c63 schliemann defense - chessmasterschool.com€¦1 c63 schliemann defense the ruy lopez is one of...
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1C63
Schliemann Defense
The Ruy Lopez is one of the most famous andmost popular of all chess openings. It has a longand distinguished history and has been popularchoice both at club level and at grandmasterlevel.A thorough understanding of the Ruy Lopez willundoubtedly give you a deep understanding ofchess.A bonus of choosing the most popular openingsis that, as you study master games, you'll comeacross more examples of strong players usingyour opening.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5Inaugurating the Ruy Lopez. White indirectlyattacks Black's e5 pawn by threatening toremove its defender (Bxc6). As you noticedalready e5 is the "key square".Moreover, he prepares for a rapid kingsidecastling and delays the advancement of the d7pawn because of the prospective pin on theknight. As CSQ:1) White put pressure on the "key square" e5and2) Try to set up the "central pawn phalanx" e4-d4 by playing c3 and d4 (when c3 is played ifBlack plays ...exd4, White can recapture cxd4).
f5 Diagram
(Diagram)
Schliemann Defense (also known as JaenischGambit).This is a sharp line where Black challenges e4(the central pawn structure is symmetrical soBlack wants to take initiative and put pressureon the other key square e4) and tries to openthe f-file, often sacrificing a pawn or two.Often thought to be dubious because Blackignores the e5 threat in order to attack e4, it hasnot been refuted and it is sometimes used in top-level play as a surprise weapon.
How can we choose the right candidate movesin this position?Following the first principle of the opening:Time= develop as quickly as possible, try tohave more developed pieces then the opponent
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and don't move second(third) time with thesame piece. Don't spare much time on pawnmoves (do just the pawn moves that allows youto develop a piece in the future).We must choose between the developing move4.Nc3 and 4.d3 which consolidates e4 andrelease Bc1.
4.d3This setup seems to be flexible and keeppossible the advance of the "c" pawn andrespect the third principle of the opening:"The smallest commitment"(Nc3 can beexposed in some variations after Nc6-d4, Nxd4and exd4).
[After 4.Nc3White has to deal with many different linesas: ]
[ 4.Nc3 Nd4 5.Ba4 Nf6 ] [ 4.Nc3 fxe4 5.Nxe4 Nf6 ( 5...d5 )] [ 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.exf5 Nd4 ] [ 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.exf5 Nge7 ]
4...fxe4 [If Black keeps the tension beetween "f" and"e" pawns
4...Nf6 5.0-0 Bc5 6.exf5 0-0 7.Be3 Nd4 8.c3 Nxf3+ 9.Qxf3²White holds his extra-pawn. TO DO LIST:-Connect the pawns after Bxe3, fxe3 and e3-
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e4-Develop Nb1-d2-f3-Find an active position for Bb5 on b3 or c2-After the center is stabilized launch an attackon the king side ]
5.dxe4 Nf6 6.0-0 Bc5 7.Bc4 [Another option is 7.Bxc6 bxc6 8.Nxe5 0-0 9.Nc3 d6 10.Nd3 Bd4 11.Ne2 Bb6© DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+lwq-trk+(7zp-zp-+-zpp'6-vlpzp-sn-+&5+-+-+-+-%4-+-+P+-+$3+-+N+-+-#2PzPP+NzPPzP"1tR-vLQ+RmK-![xabcdefghy
Black compensation for the pawn consists inthe pair of bishops in an open position. Thecenter is dynamic and White is confrontedwith difficult problems if he wants to push thepawns in order to create a free pawn. TO DOLIST:-Restrict Black's bishops' activity anddisorganize Black coordination with the help ofthe pawns-Find useful foreposts for the knights (d4, f5,g3, h5) and force Black to trade one of them-Improve Ra1 position (maybe along the thirdrank by the rook lift Ra1-a3-g3)-Try to exploit the weak pawns g7, h7 in frontof the black king. ]
7...d6 8.Nc3 Qe7 [ 8...Na5CSQ:-Black moved twice with the knight and opensa4-e8 diagonal-Na5 and Bc5 can be forked by b2-b4
-Nc3-d5 supports b2-b4 and will find anexcellent outpost-Nf6 must be challenged with Bg5-We start analyzing concrete variations withthe "tempo move"
9.Bb5+ Bd79....c6 will create a long-term weakness due tothe backward pawn d6.
10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.Bg5 Nc6 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Nd5²White has excellent outposts for the knightson d5 and f5 and certain domination on lightsquares. Bc5 is hampered by the black pawns.TO DO LIST:-Black probably will castle queen side soWhite will gain some tempos with c2-c3, b2-b4(-b5) and a2-a4-a5 attacking Black's minorpieces and preparing a pawns assault.-Defend the g2 weakness if is the case by Nf3-h4 (-f5) and g2-g3 ]
9.Bg5Pining the knight and using the CSQ of Bf8-c5and d7-d6 moves.
Be6 10.Nd5 Bxd5 11.exd5 Nd8 12.Nd2Improves Nf3 position and exploit the pin (byattacking the pined piece).
0-0 13.Ne4White reached e4 with the knight and has aserious advantage due to:-The pair of bishops in an open position-The passive position of Nd8-The exposed position of Bc5 which can berestricted with "tempo" pawn moves as a4-a5,b2-b4, c2-c3-The weak pawns from Black's camp: b7, c7, g7,h7.
Nf7 [ 13...Bb6 14.a4A multi purpose move , preparing the rook liftRa1-a3 and threatening a4-a5 at the sametime.
Nf7 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Qg4+ Kh8 17.a5 Bc5 18.Qe6±White has a big advantage due to multiplepawn weaknesses from Black's camp : f6,c7,
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b7 and unsecure position of Bc5.See the finalposition for TO DO LIST. ]
14.Bxf6 gxf6 15.Qg4+ Kh8 16.Qe6²TO DO LIST:-Create a free supported pawn on e6 (which canbe supported by f2-f4 and Rae1)-Restrict Bc5 activity and find "tempo" moves asb2-b4, Bxb4 Rab1 followed by Rb1xb7 grabbinga pawn on the 7-th rank-Always consider Ne4xc5 as an entrance to abetter endgame (doubling black pawns on "c"file and leads to "bishop versus knight" in aposition with pawns on both wings).
[ 16.Qe6 Qxe6 17.dxe6 Ng5 18.Nxc5 dxc5 19.f4 Ne4 20.Bd5 Nd6 21.Rae1± ] [ 16.Qe6 Qd8 17.h4 Nh6 18.a4 Re8 19.Qxf6+± ]
C64Classical Ruy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bc5In this variation black puts the bishop on c5 (likein Giuco Piano) instead of the more naturalposition of e7 that would happen in the main lineof the Ruy Lopez. Black's targets are the centralsquare d4 and the f2 pawn, however White cangain a few advantages from this by trying toattack the bishop with c2-c3 and d2-d4 and touse the absence of Be7 by Bc1-g5.
4.c3 DiagramWhite is preparing to attack the "key square" e5and to place a pawn on a7-g1 diagonal torestrict Bc5 at the same time. Another CSQ isthat the a2-g8 diagonal will be open.
[ 4.c3 Qf6This move is justified by the fight aroundcentral squares (e5, d4) but it's neglecting "thesmallest commitment" principle (the queenearly developed can be the subject of tempomoves for the opponent).For White is very important to play active forthe initiative (create threats at every step)using the lack of coordination in Black's camp.
5.d4 exd4 6.e5 Qg6 7.cxd4 Nxd4 8.Nxd4 Qb6 9.Be3 Bxd4 10.Qxd4 Qxb5 11.Nc3 Qc6 DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+l+k+ntr(7zppzpp+pzpp'6-+q+-+-+&5+-+-zP-+-%4-+-wQ-+-+$3+-sN-vL-+-#2PzP-+-zPPzP"1tR-+-mK-+R![xabcdefghy
White leads in development and the blackking is still in the middle. In order to keep theinitiative (which is a "short-term" advantage)White should create threats and hinder Black'sdevelopment moves so the black king willremain in the center.
12.Nd5 Ne7 13.Nxe7 Kxe7 14.0-0 d5 15.Rac1 Qd7 CSQ of Black's last move:-Qd7 is overloaded with the defense of c7andcan be the subject of a pawn attack with e5-e6-Qd4 exerts "X-rays" pressure on g7-The pawn f7 is pined after e5-e6 because ofQg7 double-attack-Black's king is traped in the middle so openup the files is the best way to exploit this.
16.e6 Qxe6 17.Rfe1 Kf8 18.Bd2 Qd7 19.Rxc7 Qd8 20.Bh6+- ] [ 4.c3 f5 Diagram
(Diagram)
The Cordel Gambit can lead to some strangepositions and there are many bizarreresponses to it. The fight will be aroundcentral squares black having a pawn on e4
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and white one on d4. White should payattention to the king side to avoid Black'sattack and after Bxc6, dxc6 to use the "keysquare" e5 as a fore post for Nf3.
5.d4 fxe4 6.Bxc6 dxc6 ( 6...bxc6 7.Nxe5 Bd6 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Qe2²White has the upper hand due to:-his better pawn structure-the weaknesses around black king-the restricted bishop from c8 )
7.Nxe5 Qd5 8.0-0 Nf6 9.Bf4 Bd6 10.c4 Qe6 11.c5 Be7 12.Nc3 Qf5 13.Bg3²Diagram
(Diagram)
TO DO LIST:-find "tempo moves" to use the lack ofcoordination between black's pieces(especially the queen and the unprotectedBe7)-at the proper moment push f2-f3 to destroye4 and to activate rooks along "f" file-avoid a blockade on the d5 square (if is thecase by pushing d4-d5)-exploit Black's pawn weaknesses: b7, c7, g7 ]
[ 4.c3 Nge7 CSQ:-Black wants to play d7-d5 directly andignores White threat d2-d4-d5-The "key square" e5 is attacked once and
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defended once, so after d2-d4 White cancontrol it
5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+Forced, otherwise White will dominate thecenter after d4-d5.
7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2 d5 9.e5 0-0 ( 9...Bg4The "smallest commitment" principle statesthat: a bishop emergence to pin the King'sknight is less effective if the opponent didn'tcastle yet.
10.h3 Bh5 11.Qb3²White's advantage is assured by the centercontrol, by exploiting the weaknesses on thelight squares (b7, d5) from the queen side andnot at least due to actives queen and rooks. )
10.h3 f6 11.0-0 Bd7 12.Qb3² Diagram
(Diagram)
TO DO LIST:-use central files (c, d, and e) for the rooks-after fxe5, dxe5 use the outpost d4 and bypushing the pawn majority from the king side(f2-f4-f5) to create a free pawn and threats onthe king side-if is the case trade Bb5 for Nc6 in order toreach a "good knight (Ne5) versus bad bishop(Bd7)" position.-put pressure on the weak pawns b7 and c7from the queen side. ]
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4...Nf6 5.0-0 0-0 6.d4 Bb6 7.Bg5White must play aggressive and to use Bb6consequence.
d6 8.Qd3Consolidating e4 and prepares Nb1-d2 androoks connection.
h6 9.Bh4 Qe7 [ 9...g5 10.Bg3 exd4 11.Nxd4 Nxd4 12.cxd4 c6 13.Ba4White has a small edge due to central pawnphalanx e4, d4 and due to weaknessesaround the Black's castle (f5, h6, g5). ]
10.Nbd2 Diagram
(Diagram)
White finished his development with all hispieces harmoniously placed. The onlycounterplays for Black consist in exd4 whichallows the powerful center e4, d4 or d6-d5.TO DO LIST:-Put pressure on e5 in order to provoke exd4-Use the pin along h4-d8 diagonal by attackingthe pined knight or provoking the weakeningmove g7-g5-Reach the ideal forepost f5 with Nd2-c4-e3-f5or Nd2-f1-e3-f5-Restrict Bb6 and prevent d6-d5
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C61Ruy Lopez Bird's Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4This variation called Bird's Defense is anattempt to avoid having the pinned knight whichis a problem for Black. After White exchange offthe knight by playing 4.Nxd4 exd4, Blackbalanced the situation in the center, but isbehind in development and wants to gain sometempos chasing Bb5.On the other hand Whitemust play active harassing Black withimmediate threats in order to break Black'spieces coordination and at the proper momentexchange the strong pawn d4.
4.Nxd4 exd4 Diagram
(Diagram)
Let's analyze the CSQ of the last moves!-Black has a strong pawn on d4 which restrictsthe development of White's minor pieces fromthe queen side-White has a king side pawn majority (which cannot be used because of the dynamical positionin the center)-After d7-d5 Black will have certain superiority in
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the center-Bb5 had finished his mission on a4-e8 diagonalso White should place the bishop on a2-g8diagonal to pressurize f7-White has a lead in development and he isdominating the light squares.
5.Bc4A flexibile move which avoid one of Black'sideas c7-c6 followed by d7-d5. Taking undercontrol the important points d5 and f7, White ispreparing an attack on the light squares withQd1-h5-e5(b5) or Qd1-f3-b3(g3).
Nf6 [Following Black's typical setups we will noticethat White creates threat at every move inorder to take and keep the initiative and thequiet moves don't belong here.
5...d6 6.0-0 A) After 6...Nf6 7.c3With a double threat : cxd4 and Qb3
Be7 ( 7...Nxe4 8.Qb3 Qe7 9.Re1± ) 8.d3 c5 9.cxd4 cxd4 10.Nd2²White has the advantage due to:-a better pawn structure(Black has weakpawn on b7,d6,d4 and f7)-superior pieces Qb3>Qd8, Re1>Rf8,Bc4>Bc8, Bc1>Be7 ;
B) 6...Be6
7.Bxe6 fxe6 8.Qh5+ Kd7 9.c3A "key-move" in this variation : Whiteundermines the cantral black pawn d4 andrelease the minor pieces from the queenside.
dxc3 10.Nxc3 c6 11.d4 Nf6 12.Qh3White's plan is simple: use his betterdeveloped pieces to put pressure on weakpawns (especially on light squares).
Qa5 13.b4 Qh5 ( 13...Qxb4 14.Rb1 Qxd4 15.Rxb7+± ) 14.Qd3 Be7²TO DO LIST:-consolidate e4 and control g4 (against Nf6-g4)-launch an attack against the black king(opening files and diagonals): Rab1, b4-b5,Ba3, Rfc1 ]
[ 5...h5A strange move which restricts white queenactivity, but loses another tempo fordevelopment and creates king sideweaknesses by this early commitment. NowWhite has the time to attack d4 with Nb1-d2-b3(f3).
6.d3 Bc5 7.Nd2 c6 8.0-0 d5 9.exd5 cxd5 10.Nb3 DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+lwqk+ntr({7zpp+-+pzp-'6-+-+-+-+&5+-vlp+-+p%4-+Lzp-+-+$3+N+P+-+-#2PzPP+-zPPzP"1tR-vLQ+RmK-!xabcdefghy
Typical play for using "lead in development"advantage: White plays active and delaysBlack's castle.
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dxc4 11.Nxc5 Qd5 12.Re1+ Ne7 13.Ne4 0-0Castle queen side is not an option for Blackwhen h2-b8 diagonal is open for Bf4.
14.dxc4 Qxc4 15.b3 Qa6 16.Bb2±White is gaining on of the weak pawns d4 orh5 and continues to create dangerous threatalong a1-h8 diagonal. ]
[ 5...c6 6.0-0 d5 7.exd5 cxd5 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Re1+ Ne7 10.c4 a6 11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.d3 0-0-0 ( 12...dxc4 13.Na3 cxd3 14.Nc4Forbidding Black's long castle. )
13.Nd2 Kb8 14.c5² DiagramXABCDEFGHY8-mk-tr-vl-tr({7+p+qsnpzpp'6p+-+-+-+&5+-zPp+-+-%4-+-zp-+-+$3+-+P+-+-#2PzP-sN-zPPzP"1tR-vLQtR-mK-!xabcdefghy
White is better due to:-The safest position of the white king-The pawn majority from the queen side-Weaknesses around the black kingTO DO LIST:-consolidate the pawn on c5-surround the pawn d4-install Bc1 on f4-try to push the pawn majority in order tocreate a free pawn and threats against theblack king-if is the case enter into a better endgame ]
[ 5...g6This move solves Black's major problems:defends d4 and avoids counteplay on lightsquares. White should use CSQ to increase
his delopment advantage. 6.c3 Bg7 7.cxd4 Bxd4 8.0-0 Ne7 9.d3 0-0 10.Nc3 Bg7 11.Bg5 h6 12.Be3²TO DO LIST:-Restrict the activity of Bc8 and Ne7-Use a2-g8 and b1-h7 diagonals to exertpressure on the king side-put pressure along "c" file (if Black pushes c7-c5, d5 will be weak)-Create the phalanx e4, d4 if the counterplayd7-d5 doesn't work. ]
6.0-0 Nxe4 [ 6...c6 7.Re1 d6 8.c3 Ng4Threatening Qh4 and defending the "key-square" e5 at the same time. 9.h3 Ne5 10.d3
Nxc4 11.dxc4 dxc3 12.Nxc3 Be7 13.Bf4 0-0 14.Re3²Despite Black's pair of bishops, White has theupper hand due to the backward pawn fromd6 and due to qualitative value of his pieces.The plan is simple:-attack on dark squares (d6 and g7) with Qf3-g3 or Re3-g3-double the rook s on the "d" file and try topenetrate on the 7-th rank. ]
[ 6...d5 7.exd5 Nxd5
( 7...Be7 8.Re1 0-0 9.d3 Re8 10.Bg5 Nxd5 11.Bxe7 Nxe7 12.Qh5 g6 13.Qf3²White is better because of the weaknesses b7and f7 from Black's camp. At the same timethe advanced black pawns became vulnerablein the middle game. )
8.Qh5 c6 9.Qe5+ Be6 10.Qxd4 b5 11.Bxd5 Qxd5 12.Qxd5²Black has the pair of bishops ascompensation for the pawn, but white has noweaknesses. TO DO LIST:-Trade pieces (especially dark square bishops,but not Nb1 for Bf8) in order to reach a wonendgame-Avoid pawn trades which improves bishopsactivity-Attack the advanced black pawns ]
7.Bxf7+White starts a tactical operation on light squares
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meant to destroy Black's castle. Kxf7 8.Qh5+ g6
[ 8...Ke6 9.d3 Nf6 10.Re1+ Kd6 11.Qb5DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+lwq-vl-tr({7zppzpp+-zpp'6-+-mk-sn-+&5+Q+-+-+-%4-+-zp-+-+$3+-+P+-+-#2PzPP+-zPPzP"1tRNvL-tR-mK-!xabcdefghy
Threatening to close the mate net with Bf4. Nd5Black wants to escape on c7, so White mustbe prepared for c7-c6 and c7-c5.In the first case after 12....c6 Black is matedafter 13.Bf4, Nxf4 14. Qe5, so why take c5under control threatening Qc5 mate.
12.b4 b6 13.Na3 c5 14.bxc5+ Kc7 15.cxb6+ Nxb6 16.Bg5+- ]
9.Qd5+ Kg7 10.Qxe4 Qf6 11.d3The fireworks are over. As results White has aking side pawn majority, a better placed queenand a lot of attacking objectives: the weakpawns c7, d7 and d4 on the queen side andweak squares f6, g5 and h6 on the king side.
Bc5 12.Nd2 d6 13.Nf3 h6 [Necessary, otherwise White will exploit darksquare weaknesses and the fact that Bc5 isout of play. 13...Be6 14.Bg5 Qf5 15.Qh4 h6
16.Nxd4 Bxd4 17.Qxd4+ Kh7 18.Bd2 Raf8 19.Rae1+- ]
14.b3² Diagram
TO DO LIST:-Put pressure on d4 with Bc1-d2 and on b7-Use the exposed position of Bc5 to gain some
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space on the queen side and to surround thepawn d4-Threat to penetrate on the 7-th rank along the"e" file.-Improve Nf3 position (if Black defends d4) byNf3-d2-e4.
C60Cozio Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7The Cozio Defense, 3...Nge7, is distinctly old-fashioned, and is perhaps the least popular ofthe variations used by Black at the third moveinstead of 3...a6. Black prepares a stubborndefense around e5 (with g7-g6, Bg7 or Ne7-g6)giving up the pressure on e4.
4.0-0 g6 [ 4...Ng6The game will have a closed character( longpawn chains, where the plans consist intypical pawn breakthroughs) after the "keysquare" e5 is consolidated and White pushesd2-d4-d5.
5.c3 d6 6.d4 a6 7.Ba4 Bd7 8.d5 Nb8 9.c4Again this typical pawn structure which arisesalso from King's Indian Defense, Old IndianDefense and many others variation of RuyLopez.
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The future trade of the light square bishopswill favors White, but Black's attack on theking side is still dangerous due to thepresence of Ng6.
Be7 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Bxd7 Nxd7Position assessment:-White has a better control over the centerand some space advantage 9 which meansthat White must avoid minor pieces trades-The pawn structure shows us that Whiteshould attack on the queen side with c4-c5,using "c'" file and Black's weaknesses from(b7,c7) and Black wants to create counterplayon the king side with f7-f5 , trading ordeflecting the "defenders" Nf3 (with Ng6-h4)and Bc1 (with Be7-g5) in order to create apieces superiority-Because the kings are on the same wing, isno need to rush with c4-c5 (which must becarefully prepared) first thing to do is to stopBlack's initiative on the king side.
12.g3A move which fulfills the positional demands(avoiding massive exchanges), restricts Ng6(controlling f4, h4) but creates some weaklight squares (f3, g2, h3). This drawback isdiminished in the absence of light squarebishops and Qd1 is ready to take the task ofcontrolling light squares.
f5 13.exf5 Rxf5 14.Ne4 Qf8 15.Kg2²TO DO LIST:-Keep control over the "key square" e4-Carefully prepare c4-c5 (with a2-a3 and b2-b4)-Use the files "a" and "c" to penetrate on the 7-th rank-Regarding the exchanging issue one of theWhite's tasks is to reach a "good knight (Ne4)versus bad bishop (Be7)" position. ]
5.c3 a6 6.Ba4 Bg7 7.d4Creates the strong center e4-d4 and putpressure on e5.
exd4Black's decision is meant to lengthen Bg7diagonal and to get room for the minor pieces.
Otherwise the black pieces will be hampered.
[ 7...b5 8.Bc2 0-0 9.d5 Na5 10.a4²Due to the d5 pawn which acts like a "thorn"Black's pieces are disorganized and by hislast move White exploits the exposed positionof Na5 and a6, b5 pawns. TO DO LIST:-restrict Na5 mobility-put pressure on b5 with Na3 and Qe2-if Black plays f7-f5 be ready to occupy e4with a knight and to properly defend d5-try to conquer the "a" file ]
8.cxd4 0-0 [The other option (the immediate fight for thecentral squares) can lead to an unclearposition where the black king will remain in themiddle of the board.
8...d5 9.Bxc6+ Nxc6 ( 9...bxc6 10.e5² White has the upper handdue to double pawns on the semi-open "c"file. )
10.exd5 Qxd5 11.Nc3 Qf5 12.Qe2+ Kf8 ( 12...Qe6 13.Be3 Followed by d4-d5. ) 13.d5 Ne5 14.Nxe5 Qxe5 15.Qf3²White is clearly better due to:-the exposed Black's king-the lack of coordination between Black'spieces-actives rooks which will be place on "c" and'e" files- Black's pawn weaknesses from b7, c7, f7 ]
9.d5Again this push deflects Nc6, limits Ne7, breakBlack's coordination and stress the c7weakness.
b5 10.Bc2 Na5 11.Nbd2 d6 12.Rb1 c6 13.b4 Nc4 14.Nxc4 bxc4 15.dxc6 Nxc6 16.Qd5 Bb7 17.Rd1²White will gain a pawn, but black hascounterplay due to his advanced free pawn fromc4 (c3). TO DO LIST:-firmly block the "c" pawn-create a white free pawn on the "b" file-try to restrict Bg7 with e4-e5-surround the pawn from c3
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C60Ruy Lopez Smyslov Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6Smyslov DefenseThe Smyslov Defense, 3...g6, is a quietpositional system played occasionally by VassilySmyslov and Boris Spassky during the 1970s. Itbecame popular in the 1980s when the line 4.c3a6 was at fashion.Black commits himself by Bf8-g7 consolidatinge5, and the king side giving a closed characterto the game due to the King's Indian setup.Another CSQ is that in the absence of bf8 fromf8-a3 diagonal, White will attack on the queenside and sometimes on the central file "d" andBlack will be active on the king side.
4.c3 a6 5.Ba4 Diagram
XABCDEFGHY8r+lwqkvlntr({7+pzpp+p+p'6p+n+-+p+&5+-+-zp-+-%4L+-+P+-+$3+-zP-+N+-#2PzP-zP-zPPzP"1tRNvLQmK-+R!xabcdefghy
White wants to provoke b7-b5 in order toundermine later the black pawns from the queenside with a2-a4. A CSQ of c2-c3 is that Whitecan hide temporarily his bishop on c2 as a replyto Nc6-a5.
d6 [If Black chooses a different move order, hewon't be able to support the central pawn e5properly.
5...b5 6.Bb3 Bg7 7.d4
A) 7...d6 8.dxe5 dxe5 ( 8...Nxe5 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.0-0²A similar position with the one arising from7...Nge7 where White has the upper handdue to:-the lead in development-better control of the center-pawn weaknesses from Black's camp: f7,c7, a6, b5.-qualitative minor pieces )
9.Qxd8+ Nxd8 10.a4²White undermines already the weak pawnsfrom the queen side and increases his leadin development with tempo moves.TO DO LIST:-use the position offside the play of Bg7 inorder to exploit the dark squares from thequeen side a5, c5 and b6 (after c7-c6)-try to install a knight on one of these foreposts-use the "a" file to penetrate in Black'sposition ;
B) 7...Nge7 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.0-0 DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+lwqk+-tr({7+-zppsnp+p'6p+-+-+p+&5+p+-vl-+-%4-+-+P+-+$3+LzP-+-+-#2PzP-+-zPPzP"1tRNvLQ+RmK-!xabcdefghy
White has a certain advantage after thetrade dxe5, Be5 which leads to White'sdomination in center.TO DO LIST:-use the pin on h4-d8 diagonal (Bc1-g5) toforce a new weakness on the king side afterf7-f6-exert pressure along the "a" and "d" files
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-use the space advantage (better mobilityalong 3-rd and 4-th rank) to launch an attackagainst the black king. ]
6.d4 Bd7 7.0-0 [An interesting trap was set in the gameCarlsen,M-Agdestein,S ,Oslo 2006
7.dxe5 b5?After ( 7...dxe5 8.0-0 Bg7 9.Bg5 Nf6
10.Bxc6 Bxc6 11.Nxe5 Qxd1 12.Rxd1 Nxe4 13.Bf4 Nd6 14.Nxc6 bxc6 15.Re1+ Kd7 16.Nd2²White advantage is assured by the Black'sweak pawns from the queen side. In additionBlack's king is exposed (especially to Nd2-b3-c5) even in a complex endgame like this.TO DO LIST:-trade just one pair of rooks (the rook isneeded to defend b2 and to connect White'sminor pieces)-centralize the king-attack the weaknesses a6, c7, c6, f7-trade all the pieces when is possible in orderto reach a won pawn endgame )
8.Bb3 dxe5 9.Qd5Double attack on f7 and "X-rays" on Ra8using 7...b5? CSQ.
Qf6 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Qxa8+ Ke7 12.Be3+- ]
7...Bg7 8.d5 Nce7 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 10.c4A typical position for the closed center (whicharises after 1.d4 usually). White will attack onthe queen side and Black on the king side. Thedifferences are that the light squares bishopshave been traded (favors White) and Black canplay directly f7-f5 (because Ng8 is still on theinitial position).
h610....f7-f5 has negative CSQ after 11.Ng5stressing the e6 weakness.
11.Nc3 f5 12.Ne1 The knight goes to d3 fromwhere it takes the squares f4,e5 and c5 undercontrol (preparing c4-c5) and after f2-f3 candefend the sensitive square g4 with Nd3-f2.In such positions with attacks on both wings the
time factor is very important, but White canspare some moves for defensive reasons,because the endgame favors him (due to thebetter dark square bishop and the superiorpawn structure).
Nf6 13.f3 0-0 14.Nd3 c6 15.Be3 cxd5 16.cxd5 Rf7 17.Qb3²White has a better position due to the spaceadvantage, qualitative superior minor piecesand Black's dark square weaknesses from thequeen side.TO DO LIST:-try to penetrate with the rooks along the "c" file-use dark squares from the queen side (a5, b6,c7) for minor pieces-try to stop (with Nf2) Black's typicalbreakthrough g5-g4-use threats along 7-th and 8-th ranks mixedwith attacks on the pawn weaknesses b7 andd6.
C65Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6The Berlin Defence, is logical and solid,although it can be hard for Black to generatewinning chances. Black's third move doesn'treally threaten the e-pawn and White will usuallyplay 4.0-0. The opening usually leaves Blackslightly cramped and White with a better pawnstructure.
4.0-0After 4.0-0, Black can play either the solid 4...Nxe4 ( which leads to the "Berlin Wall") or themore combative 4...Bc5 (the Berlin ClassicalVariation).
Nxe4 [ 4...Bc5Black chooses the natural move, as in theGiuco Piano leading the game to a very sharptactical ground.
5.Nxe5Spectacular and good. White is already takingthe initiative by eliminating Black's only central
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pawn. Another important feature is that theblack king is still in the middle and in somevariation White can keep it there by creatingthreats at every move.
A) 5...Nxe4 6.Qe2 Nxe5 7.d4Inviting Black to go wrong:
( 7.d4 Bxd4 8.Qxe4 Qf6Defending Bd4 from distance in the view of9. Qxd4 Nf3+.
9.c3 Bc5 10.Bf4 c6 11.Bxe5 Qe7 12.Bd3+- ) 7...Be7 8.dxe5White's advanced pawn from e5 restrictsNe4 mobility, assures White's the centercontrol and creates the premises of a kingside attack.
Nc5 9.Nc3 c6 10.Bc4 b5 11.b4 bxc4 12.bxc5 0-0 ( The c5 pawn is poisoned: 12...Bxc5 13.Ne4 Be7 14.Nd6+ Kf8 15.Qxc4± DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+lwq-mk-tr({7zp-+pvlpzpp'6-+psN-+-+&5+-+-zP-+-%4-+Q+-+-+$3+-+-+-+-#2P+P+-zPPzP"1tR-vL-+RmK-!xabcdefghy
White has a huge advantage due todevelopment advantage and the total lack ofcoordiantion between Black's pieces. );
B) 5...Nxe5
6.d4 a6Black is forced to chase Bb5 from a4-e8diagonal in order to unpin the "d" pawn andto allow d7-d5 which balances the centralposition.
An interesting approach is: ( 6...c6 7.dxe5 Nxe4 8.Bd3 d5 9.Qe1 0-0 10.Bxe4 dxe4 11.Qxe4²Black has the pair of bishops ascompensation for the pawn and who will tryto put pressure on f2.White will be able to defend e5 with bf4 andto find the best square for Nb1 according toblack's setup: Nb1-c3 to defend Qe4 afterQe7 or Nb1-d2-c4 (b3) after Qb6. )
7.Be2An essential move in this variation meant todefend the g4 square and to prepare theundermining move c2-c4.
B1) 7...Nxe4 8.dxc5 Nxc5 9.b4 Ne6 10.f4 Nc6 11.Bb2 d5 ( 11...f6 12.Bh5+ Kf8 13.f5 Ng5 14.Re1² DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+lwq-mk-tr({7+pzpp+-zpp'6p+n+-zp-+&5+-+-+PsnL%4-zP-+-+-+$3+-+-+-+-#2PvLP+-+PzP"1tRN+QtR-mK-!xabcdefghy
Despite the pawn less White is clearlybetter due to:-the pair of bishops-the exposed black king-space advantage on the king sideassured by the pawn f5TO DO LIST:-White must create threats, especially onthe dark squares-Activate Nb1-c3-d5 (e4) and if Blackpushes c7-c6 use the weak square d6-Use the "e" file to "cut" Black's piecescoordination or to sacrifice the exchange
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in the view of a mate attack. )
12.f5 Ng5 13.c4White is following consequently the ideastarted with 7.Be2: to undermine Black'scenter in order to open up the lines, asmethod to use the developmentadvantage. d4 14.b5 axb5 15.cxb5 Ne7
16.Bd3²Threatening h2-h4 to gain Ng5 and f5-f6 tocrush Black's king side pawns. If blackpushes f7-f6 then after Qb3 he will nolonger be able to castle.TO DO LIST:-firmly control the light squares (Qb3, Bc4)restricting bc8 development-threat the d4 pawn with Nb1-d2-b3(f3) orQb1-b3-b4-take as targets the weak pawns c7 andg7. ;
B2) 7...Be7 8.dxe5 Nxe4 9.Be3 d5 ( 9...d6 10.Bd3 Nc5 11.Bxc5 dxc5 12.Nc3² DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+lwqk+-tr({7+pzp-vlpzpp'6p+-+-+-+&5+-zp-zP-+-%4-+-+-+-+$3+-sNL+-+-#2PzPP+-zPPzP"1tR-+Q+RmK-!xabcdefghy
We have on the board a similar pawnstructure with the one from the main line(4...Ne4) or from the Exchange Variation(3...a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6). As in the variationsmentioned above Black has the pair ofbishops as compensation for the doubledpawns and for White's kingside majority.
Let's see the typical features of theposition:-Bd3 is well placed restricting Bc8 movesand aiming h7-here the presence of the queens favorsWhite due to king side threats. )
10.c4 c6 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.b4A subtle idea to prepare f2-f3 and at thesame time to keep the dark squarebishops on the board (if 12.f3 Bc513.Qb3Qg5 Black has counterplay).
0-0 13.f3 Ng5 14.Nc3 d4 15.Qxd4 Qxd4 16.Bxd4 Bxb4 17.Rab1²White has the upper hand due to thebetter deployment of the pieces and dueto the important pawn e5.At the next moves White should play Nc3-d5 controling b6,c7 and e7, f3-f4 followedby be2-f3 with pressure on b7. ]
[Both variations:
4...d6 5.d4 Bd7 6.Re1 ] [ 4...Be7 5.Re1 d6 6.d4leads to position from the Steinitz VariationRuy Lopez which will be studied on a futuresurvey. ]
5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8This is an interesting and often discussedposition known as "The Berlin Wall". White isusually considered to have a small advantage inlight of his somewhat better pawn structure andBlack's awkwardly placed king. However, Black,with a solid position and the bishop pair, hasexcellent drawing chances. Also the doubledpawns in this variation are not quite the criticalweakness they are in the Exchange Variation ofthe Ruy Lopez. Indeed, all four of the games inthe Kasparov-Kramnik match with this openingended in draws.
9.Nc3The most logical move: White is developing theknight naturally and respecting "the smallestcommitment principle". Both opponents areplaying usefull moves now but actually they arewaiting too see the nemy setup in order to make
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a decision.
h6Black takes under control the g5 square for fewreasons:-avoid the trade of the dark squares bishopsafter Bc1-g5 in order to keep the pair of bishops-restrict Nf3 maneuver to g5 in order to supportthe breakthrough e5-e6-prepares g7-g5 to blockade the White'smajority from the king side
[ 9...Ne7 10.Bf4With this move white is trying to anticipate thefuture course of events. Usually the blackmonarch goes to e8 to defend f7 and to makemore difficult the advance of White's pawnmajority, so Bf4 makes "X-ray" pressure on h2-b8 diagonal. In addition with White's main ideaof e5-e6 White can damage Black's pawnstructure and to grab the c7 pawn.
Ng6 11.Bg3 A) 11...Bb4 12.Ne4Avoids 12....Bxc3 and threatens to win atempo by 13.Neg5 with a double idea: attackon f7 and after the deflection of Bb4prepares e5-e6 with Rf1-e1.
Ke7 13.Nd4 DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+l+-+-tr({7zppzp-mkpzpp'6-+p+-+n+&5+-+-zP-+-%4-vl-sNN+-+$3+-+-+-vL-#2PzPP+-zPPzP"1tR-+-+RmK-!xabcdefghy
A wise move which:-release the "f" pawn-prevents for the moment Bc8-f5-provoke Black to push queen side pawns
which leave weak squares behind-even if the position has the character of acomplex endgame, Ke7 can be the subjectof an attack
c5 14.Nb5 Bf5 15.a3The next tactics favors White whichmanages to trade the pair of bishops and toactivate the rooks very quickly. During thistime Rh8 and Ng6 are out of play.
Bxe4 ( 15...Ba5 16.Nxc5 Bb6 17.Na4 Bxc2 18.Nxb6 cxb6 19.Nd6±White's advantage is assured by the kingside majority, the exposed black king andexcellent position of Nd6. )
16.axb4 cxb4 ( 16...a6 17.Nc3 Bxc2 18.Nd5+ Kd7 19.bxc5²White has the upper hand due to exposedposition of Black's king, better piecesdeployment and the immediate threat e5-e6. )
17.Nxc7 Rac8 18.Nb5 Rxc2 19.Nd6 Bd3 20.Rfd1 Be2 21.Nf5+ DiagramXABCDEFGHY8-+-+-+-tr({7zpp+-mkpzpp'6-+-+-+n+&5+-+-zPN+-%4-zp-+-+-+$3+-+-+-vL-#2-zPr+lzPPzP"1tR-+R+-mK-!xabcdefghy
Now becomes clear that black's initiativewas insufficient and 4 white pieces willdominate 2 black pieces. Black's mainproblem consist in the inactivity of Rh8 andNg6.
Ke8 22.Rd4 a5 23.Nxg7+± ; B) 11...Ke8
15
12.Rad1White plan is based on the fact that theblack king can no longer castle as it follows:Ra1-d1, Rf1-e1,Nf3-d4(g5) and e5-e6.
Bg4 13.Rd3 h5 14.h3 Bxf3 15.Rxf3 Rd8Black has a short term initiative but he isbehind in development, so White will focuson the thematical push e5-e6.
16.Re1 h4 17.Bh2 Rd2 18.e6² DiagramXABCDEFGHY8-+-+kvl-tr({7zppzp-+pzp-'6-+p+P+n+&5+-+-+-+-%4-+-+-+-zp$3+-sN-+R+P#2PzPPtr-zPPvL"1+-+-tR-mK-!xabcdefghy
TO DO LIST:-trade Black's best piece Rd2 with Re2-avoid dark squares bishops' trade-restrict Ng6 and Rh8 activity-attack the weak pawns from dark squares:c7, a7, g7, h4. ]
[ 9...Ke8 10.h3A waiting move as it was Black's last move butwith some goals:-to prevent Bc8-g4-if is tactically safe to push g2-g4 in order torestrict more the activity of Bc8 and Nf5 and topush later f2-f4 when possible
A) 10...Be7 11.Bg5White is consequent willing to trade Black'spair of bishops, but in compensation Blackwill have more space and the king will besafe on dark squares.
h5Black stops g2-g4 and prepares Bc8-e6. If11...Be6 then 12.g4 and 12...bxg5 fails to 13.gxf4.
( 11...Bxg5 12.Nxg5 h6 13.Nf3 h5Which are the CSQ of Black's last moves?Preventing g2-g4 with h5 leave g5 squareunprotected. White main idea is to push e5-e6 in optimal conditions and now thisbreakthrough can be supported by the Whiteknights from f4 and g5.
14.Ne2 Ke7 15.Nf4 a5 DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+l+-+-tr(7+pzp-mkpzp-'6-+p+-+-+&5zp-+-zPn+p%4-+-+-sN-+$3+-+-+N+P#2PzPP+-zPP+"1tR-+-+RmK-
16
XABCDEFGHY8r+l+r+-+({7+pzp-mkpzp-'6-+p+-+-sn&5zp-+-zP-sN-%4-+-+-sN-zp$3+-+R+-+P#2PzPP+-zPP+"1+-+-tR-mK-!xabcdefghy
the pieces. TO DO LIST:-use the Rd3 flexibility along the third rank-attack the weak pawns h4 and b7-threat e5-e6 in order to provoke trades andreach an advantageous endgame )
12.Ne2 Be6 13.Nf4 Bd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Rad1² DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+-+k+-tr({7zppzp-vlpzp-'6-+-+-+-+&5+-+pzPnvLp%4-+-+-+-+$3+-+-+N+P#2PzPP+-zPP+"1+-+R+RmK-!xabcdefghy
White has a small advantage due to lack ofcoordination between Black's rooks. At thenext moves White should use the rook liftRd1-d3 and to create threats along the thirdrank. ;
B) 10...Ne7 11.Re1 Ng6 12.Bd2 Be7 13.Rad1White creates central pieces superiority and
avoid pushing the queen side pawns whichwill allow Black's counterplay.
Nf8 14.Nd4Take e6 and f5 under control and obstructthe development of Bc8.
Bc5 15.Nb3 Bb6 16.Be3² DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+l+ksn-tr({7zppzp-+pzpp'6-vlp+-+-+&5+-+-zP-+-%4-+-+-+-+$3+NsN-vL-+P#2PzPP+-zPP+"1+-+RtR-mK-!xabcdefghy
The trade of dark square bishops occursagain and this favors White on his way for awon endgame.To do list:-use the "d" file threatening to penetrate onthe 7-th rank-challenge or trade Black's light squarebishops (Nc3-e4-g5)-advance the king side majority in order tocreate a free pawn. ]
10.h3 Ne7Black can not neglect the threat g2-g4:
[ 10...Be6 11.g4 Ne7 12.Nd4²And White trade the light square bishopclearing the way for the king side pawnmajority. ]
11.Be3 Ng6 [ 11...Ke8 12.Rad1 Bd7 13.Rfe1 Rd8 14.a3 a6 15.Ne4² Diagram
(Diagram)
White developed his pieces harmoniously. It'sdifficult to draw "to do list" here because Blackdidn't commit to a setup or another and has no
17
XABCDEFGHY8-+-trkvl-tr({7+pzplsnpzp-'6p+p+-+-zp&5+-+-zP-+-%4-+-+N+-+$3zP-+-vLN+P#2-zPP+-zPP+"1+-+RtR-mK-!xabcdefghy
obvious weaknesses. White can use all theuseful ideas mentioned before in additionwith:-using of c5 square: Nc5 to attack b7 or Bc5 totrade the bishops-a good outpost is h5 (Ne4-g3-h5) from whereWhite can provoke g7-g6 (due to the g7weakness) and to enter on f6 ]
[ 11...Bf5 12.Rad1+ Ke8 13.Nd4 Bd7 14.f4 Nd5 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.c3 a5 17.f5²DiagramXABCDEFGHY8r+-+kvl-tr({7+pzpl+pzp-'6-+-+-+-zp&5zp-+pzPP+-%4-+-sN-+-+$3+-zP-vL-+P#2PzP-+-+P+"1+-+R+RmK-!xabcdefghy
White has the center control and the spaceadvantage. Black's bishops are hampered bythe pawns and Black's main drawback is theabsence of a real counterplay. TO DO LIST:
-prepare e5-e6 after Rf1-e1-mix the threats against the black king with theattacks against black's weak pawns from the 7-th rank ]
12.Rad1+ Ke8 13.a3A key move when Black is threatening Bb4 andif ne4 then Bf5 breaking White's piecescoordination.
Be7 14.Rfe1 Nh4 15.Nxh4 Bxh4Black decided to stop f2-f4 by the knights tradeon h4, so white must use the short termadvantage which is the exposed position of Ke8to prepare e5-e6.
16.Ne2 h5 17.Nd4 a6 18.e6 Bf6 19.Bf4²Diagram
XABCDEFGHY8r+l+k+-tr({7+pzp-+pzp-'6p+p+Pvl-+&5+-+-+-+p%4-+-sN-vL-+$3zP-+-+-+P#2-zPP+-zPP+"1+-+RtR-mK-!xabcdefghy
White realized the basic idea and tacticalcomplication favors him due to superiorqualitative pieces. White can grab the c7 pawn,then try to penetrate on the 7-th rank and toforce a favorable endgame.
C80Open Spanish
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Nxe4This opening system was employed byKortschnoj against the super GM A. Karpov in
18
their match for the world title in 1981 with goodresults. In our days Ivan Sokolov, the wonderadolescent Magnus Carlsten, and from time totime Vishy Anand and Alexey Shirov are someof the adherents of this variation. Black is tryingto clarify the tension in centre quickly in thegame, playing more dynamic basing also onthe tactical thrusts. In many Spanish variationswith the centre blocked or in tension, longmaneuvers are at their home.In this peculiar situation, the range of the piecesis much higher. In many games, both playersare exchanging some of them in order toachieve a more pleasant endgame. After thecapture on e4, Black intends b5 and then d5supporting the central knight and in the sametime freeing the c8-bishop.
6.d4The logic reaction for White is to open the e-filedue to the black king position who can fall underattack.After the advance of the b- and d- pawns on the5th rank (on b5 and d5), the c5 square willbecome weak for Black. In this conditions, therole of the c1-bishop will be increased in anypossible endgame by guarding this key square.
b5
[ 6...exd4 7.Re1 d5 A) 8.Bg5 f6 9.Nxd4
A1) 9...Bc5 10.Be3= ( 10.Nxc6 Bxf2+ 11.Kf1 Qd7 12.Nc3 bxc6 13.Nxe4 Bxe1 14.Nxf6+ gxf6 15.Qh5+ Kf8 16.Bh6+ Ke7 17.Rxe1+ Kd8² To do list:-White has good compensation and canrecapture material.-Attacking the f6 pawn with the queen byplaying Qf3 provoking indirectly theweakening of the c6 pawn by the depart ofdark queen that has to defend the f6square.-Using in this manner the principle of thetwo weakness-Diminishing the control of the 7th rank inorder to play Bg7 capturing the f6 pawnkeeping in the same time a very gooddynamic for the exchange, due to the
exposed position of the opponent king ); A2) 9...fxg5
10.Nxc6 Qd7 11.Nb8 Qxa4 12.Qxd5±To do list:-Taking on e4 with the rook-activating the b1-knight-bringing the a1 rook on the free centralfiles with a straight attack on the blackking-use the assessing skills to see if existtactical thrusts and sacrifices to keep thedark king in the centre ;
B) 8.Nxd4 does not provide any advantagefor White due to the dynamic and tacticalpossibilities that Black has at his disposal.Because of the lack of defending forces, thewhite king can be attacked straight away onthe dark squares and the possibility of aquick entrance of the d8-queen.
Bd6 9.Nxc6 Bxh2+ 10.Kxh2 Qh4+ 11.Kg1 Qxf2+= A typical sacrifice meant togive perpetual check maintaining theeveness for Black. ]
7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Taking with the pawn in e5is better because now the d5 pawn is underattack, White controls the f6 and d6 squares(potential outposts for the dark bishop andqueen), free the d4 square for a future arrival ofa light piece, and free the g1-a7 diagonal for thec1 bishop in order to control the c5 square.
Be6 9.Nbd2 With this move White is headingto dislocate very rapid the e4 knight. Indeed thedark squares bishop from c1 is closed for themoment but White is intending to free the b1-h7diagonal and to put pressure on the lightsquares.
[ 9.Be3 In this move order White is not in hurryand does not want to harass the e4 knight.There are many GM's who prefer this linebecause White has a very solid position andthe risk to enter in a worst one is minimum. Inour era the safety is on the first plan.
A) 9...Bc5 10.Qd3 This queen arrival in
19
front of the b1 knight is very logic. Whitedefends the e3-bishop and in the futureprepares the attack on the king side with c3and Bc2.
0-0 11.Nbd2 The idea of Black move is togain a tempo and not to exchange rightaway on e3. Is clear that Black should try tocreate a counter-play advancing either thed5 pawn freeing the light square bishop,either by preparing the advance of the c7pawn.
Nxd2 A1) 12.Bxc5 Nxf1 13.Bxf8 Qxf8
( 13...Nxh2 Is risky to open the h-file,White can gain some initiative onto theblack king )
14.Rxf1 Qc5 15.c3 Rd8 16.Ng5 g6= After this almost forced variation thebalance is evident and is very difficult tofind a concrete plan for each side. Afterthe strategic assessment White will try toattack on the king side protecting also inthe same time the e5 pawn, and Black onthe other flank advancing the pawns, inorder to gain space and large the range ofaction of his own pieces. ;
A2) 12.Bxd2
Ne7 A prophylactic maneuver, trying tooccupy the b1-h7 diagonal with Bf5, notallowing White to play c3 and Bc2attacking the black king. Also after thedepart of the c5-bishop Black can advancethe c7 pawn creating a very strong pawnsmass, very menacing for white pieces,especially for the light squares bishop thatcan be trapped with c5-c4.
13.Be3 Bxe3 14.Qxe3 Seizing thecontrol of the c5 square not allowing theadvance of black pawns. After theexchange of the dark bishops thehomonym squares are weaken.
Nf5 Driving away the white queen to allowthe advance c7-c5 in the future.
15.Qf4 d4 In chess and peculiar in thissystem exchanging the pieces is one ofthe modern technique to achieve a goodendings.
16.Rfd1 c5 Black promotes the strategicidea of pushing the c-pawn. In the openingis very important that you can find somesolid assurances to follow.
17.c3 d3 18.c4 Ra7 19.Qe4 Rd7 20.cxb5 axb5 21.Bxe6 fxe6 22.Qc6 Nd4 23.Nxd4 Rxd4 24.Qxe6+ Kh8Usually in this peculiar system of Spanishvariation Black is aiming for a tacticalgame, so the sacrifice for gaining spaceand grabbing the initiative can become atypical method to inspire in the futureapproach of the entire Spanish Defence.
25.Qc6 Qd5 26.Qxb5 Qxe5 27.Rd2 h6 28.Rf1 Rb8 29.Qa5 Rd5 30.Qa6 Rd6 31.Qa7= Ulibin,M 2524-Manea,A 2398 /Predeal 2007 ;
B) 9...Be7 Shirov prefers this move, and VishyAnand Bc5. Is a matter of style. Now Blackis increasing the control of the g5 square,leave the c5 square free for a future knightarrival.
10.c3 Now White is trying to create anoutpost on d4, also preventing in the sametime the advance of the d5 pawn in thefuture. In Spanish defence the maneuverplay is very important and also thepossibility to foresee the ideas and thethreats of your opponent. Now White canplay Bc2 trying to drive away the mostaggressive piece of his opponent.
Qd7 Freeing the d8 square for a possiblearrival of the dark rook, trying in the sametime to maximize to power of choosing thebest move order in the opening.
11.Nbd2
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B1) 11...0-0 12.Re1 ( 12.Bc2 f5 ) 12...Rad8 ; B2) 11...Rd8
B2a) 12.Bc2 f5 Entering in the normalvariation without the move Re1 and 0-0.Why is playing Black f5? The idea isclear: with the f-file free, and with his twobishops active Black can hope for anattack on the kingside. Of course he hasto be careful of the weakening of thelight diagonal g8-a2.
( 12...Nxd2 13.Qxd2 Bf5 14.Bxf5 Qxf5² After this line, in the opening wecan explain more accurate theimportance of the move order, becausenow the d5 pawn is defend, and with theaid of the exchanging strategy Blackdiminish the attacking possibilities of hisopponent on the king side. );
B2b) 12.Re1
0-0 In many occasions the position inSpanish can be achieved even bydifferent path like in our case. Is amatter of style so I presented the twomove order with idea to eliminate anyconfusion.
13.Bc2 f5 Shirov played this risky moveagainst Kasparov.
( 13...Bf5 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Qxd7 Rxd7 17.e6 This is atypical pawn sacrifice meant to giveWhite a better structure in the endgame,but the active pieces of his opponentcompensate the weaker pawn structure.
fxe6 18.Nd2 Ne5 19.Nxe4 Nd3 20.Re2 Rf5 A good manoeuvre withidea of playing R5d5 supporting the d3knight and the 5th rank. The blackactivity is compensating the worst pawnstructure. )
14.exf6 Nxf6 15.a4 A very unpleasantreply very powerful, and also very newat the time when it was played. White isnot trying to attack on the king side,actually he wants to open the a1-rook,and in the same time create a weakpawn on b5 in the future.
Ng4 16.axb5 axb5 17.Bd4Again a very strong positional move.White wants to avoid the exchange one3, free the e1 rook and also occupy acentral square. Also after the possibleexchange on d4 white can recapturewith the c3 pawn increasing thedomination of the c5 square.
Nxd4 18.Nxd4? ( 18.cxd4² Is providinga solid and long term positionaladvantage. ) 18...Qd6 19.N2f3 Bd7
20.h3 Nxf2 21.Kxf2 B2b1) 21...c5! The intermediary ismore profound and powerful. The d4knight does not have a good square toretreat, and also leave Black open theway onto his opponent king.
22.Kg1 ( 22.Ne2 Rxf3+! 23.gxf3 Qh2+ With a very powerful attack dueto the impossibility of white pieces toparticipate at the defence of the"wondering"king. ) 22...cxd4 23.Nxd4 ;
B2b2) 21...Bh4+
22.Kg1 Bxe1 23.Qxe1² Kasparov,G(2813)-Shirov,A (2726)/Cesme 2004And finally white manage to convertthe positional advantage in a full point.
]
9...Nc5 With this maneuver Black avoids theexchanges, protects one more time his lightsquares bishop from e6 and prepares for theadvance d5-d4 opening the lines.
[ 9...Be7 10.c3 ( 10.Nxe4 dxe4 11.Bxe6 fxe6 12.Ng5 Bxg5 13.Qh5+ g6 14.Qxg5 Qd5 Probably White has a little edge, and a
21
more pleasant endgame due to the betterpawns structure and to the weakness of thedark squares from the opponent camp. )
10...0-0 11.Bc2 f5 12.exf6 ( 12.Nb3 ) 12...Nxf6 To do list for White:-play Re1 to attack the light squares bishopfrom e6 creating also the possibility Ng5 andNe6 in the future-play a4, activating the a1-rook, weakeningthe b5 pawn-Nb3-freeing the c1-bishop, controlling the c5and d4 square, freeing also the white queen ]
10.c3 White is intending to protect the d4square and also free his light squares bishop.
Bg4
[ 10...d4 11.Ng5 This beautiful sacrificereveals the complexity of the Open Spanishsystem. After the advance of the d5 pawn thediagonal h1-a8 is weaken, so White is freeingthe f3 square for the arrival of the queenattacking right away the black king position.
( 11.Bxe6 Nxe6 12.cxd4 Ncxd4 13.a4 Bb4 14.axb5 Nxb5 And White has just a little edgedue to the Black's pieces activity. )
11...Qxg5 12.Qf3 A) 12...Kd7 13.Bd5 ( 13.cxd4 Nxb3 14.axb3 With a probable eveness becauseBlack can not stop the advance d4-d5. )
13...Bxd5 ( 13...Nxe5 14.Bxe6+ fxe6 15.Qxa8² ) 14.Qxd5+ Bd6 15.Nf3 Qf5 16.Qxc6+ Kxc6 17.Nxd4+ Kb7 18.Nxf5 Bxe5= Wit a complex endgame but witheven chances. ;
B) 12...0-0-0 A very bold decision, but thebest decision for Black: In one move the a8rook is not attacked anymore, and the kingleft the centre of the board. Now for Black isvery important to try to exchange the queento diminish the dynamic potential of hisopponent, who is threatening to play in thefuture a4 opening the a-file.
13.Bxe6+ fxe6 14.Qxc6 Qxe5 15.b4 Qd5 16.Qxd5 exd5 17.bxc5 dxc3 18.Nb3 d4÷The to do list:-White has to play Ba3, Bb4 and than a4 inorder to open the a-file and in the same timekeeping opened the possibility of blockingthe two powerful connected dark pawns-Also White has to reckon the best disposalof his opponent g6 and Bg7 with idea d3 ]
11.Re1 [ 11.Bc2 ]
11...d4 [ 11...Nd3 12.Re3 Nxc1 ( 12...Nf4 ) 13.Rxc1 -- 14.Rd3 With powerful pressure on the d5pawn. ]
[ 11...Be7 12.Nf1 Nxb3 13.axb3= ]
12.h3 Bh5
[ 12...dxc3 13.hxg4 cxd2 14.Bxd2 -- 15.Rc1With clear advantage for White, the bishopspair and the domination of the c-file, and theopponent king who is still in the centreproviding sufficient advantage ]
13.g4 Bg6 [ 13...dxc3 14.gxh5 cxd2 15.Bxd2² ]
14.Nxd4
[ 14.e6 f6 ]
14...Nxd4 15.cxd4 Qxd4 16.Qf3 Rd8
[ 16...0-0-0 17.Qa8+ Kd7 18.Qg2A very important manoeuvre, White isintending to gain a tempo by playing in thefuture Nf3 freeing the d-file for White's rooks. ]
17.Nf1 Nxb3
[ 17...Qd3 18.Qc6+ Qd7= ]
18.e6! The best practical way to fight forinitiative. This move is the invention of the topGM Alexey Shirov, one of the best tactical
22
player from our postmodern era. The idea issimple sacrificing a piece or more for openingthe lines onto Black king.
Bb4 The free of the f8 square is forced!
[ 18...Be7 19.exf7+ Kf8 20.axb3²] [ 18...Nxa1 19.Qc6+ Ke7 20.Qxc7+ Kf6 ( 20...Rd7 21.exd7+ Be4 22.d8Q+ Ke6 23.Rxe4+ Qxe4 24.Qdd7+ Kf6 25.Qxf7# ) 21.g5+ Kf5 22.Ng3# ]
19.axb3 Bxe1
[ 19...0-0 20.e7 Bxe1 21.Be3 Qb4 22.exf8Q+ Rxf8 23.Qe2 And the dark bishopis trapped, after a forced variation Bxf2+
24.Qxf2± ]
20.Qc6+ Kf8 21.Be3 Qf6 22.Bc5+ Kg8 23.Rxe1 With good compensation. White hasthe possibility to attack with all his forces theblack king, while the h8-rook is out of play. Thec7 and a6-pawns are weak, becoming attackingtarget for White. After a concrete assess, isvery important to increase the pressure ontoblack king, so one effective means is to bringthe f1-knight via g3 in attack.
C78Spanish Archangelsk,Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 b5
[ 5...Bc5 The move order in the opening isvery important, because if Black is delayingone move White can bring in just one movethe light squares bishop on c2 without losinga tempo. 6.c3 b5 7.Bc2 d5 8.a4 ]
6.Bb3 Bc5 This variation appeared in 1994 inthe repertory of the Ukrainian GM Malaniuk andthan was employed with success by AlexeyShirov, Vishy Anand, Veselin Topalov, MichaelAdams. Interesting was actually the duel of thisyear by Adams and Shirov . Their struggle had
for reward a place in World Championship final.The entire variation is bond by the activity of thedark squares bishop, and the attack who Blackcan start very early onto the opponent kingposition. Usually is this system Black issacrificing the b5 pawn in order to gain tempi inattack.
[ 6...Bb7 Until 1994 this was the main line atthe six move, but in conformity with theprinciple who postulate the maximization ofthe opportunities in the opening, from c8 thelight squares bishop can go also on g4 inmany variations after d7-d6.
A) 7.c3 Nxe4 8.d4 Na5 9.Nxe5 ( 9.Bc2 ) 9...Nxb3 10.Qxb3 White has a slightadvantage due to the lead in development,but Black has the bishops pair. ;
B) 7.d3 The most safety manoeuvre protectingthe e4 pawn freeing in the same time thedark squares bishop from c1.
]
7.a4 The best move order, White is intending toopen the a-file, creating also an attackingobjective from b5-pawn.
[ 7.Nxe5 Nxe5 8.d4 Bxd4 9.Qxd4 d6Taking the dark squares bishop doesn'tprovide any advantage for White. ]
[ 7.c3 Another option is to react very rapid inthe centre.
d6 8.d4 Bb6 9.a4 This move order cantranspose to the main variation beginning withthe 7.a4, but leaves more options to Blackdisposal
( 9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.Qxd8+ Kxd8 12.Bxf7 To do list:Black has a very strong compensation, he canplay:-Rf8 threatening after the depart of the f6-knight on g4 to put pressure on f2-After 13.Bd5 Nxd5 14.exd5 Bb7 and the darkbishop are placed ideal attacking the f2, and
23
d5 pawns, threatening also to make space forthe other rook after Kd7 with idea Rae8. )
9...Bg4 Putting pressure indirectly on the d4pawn, menacing to change the pawn structureon the king side after the capture on f3. ]
7...Rb8
[ 7...Bb7 8.d3 0-0 9.Nc3 Na5 Sacrificing apawn, opening the light squares bishoppreparing the break in the centre after theadvance d5.
10.axb5 ( 10.Nxe5 Nxb3 11.cxb3 d5 ) 10...Nxb3 11.cxb3 axb5 12.Rxa8 Bxa8 13.Nxe5 d5 14.Bg5 To do list:Black sacrifice a pawn in order to open thelines, activating the dark bishops.-capturing on e4, exchanging the queens,driving away the c3 knight with b4,establishing the material equilibrium ]
8.c3
[ 8.axb5 axb5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.d4 Bxd4 11.Qxd4 d6 12.f4 Nc6 13.Qc3 Ne7To do list:-preparing the castle-occupying the e4 outpost after the possibleadvance e4-e5-trying to exchange the light squares bishopfrom b3 after the maneuver Ne4-Nc5-Nxb3 inorder to diminish the pressure on the a2-g8diagonal- ]
8...d6
[ 8...0-0 Vishy Anand prefers to castle first.
9.d4 Bb6 A) 10.Na3 d6 11.axb5 axb5 Black prefersin many variation to sacrifice the b5 pawn toprepare the light squares bishop activation,and in the same time increase the attack ofthe d4 pawn, forcing White to react.
12.Nxb5 Bg4 A1) 13.d5 Ne7
A1a) 14.h3 Bd7 The intermediaryattack regain the material, keeping thebalance.
15.c4 Nxe4 16.Bc2 Nf6 ( 16...Bxb5 17.Bxe4 Bxc4 18.Bxh7+ Kh8 19.Bd3= ) 17.Nc3 Nf5 18.Ne2 Bc5=Not allowing the advance of the b-pawn.Lupulescu,C 2570 -Manea,A 2379 /Predeal RomanianCh 2006 (44) ;
A1b) 14.Bc2 A1b1) 14...Ng6 15.h3 Bh5 16.Qd3 ( 16.g4 Nxg4 17.hxg4 Bxg4 18.Qd3And the exposed position of Whiteking is compensating the sacrificedpiece. Black can play f5, opening the f-file, attacking directly the f3 knight,putting pressure also on the f2 pawn. );
A1b2) 14...Qe8
15.c4 Nxe4 16.Bxe4 f5 To do list:-Black plays e4, regaining the piece,opening the f-file-Activating the dark knight via g6-f4attacking the white king position
; A2) 13.Bc2 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Nh5 15.Be3 Qf6 16.Kh1 Ne7 17.Rg1 Ng6 18.Rg4 Nhf4= Seizing the control of the f4 square,Black has placed his knights on idealsquares not allowing any counterplay fromhis opponent. Dominguez Perez,L (2678)-Shirov,A (2699)/Foros UKR 2007 (46) ;
A3) 13.Bg5
h6 14.Bh4 Bxf3 The Topalov's invention,who is entering in a forced endgame witha pawn minus but with a very good activeplay, due to the double pawn that willappear on the f-file.
15.gxf3 exd4 16.Nxd4 Nxd4 17.cxd4 Bxd4 18.Bxf7+ Rxf7 19.Qxd4 Qd7The to do list:-Black is threatening to play Qh3 attackingthe f3 pawn-doubling the rooks after Rbf8-activating the knight via h5-f4, or d7-e5
24
attacking straight away the White's kingposition
; B) 10.dxe5 Nxe4= Black has the c5squares for his knight driving away the b3-bishop. ;
C) 10.Bg5
h6 This is the key of the entire variation, forBlack is very important to prepare theadvance of the g-pawn, escaping from theannoying pin of the g5-bishop, forcing alsothe dark squares bishop to leave one of thedark diagonals (c1-h6, or h4-d8.) 11.Bh4
d6= ] [ 8...0-0 ]
9.d4 Bb6 10.h3 A prophylactic replypreventing Bg4.
[ 10.Bg5 h6 11.Bxf6 Qxf6 12.axb5 axb5 13.Qd3=] [ 10.axb5 axb5 11.Qd3 White has also at hisdisposal a more solid move refusing to go forthe b5 pawn with Na3, defending the e4-pawn,trying to prevent the possible pin after thearrival of the c8-bishop to g4.
0-0 12.Bg5 exd4 13.cxd4 h6 14.Bh4 g5The typical escaping manoeuvre of the bishoppin, otherwise White is threatening Nc3-Nd5.
15.e5 A typical thrust in this sort of structuresfreeing the queen, attacking right away thedark king position.
gxh4 16.Qg6+ Kh8 17.Qxh6+ Nh7 18.Bc2 f5 19.exf6 Rf7 20.Ng5 Qxf6 21.Nxf7+The variation has a forced character, Blackhaving sufficient resources to defend him self.
Qxf7 22.Bxh7 Qxh7 23.Qf8+ Qg8 24.Qh6+ Qh7 25.Qf8+ Qg8 26.Qh6+ ½-½ Adams,M(2734)-Shirov,A (2699)/Elista RUS 2007 ]
10...Bb7 After White has move 10.h3 Black has
to change the diagonal for the light squaresbishop, defending the c6-knight, menacing alsoto take on e4.
[ 10...Nxe4?? 11.Bd5± ]
11.Re1 Protecting the e4 pawn, keeping alsothe tension in the centre, avoiding the advanced5, who would free the dark squares bishop frob6.
0-0 12.axb5 axb5 13.Na3 exd4In the variation when the bishop was on g4Black could sacrifice the b5 pawn, gainingpositional pluses after the exchange on f3,doubling the f-pawns. The idea is simple, thedifference being obviously: Black is exchangingthe central pawns increasing the power of hislight pieces and especially of his bishops. Nowblack pieces can attack the central pawns.
14.cxd4 Na5 The key point is attacked, and inthe same time Black is threatening to capture onb3. 15.Bc2 b4 16.Nb1 c5 Very importantthrust trying to increase the range of the darksquares bishop and implicit his status. 17.Bg5
h6 18.Bh4 cxd4 19.Qd3 Can take White ond4? What is the best plan to continue? To dolist:-The best way to keep the balance, and play forgetting advantage is 19.Qd3 with idea e4-e5,Bxf6 and mate on h7, not fearing of 19...b3 20.Bd1 with idea Nbd2 and dark pawns arehanging.-Very important is also the capacity to assesscorrect the concrete situation that arise on thechess board: because the first move who comesin head is 19.Nxd4 but after 19...g5 20.Bg3 b321.Nxb3 Nxb3 22.Bxb3 Nxe4 Black has noproblems
C88Anti Marshall −System
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0
[ 7...d6 ]
8.h3 The Russian player Igor Lanka find a very
25
interesting method to prevent the Marshallattack in the late of 80's, more precisely in '87.He introduced the prophylactic 8.h3 meant tostop the counterplay with d5. Lately in 1996Kasparov against Gata Kamsky, and Shirovagainst Ivan Sokolov made the transposition ofthis line on the highest level of Top GM's. Thismove order reduces the risk for White to enter indefence very early in the opening stage. Also isvery loaded with venom, White increasing hispossibilities in the opening making possible again of a tempo in the future by playing in justone move the break in the centre with d4, andnot first d3 and just than d4.
[ 8.c3 A) 8...d5 9.exd5 ( 9.d4 ) 9...Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 Qh4 14.g3 Qh3÷ This is the theoretical positionpractical forced until the fourteen move,from where the concrete variations began inMarshall Gambit. So is very hard for eventhe Top players to play this tactical gambit,so in many occasion the anti-gambit is themost efficient weapon to maintain a littleplus in the opening for White. Of course theMarshall Gambit is a very complex strugglewhich necessitates many home analysesand preparation. One of the GM's who isdefending in our days the White superiorityin defence against Black attacking chancesis Alexander Motylev. So will be veryinteresting to follow his games. ;
B) 8...d6 And of course the MarshallGambit is not forced and Black can pass onthe Chigorin system.
] [ 8.a4 This is another alternative to prevent theMarsahll Gambit trying in a very early stage toclarify the pawns structures on the queen side,gaining also the control of the c4 square apossible outpost for a white knight. b4
( 8...Rb8 9.axb5 axb5 10.d3 d6 To do list:-In classical Spanish style White should bringhis b1 knight on the king side via-d2-f1-g3seizing the control of the f5 square-preparing the break in the centre with c3
follow by d4 )
9.a5 d6 10.d3 Be6 11.Nbd2With a complex middle game with chances forboth opponent to achieve a pleasantendgame. ]
8...Bb7 Activating the light squares bishop,threatening in the future Na5 attacking the e4pawn and the b3 bishop. Na5 direct is notpossible due to the loss of the e5 pawn whoremain undefended.
[ 8...d5 There is a big difference if the c2 pawnremains on the initial square. White has anedge by employing simple and logic measures.
9.exd5 Nxd5 10.d3 And White has a morepleasant game due to the attack of the e5-pawn. ]
[ 8...d6 9.c3 Also in the Spanish Defence isvery important to be aware of the moveinversion because easily Black or White canenter from one variation to another. So thereare very important the global assessingskills! ]
9.d3 Parrying the menace Na5, protecting thee4-pawn, freeing the dark squares diagonal.
d6 Protecting the e5-pawn stressing one moretime the main idea of Black is this system: tocapture if is possible the light squares bishopfrom b3.
[ 9...d5 Sacrificing the pawn similarly with theMarshal Gambit don't provide any think.
10.exd5 Nxd5 11.Nxe5 And White hasenough defensible resources. ]
10.a3 Beside the 8.h3 the white move is part ofa complex plan meant to keep on the board forWhite all the forces in order to control the lightsquares and the a2-g8 diagonal. For example ifWhite would play c3 not to permit the captureof the light squares after Na5, he would be
26
forced to leave the light diagonal retreating onc2. Now from a2 White controls the d5 squaresand the possible central break of his opponent,and in many variations this bishop can help toattack the black king position.
[ 10.Nbd2 Na5 ] [ 10.c3 Na5 11.Bc2 c5 Similarly with theChigorin defence when the light bishop stayson c2, with the big difference that White playsusually the d4 break in just one move. ]
10...Na5 Black make possible the advance ofthe c-pawn protecting the d4 squares, the mainidea of white break in the centre.
[ 10...Qd7 With this manoeuvre Black isfreeing the d8 squares for the c6-knight. GataKamsky is playing in this manner using the d8square to change the status of the c6-knight.He actually beat Anand in 2006 and drew withPonomariov and Svidler.
11.Nc3 Nd8 12.d4 exd4 13.Nxd4 Re8To do list:-White has to activate the d4 knight on f5-Seize the control of the light squares on theking side by playing Qf3-Supporting in this manner the e4-pawn-Activating the dark squares bishop from c1 ]
[ 10...Nb8 This move similar with the Breyersystem was introduced by the Top GMMichael Adams but for Black is not totalyequalize. The idea is simple to allow theadvance of the c-pawn , and to playimmediate Nbd7, freeing in the same time thelight squares bishop.
11.Nbd2 Nbd7 12.Nf1 Re8 13.Ng3 ( 13.Ba2 ; 13.Ng5 d5 14.exd5 Bxd5Exchanging the light squares bishop Black isdiminishing the pressure on the f7 pawn.
15.Bxd5 Nxd5 16.Qf3 Bxg5 17.Bxg5 Qxg5 18.Qxd5 Nb6= ; 13.Ne3 ) 13...c6 ( 13...Nc5 14.Ba2 Bf8 15.Nh2 Ne6 16.Nf5 c5To do list:
-White is preparing for Qf3 and Ng4 trying tomodify the pawns structure on the king side inorder to attack Black's king position-Be3 wit idea Rad1, c3-d4 is possible in thefuture )
14.Nf5 Bf8 15.Nh2 A very powerfulmanoeuvre exist in this sort of position forWhite, making space for the light queen,preparing also the Ng4, exchanging one of theblack king defenders.
d5 16.Qf3 ( 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bh4 g6 18.Ne3 dxe4 19.dxe4 Bg7 With slightly advantagefor White. )
16...Kh8?! Going from the a2-g8 diagonal butBlack has problems in achieving the eveness.
( 16...dxe4 17.dxe4 c5 18.c4 Qb6 19.Ng4 Nxg4 20.hxg4 With more pleasant position forWhite due to the best placement of hispieces )
17.Bg5 h6 18.Bh4 g6 19.Ne3 g5 ( 19...dxe4 20.dxe4 ) 20.Bg3 To do list:-White has to seize the light squares fromKing's flank playing Nf5-h4 with idea of breaking the pawns structurewith a direct attack onto black king ]
11.Ba2 c5 12.Nbd2 After the c5 advanceBlack is weakening the d5 square, so for Whiteseizing this important key point is the bestchoice in this Spanish system.
Nc6 13.Nf1 Bc8 This move necessitate a veryconcrete explanation. Even if Black is goingback with his light squares bishop is evident thebest choice. Black is intending Be6 trying toneutralize the homonym bishop from a2.
14.Ne3
[ 14.c3 Be6 15.Bxe6 fxe6 16.Ng3To do list:-White should try to obtain some counterplayon the queen side by playing b4-activating the dark squares bishop on e3-activating the rooks on the queen flank ]
27
14...Be6 15.Bd5 This move is a very new ideamade by the researches in this variations. Until2005, when Beliavsky played for the first timethe best reference move was 15.Nd5 butactually the seize of the d5 square with thebishop is more powerful. The idea is simpleWhite wants to attack on the queen side and hislight bishop is hindering the a1-rook. Also afterthe exchange on d5 a light pawn will block thea2-bishop diagonal.
[ 15.Nd5 Bxd5 16.exd5 Nd4 17.Nd2 Nf5
( 17...-- 18.g4 -- 19.c3 And incredibly thedark knight is caught in the middle of the table.
)
18.Ne4 Nd7 19.b4 ( 19.Qg4 g6 20.-- Ng7And Black has no problem, menacing f5. )]
15...Bxd5
[ 15...Rc8 16.c3 And White can begin theattack on the queen side with 17.a4, or 17.b4.
-- ( 16...-- 17.b4 ) 17.a4 ]
16.exd5 Nb8
[ 16...Nd4 17.c3 Nxf3+ 18.Qxf3 -- 19.b4And after the advance 19.b4 White has amore pleasant game, having the initiative onthe both flanks. ]
17.c4! A very strong retort, supporting the d5-pawn, preparing White for the break on thequeen flank after the advance of the b2-pawnaiming to create a free pawn.
[ 17.Nh2 Nbd7 18.Qf3 g6 19.Nhg4 h5By reducing the material on the board, makingspace for the other knight from d7, gainingspace Black keep a good position. ]
17...bxc4
[ 17...g6 18.b4 bxc4 19.bxc5! ( 19.dxc4 Nbd7 With more space from White. ) 19...cxd3 20.c6² The c6 pawn is keeping out of play the
b8-knight and in the same time the a8-rook.Also even if White has sacrificed a pawn thereare good chances to regain it keeping also thepositional advantage gave by the free pawnfrom the six rank.
] [ 17...-- 18.Nf5 Activating the knight is also alogic possibility in conformity with the varietyof all tastes and kind of type players. ]
18.dxc4 g6 19.b4 To do list:-White has to strike on the queen flank gainingmore space threatening to create a free pawn-Activating the queen on c2-preparing Ng4 in order to free the diagonal ofthe dark squares bishop-playing Rb1, trying to seize the control of the b-file and if it is open in the future after theexchange on c5, making possible the advanceb4-b5
C99Chigorin System
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 The classical Spanish defence has along history being very popular in the last onehundred and fifty years, played by all kinds andtypes of chess players. In our days the theory ofthis system is huge. The critical position beganwith the move nineteen or twenty in severaltheoretical lines.
[ 5...d6 The amount of possibilities is vast, sothe move order in the opening is veryimportant sketching in this manner a globalview of the entire variation. So like a shortconclusion in Spanish defence the subsidiarylines could prove very important due to theopportunity to enter from one variation toanother or to push the opponent on a moreunfavorable structure. With this early d6 Blackis preparing Bg4 putting indirectly pressure onthe d4 square due to the possible pin of thewhite queen.
6.c3 ( 6.Bxc6+ bxc6 7.d4 exd4 8.Nxd4 c5Gives no real advantage for White, Black
28
having dynamic compensation for the doublepawns due to the bishop pair. )
6...Bg4 7.h3 ( 7.d3 -- 8.Nbd2 ) 7...Bh5 8.d4 b5 Black has to react and try to minimize theCQS of the d4 advance. White wasthreatening d4-d5, so like in majority of theSpanish variations the light squares bishophas to be drive away from the a4-e8 diagonal.
9.Bb3 Bxf3 10.gxf3 Forced otherwise the d4would be lost.
( 10.Qxf3 exd4 ) 10...Nh5 11.f4 Nxf4 ( 11...g6 This is too passive weakening thedark diagonal.
12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Qd5 ) 12.Bxf4 exf4To do list:-What should do White in this position to gainthe initiative:-occupying the h1-a8 diagonal by playing Bd5stressing the weakness of light squares fromhis opponent camp-Activating the queen with Qf3, puttingpressure on the light diagonal menacing thetactical thrust e4-e5-Developing the knight, creating in thismanner the bond between the rooks ]
6.Re1 For a proper understanding of the moveorder in the opening and of the most importantsystems each player has to be familiar with theimportance of knowing the subsidiary lines
b5 7.Bb3 d6 The major difference appear inthis variation for the players who want to employthe Chigorin System. The very rapid d6 moveleaves no option for a future Marshall disposalwith d5. The Marshall's adherents are playingfirst 7...0-0 to preserve the d5-d7 breakpossible.
[ 7...0-0 8.h3 Now we can see one more timethe importance of the move order, enteringfrom the Anti-Marshall system in Chigorin afterthe advance of the d-pawn. ( 8.c3 Or if Whiteis good prepared and don't want to avoid theMarshall can continue in this classical style. )
8...d6 ]
8.c3 White now make space for the retreat ofhis light bishop preventing Na5, and in the sametime prepares the central break with d4.
0-0 9.h3
[ 9.d4 Bg4 10.d5 To do list:-White has to retreat his bishop on c2protecting the e4, putting the bishop on asafety place-activating the dark squares bishop on e3-Supporting the f3 knight with Nbd2-driving away the light squares bishop withh3-trying to get counterplay on the king side
( 10.Be3 ; 10.a4 Bxf3 11.gxf3 Is a bigdifference if Black's king is caught in thecentre when White can get advantage due toa better pieces disposal position. Now withthe double pawns on the f-file is very difficultfor White to hope for advantage being verycareful of the defence of the f4 square, notallowing the exchange of the dark squaresbishops, reducing in this manner the control ofthe homonym squares from his own camp,and implicit the safety of his king. )]
9...Na5
[ 9...Nd7 To do list:-Black plan is to switch places of his piecesputting the bishop on f6-To free the e7 square for the dark queen-To play Bb7 putting pressure on the lightdiagonal guarding also the d5 square-Playing Na5 with the classic idea ofadvancing the c-pawn preventing the d4advance-In some variations the d7-knight can go on c4via b6
] [ 9...Nb8 Similar with the Breyer maneuver withidea Nbd7 and Bb7 is an alternative. But afterthe latest researches Black has a morepassive position in this disposal due to the
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lack of a clear active plan, and the Top GMbegan to avoid this system with Blackpieces. ]
[ 9...Bb7 10.d4 Re8 This is part of Flohr/Zaitsev system with a very complex battle andhuge amount of theory with many tacticalresources for both colours. ]
10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 This is the beginning of thecritical position from Chigorin system. The CQSof the direct strike in the centre are obviously:White is attacking the e5 pawn and in the sametime in many variations he plays d5, blockingthe centre preparing than for an attack on theking side with Nbd2, Nf1, g4, Ng3, Kh1, Rg1with many tactical threats. A very importantspecification is that White is playing usually d5just when Black puts his bishop on b7 with ideato gain a very important tempo because the lightsquares bishop has to retreat on c8 guardingthe light diagonal and implicit the f5-square.
cxd4
[ 11...Qc7 Many GM's prefer this move orderforcing the white knight to go first on d2 andjust than they take on d4, guiding on principlethat state the minimizing of opponent optionsis the best weapon to follow in modern chess.
12.Nbd2 cxd4 13.cxd4 Entering in theclassical line of the Chigorin System. ]
[ 11...Nd7 12.dxc5 dxc5 13.Nbd2Slight better for White who is intending to puthis d2 knight on d5 via f1-e3. ]
12.cxd4 Qc7 A very useful move protectingthe e5 pawn making possible in the future thebond between the dark rooks.
13.Nbd2 The knight prepares to follow theusual route via f1-g3. An interestingspecification is in this peculiar system the darksquares bishop from c1 is better placed on theinitial square for several moves. For example one3 it could be vulnerable due to the possibleNc4.
Nc6
[ 13...Rd8 This move was played by severalGM's and recently by Shirov againstKotronias. Even if looks logic putting the rookon the same file with the opponent queenactually Black doesn't equalize due to aspectacular positional pawn sacrifice meant tokeep the initiative on the White side.
A) 14.Nf1 exd4 15.Ng3 ( 15.Nxd4 Nc6And Black is ok. Exchanges some lightpieces he is diminishing White's pressure. )
15...Nc6 16.Bb3! This is the reason whyWhite is keeping better chances.
Qb6 To do list:White is threatening Bf4 with idea Rc1, e5,Bxf7+ and Rxc6 and Black can take on c6due to the check on e5 and he loses hisqueen.
( 16...Be6 17.Bf4 Qb6 Black can take onb3 because he loses the control of the f5-square allowing the entrance in attack of theg3-knight. )
17.Bf4 Be6 18.Bxe6 fxe6 19.Qb3 d5 20.exd5 Na5 21.Qd3 Nxd5 22.Bg5²With better chances due to the weak kingposition. ;
B)
14.b3
Nc6 ] [ 13...Bb7 14.d5 Blocking the light squaresbishop preparing to attack on the king side.
Rac8 15.Bd3 Nd7 16.Nf1 f5 Weakening hisown king position, but in the same time Blackis freeing his b7-bishop.
17.exf5 Bxd5 18.Ng3 With complex game. ]
14.Nb3 With the a5 knight out White is tryingprovoke the a5-a4 advance weakening in thismanner the b5 pawn. Also now the e3 square is
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available for the c1-bishop is the absence of thedark knight on a5.
a5 15.Be3 The c1 square is free for the arrivalof the rook putting pressure on the c-fileattacking the dark queen.
a4 16.Nbd2 Bd7 Trying to protect the b5pawn. Is very interesting even if Black isadvancing the pawns actually the b5-pawn isvulnerable.
17.Rc1 Until 1999 the 17.a3 was played by themajority of Top GM's, but now bringing first therook on c1 is more precisely and more active.Actually this is one of the complex middle gamestart position where the theory is going up to themiddle game.
[ 17.a3 Protecting the b4 square and in thesame time making visible the weakness of theb5 pawn.
Rfe8 18.Bd3 Qb7 19.Qe2 exd4 ( 19...Rab8 20.dxe5 Nxe5 21.Nxe5 dxe5 ) 20.Nxd4 d5 21.Nxc6 Bxc6 22.e5 With better chances forwhite due to the attacking possibilities on theking side, and a better disposal of the pieces.
]
17...Qb7 18.Qe2 In this position a slightadvantage is very important. White is intendingto attack the b5 pawn, creating in this manneran attacking objective.
Rfe8 The CQS of this move are related with theposition of the white queen. Black is threateningto take on d4 opening the e-file.
19.Bd3 Rab8 20.dxe5 With better practicalchances for White: To do list:-White has to take on e5 avoiding the maneuverexd4 and than Ne5 attacking the d3 bishop.-Play a3 to make more visible the weakness ofthe b5-pawns-Exchange the dark squares bishops with Bc5 ,creating two attacking objectives: the b5 and thee5 pawns
C92Zaitzev Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Bb7 10.d4 Re8 The Zaitzev system wasintroduced by the famous chess trainer IgorZaitzev, employed by Anatoly Karpov to helphim in the 80's. In the match from 86' actuallyKarpov lost two games against Kasparov, buthe continues to play the variation with goodresults after this loses. Being a very sharpsystem the analyze is beginning very late in theopening and continue in the middle game up tothe twenty move. In our days Etien Bacrot,Almasi Zoltan, Vescovi Giovani, Bologan Victor,the ex-world champion Kasimdzhanov areamong the players who are playing this line. Aninteresting aspect is that Kasimdzhanovmanaged to win with both colours in thisopening two important games from theoreticalpoint of view: one with white pieces withIvanchuk at the Olympiad in 2006 and one withblack pieces against Vishy Anand in a rapidevent in Bastia in the same year. The continuingresearches and the complexity of the openingknowledge are very important for a professionalconclusion of this variation.
11.Ng5 Rf8 12.Nf3 Re8 13.Nbd2This repetition has his roots on the time whenthere was a clear control of the time in a chessgame, and practically has an objectiveexplanation. Usually the control was at the fortymove so by this repetition the players could gainsome more time to think making another twomoves. Is interesting the psychological aspectof this repetition, that even in our days the GM'susually play the same move order.
[ 13.a4 A) 13...Bf8
A1) 14.Bg5 h6 ( 14...Na5 15.axb5 axb5 16.Rxa5 Also here a concrete exchangesacrifice could lead to a better position forWhite by exploiting the tactical means ofthe position. After the exchanges Whitewill attack the f7 square, for Black being
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impossible to defend the pawn.
Rxa5 17.dxe5 dxe5 18.Qxd8 Rxd8 19.Nxe5 Bxe4 20.Nxf7 Bd5 There are nouseful places for the dark rook so givingback the exchange is a forced measure.
21.Nxd8 Bxb3² To do list:-White should try to exchange one of thetwo bishops of his opponent, annulling inthis manner the compensation gave by thebishops pair-activate with tempo the b1-knight-play Ne6 attacking the dark squaresbishop )
15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Bd5 This is one themajor difference, allowing white to enter inthis sort of position with a slight advantagedue to the better placed light squaresbishop on d5, and on the possibility toattack the b5 pawn. ;
A2) 14.Nbd2; B) 13...h6 Could lead to the same classicalline but exist a difference. On the highestlevel each fineness can make the difference.So with h6 first Black is protecting the g5square not allowing any diversion from themain line of the variation.
14.Nbd2 Entering on the normal path. ]
13...Bf8 14.a4 h6 15.Bc2 The CQS of theretreat of the light squares bishop are not soobviously at the first glance: Actually White ispreparing to attack the dark king position in thefuture on the b1-h7 diagonal, leaving also freethe way of entering in the battle of the a1-rookvia a3, and g3 or e3 if is possible.
exd4 The rapid way, with tempo gaining. ForBlack to react on the queen side maintainingalso the centre under pressure is the bestchoice.
[ 15...Qd7 An interesting alternative was tokeep the e-file closed, activating the dark
queen creating the bond between the rooks.
16.d5 White is trying to activate the darksquares bishop on the a3-f8 diagonal,threatening c4-c5, destroying the pawnsstructure and dark pieces coordination.
Ne7 17.b3 b4 A very interesting idea, thispawn sacrifice in this sharp line of Spanishdefence. The idea is simple: to keep closedthe c1-bishop and in the same time to destroythe pawn structure on the queen side.
( 17...c6 ) 18.cxb4 ( 18.c4 ) 18...c6 19.dxc6 Nxc6 To do list:-Black is menacing to play d5 opening thedark squares bishop regaining the pawn-Then he will put a rook on d8 to hinder thewhite queen keeping good prospects to takethe initiative. ]
16.cxd4 Nb4 With the knight depart isprepared the typical Spanish advance c7-c5.
17.Bb1 c5 18.d5 When the bishop is on b7White is trying in the majority of the Spanishvariations to close his range of action.
Nd7 An important manoeuvre meant to improvethe status of the f6-knight, bringing in the sametime more forces on the queen side. Also thedark queen is free and in some variationdefends the h4 square not allowing themanoeuvre Nh4-f5.
19.Ra3 A very important move trying to bringvery rapid on the king side a heavy piece, in thesame time a very aesthetic move, rarely madewhen all the pieces are on the board.
f5
[ 19...g6 Black has here several ways to try toactivate his own forces. One of them is to putin a less passive position the dark squaresbishop. But this move has also his drawbacksdue to modified position of the pawn structure,and in some measure the weakness of thedark squares from king side. 20.Nh2
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Preparing Ng4 and free the third rank for therook.
Bg7 21.Ndf3 Nb6 22.Ng4 ( 22.axb5 axb5 23.Ng4 Also is possible to exchange on b5. )
A) 22...h5 23.Bg5 f6 ( 23...Qd7 24.Nf6+ Bxf6 25.Bxf6 To do:-with the simple idea Qd2, Qh6 )
24.Nh6+ Kh7 ( 24...Kf8 25.Nh4 Bxh6 26.Bxh6+ Kf7 27.e5 ) 25.e5 A strong andtypical tactical resource giving white a verystrong attack onto Black king.
fxg5 26.Nf7 Qe7 27.N3xg5+ Kg8 28.Bxg6 To do list:-White has a full compensation for thesacrificed piece menacing Qxh5-Bringing the rook on f3 or g3 with a mateattack ;
B)
22...Kh7
23.axb5 ] [ 19...c4 20.Nd4 ( 20.axb5 axb5 21.Nd4 ) 20...Qf6 21.N2f3 Nc5 And Black is menacingto enter on d3. White can take on b5, and thansacrifice the exchange for two pawns keepingthe position very complicate.
22.axb5 axb5 ( 22...Nbd3 23.Bxd3 Nxd3 24.Rxd3 cxd3 25.b6÷ ) 23.Nxb5÷ And Blackhas compensation for the sacrificed pawn dueto the possible entrance from d3. ]
20.Nh2
[ 20.exf5 Nf6 Is very risky for White giving upall the attacking chances, while the d5 pawncan't be defended. ]
[ 20.g4 A very strong move made byKasimdzhanov trying to open the lines ontoBlack position.
fxg4 ( 20...fxe4 After the exchange on e4 thelight diagonal is free and White keeps good
attacking chances. )
21.hxg4 Ne5 Black has to bring in defencethe light squares bishop so is freeing the c8-h3 diagonal, exchanging in the same time oneof the defenders of the White's king.
22.g5 trying to destroy the pawn structurewho defend the black king position.
Bc8 23.Nxe5 Qxg5+ 24.Rg3 Qxe5To do list:-White has good attacking chances after thereply Nf3 with tempo opening the darksquares bishop, and in some variations alsoe4-e5 is possible opening the other bishopfrom White camp-Kg2 with idea Rh1 attacking directly the darkking position ]
20...Nf6 21.Rg3 To do list:-White has to attack direct Black's king positionactivating the rook-Open the dark squares bishop from c1 byplaying Ndf3 menacing Bh6 and in the sametime Nh4.-Try to open the light squares bishop by forcingthe opening of the b1-h7 diagonal