Sicilian Najdorf 6.

Bg5 - Polugaevski [B94]

xabcdefghy
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 b5 [The good, old Polugaevsky
Variation is rarely seen these days as it is now known
[12...gxf6? 13.Ne4! Qe3+ 14.Kh1 is extremely
to be a tad too risky and unnecessarily complicated
dangerous for Black: 14...Be7
even for Najdorf players. However, the fact that
a) 14...Qxe4 15.Bf3 Qh4 16.Bxa8 Bc5(16...Bd6 17.g3
Nakamura has used this variation in top-level
Bxg3 18.Nf3 Qh3 19.Qd4!)
competition shouldn't be overlooked and a well-
prepared player can still expect to surprise a few XABCDEFGHY
opponents with it.] 8.e5 dxe5 [This is forced;] 8Lsnl+k+-tr(
[8...h6?! 9.Bh4 dxe5 (9...g5 10.fxg5 dxe5 (10...Nh7 7+-+-+p+p'
11.Qh5 hxg5 12.Bg3 Bg7 13.0–0–0 leads to a dream 6p+-+pzp-+&
attacking position for White.) 11.Ndxb5 axb5 12.Qf3
e4 (12...Ra7 13.Bxb5+!; 12...Ra5 13.gxf6) 13.Bxb5+ 5+p+-+-+-%
Bd7 (13...Nfd7 14.Qxe4) 14.Qxf6 Qxf6 15.gxf6 Bb4 4-+-wQ-+-+$
16.Be2) 10.fxe5 g5 11.exf6 gxh4 12.Qf3 Qxd4 3+-+-+Nvlq#
(12...Ra7?! 13.0–0–0) 13.Qxa8 Bd6 14.Rd1 Qb6 2PzPP+-+-zP"
15.Qe4]
1tR-+-+R+K!
9.fxe5 Qc7! [This is the key tactical point behind xabcdefghy
Black's impish pawn push on the 7th move. Black 17.c3 is just better for White with his extra material;
threatens to snare the two bishops early in the game in b) 14...f5?? 15.Nf6+ Ke7 16.Nxf5+ exf5 is a nice
return for his lack of development. In such an open tactic 17.Nd5+;
position Black can hope to seize the initiative with his 15.Nxf6+ Bxf6 16.Rxf6 was good for White, given
bishop pair, particularly down the a8–h1 and a7–g1 that he has eliminated the dark-squared bishop which
diagonals, but only if he is able to consolidate. As is normally Black's best defensive and offensive
such, play tends to be extremely concrete.] 10.exf6 piece.]
[This has become established as White's main attempt
to refute the Polugaevsky outright.] 10...Qe5+ 11.Be2 ======================================
[Virtually the only move here.] 11...Qxg5 12.0–0 12...Qe5 13.Nf3 Standard, but by no means forced.
[This is the first key position for the line with 10 exf6. (13.Kh1! has scored extremely well in tournament
At first glance, it appears that Black has a terrible practice. After the more or less forced 13...Ra7
position. He has only developed his queen, made a a) 13...gxf6 14.Re1!;
series of pawn moves and is nowhere close to getting b) 13...Bb7 14.Bf3 Bxf3 15.Qxf3 Bd6 (15...Ra7?
his king to safety, while White is way ahead in 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Rad1) 16.g3 0–0; 14.Nf3 Qxf6
development, has already castled and didn't even need 15.Ne4! Qd8 (15...Qg6 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 17.Qxd6 Nd7
to sacrifice material for this. --- A closer look at the 18.a4 looks very dodgy for Black indeed) 16.Qe1! ,
position will, however, show that matters are far from preventing 16...Be7 17.Qg3 , looks very strong for
so straightforward. As mentioned earlier, Black only White indeed. If this line forces an edge for White, the
needs a couple of moves to get his bishop pair into theoretical relevance of the much more popular 13
play (such as ...Bb7 and ...Bc5), and will seize the Nf3 may be reduced to shreds.)
initiative if he is able to do so without having to make
any concessions. Play is typically bloodthirsty, with 13...Qxf6? is simply asking for it: 14.Ne4 Qd8
White trying to put Black away early in the (14...Qxb2 15.Nfg5 f5 16.Nd6+ Bxd6 17.Qxd6 Qf6
middlegame and Black normally hanging on by a 18.Bf3 , winning the exchange and potentially more
thread, often with the help of tactics.] than that.) 15.Qxd8+ Kxd8 16.Nfg5 f5 17.Nf7+ Ke8
18.Nxh8 fxe4±
[12...Bb7? 13.Bf3 just helps White accelerate his
attack: 13...Qe3+ (The typical 13...Ra7? loses to -----------------------------------------------------------------
14.Nxe6! fxe6 (14...Qe3+ 15.Kh1 Qxe6 (15...fxe6 13...Bc5+ [This used to be the main move before
16.fxg7!) 16.Re1) 15.f7+ Ke7 16.Qd4!) 14.Kh1 Bxf3 White more or less found a way to obtain an
15.Rxf3 Qe5 16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.f7+ Ke7 18.Qf1] advantage with forceful play.]
XABCDEFGHY
14.Kh1 Qxf6 15.Ne4 Qe7 16.Ne5! [This can lead to
8rsn-+-vl-tr( some pretty wild tactics.]
7+-+-mkPzpp'
6p+-+p+-+& 16...0–0 [16...f5 is the other main move here. After
5+p+-wq-+-% 17.Bh5+ (this move, preparing a temporary sacrifice,
is the most promising) 17...g6 18.Nxg6 hxg6
4-+-+-+-+$ 19.Bxg6+ Kf8 20.Nxc5 , we arrive at a strange
3+-sN-+R+-# position, with White having an extra pawn but both
2PzPP+-+PzP" his minor pieces are vulnerable. At the same time,
1tR-+-+Q+K! Black has a trump card in the form of his passed e-
pawn and if he gets to consolidate and develop his 22.b4! (this secures the c5–knight, which is an
queenside, particularly with ...Bb7 and a future annoying thorn in Black's side) 22...Nxb4
...Rah8, he may gain dangerous counterplay. Now: (22...a5 23.Qf3! is awkward to meet, as 23...e5 24.Bg4
20...Nc6!? is unplayed according to my database, but Qh4 25.Bh3 axb4 26.Rad1 is extremely dangerous for
appears to be a promising alternative. After Black; the natural and aggressive-looking 26...Ra3 is
met with 27.Ne6+! Bxe6 28.Qxc6 , when Black's
a) 20...Kg7?? loses in a straightforward manner: compensation after 28...Rxh3 29.gxh3 Bd7 30.Qg2
21.Nxe6+ Kxg6 (21...Bxe6 22.Bxf5 and with three Bc6 (30...Qe7 31.Qa8+ Qe8 32.Qxe8+ Kxe8 33.Kg1)
pawns for the piece plus an unstoppable attack) XABCDEFGHY
22.Nf4+ Kg7 (22...Kh6?? 23.Qh5+ Kg7 24.Qg6+ Kf8 8-+-+k+-+(
25.Rae1 is a massacre) 23.Rf3! with a devastating
attack: for example, 23...Qe5 24.Rg3+ Kf6 25.Nh5+ 7+-+l+-+-'
Kf7 26.Rg7+ Ke6 27.Qg1! , followed by Re1.; 6-+-+-+-tr&
5+p+-zpp+-%
b) 20...Qxc5 loses to 21.Qd8+ Kg7 22.Qg5! , when 4-zp-+-+-+$
Black has no defence to White's numerous threats. For
example, 22...Rxh2+ 23.Kxh2 Qe5+ 24.Kg1 Qf6
3+-+-+-+P#
25.Qg3 Qxg6 26.Qc7+ , winning material.; 2P+P+-+-zP"
1+-+R+RmK-!
c) 20...Rh6 21.Bh5! (again, this is the most promising) xabcdefghy
(Even after Black is okay after the tempting 21.Nxe6+ 31.Rxf5+ Ke7 ends in White's favour, although
Bxe6 22.Bxf5 Bf7) 21...Nc6! , Black's position looks admittedly White has had to play some good moves to
loose and precarious, but White has to play some get here 32.Rxe5+ Kf7 33.Rf5+ Ke7 34.Rf3)
exact moves to obtain a plus: 23.Bf3. Once again, Black has several options:
23...Nc6! has only been played once, but appears to be
c1) 21...Qxc5?? loses easily to 22.Qd8+ Kg7 23.Rf3! strongest according to my analysis:
Qe5 (23...Rxh5 24.Rg3+ Kf7 25.Qg8+ Ke7 26.Rg7+
Kf6 27.Rf7+ Ke5 28.Qg3+ Kd5 29.Qf3+) 24.Qg5+ c1) 23...Rb8? 24.Qd2 Rh4 25.g4! is extremely strong.
Kh7 25.Bg6+ Rxg6 26.Rh3+ Kg7 27.Qe7+ Kg8 Black can hardly move without losing material.;
28.Qe8+ Kg7 29.Qh8+ Kf7 30.Qxe5; XABCDEFGHY
c2) White also has a nagging edge after 21...Ra7 8-trl+-mk-+(
22.Ne4! Rd7 23.Qe2 Kg8 24.Ng3 Nc6 25.a4 with 7+-+-wq-+-'
pressure all over the board.; 6p+-+p+-+&
XABCDEFGHY 5+psN-+p+-%
8-+l+-+k+( 4-sn-+-+Ptr$
7+-+rwq-+-' 3+-+-+L+-#
6p+n+p+-tr& 2P+PwQ-+-zP"
5+p+-+p+L% 1tR-+-+R+K!
4P+-+-+-+$ xabcdefghy
3+-+-+-sN-#
2-zPP+Q+PzP" c2) 23...Qc7 was given by Thomas Luther in 'Experts
1tR-+-+R+K! vs the Sicilian' along with some impressive analysis:
24.h3 Nc6 25.a4! (softening up the queenside as
xabcdefghy
advertised) 25...Rb8
c3) White successfully regroups and consolidates after
c21) 25...bxa4 26.Qd2 and White has a winning
21...Nd7? 22.Bf3! Ra7 23.Qd2 Rh7 24.Nd3 with a
attack. The rest of the game is an illustration of
fantastic position.;
White's ruthless attacking potential: 26...Kg7 27.Rxa4
XABCDEFGHY e5 (27...Ra7 28.Rh4! Rxh4 (28...Rg6?! 29.Nd3)
8-+l+-mk-+( XABCDEFGHY
7tr-+nwq-+r' 8-+l+-+-+(
6p+-+p+-+& 7tr-wq-+-mk-'
5+p+-+p+-% 6p+n+p+r+&
4-+-+-+-+$ 5+-+-+p+-%
3+-+N+L+-# 4-+-+-+-tR$
2PzPPwQ-+PzP" 3+-+N+L+P#
1tR-+-+R+K! 2-+PwQ-+P+"
xabcdefghy 1+-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy
29.Qg5+ Kf7 30.Qxh4 wins) 28.Rh4! Rg6 (similarly, Qc6 33.Ne4! (with an eye on the e7–square) 33...Ra7
28...Rxh4 29.Qg5+ Kf7 30.Qxh4 is winning) 29.Bh5 34.Ng3 f4 35.Qb2 Bh3! 36.Qxe5+ Kh7 37.Rdf3
Qd6 30.Qf2 followed by Rd1; (37.Rd2 Bxg2+ 38.Rxg2 fxg3 39.hxg3 Rh6+ 40.Kg1
Qb6+ 41.Rgf2 Rg7 , Black managed to hold this
c22) closing the queenside with 25...b4 does not really inferior endgame with tenacious defence) 37...Bxg2+
limit the damage, as after 26.Qd2 Kg7 (while 26...Rg6 38.Kxg2 fxg3 39.hxg3 Qxc2+ 40.R1f2 Qc6;
27.Bh5! , followed by Rae1, is crushing) ;
21.Nd3 (Trying to transpose to the 20...Rh6 21 Bh5
26.axb5 axb5 (26...Rxb5?! 27.Nxa6 Qd7 28.Qc1) Nc6 22 b4 line with 21.b4?! can be met by 21...a5! ,
27.Qd2 Kg7 (27...Rg6?! 28.Bh5 Rg7 29.Qh6) 28.Qf2 based on the point 22.Qf3 (a fascinating alternative is
XABCDEFGHY 22.Qd2!? Kg7 23.Rae1! Kxg6 24.g4!? , with an attack
8-trl+-+-+( for White) 22...Ne5!! 23.Qxa8 Rxh2+ 24.Kxh2
(24.Kg1 Rh1+! is the same) 24...Qh4+ 25.Kg1 Qd4+
7+-wq-+-mk-' with a perpetual.)
6-+n+p+-tr& 21...Rh6 , we reach a final divide: 22.Nf4 (22.Bh5
5+psN-+p+-% Kg7! (preparing to complete development with ...Bb7
4-+-+-+-+$ and ...Rah8, as mentioned in an earlier note) (my first
thought for Black was 22...Qh7 , which seemed very
3+-+-+L+P# strong until the computer pointed out the line 23.Qf3
2-+P+-wQP+" Rxh5 (23...Bb7?! 24.Nf4 Nd4 25.Qe3! Qg7 26.Rf2 e5
1tR-+-+R+K! 27.Re1+–) 24.Qxc6 Bb7 25.Qc5+ Kg8 26.Qd6=)
xabcdefghy 23.Bf3 Bb7 24.Qe1 Rah8 25.Qg3+! (25.h3 e5
e5 29.Bxc6 Qxc6 (29...Rxc6 30.Ra7 Qxa7 31.Ne6+ 26.Nxe5 also leads to a safe edge) 25...Rg6 26.Qf2 e5
Rxe6 32.Qxa7+ Rb7 33.Qa8+–) 30.Ra7+; 27.Rae1 e4 28.Nf4 Rgh6 29.h3 with a messy position.
Black certainly has counterplay, although I doubt it's
c3) The typical Polugaevsky move 23...Ra7 is met by sufficient for equality.) 22...e5 23.Qd5! exf4 24.Rae1
24.Qd2 , when after 24...Rh7 (24...Rh4 25.Rae1! Kf7 Rxg6 25.Rxe7 Kxe7 is wonderfully unclear. The
26.g3 Rc4 27.Nxe6! Bxe6 28.Qh6 , White has a computer likes White, but I actually prefer Black's
relentless attack.; 24...Rxh2+ 25.Kxh2 Qc7+ 26.Kh1 chances and think his two pieces and rook will
Qxc5 27.Qh6+ Kg8 28.Rad1 is completely winning outweigh White's queen in the long run. Thus
for White) 25.Qxb4 Rc7 26.Nd3 Qxb4 27.Nxb4 Rc4 20...Nc6!? may be the way to go if Black wishes to
28.Nd3 Rxc2 29.Rfe1; revive the entire 13...Bc5+ variation. --- At long last
we can now return to 16...0–0.]
24.Qd2 Kg7 (24...Rh7 25.Nd3
XABCDEFGHY 17.Nxf7 Rxf7 [The untried 17...Nc6 leads to a similar
advantage for White as the main line after 18.Bd3
8r+l+-mk-+( (18.Bh5 g6 19.Nxc5 Qxc5 20.Nh6+ Kg7 21.Rxf8 Qxf8
7+-+-wq-+r' 22.Bf3 Qc5 is less clear) 18...Rxf7 19.Rxf7 Kxf7
6p+n+p+-+& (19...Qxf7?! 20.Ng5) 20.Qh5+ g6 21.Qxc5; Instead,
5+p+-+p+-% 17...Bb7 gives White a few options: 18.Neg5!? is a
crazy computer-inspired line, and now
4-+-+-+-+$
3+-+N+L+-# a) 18.Nxc5 Qxc5 19.Qd6 Qxd6 20.Nxd6² was slightly
2P+PwQ-+PzP" better for White;
1tR-+-+R+K!
xabcdefghy b) 18.Bd3 Rxf7 19.Rxf7 Kxf7 (19...Qxf7 20.Ng5!
wins for White) 20.Qh5+ g6 21.Rf1+ Kg8 22.Qxc5
Qd6 26.h3 Raa7 27.Rad1)
Qxc5 23.Nxc5 Bd5 is similar to 18 Nxc5, again with a
XABCDEFGHY slight plus for White. 24.a4;
8-+l+-mk-+(
7tr-+-+-+r' 18...Be3 (18...h6?? 19.Bd3! is another nice tactic)
6p+nwqp+-+& 19.Bd3 (the crazy 19.Nxe6!? is Houdini's first choice,
but I'm not even going to try to dissect this) 19...Bxg5
5+p+-+p+-% 20.Qh5 Bh6 21.Nxh6+ gxh6 22.Rxf8+ Kxf8
4-+-+-+-+$ (22...Qxf8?? 23.Rf1!) 23.Rf1+ Kg7 24.Qe5+ Kg8
3+-+N+L+P# 25.Rf4 Bxg2+! 26.Kxg2 Qg5+ 27.Qxg5+ hxg5 28.Rf6
2P+PwQ-+P+" is a sample variation.]
1+-+R+R+K!
18.Rxf7 Kxf7 19.Bh5+ Kg8 [was the computer's first
xabcdefghy choice, but after 19...g6 20.Nxc5 Ra7 21.Ne4 Kg7
25.Bxc6 Qc7! is the main tactical point behind Black's (21...gxh5?? 22.Nd6+!) 22.Bf3 e5 23.c3 Bf5 24.Qg1!
idea. After 26.Qg5+ Rg6 27.Qe3 Qxc6 28.Rf3 Qd6 (an exquisite move) 24...Bxe4 25.Bxe4 Rd7 26.Qe3 ,
29.Qc3+ e5 30.Rd3 Qf6 , White's pieces are the more White retains a slight advantage.]
active and the black king is slightly the more
vulnerable, but after the creative 31.Rf1 b4! 32.Qxb4
20.Nxc5 Ra7! [Again, the typical Polugaevsky move, 13...Qe3+!? [This has been fairly topical in the
preparing ...Rd7 and anticipating White's Bf3.] 10...Qe5+ variation ever since the problems with
13...Bc5+ were found and never really solved.]
[Instead, 20...Nc6?! 21.Bf3 Qxc5 22.Bxc6 Ra7
23.Qd8+ Qf8 24.Be8! Re7 25.Qxc8 Rxe8 26.Qxa6 14.Kh1 Nd7 [14...Bb7 15.Nd4! is strong, threatening
Qc5 27.a4 bxa4 28.Qxa4 leads to a promising the devastating 16 Ncxb5 and to exchange Black's
endgame for White;; 20...Nd7 21.Bf3! (21.Nxe6?! only active piece with Bf3 15...Nd7 (15...gxf6?!
Bb7 (21...Qxe6? 22.Bf3!) 22.Nd4 Rd8 23.c3 Nc5 is 16.Ncxb5! Bc5 17.Nf5 exf5 18.Bf3+–) 16.Bf3 Bxf3
less clear as Black gets active play in exchange for the 17.Rxf3 Qe5 18.a4 b4 19.Nc6 Qc7 20.fxg7 Bxg7
pawn) 21...Rb8 22.Nxe6 Nf6 23.Nd4 results in a clear 21.Nxb4 , when Black doesn't have sufficient
extra pawn for White;; and 20...Qxc5 loses in compensation for the pawn deficit.; 14...Ra7 can be
straightforward fashion to 21.Qd8+ Qf8 22.Bf7+!] met strongly by 15.Re1 , with a strong initiative.
15...Qh6 (15...Qf4? 16.Nd5!) 16.Ne5 Qxf6 17.Bh5 g6
21.Nd3! [White has a slight but comfortable edge in 18.Nd5 Qh4 19.Nf3 Qd8 (19...Qxh5? 20.Nf6+)
view of Black's inferior pawn structure. White's plan 20.Qd4 Nc6 21.Qxh8 Qxd5 22.Bg4±; The greedy (and
is fairly typical in this line: re-route the bishop to the insane) 14...gxf6? loses to 15.Nd5! , when 15...exd5
e4–square, pile up on the e6–pawn by doubling on the 16.Qxd5 Ra7 17.Rae1 is game over.]
e-file, and play a2–a4 at some stage to weaken Black's
pawns on the queenside.] 15.Re1 [This is the only move played so far.]
XABCDEFGHY
8-snl+-+k+( [Given that the text allows 16 Nd5 with tempo,]
7tr-+-wq-zpp' 15...Qa7! [has the point of not allowing that, although
6p+-+p+-+& it does not contain the above merits of 15...Qb6.
5+p+-+-+L% Hence, White should continue with the logical]
4-+-+-+-+$
[15...Qb6 Holding the e6–pawn and also guarding the
3+-+N+-+-# d6–square. 16.Nd5! Thematic, and again very strong.
2PzPP+-+PzP" 16...Qd6
1tR-+Q+-+K!
xabcdefghy a) 16...Qc5 is met by 17.Nd4! , a lovely tactical
nuance, similar to the main game: 17...Nxf6 leads to a
pleasant endgame advantage for White after
21...Nc6 [21...Nd7 22.Bf3
XABCDEFGHY a1) 17...Qxd5? 18.Bf3;
8-+l+-+k+(
7tr-+nwq-zpp' a2) 17...exd5? 18.b4! (deflecting the queen from its
6p+-+p+-+& important role of defending the d-pawn) 18...Qb6
(18...Qxb4 19.Bf3+ Be7 20.fxg7 Rg8 21.Nc6) 19.Bf3+
5+p+-+-+-% Kd8 20.Bxd5 Bb7 21.Qf3 Qxd4 22.Bxb7 Qxf6
4-+-+-+-+$ (22...Ra7? 23.fxg7 Bxg7 24.Rad1) 23.Bxa8;
3+-+N+L+-#
2PzPP+-+PzP" a3) 17...Bb7 18.b4! (18.Bf3!? Bxd5 19.Bxd5 Qxd5
20.fxg7 Bxg7 21.Nxe6 Qxd1 22.Nxg7+ Kf8 23.Raxd1
1tR-+Q+-+K! Kxg7 24.Rxd7 also leads to a nice endgame edge.)
xabcdefghy 18...Qd6 (18...Qxd5? 19.Bf3 Qd6 (19...Qc4 20.Bxb7
Rc7 (22...Bb7? 23.Qg1) 23.c3 Bb7 24.a4 Qd6 25.axb5 Ra7 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Bd5) 20.Bxb7 Ra7 21.Bc6 gxf6
axb5 26.Bxb7 Rxb7 27.Qe2] 22.a4) 19.Bf3 Ne5 (19...Bxd5 20.Nf5 (20.fxg7 Bxg7
21.Nf5) 20...Qb6) 20.Nf5 exf5 21.Nb6 gxf6 22.Nxa8;
22.Bf3 Nd4 [22...Bb7? is met by the aesthetic 18.Nxf6+ gxf6 19.Bf3 Ra7 20.Nc6 Rd7 21.Rxe6+ Be7
23.Qg1 , threatening 24 Qb6. White is clearly better (21...fxe6?? 22.Bh5+) 22.Rxe7+ Qxe7 23.Nxe7
after 23...Ra8 24.Nc5] Rxd1+ 24.Rxd1 Kxe7;

23.Be4 [White's minor pieces are now optimally b) 16...exd5? 17.Bxb5+ Kd8 18.Bxd7 Bxd7 19.Qxd5
placed and he has the simple plan of doubling on the Qc6 20.Qa5+ Kc8 (20...Qc7 21.fxg7 Bxg7 22.Qg5+)
e-file. His advantage is as much as he can hope for 21.Re3 Qd6 22.Rc3+ Kb7 23.Rb3+ Bb5 24.a4;
and it is clear that he is playing for two results.]
17.Nd4! Readers should be familiar with this beautiful
23...Bb7 24.Bxb7 Rxb7 25.c3 Nf5 26.Qe2 Rd7 shot by now. All lines lead to a clear edge for White.
27.Re1 [, Black will have a hard time for the rest of 17...Nxf6
the game.]
a) 17...exd5 18.fxg7 Bxg7 19.Nf5 Qf6 20.Bxb5+ Kd8
----------------------------------------------------------------- (20...Kf8? 21.Qxd5 is also crushing) 21.Qxd5 Ra7
22.Ne7!;
 [14...Qd5?! is risky. Here I like the untried 15.Rad1
b) 17...Bb7 18.Bf3 is the same as line before; (15.c3 was played by a 6 Bg5 Najdorf expert and is
also good: 15...Nc6 16.Nxc6 Qxc6 was S.Sulskis-
18.Nxf6+ gxf6 19.Bh5! Be7 (19...Ra7? is met by J.Stocek, Port Erin 2002, and here 17.fxg7! Bxg7
20.Qg4!) 20.Qf3 (20.Nxe6 is similar to a line that was 18.Qg3 exerts considerable pressure on Black's
analysed above. White was probably afraid of Black's position) 15...Qe5
drawing chances due to the presence of opposite-
coloured bishops in the resulting endgame. 20...Qxd1 a) 15...Nc6? 16.Nxc6 Qxc6 17.Qg3! is awkward to
21.Raxd1 Bxe6 22.Rxe6 Kf8 23.Rb6) 20...Ra7 21.Rad1 meet;
Qb6 22.Qh3 Kf8 23.Qe3 Ke8 24.Qh6 (24.Nxe6 Qxe6
25.Qxe6 Bxe6 26.Rxe6 is again slightly better for b) 15...g6 16.Qc3 Bb7 17.Kh1 Qxe4 18.Bf3 Qe5
White.) 24...Rc7 25.b4! prevents ...Rc5, which is a 19.Bxb7 Qc5 20.Qe3 with a continuing attack. Note
critical defensive manoeuvre. It is important that that 20...Bd6 (20...Rxb7? is not possible due to
25...Rc4 (25...Bd7 26.c3; 25...Bxb4?? 26.Qxf6!) 21.Nxe6! fxe6 22.Qxe6+ Be7 23.Rd5 , winning
26.c3! Rf8 (26...Rxc3 27.Bg4 Rc4 28.Qg7 Rf8 instantly.) ;
29.Nxe6 Bxe6 30.Rxe6 Qxe6 31.Bxe6 fxe6 32.Qxh7 is
also winning for White) ; 15...Qf4 was played in 16.Qc3 Bb7 17.Nxb5 Qxc3 18.Nbxc3 Rxd1 19.Rxd1
another training game of mine. Here play should gxf6 20.Nd6+ Bxd6 21.Rxd6 Bc6; Instead, the odd
transpose to the main line after 16.Nd5! Qd6 14...Qg6!? is rare for a good reason. After 15.Qe3 Bb7
(16...exd5? 17.Qxd5 Ra7 18.Ne5 would be completely 16.Bd3 , Black has to play the undesirable 16...Qh6
crushing.) ] (White was threatening Qg3, attacking g7 and the
knight on b8), when 17.Rf4 Bxe4 (17...e5?! 18.fxg7
16.fxg7 Bxg7 17.Ng5 [is aggressive and also worth a Bxg7 19.Nf5 Qxf4 20.Nxg7+ Kd8 21.Qb6+ Rc7
punt, when I think Black has to put the question to the 22.Nh5 Nd7 23.Qxc7+ Kxc7 24.Nxf4 exf4 25.Rf1 f5
knight with] 26.Ng5±) 18.Qxe4 looks promising for White.]

[17.Qd6!? Bb7! is probably the most accurate move 15.Nf3 [We have reached the first major crossroads.]
here. In some lines, Black can force White to worry
about his own king with moves like ...Rg8 and ...0–0– 15...Qc7!? [This rarely played move must have been a
0. Just a couple of sample lines: 18.Rad1 0–0–0 small surprise to Wang Hao. While theory does not
19.Qf4 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Qf2 21.Bd3 Bxf3 22.gxf3 and view this retreat favourably, we can expect Nakamura
here Black has to find the incredible 22...Ne5!! 23.Rf1 to know what he is doing given that he is extremely
Qc5 24.a4 with a terribly unclear position.] well prepared in the Najdorf.]

17...h6! [. Here I couldn't find anything other than [15...Qxb2 is, of course, the big main move and the
forced draws everywhere. For example, a typical line key to Black's survival in the entire Polugaevsky
goes] complex. After 16.Qe3 Bb7 (more or less the only
move) After spending considerable time on this
[17...0–0 18.Qd3 Nf6 19.Rf1 Qc5 20.Nce4 Nxe4 variation, I believe (an innocuous one such as
21.Qxe4 Qxg5 22.Qxa8 Bxb2 23.Rad1 wins the 16...Nc6? loses immediately to 17.Rfb1 Qxc2 18.a4!
exchange, although the battle is far from won for with the combined threats of Rc1 and Ne1) 17.Rab1!
White] is best: 17...Qxa2 (17...Qxc2 was recently played in a
handful of games, but Black seems to be more at risk
18.Nxf7 Kxf7 19.Bh5+ Kg8 20.Rxe6 Nf8 21.Re8 here than after capturing the other pawn: 18.Nfg5 Qc7
Bb7 22.Re7 Bxg2+! 23.Kxg2 Qxe7 24.Qd5+ Kh7 (the only move)
25.Qd3+ [with perpetual check.]
----------------------------------------------------------------- a) both 18...h6? 19.Rbc1 Qxc1 (19...Qxa2 20.Nxf7!)
20.Rxc1 hxg5;
======================================
[[[12...Ra7! [With all the problems surrounding b) and 18...g6? 19.Rbc1 Qxa2 (19...Qa4 20.Nxe6 fxe6
12...Qe5, as illustrated in the previous two games, it is 21.f7+ Rxf7 (21...Kd8 22.Qg5+ Re7 23.Qe5 , P.Negi-
now established that the text is the Polugaevsky's best E.Hermansson, Malmo 2007, led to quick wins for
chance of obtaining equality in the 10 exf6 variation. White) 22.Nd6+ Bxd6 23.Qxe6+) 20.Qa7 Qd5
Black does not waste any time with his queen or dark- (20...Nc6 21.Rxc6 Bxc6 22.Qb8+ Rd8 23.Qc7) ;
squared bishop and instead brings his queen's rook 19.a4! b4 (19...Qe5 was played in J.Zawadzka-
quickly to the d7–square which will be followed by N.Grandelius, Olomouc 2007, and for some reason
developing the light-squared bishop.] White didn't play 20.axb5 , which just seems to be
winning: 20...a5 21.Rbc1 g6 22.Nf3 Qxe4 23.Rc8+
13.Qd3 [Pretty much the main move here. It controls Rd8 24.Rxd8+ Kxd8 25.Qb6+ Ke8 26.Qc7!;
the e3–square and hence prepares Ne4 and/or Rad1.] meanwhile 'Chess Evolution' gave the following
13...Rd7 convincing line: 19...g6 20.axb5 a5 21.Nxe6! fxe6
[13...Qe5 14.Ne4 Rd7 transposes.] 22.Rbc1! Qe5 23.f7+ Ke7 24.Qa3+ Kd8 25.Qxa5+
Ke7 26.Nf6! and wins) 20.Rxb4! is a typical tactic in
14.Ne4 Qe5 [Kevin Goh Wei Ming: 'transposes.'] this line. The possibility of fxg7 at every turn prevents
Black from recapturing on b4. My preparation
continued 20...Nc6 21.Rb6! Nd4 22.a5 , with a big
advantage.) 18.c4 (the only move in the database) (but
I wonder about the objective merits of 18.Ne5!? ,
when it's not clear if the exchange sacrifice after
18...Qd5 19.Nxd7 Nxd7 20.Bf3 Qe5 is just enough for
Black to hold the position) 18...Bxe4 19.fxg7 Bxg7
20.Qxe4 reaches another critical tabiya: 20...Rd6 is
solid, defends e6 and prepares ...Nd7, after castling of
course. After (One of the brightest Chinese prospects
tested 20...h6 , simply preventing any Ng5 ideas. The
game probably followed preparation after 21.Ne5
Bxe5 22.Qxe5 0–0 23.Ra1 (23.Rb2 Qa3 24.Rf3 Qa1+
25.Rf1 Qa3 26.Rf3 Qa1+ 27.Bf1! Kh7 . Now 28.Rg3
is a possible improvement: for instance, 28...f6
29.Qe4+ Kh8 30.Rf2! with a continuing attack)
23...Qd2 24.Rf4 Rfd8 25.Raf1 Nc6 26.Rg4+ Kf8
27.Qg7+ Ke7 28.Re4 Qg5 29.Qxf7+ Kd6 30.Qf2!)
21.Ng5 Rd4 , White has: 22.Qe3! , as played in
several correspondence games, is an obvious
improvement. Now (22.Qb7? (the Indian prodigy
loses his way in the chaos) 22...0–0) 22...Qd2 (22...0–
0? 23.Nxf7! Rxf7 24.Qxe6 Rdf4 25.Bh5 Qxc4 26.Qxc4
Rxf1+ 27.Rxf1 bxc4 28.Bxf7+ Kh8 29.Bxc4) 23.Qxd2
Rxd2 24.Bh5 Bd4+ 25.Kh1 0–0 (25...Rf2 26.Rxf2
Bxf2 27.Rf1) 26.Bxf7+ Kh8 27.Nxe6 Rc8 28.Nxd4
Rxd4 29.cxb5 axb5 30.Rxb5 Rf4 31.Kg1 Rxf1+
32.Kxf1; Before we return to 15...Qc7, I should
briefly point out that the alternatives are simply bad: --
15...Rxd3? 16.Nxe5 Rd4 17.fxg7! Bxg7 18.Nxf7 0–0
19.Nfg5 Rxf1+ 20.Kxf1! h6 21.c3 with an extra pawn
for nothing;; while 15...Qf4? 16.Qc3! is a devastating
double attack. White gains a serious advantage after
16...Qxe4 17.fxg7 Bxg7 18.Qxg7 Rf8 19.Bd3 Qb4
(19...Qe3+ 20.Kh1 f6 21.Qg4 Re7 22.a4! ,
M.Stanford-R.North, Vancouver 2001.) 20.Rae1]

16.Qe3 Bb7 [16...g6?! has also been played. After

17.c4 b4 , I like 18.Bd1! , which is a nice transfer to a
much better diagonal. White quickly gained an clear
edge after 18...Bb7 19.Ba4 Bc6 20.Bxc6 Nxc6
21.Rad1 in T.Tenev-M.Scacco, correspondence 2004.
21...h5 22.Rxd7 Kxd7 23.c5]

17.a4!? [has never been played, but seems like

another possible try. For example,]

17...bxa4 [17...b4 18.Kh1 Bxe4 19.fxg7 Bxg7

20.Qxe4 Bxb2 21.Rab1 Bc3 22.Ng5; 17...Bxe4
18.Qxe4 transpose to 17...b4 or 17...bxa4]

18.Kh1 Bxe4 19.fxg7 Bxg7 20.Qxe4 Qc6 21.Qg4 0–0

[21...Bxb2 22.Rxa4 Qxc2 23.Ng1! Qg6 24.Qh4]

22.Ne5 Qxc2 23.Nxd7 Nxd7