ie3 '1Mff5 23.exd6 tLlg4 24.dxe7 tLlxe3 25.exf8='1Mft g2 a5 1 8.d4 f6 1 9.i.e3 exd4 20.i.xd4 b5 2 1 .h3 Now in Karjakin - Ivanchuk, Ningbo 20 1 1 , Black could have played 2 l . . .a4!N, preparing ... b4 with excellent counterplay. 22.fxg6 hxg6 23.e5 fxe5 24.i.xe5 ltlxe5 25.:E!xe5 i.e6 is a line that well illustrates my earlier comment about opening the position for the black bishops.

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1 l . . .gxf5 12.cj;Jh 1 !? Mter 12.exf5 we get a long forced line: 12 . . . i.xf5N 1 3.d4! exd4 1 4.lt:lxd4 i.g6 1 5 .ttJf5 '1Wxd 1 1 6.:E!axd 1 i.xf5 17.:E!xf5 lt:lg4 1 8 .:E!d7 Now Black can play either 1 8 . . . i.xc3 1 9.bxc3 f6 20.:E!xc7 :E!ad8! 2 l .i.c l :E!£7, or 1 8 . . .f6 1 9.:E!xc7 :E!£7 20.:E!xf7 cj;lxf7 2 l .i.f4 cj;lg6, in both cases with a balanced game. 1 2 . . . h6! 1 3.i.h4 '1Wd6 1 4.exf5 i.xf5 1 5 .ttJ d2 '1We6 1 6.'1Wf3 1 6.i.xf6 i.xf6 1 7.'1Wf3 i.g5 1 8.'1Wxf5 i.xd2 1 9.lt:le4 '1Wxf5 20.:E!xf5 i.e3 2 l .:E!afl :E!ad8 is fine for Black.

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1 6 . . . i.g4 1 7.'1Wxb7 :E!ab8! This improves over 17 ... :E!fb8, when 1 8.'1Wxc7 :E!xb2 19.lt:lc4 :E!c2 20.'1Wb7 :E!d8 2 l .i.xf6 i.xf6 22.tLle4 i.g7 23.tLle3 was dangerous for Black in Graf- Narciso Dublan, Torrelavega 2007. 1 8.'1Wxa7 ltld5 1 9.tLlxd5 '1Wxd5 Black has a safe position with good prospects in a future endgame.

1 36

The Modern Tiger 1 1 .dxc6 lLlxc6 1 2.h l !? Many other moves have been played, but the general rule is that . . . h6 will give Black a good game. 1 2 . . . h6N 1 3 . .ie3 .ie6 14.E!:d 1 '1Mfe7 1 5 .h3 E!:fd8 1 6.'1Mff2 lLl h5 Black has no regrets.

8 ... dxe5

9.d5

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After 9.dxe5 tLlxe5! 1 0.lLlxe5 'IMI'd4t 1 1 .h1 'IMI'xe5 12 . .if4 'IMI'c5! Black has good prospects and has achieved a heavy score in practice. It is worth adding the line 1 3.tLlb5!?N .id7! 1 4.tLlxc7 :B:ac8 1 5 .b4 '1Mfxb4 1 6.:B:b1 'IMI'a5 and Black is doing well.

9 ... tlJe7 There are other options, but this is by far the most reliable.

lO.tlJxe5 Virtually every other move will be met by 1 0 . . . c6, giving Black good chances. An exception is if the c3-knight moves somewhere, after which the . . . tLl exd5 trick will be good for Black. 1 O . .ig5 c6! 1 1 .dxc6 ( l l .tLlxe5 cxd5 leads to the main game.) 1 1 . . .tLlxc6 1 2.tLld5 'IMI'd6! 1 3.c4 tLl b4! Black equalizes by exchanging both of his knights: the one on b4 for the bishop on d3, and the one on f6 for the knight on d5. 1 o.'IMI'e 1 c6 (Of course.) Now White has two main ideas. 1 1 . .ig5

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l l . . .cxd5 1 2.exd5 1 2.tLlxe5 tLlxe4 1 3.tLlxe4 dxe4N 1 4.'1Mfxe4 .if5 1 5 .'1Mfxb7 .ixe5 1 6 . .ixe7 :B:b8 is comfortable for Black. 1 2 . . . tLl exd5 1 3.tLlxd5 '1Mfxd5 1 4.'1Mfxe5 '1Mfxe5 1 5 .tLlxe5 Aligeorgiu - Litsas, Piraeus 1 999. Now the easiest reply is: 1 5 . . . tLl d5N Followed by . . ..ie6, with equality.

Chapter 2 - 4.£4 tLl f6 - The Back-up Plan For some reason that is difficult to fathom, this move has only been tried in a single game so far. 1 1 . . .'Wxd6 1 2.tLlc4 Wfe6 This is clearly strongest, especially when you see that 1 2 . . . Wfd8?! 1 3.j,g5 b5 1 4.Ei:xf6! is awkward for Black.

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1 37

the posrnon soon becomes simplified, for instance after 1 8.Wfd2 Wfxd5 1 9.Wff4 Wfg5 20.lt:lb3 a6 2 l .a4 when a draw was agreed in Yamaliev - Schoeneberg, corr. 2002. The later attempt 1 8.b4!? did not change much after 1 8 . . . Wfxd5 1 9.c4 bxc4 20.j,xc4 Wfxd 1 2 l .Ei:axd 1 j,f5 22.b5 Ei:ac8 23.tLlc6 Elc7 24.h3 Ei:e8 25.a4 and once again a draw was agreed in Lazan - Vaassen, Internet 2009.

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1 3 .Wfe l !?N 1 3.a4 b6 14.j,g5 tLl d7 1 5 .'1Mfe2 tLl c5 1 6.lt:le3 lt:lxd3 1 7.Wfxd3 j,b7 ( 1 7 . . . a5!?) 1 8.Ei:ad 1 h6 reached an unclear position in Chandler Rayner, lnnsbruck 1 977. 1 3 . . . b6! The machine suggests 13 . . . b5!?, but after 1 4.lt:la5 the dark squares on the queenside are too weak for my taste. 14.Wfh4 j,a6 1 5 .j,g5 lt:l d7! 15 . . . j,xc4 1 6.j,xc4 Wfxc4 1 7.j,xf6 j,xf6 1 8 .Wfxf6 WieS t 1 9.mh 1 !!adS 20.Ei:ad 1 leaves Black under some pressure, due t o the passive knight on e7. 1 6.Ei:ad 1 f6 Black's chances are no worse in this complex position.

l l . .. cxd5 12.�xf6 Wfb6t 13.c;f{hl �xf6 14.t2Jxd5 tLlxd5 15.tLlc4 Wfc5! This is a rather new development in this line. It used to be common knowledge that Black "had to" play 1 5 . . . Wfd8 . Then again, the Earth was once flat. After 1 6.exd5 b5 1 7.lt:la5 j,h4!

18.c3 It is not clear if White has anything better, although he has tried a few different moves. 1 8.Ei:ab 1 ?! j,b7 1 9 .lt:le3 Ei:ae8! 20.Ei:fe 1 was played in Schleiffer - Jordanov, corr. 1 990. Now a strong improvement for Black is 20 . . ,j,d4!N, when White is unable to hold on to the d5-pawn, leaving Black clearly on top. 1 8 .Wff4 j,a6! (Mter 1 8 . . . Wfxd5 1 9.j,e4 Wfxc4 20.j,xa8 Wfxf4 2 l .�xf4 j,e6 22.j,f3 j,xb2 23.Ei:d 1 Elc8 24.j,d5 White has some pressure since the f7-pawn becomes weak; still, Black should be able to hold it.) 1 9.Ei:ad 1 Wfxd5

The Modern Tiger

1 38

20.lLlxb6 axb6 2 l ..!xa6 '1Mrxa2 22 . .!c4 '1Mrxb2 23 ..!xf7t 'it>h8 24.'1Mre4 A draw was agreed in Chripko - Leroy, corr. 20 1 0. 1 8.lLld2!? This is the most dangerous move, even if it is not objectively the strongest. White has the square intention of protecting the d5-pawn. 1 8 . . . '1Mrb4 1 8 . . . .!b7!? 1 9.c4 f5 ( 1 9 . . . .!xb2 20.lLle4 '1Mre7 2 1 .lLl f6t .!xf6 22.'1Mfxf6 '1Mfxf6 23.l"'xf6 gives White slightly the more comfortable side of a draw) 20.l"i:ab l l"'ae8 We have reached an interesting position where Black has some compensation for the pawn. 1 8 . . . f5!? 1 9.l"i:ab l .!b7 20.c4 reaches the same position. 1 9.lLle4 '1Mrxb2 20.l"i:ae l

18 ....!b7 19.lLle3 It is necessary for White to try to hold on to the extra pawn. Otherwise Black will just be better.

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19 ... £5?!

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This is a slight inaccuracy. The correct move order is 1 9 . . . l"\ae8!N 20.l"i:fe l f5 when White can no longer play .!c4. Mter 2 l ..!c2 f4 22.lLlg4 '1Mfxd5 23 ..!b3 '1Mrxb3 24.axb3 .!xf3 25.gxf3 a5 Black is at least equal in the endgame. White has to watch out for . . . l"'d8d5-b5, when the b3-pawn could become a major liability. a

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20 . . . .!d7! 20 . . . .!f5?! occurred in Kotronias - Timman, Malmo 2007, and now 2 1 .lLld6!N would have been a dangerous challenge to Black's set-up. 2 1 .lLld6?! Better is 2 l .d6 when 2 1 . . .'1Mre5! 22 . .!c4 'it>h8 23.'1Mrd3 Elad8 24.lLlf6 '1Mrc5 25.lLlxd7 l"\xd7 26.l"i:xf7 l"i:fxf7 27 . .!xf7 '1Mrxd6 leads to equality. 2 1 . . .'1Mrb4 22.lLle4 f5 Black had the upper hand in Stets Chatalbashev, Val Thorens 2007.

20 ..!c2 White should have tried 20 . .!c4!? 'it>h8 2 l ..!b3 b5 22.a3 a5 23.lLlc2 Elad8 24.Eiad l when it is unclear whether Black has enough compensation.

20 ... l"i:ae8 20 . . . f4! 2 1 .lLlg4 '1Mrxd5 22 . .!b3 '1Mrxb3 23.axb3 .!xf3 24.gxf3 a5 leads to a position similar to that analysed after 1 9 . . . l"'ae8! above.

21 .l"i:ael .!h6

Chapter 2

-

4.f4 tLl f6 - The Back-up Plan

1 39

29 h5!

8

•.•

The beginning of the end.

7

30.VNf3 h4 3 I.@g2 i.h6 32.:af2 hxg3 33.hxg3 :ae3 0-1

6 5

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2

Igor Glek - Zoltan Ribli

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White should have preferred 22.b4! '1Mfxc3 23.tLlxf5 Wfxf3 24.lZlxh6t Wg7 25.gxf3 l"'xe l 26.2"\xe l j,xd5 27.j,e4 with an equal endgame.

22 ...i.a6 23.tLlc2 .ixfl 24J:hfl i.g7! Gawain rightly keeps the white knight out of d4. Unless White can stir up some trouble on the queenside, Black will just roll over White on the kingside.

25.2"\dl?! It was better to play 25.d6t h8 26.2"\dl :::; e4 27.j,d5 l"'e5 28.j,b7 l"'d8 29.d7, followed by j,c8, when at least Black has something to worry about.

25 Wfd6 26.a4 :ae4 27.g3 @hs 28.VNd3 l"'fe8 29.:ad2 ..•

Germany 1 997

I .e4 d6 2.d4 tLlf6 3.tLlc3 g6 4.£4 i.g7 5.tLlf3 0-0 The variation examined in the present game may be compared with the well-known theoretical position arising after 5 . . . c5 6.dxc5 Wfa5 7.j,d3 '1Mfxc5 8.'1Mfe2 0-0 9.j,e3 '1Mfa5 1 0.0-0 j,g4. It may appear that Glek gets a worse version of this position in this game, but I don't think so; both Wfe2 and j,e3 are stopover moves and - if we compare with the position after 1 0 . . . j,g4 in the game - hl is a move that White is happy to have on the board. All in all, I believe both positions have their ups and downs.

6.i.e2!? This move makes the d4-pawn less weak and thus takes much of the sting out of 6 . . . tLl c6. Therefore we will use a different set-up.

The Modern Tiger

1 40

6 ... c5!

This is the standard operation in the Pirc. If you can get away with it, then it is generally the right thing to do.

7.dxc5 White has two main alternatives: 7.d5 is harmless, and after 7 . . . e6 (7 . . . b5!? is also interesting) 8.dxe6 .ixe6 9.0-0 tt:l c6 1 O.tt:lg5 tt:ld4 Black is at least equal. 7.0-0 cxd4 8.tt:lxd4 Wb6!? 8 ... tt:l c6 leads straight to a Classical Dragon and may transpose after 9 ..ie3 Wb6. 9 . .ie3 tt:l c6 We have transposed to a variation of the Classical Dragon that has long been known to be fine for Black.

1 0 . . . tt:lg4! I recommend this line because it is simple to learn and has few sidelines, as well as being the strongest move. 1 1 . .ixg4 The trick is 1 I .tt:ld5?! .ixd4! 1 2.tt:lxb6 ( 1 2 . .ixg4 .ixe3t 1 3.Wxe3 Wxe3t 14.tt:lxe3 .ixg4 1 5.tt:lxg4 tt:l b4 is comfortable for Black) 1 2 ... .ixe3t 1 3.cj;lh1 .ixb6 1 4 ..ixg4 .ixg4 1 5 .f5 .ih5 1 6.h3 gxf5 17.exf5 f6 and Black's three minor pieces clearly outmatch the white queen. 1 I . . ..ixd4 1 2 . .ixd4 Wxd4t 1 3.Wxd4 tt:lxd4 1 4 ..id 1 l':i:d8 1 5 .tt:ld5 e6 1 6.tt:lc7 l':i:b8 1 7.c3 tt:l c6 1 8 . .ib3 cj;lfg Black had easy equality in M. Petrov P.H. Nielsen, Helsingor 20 1 1 .

7 ...�a5 8.0-0 After 8.cxd6?! tt:lxe4 9.dxe7 l':i:e8 1 0.0-0 tt:lxc3 1 l .bxc3 l':i:xe7 Black has some advantage due to his better pawn structure.

8 ...�xc5t 9.cj;lhl tlJc6 Black is planning to continue with . . . .ig4, and the knight is helping to control e5 without obstructing the bishop. a

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1 0.Wd3 This is the usual and best move, but there are a few trick lines barely worth mentioning. 1 O.e5 is foiled by the well-known line: 1 0 . . . dxe5 1 l.fxe5 tt:lxe5 1 2.tt:lf5 Wxb2 1 3.tt:lxe7t cj;lhs 1 4 . .id4 Wb4!+ This is worth remembering, as 1 O.e5 could be confusing for the unprepared. I O.Wd2 allows Black's trick: 1 o . . . tt:lxe4! 1 1 .tt:lxc6 Wxc6 1 2.tt:lxe4 Wxe4 White has insufficient compensation. 1 0.tt:la4 is a feeble try to provoke a repetition with 1 0 ... Wa5 1 1 .tt:lc3 Wb6. Let's instead go: 1 0 . . . Wb4 1 l .c3 Wa500

The main alternative is: 9 . . . tt:l bd7 10 . .id3 b6 1 1 .We 1 .ib7 12 . .ie3 (Black is well placed to meet 1 2.f5 with 12 . . . 2':\aeS 1 3 .Wh4 e6 when he obtains good counterplay.) Here Moskalenko points out that 1 2 . . . Wc6?! 1 3.tt:ld4 Wc8 1 4.Wh4 tt:lc5 1 5 .f5 is clearly better for White. Possibly 12 . . . Wh5 is an improvement, but I would not aim for this position unless I had it well figured out in advance.

10.�d3 Attempting to launch a quick attack with 1 0.We 1 .ig4! 1 1 .Wh4?! leads nowhere: 1 1 . . .2':\acS 1 2.a3 ( 1 2.h3 .ixf3 1 3 . .ixf3 tt:l d4 1 4 . .id 1 b5 1 5 .a3 a5 gives Black a strong initiative.) 1 2 . . . Wh5 1 3.Wf2 tt:l a5 Black is

Chapter 2 - 4.f4 tt:l f6 - The Back-up Plan doing well. White should avoid 1 4.Wxa7 on account of 14 .. J:hc3! 1 S .bxc3 lLlxe4, when ... lLlg3t, ... lLlxc3 and ... .txc3 are one threat too many for White to deal with.

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10 ...i.g4 l l .'?Nel gac8

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l l ... .txf3 is considered to be the main line, but I see absolutely no reason to exchange so soon. 12.:9:xf3 lLlb4 ( 1 2 . . . lLl d7!? is a better try here, intending ... WaS and ... lLlcS.) 1 3.fS!

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White a tempo, but also deprives his pieces of the h3-square. A more tempting alternative is: 1 1 . . .:9:fc8!? This is similar to the game, but it gives Black the option of retreating his queen to d8 without disconnecting the rooks, in the style of the Accelerated Dragon.

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141

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This is awkward for Black according to Moskalenko, and although I would take his word for it (when it comes to a position that depends on understanding) , a small part of his evidence ought to be quoted: 1 3 ... lLlg4 14.Wh4 hS 1 S . .tgS e6 1 6.:9:afl and Black is defenceless. This might well be the case. In any event, Black should at least wait for h2-h3 before exchanging on f3. This not only costs

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1 2.a3!? This seems more dangerous than 1 2 . .te3 WaS 1 3.lLld2 ( 1 3 .Wh4 WhS!) 1 3 ... .td7 1 4.lLlc4 Wd8. Black is already pretty comfortable, and after 1 S .Wh4?! lLl b4 White is suddenly in trouble due to the threat to take on c2. 1 6.lLla3 WaS 17 ..td2 lLlxd3 1 8.cxd3 bS 19.eS b4 20.lLlc4 Now in Chandler Ivanchuk, Reykjavik 1 99 1 , Black could have claimed a clear advantage with 20 ... Wa6!N. Returning to the main line, White's idea is to make a quality waiting move. What should Black do? 1 2 . . . :9:ab8!? 12 ... a6 runs into 1 3.lLla4!, and 12 ... lLl d7 is met by 1 3.lLld2! when the bishop looks lonely on g4. The rook move seems like a good way to continue this cat-and-mouse game. The critical continuation is: 1 3 ..te3 WhS! 1 3 ... WaS 1 4.b4 Wd8 1 S .bS ttJaS 1 6 . .txa7 leads to hairy complications that seem to favour White.

142

The Modern Tiger

12 ...Wfa5 13.a3 �fd8 1 3 . . . Ei:fe8!? is a good alternative, planning 14.h3 .ixf3 1 5 .Ei:xf3 lt:J d7 with a better version of the 1 5 . . . lt:J d7 line mentioned below.

14.h3 Mter 1 4.lt:Jd2 Wfh5!? Black is again planning to advance the d-pawn. b

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14 ..Lf3 15.�xf3

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1 4.h3 14 . .ie2 b5!? 1 5 .�gl b4 1 6.axb4 Ei:xb4 intending 1 7.h3 .ixh3! 1 8.gxh3 Wfxh3 is excellent for Black. 14.f5!? is interesting, but after 1 4 . . . gxf5 1 5 .exf5 .ixf5 1 6 . .ixf5 Wfxf5 17.lt:Jd4 Wfg6 1 8.lt:Jf5 'it>h8! White does not have enough for the pawn. 14 . . . d5! 1 5 .e5 .ixf3 16.Ei:xf3 d4 17.exf6 .ixf6 1 8.lt:Je4 dxe3 The position remains about equal. a

15 ... e6

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In this position the thematic 1 5 ... d5?! 1 6.e5 d4 does not quite work: 1 7.exf6 exf6 ( 1 7 . . . .ixf6 1 8.b4 Wfc7 1 9.lt:Jb5 Wfd7 20 ..if2 a6 2 l .a4 axb5 22.axb5 is also a bit better for White.) 1 8.b4! Wfc7 1 9.b5 lt:Jb8 20.b6 Wfxb6 2 l ..if2 Ei:xc3 22.Wfxc3 dxc3 23 ..ixb6 axb6 24.�d l White has some winning chances in the endgame.

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1 2.a3!? Just like after l l . . .Ei:fc8, this waiting move may be White's best. This time 1 2 . . . a6 is a good response, as there will be no knight fork on b6. 1 3 . .ie3 Wfa5 1 4.Ei:b l Ei:fd8!? Preparing . . . d5-d4. 1 5 . .igl .ixf3 1 6.Ei:xf3 e6 Black is well positioned to continue with . . . d5.

Since White has played h2-h3 (meaning it is no longer possible to continue with Ei:h3 and Wfh4) , it is a good moment to retreat the knight from f6, so I propose 1 5 . . . lt:J d7!N 16 . .id2 �e8!? as a valid improvement.

16.Wfgl!? The engines love to jump into lines like 1 6.b4 Wfc7 1 7.lt:Jb5, but after 1 7 . . . Wfb8 Black is well coordinated and ready to take the initiative in the centre.

Chapter 2 - 4.f4 lLl f6 - The Back-up Plan

16 ... ttJe8 17.ttJdl?! This is far too slow. Critical is: 1 7.lLlb5! i.xb2 ( 1 7 ... lLl c7 1 8.lLlxa7 lLlxa7 1 9.i.b6 '1Wa4 20.i.xa7 i.xb2 2 l .E:b l i.xa3 22.E:xb7 i.c5 23.i.xc5 dxc5 24.'1Wxc5 lLld5 25 .'\Wgl lLl b4 26.f5 is also slightly better for White.) 1 8.E:b l i.g7 1 9.lLlxa7 lLlxa7 20.i.xa7 '1Wxa3 2 l .f5 White keeps some advantage here, but we have already seen plenty of improvements and alternatives on previous turns for Black.

1 43

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21. e5 22.f5!?

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•.

Possibly 22.c3 is better, but White is struggling anyway.

22 e4 23.i.e2 gxf5 24.g5?! •..

White is still in the game after 24.c3 intending 24 . . . fxg4?! 25 .i.g5! E:f8 26.lLle3 with compensation for the pawn. Black should instead play 24 . . . E:f8! 25.gxf5 �h8 with some advantage.

24 ... ttJd7 25.E:xf5 ttJde5 26.ttJfl ttJe7 27.E:f6 lb7g6 Ribli is playing it safe (just like I would have done) and stays away from 27 . . . '\Wxc2 28.E:el i.xf6 29.gxf6t lLl7g6 30.lLlg4 lLlf3 which also wins, although it is hard to control for a human.

19.exf6? White should have preferred 1 9.b4! '1Wc7 20.b5 d4 2 Li.f2 lLle7 22.i.xd4 g5 when chaos breaks out, but White has the better chances.

19 ttJxf6 20J�fl?! .•.

Glek points out that 20.b4 '1Wc7 2 l .b5 e5 is good for Black.

20 '1Wc7 21.g4?! ••.

This only makes matters worse, but it was hard for White to find a good move.

The Modern Tiger

1 44

28 ..id4? 28.c3!? is the best try to keep things complicated.

In the final game of the chapter we will see what happens if White plays a waiting game with an early a2-a3.

' ,;'1

28 ... �c6

2

. .. . ... . .. ... ... .......::,;;;;;

Now Black is clearly in the driver's seat, although the drama is not yet over.

David Howell - Jon Speelman

29.�g4 �xd4 30.Y!Yxd4 Y!Yg3 31..ifl gxc2 32.gdl �h8 33.Y!Yxa7 �e5 34.Y!Yb6

London 2003

Le4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.�c3 d6 4.£4 �f6 s.�a 5.a3 does not change anything, as after 5 . . . 0-0 White does not have anything better than 6.lZ'lf3 leading to the game.

5 ... 0-0

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This is such a bad move that I am still not sure if it should be attributed to a mess-up with the scoresheet. 34 .. .1'%e8 just wins.

It is hard to even imagine that this move can be critical to the whole variation, but I believe it is. The point is that the natural developing moves (6 . .ie3, 6 . .id3 and 6 . .ie2) all give away information, enabling Black to choose an appropriate way to strike at White's centre. This is an important point which puts the next move into context.

6.a3!? Now we suddenly have very little information about what kind of set-up White is aiming for. 8

35.Y!Ye3?? 35 J�xd5 creates the serious threat of E:d8t. This forces Black to go on the defensive with 35 . . . lZk6, which in turn leads to a draw after 36.'1Mfxb7 E:b8 37.'1Mfxg7t �xg7 38.E:d7t �g8 39.lZ'lh6t �h8 40.ltlf7t �g8 4 1 .lZ'lh6t.

35 ...gh2t 36.�xh2 Y!Yxe3 37.ge6 �f3 38.�g4 Y!YxgS 39.gb6 d4 40 .ig2 h5 41.�fl gel 0-1 •

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l �L_���� a

6... �a6!

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This is the most reliable move.

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Chapter 2 - 4.f4 tt:l f6 - The Back-up Plan 6 . . . b6 7.i.d3 i.b7 8.0-0 c5 9.d5 reaches a Benoni structure where a2-a3 is a waste of a move, but so are . . . b6 and . . . i.b7. I believe this is to White's advantage. There have been some tests on 6 . . . c5 lately, when 7.dxc5 Wla5 8 .b4 Wfd8 9.2"\b l tt'lfd7 10.Wfd2 dxc5 l l .e5 tt'l c6!? is one unexplored possibility that seems promising for Black. I will keep my eyes on the developments here, but it seems too early to recommend it.

7 .ie3 .

This is the main line, and a logical choice, since the black knight does not normally go to a6 against the i.e3 set-up.

145

9 . . . e6 weakens d6, and after 1 0.e5 tt'l d7 l l .tt'le4 Wfe7 1 2.i.d2 Black had trouble defending the dark squares in Groszpeter ­ F. Arnold, Zalakaros 1 995. 1 0.b4 1 0.e5 tt'ld7 l l .b4 c5 is fine for Black, since 1 2.bxc5?! dxc5 1 3.d5 tt'l b6 loses a pawn for White. 1 0 . . . c5 l l .bxc5 dxc5 1 2.e5 1 2.d5? is refuted by 12 ... tt:lxd5!. 12 . . . tt'ld7 The position is starting to open up nicely for Black's bishop pair. The most dangerous alternative is: 7.e5!? tt'ld7

By contrast, 7.i.d3?! makes no sense at all, since 7 . . . c5 8 .d5 tt'l c7 leads to a position where Black is almost a tempo up on the popular 6.i.d3 tt:la6 line, since a2-a3 is of little value. A possible continuation is 9.0-0 b5, when White is already struggling to keep his centre protected. A hitherto underestimated alternative is 7.i.xa6!? bxa6 8.0-0 How Black should continue? 8 . . . i.b7 9.Wfe2

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Now a) 8.i.e3 has been played, but it is also important to consider b) 8 .h4!?N. a) 8 .i.e3 c5 9.i.xa6 cxd4 1 0.i.xd4 dxe5 l l .fXe5 bxa6 1 2.Wfe2

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9 . . . Wfc8!N With the triple purpose of preparing . . . c5, defending the light squares and preparing . . . aS and . . . i.a6.

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The Modern Tiger

1 2 . . . lt:l b6! A clear improvement over 12 . . . �b7?! 1 3.0-0-0 1Wa5 1 4.e6 which was good for White in Sedina - I. Marin, Plovdiv 2008. 1 3.0-0-0 1Wc7 1 4.h4 h5 It is a bad omen for White that she has struck a dead end on the kingside. Could White's position already be beyond saving? 1 5 .'it>b 1 White should try to get the knights active with 1 5 .�xb6 axb6 1 6.lt:ld5 1Wb7 1 7.lt:lg5, although Black is still better after 1 7 ... �h6.

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1 5 . . . E!:b8 1 6.\t>a1 E!:d8 1 7.lt:le4 �f5 1 8.E!:he 1 lt:l c4 1 9.lt:lc5?! lt:lxa3! 20.bxa3 E!:xd4 2 1 .E!:xd4 1Wxc5 Black was winning in Sedina - Gulko, Rockville 20 1 3 . b ) 8.h4!?

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the chapter. Here the insertion of a2-a3 and . . . lt:l a6 makes a certain difference. 8 . . . c5! 9.h5 9.�e3!? cxd4 1 0.�xd4 dxe5 1 1 .fxe5 lt:l db8! 12.1We2 lt:lc6 1 3.0-0-0 �g4 1 4.1We4 1Wc8 1 5 .h5 E!:d8 leads to an unclear position. I find it quite unbelievable that no one has tested this yet. 9 . . . cxd4 1 0.1Wxd4 dxe5 1 1 .1Wf2 Now Black may consider a different kind of defence than in the positions without a2-a3 and . . . lt:l a6.

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1 1 . . .exf4!? 1 1 . . .e4 is playable too: 1 2.lt:lxe4 ( 1 2.lt:lg5 lt:lf6 1 3.hxg6 hxg6 14.�e3 �g4 is complex, but should be fine for Black.) 12 . . . lt:l f6 1 3.lt:lxf6t exf6 14.�e3 E!:e8 1 5 .�d3 1We7! 1 6.'it>d2 E!:d8 1 7.�d4 �g4 1 8.E!:ae 1 1Wd6 I will have to stop here and call it unclear. 1 2.hxg6 fxg6! 1 3 .1Wh4 h5 1 4.�c4t 1 4.�xf4 lt:l b6 1 5 .�d3 �f5 1 6.0-0-0 1Wc8 is fine for Black according to the engines. 1 4 . . . e6 1 5 .1Wxd8 E!:xd8 1 6.�xf4 tt'l b6 1 7.�d3

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So far no one has tested this move, which can be compared to Game 1 7 at the start of a

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Chapter 2 - 4.f4 tlJ f6 - The Back-up Plan 1 7 . . . e5 1 8 . .ig5 :B:xd3! 1 9.cxd3 tlJc5 Followed by . . . if5, with great compensation.

equal but somewhat boring position for Black. 1 o . . . :B:xd8 1 1 .ic4

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7 . . . b6!? is an interesting alternative, but after 8.e5 tlJg4 9.Wfe2 c5 1 0.0-0-0 White has the initiative. This kind of position is all right for Black if he is able to take on e3 and open up the centre. Here, however, the knight on a6 makes this scenario unlikely, and White will obtain a strong attack with h4-h5 .

8.b6 White has a few other options. 8.e5!? has not yet been tested. Play may continue: 8 . . . tlJg4 9 . .ig1 cxd4 1 0 ..ixd4 ( 1 0.Wfxd4 dxe5 1 1 .fxe5 lZ:lxe5! 1 2.ll:lxe5 Wfc? 1 3.lLld5 Wfxe5t 1 4.Wfxe5 ixe5 1 5 .lZ:lxe7t �g7 1 6.0-0-0 ig4 1 7.:B:e 1 f6 is balanced.) 10 . . . dxe5 1 1 .fxe5 lZ:lc7 1 2.h3 lZ:lh6 1 3.g4 f5 1 4.exf6 exf6 1 5 .ic4t lZ:l f7 1 6.0-0 ie6 White might come to regret the liberal use of pawn moves in front of the king. 8.dxc5 gives Black a choice between the reliable a) 8 . . . lZ:lxc5 and the interesting novelty b) 8 . . . ll:lg4!?N. a) 8 ... ll:lxc5 9.ixc5 dxc5 1 0.Wfxd8?! Better is 1 0.e5N ll:lh5 1 1 .g3 .ig4 with an

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1 1 . . . b5!! A splendid idea that, sadly, did not get the right follow-up. 12.ixb5 ib?!N 1 2 . . . :B:b8? 1 3.e5 gave White some advantage in Illescas Cordoba - Sznapik, Thessaloniki 1 988. 1 3 .id3 c4 1 4.ixc4 lZ:lxe4 1 5 .lZ:lxe4 .ixe4 1 6 ..ixf7t 'tt> f8 1 7 . .ib3 .ixb2 With some advantage for Black. b) 8 . . . ll:lg4!?N 9 . .id4 After 9.ig1 ?! ixc3t 1 0.bxc3 ll:lxc5 Black is already better.

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9 . . . e5! 1 0 ..ig1 1 0.fxe5 dxc5 1 1 .ig1 lZ:lxe5 is decent for Black; the machine offers the interesting tactical finesse 1 2 ..ixa6 Wfb6!?.

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10 ... exf4! l l .cxd6 E!:e8 1 2.Wfd3 �xc3t 1 3.bxc3 Wfa5 After 1 3 . . .�f5 14.tLld2 tLl f6 1 5.0-0-0 I find the d-pawn somewhat disturbing.

b) 1 O.h3 tLlf6! is Moskalenko's improvement. Best play continues 1 l .e5! ( l l .dxc5 �b7 is excellent for Black) 1 1 . . .tLlh5! 12.�h2 cxd4 1 3.Wfxd4 �b7 1 4.0-0-0 �xf3 1 5.gxf3 Wfd7 with an unclear position.

9 ..ixd4 bxa6 10.0-0 .ih7 8

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14.md2! 1 4.Wfd4 �d7 1 5 .�d3 E!:ac8 is highly unclear, and just the kind of thing I would normally be looking for. 1 4 . . . lt:l c5 1 5 .�xc5 Wfxc5 1 6.Wfd4 Wfxd4t 1 7.cxd4 E!:xe4 1 8.�c4 h6 The insanity is nearing an end. White will lose the d6-pawn but pick up the f4-pawn, resulting in an endgame with balanced chances.

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8 . . . lt:lg4!? is a playable alternative, when 9.�g1 bxa6 gives White a choice: a) 1 0.dxc5 �xc3t 1 l .bxc3 Wfc7! and Black has no complaints.

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Another option for White is 1 l .Ei:e 1 , when 1 1 . . .E!:e8! prepares . . . e5 and leads to a good game for Black. A more critical test is 1 1 .Wi'd3, overprotecting e4 and preparing f4-f5 . Black has a good answer in 1 l . . .Wfc7 1 2.E!:ad 1 E!:ac8!, aiming to exchange queens on c4, when 1 3.f5 Wfc4 14.Wfe3 e5! 1 5 .fxe6 fxe6 is about equal. There may be other decent ways for Black to treat the position, but this line has the advantage of being relatively forcing. Another logical plan is: l l .Wi'e l Intending to put the queen on h4 and go for an attack. l l . . .E!:e8!N l l . . .a5?! 1 2.E!:dl ( 1 2.Wfh4?! e5! 1 3.fxe5 lt:lxe4 is fine for Black) 12 . . .Wfc8 1 3.Wfh4 h6 was played in Vega Gutierrez - Lahno, Benidorm 2008, and here White could have gained an advantage with 1 4.�xf6 exf6

Chapter 2

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4.f4 tt:J f6 - The Back-up Plan

1 5 .f5. I recommend that you keep your focus in these positions, as it can easily go wrong for Black. 1 1 ...tt:Jh5!?N can also be played, in analogy with the main game. However, I prefer the rook move, a useful prophylactic step which is directed against Wfh4. 1 2J':l:d1 1 2.Wfh4? e5! reveals Black's idea.

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l l . . .ltJh5!? This slightly surprising move works rather well.

12.Wfd2 After 1 2.ixg7 cjj>xg7 1 3.f5 Wfb6t 1 4.\t>h1 Black should go for 1 4 ... !'\acS (14 ... Wfxb2 1 5 .!'\ab 1 Wfxc3 1 6.!'\xb7 gives White too much activity) 1 5 .!'\ab 1 lLJf6 with a good position.

12 ...i.h6! 13.i.e3 llJf6 It is already hard to offer good advice for White. When his initiative inevitably fades, Black will have the favourable structure. 8

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1 2 . . . l"k8 1 3.Wfh4? Once again we will see that this move is tactically flawed. 1 3.f5 is better, although 1 3 . . . Wfa5! offers Black sufficient counterplay. 1 3 . . . ixe4! 1 4.lLJg5? This is the move White would like to play, but it does not work. Alternatives leave White a pawn down for insufficient compensation. 14 . . . ixc2 1 5 .ixf6? exf6 1 6.Wfxh7t cjj> fs Black is winning.

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Neither does 1 4.e5 lLlg4 1 5 .!'\ad 1 l"\e8! fully solve White's problems.

14...Wfb6! Further exchanges are to Black's advantage.

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Black is clearly better in the endgame, and Speelman skilfully converts his advantage.

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The Modern Tiger

1 50

Conclusion

f g h 2Vlijfl tlJh5 23.fxg6 hxg6 24.g3 tlJg7 25J�5e2 tlJf5 26J�f2 �d6 27.g4 tlJd4 28.�e3 �f6 29.�xf6 exf6 30.�d3 tlJxc2 3I.@f2 b5 32.tlJe3 tlJxe3 33.@xe3 @e7 34.�d4 @e6 35.�d8 f5 36.g5 �c4 a

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White's best defence was 37.ttJe2 l'!e4t 38.�f2 f4 39.h4, although 39 . . . l'!c4 40.b3 l'!c2 4 l .�e 1 �e7 should win for Black eventually.

37 ... �xd4 3S.@xd4 f4 39.tlJe4 i.aS 40.h4 @f5 4I.tlJf2 f3 42.@e3 a5 43.tlJd3 @g4 44.tlJf2t @xh4 45.@£4 i.b7 46.tlJd3 @h3 47.@e3 @g3 4S.tlJf2 i.d5 49.b4 axb4 50.axb4 i.aS 5 I.tlJd3 i.b7 52.@d2 f2 53.@e2 .tat 0-1

Black can choose between many different systems against the Austrian, but the 5 . . . 0-0 set-up advocated in this chapter is the one that requires the least work to learn, and continual updates will not be necessary. The main threats to Black's set-up are seen in Games 1 8 and 20. Personally I find the symmetrical lines in Game 2 1 a bit annoying, since they give little room for White to mess things up, but the nice thing about the Pirc (and Modern) is that even the equal positions tend to have enough imbalances to keep things interesting.

Chapter 3 a

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.lLlc3 d6 4.i.e3 a6 5.g4!? Game 3 1 5.h4 lLJf6 6.f3 b5 7.'?Nd2 h5 8.0-0-0 c6! Game 27 s.VNd2 5 ... lLld7 6.f3 b5 7.a4 Game 32 6.a4 b6 Game 34 6.h4 6 ...h5 Game 26 6 h6 Game 28 s ... h5! 6.0-0-0 i.h7! Game 29 6.f3 i.b7 7.g4!? Game 30 6.a4 Game 33

184 161 187 197 153 169

•.•

Notes to Game 27 - after 1 1 .f4!?

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Game 27 - after 1 2 .l"lh 1

Game 28 - after 14 .ltg 1 ? .

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1 52

The Modern Tiger

If you expect this chapter to be about a young orphaned boy who learns Kung Fu and takes on the world, you will be disappointed. This variation has more in common with the Invisible Man - leaving the knight on g8 and the king in the centre is really just a way of staying invisible, not showing the opponent your body or where to strike. The Flexible Dragon Unleashed is the first of two Dragon siblings that have the first four moves in common.

l.e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.lLlc3 d6 4.�e3 In a little over 1 50 games with the Modern so far, my opponents have played 4.�e3 in nearly 70 of them. It is by far the most popular move. With this move White enters the Flexible Variation: flexible in the sense that White is playing with hidden cards and can still choose between a number of different set-ups. It is up to Black to find a move that is good enough to fit in against any of 5.lLlf3, 5 .f4, or 5 .'1Wd2 followed by f2-f3 and h2-h4. I believe there is only one such move.

4 . . . c6 prepares . . . b5, but I do not like Black's position after 5.f4!. The reason is that it will take longer for Black to achieve . . . c6-c5 compared to the 4 . . . a6 lines, as after . . . b5 and . . . l2Jd7 Black will either have to weaken the light squares on the queenside by playing ... b4, or spend additional time on . . . a6, when 4 . . . c6 will prove a tempo loss. Only if White plays an early "lNd2 and a2-a4 can I see Black benefitting from this move order.

5.�d2 This move is by far the most common, but not necessarily the most dangerous. The aggressive 5.f4 leads back to Chapter 1 , but 5.h4!? is tricky and 5.lLlf3 is a dangerous option that will be dealt with in the next chapter. s ... hs

In Tiger's Modern I recommended a move order beginning with 5 . . . l2Jd7, but I have since come to change my priorities.

4... a6!? This move introduces the Flexible Dragon. With pawns on g6, d6 and a6, the structure resembles the back of a dragon and the g7bishop is preparing to breathe fire on the d4pawn. Black intends to continue with . . . b5, ... l2J d7 and ... c7-c5 , exchanging the c-pawn for the one on d4 and thus reaching a Sicilian Dragon structure. To appreciate the advantages of Black's last move, let us briefly consider a couple of sensible alternatives. 4 . . . l2J f6 is pretty straightforward, but it gives White excellent attacking chances after "lNd2, 0-0-0 and �h6. This line is not as clear as it once seemed, but I still prefer to avoid it.

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There are many possible plans from here, which can be summarized as follows:

White plays an early h2-h4, intending to meet ... h5 with �h3-g5 (Games 26 and 27) The first game shows how Black can cope with the knight on g5 , by delaying castling, slowly developing his queenside pieces, and finally

Chapter 3

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

Sreaking with . . . c5 when fully prepared. In the second game Black plays an early . . . lt'l f6 and keeps his bishop on c8, in order to eliminate rhe knight when it arrives on h3.

Black meets h2-h4 with ... h6 (Game 28) This provocative-looking plan is not a bad alternative, especially considering that there is little to fear from an early f2-f4. 0--0-0 and fl-f.3 with tLlge2 (Game 29) \Vhen White makes some developing moves before advancing his kingside pawns, Black gets a good game with the typical plan of . . . b5, . . . ib7, ... lt'ld7, ... l"k8 and ... c5. White plays g2-g4 before h2-h4 (Game 30) \Vhen White opts for an early g2-g4, Black should proceed with the usual plan on the queenside. When h2-h4 is played, Black may respond with either . . . h6 or . . . h5, the choice depending on certain details, as explained in the notes to Game 30. White plays a quick g2-g4 followed by i.g2

(Game 3 1 ) This is an interesting hybrid, starting with ie3 before switching to an extended fianchetto. In the main game I obtained a good position with the provocative . . . lt'lc6, but today I would prefer the standard plan of . . . b5 and . . . ib7, as given in the notes.

White meets b5 with a2-a4, and after b4 then tLldl, c2-c3, i.d3, tLle2 etc. •..

•.•

(Games 32 and 33) In Game 32 Black develops his knight to d7 early, and thus is able to follow ... b4 with . . . c5. In Game 33 White prevents this by meeting 5 ... b5 with the immediate 6.a4, so that after 6 ... b4 7.lZ'l d 1 , Black has to lose a tempo with ... a5 . On the flip side, Black may develop his knight to the more active c6-square rather than d7.

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If Black delays b5, preventing it with 6.a4 .•.

(Game 34) Even though Black can avoid this plan with my recommended move order, Game 34 is still worth checking, as it demonstrates some interesting possibilities in the Benoni pawn structure.

Switching plans with tlJB This leads to the Flexible Dragon Restrained, as covered in the next chapter. We will start by dealing with one of the most critical lines, where White launches the h-pawn in "Plan A" style and delays f2-f3 until it is necessary.

Artyom Timofeev - Tiger Hillarp Persson Gothenburg 2005

l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.tLlc3 d6 4.i.e3 a6 I read somewhere that some other chess authors had speculated about me giving up the . . . a6 lines in the Modern. Have they even looked at my games? I do indeed play the Pirc move order from time to time, and have also experimented with 3 . . . c6, as well as 2 . . . d6 and 3 . . . c6 delaying . . . ig7, but this does not mean that I stopped playing the 4 . . . a6 lines. For example, in the present position I have played 4 ... c6 twice in the last seven years. Crucially, I have only done so against players who are known to favour the plan with h2-h4 and lt'lg5, in which case Black has more use for . . . c6 than . . . a6. However, I have also played 4 . . . a6 sixteen(!) times during that same period. So why do I not recommend 4 . . . c6? Because I believe it to be complete rubbish against 5.f4!.

5.\'Nd2 lZ'ld7

The Modern Tiger

1 54

I have since stopped playing this move order. Nowadays I would prefer 5 . . . b5, and after 6.h4 it is worth examining two ideas: a) 6 . . . h5 is obvious, but not best. White can play: 7.tt:lh3 (7.tt:lf3!? tt:ld7 [7 . . . tt:l f6!? intending tt:lg4 might be better] 8.tt:lg5 c6 transposes to the main game.) 7 . . . i.xh3 8.l:!xh3

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8 . . . tt:l f6?! 9.f3 This was the actual move order in Zhou - Hillarp Persson, London 20 1 2 (quoted in the note to White's 1 2th move in Game 27) . Instead of White's last move, it would have been strong to play 9.a4! b4 1 0.tt:ld5 tt:lxe4 l l .'Wxb4 with some advantage. b) Instead Black should play 6 ... tt:lf6!, when 7.f3 transposes to Game 27.

6.h4 The point of combining this move with a later a2-a4 is to provoke . . . h5 in order to plant a knight on g5, reducing any subsequent minor-piece traffic congestion in the centre.

6 h5 7.tLlh3 •••

7.a4 tt:lgf6! (7 . . . b6 8.tt:lh3 c5 9.i.c4 is dangerous for Black, so he needs to speed up development) 8.f3 (8.0-0-0 b5!) 8 . . . b6 9.lLlh3 c5 1 0.tt:lg5 cxd4 1 l .i.xd4 i.b7 leads to a balanced game. It is troublesome for White to combine a2-a4 and long castling. An older game of mine continued: 7.tt:lf3!? tt:lgf6!? Not a bad move, although nowadays I would prefer 7 . . . b5 . 8.e5 My idea was 8.tt:lg5 tt:lg4, exchanging off the dark-squared bishop. Then 9.i.c4 0-0 1 0.i.xf7t!? l:!xf7 l l .tt:le6 'We8 1 2.tt:lxc7 'Wd8 1 3.tt:lxa8 b5 is unclear. 8 . . . tt:lg4 9.e6 fxe6 1 0.i.d3 tt:lf8 1 1 .0-0-0 i.d7?! Stronger was l l .. .c6!N, intending ... a5-a4 followed by . . . 'Wa5, when it is an open affair. 1 2.:!:!he l White had fine compensation for the pawn in Hodgson - Hillarp Persson, Yerevan (ol) 1 996.

7 b5 s.tt:Jgs ..•

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I encountered a rare and interesting plan in 2008 : 8 .0-0-0 c6 9.f3 9.tt:lg5 transposes to the note to White's next move in the main game. 9 . . . '1Wc7 1 O.g4!? 1 0.tt:lg5 transposes as before. 1 0 . . . hxg4 1 l .fxg4 tt:lgf6 After 1 l . . .b4!? 1 2.tt:la4 tt:ldf6 1 3.tt:lg5 tt:lxg4! ( 1 3 . . . i.xg4 1 4.l:!e 1 t) 14.e5 dxe5 1 5 .dxe5 tt:lxe3 1 6.'1Wxe3 i.xe5 1 7.'it>b1 Black may

Chapter 3 - Flexible Dragon Unleashed well be objectively better, but sacrificing development to go pawn-hunting has never been my style. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 b

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8 ... c6! This is somewhat paradoxical, considering that Black has already played . . . a6, but it is clearly stronger than 8 . . . �b7 9.0-0-0, when White has a big threat in e4-e5 . Black has nothing better than 9 . . . c6, after which 1 0.e5 dxe5 l l .dxe5 �xe5 1 2.f4!? (there is also 1 2.lt:Jxf7 �xf7 1 3.1Mfxd7 1Mfxd7 14.1"i:xd7 �c8 1 5 .1"i:d8 �c7 1 6.1"i:d2 lt:Jf6 with a slight endgame advantage to White) 1 2 . . . �g7 1 3.�d3 lt:Jgf6 1 4.f5 gxf5 1 5 .�xf5 is unpleasant for Black.

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1 2.g5 1 2.lt:Jf2 is met by 1 2 . . . lt:J b6 1 3.1Mfe2 b4 14.lt:J b l lt:J fd7! intending . . . c5, when Black has the initiative. 1 2 . . . lt:Jh5 I was afraid that my knight would be shipwrecked after 1 2 . . . lt:Jg4!? 1 3.�g l ! 1"i:xh4 14.�e2, but the engine believes Black can survive this with 14 . . . lt:Jf8!. 13.1Mff2 �b7?! I like Black after 13 ... lt:J b6! 1 4.\t>b l lt:J c4 1 5 .�c l Wfa5 1 6.lt:Je2 c5 . 14.�e2 The game was balanced in Briscoe - Hillarp Persson, Liverpool 2008.

The most critical line in the entire h4/ . . . h5 complex begins with: 9.0-0-0! Now Black has to choose where to put the queen. 9 . . .1Mfc7! 9 . . . 1Mfa5 is superficial; the queen is generally better placed on c7. Try to remember this. l O.�bl lt:Jgf6 l l .f3 ( l l .f4!?) l l . . .�b7 Black intends . . . 1"i:c8 and . . . c5, perhaps with castling thrown in somewhere. Black is doing okay, but I would rather have this position with the queen on c7. 8 7 6 5

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1 0.f3 1 0.g3!? tt:lgf6 l l .�h3?! lt:Jb6! is nice for Black. After 1 O.f4 ltJ b6 l l .�e2 lt:Jh6!? Black has a grip on the light squares and can contemplate . . . d5. ( l l . . .lt:J f6 1 2.e5 lt:J fd5 1 3.e6 �xe6 1 4.lt:Jxe6 fxe6 is unclear.)

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1 o . .tf4!? should be taken seriously. 1 0 . . . e5! This is an uncommon move in these positions but, since White has wasted time with the bishop, Black can afford it. (After 1 O . . . e6?! it is unlikely that Black will be able to go much longer without playing . . . e5 anyway.) 1 l .dxe5 dxe5 12.i.e3 lt:lgf6 1 3 .i.e2 i.b7 If you think about this position with two extra tempos for White, you will understand why . . . e5 is not a move for every occasion. 14.�d6 �xd6 1 5 .Ei:xd6 i.f8 1 6.Ei:d2 lt:lc5 1 7.f3 i.e? 1 8.a3 aS Black has equalized. 1 0 . . . lt:J gf6 1 1 . b 1 ! 1 l .�f2 b4! 1 2.lt:Je2 c5 1 3.dxc5 lt:lxc5 1 4.e5 b3!! is promising for Black. 1 I . . . .tb7! 1 1 . . .0-0 1 2.g4! is dangerous as usual. The engine does not mind Black's position at first, but comes to its senses later. 1 I ...lt:lb6!? 1 2.e5!? is something to look out for if you put the knight on b6. Black now has a choice between exchanging on e5 immediately or a bit later. Both lines are quite complex and slightly better for White.

1 2.f4!? lt:lg4 1 3.e5 lt:lb6 1 4.lt:lce4 ( 1 4.e6?! f5!, followed by ... b4 and ... c5 , is great for Black.) 1 4 . . . i.c8!? 1 5 .i.d3 f6 1 6.lt:lf3 ( 1 6.exf6 exf6 1 7.d5 0-0 1 8 .lt:le6 i.xe6 1 9.dxe6 f5 20.i.xb6 �xb6 2 I .lt:Jg5 d5 favours Black.) 16 . . . lt:J d5 1 7.exd6?! exd6 1 8.i.f2 0-0 1 9 .Ei:he 1 i.f5 Black had a nice position and went on to win in Tolnai Kindermann, Berlin 1 987. 12 . . . Ei:c8 This move involves a degree of prophylactic thinking. After 1 2 . . . e5?! 1 3.dxe5 dxe5 1 4.g4! it becomes obvious why the queen went to f2, since 1 4 . . . hxg4? 1 5 .fxg4 lt:lxg4?? 1 6.�xf7t is out of the question. 12 . . . lt:l h7!? is a possible continuation if you are thinking about long castling. 1 3 .g3 The idea behind Black's last move is revealed after 1 3.g4?! hxg4 14.fxg4, when Black can continue with 1 4 . . . b4 1 5 .lt:la4 c5!, all because of the rook on c8.

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Considering how critical this position is, I am surprised at how few serious games have reached it. I think White's best continuation is: 1 2.�f2! 1 2.lt:le2 c5 1 3.dxc5 lt:lxc5 14.lt:lf4 Ei:b8!? leads to mutual chances.

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1 3 . . . c5 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.g4! is dangerous for Black. 14.i.h3 b4! 1 5 .lt:la4 �c6 1 5 . . . i.c6? 1 6.lt:lxc5! dxc5 1 7.e5 is good for White. 1 6.b3 cxd4 1 7.Ei:xd4 a5 1 8.Ei:c4 �a6 1 9.Ei:xc8t i.xc8 20.i.d4 Finally, now that there is only one pair of rooks left on the board, it is safe to play:

Chapter 3

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

20 ... 0-0! Phew! Black is fine.

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a pawn, the black knights will get to go surfing on the light squares. 1 5 .exd5 tt:Jf5 1 6.�f2

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9 i.b7 10.f3 ...

1 0 .�e2 tt:Jgf6 1 l .f3 transposes to 1 l .�e2! as given in the note to White's next move. In Koge 1 997, Ivan Sokolov tried to mix two plans against me: 1 0.:B:d1 Vflc7 1 1 .f4?! If White intends to play this, he should put his bishop on e2 first.

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1 6 . . . :B:d8?! The greedy 16 ... bxa4 1 7.dxc6 �xc6 is excellent for Black, but if 14 . . . d5 was Alpha, then this was my Omega. 1 7.dxc6 :B:xd4! 1 8 .tt:Jd5 Vflxc6 1 9.Vfia5 ?! Best is 1 9.lLJxe7! Vfld7 20.Vfle2, when Black has to play precisely to keep the balance: 20 . . . tt:Jxe7 2 l .�xd4 �xd4t 22.r;tJh 1 0-0 23.�xg4 hxg4 24.:B:xd4 Vflxd4 25 .Vflxe7 Vfid5 with a complicated position. 1 9 . . . Vfld6? 1 9 . . . Vfld7! 20.lLJc7t f8 and Black is much better.

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AB soon as White commits his pawns to f4

and h4, this becomes an excellent square for the knight. 1 2.�e2 lLJ f6 1 3.�f3 lLJfg4 14.0-0 d5!? This is not strictly necessary, but 1t 1s nonetheless interesting. For the price of

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20.tt:Je4? White misses a chance to get a big advantage with 20.lLJc7t rj;lf8 2 l .lLJxb5 axb5 22.�xb7. 20 . . . Vflxd5 2 1 .lLJ f6t �xf6 22.�xd5 tt:Jxf2

Th e Modern Tiger

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23.i.xb7 tt:lxd l 24.axb5 0-0! Avoiding 24 . . . axb5 25 .Wfa8t 'tt> d7 26.i.c6t 'tt> d6 27.Wfb7. 25 .c3

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hxg4 32.c4? mg7 33.Wfe5t f6 White resigned in I. Sokolov - Hillarp Persson, Koge 1 997.

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25 . . . tt:l de3!! 26.bxa6 26.g4 hxg4 27.cxd4 axb5 is also great for Black. 26 . . . 1"1:d7? Stronger is 26 . . . 1"1:d2! 27.1"1:a1 i.xh4 with a venomous attack. 27.i.c6? After 27.1"1:al i.xh4 28.i.f3 tt:lg4 29.i.xg4 hxg4 30.a7 1"1:a8 Black has only a small advantage. 27 . . . 1"1:d2 28.1"1:b 1 28.a7 is a better try, although 28 . . . i.xh4 29.a8=Wf (29.1"1:a1 tt:lg4) 29 . . . i.f2t 30.mh2 tt:lxfl t 3 1 .'tt> h 3 1"1:xa8 32.Wfxa8t 'tt> g7 is still winning for Black.

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I believe Black has nothing to complain about in this position.

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Better is: 1 1 .i.e2! This avoids blocking the queen's influence along the d-file.

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28 . . . i.xh4 29.i.f3 i.f2t 30.mh 1 tt:lg4 3 l .i.xg4

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1 1 . . . 0-0! Black no longer has to worry about White playing 0-0-0 and e4-e5, so there is no reason to delay castling. 1 1 . . . e5?! is premature. After 1 2.axb5 axb5 1 3.1"1:xa8 Wfxa8 1 4.0-0 0-0 1 5.dxe5 dxe5

Chapter 3

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

1 6J!d 1 :!'!e8 1 7.WI'e 1 a draw was agreed in Van der Wiel - Azmaiparashvili, Amsterdam 1 990, but White could have played on. For instance, after 1 7 . . . .tf8 1 8 .:!'!a1 Wl'b8 White keeps a slight advantage with 1 9 . itl d l ! intending b2-b4 and tD f2-d3. 1 2.0-0

1 3 . . . dxe5

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12 ... e5 This is a standard reaction when White has ruled out long castling, but not necessarily the best move. 1 2 ... Wfc7 1 3.itld1 e5! 1 4.dxe5 tDxe5 is equal. I cannot find a single game with 1 2 . . . e6!?N intending . . . b4 and . . . c5. A possible continuation is 1 3.itl d l ! ( 1 3.f4 b4 14.itld1 c5 1 5 .tlJf2 cxd4 1 6 ..txd4 a5 is fine for Black) 1 3 ... tD b6 1 4.axb5 axb5 1 5 .:!'!xa8 ha8 1 6.b3 tiJbd7 1 7.itlf2 and I would not mind playing either side of the board. Another idea is 12 . . . b4 1 3.itld1 c5 1 4.d5 when I find Black's position rather passive, although it may still be okay after 1 4 . . . a5 intending . . . WIc8 and . . . .ta6. 1 3.dxe5! The start of an interesting plan. Normal, but less dangerous is: 1 3.:!'!fd1 :!'!e8 14 . .tfl Wl'e7 1 5 .axb5 ( 1 5 .dxe5 dxe5 1 6.Wfd6 Wfxd6 1 7.:!'!xd6 if8 1 8.:!'!d2 is roughly equal.) 1 5 ... axb5 1 6.:!'!xa8 Now in Ciocaltea Swanson, Lucerne 1 982, Black made the incomprehensible decision to recapture with the bishop. Instead 1 6 . . . :!'!xa8 1 7.b4 exd4 1 8.hd4 .tf8 would have been equal.

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14.itl d 1 ! ? Another game featured a similar plan: 1 4.itla2 Wl'e7 1 5 .itlcl ( 1 5 .c4!?) 1 5 . . . :!'!fd8 1 6.Wfc3 itlh7 ( 1 6 . . . itl e8 1 7.tDb3) 1 7.itlb3 :!'!ac8 1 8.:!'!fd 1 itlxg5 1 9.hxg5 if8 20.:!'!d2 and White had unpleasant pressure in Armas - ]. Nogueiras, Matanzas 1 994. Unless Black can find a way to improve on this game, he should put 1 2 . . . e5 on the scrapheap and switch to one of the alternatives noted at move 1 2. 1 4 . . . Wfe7 1 5.c4 White could have tried 1 5 .b4 intending c2-c4, but 1 5 . . . :!'!fd8 1 6.tiJb2 if8 1 7.c3 itl e8 keeps the balance. 1 5 . . . b4! Other moves would leave Black with either a bad structure or a weak pawn on b5.

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The Modern Tiger

1 60

This gives me time to disentangle my position. After 1 7.'\Wd6! �xd6 1 8.cxd6 ll:l e8 1 9.b3 lLlxd6 20.ll:lb2 .if6 2 U!fd l .ie7 22.l:!d2 White has excellent compensation for the pawn. 1 7 . . . lLl h7! White faces an uphill struggle due to the weaknesses on c5 and g5 . 1 8.lLlf2 lLlxg5 1 9.hxg5 l:!fd8 Black had some advantage due to the weak c- and g-pawns in Apicella - Hillarp Persson, Zaragoza 1 995.

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•••

On the next board, Emanuel Berg was playing his immortal game against Bareev, so my attention was somewhat split and I had to rely on my intuition. I already had in mind something along the lines of what happens in the game.

17 .if2 �e5 18.�d4 d5 19.b4! c5! •

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1 1. 0-0 12.0-0 e5! ••

When White has ruled out long castling in these positions, Black should generally aim for . . . e5 rather than . . . c5 . In the event that White exchanges on e5, it is sometimes okay to play a symmetrical position with . . . dxe5, but I would prefer to take back with the knight if possible, in order to keep the position more dynamic.

A pawn is a small price to destroy the white pawn structure and to utilize the full potential of my pieces.

20.bxc5 dxe4 21.he4 .ixe4 22.�xe4 �xe4 23.fxe4 �g4 24.�f3 White is a pawn up, but his pawn structure is horrible.

13.axb5 exd4 I was worried that I would lose my chance to get a dynamic centre after 1 3 . . . axb5 1 4.l:!xa8 �xa8 1 5 .ll:\e2!, although 1 5 . . . exd4 1 6.lLlxd4 �b8 might still be fine for Black.

14 .ixd4 axb5 15.l:!xa8 YlYxa8 16.�e2 •

Or 1 6.b4!? �d8 1 7.l:!dl �e7 with a balanced position.

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Chapter 3

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

24.. J�d8 25.'Wfe2 .i£8 26.e5 After 26.c6 E:c8 27.�d4 E:xc6 28.c3 b4 White's position is unenviable.

Emanuel Berg - Tiger Hillarp Persson

26 ... 'Wfc8 27.e6! 'Wfxe6 28.'Wfxe6 fxe6 29.tLlg5 e5 30.tLle6?! White should try 30.lt:le4! E:a8 3 1 .c3 E:a4 32.l3:e l E:c4 33.'tt> fl when Black's advantage is kept to a minimum.

30 ... !3:c8 3 1 .!3:el? The final error, leaving the knight stranded on e6.

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3L .. ie7! 32.g3 @f7 33.tLlg5t .ixgs 34.hxg5 @e6 The rest is simple.

35 ..id4 @d5 36 ..ib2 �xc5 37.�e2 @e6 38 ..icl b4 39 ..ih2 @f5 40.�d2 @xg5 4I.@g2 @£5 42.@f3 e4t 43.@e2 e3 44 ..id4 �c4 45.ixe3 �e4 46.�d5t @e6 47.�d3 g5 48. @f3 �xe3t 0-1

Malmo 2005

In Tiger's Modern I illustrated this line with a game I won against Emanuel in 2003, so it is only fair to give a more recent game that he won. The final result was not the fault of the opening.

l .e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.tLlc3 d6 4..ie3 a6 5.h4 There are many different move orders that may lead to the same position types. White can advance his h-pawn before or after 1Wd2, and can play f2-f3 at various times. Later he may castle on the queenside or on the kingside. Black has two basic set-ups: one involving . . . h5 in response to h2-h4, and the other with . . . h6. If White plays 5 .1Wd2 b5 6.h4 then 6 . . . h5!? is playable, although 7.lt:lf3 will make it impossible for Black to employ the . . .�xh3 plan as seen later in this game. A possible way to complicate the game is: 7 . . . lt:l f6 8.lt:lg5 lt:lg4 9.�f4 f6! 1 0.lt:lh3 e5 l l .dxe5 dxe5! ( l l . . .lt:lxe5!?) 1 2.'\WxdSt 'tt> xd8 1 3 .�d2 c6 which seems all right for Black. Returning to move 6, a simpler way for Black is 6 . . . lt:l f6!. Then 7.f3 transposes to the main game, while 7.h5 !? lt:lxh5 8.lt:lf3 lt:l d7 is quite unclear. 8

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The Modern Tiger

5 ... �£6! It is important to get the move order right.

9.0-0-0 �b7 when Black might be okay, but I would not bet on it.

5 . . . h5?! is the standard reaction, but it should not be played before White plays 'Wd2. The problem is 6.tt:lf3! �g4 7.'Wd2 when it is not attractive for Black to exchange on f3. If there is a way for Black to make his position work, then it might come from 6 . . . tt:lf6!?, when 7.tt:lg5 tt:lg4 8 .�c l c5 9.dxc5 'Wa5 is rather unclear. I prefer the move in the game though. 5 ... h6!? is a playable alternative which is directed against the manoeuvre of the white knight to g5 . This will be covered in the next game.

6.f3 This is not strictly necessary yet, but it makes little difference, as 6.'Wd2 b5! 7.f3 immediately transposes to the game (7.0-0-0? b4 wins the e4-pawn) .

6 ... b5 7.1!Nd2 7.g4 is an attempt to argue that the knight has gone to f6 prematurely, but Black has a good answer: 7 . . . b4!? This is designed to prevent White from answering . . . h5 with e4-e5. (After 7 . . . h5 8 .g5 tt:l fd7 Black is happy, but 8.e5!? is worth considering for White.) 8.tt:lce2 h5 9.g5 tt:l fd7 and ... c5 comes next.

7 ... h5 7 . . . tt:l bd7 is interesting, but I do not fully trust it. A few brief examples: a) Mter 8.tt:lh3!? �b7 9.tt:lf4 h5 Black can be happy, since the knight would be better placed on g5 than on f4. 1 0.0-0-0 e5 1 l .dxe5 tt:lxe5 1 2.tt:lfd5 �xd5 1 3.tt:lxd5 tt:lxd5 1 4.'Wxd5 0-0 1 5 .�e2 tt:l d7 1 6.i>b 1 Ei:b8!? Black had a comfortable position in Naiditsch - Nakamura, Istanbul (ol) 20 12. b) 8.g4! seems stronger, as Black can hardly consider . . . h5 since his knight no longer has a decent retreat square. The best try is 8 . . . h6!

8 ... c6! I do not like to play . . . �b7 in combination with an early . . . tt:lf6. This led me to work out a plan of delaying the development of the queenside pieces and preparing to eliminate the knight on h3 before it can reach the desired outpost on g5 . A previous game against Emanuel continued 8 . . . �b7 9.tt:lh3 tt:l bd7 I O.tt:lg5. At this point, because the e4-e5 threat was so strong, I felt compelled to play 1 0 . . . 0-0 in Berg - Hillarp Persson, Umea 2003. I analysed this position in some depth in Tiger's Modern, but have since come to the conclusion that Black is unlikely to survive a kingside assault involving a timely g2-g4. This is why I try to avoid castling for as long as possible. In the comments in Tiger's Modern I mentioned I O . . . e6 as a possible alternative, but added that White had a strong plan of g2-g3, �h3 and tt:l ce2-f4. My opinion on this has not changed, and I am convinced that the game continuation is Black's best.

Chapter 3 - Flexible D ragon Unleashed

9.liJh3 White can of course play 9.tLlge2, but this is no way to get a knight to g5 . A good answer is: 9 ... tLl bd7 (9 . . . ib7 might be met by 1 0.e5!?) 1 O.e5 b4! This tactic only works if the white king is on cl or e l . 1 1 .exf6 bxc3 1 2.'1Wxc3 tLlxf6 1 3.'1Wxc6t id7 1 4.'1Wc3 tLl d5 Black has excellent compensation for the pawn. White's strongest move is: 9.�b l ! White continues to postpone tLl h3 and challenges Black to find a similarly useful waiting move. 9 ... '1Wc7! 9 . . .ib7?! abandons the . . . ixh3 plan and gives White a pleasant choice. 1 o.tLlh3 tLl bd7 1 1 . tLl g5 leads to my 200 3 game against Berg, as quoted above. Alternatively, 1 0.e5!? dxe5 1 1 .dxe5 '1Wxd2 1 2.ixd2 tLld5 1 3 .e6 is not much fun for Black. 9 . . . b4?! gives up control of the c4-square while forcing White to improve the position of the knight: not a good combination. I O.tLlce2 a5 1 I .tLlf4 Black has achieved nothing of value on the queenside. I will make no comment on 9 . . . 0-0 here, apart from "No, don't!"

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1 0.e5 lLld5! Mter IO ... dxe5 1 1 .dxe5 tLld5 1 2.f4! it is hard for Black to stabilize the centre, since . . . e6 will rob the black position of its dynamism

1 63

and present White with an inviting outpost on d6. 1 1 .f4!? 1 1 .exd6 '1Wxd6 12.tLle4 is nothing after 1 2 . . . '1Wc7 1 3.if2 tLl d7, when Black is doing fine with . . . tLl f6 and . . . if5 on the way. At the Olympiad in Troms0 20 1 4, Hracek played the text move against me. I had already analysed it for this book but, when faced with it over the board, I could not remember what my recommendations were. Read on carefully, because this might turn into a fashionable line in the future. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 a

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1 1 . . .tLlxc3t!N Clearly best, and far better than the not­ worth-mentioning move I played against Hracek. 1 2.'1Wxc3 0-0!! Castling is usually too risky in such positions, but here Black can get away with it as he controls the key light squares on the kingside. 1 3.ie2! The best move, preventing the plan of . . . ig4 and . . . tLld7. 13 . . . c5! 14.tLl f3 Mter 14.dxc5 dxe5 1 5 .fxe5 ixe5 1 6.'1Wa3 tLl c6 Black is ready to take over the initiative. 1 4 . . . tLl c6! 1 5 .dxc5 White can enter super-sharp territory with 1 5 .d5 tLla5! 1 6.b4 tLl c4 1 7.bxc5 tLlxe3 1 8.'1Wxe3 dxc5 1 9.tLlg5, but after 1 9 . . . '1Wa5

164

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(or 19 . . . f6!?) 20.if3 if5 2 I .ie4 .lg4 White is fighting for survival. 1 5 . . . dxe5 1 6.fxe5 b4! It is important to play this before White gets a chance to put his bishop on f4, which would free the e3-square for the queen.

1 9.g4? hxg4 20.llJg5 llJxe5 2 1 .�d4 ib7! does not work for White. 1 9 . . .ia6 20.�e4 ib7! 2 1 .g4 hxg4 22J!xg4 llJe7 23.�e3 l::! ad8 Black is doing well.

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1 7.�c4 Both 1 7.�e l and 1 7.�d2 are best met by 1 7 . . . ie6 with good counterplay. 1 7 . . . a5! 1 7 . . . llJxe5 1 8.�f4 is evaluated by my engine as equal, but I try to avoid this kind of pawn structure in the endgame. The text move leads to great complications, and I would encourage interested readers to carry out their own analysis from here. One possible continuation is: 1 8.if4 e6! Preparing . . . llJ e7.

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9 .ixh3! ...

I am a bit unhappy with my score from this position, but sometimes it hurts to be a frontrunner. I can live with that. Just as . . . 0-0 is generally a mistake for Black, the same can be said for 9 . . . �a5?!. It might seem that . . . b4 followed by . . . �xa2 is a threat, but even that is not too bad for White, since the b4-pawn will be captured by the queen. The black queen may be hit by llJ c i -b3, and a2-a3 may also prove annoying. The queen on a5 also blocks the black a-pawn. White gets the advantage after: l O.�b l llJbd7 I I .llJg5 ib7 8 7 6 5 4

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Chapter 3

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1 2.'1Wf2! This excellent move threatens not only e4-e5, but also g2-g4, since . . . hxg4 followed by . . . lt:lxg4 hangs the f7-pawn. It is obvious that Black would be better off with his queen on c7. 1 2 . . . c5 1 3.dxc5 dxc5 1 4.g4 White has a strong initiative.

10Jhh3 &i.Jbd7 I believe this position is objectively only a touch better for White, and you should have excellent chances of winning from here if you are ready to learn from my mistakes.

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

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The somewhat strange 1 1 .id3 prepares to either play f3-f4 or lt:l e2 without blocking the bishop. Black should respond with 1 1 . . .Wc7! 1 2.Wb 1 ( 1 2.f4 c5!) 1 2 . . . 0-0 followed by ... c5 when he is no worse, and I fail to see what the bishop is doing on d3.

1 2.Wf2 is a flexible move that makes it harder for Black to play ... lt:l b6. Now that ih6 is out of the picture, it is a good time for 12 . . . 0-0!, followed by either ... c5 or ... a5-a4, with promising play for Black. After 12.ie2 it is worth considering a few options: a) 12 . . . 4:l b6?! 1 3.e5 lt:l fd5 1 4.4:lxd5 cxd5 1 5 .e6 should be avoided. b) 12 . . . b4 is also a slight mistake, since 1 3.4:la4 a5 1 4.:B:hh 1 0-0 1 5 .'1Wd3! prepares g2-g4 while making it hard for Black to break the blockade on the queenside. c) I prefer the flexible 12 . . . a5!? which asks White the question: what next? After 1 3 .g4!? hxg4 1 4.fxg4 b4 1 5 .4:la4 lt:lxe4 1 6.'1Wd3 d5 1 7.if3 '1Wd6! White has some compensation, but no advantage. 1 2.4:le2 This is a standard manoeuvre. 1 2 . . . 4Jb6!? I favour this knight move, although Black can also consider 1 2 . . . c5!? 1 3.dxc5 lt:lxc5 1 4.4:lf4 :B:b8 with unclear play. 1 3.4:lf4 8 7 6 5 4

l l Wfc7!

3

This position is the hinge upon which the whole line rests. White has a wide choice of moves, but Black has a simple plan to play ... c5 at the right moment. When is the right moment? This is a tricky question, so pay attention.

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•••

12J�hl White starts to bring the rook back into play. Here are a few other ideas:

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1 3 . . . 4Jfd7?! This allows White to play g2-g4. If i reached this position again I would prefer the flexible 1 3 . . . :B:b8!N. 1 4.:B:h1

The Modern Tiger

1 66

White should try 1 4.g4! when 14 . . . e5 1 5 .dxe5 dxe5 1 6.lt:l d3 lt:J c4 1 7.\We l ltlxe3 1 8.\Wxe3 0-0-0 1 9.l"i:h2 \Wb6 is balanced. 1 4 . . . l"i:b8 14 . . . lt:J c4!? is an interesting alternative. 1 5 .g4 hxg4 1 6.fxg4 e5?! I prefer White after 16 ... lt:J c4 1 7.ii.xc4 bxc4 1 8 .c3 ( 1 8.b3?! a5!) 1 8 . . . lt:Jf6 1 9."1Wg2, but 1 6 . . . c5! was better than the game continuation.

White had an advantage in Zhou - Hillarp Persson, London 20 12. I was in horrible form during this tournament and did not believe I could win this game, which is a rare mental occurrence for me. However, considering how well my young opponent played, I am not sure if things would have turned out differently on one of my better days. 8

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1 7.lt:Jh3! exd4! 1 7 . . . l"i:xh4 1 8.iWf2 l"i:xg4 1 9.ltlg5 lt:Jf6 20.dxe5 dxe5 2 I .ii.g2! gives White a strong initiative. 1 8 .Ji.xd4 lt:Je5 1 9.ltlg5 "1We7 20.b3 f6?! 20 ... lt:J bd7! 2 l .ii.e2 ltlc5 is still balanced. I was dreaming of sacrificing this knight on a4 or c4, and could not bring myself to retreat it just yet. 2 l .ii.xe5 dxe5 22.ltl f3

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..

I wanted to lure Emanuel into playing g3 and ii.h3, but I believe Black should prefer one of the many alternatives. 1 2 . . . c5 seems a bit premature due to 1 3.dxc5 ltlxc5 1 4.ii.d4 e6 1 5 .ii.e3. 1 2 . . . b4 1 3.ltla4! a5 14.\Wd3! intending ii.e2 and g2-g4 is awkward for Black. 1 2 . . . lt:J b6!? is a move I would avoid at this stage, even though 1 3.e5 ltlfd5 14.lt:Jxd5 lt:Jxd5 1 5 .e6! f5 1 6.ii.f2 ii.h6 17.\Wd3 l"i:f8, intending ...l"i:f6, is far from clear.

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1 2 . . . l"i:b8!N I believe that this subtle move is best. 12 . . . a5!? is another sensible, non-committal move, but there are various lines where the rook proves useful on b8. 1 3.iWf2 ltl b6!

Chapter 3

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.g4! is far from clear but I have a ' . bad fieelmg about it. Black should obviously avoid 13 5' 14. dxc5 lLlxc5 1 5 .e5!, but 1 3 . . . a5!? 1 4 _ _ a4 lS an Interesting alternative.

:i�3

167

14.tLle2 When Black has moved the rook away from a8, the ... a5-a4 plan loses some of its strength so Emanuel reroutes the knight towards the f4� . square. Nevertheless 1 4 ."l..l r:-- a4 ts stronger. '

14... a5 Today I find it hard to see why I avoided 1 4 . . . c5!? 1 5 .�h3 ( 1 5 .dxc5 tt:lxc5 1 6.Wxb4 [ 1 6.e5 dxe5 1 7.Wxb4 tt:lcd7 1s· uncIearJ . 1 6 . . . O-O and the whtte king starts to feel n ed) 1 5 . . . cxd4 1 6.tt:lxd4 0-0 1 7.Wxb4 2"i:b8 wtth good compensation for the pawn.

�

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14.e5!? This is �ot forced, but it is the most direct . and cnucal move to consider. 14 . . . tt:lfd5 1 5 .tt:lxd5 tt:lxd5 1 6.e6 fxe6 17 �d3 d7! 1 8 .�xg6 b4 Black has excellent attacking chances. ·

s

7 5

·

am

already worse here, but under the it was better to play 1 6 . . . a4! d3 b 3, creating a bit of a mess.

At least I avoided 1 6 . . . 0-0, when 1 7.g4'. hxg4 1 8 .�xg4 tt:lxg4 1 9.fxg4 e5 20.dxe5 tt:lxe5 2 1 . We2 leaves Black in danger on the kingside.

��

DA �-··

U_ � � - , ------%' u ' . . . ---,��

U%i U�--:� ·u /. . . ;U i 43 %mU%?.fl'%/ DW8�U -� �0� 2 8 � 8- -------�- 8� •�•rl·- lu:s 6

�;c�mstances -I

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A -� .....

-- �-J

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I rejected 1 3 . . . 0-0 as I was rightly afraid of

14.g4! ( 1 4.�h3?! e6 1 5 .tt:le2 c5 1 6.dxc5 dxc5 ts_ unclear) 1 4 . . . hxg4 1 5 .h5! when it will be . difficult for Black to survive. A sample line is 1 5 . . . 4 1 6.tt:le2 gxf3 1 7.tt:lg3 c5 1 8.hxg6 when Black s troubles are just beginning.

�

17.dxe5 White is spoilt for a choice, as 17.tt:ld3!? exd4 1 8.�xd4 is also advantageous.

17... ltlxe5

. Playing for symmetry with 1 7 . . . dxe 5 1s not . . an opuo � , smce 1 8.tt:lg2!, intending �g5 and lLl e3-c4, ts horrible for Black.

The Modern Tiger

1 68

18.YMxd6 YMxd6 19J'hd6 �xf3!? 19 .. .lt:J c4?! 20 . .ta7 is bad for Black, so I did not really have a choice here. During the game I stared myself blind on the pawn structure and concluded that I was doing fine; it was a weak and mistaken evaluation.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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25.hg4 hxg4 26.�e3 \t>d7 27.�f4 l"i:e8?! 27 . . . rj;le6! 28.lLlxg4 l"i:d7 would have been a little better for me.

28.gdl t ciJc6? a

20J�xc6!

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Originally I believed 20.lLlxg6 fxg6 2 1 .l"i:fl to be stronger, but 2 I . . .lLlh2! 22.l"i:fxf6 .txf6 23.l"i:xf6 lLlg4 24 . .txg4 hxg4 25.l"i:xg6 \t>f7 26.l"i:xg4 l"i:hg8 27 ..tg5 rj;le6 is only marginally better for "White.

28 . . . \t>e7! was better. Now "White can force a draw.

29.gd6t ciJb5 30.gd5t ciJa6? 30 . . . \t>c6 invites a perpetual check, but I had not given up on winning this game. This might have had something to do with the state of the other boards in the match.

20 �e5 21 .l"i:xf6?! •..

This is uncalled for. 2 1 .l"i:a6 is unconvincing, as 2 I . . .l2Jxe4 22.l"i:el 0-0 23.-tcl lLlxg3 is unclear, and along the lines I was hoping for. Stronger is 2 1 .l"i:c7! lLlxe4 22.lLl e6!? .tf6 23 . .ta7 and "White has a strong initiative.

2I. h£6 22.�d5 �g7 23.�c5 �g4 24.�d6 gb7 .•

In time trouble I missed that 24 . . . l"i:d8 25 ..tc7 could be met by 25 . . . lLlf2!, with a small but clear Black advantage.

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Now my position is worse, and being in time trouble does not help.

Chapter 3

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

31..J�� be7 32.�xa5t bl lt:la4 28 ..ial .ib4 29.ttld2 ttlc3t 0-1 .•.

.•

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

; '.[· ,····

2! ;

·

Igor Yagupov - Tiger Hillarp Persson Moscow 2003

I.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.ttlc3 d6 4 .ie3 a6 s.VNd2 b5 •

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19 ..ia5?!

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Either here or on the next move White should have put this bishop on b4, when Black would have had to work harder to turn the advantage into something more.

19 .if8 20.VNf2 VNc7 2I.ttlfl gbs •.•

Why not 2 l . . .c5? I guess I did not regard b3-b4 as a serious defence.

5 . . . lt:ld7 6.0-0-0 b5 7.h4 h5 8.ttJh3 c6 9.lt:lg5 transposes to 9.0-0-0! in the notes to Game 26, where 9 . . . �c7! is best - see page 1 5 5.

6.0-0-0 .ib7! It is worth playing this move early here, in order to encourage White to play f2-f3.

7.f3 White can stubbornly refuse with: 7.h4!? Now Black has a choice to make.

1 75

Chapter 3 - Flexible Dragon Unleashed 7 . . . b4 The most principled answer. 7 ... h5 8.ltlh3! leads to a line that I do not recommend. 7 . . . h6 makes some sense, especially as f2-f4 is temporarily out of the question. Instead 8.f3 transposes to 7.f3! b5 8.0-0-0 in the notes to Game 28 - see page 1 69. 8.ltld5 ix:d5 9.exd5 ltlf6

My scheming nature led me to doctor the move order in this game. Now we are back on track.

s.f8 33.b3 I doubt that Black can survive for much longer.

29 ...W'b7 30J'�d3 i.xd5 31.�xd5 �b8 32.b3 W'a6 33.W'el a4 34.�a5 W'b7? I overlooked 34 . . . 1Wc4!, when the position is suddenly level again.

White should be able to win this position, but in the end I managed to set up a blockade and save the game.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 h 43 ... �xa8 44.W'xa8t 'it>e7 45.W'h8 'it>d7 46 ..id2 .ie7 47.W'a8?! W'c6! 48.W'xc6t 'it>xc6 49.lLl d3 l£lxd3 50.'it>xd3 'it>b5 5 I..ic3 .id6 52. 'it>e2 .ic7 53. i>f2 'it>c5 54. 'it>g3 .tbs 55.'it>h4 .tc7 56.'it>g4 .tbs 57..ta5 i>d4 5S ..th4 .tc7 59 ..te7 i>c3 60.b4 'it>c4 61. 'it>g3 .tbs 62. i>f2 .ta7t 63. 'it>e2 .id4 64 ..tf6 'it>xb4 65.i>d3 'it>c5 66.f4 i>d6 67.'it>c4 .th2 68.'it>b4 .tal 69.i>h5 .td4 70.'it>c4 a

lf2-l/z

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The Modern Tiger

1 80

Alexander Shabalov - Joel Benjamin Connecticut 2000

after White has committed to h2-h4 rather than before. 1 1 .if2 e5 and Black is fine.) 9 . . . e6! 1 0.CLJh3 CLJe7 1 1 .CLJ f4?! (Better is 1 1 .0-0-0 0-0 although Black is both solid and flexible.) 1 1 . . . 0-0 12.ih3

l.e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.ctJc3 d6 4.�e3 a6 5.Wfd2 b5 6.f3 ctJd7 7.g4!?

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1 2 . . . e5! 1 3.CLJfe2 ct:lb6 1 4.d5 ct:lc4 White had a dismal position in Randazzo - Movszeszian, Lorca 200 1 , and it is a minor miracle that he was able to survive for another twenty-two moves.

The sight of White's last move makes my h-pawn itch, but for the moment it is better to keep it on h7, since after 7 ... h5 8.gxh5 Ei:xh5 9.CLlge2 White is poised to develop an initiative on the kingside with ctJg3 and h4-h5. If Black succeeds in exchanging the c-pawn for White's d-pawn, the position will resemble a wonderful Sicilian Dragon. Wonderful in the . sense that Black has not yet committed his king, while White constantly has to watch out for . . . h5.

8.ctJge2

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8 ... c5! 9.h4

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8 .0-0-0 transposes to 8.g4 in the notes to the previous game - see page 1 75.

9.0-0-0 resembles the main game, and may transpose in the likely event that White pushes his h-pawn in the near future.

In one game White received a free lesson on the perils of wasting time in the opening: 8 .h4 h5! 9.g5 (9.gxh5?! Ei:xh5 1 0.CLlge2 if6! is the important difference between playing . . . h5

White should avoid 9.dxc5 CLJe5! 1 0.ig2 ( 1 O.CLlg1 dxc5 1 1 .0-0-0 1Mfxd2t 1 2.Ei:xd2 CLJf6 is also fine for Black) 1 O . . . ct:lc4 1 1 .Wfcl dxc5

Chapter 3 - Flexible D ragon Unleashed 12.�xc5 :B:c8 1 3.�f2 b4 14.ltJ d 1 tLl f6 when Black has a strong initiative. 9.CLJg3 "Wc7!? (9 . . . :B:c8) 1 0.�e2 tLl b6!? This is outside the normal roads, but the knight on g3 and bishop on e2 are not scary, so Black has some room for originality. (Personally I like 1 0 . . . h6, intending . . . cxd4 and . . . tLlgf6.) 1 l .CLJd1 ?! cxd4 1 2.�xd4 �xd4 1 3."Wxd4 e5 This position was strange, but better for Black in Ferron Garcia - Pablo Marin, Castellar del Valles 2004.

181

1 2.�f4 e5 1 3.dxe5 ClJxe5 1 4.'it>f2? White should try his luck with 14.CiJxd5 �xd5 1 5 .exd5 CLJxf3t 1 6.�e2 ClJxd2 1 7.�xc7 tLl c4 1 8.�f3 CLJ d2t which is seriously unclear.

9 h6! ...

It is important to keep the h-file closed. Now h4-h5 can be met by . . . g5 . Mter 9 . . . h5 1 0.gxh5 ( l O.g5 e6 1 1 .0-0-0 ClJe7 1 2.dxc5 dxc5 is unclear) 1 0 . . . :B:xh5 1 1 .ClJg3 :B:h7 1 2.h5 White has the initiative.

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Also possible is: 1 o.tLlg3 Now White threatens h4-h5, as . . . g5 will allow tLlf5. 1 0 . . . '1Wc7!? A tricky move, although I would prefer 1 0 . . . e6. 1 1 .h5! d5! This is the point behind Black's last move, uncovering an attack on the g3-knight.

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1 4 . . . CLJ e7!N This is stronger than 14 . . . 0-0-0, when Black just had a slight initiative in Kriventsov Chase, Las Vegas 2004. 1 5 .exd5 0-0-0! White is already beyond redemption. 1 O.dxc5!? b4!? Both 1 0 . . . CLlxc5 1 1 .0-0-0 tLlf6 and 10 . . . dxc5 1 1 .0-0-0 tLlgf6 are worthy alternatives. 1 l .CLJd5 1 l .CLJa4 "Wa5! 1 2.tLlb6 lLlxb6 1 3.cxb6 �xb2 1 4.:B:b 1 "Wxa2 1 5 .:B:d 1 '!Wa3 reaches an unclear position. 1 l . . .dxc5 1 2.0-0-0 e6 1 3.tLl df4 "Wc7 1 4.tLlg3 After 14.CLJd3 a5 1 5 .'it>b1 Black might continue 1 5 . . . tLlgf6 1 6.:B:h3 c4 1 7.CLJf2 c3 1 8.bxc3 �a6 with nice compensation. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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1 82

The Modern Tiger

14 . . . tt'le7 1 5 .�d6 �xd6 1 6.l'!xd6 tt'lc6! 16 . . . i.e5 1 7.l'!d2 tt'l c6 is a safer option, pointed out by Ribshtein, that leaves Black with a comfortable game. 1 7.tt'lxe6!? £Xe6 1 8.l'!xe6t �f7 1 9.l'!d6 tt'l ce5! 20.f4 lt>e7! 2 l .l'!d2 According to Ribshtein 2 1 .£Xe5 i.xe5 22.l'!xg6 i.xg3 23.i.c4 l'!h7? 24.i.g8 l'!xg8 25.l'!xg8 i.xe4 26.l'!h3 i.d6 27.g5 leads to an advantage for White. However, my Silicon Companion points out that 23 . . . l'!ae8 leaves Black with a reasonably clear advantage.

1 0 . . . �a5!? 1 l .lt>b 1 b4 has the advantage of forcing 1 2.tt'ld5, avoiding the extra option discussed in the next comment, not that this is too scary for Black.

l l .lild5 The conservative 1 l .tt'l b 1 !? is interesting, but Black keeps a good position after 1 1 . . . �c7 1 2.dxc5 dxc5 1 3.tt'lf4 tt'lgf6 followed by . . . tt'l b6.

ll ...i.xd5 12.exd5 Wfa5 I believe that this position is about balanced, but it is White who has the more difficult game.

8 7 6

13.hl tiJb6 14.tlJf4!

5

Originally I believed this to be a mistake, but the more I have looked into it, the more I have become convinced that the alternative I4.h5, intending to give the knight a square on f5, is even worse due to: 14 . . . g5! 1 5 .tt'lg3 c4

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2 l . . .tt'lxg4 22.i.h3 h5 23.l'!hd 1 This position was reached in Ribshtein - Avrukh, Ramat Aviv 1 999. Now instead of 23 . . . i.c6, Black should have played 23 . . . l'!ad8!N with a big advantage.

8 7 6 5 4

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Now the straightforward 1 6.tt'lf5 is strongly met by 1 6 ... c3! followed by . . . lt>f8 and . . . tt'lxd5 . White gains nothing with 1 7.tt'lxg7t mfs 1 8.tt'le6t £Xe6 1 9.�e2 tt'lxd5. Instead of the above line White could try 1 6.a3, but this also fails to solve White's problems after 1 6 . . . tt'l f6! 1 7.axb4 �a4! 1 8.tt'lf5 lt>f8!, when the threats of . . . tt'l fxd5 and . . . a5 give Black a clear advantage.

Chapter 3

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

1 83

16 ... lLlxb2

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14 lLlf6!?

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.•.

Black is setting up the attacking plan of ... tt'la4-c3t, which is well worth remembering. That being said, I am not convinced that it is best, as White soon gets the opportunity for a promising exchange sacrifice. 14 . . . cxd4?! is premature, since 1 5 ..ixd4 .ixd4 16.WI'xd4 'Ll f6 1 7.1"1g1 leaves Black without counterplay. 14 . . . c4!? is risky, but it seems to hold together. 1 5 .a3 'Llf6 1 6.WI'xb4 WI'b5 ! 1 7 . .id2 d7! 1 8 ..ig2 h5! 1 9.g5 'Llfxd5 20.'Llxd5 'Llxd5 2 l .WI'xb5t axb5 22.f4 e6 The endgame is balanced. 14 ... 1"1b8 is the safest alternative, when 1 5 .b3 ( 1 5 .dxc5?! tt'l a4 16 ..ic4 lLlc3t 1 7.'tt> a 1 ? b3! would be a brutal finish) 1 5 . . . g5 1 6.'Lle2 'Llxd5 1 7.dxc5 'Llxe3 1 8.WI'xe3 Wl'xc5 ( 1 8 . . . 1"1b5 runs into 1 9.lLlc3!) 1 9.WI'xc5 dxc5 leads to approximate equality.

15.dxc5 lLla4! 16.cxd6! According to the engine White can survive the assault with 1 6.1"1e 1 , but it soon changes its tune after 1 6 . . . tt'lc3t 1 7.bxc3 bxc3 1 8.WI'e2 (or 1 8.WI'c 1 1"1b8t 1 9 .'tt> a 1 Wl'a4 and there is no defence against . . . 1"1b2.) 1 8 . . . 0-0 when 1 9.WI'c4 does not defend the king due to 1 9 . . . 1"1fb8t followed by . . . 1"1b4.

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Shabalov characteristically gives up some material in order to slow down Black's initiative and obtain one of his own. The more I think about it, the more I like it, which is why I would personally prefer one of the alternatives discussed at move 1 4. According to the Silicon Besserwisser it is better to hold on to the extra material with 1 7.1"1e l . After the further 1 7 . . . 'Lla4 1 8 . .id4 'Ll c3t 1 9 ..ixc3 bxc3 20.1"1xe7t 'tt> f8 2 l .WI'c l Wl'b6t (2 1 . . .1"1b8t?! 22.'tt> a 1 Wl'a4 23.1"1c7 favours White) 22.a1 Wl'xd6 23.1"1b7 lLl d7 it is time for the author to realize that he has to settle for "unclear".

17 ... lLlxd1 18.Wfxdl exd6 19.i.c4 'it>f8!? Even though this move locks up the rook on h8 for a long time to come, it seems to be best. My recommendation in Tiger's Modern was 1 9 . . . 0-0?! 20.g5 'Lld7, but it runs into 2 1 .gxh6 (2 1 ..ixg7 xg7 22.h5 is also dangerous for Black) 2 l . . ..ixh6 22.'Llxg6!! fxg6 23.WI'gl 'tt> f7 24.h5 with lots of compensation for White. It is clear that I trusted the engine too much when I analysed this eight years ago. Had I looked at this position with my own eyes, I am

The Modern Tiger

1 84

sure I would have seen that there is 'something' for White.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

24.. .'\Wc??! Black's best chance to draw was 24 . . . b3!. The critical line is 25.axb3! Ei:el 26.1"i:xe l 'IMfxe l t 27.'it>b2 if.xf6t 28.'\MI'xf6 '1Mfe5t 29.'1Mfxe5 dxe5 30.if.xa6 e4 3 1 .fxe4 f3 32.c4 'it>e7 33.c5, reaching a crazy endgame where White's chances are somewhat higher.

25.�xf4 �g8 After 25 . . . 1"i:e8 26.il.xa6 '1Mfc5 Black can still dream of survival, for a while at least.

26.i.xa6 �c5? a

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White can also try 2 1 .h5!? gxh5 (2 l . . .g5 is terribly dangerous because of 22.'\Mff5 '\MI'd8 [22 . . . gxf4 23.if.xf6 '1Mfc5 24.g5!] 23.lt:le6t! fxe6 24.dxe6 with a fantastic initiative for White) 22.'1Mff5 '\MI'd8 23.1"i:fl when it is clearly more comfortable to play the white side.

21. .. �e7?!

This makes the end quick and painless, as opposed to 26 . . . 1"i:e8 27.if.b5 1"i:b8 28.if.c6, when Black can make a few more moves.

27.i.xe7t hl?! 25.1"i:f2! 'i!f1xa6 26.lt'ld4 1"i:b6 27.tLlf3 g5 28.'i!f1xg5t 1"i:g6 29.'ilf1d2 is much better for White according to Silicon Sid. It makes sense.

25 ...V;llxa6 26.ltld4! Now I realized I was being threatened by both lt'lxb3 and tLl f5! If I defend against the latter with 26 . . . 1"i:b6, then White wins the exchange with 27.a5. What shall I do?

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

26 ... ltle3!!

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It was pure luck that I was able to survive for another move. Now, for once, it was my opponent's turn to think for a while.

27.gfel?

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After 22 . .if2 I did not, and still do not, know what Black should do.

This is a mistake. The safest road to an advantage is 27.lt'lxb3! 'ilf1e2! (after 27 . . . lt'lxfl 28.lt'ld4 f6 29.tLlf3 'i!f1d3 30.1"i:el the black knight will not survive for long) 28.'ilf1h3 lt'lxfl 29.'ilf1f3 'ilf1xf3 30.gxf3 and the a-pawn will decide the endgame for White.

27 ... gd3! 28.ttJf3 My opponent spotted 28.1"i:xe3? 'i!f1xa4!

191

Chapter 3 - Flexible Dragon Unleashed 29.2"1ae 1 '1Mfxd4, when Black emerges a clean pawn up.

44.@f3 g5 0-1

28 ... ttlf5 29.'1Mff4 E!c8 30.E!e4 E!c2? Both players missed that White can play �el here and on the next two moves.

Merijn van Delft - Mikhail Gurevich Amsterdam 2001

l.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.ttlc3 .ig7 4..ie3 a6 5.%Yd2 b5 As mentioned earlier, this is my preferred move order. There is only one potential downside, which will become clear a few moves later in the game.

6.a4 b4 7.ttldl a

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31.e6?! f6 32.E!bl? @g?? 33.%Yb8??

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White goes from a winning (33.l2le1) to a losing position in one move.

33 E:xf3 34.gxf3 %Yd3 35.%Yf4 E!fl 36.E!gl E!xf3 37.%Yg4 E!fl 38.h4 •.•

Or 38.a5 'iffic2 39.2"1g2 2"1xg2 40.'iffixg2 'iffib 1 t and Black wins the rook.

The knight looks misplaced here, but it is only temporary. Given time, it can reach either the kingside with f2-f3 and lt:J f2, or - after an exchange of pawns on c3 - the queenside with lt:J b2-c4. 7.l2la2?! This is clearly inferior, as it will be harder to find a useful role for the knight. 7 . . . a5 8.c3 lt:J f6 9.f3 bxc3 1 0.bxc3 Or 1 0.l2lxc3 0-0 followed by . . . lt:Ja6-b4 with an excellent game for Black. 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 l .�d3 e5 12.l2le2 c6 1 3.0-0 lt:J bd7 If White's knight had gone to d1 instead of a2, then it would have been possible to continue with l2lf2, with a slight edge to White.

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The Modern Tiger

1 92

1 4.i>h l This is an important prerequisite if White wants to meet a future . . . dxe4 with fXe4 without allowing Black to hunt down the dark-squared bishop with . . . tt:lg4. 1 4 . . . d5! Black had the initiative in Lindberg - Hillarp Persson, Malmo 20 1 3 .

time. However, there is a silver lining to this scenario: the knight can go to c6, where it is more active.

Another possibility is: 7.tt:lce2!? tt:lf6! 8.tt:lg3 8.f3 tt:l c6!? (8 . . . a5 9 . .th6 .txh6 1 0.Wxh6 e5 should also be fine) 9.tt:lcl 0-0 1 0.tt:lb3 El:e8!! is a remarkable idea, courtesy of Houdini. 1 1 .tt:l e2 e5 1 2.d5 tt:l e7 1 3.Wxb4 c6 1 4.dxc6 tt:lxc6 1 5 .Wd2 d5 Black has plenty of compensation for the pawn.

8.c3 White can try to get by without this move with 8.f3 tt:lf6 9 ..th6 (9.c3 leads to the game) 9 . . . 0-0 1 0 ..txg7 lifxg7 l l .tt:le3, but it seems to me that Black is doing well after l l . . .e5 1 2.tt:le2 tt:lc6 1 3 .d5 tt:le7 1 4.h4 h5. Black intends . . . .td7 and . . . Wb8 with an excellent game.

8 ... ttJf6 9.f3 bxc3 a

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8 . . . tt:lg4! 8 . . . h5!? is also interesting, intending 9.f3 h4 1 0.tt:l 3e2 tt:l c6!? followed by a quick . . . e5. 9.Wxb4 c5 1 0.Wd2 Now in Vehi Bach - M. Gurevich, Groningen 1 997, Black took on e3 immediately. More accurate would have been: 1 o . tt:l c6! 1 1 .tt:lf3 cxd4 1 2.tt:lxd4 tt:lxe3 1 3.fXe3 Wb6 14.c3 tt:l e5 Black has wonderful compensation for the pawn. .

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7 ... a5 Compared to the lines where Black plays 5 . . . tt:l d7 before . . . b5, Black is forced to defend the b-pawn by moving the a-pawn for a second

Considering how well researched the main line is, I believe it is worth investigating a less common route: 9 . . . 0-0!? This is more flexible and allows Black to use a plan that would be inadvisable after 9 . . . bxc3. I O . .td3 I find it hard to believe in White after: 1 0.cxb4 axb4 I l .Wxb4 c5!? (A more conservative approach is l l .. .tt:lfd7 1 2.Wd2 c5; perhaps sacrificing one pawn is enough.) 1 2.dxc5 dxc5 13 ..txc5 tt:l a6 14 . .txa6 .txa6 1 5 .tt:l e2 E!:b8 There was chaos on the board in Pel - Priborsky, Olomouc 2004. 1 0 . . . c5!? This is more challenging than 1 0 . . . bxc3 l l .bxc3 c5, which leads to the main game.

1 93

Chapter 3 - Flexible Dragon Unleashed

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The big question is whether White can snatch a pawn with: l l .dxc5N After l l .tLle2 ia6 1 2.ixa6 lLlxa6 1 3.0-0 !"i:b8 14.c4 cxd4 1 5 .lLlxd4 lLlc5 Black had a dynamic position and eventually won in Balabaev - Joppich, email 2007. l l . . .dxc5 1 2.ixc5 lLl a6! The most straightforward option, although it is far from the only one available. 1 3.ixa6?! Swapping off the bishop is a concession, but it is important to check whether Black can generate enough play after a queen exchange. 1 3 .ie3 bxc3 1 4.lLlxc3 lLl b4 1 5 .2"i:dl ie6 1 6.ib5 'IMI'b8 offers Black good compensation. 1 3 .id4 bxc3 1 4.bxc3 e5 1 5 .ie3 '1Mfe7 and once again Black has enough for the pawn. 1 3 .. .'®xd2t 1 4.'it>xd2 ixa6

Or 1 5 .ixe7 !"i:fe8 1 6.ixf6 ixf6 1 7.tLle2 ig5t 1 8.';t>e 1 f5 1 9.h4 fxe4 20.f4 if6 with an initiative for Black. 1 5 . . . lLl d7!? 1 5 . . . 2"i:fc8 1 6.ixe7 axb4 1 7.lLle3 !"i:a7 1 8.ixf6 ixf6 1 9.tLle2 !"i:d8t 20.tLl d5 ic4 is also slightly better for Black. 1 6.ixe7 !"i:fe8 1 7.b5 !"i:xe7 1 8.bxa6 tLl c5 1 9.i>c2 f5 20.lLlc3 fxe4 White is clearly fighting for survival.

IO.bxc3 In this type of position White often plays 1 0.tLlxc3?!, intending to put pressure on the c-file. However, the weakening of the b-file and especially the b4-square are of greater importance. 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 .id3 lLlc6 1 2.lLlge2 tLl b4f± Black has nothing to complain about.

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This has become the main line. It is not so clear that 1 0 . . . c6 is worse, but it fell into disgrace after the following game: 1 1 .ih6 ( l l .h4 lLlbd7 1 2.ih6 ixh6 1 3.'1Mfxh6 e5 is unclear.) 1 1 . . .0-0 1 2.h4 e5 1 3.h5 !"i:e8 (Anand gives plenty of evidence that 1 3 . . . tLlxh5 1 4.g4! is dangerous for Black.) 1 4.hxg6 fx:g6 1 5 .ixg7 'it>xg7 1 6.lLlf2 !"i:a7?! (Anand points out that 1 6 . . . tLl bd7! offers Black counterplay.) 1 7.2"i:b l ! White had a strong initiative i n Anand Khalifman, Las Palmas 1 993.

1 94

The Modern Tiger

l l ..id3 The big difference between 1 0 ... 0-0 and 1 o . . . c6 is shown after: 1 1 .ih6 e5! Black is a crucial tempo ahead when it comes to creating counterplay in the centre. 1 2.h4 l"i:e8 12 . . . ixh6!? 1 3.'1Wxh6 lt'lh5!? is an interesting alternative. 1 3.d5?! This move does not combine well with the plan of exchanging the bishop on g7, since the dark squares on the queenside will become a playground for the black knights.

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1 3 . . . c6 1 4.dxc6 After 1 4.c4?! lt'la6 and the knight will enter Nirvana on b4 or c5. 14 ... lt'lxc6 1 5 .ixg7 c;t>xg7 1 6.ib5 Vffc7 1 7.h5 ie6 Threatening to break open the centre with . . . d5. 1 8 .lt:J e3 With balanced chances in Skripchenko - M. Gurevich, Groningen 1 997. ( 1 8.hxg6 fx:g6 1 9 .g4 h5! is wild but roughly level.)

l l...tLlbd7?! Black may run into difficulties after this move, and it is a good idea to search for improvements either here or earlier. 1 l . . .ia6!? 1 2.lt'le2 lt'lbd7 1 3.0-0 lt'lb6 is an

interesting way of taking aim at the c4-square. This seems to almost equalize, but it is a risky strategy. If White manages to gain control of the centre, Black may be left without a clear plan of action. 1 1 . . . c5!? This interesting move intends . . . cxd4 followed by . . . lt:J c6-b4, with a harmonious position. We will follow an email game which showed something close to model play for both sides: 1 2.lt:Je2 1 2.dxc5 ?! d5! and 1 2.d5 e6! are both nice for Black. 1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3.cxd4 lt'l c6 1 4.0-0! This improves over a game from the previous year: 1 4.ib5 lt'l b4 1 5 .lt'lf2 d5!? 1 6.0-0 (After 1 6.e5 lt'l d7 1 7.lt'ld3 lt'lxd3t 1 8.Vffxd3 ltJ b6 Black equalizes with the help of the c4square.) 1 6 ... ia6 (I prefer 1 6 . . . dxe4 1 7.fxe4 ib7 1 8.lt:Jc3 l"i:c8, reaching a balanced and complex position.) 1 7.lt'lc3 lt'l d7 1 8.ih6 ixb5 1 9.lt'lxb5 The position remained about equal in Hermansson - Palo, Malmo/ Copenhagen 2005.

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1 4 . . . lt'lb4 1 5 .ib5 d5 I have a soft spot for the flexible 1 5 . . . lt'le8!? in this kind of position, keeping . . . d5 for later. Mter 1 6.lt'lf2 lt'lc7 1 7.lt'ld3 lt'lca6 1 8.lt:Jxb4 lt'lxb4 1 9.l"i:ac l d5 20.e5 ia6 Black is close to equality.

195

Chapter 3 - Flexible Dragon Unleashed 1 6.e5 tLl e8! The idea of this move is to make it less attractive for White to answer . . . f6 with exf6, since that would give the knight a beautiful square on d6. Mter 1 6 . . . tLl d7 there is a clear point for White in not having played tLlf2, since this knight can now help to control c4. 1 7.tLlc1 tLlb6 (17 . . .f6 would be met by 1 8.exf6.) 1 8.tLl b2! .id7 1 9.tLlcd3 .ixb5 20.axb5 lLlxd3 2 1 .Wxd3 Wd7 22.1"i:fcl 1"i:fc8 23.1"i:xc8t Wxc8 24 ..id2 Wd7 The position is close to equal, but this line demands considerable accuracy from Black. 1 7.tLldc3 f6! 1 8.f4 Black is not worse after 1 8.exf6 .ixf6 followed by . . . tLl d6(-f5).

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This position is critical for the 1 l . . .c5 line. Black still has to take care not to end up in a bind. 1 8 . . . tLlc7 1 9.tLla2 tLlca6!? 20.tLlec1 fxe5 2 l .fxe5 Mter 2 l .dxe5 d4! 22 . .ic4t \tJh8 23.tLlxb4 lLlxb4 24 . .ixd4 tLlc2 25.tLlb3 lLlxa1 26.1"i:xa 1 White has good compensation for the exchange, but Black should be okay. 2 1 . . .1"i:xfl t 22 ..ixfl .if5 With a balanced position, Voss - Ludgate, email 2006.

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Black would like to play . . . e5, but must take care not to allow White to close the centre. After 12 . . . e5?! 1 3.d5! the position is reminiscent of the King's Indian Samisch, where White has the additional advantage of an open b-file. According to Jens Kristiansen Black can get reasonable play here with 1 3 . . . tLl h5!?. I find this hard to believe, but maybe I am too dogmatic. A better alternative is 1 2 . . . tLl b6!?, combining development with harassment of the a4-pawn. It is an interesting idea, but I still feel sceptical about the awkward position of the knight on b6. 1 3 ..ih6 (The critical line is 1 3.0-0 .ia6 1 4 . .ixa6 1"i:xa6 1 5 .tLl b2 tLl fd7, when Black is somewhat passive but not much worse.) 13 . . . e5 14 . .ixg7 This move only improves Black's position unless White is able to continue with h4-h5 . (It was better to either play 14.h4 now, or avoid .ih6 altogether.) 14 . . . 'it>xg7 1 5 .0-0 .id7 1 6.tLlb2 We8 1 7 . .ic2 We7 White was just marginally better in Krivec - Sermek, Bled 200 1 .

13.0-0 e5 14.tlJfl d5 In the 4 . . . c6 line, this position is rather common with Black to move. In that case the position is equal, whereas here White has some initiative.

1 96

The Modern Tiger 25 . . .Wc7 is better, though White keeps a slight initiative after 2G.!l:ae 1 . 2G.We3 tt:l dfG 27.1:l:ab 1 White had a clear advantage in Ljubojevic ­ Ehlvest, Linares 1 99 1 .

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1 5 .f4!? This is the most critical move, and it forces Black to flaunt some defensive skills. 1 5 . . . dxe4 1 G.tt:lxe4 exd4 1 7.ltlxd4! The less critical 1 7.il.xd4 was played in Roschina - Lakos, Medulin 1 997.

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White has a range of alternatives, but his main ideas are to play either c3-c4 or f3-f4. In the main game White goes for the former plan, but I believe the latter is more testing. 1 5 .-thG Wc7 1 5 . . . 1:l:e8 seems more logical. 1 G.il.xg7 cj;lxg7 1 7.f4 dxe4 1 8.il.xe4 After 1 8.fXe5 exd3 1 9.exfGt tt:lxfG 20.ltlxd3 tt:l e4! 2 1 .1Mfe3 f5, followed by . . . c5 and . . . .taG, Black is fine. 1 8 . . . exd4 1 9.ltlxd4 il.b7 20.il.f3 !l:ad8 2 1 .ltld3

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2 1 . . .c5 The Binary Accountant comes up with the instructive 2 1 . . . .taG! when 22.il.xcG ttl bG hands the initiative over to Black. 22.ltlb5 WbG 23.it.xb7 c4t 24.tt:ld4 Wxb7 25.ltle5 tt:l e4?!

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1 7 . . . il.aG! This is clearly safest. 1 7 . . . 1Mfc7 1 8.f5 gave White some initiative, although Black was able to hold in Cimmino - Straschewski, corr. 1 997. The best alternative is 17 . . . 1Mfe8!? when 1 8.tt:ldG We7 1 9.ltlc4 il.b7 20.ltlb3 c5 2 1 .f5 is double-edged. 1 8.tt:lxcG Wff c7 1 9.ltlxfGt tt:lxfG 20.ltle5 ltl d7 2 1 .tt:lxd7 Wxd7 22.il.xaG Wxd2 23.il.xd2 !l:xaG Although White is a pawn up, Black should have little trouble holding the endgame.

15 ... 1:'!:e8 16.!l:abl Wfc7 17.c4 dxe4 18.tLixe4 exd4 A more ambitious plan is 1 8 . . . tt:lxe4 1 9.il.xe4 f5, when 20.il.c2! .taG 2 l .il.b3 cj;lh8 22.d5 cxd5 23.cxd5 WdG leads to complex play.

19.tlJxd4

Chapter 3

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Flexible Dragon Unleashed

1 9.tLJxf6t ixf6 20.hd4 ixd4t 2 l .tLJxd4 tLJc5 is roughly equal.

19 ... �e5 20.�xf6t .t.x£6 21 ..tfl .ia6 22J;bc1 gadS 23.%Vfl gbs? Better is 23 .. JMfe7 24.E:e l ih4! 25.g3 if6 when Black has some initiative. After the text move White obtains a winning position with a tactical trick.

1 97

White is absolutely winning and should be able to wrap things up with a few precise moves. Instead he loses his way and allows Black to resist.

33 .tb7t 34.�xb7 %Vxb7t 35.c;f?fl �g4t 36.c;i?gl c;f?g7 37J�el %Vb3 38 ..ig2 %Vxa4 39.h3 �h6 40 .td5 �£5 41..tfl %Vb3 42. c;i?g2 a4 43J:�e2 %Va3 44.gcel %Vb3 45.gal � d6 46 .ixc5 �xc4 47 ..id4t c;i?h6 4S ..tc5 c;i?g7 49 ..1d4t c;i?h6 50 .ic5 c;i?g7 5 1..id4t •..

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In Tiger's Modern I gave 24 . . . cxb5 as a better option, but the engine takes me out of my delusion with 25.cxb5 'We7 26.bxa6 lDxf3t 27.gxf3! 'Wxe3 28 .'Wxe3 E:xe3 29J!d7, when Black has little hope.

25 ..ic5 .ih4 26.g3 %Vf6 27.�c7 �xf3t 2S.c;i?g2 gb2 29.�xe8 gxflt 30 .txfl %Ve7 31 .gxh4 �e5 32.�d6 c5 33 ..tg3?! •

The final game of the chapter sees White respond to 5 . . . �d7 with 6.a4. On the one hand this should be irrelevant to the reader looking to construct a repertoire, since - as I have already stated several times - Black should prefer 5 ... b5 over 5 . . . lD d7. Nevertheless, the game contains some instructive points which you may find useful should you ever encounter the ensuing Benoni structure over the board. Think of it as offering ideas for a rainy day.

Marcelino Sion Castro - Tiger Hillarp Persson Mondariz 1 994

l.e4 g6 2.d4 Ag7 3.�c3 d6 4 .ie3 a6 5.%Vd2 � d7 6.a4 b6 •

This position resembles Game 1 6 (Turov ­ Hillarp Persson on page 93) , but there is an important difference as White has played Wfd2 here, which does not fit in so well with the f2f4 plan.

7.f3 c5!? It is safer to adopt a Hippo formation, the most accurate move order being 7 . . . e6!, as explained on page 287.

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1 98

The Modern Tiger

After 8.lLlge2 cxd4 9.lLlxd4 i.b7 1 0.i.c4 lLlgf6 Black has a reasonable version of a Sicilian Dragon. White has played an early a2-a4, which makes long castling unattractive.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12.g4!

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White is right in avoiding 1 2.lLlf3 lLl f6 1 3.g4 lLle4!, when Black takes the initiative. a

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This is absolutely necessary. After 8 ... lLlgf6?! 9.lLlh3! 0-0 1 0 .i.e2 l"i:e8 1 1 .0-0 it is difficult for Black to achieve either . . . b5 or . . . e6. For instance, l l . . .lLle5 1 2.lLlf2 e6? 1 3.f4 lLl ed7 1 4.dxe6 l"i:xe6 1 5 .i.c4 is utterly awful for Black.

9.h3 f5! Without this break, the last move would have no meaning. Now the knight can retreat to f7 if attacked - a useful point to remember in this type of Benoni structure.

IO.f4 tiJf7 The knight is not very active here, but it is not in the way of the other pieces, and it guards the g5-square against an enemy knight potentially looking to invade on e6.

l l .exf5 i.x£5! 1 l .. .gxf5?! does not appeal to me, as the f5pawn may become weak and the c8-bishop has a bleak future. After 1 2.i.c4! ( 1 2.lLlf3?! e5! 1 3.dxe6 i.xe6 14.0-0-0 CfJ e7 is fine for Black) 1 2 . . . lLlf6 1 3.lLlge2 h5 14.i.f2 Black is horribly passive.

12 i.d7!? ..•

If Black is trying to manage without . . . e6, then it is better to play 1 2 . . . i.c8 1 3.i.c4 (after 1 3.lLlf3 lLl f6 1 4.lLlg5 lLlxg5 1 5 .fxg5 Black can play 1 5 . . . lLld7) 1 3 . . . lLlf6 14.lLlf3 0-0. The question now is whether White is overextended or Black is too cramped. I believe the position is balanced after 1 5 .0-0 i.b7 1 6 .Ei:ae l l"i:b8, intending ... b5. Also interesting is 12 ... i.xc3!? 1 3.bxc3! i.e4 14.Ei:h2 lLl f6. After 1 5 .c4 the bishop may seem stranded on e4, but Black can continue with 1 5 . . . 0-0 followed by . . . Ei:e8 and . . . e6 with good counterplay.

13.tiJf3 tiJf6!? I was quite intoxicated with the creative development of the game and totally forgot to check if my opponent had any threats. In Tiger's Modern I gave 1 3 . . . e5?! as the best alternative here, but I came to realize that 1 4.dxe6 i.xe6 1 5 .0-0-0 lLle7 1 6.i.g2 is clearly better for White, since my suggested 1 6 . . . d5? is hit by 1 7.f5! gxf5 1 8.lLlg5!. All in all, it seems that my oversight led me to play the best move.

Chapter 3 - Flexible Dragon Unleashed

1 99

16 ... b5! I chose to press my favourite Chaos Button rather than have to suffer after 1 6 . . . �xe6 1 7.dxe6 ttJd8 1 8 .0-0.

17.ltlxf8 �xf8 18.axb5 Both 1 8.�a2 b4 1 9.ttJd1 �xa4 and 1 8.�b3 b4 1 9 .tLle2 c4 20.�a2 c3 2 l .bxc3 ttJe4 22.Wid3 ttJxc3 offer Black decent compensation for the exchange.

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14 ... tt:lxg5 ? 1 5 .fxg5 shows the drawback of putting the bishop on d7 rather than c8: the knight can no longer go to d7, and 1 5 . . . ttJg8 equals resignation.

15.i.c4?! White ought to play 1 5 .�g2! 0-0 1 6.ttJe6 �xe6 1 7.dxe6 Wffxe6 1 8.�xa8 l"i:xa8 1 9.0-0-0 b5 20.f5 with somewhat better chances.

15 ... 0-0

Black has an excellent game after 20.�e2? b4 2 l .ttJd1 ttJxd5 22.�f3 �c6.

20 ...i.xb5 After 20 . . . ttJxd5!? 2 l .ttJxd5 �xb5 22.l"i:g1 (22.l"i:h2 �xb2) 22 ... �c6 23.ttJc3 Wia1 t 24.ttJd1 White has everything protected and is ready to start improving his coordination.

21.ltlxb5 ttJe4! Black loses the initiative after 2 1 . . . ttJ xd5 22.0-0! Wia2 23.ttJc3 ttJxc3 24.bxc3 Wffc4 25.l"i:b l .

Here I missed an opportunity to play the thematic 1 5 . . . b5! 1 6.axb5 axb5 1 7.l"i:xa8 Wffxa8 1 8.ttJxb5 0-0 when the lack of coordination becomes a real problem for White.

16.ltle6

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After 22.Wic l Wia5t 23.ttJc3 �xc3t 24.bxc3 Wixc3t Black will soon win back the exchange while keeping a slightly better position. a

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200

The Modern Tiger

22 ...'iNalt 23.e2 tlJg3t 24.'iNxg3 'iN:xhl 25.YN£3 White will be clearly better in the endgame if l exchange queens, so there is only one thing to do.

30 ...YNe4t! 3I.dl?? After 3 1 . �fl �g7 32.'1We8 Black has nothing better than 32 . . . '\Wh l t 33.�e2 We4t forcing a perpetual.

3I. ..i.g5 32.i.el 32.'1We8t Wg7 33.'1Wxd8 Wd3t 34.Wel j,d2t 35.Wdl j,e3t 36.�e l '1Wd2t 37.�fl Wxf2 is mate.

32 ... c4 33.i.d2 'iNd3 34.'iNb2 f7 35.'iNc2 'iNxd2t?! 35 . . . '\Wxh3 36.j,xg5 Wxg4t wins effortlessly.

36.'iNxd2 hd2 37.xd2 f6 38.e3 e5 39.g5?! e6 The rest is simple. a

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25 ... 'iNh2t 26.i.fl i.xb2 27.tlJc7 �d8 28.c3 i.cl 29.'iNd3? White would have been much better after 29.f5! intending tt:l e6t.

29...YN:xf4 30.'iNb5 I guess my opponent thought he was winning, otherwise his 29th move would be hard to explain. Evidently, he overestimated the impact of the white queen's invasion.

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40.�e8 xd5 4I .tiJf6t e5 42.�xh7 f5 43.�£6 d5 44.h4 �c6 45.�h7 e5 46.�£6 d4t 47.d2 �e7 48.�e8 e6 49.�c7t f5 50.tiJb5 e4 5 1.�d6t d5 52.�e8 d3 53.�f6t ci>e6 54.h5 g:xh5 55.�xh5 e4 56.g6 �d5 0-1 Conclusion Along with the Austrian and 3.c4, this chapter represents one of the most critical ways to meet the Modern. I recommend that the reader pays particular attention to the first three games, where White plays h2-h4, intending to meet ... h5 with tt:lh3-g5 . Generally speaking, Black does not have much margin for error here, and it is a good idea to spend a bit more time than usual on the first fifteen moves. The majority of my losses with the Modern have come in this line, but I believe the improvements I have found will help to tip the statistics in Black's favour once more.

Chapter 4 a

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Flexible Dragon Restrained l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.Eilf3 d6 4..ie3!? Eilf6! 5.c!tl c3 a6! Game 43 3.tl:!c3 d6 4..ie3 a6 5 .id3!? Game 38 5.a4 Eilf6!

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G. lil a Game 40

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6.h3 0-0

?.lila Game 4 1

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7.g4 Game 42

5.tl:!f3 b5 6.�d2 tl:!d7 7.a4!? b4 8.tl:!e2 c5 9.Eilg3 Game 39 6..id3 tl:!d7 7.e5!? Game 36 7.0-0 .ib7! 8.a4 b4 9.Eile2 Game 35 7.�d2 J.b7 8.a4 b4 9.tl:!e2 c5 10.c3 tl:!g£6 l l.Eilg3 Game 38 ll ..ih6!? Game 37 Game 37 - after 1 2.bxc3

Game 38 - after 1 I .ti)g3

223 208 203 220 215

Notes to Game 39 - after 1 6.id5 8

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l.e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.lLlc3 d6 4.�e3 a6 s.lLlf3 The Flexible Dragon Restrained is distinguished from its sibling, the Flexible Dragon Unleashed, by White's last move, lLlf3. In this line White rarely castles long and instead continues with "normal" moves like j,d3, 0-0, '!Wd2 and a2-a4, hitting b5. Black, on the other hand, plays the usual stuff: . . . b5, ... lLl d7, ... j,b7 and ... c5 .

5 ... b5 6.�d3 �b7 6 . . . tLl d7 is an equally valid move order. The knight move gives White the extra option of 7.d5, but it turns out to be harmless.

Over the course of the chapter we will encounter the following plans from White.

White plays a2-a4 and c2-c3 without WId2

(Game 35) I consider this to be the most critical move order, and Black has to play precisely to get a good game .

Sacrificing a pawn with e5-e6 (Game 36) This line became popular after Anand used it in 1 998. White gets reasonable compensation in the main game, but a pawn is still a pawn. For those who do not like to go after material, I can recommend the alternative 1 l . . .h6!?.

7.0-0 tLld7 8.a4! This is by far White's most common plan, intending to force Black to make a concession on the queenside. In the previous chapter we saw a similar scheme, with f3-f3 instead of lLlf3. In that position Black could bolster the queenside with ... c6, but here it is better to play:

8 ... b4 9.lLle2 c5 10.c3

White plays WId2 and a2-a4

(Games 37, 38 and 39) In Game 37 White sacrifices the e4-pawn with 1 1 .j,h6 in order to prevent Black from castling. Black is in no way forced to take the pawn, but I did take it and would do so again - albeit in a slightly improved way, as noted at move 12. In Game 38 White supports the e4-pawn with 1 1 .tLlg3 and Black chooses the unorthodox but effective 1 1 . . .h5! to renew the attack on White's centre. Game 39 features a slightly different version of the . . . h5 idea.

White plays 5.a4 to prevent ... b5 (Games 40, 41 and 42) Black's best answer is 5 ... lLlf6, which leads to a fairly popular variation of the Pirc. The three games feature different plans for White, none of which are terribly dangerous.

White plays 3.lLlf3 �g7 4.�e3 (Game 43) a

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From here Black should exchange on c3 and play . . . '!Wc7 before completing kingside development. White will generally play lLlg3 before deciding whether to attack on the kingside with '!Wd2 and j,h6, or to put a rook on the b-file and attack the a6-pawn.

This unusual move order discourages the immediate . . . a6, so I recommend entering a sub-variation of the so-called ' 1 50 Attack' with 4 . . . lLl f6 5.tLlc3 a6. I urge you to remember some of the key moves in the main line, especially 1 2 ... b4 and 1 3 . . . Ei:b8, but with that covered you will have nothing to fear.

Chapter 4 - Flexible Dragon Restrained First up is the most critical line where White leaves his queen on d l .

Federico Manca - Tiger Hillarp Persson Balzano 1 998

l .e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.t!Jc3 d6 4.�e3 a6 5.t!Jf3 b5 When White refrains from 5 .'Wd2, there is no reason to play . . . lt'l d7 before . . . b5. The point is that after 6.a4 b4 7.lt'le2, the b4-pawn is not threatened and Black has time to play 7 ... lt'ld7.

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6 ... t!Jd7 When I play the . . . a6 Modern, I always spend a few seconds, on every move, calculating the consequences of both e4-e5 and a2-a4. Whenever I am contemplating . . . lt'ld7, I also ask myself whether there is reason to be afraid of d4-d5 followed by lt'l d4.

7.0-0 In the Classical Variation (see Chapter 6) , the plan of 7.d5 can sometimes prove dangerous, but here Black has nothing to fear: 7 . . . lt'lgf6! 8.lt'ld4 (8.a4 b4 9.lt'ld4!? c5! 1 0.dxc6 bxc3 l l .cxd7t i.xd7 1 2.bxc3 'Wc7 followed by . . . e5 and . . . d5 is nice for Black.) 8 . . . lt'le5! (8 . . . 0-0 9.a4 bxa4 1 0.lt'lc6 'We8 1 1 .0-0 e6 1 2.:B:el is a bit better for White.)

6.�d3 6.a4!? b4 7.lt'ld5 a5 8 .i.d3 should be met by either 8 . . . lt'l d7 9.0-0 i.b7 intending . . . lt'lgf6 with equality, or 8 . . . e6 9.lt'lf4 lt'lf6 1 0.c3 i.b7 l l .'Wc2 bxc3 1 2.bxc3 lt'l bd7 1 3Jl:b l :B:b8 14.0-0 0-0 followed by . . . e5 or . . . c5. Instead I opted for 8 . . . c6?! 9.lt'lf4 lt'ld7 1 0.0-0 e5 l l .lZ'le2 lt'lgf6 1 2.'Wd2 0-0 in Timman - Hillarp Persson, Dan Hansson Memorial (rapid) 2002, and here White could have claimed a small advantage with 1 3.dxe5N dxe5 1 4.c3.

White can also consider 7.a4!?, which leads to the main line without allowing Black to play . . . c5 on the next move.

7 ...�b7! 7 . . . c5!? I am not too happy about this move, which ignores the basic principle: "do not open up the position while underdeveloped." Still, it is not easy to refute.

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8.dxc5!? After 8.a4?! b4 9.lt:le2 cxd4 1 0.lt:lexd4 j,b7 1 I .iMfd2 lt:Jgf6 1 2.iMfxb4 !'i:b8 Black will regain the pawn with good chances. 8 . . . dxc5 8 . . . lt:lxc5!? is not as bad as I originally thought: 9.j,d4 j,xd4 (9 . . . lt:l f6?! 1 0.e5! is strong.) 1 0.lt:lxd4 lt:l f6 1 l .b4! lt:lxd3 ( l l ...lt:Jcd7 1 2.a4 bxa4 1 3.lt:lxa4 j,b7 1 4.iMfe2 is better for White.) 1 2.cxd3 iMfb6! This is the only move that makes it hard for White to put the knight on a5 . 1 3 .lt:lb3 j,e6! 14.lt:la5 Wfd4! 1 5 .1"i:cl iMfxb4 1 6.lt:lc6 iMfa3 The position is unclear. Unfortunately, the simple 9.j,xc5! dxc5 1 0 .e5 offers White some advantage.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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In this position 8 . . . c6 has a bad reputation because of 9.h3! e5 1 0.axb5! axb5 ( 1 0 ... cxb5 1 l .dxe5 dxe5 12.j,xb5!! was extremely dangerous for Black in Van der Weide - Piker, Rotterdam 1 998) 1 1 .1"i:xa8 j,xa8 ( l l . ..iMfxa8 1 2.j,xb5!) 1 2.d5 and there is nothing to stop me from agreeing with Yudasin, who evaluates White to be clearly better.

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9.a4!? This is the most direct move, but 9.iMfd2!? may be an improvement. 9 . . . b4 1 0.lt:le2! lt:lgf6 1 l .e5 The position is rather messy. A possible line is: 1 1 ...lt:ld5 1 2.j,e4 lt:lxe3 1 3.fxe3 !'i:b8 1 4.e6 fxe6 1 5 .lt:Jg5 lt:l e5 1 6.lt:Jf4 iMfxd1 1 7.1"i:axd 1 !'i:b6 1 8 .a5 !'i:d6 The situation remains unclear. We may conclude that 7 . . . c5!? is worth considering, but please remember that White can avoid this possibility with the 7.a4!? move order, as noted earlier.

9.lt:ld5? is the worst option, since 9 . . . j,xd5! 1 O.exd5 lt:lgf6 wins a pawn for which it is hard for White to find compensation. After 9.lt:la2 the simplest solution is 9 . . . lt:lgf6 (9 . . . c5!? 1 0.dxc5 lt:lxc5 1 1 .lt:lxb4 lt:lxe4 1 2.iMfe2 is messy, although 12 . . . Wfa5 1 3.j,xe4 iMfxb4 14.j,xb7 iMfxb7 1 5 .1"i:a3 lt:lf6 1 6.1"i:b3 iMfd7 1 7.a5 0-0 seems fine for Black) 1 O.d5 a5 1 1 .c3 bxc3 1 2.lt:lxc3 c6 1 3.dxc6 j,xc6 14.j,b5 !'i:c8 with a balanced position.

9 tl.'lgf6?! •••

This has been played in a number of games but, considering White's dangerous option on the next move, I now consider it to be a mistake. The correct continuation is 9 . . . c5 1 0.c3 bxc3 1 l .bxc3 Wfc7!. With the e5-square now under

Chapter 4

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Flexible Dragon Restrained

control, Black can continue with . . . lLlgf6 on the next move. The resulting position will be approximately equal and similar to the position that occurs after move 1 3 in the game.

Another GM game continued: 10 ... 0-0 l l .Wfd2 ( l l .a5! is slightly better for White.) l l . . . c5 1 2.�h6?! This is just playing into Black's hands. 1 2 . . . �xh6 1 3.Wfxh6 cxd4 1 4.lLlxd4

10.ltlg3 I find it puzzling that no one has tried 1 O.e5!?N here. 1 0 . . . dxe5 is more or less forced, otherwise the e5-e6 sacrifice will be strong. Mter 1 1 .dxe5 lLld5 1 2.e6 the game is far from one-sided, but it is still not clear to me whether Black can equalize. At any rate, I see no reason to allow this, and today I would prefer 9 . . . c5 as noted above. a

IO ... c5 In a later game I deviated with 1 0 . . . a5!?, with the idea of preventing White from playing a4-a5, before completing development with . . . 0-0. Compared to the 4 . . . c6 lines, Black is helped by the fact that the e4-pawn is under attack from the bishop on b7. 1 l .c3 ( l l .Wfd2 0-0 1 2.c3 bxc3 1 3.bxc3 �b8 1 4.�h6 e5 also reaches a balanced position.) 1 l . . . bxc3 1 2.bxc3 0-0 1 3.�b 1 Now the most accurate move is:

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1 4 . . . tLl e5 ( 1 4 . . . lLlc5 1 5 .�ae l e5 1 6.lLldf5 looks dangerous, although Black may be okay after 1 6 . . . gxf5 1 7.lLlxf5 lLle6.) 1 5 .�fe l lLlfg4 1 6.Wfd2 Wfb6 1 7.tLlb3 ( 1 7.�e2 a5 1 8.c3 bxc3 1 9.bxc3 Wfc7 also gives Black no problems.) 17 . . . �ac8? 1 8.a5 1hanks to Black's error on the last move, the b-pawn soon fell in Cheparinov - Chatalbashev, Mondariz Balneario 2002. Instead after 17 . . . a5!N Black would have been fine. Finally, if you found yourself wondering about 1 0 . . . h5!?, it means you have picked up an important idea from this book. However, in this instance it does not seem to lead anywhere after l l .�g5 lLlh7 1 2 .�d2 lLlhf6 1 3.�e l h4 14.lLlfl h3 1 5 .g3, when I am afraid that the h3-pawn will prove to be more of a liability than an asset.

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1 3 . . . �b8!N (Improving on 1 3 ... Wfc8 1 4.h3, as seen in Stefansson - Hillarp Persson, Iceland 2005.) 1 4.h3 c6 1 5 .Wfe2 Wfc7 Black has nothing to complain about, and can follow up with either . . . e6 and . . . c5, or just . . . e5.

l l .c3 0-0? Black should have prevented cxb4 by playing l l . . .bxc3 before castling. Compared to a position where Wfd2 has already been played, there are some advantages for White here. For instance, the bold l l . . . h5?! does not work due to 1 2.�g5 . Black is left short

The Modern Tiger

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on explosives, since 12 . . . d5? 1 3.e5 lt:Je4 does not attack the queen, and 1 4.e6 is horrible.

I am also not a fan of 1 2 . . . a5 1 3.'1We2 '1Wc7, as Black has too many holes on the light squares.

12.h3? This is a loss of time, as . . . lt:Jg4 is still not a threat. Instead White can get the advantage with 1 2.cxb4! cxd4 ( 1 2 . . . cxb4 is met by 1 3.a5 and the b4-pawn is weak) 1 3.j_xd4 e5 1 4.j_c3 :!:l:e8 1 5 .:!:l:e l , when, contrary to my opinion during the game, Black has too little for the pawn. For this kind of pawn sacrifice to work, Black generally needs to be able to open up the centre with moves like . . . e5 and . . . d5.

13.bxc3 Despite the move-order errors from both sides, we have arrived at a thematic and critical position.

1 2.a5 is also stronger than the game continuation, although Black gets interesting play with 1 2 . . . c4!?. This is rather academic though, as both sides can improve before this positon arises. a

13 ... c4?!

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I have included this game because of the many instructive mistakes I committed. After 1 3 . . . cxd4?! 14.cxd4 a5 1 5 .:!:l:b l the queenside becomes White's playground. Black should almost always avoid positions like this, unless he is able to establish a knight on b4 quickly.

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Finally making the exchange that should have been made a few moves ago. 12 . . . c4 1 3.j_xc4! bxc3 14.j_d3! cxb2 1 5 .:!:l:b l gives White a slight advantage. Even worse is 12 .. .1.Wa5 ?! 1 3.j_dz cxd4 14.cxd4 when the black queen is badly misplaced.

It was clearly better to play: 1 3 . . . '\Wa5 1 4.'\Wd2 14.j_d2!? c4! 1 5 .j_c2 ( 1 5 .j_xc4 lt:Jxe4 1 6.lt:Jxe4 j_xe4 1 7.:!:l:el lt:Jf6 is fine for Black) 1 5 . . . e5 1 6.'\We2 '1Wc7 1 7.d5 a5, followed by . . . j_a6 and . . . lt:J c5-d3/-b3, gives Black excellent chances. 1 4 . . . :!::!: a b8 The position is roughly level. I found a computer game in which Black played riskily, leading to an odd material balance of rook and several pawns for a queen.

Chapter 4

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Flexible Dragon Restrained

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14..ic2 After 14.ixc4 Black equalizes easily with 1 4 . . . tlJxe4 1 5 .tlJxe4 ixe4 1 6.a5 Wl'c7 1 7.tlJd2 ib7 followed by . . . e5.

14... e5 I considered 1 4 . . . a5, but did not like rhe position after 1 5 .:1:1b l Wl'c7 1 6.tlJd2 ia6 1 7.f4, when I could not see a plan for Black. b

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1 5 .:1:1fb l .ic6!? 15 ... ia8 and 15 ... :1:1fe8!? are the sane alternatives. 1 6.d5 :1:1xb l t 1 7.:1:1xb l ixa4 1 8.WI'a2 Wfxc3 19.ie2 .ic2 20.:1:1b2 ixe4 2 1 ..id2 ixd5 22.Wi'al 8 7

I was more afraid of 1 5 .a5!?. Black can try 1 5 . . . ic6, intending 1 6.d5 .ib5 . White should be better, but he will be slightly troubled by the weak a-pawn.

15 a5! .•.

IfWhite is allowed to play a4-a5, then Black will be left with no space and a weak c-pawn.

16.Wfd2! .ia6 17 ..ih6 �c5 ISJ�abH

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This inexact move gives me the opportunity to jump into the driver's seat. Better was 1 8 . .ixg7 c.t>xg7 1 9.WI'g5, when only 1 9 . . . tlJg8! keeps rhe balance.

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22 . . . Wfxb2 23.Wfxb2 :1:1a8 24.Wfa3 ic6 25 .Wfa5 tlJd5 White eventually prevailed in Junior Twisted Logic, Trier 20 1 0 .

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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18 .cli�fd7 19 ..ixg7 �xg7 20.h4 h6?! •.

It is better to play 20 . . . tlJ b3! 2 1 .Wi'e3 tlJ dc5, when White will have to prove compensation for the soon-falling a-pawn.

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21 .h5 Y!!e7 22.ltlh2 Y!!g5!? A rather nervous reaction, fearing a possible attack with f2-f4 and lt:J g4.

Felix Levin - Igors Rausis

23.Yf!xg5 hxg5 24.hxg6 fxg6 25.ltl6 �f6 26.tiJd2 �ab8

Hamburg 200 1

I thought I could win from here, but it turns out that there is insufficient scope to improve my position.

l .e4 g6 2.d4 .tg7 3.ltlc3 d6 4..te3 a6 5.ltl6 b5 6 ..td3 6.a3? would be a horrible waste of time for White. Not only is there no reason to stop Black from playing . . . b4 (as long as the e4pawn is protected) , but it is also a clear sign of White's failure to realize that a2-a4 is one of the best available plans.

6 ... ltld7

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27 . . . g4 was a better try, though White should be okay after 28.lt:Jgfl intending ctJe3.

If it was within my power to ban people from playing 6 . . . e6?, I would jump at the opportunity. It is almost too ugly for words, and the . . . b5 move will come back to haunt Black later. This is one breed of Hippo that deserves to go extinct. A possible continuation is 7.�d2 h6 8.0-0 ctJe7 9.a4 b4 l O.ctJe2 a5 l l .c3 when Black is far behind in development and the queenside is about to open up: a recipe for disaster.

28.�al ltlbd7 29.�dbl �xbl t 30.�xbl �b8 31 .�xb8 ltlxb8 32.ltlgfl ltlbd7 33.ltle3 liJb6 The parties are mutually involved in the attack and defence of the c4-pawn. There is no room for improvement on either side.

34.6 �e7 35.�h2 g4! 36.�g3 gx6 37.gxf3 ltlc:xa4 38 ..txa4 Here a draw was agreed, since 38 . . . ctJxa4 39.ctJdxc4 ctJxc3 is dead equal. lf2-1J2

This game was far from perfect, but it serves as a good introduction to the basic set-ups for both sides. When it comes to move orders in the opening, 9 . . . lt:Jgf6? should be discarded in favour of 9 . . . c5!.

7.e5!? Always think carefully when White advances his e-pawn to the fifth rank. It is a signal of

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Chapter 4 - Flexible Dragon Restrained aggression, and e5-e6 is hanging in the air. Is this something to fear? I would say no, not in general. However, every position must be treated as unique. Sometimes it is best to block the further advance of the pawn (with . . . e6) and sometimes it is better to allow it.

Mter 8.exd6? cxd6 White has wasted time and improved Black's pawn structure in the process.

8 ... fxe6 9.tLlg5 tlJ£8 10.0-0 White should provide his king with a safe haven before attacking.

7...i.b7! In the present position, I do not see any problem in allowing the further advance of the white pawn.

After 10.h4?! j,xg2 1 1 .:B:h2 j,b7 1 2.h5 'f7?! followed by ... 'it>g8 . To me it looks more promising to go the other way with 1 3 ... g5! 1 4.h3 d8!?, intending . . . '®e8 followed by rolling the g- and h-pawns.

12 ... h6 13.l£lf3 The opening is over and the middlegame is commencing. What should the two sides be doing? It is often useful for Black to play . . . l"i:b8, because White generally tries to open the b-file at some point. On the kingside Black should improve slowly; playing . . . g5 is fine, but he should not rush with . . . g4 unless there is a really good reason (a few such examples are given in the notes below) . White's most common plan is to play a4 and then lLle4. Exchanges will follow on e4, and it is preferable for White to take back with the queen on that square, rather than with the rook.

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Th e Modern Tiger

13 ...g5!? I believe this to be the most useful and flexible move at Black's disposal. Eventually Black may be able to advance further with . . .if6, . . . h5 and . . . g4. White will try to open up the queenside, but it is still not clear exactly how best to do it. 1 3 . . . Wf7?! commits the king earlier than is needed. 1 4.a4? b4 1 5 .tLle4 was played in Calzetta Ruiz - Chatalbashev, Cutro 2002, and here Black should have played 15 . . . he4 1 6.ixe4 tLlxe4 1 7Ji:xe4 E:b8 1 8 .c3 bxc3 1 9.bxc3 VMc6, intending . . . if6, . . . g5 and . . . tLlg6, with excellent chances of exploiting the extra pawn. However, White could have improved with 1 4.VMe2!, preparing a2-a4 and eventually taking back on e4 with the queen. 1 4.b4!? also improves over the above game. 1 3 . . . E:c8!? was played in Magomedov Urban, Koszalin 1 999. Black is preparing . . . c5, but White has a good reply: 1 4.b4!N c5 ( 1 4 . . . e5 1 5 .dxe5 tLlg4 1 6.a4 hf3 1 7.VMxf3 tLlxe5 1 8.E:xe5 ixe5 1 9.axb5 and White has a dangerous initiative for the exchange) 1 5 .dxc5 dxc5 1 6.bxc5 E:xc5 1 7.E:b 1 VMc7 1 8 .E:b3 and White has the initiative. 1 3 . . . E:b8 was awarded an exclamation mark by Anand in Informant 72, and indeed after 1 4.a4?! b4 1 5 .tLl e4 tLlxe4 1 6.ixe4 ixe4 1 7.E:xe4 VMc6 1 8.E:e3 VMc4 1 9.c3 b3 the position was unclear in Anand - Svidler, Linares 1 998. Note the usefulness of the rook on b8 in protecting the b-pawn. However, White has a few ways to improve. 14.VMe2 prepares the typical idea of a2-a4 and eventually taking back on e4 with the queen. However, it looks even more principled to play 1 4.b4! followed by a2-a4. Against this plan I might prefer to keep my rook on a8, in order to meet a2-a4 with . . . c6.

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As usual, White could have prefaced this move with 1 4.VMe2, intending to take back with the queen on e4. I mentioned this idea in Tiger's Modern, but since then I realized that 1 4 . . . g4! 1 5 .tLlh4 h5 is quite promising for Black.

1 4.b4!? has been suggested by Yudasin, intending a2-a4 without allowing . . . b4 .

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My engine suggests the materialistic 14 . . . ic6, with the idea to play 1 5 .a4 bxa4! or 1 5 .VMe2 E:b8 1 6.a4 bxa4. This might well be the best defence for Black. A riskier possibility is 14 . . . g4 1 5 .tLlh4 h5 1 6.a4 tLl d5 1 7.axb5 tLlxc3 1 8.ixc3 axb5 1 9.VMe2 if6 when the insanity is just about to begin.

Chapter 4

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Flexible Dragon Restrained

The latest clash i n this variation went: 14.h3!? E!:g8!? 1 5 .a4 b4 1 6.lt:Je4 tt::l xe4 1 7 . .txe4 �xe4 1 8.E!:xe4 'Wc6 1 9.'We2 1 9.Ei:e3 'Wd5 20 ..txb4 h5! leads to mutual chances.

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23.d5! exd5 24.cxd5 'Wxd5 25 . .tc3! .txc3 26.E!:xe7t d8 27.Ei:e8t '1t>d7 28.'We7t Even stronger was 28.Ei:e7t c8 29.E!:dl 'Wc6 30.E!:e8t '1t>b7 3 l .Ei:b l t .tb4 32.E!:xa8 'kt>xa8 33.lt:Jd4!, although this is outside the scope of the average carbon-based life form. 28 . . . '\t>c6 29.E!:xa8 .txa l ? 2 9 . . . tt::l g6! should draw. 30.'We8t b6 3 l .Ei:b8t 'kt>a7 32.E!:b5 tt::l g6 33.'We l 'Wc6 34.'Wxa5t Black resigned in Magem Badals Movsziszian, Catalonia 20 12.

14...b4 15.ttle4 ttlxe4?! a

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1 9 . . . a5 I cannot see a convincing reason not to play 1 9 . . . 'Wxc2 20.Ei:cl 'Wxb2 2 l .Ei:xc7 'Wb3, when 22 . .txb4 .tf6! seems roughly equal, although it is hard to make sense of the rather odd position on the board. 20.c3 bxc3 2 l .bxc3 2 l ..txc3!? 'Wd5 22.E!:e 1 h5 23.tt::l d2 E!:h8 24.tt::l fl ! would have given Black bigger problems. 2 1 . . . .tf6 22.c4! White has a devious plan involving d4-d5 and .tc3. 22 . . . h5?! 22 ... 'kt>d8! is an excellent prophylactic move to draw most of the venom out of the d4-d5 idea. In that case the position would have remained unclear.

Yudasin gives this move an exclamation mark, but I prefer 1 5 . . . g4! 1 6.lt:Jh4 .txe4 1 7 . .txe4 tt::l xe4 1 8.E!:xe4 h5. Play may continue 1 9 . .tg5 E!:g8 20.'Wd2 c5 2 1 .tt::l f5!? (after 2 l .c3 bxc3 22.bxc3 cxd4 23.cxd4 'Wb7 24.E!:ae l 'Wd5 it is not easy for White to get the knight on h4 back into the game) 2 1 . . ..txd4 22.tt::l xd4 cxd4 23.E!:xd4 a5 when only Black can be better.

16.he4 he4 17.�xe4 Y!fc6 This improves over a previous game which continued: 17 . . . a5 ?! 1 8.c3 'Wc6 1 9 .'Wc2

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1 9 . . . bxc3?! It was better to play 19 . . . .tf6 first. White is not threatening cxb4 yet, so there is no point in opening the b-file. a

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Th e Modern Tiger

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19 . . . b3!? can also be considered in this type of position. It all comes down to time: will White be able to play �a3, tLld2 and pick up the pawn before Black can create counterplay somewhere else? It is always a hard decision, but I would generally avoid such a committal course of action unless I am absolutely sure of it. 20.bxc3 j,f6 In Informant 74, Yudasin gives 20 . . . �b8 2 1 .\Wd3 intending c3-c4 (attacking a5) as better for White. Still, after 2 l . . .�b3 Black has better prospects than in the game. 2 l .�b l �g8 22.�b5! White had the initiative in Yudasin Kanstler, Israel 1 998.

8

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Yudasin recommends 1 8 .\We l ! Wxc2 1 9.j,xb4 intending j,a5 and �cl "with compensation for the material". However, Black is not obliged to take on c2, and can instead get a comfortable position with 1 8 . . . �b8!. After 1 9.c3 bxc3 20.bxc3 the position resembles Yudasin - Kanstler above, with the important difference that Black's a-pawn is still on a6, rather than the more vulnerable a5 .

It seems better to grab a pawn with 1 8 . . . \Wxc2, when neither the Silicon Monster nor I have been able to find a way for White to get enough compensation. Still, this is not a very human choice, and Rausis' choice is good and solid.

19.c3 bxc3 20.bxc3 Also interesting is 20.j,xc3 Wd5 2 1 .tLle1 a5 22.tLld3 h5 with a highly unclear situation.

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•.•

White is trying to win by a direct attack, but this weakens the centre prematurely and makes Black's counterplay on the b-file even more efficient. A better move is 2 1 .h3, when White has just enough compensation for the pawn.

21 ...�b2 22.�el W!'xa4 23.d5 e5 So, what now? Black is two pawns up and White has tripled the heavy mob on a closed file.

24.clihe5!? The sacrifice is insufficient, but White was done for anyway.

24... dxe5 25.W!'h5t d8 26.i.c3 �xfl? 18 ... �b8

26 . . . �b3! wins without any fuss.

Chapter 4

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Flexible Drago n Restrained

21 5

harmonious. So far, yes, but if Black manages to open up the position, the white pieces may find the centre a bit crowded.

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White repays the compliment. After 27.�xf2 \Wc2t 28.\We2 '1Wxc3 the win will take some extra time.

27 ... Vffc2 28.i.xf6 �xf6 29.�4e2 V!fxc4 30.�xe7 �fl t 31 .�xfl V!fc5t 32.�fl V!fxe7 0-1 The e5-e6 line is a recurring favourite in 'how to beat the Modern' literature, but I am not impressed. It is worth checking some of the alternatives mentioned from move I I onwards, especially I 4.h3, which has brought White one practical victory and thus may be tested again.

White can also continue down the developing road with 8.0-0, when Black must make an important choice between a) 8 . . .lt:Jgf6 and b) 8 . . . c5!, the latter being my preference: a) 8 . . .lL:lgf6 This is on the verge of being dubious, but I have not yet found a definitive route to a white advantage. The best try is: 9.e5!

Pontus Carlsson - Tiger Hillarp Persson Stockholm 1 999

l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.ClJc3 d6 4.i.e3 a6 5.V!fd2 The combination of the queen on d2 and an early a2-a4 is less dangerous for Black than the set-up seen in the previous game.

5 ... ClJd7 6.tlJf3 b5 7.i.d3 This kind of set-up attracts many players, as White's development is fast and it looks

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Th e Modern Tiger

This is necessary, as 9 ... ltJ g4 1 0.e6 fXe6 1 l .ctJ g5 ltJf8 1 2.Wfe2! is clearly better for White. 1 O.dxe5 ltJg4 1 l .e6 ltJ de5 1 2.exf7t ctJxf7 1 3.:B:ad 1 1 3.Wfe2!? �xc3 1 4.:B:ad l ! ( 1 4.bxc3? Wfd6!) 14 . . . ctJxe3 1 5 .fXe3 �f6 1 6.�xb5t axb5 1 7.Wfxb5t fg 1 8.:B:xd8t ctJxd8 1 9.ctJd4 mg7 is another unclear position. 8

1 0.b4! ltJ d7! 1 o . . ctJxd3 1 l .cxd3 d5 1 2.�d4! is better for White. 1 l .a4 bxa4 1 2.:B:xa4 This position might appear better for White, but I believe it is balanced. 1 2 . . . ltJgf6 1 3.�h6 1 3 .:B:fa1 0-0 1 4.�d4 Wfc7 1 5 .:B:4a3 :B:fe8! is decent for Black, who intends ... e5, ... d5 and . . . e4. 13 . . . 0-0 14.�xg7 xg7 1 5 .:B:a5 .

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1 3 . . . �xf3!? 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.Wfe2 is better for White. 14.gxf3 ctJge5 1 5 .Wfe2 Wfc8 1 6.�e4 c6 1 7.f4 ltJ c4 1 8.Wff3 0-0 The position is in some kind of obscure balance. b) 8 . . . c5! 9.dxc5 ctJxc5 It is best to stay away from 9 . . . dxc5?! 1 0.:B:ad1 ltJgf6 1 l .e5 ltJg4 12.e6 fXe6 1 3.�e4 when Black is worse.

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1 5 . . . Wfc7 I recommended this in Tiger's Modern, and have found no reason to change my mind. Instead 1 5 . . . ltJ b6?! 1 6.:B:e 1 was better for White in Meister - lnarkiev, Moscow 2004. 1 6.:B:fa1 :B:fc8 1 7.:B: 1 a3 ctJb6 This is where my previous analysis ended. It might even have inspired the game Emelyano - Kroll, email 2005, which continued: 1 8.Wfe3 ctJ c4 1 9.�xc4 Wfxc4 With excellent chances for Black.

8 b4 9.liJe2 .•.

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9.ctJd5 c5 1 0.0-0 e6 1 l .ctJf4 should be met by the simple 1 l . . .ctJgf6, with good play for Black. (However, Black had better avoid 1 l . . .cxd4 1 2.ctJxd4 e5? on account of 1 3.ctJfe6 fXe6 14.ltJxe6 Wfc8 1 5 .ctJxg7t f7 1 6.ctJh5 gxh5 1 7.Wfxb4.)

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Chapter 4 - Flexible Dragon Restrained

1 1 . . . c5N 1 1 . . .e6 has been played a few times, but this is unsuitable terrain for a Hippo. 1 2.c3 tLlgf6 1 3.CLJg5 A typical mistake is 1 3 .e5?!, when 1 3 . . . bxc3 1 4.bxc3 dxe5 1 5 .dxe5 CLJ d5 leaves Black with some advantage. 1 3 . . . h4 14.CLJe2 "!lic7 1 5.1"i:cl b3 1 6 . .tc4 0-0 Followed by . . . d5, with complicated play.

10.c3

9 . c5 ..

I have experimented with 9 ... a5 1 0.CLJg3 h5!? This can be compared with Black's 1 1 th move in the next game. 1 O . . . CLJgf6 is more solid, after which 1 1 ..th6 0-0 is approximately equal. A similar position is analysed in Manca - Hillarp Persson (Game 35) after 1 0 . . . a5 . 1 1 .h3 1 1 .h4!? leads to unclear play after either 1 1 . . .CLJh6 1 2.c3 bxc3 1 3.bxc3 tLl g4, or 1 l ...CLJgf6 1 2.e5 dxe5 1 3.dxe5 tLl g4 1 4.e6 CLJde5. My game continued 1 1 ..tg5 h4 12 ..txh4 .txd4 1 3.CLJxd4 1"i:xh4 1 4.CLJf3 l"i:h8 1 5 .c3 CLJc5 and I had an excellent position in Nyback - Hillarp Persson, Skelleftea 200 1 , though I later became too optimistic and my king was massacred.

White can also try 1 O.dxc5!? dxc5 1 1 .0-0 when Black has a choice between the risky 1 l . . ..txb2 1 2.1"i:ad 1 .tg7, and the safer 1 l . ..CLJgf6, when Black is fine after both 1 2.e5 tLlg4 1 3.e6 fxe6 and 12 ..th6 0-0!. Another possibility is: 1 0.CLJg3 tLlgf6 1 L.th6?! Both 1 1 .0-0 tLlg4 and 1 1 .h3 cxd4 12 ..txd4 a5 are fine for Black. 1 1 .c3 h5! is seen in the next game. 1 l . . . .txh6 1 2.Wixh6 cxd4 1 3 . 0-0 After 1 3.Wid2!? e5! 1 4.Wixb4 "!lic7 Black is whistling his favourite tune. Now in Collins - Hillarp Persson, Isle of Man 200 1 , I should have played:

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1 3 . . . e5!N White does not have enough for the pawn. Black is threatening . . . tLlg4 followed by . . . 0-0, and if White prevents it with 1 4.h3, Black can disentangle with 14 . . . CLJg8 and . . . 'tt> f8-g7.

Th e Modern Tiger

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An important detail is that . . . l2'lg8 cannot be met by Vfff g7, as . . . Vffff6 would force the exchange of queens.

lO ttJgf6 l l.i.h6!? ••.

The alternative 1 l .l2'lg3 is seen in the next game.

l l hxc3 .••

I prefer not to give White the opportunity to take on b4.

12.bxc3

In a subsequent game I improved (while still missing the stronger improvement on the previous move) with 1 3 . . . J.xe4!? 14.J.xe4 l2'lxe4. The game continued: 1 5 .Vfffg7?! 1"i:f8 1 6.0-0 (After 1 6.Vfffxh7 l2'ldf6 1 7.Vfffh4 cxd4 1 8.l2'lfxd4 g5 1 9.Vfffh 3 Vfff c8 Black is better due to his superior pawn structure and central control.) 16 ... l2'l df6 1 7.dxc5? ( 1 7.l2'lg3) 17 . . . 1"i:g8 1 8.Vfff h6 g5! 1 9.l2'lfd4 Vfff c 8 20.cxd6 l2'lxd6 2 1 .l2'lg3 1"i:g6 22.Vfffh3 Vfffxh3 23.gxh3 1"i:c8 Black soon won in Schmied - Hillarp Persson, Copenhagen 2002. However, White can do better with 1 5 .0-0. The latest engines evaluate the position as equal, but who would wish to play such a position with Black, having just one extra pawn and no obvious way to solve the problem of his king?

14.cxd4

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Here the engines come to my help and point out that 12 . . . l2'lxe4!N 1 3.J.xe4 J.xh6 14.Vfffxh6 J.xe4 is better for Black. One possible line is 1 5 .Vfffg7 1"i:f8 1 6.l2'lg5 J.xg2 17.1"i:g1 J.d5 1 8.l2'lxh7 Vfffb 6 when Black will get more than enough compensation for the exchange due to White's terrible pawn structure.

13.Vfffxh6 White offers a pawn for the initiative and Black has to take it. The position becomes extremely sharp and it is difficult to give a reliable verdict as to whose chances are better.

13 cxd4?! •.•

This is illogical, as White is the only one who can benefit from opening the position.

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•.•

Black should avoid exchanging queens, as after 1 4 . . . Vfffa5t?! 1 5 .Vfff d2 Vfffxd2t 1 6.l2'lxd2 0-0 1 7.f3 White is dominating the queenside.

15.i.xe4 tlJxe4 16.0-0 e6 17.tlJg3 After 1 7.1"i:fe 1 Vfff f6 1 8.l2'lg3 l2'lxg3 1 9.hxg3 g5 20.Vfffxg5 Vfffxg5 2 1 .l2'lxg5 We?, Black is slightly better in the endgame.

17 tlJef6 •..

Chapter 4 - Flexible Dragon Restrained The white knight is not well placed o n g3, I had no reason to exchange it, especially as this would have gifted White an open f-file.

>O

ISJ:Uel V!fe7 White has a strong initiative after either 1 8 . . . tLlb6 1 9.:B:ab l or 1 8 . . . tLlg8 1 9.Wf4.

19.:B:acl Yffffi 20.Yffg5 After 20.Wd2 Black should play it safe with 20 . . . We7 rather than go for the speculative 20 ... h5?!, when 2 l .d5! e5 22.tLlg5 is unpleasant.

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If White exchanges queens, the a-pawn will come under attack sooner than White will be able to defend it.

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27 V!fa8 28.V!fd2 �g7 29.a5 :B:a6 30.:B:al �b6 •.•

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The a-pawn is safely blockaded and Black is slightly better.

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3I .V!fb4 �bd5 32.V!fd2 V!fd8 33.�fl lLle7?! a

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h6 2I .V!fa5 V!fe7 22.:B:c6 0-0 23Jha6 lha6 24.Yffxa6

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•••

Objectively speaking White is better, but at the same time the Black side is easier to play. The white knights have no safe squares in the centre, and it is difficult to get them over to the queenside. Black has access to the d5-square and can coordinate his forces with less trouble. If Black is allowed to blockade the a-pawn it might turn out to be weak in the end. At least, that is what I was hoping for.

24 :B:b8 25.Yffc6 ••.

After 25.:B:cl Wf8 26.a5 Wd8 the position is balanced. Black does not want to play ... d5, as this would weaken the e5-square, and White should be able to trade his a-pawn for the d6pawn.

33 . . .Wc7 is better, with the idea of 34.tLle3 lLl c3, winning the pawn on a5 since 35.:B:cl loses to 35 ... tLl e2t.

The Modern Tiger

220

43.�c2 hS 44.h4 �c4 45.�d2 d4 46.�£4 �dS 47.c7 25.tLlxf5 gxh4 26.2"lxh4 'Wc3 does not change the result)

A tricky alternative is: 7.d5!? Intending tt:J d4-c6. Black must precisely: 7 . . . tt:Jgf6!

react

The Modern Tiger

224

I believe this is the only move here that gives Black enough counterplay. Mter 7 . . . ib7?! 8.lZld4 'IMI'c8 9.a4 b4 1 0.lZla2 c5 1 1 .dxc6 ixc6 1 2.lZlxc6 '1Mfxc6 1 3.lZlxb4 '1Mfxe4 1 4.lZlxa6, White had the advantage in Beshukov - Kantsler, Cappelle la Grande 2000. It looks as if Black has some compensation, but it is not enough. An even worse option is 7 . . . lZlc5? 8.ixc5 dxc5, when 9.'1Mfe3 leaves White clearly on top. 8.lLld4 8.id3 ib7 9.a4 b4 1 0.lZle2 a5 1 1 .lZlfd4 0-0 1 2.0-0 lZle5 is fine for Black. The plan is . . . c5, and if White prevents this with 1 3.f4, then 13 ... lZl eg4 eliminates the e3-bishop.

In the event of 8 . . . a5 9.lZlg3 lZlgf6 (9 ... ib7!) 1 0.ih6 0-0 1 1 .ixg7 Wxg7 1 2.e5 Black is in some danger on the kingside. 8 . . . lZlgf6?! seems premature. 9.lZlg3 0-0!? (9 ... a5 transposes to 8 ... a5 above.) 1 0.ih6 I am not sure why White cannot grab the b-pawn. 1 0 . . . ixh6 1 1 .'1Mfxh6 Black found himself in a dangerous position with difficulties creating counterplay in Kobalia - Dzhumaev, Abu Dhabi 2004.

9.lZlg3! Black is doing fine after 9.c3 lZlgf6 1 0.lZlg3 bxc3 1 1 .bxc3 lZlg4 1 2.if4 e5 1 3.dxe5 '1Mfa5!? . 8

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8 . . . 0-0! 9.lZlc6 Or 9.f3 lZle5 1 0.a4 b4 1 1 .lZl a2 a5 12.ib5 e6 and Black has equalized. 9 . . . '1Mfe8 1 0.a4 bxa4! This looks ugly, but Black can get away with it because he is so far ahead in development. 1 1 .ie2 1 1 .1':!:xa4 e6 12.ie2 lZl b6 is fine for Black. 1 1 . . .e6 1 2.0-0 lZl b6 1 3.id4 id7 Black has decent prospects.

7 b4 8.lZle2 c5!? ••.

Compared to the main lines where White plays a2-a4 after id3, White can consider delaying the development of this bishop in favour of other, more important moves.

2 1

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There I go making mistakes again, allowing White to play dxc5 and ih6. The best move is 9 . . . ib7! 1 0.ic4!? This has hardly ever been played, but it is the only serious way to diverge from 1 0.c3 lZlgf6 1 1 .id3 which transposes to the von Bahr - Hillarp Persson game. 1 O . . . ttlgf6 1 1 .dxc5N This is stronger than 1 1 .0-0 0-0 12.ih6?!, which gave up the e4-pawn unnecessarily in K. Eriksson - A. Fritz, Tylosand 20 1 2. 1 1 . ..ttlxc5 1 2.ttlg5

Chapter 4 - Flexible Dragon Restrained 1 2.'1Wxb4 .txe4! 13 . .txf7t 'it>xf7 1 4.lLlg5t i>e8 1 5 .lLl 5xe4 lLl fxe4 1 6.lLlxe4 :B:b8 1 7.'1Wc4 .txb2 1 8 .:B:b l lLlxe4 1 9.'1Wxe4 '1Wa5t 20 . .td2 '1Wf5 is fine for Black; true, it is a long line, but I do not see a good way for White to deviate. 12 ... 0-0 1 3.'1Wxb4 .txe4 14.lLl 3xe4 lLlfxe4 1 5 .lLlxe4 lLlxe4 1 6 . .td5

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1 0.dxc5! lLlg4!? This was my original intention, and maybe it is not so bad. 1 0 . . .dxc5 l l ..th6 .txh6 1 2.'1Wxh6 '1Wc7 1 3 ..tc4 is one of those positions (no dynamic breaks, difficulty castling and a strong bishop on c4) that I always try to avoid. l l .c6! l l .cxd6 lLlxe3 1 2.'1Wxe3 .txb2 is good for Black, while l l ..td4 e5 1 2.c6! lbb8 transposes to the main line.

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1 6 . . . .txb2! Black's coordination is brilliant, and White has no way to get back the pawn. 1 7.'1Wxb2 '1Wa5t 1 8 .i>fl ?! '1Wxd5 1 9 . .th6 '1Wc4t Followed by . . . lLlc3 and Black is winning.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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l l . . .lbb8 1 2 . .td4 e5 1 3 . .te3 1 3 .h3 exd4 1 4.hxg4 .txg4 1 5 .lLlxd4 '1Wb6 reaches a typically unclear mess. 1 3 . . . lLlxe3 1 4.'1Wxe3 lLlxc6 1 5 . .tc4 I find it difficult to give a correct verdict in this position. Is it an improved or deteriorated version of the Sveshnikov Sicilian? I would put my money on the former.

10 ...Wfc7?!

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This is the kind of lazy move that an . . . a6 Modern fan loves to encounter. A more critical line is:

This is also unnecessary and therefore bad. Much stronger is 1 0 . . . cxd4! l l ..txd4 (or l l .lbxd4 h5! with dynamic play for Black) l l . . .a5 1 2 . .td3 0-0 1 3.0-0 .tb7 when Black is ready to play . . . e5 and . . . d5 with a beautiful position.

l l.c3 After l l .dxc5 lLlxc5 1 2.'1Wxb4 0-0 1 3 . .txc5 dxc5 14.'1Wa3 :B:b8 Black has excellent compensation for the pawn.

The Modern Tiger

226

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

l l ... h5!

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14.0-0?!

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The position is almost the same as in von Bahr - Hillarp Persson. The only differences are that the moves h2-h3 and . . . Vffc7 have been added, while the light-squared bishops are still on their original squares.

1 4.a5! is better. It is imperative for White to play this move at some point, in order to be able to attack the c4-pawn with l:l:a4. If Black is allowed to achieve both . . . a5 and . . . e5, White will virtually be a rook and bishop down.

12.i.d3

14 e5?!

After this move the bishop is sent into quarantine on b 1 , together with the rook on a l .

After 14 . . . a5 I was afraid that White would mess things up a bit with 1 5 .e5!?, but on closer inspection 1 5 . . . dxe5 1 6.dxe5 tLlxe5 1 7.tLlxe5 Vffxe5 1 8 .i.d4 Vffd 5 1 9.tLle4 i.b7 20.f3 0-0 is clearly better for Black. For the next few moves, both players failed to grasp the importance of pushing their own pawn to the aS-square.

1 2.h4?! is hardly an improvement, as after 1 2 . . . bxc3 1 3.bxc3 tLlg4 Black is slightly better. 12.i.g5!? may be best, although Black can still obtain a fine game: 1 2 . . . i.b7! ( 1 2 . . .bxc3 1 3.bxc3 d5 allows 14.i.f4! with advantage to White.) 13.d5! ( 1 3.i.d3 bxc3 1 4.bxc3 d5 1 5 .i.f4 Vffc6 1 6.e5 lt:Je4 1 7.i.xe4 dxe4 1 8.tLlg5 0-0 and Black has the initiative.) 13 ... bxc3 14.bxc3 c4! 1 5 Jl:b l tLlc5 1 6.Vffc2 i.c8 Black has the initiative, and he intends . . . i.d7 next.

•..

15.tLlg5? i.b7? 16.£4? a5! Finally I realized that the door must be closed on the rook! Now it is essential for White to force an opening of the centre, otherwise Black will connect his forces and win.

17.£5?! This makes it easier for me to keep the centre closed. More flexible was 17.Vfff2.

12 c4! 13.i.b1 b3 •••

Closing the door on White's rook and bishop.

17 tt::l f8 18.Wfl l:l:a6!? •..

My silicon sidekick claims that 18 ...h4 19.tLle2 gxf5 20.Vffxf5 tLlg6 is better for Black, but I did not want to open up the position in any way until I had managed to put my queen on e7.

Chapter 4 - Flexible Dragon Restrained

227

24 .lL1Sd7 25.i.xa5 i.h6 26.Y!!a7?

8 7 6

•.

A blunder in a bad position. 26.fxg6 fxg6 27.lt:lf3 is better, although after 27 . . . 0-0 28 . .ib4 lt:lc5 29 . .ixc5 2"\xc5 30.a5 .ia6 White is still boxed in on the queenside.

26 &Llc5! 27.tlJxc4 i.a6 28.Yf!xe7t �xe7 ••.

The rest is simple.

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This is a bit passive, allowing White to coordinate his knights since e4 is not under attack anymore.

20.t2Je2 Yf!e7 2l.t2Jf3 i.b7 22.t2Jd2 After 22.fxg6 fxg6 23.ttJd2 l"'c6 24 . .ig5 ttJ8h7 Black has everything defended and intends either . . . 0-0 or . . . 2"\fS followed by exchanging rooks on the f-file. White cannot avoid exchanges in the long run, so he has to act fast.

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29.t2Jb6 i.xe2 30.2"\el i.a6 31.tlJxcSt 2"\xcS 32.fxg6 fxg6 33.c4 i.xc4 34.i.b4 t2Jfd7 35.a5 i.a6 36J�a3 2"\bS 37.i.c3 2"\fS 38.�gl i.f4 39.�hl g5 40.i.b4 g4 41.2"\dl 2"\gS 42.hxg4 hxg4 43.g3 i.xg3 44.�g2 i.f4 45.2"\hl �dS 46.2"1h7 g3 47.i.xc5 tlJxc5 48.2"1a7 i.fl t 49.�f3 l"'g6 50.2"1a4 g2 5 1 .2"\b4 l"'g3t White resigned. The bishop never had a chance to escape from b 1 .

0-1 In the next game we will see White meeting . . . a6 with a2-a4, preventing ... b5. When I mention the comments of Gurevich, I am referring to his annotations in Informant 5 1 . a

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••.

White is winning a pawn, but Black gets to finish his development.

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Anthony Kosten - Mikhail Gurevich France 1 99 1

l .e4 g6 The actual move order was 1 . . . d6 2.d4 g6 3.lt:lf3 lt:l f6 4.lt:lc3 .ig7 5 . .ie3 a6 6.a4, but I have fiddled it in order to include some details that are relevant to us.

Another interesting idea is: 5 . . . lt:l c6 6.h3 The only thing putting me off Black's last move is 6.lt:lf3 .ig4 7 . .ie2 e5 8.dxe5 with simplifications and dullness ahead. 6 . . .f5!? I suggested this idea in Tiger's Modern, without giving any further analysis. It has since been tested in one game. 7.exf5 .ixf5 8 .g4

2.d4 .ig7 3.ltlc3 d6 4 .ie3 a6 5.a4 •

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.•.

This move is fine now that White has played a2-a4, since Black no longer needs to fear the set-up with long castling. 5 . . . b6?! is inadvisable. Generally this move should only be played in response to a2-a4 when White has already committed his king's knight to f3. Here White can switch plans with 6.f4, as seen in Turov - Hillarp Persson on page 93. There is even a second problem line in 6.g3! (Rogic's 6.g4!? is also interesting) 6 ... .ib7 7 ..ig2, with a slight but definite edge for White. The point is that . . . c5 can be met by d4-d5, and the Hippo is not very effective against a standard fianchetto set-up.

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8 . . . .ic8?! 8 ... .id7N 9 ..ic4 e5 is an improvement. 9 . .ic4 lt:l f6 1 0.'1Mrd2 e5 1 l .d5 ? 1 1 .lt:lge2! is a bit better for White. 1 1 ...lt:ld4 1 2.g5?! lt:lh5 1 3.0-0-0 0-0 Black was clearly better in Ribeiro Lewertowski, Nimes 2009.

6.ltlf3 This move takes us back to Kosten Gurevich. White can obviously try some other moves as well: 6.h3 is seen in Game 4 1 . 6.a5!? 0-0 7.h3 e5! 8.dxe5 Otherwise Black plays . . . exd4, . . . �e8 and ... lt:l c6, reaching an excellent position where one wonders what the pawn is doing on a5 . 8 . . . dxe5 9.'1Mrxd8 �xd8 1 0.lt:lf3 lt:l c6 1 l ..ic4 h6 With mutual chances. 6.'1Mrd2 0-0! 7.lt:lf3 b6!?

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Chapter 4 - Flexible Dragon Restrained Black should avoid 7 . . . i.g4 8.lt:lg5!. 7 ... lt:l c6 intending . . . e5 is a good alternative, although not as ambitious. 8.i.h6 i.b7 9.i.d3 After 9.i.xg7 �xg7 1 0.i.d3 lt:l bd7 1 1 .0-0 e5 1 2.d5 c6 1 3.dxc6 i.xc6 14."\MI'e2 i.b7 1 5 .Ei:fd1 lt:l c5 1 6.Ei:d2 Vf!c7 Black had a nice Sicilian structure in Vedder - M. Gurevich, Antwerp 1 997. 9 . . . lt:lbd7 1 0.0-0 e6 1 1 .i.xg7 �xg7 1 2.Ei:fe1 c5 1 3 .e5?! Here a huge improvement can be found in:

7.i.d3 This makes White more vulnerable to an attack on the d4-pawn.

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7 . . . lt:l c6!? Another possibility is 7 ... i.g4, when 8.h3 i.xf3 9.Vfixf3 lt:l c6 seems fine for Black, since White cannot stop both . . . e5 and . . . lt:l b4. 8.h3 e5 More ambitious is 8 . . . lt:l b4!? 9.i.e2 b6, for instance 1 0.Vfid2 c5 1 1 .d5 e6 1 2.dxe6 i.xe6 with an initiative for Black. 9.d5 lt:lb4 1 0.i.c4

1 3 . . . dxe5!N 13 ... lt:lg4? was played in Gallagher - Van Wely, Krumbach 1 99 1 , and here White could have gained the advantage with 1 4.exd6! i.xf3 1 5 .gxf3 lt:lgf6 1 6.dxc5 lt:lxc5 1 7.i.fl . 1 4.dxe5 i.xf3 1 5 .exf6t lt:lxf6 1 6.gxf3 c4 Black regains the piece with the better chances.

6... 0-0 6 . . . b6 7.i.c4 e6 is also playable.

7.�e2 Again White has many options. 7.h3 leads to a line discussed in Chapter 6 see Game 60 beginning on page 327. 7.i.c4 lt:l c6 8.h3 lt:lxe4! is dealt with in Chapter 8.

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1 0 . . . a5! Black had better prevent a4-a5, isolating the knight on b4. 1 0 . . . c6?! 1 1 .a5 cxd5 1 2.exd5 i.d7 1 3.0-0 Ei:c8 14.i.b3 This position would be excellent for Black, if only the pawns were on a4 and a5 instead of a5 and a6. As things stand, the b4-knight is walking on water, but in danger of drowning.

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7... b6

1 1 .0-0 c6 Black has a good position. A final possibility is: 7.a5!? lt:J c6! 8.d5 8.h3 e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 is the same as the 6.a5 line.

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This is the obvious move, but Black may also try: 7 . . . lt:J c6!? 8 .d5 lZl b4 9.a5! e6 9 . . . �d7? loses to 1 0.ttJb l ! followed by c2-c3 trapping the knight. 1 0.0-0! Or 1 0.Ei:a4 c5 1 l .dxc6 lZlxc6 12.�b6 Wffe7 1 3.0-0 Ei:e8 and Black is doing all right. 1 0 . . . exd5 1 l .exd5

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8 . . . lt:J a7!! With this move Black turns a4-a5 against his opponent, who must now worry about . . . lt:Jb5 ideas. White's best try is: 9.�d3! 9.�e2 and 9.�c4 are both met by 9 . . . lt:Jb5. 9 . . . e6! 9 . . . lt:Jb5 1 0.ttJe2! lZlg4 1 l .�d2 is a bit better for White. 1 0.0-0 lt:Jb5! 1 l .ttJxb5 axb5 1 2.dxe6 �xe6 1 3.ttJd4 l'!e8 1 4.f3 c6 It is White who must battle for equality.

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1 l . . .b5! 1 l . . .�f5 1 2.ttJd4 Wid7 1 3.�c4 lt:Je4 1 4.lZla2! is better for White, as Black's minor pieces are clumsy. 1 2.axb6 cxb6 Generally I try to avoid this kind of structure with Black, but this game makes a case for it not being so bad. 1 3.�c4 �d7 14.�b3 b5 1 5 .ttJ d4 Ei:e8 1 6.h3 Ei:b8 1 7.ttJc6 �xc6 1 8.dxc6 Wffc7 1 9.Wif3 a5 20.�d4 Wffxc6 2 1 .�xf6 Wffxf3 Y2-Y2 Meier - Khairullin, Biel 20 1 2. It seems like Black was never close to being in trouble.

8.0-0 White gains nothing by 8.e5, when 8 . . . lt:Jg4 9.�f4 lZlc6! 1 0.exd6 cxd6 1 1 .0-0 �b7 is about equal, though I prefer Black's dynamism to White's space.

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Chapter 4 - Flexible Dragon Restrained

23 1

14.i.e3!? c5 1 5 .c3 lt:l c6 1 6.i.a2 b5 1 7.h4 seems more critical. 14 . . . c5 1 5 .dxc5 bxc5 1 6.h5 lt:lc6 1 7.i.c l l'l:f8 1 8.h6 i.h8 Black was doing well in Lybin - Ludgate, corr. 2009.

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8 . . . e6 is another respectable move which leads to a position covered in the Classical chapter.

9.t2Jd2 This is not going to scare anyone. The latest try in this line is: 9.e5!? lt:lg4 1 O.e6!? f5!? An extremely combative move. I am curious as to what White had planned after 1 0 . . . lt:lxe3 1 l.fxe3 f5 . Black has nothing to fear from 1 2.lt:lg5 Wi'c8 1 3 .d5 c6, while 1 2.d5 c6 1 3.lt:ld4 cxd5 1 4.i.f3 lt:l c6 1 5 .lt:lxc6 i.xc6 1 6.lt:lxd5 i.xd5 1 7.i.xd5 l'l:b8 also gives him no cause for complaints.

Another good move is 9 . . . e6, planning to meet 1 0.f4 with 1 0 . . . c5. The continuation I O.i.f3 lt:lc6 ( 1 O . . . e5!?) 1 1 .lt:lc4 d5 12.exd5 exd5 1 3 .lt:le5 lt:lxe5 1 4.dxe5 lt:l e4 was excellent for Black in Vajda - Czebe, Balatonlelle 2004.

IO.d5 lt:Jb8 I would tend to favour 1 0 . . . lt:lb4!?, provided there is no way for White to take advantage of the stranded knight. In this case both 1 1 .lt:lcb 1 a5, followed by . . . e6, and 1 1 .a5 b5 1 2.lt:lcb 1 lt:lfxd5 1 3.exd5 i.xb2 are fine for Black.

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1 I .i.g5 lt:l f6 12.i.c4 lt:le4 1 3.lt:ld5 l'l:e8 1 4.h4

Gurevich believes Black has counterplay here. This could well be an understatement, and possibly his first!

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I would rather open the c-file with 12 . . . c6, striving for an asymmetrical pawn structure, but it is a matter of taste.

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White is dreaming of turning this ugly knight into a swan on c6. It is a nice fairytale but, alas, that's all it is. After 1 3.dxe6 fxe6 1 4.tt'lc4 tt'l e8 1 5.Wi'e l Wl'e7 1 6.:5dl the position is complicated but better for White. I do not think this would have upset Mikhail very much. In the post mortem of a game played against a friend of mine, he declared that he "had complications". Not compensation, but complications! I absolutely sympathize with this expression and I should probably use it more often myself.

13 exd5 14.exd5 1':!:e8 15 ..id4 �c5 16.�d2 �d7!? .••

Black intends . . .Wi'f5 and . . . h5.

17.:5adl �f5 Gurevich points out that 1 7 . . . tt'lxa4? 1 8.tt'lxa4 Wl'xa4 1 9.Wi'c3 loses a piece for Black.

18.g3 h5 19.:5fel After 1 9.tt'lxc5 bxc5 20 . .!f2 :5ab8 2 l .b3 tt'lg4 Black is dancing, singing and winning.

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I prefer Black's posltlon here, but White has everything protected and it is not easy for Black to break through.

20.�g2 .ic8 21.�cl .id7 22.b3 �g4 23 ..ixg7 lftxg7 24.�d2 �f6 25.1':!:e2 :5xe2 26.� 1xe2 :5e8 27.�d4 White has defended well and almost equalized. Normal moves will lead to a peaceful end, but Gurevich has a different plan . . .

27 ....if5 28.'Wxf6t lftxf6 29.:5d2 �e3 30.�d4

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Surprise, surprise. I do not understand how he can get away with these things, but it is impressive.

Chapter 4

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31.tLlxc2 After 3 1 .'Llxf5 'Ll e l 32.il.e2 �xf5 33.�f2 'Llxb3 34.�xe l 'Llxd2 35.�xd2 h4!? 36.il.xa6 �g4 the position is unclear.

3I. .. t2Jxb3 32.l!f2 hc2 33.l!xc2 t2Jd4 34J�f2 l!e3 35.tLle4t f5 36.tLld2 b5! Correctly avoiding 36 . . . 'Llxf3t 37.'Llxf3 �e4 38.'Llg5t �xd5 39.'Llxf7 �a3? 40.'Llh8! �xa4 4 I .'Llxg6 �e6 42.f5t �f6 43.'Llf8! when Black loses by force, as there is no defence against 'Llh7t followed by pushing the f-pawn. a

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White could still have scraped a draw with 66.�f3 �e6 67.�c3 c4 68.�e3t �xf7 69.�e5! �d8 70.�c3.

66 ... c4 67.l!c7 e6 68.l!c6t d7!

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Gurevich only gives 38.il.d l b4 "intending . . . b4-b3, with an initiative". However, 38.il.g2! b4 39.'Llf3 looks stronger. The rest of the game is exciting, and the result is not decided until the very end.

38 ... ttlx£3t 39.t2Jx£3 e4 40.tlJg5t xd5 4I .tlJxf7 b4 42.f2 l!e7 43.t2Jh8! l!g7 44.e3 c5 45.h3 c4 46.g4 hxg4 47.hxg4 b3 4S.d2! b4 49.f5 gxf5 50.gxf5 l!g2t 5 I .e3 b2 52.ttlg6! c3! 53.tLlf4 l!gS! 54.tlJd5t c2 55.l!f2t b3 56.l!fl l!aS 57.d2! l!al 58.l!f3t c4 59.!ik3 bl=tLlt! 60.tLlxbl l!xbl 61.£6 l!bS 62.f7 l!£8 63.�d3! d5 64Ji:f3 d4 65.l!f6 e5

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69.l!a6 l!xf7 70.e3 l!fl 7I.d4 l!dl t 72. c3 l!d3t 73. c2 c7 0-1 The combination of il.e3 and a2-a4 is flexible, and makes it hard for Black to strike at the centre in true Modern style with . . . c5 . However, Black seems to be doing well after either a well-timed . . . e5 or a more flexible approach with . . . e6. I recommend that you spend a minute or two on 7.a5, since this is one of the most strategically dangerous ideas

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at White's disposal, and the . . . lt:l a7-b5 plan is far from obvious. The next game introduces White's set-up with �e3, a2-a4 and h2-h3.

Joseph Ryan - Alexander lpatov

9.0-0 (9.Wd2 g6 32.i>d2

18.h4? A desperate act in an awful position.

IS ... L£3 19.gxf3 tLlxh4 20.'11Ng4 tLlg6!? 2I.tLle4 tLle5 22.�h3 White loses after other moves too, for instance 22.�g3 'Llxe4 23.fxe4 2"1xc2.

The point Black's 29th move is revealed after 32.'1Wxf3 'Llxf3t 33.We2 'Llgl t! and the h-pawn promotes.

32 ... �xf8 33 ..txf8 tLlf3t 34.i>e3 tLlgl 35.E:xd6 hl=� 0-1 I love this game.

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White often stops Black from castling by tying the h8-rook to the protection of the h6-pawn. Do not move this pawn! Doing so would severely weaken Black's kingside. The ideal solution is to castle and play . . . h6 before White can double the bishop and queen on the cl -h6 diagonal, so that . . . Wh7 is possible. In reality though, Black generally does not have time for this. He is thus left with the options of blocking the diagonal with . . . g5 , or embarking on a somewhat ceremonious manoeuvre with his king, as in the following game.

23 . . . gxf3! is even stronger.

24.fxe4 �f6 25J:�h2 E:xc2 26.i.xh6 E:xe2t 27.'it>xe2 �f3t 28.i>el g3 29.i.xg7

Wouter Spoelman - Vlastimil Hort Hoogeveen 2002

l.e4 g6 2.d4 d6 3.i.e3 i.g7 4.tLlc3 a6 5.a4 b6 6.�d2 i.b7 7.i.c4 tLld7 8.tLlf3 e6 9.0-0 h6 lO.E:fel lLle7 l l.E:adl

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Very aesthetic, but 29 ... '1Wxe4t 30.Wfl '1Wc4t would have won immediately.

25 1

Chapter 5 - The Hippopotamus

l l ... �flm

Black plans to walk the king to h7 via g8, thus defending the h6-pawn and freeing the h8-rook from duty. It might seem too provocative, but the argument is that White can do little to stop the king from reaching h7 and, further, that White cannot do much in general. Some Hippo connoisseurs even play this manoeuvre fairly routinely, but I always keep it as a last resort. Here, for instance, I prefer l l . . .g5, when 1 2.d5 e5 offers mutual chances.

12.�d3!? After 1 2.d5 e5 White can try 1 3.g3, intending 13 . . . f5 1 4.exf5 gxf5?! 1 5 .tLlh4 followed by f2-f4 with an advantage. Black can improve with 14 . . . tt:lxf5 when the play seems balanced; the king is somewhat strange on f8, but there is no way for White to open up the centre.

12 ... �g8 13.'!iJ e2?! White is planning to put the knight on g3 and then answer ... h7 with the unpleasant h4-h5. It is a good idea, but it was necessary to preface it with 1 3 .h3!. The reason for this will instantly become apparent.

13 .. )Llf6! There is nothing White can do to both defend the e-pawn and stop . . . tt:lg4xe3. (White should only exchange this bishop for its counterpart on g7.)

I4)LJg3 Wfe8 This is certainly ambitious, but I would be quite happy with 14 . . . tt:lg4 1 5 .�f4 e5 1 6.dxe5 dxe5 1 7.�e3 tt:lxe3 1 8.Wfxe3 Wfe8 with approximate equality.

15.Wfb4 a5?! I would be less willing to weaken the b5square in this way. After 15 . . . h7 Black has a fine position and it is not clear what White has achieved.

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A horrible move that permanently weakens b4. It was better to play 1 7.�b5 iMff8 1 8 .�d2 with a slight advantage for White.

17 .. )LJd7 18.h4 tll c6 19.�bl tll b4 20.b3 e5 21.dxe5? It was necessary to keep the position closed.

21. ..dxe5 22.Wfcl Wfe7 23.:B:d2?! White's best chance was 23.h5 h7 24.hxg6t fxg6 25 .:B:d5, but Black can and should decline the sacrifice with 25 . . . c6!, keeping a slight advantage.

23 ... �h7 24.:B:edl tll a6 25.tll e2 tll dc5

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.ic4 and 'IW e2 followed by e4-e5

26.lLlc3?? A blunder in a worse position. The rest is not important.

26 ... lLlxb3 27J�xd8 tflxcl 28Jl:8d7 '1We6 29.hcl .ic6 30Jl:7d3 lLlb4 3 1.1:l:3d2 '1Wxc4 32 . .ib2 1:l:e8 33.1:l:cl '1We6 34..ia3 1:l:e7 35.tfld5 .ixd5 36.exd5 '1Wg4 37.d6 cxd6 38.1:l:xd6 e4 39.tflh2 '1Wxh4 40.1:l:xb6 .id4 0-1 White never came close to punishing Black for his strange king manoeuvre. In the rest of the chapter I will seldom comment on this idea unless it is absolutely necessary. It is almost always possible to try . . . �f8-g8-h7, but it should not be thought of as the solution to all of Black's problems.

Possible Plans for White Since Black sticks to virtually the same set of moves again and again, it is White who gets to define the course of the game. Here is a sample of the many possible set-ups available to him.

.ic4, .ie3 and 'IWd2 followed by d4-d5 (Games 46 and 47) I consider this to be the main line and also the most critical. In Game 46 White is in too much of a hurry to advance his d-pawn and Black takes over the initiative. In Game 47 White never gets around to playing d4-d5, but the idea is always there, and is featured in several of the notes. Black's l l . . .tflf6?! is poorly timed, and some improvements are given in the notes.

.ic4, .if4 and 'IWd2 followed by e4-e5 (Game 48) Admittedly White never actually executes e4-e5 in Game 48, but most of the references to this plan can be found here. The Waiting/or Godot strategy that White adopts in this game is not dangerous, and Black missed several opportunities to obtain counterplay.

(Games 49 and 50) By removing the queen from the e-file, White ensures that e4-e5 will not permit ... dxe5 followed by an exchange of queens. In Game 49 White launches the e-pawn at the first possible opportunity, but I achieved an excellent game with 8 . . . d5!?, hitting the c4-bishop and following up with a quick . . . c5, with pressure against White's centre. In Game 50 White enjoys the freedom of central domination until move 1 5 , by which time he has run out of small improvements. When 1 5 .e5 finally comes, I strongly advise Black to exchange on f3 before closing the centre with 1 6 . . . d5, or even trying the messy 1 6 . . . tfl f5!?.

White loses

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(Games 5 1 and 52) This is a common mistake that loses a tempo for White, as Black often finds it necessary to play . . . h6 anyway. The position may not be the most time-sensitive, but Black should nonetheless be happy to receive the gift of a tempo.

.id3, .ie3 and '1Wd2 (Game 52) White's set-up here is flexible, but it is not designed to prepare either e4-e5 or d4-d5, and is thus not the most purposeful. Gofshtein's idea of 9 . . . i.b7 1 0.0-0 lLlgf6!? is interesting, but there is nothing wrong with doing the old Hippo dance. .ie3, '1Wd2 and f2-f3 (Game 53) "Hippo vs. Dragon", as they would call it in Hollywood. The most important thing to learn from this game is to remove the king from the e-file before playing . . . d5 and . . . c5. Had Black stayed cool and played 1 1 . . . f8 instead of l l . . .d5, I think he would have been slightly better considering the clumsy position ofWhite's pieces.

Chapter 5 - The Hippopotamus

J.c4-b3, followed by the Ruy Lopez manoeuvre c!iJbd2-fl-g3 (or llJc3-e2-g3) (Game 54) I started to worry about this plan soon after finishing Tiger's Modern. When I studied the Ruy Lopez in 2008, I came to realize that a knight on g3 is not necessarily a bad thing, even if Black has played . . . g6. One benefit is that it becomes hard for Black to open up the centre. In the worst-case scenario (from Black's point of view) , . . . c5 is met by c2-c3 and . . . d5 with e4-e5, while . . . e5 will leave Black with a passive knight on e7. Black must exhibit a flexible attitude par excellence, and find a way to achieve one or more of these breaks under relatively favourable circumstances.

- Ivkov, Amsterdam 1 968. 7 . .ih4 g5! 7 . . . lt:l d7 is inaccurate due to 8 . .ic4, when 8 . . . g5 ? is impossible due to 9 . .ixg5! hxg5 l O ..ixf7t i>xf7 l l .lt:lxg5t i>f6? 1 2.Wfg4 and Black will soon be mated. 7 ... lt:l f6!? is interesting though.

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Andrea Drei - Leonid Gofshtein Arco 2000

l.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.ltJc3 J.g7 4.ltJf3 a6 5.a4 b6 This is a necessary move order since 5 ... e6 6.a5! is awkward for Black. After 6 . . . b5 7.axb6 cxb6 White's pawn structure is clearly preferable and Black has lost the dynamic possibility of . . . c5.

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8 ..ig3 e6 9.e5 Otherwise I do not see how White can fight for an advantage. 9 . . . lt:l e7 l O ..id3 lt:l bc6! Black has decent counterattacking chances, the main target being the e5-pawn.

6.J.c4 This is the most active square for the bishop. Another dangerous idea is: 6 . .ig5!? Now Black has to react accurately to avoid trouble. It is important to 'put the question' to the bishop on g5 immediately with: 6 . . . h6! 6 . . ..ib7?! is inaccurate, and after 7 ..ic4! h6 8 . .ih4 lt:l d7 9.0-0 c6 1 0.'1Mfe2 Wfc7 l l ..ib3 e6 1 2.E!:ad l lt:l e7 (also after 1 2 . . . lt:lgf6 1 3.e5 dxe5 14.dxe5 lt:ld5 1 5 .lt:le4 lt:lxe5 16 . .ig3 Black is unlikely to last long) 1 3 .E!:fe l White's position was overwhelming in Shamkovich

6... e6!

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Blocking the enemy bishop and preparing to develop the king's knight to a square where it will not have to worry about being hit by e4-e5.

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7.0-0 tlJe7 7 . . . tlJd7!? is also quite playable. One of the most interesting possible continuations is: 8.e5!? tUe7 9 ..ixe6!? fxe6 1 o.eug5 tUxe5 1 1 .dxe5

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Now in Makarov - Shchekachev, Russia 1 99 1 , Black should have played 1 1 . . .0-0N with a dynamic game, instead of the mechanical 1 l . . .d5?!, after which 1 2.'1Mrf3 gave White some initiative.

strength of the tU c3-e2-g3 manoeuvre. In this kind of position it looks quite slow, but it also limits Black's freedom in the dynamic department. Normally Black will counter it with a well-timed . . . e5, but neither ... c5 nor . . . f5!? (if Black has managed to castle) are out of the question. 9 ..ie3 This is not logical in combination with the rook on the e-file. It is more critical to play 9.e5, when Black should reply 9 ... dxe5!. Here both 1 0.euxe5 .ib7 and 1 0.dxe5 '1Wxd 1 1 l .E!:xd 1 eud7 12 . .if4 euc6 1 3.E!:e 1 h6 14.h4 .ib7 are fine for Black. 9 . . . h6 1 0.'1Mrd2 i>h7 I have completed the desired manoeuvre. Now my opponent embarks on an ill-fated plan of queenside expansion.

8.i.e3! It is a common plan for White to double the queen and bishop on the c l -h6 diagonal, to stop Black from playing . . . h6, . . . 0-0 and . . . 'it> h 7. This is the most logical way to challenge Black's set-up, but is the bishop better placed on e3 or f4? It may be just a matter of taste, but I lean towards the former square, as the latter might present a target for . . . g5 or ... e5. In the following game my opponent permitted me to carry out the aforementioned plan: 8.l'!e 1 0-0! When I played Prasca, at the Bled Olympiad in 2002, I totally forgot about a primitive threat: 8 ... eu d7 9.lbe2 .ib7?? (9 ... 0-0 is fine for Black) 1 0.lLlf4! and, facing the threat of .ixe6, I had nothing better than 1 0 . . . eu f8, leaving me in a sorry state. Since I started playing the Ruy Lopez with White I have finally come to appreciate the

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1 l .b4?! eu d7 1 2.h3 .ib7 1 3.b5 axb5 1 4.axb5 lb f6 1 5.e5?! eu d7 Launching the b-pawn to the fifth rank has not improved White's position, and his latest pawn advance has only made matters worse. 1 6.exd6 cxd6 1 7 . .ie2 eu f5 We have been following the game Swanson - Hillarp Persson, Jersey 2000. At this point my opponent dropped a pawn with 1 8 . .if4?!, but he was facing great problems anyway. My pieces are much better coordinated and my pawn structure is more dynamic. If White could have returned the b5-pawn to b2, he would only have been slightly worse.

Chapter 5

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be in trouble, but such a scenario is unlikely to happen if you play your cards right. AB a general rule, do not play . . . e5, . . . d5, . . . c5, or . . .f5 until you have evacuated the king to a place of relative safety, such as g8 or even f8. Always make sure you have a good answer to both e4-e5 and d4-d5, and then free your position slowly.

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Better is 1 0.h3, as seen in the next game. a

8 ... tLld7!

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There is at least one good reason to delay the development of the light-squared bishop. If White opts for an early d4-d5 and Black answers with . . . e5, then the bishop is better placed on c8, where it supports Black's kingside play. A brief illustrative line is 8 . . . �b7 9.'1Mfd2 h6

1 0.d5! e5 l l .tLl e l ! when White is ready for a4-a5, tLldl and c2-c4, opening up the queenside. Sooner or later, Black will have to return the bishop to c8, leaving him two tempos down compared to the main game.

White should try as hard as possible to delay the advance of the d-pawn until Black has committed the bishop to b7. The challenge is to find a waiting move that fits in with his plan, namely (after d4-d5 and . . . e5 are played) to advance with a4-a5 , intending to meet . . . b5 by evacuating the c-file and opening the queenside with c2-c4. 1 O.l:l:ac l !? and lOJ�fc l !? both prepare for the opening of the c-file, although Black can consider meeting either rook move with 1 0 . . . g5!?.

IO ... e5! With the bishop on c8, Black is well placed to start operating on the kingside.

9JWd2 h6! Since the main point of the Hippo is to strive for complex positions where there are many pieces left on the board, it seems counterproductive to play 9 . . . 0-0 allowing 10.�h6. This kind of position is generally worse for Black when the knights are on e7 and d7 rather than on f6 and c6. The text move is designed to prevent the bishop exchange and keep the white pieces at bay. The downside is that Black postpones castling for the foreseeable future, and we have to think carefully about whether White can take advantage of this. If White is allowed to open up the centre, then Black will indeed

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Mter 1 2.exf5 Black should play 12 . . . lt:lxf5! with mutual chances.

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It is worth considering the problems with the other recapture: 1 2 . . . gxf5 1 3.f4! e4 This kind of position, except with a pawn on c4, is quite common in the King's Indian. In that opening, the structure generally favours White, since the c8-bishop is boxed in and the passed e-pawn is securely blockaded. White can utilize the d4-square for his pieces, and may gradually prepare a g4-break on the kingside. In the Hippo this will not necessarily be the case, since Black can try to exploit the absence of a pawn on c4 to attack the d-pawn with . ..lLJf6, . . . i.b7 and .. .'%!fe8-f7. The question is whether this is enough to make up for the problems outlined above. In the present position I don't think it is, but you might find other situations where the opposite is true.

12 ... tiJf6 13.i.e2!? White is preparing a4-a5, intending to meet . . . b5 by moving the c3-knight somewhere and then playing c2-c4, breaking up Black's queenside.

13 ...£4 Another possibility is 1 3 . . . g5!?, keeping the c3-knight bound to the defence of e4. The downside is that White can start playing for control of the e4-square with 14.exf5 i.xf5 1 5 .i.c4 0-0 1 6.ttJd3 intending ttJ f2-e4. Nevertheless Black should be okay.

15. a5?! White must create weaknesses on the black queenside as quickly as possible, but this move turns out to be counterproductive. A better idea was 1 5 .ttJa2! 0-0 1 6.c4 a5 1 7.b4 axb4 1 8.lt:lxb4, although Black keeps some initiative with 1 8 . . . g4! 1 9.i.h4 '1We8 .

15 ... b5 16.tiJa2 0-0 17.c4 bxc4 18.i.xc4 tlJg6 19.tiJb4 g4 This is a complicated position and, for an outsider, it would be easy to draw the wrong conclusions. My personal belief is that Black's kingside attack is strong enough to compensate for White's obvious advantage on the other wing.

14.i.f2 g5 This position is reminiscent of the Mar del Plata variation of the King's Indian Defence. The main differences are that White's c-pawn is on c2 instead of c4 and the queen is uncomfortable on d2 where it does nothing to stop Black from playing . . . g4. Meanwhile, Black has advanced the a- and b-pawns and lost a tempo by playing . . . e5 in two moves. I believe the ups and downs of these differences should not be disadvantageous for Black; rather the opposite.

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20.¥9d3?!

28.¥Mh2

The queen will soon find herself in the line of fire, but it is hard to suggest anything better for White. Now Black is at least forced to act. Had White not provoked him, Black could have continued with . . . h5-h4 and so on.

White has avoided immediate mate, but in the long run his king will be too exposed.

20 ... g3!? 21.hxg3 ttlh5 22.gxf4 In the event of 22.'Llc6 Wi'g5 23.gxf4 'Llgx:f4 (23 . . . exf4!?) 24.Wfc2 .th3 25 ..te3 .td7 Black keeps a strong initiative.

28 V:Yg5?! •.•

Sometimes exchanging queens and attacking are not incompatible options: 28 . . . Wi'xh2t! 29.mxh2 Ei:g5 30.'Lled3 'it>f7 and White's king is in trouble.

22 ... ttlgxf4 22 ... exf4!? is also promising.

23.¥Mc2 V:Yg5 24.@h2 l:U6

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29.E:gl ¥9£6 30.E:xg6 �xg6 31 .¥Mg3?

After 3 l .Ei:cl the position is unclear. Now Black is allowed to improve his position by activating his 'King's Indian bishop'.

25.g3?

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31. h5! 32.�ed3 .ih6 33.E:gl 'it>h7 34.E:g2 .ie3 35Jt]c2 .ih6 36.ttlcb4 h4 37.¥Mfl �f4 38.ttlxf4 i.x£4 39.ttld3 .ig3 .•

White commits a blunder, but Black had the initiative anyway.

Black has a big advantage and the rest is a one-sided story.

25.g4 Ei:g6 (25 . . . 'Llh3!? 26.'Llg2 'Llxf2 27.l"i:xf2 'Llf4 is another dangerous option.) 26.Ei:gl 'Llf6 27.'Ll c6 (After 27.'Llg2 'Llxg4t 28.fxg4 .txg4 White has no defence against . . . Wfh5t and . . . .tf6.) 27 . . . mf8! 28.'Llg2 .txg4 The computer indicates that White can survive, but for any human player this would be like doing a tightrope act over the abyss.

40.¥Me2 id7 41.ttlfl ¥9£4 42.ttld3 V:Yg5 43.�fl h3 44.E:gl V:Yh4 45.ttlg4 i.xg4 46.fxg4 ifl 47.E:dl V:Yg3 48.¥Mfl V:Yf3t 49.@h2 @g7

25 ttlxg3 26.i.xg3 E:g6 27.@hl ¥Mxg3 ••.

Here White resigned, presumably after spotting that 50.Wfxh3 runs into the evil 50 . . . .tg3t! followed by a quick mate.

0-1 Although improvements are possible, the general conclusion from this game is that Black

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does not have any problems if White plays d4-d5 before Black is committed to ... j,b7. In the next game White is in less of a hurry.

Alexander V. Ivanov - Joel Benjamin Seattle 2000

l.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.�c3 ig7 4.�6 a6 5.a4 b6 6.ic4 e6 7.0-0 �d7 s.ie3 �e7 9.Y;Yd2 h6 It is common in the world of opening theory that the same, frequently mistaken, judgements are passed on from one commentator to another. This is greatly beneficial for those of us who dare to enter Modern territory, as we repeatedly encounter opponents who think they ought to punish us for our insolence because their books give the impression that the Modern is rubbish. Let them try. . . I n Tiger's Modern I wrote that I had played this system for ten years without knowing a single prepared line. Not much has changed, apart from the timescale, which is nearing two decades at the time of writing.

10.h3

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I have little confidence in: 1 0.h4!? This move makes much more sense in

connection with long castling from White. Here it stops Black from playing . . . g5, but the weakness of g4 counts for more. 10 . . . j,b7 1 1 .1"1fe 1 �f6! A logical move, eyeing the g4-square. 1 l . . .Wf8!? is also possible, intending either . . . Wg8-h7, or . . . d5 and ... c5 . I am sceptical about treating the king manoeuvre as a standard procedure, since it is quite slow. However, if White does not find a way to exploit the loss of time, there is nothing wrong with it.

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1 2.j,d3 d5? Black could have obtained an excellent position with 1 2 . . . tt:'lg4! 1 3.j,f4 0-0 (but not 1 3 . . . e5?!, when 1 4.dxe5 dxe5 1 5 .j,g3 favours White, since the e7-knight is too passive) . Black has completed development, is blessed with a beautiful square for the knight on g4, and can start to contemplate all kinds of dynamic central strikes. I do not like the text move at all. Unless he is guaranteed a good position, Black should not open the centre, especially when White is clearly better developed. Nevertheless, I will show a few more moves of the game to show how White can take advantage of Black's mistake. 1 3.j,f4! Black was probably hoping for 1 3.e5 tt:'le4 14.WI'e2 (or 1 4.j,xe4?! dxe4 1 5 .tt:'lh2 tt:'lf5 1 6.h5 gxh5 1 7.1'!ad 1 Wl'h4 with an advantage

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Chapter 5 - The Hippopotamus for Black) 14 . . . c5!? 1 5 .dxc5 lt:lxc5 when his position is fine. Black can target the e-pawn and can feel happy not to have castled yet, as White might get into trouble if he attacks too early on the kingside. 1 3 . . . c5 This does not end too well for Black, but the alternatives were not much better. For instance, 13 . . . dxe4 14.lt:lxe4 lt:lh5 is the advice of the Silicon Monster. It is time for a word of advice: do not always trust the Monster! After 1 5 .ie5 0-0 16.c3 a5 1 7 .Ei:ad 1 I would not like to play the Black side.

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1 4.dxc5 bxc5 1 5 .exd5 lt:lexd5 1 6.lt:lxd5 ixd5 ?! 16 ... 'Wxd5! 1 7.ie5 'Wd8 is still only marginally better for White. 1 7.lt:le5 White had a clear advantage in Vescovi Vadasz, Budapest 1 993.

10 .tb7 ...

In one sense this is the main "tabiya'' of the Hippo. So far White has played moves that you don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to find, but now we get to the stage where it becomes harder to discriminate between all the different options.

l Ul:ael Several other moves have been tried, and I will focus on three illustrative examples: 1 1 .lt:l h2 White wants to mobilize the f-pawn, but this invites a central counter. 1 1 ...lt:lf6!? This should work fine, but even stronger is 1 l . . .d5! 1 2.exd5 ( 1 2.id3?! is met by 1 2 . . . c5! when the threat of . . . cxd4 forces White into 1 3.e5 cxd4 1 4.ixd4 lt:lc6, when Black wins at least a pawn) 1 2 ... exd5 1 3.id3 c5 and Black takes over the initiative. 12.id3 1 2.d5 exd5 1 3.exd5 lt:lf5 1 4.if4 0-0 1 5 .lt:l g4 g5 is balanced.

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1 2 . . . 'Wd7?! 12 . . . c5! is the perfect timing, as White has just blocked the d-file while trying to protect the e-pawn. Now 1 3.Ei:fd l c4 14.ixc4 lt:lxe4 1 5 .lt:lxe4 ixe4 looks nice for Black. On the horizon I can already see the outlines of a minority attack on the queenside.

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1 3 .Eiad 1 d5 1 4.f3 1 4.e5 is critical. 1 4 . . . lLlh5 1 5.'Wf2 f5!? 1 6.g4 dxe4 1 6 .. .f4! would have been unclear. 1 7.fxe4 lLl f6 1 8.lLlf3 0-0-0 1 9.lLle5 By now White was better in Xie Jun Chiburdanidze, Manila 1 99 1 . Despite the earlier inaccuracies, it was an impressive display of creativity from both players, and the game was eventually drawn after further adventures. 1 1 .Eife 1 lLl f6?! This is similar to our main game. Here too, I recommend 1 l .. .g5!. 1 2 . .if4?! 1 2.d5! is strong. 1 2 ... g5 1 3 . .ig3 lLlg6 Black can also steer towards a do-or-die position with: 1 3 . . . lLlh5 14 . .ih2 lLlg6 1 5 .d5 .ixc3! 1 6.'Wxc3 e5 1 7.a5! b5 1 8 ..ifl White has an automatic initiative on the queenside, but Black has chances on the kingside with . . . 0-0, . . . .ic8 and .. .f5 .

24.E\xh6t 'it>g7 25.Eixc6 .ixc3 26.bxc3 Elac8 27.Eixc8 Elxc8 28 . .ib3 White can continue to press for a win without taking any risks. 1 7 . . . 'it>h8 1 8.exd6 'Wxd6 1 9.'Wf2 e5 20.g4 'Wb4 2 l ..ib3 f5 22.gxf5 Elxf5 23.lLl e4 lLlh4 Black emerged with some initiative in Tissir - Inarkiev, Catalan Bay 2004. 1 1 .Eiad 1 iLl f6 As usual, 1 1 . . .'it>f8!? is possible. 1 2 . .id3 This is a logical moment for 1 2.d5!?, as blocking the centre would leave the b7bishop and f6-knight misplaced. It follows that Black should choose 1 2 . . . exd5! ( 1 2 ... e5? 1 3 .lLlh2 lLld7 1 4.f4 is promising for White) 1 3.exd5 lLl f5 14.lLld4 lLlxd4 1 5 ..ixd4 0-0 with equality. 1 2 . . . 'Wd7 1 3.Eife 1 E\d8 1 4.'We2 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 a

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1 4.e5 lLlh5! 1 5 .d5! lLlxg3 1 6.fxg3 0-0!? After 1 6 ... lLlxe5 1 7.lLlxe5 dxe5 1 8 .Eiad 1 'We7 1 9.dxe6 fxe6 White has compensation for the pawn, but hardly more. 1 7.Eiad 1 White should have played 1 7.dxe6 .ixf3 1 8.exd6! when Black has to defend precisely: 1 8 . . . .ic6 1 9.Eiad 1 cxd6 20.'Wxd6 'Wxd6 2 1 .Eixd6 lLle5 22.exf7t 'it>h8 23.Eixe5 .ixe5

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1 4 ... 'Wc8!? Today I would prefer 1 4 . . . 0-0!? intending 1 5 ..ixa6 .ixe4 1 6.lLlxe4 lLlxe4 when White has the bishop pair, but Black has the denser pawn structure. 1 5 .'Wd2 It is easy to be criticize White for the loss of time, but this move illustrates how difficult it can be to find a good plan. 1 5 ... 'Wa8!? I was trying to confuse my opponent, and I may have had an exaggerated idea of the strength of the queen on a8.

26 1

Chapter 5 - The Hippopotamus My engine advocates 1 5 . . . c5 1 6.d5 exd5 1 7.exd5 lLJ fXd5 1 8.lLlxd5 �xd5 1 9.�f4 �xf3 20.gxf3 c4 2 1 .�fl d5, but this seems quite dangerous for Black after 22.b3!?. 1 6.�f4 1 6.d5! exd5 ( 1 6 . . . e5 is not a move that fits with the queen's position) 1 7.exd5 lLJfXd5 1 8.�d4 offers White compensation for the pawn. 1 6 ... lLl d7 1 7.�fl �f8 1 8 .�d3 �g8 1 9 .h4 lLJf6 20.�h2 �h7 2 1 .�e2 Ei:hf8 Finally the artificial castling has been achieved. 8 7 6 5 4 2 b

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I would prefer l l . . .g5!? intending to meet 1 2.d5!? with: 1 2 ... e5 ( 1 2 . . . �xc3!? 1 3.�xc3 e5 can sometimes be considered, but here it is probably a bit too ambitious.) 1 3.lLlh2 f5 ( 1 3 . . . lLlg6? is complete rubbish here; Black must achieve . . .f5 before White gets control of the light squares.) 14.exf5 lLlxf5 1 5 .�d3 0-0 With unclear play.

12 .id3?! .

22.lLl b l ! 'kt>g8 23.c3 c5 24.�c2 cxd4 25.lLlxd4 My opponent probably did not want to leave an outpost on b4 after 25.cxd4 lLlc6, but this hardly seems like a serious problem after 26.lLlc3. 25 . . . e5 26.lLlf3 Ei:fe8 Black had a comfortable position in Steil­ Antoni - Hillarp Persson, Reykjavik 20 1 0.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

...

This gives White the chance to close the centre, achieving a position similar to Drei - Gofshtein, but with a few extra tempos. I normally wait with . . . lLJ f6, either until I have played ... g5 and . . . lLlg6 so that the . . . lLlh5-f4 manoeuvre is in the air, or until White has committed some positional crime and I no longer have to watch out for d4-d5.

A totally different approach is l l . . .c6!?, intending to post the queen on c7 before deciding which pawn to push to the fifth rank.

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White defends the e-pawn, but misses the perfect time to play 1 2.d5! when, after 1 2 ... e5, the knight on f6 obstructs Black's counterplay with .. .f5, leading to the eventual loss of two tempos. An important point is that 1 2 ... exd5?! would be even worse due to 13.lLlxd5! lLlxe4 14.�d3 �xd5 1 5 .�xd5 lLJxd5 16.�xe4t lLJe7 17.�d4 when White has a strong attack.

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12 ...'?Nd7 Black continues to improve his position. Black should stay away from 12 ... d5?!, when 1 3.if4! ( 1 3.e5 lD e4 14.'?Nd l c5 1 5 .dxc5 LDxc5 is fine for Black) 1 3 . . . dxe4 14.LDxe4 is advantageous for White. Usually . . . d5 works best in one of two situations. One scenario occurs when White plays e4-e5 and Black chooses to block the centre. Ideally, this should be done at a moment when White will not be able to answer . . . c5 with c2-c3. The other occurs when there is a bishop on c4, especially when White has no alternative but to play exd5, when Black replies . . . exd5 followed by a quick ... c5. There are other scenarios when it can be considered, but Black should always think twice before sending the d-pawn on a fifth-rank mission. 12 . . . g5!? is another idea. In Tiger's Modern I gave 1 3.e5!? as better for White, but after 1 3 . . . LDfd5 1 4.lDxd5 ixd5 the evaluation is not so clear. Instead 1 3.d5 e5 14.LDe2 LDh5 1 5 .a5 b5 1 6.c4 is objectively a little better for White, but the position is quite chaotic, making it a reasonable outcome if one is playing for a win with the black pieces.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 13.b4

posltlon. However, the obvious developing moves have already been made, so it is time to think about some kind of action. After 1 3.e5 LDfd5 1 4.ie4 LDxe3 1 5.'?Nxe3 d5 1 6.id3 c5! 1 7.dxc5 lDc6 Black is doing splendidly.

13 .. J�d8?! Black tries to avoid . . . g5 and plays a 'natural' move, possibly intending . . . '?Nc8-a8 putting pressure on the e-pawn. The downside of this plan is that d4-d5 becomes more of a threat than before. Both 13 . . . d5!? and 1 3 . . . g5 1 4.lDh2 lDg6 seem like better options. The black rook should stay where it is, anticipating the opening of the a-file.

14.b5 a5 It would have been possible to play 14 . . . axb5 with the rook still on a8, but now it is inadvisable because 1 5 .ixb5 c6 1 6.id3, intending :B:bl and d4-d5, gives White a strong initiative.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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I cannot see how this move improves White's

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Black has no counterplay on the queenside, so White can do more or less as he likes on the kingside.

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15 ¥Nc8 16.f3 .•.

Why put on the silk gloves? Mter 1 6.f4! 0-0 17.f5 the f-pawn is acting as the first nail in Black's coffin.

16 .. .'bh5 17.tLle2?! White keeps a clear advantage after this move, but 1 7.g4! lt:lg3 1 9 .E!:f2 h5 20.�g2 h4 2 1 .lt:l fl was even better.

17... e5 18.£4!? exf4 19.Lf4 lLlxf4 20.¥Nxf4 0-0 21.tLlg4 �h7 22.tLlf6t �h8 23.lLlg3 tLlgS 24.e5 dxe5 25.dxe5 fNe6 26. h2 Lf6 27.exf6 fNd6 Black has some counterplay against the f6pawn, but White should be close to winning somehow.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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48 .. J�e5 49.�h3 \i?g5 50.E!:c4 E!:c5 5 l .E!:xc5t bxc5 52.c3 xf6 By now only Black can try to win this endgame. White will have to keep a constant eye on the a4-pawn, and Black has slightly the more active monarch. Still, the game should end in a draw.

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28.E!:e5 B:de8 29.Ei:xe8 B:xe8 30.�c4 fNxf4 3l.Ei:xf4 E!:f8 32.tLle2 g5 33.E!:t2 �e4 34.tLlc3 �g6 35.tLld5 �h7 36.�h3 E!:cS 37.g4 h5 38.�g3 lLlh6 39.gxh5 Missing 39.E!:e2! lt:lg8 40.h4! gxh4t 4 I .�xh4 �h6 42.g5t �h7 43.lt:lf4, when White is in complete control and should win easily.

39 ...hl5 40.�h2 �g6 4l.Ei:g2 lLlf5 42.E!:xg5 Ei:d8 43.E!:g4 �h6 44.E!:f4 E!:e8 45.�c4 E!:el 46.1i?g2? 46.lt:lxc7 would have kept some advantage for White. The rest of the game is rather strange.

53.h4?

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53.�d l ! was necessary to stop . . . �h5. Now White can answer 53 . . . �g5 with 54.�g3, and 53 . . . �f5 with 54.�c2t. I do not see how Black can make progress here.

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53 ... e3 .ib3 60.�d3 ..t> g4 6 l ..ixb3 axb3 62.c4 �xh4 63.�c3 ..t> g4 64 . ..t> xb3 ..t> f4 leads to a win. But better is 57 . ..t> f3 ixb5 58 . ..t> e3 when White should be able to draw.

55 f8, but I would rather not resort to this so early in the game. In the next game White prepares to push his e-pawn instead of the d-pawn, but he never finds a good moment to play it.

Stellan Brynell - Tiger Hillarp Persson Sweden 1 997

I.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.�c3 .ig? 4.�f3 a6 5.a4 b6 6 ..ic4!

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Black also wins after 56 . .id3 .id l , or 56 . ..t> f2 ..t> f4 57.ib3 f5 58.ie6 .ig6, when White cannot stop . . . ..t> g4xh4.

56 f7 36.'1Mfg6t cj;lgs 37.Ei:xe6 White will take the whole point.

�xh6 37.'1Mfg6t �g7 38.'1Mfxc6 wins cleanly. In the game White exploits his advantage in good style.

35.'1Mfe3 '1Mfe7 36.J.g6 E!f8 37.E!bl J.h5 38.c!Llg3 E!f4 39.c!Lle2 E!f8 40.c!Llg3 E!f4

30 c!Llg4? ••.

Stohl gives 30 . . . hxg5 3 1 .'1Mfxg5 with a clear advantage for White. However, after 3 1 . . .l2J e4! (I gave 3 1 . . .e5 in Tiger's Modern, but missed 32.�f5! with an advantage for White) 32.�xe4 dxe4 Black is looking fine again, as 33.h6!? e3! 34.f3 Ei:f5 35 .'1Mfg3 Ei:h5 36.hxg7 Ei:xg7 37.'1Mff4 Ei:hg5 is deeply problematic for White. a

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4I .c!Llf5! '1Mff6 42.E!xb5! axb5 43.a6 e5 44.a7 '1Mfa6 45.c!Llxg7 '1Mfxa7 46.c!Lle6 'IMfal t 47.@h2 E!h4t 48.@g3 'IMfdl 49.J.f'7t! Black resigned since 49 . . . cj;lxf7 50.lLlxg5t, followed by 5 1 . cj;lxh4 leaves White a piece ahead.

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31.'1Mrg3 c!Llx£2 32.Ei:fl! hxg5

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Black probably missed that 32 . . . l2Jxd l ? 33.�h7t! 'it>h8 34.Ei:xf8t �xf8 35.l2Jf7t! forces mate on the next move.

33.E!xf2 :!:l:x£2 34.'1Mfxf2 Now things look bleak for Black.

34 Ei:f'7 •.•

34 . . . e5 35 .'1Mff5 e4 does not solve Black's problems. Stohl's 36.'1Mfxg5 ?! allows 36 . . . Ei:e5! with some resistance, but the superior 36.h6!

Looking back on this game, I have the feeling that Black was slightly worse after 1 5 . . . d5, even though I cannot prove it. fu a general rule, I would advise playing . . . �xf3 before closing the centre with . . . d5. It is only when Black can somehow afford to open up the centre that the bishop should be retained. There are some other points to take away from this game. Closing the centre with . . . c4 is unlikely to be a good idea when your opponent is ready to use all his pieces in a kingside onslaught. Finally, when White's kingside attack does get underway, the . . .f6 break is an important resource which may prove an absolute necessity to avoid being smothered.

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Igor Yagupov - Andrei Shchekachev Bela Crkva 1 990

l.d4 g6 2.e4 i.g7 3.�f3 d6 4.�c3 a6 5.a4 b6 6.i.c4 e6 7.i.g5?! It is really incredible how common this move is, considering that it throws away a tempo. This will be obvious after move 8.

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1 4 . . . d5! 1 5 .ib3 c6!? (Preparing ... b5 is interesting, but 1 5 . . . c5! seems better still, as 1 6.exd5 exd5 1 7.dxc5 lt:lxc5 is pleasant for Black.) 1 6.lt:lh2?! This cannot be correct when Black is ready to play in the centre. ( 1 6.if4 is more logical, as the d6-square has been weakened.) 1 6 . . . c5! Black held the initiative and eventually won in Gruvaeus - Hillarp Persson, Orebro 2000.

8 ...h6! This move is an integral part of the Hippo, and Black would be happy to play it even if the white bishop stood on f4 or e3. The fact that it wins a tempo here is a welcome bonus.

9.i.e3 Worse is 9.if4?! (9.ih4?! lt:ld7 leads to the same thing) 9 . . . lt:l d7 1 0.0-0 g5! l l .ig3 lt:lg6 1 2.lt:lel lt:lf6 1 3.f3 0-0 14.lt:le2 lt:l h5 with an initiative for Black, Zeier - Hillarp Persson, Recklinghausen 200 1 .

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Other moves would give Black the opportunity to castle. A good example is the following game of mine: 8.0-0 h6 9.ie3 0-0 l O.l':!:el lt:l d7 l l .Wfe2 ib7 1 2.Elad l Wh7 1 3 .icl Ele8 1 4.h3 Black has got through the opening comfortably, and is ready to take action. 8

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In an eventful game from Reykjavik 2000 against Bykhovsky, I played: 1 0 . . . lt:l f6!? When I first annotated this game in my private database I gave this move a question mark, but it is not so bad if Black follows it up in the right way.

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Chapter 5

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Still, if I reached the same position again I would prefer 1 0 . . . g5!, when 1 1 .h3 tLlg6 followed by . . . 0-0 is fine for Black. 1 1 .h3 .ib7 1 2.d5! After 12 ..id3 c5! Black is happy.

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The Hippopotamus

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1 2 . . . e5! With this move I enter a position where my knight on f6 would have been better off on d7, where it would not obstruct . . .f5. Nevertheless, it was the best choice overall. In general it is fine for Black to exchange on d5 in this kind of position, but here the hanging h6-pawn becomes an issue after 1 2 . . . exd5 1 3.exd5 tLl f5 14 . .if4. Now 1 4 . . . 0-0 1 5 .g4 g5 1 6 . .ixg5 hxg5 1 7.gxf5 lLlh7 1 8.i>h2! is dangerous for Black; ergo, taking on d5 is no good. Even worse is 1 2 . . . lt:lxe4? 1 3.tLlxe4 exd5 1 4 . .id4! when Black will not get the piece back. 1 3.tLlh2! A strong move that prepares to meet ... lt:Jh5 with .ie2.

1 3 . . . g5!? Such moves can be hard to evaluate, so here are some guidelines. The . . . g5 move is generally good ifBlack can plant a knight on f4 before White can arrange g2-g3 (or win control over f5) . This normally depends on whether Black can attack the h3-pawn and thereby force White to leave the g2-pawn at home. If White can exchange the light­ squared bishops and plant a knight on f5, it can be considered a bad omen for Black. Previously I thought 1 3 . . . c6 was good enough for equality, but the latest breed of Silicon Monster points out that 14.lt:lg4! lt:lxg4 1 5.hxg4 leaves White in control of d5, rendering Black's whole idea a failure. The continuation might be 1 5 . . . c5 1 6.:B:fb 1 .ic8 17 ..ie2 tLlg8 1 8 .b4 tt:lf6 1 9.bxc5 bxc5 20.f3 and White is in complete control. 14 . .ie2 tt:lg6 1 5 .tt:lg4 Here I could have obtained a good position with a remarkable idea that I missed when writing Tiger's Modern.

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1 5 . . . tt:l g8!! Making use of the fact that White cannot put both the bishop and a knight on g4 simultaneously. At the same time, Black prepares to bolster the weak f5-square. In the game I chose 1 5 . . . h5?, but after 1 6.tt:lxf6t .ixf6 1 7.'1Mfd 1 !! I realized I had been outmanoeuvred, as there is no way to keep control of the light squares. I tried a

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17 . . . tDf4 1 8 .i.xf4 gxf4 1 9.ixh5 r:J;; e7 but failed to obtain enough compensation, although I eventually won after a blunder by my opponent in Bykhovsky - Hillarp Persson, Reykjavik 2000. 1 6.'1Wd 1 .!c8 1 7.id2 tlJf4 1 8.tDe3 h5 Black is doing quite well.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 l l.d5 As discussed earlier, it makes sense to play this move after the bishop has gone to b7.

1 2 . . . g5! Black seizes the opportunity to force the exchange of the enemy bishop for a knight. 1 3.ig3 lDh5! 1 4.:gad 1 tlJg6?! This weakens Black's control of f5, making White's next move more effective. 1 4 . . . 0-0 is correct, after which 1 5 .d5 exd5 1 6.exd5 %Vd7 is a little better for Black. 1 5 .d5 e5! After 1 5 ... ixc3!? 1 6.%Vxc3 e5 Black is better placed on the kingside, but White is quick to open up the queenside with a4-a5 and c2-c4. The engines prefer White, but this is the kind of position where I do not fully trust silicon-based evaluations. 1 6.%Ve3 tlJ hf4 There is nothing wrong with this move, but even stronger was 1 6 . . . g4 1 7.tDd2 tDf6 1 8.f3 h5 1 9.tDe2 %Vd7 when Black has a strong initiative. White would, however, have a winning advantage if he could somehow get a knight to f5, so take care not to allow this. 8

7

White has little to gain from further waiting moves, for instance: 1 l .:gfe 1 tD f6 I would prefer 1 1 . . .g5!. 1 2 . .!f4? This allows Black to force an advantageous exchange and take the initiative. The best move is 1 2.d5.

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17.i.xf4 exf4 1 8 .%Vd2 g4 1 9.tDd4 .!xd4 20.%Vxd4 tDe5 2 I .ifl h5 22.%Vd2 Now instead of 22 . . . %Vf6?!, which led to a balanced game in Milos - Shchekachev, Las Palmas 1 993, Black should have played: 22 . . . f3! With a clear advantage. a

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l l e5 12.c!ll e l f5 •••

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1 2 . . . g5 is not attractive here since White has not played h2-h3. This means that Black's g-pawn has nothing to bite on, and White has no trouble playing g2-g3 to guard the f4square if needed.

28 1

16 .. J3xfl t 17. f8! was better, taking the king off the open file and preparing to hunt down the bishop on e3 with . . . lt:Jf5. Whatever the evaluation from here, it reinforces the point that Black should have taken steps to improve his king before taking action in the centre.

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Clearing some of the debris from the e-file. White's pieces were treading on each other's toes, but now they have picked up on the rhythm better.

14 'it>f8 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.i.f4 •.•

One way to take some of the venom out of the ... c5 idea is to weaken Black's control over this key square with: 1 2.a5!? b5 If White could play axb6 it would improve his chances dramatically. Now 1 3.lt:Jg4 g5! 1 4.e5 c5 is critical. White's centre will disappear, but Black's king will be stuck in the middle for some time. "The position is a mess" may be an uninformative expression, but it is quite appropriate here.

Black is lagging behind in development, his pawns are weak and his king is in trouble.

16 'it>g8 17.�adl! �h7 18.ttlg4 h5 19.ttle5 ttlxe5 20.ixe5 f6 2I.i.f4 .•.

White has a clear advantage, but Ralf is a formidable defender.

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29 ....ixf3?? One can almost see the hands flying back and forth over the board. After 29 . . . ic4! 30.Wle4 Wlxc5 3 1 .l::! c6 Wld5 32.l::!xc4 Wfxc4 33.Wfxa8 d3! White is lost. The rest of the game is really horrible and should not be commented upon.

30.�e6 .ie4 31 ..ig3?! ge8 32.tll xd4 �c5 33.�fl h4 34.tll e6? �h5? 35.�xg7? hxg3 36.hxg3 �xg7 37.�xf6t �h6 38.�f4t �g5 39.�f7?? �e3t? a

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21..J�e8 22J'�e6 �d7 23J3d6 �c8 24J3el d4?! Black was probably in time trouble. Better is 24 . . . ll:\f5! 25J!xe8 Wfxe8 26.l::! b6 Wlfl with good chances to resist.

25.�e4 tll d5 26 ..ic4?! Black's position would have been hopeless after 26 ..ig3! followed by Wla5 or c2-c4.

39 . . . Wfxg3 would have left White in a resignable position, but Black simultaneously missed this and ran out of time.

1-0 Despite his eventual victory in the above game, White's f1-f3 set-up does not impress against the Hippo. After l l . . .@f8 the pressure would have been on White to do something constructive with his cumbersome cluster of pathetic pieces.

26 ...�5 27..ixd5? White can still keep a huge advantage with 27.i.g3! tll e3 28.ll:\xf6t i.xf6 29.id3! Wlg5 30.f4 followed by l::!xf6. With this and the next mistake, the advantage passes to Black.

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Warsaw 2002

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.�f3 d6 4..ic4 e6!?

27 ....ixd5 28.�xc5? 13xel t 29.�xel

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Mateusz Bartel - Michal Krasenkow

My main recommendation is 4 . . . ll:\f6, but if you tire of the taste of lobster you might want to try crab.

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Chapter 5

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The Hippopotamus

This is what I refer to as a "Desert Hippo". I have played it myself, but beware: it is not quite as sound to play the Hippo when there is no knight on c3. Please repeat this three times to yourself, so that you, like Evgeny Agrest, Emanuel Berg and others who practise this set-up, understand that you are placing the Hippo in the desert and hoping for rain. That being said, over time I have come to realize that Black's set-up is not as unfavourable as I once thought. I still believe White is better off compared to the tLl c3 lines, but Black's set­ up is playable. What really matters when you play . . . e6 is that White is unable to play c2-c4. After 4.J.c4 this is obviously impossible. 5

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l l .lLlg3 l l .J.d3! is more flexible and therefore better. After l l . . .c5 1 2.J.f4 the position resembles the main game, except that White's pieces are on slightly different squares. l l . . . d5 I did not think I could wait any longer. 12.J.d3 dxe4 1 3 .lLlxe4 Now instead of 1 3 . . . tLl d5 which led to approximate equality in Moren - Hillarp Persson, Tylosand 20 1 2, I should have played 1 3 . . . tLlf5! with counterplay.

.ib3!?

I am not at all sure that the bishop belongs here. Maybe it is a better idea to play 5.c3 and later retract the bishop to d3. I have only once ventured with the Hippo into the desert. The game continued: 5.'We2!? tLle7 6.0-0 0-0 7.l:!d l ! ? Th e rook i s well placed here, as i t makes it more difficult for me to play ... c5 . 7 . . . tLld7 7 . . . d5?! 8 .J.b3 does not really help Black, who is behind in development. 8.c3 h6 9.tLl bd2 b6 l O.tLlfl J.b7 Black is finally ready to push the d-pawn.

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Another move to look out for in this kind of position is 6.h4!?. Black has no real choice but to play 6 . . . h6!, but this is not such a bad move to make. Now White will have to think twice before castling, and I doubt it is to his advantage to disrupt the kingside so early. The last time Bartel got this position with White, he tried an accelerated knight manoeuvre to g3: 6.tLl bd2 b6 7.tLlfl lLld7 8.tLlg3 J.b7 9.0-0 0-0 1 0.J.f4?! This move does not fit in with the rest of White's set-up. The bishop should stay on c 1 for the time being. 1 0 . . . tLl f6 1 0 . . .h 6 is quite reasonable, when l l .h4 tLlf6

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1 2.'We2 d5!? leads to mutual chances. l l J!el c5!? This idea is new to me!

square, which does not bode well for White. 23.'Wh3 c4 24.Aa4 dS 25.ltld2 l:!f7 A success for the Modern strategy; it does not get much better than this. 26.b3 c3 27.ltlf3 Here Black could have best exploited his advantage with: 8

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1 2.dxc5 After 1 2.c3 cxd4 1 3.cxd4 Black is flexible and can chose between 1 3 . . . !:k8 and 1 3 . . . h6. 12 . . . e5! 1 3.Ag5 bxc5 Suddenly Black has an extra pawn in the centre. Now everything revolves around the d5-square. 1 4.ltld2 'We? 1 5.'Wf3 ltle8 1 6.'Wg4 mh8 1 7.'Wh4 f6 1 8.ih6 f5 1 9.Ag5 ltlf6 20.l:!ad l ? White should have played 20.exf5 ltlxf5! (20 . . . gxf5 2 l .Ae6 Ac8 22.hc8 l:!axc8 23.c4! is a little better for White) 2 1 .ltlxf5 gxf5 22.Ae6 ltl e8 23.'Wh3 Af6! with an unclear game.

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20 . . . fxe4 2 1 .ltl dxe4 ltlxe4 22.ltlxe4 ltlf5 Black has achieved a good level of coordination along with control over the d5-

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27 . . . e4!N 27 . . . l:!g8 was a strange choice, although it did not stop Black from eventually winning in Bartel - Milov, Warsaw 2005. 28.ltlh4 ltl d4 29.ltlxg6t mg8 Black is winning.

6 ... b6 It is also possible to play 6 . . . 0-0 in order to be able to answer 7.Af4 with 7 . . . h6. This way, White does not get the time to play 'Wd2 and prevent . . . h6.

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7Jl:el After 7.�f4 �b7 8 .l"i:e1 lt:l d7 White can play 9.Wd2, when 9 . . . h6 will probably lead to a more traditional Hippo, since White does not seem to have anything better than 1 0.lt:lc3. 7.c4!? is another idea to consider. After 7 . . . 0-0 8.lt:lc3 c5 9.d5 e5 the b3-bishop is less than optimally placed, and Black can get a good game with . . . h6 followed by . . .f5. It is also worth pointing out that 9 . . . exd5 is a safe alternative. White has nothing better than 10.lt:lxd5 lt:lxd5 1 1 .Wxd5 Wc7 1 2.�f4 �b7 1 3.Wd3 lt:l c6 1 4.�xd6 Wd7 1 5 .l"i:ad 1 l"i:fd8 1 6.�a4 �d4! 1 7.e5 �xe5 when Black achieves full equality.

7... ltld7 8.ltlbd2 �h7 If we presume that Black can later continue with ... c5, . . . cxd4 and (after White responds with cxd4) . . . lt:l c6-b4, then it might seem logical to play 8 . . . �a6!?. However, please do not follow the example of this game: 9.c3 (Black has nothing to fear from 9.a4 0-0 1 0.a5, when 1 0 . . . c5! takes over the initiative.) 9 . . . 0-0 1 0.lt:lfl

1 5 .dxe5 lt:lfd5 After a positional blunder on each side, the position was close to equal in Lau - Feustel, Bad Neuenahr 1 978.

9.ltlfl 0-0 lO.tLlg3 With this move White gets the knight out of the way of the other minor pieces and bolsters the e4-pawn, while preparing h4-h5. It is important to observe that White can play 1 O.a4 at any time. Black should not be lured into 1 0 . . . a5 ?!, when the light squares on the queenside will turn out to be troublesome later on. One big difference in this structure, compared to one where Black has not played . . . a5, is that White can now contemplate taking back on d4 (after . . . c5 and . . . cxd4) with the knight. I would almost automatically answer 1 0.a4 with 1 0 . . . a6, keeping as flexible as possible.

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1 O . . . �xfl ? This is positionally awful. (Instead 1 0 . . . c5 1 1 .�f4 cxd4 1 2.cxd4 lt:lf6 1 3.l"i:cl Wd7 looks all right for Black.) 1 1 .cj;lxfl c5 1 2 .�f4 cxd4 1 3.cxd4 lt:lf6 1 4.e5? This move only serves to gift a central outpost to the black knights. 1 4 . . . dxe5 ( 1 4 . . . lt:l fd5! is more precise.)

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Krasenkow probably reasons that there is nothing to stop him from playing . . . c5 and, since he is likely to have to play it anyway at some stage, he might as well do it now. The most common continuation is 1 0 . . . h6 1 1 .c3 and now Black is out of good waiting moves. A move like 1 1 . . . a6, for instance, makes absolutely no sense now. Instead there are two alternatives worth discussing:

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Both Evgeny Agrest and Emanuel Berg have tried their luck with l l . . . �h7 1 2.h4 tLl g8 1 3.h5 We7, but I do not like this at all. My view is that if Black is unable to meet h4-h5 with . . . g5, he will be clearly worse. After 1 4.e5 dxe5 1 5 .ctJxe5 ctJxe5 1 6.dxe5 Wc5 1 7.Wg4 White had a clear advantage in Brynell Agrest, Gothenburg 2006. l l . . .�h8!? is more interesting. 1 2.h4 (This is indeed the normal way to continue, but since Black's last move is almost an anti-h4 move, it might have been better for White to try 1 2.a4 or 1 2.We2.) 1 2 . . . ctJ g8! The knight is headed for f6, when h2-h4 may not look like such a great idea. 1 3 . .id2 We7 14.a4 a6 1 5 . .ic4 Now in Ruck - Bezold, Fuegen 2006, Black should have played:

It is a bit better to play 1 2 . .if4, although 12 . . . cxd4! 1 3.cxd4 e5 1 4 ..ie3 ctJ c6 leads to good play for Black. It is worth noting that it is useful for Black to have exchanged the c-pawns in order to give the knights more space. Here the g3-knight looks out of play and it seems that White's strategy has failed. If I were playing White here, I would choose between 1 2.h3 and 1 2.h4 h6 1 3 . .if4, although in both cases Black should have reasonable counterplay.

12 ... tLlf6 There is nothing wrong with 1 2 . . . h6 1 3 .Wd2 �h7. If White gets carried away with 14.h4?! tLlf6, he will be left with an unattractive choice between allowing either . . . ctJxe4 or ... l2J g4.

13 ..ig5 It is hard to come up with a good alternative, but this move is a clear sign that something has gone wrong for White.

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1 5 . . . tLlgf6!N Black has a healthy position and can prepare . . . c5 or . . . d5. In the game Black chose the outrageously ugly 1 5 . . . e5? which led to serious problems after 1 6.h5!.

l l .c3 Statistically speaking Black has not been doing too well from this position, but I believe this is at least partly because White has usually been the higher-rated player.

l l .. E:c8 12 ..ie3?! .

On this square the bishop obstructs the defence of the e4-pawn.

15.�d2

Chapter 5

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The Hippopotamus

After 1 5 .e5 dxe5 1 6.dxe5 .ig7 17.tLle4 tLlf5 I would much rather be Black. The e5-pawn will remain weak, potentially until deep into the endgame. IS

.ig7 16Jhdl c4?!

.••

This seems a bit counterintuitive to me since it closes the position and makes the bishop pair count for nothing. However, Krasenkow has a dynamic plan in mind. 1 6 . . . \Wc7 This seemingly safe continuation is probably best, although it may lead to hair-raising complications after: 17.h4! This is an important move, without which White would simply be slightly worse. White now has the positional threat of advancing the pawn to h5 when, after . . . g5 , the follow­ up d4-d5 will make it hard for Black to keep the light squares under control. This explains Black's next move. 17 . . . d5! 1 8.e5

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An important finesse. Instead after 1 9 . . . g5 20 ..ic2 cxd4 2 I .iWd3! l"\fd8 22.'1Wh7t f8 23.2"1xd4 CLlxeS 24.tL:lxe5 .ixe5 25.2"\d3 d4! the position is dynamically balanced. 20.cxd4 gS White is struggling to keep the balance.

17.i.c2

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This is the complementary idea behind Black's last move.

18.'1We2 It is hard for a human to see that 1 8.exf5! exfS 1 9.CLlh4! h7 (19 . . . 2"1f6! 20.b3 .idS is unclear) 20.CLlxg6!! @xg6 2 1 .'1We2 is dangerous for Black.

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1 8 . . . CLlc6 This seems natural, intending . . . cxd4 and . . . tLla5. 18 ... .ia6!? is a good alternative. Unless White can achieve something definite on the kingside, Black will have the better chances in the long run. 1 9.h5! cxd4!

This is premature and also one of those instances where the threat is stronger than the execution. Better is: 1 8 . . . 2"1c7! Preparing ... f4. 1 9.CLlfl ! '1Wd7!? 20.CLl l d2 b S 2 l .a4 (2 l .b3?! cxb3 22 ..ixb3 @h7! and Black has the initiative.) 2 l . . .a6 22.2"\al gS Black has nothing to complain about.

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Black is struggling to achieve equality, which is why 1 8 . . . l'!c7! was the stronger move.

20 ... d5 21 .h3

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19.�fl g5 20.e5?! White makes a positional error.

20.tt:l 3d2! This is advocated by Finkel as leading to an advantage for White. 20 . . . tt:l g6! Finkel does not consider this, but I think it is Black's best try. Play may continue: 2 l .Wfg4! Black's idea was to meet 2 1 .tt:lxc4 with 2 l . . .f3!. 2 l .f3 e5 22.tt:lxc4 .ia6 23 ..id3 exd4 24.cxd4 .ixd4t 25 .�h l reaches an unbalanced position with chances for both sides. 2 1 . . .Wfe8! 22.tt:lf3 e5

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 l �L_����� a

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21. ..i.c6! This bishop was bad a moment ago, but now it is headed for a new life on the kingside.

22.� lh2 i.e8 23.�g4 i.h5 Not 23 . . . .ig6 24.h4! and Black loses control of the light squares on the kingside.

24.�fh2 Wfe8 25.h4!? Objectively speaking it seems that Black is better after this move, but it is not easy to see why. In the event of 25 .'\Mffl tt:l f5 26.l'!d2, I think 26 . . . tt:l h4! is Black's best shot at an initiative. (Finkel gives a line starting with 26 . . . .ig6.) Then White should play 27 ..id l ! .ig6 28.tt:lf6t .ixf6 29.exf6 .ie4! 30.l'!xe4! dxe4 3 l ..ic2 h5 32 . .ixe4 with some compensation for the lost exchange.

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23.h4! tt:lxh4 24.tt:lxh4 gxh4 25.dxe5 h5 26.Wfxh4 .ixe5 27.tt:l d2 Wfg6 28.tt:lf3 l'!c7 29.tt:lxe5 dxe5 30.f3

25 ... �f5 25 . . . gxh4! is objectively stronger, although it takes some accurate play to prove it. The critical line goes 26.Wff3 (intending Wfh3) 26 . . . .ig6 27.tt:lf6t .ixf6 28.exf6 .ixc2 29.l'!xe6

Chapter 5 - The Hippopotamus

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j,xd l 30.'\Mlxd l 'Wg6 3 1 .1'l:xe7 'Wxf6 32.'Wg4t 'kt>h8 33.'We2 when White does not have full compensation for the exchange, although Black still has some work to do to bring home the point.

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26.hxg5 hxg5 27.'Wf3 'Wg6 28.'!Nh3 @fi! Now Black's rooks are headed for the h-file. White is forced to evacuate.

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Mter 32.f3! the only way for Black to fight for an advantage is 32 . . . 'tt> f8!. My main line continues 33.tLlfl 'We8 34.lt'lf6 j,xf6 35.exf6 j,g6 36.1'l:de2 'Wf7 37.1'l:xe6 tLle3 38 .1'l:d6 1'l:h l t 39.'\Mlxh l :l'l:xh l t 40.'tt> xh l 'Wc7 4 I .j,xg6 'Wxd6 42.tLlxe3 fxe3 43.1'l:xe3 'Wxf6 44.j,c2 and White should have good chances of holding.

32 ...fxe3 33.fxe3 g4 33 . . . j,e2! 34.j,xf5 'Wxf5 35.g4 j,xg4 36.1'l:f2 1'l:xh2 37.1'l:xf5t j,xf5 38.'Wxh2 1'l:xh2 39.'tt> xh2 �g6 wins easily.

The engine gives 29.tLlf3 1'l:h8 30.1'l:e2 1'l:h7 3 1 .1'l:ed2 1'l:ch8 32.�fl , but slowly comes to its senses and claims an advantage for Black after 32 . . . b5!?.

34.e4

29...1'l:h8 30.'!Ng2 �h7 3 1.1'l:d2 1'l:ch8?

34.j,xf5 exf5 35 .'Wxd5t 'We6 36.'Wb7t �g6 is winning for Black.

This move throws away the advantage. Better was 3 I . . .j,xg4! 32.tLlxg4 1'l:ch8 when 33.�fl �e7 34.�e2 fxg3 35.'tt> d l ! 'Wh5 36.f3 'Wf7 is excellent for Black, if not yet winning.

The best try is 34.1'l:f2! 1'l:d8 35.j,xf5 exf5 36.e4 dxe4 37.'Wxe4 'We6 38.1'l:xf5t �g8 when Black is certainly better, but White can offer plenty of resistance.

34... dxe4 35.d5 �ffi!? The simplest way was 35 . . . exd5 36.1'l:xd5 'We6 37.'Wxe4 j,g6 when Black is coordinated and wins quickly.

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Conclusion The Hippo is still thriving. Time has been standing still for the last nine years and I have not been able to find a single new game that is good enough to merit inclusion as a "main game" in this chapter. If you know the ideas, you will hardly ever need to remember a single specific line. Do not be afraid of White's 'heavenly' set-up, as nothing actually happens in Heaven. a

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37.�xe4 was better, although Black should win in the long run.

37 ....ig6 38.�xe4 �h3 39.�xc4 g:xg3t 4o.'it>fl ga! 4t.ttlxa gxa 42.gxa ghi t White resigned. Even in the desert, the Hippo is still alive and kicking.

0-1

At the beginning of the chapter I quoted a Talking Heads song. The song continues: "It's hard to imagine that nothing at all could be so exciting, could be so much fun." With that utter lack of ironic intentions so typical of me, I say: "Amen".

Chapter 6 a

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Classical Variation l.e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.tlJ£3 d6 4.h3!? tlJf6 5.l2Jc3 0-0 6.�e3 a6! 7.a4 b6 Game 60 4.�e2!? tlJf6 5.tlJc3 0-0 6.0-0 e6!? 7.h3 tlJc6 8.�g5?! Game 57 7.�f4!? Game 58 7.�e3 Game 59 3.tlJc3 d6 4.tlJ£3 a6 5.�d3!? Game 6 1 5.�e2 b 5 6.0-0 6 ... l2Jd7?! 7J�e1 c5!? Game 5 5 6...�b7! 7J!�e1 tlJd7 S.�fl Game 5 6

Notes to Game 56 - after 1 0.1Lld5

Notes to Game 57 - after 1 8 .1Lld2 8

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Notes to Game 6 1 - after 9 .gxf3

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l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.lL1f3 White can of course start with 3.ttJc3. However, if he intends to bring the king's knight to f3 anyway, he can gain some extra options by doing it immediately.

3 d6 4.ttJc3 ..•

Only the first and second games in this chapter will deal with this move order, which might be termed the "Classic Classical". The remaining games will focus on the cheeky 4 . .te2 and 4.h3, both of which are intended to take the sting out of the . . . a6 plan.

4 a6!? .•.

The most common transposing to the Pirc, preferred the nudge the the familiar plan of . . . b5, ... c5 .

move is 4 . . . ttJ f6, but I have always a-pawn, preparing . . . ttJ d7, ... .tb7, and

Normal development with .ie2, 0-0 and �el (Games 55 and 56) I consider this the main line of the chapter. In the first game Black commits a slight inaccuracy by playing 7 . . . c5 , which is a bit too risky even for my taste. More reliable is 7 . . . .tb7, as covered in Game 56 - although please take care to use the right move order as explained in the notes.

White plays 3.ttlf3 and 4..ie2!? (Games 57, 58 and 59) By postponing the development of his queen's knight, White discourages the plan of . . . a6 and . . . b5. However, with the bishop committed to the e2-square, Black can transpose to a Pirc, having bypassed the most critical lines. After 4 . . . ttJ f6 5.ttJc3 0-0 6.0-0 we will focus on the Hippo-like 6 . . . e6!?, which avoids heavy theory while offering Black a reliable position with decent chances to play for a win.

White plays 3.ttlf3 and 4.h3!? (Game 60) Once again I advocate transposing to a Pirc. White's system with h2-h3 and .te3 is quite popular, but 6 . . . a6! is an active reply with a healthy theoretical reputation, which also benefits from a certain synergy with the . . . a6 Modern.

White plays 3.ttlc3, 4.ttlf3 and 5 ..id3!? a

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This move is characteristic of the Classical variation. The majority of my opponents have played 5.a4, when 5 . . . b6 leads to the Hippo set-up of the previous chapter.

5 ... b5 Here is a summary of White's plans and the games in which they can be found.

(Game 6 1 ) By developing the bishop to d3, White prepares a set-up with ttJ e2-g3, which offers him excellent chances against the Hippo. Black's best solution is to transpose to another version of a Pirc with 5 . . . ttJc6!, as covered in the notes.

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Chapter 6 - Classical Variation

Alexander Khalifman - Valerij Popov St Petersburg 1 997

I.d4 g6 2.e4 .ig7 3.�c3 d6 4.�f3 a6 5 ..ie2! I believe this is more poisonous than forcing a Hippopotamus with 5 .a4 b6 6 . .ic4. The main reason is that, after Black's next move, White actually has something to attack: the b5-pawn. s ... hs

This is the standard move, but two other options can be considered. 5 . . . e6!? Despite the daft appearance, this move is an interesting alternative which refuses to present the b-pawn as a target for a2-a4. The only downside is: 6 ..if4! There have been many games with 6.0-0 and .ie3, which leads to an excellent Hippo set-up for Black after . Ji:J e7, . . . h6, . . . llJd7 and so on. 6.e5!? should be met by 6 . . . dxe5! 7.llJxe5 c5! when 8.llJe4 cxd4 9.llJc4 llJ c6 1 0. 0-0 llJge7 1 1 .llJed6t 'it>f8 reaches a position where White has some compensation for the pawn, but hardly more. 6 . . . llJe7! 6 . . . llJd7?! would be a mistake, because after 7.e5 it is difficult to protect the d6-pawn and neither 7 ... d5 nor 7 . . . dxe5 will make Black happy.

7.e5!N This is without question the most dangerous move. 7 . . . h6! 8.llJe4 Black has no problems after 8.exd6 cxd6 9.llJe4 llJf5, since 1 0.g4 is met by 1 0 . . . d5!. 8 . . . d5 9.llJg3 White is slightly better. (Instead after 9.llJf6t?! .ixf6 1 0.exf6 llJg8 the machine prefers White, but I find it hard to believe that White has full compensation for a pawn.) Considering the difficulties that arise in the above line, a better option seems to be: 5 . . . llJ d7!? This flexible option allows Black to play either ... e6 or . . . b5 on the next move. The question is whether it is possible to defuse the plan of .if4 and e4-e5 . 6 . .if4!? White is ready to meet ... e6 with e4-e5, but Black has some other options available.

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6 . . . b5! 6 ... c5 ?! 7.dxc5 tt:lxc5 8 .e5! leads to an initiative for White. 6 . . . e5!?N seems playable. The critical line continues 7.dxe5 dxe5 8 . .ig5 tt:l gf6 9.ttlxe5!? tt:lxe5 1 O.Wi"xd8t �xd8 1 I .ttl d5 c6 1 2.ttlxf6 h6 1 3.f4 hxg5 1 4.fxe5 �e7 1 5 .0-0 .ie6 with balanced play. 7.e5N This has not been played, but it is the only serious move that needs to be checked. 7 . . . .ib7 8.0-0 tt:l h6 9.Wi"d2 ttl f5 1 0.l"'fd 1 c5 1 l .dxc5 tt:lxc5 1 2.exd6 0-0! Black is doing well. This is quite a sharp line, and I recommend that you have a serious look at it.

7 . . . ttl d7! s . .tfl c5 9.a4! is analysed in the next game. 8 .ttld5 a5 8 . . . e6?! 9.ttlxb4 a5 I O.ttld3 .ixe4 1 1 .ttlg5 .ib7 1 2 ..if3 gives White a strong attack.

� :i ���rJ�t! �.tw i� � - - "-,)I ��i � � "'�" "-w� � � �� �� �� ��-if�% � ""'%�l% � ���� �-if�- - %�'? - . - %�� � 3 ��-% �� ��-% ��-� �J!l� �%�J!l�J�

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9 . .ic4! ttl d7! Mter 9 . . . e6?! I O.tt:lf4 Black is too soft on e6. Here White can improve on the game Arribas Robaina - Mera Cedeno, Quito 1 997, with: 1 0.a3!N tt:l gf6 1 l .axb4 tt:lxd5 1 2.exd5 axb4 1 3 . .ig5 White has a huge advantage.

7.E:el Amazingly, no one has tried 7.d5!N, when 7 . . . .ib7 8.tt:ld4 tt:lgf6 9.a3 leaves White with an advantage, as his control over c6 and e6 makes it difficult for Black to challenge the d5pawn. This is the main reason for preferring 6 ... .ib7! on the last move.

7 c5!? •••

6 . . . .ib7! 7.l"'e 1 7 . .ig5 h6 8 ..ih4 b4 9.ttld5 a5 looks fine for Black, who intends . . . g5 and . . . e6. 7 . . . b4? Here I would like to point out that Black should generally avoid pushing the b-pawn unless forced to. Even if it wins the e-pawn, Black ought to think twice about it. There are exceptions to this rule, but the present position is not one of them.

This is playing with fire. I would feel more comfortable with 7 . . . .ib7!, as seen in the next game.

s ..tg5 .ib7 9.a4! 9.d5?! In the next game we will take a closer look at this structure in conjunction with .ifl . With the bishop already on g5 , it is not dangerous for Black.

Chapter 6 - Classical Variation 9 . . . lt.lgf6 I O.�fl 0-0 l l .'Wd2 l l .a4 b4 1 2.lL'lbl h6 gives Black an improved version of the next game, with several extra tempos. l l . . .'Wc7 1 2 .Ei:ad l Ei:fe8 1 3 .�h6 Ei:ad8 14.'Wf4 8

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White's advantage to a m1mmum after something like 20.a4 b4 2 l .lL'ld5 �xd5 22.exd5 f6 followed by . . . Ei:d6. 1 9.exd5 exd5 20.f4?! Better is 20.lL'le2 intending lt.l g3 and h4-h5, when Black has nowhere near full compensation. 20 . . . b4 8

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1 4 . . . lt.le5!? I prefer 1 4 . . . e6!N 1 5 .dxe6 fxe6 1 6.�xg7 rJixg7, the tactical justification being: 1 7.'Wxd6 ( 1 7.Ei:xd6?! b4 1 8. lL'l b l e5 is even worse for White.) 1 7 . . . 'Wxd6 1 8.Ei:xd6 b4 1 9.lt.la4 lt.lxe4 Now White has nothing better than 20.Ei:xd7t Ei:xd7 2 l .�d3 lt.ld6 22.lt.lxc5 Ei:de7 when Black is slightly better. 1 5.lt.lxe5 dxe5 1 6.'Wh4 �xh6 1 7.'Wxh6 e6 1 8.'Wg5 8

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2 1 .lL'lxd5? White should prefer 2 l .lL'le2 e4 22.lL'lg3. In that case White has a strong attack and Black cannot get his centre rolling, because . . . d4 can be met by �c4. 2 l . . .Ei:xd5 22.Ei:xd5 �xd5 23.Ei:xe5 Ei:xe5 24.'Wxe5 'Wxe5 25.fxe5 a5 Black had a slight endgame advantage and went on to win in Doncevic - Nunn, Germany 1 984.

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1 8 . . . lt.lxd5 ?! A creative but mistaken move. After 1 8 . . . rJig7 1 9.d6! Ei:xd6 20.'Wxe5 Ei:d7 2 l .'Wxc7 Ei:xc7 22.e5 White is slightly better. 1 8 ... lt.ld7! 1 9.dxe6 Ei:xe6 is enough to keep

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The Modern Tiger

9 h6! ...

It is important not to head for the Sicilian structure too quickly. 9 . . . cxd4?! This brought Black victory in one game, but not because of the opening. 1 0.lt:lxd4 bxa4?! Black should try 10 . . . b4 1 1 .lt:ld5 lt:l gf6, although after 1 2.lt:lxb4 Wa5 1 3.i.xf6 lt:lxf6 1 4.c3 White is clearly on top. 1 1 .lt:ld5? This is absolutely unnecessary. After the normal 1 1 .E!:xa4! h6 1 2 .i.e3! lt:l gf6 1 3.lt:lb3 intending lt:l a5, Black's position is unenviable. 1 1 . ..lt:lgf6 1 2.lt:lxf6t?! 1 2.E!:xa4! lt:lxd5 1 3.exd5 0-0 1 4.i.f3 lt:l e5 is still a bit better for White. 1 2 . . . lt:lxf6 1 3.if3 h6 1 4.e5 i.xf3 1 5 .'\Wxf3 dxe5

1 4.dxe5 0-0-0 1 5 .ixa6 lt:lxe5 1 6.'1We2 is awful for Black. 1 2.ig3 lt:lgf6 Now in E. Moskalenko - Fortunato, Internet 20 1 0, White could have kept some initiative with:

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1 3.lt:lxf6t!N lt:lxf6 1 4.e5 dxe5 1 4 . . . lt:l h5 1 5.e6! is dangerous. 1 5 .ixe5 0-0 1 6.dxc5 E!:c8 1 7.id3! E!:xc5 1 8.'1We2 e6 The engines initially favour White, perhaps because of the weakened black kingside, but I consider the position to be unclear.

lO .ih4 .

1 0.i.e3!?N b4 1 1 .lt:ld5 sets a small trap:

White should minimize the damage with 1 6.i.xf6 i.xf6 1 7.lt:lc6 '1Wd2 1 8.lt:lxe5 0-0, when Black is only slightly better. 1 6 . . . hxg5 1 7.lt:lc6 '1Wd6 1 8.E!:xe7t �f8 Black was winning in Kapnisis - Postny, Mureck 1 998. It is possible that Black can disarm some of White's pressure with: 9 . . . b4!? 1 0.lt:ld5 h6 1 l .ih4 g5! 1 1 ...lt:lgf6?! 1 2.lt:lxe7! Wxe7 1 3.e5 dxe5

Chapter 6

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Ei:xf7 1 6.j,c4 e6 1 7.'1Mfd3 is good for White.) 1 5 .exf7t Wxf7 1 6.fXe3 j,f6 1 7.e4 Wg7! 1 8.e5 dxe5 1 9.dxe5 j,g5 20.lt:lxg5 hxg5 1he position is balanced.

of action can be for Black. Objectively the position is fine, but this evaluation hangs by a thin thread.

13.bxc3 lt:lgf6! Black finishes his development, but is left with a weak pawn on b5.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The alternative 1 3 ... bxa4 14.Ei:xa4 lt:l gf6 is hardly a better defence, as the active white rook may prove annoying.

14.axb5 axb5 15J:haSt .ixaS 16.lt:ld4

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White can also try: l l .lt:ld5!? bxa4! 1 2.lt:lxd4 lt:lgf6 1 3.Ei:xa4 lt:lxd5! This is the only decent move. White was threatening Ei:b4. 1 4.exd5 0-0 1 5 .lt:l c6 j,xc6 1 6.dxc6 lt:le5 1 7.c3 lt:lxc6 White keeps a slight edge.

1 1..JWb6!?

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This is a unique possibiliry after the bishop has been forced to h4.

16 ....ixe4?!

l l . . .bxa4 1 2.Ei:xa4 has been played a couple of times. Now the most logical continuation seems to be 1 2 . . . lt:lgf6N 1 3.lt:lb3, when White is slightly better but Black has counterplay.

The best move was missed, not only by Black in the game, but also by me in Tiger's Modern: 1 6 . . . e5!N 1 7.lt:lxb5 ( 1 7.j,xb5 g5 1 8.lt:lf5 gxh4 leaves White with inadequate compensation for the piece.) 17 . . . me7 1 8.j,d3 g5 1 9.j,g3 lt:l c5 Black is doing fine.

For a moment I thought that l l . . .j,xd4?! 1 2.\Wxd4 e5 was strong, but the computer ruined it all with 1 3.\Wd5!, when 1 3 . . . j,xd5 1 4.j,xd8 is bad for Black.

17.hb5 g5 1S ..ig3 e5 After 1 8 . . . j,g6 1 9.1Mfe2 e5 20.j,xe5! it is time for painkillers.

19.6 12.lLlb3 .ixc3! This is the only way to justifY the queen's expedition to b6. I have included this game partly to show how dangerous such a line

White also has a strong initiative after 1 9.j,xd7t mxd7 20.lt:lb3, intending c4-c5 .

19 ....tg6

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If one feels tired of fighting, then 19 . . . exd4 is a solution, allowing 20.i.xd7t xd7 2 l .fXe4 dxc3t 22.i.f2, when Black is defenceless against the threats of e4-e5 and i.d4.

20 .t:fl Vf!c7 2I..tfl @e7!? •

Movsziszian suggests 2 1 . . .0-0 22.lt:lb5 'IMI'c6, but 23.'1Mfxd6 leads to an endgame with excellent winning chances for White.

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Now everything falls into place for White.

28 V!!a4 29.Vf!h7t @ds 30.tlJe6t @cs 31 .Vf!e7 @b7 32.:gbl t as 33.Vf!xe8! •••

Faced with lt:lc7 mate, Black resigned.

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22.V!id2 :gbs 23.lt:lb5 Vf!c6 24.c4 tlJeS White is certainly better, but there does not seem to be a forced win. Khalifman finds a good way to increase the pressure.

25.h4! f6 26 ..td3! White forces a weakening of the light squares on the kingside, clearing the way for the queen to infiltrate on g6 or h7.

26 .txd3 27.Vf!xd3 gxh4? .•.

A blunder in a clearly worse position. 27 . . . f8!? is more stubborn. Then White gains nothing from 28.'1Wh7 'IMI'xc4 29.'1Mfxh6t e7 30.lt:ld4 ds, but after the accurate 28.lt:la7! 'IMI'c7 29.'1Mfh7 is close to winning.

This game contained some important themes, although there are two problems with the plan involving a quick . . . lt:J d7 and . . . c5 . For one thing, it is plain risky to open the centre so early. Secondly, we saw that the move order with an early ... lt:l d7 invites White to play d4-d5 followed by lt:ld4 with a queenside clamp. Black's best set-up involves . . . b5, . . . i.b7 and ... lt:ld7 - in that order! The target position occurs at move 7 of the next game, although the move order was inaccurate as I did not understand all the nuances at the time.

ah .t uE .ipt'lVl

Per Vemersson - Tiger Hillarp Persson Elitserien 2003

I.tlJf3 g6 2.e4 .tg7 3.d4 d6 4.tlJd a6 5 .te2 •

5.i.f4!? is a rare but tricky move. Black should probably avoid 5 . . . b5 6.e5!, even though the position after 6 . . . i.b7 7.i.d3 e6 is

Chapter 6 - Classical Variation not completely clear. Instead 5 . . . lLl f6!? looks better, intending 6.e5 lLlh5 followed by . . . lLlc6 with decent counterplay in the centre.

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9 . . . h6 I O.t.h4?! g5 I I .t.g3 This position was reached in Aalbersberg Kroon - K. Movsziszian, Salou 2008. Now the simplest continuation is:

Although it does not strictly lead to a "Classical" set-up, it is worth considering the active development of the king's bishop: 5.t.c4 b5!? 5 ... e6 leads to a Hippo and might be the best choice. 6.t.b3 e6 7.0-0 lLld7 There are days when this type of position makes me fear that Black might come to regret the early . . . b5. Other days I say "Bring it on!"

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l l . . .d.xe5!N The game continued l l . . .lLlf5!?, when White could have pressed the Chaos Button with 1 2.d5!?. 1 2.lLlxe5 lLlxe5 1 3.ixe5 t.xe5 1 4.d.xe5 Wfxd l 1 5 .l:!fxdl lLlg6 White will suffer in the endgame due to the weak e-pawn. a

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8.t.g5!? 8.lLle2!? can be met by 8 . . . lLlgf6. It is worth adding that after 9.e5 d.xe5 I O.d.xe5 lLle4, Black does not have to fear I I .t.d5!?, as after l l . . .exd5 1 2.Wfxd5 l:!b8 1 3.Wfxe4 t.b7 1 4.Wfe3 Wfe7 White has to play precisely in order to avoid being worse. 8.a4 b4 9.lLle2 lLl gf6 I O.e5 ( I O.lLlf4!? looks quite dangerous, but after IO ... lLlxe4! l l .Le6 lLl df6 1 2.t.xc8 Wfxc8 Black is doing all right.) I O . . . d.xe5 l l .d.xe5 lLle4 1 2.Wfd4 t.b7 1 3.Wfxb4 lLlec5 14.t.g5 Wfb8 Black has enough compensation for the pawn. 8 . . . lLle7 9.e5 After 9.Wfd2 h6 I O.t.e3 t.b7 Black is doing surprisingly well due to the weak e4-pawn.

5 te!d7?! •••

I wanted to tempt my opponent into playing a2-a4, but this move order has its downside. Let me remind you of the correct sequence: 5 . . . b5 6.0-0 ib7! 7.l:!e l lLl d7, reaching the same position as in the game, without allowing d4-d5 to be played with good effect.

6.0-0 b5 7J:�el Just as in the last game, White misses the opportunity to play 7.d5!. It took me a while to realize this detail and to mend my ways.

7 ....ib7 With this move Black arrives at the target position, which should be reached via the sequence noted after Black's 5th move above.

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1 2.Ad3) 1 2 . . . e6 1 3.tLle3 White is better. 1 2.tLlxb4 a5 1 3 .tLl d3 Axe4 Black seems to be fine, as the following brief lines show.

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An important alternative is: s .Ag5 h6 9.Ah4 Black must react energetically in order not to be run over. The strongest continuation has yet to be tested. 9 . . . b4!N l O.tLld5 l O.tLla4 and l O .tLl b l should both be met by 10 . . . g5 l l .ig3 Axe4, when White can claim some compensation for the pawn, but no advantage.

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1 4.c3 14 . .ifl ?! ixf3 1 5 .'\Mfxf3 ixd4 1 6.c3 ig7 leaves White with too little compensation for the pawn. 14 . . . tLl e7! 1 5 .tLld2 ig6 I prefer Black.

8 ... c5!?

This is the consistent continuation, but not the only playable one. Both 8 . . . e5?! 9.a4 c6 1 0.d5 and 8 . . . b4?! 9.tLla4! tl:lgf6 1 0.e5! are bad for Black.

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1 0 . . . g5! 10 ... Axd5 l l .exd5 g5 1 2.Ag3 tl:lgf6 is well met by 1 3.a3! tl:lxd5 1 4.axb4 tl:lxb4 1 5 .c3 tLld5 1 6.:!:!xa6 �xa6 1 7.Axa6 0-0. White is slightly better, although the reduced material gives Black good chances to hold. l l .ig3 e6! l l . . .a5 is too slow, and after 12.'\Mfd3 (or

8 . . . e6!? I am generally suspicious about this kind of accelerated Hippo, where Black has already played . . . b5. However, I have not been able to find a refutation. Would I recommend it? If you study it first, then yes. A possible continuation is: 9.d5 tl:lgf6 (9 . . . e5 is well met by 1 0.b4! followed by a2-a4.) l O.tLld4 '\Mfe7 l l .a4 b4 1 2.tLla2 a5 1 3.c3 bxc3 14.tl:lxc3 0-0 1 5 .f3 tLlc5 1 6.ig5 The position remains unclear. Black will kick the bishop with . . . h6 and . . . g5 and then follow up with . . . tLld7-e5.

9.d5 Another important option is:

Chapter 6 - Classical Variation 9.a4!? b4! After 9 . . . cxd4?! 1 0.lDxd4 bxa4 1 l .l"i:xa4 a draw was agreed in D. Antic - D. Barlov, Nis 1 995. Compared to the similar positions analysed in the last game, White has wasted a tempo on j,[l , but he should still be able to claim an edge: 1 1 . . .lD c5 ( l l . . .l2J gf6 is playable, although 1 2.lDb3 a5 1 3 .j,e3 0-0 1 4.j,d4 Wlc7 1 5 .lDb5 Wld8 still seems a bit shaky for Black.) 12.Ei:b4! l2J f6 Black is only marginally worse. 1 o.l2Jd5 lD gf6! 1 O . . e6? 1 1 .j,f4! is Game Over. 1 0 . . . cxd4?! is also poor: 1 1 .lDxd4 lD gf6 1 2 .lDxb4 Wib6? ( 1 2 . . . l2Jxe4 is better, but after 1 3.c3 White is threatening both lD bc6 and j,xa6, and I have not been able to find anything acceptable for Black.) 1 3.c3 j,xe4 ( 1 3 . . . l2Jxe4 1 4.a5 Wlc7 1 5 .j,xa6 j,xa6 1 6.Ei:xe4 wins for White.) 1 4.a5 Wlb7 1 5 .f3 j,d5 1 6.Wla4 �f8 1 7.c4 lDc5 A draw was agreed here in Rublevsky - Sakaev, Khanty­ Mansiysk (4.2) 2005. A strange outcome, since White would be clearly better after 1 8.Wla3. 1 1 ,j,g5 1 l .j,c4 cxd4 1 2.l2Jxb4 e5 1 3.c3 Wlc7! is already better for Black. 1 1 .tLlxf6t lDxf6 1 2.d5 0-0 1 3.j,c4 ( 1 3.a5 e6 1 4.dxe6 fxe6 1 5 .lDg5 l"i:e8 is roughly equal.) 13 . . . a5 Black should have been able to equalize with . . . l2Jd7-b6, . . . Wlc8 and . . . j,a6 in Geller - Hort, Linares 1 983. .

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1 1 . . . 0-0!N Once again, 1 1 . . . cxd4 is riskier as it leaves the b-pawn hanging. 1 2.l2Jxd4 0-0?! (My silicon friend comes up with 1 2 . . . h6!?N, claiming no advantage for White. The point is that after 1 3.j,h4 0-0 1 4.l2Jxb4 l"i:e8! there is no good way for White to protect e4. Nevertheless, the main line seems better to me.) 1 3.l2Jxb4 Black never got quite enough for the pawn in Belikov - Shchekachev, Sochi 1 990. 1 2.dxc5 After 1 2.lDxf6t lDxf6 1 3.d5 h6 I do not see any advantage for White. 1 2 . . . dxc5 1 2 . . . l2Jxc5!? 1 3.j,xf6 j,xf6 1 4.l2Jxf6t exf6 1 5 . Wl d4 a5 is also fine for Black. 1 3 .Wid2 lDxd5 1 4.exd5 l"i:e8! 1 5 .c4 bxc3 1 6.bxc3 l2Jf6 Black is perfectly okay.

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White's plan is simple; reroute a knight to c4, put the bishop on f4 and, if possible, play a4-a5 . If he can achieve all of this, Black will be choking.

1 1. .. 0-0 12.CLJbd2 1 2.a5 gives Black time for 1 2 . . . Wlc7 and . . . e6, with a good position.

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Th e Modern Tiger

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the exchange. I have analysed this posltlon quite a bit deeper, and concluded that the sacrifice is more or less good enough for even a correspondence game.

14J�bl!? Vernersson wants the pawn on b2 to be defended in the event that I challenge the c4knight with ... .ta6 and . . . tt:lb6.

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12 .'11M c7 13.llJc4 a5!?

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A decent alternative is: 1 3 . . . 2"1fe8 1 4.a5 I believed that my set-up would be positionally suspect at this point, but I did not take into account certain resources. 1 4 . . . 2"i:ad8 Played to give the d6-pawn some extra protection. Even after several hours of analysis, I am still not sure if Black cannot get away with 1 4 . . . h6!? intending . . . e6.

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I am dreaming of . . . e6, but then it would have been better not to waste a tempo with 1 3 . . . a5 . True, White has only moved his rook to b 1 in the meantime, but I still think it would have been better for Black to choose one plan and stick to it. 14 . . . tt:l b6 is one idea, but White obtains some advantage with 1 5 .tt:lxb6 '1Wxb6 1 6 ..tf4 followed by tt:ld2-c4.

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1 5 .h3 1 5 ..tf4 tt:lh5 1 6 ..te3 tt:lhf6 1 7 . .td3 h6 1 8.'1Wd2 \t>h7 followed by . . . e6 seems okay for Black. 1 5 . . . e6 1 6.dxe6 l"i:xe6 1 7.tt:lg5 l"i:xe4 1 8 .tt:lxe4 tt:lxe4 Black has reasonable compensation for

The best choice would have been 14 . . . .ta6! intending 1 5 ..tf4 tt:lh5 1 6 . .tg5 l"i:fe8 with a balanced position.

15.h3 e6?! This does not work out well. I considered 1 5 . . . tt:lh5 1 6.g4 ( 1 6.'1Wd3!?) 1 6 ... tt:l hf6, intending 17 . .tf4 tt:lxe4!? 1 8.2"1xe4 tt:lf6 1 9.2"1el tt:lxd5 20 . .tg3 l"i:ad8. Black has

Chapter 6

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Classical Variation

some compensation for the piece, but probably not enough. The best idea was to return to the reliable plan with 1 5 . . . ii.a6 1 6.ii.f4 tt::l b 6, although 17.tt::l xb6 '1Mfxb6 1 8.c4! leaves White with a clear initiative.

16.dxe6! White does not fall for 1 6.ii.f4?! exd5 17.tt::l xd6 Ei:xe4 1 8 .tt::l xe4 '1Mfxf4 1 9 .tt::l xf6t tt::l xf6, when Black gets nice compensation thanks to his strong centre and bishop pair.

I6 ... Ei:xe6 17.ltlg5 E':xe4 This was all according to my plan. Unfortunately, my plan was not that great. . .

18.ltlxe4 ltlxe4 19.f3?! 1 9.ii.f4! is stronger, intending 19 . . . ii.d4 20.ii.e3 ii.g7 2 l .f3 d5 22.fxe4 dxc4 23.ii.xc4 tt::l b6 24.ii.b5 ii.xe4 25 .'1Mfe2. White is a tempo up on the game, as Black has not played .. .f5 here.

19 ... d5 20.fxe4 dxc4 2I ..ixc4 ltlb6! 22.i.h5 After 22.ii.fl tt::l xa4 Black is happy.

31 1

Much better was 24 . . . l"k8! intending . . . c4.

25.cxh3 i.xhl 26.Ei:xbl @hS?! It was better to play 26 . . . '1Mfe5, although the weaknesses on a5 and c5 should eventually tell. I was more bothered by my passive knight and planned to activate it at the price of a pawn.

27.Y;Yf2 ltld5 28.i.xc5 ltlf6 29.i.d4 ltle4 30.Y;Ye3 Ei:d8 3 I ..ixg7t @xg7 32.Ei:cl Y;Yes 33.i.c6 gd4 34..L:e4 f4? After 34 . . . fxe4 35.Ei:el '1Mfd5 Black still has chances to save the game.

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35.Y;Yc3?

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Neither I nor my opponent spotted 35.Ei:c7t 't!?h6? 36.Ei:xh7t! 't!?xh7 37.ii.xg6t winning for White. Black can avoid this with 35 . . . 'tt> g 8, but the endgame after 36.'1Mfc3 Ei:xe4 37.Ei:c5 Ei:el t 38 .Wh2 '1Mfxc3 39.bxc3 Ei:bl 40.Ei:b5 is hopeless for Black.

35 ...Y;Yxe4? a

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22 ... f5! 23.i.e3 i.xe4 24.Y;Ye2 h3? A bad time to start being materialistic. After this move I am facing an uphill struggle in the endgame.

35 . . . Ei:xe4 would have prolonged the game, although White has excellent winning chances.

36.gel Vernersson refuses to fall for my only trap: 36.Ei:d l ?? '1Mfe3t 37.'1Mfxe3 Ei:xd l t when I would have won. Now it is the other way around.

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36 Wfd3 37.Wfxa5 @h6 38.Wfc3 @g5 39.a5 @h4 40.Wfxd3 1"i:xd3 41 .a6 1"i:d7 42.1"\al 1"i:a7 43.b4 •••

I felt this was a suitable time to resign.

1-0 This was not the greatest day for the Modern, but it was a good day for learning something. Nowadays I am faster to challenge the c4outpost in similar structures and would only - nah, mostly! - play . . . e6 after protecting the d6-pawn. I hope you will do the same.

Andrey Zontakh - Roman Jened Krasnodar 2000

l.e4 The game actually started l .lt:l f3 g6 2.e4 .ig7 3.d4 d6 4.lt:lc3 lt:Jf6 5 . .ie2, but I have changed the move order to show when it is necessary to abandon the . . . a6 and . . . b5 plan.

l...g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.lt:lf.3 d6 4.i.e2!? This is a tricky move order if White wants to avoid the . . . a6 lines.

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Pirc - a rather toothless set-up which allows Black to choose between several decent lines. Black must avoid 4 . . . a6?!, since 5.c4! gives White a favourable version of a King's Indian where the ... a6 move is completely out of place.

5.lt:lc3 0-0 6.0-0 e6!? The most popular moves in this position are 6 . . . .ig4 and 6 . . . c6. Both are okay for Black, but playing them demands a lot of theoretical knowledge. In light of this, I am happy to recommend a more "Modern" approach.

7.h3 According to my database, White's most popular choice has been: 7 . .ig5?! This is inaccurate, as the inclusion of ... h6 helps Black. 7 . . . h6 8 . .ie3 lt:Jc6 9.'\Wcl The point of playing this move rather than 9.'1Wd2 is that the imminent 1"\dl will bring an X-ray threat to the black queen. 9 . . .'Jih7 1 0.1"\d l '1We7 It is also possible to play 1 0 . . . lt:J g4!? l l ..if4 lt:Jxd4 1 2.1"i:xd4 e5 1 3.lt:Jxe5 lt:Jxe5 14.'1Wd2 a6 with a balanced position.

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Black's best bet is to transpose to the Classical

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l l .h3 e5?! I would prefer l l . . .b6 followed by . . . .ib7. 1 2.dxe5 lt:Jxe5 1 3.lt:Jxe5 '1Wxe5 14 ..id4 '1We7

Chapter 6

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Black was just a bit worse in Moiseenko Delchev, Porto Carras 20 1 1 . I would definitely prefer one of the alternatives noted at moves 1 0 and 1 1 ; the former leads to a similar structure as the above game, but in a more pleasant version for Black.

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Some say that these positions are not tempo­ sensitive, but I disagree. This game provides a good example of how Black should make use of the extra . . . h6 move.

The Swedish grandmaster Evgeny Agrest is a brilliant champion of the 6 . . . e6 line, and there is much to be learnt from his games. Here is one such example: 8.E!:e 1 b6 9.if4 ib7 1 0.d5 exd5 1 l .exd5 4Je7 1 2.ic4 a6 1 3.a4 This can be considered one of the key structures for the whole . . . e6 variation.

1 3 . . . Wd7 14.Wd2 E!:fe8 1 5 .E!:ad 1 4J f5 1 6.Wd3 E!:xe 1 t 1 7.E!:xe 1 4J e7 The position is equal but, since there are so many pieces left, both sides can play ambitiously. 1 s .CiJd2! 'it>fs 1 8 . . . c6 1 9.dxc6 Wxc6 is a suggestion from the silicon bug that I would avoid, since it exchanges White's biggest problem - the weak d-pawn. 8

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1 9.g4?! White tries to squeeze his opponent for space, but in doing so he seriously weakens the kingside. Better was 1 9.4Jde4 4Jxe4 20.E!:xe4, with a slight advantage for White. 1 9 . . . Ei:e8 20.f3 Wc8 2 1 .4Jfl WaS 22.E!:d 1 This would have been a perfect time for the thematic pawn break: 8

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The Modern Tiger

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Evgeny preferred a calmer approach with 22 . . . lt:l d7, and went on to win in Brynell ­ Agrest, Orebro 2000. 23.axb5 axb5 24.lt:lxb5 24.i.xb5 lt:lfxd5 is similar. 24 . . . lt:l fxd5 25 .i.g3 Wb8 Black has the better chances thanks to his central control and White's weakened kingside.

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8 ... h6! 9.i.e3 b6 10.�d2 Practice has also seen: 1 0.'Wc1 �h7 1 l .Ei:d1 We? A flexible move that steps away from all sorts of tricks on the d-file. 1 2.a4 i.b7 1 3.i.fl Ei:fe8 14.Wd2 Wf8!? Black seems to be teasing his opponent: "You can't get to me!"

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least impressive manoeuvres I have seen: 'Wd 1 -c l -d2-cl ; Ei:fl -d 1 -e l ; Ei:a1 -d l . 1 7 . . . lt:l e7 1 8.lt:ld2 At this point Black opted for 1 8 ... e5!?, after which 1 9.dxe5 dxe5 20.a5! b5 2 l .i.c5 lt:l d7 22.lt:l b3 lt:lxc5 23.lt:lxc5 i.c8 24.'We3 reached a double-edged position in Roos Shchekachev, Metz 2000, as White's outpost on c5 compensated for Black's bishop pair. Instead I would prefer a more flexible approach for Black:

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1 5 .Ei:e1 a6 1 6.Ei:ad 1 Ei:ad8 1 7.'Wc 1 With this move White finishes one of the

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1 8 . . . lt:l d7!N Black avoids committing himself in the centre just yet, and will choose between . . . e5 or . . .f5 according to circumstances.

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1 1 . . . i.b 7! is a more accurate move order, as it enables Black to defuse the interesting lt:lh2-g4

Chapter 6

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Classical Variation

plan as featured i n the next note. Now 1 2.ttJh2 can be met by 1 2 . . . e5, while 1 2.e5 leads only to simplifications: 1 2 . . . dxe5 1 3.dxe5 Wfxd2 1 4J:hd2 ttJ d5 1 5 .ttJxd5 exd5 1 6J'hd5 ( 1 6.i.f4 ttJd8 is pleasant for Black.) 1 6 . . . ttJxe5 1 7.1'he5 i.xf3 1 8.i.xf3 i.xe5 1 9.i.xa8 l:'lxa8 The position is equal.

12.Wfcl 1 2.ttJh2!? i.b7 1 3.f3! is an interesting plan, intending tLl g4. (Black should not be afraid of 1 3.tLlg4 lLl fg8 1 4.f3 f5 1 5 .ttJf2 ttJ f6.) 1 3 . . . tLlh5 14.Wfe 1 f5 1 5 .g4 ttJf6 was played in Garbett - Benjamin, Hawaii 1 998, and here I would be worried about 1 6.g5!N hxg5 1 7.i.xg5 intending e4-e5. I do not like this line for Black and would rather try l l . . .i.b7, although Black may also look for an improvement on move 1 3 in the above game.

16.tLle2 c5 17.c3 b5 18.c\Llg3 cxd4?! It is premature to release the tension in the centre. Black should have preferred either 1 8 . . . b4 or 1 8 . . . 2:'\c8 1 9 .Wfb 1 cj{g8, both of which leave White guessing as to how Black will play his cards.

19.cxd4 Wfa5 20.Wfbl �ac8 2I.i.e2 c\Llb6 22.h4! White gets nowhere with 22.tLlh5 i.h8, since 23.tLlf6t? i.xf6 24.exf6 tLlg8 25 .i.e5 tLl d7 favours Black.

22 ... i>g8 23.h5 c\Llc4 24.i.cl b4 25.i.d3 c\Llf5 26.c\Lle2 Wfb6 s

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12 i.b7 13.e5 tLld7!

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1 3 ... ttJfd5 1 4.lt:Jxd5 tLlxd5 1 5 .i.d2 is a bit better for White.

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••.

14.i.f4 i.xf3!? IS.i.x£3 d5 I have propagated this idea in the Hippopotamus chapter and I like it here too. During the time it will take for White to coordinate a kingside attack, Black will start rolling his queenside pawns.

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27.i.xf5?

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A terrible decision. White could have increased his advantage with 27.hxg6 fxg6 28.i.xf5 gxf5 (28 . . . 2:'1xf5? 29.g4 wins) 29.Wfd3, when it would be hard for Black to resist the coming attack along the h-file.

27... gxf5 Now it will be hard for White to open files against the black monarch. The h5-pawn is doing more to defend Black than to attack him.

28.Wfd3 W!'a6 29.b3?! a

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With this move the game enters a phase of complications, where I cannot tell what is up and what is down.

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29 ...�xa2 30.bxc4 dxc4 3 1 .�£3 gfd8 It seems to me that Black has excellent compensation for the piece here. It all boils down to one thing: can White use his extra piece to threaten the black king? If not, then Black is at least equal.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

37J!el?! b2 38.hb2 cx:b2 39J:i:ddl gc7 40.�b5 ge7 41.£4 Ad4t 42.�fl .te3 43.�xb2 �c4t 44.�e2 �xf4t 45.�£3 �c4t 46J:i:e2 Also after 46.'1We2 '!Wh4 47.'\Wf3 '!Wh l t 48.'�e2 .ib6t 49.�d3 gxe l 50.'1Wg3t �h7 5 1 .gxe l '!Wxh5 Black keeps some winning chances.

46 ...Ab6

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32.d5 c3 33.dxe6 �xe6 34.tLld4 gxd4! With such strong passed pawns, Black is not fussy about material. The knight was White's most active piece and so it had to go!

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47.g3?? 35.gxd4 b3 36.�b7 Also after 36.gd6 '!Wxe5 37.'1Wb7 ge8 38.gd7 '!We6 Black has enough compensation for the rook.

36 ...he5

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Here the game ended according to my database, possibly because of 47 . . . ge3 48.'1Wg2 (48.'1Wf2 ga3 49.'1Wf4 '!Wc6 wins) 48 . . . �g7 49.'1Wf2 gd3 and Black wins. Instead of 47.g3, White could have fought on with 47.'1Wd3 '!Wh4 48.'1Wh3, when Black's advantage is kept to a minimum.

0--1 The above game and accompanying notes have demonstrated that the early ig5 loses time for White, as the extra . . . h6 move is quite useful for Black. In the next two games we will see how White can challenge 6 . . . e6 for real.

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Chapter 6

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Classical Variation

Sergei Azarov - Tiger Hillarp Persson Kusadasi 2006

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.tiJf3 d6 4..ie2 tlJ£6 5.tiJc3 0-0 6.0-0 e6 a

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7..if4!?

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White prepares a future e4-e5. 7.e5!? is also quite venomous if followed up correctly. After 7 . . . dxe5 White can try a) 8.dxe5 or b) 8.tt:lxe5!. a) 8.dxe5 This move lacks ambition, and Black has no problem equalizing. 8 . . . Wfxd l ! 9.Ei:xd 1 tt:lfd7 I O .j,f4 I O.ltlb5? is refuted by 1 0 ... a6! 1 1 .ltl bd4 (a sad but necessary retreat, since after 1 1 .ltlxc7 Ei:a7? the knight will perish) 1 1 ...tt:lxe5 1 2.j,f4 tt:l bd7 and White had nothing to show for the lost pawn in Yermolinsky - Benjamin, Denver 1 998.

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1 O . . . a6! 1 I .j,fl 1 1 .Ei:d3 tt:lc6 1 2.Ei:e3 tt:l b4 1 3.Ei:e4 c5! is better for Black. 1 1 . . . ltl c6 1 2.Ei:e1 h6 1 3.h4 b5 With mutual chances, Roos - Gachon, corr. 2008 . This position may be compared with the Amrein - Belotelov game, as mentioned on pages 324/5 in the note to Black's 1 Oth move in the next main game, where Black could have been left a bit behind in development after 1 4.j,xd2!. In the present position Black has more space and will have no problem connecting the rooks, while the e5-pawn remains a target for the future. b) 8.tt:lxe5! This is more challenging, but I found an interesting improvement over the existing games.

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8 ... tt:l bd7 also gives Black a playable position. The critical continuation is 9.ig5 h6 1 0.ih4 c6 1 1 .f4! as seen in Rhodes Nyvlt, corr. 20 1 2. White has some pressure here, although Black may also be happy to reach a position where small mistakes come at a high price. 9.tt:le4 tt:l d7 1 0.f4 1 0.tt:lf3 b6 1 1 .ig5 tt:le7 1 2.Wd2 ib7 is comfortable for Black. 1 0 . . . b6 1 1 .c4 tt:le7 1 2.if3 ib7 1 3.ie3 tt:lf5 1 4.if2 Ei:b8 White is slightly better, but Black is not without trumps, and a complex battle lies ahead.

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1 0 . . . g5! 1 1 .ig3 tt:l c6 1 2.h3 ie6 1 2 . . . f5!? 1 3.exf6 Wxf6 14.c3 CiJ e7 1 5 .CiJ h2 tt:l f5 1 6.ih5 id7 1 7.tt:lg4 Wd8 1 8.tt:le3;:!; 1 3 .l"i:ae 1 Wd7 1 4.c3 tt:le7 1 5 .tt:lh2 dxe5 1 6.dxe5 ?! tt:lf5 Black was no longer worse off in Bertholee - Goloshchapov, Hoogeveen 200 1 . However, it would be pushing one's luck to follow this example.

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7 . . . h6?! This is a bit too provocative, although it is worth showing a game that contained some interesting ideas. 8 .e5 White gains nothing from 8 .Wcl g5! 9.ie3 tt:l c6, as there is no way to take advantage of Black's weakened kingside. 8 . . . tt:l d5 9.tt:lxd5 exd5 1 0.Wd2?! The correct continuation is 1 0.exd6 cxd6 1 1 .h3!, when it is hard for Black to make up for the doubled pawns.

SJ�el

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The alternative is: 8.Wd2 Now Black has two playable options. 8 . . . b6! This is the move that best fits with the recommended repertoire. 8 . . . e5 leads to massive exchanges and drawish positions: 9.dxe5 (Mter 9.ie3?! exd4 1 0.tt:lxd4 Ei:e8 1 l .f3 d5 12.ib5 id7

319

Chapter 6 - Classical Variation White has to think about equalizing.) 9 . . . dxe5 1 0.Wxd8 1'l:xd8 l l .lL'lxe5 lL'ld4! 1 2.�d l (I would be more worried about 1 2.�c4N �e6 1 3 .�g5 . Black should probably play 1 3 ... h6!? [ 1 3 . . . lL'lxc2 1 4.�xe6 fxe6 1 5 .1'l:acl lL'ld4 leaves White with a positional plus.) 1 4.�xe6 lL'lxe6 1 5 .�xf6 �xf6 1 6.lL'ld3 �xc3 1 7.bxc3 1'l:d6 when he has just about enough compensation for the sacrificed pawn.] 1 2 . . . 1'l:e8 1 3.�e3 lL'lxe4 14.�xd4 lL'lxc3 1 5 .�xc3 �xe5 1 6.1'l:el f6 1 7.�f3 �f7 1 8 .�xe5 fxe5 1 9.1'l:e3 c6 20.g4 �f6 Yz-Yz Zagorskis - Nyvlt, email 2002. 9.1'l:ad l �b7 1 0.�h6 e5 l l .�xg7 �xg7

However, it turns out that after l O . . . tLl d5 l l .Wd2 lL'lxf4 1 2.Wxf4 �b7 1 3 .1'l:ad 1 We? 14.lLle4 1'l:fd 8 Black is not doing too badly. 1 5 .lL'lf6t?! �h8 achieves nothing for White, and after other moves Black can either trade some rooks on the d-file or improve his knight with . . . lLlb4-d5.

9.h3 9.e5 dxe5 1 0.dxe5 lL'l d5 gives Black an improved version of the previous note. The . . . h6 move is more useful than . . . b6, as it helps Black to cover the sensitive dark squares on the kingside. More concretely, 1 1 .Wd2?! g5! is unpleasant for White, so 1 1 .lL'lxd5 is more or less forced, when 1 l . . .exd5 leaves Black with nothing to complain about.

9 ... �h7

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I suspected that my opponent would play Wd2 at some stage, and I decided that . . . g5 was not such a good idea now that the h2-square was available for the bishop. So, why not keep as flexible as possible? h

1 2.dxe5 ?! If White was happy with an equal position, then 1 2.1'l:e l N would have achieved it in a more comfortable way. The ambitious option is 1 2.d5!N, when 1 2 . . . lL'lb8 1 3 .b4 lL'l bd7 1 4.a3 a6 1 5 .Wd3 lL'l h5 1 6.g3 �g8 1 7.lL'ld2 lL'lg7 1 8.lL'lc4 f5 gives Black enough counterplay. 1 2 . . . lL'lxe5 1 3.lL'lxe5 dxe5 14.Wg5 We? Black was slightly more comfortable in ]. Houska - Rowson, West Bromwich 2004.

8 ... h6!? With . . . lLlc6 and l'l:e l included, I felt that I could justifY this move. I did not like 8 . . . b6 on account of 9.e5! dxe5 1 0.dxe5, when I am behind in development and have some weak squares to keep track of.

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I O . . . b6 is also perfectly playable: 1 l .d5 exd5 1 2.exd5 lL'le7 1 3.�c4 �b7 14.1'l:e2 a6 1 5 .1'l:ae 1 1'l:e8 1 6.a4 Wd7 17.Wd3 lL'l f5 We have reached a thematic position, similar to the Brynell Agrest game mentioned earlier on pages 3 1 3/4.

The Modern Tiger

320

White's space advantage gives him a small plus, but everything is left to play for, even if the heavy artillery gets exchanged.

1 1 J3adl ttle7 Continuing my cautious approach, I avoided 1 l . . .b6 on account of 1 2.e5! dxe5 1 3.lLlxe5 when I was unable to find a convincing continuation for Black.

12 .id3 b5!? •

Not so cautious any more. Normally I prefer not to give White a target on the queenside when I have already committed to . . . e6, but the a2-a4 plan loses a bit of its sting after the rook goes from a1 to d l .

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After 1 8 . .ie5 tt'lf5 1 9 ..ixf5 exf5 20.b3 Elc8 White's pieces lack coordination and Black is taking over the initiative.

18 @g8!? •••

These positions where you have lots of moves to chose between are some of the most difficult to play. Did I not say that Black's position was the easier to play? Can't remember. 1 8 . . . :!::\ e 8 is a natural move to consider, although 1 9.Wf4 tt'l f5 20 ..ixf5 gxf5 2 1 .'kt>h 1 tt'ld5 22.tt'lxd5 Wxd5 23.Eig1 .if6 is slightly better for White. a

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•

White cannot wait forever with this move.

14 ttld7!? •••

I do not mind sacrificing a pawn if I get the better pawn structure in return. Instead 1 4 . . . b4 1 5 .tt'l e2 dxe5 1 6.tt'lxe5 a5 leads to a more open position where White's pieces are more active.

15.exd6 cxd6 16 .ixd6 i.xf3 17.gxf3 tLlb6 •

Objectively speaking White should be better here, but I find it easier to play Black's side.

The most interesting alternative is 1 8 ... Eig8!? intending 1 9.Wf4 tt'l f5 20 . .ie4 Elb8 2 1 .b3 tt'ld7, with a mess that I can relate to.

19.d5!? I cursed myself when my opponent played this move. I had not seen it in advance, and when it appeared on the board I thought my position was really bad. However, the flashy moves are not always the strongest. 1 9.tt'le4 tt'l f5 20.c3 would have made it harder for Black to find counterplay.

19 :!::\ cS! 20 .ixe7 •••

•

Chapter 6

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32 1

Classical Variation

I was hoping for 20.ib4 ClJexd5! 2 1 .ClJxd5 '11Bxd5 22.ixf8 ixf8 with some kind of counterplay on the dark squares, although the machine is not convinced.

20 .'f!Yxe7 21.dxe6

It was possibly better to play 23.a4 first.

23 ... lilxd5 24.Ylfxd5 E:xc2 25.Yl¥'d7 J.f6 I have managed to set up a blockade and the rest of the game is not very interesting.

••

26.E:e2 gc7 27.Yl¥'d5 gds 28.Yl¥'b3 After 28.'!Wxd8t '!Wxd8 29.8:xd8t ixd8 30.8:d2 ie? 3 1 .8:d7 8:xd7 32.exd7 @f7 33.a4 @e6 34.axb5 a5! it is a dead draw.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

21. £5?!

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That is a bit over the top. I thought I could keep the white bishop out of the game, but I miscalculated. After the correct 2 I . . . @h? 22.exf7 '!Wxf7 23.ClJe4 E:cd8 we reach a seriously unbalanced position where Black is only slightly worse.

22.j,fl 22.a4! is stronger. I had been planning 22 . . .ixc3 23.bxc3 ClJxa4, but failed to appreciate that 24.'11Bxh6 '!Wg7 25.'11B g 5! is too strong to be survived. Play may continue 25 . . . '11Bf6 26.'11Bxf6 E:xf6 27.c4 ClJb2 28.8:al and White's pieces are coming alive - now in 30, at a cinema called "the a-file".

22 .. Jlc6 Now I am almost in control again. It is difficult for White to get any mileage out of the e-pawn.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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28 .. J�xd1 29.Ylfxdl Ylfc5 30.£4 �g7 3 I.Ylfd3 J.e7 32J�d2 E:c8 33.Ylff3 E:c6 34.Ylfe2 E:d6 35.E:c2 Ylfd4?! Instead 35 . . . '!Wb6! would have forced 36.'11B e 5t if6 37.e7 ixe5 38.e8='11B if6 with complete equality.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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The Modern Tiger

322

36J'�c7 fS 37J'�c8t g7 38J'�c7 1Wf6 39 ..ig2 E:xe6 40.'\Wd2 E:d6 41.1We3 E:e6 42.1Wd2 h5 43 ..id5 E:d6 44.1We3 E:xd5 45.E:xe7t h6 46.E:e6 1Wd8 47.h2

We both missed that 57.rj;lf3! Wc3t 58.Eie3! Wxe3t 59.rj;lxe3 gxf5 60.rj;ld4 rj;lg6 6 I .rj;lc5 rj;lf6 62.b6 wins easily for White.

57 ... 1Walt 58.ci>d2 1Wxa2t 59.e3 1Wb3t 60.fl 1Wb2t 6I.g3 h4t 62.f3 1Wc3t 63.e2 1Wb2t 64.dl 1Wd4t 65.cl 1Wc4t 66.b2 1Wb4t 67.ci 1Wc4t 68.b2 1Wb4t We saw in the notes that 7.e5!? is a critical test, although 7 . . . dxe5 8.lt:lxe5 lt:ld5!N leads to a decent position for Black. After the game continuation of 7.ii.f4 lt:lc6 8.Ei:e l , Black can play either 8 . . . h6 or 8 . . . b6, depending on whether he feels like pressing the "risky" or the "safe" button.

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47 . . . Ei:d6 is a draw.

In the next game we will consider a few other set-ups for White, which do not revolve around a quick e4-e5.

48.1Wc5 E:d2 49.1Wx5! E:xflt During the game I believed I had a perpetual check, but I had overlooked an important detail.

50.gi 1Wdl t 5 I .xf2 1Wd2t 52.f3 1Wdl t 53.f1 1Wd2t 54.f3 1Wdl t 55.e3 1Wc1 t 56. e2 1Wxb2t

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Ivan Salgado Lopez - Tiger Hillarp Persson Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 20 1 0

l.e4 d6 2.d4 �f6 3.�c3 g6 4.�f3 .ig7 0-0 6.0-0 e6 7 .ie3

s ..ie2

•

White has many other options:

7.Eie l lt:l c6 8.ii.fl h6 9.a3?! a6 l O.Eib l b6 l l .'g8 25.tD8 Wl'd7 25 . . . b5! was stronger, preparing for the endgame.

36.tbe3 i.ffi 37.'it>f2 'it>g6 38.�al �b8 39.a4 Now I am in trouble and it is a minor miracle that I manage to survive.

39 ... bxa4 40.b4 �b7 41.�xa4 'it>f7 42.�a5 'it>e6 43.'it>e2 i.e? 44.tbf5 i.ffi 45.tbg3 tbd7 46.tbf5 tbb6 47.tbe3 �h7? After 47 . . . �f7 White is still a long way from the goal.

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26.b3 Wff7 27.Wfxf7t 'it>xf7 28.'it>h2 �xel 29.�xel tbe7 Here too, it was better to play 29 . . . b5 followed by ... a5 .

30.g3 fxg3t 31.'it>xg3 tbg8 32.t2Jh2 �c8 33.i.d2 t2Jf6 34.8 b5 35.tbfl

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We both missed 48.f4! gxf4 49.lt:lg2! Ele7 50.lt:lxf4t d?t 5 I .d3 with an even bigger advantage for White.

48 ... �f7 49.�hl 'it>d7 50.t2Jf5 tbc4 51.tbxh6? Had my opponent played 5 1 .j,cl �f6 52.f4 gxf4 53.j,xf4, I probably would not have survived

51 ...�e7t 52.'it>d3 lLlxd2 53.t2Jf5 t2Jx8 54.tbxe7 i.xe7 55.�al i.d8 56.�xa7t i.e? 57.b5 'it>c8 58.�a2? �L_�L_�����

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Here I missed a chance to force a simplified position with 35 . . . h5! 36.gxh5 tbxh5t 37.g4 tbf6t 38.\t>f5 g4! 39.fxg4 tb e4, with excellent drawing chances.

White's best chance is 58.Eia8t hoping for 58 . . . b7? 59.Ei:g8 b6 60.e3 lt:l h4 6 U ':hg5 \t>xb5 62.Eig8 j,a5 63.d3 when my pieces are too scattered to make any organized resistance. However, Black can defend successfully with 58 . . . \t>d?! 59.Ei:g8 j,d8.

Chapter 6

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Classical Variation

327

Zlatko Ilincic - Miodrag Todorcevic Ulcinj 1 997

l .e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.c!lJf3 d6 4.h3!? This move has a similar effect as 4.i.e2, namely to discourage 4 . . . a6?!, which would now run into 5.c4!. a

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58 ... 'kt>b7?! 59-l:Hl c!lJh4 60.c4?! dxc4t 6I.i>xc4 i>b6 62J:U8 c!lJg2 63.�g8 ti.Je3t 64. i>d3 c!lJxg4 65.�xg5 ¥2-¥2

This line might not be for me! I'm just kidding of course, although when I analysed this game and others, it became clear that I have a tendency not to actively equalize the game when I still have chances to keep things in flux. This was clearly seen on move 1 1 ; the equalizing line is not hard to find, providedyou are lookingfor it in thefirst place. This leads on to an important point. Playing the ... e6 system with an overly ambitious mindset can be a recipe for disaster. Black should aim to finish development first, then to equalize the chances, and finally, with those obstacles overcome, you can look for ways to make the game difficult for your opponent. In this sense, the . . . e6 system against the Classical is similar to some of the lines in the Averbakh chapter. In the next game we will deal with another possible Pirc transposition.

4... c!lJf6! There is no good way to avoid this move.

s.c!lJc3 0-0 6.i.e3 We have transposed to a significant variation of the Pirc, which normally occurs via the move order l .e4 d6 2.d4 ctJ f6 3.ctJc3 g6 4.tt:lf3 i.g7 5 .h3 0-0 6.i.e3. The actual move order of the game was l .d4 g6 2.e4 i.g7 3.ctJc3 d6 4.i.e3 tt:lf6 5.h3 0-0 6.tt:lf3, but I have altered it to fit in with our subject.

6 ...a6! The combination of . . . tt:l f6 and . . . a6 has had its ups and downs in the history of chess. At the moment it is mostly 'up' as even Kramnik has used it in similar positions to this one. In this particular case, Black's last move is justified by the fact that White has played the slow h2-h3, which means that Black does not have to worry about a quick e4-e5, and thus has time for the desired queenside expansion.

The Modern Tiger

328

7.a4

7... b6

White has few other options. 7 . .!c4 bS 8 . .!b3 b4 9.ttle2 (I prefer Black after 9.tt:ldS tt:lxe4 1 0.tt:lxb4 .!b7) 9 . . . e6 I O.tt:lg3 .!b7 1 1 .'1Wd3 aS and Black has an excellent position. 7 . .!d3 bS 8.eS 8.0-0 .!b7 9.b4!? tt:lc6!? (An unclear alternative is 9 . . . tt:l bd7 1 0.a4 cS!?, intending 1 l .bxcS b4.) 1 0.E!:b 1 eS 1 l .dxeS ( l l .dS tt:l e7 1 2.a4 c6 1 3.dxc6 .!xc6 1 4.axbS axbS 1 S .'!We2 E!:a3 is unclear.) 1 1 . . .tt:lxeS 1 2.tt:lxeS A draw was agreed in Dvoirys - Chernin, Skelleftea 2000. 8 . . . dxeS! This is clearly the best move, since 8 . . . tt:l fd7 9.e6 fxe6 1 0.h4! tt:lf6 1 1 .hS! gives White a dangerous initiative. 9.dxeS tt:l dS

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1 0.tt:lxdS Mter 10 . .!e4?! tt:lxe3 1 1 .fxe3 c6 White runs into a blind alley. 1 0 . . . '\WxdS 1 1 .'1We2 .!b7 1 2.c4? This idea proves to be mistaken. 1 2.0-0 is better, although I still prefer Black after 1 2 . . . tt:ld7. 12 . . . bxc4 13 ..!xc4 WaSt 14 ..!d2 .!xf3 1 S ..!xaS .!xe2 1 6 . .!xe2 tt:l c6 1 7 . .!d2 tt:l d4 1 8.E!:cl .!xeS Black went on to convert his advantage in Kveinys - Ponomariov, Lubniewice 1 998.

This position often arises via the move order l .e4 g6 2.d4 .!g7 3.ttlc3 d6 4 . .!e3 a6 S.a4 tt:lf6 6.tt:lf3 0-0 7.h3 b6. Black can also play 7 ... tt:l c6, as seen in the game Ryan - Ipatov on page 234.

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This is the most aggressive option. White can also try: 8 ..!d3 .!b7 9.0-0 9.eS should be met by 9 . . . tt:l fd7! with a complicated position. 9 . . . e6 I O.E!:e1 h6 1 1 .eS dxeS If Black wishes to avoid simplifYing he can try 1 I ...tt:lfd7!?. 1 2.tt:lxeS This idea is generally stronger when White develops the bishop to c4 or e2 instead of d3.

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Chapter 6 - Classical Variation 1 2 . . . 'Llc6 1 3.'l1Md2 h7 1 4.f4?! A questionable sacrifice. 1 4.'Llxc6 j,xc6 1 5.j,f4 'Lld5 1 6.j,e5 �h4 is approximately level. 1 4 . . . 'Llxd4 1 5.8:ad1 White's original intention may have been 1 5 .j,xg6t fxg6 1 6.j,xd4, but then 1 6 . . . 'Llh5 1 7.'Lle2 g5! 1 8 .8:ad 1 gxf4 leaves Black dearly better. 1 5 . . . 'Llf5 White was struggling to justifY the pawn deficit in Boensch - Gallagher, Germany 2000.

8 ... e6 White was threatening e5-e6.

9.0-0 9.e5 dxe5 1 0.'Llxe5 j,b? 1 1 .0-0 'Llc6 12.'Llxc6 j,xc6 1 3.�e2 �c8 1 4.8:ad 1 �b7 1 5 .f3 8:fe8 gives Black comfortable equality. Interestingly, Mikhail Gurevich has scored two wins for Black from here. 9.d5?! has been played, but it is better to put this move on ice until Black has committed to . . . j,b?. 9 . . . e5 1 0.0-0 'Llh5 1 1 .�d2 'Lld7 1 2.g4!? �f6 1 3.Wh2 'Ll f4 The position was unclear in Brynell - Hillarp Persson, Malmo 1 996.

9 ...i.b7

329

9 . . . d5!? is playable, but after 1 0.j,d3! ( I O.exd5 exd5 1 I .j,d3 'Ll c6 is fine for Black) 1 0 . . . dxe4 1 1 .'Llxe4 j,b? 1 2.'Llxf6t j,xf6 1 3.c3 White keeps a slight advantage.

10.d5 e5!? Black takes the most ambitious and complicated approach. A solid alternative is: 1 0 . . . exd5 1 1 .exd5 8:e8 Black's back ranks are slightly crowded, but practice has shown that there is just enough space for everyone. It is important to keep the knight on b8 for the moment, since 1 1 . . .'Llbd7?! 1 2.'Lld4 gives White control of the c6-square. 1 2.2"1e 1 'Llbd7 1 3.j,d4 Now 1 3.'Lld4 can be met by 1 3 . . . 'Ll e4 with approximate equality.

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1 3 . . . 8:xe 1 t 1 4.�xe 1 �f8 An improvement over 14 . . . 'Ll c5 1 5 .b4 'Ll cd7 1 6.a5 b5 17.j,b3 �f8 1 8 .�d2 with a balanced position in lstratescu - Chernin, Moscow 1 994. 1 5 .�fl 'Llc5 1 6.8:d1 �e8 1 7.b3 �d7 1 8.'Lle1 h6 1 9 .'Lld3 �f5 20.'Llb4 a5 2 1 .'Lld3 8:e8 22.j,b5 8:e7 Black had a firm grip on the initiative in lstratescu - Slobodjan, Halle 1 995. White has trouble defending the d-pawn and Black can gradually expand his operations on the kingside.

330

The Modern Tiger

l l .�d2!? White has two main objectives in the short term: preventing Black from playing ... lt:l h5-f4, and preparing to meet ... f5 with exf5, and if ... gxf5 then f2-f4. After l l .lt:lel lt:l bd7 1 2.lt:ld3 Black can play either 1 2 . . . lt:lh5, intending . . . �e8 and . . . f5, or 1 2 . . . lt:l c5!?, when 1 3.lt:lxc5 dxc5 intending . . . lt:l e8-d6 is interesting.

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1 5 . . . f5! 1 6.i.xh5 gxh5 1 7.exf5 2"1xf5 1 8 .f4 h6 Black seems to be doing fine. A possible continuation is 1 9.1Wd3 '!Wg6 20.g4 hxg4 2 1 .hxg4 exf4 22.i.xh6 2"1g8! with unclear complications.

13 .. .'it>h8 14.ltJh2 ltJg8 15.�a3 f5 16.exf5 gxf5 17.f4 �g6 18.tlJf3 Black has a definite initiative; just enough to compensate for his inferior pawn structure. The initiative must be fed constantly or transformed into something else.

12 ..ig5!? After 1 2.lt:lh2 lt:l c5 ( 1 2 . . . lt:lh5 is met by 1 3 .i.e2 and the knight has to go back) 1 3.f3 lt:lh5 the position is unclear.

12 ...�e8 13J�fel After 1 3.2"1ae l �h8 14.lt:lh2 Black can and should try a different approach from the main game: 1 4 . . . lt:lh5! ( 1 4 . . . lt:lg8 1 5 .b4 f5 1 6.exf5 gxf5 1 7.f4 '!Wg6 1 8.lt:lf3 h6 1 9.i.h4 2"1ae8 gives White an improved version of the main game, as the rook is better on el than on a3.) 1 5 .i.e2

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Black should not even think about advancing his e-pawn, as it would rob his position of all dynamism: 1 9 . . . e4? 20.lt.J d4 i.xd4t 2 1 .'1Wxd4t lt:lgf6 22.lt:ldl \t>h7 23.lt:le3 Having safely blockaded the e3-square, White continues i.e2, c2-c4, �f2, 2"1gl , g2-g4 and wins.

Chapter 6

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Classical Variation

A slight exaggeration? Yes, but it is not easy for Black to put up resistance when the only active plan remaining is . . . b5.

33 1

White does not have sufficient compensation for the pawn.

20.b4 fll gf6 21..tf2 Y!Yh7 To keep the initiative, Black should combine pressure down the g-file with an attack on the d5-pawn. Correct was therefore 2 1 . . .\Wfl! 22.lL'lh4 exf4 23J!xe8 1Mfxe8 24.\Wxf4 lL'le5 25 ..!e2 .!xd5 and Black is far better coordinated than White.

22.«�h4 exf4 23.Y!Yxf4 Ill eS Better was 23 . . J!xe l t! 24.he l lL'l e5 25 ..!e2 'Wg8, when . . . lL'lxd5 is one of those threats one can do nothing about. Now White gets off the hook.

24 .ia2 fll h5 25.Y!Yd2 J.f6 26.�e2 .ig5 •

26 ... Eig8!? 27.lL'ld4 f4 28.Eifl .!c8 29.lL'le6 Ele7 reaches a highly unclear situation.

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Missing the opportunity for 33.Eifl !, when Black's initiative would have come to an end, leaving White with clearly better chances.

33 Y!Yf2t 34.hl Y!Yxf4 35.�d3?! Y!Yg5 36 .ixf6t /ll x£6 37.Y!Yf3?! •••

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37.EI3e2 was better, although White is in trouble in any case.

37 :Sxe3 38J:�xe3 •••

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27.Y!Ydl /ll £6 28.�6 lll e4 29 .id4 .i£6 30.�£4 :Sg8 31J�ae3?! •

It was important to exchange the strong knight on e4 with 3 1 .lL'ld2. Now Black gets a second chance to seize the advantage.

31. Y!Yg7 32.c3 Y!Yg3? ••

But he fails to take it. Mter 32 . . . lL'lxf3t 33.1Mfxf3 ixd4 34.cxd4 1Mfxd4 35.lL'le6 'We5

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38 . . . lL'lxd5! 39.Eiel lL'lxb4 40.\Wxb? lL'lxa2

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would have given Black two extra pawns and a decisive advantage.

39.hd5 ti)xd5 40J�e2 ttlxc3 4I.�k2 ti)e4 42.�xc7 Now White is only one pawn down, and the active rook gives him annoying counterplay.

42 tvd2 43.ttlf4? •••

43.mh2 was necessary, holding on to the b-pawn.

Antonio Frois - Karen Movsziszian Benasque 2009

I .e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.�c3 d6 4.ti)f3 a6 5.J.d3!? On one hand this is not strictly a part of the Classical system, but it does fall under the Classical move order. There are some similarities with the Flexible Dragon Restrained, but White hopes to gain some flexibility by leaving his dark-squared bishop at home. An accelerated version of the idea I'm trying to illustrate with this game is 5 .lt:le2!? lt:lf6 6.lt:lg3. Black's best response is: 6 . . . c5! 7.c3 (7.d5 h5 8.h4 i.g4 9.i.e2 lt:l bd7 looks comfortable for Black.) 7 . . . cxd4 8.cxd4

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Black could have kept some winning chances with 44 . . . W/d4! 45 .W/h5 Wff6 46JU7 Wgs 47J�xf5 Wxhs 4s.�xhs mg?.

45.ttlhs �m 46.ttlf4 �gs 47.tl)hs :!3m Black correctly avoids 47 .. .'!Mfd2?! 48 .�e7! W/g5 49.�£7 when only White can be better.

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8 . . . h5!? 9.i.d3 h4 1 0.lt:le2 h3 l l .g3 lt:l c6 The position is unclear.

5 ... ttld7!? Since Black can play 7 . . . lt:lc6 with a transition to the Flexible Dragon Restrained chapter, this game is not of much theoretical significance, but it does no harm to know about this kind of middlegame since it can easily arise from more than one of the Modern variations.

The following line illustrates what Black should not do: 5 . . . b5?! 6.0-0 6.lt:le2!? gives Black an extra option in 6 . . . c5 7.c3, when the knight may not have to go to d7. Nevertheless, I remain suspicious of Black's position. The b5-pawn is a sitting duck, waiting to be poached by a2-a4.

Chapter 6 - Classical Variation 6 . . . lL:ld7 7.lLle2!? White also obtains good prospects with 7.a4 b4 8.lLle2, or even 8.lLld5!?. 7.:1'!:e 1 is not altogether convincing, despite White's easy victory in the following game: 7 ... c5 8.e5 cxd4 9.e6 f5 ?? (Better is 9 . . . dxc3!N 1 0.exf7t mxf7 1 1 .lLl g5t me8 1 2.lLle6 cxb2 1 3 ..ixb2 .ixb2 1 4.lL:lxd8 mxd8 1 5 .:1'!:b 1 .ic3 and I see no reason for Black to complain.) 1 0.exd7t .ixd7 1 1 .lLl d5 White won fairly easily in Hawkins - Clanchy, Leeds 20 1 2.

move, but it certainly does not harm Black's chances. Play may continue:

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8.d5 .ixf3 8 . . . t:Llb8!? might be even more exact. 9.gxf3 9 . .ixf3 has also been played. Here Black can make interesting use of the extra . . . a6 move with 9 . . . t:Lla7!?N 1 0.a4 c5 1 1 .lLl b 1 lLl d7 1 2.c3 b5 1 3.axb5 axb5 with decent counterplay.

7 . . . .ib7 7 . . . c5 8.c3 does not change anything. 8.a4 b4 9.c3 bxc3 1 0.bxc3 Black has some problems, for instance: 1 O . . . t:Llgf6 1 1 .e5!? 1 1 .lLlg3 c5 is slightly better for White. 1 l . . .dxe5 1 2.dxe5 t:Ll g4 1 3 .e6 fxe6 1 4.t:Llf4 lLl c5 1 5 .lLl g5 Black is in trouble. Black's most reliable move is: 5 . . . t:Llc6! Taking advantage of the weakness of d4. 6 . .ie3 After 6.d5 lLl e5 (6 . . . t:Ll b4!? 7 . .ie2 a5 is also possible) 7.lLlxe5 .ixe5 8.0-0 .ig7 9 . .ie3 t:Llf6 1 O.h3 0-0 1 1 .a4 e6 Black has equalized. 6 . . ..ig4 7 ..ie2 t:Ll f6 We have reached a position from the Pirc where Black has gained the . . . a6 move for free. It is hard to place an exact value on this

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9 . . . t:Ll b8!N 9 . . . t:Lla7 1 0.'1Wd2 c5 1 1 .dxc6 lLlxc6 1 2.lLld5 lLlxd5 ( 1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3.h4!) 1 3.exd5 lLl e5 1 4.f4 t:Ll d7 1 5 .0-0-0 was a bit better for White in Rybka 3 - Critter 0.60, Trier 20 1 0. 1 0.'1Wd2 c5 1 1 .dxc6 bxc6 Followed by . . . lL:lbd7. Compared with the note above, if White opts for long castling then the open b-file will offer Black excellent counterplay.

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8 . . . c6! 9.c4 b5! This is possible because the white knights are both a long way from the d5-square. 1 0.dxc6 ltJxc6 1 1 .cxb5 axb5 1 2.0-0 Wlb6 1 3.tLle2 tLl c5 1 4.tLlc3 0-0 1 5 .ie3 tLl d4 Black can celebrate the outcome of the opening.

6 ... e6 This seems like Black's best bet. Now we get a Hippo where White has put the bishop on d3.

6.0-0!

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6.ie3 b5 leads to Chapter 3. However, the present move order allows White some extra flexibility with the bishop, which is one reason why I recommend 5 . . . ltJc6 on the previous turn. Another option is: 6.ltJe2!? e5!? This would be my choice for Black. 7.d5 This is the most critical reply. 7.c3 ltJ gf6 8.0-0 0-0 is fine for Black. 7.dxe5 dxe5 8 .ie3 ltJ gf6 9.h3 0-0 1 0.'®'d2 Wle7 Black is waiting to see if c2-c4 appears on the board. 1 1 .0-0 b6 1 2.Wlc3 ib7 1 3.tLlg3 E:ac8 Black has no complaints. 7 . . . ltJ e7 8.liJg3 This is the logical follow-up to White's earlier moves. Against other continuations Black will castle short and play . . . f7-f5 .

6 . . . b5?! transposes to 5 . . . b5?! 6.0-0 tLld7 as covered earlier. It is risky to play: 6 . . . c5?! 7.ic4! Suddenly ixf7t is a terrible threat. 7 ... e6 7 . . . ltJ h6 8.dxc5 ltJxc5 9.ie3 .!e6 is slightly better for White 7 . . . cxd4!? 8.ixf7t @xf7 9.tLlg5t @e8 1 0.ltJe6 dxc3 1 1 .tLlxd8 @xd8 has been played. Black has three minor pieces for the queen, but I suspect that the position is quite bad for him. Compared to similar sacrifices in earlier chapters, here White's pawn structure is in decent condition and Black has problems with his king.

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8.a4!N 8.dxc5 tLlxc5 9.e5 d5 1 0.ie3 Wlc7 1 1 .ixd5!? exd5 1 2.tLlxd5 is only good enough for a h

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Chapter 6 - Classical Variation draw after 1 2 ... �c6 1 3.lL'lb4 �c7 14.lLld5. 8.d5 is met by 8 . . . e5! 9.a4 b6 1 0.h3 lL'le7 l l ..te3 h6 1 2.lL'lel f5 1 3.exf5 lL'lxf5 1 4.�g4 mf7 1 5 . .td3 lL'lf6 and Black is okay. 8 . . . b6 9 ..tg5 �c7 9 . . . lL'l e7 1 0.e5! is dangerous for Black. 1 0.d5 e5 l l .lL'l d2 h6 1 2 . .th4! White is definitely better.

7 ..ie3 .!lJe7 8.'1Wd2 h6 It is also possible to play 8 . . . 0-0, although the position becomes less dynamic after 9 ..th6. Still, this might be the lesser evil. After the text move Black is stuck with the king in the centre, just like in the "normal" Hippo. However, I am afraid that the present line, where White has played .td3 and can continue with lL'l e2-g3, is simply better for White if Black cannot castle. You can judge for yourself, but my advice would be to deviate with one of the improvements noted before this point, especially at move 5.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2

10 ....ib7 l l.c3 c5!? This is a bit surprising, considering that Black has not finished developing. When the king cannot leave the centre, the new weakness at d6 may become quite a burden. Still, it is hard to suggest a fully satisfactory plan for Black. After 1 1 . . .mf8 1 2.h4! lL'l f6 1 3.�e2 it is dangerous for Black to allow 1 3 . . .'kt>g8 1 4.h5! g5 1 5 .lLld2 �d7 1 6.f4 gxf4 17 ..txf4 when Black's king will get into trouble. l l . ..lL'lf6 1 2.h3 d5 ( 1 2 . . . �d7 1 3.c4 h5 1 4.d5 is also better for White) 1 3.e5 lLle4 14.�c2 lL'lxg3 1 5 .fxg3 lL'lf5 1 6 . .tf2 h5 1 7.a4 and Black is under a lot of pressure.

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12J�!:adl '!Wc7 13 ..ihl gd8 14.gfel b5 15.h3 .!lJcS!? 1 5 . . . mf8 16 . .tf4 is also unpleasant.

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This is one of the most annoying plans against the Hippo. The point is that . . . c5 can be met by c2-c3, while . . . g5 is out of the question as the knight is ready to jump to h5. The upshot is that, compared to other Hippo variants, it is noticeably harder for Black to create counterplay.

16.h4 It is more challenging to play 1 6 . .tf4! when I cannot find a good way for Black to continue. One illustrative line is 16 . . . e5 17 . .te3 h5 18 ..tg5 f6 19 ..te3 0-0 20.�e2 lL'l e7 2 l .b3 gfe8 22.a4 and Black is suffering. This position reminds one of a Ruy Lopez where everything has gone White's way.

16 ... .!lJcb6 17.b3 h5 18 . .ig5 gcs

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2UU1 YNxd6 22J��xd6 i.h4 23J�ddl 0-0 24Jkl ia3 25.l:�xc8 �l:xc8 26.�dl c;f{f8 27.c;f;lf1 c;iles 28.c;ile2 ih2 29.�d2 ic3 30.�d6 i.h4 31 .�dl tLlc5 32.id2 ia3 33.icl b4 34.ixa3 bxa3 35.c;ile3 a5 36.tLle2? 36.l2le5 keeps the balance.

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Thank you. This enables Black to solve most of his opening problems. Instead 1 9.l2lf5! gxf5 20.exf5 i.xf3 2 l .fXe6 l2lf6 22.gxf3 would have been extremely dangerous for Black.

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20 ....L:c3 Black has equalized. In the next phase of the game he manages to develop a bit of pressure in the endgame.

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38 . . . e5t! would have given Black a sizeable advantage. The trick is 39.l2lxe5? l2le6t winning the knight.

39.�d3 ia6 40.�b3 e5t 41.c;ilg3 tLlc5 42.�b4 �d8 43.tLlc3 tLld2 44.tLlxe5 f6 45.tLlc6 tLlfl t 46.c;ilf3 tLld3

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36 ... a4 37.bxa4 tLlc4t 38.c;f;lf4 tLlxa4

19 ...YNxc5 20.YNxd6?!

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Chapter 6 - Classical Variation

47J:�d4?? 47.l2Jxd8?? is refuted in exactly the same way as the game continuation. White should have played 47.e5! l2J d2t 48.�e3 l2Jxb4 49.ixg6t �d7 50.l2Jxd8 l2J c4t 5 l .�d4 l2Jxe5 52.i.xh5 �xd8 53.l2J b l with good drawing chances.

47 ... �elt 48.c8 21.c!t!e5 c!t!h5 22.Ei:xd8t 'it>xd8 23.Ei:d1 t 'it>c8 24.c!t!xc4 hxc4 25.ie3 ie5 26.!c5 c!LJ£4 27.i>f2 c!t!d3t 28.cxd3 c3 0-1 I remain unimpressed by the combination of ig5 and f2-f4. The simple plan of . . . b5, . . . tt:l d7 and . . . c5 gives Black an improved version of the Austrian positions as covered in Chapter 1 . a

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In the final game ofthe chapter we will see what happens when White plays 4.ii.g5 without an early f2-f4 or a2-a4.

Sandor Videki - Tiger Hillarp Persson Budapest 1 996

l .e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.tDc3 d6 4..ig5 a6 5.�6 5 .ii.c4!? This aggressive option should be met by: 5 . . . b5! Clearly the most ambitious move. 5 . . . h6?! runs into 6.W/f3! 'Ll f6 7.ii.xf6 exf6 8.'Llge2, when White has a huge lead in development and should be slightly better. 5 . . . 'Ll c6!? 6.'Llf3 (6.'Llge2 'Ll f6 7.f3 b5 8 .ii.b3 0-0 seems fine for Black, who intends . . . 'Ll a5 at an opportune moment) 6 . . . 'Llf6 7.d5 is a little better for White. 6.ii.b3 6.ii.d5 ?! c6 7.ii.b3 'Ll d7 8.'Llf3 Wfc7 9.a4 b4 l O.ctJe2 'Llgf6 1 1 .W/d3 was played in Smirin - Kanstler, Rishon le Zion 1 997. Here Black should be in no hurry to castle, and both 1 l . . .a5N 1 2.0-0 ii.a6 1 3 .W/e3 c5 and for look promising 1 l . . .c5!?N him.

to answer 7.W/f3 with 7 . . . 'Ll f6, without allowing the reply e4-e5. 7.'Llf3 'Ll d7!? 8.0-0 h6! This is Kanstler's recommendation from ChessBase Magazine. It is actually difficult to find another reasonable move for Black. For instance: 8 . . . c5 ?! 9.ii.d5! Wfc8 1 0.:ge 1 and White had a fantastic initiative in Kanstler - Bitansky, Tel Aviv 200 1 . 9.ii.h4 White would ideally prefer to play 9.ii.e3, but it is no good due to 9 . . . b4! 1 0.'Lld5 e6 1 1 .'Llf4 ii.xe4 with some advantage to Black. 9 . . . b4 This is an exception to the general rule that Black should not push the pawn to b4 unless forced to do so. The reason will soon become apparent. 9 . . . g5!? is also possible, based on 1 0 .ii.xg5!? ( 1 0 .ii.g3! b4 1 l .ctJ d5 e6 leads to the main line) 1 O . . . hxg5 1 l .ii.xf7t mxf7 1 2.'Llxg5t �e8 1 3.ctJe6 W/c8 1 4.W/g4 'Ll df6 1 5 .W/xg7 Wfxe6 1 6.W/xh8 b4 with a promising position for Black.

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6 . . . ii.b7! This move is necessary in order to be able

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1 0.ctJd5 g5! 1 I .ii.g3 e6! In Tiger's Modern I gave 1 1 . . . a5 as an alternative, but I now consider it inferior due to 1 2.e5! e6 1 3.ctJe3 'Ll b6 1 4.c4! when White is clearly better. Compared to the main line, the knight is well placed on e3 . 1 2.'Llxb4 a5 1 3 .ctJ d3 a4 1 4.ii.c4 ii.xe4

Chapter 7 - 4 . .ig5 - Into Midair Kanstler judges this position to be unclear, which seems like a reasonable verdict. The pressure is on White though, because if Black is allowed to castle smoothly and then expand in the centre, White will soon be in trouble.

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1 2.0-0 ltJgf6 Black is doing all right here, but White is slightly better.

5 ... b5

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This is not the best move. More dangerous is: 6 . .id3 In this position Black must decide whether or not to nudge the g5-bishop. The best option is: 6 . . . ltJd7! Mter 6 . . . h6 7 ..ie3 Black has won a tempo compared to the main line of the Flexible Dragon Restrained. Sadly, this is not a tempo to be proud of, since the g6-pawn will miss its bodyguard on h7, especially if White plays e4-e5-e6. 7.a4 b4 8.ltJe2 .ib7! Black should not play . . . c5 here unless White plays Wfd2. 8 . . . c5 9.c3 bxc3! (Azmaiparashvili has played the outrageous 9 . . . Wfa5, but after 1 0.0-0 ib7 1 1 ..id2! it was suddenly problematic for Black to take on c3, and White went on to win in Frolyanov - Azmaiparashvili, Dresden 2007.) 1 0.bxc3 .ib7 1 1 .1'l:b1 Wfc7

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9.0-0 ltJgf6 1 0.liJg3 0-0!N 10 . . . e5?! brings about a central structure which is not great for Black when the c4square has already been weakened. 1 1 .c3 exd4 1 2.cxd4 h6 1 3.id2 c5 14.if4 Black was in serious trouble in Lim Yee Weng Azmaiparashvili, Singapore 2007. 1 1 .Wfd2 c5 1 2.c3 1'l:c8!? Black has good prospects, for instance: 1 3.cxb4 cxd4! 1 4.ltJxd4 d5! With excellent counterplay.

6 ....ib7?! At the time of this game I had not yet realized the greater importance of achieving . . . c5, compared to attacking the e4-pawn. The best move is 6 . . . ltJ d7!, when White has a choice: a) 7.id3 c5 8.dxc5 ltJxc5 9.0-0 ib7 1 0.1'l:fe 1 ltJ f6 ( 1 0 . . . 1'l:c8!? i s more ambitious) 1 1 .ih6 0-0 is a clear improvement over the game and leads to approximate equality. b) 7.a4!? b4 8.ltJd5 (8.ltJe2 is similar to the game) 8 . . . a5 9 . .ic4 c6 1 0.ltJe3 ltJb6! 1 1 ..id3 h6! 1 2 ..ih4 g5 1 3.ig3 h5 1 4.ltJxg5 h4 1 5 ..if4 hd4 1 6.liJd1 e5 reaches a pleasingly chaotic position where Black's chances are no worse.

7 ..id3 ttld7 8.a4 b4

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8 . . . c5!? is an interesting possibility that deserves a practical test. The critical line continues 9.axb5 cxd4 1 0.ttJd5 h6 1 l .ih4 axb5 1 2.:gxa8 ixa8 1 3.0-0 tt'lgf6 1 4.tt'lxf6t tt'lxf6 1 5 .tt'lxd4 'Wb6 1 6.ixf6 ixf6 1 7.tt'lxb5 ixe4 1 8.ixe4 'Wxb5 1 9 .b4 h8, . . . lt:Jg8 and ... ih6. Another game continued: 10.ib5 lt:J d7! After 10 . . . exd4 l l .ixc6 bxc6 1 2.cxd4 lt:J d7 1 3.ie3 the c6-pawn is weak on the open file. l l .d5?! White is lagging behind in development and is badly prepared for a closed centre. The logical choice would be l l .ixc6 bxc6 1 2.ie3, when 1 2 . . . :B:b8 maintains the balance. Black should generally not exchange on d4 unless there is some immediate benefit. l l . . .lt:Je7 1 2.lt:Jd2 f5 Black already stands better.

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l l .:B:dl Since Tiger's Modern was published, this move surfaced as something of a main line. Nevertheless, my original recommendation still holds its ground.

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l l . . .@h8! 1 2.lDa3 1 2.j,b5!? 5 ( 1 2 . . . a6!?N 1 3.ixc6 bxc6 1 4.lDd2 'We? 1 5 .!!acl 'We6 1 6.lDb3 a5 1 7.c4 a4 1 8.d5 'We? 1 9.lDd2 c5 leads to double-edged play) 1 3.ixc6 bxc6 1 4.ex5 has been played a few times. Here I suggest 1 4 . . . exd4N 1 5 .ixd4 c5 1 6.ixg7t @xg7 and Black is doing well. 1 2 . . .f5 1 3.ex5 gx5!N This improves on Ernst - Hillarp Persson, Skara 2002, which continued 13 . . . !!x5 1 4.Wie2! exd4 ( 1 4 . . . 'We7?! 1 5 .d5±) 1 5 .cxd4 'We? 1 6.lDb5 lD b6, and now 1 7.d5N lDxc4 1 8 .'Wxc4 would have been favourable for White.

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14.lDc2 This suggestion of the engine is the only move that seems threatening. 1 4.d5 lD e7 1 5 .j,g5 if6 1 6.j,h6 !!g8 is promising for Black. 1 4.dxe5?! f4! 1 5 .id4 ( 1 5 .ixf4 ih6 1 6.exd6 ixf4 1 7 .dxc7 'Wxc7 is bad for White) 1 5 . . . lD dxe5 looks like a lot of fun. 1 4 . . . e4! 1 5.Wf4 1 5 .Wih5 d5 1 6.ib5 f4 17.id2 lDe7 gives Black excellent chances. 1 5 .Wig3 lD b6 1 6.j,b3 lD a5 1 7.if4 lDxb3 1 8 .axb3 lDd5 is also no problem. 1 5 . . . lD b6 1 6.j,b3 lD a5 17.ie6 d5 1 8.ix5 lD ac4 Black is doing fine.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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In the previous note we saw this move working well against l l .!!d 1 , but here it might be a bit too much. Two years later, I chose a safer alternative and obtained a slightly better game. l l . . .lDb6! 1 2.ib5 After 1 2 .ib3 exd4 1 3.cxd4 Wif6 White cannot hold on to his centre anymore. 1 2 . . . exd4 1 2 . . . d5!? 1 3.dxe5 lDxe5 1 4.ic5 dxe4 1 5 .ixf8 ixf8 1 6.lDd2 'Wd5 1 7.ie2 ih6 1 8.f4 lDed7 gives Black reasonable compensation for the exchange, but is hardly necessary. 1 3.cxd4 5 1 4.ex5 gxf5

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1 5 .d5 This leaves Black with some initiative, but White had to do something about the impending advance of the f-pawn.

Chapter 8 - 4.ic4 - Mad Dog 1 5 .g3 f4 1 6.ixf4 ctJxd4 17.id3 E!:xf4!? ( 1 7 . . .'\Mi'e8) 1 8.gxf4 Wif6 1 9.Wig4 ltJ e6 20.ltJc3 ctJxf4 is clearly more fun for Black. 1 5 . . . ltJe5 1 6.ixb6! axb6 1 7.f4!? Having blocked the advance of the f-pawn, White eventually managed to draw in Perez Candelario - Hillarp Persson, Calvia (ol) 2004.

359

I did not want my opponent to consolidate his centre, but it was not necessary to use such drastic measures. Instead 1 4 . . . Wie7! 1 5 .ltJ c3 ltJa5 offers Black good counterplay on the dark squares.

15.e5 g5! Having said A, I proceed to B; thank God there was no C. . .

16.e6!? Again my opponent finds a good move and avoids 1 6.fxg5 ?! dxe5 17.dxe5 Wixd 1 1 8.E!:xd 1 ltJxe5, when Black is clearly better. White's pieces are shattered and . . . f4-f3 is hanging in the air. I was expecting 1 6.d5 ltJ e7 17.e6 exf4 1 8 .id4 ie5 1 9 .ltJc3 ctJ g6 with an unclear position.

16 ... gxf4 I7J'hf4 d5 IS.YM£3 'Lle7 12.f4!? My moderately-rated opponent plays well and puts pressure on me before I can arrange things my way. Mter 1 2.ib5 f5 Black is doing well. In the event of 1 2.ltJa3 Black can choose between 1 2 . . . f5 and 12 . . . exd4 1 3.cxd4 Vfie7, with a good game in either case. The main reason why I would suggest deviating on move 1 1 for Black is 1 2.dxe5! ltJcxe5 1 3.ie2 when White has a certain advantage due to the bishop pair.

12 ... exd4 13.cxd4 ctJb6 14.ih3 I was more worried about 14.ib5!? during the game, but 14 . . . f5! 1 5 .e5 ltJe7 1 6.ltJc3 c6 1 7.ie2 ctJed5 seems no worse for Black than the game continuation.

14 ...£5

The greedy 1 8 . . . ih6?! backfires after 1 9.ltJc3 ixf4 20.ixf4, when White has fantastic compensation for the exchange.

19.ctJc3 c6 Now, however, it was time to be greedy. The simple 1 9 . . .E!:f6! wins the e6-pawn, and it is not clear how White can prove compensation.

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I 'talked to my pieces' and the b6-knight told me "e4 would be a nice square, thank you". Perhaps it was still better to play the brutal 20 .. .1.Wd6! 2 l ..!f2 :B:f6 followed by . . . :B:xe6.

35.:B:xe7 �c8 36.c;!?h2 h5 37.tLle2

21.�c2 tLld6 22.g4!!?

... 1./2-lfl

My opponent wisely avoids 22.�h5 �e8, and realizes it is time to change the character of the position.

22 ... tLlg6 23.gxf5 tLlxf4 24.�xf4 :B:f6!? From a practical point ofview this is dubious - unless one has calculated correctly, which I had not. The rook is not a good blockader, and it would have been safer to play 24 ... .!f6 with a small advantage.

The game continued for another ten to twenry moves or so, until I realized I was being outplayed and offered a draw. Being short of time, my opponent accepted. Playing :B:dl on the seventh or eleventh move has been tested at the highest level, but it seems that Black is doing well in both cases. In the main game I should have continued with l l . . .tt:lb6 with a balanced position. In the next game White plays in a more consistent manner, meaning that if you start out with �e2 and tt:l f3, then why hold back on e4-e5 ?

25.�£2

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Philipp Schlosser - Victor Bologan Mulhouse 200 1

l.e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.tiJf3 d6 4.�c4 tLlf6 5.�e2 0-0 Beware of 5 ... .!g4?! 6.e5 dxe5 7 . .!xf7t \t>xf7 8.tt:lxe5t when White is better.

6.0-0 �g4 7.e5 a

25 ...�£8?

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With time running out, I missed that 25 . . . .!h6 26.�f3 �e7 27 ..!h4 :B:g8t followed by . . . .!g5 is winning for Black. The rest of the game was played in mutual time trouble.

26.�h4 :Sxf5? 27.� �xf5 28.�xd6 �xh3 29.�£2? Had Lars chosen 29.�h2 .!xd4t 30.\t>h l , there is a fair chance he would have won.

29 ...:Sg8 30.�g3 �f6 31 .�xg8t c;!?xg8 32.e7 �g4t 33.c;!?fl �h3t 34.c;!?gl he7

I believe this is more critical than 7.h3, as played in the previous game. Now, Black has to play accurately to avoid a passive position.

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Chapter 8 - 4.ic4 - Mad Dog

7... dxe5!

1 0 . . . lt:l c6 a double threat.

When Black has already played . . . ibg4, this is the only fully satisfactory way to play. The next game will deal with 7 . . . lt:le8?! (via a slightly different move order) , after which White can obtain an edge with 8.lt:l bd2! - see the note on page 365.

9 . . . e6?! gives White the chance to enter the dream scenario of above: 1 0.h3 ibxf3 l l .lt:lxf3 c6 1 2.c3 lt:ld7 1 3.Ei:e l 'Wc7 14.ibb3 with a big advantage, Ravi - Dzhumaev, Dubai 200 1 .

8.dxe5 tlJd5! This is something of a 'good Alekhine', where Black has been able to play . . . Jbg4 without having to waste a tempo on . . . c6.

Another less attractive possibility is 9 . . . lt:l c6?! 1 0.'We4 ibe6 1 I .lt:l b3 b6 1 2.lt:lbd4 when White obtained a clear advantage in Volkmann Brittner, Leon 200 1 . The conclusion seems to be that it is important for Black to mix things up a bit.

9.tlJbd2! Preparing to meet . . . ibxf3 with lt:lxf3, when the e-pawn will be safely guarded. This would be the set-up of White's dreams, since Black's knights have no strongpoints and the remaining bishop is biting the rock. Mter 9.h3 ibxf3 1 0.'Wxf3 e6 we also reach a dream set-up, but this time for Black, who can continue with . . . lt:l d7 and (if necessary) . . . c6, forcing White to play 'We2 and f2-f4. In the resulting position Black has a lead in development and can choose from a smorgasbord of ideas including . . . b5, . . . f6 and even ... g5 .

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

10.ib3 Time has more or less stood still in this line. Leko tried a different course against Shirov in 1 996. Black had some difficulties in that game, but there are some decent alternatives given in the notes: 1 0.ibd3 lt:lc6 l l .h3

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The point behind this move is to make

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l l . . .ibe6!? An interesting alternative is l l .. .ibf5!? 1 2.ibxf5 gxf5 1 3 .e6 ( 1 3 .c3 e6 14.lt:Jb3 �d5 1 5 .Ei:el 'Wc4 is balanced) 1 3 ... h6 1 4.exf7t Ei:xf7 1 5 .lt:lb3 e5 with mutual chances. The safest and most obvious continuation is l l ...lt:ld4 1 2 .�e4 lt:lxf3t 13.lt:lxf3 ibxf3 14.'Wxf3 c6, when Black has a solid position with active ideas like . . . a5-a4 and . . . 'Wd4. The position is reminiscent of a line from

The Modern Tiger

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Alekhine's Defence ( l .e4 tLl f6 2.e5 tLl d5 3.d4 d6 4.tLlf3 .ig4 5 . .ie2 c6 6.0-0 .ixf3 7 . .ixf3 dxe5 8.dxe5 e6) , but I prefer to have exchanged both of White's knights. Black's dark-square holes after a subsequent . . . e6 will be much less of a problem when he does not have to worry about a knight landing on d6 or f6. 1 2.:B:d 1 tLl d7? My friend Ludvig Sandstrom used to say I had "too much talent", when I came up with excessively imaginative moves when natural ones seemed good enough. He meant, in a friendly way, that I should at least make a small effort to be objective. It seems that Shirov is slightly too talented here (ignoring the fact that he is massively talented in general) . Leko gives 1 2 . . . \WcS!? in Informant 67, and I think 12 . . . tLl b4 1 3 ..ie4 c6 looks interesting. 13 . .ic4 tLl c5 14 ..ixe6 tLlxe6 1 5 .tLlb3 Wc8 1 6.\We4 White has more space and a clearly better position. Black must try to relieve some of the pressure by exchanging pieces. 1 6 . . . :B:d8 1 7 . .ie3 :B:xd 1 t 1 8.:B:xd 1 '1We8 1 9.c4 :B:d8 20.:B:d5

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20 . . . tLl b4! Shirov goes into an endgame where his pawn structure is clearly inferior, but the alternatives are even worse. 20 . . . b6 2 I ..id2 tLlb8 is given by Leko, but

after 22.tLl bd4 Black is facing an uphill struggle. 2 l .:B:b5 '1Wc6 22.'1Wxc6 tLlxc6 23.:B:xb7 tLlxe5 24.tLl bd2 Black was clearly worse and had to suffer for a draw in Leko - Shirov, Vienna 1 996.

lO ... tLlc6 The double threat that I referred to in the comment to Black's last move is . . . tLlxe5/ . . . tLld4.

l l .e6 After 1 1 .h3 tLld4 1 2.\We4 tLlxb3 1 3.axb3 .if5 1 4.\Wxb7 .ixc2 1 5 .:B:xa7 :B:xa7 1 6.\Wxa7 '1Wb8 Black has enough compensation for the pawn. 1 1 .'1We3 a5 1 2.a4 \Wd7 followed by . . . .ie6 is nice for Black.

1 1 ... £5! This is much stronger than 1 1 . . .a5 ?! 1 2.exf7t 'it>h8 1 3.c3! a4 14 ..ie6 .ixe6 1 5.\Wxe6 a3 16.tLle4 axb2 17 ..ixb2 1Mfd7 1 8.tLlfg5! when White is better. It is a recurring theme in the Modern that you can get away with taking certain liberties (in this case allowing an enemy pawn on e6) as long as your pawn structure is intact.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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Up to this point Black's play has been fine, but here there are two superior alternatives:

Chapter 8 - 4 .ic4 - Mad Dog 12 . . . lLle5 1 3 .h3 ih5 14.'\We3 '1Mfd3 ( 1 4 . . . f4?! is worse: 1 5 .'!Mfe4 lZld3 1 6.'!Mfxb7 ixf3 1 7.lZlxf3 lZlc5 Compared to the line below where . . . a5 and a2-a4 have been played, the bishop is not hanging on b3!) 1 5 .'1Mfc5 '!Mfd6 1 6.'1Mfxd6 lZlxf3t 1 7.lZlxf3 cxd6 1he position is unclear. Even better for Black is: 1 2 . . . a5! 1 3.a4 (After 1 3 .h3 ih5 1 4.lZlc4 a4 1 5.lZlxb6 cxb6 1 6.ic4 lLle5 1 7.1%dl '!We? 1 8 .id5 f4 1 9.a3 g5 Black has a strong initiative on the kingside.) 13 ... lZle5 1 4.h3 ih5 1 5 .'1Mfe3

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363

13.i.c2?! There was no reason to allow the black queen to become active. Better is 1 3.1%fd l ! lZlxb3 ( 1 3 . . . '1Mfc8 1 4.ic2 i s horribly passive for Black) 1 4.lZlxb3 '!Mfe8 1 5 .h3 ih5 1 6.lLla5 when I prefer White's position.

13 V;Vd5! 14.h3 J.h5 15J�dl V;Vc6 16.tJb3 tJxb3 17.hb3 .txf3 18.gxf3?! •••

Black's queen is more active than White's, so there is no good reason not to exchange queens when the chance is there.

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1 5 . . .f4! This is where the mutual a-pawn advances become significant. 1 6.'!Mfe4 ( 1 6.'!Mfe2 '!Mfd3 1 7.'1Mfxd3 lZlxd3 and Black has a certain initiative.) 1 6 . . . lZld3 Black is doing well, since 1 7.'1Mfxb7? ixf3 1 8 .lZlxf3 lZl c5 wins the bishop on b3.

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18 £4!

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•••

Bologan closes the door on the c l -bishop and simultaneously opens a road to the fifth rank for his rooks.

19.a4 a5 20.V;Ve4 1%f5 2I.i.c2 1%af8 22.V;Vxc6 1%g5t 23.fl bxc6 It is difficult to point out exactly what went wrong for White. It is possible that Black was already better after the 1 8th move.

24.1%a3 c5 25.1%el After 25 .1%b3 c4 26.1%b5 1%xb5 27.axb5 Black keeps an advantage with 27 . . . ie5, intending . . . a4 and . . . id6. a

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25 c4 26.1%e4 i.e5 27.b4 .td6 28 .id2 1%d5 29 .lel 1%h5 30.1%al 1%ff5 3I.g2 1%fg5t •••

•

•

The Modern Tiger

364

The solid alternative 6 ... dxe5!? is seen in Game 69.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

7.0-0! I cannot find any convincing reason why this move is less popular than 7.h3, which is seen in the next game.

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White could have fought on with 35.Ei:gl or 35.Ei:d l . Now it ends quickly.

35 ...i.xf4 36.Ei:xf4 E!h2t 37.@g3 E!5h3t 3S.@g4 E!h4t 39.@g3 Ei:2h3t 40.@g2 E!xf4 4I .@xh3 E!xf3t 42.@g2 E!xc3 43.i.e4 axb4 44.a5 ttlcs Here White resigned, since 45.a6 is easily repelled by either 45 . . . Ei:a3 or 45 . . . tt:la7, when Black's three extra pawns will decide the outcome.

0-1

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ���L_��� b

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•..

It seems logical to develop the bishop when allowed to, but the more I investigated it, the more attractive I found the alternative: 7 . . . c5!? 8.dxc5! dxe5 9.tt:lc3 9.tt:lxe5 'Wd4 I O.tt:lf3 'Wxc5 is fine for Black. 9 . . . tt:l c6 I O.Ei:dl 'Wa5 I l .il.e3 Now the best move is:

The key move to remember from this game is 9 . . . tt:l b6!, which leads to a complicated game with mutual chances.

Leonid Shamkovich - Raymond Keene New York 1 980

l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.ttl£3 d6 4.i.c4 ttlf6 5.'1We2 0-0 6.e5 ttleS!? This is a truly challenging move. Black intends to blow up the enemy centre with . . . c5.

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l l . . .il.g4! l l . . .'Wc7? has been played, but what kind of a move is this? 1 2.tt:ld5 'Wb8 Now in

365

Chapter 8 - 4 .!c4 - Mad Dog Eckhardt - Pflug, Bavaria 2000, Black would have been in deep trouble if only White had played 1 3.ibS. 1 2.a3 This is the critical try. 1 2.h3?! tt'l d4 1 3.ixd4 exd4 1 4.hxg4 dxc3 I S .b3 '®xeS is good for Black. 1 2 . . .l2J d4! 1 3 ..bd4 exd4 1 4.b4 '®d8 I S .ttJbS Or I S .h3 !xf3 1 6.'®xf3 b6! 1 7.ttJdS 1':!:c8 1 8.!a6 E!:b8 1 9.c6 e6 20.tt'lf4 ttJ c7 with an unbalanced position. I S . . . b6! 1 6.c3 bxcS 1 7.bxcS eS 1 8.cxd4 exd4 1 9.h3 ixf3 20.'®xf3 1':!:c8 Black has equalized.

9.exd6 '®xd6 (9 . . . tt'lxd6!? l O.dxcS ttJxc4 l l .'®xc4 '®d7 could be considered) I O.dxcS '®xeS l l .h3 !c8 1 2.tt'le4 and White had a slight initiative in Podgaets - Usmanov, Riga 1 97S.

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SJ':'!:dl This effectively stops Black from playing . . . cS. However, the strongest move is: 8.tt'lbd2! From this position I have not been able to find a line for Black that I am entirely happy about. White is threatening to achieve the ideal set-up with h2-h3 on the next move, so Black is in urgent need of a countermeasure. 8 . . . cS!? 8 ... tt'l c6 9.'®e3! is a line where I have been looking for equality in vain. The text move was my original recommendation, but I have come to doubt it. 9.dxc5

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9 . . . dxeS 9 . . . tt'lc6!? was my recommendation in Tiger's Modern, but it does not quite hold up to closer scrutiny after I O.h3!. 1 0.h3 1 0.'®e4!? !xf3 l l .ttJxf3 ttJ c6 1 2.c3 tt'l f6 1 3.'®h4 is rather unclear, although the bishop pair should give White some advantage. I O . . . !xf3 l l .ttJxf3 Vffc7 12.!e3 tt'l f6 Black will follow up with . . . tt'l bd7 or . . . tt'l c6, depending on circumstances. Black's kingside pawn majority gives him interesting chances, but there is no doubting the fact that White's bishop pair gives him the upper hand.

8 )tJc6 ..

From a strategic point of view I am not happy with this move, since it leaves the knight passive on e8. However, from a tactical viewpoint it works out quite well. 8 . . . c6!? 9.h3! !xf3 I O.'®xf3 has hardly ever been played. It seems to me that after I O . . . '®c7! l l .exd6 tt'lxd6 1 2.!b3 ttJd7 Black has a weird but quite good version of some sort of Alekhine.

The Modern Tiger

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Also interesting is: 8 . . . '\WcS!? 9.t.g5 lt:l c6 l O.t.d5

9 . . . '\WcS l O .t.g5 resembles Garcia Benjamin above, and is probably just as good as the game. Also interesting is 9 . . . e6!? l O.t.xc6 bxc6 l l .lt'l bd2 c5, when Black manages to open up the position and gets a good game after 1 2.h3 t.xf3 1 3.lt'lxf3 cxd4 1 4.:B:xd4 Wb8!?.

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1 0.t.f4? would be a mistake due to 1 0 . . . dxe5 l l .dxe5 Wf5 and White has to let go of the e-pawn.

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Another possibility is: 1 0.h3 t.xf3 l l .t.xf3 dxe5 1 2.dxe5 lt:ld4 1 3 .'1We3

9 ..tds 9.lt'lc3 should be met by 9 . . . t.xf3! 1 0.gxf3 ( 1 0.Wxf3?! dxe5 l l .dxe5 lt'lxe5 1 2.Wxb7? lt'l d6 wins for Black) 1 0 . . . e6, intending . . . Wh4, . . . t.h6 and . . . lt:lg7-h5/-f5 .

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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1 3 . . . t.xe5! 1 4.t.g4 Wd6 1 5 .c3 lt'l f5 1 6.Wf3 Wf6 1 7.Wxb7 lt:led6 With an unclear position.

IO e6 I I.i.b3 dS ..•

Instinctively I prefer l l . . .dxe5 1 2.dxe5 t.xf3 1 3.'1Wxf3 We7 1 4.t.f4 t.xe5 1 5 .t.xe5 lt'lxe5 1 6.Wxb7 lt:l d6 with a complicated game, but Keene's move is also good.

12.h3 .tx£3 13.'\Wx£3 f6! The strength of this idea is due to the clumsy placement of the b3-bishop and the c3-knight.

14.We2 a

9 Wd7 ..•

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Mter 14.exf6 lt:lxf6 1 5 .Wg3 lt:l e7 Black has the initiative.

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Chapter 8 - 4.�c4 - Mad Dog

14 ... fxe5 1 5.dxe5 cj{hs 16.£4 g5! The standard procedure, which also features in the first game of this chapter.

17J:U1 Another possibility is 1 7.g3 gxf4 1 8.�xf4 l:iJ e7 with an unclear position where I would still bet on Black. The superficial 1 7.'1Wg4 is met with 1 7 . . . '1We7 1 8 .:B:e l gxf4 1 9 .�xf4 :B:g8 20.'1Wf3 !1J d4 when Black has some initiative.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

27 ... cj{g8??

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Black commits a horrible blunder. Instead 27 . . . e2! 28.!1Jxe2 Wxe5t 29.!1Jf4 tiJ d6 leaves Black a piece up, and the win should be pretty straightforward.

28.'1Wh4! Hitting the rook and threatening the lethal 29.1We7. Black has no defence. a

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17 ... .!Lld4 18JWh5 c5 19.�e3? White sacrifices a piece, but does not get enough compensation. Better was 1 9.1Wxg5 b5 20.a3 c4 2 l .:B:d l , although Black keeps a strong initiative with 2 l . . .tiJf3t 22.gxf3 :B:g8 23.'kt>hl cxb3 24.cxb3 �f8 25 .1Wh4 l:iJg7. The knight will go to f5, and I doubt that White will be able to defend in the long run.

19 .!Llxb3 20.axb3 d4 21.fxg5 •..

2 1 .!1Je4 dxe3 22.!1Jxg5 h6 is no better.

21. :B:xfl t 22.:B:xfl dxe3 23.g6 h6 24J:U'7 '1Wd4 25 . .!Lle2 '1We4 26 . .!Llf4 :B:d8 27.cj{h2 .•

28 J:�c8 .•

Black is lost after both 28 ... :B:d2 29.'1We7 :B:xg2t 30.!1Jxg2 �xe5t 3 1 .Wh l , and 28 . . . :B:d7 29.:B:xd7 �xe5 30.:B:d8 Wxf4t 3 1 .1Wxf4 �xf4t 32.Wgl 'kt>f8 33.g7t 'kt>xg7 34.:B:xe8 Wf6 35.Wfl .

29.'1We7 '1Wxf4t 30.:B:xf4 .!Llc7 Black resigned (or lost on time) . A possible finish is 3 1 .1Wf7t 'kt>h8 32.:B:h4, followed by :B:xh6t and Wh7 mate.

1-0 Considering how dangerous 8.!1Jbd2! is for Black after 7.0-0 �g4?!, I suggest that you make up your mind beforehand on whether to play 7 ... c5!?, or avoid this line altogether with 6 . . . dxe5 .

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368

Parimarjan Negi - Tiger Hillarp Persson Malmo 2007

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.llJf3 d6 4..ic4 llJf6 s.'*fe2 0-0 6.e5 lt:le8 7.h3 Even though I regard 7.0-0! as more accurate, the text move is also quite challenging, and has been White's most popular choice. A couple of rare alternatives are also worth considering: 7.lt:lc3!? This makes reasonable sense now that Black has placed his knight on a passive spot. 7 . . . c6! This is one of the rare instances where I will recommend this move. The point is that White's pieces are badly coordinated to meet Black's ideas involving . . . d5 followed by .. .f6, . . . b6 or . . . c5, depending on circumstances. After 7 . . . .ig4?! the brutal 8 . .ig5! dxe5 9.0-0-0 is dangerous for Black. 7 . . . c5?! 8.dxc5! is also problematic. 8.0-0 In the event of 8 ..if4 lt:lc7 9.0-0-0 b5, the black pawns will hit home on the queenside.

1 O.h3 .ixf3 1 1 .'1Wxf3 lt:l c7 1 2.lt:le2 c5 1 3.c3 lt:l c6 1 4 . .ie3 Now Black has a simple tactical trick. 14 . . . .ixe5! 1 5 .dxc5 f5!? Black's central majority gives him excellent chances. 7.ig5 !? Another unusual but tricky move. Black's best reply is: 7 ... d5! 8 . .ib3 a5 ! This clearly strongest. 8 . . . c6 9.lt:l bd2 lt:lc7 1 0.'1We3!? lt:l e6?! 1 l ..ih6 a5 1 2.a4 c5 1 3 ..ixg7 cxd4? 14.'\Wh6 led to a quick win for White in Hamad - Wajdy, Teheran 2007. 9.a4 9.c3 f6! 1 0 . .if4 lt:l c6 1 l .exf6 lt:lxf6 1 2.h3 a4 1 3 . .ic2 lt:l h5 gives Black the initiative.

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8 . . . d5 9 . .id3 .ig4 Black swaps off his bad bishop and eliminates an important defender ofWhite's centre.

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9 ... f6! 1 0 . .if4 g5!? If the reader finds this to be too risky, there is a solid alternative in 1 0 . . . .ig4 1 1 .lt:l bd2 fxe5 1 2 . .ixe5 lt:lc6 1 3 .'1We3 .ixf3 14.lt:lxf3 .ixe5 1 5 .lt:lxe5 lt:lxe5 1 6.'\Wxe5 c6. 1 l ..ig3 g4 1 2.lt:lh4 fxe5 1 3 .dxe5 13 . .ixe5?! lt:lc6 is good for Black. 1 3 . . . c6 14.lt:ld2 lt:l a6 1 5 .c3 Wb6 The position is a mess. I recommend that the reader spends a bit of time playing through these lines, because they are unlike anything else in this book.

Chapter 8 - 4.!c4 - Mad Dog

369

7 c5! .••

This is the whole point of Black's set-up. Now White has to fight to keep his centre alive.

8.c3 ttlc7!? The main point of this move is to have the option of . . . b5. Two years before this game I tried 8 ... lLl c6, and obtained a decent position before making a mistake which led to trouble: 9.0-0 lLl c7 1 0.Eid1 cxd4 1 1 .cxd4 d5 ( l l . ..b6!?) 12.ib3 f6?! ( 1 2 . . . b6! 1 3.!f4 lLl a5 1 4.lLlc3 ib7 was correct.) 1 3.lLlc3 Here I realized that I was worse and decided to complicate things, but my opponent kept his head cool: 1 3 . . . g5 1 4.!c2 h6 1 5 .1Wd3 f5 1 6.a3 e6 1 7.g3! I was unable to deal with the threat of h3-h4 in lordachescu - Hillarp Persson, Copenhagen 2005.

9.dxc5! The point of playing . . . lLl c7 before . . . lLlc6 is seen in the line 9.0-0 b5! 1 0.!d3 cxd4 1 1 .cxd4 lLl c6 when Black is doing well. One possibility is 1 2.ixb5 lLlxb5 1 3 .'1Wxb5 '1Wd7!? with excellent compensation for the pawn.

IO ... ttle6 Looking back on this game, I find it hard to explain why I did not prefer 1 0 . . . lLl d7!. Perhaps I thought that the knight belonged on c6. In any case, White had better avoid 1 1 .b4 a5 12.0-0 (or 1 2.h4 lLl b8! 1 3.b5 !g4) 1 2 . . . f6 1 3.exf6 Elxf6 1 4.!b2 e5 1 5 .ic2 b6 when Black has massive compensation for the pawn.

l l.ie3 Just like in the line above, it is dangerous for White to get materially carried away with 1 1 .b4, since 1 1 . . .a5 1 2.0-0 axb4 1 3.cxb4 lLl c6 14.1Wb2 f6 is too hard to handle. 1 1 .0-0 lLlxc5 1 2.!c2 b6 leads to another position where I believe Black is doing all right, although it could do with a practical test.

l l . .. ttld7 12.0-0 '?Nc7?! This allows White to obtain a more active set-up. Better is 1 2 ... lLlexc5 1 3.ic2 b6 with a promising position for Black.

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8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This is clearly making things hard for myself. I guess I was put off by 1 8 ... it.xe6 1 9.!%fb l , but after 1 9 . . . it.c8 followed by . . . \Wc6 Black has nothing to worry about.

19."1We4 Now I have to struggle to hold a draw.

19 e5 20.f4 iWc6 21 .YNxe5 !%f5 22.YNd4 YNdS 23.g4 �c6 24.YNxd5t :E!:xd5 25.�d4 :8:£8 26.:8:ael :E!:f7 27.i>h2 i>f8 28.ci>g3 ci>e8 29.:8:e6 �d7 30.:8:e5 :E!:xe5 3 1.he5 �c6 32.:8:dl :8:£8 33.i>h4 h6 34.:8:d4 i>f7 35.g5!? hxgSt 36.ci>xg5 ci>e6!? •..

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This clears the c3-square for the knight, showing why I should have played differently on the last move.

It was no doubt safer to stick to passive defence with 36 . . . !%c8, but I decided to make it more interesting.

13 dxc4?! •.•

It is better to play 1 3 . . .l2Jxe5 14.l2Jc3 lLlxf3t 1 5JWxf3 d4 1 6.l2Jd5 iWd8 1 7.it.d2 a5! 1 8.!%fe l !%e8 when White still has to fight to find compensation for the awkward pawn structure. The best chance seems to be 1 9. b4 axb4 20.it.xb4 it.d7 2 1 ."1Wg3 it.c6 22.it.e4 when there is no obvious way for Black to gain an advantage. Still, White's position is ugly, and I have my doubts about it.

14.�xc4 ltJxeS 15.ltJc3 ttJxf3t In the event of 1 5 . . . l2Jxc4 1 6.\Wxc4 it.xc3 1 7.\Wxc3 it.d7 1 8.!%fe l White retains some pressure.

16.\Wxf3 �xc3! 17.bxc3 �d7 I was hoping my superior structure would enable me to hold a draw against White's strong bishops.

18.�xe6 I was more afraid of a flexible move such as 1 8 .!%fe l .

18 ...fxe6?!

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The sane thing to do would be 37 ... !%g8t 38.it.g7 it.eSt 39. g6 45.h7 (45.'tt> gs it.d5t 46.xh4 45.'it>xe7 'it>g4 46.'it>e6 i.b5 David Howell - Levon Aronian

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Bundesliga 20 1 2

l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.ctJf3 d6 4.ic4 ctJ £6 5JWe2 0-0 6.e5 dxe5!? I have come to re-evaluate this move because of this game.

7.dxe5 ctJd5 8.h3 8.0-0 ig4 leads to Game 66. a

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47.ib8 is also insufficient to win. One possible line is 47 . . . ic4t 48.'it>d6 ixa2 49.c6 bxc6 50.xc6 a6 5 I .c5 ie6 52.ie5 f5 53.'it>b4 e4 54.c4 a5t 5 5 .'it>b5 a4! and Black draws.

47...ixc6 48.c4 Or 48.f5 ib5 49.f6 ic4t 50.e7 f5 5 1 .id4 g6 52.a3 a6 with a dead draw.

48 ie4 49.i.b8 id3 50.'it>d5 a6 5 I .a4 'it>f5 52.a5 ie4t 53.'it>c5 ihl •.•

1/z-lfz

Although I was under pressure towards the end, we have seen that Black can get a good game with both 10 . . . lt:l d7 and 12 . . . lt:l exc5 . It seems to me that 7.h3 is less critical than 7.0-0. In the next game Levon Aronian shows how it is possible to avoid 6 . . . lt:le8 altogether.

8 ...i.e6! When Black is unable to develop the bishop to g4, it is not such a great idea to play 8 . . . lt:l b6, because of 9.ib3 lt:l c6 1 0.0-0 lt:l d4 1 1 .lt:lxd4 '1Wxd4 1 2.Ei:e 1 e6 1 3.lt:ld2 and Black is too passive. It is incredible how few times the present position has arisen.

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One important point is that 9.lt:lg5 lt:l c6! 1 0.lt:lxe6 fxe6 1 1 .0-0 lt:lxe5 1 2.ib3 '1Wd6 is nice for Black.

9 ctJd7 10.id2 ..•

White has also tried: 1 0.ib3 lt:lc5!? ( 1 0 . . . c6 is more in the spirit of the Alekhine Defence.)

The Modern Tiger

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1 U!d1 ltlxb3 1 2.axb3 '1Wc8 1 3.ltlc3 ltlxc3 1 4.bxc3

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1 4 . . . c5! 1 5 .c4 '1Wc6 1 6.ig5 :B:fe8 17.:B:e1 a5!? (17 ... h6! 1 8.if4 a5, followed by . . . :B:ed8 and . . . a4, is a little better for Black.) 1 8.:B:a4 b6 1 9.ltld2 id7 20.ltl b 1 '1We6 2 1 .:B:a3 ic6 Black had a clear advantage in De la Villa Garcia Larino Nieto, Sanxenxo 20 12. A more critical alternative is: 1 0.:B:d 1 ! ? c6 1 1 .ltlg5 1 I .ib3 '1Wc7 hits e5 again. 1 1 . ..ltlxe5 After 1 1 . . .'1Wa5?! 1 2.f4 I fail to see the point of Black's last move. 1 1 . . .'1Wb6 1 2.ib3 ltlc5 1 3 .ltlc3 ltlxc3 1 4.bxc3 '1Wb5 is unclear. Also interesting is 1 1 . ..'1Wc7 1 2.f4 :B:ad8 1 3.ltlxe6 fxe6, when the evaluation depends on whether White is able to defend the f-pawn sufficiently. After 1 4.g3 g5!? it seems to me that Black has enough counterplay.

1 2.ib3 '1Wb6! This stops White from moving his f-pawn while preparing to meet c2-c4 with . . . '1Wa6. 1 2 . . . b5 1 3.a4 '1Wa5 14.ltlxe6 fxe6 1 5 .ltl c3 :B:f5 1 6.ltle4 :B:af8 is a crazy line that I don't like, because Black's pawn structure is in disarray. The engine likes 1 2 . . . if5, but I am deeply suspicious about it. 1 3.g4 id7 1 4.c4 ltl b4 1 5 .f4 h6 1 6.ltle4 ltled3 1 7.:B:xd3 ltlxd3 1 8.'1Wxd3 f5 1 9.ltlf2 e5 is a long but rather forcing line that ends with some advantage for White. 1 3.ltlxe6 1 3.c4 '1Wa6! 1 4.ltlxe6 fxe6 1 5 .ltl c3 ltlxc3 1 6.bxc3 c5! intending . . . ltl f7-d6 is fine for Black. 1 3 . . . fxe6 1 4.ltlc3 ltlxc3 1 5 .ixe6t 1 5 .bxc3?! c5! defends e6 and threatens to shut the bishop out of the game. 1 5 . . . ltlf7 1 6.bxc3 ixc3 White has decent compensation for the missing pawn, but Black should be okay. The choice between this or 1 1 . . .'1Wb6/ 1 1 . . .'1Wc7 is up to you.

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Aronian's move is faster and more ambitious than 1 0 . . . c6, although the latter move seems perfectly playable too: 1 1 .:B:e 1 a5 ( 1 1 . . .'1Wb6 1 2.ib3 ltl c5 1 3.ltlc3 ltlxc3 1 4.ixc3 ltlxb3 h

Chapter 8 - 4.ic4 - Mad Dog

373

1 5 .axb3 Wfc7 seems to equalize.) 1 2.ttJc3 ttJ7b6 1 3.ixd5 ttJxd5 14.tt:le4 Wfc7 1 5 .ttJ c5?! ( 1 5.tt:leg5) 1 5 . . . .!c8 ( 1 5 . . . iJ5!?) 1 6.c4 tt:l b4 1 7 ..!c3 b6 1 8 .ttJ e4 c5 Black was doing well in Riordan - A. Ivanov, Connecticut 2007.

l l.lL!c3 lL!7b6 12.ixd5! lL!xd5! 12 . . . .!xd5 1 3.tLlxd5 Wfxd5 14.b3 a4 1 5 .!'i:adl axb3 1 6.axb3 !'i:fd8 1 7 . .!f4 Wfc6 1 8.!'i:xd8t !'i:xd8 1 9.c4 is a little worse for Black, due to his bad coordination.

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1 5 . . ..!f5 1 6.Wfc4 Another interesting line is 1 6 . .!c l ttJ b4 1 7.a3 ttJc6 1 8 .e6 f6 1 9 .g4 fxg5 20.gxf5 !'i:xf5 2 l .Wfe4 ttJd8 22.!'i:d7 .!f6 23.!'i:fd l ttJ b7 24.Wfg4 ttJc5 25.ttJxg5 Wfb7 and the position remains sharp but balanced. 1 6 . . . c6 1 7.ttJd4 h6 1 8.ttJxf5 Wfxf5 1 9.ttJf3 !'i:ac8 20.!'i:fe l !'i:fd8 White maintains a space advantage but Black is solid enough.

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White has a slight advantage here, but Black has enough resources to eventually equalize.

13 ... lL!b4!? Mter spending considerable time on this position, I concluded that Black's most accurate continuation is: 13 . . . Wfc8 1 4.!'i:ad l b6!? Keeping the white knight out of c5 and preparing . . . Wfb7 or . . . Wfa6. 1 5 .tt:leg5 1 5 .c4 tt:l b4 1 6.a3 tt:l c6 17.ttJc3 !'i:d8 1 8 . .!f4 Wfb7 1 9.ttJd5 !'i:d7 20.ttJg5 ttJd8! 2 l .ttJe3 c6 and Black has equalized. 1 5 .ttJd4 c5! 1 6.tt:lxe6 Wfxe6 1 7.f4 !'i:ad8 1 8.c4 tt:l b4 1 9 .ttJg5 Wff5 20 ..!xb4 !'i:xdl 2 l .!'i:xd l axb4 22.!'i:fl !'i:d8 Black has a good endgame ahead.

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1 4.!'i:fdl Wfc8 1 5 .a3 tt:l c6 1 6 . .!c3 would have maintained a slight edge for White.

14 axb4 15J'Udl Wfc8 16.Wfb5 c6 17.Wfxb4 id5 •.•

Black's bishop pair gives him excellent compensation for the pawn.

The Modern Tiger

374

18.lLled2

32 ... h5!

1 8.1"i:el 1!f!f5 1 9.a3 1"i:fe8 20.1"i:adl looks preferable.

Preventing any g2-g4 ideas. In the remaining part of the game, Aronian expertly capitalizes on the advantage of the two bishops.

33.@h2 i.g7 34.f3 �b7 35.£4 i.h6 36.@gl :Sa6 37.lLld5 i.e6 38.�£2 @g7 39.lLlc3 :Sb6 40.@h2 :Sb3 41 .:Se2 �b6 42.@gl �a5 43.�f3 :Sd8 44.:Sxd8 �xd8 45.:Sf2 h4 46.@h2 �d7 47.@hl :Sb8 48.lLle4 i.d5

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18 ...�c7 19.c4 c5 20.�b5 i.e6 21.lLle4 :Sa5 22.�b3 b5 23.�e3 bxc4 24.lLlc3 h6 25.:Sd2 �b8 26.:Sadl :Sc8 27.�e4 :Sa7 28.a3 i.f8 29.lLld5 �b3 30.lLlc3 Both sides have manoeuvred sensibly, but now Black goes slightly astray.

30 ...i.f5?! 3l.�e3 :Saa8 32.lLlel?! Missing the opportunity to reclaim the upper hand with 32.g4! i.c2 (or 32 . . . i.e6 33.lbh4!) 33.1"i:cl i.d3 34.e6 f6 35.lbel 1"i:d8 36.1!f!xc5±.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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49.�e3 i.xe4 50.�xe4 �d4 5 l .�c2 i.x£4 52.:Se2 i.g3 53.!Lif3 �d3 54.@gl :Sd8 55.:Sd2 �xc2 0-1 The critical test of this line is probably l O.l"i:d l !? when I recommend that the reader has a look at Black's alternatives. Even if you do not remember the variations, it is a good idea to have seen the ideas involved. In the next part of the chapter we will see what happens when White withholds 1!f!e2 and develops the knights first.

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Chapter 8

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4.ic4 - Mad Dog

Antonio Angel Medina Garcia - Bent Larsen Las Palmas 1 972

l.e4 g6 2.d4 ig7 3.�c3 d6 4.i.c4 I would go so far as to say that this is not critical in conjunction with lD c3.

4 �£6 s.�a 0-0 6.o-O •.•

The flexible 6.ie3 does not impress here because of 6 . . . lDxe4 7.ixf7t (7.lDxe4 d5 8.id3 dxe4 9.ixe4 c5 is fine for Black) 7 .. J!xf7 8.lDxe4 d5 9.lDeg5 1:%f8 l O.llJe5 c5!, with a complicated game where Black is no worse.

375

The text move is an ideal solution, as it develops a piece while keeping both of the above options open. Generally Black should postpone ... ig4 until White has committed himself to Wfe2 or ib3, both of which defend against ... lDxe4. If White prevents the bishop development with h2-h3, then the . . . lDxe4 trick should be deployed.

7.h3 This is the main line, but there are plenty of half-decent alternatives: 7.Wfe2?! i.g4 8 .ie3 e5 9.d5 lD d4 1 0.i.xd4 exd4 l l .lDb5 l:%e8 is bad for White. 7.e5 is harmless, and after 7 . . . dxe5 8.dxe5 lD g4 9.e6 ixe6 1 0.i.xe6 Wfxd l l l .l:%xd l fxe6 the black pieces are working well together. 7.ie3 is an interesting alternative, when 7 . . . ig4! (7 . . . lDxe4 8.lDxe4 d5 9.id3 dxe4 I O.ixe4 Wfd6 l l .c3 was a bit better for White in Torre Repetto - Yates, Marienbad 1 927) 8.h3 ixf3 9.Wfxf3 e5 I O.d5 lDe7 leads to similar play as in Game 65. Note that the knight on c3 prevented White from bolstering his centre with c2-c3.

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The impatient 6 . . . lDxe4?! meets with 7.lDxe4 d5 8 .id3 dxe4 9.ixe4 when White is slightly better. 6 . . . ig4?! is met by 7.h3 ixf3 8.Wfxf3 when, compared with Game 65, White has gained a free tempo in lD c3. It might not be the most important tempo in the world, since White has lost the useful option of c2-c3, but I would still recommend avoiding this.

7.d5 lD a5! 8.ie2 c5! leads to a funny kind of Benoni where the aS-knight is not as bad as it looks. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

k�\.,.,1%�����(�!xf7 Black is doing rather well. .

lO tLld7?! •••

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White must take care not to stumble into a deep rabbit hole: 9.0-0 lLld7 (9 . . . Wf8! 1 o.ltJh4 g5 1 1 .lLlg6 We8 is even better.) 1 o . .te3 '2J f8 1 1 .Wd2 ci>h7 1 2.:gae 1 ? ( 1 2.lLlh2 leads to approximate equality.) 1 2 . . . :gxf3 1 3.gxf3 ixh3 In Pytel - Kosten, Toulouse 1 990, White could already have resigned with a clear conscience.

9 �£8!? •.•

This multipurpose move protects the h6pawn while setting up tactical threats against the f3-knight. A second possibility is 9 . . . ltJ d7 1 0.Wd2 c;:t>h7, but I like this less, as the king's position makes Black vulnerable to all sorts of tactical tricks.

IO.�d2 It is probably too harsh to brand this move as a mistake, but it is clearly naive to invite the sacrifice on f3 in this way. White must watch out for 1 0.0-0 ixh3! when Black wins a pawn.

Black should jump at the chance to play 1 0 . . . :gxf3! 1 1 .gxf3 Wxf3 1 2.lLlg3 lLlc6 with excellent compensation for the exchange.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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This move invites the exchange sacrifice under even more advantageous circumstances. 1 1 .lLlh4?! was White's 'solution' to the . . . :gxf3 problem in Delekta - Sieg, Germany 1 997, when for some reason Black avoided the obvious reply: 1 1 . . .g5! 1 2.lLlg6 We8 1 3.h4 :gf5 14.h5 lLl f8 1 5.f4 '2Jxg6 1 6.hxg6 gxf4 1 7.ixf4 Wxg6 1 8.ixh6?! Now 1 8 . . . :gd5! creates a large "SPLASH!", and after 1 9.'2Jf2 :gxd4 only Black can be seen above the surface.

Chapter 8 - 4 .ic4 - Mad Dog The critical move is 1 1 .0-0-0! when White has some initiative. This is the reason why Black ought to have committed to the exchange sacrifice one move earlier.

38 1

1 3.tlJh4? is even worse than before due to 1 3 . . . g5 14.tlJg6 '!We8 1 5 .h4 if5 when the knight will end up in Black's nets. 1 3.tlJh2!? was possible though.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

13 .. J�d8!? Black is preparing . . . c5, so White removes his queen from the d-file.

14.'1Wc2 g5 15.�h2 d5! 16.c5?! It was better to play 1 6.b3, though Black still has the advantage after 1 6 . . . e5 1 7.dxe5 dxc4.

16 � c4 17.0-0 e5! 18J�fdl Ylfe7 19.�hfl E:dffi 20.b3 �xe3 21 .fxe3 ib5!? ..•

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Black is a virtuoso with the ·bishops. h

In the spirit ofTarrasch, my first reaction to this move was something like "what the H ... is the knight doing there?" At the same time, although the knight is not perfectly placed on b6, it avoids obstructing the other black pieces. White has to spend a few moves getting his act together, during which time Black can develop his remaining pieces. I would instinctively prefer 1 1 . . .E:xf3! 1 2.gx£3 '!Wxf3 1 3.tlJg3 c5. 1he more I look at it, the more I like it. And the engine affirms that this is not just one of those instances where I got carried away with an exchange sacrifice that almost leads to compensation. White is in real trouble here.

12J:1cl?! id7 White has the sword of Damocles ( . . . E:x£3), constantly hanging over his head. Still, I have a hard time understanding Black's reluctance to take on £3.

13.�g3 This move makes it possible to meet 1 3 . . . E:x£3 1 4.gx£3 '!Wxf3?! with 1 5.ixh6.

A different approach was 2 1 . . .g4, when White cannot avoid 22.hxg4 ixg4 23.E:d2 h5 with a winning advantage for Black. Observe how helpless the knights are when they are uncoordinated and have no outposts.

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22.a4 .ixfl 23.�xfl exd4 24.exd4 E:f4 Black wins a pawn. The rest is simple.

25.'1Wg6 Ylfe4 26.'1Wxe4 E:xe4 27.�g3 E:xd4 28.E:el E:d3 29.c;f?h2 E:f2 30.c6 bxc6 31.E:xc6 E:dd2 32.E:gl i.e5 33.E:xh6 c;f?g7 34.E:e6 if4 35.h4 gxh4 36.c;f?h3 i.xg3 37.E:eel E:d3

382

The Modern Tiger

38.�g4 E:f4t 0-1 Black had a nice position from the opening, and 8 . . . d5 is a second option that looks fully satisfactory. Although Black ended up winning the game convincingly, he could have played even more strongly by executing the . . J:!:xf3 sacrifice at a favourable moment.

8.dxe5 lLlxe5 9 . .ib3 0-0 1 0.0-0-0 .ih5! This avoids exchanging the bishop after White's next move. l l .h3 Threatening to trap the bishop. l l . . .lt:Jxf3 1 2.gxf3 lt:J d7 1 3.1':!:hgl lt:J e5 1 4.1':!:g3 c6! This was recommended by Chernin and Alburt in Pirc Alert, and indeed Black seems to have a nice game.

We will now turn our attention to set-ups where White plays .ic4 and '1We2 while delaying lt:J f3.

Aloyzas Kveinys - Jon Speelman Moscow ( ol) 1 994

When I mention Speelman in the notes to this game, I am referring to his annotations for ChessBase Magazine.

l.e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.lt:Jc3 d6 4.i.c4 lt:Jf6! 5.'1We2 This move generally signals that White is ready to launch e4-e5, and the present case is no exception. What should Black do about it? When I find myself seriously troubled by this question, I usually pose a counter-question: what is the weakest point in my opponent's position?

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••.

This move is the safe positional alternative. In the next game we look at the chaotic 6 ... lt:Jg4.

7.tLlf3 White gains nothing from 7 . .ixf7t?! 'kt>xf7 8.e6t xf7 9.tLlg5t 'tt> g8 1 0.1M'c4t, which is Game Over.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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383

Mad Dog

white centre with . . .f6, thereby opening up the position for the bishops. A common mistake in this kind of position is 9 . . . dxe5?! 1 0.dxe5 tt:ld4 1 I .lLlxd4 1M'xd4, after which 1 2.f4! leaves Black in a horrible state, where not one single piece has anywhere to go. A good rule of thumb is to never exchange on e5 without having a clear follow-up.

10.0-0 White is planning if4, 1M'e3 and ih6. This would leave Black too passive, so it is time to put a stick in White's wheels.

10 h6! •.•

Preparing . . . �h7 and putting an end to the above plan. In some positions . . . g5 may prove annoying for White. 10 . . . tt:lxb3 1 l .axb3 if5 has been quite a common choice, but I find it completely illogical. Just what is the bishop doing on f5 ?

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In a later game in this chapter we will see White launching the bishop to b5, but here it is not much good: 8.ib5 0-0 9.ixc6 (or 9.if4?! dxe5 1 0.dxe5 tt:l d4 1 I .tt:lxd4 1M'xd4 1 2.ig3 if5 and Black is better) 9 . . . bxc6 1 0.0-0 f6 1 1 .exf6 exf6 White is fighting for equality.

Another logical continuation is: 1 1 .if4 tt:lxb3 1 2.axb3 Now Black is at an important juncture. 1 2 . . . g5! It would be a huge mistake to play 1 2 . . .f5?, since 1 3.h4! kills Black's counterplay. 1 2 . . . f6?! 1 3.e6 c6 1 4.g4? g5 1 5 .id2 f5 gave Black excellent play in Ciuksyte E. Hagesaether, Istanbul 2003. However, the prosaic 1 3.exd6! exd6 1 4.d5 would have given White a definite pull.

8 0-0 9.h3 ttla5 .•.

Just like in the Sicilian, this is something of a standard manoeuvre when the enemy bishop settles on b3. By eliminating this important piece, Black makes it possible to attack the a

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The Modern Tiger

384

1 3 ..ih2!?N 13 . .ixg5 ? hxg5 14.lt:Jxg5 f6! (It is unnecessary to allow 14 . . . .if5 1 5 .g4 .ig6 1 6.f4 .ih6 1 7.h4 with some fishy compensation for White.) 1 5 .exf6 exf6 1 6.lt:Je6 .ixe6 I 7JWxe6t Ei:f7 White does not have enough for the sacrificed piece. 1 3 . .ie3 c6 (It is also possible to play 1 3 . . . .if5 intending 14.Ei:fd l Wfd7, or 1 4.lt:Jel dxe5 1 5 .dxe5 lt:Jd5, with mutual chances in an unorthodox position.) 1 4.h4 g4 1 5 .lt:J h2 Wfd7?! ( 1 5 . . . h5! was necessary.) 1 6.exd6 exd6 1 7J\fe l Wfd8 Now in Demetrio Rain, email 2003, White could have played 1 8 . .if4 with a clear advantage; but see the improvements noted above for Black. 1 3 . . . f5 1 3 . . . .if5!? is another possible direction. 1 4.h4 g4 1 5.lt:Je l ! 1 5 .lt:Jd2?! f4! is promising for Black. Now the knight is heading for f4.

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(for instance with . . . lt:J c8-e7) , then White will suffer because of the passive bishop on h2.

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Speelman logically tries to open up the centre for his bishops. Another interesting possibility is: 1 2 .. .f5!? My friend Ludvig Sandstrom has tried this move twice in correspondence play, and he shared some of his analysis with me. 1 3.lt:Jg3 1 3.lt:Jc3 g5 leads to a complicated position where Black has a certain initiative. 1 3 . . . Wfe8

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1 5 . . . f4! 1 6.Wfe4 d5 16 . . . .if5!? 1 7.Wfxf4 .ixc2 1 8 .Wfxg4 .ixb3 is quite unclear too, although probably better for White. 1 7.'1Mfd3 f3 1 8 .gxf3 .if5 1 9 .Wfe3 gxf3 20.\t>h l e6 2 l .!'i:gl Wfxh4 22.lt:Jxf3 Wfh5 The engines initially favour White in this position, but I have analysed it a bit further and come to the conclusion that it is difficult for White to get anywhere. In fact, if Black is able to solve the problem of the passive knight

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14.c4 The later game continued: 1 4 ..id2 g5 1 5 .Ei:fe l f4 1 6.lt:Je4 .if5 1 7.c4 Wfg6 1 8 ..ib4

385

Chapter 8 - 4 .ic4 - Mad Dog 'Ll d7 This position must be fine for Black, whose two bishops and dynamic possibilities on the kingside easily outweigh White's central space. AB soon as the spearhead on e5 has to be exchanged, White will have little to show for giving up the bishop pair. 1 9.'Llc3 c6 20.'1Mfd2 a6 2 1 .exd6 exd6 22.�e2 �fe8 23.�ae 1 �xe2 24.'\MI'xe2 if8 25.ia3 a5 26.'1Mfd2 b6! A strong plan. b

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27.'1Mfd 1 '\MI'f7 28.'Lld2 Now in Lisetskaya Sandstrom, corr. 20 1 1 , Black could have obtained a strategically winning position with 28 . . . c5! 29.'Llde4 �e8, when the a3bishop will never see daylight again. Ludvig explained that in his state of "early-morning confusion" he simply played the moves in the wrong order, allowing White to equalize by playing b3-b4. 14 . . . g5 1 5 .�e 1 f4 1 6.'Lle4 'lMI'g6 1 7.'Llc3 if5 Black's pawn thrust on the kingside made room for easy development, in particular of the usually problematic light-squared bishop. The downside is that the queenside has been left somewhat vulnerable. 1 8.c5 This must be critical. Removing the black pawn from d6 makes it possible for White to maintain the spearhead on e5. Black now has to tread carefully. 1 8 . . . dxc5 1 9.dxc5 'Lld7 20.'Lld5 �ae8! Black has to abandon the queenside but he gets interesting counterplay.

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2 l .�xa7 Probably best. 2 1 .'1Mfc4 e6 22.'Llf6t 'Llxf6 23.exf6 ixf6 24.�xa7 id3 25 .'\MI'b4 e5 26.'\MI'xb7 e4 would be painful for White. After 2 1 .'Llxc7 �c8 22.'Ll d5 'lMI'e6 23.'Llc3 �xc5 24.'Ll d4 '\MI'g6 Black has the initiative 2 1 . ..c6 22.'Llb6 'Llxb6 23.cxb6 �b8 24.id2 id3 25 .'1Mfd 1 Now in Begliy - Sandstrom, corr. 2009, Black should have played: 25 . . . �fd8 The position is close to equal. (In the game Black played 25 . . .ic2?! and fell into some trouble.)

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After 1 3 .exf6 exf6 Black has no problem developing the rest of his pieces.

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13 ... fxe5 This is the logical follow-up to Black's last move. The resulting position is unclear and hard to handle for both sides, although I suspect that White should be a bit better somehow.

White has a clear space advantage with better centralization, and thus should not be looking to close the game. After 1 6 : �c3! he would have kept the better chances.

16 ltlf6 17.l2Jxf6t l'l:xf6 18.ltld4 i.b7?! ••.

Speelman mentions 14 ... 1Mfe8 and 14 . . . g5!? as alternatives. I still believe White should be better.

Here Black could have gained a small advantage with 1 8 . . . c5 1 9.1Mfe4! d5! (Speelman only gives 1 9 ... 2'l:b8, but he probably did not have access to a strong computer engine in those days) 20.lDc6 dxe4 2 1 .lDxd8 �xe6.

15.i.d2

19.i.c3!

After 1 5 .�e3 Speelman gives the attractive variation 1 5 ... b6 1 6.'1Wd2 �b7 1 7.�xh6 �xe4 1 8.�xg7 \t>xg7 1 9.lDg5 �f5 20.g4 lDxe5! 2 l .gxf5 (2 l .f4 lL\ f7 22.gxf5 lDxg5 23.1Mfd4t e5 leads to equality) 2 1 . . Jl:xf5 22.f4 l'l:xg5t 23.fxg5 '1Mfd7 when White's ropey kingside leaves Black with plenty of compensation for the exchange.

Now White is back on the road to converting his advantage, but the road is s.till full of pitfalls.

14.dxe5 ltld7!?

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It seems unnecessary to open up the position further for Black's bishop pair, but White is trying to avoid 20.lDc2 l'l:f4 when Black is doing all right.

•.•

20 .. .'?Nf8 21.ltlc2 c5!

Speelman is displeased with this move, but I believe his intuition was - for once - stronger than his analysis. Neither 1 5 . . . lDxe5 1 6.lDxe5 �xe5 1 7.�xh6, nor 1 5 . . . 2'l:xf3!? 1 6.'\Wxf3 l2'lxe5 17.1Mfe3, intending �c3 and f2-f4, is anywhere close to attractive for Black.

If you like Russian roulette, then 2 1 . . .l'l:xf4 22.2'l:xf4 1Mfxf4 23.�xg7 �xg7 is the variation for you. Black is in danger, but after 24.2'l:fl 1Mfg5 25 .2'l:f7t �g8 I cannot see anything clear for White.

16.e6?!

22.i.xf6!? 1Mfxf6 23.�abl

Chapter 8 - 4.i.c4 - Mad Dog My original suggestion of 23.b4 is not that great due to 23 . . . cxb4 24.tlJxb4 Wfxb2 25.tlJc2 Wff6 when Black seems to have enough counterplay.

23 .. J�f8 23 ... a5 can be met by 24.tlJa3! intending tlJ b5-c3-d5.

24.b4 tv5 25.�h2 White has no time to play 25.bxc5 ? because of 25 . . . ie4! 26.tlJe3 id4! when the bishops are close to reaching their critical mass.

but the bishops and two pawns are much stronger than the knight and rook. White's only trump is the e6-pawn, which can be used to attack the e7-pawn with :gf7 and, on a beautiful day, might turn into a queen. White also has to keep an eye on his weak b-pawn. It is reasonable to say that if White loses one more pawn he will probably lose the game as well.

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Speelman enters a promising endgame where his bishops are terribly strong.

26J:!:bel gxf4 27.tvxe4 gxe4 28.bxc5 :axc4 29.tl:!e3 Black is clearly better after 29.cxd6 :gxc2 30.:ggl exd6 3 1 .e7 ic6 32.e8=Wft ixe8 33.:gxe8t @f7 34.:ga8 ie5t 35.\!;hl aS (Speelman) . White can do little to stop Black from creating a passed pawn on the a-file, which will eventually promote.

29 ... :axc5

The smell of gunpowder is receding and it is time to evaluate the outcome of the battle so far. Materially speaking the position is equal,

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After 30.:gf7 :gc7 3 1 .:gef1 h5! Black is improving his position and White is almost in zugzwang, as every knight move is answered with . . . idS , winning the e6-pawn. The rest of the game is technique propaganda from Speelman. For those interested in the details, I recommend looking it up in either ChessBase Magazine or Mega Database.

30 ... ge5 31.tl:!c4 gg5 32.ge2 .idS 33.gf4!? b5 34.ctb6 i.b3 3S.tl:!d7? g5! 36.gxf5 gx5 37.�g3 i.c4 3S.:ae3 .id4 39.ga3 .ixe6 40.tl:!b8 i.e5t!? 41.�f2 �f7 42.tl:!c6 .ib2 43J::!:xa6 .idS 44.tl:!a7!? .ic3 45.tl:!xbS hb4 46J�al f4! 47.gcl i.cSt 48. �fl eS!? 49.tl:!c3 i.c6 so.gal? �e6 Sl.gbl .ia7 S2.gal .id4 S3.ga3 e4 S4.cte2 .ic5 S5.gb3 �eS S6.gb8

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Also quite optimistic is 6 . . . dxe5, when 7.dxe5 tt:lg4 8 .e6 (8.f4 tt:ld4 9.'1Wd1 .if5 1 0 ..id3 tt:l e6 1 1 ..ixf5 \Wxd 1 t 1 2.ltlxd1 gxf5 1 3.ltle2 f6 is fine for Black) 8 . . . tt:lge5!? (the only way to mix things up) 9.exf7t el flt 6I.i>e2 i>£4 62J�g8 .ig4t 63J�xg4t i>xg4 64.ttle4 i>h3 65.i>fl h5 66.ttlf6 i>xh4 67.ttle4 i>h3 68.ttlf6 h4 69.ttle4 i>h2 70.ttlf6 i>g3 7I.ttle4t i>£4 n.ttlxd6 h3 White resigned, as there is no defence against 'll11 'll11 . . . h2-h 1 = a t, followed by fl = a .

0-1 Looking back on the end of the opening phase, I have great trust in Ludvig Sandstrom, and if he has come to the conclusion that 1 2 .. .f5 is more promising than 1 2 . . . f6, then I would be inclined to follow in his footsteps.

Aloyzas Kveinys - Mikhail Gurevich Bonn 1 996

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.ttlc3 d6 4..ic4 ttlf6! 5.'V!Ye2 ttlc6 6.e5 �g4 There are two other sharp ways to tackle White's early aggression: 6 . . . tt:lxd4?! 7.exf6 tt:lxe2 8.fxg7 Ei:g8 9.ltlgxe2 has been played a few times, but the statistics confirm that White has an awesome attack with three pieces for the queen. I would never play like this.

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7 ..ib5 The aggressive but incorrect 7.e6? is seen in the next game.

7 ... 0-0 8 ..ixc6 bxc6 9.h3 ttlh6 10.�f3 c5 Opening up the position for the bishops is thematic, but it is quite possible that one of the alternatives is better. 1 0 . . . ltlf5!? 1 1 .g4 ( l l ..if4! a5 leads to a line covered under 1 0 . . . a5 below.) 1 l . . .dxe5 1 2.gxf5 exd4 1 3.tt:le4 .ixf5 with decent compensation for the piece. 1 O . . . Ei:b8!? at first seems a bit superficial, because it is not clear what the rook will achieve on the b-file. On the other side of the coin, it stops White from castling long. 1 1 .0-0 \Wd7!? ( l l . . .f5!? is an untested idea.) 1 2.Ei:e1 tt:lf5 1 3.g4 tt:l h6! ( 1 3 . . . dxe5!? 1 4.gxf5 exd4 1 5 .ltle4 Wxf5 1 6.tt:lg3 is far from clear, but I prefer White.) 14.ltld2 c5 1 5 .dxc5 dxe5 1 6.tt:lc4 f6 The game is unbalanced and rather exciting.

Chapter 8 - 4 .i.c4 - Mad Dog 1 0 . . . a5!? It is logical to activate the bishop on the a6fl diagonal. 1 1 .if4 lLl f5!? Black must find a solution to the problematic h6-knight. Opening up the centre is another way of doing just that: 1 1 . . .c5 1 2.dxc5 ia6 1 3 .Wid2 lLlf5 Now g2-g4 can be met by . . . ib7. 14.0-0-0 E!:b8 1 5 .g4 ib7 1 6.1Mie2 Wic8 Now in De Buhr - Guehl, corr. 1 99 1 , White could have obtained a clear advantage with 1 7.E!:he 1 ! ia8 1 8.E!:d3.

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1 6 . . . \Mid? 1 7.fxg6 Wif5! 1 8.lLlh2 Wih5!? 1 8 . . . \Mie6t l 9 .Wie3 1Mixe3t 20.fxe3 hxg6 and it is unclear if Black has enough for the pawn. 1 8 . . . c5!? 1 9.d5 Wih5 20.gxh7t �h8 is another possible direction. 1 9.gxh7t �h8 20.E!:g1 ih6 2 1 .Wid 1 Wixh3 22.lLlg4 E!:ad8 This line illustrates how things might go wrong for White, although improvements are possible of course. All things considered, there are many interesting paths from which Black may choose.

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1 2.g4 1 2.0-0-0 ia6 1 3 .Wid2 ib7 1 4.E!:he 1 c5 1 5 .d5 e6!? 1 6.dxe6 ixf3 1 7.exf7t E!:xf7 1 8.e6 E!:f8 1 9.gxf3 E!:b8 seems quite interesting from Black's perspective. 1 2 . . . dxe5 1 3.ixe5 ia6 1 4.\Mid2 f6! 1 4 . . . ih6 1 5 .g5 f6 1 6.gxh6 fxe5 17.0-0-0 is better for White. 1 5 .ixc7 1Mixc7 1 6.gxf5

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Having spent some time analysing this game, I consider 1 1 . . .a5! more promising. White should play 1 2.\Mie4!? ( 1 2.if4 ia6 1 3 .\Mie4 dxc5 is unclear) 1 2 . . . ia6 (preventing castling) 1 3 .ig5 dxe5 1 4.lLlxe5 lLlf5 1 5.lLld5 Wib8 1 6.b3 ixe5 1 7.\Mixe5 f6 1 8.\Mie6t E!:f7 1 9.ie3 ib7 when the position is hard to assess. I would advise you to have a closer look before playing this.

12.hl6 This move allows White to keep an extra pawn, but it makes life quite easy for Black. a

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Instead, much more dangerous is: 1 2.if4! E!:b8 (After 1 2 . . . \MicS 1 3.0-0-0 lLlf5 1 4.E!:he 1

The Modern Tiger

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dxc5 1 5 .g4! �xf3 1 6.Wfxf3 'Ll d4 1 7.Wfe4 White is better.) 1 3.0-0-0 �a8 This was Topakian - Van Wely, Arnhem 1 988, and now after the accurate 1 4J":i:he l !N 'Ll f5 1 5 .g4 Wfc8 1 6.:B:d3 I have not been able to find sufficient counterplay for Black.

Black could have obtained a nice position by means of:

12 ...�xh6 It is quite possible for similar structures with bishops versus knights to arise via other move orders, so I recommend having a look through the rest of the game even if you intend to play ... a5 on move 1 0 or 1 1 .

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1 9 . . . �a8! with ideas of . . . :B:b4 and . . . �xc3 .

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14 i.g7 15.tLle4?! •.•

Mikhail Gurevich is too strong to be afraid of 1 5 .exd6 exd6 1 6.cxd6. In his annotations he points out that Black has good compensation after both 1 6 . . . cxd6 and 16 . . . :B:e8!? 1 7.Wfd3 cxd6.

15 ...¥Ne8! A beautiful move that hints at . . . dxe5.

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Black poses the threat of . . .�xf3, followed by . . . :B:xb2. Another possibility was 1 3 . . . �g7.

14.:B:fdl!? The position after 1 4.exd6 cxd6 1 5 .cxd6 Wfxd6 illustrates what Black is hoping for. White's extra pawn is not doing much, and Black's bishop pair may become monstrously strong. GM Kveinys is an expert on the white side of this line, and in a later game he tried: 1 4.:B:ab 1 �g7 1 5 .exd6 exd6 ( 1 5 . . . cxd6! 1 6.:B:fd 1 �xc3 1 7.bxc3 �xf3 1 8.Wfxf3 :B:xb 1 1 9.:B:xb l dxc5 seems like a simple route to equality.) 1 6.cxd6 Wfxd6 1 7.:B:fe1 Wfc6 1 8.Wfe3 a5 1 9.Wff4 No'w in Kveinys - Keskinen, Jyvaskyla 200 1 ,

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After 1 6.cxd6 exd6! the e-pawn is pinned. White will have to endure a tough middlegame with knights against bishops, without an extra pawn for his trouble.

Chapter 8 - 4.i.c4 - Mad Dog

16 ...ti'c6 The alternative 1 6 . . . dxe5 was not exactly pleasing to the eye, but a pawn is a pawn is a pawn, and White would have to do something before being steamrolled by . . . h6, . . . f5 and . . . e4.

17.�c3 dxc5 Gurevich is critical of this move. Instead he advocates 1 7 . . . dxe5 1 8 .lLl d5 E:fe8, offering several variations implying that Black has the better chances. The silicon brain immediately comes up with 1 9. lLlg5!, intending 20.b5 '1Wxc5 2 1 . lLl e4 when Black loses his queen. I do not see a convincing reply for Black, so the move played is probably best after all. In the game Black is slightly better, but White is never in serious danger of losing.

1 8.b5 ti'e6 19.E:el E:fdS 20.:Sab l i.x£3 2 1 .ti'xf3 he5 22.ti'e3! hc3 23.ti'xc3 ti'd6 24.E:e5 c4 The position is absolutely equal after 24 . . . c6 25 .a4 cxb5 26.axb5 a6. For those who are interested, Gurevich annotated the rest of the game in ChessBase Magazine.

37.a4 :Sb2 38.:Se3 :Sal 39.:Sf3 :Saa2 40.:Sfxf7 :Sxg2t 41 .�hl :Sh2t 42.�gl :Sag2t 43.�fl :Sc2 44.�gl :Scg2t Since neither player can make progress, they agreed a draw. lh-lh

Since I have not been able to find an antidote against 12.if4 I suggest that you either test my recommendation l l . . . a5 or play as in Game 72 instead.

Eric Petit - Boris Chatalbashev Montpellier 2000

l.d4 g6 2.e4 J.g7 3.�c3 d6 4.J.c4 �f6 5.ti'e2 �c6 6.e5 �g4 7.e6? This used to be just another line, but subsequent developments have consigned it to the scrapheap.

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25.:Sbel e6 26.ti'xc4 :Sd7 27.:Sc5 ti'd2 28.:Se4 :Sbd8 29.ti'c3 ti'dl t 30.:Sel ti'd6 3 1 .:Sc6 ti'£4 32.ti'e5 ti'xe5 33.:Sxe5 :Sdl t 34. �h2 :S8d2 35J:�xc7 :Sxfl 36.:Sxa7 :Sxc2

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I used to be suspicious about the complications arising after this move, but now it seems that White is just worse. 7 . . . f5 leads to interesting play and was recommended in TM, but I see no reason to consider this move anymore; the game continuation is just too good not to be played.

The Modern Tiger

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s.YNxg4 White has two alternatives: 8.�d 1 ?! .ixe6 9 . .ixe6 fxe6 1 0.h3 ( I O.f3?! ctJ e5 1 l .�xd4 ctJxf3t 1 2.ctJxf3 .ixd4 1 3.ctJxd4 �d7 is close to winning for Black) I O . . . lt:Jxf2 1 1 . 'it>xf2 0-0t and Black has excellent compensation for the piece.

the evaluation ticking down towards minus one, I am starting to doubt whether it is really a question of healthy respect or just prejudice. I will leave it to the reader to form his own opinion. 1 0.exf7t 'it>f8 l l .�h4 d5! This is an important blow to the whole variation. The last move wreaks havoc on White's coordination.

8.exf7t 'it>f8 9.�d1 .if5 1 0 . .id3 �d7 1 l .ctJge2 .ixd3 1 2.cxd3 ( 1 2.�xd3 �f5 gives Black a huge advantage.) 1 2 . . . ctJxe2 1 3.�xe2 i>xf7 1 4.0-0 Now instead of 1 4 . . . lt:Je5, as in Horak - Pick, Czech Republic 2005, Black should have played 14 . . . !'1hf8!N with a clear advantage.

8 . . . t!hc2t

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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1 2 . .ixd5 1 2.ctJxd5? c6 1 3 . .ih6 was played in Fontana - Rog. Fischer, Frankfurt 2002, and here 1 3 . . . ctJ c2N 1 4.�f4 �d6! 1 5 ..ixg7t i>xg7 1 6.�xd6 exd6 1 7.ctJc7 !'1b8 would have won easily for Black. 1 2 . . . c6! 1 3 . .ih6 ctJc2! 1 4 . .ie4 lt:J d4! Black was better and went on to win in Isonzo - Belotti, Mantova 1 996. a

9.f8, but the position after l l .�h4 is more complicated to deal with than the position in the game .

IO.YNe2 White's alternatives are not much to brag about: After 1 0.�h4? ctJxa1 I I ..ih6 .if6!, followed by . . . c6 and . . . b5 (or . . . d5) Black is winning.

Chapter 8 - 4.i.c4 - Mad Dog Black has fabulous compensation after 1 0.i.b5t c6!? ( l O . . . Wf8 1 1 .Wi'h4 tLlxa1 12.�h6 �xe6 is also clearly better for Black) 1 l .Wi'a4 tLld4 12.�d3 b5 1 3.Wi'a3 Wi'b6 14.tLlce2 tLlxe6, when it is not a happy day for the white king.

lO ... CLlxal White is already losing, because there is nothing to be done when the pawns come charging. What? Where? You don't have to wait long for it.

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1 5 b3! 16.a3 'Llc2 17.'Llf3 Ei!b8 18.i.cl VMd5 ..•

1 8 . . . 0-0 1 9.h4 Ei:f6 is also perfectly adequate.

19.CLJg5 0-0 20.£4 h6 And White had had enough.

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Another way to go is 1 1 .tLlf3 c6 1 2.tLlg5 . Now i n Harman - Stirling, London 200 1 , the accurate 1 2 . . . 0-0! 1 3.tLlf7 Wi'a5 1 4.tLlh6t �xh6 1 5 .�xh6 b5 followed by . . . b4 would have been winning.

l l c6 12.�cl b5! 13.i.d3 b4! •..

Black's play is blunt but effective.

14.'Lldl VMa5 15.�bl

I started this chapter by stating that I never used to know a lot of theory about these lines, and that not much has happened since then. To this day, I still only have the vaguest idea of what 'theory' says. On the other hand, I do know most of the relevant positional themes, and use them as lighthouses that show me the way.

Conclusion The ideas featured in the first five games of the chapter are by far the most dangerous for the Black player. That is to say that if �c4 is on White's agenda, he does best to combine it with an early tLlf3 rather than tLl c3. In such positions, the early e4-e5 advance can always be met by . . . dxe5 and . . . tLld5, but sometimes Black prefers the more ambitious knight retreat to e8. In the last five games Black has fewer problems. Certainly the lines involving a well­ timed . . . tLlxe4 fork trick turn out nicely. When White avoids this with 5 .Wi'e2 tLlc6 6.e5, both 6 . . . tLl d7 and 6 . . . tLlg4 have a solid theoretical reputation, but I prefer the latter since it is more complicated.

Chapter 9 Fianchetto (In Excelsis) l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.�c3 d6 4.�ge2 �d7! 5 .g3 c5 6.�g2 - 4.g3 ttJ d7 5. �g2 c5 6. tDge2

5.h3! Game 79

413

4... �c6!? Game 80 4... �d7 5 ..ig2 c5 6.lLlge2 �gf6 7.0-0 0-0 8.d5!? Game 78 8.h3 �b8 9 ..ie3 b6! IO.Wfd2 Game 75 9.a4 b6 IO ..ie3 a6 Game 76 IO ..ig5!? a6 Game 77

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Game 75 - after 9.�e3

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Notes to Game 77 - after 1 5 .li:\de2

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409 397 402 406

Game 77 - after 1 8 .Wb4?!

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Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis) Yes, please come and join the choir. We have not yet seen the end of the mass emigration towards the fianchetto systems in the Indian openings, and for a 1 .e4 player jealously eyeing the development on the other side of the fence, this is as close to the real thing as one can get. Still, the Fianchetto System against the Modern does not annoy me anywhere near as much as it does in the King's Indian. In the latter case White can often press without taking any real risks, but the same can hardly be said in the present chapter. When reading through some theoretical works on the Pirc/Modern, it is easy to get the impression that Black can get away with almost anything against White's Fianchetto System, but this is a long way from the truth. In the popular line with l .e4 g6 2.d4 il.g7 3.l2k 3 d6 4.g3 lt'l f6 5.il.g2 0-0 6.lt'lge2 e5 7.h3

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White can try to confuse Black with 3.g3!?, intending 3 ... d6 4.il.g2 lt'lf6 5.ttJe2, possibly followed by c2-c4. A less cooperative course of action for Black is: 3 . . . d5!? (3 . . . c5 is another good idea.) 4.e5 c5 5.c3 lt'lc6 8

7 6

·-. .%� � ,.. ••% · ""' % ; . ,., %� � %� � ��f%��� � i if� �� �-if�- - ?,� � - - ?,� • � � � � 0""%. � � ?, lwri" wt:J"" ?,W[f "'?,W.'0, . �'{0'd""\'"/2"" .i �.i.�· �A)) �_i

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6.il.g2 il.f5 7.a3 '1Wa5 8.ttJe2 cxd4 9.b4 '1Wa6 1 O.cxd4 lt'lxb4 ( 1 O . . . e6 also looks good for Black.) 1 1 .0-0 e6 12.ttJbc3 ttJc6 1 3.ttJf4 '1Wc4. In Strikovic - Azmaiparashvili, Candas 1 992, White did not have enough compensation for the pawn.

3 ... d6 4.tLlge2!?

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Black can choose between two main setups, one of them involving . . . exd4, . . . E!:e8 and . . . lt'l c6, the other featuring . . . c6 and . . . lt'la6. Each of these options has a decent theoretical reputation, but I do not like either of them, as I prefer to aim for a Sicilian pawn structure rather than a Philidor one. With a little help from the likes of Khalifman, Gulko and Tkachiev, I will try to convince you that this is both possible and promising.

l.e4 g6 2.d4 il.g7 3.tiJc3

This move order is somewhat trickier than 4.g3, since it leaves Black guessing as to what will come next. After 4.g3 Black has the extra option of 4 . . . lt'l c6!? (Game 80), but now this would be wrong since White can avoid the fianchetto with 5.il.e3 or 5.il.g5 (!), in which case the knight would be misplaced on c6.

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The Modern Tiger

4 )tJd7! .•

I would love to play 4 ... a6 here, but I am a bit worried about: 5.a4! b6 (Otherwise a4-a5 gives White a queenside clamp.) 6.g3! tt:ld7 7 ..ig2 E:b8!? (After 7 ... .ib7 8.0-0 c5 9.d5 Black will find it difficult to play . . . b5.) 8.d5!? Intending tt:l d4. If Black instead tries to play a Hippo set-up, White gets the advantage by playing d4-d5, answering . . . e5 with f2-f4. Another possibility is 4 ... tt:l f6, but in that case you will have to be willing to play a Pirc position after 5 . .ie3 e5 6.f3.

5.g3 White can also try 5 ..ie3, but in that case 5 ... a6! makes better sense than on the previous move, since after 6.a4 b6 7.g3 tt:lgf6! 8 . .ig2 E:b8! 9.h3 c5 Black is back on track. Instead of 6.a4, White can play 6.g3 b5 7 ..ig2 .ib7 8.0-0, when many moves have been tried. Chernin once played 8 . . . c6 in this position, but I prefer Chepukaitis's 8 . . . c5 9. iMf d2 E:c8 when Black is fine.

s ...c5 6 ..tg2 After 6 . .ie3, adventurous players can try 6 . . . tt:lgf6!? 7.dxc5 tt:l g4 8.cxd6 tt:lxe3 9.fXe3 iMfb6 with compensation for the pawn, but there is also a safe option in 6 . . . b6 7 ..ig2 E:b8 with similar play to the main line.

6 ... tLlgf6 7.0-0 7.h3!? should be answered with 7 ... E:b8!, rather than 7 ... 0-0 when 8 ..ie3 is slightly awkward for Black, since 8 . . . b6? 9.e5 loses the exchange. I am surprised that there are so few games where White has tried this move-order trick.

7... 0-0 8.h3 White prepares to put the bishop on e3, and it is time for Black to come up with a plan.

8 .. J�b8

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This position is covered in the first three games of the chapter. (In the second game the move order is slightly different, but it comes to the same thing in the end) . Over the course of the chapter we will see the following plans for both sides.

Black postpones ... cxd4 (Game 75) This provocative treatment led to a comfortable position for Black in our first game, but the key question is how to evaluate the position after White blocks the centre with d4-d5 on move 12 or 1 3 . White attacks with g4-g5 (Game 76) Boris Gulko is the star of this variation, but his treatment in this game was not the most accurate. Still, the game contains plenty of instructive points. See the notes to Black's 1 3th move for my suggested improvements.

White plays .tgS and tiJdS (Game 77) This is an important plan to consider, but Alexander Khalifman shows a good way to meet it.

White meets ... cS with d4-d5 (Game 78) The Benoni structure is covered in my game against Naiditsch. One of White's most important plans is to prepare b2-b4, but we will see that Black has enough resources to deal with it.

Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

397

White plays 4.tl:lge2 followed by h2-h3 and g2-g4 (Game 79) Allan Stig Rasmussen played this rather challenging plan against me. White hopes to gain a tempo over Game 76 by playing g2-g4 in one move rather than two. The most accurate reply for Black is 5 . . . a6!, as given in the notes.

Black meets 4.g3 with 4 ttlc6!? (Game 80) .•.

I include this game to present an alternative set-up for those of you who feel adventurous.

Drazen Sermek - Vladislav Tkachiev Pula 1 999

l .e4 d6 The Pirc move order in this and the next game does not change anything in the long run. I usually play l .e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3.ttJc3 d6 4.g3 ttJ d7 followed by . . . c5 before moving the g8-knight, but there is nothing wrong with 4 . . . ttJf6, which can lead to the same position as in this game.

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l l .dxe5 dxe5 1 2.Wc l l'!e8 1 3 . .ih6 ttJ c5 1 4 . .ixg7 c;f;>xg7 Black had a slight advantage in Tregubov - McNab, Gibraltar 2005. I could write much more about this line, but my general impression has not changed since I wrote Tiger's Modern, and I still believe Black can obtain a good game by following this simple recipe: play . . . b6 and . . . .ib7, and if White is ambitious and plays d4-d5, then . . . a5, . . . ttJc5 and . . . c6 will make White regret putting the knight on f3. b) 7.e5 dxe5 8.dxe5 lt:lg4 9.e6

2.d4 tl:lf6 3.ttJc3 g6 4.g3 i.g7 5.i.g2 0-0 5 . . . lt:l bd7?! loses control over the g4-square, allowing 6 . .ie3 0-0 7.h3 when it is hard for Black to carry out . . . c5. He can play 7 . . . e5 instead, but after 8.lt:lge2 we reach a position outside of my recommended repertoire.

6.ttJge2 Also rather common is 6.ttJf3, when after 6 . . . lt:lbd7 White has two important options: a) 7.0-0 e5! This set-up is quite good when White puts the knight on f3 rather than on e2. 8.l'!el b6 9.a4 a5 (9 . . . a6 is another way to handle the a4-a5 idea.) I O . .id2 .ib7

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9 . . . lt:l de5! Now both 1 0.Wxd8 l'!xd8 l l .ttJxe5 ttJxe5 1 2.exf7t xf7 and 1 0.ttJxe5 Wxd l t l l .ttJxdl lt:lxe5 1 2.exf7t lt:lxf7 are all right for Black, albeit slightly drawish. These are the kinds of positions I try to avoid by playing . . . ttJ d7 and . . . c5 before . . . lt:l f6.

6 &Llbd7 •.•

The Modern Tiger

398

to play . . . Wc7 in these positions, but that has fallen out of grace - for good reasons, as the queen will be vulnerable to all kinds of lt:ld5 tricks.

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In the event that White plays 7.h3 It IS important to avoid 7 . . . c5, since 8 . .te3 more or less forces Black to exchange on d4, leaving White with a distinct advantage. Instead 7 . . . :B:b8! works fine, when 8 . .te3 (8.lt:lb5?! c5! 9.lt:lxa7?? Wa5t) 8 ... b6 9.d5 lt:l e5 1 0.lt:ld4 .tb7 1 1 .0-0 Wd7! followed by . . . c5 is balanced. This is another line that can be avoided with the 4 . . . lt:ld7 move order. Another option is 7 ..te3, when once again 7 . . . :B:b8! seems to be best. After 8.0-0 b6 9.d5!? (other moves lead to the main lines) 9 . . . .tb7 1 0.lt:ld4 lt:l e5 1 l .f4 lt:l c4 12.-tc l lt:l a5! Black is doing fine.

7... c5 8.h3 :B:b8! This multipurpose move prepares to launch the b-pawn and simultaneously evacuates the rook from the a8-h 1 diagonal. In this kind of position Black should generally avoid . . . cxd4 until after . . . b5 (or . . . b6) , so that lt:lxd4 can be answered by . . . .tb7. Instead after 8 . . . cxd4 9.lt:lxd4 it is harder for Black to play . . . :B:b8 and advance the b-pawn, since the d4-knight is hovering like a fork­ carrying devil over the c6-square. In general, the exchange on the d4-square also enables the white pieces to breathe more easily. In the good old days it was not uncommon for Black

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White has quite a wide choice here. 9.a4 is seen in the next game. 9.dxc5 lt:lxc5 There is a certain logic to this exchange, as White hopes that the knight will somehow not be so well placed on c5 . We'll see about that. 1 0 . .te3 1 0.lt:ld4 is the only line where Black is prevented from playing . . . b6 and . . . .tb7, but 1 0 . . . .td7! works out just as well. A possible continuation is: 1 1 .:B:e 1 Wc8!? 1 2.h2 :B:e8!N ( 1 2 . . . b5 allowed White to seize the initiative with 1 3.lt:ld5 in Ptak - M. lvanovic, Prague 2007.) Now one spectacular line goes 1 3.f4 lt:la4 1 4.lt:lxa4 e5!? 1 5 .lt:l e2 .txa4 1 6.lt:lc3 .tc6 1 7.Wxd6 lt:lh5 1 8 ..tf3 exf4 1 9 .gxf4 .txc3! 20.bxc3 lt:lg7 with excellent chances for Black. 1 0 . . . b6 1 1 .g4 .tb7 1 2.lt:lg3 White is playing according to the master plan of the Fianchetto System, but it is just not good enough here.

399

Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

IO.'%Yd2 The aggressive 1 0.f4 was defused by 1 0 . . . cxd4 1 l .i.xd4 i.b7 1 2.tt:Jd5 e5 1 3.tt:Jxf6t tt:Jxf6 14.fxe5 tLlxe4 1 5 .exd6 '1Mfxd6 1 6.i.xg7 xg7 1 7.'1Mfxd6 lLlxd6 and Black emerged with a slight pull in Prandstetter - Ftacnik, Pardubice 1 998.

IO ... !'i:e8!? a

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1 2 . . . tt:Jfd7 1 3.'1Mrd2 tLl e5 This move forces b2-b3, but does not otherwise improve Black's position. More promising is 13 .. J'k8!?, intending 14.i.h6 i.xh6 1 5 .'1Mrxh6 b5! 14.b3 !'i:c8 1 5 .tLlb5 a6 1 6.tLld4 tLl c6 1 7.c3 '1Mrc7 1 8.i.h6 i.xh6 1 9.'1Mfxh6 e5 Black eventually got the better of this unclear position in Luecke - Khalifman, Germany 1 998.

9 . . b6! .

Black overprotects c5 and prepares . . . i.b7 or even ... i.a6. The impatient 9 . . . b5?! is strongly met by 1 O.e5! ( 1 O.dxc5 b4! 1 1 .tLla4 '1Mra5 1 2.c4 dxc5 1 3.f4 is a little better for White too) 1 0 . . . dxe5 1 l .dxc5 b4 1 2.tt:Jd5! i.a6 1 3.!'i:e 1 when the c5-pawn, supported by the strong bishop pair, will become a huge headache for Black.

With this ambitious move, Black intends to avoid the exchange of dark-squared bishops, as i.h6 can now be met by . . .i.h8. A good alternative is: 1 0 . . . cxd4 1 l .i.xd4 1 1 .tLlxd4 i.b7 1 2.i.h6 i.xh6!N 1 3.'1Mfxh6 b5 1 4.a3 '1Mrb6 is nice for Black. 1 1 . . . a6!N This is the simplest way for Black to get counterplay. Instead 1 l . . .i.b7 1 2.g4 a6 1 3.a4 is quite unclear 1 2 .g4 b5! 12 ... h6!? is playable too, but Black has nothing to fear on the kingside.

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1 3 .g5 tLlh5 1 4.i.xg7 1 4.i.f3 tLl e5 1 5 .i.xh5 gxh5 1 6.i.xe5 i.xe5 1 7.f4 i.h8 1 8 .h2 i.b7 1 9.a3 !'i:c8 should be a bit better for Black. 14 . . . tt:Jxg7 1 5 .f4 i.b7 Black is active and has nothing to complain about.

The Modern Tiger

400

u JUel White has two main set-ups at his disposal. The first involves overprotecting the d5-square (to stop Black from going . . . cxd4, ... e5 and . . . d5) and then expanding on the kingside with f2-f4, g3-g4, lt::l g3, g4-g5 and maybe h4-h5. The downside of this plan is that it is slow and Black has time to start a counterattack on the queenside with . . . b5. The second set-up involves playing useful moves like h2 and 13fd 1 , waiting for the moment when Black will lose patience and exchange on d4. In the resulting position White plans lt::l c3-d5 with a small advantage. Black should not worry too much about this, although he can always keep in mind the possibility of ... e6 to eliminate the lt::l d 5 plan altogether. 1 1 .a4 a6 leads to a position analysed in the next game. One of the more recent encounters in this line continued: 1 1 .13ad 1 cxd4 1 2.lt::l xd4 ib7 1 3 .13fe 1 a6 14.lt::l d 5?! This is dealt with in an instructive manner. 8 7 6

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8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 l l. .ib7?!

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1 9 .WI'f2 b5 20.13d2 lt::l f6 2 1 .13ed 1 Wl'd7 22.lt::l a5 ia8 23.ifl Wl'c7 24.lt::l c6 ixc6 25.dxc6 d5 26.a4 Wl'xc6 Black went on to convert his advantage in Vianin - Abbasov, Calvia 20 1 0.

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Playing this move before . . . cxd4 in such positions generally invites White to play d4-d5 .

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1 4 . . . e5! 1 5 .lt::l b 3?! ( 1 5 :lt::l xf6t lt::l xf6 1 6.lt::l b3 he4 1 7. Wl'xd6 WI c8 gives Black some initiative, but this was the lesser evil.) 1 5 . . . lt::l xd5 1 6.exd5 f5 1 7 .f4 13c8 1 8.c3 e4 Black is doing well, as there is no way for White to get his knight to e6 or c6 under favourable circumstances.

The normal continuation would be 1 1 . . .a6 1 2.a4 cxd4 1 3.ixd4 ib7 1 4.13ad 1 Wl'c8! (not 14 . . . ic6?! 1 5 .e5! dxe5 1 6.ixc6 exd4 1 7.lt::l xd4 Wl'c7 1 8.ig2 when the light squares have been seriously weakened) intending . . . ic6 and . . . b5 with interesting counterplay.

40 1

Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis) 8

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An important point is that 1 5 .lt:ld5?! can be met in the same manner as in the Vianin Abbasov game shown above: 1 5 . . . e5! 1 6 . .ie3 lt:lxd5 1 7.exd5 f5 (or 1 7 . . .'1Wc7!?) and Black is doing well.

12.a4 In the next two games White plays this a few moves earlier, but it does not make much of a difference, since White has nothing to gain from avoiding it forever. The critical continuation is: 1 2.d5!? Trying to exploit the fact that Black has played . . . .ib7 (losing control of b5) and . . . 1"i:e8 (blocking the . . . lt:l e8-c7 manoeuvre) . Despite these handicaps, Black is not doing badly after: 1 2 . . . a6! In Tiger's Modern I was a bit too optimistic about 1 2 . . . .ia6?!. The reality is that after 1 3.a4! .ixe2 1 4JWxe2 it will be hard for Black to achieve . . . a6 and . . . b5. 1 3.a4 .ic8! 1 3 . . . b5 14.axb5 axb5 1 5.lt:lxb5 .ixd5 1 6.exd5 1"i:xb5 1 7.b3 is a little better for White, although we are still playing for all three results. 1 4.f4! White has to watch out, so as not to fall for 1 4.1"i:ab l lt:le5! 1 5 .b3? .ixh3!.

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1 4 . . . b5 Black has lost two tempos with his bishop, yet he still seems to do all right. 1 5 .axb5 axb5 1 6.b4! This is clearly the most dangerous idea at White's disposal. 1 6 . . . lt:l b6!? 1 6 . . . cxb4 1 7.lt:la2 lt:l b6 1 8 ..id4 lt:l c4 1 9.�d3 .ib7 20.lt:lxb4 e5 is also unclear. 17.�d3 lt:lc4 1 8 .bxc5 lt:l b2 1 9 .�d2 lt:l c4 20.�cl b4 We have arrived at Chaos. Obviously this can be avoided by playing . . . cxd4 before developing the bishop to b7.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

12 ... a6!?

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Black continues to invite his opponent to play d4-d5, possibly thinking "If he hasn't done it yet, he probably won't do it now".

The Modern Tiger

402

13.h2 1 3.d5 is similar to 1 2.d5 above. Today I would not hesitate to play such a move with White, nor would I fear it with Black. It is one of those types of positions I would be happy to play with either colour.

Despite my comment about not fearing the pawn structure after the d4-d5 advance, on balance I would generally prefer to play . . . cxd4 before developing my bishop to b7, since the latter invites d4-d5 under more favourable circumstances for White. In the next game Black does not allow this option.

13 ... b5 Since White has no pressure on the d-file, Black can even play 1 3 . . . cxd4 14.ixd4 e6! (stopping tLld5) 1 5 .:B:ad l if8 with an excellent game.

Wijk

14.axb5 axb5 1 5J!a7

8 7 6

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l.e4 d6 2.d4 c\lJ£6 3.tiJc3 g6 4.g3 i.g7 5.i.g2 0-0 6.c\lJge2 tiJbd7 7.h3 E!:bS! Let me repeat that one should avoid 7 . . . c5?! due to 8 .ie3!, when Black is forced to take on d4 in order not to allow dxc5 and e4-e5.

8.a4 c5 9.i.e3 b6 10.0-0 a6

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Here the players somewhat prematurely agreed to a draw. The game could have continued 1 6.tLld5 'Wc8!? when I would prefer Black's side. The dramatic 1 5 . . . tLl b6!? is not as good as I originally thought because of 1 6.:B:xb7! :B:xb7 1 7.e5 dxe5 1 8.dxc5! :B:d7 1 9 .'Wcl tLlc4 20.c6 :B:c7 2 1 .tLlxb5 :B:c8 22.tLl ec3 with good compensation for White. The engine's suggestion of 1 5 ... 'Wc8! is interesting, when 1 6.tLld5 tLlxd5 1 7.exd5 tLlb6 1 8 .dxc5 tLl c4 1 9.'Wd3 dxc5 20.b3 tLl d6 leads to a dynamically balanced position with everything still to play for. V2-V2

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Karel van der Weide - Boris Gulko

l l .g4 ib7 ( l l . . .cxd4 1 2.ixd4 h6 is another possibility.) 1 2.tLlg3 ( 1 2.g5 tLlh5!? 1 3.f4?! cxd4

403

Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis) 1 4.hd4 e5 1 5 .fxe5 llJxe5 is great for Black.) 1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3.hd4

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Now in Al Sayed - lzoria, Dubai 2003, Black should have played 13 ... h6!N with a good position, rather than 1 3 . . JWc7?! 1 4.g5 llJ e8 1 5.llJd5 hd5 1 6.exd5 which favoured White slightly.

1 6.f5!N This should be enough to put Black out of business. A possible line is: 16 . . . ie5 17.fxg6 fxg6 1 8.llJe6 '\WeB 1 9.'1Wf2 llJ hf8 20.llJd5 llJxe6 2 1 .'1Wf7t �h8 22.'1Wxg6 llJ df8 23.'1Wxh5t �g8 24.E:f2 Black has no defence against the plan of E:afl , '\Wf7t and E:f4-h4.

l l cxd4! ...

Black can play l l . . .ib7, but after 1 2.g4 there is nothing better than 1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3.hd4 b5 leading to the main game. Black can play in a similar vein to Sermek Tkachiev with: l l . . .E:e8 However, White can try going on the attack. 1 2.g4!? h5?! In Tiger's Modern I wrote that "I was highly suspicious about this move", and my feeling has since been confirmed with some help from the electronic magician. Black should prefer 12 . . . cxd4 1 3.ixd4! when the . . . E:e8 move has lost some of its meaning, but 1 3 . . . ib7 14.llJg3 h6 1 5 .f4 e5 1 6.fxe5 llJxe5 1 7.b3 still leads to an unbalanced game. 1 3.g5 llJh7 1 4.f4 cxd4 1 5 .llJxd4 ib7 This position has been reached in a couple of games. In Tiger's Modern I concentrated on 1 6.e5!? as played in Djurhuus - Van Wely, Tunja 1 989, but a more damaging move is:

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White is planning g3-g4(-g5), llJe2-g3, f2-f4 and so on. After 1 2.llJxd4 ib7 1 3 .ih6 ixh6 1 4.'\Wxh6 llJ c5 1 5.E:fe l there is nothing wrong with a move like 1 5 . . . E:ac8, but in the following game, Black found a more forcing way to handle the situation: 1 5 . . . e5 1 6.llJ£3 llJ cxe4 1 7.llJxe4 he4 1 8 .llJg5 ixg2 1 9.'it>xg2

The Modern Tiger

404

Another interesting move is 1 3 . . . h6N intending 1 4.f4 ( 1 4.lLlg3 !'!:c8 1 5 .lLl d5 'it>h7 is unclear) 14 . . . b5 1 5 .axb5 axb5 1 6.b4 e5 17 ..ia7 !'!:c8 1 8.Vffxd6 exf4 1 9.Vffxf4 with a rather complicated position. The engine prefers White, but I take the opposite view:

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1 9 . . . 1"!:e8 20.1"!:e4 Vffe7 (20 . . . 1"!:c8 2 1 .1"!:h4 !'!:xc2 22.lLlxh7 lLlxh7 23.Vffxh7t �f8 is slightly better for Black, but 2 l .c3 could be an improvement.) 2 1 .1"!:h4 Vfff8 22.lLlxh7 Vffxh6 23.lLlxf6t �g7 24.lLlxe8t !'!:xeS 25.1"!:xh6 'it>xh6 26.1"!:dl and the position was approximately equal in Milov - Agrest, Villarrobledo 200 1 .

12 ...i.b7 13.g4

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1 9 . . . lLl b6!? 20.Vfff2 (20.1"!:ad l lLlfd7 2 1 .1"!:f2 lLla4 22.lLlxa4 bxa4 23 ..ic5 !'!:xc5 24.bxc5 Vffc8 and Black has good compensation.) 20 . . . lLl fd7 2 I ..ixb6 Vffxb6 22.1"!:a7 .ic6 The evaluation is tipping in Black's direction.

14.axb5 axb5 15 . .!Llg3?! Now Black gets a second chance at equality.

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The evaluation of this move depends on what you think about the lines after 1 5 .g5! in the notes below. It seems to me that Black is, at best, taking an unnecessary risk with the game continuation. My own preference is for 1 3 . . . lLlc5 1 4.lLlg3 lLl e6!?N 1 5 . .ie3 b5 1 6.axb5 axb5 1 7.lLlxb5 d5!? with unclear consequences.

Critical is: 1 5 .g5! lLl h5 After 1 5 . . . b4!? 1 6.lLla2 lLlxe4! 1 7 . .ixe4 .ixe4 1 8 . .ixg7 'it>xg7 1 9.Vffd4t e5 20.Vffxe4 Vffxg5t 2 l .Vffg4 Vffxg4t 22.hxg4 !'!:fc8 Black has some compensation for the piece, but he can most likely forget about winning. 1 6 ..ixg7! 1 6.lLlxb5 allows a promising idea from the Silicon Monster: 1 6 . . . .ixd4!? ( 1 6 . . . .ixe4 leads to the main line after 1 6 . .ixg7) 1 7.lLlbxd4 lLl c5 1 8.lLlc3 e5 1 9.lLlde2 f5 20.gxf6 !'!:xf6 2 l .b3 lLl e6 22.1"!:fd l lLlef4 23.lLlxf4 lLlxf4 24 . .ifl !'!:f7 25.Vff e3 !'!:c8 Black has excellent compensation for the pawn. 1 6 . . . lLlxg7 1 7.lLlxb5 .ixe4 1 8 ..ixe4 !'!:xb5 1 9.lLld4

Chapter 9

-

Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

Black is under some pressure, and is forced to go fishing in murky waters with the following exchange sacrifice:

405

16 ....ixd5 Believe it or not, this seems to be a mistake. I would surely have played it mysel£ The thematic 1 6 . . . e5? does not work here due to 1 7 . .ia7!. The computer suggests 16 ... tt:lxd5 1 7 . .ixg7 ( 1 7.exd5 .ixd4 1 8 .'1Mfxd4 '\Mfb6 is fine for Black) 1 7 . . . tt:le3! 1 8 .'1Mfxe3 �xg7 with mutual chances.

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1 9 . . . tt:lc5! 20.tt:lxb5 tt:lxe4 2 1 .'\Mff4 2 1 .'1Mfe3?! d5 22.tt:ld4 e5 23.tt:lf3 tt:lf5 gives Black excellent compensation. 2 l . . .d5 22.c4 22.E!:fd 1 tt:l e6 23.'1Mfxe4?! dxe4 24.E!:xd8 E!:xd8 25 .h4 E!:d2 is fine for Black. 22 . . . tt:le6 23.'1Mfe3 tt:l4xg5 24.f4 tt:le4 25 .E!:ad1 tt:lf6 The engines favour White, but Black has a pawn for the exchange and a safer king, so anything may happen.

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Mter 1 6.tt:lce2 tt:lc5! Black has lots of activity and is doing well.

My favourite move of all is 1 6 . . . b3!, intending to weaken White's queenside pawns before deciding how to proceed in the centre.

17.exd5 tt:lc5 18.E!fel In Tiger's Modern I wrote that Black is doing all right after 1 8.E!:a7 tt:l fd7 1 9 . .ixg7 c;t>xg7, but I failed to notice that the b-pawn can turn out to be weak in the endgame after 20.b3! '1Mfb6 2 1 .E!:fa1 E!:b7 22.E!:xb7 '1Mfxb7 23.tt:le2, when the plan of tt:ld4-c6 puts Black under some pressure.

18 ...�c7 19.E!e2 e5 20.dxe6 tt:lxe6

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22 . . . WI'd8 23.ltJ e4 :§',f7 24.8'.xf7 mxf7 25.tt::l g5t We7 26.WI'e3 Wl'c8 27.�xf6t �xf6 28.WI'a7t Wl'd7 29.WI'xb8 �xg5 30.WI'xb4 Wl'a7 White is clearly better, although Black can probably hold with accurate defence.

21 ...d5 Now Black has everything in order.

22.B:a7 B:b7 23.B:xb7 Wl'xb7 24.ih6 ixh6 25J1Nxh6 Vfffc7 26.Vffd2 Vffff4

next. The real question is how to evaluate the position after 1 0.dxc5 tt::l xc5 l l .a5 b5 1 2.axb6 Wl'xb6 1 3 .�e3 Wl'c7, Frolov - Golovchenko, St Petersburg 2004, and now 1 4.8'.a2N. On one hand Black's structure is a bit weak, but the pressure on e4, in combination with the additional space on the queenside, might just about make up for that. If the reader is happy with this position, then he may prefer the 9 . . . a6 move order.

In this level position a draw was agreed. Despite being a relatively short draw, the game proved to be an exciting one when analysed in depth. l/2-lfz

From a theoretical point of view, the critical moment of this game occurred when Black played 1 3 . . . b5?!. Such moves are often played on an intuitive basis, but sometimes your intuition does not take all sides into account. On this occasion it was hard to spot 1 5 .g5! followed by 1 9.tt::l d4. Now that you know about this theme, I expect you to be able to avoid it.

Konstantin Aseev - Alexander Khalifman

IO a6 •••

Vilnius 1 997

l.e4 d6 2.d4 tlJf6 3.l£1c3 g6 4.g3 ig7 5.ig2 0-0 6.tlJge2 tlJbd7 7.0-0 c5 8.h3 B:b8 9.a4 This is by far the most common move, stopping . . . b5 and giving White the chance to deploy the dark-squared bishop later.

9 ... b6 This has become far more common than 9 . . . a6!?, which appears anti-positional due to the weakening of the b6-square. Things are not so clear though, since 1 0.a5 cxd4 l l .tt::l xd4 tt::l e 5 is fine for Black, who intends . . . tt::l c6 or . . . tt::l c4

1 0 . . . h6 is possible too, when l l .�e3 cxd4! 12.tt::l xd4 �b7 1 3 .Wi'd2 mh7 1 4.8'.ad l ?! (White should prefer 1 4.a5, when the position is about equal) 1 4 . . . tt::l c5 1 5 .f3 Wl'd7 led to a pleasant position for Black in Bacallao Alonso - Fernandez Hernandez, Havana 20 1 3 .

n.Vfffd2 B:e8! Compared to the first game in this chapter, this move is even better now. Partly because it defends against tt::l c 3-d5 in some variations, and partly because the dangerous plan of g3-g4, tt::l g3 and g4-g5 is obstructed by the bishop on g5 .

Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

12J:Uel 1 2.l:!fd l This was once played by Boris Gulko, who I regard as an expert with Black in these lines. His idea was probably to discourage the plan of . . . cxd4 followed by . . . e6, but Matveeva reacted excellently. 1 2 . . . cxd4 After 1 2 . . . ib7 1 3 .ih6 J\h8 1 4.d5 b5 1 5 .axb5 axb5 I 6.lt:lxb5 ixd5 1 7.exd5 l:!xb5 1 8.b3 White has a small advantage. 1 3.ltlxd4 ib7! 14.Wfe3 1 4.ltld5 e5!? ( 1 4 . . . e6 1 5 .ltlxf6t ixf6 1 6.J\xf6 Wfxf6 17.c4 is about balanced) 1 5 .ltl b3 ixd5 1 6.Wfxd5 ltlxd5 1 7.ixd8 l:!exd8 1 8.l:!xd5 ltlf6 1 9.l:!d3 J\f8 reaches an endgame where Black is okay. 1 4 . . . l:!c8 1 5 .ltlde2

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Having been forced to weaken himself along the c-file, White will have to make some difficult decisions in the near future.

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12 ... cxd4 13.�xd4 .ib7 14.�d5!? White is planning c2-c4 with a bind on Black's position.

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1 5 . . . l:!c5! This move is much stronger than the conservative 1 5 . . . l:!c7. On a good day the rook can help the b6-pawn to move forward, stop White from controlling d5, and even become a nuisance on h5. 1 6.l:!d2 Wfa8 1 7.l:!ad l ltle5N In Gulko - Matveeva, Helsinki 1 992, Black displayed an excess of talent and played 1 7 . . . l:!xg5!? which, in all fairness, was not at all bad, although she later went wrong and lost. The text move keeps things simpler. 1 8 .b3 ltled7!

A more subtle continuation is: 1 4.l:!ad l Wfc8! Black went wrong with 1 4 . . . e6? 1 5 .ltl8! .if8 in Gabriel - Prusikin, Switzerland 2003. At this point the engine points out a tactical trick that I missed in Tiger's Modern: 1 6.e5!N .ix8 1 7.ix8 dxe5 1 8.Ac6 ie7 1 9.ixf6 ltlxf6 20.Wfe2 Wfc8 2 l .J\xe8 ltlxe8 22.Wfxe5 and White is winning. 14 . . . l:!c8!?N is playable, since both 1 5 .e5 ixg2 1 6.exf6 exf6 and 1 5 .Axf6 ixf6 1 6.e5 Axg2 17.exf6 Ab7 are okay for Black. I still prefer the main line though. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 a

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1 5 .tt:l d5!N 1 5 .'tt> h 2 was played in Tadjerbashi - Sandberg, Sweden 2009, and now 1 5 . . . �c4!N 1 6.b3 �c5 17.i.e3 �b4 would have given Black an easy game. 1 5 . . . e5 1 6.tt:lxf6t tt:lxf6 1 7.tt:lb3 Ei:e6 The position is approximately equal, and there is plenty of scope for further analysis here.

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but Khalifman realizes that it is best to put pressure on a4 in order to stop White from consolidating with Ei:d3 and b2-b3, which would lead to unpleasant pressure on the d6pawn.

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Better sooner than later. Black cannot do without this move in the long run.

15.c!bxf6t c!bxf6 16J3a3!? An unorthodox way to activate the rook in such a position. Usually - if allowed to - White plays c2-c4, stopping Black from playing . . . d5 or . . . b5. In the present case, 1 6.c4 �c7 1 7.Ei:ac l tt:ld7 leads to a position where the chances should be balanced. Compared to a normal Maroczy set-up, Black can be happy to have exchanged a pair of knights. Another important point is that it will be difficult for White to go on the offensive on the kingside without allowing serious counterplay on the queenside.

16 ...¥Nd7 A somewhat odd square for the queen,

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One way to get some idea of who is better in a Sicilian structure is to count the number of pieces that control the d5-square for each side. In general, the one who has the better control of this square also has the better position. Such a statement should, of course, be taken with a pinch of salt, but I think there is some truth to it. If you apply this principle to the position at hand, then it immediately becomes obvious that a bishop on g5 indirectly weakens Black's control of d5 (as the f6-knight can be eliminated) and therefore should have stayed put.

17 ...i.h8! 18.1!Nb4?! White does not realize that his opening advantage is gone, and forgets all about the d5-square. It was better to admit the previous mistake with 1 8.i.g5, when the loss of time is of no great consequence, although Black is still pretty comfortable after 1 8 . . . Ei:bc8.

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Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

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26.l3aal ttlb4 27.c3 ttld3 28.l3edl l3cd8 29.tLlcl e4 30.�e3? 30.lt:lb3 would have offered more resistance.

30 ... �£5 31 .l3d2 lt:le5 32.l3xd8 l3xd8 33.ttlb3 ttlf3t 34.'i!?g2 l3d3 White gets nicely packed and wrapped after 35.'\Wf4 '1Wxf4 26.gxf4 'it>f6, followed by . . . 'it>f5 and . . . 'it>xf4. The same is true after 35 .'1We2 '1Wd5 or 35 .'1Wxb6 lt:lg5, which led Aseev to the conclusion that resigning was a good idea.

0-1 In the next game we see White closing the centre early.

20.'1Wc4 .ixe4 2I..ixe4 d5 22 ..ixd5 ttlxd5 23.'i!?h2 l3bc8 24.�e2 .ig7 More energetic is 24 . . . e4!? 25.c3 Ele5 26.h4 Elh5 with a strong initiative.

25 ..ixg7 'i!?xg7 There are many factors that speak in favour of Black here. The b3-knight is badly placed and has no good squares within reach. The d5-knight dominates the centre and supports a future . . . e4-e3. The a3-rook makes you feel ill, and is bound to the defence of the a-pawn. Moreover, the white kingside is weak and difficult to defend.

Arkadij Naiditsch - Tiger Hillarp Persson Stockholm 20 1 0

l.e4 d6 2.d4 ttlf6 Since I wrote Tiger's Modern I have been playing all sorts of different move orders, sometimes favouring the Pirc and sometimes the Modern. It's nice to be able to surprise one's opponent.

3.ttlc3 g6 4.g3 .ig7 5 ..ig2 0-0 6.ttlge2 ttlbd7 7.0-0 c5 8.d5!? This move looks weird at first sight, as Black will have no problem achieving . . . b5. How can White be fine with that? The point is that, since the centre is stable, White can play a2-a4, intending to meet . . . b5 with axb5 followed by b2-b4, which will leave Black with a weak pawn on b5. That is a rather superficial sketch of what will happen though, and we will see other factors coming into play further down the line. 8 .j,e3 lt:lg4 9.j,g5 h6 l O.j,c l Elb8 l l .h3 lt:lgf6 1 2.j,e3 b6 leads to a main line where Black has

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the "extra'' move . . . h6. This is something of a mixed blessing since White can gain a tempo with 1 3.Wfd2, but I still believe Black should be fine after 1 3 .. .'�h7.

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this path in the game. Black should be okay though. 1 0 . . . a6 l l .h3 After I I ..id2!? Wfc7 White has no more good waiting moves, and Black is bound to get in . . . b5 with good counterplay. l l . . .b5 1 2.axb5 axb5 1 3 .b4 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

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I thought the knight had done its job on f6 and was not needed there anymore. Now I am a bit less convinced about this line of reasoning. For one thing, the knight could be used to harass a bishop on e3 and possibly go to e5 at some point. At the same time, I prefer to avoid a scenario with both of the black kni ghts competing for the same outpost on e5, especially when there are limited escape squares available. I could go on making arguments and counterarguments without getting closure. Let's just say I believe it is just as good for Black to play:

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1 3 . . . .ia6! 1 3 . . . cxb4 1 4.lLla2 is unclear. 14.Ae3 This was Sharevich - Ant. Fuchs, Dresden 2004. Here I like: 14 . . . Wfc7N 1 5.bxc5 b4! 1 6.lLla4 .ib5 1 7.cxd6 exd6 1 8.lLlb2 l:!fe8 Black has a strong initiative for the pawn.

9.a4 b6 IO.S:el a6 l l .S:bl �c7 The rook can be left on a8 for the moment, which is also part of the reason why I opted for the knight manoeuvre on move 8.

8 . . J!b8 This move is slightly more flexible. 9.a4 b6 I OJ�b l ! 1 0.h3 a6 l l .g4 b 5 1 2.axb5 axb5 1 3.�g3 lLl e8 1 4.f4 b4 1 5 .lLlce2 lLl c7 ( 1 5 . . . Wfb6!?) 1 6.Wfd3 .ib7 1 7.c4 bxc3 1 8.bxc3 l:!a8 1 9 .Ae3 Aa6 and White was under pressure in Czebe - Chernin, Hungary 2008. The rook move is more challenging, and is one of the reasons why I decided against a

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Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

41 1

12.b4!?

15 ... hb2 16.:5xb2 e6

There are plenty of alternatives here, but Black can always keep the balance by playing either . . . b5 or . . . e6.

This is a small success for Black. The knights on a2 and e2 are struggling to get coordinated.

17.dxe6?! 12 ... a5?! My aim was to close the queenside and then break with . . . e6. I felt that the white knights were badly coordinated and ill-equipped to deal with my plan. The engines like 1 2 . . . lLl e8, intending . . .'�c7 and . . . lLle5-c4, or possibly . . . cxb4 and . . . lLlc5. I hate to say it, but this is indeed a more flexible approach than mine.

It was better to play 17 .c4 when Black still has to solve the problem of the bishop on c8.

17.. JiJxe6 18.'1Wxd6?! CLlg5! 19.£.3 Here I realized that I was better and spent too much time trying to find a winning line ­ how stupid. I ought to have focused on finding good moves.

13.b5 .tb7 14 ..tb2?! This is part of the right idea, but the wrong move order. After 1 4.f4 f5!? the position is unclear, but 14.�d2! intending 14 . . . :5e8 1 5 .lLldl ! e6 1 6.�b2 would have given White some advantage.

14 ... :5e8

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Quite obvious and strong is 19 . . . f5! when 20.f4 lLlxe4 2 l .�xe4 :5xe4 22.:5bb 1 �e8 leads to a difficult position for White.

20.\WxdS :5axd8 21 .:5b3 :5d2 Despite the above inaccuracy, I still have good compensation here. a

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Now 1 5 .�d2 is not as effective due to 1 5 . . . lLle5. Nevertheless, after 16.lLld1 lLl c4 17.�d3 lLlxb2 1 8.lLlxb2 :5f8 1 9.lLlc4 CLle8 White is still a bit better, so this should have been preferred.

22.:5c3?! White has problems with the coordination of his minor pieces, and needs to take care. It was better to play 22.f4 :5xc2 23.lLlac l c4 24.:5e3 lLld3 25.lLlxd3 cxd3 26.fXg5 dxe2 27.:53xe2 :5c4 28.:5a2 :5e5 with approximate equality.

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22 B!ed8 23.tiJf4? .••

After the correct 23.'it>fl tLl e6 24.tLlac l tLl d4 25.tLlxd4 E\2xd4 26.f4 tLl c4 27.tLlb3 tLl d2t 28.tLlxd2 E\xd2 Black still has plenty of compensation, but White should be able to hold.

The last chance to fight was 26 . . . E\d 1 27. 'it>fl E\xe l t 28.'it>xe l tLl d6 when White has some work to do in order to turn his advantage into a win.

27.tlJcd3 The rest of the game is a good technical display from my opponent.

27 ... B!xg2t 28.'i:t>xg2 L£3t 29.'i:t>f2 i.e4 30.B!al tlJg4t 3I.'i:t>el tiJd6 32.tiJe2 B!d5 33.tiJdf4 B!e5

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Mter this mistake I do not get another chance. Instead 23 . . . E\8d4! 24.h4 tLl e6 (24 . . . E\xg2t!? also leads to some advantage) 25.tLlxe6 fxe6 26.tLlcl E\xa4 27.tLlb3 E\d7 leaves White with serious problems to solve.

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34.B!dl tiJf7 35.B!d7 tiJf6 36.B!a7 B!e8 37.'i:t>d2 tiJd6 38.'i:t>cl i.a8? 39.B!d3 tlJc4 40.tiJe6 B!xe6 4I .B!d8t tlJe8 42.B!axa8 'i:t>f7 43.B!a7t 'i:t>g8 44.lLlf4 B!el t 45.B!dl B!xdl t 46.'i:t>xdl tiJf6 47.'i:t>cl h6 48.B!b7 tLle4 49.tiJd5 tlJxg3 50.tiJxb6 tlJe2t 5I.'i:t>dl tiJc3t 52.'i:t>el 1-0

24.h4! tiJgf7 25.exf5 gxf5 26.tiJcl

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The main thing when White blocks the centre is to keep an eye out for the b2-b4 plan in response to . . . b5. As long as you have a good follow-up in those lines, there is nothing to fear from White's set-up. The next game features a more serious challenge.

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Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

Allan Stig Rasmussen - Tiger Hillarp Persson Holdturneringen Graested 20 1 2

l.e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.�c3 d6 4.ltlge2!? This move order is quite tricky, as White has not yet decided whether to continue with 5.�e3 or 5.g3/5 .h3, so Black has to find something that fits well with each scenario. A similar idea is seen in the line 4.�e3 a6 5.a4 ttlf6 6.h3, followed by g4. This line is covered in Him - Hillarp Persson, in the Modern Dragon Restrained.

4 .. )L!d7!? This is my preferred move order. After 4 . . . ttl f6?! 5 .h3 0-0 6.g4 e5 7.�g2 White has gained a tempo (g2-g4 instead of g2-g3-g4) compared to the normal g3-lines. 4 . . . a6 is also possible, but after 5.a4 I am not completely happy with either of Black's options: a) 5 . . . ttlf6 leads to a type of position that I am less familiar with. The insertion of the mutual a-pawn moves makes it less dangerous for Black to face the �e3/1Wd2 set-up, but White can instead play 6.g3 0-0 7.�g2 ttl c6 8.h3 e5 9.�e3, reaching a variation outside the recommended repertoire. b) Black could instead try 5 ... b6, but 6.g3 �b7 7.�g2 ttl d7 8.0-0 favours White slightly. Compared to the lines I advocate in this chapter, Black has placed the bishop on b7 rather early, and after 8 . . . c5 9.d5 it will be difficult to achieve ... b5.

5.h3! Mter 5.g3 c5! 6.�g2 Ei:b8! 7.�e3 b6 we are back in our main lines.

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This move is too "business as usual". White's last move was a clear signal that he intends to win a whole tempo compared to the main lines, and Black needs to find an antidote. It has to happen now, otherwise it may be too late to change the tide. I believe this is the right moment for 5 . . . a6!, when White has two main roads to chose between: a) 6.a4 Taking ... b5 off the board for the time being. Now White is ready to gain a tempo by playing g2-g4 in one move, and Black should not comply too timidly with this scenario. 6 . . . b6! 7.g4!N This is a critical posltlon for the present line, where there remains plenty of scope for discoveries of your own. (This is the kind of possibility that I myself would jump on.) 7.d5!? ttlgf6 8.g4 e5 9.dxe6 fxe6 1 0.�g2 occurred in Cicak - Hillarp Persson, Gothenburg 2006. Now I O . . . �b7!N followed by . . . '1We7 would have given Black excellent chances. Instead I chose 1 0 . . . e5?, when 1 l .g5 ttlg8 1 2.0-0 led to an advantage for White.

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should at least be better off compared to the lines where a2-a4 has been inserted.

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7 . . . h5!? 7 . . . c5 8 . .!g2 :B:b8 9 . .!e3 is clearly worse for Black than the main lines where White plays g2-g3-g4. 8 .g5 White cannot avoid this move for long. For instance, after 8 . .!g2 .!b7 9.ltlg3?! hxg4 I O.hxg4 :B:xh l t I I ..!xh l e5! and Black is better. Mter the text move I recommend a kind of a mutant Hippo set-up with: 8 . . . e6 9 . .!g2 ltl e7 I O . .!e3 .!b7 I I .Wd2 0-0 1 2.0-0 c5 1 3.dxc5 dxc5 This is similar to the note to Black's 9th move in line 'b' below. Both positions seem all right for Black, but need testing. One important feature of the position is that Black has induced an early g4-g5, which makes f4-f5 almost impossible to achieve. This is a good reason to play . . . h5 before . . . e6. b) White can also ignore the queenside and get on with his own plan: 6.g4 b5 7 ..!g2 .!b7 8 ..!e3 c5 There are plenty of interesting ideas here that need to be analysed and tested. One is 8 . . . e6 9.0-0 ltl e7 I O.ltlg3 0-0 I I .Wd2 :B:b8 1 2.b3 f5!? which seems quite promising for Black. 9.0-0 9.d5!?N is interesting, in the style of Naiditsch. However, Black should be happy to have some space on the queenside and

9 . . . b4!? For the umpteenth time, I would not play this move unless I found it to be necessary, but Bacrot is (was?) of a different opinion. My preferences are for something like 9 . . . :B:c8, or even 9 . . . h5!?N intending I O.g5 e6! I I .Wd2 ltl e7 1 2.dxc5 dxc5 1 3 .:B:ad l Wc7, which i s also quite exciting. I O . ltl b l ?! It is clearly more critical to play I O.ltla4 ltlgf6 l l .dxc5, although l l . . .lLlxe4 1 2.cxd6 ltlxd6 1 3 . .!xb7 ltlxb7 seems fine for Black. It seems that Bacrot made a good evaluation on move 9. I O ... ltlgf6 I I .ltld2 cxd4 12 . .!xd4 0-0 Now Black is over-the-moon happy with the opening. It is, praise Caissa, a Sicilian structure where Black is clearly in control of d5.

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Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis) 1 3.tLlg3 'iffic7 1 3 . . . a5!? is also good. 14.!'k 1 tLl c5 1 5 .g5 tLlh5 1 6.i.xg7 tLlxg7 1 7.f4 f5! Now in a clearly worse position, "White misjudges the ensuing tactics and soon has to resign. 1 8.'iffie2 fxe4 1 9.tLldxe4 tLl ce6 20.f5 gxf5 2 l .tLlxf5 E!:xf5 22.E!:xf5 lt:J d4 0-1 Thorhallsson - Bacrot, Bermuda 1 999.

A case can be made for a move like 1 l . . .'iffi c 8, preparing both . . . lt:Jgf6 (since e4-e5 will not win a piece) and a counterattack against h3. The pawn structure is clearly to Black's advantage, and I would consider it a nightmare to get this position with "White.

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I was expecting 1 O.g5 e6 1 1 .dxc5 dxc5 with a balanced position.

1 o ... :axhs 1 1 .£4 cxd4

After 6 . . . 'iffia 5 7.g4 tLlgf6 8 .i.g2 0-0 9.0-0 I am not sure of how to continue with Black, although this does not mean there isn't a decent way.

7.g4 Unless Black can come up with something to disturb his opponent's set-up, "White will be a tempo up on the normal lines.

7 ... a6 8.i.g2 i.b7 9.0-0 More accurate was 9.tLlg3!, taking . . . h5 off the table. a

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From a carbon-based perspective there is nothing wrong with 1 2 . . . lt:Jgf6!?, since 1 3.e5 dxe5 1 4.i.xb7 exd4 1 5 .i.xd4 E!:xh3 1 6.�g2 E!:h4 1 7.i.xa8 'iffixa8t 1 8.'iffif3 'iffic 8 reaches a position that might be better for "White in silicon land, but looks quite interesting from where I stand.

13.'iffie2! Ei:c8?! a

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This move truly surprised me, and my instincts told me it must be bad. Still, I have not been able to find a clear route to an advantage for Black.

Here both Allan Stig and I overlooked an important tactical feature of the position. The correct 13 ... 'iffi c 8! leads to a complex position where all three results are possible.

14J�adl?! "White can play 1 4.e5! i.xg2 1 5 .'iffixg2, when

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2I ... tlJh7 22.tlJe6! .if6 23.tlJxc5

the terrible trap 15 ... dxe5?? 1 6.lt'le6! forces me to continue with 1 5 ... lt'l f8. This is still far from clear and I am not too worried about the engine's assessment of "small advantage to White".

23 ... dxc5 24 ..if3?

I4.. .'\Wc7 IS.'�n

This does not throw away the advantage, but it makes White's task much more difficult.

After 1 5 .lt'ld5 '®c4 1 6.'®xc4 :B:xc4 1 7.b3 :B:c8 1 8.c4 e6 1 9.lt'lb4 .ih6 White is struggling to keep the centre from falling apart.

15 ...�b8 16.f5 gxf5 17.�xf5 t2Jgf6 18.tlJd5 :B:h5? The only good thing that can be said about my next few moves is that they were played at a slightly quicker tempo than those of my opponent. 1 8 . . . .ih6 is much better and leads to an unbalanced game where White has to find a way to turn the momentary pressure into something more tangible, in order not to fall into a worse endgame.

19 ..ig5! tlJe5 20.h4! :B:c5? This move ought to have lost on the spot. Better was 20 . . . lt'lxd5 2 l .exd5 '®c7 although White is clearly better here too.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

23.lt'lg8! would have put an end to my misery.

After 24.lt'ld5 .ixd5 25.exd5 .ixg5 26.hxg5 lt'lxg5 Black's counterplay is not half as dangerous as it might seem, for a number of reasons, one of which is the line 27.d6! lt'lh3t 28 . .ixh3 :B:xf5 29.:B:xf5 when Black can resign.

24... t2Jxf3t

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White's last chance for salvation was 25 .:B:xf3 lt'lxg5 26.'®d7t �f8 27.:B:xf6 '®g3t 28.�fl .ixe4 29.'®c8t �g7 30.:B:f2. It is a pretty thin line to walk in time pressure, but it is the only one and it ends with an advantage for White. Mter the move played, it is all over.

25 ... tlJxg5 26.�g4 a

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On the plus side, by now my opponent was down to the last thirty seconds per move.

Or 26.'®xh5 '®g3t 27.�h l .ixe4t and White is mated.

26 ...he7 27.:B:f5 :B:xh4 White resigned.

0-1

417

Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis) White's move order felt like a serious threat when I first encountered it, but now I feel there are plenty of ideas to work with. 4 . . . a6 is probably the most reliable, but Black can also play the knight to d7 first. In the final game of the chapter we will explore an alternative set-up for Black.

a tempo with . . . i.g4-d7, but White's VMd3 is not such a great achievement. Nevertheless, it is a modest gain for the first player. 9.0-0 e5 1 0.i.e3 l:!e8 I find it hard to believe in Kurnosov's 1 0 . . . b5 because of l l .d5 ltlb4 1 2 .VMd2 a5 1 3.a4 bxa4 1 4.ltlxa4 when the black queenside has been weakened.

Ivan Marinkovic - Goran Vujadinovic Niksic 1 997

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .lg7 3.�c3 d6 4.g3 �c6!? This is an interesting alternative if you are prepared to take some risks. I played it myself in the nineties and have been considering it again lately. However, you should be aware that it does not work against the 4.ltl ge2 move order.

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l l .l:!fe l After this move Black has nothing to complain about. l l .d5!N is more ambitious. l l . . .exd4 1 2.ltlxd4 VMc8 1 3 .@h2 l:!e5!? 14.ltlde2?! l:!h5 1 5 .ltlf4 ltlg4t 1 6.@gl ltlxe3 1 7.Wfxe3 l:!e5

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After 5.d5 tLle5 Black continues with . . . c6 and has nothing to complain about. White can also play: 5.tLlge2 i.g4 6.VMd3! ltl f6 7.i.g2 0-0 8 .h3 i.d7 Compared to standard lines, Black has lost

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Black was doing great in Malakhov Korotylev, Moscow (blitz) 2006.

5 e5 6.dxe5 •••

This is much more challenging than: 6.d5

Th e Modern Tiger

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Ci:J ce7 7.'1&d2 f5 8.Ci:Jh3 Ci:Jf6 9.exf5 gxf5! (Improving over 9 . . . Ci:Jxf5 I O.i.b5t me? 1 I .Ci:Jg5 h6 1 2.Ci:Jge4 Ci:Jg4 1 3.i.e2 Ci:Jgxe3 1 4.fxe3 h5 1 5 .Ci:Jg5 c6 1 6.:1!£1 , which was clearly better for White in Stefansson Hillarp Persson, Stockholm 1 992.) 1 0.i.g2 Ci:Jg4

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1 1 .0-0-0 Ci:Jxe3 1 2.%Vxe3 0-0 1 3.f4 e4 14.Ci:Jf2 c5 Black had a fantastic position in Gamback - Hillarp Persson, Sollentuna 1 995, although 1 4 . . . c6!N would have been even better.

6 Ci:Jxe5 •••

Not 6 . . . dxe5? 7.%Vxd8t Ci:Jxd8 8.Ci:Jd5 Ci:J e6 9.i.h3 when White has a clear advantage.

7.h3!? The most critical continuation is: 7.f4! i.g4 This is the obvious attempt to justify Black's play, but it may not be best. ? . . . Ci:J d??! sees the knight retreat to a passive square, and Black will have trouble justifying the loss of two tempos. 7 . . . Ci:J c6!? is more interesting though. On the one hand, I am sceptical about moving the knight so many times in the opening. On the upside, White might turn out to be overextended on the kingside, and the e4-pawn could become a target. I might be tempted to try this in the future.

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8.Ci:Jge2! 8.%Vd5N is not the best, since 8 ... Ci:J e7! 9.%Vxb7 :i:!b8 1 0.%Vxa7 Ci:J5c6 1 1 .%Va3 0-0 gives Black a terrific initiative. 8.i.e2 is not as bad as I originally thought. 8 . . . i.xe2 9.%Vxe2 (9.Ci:Jgxe2!? is also possible.) 9 . . . Ci:Jc6 1 0.%Vf2?? ( I O.%Vd3 Ci:Jf6 1 I .Ci:Jf3 0-0 1 2.0-0-0 is better, with a balanced middlegame.) 1 0 . . . i.xc3t 1 1 .bxc3 Ci:Jf6 White's position was a wreck in Shaheen ­ Hillarp Persson, Elista Olympiad 1 998. 8 ... i.f3 Black has to try this, as 8 . . . Ci:J c6 9.ig2 is comfortably better for White. 9.:i:!g1 Ci:J c6 1 0.%Vd3 Krivec --, Sermek, Nova Gorica 2007. White is ready for long castling, and stands slightly better. Rather than follow this path, I think Black should try 7 . . . Ci:J c6!? as mentioned above.

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4 19

Chapter 9 - Fianchetto (In Excelsis)

7.JiJe7 7 . . . lt:lf6?! 8.f4 lt:led7 9.�g2 0-0 1 0.lt:lge2 1'l:e8 1 1 .0-0 lt:l b6 1 2.�d4! is good for White. 7 . . . f5!? is a more interesting alternative. Mter 8 .exf5 �xf5 Black has the opportunity to play . . . lt:lf6 rather than the passive . . . lt:lge7. I do not see how White will fight for an advantage unless he goes for a mutually dangerous set-up with long castling.

8.f4 lt:l5c6 9.tLlge2 f5

Mter 1 2 . . . �d7 1 3 .�d2 0-0-0?! 1 4.0-0-0 Black cannot create counterplay by advancing the queenside pawns, and is thus deprived of his main plan of action.

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13.g4 ttJfe7 14.�d2 �d7 Black can also try 1 4 . . . �e8!?N 1 5 .0-0-0 �f7 in order to make it harder for White to play tt:l e2-d4.

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This is better than 1 0.�g2?! £Xe4 1 l .�xe4, when 1 1 . . .0-0 1 2.�g2?! �e6 1 3.0-0 �d7 1 4.'it>h2 1'l:ad8! 1 5 .lt:ld4 tt:lxd4 1 6.�xd4 lt:l f5 1 7.�f2 d5 1 8 .�d2 d4 led to a clear advantage for Black in Nezar - Tkachiev, Cannes 1 999.

lO ... ltJxfS Compared to taking back with the bishop, this move has the advantage of being more disruptive to White. Moreover, the bishop is better off on e6 if White plays 0-0-0. Nevertheless, 1 O . . .�xf5 is playable, and 1 l .�g2 �d7 1 2.g4 �e6 1 3.�d2 leads to mutual chances.

l l.i.fl i.e6 12.i.g2 0-0

Going to the queenside is the best choice, since after 1 5 .0-0 White would have to worry about . . . h5 ideas at every turn.

15 .. J�ae8 Black chooses to strengthen his position in the centre. This seems like a good idea, since 1 5 . . . b5?! 1 6.\t>b l ! ( 1 6.lt:lxb5 �xb2t!? 17.c;t>xb2 1'l:ab8 is unclear) 16 . . . c;t>h8 1 7.lt:le4 does not achieve anything. Nevertheless, I would be tempted to try 1 5 . . . \t>hS!?N, intending to meet 1 6.lt:ld4 with 1 6 . . . �g8. I would evaluate Black's position as quite playable over the board, although I would not play this way in a correspondence game.

The Modern Tiger

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8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

19 ....tgs 20.�c3? b5 21.a3? gbs Here the players agreed to a draw, which is a surprising decision from Black. After 22.tlJ ce4 (what else?) intending tlJc5, Black plays 22 . . . 11Mc8, after which he is ready to advance the a- and b-pawns. The machine does not see a big problem, but I believe White is in trouble. lfz-lh

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1 6.tlJd4 is more accurate, before the bishop gets the chance to retreat to g8 in one go.

16 ....tf7 Black appears to be unable to find a plan, and does not know how to improve his position. It was better to play 1 6 . . . �h8 intending 1 7.tlJd4 ig8 .

l?.fl 33.tLlxc6 e2! 34JWb4 bxc6 35.'kt>f3 E!:b7!! wins for Black. 33.tLld5 e2 34.i1Mb4 �xd5t 35.cxd5 E!:xd5 36. 'kt>f3 E!:e5 comes to the same end.

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In my notes it says 2 1 .h4 f5! 22.�xf4 gxf4 23.g5 E!:ad8 with compensation. Nice to be right for once.

21. �eg6 22.tlJel E!:ad8 23.'11Na3 e4 24 .ie3 �eS 25.'11Nb 3 •.

•

Mter 25.b3 E!:d7 26.E!:b l E!:fd8 27.\Wc l tLlfd3 28 .�xd3 exd3 29.'11M d2 f5 Black has a dangerous initiative. ••

Now I threaten . . . tt:J fd3, removing White's knight from the defence of f3.

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33 . . . E!:d2! 34.tLlxc6 E!:xf2t 35.\t>gl Or 35.�el bxc6 36.\WbSt �f8 37.'11Me 8 f3 and White has no defence against . . . E!:h2. 35 . . . bxc6 36.\WbSt �f8 37.'11Me 8! 37.'11Me 5 E!:d2 38.'11Mxf4 E!:dl t 39.'kt>g2 e2 wins. 37 . . . E!:d2 38.g5 E!:d6! There is no defence against . . . E!:e6 and . . . e2.

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The Modern Tiger

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31..J�d3 32.Vl¥b6 .ie5 33.Yl¥a7 �e2t 34.g2 gdl 35.h4 gglt 36.h3 h5 37.6 ghlt 38.g2 exf3t 0-1 The key branching point comes on move 9, where Black has a number of alternatives and it is a question of taste which you prefer. If pushed for an answer, I would probably prefer the calm 9 . . . id7 today. In the next game we will see White trying to save a tempo by delaying h2-h3.

Robert Rabiega - Rainer Polzin Austria 2004

l.e4 g6 2.d4 .ig7 3./tla d6 4.c3 �f6 5 . .id3 0-0 6.0-0 �c6

unless Black can get active, White will slowly improve the minor pieces and get a good position. 9 . . . a5!? 1 0.a4 ( 1 0.ig5 lLl f6 l l .h3 h6 1 2.ie3 a4 1 3.lLlbd2 id7 seems fine for Black.) 1 0 . . . exd4 l l .cxd4 lLlb4 1 2 . .ib l Now in Ionov - McNab, Cappelle la Grande 1 996, Black could have obtained a decent position with either 1 2 . . . lLlf6 1 3 .ig5 h6 1 4.id2 c6, or 12 ... b6 1 3 .ig5 lLlf6 1 4.d5 ia6 1 5 .lLlbd4 ge8.

8 7 6 5 4

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8 . . . exd4 9.cxd4 lLl b4 l O.ib l c5 l l .h3 was slightly better for White in Espig - Gofshtein, Nuremberg 2007.

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White can hardly do without this move. For instance, after 7.lLla3 e5 8.lLlc2 d5! 9.exd5 lLlxd4! 1 0.cxd4 e4 Black has equalized.

7 e5 8.ftla3 .•.

8.lLlbd2 discourages ... J.g4, but blocks the development of White's other queenside pieces. 8 . . . lLld7!? 9.lLlb3 This looks ugly, but

8 ... ge8 does not equalize. 9.d5 is one idea, but it is also possible to continue with 9.lLlc2, when Black has nothing better than 9 ... d5 1 0.ig5! dxe4 l l .ixe4 exd4 1 2.ixc6 gxe l t 1 3.Wfxe l bxc6 14.lLlcxd4, allowing White to play for a win without taking any risks.

9.ftlc2 This line is a serious challenge to Black's set­ up.

9 ... d5! 9 . . . lLlh5?! 1 0 . .ie2! lLl f4 l l ..ixf4 exf4 12.Wfd2 g5 has been played in a lot of games, but it does not equalize. A good example is 1 3 .gad l h6 1 4.h3 .ih5 1 5 .lLle5 lLlxe5 1 6.ixh5 lLld7

Chapter 1 0 - Lazy Variation with c2-c3 1 7.i.g4 with a clear advantage for White, Rabiega - Schulz, Travemuende 2009. Another possible continuation is: 9 ... h6!? 1 0.h3 i.d7 White is a tempo up on Game 8 1 , but it may not matter a great deal. A relevant game continued: 1 1 .i.fl 1 I .i.d2 :B:e8 1 2.:B:cl is the critical test, when 1 2 . . . ltJh5 is logical. Now 1 3.i.fl ltJ f6 seems fine for Black, and 1 3.b4 a6 14.a4 ltJ f4 is rather unclear. 1 1 ..J'l:e8 1 2.d5 ltJe7 The extra move lt:lc2 actually helps Black here, since the knight is further away from c4.

429

1 5 .i.xf3 ltJ c8 1 6.ltJc4 We7 is level) 1 2 . . . hxg5! 1 3.dxe5 ( 1 3 .i.xb7 :B:b8 14.i.c6 i.xf3 1 5 .i.xf3 g4 1 6.i.xg4 tL'lxg4 1 7.\Wxg4 :B:xb2 seems okay for Black) 1 3 . . . bxc6 1 4.Wxd8 :B:fxd8 1 5 .exf6 i.xf6 when the bishop pair makes up for the doubled c-pawns.

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1 3.c4 ltJ h7 1 4.ltJe3 f5 1 5 .c5 ltJf6 1 6.cxd6 cxd6 1 7.exf5 gxf5 1 8.i.c4 f4 1 9.ltJfl :B:c8 20.i.b3 mh8 2 1 .ltJh4 ltJ f5 22.ltJxf5 i.xf5 23.ltJh2 :B:g8 24.i.d2 i.f8 25 .Wf3 Wd7 White had had enough and resigned in Rabiega - Almasi, Muelheim 20 1 1 . This game vividly illustrates how things may go wrong for White after d4-d5.

lO.igS Not 1 0.exd5 Wxd5! when Black is taking over the initiative.

10 ... dxe4 I I.ixe4 exd4 It is also possible to play 1 1 . . .h6 1 2.i.xc6 ( 1 2.i.xf6 Wxf6 1 3.d5 tL'l e7 14.ltJe3 i.xf3

A key improvement over 1 2 . . . bxc6 1 3.ltJcxd4, which had brought White a small advantage in several games. One such example continued 1 3 . . . \Wd6 14.h3 i.d7 1 5 .ltJe5 c5 1 6.ltJxd7 Wxd7 1 7.ltJb3 Wf5 1 8.i.xf6 i.xf6 1 9.\Wg4 Wxg4 20.hxg4 :B:fb8 2 1 .:B:ab 1 :B:b5 22.:B:e4 a5 23.:B:a4 and White maintained a nagging endgame edge in Mainka - Espig, Senden 1 998.

13.'1Wxd8?! After this move only Black can be better. The alternatives are more critical: 1 3.i.xb7 :B:b8 1 4.ltJe3 Wxd 1 Now there is quite a big difference between taking back with one rook versus the other. 1 5 .:B:axd l ! 1 5 .:B:exd 1 ?! allows 1 5 . . . c2! 1 6.:B:d4 ( 1 6.:B:d2 :B:xb7 17.i.xf6? i.xf6 1 8.tL'lxg4 i.xb2 wins for Black) 1 6 . . . h5! 1 7.tL'lxg4 hxg4 1 8.i.c6 gxf3

The Modern Tiger

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1 9.l:k4 Ei:xb2 20.Ei:cl fXg2 2 l .Ei: lxc2 Ei:fb8 with a balanced endgame. Black should play . . . lt:J e8 next, preparing . . . tt:Jd6 and ... id4.

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1 5 . . . Ei:xb7 1 6.ixf6 ixf3 1 7.ixg7 White gives up the exchange for an initiative, but it is only good enough for a draw. 1 7 . . . ixd l 1 8 .ixc3 ia4 1 9.lLl g4 Ei:d8 20.lLlf6t c;;t> fs 2 1 .lLlxh7t 'it>g8 22.lt:Jf6t mfs 23.b3 ib5 24.h4 c5 White has nothing better than taking the perpetual check. 1 3.lLle3! This is the most ambitious move. 1 3 . . . cxb2 1 4.Ei:b l iMfxd l 1 5 .Ei:exd l 8 7 6 5

1 6.ixf6 ixf6 17.id7 (or 1 7.lt:Jd5 ig7 1 8.lt:Je7t 'it>h8 1 9.lLlxc8 bxc6 20.lt:Je7 c5 and the knights are dislocated) 1 7 . . . ixd7 1 8.Ei:xd7 Ei:fd8 1 9.Ei:xd8t Ei:xd8 20.c;;t> fl Ei:d6 2 l .'it>e2 Ei:a6 22.c;;t> d2 (22.lLld5? ig7 is promising for Black) 22 . . . Ei:xa2 23.c;;t> c2 c;;t> fs 24.lt:J c4 c5 25.lt:Jfd2 b5 26.lt:Jxb2 c4 with an advantage to Black. 1 6 ... lt:J e4 1 7.ie7 ie6 1 8 .ixf8 c;;t> xf8 1 9.lt:Jd4 lt:J c3 20.lt:Jxe6t fXe6 2 l .ic2 lLlxb l 22.ixb l c;;t> e7 A complex endgame lies ahead, but I prefer the Black side. The immediate plan should be . . . b5 and . . . c5-c4, before deciding how to continue.

13 Ei:fxd8 14.J.xh7 Ei:abS 15.bxc3 Ei:xb7 ••.

Bishop pair, open game and weak pawns. Yes, please.

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1 7 . . . Ei:e8 is also good. Now White should avoid 1 8.lLlxe6?! Ei:xe6 1 9.Ei:ad l Ei:b2!? when Black's edge just got edgier.

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1 5 . . . ic8! This is one of those moves that it makes sense to memorize, rather than trying to find it over the board. Now White has a choice. 1 6.ia4!

18.lLlec6 Ei:d6 19.lLla5 Ei:bS 20.J.f4 Ei:a6 21.c4 Ei:cS A good alternative is 2 1 . . .ia8 22.lLl ab3 Ei:a4 23.ixc7 Ei:c8 24.ie5 Ei:axc4 when Black is clearly better in the endgame.

Chapter 1 0

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Lazy Variation with c2-c3

43 1

22.cxd5?! The best chance is 22.ttJ db3 .ia8 23.2"i:ad 1 , when i t i s not obvious how Black can make good use of the bishop pair.

Viktor Korchnoi - Ale.ksander Sznapik Lucerne 1 982

22 lt:lxd5 23.lt:lac6 hd4 24.lt:lxd4 lt:lxf4 •.•

Black is a clear pawn up and the rest is technique.

I.tLlf3 d6 2.e4 g6 3.d4 i.g7 4.c3 lt:lf6 5.i.d3 0-0 6.0-0 lt:lc6 7.d5!? With this move White aims for a King's Indian structure where the d-pawn is exchanged for either the e-pawn or the c-pawn. Black must react with precision to avoid being slightly worse.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

7 lt:lb8 8.c4 •••

Mter this move Black gets active play on the black squares. The alternative 8.h3!? is seen in the next game.

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25.g3 c5 26.lt:lb5 lt:ld3 27.2"i:e3 c4 28.a4 !"i:b8 29.ttJc3 !"i:b3 30.lt:le4 !"i:e6 31.a5 f5 32.lt:ld2 !"i:xe3 33.lt:lxb3 !"i:el t 34.2"i:xel lt:lxel 35.lt:lc1 lt:ld3 36.lt:la2 ct:t>f7 37.ct:t>fl ct:t>e6 38.ct:t>e2 ct:t>d5 39.f4 ct:t>d4 4o.ct:t>d2 lt:lfl 0-1 Black has an important choice to make on move 9. The sharp lines with 9 ... d5! work well, although Black must be aware of some details, such as the 1 5 . . . .ic8! move mentioned in the notes. The calmer 9 . . . h6!? also seems quite playable, and it is not a bad idea to have both strings on your guitar. In the next two games we see a critical plan involving d4-d5.

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•••

When playing the King's Indian at a high level one can easily get the idea that this is never a good move, but here the circumstances are rather special. Since Black has not committed his pawns to either the e5- or c5-squares, he can use both of them as outposts for his knights. Mter 8 ... c6 9.ttJc3 a5 1 0.h3 lt:la6 l l .!"i:e l ! e6 (or l l . . .ttJc5 1 2 . .ie3 lt:lxd3 1 3.'1Mfxd3) 1 2.dxe6 .ixe6 1 3 . .ifl White has a slight advantage.

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9.h3 If White tries 9.lt:J bd2 c6 1 0.h3, then Black should avoid the exchange on f3 with 1 O . . . .id7! when the knight is not well placed on d2.

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9 ...L£3 IO.'Wx£3 lt:Ja6!

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This seems more flexible than 10 ... lt:J bd7, which leads after 1 l .lt:J c3 c6 1 2 .'@fe2 to a position from which Black has a depressing score. One example is 1 2 . . . a5 1 3 ..ic2 '@fb6 1 4.!'i:b 1 !'i:ac8 1 5 . .ie3 '@fa6 1 6.dxc6 bxc6 1 7.!'i:fe 1 with a small advantage to White, Tiviakov - Arizmendi Martinez, San Sebastian 2006.

I I .tiJc3 ttld7! White has more space and the bishop pair, but Black is still happy; his pieces are active and White is vulnerable on the dark squares.

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1 4.exf5 White does not fall for 1 4.dxe6 lt:Je5 1 5 .'@fg3? f4! 16 ..ixf4 !'i:xf4 1 7.'@fxf4 lt:Jxd3 1 8 .'@ff7t 'tt> h 8 when Black is winning. 14 ... exf5 1 5 .'@fg3 lt:J e5 1 6.f4 lt:Jxd3 1 7.'@fxd3 '@fd7 1 8 . .ie3 !'i:fe8 1 9 . .id4?? A blunder. 19 .!'i:e2 is better. 1 9 ... !'i:xe l 20.!'i:xe 1 lt:J b4 2 l .'@fd2 .ixd4t 22.'@fxd4 lt:J c2 White could already have resigned in Cybulak - Shchekachev, Moscow 1 99 1 . A third possibility is: 1 2.'@fe2!? lt:J ac5 13 . .ic2 a5 14 ..id2 e6 14 . . . c6 followed by . . .'@fc7, . . . !'i:e8 and . . . e6 is also possible. 1 5 .!'i:fe l !'i:e8 1 6.'@ffl White is aiming for a doctorate in procrastination.

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After 1 2 . .ic2 Black can obtain enough counterplay with either 1 2 . . . c6 intending . . . !'i:c8, or 1 2 . . . e6 intending .. .f5. Another interesting game continued: 1 2 . .id2 e6!? An extremely ambitious move. Both 1 2 . . . lt:Jac5 1 3 ..ic2 a5 and 1 2 . . . lt:J e5 1 3.'@fg3 lt:Jxd3 1 4.'@fxd3 c6 are fine for Black. 1 3.!'i:ae 1 f5!?

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-1.33

Chapter 1 0 - Lazy Variation with c2-c3 17.b4 axb3 1 8.axb3 In this position, in order to get some more space for my pieces I would have played: 1 8 . . . l'l:xalN 1 8 . . . lt:la6?! 1 9.l'l:eb l i.d4 20.b4 exd5 2 l .exd5 gave White some pressure in Sadkowsky Vandenbussche, Gent 2008. 1 9.l'l:xal lt:l a6 Followed by . . . lt:ldc5 and . . . c6, when Black should be fine.

It is important to stop Black from playing . . . f4, so 17.\Wg3 was better. Black should continue 1 7 . . . fxe4 1 8.i.e3 lt:lxe6 1 9.i.e2 lt:ld3 20.lt:lxe4 i.e5 2 1 .\Wg4 lt:l df4, maintaining the pressure.

17... £4! Korchnoi probably thought impossible due to his next move.

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18.e7 Wfxe7 19.tLld5 Wff7 12 ... tL!ac5 13.i.d2 White may have been avoiding 1 3 .i.e3 on account of 1 3 . . .i.xc3 1 4.bxc3 e5, but objectively this position is better for White. Instead of exchanging on c3, Black should play 1 3 . . . a5 with a complicated position.

Even better is 1 9 . . . \Wh4! 20.lt:lxf4 (not 20.i.xf4?! c6 2 l .i.xe5 i.xe5 22.lt:le3 lt:lxe4 23.lt:lg4 l'l:ae8 when Black has a strong attack) 20 . . . l'l:xf4 2 l .g3 lt:l f3t 22.'tt> g2 l'l:xe4 23.\Wxf3 \We7 and Black has the initiative.

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20.i.xf4 c6 21.i.xe5 i.xe5 22.tLle3 h5! Taking an important square away from the e3-knight. After 22 . . . lt:lxe4 23.lt:lg4 \Wf4 24.i.c2 lt:l d2 25.g3 lt:lf3t 26.'tt> g2 \Wd2 27.\Wd l the position is unclear.

16.dxe6!? This move is often a mistake, but here it seems like the best option.

23.£4!? i.xf4 24.tL!f5 tLle6!?

Worse is 1 6.exf5 exf5 17."\Wg3 (defending against .. .f4) 1 7 . . . i.e5 when Black has the initiative.

Mter 24 ... gxf5 25 .l'l:xf4 lt:lxe4 26.i.c2 \Wg6 the position is level.

Sacrificing the queen for a rook and knight.

25.tLlh6t i.xh6 26.l'l:xf7 l'l:xf7 16 ... tLle5 17.Wfe2?!

A critical moment has been reached. If Black

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is allowed to put his bishop on e5 or c5, White will just about live to regret it.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Viktor Korchnoi - Curt Hansen Biel l 993

l .d4 d6 2.�f3 g6 3.e4 i.g7 4.c3 �f6 5.i.d3 0-0 6.0-0 �c6 7.d5 �b8 8.h3!

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time familiarizing yourself with the different types of position that can arise between moves 1 0 and 1 6.

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When I wrote Tiger's Modern I did not understand how critical this move was, but now I believe it to be White's most ambitious option against the 6 . . . tLl c6 variation.

Korchnoi decides to exchange his bad bishop for the enemy knight: an understandable choice, but it lands him in a lost position. A better chance to survive was 27.%1fd3 tLl c5 28 .%1fa3! .tg7 29 ..tf3 .td4t 30.Wh 1 2"1ff8 3 1 .2"1d1 .te5, although only Black can improve his position from here. The best continuation was 27.e5! tLlf4 28.%1ff3 dxe5 29.%1fe4 2"1f5 30 ..tf3 with an unclear position.

27 �xc5 28.i.b3 �xb3 29.axb3 2"1af8 30.'1Wd3 2"1£6 31.e5!? dxe5 32J�el i.g7 33.h4 'it>h7 34.'it>h2 2"1£4 35.'1Wd7 2"18f7 36.�ds i.f6 37.�xa5 gxh4t 38.'it>gl e4 39.�b6 e3 40.g3 ge4 .•.

40 . . . .td4 wins on the spot, but White's position is hopeless all the same.

0-1 Black did a good job in keeping up the pressure so that White did not get time to consolidate the dark squares. The timing of 14 . . . e6 and 1 5 . . . f5 was superb in this game, but one cannot build a whole system around such a plan. I recommend that you spend some

8 c6! .•.

Black should avoid 8 . . . e5?! 9.c4 a5 1 0.tLlc3 tLla6 when he is a tempo down on a King's Indian. 8 . . . e6! ? 9.c4 tLla6 could be worth investigating further. The following game is a good starting point: 1 0.tLlc3 2"1e8 1 1 .2"1e1 tLl c5 1 2 . .tc2 a5 1 3 . .te3 ( 1 3.2"1b 1 ) 1 3 . . . exd5 ( 1 3 . . . b6 1 4.a3) 14.exd5 .td7 15 ..td4 2"1xe 1 t 1 6.%1fxe 1 %1ff8 and Black was doing well in Gelfand - Morozevich, Moscow 2008.

Chapter 1 0

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Lazy Variation with c2-c3

9.c4 e6!? This is Black's most ambitious plan. 9 . . . a5 ?! may look all right at first, but the problem is that Black will have to play . . . e6 eventually, in which case . . . a5 will turn out to be an unnecessary loss of an important tempo.

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1 1 .lt'lc3 l l .:§el lt'lc5 1 2 . .tfl lt'l fe4 is comfortable for Black. 1 l . . .lt'l c5 1 2 . .tc2 After 12 ..te3 lt'lxd3 ( 1 2 . . . e6!?) 1 3.\Wxd3 .tf5 14.\We2 a6 1 5 .lt'ld4 .td? 1 6.:§fcl :§c8 1 7.b3 e6 Black has excellent counterplay.

Another possibility is 9 . . . lt'la6, when 1 o.lt'lc3 lt'l c5 l l ..tc2 ( 1 L.te3 lt'lxd3 1 2.\Wxd3 a6 is a little better for White, although Black has a flexible position as well as the bishop pair) l l . ..cxd5! ( l l . . .e6?! 1 2.e5! dxe5 1 3 . .te3 is awkward for Black) 1 2.exd5 transposes to 9 . . . cxd5 below. If you prefer to avoid a King's Indian structure, the best option is: 9 . . . cxd5 1 0.exd5 So far no one has tried 1 O.cxd5, when 1 0 . . . e6! 1 1 .dxe6 .txe6 1 2.lt'lc3 lt'l c6 1 3 . .tf4 d5 ( 1 3 . . . a6!?) 1 4.e5 lt'ld7 1 5 .:§el a6 1 6 . .tc2 :§e8 is approximately balanced.

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1 2 . . . e6 1 3 ..tg5 Another possibility is 1 3 .b4 lt'la6 1 4.:§b 1 exd5 1 5 .cxd5 .td7, when Black is low on space but White might turn out to be overextended. 1 3 . . . exd5 14.cxd5 1 4.lt'lxd5 .te6 1 5 . .txf6 .txf6 1 6.lt'lxf6t Wxf6 1 7.\Wxd6 Wxb2 1 8 ..txg6 :§ac8 1 9 .:§ab l Wg7 20 . .tc2 .txc4 is fine for Black. 1 4 . . . .td7 The game was level in Sturua - Yrjola, Komotini 1 992.

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1 0 . . . lt'la6!? Black is trying to force the bishop to move from d3 before playing . . . e6. The direct 10 . . . e6 is possible, but after l l .dxe6 .txe6 1 2.lt'lc3 Black has to find a way to deal with the fact that 1 2 . . . d5 is met with 1 3.lt'lg5. I am not sure how to proceed here, and would therefore prefer the main line. a

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10.dxe6 Black is quite flexible after I O.tLlc3 exd5 l l .cxd5 cxd5 1 2.exd5 l:l:e8! 1 3.�f4 tLl bd7 1 4.1Wd2 tLl c5 1 5 .2:fe l �d7 followed by . . . a5 .

A more challenging approach is l l . . .a6!? when 12.tLlg5! ( 1 2.�f4 b5 1 3.cxb5 axb5 1 4.a3 tLle8 is fine for Black) 1 2 . . . tLl bd7 1 3.tLlxe6 £Xe6 14.�e3 We7 is highly unclear.

1 0.dxc6 This has not yet been tested, but it may transpose to some existing games after a few moves. 1 o . . . tLlxc6 l l .tLl c3 Here Black should strive for . . . d5 as soon as possible. l l . . .a6 It is important to take the b5-square away from the enemy knight. 1 2.�f4 d5!

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1 3.e5 1 3.cxd5 exd5 1 4.e5 tLld7 1 5 .2:el d4 1 6.tLla4 l:l:e8 1 7.e6 2:xe6 1 8 .2:xe6 £Xe6 1 9.1Wb3 Wf6 is pretty unclear. 1 3 . . . tLl d7 1 4.2:e l dxc4 1 5 .�xc4 b5 1 6 .�d3 �b7 1 7.2:cl b4 17 . . . h6!? also deserves attention. 1 8.tLla4 tLl e7 The position was comfortable for Black in B. Svensson - Gavrikov, Gothenburg 2000.

10 ....L:e6 1 1.c!LJc3 c!lJa6 It is premature to play l l . . .d5? because of 1 2.exd5 (or 1 2.tLld4!?) 1 2 . . . cxd5 1 3.tLld4 with a clear advantage for White.

1 2 . . . 2:e8 suffers from a similar ailment, as it does not really challenge the basic 'White gets coordinated, then takes over and wins' story: 1 3.�fl tLl d7 14.�g5! ( 1 4.'\Wxd6?! tLl e5 gives Black decent compensation for the pawn.) 14 . . . Wb6 1 5.Wc2 1he position is similar to the game, but here Black is too slow to create any real trouble for his opponent.

13 ..tg5! Wb6?! I believe this to be dubious, because it allows White to play �e3 later, winning a tempo for tLld4 (or tLlg5) followed by eliminating the bishop on e6. Generally speaking, this is quite a sensitive position where Black should avoid settling down and playing as if nothing bad will ever happen. Make no mistake; something bad will happen. In the long run White will be able to slowly rob the black knights of their outposts and then squish Black into a gooey mess.

Chapter 1 0

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Lazy Variation with c2-c3

1 3 . . . 1Wc7! This is Black's best chance, intending to attack the c4-pawn. 1 4.1'k l 1 4 . .!fl CLJ e5 1 5 .CLJxe5 dxe5 1 6.a3 f6! 1 7 . .!e3 Elfd8 1 8.1We2 1Wf7 1 9 .Eiad l b6 20.b4 .!f8 is about equal. 1 4 . . . tLle5 1 5 . .!fl h6 1 6 . .!e3 8 7

437

1 6 . .!xd6 tLldc5, but I am suspicious about Black's position after 17.e5.) 1 5 ...1Wc7 16.tLld4 CLJe5 17.CLJxe6 fxe6 18 . .!e2 White was clearly better, and I had to use the best of my imagination in order to eventually draw the game.

15.i.e3!? I am convinced that White should be better somehow, but I am not so certain of how best to prove it. Mter 1 5 ..!fl CLJ e5 1 6.CLJxe5 .!xe5 17 . .!e3 1Wa5 it is not easy for White to keep control of everything.

6 5 4

15 ...VNds

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Why not 1 5 . . . 1Wc7 instead?

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1 6 . . . CLJxc4! This direct approach is meant to equalize no more, no less. 17 . .!xc4 .!xc4 1 8 .b3 1 8.1Wd2 Wh7 makes no difference. 1 8 . . . .!e6 1 9.1Wd2 Wh7 1 9 . . . g5!? could be considered. 20.CLJb5 1We7 2 l .CLJxd6 Elfd8 22.Eicd l CLJ c7 23.e5 CLJe8 24.1Wc2 .!d5 25.tLle4 .!xe4 26.1Wxe4 CLJ c7 Black is doing well. This long line may be a bit farfetched, but it is up to White to find a meaningful improvement.

16.ltJd4 White is a little better after 1 6 . .!fl CLJ e5 1 7.CLJxe5 dxe5 1 8.b4, but it is not much.

16 ... l£le5 17.ltJxe6 E\xe6 IS.i.fl This kind of position holds serious danger for Black, which will became clear if White manages to establish control over the dark squares. However, that is not so easy to achieve.

14J�bl E\fe8 Ambroz points out that 1 4 . . . tLle5 1 5 .tLlxe5 dxe5 1 6.b4 1Wc7 1 7.c5 is a little better for White. I reached this position against Stellan Brynell in the 2006 Swedish Championship, but I had completely forgotten my home preparations: 14 ... h6?! 1 5 ..!e3 (I guess I was hoping for some kind of compensation after 1 5 . .!e7 Elfe8

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18 ... .:!fJd7 19.'iNc2 ltJac5 20.f3 This move gives one the feeling that something has gone wrong for White. I am

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The Modern Tiger

certainly not in favour of weakening the dark squares on the kingside, and would prefer 20.b4!? .ixc3 2 1 .1Mixc3 lt:Jxe4 22.1Mib2 1Mih4! 23.l"i:bd l with compensation for the pawn.

20 ... a5 21.�fl?! This looks a bit passive, but after an alternative such as 2 l .l"i:bd l .ie5 22.lt:Je2 a4 23.g3 1Mia5 Black is also doing fine. It is hard for White to achieve f3-f4 without letting go of the e4-pawn. Even though this is close to a dream position for Black, he is still not objectively better, as there is no obvious way to improve his position. It is a bit like two octopuses hugging; both sides are stuck, and breaking the deadlock will involve significant risk.

21. .. h5?! Since White's plan involves f3-f4 and possibly e4-e5 followed by f4-f5, it is not such a great idea for Black to weaken his kingside. The f4-square is the critical point for which both sides are fighting. 2 l . . .l"i:e8!? 22.lt:Je2 (22.l"i:bdl .ie5 23.lt:Je2 should be met by 23 . . . 1Mif6, when it is hard for White to achieve g2-g3 and f3-f4) 22 . . . a4 23.l"i:ed l 1Mie7 24 . .ig3 .ie5! is a line given by Ambroz, intending 25.f4? .ig7 when White's e-pawn is falling. Initially I did not see the need to retreat the rook from e6, and wondered if 2 l . . ..ie5 22.lt:J e2 a4 could be an improvement. However, after 23.l"i:ed l ! 1Mic7 24.b4 axb3 25.axb3 l"i:ee8 26 ..ie3 lt:Je6 27.1Mid2 Black is clearly on the defensive, so Ambroz's line seems best after all. One advantage of retreating the rook is that the black queen will be able to defend the d-pawn from e7 without the rook being caught in the middle of the board.

22 . . . a4?! is met by 23.b4 axb3 24.axb3 l"i:e8 25.l"i:ed l .if8 26.b4 lt:Je6 27 ..ig3 and Black is in dire straits. 22 . . . .ie5!? is still the best move, forcing White to play f3-f4 if he wishes to attack the d6pawn. In the process the e4-pawn will also become weak.

23.b3 '§'g5 After 23 . . . l"i:e8 24.l"i:ed l 1Mie7 25 .1Mid2 .ie5 it is not obvious how White should continue. For instance, 26.a3 a4 27.b4 lt:J b3 28.1Mih6 .if6 is quite complex and not without chances for Black.

24.'§'cl! '§'xcl After 24 . . . 1Mie7!? 25.l"i:dl intending 1Mid2 and lt:Jf4/d4, Black is struggling to defend the d-pawn.

25.lDxcl g5 The downside to this move is that White can strive to manoeuvre his knight to f5 . A completely different way of treating the

Chapter 1 0

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Lazy Variation with c2-c3

439

posmon is 25 .. J�ae8!? 26 ..ixh4 f5! 27/iJe2 fXe4, when Black seems to have enough counterplay.

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29 ..L:c5! dxc5 30.exf5 :af6 3 1.tLld3 :axf5 a

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26.a3! tLle5 27.:adi :aae8 27 . . . lt::l g6 28 ..ie3 .if6 29.lt::l e2 is given by Ambroz. This line clearly shows the downside of . . . g5, as lt::l d4-f5 becomes a positional nightmare for Black.

28 ..ie3?! Somewhat surprisingly, Korchnoi allows Black counterplay just after he got the position under control. Maybe he saw what was coming and evaluated it too optimistically. Another possibility is 28.tt'le2, but then 28 . . . tt'led3 29 . .id4 tt'l f4! 30.lt::l xf4 .ixd4t 3 1 .1'l:xd4 gxf4 32.b4 axb4 33.axb4 tt'l d7 followed by . . . lt::l e5 is nice for Black. The bishop on f1 is awful, and the knight will dominate the board from e5. I think the best move is 28 .1'l:d2! intending b3-b4 and eventually lt::l e2-d4-f5. If 28 . . . .ih6 then 29 .l'l:c2 keeps control. Black would need to defend well to survive against this plan.

28 ...£5! Black takes the opportunity to free himself before tt'l e2-d4-f5 comes.

After 3 l . . .tt'lxd3! 32 . .ixd3 l'l:d6 White has to settle for a draw: 33 . .ic2 (White cannot play for a win with 33 ..ie4 l'l:ed8 34.1'l:xd6 l'l:xd6 35 .b4?? since 35 . . . cxb4 36.axb4 a4! is even losing for White.) 33 . . . 1'l:ed8 34.1'l:xd6 l'l:xd6 35.1'l:dl l'l:xd l t 36 . .ixd l .ib2 37.a4 .id4t 38.c;t>fl h l g5 1 5 .1"ld2 g4 1 6.tLlel i.h6 1 7.1"le2 ttJf4 when there is no way for White to avoid repeating moves.

13 ... tlJxe2t!? 14.Y*fxe2 Y*/a6! 15.xf5 39.�dg4 ttlf7 40.ttlb3 40.Ele4! intending Elfl t would have given excellent winning chances.

40 ... �c8 4I.ttld4t i>g6 42.�4g2? �xg2 43.�xg2 ttle5 44.ttle6 g4 45.�e2 i>f6 46.i>dl �h8 47.c3 V2-V2

Although Black suffered a bit in the endgame, the opening is nothing to be afraid of. In the event of 8 . . . Eld8!N White will be hard pressed to prove equality.

Jorge Cori - Tiger Hillarp Persson a

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27... �d8 28.�hfl 'ii> g7 29.�£4 g5 30.hxg5 hxg5 3I .�d4 �bs 32.ttld3?! 32.j,a4! was a better way to continue, intending ll:lc6.

32 ...a5 33.�hl f5! 34.gxf5 .!xf5 35.ttlc5 �h8 36.�gl

Porto Mannu 2009

l .e4 g6 2.d4 .!g7 3 ..!e3 d5! 4.e5 c5 5.c3 cxd4 6.cxd4 The actual move order in this game was 3 ... c5 4.c3 cxd4 5.cxd4 d5 6.e5, but I have altered it to emphasize the more accurate sequence.

Chapter 1 1 - Unusual Lines

457

6 ... £6!?

7.f4?!

Strangely, there are hardly any high-quality games featuring Black's strongest move: 6 . . . l2\h6! This highlights the downside of having developed the bishop to e3. 7.lLlc3 lLl c6 8.lLlf3 0-0 9.Wd2 It seems better to play 9.�d3 intending 9 . . . lLlf5 1 0.0-0, when 1 0 . . . lLlxe3 1 1 .fxe3 f6 1 2.exf6 �xf6 1 3.:1'k1 e6 1 4.a3 �g7 looks balanced. 9 . . . lLlf5 1 0.�f4 f6

There is no reason to be worried about 7.exf6?!, when 7 . . . l2\xf6 8.lLlc3 0-0 9.lLlf3 l2\ c6 1 0.�e2 l2\g4 is pleasant for Black, since 1 1 .�g5 ? allows 1 1 . . . l2\xd4!. The most challenging move is: 7.lLlf3! lLl c6 8 .�b5 �g4 9.lLl bd2 l2\h6 (After 9 . . . fxe5?! 1 0.dxe5 �xf3 1 1 .�xc6t bxc6 1 2.lLlxf3 Black has no good answer to the plan of �c5 and later l2\ d4.) 1 0.exf6 exf6 1 1 .h3 �xf3 1 2.Wxf3 0-0 1 3.0-0 lLl f5 1 4.l2\b3 Intuitively I would evaluate this position as somewhat better for White, but the engine suggests that it is close to equal after either 14 . . . :1'k8 or 14 . . . l2\xe3 1 5 .fxe3 f5 .

7 ... .!lJh6 I was more than happy with my position at this point, and maybe I even lowered my guard a bit. a

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1 1 .g4? lLlfxd4!? 1 l . . .fxe5! 1 2.dxe5 l2\ h6 1 3 .h3 e6 is better for Black. 1 2.lLlxd4 fxe5 1 3.lLlxc6 bxc6 1 4.�g3 �xg4 In Karatorossian - Chernyshov, Budapest 2004, Black had decent prospects with three pawns for a piece.

8.h3?! White should prefer 8.lLlf3, although 8 . . . 0-0 9.�e2 l2\c6 1 0.0-0 fxe5 1 1 .fxe5 �g4 followed by . . . lLl f5 is at least equal for Black.

8 ... .!lJc6 9 . .!lJc3 fxe5! 10.fxe5 .!lJf5 l l ..ifl

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The Modern Tiger

I cannot understand how I missed 1 1 . . . i.h6!, which should lead to a clear advantage. After 1 2.i.b5 0-0 1 3.ttJf3 ttJe3 1 4.i.xe3 i.xe3 White must take care not to run into 1 5 .1Mfd3? �xf3! 1 6.gxf3 lt:J b4 1 7.1Mfe2 i.f5 1 8.i.a4 ttJ d3t 1 9. �fl i.xd4 with fantastic compensation for Black.

12.tLlf3?! I planned to meet the critical 1 2.g4! with 1 2 . . . lt:Jfxd4! ( 1 2 . . . lt:J h6 1 3.ttJf3 lt:Jf7 looks far too passive) 1 3.i.xd4 e6 with good compensation.

12 ... e6? Objectively speaking there is nothing wrong with this move, provided Black follows up with . . . i.h6 in the near future. However, since I obviously did not plan on doing that, my move deserves the question mark. I should have known better than to end up in the kind of position that arises after move 1 6. Once again, 1 2 . . . i.h6! is clearly better for Black.

15.g4! lLlfe7 16.�d3 This is the kind of position that Black should avoid at all costs. I don't have a single active piece!

16 ... a6 17.�e3 l3f7 18.'?Nd2 '?Nb6 19.tLla4 '?Nc7 20.tLlc5 I was hoping for 20.i.xh6 lLlxd4! 2 1 .ttJxd4 i.xe5 22.ttJf3 i.xa4 23.ttJxe5 1Mfxe5 24.�xf7 1Mfg3t 25 .1Mfg2 1Mfxg2t 26.�xg2 �xf7 when things are much less clear.

20 l3af8 2I.tLlxd7?! •..

This gave me some hope. For one thing, I get rid of my bad bishop. (Who am I kidding? The other one is just as bad.) Secondly, I am happy to have one less minor piece in need of a personal space on my first and second row. I have no idea how I would have survived after 2 l .�g2! i.c8 22.�ac l g5 (22 . . . �h7 is even worse after 23.h4 intending h4-h5) at which point White can either play 23.h4 immediately or continue to strengthen his position.

21. ..'?Nxd7 22.@g2 13.�b5 �d7 14.0-0 h6? If a student of mine played such a passive and slow move I would be horrified. There was still time for 14 . . . i.h6 1 5 .1Mfe2 i.f4 with something close to equality.

Despite White's previous inaccuracy, Black still has a poor position with no counterplay.

Chapter 1 1

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25.mxf3 ttJxd4t 26.i>g2 '1Wxe5 27.j,xg7 '1Wxg7. Even though Black does not have full compensation for the exchange, I considered this to be a huge improvement on my position from a few moves ago.

23 ...Wfa5! 24.Wfxa5 tLlxa5 25.b3 liJac6 26J3afl l3c8 27.liJel l3xfl.t 28.l3xfl. ttla7 29.l3c2?! White has more space and should not help me by exchanging more pieces. Now I believe Black's position can be held.

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Unusual Lines

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Andres Rodriguez - Vladislav Tkachiev Villa Martelli 1 997

l .e4 g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.liJc3 Apart from this move we have covered 3.tLlf3, 3.f4, 3.j,e3, 3.j,c4 and 3.g3. Are there any other alternatives? The answer is yes. 3.f3 d5! Other moves give White more options. 4.e5 c5 5.c3 ttJc6 6.j,e3 ttJh6 7.g4 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.'1Wd2 ttJ £7 1 0.exf6 exf6 I l .j,b5 f5 Black was clearly better in Kaloskambis - Grivas, Chalkidiki 2003. White has also tried the exotic: 3.h4?! d5! It is common knowledge that the most effective way to counter an attack on the flank is by striking in the centre. 4.e5 After 4.exd5 '1Wxd5 5.j,e3 ttJ f6 the meaning of h2-h4 is lost on me.

29 ... l3xc2t 30.liJxc2 i>f7 3I.i>f3 j,£8 32.i.d2 liJec6 33.a4 a5 34.i.e3 34.h4 ttJ b4 35 .ttJxb4 axb4 36.j,f4 j,e7 is dead equal.

34 ... ttlb4 35.ttlxb4 hb4 36.i>e2 lf2-IJ2

Despite my falling into trouble in the middlegame, I could have secured a great position had I only played . . . j,h6 at the right time. Feel free to follow in my footsteps in the opening, although 6 . . . ttJh6! looks like an even more convincing route to equality. In the next game we will look at a few ways in which White may attempt a quick pawn advance on the kingside.

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4 . . . h5! 5.tLle2 Both 5.j,d3 and 5.j,e3 are better, but in both cases Black gets an excellent game by playing 5 . . . c5 followed by . . . tLl c6 and . . . tt:J h6, waiting for the right moment to develop (and hopefully exchange) the c8-bishop. 5 . . . c5 6.c3 ttJc6 7.a3!?

The Modern Tiger

460

White has to play ambitiously, otherwise Black will get a wonderful version of an Advance Caro-Kann. 7 ... l!J h6 8.b4 cxd4 9.cxd4 lD f5 I O.l!Jbc3 e6 l l .g3 �b6 12 . .ie3 8 7 6 5 4

4 l!Jf6! •••

After 4 ... h5?!, the black kingside is prematurely weakened and White should go for the most aggressive of ideas: 5 . .ic4! c6 (5 . . . l!J f6?! 6.ig5) 6.�f3 e6 The position resembles a well-known variation where the pawns are still on h7 and h2. This small difference is clearly to White's advantage, as 7.ig5 �b6 8 .0-0-0 looks horrible for Black.

5.i.e2 bm,/'="'-,,,,wJ'='--mN//

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1 2 . . . lDxe5! This theme is unique to this structure. 1 3.dxe5 lDxe3 1 4.fxe3 '1Wxe3 1 5 .�d4 �xd4 1 6.lDxd4 .ixe5 17.lDce2 .id7 Black had three pawns for a piece, plus the bishop pair and the initiative, and went on to win a splendid game in Granda Zuniga Kakageldyev, Yerevan 1 996.

5.f3 should be met by 5 . . . c6!, when 6 ..ie3 b5 gives Black an improved version of the Flexible Dragon Unleashed. The difference is felt after 7.�d2 h5 8 .0-0-0 �c7 when Black is virtually a tempo up on my main line from Game 27, since he has avoided . . . a6. The game continuation has been surprisingly popular, but it is reduced to something of a paper tiger by Black's next move.

3 d6 4.h4 •••

Mter 4.g4!? I am not sure about 4 . . . l!J c6 5 . .ie3 e5 6.d5 l!Jd4 7.h3 c6, but Black can try 4 . . . a6 or - because f4 has been weakened 4 . . . e5.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

5 ... c5!

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This is a convincing answer, although there are still dangers ahead. 5 . . . h6?! is flexible, but Black's kingside looks a bit shaky after 6.h5 g5 7.f4 gxf4 8 ..ixf4 l!J c6 9.lDf3 .ig4 I O.d5 l!Jb8 I I .l!Jh4 and White had a strong initiative in Rodriguez - Spangenberg, Vicente Lopez 2002. Black can improve with 8 ... c6, but White is still better.

Chapter 1 1 - Unusual Lines 5 ... h5 is well met by 6.tt'lf3! (6.tt'lh3 .ixh3! 7Jl:xh3 c6 can be compared with my recommendation in the Flexible Dragon Unleashed) 6 . . ..ig4 7.tt'lg5 .ixe2 8 .'1Wxe2 tt'lc6 9 ..ie3 tt'lg4 1 0.0-0-0 and White has the initiative.

6.dxc5 The alternative is: 6.d5 Considering the bad reputation of the game continuation, I was expecting this move to be played a lot more. 6 . . . h5! This is Black's best idea, stopping the white h-pawn from causing trouble. Black should avoid the frequently recommended 6 . . . 0-0 7.h5 b5 8.hxg6 b4. Black may be doing fine after 9.gxh7t? xd8

A tougher test is: 1 0.1"\d l t! For some time I thought I might have to throw this entire variation on the scrapheap because of this relatively rare move. The advantage of checking with the rook compared to long castling is that the f2pawn remains defended by the king, which enables White to meet . . . lt:Jg4 by moving his bishop out of harm's way. Now Black has to play precisely to avoid a bad position. 10 ... j_d7 1 l .tLl d5 lt:Jg4! After 1 1 ...lt:Jf7 1 2.c5 cs 1 3.j_c4 ttJfd8 1 4.b4 Black had a miserable game in Mayer - Kroll, email 2005.

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9 ... tLlxd8? loses a pawn after 1 0.tLld5 tLle6 1 l .tLlxf6t j_xf6 1 2.j_xh6.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2

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This is stronger than 1 0.h3, when an instructive game continued: 1 0 . . . j_e6! ( l O ... ttJ£7 1 1 .0-0-ot j_d7 leads to the main game.) 1 1 .0-0-0t 'kt>c8 1 2.g4 tLl f7 1 3 .1"i:g1 b6 (I unfairly criticized this in Tiger's Modern.) 1 4.c5! b7 1 5 .tLld5 1"i:ad8 1 6.j_a6t bs 1 7.a3

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This position occurred in Zsu. Polgar Azmaiparashvili, Dortmund 1 990. At this point, instead of 1 7 . . . j_c8?!, Black should have

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1 2.j_c 1 tLle7! This is the point behind Black's last move. Now White cannot win a pawn by taking on h6 and then on f6. 1 3.tLlc3! Since Black is lacking in space and coordination, White should try to avoid exchanges for the time being. After 1 3.h3 tLlxd5 14.exd5!? ( 1 4.cxd5 tLlh6 1 5 .j_e3 ttJ £7 1 6.tLld2 j_h6 is about equal) 1 4 . . . lt:Jh6 1 5 .c5 tLlf5?! Black was a bit worse in Hanko - Krivoshey, Prievidza 1 998, but

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The Modern Tiger

15 . . . b6N and 1 5 . . . lt::l f7N both seem like better moves. 1 3 . . . lt::l h 6!N 13 . . . rj;lc8 has been played a couple of times, but I prefer the text move, as the king will be able to go to c7 within a short time. 1 4.c5 c6!

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This move is what Black has been aiming for. Now he is ready to organize the forces. 1 5 .i.c4 rj;lc7 1 6.h3 Ei:hd8 1 7.0-0 i.e8 1 8.i.d2 i.f8! 1 9 .b4 i.f7! 20.i.e2 b5! 2 l .a4 a6 With . . . i.e6 and . . . lt::l f7 coming, Black is poised to finish development. With that done, he can start thinking about launching the g- and h-pawns against White's king.

Tiger's Modern. However, I have since come to appreciate that the . . . f5 break is often a mistake in positions where Black's rooks are not connected. After 12.g3! rj;lcs 1 3 .lt::l g5 lt::l d4 14.i.g2 White can open the position with Ei:he 1 and f2-f4, a scenario that Black is poorly equipped to deal with. An even more precise move order for Black is: 1 1 .. .rj;lc8! 1 2.c5 i.e6! Keeping the white bishop away from c4 for the moment. 1 3 .lt::l d 5 lt::l f7 1 4.i.c4 14.g4 was played in Sammalvuo - Palliser, Eilat 20 1 2, and now 14 . . . lt::l cd8!N 1 5 .lt::l c3 c6 1 6.b3 Wc7 followed by . . . b5 would have been promising for Black. 1 4 ... Ei:e8! 1 5 .i.d2 Now in Bosboom Lanchava - Timman, London 2006, it would have been good for Black to play:

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1 5 ... lt::l cd8!N The game continued 15 . . . a5 1 6.h4 h5! 17.rj;lb 1 lt::l b8 ( 1 7 . . . f5!? could be an improvement) 1 8 .i.b5 i.d7 1 9.a4 when Black needed some creativity to get himself out of the rather tricky bind. The text move is a much easier solution to Black's problems. 1 6.i.e2 c6 1 7.lt::l c3 b5 I would rather be Black.

487

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation

was clearly better in Cramling - Foisor, Tilburg 1 994. Black's central pawns are vulnerable, as they cannot be supported by the rooks. Once again, the lesson is that Black should keep the position closed until the king is safe(r) and the rooks connected.

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1 2.g4N should be met by: 1 2 .. .'it>c8 ( 1 2 . . . h5 ? 1 3.gxh5 !hh5 1 4.!l:gl l£J e7 1 5 .h4 is horrible for Black, who must worry about an exchange sacrifice on d7, among other things.) 1 3 .!l:gl l£J cd8 1 4.c5 c6 Black is doing all right, and can creep forwards with . . . �c7 and . . . b6. If White plays ic4, then . . . i.e6 will come, and if he does not, then . . . l£J e6 will be played at some point.

This is the standard manoeuvre that we see again and again in this structure.

12 ... �c8 13.i.c4

14.b4

White can also go one step further with the bishop: 1 3.i.b5 ie6 1 4.�b l Here Black should proceed with the typical regrouping move:

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It is worth mentioning a few other illustrative examples: 14.�c2 i.e6 1 5 .�b3 c6 1 6.!l:d3 i.xc4t 1 7.�xc4 l£J e6 1 8 .!l:hd l !l:d8 1 9.!l:xd8t l£J exd8 20.b4 l£Je6 2 l .b5 i.f8 22.liJ e l Wc7 23.l£Jc2

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1 4 . . . l£J cd8!N, intending . . . c6 and . . . �c7. Instead 14 . . . l£J e7?! misplaces the knight, and after 1 5 .l£J d2 f5 1 6.exf5 gxf5 1 7.ic4 White

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Now 23 . . . b6?? 24.bxc6 bxc5 25 .!l:d7t

The Modern Tiger

488

1-0 was the abrupt end of Illescas Cordoba - McNab, Gothenburg 2005. Better was 23 . . .l'!d8N with equality. There is no way through for White on the queenside, and Black still has potential for counterplay in the centre and on the kingside. Similar to the main game is: 1 4.lt:ld2 c6 1 5 .a3?! This is completely unnecessary; 1 5 .b4 is more to the point. 1 5 . . . lt:l e6 1 6.b4 .th6? This loses too much time. 16 . . . b7 1 8.l':!:hfl A draw was agreed in Vitiugov Nepomniachtchi, Olginka 20 1 1 . 9.fxe5 tt:'le7! 1 o.lt:Jd5 The pedestrian 1 0.j,e2 is met by 1 0 . . . tt:'l c6 1 1 .0-0 tt:'ldxe5 1 2.tt:'lg5 lt:J d4! 1 3.l':!:d 1 tt:'ld7 1 4.tt:'lxe6t tt:'lxe6 1 5 .l':!:b 1 c6 when Black is already ruling the dark squares. 1 O . . . tt:'l c6 Black should avoid 1 0 . . . tt:'lxe5 1 1 .j,g5, when he has not real choice but to play 1 1 . . ,j,xd5 1 2.cxd5 tt:'lxf3t 1 3.gxf3 j,xb2 1 4.l':!:b 1 j,c3t 1 5 .'it>e2 l':!:b8, giving White more than

500

The Modern Tiger

enough compensation for the pawn after either 1 6.h4 or 1 6 . .if4.

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1 1 ..ig5t b l ! Black is under heavy pressure. 1 o . . . h6 is more reliable. 1 1 .lt:lxe6t fxe6 1 2.0-0-0 ( 1 2.lt:lb5 .ie5 1 3 . .ixe5 lt:lxe5 1 4.E!:d 1 t c8 14.lt:ld5 c6

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501

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation

9 h6 ...

In Morley - Vegjeleki, corr. 20 1 2, Black tried the somewhat inhuman 9 . . . exf4!? 1 0.i.xf4 i.xc3t 1 1 .bxc3 lLlgf6 1 2.lLlg5 lLlc5. Objectively this position might be okay for Black, but it is not something that I would play in a live game.

email 200 1 . There is still a lot to play for, but the chances are about even.

10.0-0 �e7 l l.Ae3 In the following email game White tried a more dangerous plan: 1 U%d1 �c8 1 2.lLld5 lLl c6 1 3.l:%b 1 l:%e8 14.ie3 But not 14.b4?! lLld4 1 5.lLlxd4 exd4 when it is hard for White to deal with the ideas of . . .ixd5, . . . c6 and . . . lLl b6. 14 . . . f5!? One of the rare occasions where this move works. Black does not have time to play 14 . . . exf4 1 5 .ixf4 lLl de5 since 1 6 .b4! intending b4-b5 and l:%b3-a3 is too dangerous. However, Black has a reasonable alternative in 14 . . . a5, intending to slow White down on the queenside before deciding how to deal with the central tension.

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Black can also try 1 l . . .'�c8!? although after 1 2.l:%ad 1 it will not be possible to put off . . . exf4 forever. A typical mistake would be 1 l .. .c6?!, when 12.l:%ad 1 �c8 1 3.l:%d2 leaves the e7-knight misplaced.

12 .ixf4 g5 13 ..ig3 .

It is also possible to play 1 3 .ie3, intending to manoeuvre a knight to d4 and eventually f5 . Black should play 1 3 . . . lLlc6 14.lLlb5 �c8! 1 5 .lLlbd4 ( 1 5.lLlfd4 a6!) 1 5 . . .g4 1 6.lLlxe6 fxe6 1 7.lLl e 1 ixb2 1 8 .l:%b 1 .id4 with a balanced game.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 a

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1 5 .lLl h4 White can also try 1 5 .id3!? if7 1 6.exf5 e4 1 7.fxg6 ixd5 1 8.cxd5 lLl b4 1 9.ifl exf3 20 ..if2 with some weird compensation. 1 5 . . . lLld4 1 6.ixd4 exd4 1 7.e5 c6 1 8 .l:%xd4 cxd5 1 9.cxd5 if7 20.ib5 ixe5 A draw was agreed in Koetsier - Koch,

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502

The Modern Tiger

13 ... g4! This is dearly stronger than 1 3 . . . tLlg6, Ivanisevic - Todorcevic, Vrnjacka Banja 1 999, when 1 4.:B:ad l !N is strong, intending 1 4 . . . �c8 1 5 .ttJb5 ttJ f4 1 6 . .ixf4 gxf4 17.ttJfd4 a6 1 8 .ttJc3 .ie5 1 9.ttJd5 .ixd5 20.exd5 with a dear advantage for White.

14.ltlh4 White tries to use every tempo to his advantage. There are two other options:

From here, the engine gives 24.cxb6 axb6 25.ttJxc7 :B:xa2 26.ttJa6t �a8 as almost equal, but I have a bad feeling about this line.) 20.tLlg7 a4 2 l .:B:f6 .id7 Black has not completely equalized yet, but if he manages to hold on to the e5-blockade, then the future will be bright. I would say the position is objectively slightly better for White, but at the same time easier to play for Black, since White cannot afford to lose steam.

1 4.ttJd2 ttJg6 1 5 .ttJb3 .ie5 1 6 .:B:ad l .ixg3 1 7.hxg3 tLlge5 1 8 .ttJ c5 �c8 1 9 .ttJxd7 tLlxd7 20.ttJd5 h5 2 l .ttJ f4 a5 22.�f2 a4 23.�e3 :B:a5 and the game remains balanced. 14.ttJel allows the knight to make its way to either f4 or e3, but the question is whether it will achieve anything on either outpost. After 1 4 . . . ltlg6 1 5 .:B:dl h5 I 6.lLl d5 .ie5 1 7.ttJd3 .ixg3 1 8.hxg3 c6 Black is doing well. a

14 ...i.d4t lS.'it>hl i.eS 16.�adl 16 . .ixe5! tLlxe5 1 7.:B:ad l t �c8 1 8 .ttJ d5 ttJ7c6 1 9.ttJf5 would have maintained some initiative and forced Black to defend carefully. Best play continues:

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1 9 . . . a5! ( 1 9 ... h5 20.b4! is awkward for Black, since after 20 . . . ttJ d7 2 1 .c5 tLlce5 22.:B:c l �b8 23.b5 Black is forced to play 23 . . . b6.

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16 ...i.:xg3 17.hxg3 hS 18.ltld5 ltlc6 At this point a draw was agreed. A possible continuation is 1 9.ttJf5 a5 (or 1 9 . . . tLl ce5 20.ttJd4 c6 2 l .�gl :B:c8 22.a3 :B:h6 23.:B:d2 cxd5 24.cxd5 a6 and Black has a nice endgame) 20.ttJg7 ttJ ce5 2 l .�gl �c8 when White has nothing better than 22.tLle7t �d8 23.tLld5, repeating the position. lfz-lfz

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Despite the early draw, there was plenty going on in this game. The slight misplacement of Black's king means that he will generally have to soak up some pressure, but he can look forward to the future endgame where White's weak dark squares will count in Black's favour. We have seen that the deviations 7 . . . ttJc6 and 8 . . . tLl c6 are both playable, so you have some options in the event of a problem occurring in the main line.

503

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation The next game features a dangerous set-up where White maintains the central tension.

Klaus Bischoff- Dimitri Reinderman Venlo 2000

l.c4 g6 2.d4 j.g7 3.e4 d6 4.�c3 e5 According to habit, I have adjusted the move order. The game actually continued 4 . . . lLld7 5 .ie3 e5 6.lLlge2 lLle7.

5.�ge2 This flexible move can be followed by either g2-g3, or .ie3 and f2-f3.

scenarios after both a) 6.g3 and the more critical b) 6.d5!. a) 6.g3 lLle7 7.ig2 exd4 8.lLlxd4 lLl c6! This leads to an accelerated version of a line that I have played with castling thrown in for both sides. We will see how this small difference may benefit Black. 9.lLlde2 Both 9.lLlc2?! lLlce5 l O.lLle3 lLl c5 1 1 .0-0 ll:l ed3 and 9 . .ie3 ll:l de5 are pleasant for Black. 9 . . . lLl de5 1 0.b3 ig4! If both sides had castled then this move would achieve nothing, but here it causes White real problems.

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I have come to the conclusion that 5 ... lLlc6 6 . .ie3 lLl h6 7.f3 5 8.'\Wd2! is beyond saving. Neither 8 . . . f4 9.if2 g5 I O.d5 lLle7 l l .c5!, nor 8 . . . fxe4 9.lLlxe4 lLlf5 1 0 . .ig5 'Wd7 l l .d5 lLlcd4 1 2.lLlxd4 exd4 1 3.lLlf6t!, nor 8 . . . lLl f7 9.ex5 ix5 1 0.d5 holds a future for Black. If you wish to prevent White from exchanging queens, then 5 . . . lLld7 might appeal to you. Most of the time this move will transpose to the main game, but there are a few unique

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l l .h3 lLlf3t 1 2 .'�fl ixc3 1 3J�b l lLlh2t 1 3 . . . ll:ld2t 1 4.ixd2 ixe2t 1 5.'Wxe2 ixd2 1 6.'Wxd2 'Wf6 is also sensible. 1 4.@gl ixe2 1 5 .'Wxe2 h5 1 6.@xh2 h4 1 7.g4 g5 1 8.e5 ixe5t 1 9.f4 gxf4 20.ixc6t bxc6 2 1 .ixf4 0-0 Black was slightly better in Ippolito A. Ivanov, Philadelphia 2006. b) 6.d5! is more of a problem. White is aiming to play a Samisch set-up, and if Black is to avoid an inferior version of a KID, he needs to arrange an early . . .f5. Unfortunately, the knight on d7 gets in the way of this, as well as hindering any possible queenside play with . . . c6.

504

The Modern Tiger 6.h4!? is quite logical. I suggest 6 . . . ttJbc6 7.d5, and now 7 ... ttJd4! is surprisingly a novelty. 8 . .!e3 (8.h5 c5 9.ttJb5 0-0 is unclear.)

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6 . . . ttJe7 looks logical, but 7.h4!? is annoying. In the event of 7 . . . f5 8 .h5 0-0 9.hxg6 hxg6 I O . .!g5 ttJ f6 l l .Wfd2 I am suspicious about Black's position. 7 . . . h5! is a better try, but after 8 . .!e3 f5 9.g3 ttJ f6 1 0 . .!g2 0-0 l l ..!g5 White retains a positional grip. This is the main reason why I would stick with 5 . . . ttJe7.

6.i.e3 There are several other options that White can consider: 6.g3?! is a move that Black should be more than happy to face: 6 . . .exd4 7.ttJxd4 ttJbc6! 8 . .!e3 (8.ttJf3 0-0 9 . .!g2 .!g4 1 0.h3 .!e6 l l .ttJ d5 ttJe5 is at least equal for Black.) 8 . . . 0-0 9 . .!g2 tDe5 I O.b3

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8 . . . c5! 9.dxc6 ttJexc6! This structure and piece arrangement is not exactly an everyday occurrence, but I believe Black is doing all right. One possible continuation is 1 0.h5 .!e6 l l .Wfd2 0-0 1 2.ttJd5 and now 1 2 . . .l:k8 is sensible, while 12 . . .f5!? is interesting, albeit risky. White can also go for another version of the queenless middlegame with: 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.Wfxd8t mxd8 8 ..!e3! 8.b3 b6 9 . .!a3 c5 1 0.0-0-0t .!d7 1 1 . mc2 ttJbc6 is equal. 8 ..!g5 f6 9.0-0-0t ttJ d7 1 0 ..!e3 c6 l l .h4 h5 1 2.g3 rj]c7 1 3 . .!g2 .!h6 14.f4 b6 1 5 .mb l .!a6 1 6.b3 �adS and Black has equalized.

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8 . . . b6!? 8 . . . ttJ d7 9.0-0-0 c6 1 0.g3 rj]c7 l l .f4 b6 is

Chapter 1 2

-

Averbakh Variation

pretty solid. However, I believe Black should strive for . . . c5 and . . . lt:l bc6-d4, otherwise there is a risk that the e7-knight will become passive. 9.0-0-0t i.d7 1 0.c5!? Otherwise Black executes the plan of . . . c5 followed by plonking a knight on d4. l O . . . cS l l .ttJg3 i.e6 1 2.ttJd5 l"'e8 1 3.i.g5 lt:l ec6 Followed by . . . b7 and Black is fine. 6.d5 I found a few games that reached this position via different move orders. This may not be the most logical moment for White to block the centre, but it is still important for Black to react correctly 6 . . . 0-0! 6 . . . lt:l d7?! 7.h4! h6 8 .h5 g5 9.g4 is horrible for Black. The kingside is closed and White has a free hand on the queenside. 7.h4N This has not been tried, but it seems like the only critical idea. 7 . . . h6! Absolutely necessary. 7 . . . f5 8.h5 is worse for Black. 8.h5 g5 9.ttJg3 f5 l O.i.d3 1 0.i.e2 lt:l a6 l l .exf5 lt:lxf5 1 2.ttJge4 lt:ld4 1 3.a3 c6 gives Black excellent counterplay. 1 0 . . .f4 l l .ttJfl ttJ d7 1 2.g4 fxg3 1 3.ttJxg3

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505

A thematic and powerful sacrifice. 14.i.xf4 exf4 1 5.lt:lfl lt:l e5 1 6.i.e2 c5 Black has fantastic positional compensation for the exchange.

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7.g3 0-0 8 .i.g2? (8.d5 leads to the game) 8 . . . exd4! 9.lt:lxd4 lt:le5 is the same disastrous line that was analysed after 6.g3?! above.

7 0-0 8.f3 ...

The alternative is: 8.0-0-0 f5 (8 . . . a6!? is interesting; for instance, 9.h4 h5 1 0.f3?! b5 is nice for Black.) 9.i.g5 (9.f3 transposes to the note to White's next move in the main game.) 9 . . . fxe4 1 o.lt:lxe4 We8!? l l .d5 lt:l f5 The position is similar to the 9.0-0-0 line examined below.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

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506

The Modern Tiger

8 ...5 9.d5

Once again White can consider 9.0-0-0, when 9 . . . fxe4 leaves him with a choice of recaptures: a) 1 O.fxe4 a6 l l .h3 b5! is something White should avoid. The critical line goes 1 2.ig5 E!:f7 1 3.ltld5 ib7! 1 4.ltlxe7t E!:xe7 1 5 .dxe5 (or 1 5 .ixe7 Wxe7 1 6.d5 Wh4 1 7.Wffc2 ltlf6 and White's centre is starting to fall apart) 1 5 . . . ixe5 1 6.ltlc3 c6 1 7.ie2 ltlc5 1 8.Wc2 ltle6 1 9.ixe7 Wxe7 20.Wb l ic8! Black has good compensation for the exchange. b) I O.ltlxe4 is better, when 1 0 . . . ltlf5 I I .ig5 We8 1 2.d5 h6 1 3 .ie3 a6 1 4.ttJ2c3 Wf7 1 5 .�b1 ltlf6 1 6.ltlxf6t Wxf6 1 7.id3 id7 1 8.if2 b5 offers sufficient counterplay.

IO ...fxe4!? This operation seems a bit premature to me. I would prefer 10 . . . ltlf6! intending 1 I ..ie2 c5!? 1 2.0-0 (or 1 2.ltld3?! b5!) 12 . . .f4 ( 1 2 ... E!:b8!? 1 3.a4 a5 is another idea, sealing up the queenside before focusing on the other wing) 1 3.if2 g5 1 4.b4 b6 1 5 .ltld3 g4 1 6.E!:ab 1 ltlg6 with an attack.

l l.fxe4 tlJf6 12 ..ie2 tLlg4 13 ..ixg4?! It was more challenging to play 1 3.ig5 h6 14.ixg4 hxg5 1 5 .ixc8 E!:xc8 1 6.E!:fl when Black may regret the doubling of the g-pawns in the long run.

9 ... a6!

13 ....ixg4 14.tlJd3 �h8 15.tlJf2 .id7 16.0-0

This is clearly the best choice, preparing to answer long castling with a quick . . . b5 break.

I guess Bischoff considered this position to be somewhat better for White, but Reinderman finds a nice way to regroup.

IOJL1cl 1 0.h3 ltlf6 1 1 .g4 b5 1 2.cxb5 axb5 1 3 .gxf5 gxf5 1 4.b4 ltlg6 1 5 .h4 ltlh5 is problematic for White, whose king lacks a safe shelter. White should absolutely avoid 1 0.0-0-0?! b5! 1 1 .cxb5 axb5 when both 1 2.b4?! ltl f6 and 12.ttJxb5 E!:xa2 1 3.ltlec3 E!:a5 14.ic4 ltl f6 1 5 .�c2 id7! 1 6.E!:a1 E!:xb5 1 7.ltlxb5 fxe4 offer Black excellent chances.

17.a4 '!Wh4 18.a5 White fixes the pawn structure to his advantage, but he will not get the time to reap what he has sowed on the queenside.

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation

507

18 ....ih6! 19.hb6 �xh6 20.�d3

29 ... h6

It would have been better to try 20.c5! 'kt>g7 2 1 .lLld3 lLl g4 22.h3 lLl f6 23.\We3, when White is at least starting to create some threats on the queenside, with cxd6 followed by \Wb6 on the agenda.

29 . . . \Wh5! is more accurate. The best line according to the Silicon Monster is 30.lLlf3 lLlg4 3 l .:Ei:e2 :E\f6 32.\Wg5t \Wxg5 33.lLlxg5 :E\xfl t 34.i>xfl :E\b8! 35.lLlh3 b6 36.axb6 :E\xb6 when the c4-pawn is in trouble. Maybe White can defend; maybe not.

30.�c2 �g4 Also after 30 . . . lLlxe4!? 3 1 .lLlxe4 \Wxe4 32.:E\xf8 :Ei:xf8 33.:E\xf8 'kt>xf8 34.\Wxh6t i>f7 35.lLle3 \Wf4 36.\Wh7t 'kt>e8 37.lLldl d8 Black keeps some advantage.

31.gxf8 gxf8 32.gxf8 �xf8 33.�e3 YNg5 34.lLlfl YN£6 35.�dl! White is starting to get his ducks in a row. It is important to neutralize the strong knight on g4.

�

8 m � t� 7 � r-r•,, j_ � �---- %�.r'ij �:xg7 1 8 .Wid3 j,e6 1 9.ttld4 is dangerous for Black.) 1 5 .j,xg7 i>xg7 1 6 .g3 ttlh3t 1 7.'it>hl ttlg5 In this position White would have been much better if only the g3-pawn had been back home on g2. Here however, the weakened light squares offer Black reasonable prospects for counterplay.

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14 ll:Jc6 15J:Udl lLie5 16.Wfe2 b6! •.•

Stopping c4-c5 and preparing . . . j,b7, or even . . . j,a6.

17.ll:Jd4 a6 18.h3 i.b7 19.l:!d2 Wfh4 20-l:l:el?! a

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9 .. J:!e8 10.ll:Jd2 ll:J d7 1 1.0-0 ll:Jd4 I believe it was better to play l l ...ttlc5!?,

20.f3! leaves Black slightly worse, as he has no way of opening the centre. In the game he seizes the opportunity to force the play, resulting in equality.

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation

511

46.�d6 �fS 47.�f6 �c8 48.�d4t 49.�d8 �e6 SO.�d6 �g8 Sl .�d7 52.�d2 �g8 53. fl �e6 54.�c7 SS.�f2t 'it>g6 56.�e5 �e7 57.�f6t 58.�d4 �f7 59.f2 �xf6t 60.� 61 .�d8 fS

fS �e6 �g7 hS g6

lf2-1/z

We may conclude that 5.j,e3 is not much of a try for an advantage due to the accurate 5 ... lt:lf6!, especially if Black takes the opportunity to improve with 8 . . . lt:lg4!?.

Uwe Boensch - Yasser Seirawan Lugano 1 989

l .e4 g6 2.d4 �g7 3.c4 d6 4.ttlf3 eS S.�e2

21. .. ttlxf3t 22.�xf3 �adS 23.�edl .L:c3 24.bxc3 .L:e4 2S.�f4 �xf4 26.�xf4 �e6 27.i.xd6 �c6 28.�c7 �xd2 29.�xd2 bS 30.�d6 bxc4 31 .�xc5 f6

This is a flexible option that makes it less attractive for Black to jump in with the knight on d4.

Lputian is strong in the endgame, but even he cannot win this.

Another respectable option is: 5 .j,g5!? lt:le7! I chose 5 .. .f6, and after 6.j,e3 lt:lc6 7.j,e2! lt:l h6 8.d5 lt:l e7 9.ttJc3 c5 1 0.h3 lt:Jf7 I was doing fine in Ramondino - Hillarp Persson, Stockholm 20 1 3, but White's play can be improved. 9.c5 was more critical, and he was under no obligation to close the centre before that. All things considered, the knight move seems more reliable. 6.lt:lc3 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.'\WxdSt Wxd8 8.ttJc3 reaches an unusual version of the thematic queenless middlegame. Both sides have certain disadvantages: the knight on f3 prevents f2-f4, while Black's knight is not ideally placed on e7. The untested 8 . . . h6! seems best, and after 9.0-0-0t j,d? 1 0.j,e3 ltJ bc6 Black intends . . . Wc8 and possibly . . . f5 .

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32.�d8t f7 33.�c8 gS 34.f3 hS 35. f2 h4 36.�e3 g6 37.�c7 �d6 38.f4 �dS 39.fxg5 fxgS 40.�d4 fS 41 .a4 �g6 42.�e7 �e6 43.a5 e4 44.�a7 �dS 4S.�d7 �e6

512

Th e Modern Tiger 1 1 .exd6 rJ;x£6! 1 2.dxe7 V;Vxe7 1 3 .V;Vc2! 1 3 .id3?! ig4 14.h3 V;Vb4t 1 5 .V;Vd2 ixf3 1 6.gxf3 :B:ad8 gives Black more than enough compensation for the pawn. 1 3 . . . V;Vb4t 1 4.V;Vc3t V;Vxc3t 1 5 .bxc3 :B:d8 1 6.ie2 ig4 1 7.:B:b 1 ixf3 1 8.ixf3 ltJ e5 Black's active pieces make up for the missing pawn. a

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6 . . . ltJ bc6! This is clearly to be preferred over 6 . . . h6?! 7.ie3 liJd7 s.V;Vd2 f5 ?! 9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.exf5! gxf5 1 1 .0-0-0 which is highly unpleasant for Black. 7.ltJd5 7.dxe5 dxe5 s.V;Vxd8t ltJxd8 is not dangerous for Black: 9.ltJd5 (9.ixe7 rJ;xe7 1 0.ltJd5t rJ;d7 1 1 .:B:d1 :B:b8! 1 2.g3 c6 is equal.) 9 . . . ltJxd5 1 0.cxd5 c6 If White is to keep any winning chances here, it will have to involve a certain risk: 1 1 .:B:cl f6 1 2.ie3 cxd5 1 3.exd5 ltJ f7 1 4.:B:c7 0-0 1 5 .ltJd2 liJ d6 Who knows whether the d-pawn will turn out to be strong or weak? Black has a nice blockade and cannot complain. 7 . . . h6 8 .if6 ixf6 9.liJxf6t rJ;f8 1 0.dxe5 rJ;g7! This is clearly stronger than 10 . . . dxe5 1 I .V;Vxd8t ltJxd8 1 2.ltJd5 ltJxd5 1 3.cxd5 rJ;g7 1 4.:B:cl c6 1 5 .ic4 when White is a little better.

5 .. .c!ilc6 5 . . . ltJ d7 followed by ... ltJgf6 is a safe transposition to a KID, if your repertoire includes this particular set-up.

6 ..ie3 6.ig5 f6 7.ie3 ltJ h6 can be compared with Karpov - Seirawan. It is hard to imagine that having played ie2 instead of ltJ c3 will benefit White. 6.d5 is seen in Game 1 02 at the end of the chapter.

6 ... �h6!? This is truly a challenging move.

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6 ... exd4 7.ltJxd4 liJ f6 8.liJc3 0-0 9.0-0 :B:e8 1 0.f3 leads to a variation of the KID that I'm not inclined to recommend.

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation The main line here goes: 6 . . . �g4 7.d5 �xf3 8 .�xf3 lt:l d4 The problem with this line is that White can take advantage of the fact that his knight has not yet gone to c3. 9.�xd4! White has preferred 9.lLlc3 in quite a lot of games. This position has been discussed in the note to White's 6th move in Game 94, where it was shown that 9 . . . c5! gives Black a good game. 9 . . . exd4 1 0.lt:ld2!

1 6 .�d3 '1Mfd7 1 7.h3 a5 with excellem chan.::es for Black. 12.�e2 d3 1 3.�xd3 �xb2 1 4.Eb 1 :tg1 5 .g3 0-0 1 6.�c2 lLl c5 1 7.tLlb3 .ta-l 1 8.'1Mfd2 a5 1 9.lLld4 occurred in Buhmann ­ Kurnosov, Rijeka 20 1 0. At this point, since Black was only thinking about a win, he played 1 9 . . . lt:l b6!? 20.'1Mfd3 a4, resulting in a weird position. Obviously 1 9 . . . lLl c5 would have been equal.

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1 O . . . lt:lf6! This move was first played by Djuric in 1 999, and has been at the centre of attention ever since. (I mean this in relative terms; we are talking about the Modern Defence, and this particular move has been repeated in about ten games.) Historically speaking, Black has generally preferred 1 0 . . . lt:le7 or 1 0 . . . c5, but in those lines there is a tendency for Black to end up with a passive knight on e7. 1 1 .0-0 lLld7 1 2.lLlb3 White has tried a couple of other moves: 1 2.�g4!? 0-0 1 3.f4 (In the event of 1 3.�xd7 '1Mfxd7 14.lLlf3 l'%ae8 1 5 .l'%e 1 c5 1 6.dxc6 bxc6 1 7.lLlxd4 f5! Black gets plenty of compensation.) 1 3 . . . c5 1 4.�e2 Now 14 . . . f5 ?! was premature in Peralta Alvarez Pedraza, Burguillos 20 1 0. A better continuation is 14 . . . l'%e8!N 1 5 .l'%b 1 lLlf6

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1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3.l'%b l 1 3.lLlxd4 'Wf6 is quite good for Black, whose knight will get a fantastic square on c5 after the b2-pawn falls. 13 . . . '1Mff6 14.'1Mfe2 l'%ae8 1 5 .l'%fd 1 d3 If you are happy to win the pawn back with an equal position, then 1 5 . . . '1Mfe7 1 6.lLlxd4 lLl c5 is good enough. 1 6.l'%xd3 lLle5 1 7.l'%e3 �h6 1 8.l'%c3 'Wf4 1 8 . . . l'%e7!? could be a slight improvement. 1 9.l'%e 1 f5

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5 14

Th e Modern Tiger

20.lt:J d4? 20.g3! lt:lxf3t 2 1.'1Mfxf3 i1Mxf3 22.�xf3 ilg7 23.�fe3 is a bit better for White. 20 . . . fxe4 2 1 .ilxe4 lt:l g4 22.g3 ?! i1Mxf2t 23.'1Mfxf2 �xf2 24.�d3 ild2 2 5 .�d 1 ile3 26.�xe3 lt:l xe3 White resigned in Gladyszev - Rotstein, Longeville-les-Metz 20 1 1 . We may conclude that 6 . . .ilg4 is fully playable, as long as Black knows what he is doing after White exchanges on d4 and puts the knight on d2.

difference should be to Black's advantage, but the position is still objectively unclear.

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7.d5 7.dxe5 dxe5! (Also possible is 7 . . . lt:lg4 8.ilg5 i1Md7 9.ttJc3 h6! [9 . . . dxe5 1 0.lt:l b5] 1 0.ilf4 lt:lgxe5, although this leads to a version of a KID position where one needs to know the ropes.) 8 .'\Wxd8t lt:lxd8 Black will continue with . . . lt:l e6, .. .f6 and . . . lt:lf7 before deciding how to proceed. 7.lt:lc3!? is seen in the next game.

7 ..&i:Je7 8.lt:lfd2 •

Another possibility is: 8.lt:lc3 lt:l g4 9.ild2 f5 1 0.lt:lg5 lt:l f6 1 1 .0-0 0-0 We have reached something similar to a Classical King's Indian. There is a known line in that opening where White has played both b2-b4 and �e 1 in place of ild2. This

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1 2.f3 12.ilf3 c6 followed by . . . h6 is fine for Black. 1 2.exf5 lt:lxf5 1 3.ild3 a5 1 4.lt:lge4 b6 1 5 .lt:lxf6t i1Mxf6 1 6.lt:le4 '\We7 1 7.�e1 ild7 1 8.b3 ilh6 was balanced in Sanikidze Mamedov, Konya 20 1 0. 1 2 . . . c6 Also possible is 1 2 . . . lt:lh5!? 1 3.c5 lt:lf4 1 4.'\Wb3 h6 1 5 .lt:le6 lt:lxe2t 1 6.lt:lxe2 ilxe6 1 7.dxe6 d5 with an unclear position. After the text move a computer game continued: 1 3.ile3 ilh6 1 4.h4 c5 1 5 .ild2 f4 1 6.�f2 ttJh5 1 7.ild3 ilxg5 1 8 .hxg5 b6 1 9.'\Wa4 a5 20.lt:le2 ild7 2 1 .'1Mfd1 lt:lc8 Black was ready to pick off the g5-pawn with a clear advantage, Twisted Logic - Shredder 1 2, Trier 20 1 0. More critical is: 8.c5! lt:lg4! After 8 . . . 0-0? 9.lt:lg5! it is almost impossible for Black to do anything. 9.cxd6 9.ilg5 h6 1 0.ilb5t 'kt>f8 1 1 .ild2 dxc5 is unclear. 9 . . . '\Wxd6! 9 . . . cxd6 is also possible, although 1 0.ild2 0-0 1 1 .h3 lt:lf6 1 2.lt:lc3 must surely be a bit better for White.

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation

515

The direct 9 . . . c5! ? is also possible, intending 1 0.h4 tLlf7 1 1 .h5 f4 1 2.hxg6 hxg6 1 3.2''1:xh 8t .ixh8 1 4 . .if2 .if6 1 5 . tLl c3 .id7 1 6.Wb3 Wc7 1 7 .0-0-0 0-0-0 when Black is doing all right.

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1 0 . .icl !? Or 1 0 . .id2 c6 1 l .dxc6 tLlxc6 1 2.0-0 0-0 1 3.tLlc3 ttJf6 14 ..ie3 We7 and Black is doing well. 1 0 . . . c6 1 l .tLlfd2 Wc5! 1 2.0-0 tt:l f6 1 3.tLlb3 Vfid6 1 4.dxc6 Wxc6 1 5 .tLl c3 0-0 1 6 . .ig5 h6 1 7 ..id2 b6 1 8.!'k1 Wd7 1 9 . .ic4 .ib7 With mutual chances.

9 . . . tLleg8? is a creative attempt to solve the problem of the passive knight. Strategically it is the right idea, but tactically it fails to 1 0.c5! tt:lf6 1 l .Wia4t .id7 12.Wib3 when there is no good way to defend the b-pawn.

The following game featured some mistakes on both sides, but there are a number of instructive points that one can learn from: 9 . . . 0-0 1 0.0-0 1 0.g4?? leads to disaster after 1 0 . . . fxg4 1 1 .fxg4 tLlxd5 intending . . . Wh4 with check and mate. 1 0.h4! ttJf7 1 l .h5 f4 1 2.hxg6 tLlxg6 1 3 . .if2 is slightly better for White. 1 0 . . . c5! This is generally more important if White plays 0-0-0, as it allows Black to prepare . . . b5 without allowing the reply c4-c5. Still, it is a good idea here too, as White's queenside offensive is slowed down significantly.

1 l .tLl c3 tLlf7 1 2.a3 .ih6! 1 3 . .if2 In the event of 1 3 . .ixh6 ttJxh6 14.f4 exf4 1 5 .2''1:xf4 g5 1 6.2"i:f2 f4 Black is fine. 1 3 . . ..id7 I prefer the plan of improving the e7knight with 1 3 ... �h8! 1 4.b4 b6 1 5 .2"i:b 1 tLl g8. White may proceed with 1 6 . .id3 tt:l f6 1 7.bxc5 bxc5 1 8 .Vfic2, but then 1 8 . . ..ixd2!? 1 9.Vfixd2 f4 20.2"i:b2 g5 2 l .�h1 Ei:g8 22 . .ie2 Wf8! gives Black dangerous counterplay on

516

Th e Modern Tiger

the kingside. It is worth remembering this idea of . . .�xd2 followed by . . .f4 and ... g5 . 1 4.b4 b6 1 5 .'1Wc2 'it>h8! 1 6.E!:ab 1 lLlg8! 1 7.bxc5 bxc5 1 8.E!:b7 �c8 1 9.E!:b2 lLlf6 20.E!:fb 1 �f4 2 1 .�d3 lLlg5 22.h4 lLlf7?! This seems a bit slow. A better idea is 22 . . . �xd2 23.'1Wxd2 lLlf7 24.'\Wc2 f4 intending . . . E!:g8 and . . . g5. 23.lLlfl E!:g8 24.exf5 g5!? 25.'tt> h 1 g4 26.g3 gxf3 27.gxf4 exf4 28.lLlh2 lLle5 29.E!:g1 ?? After 29.'\Wd l ! White should be able to defend and win with his extra piece. 29 . . . E!:xg1 t 30.�xg1 lLlh5 3 1 .�f2 lLl g3t 32.'it>g1 '1Wg8 33.�xg3 fxg3 34.lLlf1 '1Wg4 35 .�e4 �xf5 36.lLle3 '1Wh3 0-1 Brenninkmeijer - Cu. Hansen, Groningen 1 99 1 . When Curt Hansen plays the Modern, the opening often appears solid and strategically superior to, well, anything. This game went wrong for Black somewhere around move 22, and must be considered an exception to the above statement. It is, however, a typical example of how to save a bad position in the Modern, the rule being: do not retreat to the trenches, but instead throw everything you have at your opponent!

1 4.lLlc3 lLlh5 1 5.'1Wc2 lLlf4 ( 1 5 . . . '\Wh4t? 1 6.�f2 '\Wh I t 1 7 .�fl leads nowhere for Black) 1 6.�fl '1Wg5 1 7.0-0-0 lLle2t 1 8.�xe2 '1Wxe3 1 9.lLlb5 'tt> d8 and Black has no complaints.

10 ... 0-0 Here it is quite possible to play 1 0 . . . c5, with a possible transposition to the Brenninkmeijer - Hansen game in the event that both sides castle short.

l l .c5 i.h6 12.i.f2 White should prefer 1 2.�xh6! lLlxh6 1 3.cxd6 cxd6 14.lLlc4, although 14 . . . a6 1 5 .a4 fxe4 1 6.fxe4 '1Wc7 1 7.'1Wd2 'it>g7 1 8 .a5 �g4 is quite okay for Black.

12 ... c6! The black knights are perfectly placed to support this idea.

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1 0.h4 is not dangerous when Black has yet to castle. A good answer is 1 0 . . . lLlg8!? 1 1 .h5 tt:J f6 1 2.hxg6 hxg6 1 3.E!:xh8t �xh8

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This is more ambitious than 1 3.cxd6 lLlxd6 1 4.dxc6 lLlxc6 1 5 .lLlc4 lLlf7! 1 6.�c5 E!:e8 1 7.'1Wxd8 E!:xd8 1 8.lLld5 b6 with some initiative for Black.

13 ... cxd5 I would prefer 1 3 . . . fxe4! 1 4.fxe4 cxd5 1 5 .exd5 lLlf5 1 6.0-0 dxc5 1 7.�xc5 E!:e8 with mutual chances.

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation

14.exd5 dxc5 15.hc5 b6 16.�a3 �d7?! This is far too passive, but I have come to realize that this position is a bit worse for Black anyway. That being said, Black can still get a reasonable game with 1 6 . . . Wg7!, when 17.'1Mfb3 �b8! 1 8 .�d l b5! 1 9.'1Mfb4 �e8 20.l2'ld6 l2'lxd6 2 1 .'1Mfxd6 .id7 leads to unclear play. For instance, after 22 . .ic5 b4 23.l2'lb5 �xb5 24 . .ixb5 .ixb5 25 .'1Mfxd8 �xd8 26 ..ixe7 �c8 27 ..ixb4 �c2 28 . .id2 .ixd2t 29.�xd2 �cl t 30.�dl �c2 Black's counterplay is quite tricky for White to deal with.

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24.b3 b5 25.CLJa5 a6 26.g4 �g7?! 27.�cl?! White could have reclaimed a clear advantage with 27.gxf5 gxf5 28.l2'lc6 intending l2'l e7. Now the initiative passes to Black.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

27... �e6 28.hh6t �xh6 29.�d2 �b8 30.�cl �xd6 It was better to play 30 . . . l2'lxd6 3 1 .h4 l2'lf8 32.�c7 �b6 33.g5t \t>h5, although this is a difficult decision to take for a carbon-based life form.

31.�xd6 CLJxd6 32.�c7 CLJf6 33.h4!? g5 a

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17.�b3 �h8 18.�dl �e8 19.CLJb5 hb5 Black is also clearly worse after 1 9 . . . l2Jc8 20.d6 �b8 2 1 .l2'lc7.

20.�xb5 CLJg8 21.d6 liJf6 22.0-0? With one poor move White squanders a large part of his advantage. Better was 22.d7! �e6 23.'1Mfb3, when Black has no acceptable defence against l2'ld6.

22 ...�d7 23.�xd7 CLJxd7 Black has managed to block the d-pawn and can look forward to the future.

The rest of the game is quite complicated, but White manages to stay just on the right side of the drawing line.

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518

The Modern Tiger

34J!c6 lt:\fe8 35.h5 fxg4 36.fxg4 �c8 37.�xa6 �cl t 38.'i!?fl 'i!?g7 39.'i!?e3 �c3t 40.'i!?d2 lt:\e4t 41.'i!?dl lt:\8d6 42.�c6 @f7 43.�xc3 lt:\xc3t 44.'i!?d2 lt:\xa2 45.lt:\c6 e4 46.'i!?e3 lt:\c3 47.i.fl 'i!?e6 48.'i!?d4 ctlbl 49.i.e2 lt:\ d2 50.i.dl lt:\f3t 5 1 .'i!?c5 lt:\el 52.lt:\d4t 'i!?e5 53.lt:\c6t 'i!?e6 54.lt:\d4t 'i!?d7 55.'i!?d5 lt:\d3 56.lt:\c2 h6 57.lt:\e3 'i!?e7 58.i.c2 lt:\b4t 59.'i!?e5 lt:\ d3t 60.'i!?d5 'i!?d7 61.i.bl 'i!?e7 62.i.c2 lt:\fl 63.'i!?e5 b4 64.'i!?d5 lt:\b5 65.'i!?e5 lt:\c3 66.lt:\f5t 'i!?f8 67.lt:\e3 @f7 68.'i!?f5 lt:\e2 69.'i!?e5 tlJc3 70.@f5 lt:\e2 71 .'i!?e5 lt:\cl 72.i.xe4 lt:\xe4 73.'i!?xe4 lt:\xb3 74.lt:\f5 lt:\c5t 75.'i!?d4 lt:\ d7 76.lt:\xh6t

Having come this far, Black does not have much choice. 7 . . . f5 ? is no good after 8.dxe5!.

8.i.g5 f6 9.i.h4! 9 . .ic l gives Black a wider choice of acceptable options: a) 9 . . . 0-0 transposes to a KID. The critical line from here is I O.d5 ltld4! 1 l .ctJxd4 exd4 1 2.ltlb5 f5 1 3.0-0 ctJe5 1 4.exf5 d3 1 5 . .ixd3 ltlxd3 1 6.'1Wxd3 .ixf5 1 7.'1Wd 1 '1Wf6, which has proven to be quite reliable for Black:

l/z-1/2

As long as Black can deal with 8 .c5! as given in the notes, there is nothing much to fear. In case you mistrust my idea with 9 . . JWxd6, you will find 6 . . . .ig4 followed by 1 0 . . . ltlf6! to be a reliable alternative. In the next game we will see what happens when White maintains the central tension after 6 . .ie3 ltlh6.

Karlheinz Weber - Timur Irzhanov Email 2003

l.e4 The game actually started via a King's Indian move order with 1 .d4 ltl f6 2.c4 g6 3.ctJc3 .ig7 4.e4 d6 5.ltlf3 0-0 6 . .ie2 e5 7 ..ie3 ltlg4 8 . .ig5 f6 9 ..ih4 ltl c6.

l. ..g6 2.d4 i.g7 3.c4 d6 4.lt:\f3 e5 5.i.e2 lt:\c6 6.i.e3 lt:\h6 7.ctlc3!? Refusing to block the centre for the time being.

7 ... lt:\g4

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1 8 .a4 ( 1 8 .ctJxc7 E!:ac8 1 9.ctJe6 .ixe6 20.dxe6 '1Wxe6 2 l ..ie3 a6, followed by . . . .ixb2 or . . . E!:xc4, is approximately equal.) 1 8 . . . E!:f7 1 9.El:a3 a6 20.ctJc3 '1Wh4 2 1 .'1We2 E!:af8 22.ctJ d 1 .ig4 23.f3 .ie5 24.g3 This position was reached in Jovanic - Janovic, Marija Bistrica 20 1 1 , and now 24 . . . '1We7!N 25 .c;t>g2 '1Wd7 26.cj,lh 1 .id4 would have been good for Black. b) 9 . . . h5!? is a dangerous move, and the ensuing positions require practical testing before one can say much about them: 1 0.0-0 (Another possible line is 1 0.d5 ctJe7 1 1 .h3 ltl h6 1 2.ltlh4 ltlf7 1 3.0-0 g5 14.ltlf5?! ltlxf5 1 5 .exf5 .ixf5 1 6 . .ixh5 '1Wd7 1 7.El:e 1 0-0-0 and White is in trouble.) 1 0 . . . 0-0 1 1 .h3 ltlh6 1 2.d5 ctJ e7 1 3.ctJh4 .id7 If Black can get

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation

519

himself coordinated o n the kingside, his pawns will start to roll.

should be preferred, leading to the same kind of position as in the main game.

c) 9 ... lt:lh6!? 1 0.d5 ( 1 0.dxe5 dxe5 1 1 .'Wxd8t i'xd8 1 2.0-0 .ie6 gives Black an improved version of Karpov - Seirawan.) 1 0 . . . lt:le7 1 1 .c5!? dxc5 1 2.'Wb3 is an interesting pawn sacrifice, but Black should be fine after:

Another idea is: 9 . . . g5!? Previously I was keen on the idea of avoiding the KID transposition, and wanted to get this move to work. However, with absolutely no practical tests so far, I have really been fumbling in the dark. Black can transpose to a KID by castling at any moment, but the question is whether it is possible to use that tempo for something better. Here are some lines I have analysed. I O.d5! I O .h3 exd4 1 1 .lt:lxd4 lt:lxd4 1 2.'Wxd4 lt:l e5 1 3 . .ig3 f5 1 4 . .ih5t i'f8 1 5 . .ixe5 .ixe5 1 6 .'Wd3 fxe4 1 7.lt:lxe4 Wg7 is not dear at all. Black's king looks exposed, but the bishop is fantastic on e5. IO ... lt:l e7 1 0 . . . lt:ld4?! 1 1 .lt:lxd4 exd4 1 2.lt:lb5 h5 1 3 ..ig3 is better for White. 1 I ..ig3 lt:lh6 1 2.h3 lt:lg6 1 3.'Wd2 1 3.'Wa4t?! .id7 1 4.'Wb3 0-0 1 5 .0-0-0 f5 is promising for Black. 1 3 . . . lt:lf4 1 4 ..ixf4 gxf4

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1 2 . . . b6 1 3 . .ib5t .id7 1 4 . .ixh6 .ixh6 1 5 .:8d 1 a6 1 6 . .ic6 :8a7 Followed by . . . lt:lc8-d6. 8

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We are now back in Weber - lrzhanov. The text move transposes to a King's Indian, which seems like the most reliable choice here. 9 . . . lt:lh6!? is not out of the question. White has nothing to gain from 1 0.dxe5 dxe5 1 1 .'Wxd8t Wxd8 1 2.0-0-0t .id7, so 1 0.d5 lt:l e7 1 I .lt:ld2

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How is this position to be evaluated? I am still not entirely sure. White can probably claim some sort of advantage, but Black will surely get some counterplay.

520

The Modern Tiger 1 8.c5 was better for White in Kruppa Loskutov, St Petersburg 1 997, but 1 6 ... .if5 and 1 7 . . . .if5 are improvements that should leave Black no worse. 1 2 . . . fx:g4 1 3 ..ig5

10.d5

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1 O.h3 lLl h6 1 l .dxe5 dxe5 1 2.'1Wxd8 tLlxd8 is quite good for Black.

lO ... lLle7 l l.tlJd2 tlJh6 An intriguing alternative is: 1 l . . .f5!? This should take 99% of your opponents out of their comfort zone.

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1 2 . .ixg4 1 2.h3 lLl f6 1 3.g4 c6! 14.f3 �h8 1 5 .'1Wb3 b5 1 6.cxb5 cxd5 17.exd5 .ib7 1 8.0-0-0?! ( 1 8.:B:d 1 lLlfx:d5 1 9.lLlxd5 .ixd5 20.'1Wxd5 lLlxd5 2 l ..ixd8 :B:axd8 22.lLl c4 lLlf4 is unclear) 1 8 . . . lLl exd5 1 9.lLlxd5 .ixd5 was better for Black in Biyiasas - Browne, Manila 1 976. 1 2.exf5 gxf5 1 3 ..ixg4 fx:g4 1 4.lLlde4 '1We8 1 5 . .ixe7 '1Wxe7 1 6.'1We2 .ih6 1 7.0-0 '1Wh4?!

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This is White's main line, intending to recentralize the bishop. Now I would find it hard to resist: 1 3 . . . :B:f4!? Objectively it is more reliable to play 1 3 . . . h6 1 4 . .ie3 c5, but in a practical game it will be hard for White to deal with the dark­ square control that Black gets in return for the exchange sacrifice. 1 4 . .ixf4N Nobody has played this so far, but it is worth considering what kind of compensation Black may achieve. Quite a few people have played 14.g3, but after 1 4 . . . :9:£7 the weakening of the light squares must count as an achievement for Black. 1 4 ... exf4 1 5 .'1Wb3 1 5 .lLl b3 g5 1 6.l2Jd4 lLlg6 1 7.0-0 '1Wf6! 1 8.lLlcb5 '1Wf7 1 9.'1Wa4 a6 20.:B:ad 1 f3 2 l .g3 .ie5 22.lLlc3 lLlf4 is one example of how easily things may go wrong for White. 1 5 . . . c5! 15 ... b6 is met by 1 6.0-0-0 g5 1 7.h4 gxh3 1 8.gxh3 lLlg6 1 9.lLlf3 and the knight is headed for d4 and e6. 1 6.0-0-0

Chapter 1 2 - Averbakh Variation 1 6.dxc6 bxc6 1 7.c5t d5 1 8.exd5 lt'lxd5 1 9.lt'lxd5 .te6 20.0-0 .txd5 gives Black good compensation for the exchange.

521

13.dxc6!? This exchange completely alters the character of the middlegame. White can also keep the centre closed with 1 3 .l'!b l g5 14 . .tf2 f5 1 5 .b4 b6.

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 b

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1 6 . . . g5 1 6 . . . a6 1 7.h3 gxh3 1 8.gxh3 b5 1 9.cxb5 axb5 20.lt'lxb5 l'!b8 is crazy, but probably better for White. 1 7.h3 gxh3 1 8.gxh3 lt'lg6 1 9.l'!dgl a6 20.lZ'lf3 h6 2 l .a4 l'!b8 Black has compensation for the exchange. I would not venture this line in a correspondence game, but in a live game I would not hesitate.

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