The Richter-Rauzer Reborn - The Kozul Variation: The Kozul Variation [2 ed.] 9492510626, 9789492510624

Citation preview

Table of Contents Title page Key to symbols Foreword

Chapter 1. The Kozul Variation with 9.f3 Part 1

Part 2

Chapter 2. The Kozul Variation — 10th move sidelines Part 1

Part 2

Chapter 3. The Kozul Variation with 10.Nxc6 Part 1

Part 2

Chapter 4. The Kozul Variation – 11th move sidelines Chapter 5. The Kozul Variation with 12.Nce2 Chapter 6. The Kozul Variation with 12.Nf5 Chapter 7. The Kozul Variation with 12.Nf3 Chapter 8. The Kozul Variation with 13.f5 Part 1

Part 2

Chapter 9. The Kozul Variation with 13.Qe1 & 15.-Chapter 10. The Kozul Variation with 13.Qe1 & 15.Bd3 Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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THE RICHTER-RAUZER REBORN THE KOZUL VARIATION by Alojzije Jankovic and Zdenko Kozul Thinkers Publishing 2019

www.thinkerspublishing.com Managing Editor Romain Edouard

Consulting Editor Daniël Vanheirzeele

Proofreading Bernard Carpinter

Graphic Artist Philippe Tonnard

Cover design Iwan Kerkhof

Typesetting

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i-Press ‹www.i-press.pl›

Second revised edition 2019 by Thinkers Publishing

The Richter-Rauzer Reborn. The Kozul Variation Copyright © 2019 Alojzije Jankovic and Zdenko Kozul

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-94-9251-062-4 D/2019/1370/13

All sales or enquiries should be directed to Thinkers Publishing, 9850 Landegem, Belgium.

e-mail: [email protected] website: www.thinkerspublishing.com

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Key to symbols !

a good move

?

a weak move

!! an excellent move ?? a blunder !? an interesing move ?! a dubious move ™ only move = equality ∞ unclear position © with compensation for the sacrificed material ²

White stands slightly better

³

Black stands slightly better

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

with initiative

„ with counterplay … with the idea of ¹ better is ‹ worse is N novelty + check #

mate

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Foreword Four years have passed since the first edition of our Richter-Rauzer Reborn book and if we look at the recent past, we can see that this variation of the Sicilian has been gaining more and more popularity and is very often seen in tournament practice. The fact that this opening has become part of a standard repertoire against 1.e4 for many top players such as Rapport, Dubov, Li Chao, Korobov, Gupta, Vovk etc. speaks for itself about the quality and the fascination of the variation and also about the many possibilities it offers. It’s hard to pinpoint the real reasons for this popularity, but it’s likely that the answer lies in the complexity of the positions that arise on the board and the large number of new ideas, which we will talk about in this book. Exactly that was a motive and an additional impulse for GM Alojzije Jankovic and myself to write this new material on the Richter-Rauzer as an update to our first book. The basic idea of the book is to give an overview of theoretical novelties and new ideas in the positions we have already dealt with, and also to give you some new lines and suggestions that may be particularly interesting to players who are in the process of creating a repertoire for Black. In particular, I would like to point out the fact that our variation could be seen in games of the world’s best players such as Fabiano Caruana and the World Champion himself, Magnus Carlsen, which makes us proud. It is a great recommendation and boost for this opening so in the book we have especially considered the games of the World Champion Carlsen and his 2018 challenger, Caruana. In the main lines, the new position that we analyse is the one that arises when White instead of 12.Nxc6 plays 12.Nce2. It is in this line that we can see some new and very original ideas, for example when White plays 13.h4!?. Although in that line we are often mixing with already known positions, there are some positions when new posibilities and new plans are emerging. The same goes for 10.Nf3. As for the known positions we have already analysed, we have tried to bring a complete overview of all the latest ideas and theoretical news from tournament practice. As might be expected, practical games have brought many new ideas and different ways of treating certain positions. It was certainly very interesting to see the Anand-Carlsen game in which the World Champion showed a completely new way of playing with Black! It should be said that some positions have endured the test of tournament combat, but there are also positions in which White players have found ways to increase the pressure, so then we needed to look for additional ideas and analyses as to how to react as Black. I will mention again that, as before, with the necessity of using the help of the engine, the emphasis was always on the practical aspect of the position. Very often, therefore, our assessment of the positions as well as suggestions for further play were not just the result of engines’ advice, but our personal estimation based on years of experience and tournament practice. This also means that when you are reading this book and come to a moment when lines are branching over one another, our main move suggestion does not necessarily mean that it is absolutely the best or most-played continuation. There is often a situation where there are moves of equal strength and it’s just a matter of your taste and style to choose one. In that sense, our recommendations are the result of a subjective assessment based on previous knowledge and experience. So whenever we thought it necessary, we included textual explanations of critical positions to better explain the dangers that lie in the positions and the 6

opponent’s threats, and give the plan and recipe for further play. That is precisely the main concept of our entire book, along with the inevitable number of moves and lines to help the reader to dig, as much as possible, into the nature and essence of the position. When this is achieved then it is much easier at the board to understand things in the right way and accordingly make the correct decisions. I believe and hope that to all present and future admirers of the Richter-Rauzer variation this book will prove to be a valuable asset.

Zdenko Kozul November 2019

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Chapter 1 The Kozul Variation with 9.f3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3

Contents

1. 9.Nxc6 alternative 2. 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Kb1 3. 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Kb1 Ne5 12.f4 4. 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.g4 5. 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.g4 Ne5 12.a3 Qc7 13.h4 Rb8 14.Be2 6. 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Kb1 7. 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Ne2 8. 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Ne2 Bb7 13.Nd4 9. Carlsen’s line 9...Nxd4!? 10.Qxd4 Be7 11.Kb1 10. Carlsen’s line 9...Nxd4!? 10.Qxd4 Be7 11.-1 9.Nxc6 alternative

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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.Nxc6

When players create an opening repertoire, in addition to the main line they have to deal with possible deviations. In this section, we therefore analyse this line which may not occur so often, yet in the database we can find a lot of strong grandmasters’ games. The basic idea is that White quickly creates threats in the centre with e4–e5 or Nd5. In our opinion, the whole line is not particularly dangerous for Black, but it hides some traps and it is always useful to be prepared in advance against such surprises. 9...Bxc6 Trying to create a strong pawn mass in the centre with 9...bxc6?! is bad due to 10.e5! dxe5 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Ne4ƒ and Black was already in trouble in Haznedaroglu, K (2395)- Lupulescu, C (2555) Istanbul 2004. 10.Qe1 h6 If we check a database we will find that the main move is 10...Qa5.

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However, our idea was not to automatically follow well-known theory, but that, on the basis of our experience and understanding of these positions, we should give some new ideas and suggestions on how to deal with such positions. After all, that was the whole concept of the book. Thus, in this position we’re going in a completely new way. The move ...h6 forces White to immediately define his intentions with the bishop. 11.Bf4 This seems the most logical, but let’s look at other possibilities: a) In case of 11.Bxf6 Black benefits from the fact that now he is not obligated to spoil his pawn structure by recapturing with the g-pawn. 11...Qxf6 12.Nd5 exd5 (He can also play 12...Qd8!?.) 13.exd5+ Be7 14.dxc6 bxc6„

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A position with opposite-coloured bishops has arisen in which White has a somewhat healthier pawn structure. However, in this case it may even be beneficial to Black because he can use the open b-file to quickly organize pressure against White’s king. b) 11.Bh4 Qa5

The first question that arises is: what is the difference compared to the well-known theory when Black plays the immediate 10...Qa5? If White now takes on f6 there is no real difference (whether the black pawn is on h7 or h6 is not so important). But the idea comes to the fore in other lines, connected with the move ...g7–g5. Especially in the positions where White plays f2–f4, the move ...g7–g5 can be very strong. 12.Nd5!? This move leads to wild complications. It is possible since the bishop is no longer on g5. 11

b1) 12.Bd3 g5 13.Bg3 Nh5„ The simplest. After removing the opponent’s dark-squared bishop Black should not have any problems. b2) 12.Kb1 A logical move. 12...Be7 13.Bd3 And now, although engines suggest various queen moves, our proposal in this position is 13...g5! 14.Bg3 Nh5

15.Bxd6 A small tactical trick, but Black is ready for it. 15...Bxd6 16.Be2 Nf4 17.Rxd6 Qc5 18.Qd2 (Black is also fine after 18.Rd2 Nxg2 19.Qd1 Ke7 20.Bd3 Nf4„.) 18...Nxe2 (More entertaining is 18...Qxf2!?.) 19.Nxe2 Bxe4=. b3) If White plays 12.f4 then Black should react with 12...0-0-0 (Here 12...g5? is a mistake because of 13.Nd5!±.) 13.Kb1 (Black is better in case of 13.e5 dxe5 14.Rxd8+ Qxd8 15.fxe5 g5 16.Bg3 — or 16.exf6 gxh4 17.Qxh4 Rg8µ — 16...Nh5³.) 13...g5„

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Now is the right moment for our key move! Black gets control of the e5-square for one of his pieces and he has excellent prospects! b4) We have already mentioned the possibility 12.Bxf6 gxf6= which can also arise in the theoretical main line after 10...Qa5. Black’s pawn is now on h6 instead of h7, but that difference is not significantly important. In general, we think that after castling queenside black has a comfortable position. 12...Qxa2!

Black goes all-in! (If Black doesn’t want to enter complications he can equalize with 12...Qxe1 13.Nxf6+ gxf6 14.Rxe1 Be7= or even 14...Ke7.) 13.Bxf6 (The immediate 13.Nc7+? is bad due to 13...Kd7 14.Nxa8 Nxe4µ; and Black also has the initiative after 13.Nxf6+ gxf6 14.Bxf6 Rg8³.) 13

13...gxf6 14.Nc7+ Ke7 15.Nxa8 h5!

Black does not want to even think about catching the knight on a8 — his main goal is the enemy king! 16.f4 Bh6 17.g3 Qa1+ 18.Kd2 Qxb2 19.Nc7 Black has only two pawns for the rook, but his initiative is very dangerous. 19...Rc8 [Black can try 19...Qb4+!? 20.Kc1 Qa3+ 21.Kb1∞ but it looks as though White’s king is now somewhat safer. (21.Kd2? is a mistake because of 21...Qa5+µ.)] 20.Nd5+ (in case of 20.Nxa6 Black plays 20...Ba4!µ) 20...Bxd5 21.exd5 Rxc2+ 22.Ke3 f5

Even after many exchanges White’s pieces still cannot breathe. His pieces are still on the initial squares and it is not easy to develop. 23.Bd3 (White can’t hide his king, e.g. 23.Kf3? e5 24.Be2 e4+ 25.Kf2 14

Bg7µ and now Black’s a-pawn can become a strong asset!; in case of 23.Rb1 Black follows up with 23...Qa3+ 24.Bd3 Qc5+ 25.Kf3 Qxd5+ 26.Ke3 Qc5+ 27.Kf3 Qc6+ 28.Ke3 and Black can claim a draw or continue playing after 28...Rc3ƒ; we need also to check 23.dxe6, when Black plays 23...Bg7! and holds the initiative after 24.Kf3 Qb6‚.) 23...Qe5+ 24.Kf3 Qxd5+ 25.Ke3 Qc5+ And Black has at least a draw, but he can also try to muddy the waters. 11...Qc7

12.h4 This looks the most concrete. It enables the bishop to remain on the diagonal h2–b8 and sometimes the h1-rook can quickly enter the game. Let’s look at other possibilities. a) Nothing is achieved with 12.e5 dxe5 [It’s matter of taste which position Black would choose. Since the e5-pawn is pinned Black can try 12...d5!?

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13.Bg3?! After this natural move, Black gains the initiative. (13.Kb1 Nd7 14.Bg3∞ should be the best White can achieve, with an unclear position, Bauer, T (2335)-Dobos, J (2340) Szekszard 1993.) 13...Nh5 14.f4 g5!ƒ

15.fxg5 (15.f5 doesn’t change much: 15...Nxg3 16.Qxg3 0-0-0µ Jansa, V (2475)-Radulov, I (2505) Smederevska Palanka 1982.) 15...Nxg3 16.hxg3 Bg7³ Pokojowczyk, J (2420)-Radulov, I (2480) Polanica Zdroj 1982.] 13.Bxe5 Qb6

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14.f3 (Black shouldn’t be worried after 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Ne4 Be7„ since with the following ...Rd8 he will be fine.) 14...Be7 15.Kb1 0-0 16.Qg3 [Another possibility is 16.Bd4 Bc5 This is an attempt to play for a win! Black believes that there are no real threats to his king. (16...Qc7 17.Be5 is move repetition) 17.Bxf6 gxf6 18.Qg3+ Kh7 19.Bd3+ f5 20.Qe5∞

Indeed we can see that White has no real threats. If Black manages to exchange the queens he will have a nice advantage. The position is from the game Garcia, G (2367)-Finegold, B (2494) Wheeling 2011.] 16...Nh5!? (Also after the simple 16...Rfd8= it is evident that Black has managed to develop harmoniously.) 17.Qh3 Bf6 18.f4 Bxe5 19.fxe5 Nf4 20.Qg3 Nd5

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21.Nxd5 Bxd5= (Black was fine also after 21...exd5 22.Bd3 Rae8 23.Rhf1 Qc7 24.Rde1 Re6 25.Bf5 Re7 26.e6 Qxg3= in Lau, R (2410)-Doncevic, D (2340) Budapest 1985.). b) One option for White is to play 12.Nd5, but after 12...Bxd5 13.exd5 e5= White’s clumsy bishop on f4 gives Black an important tempo to finish his kingside development (Black can also insert 13...Rc8!?). c) White can try 12.f3 as well, but in this type of position the bishop is badly placed on f4 and Black will exploit that.

12...Be7 13.h4 b5 Black delays castling and first defines things on the other wing. 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.Bd2 a5 17.Ng3 And now, it was the right moment for

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17...b3!! It is important that White cannot take with the c-pawn! (In the game Arencibia Rodriguez, W (2480)-San Segundo Carrillo, P (2485) Moscow 1994, Black failed to spot that blow and quickly got into difficulties after 17...Bd7 18.Kb1 0-0 19.Nf5 Bxf5 20.exf5ƒ.) 18.axb3 a4 19.b4 Bd7 20.Kb1 0-0°

Every true Sicilian player would be happy with this compensation! With the pawn sacrifice play switches to the queenside and Black will have enough time to activate all his pieces. 12...Be7 A good alternative is 12...Rc8!? with the threat of ...Bxe4.

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13.f3 e5 14.Bd2 b5 15.a3 A standard reaction. White wants to keep the knight on c3, hoping that Black will not be able to organize the ...b5–b4 break. [A position with chances for both sides results from 15.Bd3 b4 16.Nd5 (In case of 16.Ne2!? Black can play 16...Ba4 17.b3 Bb5 18.Kb1 d5∞ with messy play.) 16...Nxd5 17.exd5 Bxd5 18.Bxb4∞.] 15...Be7 [Tempting is 15...h5 to stop White’s pawns straight away. Next could follow 16.Bg5 Be7 17.Kb1 A good prophylactic move which has a hidden idea. 17...0-0 18.g4!? hxg4 19.fxg4 a5 It looks like everything is OK for Black and that he is on time with his counterplay, but as we shall see, things are not so simple!

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20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Bxb5 Bxb5 22.Nxb5 Qxc2+ 23.Ka1ƒ White had this position in mind when playing his 17th move. His knight will dominate Black’s bishop.]

16.Kb1 (On the aggressive 16.g4 Black would react with 16...d5„; and if 16.Bd3 then Black should play 16...h5, not allowing White to push g2–g4. 17.Bg5 Rb8„ Black has good counterplay. In a game Jansa-Martinovic, back in 1984, Black first played ...Kf8 and only then ...Rb8, which was an unnecessary delay.) 16...h5∞ We think that this is the most practical way. Black buys time to prepare the ...b5–b4 push. Likewise, Black should not castle prematurely since it automatically gives the opponent a clear game plan! The position is unclear. a) White is better prepared for opening the centre after 16...d5? 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 and now he has the simple 19.Bc3±. b) We have already mentioned that there is no need to hurry with castling; nevertheless, let’s take a look at how things could develop in that case. 16...0-0 17.g4 a5 18.g5 Nh5 (Unfortunately, the piece sacrifice does not work: 18...b4 19.gxf6 Bxf6 20.Na2 Ba4 21.Ka1 Bxc2 22.Rc1² and Black doesn’t have enough compensation.) 19.gxh6 b4 20.hxg7 Rfe8 It looks like Black is taking the initiative, but White has the strong 21.Qe3! bxc3 22.Bxc3 Nf4 23.h5° and it’s clear that he has powerful compensation! c) Black can also try 16...Rb8!? and if 17.g4 then 17...a5 but the impression is that White’s kingside play is more concrete. Note that 12...e5!? can also be tested. Now back to 12...Be7.

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13.e5 An attempt to activate the rook with 13.Rh3 won’t bring anything good for White after 13...e5 (13...b5!?) 14.Bd2 b5„ since now he must decide how to defend the e4-pawn and then the move Rh3 looks like a waste of time. 13...dxe5! As in similar positions, Black can try 13...d5. 14.Ne2 (Now 14.Rh3!? is a legitimate plan 14...Nd7 15.Kb1 Nc5 16.h5 0-0-0 17.Ne2 Bb5 18.g4² as in Kotronias, V (2590)-Shirov, A (2685) Chalkidiki 1993.) 14...Nd7 15.Nd4 Bf6 (an interesting possibility is 15...Bb5!?) 16.Nf3ƒ Rc8 17.Kb1 Ba4∞

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This was seen in Jansa, V (2445)-Tukmakov, V (2590) Bor 1983. The position is by no means clear. White will yield the c2-pawn, but Black will remain with development problems. 14.Bxe5 Qb6„

This occurred in Psakhis, L (2570) -Ivanchuk, V (2665) Moscow 1990. The next moves are castling and rook to the d-file. Finally, we can summarize things from this line. In different lines and sub-lines we have analysed the positions that could occur so that the reader could get a clearer picture of what to expect in a tournament game. The overall conclusion is that the Black is OK, but there are positions that can be dangerous. It is therefore very important to get a feel for the position, which then makes it easier to take important 23

decisions in the game, such as: when it is dangerous to castle and when it is not, when should you break in the centre with d6–d5, or when to go for a timely attack on the queenside. 2 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Kb1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 In this chapter we analyse positions that differ greatly in character from most positions we have seen in the book. Immediately you can notice a great similarity with the English Attack from the Sicilian Najdorf. However, there is an important difference — Black has already developed his knight to c6 and bishop to d7 (in standard positions of the English Attack the bishop usually goes to b7 and the knight often stays on b8 for a while).

9...h6 This is our current recommendation, which will especially suit players who prefer a complicated struggle. Immediately it should be said that Black has several (equally good) possibilities. In first place is 9...Be7 which is, according to the database, the main line. Then, a very common continuation is 9...b5, and so is 9...Rc8; Black can also play 9...Qc7. Kozul: “I would like to mention that in my tournament practice I have tried all of these moves and it is difficult, on the basis of that experience, to say which move is objectively the best.” 9...Nxd4!? is Carlsen’s interesting new move — see subchapters 9 and 10. 10.Be3 b5 11.Kb1!?

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A useful prophylactic move which is often played with the idea of waiting to see what Black will do next. Since all the light pieces will remain on the board, we will have a totally different kind of position in comparison to previous ones. 11...Ne5 a) It’s worth noting that Black should be careful with moves such as 11...Qc7?! since White has the possibility of the piece sacrifice 12.Bxb5 and after 12...axb5 13.Ndxb5 Qb8 14.Nxd6+ Bxd6 15.Qxd6 Qxd6 16.Rxd6² there arises a position which can be holdable, but it’s certainly not fun to play it since White doesn’t risk much. b) Many games have seen 11...Be7, with some strong players on the Black side. There could follow 12.Bd3 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Bc6 14.h4

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14...h5 (Certainly deserving of attention is 14...e5 15.Be3 h5 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 Qd7. Engines commonly evaluate this type of position as better for White (0.50-0.60), but I (Kozul) think it is quite acceptable to play. It’s just important to note that Black does not have to rush with castling, which could give his opponent the possibility to attack directly with g4.) 15.e5 dxe5 16.Bxe5 Qa5

Now White missed a strong move in the game Vallejo Pons, F (2716) -Gharamian, T (2657) Essen 2014. 17.Qf4! (17.Qg5 b4 18.Bxf6 Qxg5 19.Bxg5 bxc3 20.b3² In the emerging position, which occurred in the game, White has a small but lasting advantage thanks to the queenside pawn majority as well as the potentially weak pawn on c3.) 17...b4 18.Ne4 Bd5

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And now White has the very unpleasant 19.c4! bxc3 20.Nxc3 Bc6 21.Bc2±. 12.Bd3

An interesting alternative to 12.f4, which we will investigate in the next subchapter. 12...Qc7 Black can react with the standard 12...b4 13.Nce2 d5, but as we shall see he is not completely ready for this opening of the position (A possible alternative is 13...Nxd3!?.) 14.exd5 (Black is not in danger after 14.Bf4 Nc4 15.Bxc4 dxc4∞.) 14...Nxd5 15.Nf4 And now Black has to decide how to proceed. There are many moves with both knights so let’s look at them: 27

15...Nxe3 a) Exchanging both knights with 15...Nxd3 16.Qxd3 (White cannot insert 16.Nxd5 on account of 16...Nxb2„.) 16...Nxe3 is not good because White has a huge developmental advantage and his knights in the centre are ready for action! 17.Qxe3 Qb6 18.Qe4 0-0-0 There is no other choice, Black must try to hide his king. 19.Nd3 Now White threatens the Ne5 jump. 19...Bd6 20.c3ƒ

That’s the problem! White is opening the queenside and Black’s position is not pleasant at all. b) Simply bad is 15...Nb6?! on account of 16.Qe2‚. c) But Black could try 15...Nf6!?. 16.Qxe3 Bd6 28

Black wants to keep his knight on e5 for the moment so that he can castle. (Taking the other bishop with 16...Nxd3? is now even worse due to the simple 17.Qxd3±.) 17.Ndxe6 This is an attempt to immediately punish the opponent and prevent the king from escaping. a) Black is in no danger after 17.Nh5 Qg5! (It’s not the right moment for 17...0-0 since White can react with 18.f4!ƒ, which is stronger than 18.Be4?! as played in Hajnal, Z (2430)-Jankovic, A (2525) Kavala 2006.) 18.Qe4 Rd8„. b) If White is not happy with the advantage that he gets in the line with 17.Ndxe6 he can play 17.Nb3!?ƒ 17...Bxe6 18.Nxe6 fxe6 19.f4 Nxd3

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20.Qxd3 (20.Qxe6+!? Qe7 21.Qg6+ Kd7 22.Qxd3∞ was unclear in Neubauer, M (2456)-Pilaj, H (2388) Tweng 2007; tempting but wrong is 20.Rxd3? since Black will defend successfully after 20...Qe7 21.Qb6 Rd8 22.Rhd1 Qc7 23.Qxa6 Ke7µ, although later White managed to save the game in Shabalov, A (2555)-Ashley, M (2465) New York 1997.) 20...0-0 21.Qxd6 Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Rxf4 23.Rxe6 Rf2²

Black is a pawn down, but his active rook on the second rank gives him good chances to save his skin. 24.g3 Kf7 25.Re4 a5 26.Re5 Kf6 27.Rc5² Chodorowski, R-Kobryn, J ICCF email 2006. 13.Rhe1 White brings his last piece into play. In fact he has changed his plan — instead of advancing on the kingside he wants to exploit his development advantage by playing in the centre! a) In this position 13.f4?! is not good. It is important to take the light-squared bishop, but Black needs to do it the right way.

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The correct decision is 13...Nxd3! [13...Nc4?! 14.Bxc4 Qxc4 is worse due to 15.a3! What’s the difference? Black’s queen has abandoned control of the e5-square and precisely because of that factor White achieves a little advantage. It should be pointed out here that in principle opening the position on the queenside favours Black. However, in this case, Black is late with the development of his kingside and bringing the second rook into the game, so he is not in time to organize an attack on White’s king.

For example (15.e5?! b4 16.exf6 bxc3 17.fxg7 Bxg7 18.Qxc3?! Qxc3 19.bxc3 Ke7³ Efroimski, M (2331)-Kosteniuk, A (2543) Bilbao 2014) 15...b4 16.axb4 Rb8 (16...Qxb4 17.e5!) 17.Qd3 Rxb4 (17...Qxb4? 18.Bc1±) 18.Rhe1²] 14.cxd3 31

[It is even more unfavourable to take with the queen, 14.Qxd3, after which perhaps the best chance for White is to sacrifice the e-pawn after 14...b4

15.e5 (The disadvantage of playing without the light-squared bishop is best seen in the line 15.Nce2 Be7 16.h3 Rc8 17.Rhe1 0-0 18.g4 d5µ.) 15...dxe5 16.fxe5 Qxe5 17.Nf3 Qc7 but White does not have real compensation.] 14...b4 15.Nce2 Qb7 16.h3 a5³ Black’s position is to be preferred. b) If White plays 13.g4 then the easiest way for Black is to play 13...Nc4. (Other options are 13...Rc8!? 14.h4 g6 15.a3∞; or 13...b4!? 14.Nce2 d5∞.) 14.Bxc4 Qxc4∞ It would be an illusion to hope for counterplay along the b-file after taking with the pawn on c4. White would simply hide his king on a1 (if necessary later he would even play Rb1) and could calmly continue with the advance of his kingside pawns. Back to 13.Rhe1.

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13...Nc4 Dubious is 13...Rb8?! due to 14.f4!

14...Nc4 15.Bxc4 Qxc4 (White is also better after 15...bxc4 16.Qe2² since he can carry out the plan we’ve already mentioned.) 16.b3 Qc7 17.e5 Rc8 We can see that Black lost a tempo by moving the rook twice. (17...b4 18.exf6± is not helping either) 18.exf6 Qxc3 19.Qxc3 Rxc3

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20.Nf5! gxf6 (20...exf5? 21.Bd4++–) 21.Nxd6+ Bxd6 22.Rxd6± and White confidently converted his advantage into a full point in Vallejo Pons, F (2702)-Caruana, F (2646) Wijk aan Zee 2009. Also playable is 13...Be7!?. 14.Bxc4 Qxc4∞

Compared to the position we have previously mentioned Black is now practically a whole tempo up. Now it won’t be easy for White to advance with his central pawns so he will need to change the plan. Most likely White would go for a2–a3 or g2–g4. 3 34

9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Kb1 Ne5 12.f4 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Kb1!? Ne5 12.f4

12...b4! Only with this move can Black get good counterplay. It is interesting that the apparently normal 12...Neg4?! is not good at all, but the reason is not prosaic! In a game one would expect that White would retreat the bishop or play some developing move but the surprise is 13.a3!

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Curiously, this modest move gives White a clear advantage! Securing the c3-knight is more important than saving the bishop. Although we certainly do not advise the move 12...Neg4, we decided to keep the following lines in the book, as we consider them very instructive. (13.Bd3∞ was seen in Zawadzka, J (2387)-Dembo, Y (2466) Chalkida 2009) 13...e5 a) If Black takes the bishop 13...Nxe3 14.Qxe3 his queen doesn’t have a good square, e.g. 14...Qb8 (White is simply better in case of 14...Qc7? 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5± since 16...Ng4?? loses on the spot after 17.Qe4+–; 14...Qb6 is no improvement either since after 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 Nd5 17.Nxd5 exd5 White has 18.Qg3± and is not easy for Black to develop his kingside; White is also on top after 14...Be7 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 Nd5 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.e6±.) 15.Qg3

15...e5 (If Black tries to free himself with 15...g5 White can respond with 16.e5!±.) 16.Nf5 Nh5 17.Qg4± b) Another try would be 13...Rc8 14.Bg1

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14...Rxc3 Practically forced since the knight on g4 cannot find a safe haven. 15.Qxc3 Nxe4 At first glance this looks promising, but after 16.Qf3 Ngf6 White has the strong response 17.g4!ƒ and Black doesn’t have sufficient compensation. 14.Nf3

Now Black must decide on a plan. [Tempting, but wrong is 14.Nf5 g6 15.fxe5 (Now 15.Ng3?! is imprecise since after 15...Nxe3 16.Qxe3 exf4 17.Qxf4 Qe7 18.Be2 Qe5 it is not realistic to think that Black might have problems in this position when he has such a strongly centralized queen. 19.Rhf1 Be7 20.Qe3 Be6„ Solodovnichenko, Y (2615)-Rau, H (2464) Deizisau 2012.) 15...dxe5 16.h3 Nxe3 17.Nxe3 Be6 and the worst for Black is over: 37

18.Ned5 (if 18.Qf2 then 18...Qb6!„) 18...Bg7∞] 14...Rc8 a) Simply bad is 14...Be7 on account of 15.Bg1±. b) It looks normal to play 14...Nxe3 15.Qxe3, but now it is not easy to finish development.

Perhaps objectively best is to sacrifice the pawn with 15...Be7 (White is clearly better after 15...Qc7 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.exd5±; the move 15...Ng4 leads to complications where White will have better chances. For example, 16.Qe1 exf4 17.e5! Ne3 18.exd6 Qb6 — or 18...Bf5 19.Bd3± — 19.Nd5 Qc5 20.Nxf4±.) 16.fxe5 Ng4 17.Qf4 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 dxe5 19.Qxe5 0-0

38

Black has managed to castle, but that cost him a pawn. 20.Nd5± And although Black has the bishop pair, White’s extra pawn and his knight on d5 give arguments for this evaluation. c) Problems remain after 14...Bc6 15.h3 Nxe3 16.Qxe3 Qc7 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5ƒ. 15.Bg1

Retreating the bishop almost automatically means that Black’s exchange sacrifice will follow. But Black first inserts 15...exf4 and after 16.Qxf4 only now 16...Rxc3 17.bxc3 Qc7². Certain compensation exists, but the question is whether it is sufficient. The main problem is still the knight on g4 and its return to the game. 13.fxe5 bxc3 14.Qxc3 39

The position is very sharp and Black must play accurately.

14...Rc8! The best answer! Other moves aren’t convincing for Black. a) For example, 14...dxe5?! is a mistake on account of 15.Nf3! (If White plays 15.Nb3 Black is fine after 15...Qb8„ which was seen in Fluvia Poyatos, J (2449)-Mamedov, N (2614) Balaguer 2009.) 15...Rc8 (The transaction 15...Nxe4 16.Qxe5± is just better for White.) 16.Qxe5 Ng4 17.Qf4 Nxe3 18.Qxe3 Qc7 19.Bxa6 and White had the initiative in Sutovsky, E (2703)-Gallagher, J (2505) Gibraltar 2012. b) 14...Nxe4 15.Qe1

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15...d5 b1) 15...dxe5? would be a blunder because White has the deadly blow 16.Nxe6!+–.

b2) 15...Qc7 16.Bd3 Nc5 (16...d5 transposes to 15...d5 16.Bd3 Qc7) 17.exd6 Bxd6 18.Nf5 Be5 (Weaker is 18...Bf8? due to 19.Bd4 Nxd3 20.Rxd3±.) 19.Qb4! A strong move that sets Black problems.

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19...exf5 (19...g6 20.Bxc5 gxf5 21.Bd4±) 20.Qxc5 Be6 21.Rhe1± and White was better in Vallejo Pons, F (2702)-Jankovic, A (2571) Budva 2009. 16.Bd3 Qc7 17.Rf1 Be7 (It is dangerous to take the pawn, e.g. 17...Qxe5 18.Nf3 Qc7 19.Bd4 Nf6 20.Ne5. All White’s pieces are focused on Black’s king and it is not easy to find a good answer. Thus, 20...Bb5 doesn’t work because of 21.Ng6!±.) 18.Bxe4 dxe4 19.Qg3 g5 20.Bc1²

And Black has some problems to solve. Back to 14...Rc8.

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15.Qd3 It looks a bit unnatural to put the queen here, but the move is not a mistake. a) Now Black is fine after 15.Qb3 Rb8 16.Qc4 Ng4 17.Qc3 Qc8= (Or even 17...Nxe3 18.Qxe3 Qc7 19.exd6 Bxd6∞ which was played in Kowalczyk, R (2091)-Oleksak, A (2013) ICCF 2011). b) 15.Qe1 dxe5 16.Nf3 (in case of 16.Nb3 Qc7 17.Bd3 Black can play 17...Bb5„ with good counterplay as in Durarbeyli, V (2443)-Mamedov, N (2620) Baku 2009) 16...Qc7 17.Bd3 Bc6= 15...dxe5 16.Nf3 Qc7

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17.Qb3 White needs to prevent the development of Black’s queenside initiative. 17.Bd2?! Bc5 18.Qxa6?! After this pawn grab, White comes under a strong attack. (He had to play 18.Qb3.) 18...0-0µ Black has managed to connect his rooks and is ready to attack down the open files so already it can be assessed that White’s position is critical, Kriebel, T (2464)-Czarnota, P (2554) Legnica 2016. 17...Rb8 If someone wants to avoid the move repetition it’s possible to take a risk and try 17...a5

18.Bb5 Rb8 but White has a strong response: 19.c4! (19.Rxd7 looks attractive, but it leads nowhere after 19...Nxd7 20.Rd1 Bd6 21.Qd3 Ke7.) 19...Bd6 20.Qd3 Be7 21.Bd2². 18.Qc4

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18...Qb7 A more reasonable way to avoid the repetition is 18...Qxc4!? 19.Bxc4 Nxe4 20.Rd3 f6∞ when a somewhat weird position arises — White can potentially have three passed pawns on the queenside, but Black completely controls the centre so the position can be assessed as unclear with chances for both sides. 19.Qb3 19.Bc1 Qxe4 20.Qxa6 Nd5∞ 19...Qc7= 4 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.g4 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 h6 10.Be3 b5 11.g4

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White does not want to waste time on preventive actions, but immediately advances his kingside pawns. 11...Ne5 Now Black is threatening b5–b4 so White must react. 12.a3 This move is the favourite of the engines, yet it gives Black some opportunities for counterplay. White has solved his current problems in the position — he has secured the knight on c3 and can start to advance his kingside pawns. On the other hand, now it’s much easier for Black to open the queenside! Another logical move is 12.Bd3 b4 13.Nce2

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13...Nxd3+ (Engines suggest other moves such as 13...Rc8 or 13...d5, but we believe that this is the most practical move. It forces White to immediately decide how he will take on d3, which, in some ways, defines the positions that will be created. It may seem strange to exchange the nice e5-knight for the bishop, which is quite passive on d3. However, you should know that the d3-bishop is a very important defensive piece which deprives Black of counterplay along the c-file.) 14.cxd3 (If White goes for 14.Qxd3!? then Black can play 14...Qc7∞ or 14...g6!?.) 14...e5 15.Nf5

15...g6! An important tactical resource! 16.Nxh6 d5 17.Kb1 And now Black should have played 17...d4! (17...Ba4 was Movsesian, S (2670)-Kozul, Z (2609) Sibenik 2007.) 18.Bg5 b3!

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The best way to achieve the needed counterplay! 19.a3 Rc8 (Black can also try 19...Qb6!? 20.Bxf6 Qxf6 21.g5 Bxh6 22.gxf6 Bxd2„.) 20.Rc1 Rc2! 21.Rxc2 bxc2+„ and it’s much easier to play this position with the black pieces. 12...Qc7 13.h4 Rb8

An important move in Black’s concept. He is preparing to open the b-file after a possible ...bxc4, but he is also preparing a ...b5–b4 break. 14.Rg1 Let’s see what happens after this direct move. For the main move 14.Be2, see the next subchapter. 48

14.Kb1!? This position can sometimes arise via different move orders. 14...Qb7! (Premature is 14...d5 on account of 15.Bf4 Bd6 16.Bh2!ƒ which was seen in Vrana, L (2190)-Belak, S (2282) ICCF 2009.) 15.Qf2 a) Black is fine in case of 15.Qc1 b4 16.axb4 Qxb4„. b) But much more venom is hiding within the seemingly modest 15.Be2 Nc4 16.Bxc4 [16.Qc1 should not be underestimated. 16...Nxe3 (White stops the attack in case of 16...b4 17.Bxc4 bxc3 18.b3ƒ.) 17.Qxe3 Qb6 (Again after 17...b4? 18.axb4 Qxb4 White has the initiative with 19.Nb3‚ and if Black tries 19...a5?

White can catch the queen with 20.Nb5!!± …Rd4.) 18.g5 hxg5 19.hxg5 Rxh1 20.Rxh1 Ng8∞] 16...bxc4 17.Qc1 e5 (White is ready for 17...d5? since he can play 18.Bf4±.) 18.Nf5

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18...d5 [Another option is to take 18...Bxf5!? 19.gxf5 and only then play 19...d5 20.Nxd5 (White can also consider the positional exchange sacrifice 20.Rxd5!? Nxd5 21.Nxd5∞.) 20...Bxa3 21.Nb6 Be7∞.] 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Rxd5 Qc7! This is the right answer that gives Black a good game! (we should mention that 20...Bxa3?

loses due to 21.Bc5!+–.) 21.c3 g6!∞ (21...Be6? is a mistake because of the simple 22.Rdd1!±.) 15...Nc4!

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When playing this position you should be aware of a few things. As soon as the rook on h1 is protected White will implement the g4–g5 break, when Black will be in trouble. That’s why Black with every move must take concrete measures to prevent this break. Also, he should not expect too much from an immediate opening of the position with ...b5–b4, because it can easily backfire. Simply, Black hasn’t got enough pieces for the attack and White can quickly organize a counterattack. Therefore, at this point Black should play the move from the text! a) Now 15...d5? is bad since White has 16.Bf4±. b) Premature is 15...b4?! 16.axb4

16...Qxb4 (If Black plays 16...d5? with the idea to take on b4 with the bishop, White has the strong 17.b5!±.) 17.Nb3 Qb7 (The problem is that Black cannot proceed with 17...a5 because of 18.Ba7! Ra8 51

19.Bb6±.) 18.Be2 Bc6 (To illustrate how dangerous the position is, if Black plays 18...Bb5? then he is lost after 19.Na5 Qc7 20.Ba7!+–.) 19.Rhg1± and it’s easy to see that Black is late with the queenside action while White’s threats are much more concrete. 16.Bxc4 (If White plays 16.Nb3 Black follows with 16...a5‚; and in case of 16.Bc1 Black can attack with 16...Nxa3+!! 17.bxa3 b4 18.Nce2 bxa3+ 19.Nb3 a5‚.) 16...bxc4 17.Bc1 d5 18.g5

18...Bxa3 [If Black plays 18...Nh5 then after 19.exd5 Bxa3 20.dxe6 fxe6 White has the hidden idea 21.Nxe6! Bxe6 22.Qe3 when Black should liquidate into the endgame with 22...Qb6 23.Rhe1 Qxe3 24.Rxe3 Nf4

Now an important move for White is 25.Ne2! Nxe2 (25...hxg5 26.Nxf4 gxf4 27.Rxe6+ Kf7 28.Rc6²) 52

26.Rxe6+ Kf7 27.Rxe2 Bxb2 28.Bxb2 c3 29.Rd7+ Kg6∞ and the resulting position is not easy to assess.] 19.b3 Bxc1 (also interesting is 19...Bb4!?) 20.gxf6

20...Ba3 (or 20...Bf4!?) 21.fxg7 Rg8∞ and we have a strange position with mutual chances. 14...g6 15.g5 hxg5 16.hxg5 Nh5 17.f4 Nc4 18.Bxc4 bxc4

Black has consolidated his kingside and on the other flank he has got an open b-file; this clearly shows that he is fine. 19.Kb1 53

a) White can prepare an escape route via d2 with 19.Qf2 Qb7 20.Kd2 Bg7 21.f5 exf5 22.exf5 Be5

23.fxg6 (White made a big blunder by playing 23.f6?? Nxf6–+ in Kosintseva, N (2554)-Dembo, Y (2457) Rijeka 2010.) 23...fxg6 24.Qe2 And now Black should have played 24...0-0 (24...Ng7? 25.Bf4‚ was Krueger, H (2313)-Onder, E (2308) IECG email 2005.) 25.Qxc4+ Kg7∞ and the fight is still ahead. b) Black had the initiative after 19.f5 Qb7‚ in Barkhagen, J (2464) -Brynell, S (2505) Gothenburg 2002. 19...Qb7 19...d5!? 20.Qc1 d5 21.Ka1 dxe4 22.Nde2 Bc6 23.Bd4 Bg7∞ It is not easy to evaluate this position. Black is a pawn-up and has a solid position, yet things are not so simple.

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His pieces are static and there is no possibility of active play. For these reasons we assessed the position as unclear. 5 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.g4 Ne5 12.a3 Qc7 13.h4 Rb8 14.Be2 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 h6 10.Be3 b5 11.g4 Ne5 12.a3 Qc7 13.h4 Rb8 14.Be2

14...g6 15.g5 hxg5 16.hxg5 Rxh1 17.Rxh1 Nh5

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After several (almost forced) moves we have come to this position which is very important for the whole line. If Black can successfully defend this position then the whole line is good. White can now proceed in two ways. 18.f4 The move 18.b3!? we put as the second option, but that doesn’t mean it is less good.

On the contrary, the move is very dangerous since it limits Black’s counterplay and it is not easy to find the right plan. 18...Qa5! a) In a practical game many players would have chosen the move 18...d5 but in the complications that arise White still has the upper hand after 19.exd5 Bxa3+ 20.Kb1ƒ Nc4 21.Bxc4 bxc4 22.dxe6 fxe6 and 56

now comes the strong

23.Rxh5! gxh5 24.Bf4!ƒ. b) But a reasonable alternative is 18...Rc8!? 19.Kb2 Nc6 (Black does not have time to organize threats along the diagonal with 19...Bg7 since after 20.f4 Ng3 White has 21.Rh7±.) 20.f4 Nxd4 21.Bxd4 Nxf4

There is no other choice, Black must enter this sequence. 22.Qxf4 e5 23.Qd2 exd4 24.Nd5 Qc6 25.Nf6+ Ke7∞. (Weaker is 25...Kd8 26.Rh8 Kc7 27.Nxd7 Qxd7 28.Qxd4±.) 19.Kb2

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19...Bg7 (Again, tempting but wrong is 19...d5? 20.b4 Bxb4 21.axb4 Qxb4+ 22.Ka1±.) 20.f4 [20.Rg1 b4 21.axb4 Qxb4

22.Kb1 (If 22.Nb1 then Black should play 22...a5„.) 22...a5 The best response; it forces White to exchange queens. (Appealing is 22...Nc4 but it won’t bring full equality. After 23.Bxc4 Qxc4 24.Nde2 a5 25.Qxd6 Rxb3+ everything looks fine for Black, but following 26.cxb3 Qxb3+ 27.Kc1 Bxc3 White has 28.Qb6 Qa3+ 29.Kb1 Be5 30.Kc2!² with slightly better chances.) 23.Ncb5 Qxd2 24.Bxd2 Ke7

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And in the resulting position Black should not have any problems. 25.c4 (In case of 25.c3 sufficient is 25...Nxf3 26.Bxf3 Bxb5 — or 26...e5!? — 27.Nxb5 Rxb5=; and if White opts for 25.Na3 Black can play 25...Nc6 — or 25...a4!? 26.b4 Ng4∞ — 26.Nxc6+ Bxc6„.) 25...Nc6! 26.Nxc6+ Bxc6 27.Bxa5 Nf4 28.Bf1 Rh8°

This is the position Black was heading for! He has sacrificed a pawn, but in turn he has activated his pieces to the maximum and that gives him enough compensation.] 20...Nc4+

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21.bxc4 [Taking with the bishop 21.Bxc4 leads to perpetual check after 21...bxc4 22.b4 Rxb4+ 23.axb4 Qxb4+ 24.Kc1 Qa3+ 25.Kb1 (White is clearly worse if he tries 25.Kd1? Qa1+ 26.Qc1 Qxc3µ.) 25...Qb4+ 26.Ka1 Qa5+ 27.Kb2=. (If White insists on playing on with 27.Na2 then Black has good counterplay after 27...Qxd2 28.Bxd2 Bxd4+„.)] 21...Ng3! [Unclear is 21...b4 22.axb4 Qxb4+ 23.Nb3 Ba4 24.Bd1 Ng3

25.Bd4 (A very interesting idea involving a queen sacrifice is 25.Rh7!? Nxe4 26.Rxg7 Nxd2 27.Bxd2 Bxb3 28.cxb3 Qb6 29.Ne4 Ke7 30.Bc3 Rh8= and although engines evaluate the position as equal, we 60

are sure that most players would prefer the white pieces.) 25...Bxb3 26.cxb3 Bxd4 27.Qxd4 (White is only marginally better after 27.Rh3 Bxc3+ 28.Qxc3 Nxe4 29.Qxb4 Rxb4 30.Bc2².) 27...Nxh1 28.f5 (28.Qh8+ Ke7 29.Qxh1 Qxc4=) 28...Ng3 29.fxe6 fxe6∞] 22.Rh7 (If White plays 22.Ra1 then Black has at least a draw after 22...b4 23.Nd1 Nxe4 24.Qd3 Nc5 25.Qd2 Ne4=.) 22...b4 23.Na2

At first glance it looks very dangerous for White. However, further analysis shows that he always has a defence. 23...Nxe4 a) After 23...Qxa3+ 24.Ka1 (24.Kb1?? loses on the spot on account of 24...Nxe4–+.) 24...Nxe4 25.Qc1 Kf8 26.Qxa3 bxa3∞ and Black needs to play very precisely to prove his compensation. b) Similar is 23...bxa3+!? 24.Kc1 Qxd2+ 25.Kxd2 Nxe4+ 26.Kc1 Kf8 27.Bf3∞, but now Black’s apawn looks much more dangerous. 24.Qxb4! Rxb4+ 25.axb4 Bxd4+ 26.Bxd4∞

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An unusual position which is not easy to assess! Black has a material advantage, but his king is weak and it’s not easy to play against the mighty bishop on d4. 18...Nc4

19.Qd3 The critical moment! There are a lot of moves, but Black should be very careful. Black was ready for 19.Bxc4 bxc4‚. 19...Nxe3! 62

This is the best decision! Other moves won’t solve all the problems. a) 19...b4!? is interesting but after 20.Qxc4 (20.axb4 Rxb4 21.Nb3 a5ƒ 22.Na2 Ra4 23.Nc3=) 20...Qxc4 21.Bxc4 bxc3 22.b3 e5 23.Ne2 Bb5 24.Bxb5+ axb5² White is somewhat better. b) Dubious is 19...Bg7?! due to 20.f5 and in the following complications White will be better. 20...Nxe3 21.Bxh5 Nxc2 (even worse is 21...b4 22.axb4 Rxb4 23.f6 Bf8 24.Bxg6+–) 22.Nxc2 gxh5 23.f6 Bf8 24.Rxh5± c) It’s a mistake to play 19...Ng3? and allow White to go 20.Rh8ƒ. Maybe Black underestimated the pin, but it will be very uncomfortable. 20...a5 21.Bf2 Nxe2+ 22.Qxe2 Qb7

23.Nd5! White is already better, but with this blow he speeds things up! 23...Rc8 24.Nf6+ Ke7 25.f5 gxf5 26.Nxf5+! exf5 27.Nd5+ Ke8 28.Qh5 Be6 29.Rxf8+ Kd7 30.Rxf7+ 1–0 Pavasovic, D (2567)Palac, M (2568) Sibenik 2007. d) And let’s point out that Black has insufficient compensation after 19...Rc8? 20.Bxh5 gxh5 21.Rxh5±. 20.Qxe3 b4 21.axb4

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21...Rxb4 A good alternative is 21...Qb6!? 22.Bxh5 gxh5 (Bad is 22...Bg7? because of 23.e5±.) 23.Nd1 Bg7 (White is slightly better after 23...Qxb4 24.Rxh5 Bg7 25.c3².) 24.c3 Bxd4 25.cxd4 Rc8+ 26.Nc3 Rc4

The simplest way for Black is to exchange the queens. 27.Rxh5 Qxd4 28.Qxd4 Rxd4² It’s true that White is still somewhat better, but with precise play Black should not have problems holding this endgame. 22.Nb3

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Black is fine after 22.Bxh5 Qc5 23.Bf3 (23.Nf5 exf5 24.Qxc5 dxc5„) 23...Qxd4=. 22...d5 Too slow is 22...a5 23.Bxh5 gxh5 24.Rxh5±. 23.Bxh5 gxh5 24.Rxh5

24...Ba4 a) Tempting but wrong is 24...d4? 25.Nxd4 Qb6 26.Nce2 Rxb2 27.Rh8±. b) However 24...Bg7!? can be tested. 25.exd5 If White goes for 25.Nxa4 Black can insert 25...Rxe4³ and he is fine after 26.Qg1 Qxf4+ 27.Kb1 Rxa4 28.Rh8 Qe5.

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29.Rg8 (or 29.Qc5 Qxh8 30.Qc8+ Ke7 31.Qc7+=) 29...Rc4 30.g6 fxg6 31.Qxg6+= Ke7 32.Qh7+ Ke8 33.Qg6+=. 25...Bxb3 26.cxb3 Qxf4

Again, liquidation to an endgame is the best way to hold the position. The material is reduced and Black is close to a draw. 27.Qxf4 Rxf4 28.Rh8 Rd4 29.dxe6 fxe6=

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6 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Kb1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6

The most common reaction, with the idea of transferring the other knight via e2 to d4. 11...Bxc6 12.Kb1 In similar positions it’s always an option to play this prophylactic move. 12.Ne2 — see the next two subchapters. 12...Qc7 13.Bd3

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13...Be7 Black is completing his development and could castle next move if he wished. However, he has to be careful with castling since his pawn is on h6, so White could quickly advance his pawns and break open the position around Black’s king. Also, Black must always reckon with the possibility of a bishop sacrifice on h6! a) An interesting idea is to block the centre with 13...e5!? 14.Rhe1 (Black gets counterplay in case of 14.g4 b4 15.Ne2 d5∞; or 14.a3 Rb8∞ with the idea of ...a5–b4.) 14...Be7 15.Bf1∞ with mutual chances. b) 13...Nd7!? has been played several times. 14.Qf2 An interesting plan, with the idea to activate the queen from g3. (Now it is too late to switch the knight with 14.Ne2 since Black can play 14...d5 15.exd5 Bxd5∞; 14.Bd4 Ne5∞ with a complex fight ahead.) 14...Be7 15.Rhe1 Ne5 16.Qg3

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16...Bf6 [The whole idea is not without venom, as you can see if Black plays 16...Ng6 17.Nd5! (Much stronger than 17.Qg4 which was seen in Fedorchuk, S (2633)-Bove, A (2288) Pavia 2009.) 17...Bxd5 18.exd5 Bh4 19.Qg4 Bxe1 20.dxe6ƒ and White develops a strong initiative!] 17.Bd4

But Black equalizes after 17...b4! [Black doesn’t have time for 17...Qe7?! due to 18.f4!±. (18.Qf2 0-0∞ was unclear in Hansen, S (2551)Werle, J (2409) Germany 2004.)] 18.Nd5!? exd5 19.exd5 Bxd5 20.f4 0-0 21.fxe5 dxe5= 69

Back to 13...Be7. 14.h4 This seems the most logical. It is a multifunctional move which prepares the g4–g5 push and also gives the oppotunity of activating the rook by Rh1–h3–g3. a) 14.Ne2 e5 [Interesting is 14...d5!? and after 15.e5!

15...Ne4! (The pawn is taboo, since in case of 15...Qxe5?? White wins after 16.Bf4 Qh5 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.h4+– with g2–g4 to follow.) 16.Qe1 Nc5 (Bad is 16...Qxe5? due to 17.Nd4± and White’s bishop gets a way out.) 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.f4 b4 The position is unclear.

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19.g4 (Not particularly dangerous is 19.f5 since after 19...Nxd3 20.Rxd3 Black can play 20...exf5∞ or even 20...Qxe5!?, taking a pawn.) 19...a5 20.h4 a4∞ as in Spoelman, W (2445)-Van der Wiel, J (2496) Netherlands 2007.] 15.Ng3

15...Bd7 a1) Now it would be a mistake to play 15...d5? 16.Nf5ƒ Bf8. The problem is that Black must lose a tempo and that will be enough for White to take the initiative. 17.exd5 Nxd5 (17...Bxd5 18.Bf2±) And now White has the very unpleasant 18.c4!±. a2) The same goes for 15...0-0-0? because White again has 16.c4!± and very soon Black’s king will 71

feel highly uncomfortable. 16.Nf5 (Now Black is ready for 16.c4 since after 16...0-0„ only he can benefit from opening the queenside.) 16...Bxf5 17.exf5 d5

The most precise move! 18.Rhe1! [The solid-looking 18.c3 gives Black a target on the queenside. 18...Rb8 (It would be nice to castle immediately 18...0-0 but then Black needs to be ready for 19.Bxh6∞ which looks unpleasant; but not 19.g4 Rfb8 after which Black is in time.) 19.g4 b4 (Dubious is 19...Bc5?! on account of 20.Rhe1±.) 20.Rc1 Qb7 (The position is unclear after 20...bxc3 21.Rxc3 Qd7 22.Qc2∞.) 21.Qe2 0-0 This is Black’s idea! With the pawn sacrifice he shifts the focus of the game to the queenside and achieves good compensation. 22.Bxa6 Qa8 23.cxb4 Rxb4‚; if White plays 18.g4 then after 18...d4 19.Bf2 Nd5 20.Be4 0-0-0

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Black has no choice, the king must run to the queenside. 21.h4 Kb8∞ And in the resulting position, both sides have their chances.] 18...0-0 [Black can prevent the h6-sacrifice with 18...d4

but that will bring him new problems after 19.Bf2 0-0 (White has a big advantage after 19...Nd5? 20.Qe2 f6 21.Be4±.) 20.f4! Bd6 21.fxe5 Bxe5² and White has somewhat better prospects; in case of 18...Rc8 White should react with 19.c3! since now Black’s rook is on the wrong file and also it will be hard for him to delay castling any longer. (If White opts for 19.g4 Black can now enter the continuation 19...d4 20.Bf2 Nd5 21.Qe2 f6„ and you can see a big difference with regard to the previous line. Black’s rook is no longer on a8 so his knight is ready to jump to f4; after 19.Bf2 Black no longer has to 73

worry about the h6-sacrifice so 19...0-0 20.Bg3 Nd7„ and Black will play ...Rfd8 next.) 19...0-0 (White is better after 19...Qb7 20.Bf2 e4 21.fxe4 dxe4 22.Bc2±; or 19...Qb8 20.Bf2 0-0 21.Rxe5!±.) 20.Bxh6 (Since Black’s rook is not yet on the b-file White may even have time for 20.g4!?.) 20...gxh6 21.Qxh6∞ How to assess this position? Engines say it’s equal, especially because White has the perpetual check.

When you analyse a little further, however, the impression is that White can — without any risk — slowly try to reinforce the position, by advancing the g-pawn or opening the third rank for the rook lift.] 19.Bxh6 gxh6 20.Qxh6 Rfc8∞

Again a similar position, but with one important difference: Black has already freed the f8-square and White can no longer be so relaxed. Black can now threaten, at the right moment, to escape with the 74

king to the other wing. b) 14.Rhe1

14...Rc8 (Too optimistic is 14...b4?! 15.Ne2 a5 16.Nd4ƒ since after ...16...0-0? 17.Bxh6± White’s attack is hard to parry; but 14...Nd7!? can be taken into consideration.) 15.g4 [After 15.Ne2 Black again has to decide how to react in the centre. 15...e5! This is the right move! (Unclear is 15...d5 16.e5 Ne4 17.Qc1 and now just ...Nc5.

Instead in one game Black wanted to immediately punish his opponent and captured 17...Qxe5?!, but after 18.Nf4 Nd6 19.Bd2 Qf6 20.Nh5 Qh4 21.Nxg7+ Kd7² he was in trouble in Llaneza Vega, M (2425)-Jankovic, A (2528) Plovdiv 2008.) 16.Ng3 (Black is also fine after 16.g4 d5„; or 16.Nc3 b4„.) 75

16...Bd7„ and Black has nothing to worry about.] 15...Nd7 16.Ne2 Ne5 17.Nd4 Bb7 18.Qg2

18...b4∞ and the position was unclear in Gornoi, M (2258)-Walsh, H (2508) IECG email 2006. (18...g6 19.Bf1² was seen in Luther, T (2569)-Baklan, V (2622) Germany 2006.) c) It is weaker to start with the g-pawn: 14.g4 d5

15.Bf4 (15.exd5 Nxd5„ and Black was fine in Bulski, K (2470)-Dragun, K (2407) Krakow 2011.) 15...e5 16.exd5 b4 17.Ne4 Nxd5„ and Black later won in Sebag, M (2533)-Caruana,F (2640) Cap d’Agde 2008.

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14...d5 This is probably the best reaction — to respond to the wing attack with action in the centre. a) Black can stop the kingside advance with 14...h5, but after 15.Bg5² White will have a new game plan. He will transfer the knight to f4 and if Black castles then a serious problem would appear: the weak pawn on h5. Practice shows that in similar positions White is simply better. (15.Ne2 is premature due to 15...e5=.) b) White is slightly better in case of 14...b4 15.Ne2

15...d5 (But not 15...a5? 16.Nd4 Bd7 17.g4± and Black’s king in the centre will soon come under 77

attack.) 16.e5 (Black is fine after 16.Nd4 dxe4=.) 16...Nd7 17.f4 Nc5 (maybe Black should try 17...Bb5!?∞) 18.Nd4² c) A serious option is 14...Nd7!?

15.Qf2 b4 (15...Ne5!?) 16.Ne2 d5 17.exd5 Bxd5∞ with an unclear position. 15.e5

The most common reaction to the ...d6–d5 push, which has its own logic. White wants to block the centre in order to prepare the advance of his kingside pawns. He thinks that his action will be faster than the opponent’s on the opposite wing.

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a) An interesting try is 15.Bf4!?

15...e5 (15...Qb6 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxd5= in Vokarev, S (2502)-Sergeev, V (2393) Ekaterinburg 2008; White could however have tried 16.e5!? with an unclear position.) 16.exd5 (Black is fine if White retreats the bishop: 16.Bg3 dxe4= with ...Rad8 to follow, or even 16...d4!?; or 16.Bh2 dxe4= as in the game Stolz, P-Brandt, S LSS email 2008.) 16...b4 17.Bxe5! If White wants to achieve something he must play aggressively! 17...Qxe5 18.Rhe1

18...Qc7! (It is possible to go to the endgame with 18...bxc3 19.Rxe5 cxd2 20.dxc6 Kf8 21.Rxd2∞ but there White would certainly feel more comfortable.) 19.dxc6 bxc3 20.Qxc3 0-0„ and here it is harder for White to find equality. b) Black was fine after 15.exd5 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 79

17.f4 (17.Bf4 Qc6=; or 17.Bd4 0-0„ doesn’t change much.) 17...Bf6 (17...0-0!?³ also comes into consideration) 18.f5 0-0 19.Bg5 Qe5= in Cvek, R (2509)-Jankovic, A (2525) Brno 2006 (19...Be5 20.f6!∞; 19...hxg5 20.hxg5‚). 15...Qxe5 Black tries to get out of the usual scheme. A normal reaction would be 15...Nd7!? 16.f4 h5 17.Ne2 g6 18.Nd4 Nc5 19.Rdg1∞. 16.Bf4 Qd4 17.Bxb5 Qc5 18.Bxc6+ Qxc6 19.g4 Nd7

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20.g5 h5∞ And both sides have their own pluses. 20...Bb4!? 21.gxh6 gxh6 22.Rhe1∞ in Glaser, H (2316)-Schueppel, R (2342) corr. 2003. 7 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Ne2 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Ne2

Relocating the knight from c3, where it was under threat from ...b5–b4, to d4 is a smart manoeuvre. 12...Bb7 Black immediately removes the bishop from the Ne2–d4 gain of tempo. a) Black will have some problems after 12...Qc7 13.Nd4 Bb7 14.Bd3 e5 15.Nf5ƒ due to White’s development advantage which gives him the initiative, Djukic, N (2539)-Kozul, Z (2606) Sarajevo 2013. b) A typical move for the line is 12...Rc8, which is aimed against the move c2–c4. However after ...Rc8 Black cannot castle long any more. 13.Kb1 (Premature is 13.g4? because Black has 13...Nxe4! 14.fxe4 Bxe4 15.Rg1 Rxc2+ 16.Qxc2 Bxc2 17.Kxc2 d5³.) 13...Qc7 14.Nd4 Bb7

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15.Bd3 For White it is best to finish development as soon as possible and get ready for Black’s action in the centre. (Black is fine after 15.g4 e5= with ...d6–d5 next; and also after 15.h4 e5 with ...d5 to follow: 16.Nf5 d5∞.) 15...Nd7!∞ The best plan. Since there is no good way to strike in the centre with d5 or e5, the knight on f6 has lost its function and it switches to a more active place. [If Black plays 15...g6 (with the idea of ...e6–e5) White can react with 16.e5! Nd5 (16...dxe5 17.Nxe6! ±) 17.exd6². (Also interesting is the piece sacrifice 17.Nxe6!? fxe6 18.Bxg6+ with unclear consequences); White is much better after 15...e5 16.Nf5 d5 17.exd5 Nxd5 18.Rhe1 Bb4 19.c3 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Nxc3+ 21.Kb2±.]

13.Kb1 82

An elastic move. If White starts with 13.h4 Black can calmly proceed with 13...Qc7∞ (It’s not necessary to go for 13...d5 14.e5 Nd7 15.f4 h5 16.f5!? exf5 17.Nd4∞.). If White plays 13.g4!? then Black should react with 13...Qc7 because now he has the positional threat of playing ...d6–d5 and White can’t react with e4–e5 because after ...Nd7 he is losing the pawn. (Engines constantly suggest 13...d5?! but we believe that White has better chances in the position that arises after 14.e5 Nd7 15.Bd4ƒ as in Bologan, V (2585)Galliamova, A (2410) Oakham 1992.) If White fights against the ...d5 threat with 14.Bg2 then Black can renew it with 14...Nd7=. 13.Nd4 — See the next subchapter. 13...Qc7

White must decide how to continue. 14.Nd4 White can’t start his kingside pawn advance without this move. a) A normal continuation is 14.h4 Rc8. [It is not natural to play 14...Rd8 since the rook belongs to c8; on d8 it could also lose a tempo after Qf2 (threatening Bb6, thus forcing the black rook to move again). 15.Qe1! The queen moves away from the x-ray of the rook

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and goes to g3 where it will put pressure on the g7-square, and there will also be some tactical ideas along h2–b8 diagonal. 15...Nd7 (White is slightly better after 15...d5 16.e5ƒ.) 16.Nf4 h5 17.Bd4 Rc8 18.Rc1 Ne5 19.Qg3 g6 20.Nd3ƒ This was seen in Smirnov, P (2631)-Jankovic, A (2541) Dresden 2007. It’s possible to play 14...Nd7!? but it is better to insert ...Rc8 and Rc1 since White’s rook is not optimally placed on c1; the rook belongs on the d-file.] 15.Rc1

(An interesting position arose in a game between World Champions: 15.Rh3 h5∞ Kasparov, G (2810)Kramnik, V (2750) Frankfurt 1999; Black is fine after 15.Nd4 e5 with ...d5 to follow.) 15...Nd7 (White is clearly better after 15...e5?! 16.Nc3 b4 17.Nd5±.) 16.Nf4 White wants to prevent ...d6–d5, but the knight on f4 is awkwardly placed. (Black quickly got the upper hand after 16.Nd4 d5 17.exd5 Bxd5„ 84

in Arakhamia Grant, K (2413)-Baklan, V (2605) Saint Vincent 2003.) 16...h5 [If he wants to prevent the opening of the queenside Black can insert 16...Ne5!? and after 17.Be2 he can even block the kingside with 17...h5∞. (The dubious 17...g6?! was played in Paehtz, E (2349)Kosteniuk, A (2455) Bled 2002.)] 17.c4!

Only thus can White fight for the advantage! Since the kingside is temporarily blocked White switches to the other wing while Black is still undeveloped. 17...b4 18.Qxb4 d5 19.c5 dxe4 20.Be2 e5∞ A very unusual and complicated position with mutual chances has arisen. b) 14.g4?! does not work because of 14...d5 and after 15.e5 Black plays 15...Nd7µ when White is simply losing a pawn — f3–f4 is not possible because of ...d5–d4!. 14...e5

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15.Nb3 If White jumps 15.Nf5 then after 15...d5„ Black will have the option of queenside castling. 16.exd5 Nxd5 White could try to exploit the fact that Black’s king is still in the centre by playing 17.Qe1. [17.Bd3?! At first glance this looks like a normal developmental move, but in fact it is a serious inaccuracy. 17...g6 18.Ng3

This was the right moment to seize the initiative with 18...f5!. It is important to take the e4-square away from White’s knight. (18...Bg7?! Too timidly played, Papp, G (2568)-Bromberger, S (2522) Germany 2015.) 19.Rhe1 0-0-0 (Black is also better after 19...Bg7 20.Nf1 Nxe3 21.Qxe3 0-0³.) 20.Bg1 Bb4

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21.c3 Ba5µ] 17...g6 (An approximately equal position would result from 17...Nxe3 18.Nxe3 Bc5 19.Nd5 Qd6 20.Bd3 0-0 21.Be4 Rab8 22.Nb4 Qb6 23.Bxb7 Rxb7 24.Nd3 Re8=.) 18.Bd4

This is the point of White’s previous move. 18...f6 19.Ne3 Rd8 20.Nxd5 Rxd5 21.Be3 Rxd1+ 22.Qxd1 And the position is close to equal. Black can continue in several ways, for example 22...Kf7 23.c4!?

Only with this kind of move can White try to take the initiative. However, Black has ways to keep the position in balance. 23...bxc4 24.Qc2 Bd5 25.Bd3 f5 26.Rc1 Bg7 27.Bxc4 Bxc4 28.Qxc4+ Qxc4 29.Rxc4 Re8 30.Kc2 e4 31.fxe4 Rxe4= 15...d5 16.exd5 87

Black achieves nice prospects after this move. We’ve promoted it as a main move in the file, as the analysis of it is much easier than with its alternatives. 16.Qa5 This was the point of the previous moves. White wants to exchange the queens and try to attack Black’s queenside pawns. But Black has just enough time to optimally arrange his pieces. 16...Rc8 17.Qxc7 Rxc7 18.Na5 Ba8= 16...Nxd5 17.Bd3 Bb4 18.c3 Be7 19.Rhe1

19...Rd8 The above move, played by Ivan Salgado Lopez, is not bad, but 19...0-0!? 20.Qf2 Rfd8 would be more in the spirit of the position.

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In this specific position, White’s dark-squared bishop is one of the weakest pieces. Black’s last move enables him to prevent White from exchanging the bishop with Bc5, and he certainly will not exchange his strong knight on d5 for it. 21.Bc5 Bf6 22.Be4 a5ƒ And suddenly Black seizes the initiative on the queenside. 20.Qf2 Nxe3 21.Qxe3 0-0 22.Qxe5

22...Bd6! 22...Qxe5? Black unnecessarily exchanges queens after the pawn sacrifice. Without the queens it will be much harder to prove the two-bishops compensation. Probably, Black was afraid of a possible 89

sacrifice on g6 later on. Now he is a clear pawn down with a hard fight for a draw. 23.Rxe5 Bd6 24.Rh5 Bf4 25.Rh4 Be5 26.Kc2± Vachier Lagrave, M (2788)-Salgado Lopez, I (2618) Drancy 2016. 23.Qf5 g6 24.Qf6 Rde8!°

In his calculations, when playing 22...Qxe5?, Black probably did not notice this strong move which holds the position. It is now obvious that with queens on the board Black has enough compensation for the pawn. 8 9...h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Ne2 Bb7 13.Nd4 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 h6 10.Be3 b5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Ne2 Bb7 13.Nd4

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White continues with his plan. 13...e5 The most principled reaction. 14.Nb3 White can also jump to a more active square. 14.Nf5 d5 15.exd5

15...Qxd5 Black exploits the fact that the pawn on a2 is hanging, and with the queen exchange White’s initiative slowly disappears. (If Black is searching for complications he can play 15...Nxd5!? 16.Qe1 91

Qf6„.) 16.Kb1 Qxd2 17.Bxd2

17...0-0-0 (It is also possible is to kick the knight immediately with 17...g6!? 18.Ng3 Bg7 19.c4 0-0∞.) 18.Bd3 g6 19.Ng3 Bd6= An important move in order to have a cover against Ba5 — Black has equalized. 14...Rc8

It is important to free the a8-square for the bishop after the eventual Na5. 15.Qa5!

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An awkward move that causes certain problems for Black. White uses the fact that Black has not yet developed his kingside; after the exchange of queens, he wants to attack Black’s kingside. Objectively, Black has two real possibilities. a) Things are getting pretty serious after 15.a4!? bxa4 16.Na5 a3!

A very important move which will give Black enough counterplay! 17.Qb4 (If 17.bxa3 Black can even try a piece sacrifice: 17...Bxe4 18.fxe4 d5‚.) 17...axb2+! (White would justify his idea after 17...Qc7 18.Qa4+ Bc6 19.Qxc6+ Qxc6 20.Nxc6 Rxc6 21.b3² and although White is currently a pawn down, Black would have problems in this endgame.) 18.Kxb2 (Similar is 18.Kb1 Qc7∞.) 18...Qc7

19.Qa4+ (Black would gain a strong initiative after 19.Rd2?! d5! 20.Qxb7 Qc3+ 21.Kb1 Ba3 22.Bxa6 0-0 23.Qb3 Qxa5 24.Bxc8 Rxc8 25.Rd3 Be7„ with the point that in case of 26.exd5 Black has 26...e4! 93

µ.) 19...Nd7∞ b) If White first inserts 15.Na5

15...Ba8 and only then plays 16.a4 Black can react in the centre with 16...d5ƒ (Even 16...Nxe4!? 17.fxe4 Bxe4∞ is possible.) 17.axb5 d4‚. c) 15.Kb1!?

15...d5 [Black can also delay the ...d5 push and play 15...Be7!? 16.Bd3 (Black should not be afraid of 16.Na5 Ba8 17.c4 since with the next move he can finish his development and afford the typical pawn sacrifice which will give him active play: 17...0-0 18.cxb5 axb5 19.Bxb5 d5„.) 16...0-0„; But after 15...Qc7?! 94

16.Na5ƒ gives White the upper hand.] 16.exd5 Bxd5 (Black was also fine after 16...Nxd5!? 17.Bd3 Qc7 in Kienitz, A (2193)-Hirneise, T (2287) Boeblingen 2007.) 17.Bd3 Be6

18.Qf2 Qc7 19.Rhe1 Bb4 20.c3 Be7 21.Bb6 Qb8 22.Ba7 Qc7 23.Bb6 Qb8 24.Ba7 Qc7 With a repetition: Bokros, A (2477)-Jankovic, A (2548) Harkany 2008. 15...Qd7 We think that in this particular position it is a better choice to play something more passive than in most other lines. Black will build a solid position that should, with proper play, be holdable. The alternative is to try to play actively with 15...d5!? but White now has the strong 16.a4! bxa4 17.Qxa4+ Bc6 18.Qxa6 d4 19.Qa5.

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19...Qc7 [Engines are not impressed with 19...Bd6 20.Qxd8+ Kxd8 21.Na5 Ke7 22.Bd2 Rc7 23.Nc4 Ra8 24.Ba5 Rca7 25.Nxd6 (or 25.b4 Ne8) 25...Rxa5 26.Nf5+ Kf8 27.Kd2 Ne8!

and evaluate the resulting position with a clear edge for White (about 0.60). However, Black has a very healthy position with the possibility of active counterplay. Practically speaking, Black has real chances of maintaining this position despite the pawn deficit.] 20.Qxc7 Rxc7 21.Na5 Ba4 22.b3 dxe3 23.bxa4 Ba3+ 24.Kb1 Ke7 25.Nc4 Rb8+ 26.Ka2 Bc5°

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And it can be concluded that Black has a certain compensation for his lack of material, but he has a long way to go to equalize. Another try is 15...Be7!?. But now let’s go back to our main line. 16.Qb6

16...Qc6 The precise move. 16...Rc6? A serious error after which Black ends up in serious trouble. 17.Qa7 Qc8 18.Na5 Rc7 97

19.Nxb7 Qxb7 20.Qxb7 Rxb7 21.c4!±

White has achieved a permanent pawn majority on the queenside which in combination with the bishop pair gives him a big advantage, Cubas, J (2470)-Edouard, R (2635) Baku 2016. 17.Qxc6+ Bxc6 18.Na5 Be7 19.Nxc6 Rxc6 20.Kb1 Nd7!?

Thanks to the bishop pair White has a certain advantage, but Black’s position is very solid. The idea of the last move is to reroute the bishop to one of the long diagonals and free the e7-square for the king. There could follow for example: 21.g3 Bg5 22.f4 Bd8 23.Bd2 Bc7 24.a3 Ke7 98

Or 24...Nf6 25.Bg2 Ke7. 25.Bh3 Rb8 26.Rhe1 Nf6 27.Bb4 Ke8²

With a slightly worse, but holdable position for Black. 9 Carlsen’s line 9...Nxd4!? 10.Qxd4 Be7 11.Kb1 The basic idea of our book is to bring the Richter-Rauzer variation of the Sicilian to club players, especially to players who are in the process of creating a repertoire with the black pieces against 1.e4. With our review of the theoretical novelties and tournament games we have always emphasized the explanation of the ideas, suggestions and recommendations in the treatment of certain positions. I would say that the whole variation has become very popular in the world of chess, among the world’s top grandmasters as well as a large number of young players looking to prove themselves. And in that sense it is hard to have a better recommendation for the variation than the fact that it is in the repertoire of the World Champion himself, Magnus Carlsen! That’s why we have decided to take a look at the recent Anand-Carlsen game, which was played in the GRENKE Chess Classic super-tournament 2018. This big tournament is a really special chess event. The first part is played in Karlsruhe and the second in Baden-Baden while at the same time a large Open tournament is in progress. As in the last few years, I was playing in the Open tournament. I could watch live games of the super-tournament and enjoy the play of the world’s best grandmasters. When it came to this game, it was extremely interesting to see how the World Champion treated the position in such an important game against a former World Champion. And we were not disappointed! Although the game ended peacefully, we could see Carlsen’s thinking in the positions we handle in the book as well as a completely new original idea that might be employed in some other similar positions. Here we want to emphasize that the focus in the game commentary has been placed primarily on the opening, 99

the ideas and possible plans of play, which is also the concept of the book itself. So let’s take a look at what happened in that game. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3

9...Nxd4!? An interesting solution from the World Champion! Looking at the database we could see that this is a rather rare continuation. I think I have tried almost all the moves in this position but not this one! We can only speculate about Carlsen’s idea and his reasons for such an early exchange of the d4-knight. We know that in the positions where the white bishop returns to e3 and when Black takes on d4, White players recapture with the queen and the bishop in roughly equal proportions. And engines agree that the two moves have roughly equal merit. Does Carlsen think that it is better for White to take on d4 with the bishop? Or does he want to hinder White’s standard plan where he exchanges knights on c6 and transfers the remaining knight via e2 to d4? All this remains in the sphere of speculation, so let’s look at what actually followed. 10.Qxd4 Be7

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11.Kb1 Anand choses a prophylactic move, one often played. This king move is connected with the possibility of taking the knight on f6 and if Black recaptures with the bishop, then White would want to capture the d6-pawn. As an example, in a line like 11...0-0 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Qxd6 Qa5! 14.Nd5! exd5 15.e5 Black would be happy if he could play 15...Bg5+, but because of the little king move, it’s not check. 11...b5 11...Qc7 I came to this position in my game against GM Djukic at the Open tournament in Sarajevo, just about the time we were ending our work on the materials for this book.

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It was an exciting game with a new idea in the opening, so we decided to include it in this update. 12.Qd2 (After long thinking, White decided to retreat the queen. One of my ideas was that after 12.Bxf6 I would not ruin my pawn structure by recapturing with the g-pawn, but instead would give up the d6-pawn with 12...Bxf6 13.Qxd6 Qxd6 14.Rxd6 Ke7°

I think Black should not have any problems keeping the balance in this endgame. The worst that can happen to Black is a position with opposite-coloured bishops that is very close to a draw. As an example of how to play this kind of position, I suggest you take look at the drawn game Kramnik, V (2807)-Ivanchuk, V (2699) Corus Wijk aan Zee, 2003.) 12...Bc6

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13.h4 (In case of 13.Ne2 I planned to play 13...Bb5!? It is not some kind of spectacular idea, but against extremely aggressive players sometimes it is useful to calm the position down with a few exchanges. 14.Nd4 Bxf1 15.Rhxf1 h6∞) 13...0-0 14.Bd3 Rfc8!?

15.Ne2 (In case of 15.g4 b5 16.Ne2 Black reacts with the well-known idea 16...d5 17.e5 Ne4, achieving good counterplay.) 15...Bb5 16.g4 Bxd3 17.cxd3 Qd8 and the position was unclear in Djukic, N (2556) — Kozul,Z (2597) Sarajevo Open 2018. Back to 11...b5.

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12.Bxf6!? Anand wants Black to decide right away which position he wants to play. According to the database this was a new idea at the moment we were writing this book. The most popular line was 12.g4 0-0 13.Be3 Bc6 14.h4 Nd7 15.h5 h6 16.Qd2 Rc8 17.a3 Ne5∞ Gleichmann, M (2550) — Laghetti, G (2457) ICCF 2015. 12...gxf6!? After 12...Bxf6 13.Qxd6 the situation on the board is no longer the same as the one in the note with 11...Qc7.

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Black now has to lose some time to exchange the queens. The game might continue 13...Qe7 14.Qb6 00 15.Qc7 Rfd8 16.e5 Be8 17.Qxe7 Rxd1+ 18.Nxd1 Bxe7 19.Bd3²

White has won a couple of tempi for development and gaining space, while Black’s bishops no longer dominate the board as they did in the previous position. 13.Ne2 A logical continuation was 13.f4. While watching the game I felt that Anand had already abandoned this plan, although it was perfectly clear that the biggest problem in Black’s position was the possible advance of the white pawns with the aim of weakening the light squares. What are the reasons for such a decision? We can only guess. Too 105

much respect for Carlsen or simply desire to calm the position down? In any case, for Black it is now much easier to calmly finish the development of his pieces. 13...Rc8 14.Qd2 Qb6

15.Nf4 An unusual square for the knight, but I think the idea is to prevent Black from castling kingside, which would quickly connect his rooks. If 15.Nd4 Black can slowly gain some space with 15...b4. 15...h5 16.g3 Rc7!? Black does not want to leave the c4-square for the white bishop after 16...b4, not without a fight anyway. Yet it was quite possible to opt for 16...a5. However Carlsen had another idea to solve the king’s problem and the coordination of the rooks. Since White does not have any real threats, Black conducts a rarely seen plan of artificial castling. His king slowly, move by move, migrates to the security of the queenside. 17.Bd3 Kd8!?

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I do not remember seeing something like this in such positions! There are positions when Black wants to activate his kingside rook to the queenside and shifts the king to d7 (when that square is free) but this trip with the king probably has not been seen before. 18.c3 Kc8 19.Bc2 Kb8 20.a3 a5 21.Bb3 Rb7 We can see that Black has successfully implemented his plan. He has prepared his pieces for the ...b5– b4 penetration when possible. However, it will not be so easy.

I would like to point out one thing here. Although Anand played the opening fairly unambitiously and remained without a clear plan of play, it is very instructive to see how he holds his position patiently. White has no weaknesses and simply waits and arranges his pieces so that he is ready when the position 107

opens up. 22.Nd3 Bc6 23.Rhe1 Rd8

24.f4 Finally! Although he was supposed to make that move already on the 13th move, White for the first time in the game threatens something: the break f4–f5 would be unpleasant for Black. However, Carlsen is ready for the game to open up. 24...d5 25.exd5 exd5!? Another decision in the style of the World Champion. I believe that most players, at least by inertia, would take with the bishop to avoid damaging their pawn structure. After 25...Bxd5 26.Bxd5 Rxd5 27.Qe2 the position is fully equal.

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But Carlsen does not want simplifications and still looks for any kind of dynamics. 26.Ka1 Bf8 27.Rc1 Ka7 28.Ba2 Rc7 29.Red1 Bb7 30.Ne1 After long manoeuvring, White for the second time has threatened something in the game. The knight is going for a blockade, so Black must react.

30...d4 31.Nc2 d3 32.Nd4

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Now it is obvious that the fight in the game has ended. Carlsen has tried everything possible to sharpen things up, but Anand defended very well and the peaceful end of the game was a logical outcome. After a series of forced moves, the players agree a draw. 32...Bc5 33.Qxd3 Bxd4 34.cxd4 Rxd4 35.Qe2 Rxc1+ 36.Rxc1 b4 37.Bxf7 h4 38.Qe3 Rd7 39.Qxb6+ Kxb6 40.Be6 Rd2 41.gxh4 ½-½ 10 Carlsen’s line 9...Nxd4!? 10.Qxd4 Be7 11.-1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 Nxd4!? 10.Qxd4 Be7

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Let’s look at what the theory says. If White is thinking solely about the standard plan with the pawn launch on the kingside then he has two options here. 11.g4 The other option is to start rolling the h-pawn. 11.h4 Qc7 12.Kb1 b5 Black plays straightforwardly and exploits the possibility of further pawn advances on the queenside. 13.Qd2 b4 14.Ne2 a5 15.g4 Now is the moment when Black has to decide how to proceed further. There followed one of the possible ways of fighting the white pawns.

15...h5!? 16.gxh5 Rxh5 17.Nd4 Rb8 18.Bh3 g6∞ 111

A complicated position with chances for both sides has arisen in the game Areschenko, A (2645)Demchenko, A (2650) FIDE World Cup 2017. 11...Bc6 12.Be3 0-0 13.g5 Nd7 14.h4 b5 This is one of the critical positions of this line. Black hopes that his pressure against the g5-pawn will stop White from playing h4–h5, so he does not need to spend a tempo dealing with threats on the kingside. The placement of the white queen on d4 could also give Black tactical opportunities on the diagonal a7–g1, after ...d6–d5.

15.h5!? 112

I think the key question to evaluate the position is whether White can successfully play this move. After this pawn-push, Black has no choice. 15.Kb1 b4 16.Ne2 d5!

This was played way back in 1973. White was the legendary former World Champion Mikhail Tal, known as the Magician from Riga, and his opponent was another great name in the world of chess, Yuri Balashov. 17.exd5?! It probably wasn’t Tal’s day, because it is unusual to see him play such a passive and defensive move, quite different from his usual swashbuckling style of play. [It was better to continue in gambit style and sacrifice the pawn with 17.Qd2 dxe4 18.Nd4 Bd5 19.fxe4 Bxe4 20.Bg2 Nc5

21.Rhe1!° (In the game Gao, R (2484)-Gupta, A (2630) Asian Continental 2014, White went wrong 113

with 21.Qf2? Qc7 22.h5 Qb7µ.)] 17...Bxd5 18.Qf4 Rc8 19.Nc1

19...Qc7 (Black misses the opportunity to take the initiative with 19...Rc6! 20.Qg3 Bd6 21.Bf4 Bxf4 22.Qxf4 a5ƒ) 20.Qxc7 Rxc7 21.Bf4 Rc6= Tal, M (2625)-Balashov, Y (2560) Tallin 1973. 15...Bxg5 16.Rg1

16...Bxe3+ Another option is 16...Bf6 17.Qxd6 Rc8 18.Qg3 (Black is fine in case of 18.Bd4 Qc7!) 18...b4 19.Ne2 114

Qa5

20.Bg5 [Big complications result from 20.Kb1 Ba4 (real adventurers could try 20...Qxh5!? 21.Bd4 g6) 21.Nd4™ 21...Bxd4 22.Rxd4 (22.Bxd4? Bxc2+ 23.Ka1 g6 24.hxg6 fxg6–+) 22...Bxc2+ 23.Ka1 g6 24.hxg6 hxg6 and White can force a draw with 25.Rxd7 Bb3 26.Qxg6+=.] 20...Be5 (The queen swap is no longer an option for Black due to the weak pawn on the queenside: 20...Bxg5+ 21.Qxg5 Qxg5+ 22.Rxg5±.) 21.Bf4 Ba4 22.Bxe5 Qxe5 23.Nd4 Qxg3 24.Rxg3 Nc5= 17.Qxe3 Qe7

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18.Rd2!? White insists on complications and keeps playing for the initiative. Black is good after simplification with 18.Qf4 Qf6 19.Qxf6 Nxf6 20.Rxd6 Rfc8 21.h6 g6 22.Rg5 Ne8 23.Rd4 f5!=. 18...f6∞ Luther, T (2581)-Kozul, Z (2632), Austrian chT 2014.

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Chapter 2 The Kozul Variation — 10th move sidelines 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5

Contents

1. 9...h6 alternative 2. 10.-3. 10.a3 4. 10.a3 Rb8 11.Nf3, 11.Nb3 5. 10.a3 Rb8 11.Be2 6. 10.Nf3 7. 10.Qe3 -8. 10.Qe3 Qb6 1 9...h6 alternative In this chapter we bring an overview of a line that has become increasingly popular in tournament practice in the last few years. In this continuation Black on the ninth move inserts first 9...h6 and only after 10.Bh4 plays 10...b5. One of the greatest fans of this idea is the Chinese GM Li Chao, but the line 117

gained the special attention of the chess public after the famous Karjakin-Caruana game from the last round of the 2016 Candidates Tournament. The US grandmaster needed a win with the black pieces against his direct competitor for first place in the tournament, and the right to challenge World Champion Magnus Carlsen. And Caruana’s choice in the most important game in his life was the Richter-Rauzer and exactly the line we mentioned in the title. We can only speculate on the reasons for this choice, but one logical answer is obvious. Even in the foreword of our first book, I wrote that this variant of the Sicilian is a good choice for players who want to try to play for a win even with the black pieces, and that there are virtually no forced lines that lead to an inevitable draw. I believe that this is one of the reasons why in such an important game Caruana chose the Richter-Rauzer defence! So in this review we present more recent games from tournament practice where we have tried to find arguments for and against this line of our variation, and also to detect the latest ideas that will need to be be tested in further tournament practice. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 h6!?

10.Bh4 b5 11.Bxf6 a) Let’s see if something changes in the position that arises after 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe1 Be7 13.e5 Nd5 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Nxd5 Bxd5

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16.Rg1!? (A novelty! Before this only 16.Bd3 was played. And here it should be noted that on the board we have a standard position. With the black pawn on h7 this rook move would not make any sense. However, the placement of the pawn on h6 gives White a motif to play for the opening of the position around Black’s king.) 16...0-0 17.g4 Rac8 18.Kb1 dxe5 19.Qxe5

19...Qh4 (Black unnecessarily enters complications that could easily backfire. With the simple 19...Qc7! Black would solve all his problems and enter a somewhat more comfortable queenless midlegame.) 20.Bd3 Qxh2 21.g5 h5

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22.Qe3?! (White misses his chance to insert the strong 22.g6! f5 and only then play 23.Qe3ƒ.) 22...f6?? (An incredible blunder which leads by force to a dead lost position. Black should have played the quiet 22...g6=.) 23.gxf6 Rxf6 24.Qa7 Rf7 25.Bh7+ Kf8 26.Qxa6+– And White was completely winning, but Black managed to save the game by a miracle, Kulaots, K (2558)-Li Chao (2728) Capelle-la-Grande 2015. b) An interesting situation arises in case of 11.a3. In the standard position we have analysed and recommended a new idea with the move 11. ...Rb8!?. As ...h6 and Bh4 are now included, Black can return to the tested continuation that we have also mentioned: 11...Be7.

12.Nf3 (An alternative is 12.Nb3 g5 13.e5 dxe5 14.fxg5 hxg5 15.Bxg5 Nd5 16.Bxe7 Ncxe7 17.g4!? Qc7∞ Szymanski, R (2456)-Balabanov, V (2438) ICCF 2015.) We have already analysed this moment 120

in the book and our recommendation is now 12...0-0!?. 11...gxf6

So on the board we have a well-known position with the difference that the black h-pawn now stands on h6 instead of the usual square h7. Who benefits from that fact, White or Black? I spent a lot of time looking at the many positions we have previously analysed in this book, trying to find the answer to that question. One thing needs to be mentioned right away. We know that in many lines Black plays the move ...h7–h5 (in this case it would be ...h6–h5) and it is clear that no difference will appear in those lines and we should focus on other lines. In the end, I came to the conclusion, somewhat as expected, that there was no clear and precise answer. Simply, there are positions and lines when it goes in White’s favour and vice versa when it turns out that this tempo is beneficial for Black. And in front of every player who finds himself in this position there lies the difficult task of recognizing the nuances already at this early stage, and deciding how to play in order to try and take advantage of this little difference. 12.f5 In my opinion this line in particular shows the disadvantages of Black’s h-pawn placement. Theory considers, as we have also recommended in our book, that in case of an early f4–f5 the easiest way for Black to seek counterplay is by taking on d4 and developing the dark-squared bishop with gain of tempo through the route h6–f4–e5. However, now this plan is simply not possible and it was interesting to see what alternative plan Caruana had prepared. Let’s take a look how things develop in some other lines. a) In case of 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe3 (The position after 13.Qe1 b4 14.Nd5 a5 we have already handled in the book and there is no special difference in the fact that Black’s pawn now stands at h6 instead of h7.) 13...Qe7 14.Bd3 121

14...Qa7 [Our recommendation is the immediate 14...b4 15.Ne2 (Black is perfectly fine after 15.Nb1 Qa7 16.Qe2 Bg7 17.Nd2 Ke7 18.Nc4 Qc5.) 15...Qa7 16.Nd4 Bd7 and here, too, it’s not easy to see any benefit for Black from his pawn on h6.] 15.Qg3?! (An imprecise move without a clear idea. White should have kept the queen on the e-file. 15.Qe2! Keeping the Nd5-jump option.) 15...b4 16.Ne2 Qc5 17.Kb1 a5 18.Rhf1 a4 19.Qf2 Qxf2 20.Rxf2 Ra5 21.Nd4 Bd7= Perez Mitjants, O (2504)-Spraggett, K (2595) Barcelona Sants 2012. b) However, the situation changes in the following continuation. 12.Kb1 b4 13.Nce2 Qb6 14.Nxc6

In a lot of places in this book we have concluded that this is probably the best and most unpleasant 122

reaction to the early ...b5–b4. White wants to take advantage of the fact that he does not have to waste time protecting the e4-pawn, but immediately runs with the knight to h5 and does not show his cards as to where will he develop his bishop. On several occasions we could see that this is very useful for White, since the bishop can go straight to the c4-square, while in case of the possible sacrifice of the e4-pawn it can go to another diagonal, h1–a8. [Another top GM, Harikrishna, has tried a different idea in a rapid game. 14.Qd3 h5 15.Nxc6 Bxc6 16.Nd4 Bb7 17.Be2

And now it’s probably better not to move the king yet and play 17...a5 (Instead the game saw 17...0-0-0 18.Bf3, Harikrishna, P (2753)-Li Chao (2751) China Elite Mind rapid 2016.) 18.Bf3 a4∞; 14.g3 is always a possibility. 14...Rc8 15.Qd3 Na5 And now Black continues the usual way of playing against White’s fianchetto.]

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16.b3 Nb7 (A logical and good move. However, I personally in similar positions prefer 16...Nc6 with the later development of the bishop to g7, thus preventing the potential e4–e5 break and also provoking White to block the centre.) 17.Bg2 h5= Van Kampen, R (2641)-Li Chao (2711) Bundesliga 2014. 14...Bxc6 15.f5 e5 16.Ng3

16...Qc5 We have come to the position when the difference with the h-pawn is beginning to show up, compared to the usual positions. In this position Black has at least limited White’s choice. In contemporary play a very popular plan is to first jump the knight to h5 and only when Black protects his f6-pawn, then develop the bishop. White might even ignore the threat of taking on e4 in order to maximize his play over the light squares. 17.Bd3 [Now 17.Nh5 is no longer so unpleasant for Black as he will shift his king to the queenside. 124

Furthermore, the h6-pawn now has its role: it prevents White’s queen from penetrating to the h6square, and it is also useful to fight against the g-pawn march. Just the fact that you have prevented an opponent from playing at least one potentially unpleasant and dangerous line speaks enough about the idea of including the ...h7–h6 move in the early stages of the opening. 17...Be7 (Obviously it does not make any sense now to play 17...Ke7 18.Bd3 or even 18.g4!?.) 18.Bd3 0-0-0!

A well-known motif: Black can comfortably leave the a6-pawn untprotected. Black now directs his forces to the ...d6–d5 break, especially since White’s knight has abandoned control of the e4-square and on the edge of the board it practically does nothing. 19.Qe2 (In case of 19.Bxa6+ Kc7 20.Qe2 d5 White will sacrifice the exchange for two pawns. 21.Ng3 Ra8 22.exd5 Bxd5 23.Rxd5 Qxd5 24.Bc4 Qc6 25.Bxf7 Rhd8 26.Rc1 Kb8∞ There is material balance on the board, Black has sheltered his king safely and his rooks stand on open files.) 19...d5 20.Ng3 a5 21.c3 Kb8=] 17...h5 18.h4 Bh6 19.Qe2

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And finally we arrive at a well-known position which we will deal with later in the book. We will see that here the best for Black is 19...Ke7 20.Nxh5 Qe3!. 12...Qb6 13.fxe6 It is best to define the pawn structure immediately. White cannot benefit from maintaining the tension in the centre and in this sense the exchange is a fully understandable and correct decision.

13...fxe6 14.Nxc6 Qxc6!? The black queen will go to c5 anyway, regardless of whether it comes from b6 or c6, so Caruana is not

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worried about a temporary misplacement. The only question is, where best to develop the light-squared bishop? In this open position Black has nothing to gain from pressure on the e4-pawn; it is more important to achieve an optimal coordination of his pieces and to protect the weakened light squares. This logic probably led Caruana when he decided to take with the queen. 15.Bd3 h5 16.Kb1 The biggest problem and the toughest decision for Black is, where to hide his king? Most engines recommend castling queenside. I’ve been analysing this kind of position quite enough (and in our book we have several very similar positions) and I think we can continue playing with the king in the centre. The problem with castling long is a very simple, but potentially very unpleasant, plan that White has at his disposal. He would put the queen on e1, followed by the development of the kingside rook with Rh1–f1–f3 and finally returning the bishop to f1. This clears the third rank for the rook to move across, an uncomfortable situation for Black. By attacking the exposed h-pawn and switching to the queenside with the aim of breaching the pawn shelter around the black king, White would develop a serious initiative. With his next move, Black has clearly opted for this second option — keeping his king in the centre. 16...b4 17.Ne2 Qc5

18.e5!? Engines are initially thrilled with this stroke, after which follows a sequence of forced moves. 18.Rhf1 Bh6 19.Qe1 a5 20.b3 Rg8 21.g3 Ke7=

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Here we can conclude that Black has successfully emerged from the opening and completely equalized. He has harmoniously developed his pieces and neatly covered weaknesses in his camp. Karjakin later won this vital game, but Caruana’s handling of the opening was certainly not to blame. 18...fxe5 19.Qg5 Be7 20.Qg7 Rf8 21.Rhf1 Rxf1 22.Rxf1 Bc6 23.Rf7 d5 24.Bg6 Kd8 25.Qxe5 Be8 26.Rg7 Qf2 27.a3 Qf6²

And while there is no doubt that that White has the advantage in the endgame, I think that Black with precise play can successfully hold this position. Presumably Karjakin did not calculate this line to the end, which would explain why he did not enter it. A draw was enough for him to win the tournament and this line looked complicated, possibly too risky. 128

2 10.-1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5

Let’s start with rare and bad moves for White. 10.e5?! The move is not objectively dangerous, but sometimes it can be used as a surprise weapon. The positions that arise may contain some hidden dangers and if a player is not ready he can easily go astray. Kozul: “In exactly such a situation I found myself in the game against Radjabov at the European Championship in Warsaw in 2005. I was surprised by this continuation, but after a long think I reacted the right way. However, at the critical moment, when the game could be decided in my favour, I ran out of time, played wrongly and eventually lost!” Therefore, we can give some guidelines as to how Black should play against this continuation. We should mention that the sacrifice 10.Bxb5? axb5 11.Ndxb5 does not work due to the strong tactical manoeuvre 11...Nb4!

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12.a3 (12.Nxd6+ Bxd6 13.Qxd6 Nxa2+µ) 12...Na2+!µ with material advantage for Black, 0–1 (25) Hansen, A (2136)-Edouard, R (2404) Herceg Novi 2006. 10...dxe5 11.fxe5 Nxe5 The pawn should be taken. White has sacrificed a pawn to open the lines in centre and by pinning along the e-file he wants (at the right moment) to jump a knight to d5 or f5, and sometimes he might also be able to sacrifice on e6. So White’s next move is quite obvious.

12.Qe1 h6!³

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The best reaction. Black is questioning the bishop and if it moves to the fourth rank then the knight’s retreat would be with gain of tempo. 13.Bh4 a) White can return the material, but after 13.Qxe5 hxg5 Black is in full control of the dark squares. b) 13.Bf4 Ng6 14.Bg3 is just a transposition to 13.Bh4 Ng6 14.Bg3. c) Black is fine after 13.Bxf6 Qxf6 since White can’t develop his bishop to d3. 13...Ng6

14.Bxf6 After 14.Bg3 Bb4 it’s hard for White to prove his compensation. 15.Bd3 (An important point is that 15.Nc6 is ineffective due to 15...Bxc3 16.Qxc3 Qc8µ.) 15...Qc8³ 14...Qxf6 15.Bd3!

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A critical position. Now the f-file is open for White’s h1-rook and Black needs to be careful. 15...Bb4! Other moves are also reliable, but we put an exclamation mark here because of this move’s practical value! If Black doesn’t want to enter complications or he doesn’t have any particular ambition to punish his opponent for his aggressive play, he can get a good game this way. a) It’s possible to enter the complications with 15...Qxd4!? 16.Bxg6 Qf4+ 17.Kb1 fxg6

It looks dangerous, but Black has enough resources to hold. 18.Nd5 Qd6! (Wrong is 18...Qb8? since 132

now 19.Qe4‚ is much stronger.) 19.Qe4 Qc6 20.Qxg6+ Kd8 21.Nf6! With this tactical shot White regains part of the material. 21...gxf6 22.Qxf6+ Kc7 23.Qxh8 Qc5∞

It’s not easy to give a final assessment of the resulting position. Black’s bishop pair can be powerful, but at the moment he has coordination problems. b) In the before-mentioned game Radjabov-Kozul, 15...Bc5!? was played.

White should stop dreaming of a direct attack and play 16.Nf3!. [16.Nf5? looks tempting, but after the cool-headed 16...Ne5µ Black is much better.; The aggressive 16.Nd5?! is a logical continuation of White’s previous moves, but with precise play Black is better. 16...Qg5+ 17.Kb1 0-0! 18.Nc7 Now Black has a choice. 133

18...Bxd4 The move played in the game, but not the easiest. (18...Rac8! and after the forced 19.Ncxe6 fxe6 20.Nxe6 Qf6 21.Nxf8 Nxf8 it is White who needs to think about achieving equality.) 19.Nxa8 e5 20.Nc7 Nf4 21.Be4 Nxg2

And now Radjabov played the tricky, but wrong, 22.Qb4?. (Correct was 22.Bxg2! Qxg2∞.) 22...Ne3 23.Rdg1 Nxc2?? Falling into a trap and missing an easy blow. (After the precise 23...Qd8!µ Black is close to winning.) 24.Qxf8++– Radjabov, T (2673)-Kozul, Z (2591) Warsaw 2005.] 16...Bc6 17.Ne4

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17...Bxe4 (Unclear is 17...Qf4+ 18.Kb1∞.) 18.Bxe4 Rc8 Not allowing check on c6. White will pick up queenside pawns, but Black will finish his development and organize a strong attack along the open lines. 19.Bb7 Rc7 20.Bxa6 0-0 21.Bxb5 Rb8 22.a4

22...Ba3 There are other possibilities as well, but this is the fastest way to achieve equality. 23.bxa3 Qa1+ 24.Kd2 Rd8+ 25.Bd3 Rxc2+! After this move White can’t avoid the perpetual. 26.Kxc2 Qa2+ 27.Kc3 Qxa3+ 28.Kc2 Qa2+= 16.Rf1 Qg5+ 17.Kb1 0-0∞

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Black has finished development and should not have any problems in this position. 3 10.a3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.a3!?

An interesting continuation that hides a lot of danger and requires very precise play from Black. According to the database, this move was first employed by Kholmov as far back as 1957 and later we can find it in games of Romanishin and Beliavsky. In recent times, this continuation was used successfully by the young Croatian grandmaster Brkic. White’s idea is quite obvious. He wants to keep 136

his knight on c3 and prepare to transfer the other knight from d4. After that manoeuvre, some dangerous threats connected with the e4–e5 break would start to show up. But the move has some disadvantages too. When possible, Black will make a breakthrough with ...b5–b4 and after that the white king will start to feel less comfortable. More or less, all Black’s counterplay is connected with that idea. 10...Rb8! Black has many options, but we think that this relatively rare move is actually the best one. At the moment there is no direct threat in the centre so ...Rb8 is a good preparatory move for opening the b-file and at the same time completely eliminating the thematic sacrifice on b5. Let’s take a look at possible alternatives: a) 10...h6!?

11.Bh4 [After 11.Bxf6 gxf6∞ it seems that Black has lost a whole tempo, since in the main line White voluntarily takes on f6. However, the position is not the same. White has lost his chance to play e4–e5 and the white pawn on a3 allows Black to develop his counterplay with ...b5–b4 far more quickly. (It is worth noting that 11...Qxf6? is a big mistake due to 12.e5! dxe5 13.Ndxb5 with a clear advantage.)] 11...Be7 12.Nf3

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12...0-0!? (Black has other options like 12...Qa5, but castling is a more interesting continuation. It leads to a piece sacrifice.) 13.e5 dxe5 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Qxd7 Qb6²

It is difficult to assess whether Black has enough compensation for the piece. The computer gives White an advantage, but within the limits of acceptable risk. It would certainly be very interesting to test this idea in a real tournament game. b) The immediate 10...b4? is met by 11.axb4 Nxb4 12.e5±. Back to 10...Rb8.

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If Black can finish his kingside development without being punished he will be fine. 11.Kb1 A wait-and-see move which is quite common in the Sicilian. a) 11.e5 An aggressive continuation which was first seen in the game Sutovsky-Kozul. This was a very important game for both players and the novelty is certainly a result of thorough preparation before the game. 11...dxe5 12.fxe5 Nxe5 13.Bf4 It is clear that Black needs to sacrifice the exchange, but the question is: what is the right way to do it? 13...Ng6! This was played in the afore-mentioned game. a1) 13...Nc6 looked like a logical move, keeping the knight on the queenside where it can join the attack. 14.Bxb8 Qxb8

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Kozul: “It was hard to predict what White had prepared in this position. During the game I expected that he would continue his aggression with g2–g4! and that was the main reason why I chose a different move. Later, analysis showed my feeling was right!” 15.g4! b4 (15...Nxd4 16.Qxd4 e5 gives White a pleasant choice between keeping the queens on the board with 17.Qf2 Bxg4 18.Be2 Be6 19.Rhg1 and 17.Re1!? Be6 18.Qxe5, maintaining an advantage in both variations.) 16.Nxc6! This intermezzo is the reason why 15...b4 was not good any more. (If White plays automatically 16.axb4? then after 16...Bxb4 when Black wants to follow with ...Ne7, White can try in Sutovsky style 17.Nf5!? (…g5) and if Black ignores the knight and plays 17...0-0 then the “crazy knight” can charge on with 18.Nxg7!?. But still, Black can ignore his opponent’s knight and jump with his own knight 18...Ne4 and after 19.Qh6 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Qe5 Black deploys nice counterplay.) 16...Bxc6

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17.Bg2! Bxg2 18.Qxg2 bxc3 (18...Qc8 loses on the spot after 19.g5+–; White is also much better after 18...Bd6 19.Qc6+ Ke7 20.axb4 Rc8 21.Qxa6 Bxb4 22.Nb5 Kf8 23.Nd4±.) 19.Qc6+ Ke7 20.b3!±

Much more precise than b4 as now White has at his disposal the attacking manoeuvre Rd1–d4-b4!. Black has a material advantage but he has no good way to develop his kingside. a2) Also bad is 13...Nc4?! 14.Bxc4 bxc4 15.Bxb8 Qxb8 16.g4!± with an overwhelming advantage for White. 14.Bxb8 Qxb8 15.Nb3

15...Ne5 A reasonable move, but one requiring precise play afterwards. (Simpler was 15...Be7!N and if White tries 16.Ne4 than after 16...Nd5 17.Nec5 Bc8 Black will slowly kick the knight away and 141

organize an attack.) 16.Qd4 Qc7 17.Be2 Be7 18.Rhe1 Nc6 19.Qe3 b4 20.axb4 Nxb4 21.Qg3 Qb6 22.Rf1 Bc6 23.Bf3 0-0 24.Bxc6 Qxc6

Black has enough compensation for the sacrificed exchange. 25.Nd4 Qb6 26.Kb1 Rb8? A careless move. (The rook went one square too far; there was nothing wrong with 26...Rc8!.) 27.Na4!

Now White used some nice knight geometry connected with the hanging rook on b8! 27...Qb7 28.Rxf6! Bxf6 29.Nc5 Since Nd7 is coming Black played 29...Bh4 and lost in a few moves after 30.Qxh4 Qd5 31.Ncb3 a5 32.Rd2 h6 33.Nf3 Qa8 34.Rd7 Qc6 35.Rd8+ Kh7 36.Nfd4 1–0 Sutovsky, E (2700)-Kozul, Z (2602) Plovdiv 2012. b) The other pawn push 11.f5 leads to an equal endgame after 11...Be7 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.fxe6 fxe6

142

14.Bxf6 Bxf6 (Also possible is 14...gxf6!?.) 15.Qxd6 Qxd6 16.Rxd6 Rc8 17.Rxe6+ (Otherwise Black plays Ke7, with better prospects.) 17...Kd7 18.Rxf6 gxf6= Back to 11.Kb1.

Now Black has three main options. 11...Be7 This is the easiest way to achieve a good game. a) Heading for an endgame after 11...Nxd4!? 12.Qxd4 Qb6 is slightly better for White, e.g. 13.Be2 (If White moves his queen than Black can build an attack with ...b5–b4.) 13...Qxd4 14.Rxd4 Bc6 143

15.Rhd1²

15...Be7 (Maybe Black should consider 15...Nd7!? to stop the e4–e5 push.) 16.e5! dxe5 17.fxe5 Nd5 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bxe7 Kxe7 20.Bf3 Rhd8 21.Bxd5 Rxd5 22.Rxd5 exd5 23.Rxd5² And Black needs to play very precisely to save the game. b) If Black plays 11...Qb6?! than after 12.e5

12...dxe5 (Nothing is achieved by 12...b4 13.exf6±.) 13.fxe5 Nxe5 14.Bf4 Ng6 15.Bxb8 Qxb8 he is a clear tempo down by comparison with the line starting with 11.e5. 12.Nf3

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This knight manoeuvre is far more critical than the one we have already seen. a) After 12.Be2 Black can proceed with his plan and play 12...0-0„. b) 12.Nb3 has been played in a few games. 12...b4 13.axb4 Nxb4 14.Bc4!? This is an interesting plan connected with taking on f6, but White does not capture immediately because he wants to keep the e4– e5 idea alive. b1) Jankovic: “My opponnent, who is a strong GM now, was very young at that moment and he played passively.” 14.Be2?! And after 14...a5 (14...0-0!? was also possible.) 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.f5 Qb6 White made another dubious move. 17.fxe6?! fxe6

Now Black was already slightly better. 18.Qd4 Qc7! 19.Qc4 Qxc4 20.Bxc4 Rg8 21.Nd4? The final mistake. (Necessary was 21.g3.) 21...Rxg2 22.Bxe6 Bxe6 23.Nxe6 Nxc2 24.Nc7+ Kf7 25.N7b5 Ne3 26.Rd4 f5 27.exf5 Bf6 28.Rd3 Nc4 29.b3 Na3+ 0–1 Saric, Iv (2482)-Jankovic, A (2533) Kutina 2006. b2) Black is prepared to meet the 14.e5 push, since after 14...dxe5 15.fxe5 he has a nice outpost on d5! 15...Nfd5 16.Bxe7 Qxe7 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.Bd3 0-0 19.Rhe1 Rb6 20.Nd4 Rfb8 21.b3 Qc5 22.Qf4

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22...Nc6! Black exchanged his opponent’s main defender and afterwards his attack was too strong. 23.e6 Bxe6 24.Nxe6 Rxb3+! And Black was winning in Antal, T (2345)-Oparin, G (2494) Kirishi 2012. 14...Qc7!

We need to finish our kingside development before starting an assault on the queenside — immediate castling is not good because of e4–e5, so ...Qc7 is necessary to prepare castling. (14...a5!? 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Nd4 a4 was unclear in Vassiliev, I-Puzone, M (2403) ICCF 2010; 14...Qb6? loses to the already-mentioned 15.e5.) 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Qe2 0-0 17.Rhf1 Rfc8 18.Bd3

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18...Kh8 Black needs to play a few more prophylactic moves. (18...a5? is wrong since after 19.Qh5!± White is the first to attack.) 19.Qh5 Rg8 20.Rf3 (If White plays 20.g3 Black can reply 20...Rg7 protecting the f7 pawn and also stopping White’s ideas conected with the e4–e5 push; White is playing with fire if he takes the pawn 20.Qxf7?! Rg7 21.Qh5 because Black has the multifunctional move 21...e5!µ threatening ...Bg4 and at the same time cutting off the queen.) 20...a5„

Black is not afraid of the rook lift since he is perfectly safe and can start to develop his own attack on the opposite wing. 12...b4 13.axb4 Rxb4 14.e5!

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Time is a very important factor in this line, so both sides should play very actively. 14...Qb6! 15.Qc1 a) Taking the knight with 15.exf6? looks suicidal since after 15...Rxb2+

16.Ka1 (even worse is 16.Kc1 gxf6 17.Bh6 Nb4–+) 16...Qb4 17.Nb5 gxf6 18.Qc1 Rxc2! 19.Qxc2 fxg5!µ it is very hard for White to find a shelter for his king. b) White can try 15.b3!? Nd5 16.Na2! [Less good is 16.Nxd5? exd5 17.Bxe7 Nxe7 18.Bd3 (18.exd6? Rxb3+µ) 18...0-0‚ and it is hard for White to fight against the threats along the b-file.] 148

16...f6!?

At the moment direct attack is not an option, so Black is switching to central play. 17.Nxb4 [17.exf6 gxf6 18.Bh4 (18.Bh6 Ne3µ) 18...Rxf4„ and the black pieces are controlling a lot of important squares in the centre.] 17...Qxb4 18.Qxb4 Ncxb4 19.Bh4 Nc3+ 20.Kc1 Nxd1= and Black has a good endgame. 15...dxe5 15...0-0!? An interesting try, perhaps for a rapid game! 16.fxe5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.fxe5 Nd5 18.Bd2 [18.Nxd5? It looks tempting to keep the black king in the centre, but it is perfectly safe there! 18...exd5 19.Bxe7 Kxe7 20.Qg5+ (20.c3 Rb3 21.Qg5+ Kf8 22.Rd2 h6µ and Black has many threats.) 20...Kf8 21.Qc1 (21.b3 Be6µ) 21...Be6µ and Black has attacking possibilities like ...Qa5 and ...d5–d4, or he can try to bring his rook to the b-file.] 18...Nxc3+ 19.Bxc3 Ra4∞ The position is unclear, but Black has an easier game and we believe that most players would choose the black pieces. 16...Nd5

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17.Rxd5 This looks dangerous for Black but with precise play he can keep the balance. 17...Bxg5 18.Nxg5 exd5 19.Nxd5 Qc5 20.Nc7+ Ke7 21.Nxa6 Qd5! Although Black is two pawns down, on account of his constant threats he is not in danger!

22.Nxb4 Bad is 22.Be2? as Black can ignore the threats along the f-file and play 22...Ra8! 23.Rf1 Rxa6µ. 150

22...Nxb4 23.Qf4 Qd1+ 24.Qc1 Qd5= And objectively speaking the best for both sides is to repeat moves. 4 10.a3 Rb8 11.Nf3, 11.Nb3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.a3!? Rb8! Now we will examine two knight moves by White aiming to exert immediate pressure along the d-file.

11.Nf3 After this knight move direct play is the best option. 11.Nb3 Only by exerting quick pressure on the d-file can White try to use his development advantage. The knight on b3 covers the b-file and defends the white king. 11...Be7 (11...Na5? 12.e5ƒ Nxb3+ 13.cxb3‚) 12.Bxf6 Of course White is not obliged to make this exchange. But with his last move Black solved his problem connected with the pin and is ready to follow with the standard ...b5–b4 break.

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(After 12.Kb1 b4 the game transposes to 11.Kb1 Be7 12.Nb3 b4.) 12...gxf6 [12...Bxf6 Every “true Sicilian” player would gladly sacrifice the d6 pawn, but unfortunately White can avoid this and play the stronger 13.e5! (Taking on d6 leads after 13.Qxd6 Be7 14.Qd2 Qc7 15.e5 b4 16.axb4 Nxb4° to nice compensation for the pawn and after castling kingside Black can build a strong attack on the queenside.) 13...dxe5 (A nice try is 13...Nxe5 since the black knight is taboo, but after 14.Qxd6 Rb6 15.Qd2 Nc4 16.Bxc4 bxc4 17.Na5ƒ White has the better chances.) 14.Ne4 Be7 15.Nd6+ Kf8 16.Qe1!

And after this precise move it looks as though Black is experiencing some practical problems, e.g. 16...Nd4 (Or 16...exf4 17.Nc5 Be8 18.Nxe8 Qxe8 19.Nd7+ Kg8 20.Nxb8 Qxb8 21.Qe4 Ne5 22.Kb1.) 17.fxe5 Nxb3+ 18.cxb3 Bc6 (Possible is 18...Rb6 19.Kb1 Bxd6 20.Rxd6 Rxd6 21.exd6∞.) 152

19.Qf2

19...f6 (Inferior is 19...Bxd6? 20.Rxd6 Qg5+ 21.Kb1±.) 20.Nxb5 Qb6 21.Qxb6 Rxb6 22.Nd4 Be4 23.Bc4 Kf7 24.Rhe1 f5 25.Kd2ƒ] 13.f5

Seeing that the e4–e5 break is not an option any more, White switches to another pawn-push. 13...0-0 (On 13...Ne5 14.Qh6∞ looks unpleasant.) 14.Qh6 (14.Ne2!? b4 15.a4∞) 14...Kh8 15.Rd3 Rg8 16.Rh3 Rg7 After dealing with a series of attacking moves by White, Black has managed to defend his seriously exposed king. White can hardly strengthen his attack, but Black should also be patient because his counterattack is not tangible yet. Here we could agree with the computer assessment and characterize the resulting position as equal. 153

17.Rg3 leads nowhere after 17...Rg5„. Back to 11.Nf3.

11...b4! a) 11...Qa5 looks attractive but is inferior on account of 12.e5 and after 12...b4 13.exf6 bxc3 14.Qxc3 Qxc3 15.bxc3² the game is steered into calmer waters, which should favour White. b) If Black tries to delay his ...b5–b4 break with 11...Qc7, with the idea of preventing White’s bishop maneouvre from f1 to c4 and b3, then White needs to play energetically. 12.e5! (Dubious is 12.Kb1?! since Black can start an attack that is clearly stronger than White’s central play, e. g. 12...b4 13.axb4 154

Nxb4 14.e5? Nfd5 15.Nxd5 Nxd5 16.c4 Nb4 17.exd6 Qa5µ.) 12...dxe5 13.Nxe5!

Taking with the knight is much stronger than with the pawn. 13...Nxe5 14.fxe5 Ng4 15.Be2 h5 The only move, but White has several options which are enough for an advantage, e.g. 16.Bxf4 or 16.Ne4. [15...Nxe5? loses on the spot after 16.Bf4 Rd8 17.Rhe1 Be7 (17...f6 18.Bxe5 fxe5 19.Qg5+–) 18.Bh5!+– and since ...f7–f6 is impossible, the black knight is doomed.] 12.axb4 Qb6N Now the position is branching out. Interesting is 12...Rxb4!? which was played in the amateur game Trajber-Simo, Balaton Open 1999. 13.Qe2 By no means forced, but quite interesting. 13...Be7! Precise. [In the game Black made a mistake and played 13...Qb6? but then White returned the favour with 14.b3?

155

In the resulting position Black has an initiative thanks to the weakened position of the white king. (The cool-headed 14.Nd2! could repel the attack.) 14...Qc5 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Na4 Rxa4! 17.bxa4 Bh6 18.g3 And now Black missed the opportunity to play 18...e5 and develop a strong attack.] White may try to be greedy with 14.Qxa6!? but after 14...Rb8!

15.Bxf6 Bxf6! 16.Rxd6 Ra8 Black has nice compensation. 13.b3 a) If White tries to block the b-file with 13.b5!? then after 13...Qa5 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Nb1! axb5 16.Qxa5 Nxa5 17.b4 Nc6 18.c3 Ke7!„ Black has a good game.

156

b) Nothing is achieved with 13.e5

13...Qxb4 (Also possible is 13...Nxb4!? 14.Qd4 Ng4 15.Qxb6 Rxb6=.) 14.b3 Ng4 15.exd6 Na5! Black is threatening to give check on a3 and then sacrifice on b3, so White needs to prevent this by 16.Nd4, but now the white queen has been tied down to protection of the c3-knight, Black can play 16...Nf2!.

17.Ncb5 (After 17.Nd5?! Black has at least a draw when he wants it: 17...Nxb3+ 18.cxb3 Qa3+ 19.Kb1 Rxb3+ 20.Nxb3 Qxb3+ 21.Kc1 Qa3+=.) 17...Qxd2+ 18.Rxd2 axb5 19.Rxf2 Bxd6 The position is equal. c) Due to the fact that Black didn’t take with his knight on b4, placing the bishop on b3 is not good any more. 13.Bc4? Qxb4 14.Bb3 Na5µ 157

13...Nxb4

With a small finesse on the previous move Black managed to seriously weaken the dark squares around the white king and thus get a basis for counterplay. 14.Bc4 Rc8! The rook has accomplished its mission on the b-file and there is no more work for it there, so it switches to a more active position. 15.Qe2 With this move White can prevent an exchange sacrifice on c4 without exchanging queens, but then Black can finish his development. a) In these types of positions, exchanging the queens usually leads to a pleasant position for Black. 15.Qd4 Qxd4 16.Rxd4 Ng4= b) If White allows a sacrifice on c4 then after 15.Rhe1 Rxc4 16.bxc4 Black’s dark-squared bishop can enter play forcefully.

158

16...d5! And White needs to be very careful. 17.Qd4! Bc5 18.Qe5 Now Black can repeat moves with ...Bd6 or enter a more entertaining line starting with 18...Nc6!? (18...Bd6 19.Qd4 Bc5=) 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Qxg7 Ba3+ 21.Kd2 Bb2 22.e5 Qb4+ 23.Ke2 Qxc4+ 24.Kf2 Rf8∞. 15...Be7 16.Kb2 16.e5? is no longer a threat due to 16...d5!ƒ 17.exf6 gxf6–+. 16...0-0 It seems that this move is not possible, but Black has a tactical resource that holds his position. 17.e5 d5 18.exf6 18.Nd2 d4µ 18...Rxc4!

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And now it is important that White finds the only move. 19.Qxc4! 19.fxe7 Rfc8µ 19...Bxf6 Taking the queen leads to unclear play after 19...dxc4 after 20.fxe7 Re8 21.Rxd7„. The following sequence is virtually forced. 20.Qe2 Bxc3+ 21.Kxc3 Rc8+ 22.Kb2

160

22...Bb5! 23.Qd2 Rxc2+ 24.Qxc2 Nxc2 25.Kxc2 Be2 And it is hard to say that Black is better, but he is certainly not worse!

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5 10.a3 Rb8 11.Be2 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.a3!? Rb8! 11.Be2

Although this move has never been played, we believe it is a very dangerous one. White is forcing events, since if Black doesn’t play ...b4, the next move is Bf3 and Black will be under the e4–e5 threat. 11...b4 12.axb4 If White wishes he can exchange the knights, but this is not dangerous for Black. 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.axb4

162

13...Qb6! This move is important. [Appealing but dubious is 13...Rxb4 14.Nd5 Rxe4. (When calculating the 13th move it is hard to see what is wrong with 14...Ra4? but White elegantly rebuffs all the threats and achieves a better position after 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Qc3! fxg5 17.Qxc6+ Qd7 18.Qc3 Rg8 19.f5±.) 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Qc3! Qb6 17.Bxf6 Rxe2 18.Bxh8 Rxg2 19.Rhe1 And Black will have a hard time finding real compensation for the sacrificed meterial.] 14.Qd4 After the queen exchange White will be a pawn up, but Black can survive the resulting endgame.

14...Qxb4 15.Qxb4 Rxb4 16.Bxf6 gxf6 17.Bxa6 Ke7!

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It seems that Black’s f8-bishop is very passive, but it will quickly turn into a powerful piece. 18.Rhe1 Bg7 19.Nd5+ It is hard to give White better advice. Black was threatening a simple doubling on the bfile followed by ...f6–f5. 19...Bxd5 20.exd5 f5 21.c3 Rxf4 22.Re2 Rb8 23.Bd3 Be5

Black has stabilized his centre and his bishop is much better than his opponent’s one. 12...Nxb4

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a) 12...Qb6? is simply bad due to 13.b5!±. b) 12...Rxb4 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 transposes to the line 12.axb4 Rxb4 13.Nxc6 Bxc6. 13.Bc4 If White wants — at the cost of a tempo — to put his bishop on b3, then it will be shown that time is a more important factor and Black will be able to finish his development. a) 13.Bxf6 gxf6 (It looks normal to take on f6 with the queen 13...Qxf6?! but Black is losing time and for example after 14.Kb1 Qd8 15.f5 e5 White has 16.Ne6! and Black is in big trouble;

while the apparently attrractive intermezzo move 13...Qb6? 165

does not work because of the spectacular defence 14.Nf5!! exf5 15.Bd4 Qa5 16.Qe3!± as the white king has an escape route now and White will start to generate some dangerous threats.) 14.Bc4 Qb6 15.Bb3

And now Black executes the important plan 15...a5! 16.Kb1 Na6! which gives him enough counterplay. White can try to add some spice to the position by playing 17.Nf5!? but Black is not obliged to take and can play 17...Nc5! (17...exf5 18.Nd5 Qc6 19.Nxf6+ Kd8∞) 18.Nxd6+ Bxd6 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 (19...a4!?) 20.Rxd6 Ke7 21.Rhd1 Rb4°.

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It is true that White is a pawn up, but a deeper analysis shows that Black has full compensation. The fantastic knight on c5 absolutely controls the situation and one idea for Black could be doubling the rooks to exert pressure down the b-file. b) Let’s look some other moves as well. On 13.Kb1 Black can proceed with the normal 13...Qb6„. c) White can also try 13.Nb3.

Now Black can reply 13...Be7 (13...a5!? is equally good for Black, but leads to more adventurous play; while if Black automatically goes 13...Qb6?! then White can force a favourable endgame by playing 14.Qd4!².) and after 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.f5 0-0„ Black has a nice position since he has already made a breakthrough on the queenside. d) White is not ready for 13.e5 167

as Black can play 13...Qb6! and his threats (notably ...Na2+) are much more dangerous. 13...Qb6 Kingside development is not good in this particular position. 13...Be7?!

Now White is ready for the central break 14.e5!. Since taking is bad, Black must play 14...d5 15.exf6 gxf6 16.Bxd5! This is a crucial move because it is important for White to save the light-squared bishop, which is not only a good atacking piece but also a significant defender. 16...fxg5 17.Bb3‚

168

At first glance Black’s position looks playable, but deeper analysis shows that White is better. Black is only pseudo-active and he faces the problem of finding a way to develop his light-squared bishop. 14.Bb3 a5

Black is threatening ...a5–a4. 15.e5 dxe5! The routine 15...Nfd5 would be dangerous on account of 16.f5!‚ when White will start to throw everything at his opponent’s king.

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16.Bxf6 It looks very appealing to play 16.Nf3!? and after 16...Bc5 17.Rhe1

we get a crazy fight following 17...0-0! 18.Bxf6 a4. Black walks a tightrope; every tempo is important. 19.fxe5 Rfc8!! The rook is also joining the attack. 20.Bxg7 Na2+!!

An incredible move! Black doesn’t look back and sacrifices a knight to clear the lines! 21.Nxa2 axb3 22.Bh6 (22.Nc3? bxc2 23.Qxc2 Ba3! Not so hard to find but it looks very nice! 24.Rxd7 Rxc3µ And White is struggling.) It appears that after 22...Be7

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White is doomed, but 23.Re4!! saves the day! 23...Rxc2+ 24.Qxc2 White has perpetual check so he can give up his queen. Black can still try to play on with 24...Bg5+!?, but after 25.Qd2 Bxd2+ 26.Kxd2

26...bxa2 (26...f5 is still drawing after 27.exf6 but 27...Kf7?? is harakiri since 28.Ne5++– captures the queen.) again White has a perpetual with 27.Rg4+ Kh8 28.Bg7+ Kg8 29.Bh6+=. 16...gxf6 17.fxe5 The threats along the d-file look very unpleasant but concrete calculation shows that Black has enough defensive resources.

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17...a4 A cool-headed move. As will be shown, there is no deadly blow for White. 18.Nf5 If White takes 18.Nxa4!? then Black faces a tough decision: where to move his queen? 18...Qa7! The queen must protect the bishop. (18...Qa6? loses by force after 19.exf6 Bxa4

20.Nxe6! fxe6 21.Qg5+– and there is no defence against the threats.) 19.Nxe6!?

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An aggressive attempt to refute Black’s concept, but with precise play Black can repel the attack. [The somewhat calmer 19.exf6 gives Black an opportunity to organize counterplay down the a-file after 19...Bxa4 20.Nxe6

20...Bd7! (20...fxe6?? loses after 21.f7+ Kxf7 22.Qf4+ Kg6 23.Qg4+ Kh6 24.Qxe6+ Kg7 25.Qg4+ Kh6 26.Qf4+ Kg6 27.Rhf1+–.) 21.Qf4 (21.Ng7+?! is suspicious since Black is not obliged to take and can play 21...Kd8³.) 21...fxe6 And now the best for White is to settle for a draw with 22.Bxe6 Qa1+ 23.Kd2 Qa7 24.Kc1=.] 19...Bxe6 20.exf6 Nd5! 21.Rhe1 Nxf6 22.Bxe6 fxe6 23.Rxe6+ Be7 24.Rde1 Rb7 Black is in time to protect his king. At the moment, White’s knight on a4 is out of play, and there is no way to breach Black’s defences only with heavy pieces. 25.Qd6 (25.Rxf6 Qxa4„) 25...Rd7 26.Qb4 Kf7 27.Qb3= 173

And there is hardly anything better for White than to repeat moves. 27...Kg7 28.Qg3+ Kf7 29.Qb3=. 18...Bc6

19.Nxa4 Worse is 19.Ne4? due to 19...Nd5‚. 19...Qa7 20.exf6 Black has an easy game after 20.Nd6+ Bxd6 21.Qxd6 Qe3+ 22.Kb1 Qxe5„ and now White must seek 174

a path to equality. 20...Bxa4 It seems that Black is taking the initiative but White has an answer to steer the game into quiter channels. 21.Qd4!

21...Ra8! Protecting everything. Of course, 21...Qxd4?? is a big blunder on account of the zwischenzug 22.Bxa4++–. 22.Ng7+ Bxg7 23.fxg7 Rg8 24.Qxb4 Bxb3 25.Qb5+ Ke7 26.Qb4+ Ke8=

175

And the line ends in a perpetual. 6 10.Nf3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5

10.Nf3?! In this chapter we will explain this move, which we didn’t consider in our initial book. As we will see in the next chapter, the precise move order is 10.Bxf6 since that doesn’t allow Black to take on f6 with 176

the queen, which would give Black an easy game if it were possible. What are the advantages of Nf3? The most important one is that it prepares the e4–e5 break; another one is that sometimes the knight can jump to c4 via d2. However, although Black’s knight looks clumsy on c6, in a few moves it can become a dangerous piece, usually jumping from c6 to d8, b7 and c5 or to a5 and c4. 10...b4 11.Bxf6

11...Qxf6! As a rule, if the black queen can safely recapture on f6 unpunished, that is always the best move! 11...gxf6 12.Ne2 would transpose to 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nf3, which is more threatening than 10.Nf3, but worse than 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3! Both of these lines are covered in the next chapter. 12.Ne2 12.Na4?! causes a headache only for White. 12...Qd8!

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13.b3 (13.Qe3?! Rb8! — to stop Nb6 — 14.b3 secures the knight, but weakens the dark squares. 14...Be7 15.e5 d5 16.Kb1 Qa5 17.Bd3 Rb7! 18.g4 Na7!µ And Black was already better in Garcia, G (2453)-Milos, G (2606) Buenos Aires 2005.) 13...Qc7 14.Nb2 Rd8!

And now Black is ready to develop his kingside since 15.Bxa6? is bad on account of 15...Qa5. 12...Qd8 Black will need to retreat his queen sooner or later so it’s best to do it immediately. Unnecessary was 12...Ra7 but after 13.Qe3, however, in one game Black finally realized that he needed his queen back home and played the correct 13...Qd8.

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14.Ned4 Qb6 15.Bc4 Be7 16.Rhe1 0-0 17.Kb1 Nxd4 18.Nxd4 Rc8³ And for most of the game Black was better in Polgar, J (2595)-Ermenkov, E (2505) Budapest 1993. 13.Ned4 a) 13.g4 Be7

14.h4 This pawn’s advance is not dangerous for Black if he has not played the ...h6 move and if White does not have his dark-squared bishop, which is a very important piece for controlling the dark squares and for the sacrifice on h6 as well. 14...0-0 15.g5 Qb6 16.Bh3 (16.h5 a5ƒ) 16...a5 17.f5 b3‚ And Black is much faster! b) 13.f5 Be7 14.Nf4 179

14...0-0 (Also fine for Black is 14...exf5 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Nd5 0-0 17.Qf4 Be6 18.Nxe7+ Nxe7 19.Qxd6 a5=.) 15.e5 (15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Bc4 Qc8³ And Black was slightly better in Romero Holmes, A (2440)-Garcia Ilundain, D (2480) Spain 1993.) 15...Qa5! (Anyone who doesn’t want to enter wild positions can opt for 15...Nxe5 16.Nxe5 dxe5 17.Qxd7 Qxd7 18.Rxd7 Bg5 which was roughly equal in Polgar, J (2550)-Ivanchuk, V (2720) Roquebrune 1992.) 16.f6 (16.Kb1 Nxe5³) 16...Qxa2 17.Qe3 Rfc8 18.fxe7 Nxe7 19.exd6 Nf5° 13...Be7 Or 13...Qb6 14.f5 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 e5„ is perfectly fine for Black. (15...Rc8? 16.fxe6² Oll, L (2645)Ehlvest, J (2610) Tallinn Parnu 1998.)

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14.f5 Nxd4 15.Qxd4 0-0 16.f6 Bxf6 17.Qxd6 Ra7³

And Black was simply better in Brueckner, J (2370)-Pappier, C (2429) IECG 2003. 7 10.Qe3 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Qe3

Placing the queen on e3 has good and bad sides. It is useful to leave the e1-square for the h1-rook and in some situations the queen could shift to h3. The downsides may be that it can be attacked after a possible jump ...Ng4 and also the exposure over the g1–a7 diagonal. Black will try to organize his 181

counterplay using this latter point. Besides our main move 10...Qb6 (that we will cover in the next subchapter), Black has a lot of options, so let’s look at them: 10...Nxd4!? Exchanging knights on d4 right away is an interesting possibility. a) The careless 10...Be7? runs into 11.e5! b4 12.exd6 bxc3 13.Qxc3 Bxd6 14.Nxc6 Qc7 15.Qd4± Nisipeanu, L (2600)-Kraeussling, A (2315) Germany 1998. b) If Black tries to stop the e4–e5 push with 10...Qc7? then after 11.Bxf6 gxf6 White has the strong move 12.Nd5!±. c) 10...Rc8 11.Nxc6 [11.e5 is not devastating any more: 11...Ng4 12.Qg3 Qb6 13.Nxc6 Nf2! (But not 13...Ne3?

since White secures an advantage with the fantastic 14.Ne7!! Rxc3 — even worse is 14...Bxe7? 15.Bxe7 Nxd1 16.Bxd6 and White is winning — 15.bxc3 Nxd1 16.Kxd1 dxe5 17.fxe5±.) 14.Ne7!

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Only move! But now Black is fine after 14...Rxc3! 15.Qxc3 Nxd1 16.Kxd1 Bxe7 17.Bxe7 Kxe7= with a roughly equal position.] 11...Bxc6 (if 11...Rxc6 then 12.Nd5±) 12.e5 h6

13.Qh3! White uses the opportunity we mentioned. 13...hxg5 14.Qxh8‚ And Black’s compensation is questionable. 11.Rxd4

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Taking with the queen is not part of White’s scheme. Now Black needs to choose his further plan. 11...Qb6 a) If Black wants to question White’s intentions he can play 11...h6. 12.Bxf6 [After 12.Bh4 Black should play 12...Qb6∞ and hope to transpose after Bxf6 gxf6 to a position where he would be a tempo up. (The thematic 12...g5 is dubious on account of 13.fxg5 Ng4 14.Qd2 Be7 and now comes the strong 15.e5! Nxe5 16.Ne4 hxg5 17.Bg3‚ with an unpleasant position for Black.)] 12...Qxf6 (Playable is 12...gxf6 but objectively White is somewhat better after 13.Be2 h5 14.Rhd1² as in Jovanovic, Z (2525)-Kozul, Z (2600) Bizovac 2008.) 13.Be2ƒ with Rhd1 to follow.

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The engines tend to think that Black’s position is quite good, but we believe that White’s position is much more promising. Black will have to spend some time (probably ...Qd8 would be the next move) to finish his development. b) 11...Qc7!? looks flexible, but a final assessment of the move depends on analysis of the position which can result after 12.e5 dxe5 13.fxe5 Nd5 14.Nxd5 exd5 15.Qg3∞. c) Black should be aware that after 11...Be7 12.Bxf6 the d6-pawn is attacked and 12...gxf6∞ is necessary. Black’s position is solid, but the e7-bishop is passive — usually it’s better on f8 and Black could do something more useful with the tempo saved by leaving the bishop at home. 12.Qd2

12...Bc6 The usual reaction against a threatened e4–e5. a) An aggressive player would certainly consider the gambit-style: 12...b4!? 13.Nd1 d5 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.exd5 Bc5∞ with unclear play. b) The same idea with 12...Rc8 13.Be2 inserted is not good any more. 13...b4? 14.Nd1 d5 (14...b3 15.axb3 Qxb3 Black is not ready for this action. 16.Kb1±.) 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.exd5± c) Another sacrifice is 12...a5 and after 13.e5 b4 14.exf6 bxc3 15.Qxc3 g6∞ Black has some compensation. 13.Be2 After this move Black can enter the complications which arise in our main line or avoid them by choosing a calmer alternative. 185

13.Bxf6 If Black doesn’t play ...h6 this reaction is premature. 13...gxf6∞ And it is much easier for Black since the e4–e5 break is not in the air any more. 13...b4 Forcing White to sacrifice the knight. a) A very good choice for players who like positional play is 13...Be7

14.Bf3 (You can see Black’s idea if White plays 14.Bxf6!? — Black replies with the pawn sacrifice 14...Bxf6!. That’s the move that Black had in mind when playing 13...Be7. He forced the queen exchange and in the resulting endgame his bishop pair secures nice compensation. 15.Rxd6 Be7 16.Qd4 Qxd4 17.Rxd4 Bc5 18.Rd3 b4 19.Bf3∞.) 14...Rc8!? [14...h6? 15.Bxf6 gxf6 is just a loss of a tempo. (15...Bxf6 16.Rxd6± As we have already seen, sometimes this sacrifice is sound, but in this particular position Black is experiencing problems on the h1–a8 diagonal.); too ambitious is 14...b4?! aiming for direct attack since after 15.Ne2 a5 16.Rd1 0-0

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White secures an advantage by following the rule: to counter a wing attack you should react in the centre! 17.e5! dxe5 18.fxe5 Nd5 19.Bxd5 Bxg5 20.Qxg5± With Nf4 to follow.; It may seem that move order is not so important and it’s possible to play 14...0-0? immediately, but after 15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 Rad8

White has the strong 17.Bxf6!± with a better position; 14...Rd8 is a more sober approach: 15.Rd1 0-0 16.e5 dxe5 17.fxe5 Rxd4 18.Qxd4 and with 18...Bc5 Black can get rid of the pin and he is not worse at all.] Back to 14...Rc8. White brings another heavy piece into the play.

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15.Rd1 (15.e5 dxe5 16.fxe5 Bxf3 17.gxf3 b4∞ With mutual chances.) 15...b4 Best. (There is no time to delay that move: 15...0-0 16.e5 b4 17.exf6 bxc3 18.Qxc3 gxf6 and Black can’t benefit from the pin after 19.Bh6 e.g. 19...Be4 20.Rc4 Rxc4 21.Qxc4 Bxf3 22.gxf3ƒ when White has the initiative.) 16.Ne2 a5

17.e5 (Now Black is fine after 17.Bxf6 Bxf6„.) 17...dxe5 (A mistake is 17...Bxf3? since White has the intermezzo 18.exd6!±.) 18.Bxc6+ Qxc6 19.fxe5 Nd5 20.Bxe7 Kxe7 21.Qg5+ Kf8= And there is nothing for Black to be afraid of. b) Black can also play 13...Rc8!? 14.Bf3 Be7 transposing to 13...Be7, but avoiding the 13...Be7 14.Bxf6 option that wins a pawn.

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14.Nd5!

14...exd5 15.exd5 The position is very rich and requires more detailed analysis. Here are some lines to show how the game could proceed. 15...Bd7 16.Bxf6 a) Inaccurate is 16.Re1? in a view of the fact that after 16...Be7µ Black can recapture on f6 with the bishop. b) White has compensation also after 16.Rxb4 Qd8 17.Qe3+ Be7 18.Bxf6 gxf6∞. 16...gxf6 17.Re1 Be7 18.Rxb4 Qd8

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19.f5 It’s easier for Black after 19.Bd3 f5„. 19...Bxf5 20.Bd3 Black’s bishop is safe after 20.g4 Bg6 21.h4 Rc8 22.c3 h5 23.gxh5 Bxh5„. 20...Bxd3 21.Qxd3 Rc8∞ It is difficult to objectively assess the resulting position.

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White has only one pawn for the piece, but it’s not at all easy for Black to play this position. The bishop on e7 won’t be directly in danger, but it is difficult to find an active plan. 8 10.Qe3 Qb6 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Qe3 Qb6

In our opinion this is the best response. In most positions a queen exchange leads to a fine position for Black, so it’s logical to put the queen on the g1–a7 diagonal immediately. 11.e5 The only way to fight for an advantage! On other moves Black easily solves his problems. a) 11.Nf5 This unusual move has already been played in several games, but when I saw it on the board it was a great surprise for me! Probably my younger fellow GM, Bosiocic, had prepared something particular for this game, but his choice was surprising due to the fact the he is mainly a tactical player and thrives on complications. Here I didn’t think much since exchanging the queens in similar positions usually favours Black. 11...Qxe3+ 12.Nxe3

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12...Nh5!? (After the normal 12...Be7= Black was fine in Varavin, V-Panchenko, A Sokobanja 1989. But here I sank into deep thought looking for a way to punish what I considered to be mistaken preparation by my opponent. And I played the new move ...Nh5 which, as I saw after the game, was the first proposal of the engine.) 13.g3 h6 14.Bh4 g5 15.fxg5

15...Be7 [It is difficult to explain why I did not go for the obvious 15...hxg5! 16.Bxg5 Nxg3 17.Rg1 (It is possible that I was afraid of the great material reduction that arises after 17.Ncd5 exd5 18.Nxd5 Be7 19.Nc7+ Kd8 20.Bxe7+ Nxe7 21.Nxa8 Nxh1 22.Rxd6 Nc6 23.Rd2 Ne5 24.Nb6 Kc7 25.Nxd7 Nxd7 26.a4 bxa4 27.Bxa6 Nc5 28.Bc4 and it is not quite clear how Black can realize his extra piece in this endgame.) 17...Nxf1 18.Rdxf1 Be7 19.h4³ For everyone who plays the Sicilian, it must be a pleasure to 192

play this queenless middlegame.] 16.gxh6 Bxh4 17.gxh4 Ke7 18.Ng4 (Perhaps this was a moment for radical measures such as, for example, 18.Ned5+!? exd5 19.Nxd5+ Kd8 20.Rg1! and it is not simple for Black to achieve good coordination of his pieces.) 18...Ne5 19.h3 Bc6 20.Bd3 Nf6 21.Nxf6 Kxf6 22.h5 Rxh6 23.Be2 b4 24.Nb1 Ke7 25.Rd4 a5³

White is still a pawn up, but Black is better since he will quickly re-establish material equality while retaining all the advantages of the position, Bosiocic, M (2542)-Kozul, Z (2595) Bol na Bracu 2014. b) 11.Bxf6 gxf6„

And Black has an improved version of the main line of the Rauzer. 12.g3?! A novelty which doesn’t

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look good. (Better was the thematic 12.Nce2, which Black can answer with 12...a5 13.Kb1 a4!? 14.Qd3 Rb8=.) 12...Rc8 (Personally, I would not miss this opportunity to get a more comfortable position after a queen exchange. However, this is sometimes just a matter of taste. 12...Nxd4 13.Qxd4 Qxd4 14.Rxd4 h5!³) 13.Kb1 Qc5

14.Bh3? A completely wrong idea which was immediately punished by Black. (Better was the modest 14.Rd2.) 14...Nxd4 15.Qxd4 b4 16.Qxc5 Rxc5 17.Ne2 Bc6 18.Rd4 f5!µ Both black bishops come into play with great power and White is already in big trouble, Roganovic, M (2526)-Rapport, R (2649) Bar 2015. c) 11.f5 Black has many moves, including 11...Nxd4„ Ibarra Jerez, J (2238)- Damljanovic, B (2574) Lorca 2001. 11...Nxd4 a) Dubious is 11...Ng4?!

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12.Qf3 h5 [Inferior is 12...Rc8?! 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 (White would sacrifice an exchange after 13...Nf2?! 14.Nd4 Nxh1 15.exd6± with a big advantage.) 14.Qxg4 b4 15.Rd3 h6 16.Bh4 bxc3 17.Rxc3 Qa4 18.Rxc8+ Bxc8

At first it seems that Black is OK, but after 19.Qf3! dxe5 White has 20.fxe5! Qxh4 21.Bxa6!‚ with a dangerous attack.] 13.exd6 [Big complications arise after 13.h3!?

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13...dxe5, but it seems that White is better with the precise 14.Nxe6! Bxe6 15.f5 e4 16.Qe2 (White has also compensation after 16.Qf4 Qe3+ 17.Qxe3 Nxe3 18.Bxe3 Bxf5.) 16...Be7 17.Bxe7 Qe3+ 18.Qd2 Qxd2+ 19.Rxd2 e3 20.Re2‚.] 13...Rc8 14.Nxc6

14...Qxc6 (The problem is that if Black plays 14...Bxc6 White can ignore the threat and play 15.f5!±.) 15.Rd2² b) It’s interesting to start with 11...dxe5!? 12.fxe5

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12...Ng4 [If Black opts for 12...Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 then White needs to play very precisely to achieve a small advantage. 14.Qf3! The best; other moves don’t yield much. (For example, 14.Nxc6 Qxc6=; or 14.Nf5 Qxe3+ 15.Nxe3 d4 16.Nd5 and the simple 16...Ra7= is enough for equality.) 14...Nxd4 15.Qxd5

15...Rc8 (If 15...Bc6 then after 16.Qxd4 Qxd4 17.Rxd4 Bc5 an important little move is 18.Rg4!².) 16.Qxd4 Qxd4 17.Rxd4 Bc5

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18.Rd3! (Black equalizes after 18.Rd1?! with 18...h6!„.) 18...Bf5 (It would be great for Black if he could play 18...Bc6, but White is on top after 19.Be2! Bxg2 20.Bg4±; slightly better for White is 18...Be6 19.a3².) 19.Rc3² And Black still needs to prove that he has enough compensation for the pawn.] 13.Qg3 [Playing for a trick with 13.Qf4 Ngxe5 14.Nxc6 is refuted by 14...Ng6!³ as in the game Bojkovic, SDeze, A Yugoslavia 1978. (White’s idea was 14...Nxc6?? 15.Rxd7!+–.)] 13...h6! [Jankovic: “I was very lucky in the following game, which I played a few years ago.” 13...Ngxe5? 14.Nxc6 Nxc6

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15.Ne4 (15.Be2!± would have posed big problems.) 15...Rc8? Black’s sense of danger deserts him. (Necessary was 15...Nb4 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 17.Rxd6 Qc5 18.c3 Rc8∞ with an unclear game.) 16.Kb1? (We have a case of mutual blindness because both players overlooked the unexpected 16.Bh6!!+– which wins on the spot!) 16...Qc7µ “Then I managed to defend and later slowly outplayed my opponent.” Zelcic, R (2587)-Jankovic, A (2541) Split 2008.] 14.Bf4 Nxd4 15.Qxg4

15...Rc8 [Another wild possibility is 15...b4!? 16.Ne4 (After 16.Ne2 h5 17.Qh3 Nb5„ Black was fine in Kolesnikova, K-Valinova, J ICCF email 2008.) 16...Rc8 17.Kb1 Ba4 18.b3 which ends in a perpetual after 18...Nxc2 19.Nd6+ Bxd6 20.exd6 Na3+ 21.Ka1 Nc2+ 22.Kb1 Na3+=.] 199

16.Kb1 (After White made a mistake and played 16.Bd3? Black was better following 16...b4 17.Ne2 h5µ Bisquert, F-Borzenko, A RCCA corr 2004.) And now Black can enter the complications with 16...Nxc2!. But White should also play energetically. 17.Rxd7! (With the idea of Qd1.) And then comes another blow, 17...Rxc3!∞ with an unclear position! (17...Kxd7 18.Qd1+ Nd4 19.Be3 Bc5 20.b4 should be better for White.) Back to 11...Nxd4.

12.Qxd4 There are rare cases in this variation when White offers a queen exchange. However, now is such a moment because if White takes with the rook he would be pinned along the diagonal. After 12.Rxd4 the game could continue with 12...Ng4 [12...dxe5!? is the safe alternative. 13.Qxe5

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13...b4! (13...Be7? is a mistake because of 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qxg7 Bxg5 16.fxg5 0-0-0 17.Rxe4±; but it’s possible to insert 13...Bc5!? and only after 14.Rd3 Be7= as in Bonafede, A (2327)-Valli, F (2179) Vung Tau 2008.) 14.Ne4 Nxe4 15.Qxe4 Bc6 16.Qe5 Qc5!

The safest. Black will lose his b4-pawn, but his piece activity will increase. 17.Qxc5 (17.Kb1 Qxe5 18.fxe5 Bd5= is fine for Black.) 17...Bxc5 18.Rc4 Be3+ 19.Kb1 Bd5 20.Rxb4

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20...f6 (20...0-0!? is another way to proceed) 21.Bh4 a5 22.Ra4 Kf7° It is clear that Black has full compensation.] 13.Qd2 d5 (Black is taking unnecessary risks with 13...b4 14.Ne4 d5 15.Nd6+!ƒ Bxd6 16.exd6‚.) 14.f5 h6! A very important move! (Bad is 14...Nxe5? 15.fxe6±) 15.Rxg4 (15.Bh4? loses on the spot after 15...Bc5! and the knight is taboo since after the capture Black wins the queen with Be3.) 15...hxg5 16.Rxg5 Qc5„

Black has nice prospects. White’s heavy pieces are exposed along the c1–h6 diagonal and that gives Black good tactical motifs. 12...Qxd4 13.Rxd4 202

As we’ve already mentioned, usually after a queen exchange Black is OK, but in this particular position there are problems to solve. White has activity but the position of the rook on d4 will give Black an important development tempo. 13...dxe5 a) An active option is 13...h6!? 14.Bxf6 (After 14.Bh4 g5! 15.Be1 Nh5 16.exd6 Bg7„ Black has good “Sicilian play”.) 14...gxf6 15.exd6 Bc6∞.

Kozul: “Many times I have played similar positions (bishop pair compensation for a pawn) and my experiences were mostly positive. I even think that those positions are easier to play with Black since if something goes wrong there is always a possibility of liquidating to an opposite-colours bishop 203

endgame with good chances for a draw.” b) White is slightly better after 13...b4 14.exf6 bxc3

15.fxg7 cxb2+ 16.Kb1 Bxg7 17.Rxd6 Bb5 18.Bxb5+ axb5 19.f5². 14.fxe5 Bc5

15.Rd3 A draw was agreed after 15.Rh4 in Nisipeanu, L (2592)-Atalik, S (2549) Romanian chT Eforie Nord 2000. Black is perfectly fine after 15...Nd5 16.Nxd5 (16.Ne4 Be7=) 16...exd5 17.Bd3 h6= with 204

castling to follow. Both sides have one weakness (pawns d5 and e5) so the position is equal. 15...Ng4 In case of 15...Nd5 16.Nxd5 exd5 17.Rxd5 Rc8 18.Rd3 we transpose to 11...dxe5 12.fxe5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 exd5 14.Qf3 Nxd4 15.Qxd5 Rc8 16.Qxd4 Qxd4 17.Rxd4 Bc5 18.Rd3. 16.Ne4

16...Be7 It’s possible to play 16...Rc8!? 17.Bf4 Nf2 18.Nxf2 Bxf2, but after the precise 19.Ra3∞ White has some play. 17.Bf4 g5!

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It’s not the only way, but Black takes the opportunity to capture space on the kingside. 18.Be2 The more cautious 18.Bg3!? leads to an unclear position after 18...Bc6 19.Nd6+ Bxd6.

20.Rxd6 (Bad is 20.exd6? Kd7³ since the pawn on d6 is not an asset, but a weakness.) 20...Bb7= The bishop-pair advantage is minimal as White has a problem on the long diagonal, while Black will soon shift the knight to a more active square in the centre. (Also interesting is cutting off the rook with 20...Bd5!?.) 18...Bc6 206

19.Nxg5 After 19.Bf3!? Bxe4 20.Bxe4 Black has to choose between two options. If he wants to avoid simplifications he can play 20...Rd8!? (20...gxf4 should be the easiest way to draw the game: 21.Bxa8 Nf2 22.Rhd1 Nxd3+ 23.Rxd3 Rg8=.) after which White has three possibilites, none of them enough for something tangible.

21.Rxd8+ [21.Bg3 Rxd3 22.cxd3 Bc5 23.Kb1 Bd4 24.Rc1 Kd7 25.Rc6 Nxe5 26.Rxa6 Rc8„ And the game will most likely end in a draw, but still there is some play ahead; 21.Bc6+ Kf8 22.Rxd8+ Bxd8 23.Bd2

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(23.Bg3 Bc7„) 23...Nxe5 24.Bb7 a5 25.a3 Kg7 26.Ba6 Nc4∞

As in the previous position it’s equal, but both sides can still try to squeeze more.] 21...Kxd8 (21...Bxd8!?) 22.Rd1+ Kc8 23.Bg3 Bc5= Black’s king is in time to protect the queenside and he can start to think about ways to activate his knight. 19...Nf2 a) Black should be safe also after 19...Nxe5!? 20.Bxe5 Bxg5+ 21.Kb1 Rf8=. b) However, the same doesn’t go for 19...Bxg5 20.Bxg5 Rg8 21.h4 Nxe5 22.Rc3 h6 23.Bxh6 Rxg2

since White has 24.Rxc6! Rxe2 25.Rc7ƒ with an initiative. 208

20.Rc3 Nxh1 21.Rxc6

21...Rg8 Of course Black can also play 21...Nf2!? immediately. 22.Ne4 Nf2! This tactical resource is the logical continuation of the previous move. Worse is 22...Rxg2? 23.Bf3 Rg1+ 24.Kd2± and Black is facing serious issues with coordination. 23.Nd6+ If White takes the knight 23.Nxf2 then Black equalizes easily after 23...Rxg2 24.Bg3 (24.Be3 doesn’t help due to the simple 24...Bh4„.) 24...Bg5+ 25.Kb1 Rg1+ 26.Nd1 Rd8=. 23...Bxd6 24.exd6 Rxg2

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25.Bf3 A nice line ends in perpetual check after 25.Be3 Rxh2 26.Bf3 e5! (an important move to shut out the dangerous light-squared bishop)

27.Rc7 e4 28.Be2 Rd8 29.Bc5 Rd7 30.Rc8+ Rd8=. 25...Nd3+! Black is saving his skin with inventive play! Inferior is 25...Rg1+ 26.Kd2‚. 26.cxd3 Rf2 210

27.d7+ Last try to play for a win! 27.Rc7 leads to an equal endgame after 27...Rxf3 28.Re7+ Kd8 29.Rxf7 Rc8+ 30.Kd2 Rc5 31.Bg5+ Rxg5 32.Rxf3=. 27...Kd8 28.Rxe6 fxe6 29.Bg5+ Kxd7 30.Bxa8 Rxh2=

In the resulting position Black has no real problems. His king is close enough to protect the queenside pawns and also (when it will be possible) he can start to advance the h-pawn. We can say that this

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whole line is not dangerous for Black. The queen on e3 often gives an option to exchange it so we have a lot of transformations to the endgame. Besides, if Black is in the mood for a fight, in many positions he can avoid simplifications and impose further struggle.

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Chapter 3 The Kozul Variation with 10.Nxc6 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Nxc6 Bxc6

Contents

1. 11.Qe1 2. 11.Qe3 3. 11.Qe3 (with 14.exd6) 4. 11.Bd3 -5. 11.Bd3 Be7 6. 11.Bd3 Be7 (with 17.Nxe4) 1 11.Qe1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Nxc6 Bxc6

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11.Qe1 With a similar idea as in the previous line. Since the king is still on c1, White does not want to give Black tactical opportunities on the c1–h6 diagonal. a) 11.Bxf6 allows Black to choose between both recaptures, so it’s better for White to first take on f6 and only then to take on c6. b) Someone seeing the position for the first time can ask: is Black losing a piece after 11.e5? But that move is a mistake since after 11...dxe5

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12.Qxd8+ (12.Qe1 Qa5µ; 12.Qe3 Qc7µ) 12...Rxd8 13.Rxd8+ Kxd8 14.fxe5 Black has 14...h6! getting rid of the pin.

In the resulting position, White can choose between giving up the bishop pair or staying with a worse pawn structure, in both cases with an advantage for Black. 15.Bh4 (15.Bxf6+ gxf6 16.exf6 Rg8µ) 15...g5 16.Bg3 The best practical chance. (White lost the game without a real fight after 16.Bf2 Nd7 17.h4 g4 18.Be2 Rg8 19.Rd1 g3–+ Raddatz, M (2023)-Gupta, A (2634) Reykjavik 2016; 16.exf6 gxh4µ.) 16...Nd7 17.a4 b4 18.Na2 a5 19.Bb5 Bxb5 20.axb5 Bg7 21.Re1µ 11...Be7

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12.e5 A logical attempt, but Black is ready for this move. a) If White plays 12.Bd3 then we transpose to 11.Bd3 Be7 12.Qe1. b) 12.Bxf6 The main alternative. Since Black has already developed his dark-squared bishop, taking with the pawn on f6 is not an option. 12...Bxf6 13.e5 Here as well Black is ready for this move. (13.Nd5 0-0 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 15.g3 Qe7 16.Bg2 Rfd8 17.Qe3 Qa7 18.Rhe1 And a draw was agreed in Tringov, G-Parma, B Titovo Uzice 1966.) 13...Be7

14.Kb1 (14.f5? does not work on account of 14...Bh4! 15.Qe2 Qg5+ 16.Kb1 Qxf5µ; 14.Qg3 leads to a pleasant position for Black after 14...0-0 15.Bd3 Qc7³; Black shouldn’t be afraid of 14.exd6 Bxd6 15.f5 Qe7 16.fxe6 fxe6³ since the bishop pair fully compensates for the backward pawn, Guseinov, G (2324)-Smirnov, A (2210) St Petersburg 2000; if White tries 14.Ne4 then after 14...d5„ the knight will need to spend a few more tempi to reach the d4-square. This will give Black enough time to finish his development and start queenside counterplay.) 14...Qc7 15.Qg3 0-0 16.Bd3 dxe5³

216

And we have already seen that this type of position can only be in Black’s favour, Timoshenko, G (2530)-Galliamova, A (2370) Cheliabinsk 1989. c) Black was more than fine after 12.Kb1 0-0 13.Bd3 Nd7³ in Agopov, M (2376)-Veingold, A (2480) Espoo 2003. 12...Nd5

13.Bxe7 a) 13.Ne4 dxe5 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 is a transposition to 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Ne4 dxe5. 217

b) In case of 13.h4 the simplest is 13...dxe5„. (After 13...h6 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.Bxe7!N 15...Qxe7 16.f5∞ Black still has some problems to solve.) 13...Qxe7

14.Ne4 a) Weaker is 14.exd6? Qxd6 15.Nxd5 Bxd5³. And now the wrong plan would be 16.Qg3 0-0 17.Bd3 Rac8 18.h4 Rc5 19.h5 h6 20.Qe3 Rfc8µ since Black’s initiative is much more dangerous, as in Gsponer, A (1870)-Tukmakov, V (2565) Neuchatel 2003. b) 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.Bd3 (Black will quickly take control of the d-file after 15.Kb1 0-0 16.h4 dxe5 17.Qxe5 Rad8 18.Bd3 Rd7= with a balanced position in Jovicic, M-Smejkal, J Belgrade 1977.) 15...0-0

218

16.Kb1 Black is fine. There are many good moves and it it is a matter of taste which one a player chooses. (It should be mentioned here that the position with the isolated pawn on d5 which can occur after 16.exd6 Qxd6 17.Qh4 h6 (Even 17...f5!? is possible.) 18.Be4 Rac8 19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Rd4 Rc4 is not dangerous for Black. His counterplay along the c-file compensates for the weak pawn, Jansa, VPachman, L Marianske Lazne 1965.) 16...dxe5 b1) One of the good continuations is 16...Rad8 17.Rf1 dxe5

18.fxe5 (18.Qxe5 Rd7 19.g3 Rfd8„ was very good for Black in Anka, E (2380)-Shcherbakov, R (2510) Budapest 1994.) 18...Rd7= (Anyone who likes complications can try 18...Bxg2 19.Rg1 Bb7 20.h4 g6 21.Qf2∞ but White has some compensation for the pawn.) b2) 16...Rfd8 17.Rf1 219

17...dxe5 (Again it’s possible to grab the pawn with 17...Bxg2!? 18.Rg1 Bd5 19.Qg3 Qf8∞ but from the practical point of view there is no need to go for it because White will have an initiative.) 18.fxe5 Rd7 The safest way. By doubling the rooks on the d-file Black will prepare to exchange the strong bishop on d3. In a position with heavy pieces Black is the only one who can count on an advantage. (We have already mentioned 18...Bxg2 19.Rg1 Bd5 20.Qg3‚.) 19.Rf4 Rad8

20.b3= The position is roughly equal. (Inferior is 20.Rc1?! Rc7 21.g3 Qc5 22.Qf1?! h6 23.Qe2 Bc4µ and Black took the initiative in Vehi Bach, V (2385)-Kosintseva, N (2480) Kusadasi 2006.) 17.Qxe5 [If White plays 17.fxe5 then Black only needs to quickly set up his heavy pieces on the c-file. 17...Rac8 18.Qg3 Rc5 19.h4?! 220

After this move the queen becomes unprotected and Black will have some x-ray ideas with ...Qc7. 19...Bc4?! Black unnecessarily gives his opponent an opportunity to generate some counterplay. (The precise move was 19...Qc7! and White has some problems to solve.) 20.Be4 Qc7 21.Rd6 Bd5

22.Bd3? (It was White’s last chance to steer the game into calm waters with 22.Bxd5! Rxd5 23.Rxd5 exd5 24.Rd1 Rc8=.) 22...Rc8 23.h5?? Since it was a rapid game, White overlooked some simple tactics. (Necessary was 23.Rc1, but Black keeps an initiative with 23...b4‚ since 24.Rxa6? does not work due to 24...Ra5 25.b3 Rxa6 26.Bxa6 Ra8 27.Bb5 Qa5 28.Ba4 Bc6µ.) 23...Rxc2! 24.Qe3 Bxa2+!? 25.Kxa2 Qc3 26.Bxh7+ Kxh7 27.Qxc3 R8xc3 28.Rxa6 Rxg2µ and the rest was easy, Guliyev, N (2546)Jankovic, A (2540) Villandry rapid 2012.] 17...Rad8 221

(Black can also go to an endgame with 17...Qf6 18.Qxf6 gxf6=.) 18.b3 (18.Rd2? is a mistake since after 18...Bc4 19.Rhd1 Bxd3 20.Rxd3 Rxd3 21.Rxd3 Qh4µ Black is clearly better.) 18...g6 19.Rd2 Bb7= The resulting position is approximately equal, but certainly most players would prefer the black pieces. 14...dxe5 15.fxe5 0-0

16.Bd3 a) If White tries to play directly with 16.Qg3 then Black has several good options. 16...Nb4 With this move Black shows bigger ambitions! 222

a1) If Black wants to play without risk then sufficient is 16...f5 and after 17.exf6 Nxf6

18.Nxf6+ (Black was better after 18.Ng5 e5µ in Mithrakanth, P (2360)-Shcherbakov, R (2565) Kolkata 1996.) 18...Rxf6 19.Bd3 Bd5= A completely equal position is on the board. a2) 16...Kh8!? 17.c3?! (White should have continued finishing his development with 17.Bd3.) 17...b4 (Black misses the chance to immediately take over the initiative with the strong 17...f5! 18.exf6 gxf6 19.Bd3 e5³.) 18.c4 Nb6 19.Nd6 f5

20.h4?! (Much better was the simple 20.exf6! Rxf6 21.Bd3ƒ.) 20...Nd7 21.Qf4 a5 22.Rh3 a4 23.Be2 Ra5 24.Re3

223

24...g6 (The real test was to accept the challenge and take the pawn: 24...Bxg2! 25.Rg3 Ba8 26.Rdg1 Rg8 27.Bh5 Nxe5 28.Qd4

It’s quite possible that Black feared this position, where White’s attack looks really dangerous. However, there is a hidden resource with which Black easily removes the danger and forcibly liquidates to a much better endgame. 28...Rd5! That’s the solution! Black returns a part of his extra material and simplifies the position, after which White has to fight for a draw. 29.cxd5 Qxd6 30.Kb1 Qxd5 31.Qxb4 Qe4+ 32.Qxe4 Bxe4+ 33.Ka1 g6µ

224

Black should not worry about the a-pawn, but should simply advance his king to f6 and start rolling his pawn chain, which will be faster and more dangerous than White’s.) 25.Bf3‚ 1–0 (49) Fedoseev, V (2733)-Alekseenko, K (2563) Sochi 2017. a3) There is another interesting option for Black in 16...Qa7!? aiming to prevent White’s rook lift along the fourth rank. 17.Rd2 (17.Nf6+ Kh8 18.Nxd5 Bxd5 19.Bd3 Qc7 20.Kb1 Rac8∞) 17...Qe3 18.Nf6+ Kh8 19.Nxd5 Qxg3 20.hxg3 Bxd5 21.g4 Rac8=

We have reached an approximately equal position, but White has some pawn weaknesses and most players would certainly prefer Black’s position. 17.Nf6+ (If 17.Nd6 then after 17...Nxa2+ 18.Kb1 Nb4 19.Rd4 Nd5³ White has yet to prove that his compensation is worth a pawn.) 17...Kh8 225

18.Nh5 [18.Qh4 may seem unpleasant, but after 18...gxf6 19.Rd4 a5 20.Rxb4 Black can continue to play for the advantage with 20...Ra7„. (Of course 20...Qxb4 21.Qxf6+ Kg8 22.Qg5+ Kh8= is a perpetual.)] 18...Rg8 19.a3 Nd5³

And Black was slightly better in Gufeld, E (2525)-Tukmakov, V (2560) Baku 1972. b) 16.Kb1 Rad8 17.Bd3 Nf4

226

18.Nf6+ (White has insufficient compensation after 18.Qe3 Nxg2µ, which was seen in Cooke, E (2165)-Yermolinsky, A (2620) Philadelphia 1994.) 18...gxf6 19.Qh4 White’s threats look dangerous, but Black has an elegant defence. 19...Rxd3! 20.Rxd3 Ng6 21.exf6

And now best is the beautiful 21...Qd8! 22.Rxd8 Nxh4 23.Rhd1 Bd5 24.Rxf8+ Kxf8 25.Rd3 Ke8³ White is the one who has to fight for a draw. 16...Nf4!³ With the idea of pressure on e5 and preparing the queen exchange.

227

17.Rf1 Ng6 18.Qg3 After 18.Nd2?µ Black won easily in Dominguez Sanz, J (2285)-Panchenko, A (2495) Las Palmas 1978. 18...Qh4 As so often in this variation, exchanging the queens solves all Black’s problems. 19.Qxh4 Nxh4 20.g3

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20...Nf5 20...Ng6 21.Ng5 Nxe5 22.Bxh7+ Kh8 23.Be4 Bxe4 24.Nxe4 Rfc8 was equal in Leko, P (2605)Shcherbakov,R (2520) Ljubljana 1995. 21.Rde1 Rac8 Interesting is 21...Ra7!? 22.Ng5 h6 and now 23.Bxf5? is a mistake since after 23...exf5 24.Nf3 Rc8 Black is slightly better, Gafner, E (2296)-Khismatullin, D (2662) Olginka 2011. 22.Rf2 Rfd8 23.Kb1 Bxe4 24.Bxe4 g6 25.Bb7 Rb8 26.Be4 h5„

With a nice position for Black in Salas Arros, C (2300)-Yermolinsky,A (2596) Istanbul 2000. 2 11.Qe3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.Qe3

229

White insists on reinforcing the e4–e5 threat. Also, the queen on the e-file means that Black has to watch out for a Nc3–d5 jump. 11...Be7 11...h6 At first glance this looks like Black’s fastest way to get rid of the pin. But the move is not a developing one and White will try to exploit that loss of time. 12.Bxf6 The only way to fight for advantage. [If White insists on maintaining the pin with 12.Bh4, Black easily solves his problems with a positional pawn sacrifice.

12...g5! The thematic push, often seen in similar positions. (Another idea is to insert 12...Ng4 13.Qh3 230

and then 13...g5∞ as in Al Sayed, M (2463)-Kotronias, V (2585) Caleta 2005.) 13.fxg5 Ng4 14.Qf4 Ne5 15.gxh6 Bxh6 16.Qxh6 Rxh6 17.Bxd8 Rxd8°

After Black activates his second rook along the g-file, the pawn deficit will no longer be of any importance, Arakhamia Grant, K-Saunina, L Sverdvolsk 1982.] 12...Qxf6

13.Nd5 The only way to fight for an advantage. [Nothing is achieved by 13.Qb6 due to 13...Bd7 (Unclear is 13...Qxf4+ 14.Kb1 Bd7 15.Qb7 Rd8 16.Qxa6∞.) 14.Kb1 Qd8= as in Hanley, J (2213)-Eames, R (2290) London 2007.] 13...Qd8 231

14.f5! (Too slow is 14.Kb1 Bb7!„ and White must retreat the knight.) 14...Be7 [Black can play 14...Bxd5!? 15.exd5 e5 but now White has the dangerous positional pawn sacrifice 16.f6!∞. (16.Kb1 is too soft, e.g. 16...Be7 17.Bd3 Bf6 18.g4 h5 19.h3 h4 20.Qe4 Qb6 21.Rh2 Ke7 and Black was better in Lepelletier, B (2445)-Kotronias,V (2578) France 2005.); 14...Bb7? is wrong because of 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Nf4± and White’s bishop will enter the fray with devastating effect.] 15.Nxe7 (Black is also fine after 15.Qc3 Bxd5 16.exd5 e5 17.Qc6+ Kf8=. He can undertake regrouping plans like ...Bf6, ...Qb8 and ...Ke7, or ...Kg8–h7.) 15...Qxe7 16.fxe6 fxe6=

With kingside castling to follow. We can see that with correct play Black has equalized. 12.Bxf6 232

There are lots of games where 12.e5 was tried, e.g. 12...Nd5 13.Nxd5 Bxd5 14.Bxe7 Qxe7

15.exd6 [If White plays 15.Qb6 then Black can be ambitious with 15...Rd8! (If he is satisfied with equality he can play 15...Qd8 16.Qxd6 Qxd6 17.exd6 Kd7= as in the game Shavtvaladze, N (2439)-Kotronias, V (2608) Korinthos 2004.) and after 16.Qxa6 0-0 17.Bxb5 dxe5‚ Black’s attack is hard to parry.] 15...Qxd6

16.Bd3 [16.f5 A novelty, which is more likely a drawing attempt than a realistic effort to gain some advantage. 16...0-0 (The idea to try and play the endgame with a more active king in the centre. 16...Rc8 17.fxe6 233

Qxe6? doesn’t work because of 18.Qa3!±.) 17.fxe6

An interesting moment, where Black needs to decide which way to recapture on e6. Generally speaking, I think things have to be looked at in two ways. If you want to play a position without queens, you should keep a healthy pawn structure and take with a piece on e6. If you are willing to disrupt your pawn structure then you should leave the queens on the board and organize active play along the open files. Personally, I would prefer to play with queens on the board. 17...Qxe6 (According to the previous comment, more precise was 17...fxe6 18.Bd3 Rac8 19.Rhe1 b4∞.) 18.Qxe6 fxe6 (Or Black can now take with a piece: 18...Bxe6 19.Be2 Rfc8 20.a3 g6=.) 19.Rd2 b4 20.Bd3 a5 21.Re1 Rac8 22.b3!².

It is obvious that in this game Black was ambitious and tried to play actively. However, it is now clear 234

that in the arising position Black should be very cautious since such an endgame can easily be unpleasant for him, Abarca Gonzalez, N (2382)-Hungaski, R (2504) Buenos Aires 2017.] 16...0-0 The easiest way! [It is not necessary to complicate the game with 16...Qc6 17.f5 0-0-0 18.fxe6 fxe6 since White can press after 19.a4!∞. (Black is fine after 19.Rhe1 Bxa2 20.Be4 Bd5 21.Bxd5 exd5= which was seen in Sprenger, J (2477)-Kotronias, V (2608) Port Erin 2004.)] 17.Be4

17...Rac8 A new move and objectively the best one. I suppose GM Gupta in this game wanted something more than a quick and easy draw with the black pieces and such a move is consistent with such ambitions, regardless of the simple and peaceful nature of the position. (17...Rad8= And it is more likely that the game would end in a draw as in Karatorossian, D (2345)-Fedorowicz, J (2540) New York 2000.) 18.Bxd5 exd5

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19.Kb1 (The first small inaccuracy; there was no need for such preventive measures. Right now it looks logical to play 19.Rd4.) 19...Rc4 20.Qe5 (Played with the desire to get a draw somehow, but it was better to play quietly with 20.g3.) 20...Qxe5 21.fxe5 Rd8

The position is still equal, but Black can take encouragement from the fact that White now has a weak pawn on e5. 22.Rhe1 Rc6 23.c3 Kf8 And suddenly, small problems have appeared in White’s position and he needs to be precise. 24.Rd4 Ke7 (24...Re6!?) 25.Kc2 Rg6 26.g3 Ke6 27.Rf4 (White should have thought about 27.a4 to open the a-file for his rook and maintain the balance with active play.) 27...Rc8 28.b3 Rg5 29.Kd3 Rc7 30.Kd4 a5 31.Re2

236

White is still not really worse, but his positon is passive and in practice it is not easy to play such positions. Now the best advice is to sit and wait and play some neutral moves, for example with the rook on the e-file. 31...h5 32.Rff2? The logical consequence of the previous moves. For no good reason White leaves the fourth rank and now Black gets the advantage 32...h4! 33.Re3

33...hxg3? (Now it was Black’s turn to make a mistake; the accurate move was 33...b4! 34.cxb4 axb4 35.Rf4 hxg3 36.hxg3 Rc2µ with big chances for a win.) 34.Rxg3 Rxe5 35.Rxg7 b4 Gu Xiaobing (2347)-Gupta,A (2639) Abu Dhabi 2017. 12...Bxf6

237

13.e5 Interesting is 13.Nd5!? Bxd5 14.exd5 e5 15.Bd3 (Black is fine after 15.Qe4 Qe7 16.f5 Kd7„ with the idea of bringing the rook from h8 to the queenside, afte which the king can move to d8 or e8.) 15...Kf8!

The best way to find shelter for the king. The idea is to force White to react to the threat of 16...exf4, when 17.Qxf4 would lose immediately to 17...Bg5. (Less precise is 15...0-0 16.Qe4 g6 17.f5∞.) 16.Kb1 exf4 17.Qxf4 g6!

238

Black is in time to consolidate the kingside and his bishop is very good on f6. 18.Rdf1 Kg7 It is difficult for White to break through! 19.h4 h5 20.g4 Qe7„ 13...Be7

Black has gained the bishop pair without spoiling his structure, but he has lost a certain amount of time. The d-file pin might seem annoying, yet Black is perfectly safe. 14.Ne4 a) 14.Qg3 transposes to 11.Qe1 Be7 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.e5 Be7 14.Qg3.

239

b) 14.exd6!? — See the next subchapter. 14...Bxe4 It’s a question of taste and the style of the player — is he ready to enter the complications or does he want to simplify the position? Surely it is worth considering 14...d5!?. 15.Ng5 [15.Kb1 Qc7 (15...a5? is not good any more since after 16.f5 exf5 White has 17.Nd6+!±.) 16.Ng5 Bd7 17.Bd3 h6 18.Nf3 Bc5 19.Qe2 Qb6 20.g4 0-0-0 21.f5 Kb7 22.Rhf1 Rhe8 23.Rde1

At this moment Black unnecessarily released the tension in the centre with 23...exf5? (It was the right time to start the queenside action with 23...a5!∞.) 24.gxf5‚ and White had the initiative in Barlow, J (2461)-Peli, G (2485) corr. 2002.] 15...a5! A somewhat unusual idea, but advancing the a-pawn is fully justified. [Black can also try 15...b4 16.h4

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16...Qa5 (But not 16...a5? because of 17.f5!‚ and White develops an initiative, as in the game Vasiesiu, D (2435)-Lupulescu, C (2496) Bucharest 2003.) 17.Kb1 Qc5∞] 16.Bd3 a4

17.Nf3 [White was soon worse after 17.Nxh7 a3 (even 17...Qa5!? is possible) 18.b3 Qa5 19.Qd4? (Necessary was 19.Qd2 Bb4 20.Qf2³.) 19...b4 20.Qe3 Bc5 21.Qg3 Qa7µ.

241

Black’s attack is very strong. In the game Aliavdin, N (2349)-Jankovic, A (2475) Pardubice 2005 there followed 22.Rdf1 Rxh7! 23.Bxh7 Be3+ 24.Kd1 g6? (Black could have won very easily with 24...Bb5!– +.) 25.Bxg6 fxg6 26.Qxg6+ Qf7 27.f5! Now it’s a draw.

27...Qxg6 28.fxg6 d4 29.Rf7 Bxg2 30.Re1 Ra5 31.Rf6 Ke7 32.Rf7+ Ke8 33.Rf6 Ke7 34.Rf7+] 17...a3 18.b3

242

18...Qa5 (A good alternative was 18...Bd7 to stop f5 and open the c-file.) 19.Be2? (White plays too passively and runs into problems. It was necessary to play 19.f5!=.) 19...Rc8 20.Nd4 Bd7 21.Rd3 0-0 22.g4 Bc5 23.Rf1 Qc7 24.Bd1 f6!

After this thematic break Black achieves a clear advantage. 25.Re1 fxe5 26.fxe5 Be8 27.Qh3 Qb6 Brkic, A (2454)-Jankovic, A (2477) Zagreb 2004. 15.Qxe4

243

15...d5 Black can wait a bit with this reaction in the centre and first finish his development. 15...0-0!? 16.h4 (If White plays 16.Bd3 g6 17.h4 dxe5 18.fxe5 he allows Black to free himself with 18...Qd5„ and Black has hardly any problems in the resulting endgame.) 16...d5 Black (with good reason) does not want to play g7–g6 so he needs to prevent White’s queen-bishop battery. (Bad is 16...Qc7? since after 17.Bd3 g6 18.h5± White’s attack is very strong, Nisipeanu, L (2610)-Magerramov, E (2551) Dubai 2002.) 17.Qf3 Engines now suggest many moves and give a satisfactory evaluation for Black. In our opinion, however, the following response is the best way to achieve counterplay.

17...a5! 18.f5 (In case of 18.Bd3 Black again can play 18...Qc7„; if White takes the pawn 18.Bxb5 244

every true Sicilian enthusiast would certainly be happy with the compensation that Black has after 18...a4„.) 18...Qc7„ 16.Qf3 Qc7

17.g4 The prophylactic 17.Kb1 gives Black time to stop White’s kingside advance. 17...h5 18.Bd3 g6 19.h4 Qb6 20.g4 0-0-0

21.g5 Kb8 22.Qe2 Ka7 23.Rh3 Rc8„ And Black was fine in Socha, A (2108)-Czarnota, D (2191) 245

Jarnoltowek 2003. 17...g6= And the position is roughly equal. 3 11.Qe3 (with 14.exd6) 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.Qe3 Be7 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.e5 Be7 14.exd6!? Bxd6

15.Ne4 This is the most principled move. In the resulting position with opposite-coloured bishops the player who can set up a battery with a bishop and queen will have an advantage. a) The double attack 15.Qd4 looks tempting, but Black has the simple defence 15...Bf8.

246

16.Qe3 [If 16.Qe5 then Black plays 16...Qb8!³ and he is already slightly better, as in Petrushin, A (2390)Yermolinsky, A (2450) Krasnodar 1980.; In case of 16.Qf2 the best defence is 16...Qc7! (Dubious is 16...Qa5?! 17.f5 b4 18.fxe6!‚ and White later won in Kulaots, K-Szuk, B (2310) Duisburg 1992.) 17.f5 b4³ since the f7-square is now protected and White can’t insert fxe6.] Now if Black wants to play for more he can choose 16...Qe7³ with the aim of stopping the f5 push. (16...Qc7 17.f5∞ was unclear in Leon Hoyos, M (2430)-Ancheyta Tejas, A (2175) Morelia 2007; 16...Bd6 is a repetition of moves.) b) Black takes over in case of 15.Bd3?! Qc7 16.Rhf1 0-0 17.Ne4

247

17...Be7³ (Certainly it is not a mistake to play 17...Bxe4 18.Qxe4 g6 but there is no reason to make White’s life easier. After 19.h4∞ White is not better, but at least he has a clear plan, although he later went wrong and even lost in Kotronias, V (2520)-Grosar, A (2370) Bled 1991.) 15...Bxe4 Now Black has no choice and must enter the position with opposite-coloured bishops. 16.Qxe4 0-0 17.Bd3 Maybe White should start with 17.h4!?, but then Black can play 17...Qc7 or 17...Qe7 (enabling the resource ...f7–f5). 17...g6 18.h4 Too slow is 18.g3 Qf6 19.Kb1 Rfd8„ and Black will shift his bishop to g7 as in Hunt, H (2330)Epishin, V (2600) Geneva 1997. 18...Qf6

19.Rdf1 In case of 19.g3 Rfd8 we transpose to a similar position from the previous comment. From practical games, we can see that Black has had more success. Next could follow 20.h5 Bf8 (20...Rac8 21.Kb1 Bf8= is more or less equal, but 22.h6? is a big mistake due to 22...Rd4µ and Black duly won in Fang, J (2335)-Yermolinsky, A (2595) Philadelphia 1992.) 21.hxg6 hxg6 22.Be2

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22...Ba3! 23.Qe5 Qxe5 24.fxe5 Bf8„ and White was the one who had to fight for equality in Schmidt Schaeffer, S (2314)-Atalik, S (2549) Boeblingen 2000. 19...Rfd8 20.g4 White is not showing his cards yet. One move later he will decide how to push his pawns. If White pushes 20.h5 Black proceeds with his plan. 20...Bf8 21.hxg6 [Inaccurate is 21.g4 due to 21...Bg7!µ (after 21...Rac8 22.g5 a draw was agreed in Kholmov, R (2550)Weinstein, N (2430) Budapest 1976.)] 21...hxg6 22.g4 Bg7 23.c3 b4 24.f5 exf5 25.gxf5

249

And now if White’s pawn was still on h4 Black couldn’t set up a blockade with 25...g5. But he can play that move, after which it’s easy to see who has the more efficient battery. Black was clearly better in Santo Roman, M (2430)-Palac, M (2570) Cannes 2000. 20...Bf8 An interesting idea is to set up a trick with 20...Rac8!?

21.Kb1 (Surely it is not impossible that in a practical game someone would fall into the trap and play 21.f5?? only to find that after 21...exf5 22.gxf5 he is lost on account of 22...Ba3! 23.bxa3 Qa1+ 24.Kd2 Qc3+–+.) 21...Bf8 22.f5 Bg7 23.c3 exf5 24.gxf5

And now Black’s best is to settle for a draw with 24...Rxc3!. 250

[An unnecessary risk is 24...b4 25.Bc2 bxc3 26.fxg6 Qxg6 27.Qe7?! (27.Qf4! could be an issue.) 27...Qh6? (27...Qe6! 28.Rxf7 Qxe7 29.Rxe7 Re8=) 28.Rhg1± as in Jensen, E-Salati, P (2111) ICCF 2007.] 25.bxc3 (Risky for White is 25.fxg6 Rc1+ 26.Kxc1 Qxb2+ 27.Kd1 Bh6„.) 25...Qxc3 26.f6

26...Rd4 27.Qa8+ Bf8 28.Bc2 Rb4+ 29.Bb3 Rxb3+ 30.axb3 Qxb3+ 31.Kc1 Qc3+= 21.f5 exf5 22.gxf5 Bg7 23.c3

23...b4!

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White was better after 23...Qd6? 24.Bc2 b4 (24...Rac8 25.fxg6± Heinemann, T (2489)-Kraut, R (2453) Germany 2000.) 25.fxg6 fxg6 26.h5 bxc3 27.hxg6 h6 28.Kb1 Rab8 29.Qc4+ Kh8

30.b3± (White lost terribly after 30.Rxh6+ Bxh6 31.Qf7?? Rd7 in Mahjoob, M (2442)-Babaev, R (2449) Lahijan 2005.) 24.fxg6 24.Bc4? bxc3! (Inaccurate is 24...g5? due to 25.hxg5‚ which was seen in Smirin, I (2671)-Palac, M (2610) Batumi 1999.) 25.fxg6 Qd6µ And Black is better. 24...Qxg6=

252

And after the queen exchange an equal endgame arises.

253

4 11.Bd3 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.Bd3

The idea behind the move is not to spend time on preventive actions, but to quickly finish the development. The difference compared to many other positions is that White delays taking on f6 so that now Black must constantly think about the e4–e5 push. This method of treating the variation was seen in some games 40–50 years ago when the line was still unexplored. For example, it was played by grandmasters Liberzon, Mecking, Tseitlin etc. Even Garry Kasparov at the beginning of his career also favoured this move! 11...b4!? a) It is interesting to insert 11...h6!?

254

12.Bxf6 [In case of 12.Bh4 then with 12...Be7 Black transposes to the main line where he has gained the extra move ...h6 and in many cases that can be useful for him. 13.e5 dxe5 14.fxe5 Nd7 15.Bxe7 Qxe7

16.Be4 (Bad is 16.Rhe1? due to 16...b4µ, which is stronger than 16...Qg5 as played in Cooke, E (2265)-Senff, M (2430) Budapest 1998.) 16...Nxe5 (Black can try to benefit from the move h7–h6 also in the line 16...Rc8!? 17.Bxc6 Rxc6 18.Ne4 Nxe5 19.Nd6+ Kf8 20.Rhe1 f6 21.Nxb5 axb5 22.Rxe5 fxe5 23.Qd8+ Qxd8 24.Rxd8+ Ke7 25.Rxh8=. In the main line we have the same position with the pawn still on h7, but here Black doesn’t need to protect his h-pawn and can move 25...e4= or 25...Rd6³.) 17.Qd4 Bxe4 18.Nxe4 f6 19.Nd6+ Kf8„

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We will see later in the analysis that Black at one point needs to play ...h6. In this case, he already has it and that can only be a plus for him.] 12...Qxf6 [12...gxf6

In principle Black should recapture with the queen so as not to spoil the pawn structure unnecessarily. Black’s extra move (pawn on h6) is not of real significance in this type of position. However, in a practical game this option can be useful if you want to get your opponent out of the book. Kozul: “For this reason, in a couple of my games I have chosen this continuation, which eventually paid off.” 13.Kb1 (13.Qf2 b4 14.Ne2 Qa5 15.Kb1 Qc5∞ was unclear in Berebora, F (2425)-Kozul, Z (2595) Osijek 1993.) 13...h5 14.f5 Bh6 15.Qf2 b4 16.Ne2 e5∞ 256

And later Black went on to win in Muzychuk, A (2540)-Kozul, Z (2594) Rogaska Slatina 2009.] 13.e5

13...Qe7 (The pseudo-active 13...Qh4? is wrong because of 14.Be4! Bxe4 15.Nxe4 d5 16.Qc3 Qxf4+ 17.Nd2‚ with Rhf1 to follow.) 14.exd6 Qxd6

257

15.f5 With this move White can try to use his development advantage. (15.Kb1 White’s development advantage should not be underestimated, therefore it’s best for Black to exchange pieces and head for the endgame with 15...b4 16.Ne4 Bxe4 17.Bxe4 Qxd2 18.Rxd2 Rd8=. White’s advantage is symbolic and the most likely outcome is a draw.) 15...Be7

16.Qf2 (An unusual endgame with chances for both sides arises after 16.Kb1 exf5 17.Bxb5 axb5 18.Qxd6 Bxd6 19.Rxd6 Bxg2∞.) 16...0-0 (Sufficient for equality is the simple 16...Qc5!? 17.Qxc5 Bxc5=.) 17.Bxb5 Qc7 18.Bxc6 Qxc6°

258

And Black had good compensation in Nevostrujev, V (2385)-Kozul, Z (2545) Novi Sad 1992. b) Unfortunately for Black the immediate 11...Qb6?, leaving the knight on c3, does not work.

White has the simple 12.Rhe1! and the pressure will be too strong. [Unclear is 12.e5 dxe5 (White was much better after the mistaken 12...Nd5? 13.f5 Nxc3 14.Qxc3± in Gazik, I (2415)-Horvath, I (2370) Stary Smokovec 1986.) 13.fxe5 Nd7∞.] 12...b4 (Black cannot go for 12...Be7 13.e5 b4 14.exf6 gxf6 since after 15.Bh4 bxc3 16.Qxc3+– his problems are insoluble, as was shown in Lie, K (2536)-Djurhuus, R (2456) Hamar 2007.) 13.Bxf6 That’s the problem! A position with opposite-coloured bishops arises where White has a great advantage. 13...gxf6

259

14.Nd5! Bxd5 15.exd5± This occurred in Murariu, A (2389)-Miskovic, D Budva 2003. 12.Ne2 Qb6

Black is not afraid of Bxf6 since it would lead to favourable positions from some of the main lines. 13.Ng3 Ng4 a) It looks normal to play 13...Be7, but after 14.e5 dxe5 15.fxe5 Nd5 16.Bxe7 Nxe7 17.Ne4

260

White is somewhat better, e.g. 17...Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Rd8 (18...Ra7 19.Qd6± White was clearly better in Munoz Pantoja, M (2480)-Perpinya Rofes, L (2380) Hospitalet 2009.) 19.Qxd8+ Qxd8 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 21.Rd1+². b) Too slow is 13...a5 14.f5‚. (Unclear is 14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Nh5 Be7 16.f5 a4∞.) 14.f5!

Now Black has to be very careful. His king will stay in the centre for a while, and he faces the question of how to finish his development. 14...Nf2 261

The right decision! White’s bishop on d3 is currently passive and it looks illogical to spend a couple of tempi to exchange it. However, in similar positions that bishop has offensive potential when it moves to an open diagonal. And something even more important, while the bishop was on d3 Black had no way to organize any counterplay along the c-file. With the bishop gone, the c2-pawn is no longer protected so well and Black will try to exploit that. a) It is possible to play 14...h6!? 15.Be2

15...hxg5 [It looks normal to play 15...Ne5? but in this particular position the beautiful knight is not enough. Black has a problem with the king, especially after he has weakened the e8–h5 diagonal. 16.Bf4 Qc5 (White is pressing after 16...Be7 17.Kb1‚.) 17.Be3± (Again, inferior is 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Qd4? which was seen in Stanculescu, C (2207)-Lupulescu, C (2566) Amara 2007.)] 16.Bxg4 e5

262

17.f6! A very unpleasant move which could easily be underestimated in a game. (Black gets easier play after 17.Qxg5 a5∞.) 17...gxf6 18.Nh5 Rxh5 (It is difficult to give any better advice. The problem is that 18...Be7? fails on account of 19.Nxf6+! Bxf6 20.Qxd6± and White has the nasty threat Bd7!.) 19.Bxh5 Bxe4 20.Bf3∞

It’s true that Black has two pawns for the exchange, but the resulting position is not easy to play. Weak light squares and insufficient coordination of the pieces give the impression that Black still has some problems to solve. b) If Black plays 14...Ne5? then after 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Be2 he faces problems. 16...a5

263

This looks like an attacking move, but in fact Black has a problem with the b4-pawn. The natural and indeed the best square for the queen is c7, but first he must protect the pawn. 17.Rhf1! The most logical move. Now White’s last piece comes into play and Black is in big trouble. (The prophylactic 17.Kb1?! gives Black time to regroup after 17...Qc7 18.Bh5+ g6 19.Bf6 Rg8 20.Be2 Bg7∞ with an unclear position in Borisek, J (2489)-Kozul, Z (2595) Nova Gorica 2005.) 17...Qc7 18.Bf4± 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Be3 Nxd3+ 17.Qxd3 Qb5 You can easily see that the worst for Black is over. He has exchanged one piece and now he has more space and can already prepare to put pressure on the c2-pawn.

264

18.Qb3 Bd7 19.Bf4 Qc5 20.Rd2∞

It can be said that Black has successfully solved his opening problems and is very close to full equality. 5 11.Bd3 Be7 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.Bd3 Be7

The main move.

265

12.e5 Black was threatening ...b5–b4, so White had to react. a) White can temporarily defend the e-pawn with 12.Rhe1, but after 12...0-0 13.Kb1 b4 14.Ne2 Nxe4„ Black has good counterplay. b) Another way to defend the e-pawn is 12.Qe1 but then Black has 12...Nd7!³. A simple positional plan that frees Black from the pin.

He exploits the fact that the d-file is closed and there is no pressure on the d6-pawn. 13.Bxe7 Qxe7 14.Qg3 (White can try to muddy the waters with 14.e5? but Black easily refutes that with 14...dxe5 15.Be4 Bxe4 16.Nxe4 0-0. Now after 17.Qg3 White is obviously threatening to take on d7, but Black simply removes all the threats with 17...f5µ as in Zaichik, G (2510)-Yermolinsky, A (2605) Philadelphia 1993.) 14...0-0

266

Black has completed his development and it is not easy for White to find an active plan. 15.Rhe1 [Black is more than fine after 15.f5 b4 16.Ne2 Nc5 17.fxe6

17...Qxe6! This particular position gives Black this additional possibility. (Even stronger than the natural 17...fxe6 18.Qe3 Qa7 as in Mecking, H-Polugaevsky, L Luzern 1977, when White could have reached an unclear position with 19.Nd4∞.) 18.Nd4 Qh6+ 19.Kb1 Bxe4µ; After the aggressive 15.h4 Nc5 16.Rhe1 Black can respond in an instructive way with 16...b4! (16...Rac8 17.a3∞ was unclear in Stein, A (2362)-Yermolinsky, A (2570) Berkeley 2005.) 17.Nd5 Qb7 18.Nf6+ Kh8 19.Nh5 f5!µ A nice defensive resource, after which Black takes the initiative. 15...Nc5

267

16.Kb1 [Opening up the position with 16.e5 is in Black’s favour. 16...Rad8 (Also interesting is to immediately exchange the bishop 16...Nxd3+!? as in the game Atakisi, U (2344)-Akhmadeev, V (2411) Moscow 2004.) 17.exd6 Rxd6 18.f5 Nxd3+ 19.cxd3 Rfd8µ And White has a permanent weakness on d3 while Black’s bishop is dominating White’s knight, Unzicker, W (2460)-Chandler, M (2605) Germany 1988.] 16...b4! A precise move which leads to a strong attack for Black. 17.Nd5 exd5 18.exd5 Qf6 19.dxc6 Na4

20.c3 (Another defence was 20.Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.Qd3+ Kg8 22.Qd4 but after 22...Qxd4 23.Rxd4 Nc5µ Black’s extra piece secures him the advantage.) 20...bxc3 21.Rc1 Nxb2 22.Rxc3 Rfb8 23.Rb3 Na4 24.Bxa6 Nc3+ 25.Kc2 Rxb3 26.Kxb3 268

Now White thought that the worst was over, but then came 26...Na4!! 27.Kxa4 Qd4+ (Black could win on the spot with 27...Rxa6+!–+.) 28.Kb3 Qb6+ 29.Kc2 Qxc6+ 30.Kb1 Qxa6 and later by a miracle White managed to save himself in Robson, R (2602)-Jankovic, A (2543) World Open Philadelphia 2012. Back to 12.e5.

12...dxe5 Now it’s inaccurate to insert 12...b4?! since after 13.exf6 [Weaker is 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Ne4 Bxe4 16.Bxe4 d5 17.Bd3 Qb6 18.g4 (18.Kb1∞ was 269

called for) 18...Qd4 19.Bb5+ axb5 20.Qxd4 Bxd4 21.Rxd4 Rxa2³ and Black was slightly better in Gerasimchuk, O (2370)-Shishkin, V (2415) Kiev 1998.] 13...gxf6 14.Bh6 bxc3 15.Qxc3‚ White has better prospects as in Gazik, I-Grinberg, N Groningen 1978. 13.fxe5 Nd7 Another option is 13...Nd5

14.Bxe7 [14.Ne4 Bxg5 15.Nxg5 h6 16.Ne4 0-0 17.Rhf1 (17.Rhe1 Qe7 18.Kb1 f6 — correct was the quiet 18...Rad8 — 19.exf6 Nxf6 20.Qe3² and White was somewhat better in Tseitlin, M (2490)Yermolinsky, A (2450) Telavi 1982.) 17...Qh4!∞ The idea is to force the move g2–g3 so that White loses the opportunity for a rook lift. (Unnecessary is 17...f5 18.exf6 Nxf6 19.Qe3² with a slightly better position for White in Kupreichik, V (2453)-Lutsko, I (2304) Minsk 2001.)] 14...Qxe7 15.Ne4 0-0 16.Rhf1

270

16...f5 The thematic move that eliminates any possibility of an attack. Now the position will be simplified. Black will remain with a weak pawn on e6, but he will have a good bishop and with proper play he shouldn’t have any problem to hold the position. (16...Kh8 was played in Warakomski, T (2502)-Moranda, W (2533) Polanica Zdroj 2008.) 17.exf6 Nxf6

18.Nxf6+ White has nothing better than this move. a) In case of 18.Ng5 Black can react calmly with 18...h6=. (Also possible is 18...Bd5!? as in Tseshkovsky, V (2550)-Gheorghiu, F (2540) Manila 1976.) b) 18.Qg5 Bxe4 (18...h6!? was fine for Black in Van Riemsdijk, H (2409)-Souza Neves, A (2175) Rio de Janeiro 2004.) 19.Bxe4 Rad8= Although the pawns are on two wings White’s bishop is not better than Black’s knight, which is great on f6 and can support the eventual advance of the e-pawn, Konci, E271

Pietzsch, W Leipzig 1960. 18...Rxf6 19.Rxf6

19...Qxf6= With a roughly equal position which later Black misplayed in Polgar, J (2645)-Dreev, A (2650) Linares 1997. (Kozul: “In one of my games I tried 19...gxf6 but after 20.Qe3² White has a slight advantage, and it’s difficult for Black to find a clear plan of defence.” Solak, D (2568)-Kozul, Z (2609) Murska Sobota 2007.) Back to 13...Nd7.

14.Bxe7

272

Dubious is 14.Bf4?! b4 (14...Qa5 15.Be4 Qc7= was equal in De Rosa, M (2089)-Berthelot, Y (2296) Guingamp 2010; but interesting is 14...Nc5!?„ which was tried in Ismagambetov, A (2479)-Gnusarev, P (2397) Pavlodar 2007.) 15.Ne4 0-0 16.Qe3 Qa5 17.Qh3 g6 18.Bg5 Bd8 19.Bxd8 Rfxd8 20.Ng5 Nf8„.

14...Qxe7 15.Be4 15.Qf4

15...Nc5 Black brings another piece to cover the e4-square, which gives him a choice of which piece to exchange.

273

[A good alternative is 15...0-0!? 16.Be4 (White is not threatening much after 16.Ne4 Rad8 17.Rhe1 Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Nb6„ and now White made a mistake with 19.Rd6? Nc4 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.a3 Nxa3!µ and Black was much better in Ermeni, A (2275)-Barbero, G (2477) Basel 1999.) 16...Rac8 17.Rd6 Bxe4 18.Nxe4=.] 16.Be4 This leads to interesting complications. a) 16.Ne4 Bxe4 17.Bxe4 Rc8 18.Rd6 0-0

19.Kb1 (Black was fine after 19.Rhd1 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Qg5+ 21.Kb1 Rc5 22.Rxa6 Rxe5 23.Qf3 g6 24.b3 Rf5 25.Qe2 Re5 26.Qf3 in Gazik, I (2359)-Manik, M (2478) Slovakia 2000.) 19...Nxe4 White was threatening to escape with the bishop. 20.Qxe4 Rc4 21.Qe2 a5=

274

With ...b5–b4 to follow. Black’s queen is more active and it can attack White’s kingside pawns. The position was seen in Mecking, H-Polugaevsky, L Luzern 1977. b) The move 16.h4 doesn’t have a real idea behind it since after 16...0-0„ White will again have to put one of his pieces on the e4-square, Szamos, A (2130)-Kolesar, M (2240) Slovakia 1997. 16...Nxe4 17.Nxe4

17...0-0 This is the option which we mentioned earlier. Black can go for further simplification, but if he wants a real fight he can enter the complications without fear! (17...Bxe4 18.Qxe4 0-0 19.Rd6= was equal in Kokkila, T (2320)-Adla, D (2435) Paranana 1993.) 18.Nf6+ (Of course, White can play 18.Rhe1=, but then he cannot claim any advantage.) 18...Kh8 It might appear too risky to play this way, but, as we shall see, White’s attack is not so strong.

275

19.Rd6 a) Direct play for a mate with 19.Rd3? gxf6 20.Qh4 Rg8 21.Rh3 is easily refuted with 21...Be4! 22.Qxe4 f5µ. b) 19.Qh4? gxf6 20.Rd3 just transposes to 19.Rd3?. c) 19.Nh5 An interesting try, although it achieves nothing. 19...Rac8 20.Qg3 (20.Rhf1 Bd5„ Black has a clear plan of advancing the queenside pawns and the reaction to Qg3 is always ...Rg8.) 20...f5 (20...Rg8!? is also good, with a promising position.) 21.exf6 gxf6

22.Qh4 An incredible position may arise after this move. (22.Qf2 Be4 23.Rd2 Rc5„ is fine for Black.) 22...Bxg2! Concrete analysis shows that Black should accept the challenge! 23.Rhg1 Bf3 with the idea that after 24.Rg7? (24.Rd2µ is better.) 24...Qc5 25.Rxh7+ Kxh7 26.Rd7+ Black plays the remarkable 26...Kh6!–+.

276

A beautiful position! White cannot benefit from a discovered check and Black’s material advantage is decisive. 19...Rac8 20.Nxh7

White was counting on a double attack after this move, but it won’t give hime any advantage. 20...Kxh7 21.Rxc6 Rxc6 22.Qe4+ Kg8 23.Qxc6 Qg5+ 24.Kb1 Qxe5 25.Qxa6 Qd5!

277

26.b3 Qxg2 27.Rd1 Qe2∞ And Black is not worse at all. 15...Nxe5!

16.Qd4 a) 16.Qf4 Bxe4 17.Qxe5 transposes to the main line (16.Qd4 Bxe4 17.Qxe5). (Bad is 17.Nxe4? due to 17...Nc4µ since in the line with Qxe5 the g7-pawn is attacked, but that is not the case here. Black is better.) b) In one very old game White tried 16.Bxc6+? Nxc6 17.Nd5, but Black was better after the simple 278

17...Qb7µ and after

18.Qc3 (18.Nf4 0-0µ didn’t change the evaluation in Csirik, A (2313)-Gara, T (2385) Mako 2013.) 18...exd5 19.Rhe1+ Kf8 20.Rxd5 h5–+ Black already had a decisive advantage, Khasin, A-Taimanov, M Leningrad 1956. 16...Bxe4 17.Qxe5 17.Nxe4 — See the next subchapter. 17...Bg6 18.Qxg7

279

18...Qg5+ A similar idea is 18...Qf8!? 19.Qe5. [19.Qd4 The queen is not so well placed on d4 because it gives Black a wider choice. 19...Qh6+ 20.Kb1 0-0

21.Ne4 (Black was slightly better after 21.h4 Rad8³ in Kerek, K (2235)-Turzo, A (2360) Paks 1996.) 21...Rfc8 (21...Rac8!? is also fine for Black; 21...Bxe4 22.Qxe4 transposes to 19.Qe5.) 22.Nf6+ (22.Qe5 Rc4 23.Nf6+= It’s more or less the same.) 22...Kh8= It looks dangerous for Black, but it seems that White has nothing better than to repeat moves. (Risky is 22...Kf8 23.Ka1!? Rxc2 24.Qb4+ Kg7 since now White can play for the attack after 25.Ng4 Qg5 26.h4 Qc5 27.Qf4 Kg8 28.Nh6+ Kg7 29.Rdf1 Qe7 30.h5 Bf5 31.Nxf5+ exf5 32.Qxf5².)] 19...Qh6+ 20.Kb1 0-0

280

21.Ne4 [An interesting try is 21.h4 Qg7 22.Qf4 Rac8 23.h5 Bf5 24.h6 Qg6.

In the game Grosar, A (2370)-Kozul, Z (2580) Bled 1991 White played the passive 25.Rd2? (better was 25.Rd6!∞) and ended up in trouble. 25...Rc4 26.Qd6 b4 27.Qe7 Bxc2+ 28.Ka1 Bd3 29.Ne2

281

29...Rfc8?! (The simplest was 29...Rcc8!µ.) 30.b3?? (In time trouble White does not use a sudden opportunity to save the game with 30.Qd7! Qxh6 31.Qxc8+ Rxc8 32.Rxh6 Bxe2 33.b3∞.) 30...Qxh6! 31.Rhd1 Qxd2 32.Qd8+ 0–1] 21...Bxe4 22.Qxe4 Rad8

With the exchange of one pair of rooks White’s pressure decreases. 23.Qg4+ Qg6 24.Qh4 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rc8 26.Qf2 e5 27.Rd3 Qe6 28.a3 e4 29.Rg3+ Kh8 Krejcir, S (2027)-Niese, P (2337) ICCF 2007. 19.Rd2

282

19.Kb1?? is a big blunder due to 19...Bxc2+–+. 19...Ke7 20.h4

20...Qe3 A move which will be enough for a draw. In our analysis we primarily focused on how to equalize with the black pieces. But also, when it was possible, we tried to find the hidden opportunities for a fight, to play for a whole point. That approach is often associated with a higher level of risk, but we wanted to offer an alternative so you can decide depending on the situation in the game. That’s why at this point we considered the move 20...Qf4!?. 21.Ne2 (21.g3 Rhg8„) 21...Rhg8

283

22.Nxf4 a) White can only temporarily try to avoid transition into the endgame with 22.Qc3 Qc4 23.Qe5 (23.Qxc4 bxc4„ The pawn on c4 is weak but Black has strong counterplay along the g-file.) 23...Rgd8 24.b3! f6

25.Qxf6+! (25.Qe3 Qe4 26.Qc5+ Ke8 27.Rxd8+ Rxd8 28.Rd1 Rxd1+ 29.Kxd1 e5³ Black is slightly better.) 25...Kxf6 26.bxc4 Rxd2 27.Kxd2 Rc8„ And Black is in time with his counterplay. b) A much less favourable transition to an endgame is 22.Qxg8? Qxd2+ 23.Kxd2 Rxg8µ. 22...Rxg7 23.g4 (Equal is 23.Re1 Bf5 24.Nd5+ Kf8 25.Ne3 Be4 26.g4 Bf3=.) 23...Rc8 (If Black doesn’t want to risk too much he can play 23...Be4!? 24.Re1 Bb7 25.g5 Rgg8∞.) 24.Re1 Rxc2+ 284

25.Rxc2 Bxc2 26.Kxc2 Rxg4∞

An interesting position! Probably White is not in danger, but Black has three pawns which will advance very fast. 21.Rh3 a) A forced draw is 21.Rf1 Rhd8 22.Qf6+ (or 22.Rff2 Rxd2 23.Qf6+ Kf8 24.Qh8+=) 22...Kf8 23.Qh8+ with perpetual check. b) Neither will the balance be disturbed after 21.Nd1 Qf4 22.g3 Qf3

23.Rf2 (The same goes for 23.Rhh2 Rhd8 24.h5 Rxd2 25.Rxd2 Qxh5 26.Qd4=.) 23...Rhg8 24.Qxg8 285

Qxh1 25.Qg7=. 21...Qf4

Black made a huge oversight with 21...Qg1+?? 22.Rd1 1–0 in Solak, D (2552)-Ivanisevic, I (2550) Petrovac 2004. 22.Rf3 Rhg8 23.Rxf4 Rxg7 24.g4 f5 The easiest way. Also possible is 24...f6!?. 25.gxf5 Bxf5 26.Nd5+ Kf7 27.Ne3 Rg1+ 28.Rd1 Rxd1+ 29.Kxd1 Kf6 30.a4=

286

6 11.Bd3 Be7 (with 17.Nxe4) 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Nxc6 Bxc6 11.Bd3 Be7 12.e5 dxe5 13.fxe5 Nd7 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Be4 Nxe5! 16.Qd4 Bxe4 17.Nxe4 f6 18.Nd6+ Kf8

One of the most critical moments of the entire line. White has sacrificed a pawn, but has strong centralization. Black cannot castle and he has to find a way for his h8-rook to enter the game. This position is very sensitive and requires precise play. 287

19.Rhf1 a) 19.Rhe1 sets fewer problems for Black, e.g. 19...h5 20.a4 h4 21.h3 Rh5! 22.Kb1 Rd8= and Black was fine in Aseev, K (2390)-Yermolinsky, A (2420) Vilnius 1984. b) 19.g4 h6 [Deserving of attention is 19...Nf7!? 20.Qb6 Nxd6 21.Rxd6 Kf7

22.Re1 (Black is in time to connect his pieces after 22.Rhd1 Rhb8 23.Qd4 Kg8 24.Rd7 Qf8=.) 22...Rhb8 23.Rdxe6 Qd7 24.Qe3 Re8 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Qxe8+ Qxe8 27.Rxe8 Kxe8 28.c4 bxc4= (28...Kd7? is a mistake due to 29.cxb5±.); If Black doesn’t want to defend he can try to play actively with 19...Rd8!? 20.Qb6 g5 21.Qxa6 Kg7

288

22.h4! (22.Nxb5? is wrong on account of 22...Ra8 23.Qd6 Qb7! 24.Qc7+ Qxc7 25.Nxc7 Rxa2 26.Kb1 Ra7 27.Nxe6+ Kf7 28.Nd4 Rha8µ.) 22...Ra8 23.Qxb5 Rxa2∞ The resulting position is pretty sharp, with mutual chances.] 20.Rhf1 [Nothing is achieved with 20.h4 Rd8

21.Qb6 (Black is also better after 21.Qc3 Kg8 22.Nc8 Rxd1+ 23.Rxd1 Qb7 24.Nd6 Qf3µ.) 21...Kg8 22.Qxa6 Kh7µ and White has problems.] 20...Kg8 And we transpose to 19.Rhf1 Kg8 20.g4 h6. 19...Kg8 19...Nf7!? is probably also enough to equalize.

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20.Qb6 (Or 20.Ne4 Rc8 21.Rf2 f5 22.Qb6 g6 23.Nd6 Rc7=.) 20...Nxd6 a) 20...Qa7? 21.Qc6 Rd8 22.Ne4 (Or 22.Nb7 Qe3+ 23.Kb1 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 g5 25.Nc5 Kg7 26.Nxe6+ and White had an initiative in Ganichev, A (2275)-Donskov, A (2306) St Petersburg 2012.) 22...h5 23.Nc5 Kg8 24.Nxe6 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Kh7 26.Qe4+ g6 27.Nf4 Ne5 28.Nxh5 Qb6 29.Rf1± And White is clearly better. b) 20...Ne5!? also comes into consideration. 21.Rxd6 Kf7

22.Re1 (22.Rfd1 Rhb8 23.Qd4 Rb7=) 22...e5! (22...Rhb8? 23.Rdxe6 Qd7 24.Rd6!² And White was slightly better in Horvath, A (2464)-Gonda, L (2359) Budapest 2002.) 23.Red1 Rhb8 24.Qc6 Kg8 25.Rd7 Qb4 With the idea of ...Qc4. 26.b3 Kh8=.

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20.g4 h6 21.h4

Black has several options. We have analysed this position in depth and finally concluded that he should play: 21...Rf8 a) 21...Nf7?! was seen in a model game Kasparov-Panchenko. 22.Qe4! Rf8? Immediately a mistake in a tense position. (Accurate was 22...Rd8! 23.Nf5 Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Qc7 25.Qxe6 Kh7 26.b3² with a slight pull for White.) 23.Nf5ƒ Qe8 24.Nd4 e5 25.Nf5 h5

26.Rg1 (White could have won even faster with 26.Qb7!+–.) 26...Rh7 27.Qb7 Kh8? (Black could have 291

resisted longer with 27...Nd8!.) 28.gxh5 and later White won, Kasparov, G-Panchenko, A USSR 1978. b) But a better try is 21...Qc7!? though after 22.g5 hxg5 23.hxg5 Rh2 24.c3 Qc6 25.Qg1 Rg2 26.Qe3 Rxg5 27.Qh3 White had the initiative in Dolgy, Y-Kirkov, T (2310) ICCF 2011. 22.a3 Here White finds it difficult to come up with a really strong continuation. It would be useful to hide the king from the c1–h6 diagonal, but then White would have worries about his back rank. All his pieces are optimally placed so the text move seems logical — trying to improve the position where it’s possible. a) Nothing is achieved with the direct 22.g5 hxg5 23.hxg5 Rh5!

A very important defensive move that forces White to release the tension while, at the same time, the rook is defending the e5-knight so that Black can recapture on f6 with a piece. 24.Ne4 [If white goes for 24.gxf6 then after 24...Rxf6 25.Rh1 (Black successfully exploits a back-rank weakness in case of 25.Qb6? Rxf1 26.Rxf1 Qg5+ 27.Kb1 Qg2µ with ...Rh1 to follow; in case of 25.Rxf6 Qxf6³ White’s initiative evaporates and Black holds his extra pawn.) 25...Rxh1 26.Rxh1 Rh6³

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Now Black uses the position of White’s king on c1 and enters an endgame where White has to work hard to reach a draw.] 24...Ng4!

Another good defensive move that forces further exchanges. 25.gxf6 Nxf6 26.Nxf6+ Rxf6 27.Rg1 Rd5 28.Qe4 Rxd1+ 29.Rxd1= Black is a pawn up, but White has enough compensation to save the game. b) White can fix his opponent’s pawn chain with 22.h5 and it is true that now Black cannot easily bring his rook from h8 into play, but White no longer has a real threat. Black’s knight on e5 is safe and he can start to improve the positions of the other pieces.

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22...Rb8 (22...Rd8? does not work because of 23.Nf5!±.) 23.Qe4= It’s not easy for either side to make progress. (In case of 23.a3 Black gets an object to attack after 23...a5„; dubious is 23.Kb1?! since now Black can play 23...Rd8!ƒ with the idea of ...24.Nf5 Qd7 and White can’t move his queen since the king is no longer protecting the rook.) 22...Qc7 23.g5 hxg5 24.hxg5 Rh2 25.c3 Qc6! 26.Ne4

26...Re2 The quickest way to make a draw. If Black wants to try for a bit more he can play other moves.

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a) One is 26...b4!? 27.axb4 (Also equal is 27.gxf6 bxc3 28.b3 c2 29.Rd2 Rxd2 30.Nxd2 Qb5=.) 27...Qa4 28.Nd2 Qa1+ 29.Kc2 Qa2 30.gxf6 Nc4 31.Rg1 Rf7=. b) 26...Qc4!? Kozul: “I almost crossed the line, when I decided to play this move.” 27.gxf6 Qe2 (An easy draw was available with 27...Qxd4 28.cxd4 Nc4=.) 28.Nd2

28...gxf6?! Ambitious. [28...Rxf6 is objectively the best. Black should reconcile himself to a draw after 29.Qd8+ Kf7 30.Qc7+ Kg8 31.Rxf6 (31.Qd8+ Kf7=) 31...Nd3+= 32.Kc2 Ne1+ 33.Kc1 Nd3+=.] 29.Rg1+ Kh7

30.Qa7+? (“And now White could have played the unpleasant 30.Rh1!‚ and suddenly the initiative 295

switches to White’s side! Luckily, in the time-trouble stage my opponent gave an unnecessary check.”) 30...Rf7 31.Qb8 and after 31...Rg7 32.Rxg7+ Kxg7 33.Rg1+ Ng6µ “I gained the advantage which in the end I converted into the full point.” Horvath, A (2485)-Kozul, Z (2621) St Veit 2013. 27.Nxf6+ 27.Ng3 Rh2 28.Ne4 Re2= 27...gxf6 28.gxf6 And now Black forces a draw elegantly...

28...Qg2!! 29.Rg1 Rc2+ 30.Kb1 Rxb2+ 31.Kc1 Rc2+=

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Chapter 4 The Kozul Variation – 11th move sidelines 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6

Contents

1. 11.Nf3 2. 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Bd3 3. 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe1 4. 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe3 -5. 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe3 Qe7 1 11.Nf3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6

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10...gxf6 Black is forced to double his pawns since 10...Qxf6? leaves the light-squared bishop unprotected, which enables White to secure an advantage after 11.e5! dxe5 12.Ndxb5±. 11.Nf3 White tries to play without the move Kb1, but that’s not dangerous if Black’s hasn’t played ...Qb6 yet. Furthermore, White will have to play Kb1 sooner or later. The best move order if White wants to go Nf3 is then 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3, which will be covered in the next chapter. 11...b4 11...h5 12.Kb1∞ 12.Ne2

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12...a5 12...h5!? is another option. 13.Kb1 [13.g3 Qb6 14.Kb1

14...a5 (14...Ra7!? 15.Ned4 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 Rc7 17.Qd3 a5 18.Nb5? Bxb5 19.Qxb5+ Qxb5 20.Bxb5+ Ke7 21.Rd4 Rc5 22.Bd3 h4 And later I (Jankovic) easily outplayed my opponent, Vereb, G (2207)Jankovic, A (2548) Harkany 2008.) 15.Ned4 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 a4 (16...Rc8 17.b3 a4 18.Bc4 Rc5 19.Rhe1 Bh6 20.Qe2 Kf8 was unclear in Mastrovasilis, D (2573)-Czarnota, P (2497) Kusadasi 2006.) 17.Bc4∞ (17.Bg2?! a3 18.b3 Rc8 19.Rhf1 Bg7 20.Rf3 Qc5 21.Bf1 f5µ And Black was better in Collas, S (2382)Campos Moreno, J (2513) Andorra 2001.)] 299

13...a5! 14.f5 e5 15.Qe1!

15...a4 (15...Ke7 16.Qh4±) 16.Qh4 b3 [16...a3!? 17.b3 (17.Ng3∞) 17...Rc8 18.Ng3 Qc7 19.Ne1 (19.Bc4 Na5 20.Nd2 Nxc4 21.Nxc4 Bb5µ) 19...Na7 20.Bc4 Bb5³ (20...Nb5!?)] 17.cxb3 axb3 18.a3 d5!

19.Nc3 a) 19.Rxd5 Bxa3! 20.Nc3 (20.bxa3 Qe7!–+) 20...Bb4µ b) 19.exd5? Bxf5+–+

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19...Bxa3 20.bxa3 (20.Rxd5 Bb4µ) 20...Rxa3 21.Rxd5 Qa8 22.Kc1 Ra1+ 23.Kd2 Qa3 24.Qxf6 Rh6∞ Back to 12...a5.

13.f5 13.Kb1 a4 (13...Qb6 transposes to 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3 b4 13.Ne2 a5.) 14.f5 e5 15.Ng3 h5 16.Bc4 Na5 17.Bd5 Rb8ƒ And Black has a good Rauzer position. 13...e5 14.Kb1 h5„

That’s much better for Black than the line 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3 since ...h5 is more useful than ...Qb6. 301

2 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Bd3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nxc6 Bxc6

12.Bd3 This move has been played in many games, aiming to finish development and use the rook (instead of the queen) to support the Nd5 jump. A lot of times Black reacted with ...Qb6, but in our opinion Black shouldn’t wait but should immediately drive the knight away with 12...b4 13.Ne2 Qb6

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14.Rhe1 After 14.Kb1 Black can develop in a normal Rauzer way. For an example, we can look at one recent game where Ivanchuk was on the Black side and played a model game. 14...h5 15.f5 Bh6 16.Qe1 e5 17.Ng3 A new plan, but not a good one. (17.Nc1 The knight has no prospects on the kingside and it has to think about defending the king. 17...Ke7 18.Qe2³) 17...h4

18.Nf1 [18.Nh5? Complete failure of White’s strategy. The knight on h5 will stay out of play and Black can calmly prepare the attack on White’s king. 18...Bg5 19.g4 hxg3 (19...Ke7!µ seems even stronger.)

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20.hxg3 Ke7 21.g4 a5 22.Bc4

Now it was necessary to increase the pressure. 22...Rac8 (22...Qe3 A standard idea for Black, but in this position it is not the best since it gives White some relief. 23.Bd5 Qxe1 24.Rhxe1 Rac8 25.Bxc6 Rxc6 26.Re2 Rhc8 27.Rd3 Rc4³ Abdulov, O (2369)-Guseinov, G (2623) Konya 2016.) 23.Rh3 (If now 23.b3 then 23...Qe3 is much stronger. 24.Bd5 Bb5!–+) 23...Qb7 24.Bd5 Bxd5 25.Rxd5 a4µ] 18...Ke7

Black has harmoniously developed his pieces and is ready for queenside action. 19.Bc4 Qc5 20.Bd3 a5 21.Nd2 a4 22.Nc4 Bf4 23.Qf1

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23...b3! 24.cxb3 axb3 25.a3 Ra4 26.g3 hxg3 27.hxg3 Rxh1 28.Qxh1 Rxc4 29.gxf4 Rc2! And Black was winning in Kryvoruchko, Y (2678)-Ivanchuk, V (2731) Tromso 2013. 14...h5

Black can also play 14...Qc5!? to control the c4-square. 15.Bc4 An active try. Otherwise it’s not easy for White to find good squares for his pieces.

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15...Bxe4 15...Qc5?! is not good any more since White simply plays 16.Qd3± and if 16...a5 then he is much better after 17.Nd4±. 16.Nd4! With a pawn sacrifice White has opened the e-file. Now he prepares another sacrifice, this time a piece! Weaker is 16.Ng3? Bb7 since after 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.Rxe6+ Kd7µ Black can easily defend. 16...f5 This position is very sharp and Black needs to be careful. 16...Qb7? loses to 17.Nxe6 fxe6 18.Bxe6+– and Black is defenceless; but 16...Bb7!? is possible. 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.Nxe6∞ With unclear play. 17.Nxe6

17...fxe6 An alternative is 17...Rc8!? 18.Rxe4! fxe4 19.Qd5 Rxc4! 20.Qxc4 fxe6 21.Qxe6+ Be7∞. 18.Bxe6 Be7 It’s hard to assess the position which arises after the queen sacrifice 18...Qc5!? 19.Bxf5 Qxf5 20.Rxe4+ Qxe4 21.Re1 Qxe1+ 22.Qxe1+∞. Black has enough material, but he will lose his b-pawn and it will take some time to coordinate his pieces.

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19.Bd5 Less dangerous is 19.Bxf5 Bxf5 20.Qd5

20...Qc5! Best! Black gives back some material, but the bishop pair guarantees him an excellent game. 21.Qxa8+ Kf7„ 19...Bxd5 20.Qxd5 Ra7 21.Qxf5 Kd8 22.Qg6

22...Kc8!∞ The black king escapes to safety on the queenside and White has yet to prove that he has enough 307

compensation for the sacrificed piece. 22...Qc5 requires precision from Black to hold the balance. After 23.Re5 Qc4 24.Rxd6+ Rd7 25.Rxd7+ Kxd7 26.Qf5+ the precise move 26...Kc6! achieves equality. (In the game Ganguly, S (2586)Jankovic, A (2536) Abu Dhabi 2007 Black played 26...Ke8? and White was better after 27.b3±.) 3 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe1

This move occurs very often in this variation. The first and most important idea is to enable a knight jump to d5. Besides, to play f4–f5 White must remove his pieces from the c1–h6 diagonal and after this move the queen will be ready to switch to the kingside where it can attack Black’s pawns. 12...b4 13.Nd5 a5 An important moment in this whole line. White has several options at his disposal, so let’s look at them. 14.f5 14.Kb1!?

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White immediately moves his king to solve the problem with the c1–h6 diagonal and prevent the activation of his opponent’s bishop. At the same time, the move has a hidden positional trap that should be kept in mind! 14...Bg7 a) What it’s all about we can see if Black plays the routine 14...h5?. After 15.f5! Bxd5

everything looks perfectly normal for Black since after exd5 he plays ...e5, but there comes a nasty surprise: 16.Rxd5!!±. Very nice and impressive. The rook is taboo due to a mating net and Black is left without any counterplay. (Obviously, White had not noticed this and continued with 16.exd5?! when Black was fine in the game Gronroos, M-Sorsa, M (2113) Vantaa 2001. 16...e5 17.Bb5+ Ke7 18.Qh4 Qb6 19.Bc6 Rb8 20.Rhe1 Bh6 21.Re4 Bg5 22.Qe1 h4„.) b) Here we should mention the possibility of the brave 14...Kd7!? 15.Ne3 Bxe4 16.f5∞ but it is clear 309

that White has good compensation. 15.f5 [White can still try the pawn sacrifice 15.Ne3. However, Black has enough resources after 15...Bxe4 16.Bb5+ Kf8 17.f5 d5 18.Bd3 (18.fxe6? is a mistake since it would open the long diagonal: 18...fxe6 19.Bd3 f5µ) 18...Bxd3 19.Rxd3 Qc7∞.] 15...Bxd5 16.exd5 e5„

As you can see in many places in the book, this type of position often arises in this variation. Engines give White an advantage and that’s an assessment with which we cannot agree. In our opinion, Black is OK! True, it takes some time to develop the pieces to the right squares, yet the position is closed enough that time is not such an important factor. Their assessment can be easily challenged if you continue to analyse with the machine — very soon White’s advantage will start to decline! 14...Bxd5

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15.exd5 15.Bb5+ Ke7 16.exd5 (Now the idea 16.Rxd5?? does not work on account of 16...Bh6+–+ and Black’s king can escape to f8.) 16...e5 is a transposition to 15.exd5 e5 16.Bb5 Ke7. 15...e5!? Waiting with the activation of the f8-bishop and blocking the centre immediately. After 15...Bh6+ 16.Kb1 e5 17.Bb5+ Ke7 we transpose to 14.Bd3 Bg7 15.f5 Bd5 16.exd5 Bh6 17.Kb1 e5 18.Bb5 Ke7. 16.Bb5+ Ke7 17.Bc6 Rb8 18.Kb1 Qb6 19.Rd3

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19...Bh6 19...h5!? can be useful. 20.Qe2 Rbg8 20...Rhg8 has also been played. One game continued 21.Rh3 Bg5 22.Rxh7 Rh8! 23.Rxh8 Rxh8.

Black is a pawn down but all his pieces are wonderfully placed, and the black rook will make use of the h-file. Furthermore, it appears that the bishop on c6 isn’t doing much. 24.g3 Qe3 25.Qxe3 Bxe3 26.h3 Kf8 27.c3 bxc3 28.bxc3 Bf2 29.g4 Kg7 30.Kc2 Kh6 31.Rh2 Bg3 32.Rg2 312

Just when he had come so close to a draw, Black made a mistake with 32...Bh4? (Necessary was 32...Be1! and Black should hold.) 33.c4 e4 34.c5± and later White converted his advantage in Fedorchuk, S (2592)-Nevednichy, V (2576) Avoine 2006. 21.Rh3 Bg5 22.Rf1 Qc5 23.a4 Rb8 24.Bb5 Rbc8 25.Rd1 h5 26.Rb3 h4„

Black has achieved everything he dreams of! Initially the engines give a nice advantage to White, but very soon they reduce it to a minimum. Later Black misplayed the game and even lost in Dzhumaev, M (2509)-Nevednichy, V (2576) Creon 2006. 4 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe3 -313

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe3

Like 12.Qe1, this move enables the white knight to jump to d5. This alternative leaves the e1-square for the rook and prevents ...Qb6. On the other hand, the queen on e3 is exposed along two diagonals and Black will try to exploit this. 12...Be7!? Recently Giri tried this interesting idea, which had already been played in some other games. Here Richard Rapport played 12...Rb8!?, an idea which deserves attention. The rook on b8 can often be useful since Black can, with gain of tempo, move the queen to an active diagonal. This idea is also good prophylaxis against the white knight’s thematic jump to d5. The obvious minus is losing the right to castle long. 13.Kb1 [One game saw 13.Bd3 when the logical reaction is the immediate 13...b4! (13...Qb6 14.Qe1 Be7 15.Kb1 b4 16.Ne2 a5 17.f5 e5 18.Ng3 a4 19.Bc4 Qc5 20.Qe2± Black’s queenside initiative has been stopped and now he has big problems about where to put his king and how to coordinate the rooks, Dutreeuw (2389)-Milos (2589) Turin Olympiad 2006.) 14.Ne2 (14.Nd5 looks nice, but Black can just ignore the knight and proceed with his queenside action: 14...a5 15.Rhe1 Bg7∞.) 14...Qb6 15.Qh3 a5∞.] 13...Qb6 14.Qe1

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14...Be7 (The Nd5 jump can be prevented by the typical 14...Rb7!? with the idea 15.Nd5?? exd5 16.exd5+ Re7!–+.) 15.f5 [In case of 15.Bd3 a5 16.f5 Black can try 16...a4!?. (Of course the standard 16...b4 comes into consideration too: 17.Ne2 Qc5.) 17.b4 axb3 18.cxb3 Rg8 19.Qe2 Kf8²

Engines, as usual in similar positions, prefer White, but I am sharing our opinion that Black has many good opportunities to come up with active counterplay.] The motif with White’s coming sacrifice of the e4-pawn occurs often and can be very unpleasant for Black. But in this particular position there is a significant difference — Black’s rook is on b8 and he should have exploited that factor by playing 15...b4!. [15...Qc5 This was played by top GM Richard Rapport. 16.fxe6?! (There is no real reason to open the 315

position. It was necessary to play 16.Qh4, after which White will be able to make good use of another well-known defensive motif. 16...Qe5 17.Bd3 a5 Black wants to open the position around the white king, but in such a way that he keeps the white bishop away from the important c4-square. 18.Rhe1 a4

19.Nd5! Now it’s clear that Black’s attack has no real strength. Simply put, Black’s attack does include not enough pieces to seriously threaten the white king.) 16...fxe6 17.Bd3 a5 18.Ne2 a4∞ Volokitin, A (2642)-Rapport, R (2720) Germany 2014.] 16.Ne2 Bxe4

17.Nd4 (17.Ng3? In similar positions, when the rook is on a8 instead of b8, only this move gives White clear compensation for the sacrificed pawn. Black’s king in the centre, while the chronic weakness of the e6-square and the weakening of the light squares bring Black serious problems. 316

However, thanks to the rook on b8, there is now a simple but effective tactical stroke that immediately decides the game: 17...b3!–+ and White’s position is falling apart.) 17...d5 18.fxe6 fxe6 19.Bd3 f5 20.Qg3 Rd8³ Because of the pawn mass in the centre, Black’s king is no longer so exposed and the long dark-squared diagonal opens for the bishop. So it can be concluded that Black takes over the initiative. 13.f5 Qa5 14.Kb1 b4 15.Ne2 Qe5!?

16.Qb6 a) 16.Ng3 h5 (The immediate 16...a5 is also possible. 17.Bc4 a4 18.Qb6 Bd7∞) 17.Bd3 Qc5 (Certainly it is not fun for Black to play the endgame which may arise after 17...a5 18.Ne2 a4 19.Qb6 Qc5 20.Qxc5 dxc5 21.fxe6 fxe6 22.Nf4 e5 23.Nd5 Rd8². Black is doomed to a passive defence, although the position should still be holdable.) 18.Qe2 h4 (The problem is that on the logical 18...a5 White can sacrifice a pawn, using a common motif in this type of position. 19.e5! fxe5 20.fxe6 fxe6 21.Rhf1 0-0-0 22.Rf7ƒ) 19.Nh5 a5

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20.Nf4 [It may seem logical to go for 20.Qg4 but Black is fine after 20...e5! (It is important to know that White would develop an initiative in case of 20...a4 thanks to the strong 21.e5! Qxe5 22.Rhe1 Qc5 23.Bc4∞.) 21.Qxh4 (There is no time for White to play 21.b3 a4 22.Bc4 axb3 23.Bxb3 Ba4!µ.) 21...0-0-0 22.Qg4 Kb8°] 20...e5 21.Nd5 Bxd5 22.exd5∞ We have similar positions in this book in several lines and I would assess it as more promising for Black. Tournament practice has shown that it is much easier to play this with Black. b) Perhaps the true test of Giri’s idea is the aggressive continuation 16.Nd4!? Bxe4 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Qb3.

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It would be very interesting to see Black’s reaction. There could follow 18...Kf7 19.Nxe6 d5 20.Nd4 Rhe8! White is better, but Black has an active game and the real fight is just starting. (On 20...a5 White has 21.Bb5.) 16...Qb5

White is also better after 16...Qc5 17.Qxc5 dxc5 18.fxe6 Rd8!? (18...fxe6 19.Nf4²) 19.Rxd8+ Bxd8 20.exf7+ Kxf7 21.Nf4 Bc7 22.Nd5 Bxd5 23.exd5 a5.

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Although Black is a pawn down, he is very close to a draw thanks to the opposite-coloured bishops. 17.Qxb5 The queen swap seems to give White an easy game, so why play differently? 17.Qf2 Qe5 18.Qb6 Qb5 19.Qf2 Qe5 ½-½ Motylev, A (2698)-Giri, A (2750) Biel 2014.

17...Bxb5! The answer to the question above probably lies in this move. This surprising recapture takes the pressure off the e4-pawn, but it is the best. 320

It would be much harder for Black to prove his compensation in case of 17...axb5 18.Nd4 Bxe4 19.Bxb5+ Kf8 20.fxe6 d5 21.Rhe1±. 18.Nf4 Kd7 19.Bxb5+ axb5 20.Nd3

We have arrived at this position, which the engines evaluate as much better for White because it is quite obvious that one of the black pawns is falling. However, Black has possibilities that with active play can gain compensation for the material deficit and get the game close to a balance. But the fact is that White practically does not risk anything and certainly he should have played on with 17.Qxb5. 20...Rac8 21.Rhe1 Rhg8 22.g3 h5 23.Nxb4 h4° 5 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe3 Qe7 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Nxc6 Bxc6 12.Qe3 Qe7

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A multipurpose move! It prevents the Nd5-jump and prepares the manoeuvre ...Qa7–c5, bearing in mind that White must avoid a queen exchange. 13.Bd3 Engines often in this and similar positions suggest 13.a3?!. White doesn’t want to give up his dreams of Nd5, so he secures his knight’s position. The move is not a clear mistake, but we do believe that it gives Black additional motifs connected with the ...b5–b4 push. In many variations this knight voluntarily travels to the other wing and there is no need to weaken the position around the king. 13...Rb8 (Also good is rapidly bringing the queen into play: 13...Qa7!? 14.Qh3 Qc5 15.f5 Qe5 and if 16.Be2 Black can start to roll his queenside pawns with 16...a5„.) 14.Bd3

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14...Bg7 A somewhat unusual move, but totally in the spirit of the variation. Opening the position with ...b5–b4 can wait, so Black prepares castling and activating his other rook. In addition, White must constantly think about ...f6–f5 and if he plays f4–f5 himself then another diagonal for Black’s darksquared bishop would be opened. (Black has other possibilities as well, like 14...h5!? 15.Rhe1 Bh6∞; or immediate action with 14...a5!?; and 14...b4!? 15.axb4 Rxb4∞.) 15.Qg3 [Rerouting the knight by 15.Ne2 is not dangerous for Black. 15...0-0 (If Black doesn’t want to allow his opponent’s knight to sit on h5 he can stop that with 15...h5!? and after 16.Nd4 Qa7„ with nice prospects.) 16.Ng3 Bh6 17.Nh5 Kh8 18.Qh3 b4] 15...0-0 (Playable is 15...Kf8!? 16.f5!? Bh6+ 17.Kb1 Rg8∞.) 16.Qh4

It looks like White has some threats, but after the cool-headed 16...b4! Black is absolutely fine. We are following a game Adams-Jankovic. 17.axb4 (It’s important that 17.Nd5? does not work on account of 17...exd5 18.exd5 Qe3+ 19.Kb1 f5!–+.) 17...Rxb4

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18.Rhf1 Adams has sensed that his position is already dubious so he must act quickly. With this move he prepares a rook lift along the third rank. [Black shouldn’t be afraid of 18.e5 since he has several good defences. Perhaps best is 18...Rd8³ and we can be assured that White has no real threat. (Also possible is 18...h6!?; or 18...Rfb8!?.)] 18...Rfb8! Active and best. [Jankovic: I was too concerned about defence so I made a mistake and played 18...Re8?. I wanted to protect the queen and not need to worry about Nd5 or the e4–e5 push any longer. In the game there followed 19.Rde1 h6 20.Re3 a5 21.Rg3 Kh8

Despite my 18th-move mistake, still you can see how resistant Black’s position was. It’s hard for White 324

to increase the pressure on the kingside. Adams played 22.f5, but then I made a final mistake with 22...e5? (I should have played 22...d5! to exploit the pin.) and after 23.Rg4± White had a free hand and after a few more moves Adams finished the game, Adams, M (2704)-Jankovic, A (2569) Rijeka 2010.] 19.b3 (In the game with Adams I had been afraid of 19.Rf3, but without good reason since after 19...Rxb2 20.Rg3 Kh8 21.e5 Black can always play 21...h6µ.)

19...Kf8!µ Black has managed to activate his rook and now his king can defend the queen. Black’s attack would be very hard to parry! (Also Black can try the direct 19...Rxb3!? 20.cxb3 Rxb3∞; another good candidate move is 19...Qd8!?.) 13...b4 Black can even postpone concrete action and play the useful 13...h5!?

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after which the game might continue 14.Kb1 Qa7 15.Qh3 Qc5 16.Rhe1 Be7 17.Ne2. Since the Nd5 jump is not on the menu any more, White makes his usual manoeuvre.

17...a5! 18.f5 e5 19.Nc3 The knight comes back, but White has lost two tempi. 19...b4 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.exd5 Bd8! 22.Re4 Bb6 23.Rc4 Qe3„

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For some reason, engines often assess this and similar positions in White’s favour. Perhaps this is due to some weak points, such as the c6-square, but practical games show us that this factor doesn’t matter much. Let us mention that at the moment only Black has a passed pawn(on e5); it’s true that it is currently blocked, but in the later stage of the game it can become an important force. In our opinion, if Black manages to activate his rooks on open files he will be the side who has the better chances. Back to 13...b4.

14.Ne2 14.Nb1!? In most positions the white king is already on b1 so this move isn’t possible. White is rerouting his knight to use the c4-square. 14...Qa7 15.Qe2 327

15...Bg7 This looks good enough. a) If Black plays 15...Bh6 then after 16.Rhf1 0-0 17.Nd2‚ he has problems with the d6-pawn. b) A flexible move is 15...Qc5!? since it fights against both Bc4 and f4–f5. Black is not afraid that Nb3 will come with a tempo gain since the knight is not perfectly placed on b3. 16.Nd2 a5 17.Nb3 (Dubious is 17.Bc4?! a4 18.f5 a3„.) 17...Qb6 18.Bc4

It’s not easy for Black to organize a queenside attack so now is the right time to think about defence and perhaps the most practical way is to castle long. 18...0-0-0 19.Nd4 Bb7∞ Black’s position is solid and later he can try to open the game for his bishops. 16.Nd2 Ke7 328

17.Nc4 (It’s good to know that after 17.Qg4 Black has the simple 17...h5!„; 17.Bc4? is a mistake due to 17...f5µ with ...Qd4 to follow.) 17...Qc5 18.f5 (Black is pretty fast after 18.Kb1 a5 19.f5 a4‚.) 18...e5∞ Black has a perfectly playable position. 14...Qa7 15.Nd4! This move looks strange, because White voluntarily pins himself and puts the knight where it will be hit by ...e6–e5 with if White plays f4–f5. Yet the move is not without venom, as the knight controls the b5-square and restricts Black’s pieces. A typical sequence of moves in the Rauzer variation is 15.Qh3 Qc5 16.f5. White doesn’t want to play the preparatory the Kb1, but goes all-out. [Black is also fine after 16.Kb1 a5 17.f5 (Black is much faster after 17.Ng3 a4 18.Nh5 a3!µ.) 17...e5.

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18.b3 White has to think about defence. (Active continuations do not produce results, for example: 18.Ng3 a4 19.Nh5 Be7µ; 18.c3 Rb8„ with ...a5–a4 to follow; 18.Qh5 a4„.) 18...a4 19.Qh5 (White’s problem is that he can’t sacrifice a pawn with 19.Bc4? since after 19...Bxe4 20.Ng3

Black has the nasty 20...Bxc2+! 21.Kxc2 axb3+ 22.axb3 Ra2+ 23.Kb1 Qa7–+ with a winning attack.) 19...d5„ Black is dominating.] 16...e5

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After the blockade is established, the race begins! White’s pieces are heading towards the f6-pawn while Black will try to mate his opponent. 17.Ng3 a5 Now White can choose which piece he will use to attack the f6-pawn. (17...h5!? 18.Nxh5 Ke7 with the idea ...Bh6, ...a5 and ...a4, is also interesting, although Black soon blundered in Fedorchuk, S (2650)-Smirnov, A (2456) Palma de Mallorca 2015.) 18.Nh5 [After 18.Qh4 Black can protect the pawn or ignore the threat.

18...a4!? An interesting pawn sacrifice. (18...Be7 is the safest move, which after 19.Nh5 transposes to 18.Nh5 Be7 19.Qh4.) 19.Nh5 Be7 (19...0-0-0!? 20.Qxf6 deserves attention: 20...Qa7∞.) 20.Nxf6+ Bxf6 21.Qxf6 Rg8° Black has full compensation.] 18...Bh6+ 331

[18...Be7!? looks passive, but is actually a good alternative.

19.Qh4 0-0-0!³ This is the important move (19...a4 leads to a draw since with the king on c1 White can escape the mating net via d2. 20.Nxf6+ Kd8 21.Qh6 a3 22.b3 Qd4=). Now Black is ready to open the game in the centre because 20.Nxf6? runs into 20...d5!µ.] 19.Kb1 Bg5

This is the other way of defending f6. For the moment the bishop is on defence and it’s not secure forever on g5, but very soon it will switch to a much more active place. 20.Qg4 [It’s clear that White must chase Black’s bishop away, but he needs to decide where to put his queen. 20.Qf3 Ke7 21.h4 Be3 22.Rh3 Bd4 23.Qe2 332

23...a4 (With his last move White aims to put his bishop on c4 and if Black plays the careless 23...Rhc8? then he is in big trouble after 24.Qd2!± with Qh6 to follow; 23...h6!? is the start of a very deep concept. The idea is to provoke g2–g4, which prevents White from transferring his queen to h5, which in turn allows Black to proceed with ...a5–a4. But it’s not easy for White to find another move instead of g2–g4.) 24.Bc4 Rac8!µ And Black is clearly better. (Again 24...Rhc8? is wrong, this time because of 25.Nxf6!∞.)] 20...Ke7 21.h4 Bh6

22.Qe2 As White’s queen cannot penetrate to g7 any longer, Black can shift his bishop. (22.Rh3 a4µ) 22...Be3‚ White’s only reasonable plan is the push g2–g4 but Black easily stops any further advance by the g-pawn with ...h7–h6. 333

15...Bd7 In this position, White’s major issue is how to unpin himself and then to push f4–f5 or e4–e5 (which is rarely seen, but if it is possible it usually poses greater problems to Black).

For unpinning, White will have to move his bishop and then the queen. The most natural course is to shift the bishop immediately, but for the f4–f5 push the king should also move. a) If Black chooses to keep the pressure along the h1–a8 diagonal he will play 15...Bb7!? which leads to an unclear game, e.g. 16.Bc4 (16.Rhe1 0-0-0∞) 16...0-0-0 17.Qe2 Kb8∞ (17...h5!?). b) Black can postpone his decision with 15...Qc5, but after 16.Rhe1 he must decide. 16...Bb7

(Of course also playable is 16...Bd7!?.) 17.Qh3 Now a sacrifice on e6 is in the air! 334

[White can prevent Black’s long castling with 17.Qe2!? (since the knight is taboo), but Black will play 17...Bh6. Now after 18.Qg4 a logical question would be, why not simply play g2–g3? The reader should know that such a move would make Black’s defensive task much easier. White loses the possibility of a rook lift and Black can seriously start to think about castling short. (For a human it is hard to move an already developed piece and play 18.Rf1!?.) 18...0-0-0 (Black’s king is not safe in the centre: 18...Ke7? 19.Qh4 Bg7 20.Nb3± when e4–e5 is coming.) 19.Nb3 Qc7∞ The game is balanced.] 17...0-0-0 The best defence is to castle immediately. [One way to prevent the sacrifice is to bring the queen into the defence. 17...Qc7 18.Qh5 0-0-0

And now the precise move 19.Kb1!‚ gives White an initiative. (19.f5 looks fine for Black after 19...e5∞; 19.Qe2 Qb6 20.Bc4 shouldn’t have been a problem for Black in Stojanovski, D (2384)Jankovic, A (2516) Sarajevo 2006, had he prevented Qe2–h5 with 20...h5!∞.); bad is 17...Ke7? due to 18.Be2!±.] 18.Nb3 (Now the 18.Nxe6?

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sacrifice does not work on account of the beautiful defence 18...fxe6 19.Qxe6+ Kb8 20.Qxf6 Qc7!! and White can’t take on h8 since there is a nasty discovered check after 21.Qxh8 Bg7! 22.Qxh7 Bxb2+!) 18...Qc7∞ The position is unclear.

White has problems with his knight, which is misplaced.

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16.Kb1 Now White is ready to start action in the centre. Black can react the same way on most of White’s moves, e.g. a) 16.Bc4 Bh6„ b) 16.Rhe1 Bh6 (16...h5!? 17.Kb1 Bh6∞) 17.g3 e5 18.Nf5 Qxe3+= And the endgame is equal. 16...Bh6 Black must find a way to prevent the e4–e5 idea which would open the centre and could easily transform the knight into a dangerous piece. That plan should not be underestimated. a) The endgame which arises after 16...e5 17.Nf5 Bxf5 18.Qxa7 Rxa7 19.exf5 is a bit unpleasant for Black. 19...Bh6 (19...Rg8 20.Be4²) 20.g3 Ke7 (20...exf4 21.Bc4‚) 21.Rhe1² During the game Black must be aware of one fact: in the endgame of opposite-coloured bishops this structure means that Black will probably lose his f7-pawn at some point. To activate his king, Black might have to leave the pawn undefended. Of course, the loss of the pawn does not automatically mean the loss of the game, but it is a factor to be reckoned with when liquidating to an endgame. b) On flank action by Black, White will strike in the centre: 16...a5? 17.Rhe1 Qc5 18.e5! fxe5 19.fxe5 d5 20.Rf1±. c) Or 16...h5?! 17.e5!‚. 17.g3 0-0„

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Since White has played g2–g3, castling is a good and safe option. The rook lift is no longer a threat and also it’s not easy for White to push e4–e5 or f4–f5.

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Chapter 5 The Kozul Variation with 12.Nce2 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nce2

Contents

1. 12...-2. 12...Rc8 13.-3. 12...Rc8 13.Nxc6 4. 12...h5 13.h4, 13.Qd3 5. 12...h5 13.Nxc6, 13.f5 6. 12...h5 13.g3 1 12...-1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nce2

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To sum up the basic ideas of this move, we could single out two major themes. The first one is White’s wish to retain the tension in the centre and prepare to develop his bishop on the long diagonal h1–a8, while not yet revealing his full game plan. The second idea is to clear the third rank to activate the kingside rook, one of the newest ways of treating this position. These are two basic plans but, as we will see, White leaves open other options as well, depending on Black’s reactions. For example, White might change his plan suddenly and leave the g3-square for the knight, or immediately strike in the centre with f4–f5. Black faces a great choice so let’s go step by step. Let’s see some interesting options besides the main moves 12...Rc8 and 12...h5, which will be covered in the next subchapters. 12...b4!? An option that absolutely has its own logic. If White voluntarily plays a prophylactic retreat, Black can react in the same manner. With this move he takes away the c3-square from the white knight. That means that if White pushes f4–f5 Black can block the centre with ...e6–e5, since now White cannot control the d5-square by playing his knight back to c3.. True, in this case Black should be ready to transpose into the other lines with an early ...b5–b4. a) One of the possibilities is 12...Na5, the move I have played several times, but it proved inadequate to achieve equality. Simply, since White has not yet decided to develop his bishop to g2 this action looks premature, and we will soon see why. 13.Ng3! I think this is the best answer. White changes his original plan and leaves the bishop on its initial diagonal to control the c4-square, and, after moving to e2, the h5-square as well. [An alternative for White is to stop the ...Nc4 move with 13.b3, but then Black should continue to play directly on the idea of the jump to c4.

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13...Rb8 (Worse is 13...Nb7 14.Ng3! Nc5 15.Be2 0-0-0 16.Bh5 Be8 17.Rhe1 Rg8 18.Bf3± Volokitin, A (2645)-Nevednichy, V (2563) Murska Sobota 2006.) 14.Ng3 h5 15.e5!? (It is very questionable whether Black’s pseudo-initiative would yield anything after 15.Be2 Nc4 16.Qc1.) 15...d5 16.Be2∞ Popovic, P (2550)-Kozul, Z (2560) Belgrade 1989.] 13...h5 [After 13...Be7 White hurried with 14.Nh5?! in one game. (It was better to finish development quietly with 14.Be2.) 14...0-0-0 15.f5 e5 16.Ne2 b4 17.Nc1 d5 18.exd5 Bxf5 19.Bd3 Bg6 And Black had a good game in Aroshidze, L (2539)-Damljanovic, B (2611) Pamplona 2011.] 14.Be2 Nc4

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15.Qc3 (White is also better in case of 15.Qe1 as in Haring, V (2297)-Michalik, P (2546) Tch-SVK 2018.) 15...h4 16.Nh5 Rh6 17.g4± Sax, G (2515)-Kozul, Z (2595) Vinkovci 1993. b) The continuation 12...Be7 looks too passive and White gets the advantage with simple moves. 13.f5

13...Nxd4 (13...Qc5 doesn’t change much. 14.Nxc6 Bxc6 15.Nd4 Bd7 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Be2± Jakovenko, D (2710)-Alekseenko, K (2563) Tch RUS rapid 2017.) 14.Nxd4 e5 15.Ne2 Bc6 16.Nc3 Rc8 17.g4 Qc5

18.Qe2!± It should be noted here that White has achieved what Black should not allow at any cost. After jumping his knight to the d5-square White can recapture with the rook and in such positions White always has a significant advantage, Vallejo Pons, F (2693)-Kozul, Z (2604) Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010. 342

c) One of the possible ways of playing the position is to immediately castle queenside. 12...0-0-0 13.g3 Kb8 14.Bg2 Rc8

15.Rhe1 (More logical is put the rook on f1. 15.Rhf1 And Black should proceed with the same plan, 15...Na5.) 15...Na5 16.Nc1?! (It is certainly better to prevent the Nc4 jump by playing 16.b3.) 16...Nc4 17.Qd3 h5 18.Qf3 White is focused on the long light-squared diagonal, but in reality there are no real threats. 18...h4! With a great position for Black in Smirnov, A (2410)-Zhao, Z (2558) Canberra 2015. d) Here we will mention one interesting idea, 12...Rd8!? Black wants to wait until White decides on his plan, and this move also prepares the development of the dark-squared bishop to h6 or even g7.

13.Qe1 (More logical is to continue with the development of the bishop to g2 and play 13.g3 h5 343

14.Bg2.) 13...h5 14.f5 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 e5 16.Ne2 b4 17.Qh4 Ke7 18.Ng3

18...Qf2! A typical move. 19.Bc4?! (It was better to take the pawn 19.Bxa6, though after 19...Bg7!? Black is already prepared to transfer his heavy pieces and attack along the newly-opened a-file.) 19...Ba4 (Even stronger is 19...Bb5!µ.) 20.b3 Bb5 21.Rhf1 Qxg2 22.Rg1 Qf3 23.Bxb5 axb5 24.Rd3 Qf2µ Moreno Tejera, E (2444)-Edouard, R (2663) Spain 2016. 13.g3 13.Nxc6 transposes to another line we have already dealt with after 13...Bxc6 14.f5. 13...Rc8 14.Bg2

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14...h5 Given that White is preparing a strike in the centre (mostly it is e4–e5), a good alternative is immediately sheltering the king by castling short with 14...Be7 15.Rhf1 0-0 16.g4 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Rc7!? Preparing to double on the c-file.

18.Rf3 [You shouldn’t be afraid of the central strike 18.e5 on account of 18...Rfc8=. (However, you should be on the alert since in case of 18...dxe5 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.Qh6!+– White launches a winning attack.)] 18...Rfc8 19.Rh3 Bf8∞ Nevednichy, V (2574)-Kozul, Z (2601) Croatia 2013. 345

15.Bf3 Another line is 15.Rhf1 a5 16.Nxc6 Bxc6 17.Nd4 Bd7 and Black is fine since White doesn’t achieve anything with

18.e5 Be7 19.exd6 Qxd6 20.Rfe1 Qc7= Timman, J (2616)-Hillarp Persson, T (2524) Malmo 2006. 15...Na5 16.b3 Bg7!?

17.g4?! Anand, V (2779)-Li Chao (2720) World Rapid, Doha 2016. It looks more logical to play the 346

developing move 17.Rhe1. After the move played Black could have equalized completely with 17...hxg4 18.Bxg4 Nc6! and already White is the one who has to be careful not to get into the trouble. 2 12...Rc8 13.-1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nce2 Rc8!?

Let’s analyse other possibilities besides the main move 13.Nxc6. Most often White players proceed with the standard move. 13.g3!? a) If White goes for 13.f5 Black continues in the usual way. 13...Nxd4 14.Nxd4 e5 15.Ne2 b4 16.Ng3 h5 17.h4 Ke7 18.Bd3 Bh6 19.Qe2

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And now the simplest way is to force the queen exchange 19...Qe3 20.Nxh5 Bc6 21.Rhe1 Qxe2 22.Rxe2 Rcd8!? 23.g4 d5= and we can see that Black has fully equalized, Vetter, G (2377)-Stull, N (2618) ICCF 2006. b) 13.h4, played by Anand and Solak, is an interesting idea here. White wants to activate the kingside rook quickly through the third rank. 13...Rg8!

14.f5?! (It was necessary to continue with the plan and play 14.Rh3.) 14...Nxd4 15.Nxd4 e5 16.Ne2 b4 17.Rh3 Anand, V (2786)-Gelfand, B (2724) Zurich Blitz 2017, when Black could have gained the initiative with 17...Qc6 18.Rg3 Rxg3 19.Nxg3 Bh6ƒ. c) 13.g4 This is not dangerous for Black. 13...h5 14.gxh5 Rxh5 15.h4 Rh8

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It is best to return the rook to its original square, in order to prepare the development of the darksquared bishop to the ideal h6-square. 16.h5 Nxd4 (16...Na5!? was also possible, as played in 1–0 (40) Cheparinov, I (2718)-Firouzja, A (2561) Abu Dhabi 2018. 17.b3 Nc6 And Black wants to play ...b4, ...Na7 and ...Nb5.) 17.Nxd4 Bh6∞ Sergeev, V (2419)-Brodt, A (2395) ICCF 2010. 13...Na5 13...b4 transposes to the previous subchapter. 14.b3 14.Nc1 doesn’t look good. 14...Bg7!? 15.Be2 0-0

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After a few quiet moves by White, Black is completing his development and connecting the rooks. He is already prepared for action on the queenside. 16.g4 Nc4 17.Qd3? (White is not happy with the opening of the b-file, but still it was a better option. 17.Bxc4 bxc4 18.c3³) 17...a5 18.Rhg1 a4 19.Qg3 Kh8! 20.Bxc4 Vovk, A (2528)-Jankovic, A (2564) Capelle-la-Grande 2011.

We can see that in the end White had to open the b-file after all. Now it would have been consistent to proceed with 20...bxc4 21.Nce2 Rb8 22.Qc3 Rfe8µ. 14...Nc6 A good alternative for Black is 14...b4 15.Bg2 Bg7!?

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It may seem strange, but this is, first of all, a defensive and preventive move. In addition to getting ready for castling, Black wants to stop a possible e4–e5 strike in the centre. 16.h4 (More logical is 16.g4 h5 17.gxh5.) 16...h5 17.Rhf1 Rc7 18.Qe3 Qc5 19.Rc1 And only now, after he has developed his pieces in the right way, can Black castle. 19...0-0 With a great position, Melia, S (2439)-Kosteniuk, A (2524) Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad (Women) 2010.

15.Bg2 Another line that has also been played is 15.c3 Nxd4 (It’s necessary to exchange the knights immediately and define the situation in the centre since after, for example, 15...h5 White has the option of 16.Nc2 after which it’s harder for Black to draw up a clear plan of play.) 16.Nxd4 h5 351

17.Bg2 (Since nothing is happening on the h1–a8 diagonal, more to the point is 17.Be2.) 17...h4 18.Bf3 a5 There is no need to rush with the rook exchange. Black should play useful moves and only when White moves the rook should Black take on g3. Later White can offer the rooks exchange on the h-file, although that would cost him two tempi. 19.Rhe1 hxg3 20.hxg3 Nevednichy, V (2528)-Kozul, Z (2610) EU-ch, Dresden 2007, and now Black could have gone for the calm 20...Qc5=. 15...Be7 a) A dubious idea for Black can be seen in a position that occurred through a different move order in Grigoriants, S (2564)-Kulaots, K (2590) Moscow 2017. Black after 15...b4 16.Rhe1 tried 16...Na7?

whereupon White missed the strong 17.e5!. (The game went 17.c4 bxc3 18.Nxc3.) 17...Be7 (It’s hard 352

to give good advice! The inadequacy of Black’s threats against the white king is best illustrated by the following line. 17...fxe5 18.fxe5 dxe5 19.Nf3 Qc7 20.Nxe5 Nb5 21.Qxd7+ Qxd7 22.Rxd7 Na3+ 23.Kc1 Bh6+ 24.Kd1 Nxc2 25.Rd3± And Black faces a hard fight for a draw.) 18.exd6 Qxd6 We see that White is totally developed and usually then there are several good opportunities to continue the game. One of the more aggressive ones is 19.f5!? e5 20.Qh6!±. b) In this game Black first exchanged knights. 15...Nxd4

16.Nxd4 Be7 17.Rhf1 and now played the imprecise 17...Bc6?, Vuilleumier, A (2374)-Gupta, A (2627) Kavala 2011. (Black should have gone for 17...b4.) Now White could have gained a clear advantage after 18.f5! e5 19.Nxc6 Qxc6 20.Rf3±. 16.Rhe1 Or 16.c3 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Rc7 18.Rhe1 Qc5 19.Re3 a5 and a draw was agreed in Vouldis, A (2524)Kotronias, V (2599) Athens 2004. 16...Qa5!?

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This is one of the ways for Black to take advantage of the weakened dark squares around the white king. He is prepared to spoil the coordination of his pieces a little in order to achieve the exchange of queens. 17.c3 Objectively speaking, best for White was 17.Qxa5 Nxa5 18.Kb2². 17...Nxd4 18.Qxd4 Qc7 19.Qd3 h5 20.Rc1 Qc5= Waitzkin, J (2290)-Yermolinsky, A (2595) New York 1992. 3 12...Rc8 13.Nxc6 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nce2 Rc8!? 13.Nxc6 Bxc6 14.Ng3

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White must first protect his e4-pawn, and then decide on plans for his knight. 14...h5 15.h4 a5 Also possible is 15...Qc5. 16.Be2 The real test of Black’s idea. 16.Bd3 Qc5

17.Qxa5 (The apparently logical 17.Qe2 runs into a well-known idea: 17...a4! and in this way Black is 355

much faster and more efficient in breaking open the position around the opponent’s king. 18.c3 a3 19.b3 Ke7 And Black is already the one who can think of getting more out of the position.) 17...Ra8 18.Qc3? (Panic reaction! Much better is 18.Qd2 b4 19.Qe2 and the game goes on.) 18...Qxc3 19.bxc3 Ke7³ Negi, P (2480)-Nijboer, F (2598) Vissingem 2006. 16...b4

17.Bxh5 After 17.Nxh5 Be7 18.Bf3 f5 19.Ng3 Rg8 20.Rh3 a4

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we see that a very sharp, double-edged position has been created. White is a pawn up, but Black will activate his dark-squared bishop on the long diagonal and seek compensation in that way. Next could follow 21.h5 fxe4 22.Nxe4 d5 23.Nf2 a3 24.b3 Bf6∞. 17...Rg8 18.Rh3 a4 19.Bf3 a3 20.Nh5 Be7

21.f5! Only with energetic play can White fight for the advantage. After 21.b3 Qc5 22.g4 Black has 22...f5! 23.gxf5 exf5 24.exf5 Bd7!?∞. 21...axb2 A very interesting possibility is 21...Qa5!? 22.fxe6 Qe5 23.exf7+ Kxf7 24.Qd4 Ba4 25.b3 Bd7 26.Qxe5 (It looks promising for White to play 26.Rg3 Rxg3 27.Qxe5 fxe5 28.Nxg3 but Black has ways to keep the balance. 28...Bxh4 29.Rxd6 Ke7 30.Rxd7+ Kxd7 31.Bg4+ Kc6 32.Bxc8 Bxg3 33.c3 bxc3 34.Kc2 Be1 35.g4 Bd2 36.b4 Kb5 37.Kb3 Kb6 and with ...c3–c2 next the endgame is drawn.) 26...fxe5 27.Rhh1 Rc3 28.Rdf1 Ke8°

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A very interesting position where Black is two pawns down, but it is not clear how White can improve his position. Even engines give only a slight plus to White so we can conclude that Back has enough compensation for his material deficit. 22.fxe6 Ba4 23.exf7+ Kxf7 24.Nf4 Bxc2+ 25.Kxb2 Bxd1 26.Bxd1 Ke8

And we can see that a very unusual position has arisen, which is difficult to evaluate. White is certainly a little better but Black has a solid chance of holding the position. The defensive idea is to invade with the queen via g1 and with a counter-sacrifice of the exchange on g2 to liquidate to a position with opposite-coloured bishops. 4 358

12...h5 13.h4, 13.Qd3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nce2 h5

We now switch to what we believe is the main Black answer: 12...h5. The continuation 12.Nce2 which we are analysing in this chapter has been revived in recent years after a long quiet period. We see it more and more often in tournament practice. New ideas come particularly from the leaders of the white pieces, for example 13.h4 or 13.Qd3. That is why we have decided to work out this line separately to give you an overview of the newer events in our variation and to give some suggestions and recommendations to respond with Black. As we will see there are a lot of possibilities, and we have also tried to give you some new ideas that have yet to be played in tournaments. It’s up to you to choose the way of play that suits your ambitions and style. So let’s take a look at what’s awaiting us in this chapter. That we recommend this continuation does not necessarily mean that it is absolutely the best. Again we repeat, sometimes it is just a matter of taste and playing style to choose what kind of position you want to play in the game. The way some variations evolve over time as new ideas come to the fore is illustrated nicely by the line with 13.h4!? White wants to activate the kingside rook along the third rank as quickly as possible, and only then decide on the next phase of the plan. The idea is not harmless. A very popular continuation over the last few years is 13.Qd3, which doesn’t surprise too much because it is one of the main suggestions of the engine. The move looks a bit odd but engines have their 359

own logic. I believe the point is that White does not want to allow Black to play the manoeuvre ...Na5– c4 with gain of tempo. Also, White does not want to play g2–g3 because that would block the third rank, through which the rook on h1 can most quickly be activated. 13...0-0-0!?

GM Vovk’s move. (For some reason Black players have generally preferred 13...Ne7 here, but we like castling the most. White plays a move which is not a developing one and Black should exploit that gain of time to move his king to the queenside.) 14.g3 (We think the true test of the validity of Black’s idea is 14.f5, but after 14...Ne7!? 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Nb3 Kb8!? the position is unclear.) 14...Kb8 15.Bg2 Na5

White needs to be careful to avoid defining the position in the centre just yet. He could move, for example, 16.c3. (16.f5?! Activity at the wrong time! 16...e5 17.Nb3 Nc4 18.Nc3 Bc6 19.Qe2 Ne3 — Even stronger is the immediate 19...h4. — 20.Rd3 Bh6 21.a3 h4∞ Shankland, S (2648)-Vovk, A (2638) 360

Fagernes 2016.) 16...Bc8∞ 13...0-0-0 We have to say this is a very brave decision. Moving the king to the queenside when White’s rook is arriving very quickly at b3 looks quite scary! Black has a couple of other options: a) Korobov has tried 13...Rd8 with the idea of 14.Rh3 Bh6!?.

15.Nxc6 (More consistent was 15.Rb3!?.) 15...Bxc6 16.Re3 b4 17.g3 e5 (Black chooses a solid continuation, probably not wanting to sharpen things with 17...d5!? 18.Rd3 Bb5 19.Rd4 Bf8∞.) 18.Bg2 a5= Brkic, A (2587)-Korobov, A (2679) Plovdiv 2012. b) No one has ever tried 13...b4. The idea is to play useful moves from the usual Black plan and wait with the queenside rook since later a good opportunity for long castling may appear. 14.Rh3 a5

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15.Rd3 (At this moment engines prefer 15.c4, but we do not believe that Black is particularly in danger after 15...Nxd4 16.Nxd4 Rc8 17.Nb5 Bc6! 18.Re3 Qc5².) 15...Nxd4 16.Nxd4 a4„ 14.Rh3 Kb8 15.Nxc6+ Bxc6 16.Rb3

Black faces a tough decision. In a game it’s not easy to decide on taking the e4-pawn when it is clear that White will quickly try to destroy the pawn shelter around Black’s king. However, analysis has shown that Black can successfully defend. 16...Bxe4 16...d5 17.Nd4 Bb7 362

18.e5! Correct! There is no need to open the d-file. By blocking the centre White aims to play against Black’s bishop pair. 18...fxe5 19.fxe5², Solak, D (2624)-Ivanchuk, V (2729) Turkey 2017. Here Black should have played 19...Rc8. (Or 19...Qc7.) 17.a4 Bd5 18.Rb4 Bb7 19.axb5 d5 20.Rb3 a5 21.Nc3 Bb4∞

5 12...h5 13.Nxc6, 13.f5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nce2 h5 363

13.Nxc6!? This move, with which White envisages a well-known idea of a pawn sacrifice on e4, is very seldom seen. Very instructive was the way Black responded to 13.f5 Bh6 14.Qd3 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 e5 16.Ne2 in one game.

16...b4! We have seen this motif many times already. The pawn is not important if the queens are exchanged and Black’s bishops are activated. 17.Qxd6 Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Ke7 19.Rb6 a5 And White is the one who has to be very careful not to get into trouble, Malakhov, V (2613)-Atalik, S (2543) Bled 2001.

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13...Bxc6 14.f5

14...Bxe4 Best! In this position Black must take the pawn, since he can evacuate his king from the centre in one move by castling long. a) We have repeatedly mentioned that it is not consistent to go for the central blockade when White has the option to recapture with a piece after jumping his knight to the d5-square. Perhaps this advantage for White is not much, but it is safe and long-lasting. Personally I have tried to play in such a way and suffered a deserved defeat. So after 14...e5 15.Nc3 Rc8

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16.Nd5 (Given the fact that jumping to d5 could not be prevented, White could have quietly continued his development with, for example, 16.Be2.) 16...Bxd5 17.Qxd5 h4?! This creates unnecessary additional problems. (First of all, it was necessary to consolidate the queenside with 17...Rc5 18.Qb3 Qc6².) 18.a4!? bxa4 19.Bc4 Rh7 20.Rd3 Rb8 21.b3 Rc8 22.Rhd1± Balinov, I (2453)- Kozul, Z (2611) Mitropa Cup 2000. b) Dubious is 14...Qc5 15.fxe6 fxe6

16.Nd4! [A wrong idea now is 16.Nf4?! Bh6 17.Qxd6 (With a different move order this position was seen in Van Foreest, L (2350)-Gupta, A (2626) Hoogeveen 2016. 17.Nxe6 Bxd2 18.Nxc5 dxc5 19.Rxd2 Rd8 20.Rxd8+ Kxd8 21.Rg1=) 17...Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Bxf4 19.Rxc6 Kd7 20.Rc3² and although White is a pawn up, because of the opposite-coloured bishops Black should hold this position, Zhao, J (2531)Kotronias, V (2585) Moscow 2005.] 16...Bd7 17.g3± Chigaev, M (2474)-Chernov, M (2229) Kemerovo Cup 2013. 15.fxe6 15.Ng3 Bb7 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Bd3 0-0-0 18.Qe2

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Given that Black has moved his king to safety, now he could permit himself to weaken the light squares in the centre with 18...e5! 19.Nxh5 Kb8 20.Bf5 (Black will seize the initiative if White takes another pawn with 20.Nxf6 Be7 21.Ng4 Qc6ƒ.) 20...Qc6!ƒ. Again the same idea, Black has a great position. 15...fxe6 16.Nf4 Bh6

17.Bd3!? In this sort of position White can always be tempted by the idea of opening up the black king’s position with sacrifices. After 17.Qe2 d5

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out of the blue comes 18.Rxd5!! (White would get into difficulties in case of 18.Qxh5+ Ke7 19.Ng6+ Bxg6 20.Qxg6 Rag8 21.Qd3 Qe3³.) 18...exd5 19.Nxd5 Qd4 20.Qxe4+! Qxe4 21.Nxf6+ Ke7 22.Nxe4 h4∞ and the position is hard to evaluate. 17...Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Bxf4 19.Qe4

White regains the piece and continues a pawn down, but he has sufficient compensation in the form of open lines; he can harass Black’s king or attack one of his pawns. Yet on the board there are only heavy pieces left and Black can rightly count on keeping the balance. 19...Ke7!?

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This is already a matter of taste! Certainly one alternative is to whisk the king away from the centre with 19...0-0-0. 20.Qxf4 Rag8∞ Black has arranged his pieces so that the queen protects one wing and a couple of rooks the other one. This is the position where the real fight just begins and both White and Black can look for their chances. Engines philosophically give the evaluation of full equality, but the real truth we will see in tournament practice! 6 12...h5 13.g3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nce2 h5 13.g3

The last move we’ll check, and most played by far. 13...Na5 14.b3 Rb8!? 14...Rc8 15.Bg2

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15...Nc6 [Another line is 15...b4!? 16.Rhf1 Bg7 17.Nf3 Nb7. In an interesting way, Black arranges his pieces in anticipation of a strike in the centre. 18.e5! Bc6! The right reaction! 19.Ned4 Be4 20.Rfe1 Mastrovasilis, D (2574)- Kotronias, V (2599) Athens 2004. 20...d5! (In the game the weaker 20...f5 was played.) 21.exf6 Bxf6 22.f5 Nd6∞] 16.Rhf1

(A similar position also occurs in case of 16.Rhe1 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Qc5 18.Re3 h4 19.Rd3 hxg3 20.hxg3 b4∞ Paikidze, N (2411)-Jankovic, A (2568) Moscow 2012.) 16...h4 a) Playing with 16...Qa5 now is not the happiest solution since after 17.c3 370

17...Qb6?! (It’s better to exchange one pair of knights with 17...Nxd4 18.Qxd4 e5 19.Qa7 Rc7 20.Qe3=. Although engines evaluate this position as equal, it is my impression that it is still easier for White to play and slowly improve the positions of his pieces.) 18.f5 (We already know that the right answer is now 18.Nc2!± and the knight goes to e3, where it controls almost all the important squares on the board. After that, it is very difficult to organize normal counterplay for Black.) 18...Bh6 19.Qe1 Nxd4 20.Nxd4 e5 21.Nc2 a5 22.h4² Hjartarson, J (2565)-Yermolinsky, A (2610) Yerevan Olympiad 1996. b) 16...Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Qc5 18.Rf3 Bg7?! didn’t go well for Black:

19.c3 (White could have seized the moment and got the advantage after 19.b4! Qc7 20.Rd3±.) 19...a5 20.h4 0-0 21.Rd3∞ Svidler, P (2640)-Kozul, Z (2590) EU Tch 1997. 371

17.Nf3!

Most unpleasant for Black! White does not allow the knight exchange and is preparing to strike in the centre. The position is very delicate and Black must be precise. 17...hxg3 18.hxg3 b4 That’s certainly not the only move, but it virtually forces White’s next move since Black is threatening the ...Na7–b5 manoeuvre. 19.e5 Na7!?

This is the idea that I came up with at the board a long time ago in my game against Almasi. It was impossible to be sure during the game what the consequences would be, but subsequent analysis showed that Black can play in this way. In the aforementioned game White was very surprised by this response and reacted in a somewhat panicky fashion. A year later we again saw this position and White improved the play with 20.Ned4 372

[20.c4?! bxc3 21.Nxc3 Qb4! 22.Rc1 fxe5 23.Qe3

23...Rxc3! (Also good is 23...exf4 but the text move is the easiest way.) 24.Qxc3 Qxc3 25.Rxc3 Nb5 26.Rcc1 e4 27.Ng5 Almasi, Z (2665)-Kozul, Z (2585) Mitropa Cup 1999, and now the obvious 27...Rh2 28.Rf2 d5–+ was winning for Black.] 20...dxe5 21.fxe5

Pinter, G (2378)-Balogh, C (2356) Budapest 2000. Black should continue 21...Nb5 22.Nxb5 Bxb5 23.Nd4!? Rd8!∞. 15.Bg2 Nc4

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16.Qc1! The right answer, making life difficult for Black. Earlier White played the less precise 16.Qd3?! Na3+ 17.Kb2 b4 18.c4 Bg7 19.Nf3 0-0 20.Qxd6 Qf2!

Nunn, J (2610)-Damljanovic, B (2585) Belgrade 1991. 21.Qxd7 Rbd8 22.Qxd8 Rxd8 23.Rxd8+ Kh7? (Black loses his great advantage. The best answer was 23...Bf8! 24.Re1 Qxg2 25.Rd3 Bc5µ. And compared to the game, there is a big difference — Black’s bishop on c5 enables him to keep the advantage.) 24.Re1 Qxg2 25.Rd3= 16...e5 374

a) If Black wants a quiet game, he can always return to a tested recipe with 16...Na5 because his ...Rb8 move is certainly not less useful than White’s Qc1. b) At this moment there is an opportunity for a positional piece sacrifice, if you are in the mood for a tough game with a high level of risk. 16...d5!? 17.bxc4 bxc4+ 18.Ka1

18...e5 Only this way! For the piece Black has only one pawn so he must play energetically. 19.fxe5 (Events on the board will calm down somewhat after 19.Nf5 d4 20.c3 Qa5 21.Qd2 Bxf5 22.exf5 d3 23.Bc6+ Ke7. White’s best now is probably to return the piece after 24.Qe3 Qb6 25.Qxb6 Rxb6 26.Bf3 dxe2 27.Bxe2 Bh6². While White stands somewhat better, Black should have no problem holding this endgame with opposite-coloured bishops.) 19...fxe5 20.exd5 exd4 21.Nxd4 Bg7 22.Rhe1+ Kf8 23.Qa3+ Kg8 24.c3

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24...Rh6!? It is not easy to evaluate this position. White is a healthy pawn up, but the black king is safer and the powerful bishop on g7 should guarantee that Black has good chances in further play. (Quite possible is even 24...Bf8 25.d6 Rh6.) 17.Nf5

17...Qf2! 18.bxc4 bxc4+ 19.Ka1 Qxg2 20.Nc3 Bxf5 The queen must get back to bolster the defence as soon as possible. 21.exf5 Qc6 22.Nd5 Be7 23.c3 Bd8 24.Rd2 Kf8 25.Rhd1=

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The resulting position is completely equal. Black’s pawn deficit is meaningless, simply because neither White nor Black can significantly improve their position.

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Chapter 6 The Kozul Variation with 12.Nf5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf5

Contents

1. 12...exf5 13.Nd5 -2. 12...exf5 13.Nd5 Qd8 14.exf5 Bg7 15.Qe2+, 15.Qe3+ 3. 12...exf5 13.Nd5 Qd8 14.exf5 Bg7 15.Re1 1 12...exf5 13.Nd5 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf5!?

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12...exf5! a) It is not advisable for Black to ignore the white knight on f5, since after 12...Rd8? White can insist on a piece sacrifice with 13.e5! (13.Nxd6+ is less principled, though it yields White some advantage. 13...Bxd6 14.Qxd6 Bc8 15.Qa3 b4 (In a similar position after 12...0-0-0 this move is not possible since the black pawn on a6 is not defended and White can simply play Qxa6.) 16.Rxd8+ Nxd8 17.Qb3 Qd4 18.Ne2 Qxe4 19.Nc1²) 13...d5 Forced. (13...dxe5?? is a terrible blunder and loses on the spot to 14.Ne4.)

But White still does not care about his hanging knight on f5 and opens the e-file towards the black king in the centre with 14.exf6!. Now Black is forced — in considerably worse circumstances — to take the 379

f5-knight after all. 14...exf5 15.Nxd5 Qb7 White has a tremendous attack, and the most precise execution seems to be 16.Qe2+! Be6 17.g4.

And White gets a winning attack. b) If Black flees with his king to the queenside with 12...0-0-0? he simply does not have enough compensation for the sacrificed pawn: 13.Nxd6+ Bxd6 14.Qxd6±. 13.Nd5

13...Qa7!?

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A typical retreat by the black queen. Black wants to protect his rook on a8, while also keeping his queen safe from different geometrical motifs. His problem is that his king remains in the centre. a) 13...Qc5 is dangerous for both sides. It’s logical in a way, as the knight on a8 will be trapped and Black is placing its queen on an active square. But after 14.Nc7+ Kd8 15.Nxa8 fxe4

16.c4!! with the idea of Qc3, we believe Black has problems. b) 13...Qb7 is the move played in the Filippov-Gupta stem game, which continued 14.Nxf6+ Kd8 15.e5

15...Be6 (Filippov certainly came to the same conclusions as us (that White is better here!) as he 381

repeated the same line a few years later and booked an easy win after 15...Rc8 16.exd6 Be6 17.g4 Bg7 18.Nh5 Rg8 19.gxf5 Bxf5 20.Bd3 Bg4 21.Nxg7 Bxd1 22.Rxd1 Rxg7 23.Qc3 Rg8 24.Bxh7 1–0 Filippov, A (2584)-Deepan Chakkravarthy, J (2482) Subic Bay 2009.) 16.g4! is an improvement Filippov probably had in mind! (That stem game continued 16.Be2 and after 16...Rc8 17.exd6 Qb6 18.d7 Rb8 Black was better and went on to win in Filippov, A (2478)-Gupta, A (2404) Hyderabad 2005.) 16...h5 17.gxf5 Bxf5 18.Rg1 With the black king stuck in the centre, White’s attack is worth more than a piece here. 14.Nxf6+ Kd8 15.exf5 A critical moment for Black to decide on his further play.

He has many options. White has sufficient compensation in the form of Black’s exposed king and lack of piece coordination. White can also explore 15.e5 Be6 with unclear consequences. 15...Be7 Immediately attacking the white knight is one of the logical human moves for Black here. White keeps dangerous compensation in complicated play. Let’s look at some other moves. a) 15...Bxf5? Collecting the white pawn is a bad idea for Black, as his prime concern here should be his development and piece coordination. After the logical 16.g4 with Bg2 to follow, Black’s situation looks bad. b) 15...h5!? This move stops White’s g4 pawn advance and allows the black rook to enter the fray via the h6-square. 16.Qd5 Be7

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17.Ne4 White prefers not to exchange pieces. (However, White does have compensation also in the case of 17.Nxd7!? Qxd7 18.f6 Bf8 19.Bd3°.) 17...Nb4 18.Qb3 (Being greedy with 18.Qxf7? allows Black to get active with 18...Qe3³.) 18...d5 19.f6 Bf8 20.Ng5 Bg4 21.Rd2

Black’s king is still in the centre, and he has too many vulnerable pieces. His situation is serious. 21...Bd6 22.Be2ƒ It is not easy for Black to hold his position together. (Still, it is good to know is that 22.a3? runs into a standard Sicilian-type motif: 22...Re8! 23.axb4? Re1+ 24.Ka2 a5 and Black wins.) c) 15...Qc5!? 16.g4 Bg7

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17.Qxd6 (17.Nd5!? Re8 18.Bg2∞) 17...Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Bxf6 19.Rxf6 Ke7 We see a big mess, where White has a little pressure after 20.g5 or 20.Rh6!?. 16.Ne4 White aims to collect the black pawn on d6 and re-establish material equality. a) 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 Perhaps this is less principled for White, as he has exchanged off his dangerous knight, but he keeps an initiative and that is probably worth his sacrificed material. (16...Kxd7? 17.f6 Bf8 18.Qd5±) b) 16.Nd5, with g4 and Bg2 to follow, is another principled decision for White, leading to a position that is not easy to analyse or play. White definitely has compensation. Back to 16.Ne4.

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16...Kc7 This looks very risky for Black, but it seems to work. a) 16...Re8 Now White is probably best advised to refrain from an immediate capture on d6 and calmly continue his development with 17.Be2!ƒ to be followed by Bf3 and Nc3. White keeps the initiative. (17.Nxd6 Bxd6 18.Qxd6 Kc8 19.g3 Qc7 should be drawish.) b) If 16...f6!? White should continue to build up his initiative with 17.g4! (17.Nxd6 is also dangerous for Black.) 17...Qc7 18.Bg2ƒ with dangerous pressure. 17.Nxd6 Black is walking a tightrope here! 17.f6 does not achieve White’s desired effect after 17...Bf8 18.Ng5 (If 18.Nxd6 Black defends with 18...Bg4 19.Bxb5 Rd8 20.Qc3 Bxd1! 21.Qxc6+ Kb8³) 18...Be8∞ Back to 17.Nxd6.

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17...Rhf8!! Amazingly, the white knight does not have a deadly jump! a) 17...Qd4 leads to a better ending for White: 18.Qxd4 Nxd4 19.Nxf7±. b) Getting active with 17...Qc5 does not provide enough compensation for Black after White grabs material with 18.Nxf7 Bxf5 19.Nxh8±. c) 17...Rad8 18.Nxf7 Bxf5 19.Nxd8 Rxd8 20.Bd3± 18.Bxb5 18.Nxb5+ axb5 19.Qxd7+ Kb6 20.Qxa7+ Rxa7„ leads to an endgame where Black has active play and is not worse. 18...Rad8!„

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Black’s king is safe here. Black has good piece coordination and might take over the initiative. 2 12...exf5 13.Nd5 Qd8 14.exf5 Bg7 15.Qe2+, 15.Qe3+ 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf5!? exf5! 13.Nd5 Qd8!

Black’s best reply here, in our opinion. He prepares for his king to escape to the kingside! With the black king on the kingside, White’s attacking ideas become limited to a direct attack on that side of the 387

board, and Black has enough resources to handle such an attack. Other queen moves allow White to keep the black king in the centre, when his strong — often devastating — attack provides sufficient compensation. 14.exf5 Bg7 Black is ready to castle so it is probably clever for White to give a check on the e-file to prevent castling, before taking further decisions. 14...Be7? may initially look smart for Black, as he is now certain to castle, but the bishop on e7 is badly placed and Black’s position is very passive after 15.g4 0-0 16.Bg2 Rc8 17.Rhe1±. 15.Qe2+!? This move has its logic — White prevents Black’s plan to castle, while keeping his rook on the d-file. We will check the main move 15.Re1 in the next subchapter, while 15.g4 does allow 15...0-0, making it easy for Black to connect his pieces. 15.Qe3+!?

Creating the possibility 0f a Nb6 jump is an interesting idea for White. 15...Kf8 16.Nb6 (16.g4 is met with the usual 16...h5!.) Black should be careful here. The calm 16...Rb8! is the correct way for Black to proceed. [The active 16...Bxf5 is likely to land Black in trouble. 17.Nxa8! (The tactical 17.Bd3 does not work for White due to 17...Rb8 18.Bxf5 Rxb6 19.Rxd6 Qxd6 20.Qxb6 Qd5!. This tempo-winning move leads to Black’s advantage: 21.Bd3 Bh6.) 17...Nb4

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This kind of play by Black may suit many Sicilian players, but White has some strong resources here! 18.Rc1! leads to an advantage for White. (18.Rd2 isn’t clear: 18...Nxc2. White wants to play Qc3. 19.Rxc2 — or 19.Qb6 Nb4+ 20.Ka1 Nc2+ with a draw — 19...Bxc2+ 20.Kxc2 Qxa8∞.) 18...Qxa8 (The point behind 18.Rc1 is that on 18...Nxc2 White now plays 19.Qc3! and Black does not have a good discovered check with his knight. 19...b4 20.Qd2 Na3+ 21.Ka1 Qxa8 Here White should not be afraid of ghosts and should take the knight. 22.bxa3! bxa3 23.Bc4ƒ The open h8–a1 diagonal with the black bishop on g7 looks scary for White, but Black needs to castle to have a real attack here and in reality White is better!) 19.Qd2

19...Qe4 (19...a5 20.Bxb5ƒ) White has here a strong tactical solution in 20.g4!!ƒ Bg6 21.Bxb5! and 21...axb5? loses to 22.Rhe1 since after 22...Qc4? Black gets caught in a mating net: 23.Qxd6+ Kg8 389

24.Re8+ Bf8 25.Qxf8#.] 17.Nxd7+ Qxd7 18.Qa3 Kg8!

Though White may collect a few pawns, Black will meanwhile coordinate his forces and activate them. Then he will not be worse. 15...Kf8

16.g4 Defending the f5-pawn and preparing to deploy his bishop to g2 is a standard development plan for 390

White here. 16.Qh5 is a standard Sicilian attacking move for White in similar positions. White’s queen stops Black’s “liberating” ...h5 move and at the same time hits the vital f7-square. However, White is just a tempo short here. (If White was to move in the position, he would play g2–g4, and this would have been a very very different story!) 16...Ne7 17.Be2 (or 17.Nxe7 Qxe7 18.Be2 Bxf5!) 17...Bxf5! 18.Nxe7 Qxe7! 19.Qxf5 (19.Bf3 Be4µ) 19...Qxe2

20.Rhe1 (20.Rxd6 Re8³) 20...Qf2! 21.a3 Kg8 22.Re7 Qxg2µ White has no adequate compensation here. 16...Ne7 Black wants to exchange off White’s active knight on d5. 17.Bg2 Nxd5

391

White does not have enough dynamic power here to put Black in real danger. It is important to note that the passive position of Black’s g7-bishop is only of a temporary nature! 18.Bxd5 18.Rxd5 leads to positions where objectively the most that White can hope for is to escape with a draw. 18...Bc6 19.Rd3 Qd7 20.Rhd1 Re8 21.Bxc6 Qxc6 22.Qd2

22...Rd8 (Our standard Black counterplay plan 22...h5 probably leads to a drawish endgame here. 23.Rxd6 Qe4 24.g5 fxg5 25.f6 Qxf4 26.Qc3 Qe5 27.fxg7+ Kxg7 28.R1d5 Qxc3 29.Rxg5+ Kf8 30.bxc3 Re6!=) 23.Qa5 (23.Rxd6 Qxd6 24.Qxd6+ Rxd6 25.Rxd6 is better for Black after 25...h5.) 23...Rd7 White has pressure, but with only his heavy pieces left it is objectively difficult for him to 392

achieve anything more than a draw. 24.h4 h6 (The standard 24...h5!? is possible here as well. 25.g5 Kg8³) 25.Rc3 Qb7 26.Ra3 Kg8µ White is probably forced to take on a6, which leads to a queen exchange and leaves him fighting for survival. 18...Rc8

White’s general problem here is that the knight exchange has cost him a big part of his dynamic power. Yes, White does have pressure, but it’s difficult for him to increase the pressure since the white pieces are already almost all on their best squares. Black will slowly develop and coordinate his pieces, while White has only one pawn for the piece and his compensation (in most of the lines anyway) is at best worth enough for a draw. 19.Rhe1 Black has to go for his standard active plan here. a) 19.Rde1 has the point of keeping another white rook active on the kingside. 19...h5! This standard Sicilian move, activating the h8-rook, is often a good idea for Black in these positions (19...Bc6 exchanging off White’s last light piece is logical, but after 20.Bxc6 Rxc6 21.h4! it may take Black a long time to activate his h8-rook and g7-bishop, as 21...h5 is answered by 22.g5.) 20.Rhg1 hxg4 21.Qxg4 Rh7µ Black has defended solidly and White cannot generate any further threats. b) 19.Bb3 Qc7³ is not dangerous for Black, since if White is to collect the black pawn on d6, it will lead to a queen exchange. c) In reply to the 19.h4 pawn push, Black reacts with 19...h5µ. (It is important that Black’s d7-bishop is hitting the white f5-pawn, preventing White’s 20.g5 move.) Back to 19.Rhe1.

393

19...h5! Black is in time with his counterplay! 19...Bc6, exchanging off the light squared bishops, may look clever for Black, but after 20.Bxc6 Rxc6 21.Rd3 White keeps pressure, White’s f5-pawn is no longer under attack and Black’s standard liberating move 21...h5? is can now be answered by 22.g5±. 20.Bb3 Bc6 21.gxh5

21...Qd7! 394

21...Bh6?! allows the tactical shot 22.Bxf7! Rc7 (or 22...Bxf4 23.Qg4ƒ) 23.Be6 and White’s e6-bishop is a monster. 23...Bxf4 24.Rg1 Be5 25.h6 Black has to be careful here. 22.Qg4 d5µ White’s attack has been stopped, and Black has a large material advantage. 3 12...exf5 13.Nd5 Qd8 14.exf5 Bg7 15.Re1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf5!? exf5! 13.Nd5 Qd8! 14.exf5 Bg7 15.Re1+ Kf8

White is at a crossroads here and has to choose between an immediate bishop development or a standard kingside pawn advance. A well-prepared Black player has neither to fear. 16.Bd3 Another logical continuation for White is 16.g4. After depriving Black of his right to castle, White goes for his standard kingside pawn advance. Black can (and probably should) however be ambitious and start with his standard h-file counterplay, activating his h8-rook with 16...h5. (White’s problem to start with in this position is that if Black is not ambitious it is difficult for White to find anything better than a draw after 16...Qa5. White’s best move now is probably 17.Nc3 (Worse for White is 17.c3?! due to Black’s standard counterplay 17...h5 and Black is better.) but after 17...Qc7 18.Nd5 Qa5 we reach a move repetition.) 17.Bg2 (17.Bd3? is bad for White due to the simple 17...hxg4 18.Rhg1 Nd4!µ.) 17...Rc8 18.h3

395

White has some temporary pressure, but it is not easy for him to improve his position and generate real threats. Therefore White should consider himself lucky to be able to bale out with a draw here. 18...hxg4! is a logical and important move as Black is either generating h-file counterplay or exchanging a pair of rooks. a) 18...Qa5 is in general a good idea for Black counterplay in these positions. Here, however, White has an adequate counter based on his threats along the g1–a7 diagonal. 19.Qf2! Rb8 (19...Nb4? is a blunder due to 20.Nxb4 Qxb4 21.Qa7+– and White wins at least a piece.) 20.g5 Nb4

21.Nxb4! (21.Qa7? leads to Black’s advantage after the more or less forced 21...Qxa2+ 22.Kc1 Rc8! 23.Nxb4 Qa1+ 24.Kd2 Qxb2 25.Qxd7 Qxb4+ 26.Kc1 Qxf4+ 27.Kb1 Qb4+ 28.Kc1.

396

Here Black does not have to repeat moves, but can obtain a superior position with 28...Qc3! 29.Bc6 Qa1+ 30.Kd2 Qa5+ 31.Kd1 Qd8 32.Qb7 Rxc6 33.Qxc6 fxg5. Black is better here due to the fact that his king is safer than White’s.) 21...Qxb4 22.Qa7 Re8! 23.Rxe8+ Bxe8 24.a3

The game is likely to end peacefully after 24...Qc5 25.Qb8 Qxf5 26.Bc6 Qe6 27.Bxe8 Qxe8 28.Qxd6+ Qe7 (28...Kg8? 29.gxf6) 29.Qb8+ Qe8 30.Qd6+ Qe7=. b) An attempt to weaken the dark squares around the white king after 18...Na5 19.b3 Nc6 loses too much time for Black and after 20.Re2!

397

White either doubles his rooks on the e-file or moves his h1-rook to the d-file, generating dangerous compensation due to the important fact that 20...hxg4 does not solve Black’s problems here. (It is useful to mention that an immediate 20.Nb6 gets White nowhere, as Black has not yet taken ...hxg4 and the h-file is still closed. 20...Qxb6 21.Qxd6+ Kg8 22.Qxd7 Qc7) 20...hxg4 looks (arguably) the most logical for Black, but White has a tactical solution. (In the case of 20...a5?! White has to decide how to place his rooks and here 21.Rd1! poses problems for Black. 21...b4 With this pawn advance, the c4square has become a perfect post for the white knight! 22.Ne3! Rerouting the knight to the excellent post on c4 is strong for White due to a tactical solution. 22...Qc7 23.Nc4 Na7 24.Nxd6 Nb5 25.Nxc8 Nc3+ It may seem everything to be going Black’s way, but White has another strong queen sacrifice here!

398

26.Qxc3! And after 26...bxc3 27.Re7! Qxc8 28.Rexd7 Ke8 29.R7d4!± White will get his sacrificed material back, leaving Black facing a prolonged fight for a draw.) 21.Nb6! Qxb6 22.Qxd6+ Kg8 23.Qxd7∞ Now Black has to be careful. The potentially open h-file, resulting from Black’s 20...hxg4, is clearly working for White now. 19.hxg4 (Black is also better in the case of 19.Nb6 Qxb6 20.Qxd6+ Kg8 21.Qxd7 Rc7³.) 19...Rxh1 20.Bxh1 (20.Rxh1? is bad for White since it allows 20...Ne7!µ.) 20...Na5!³

With ...Bc6 to follow, Black is continuing to exchange off the white pieces, further diminishing White’s attacking chances. White still does have some pressure, but with a relatively limited number of pieces left on the board, White has compensation for a draw at most. Yes, Black can go wrong in these lines and indeed fall under attack, but against a well-prepared Black player White is the one taking the risk! The game could continue 21.b3 Bc6 22.Ne7 Rc7 23.Bxc6 Rxe7 (23...Nxc6? 24.Nd5‚when g5 is coming.) 24.Rxe7 Kxe7 25.Bd5 Qc7 26.Qe3+ Kf8 27.Qe4 Qe7 28.Qd4 Nb7µ. 16...Qa5! The main idea behind this move is to either take action to the queenside or weaken White’s king position. Our usual h-pawn advance idea now proves too slow for Black; after all, White has not played g4 yet. 16...h5

399

17.Be4 Rc8 18.Re3 Na5 (18...Qa5 is now not nearly so good for Black, since White can play 19.Qd1 with the initiative. Now 19...Nb4?? drops a piece to 20.Ra3!+–; 18...Bh6 19.Rhe1ƒ looks good for White.) 19.b3ƒ and Black’s knight manoeuvre is too slow: 19...Nb7 20.Ne7! Rc7

21.Bd5! This is an improvement on the existing theory! Black cannot coordinate his pieces here. (One game continued 21.Rhe1?! Bh6 22.g3? (22.Nd5!) 22...Qxe7 23.Bxb7 Qd8 24.Qxd6+ Kg7 25.Re7 Rxb7 26.Qd5 Rf8 27.Qxb7 Bxf5. Black was better and went on to win in Radulski, J (2516)Nevednichy, V (2577) Kavala 2008.) 21...Nc5 (21...Bh6 22.Qd4 Bg7 23.Rhe1+–) 22.Rhe1 Rh6 23.b4 Na4 24.Bb3+– Back to 16...Qa5.

400

17.b4 A logical move. White does indeed weaken his king position, but he also wins time! a) 17.Qd1 allows 17...Nb4! 18.Nc3 d5 (Also possible is 18...Rd8.) 19.a3 Nxd3 20.Qxd3 b4!?„ and Black is fine. (An alternative is 20...Bc6.) b) 17.Qe2? is bad for White since it allows the simple 17...Re8µ with tempo gain for Black. c) In the case of 17.c3 b4 Black wins liberation and gets an advantage. 18.Be4 (18.Nxb4? Nxb4 19.cxb4 Qd5!µ with ...Bxf5 or ...Bb5 to follow.) 18...bxc3 19.Nxc3 d5³

401

White is faces the unpleasant prospect of allowing a queen trade (after 20.Qxd5). 17...Qd8

Black has invested two tempi in order to weaken the white king position and generate queenside attack possibilities for himself (18...a5 being Black’s main idea). 18.c3 White wants to consolidate his queenside pawn structure. a) Black is fine in the case of 18.Re3 a5!. Black continues with his main counterplay idea. 19.Bxb5 (If 19.Be4 Black can calmly (before opening the a-file with ...axb4) first bring his h8-took into play. 19...Kg8 20.Rhe1 h6³) 19...Nxb4!

402

20.a4 (20.Bxd7 Qxd7 21.Nb6 is good for Black after 21...Qb5 22.Qxd6+ Kg8µ and Black threatens a discovered check (...Nd3) and mate (...Qb2).) 20...Bxb5! is an excellent move though it requires precision from Black in the moves to come. [The apparently logical 20...Bxf5 is not Black’s best, as White keeps a strong initiative after 21.Rhe1! (Collecting the black queen is not good for White after 21.Re8+?! Qxe8 22.Bxe8 Rxe8 23.Nxb4 axb4 24.g4!? (otherwise 24...h5) 24...Bxg4 25.Qxd6+ Kg8µ

with ...h5 to follow. The black pieces will be coordinated and strong, while White’s passed a-pawn is not that dangerous after all.) 21...Be6 22.Nxb4 axb4 White here has to continue with the principled

403

23.Rxe6!! fxe6 24.Rxe6. Black is a full rook up, but on account of his open king and piece-coordination problems, the result of the fight is fully open!] 21.axb5 Qd7! 22.Rhe1

22...Rc8! Black is calmly creating counterplay. (22...Rb8? is a mistake due to 23.Re7 Qxb5 24.Nc7!+– and White has a mating threat on e8.) 23.Ne7 Probably the best move for White. (23.b6 Nxc2!–+; 23.Nxb4 Qxb5!µ; 23.Nb6 looks logical but after 23...Qxb5 24.Qxd6+ Kg8 25.Rb3 White does not achieve the desired effect, since Black has 25...Rf8!³. With his king safe, Black threatens to collect the white pawn on f5. After White defends his f5-pawn with 26.g4 Black goes for his standard counterplay, bring his h8-rook into the game. 26...h5! 27.h3 hxg4 28.hxg4

404

28...Rh3!–+ and Black wins!) 23...Qxb5

Black threatens ...Nd3 discovered check with ...Qb2# to follow, forcing White to enter the following tactical sequence. 24.c4! Rxc4! 25.Ng6+ hxg6 26.Re8+ Qxe8 27.Qxd6+ Kg8 28.Rxe8+ Kh7³. White has collected the black queen, but Black has pretty much everything else. White faces a tough fight for a draw. b) 18.g4 a5 19.c3 transposes to our main line. 18...a5! Immediate direct action on the queenside is probably Black’s best here.

405

a) An alternative for Black is 18...h5!? stopping White’s kingside pawn advance and after 19.Rhg1 starting queenside counterplay with 19...a5„. The position is unclear. b) An attempt at artificial castling with 18...h6?! 19.g4 Kg8 20.Re3 Kh7? is not good for Black, since White gets a mating attack after 21.g5 Re8 22.Rh3+–. 19.g4

19...axb4 20.cxb4 Now Black goes for his standard plan, seen in many of our lines here, activating his h8-rook. 20...h5!

406

21.gxh5 21.g5? only activates Black’s bishop: 21...fxg5 22.fxg5 Be5. 21...Rxh5 Black’s king is well placed on f8 and it would be a mistake to transport his monarch to “safety” at h8. 21...Rh7?! 22.Rhg1 Kg8 23.Re3 White now triples on the g-file, developing a strong attack. 23...Kh8 24.Qg2± 22.Rhg1 Ra3!

407

Black achieves activity and threatens ...Rxd3!. 23.Bc2 a) 23.Bxb5? loses to 23...Bxf5+ 24.Ka1 (or 24.Kb2 Qa8 25.Bc4 Qa7!–+ with 26...Bd3! to follow.) 24...Bd7 and now 25.Qg2

loses to the spectacular 25...Rg5!!–+. Black’s g7-bishop enters the fray in full force! 26.fxg5 fxg5+ 27.Kb1 Bf5+ 28.Kc1 Ne5 Black has a winning attack. b) If 23.Be4 Black calmly defends with 23...Rh7 24.Rg4 Rah3 25.Reg1 Ne7! 26.Nxe7 Qxe7 and gets a winning position.

408

23...Rh7 Black is ambitious here! On 23...Rah3 White is forced to find a narrow path to a draw with 24.Rxg7! Kxg7 25.Qg2+ Kh6 26.Rg1 Qh8

27.Nxf6 Qxf6 (Avoiding the draw with 27...Ne7 can be asking for trouble for Black after 28.Ng4+ Kh7 29.Re1.) 28.Qg8 Bxf5 29.Qf8+ Kh7 30.Qg8+= With a perpetual check. 24.Rg4

Black has here two good options. 409

24...Bc8 With the idea of activating the light-squared bishop to b7, an unpleasant plan for White. 24...Rah3 is also good for Black, probably leading in a better ending. 25.Reg1 Ne7 (If 25...R3h5 White can play the tricky 26.h3!? and after 26...Rxf5 27.Qg2! Rxd5 28.Bxh7 Bxg4 29.Qxg4 Black has to agree to a move repetition: 29...Bh6 30.Qh4 Bg7 31.Qg4.) 26.Nxe7

26...Rxh2 (26...Qxe7 27.Re1!) 27.Qxd6 Qxe7 28.Qxe7+ Kxe7 29.Rxg7 Rxg7 30.Rxg7 Rf2 Black is a bit better, but the game is likely to be drawn. 25.Qg2 Nd4! The logical-looking 25...Bb7 runs into a strong queen sacrifice in 26.Rg1 Ne7 27.Rxg7 Bxd5

410

28.Rxh7! Bxg2 29.Rh8+ Ng8 30.Rxg2 Ke7 31.Rgxg8 Qd7 32.Rb8ƒ In practical play it is definitely easier to be White here. 26.Rg1 Nxf5

Now White moves his king away from a possible check on f5, and threatens Bxf5. 27.Ka1! Black, however, has a strong response at his disposal. 27...Ng3!! 411

Doing everything to push ...f6–f5. 28.Rxg3 Rxg3 29.hxg3 f5+ 30.Kb1 Be6³

In human practical play this position is easier to play with Black. White’s king is open and he has to be very careful. If Black prefers a riskless better ending instead he can choose the 24...Rah3 line. What are our conclusions on White’s 12.Nf5 sacrifice? It is a standard Sicilian-type sacrifice forcing Black to solve a number of defensive dilemmas. However, a well-prepared Black player can, we believe, force White to look for a drawish bale-out.

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Chapter 7 The Kozul Variation with 12.Nf3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3

Contents

1. 12...b4 13.Ne2 -2. 12...b4 13.Ne2 h5 3. 12...b4 13.Ne2 a5 4. 12...b4 13.Ne2 a5 1 12...b4 13.Ne2 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3!?

413

A very dangerous line. As we said in the previous chapter, it is much more dangerous for Black with the moves Kb1 and ...Qb6 included. Now, Black faces the e4–e5 threat. 12...b4 13.Ne2 Now Black has arrived at a big junction. Which road to choose? In this first subchapter we’ll quickly investigate moves that we do not recommend, just to give you general ideas about the line. These ideas are useful for the general understanding of the position, or if you want to try 12.Nf3 for the White side. The rest of the chapters will be about our two suggestions: 13...h5!? and 13...a5!?. 13.Na4?! is risky due to 13...Qa5 as was seen in a correspondence game which went 14.b3 Na7!

(a typical manoeuvre!) 15.c3 Rb8 16.Qd4 Qc7 17.cxb4 Bxa4 18.bxa4 Qd7 19.Rc1 Be7 20.b5 axb5 414

21.a5 0-0 22.e5 Nc6 23.Qc3 Rfc8 24.exf6 Bd8 25.Nd2 Kf8 26.Qa3 Bxf6 27.Ne4 b4 28.Qa4 Bh8–+ and Black was winning in Krzyzanowski, A (2263)-Walters, G (2343) ICCF 2009. 13...Qc5 This also fails to bring equality. a) 13...Rc8?

Always an attractive Sicilian move, as we were taught in our childhood, yet in this position it is a complete waste of time! White has two options to claim a serious advantage. 14.e5 (14.Ng3!? also does the job as we can see from the following World Champion game. 14...h5 15.e5! f5 16.exd6 Bg7 17.Bc4 Kf8 18.Bb3 Qb5 19.Qe2 Nb8 20.Qe3 Nc6 21.Ne2 a5 22.c4! bxc3 23.Nxc3 Qb4 24.Na4 Nb8 25.Ne5 Bxa4 26.Rd4 Qb6 27.Bxa4 And soon White converted his decisive advantage in Spassky, B-Cappello, G, Lugano 1968.) 14...fxe5 15.fxe5 d5 16.Ng3±

415

With an overwhelming advantage for White, who is threatening to transfer his knight to the kingside with Nh5 or even to the centre with Ne4. b) Since White is missing his dark-squared bishop it is very tempting to launch the queen into the White camp. 13...Qf2?! However, that works only if Black can force the exchange of queens.

14.f5 Probably the best option for White. b1) As we have already mentioned, Black should always watch out for 14.e5!? fxe5 15.fxe5 d5 16.Qf4ƒ and Black still has some problems to solve. (Or even 16.Qg5.) b2) 14.Ng3?! Now Black’s idea has been justified! 14...Qxd2 15.Nxd2 Na5 To stop Nc4. 16.Be2= The position is equal, yet Black lost it amazingly quickly! 16...Bc6 17.Nh5 Be7 18.Bf3 Bd8 19.Rhe1

416

Ke7 20.Nf1 Bb6 21.Ne3 Bxe3 22.Rxe3

22...Nc4? Forgetting about the e5-motif! (Black is perfectly fine after 22...Rab8.) 23.Rb3! Rab8 24.e5! fxe5? 25.Bxc6 Na5 26.fxe5 dxe5? 27.Rd7+ Kf8 28.Rf3 f5 29.Bd5 Suetin, A (2525)-Spassov, L (2480) Sochi 1977. b3) White can also ignore Black’s queen raid and play 14.Qd3!? asking what will Black do if I proceed with the Ng3 plan? 14...e5

And after this normal Black reaction White can play the strong 15.Qd3!± with the unpleasant idea of Nd2–c4. (15.Qd5 gives Black precious time to retreat the queen with 15...Qc5„.) 15...Qc5 16.Nc1 417

Rg8 17.Nb3 Qb6 18.Nfd2! Rd8 19.Nc4 Qb7 20.Qh3! And White was already winning in Hay, T (2350)-Maninang, R (2310), Sydney 1979. c) Usually we don’t go for long castling if the centre is not defined. 13...0-0-0?! 14.f5ƒ (Or 14.g3!?.) Back to 13...Qc5.

14.Ng3 a) 14.Ned4?! This jump to the centre usually gives Black an easy game. 14...Nxd4 15.Nxd4 a5 16.h4 a4 17.Rh3 h5 18.c3 b3

19.axb3? Playing with fire. Now Black gets serious counterplay along the a-file. 19...axb3 20.Nxb3 418

Qa7‚ 21.c4 Qb7 22.Qd4? e5–+ And Black was winning in Panchanathan, M (2494)- Fedorowicz, J (2493) Parsippany 2006. b) Very sharp play developed in one game after 14.f5!? h5. White was the side who was pressing. (14...a5!? is the normal alternative.) 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.g3 Ne5 17.Nfd4 Nc4 18.Qd3 e5

19.Nf4! What a fun move! 19...Nxb2 20.Kxb2 exf4 21.gxf4 Bh6 22.Qg3ƒ Weinstein, N (2475)Browne, W (2545) Lone Pine 1977. 14...Be7 On 14...h5 White has the annoying 15.e5! leading to the forced line 15...f5! 16.exd6 h4 17.Ne2 Rd8!. After 18.Nc1 Black still has some problems to solve. 15.Be2

419

15...0-0-0 15...a5 16.e5 d5 17.exf6 looks better for White. 16.Rc1! A typical move, with the idea of playing c3 next. This is especially unpleasant for Black if he castles long. 16.Bxa6+? Kc7

Now Black develops serious counterplay along the a-file. 17.Qe2 Ra8 18.Bc4 Na5 and Black was fine 420

in Dzhumaev, M (2489)-Faizulaev, A (2341) Tashkent 2011 although he soon went wrong and lost. 2 12...b4 13.Ne2 h5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3!? b4 13.Ne2 h5!?

As we have already seen, this move is sometimes useful when the bishop is still on f8, waiting for the right moment to be developed to h6. On the other hand, it can become a weakness after h2–h4 by White. In this position, the main drawback of this move is that it’s not a developing one. Nevertheless, it’s perfectly playable. For 13...a5 see the next two subchapters. 14.e5!? As a rule, action on the flank should be met by action in the centre! 14.Ned4 Rc8 15.g3 is not dangerous for Black. 15...Nxd4 (Black opted for the cautious 15...Be7 16.h3 a5 17.Nb5 Rd8 18.Be2 Bc8 19.g4 d5 20.e5² in Wang, H (2360)-Blehm, P (2599), Washington 2006.) 16.Nxd4 h4 17.Rg1 a5 18.gxh4 Rc5 19.Be2

421

Black’s position here is perfectly fine. Now in the game Mastrovasilis, D (2621-Klim,K (2381) Warsaw 2011 Black essayed the provocative move 19...Ba4!?. (The normal plan is 19...a4.) White went astray and after 20.h5 Bh6 21.Nb3 Bxb3 22.axb3 Ke7 23.Rdf1 Ra8 24.Qd4 a4µ Black was already better. 14...fxe5 15.fxe5 White can use tactics to exchange a pair of knights: 15.Nxe5!? Nxe5 16.fxe5.

But after 16...d5 Black is fine. [In case of 16...0-0-0 White develops an initiative after 17.Qf4. (17.exd6? Bxd6! is Black’s neat idea.)] In his youth the future European champion Ivan Saric was outplayed after 422

15...d5 In case of 15...Bh6 best is the weird-looking self-pinning

16.Nf4!?. (16.Qd3 d5 17.Ned4 Nxd4 18.Nxd4 Bf4„ looks fine for Black; 16.Qxd6 Rd8! 17.Ned4 Rg8!„ with nice counterplay.) Now Black should probably opt for 16...Qa5 with an unclear position. (More solid is 16...d5.). 16.Qf4

Now Black’s best would have been a pawn sacrifice.

423

16...0-0-0! 16...Qc7 17.Ned4 Nxd4 18.Qxd4?! (18.Nxd4 could have posed slight problems) 18...Rg8 19.Qf2 a5 20.Bd3 Qc5 21.Nd4 Be7 22.Rhf1 Rg7 23.Be2 h4 24.Bh5

24...0-0-0 25.c3 Kb7 26.cxb4 axb4 27.Rc1 Qb6 28.Nb3 Qxf2 29.Rxf2 Kb6µ And my inexperienced opponent couldn’t put up serious resistance in this endgame and soon lost, Saric, I (2273)-Kozul, Z (2595) Bizovac 2005. 17.Qxf7 Bc5!° Black has nice compensation for the pawn. 3 12...b4 13.Ne2 a5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3!? b4 13.Ne2 a5

424

We find this move quite useful here, just to see what White wants to do. 14.f5!? a) For 14.e5, see the next subchapter. b) If White panics and plays 14.c4?! Black can simply ignore it and proceed with his planned 14...a4. c) The other main alternative is 14.Ng3. This prepares the e4–e5 break. Correspondence practice has proved that Black has nothing to worry about.

14...h5 (14...Be7 15.e5 fxe5 16.fxe5 d5 17.Nh5 a4 18.Nf6+ Bxf6 19.exf6 a3 20.b3 0-0-0 21.Rc1 Kb7 22.c4 bxc3 23.Rxc3 e5³ Vegjeleki, A (2154)-Panecki, K ICCF 2009.) 15.e5 fxe5 16.fxe5 d5 17.Qf4 h4 425

18.Ne2 a4 19.Ng5 Nd8 20.Nd4 Be7 21.Ngf3 Qa5 22.Rd3

22...Nb7! 23.Rd2 Qc5 24.Qe3 Bf8 25.Rf2 a3 26.b3 Bh6µ And later Black won, Brookes, J (2606)Haugen, A (2571) ICCF 2002. 14...e5 Necessary. Black should not ignore White’s action: 14...a4?

15.Nf4 (Of course it is also possible to first insert 15.fxe6!?.) 15...Qc5 16.g3ƒ and White is better as Black will have a hard time protecting his light squares. 15.Ng3 426

Since White is threatening to jump to h5, Black’s next move is practically forced. 15...h5 16.Bc4 a) 16.h4?! gives Black precious time to stop Bc4 with 16...Qc5„. b) White should be very careful when playing 16.Qd5 since the Bc4–Qd5 battery can sometimes be just a pseudo-active plan that gives Black time to regroup. 16...Rc8

(Black avoided 16...Qc5 due to 17.Bc4.) 17.Bb5 Qc7 18.Bc4? Nd8! 19.b3 Ke7 20.Qd3 Nb7! 21.Qe2 Nc5 22.Nd2 h4 23.Ngf1 Bh6µ And Black was already better in Liang, A (2405)-Gupta, A (2634) Reykjavik 2016.

427

16...Rc8! a) Now it’s too late for 16...Qc5? since after 17.Qe2

17...a4 (17...Ne7 18.Nd2± is just better for White; 17...h4 18.Nf1ƒ) 18.Rd5 Qa7 19.Rhd1± And White has achieved a perfect setup. b) Even worse is 16...a4? which just drops a pawn after 17.Qd5 Rh7 18.Nxh5!+–.

At this moment — the position after 16...Rc8 — White needs to decide about his further plan. 17.Qd5

428

17.b3!? allows Black to open the shelter around the white king more quickly, but it also makes the bishop more secure. Let’s see what Black can do now. 17...a4 a) 17...Rh7? gives a clear advantage to White after the almost forced sequence:

18.Nf1! Na7 19.Ne3 Nb5 20.Bxb5!. White must remove the knight! (20.Nd5 Na3+!„) 20...Qxb5 21.Nd5ƒ. b) White is also better in case of 17...Qc5?! 18.Qe2 with the idea of Rd5. 18...Na7 (18...a4 19.Rd5ƒ) 19.Rd5 Qb6

And now 20.Nd2!ƒ with a dangerous initiative since White is ready to sacrifice the exchange. (The position is so sharp that even 20.Nxh5!? is possible. After 20...Rxh5 21.Nxe5 it’s quite hard to evaluate 429

this position correctly.) c) A possible alternative is 17...Na7!? and after 18.Qd5 Rh7

19.Nxh5 Be7∞ And the difference compared with the 16...a4 line is that Black is threatening ...Bc6 or ...Nb5 next. 18.Nf1

An attempt to regroup, for which Black is ready. (Bad is 18.bxa4? due to 18...Na5 19.Bb3 Nc4µ and Black has a strong attack; best is 18.Qd5! Nd8 transposing to 17.Qd5 Nd8 18.b3 a4.) 18...Na5 19.Ne3

430

19...axb3 a) Black can also prepare the knight exchange with 19...Bc6!? when after 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.Bxd5 Bh6 22.Qe2 axb3 — or 22...Ke7 — 23.cxb3 Rc3 he has nothing to worry about. b) 19...Nxc4 20.Nxc4

20...Qc5 leads to an unclear position. (Tempting but wrong is 20...Rxc4? since after 21.bxc4 Bc6 22.Rhe1 Qc5 23.Qe3 White will have an easy game: 23...Ke7 — if 23...Qxc4 then 24.Qb6! — 24.Qxc5 dxc5 25.a3!.) c) 19...Bh6 is another unclear move. 20.Nd5

431

20...Qd8 (20...Nxc4? 21.Nxb6 Nxd2+ 22.Nxd2±) 21.Qe2 Nxc4 22.bxc4 Bc6∞. 20.cxb3 (In case of 20.Bxb3 Black after 20...Bc6 gets an improved version of 19...Bc6.) 20...Bh6 21.Nd5 Qd8 22.Qd3 Nxc4 23.bxc4 Bc6³; unfortunately for White he has no time to transfer the knight immediately: 17.Nf1 Nd4!

18.b3 (18.Ne3?? Bh6 19.Nd5 Qc5–+ is just winning for Black; 18.Nxd4? Rxc4 and White will lose his e-pawn.) and now Black has the strong “Sicilian break” move 18...d5! 19.exd5 (19.Nxd4? Bh6!–+) 19...Nxf5„

432

And Black will put his knight on d6 and develop his dark-squared bishop to g7, which gives him a splendid position. 17...Nd8!

You shouldn’t be afraid of this retreat; as we will see, this knight has better potential than the queen on d5! 18.b3 18.Nf1 Qc5

433

a) Black should watch out for White’s only trick: 18...Ke7?? 19.Ne3!± …Qxf7+. b) 18...a4!? 19.b3 Bc6 (Of course it’s always an option to exchange immediately with 19...axb3!?) 20.Qd3 axb3

21.cxb3 (21.Bxb3? Bb5 22.Qe3 — or 22.Qd2 Rc3 with ...Nb7–a5 coming next, when the attack plays itself — We see here a rare moment in the Richter-Rauzer when Black should avoid exchanging queens! With the simple 22...Qa6µ Black gets an overwhelming advantage.) 21...Nb7 (If Black wants a draw he can play 21...Bh6 since the best for both sides is to repeat moves with Ng3, ...Bf8 and Nf1. However after 22.Ng3 Black would be well advised not to cross the line with 22...Bf4? due to 23.Qxd6 Bxg3 24.Rd3!!+– with Qf6 to follow. 24.Ka1 would also do the job, but is not so aesthetically attractive; 21...Qb7? does not stop White on account of 22.N3d2 and again Ne3 is coming.) 22.Ne3 Nc5 (A good alternative is 22...Bh6!? 23.Nd5 Bxd5 24.Bxd5 Rc3 25.Qe2 with chances for both sides; more risky for Black is 22...Na5 23.Nd5 Bxd5 24.Bxd5 Bh6 25.Qe2 Rc3 26.Ne1 Nc6 with an unclear position.) 23.Nd5 Nxd3 24.Nxb6 Rb8 25.Rxd3 Rxb6= 19.b3

434

(19.Qxc5 Rxc5 is not dangerous for Black: 20.Bd5 Bh6 21.N1d2 and the draw was agreed in Dias, SBalcazar Novoa, L email CADAP 2002.) 19...Qxd5! a) 19...Ke7? runs into the trick we have already seen: 20.Ne3!±. b) 19...Bc6?! The problem with this move is that it allows the exchange of queens when Black is forced to recapture with a pawn, after which he doesn’t have counterplay along the c-file. 20.Qxc5 (20.Qd3 Bh6 21.Ng3 Bf4„) 20...dxc5 21.Bd5 Bh6 22.N1d2! (22.N3d2?! is imprecise due to 22...Bb5 and now White could opt for a repetition by playing Bc4. If White avoids the repetition Black is doing all right: 23.Nc4 Bxc4! 24.Bxc4 Nc6„.) 22...Bb5 23.Nc4 Bxc4 24.Bxc4 Nc6 25.Rd5± and the difference is that now White controls the d4-square with his knight. 20.Bxd5 (20.Rxd5? Nb7³) 20...Rg8!

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This moment is very instructive. Immediately after the queens have left the board, Black with ...Rg8 starts to threaten the white pawns. 21.Rg1 (21.Ne3? Rc3³) 21...Bh6! and Black’s position is already preferable since he is ready to play a strong pawn sacrifice: 22.Ng3 Ke7 23.Nxh5 Bb5 24.Ng3 Bf4³. Back to 18.b3.

Jankovic: “I was faced with this line in my game against Slovenian GM Jure Borisek who is very dangerous with White in the Sicilian. I remember during the game that I was very happy how things have developed in the opening and now I have started direct play.” 18...a4 18...Ke7!? is quite good as well. 19.Nf1 (19.Rhe1 a4 20.Nf1 Bh6 21.Ne3 Bxe3 22.Rxe3 Rc5³ And 436

White will have a hard time finding a defence against Black’s queenside attack.) 19...Bh6„ 19.Qd3 19.bxa4 Bxa4‚ only speeds up Black’s attack; 19.Nf1 transposes to 18.Nf1 a4 19.b3. 19...Ke7 20.Rhe1 Nb7 21.Nf1

21...Bh6 21...Nc5 22.Qd2 (22.Qd5 Rh7 23.Ne3 And now Black has the strong 23...Kd8! and ...Bc6 is a nasty threat. 24.Bd3 Qa7µ.) 22...axb3 23.cxb3 Bc6 24.Qxd6+?! Ke8 25.Qxf6 Bxe4+ 26.Rxe4 Qxf6 27.Bb5+ Ke7 28.Rxe5+ Qxe5 29.Nxe5 Ne4µ 22.Ne3 Now it was a critical moment. Black has to decide, which bishop to exchange for the knight? 22...Bxe3! The right one. 22...Bc6 23.Nd5+ Bxd5 24.Qxd5 Rhf8 25.Qb5 (25.bxa4 Rc5µ) 25...Qxb5 26.Bxb5

437

26...axb3 (26...Rg8! If you go back to the note we made earlier, the advice is that after the exchange of queens Black should immediately start menacing the g-pawn.) 27.cxb3 Rc5 (27...Nc5!? 28.Re2 Rg8∞) 28.Bc4 Na5 29.Bd5 Rfc8 30.Re2 Nc6 31.Bc4

At this moment since it was a team event I took a draw by move repetition. However I should have tried 31...Na7!? (31...Na5 32.Bd5 Nc6 Borisek, J (2535)-Jankovic, A (2560) Slovenia 2010.) 32.Ne1 Nb5 33.Bxb5 Rxb5 34.Rc2 Rbc5! 35.Rxc5 dxc5 36.Rd5 h4 and the position is still equal, but Black is not risking anything. 23.Qxe3 23.Rxe3 axb3 24.cxb3 Rxc4! 25.bxc4 Nc5‚ 438

23...Qxe3 24.Rxe3 Nc5³

It’s very unpleasant to play this position with White. 4 12...b4 13.Ne2 a5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nf3!? b4 13.Ne2 a5 14.e5

White launches the central break without preparation.

439

14...fxe5 15.fxe5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5

The exchange of knights is probably in Black’s favour. 16.fxe5 Black has many good moves now. 16...Bg7! (another option is 16...Qc5!?) 17.Qxd6 (17.exd6 a4‚ And Black’s attack is hard to parry.) 17...Bc6!³

And with ...Rd8 coming next, White will drop his e5-pawn! 15...a4 This move leads to very interesting and challenging positions. 440

a) However there is nothing wrong with 15...d5 16.Qf4 Be7!„ (16...Bg7? 17.Ng3!ƒ). b) 15...0-0-0 is another good option.

16.Qf4 (On 16.exd6 Black plays 16...Bxd6!„ and White cannot capture the bishop because of ...Be8.) Now after a logical sequence Black can develop serious counterplay. 16...Nxe5 17.Nxe5 dxe5 18.Qxf7 Bc5

19.Ng3 (19.Nc1!? is better according to the engine, but Black plays in the same way and gets a playable position.) 19...Rhf8 20.Qxh7 Bc6 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Bd3 Bxg2 23.Re1 Bf2!= 16.Ng3

441

16.exd6!?

16...Bg7 a) 16...Rg8? is an over-sophisticated idea. 17.Ng3 Bg7 18.Nh5 Bh8 19.Qh6± With Nf6 to follow. b) The immediate 16...Ra5!? is another story. 17.Nf4 h5! With another unclear position. (17...Bh6 18.Bc4ƒ; 17...Bg7 18.g4 b3 19.cxb3 0-0 transposes to 18...0-0 19.Nh5 b3. 20.Nh5². It’s kind of a classical reaction from White after which he plays a3 and Black’s attack evaporates.) c) 16...a3?! It’s better not define the queenside structure. 17.Ng3!? Although Black’s attack looks frightening, White can even ignore it! (Safer is 17.b3.) 17...axb2 (17...Ra5 18.Qf4 Bg7 19.Ng5‚ And White is the one who has started to pose problems.) 18.Nh5!

442

18...Rxa2 This looks attractive, but alas it doesn’t work. (18...Qa5? 19.Nf6+ Kd8 20.Bc4± is just better for White.) 19.Kxa2! (19.Nf6+? is a bad mistake on account of 19...Kd8 20.Kxa2 Qa5+ 21.Kxb2 Bg7!–+ and Black is winning.) 19...Qa5+ 20.Kxb2 Qxh5 And now White can force the queen exchange with 21.Qg5!±. d) 16...b3 looks tempting, like 16...a3, but after 17.cxb3 axb3 18.a3 it’s not easy for Black to generate any threats. 17.Nf4 [17.Ng3 Ra5! The rook is very useful here since it stops Nh5 and prepares doubling on the a-file. 18.Bc4 0-0 19.Rhe1

19...b3! Now it’s time for this break! 20.cxb3 axb3 21.Bxb3 (The standard defence 21.a3 is not good any more: 21...Qa7!µ and ...Rxa3 is coming.) 21...Nb4„ 22.Qe3 Qa6 23.a3 Rb8‚] Back to 17.Nf4.

443

Again Black has several possibilities. 17...Ra5 With the idea of preventing Nh5. a) 17...b3 18.cxb3 axb3 19.a3² b) 17...Qc5 18.Nd3 Qa5 19.Qg5! Qxg5 20.Nxg5² …Ne4, Nec5 c) 17...a3 leads to a slight advantage for White.

18.Nh5! Bxb2 (18...Bc3? looks spectacular, but it doesn’t work: 19.Qg5! axb2 20.Bc4+–.) 19.Qg5 Ra5 20.Nf6+ Bxf6 21.Qxf6 Rf8² 18.g4!

444

(In case of 18.Bc4 Black strikes with 18...a3‚.) Here too 18...a3 appears tempting, but as we will see White is ready with a counter-blow. a) 18...Qd8 19.Qc1! is better for White since it’s prophylaxis against 19...Qf6 when White would be ready for 20.g5±. b) 18...0-0 19.Nh5 b3 20.cxb3± White will play a3 and Black’s attack is going nowhere. c) Again the spectacular 18...Bc3 achieves nothing after 19.Qe2 a3 20.Nd5! Rxd5 21.Rxd5 axb2 22.Rb5 Qa7 23.Qe4± when Bc4 is coming. d) 18...b3 19.cxb3 0-0 transposes to 18...0-0 19.Nh5 b3. (19...axb3? 20.a3± and this defensive setup is quite hard to crack.) 19.Nh5

445

19...Bxb2 [19...Bc3 20.Qf4 axb2 (20...b3 21.cxb3! It is important to free up the c2-square. 21...axb2 With the idea of ...Ra2!. 22.Nf6+ Kd8 23.Nxd7 Kxd7 24.Bc4+– Now ...Ra2 is not a threat any more.) 21.Nf6+ Kd8 22.Bc4± And since there are no longer any ...Ra2 ideas White is winning.] 20.Bc4ƒ (Or 20.Qf4.) Back to 16.Ng3.

16...Ra5 It is better for Black to wait with the pawn push, although it is possible. 16...b3!? 17.cxb3 axb3 18.a3 446

Ra5! (18...d5 19.Ne4!ƒ) 19.Ne4 Nxe5 20.Nf6+ (20.Nxd6+ Qxd6 21.Qxd6 Bxd6 22.Rxd6 Nxf3 23.gxf3 Rg8=) 20...Ke7∞ 17.Ne4! 17.exd6 Bg7 — see 16.exd6 Bg7 17.Ng3 Ra5. 17...Nxe5 18.Nf6+ a) 18.Nxd6+ Bxd6 19.Qxd6 Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Rg8 21.Rb6 Rg4 with counterplay b) 18.Be2 Be7= 18...Kd8! A very important move! 18...Ke7? is a mistake due to White’s hidden resource 19.Qf4 Nxf3

20.gxf3! (20.Nxd7 Kxd7 transposes to the main line.) And now the difference with the ...Kd8 line is that Black cannot play 20...Rf5? because of 21.Qxf5! exf5 22.Nd5++–. 19.Qf4 Nxf3 20.Nxd7 Kxd7 21.Qxf7+ Be7

447

A very complicated position. As a rule, when opposite-coloured bishops and heavy pieces are on the board, whoever has the better bishop will have the initiative and the better chances. 22.gxf3! It’s not easy for White to decide how to recapture, but it’s better to block the f-file. In case of recapture by the queen, in a practical game White can have a hard time defending against Black’s threats on the queenside. 22.Qxf3 Rf8 23.Qh3

23...Re5

448

[23...b3 looks premature but actually it is playable. 24.cxb3 axb3 25.a3 (25.Bc4 bxa2+ 26.Ka1 Rff5„) 25...Rf2 26.Bc4 Bf6 27.Qxe6+ Kc7 28.Be2 Rc5=] 24.Bd3 [White cannot place his bishop on c4: 24.Bc4?! Qc5 25.Qd3 (25.b3 d5³) 25...Rf4ƒ. This looks pretty nice for Black.] 24...a3!‚ and Black’s attack is very unpleasant. 22...b3 Other moves are good as well, but this is the most forcing one. a) 22...Qe3 With the idea of ...Qh6! to exchange queens. 23.Bc4 Rf8 24.Qxh7 d5 25.Rhe1 Qxf3

26.Be2 (26.Rf1 Qg4!„ And the rook on f8 is taboo.) 26...Qf5 And Black is not worse after 27.Qxf5 Rxf5 28.Bg4 Rf6 29.Re5 Bd6=. b) Now in case of 22...Rf8 23.Qxh7

449

Black should be careful and decline the pawn offer. 23...Rxf3? (23...b3! is enough for a draw.) 24.Rg1!! ± And thanks to the discovered check the rook is able to enter the attack. 23.cxb3

23...Rf8! First kick the queen away from its attack on the e6-square. 23...axb3 24.Bh3 Re5 25.Rhe1ƒ 24.Qxh7 axb3 25.a3 450

Again a serious junction. 25...Rxa3! But of course this move is the most appealing route. a) 25...Rxf3!? 26.Bd3 (26.Bc4 Qf2=) 26...Rf2= b) 25...Rc8? is bad because of 26.Bd3². c) 25...Qf2 26.Bd3!² Cool-headed defence! (26.Bc4? is a mistake because of 26...Qc2+! 27.Qxc2 bxc2+ 28.Kxc2 Rc5ƒ.) White’s idea is that after 26...Rxa3? comes 27.Rhf1!+– and the queen cannot stay on the second rank. 26.bxa3 Qf2

451

Now White needs to find... 27.Rxd6+!! Less precise is 27.Bb5+ Kc8! (27...Kd8?? 28.Rxd6+ is just mate now.) 28.Rc1+ Kd8

29.Rc2™ 29...Qxc2+ 30.Qxc2 bxc2+ 31.Kxc2 Rxf3ƒ. 27...Kxd6 28.Qd3+=

452

And in all variations the game ends in a draw!

453

Chapter 8 The Kozul Variation with 13.f5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bc6 13.f5

Contents

1. 13...h5 2. 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 -3. 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 h5 15.-4. 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 h5 15.fxe6 5. 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.g4 & 16.Ng3 6. 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.Ng3 (with 21.--) 7. 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.c3 8. 13...b4 14.Ne2 e5 15.Ng3 h5 16.h4 Bh6 17.Qe2 9. 13...b4 14.Ne2 e5 15.Ng3 h5 16.h4 Bh6 17.Qxd6 1 13...h5

454

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5

World Champion Magnus Carlsen played this way when he was young, but already a strong GM. 13...h5 This very often leads to positions we have already studied, through a different move order. For 13...Qc5 — See the next subchapters. 14.fxe6 14.Qe1 b4 15.Nd5 does not make Black’s task difficult. [Black is better after 15.Ne2 e5 16.Qh4 Ke7 17.Ng3 Bh6 18.Nxh5 Bg5 19.Qg4 Qc5.

455

20.h4 Be3µ (Now 20.Bd3 leads to a position which can occur after 13.f5 Qc5 14.Bd3 h5 15.Qe1 b4 16.Ne2 e5 17.Qh4 Ke7 18.Ng3 Bh6 19.Nh5 Bg5 20.Qg4.) 20...Be3µ and later Black won in Hou, Yifan (2612)-Li Chao (2656) Danzhou 2011.] 15...Bxd5 16.exd5 e5 17.Qh4 Ke7 18.Be2 Bh6„

And as we already know, Black has good counterplay. 14...fxe6 15.Qf4 15.Qe1

456

Now White threatens a knight jump so Black must react. 15...Kf7∞ [Dubious is 15...0-0-0?! since now White can step up pressure on e6 with 16.Ne2! and Black has problems. 16...Bh6 (If 16...Bxe4 then White comes back with 17.Nc3ƒ and Bd3 to follow; or 16...Bg7?! 17.Nf4ƒ.) 17.Nd4 Bd7 18.c4!ƒ White exploits the position of the black king and with this push seizes the initiative; let’s mention that in case of 15...Ra7 there also follows 16.Ne2ƒ.] 15...Qc5

We could also reach this position with the move order 11.f5 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.fxe6 fxe6 14.Qf4 h5 15.Kb1 Qc5.

457

16.Qxf6 Black is fine after 16.Bd3, which was seen in the game Tiviakov, S (2640)-Galliamova, A (2505) Elista 1998. 16...Qe5 17.Qf2 Bg7

18.Rde1 It looks logical to station this rook on the e-file, freeing the d1-square for the knight. And if Black castles short then the h1-rook can be useful for action on the kingside. a) 18.Rhe1 0-0 19.Nd5 Bb7 [In the game Tiviakov-Galliamova mentionned above, Black played 19...Rf7 20.c3, and now it was necessary to play 20...f5! (Instead Black made a mistake with 20...Rb8? which White exploited by playing 21.Nb4!±.) 21.Qb6 Rc8„ with good counterplay.] 20.Ne7+ Kf7 21.Qb6

458

This looks unpleasant, but Black has 21...Qc5! 22.Qxb7 Ra7 23.Qc6 Kxe7 24.Qxc5 dxc5„ with a nice position. b) It should be mentioned that 18.Nd5? does not work due to 18...f5 19.c3 exd5 20.exd5 Bxd5–+ and Black was a piece up in Yilmaz, G (2165)-Kanmazalp, O (2431) Antalya 2017. 18...Qc5 (Since White’s rook is no longer on the d-file, perhaps Black should have changed his original plan and played 18...Rf8!? 19.Rhf1 Kd7∞.) 19.Qg3 0-0 20.Qh3 Qe5

21.g4!? hxg4 22.Qxg4 Rf7 23.Rhg1 (If 23.h4 then best for Black is to get his king away with 23...Kf8.) 23...b4 24.Nd1 a5 25.Qh3 Re8 26.Ne3 f5 27.Nc4 Qd4 28.exf5 exf5 29.Bxf5 And White had a draw by perpetual check in Kosic, B (2379)-Bellmann, H (2472) ICCF 2014.

459

16...Rh6 Another possibility is 16...Qe5!? 17.Qxe5 dxe5.

An interesting endgame. Black is a pawn down and since he has doubled pawns in the centre he is practically minus a pawn on both wings. Yet his position also holds some advantages: a strong bishop pair (especially the dark-squared bishop, which can be activated across the whole board), also his apparently useless central pawns still serve a purpose because they control all the key squares. As well, Black’s rooks have more open files. Bearing all this in mind, we believe that Black is OK and can hold this position. Kozul: “Curiously, I’ve played this position many times and only few games ended in a draw!” 18.a3 [18.Bd3 Bc5 19.Ne2 Rg8 20.g3 Ke7 21.Rhf1 Raf8 22.a3

460

22...Bf2 An important motif! Black prepares to undermine his opponent’s kingside pawns, after which they could become easy targets for Black’s rooks. 23.Nc1 h4 24.gxh4 Rg4 25.Nb3?! Rxh4 26.Rd2 Rhf4 27.Re2 Be8 We can see that Black successfully paralyzed the white pieces and is now slowly taking the initiative. 28.c4 Bb6 And Black was slightly better in Baron, T (2455)-Kozul, Z (2595) Rijeka 2010.] 18...Bc5 (Black can also immediately play 18...h4!?)

19.Be2 Ke7 20.h4 Bd4 21.Bf3 Bxc3 22.bxc3∞ With an unclear position in Volokitin, A (2679)-Kozul, Z (2591) Sarajevo 2005.

461

17.Qf4 Even better for Black is 17.Qd4 Qxd4 18.Rxd4 Ke7. And now White returned his extra pawn since he did not want to see a strong black bishop on e5. 19.e5 dxe5 And Black was slightly better in Svetushkin, D (2557)-Kozul, Z (2600) Kusadasi 2006. 17...0-0-0 The most precise. The rook transfer 17...Ra7!? is also not bad. 18.Bd3 Rf7° This occurred in Solleveld, M (2463)Brandenburg, D (2375) Enschede 2006. 18.Qf7 Black will quickly grasp the initiative after 18.g3?.

462

18...Bg7 19.Bh3 Rf6 20.Qd2 (20.Qh4 b4µ) 20...Rf2! (Stronger than 20...Kc7 which was seen in Tukhaev, A (2536)-Murariu, A (2526) Mamaia 2012.) 21.Qd3 And now after the forced sequence

21...b4! 22.Bxe6+ (22.Ne2? Bb5–+) 22...Kb7 23.Nd5 (23.Ne2? Qe5–+) 23...Bb5 24.Qb3 Bc4 25.Qxb4+ (In case of 25.Qa4 Black has a nice blow: 25...b3!–+.) 25...Qxb4 26.Nxb4 Bxe6µ Black ends up with a clear advantage. 18...Kb8∞ With an unclear position. 2 463

13...Qc5 14.Bd3 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 Qc5 14.Bd3

14...Ra7 This move is a bit strange now since Black uses this defence against the knight jump to d5 only when the white queen is already on the e-file. At this moment there is the idea 14...a5?!, but it does not look sound. It feels as though the black position is overloaded, as will become apparent in the following games we will mention. Black’s idea is to push the a-pawn as soon as possible in order to weaken the dark squares around White’s king and disturb the knight on c3. 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.Qe2 Rb8 [Also 16...b4?! has been played. Yet if we think logically, it would have been better to push the knight two moves earlier when it had to go to e2. This way, the knight enters the centre with greater power. 17.Nd5

464

17...0-0-0 (Engines here offer an option with an exchange sacrifice: 17...Bg7 18.Nc7+ Kd7 19.Nxa8 Rxa8. But it is obvious that Black does not have enough compensation for the sacrificed material. 20.Qg4±) 18.Nxf6?! This makes Black’s position much easier to defend. (18.Nf4! is a very strong positional move which will force Black into full defensive mode. 18...Bd7 19.Bc4 Re8 20.c3!±) 18...h5? (It was necessary to prevent the opening of the c-file and play the developing move 18...Bh6.) 19.g4? (And now White could have achieved a big advantage by opening the game on the queenside with 19.c3!±.) 19...hxg4 20.Nxg4 Bg7∞ Aveskulov, V (2532)-Klimov, S (2483) Sochi 2008.] 17.Nd5 Bg7

I (Kozul) followed this game live with great interest because Gupta and I are playing together in the same team (Chess Club Daisizau) in the German Bundesliga. It was obvious that he was well prepared 465

for this game, so I was very curious to see how the game would go. 18.Rhf1 (A very interesting position would arise after 18.Nc7+ Kd7 19.Na6 Qe5 20.Nxb8+ Rxb8 21.c3 b4.

Engines evaluate this position as favourable for White. However, from a practical point of view, Black’s initiative looks very dangerous and it is quite understandable that White did not want to get into this line. How hard it is to break engines’ defence is best shown by the following variation. 22.cxb4 Rxb4 23.a3 Rb3 24.Ka2 a4 25.Rd2 f5 26.Bc4 Bxe4 27.Bxb3 axb3+ 28.Kxb3 Bd5+ 29.Ka4 Bc6+ 30.Kb4+–

An incredible position with the brave white king advancing in front of his army. Deeper analysis shows that Black has no real threats and White’s huge material plus should decide the game.) 18...0-0 19.Ne7+ Kf7? (A serious error that causes big problems for Black. He had to settle for a somewhat 466

weaker position with the logical 19...Kh8 20.Nxc6 Qxc6 21.Qg4 Qe8².) 20.Nxc6 Qxc6 21.e5!+–

After this stroke White achieves a decisive advantage. It is interesting that Gupta, after a stout defence, even managed to turn things around and win this game, Poetsch, H (2497)-Gupta, A (2626) Germany 2016. 15.Rhf1 b4

Now comes a series of normal moves from both sides. 16.Ne2 e5 17.Ng3 h5 18.h4 Ke7?

467

After this move Black was already in trouble. Better was 18...Bh6 19.Qe2 Qe3 20.Nxh5 Ke7„. 19.Qe2 a5 20.Bc4 Bh6 21.Nxh5 Be3

And now we can see how the future World Champion effectively exploits the position of the rook on a7. 22.Nxf6!+– Kxf6 23.Rxd6+ Ke7 If Black takes 23...Qxd6 then after 24.Qxe3 the rook is hanging and White threatens mate on g5. 24.Rxc6 Qxc6 25.Qxe3 Rc7 26.f6+ Kd8 27.Qd3+ Kc8 28.Bd5 Qb6 29.Qg3 Qd4 30.h5 Kb8 31.h6 a4 32.a3 Qd2

468

33.axb4?? An unusual mistake for Carlsen! White was winning after 33.Rc1!+–. 33...Qxc2+ 34.Ka1 a3 35.bxa3 Rxh6 36.Qxe5 Qd3™ 37.Qe8+ Rc8 38.Qe5+ Rc7 39.Qe8+ Rc8 40.Qe5+ And later Black saved himself in Carlsen, M (2581)-Kotronias, V (2599) Mallorca 2004. 3 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 h5 15.-1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 Qc5 14.Bd3 h5!? It’s possible to delay the central blockade (...e5) and play this move, but that means that Black should be ready for White to open the position.

469

15.Qe1 This standard move leads to positions where Black’s ...h5 move turns out to be useful. a) 15.Qe2 e5! (The strange-looking 15...Kd7 was played in Muzyka, N (2525)-Soberano, J (2578) RCCA email 2003.) 16.h4 The only way White can play for the advantage.

If he allows Black to play ...h5–h4 then he would hardly be able to come up with a decent plan. 16...b4 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.exd5 a5 19.Bb5+ Ke7 20.Rh3?! If White wanted to put his bishop on c6, he should have done it immediately. The move played gives Black an extra possibility to find a better square for his rook. 20...Bh6 21.Bc6 Rag8! 22.Rhd3 Rg4 23.g3 Rhg8µ And Black was better in Peranic, D (2260)Jankovic, A (2480) Slavonski Brod rapid 2005. 470

b) 15.e5

15...Bh6!? (15...fxe5 16.fxe6 fxe6 transposes to the next subchapter: 15.fxe6 fxe6 16.e5 fxe5. But with 15...Bh6 we go for more!) 16.Qe1 [16.Qe2 Qxe5 17.fxe6

Now the safest way for Black is to exchange the queens. 17...Qxe2 (Dangerous is 17...fxe6 18.Bg6+ Ke7 19.Qd3‚.) 18.exf7+ Kxf7 19.Bxe2 Bf4= With a roughly equal position.] 16...Qxe5 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Qh4 Kf7 19.Rde1 (Maybe White should move the other rook: 19.Rhe1!?.) 19...Qg5 20.Qf2 Qc5!³ The best move, after which White does not have full compensation for the pawn. 471

[In one game Black was too ambitious and played 20...d5? 21.Rhf1 h4 22.Qc5 Bd7.

After 23.Qd6? Black managed to save the game. (Obviously both players missed 23.Nxd5!! and Black is lost since 23...Qxd5 loses to 24.Rxf6+! Kxf6 25.Rf1++–.) 23...Rhd8 Huschenbeth, N (2510)Rapport, R (2547) Merlimont 2011.] c) Another way to provoke the blockade is 15.Rhf1 but when the blockade appears, one has to wonder what the rook is doing on f1.

15...b4 16.Ne2 Bh6 (16...e5 We think that White should not be given the option of placing his queen on e2. However, White immediately made a mistake. 17.h4? And Black with 17...Bh6 took the initiative. 18.Qe1 transposes to 14...h5 15.Rhf1 b4 16.Ne2 e5 17.h5 Bh6 18.Qe1. 18...a5 19.Ng3 Ke7 20.Rf3 Rag8µ Corrales Jimenez, F (2499)-Brandenburg, D (2433) Stork 2007.) 17.Qe1 e5 472

18.Nc1 (Material greed will not bring anything good for White, e.g. 18.Rf3 Ke7 19.Rh3 Bg5 20.Ng3 a5 White realizes that his plan was wrong so he begins to think of defence. 21.Qe2 a4 22.Bc4 h4

First Black forced his opponent to defend his queenside, and now he takes away White’s only play on the kingside. 23.Nf1 Rhc8 24.Ne3 b3 25.axb3 axb3 26.Bxb3 Qa5 27.c3 Bxe4+–+ And Black was winning in Atakisi, U (2441)-Jankovic, A (2485) Kusadasi 2006.) 18...Ke7 19.b3 a5 20.Bc4 Rhg8 21.Rf2 Be3 22.Re2 Bd4‚

473

Objectively, perhaps Black is not better (engines always find some defence), but we believe that the vast majority of players would choose Black’s position. Black won in Relange, E (2490)-Kozul, Z (2570) Sremic Krsko 1998. 15...b4

16.Nd5 16.Ne2 e5 17.h4 A cautious approach to the position. White wants to fix the h5-pawn as a weakness which he will attack later. Now the queen and knight can take part in the defence. Besides, now White can activate the rook via h3. 474

[White can immediately head for the h5-pawn, but Black will have time to get his attack moving on the opposite wing. 17.Qh4 Ke7 18.Ng3 Bh6 19.Nxh5? This inaccurate move was played in the only existing game. (19.Qxh5 Be3° or 19...a5!? And Black has enough compensation.) 19...Bg5 20.Qg4 a5 21.h4 Be3 22.b3 a4 23.Bc4 axb3 24.Bxb3

(24.cxb3 loses on the spot after 24...Rxh5–+.) 24...Rhg8! An important finesse! Before undertaking a direct attack Black prevents Qg7. (Without good reason Black abandoned the queenside attack with 24...Rag8 in Rogers, I (2529)-Nevednichy, V (2563) Saint Vincent 2001.) 25.Qf3 Rxa2!!

This unexpected blow illustrates how dangerous Black’s attack can be. Black is already better, but he needs to keep up the pressure. 26.Bxa2 Ra8 27.Qe2 Bb5 28.Rd5 Bxe2 29.Rxc5 Bxc5 30.Ng3 Bb5–+ And White can’t stop ...Bd4 with the idea of ...Bc4.] 475

17...Bh6

(Nothing is wrong with 17...a5!? 18.Ng3 a4, but then White can put up some resistance after 19.c3. Still, Black keeps an initiative with 19...bxc3‚.) 18.Rh3 The most appealing move. (18.Ng3 Bf4 19.Rh3 Ke7 20.Qe2 Bxg3 21.Rxg3 Rag8³

Again the same thing! Black changes his plan and achieves strong counterplay along the g-file. Note White has constant back-rank problems, which Black underlines by attacking the kingside pawns. 18.Rf1 is a transposition to 14...h5 15.Rhf1 b4 16.Ne2 e5 17.h5 Bh6 18.Qe1.) 18...Ke7 19.Ng3 Rag8!³ A good regrouping move and an important moment for understanding these positions and the way they should be treated. In the beginning, the main plan is a queenside attack. However, it is not always necessary to insist on this objective. 476

Black’s pieces are ideally placed and the open g-file gives the opportunity for a quick switch of plan at the right moment. Now it’s that time — White’s pieces are awkwardly placed and Black will exploit that to seize the initiative. (19...Be3 was played in Pruijssers, R (2261)-Hoeksema, H (2406) Dieren 2005.) 20.Qf1 Bf4 21.Qf3 Qe3 (Black is also better with 21...Bxg3!?.) 22.Qxe3 Bxe3 23.Be2 Bf2 24.Nh1

And now Black with a beautiful positional exchange sacrifice breaks through. 24...Rxg2! 25.Bf3 Rhg8 26.Bxg2 Rxg2 27.Nxf2 Rxf2 28.Re3 Rh2µ And later Black converted his advantage in Papadopoulos, I (2455)-Jankovic, A (2571) Budva 2009. 16...Bxd5 17.exd5 e5

477

18.Qe2 a) Since Black’s bishop is not yet on h6 White can try to stop Black’s attack by playing 18.c3 and after 18...a5 (The careless 18...bxc3? leads to difficulties after 19.Rc1!ƒ.) 19.Qg1

19...Qc7∞ Since Black has good chances to organize an attack it is wise to keep the queens on the board. Also, in the endgame White’s king has more potential than Black’s. [There is nothing wrong with 19...Qxg1 20.Rhxg1 Bh6= (20...bxc3 21.bxc3 Bh6 22.Kc2 h4 23.Rge1 Bf4 24.h3= This was also equal, but later Black went wrong and managed to lose in Solak, D (2568)Kozul, Z (2576) Bled 2005.)]

478

b) An interesting plan for White is 18.Qh4, not with the intention of attacking the pawns, but rather to quickly activate a rook with the manoeuvre Re1–e4–c4 and up to c6.

18...Ke7 19.Rhe1 Bh6 20.Re4 Bg5 21.Qe1 a5 22.Rc4 [Similar is 22.h4 Bh6 23.Rc4 (23.Qe2 Rag8„) 23...Qa7„.] 22...Qa7 23.Rc6 h4

It is important to first secure the kingside and only then to fight against White’s queenside initiative. 24.Qe4 Rhc8 (24...Be3!? is a good alternative) 25.Bb5 Rxc6 26.dxc6 Qc5 27.Ba4 Bf4 28.h3 Rg8=

479

The c6-pawn looks dangerous, but actually White can’t exploit that factor. 18...a5

19.Bb5+ 19.Rhf1 With the idea of Rf4, but Black can sacrifice a pawn and stop that. 19...Bh6 20.Qxh5 Ke7„ 19...Ke7 20.Bc6

480

The resulting position is (as usual!) evaluated by engines in White’s favour, but we still take the view that Black can hold it. The positions that arise are essentially very similar and sometimes you should pay attention to the small details. The first question is: where to put the rook? 20...Ra7 Another possibility is to stay on the eighth rank. 20...Rb8!? 21.Rd3 Bh6 22.Rh3

Now Black can’t defend the h5-pawn but actually he doesn’t even want to; his aim is activity. One of the plans is certainly pushing the a-pawn, but Black also has another idea associated with the position of White’s bishop. We are thinking mainly of the e-pawn, which, after the exchange of some heavy pieces, could become a strong trump for Black. 22...Bg5 481

[Possible is 22...h4!? 23.Rxh4 Bg5 24.Rxh8 (24.Rc4? is bad due to 24...Rxh2!µ; 24.Rh5 Rxh5 25.Qxh5 Qf2„ is fine for Black.) 24...Rxh8 25.g3 Be3 26.h3 Bf2=

And although White is a pawn up he can’t find a way to use it.] 23.Rxh5 Rxh5 24.Qxh5 Qf2„

Black is fine after this typical move. 25.h4 (If 25.g3?! then Black activates his secret weapon, the epawn, with 25...e4³.) 25...Be3 [Black can also defend with 25...Bf4 26.Qf3 Qxf3 27.gxf3 Rg8

482

28.Bb5 (Or 28.h5 Kf8 29.c3 bxc3 30.h6 cxb2 31.h7 Rh8 32.Kxb2 Kg7 33.Kc3 Rxh7 34.Rxh7+ Kxh7 Frolyanov, D (2534)-Vovk, A (2630) Trieste 2016.) 28...Rg3 29.h5 Bh6 30.Be2

And now Black must play accurately. 30...Rg2! (The passive 30...Kf8 may give White some chances when he activates his king by playing 31.a3 bxa3 32.bxa3², Geller, J (2525)-Voitsekhovsky, S (2522) Kazan 2009.) 31.Bd3 Rf2 32.Rh3 (In case of 32.Be4 it is important to keep White’s king locked up with 32...a4!„; nothing is achieved by 32.a3 bxa3 33.Be4 axb2 34.Kxb2 Rd2=.) 32...Rd2 33.a4 b3 34.Rh1 Kf8

483

An important move. The black king now controls the h-pawn and that frees the bishop, which will control the other wing. 35.Be4 bxc2+ 36.Bxc2 Rf2=] 26.Qf3

26...Rg8 (26...Qxf3 27.gxf3 Rg8 28.h5 Bh6 29.Bb5 Rg3 is a transposition to 25...Bf4 26.Qf3 Qxf3 27.gxf3 Rg8 28.Bb5 Rg3 29.h5 Bh6.) 27.Qxf2 Bxf2= Black will recover a pawn with full equality. 21.Rd3 White can stop ...a4 by playing 21.b3, but Black is still fine, e.g. 21...h4 22.Qg4 Rc7 23.Rhe1 Rc8 24.Re4 Bh6 Since Black has connected his rooks he can sacrifice the pawn. 25.Qxh4 Rcg8

484

26.Re2 [26.Rc4 Qb6 27.Re4 Bc1„ Next comes ...Ba3 which will lock the king in forever. (Black can’t catch the queen with 27...Bd2 since White has 28.Rg4.)] 26...Bd2 (Again, 26...Bc1 is also good.) 27.Qe4 Bc3„ And Black’s initiative is quite unpleasant. 21...a4

22.Rhd1 22.Rh3 Bh6 Black shouldn’t worry about the h-pawn; it is more important to activate the bishop. 485

23.Rxh5 (Black is fine after 23.Rh4 a3 24.Rc4 Qb6„ since he can transfer the bishop through the e3square.) 23...a3

24.Rh3 (White could get into trouble after 24.Qb5 Qd4 25.bxa3 bxa3 26.Rh3 e4 27.Rb3 Bd2„.) 24...axb2 25.Qb5 Qxb5 26.Bxb5 Rb8„

In the rook endgame only Black can be better. And with the bishops on the board he will always have a counterattack on the dark squares. 22...a3 23.Rb3 23.c3 Trying to open the game on the queenside will not bring White any benefits. 23...axb2 (Also interesting is 23...b3!? 24.axb3 axb2 25.Qxb2 Bh6∞.) 24.Qxb2 bxc3 25.Rxc3 Qa5= 486

The only danger for Black could be the a-pawn, but while the queens are on the board White will have to worry about his king’s safety. 23...Bh6

The bishop must join the attack! Now 23...axb2?! would give White the advantage after 24.Qe4 Bh6 25.Qxb4². 24.Qb5! The correct response! The easiest way to suppress Black’s initiative is with the queen exchange.

487

White is playing with fire after 24.Qxh5?! axb2.

Now Black threatens ...Rxa2! 25.Qg4 (25.Rxb2 Qc4! 26.Rd3 Ra3‚ Black has a dangerous attack.) 25...Rb8! A precise move which leads to a better position for Black. [25...Bc1 looks tempting, but it leads only to a draw after 26.Rxb4 (Black is slightly better after 26.Qxb4?! Rxa2 27.Kxa2 Qxc2∞ 28.Rxb2 Qxd1³.) 26...Rxa2 27.Kxa2 Qxc2 28.Rb7+ Kd8 29.Rb8+ Kc7 30.Rb7+ Kc8

31.Rb8+! Kc7 32.Rb7+=] 26.Rxb2 (26.Kxb2? loses after 26...Ra3–+.) 26...Ra3µ 24...Qxb5 25.Bxb5 Rg8= 488

4 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 h5 15.fxe6 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 Qc5 14.Bd3 h5!? An interesting alternative to the main move, 14...b4, which we will cover in the next two subchapters. 15.fxe6

White can wait with releasing the tension if he wants to force Black into a blockade position. Which of 489

those plans is better depends on the taste and style of the player. 15...fxe6 16.e5!? This is White’s important attacking move in this position. Having completed his development (and moved the king from c1) he sacrifices the pawn to completely open up the game. The idea is not harmless and Black has to be careful — one inaccuracy can cost him the game. Black has a good position after 16.Rhf1.

16...Bg7 (Interesting is 16...Bh6!? 17.Qe1 Qe5 18.Qf2 0-0=, which was seen in Pedersen, C (2443)Kristiansen, J (2419) Denmark 2012.) Now 17.e5? is bad (necessary was 17.Ne2∞) due to 17...f5. A typical move. 18.exd6 0-0-0 19.Ne2 Rxd6µ And Black was already much better in Vujakovic, B (2372)-Kozul, Z (2556) Pula 2001. 16...fxe5 a) The main problem is that closing the centre with 16...f5? is bad since after 17.Qg5 d5 White has a strong piece sacrifice.

490

18.Bxf5! exf5 19.Qxf5 Be7 (Black is defenceless, for example on 19...d4 White wins with 20.Rxd4! Qxd4 21.Qe6++–; no better is 19...Rh6 20.Rhf1 Qe7 21.Nxd5 Bxd5 22.Rxd5+–.) 20.Ne4 Qb4

And now White should have played 21.Qe6!. (In the game, White made a big mistake by playing 21.Nd6+?? Kd8 22.Nf7+ Kc7 23.Nxh8 Rxh8³, Gaponenko, I (2402)-Sieber, F (2167) Germany 2016.) 21...Qxe4 22.Qxc6+ Kf7 23.Rhf1+ Kg7 24.Qe6+– b) Even worse is 16...dxe5??

491

17.Bg6+ Ke7 18.Ne4+– Back to 16...fxe5.

17.Ne4 a) Black was fine after 17.Qg5 Be7 18.Qg6+ Kd7 19.Ne4 Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Qc6= in Feher, A (2340)Annageldyev, O (2396) Budapest 2012. b) Less precise is 17.Bg6+?! Kd7 18.Ne4 Bxe4 19.Bxe4 on account of 19...d5„ Atakisi, U (2409)Solak, D (2579) Novi Sad 2009.

492

17...Bxe4 The intermezzo 17...Bh6? is no fun for Black because of 18.Qe2 Bxe4 19.Qxh5+ Ke7 20.Qh4+ Kd7 21.Qxe4±. 18.Bxe4

18...Rc8! Black decides to leave his king in the centre. a) Black can also try 18...d5 19.Qg5 Bd6∞. (But not 19...Qd6? because of 20.Bxd5! exd5 21.Rhe1!±.) b) Interesting is 18...0-0-0 19.Qa5 Qa7 20.Bc6 Rh7 21.a4. Now the best move is 21...d5!∞ with an unclear position. [Inferior is 21...bxa4?! because of 22.Rd3‚ as in the game Saric, I (2482)-Jankovic, A (2541) Split 2008. (White is on top also after 22.Rhf1!? Rc7 23.Rxf8 Rxf8 24.Rxd6 Rd8 25.Rxe6 a3 26.Qxa3±.)] Back to 18...Rc8. Now White has several possibilities at his disposal.

493

19.Rhe1 This move has the idea of stopping Black’s central pawn push, but Black is fine after he regroups his pieces. a) White can force a draw with 19.Bb7, and perhaps that’s what he should do. 19...Rc7 20.Bxa6 Qb6

21.Qd3! Qxa6 22.Qg6+ Rf7 23.Rhf1 Rhh7 24.Rxf7 Rxf7 25.Rf1 Qb7 26.Qxe6+ Re7 27.Qg6+ Rf7= There is no way to avoid the perpetual. b) Black was fine after 19.Rhf1 Be7 20.Qa5 Rg8 21.Qxa6 Rg4= in the game Janocko, P-Caliskan, I ICCF 2007. 494

19...Be7 20.Qe2 Kd7 21.Bf3 Bf6 22.Bxh5 Ke7 23.Bg4 d5 24.c3 a5 25.Rf1

25...Rhf8‚ With good play. Black took unnecessary risks by playing 25...Qc4 26.Qf2 Rhf8 27.Qa7+ Kd6 28.Rxd5+

This looks nice but it doesn’t give more than a draw. However, since his opponent was in severe time trouble Black gambled with 28...Kxd5??. (28...exd5 leads to a perpetual after 29.Qd7+ Kc5 30.Qa7+=.) But after 29.Rd1++– his king found itself in a mating net, Kanmazalp, O (2372)-Jankovic, A (2538) Skopje 2013. 495

5 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.g4 & 16.Ng3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 Qc5 14.Bd3 b4

Black intends to block the centre immediately; he doesn’t want to wait until White exchanges on e6. 15.Ne2 e5 And finally we have arrived at a sort of basic position for this line. White now has to choose his plan. Will it be the usual knight manoeuvre to h5, or will he try to stop Black’s queenside initiative? 16.Ng3 The most played continuation. 16.g4!?

496

An interesting move with the idea to begin active operations against Black as soon as possible. 16...Rg8 a) One possible reaction is 16...h5!? 17.g5 fxg5 (even 17...h4!? can be tried) 18.Qxg5 and now it is necessary to restrict the knight with 18...h4∞. b) Black can immediately start with his queenside advance. 16...a5!? 17.g5 fxg5 18.Qxg5 a4 19.Rhg1 h5 White was threatening Qf6. 20.Qh4 Ra7 21.f6 Kd8 22.Rg5 Kc7 23.Rxh5 Rxh5 24.Qxh5 Kb6 25.c4 a3 26.b3 Qe3=

The position was roughly equal in Debevec, B (2260)-Pranjic, M (2350) ICCF 2007. 17.Rhg1 [Weaker is 17.h3?! h5 18.Ng3 hxg4 497

19.hxg4 (19.Nh5 allows Black to activate his dark-squared bishop: 19...Ke7 20.Rhg1 Rh8 21.hxg4 Bh6„.) 19...Rxg4 20.Nh5 Ke7„] 17...a5

18.h4 Other moves are not dangerous. a) 18.g5 Now Black can react with 18...fxg5!? (18...Be7∞ is the simplest reply) 19.Rxg5 Rh8!∞. Black plans ...h5. (19...Rxg5? 20.Qxg5 a4 is a mistake since White is faster after 21.Ng3 a3 22.Nh5 Qd4 23.Nf6+ Kd8 24.c3! bxc3 25.Bc2‚.) b) 18.c3 h5„ Black has good counterplay. (Also fine was 18...Rb8 19.cxb4 Qxb4= which was seen in Pijpers, A (2332)-Nuri, K (2256) Groningen 2011.)

498

18...h6=

Black has lost the h6-square for the bishop, but White’s knight cannot carry out the typical manoeuvre Ng3–h5 because the g-pawn would be hanging. (Black can even try 18...a4!?.) Back to 16.Ng3.

16...h5 Choosing the move order in particular lines is often a matter of taste, and sometimes it is also a matter of preparation for specific opponents. There are grandmasters such are Li Chao, Miton and especially Gupta who prefer the move 16...Ke7. I (Kozul) tried it myself in the 2017 Croatian individual 499

championship, in the game against Ivan Saric. After an exciting battle this line brought me an important victory. 17.Nh5 Rg8

18.Rhg1 [In the aforementioned game Saric played a less-known continuation. 18.h4!? Rd8?! (Wrong decision! As in most similar lines, time is a key factor. One lost tempo often leads to big problems. It is the same here, the ...d6–d5 break in the centre has no real strength and therefore it was necessary to continue with the action on the queenside. 18...a5 19.Rhg1

19...Rg4!? A typical motif. Black wants to gain a tempo which will give him time to transfer the darksquared bishop to the c1–h6 diagonal. 20.g3 a4 21.Qe2 Rg8 22.Bc4 Bh6 23.Rge1 Ra7!?∞) 19.Qe2 (A serious alternative was 19.Rhg1!? d5 20.exd5 Bxd5 21.g4 Bf3 500

22.g5! With this exchange sacrifice White develops a strong initiative. 22...Bxd1 23.Rxd1 Rd6 It is quite possible that White in his calculations got to this point but could not see how to proceed further. But White has the very strong 24.Qg2!±.) 19...Bh6 20.Rhe1? (Now White returns the favour with a move that is, in fact, an important waste of time. He had to continue with 20.g4! Bf4 — White is also on top after 20...Bb5 21.Bxb5 axb5 22.Rd3±. — 21.g5 fxg5 22.f6+ Kd7 23.Bc4!±.) 20...a5 21.g4 a4

22.g5?! Aggressive play at the wrong time. Probably White underestimated Black’s defensive possibilities, which we will soon see. 22...fxg5 23.f6+ Kf8 24.Ng3 This manoeuvre was White’s main hope. The knight goes to f5 and it seems that White’s initiative can only grow. However, Black has a strong answer. 24...g4! 25.Nf5 Bf4 26.Ne7

501

26...h5! 27.Nxg8 Kxg8µ Saric, I (2609)-Kozul, Z (2631) Valpovo 2017.] 18...Rg5 Again we see the already mentioned manoeuvre that allows the bishop to come to h6.

19.g4 Bh6 20.Qe2 Rgg8 21.h4 Be3 22.Rg3

502

This might be a critical position for the whole line. Black has two options and it is interesting that in 2017 GM Gupta tested both options. 22...Bf2 (Two months later he went for another plan with 22...Bf4 23.Rh3 h6 24.Qf3 a5 25.Nxf4 exf4 26.Qxf4 a4 27.Be2 a3² Kuybokarov (2504)-Gupta (2607) Dubai Open 2017.) 23.Rh3

23...a5? (Black should have played 23...Bd4 and after 24.Qd2 d5 25.Qh6 Qd6² it’s a sharp and complicated struggle.) 24.Rf1? (White does not take the offered gift. Black had surely overlooked the quiet 24.Qd2!!+–.) 24...Bd4 And the fight continued, Mannion (2326)-Gupta (2645), Gibraltar 2017. 17.h4 17.Qe2 h4 18.Nh5 Ke7 19.Qg4 Bh6 20.Qxh4 Bg5 21.Qg4 503

transposes to subchapter 3 (16.Ne2 e5 17.Qh4 — page 262). 17...Bh6 a) Too slow is 17...Ke7

since after 18.Qe2 Bh6 this transposes to 17...Ke7 18.Qe2 Bh6 19.Rhe1 a5 20.Nxh5 a4 21.Bc4.

504

21...a3 [Black is not ready for 21...b3? 22.cxb3 Rhb8 since White has 23.Nxf6! (23.Qd3? was played in Colon Garcia, E (2173)-Perpinya Rofes, L (2387) Barbera del Valles 2009.) 23...Kxf6 24.Qh5+– with a winning advantage.] 22.b3 Bb5 23.Rd5 Bxc4 24.bxc4 Qe3 25.Qxe3 Bxe3 26.Rxe3 Rxh5 27.g3²

In the resulting rook endgame White was slightly better in Janos, J (2434)-Zivkovic, M (2334) ICCF email 1999. b) White is also much faster after 17...a5?

505

18.Qe2 a4 19.Nxh5! (19.Bc4 may also be good, but after 19...Ke7 taking on h5 becomes impossible, and it doesn’t seem useful to enter these complications.) 19...Ke7 20.g4 a3 21.Bc4± And White was clearly better in Vuckovic, B (2458)-Blehm, P (2512) Paget Parish 2001, and Aravindh, C (2565)Karthikeyan, M (2530) Lucknow 2016. 18.Qe2

18...Qe3! The best defence. Black should forget about his attack and aim for an endgame. Then active play along the h- and g-files would compensate for the pawn deficit. 506

a) The slow pace of Black’s attack can be seen after 18...Be3? 19.Nxh5 Ke7 20.Rh3 Bd4 21.g4±. Later White won in Zawadzka, M (2266)-Dziuba, M (2447) Krakow 2003. b) 18...Ke7 transposes to 17...Ke7 18.Qe2 Bh6. 19.Nxh5 a) 19.Rh3?! is inaccurate. 19....Qxe2 20.Bxe2 Ke7 21.Bf3

In his book GM Khalifman stops at this position with the comment that Black’s h5-pawn will fall. However, we think that Black is more than OK, as you can see from a game which went 21...Rac8 22.Nxh5 Ba4 23.b3 Bb5 24.g4 Rc3! 25.Nxf6 Kxf6 26.g5+ Ke7 27.f6+ Kd8 28.gxh6 Rxh6 29.Rxd6+ Kc7µ. Black later converted her advantage in Dworakowska, J (2401)-Kosintseva, T (2477) Gothenburg 2005. b) 19.Qxe3?! is also dubious.

507

19...Bxe3 20.Be2 Ke7 21.Bf3 Rac8 22.Nxh5 Rxh5! 23.Bxh5 Bxe4µ And Black was much better in Malakhov, V (2605)-Miton, K (2443) Yerevan 2000. 19...Ke7

20.Qf1! White must avoid the exchange of queens. 20.Qxe3? Bxe3 21.Rh3 [21.g4 Rag8 (Black was slightly better after 21...a5 22.Rh3 Bc5 23.Ng3 Rag8 24.Be2 Bf2³ in Iermito, 508

S (2462)-Eliseev, U (2550) Kocaeli 2013.) 22.Rh3 Bc5 23.Be2 Bxe4 24.Ng3 Bb7µ And Black’s bishops were dominating in Dourerassou, J (2485)-Dubov, D (2629) Warsaw 2013.] 21...Rxh5

22.g4 (22.Be2!? Rhh8 23.Rxe3 Rxh4 24.Bf3³ is perhaps a better defensive setup for White, but still Black is slightly better.) 22...Rhh8 23.Rxe3 Rxh4 24.Rg3 a5³ And Black was somewhat better in Borosova, Z (2302)-Kashlinskaya, A (2377) Gaziantep 2012. 20...Bxe4 20...a5? is a mistake since White is much better after 21.g4± as in Thor-hallsson, T (2367)-Gupta, A (2600) London 2010. 21.g4!? A very interesting exchange sacrifice! For 21.Rg1!? and 21.Rh3!?, see the next subchapter. Black is fine after 21.Bxe4 Qxe4„.

509

21...Bxh1 Black should accept the challenge. 22.Qxh1 Ra7 a) Unclear is 22...Qb6!? 23.Bc4∞. b) 22...Rad8?! looks logical, but with a precise move White can keep up the pressure!

23.Qd5!° That’s the move that secures good compensation for White. Black will have a hard time trying to equalize. (23.g5 Black must surrender the piece. 23...Bxg5™ 24.hxg5 Qxg5 25.Be2™ This 510

also leads to dangerous areas; Black is fine after 23.Qb7+?! Rd7 24.Qxb4 Qf3„.) 23.g5! 23.Bc4 allows Black to transfer the bishop. 23...Qc5 24.Bb3 (24.b3 Be3 25.Rd5 Qb6„) 24...Be3

And Black is fine. 25.Qf3 (25.Ng3 Bd4 26.Ne4 Qc6=) 25...a5 26.Rd5 Qb6 27.Ba4 Rc7 28.g5 fxg5 29.hxg5 Bxg5 30.f6+ Kd8 31.Rxd6+!? Qxd6 32.Qa8+ Rc8 33.Qxa5+ Rc7 34.Qa8+= Draw by perpetual check. 23...fxg5 24.f6+ Kd7 25.Ng7

511

Unclear is 25.Qd5 Kc7 26.Qxf7+ Kb8∞. 25...Qc5 26.h5! Kc7 27.Nf5∞ And although engines think that Black is not worse, certainly it won’t be easy to fight against White’s light-square domination. 6 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.Ng3 (with 21.--) 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 Qc5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.Ng3 h5 17.h4 Bh6 18.Qe2 Qe3! 19.Nxh5 Ke7 20.Qf1! Bxe4

21.Rh3 21.Rg1!? This was played in one of the most recent games in this line, between young IM Plenca and the co-author of this book, GM Jankovic. We will pause at this point because the position reflects the complexity of all the Richter-Rauzer lines. This is a novelty, the result of concrete preparation for the game, and it was Black’s task to find the right answer at the board. It is quite clear that Black has to be concrete because White threatens to gain a strong initiative by simply pushing the g-pawn up the board. However, sometimes logic is not enough. In this position there is a beautiful hidden tactical motif that gives Black a useful counterattack. 21...b3! It is not easy over the board to decide on such an apparently pointless pawn move. When a grandmaster who has great experience in these positions does not notice this hidden possibility, we can only imagine how hard it is for other players who encounter similar positions for the first time. The 512

point of the move is to open the a-file so that White’s king will be much more exposed and Black will in some lines have perpetual check ideas. [21...Rac8 22.g4 Bxd3 (Again, the right move was 22...b3!. The difference from the previous line is that White now has the following possibility. 23.c3 Qf3 24.Bxe4 Qxe4+ 25.Qd3 Qxd3+ 26.Rxd3 bxa2+ 27.Kxa2 Rc4²) 23.Rxd3 Qc5 24.Qd1 Be3 25.Rg2± Plenca, J (2406)-Jankovic, A (2582) Mali Losinj 2017.] 22.axb3 Rac8 23.g4

23...Rxc2! 24.Kxc2 Rc8+ 25.Kb1 Rc1+ 26.Ka2 Bxd3 27.Qe1 An incredible position which is not clear for the engines, let alone humans. Only a profound analysis will show that the best answer for Black is 27...Rc2! 28.Qb4 Qf2 29.Qa3 Bd2 30.Nxf6 Qd4 31.g5.

513

And we can see that a very sharp position has emerged where White has a material advantage but the great activity of Black’s pieces gives him more opportunities to hold the position. One of the possible lines would be 31...e4 (a serious option is 31...Bc3 32.Rb1 Bxf5 33.Rh1 a5∞) 32.g6 Bc3 33.Nxe4 Qxe4 34.g7

34...Bxb2 35.Qxb2 Rxb2+ 36.Kxb2 Qd4+ 37.Ka3 Qc5+= with perpetual check. 21...Bxd3

514

22.Rxd3 Black is fine after 22.Qxd3 Qxd3 23.Rhxd3 Be3!„. 22...Qc1+! At first we were surprised when engines suggested this possible defence, bnt subsequent analysis showed that they were right and that Black can hold the position. a) Not 22...Qe4? on account of 23.Qd1! Rad8 24.g4 Bf4 25.Rh1± and later White won in Vachier Lagrave, M (2573)-Atalik, S (2586) Wijk aan Zee 2007. b) Nor 22...Qb6? 23.g4 Rag8 24.Qd1 Bf8 25.Ng3 Qc6 26.Nf1 Bh6 27.g5 fxg5 28.Ne3± which was seen in Zvara, P (2351)-Blehm, P (2535) Czechia 2001. 23.Qxc1 Bxc1 24.Kxc1 a) If 24.Ng3 then Black is fine after 24...Bh6 25.Ne4 Rhg8„. b) In two games 24.g4!? was played. 24...Bh6

515

25.a3 (Insufficient for an advantage is 25.c4 bxc3 26.Rxc3 Rac8 27.Rhd3 e4 28.Rd4 d5 29.Rxd5 Rxc3 30.bxc3 Rg8 31.Kc2 Rxg4 32.Rd7+ and the draw was agreed in Valinova, J (2358)-Kloster, S ICCF 2010.) 25...Rag8 26.Nxf6 Kxf6 27.Rxd6+ Kg7

28.g5 Bxg5 29.Rg3 Rxh4 30.Rxg5+ Kh7 31.Rxg8 Kxg8 32.axb4 Rxb4 33.Rxa6 Rf4 34.f6 Kh7 And Black held the position in Khalifman, A (2637)-Dubov, D (2489) Aix-les-Bains 2011. c) In the first game where 22...Qc1 was seen White proceeded with 24.Nxf6 Kxf6 25.Kxc1 Kxf5 26.Rxd6 Rag8

516

27.Rd2 (27.Rf3+ led to a quick draw after 27...Ke4 28.Rxf7 Rxg2 29.Rf1= in Gallagher, J (2464)Jankovic, A (2548) Novi Sad 2009.) 27...Rg4 28.Rf2+ Ke6 29.Rhf3 Rhxh4 30.Rf6+ Kd5 31.Rxf7 Rh1+ 32.Kd2 Rh2= and the game soon ended in a draw in Saric, I (2566)-Jankovic, A (2571) Rijeka 2009. 24...Rxh5 25.g4

25...Rhh8 Interesting is 25...Rh7!? 26.Rh1 Rc8 (Black can also attack the pawns with 26...Rg8!?.) 27.h5= and the position should be equal. (White quickly found himself in trouble after 27.b3? Rg7 28.Rg1 Rh8 29.Rh3 d5³ and later Black won in Dineley, R (2259)-Gupta, A (2637) Istanbul 2012.) 517

26.h5 Rac8

27.a3 The only reasonable try, other moves are less good. a) 27.Kd2 Rc4 28.Rh4 Rhc8 29.c3 bxc3+ 30.Rxc3 Rxc3 31.bxc3 Kf8„ b) Or 27.b3 Rhg8 28.Rh4 Rc5

With the idea of 29...d5. 29.c4 bxc3 30.Kc2 d5 31.Rxc3 Kd6 32.Rxc5 (Dubious is 32.b4?! due to 32...Rxc3+ 33.Kxc3 d4+„ and Black’s king will support his pawns.) 32...Kxc5 33.h6 e4 34.h7 Rh8„

518

In this position only Black can be better. 27...Rc4 28.axb4 Rxg4

Also sufficient for equality is 28...Rxb4!? 29.Rh4 Rg8 30.h6 (30.Rg3!?) 30...Rbxg4 31.Rxg4 Rxg4 32.Rh3 Rg8 33.c4 (If 33.h7 then 33...Rh8 34.c4 a5= to be followed by ...Kf8 and ...Kg7.) 33...a5 34.Kd2 Rb8 35.Kc3 (35.h7 Rh8= 36.Rh6 Kf8 37.Rxf6=) 35...Kf8=. 29.Ra3 d5= And the game will most likely end in a draw. Less precise is 29...Rxb4 since White keeps a slight advantage after 30.Rxa6². 7 13...Qc5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.c3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 Qc5 14.Bd3 b4 15.Ne2 e5 16.c3! In the light of the games played over the last few years, this plan has crystallized as the most dangerous to Black. The idea has its chess logic. Since Black is late with the development of the kingside and the activation of the dark-squared bishop on the c1–h6 diagonal, White opens the game on the other side of the board. The basic problem of Black’s position is that it takes a long time to connect his rooks and coordinate his pieces.

519

16...Rb8 This has been tried in several correspondence games. a) 16...a5 17.cxb4 Qxb4 (17...axb4? is a serious mistake due to 18.Rc1 Qb6 19.Rxc6!±.) 18.Qc2!ƒ

Black was slightly worse after 18...Rc8. [18...Ba4?! This temporary activity will bring only problems for Black. 19.b3 Rb8 20.Bc4 Bh6 21.Qc3 Ke7 (21...Bc6 22.Bxf7+ Kxf7 23.Qxc6±) 22.Qxb4 Rxb4 23.Nc3 Bc6 24.Rd3±] 19.a3 Qa4 20.Qxa4 Bxa4 21.Rc1 Rb8 22.Rc7 Be7 23.Bc2 Bd7 24.Nc3 Bd8 25.Rc4 Rg8 26.g3 h5 27.Rg1 h4² Ruggeri Laderchi, G (2516)-Stull, N (2618) ICCF email 2006. 520

b) 16...b3!

17.axb3 h5 [17...a5 18.Ng3 h5

And White’s respect for his highly-rated opponent induced him to agree a draw the draw in Heimann,A (2579)-Rapport, R (2713) Karlsruhe 2016. 19.h4! That’s the problem! White fixes his opponent’s weakness, believing that Black does not have enough strength in his attack. (Engines give a vast advantage to White after 19.Qe2? h4 20.Nh5 Ke7 21.Bc4 Bh6 22.g4

521

but in our opinion that evaluation is totally wrong! After 22...Rhb8µ we believe that Black is clearly better!) 19...Ke7 20.Qe2 Bh6 21.Nxh5 And it is hard for Black to prove that he has enough compensation.] 18.Qc2 a5 19.Bc4

It was necessary to exploit the position of the unprotected bishop on c4 and play 19...a4. (19...Rb8?! 20.Bd5 Bd7 21.Nc1 Bh6 22.Nd3 Qb6 23.Qe2± Akopian, V (2674)-Jankovic, A (2554) Dubai 2014.) 20.Nc1 Bh6 21.Na2 axb3 22.Bxb3 0-0 23.Nb4 Qa7 24.Qe2 Rfc8 25.Nxc6 Rxc6 26.Bc4 Rb8 27.Rd5 Rcb6 28.Bb5 h4² And it’s true that White is a clear pawn-up, but it is not clear how he will improve his position. c) Opening the position with 16...d5? 522

is bad due to 17.exd5 Bxd5 18.cxb4 Qxb4 19.Nc3 Bc6 20.Rhe1±. 17.cxb4 Qxb4 18.Qxb4 Rxb4 19.Nc3

19...Rg8! a) 19...Bb7?! is dubious. Harikrishna now went for 20.Rhe1. (20.b3!! Rd4 21.Bc4 Bxe4+ 22.Nxe4 Rxe4 23.Bxa6± Pessoa, F (2369)-Kirpikov, A (2271) IECC email 2006.) 20...Be7 (White is also better in case of 20...Rd4 21.Bf1 Bh6 22.Kc2 0-0 23.b3 Rc8 24.Bc4±.) 21.a3 Rd4 22.Bc2 Rg8 23.g3±

523

And White achieved a clear advantage. Harikrishna, P (2725)-Thor-hallsson, T (2437) Bilbao 2014. b) Another attempt was 19...a5 20.a3 Rb8 21.Ka2 Rg8 22.g3 Be7 23.Bc4 Kf8 24.Bd5 Bd7 25.Bb3 Bc6 26.Rd3± Pecka, J (2402)-Nyvlt, Z (2420) ICCF 2014. 20.g3 Rg4 Also possible is 20...a5 21.a3 Rb8∞ as in Castro Salguero, R (2420)-Gonzalez Pereira, F (2450) ICCF 2011. 21.Rhe1 White has a slight but intangible advantage thanks to his queenside majority. 21...Rd4 21...Kd7 leads to an unclear game after 22.b3 (Black held the position after 22.Bc2 Be7 23.Nd5 Bxd5 24.Rxd5 Bd8 25.a3 Rc4 26.Red1 Bc7 27.Bd3 Rc6= in Roser, K (2433)-Demuth, A (2388) France 2009.) 22...Rd4 23.Kb2 a5 24.Bb5 Bxb5 (At all costs Black should avoid the endgame that may arise after 24...Rxd1? 25.Bxc6+ Kxc6 26.Rxd1± when White had a big advantage in Baron, T (2467)Schaefer, M (2179) Val Gardena 2012.) 25.Rxd4 exd4 26.Nxb5 h5∞ 22.Bc2 Bh6 23.Rxd4 exd4 24.Nd5 Bxd5 25.exd5+ Be3 26.b4

524

And there is no doubt that White is better; the question is whether he has enough to win. There could follow: 26...Kd8 27.Bd3 Bd2 28.Re2 Bxb4 29.Bxa6 d3 30.Bxd3 Rd4 31.Be4 Bc5 32.Bf3 Kd7 33.Rb2 Rd3 34.Bg2 Kc7²

The game is more likely to end in a draw than a win for White. 8 13...b4 14.Ne2 e5 15.Ng3 h5 16.h4 Bh6 17.Qe2 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 525

gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 b4

The other big option, besides 13...Qc5. 14.Ne2 e5 15.Ng3 h5 16.h4 Bh6!?

This continuation has come back into fashion in the last few years. Black sacrifices the d6-pawn to shift play into an endgame, relying on his bishop pair. In itself, that is in the spirit of the variation, but in this particular case the problem is with the pawns on a6 and h5 which are still under attack from the white pieces. Interestingly, no one has ever shown the right way to play for White (Mostly everyone followed the first line of the engine.) but a deeper analysis shows that 526

the real danger is hidden in the move which engines do not appreciate much. White has two options. 17.Qe2 According to the database this is the less common choice for White, although it has been played by some very strong players such as GM Bacrot. 17.Qxd6! — See the next subchapter. 17...Ke7 18.Nxh5

18...Qb7! It is best to put pressure on the e4-pawn immediately. Trying to improve the game for Black by pushing 18...b3?! will not prove successful. After 19.axb3 a5

527

20.Rh3! This is a direct refutation of Black’s idea. [20.Qd3?! Giving his opponent a chance. 20...Rhd8?! (The d6-pawn should have been defended with 20...Bb7! since the king’s rook is much more useful on h8. With this move Black also moves his bishop away from the potentially dangerous sixth rank.) 21.g4 a4 22.g5 axb3 23.cxb3

23...d5? (The last chance was to take the pawn with 23...fxg5 24.f6+ Kd7 and run away with the king.) 24.Qg3 dxe4 25.Bc4+– Bacrot, E (2692)-Swinkels, R (2484) Bundesliga 2017.] 20...a4

528

21.Nxf6! A typical sacrifice. Black should watch out for this idea. 21...axb3 (21...Kxf6 22.Rxd6+ Ke7 23.Rhd3! Bg7 24.Qd2 axb3 25.cxb3+–) 22.Rxb3+– 19.Re1 b3

20.Rh3 a) Black is perfectly fine in case of 20.axb3 a5 21.g4 a4 22.Rh3 a3

529

23.g5 fxg5 24.f6+ Kd8 25.bxa3 g4 26.Rc3 Rxa3 27.Rd1∞ Sferle, M (2530)-Yeremenko, A (2440) ROU-UKR ICCF 2011. Here Black can play ...Bf8 or ...Kc7. b) 20.cxb3 Rhc8 21.a3 (Another game went 21.Ng3 a5 22.Qf3 Bf4³ and Black took over the initiative, Gueci, A (2370)-Mrkvicka, J (2444) ICCF 2009.) 21...Qxb3 (21...Rab8 22.Rh3 Bxe4+ 23.Qxe4 Qxe4+ 24.Rxe4 Rc1+ 25.Ka2 Rxf1 26.g4 d5 27.Ra4 Rb6∞) 22.Rh3 Qa4 23.g4

And now we see some brilliant play. 23...Bc1!! 24.Rc3 (24.Rxc1 Bxe4+ 25.Rd3 Bxd3+ 26.Qxd3 Rxc1+ 27.Kxc1 Qxg4 28.Ng3 d5 29.Kb1 Qxh4 30.Qxd5 Qxg3 31.Qc5+=) 24...Bxb2 25.Kxb2 Rab8+ 26.Ka1

530

26...Bd5!! 27.Nxf6™ 27...Bb3 28.Qb2 Rxc3 29.Nd5+ Bxd5 30.Qxc3= 20...bxc2+ 21.Qxc2

21...Rac8!? This would be a novelty and, we believe, the best answer. Earlier we have seen 21...Qb4 22.Rc3 Ba4 23.b3?! (Better was 23.Qf2 Rhc8 24.a3∞ Tukhaev, A (2516)-Sarbojit, P (2042) Chennai 2017.) 23...Rhc8 24.Kb2 Qd4 25.Bd3 drawn.

531

Guseinov, G (2574)-Kotronias, V (2585), Moscow 2005. Black could have played on with 25...Bb5!µ. 22.Bc4 Bb5 23.Rc3 Bxc4 24.Rxc4 Rxc4 25.Qxc4 Bd2 26.Rd1 Black has several interesting possibilities, but probably the simplest is:

26...Rxh5 a) The intermediate move 26...Bc3 looks nice, but it doesn’t deliver much after 27.Qxc3 Qxe4+ 28.Ka1 Rxh5 29.Qc8 Qxf5 30.Qb8=. b) But if Black has bigger ambitions he can try to play on with 26...Be3 27.g4 Rc8 28.Qd3 Bd4 29.Qe2 532

Rc3∞. 27.Rxd2 Rxh4 28.Re2 Rh1+ 29.Kc2

29...Rh8 29...a5!? is playable as well. 30.Kb1= 9 13...b4 14.Ne2 e5 15.Ng3 h5 16.h4 Bh6 17.Qxd6 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.f5 b4 14.Ne2 e5 15.Ng3 h5 16.h4 Bh6!? 17.Qxd6!

533

17...Rd8 18.Qxd8+ Qxd8 19.Rxd8+ Kxd8

And now comes the move which gives Black the biggest headache. 20.Bxa6! White players most often have gone for 20.Bd3 Rg8 21.Nxh5 Ke7 22.g3, but Black with precise play can easily hold the position. 22...a5! 23.Rd1 Rd8 (Black should not rush with 23...a4 24.Be2 Bxe4 since White now has the strong rejoinder 25.Rd7+.) 24.Re1 a4 25.g4 Rg8 26.Nxf6 Kxf6 27.g5+ Bxg5 28.hxg5+ Rxg5 29.a3

534

29...b3! 30.cxb3 axb3 31.Kc1 Rg2= 20...Ke7 The same position arises after 20...Rg8 21.Rh3 Ke7. 21.Rh3 Rg8 22.Bd3

Here we have a very important moment for the evaluation of the whole line. It is interesting that engines give White only a small advantage despite the fact that he is two pawns up. However, in the position there are several dangerous traps hidden and Black must be very accurate to maintain the balance. First of all, it is clear that White will have to push one of his pawns on the queenside to open 535

the way for his king. To defend the black position, it is essential to separate the a- and c-pawns and prevent the creation of a passed pawn. The importance of these factors can quickly be seen in the lines that follow. Having all this in mind, I (Kozul) asked myself, what would White do if it were his move? Since moves of Black’s dark-squared bishop to d2 or e3 give White time to transfer his knight, I came to the conclusion that Black’s best course is to just wait and make a neutral move. 22...Bb7!? Simplest. a) Let’s take a look what would follow, for example, in case of 22...Bd2 23.Nf1 Bh6

24.Ne3!! This is the moment I mentioned earlier. Some engines do not list this move among the top suggestions, but this simple move is also the best and it forces the game into an almost winning position for White. After 24...Bxe3 25.Rxe3 Rxg2 things become almost forced. Now White manages to achieve two passed pawns that Black cannot successfully stop. 26.a3!

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26...bxa3 27.b4 Rh2 28.Ka2 Rxh4 29.b5 Ba8 30.Kxa3 Rg4 31.Kb4 h4 32.Re1 h3 33.Rh1 Rg3 34.Kc5 Kd7 35.Kb6 Kc8 36.Ka7+– b) There is also the interesting possibility of 22...Be3!?

23.Nxh5 (If White now tries the same idea as in (a) there is a big difference. 23.Nf1 Bc5 24.Ne3 Kd6! A very important move with which Black gains the tempo needed to control the c5-square against invasion by the white king.

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Since now the king’s advance does not make sense, White can instead force Black to exchange the dark-squared bishop. 25.Rf3 Threatening g2–g3. 25...Bxe3 26.Rxe3 Rxg2 27.a3 bxa3 28.b4 Rg4 29.Ka2 Rxh4 30.Kxa3 Rh1 31.b5 Bb7 32.Kb4 h4 33.c4 h3 34.c5+ Kc7 35.b6+ After this the white king cannot hide in front of the pawn. 35...Kd8=) 23...Rxg2

24.c3! (24.a3 is not dangerous. 24...b3™ 25.cxb3 Bd4 26.Kc1 Bxb2+ 27.Kd1 Bxa3² Perhaps Black has not yet solved all his problems, but this position should be easily holdable. It is important to note that, after the knight returns, Black’s king blocks the h-pawn while his two bishops and active rook give him enough counterplay.) 24...Rg1+ 25.Kc2 Ba4+ 26.b3 Rg2+ 27.Kb1 Rg1+ 28.Kb2 Rg2+ 29.Bc2 bxc3+ 30.Kxc3 Bd2+ 31.Kc4 Bd7 32.a4 Be1 33.Bd1

538

We have come to an unusual finale where White has three passed pawns. I was very surprised by the evaluations of the engines, which did not show much concern for Black’s position. It is true that Black has a powerful bishop pair and that the white knight is out of the game, but White has passed pawns on both wings and it’s not immediately clear how Black will fight against them. After a deep analysis it turned out that now Black’s best is to play quietly 33...Bc8!. One possible continuation follows. 34.b4 Rd2 35.Rd3 Rb2 36.Bb3 Bb7 37.Kb5!? Bxe4

38.Re3 Bxf5 39.Rxe1 Rxb3 40.Nf4 Rf3 41.Ng2 Ra3 42.Ne3 Bd7+ 43.Kc5 Rxa4 44.h5 Be6= (It also quite interesting to play 44...Kf8 45.h6 Kg8 46.Nd5 Ra6 47.b5 Bxb5 48.Kxb5 Re6 49.Ne3 Kh7 50.Nf5 e4=.) 23.a3 bxa3 24.bxa3 Bc6 25.Ka2 Ba4!° 539

At this point we end our analysis with the conclusion that Black has enough counterplay for two pawns. As we mentioned earlier, the separated white pawns on the queenside are no longer dangerous and Black with two bishops and an active rook can count on nice counterplay. How should White continue? One of the possible plans is to switch the king to the kingside, for example, to the f3-square, but it will cost him the loss of the a-pawn and later the g-pawn. In such a position Black would defend in such a way that his king takes over the blockade of the h-pawn and the rook and active bishops hold the passed c-pawn.

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Chapter 9 The Kozul Variation with 13.Qe1 & 15.-1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5

Contents

1. 15.fxe6 2. 15.Qh4 -3. 15.Qh4 Be7 4. 15.Ne2 -5. 15.Ne2 Re7, 15...Rc7 1 15.fxe6 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1

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White is threatening to play Nd5. 13...Ra7 14.f5 14.Nd5? would now fail to 14...exd5 15.exd5+ Re7–+. 14...Qc5 15.fxe6 White immediately releases the tension, not allowing Black to block the centre with ...e5. 15...fxe6 16.Ne2!? An interesting idea. White wants to transfer the knight as soon as possible to f4 or d4, where it can attack the weakest point in the Black camp — the pawn on e6. a) 16.Bd3 is too slow. 16...Bg7! 17.Qg3

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17...b4 (17...Qe5 was more to the point, with the same idea of exchanging the queens, but denying the white bishop access to the c4-square.) 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.Rhf1 a5 20.Bc4 Qxg3 21.hxg3 e5 This was seen in the correspondencet game Josefsson, K-Peli, G 2003, which ended in a draw. b) 16.Qh4 Bg7

17.Ne2 [White can also try 17.Bd3 Qe5 18.Rde1 b4 19.Nd1 (19.Qf2 Rb7) 19...a5 as played in Coro (2193)Kizatbay (2065) World Youth Open U16, 2017, where White should have proceeded with 20.Ne3∞.] 17...Rc7 18.Nd4 Bd7 19.Be2

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19...e5!? (Black accepts the challenge and enters a forced line, which will prove to be the right decision. Another possibility was to play quietly with 19...0-0 20.Rd2 Qg5.) 20.Bh5+ Ke7 21.Qg3 Bh6 22.Qb3 Qc4

23.Ne2? Black will now get a better position. [More to the point was 23.Nf5+ Bxf5 24.exf5 Rhc8 25.c3. Black now has two options. The first is to sacrifice a pawn with 25...b4!? (The other option is to play with less risk: 25...a5 26.Be2 Qxb3 27.axb3 b4 28.c4 Be3=.) 26.Qxb4 Qxb4 27.cxb4 d5∞. It is not easy to move the pawns in the centre and in the arising position White has his chances.] 23...Qxb3 24.axb3 b4³ Geller, J (2536)-Soumya, S (2264) Moscow 2014.

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Back to 16.Ne2.

16...Re7 Black is taking prophylactic measures. a) It looks very dangerous to accept the challenge with 16...Bxe4?! since after 17.Nc3‚ Black has to worry about the pressure along the open e-file. Now 17...Bf5?? would be a big blunder because of 18.Rd5+–. b) 16...Qe5!? also deserves attention. 17.Nf4 Bg7 The bishop is also good on the other diagonal: 17...Bh6!?. 18.Qd2

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After Black has managed to consolidate his position he is ready to accept the challenge and take the pawn. Bad is 18.Bd3? due to 18...Qe5. 18...Bxe4 19.Bd3 Bb7 20.Rhe1 Necessary. 20.Rde1? Bh6 21.Rhf1 e5 22.Qe2 e4

With his last few moves Black has formed a wall in the centre and he can use the e5-square for one of his pieces. 23.Qg4 Qg5? Understandably, Black wants to exchange the queens, but in the given 546

position there was a much stronger move. (23...Bc8! 24.Qh4 exd3µ And White doesn’t have enough compensation for the piece; we should mention that 23...exd3? is bad on account of 24.Rxe7+ Kxe7 25.Re1++–.) 24.Qh3 f5 25.Be2 Bg7 26.Qb3 Be5 27.g3 This was unclear in Kotronias, V (2626)-Kozul, Z (2597) Plovdiv 2003. Back to 20.Rhe1.

20...e5 If Black doesn’t want to risk too much he can just play the simple 20...Bh6!? since after 21.Rxe6 Rxe6 22.Nxe6 Bxd2 23.Nxc5 dxc5 24.Rxd2= he should hold this endgame without any problems. 21.Nh5 0-0 22.Bf5 d5 23.Re3 d4 24.Rh3 Bc8 25.Ng3 Bxf5 26.Nxf5 Rd7

547

White certainly has some compensation for the sacrificed pawn thanks to the strong knight on f5, but the Black position is solid and it’s not easy to see how White could mount an attack. 2 15.Qh4 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Qh4!?

Direct play. Since the f6-pawn is attacked Black needs to decide whether he should protect the pawn or ignore the threat. 548

15...h5!?

a) At first glance it seems that a simple solution to Black’s problem is to play 15...Qe5, but the queen is exposed on the e-file and White has the tactical resource 16.Nd5!.

16...Bg7 17.Nf4 The most unpleasant move. [After 17.Nb4 Black doesn’t have time for passive play and he must enter the complications with 17...Bxe4! (Weaker is 17...Ba8? 18.Qf2 Re7 19.Re1! exf5 20.Nd3 Qe6 21.exf5 Qd7 22.Rxe7+ Qxe7 23.Be2 0-0 24.Bf3± and White soon won in Drenchev, P (2477)-Kozhuharov, S (2395) Plovdiv 2010.) 18.Re1

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And now Black should play the precise 18...d5! 19.Nc6 Bxc2+ 20.Ka1 Qc7 21.Nxa7 Qxa7 22.fxe6 00∞ and very soon the g7-bishop will become an extremely strong piece.] 17...a5 [Inferior is 17...h5?! 18.Nxh5 Kf8 (18...Ke7 19.Qf2±) 19.Bd3± and Black doesn’t have enough compensation.] 18.Be2

18...Rc7 Now White needs to select the right rook to station on the e-file. (One idea connected with placing the queen on e5 is certainly advancing the a-pawn to attack the b2-square, but in this particular position that plan is too slow. 18...a4 19.Qg4 Kf8 20.Nd3! Qxe4 21.Qg3 e5 22.Bf3 Qc4 23.Bxc6

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Qxc6 24.Nb4±

Black’s extra pawn is not an important factor any more; White’s complete domination of the light squares guarantees him an edge.) 19.Rde1!‚ and since Black no longer has the possibility of taking on e4, White’s attack is quite strong. (19.Rhe1?! Bxe4 20.Bd3 Bxd3!„) b) It is useful here to mention the possibility of a double attack which can occur after 15...Bg7? 16.Qg4 0-0 17.fxe6± and White exploited his material advantage in Bonev, T (2270)-Kozhuharov, S (2424) Borovetz 2008. 16.Bd3! Probably White is best advised to finish his development with this move and prepare to bring the h1rook into play. Then Black still needs to decide what to do about his attacked pawn. For that reason we will suggest 15...Be7, but let’s have a look why 15...h5!? isn’t immediately refuted: a) After 16.Qxf6 Rh6 (Equally good is 16...Qe5!? as the bishop pair and his active rooks give Black enough compensation for the pawn.) 17.Qd4 (17.Qh4 b4 18.Ne2 Bg7‚ Black has a lot of attacking possibilities.) 17...Qxd4 18.Rxd4 Ke7„

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Again Black has enough compensation and now he can use the e5-square for his bishop.. b) 16.e5!?

A thematic push which will be seen in many positions! White is sacrificing a pawn to clear the e4square for his pieces. But in this particular position it’s not so dangerous. 16...fxe5 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Bd3 (Less dangerous is 18.Ne4 Bxe4 19.Qxe4 Rc7∞ or 19...Qc7 protecting the e5-pawn in preparation for the ...d5 advance.) 18...Rg7 [Also possible is 18...Re7!? 19.Rhf1 Kd7

552

20.Qh3 (20.Ne4 Bxe4 21.Qxe4 …c4 21...d5 22.Qxe5 Bg7„ White has managed to return the material, but in the meantime Black has built a solid wall around his king and is ready to develop serious threats along the long diagonal.) 20...Bg7 21.Be4 Kc7 This was seen in the game Wells, P (2522)-Nevednichy, V (2563) Ohrid 2001.] 19.Qf6 (If 19.Ne4 then 19...Be7 20.Qh3 Bxe4 21.Bxe4 Rh6„ and the black pieces are very well coordinated.) 19...Kd7∞

With a complicated game and chances for both sides. 3 15.Qh4 Be7 553

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Qh4!? Be7

After this move, as we will see on move 16, Black has an opportunity to transpose into the next chapter, and that is probably his best course of action. 16.Bd3 Here, Black should play 16...Rc7 and transpose to the next chapter (15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7). Let’s try to understand why other moves are very dangerous for him. 16...a5 This motif of counterplay occurs very often. White’s queen has left the protection of the c3-knight and that’s the reason why Black advances his a-pawn to provoke serious weaknesses around the white king. However, Black does not have enough time to carry out that plan successfully. a) As in some previous examples, 16...Qe5? doesn’t solve Black’s problems. The queen is exposed on e5 and White could open the e-file. 17.Rhe1 a5 (Bad is 17...b4? 18.Nd5! exd5 19.exd5 Qxd5 20.Be4 Qc5 21.Bxc6+ Qxc6 22.Qxf6 Rf8 23.Qd4!+– with f5–f6 to follow.) 18.Nd5 exd5 (After 18...a4 19.a3! ± Black lacks any counterplay.) 19.exd5 Qxd5 20.Be4 Qc5 21.Bxc6+ Qxc6 22.Qxf6 Rf8

554

23.Qd4! Qc5 24.f6 Qxd4 25.Rxd4 Kd8 26.fxe7+ Rxe7 27.Rxd6+± With an extra pawn and better structure, White is close to winning. b) 16...b4 17.Ne2

17...e5 transposes to 15.Bd3 b4 16.Ne2 e5 17.Qh4 Be7. (Again, there is no time to play 17...Qe5 since after 18.Nf4± it’s not easy to find a satisfactory answer. For example, the attempt 18...0-0? is refuted by 19.Qh6

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19...Kh8 20.Ng6+!+–) 17.e5! One of the basic rules is to react to a wing attack with action in the centre!

17...fxe5 18.Qh5 a4 Maybe better is 18...exf5 but after 19.Qxf5 (Unclear is 19.Bxf5 Bxg2 20.Ne4∞.) 19...b4 20.Ne4‚ White retains an initiative. 19.Ne4! 556

The following line demonstrates how effective counterplay against the b2-pawn can be: 19.fxe6 a3

20.Bxb5! (20.Be4 Qb4! 21.Bxc6+ Kd8 is similar to the main line except that White has not taken a pawn. 20.exf7+ Kd8 21.Qg4 Rf8„) 20...Qb4! 21.Bxc6+ Kd8

22.Na4! [22.Kc1 leads immediately to perpetual check. 22...Qf4+ (22...axb2+? 23.Kb1 Qxc3 24.Bd5) 23.Kb1 (23.Rd2? axb2+µ) 23...Qb4=.] 22...Rxa4 23.Qxe5

557

It looks as though White is winning, but: 23...Kc7!!. Black offers a whole rook, but excludes the white queen from the defence and that gives him sufficient counterplay! 24.Qxh8 (24.Rxd6 leads nowhere after 24...Bxd6 25.Qxh8 Kxc6 26.exf7 Ra7 27.Qc8+ Kb6 28.Qd8+ Kb5 29.Qe8+ Ka5 30.Qd8+ Rc7 31.Qa8+ Kb6µ.) 24...f6

25.b3 (Nor can the perpetual be avoided with 25.Kc1 Qxb2+ 26.Kd2 Qd4+ 27.Ke2 Qc4+=.) 25...Qc3 26.Kc1 Qe3+ 27.Rd2 Rd4 28.Rhd1 Rxd2 29.Rxd2 Qe1+ 30.Rd1 Qe3+

558

31.Kb1 Qc3 32.Kc1 Qe3+= It’s perpetual check. Back to 19.Ne4.

19...Bxe4 19...Qd5?! 20.f6 Bf8 (20...Bd8? 21.Rhe1+–) 21.Rhe1 Bd7 22.Ng5 Bc8 23.Qe2± 20.Bxe4 a3 The most appealing move, but not enough to gain equality for Black. 20...Qb4 is no fun for Black either. After 21.Bc6+! Kd8 22.fxe6± White may have no specific threats 559

but the control of the light squares gives him a clear and lasting advantage. 21.fxe6 Qb4

22.exf7+! White only needs to execute some tactics to enable him to take on e5. which eliminates all the threats. White might think that he is winning after 22.Bc6+? but Black has an unexpected response which completely complicates the fight. 22...Rd7!! As we know, such moves are easily overlooked in calculation! The idea is to cover the d-file, not allowing Qxe5. (22...Kd8 23.Qxe5+–) 23.exd7+ [23.Bxd7+ Kd8 24.b3 (24.Kc1 Rg8! 25.exf7 Qxb2+= 26.Kd2 Qb4+ 27.Kc1 Qb2+=) 24...Qc3 25.Kc1

560

25...fxe6!„ After some hesitation the engines give Black full compensation! (25...Rg8? This move is no longer enough for a draw since after 26.exf7 Qa1+ 27.Kd2 Qd4+ 28.Ke1+– there is no perpetual; with 25...h6? Black is virtually forced to return material. However, it will not be enough for salvation. 26.h4 Qe3+ 27.Rd2 Qc3 28.Kd1! Qa1+ 29.Ke2 Qxh1 30.Qf3+–)] 23...Kd8 24.b3 (Unclear is 24.Kc1 Qxb2+ 25.Kd2 Qd4+ 26.Ke1 Qc3+ 27.Rd2 Qxc6 28.Rf1∞.) 24...Qc3 25.Kc1 Rg8! This quiet move is the only way to develop an attack. Now White should be very careful.

26.Rd3™ (For example, 26.Rxd6? loses to 26...e4!–+; 26.h4? to 26...d5!–+.) 26...Qa1+ 27.Kd2 Qxh1 28.Qxf7 Rxg2+ 29.Bxg2 Qxg2+ 30.Kd1 Qg1+ 31.Ke2 Qxh2+ 32.Qf2∞ Black’s chances of holding this position are very high. 561

22...Kf8 22...Kd8? 23.Qxe5+– 23.Qh6+ Kxf7 24.Bd5++–

White’s bishop returns to b3, after which Black is left with no real threats. The position can be assessed as very problematic for him. 4 15.Ne2 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Ne2!?

562

This move is very rare in tournament practice, but as we will see in the analysis the idea is very interesting and Black must be very careful. And this motif of pawn sacrifice very often occurs in similar positions. White’s knight has lost the option of jumping to d5, so it immediately switches to an active position. Before seeing two good options for Black in the next subchapter (15...Re7 and 15...Rc7), let’s examine other options, just for the general understanding of the variation. Most lines are very tricky — which also mean you might like to try this line from the White side! 15...exf5 This would be one of the direct attempts to refute White’s idea. First, let’s have a look at a few other possibilities for Black. For concrete reasons, we can’t advise these moves, but would like to show some very interesting lines. a) It is interesting to accept the challenge and take the pawn. 15...Bxe4!? 16.Nc3!

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Now Black needs to decide where to place the bishop. The best square is 16...Bc6. (Bad is 16...Bxc2+ 17.Kxc2 b4 18.fxe6 bxc3 19.exf7+ Kxf7 20.b3± and the white bishop is dominating its opposite number; 16...Bxf5 is not good either. 17.Rd5 Bxc2+ 18.Kxc2 Without queens on the board Black would have an acceptable position, but with the queens it’s much harder for him to advance his pawns.) Black should be prepared to defend the position which arises after 17.fxe6 (17.Bd3 Re7∞) 17...Re7∞. b) The attempt to exchange queens with 15...Qe3? does not work because of 16.Qa5!± with Nd4 to follow. c) Black can try 15...Ba8!?

16.fxe6! The only way to fight for an advantage. (Premature is 16.Qh4 on account of 16...Rc7 17.c3 b4„; 16.Nf4 Bh6 17.Nh5 Rc7 18.Bd3 Ke7„ and Black has managed to develop his pieces 564

harmoniously.) 16...fxe6 17.Nf4 Re7 18.Be2 Bg7

19.Bg4! (It’s too soon to play 19.Bh5+ Kd7∞.) 19...Qe5 20.Nd3 Qd4 21.Bh5+! (The materialistic approach with 21.Nb4 Qe5 22.Qd2 0-0 23.Qxd6 f5 24.Qxe5 Bxe5 25.exf5 a5 leads to an unclear position. Despite being a pawn down, Black has reasonable chances in the resulting endgame.) 21...Kd7 22.Rf1 Rc8 23.Rf4‚

By exploiting the exposed position of the black queen, White is developing his pieces with gain of tempo and he has a strong initiative. d) Again, queen centralization won’t solve Black’s problems. 15...Qe5? 16.Nd4!

565

16...Bxe4? Taking the pawn backfires as White will easily organize an attack. (16...Bd7 is no help either: 17.Qh4ƒ Bg7 18.Rd3 0-0 and now White has a pleasant choice between 19.Be2± or 19.Rg3 Kh8 20.Nf3 Qc5 21.Bd3 e5 22.Nd2± with Nf1–e3 next.) 17.Qh4! (17.Qa5 was seen in Bonev, T (2272)Kozhuharov, S (2412) Sunny Beach 2008. But after 17...Qc5 White could have played better with the intermezzo 18.fxe6! fxe6 19.Bd3 Bd5 20.Be2!‚ with Bf3 to follow and White has a dangerous attack.) 17...d5 (17...exf5 18.Bd3±) 18.Bd3 Rc7

19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.fxe6 Bc5 21.exf7+ Kxf7 22.Ne2± Black has difficulties coordinating his pieces. e) Immediately developing the bishop with 15...Bh6 is not enough for equality. 16.Nd4 Bd7

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17.c3 (White is better also after 17.Qh4!? Bg5 18.Qh5 Be3 19.c3‚.) 17...0-0 Engines are not afraid of this position for Black, but experience tells us that it is not easy to find decent counterplay. (Again 17...e5?! weakens the d5-square, which White moves to control with 18.Nc2±; and in case of 17...a5 White keeps an initiative after 18.Qh4 Bg5 19.Qh5‚.) 16.Ng3 It’s much easier for Black to deal with 16.exf5.

16...Re7 We can see now that the rook is coming to e7 not only to protect the vulnerable point e6; sometimes it can be activated from that square! (Dubious is 16...Bh6?! on account of 17.Nd4+ Re7 18.b4! Qb6 — or 18...Qd5 19.Be2± — 19.Qc3±.) 17.Qh4 (Heading in the other direction with 567

17.Qd2!? allows Black to consolidate: 17...Bb7 18.Nd4 h5 19.Nb3 Qc7 20.Bd3 Bh6„.) 17...Re4

18.Qh3!? a) Interesting complications arise after 18.Qxf6 Rg8 when White needs to decide how to proceed. (If Black is not interested in complications he can play 18...Qe5!? 19.Qxe5+ dxe5 20.Ng3 Rh4 21.f6 Rh6=.) 19.Nc3 If White does not attack the e4-rook, then Black will at least have ...Qe5 next. (After 19.Ng3 Black can develop a strong initiative with 19...Bg7 (Back-rank mate threats make the d6-pawn taboo.) 20.Qg5 Rb4 21.Re1+ Kd7 22.Re7+ Kc8 23.b3 Ra4!‚.) 19...Bg7

Because the position is really sharp, sometimes unexpected solutions can occur! 20.Bxb5!! (Wrong is 20.Qg5? Rb4!! 21.Re1+ Kd7 22.Nd1

568

22...Bxb2! 23.Re7+ Kd8 24.Qxg8+ Kxe7 25.Nxb2 Qc3 26.Qg5+ Kd7 27.Qc1 Bd5µ and to stop the attack White will need to give back the material.) 20...axb5 21.Qxd6 Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Bxc3 23.Rxc6 Ba5 24.Rc8+ Bd8 25.Rd1 Ke7

26.a4! bxa4 27.f6+ Kxf6 28.Rcxd8 Rxg2= Black’s pawns form three separate islands, but his f-pawn can become an important asset in the resulting rook endgame. b) 18.Qh5

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18...Rg8! Black should prefer to play actively, and with this move he brings his most passive piece into the play. (18...a5 is too slow: 19.Ng3 Re5 20.Qh4‚; 18...Qe5 19.Ng3 Re3 20.Qh4 h5! is possible as well, e.g. 21.Nxh5 Ke7 22.Bd3 Bh6 23.Qf2

and now, since the f6-pawn is not attacked any more, Black can start to march his king to the queenside. 23...Kd7∞) 19.Ng3 Re5 20.Bd3

570

20...Qe3 (Risky is 20...Bxg2!? 21.Rhe1 Rg5 22.Qxh7∞.) 21.Rhg1 (21.Qxh7 Rg4„) 21...Qh6 22.Be2 Qxh5= Black’s bishop pair and active rooks fully compensate for his inferior structure. Back to 18.Qh3. Black has several options at his disposal. We think that first he should take some prophylactic measures and play 18...Be7! (Deserving of attention 18...h5!? 19.Ng3 Re5 20.Be2 h4 21.Bf3 Bxf3 22.gxf3∞ with an unclear position.)

And now White should decide where to place his knight. 19.Ng3 (It looks logical to keep the knight close to the king with 19.Nc3 but after 19...Re3 20.Qg4 h5 21.Qg7 Rf8 22.Bd3 Qe5„ Black controls the central squares and has a solid position.) An interesting moment. In similar positions the black rook mainly operates on the e-file, especially using the e5-square. Now the engines are proposing something similar, but we believe that this particular position contains one other interesting possibility. 19...Ra4! 571

The white queen is currently out of play and Black is trying to exploit that by shifting the pieces to the other wing. 20.Bd3 a) 20.Be2 Bd5 21.Rxd5 Objectively the safest! Otherwise, Black could build a strong initiative. (21.a3 b4 The following line shows how dangerous the attack can be. 22.Qg4? allows 22...Ba2+!

23.Ka1 Rxa3! And now White should play 24.Qd4 and accept an inferior position, since 24.bxa3? loses on the spot to 24...Qc3+ 25.Kxa2 Qxc2+ 26.Ka1 b3–+.) 21...Qxd5 22.b3 Rd4∞

572

White has some compensation for the exchange, but he will need to play very strongly to prove it in a practical game. b) Let us mention that if 20.Nh5? than Black has 20...Rg8µ. 20...Bd5

21.a3 (Worse is 21.b3? Qa3µ; interesting complications arise after 21.c4 bxc4 22.Be4 c3! 23.Rxd5 Qb4 24.b3

573

24...Kd7! Another instructive moment. With his piece sacrifice Black gained the necessary time to bring his h8-rook into play. 25.Qh5 Qa3 26.Qe2 Rb8 27.Qc2 Rxb3+! 28.Qxb3 Rb4 29.Kc2 Rxb3 30.axb3 Qb2+ 31.Kd3 c2 32.Ne2 Qxb3+ 33.Nc3 Qb2 34.Ne2 Qb3+= White is forced to repeat the moves since 35.Kd2?? loses to 35...Bf8–+.) 21...b4 22.Qg4 Kd7! Again the same motif. 23.c3 Rb8 24.cxb4 Rbxb4 25.axb4 Ba2+ 26.Ka1 Bb3+= with perpetual check. 16...Re7

17.b4!! An unexpected advance that poses new problems for Black. 574

a) 17.Bd3 fxe4 18.Bxe4 Bb7 (18...d5? doesn’t win a piece after 19.Qa5!±.) 19.Rf1 (The queen sacrifice 19.Bxb7!? Rxe1 20.Rhxe1+ Kd8∞ is unclear.) 19...Rg8

20.Rf5 An unpleasant move, aiming to kick the black queen away from its excellent post on c5. White wants to put his queen on b4. [Again, White can sacrifice the queen, but Black is not worse after 20.Bxb7 Rxe1 21.Rfxe1+ (21.Rdxe1+ Kd8 22.Ne4 Qd4∞) 21...Kd8 22.Ne4 Qf5 23.Nxd6 Bxd6 24.Rxd6+ Kc7 25.Be4 Qe5=; Another queen sacrifice is also interesting, although it gives Black a choice of two reasonable moves. 20.Bxh7 Rxe1 (20...Rg4!?) 21.Rfxe1+ Kd7∞] 20...Qb6!

575

Now in the event of a queen sacrifice, Black will have the a6-pawn protected. (Risky is 20...Qc4 21.Bxb7 Rxe1 22.Rxe1+‚.) 21.Qb4 Rxg3 22.Bxb7 Rg5 23.Rxg5 fxg5 24.Bd5 Bg7 White is somewhat better, but doesn’t really have anything tangible. b) After 17.Nh5 Black has many options.

Perhaps an exchange sacrifice is the best course. 17...Re6!? 18.Qh4 Rg8 19.Nxf6+ Rxf6 20.Qxf6 Bxe4 21.Bd3 Rxg2 22.Qh8 Ke7 23.Rhe1 Bg7 24.Qb8 Qe5

And since the bishop pair is too strong White must agree to a draw. 25.Qc7+ Ke6 26.Qc8+ Ke7= Back to 17.b4.

576

17...Qb6 Tempting but not good enough is 17...Qe5? 18.Nxf5 Rc7 (Insisting on the pressure along the e-file does not solve Black’s problems. 18...Re6 19.Nd4 Bxe4 20.Qc3 f5 21.Bd3

With the exchange of light-coloured bishops Black’s pseudo-initiative will evaporate and as a result White will be better. 21...Bg7 22.Bxe4 Qxe4 23.Rhe1 Qb7 24.Qd2 Bxd4 25.Qxd4 0-0 26.Rxe6 fxe6 27.Qxd6±) 19.Bd3 Rg8 20.g3‚ Black has no way to exploit the weakened position of the white king. White has a clear advantage. After 17...Qb6 White is at an important crossroads, where there are many possible turnings.

577

18.Bd3 Again a small tactical trick allows White to finish his development. a) 18.Nxf5 Rxe4

19.Qd2 (19.Qc3 Bd7 20.Bd3 Re5 21.Rhf1∞ is similar.) 19...Bd7 20.Bd3 Re5∞ If the white b-pawn were on its initial square White would be clearly better. However, while the queens are on the board Black will always have chances based on the weaknesses around the white king. b) 18.Rxd6

This materialistic approach doesn’t yield much. 18...Qc7 (18...Re6 19.Rxe6+ fxe6 20.Qc3 is slightly better for White.) 19.Rd4 (White is playing with fire after 19.Nxf5 Bxe4 20.Nxe7 Qxc2+ 21.Ka1 Bxe7 578

22.Rxa6 0-0 23.Bxb5 Rd8 24.Qc1

24...Qf2‚ and the white king looks ridiculously unsafe.) 19...fxe4 20.Qc3 (Unclear is 20.Be2 Rd7 21.Rxd7 Qxd7∞.) 20...Re6∞ With chances for both sides. c) 18.Nh5 looks unpleasant, but with precise play Black can find a way through.

18...Bxe4 Now it’s hard to believe that White might have a stronger and more logical move than taking on f6. However, we will give some other options as well. (18...Re6?! is not good any more because of 19.Qh4! and Black is in trouble.) 19.Nxf6+ (19.Bd3 Bxg2 20.Qc3 is unclear after 20...Qc7 or 20...Re5; 19.Qh4 Qc6„; 19.Qg3 Re6 20.Bd3 Qc6„.) 19...Kd8 20.Qg3 (Black is also fine after 20.Nxe4 Rxe4 21.Qc3 Rg8„ with the idea of ...Bg7. Here we should mention one small detail — the position of the black king on d8. A few moves earlier we pointed out that the d4-square was not available for the black 579

queen (on d4, it could exploit the a1–h8 diagonal.) However, in this position that threat becomes very real.) 20...Kc7 Black plans to sacrifice material, after which the weakness around the white king’s position gives Black enough compensation to keep the balance. 21.Qc3+ Qc6 22.Nxe4 Rxe4 23.Qxh8 Rxb4+ 24.Ka1

24...Rg4! After this move White has no more choice and must settle for a draw. 25.Qxf8 Qc3+ 26.Kb1 Rb4+ 27.Kc1 Qe3+ 28.Rd2 Qe1+= 18...fxe4 19.Bxe4

19...Re5 580

19...d5? loses immediately to 20.Nh5!+–. 20.Qg1!‚ An unexpected but totally correct answer! To prevent Black from building a pawn wall in the centre, White has seriously weakened his king. However, with the queens off the board White’s king will be in no danger, while Black will suffer from permanent structural weaknesses. Although the engines give White only a slight advantage, we believe that the advantage is objectively much bigger and that Black will have a hard time trying to save the game. 5 15.Ne2 Re7, 15...Rc7 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Ne2!?

Now that we understand White’s ideas in this position, let’s see two simple solutions for Black. 15...Re7 In a similar spirit, but with totally different ideas in mind, the other playable move is 15...Rc7!? 16.Nd4

581

16...Bd7 (In case of 16...e5?! 17.Nxc6 Rxc6 18.Bd3± Black’s position looks solid, but in the long run it is difficult to find acceptable counterplay. White will play c3 and then transfer the bishop to b3.) 17.c3

17...Bh6 (17...e5? seriously weakens the d5-square, so 18.Nc2±; after 17...Bg7 White has a hidden double attack with 18.Qg3! 0-0 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Nb3 Qe5 21.Rxd6 Qxg3 22.hxg3 Bc8 and although Black has some compensation he will have to work hard to reach equality; 17...Rg8!? leads to unclear play after 18.Qh4 b4 19.c4∞.) 18.Qh4 Bg5 19.Qh5

582

19...Ke7∞ Since the centre is fluid the black king is not perfectly safe, but Black has nice prospects on the queenside so the position can be evaluated as offering chances for both sides. (It is useful to remember that after 19...e5? White has the nice tactical shot 20.Ne6!±.) 16.Ng3 16.Qh4 exf5 17.exf5 transposes to 15...exf5 16.exf5 Re7 17.Qh4 (previous subchapter). 16...Bh6 The best. Now is the right time to develop the dark-squared bishop. a) After 16...exf5 we transpose into the line we discussed under 15...ef5 16.Ng3 Re7. b) The 16...h5 pawn advance is too slow: 17.Be2 h4 18.Nh5‚. 17.Nh5

583

17...exf5 17...Qe5!? leads to an unclear position after 18.g4∞. 18.Qh4 Quite harmless is 18.Qg3 because of 18...Kf8! 19.Qxd6 (On 19.Rxd6 very good for Black is 19...Rg8„.) 19...Qxd6 20.Rxd6 Re6 21.Rd8+

21...Be8 (Black has good chances to make a draw also after 21...Re8 22.Rxe8+ Kxe8 23.exf5 Ke7 24.Bd3 Bxg2 25.Re1+ Kd6 26.Nxf6 Bf4².) 22.g3 fxe4 23.Bh3 Re5 24.Nxf6 Ke7= 584

18...Bg5 19.Nxf6+ Bxf6 20.Qxf6 Qe5

As in many positions in the Richter-Rauzer, exchanging queens makes life much easier for Black. 21.Qxf5 Qxf5 22.exf5 Kd7 23.Rg1 Rg8 24.g3 Bf3 25.Rc1 Re5=

Black is a pawn down, but his active king and control of the open e-file secure him good compensation.

585

Chapter 10 The Kozul Variation with 13.Qe1 & 15.Bd3 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3

Contents

1. 15...Rg8?!, 15...e5?! 2. 15...Bg7, 15...Bh6 3. 15...b4 16.Ne2 -4. 15...b4 16.Ne2 e5 5. 15...Rc7 16.Ne2 6. 15...Rc7 16.Rf1 -7. 15...Rc7 16.Rf1 e5 8. 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.Qg4, 17.Qh6 9. 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.Ne2, 17.e5 10. 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.Rhe1, 17.Rhf1 11. 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.-12. 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 -586

13. 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.-14. 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.Rhf1 -15. 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.Rhf1 Bd8, 19...b4 1 15...Rg8?!, 15...e5?! 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3

The main line. We will now check Black’s options before switching to the main move (15...Rc7), which will be covered from subchapter 5. We will go relatively deeply into alternatives as well for several reasons, amongst them the understanding of Rauzer positions, and the fact that you might like to play the line from the White side. Bd3 is the logical move in similar positions. 15...Rg8?! This is not so good any more. It’s too early to block the centre with 15...e5?.

587

16.Bf1! It’s not very often that the retreat of an already developed piece has such a strong impact on a position, but soon it will be clear what this is all about! [16.Qh4 also yields White an advantage. 16...Be7 17.Rd2!? White’s idea is 18.Be2 Rc7 19.Bd1! and 20.Nd5. (17.Rhf1 b4 Guadalpi, D (2337)-Lazarev, V (2517) Marseille 2003.) 17...b4 (Black’s problem is that he cannot play his usual attacking move 17...a5

because of 18.Bxb5!+–.) 18.Nd1! (Black should not be afraid of the unclear position that arises after 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.exd5 a5∞; 18.Ne2 Qe3 19.Rhd1 h5∞.) 18...a5 19.b3± with Bc4 to follow.] 16...Rc7

588

With the idea of playing ...b5–b4, forcing White’s knight to jump to d5 in a situation where he will have to recapture with a pawn after Black’s bishop takes the knight. 17.Qe2! Now you can see the real strength of the previous manoeuvre by White! He will recapture on d5 with the rook and in the resulting position the loss of several tempi doesn’t matter so much. White has a permanent advantage which he can slowly increase without risk. Readers should remember this motif which allows White to recapture on d5 with the rook. 17...Bh6 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.Rxd5± 16.Qh4 Shirov tried to get the advantage with 16.fxe6 fxe6 17.Rf1 . In his game Black went wrong with 17...Qe5?!. [Black should have taken the pawn. 17...Rxg2! 18.Rxf6 Re7 19.e5 Qxe5 20.Qxe5 dxe5

589

21.Be4 (An equal position arises after 21.Bxh7 Rxh7 22.Rxe6+ Be7 23.Rxc6 Rhxh2 24.Ne4 Re2=.) 21...Bxe4 22.Nxe4 Bg7 23.Nd6+ It is quite possible that Black got scared when he reached this position in his calculations, but analysis shows that White has no way to exploit the possible discovered check on the d-file. 23...Kd8 24.Rf3 And now for equality Black’s best is the simple 24...e4 25.Nxe4+ Rd7=.] 18.Qf2 Rb7

19.Nd5! (19.Qxf6!? A very unusual decision for Shirov! In the resulting endgame, White will not have even a minimal advantage. Instead, it was necessary to play aggressively in true Shirov style (Nd5!). 19...Bg7 20.Qxe5 Bxe5 21.g3 h5! 22.Ne2 h4 23.Nf4 hxg3 24.hxg3 Re7 25.Rf3 Kd7= Shirov, A (2702)-Alekseenko, K (2540) St Petersburg 2015.) 19...Bg7 20.c3 a5 590

[Dubious is 20...Kf7 21.Nb4 Rc8 (21...Bxe4 22.Ka1!?± White has a strong initiative for the sacrificed pawn.) 22.Qh4 a5 23.Nd5 b4

24.Nxf6 (Tempting but wrong is 24.Rxf6+?? due to 24...Kg8–+ and Black is winning.) 24...Bxf6 25.Rxf6+ Qxf6 26.Rf1 Qxf1+ 27.Bxf1 bxc3 28.b3!± In the resulting position, White’s queen is dominating the black rooks.] 21.Nxf6+ Bxf6 22.Qxf6 Qxf6 23.Rxf6 Now you can see there is a significant difference in relation to the endgame. White has kept his pawn and it is not easy for Black to find active counterplay. Probably the best defence is to play

23...Ke7 (A tough and uncertain fight for a draw in the rook endgame faces Black in case of 23...Rxg2 24.Rxe6+ Re7 25.Rxd6 Bxe4 26.Bxe4 Rxe4 27.R6d2 Rxd2 28.Rxd2±.) 24.Rf2 b4 25.Rc1 Be8 And 591

although Black is a pawn down there is a realistic chance he can hold this position. Back to 16.Qh4.

16...Re7 Black has no choice: he must protect the critical point e6. a) White is better after 16...Qe5 17.Qxh7. b) And also after 16...Rxg2 17.Qh3±. 17.g4 17.e5!? certainly deserves attention: 17...fxe5 18.Ne4 Bxe4 19.Qxe4∞. 17...a5 a) Dubious is 17...Qe5?! 18.Rhf1 a5 19.Ne2 b4 (19...a4 20.a3±) since now White has the strong 20.Ba6!±. b) 17...h5 looks appealing but in reality is a poor choice. 18.gxh5 (18.Qxh5!?) 18...Bh6 19.fxe6 (19.Qxf6?? would be a blunder on account of 19...Bg5–+.) 19...fxe6 20.Rhf1 Kd7 21.Qxf6 Now it seems that Black has a nice attack with 21...Bg7 22.Qh4 Bxc3 23.bxc3 Qxc3.

592

But after 24.e5!± there is no perpetual check any more and it is White who is on the attack now! c) Trying to protect the f6-pawn with 17...Rg5 does not help either, but it requires some precision from White.

18.Rhf1! [After 18.Ne2 Black is in time with his counterattack on the other wing. 18...a5 19.Nf4 a4 20.Nh5 Qe5 (White can defend after the exchange sacrifice 20...Rxh5? 21.gxh5 a3 22.Qxf6 e5 23.Qg5 Ra7 24.Rd2 axb2 25.c3±.) 21.Rhf1 a3 22.bxa3 Kd8 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.Qf2 Bg7∞ With mutual chances; 18.e5!? can be annoying for Black but with accurate play he can maintain the equilibrium. 18...exf5

593

White has many option, yet none that is sufficient for an advantage. 19.exd6 (19.exf6 Rxg4 20.Qxh7 Re5 21.Rhf1 b4 22.Ne2 Rg6 23.Ng3 Rh6 24.Qg8 Rg6=; 19.Bxf5 Rxe5 20.Rhe1 h5„; 19.Rhe1 fxg4 20.exf6 Rxe1 21.Rxe1+ Re5 22.Rxe5+ dxe5 23.Qxg4=) 19...Rxg4 20.Qxh7 Re5 21.Rhe1 Bxd6 22.Bxf5 Rg2 23.Bh3 Rxh2 24.Qg8+

24...Ke7 25.Rxe5+ fxe5 26.Qg5+ Kf8 27.Qh6+ Ke7 28.Qg5+=] 18...e5 (If Black plays the standard 18...h5? then after 19.gxh5 Bh6

594

White has the strong 20.e5!±; centralizing the queen does not help either. 18...Qe5 19.Ne2 a5 20.Ng1! ± And when the knight lands on f3 it will be very hard for Black to defend.) 19.Ne2 Rc7 (19...h5? 20.Ng3±) 20.Ng3± And White’s action is much faster. After 17...a5 once again action in the centre is a good reaction to Black’s queenside attack. 18.e5!

18...fxe5 In case of 18...b4 White is on top after 19.Ne4 Bxe4 20.Bxe4±. 595

19.Bxb5! And Black’s position is a ruin. 19...d5 19...Bxb5 20.Ne4+– 20.Bxc6+ Qxc6 21.Rhe1 e4 22.Qxh7 Rg7 23.Qh8 Rd7 And it is s instructive to see how White slowly increased his advantage in the following game.

24.h3 exf5 25.gxf5 f6 26.Qh5+ Rgf7 27.Ne2 Rb7 28.Nd4 Qc3 29.Nb3 Qe5

596

30.c4! dxc4 31.Rd4 e3 32.Rxc4 Bb4 33.Qf3 Rbc7 Black resigned in Al Modiahki, M (2574)-Pavlovic, M (2569) Biel 2003. 2 15...Bg7, 15...Bh6 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3

597

15...Bg7!? A strange-looking move, but one deserving of some consideration. The idea is to develop the bishop, but it is important that it stays on the short f8–h6 diagonal to be ready if White takes on e6 and opens the position. 15...Bh6!? is playable and after it occurred in the stem game Zelcic-Kozul, it was heavily analysed by correspondence players. 16.fxe6 fxe6

17.Nd5 (17.Qh4 Bg7 18.e5 f5„) 17...exd5 (17...Bxd5 18.exd5 e5± It is important to remember that this type of structure favours White; in the aforementioned game Black blundered by playing 17...Rf7? which is bad due to 18.b4!±

598

1–0 (40) Zelcic, R (2529)-Kozul, Z (2597) Bled 2000.) 18.exd5+ Re7 19.Qh4 Qxd5 20.Qxh6 Qg5 21.Qh3

21...Kd8 [Deserving of attention 21...0-0!? 22.Rhg1 (22.Rhf1?? Bxg2–+ Cruzado Duenas, C (2433)-Peli, G (2542) ICCF email 2003.) 22...f5 23.g3 Bf3 24.Rdf1 Be4 And Black kept the balance in Satici, A (2339)-Peli, G (2542) ICCF 2002.] 22.Rhg1

22...h5 [Enough for equality is also 22...Re3!? 23.g3 h5 24.Rge1 Rhe8 25.Rxe3 Rxe3 26.Qf1 Kc7 (26...Bf3!? 599

27.Re1 Moura, N (2128)-Bravo, A (2011 ICCF 2011.) 27.Re1 Qe5 28.Rxe3 Qxe3 29.a4 bxa4 30.Qxf6 Bd5 31.Qf1 Qc5 32.Bxa6 a3, Noble, M-Tasic, V LSS email 2006.] 23.g3 Bf3 24.Rde1 Rhe8 25.Rxe7 Rxe7 26.Rc1 Re5 27.a4 Be2=

It is important to exchange the strong d3-bishop and play the position with two heavy pieces as in Miciak, I (2385)-Janocko, P (2281) ICCF 2010. 16.Qh4 White threatens a double attack with Qg4. 16.Nd5 Bxd5 17.exd5 e5∞

600

A typical position; you will see similar examples at many places in this book. 16...e5

Now it’s time for White to formulate a plan. 17.Rhe1 One of the main ideas for Black is to play ...a5, but for now it is impossible due to Bxb5! a) 17.Qg4 is the only way to recapture with a piece on d5, but it’s too slow. 17...Bh6 18.Bf1 Rc7 19.Qe2 Ke7 20.Nd5+ Bxd5 21.Rxd5

601

21...Qb6= It’s true that White managed to take on d5 with the rook, but in the meantime Black has developed all his pieces and can quickly organize counterplay along the c-file. The position is equal. (If he wants to, Black can also exchange the queens by playing 21...Qe3!?.) b) If White plays 17.Be2 with the idea of recapturing with the rook on d5 (but without spending so much time) Black can neutralize that plan with 17...Rc7.

18.Rd2 b4 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.exd5= c) Immediately transferring the knight with 17.Ne2 is a typical plan in this type of position, but Black has an antidote. 17...a5!

18.Ng3 Ke7 Useful prophylaxis. (It is also possible to proceed directly with the plan. 18...a4!? 19.Nh5 602

Rg8„) 19.Nh5 Rg8 20.g4 (20.Qg3?! carries no real threat. 20...a4! 21.Nxg7 a3µ) 20...Bh8!∞

An interesting position. The h8-bishop looks ugly, but it opposes the h5-knight in its single function, pressure on f6. Therefore the current value of these two pieces is roughly equal. Black has managed to consolidate the kingside and has a lot of possibilities for action on the queenside. Back to 17.Rhe1.

17...Rc7! The best! Black must step up the pressure on the c2-pawn, not allowing White to play Bf1 and Re2. a) 17...b4 is often a tempting move but sometimes it is wrong since it can allow White to exploit the c4603

square. 18.Ne2 a5 19.Ng3 a4 (19...h5 20.b3±) 20.b3! That’s the problem!

Black is missing his h8-rook in the attack. Meanwhile, the white knight has not gone too far from its king and it can return to defend against any threats. (Risky is 20.Nh5 Rg8∞.) 20...Qc3 21.Ne2 Qc5 22.Bc4 axb3 23.cxb3±

With a rook on the second rank White can easily parry the a-file threats. b) 17...Ke7? allows White to execute his plan with 18.Bf1± and Re2 to follow. 18.Ne2

604

White can’t wait forever and it’s time to redeploy his knight. 18...a5 19.Ng3 Ke7 It would be nice if Black could straight away play 19...a4, but White is on top after 20.Nh5 Rg8 21.c3!

(White is threatening a3, after which Black’s counterplay would be doomed.) 21...a3 22.Bc2‚ 22...axb2 23.Rd3± …Bb3 20.Nh5 Rg8∞

605

Both sides have their chances. 3 15...b4 16.Ne2 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 b4!?

A natural move, with the idea of blocking the centre immediately. But the move is not without drawbacks. We have already seen that in some positions White voluntarily redeploys his knight, usually to h5. And another point: Black reduces his control over the c4-square, which White may use to switch 606

his bishop to an active diagonal. 16.Ne2 Bh6!? Maintaining the tension in the centre. For 16...e5, our main suggestion, see the next subchapter. 16...a5!?

This can be played with the idea of transposing after 17.Qh4 (17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Nf4 Re7„ is not dangerous for Black; while after 17.Nf4 Bh6 18.Nh5 Ke7„ Black was fine in Westerinen, H (2385)Kozhuharov, S (2477) Nikaia 2007.) 17...e5 to the line 16...e5 17.Qh4 a5 (17...Qe5 18.Rhf1‚). 17.fxe6 a) 17.Qh4 was played in a correspondence game.

607

17...Bg5 18.Qh5 Ke7 19.h4 Be3 20.Nc1 Qe5 (Also interesting is 20...Bxc1!?.) 21.Nb3 a5 22.Qe2 Bh6 (better was 22...Bc5!„) 23.Qf2

23...Raa8 This was played in the above-mentioned correspondence game, which White went on to win. (Now Black should have gone for 23...Rc7! 24.Nd4 Bd7 25.Rhe1 Qc5 26.fxe6 fxe6 27.b3 a4 28.Bc4 a3 29.Qg3∞.) 24.Rhe1² Nemec, J-Schreiner, R ICCF 2005. b) 17.Rf1?

608

At first glance this does look useful, but actually it’s waste of time. 17...e5 18.Ng3 [Harmless is 18.g4 a5 19.h4 Be3 20.b3? a4 21.Bc4 axb3 22.Bxb3 Bxe4 23.Ng3, Cornette, M (2570)Demuth, A (2387) Paris 2010. (And now instead of 23...Bg2?, which was played in that game, Black could have played 23...Bxc2+!

which wins on spot after 24.Bxc2 Rxa2!–+.)] 18...a5 [18...Ke7!?

609

The idea is to free the eighth rank, so that the h8-rook can join the attack. 19.Qe2 a5 20.Bc4 Rc8 21.b3 Be3 22.Qh5 Rf8 23.Rfe1 a4 24.Re2 Bd4

25.Qh6?! (25.Qh4!=) 25...Bb5 26.Rxd4 axb3 27.cxb3 exd4 28.e5 Bxc4 29.exd6+ Kd7 30.bxc4 Re8 Ponizil, C (2388)-Kononenko, D (2593) Pardubice 2011. (30...Rd8!–+)] 19.Qe2 a4 20.Bc4 Bg5

610

21.Nh5 Ke7 22.Rfe1 Rc8 23.Qd3 Bb7 (Weaker was 23...Bd7?! Muminova, N (2293)-Ju Wenjun (2535) Tashkent 2013.) 24.b3 axb3

25.Bxb3 (If 25.cxb3? then Black can break through with 25...d5!–+.) 25...Ba6 With the idea of ...Bc4 next. 26.Qd5 Qxd5µ 17...fxe6

611

18.Rf1! A multifunctional move! It enables Nf4 because the knight will be defended, so that the queen (after Qh4) will be free to move to h5 or h3 depending on the circumstances. Furthermore, the rook attacks f6 and in some variations (after Bc4) it can get a tactical role from the f5-square. Also, a big plus of this move is that Black’s queen is tied to the b4-pawn. In this position Black has a lot of possibilities, but in practical play it is not easy to decide which way is the right one. So let’s take a look at some of them. The routine 18.Qh4 guarantees Black enough counterplay after 18...Bg7 (Unclear is 18...Bg5 19.Qg4∞ which was played in Frolyanov, D (2487)-Kotsur, P (2569) Moscow 2004.) 19.Qh3 Re7„

20.Nf4? f5! Typical. 21.Qh5+ Kd8µ David, A (2548)-Kozul, Z (2601) Istanbul 2003. 612

18...0-0 a) 18...Re7?!

19.Bxa6 This is one of the problems in the position. White snatches a pawn and expects to escape unscathed. (19.Rxf6? is too greedy: 19...Bg7‚.) 19...Rg8 is no fun either. [The problem is that castling means giving up another pawn. Now you can see another idea of Bxa6 — to open the d-file. 19...0-0 20.Qg3+ Kh8 21.Qxd6 Qxd6 22.Rxd6 Bxe4 23.g3±; White is also better after 19...Bxe4 20.Nd4 Qe5 (20...f5? loses to 21.Bb5+.) 21.Qxb4±.; 19...Bg7 20.Nd4 0-0 21.Nxc6 Qxc6 22.Qe2± White is a healthy pawn up.] 20.Qh4

613

20...Bg5 (20...Be3 21.Rxf6±) 21.Qg3! Bxe4 22.Bd3± Material is equal, but Black’s pieces lack coordination. b) Close to losing is 18...Rf7? 19.Bxa6

19...Be3 (19...Bxe4 20.Nd4 d5 21.Bd3 Bxd3 22.Rxd3+–; 19...Ke7 20.Nd4+–) 20.Nf4 Bxf4 21.Rxf4 00² 22.Qe2+– c) The attempt to hold the position with 18...Ke7 brings other problems.

19.Bc4!! White uses the possibility of a double attack to switch his bishop to an active diagonal. [Enough for an advantage is 19.Qg3 Raa8 20.Qh3! (but not 20.e5? dxe5 21.Bxh7 Raf8 22.Qd3?? f5 23.Bg6 Bb5 24.Qf3 e4 25.Qg3 Bxe2 0–1 Kargin, A (2392)-Brandenburg, D (2503) Sarajevo 2010) 614

20...Bg5 (20...Bg7 21.Nf4 Qe5 22.Bc4+–) 21.b3±.; There is another good option for White, which tells us that the whole line is dubious for Black. 19.Nf4 Bxf4 (19...Rc7 20.Nd5+! Bxd5 21.exd5 Qxd5 22.Qf2±) 20.Rxf4 Rc7 21.Qg3 Rf8 22.Qh4 Bb5 23.Qxh7+ Rf7 24.Qh3 a5± Black has managed to consolidate his position to some extent but still he is a clear pawn down.] 19...Qxc4 (19...Bxe4 20.Nd4+–; after 19...Ba4 20.b3 Bb5

White has the powerful 21.e5! dxe5 22.Ng3! Rd8 23.Qe4!+–; 19...Bd7 20.b3± It’s clear that White is much better.) 20.Qf2!

Winning thanks to the double threats against f6 and a7. d) 18...Rf8 requires a certain accuracy from White. 19.Qh4 615

19...Bg7 It feels as though White has the advantage, but it’s not easy to prove that over the board. The next move can be played only by a player who deeply understands the position. [After 19...Bg5 20.Qh3 Re7 21.Bxa6 Bxe4 22.Nd4

almost all of the white pieces are directed towards the e6-square. 22...Kf7 23.Rfe1 Bg6 24.Bb5! (24.Bd3 f5‚) 24...Rc8 (24...e5 25.Bd3!±) 25.Ba4± Trembecki, L-Chripko, L Slovakia 2005.]

616

20.Rfe1!! An incredibly strong move. [20.e5 f5 21.exd6 Qe5 22.c3 bxc3 23.Nxc3 Rb7 24.Rfe1 Qf6 25.Qxf6 Rxf6©; Black will have enough compensation also after 20.Qxh7 Qe5 21.Qg6+ Kd8 22.Qg3 (22.c3 Rb7„) 22...Qxg3 23.Nxg3 Rh8©; 20.Nf4 is not as good either but leads to a slightly better position for White after 20...Qe5 21.Qh5+ Qxh5 22.Nxh5 Bh8 23.Bc4 Ke7 24.Nf4 Bd7 25.Rd3².] 20...Qe5 21.Bc4 f5 22.Qh5+ Kd7 23.Nd4±

Now we see why it was important to keep the rook on the d-file! Black’s attack is stopped and his pawn formation in the centre will fall apart very quickly. 19.Qh4 617

19...Bg7 Virtually the only move. a) 19...Bg5? 20.Qg4 Qe5 (20...Kh8 21.Qxe6±) 21.Nf4 And unfortunately for Black 21...Kh8 22.Nxe6 Bd7 does not work because of the pretty 23.Qxg5!±. b) 19...Qg5? 20.Qh3+– with Bc4 to follow. 20.Nf4 Bd7 a) 20...Re8? loses after 21.e5 since 21...f5 fails to the nice 22.Nxe6!!+–. b) 20...Re7? 21.e5!+– 21.Nh5

618

This position is critical for Black and he must be very careful. Usually in such situations, the best way to release the pressure is to exchange pieces. 21...Bb5! The only move to keep the game going. a) 21...Qe5 22.Bc4

Setting up a tactical shot we’ve already mentioned — Rf5. 22...Rf7 [If Black moves his king, 22...Kh8, White can reroute his knight with 23.Nf4! Kg8 24.Nd3 Qg5 and after 25.Qf4± Black simply cannot protect his pawns. (25.Qh3!? is also good.)] 619

23.Nxg7 Kxg7 24.Rf3

With the idea of doubling rooks. Also, the rook is good on the third rank and after a possible queen exchange on g3 White will not have to spoil his structure. 24...Kf8 (24...Rc7 25.Bxa6±) 25.Qh6+ This move doesn’t seem too difficult, but it relies on some small details. 25...Ke7 (25...Ke8 26.Qd2±) 26.Rfd3 Bb5 (If 26...Qc5 White plays 27.b3+–; Black cannot simply ignore the pressure on d6 because after 26...Rc7 White wins with 27.Rxd6 Qxd6 28.Rxd6 Kxd6 29.Qf4+ Kc6 30.e5+–.) 27.Bxb5 axb5

28.Rxd6 (Also possible is 28.Qd2!? Rd7 29.Qxb4±.) 28...Qxd6 29.Rxd6 Kxd6± And Black managed to survive, but White was clearly better in Perez, B-Blanco Gramajo, 2007. b) 21...Bc8 22.Rxf6 A simple solution. (More entertaining is 22.e5!? f5 23.exd6 Qxd6 24.g4‚.) 22...Bxf6 23.Nxf6+ Rxf6 (23...Kh8 24.e5+–) 24.Qxf6 Rf7 25.Qh4± 620

c) On 21...Qg5 White just plays 22.Qf2±. 22.Nxg7 White must be careful, otherwise he can easily lose his advantage. a) 22.Bxb5 is inaccurate. 22...axb5 23.Nxg7 Rxg7

24.g3 [Black can save himself after 24.Rxf6 Rxf6 25.Qxf6 Rxg2 26.Rf1 (26.Qxe6+ Kg7 27.Qb3 Qd4=) 26...Qxc2+ 27.Ka1 Qc8=.] 24...Rc7 White is only slightly better. b) 22.Rxf6?? does not work now because of 22...Rc8!–+ and White can resign. 22...Bxd3 23.cxd3 Rxg7

621

24.Rxf6 Rxg2 A practical solution. 24...Rc8 25.Rf2± 25.Rxf8+ Kxf8 26.Qf6+ Ke8 27.Qxe6+ Kd8 28.Rc1 Rg1 29.Qh6±

And White is left with a healthy extra pawn, but in the resulting queen endgame Black has decent chances to save the game. 4 622

15...b4 16.Ne2 e5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 b4!? 16.Ne2 e5

17.Qh4 Preventing ...Bh6. 17.Ng3?! Bh6! (Kozul: I made an instructive mistake in one game I played a long time ago. I played too optimistically 17...h5?! and after 18.h4 a5 19.Qe2 Ke7 20.Nxh5 a4 21.g4 a3 22.Bc4± I was in trouble and finally lost, Borriss, M (2375)-Kozul, Z (2540) Munich 1993.) 18.Qe2 a5

623

19.Qh5 (19.Rhe1 a4 20.Bc4 Ke7 21.Bd5 Rc8! 22.Bxc6 Qxc6 23.Qd3 Ra5! 24.Nf1 a3 25.b3 Rc5µ and Black went on to win in Bruned, B (2194)-Murariu, A (2498) Dresden 2007; 19.Bc4 does not change the evaluation after 19...a4„.) 19...Be3 20.Nf1 Bd4 21.Qh6 a4 22.Qxf6 Rg8

23.Nd2 b3! 24.cxb3 Bxb2 25.Rc1 Bxc1 26.Rxc1 Qd4 27.Rxc6 Qxd3+ 28.Kc1 axb3 29.Rc8+ Kd7 30.Qxf7+ Kxc8 31.Qxg8+ Kd7 32.Qxb3

624

And Black was slightly better in Van Kempen, H (2549)-De Cresce, S (2483) Brazil 1999. 17...a5 17...Be7!?

This is playable for Black. Now White has to choose how to proceed. 18.Qh6 The most entertaining move. a) Unclear is 18.Ng3 a5 19.b3 a4 20.Bc4 axb3 21.Bxb3∞. b) So is 18.Nc1 a5 19.Nb3 Qb6 20.Nd2 a4 21.Nc4 Qc5∞ Fercec, N (2512)-Kotronias, V (2626) Reggio Emilia 2005. 625

c) 18.b3 Now it’s very difficult for Black to launch an attack because White can recapture on b3 with the bishop (after Bc4) or with the c-pawn, in which case he could defend with the rook along the second rank. Black’s e7-bishop and h8-rook are very passive and it’s hard to improve them since Black’s king is tied to the f7-pawn. Black lacks decent counterplay. 18...a5 19.Bc4 a4 20.Rhe1

White has brought his last piece into play and in our opinion stands better. Engines disagree, but experience tells us that there is no real counterplay for Black. 20...h5 (Black can immediately release the tension on the queenside with 20...axb3 21.cxb3 h5 22.Ng3 Qf2 23.Re2 Qf4 24.Qxf4 exf4 25.Nf1 h4 26.Rc2² when White has a small yet lasting advantage.) 21.Ng3 (An interesting idea is to prevent the queen exchange with 21.Rf1 axb3 22.Bxb3 — or 22.cxb3!? — 22...Ra3∞.) 21...Qf2 Since Black can’t organize an attack his best try is to exchange the queens.

626

22.Re2 (An attempt to catch the queen with 22.Rf1? is in vain: 22...Qxg2 23.Be2 axb3! 24.cxb3 Rg8!³.) 22...Qf4 23.Qxf4 exf4 24.Nf1

24...Ra5! (White refutes the active try 24...h4 25.h3 f3 26.gxf3 Rg8 with the primitive 27.Rdd2!±.) 25.Nd2 a3 Otherwise White would at some point take on a4. It’s good to keep the king locked in, which can be very useful in an eventual rook endgame. 26.Rf1 Bf8 27.Rxf4 Bh6© Black has some compensation for the missing pawn. 18...a5

19.Qg7 Taking the h-pawn in most cases gives Black enough time to organize counterplay. Still, Black has to be very careful not to allow White’s h-pawn to become a decisive factor. (19.c4 It’s good to know this motif. Two black pieces — the rook on h8 and the bishop on e7 — play practically no part in 627

the game, and White can without any great risk try to stop Black’s queenside activity. 19...Bf8 20.Qxf6 Rg8 21.Ng3 Ba4 22.Rde1 Qd4 And a draw was agreed in Tesic, Z (2369)-Ghinda, M (2408) ICCF 2011.) 19...Rf8 20.Qxh7 a4

21.Qh4! [21.Qg7?! With the idea of marching the h-pawn. 21...b3!

You should remember this motif! Black is not trying to weaken the dark squares around the white king, because the e2-knight controls all the key squares. Therefore, you should open the game, so that the remote position of White’s queen should tell. 22.a3 (22.cxb3 axb3 23.a3 Rxa3! 24.bxa3 Qxa3 25.Rd2 Kd7 — or 25...b2!? if Black wants more — 26.Rb2 Ra8 27.Kc1 Rc8 28.Kb1 Ra8=; 22.c3 bxa2+ 23.Ka1 Rb7³.) 22...bxc2+ 23.Bxc2 Rb7 24.Qg3 Kd7 25.Qc3 628

25...Qb6= Black’s pressure on the b-file fully compensates for his material deficit. (25...Qf2!? is also possible.)]

21...Rg8 It is probably good to insert this move. (White’s queen can now quickly return to the queenside, so it is no longer good to push 21...b3?! 22.cxb3 axb3 23.a3 and 23...Rxa3? is bad due to 24.bxa3 Qxa3 25.Nc1+– with Qf2 to follow; 21...Kd7 is possible — 22.Rhf1 b3 23.Qf2².) 22.Rhg1

629

22...Rd7 Black changes his plan and prepares ...d6–d5. We should mention that the position of the rook on g1 can later become a problem for White. (22...b3!? 23.a3 bxc2+ 24.Bxc2 Rb7 25.Qh3∞ And the queen is heading to c3.) 23.Qe1 a3 24.b3 d5 25.Qh4 There is no other way to control the e4-square. (25.exd5 Qxd5 26.Ng3 Qd4 27.c3 Qxc3 28.Qxc3 bxc3 29.Kc2 Rd4µ …...Rh4) 25...dxe4 26.Bxe4 Bb5!

27.Rxd7 a) 27.Qh7? loses on the spot after 27...Bxe2–+. b) 27.Bd3 favours Black after 27...Rxd3!.

630

28.Rxd3 (28.cxd3 leads to a better position for Black: 28...Qd5! 29.Nc1 Rxg2 30.Qe4 Qxe4 31.dxe4 Rb2+ 32.Ka1 Bc5 33.Rg8+ Ke7 34.Rgd8 Bc6µ.) 28...Bxd3 29.cxd3 Qe3³. 27...Bxe2 28.Rdd1 Qc3 29.Kc1= Engines evaluate this position as equal, but the impression is that only Black could play for more. Note that 17...Ke7?! is bad because of 18.Ng3±. So, back to 17...a5.

18.b3 a) 18.Ng3 Now the race starts! 18...a4 19.Nh5

631

19...Be7! Necessary prophylaxis. [19...a3? looks tempting, but is wrong. 20.b3 Qd4 (You can see how move order is important. 20...Be7 is not good any more because of 21.Bc4± and there is no good way to take advantage of the weak dark squares around the white king.) 21.Nxf6+ Kd8

22.c3! Another crucial resource! 22...Qxc3 (22...bxc3 23.Bc2±) 23.Qf2±] 20.Nxf6+ Kd8 Black gave up a pawn, but White must spend time to break the pin.

632

21.Qh6 [21.b3? fails to 21...Qc3! 22.bxa4 Rc7 23.Rc1 (23.a5 Ba4 24.Rc1 b3!–+) 23...Bxa4 24.Rhd1 Qa3µ with ...b3 to follow.] 21...a3 22.Ng4 (Again, 22.b3 is no help: 22...Qc3 23.Kc1 Kc8µ and White is in danger.) 22...axb2 At first engines think that Black is better with 22...Qd4 but deeper analysis shows that after 23.c3!

23...bxc3 24.Bc2 Qb4 25.b3 Bxe4 26.Qe3 Bxc2+ 27.Kxc2 Rd7 28.Qf3 e4 29.Qf2 White now has the initiative! This and other examples show that sometimes even engines cannot understand some types of Rauzer positions.) 23.Qe3= b) There is no advantage for White after 18.Qxf6 Rg8 633

19.Qh4 (19.g3 Rg4„) 19...Rxg2!. [Dubious is 19...a4?! 20.g4 h6 (20...b3 21.cxb3 axb3 22.a3±; 20...a3 21.b3±) 21.Rhe1 Rc7 22.b3±.] 20.Rdg1 Rxg1+ (20...Qf2 21.Qxh7± This is the idea of Rdg1; the pawn on h2 is protected.) 21.Rxg1

21...Bb5! An important move that breaks the compactness of the white position. Due to the back-rank motifs and pressure on the c2-pawn, Black achieves a good game. 22.Bxb5+ Qxb5= Kolodziejski, M (2203)-Wosch, A (2336) ICCF 2010. 18...a4 19.Bc4 axb3

634

20.Bxb3 20.cxb3? is a mistake on account of 20...Rg8µ. 20...Bg7! To keep the option of castling. a) Interesting complications arise after 20...h5, but with precise play White is somewhat better. 21.Qxf6 (After 21.Ng3 Ke7 we transpose to 20...Ke7 21.Ng3 h5.) 21...Rh6

22.Qg5 635

[22.Qh4 leads to an unclear game after 22...f6 (22...Be7? 23.Qe1±) 23.Qe1 (Black is fine after 23.Ng3 Rg7„ since 24.Nxh5? backfires: 24...Rxg2 25.Nxf6+ Kd8 26.Nh5+ Be7 27.f6 Bxf6µ.) 23...Rg7∞. (23...Bxe4? 24.Ng3±)] 22...f6 23.Qd2 Bxe4 24.Rhe1 (24.Ng3!? Ba8∞) 24...Bxf5 25.Ng3

25...Bh7 The bishop should stay on this diagonal. (25...Bg4 26.Ne4 Qb6 27.Nxd6+ Qxd6 28.Qxd6 Bxd6 29.Rxd6 Ke7 30.Rb6 Rd7 31.Rxb4±) 26.Ne4 Qc6 27.Nxd6+ Qxd6 28.Qxd6 Bxd6 29.Rxd6 Rg6

And White is slightly better, but Black has good chances to maintain the balance. b) It would be nice if 20...Ke7 would work, but White keeps an initiative after 21.Qh5!‚ since Black has problems with coordination. 636

[Things become messy after the routine 21.Ng3 h5!? You should be prepared to sacrifice the h-pawn from time to time! 22.Nxh5 Bg7

A move with both defensive and offensive aspects. Black gains time to switch the rook to the queenside. 23.Rd2 (An almost forced draw follows 23.Rhe1 Rxa2!! 24.Bxa2 Ra8 25.Qg3 — but not 25.Re2?? Qa5 26.c4 bxc3 27.Qf2 Qb4 when Black is crushing his opponent — 25...Rxa2 26.Qd3

26...b3! 27.cxb3 Rxg2 28.Rd2 Qb4 29.Rde2 Bb5 30.Qc2 This secures a perpetual check. 30...Bxe2 31.Qc7+ Ke8 32.Qc8+ Ke7 33.Qc7+ With a draw.) 23...Rha8 24.Rc1

637

24...Rxa2! 25.Bxa2 Qa5 26.c4 (Less forcing is 26.c3 Qa3 27.Rdc2 b3 28.Rb2 Ra4‚.) 26...b3 27.Rb2 Bh6!!

A fantastic move! Although Black is a whole rook down he is not taking anything and he even offers White another pawn with check! 28.Nxf6 (28.Qxf6+ is another perpetual: 28...Ke8 29.Qh8+ Ke7 30.Qf6+=.) 28...bxa2+ 29.Ka1 Bxc1 30.Nd5+ Kd7 31.Qe7+ Kc8 32.Nb6+ Kb8 33.Nd7+ (If White steps over the line and plays 33.Qxd6+? then he is lost after 33...Kb7 34.Qe7+ Ka6 35.Rxa2 Ba3! 36.Rxa3 Qxa3+ 37.Qxa3+ Kxb6–+.) 33...Kc8 34.Nb6+=] Back to 20...Bg7.

638

21.Rd2 21.Ng3 h5!? (21...Ba4!?„ We have already mentioned that with this exchange Black weakens the white king’s position and achieves enough counterplay.) 22.Nxh5 (22.Rd2 Ke7„) 22...Ke7 is a transposition to the line above 20...Ke7 21.Ng3 h5 22.Nxh5 Bg7. 21...Ba4 22.Rhd1 0-0 23.Ng3 Bxb3 24.cxb3 Rfa8 25.Rc1 Qe3 26.Nf1 Qb6 27.Rcc2 Ra6∞

With a dynamic equilibrium.

639

5 15...Rc7 16.Ne2 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7

Kozul: I discovered this move a fair amount of years ago. I first tried it in 2000 in two games, against D. Simic at the Pirc Memorial in Maribor (Slovenia) and against Zelcic at the GM tournament in Pozega (Croatia). I won both games, so we can say that a new idea has proven to be very good! This is the line we would like to recommend, and will investigate in the next subchapters. 16.Ne2 e5 If we recall positions with fxe6 inserted, often the rook was transferred from a7 to e7, protecting the critical e6-square. If now Black allowed that kind of position he would be practically a tempo down. So it’s better to immediately close the centre and, when possible, advance the a-pawn. 17.Ng3 17.Qh4 Be7 transposes in 16.Qh4 Be7 17.Ne2 e5. 17...Ke7 18.Nh5 Bh6 19.g4

640

If Black doesn’t do something, White would after h2–h4 already be threatening to take on f6. 19...Qe3 a) White is better after 19...Be3? 20.h4±. b) No improvement is 19...Rg8?. 20.Nxf6! Thematic! 20...Kxf6 21.Qh4+ Bg5 22.Qxh7± Next comes h4. 20.Qa5 Black is fine in case of 20.Qb4 a5!? (if Black doesn’t want to enter complications he can play the quiet 20...Qc5) 21.Qxa5 Ra7 22.Qc3 Qc5 23.Qxc5 dxc5

641

24.Ng3 (24.h4!? was a better try) 24...Rha8 25.a3 c4 26.Be2 c3 27.Rd3 b4 28.Rhd1 cxb2 29.axb4 Bc1!

30.Rxc1 Ra1+ 31.Kxb2 R8a2+ 32.Kc3 Rxc1 33.Rd2 Ba4 34.Bd3 Rb1 35.Be2 Ra3+ 36.Kc4 Rb2µ Petrik, T (2523)-Jankovic, A (2525) Brno 2006. 20...Rhc8 Now White has many possible moves, but Black is fine.

642

21.Rhe1 a) 21.h4? Bxe4µ b) 21.Ka1!? Qf3„ (You can see the idea behind White’s last move if Black plays 21...Bxe4? 22.Rhe1 Bxd3 23.Rxe3± and ...Bc2 is not with check any more.) c) 21.Ng3 Bb7„ (21...Qf2!?) 21...Qh3 Black can also move his queen to the other side, but he doesn’t want to allow h4. 22.Qxa6 Risky! a) 22.Qa3 Bb7„ (…...Rc5) We believe that this position has a certain dynamic equilibrium. White would like to hit the d6-pawn, but the third-rank pin prevents him from executing that threat. b) On 22.Rg1 Black can calmly improve his bishop with 22...Bg5„. 22...Be3

643

23.Qa3 Black shouldn’t be scared of White’s taking the other pawn. 23.Bxb5? Ra8

24.Bf1 [White has enough material for his queen after 24.Qxc6 Rxc6 25.Bxc6, but his pieces are poorly placed and Black seizes the initiative with 25...Rc8! 26.Bd5 (26.Bb7 Rb8µ) 26...Qg2! 27.Bb3 (27.c3 Rb8µ) 27...Qxg4µ.] 24...Rxa6 25.Bxh3 Bxe4

644

And now follows a series of almost forced moves that will lead to a better ending for Black. 26.Rxe3 Bxc2+ 27.Kc1 Bxd1+ (27...Rxa2 is enough for a draw.) 28.Kxd1 Rxa2 29.Nf4 Rc5 30.Bg2 Rxb2 31.Nd5+ Kf8 32.Re2 Rb1+ 33.Kd2 Kg7µ

White’s chances of saving the game depend on whether Black will succeed in unblocking the d5square. 23...Bc5 24.Qb3 Qxg4 25.Ng3 b4 26.Bc4 Kf8„

645

6 15...Rc7 16.Rf1 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Rf1!?

A very interesting option, when Black has many moves at his disposal. 16...b4 A logical continuation, but not what we recommend. 646

a) 16...e5 is our recommendation — see the next subchapter. b) Again it’s too early to centralize the queen: 16...Qe5? 17.Qh4 a5 18.Nd5±. c) An interesting idea is the pawn sacrifice 16...Rg8!? 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Rxf6 Qe5

19.Qf2 Be7∞ (Tempting but worse is 19...Bg7?! 20.Rf3 and since Qb6 is a threat. Black must play 20...Qc5 and White is better after 21.Qh4±.) 17.Ne2 e5 18.Qh4

Black is at a crossroads.

647

18...Bb5 Black’s best option is to immediately undermine c2. Let’s now show a game by one of the authors, GM Jankovic, who played 18...a5. Although we recommend 18...Bb5 instead, the game and its analysis are very interesting for the understanding of the whole system. 19.b3 (19.Qxf6 is too greedy: 19...Rg8„.) 19...Ke7 With the idea of ...Bb5 since a capture by White would not be with check any more.

20.Bc4! That’s the problem! White is in time to put the bishop on c4, where it attacks f7 and also prevents ...Bb5. 20...h5 21.Ng3 Bh6

And now White faces a tough choice: with which piece should he take on h5? 22.Nxh5 This tempting 648

move was played in the game, but wasn’t the strongest. [22.Qxh5! Kf8 (Too passive is 22...Rh7 23.Rd3 a4 24.Rfd1 when Rxd6 is coming.) 23.Rd3 Bg7 (Tempting is 23...a4 24.Rfd1 axb3 25.Bxb3 with the idea of moving the king into safety. 25...Kg7 26.h4 Now the problem is that 26...Bg5 does not work due to

27.hxg5! Rxh5 28.Nxh5++–.) 24.Qf3 Rxh2 25.Rfd1

25...Bh6 (25...Rd7 26.Nh5 Bh8 Now the sacrifice is no longer on the menu since the f7-pawn is attacked and White could take on d6. 27.Qg4 And after 27...Qf2 White has the simple 28.Rg3+–.) 26.Rxd6 Bg5 27.Rd8+ Ke7 Black’s king must return to the centre, where it will be exposed. 28.Nf1! Rh1 (28...Rh7 29.Qd3±) 29.g3 Rh7 30.Qd3 Black is facing a hard time, e.g. 30...a4 31.Rb8 Rd7

649

And now White has the pretty 32.Rb7! Qd4 33.Qxd4 exd4 34.Rxd7+±.] 22...Bg5 23.Qg4

This leads to fascinating positions where it is very instructive to learn the tactical motifs. Jankovic: To insist on the attack is no longer so good, as I discovered in my game. But during the game it seemed very promising to me and it was hard to resist. Later analysis shows that White must make fantastic moves to avoid getting matted! 23...a4 [23...Rcc8! Black completely changes his plan and switches his rook to the kingside. 24.h4 Rcg8 25.g3

650

Which is the best square to move the bishop to? Interesting is 25...Be3!? (25...Bd2 is also possible, in order to get the bishop to c3.) 26.Qf3 a4 27.g4 axb3

28.cxb3 (After 28.Bxb3!? Ra8! the position gets extremely complicated. For example, 29.g5 would lose to 29...Rxa2! 30.Bxa2 Ra8 31.Qe2 Bb5 32.Rd3 Bd4–+; note that White should have played 29.Rd3.) 28...Ra8 29.g5 (29.Rd3? loses immediately to 29...Rxa2!–+.) 29...Rxa2 (29...Qa7!? 30.a4 bxa3 31.Ka2∞ leads to a complicated fight; Black can try to squeeze more from the position with 29...Rxh5!? 30.gxf6+ Kxf6, but White holds with 31.Qxh5 Bxe4+ 32.Bd3 Bxd3+ 33.Rxd3 Rxa2 34.Qd1 Ra6 35.Rd5 Qb6 36.Qh5=.) 30.Kxa2 Ra8+ 31.Kb1 Bd4

651

There is no mate, but Black has many ways to achieve a perpetual check. 32.Rd2 Bc3 33.Re2! Qd4 34.Qd3 Ra1+ 35.Kc2 Ra2+=] 24.h4 Bh6 25.Rd3

25...Bb5? Played in the game. a) 25...Ra8? loses quickly because of 26.Nxf6! Kxf6 27.Qh5 Be3 28.Re1!+–. b) So does 25...Ra7? 26.Bxf7!+–. c) 25...axb3! This is the move that poses the biggest practical problems for White. 26.Bxb3 (White has to be precise because if he plays 26.cxb3? now the idea that I employed in my game is fully justified. 26...Bb5! since after 27.Rd5 Black can sacrifice his queen and launch a deadly attack (Jankovic). 652

27...Bxc4 28.Rxc5 Bd3+ 29.Ka1 Rxc5–+) 26...Ra7 (Again, 26...Ra8 is no good because of 27.Nxf6! Kxf6 28.Qh5 Bxe4 29.Qxh6+ Ke7 30.Rd2±; White is also better after 26...Bb5 27.Rd5± — White has fended off the attack and preserved all the advantages of his position.) 27.Rfd1

27...Rxa2 (Black is only one tempo short after 27...Rha8 28.Nxf6! Rxa2 and now comes the deadly blow 29.Ng8+!!+–; 27...Rd8 also loses on account of 28.Nxf6! Kxf6 29.Qh5 Be3 30.g4!+–.) 28.Nxf6! A very nice winning combination with many spectacular moves to follow! 28...Ra1+ 29.Kxa1 Qa5+

It seems that Black is winning, but now comes 30.Ba4!!. An amazing move that’s very easy to miss in previous calculations. 30...Qxa4+ 31.Kb2 Ra8 32.Ng8+!+– And instead of delivering mate, Black finds himself in a lost position. 26.Rd5 Qe3 27.Rxb5 Qc3 28.Qg3 Be3 653

And now White refuted my idea with 29.Qg7! Rh7 30.Qxh7 d5 31.Nxf6!? Kxf6 32.Qh8+ Ke7 33.f6+ Kd7 34.Rxd5+ 1–0 Saric, I (2580)-Jankovic, A (2559) Zagreb 2010. Note that 18...Ke7 would be premature due to Ng3 followed by Nh5. Anyway, back to 18...Bb5.

19.Rc1 In this position, prophylaxis is the best. On other moves, Black gets good counterplay, e.g. 19.Bxb5+ axb5 20.Rd2 Ra7„ or 19.Rd2 Bxd3 20.cxd3 Qe3„. We should also mention that in this case 19.c4?! is not as good as before: 19...Bxc4 20.Bxc4 Qxc4 21.Rd2 Qb5 22.Rc1 Rxc1+ 23.Nxc1 Be7„. 19...Ke7 654

Too risky is 19...h5 20.Qxf6 Rg8 21.Ng3 Be7 22.Qh6 Bg5 23.Qh7 Kf8 24.Bxb5 axb5 25.f6ƒ. 20.Ng3 Bg7 a) 20...Qe3 The queen exchange does not help. 21.Nh5 Qg5 22.Qxg5 fxg5 23.Rfd1ƒ And after the exchange of light-squared bishops Black’s position will remain without any prospects. b) You should remember 20...h5?! 21.Nxh5 Bg7 22.g4±.

This favours White. And even though we had similar positions in some previous lines, here is an important difference. White has already set the knight on h5 and his queen can immediately return to aid the defence. Of course, if we take the queens off White would have an easily won position. 21.Nh5 On the less energetic 21.Rf3 Black would be more than fine after 21...Bxd3 22.Rxd3 Qf2„. 21...Rg8

655

22.Rfd1! The best square for the rook. 22.Rf3 Bh8 23.g4 (Nothing is achieved after 23.Ng3 Bxd3 24.Rxd3 Qf2 25.c4 bxc3 26.Rdxc3 Rxc3 27.Rxc3 Rb8ƒ.) 23...Qd4 24.Ng3 Bxd3 25.Rxd3 Qf2„ 22...Bh8! a) 22...Qe3? 23.Nxg7 Rxg7 24.Bxb5 axb5

25.Rxd6! Kxd6 26.Qxf6+ Kc5 27.Qxe5+± 656

b) 22...Rc6 23.Bxb5 axb5 24.Qg3 Ra6

25.Nxf6! Bxf6 (25...Kxf6?? 26.Qh4#) 26.Qxg8 Qa7 27.c3± 23.Qh3 Qf2

The only way to fight for equality. There is no direct threat in this move, but it prevents White from regrouping. 24.g4 Rgc8∞ Black has managed to develop his pieces harmoniously and he has a good game. 657

7 15...Rc7 16.Rf1 e5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Rf1!? e5

This is in the spirit of the variation! White’s last move, Rf1, is not so useful in positions with a blocked centre, so Black should seize the moment and block the centre. 17.a3! This is a new way of treating the position. Now White would be late with his standard queen and knight transfer and therefore he wants to prevent Black’s queenside counterplay. After 17.Qh4 Be7 we transpose to 16.Qh4 Be7 17.Rhf1 e5. 17...Rg8 Black doesn’t expect too much from activity along the g-file, but he tries to prevent his opponent’s rook lift. a) 17...Bh6 18.Rf3!

658

White wants to benefit from the fact that he has developed his rook, which can best be activated along the third rank. Also, Black’s problem is that ...b4 is ineffective. (Black is fine after 18.Be2 Ke7∞.) 18...Rb7 What else? Since the pressure down the c-file doesn’t yield Black much, he tries to carry out ...b5–b4. [On 18...Ke7 White now has at his disposal a manoeuvre which is practically impossible with the rook on h1. 19.Bf1!? Rb8 20.Rh3

20...Bg5 (It looks as though Black is fine after 20...b4 21.axb4 Qxb4, but White has the fantastic move 22.Bb5!!±.)

659

21.Rd5 Another shot that secures an advantage. 21...Qg1 22.Qd1±; the black king is unsafe after 18...00?!.

19.Qh4 (An important alternative is 19.Bf1!? targeting the d6-pawn and preparing b2–b4. If Black plays 19...b4 himself then after 20.axb4 Qxb4 21.Nd5 Qxe1 White has the 22.Nxf6+ intermezzo. 22...Kh8 23.Rxe1 Bg5 24.Nd5 Bxd5 25.exd5± The advantage that engines give to White doesn’t look too great, but we know from experience that this ending is very difficult for Black.) 19...Bg5 20.Rg3 Kh8 21.Rxg5 fxg5 And now comes the very unpleasant

660

22.Qh6±.] 19.b4 Qa7 20.Bf1

20...Ke7 (20...Bf8? is not good due to 21.Qh4 Be7 22.Rxd6! Bxd6 23.Qxf6+–.) 21.Rfd3 Rd7

661

The game has moved into calmer waters. Black’s position is solid, but White has more space and can prepare for endgames where Black will have potentially weak pawns on the queenside. b) As we’ve already shown, 17...a5? loses to 18.Bxb5!

18...Bxb5 19.Rd5+–. Back to 17...Rg8.

662

18.Rf2 a) On 18.g3 Black would become very active after 18...Bh6 19.Be2 Ke7 20.Rd5 Qb6 21.Rf3 Rb8„. b) After 18.Qd2 Black can advance with 18...a5! since Bxb5 is no longer possible. 18...Bh6 Black isn’t ready for queenside play. 18...Rb7 19.Bf1 b4

20.Nd5! bxa3 21.Nxf6+ Kd8 This whole line is possible for White because of the position of the rook on g8. 22.b3± 663

19.Bf1 19.Re2 Ke7„ 19...Be3 White is better after 19...Rg4 20.Re2 Ke7 21.Nd5+.

White has no reason to wait any longer. He goes for a position with opposite-coloured bishops in which he will be better for at least two reasons: the bishop on h6 operates on an empty diagonal where nothing will happen, and the black rook on g4 is out of play. 21...Bxd5 22.Rxd5 Qb6 23.c3 a5 24.Rc2 b4 25.Qe2± 20.Re2 20.Rf3 This is not as efficient as it was earlier. 20...Bd4 21.b4 Qa7

664

22.Ne2 [Nothing is achieved with 22.Qh4 Ke7 23.Ne2 (23.Rfd3 and now 22...a5 or the typically Rauzer line 23...h5!? 24.Ne2 Bf2 25.g3 Rg5„.) 23...a5! 24.Nxd4 exd4

25.Qf2 (Wrong is 25.Rfd3? axb4 26.Rxd4 b3!! 27.cxb3 Qxa3µ. In this line you can see why 21...Qa7 was important.) 25...axb4 26.Qxd4 Qxd4 27.Rxd4 bxa3 28.Rxa3

665

And now Black can activate the rook by 28...Rg4 with roughly equal chances.] 22...Rg4! 23.Nxd4 exd4

White was able to break up his opponent’s pawn formation, but now he has a weakness on e4. 24.Rfd3 The black pawn on d4 is weak but it disrupts the white pieces, so White wants to remove it as soon as possible. [24.Bd3 Re7 25.Rg3 Rxg3 26.Qxg3 Re5 An important move. Black should secure his king and only then organize queenside play.

666

27.Kb2 (27.Qg8+ Ke7 28.Qxh7 a5„) 27...a5 28.Ra1 Ke7„] 24...Rxe4 25.Qg3 (25.Qf2 Rce7=) 25...Ke7 26.c3 Bd7 27.Rxd4 Re5=

The pawn on d6 is not essentially important. If White takes on d6 Black will activate his queen. Black has built a small fortress around the king and he has no reason to complain about his future prospects. 20...Bd4 21.Nd5 Bxd5 22.exd5 You’ve already learned that this type of position, in most cases, is not dangerous for Black. However, in this particular position, Black has some problems due to the exposed position of his bishop. It would be much easier if the bishop were on the other diagonal, e.g. on g5.

667

22...Rg5 22...Bg1 23.Qh4ƒ Rg5 transposes to 22...Rg5 23.Qh4 Bg1. (On 23...Ke7?

White has the deadly blow 24.Rxe5+!+–.) 23.Qh4 White exploits the fact that the black king cannot come to the natural square e7 since the bishop would be hanging on d4. Black is fine after 23.c3 Bg1 24.g3 (24.Qh4ƒ h5„) 24...Rxf5∞ (24...Qa7!?). 668

23...Kd7 a) No good is 23...Rxf5 24.c3 Bxc3 25.Rc2± b) Dubious is 23...Bg1?!

24.Qh6! (White is playing with fire if he grabs the pawn. 24.Qxh7? b4 25.axb4 Qxb4 26.Qh3 Rg4„) 24...Rxf5 (The careless 24...Ke7 allows the deadly 25.Rxe5+!±.) 25.Qxh7 Rf2 26.Rxf2 Qxf2 27.Qg8+ Ke7 28.Bd3 Bxh2 29.Rf1± Black’s position is hard to defend. 24.c3 a) It appears that 24.Qxh7 is better for White, but Black has the hidden resources 24...Bxb2! 25.Qxf7+ Kc8 26.Qf8+ Kb7 27.Kxb2

669

27...Rg4!! That’s the point! White cannot avoid perpetual check any more. 28.Qh6 Rb4+ 29.axb4 Qxb4+ 30.Kc1 Qa3+ 31.Kd2 Qc3+= b) If 24.Qh6 Black is fine after 24...Rg4„. 24...Bxc3

25.Rc2 25.bxc3 Qxa3 26.Qb4 Rxc3 27.Qxa3 Rxa3 is also tricky.

670

25...Be1 26.Rxc5 Bxh4 27.Rxc7+ Kxc7 28.g3 Rxf5 29.gxh4

The smoke has cleared. Objectively White is better, but Black will seek his chances in a quick advance of his pawns. 8 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.Qg4, 17.Qh6 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4

The most direct attempt. 671

16...Be7 We have arrived at a tabiya of the entire line. White has at his disposal a lot of different moves, but one of his dilemmas is deciding whether to open the centre or allow a blockade. Both have their pros and cons, so let’s look at possible moves. Black is transposing to our main line 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7. 17.Qg4 One of the first possibilities that crosses the mind. White wants to immediately take advantage of the undefended g7-square to invade with his queen and take the h-pawn. 17.Qh6

With a similar idea as the previous option, but with one big difference. The queen doesn’t attack e6 and Black has an easier defence. 17...b4! a) The need for intense concentration when playing these positions is illustrated if Black plays carelessly. 17...a5? 18.e5!

672

Black has no good defence! 18...fxe5 (18...dxe5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Bg6++–) 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Qxe6 a4 21.Rhe1 a3 22.Ne4 Bxe4 23.Rxe4+– b) As in most cases 17...Qe5?! is bad due to 18.Rhe1±. 18.Ne2 a5 19.fxe6 fxe6 20.Nf4

It seems that Black is in big trouble, but he solves his problems with an exchange sacrifice. 20...Qe5! 21.Ng6 hxg6 22.Qxh8+ Kd7‚

673

The potentially dangerous dark-squared bishop and his pawn mass in the centre give Black excellent compensation. 17...h5

A logical reaction. The queen on g4 is very unpleasant and must be chased off. a) Weak is 17...e5?! 18.Qg7 Rf8 19.Qxh7 and since Black cannot play ...a5–a4, the position is in White’s favour. 19...b4 (You’ve already learnt why 19...a5? does not work: the reason is 20.Bxb5+–.) 20.Ne2± With b2–b3 to follow. (Black also faces a hard time after 20.Nd5!? Bxd5 21.exd5 Qxd5 22.Qh4 Qc5 23.Be4± as in the game Edouard, R (2431)-Jankovic, A (2533) Illes Medes 2007.) b) 17...Qe5?! isn’t any better. 18.Ne2 a5 19.Nf4 Bd7 20.Rhf1 674

20...b4 (similar is 20...a4 21.Qg7 Rf8 22.fxe6±) 21.Qg7 Rf8 22.fxe6 Bxe6 (22...fxe6 23.Qxh7+–) 23.Nd5 Rc5 24.Qh6± 18.Qg7 Rf8

Black has managed to resist without giving up material and, perhaps more importantly, without significant positional concessions. Now there follows the knight transfer we have already seen many times. 19.Ne2 Qe3

675

The idea has nothing to do with taking on e4. Black wants to have the possibility of exchanging queens at the right moment. a) 19...Qe5?! 20.Rhf1 (20.Rhe1!?) And if Black takes the pawn 20...Bxe4 White is on top after 21.Rde1!±. b) Too late is 19...e5?! 20.Ng3±. c) White easily refutes 19...h4? with 20.Nf4 Bd7 21.fxe6 fxe6 22.e5!+–. 20.fxe6 a) 20.Ng3?! would justify Black’s idea.

20...h4 21.Nh5 Qg5 22.Qh7 (After 22.Qxg5 fxg5 23.f6 Black elegantly solves his problems with 23...Rh8„.) 22...e5„ (22...Qg8!?) b) 20.Qh7

676

White aims to take the pawn without suffering retribution, so Black must respond actively. 20...Bxe4! [The blockade 20...e5 doesn’t bring equality: 21.Nc3 Qg5 (21...b4 22.Nd5 Bxd5 23.exd5± Black’s bishop is passive.) 22.h4 Qxg2 (22...Qg4 23.Be2±) 23.Rhg1²; Bad is 20...Qg5? due to 21.h4 Qg4 22.Nd4±.] 21.Rhe1 (21.Nd4 Bxd3 22.Rxd3 Qe4 23.Qxh5 Qxg2 24.Rc1 Kd7 25.fxe6+ fxe6= A dynamic equilibrium exists.) 21...Bxd3 22.cxd3 e5 23.Qxh5 Qf2 24.g3 b4!=

It is important to take the c3-square away from the knight. Black should hold this position without any particular problems. 20...fxe6 21.Qg6+ Kd7 22.Qxh5 Rcc8© 677

Black immediately prepares for the position that will arise after a queen exchange. Active rooks and the bishop pair will be sufficient compensation for the pawn. 9 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.Ne2, 17.e5 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7

17.Ne2

678

To make things a little easier for the reader, we will try to give some guidance from Black’s perspective. When should Black block the centre and when not? It’s hard to generalize in chess, but we could say that mostly the blockade is good, but with one important condition that applies if White’s knight is still on c3. In that case, if White jumps his knight to d5 he should be forced to recapture with the pawn. Thus, in this particular position, since the knight has already left the c3-square, Black should close the centre to narrow down White’s possible plans. Black should always watch out for the 17.e5 break, but here he is fine after 17...fxe5

18.Qh5 (Nothing is achieved by 18.Qg4 b4 19.Ne4 Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Bf6 21.fxe6 fxe6„; 18.Qh3 exf5 19.Qxf5 transposes to the main move 18.Qh5 ef5 19.Qf5.) 18...exf5 (risky is 18...Bxg2 19.Rhe1∞) 19.Bxf5 (19.Qxf5 is another transposition to the main move 18.Qh5 ef5 19.Qf5. 19...e4 Black exchanges the queens. 20.Qxc5 dxc5 21.Bxe4 Bxe4 22.Nxe4 Rd7=) 19...e4! With this move, Black successfully disrupts White’s light-squares domination.

679

(Engines suggest 19...Bxg2, but we think that White has full compensation after 20.Rhg1©.) 20.Qg4 h5 21.Qf4 Qe5 22.Qxe5 dxe5= 17...e5!

18.Ng3 Black shouldn’t be afraid of dropping the h-pawn since that usually gives him time to organize counterplay on the other wing. 18.Qh6 a5 19.Qg7 Rf8 20.Qxh7 a4 21.Qh6 a3 22.b3 Rg8 That was played in a game by one of your authors, and White should have played

680

23.Qh3! (Weaker was 23.Qc1? Rxg2 24.Rdg1 Rxe2 25.Bxe2 Bxe4µ 0–1 (34) Zelcic, R (2529)-Kozul, Z (2597) Pozega 2000.) 23...d5 24.exd5

24...Qxd5 (If 24...Bxd5 White has a spectacular move to save the game. 25.Nc3!!

681

25...Qxc3 26.Bxb5+ Kf8 27.Qh6+ Rg7 28.Qh8+=) 25.Nc3 Qxg2∞ And Black is fine. 18...a5!

Black shouldn’t waste a single moment — in many lines that will occur, one tempo will be crucial. 19.Nh5 a4 20.Nxf6+ Kd8! 21.Qh6 a3

682

22.Qg7 Probably too optimistic, but analysis of the alternative is simpler. 22.c3 b4 (22...Kc8!? 23.Rc1 axb2 24.Rc2 Rd8 25.Rd1 Bxf6 26.Qxf6 Ra7∞) 23.b3 Qxc3 24.Rd2!

24...Bb5!! Takes the e3-square from White’s queen! 25.Bxb5 Bf8! 26.Qg5 h6 27.Nd5+ hxg5 28.Nxc3 Rxc3= 22...Rf8

683

23.Rd2 23.Nxh7 This is a real adventure. White thinks that Black doesn’t have enough pieces for the attack and that in the end, his extra material will prevail. 23...Qb4 24.Kc1 (After 24.b3? Qc3 25.Kc1 d5–+ the e7bishop will join the attack and White is defenceless.) 24...Qxb2+ 25.Kd2 Bxe4!

26.f6 [26.Bxe4 Qd4+ 27.Kc1 (A nice mating net appears after 27.Bd3?? Rxc2+! 28.Kxc2 Qb2#.) 27...Qxe4 28.Rd2 Qxf5–+] 26...Bxd3 (Black is better also in case of 26...Rxc2+ 27.Bxc2 Qxc2+ 28.Ke1 Bxh7 29.fxe7+ Kxe7µ.) 684

27.fxe7+

27...Kd7!! What a fantastic picture! With all those possible checks and the promotion, White is in fact lost! 28.Nf6+ Kxe7 29.Nd5+ Kd7 30.Qg4+ Kc6 31.Ke1 Kxd5 32.Rxd3+ Kc5µ 23...b4 Possible is 23...axb2!? 24.Ng8 Qa3 25.c3 Qxc3 26.f6 (26.Rdd1 Qa3 27.Nxe7 Kxe7µ) 26...Qxd2 27.fxe7+

27...Kd7!! Again! A similar picture to the one we saw earlier, and again White is in trouble. 28.Qg4+ Ke8 29.exf8=R+ Kxf8 30.Qd1 Black has a clear advantage.

685

24.Rc1 24.Be2 axb2–+; 24.Nxh7? Qd4–+ 24...axb2! 25.Rcd1 Ra7 26.Bf1

It’s clear that Black is fine and the only question is whether his attack could bring him further rewards. 26...Kc8 It’s best is to remove the king immediately because the threat of ...Rxa2 is still in the air. a) Nice tactical solutions present themselves after 26...b3!? 27.cxb3 Rxa2!.

686

28.Kxa2 Qc1 29.Rxb2 Qxd1 30.Bc4 (30.Be2 Qc1–+) 30...Kc7 31.Nd5+ Kb7 32.Nc3 Ra8+ 33.Na4 Kc7 34.Bd5 Bxd5 35.exd5 Qxd5∞

And after the smoke has cleared we have a position where Black can still try to play for a win. b) 26...Rxa2 27.Kxa2 Kc7 28.Qg3 Bxf6 29.Kxb2 Bxe4 30.Qb3∞ 27.Nd5

687

27...Rxa2! 28.Kxa2 Bxd5+ 29.Kxb2 29.exd5 Kc7–+ 29...Qc3+ 29...Bxe4!? 30.Kb1

And Black will force White to give up his queen. 688

30...Ba2+!! 31.Kxa2 Kc7 32.Qxf8 Otherwise ...Ra8 was coming. 32...Bxf8µ

689

10 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.Rhe1, 17.Rhf1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7

17.Rhe1 17.Rhf1 e5 [To delay the blockade with 17...h5 can create problems after 18.fxe6 (18.g4!?) 18...fxe6 19.Ne2 Qe5 20.Nf4 Kf7 21.Rde1 Rcc8 22.Be2 Bxe4 23.Nd3 Bxd3 24.Bxd3 Qd5 25.Qh3±.] 18.Qh6 (18.Rd2 h5„; 18.Qf2 And the draw was agreed in Sipos, I (2490)-Jankovic, A (2546) Harkany 2009.) 18...a5!

690

19.Qg7 (The usual 19.Bxb5?? fails here because the f1-rook will be hanging after 19...Bxb5 20.Rd5 Qc4–+.) 19...Rf8 20.Qxh7 a4„ 17...h5 a) The thematic 17...e5 is not the right move here.

18.Qh6 (18.Rd2!? deserves attention, with the idea of Nd1–e3.) 18...a5 19.Nd5 (19.Qg7 Rf8 20.Qxh7 a4„) 19...Bxd5 20.exd5 b4± White has a clear edge since Black has problems due to the passive position of his bishop. His h-pawn will fall and it’s not easy to organize queenside counterplay. (White is better also after 20...Rg8 21.g3 Rg4 22.Qxh7 a4 23.Qh3±; maybe Black’s best chance is to play the risky 20...Qxd5 21.Qg7 Rf8 22.g4±.) 691

b) 17...b4 is also not enough for equality. 18.Ne2 e5 19.Ng3

Black must act immediately. 19...Bb5 (19...h5 20.Nxh5± or 20.Nf1!?; 19...a5 20.b3 a4 21.Bc4±) 20.Bxb5+ axb5 21.Rd2 h5 22.Red1 (22.Nxh5 Kd8∞ is easier to play for Black, who aims to escape with the king and free the eighth rank for the rook.) 22...Qc4 23.h3 Kd7 24.b3 Qc6 25.Ne2 Kc8 26.Nc1±

And this position is in White’s favour, since he has the light squares to himself and Black has no counterplay. c) If Black is reluctant to block the centre, White secures an advantage with a standard operation. 17...a5 18.fxe6 fxe6

692

19.e5! How many times have we seen that pattern? 19...fxe5 20.Qh5+± Watch out for Bxb5. Back to 17...h5.

18.Ne2 18.fxe6 Opening the centre is no longer so strong. 18...fxe6 19.Ne2 Qg5 20.Qf2 Qc5= 18...e5

693

19.Ng3 After 19.g4 Qe3 20.Ng3 (20.gxh5 Qh6 is good for Black) 20...Qg5 21.Qxg5 fxg5 22.Nxh5 f6 Black has the usual Rauzer compensation. 19...Qf2 A typical move, as we have seen already. It’s a matter of taste whether to play this or 19...a5 and accept a position that is a bit passive but very solid. 20.Nxh5 Kf8 (20...Kd8 21.c3 b4 22.c4±) 21.c3 (21.Qg4!? Rg8 22.Qe2 a4 23.c3‚ deserves attention.) 21...b4 22.c4± 20.Qh3 20.Re2 Qf4 21.Qxf4 exf4 22.Nf1∞ 20...h4 21.Nf1∞ With mutual chances.

694

11 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.-1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6

Another critical moment when there are many possibilities. White’s opening of the centre has completely changed the character of the position and now completely new ideas and tactical motifs are involved. 18.Rhf1 695

a) Black shouldn’t be afraid of 18.Qg4 Qe5 19.Qg7 (19.Rhe1 Kf7„) 19...f5!

20.Qxe5 dxe5 21.exf5. And now there is an important intermezzo. 21...b4!= after which Black is absolutely fine. b) If White plays 18.Qh3

then Black can react with 18...Qe5∞. (Also interesting is 18...b4 19.Ne2 Qe5 20.Rhe1 a5 21.Ng1 Bd7 22.Nf3 Qc5 23.Rc1 Rb7 24.Nd2 a4‚ as in the game Simic, D (2328)-Kozul, Z (2597) Maribor 2000.) c) 18.e5 is premature. 18...fxe5 (18...Qxe5 19.Rhe1 Qg5∞) 19.Qh5+ Kd7

696

20.Ne4 (If White plays 20.Rhf1 then 20...Bxg2 21.Rf7 and now 21...e4! is an important move, and after 22.Qg4 Rf8! Black is fine: 23.Rxf8 exd3 24.Rf7 dxc2+ 25.Kxc2 b4 26.Qxg2 bxc3„.) 20...Bxe4 21.Bxe4 Rf8„ Black has nice prospects for the future. d) 18.Rhe1!?

Aimed against ...Qe5 since then White can play Nd5. 18...Qg5 The exchange on e6 gave Black the option of shifting his queen along the fifth rank and he immediately exploits that. [White has developed all this pieces and Black should be very cautious. Thus, for example, the move 18...a5? is refuted by 19.e5! fxe5 20.Qh5+ Kd7

697

21.Bxb5! Bxb5 22.Rxe5 d5 23.Qg4!±; on 18...Kf7

White again plays 19.e5, the only way to use his advantage in development. (19.Ne2 is no longer so dangerous: 19...Qg5!? 20.Qh3 h5 21.Rf1 Qe5∞.) 19...dxe5 20.Qh5+ Kg7 21.Qg4+ Kf7 22.Rf1 There is no direct threat, but White’s initiative can be very unpleasant. 22...Rd7 23.Rde1‚] 19.Qh3 (19.Qf2 Qc5=) 19...Qe5„ Black has stopped White’s initiative and in the future he can think of castling.

698

It’s important that 20.Nd5?? fails to 20...exd5 21.exd5 Bd7!µ. 18...Qe5 18...Qg5!? is a good alternative.

19.Qh3 And now Black should decide how to proceed. (19.Qf2 Bd7„) 19...f5! Active defence! a) 19...Qe5?! 20.Ne2 0-0 (20...h5 21.Nf4 Kf7 22.g4±) 21.Nf4 Bd7 22.Rf3! That’s the problem. The rook will quickly join the attack. 22...Rf7 23.Rg3+ Rg7 24.Rxg7+ Kxg7 25.Rf1± b) Dubious is 19...Bd7?! on account of 20.Ne2 (20.e5!? also looks strong. 20...dxe5 21.Ne4 Qg7 22.Be2 f5 23.Bh5+ Kd8 24.Nd6 Bxd6 25.Rxd6 Kc8 26.g4‚ Black has problems in the centre and his 699

king is unsafe.) 20...h5 21.Nf4±. 20.Rf2 b4 21.Ne2 fxe4

22.Nd4! exd3 23.Nxe6 Qa5 24.Nxc7+ Qxc7∞ The position is highly unbalanced. 19.Rde1 White is ready to jump to d5 and Black must react. If White plays 19.Qg4 to invade on g7, Black stops that with 19...Kf7„. (Allowing Qg7 with 19...h5? is wrong. 20.Qg7 Rf8

Now White has 21.Nd5! exd5 22.exd5 Bxd5 23.Rf5 Rg8 24.Qh7±. White returns the material with the 700

better position.) After 19.Rde1 (position below), Black has several choices.

19...Bb7 This looks logical. Black clears the c-file, and now the bishop will not be hit if White shifts his knight to d4. a) After 19...Bd8?! 20.Rf5 exf5 21.exf5± White’s queen is much stronger than Black’s rooks. b) 19...Qg5 20.Qh3 In a similar position that we saw earlier the rook was on d1. Now it is on e1 and that makes a big difference, so after 20...f5 (20...Bd7 21.Ne2±) 21.Rf2 b4 22.Ne2 Qh4 23.Qe3 fxe4 White has the strong 24.Nf4! which secures him an advantage, e.g. 24...exd3 25.Nxe6 Rb7 26.cxd3±. c) If Black could play 19...0-0 without being punished, that would be a good solution for him. But White has a strong riposte. 20.Nd5! (20.Rf3 Bd8„) 20...exd5 (20...Rb7 21.Nf4±; 20...Ra7 21.Nf4 Rf7 22.Qh3±) 21.exd5 f5 22.Qh3 Qxd5 23.Bxf5 Rxf5 24.Rxf5 Qd4 And now comes an important move.

701

25.Rff1! clears the diagonal for the queen and after 25...Bg5 26.Qe6+ Kg7 27.Rf5 Qd2 28.Ref1± White is clearly better. d) Likewise, Black cannot ignore the threat and play 19...h5?! 20.Nd5 Bxd5 (20...exd5 21.exd5 Qxd5 22.Qxf6+–) 21.exd5 Qxd5 because White is better after 22.Bg6+ Kd8 23.Bf7!±. 20.Ne2 On 20.Qg4 Black can play an interesting exchange sacrifice. 20...Rxc3 21.bxc3 Kd7© 20...Bd8∞

702

Black has successfully arranged his pieces and covered the weak spots in his position. 12 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2

Probably the best. 18...Qg5!? For our main line 18...Qe5, see the next subchapter. a) Black can forget about castling and play 18...Kd7. Then after 19.Nf4 Qg5 (19...f5? 20.Qh6+–) 20.Qf2 Qe5

703

we reach a position which needs deeper analysis. Here are some sample lines. 21.Rhe1 (21.g3!? is interesting, but certainly White will have to play Rhe1 before Bf1–h3, so it is better do it immediately; dubious is 21.c3?! due to 21...b4! 22.cxb4 Rb8 23.a3 a5‚; however 21.Nd5!? deserves attention.) 21...Bb7∞ The position is unclear. [21...Kc8? 22.Nd5 Rb7 (If 22...Bxd5 23.exd5 Qxd5 then 24.Rxe6!+– is a killer!) 23.Nb4±; 21...Rhc8? is a mistake since after 22.Nd5± there is a fork on b6.] b) Dubious is 18...0-0?! due to 19.Qg4+ and Black would be forced to play 19...Kf7, which obviously shouldn’t be the aim of castling.

19.Qf2 704

Black can cope with 19.Qh3!? hitting the e6-pawn. 19...Bd7 20.Nd4

20...Qe5 (Wrong is 20...Kf7 due to 21.Rhf1 (with the idea of Nf3 and e4–e5) 21...Rc5 22.b4! Rc7 23.Nf3± and again e4–e5 is coming.) 21.Be2 h5 And Black is ready to start advancing his pawns. 22.Rhf1 a5„ 19...0-0 Black is not afraid of White’s queen invasion. a) 19...Qe5!? is a good alternative. 20.Qb6 (20.Nd4 Bd7 21.Nf3 Qc5„) 20...Kd7 (20...Bd8 21.Qxa6²) 21.Nd4

705

21...Bb7= (21...Qc5?? allows the cheap trick 22.Qxc7+!+–.) b) Black can also try 19...Qc5!?. 20.Nf4 If White insists and plays 20.Qb6 then after 20...Rfc8 21.Qxa6

Black has two solid options: 21...Qe3!? (21...Qc5 22.Qa5 Ra7 23.Qd2 Rca8 24.Nc1 Ra4∞ And Black can start to think about carrying out the manoeuvre ...Bf8–g7.) 22.Qa5 Bxe4 23.Bxe4 Qxe4 24.Nc3 Qc4 25.Qxb5 Qxb5 (25...d5!?) 26.Nxb5 Rxc2 27.Rc1 R2c5∞ We have reached an approximately equal ending. 20...Bd7 This is the easiest way to stay in the game. 20...Qe5 21.Rhe1 (It’s easier for Black to rearrange his pieces after 21.Rhf1?! since the rook belongs on e1, not f1. 21...Bd8 22.Qg3+ Rg7 23.Qh3 Re8³) 21...Bd8

706

22.c3! This is actually the only healthy plan for White, and it’s a plan that gives Black a big headache. It’s not easy to fight against White’s scheme of shifting the bishop to b3, sometimes even also playing a2–a3 in order to prevent Black’s counterplay. (22.g3 seems like a quiet move that strengthens the knight on f4, but it also prepares the hidden manoeuvre Bf1–h3 or Qf1–h3. 22...Re7∞ A prophylactic move, covering the e6-pawn, so that on Bf1 Black can take on e4.) 22...Kh8 A typical prophylactic move, getting the king away from the a2–g8 diagonal and also from a possible check on the g-file, but it has a serious drawback in that the f8-rook will be unprotected and White will have tactical ideas with Nd3 and e4–e5. a) 22...a5 23.Bc2 Re7

24.Nd3! (24.Nd5?! is a move more for a blitz game than for a classical one since after the rook moves, 707

White’s knight must retreat.) 24...Qg5 25.h4! A common procedure: White kicks Black’s queen out of g5 and then the knight will return to the dominant square f4. 25...Qg4 26.Nf4 Bc7 27.Rd3 Kh8 28.Bd1± White is better. b) 22...Bb7 Prophylaxis aimed against the manoeuvre Nd3–b4 and also against the Nd5 sacrifice. 23.Bc2 Re8

White has 24.Nd3! (24.Ne2 Rg7 — and not 24...Bxe4 25.Ng3± — 25.g3 Bc7∞.) 24...Qg5 (24...Qh5 is also better for White: 25.Qg3+ Rg7 26.Qxd6 Bc7 27.Qd4 Qxh2 28.Qxf6±.) 25.Re3 Rg7 26.Rg3

26...Qh6 (26...Qh5 27.Rxg7+ Kxg7 28.g4 Qf7 29.Nf4±) 27.Rxg7+ Qxg7 28.Nf4 Qe7 29.Qg3+ Kh8 At first it appears that Black is OK, but then comes 30.Rxd6!± and White is better.

708

23.Bc2

23...Rg7 a) After 23...Re7 White carries out his idea. 24.Nd3 Qg5

25.e5! (Less good is 25.Nb4 Bb7 26.Rxd6 Bc7∞ and the h2-pawn is attacked.) 25...dxe5 26.Nxe5‚ b) White is better after 23...Bb7 24.Rd3±. c) And also after 23...Re8 24.Nd3 Qg5 25.Nb4 Bb7 26.Rxd6±. 24.g3 The most precise. [24.Nd3 leads to an unclear game after 24...Qh5∞ (but not 24...Qxh2? 25.Nf4!

709

25...e5? — 25...Re8 26.Qd2 is the least damage — 26.Ne6 Rxg2 27.Qa7!+–).] 24...Bb7 25.Nd3 Qh5

26.e5! dxe5 27.Nxe5 Qe8 28.Nd3‚ White’s position is preferable. 21.Rhe1 Kh8 22.Re3 Rg8 23.Rg3 Qc5 24.Rxg8+ Kxg8∞

710

We can say that both sides have their chances. 13 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.-1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5

We have selected this move as our main line, although we have seen that Black has several options. 19.Nf4 711

A tempting move, threatening 20.Ng6. Things are getting messy! For the main line 19.Rhf1, see the next subchapter. The move 19.c3 doesn’t stop Black’s counterplay. 19...b4 20.cxb4 Rb7 21.a3 a5

22.Rc1 (22.b5 Bxb5 23.Bxb5+ Rxb5 24.Nd4 Rc5=) 22...axb4!? (more prudent is 22...Kd7!?) 23.Rxc6 bxa3 24.Nc3 Kd7 25.Rc4 Rhb8„ 19...f5 The exchange sacrifice isn’t good any more: 19...a5? 20.Ng6 hxg6 21.Qxh8+ Kd7 22.Qh3±. 20.Qh5+ Black is better after 20.Qh6? fxe4

712

21.Nxe6 (21.Be2 Bf6µ) 21...exd3 22.Nxc7+ Kd7 23.Rxd3 Kxc7µ. 20...Kd8!

Now White needs to protect his knight. On 20...Kd7 21.Rhf1!± is strong. 21.Rhf1! It will be shown that in most cases, the rook is better placed on f1 than on e1. a) Bad is 21.Qh6? due to 21...Bf6 22.c3 fxe4µ. 713

b) 21.g3 presents no problems for Black. 21...Bf6 22.c3 Ke7 Protecting e6 so that ...fxe4 is a threat. 23.exf5 Bxh1 24.Rxh1

24...Rxc3 It looks as though Black is winning, but... [24...b4 leads to unclear play after 25.Bc2 bxc3 (A forced draw is 25...Rxc3 26.bxc3 Qxc3 27.Kc1 Qa1+ 28.Kd2 Qxh1 29.fxe6 Bc3+ 30.Ke2 Qe1+ 31.Kf3= Qf1+ 32.Ke3 Qe1+ 33.Kf3=.) 26.b3∞.] 25.Qxh7+™ That was White’s idea when he played the exchange sacrifice, but still he is worse. 25...Rxh7 26.Ng6+ Kd8 27.Nxe5 Rcc7 28.Ng4 Bd4 29.fxe6 Rh8µ The material is equal, but Black’s pieces are on the right squares and he can press for a win. 21...Bf6 Risky is 21...Bxe4? 22.Bxe4 Qxe4 due to 23.Rd2!±.

714

Black has problems with the e6-pawn. 22.c3 b4!? This move leads to massive complications. 22...Bxe4 is a safer choice, equalizing almost by force. 23.Bxe4 Qxe4+

24.Ka1 [If White tries 24.Nd3 intending to exert pressure along the e-file, Black is on time with his queenside counterplay. 24...b4! 25.Rfe1 (A pleasant endgame for Black ensues after 25.cxb4 Ke7 26.Rfe1 Qg4 27.Qxg4 fxg4„.) 25...bxc3 26.Rxe4 c2+ 27.Kc1 cxd1=Q+ 28.Kxd1 fxe4 29.Nf4 Re8= Black has 715

succeeded in covering his weak spots and is certainly not worse.] 24...Rxc3 Now White has many possible moves, but none of them is enough for an advantage. 25.Rxd6+ (25.Qf7 Be5 26.Nxe6+ Kc8 27.Rfe1 Qc2 28.Qa7 Re3 29.Nd4 Rxe1 30.Qxa6+ Kc7 31.Qa7+=; 25.Qh6 Be5 26.Nxe6+ Kc8 27.Rfe1 Qc6=; 25.Rde1 Re3 26.Rxe3 Qxe3 27.Qf7 Bxb2+! 28.Kxb2 Qd4+ 29.Kc2 Qc4+ 30.Kd2 Qb4+ 31.Ke2 Qe4+=) 25...Kc7 26.Qf7+ Kxd6 27.Qxf6 Qxf4 28.Rd1+

28...Rd3! 29.Rxd3+ Kc7 30.Rc3+ Kb7 31.Qe7+ Ka8 32.a3 Qf1+ 33.Ka2 Qxg2= 23.exf5 bxc3

716

24.Nxe6+ Hardly anyone could resist playing this move, but perhaps it’s not the best. 24.Bc2 Kc8! Black’s best is to run away from a check on e6. Now White has several possibilities.

25.Nd3 is the most challenging. a) 25.Nxe6 Rb7 and we transpose to the above line 24.Ne6 Kc8 25.Bc2 Rb7. b) Black is OK after 25.fxe6 Qxh5 (25...cxb2!?) 26.Nxh5 Be5= since he has a very strong bishop pair. c) 25.b3 shouldn’t worry Black because he can play 25...Qa5 26.Qh6 Qa3 27.Nd3 Be4 28.Qxf6 Bxd3

29.Qxh8+ Kb7 30.Qxc3 Bxc2+ 31.Qxc2 Rxc2 32.Kxc2 Qxa2+=. 717

25...Qd5∞ The position is unclear. (Or 25...Qa5 26.Qh6∞.) 24...Kc8

25.Bc2 Best. The greedy 25.Bxa6+? is punished by the fantastic 25...Rb7!!. (Black is also better with the sober 25...Kb8 26.Nxc7 c2+ 27.Kxc2 Qxb2+ 28.Kd3 Qc3+ 29.Ke2 Qc2+ 30.Rd2 Qe4+ 31.Kf2 Bd4+ 32.Rxd4 Qxd4+ 33.Ke1 Kxc7‚.) 26.Bxb7+ Bxb7

718

27.Rd3 (White gets mated after 27.Nd4 Be4+ 28.Nc2 Qb5 29.b3 Qa6!–+.) 27...Be4 28.Qe2 (28.Qd1?? hastens the end after 28...Qb5–+.) 28...Bxf5 29.Qc2 Bxd3 30.Qxd3 Qxe6 31.Qa6+ Kd8µ 25...Rb7 25...Qa5 is unclear. 26.Qh6 (26.Nxc7?? Qb4–+) 26...Rb7 (26...Rf7 27.Rxd6 Bd5 28.a3±) 27.b3 Be5∞ 26.b3 Bxg2

27.Rf2 27.Rfe1?! Qa5 28.Qh6 Be5„ This is fine for Black. 27...Bc6 28.Qg4 a) If White plays 28.Re2?! then after 28...Qa5

719

he must play 29.Qh6. [29.Rxd6? loses on account of the very strong 29...Rg8!! 30.Rxc6+ Kb8 31.Bd1 (31.Ng5 Qa3–+; 31.Ng7 Qa3–+) 31...Rg1–+.] 29...Qa3 with mutual chances. b) 28.Qh6 Rg8=. 28...d5∞

We have reached a complicated position which isn’t easy to assess. The material is equal, White has a strong knight on e6, but Black has the bishop pair and an advanced pawn on c3. 720

14 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.Rhf1 -1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.Rhf1

The sober choice. 19...Bd8!? This manoeuvre deserves attention. a) It’s not likely that Black’s attack will succeed after 19...a5?. 20.Nf4

721

20...Kd7 [20...a4 21.a3! (Much stronger than 21.Ng6?! hxg6 22.Qxh8+ Kd7 23.a3 b4‚.) 21...b4 (21...Kd7 22.Qh3±) 22.axb4±

Black’s problem is that his king is still on e8 and later White can exchange the queens through the h5square; if 20...b4 then 21.Qh3± is strong.] 21.Qh3 Rb7 (If 21...a4 then it’s interesting to play 22.Be2!? (with the idea of Ne6) 22...Bxe4 23.Bxb5+ ±.) 22.Rf2±. b) 19...0-0? is a mistake because of the simple 20.Nf4±. 20.c3! 722

We’ve already seen this idea. White prepares to shift his bishop to an active diagonal, his knight gets the possibility of activation from d4, and also this move stops Black’s pawn advance. Now it’s Black’s turn to find a plan. 20.Nf4 Rg7

21.Qh3 (21.Be2 0-0 22.Qh3 Bd7 transposes to 21.Qh3 Bd7 22.Be2 0-0; 21.Nd5? is in vain after 21...00µ.) 21...Bd7 22.Be2 0-0 23.Qa3 The only move that has been played in practice, although on account of Black’s next move it has not proved to be too dangerous. a) 23.Bg4 Re8 24.Rd5!? exd5 25.Bxd7 Rxd7 26.Qxd7 dxe4

723

27.Qg4+ (27.Rd1 e3 28.Ne2 Kf8 29.Qxd6+ — 29.Qxh7 f5 with ...Bf6 to follow — 29...Qxd6 30.Rxd6 Bc7 31.Rxf6+ Kg7 32.Rf3 Bxh2=.) 27...Qg5 (27...Kh8?! 28.Ng6+ hxg6 29.Qxg6 Re6 30.Rf5 Qxh2 31.Rh5+ Qxh5 32.Qxh5+ Kg7²) 28.Qd7 Qe5= b) Dubious is 23.Qb3?! f5 (23...a5!?³) 24.exf5 Rxf5 25.Qf3 Rgf7 26.g3 Bf6 27.c3 b4‚. 23...Bc8!

24.g3 [24.Qxd6 leads to an equal endgame. 24...Qxd6 25.Rxd6 Bc7

724

26.Rc6 (26.Rd3 Bxf4 27.Rxf4 Rxg2=; 26.Rdd1 Bxf4 27.Rxf4 Rxg2 28.Rg4+ Rxg4 29.Bxg4 Kf7„) 26...Bxf4 27.Rxf4 Rxg2 28.Rg4+ Rxg4 29.Bxg4 f5 30.exf5 exf5=] 24...Bc7

25.Rfe1 [25.Qb3 Bb6∞ And Black has managed to repel the attack. (25...Qxe4 26.Bd3 Qa4 is also playable.)] 25...Bb7 26.Qb3 Played in the game Saric-Jankovic, which we are following. (Better was 26.Bf1 Re8 27.Bh3 Rge7=. We can see that White has no means to put additional pressure on the Black position.) 26...Re8 27.a4?! White is not ready for this action. 27...Ba5 28.axb5? After this move Black is already better. 28...Bxe1 29.bxa6 725

29...Qxe4? This was wrong, but it went unpunished. (Necessary was 29...Bxe4! 30.Rxe1 d5µ.) 30.axb7? White returns the favour. (30.Bh5!±) 30...Rxb7 31.Bf3 Rxb3 32.Bxe4 Re3 33.Bc6 Rb8 34.Ng2

34...Bc3! 35.Nxe3 Rxb2+ 36.Ka1 Rb6+ 37.Ka2 Rxc6µ And later Black managed to convert his advantage, 0–1 (52) Saric, I (2580)-Jankovic, A (2559) Zagreb 2010. 20...Rg7 It is less likely that Black can count on queenside play, so it’s better to immediately switch to defence. The rook on the c-file wasn’t particularly useful so it found a better file. a) The queenside attack is an illusion, e.g. 20...b4 21.cxb4 Rb7 22.a3 a5 23.b5 Bxb5 24.Bxb5+ Qxb5 726

25.Rd2±. b) Or 20...a5 21.Nd4 b4 22.Qg4±. c) On 20...Rg8

White should react with 21.g3‚. [If 21.Nd4, Black can play 21...b4 22.Nxc6 Rxc6 23.cxb4 (White is not better in case of 23.Qxh7 Rxg2 — or 23...Rg5!? 24.h4 Rg3 — 24.Rg1 Qxh2 25.Qxh2 Rxh2 26.cxb4 Kf7

27.Rh1 Rxh1 28.Rxh1 Kg7 And the position looks holdable for Black.) 23...Rxg2 24.Rf2 White’s position is slightly better.] d) In case of 20...0-0 21.Nd4 Kh8 White is on top after 22.Bc2±. 727

21.Nd4

21...Kd7 And White is slightly better, but Black is certainly not without chances. Weaker is 21...Bd7 22.Nf3 Qc5 23.e5! 0-0 24.exd6 f5 25.Qf2 Qxf2 26.Rxf2±. 15 15...Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.Rhf1 Bd8, 19...b4 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Kb1 Qb6 12.Nxc6 Bxc6 13.Qe1 Ra7 14.f5 Qc5 15.Bd3 Rc7 16.Qh4 Be7 17.fxe6 fxe6 18.Ne2 Qe5 19.Rhf1

728

19...Kd7 Since castling is not on the cards it is probably better to seek safety in the other corner. Let’s look at other options. Very interesting is 19...b4!? to prevent the c2–c3 move. Unfortunately, it leads to some advantage for White. 20.Nf4! [20.Qh3

20...f5! Black is ready to sacrifice central pawns to activate his dark-squared bishop and attack the king. (Bad is 20...a5? 21.Nf4 f5 — or 21...Kf7 22.Be2± — 22.Qh5+ Kd8 23.Qf7! Bd7 24.exf5 Bf6 25.c3 729

Bc8 26.Nxe6+ Bxe6 27.Qxe6 bxc3 28.Qb3±.) 21.exf5 Bf6 22.c3 bxc3 23.Nxc3 Rb7 24.Rc1 0-0∞

The position is very sharp, for example on 25.fxe6 Rxb2+ is already possible! 26.Kxb2 Rb8+ 27.Kc2 (Of course 27.Ka1?? is just mate after 27...Qxc3+ 28.Rxc3 Bxc3#.) 27...Qxc3+ 28.Kd1 Ba4+ 29.Rc2 Rb1+ 30.Ke2 Qe5+ 31.Qe3 Bxc2 32.Qxe5 Bxe5 33.Rxb1 Bxb1 34.Bxb1 Bxh2 It’s going to be a draw.] 20...f5 (20...a5 21.Qh3±) 21.Qh5+ Kd8

22.Qf7! [The position that can occur after 22.exf5 Bf6 23.Nxe6+ will probably look familiar to you. 23...Kc8 We have had this position but with c3 and ...bxc3 inserted. Of course, that changes things and now 730

White can take on a6. (23...Ke7 is just bad due to 24.c3+–.) 24.Bxa6+

The difference from the line 19.Nf4 f5 20.Qh5+ Kd8 21.Rhf1 Bf6 is that White does not have to defend with c3 any more. 24...Kb8 25.Rd4! And it appears that Black is in big trouble, but there is a saving resource. 25...b3! 26.Qd1 Qa5 27.axb3 Qxa6

28.Rb4+ (28.Nxc7 Kxc7 29.Rxd6 Ra8 30.Rxc6+ Qxc6∞) 28...Kc8 29.Nxc7 Kxc7 30.Rff4∞ And although White has a significant material advantage, his king is unsafe and Black certainly has some chances.] 22...Bd7 23.exf5 Bf6 24.c3

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We have already mentioned that often White has this resource to eliminate a mating threat. Unfortunately for Black, now there is nothing better than to liquidate to a worse endgame with 24...Bc8 25.Nxe6+ Bxe6 26.Qxe6 bxc3 27.Qxe5 Bxe5 28.b3±. It is hard to give a full assessment of this position. We believe that Black is closer to a draw than a loss. Engines give a similar evaluation. 20.Nf4

20...Bxe4!? Black needs to accept the challenge!

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20...Rcc8 21.Qh3± 21.Bxe4 Qxe4 22.Rd2! Let us mention that we have already had a similar position and that there White was better because Black was defenceless against the pressure along the e-file. Now the situation is a bit different. 22...Rc4 a) 22...Rhc8? is just better for White after 23.Re2±. b) Another playable possibility is 22...Rc5 23.Re2 Qf5, but White keeps an initiative. 24.g4 Qg5 25.Qf2 e5

26.b4! Rc4 27.Qa7+ Rc7 28.Qxc7+ Kxc7 29.Ne6+ Kd7 30.Nxg5 fxg5 31.Re3 And White is slightly better, but Black has chances to survive. 23.Qf2 Qf5

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The resulting position can be assessed as somewhat better for White, especially as after his next move. 24.b3 Black must sacrifice the exchange. 24...Rxf4 25.Qxf4 Qxf4 26.Rxf4

However, Black is not without chances here. If he managed to advance his central pawns he would restrict the rooks, and also his king could become very active.

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Table of Contents Title page Key to symbols Foreword Part 1 Part 2 Chapter 4. The Kozul Variation – 11th move sidelines Chapter 5. The Kozul Variation with 12.Nce2 Chapter 6. The Kozul Variation with 12.Nf5 Chapter 7. The Kozul Variation with 12.Nf3 Chapter 9. The Kozul Variation with 13.Qe1 & 15.-Part 3

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