The Harry Attack Repertoire

ChessBase 16 Printout, Naruemon , 8/28/2024 1
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a b c d e f g h
E60 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 ... h4!?2 Nc34 cxd55 Bf4 e3 Be28

g61 c63 d5 cxd56 Bg77 Nc6 0-09 
2 ... ... Nc310 d512 dxe6!?N14 Qxd8+ Bf4

... Bg7 c511 e613 dxe6!15 Kxd8 Ke716
3 ... ... ... ... e4 Be218 exd519

... ... ... d6! e617 exd5 Nbd7!?20 
4 ... ... ... Nf321 d523 e4 Be2

... ... Nc6!? d622 Nb8 c624 Bg425 
5 ... ... ... h5! cxd5 g428 dxe6

... ... d5 Nxh526 e627 Nf6 Bxe629 
6 ... ... ... e430 Nge2!32 f334 d535

... ... d6 Nc631 0-033 e5 Nd436 
7 ... ... ... ... Be2 Bg5!?38 Qd2!?40

... ... ... 0-0 h537 Nbd739 c541
8 ... ... d542 cxb544 e345 Nc347 Nf349

... c5! b543 a6 Bg746 0-048 d650 
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 ... ... cxd5 Nc3 Bd2 h5!? e4!

... d5?! Qxd551 Qa5 Qb652 gxh553 Qxd454
1
2...c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 8.d5 Nd4 ) 8.d5 Ne5 9.h5 Nxa4
[ 5.e3 axb5 6.Bxb5 Qa5+ 7.Nc3 10.Qxa4+ Bd7 11.Qa3 Qb6
Bb7 8.Bd2 Qb6 9.e4 ] 12.Qc3;
5...g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 B) 6...Nf6!? 7.Nxc5 e5 8.e3 Nc6
d6 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.g3 0-0 11.Kg2 Nbd7 9.Nf3 exd4 10.exd4 Nxd4
12.a4 11.Qxd4 Qxd4 12.Bb5+ Bd7
[ 12.h3 ] 13.Bxd7+ Nxd7 14.Nxd4 Bxc5 ]
[ 12.h4 Sipke Ernst: 'We have come to 4...Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7
a very familiar position from the Benko 3.Nf3 b6
that I have played so many times in
Blitz!' h5 13.Bg5 ] 3
An obvious question is what
2...Nc6 3.Nf3 happens if Black radically prevents
[ 3.Nc3 e5 4.d5 Ne7 Marin: '?' 5.h4 ] the march of the h-pawn by means
3...e6 4.a3 of 3...h5 We are going to examine
the advance ...h7-h5 in connection
2
Originally I spent a lot of time of different setups for Black. For the
analysing the variation Perunovic, time being, we will focus on the
Milos: 'After Nach' 3.Nc3 d5 Gruenfeld setup where the inclusion
[ 3...Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Nf3 of the moves h2-h4 and ...h7-h5
( 6.Be3 ) 6...e5 ( 6...c5; 6...Bg4; works in White's favour. Black's
6...Na6; 6...c6 )] main problem is that after Black
4.cxd5 elects to keep the h-file closed
[ 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bg5 Ne4 6.cxd5 Nxg5 ahead of instigating a Grünfeld-
7.Nxg5 e6 8.Nf3 exd5 ] type counter in the centre. The
[ 4.h4!? , which is very interesting, but young Israeli FM playing Black here
there is now a fair bit of theory on this is by no means the only opponent
move and Black has a good response whose reaction to h2-h4 is to think:
in c5! , counterattacking in the centre. Best stop h4-h5 as soon as I can.
Perunovic,Milos: 'this is a well-known Blocking so cannot be a terrible
equalizer for Black. Carlsen has tried choice, but the inclusion of h4 and ...
Dies ist ein bekannter Ausgleichszug h5 does allow White some handy
für Schwarz. Carlsen hat kürzlich' extra options compared to normal
5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Na4 Perunovic,Milos: lines. 4.Nc3 White prepares to
'recently, but it's more or less just a expand with e2-e4 and now Black
rare try for one game. versucht, aber doesn't have to head for King's
es ist mehr oder weniger nur ein Indian waters, as we'll consider in
seltener Versuch für eine Partie.' Chapter Two, but might strike out
A) 6...Nc6 7.e4 Nb6? ( 7...Nf6 with arguably the best version of a
Grünfeld that we'll see in this 10.Bd2 e6 11.Nge2 exd5

chapter. 4...d5 Sipke Ernst: '' 12.Nxd5 Qd8 13.Nec3 Nc6
Opting for Grünfeld play after all 14.Bg5 Be6 15.Be2 Bxd5
and in a situation where Black won't 16.Nxd5;
lose a pawn in the centre or be A2) 7.Qd2 c6 8.0-0-0 ( 8.f3!? )
overrun by h4-h5. The alternative is 8...a6 9.f3 Qa5?! ( 9...b5!? )
4...Bg7 5.e4 d6 , which is likely to 10.Kb1 Re8 11.Bxf6;
be the choice of a King's Indian A3) 7.Be2;
player. White now has a few B) 6.Nf3 Bg4 7.e3 ( 7.Nh2 Bc8
tempting options, of which angling 8.e4 Nc6 9.d5 Nb8 10.f4 Na6
for an improved version of a 11.e5 Nh7 12.e6 fxe6 13.Bd3 Kf7
Petrosian variation might be best: 6. 14.Qb1 Nf8 15.0-0 ) 7...0-0 8.Be2
Be2 StartBracketKeeping Nbd7 9.0-0 ]
Black out of g4. Those who prefer 5.Nf3 Sipke Ernst: 'spoils white's castling
something more immediately rights but the Queen gets in huge
aggressive should consider both 6. trouble after'
Bg5!? followed by Qd2 and the [ 5.Bg5 Not the most common move
Sämisch style 6.f3 . with the h-pawns at home, if far from
EndBracket a terrible move there, and one which
StartFENrnbqk2r/ppp1ppb1/ certainly carries a positional threat in
3p1np1/7p/2PPP2P/2N5/PP2BPP1/ this case. Don't forget, though, that
R1BQK1NR b KQkq - 1 depending on any anti-Grünfeld
6EndFEN 6...O-O 7.Nf3 . experience you may have, you might
This is, of course, a main line King's prefer 5.cxd5 Nxd5 and then either 6.
Indian with h4 and ...h5 inserted e4 or 6.Bd2 . dxc4 ( 5...c5
and the difference can quickly be This is ever a valid move in the
felt, not least in the event of 7...e5 8. Grünfeld, if rare here, with or without
d5 a5 StartBracketBlack's the h-pawns having advanced. 6.Bxf6
main move in the position without White should probably be consistent
the h-pawns and force matters so. exf6 7.cxd5
advancedEndBracket 9. To avoid coming out a centre pawn in
Ng5! . A fine spot for the knight, not arrears for not very much, Black
least as Black may find himself really needs to activate his queen.
rather vulnerable on e6 should he Qb6 8.e3 White calmly keeps
break with ...f5. White can continue everything under control and is happy
simply with O-O, but he can also, of to once again dangle b2 before Black.
course, angle for more aggressive cxd4 8...Qxb2 9.Bb5+ gives White a
play with Be3 and f2-f3, looking to handy lead in development, with Nge2
Qd2 and O-O-O or even g2-g4. and Rb1 high on the agenda. 9.Qxd4
[ 4...d6 5.Bg5 ( 5.g3; 5.e4 Bg7 Denying Black any fun and we
6.Be2 0-0 7.Nf3 e5 8.d5 ) 5...Bg7 shouldn't lose sight of the fact that
A) 6.e4 0-0 White is a pawn up. Qxb2 10.Rb1
A1) 7.f3 c5 8.d5 a6 9.a4 Qa5 Qa3 11.Bb5+ This is likely even
stronger than picking off f6. White pretty unhappy and will be even
simply wants to complete more so after Bxc4. 1.
development with Nge2 and O-O while Grünfeldesque Lines (...d-1C |
retaining a strong initiative. 1. Grünfeld with 3...h5 +,6;
Grünfeldesque Lines (...d-1C | B) 6...c5 7.dxc5 Qxd1+ 8.Rxd1
Grünfeld with 3...h5 +,9 ) 6.e4 Be6 9.Nge2 Nbd7 10.Nf4 Nxc5
White already takes over the centre, 11.Nxe6 Nxe6 12.Bxc4;
leaving Black struggling. C) 6...Bg7 7.Bxc4 0-0 8.e5 Nh7
A) 6...Nc6 After 6...c5 7.d5 Bg7 8. 9.Bf4 Bf5 10.Nf3 e6 11.Qd2 Nc6
Bxc4 a6 9.a4 White enjoys a 12.Rd1 ]
definite space advantage, Black 5...Bg7
lacks counterplay and once again [ 5...dxc4? 6.e4 c5 7.Bxc4 ( 7.d5 )
badly wishes he could go ...h6, as 7...cxd4 8.Qxd4 Qxd4 9.Nxd4 ]
we noted briefly while examining 6.Bg5!? !? the g5-bishop is very stable.
Mikhalevski-Iliaguev. 7.d5 In Gruenfeld, Black often gains
Taking up the challenge. Ne5 tempi by using the vulnerable
This ambitious try was seen in position of this bishop. For example,
Boyer-De Ruiter, Guimaraes 2021, now the typical idea of ...Ne4 is
where 8.Qd4?! might have been less effective. Sipke Ernst: '!' Sipke
met by 8...Nfg4! . 8.Nf3 Ernst: 'An important point is that
White simply develops and will now now after' Unable to shatter Black's
even recapture on f3 with the g- structure on f6, White simply
pawn, opening the g-file. Indeed, develops, taking control of e5 in
it's not hard to imagine the black the process. Now Black would quite
king coming under pressure on g8 like to go ...h6, but that is, of course,
with Bxc4 and Rg1 played. White is illegal. Straightforward development
also happy to sacrifice a pawn: Bg4 as White clamps down further on
( 8...Nxf3+ 9.gxf3 Bg7 10.Bxc4 ) the e5- and g5-squares, while
9.Qd4 Nxf3+ 10.gxf3 Bxf3 11.Rh3 asking Black: just how will you free
The bishop only has one square, your position with ...h6 not being
but even that won't prevent White possible? 6...dxc4 The most
from obtaining a powerful initiative: principled reaction. Black is
Bg4 12.e5 Suddenly exf6 followed planning to attack the centre by
by fxe7 is quite a threat and so the means of ...c7-c5 GM Pavel
knight pretty much has to move. Eljanov: 'The most principled
Nd7 13.e6 The main point of reaction. Black is planning to attack
White's play and once again Black the centre by means of ...c7-c5.'
has only one move: Nf6 14.exf7+ [ Playing in the Schlechter style with
Kxf7 15.Re3 White has sacrificed 6...c6?! does not work well. White's
two pawns, but you have to like most practical choice is A solid stance,
his compensation. He'll manage to and one which is unlikely to trouble
castle after f3 and O-O-O, in White.
contrast to which the king on f7 is A) 7.e3 White continues his
unhurried development, content to ( 11...Bg4 12.Rxb7 ) 12.d5!

maintain control and see Black a Bxc3+ 13.Bd2 Bxd2+ 14.Qxd2
little low on counterplay. Ne4 Nd4 ( 14...Na5? 15.Qh6+- )
An active try, but White can 15.Nxd4 cxd4 16.Qxd4 Qa5+
maintain control. ( 7...0-0 8.Qb3 17.Qd2 Qxd2+ 18.Kxd2;
Not for the first time, a decent post B2) 7...cxd5 8.e3
for the queen. White keeps an eye With a bishop on g7, the Slav
on b7 and aims to entice Black into Exchange structure is favourable
8...dxc4 9.Bxc4 b5 when after 10. for White. Black's dark-squared
Be2 and a2-a4 Black may well find bishop is restricted by White's
that he has merely overextended on central pawn chain. Additionally,
the queenside. e6 9.Be2 Nbd7 being on g7, the bishop does not
10.0-0 This straightforward have control of the queenside
development left White with a very where White is planning to play.
pleasant edge in Santiago- A possible scheme would be Be2,
Goncalves, Ponta Grossa 2017. 0-0, Qb3, Na4-c5, and Rac1. The
Note especially Black's lack of fortified g5-bishop is also very
counterplay. White might follow up annoying. ( 8.Qb3 e6 9.e3 0-0
with Ne5 or simply centralise with 10.Be2 Nc6 11.0-0 )]
Rfd1, Rac1, Qc2 and then break [ The main drawback of the inclusion
with e3-e4. 1. Grünfeldesque Lines h2-h4 and ...h7-h5 is seen in the line
(...d-1C | Grünfeld with 3...h5 +,6 ) 6...Ne4?! Sipke Ernst: '!' This is ever a
8.cxd5 Nxc3 9.bxc3 cxd5 10.Bd3 thematic leap in the Grünfeld, but
White enjoys a pleasant edge. His once again comes up short here, in
queen's rook will enjoy a decent part because White's bishop is
view from b1, the king can go to g1 defended and he can force the pace:
and either c3-c4 or e3-e4 should 7.cxd5 cxd5 when Black should
lead to Black coming under some probably play Sipke Ernst: 'The bishop
pressure, not least against e7. And on g5 is defended extra. Normally
what about a certain pin? Bg4 black would proceed with ...Nxg5
11.Qb3 White calmly gets out of the followed by ... e6 but that doesn't
pin, refuses to fear doubled work anymore.' Now 7...Nxg5 8.Nxg5
pawns StartBracketthey would merely establish White's knight
would but increase the central on a pretty dominant post, so Black is
controlEndBracket, and likely to instead regain his pawn.
threatens to pick off b7 then d5. 1. A) The problem is that after
Grünfeldesque Lines (...d-1C | 7...Nxg5 8.Nxg5 ± the typical ...
Grünfeld with 3...h5 +,6; e7-e6 does not work since the g5-
B) 7.cxd5 knight is protected. GM Pavel
B1) 7...Nxd5 8.e4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 Eljanov: 'the typical ...e7-e6 does
c5 10.Rb1 0-0 ( 10...cxd4 not work since the g5-knight is
11.cxd4 Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ protected.' ( 8.hxg5 );
13.Kxd2 f6 ) 11.Be2 Nc6 B) 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 Marin: '+-'
Qxd5 move order' ) 20.Qe2 f6

B1) 9.g3 21.Be6+ Kh7 Marin: '+-'
B1a) 9...Qa5 22.Rb3 Sipke Ernst: ''
B1a1) 10.Qd2 c5 11.Rc1 Rf8 Sipke Ernst: '?' Sipke
cxd4 ( 11...0-0? 12.Bxe7 ) Ernst: 'would be a very
12.cxd4 Qxd2+ 13.Nxd2 bad decision. The extra
Nd7 14.d5; moves h4 and c6 favours
B1a2) 10.Qd3 Sipke Ernst: white tremendously.'
'' 10...c5 11.Bg2 cxd4 23.Kg2 Marin: '!?' Rae8
12.Nxd4 Na6 ( 12...0-0 24.g4 Marin: '!' Bh6
13.0-0 Na6 14.Rfd1 Nc5 ( 24...Qxe6 is the best
15.Qc4 ) 13.Qb5+ Qxb5 move according to the
14.Nxb5 Bd7? 15.Bxb7 engine :) ) 25.Bg3 Qd8
Bxb5 16.Rb1+-; 26.g5 Bg7 27.f4
B1b) 9...c5 Sipke Ernst: '!' Sipke Ernst: '' Nf7 28.f5
Sipke Ernst: 'and when the fxg5 29.fxg6+
knight moves white plays Nd6' Sipke Ernst: '!' Sipke
10.Bg2 Bf5 11.0-0 Be4 12.c4 Ernst: 'with a mating
Sipke Ernst: '??' Sipke Ernst: attack' Kxg6 30.Qc2+
'runs into' Qd7 13.d5! Marin: '' Kh6 31.Bxf7
B1b1) 13...Bxa1 14.Qxa1 Marin: '↑' Rxf7 32.Re6+
f6 15.Bf4 0-0 Sipke Ernst: Bf6 Marin: '?' 33.hxg5+
'transposes to the chapter Kxg5 Sipke Ernst: 'when
on 3... h5' 16.Bh6 Re8 my engine already thinks
17.Ng5 Sipke Ernst: '?!' white is completely
Bxg2 18.Kxg2 b6 winning. It sure looks
( 18...fxg5 19.Qg7# ) good, but really
19.Rd1; Stockfish...+5???'
B1b2) 13...Bxf3 14.exf3 34.Bf4+ Kxf4 35.Qe4+
0-0 15.Re1 Sipke Ernst: '?' 1-0 (35) Indjic,A (2623)-
Re8 1-0 (35) Indjic,A (2623) Rabrenovic,V (2371) Novi
-Rabrenovic,V (2371) Novi Sad 2018;
Sad 2018 B1b22) 16.Rb1+-;
B1b21) 16.Kh2 Qd6 B2) 9.Nd2 This might be even
17.Rb1 b6 Marin: '!?' stronger than the hardly shabby
18.Bh3 Marin: '?' Sipke 9.g3 of Indjic-Rabrenovic, Novi
Ernst: '+-' Sipke Ernst: Sad 2018. White simply prepares
'and the queen is gone' e2-e4 and attempts to prevent it
Nd7 Sipke Ernst: 'This will quickly backfire on Black: c5
position is also possible The thematic Grünfeld
to reach via 3...h5' 19.Bf4 counterstrike. 10.e4 Qd8 11.d5
Ne5 ( 19...Be5 20.Bxd7 A strong pawn sacrifice. If Black
Sipke Ernst: 'is another declines White will complete
development with Qc2, Be2, O-O White. His main idea is to invade
and enjoy his strong centre and via the c-file. Due to the inclusion
bishop on g5. Bxc3 12.Rc1 of the moves h2-h4 and . ..h7-h5,
Now Black should just accept Black does not have a
that he is a bit worse and return comfortable way of kicking the g5-
the pawn, rather than walk into bishop back. 1-0 (42) Eynullayev,
Nb3 or another little tactic: Bb4 A (2290) -Wang, S (2122) Abu
13.a3 Bxd2+ 14.Qxd2 Nd7 Dhabi 2019 GM Pavel Eljanov: 'is
15.Be2 A switch to simple still slightly better for White. His
development. Black is a pawn up, main idea is to invade via the c-
but his position is pretty file. Due to the inclusion of the
unpleasant due to his lack of moves h2-h4 and ...h7-h5, Black
dark-square control. Indeed, does not have a comfortable way
White might simply go O-O, of kicking the g5-bishop back.
Bf4 StartBracketor Be3 – 1-0 (42) Eynullayev, A (2290) -
Bh6 if ...O-O – and f2- Wang, S (2122) Abu Dhabi
f4EndBracket, e4-e5 and 2019' )]
roll forwards, with a powerful [ 6...0-0 A pawn sacrifice. We'll
initiative. 1. Grünfeldesque Lines explore the alternatives in Line 1C: ...
(...d-1C | Grünfeld with 3...h5 +, Ne4?!, ...dxc4!?, ...c6. 7.Bxf6
6; By no means forced, but obtaining an
B3) 9.e3 c5 10.Be2 cxd4 extra central pawn is rarely a terrible
11.cxd4 We have reached a deal. Bxf6 8.cxd5 And so we find
thematic Gruenfeld structure. If Black with an unopposed dark-
Black does not manage to squared bishop, but also a pawn down
quickly create counterplay, White and slightly cramped by that extra
has an advantage due to his pawn on d5. In short, it's hard to
better central control and the believe that he should have sufficient
possibility of quickly occupying compensation. c5 Hitting back on the
the c-file. Once again, the g5- dark squares. 8...c6 had previously
bishop disrupts Black's been seen in Solomon-Aizenberg,
coordination. With the move h2- Petah Tikva 2020, when White should
h4 included, the typical attempt have accepted: 9.dxc6 Nxc6 10.e3 .
to release the pressure Qa5+ This shores up the extra pawn on d4
can be answered with 12.Nd2! and looks pretty solid for White, who
Since the bishop is not hanging, may simply complete development
White is not forced to exchange with Be2 and O-O. A timely Qb3 may
the queens. White's next moves also prove useful
will be 0-0 followed by Nc4, Bf3, StartBracketnot only is an eye
and Rc1, developing a very kept on b7, but also f7, meaning that
strong initiative. ( The endgame Ng5 and even Bd3 could be a bit
arising after 12.Qd2 Qxd2+ awkward for BlackEndBracket,
13.Kxd2 is still slightly better for and even if he can get in ...e5, it
doesn't seem that Black can come especially good reason to reject the
close to equality, for example: more ambitious 11.e4 . Qxc5
AEndBracket White quickly takes over after this.
StartFENr1bq1rk1/pp2pp2/ Once again, 11...Nd7! was indicated,
2n2bp1/7p/3P3P/2N1PN2/PP3PP1/ although after 12.a3!
R2QKB1R b KQ - 0 StartBracketslyly preparing a
10EndFEN 10...Qa5 11.Qb3 certain potential fork with b2-
e5?! 12.d5 Ne7 13.Nd2! when Black's b4EndBracket 12...Bxc3 13.
dark-squared bishop is shut out and Qxc3 Qxc3+ 14.bxc3 Nxc5 15.c4
White will begin to take over the board Black's lead in development may not
after Nc4. BEndBracket give him quite enough for a pawn, in
StartFENr1bq1rk1/pp2pp2/ part because both Rd1 and Nd4 will
2n2bp1/7p/3P3P/2N1PN2/PP3PP1/ help White to retain control. 12.Ng5
R2QKB1R b KQ - 0 A powerful leap. Just because White
10EndFEN 10...Bg4 11.Be2 has exchanged his early activity for
Bxf3?! 12.Bxf3 e5 13.d5! when Delroy an extra pawn doesn't mean that he
the d-pawn looks like a rather useful can't still play actively. Just as the
asset indeed. 9.dxc5 This works out bishop earlier made good use of g5,
well, but once again 9.dxc6! was the so now does the knight. White avoids
route to a clear plus, as in our any issues with ...Bg4, threatens Nge4
previous note. Qa5 9...Nd7! leaves and all the while Black would be ill-
Black two pawns down, but White advised to exchange on g5 and so
can't hold on to both the extra units weaken his king position. Qa5
and... AEndBracket Scurrying away from Nge4 hits, not to
StartFENr1bq1rk1/pp1npp2/ mention ideas of Rc1. 13.Be2
5bp1/2PP3p/7P/2N2N2/PP2PPP1/ Simple chess. Mikhalevski prepares
R2QKB1R w KQ - 1 to complete development and then
10EndFEN 10.g3! Nxc5 11. make good use of his knight being on
Bg2 might yet retain a pull; Black's g5 to advance in the centre. Nc6
pieces are quite well coordinated, but Note that while 13...Bxc3 14.Qxc3
a pawn is a pawn as they say. Qxc3+ 15.bxc3 Rxd5 would see Black
BEndBracket regaining his pawn, after 16.Bc4 Rf5
StartFENr1bq1rk1/pp1npp2/ 17.e4 his rook isn't especially happy
5bp1/2PP3p/7P/2N2N2/PP2PPP1/ and it's also White who now leads in
R2QKB1R w KQ - 1 development. Indeed, after, say, Rd1,
10EndFEN 10.e4 Nxc5 11.e5 O-O, e4-e5 and f2-f4 Black might well
Bg7 should leave Black with sufficient find his pieces in a bit of a logjam.
compensation, with both ...Qb6 and ... 14.Rd1 And why not overprotect d5
Bg4 on their way. 10.Qd2 Breaking before housing the king? Ne5
the pin and so simply intending e2-e4, The point of Black's play, but while he
as well as ideas of just Rc1 or even can eye the c4- and g4-squares, his
Rd1. Rd8 11.e3 Keeping things tight minor pieces are about to become
at the back, although there was no targets for the white pawns to begin
their gradual roll down the board. 21.hxg5 Bg4 Discombobulating, but
15.0-0 Bf5 16.Kh1 Prudently even with his rook driven off the d-file,
avoiding any checks on the g1-a7 White is able to retain control and a
diagonal, although even after 16.e4 clear plus. 22.Rde1 22.Rc1! was
Bd7 17.f4!? Ng4 18.e5 White would likely more exact, as we'll see shortly.
have been doing well on account of Be6 23.d6 A big decision. It turns out
the fork-avoiding 18...Qb6+ 19.Qd4! . well, but objectively White should
Rac8 Arguably a bit too slow, but even have preferred 23.Rd1 , and if 23...
after the engines' preference of 16... Bg4 24.Rc1! b5 25.a3 , thereby
Qb6!? 17.e4 Bd7 White appears to be keeping Black's counterplay under
doing well: 18.f4 Ng4 19.Bxg4 Bxg4 control and hoping to only now edge
20.Nf3! . This keeps Black's bishops forwards with d5-d6. exd6 24.exd6
under control, prepares to roll Rc6 And there goes the d-pawn, but in
forwards with e4-e5 and 20...Bxf3? 21. return White is hoping to whip up a
Rxf3 Bxh4 22.e5 would merely leave nasty attack. 25.Rd1 White might like
Black's remaining bishop in some to go 25.Qe3 Rcxd6 26.Ne4 , but after
trouble, not to mention his king. 17.e4 26...Rd4! he doesn't seem to have
Here we go... White's play may not more than a draw with 27.Nf6+ Kg7 28.
have appeared super-aggressive f5! Bxf5 29.Ne8+ Kg8 30.Nf6+ , unless
between moves five and here, but with Black now falls for 30...Kh8?? 31.
such an outpost on g5, not to mention Qxd4! . Rcxd6 26.Qxd6 Rxd6
an extra central pawn, he was always 27.Rxd6 Talk about a transformation
going to be looking for ways to first of the position! The engines even now
expand in the centre and then use that fractionally prefer Black, but White's
extra space to begin a direct attack position is arguably the easier to play,
after all. Bd7 18.f4 Nc4 19.Bxc4 in part because if he can establish his
Rxc4 There goes White's second knight on f6, mating nets will always
bishop, but the pawn tsunami is really be in the air. Moreover, two rooks for
building up force by this point. 20.e5 just a queen cannot be such a bad
Logical and tempting, but it appears deal. Kg7 28.a3 Ruling out any
that 20.f5! would have been even notion of ...Qb4 or even ...b5-b4 as
stronger, preparing to crash through Mikhalevski refuses to rush. h4
with d5-d6 or if 20...Rd4 21.Qf4 Rxd1 Black's decision to try and expose the
22.Rxd1 . Now e4-e5 is very much a white king must be a good one,
threat, as is d5-d6 and 22...Qb4 23. although we must not lose sight of the
Qc7! would see some neat work by fact that his king too can easily
the white queen to retain a clear become a target. 29.Rd2 Avoiding
advantage after 23...Qb6 24.Qxb6 any issues on the second rank and
axb6 25.fxg6 fxg6 26.Kg1 on account also preparing his line-closing next
of the still powerful centre. Bxg5 move. h3 30.g3 And so Black has a
Good defence from Iliaguev and not certain fish bone of his own on h3,
20...Bg7? 21.e6! fxe6 22.Qd3 when but White should never get mated so
White would have crashed through. long as his rook covers g2. Qa6
31.Re1 Qc6+ This only forces White's about Rd8 and the mating net, as 38.
king on to a square where it can't Red2 Kf8 39.Rd8+ Ke7 merely walks
easily be checked. Instead, 31...Bg4! into a different one: 40.Ng8 .
is how the engines want to defend and Introduction-1C | Victor Mikhalevski –
after 32.Kh2 go 32...Bf3 . 32.Kh2 b5 N]
And just like that, Black's position 7.e4 Just as a move earlier, White can
veers from worse to lost as be happy to have seen Black swipe
Mikhalevski's judgement pays off. on c4. His centre is dominant, he
Good judgement we should add, since can push past after ...c5
at least from a practical perspective StartBracketor even
White's chances with the two rooks consider taking
against the queen and with potential itEndBracket, and will simply
mating nets were always decent ones. go Bxc4 unless Black counters very
Here 32...Bc4! was apparently dynamically: 7...c5 8.d5
required, preparing to throw a spanner The most ambitious continuation.
in the works with ...Bd3 or if 33.Ne4 [ The alternative 8.Bxc4!? is possible
Qe6! and the defence is just about as well. White still retains some
holding, as with 34.Rd8 34...Qc6! . advantage. ]
33.Ne4 Suddenly there's nothing 8...b5 9.e5 e5 This position looks very
preventing White from installing his dangerous for Black. Even though
knight in all its glory on f6 and then not completely forced, the following
calmly invading along the back rank variation is quite illustrative - A
with a rook. Qb6 34.Nf6 b4 fearless advance. The bishop can
34...Kf8 would try to run away, but always drop back to f4 to help
also runs into 35.Rxe6! Qxe6 36. support the powerful centre and
Rd8+ followed by mate or winning the White must have good
queen. 35.axb4 Qxb4 36.Ree2 compensation with it. 9...Nh7
Calmly does it. Suddenly Rd8 is a very The precise defence.
large threat. Qb6 Missing a tactic, but [ After 9...b4 This saw Black trying to
36...Qe7 37.Re4 would have been pick off d5 in Gomez-Paveto, Caba
followed by Red4 and Rd8, 2018, a pawn White should be happy
StartFEN8/p4pk1/4bNp1/6P1/ to sacrifice: 10.Na4 Nxd5 11.Bxc4
1q3P2/6Pp/1P1RR2K/8 b - - 1 Now Black is pretty much forced to
36EndFEN 36...Qf8 37.Rd4 retreat to b6, but that will mean his
and Red2 is also all over, and so is king remaining in the centre. Nb6
StartFEN8/p4pk1/4bNp1/6P1/ 12.Qxd8+ Kxd8 13.Bb3↑ White has
1q3P2/6Pp/1P1RR2K/8 b - - 1 dangerous initiative in this
36EndFEN 36...Qa5 37.b4! . queenless middlegame. Black has to
37.Rd6 Very pretty. The rook is clearly take care of his vulnerable king and
taboo in view of the check on e8, but poor coordination. This appears
declining it simply allows White to even stronger than taking on b6 and
double up on the d-file. Qb5 38.Red2 then f7. The bishop will recapture on
There's simply nothing to be done a4, after which the black king and c5
will be White's goals, not least with O- played' gxh5 which is not the most
O-O+ and Rd5. ] precise option. ( After 8...Nxh5!
10.d6 Nxg5 11.Nxg5 Black should now 9.Bxh5 gxh5 10.Qxh5 Bxc3+
reckon with the threats of Qd5 and 11.bxc3 Qf6⇆ Black gets decent
Qf3. 11...Bb7! 12.e6 The move I counterplay. ) 9.Nh3 Qe7 10.Nf4
like most. Nevertheless, we should This position occurred in the game 0-1
point out that White has a variety of (57) Grischuk, A (2766) -Mamedyarov,
promising options in this position. S (2765) Paris 2019. In my opinion,
[ GM Pavel Eljanov: 'An interesting White is slightly better in view of his
alternative is' 12.Nxb5!? If you prefer favourable pawn structure. ]
this move, you can definitely go 5...d6 Adrien Demuth: '='
deeper. Black will again have to face [ After 5...Nxe4?? Sipke Ernst: '?' '?'
huge practical problems. ] '?' 6.Nxe4 Bxe4 Adrien Demuth: '↑'
12...Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 fxe6 14.Qc2↑ 7.d5+- The bishop got trapped. Black
White has terrific initiative for the cannot parry White's two threats - 8.
sacrificed material. Even though Qd4 and 8.f3. Sipke Ernst: 'and black
the computer might be able to hold is losing the bishop after' Bg7
this position as Black, in a practical 8.Qe2+- Bf5 Adrien Demuth: '!' 9.g4 ]
game, Black will hardly manage to [ The alternative capture 5...Bxe4
survive. does not solve the problems. After
The double fianchetto introduced by Adrien Demuth: '!' GM Pavel Eljanov:
3...b6 GM Pavel Eljanov: '?!' 4.Nc3 Bb7 '?' 6.Nxe4 Nxe4 7.h5 Hochgraefe,
is not a good strategy here. In my Markus: '½-½ (16) Leko,P (2625)-
opinion, White's most energetic Karpov,A (2770) Belgrade 1996' Bg7
option is Sipke Ernst: '?' '?' Sipke 8.h6 ( 8.hxg6 hxg6 ) 8...Bf6 ( 8...Bf8
Ernst: 'doesn't seem to do what it is 9.Qf3 f5 Adrien Demuth: 'N!' 10.Bd3
trying to do' d5 11.Ne2 ) 9.Qf3+- White has a
[ 4...Bg7 5.e4 d6 And now we have a winning advantage. d5
King's Indian where black has played Adrien Demuth: '!' 10.cxd5
the nonsensical ...b6. no need to Hochgraefe,Markus: '=' Nd6
analyse any further Hochgraefe, Adrien Demuth: '!' ( 10...Qxd5 11.Bd3
Markus: '=' ] Qa5+ 12.Kf1+- ) 11.Ne2 ]
5.e4 building a strong centre. It turns out 6.f3 White has a big advantage since
that Black cannot take the pawn. Black has no way of challenging the
Sipke Ernst: '!' '!' GM Pavel powerful white centre. On the board,
Eljanov: '!?' we have a perfect version of the
[ The alternative 5.d5 is possible as Saemisch attack. White can
well GM Pavel Eljanov: 'is possible as proceed with Be3 followed by Qd2
well.' Bg7 6.e4 d6 7.Be2 e6 8.h5 and 0-0-0. Later on, he will start
This is the point behind 7. Be2. In this advancing his kingside pawns.
position, Mamedyarov played GM 3...d6 Black can choose a setup
Pavel Eljanov: 'This is the point behind with quick Nbd7 without castles, but
7.Be2. In this position, Mamedyarov I believe that White has an edge in
this line. Black keeps his options 7.Nge2 The point. Now 7...Nxe2 8.
open: he may transpose to King's Bxe2 would just be pleasant for
Indian StartBracket3... White, with h4-h5 imminent and
Bg7EndBracket lines or try Black a little low on counterplay. c5
something independent. The latter 8.dxc6 A rather essential en
was thrice Maxime Vachier- passant capture to weaken Black's
Lagrave's choice when confronted hold on d4. Now after 8...Nxc6 9.f3
by Magnus Carlsen's 3.h4!? during White can complete development
their December 2020 Chess.com and retain control with Be3 and Qd2,
Speed Championship match. 4.Nc3 all the while as Black nurses long-
Bologan,V: ',Black will play' White term weaknesses down the d-file,
continues in standard fashion, so here Vachier-Lagrave preferred
preparing e2-e4, and now Black's to sacrifice. bxc6 9.Nxd4
main move is 4...Bg7 , transposing The proof of the pudding must lie in
after all into the realm of our next the eating. The queen will be
two chapters. 4...Nbd7 Bologan,V: slightly exposed on d4, but White
'and ... Qd7 since White's dark- still has his dark-squared bishop
squared  is on the edge of the and is about to go a pawn ahead.
board,this move is better than' exd4 10.Qxd4 Bg7 11.Bg5
Slightly old-fashioned but by no A powerful pin and one which
means bad play from Black, against forces Black to weaken his kingside
which White should classically in order to create any discoveries
seize space in the centre. against the queen on d4. h6
[ 4...Nc6 Vachier-Lagrave's choice in 12.Be3 Calmly dropping back as
his second and third games with 12...Nh5 13.Qd2 would hardly be
Carlsen in that speed match, having an inconvenience. 0-0 13.Qd2
first tried to develop the knight to d7. White eyes h6, is now set to go Be2
A) 5.d5 Ne5 6.Nf3 Ned7 7.e4 or f2-f3, has options for his king on
Bg7 8.Be2; both flanks
B) 5.Bg5 Bg7 6.e3 h6 7.Bxf6 StartBracketeven on c1 the
Bxf6 8.h5 g5 9.Bd3 e6 ( 9...Bg7 king is fairly safe and we shouldn't
10.Nge2 0-0 ) 10.Nge2 Bg7 forget that White still has attacking
11.Qd2 Bd7 12.0-0-0 a6 13.f4 ideas of his own on the
Qe7 14.f5 0-0-0 15.g4; kingsideEndBracket, and
C) 5.e4 The standard expansion as will be able to meet an immediate
White dares Black to react in the 13...Ng4 with 14.Bd4 . In short,
centre rather than take play into the Black doesn't have enough for his
realm of 3...Bg7 and Chapter Four pawn and Carlsen won both
with 5...Bg7 . 5...e5 6.d5 encounters from here in Carlsen-
Our usual policy and there's no Vachier-Lagrave, Internet
need to worry about an invasion on StartBracketblitzEndB
d4, as Black won't be able to racket 2020. 3. Other 3rd
maintain his knight there. Nd4 Moves Bar 3...Bg-3B | 3...d6 | Black
plays 4.. ] strike' 11.g4 White's initiative on

5.e4 Bologan,V: '0-1 Pollock,W-Chigorin, the kingside is more dangerous
M Hastings 1895 (19) Wilhelm than Black's on the queenside. Now
Steinitz preferred' 5...e5 6.d5 Nc5 the advance h4-h5 will be very
This idea is well known in KID, unpleasant. Bologan,V: ',of course.
Black puts pressure on e4, before ' ) 10.Bxc5! ( 10.f3 Bologan,V: 'and
castling. I think it is important for ... Nc5 with a good game If White
White to delay the move f3, which doesn't take on b6 and plays' Qa5⇆
weakens the dark squares and Bologan,V: 'instead,Black will
closes the d1-h5 diagonal. In himself exchange on d5,Kuuse,K-
general, in this structure, the move Canizares Cuadra,P TH-Mcorr
h2-h4 is quite useful. Bologan,V: 2004' ) 10...dxc5 11.Rd1 cxd5
'Steinitz,W-Maurian New Orleans 12.cxd5 Bd6 13.Nf3 The position
1883' is quite unusual, but I prefer White
[ 6...Be7 7.g4 ( 7.Be3!? ) 7...a5 8.h5 here. Black's bishop pair is not a
( 8.Qe2!? ) 8...Nc5 9.f3 Ng8 10.Be3 very significant factor. Black's king
Bf6? ( 10...Bh4+ 11.Ke2 ) 11.Qd2 is weak and the idea h4-h5 is
Bh4+ 12.Kd1 Be7 13.Nge2 b6 always in the air, but also White
14.Kc2 a4 15.Nc1 Bf6 16.Nd3 ] can try to play on the queenside.
7.Qc2 Bologan,V: '!' The simplest and The -a pawn needs protection and
best way to cover e4: Be2 then Be3 there are a lot of weak squares in
will follow. 7...a5 in this King's Black's camp. If White manages to
Indian structure White has a very exchange the light-squared bishops,
decent chance to fight for an then the position will be close to
advantage as h4 is normally sound strategically winning;
addition 8.Be2 B) 8...h5 Bologan,V: '1-0 Taylor-
[ Another setup is Bologan,V: 'First,let Zukertort,J GBR tour sim 1874
me remind you that after' 8.g3!?N followed by the sacrifice on f6.'
Bologan,V: ',White has' Bologan,V: 'Black deliberately puts
A) 8...c6 Black should complete his  on the edge of the board,but
the development before opening this is no reason to react with
the centre. 9.Be3 a4 is logical with something like' 9.f3 Bologan,V: '?'
the idea Qa5, but White has a c6 10.Nh3! Typical idea in Saemish
strong reply at his disposal Bologan, structures, the knight is very well
V: 'Later correspondence games placed on "f2" a4 Bologan,V: '!'
confirmed that Mikhail Chigorin was 11.Nf2 cxd5 12.cxd5 Bd7
right to avoid the exchange on d5, Bologan,V: 'N' 13.Nd3 I like the
thus keeping the h7-b1 diagonal idea to exchange the strong c5-
closed.' ( Bologan,V: 'After' 9...Qb6 knight Nxd3+ 14.Bxd3 Bologan,V:
is well met by Bologan,V: 'comes' '?' Bh6 Bologan,V: 'Walker,M-
10.f3 Bologan,V: ',but do you Charleton,M corr 1870' ( 14...Qa5
remember what is wrong with' a4 is possible, but then Black can't
Bologan,V: '?' Bologan,V: 'The exchange the dark-squared bishops
after Bologan,V: '!' 15.Bg5 Bg7 piece is a shadow of its ideal self,
Bologan,V: 'and ... Ne7 (Bilguer)' being badly blocked in by its own
16.a3 ) Bologan,V: 'In the stem pawns. Be7 16.Be2 White would love
game of this line Paul Morphy,who to exchange bishops and obtain
didn't like to retreat with his pieces, uncontested control of f5, hence
once tried' 15.Bxh6 Bologan,V: '?!' Poobalasingam's next move. Kf8
Bologan,V: ',but even such an 17.Bb5 '!' Bc8 18.Nd1 Simon is in no
approach is not justified:' Rxh6 rush and calmly directs a second
16.a3 The position is double-edged, knight towards f5. And why should
but I like that White has a space White rush? Black has absolutely
advantage, the -a4 pawn is weak. zero counterplay. Ne8 19.Ne3 Ng7
GM Pavel Eljanov: '' ] 20.Be2 Allowing White to consider a
8...h5 This move was Giri's choice and It timely Bg4, although before that he
makes a lot of sense first houses his king, which will be
[ 8...h6 Not for the first time this isn't extremely safe on g1 with Black so
an especially impressive way to deal passive. Rb8 21.0-0 Kg8 22.b3
with the notion of h4-h5. 9.h5 Simon continues to impress by
This quickly works out well, although making calm, small improving moves,
objectively White should probably first here moving a pawn to a safer square
go 9.Be3 and O-O-O before looking to while helping to eliminate any notion
involve Harry. g5 A positionally of ...a4. Kh7 23.Bg4 Ba6 24.Rfb1
horrible move, if one that is useful to Black might be devoid of any active
know in general how to exploit. ideas, but White isn't and he has a
Instead, 9...Nxh5! 10.Bxh5 gxh5 rather strong one in mind: a2-a3 and
wouldn't have been so clear, with ... b3-b4, ripping open the queenside to
Rg8 and/or ...Bg4 on their way. '?' favour his much more active forces.
( 9...Nxh5 10.Bxh5 gxh5 11.Be3 Rf8 25.Qc3 Bb5 26.a3 Be8
Rg8 ) 10.Be3 b6 11.Bd1 You might A very sad looking retreat, but so bad
have expected 11.O-O-O from Simon, is Black's position it's hard to suggest
but this calm retreat is also very good anything that's all that much better
for White, simply facilitating Ng1-e2- and at least this hopes to break out
g3 to eye that huge hole on f5. with ...f5, on a very good day with a
( 11.0-0-0 ) 11...Bd7 12.Nge2 c6 prevailing wind. 27.b4 axb4 28.axb4
Black's only available pawn break, but Rb5 29.Ra7 The invasion begins in
it won't bring him any real counterplay. full earnest. cxb4 This only helps
'?' 13.Bxc5 13.dxc6 Bxc6 14.Ng3 was White, but Be2 was set to force an
also rather effective. ( 13.dxc6 Bxc6 exchange in any case. 30.Rxb4 Qb8
14.Ng3 Bd7 15.Bf3 ) 13...bxc5 31.Rxb5 White is quite happy to
14.Ng3 ( 14.dxc6 Bxc6 15.Ng3 ) exchange rooks... Qxa7 32.Rb1
14...cxd5 15.cxd5 Simon has parted ... and retain full control. Black's
with his dark-squared bishop, but in queen might be active enough, but the
this version of a Benoni or King's rest of his pieces find themselves in a
Indian, Black's normally favourite very miserable huddle. f5 A final last-
ditch attempt to salvage the game improvement Bologan,V: 'Black has'

before White simply invaded with Qb4 '!?' 10.Ng5 with an interesting fight ]
and Qb7, after which material would 10.Be3 Bxf3 11.Bxf3 Black should
have been quick to drop, with Black's probably go for the Bh6 exchange
dark-squared units so vulnerable. sooner or later, but I don't think that
33.Nexf5 Bd7 34.Qe3 Qc7 this will fully solve his problems.
34...Qxe3 35.Nxe3 Bxg4 36.Nxg4 is White can choose on which side of
the stuff of positional nightmares the board to play. It is possible to
featuring bad bishops. 35.Qb6 prepare a long castle and open the
Continuing to insist on the exchange centre and the kingside. A more
of queens. Qxb6 36.Rxb6 Bxf5 positional option is to play g3, 0-0
37.Bxf5+ The right way to recapture and advance his queenside pawns.
as White wants to land up with an 0-1 (39) Fedoseev,V (2677) -Giri,A
uncontested knight on f5. There are (2769) Moscow 2019 Bologan,V: '!?'
opposite-coloured bishops present, GM Pavel Eljanov: 'Black should
but also rooks and knights, and we probably go for the Bh6 exchange
shouldn't forget that opposite bishops sooner or later, but I don't think that
favour the side attacking, which is this will fully solve his problems.
obviously White. Kg8 38.Rb7 Bf6 White can choose on which side of
39.Be6+ Once again, angling for an the board to play. It is possible to
extremely good knight against a truly prepare a long castle and open the
pitiful bishop. Kh8 40.Rd7 Ne8 centre and the kingside. A more
Alternatively, if 40...Rd8 41.Rf7 Ne8 positional option is to play g3, 0-0
42.Bd7 when something major is and advance his queenside pawns.
about to give. 41.Nf5 Bg7 42.Ne7 0-1 (39) Fedoseev,V (2677)-Giri,A
White can do much better than pocket (2769) Moscow 2019' 11...Bh6
d6. There's just no good way for Black 12.Bxh6 Rxh6 13.g3 a4 14.0-0-0 Kf8
to meet the threat of Ng6+. A real 15.Rdg1 c6 16.Be2 cxd5 17.exd5 Qb6
positional tour de force from Simon. 3. 18.Kb1 a3 19.b3
Other 3rd Moves Bar 3...Bg-3B | 3...h6 I must admit that I didn't look
Simon Williams – Peter ] at this move too deeply since it
9.Nf3 Bologan,V: ',avoiding the looks passive and very unhelpful to
complications arising after' black Hochgraefe,Markus: 'Black
[ 9.Bg5 Be7?! ( 9...Bh6 10.Bxh6 will play Bg7, 0-0, and ...e5 and
Rxh6 11.f3 Rh8 12.0-0-0 ) 10.0-0-0 equalize.' Another method of
c6 11.Be3 Qc7 12.Bxc5 dxc5 keeping lines relatively closed,
13.Nh3 0-0 14.Kb1 cxd5 15.exd5! since Black is now likely to meet
( 15.cxd5 Bd7 16.d6 Bxd6 17.Qd2 any h4-h5 by pushing past with ...
Be7 18.Qh6 ) 15...Bf5 16.Bd3 e4 g6-g5. Here 4.h5!? Nxh5
17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Bxe4 ] StartBracketor 4...g5 5.Nc3
9...Bg4 '?!' followed by e2-e4 and f2-f4, with
[ Bologan,V: 'thanks to White's  on e3, Grob-like play and surely a white
after' 9...Ng4⇆ this looks like a logical advantageEndBracket
StartFENrnbqkb1r/pppppp2/ full inclusion of Harry: hxg5 8.h6

6pp/7n/2PP4/8/PP2PPP1/ Now Black simply must return the
RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 piece on h6 and be left with a
5EndFEN 5.e4 is a tempting kingside containing rather large
pawn sacrifice, but it's also possible gashes on h5 and down the h-file,
to be consistent and simply develop since retaining the bishop should lead
the queen's knight. A somewhat to a swift demise: Bh8 9.h7+ Kg7
less impressive method of trying to 10.e5 White regains his piece for a
keep lines closed, in part because start and only then will finally be able
Harry can still advance a square. to land the queen on h5 – with quite
4.Nc3 White once again battles hard for some effect. 2. Black Obstructs Harry
the key d5- and e4-points. White (...-2B | Harry Obstruction with 3 )
readies the e2-e4 advance and in A) 6.f3 a6 7.Be3 c6 8.Qd2 b5
the very limited practice that there 9.Nh3 ( 9.0-0-0 Nbd7 10.g4 Qa5
has been with this position, Black 11.Kb1 Rb8 12.Rc1 ) 9...Nbd7
has always gone in for a Grünfeld 10.0-0-0 Qa5 11.Kb1 Rb8
and 4...d5 when we saw a good 12.Nf4;
case for 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.h5 in Line B) 6.Be2 Just as in our main line,
1C. 4...d5 It is a Grunfeld! Now this appears the most sensible
there are many lines to choose from. move, as White tees up both h4-h5
I simply picked the first engine line and f2-f4. It's also, of course, very
here and it looks great for white. possible to go Be3 and Qd2, not
Before the Grünfeld is prevented by least if Black delays castling. 6...0-0
5.e4. 7.Be3 ( 7.g4! Yes, 6.Be2 also teed
[ 4...d6 ] up a third pawn advance. Suddenly,
[ 4...Bg7 5.e4 Naturally White takes White threatens to crash through
the space on offer while threatening with g4-g5 and this is much
e4-e5. d6 Sipke Ernst: 'is similar to 3... stronger than 7.h5 g5 8.f4 gxf4 9.
h6. This is a very good Kings Indian Bxf4 Nc6! , which is just very
for white since h6 is quite weakening' unclear after 10.Qd2 Nxd4! 11.
( 5...0-0 6.h5 Black can usually castle Bxh6! Nfd7 How else to get out of
before going ...d6 in the King's Indian, the way of the onrushing g-pawn?
but not here! White's immediate use of 8.Be3 Simple chess as White
Harry simply looks very promising and prepares to tickle the weakness on
even stronger than first inserting 6.e5 . h6 with Qd2. e5 9.d5 White is
Black's main problem is that after 6.h5 already clearly better. After Qd2
Nxh5? 7.Be2 StartBracketor 7. Kh7; O-O-O he is in full control of
g4 EndBracket he is going to the position and may even be able
lose h6, and that's just for starters. g5 to consider sacrificial avenues on
7.Bxg5 Boom! Talk about a put-that-in- the kingside, not least with Nf3 then
your-pipe-and-smoke-it situation! h5 g5; Bxg5 or Nxg5. f5
Already White is just doing extremely Black's only conceivable way to try
well, and all thanks to the early and and break out, and desperately
obtain some counterplay. 10.exf5 6pp/3n4/3P3P/2N5/PP2PPP1/

Naturally, White is quite happy to R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 0
open lines. gxf5 11.gxf5 6EndFEN 6.h5 is also very
Wherever Black moves his knight tempting and doesn't require White to
from d7, it's not hard to appreciate keep making comparisons with the
which king is the happier. White will main lines of the Grünfeld. g5 7.e4
simply go Qd2 and O-O-O, after Only now does White expand and we
which one pretty useful plan is Nf3, much prefer such aggression to the 7.
h4-h5 and Nh4, beginning to exploit Bd2 of Budrewicz-Kantans, Szklarska
the rather vulnerable black kingside, Poreba 2021, a game in which a
as will the more direct Rdg1. 2. Latvian GM was Black. ( 7.Bd2 Nb6
Black Obstructs Harry (...-2B | 8.e3 Bg7 9.Nf3 Nc6 10.Qc2 Nb4
Harry Obstruction with 3 ) 7...e5 11.Qb3 a5 12.a3 Be6 13.Qd1 Na6
8.d5 ] 14.Rc1 ) 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5
5.cxd5 Exchanging to guarantee an extra Just like in the main lines of the
central pawn for White and here, of Grünfeld. Compared to 8...Bg7
course, unlike after StartBracketwhen 9.f4! is
StartFENrnbqkb1r/ extremely likely to transpose after 9...
pppppp1p/5np1/8/2PP3P/8/ c5 EndBracket,
PP2PPP1/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 StartFENrnbqkb1r/ppp1pp2/7p/
3EndFEN 3...h5 4.Nc3 d5 , 6pP/3PP3/2P5/P4PP1/R1BQKBNR b
there's no 5.Bg5 available. That KQkq - 0 8EndFEN 8...c5
said, if you've some experience of allows White some extra options, not
the related lines, you may wish to least 9.Bb5+!? , but he can also be
consider StartFENrnbqkb1r/ bold and strike out on the kingside:
ppp1pp2/5npp/3p4/2PP3P/2N5/ 9.f4 Now 9...Bg7 transposes to
PP2PPP1/R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 0 StartFENrnbqkb1r/ppp1pp2/7p/
5EndFEN 5.Nf3 Bg7 6.Bf4 6pP/3PP3/2P5/P4PP1/R1BQKBNR b
when any Qd2 or Qc1 may make KQkq - 0 8EndFEN 8...Bg7 9.
Black regret his early ...h6. 5...Nxd5 f4 c5 and instead exchanging on d4
Adrien Demuth: '!' 6.e4 doesn't help Black due to a possibly
[ 6.h5 White decides to weaken the surprising recapture: cxd4 10.Qxd4
black kingside and exploit the hook Qxd4 11.cxd4 White is still
that has been created. If you've some threatening to take on g5 and is also
experience of the main lines of the the boss of the centre. Nc6
Exchange Grünfeld, by all means, A tempting move, but also a major
prefer if you wish 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 error, underestimating White's
Bg7 8.Bc4 when the inclusion of ...h6 immediate advance: ( 11...Bg7 12.Nf3
and h4 surely favours White, since the White is now all set to take on g5 after
black king on g8 won't feel as safe as all or even to leap forwards with Ne5.
it normally does in such lines. Nc6 13.fxg5 A radical retort to the
However, the text move pressure on d4. We rather like the
StartFENrnbqkb1r/ppp1pp2/ resulting imbalance, but White must
also have an edge after the more 9.Be2 Nc6 Adrien Demuth: '='
routine 13.Bb5 . Nxd4 14.Rb1 [ 9...cxd4 10.cxd4 Nc6 11.Be3 Bg4
There's no need for White to fear any 12.d5 Ne5 Adrien Demuth: ''
check on c2 StartBracketthe ( 12...Bxa1 13.Qxa1 FM Charlie
king will be quite safe on Storey: '1-0 (40) Drenchev,P (2514)-
f2EndBracket, and we already Topolewski, D (2240) Germany
quite like his game. The rook on b1 is 2010' ) 13.Nxe5 Bxe2 Adrien Demuth:
clearly well placed now away from the '' 14.Kxe2 Bxe5 15.Qa4+ Qd7
long diagonal and Harry is set to have 16.Qxd7+ Kxd7 17.Rab1 b6 18.f4
a major role to play, whether White Bg7 19.e5 I was a bit surprised at
gets to make him passed with an Stockfish evaluation of this ending but
exchange on h6 or if Black goes in for now that ...h6 has been played we
...hxg5; Bxg5. 1. Grünfeldesque Lines have a clear target in g6 and if black
(...d-1C | Grünfeld with 3...h6 +,1 ) plays ...h5 then black is too slow h5
12.d5 Nb4 13.Rb1 White drives back ( 19...Rhd8 20.h5 Ke8 21.hxg6 Rxd5
the knight, can always also go a2-a3 Hochgraefe,Markus: '½-½ (38) Karpov,
if needed, is ready to corral the knight A (2725)-Sosonko,G (2545)
with Bd2 should it dare to take on a2, Amsterdam 1980' 22.gxf7+ Kxf7
and refuses to fear the check: Nc2+ 23.Rhc1 ) 20.a4 Rhd8 21.Rb5 Ke8
14.Kd2 Nd4 15.Bb2 Bg7 16.Ne2 22.Rc1+- ]
The pin doesn't quite win a piece, but [ 9...Bg4 Hochgraefe,Markus: ''
it's not hard to appreciate that White 10.Rb1 cxd4 Hochgraefe,Markus: ''
will be doing very well thanks to Harry 11.cxd4 Qa5+ 12.Qd2 Qxd2+
once he's taken on g7 then g5. 1. 13.Bxd2 b6 14.0-0 ]
Grünfeldesque Lines (...d-1C | [ 9...0-0 10.0-0 Bg4 11.Rb1! ]
Grünfeld with 3...h6 +,1 ] 10.d5 Bxc3+ Hochgraefe,Markus: '='
6...Nxc3 Adrien Demuth: '' [ 10...Ne5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5 ]
[ 6...Nb6 ] 11.Bd2 Bxa1 Adrien Demuth: '!'
7.bxc3 Adrien Demuth: 'N' 7...Bg7 [ 11...Bxd2+ Adrien Demuth: '=!?'
Adrien Demuth: '!' 12.Qxd2 Nd4 ( 12...Na5 13.0-0+-
[ 7...c5 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ Qxd7 Black would love to castle, but that
10.Nf3 Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Bf4 Nc6 would allow Qxh6 Adrien Demuth: '' )
13.d5 Na5 14.Rb1 b6 15.Re1 Rfe8 13.Nxd4 cxd4 Adrien Demuth: '!'
16.Qc1 ] 14.0-0! 0-0 ( 14...Qb6
8.Nf3 Adrien Demuth: '!' ) 15.Qxh6 ]
[ 8.Bc4 c5 9.Ne2 0-0 10.Rb1 cxd4 12.Qxa1 Nd4 Adrien Demuth: 'N'
11.cxd4 Nc6 12.Be3 ] 13.Nxd4 cxd4 14.Qxd4 f6 15.0-0
[ 8.Be3 c5 9.Qd2 Qa5 10.Nf3 b6 02 3...h6 [Sipke Ernst]
11.Bc4 Nc6 12.Rc1 ] 3...e6?! 4.Nc3 The inclusion of h4
8...c5 and g6 favours white a great deal.
[ 8...0-0 9.Be2 c5 10.0-0 Going ...e6 and ...g6 just does not
should transpose Nd7 11.Bf4 Nf6 mix very well. Here some short
12.Qd3 ] variations 4...d5
[ 4...Bb4 some kind of Nimzo. This forced into a rather miserable

completely bad now 5.Nf3 0-0? move: 8...Qb6 9.Qxb6 Black was
( 5...d5 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 ) 6.h5 ] hoping for 9.Qxe5? Qxf2+!
[ 4...c5 5.Nf3 cxd4 6.Nxd4 d5 7.Bg5 StartBracketintending ...
Be7 FM Charlie Storey: '1-0 (31) Ng4EndBracket, but this is
Kasimdzhanov,R (2700)-Moradiabadi, much simpler and far stronger.
E (2586) Dubai 2014' 8.e3 ] 9...axb6 10.e4 White further clamps
5.Bg5 Be7 down on the position, leaving
[ 5...h6 6.Bxf6 Qxf6 7.cxd5 ] Black's position a mess and rather
6.e3 h6 7.Bf4 riddled with weaknesses. 3. Other
3...Nc6 4.Nc3 White keeps d4-d5 3rd Moves Bar 3...Bg-3 | Inferior 3rd
in reserve and simply asks Black: Moves | Blac,4
what next? Now play is likely to go
4...d6 when we'll see 5.e4 in Line 4
4.Bf4 Qb6 5.Qd2 Ne4 6.Qc2 d5
3B or StartFENr1bqkb1r/ 7.e3 Bf5 8.Qb3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 Nd6
pppppp1p/2n2np1/8/2PP3P/2N5/ 10.Nd2 Nxc4 11.Nxc4 Qa6 12.Ne5
PP2PPP1/R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 2 Be6 13.Qc3 Bg7 14.h5 Nd7 15.Nxd7
4EndFEN 4...Bg7 5.e4 , Bxd7
taking play into the realm of
Chapter Four. The only other option 5
5.Nf3 Bg7
is for Black to break in the centre, [ 5...dxc4?! 6.e4 ( 6.a4 Bf5 7.e3 )
but that is not at all advisable: 4...e5 6...b5 7.e5 Nd5 8.h5 ]
5.d5 As per usual, White meets the 6.cxd5 cxd5 is another move order
break by pushing past. 5...Ne7 [ 6...Nxd5 7.e4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 h5
6.Bg5 Forcing the pace is at least as transposes to the chapter on 3... h5
good as simply claiming a good ( 8...c5 9.h5 )]
version of a King's Indian for White 5.Bg5 Bg7 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Qb3 0-0
with 6.e4 Bg7 7.Be2 , as Black's 8.cxd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 cxd5 10.Nf3 Nf6
knight is misplaced on e7 with 11.Bd3 Nh5
White by no means in a rush to
castle short – if ever. 6...Bg7 7.d6 6
5...Nxd5? would be a very bad
Breaking up Black's central decision. The extra moves h4 and
formation and now 7...Nf5 8.e4! c6 favours white tremendously. 6.h5
Nxd6? StartBracketeven 8... [ 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 ]
Nd4 9.Nge2 is very good for 6...Bg7 7.e4
WhiteEndBracket [ 7.h6!? ]
StartFENr1bqk2r/pppp1pbp/ 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 e5
3n1np1/4p1B1/2P1P2P/2N5/ [ 8...0-0 9.hxg6 hxg6 ( 9...fxg6
PP3PP1/R2QKBNR w KQkq - 0 10.Bc4+ e6 ) 10.Qf3! with a mating
9EndFEN 9.c5 would be an attack ]
unusual way to win a piece. 7...cxd6 [ 8...c5 9.h6 Bf8 ( 9...Bf6 10.e5 )
8.Qxd6 White's queen radiates power in 10.Bc4 Nc6 11.Nf3 when my engine
all directions and already Black is already thinks white is completely
winning. It sure looks good, but 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Qg6 ]

really Stockfish...+5??? ] 8...Bg7 9.h5 Nxc3 10.bxc3 This is a
9.Nf3 Bg4 pawn structure that we are going to
[ 9...exd4 10.cxd4 ( 10.Bg5 f6 face on multiple occasions. The
11.Bc1 dxc3 12.Qb3 ) 10...0-0 11.h6 weakness of the c3-pawn is by no
Bf6 12.Be3 Bg4 13.Bc4 ] means one-sided. In return, White
10.Rb1 gets the semi-open b-file for his
rook as well as the possibility to
7
Another possible move order is strike in the centre with c3-c4.
6...Nc6 7.e3 And here, instead of the Additionally, since the d4-pawn is
usual 7...Bg7 which will transpose armády protected, White can often
to the main line, Black has an execute the advance e3-e4. It's
active independent option - 7...Ne4 important to point out that on the
In my opinion, however, this knight kingside White usually plays h5-h6
jump is a bit premature. in order to gain space and restrict
[ 7...a6 8.Be2 the activity of the black pieces.
A) 8...h6 9.Rc1 Bg7 10.Nf3 0-0 Black has two typical ways of
11.Ne5 ( 11.0-0!? ) 11...Bd7? creating counterplay - pressure
12.Qb3 Na5 13.Qb4 b5 14.Nxd7 along the c-file, and executing the
Nxd7 15.Nxd5 e5 16.Bg5 f6 advance ... e7-e5. In general,
17.Bd3 fxg5 18.Ne7+ Kf7 however, the arising positions
19.Bxg6+ Ke6 20.d5+ Kf6 remain more pleasant for White.
21.Qd6#; GM Pavel Eljanov: 'This is a pawn
B) 8...h5 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.0-0 Bg7 structure that we are going to face
11.Rc1 0-0 12.Qb3 Na5 13.Qb4 on multiple occasions. The
Rc8 14.Na4 Ne4 15.Rxc8 Bxc8 weakness of the c3-pawn is by no
16.Rc1 ] means one-sided. In return, White
8.Nf3 The most natural continuation. gets the semi-open b-file for his
Before going for concrete actions, rook as well as the possibility to
White wants to complete the strike in the centre with c3-c4.
development. '!?' Additionally, since the d4-pawn is
[ A recent game saw 8.Qb3 already protected, White can often
which, in my opinion, is not necessary. execute the advance e3-e4. It's
After Nxc3 9.bxc3 Bg7 10.h5 0-0 important to point out that on the
11.hxg6 hxg6⇆ Black was doing fine kingside White usually plays h5-h6
since White still needs to complete in order to gain space and restrict
the development. 1-0 (24) Kapnisis, S the activity of the black pieces.
(2471) -Teclaf,P (2440) Prague 2020 Black has two typical ways of
12.Nf3 Bg4 ( 12...Na5!? ) 13.Be2 creating counterplay - pressure
Na5 14.Qb4 Rc8 15.Rc1 Re8 along the c-file, and executing the
16.Bb5 Nc6 17.Bxc6 bxc6 18.Ne5 advance ... e7-e5. In general,
Bf5 19.g4 Be6? ( 19...Be4 20.f3 f6 ) however, the arising positions
20.f3 c5 21.Qb2 f6 22.Qh2 g5 remain more pleasant for White.'
10...0-0 11.Rb1↑ ↑ Remember this usually behind the pawn chain

thematic move. The pressure along (mostly on d2 Completing minor
the b-file is very annoying. 11...Bg4 piece development and guess
In my opinion, this is the most where the queen is going? GM
precise move. Black leaves the b7- Pavel Eljanov: 'we can see the
pawn in order to fight for an difference in the activity of the dark-
initiative. squared bishops. With the inclusion
[ A very instructive mistake is 11...b6 of the moves h2-h4 and ... h7-h5,
when after 12.Bb5 White immediately Black can never harass the f4-
attacks the vulnerable knight, thus bishop with ... Nh5. Note that in the
winning the fight for the key e5-square. classical Schlechter, White's dark-
After Na5 13.hxg6 hxg6 14.Ne5 squared bishop is usually behind
White has a huge advantage. The the pawn chain (mostly on d2).'
queen will soon join the attack via the 9...0-0 and Black is fine 10.0-0
f3-square. ] Sipke Ernst: '' '' '' 'white is
12.h6 Since opening the h-file does not better here. The bishop on f4 is a
provide any advantage, White uses good piece that black often wants to
the second thematic device. exchange with ...Bd6 but this is not
12...Bf6 13.Rxb7 In this position, the possible here.' Sipke Ernst: 'We are
critical is 13...e5 14.dxe5 Nxe5 now playing an Exchange Slav.
15.Be2 Nxf3+ 16.gxf3 Bxc3+ 17.Kf1 However one where Black has
Be6 18.a4 Definitely, White is the one played the dark squared bishop to
having a more pleasant position in the wrong diagonal.'
view of his more active pieces. The [ Having normal development, White
h6-pawn makes the black king can afford 10.Qb3!? Black should
potentially vulnerable whereas the probably answer with would have
white king is pretty safe on f1. given Black comfortable play. Tying
down Black's bishop to b7, while
8
8.Bd3 h6 9.Nf3 0-0 10.Ne5 Nb4 simply intending to continue with Rc1
11.Be2 Bf5 12.g4 Be6 13.a3 Nc6 and O-O, after which White might
14.g5 hxg5 15.hxg5 Ne4 16.Nxc6 begin to head forwards with Na4-c5
bxc6 17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Rc1 and/or Ne5. Na5 '!?' Probably the
best defence, refusing to let the queen
9
The attempt to prevent h4-h5 with settle. It was seen in Paravyan-
8...h5?! leads to favourable for White Matinian, Internet
positions. After Electing to block. StartBracketblitzEndB
9.Nf3 we can see the difference in the racket 2021, where 11.Qb4 might
activity of the dark-squared bishops. have been met by 11...Nc6 , so White
With the inclusion of the moves h2- should probably step sideways.
h4 and ... h7-h5, Black can never ( GM Pavel Eljanov: 'Once again, the
harass the f4-bishop with ... Nh5. move' 10...b6?! does not work well
Note that in the classical Schlechter, since it creates queenside
White's dark-squared bishop is weaknesses. In the game that we are
following, White played 11.Rc1 Bb7 are taking part in the queenside battle.
12.0-0 Ne4? This is already a mistake. At the same time, Black's minor
After 13.Nxe4 dxe4 14.Ng5 Na5 pieces are not coordinated at all. ]
and Black equalized comfortably in P. 11.Rc1 The most typical reaction.
Nikolic - Kempinski, Antalya 2004. [ There is nothing wrong with 11.Nxe4
15.Qa4+- White had a winning dxe4 12.Ng5 Bf5 13.Qb3
advantage in the game 1/2-1/2 (61) when White retains his advantage. ]
Harsha, B (2509) -Rathanvel,V 11...Nxc3 xc3 In this position, both ''
(2438) Mosonmagyarovar 2021. The Such a position almost always
direct threat is b2-b4. Rc8 16.Rxc8 favours White slightly, as shown in
Qxc8 17.b4 ) White has usually opted line B6143 above. In case of
for 11.Qa3 but after White is now set 12.Rxc3 Black should already be on
to expand with Ne5 and castle, all the guard after
while as he aims to provoke an [ and 12.bxc3 are possible '!'
invasion on c4. ( 11.Qb4 Bg4 12.0-0 threatening to trap the bishop. ]
Rc8 13.Rfc1 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Rxc1+ The move 8...h6?! ?! was played
15.Rxc1 dxe4 16.Bc7 Nc6 17.Rxc6 ) by Nepomniachtchi in his game
11...Bg4 I failed to find any advantage, against Grischuk. Obviously, the
for instance: ( 11...Nc4 12.Qb4 idea is to enable . ..g6-g5 after h4-
Taking the knight is likely also an h5. On the downside, besides being
edge, but White continues to try and a waste of time, this move makes
provoke weaknesses. a5 13.Qb5 the kingside structure less flexible.
Nd6 14.Qb3 White has made several '!' 9.Nf3 Bg4
queen moves in a row but retains a [ Another possibility would have been
pleasant edge on account of the 9...0-0 getting additional resources
various weak spots in Black's along the a-file. This position will be
queenside. 3. Other 3rd Moves Bar 3... examined after 12.c1 in the note to
Bg-3C | 3...c6 | Black plays 8.. ) move 12 below. GM Pavel Eljanov:
12.Rc1 e6 13.Bg5 White is slightly 'when the game might continue'
better in view of his better piece 10.Rc1 when the game might continue
coordination. Black is under Bg4 11.Qb3 Qd7 12.Ne5 Nxe5
annoying pressure. ] 13.dxe5 Nh5 14.Qxd5 In my opinion,
10...Ne4 As usual, this knight jump is Black does not have enough
the cornerstone of Black's compensation for the pawn. ]
counterplay in this pawn structure. 10.Qb3! ! Once again, we answer ...Bg4
[ After 10...Bg4 the typical reaction is with Qb3. 10...Na5
11.Qb3 Always have in mind this [ 10...Qb6?! 11.Qxb6 axb6
queen move when the bishop leaves 1-0 (30) Fedoseev,V (2677)-
the queenside. After was Borovikov - Kruglyakov,P (2357) Chess.com INT
Neverov, Rivne 2005. Now the simple 2019 12.Ne5 ( 12.Bc7 0-0 13.Bxb6
Na5 'N!' 12.Qb5 a6 13.Qb4 Nd7 14.Bc7 e5 15.Nxe5 Ndxe5
the b4-queen exerts a lot of pressure. 16.dxe5 Bxe2 17.Kxe2 Nxe5
All white pieces, except the f3-knight, 18.Nxd5 ) 12...Bxe2 13.Kxe2 ]
11.Qa4+ Bd7 stay in the game

[ The alternative 11...Nc6 is well met [ 9...Qa5+ spoils white's castling rights
by and Black is fine. 12.Ne5 Bxe2 but the Queen gets in huge trouble
'!' with equal chances. 13.Nxc6 Qd7 after 10.Kf1 0-0 11.Bc7! b6
14.Nxe2 bxc6 15.Rc1 when White ( 11...Qb4? 12.a3 Qxb2 13.Rb1 Qa2
keeps an edge due to his better 14.Nc3 Qxa3 15.Rb3+-
pawn structure. This move usually and the queen is gone ) 12.a3 Ne4
figures in White's plans at some point, 13.b4 Qa6 14.f3! and when the
which is why I prefer to play it early knight moves white plays Nd6
and keep as many options open as ( 14.Nd6?? runs into exd6 15.Bxa6
possible. In the present position Black Bxa6+ 16.Ne2 Nc3 ) 14...Ng3+
can play ] ( 14...Nf6 15.Nd6 ) 15.Bxg3 ]
12.Bb5 At this point, Ian played the 10.dxe5 Ne4 11.Nf3 Qa5+ 12.Kf1
wrong 12...0-0? which is basically 8...Ne4 9.h5 g5 10.h6 Bf8 11.Bh2
dropping the d5-pawn. After '=' e6 12.Nf3 g4 13.Ne5 g3 14.Bxg3
[ 12...Nc6 13.Ne5 ] Nxg3 15.fxg3 Nxe5 16.dxe5
13.Bxd7 Nxd7 we reach a position that 9.h5 Naturally, White presses on
was examined in line B614. when allowed to.
14.Nxd5 e5 15.dxe5+- White was [ Black is more or less ok after 9.Nf3
already winning. Marin: '' Marin: Bg4 10.Qb3 ]
'1-0 (33) Sokolov,I (2584)-Bok,B 9...Ne4 As usual, this is the most natural
(2645) Amsterdam 2019' 15...Nxe5 choice. Of course, we shall take a
16.Bxe5 Bxe5 17.Rd1 Bg7 18.0-0 look at Black's alternatives.
White is a pawn up and the knight [ It's important to point out that 9...Qb6
on d5 is very powerful 18...Nc6 is typically well met by This looks very
19.Rd2 Qa5 20.Qxa5 Marin: '↑' solid for Black, but unexpectedly
20...Nxa5 21.Rc1 Rfd8 22.Kf1 Kf8 White manages to create serious play,
23.b3 Rac8 24.Rxc8 Rxc8 25.Ke2 again due to the slightly misplaced
Rc1 26.Nb4 Marin: '' 26...Bf6 27.Rc2 position of the e4-bishop.
Ra1 28.g3 Be7 29.Nd5 Marin: '' A) After 10.hxg6 hxg6 11.a3 Ne4
29...Nc6 30.Nd4 Nxd4+ 31.exd4 Bd6 12.Nf3 Black has more than one
32.Kd3 Ke8 33.Re2+ Kd8 34.Ne3 Be7 way to obtain a decent counterplay.
35.Ng4 h5 36.Nh6 f5 Bf5!?⇆ '' and White keeps definite
[ 36...Ke8 37.Ng8! ] pressure. ( Another option is
37.Nf7+ Marin: '' 37...Kd7 38.Ne5+ 12...Bg4 GM Pavel Eljanov: '!?'
Marin: '+-' 38...Kc7 39.Nxg6 Bd6 13.0-0 Nxc3 14.bxc3 White plans
40.Ne7 f4 41.Nd5+ Kc6 42.Nxf4 Bxf4 to strengthen his position with fd1.
43.gxf4 Rh1 44.Re6+ Kd7 45.Rh6 Na5⇆ 1/2-1/2 (27) Cebalo,M (2507)
Rxh4 46.Ke4 Rh1 47.f5 h4 48.Ke5 h3 -Brkic,A (2477) Djakovo 2005 );
49.Rh7+ Kc6 50.f6 Re1+ 51.Kf5 Rf1 B) 10.a3! which is a thematic
52.f4 1-0 (52) Grischuk,A (2766)- prophylactic move. Black cannot
Nepomniachtchi,I (2775) Paris 2019 play ... Qxb2 in view of Na4,
8...Qb6? 9.Nb5 e5 the only way to trapping the queen. 10...Ne4
11.Nf3 15.Bh2 ( A typical trap is

B1) ( Let's again take a look at 15.Nxg5? e5 with a huge
the thematic structure arising advantage for Black. and
after Black is doing fine after Black is under serious
11...Nxc3 12.bxc3 Na5 13.0-0 pressure.; Now, the sequence
Bf5 14.h6 Bf6 ( Less appealing less convincing is 15.Bxg5
seems to be 14...Bh8 Nxg5 16.Nxg5 e5 17.Nf3
when White plays in the same exd4 works well for Black
fashion as after ...Bf6 - 15.Nd2 since White does not have the
Rac8 16.Rc1 White is ready to resource h5-h6. After 18.Nxd4
execute the typical c3-c4 Nxd4 19.exd4 Qh4=
advance. Since the d4-pawn is the position is equal. ) 15...h6
protected, however, another idea 16.Nd2 Before playing Nc5,
is g2-g4 followed by e3-e4. ) White exchanges the e4-
15.Nd2 with balanced play. Rac8 knight.;
16.g4↑ White has a very pleasant B2b) 14...gxh5 15.Nc5 Nxc5
position. After protecting the c3- 16.Rxc5 Qd7 ( In the event of
pawn, he can already consider 16...Na5 17.Rxc8 Qxc8
playing e3-e4. Additionally, 18.Qa4 Nc6 19.b4
gaining further kingside space White enjoys an obvious
with g4-g5 is always an option.; advantage. His queenside play
B2) 11...Bf5 This continuation follows quite naturally. The
allows White to develop his next move is Rc1 followed by
queenside play by means of Na4 b4-b5. This line is a clear
followed by Rc1. 12.Na4 Qd8 illustration of the difference in
13.Rc1 White is planning to the activity of the dark-squared
increase the queenside pressure bishops. GM Pavel Eljanov:
with the typical Nc5. Rc8 '' ) 17.Qd2 Preparing Rfc1
( In such positions, we should and b4-b5. If White manages
always calculate 13...g5 to remove the c6-knight, he
It's very important that after might invade via the c7-square.
14.Bxg5 Nxg5 15.Nxg5 '!' or e5 '' White enjoys a pleasant,
16.Nf3 exd4 The h1-rook long-lasting edge in this
enables the intermediate 17.h6! endgame, thanks to superiority
when afte with some initiative for of his bishop over Black's
White GM Pavel Eljanov: 'when knight. b6 18.Rc3 also looks
after' Bh8 '?' is met with quite unpleasant for Black. If
18.exd4 White has an obvious Na5 19.Ba6 Rxc3
advantage due to Black's White manages to pose
vulnerable king. and the serious problems with 20.Qxc3
unpleasant 19.d1 ) 14.0-0 '!' Bf6 21.Rc1
B2a) This time 14...g5 with an obvious advantage. ]
should be answered with [ In his game against Ding,
Mamedyarov played 9...Bf5 But after S (2765) Chess.com INT 2021: 1-0
10.h6! Ding Liren has obtained an (33) Ding,L (2799)-Mamedyarov,S
advantage with examplary style Bh8 (2765) Chess.com INT 2021 ]
11.Nf3 White's AlphaZero-like play [ A decent option would be 9...Re8
gave him a very pleasant edge in Ding which has never been played so far.
Liren-Mamedyarov, Internet Besides preparing ...e7-e5, Black
StartBracketblitzEndB frees the f8-square for the bishop.
racket 2021. The h6-pawn is far Anyway, I still prefer White's position.
from weak and badly cramps the black '!' winning material Instead the game
kingside, leaving White in control and Neverov - Wu Xibin, Dubai 2008,
able to continue with simple and continued GM Pavel Eljanov: '!?'
strong moves such as O-O, Qb3, 10.Rc1 ( 10.h6 Bf8 )
Rac1 or Rfc1 and Ne5. A) The move 10...Bf5 runs into
A) 11...Qb6 12.Qb3 in view of 11.g4 with an advantage for White.
Qxb3 13.axb3 Rfc8 ( 13...Bc2? Bd7 ( 11...Be4 12.f3 ) 12.h6 Bf8
14.0-0 Bxb3 15.Nd2 Bc2 16.Rfc1 13.f3 Marin: '!?' Marin: 'Rare move'
Bf5 17.Nb3+- and black cannot Rc8 ( Normally we should be afraid
hold on the queenside; 13...Nb4 for 13...e5 however here we have a
14.0-0 ) 14.0-0 with a nice edge nice resource: 14.dxe5 Nxe5
for white; 15.g5 Nh5 16.Rxh5 gxh5
B) 11...Rc8 12.0-0 Ne4 17.Nxd5 when white obviously has
Marin: '½-½ (60) Shabalov,A (2530)- great compensation ) 14.Kf2 e6
Shirov,A (2643) Arica 2018' 13.Rc1 15.Qd2 06 3...c6 [Sipke Ernst];
Marin: '!!' Bf6 Sipke Ernst: '?' B) 10...a6 11.Kf1 Removing the
White's passed pawn, together with king from the opposition with the
Black's weakness on a5, gives the rook. Usually, f1 is a perfect spot
first player the better chances. for the white king. ( Now, the move
Black cannot play ( 13...Qd7 11.h6 is less effective in view of Bf8
14.Qb3 Nxc3 15.Rxc3 ) 14.Qb3 After 12.a3 '!' with equality. or Ne4
± It's not easy for Black to handle 13.Nf3 Nxc3 14.Rxc3 Bg4⇆
the queenside pressure. 1-0 (33) Black gets decent counterplay. )
Ding,L (2799) -Mamedyarov,S 11...Ne4 12.Nf3 At this point Black
(2765) Chess.com INT 2021 '?!' GM should have played Nxc3
Pavel Eljanov: 'It's not easy for Once again, both captures are
Black to handle the queenside possible. I prefer 'N!' 13.bxc3!?
pressure. 1-0 (33) Ding,L (2799)- which makes the position more
Mamedyarov,S (2765) Chess.com dynamic. Note that Bg4
INT 2021' Na5 ( 14...Nxc3 can be answered with 14.Rh4↑
15.Rxc3+- ) 15.Qb4 Nxc3 16.Rxc3 with an initiative. ]
Marin: '+-' Marin: '1-0 (66) Makarian, 10.h6!? We see this typical concept over
R (2343)-Gukesh,D (2431) and over. White can hardly achieve
Voronezh 2018' Rxc3 17.Qxc3+- anything after the other options.
1-0 (33) Ding,L (2799)-Mamedyarov, 10...Nxc3 11.bxc3 Bf6 The most natural
square for the bishop. challenging move.

[ After 11...Bh8 the bishop is making [ With the bishop being on f6, the
Black's position is even more cramped. sequen GM Pavel Eljanov: 'With the
This move, however, does not change bishop being on f6, the sequence'
the character of the game - 12.Nf3 13.Rb1 Na5 14.0-0 Rc8 we reach a
The best chance. Black equalizes more or less balanced position. White
comfortably after: Bg4 13.Rb1 Na5 has sufficient compensation for a
14.0-0 Rc8 Remember this typical pawn, but no more. Certainly not
position. Due to Black's spoiled 15.Nd2 Bxe2 and Black is already
coordination, instead of defending the better, thanks to the dual threats of ...
c3-pawn, White can play 15.Nd2 xa2 and ...a6 followed by ...d3.
Bxe2 16.Qxe2 Rxc3?! This move is 16.Qxe2 allows the strong manoeuvre
dubious. ( Better would have been Rxc3 '!' 17.Rfc1 does not work in the
Black has to solve the problem of his same way since after Rc8
light-squared bishop. After 16...b6 '?' with unpleasant pressure. White must
17.Rfc1 he loses material. Qd7 not allow Black to take control over
18.c4 when White enjoys only a the h1-a8 diagonal, as happens after
slight advantage. ) The point is that 18.Rxc8 Qxc8 '!' If Black refuses the
after 17.Rfc1 '=!' Rxc1+ pawn with 19.Rb5 then White keeps
( Another very instructive sequence better chances after b6 20.Rxd5 e6⇆
would be 17...Rc8 18.Qb5 b6 Black gets decent counterplay. '!' ]
19.Rxc8 Qxc8 20.Qxd5 Qc2 13...Rc8 I also examined: 14.Nd2 Bxe2
21.Be5! with a strong attack thanks Black's two other options are:
to the h6-pawn. '!' White keeps a 15.Qxe2 e5! White is ready to push e3-
slight pull due to the vulnerability of e4, even by sacrificing the c3-pawn.
Black's queenside pawns. ) 18.Rxc1 Therefore, Black should react
Black's passive pieces make it immediately.
impossible to fight against White's [ A typical line would be 15...Na5
queenside initiative. ] 16.e4!
We have arrived at one of the critical A) In case of 16...e6 White has
positions of the whole variation. some sort of domination and can
After a deep investigation I came to regain the pawn at any moment.
the conclusion that White's best bet Meanwhile he can try to push his
for an advantage is a peculiar- kingside pawns in order to create
looking move. 12.Nf3 '!' This move targets near the black monarch.
has surprisingly only been played 17.exd5 '!?' With the idea of 26.h5. I
once! The following alternatives do believe White can try to squeeze
not seem to yeild anything special. something from the knight's
12...Bg4 Definitely the critical line. We superiority over the enemy bishop.
also have: 13.0-0 Sipke Ernst: '' Another possibility is exd5
Sipke Ernst: 'the pawn on h6 is a ( Even worse is 17...Qxd5?!
longterm asset in such positions' giving the e4-square to the white
'N!?' This looks to me like the most knight. After but here Black has the
very strong punch: 18.Rfb1 beginning to seize space so simply

'!' Now after b6 19.Ne4 Bh8 must be better than 7.Rxh5?! gxh5
20.Bd6 White has a big 8.Qxh5 f5! , even though this was
advantage. ) 18.Qf3↑ White better seen in the fairly high-profile online
coordination and kingside space rapid game Yoo-Liang, 2021.
advantage gives him the initiative.; [ 7.Be2 Nf6 8.Bg5 when Black has to
B) 16...Rxc3 17.e5 Bh8 18.Rac1 continue with care. ]
This position looks quite ugly for 7...Nf6 8.g5 Now 8...Nh5? would be
Black. ] quickly cleaned up by 9.Be2 , so
16.dxe5 '!?' This slightly surprising pawn the knight must retreat to d7 or e8,
sacrifice allows White to fight for an after which White can even
opening advantage. 16...Bxe5 continue to expand: 8...Ne8
17.Nf3 Bxc3! [ 8...Nfd7 This is an interesting idea.
[ After 17...Bxf4 18.exf4 '!?' Qd6 Black has passive pieces, but he is a
19.Qd2 White is better due to the pawn up and the main idea is Re8-
space advantage on the kingside. Nf8 followed by e6 9.f4 Re8 10.Be3
Black's king is potentially vulnerable c5 11.d5 Nf8 ( 11...b5!? Playing in
in view of the strong h6-pawn. ] the Benko style is also possible here )
18.Rab1 '!' 18...Qd7 19.Rfd1 A) 12.Bd3 b5! 13.cxb5 Nbd7
In this complex position, it's clear 14.Nge2 ( GM Pavel Eljanov: 'if
that despite pawn deficit only White White develops the knight on f3
can play for an advantage thanks to then e6 is just powerful' 14.Nf3
his active pieces and the h6-pawn. if White develops the knight on f3
Chapter 2 – Slav Approach [GM then e6 is just powerful e6 )
Pavel Eljanov] 14...a6⇆ again White is
overextended and after a6 and e6,
10
4.h5? Nxh5 5.e4 d6 the position will open and Black will
have at least equal chances;
11
Black rarely choose this move order B) 12.Qd2 e6!? ( 12...e5
4...0-0 maybe because there is an extra is possible too, but White can
attempt is a better approach. sacrifice a second pawn with 13.f5!
Indeed, h2-h4 looks a little out of gxf5 14.Qh2 f4 15.Bf2
place against the Kings Indian The position is close and Black
Defence, but White still has some doesn't have any counterplay. In
interesting ideas, such as 5.h5!?N the meantime, the maneuver Nf3-
Nobody played it yet but it seems h4-f5 looks quite unplesant ) 13.Bd3
that there is decent room for b5 14.Nxb5 exd5 15.cxd5 Na6⇆
analysis. 5...Nxh5 6.e4 Black will continue with Nb4-Rb8,
[ 6.g4 transposes to the mainline after: Bf5. It is some kind of dynamic
Nf6 7.e4 d6 ] equality ]
6...d6 [ 8...Nh5? 9.Be2+- ]
[ 6...e5!? ] 9.f4 Not only seizing more space, but
7.g4 Kicking the knight back and also clearing the second rank and
so a stronger continuation than the [ 7.e4!? ]

9.Be3 of Zakaryan-Etingof, Sochi 7...Nc6 8.e4 d6 9.Be3 Qa5 10.Qd2
2021. White already threatens the Ng4 11.Bf4 Be6 12.Be2 Nge5 13.b3
crude but strong Qd2-h2, so the
engines feel that Black must react 13
5...0-0 6.e4
with a double-central advance: [ 6.h5!? Nxh5 7.g4 Nf6 8.g5 Nh5
9...c5 This is possible as 10.Qd2 Bxd4 9.e4 ]
11.Qh2 h5! keeps lines relatively 6...d6 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bf4 e6
closed. 10.d5 From e8, the knight Arsovic,Zoran: 'N'
is not blocking the light-square [ 8...Re8 9.Qd2 h5 10.f3 e6 11.dxe6
bishop and Black will continue with Bxe6
f5 or e6 breaks 10...e6 A) 12.Bxd6?! Nc6 13.Bxc5 Qxd2+
[ 10...f5 this looks too risky after: Now 14.Kxd2 Rac8?! ( 14...Rad8+!?
Black has ideas of ...Qa5, as well as ... 15.Ke1 Nd7 ) 15.Rd1 Ne5
Rf7. 11.gxf6 It seems a shame to 16.Bxa7 Bxc4 17.Ke1 Red8?
unrestrict Black's pieces with 11. ( 17...Bxf1 18.Kxf1 Nc4 ) 18.Bd4
gxf6!? , but this does open lines and Bxf1 19.Bxe5 Rxd1+ 20.Nxd1;
White doesn't appear to have anything B) 12.0-0-0!? Nc6 13.Nh3 a6
clear after 11.Qc2 fxe4 . Nxf6 12.Nf3 14.Ng5 ]
( 12.Nh3 The knight is bound for a 9.Be2
strong post on g5, Black dare not [ 9.Qd2 h5 10.Be2 exd5 11.cxd5 a6
weaken further his light squares with 12.a4 Qe7 13.Bg5 Nbd7 14.Nf3 ]
a trade on h3, and there are also 9...exd5 10.exd5 Re8 Arsovic,Zoran: '*'
ideas of f4-f5. In short, White has 11.Nf3
decent compensation and 6.h5!? very [ 11.Qd2 b5!? 12.cxb5 a6 13.Bxh6
much looks like an idea we may soon axb5 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Nxb5 Ne4
see more of. ) 12...Qe8 13.Ng5 16.Qc1 Ba6 ]
with the idea Ne6 next. I believe 11...Bg4 12.Kf1 Na6 '?!'
White's play is much easier. ] [ 12...Ne4 Arsovic,Zoran: '!' '!' 13.Nxe4
11.Bd2 exd5 12.cxd5 f5 Black needs to Rxe4 14.Qd2 Nd7 15.Bxd6
play active. Otherwise, Qe2-h2 will ( 15.Bxh6 Arsovic,Zoran: '?' Bxf3
come with a devastating attack 16.Bxf3 Rxh4 Arsovic,Zoran: '-+';
13.Qe2 fxe4 14.Qh2 I decided to stop 15.Bd3 Bxf3 16.gxf3 Rd4
here, but you can analyze this even Arsovic,Zoran: '' ) 15...Nb6 16.Bxc5
more. The h7-pawn is lost, but it is Nxc4 17.Bxc4 Rxc4 Arsovic,Zoran:
not the end of the world. Black's '' ]
king will be safe on f7 for the time 13.Qd2 h5
being. We can conclude that it [ 13...Ne4!? ]
looks quite dangerous for Black, but 14.Re1 Nc7 15.Ng5
the game is still on. [ 15.g3 b5 16.Kg2 ]
4...-- 15...a6
[ 15...Bxe2+ 16.Rxe2 Rxe2 17.Qxe2
12
5.dxc5!? Qa5 6.Bd2 Qxc5 7.Rc1 b5 Arsovic,Zoran: '!' ]
16.Bxg4 Rxe1+ 17.Qxe1 Nxg4 counterplay-denying a2-a4, as well as

18.Nce4 Knight,A (2451)-Cordon,M to edge forwards with Qd2 and Bh6 or
(2289) Groningen 2021 200 Traps even Ng5 Bxe2; Qxe2, thereby
In The Opening [Adorjan,Andras] continuing to leave Black a little low
Arsovic,Zoran: '' on counterplay. 9.Bg5 ( 9.Bf4
5...h5 6.e4 0-0 7.Be2 e6 White eyes the backward pawn on d6
[ 7...d6 8.Nf3 Those who recall the and aims to provoke the positionally
course of Vachier-Lagrave-Svidler or misguided ...e5. Re8 10.Ng5
who have already looked forward in The star advance once again as Black
the course will be aware that we are begins to struggle slightly for
now in a main line counterplay. exd5 11.exd5
StartBracket Maintaining control and now ...Bg4
StartFENrnbqkb1r/pppppp1p/ can always be met by f2-f3.
5np1/8/2PP3P/8/PP2PPP1/ Meanwhile, White is set to castle, go
RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 Qd2 and Rfe1, and then look to edge
3EndFEN 3...Bg7 4.Nc3 O-O 5. forwards, gradually exploiting his
e4 d6 6.Be2 c5 7.d5 extra space and that fine knight on g5.
EndBracket where Black has a6 12.0-0 Clearly 12...b5 isn't
weakened himself with 7...h5 8.Nf3 . anything to fear with d6 so weak
The advance of the h-pawns is an StartBracket 13.cxb5 axb5 14.
insertion that slightly favours White as Nxb5 would highlight
any bishop or knight on g5 can no thatEndBracket, and White
longer be easily dislodged by ...h6. In has a pleasant edge, in part because
contrast, and in part because White Black is tied down to the defence of
hasn't yet gone O-O, it will be possible d6 and struggling to find a great way
to arrange f2-f3 after ...Bg4 or ...Ng4 to develop his queenside. In Grischuk-
much more easily than Black can Svidler, FTX Crypto Cup (rapid) 2021,
even make a rather ugly and further Black lashed out, but doing so
weakening ...f6 push. Already White quickly backfired on him:
might just expand with Ng5 or simply StartFENrnbqr1k1/1p3pb1/
Bf4 StartBracketnot Be3 when p2p1np1/2pP2Np/2P2B1P/2N5/
...Ng4 may supply some PP2BPP1/R2Q1RK1 b - - 1
counterplayEndBracket and 12EndFEN 12...Nbd7 13.Bxd6
Qd2. e6 Reacting in the centre is Qb6 14.Bf4 Qxb2 15.Rc1 . Black's
principled and likely best. 8...Bg4 9. queen found itself somewhat offside
Bf4!? looks even stronger than the 9. as Grischuk maintained control. White
Be3 of Dimitrijevic-A.L'Ami, Doha is even able to take twice on b5 in the
2014. White makes it that little bit event of 15...b5 , but otherwise simply
harder for Black to bring a knight to e5, Rfe1 and Bd3 in conjunction with d5-
while reminding her that e4-e5 is an d6 would be quick to place Black
important pawn break. After 9...Nbd7 under pretty heavy pressure indeed. 2.
10.O-O , White's king is safe and the Black Obstructs Harry (...-2A | Harry
plan now is to meet any ...a6 with a Obstruction with 3,8 ) 9...exd5 10.cxd5
( 10.exd5 Bg4 11.0-0; 10.Nxd5 Nc6 Bologan,V: ',preparing ... Rd6. The
11.0-0 Re8 12.Qd3 Be6 13.Rae1 ) alternative is' 9.Bd2 this is force and
10...Nbd7 11.0-0 a6 12.a4 ] now Black can enter an edngame with
8.e5 Nh7 a bishop pair after: Bologan,V: ',but I
[ 8...Ng4 ] think that the text move offers more
9.Bf4 exd5 10.Qxd5 Na6 11.Nf3 Nc7 chances. After' Nxd2 Bologan,V: ',
12.Qxc5 Black can play' 10.Qxd2 Bologan,V:
[ 12.Qd6 ] 'or' Qxd2+ Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V:
12...Ne6 13.Qe3 Nxf4 14.Qxf4 d6 'Black chases White's  after'
15.exd6 Re8 16.Rd1 Bg4 17.Rd2 Nf8 11.Kxd2 Na6 Bologan,V: 'It's too early
18.0-0 for' 12.h5 Bologan,V: '?!' Bologan,V:
[ 18.Nd5 Ne6 19.Qe3 ] 'because of' ( 12.Nf3 ) 12...d6!⇆
18...Ne6 19.Qe3 Nd4 20.Qxe8+ Qxe8 Even without queens, the position
21.Nxd4 Qd8 22.Ne4 Qxh4 23.Nf3 remains very sharp. Black plans to
Qd8 24.Rfd1 Bf5 25.Ng3 Bd7 26.Ne4 continue with Be6 and 0-0-0. Also the
Rc8 27.b4 a5 28.a3 axb4 29.axb4 bishop on g7 is powerful. White has a
Ba4 30.Re1 Bc6 31.Bf1 b6 32.c5 strong knight on d5 and some threats
bxc5 33.bxc5 Qa5 34.Neg5 on the kingside but still needs to
[ 34.Rc2 ] solve some problems with his king.
34...Bc3 35.d7 Rf8 The engines evaluate the position as
[ 35...Rd8 ] equal, but I believe that it is easier
36.Rd6 Bxd7 37.Re7 Bb5 38.Bxb5 to play it with Black. ]
Qxb5 39.Rdd7 Qxc5 40.Nxf7 Bg7 [ Bologan,V: ',while after' 7.cxd5
41.Rc7 Qd5 42.Red7 Qe4 43.Re7 Qf4 is always possible, but now we are in
44.N7g5 Bd4 the central position of Modern Benoni
[ 44...Bf6 ] where the move h4 is not the most
45.Ne6 Bxf2+ 46.Kxf2 Qd2+ 47.Kg1 useful one. Bologan,V: ',Black should
Qd1+ 48.Kh2 Qd6+ 49.Kh3 1-0 (49) probably put his  on e8.' d6⇆
Wong,S (2579)-6.Bf4 Nbd7 7.e3 A) 8.Nge2 0-0 9.Ng3 Re8 10.Be2
(2581) Prievidza 2019 CBM 94 b5?! ( 10...Nbd7!? ) 11.Bxb5 Nbd7
[Stoeppel,Dirk] 12.0-0 Rb8 13.h5 a6 14.Be2 Ne5
15.h6!?;
14
6.e4 This is quite harmless and now B) 8.h5 A bold pawn sacrifice,
Black's idea works very well after: making full use of Harry. In the
Bologan,V: '0-1 Llaneza Vega,M limited practice with this position
(2468)-Gonzalez Garcia,J (2506) White has more usually preferred 8.
Barcelona Edami 2008 (2) ,and the Be2 , which is also a decent move,
difference between the two s is intending 9.h5 or if 8...h5 9.Bg5 .
telling. if' 6...exd5 7.exd5 8...Nxh5 9.g4 The correct follow-up,
[ Bologan,V: 'If' 7.e5 is possible too, expanding with tempo, whereas 9.
but doesn't promise any advantage Rxh5? gxh5 10.Qxh5 Nd7 saw
after Bologan,V: 'with the idea' '!?' Ne4 White coming up short in
8.Nxd5 Bologan,V: ',then' Qa5+ Ragnarsson-Hillarp Persson,
Reykjavik 2011. Nf6 10.g5 Nh5 ( 13...Qb6! ) 14.Nf3 Rxg5 15.Nxg5

11.Be2 White simply prepares to Ne5 16.Nce4 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 f5
exchange on h5 then continue 18.Ng5 ]
development with Bf4, so Black is 9...h5! the easiest. Without advanced
likely to counter against e4: Qe7 pawn White can hardly achieve
12.Bxh5 gxh5 12...Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 something Bologan,V: ',which is
gxh5 14.Qe2 punishes Black's also good,because White's  on c1
inaccurate move order. 13.Qe2 is not a very happy piece'
Matters aren't at all clear and this [ 9...a6?! was tried by the French GMs
position could do with some tests, Gozzoli and MVL, but failed to
but we're keen to try the white side. equalize after: 10.a4 Bologan,V: ',this
There's no rush to regain the pawn time because of' ( 10.h5!? b5 )
on h5 and White is instead likely to 10...d6 ( 10...h5 will be meet by
meet ...Nbd7 with f2-f4, although, Bologan,V: 'Black is again ready for ...
however Black continues, Bf4, O-O- e5-e4.' 11.d6 ) 11.h5
O, Qe3 and Nge2-g3, eyeing those A) 11...Nbd7 is probably a better
holes on f5 and h5, is also very option
much a valid scheme of A1) 12.g3 Nxh5 ( 12...Ne4
development. 3. Other 3rd Moves 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.Bd3 Re8
Bar 3...Bg-3A | 3...c5 | Black plays 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.Nf3 Nf6
4..,6 ] 17.Ng5 Ng4 18.Ra2 Ne5
7...0-0 Bologan,V: 'then' 8.Be2 19.Be2 ) 13.Bxh5 gxh5 14.Qxh5
Bologan,V: 'and ... Qh4' Nf6 15.Qh4 Qd7 ( 15...Re5
[ 8.Bd3?! is a mistake here d6 16.Bg5 h6 17.Bxf6 Qxf6
Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V: 'Only now, 18.Qxf6 Bxf6 19.Rxh6 Kg7 )
after Black is fully developed.' 9.h5 16.Bh6 Qf5 17.Bxg7 Ng4
Nxh5 10.Rxh5 gxh5 Bologan,V: '... 18.Nh3 Kxg7 19.Kg2 h6;
with the idea ... Rd7, ... Rad8 and ... A2) 12.g4!?;
c6-c5 the move' 11.Qxh5 Bologan,V: A3) 12.h6 '!' 12...Bh8 13.Bg5
'would allow' f5 White has some Bologan,V: 'comes'
compensation for the exchange, but A3a) 13...Ne5
probably not enough for equality A3a1) 14.g3
Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V: ',which is A3a11) 14...Qd7 15.Bf4
unclear.' ] ( 15.Qd2!? ) 15...Qc7
Bologan,V: 'Black doesn't play' 16.Bc1!? Qe7 17.Bg5
8...Re8 Bologan,V: '!?' 9.Kf1 Qd7 18.Bf4 Qc7 19.Bc1
[ 9.h5?! doesn't achieve anything Qe7 20.Ra3! Chapter 13-
Nxh5 10.Kf1 Nf6 Bologan,V: 'White Game 1 Game 1;
has succeeded in exchanging a pair of A3a12) 14...Bf5 15.Rh4;
pieces,but he still cannot sit calmly A3a2) 14.Rh4 Qb6 15.Ra2
because Black plans to increase the Bf5 16.Rf4 Rf8 17.a5 '!'
pressure with ... Bf5.' 11.Bg5 d6 Qc7 ( 17...Qb4 18.Nf3
12.Qd2 Nbd7 13.Qf4 Re5? Nxf3 19.Rxf3 ) 18.g4;
A3b) 13...Qb6 Bologan,V: B1) 15.Qc2 Bxf3 ( 15...Re8

'followed by ... Rad8. White 16.Bd3 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Nd7
would be happy after' 18.f4 ) 16.Bxf3 Rh4 17.Rxh4
A3b1) 14.b3 Ng4 15.Bxg4 Qxh4 18.g3 Qd8 19.Kg2 Nd7
Bxc3 16.Rh3 Qa5 20.Be3;
( 16...Re1+ 17.Qxe1 Bxe1 B2) 15.Bg5 White is better, he
18.Rxe1 ) 17.Re3 Rxe3 plans to follow with Bd3, Qd2,
18.Bxe3 b5 19.Rc1 bxa4 etc.. Despite the lack of space,
20.bxa4 Ne5 21.Bxc8 Black will have some problems
Rxc8; on the open h-file 1-0 (90)
A3b2) 14.Ra2 Ne5 15.b3 Carlsen,M (2882) -Vachier
Qc7 16.g3 Nfg4 17.Bd2; Lagrave,M (2778) Saint Louis
A3b3) 14.Rb1 Bologan,V: 2019 ]
'?!' 14...Ne4 ( 14...Ne5 [ 9...b5 10.Nxb5 Ne4 11.d6 ( 11.h5
15.b3 Qa5 16.Rc1 ) d6 ) 11...Nc6 12.Nf3 ( 12.Nc7 Bd4 )
15.Nxe4 Rxe4 16.Bd3 Re8 12...Qf6 13.Nc7 Bb7 ]
Bologan,V: '1-0 Kotzem,E- 10.d6 Trying to disturb the natural
Smoljan,N EU-ch35 corr development of the Black's pieces
1984 with the advantage.' [ 10.g3 d6 11.Kg2 Nbd7 ( 11...Ne4
( 16...Rd4 17.Nf3 ) 17.Nf3 12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Nf3 ) 12.f3 a6
Nf6 ( 17...Ne5 18.Nxe5 13.a4 ]
Bxe5 19.g3 ) 18.Nd2 10...Nc6 11.Bg5
( 18.Qc2 ) 18...Ng4 [ after 11.Nb5 Black can ignore
Bologan,V: 'This is the White's threat and just finish the
optimal square for this .' development b6 12.Nc7 Bologan,V:
19.Nf3 1/2 (19) Edouard,R 'because he is far better developed.
(2650) -Gozzoli,Y (2614) Once more White gets nothing out of'
Chartres 2019 Bologan,V: Bb7 13.Bg5 Nd4 14.Bf3 Nxf3
'1-0 Shaginjan,A-Khavsky,S 15.Nxf3 Re4 ]
(2339) St Petersburg White 11...Re6 Now White will have a problem
Nights op 1999 (6)' GM defending the d6-pawn. 12.Nh3
Pavel Eljanov: '1/2 (19) [ The aggressive 12.g4 is well met
Edouard,R (2650)-Gozzoli,Y with Qf8! 13.gxh5 Rxd6 14.Qc1
(2614) Chartres 2019'; Nxh5 15.Nb5 Nd4 Bologan,V: '...
B) 11...Ne4 Bologan,V: 'followed followed by ... e5-e4. Black can also
by ... c6-c5,and White has to figure play' 16.Nxd6 Qxd6 17.Bxh5 gxh5
out how to free himself without with more than enough compensation
some material concession.' for the sacrificing material ]
Bologan,V: 'White knows that if he 12...Qf8 13.Bf4 Nd4 14.Bf3 Nxf3
plays' 12.Nxe4 Bologan,V: ',he Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: 'Rudolf
must reckon with' Rxe4 13.hxg6 Charousek played this move in
hxg6 Bologan,V: ',and after' 14.Nf3 1896,and it's still the best one.Now:
Bg4 C1a) 12 Bf3 C1b) 12 Kh1 C1c)
12 Nc3 C1a) In this line we will 6EndFEN 6...a6? would be

see the fight between two s and far too slow and after 7.h6 Bf8 8.d6!
two s in a classical Chigorin style. White dominates the board, and
C1b) The 15th World Champion in continues to do so in the event of
correspondence chess,the Dutch 8...Qb6 9.Bf4 Qxb2? 10.Rh3 when
ICCF GM Gert ]an Timmerman, Rb1 is one threat, Be5 an even
proved that in this line Black also bigger one. BEndBracket
has excellent compensation. C1c) StartFENrnbqk2r/pp1p1pbp/
With 12 Nc3 White prepares Na4,so 4pnp1/2pP3P/2P5/2N5/PP2PPP1/
it makes sense for Black to retain R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0
his dark-squared (at least for 6EndFEN 6...d6?! is a bit
now)with 1 2 ... Bb6.' 15.Qxf3 Rb8 better, but 7.h6! Bf8 8.e4 still leaves
16.Qd3 a6 17.Ng5 Bologan,V: '1-0 Black under the cosh, in part
Narciso Dublan,M (2546)-Fluvia because there will always be mating
Poyatos,J (2508) Barcelona Casino ideas in the middlegame on g7.
2007 (5)' 17...Re8 18.Rh3 b5⇆ CEndBracket We should
Black has very good counterplay also mention that
6.h5!? very creative idea from GM StartFENrnbqk2r/pp1p1pbp/
Kirill Alekseenko. I can't 4pnp1/2pP3P/2P5/2N5/PP2PPP1/
recommend playing it without R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0
studying the positions very well. 6EndFEN 6...O-O ?! 7.hxg6
Even after I spent some time StartBracket 7.h6 achieves
working on this position, it's too less when Black can simply retreat
irrational to my taste. Of course, and stay on the key diagonal: 7...
this means that Black also has to Bh8 EndBracket
solve very complex tasks. The StartFENrnbq1rk1/
exclamation mark is partly for pp1p1pbp/4pnP1/2pP4/2P5/2N5/
courage and shock value, but the PP2PPP1/R1BQKBNR b KQ - 0
advance is also a strong one. 7EndFEN 7...fxg6 prepares
Indeed, we'll see that White quickly to meet 8.d6 with 8...b5! , which is
obtains full compensation and more suddenly all rather unclear. White
than that for the pawn. 6...Nxh5 can do much better, though, with
Black should accept the sacrifice. simply StartFENrnbq1rk1/
Otherwise, White will have a pp1p2bp/4pnp1/2pP4/2P5/2N5/
pleasant choice between putting the PP2PPP1/R1BQKBNR w KQ - 0
pawn on h6 or opening the h-file 8EndFEN 8.Nf3 , heading
after hxg6. To avoid being for g5 and also intending to meet
somewhat worse, Black must any capture on d5 with Nxd5.
accept the pawn. For instance: [ 6...exd5 7.h6 ]
AEndBracket [ 6...0-0 7.hxg6 fxg6 ( 7...hxg6 8.d6 )
StartFENrnbqk2r/pp1p1pbp/ 8.g3 ]
4pnp1/2pP3P/2P5/2N5/PP2PPP1/ 7.g4 '!?' '!?' Maximum aggression as
R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0 White kicks the knight backwards
before looking to jam up Black's has good counterplay after: exd5

development. 7...Nf6 8.d6 10.Nxd5 Nc6 11.Be2 Bologan,V:
This was Alekseenko's idea. Now '½-½ Jong,E (2179)-Mayr,F (2368)
Black can't easily develop his EU-ch WS/M/013 email 2009' d6
queenside. The aforementioned Bologan,V: '... with the idea ... Nb7-
jamming up. White is all now set to d8-f7 After' 12.Bxh5 gxh5⇆
expand with e2-e4 and f2-f4, with GM Ivan Cheparinov: 'Transposes
g4-g5 followed by Bg2 and Bf3 also to 11.Nd5.' 13.Bf4 ( 13.Rxh5
very much an idea. 8.g5!? Nh5 9. Be6⇆ ) 13...Be6 14.Qd2 Qd7
Bg2 tempts us too, we must admit, 15.0-0-0 0-0-0 16.Ne2 Bg4
threatening Ne4 even more than the 17.Qe3 Bxe2 f3 was a threat, so
immediate Bf3. Black should it's best to capture the knight on e2.
probably react with 9...d6! 10.dxe6! 18.Qxe2 Qe6 19.Rxh5 h6=
StartBrackettrying to make Black has no problems and is at
maximum use of the fianchettoed least equal in this position.;
bishop on g2EndBracket: B) 9.Bg2
AEndBracket B1) 9...d6 is very dangerous for
StartFENrnbqk2r/pp3pbp/ Black after: 10.dxe6 Bologan,V:
3pP1p1/2p3Pn/2P5/2N5/PP2PPB1/ '!' fxe6 11.Ne4 d5 ( 11...0-0
R1BQK1NR b KQkq - 0 12.Qxd6 ) 12.cxd5 Bologan,V: '!'
10EndFEN 10...fxe6? 11. Bologan,V: 'The position would
Ne4! might easily claim some be critical without this move.Now,
victims. Either d6 is falling or Black White has to play ...' 0-0
set to fall into a trap: 11...d5 12. ( 12...exd5 13.Nxc5 ) 13.d6;
cxd5 exd5? 13.Nxc5! Qa5+?! 14. B2) 9...exd5 is well met by
Bd2 , and if 14...Qxc5 15.Rc1 . 10.Nxd5! d6 11.Bf3 Nc6
BEndBracket 12.Nh3→ White's initiative looks
StartFENrnbqk2r/pp3pbp/ very dangerous Bologan,V: '!?'
3pP1p1/2p3Pn/2P5/2N5/PP2PPB1/ Bologan,V: 'This is the simplest
R1BQK1NR b KQkq - 0 way to equalize.For instance:';
10EndFEN 10...Bxc3+! 11. B3) I would prefer this move to
bxc3 fxe6 . Here White might simply complete the development as
develop with 12.Be3!? and Qd2, or fast as possible 9...Bxc3+
be more direct with 12.Bf3 when this exchange is hazardous, but
Black doesn't have to return the with the pawn on g5, it is not
pawn, but 12...Ng7 13.Be4 Nf5 14. easy for White to take advantage
Nf3 would leave him behind in of the weak dark squares in
development and under ongoing Black's camp. 10.bxc3
pressure with Bf4 set to target d6 Bologan,V: ',and White will lose
and aim to force a rather weakening on f2 after' d6 Bologan,V:
...e5. 'Black's  will find a shelter on
[ 8.g5 looks logical too Nh5 the -side after' 11.dxe6
A) 9.e4 is very logical, but Black Bologan,V: '?!' fxe6 12.Bf3
Bologan,V: '0-1 Orujov,E (2185)- naturally placed' ]

Davidov,S (2326) Baku 8...0-0? Ragger made a serious mistake
President's Cup 2nd 2007 (4)' immediately. Castles is often
( 12.Nf3 is too slow and gives premature in this line and Black
Black time to complete his quickly got into trouble in the game.
development after: Bologan,V: Instead of 8... 0-0 Black has at least
'The best move' Nc6 13.Be3 a few reasonable options '?!' The
Bologan,V: 'This is the only move. Austrian Grandmaster is both an
White cannot retreat with his  excellent theoretician and very
because of ... Bc5.' 0-0 14.Qd2 strong player, but now finds himself
b6 15.Nh2 Bb7 Bologan,V: clearly worse after just eight moves.
'Black threatens ... Qd4 or ... 0-0, Such is the strength of 3.h4!
so White has only two good Instead: AEndBracket
answers: A1) 13 Nc3= A2) 13 StartFENrnbqk2r/pp1p1pbp/
b4!?= A1) In this rarely played 3Ppnp1/2p5/2P3P1/2N5/PP2PP2/
line,Black will have the initiative R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0
to compensate for his six weak 8EndFEN 8...Nxg4!? would
s. A2) In this forcing line, have been critical when: A.
introduced by GM Daniel 1EndBracket You may also
Stellwagen,the scenario is wish to explore
completely opposite.White StartFENrnbqk2r/pp1p1pbp/
sacrifices the exchange for 3Pp1p1/2p5/2P3n1/2N5/PP2PP2/
activity,but if Black regroups in R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 0
time,he will experience no 9EndFEN 9.e4!? when
difficulties in holding the Black might well be tempted into a
endgame.' 16.Ng4 Bologan,V: forcing and critical line, 9...Bxc3+
'!?' Qe7⇆ ) 12...Nc6 13.Bxh5 10.bxc3 Qf6 and now it's time for
Bologan,V: '?' gxh5 14.Rxh5 White to have some fun: 11.f3!
Bologan,V: 'fails to' ( 14.e4 Qxc3+ 12.Bd2 Qd4 13.fxg4! Qxe4+
Bologan,V: '!?' Kd7 Bologan,V: 14.Qe2 Qxh1 15.Nf3 . White is the
'!?' GM Pavel Eljanov: '⇆' ) exchange and four pawns down,
14...Qe7 Bologan,V: '!' 15.Rb1 but Black's dark squares are shot
e5 16.g6 Qf6⇆ The position is and his queen far from happy. The
non-trivial, but somehow looks immediate threat is O-O-O and Bg2,
that Black has a good game. with 15...f6! 16.O-O-O g5 the only
White's pieces are not very defence according to the engines.
naturally place Bologan,V: '0-1 Here White can sacrifice on g5 then
Kasapoglu,A (1910)-Pepe,S invade on e5 with the queen or
Theme Two Knights-B corr 1997' even calmly go 17.Bg2!? Qh6 and
GM Pavel Eljanov: 'The position only then 18.Nxg5! fxg5 19.Bc3 with
is non-trivial, but somehow looks full compensation for a rook and a
that Black has a good game. possible repetition - but only if Black
White's pieces are not very is able to walk such a defensive
tightrope – after 19...Rg8 20.Rh1 StartBracket 14...Nxf3+? 15.

Qf8 21.Rf1 Qxd6 22.Be5 Qe7 23. Qxf3 is almost positionally winning
Bf6 Qf8 24.Be5 Qe7 25.Bf6 Qd6 26. for White; Be3 and O-O-O may
Be5 , etc. Definite food for thought. simply follow, if not Nb5 or just
A.2EndBracket Rxh5 and f5-f6, thereby completely
StartFENrnbqk2r/pp1p1pbp/ messing up Black's development
3Pp1p1/2p5/2P3n1/2N5/PP2PP2/ and coordination.
R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 0 EndBracket
9EndFEN 9.Nb5 Na6 10.e4 StartFENr2qk2r/pb1p1pbp/
retains full compensation. White 1p1P2p1/2p1pPP1/2PnP3/2N2Bn1/
always has Be2 if needed and PP6/R1BQK1NR w KQkq - 3
simply wants to continue annexing 15EndFEN 15.Rh3 Nxf3+ 16.
space with f2-f4, all the while as the Nxf3 Nxe4 17.Nxe4 Bxe4 18.f6
monster pawn on d6 continues to forces Black to sacrifice a piece
badly interfere with Black's StartBracketotherwise, Nxe5
coordination. Note too how well will just clean him
placed that fine knight on b5 is, upEndBracket 18...Bxf6! 19.
eyeing c7, overprotecting d6 and gxf6 Qxf6 . Even here matters are
keeping Black's bishop out of d4. rather unclear but after 20.Bh6 we'd
BEndBracket be quite happy as White. Black
StartFENrnbqk2r/pp1p1pbp/ does have four pawns for the piece,
3Ppnp1/2p5/2P3P1/2N5/PP2PP2/ but Qe2 and O-O-O are on their
R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0 way, that superbly cramping d6-
8EndFEN 8...b6!? would pawn still lives and Black's dark
perhaps have been the most squares are likely to remain shut for
sensible defence, when 9.Bg2 Nc6 the rest of the game.
10.e4 simply intends to steamroller [ GM Pavel Eljanov: 'I would prefer this
Black with f2-f4 and e4-e5, thereby move to complete the development as
retaining good compensation. The fast as possible' 8...b6!?
critical line is probably 10...e5! A) 9.Bg2 trying to exploit the
when 11.g5 Nh5 12.Rxh5 gxh5 is weakness on the long diagonal
by no means ridiculous and White Bologan,V: ',so he should probably
can also hit back in the centre: 11. play 12 0-0 transposing to Line C1c
f4 Bb7 StartBracketand not although' Nc6 Bologan,V: 'is more
11...exf4? 12.e5 popular,it's better to first improve
EndBracket the position of Black's other '
StartFENr2qk2r/pb1p1pbp/ 10.e4 Bologan,V: '?!' Bologan,V: 'is
1pnP1np1/2p1p3/2P1PPP1/2N5/ one of many similar
PP4B1/R1BQK1NR w KQkq - 1 experiments(such as 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3
12EndFEN 12.g5! Nh5 13.f5 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 4 b4 Bxb4 5 c3
. Yes, Black does have a firm grip Bf8?!)from Wilhelm Steinitz.As you
on d4 and can even go 13...Nd4! , have already guessed,it's a rather
but 14.Bf3! Ng3 dubious idea:' e5 Black can't allow
e4-e5 11.g5 ( 11.f4 is the most 11.g5 Nh5 12.Bf3 Bologan,V:

straightforward, but Black is fine '?!' Nc6 13.Bxh5 gxh5 14.Qxh5
after: Bb7 Bologan,V: '0-1 Steinitz, ( 14.Rxh5 f5 Black needs to play
W-Chigorin,M World Championship actively. White needs several
04th 1892 (10)' 12.g5 Nh5 13.f5 moves (Bf4,Qd3,0-0-0) to finish
Bologan,V: ',with dominating play the development and be much
an oddity is that,because of White's better. 15.exf5 exf5 16.Qf3
 on f1,this move makes more Qe8+ 17.Be3 Another mess on
sense than to play' Nd4 Black's the board. The engines are not
counterplay is based on the control helping with the evaluation 0.00.
of the d4-square. 14.Bf3 Ng3 Black has two great bishops, but
15.Rh3 Bologan,V: '0-1 Mihasi,L- his king is misplaced. The
Rade,M (2436) EU-Cup 24th position needs more analysis,
Kallithea 2008 (1) Anderssen's but I decide to stop here. Feel
Variation,' Nxf3+ Bologan,V: '?!' free to continue if you are
Bologan,V: ',is popular only among interested. ) 14...f5 Black needs
players who lack theoretical to play actively. White needs
knowledge:' 16.Nxf3 Nxe4 several moves (Bf4,Qd3,0-0-0) to
17.Nxe4 Bxe4 18.f6 Bologan,V: '!' finish the development and be
Bxf6! 19.gxf6 Bologan,V: '!' Qxf6⇆ much better. 15.exf5 exf5
Black has four connected passed Bologan,V: '0-1 Gheng,J (2378)-
pawns for the sacrificing piece. The Klovans,J (2481) Boeblingen op
engines give 0.00 as always, but of 17th 2000 (6) even' 16.Qf3
course, any result is possible. ) Bologan,V: 'is good,since after'
11...Nh5 12.Rxh5 gxh5 13.Nf3 Qe8+ Bologan,V: 'Black has the
Bologan,V: '0-1 Steinitz,W-Chigorin, check on g5. White also gets
M World Championship 04th 1892 nothing special out of' 17.Be3
(8)' Ba6 14.b3 h6 Bologan,V: ', Another mess on the board. The
followed by ... Re8 and ... Nd6 engines are not helping with the
weaker is' 15.Nd5 Bologan,V: '?!' evaluation 0.00. Black has two
Bb7 16.Bh3; great bishops, but his king is
B) 9.e4 Bologan,V: '... and Black misplaced. The position needs
has compensation because of the more analysis, but I decide to
pressure on d3' stop here. Feel free to continue if
B1) 9...Bb7 is another possible you are interested.;
way for Black to continue B2) Bologan,V: 'If' 9...Nc6
Bologan,V: '0-1 Schwarz,A-Kotrc, Bologan,V: ',Black plays' 10.f4
J Vienna Kolisch Memorial 9900 Bb7 11.Rh3 Bologan,V: '!'
1899 (5) Here is an example Bologan,V: '0-1 Veinger,I (2585)-
where Black takes on h3:' 10.Bg2 Timmerman,G (2710) NOR jub50
Kf8 The king is safer here. In corr 1994 with counterplay.
some cases, the knight can go to White sees that he can't stop ...
e8 and Nb5-c7 is not that strong. e5-e4 in the long run.For
instance:' h5 12.g5 Ng4 11.Bg2 Rb8 Bologan,V: '!' ( 11...Qf6

Black has a wonderful knight on 12.Bxa8 Nxf2 13.Bg5 ) 12.e4 h5
"g4" GM Pavel Eljanov: 'Black 13.Qe2 Bologan,V: '1-0 Paral,S-Paulik,
has a wonderful knight on "g4".' V CSR corr Czechoslovakia 1991' Bb7
13.e5 Bologan,V: ',and after' a6 14.Nh3
( 13...Ncxe5!? The piece A) 14...Bf6 15.Kd1 ( 15.f3 )
sacrifice is also quite playable 15...Bg7 16.f3 Ne5 17.Rg1 Kf8
Bologan,V: ',followed by ... Nf5 18.f4 Ng4 19.Kc2 Bd4 20.Bd2
with the initiative. with the idea' Rc8 ( 20...Bxg1 21.Rxg1 Kg8 )
14.fxe5 Bxe5 Bologan,V: 'This is 21.Rgf1 Kg7 22.Rae1 Nb8 23.f5
the most popular move,but I Qh4 ( 23...Be5 ) 24.fxe6 fxe6
couldn't prove that it's any better 25.Bg5 ( 25.Qf3 Rcf8 26.Qb3
than' 15.Nf3 Bxc3+ 16.bxc3 Ne5 ) 25...Qg3 26.Rf3
Bologan,V: ',transposing to Line A1) 26...Ne3+ 27.Rxe3 Bxe3
C1c. GM Baadur Jobava once 28.Bxe3 ( 28.Qxe3 Qxg2+ )
played' 0-0 Bologan,V: 'with the 28...Nc6 29.Bf4 Qg4 30.Qxg4
idea Nd2-c4(as in the Horwitz hxg4 31.Nf2;
Defense:see Chapter 3).In that A2) 26...Qe5 27.Bf4 Qf6
case Black plays' 17.Be2 28.Bg3 Qd8 29.Ref1 Nc6 30.e5
Bologan,V: '(Black's  keeps its A2a) 30...Ncxe5
eye on the c4-square)and if' f5⇆ A2a1) 31.Bxe5+ Nxe5
Bologan,V: ',then' ) 14.Be2 32.Nxd4 Nxf3 33.Bxf3
( 14.a4 White can stop b5, but it cxd4 ( 33...Bxf3 34.Nxf3 );
seems too slow Nd4 15.Be2 A2a2) 31.Nxd4 Nxf3
Nxe2 Bologan,V: ',and now' 32.Bxf3 Bxf3 33.Nxf3 Rf8
16.Qxe2 Bologan,V: '!?' 0-0 ) 34.Nf2 Nxf2 35.Rxf2;
14...b5! Black needs some space A2b) 30...Rh7 31.Kb1
for his pieces, the material is not ( 31.Rf6 ) 31...Kg8
that important Bologan,V: ( 31...Ncxe5 32.Nxd4 Nxf3
'comes' 15.cxb5 axb5 16.Nxb5 33.Bxf3 cxd4 34.Bxb7;
0-0 17.Bxg4 hxg4 18.Qxg4 31...Bxe5 32.Rf7+ Kg8
Bologan,V: ',planning ... exd3 33.Rxh7 Kxh7 34.Bxc6 Bxg3
and ... Nb7. weaker is' Qb6 35.Rf7+ Kg8 36.Rxd7;
19.Nc3 Bologan,V: 'If' Nd4⇆ 31...Kh8 32.Rf4 Be3 33.Bxc6
Black has enough counterplay. Bxc6 34.Nxa7 Bxf4 35.Nxf4 )
The attack on the h-file is not 32.Rf6 Rg7 ( 32...Nxf6 )
that dangerous. The king will be 33.Nxa7
very comfortable on "f8" Bologan, A2b1) 33...Nxf6 34.Bxc6
V: ',then' ] ( 34.Nxc8 Bxc8 35.Rxf6 );
[ 8...Nxg4!? Taking the second pawn A2b2) 33...Nxa7 34.Bxb7
is too risky, but it is possible too One Rb8 35.R6f3 ( 35.Rf8+
possible line is 9.Nb5 Na6 Qxf8 36.Rxf8+ Rxf8 )
Bologan,V: '!' 10.a3 ( 10.e4 ) 10...b6 35...g5 36.a4 Kh8
( 36...Rxb7 37.Rf8+ Qxf8 53.Qxf1 Ne5 54.Qxh3+

38.Rxf8+ Kxf8 39.Qf3+ Kg8 55.Qh5 ) 53.Qxh3
Ke8 40.Qxb7 Nc6 ) 37.Rh1 ( 53.Qa8+ Kh7 54.Rg1
Kg8 ( 37...Rxb7 38.Nf2 Nh4 55.Qe4+ )
Nxf2 39.Rxh5+ Kg8 53...gxf1Q+ ( 53...Nf4
40.Bxf2 ) 38.Nf2 Bxf2 54.Qf3 ) 54.Qxf1 Ne5
( 38...Rxb7 39.Nxg4 hxg4 55.b4 cxb4 56.Qf2 Nxc4
40.Qh2 gxf3 41.Qh8+ Kf7 A2b221) 57.Qd4 b5
42.Qxd8 ) 39.Bxf2 h4 58.Qc5 Rf7 59.Kc2
( 39...Rxb7 40.Rxh5 Qe8 ( 59.a5 Nxa5 )
41.Rfh3 Qg6+ 42.Ka2 59...Nxd6 60.a5 Ne4
Nxe5 43.Qxe5 ) 40.Rg1 61.Qxb5 b3+ 62.Qxb3
Nxf2 ( 40...Rxb7 41.Rxg4 Rf2+ 63.Kd1 Rf1+
Nc6 42.Rf6; 40...Nh6 64.Ke2 Ra1 65.Qb6
41.Be4 ) 41.Rxf2 Rxb7 Kf7 66.a6 Ra3 67.Kf1
42.Qh5 Nc6 43.Rf6 Nxe5 e5 68.a7 Ng5 69.Qb7
44.Rgf1 ( 44.Rh6 Nf7 ) Ne6 70.a8Q Rxa8
44...Qxf6 ( 44...Nxc4; 71.Qxa8;
44...Rh7 45.Qxg5+ Rg7 A2b222) 57.Qd4
46.Qxe5 ) 45.Qe8+ 1-0 (57) Sandin,S
( 45.Rxf6 Rb8 ) 45...Kh7 (2368)-2.Bg5 e6 3.e3
( 45...Qf8 46.Rxf8+ Kh7 c5 (2320) Deutschland
47.Qh5# ) 46.Rxf6 Ra7 69/305 2023 CYB 12
( 46...Nxc4 47.Qh5+ Kg8 [Morss];
48.Rh6 Kf8 49.Rh8+ Rg8 B) 14...Kf8;
50.Qh6+ Kf7 51.Rh7+ Ke8 C) 14...0-0 15.f3 Ne5 Bologan,V:
52.Qh5+ Kd8 53.Qxg5+ '!?' 16.Bg5 Qe8 Bologan,V: '!?'
Rxg5 54.Rh8+ ) 47.b3 h3 Bologan,V: 'and,at the right moment,
48.Rf1 Ng6 49.Qb8 Black can play ... Rb6 without
( 49.Qd8 g4 50.Qg5 Nh8 worrying about his a7- if' 17.f4
51.Qh4+ Kg8 52.Qd8+ Bologan,V: ',then' f6 ]
Kh7 53.Qxb6 Ra8 [ 8...Nc6 ]
54.Qxc5 ) 49...g4 9.e4 Bologan,V: '!?' Thematic expansion
A2b21) 50.Rd1 Ra5 and now e4-e5 is an actual threat,
51.Qxb6 ( 51.Rh1 Ne5 ) followed by the cheeky yet very
51...Ra8 52.Qxc5 strong Qd3 StartBracketor
( 52.Qb7 Rf8 ) 52...Nf4 Qf3EndBracket and Qh3.
53.Qf2 Rf8; [ 9.g5 Ne8 10.Qd3 Nc6 11.Qg3 Be5
A2b22) 50.Qxa7 g3 12.Bf4 Bxf4 13.Qxf4 f6 14.Qh2 Rf7
51.Qb7 ( 51.Qxb6 g2 15.Nh3 ]
52.Rg1 h2 53.Qxc5 9...Nc6 '?' 10.Qf3 '!' '!' Route one stuff,
h1Q ) 51...g2 52.Qf3 but very dangerous route one stuff
Kg8 ( 52...gxf1Q+ at that.
[ 10.g5 Ne8 11.Qd3 ] 13.cxb5 Nd4 14.Rc1 e5 15.Bc4 ]

10...h5 '?' This looks like a reasonable 11.gxh5 Ripping open lines. 11...Nxh5
defensive try, but actually seems to After 11...Nd4? White can do even
lose pretty much by force. So would better than go to h3, with 12.Qg2! :
have: AEndBracket AEndBracket
StartFENr1bq1rk1/ StartFENr1bq1rk1/
pp1p1pbp/2nPpnp1/2p5/2P1P1P1/ pp1p1pb1/3Ppnp1/2p4P/2PnP3/
2N2Q2/PP3P2/R1B1KBNR b KQ - 2N5/PP3PQ1/R1B1KBNR b KQ - 2
2 10EndFEN 10...Nd4 11. 12EndFEN 12...Nc2+ 13.
Qh3 Nc2+? 12.Kd1 Nxa1 13.e5 Kd1 Nxa1 14.h6! , which is a killer
when, for example, 13...h5 14.exf6 in view of 14...Bh8 15.h7+! Nxh7 16.
Qxf6 15.Nf3 is just a massacre, with Qh3 and mates.
Bg5 but one huge threat. BEndBracket
BEndBracket StartFENr1bq1rk1/
StartFENr1bq1rk1/ pp1p1pb1/3Ppnp1/2p4P/2PnP3/
pp1p1pbp/2nPpnp1/2p5/2P1P1P1/ 2N5/PP3PQ1/R1B1KBNR b KQ - 2
2N2Q2/PP3P2/R1B1KBNR b KQ - 12EndFEN 12...Nxh5 13.
2 10EndFEN 10...b5! B. Be2! simply overwhelming: B.
1EndBracket 1EndBracket
StartFENr1bq1rk1/p2p1pbp/ StartFENr1bq1rk1/
2nPpnp1/1pp5/2P1P1P1/2N2Q2/ pp1p1pb1/3Pp1p1/2p4n/2PnP3/
PP3P2/R1B1KBNR w KQ - 0 2N5/PP2BPQ1/R1B1K1NR b KQ -
11EndFEN 11.e5? Nxe5! is 1 13EndFEN 13...Nxe2 14.
the clever point when 12.Qxa8 Qb6 Ngxe2 doesn't exactly help the
13.Qg2 Bb7 14.f3 bxc4 gives Black defence, with all of e4-e5
a huge amount of activity for a rook StartBracketso if ...Bxe5;
– we want to be having such fun, Rxh5EndBracket, Bg5 and
not finding ourselves on the Ng3 sizeable threats. B.
receiving end of such a powerful 2EndBracket
initiative! B.2EndBracket StartFENr1bq1rk1/
StartFENr1bq1rk1/p2p1pbp/ pp1p1pb1/3Pp1p1/2p4n/2PnP3/
2nPpnp1/1pp5/2P1P1P1/2N2Q2/ 2N5/PP2BPQ1/R1B1K1NR b KQ -
PP3P2/R1B1KBNR w KQ - 0 1 13EndFEN 13...Nc2+ 14.
11EndFEN 11.Qh3! Bb7 is Kf1 Nxa1 15.Bxh5 gxh5 16.e5! and
how the engines want to try and there just isn't a defence. Black can
defend, although even here with 12. ward off immediate mate after Bh6
cxb5!? Nd4 13.Bg5! Re8 14.Rc1 with 16...f6 , but after 17.Ne4 fxe5
White is able to retain control and a 18.Bh6 Rf7 19.Nf3! the armada is
large advantage. He might simply simply overwhelming. White may be
complete development with Bc4 a rook and two pawns down, but he
and Nge2, and there's also a has five pieces in the attack and
certain threat of e4-e5. Nxe5 followed by Rg1 is about to
[ 10...b5 11.Qh3 Bb7 12.Bg5 Re8 wipe Black out.
[ 11...Nd4 12.Qg2 Nc2+ 13.Kd1 14.f4! Highly thematic as White angles to

Nxa1 14.h6 ] suffocate Black with his pawn chain
12.Be2+- Black is just lost here. There is after e4-e5 and, yes, yet again,
no counterplay and White's threats White is quite happy to sacrifice the
on the kingside are quite dangerous. rook on a1 to speed up his attack.
1-0 (20) Alekseenko,K (2693) - [ 14.Nf3 Nxe2 15.Kxe2 ( 15.Bg5 )
Ragger,M (2665) Struga 2021 GM 15...b5 16.Qg4 Qd8 17.Be3 ]
Pavel Eljanov: 'Black is just lost 14...Nc2+ Black decides that he might as
here. There is no counterplay and well have a rook for his suffering,
White's threats on the kingside are but now that suffering won't last for
quite dangerous. 1-0 (20) long. The engines prefer 14...
Alekseenko,K (2693)-Ragger,M Nxe2!? 15.Ngxe2 Re8 , but even
(2665) Struga 2021' Simply here 16.Qf3 simply looks extremely
intending to move the queen, then strong, with White all set to castle
swipe the knight on the rim. long and invite his remaining pieces
12...Nd4 13.Qh3 Once again, 13.Qg2!? to the party: For instance 16...a6 17.
might have been even stronger: Be3 Rb8 18.O-O-O b5 19.Rxh5!
AEndBracket gxh5 20.Ng3 and there's just no
StartFENr1bq1rk1/ real defence for Black to the
pp1p1pb1/3Pp1p1/2p4n/2PnP3/ upcoming threats down the open g-
2N5/PP2BPQ1/R1B1K1NR b KQ - file.
3 13EndFEN 13...Nc2+ 14. [ 14...Nxe2 15.Ngxe2 Re8 16.Qf3!?
Kd1 Nxa1 15.Bxh5 is pretty much Rb8 17.Be3 ]
crushing, and if 15...Qf6 16.Be2 15.Kf1! Nxa1 16.Bxh5 gxh5 17.f5!!
Qd4+ 17.Bd2 Qxd6 18.Qh3 Rd8 19. The star follow-up and the main
Nf3 when it would be amazing if point behind Alekseenko's rook
Black could survive with e4-e5 sacrifice. Black's queen is denied
followed by Bg5 or Qh7+ and Bh6 the use of g6, he can't really
but one threat. capture on f5 due to the resulting
BEndBracket hole on d5, and, as such, is about
StartFENr1bq1rk1/ to be cleaned up on the kingside.
pp1p1pb1/3Pp1p1/2p4n/2PnP3/ [ 17.Qxh5? Qg6 18.Qh2 f5! ]
2N5/PP2BPQ1/R1B1K1NR b KQ - 17...Re8 AEndBracket
3 13EndFEN 13...Nxe2 14. StartFENr1b2rk1/pp1p1pb1/
Ngxe2 b5 15.Bg5! . All of a sudden 3Ppq2/2p2P1p/2P1P3/2N4Q/PP6/
Black lacks a single good move, n1B2KNR b - - 0 17EndFEN
since he doesn't want to be cleaned 17...exf5 18.Nd5 Qxd6 19.Bf4 Qe6
up by e4-e5 or Rxh5, but 15...f6 16. 20.exf5 overloads the black queen
Bh6! is a lovely silent sacrifice, and and wins. BEndBracket As
if 16...Bxh6 17.Qxg6+ Bg7 18.Qxh5 does StartFENr1b2rk1/
followed by O-O-O and Rdg1. pp1p1pb1/3Ppq2/2p2P1p/2P1P3/
13...Qf6 2N4Q/PP6/n1B2KNR b - - 0
[ 13...Nxe2 14.Ngxe2 ] 17EndFEN 17...b5 18.Qxh5
Re8 19.Bg5 Qd4 20.f6! Bxf6 21. [ 10.f3!? ]

Qh7+ Kf8 22.Bh6+ Bg7 23.Qh8 . 10...d6 11.Kb1 Nbd7 12.f3 a6
18.Qxh5 Once again, Bg5 followed by
f6+ is a deadly threat and there's 15
6...fxe6 fxe6 this structure is
simply no defence. Very rarely can hazardous for Black. Without the f-
such a strong player as Ragger pawn the advance h4-h5 will be
have lost so brutally and with their very unpleasant to meet. 7.Bg5
queenside still largely untouched. This is the strongest reply
18...exf5 19.Nd5 Qd4 AEndBracket [ 7.e4!? GM Ivan Cheparinov: '' GM
 StartFENr1b1r1k1/ Ivan Cheparinov: 'Looks a bit
pp1p1pb1/3P1q2/2pN1p1Q/2P1P3/ unpleasant as e5 is a potential idea
8/PP6/n1B2KNR b - - 1 for White.' 0-0 Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,
19EndFEN 19...Qxd6 20. V: '0-1 Koronowski,H (2304)-
Qh7+ StartBracketor even Klimakovs,S (2253) SLO 15 Years
20.exf5EndBracket 20...Kf8 Memb ICCF email 2008 and White is
21.Bh6 is absolutely devastating. lost.' 8.Be2 Nc6 9.h5 gxh5
BEndBracket As is Bologan,V: 'followed by ... 0-0-0 Less
StartFENr1b1r1k1/ popular(with good reason)is' 10.Bg5↑
pp1p1pb1/3P1q2/2pN1p1Q/2P1P3/ With an initiative for White Bologan,V:
8/PP6/n1B2KNR b - - 1 '?!' ]
19EndFEN 19...Qg6 20. [ 7.Qd6 is possible too but Black
Ne7+ Rxe7 21.dxe7 . should hold after Qb6 ( 7...Nc6
[ 19...Qxd6 20.Qh7+ ( 20.exf5 Re5 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bf4 Qa5 10.Qd3 0-0
21.Qh7+ Kf8 22.f6 ) 20...Kf8 21.Bh6 ] 11.Nf3 d5 12.Bd2 d4 13.Ne4 Qb6
20.Ne2 AEndBracket 14.Nxf6+ Rxf6 15.g4 Qxb2 16.Rb1
StartFENr1b1r1k1/ Qxa2 17.Bg2 e5 18.Ng5 hxg5
pp1p1pb1/3P4/2pN1p1Q/2PqP3/8/ 19.hxg5 Rd6 20.Bd5+ Be6 21.Qxg6
PP2N3/n1B2K1R b - - 3 Bxd5 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.cxd5 Ne7
20EndFEN 20...Qxe4 21. 24.Rxb7 Rb6 25.Rxb6 axb6 26.f4
Nf6+! Bxf6 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.Bh6+ exf4 27.d6 Ng6 28.Qxg6 Qa1+
BEndBracket 29.Kf2 Qxh1 30.Qf5+ Kg8 31.Bxf4
StartFENr1b1r1k1/ Rf8 32.Qe6+ Kh8 33.Kg3 Qg1+
pp1p1pb1/3P4/2pN1p1Q/2PqP3/8/ 34.Kh3 Qf1+ 35.Kh4 Qxf4 ) 8.Nb5
PP2N3/n1B2K1R b - - 3 Qxd6 9.Nxd6+ Bologan,V: '!?' Ke7 ]
20EndFEN 20...Qd1+ 21. 7...0-0 Bologan,V: 'transposes to Line
Kg2 Qxh1+ 22.Kxh1 is absolutely C2a.'
hopeless for Black, so badly [ 7...h6 8.Bf4 just weaken Black's
exposed is his king and so great structure even more Bologan,V: '!' ]
White's threats. 20...Qxe4 Bologan,V: 'White should avoid'
[ 20...Qd1+ 21.Kf2 Qxh1 22.Qxh1 ] 8.Nf3 Bologan,V: '?!' 8...Nc6 9.e3 h6
21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.Bh6+ 10.Qc2!? leaving the d-file for the rook
6.Bg5!? Qa5 7.Qd2 exd5 8.cxd5 Bologan,V: '½-½ Timoshenko,G
0-0 9.e4 Re8 10.0-0-0 (2563)-Sepp,O (2458) Keres
Memorial-A 2007 (6)' Black dark squares are pretty weak.

[ 10.Qd3 is well met by Ne7 ] White will proceed with Re1 and Ng5
10...d5 Bologan,V: ',and Black will take with a lot of threats. Bologan,V: '!?'
on c5. Steiner's Variation prevents Bologan,V: ',threatening to take on d2
d2-d4,which means that after' and b4,while the dark-squared 
11.0-0-0 Bologan,V: 'Black will play' might go to f6.' ]
[ The forced 11.cxd5 promises just a [ 9...Ne8 This attempt to cover the -d6
symbolic advantage after: exd5 square is quite passive and White is
12.Bxf6 Qxf6 13.Nxd5 Bologan,V: '!' much better after: 10.g4 ]
Qxb2 14.Qxb2 Bologan,V: '!' Bxb2 Bologan,V: 'After' 10.Rxd8 Kxd8
15.Rb1 ] 11.h5! This pawn sacrifice is quite
11...d4 Bologan,V: 'with an attack on h2:' unpleasant. Black needs to waste
12.h5 hxg5 13.h6→ The position is a more time and White opens another
mess, but White's attack looks very file. Even without queens, the game
promising remains dynamic.
[ 11.Nf3 is too soft Ke7 12.g3
16
9.0-0-0 Bologan,V: '??' Bologan,V: ', Bologan,V: '!' b6 13.Bg2 Bb7=
because of' 9...Rd8 The structure Bologan,V: ',and now' ]
is symmetrical, but White's pieces 11...Nxh5 Bologan,V: '0-1 Sutovsky,E
are more active and Black should (2604)-Postny,E (2432) ISR-ch op
play precisely to maintain an Tel Aviv 2001 (8) ,Black must
approximate balance complicate the position with'
[ 9...Ng4 looks attractive, but doesn't 12.Bg5+ Bologan,V: '!?' 12...f6
work very well for Black after: Bologan, [ 12...Ke8 will be meet by 13.g4
V: '0-1 Grabner,H (2387)-Geissler,W Bologan,V: '½-½ Hossain,E (2514)-
(2456) W-ch26 sf09 email 2002 or Tomashevsky,E (2646) World Cup
even first' 10.Bd6+ Bologan,V: '!?' Khanty-Mansiysk 2007 (2.2) the right
Bologan,V: ',increasing the tension in move is' Nf6 Bologan,V: 'with the
the center The problem with' Ke8 idea' 14.Nb5 Na6 Bologan,V: 'or'
11.Nh3 Bxc3 This exchange is 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Rxh7
strategically very risky Bologan,V: 'is Black's position is quite unpleasant.
that,after' ( Bologan,V: 'White would Nd6 is an immediate threat, but also
have an easier game after' 11...b6 after Bg2, for Black will be very hard
Bologan,V: '½-½ Georgiev,K (2660)- to develop his queenside ]
Harikrishna,P (2650) RUS-chT Sochi 13.Bd2 Bologan,V: '' 13...f5
2007 (4)' 12.Nb5+- ) 12.bxc3 b6 Bologan,V: '??' GM Pavel Eljanov:
Bologan,V: ',it gives Black a chance '' 14.e4 Nc6
to insert' 13.e3 Bologan,V: '!?' [ 14...Nf6 is possible, but White can
Bologan,V: 'before playing ... Nc4 ,and just win the pawn back after: 15.e5
now' h5 14.Bd3 Bb7 15.f3 Nh5 16.Be2 Nc6 17.Bxh5
GM Pavel Eljanov: '!' Nxe3 16.Rd2 Bologan,V: 'Black will now exploit the
The position is close to winning for 'hook' on b4 with' gxh5 Bologan,V: ',
White. The bishops are powerful and and put his s on d8 and e8 after'
18.Rxh5 ] [ 21.Bf3 Black can take the initiative

[ 14...Nd7 15.exf5 exf5 16.Be2 Ndf6 after: Bologan,V: '(GM Evgeny
17.Nh3 Be6 18.b3 Ng4 19.Bf3 Rb8 Postny),then' b5! 22.cxb5 c4⇆
20.Kc2 b6 21.Nf4 Kd7 22.Nxh5 Bologan,V: 'and White will not be able
gxh5 23.Bf4 Rh8 24.Rd1+ Ke7 to castle.' ]
25.Nd5+ Bxd5 26.Rxd5 Ke6 21...Bg8! 22.Rh6 Bg7 Bologan,V: '½-½
27.Rd6+ Ke7 28.Bd5 Re8 29.Rc6 Gdanski,J (2505)-Sepp,O (2485)
Bd4 30.Kd2 Bxf2 31.Rc7+ Kf6 Vantaa op2 1994 (5) ,then Black
32.Rf7+ Kg6 33.Rxa7 Re1 34.Rb7 plays' 23.Rh4 Bologan,V: 'If'
Ra1 35.Rxb6+ Kg7 36.Rb7+ Kf6 23...Ke8 24.g4 despite position is finally
37.Rb6+ Kg7 38.Rb7+ Kg6 ] (after many best or only moves for
15.exf5 exf5 16.Be2 Nf6 17.Nd5 Black) about equal White still has
Ne7 I go too far with the analysis, but some initiative
the position is just too interesting to
stop analyzing it 18.Nxf6 17
6...b5 7.cxb5
Bologan,V: '!?' [ 7.Nxb5 Nxe4 ]
[ after 18.Bg5 Black can survive with 7...a6 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: ''
only moves Nfxd5 19.cxd5 h6 Survey: Janis Vitomskis:
GM Pavel Eljanov: '' 20.Bxh6 Bxh6+ 'Pantaleoni-Schumacher,corr.1993'
21.Rxh6 Kc7! ( 21...Nxd5 leads to a 8.a4 leaves white a tempo up on our
slightly better endgame for White mainline since White was able to
after: Bologan,V: ',which leads to play e4 in one go. Survey: Janis
perpetual check. if' 22.Rxg6 Vitomskis: '!?' 8...0-0 Survey: Janis
Bologan,V: '½-½ Rebord,M (2106)- Vitomskis: '!?' 9.Nf3 If black wants
Domancich,E (2517) ARG-chT8 fin to play the benko then better to play
email 2006 ,Black has' Kc7 23.Rg7+ 3...c5 4.d5 b5. This position white
Bd7 24.Bb5 Rd8 Bologan,V: ',and has an extra tempo since white was
White will have to castle by hand after' able to play e4 in one go. 9...axb5
25.Rf7 ) 22.Nf3 Bologan,V: Survey: Janis Vitomskis: 'Klovans'
'Dambrauskas,V-Zapf,H email 2003, [ Black can try to wait with taking on b5
White can play' Nxd5 23.Rxg6 Bd7= but there are hardly any useful moves
Bologan,V: ',forcing Black to react since I believe that after 9...Bg4?!
with' ] the bishop is misplaced. Play can
Bologan,V: 'After' 18...Bxf6 continue Survey: Janis Vitomskis: ''
19.Rxh7 Be6 Bologan,V: 'comes' 20.b3 10.Ra3! A typical idea for white in the
Bologan,V: 'GM Evgeny Postny. If Benko. Now the Rook is defended and
White doesn't take the second  it can be useful later on the 3rd rank.
and plays' 20...Rc8! and again this axb5 11.Bxb5 Na6 12.Be2 Nb4
subtle move is the best chance for 13.0-0 Qc8 14.Be3 I don't see
Black to fight for equality black's counterplay ]
[ Bologan,V: 'In the event of' 20...b6 10.Bxb5 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '!?'
21.Bf3 Rc8 22.Ne2 ] 10...Ba6
21.Nh3 [ 10...Bg4 11.0-0 Na6 12.Be2 Nb4
13.Be3 ] 1992' Bxh6 Survey: Janis

11.Qe2 Bxb5 12.Nxb5 Na6 13.Bd2 Vitomskis: '!?' 12.Rxh6
Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '=' Survey: Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '!?' Kg7
Janis Vitomskis: 'Klovans' 13...Nc7 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '!?'
14.Nxc7 Qxc7 15.0-0 13.Qd2+- Rh8 14.Rxh8 ) 10.h6
6...Na6 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '!?' Survey: Janis Vitomskis: ''
7.Be2 e6 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: 'Hazai'
[ 7...0-0 8.h5 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: Bh8 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '?!'
'' Survey: Janis Vitomskis: 'Hazai' 11.Bg5 and white continues with
A) 8...Nc7 Qd2 and Rd1 against pretty
A1) 9.a4 a6 10.g4?! much everything, followed by
( 10.Nh3!? ) 10...Bd7?! 11.g5 developing the kingside. Here
Nfe8 12.f4?! ( 12.a5! Rb8 are some sample lines:
13.Nf3 ) 12...b5 13.Nf3?! ( 11.Nf3 ) 11...Re8 12.Qd2
( 13.Qc2!? ) 13...e6 14.dxe6 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '!'
fxe6? ( 14...Bxe6 ) 15.hxg6 hxg6 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: 'MCO'
16.Nh4 Kf7 17.Nxg6; Nb4 13.Rd1
A2) 9.Bf4 A tempting alternative B2a) 13...Qa5 Survey: Janis
to 9.h6 with Black's play quite Vitomskis: 'Grau Ribas-Mary,
slow. White dissuades ...e6 and ICCFemail 1997' 14.Nf3
may now go in for a route one Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '!?'
approach: 9...a6 10.a4 Nd7 '?' Bg4 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.a3 Nc6
11.Qd2 Already White enjoyed a 17.Nd5 Bxb2 ( 17...Qxd2+?
pretty strong attack with Bh6 18.Nxd2!+- ) 18.0-0 Qxd2
imminent in Ruckschloss-Mace, Survey: Janis Vitomskis: ''
Parthenay 2000. 5. King's Indian Survey: Janis Vitomskis:
Style Main L-5 | Slower 7th 'Boccia Mattia-Grammatica,
Moves | Black Ne5 12.Bh6 Bg4 corr.1990' 19.Rxd2 Bxf3
13.Bxg7 Kxg7 14.hxg6 fxg6 20.Rxb2 Bxe2 21.Rxe2
15.Qh6+ Kf7 16.Bxg4; Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '?!'
B) 8...e6 Red8 22.f4;
B1) 9.h6!? Bh8 10.dxe6 fxe6 B2b) 13...Qc8 14.Nf3 Bg4
( 10...Bxe6 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.Be3 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Qf4
Nb4 13.Ng5 Bxe2 14.Qxe2 Survey: Janis Vitomskis: ''
Nc6 15.0-0 ) 11.Be3 b6 12.Qd2 Survey: Janis Vitomskis:
Bb7 13.Nf3 Nxe4 ( 13...Qe7 'Anand' Bh8 ( 16...Nc2+?
14.Ng5 ) 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Ng5 17.Kd2! Bxc3+ 18.bxc3+- )
Bxg2 16.Rg1; 17.Ng5 Survey: Janis
B2) 9.dxe6 Bxe6 ( 9...fxe6? Vitomskis: 'with f4' f6 18.Nf7!
10.hxg6 hxg6 11.Bh6 Kxf7 19.Bxg4+- ]
Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '=' [ 7...h5 8.Nf3 Nc7 Survey: Janis
Survey: Janis Vitomskis: Vitomskis: '!' 9.Bf4 Ng4 Survey: Janis
'Kindermann-Lukacs,Budapest Vitomskis: '!?' Survey: Janis
Vitomskis: 'Hazai' 10.Qd2 a6 11.a4 29.d7 Rd8 30.Nxc5 Rg4 31.Qa5

Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '+-!' 0-0 Rxg2+ 32.Kxg2 Qg4+ 33.Kh2 Qxh4+
Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '!?' 12.0-0 b6 34.Kg1 Qg4+ 35.Kh2 Qf4+ 36.Kg1
13.Rfe1 ]
8.h5 0-0 transposes 20
8...h5 This weakens the structure a
[ 8...exd5 9.h6 Bf8 Survey: Janis lot and White is simply better after:
Vitomskis: '' Survey: Janis I thought Black should open the
Vitomskis: 'Maus-Hazai,Bad center and try to fight for it, but
Woerishofen 1989' 10.cxd5! right now, White has an extra Bd2
and white is already close to winning move compared to normal positions.
( 10.exd5 )] Bologan,V: '!' 9.Nf3 Sipke Ernst: 'tr.'
9.Bg5?! 9...0-0 10.0-0 Sipke Ernst: '!?' '!?' '!?' 'tr.'
[ 9.hxg6 fxg6 10.Bg5 exd5 11.cxd5 Sipke Ernst: 'and we are back in
Qe7 12.Qd2 Bd7 13.f3 ( 13.Nf3 b5 the mainline' Sipke Ernst:
14.e5 dxe5 15.d6 Qe6 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 'transposes to the mainline'
17.Ne4 ) 13...Nc7 14.a4 a6 15.a5 10...Re8
Nb5 16.Bxb5? axb5 ] [ 10...Bg4 11.Bf4 transposing Only
9...Nc7 10.Nf3 exd5 11.cxd5 b5 now with the king off the e-file is
12.Qc2 b4 13.Nd1 Qe8 14.Nd2 Nb5 White threatening to leap forwards
15.Bxb5 Qxb5 16.Ne3 with Ng5. ( 11.Ng5 )
A) 11...Re8 12.Qb3 b6
18
7.Nge2 ( 12...Qd7 ) 13.Rfe1;
7.h5 B) 11...Bxf3 12.Bxf3 While Black
is quite solid, White's two bishops
19
8.cxd5 is possible as well but I grant him a small but pleasant edge.
believe it leads to a decent benoni Note how the one on f4 can't be
for black GM Ivan Cheparinov: '?!' pestered by ...Nh5. With that piece
8...Qe7 GM Ivan Cheparinov: 'Black safe, White may even find g2-g3
immediately puts pressure on the useful, as well as simply Qc2 or
pawn on e4.' 9.Qc2 Na6 Qd2, after which Rab1, a2-a3 and
GM Ivan Cheparinov: '⇆' 10.Nf3 b2-b4 is one plan, Rae1 and a
0-0 11.Bxa6 bxa6 12.0-0 Bg4 13.Nh2 gradual kingside expansion
Bd7 14.Re1 Rab8 15.Nf3 Rfe8 16.b3 another. a6 stopping Nb5 ideas
Rb4 17.Bb2 13.g3 Qc7 14.Kg2 Nbd7
[ 17.e5 Bf5 18.Qd2 dxe5 19.Rxe5 15.Qd2 ]
Qxe5 20.Nxe5 Rxe5 21.Bb2 Rd4 [ 10...Bf5 11.Bf4
22.Qg5 h6 23.Qc1 Rxh4 24.f3 Nh5 A) 11...Ne4? this is a very natural
25.d6 Ng3 26.Qd2 Re6 27.Kf2 Rd4 move to make in such positions but
28.Qc1 Nh1+ 29.Kg1 Ng3 ] it is already losing! 12.Nxe4 Bxe4
17...Ng4 18.a3 Rb6 19.Nb1 Bxb2 '' . 13.Ng5
20.Qxb2 Ba4 21.b4 a5 22.Qd2 axb4 A1) 13...Re8 14.f3 Bd4+
23.axb4 Rxb4 24.Nc3 Bb5 25.e5 Nxe5 15.Kh1 Bf5 16.g4 Bc8
26.Nxe5 dxe5 27.d6 Qe6 28.Ne4 Qf5 ( 16...hxg4 17.fxg4 Be4+ 18.Bf3
Bxf3+ 19.Qxf3+- with a crushing soon obtained a grip on the

attack ) 17.gxh5; position:
A2) 13...Bf5 14.Bd3 Bxd3 [ 9.Bf4 looks premature, Black can
'' is obviously great for White, answer it with Ne5⇆ and most
as we have avoided doubling probably White should exchange a
pawns and enjoy more space. pair of knights, which is in Black's
This is slightly better than favour 10.Nf3 ( 10.Qd2?! 0-0 11.Kf1
15.Qxd3+- . Re8 16.Rae1 Bf8 Re8 12.b3 1-0 (39) Maghsoodloo,P
17.Ne4; (2699)-Abdusattorov, N (2661) Chess.
B) 11...a6 '' With ideas of b4 and com INT 2022 a6 13.h5 b5
Ng3. White is better. 12.Ng5 ] White's attack isn't as fast as
11.Bf4 White will follow, with Qd2, Re1, Black's counterplay. ) 10...Neg4!
Bd3, Ng5 sometimes Nb5 is also a Putting the knight on g4 is a recurring
treat. Bologan,V: '!' idea in this variation. 11.0-0 0-0⇆
8...Qe7 this looks a bit strange, but It seems very good for Black as Nh5
it does stop h4-h5 9.Nf3 Bg4 is coming and the knight on g4 is
[ 9...0-0 10.0-0 Re8 11.Re1 Bg4 perfectly placed. ]
transposes ] [ Sipke Ernst: 'the alternative' 9.h5
10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1 Re8 These moves is quite logical and requires some
are pretty normal. But white's next precision from Black. Sipke Ernst: 'is
is rather surprising: Sipke Ernst: less attractive for white:'
'transposes' A) 9...0-0
[ 11...Nbd7 12.Nh2! Bxe2 13.Rxe2 A1) 10.Bf4?! Re8
Ne5 ( 13...Qd8 14.Bf4 Ne8 15.Nf3 ) A1a) 11.h6 Bh8 12.Bg5
14.f4 ] ( 12.Kf1?! Ne4 ) 12...a6 13.a4
[ 11...Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Qc7 13.Bf4 a6 Qb6 14.Ra3 Ne4;
14.h5 ] A1b) 11.Bxd6?
12.Nh2! Bxe2 13.Rxe2 Qf8 14.Rxe8 A1b1) 11...Qb6?! 12.Nb5?
Nxe8 a6 ( 12...Ne4 13.Bc7 Qf6 );
[ 14...Qxe8? 15.Bf4 Bf8 16.Nb5 Qd7 A1b2) 11...Nb6! 12.Bxc5
17.Qb3 a6 18.Nxd6 Bxd6 19.Bxd6 Nxc4;
Qxd6 20.Qxb7 ] A2) 10.g4?! Ne5!? ( 10...b5!?
15.Bf4 Nd7 16.Qb3 Rb8 17.Qa4 11.cxb5 Re8 12.f3 Nb6 13.a4
8...a6 9.Bf4 a5 ) 11.f3 Re8? ( 11...b5 12.h6
8...Na6 9.h5 Bh8 13.Nxb5 Qe7 14.Kf1
9.Nf3 Simple chess, introducing the Nfxg4 15.fxg4 f5 16.g5 f4 )
idea of O-O and Bf4, as played in a 12.Kf1 ( 12.h6 Bh8 13.Kf1 b5
very high-level encounter, Ding 14.Nxb5 Rb8 15.Nh3 ) 12...h6!
Liren-Vachier-Lagrave, ( 12...b5 ) 13.hxg6 fxg6
Yekaterinburg Candidates 2021 14.Bxh6?! Bxh6 15.Rxh6 Bxg4
StartBracket 9.h5!? is very 16.fxg4 Nfxg4 17.Bxg4 Qg5;
much an option A3) 10.Kf1!? Ne5 11.Nf3
tooEndBracket, where White ( 11.h6 Bh8 12.g3 b5 13.cxb5
a6 14.a4 axb5 15.Bxb5 c4 qual-02 Server email 2007 ...

16.Kg2 ) 11...Neg4? ( 11...Nxf3 followed by ... Nd5,and Black will
12.Bxf3 Nd7 13.Ne4 Ne5 restore the material balance This is
14.Bg5 f6 15.Bf4 Re8 ) the easiest way to equalize,but
A3a) 12.Ng5? h6! 13.Nge4 Black can also retain the tension
Nxe4 14.Nxe4 f5! 15.Bxg4 with' Kf8 ( 13...f6?! 14.Bf4 Ne5
( 15.Nc3 Bd4! ) 15...fxg4 15.Bxe5 fxe5 16.Rxh5; 13...Bf6
16.hxg6 Bf5 17.Ng3 Qf6; 14.Rxh5 )
A3b) 12.h6! Bh8 13.Ng5 B1) 14.Ne4 also doesn't promise
Re8 14.Rh4 Ne5 15.g3; an advantage Bologan,V: '½-½
B) 9...Nxh5! 10.Bxh5 GM Pavel Le Page,C (2161)-Cadillon Costa,
Eljanov: 'White ruins Black's pawn L (2305) FRA-ch 0708 email
structure, but the absence of the 2007 ,then' h6 Bologan,V: '!' GM
light-squared bishop gives Black Ivan Cheparinov: '!' GM Ivan
enough counterplay to maintain the Cheparinov: 'It's important to
balance.' ( 10.g4?! Nhf6 11.g5 start with h6! in order to prevent
Ng8 ) 10...gxh5 11.Qe2+ any Bh6 checks.' ( 14...Bxb2?!
( Bologan,V: 'After' 11.Qxh5 This may be a bit too much.
GM Ivan Cheparinov: '?!' Ne5 15.Rb1 Be5 16.Bh6+ Ke7
Black grabs the initiative GM Ivan 17.Rxh5↑ This is a bit unpleasant
Cheparinov: 'The knight is well- for Black. ) 15.Bd2 ( 15.Bf4
placed on e5 and there can be Ne5⇆ It's a sharp position which
moves such as Nd3+ or Nxc4.'; is okay for Black. Nd3 is a threat
11.Rxh5 Bxc3+! 12.bxc3 Ne5 now. ) 15...Ke7 Bologan,V: '!'
and white has to be careful; 11.Nf3 ) 16.Bc3 Bxc3+ Bologan,V: ',
11...Qe7 ( 11...Kf8!? It is also followed by ... Qc6 and ... Ng4
interesting to keep the queens on with a strong initiative not the
the board. ) 12.Qxe7+ ( 12.Bg5?! immediate' 17.Nxc3= Bologan,V:
This is not very accurate because '?!' Bologan,V: 'because of';
Black can take Bxc3+! 13.bxc3 f6 B2) 14.Kd2 Rg8 15.Bf4 Be5
14.Bf4 1/2-1/2 (30) Fernandez,D 16.Bh6+ Bg7=;
(2492)-Kuybokarov,T (2587) B3) 14.Nge2 Rg8 Sipke Ernst:
Canberra 2022 Ne5! This gives '!?' '!?' '!?' '!?' Bologan,V: 'After'
Black the better chances. 15.Qxh5+ 15.Rxh5 Bologan,V: ',Black
Kd7 16.Bxe5 fxe5 The king will would play' Ne5 Sipke Ernst: 'I
be safe on c7 and White has a lot like black here' Bologan,V: '-c4.'
of weaknesses. ) 12...Kxe7 16.b3 Bg4 17.Rxh7 Re8
Black will need some time to Despite his extra pawn, White is
coordinate his pieces, but in the the one who should be careful to
long-term, the bishop pair is a maintain the balance here.
serious factor. 13.Bg5+ Bologan,V: Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: ',and
'!' Bologan,V: '½-½ Fritsche,F if' ]
(2033)-Kraft,D (1997) GER-Cup17 [ 9.Kf1 It looks logical to evacuate the
king on g2 and to keep the rook on compensation(after 20 0-0 c5).To

the h-file, but now have enough time facilitate castling,White captures
to finish the development and to ...' b6 the start of the typical plan
activate his pieces. GM Ivan in such structure: b6,a6,Ra7-e7
Cheparinov: 'N!?' GM Ivan 13.f3 Bologan,V: '!?' a6
Cheparinov: 'This is a novelty and it's Bologan,V: 'White is just one
the computer's suggestion. Black tempo(22 Re1)from a winning
needs to know the h6 idea which is position.However,there is no
important.' need for panic,since Black has
A) 9...Ne5 GM Ivan Cheparinov: '!' an abundance of targets(actually,
GM Ivan Cheparinov: 'It's important six of them:on e2,then d4/d3/d1,
to start with Ne5 as castling will be and c3/b4).To expose them even
similar to the other line where more Black plays ...' GM Ivan
Black castles on the previous move. Cheparinov: 'Black wants to
' include the rook through the 7th
A1) 10.h5 h6! Black hasn't rank in the game.' 14.Nh3
castled yet so h6! is a very Bologan,V: '!' Ra7 15.Nf2
interesting idea. 11.Nf3 Rae7⇆ All Black's pieces are
( The point of h6 can be seen in fully mobilized and I can't see
this line: 11.f4 Neg4 12.hxg6 why White should be better here.
fxg6 13.Bd3 Bf5⇆ And this is On the other hand, White's
good for Black.; 11.hxg6 fxg6 ) position is also excellent, and it
11...Nxf3 12.Bxf3 g5⇆ would be hard for both sides to
0-0 is next and Black can even make progress GM Ivan
try to take over.; Cheparinov: '=' ) 12.a4 h5
A2) 10.g3 GM Ivan Cheparinov: Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V: 'Since
'White wants to play Kg2 next.' White is preparing b2-b4 and
10...0-0 Bologan,V: ',and after' Nc4,Black wants to play ... Rd8
11.Kg2 ( 11.h5?! h6! as soon as possible' 13.Nh3 Bd7
Trying to play g5. After a trade on 14.Bf4 Bologan,V: 'White has
g6 with hxg6 and fxg6, the pawn also experimented with:' Re8
on h6 is never hanging due to 15.f3 Qa5 16.Rc1 Bologan,V:
Nfg4 ideas. ) 11...a6 Bologan,V: 'Now,since White threatens Bb6,
'½-½ Ottesen,S (2404)-Eger,A Black must play ...' Qb4⇆
(2412) BdF-Bronze 08 email Black has enough counterplay
2008 ,Black draws with perpetual attacking the c-pawn, the
check' ( 11...Re8 looks very position is quite typical for
natural 12.a4 Bologan,V: 'Black Benoni. After 17.b3, White's
doesn't just threaten to take on knight on "c3" will be hanging
d3 followed by ... Nf4.It's also and all kinds of tactics are
interesting that,even with White's possible.;
 on h3,Black would have B) 9...h5 with the king on f1, Black
equally strong can weaken his structure. 10.g3
Bologan,V: ',Black should decide be well placed on e6 but it doesn't do

whether to prolong the fight with' much. The knight on c4 is good and
0-0 Bologan,V: ',or to go for' 11.f3 Rac8 is coming. ]
stopping Ne4 or Ng4 and preparing [ 10.0-0 Ndf6⇆ We already saw
Nh3-f2 Bologan,V: ',with the idea' something similar. ]
a6 12.a4 Nh7⇆ ] 10...Qe7 This is the main crossroad for
9...Ng4! The drawback of the h4-pawn is White and probably the most
that the "g4" square is weak. Black important position of the whole line.
can use this fact by playing Ng4 Bologan,V: '!?' GM Ivan
followed by Ndf6, Bf5, etc... Cheparinov: '1/2-1/2 (88) Ding,L
[ 9...0-0 is inaccurate here Bologan,V: (2805)-Vachier Lagrave,M (2767)
'Black prepares the centralization of Ekaterinburg 2021 CBM 202
his forces.For example:' 10.Bf4 Qb6 [Edouard, Romain]'
11.Qd2 GM Ivan Cheparinov: '' Nh5 [ 10...0-0!? it's possible, but looks a bit
Bologan,V: '!' 12.Bg5 f5 Bologan,V: '!' scary and gives White decent chances
13.a4!↑ White has an initiative here, to organize an attack GM Pavel
a4-a5 is coming. Also, Nh2 followed Eljanov: 'it's possible, but looks a bit
by Bh6 is an idea or simply 0-0 with scary and gives White decent chances
a slight advantage. ] to organize an attack.'
[ 9...h5 10.Bf4 ] A) 11.Bg5 Bologan,V: 'followed by
10.h5 It is logical to try to use the ... Bxa3 and ... Nf4 Black can also
absence of the f6-knight And why play' Bxc3+! Black is not allowing
not? Ne4 12.bxc3 Ndf6 13.Qd2
[ 10.Ng5 looks tricky, but will be met A1) 13...Re8 14.hxg6 ( 14.0-0?!
with Ndf6= 11.Bxg4 ( 11.f3 Ne5 Ne4 ) 14...fxg6 15.0-0 Ne4
12.Kf2 a6 13.a4 h6 14.Nh3 Bxh3 16.Qf4 Nxg5 17.Nxg5 Qf6=
15.Rxh3 Qd7 16.a5 0-0-0⇆ Black is doing well.;
This position is dangerous for White A2) 13...Qe8!? !? removing the
as White's king is much weaker. A queen from the pin and preparing
typical plan for White would be Na4, Ne4 14.Bxf6 Nxf6 Bologan,V:
Rb1, and b4, but it seems to be too '½-½ Makovsky,P (2325)-Hala,M
slow. 17.Na4?! Kb8 18.b4 cxb4 (2410) CZE-ch16 fin email 2004 ,
19.Rb1 Rhe8 20.Rxb4 Re7 followed by ... Rad8 or ... Nd5.'
White doesn't have clear threats. 15.Ng5 Bologan,V: 'transposes
Rde8 is next and White has problems to Line C2c' Bf5 The engines
with the coordination of the pieces. ) are probably holding this, but it
11...Nxg4 Is better with the idea Ne5. looks a bit scary and the
( 11...Bxg4?! 12.f3 ) 12.Qe2+ Qe7 absence of the g7 bishop;
13.Qxe7+ Kxe7 The endgame is B) 11.Bd2 GM Ivan Cheparinov:
approximately equal. 14.Bf4 Ne5 'Preventing Bxc3.'
15.0-0-0 h6 16.Nge4 f5 17.Nxc5 B1) 11...h6 12.Qc1 Qf6
Nxc4 18.Rde1+ Kf7 19.Ne6 Bxc3 ( 12...Re8 13.hxg6 fxg6
20.bxc3 Bd7= The knight seems to 14.Bxh6 Nxh6 15.Rxh6 Ne5
16.Kf1 Bf5 17.Rh1 Nxf3 Is similar but a bit slower. a6 15.a4

18.Bxf3 a6 19.g4 Bd3+ 20.Kg2 b6 The idea is to bring the rook into
b5 ) 13.Ne4 Qe7 14.Ng3 Nde5 the game through the 7th rank.
15.0-0 g5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.f4 16.g3 Ra7 17.Bf4 Rae7= ) 14...Bf5
gxf4 18.Rxf4 f5 19.Qc2 Qg5 D1) 15.Rh4 Qd7 16.Kg2
20.Ne4 Qe7 ( 20...fxe4 ( 16.Bf4 Re7 Will lead to the
21.Rxf8+ Bxf8 22.Bxg5 ) 21.Ng3 same thing. ) 16...Re7 17.Bf4
Qg5 22.Ne4 Qe7 23.Ng3 Qg5 Rae8⇆ Chapter 19-3.h4 [GM
24.Ne4 ½-½ (24) Vegvari,F Ivan Cheparinov];
(2345)-6.Be3 c6 7.a4 b6 Moscow D2) 15.Bf4 Qd7 Bologan,V: '!'
2022 CYB 12 [Mackintosh, Bologan,V: ',with the idea'
Scottish CC]; 16.Rh4⇆ ]
B2) 11...Re8 12.Kf1 ( 12.hxg6 [ 10...Nde5 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.h6!
Doesn't do much for White. fxg6; Bf6 13.Ne4 ]
12.h6 Bh8 Is not the same as in [ 10...Nge5 11.Nh4 Bf6 12.g3 Qe7
the previous cases, now Black 13.Kf1 ]
will quickly jump Nde5. ) 11.Qc2!? is a decent attempt to get a
12...Nde5 ( 12...Ndf6 13.h6 Bh8 complex playable position GM Ivan
14.Ng5 Bf5 15.Rh4 Qd7= Cheparinov: ''
There are a lot of Black pieces [ Bologan,V: 'Weaker is' 11.Bg5
on the kingside and it's difficult this move is almost always met with
for White to get rid of them. For Sipke Ernst: 'allowed' Bologan,V: '?!'
example, f3 can be met with Forcing something of a concession
Ne3+. Black can also double the out of Black. '!' '!?'
rooks on the e-file, and overall, A) 11...Bf6 12.hxg6 fxg6
Black has enough counterplay ( 12...Bxg5? 13.Nxg5 Qxg5
here. ) 13.h6 Bh8 ( 13...Nxf3? 14.gxf7+ Kxf7 15.Bxg4+- ) 13.Qd2
14.gxf3! ) 14.Ng5; 0-0 14.Kf1 Bxg5;
C) 11.h6 Bxc3+! 12.bxc3 Qe7 '' B) 11...Bxc3+ Sipke Ernst: '!' '!' '!' '!'
13.0-0 Nde5 14.Re1 f6= '!' 12.bxc3 Bologan,V: '0-1 Sarenac,
The pawn on h6 isn't dangerous, I (2308)-Todorovic,G (2479) SRB-
the queen can potentially come to chT Cup Zlatibor 2008 (1.9)' f6
f7 and White's pawns are very weak. Bologan,V: 'followed by ... a7-a5.'
Black can consider playing g5 later 13.Bd2 Ding played reasonably and
on.; posed some practical troubles.
D) 11.Ng5!? Bologan,V: ',by Although it seems like Black is
playing' 11...Re8 Bologan,V: '!' doing OK after Nde5 here or after
12.hxg6 hxg6 Bologan,V: '!' 13.Kf1 g5 Matters weren't completely clear
Ndf6 Bologan,V: '½-½ Spitz,P at this stage, but we quite like
(2544)-Olofsson,D (2530) W-ch26 White's position with the unopposed
q02 email 2006 ,with the idea ... dark-squared bishop and safer king.
Bc7, ... Nd5 or ... Bxd3 followed by And after 13...g5 14.O-O Nge5?! 15.
... Qe5.' 14.g3 ( 14.Kg1 Nd4!! cxd4 16.cxd4 O-O
StartBracket 16...Nf7 17. 18.Ne6 Bxe6 19.dxe6 Kh8

Re1 O-O 18.Bd3 Qd8 19.a4 is 20.f4 gxf4 21.Bxf4 Rg8;
simply positionally disgusting for B1b) 15...cxd4 16.cxd4
Black, extra piece or no extra B1b1) 16...Nf7
pieceEndBracket B1b11) 17.Bd3 0-0
StartFENr1b2rk1/pp1nq2p/ 18.Re1 Qd8 19.Rc1
3p1p2/3Pn1pP/2PP4/8/P2BBPP1/ ( 19.a4 ) 19...Kh8 20.Re6
R2Q1RK1 w - - 1 Nb6 21.Qf3;
17EndFEN 17.dxe5 fxe5 18. B1b12) 17.Bg4 0-0
Be3 Ding already enjoyed a large 18.Re1 Qd8 19.Be6;
advantage. g5!? Sipke Ernst: '⇆' '⇆' B1b2) 16...0-0 17.dxe5
'⇆' '⇆' Sipke Ernst: '1/2-1/2 (88) fxe5 18.Be3
Ding,L (2805)-Vachier Lagrave,M B1b21) 18...Nc5
(2767) Ekaterinburg 2021 CBM 202 19.Bxc5 dxc5 20.d6 Qf7
[Edouard,Romain]' ( 13...Nde5! ( 20...Qg7 21.Qd5+ Kh8
Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V: 'is also 22.Qxc5+- ) 21.Bf3 Be6
good' 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.hxg6 22.Rb1 Rab8 23.Qe2
Bf5!? 16.Qa4+ Kd8 17.0-0-0 Bxc4 24.Qxe5 Qf5
Bologan,V: 'White has also tested:' 25.Rfe1+-;
Kc7⇆ Bologan,V: '!'; 13...0-0 B1b22) 18...b6 19.a4
14.hxg6 hxg6 15.Kf1 ) 14.0-0 Nc5 ( 19...h6 20.a5 Rb8
B1) 14...Nge5? Bologan,V: ', 21.axb6 axb6 22.Ra7 )
Black will have' '?!' '?!' 15.Nd4 20.a5 Rb8
1/2 (88) -1/2 (88) Ding,L (2805) - B1b221) 21.h6! Qf6
Vachier Lagrave,M (2767) ( 21...Kh8 22.Ra3 Bf5
Ekaterinburg 2021 Bologan,V: '!' 23.Qc1 Rg8 24.g4
GM Pavel Eljanov: '0.08;-0.07: Bd7 25.axb6 axb6
'!': 1/2 (88)-1/2 (88) Ding,L 26.Ra7 Rg6 27.Kg2 )
(2805) -Vachier Lagrave,M 22.Ra3 Kh8 ( 22...Bf5
(2767) Ekaterinburg 2021' '!' '!' '!' 23.Bxg5 Qxg5
( 15.Re1 Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Ne5 ) 24.Rg3 ) 23.f4! gxf4
B1a) 15...Nb6 24.Rxf4 Bf5 ( 24...exf4
B1a1) 16.a4 Nbxc4; 25.Bd4+- ) 25.axb6
B1a2) 16.f4 gxf4 17.Bxf4 axb6 26.Rf3 Qg6
Rg8!?; 27.Ra7 Rg8 28.Qf1
B1a3) 16.Qc2 0-0 17.Rae1 Be4 29.Rg3 Qxg3
cxd4 ( 17...Qg7 18.Ne6 30.Qf6+;
Bxe6 19.dxe6 ) 18.cxd4 B1b222) 21.Ra3 h6
Nexc4!? 19.Bxc4 Qc7; B1b2221) 22.axb6
B1a4) 16.Re1 0-0 17.a4 axb6 23.g4 Rb7
Qg7 ( 17...Bd7? 18.a5 Nc8 ( 23...Bd7 24.Ra7 )
19.Qb1!? Rb8 20.f4 gxf4 24.Qb1;
21.Nf5 Bxf5 22.Qxf5 ) B1b2222) 22.Qd2
Bf5 23.axb6 axb6 Kh7 37.g3 Kg8

24.Rfa1 Rb7 38.Re3 Kh7
B1b22221) 25.Bd1! 39.Ref3 Kg7
Kg7 26.Ra8 Rxa8 40.Rf6+-;
27.Rxa8 Ra7 B1b2222222)
( 27...Ne4 28.Qb2 31.Rf3 '!' Qe4
Nc5 29.Bc2 Bxc2 ( 31...Qd7 32.Qb1
30.Qxc2 Qf7 Qd6 33.Rxf8 Kxf8
31.g4 ) 28.Bxg5! 34.Ra2 Qf6
hxg5 29.Rxa7 35.Ra8+ Kg7
Qxa7 30.Qxg5+; 36.Re8 ) 32.Rxf8
B1b22222) 25.Qd1 Kxf8 33.Qa1;
Kg7 26.R1a2 B1b2222223)
( 26.Ra8 Rxa8 31.Qe2 '!?' 31...e4
27.Rxa8 Ra7! ) 32.Re3 Re8
26...Ne4 '?' '?' B1b22222231)
( 26...Qd7; 33.Qe1 b5 34.Qa5
26...Rfb8; 26...Qf7 ) Rf8 ( 34...Reb8
27.Bd3 '!' 35.Rxb5 Rxb5
B1b222221) 36.cxb5 Qxd5
27...Nc5 28.Bxf5 37.Qc7+ ) 35.Qa6
Rxf5 29.Ra8 Rf8 Rbb8 36.cxb5+-;
30.Qb1 Qf7 B1b22222232)
31.Rxf8 Kxf8 33.Rb5 Qe5 34.g3
32.Ra8+ Kg7 Qd4 35.Rb1
( 32...Ke7 ( 35.Qc2 Kf8
33.Rh8+- ) 33.g4 36.Rb1 b5 37.Qa2
Nd7 34.Bxg5 hxg5 b4 38.Qa6 )
35.h6+ Kf6 B1b222222321)
( 35...Kxh6 35...b5 36.Rxb5
36.Rh8+ ) 36.h7+-; Rxb5 37.cxb5
B1b222222) Qxd5 38.b6 Rb8
27...Qf7 28.Rb2 '!' ( 38...Kh7 39.Qb2
Nc5 29.Bxf5 Qxf5 Qc6 40.Ra3+- )
30.Bxc5 '!' dxc5 39.Qb2+ Qd4
B1b2222221) 40.Qa2 Qd7
31.Re3 Re8 41.Qa1+ Kf7
( 31...e4 32.Rbe2 42.Ra3+-;
Re8 33.Qe1 Rbe7 B1b222222322)
34.f3+- ) 32.Qa1 35...Rf7
Kg8 33.Rbe2 B1b2222223221)
Rbe7 34.Qb2 Qf6 36.Rxb6 Ref8
35.Rf3 Qd6 36.Rf5 ( 36...Kh7 37.Re6 )
37.Rxe4 Rxf2 47.f3 Qd6 48.Qe4

38.Re7+ Kh8 ( 48.Kh3 Rf7! )
( 38...Kg8 39.Rg6+ 48...Ra7 '!'
Kh8 40.Qe5+; ( 48...Rf7? 49.Re6
38...R2f7+ Qd2+ 50.Kh3+- )
39.Kg2 ) 39.Qe5+ 49.Qe2 ( 49.Re6??
Qxe5 40.Rxh6+ Ra2+ ) 49...Rd7
Kg8 41.Rxe5+-; 50.Qe4 Ra7
B1b2222223222) 51.Kh3 Rf7 '!'
36.Rd1 Qf6 ( 51...Qf6 52.Re6
B1b22222232221) Qf7 53.Qe5+ Kh7
37.Rd2 Qf5 54.Rxh6+! Kxh6
( 37...Rfe7 38.d6 55.Qh8+ Qh7
Rd7 39.Rxe4 56.Qf6+ ) 52.Re8
Rxe4 40.Qxe4 ( 52.Re6 Rxf3+
Rxd6 41.Qb7+ Kf8 53.Qxf3 Qxe6 )
42.Qb8+ ) 38.Qd1; 52...Qf6 53.Kg2
B1b22222232222) Qb2+ 54.Kh3 Qf6
37.Qc2 Rfe7 55.Kg2 Qb2+
38.Rde1 Qd4 56.Kg3 Qf6
39.Rd1 Qe5 57.Qd3 ( 57.Re6
40.Qb1; Qf4+ 58.Qxf4
B1b22222232223) Rxf4= ) 57...Qf4+
37.d6 '?' '?' 58.Kg2 Qf6
37...Re6 '!' 59.Kg3 Qf4+
( 37...Rd8 38.Rxe4 60.Kg2 Qf6
Rxd6 39.Rxd6 61.Qe2 Rd7
Qxd6 40.Re6 Qd4 62.Qe4 Rd2+
41.Rxb6+-; 63.Kh3 Qd6 '!'
37...Rd7 38.Rxe4 64.Re5 Kf6 '!'
Rxe4 39.Qxe4 65.Rf5+ Kg7
Rxd6 40.Qb7+ ) 66.Re5 Kf6
38.d7 Rd6 67.Rf5+ Kg7
39.Rxd6 Qxd6 68.Qb7+ Kh8
40.Rxe4 Rxd7 69.Qa8+ Kg7
41.Kg2 ( 41.Re6 70.Qa7+ Kh8
Qd1+ 42.Qxd1 71.Qa1+ Kg8
Rxd1+ 43.Kg2 72.Qa8+ Kg7
Rd4= ) 41...Qc6 73.Qa1+ Kg8
42.Kh2 Qf6 74.Re5 Qf8
43.Kh3 Qf5+ '!' 75.Qa3 Rf2
44.g4 Qf6 45.Re5 76.Kg3 ( 76.Re3?
Qd6 46.Kg2 Qc6+ Qb8! 77.f4 Qb7
78.Re8+ Kf7 advantage Nxe5 16.h6

79.Qa8 Qf3+! Bologan,V: '1-0 Ivekovic,Z
80.Qxf3 Rxf3+ (2085)-Pavlovic,M (2448)
81.Kg2 Rxf4-+ ) Zagreb op 2007 (4)' ( 16.f4
76...Qf4+ 77.Kxf2 gxf4 17.Bxf4 Bd7 ) 16...Bd7
Qxe5 78.Qa8+ Kf7 Bologan,V: ',and White cannot
79.Qb7+ Kf8 play' 17.Bh5+ This check is
80.Qc8+ Ke7 pointless because Black's king
81.Qb7+ Kf8 is feeling very well on the
82.Qxb6 Qh2+ queenside.. Bologan,V:
83.Kf1 Qh1+ 'because of' Kd8 Bologan,V:
84.Ke2 Qg2+ 'and 19 ... Qb6,with a strong
85.Ke3 Qg1+ attack after' 18.f4 Bologan,V:
86.Ke2 ( 86.Ke4 '0-1 Popovic,A (1925)-Ashton,
Qd4+ 87.Kf5 A (1992) IECG QB.2001.0.
Qf4+ ) 86...Qg2+ 00008 ,the right  for
87.Ke3 Qg1+ pressuring the d-file is' gxf4
88.Ke2 ½-½ (88) Bologan,V: 'because after'
Winter (2805)-4.d4 19.Bxf4 Kc7⇆ Black's king is
Nf6 5.Bc4 (2767) quite safe and now, after Rg8,
AFROATIN 2021 Black will take the initiative.;
CBM 090 Extra B2c) 15.Nd4 Bologan,V: '?!'
[chessvibes]; 15...0-0 Black's position is
B2) 14...Nde5! quite safe, in the worst case,
B2a) 15.Qc2 Nxf3+ the knight will go back to h6
Bologan,V: ',followed by ... 16.f4 ( 16.f3 Nh6 ) 16...gxf4
Bd7, ... Nxe3 and ... Nc4 with 17.Bxf4 Kh8 ]
a crushing position' 16.Bxf3 [ After 11.Ng5 Black will play in the
Bologan,V: '?' 0-0 17.Rae1 same way as after 11.Bg5 Bxc3+!
Qf7 Bologan,V: '0-1 Alvarado Bologan,V: '½-½ Fritsche,F (2374)-
Diaz,A (2068)-Vega Gutierrez, Minchev,V (2491) BdF 60 jub
B (2266) Vecindario Canarias Worldopen EM11 email 2007 ...
op 4th 2010 (8)' 18.Qb1 followed by ... Qxd6 with equality'
Bologan,V: '?!' Bologan,V: '0-1 12.bxc3 gxh5⇆ ]
Bakin,A (2235)-Lyell,M (2210) [ 11.Bf4 Nde5 12.Nxe5 Bxe5
Budapest FS12 IM 2010 (8)' 13.Bxe5 Nxe5 The important rule in
b6⇆ With a Black's king safe Benoni's structure is that If Black
on g8, White doesn't have manages to exchange two minor
much compensation for the pieces, his position is quite good.
weekend structure on the 14.Qd2 Bologan,V: '?!' g5 Bologan,V:
queenside. Bologan,V: '!'; '0-1 Necula,I (2249)-Simmelink,J
B2b) 15.Nxe5 is another try, (2383) Champion's League 07/C6
which doesn't give White an bd04 email 2007 [4] ,with an attack'
15.0-0-0 Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V: d3 Black plays 12 ... Bxh3,which

'since,after' Bd7⇆ Bologan,V: '½-½ means that the same idea works in
Fekih,B (2360)-Tanti,J (2312) AA-ch8 Line C1(with the black  on h6).Who
final email 2006 ,this  has blocked knows,maybe 12 ... h6 is also possible.
the escape square for White's ,I Black has more chances to play for a
would suggest' ] win after 8 Qf3 Be7 9 Bd3,than after 8
[ 11.0-0 This looks too soft and now it Bd3!?. Lines C2a & C2c are very
seems that h4-h5 was just a waste of similar. Ideas To Remember How to
time Bologan,V: '!?' 0-0 12.hxg6 play with a two  deficit(Line B3). The
( 12.Ng5 h6 13.Bxg4 hxg5 14.Re1 importance of provoking c2-c3(Line
Be5 15.Bxd7 Bxd7 ) 12...fxg6! C2). if' 16.Nxe5 Bologan,V: ',then'
I like this approach because now Nxe5 Bologan,V: 'If' 17.Qb3 Kc7⇆ ]
Black can put a pawn on h6, to cover 13...Bf5 Bologan,V: 'Compare this
g5 and also the rook is quite active on position with the one arising after
the semi-open f-file. 13.Bg5 Ndf6⇆ 10 ... Bd6 11 d4 exd3 12 Nxd3 Qc7,
14.Qc2 h6 15.Bxf6 ( 15.Bd2 which is the most popular way to
Bologan,V: 'with pressure. White play this variation.The fact that
would lose an important tempo with' White's c- is still on c2 means that
Bf5⇆ Bologan,V: '?!' Bologan,V: ', White has a very dangerous plan at
which Black would exploit after' ) his disposal: 13 b3 followed by
15...Qxf6 16.Rae1 g5 17.Bd3 Bc1-b2xf6.And while it's true that in
Bd7⇆ ] this line Black usually regains the 
11...Nde5! by taking on h2,all of his remaining
[ 11...0-0 is still premature and White s become irreparably weak,weak,
is better after: 12.Bg5 Bf6 13.Qd2 and weak.On the other hand,with
Bologan,V: ',and Black threatens to White's  on c3,it's easier to push
capture on c5 followed by ... Bd3.' ] b2-b4,but believe me,that's a minor
12.h6 Bf6 13.Ne4 Strategically Whites nuisance.It's far more significant
position should be preferred due to that the d3-square is also
the bishop pair and h6 pawn, but weakened.We have a further but
Black has some dynamical final divide: C2a) 14 Na3= C2b) 14
counterchances g3= C2c) 14 Nd2= C2d) 14 h3
[ 13.Kf1 Bf5 14.Qa4+ Kd8 ( 14...Kf8 C2a) This variation is closely
Bologan,V: '½-½ Nadig,K (2213)- connected with Line C2c.White
Karavade,E (2303) IND-chB (Women) chooses a less common path to the
35th 2008 (9) ,then' 15.Bd2 c4-square.If he wishes,Black can
Bologan,V: 'with the idea' ) 15.Bd2 very easily simplify the game with
Re8 Bologan,V: 'Black will play ... Rd3 14 ... 0-0 and 1 6 ... Nd5. C2b)
or ... Nce4,with a clearly better game. White has never won a game with
Traps White scores only 26% with this move,though one must admit
Line C2d(14 h3). Transpositions & that it's not easy to outplay him.
Move Order In Line A after 8 Bd3 Ng4 C2c) This is the most common
9 Nh3 Bc5 10 0-0 0-0 11 Be2 Nf6 12 choice for 2600 players.Black can
play for the initiative with the rapid Bologan,V: '!'

14 ... Bf5 and 15 ... Rd8,but if he is [ 5...0-0 Bologan,V: '0-1 Gerhardt,E
tired(that day)he can opt for the (1919)-De Souza,J (2381) CADAP
transposition to Line C2a. C2d) Cand and Maestro 20-1 email 2008
Curiously,the most popular line is with a solid position.'
also the most problematic for White. A) 6.d5 makes a lot of sense to try
' 14.Nxf6+ Qxf6 15.Qa4+ Kf8! to punish Black's play Ne5
This time Black king should go to Bologan,V: '1-0 Chigorin,M-Steinitz,
the kingside because of the lack of W World Championship 04th 1892
defenders on the queenside. (17)' 7.h5 Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V:
[ 15...Kd8? 16.0-0 Kc7 17.Nxe5 'Steinitz mistakenly played his  to
Nxe5 18.b4 and soon Black's king b4.' d6 8.h6 h6 it is an
will start feeling uncomfortable. ] achievement to get the pawn on h6,
16.0-0 Bologan,V: 'Other moves are but White delays his development
inferior:' 16...Nxf3+ 17.Bxf3 and loses a lot of time and now
Sipke Ernst: '' '' '' '' 17...Ne5 Black can open the center in his
[ 17...Qh4? 18.Bxg4 Qxg4 19.Bd2+- favor Bh8 9.Be2 The position is
is already +7 according to Stockfish! unexplored with multiple options for
Black is too weak on the dark both sides on each move, that's
squares ] why I will just provide you with an
18.Be2 g5! This is the point of Black's good line how the game could
play. Now the h6-pawn is lost and continue. Bologan,V: '!' Ned7
Black can even start thinking of ( 9...c6!? Bologan,V: '... followed by
organizing an attack against ... Kg7,with a clear advantage' )
White's king. Of course, White will 10.e4 Bologan,V: '!' Nc5 11.Qc2
try to open the position somehow c6 12.Nf3 cxd5 13.exd5 Bf5
using f4 or b4 breaks. 19.b4 b6 14.Qd1 Nfe4 15.Nxe4 Bxe4
The position still looks promising for 16.0-0 e6;
White, but objectively speaking, B) The ultra-aggressive 6.h5!?
Black has reasonable counterplay. is worth a try Bologan,V: '??' Nxh5
Chapter 5 – Setups-with ...d7-d6 7.g4 Nf6 8.g5 Ne8 Bologan,V: '!'
without ... 0-0 [GM Pavel Eljanov] 9.Qd2!? with the idea to bring the
Bologan,V: '0-1 Ketterer,C (2271)- queen to "h2" ( 9.f4 e5⇆ ) 9...e5
Mehne,C (2145) Eppingen op 2004 Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: 'with
(6.9) ... and after a more or less another checkmate. Weaker is'
forcing line like ...' 10.d5 Bologan,V: '?!' Nb4 11.f3
this looks a bit scary for Black;
21
An interesting novelty is Bologan,V: C) 6.Be2 d5! is the best chance
'if White plays' 5.e3!?N looks quite for Black, reaching some weird
playable for White, but Black can Gruenfeld position. One possible
get some decent counterplay too. line could be 7.h5 dxc4
Bologan,V: '(with the idea Bologan,V: 'Welcome to the 4th
Ke2)Black will answer with' 5...d6 World Championship
rematch(1892)between Wilhelm Bologan,V: 'transposes to the main

Steinitz and Mikhail Chigorin. B1a) line. However,if White gives Black a
8 Bb5 B2b) 8 Qb3?! B2c) 8 Qa4 tempo with' 7.Nf3 Bg4 Bologan,V: ',
B2a) In four games Chigorin only then after' 8.d5 Bologan,V: 'Black will
scored 50%(1 + /1 -1/2 = ) with this have time for' Nb8 Bologan,V: ',and if'
move.So in the next two games he 9.e4 transposing to a favorable KID
turned to Line B2c,a wise choice Bologan,V: ',then' c6 10.0-0 Nbd7
because in Line B2a the initiative is 11.Bf4 ]
on Black's side. B2b) Chigorin didn't 7.b3
play this line for good reason,since [ 7.Nh3 is an interesting way for White
Black can utilize Polerio's to develop GM Pavel Eljanov: '!?' h6
Counterattack(as in Chapter 21). 8.g4 a6 Bologan,V: ',White's army is
B2c) After two draws,Chigorin won completely disorganized.' 9.g5 hxg5
the next two games where he Bologan,V: 'As in Line B1b,White can
played 8 Qa4.' 8.h6 Bh8 9.Nf3 win the  on f7 after' 10.Nxg5
Bg4 10.Bxc4 e5 11.dxe5 Nd7 Bologan,V: '?!' Kf8 We get another
12.e6 fxe6 13.Ne4 again, we interesting position, feel free to
have a mess on the board, it is hard continue analyzing. ]
to give some guidance here. As [ 7.h5 h5 is logical, but without 0-0,
always, the engine gives 0.00. ] this advance is not that dangerous
[ 5...e5?! is just a mistake Bologan,V: Nxh5 8.Bxh5 Bologan,V: '?!' gxh5
'!' 6.d5 Nb8 Bologan,V: '!' 7.e4 d6 Bologan,V: ',but that will just increase
8.Be2 Na6 Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: Black's advantage.' 9.Rxh5 e6
'and White is in trouble.' 9.b4 Black's king can go on the queenside
Bologan,V: '??' 0-0 Bologan,V: '!' soon. ]
10.a3 c6 Bologan,V: 'with checkmate 7...h5!?
Black has a perpetual check after' [ Bologan,V: 'For now there is no need
11.h5 White has initiative all over the to insert the zwischenzug' 7...e5
board cxd5 12.h6 Bh8 13.cxd5 Bd7 is premature Bologan,V: '0-1
14.Bg5 Rc8 15.Rc1 Qe8 16.Bd3 Lundgren,B-Wastfelt,T SWE-ch34
Nc7 17.Nge2 Nb5 18.Bxb5 Bxb5 corr 1974 After' 8.d5 Ne7 9.e4 a5 ]
19.Ng3 Qd7 20.Qf3 Ne8 8.Nf3
A) 21.Kd2 f6 22.Be3 Bc4 23.Rh4 [ 8.Bb2 e5 9.d5 Nb8⇆
Nc7 ( 23...f5 ) 24.Qg4; White's bishop is not well placed on
B) 21.Nxb5 Rxc1+ 22.Bxc1 Qxb5 b2 Bologan,V: ',White can't be very
23.Bg5 f6 24.Bd2 ] happy with his  on a1 and his  on
6.Be2 Bd7 I came up with this strange d1.' ]
idea, keeping Black's options 8...e5!? Bologan,V: 'and,if' 9.d5
flexible and not hurrying to put the Bologan,V: 'g4,then' 9...e4! 10.dxc6
king under attack after 0-0 exf3 Bologan,V: 'followed by ... Qf7
[ 6...h5 I don't like this concept with White can kill Black's  in just two
Black's pawn on h5, somehow this moves with' 11.cxd7+ Nxd7
loses time and weakens the kingside 12.Bb2 Bologan,V: ',but after' 12...fxe2
13.Qxe2 Rg8!?⇆ strange looking move, King's Indian with weird inclusion
but a powerful one. Black will h2-h4, but Black's knight looks
castle queenside soon. Probably weird on "c6" as well Bologan,V: 'is
White can push for an advantage, unclear Weaker is' This doesn't
but the position should be around combine well with h2-h4. 6...e5
equal. Bologan,V: '?!'
[ 13...0-0 14.g4→ ] [ Bologan,V: 'or the immediate' 6...0-0
5.e4 is not very good because of Bologan,V: '0-1 Pott,B (1708)-
Marin: '' 5...e5⇆ 6.d5 Nd4 Kampmann,M (1707) RC-
5.d5 Ne5 6.Nf3!? 2010-0-00057 GM Peter Lukacs
[ 6.e4 d6 7.Be2 h5 0-1 (41) assesses' 7.d5 Bologan,V: 'as weaker
Fedoseev,V (2696) -Carlsen,M (2847) because of' Nb8 Bologan,V: '!' 8.Be2
Krasnaya Polyana 2021 ] This Nb8-c6-b8 maneuver with the
6...Nxc4 idea to provoke d4-d5 is a common
[ 6...Nxf3+ 7.exf3 ] theme in KID, but I don't think that
7.e4 Black equalizes here. Blacks triumph
[ 7.h5!? Marin: '↑' Nxh5 8.g4 Nf6 is that now he can attack the "d5"
9.Bh6 Bxh6 10.Rxh6 b5 pawn through e7-e6 and c7-c6
( 10...Nxg4? 11.Qd4+- )] breaks.
7...b5 8.Nxb5 c6 9.Bxc4 Marin: '!?' A) 8...Bg4 this loses time, because
[ 9.Nc3 cxd5 10.Nxd5 Nxd5 Black doesn't want to take on f3
( 10...Qa5+? Marin: '0-1 (43) Marin: '?' 9.Be3 Nbd7 Bologan,V: ',
Leenhouts,K (2457)-Spoelman,W and now the only move is' 10.Qd2
(2572) Netherlands 2019' 11.b4+-; Bologan,V: ',when Black has a
10...Nb6 11.Nxf6+ Bxf6 12.e5 Bg7 technically winning position after' a6
13.h5 ) 11.Bxc4 Nb6 12.Bd3 Bologan,V: '0-1 Pott,B (1830)-Wittal,
( 12.Bb3? Ba6 Marin: '?' ) 12...d5 W (1976) LSS RB-2009.0.00073 .
( 12...0-0 13.h5 d5 tr.; 12...d6 Now after' 11.0-0 Bologan,V:
Marin: '' 13.h5 Bg4 14.h6 Bf6 'comes the thematic' Re8
15.Rb1 ) 13.h5 0-0! Sipke Ernst: 'tr.' Bologan,V: '!' 12.Rac1
( 13...dxe4 14.Bxe4 Qxd1+ 15.Kxd1 White wants to stabilize and
Rb8 16.Bf4 )] prepare c5 later on. dxe6 always
9...cxb5 10.Bd3 0-0 meets the advanced e7-e6 and
[ 10...d6? 11.Bxb5+ ] there is no compelling way for Black
11.Bg5 d6 12.Qd2 07 3...Nc6 [Sipke to take back. Against other moves,
Ernst] White will continue with Rfd1,
probably Ne1, or Nh2 exchanging
22
5...0-0 Bologan,V: '!' 6.e4 d6 the light-squared bishops. The
Bologan,V: '!' GM Pavel Eljanov: other plan is to prepare c4-c5
'cf7' through b4;
B) 8...e6 is usually met by I'm
23
6.e4!? is a very decent alternative. suggesting we castle 'into the
It seems strange to play normal storm' here, so to speak. By
postponing the capture on d5, we , we can look forward to the

maintain the tension in the center, typical Benoni-type counterplay.
making it harder for White to settle 5. Early Deviations 3.h4-Early
on a plan. Deviations 3.h4 â;
B1) 9.h5 White needs to be fast B2) 9.dxe6 An important
here. After something anodyne alternative here, using the fact
like 9.O-O exd5 10.cxd5 Re8 , that Black has already castled
you can definitely start feeling while White hasn't yet, to
optimistic about Black's chances redefine the structure in the
since h4 is a very significant center and start pushing the
drawback to White's position. opening of the K-side. 9...Bxe6
Nxh5 This line is a direct spiritual ( 9...fxe6 10.e5! ) 10.Nd4 Bd7
opposite of many of the ideas we can use the early h4 11.h5
we're trying to achieve in here − Qe8 ( 11...Re8 is well met by
we will be forced to defend quite Bologan,V: '!?' 12.h6 Bh8
a passive pawn-up position with Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: ',White
limited counterplay. 10.g4 must accept the next forcing line:'
( 10.Bg5 Bxc3+ I believe this is 13.Bg5 )
better than the positions after B2a) 12.Be3 is very tricky too
10...Nf6 11.dxe6 Bxe6 12.Qd2 , Bologan,V: '!' Nc6!
with O-O-O to follow. 11.bxc3 f6 We're attacking the e4-pawn.
12.Bh6 Ng7 13.Qd2 Rf7 ( 12...Nxe4? Bologan,V: '!'
14.0-0-0 e5 This looks very 13.Nxe4 Qxe4 14.Bf3 )
cramped, but we do have a 13.Nxc6 Bologan,V: 'N'
healthy extra pawn, and once our ( 13.hxg6 We're ready to
Nb8 is on f8, the attack along the recapture fxg6, opening up the
h-file will be more or less f-file for our dormant Rf8. 13.f3
defused − and then we can look would allow 13...Nxh5 . fxg6
forward to slowly preparing our 14.f3 Nh5 Ng3, Nf4, and even
own counterplay on the other Qe5 are all legitimate ideas
flank, in particular, if we can get here. 5. Early Deviations 3.h4-
c7-c5 in. 5. Early Deviations 3.h4- Early Deviations 3.h4 â )
Early Deviations 3.h4 â ) 10...Nf6 13...bxc6 14.h6 Bh8 15.Bf3
11.g5 Nfd7 12.Be3 Bologan,V: 'Materially
It's important for us to establish a speaking,White stands well
foothold in the center by playing: because there is no way that
exd5 13.cxd5 c5 This stops Bd4 the donkey on a1 can escape.
forever and if this structure However,the unfortunate
remains on the board, White position of White's  spoils
probably won't be too happy with everything.For example:
developing all of our pieces for Finally,let's try to find a refuge
us. By winning back the pawn for White's  with ...' Rb8
with 14.dxc6 Nxc6 15.Qxd6 Nde5 GM Pavel Eljanov: '⇆';
B2b) 12.h6 Bologan,V: '1-0 have enough.

Savchenko,B (2615)-Cmilyte,V A) 7.Be2?! e5 Our last three
(2528) Politiken Cup 33rd moves have all been contributing to
2011 (8)' 12...Bh8 Bologan,V: the fight for the d4-square. The
',preparing ... f7-f5 if' 13.Rh4 center needs to be challenged
an interesting way to defend before White gets to play Be3. The
the -e4 pawn Bologan,V: 'then' white center needs to be
Na6 14.Be3 Nc5 15.Qc2 challenged here, before they get to
Qe7 16.g3 Bologan,V: 'Now, play Be3. 8.d5 Bologan,V: '!'
the only move is ...' Rfe8 Bologan,V: ',with the idea' Bxf3
17.Bf3 as always, if White 9.Bxf3 Nd4⇆ A beautiful knight. If
manages to calm the position, White doesn't hassle it immediately
his space advantage promises we'll expand on the queenside.
him an advantage.; 10.Be3 a6 This is Svidler's
C) 8...Nbd7 Bologan,V: ',followed alternative line but it really appeals
by the check on f2' Bologan,V: 'The to me. We get ready to expand on
move' 9.h5!? We can compare this the queenside, but the main point is
sacrifice to the h4-h5 advance in to force White to commit to a plan.
Dragon Sicilian. White sacrifices a We don't want to castle too early as
pawn for opening the h-file and long- then White will be able to generate
term compensation. Bologan,V: an attack with h4-h5. 10...c5 is
'allows Black to prepare ... Ng4 Peter's mainline. An honorable
with' Nxh5 Bologan,V: 'White can't mention also goes to a6 − we don't
prevent this by playing' 10.g4 need to fear Bxd4 here, our
Bologan,V: '?' Bologan,V: 'due to' counterplay along the dark squares
Nhf6 Bologan,V: '0-1 Jobava,B will be very powerful if White takes.
(2616)-Aronian,L (2645) EU-ch 5th Play remains very unclear, but I
Antalya 2004 (9) ,threatening the believe we're doing fine. ( 10...c5
sacrifice on h3 On the other hand, A very typical King's Indian-type
after' 11.g5 Bologan,V: ',Black pawn sacrifice, which looks even
plays' Ne8 Bologan,V: '!' 12.Be3 more logical here than usual, with
White is planning to castles the pawn on h4 making it difficult
queenside followed by double the for White to castle K-side straight
major pieces on the "h" file. Black away. 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.Bxd4
probably can defend, but it looks exd4 13.Qxd4 0-0 Our counterplay
like a hard task. ] here is obvious − we have the b-
[ 6...Bg4 We immediately highlight the and e-files for our rooks, the knight
flaw in White's strategy. 6...e5 7.d5 will go to d7 and from there to either
Nd4 would be an attractive pawn sac e5 or c5, and the Bg7 is a monster.
here if not for the fact that after 8. Play could continue: 14.Qd2 Nd7
Nxd4 exd4 9.Qxd4 O-O White has the 15.Rc1 15.Qxd6?! Rb8! and it's
precise 10.Bg5! h6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12. already quite awkward for White to
Qd2 and it won't be easy to prove we defend everything. Qf6 16.Bg4
Ne5 17.Be2 h5 White finds it very compensation is also fine.

awkward to complete development 14.cxb5 axb5 15.Nxb5
and is almost forced to go for ( 15.0-0 Re8 Putting pressure
further pawn grabs. 18.f4 Nd7 on the e4-pawn and preparing
19.e5 Qf5 20.exd6 Rfe8 21.0-0 ...b5-b4. Forcing matters with
Re6 We have very strong play for 15...b4 16.Nb5 Nd7 also
the pawns since the king on g1 is equalises. 16.a3 Rb8
very unsafe and our pieces are very Renewing the threat. 17.b4
active. 5. Early Deviations 3.h4- A committal move, see my
Early Deviations 3.h4 â ) explanation in the previous
A1) 11.Ne2 c5 Forcing matters. line. Nd7 Our knight is ready
Continuing to offer the pawn with to jump into e5 from where it
Peter's 11...O-O is also eyes the c4-outpost. 18.h5
completely fine. ( 11...0-0 Ne5 Next we'll play ...Qh4
12.Qd3 12.Nxd4 exd4 13.Bxd4 when White will have to watch
Re8 and White can't defend the out for his king's safety as well
e4 pawn as 14.Qc2 is met with as the weak e4-pawn. 4.Nc3
14...Nxe4! Nxf3+ 13.gxf3 Nh5 d6 5.e4 Nc6,6 26. h4 Set-ups )
14.0-0-0 b6 Followed by f5 and 15...Nxe4 A typical tactic when
our setup is very solid since White's left his king in the
shifting that knight from h5 won't centre. 16.Bxe4 Re8
be easy − we can always reply to If White defends the bishop
Ng3 with Nf4. 5. Early Deviations with queen or pawn ...f7-f5 will
3.h4-Early Deviations 3.h4 â ) regain the piece next move.
12.dxc6 Clearly White can't allow 17.Nc3 Bxc3 18.Qxc3 Rxe4+
the knight to sit on d4 indefinitely. 19.Kf1 Rxh4 We've regained
Nxf3+ A useful intermezzo. our sacrificed material and
13.gxf3 bxc6 If White doesn't have an equal middlegame. 4.
prevent it we'll break with ...d6-d5 Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6,6 26. h4 Set-
next move. Otherwise, we'll ups;
castle, move the queen and play A2b) 13...Nd7 We have plenty
...Rfd8. White will have some of typical KI-type counterplay
issues with his king. 4.Nc3 d6 5. since castling queenside will
e4 Nc6,6 26. h4 Set-ups; be met by b5. The K-side is
A2) 11.Bxd4 Taking the pawn also vulnerable since White
must be the critical test. exd4 chose to play h4, and there is
12.Qxd4 0-0 The immediate play in the center with Nc5 and
threat is to capture on e4 f5 if White decides to keep the
followed by pinning and winning king on e1. 5. Early Deviations
with ...Re8. 13.Qd2 3.h4-Early Deviations 3.h4 â;
A2a) 13...b5 Forcing matters. A3) 11.Kf1 White hopes he'll still
Svidler's recommendation of be able to make something of the
13... Nd7 playing for long-term h-file. If 11.O-O we can simply
castle too. 11...0-0 12.h5 h6 about his own king. We're not very
A defensive concept we've come worried about 9.Bxf3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3
across earlier in the course. We Qd7 and we can wait for White to
prevent White from advancing castle, then castle ourselves and
the pawn to h6. 12...Nxf3 would start counterplay with c6, while also
run into 13.h6!? but now we're having very useful access to Ng4-
actually threatening to take on f3 e5 ideas since the h4-pawn can't go
and h5. 13.hxg6 ( 13.Bxd4 back. Bd7 Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,
13.hxg6 fxg6 14.Bxh6 Bxh6 15. V: '... opening the way for Black's
Rxh6 Kg7 followed by Rh8, gives outside ' ( 9...Bh5 A good square
Black good compensation for the for the bishop. We make sure
pawn. exd4 14.Qxd4 Nxh5 White's h-pawn won't go any further.
15.Qd2 Nf6 The pawn grab still Peter Svidler gives the following
gives Black very decent play line: An important decision − by
along the dark squares − with planting our bishop on h5, we're
Nd7, Qg5, Ne5 and b5 all good securing ourselves against the
follow-up ideas. 5. Early potential opening of the K-side, and
Deviations 3.h4-Early Deviations can follow it up quite safely with O-
3.h4 â ) 13...fxg6 14.Bxd4 O and c6. 10.Be3 0-0 As h4-h5 is
A better pawn to take. exd4 impossible we don't need to worry
15.Ne2 15.Qxd4 Nd7 is a better about castling before White. 11.Qc2
version for us. Our pieces flow to c6 We open up the queenside and
strong squares: ...Qf6, ...Rae8 make sure White's king won't feel
and ...Nc5 or ...Ne5. There will safe on either side of the board.
be a lot of pressure on White's 12.Rd1 Qc8 Svidler. A complicated
position. Nd7 Jumping via h7 to middlegame but we have the
g5 also gives us enough potential for counterplay on both
compensation. 16.Nxd4 Bxd4 sides of the board. Rerouting the
We guarantee reaching a good knight to e5 followed by ...f7-f5 is
knight versus bad bishop one idea, while ...a7-a6 and ...b7-b5
scenario. 17.Qxd4 Qg5 is another. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6,6 26.
Our knight will be very powerful h4 Set-ups With unclear play − we
on e5. As always White has can try undermining the White
chronic problems with his weak structure with a6 and b5, or play
king. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6,6 26. h4 Nd7 with ideas of Ne5 or even, in
Set-ups; some cases, f5. ) 10.Be3
B) 7.d5! Ne5 8.Be2 Nxf3+ 9.gxf3 Bologan,V: '?!' c6 Bologan,V: '!'
We already saw this idea before. I Bologan,V: 'Since after' 11.f4
can't promise you an advantage, Bologan,V: 'Black will prepare ... a7-
but the game is interesting. A a5 with' Qa5 Bologan,V: 'After'
possible line could be The more 12.Bd2 Bologan,V: ',Black keeps
challenging recapture but double- the opponent's  in the open with'
edged. White has to be careful h5 Bologan,V: 'If' 13.f3 Bologan,V:
'then' Rc8 14.Bd3 ] are gloomy: the dark squares on the

7.d5 Nd4 kingside are weak, and the pieces on
[ 7...Ne7? This is just wrong here I like the queenside are ineffective. Bxc3
8.Nh2 with the idea Be2-h5 Bologan, 18.Qxc3 ]
V: '!' 0-0 9.Be2 Bologan,V: 'A 11.Qd3! Black has a decent counterplay
classical case of Sitting Bull's Strategy. but still not so easy to prove that
' h5 After we provoke this move, it's sufficient
White's knight can go to "g5" 10.Nf3 [ Bologan,V: 'The main options are:
Nh7 11.Ng5↑ Bologan,V: '0-1 Pott,B B1a) 8 Ba3 B1b) 8 dxe5 B1a) With
(2006)-Spiegel,W (2363) WS TT/2/10/ 8 Ba3 White tries to increase the
3 Evans Gambit email 2010 ... strength of his d4-d5 attack,but I
followed by ... Kd8' ] doubt that this is a good idea. B1b)
8.Nxd4 exd4 White lost some time for The opening of the game with 8 dxe5
h4 and Black can sacrifice a pawn Nxe5 is interesting,but it will be more
for opening the long-diagonal and dangerous for White's  than for
the e-file 9.Qxd4 0-0 Bologan,V: Black's on e7.' 11.Qe3 the queen is
'0-1 Ritson Morry,W-Russell,J corr misplaced here '!?' This is a relatively
1984' 10.Bg5 This is the main fresh approach to this particular line,
position of the entire Bc4-Ne2 but the idea, as seen already many
variation in Grunfeld. Over the times in other lines, it is a quite
years Black tested many lines and common push. h6! 12.Bxf6
thanks to the help of chess engines White should be consequent.
the theory grew here exponentially ( 12.Bxh6? Ng4 '!' ) 12...Qxf6
in the last 10-15 years. Bologan,V: This is an important position. 13.Bd3
'!' Bologan,V: ',and for now White '!?' This apparently mysterious move
can forget about castling ... I'm deserves serious attention. White
curious to see how White's  will frees the d-file for the rook and sets
escape after' 10...Re8 Bologan,V: the immediate threat of Bg5. It was
'?' recently successfully tried by
[ 10...h6 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 ( 11...Qxf6 Praggnanandhaa versus Giri. a6
12.Qxf6 With such weak squares 14.a4 The first moment where Black is
around Black's king it will be very at crossroads. Bd7 '?!' Black can
difficult to play with Black. Bxf6 capture the pawn now as the queen is
is met by 13.Bd3 ) 12.Qd2 Bg7 not getting trapped. In similar lines,
13.g3 Putting pressure on the dark the pawn on d4 would be under attack
squares, especially on the knight. Our and the queen could escape. Perhaps
queen has two nice ways to pose this lured Giri to play this move. In
problems: from a3 and f4. f5 reality, it is already a serious
Here, White has a very nice and inaccuracy after which White has a
challenging idea... 14.Bd3 '!' Sacrifing strong initiative. 15.g3 11 3....Bg7 4.
the pawn. Qe7 15.0-0-0! The rook is Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6 [Sipke Ernst] '!' I
trapped! fxe4 Forced. 16.Rhe1 Bf5 think that Black's position is very
17.f4! The simplest. Black's prospects shaky here. ]
11...Nxe4 Bologan,V: 'Morry,W-Wormald, White's proud center is gradually

R corr 1942' dissolving and the pawn on h4
[ 11...h6 12.Be3 looks like that continues being a drawback, giving us
Black's initiative is coming to an end a very useful g4-square. 5. Early
Bologan,V: '!' ] Deviations 3.h4-Early Deviations 3.h4
12.Nxe4 â]
[ Bologan,V: 'The idea is interesting: [ 8.Bg5 h6 9.Bf4 9.Be3 Ng4 is always
since' 12.Bxd8 is risky due to Bologan, quite awkward for White in these
V: '?' Bologan,V: 'doesn't work positions since our knight is very
because of' Nxc3+ 13.Kd2 Ne4+ comfy there. exd5 10.exd5 ( 10.cxd5
Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: '½-½ Nbd7 It's important to postpone
Lawrence,P-Pierce,W corr 1913 , castling for a move here so that Qd2
Black first removes the 'White Shark' doesn't win a tempo for White by
from the dangerous diagonal.' 14.Kc2 attacking the h6-pawn. 11.Qc2
Nxf2 ] Defending the e4 pawn in anticipation
12...f6 13.Be3 Bologan,V: 'Equally of Nc5. 0-0 12.0-0-0 Re8
popular is' 13...f5 Bologan,V: '1-0 At first, this position looks very scary,
Middleton,D-Baxter,D GBR Fraser but we're ready to develop our d7-
corr1891-96 ,but then the safest knight, to either e5 or c5, and then
move is' 14.Nxd6 Bologan,V: ',with start opening up the c-file with c6. I
an equal game after' 14...cxd6 believe this is quite an unclear
15.0-0-0 White finally castles and I think position. 5. Early Deviations 3.h4-
that his position is slightly better. Early Deviations 3.h4 â ) 10...0-0
The h4-h5 break is coming and 11.Be2 Re8 12.Qd2 h5 13.Bg5 Bg4
Black's king will be weak after the 14.0-0 Nbd7 Is way too vanilla here.
exchanges of the dark-squared We're fully developed, not under
bishops. 15...b5 16.Bd4 bxc4 attack on the K-side, and have a nice
17.Qc3 g4-square for the light pieces. 5.
Early Deviations 3.h4-Early Deviations
24
another possible break is 7...e6 3.h4 â ]
We need to open up the center as 8...exd5 9.cxd5 Bologan,V: 'White is
fast as possible here. Our plan is to threatening to play Bg5.' 9...0-0
play O-O, take on d5, play Re8, and 10.Bg5 We already know that it is useful
then continue hitting the pawn on to provoke h7-h6 10...h6 11.Be3
d5 with c6 if White recaptures with Re8 12.h5! counterattack is the best
the c-pawn. The b8-knight is going defense 12...gxh5
to be aiming at the c5 square via a6 [ 12...Nxh5 13.Qd2 ]
or d7. 8.Be2 [ 12...g5 13.Nxg5 hxg5 14.Bxg5
[ 8.Be3 Of all the developing moves Nbd7 15.Qc2 c6 16.0-0-0 ]
White can try here, Be3 is the least 13.Qd2
useful. We can simply continue with [ 13.Nd2!? is a more positional
our plan. exd5 9.cxd5 0-0 10.Qd2 approach, but also dangerous for
Re8 11.Bd3 c6 With decent play − Black c6 14.Bxh5 Bologan,V: 'White
gains nothing by rushing with' cxd5 7...0-0 8.Be2 is analyzed in this

15.Nxd5 Nc6 Bologan,V: '1-0 chapter with the move order 6.e4
Muzychuk,A (2256)-Zlatanova,E Bologan,V: 'and Black will connect
(2137) EU-ch 3rd (Women) 2002 (2)' his s with ... Bb7.'
( 15...Nxd5 16.exd5 Nd7 17.0-0 Nf6 7...Bg4 is well met by 8.Be3 c6
18.Bf3 White has better pawn 9.Qd2↑ White is better here. The
structure and safer king ) 16.Kf1→ exchange on "f3" is favorable for
White removes the king from the semi- White, but otherwise Nh2 with the
open file and is ready to start his initiative on the kingside GM Pavel
attack against Black's king ] Eljanov: ''
13...Nxe4 14.Nxe4 Rxe4 Bologan,V:
'and ... Bb7,with a level game. 25
9.Be3 Qa5 10.0-0 It feels that
Traps An amusing aspect is that Black get some weird KID with the
White can fall right into a trap by bishop on g4. White has an
playing a typical move(9 Qb3)for advantage after: 10...0-0 11.Nd4
the Evans Gambit! Line B1b is a 1/2-1/2 (32) Bluebaum, M (2669) -
trap based on Sitting Bull's Strategy. Ivic, V (2582) Krasnaya Polyana
Transpositions & Move Order If 2021 Chapter 4 – Setups with ...
White captures with 7 cxd4 prior to [GM Pavel Eljanov] GM Pavel
castling,Black should retreat with 7 Eljanov: '1/2-1/2 (32) Bluebaum, M
... Bb6 and avoid the tempting (2669)-Ivic, V (2582) Krasnaya
check on b4. 9 Bg5/10 Nc3 and 9 Polyana 2021' 11...Bxe2 12.Qxe2
Nc3 /10 Bg5(Line A4)are not h5 13.f3 Rc8 14.Rac1 Nbd7 15.Qd2
interchangeable.Mix the moves and, Ne5 16.b3 a6 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.Rfd1
as one song says,you'll get the c5 19.Nde2 Nc6 20.g3 Qc7 21.Kg2
blues. Line A2 could transpose to Qb7 22.Nd5 Nd7 23.Rb1 Nde5
Line A3. Sometimes after 5 ... Ba5, 24.Rdc1 Rab8 25.Rd1 e6
White likes to mix up the move
order and,instead of 6 d4,first plays 26
The obvious alternative is 5...0-0
6 0-0 and only then 7 d4.This gives 6.hxg6 Simple chess as White rips open
Black an opportunity to obtain an the h-file at the earliest opportunity.
advantage. Ideas To Remember 6...hxg6 7.Nf3 White gets a normal
Finch's (Line A). The material Gruenfeld position with an open h-
imbalance  + vs +(Line B1a). file. In this case, Black cannot fully
Sitting Bull's Strategy (Line B1b). focus on his central play since he
Polerio's Counterattack(Line B2b). can get mated on the kingside.
White avoids' 15.Bd3 Bologan,V: ', [ Even though 7.Bh6 h6 is completely
which gives time for' 15...Rxe3+ possible, I find it a bit premature. This
Bologan,V: ',while after' 16.Qxe3 move is very effective against ...c7-c5.
The engine is optimistic about If Black goes for the solid ...c7-c6,
White's chances, but practically however, I would prefer to have the
Black has full compensation bishop on f4. Therefore, in this
Bologan,V: ', I like' position, Black's best GM Pavel
Eljanov: 'is completely possible, I find White could have played'

it a bit premature. This move is very B2a1) 12.0-0-0 Qh6
effective against ...c7-c5. If Black 13.Ng5 Nbd7 14.f3 e6
goes for the solid ...c7-c6, however, I 15.g4 e5 16.dxe5 Nxe5
would prefer to have the bishop on f4. 17.cxd5 ( 17.Qf4 );
Therefore, in this position, Black's B2a2) 12.Qe3 Qd8 13.Ne5
best is' Bxh6 8.Rxh6 Kg7 Be6 14.0-0-0 dxc4 15.Qg3
A) 9.Rh1 c6 10.e3 ( 10.Qd2 Rh8 b5;
11.Rxh8 Qxh8 12.Qf4 ) B2a3) 12.Ng5 with a slight
A1) 10...Be6 11.cxd5 cxd5 advantage. The g5-knight
12.Nge2 Nc6 13.Qd2 creates an annoying
A1a) 13...Qd6 14.e4 ( 14.Nf4 pressure.;
Bf5 15.f3 e5 16.dxe5 Qxe5 B2b) 10...Bf5!⇆ with a decent
17.Nfxd5 Nxd5 18.Nxd5 Rh8 counterplay. ]
19.Rxh8 Rxh8 20.Qc3 ) [ 7.cxd5 White distracts the defender
14...Rh8 15.e5; away from h6. Of course, we wanted
A1b) 13...Rc8 14.Nf4 Qd6; to recommend the immediate 7.Bh6 ,
A2) 10...Rh8 11.Rxh8 Qxh8 but after 7...Bxh6! 8.Rxh6 Kg7 9.Rh1
12.Qd2 dxc4 ( 12...Bf5 13.f3 c6 followed by 10...Rh8 Black is
Nbd7 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.g4 Be6 rather solidly placed. Nxd5 8.Bh6
16.Nh3 Qh4+ 17.Qf2 Rh8 8.e4 Nxc3 9.bxc3 c5 10.d5!? might
18.Nf4 g5 19.Nd3 Qxf2+ ) well also tempt a natural attacker.
13.Bxc4 Qh2; Back to StartFENrnbq1rk1/
B) 9.Qd2 ppp1ppb1/6p1/3n4/3P4/2N5/
B1) 9...dxc4?! 10.e4 PP2PPP1/R1BQKBNR w KQ - 0
( 10.0-0-0!? ) 10...c5?! 11.d5 b5 8EndFEN 8.Bh6 . Only now
12.Rh4 Rh8 13.Rxh8 Kxh8? does the bishop land here and we
14.e5! Ng4 15.e6 fxe6 16.Qg5 have to wonder when did you last get
exd5 17.0-0-0 d4 18.Be2 Nf6 to develop your dark-squared bishop
19.Bf3; to h6 in one move? A swift attack with
B2) 9...c6 10.Nf3 Qd2 is already set to quickly obliterate
B2a) Less precise is 10...Rh8 Black, hence his need to exchange
11.Rxh8 Qxh8 which was pieces:
seen in the game 1/2-1/2 (66) A) 8...c5? 9.Qd2 Nxc3 10.Bxg7?
Castilla Leon Salas,C (2194) - ( 10.bxc3! cxd4 11.Bxg7 )
Garcia Gimenez,S (2246) 10...Kxg7 ( 10...Ne4! ) 11.Qh6+
Linares 2021. At this point, Kf6 12.bxc3 cxd4 13.e4 dxe3
White could have played GM 14.Nf3?! ( 14.Qh4+! ) 14...Qa5?
Pavel Eljanov: 'which was 15.Qxf8 Qxc3+ 16.Ke2 Qb2+
seen in the game 1/2-1/2 (66) 17.Kxe3 Qb6+ 18.Nd4 e5
Castilla Leon Salas,C (2194)- 19.Qh8+ Ke7 20.Qxe5+;
Garcia Gimenez,S (2246) B) 8...Nxc3!? 9.bxc3
Linares 2021. At this point, B1) 9...c5 10.Qd2 cxd4
11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Qh6+ Kf6 down, while any ...c5 break is likely
13.Nf3 Qd5 14.cxd4 Rd8 15.e3 to be well met by Qf4 or even Qg5.
Bf5 16.Be2; Do not lose sight of the fact that the
B2) 9...Bxh6!? 10.Rxh6 Kg7 black king is still not overly happy! 1.
11.Qd2 Rh8 12.Rxh8 Qxh8 Grünfeldesque Lines (...d-1B |
13.Nf3 Qh6 ( 13...Nd7 14.e4 Grünfeld with 3...Bg7 +,6 '!?' ]
Nf6 15.Qf4 Qh6 16.Qxh6+ [ 7.Bg5 c5 8.dxc5 Qa5 ]
Kxh6 17.Bd3 ) 14.Qxh6+ Kxh6 7...c6 Black is going for the Schlechter
15.Ne5 Kg7 16.e4; setup. With the h-file being open,
B3) 9...e5 10.Qd2 Qf6 however, this system is not as solid
B3a) 11.Nf3!? exd4 12.cxd4 as usual.
c5 13.Bxg7 ( 13.e4! Bxh6 [ The Gruenfeld approach is 7...c5
14.Qxh6 Qg7 15.Ng5 Nc6 In this case, White can play 8.Bh6!
16.Qh7+ Qxh7 17.Nxh7 Rd8 ! immediately making use of the open
18.d5 ) 13...Qxg7 14.Rc1 h-file. By exchanging the g7-bishop,
cxd4 15.Qxd4 Nc6 16.Qxg7+ White not only makes the black king
Kxg7; vulnerable but also reduces Black's
B3b) 11.Bxg7! Qxg7 12.dxe5 pressure on the centre. An important
Qxe5 13.Nf3 Qf6 14.Ng5; idea. Bxh6 9.Rxh6 '?!'
C) 8...Bxh6 9.Rxh6 White already A) After 9...Nc6
has a sizeable threat: Qd2 followed A1) 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Qd2 cxd4
by retreating the rook. Hence, Black 12.Rh8+ Kxh8 13.Qh6+ Kg8
must be careful. Kg7 10.Qd2 14.Ng5 Nf6 15.Nce4 Qa5+
Keeping the rook in situ and now 16.Kd1 Qxg5 17.Nxg5 Bd7
Black is likely to exchange knights ( 17...Ne5 18.f3 Bd7 19.Ke1
so that his queen can recapture Rfd8 20.Rd1 Bf5 21.Qh2 )
after ...Rh8 StartBracketa 18.b3 Rfd8 19.Kc1 Ne5;
situation with ...Kxh8; Qh6+ Kg8; A2) 10.Rh4 Besides the usual
Nf3-g5 is unlikely to be great for idea Qd2-h6, White's other idea
himEndBracket. Nxc3 is just to win a pawn with dxc5.
11.bxc3 Rh8 Forcing the rooks off '!' threatens ...d4. 10...cxd4
after all. ( 11...Be6? 12.e4 c6?! ( In the event of 10...Kg7
13.Nf3 Nd7 14.Ng5 Bg4? 15.Qf4 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Qd2
Bh5 16.Rh7+ Kg8 17.Rxh5 gxh5 White has a winning attack.
18.Qf5 Nf6 19.Nf3! ) 12.Rxh8 Black has no comfortable way of
Qxh8 13.e4 This natural advance stopping Qh6. A possible line
could well be even stronger than would be Rh8 13.Rxh8 Kxh8
the also logical 13.Qf4 of W.Chan-P. 14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Qh6+ Kg8
Chan, Thailand 2005. White's extra 16.Ng5 with mate to follow. GM
space should give him an edge and Pavel Eljanov: '+-' ) 11.Qd2
he will even be able to castle long. Nevertheless! Once again, the
Note that Qf4 followed by Bc4 is top threat of Qh6 is very annoying.
of the attacking agenda to tie Black Black's best is leaves Black
without much play. Ng4 23.Rxh6 Kg7 24.Rhh1 ]

is met by 12.cxd5 . dxc3 8.Bf4 When Black refrains from ...c7-c5,
13.Qxc3 e5 14.dxc6 bxc6 there is no point in exchanging the
15.g3 with Bh3 to follow. It's not bishops. After e2-e3, the g7-bishop
clear how Black will keep his will be restricted anyway.
position together.; [ 8.Qd2 Na6 ( 8...dxc4 9.Qg5 ) 9.a3
B) 9...Kg7! Black should ( 9.Qg5 Nb4 10.Kd1 e5 11.Nxe5
immediately prepare the exchange dxc4 12.e3 c5 13.Bxc4 cxd4
of rooks by means of ...Rh8. This 14.Ne4 dxe3+ 15.Ke2 Nxe4
looks critical, but Black survives on 16.Bxf7+ Rxf7 17.Qxd8+ Rf8
the edge with: 10.Qd2 '!' cxd4 18.Qh4 Rxf2+ 19.Kxe3 Bf5 20.Qh7+
( After 10...dxc4 11.d5→ Kf8 21.Nxg6+ Kf7 22.Ne5+ Ke6
White seizes a lot of space in the 23.Qxg7 Nc2+ 24.Kd3 Nd2+ 25.Kc3
centre. He is now ready to follow Rc8+ 26.Qc7 Rxc7+ 27.Nc4 Rxc4# )
with e2-e4. ) 11.Rh1 Rh8 12.Rxh8 9...Qa5 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.Ne5 Nb4
Qxh8 13.Nxd5 It turns out that 12.f3 ]
Black cannot protect the d4-pawn. 8...Nbd7
His best possibility is Nc6 14.Nxd4 [ After This is not the first move I
The opposite-coloured bishop would want to make, but it is hard to
endgame holds little danger for generate an initiative here. If 8...dxc4
Black. Qh4 15.Nxc6 I suggest or 20. Kd2, then 9.Qd2
enables White to keep the extra Preparing Bh6 with a killing attack. A
piece. bxc6 '??' is impossible due possible follow-up would be leaves
to 16.Ne3 . Be6 17.Qc3 '!' Kg8 Black safe, while Ng4 runs into 10.e4
18.Qe5 In my opinion, Black does . More interesting is: b5 'N!?' This
not have enough counterplay for seems promising at first, but Black is
the pawn. White can follow with able to survive with some precision.
simple moves such as g2-g3 and 11.a4↑ when White has more than
0-0-0. ] enough compensation for the pawn
[ 7...dxc4 due to his better development,
A) 8.Bh6 Bxh6 9.Rxh6 Kg7 central control, and attacking
10.Qd2 c5 11.d5 e6 12.d6 Nbd7 chances. ]
( 12...Nc6 13.0-0-0 Bd7 14.e4 9.e3
Rh8 15.Rxh8 Qxh8 16.e5 Ng4 [ Now, 9.Qd2 does not work well in
17.Ne4 b6 18.Qf4 Qh5 19.Nfg5 view of Ne4 when Black has nice
Rf8 20.Be2 Ncxe5 21.Nf6 Nd3+ counterplay. gives White various
22.Rxd3 ) 13.Qc1 b6; possibilities, but there is no obvious
B) 8.e4 c5 9.d5 Qa5 10.Ng5 b5 way to break though. ]
11.Bd2 b4 12.Qa4 Qa6 13.Qxa6 9...Ne4 This is the most principled way
Bxa6 14.Nd1 Nfd7 15.a3 c3 of creating counterplay. Fortunately,
16.bxc3 b3 17.Be2 Bxe2 18.Kxe2 White can opt for the following
Nb6 19.Ne3 N8d7 20.Rab1 c4 sequence - 10.cxd5 '=' White has
21.Ng4 Nf6 22.Nh6+ Bxh6 won a piece, but Black has too
many pawns plus a superb king, 12.cxd4 ) 9...cxd4 ( 9...Nc6 10.Ne2

and he should be able to eliminate Qa5 11.Rxh5 f5 12.Bd2! Qc7
White's remaining pawns. 10...cxd5 13.exf5 cxd4 14.cxd4 Bd7 15.Rc1
'?!' was played by Agdestein Qd6 16.Be3 ) 10.cxd4
against Caruana, and after 11.Nxd5 A) 10...Qa5+
the play soon transposed to the A1) 11.Qd2?! Qxd2+ 12.Kxd2
main line below. However, White Nc6 13.Ne2 0-0 ( 13...Bd7;
could have exploited the move 13...Bg4 ) 14.Rd1 Rd8;
order with 11...Qa5+ 'N!' 12.Nc3 A2) 11.Bd2! Qb6 12.Nf3 Bg4
Ndf6 , when 13.Rb1 Qe6 14.Qc2 0-0
[ A typical way of meeting 12...Nxc3 15.Be3 Qc6 16.Qd2 Qxe4
is reaches a highly advantageous ( 16...Nd7 17.Nh4 Qxe4
version of the ensuing endgame. GM 18.Bd3 ) 17.Bd3 Qc6 18.Ng5 h6
Pavel Eljanov: '?!' 13.Qd2 19.Bh7+ Kh8 20.Be4;
The endgame arising after e5 B) 10...Nc6 11.Ne2 Qa5+
14.dxe5 does not allow White to get ( 11...Bg4 12.f3 Bd7 13.Rxh5 Rc8
the same blockade on the c3-square. 14.Qd2 ) 12.Bd2! ( 12.Qd2 Qxd2+
Jakovenko was caught off guard here, 13.Kxd2 0-0 14.Rb1 Rd8 )
and he continued with the harmless 12...Qc7 13.Rc1 Qd6 14.d5 Ne5
Nxe5 '?' 15.Bxe5 Bxe5 16.Nxe5 15.Qb3 ]
which handed Black a better position 7...Nb6 Alternatively, if 7...Nf6 8.Rg5!
in Jakovenko - Shimanov, Bh6 9.Rg3 Bxc1 10.Rxc1 with the
Ekaterinburg 2013. There now begins much safer king position for White,
a forcing series of moves leading into or 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 when 8...c5?!
the endgame. Qxe5 was played in can simply be met by 9.Rxc5 .
Leko - Nakamura, Zug 2013, but I [ 7...Nf6 8.Rg5
doubt that this was the American's A) 8...Kf8 9.e4 h6 10.Rg3 h5
preparation, as White gets a nice 11.Bc4 b5 12.Bxb5 Bb7 13.e5
position after the simple 17.Qxc3 'N' Ne4 ( 13...Ng4 14.Be2 Qd7
Qxc3+ 18.bxc3 is in White's favour 15.Na4 ) 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Ne2 c5
since Black has not enough 16.Bd3 ( 16.Qa4!? ) 16...Bd5
compensation for the pawn. '' ] 17.Nf4 Nc6 18.Nxh5;
13.Qb3 Be6 14.Qb5 In my opinion, B) 8...Bh6 9.Rg3 Bxc1 10.Rxc1
Black does not have enough c5 ( 10...Nc6 11.Nf3 Bf5 12.d5
counterplay for the pawn. Nb8 13.Qb3 b6 14.e3 Bg6
5...gxh5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Rxh5 15.Ne5 0-0 16.Qc4 Kh8 17.Qd4 )
Already the rook is more than 11.d5 Bf5 12.e4 Nxe4 13.Nxe4
pulling its weight and the early Bxe4 14.Qa4+ Nd7 15.Qxe4 ]
advance of Harry looks extremely [ 7...c6 8.e4 Nxc3 ( 8...Nf6 9.Rh4
justified. Be6 10.Nge2 Nbd7 11.Nf4 Nf8
[ 7.e4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5 ( 8...Bg4? 12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxe6 Nxe6 14.Bc4
9.f3 Bd7 10.Rxh5 ) 9.Be3 ( 9.Rxh5 Nec7 15.Qb3 ) 9.bxc3 c5 10.Rxc5
cxd4 10.Rg5 Bf6 11.Rd5 Qc7 Nc6 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.Be2 Rc8
13.Bd2 b6 14.Rg5 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 Bf6 term 'massacre' already begins to

16.Rd5 Qc7 17.e5 ] spring to mind. 15...Ned7 16.a4
[ 7...Be6 8.e4 Nf6 9.Rg5 Bh6 Simon is determined not to let Black
10.Rg3 Bxc1 11.Rxc1 c6 12.Nge2 settle, now making good use of a
Nbd7 13.Nf4 ] second rook's pawn in the game.
[ 7...Nxc3 8.bxc3 16...a6 16...a5 was the only way to avoid
A) 8...Nd7 9.e4! ( 9.Rb1; 9.Nf3 ) a retreat to the back rank, but then
9...c5 10.Nf3 Nf6 11.Rg5 Kf8 17.Qd4 followed by f4-f5 and Bf4
12.Qd3 cxd4 13.cxd4 h6 14.Rc5; would simply leave Black getting
B) 8...c5?! 9.Rxc5! Be6 10.e4 badly squashed. 17.a5 Nc8
Nd7 11.Rh5 Rc8 12.Bd2 Nb6 18.Be2 There's no need to touch the
13.Bb5+ Kf8 14.Ne2 Nc4 15.Bxc4 queenside pieces just yet when
Rxc4 16.Rb1; there are targets aplenty on the
C) 8...Bf6 9.e4 c5 10.e5 Bg7 kingside. 18...Nd6 19.Bh5 Nf8
11.Nf3 cxd4 12.cxd4 Nc6 13.Bc4 Horribly passive, but how else could
Bg4 14.Bxf7+?! ( 14.Rg5 Bxf3 Black have tried to unravel? 20.e5
15.Qxf3 Qxd4 16.Bxf7+ Kd8 Boom! Simon decides that it's time
17.Rb1 Bh6 18.Rg4 Qxe5+ to break through, although he might
19.Re4 ) 14...Kf8? 15.Rh4 h5 also have tormented Black with 20.
16.Bb3 a5 17.Be3 ] Be3 and Bd4 first, or even 20.f5
8.Nf3 Simple and strong development, Bxh5 21.Qxh5+ Kd7 22.Bf4 Qe8 23.
as e2-e4 can wait. White is now Qh3 and only then e4-e5. 20...Nf5
ready to launch a lightning attack if 21.Rh3 The rook returns to the h-file,
Black castles, can meet ...Nc6 with pinning the h7-pawn in the process.
d4-d5, and in any event, it's not so 21...Qd7 21...Rg8!? was possible when
easy to undermine d4. 8...Bg4 White might still exchange, or even
Attempting to do so, but now White switch the approach: 22.Bf3 Qd7 23.
can fork the two black bishops and, e6! Qd6 24.Qa4+! and Black is just
yes, as early as move 9! 9.Rg5 in all sorts of trouble with Ne4 and
Bxf3 10.Rxg7 Bh5 11.Rg5 Naturally g2-g4 set to follow. 22.e6
the rook has no desire to be Wedging a certain fish bone deep
imprisoned by 11...Bg6 , although into the black king's throat. 22...Qd6
even then White would be doing 23.Bxg6+ Nxg6 24.Qh5 Black had
well thanks to his central and dark- unsurprisingly seen enough.
square control. 11...Bg6 12.e4 There's just no way to deal with the
It's high time to expand and now twin threats of Qxf5 and Qxg6+.
Be3, Qd2 StartBracketor 5...c6 6.h6 '!' 6...Bf8 7.Bg5
Qb3EndBracket and O-O-O [ 7.Nf3 Bf5 ( 7...e6 8.Qc2 Nbd7
may well just follow. 12...f6 13.Rg3 9.e4! dxe4 10.Nxe4 e5 11.dxe5
Nc6 Easy to criticise, but finding a better Nxe4 12.Qxe4 Nc5 13.Qe3 Bf5
approach in such a horrendous 14.Be2; 7...dxc4 8.e4 b5 9.Be2;
position for Black is no easy task. 7...Nbd7 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.Bf4; 7...Bg4
14.d5 Ne5 15.f4 With tempo as the 8.Ne5 Be6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.Bf4 Ne4
11.Rc1 ) 8.cxd5 cxd5 9.Qb3 Qb6 B) 9.e4! Nxc3 10.bxc3 ]

10.Qxb6 axb6 11.Ne5 ] 8...Nxc3
7...Ne4 8.Nxe4 dxe4 9.Qd2 Be6?! [ 8...Nb6? 9.Be3 Nc6 10.dxc5
10.e3 f6 11.Bf4 Bf7 12.0-0-0 Qxd1+ 11.Rxd1 Nd7 12.Nd5 Kd8
5...dxc4 6.h6 Bf8 7.e4 c5 8.d5 13.Nf3 e6 14.Bg5+ Be7 15.Nxe7
e6 Nxe7 16.Bf6 Re8 17.Ng5 ]
[ 8...b5 9.e5 9.bxc3 cxd4 10.cxd4 e5
A) 9...b4 10.exf6 bxc3 11.Bxc4 [ 10...Nc6
exf6 12.Qe2+! ( 12.d6 Bxd6 A) 11.d5 Na5 12.Bb5+ Bd7
13.Bd5 Be5 ) 12...Qe7 13.Be3 13.Qa4 b6 14.Bb2 f6 15.Ne2 Rc8
cxb2 14.Rb1 Qe4 15.Rxb2; 16.Rc1! ( 16.Nd4?! Bxb5
B) 9...Nfd7 10.Nf3 b4 11.Ne4 17.Qxb5+ Qd7 18.Qxd7+ Kxd7
Bb7 12.Bxc4 Nb6 13.Bb5+ N8d7 19.Ne6 ) 16...Rxc1+ 17.Bxc1;
14.e6 fxe6 15.dxe6 Bxe4 16.Ne5 B) 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.d5 Bxf3
Qc7 17.exd7+ ] 13.gxf3 Ne5 14.Qa4+ Nd7 15.Bb2
[ 8...Nbd7 9.Bxc4 ( 9.Nf3 e6 10.dxe6 f6 16.Bh3 ]
fxe6 11.Bxc4 Nb6 12.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Nf3
13.Be2 Be7 14.Bf4 a6 15.Ne5 0-0 [ 11.dxe5 Qa5+? ( 11...Qxd1+
16.Qd3 ) 9...Nb6 10.Bb5+ Bd7 12.Kxd1 Nc6 13.Nf3 ) 12.Bd2 Qxe5
11.Bxd7+ Qxd7 12.Nf3 0-0-0 13.Be3 13.Nf3 Qxe4+ 14.Be2 Bb4 15.Rh4 ]
e6 14.Bg5 Be7 15.d6 ] 11...Bb4+ 12.Bd2 Bxd2+ 13.Qxd2 exd4
9.Bxc4 14.Bb5+ Bd7 15.Qxd4 f6 16.Bxd7+
[ 9.Bg5 e5 ( 9...exd5 10.e5 Qa5 Nxd7 17.0-0
11.Bxf6; 9...Be7 10.d6 ) 10.Bxc4 Bd6 5...Ne4? 6.h6 Bf8
11.Qf3 Nbd7 12.Nb5 Bb8 13.d6 0-0 [ 6...Bf6 7.Nxd5 0-0 8.Nxf6+ exf6
14.0-0-0 a6 15.Nc7 Bxc7 16.dxc7 9.e3 c5 10.Bd3 f5 11.Ne2 ]
Qe7 17.Rxd7 Bxd7 18.Bxf6 ] [ 6...Nxc3?? 7.hxg7 ]
9...exd5 7.Nxd5 e5 8.Qc2 Bf5 9.g4 Nxf2
[ 9...e5 10.Bg5 Bd6 11.Qf3 ] 10.gxf5 Nxh1 11.Qe4 Nd7 12.Qxh1
10.exd5 a6 5...Bg4? 6.h6! Bf8 7.Qb3 dxc4
[ 10...Bd6 11.Bg5 ( 11.Qe2+ Qe7 8.Qxb7 Nbd7 9.e3 Rb8 10.Qxa7 Be6
12.Nb5 0-0 13.Qxe7 Bxe7 14.Nc7 ) 11.Nf3 Ng4 12.e4 Nxh6 13.Bxh6
11...0-0 12.Nge2 a6 13.a4 Re8 5...Bf5? 6.h6! Bf8 7.cxd5 Nxd5
14.0-0 Bh2+ 15.Kh1 ] 8.Qb3 Nxc3 9.bxc3 b6 10.Nf3 f6
11.Bg5 Bd6 12.Qe2+ Kd7 13.Ne4 11.Bf4 Nd7 12.Rd1 Qc8 13.e3
Qa5+ 14.Bd2 Qd8 15.Nxf6+ Qxf6 5...e6 6.hxg6
16.Bc3 Chapter 3-Game 1 Game 1 [ 6.h6!? Bf8 7.Nf3 a6 8.g3 dxc4
5...c5 6.h6! Bf8 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.e4 9.Ne5 ]
[ 8.Nf3 Nc6 6...hxg6
A) 9.dxc5!? Nxc3 10.Qxd8+ [ 6...fxg6 7.Nf3 0-0 8.Bg5 c5 9.dxc5
Kxd8?! ( 10...Nxd8!? ) 11.bxc3 e5 Na6 10.Rc1 Qa5 11.Qd2 dxc4
12.Ng5 Ke8 13.Ne4 ( 13.Ba3!? ) 12.Rh4! ]
13...Be6 14.g4; 7.Rxh8+ Bxh8 8.Bg5 dxc4 9.e4
[ 9.e3 c5 10.dxc5 Qa5 11.Qd4 The immediate threat is g2-g4,

Nbd7 12.Rd1 ] which rather discombobulates the
9...c5 10.dxc5 Qa5 11.Qd2 Nc6 defence.
12.Rd1 [ 8.g4?! Nf6 9.e5 Ne4 10.Nxe4?
( 10.f3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Qc7 12.Ne2 )
27
The alternative 6...c6?! does not 10...dxe4 11.Bg2 Nc6 12.Be3 Qa5+
work well bin view of Black tries to 13.Bd2 Qd5 14.Bc3 f6 15.f4 fxe5
chip away at the powerful white 16.fxe5 0-0 ]
centre, eyeing d4 for some 8...Bf8 Freeing a retreat square for the
counterplay, but White can now do knight, but now White is able to
much better than grab on c6. 7.e4! develop in an unhurried and
(this sacrifice promises White straightforward fashion.
lasting pressure) '!?' A powerful [ Another option is 8...f6 In this case,
advance, not to mention one which White should start with 9.Be2!
rather ignores Black's last. White is which is stronger than the direct g2g4.
focussed not on material, but on ( ( In case of 9.g4 '!?' is a try for a
effecting a cramping e4-e5 push. quick advantage, but Black has an
Not so much defending the extra adequate answer: fxe5 '!' 10.gxh5
pawn, as preparing a strong exd4 Black obtains a decent
sacrifice: compensation for the piece. ) 9...fxe5
[ 7.dxc6 Bxd4 8.cxb7 Bxb7 9.Nf3 Black eventually managed to draw in
Bxf3 10.exf3 0-0 ] Caruana - Agdestein, Rhodes 2013.
7...cxd5 10.Rxh5! This is the point behind 9.
[ 7...e6?! 8.e5 f5 9.Be2 exd5 Be2. 'N!?' is another possibility that
10.Bxh5 gxh5 11.Qxh5+ ] could be explored. gxh5? 11.Bxh5+
8.e5 gaining a lot of space in the centre. Kd7 ( After 11...Kf8 12.Qf3++-
Additionally, Black should now Black is going to be mated. This is a
solve the problem with his knight. '!' different set-up from the one used by
The king is useful here, as the Kamsky, but it also leaves Black
knight is freed to make some jumps without a clear path to equality. )
whenever required. If Black does 12.Qg4+ with a decisive attack. GM
not do something quickly, then Pavel Eljanov: '+-' ]
White may continue with Rb4 and 9.Qb3
a2-a4. In the game Black tried to [ 9.g4 Ng7 10.Bg2 and White is
create some counterplay, but the better due to the traffic jam of black
task was not so easy. Already 9.g4 pieces on the kingside. '!'
is a threat and Black is forced to A) 10...e6
engage the reverse gear on the A1) 11.Nf3 h5 12.Bg5 Be7
kingside. A most powerful pawn ( 12...Qb6 13.Qd2 ) 13.Qd2 a6
sacrifice from the English chess 14.Qf4 Nd7
legend that is IM Mike Basman. A1a) 15.Bh6? hxg4 16.Ng5
Black is now a pawn ahead, but just Nf5 17.Ke2 Nxh6 18.Rxh6
look at his dire kingside situation! Rf8 19.Nh7 Rg8? ( 19...Qb6!
20.Rb1 Rg8 ) 20.Nxd5 exd5 1;

21.Bxd5 Nxe5 22.Qxe5 Qb6; B) 10...Be6 11.Qb3 '?!' ( 11.Bf3
A1b) 15.0-0-0! Rg8 16.Bxe7 '!?' Nc6 12.Nge2 ) 11...Qd7
Qxe7 17.Ng5; 12.Bxd5 Bxd5 13.Qxd5 Nc6??
A2) 11.Bh6 Nc6 ( 13...Qxd5 14.Nxd5 Ne6 15.Be3
A2a) 12.Nf3 f5 13.Bxg7 Nc6 16.Ne2 0-0-0 ) 14.Qxd7+
Bxg7 14.gxf5 gxf5 15.Nh4 Kxd7 15.Nf3 ( 15.Bh6! ) 15...e6
Qg5 16.Nb5 0-0 17.Bf1! 16.Bh6 Nb4 17.Ke2 Ne8 18.Bxf8
( 17.Qd3 a6 18.Nd6 b5 Rxf8 19.Rxh7 Rc8 20.Ng5 Ke7
19.Nhxf5 h6 20.Rg1 Ra7 21.a3 Nc6 22.Rd1 Rd8 23.Ke3
21.Ne3 Rc7 ) 17...a6 18.Nf3 Nc7 24.f4 Nd5+ 25.Nxd5+ Rxd5
Qe7 19.Nc3; 26.Ne4 Rb5 27.b4 Rd5 28.Nf6
A2b) 12.Qd2 f6 13.exf6 Qxf6 Rdd8 29.d5 exd5 30.Nxd5+ Ke6
14.Nge2 Bb4 15.f4 0-0 31.Ke4 ]
16.0-0-0 Bd7 17.Qe3 Rfc8 [ 9.Nf3 ]
18.Kb1; 9...Nc6 10.Nf3 Suddenly Black finds that
A2c) 12.Nge2 he must further retard his
A2c1) 12...a6?! 13.Qd2 development to save the d-pawn. '!'
Bd7 14.Rh3 f5 15.exf6 A powerful spot for the queen and
Qxf6 16.Qe3 Ne7 17.0-0-0 without a knight on f6, Black doesn't
0-0-0 18.Rf3 Qh4 19.Bf4 find it at all easy to cover his key
Nc6 20.Na4! ( 20.Bg5 pawn on d5. Black is already under
Qxg4 21.Bh3 Qh5 22.Bxd8 heavy pressure, as in Basman-
Nxd8 23.Nf4 ) 20...b5 Grinberg, Ramat Hasharon 1980.
21.Nb6+ Kb7 22.Bg5 Qxg4 Main Chapter and Extended
23.Bxd8; Variations Chapter 1:
A2c2) 12...Bd7 13.Qd2 f6 Grünfeldesque Lines Variation: 1B |
14.exf6 Qxf6 15.Rh3! 0-0-0 Black plays 5...Nxh5, 6...c6 Model
( 15...Bb4?! 16.Rf3 Qe7 Game: Michael Basman – Nir
17.Bg5 Qd6 18.a3 Bxc3 Grinberg 10...a6
19.Nxc3 Na5 20.Qe2 Rf8 [ 10...e6 '?' Now the light-squared
21.Nxd5 Rxf3 22.Bxf3 Kf7 bishop becomes rather passive, but
23.Nf6 Nb3 24.Rd1 Rc8 10...Bg4? would have been even
25.Bxb7 Rc7 26.Qf3 ) worse: 11.Qxb7 and suddenly Black
A2c21) 16.Bg5 Qf7 discovers there's no time to take on f3,
17.Bxd8?! ( 17.Rc1!? ) as well as that 11...Bd7 12.Nxd5 Rc8
17...Kxd8 18.Rf3 Qe7 13.Bb5 simply leaves White
19.Kf1 h5 20.gxh5?! dominating the board. For example,
Nxh5; 13...Bg7 14.O-O
A2c22) 16.Rc1! Kb8 StartBracketSimple chess is
17.Bf4+ Ka8 18.Bg5 Qf7 rarely bad chess! Lacking an
19.Bxd8 Nxd8 20.Na4 immediate knockout blow, White
Chapter 4-Game 1 Game simply completes development while
maintaining his firm grip on the tempting plan. 13.Bh3 '!?' Retaining
position.EndBracket 14...O-O full control. 13.exf6!? Qxf6 14.Be2 was
15.Bxc6! Rxc6 StartBracket also good, intending to seize a strong
15...Bxc6? 16.Nxe7+ initiative after O-O-O and probably a
EndBracket timely Bg5 and Ne5. ( 13.exf6! Qxf6
StartFEN3q1rk1/pQ1bppbp/ 14.Be2! Nxd4 15.Qa4+ Nc6 16.Bg5
2r3p1/3NP2n/3P4/5N2/PP3PP1/ Qf7 17.Ne5 Qc7 18.Nxg6 ) 13...Qb6
R1B2RK1 w - - 0 16EndFEN This leads to a miserable queenless
16.Be3 when White's centre is secure, middlegame, but even, say, 13...fxg4
he's a clear pawn to the good and a7 14.Bxg4 Bd7 15.O-O-O ! would have
is rather vulnerable. 11.g4 '!' Played been excellent for White. His king will
with a cry of 'Forwards!'. Not only be quite happy on c1 or b1, while Ng5
does this drive the knight backwards, will begin to turn up the heat against
but it also prevents it from re- the black king. 14.Qxb6 Inflicting
emerging on f5. Ng7 12.Bh6 further damage to Black's hideous
Another most enjoyable and very structure and also making it even
strong bishop development to play. harder for Black to ward off Nb5 ideas.
White simply prevents any ...Be7 or ... axb6
h5 ideas, leaving Black's position A) 15.gxf5 '!' Nxf5 16.Bxf5 gxf5
badly congested, as we saw in 17.Nb5 '!' Ra4 ( 17...Ra5 18.a4! )
Basman-Grinberg. There Black tried 18.b3;
to break out, but if he does nothing B) 15.Ke2 Basman is
White will simply go O-O-O, followed understandably in no rush, although
by either Nb5 or perhaps just Kb1 and the engines do make a good case
Rc1, maintaining the huge clamp. 1. for upping the tempo with 15.gxf5!?
Grünfeldesque Lines (...d-1B | Nxf5 16.Bxf5 gxf5 17.Nb5 . The
Grünfeld with 3...Bg7 +,6 '!' Another main point is to secure a very
strong move from Basman, making powerful initiative, with Nc7+ the
maximum use of his dark-squared immediate threat and Ke2 followed
bishop. Now Black's bishop is tied to by Rdg1 set to quickly target the
f8 and he also can't break with ...h5. black king wherever it runs, as will
Factor in the miserable bishop on c8 Ng5. 15...fxg4 Grinberg grimaces
and his cause is already a pretty grim and digs in for a long defence... or
one. f5 A desperate bid for freedom, so he hopes. 16.Bxg4 Bd7
compared with, for example, 12...Qb6 ( 16...Kf7 17.Ng5+ Kg8 18.Ke3 )
13.Qxb6 axb6 14.a3 17.Nb5 '?!' A powerful leap and one
StartBracketkeeping Black's which has been on White's agenda
knight out of b4EndBracket for a while now. That said, a good
14...Bd7 15.Rc1 . Talk about being in case could also be made for the
full control! White might even follow up unhurried 17.a3!? , intending Kd3,
by increasing the pressure with Nb5 Rag1 and Ng5, thereby keeping
and Ng5. Alternatively, Bd3, Kd2 and Black under heavy pressure.
doubling rooks on the h-file is a pretty ( 17.a4! ) 17...Nxe5 '!' A decent
defensive try from Grinberg, 22EndFEN 22...Rg8 23.

sacrificing the exchange for some Bxh5 gxh5 24.Bf4+ White would
freedom. Instead, 17...Kf7 18.Nc7 have retained a significant
would have threatened both the advantage with the safer king,
rook and Nxd5, and even after 18... the initiative and h5-pawn about
Ra4 StartBracket 18...Rd8? to fall. And even
19.Ng5+ Ke7 20.Nxh7! is a useful StartFENr4b1r/1pkb1Nnp/
tacticEndBracket 1p2p1pB/3p4/3P2B1/8/PP2KP2/
StartFEN5b1r/1pNb1knp/ R6R b - - 1 20EndFEN
1pn1p1pB/3pP3/r2P2B1/5N2/ 20...Nh5! 21.Bg5!?
PP2KP2/R6R w - - 5 StartBracket 21.Nxh8
19EndFEN 19.Ke3 Nxd4!? Bxh6 22.Nf7 Bb5+ 23.Ke1 Bg7
20.Nxd4 Bc5 21.Rad1 White retains gives Black full compensation for
a large advantage. 18.Nc7+ Kd8 the exchange with his bishop pair
19.Nxe5 '?' A decent practical working wellEndBracket
choice, declining the rook on a8 to StartFENr4b1r/1pkb1N1p/
go after the one on h8. Instead, 19. 1p2p1p1/3p2Bn/3P2B1/8/
Nxa8 Bb5+ 20.Ke1 Nxg4 would PP2KP2/R6R b - - 3
have been a bit messy, although 21EndFEN 21...Rg8 22.
White does appear to still be clearly Bxh5 gxh5 23.Bf4+
better after 21.a4 Bc6 22.Bd2! and StartBracketPreventing
b2-b4, which should enable him to Black's king from running away
extricate the cornered knight. and too much mess breaking out
( 19.Nxa8 Bb5+ 20.Ke1 Nxg4 with 23.Rxh5 Kb8 24.Rxh7 e5!
21.a4 ) 19...Kxc7 20.Nf7 EndBracket
B1) 20...Bb5+ 21.Ke3 Nh5 StartFENr4br1/1pkb1N1p/
22.Bg5 Rg8 23.Bxh5 gxh5 1p2p3/3p3p/3P1B2/8/PP2KP2/
24.Bf4+ Kd7 25.Ne5+; R6R b - - 1 23EndFEN
B2) 20...Nh5! 21.Be3 ( 21.Nxh8 23...Kc8 24.Rxh5 would have
Bxh6 22.Nf7 Bb5+; 21.Bxh5 offered White more than enough
Bxh6 ) 21...Rg8 22.Bxh5 gxh5 for the pawn, with Black's king
23.Bf4+ Kc8 24.Rxh5; and queen's rook still concerns
B3) 20...Rg8? Collapsing. Black and the white knight always able
needed to be happy to continue to return to occupy a fine outpost
offering the exchange here with on e5. 21.Bf4+ Kc8 22.Rxh7
20...Bb5+ 21.Ke3 Nh5! , although Black might have saved the
after 22.Bg5! exchange, but suddenly Rc1+ is
StartBracketand not 22. a mighty threat. Nf5 23.Bxf5
Nxh8?? Bxh6+ Simple chess. The bishop was
EndBracket no longer doing much on g4, so
StartFENr4b1r/1pk2N1p/ White exchanges it ahead of
1p2p1p1/1b1p2Bn/3P2B1/4K3/ bringing his knight back to a
PP3P2/R6R b - - 5 dominant outpost. gxf5 24.Ne5
Bc6 25.Rc1 More simple chess: active king allied to his powerful
pin and if not win, at least retain rooks and passed f-pawn should
full control. Bd6 26.a3 prove decisive. 32.Rc2 Kb8
Preventing any counterplay from 33.Ke5 Rf3 34.Rf7 White is
Black, which 26.Nxc6? Bxf4 about to acquire a passed f-pawn
would not have done. Ra4 after all. ]
27.Ke3 Continuing to deny Black [ 10...Rb8 11.Qxd5 Bg4 12.Be3
any counterplay while introducing Qxd5 13.Nxd5 Bxf3 14.gxf3 a6
the rather deadly threat of Nxc6. 15.Nb6 e6 16.0-0-0 Be7 17.f4!
Rg4 Easy to criticise, but without ( 17.Bh3 Bd8 18.Nc4 ) 17...Bd8
this slightly desperate try it would 18.Nc4 Bc7 19.d5 ]
still have been a massacre: for 11.Be2
example, 27...Rd8 28.Nxc6 [ 11.Qxd5?! Bg4 ]
Bxf4+ 29.Kxf4 bxc6 when White 11...Ng7 12.Qxd5 '' Black was
can harvest and even deploy his struggling in Kamsky – Shimanov,
king yet further forwards: 30. Tromso 2013. White went on to
Rxc6+ Kb8 31.Rxb6+ Ka8 32. convert his advantage with some
Ke5! . Also winning would be exemplary technique, but we don't
StartFEN2k3r1/1p5R/ need to see the whole game,
1pbbp3/3pNp2/r2P1B2/P3K3/ especially as White has other
1P3P2/2R5 b - - 2 pleasant options before this point.
27EndFEN 27...Bxe5 28. Before ending the chapter, it is
Bxe5 when the slow motion worth mentioning that Shimanov
threat is Rc7+ Kd8; Rh1-h7 or if repeated 19...Ba3 in May 2014, just
28...Kd8 29.Rch1 b5 30.Rc7 b4 a few months before the book went
31.Rhh7 Rf8 32.Bd6 Rg8 33. to print. His opponent, Savchenko,
axb4 when the superiority of varied from the above game with 20.
White's pieces over their f5, so we do not know what
counterparts will be summed up Shimanov had in mind as an
as the king strolls in via f4 and e5, improvement. Despite this hint, I
or with 33...Ra1 34.b5! Bxb5 35. still like White's position and see
Rxb7 . 28.Nxg4 Yet more simple no reason to deviate from the
chess and an easier path to above treatment. Conclusion We
calculate than the also winning have seen that after 7...cxd4 8.
28.f3!? . Bxf4+ 29.Kxf4 Rxd4+ Nxd4 Qb6, White should
30.Ke5 Never forget to make full courageously sacrifice a pawn in
use of the most powerful piece in the spirit of the Najdorf Sicilian with
most endgames, the king! Rxg4 9.Qd2, when the standard
31.Kxe6 Rf4 This is quickly continuation 9...Qxb2 10.Rb1 Qa3
shown to be hopeless, but even 11.Bb5 reaches the main starting
31...Re4+!? 32.Kxf5 Re2 point of the chapter. 11...Ndb8?! is
wouldn't save the day after 33.f4 as cumbersome and dubious as it
Rxb2 34.Ke6 when White's looks, so 11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 is
almost always played, when a on the spot. ]

critical position arises. Historically, 15...Nf5 Black had a nice position and
the most popular move has been eventually won in the game 0-1 (38)
B1) 12...Bb4?! but, with the help of Boyer, M (2427) -Puranik, A (2604)
a not-too-difficult sequence of Sitges 2021 GM Pavel Eljanov:
moves, White can reach a pleasant 'Black had a nice position and
endgame with lasting pressure. eventually won in the game 0-1
Nowadays the key theoretical line is (38) Boyer, M (2427)-Puranik, A
12...a6, as played by Nakamura (2604) Sitges 2021'
and a few other high-level GMs. 6...Nf6 7.e4 c6
After 13.Bxd7 Bxd7 14.Rb3 Qe7 15. [ 7...Nxe4? 8.Nxe4 Qxd5 9.Nc3
Rxb7 White restores the material Qxd4 10.Qxd4 Bxd4 11.Nd5 Be5
balance, but the question is 12.Nf3 Bd6 13.Bd2 b6 14.Bc3 f6
whether he will be able to maintain 15.Bd3 Kf7 16.Ng5+ Kg7 17.Ne4 ]
some initiative beyond this point. 8.dxc6 0-0
The ensuing analysis is quite deep, [ 8...bxc6?! 9.Be2 Ba6 10.Nf3 Qa5?!
although not all of it needs to be 11.0-0 0-0 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bh4 Bxe2
memorized. It is, however, 14.Qxe2 ]
important to be able to recognize [ 8...Nxc6
when to go for an attack and when A) 9.e5?! Nd5 10.Be2 Qa5
to aim for a favourable endgame, 11.Qb3? ( 11.Bd2 ) 11...Ndb4
as well as to appreciate the pros 12.Nf3 Be6 13.d5 Bxd5
and cons of putting the white king ( 13...Nxd5! ) 14.Nxd5 Qxd5
on e2 or d2. Overall I like White's 15.Bc4 Qe4+ 16.Kf1 Nc2
chances in this topical variation, 17.Bxf7+ Kf8 18.Bd5 Qf5
and it remains to be seen if Black 19.Qxb7;
will find a way to tighten up the B) 9.d5 Ne5 10.Bb5+ Kf8
defence. 12...Bg4 is also possible. ( 10...Bd7 11.f4 ) 11.Be2 ]
It will be similar to the main line, 9.Nf3
but solidifying the kingside pawn [ 9.cxb7 Bxb7 10.f3 Nc6 11.Be3
chain is useful as well, and the odd Qc7 12.Bb5?
tempo should not make much A) 12...Qg3+! 13.Bf2 ( 13.Kf1
difference here. Caruana chose Ng4! ) 13...Qxg2;
13.Be3 Qxd5 14.Nxd5 , but this was B) 12...Qb6? 13.Qd2 Rfd8
perhaps too soon, as Black was 14.Nge2 Ba6 15.Bxc6 Qxc6
able to get some counterplay in the 16.0-0 ]
centre, although White was still 9...Nxc6 10.d5 Nb8 11.Bg5 Qa5
better. 14...Rd8 15.Nc3? 12.Qd2 Rd8 13.Be2 Bg4 14.0-0 Nc6
So far, White have been playing 15.Qe3 Bxf3 16.gxf3! Ne5 17.f4 Neg4
very well. The last move, however, 18.Qf3
is a mistake. 6...c5?! 7.dxc5! 0-0
[ The simple 15.Nc7+ GM Pavel [ 7...Qa5 8.Bd2! ( 8.Qa4+ Qxa4
Eljanov: '!' Kd7 16.Ng5+- is winning 9.Nxa4 Bd7 10.Nc3 Na6 11.e4
Nxc5 ) 8...Qxc5 9.e4 0-0 10.Be2 Nf6 the activity of the enemy rook.
11.Rc1 ] [ 11.a3 Rad8⇆ 0-1 (41) Grischuk,A
8.e4 Qa5 9.Be2 Nf6 10.Kf1 Nbd7 (2759) -Nepomniachtchi,I (2774)
11.a3 Qxc5 12.Be3 Qd6 13.Qd2 Amsterdam 2019 12.Qc2 Rfe8
[ 13.Nf3 Ng4 14.Bd4 Nge5? 13.Bd2 Na5 14.b4 Nb3 15.Rb1
( 14...Bxd4 15.Qxd4 Qb6 16.Rd1 ) Nxd2 16.Qxd2 Nf6 ]
15.Nb5 Qb8 16.Rc1 Nxf3 17.Bxg7!? 11...Rad8 12.Bd2 Nf6 Now White has a
( 17.gxf3! ) 17...Kxg7 18.Bxf3 few ways to play, but I like
( 18.gxf3! ) 18...Qf4 19.g3 Qg5? Kamsky's continuation, which
20.Kg2 Nf6 21.Qd4 e5 22.dxe6 restricts Black's play the most.
Qxb5 23.Rxh7+ Kxh7 24.Qxf6 ] 13.Rc1 += In my opinion, White has a
13...h5 14.f3 a6 15.Nh3 b5 16.Nf2 small advantage due to his better
6...0-0 7.e4 Nf6 8.Bc4!? central control and the possibility to
[ 8.Bh6 Bxh6 9.Rxh6 c5 10.dxc5 play along the c-file. Black cannot
Nbd7 11.Rh1 Nxc5 12.e5 Ng4 make use of the open h-file.
13.Qd4 Qb6 14.Rd1 Na6 15.Qxb6 7.e4 exd5 8.e5 Bf8 9.g4 Ng7
axb6 16.Nf3 ] 10.Bh6 Nc6 11.Bg2 Be6 12.Nh3 Qd7
8...c6 9.dxc6 Nxc6 10.e5!? 13.Bf3 0-0-0 14.Nf4 Kb8
[ 10.Nf3 Ng4 11.e5 ( 11.Nd5 Be6
12.Bf4 Rc8 13.Bb3 Bxd5 14.Bxd5 29
9.e4 This is the point of 7.g4.
Qb6 15.0-0 h5 ) 11...Bf5 12.0-0 Without the knight on f6, this move
Qb6 ] wouldn't be possible since the d4-
10...Nd7 pawn would be hanging. Taking a
[ 10...Ng4 11.Nge2 Qa5 12.f3 ] dominant centre. White is now all
11.Bb3 Nb6 12.Nge2 Bf5 13.f3 set to press ahead with 9...-- 10.g5
Nh5 11.Be3 , so Black should really
28
A safer option is 7.dxe6!? Bxe6 accept the pawn. '!' This is it, as
8.Nf3 White just wants to comfortably seen in a battle between the two
complete the development GM leading Grünfeld exponents,
Pavel Eljanov: 'White just wants to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Ian
comfortably complete the Nepomniachtchi, which we'll follow
development.' 8...Nc6 9.e3 Qe7 for a while in Line 1B.
10.Be2 '!' White needs to play patiently, [ 9.g5 Nh5 10.Bg2 c6 11.Be3 ]
with the aim of restricting enemy 9...Nxg4
activity and wearing the opponent [ After 9...Bxg4 10.f3 Be6 ( 10...Bh5
out. The last move takes the b-file 11.Bf4 ) 11.Bg5 we transpose to the
and leaves the black rooks main line. ]
struggling to find useful roles. At 10.f3 Nf6 Of course,
some point Black might need to StartFENrn1qk2r/ppp2pbp/
play ...f6 to get some counterplay, 4bnp1/8/3PP1P1/2N5/PP3P2/
but he always has to worry about R1BQKBNR b KQkq - 0
the outside passed a-pawn. 10...0-0 9EndFEN 9...Nxg4 10.f3 Nf6
11.0-0 The king prepares to neutralize would also lead to this position.
11.Bg5 As a compensation for the pawn, Nepomniachtchi was able to

White has a powerful centre. escape with a draw. Even stronger,
Additionally, there is no safe place though, would have been a crafty
for the black king. GM Pavel little retreat:
Eljanov: 'we transpose to the main StartFENrn2k2r/pp3pb1/
line.' A powerful follow-up, as the 2p2npp/q7/2bPP3/2N1BP2/
threat of e4-e5 forces Black to PPQ1N3/R3KB1R w KQkq - 4
weaken his kingside. Not only is e4- 15EndFEN 15.Bd2 . White
e5 a threat, but White enjoys threatens to win material with Nd5
excellent long-term compensation. and now Black lacks a good move.
The bishop will tuck back in on e3 In practice, he would likely either
if prodded, the centre is mobile and cede the bishop pair on e2
after Qc2 or Qd2 White will be able StartBracketafter which
to consider going long, with Nge2 White would be in full control, with
and then Nf4 or d4-d5 and Nd4 Bc4 and/or f3-f4 set to
being other useful ideas. Main followEndBracket, or
Chapter and Extended Variations retreat: 15...Qd8 16.e5 Nd5 17.Ne4 .
Chapter 1: Grünfeldesque Lines White dominates the board and is
Variation: 1B | Black plays 5...Nxh5, all set to land a certain big check on
6...e6 11...h6 12.Be3 This natural d6.
move has been played by MVL in [ The retreat 12.Bh4!? is a decent
his game against Nepomniachtchi. alternative. In order to get rid of the
White is now all set to expand with pin, Black should accept further
Qd2 and O-O-O, when not only h6 concessions. '!' Quick development
might fall, but White can look to and castling is the priority. This is
further dominate the centre of the Black's most resilient continuation. It
board with Nge2, d4-d5 and Nd4. has been used once by Nakamura,
Let's follow Vachier-Lagrave- and three times by Shimanov. g5
Nepomniachtchi, Jerusalem 2019, 13.Bf2 c6 21. Nd2 intending c2-c4 is
for a few more moves to see how interesting, but it gives Black a lot of
play might pan out: 12...c6 13. room to manoeuvre. 14.Nge2
Nge2!? Bc4 Black attempts to The knight is heading for the g3-
disrupt, but now White is able to square. 0-0 15.Ng3 Nbd7 16.Qc2
find an even better square for his Practically speaking, it's very difficult
queen than d2. 14.Qc2! Keeping an to play this position with Black. His
eye on the bishop on c4. After O-O- main problem is the weakened
O White's rook will now stand on a kingside. ]
less-obstructed file and there are 12...c6 13.Nge2 Nh5! A logical
even ideas of Nf4, e4-e5 and Nxg6. improvement over the high-level
After 14...Qa5 , 15.Nf4 Bxf1 16.Kxf1 game. '!?'
led to a clear advantage in the [ After 13...Bc4 '?!' 14.Qc2 Qa5
game, although Vachier-Lagrave , White could have played '?'
soon mishandled things and ( 14...Qe7 15.e5 Nd5 16.Nxd5 cxd5
17.Nc3 ) [ 6.Bg5 c5 ( 6...Nbd7 7.Nf3 Nh7

A) ( In the game, Black managed to 8.Be3 c6 9.Qd2 Ndf6 10.Bh6 0-0
obtain counterplay after 15.Nf4 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Ng5 e5 13.0-0-0 )
Bxf1 16.Kxf1 ( 16.Rxf1 Na6 7.d5 b5 ( 7...0-0 8.Bd3 e5 9.Nge2
17.0-0-0 0-0-0 18.Kb1 ) 16...Na6 a6 10.a4 Qe8 11.a5 Nbd7 12.Na4
1/2 (32) Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) - Rb8 13.Qb3 Qd8 14.Bd2 Ne8
Nepomniachtchi,I (2767) Jerusalem 15.Qc2 ) 8.cxb5 a6 9.bxa6 ( 9.a4 )
201 GM Pavel Eljanov: '1/2 (32) 9...0-0 10.Nf3 Qa5 11.Nd2 Nbd7
Vachier Lagrave,M (2780) - 12.Bb5 ( 12.a7 Rxa7 13.Nc4 Qd8
Nepomniachtchi,I (2767) Jerusalem 14.Be2 ) 12...Bxa6 13.Nc4 Qxc3+
2019' 17.a3 Nc7 18.Kf2 g5 19.b4 14.bxc3 Bxb5 15.Nd2 Ne5 16.Rh3
Qa6 20.Nd3 '?!' ( 20.Nfe2! '!?' g4 Nd3+ 17.Rxd3 Bxd3 18.f3 ]
21.b5 cxb5 22.Ng3 gxf3 23.Kxf3 [ 6.f3 Nc6 ( 6...c6 7.Nh3 Bxh3
Bf8 24.Nf5 ) 20...Qc4 '!' 21.Rac1 8.Rxh3 e5 9.d5 cxd5 10.cxd5 Nbd7
Nd7 '!' 22.Nb2 Qe6 23.Ne2 Nb5 11.g4 hxg4 12.fxg4 a6 13.Qf3 )
'?!' ( 23...0-0! ) 24.a4 Nd6 25.Ng3 7.Be3 a6 8.Nh3 e5 9.d5 Ne7?
'?' ( 25.Nd3 ) 25...f5 '!' 26.exf5 Qd5 ( 9...Nd4! 10.Ne2 Bxh3 11.Rxh3
'!' 27.Nc4 Nxc4 28.Qxc4 Qxc4 Nxe2 12.Bxe2 Bh6 ) 10.Qd2 Bxh3
29.Rxc4 Nb6 30.Rc5 0-0 31.a5 11.Rxh3 Neg8 12.g3 Bh6 13.Rh2
Nd5 32.a6 Rae8 33.axb7 Nxe3 Qb8 14.c5 dxc5 15.Bxh6 Rxh6
34.b8Q Rxb8 35.Kxe3 Rxb4 16.Qg5 ]
36.Rxc6 Bxd4+ 37.Kd2 ( 37.Kd3 6...c5
Bg7 ) 37...Rb2+ 38.Kd3 Bg7; [ 6...Nbd7 7.Nf3 0-0 8.Ng5 e5
B) 15.Bd2 with a huge advantage. ( 8...c5 9.d5 ) 9.d5 ]
Black is forced to remove the queen [ 6...e5 7.dxe5 ( 7.d5+- ) 7...dxe5
from the opposition when White has 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nf3
more than one way to develop his A) 9...Nc6 Sipke Ernst: 'the only
advantage. A possible idea is the way to stay in the game' 10.Bg5
manoeuvre Na4-c5. '!' 15...Qb6 Ke8 11.Nd5 Nxd5 12.cxd5 Ne7
( 15...Qd8 16.e5 Nfd7 17.Ne4 ) ( 12...Nd4 13.Nxd4 exd4 14.Rc1 )
16.e5 ( 16.Na4 Qa6 17.Nc5 Qb5 13.Nd2 c6 14.d6 Ng8 15.Nc4;
18.a4 ) 16...Nd5 17.Na4 ] B) 9...Re8 10.Ng5 Re7↑ 11.Be3 ]
14.Qc2 Na6 15.a3 I would definitely [ 6...Nc6 7.Nf3 Sipke Ernst: '!' e5
prefer White here. His next move Sipke Ernst: '?!'
will be 0-0-0. White has a fantastic A) 8.dxe5 Nxe5 Sipke Ernst: ''
centre while at the same time ( 8...dxe5! 9.Qxd8+? Kxd8
Black's king has no safe heaven 10.Bg5 ) Sipke Ernst: 'better is to go'
Chapter 1 – Gruenfeld Appro [GM 9.Bg5 Sipke Ernst: 'tr.';
Pavel Eljanov] B) 8.d5 Ne7 Sipke Ernst: '1-0 (30)
Fedoseev,V (2677)-Kruglyakov,P
30
5.h5 Nxh5 (2357) Chess.com INT 2019'
9.Ng5 ]
31
5...h5 6.Be2 7.d5 e6 Sipke Ernst: 'tr.' Survey: Janis
Vitomskis: '' Survey: Janis 11.Nd2 ( 11.Qc2 exd5

Vitomskis: 'Hazai' 12.cxd5 Bg4 13.0-0 Qe7
[ 7...0-0 Sipke Ernst: 'is transposing to 14.Rfe1 Nbd7 15.a5 Bxf3
...h5 lines' Sipke Ernst: 'tr.' 16.Bxf3 Ng4 17.Bxg4 hxg4 )
A) 8.Nh3 11...exd5 12.cxd5 Ng4
A1) 8...b5 9.cxb5 a6 10.bxa6 13.Bxg4 hxg4 14.a5;
Nxa6 11.a4!? ( 11.f3 Qb6 B5b) 9.Nf3 b5! 10.cxb5 axb5
12.Nf4?! Nc7 13.g4 hxg4 14.h5 11.Bxb5 Ba6 12.Bxa6 Rxa6
gxh5 15.fxg4 hxg4 16.Qd3? 13.0-0 Rb6 14.Qd2 Nbd7
Qb4 17.Bd2 Qd4 ) 11...Qb6 15.b3 Rb4 16.Rfe1 Ng4
12.Ra3 c4 13.Bxc4 Qb4 17.Rac1;
14.Qe2 Nc5 15.0-0 Bg4 B5c) 9.Qd2 Nbd7 ( 9...b5!?
( 15...Bxh3 16.gxh3 Nxa4 ) 16.f3 10.cxb5 axb5 11.Bxb5 Ba6
Bxh3 17.gxh3 Nxa4 18.Nxa4 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.Nge2 Ng4 )
Rxa4 19.Rxa4 Qxa4 20.b3; 10.Nf3 Ng4 11.0-0 Nde5
A2) 8...e6 9.Ng5 exd5 10.exd5 12.Nxe5 dxe5 13.Bg3 f5
Re8 11.f3 ( 11.Bf4 Bf8 12.Qd2 14.exf5 gxf5 15.f3 Bh6
Nbd7 13.0-0 ) 11...Nbd7 12.Bf4 16.Qe1! Ne3 ( 16...Be3+
Ne5 13.0-0 a6 14.Re1 Nfd7 17.Kh1 Nh6 18.Bxe5 f4
( 14...b5!? 15.cxb5 c4 16.Bxe5 19.Nd1 Rf5 20.Bc3 )
Rxe5 17.Bxc4 Qb6+ 18.Kh1 17.Bxe5 ]
Qf2 ) 15.Bf1 Nb6 16.Qb3 Bf5 [ 7...Na6 tr. Survey: Janis Vitomskis:
17.Re3; '' Survey: Janis Vitomskis: 'Klovans-
B) 8.Bf4 Szewczik,corr.Eu t ch 1992' ]
B1) 8...b5 9.cxb5 Qa5 10.Bd2! [ 7...Nbd7 tr. '?!'
( 10.Qd2 a6 11.bxa6 Bxa6 A) 8.Nh3 Ne5 9.Ng5 ( 9.0-0!? )
12.f3 Nbd7 13.Nh3 Rfb8 9...Rb8 10.f3 Bd7 11.Be3 a6
14.Nf2 Qb4 ) 10...a6 11.a4; 12.a4 Qb6 13.Bd2 Qc7 14.Ra2
B2) 8...Nbd7 9.Nf3 Ng4 ( 14.Rb1!?; 14.0-0 ) 14...0-0
10.Qd2!? ( 10.Nd2 Nde5 11.f3 15.0-0;
Nf6 12.Bxe5 dxe5 13.g4 ) B) 8.Nf3 Ng4 9.a4 Nge5 10.Ng5
10...a6 11.a4 Qa5 12.0-0; Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '↑' Survey:
B3) 8...Qa5 9.Bd2; Janis Vitomskis: 'Anand' ]
B4) 8...e6 9.Nf3 exd5 10.exd5 8.dxe6
Re8 ( 10...Bg4 11.0-0 Re8 [ 8.Nf3 ]
12.Qc2 Na6 13.a3 Nc7 8...Bxe6 9.Bg5 Qa5 10.Qd2 Nc6
14.Rad1 ) 11.0-0 Bg4 ( 11...Ne4 11.Nh3 Nd4 12.Bd3? Nb3
12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Bg5 Qb6?! 5...e5 6.d5 '!?'
14.Bd3 Re8 15.Re1 ) 12.Re1 [ 6.dxe5!? dxe5 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Nf3
a6 13.Ng5 Bxe2 14.Rxe2 Nbd7 Nc6 ( 8...Nbd7 9.Be3 ) 9.Be3 ( 9.Bg5
15.Bxd6; h6 10.0-0-0+ Bd7 11.Bxf6+ Bxf6
B5) 8...a6 12.c5 Kc8 13.Bc4 ) 9...Bg4 10.0-0-0+
B5a) 9.a4 Re8 10.Nf3 e6 A) 10...Ke7 11.Rd3 Rhd8
12.Nd5+ Kf8 ( 12...Nxd5 13.cxd5 ) Bracket 2019, White even

13.Ng5! h6 14.Nxf6 Bxf6 preferred to provoke ...h6 with 9.
15.Nh7+ Kg7 16.Nxf6 Kxf6 Bg5 . 9...Bd7 ( 9...Nxh5 10.Bxh5
17.Bxh6; gxh5 11.Rxh5 This recapture is a
B) 10...Kc8 11.c5! ] small issue with the bishop still on
6...Na6 f8, but here h7 is simply vulnerable,
[ 6...h5 7.Be2 Marin: '+-' Sipke Ernst: Be3, Nge2 and O-O-O on their way
'1-0 (52) Grischuk,A (2766)- and all because Black can't deploy
Nepomniachtchi,I (2775) Paris 2019' ] his unopposed bishop straight to g4
7.Be2 tr. 7...Nc5 Sipke Ernst: on account of the forking 11...Bg4
'transposes to 5...Na6' 8.Qc2 h5 12.Rg5 . ) 10.Be3 b6 11.g3 Ng4
9.b4 Ncd7 10.Rb1 a5 11.a3 axb4 12.Bxg4 Bxg4 13.f3 Bd7
12.axb4 c6 13.Nf3 0-0 14.Bg5 14.0-0-0 ]
5...Na6 6.Be2 e5 7...dxe5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nf3 Nb4
[ 6...h5 This should transpose to the [ 9...Nh5!? 10.g3 c6 11.Be3 Ke7
3...h5 file. As usual we develop with ( 11...Kc7!? 12.a3 ) 12.0-0-0 ]
Ng3-g5 7.Nf3 ( 7.Bg5 c6 8.Qd2 Nc7 [ 9...Re8 10.Nd5 Nxe4? ( 10...Nxd5
9.f3 Rb8 10.a4 a5 11.Nh3 Bxh3 11.cxd5 Nb4 12.Kf1! △Nc2 13.Bg5+
12.Rxh3 Ne6 13.Be3 Nd7 14.Rd1 )] f6 14.Rc1 fxg5 15.Rxc2 gxh4
[ 6...c6 7.h5 ] 16.Ng5; 10...c6 11.Nxf6 Bxf6
7.dxe5!? white has a couple of 12.Ng5 Nb4 13.Kd2!? ) 11.Ng5 Nd6
alternatives that are equally ( 11...Nxg5 12.Bxg5+ Kd7
promising 13.0-0-0+- ) 12.Nxh7 ]
[ 7.Be3 ] 10.0-0 Re8 11.Rd1+ Bd7 12.Rb1 Kc8
[ 7.d5 Nc5 8.Qc2 The smoothest way 13.a3 Nc6 14.b4 Bg4 15.Be3
to cover e4 and the same method we 5...c6 6.Be2
used in Line 3B. ( 8.f3? Nh5! ) 8...a5 [ 6.h5?! Nxh5 7.g4 Nf6 8.g5 Ng8
A) 9.Be3 b6 10.0-0-0; ( 8...Nh5 9.Be2 Qb6 ) 9.Be3 a6
B) 9.Bg5 h6 10.Be3 h5 11.Nh3?! 10.f4 b5 11.Qf3 e6 12.0-0-0 Ne7
( 11.Bxc5 dxc5 12.0-0-0 ) 11...Ng4 13.Rh2 bxc4 14.Bxc4 d5 15.Bd3 ]
12.Bg5 Bf6?! ( 12...f6!? ) 13.g3 6...h5 is covered under 3...h5 7.Bg5
Bd7? ( 13...Bxg5 14.Nxg5 f6 ) Nbd7 8.Qd2 Qc7 9.Nf3 0-0 10.Bh6
14.b3 0-0 15.f3 Bxg5 16.hxg5; Ng4?!
C) 9.h5 white can also play in a [ 10...e5!? ]
more restrained way with And why 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Ng5 Ndf6 13.f3 Nh6
not push on so? Black may now 14.0-0-0
worry about h5-h6, although White 5...a6?! 6.Be2 h5
might prefer to retain the tension [ 6...0-0 7.h5 c5 8.dxc5 dxc5
rather than force ...Bf8-e7. That 9.Qxd8 Rxd8 10.h6 Bh8 11.e5 Nfd7
said, by analogy with Line 3B, 9. 12.f4 Nc6 13.Nf3 Nf8 14.Be3 Ne6
Be3 is also a good move, while in S. 15.Nd5 Kf8 16.0-0-0 ]
Ernst-Pruijssers, Amstelveen 7.Nf3
StartBracketblitzEnd
32
6.Be2?! is not very accurate here, ( 20...Qb6 ) 21.Kb1 ( 21.Nd5 Bg5
because it gives Black's knight 22.Nf4 ) 21...Bg5 22.Qe2 Qb6
access to the -d4 square 6...e5! 23.Nd5 Qc5 24.b4 Qc6 25.Bg2 Ne5
Bologan,V: ''then' 7.d5 Bologan,V: 26.f4 Qxc4 27.Rhe1 Rac8 28.Qb2
'!?' Bologan,V: 'prevents Nc2,after Kh7 29.Bf1 Qc6 30.fxg5 Qa4
which Black will castle. worse is' 31.Nf6+ Kh8 0-1 (31) Seebacher,O
[ 7.dxe5 Nxe5 8.Nf3 8.Nh3!? , trying (2611)-9.Bf6 gf6 10.Nd5 f5 11.î€
to use h4 for something constructive. (2445) Indonesia 2019 CBM 94
8...c6 9.Nf4 Qe7 is quite playable for [Stoeppel,Dirk] ]
us − the Nf4 is not really doing very 9.Qxe2 Bologan,V: 'Mikhail Chigorin only
much when we can cover d5 once played' 9...Bg4
comfortably. Nc6 ( 8...c6 This is the Black's position is already
conservative reply here. 9.Bf4 preferable
Black wants to play Qe7 here, and this 6.d5 was tried in a recent high-level
move prevents that, since 9...Qe7 game, but I don't think that it gives
allows 10.c5! Nxf3 11.Bxf3 , followed an advantage Hitting the knight
by Bd6. However, we have a good must be critical. White is provoked
alternative. Qa5 10.0-0 0-0 11.Qxd6 and opts for the most critical move.
Nxf3+ 12.Bxf3 Be6 Note that 6.Be2 no longer cuts the
We have excellent play for the pawn mustard on account of 6...e5 , and if
here. 5. Early Deviations 3.h4-Early 7.d5?! Nd4 , one of the main points
Deviations 3.h4 â )] behind this line for Black. However,
7...Nd4 Bologan,V: '?' 8.Nf3 if you have some experience of the
[ 8.h5?! Nxe2 9.Qxe2? Nxh5 10.Be3 Sämisch Panno you may prefer
Nf4 11.Qf1 f5 ] StartFENr1bqk2r/ppp1ppbp/
8...Nxe2! 2np1np1/8/2PPP2P/2N5/PP3PP1/
[ 8...c5 is wrong and White is better R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 1
after: 9.dxc6 Bologan,V: '1-0 Chigorin, 6EndFEN 6.Nge2 O-O 7.f3
M-Yakubovich RUS corr 1879' Nxc6 StartBracket 7.h5? Nxh5 8.
Bologan,V: 'this move works because Bg5 f6! 9.Be3 f5 unfortunately didn't
later White will have to use a tempo, give Simon much for the pawn in
with Bg3,to make the opening of the Williams-Mestel, British League
center with dxc6 a real threat' 10.Bg5 2010EndBracket. We
0-1 (31) Khismatullin, D (2611) - should also mention that one day
Samusenko,M (2445) Sochi 2019 h6 StartFENr1bqk2r/ppp1ppbp/
11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.h5 Bg4 13.hxg6 2np1np1/8/2PPP2P/2N5/PP3PP1/
( 13.Nxe5! Bxe2 14.Nxc6 Bxd1 R1BQKBNR w KQkq - 1
15.Nxd8 ) 13...fxg6 14.Nxe5 ( 14.Qd5 6EndFEN 6.Nf3 will receive
Qb6 15.0-0-0 0-0-0 ) 14...Bxe5 a test when 6...Bg4 7.d5!? Ne5 8.
15.Bxg4 h5 ( 15...Qg5 16.g3 h5 Be2 Nxf3+ 9.gxf3!? Bh5 is Peter
17.Be2 ) 16.Bh3 ( 16.Be6 ) 16...0-0 Svidler's line-closing idea, leading
17.Qd2 Kg7 18.g3 Nd4 19.0-0-0 to a rich and unbalanced
Nf3 20.Qe3 ( 20.Qc2 Nd4 ) 20...Bf6 middlegame after 10.Be3 where
White will want to get in f3-f4 at Darini, Tehran 2021, as White

some point. 6...Ne5 with a pawn challenges Black's centralised
still on h2, the advance f2-f4 will be knight. Nxf3+ 9.Bxf3 Suddenly 9...-
very strong, but now this will - 10.dxc6 bxc6 11.e5 is a threat
weaken "g4" too much. If White and StartFENr1bqk2r/
doesn't rush then we'll undermine pp2ppbp/2pp1np1/3P4/2P1P2P/
his centre with ...e7-e6 or ...c7-c6. 2N2B2/PP3PP1/R1BQK2R b KQkq
Normally, in similar lines e.g. - 0 9EndFEN 9...O-O would
StartFENrnbqkb1r/ be well met by 10.h5 . Bd7
pppppp1p/5np1/8/2PP4/8/ We continue making useful moves
PP2PPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 and waiting for White to castle
3EndFEN 3.f3 Nc6 4.d5 Ne5 before castling ourselves. We're
5.e4 , the Ne5 is eventually driven also not playing h5 until White
away with f3-f4. But not here, since develops Bc1, if we can, to have
the g4-square beckons if White the option of driving it away from g5
does that. Black continues to with h6. ( 9...cxd5 10.exd5 ) 10.h5
provoke. ( 10.0-0 0-0 Now we can castle.
[ 6...Nb8 7.Be2 e5 8.g4 h6 9.Be3 11.Be3 Or 11.Bg5 h6 12.Be3 h5 .
Bd7 '?' ( 9...a5 10.a3 Na6 11.f3 Bd7 h5 I believe this is a pretty decent
12.Qc2 ) 10.f3 Nh7 11.Qd2 g5 12.h5 position for Black. White has more
b6 13.Nh3 Bf6 14.Nf2 ] space, but we have potential for
7.Be2 Marin: '↑' RR: '*' White prepares to counterplay on the Q-side with Qa5
push the h-pawn. 7.Nf3 Bg4 would and Rac8, and a very nice g4-
transpose to 6.Nf3, while the simple square for our pieces, which we will
7...Nxf3 also equalises. Our normal most likely be using to trade light-
development, preparing h4-h5, and squared bishops. Play could
a much stronger choice than 7.f4? continue: 12.Rc1 Bg4 13.b3 Bxf3
Neg4 . 14.Qxf3 Qa5 15.Bd2 Rac8
[ 7.f4 '?' Neg4 ] White has a bit more space here,
7...h5 Sipke Ernst: '0-1 (41) Fedoseev,V but our structure is quite fluid, and
(2696) -Carlsen,M (2847) Krasnaya we have a very nice g4-square for
Polyana 2021' RR: '- 149/194' Let's the knight. Our plans could include
continue following the World Rfe8 and e6, or Qa6, trying to find a
Champion! good moment to push b5, or
[ 7...c6 RR: 'N' Starting to dig into the provoke a4 to have some play
white center. against the b3-pawn with Nd7-c5. 5.
A) 8.Nf3 8.h5?! Nxh5 is good for us Early Deviations 3.h4-Early
since the king is still on e8, and Deviations 3.h4 â; 10.Be3
we're not very worried about semi- Preventing ...Qb6, which could
opening the h-file. The white center have become an annoying idea in
will start crumbling without Be2 the event of 10.h5 Nxh5! 11.Bxh5
protecting c4. '!?' A more logical gxh5 . This variation with 9...Bd7 is
choice than the 8.Nh3 of Atakhan- another as-yet-untested
StartBracketat 17.Nc5 (2294)-5 Bg2 0-0 6 0-0

OTBEndBracket dxc4 Intro (2432) New York 2021
recommendation from Peter CBM 03 [Olsson; Korrschack 3/
Svidler's fine Grünfeld course, but 2001] RR: '' ]
we would not be unhappy here as 8.Bf4 The choice of the strong Russian
White. With ...Qb6 off the agenda GM Vladimir Fedoseev against the
White is now ready to go h4-h5 and World Champion. However e3 or g5
would be delighted if Black castled are probably better squares for that
into the attack: cxd5 11.exd5 bishop.
An unexpected recapture, but also [ 8.Nh3 c6 9.Ng5
a decent one, opening the e-file A) 9...Bd7 10.0-0 0-0 11.Bf4
and preparing to deny Black Rc8N ( 11...Nfg4 ) 12.b3 cxd5
counterplay. h5 12.0-0 13.exd5 Qa5 14.Bd2 Neg4
White simply intends to take control 15.Nce4
of the position with Rfe1 and Bd4, A1) 15...Qa3!? 16.Bc3 b5!
while both Qb3 and Rac1 may also 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Bxf6 Nxf6
prove useful if White wishes to 19.Qd2 ( 19.cxb5 Rc5 )
exert some pressure on the 19...bxc4 20.Bxc4 Rfe8=;
queenside and/or arrange to break A2) 15...Qd8 16.Nxf6+ exf6
with c4-c5. 4. King's Indian Style (... ( 16...Bxf6 17.Rc1 Bf5 ) 17.Nf3
Bg-4A | KID Style with 5...Nc6 |,1 ) Re8 18.Rc1 Qb6 19.Bc3 Bh6
10...Nxh5 11.Bxh5 gxh5 12.Rxh5 20.Rc2?! ( 20.Bd2= ) 20...Bf5
Qb6 Is quite an unclear position. 21.Rb2 Diagram
The king will probably stay on e8 for a b c d e f g h
the time being, and we'll be
organizing counterplay against 8 8
White's center. The semi-open g- 7 7

file also gives something to do for
the rook on h8. 5. Early Deviations 6 6
3.h4-Early Deviations 3.h4 â; 5 5
B) 8.Nh3 Bxh3 9.Rxh3 h5 10.Kf1
Rc8 11.Qb3 Qc7 12.Bf4 0-0 4 4
13.g3 '?' ( 13.Bxe5 dxe5 14.Rd3 ) 3 3
13...cxd5 14.cxd5 Nc4 15.Rc1
B1) 15...Nxb2 RR: '!' 16.Qxb2 2 2
( 16.Kg2 Qb6 RR: '' ) 16...Nxe4 1 1
17.Nxe4 Bxb2 18.Rxc7 Rxc7
a b c d e f g h
19.Bd3 Rfc8 RR: '';
B2) 15...a6 16.Kg2 b5 17.a4 Ne3! 22.Qd4 Qxd4 23.Nxd4
Qc5 18.axb5 axb5 19.Rhh1 Nxf1 24.Nxf5 gxf5 25.Kxf1 Bf4
( 19.Qxb5 Qxb5 20.Nxb5 Nxb2 Maghsoodloo,P (2716)-Ragger,M
21.f3 Rxc1 22.Bxc1 Nd7 (2631) France 2023 157 Games
RR: '=' ) 19...Rb8 20.Rhd1 Rfc8 Section [Pikula,Dejan]
( 25...b5! ); 11.Qd2 White has ideas of Bh6 to

B) 9...0-0 10.0-0 ] weaken the black king's defences
[ 8.Nf3 White wastes no time in and may also meet a slow response
challenging the strong knight on e5 from Black with f3-f4, beginning to
and may now be able to bring his roll forwards, with Rg1 and f4-f5 set
dark-squared bishop to e3. Instead, 8. to follow. Kh7 Gawain Jones's
Bf4 O-O 9.Nf3 Nxf3+ 10.gxf3 c6 gave sensible recommendation on his
Black sufficient counterplay in course in this untested position.
Fedoseev-Carlsen, FIDE World Cup, Black prevents Bh6 and also gets
Krasnaya Polyana 2021. The most off the g-file, while now 12.f4 b5!
natural way to challenge our knight. should give Black sufficient
Nxf3+ counterplay. We prevent the bishop
A) 9.gxf3 A more dynamic exchange on h6. We're ready to
recapture than 9.Bxf3 Bg4 would be. expand on the queenside. White
After StartFENr1bqk2r/ has to decide what to do with his
ppp1ppb1/3p1np1/3P3p/2P1P2P/ king. I'll just offer one possible
2N2n2/PP2BPP1/R1BQK2R w continuation: 12.Rg1 It's hard to
KQkq - 0 9EndFEN 9.gxf3 , believe that the rook will find a
in contrast to the line we mentioned better post than the half-open g-file.
above after 6.Nf3, Black has a Now White would quite like to
pawn, not a bishop, on h5, so his attack with Bd3, Rg5
kingside should be slightly weaker. StartBracketpreparing a
The more ambitious recapture. strong exchange sacrifice in the
After 9.Bxf3 Bg4 is completely fine, event of ...Bh6 with
while 9... O-O will likely transpose Rxh5!EndBracket, O-O-O,
to 8.Bg5 after 10.Bg5 . 0-0 Rdg1 and e4-e5. Bd7 13.f4
Once again we can follow Carlsen's A change of approach after Black's
approach. 10.Be3 This should be a sensible last move. Instead, 13.Bd3
better square for the bishop than cxd5 14.cxd5 Rc8 should be OK for
Fedoseev's choice of f4, in part Black, as should
because it prevents any ...Qb6 StartFENr2q1r2/pp1bppbk/
ideas. White will now continue with 2pp1np1/3P3p/2P1P2P/2N1BP2/
Qd2 and can be quite flexible with PP1QBP2/R3K1R1 w Q - 4
his king, which has all of f1, g1, 13EndFEN 13.O-O-O cxd5
staying on e1 and escaping to c1 14.cxd5 Qa5 15.Kb1 Rfc8 16.Bd3
available to it. We've already seen Rc7
the position with the bishop on g5 StartBracketJonesEndBr
and f4. It being on e3 doesn't acket when White should
change much. c6 We're quite probably try 17.Ne2 , looking to
flexible with our breaks. 10...a6 is make something of his space
also a decent choice, but let's be advantage and a knight on d4 after
consistent. Now the White king the exchange of queens. The more
won't ever be entirely happy. ambitious text move intends f2-f3
StartBracketto shore up e4 This fascinating position is

and take control of extremely unclear and in need of
g4EndBracket, then Bd3 tests. White's structure is shot, but
and crashing through with e4-e5. he is a pawn up for now
( 13.0-0-0 cxd5 Now that White StartBracketyou never know,
has decided to go long we should that queenside majority could be
open some lines on the queenside. very useful in an
14.cxd5 Qa5 Time for the typical endgameEndBracket, and
Dragon plan. 15.Kb1 Rfc8 16.Bd3 we'd be quite happy in his shoes.
Rc7 We're ready to double on the c- One idea is to take control of the
file. White should probably position with O-O-O and Bd4,
exchange queens here, but we another Bd3, followed by a possible
won't have any problems. Let's just f2-f3 and Rg5, looking to lever open
see what happens if White tries to the black king's defences with f4-f5.
get aggressive. 17.Bd4 Rac8 Finally, we should point out that
...Bh6 is actually an annoying threat after Rg5 Bh6, White should be
now. White needs his bishop on d4 very happy to leave the rook on g5,
to prevent an exchange sacrifice on sacrificing the exchange to the
c3. 18.f4 White tries a pawn-storm, detriment of Black's king. 4. King's
but gives away control of an Indian Style (...Bg-4A | KID Style
important square. Bg4 The g-file is with 5...Nc6 |;
blocked and White's in trouble. B) 9.Bxf3 Bg4 10.Ke2 ]
19.Rc1 Qb4 White loses material. [ 8.f4 Neg4 ]
6.d5 Ne5 7.Be2 h5 #3 26. h4 Set- [ 8.Bg5 White's choice in the other
ups ) 13...b5 Black should react so three games to reach this position.
before he is steamrollered in the A) 8...0-0 We can follow Magnus's
centre and on the kingside. 14.cxb5 treatment. 8...c6 is a decent
Electing to go a pawn up for now if alternative. '?!' 9.Nf3 9.Qd2 c6
Black takes on d5 would be very similar. ( 9.Qd2 c6
StartBracket 14...cxb5 15.f3 10.f3 Bd7 11.g4 hxg4 12.f4 Nf3+
prepares Bd3 and after 15...b4 16. 13.Nxf3 gxf3 14.Bxf3 cxd5
Nb5 White should be slightly for 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nxd5 ) 9...Nxf3+
choice, since his knight can easily 10.Bxf3 10.gxf3 wouldn't be so
drop back into different from the Magnus game.
d4EndBracket. Lovers of The bishop on g5 rather than f4
wild positions may, though, also doesn't change very much. We can
wish to consider the arguably even still play 10...c6 and follow the
more gung-ho World Champion's plan. a6
StartFENr2q1r2/p2bppbk/ The plan with ...c7-c6 is also ok, but
2pp1np1/1p1P3p/2P1PP1P/2N1B3/ I'd hold off it while White still has a
PP1QBP2/R3K1R1 w Q - 0 bishop on that long diagonal. In
14EndFEN 14.dxc6 Bxc6 15. similar positions 10.. .Bg4 is often a
f3 bxc4 16.f5!? . cxd5 15.exd5 good antidote but here we need to
be a bit careful. White would be there's no reason to delay castling.

able to capture on f6 and then after 9.Nf3
the exchange on f3 push g2-g4 with [ 9.Qd2!? ]
a dangerous initiative. Let's wait for 9...Nxf3+ 10.gxf3 This is an interesting
White to castle first. 11.0-0 Nh7 concept that we will see later in the
A more ambitious plan. 11...Bg4 is database. Bologan,V: 'and Black
also fine. 12.Bd2 The best square. will(after ... Be6)castle -side if
After 12.Be3 e5! we'll prove White's White centralizes his s with' The
bishop is misplaced with a quick ... more aggressive recapture. Taking
f5-f4. c5 White's main plan in this with the bishop will be checked in 8.
structure would normally be to Bg5. The bishop is slightly better
attempt to push through f2-f4 and placed there than on f4. Here
e4-e5. With the h-pawns moved there's no pressure on our position.
that's not so easy to do as f2-f4 will 10.Bxf3 c6 followed by expanding
create a huge hole on the g4- on the queenside and maybe ...Bg4
square. Starting with 12...e5 is also to exchange light-squared bishops
fine, but we're trying to be very is absolutely fine. We can also play
ambitious. 13.a4 White prevents 10...a6 as we do with the bishop on
our ... b7-b5 plan. Bd4 Once again g5.
we could start with 13...e5. [ 10.Bxf3 c6 ( 10...Bg4 ) 11.0-0 Bg4 ]
However, starting with this means 10...c6⇆ The position is with mutual
that once we go ...e7-e5 we'll also chances, but Black won a fantastic
have a very active bishop. The h4- game in 0-1 (41) Fedoseev,V
pawn will be vulnerable, and we'll (2696) -Carlsen,M (2847) Krasnaya
be ready to start proceedings on Polyana 2021 GM Pavel Eljanov:
the kingside, either with the normal 'The position is with mutual chances,
...f7-f5 or even ...g6-g5!? exploiting but Black won a fantastic game in
the h-pawn. 6.d5 Ne5 7.Be2 h5 #2 0-1 (41) Fedoseev,V (2696)-
26. h4 Set-ups; Carlsen,M (2847) Krasnaya
B) 8...c6 Polyana 2021' 11.Qd2 cxd5
B1) 9.Nf3 Nfg4 10.Nxe5?! 12.cxd5 Kh7 0-1 (41) Fedoseev,V
( 10.Qd2!? Qa5 11.0-0 Nxf3+ (2696) -Carlsen,M (2847) Krasnaya
12.gxf3 ) 10...Bxe5 11.Qd2 Polyana 2021 We prevent White
( 11.Qc2!? ) 11...Qb6 12.Bxg4?! from exchanging bishops on h6.
( 12.0-0 ) 12...hxg4 13.Rc1 Bd7 Next will come ...Nd7 and maybe ...
14.b3 f6 15.Be3 c5; f7-f5 when we take over the
B2) 9.Qd2 a6 10.Nf3 Nxf3+ initiative. Check out the model
11.Bxf3 Bg4 12.dxc6 bxc6 game Fedoseev-Carlsen to see
13.e5 Bxf3 14.exf6 exf6 15.Bf4 how Magnus expertly handled the
Bxg2 16.Bxd6 Bxh1 17.Qe3+ King's Indian structure. And we're
Kd7 18.0-0-0 Kc8 19.Qh3+ back. 13.a4 It's not at all easy to
Qd7 20.Qxh1 ] see what to do as White. Clearly he
8...0-0 As h4-h5 is now impossible doesn't want to castle kingside with
the doubled f-pawns, but there's no mark goes for the idea and for the
way to attack there either. 13...Nd7 fact that his move 'had to be'
14.a5 f5!? Magnus plays aggressively. played! The reward for exchange is
I'm sure the exchange sacrifice was going to be awesome piece mobility
already in his thoughts. Playing on and full control of the dark squares!
the queenside with 14...a6 and -- Very aesthetic. First, we sacrifice a
15...b6 was a calmer approach. pawn to keep the e5-square. Now
[ 14...a6 15.Be3 b6 16.axb6 Nxb6 ] we offer the rook too. 19.Qxf4 Bh6
15.Ra3 One idea was ...fxe4 and ... Nc5 20.Qg3 Qf8 Time to try and assess the
when we threaten both ...Bxc3 position. In White's favour, he is
winning the e4-pawn, and ...Nb3 the exchange and a pawn up. But
forking queen and rook. Therefore just look at the power of the
Fedoseev defends the b3-square. remaining pieces. We have
[ 15.Be3 Nf6 16.Rg1 2 Chapter 5- absolute control of the f4-square,
Game 2 Game ] and so the knight is basically on an
15...Ne5 If White does nothing we'lll be outpost on e5. White has a weak f3-
able to expand on the queenside pawn which only serves to block his
too. 16.Be3?! Let's see how the queen out of the game. White has a
World Champion does it when he bad bishop, a passive knight, and
has the upper hand! Black's problems both with his king and
position is looking fine, but Magnus h1-rook. It's also very difficult for
is not satisfied with just fine and White to find a plan. 21.Ne3 Bf4
begins to ask questions from 22.Qg2 Rc8 Black's position looks
White... What would you play for clearly better, the white army
Black? Fedoseev wants to expel desperately lacks coordination and
our knight with f3-f4. 16...f4! the situation of the king is a source
Carlsen begins his operation by of constant headache as well!
sacking a pawn, hoping to exploit Developing our final piece. 23.Rc3
the pressure along the f-file and on Fedoseev is trying to weather the
the dark squares. Not so fast! storm by trading a few pieces. How
Carlsen unsurprisingly shows great would you react? White decides not
positional understanding. The e5- to allow our rook into the game, but
square is more important than a White's just going to be left with his
pawn. 17.Bxf4 Bd7 passive pieces. 23...Rxc3 24.bxc3
Calmly completing development Qc8 This move is the key idea, attacking
and preparing for the second wave c3 and denying castling at the same
of the assault. The engine wants to time! The queen's turn! 25.c4 b5!
play 17...Rf7 followed by ...Qf8, but Just after a couple of days of his
I would find it extremely difficult to painful defeat against Duda (also
resist Magnus's plan. 18.Nd1 discussed in this chapter) Carlsen
The rook now defends the f3-pawn, is back on the very top of his game!
and so White's ready to move his After the inevitable pawn trade,
bishop. 18...Rxf4! The exclamation White is more or less in zugzwang!
Opening up more lines for the 30.Ne1 b5! 31.Kg2 [object Object],
queen. 26.axb6 axb6 An amazing [object Object],[object Object],
position has arisen where White [object Object],[object Object],
has no useful moves! Amazing [object Object] 31... bxc4 32.Qf1
stuff! Fedoseev has been defending Qb3! White will have to give up his
well in a miserable position, but now bishop to stop the c-pawn.
he cracks. 27.Qg1? 27.Kf1 was the [ 29...Qb1+ ]
lesser evil: 27...b5 28.Kg1 bxc4 29. 30.Ne1 White is tied down entirely, but
Qf1 c3 with huge pressure. the win is still not that simple. How
Thewrong move order. 27.Kf1! did Carlsen keep on tightening the
This was essential. The point is that noose around his opponent's neck?
27...Qa8?! can now be met by 28. 30...Qb2 Beautifully threading the needle,
Kg1! and White can slowly unravel the queen optimizes its placement
with Qf1 and Kg2. îîStartFENîî2q5/ through a lovely zigzag method.
3bp2k/1p1p2p1/3Pn2p/2P1Pb1P/ Pushing 30...b5 was also good, but
4NP2/4BPQ1/5K1R b - - 1 not quite as powerful as the
27îîEndFENîî 27...b5! 28.Qg1! Only previous note. 31.Ng2? The final
now. 28...bxc4 That's one pawn mistake. 31.Nd3! White had to take
back. 29. Kg2 White slowly gets his the chance to exchange the pair of
major pieces into the game. 29... knights. 31...Nxd3 32.Bxd3 Qc3! 33.
Qc5 30.Qa1 Bxe3 Another pawn Be2 Qc2 . White can hardly move.
drops. [object Object],[object In fact, his only move that doesn't
Object] 31.fxe3 Qxe3 32.Re1 Qf4 lose on the spot is 34.Rh2 . Of
Apparently White is holding with a 0. course, the position is still really
00 evaluation, but clearly it's very miserable for White, but Black
scary. would still need to find the win.
[ 27.0-0 Bh3 28.Qh1 Bxf1 29.Kxf1 ] [ 31.Nd3 Nxd3 32.Bxd3 ]
27...Qa8 Carlsen immediately exploits 31...Qc1+
the awkward position of the white [ 31...Qb1+! 32.Ne1 b5! 33.cxb5
queen and goes after the king, Bxb5 34.Bxb5 Nxf3 ]
which now can't castle! 27...Qa6 32.Ne1 Qd2 Not giving White another
was also good. Now White's not in chance to play Nd3. 33.Qg2
time. 28.Kf1 Qa2 This is the point. 33.Ng2 now fails to 33...Nd3 , with
As White has to hold onto his a mate threat on c1. If the knight
bishop he can't get his king out of moves then ...Qe1+ will be decisive.
the way. Therefore his rook and [ 33.Ng2 Nd3 ]
queen are useless. 29.Ng2 Qa1+?! 33...Kg7 33...e6! was even stronger and
This doesn't spoil anything, but the crucial break, after which the
Fedoseev is able to suffer for bishop will be able to join the attack
another few moves. 29...Qb1+! A in a decisive fashion! As White can't
quicker win. The point is that b3 will make a single constructive move
be a very good square from which we may as well improve our king.
to shepherd the passed pawn home. 34.Rg1 Kf8 35.Qh1 e6!? After the
exchange of pawns we'll either have 7...0-0 Bologan,V: '1-0 Schiffers,E-

a passed b-pawn or an entry square Kalinsky,N RUS corr Russia 1890'
on f5 for the bishop. 36.Rg3 [ 7...h6?! is not a good idea. The h6-
Fedoseev is trying to tempt Magnus pawn will be a target soon 8.Be3
into retaking the exchange but the A) 8...e5 9.d5 Ne7 10.Ng3!?
World Champion is frying the bigger A1) 10...Nf4? 11.Qd2 0-0
fish. 36...exd5! 37.exd5 ( 11...c5 also doesn't work for
37.cxd5 b5 and the pawn is black 12.dxc6 Nxc6 13.0-0-0 )
essentially unstoppable! A truly 12.Nge2! ( 12.Bxf4?! exf4
astonishing concept! 37.cxd5 b5 is 13.Qxf4 f5 would give black
no better. enough compensation. The
[ 37.cxd5 b5 ] bishop on g7 is a monster )
37...Bf5 The bishop now invades with 12...Nxe2 13.Bxe2 Kh7 14.h5
elementary power, the game is g5 15.g4 a5 16.f3 this position
over! 38.Rg1 Kf7 The last nail in is strategically winning. There is
the coffin, another breathtaking no counterplay for black on the
zugzwang! A tidying move. 39.Rg3 kingside and white can gradually
Nd7 The knight is en route to d4, and increase the advantage on the
White can do nothing to stop it! ... queenside.;
Nc5, ...Qc1 and ...Bd2 will win A2) 10...Nxg3 11.fxg3 0-0
material whenever Black feels like 12.Be2 f5 13.Qd2 Kh7 14.0-0
it. 40.Rg5 Desperation. 40...Bxg5 Bd7 15.Rf2;
40...Nc5?? 41.Rxf5+ gxf5 42.Qh3 B) 8...0-0 9.Qd2 Kh7 10.Rg1!
and White is likely going to save the ( 10.f3; 10.0-0-0 ) 10...e5 11.d5
day! 41.hxg5 Ne5 Chapter 9- Nd4 ( 11...Ne7 12.g4 ) 12.Nxd4
Game 23 Game 23 White gave up, exd4 13.Bxd4 Bxd4 14.Qxd4
his position is falling apart and also Qxh4 15.g3 Qf6 16.Qe3 ]
losing on material. A fantastic 8.Qd2 f6
masterpiece by the World [ 8...f5 ]
Champion! The knight comes back 9.Be3 f5
and Fedoseev had seen enough. [ 9...e5 10.d5 Ne7 ]
Black could start picking up pawns 10.0-0-0!
or simply play ...Qc1 and ... Nd3. A [ 10.exf5?! is Grischuk's choice, but I
beautiful strategic demonstration think it is wrong Bxf5 Bologan,V:
from the World Champion. 'White gains nothing special by
retaining his light-squared  with'
33
6...Nh5!? MVL tried hyper-modern 11.f3 e5 12.d5 Bologan,V: '0-1
attempt to fight for the center, but I Yankovich,B-Chigorin,M RUS-ch02
still prefer White's position after: Moscow 1901 (3)'
7.Bg5! ! This tricky move stops e5 and A) the game continues Bologan,V:
tries to provoke the advance h7-h6, 'Second,if White plays' 12...Nd4?!
which will weaken Black's position and now the simple Sipke Ernst:
[ 7.f3 will be meeting with e5! ] '1-0 (49) Grischuk,A (2766)-Vachier
Lagrave,M (2775) Paris 2019' that White is doing good in these

Bologan,V: '1-0 Showalter,J-Logan, positions and the analysis proves it
J corr USA 1888 ,Black captures' Sipke Ernst: '' Bologan,V: '... or'
13.Nxd4 gives White an advantage 12...a6 Bologan,V: '-f7,and Black will
Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: 'This soon connect his heavy pieces.'
move may look counter-intuitive,but [ 12...Kh8 Bologan,V: 'only now!'
after' ( Bologan,V: 'If he retains it 13.Kb1 b6 Bologan,V: '!?' 14.Rg1 f4
with' 13.0-0-0 Nxe2+ 14.Nxe2 15.Bf2 Ng8 Bologan,V: 'with an edge'
Bologan,V: ',Black will castle and 16.Qe1 a5 17.Nc1 The position is
put his  on e6 ,while after' e4 very close, but I think that White has
1-0 (49) Grischuk, A (2766) - more options to open the game at
Vachier Lagrave,M (2775) Paris an appropriate moment. Preparing b4-
2019 ) 13...exd4 14.Bxd4 c5, in the long run, is an option, but
Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V: ',it turns also Black should be careful about g2-
out that it's not so clear what White g3 break ]
should do with his remaining .' 13.Kb1 This is always useful 13...Kh8
Qe7+ 15.Kf2; [ 13...b5 is premature 14.cxb5
B) 12...Na5! ! is my improvement. Bologan,V: ',the position is unclear. In
This move provokes b2-b3 which comparison with the 12 Re1
weakens dark squares a lot subvariation,here Black doesn't insert'
Bologan,V: 'or' 13.b3 Bologan,V: axb5 Bologan,V: 'because he wants to
'Equally popular is' e4↑ create a -break in the center. For
The position looks very strange with instance:' 15.Nxb5 Bologan,V: '1-0
both Black's knights on the edge of Makarczuk,J (1931)-Assarsjo,I (1462)
the board, but I think that Black IECC P email 2000' Bd7 16.Qb4!
gets his typical King's Indian I don't think that Black has enough
counterplay. White's king has no compensation for the pawn. ]
safe spot on the board and different Bologan,V: 'and' 14.Rg1 Nf6
tactics are possible. Bologan,V: Bologan,V: 'is good for Black. After'
'1-0 Chigorin,M-Yakubovich,N RUS 15.Nc1 fxe4 16.Nxe4 Nxe4 Bologan,V:
corr Russia 1879 ,but the text move '!'
is more precise because it gives [ 16...Nf5 17.Bg5 Black's knight can
Black a vital developing tempo go to d4, but White will easily
before taking on c4.' 14.fxe4 Bg4 exchange it there ]
15.Bd4 Qd7 gives black adequate 17.fxe4 Ng8 18.Be2 Nf6 19.Bf3
compensation for the pawn ] White stabilizes the centre and
10...e5 11.d5 Ne7 Black has no counterplay. Later c4-
[ 11...Nd4 12.Nxd4 exd4 13.Bxd4+- ] c5 or h4-h5 breaks will come.
[ 11...f4? 12.dxc6 fxe3 ( 12...bxc6 6...a6 7.f3 h5 8.Be3 Rb8 9.Qd2
13.Bc5 ) 13.Qd5+ Kh8 14.cxb7+- ] 0-0 10.Nc1 e5 11.d5 Nd4 12.N1e2
12.f3 We achieve a Saemish position Nxe2 13.Bxe2 c5 14.dxc6 bxc6
with White's king evacuates on the 15.0-0-0 Be6
queenside. I always have a feeling [ 15...d5 16.cxd5 cxd5 17.Nxd5
Nxd5 18.Qxd5 Qc7+ 19.Qc5 Qb7 very well. We can combine rerouting
20.Qa3 Be6 21.Kb1 a5 ] our knight to e5 with ...b7-b5. If
16.Qxd6 Qa5 17.Qa3 Qxa3 18.bxa3 White's c4-pawn vanishes then the c
Nd7 19.Na4 Rfc8 20.Rd2 Bf8 21.c5 and d pawns will steamroll White.
Rb5 22.Bxb5 cxb5 23.Nc3 Nxc5 11.dxc6 bxc6 12.Nxd4 d5
24.Kb2 Nb7 25.Rc2 Na5 26.Bc1 Nc4+ White's won a pawn, and we even
27.Kb1 Bxa3 28.Nd5 Bc5 29.Rd1 Kg7 offer another couple, but White's lost
30.Rd3 Bd4 31.Nf4 Rc6 32.Nxe6+ due to his weak king and lack of
Rxe6 33.a4 Rb6 34.axb5 axb5 35.Rb3 development. 13.Nxc6 Qc7
f5 36.Ra2 f4 37.Ra7+ Kf6 38.Rd7 Our queen enters. 14.cxd5 Qg3+
Ke6 39.Rg7 Kf6 40.Rd7 Ke6 41.Rc7 Congratulations you've won three
Kd6 42.Rg7 Kc5 43.Rd7 Ne3 44.Rc7+ pawns. Now it's our turn. 15.Kd2
Kd6 45.Rg7 Kc5 46.Rc7+ Kd6 47.Rg7 15.Ke2 fails to 15...Nxe4! . The knight
½-½ (47) 9.Nbd2 Nbd7 10.Be2 can't be captured due to ...Bg4+. Bd7
(2407)-Sullivan,J (2208) Budapest We'll capture on c6 and then bring the
2023 Inf33 [John Watson] rooks to c8 and d8. White can't get his
king to safety in time. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4
34
7.d5 Ne5 8.Ng3 h5 Nc6,6-#2 26. h4 Set-ups ]
7.h5? Nxh5 8.Bg5 f6 9.Be3 f5! 9...c5 A pawn sacrifice that bears
10.Qd2 Nxd4?? 11.Rxh5?? similarities to the Offbeat Bg5
[ 11.Bxd4 e5 12.Be3 f4 13.Qd5+ setups. If White doesn't play the en-
Rf7 14.Bd2 ] passant then our knight will
11...gxh5 12.Bxd4 e5 13.Be3 f4 dominate.
[ 9...Nxe2 Bologan,V: '0-1 Schwarz,R-
35
8.Be3 exd4 9.Nxd4 h5? Thielsch,N Berlin Chemie op 1995 (4)'
[ 9...Nh5! ] A) 10.Bxe2 gives Black enough
10.Qd2 Re8 11.0-0-0 a5 12.Kb1 a4 counterplay after: Nh5 Bologan,V:
13.a3 Bd7 14.Ndb5 '!?' Bologan,V: 'This move was
introduced by Simon Alapin.He
36
8...Ne7 9.Be3 defeated Mikhail Chigorin,who
9.Be3 Bologan,V: ',with the idea' himself adopted this move in his
GM Pavel Eljanov: '!' next two games with the black
[ 9.Nxd4 The knight shouldn't be pieces.' 11.g4 Nf4 Bologan,V: '!'
touched yet. exd4 10.Ne2 12.Bf1 Ne6⇆ ( 12...f5⇆ );
10.Qxd4? Nxe4! regains the pawn B) 10.Nxe2! it is very important to
immediately due to the subsequent secure the f4-square 10...Nh5
pin down the e-file. c5 If White leaves Bologan,V: '?!' 11.g4 Qf6
our pawn on d4 we'll be doing very ( 11...Nf4 is still possible, but again
well. We can combine rerouting our White is not forced to take
knight to e5 with ... b7-b5. If White's immediately 12.Qd2 h5
c4-pawn vanishes then the c and d h5 looks like the only way to keep
pawns will steamroll White. If White some tension into the position
leaves our pawn on d4 we'll be doing Bologan,V: '' GM Pavel Eljanov:
'looks like the only way to keep Bologan,V: '!?' 19.c5→ With an
some tension into the position.' overwhelming initiative Bologan,V:
13.Bxf4! exf4 Bologan,V: '-6.0-0' '!' ) 12.Nc3 Nf4 13.Qd2 Bologan,V:
14.gxh5 gxh5 15.0-0-0 '. . . followed by ... g7-g5 and ...
Black's dark square bishop is Rg6' h5 Bologan,V: '?' ( Bologan,V:
powerful, but the open "g" file is 'Stronger than' 13...c5 is well met
more importang Qf6 Bologan,V: by Bologan,V: '1-0 Evans-
'So Black should transpose to the McDonnell corr 1826 ,as played
main line with ...' 16.Rg1 Kh8 in(allegedly)the stem game of the
17.e5! Bologan,V: 'There is one Evans Gambit.' 14.Ne2 b5
good thing about this position:it's so 15.cxb5 h5 16.Nxf4 exf4 17.Bxf4
out of fashion that most gambiteers hxg4 18.0-0-0 ) 14.gxh5!
actually don't know what to do next. Bologan,V: 'Worse is' Nxh5
A1) 9 h3 A2) 9 Bb2 A3 ) 9 d5 A4) Bologan,V: '?!' 15.0-0-0 Qe7
9 Nc3 A1) Since in some sub- 16.Bd3 Bd7 Bologan,V: '?!'
variations Black plays ... Bg4, 17.Rdg1 Kh7 Bologan,V: '0-1
McDonnell's Variation makes sense. Mieses,J-Napier,W Hastings m
A2) In his match against Alexander 1905 (3)' 18.Ne2→ Black can't
McDonnell,instead of the keep the blockade on h5 any longer
prophylactic 9 h3,Louis-Charles and White's initiative on the
Mahe de Labourdonnais preferred kingside looks very dangerous. In
the developing 9 Bb2.In this the meantime, Black is not ready to
variation,everything depends on organize any severe threats on the
what White does with his  on the other side of the board. ]
12th move. A3) Anderssen's 10.dxc6 Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: 'While
Variation is very important because, it's true that White can return the 
in the previous lines,every now and with' 10...bxc6
then White can push d4-d5,creating [ 10...Nxc6 Black keeps the material
the -structure characteristic for equal, but it is not in KID's spirit. The
this line. A4) In the 21th century, pawn on "d6" is weak and the "d5"
Morphy's Variation is by far the square. We shouldn't forget about h4-
most popular,while the thematic 9 ... h5 break in an appropriate moment.
Na5! has been played in less than White has a straightforward game
half of the games.' dxe5 18.Nc3 after: Bologan,V: '?!' 11.Qd2
Bologan,V: '!' Bologan,V: 'A4a) 10 Bologan,V: '!' ( 11.g4 Be6 12.b3 a6
Bd3 A4b) 10 Bg5!? A4a) This is 13.h5 b5 14.h6 Bh8 15.Nd5 )
the most popular move,which 11...Be6 12.Nd5 This position is still
usually transposes to Line A3 after playable of course, but objectively
11 Bb2 0-0. A4b) Theoreticians Black is fine. The best reaction to this
prefer this move,although it's not line is to quickly bring the queen to h4.
clear that it's any better than the Black can include Rc8 ( 12...Bxd5?
previous line.Still,one has to admit 13.cxd5 )
that this attack hides a trap.' Qh6 A) 13.Rd1
A1) 13...Nd7 14.Nec3 ( 14.h5 (2709) -Svidler,P (2714) Krasnaya

Bxd5 15.cxd5 Nd4 16.Nxd4 Polyana 2021 Bologan,V: 'but,as in
exd4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Qxd4 the main line,Black should play' GM
Qa5+ 19.Kf2 Rc2+ 20.Be2 Pavel Eljanov: 'Black has nice
Qxa2 ) 14...Nd4 15.h5; compensation for the sacrificing
A2) 13...h5 14.Kf2!?; pawns. 1-0 (30) Shankland,S
B) 13.Bg5 Nd4 12...e5? 13.Bg5! (2709)-Svidler,P (2714) Krasnaya
Another benefit of h4! 13...Qd6 14. Polyana 2021' 18.f4?! ( 18.h5
dxe5 Qxe5 15.Rc1 $16 14.Nxd4 Bxc4 19.f4 Bxf1 20.fxe5 )
exd4 and here White can transpose 18...Nxc4 19.Bxc4 Bxc4 20.e5
[/variation/21341373/#/14/w] with Rfd8 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.h5 Bxa2
15.Bd3 b5! 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6 23.hxg6 hxg6 24.Ne4 Qb6??
17.cxb5 Bc4 18.Bxc4 Rxc4 ( 24...Qb5 ) 25.Bh4! Rd4 26.Nf6+
19.0-0 ] Kf8 27.Bf2! Bxf6 28.exf6 Qxf6
11.Nxd4 exd4 12.Bxd4 Shankland, S 29.Qxc5+ Rd6 30.Qc8+
2709-Svidler, P 2714 Krasnaya Chapter Introduction-Game 15
Polyana 2021. This is the latest Game 15;
word in the variation. White has B) 15.Rc1! White stabilizes the
succeeded in winning a pawn, but position and Black has no
in the process, he's had to open the compensation for his pawn
centre. It's not at all straightforward weaknesses. ]
for him to find a safe haven for his [ 12...d5 Opening the centre looks like
king, while the pawn on h4 weakens the scariest line for White to deal with.
the g3-square. 12...c5 Peter played 12...Rb8 which I don't
is more direct approach '!' think was best. Allowing White an
[ 12...Rb8 was tried by Peter Svidler extra tempo to develop his queen
and deserved attention 13.Qc2 means he was one step closer to
Bologan,V: '... ,after which Black will castling queenside. However, 12...c5
castle,when his position is still is also very interesting. When the
preferable because he has the safer bishop drops back we play 13...Nh5
' ( 13.Qd2!? Bologan,V: '!' ) eyeing the g3-square. Our control of
Bologan,V: 'White gains nothing with' the long diagonal and White's weak
13...c5 14.Bf2 Be6 '?!' ( 14...Nh5 dark squares provide us good
15.0-0-0 Qa5 16.Be1 ) compensation. 13.cxd5 cxd5
A) 15.0-0-0 Bologan,V: ',because A) 14.exd5 Qc7 We exploit the
of' Nd7 16.Rxd6 ( 16.b3!? ) downside of combining h2-h4 with
16...Qa5 Bologan,V: 'In all four f2-f3. The check on g3 is going to
games Steinitz played' 17.Be1 be very annoying. We're also ready
Bologan,V: ',but the text move is to regain one pawn with ...Rd8 and
more principled. Chigorin once ...Nxd5.
tried' Ne5⇆ Black has nice A1) 15.Be2 Rd8 Let's get ready
compensation for the sacrificing to regain one pawn. 15...Qg3+ is
pawns. 1-0 (30) Shankland,S also interesting. 16.Qd2
Tactically defending the d5-pawn. Qg3 With ...Rac8 next all our
16.O-O Nxd5 is very pleasant for pieces will be developed. ... Bxg4
us. Bb7 Renewing the threat to followed by ...Nxd5 is a serious
capture on d5 . White's point is idea. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6,6-#8 26.
revealed after 16...Nxd5? 17. h4 Set-ups ) 19...Nxd5 20.Qxd5
Bxg7 . Previously we had 17... Bxc3 Stripping the cover from
Nxc3 hitting the queen, but now White's king. 21.Kxc3
White would simply recapture. Or 21. bxc3 Ba4+ followed by ...
17.0-0 Nxd5 It's now just one Rd8 and ...Rd1#. Be6 22.Qe4
extra pawn, while White still has Rc8+ Three pieces attacking an
issues with his holes on the dark undefended king. 23.Kd3 Bc4+
squares and king safety. 4.Nc3 The simplest, but by this point,
d6 5.e4 Nc6,6-#4 26. h4 Set- we can choose how to end the
ups; game. 24.Ke3 Bxf1 25.Rhxf1
A2) 15.Qd2 The engine's top Re8 White loses his queen and
choice. White takes control of the still, his king is destined to run
f4-square and is ready to try and naked. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6,6-#7
hold onto the d5-pawn with Rd1. 26. h4 Set-ups;
Qg3+ 15...Bb7 is also worth A3) 15.Kf2 A drastic way to
considering. 16.Kd1 cover the g3-square. 15...Rb8
White acknowledges he'll never 16.b3 ( 16.Qd2 Natural - but
be able to castle to safety. 16.Bf2 losing Rxb2 We deflect the
Re8+ would also force White's queen from defence of the
king to start running. After 17. bishop. 17.Qxb2 Ng4+ 18.fxg4
Ne2? Qd6 White can barely Bxd4+ We regain the material
move. Bf5 White's pieces are with a crushing attack. 4.Nc3 d6
not impressive. True, he has two 5.e4 Nc6,6-#5 26. h4 Set-ups )
extra pawns, but of more 16...Qf4 The threat of ...Ng4+
relevance is that wandering king. forces White to lose more time.
We'll centralise our rooks and 17.Kg1 Re8 We've developed
then look at capturing on d5. almost all our army and White's
Unsurprisingly when you look at no closer to coordinating his
White's king, the tactics often pieces. The rook on h1 doesn't
work in our favour. 17.Bf2 Qb8 have much of a future. 4.Nc3 d6
The rest doesn't need 5.e4 Nc6,6-#6 26. h4 Set-ups;
memorising, but hopefully the B) 14.Nxd5 Probably White's most
lines are entertaining and practical try. Bb7 We want to take
informative. 18.g4 White tries to with the bishop to keep the queens
push our pieces backwards. Bd7 on the board. 15.Bxf6 ( 15.Bc4
19.Kc2 Once more a natural Rc8 We may as well develop with
move is simply losing. ( 19.Bd4 tempo. 16.Bb3 Bxd5 17.Bxd5
Rd8 Getting ready for some Nxd5 17...Qa5+ is also good
tactics along the d-file. 20.Bc4 enough. After the exchange of
queens and taking on d5, we'll and 15...Ba6 look promising. Re8
immediately regain one pawn. Our We're ready to regain our pawn.
activity in the double rook endgame 16.Bb5 Rxe5 We can take anyway.
means we hold easily. 18.Bxg7 White's king is rather draughty.
Kxg7 19.Qxd5 Qb6 White still has 17.Bxe5 Bxe5 White's won the
his extra couple of pawns but he exchange but lost the war for the
has to deal with ongoing problems dark squares. His king won't survive.
with his king. 20.Qb3 Qa5+ 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6,6-#3 26. h4 Set-
21.Ke2 Qe5 With dual threats of ... ups ]
Rb8 and ...Qg3. Our activity 13.Be3 Bologan,V: ',and even capture on
ensures we're fine. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 f7 with' 13...Nh5 Bologan,V: ',
Nc6,6-#9 26. h4 Set-ups ) 15...Bxf6 nevertheless Black has
16.Nxf6+ Qxf6 White's succeeded compensation after' 14.Qd2
in a few exchanges but has no position is complex, although I
development and still has problems prefer White because of his
with his king. 17.Qb3 Rfd8 strategical triumphs 14...Ng3
We keep White's king in the centre. Bologan,V: 'and' 15.Rg1
Now we have various mating ideas Bologan,V: '!'
on d2. 18.Qxb7 This is very risky. [ 15.Rh2 is also possible not to
( 18.Be2 Ba6 We're not going to let sacrifice the "h4" pawn, but Black gets
White's king escape so easily. nice compensation after: Rb8 16.Bf4
We're likely to collect the b-pawn Nh5 17.Bg5 Bologan,V: '0-1
shortly, when White will have one Zhdanenia,K (2030)-Speisser,P
extra pawn but ongoing problems (2084) CFriend SH-2005-0-00043
with his king. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Nc6,6- email (1)' f6 Bologan,V: 'Black wants
#11 26. h4 Set-ups ) 18...Rab8 to ensure that White will not capture
19.Qc7 After 19.Qxa7 Qxb2 the on f3 with his .' 18.Be3 f5 19.0-0-0
rook won't be able to escape. Rbc8 Qb6 20.exf5 Ng3⇆ with a mess on
Taking control of the c1-square. the board. Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V:
20.Qb7 If the queen goes anywhere 'The idea is to play ... Ng6 or ...
else then we'll take on b2 and win Qh3(e6).White can prevent these
the rook. Qd4 Playing for more ideas with ...' ]
than the draw with 20...Rb8 . 15...Qxh4 Bologan,V: '?!' 16.0-0-0
21.Be2 Qe3 We threaten both ... Bologan,V: 'After' 16...Be6
Rc2 and ...Rc1+ followed by Bologan,V: '0-1 Meszaros,A (2325)-
winning the h1-rook. 4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Papp Zoltan,C (2270) HUN-chT2
Nc6,6-#10 26. h4 Set-ups; Erkel 0304 2003 (7) comes' 17.Bd3
C) 14.e5 Nh5 White keeps the e- Rab8 Bologan,V: 'followed by' 18.Bg5
file closed, but now our knight has Qh2 19.Kc2 Rfd8 20.b3
some tasty squares. 15.Kf2 Black's pieces on the kingside are
15.Ne2 would be the other way to misplaced. There is no counterplay
guard the g3-square but it hardly on the kingside and all pawn
helps his development. Both 15...f6 weaknesses in Black's camp are
still there. 9...Nxh5 10.Bxh5 gxh5 11.Nd5

Na6 12.Bg5 Rd6 13.Rxh5 f6 )
37
6...e5 GM Pavel Eljanov: 'entering B1) 10.h6
King's Indian structure is wrong. In B1a) 10...Bf8 11.Bg5
this case, the pawn on h4 is just B1a1) 11...Nbd7 12.f4 Re8
perfectly placed and ready to move ( 12...exf4 13.e5 ) 13.f5;
forward.' '?!' 7.d5 Pushing past in B1a2) 11...Be7 12.f4 Kf8
approved fashion, although 13.fxe5 Ng4 14.Nf3 Na6;
curiously 7.dxe5?! dxe5 8.Qxd8 B1b) 10...Bh8 11.c5 Nbd7
Rxd8 was preferred in no less a 12.Be3 ( 12.b4 a5 ) 12...Nf8;
clash than Vachier-Lagrave- B2) 10.Bg5 Na6 11.Nf3 ( 11.h6
Carlsen StartBracketnote Bh8 12.f3 Nc5 ) 11...Nc5
the colours!EndBracket, 12.hxg6 ( 12.h6 Bh8 13.Rh4
Magnus Carlsen Invitational 2020, Ne6 14.Be3 Nf4 15.Bxf4 exf4
played near the start of those sub- 16.Rxf4 Ng4 ) 12...hxg6
optimal lockdown days. At this B2a) 13.Nd2 Ne6 14.Bh4
juncture Black often plays ( 14.Be3 Nf4 ) 14...g5 15.Bg3
StartFENrnbq1rk1/ppp2pbp/ Nf4;
3p1np1/3Pp3/2P1P2P/2N5/ B2b) 13.Rh4 Ne6 14.Be3
PP2BPP1/R1BQK1NR b KQ - 0 Nd4 15.Nxd4 exd4 16.0-0-0
7EndFEN 7...h5 , Ng4 17.Bxg4 ( 17.Bxd4 Bxd4
obstructing Harry, but also allowing 18.Bxg4 Bxg4 19.Rxg4 Bxf2 )
White a very pleasant game after 8. 17...Bxg4 18.Rxg4 dxe3
Nf3 and Ng5, emphasising the light- 19.fxe3 ( 19.Rxd8+ Rxd8
square weaknesses in the black 20.fxe3 Bxc3 21.bxc3 )
camp, as we saw back in Line 2A. '!' 19...Bxc3
This is what you might perceive to B2b1) 20.Rxd8+ Rxd8
be normal King's Indian fare. The 21.bxc3
problem for Black is that he lacks B2b11) 21...Rd3 22.Kc2
some of his normal counterplay, Rd7 ( 22...Rxe3 23.Kd2 )
with 7...h5 8.Nf3 followed by 9.Ng5 23.c5;
being quite pleasant for White, as B2b12) 21...Kg7;
we've already noted via the 3...h5 B2b2) 20.bxc3 Rxd1+
move order. 21.Kxd1 Re8 22.Kc2 Re5
[ 7.dxe5 '?!' dxe5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 23.Rf4 ( 23.Kd3 Ra5 24.e5
A) 9.Bg5 Rxe5 25.Rd4 ) 23...Ra5
A1) 9...Re8 10.h5 Na6 24.Kb3 Kf8 25.Rh4 Kg7
( 10...Nxh5 11.Bxh5 gxh5 26.Rf4 Rg5 27.Rf2 Kf8
12.Nd5 ) 11.h6 Bh8 12.0-0-0; 28.Kc2 Ke7 29.Kd3 b6
A2) 9...c6 10.h5 ( 10.Nf3 h6 30.Kd4 Ke6 31.Kd3 f6
11.Be3 Ng4 ); 32.Rd2 Ra5 33.Rf2 Rh5
B) 9.h5 c6 ( 9...Nc6 10.Bg5 Nd4 34.Rb2 Ra5 35.Rf2 Ra4
11.Rd1 c6 12.h6 Bh8 13.f3 Rd6; 36.g4 Ra5 37.Rh2 g5
38.Rf2 a6 39.Rh2 b5 14.Nb5 Qc5 15.Qc1!;

40.c5 Ra4 41.Rh7 Rc4 B2) 9...Nbd7
( 41...Ra3 42.Rc7 b4 B2a) 10.Be3 A fine multi-
43.Rxc6+ Ke5 44.Kc4 purpose post for the bishop,
bxc3 45.Kd3 c2+ 46.Kxc2 although ambitious souls may
Rxe3 ) 42.Ra7 Rxc5 also wish to consider 10.g4!? .
43.Rxa6 Kd6 44.a4 bxa4 Nc5 11.hxg6 ( 11.h6
45.c4 Re5 46.Kd4 a3 White gives up on any idea of
47.Rxa3 c5+ 48.Kd3 Re8 mate in return for major
49.Ra6+ Ke5 50.Rc6 Rd8+ positional gain. Bh8 12.Bxc5
51.Ke2 Rh8 52.Rxc5+ By no means obligatory, but a
Kxe4 53.Rf5 Rh2+ 54.Rf2 good exchange with Black's
Rh3 55.Kd2 Rxe3 56.Rxf6 now unopposed bishop
Rg3 57.c5 Rxg4 58.c6 currently rather sidelined in the
Kd5 59.c7 Rc4 60.Rf5+ corner. dxc5 13.Nf3 Ne8
Ke4 61.Rxg5 Rxc7 14.Nd2 The knight is bound for
½-½ (61) 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bc4 c4 to challenge the blockader
(2778)-Molina,R (2863) corr on d6. White will then keep up
2020 EXP 43 [Dublin the pressure with Qb3 and
Evening Mail 15/2/1902; potentially O-O-O. Black
Harding] ] enjoys an unopposed dark-
7...h5 squared bishop, but is also low
[ 7...c6 7...h6?! 8.g4! . Just as in Line on counterplay and clearly
2B, this is an extremely strong worse, as we'll see in
advance, threatening to open lines Praggnanandhaa-Yip. Bf6
with g4-g5 and also simply intending 15.Nc4 Nd6 16.a4 Bg5
to limber up with menace through Be3, 17.a5 Rb8 18.Nxd6 Qxd6
Qd2 and O-O-O. 8.h5 If allowed, 19.Nb5 Qa6 20.Qc2 )
press ahead on the kingside is very 11...fxg6 12.Qc2 a5 13.Nh3
much our mantra. cxd5 Bd7 14.Bxc5 dxc5 15.0-0-0
A) 9.exd5 Qd7?! ( 9...Nbd7 10.h6 Ne8 16.d6! a4 17.Bc4+;
Bh8 11.Nh3 Nc5 ) 10.hxg6 fxg6 B2b) 10.h6 '!' Bh8 11.Qc2
11.Nf3 Qe7 12.Ng5 e4 13.Be3 ( 11.Nf3 );
Na6 14.Qd2 Nc5 15.0-0-0 Bd7 B2c) 10.Bg5 Qb6 11.Qd2
16.Rde1; Nc5 12.Bf3 Bd7 13.0-0-0
B) 9.cxd5 Maintaining the Rac8 14.Kb1 Bb5 15.Nge2
symmetry helps to make it harder Bd3+ 16.Ka1 Qa6 17.Nc1
for Black to obtain counterplay, Nfxe4 18.Bxe4 Nxe4
although we should note that 19.Qxd3 Qxd3 20.Rxd3
Richard Rapport preferred 9.exd5 in Nxg5;
Rapport-Gallagher, Gibraltar 2014. B2d) 10.g4 Nc5 11.f3 a5
B1) 9...Na6 10.g4 Qa5 11.Bd2 12.Be3 Bd7 13.Qd2 Qe8
Qb4 12.f3 Bd7 13.h6 Bh8 14.Nh3 b5 15.Nf2 b4
16.Ncd1 Bb5 17.h6 Bh8 11.b4 Ncd7 12.Qd2 b5

18.Bxc5 dxc5 19.Ne3; 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Bxb5 Nb6
B3) 9...Qa5 10.Bd2 Bd7 11.a4 15.a4 Bd7 16.Bd3 Nxa4
Qd8 12.hxg6 fxg6 13.Nf3 Ng4 17.Nxa4 Bxa4 18.Rxa4;
14.0-0 h6 15.Ne1 Nf6 16.Qb3 A2) 8...a5 9.h5 Nc5 10.f3 gxh5
Na6 17.Nd3 b6 18.Qc4 ] 11.gxh5 Ne8 12.Be3 f5 13.exf5
[ 7...a5 8.h5 Na6 Bxf5 14.Qd2 a4 15.Nh3 e4
A) 9.hxg6 fxg6 10.Bg5! 16.h6 Be5 17.f4 Bf6 18.Ng5
( 10.Bh6?? Bxh6 11.Rxh6 Nc5 Kh8 19.0-0-0;
12.f3 Nh5 ) 10...Qe8 11.Qd2 Nc5 B) 8.h5 Nc5 9.h6 GM Pavel
12.Rh4 Bd7 13.0-0-0 Na4 14.Nb5 Eljanov: 'This is an interesting
Bxb5 15.cxb5 Nc5 16.f3; strategical decision. With the pawn
B) 9.h6 Bh8 10.Bg5 Qd7 11.Rh4 on h6, the advance f7-f5 is not that
Nc5 12.Qc2 Ne8 13.g4 f6 14.Be3 good for Black and White can
Qe7 15.Rh2 Bd7 16.0-0-0 Rb8 simply put a piece on g5 and then
17.f3 ] continue with his typical queenside
[ 7...Na6 8.h5 Nc5 9.Qc2?! a5?! play.' Again, we opt for a restrictive
10.Bg5 Bd7 11.f3? Qc8? ( 11...h6 further advance. Baadur Jobava
12.Bh4 g5 ) 12.g4 c6 13.Qd2 gxh5? has preferred 9.Bg5 , but there's no
14.gxh5 Qc7?! 15.Rh2 ] reason not to cramp the black
[ 7...Nbd7 kingside. White's advantage
A) 8.g4 probably isn't as large as the '+1.5'
A1) 8...Nc5 9.f3 or so displayed by the engines, but
A1a) 9...a5 it is a very nice one since Black is
A1a1) 10.Nh3 c6 11.g5 again going to find himself a little
The advantage is close to low on counterplay. '!?' Bh8
decisive. Usually in KID B1) 10.Bg5 Only now do we pin
Black is aiming for Kingside with ...h6 taken off the table.
play and White is playing on Pinning the knight and thereby
the queenside. In this case, facilitating 11.b4. White also very
White has an advantage on much has ideas of a restrictive
both flangs. ( 11.h5 g2-g4 StartBracketand
The advantage is close to possibly f2-f3EndBracket,
decisive. Usually in KID meaning that if Black ever does
Black is aiming for Kingside arrange his standard ...f5 break,
play and White is playing on gxf5 gxf5 will lead to the g-file
the queenside. In this case, opening, very possibly to the
White has an advantage on detriment of his king. Main
both flangs. ); Chapter and Extended Variations
A1a2) 10.Be3 Bd7 11.Qd2 Chapter 4: King's Indian Style
Qe7 12.Nh3 Rfb8 13.Nf2 StartBracket5...d6
a4 14.0-0-0; transposesEndBracket
A1b) 9...a6 10.Bg5 Rb8 Variation: 4B | Black plays 6...e5,
7...Na6, 10...a5 Variation: 4B | 11EndFEN 11.f3 :

Black plays 6...e5, 7...Na6, 10... AEndBracket
c6 StartFENr1b1qrkb/
B1a) 10...a5 11.f3 ppp2p1p/3p1npP/2nPp1B1/
White calmly covers e4 and g4, 2P1P3/2N2P2/PP2B1P1/
while preparing to continue R2QK1NR b KQ - 0
with Qd2 and g2-g4. Bd7 11EndFEN 11...Nh5!?
12.Qd2 Qb8 ( 12...c6 13.g4 12.g4! Nf4 13.Nh3 White is
cxd5 14.cxd5 ) 13.Nh3 c6 challenging the knight without
14.g4 Simply ignoring Black as delay, although seizing further
the knight sets off for f2 then space with 13.b4!? Na6 14.a3
d3 to challenge Black's best must also be a good policy.
piece. Meanwhile ...b5 will After
always run into dxc6, so Black StartFENr1b1qrkb/
is likely to resolve the central ppp2p1p/3p2pP/2nPp1B1/
tension: cxd5 15.Nxd5 2P1PnP1/2N2P2/PP2B3/
White sidesteps 15.cxd5 b5 R2QK1NR w KQ - 1
and increases his control of 13EndFEN 13.Nh3
the position, with Nf2-d3 still play might continue 13...f6!?
very much on the agenda. 14.Bxf4 exf4 15.Nxf4 . Such
Nxd5 16.cxd5 White already pawn sacrifices are known in
enjoys a clear advantage. the King's Indian and here too
Black may be able to prevent Black does obtain an
him castling queenside, but unopposed dark-squared
the king will be quite safe on bishop in return. However,
e1 or even f1. Meanwhile White is a pawn up and doing
Black's bishop on h8 is far well, since the knight on f4 is a
from happy and any ...f5 pretty good piece too and
StartBracketor ...f6; Black's king can't sidestep to
Be3 f5EndBracket; h8: 15...f5 16.gxf5 is the
gxf5 gxf5 exchange is surely problem for Black. Rg1+ will
just going to lead to trouble come with check and if he
down the g-file.; doesn't recapture, that knight
B1b) 10...c6 10...Qe8 11.f3 is going to sink into e6.
Shoring up e4 is much White's king is admittedly
stronger than the 11.Bxf6?! vulnerable to a check via ...
Bxf6 12.Bg4? Bxg4 13.Qxg4 Be5 and ...Bg3+, but it should
Nd3+ of Boruchovsky-Saveljev, be able to find perfectly
Internet (blitz) 2022. And after reasonable sanctuary after
StartFENr1b1qrkb/ Kd2 and Kc2.
ppp2p1p/3p1npP/2nPp1B1/ BEndBracket
2P1P3/2N5/PP2BPP1/ StartFENr1b1qrkb/
R2QK1NR w KQ - 3 ppp2p1p/3p1npP/2nPp1B1/
2P1P3/2N2P2/PP2B1P1/ [ 7...h6 8.g4 Nh7 ( 8...Ne8 9.Be3 f5

R2QK1NR b KQ - 0 10.gxf5 gxf5 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.Qd2;
11EndFEN 11...Nh5!? 8...Nfd7 9.h5! g5 10.Be3; 8...c6 9.g5
12.g4! f6 13.Be3 Nf4 14.Bxc5! hxg5 10.hxg5 Nh7 11.Qd3 Re8
dxc5 15.Qd2 White has the 12.Qg3 ) 9.Be3 f5 10.gxf5 gxf5
much better structure and 11.exf5 Bxf5 12.Qd2 ]
should be doing quite well, as [ 7...Ne8 8.h5
he'll have time to whisk his A) 8...c5 9.hxg6 fxg6 10.Bg4
king to b1 before Black's ( 10.g4!? ) 10...Na6 11.Nh3 Nac7
bishop gets out to g5. Once 12.Bxc8 Rxc8 13.Qg4 ( 13.Ng5!? )
again, ...f5 will be met by gxf5 13...Nf6 14.Qh4 Nh5 15.Bg5;
and the other simple plan is to B) 8...f5 9.hxg6 hxg6 10.exf5
improve White's pieces while gxf5 11.Bh6 Bxh6 ( 11...Qf6
challenging the best black one 12.Bxg7 Nxg7 13.Qd2 f4 14.Ne4
with Bd3 and Nge2. 11.b4 Qg6 15.Bf3 Nf5 16.Ne2 Na6
Seizing space and, perhaps 17.0-0-0 Bd7 18.Rh2 Kg7
even worse for Black, he can't 19.Rdh1 ) 12.Rxh6 Kg7 13.Qd2 f4
retreat to d7 without dropping 14.Rh2 Bf5 15.0-0-0 Nf6 16.Nf3
a central pawn. Na6 12.a3 Rh8 17.Rdh1 ]
Nc7 13.Nf3 White was clearly [ 7...Nfd7 8.h5
for choice in Vrolijk-Das, A) 8...a5 9.hxg6 fxg6 10.Nh3
Sunway Sitges ( 10.Bh6? Bxh6 11.Rxh6 Rxf2;
StartBracketonline 10.Nf3 Nc5 11.Be3 Nba6 12.Ng5
EndBracket 2020, with h6 13.Nh3 a4 14.Qd2 ) 10...Na6
his extra space and Nd2 11.Be3 Ndc5 12.Qd2 Bd7
StartBracketpreventing 13.0-0-0;
any ...Nh5 after ...Qe8 and B) 8...f5 9.hxg6 hxg6 10.exf5
heading for c4 in the event of ( 10.Nf3 Nf6 11.Nh4 ) 10...gxf5
an exchange on 11.g4 f4 12.Bd3 Nc5 13.Bh7+
d5EndBracket, and Kf7 14.b4 Nca6 15.Qc2 Rh8
Rc1 set to increase his control 16.Qg6+ Kf8 17.Nf3 Nd7 18.Ng5 ]
over the position. The king will [ 7...c5 8.h5
be quite safe on the kingside A) 8...Ne8 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.hxg6
and there is a good pawn fxg6 ( 10...hxg6 11.Bg5 Bf6
break to play for in c4-c5, 12.Bh6 ) 11.Ng5! Bxe2 12.Qxe2
ripping open lines. a5 14.Nd2 Nf6 13.Ne6 Qb6 14.Nxg7 Kxg7
Bd7 15.0-0 Qc8 16.Rc1 15.Bh6+;
axb4 17.axb4 Ra3 18.Ndb1; B) 8...Nbd7 9.hxg6 ( 9.g4! )
B2) 10.Qc2 GM Pavel Eljanov: 9...fxg6
'' '' 10...a5 11.Be3 Ng4 B1) 10.Bh6? a6? ( 10...Bxh6
12.Bxg4 Bxg4 13.f3 Bd7 14.g4 11.Rxh6 Nh5! 12.Bxh5 Qg5 )
Bf6 15.Qd2 Bh4+ 16.Kd1 Bf6 11.Qd2 Qe7 12.Bxg7 Qxg7
17.Kc2 Na6 18.Rd1 ] 13.f3 Nh5 14.0-0-0 b5 15.cxb5
axb5 16.Bxb5; cxd5 13.cxd5 Bd7 14.0-0

B2) 10.a4 Rb8 11.g4; Sipke Ernst: '';
C) 8...Re8?! 9.hxg6 fxg6 10.Bh6 B) 8...c6 Sipke Ernst: '?' 9.Ng5
( 10.g4 Na6 11.g5 Nd7 12.Be3 ) cxd5 10.cxd5 Sipke Ernst: '+-'
10...Bh8 11.Qd2 Na6 12.Nf3 Nc7 Sipke Ernst: '1-0 (52) Grischuk,A
13.Nh2 Bd7 14.Bg5 Qc8 15.0-0; (2766)-Nepomniachtchi,I (2775)
D) 8...a6 9.hxg6 ( 9.h6 Bh8 10.a4 Paris 2019';
b5 11.axb5 Bb7 12.Bg5 Qb6 C) 8...c5?! 9.Ng5 ( 9.Nh2! );
13.Qc2 axb5 14.Rxa8 Bxa8 D) 8...Ng4 9.Ng5 f5 10.exf5 gxf5
15.Nxb5 Bb7 16.Nf3 Nbd7 11.f3 Nf6 12.Qc2 Qe7 13.Be3
17.0-0 ) Na6 14.0-0-0 ]
D1) 9...hxg6 10.Bg5 Qa5 [ 8.Nh3 Nh7 ( 8...a5 9.f3 Na6
11.Qd2 Re8 12.Bh6 Bh8 10.Nf2 Nc5 11.g4 c6 12.Bg5 )
13.0-0-0 ( 13.a4 Nbd7 14.f3 9.Ng5! Nd7 10.Be3 Ndf6 11.f3
Nf8 15.Nh3 ) 13...b5 14.cxb5 Nxg5 12.hxg5 Nh7 13.Qd2 f6
axb5 15.Bxb5 Bd7 16.Bxd7! 14.gxf6 Bxf6 15.g3 Qe7 16.0-0-0 ]
( 16.Bg5! ) 16...Nbxd7 17.Nf3 [ 8.f3 Nh7 ( 8...c6 9.Be3 a5 10.g4
Reb8; c5 11.Nh3 Na6 12.Nf2 Bd7 13.a4 )
D2) 9...fxg6 10.a4 ( 10.Bh6? 9.g4 Bf6 10.g5 Bg7 11.Be3 Na6
Bxh6 11.Rxh6 b5 ) 12.Qd2 Nc5 13.b4 Nd7 14.c5 a6
D2a) 10...a5 11.f3 ( 11.g4! ) 15.a4 ]
11...Na6 12.Be3 ( 12.g4!? ) 8...Na6
12...Nb4 13.Qd2 Bd7 14.g4 [ 8...Qe8 9.Bxf6 ( 9.f3 Nh7 10.Be3 )
Qe7 15.Nh3 b6 16.Ng5 9...Bxf6 10.g4 hxg4 11.Bxg4 Kg7
Rad8 17.0-0-0; 12.h5 Rh8 13.Bxc8 Qxc8 14.Qf3
D2b) 10...b6 11.Bg5 Ra7 Nd7 15.0-0-0 ]
12.Qd2 Qe8 13.Nh3 Nh5 [ 8...Nbd7 9.g4 hxg4 10.Bxg4 Qe8
14.Bxh5 gxh5 15.f3; 11.Be2 Nc5 12.Qc2 ]
D2c) 10...Nbd7 11.Nh3 [ 8...c6 9.f3 a6 10.Qd2 b5 11.g4 b4
( 11.g4! ) 11...h6 12.g4 Qe8 12.Nd1 hxg4 13.Ne3 Qa5 14.Bxf6
13.Be3 g5 14.f3 Qg6 15.Nf2 Bxf6 15.fxg4 ]
Qf7 16.Rh3 Re8 17.a5 b6 [ 8...a5 9.Nh3 c6 10.f3 Na6 11.g4
18.axb6 Nxb6 19.Nh1 ] Qb6 12.Qd2 ]
8.Bg5 9.f3 Qe8 10.Qd2 Nh7 11.Bh6
[ 8.Nf3 Sipke Ernst: '!' Marin: '+-' Sipke [ 11.Be3 f5 12.0-0-0 ]
Ernst: 'white is better here. The bishop 11...f5 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.exf5 Bxf5
on f4 is a good piece that black often 14.g4 hxg4 15.fxg4 Bd7 16.h5 g5
wants to exchange with ...Bd6 but this 17.Nh3 Chapter 8-Game 1 Game 1
is not possible here. Black has tried 6...c5 back in time I considered this
to delay castling but I think it doesn't as the main response to 3.h4. Now
make sense' I'm unsure because arising
A) 8...a5 9.Ng5 Na6 Sipke Ernst: positions are not without danger for
'?!' 10.f3 Nc5 11.Be3 c6 12.Qd2 Black which is also proved by
statistic Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '' as we'll also consider in Chapter Five
Black's most popular and best StartBracketsee 5B
response, angling for counterplay EndBracket.
down the long, dark-square A) 8.h5 b4 9.Nb1 ( 9.hxg6 bxc3
diagonal. This has been played 10.gxh7+ Kh8 ) 9...Nxe4 10.hxg6
and recommended by a number of fxg6;
grandmasters, so should probably B) 8.cxb5 With e4 under threat,
be thought of as the main line. White should swipe the proffered
Benoni style and the main line. pawn. With ...b4 something of an
Black opts for a Benoni and quickly issue, White should simply accept
Benko-type play, rather than the the gambit... The best way to deal
more normal King's Indian counter with Black's Benko-like play is to
of 6...e5 . That is largely because take the first pawn, thereby putting
after 7.d5 White's set-up is simply a little something in the bank. 8...a6
an attractive one, with the dark- Perunovic,Milos: 'makes good
squared bishop able to come to e3 sense, since White has spent a
and both a quick h4-h5 and even tempo moving the bishop to e2.
g2-g4 imminent. A club player, sehr sinnvoll, da Weiß ein Tempo
though, could easily stumble into aufgewendet hat, um den Läufer
such an inferior version of a King's nach e2 zu ziehen.' Invariably
Indian as Black, and we'll take a played. We dare say 8...Qa5 is also
good look at this line in Chapter possible, but after 9.Bd2 play is
Four. 7.d5 In standard fashion we likely to transpose with 9...a6 10.a4
push past and maintain a space .
advantage. Retaining the space B1) 9.b6 Qxb6
advantage and renewing the threat B1a) 10.Nf3 a5 ( 10...Nbd7
of h4-h5. Naturally, White keeps his 11.Nd2 h5 12.Nc4 Qb7
centre intact and retains his space 13.Bg5 Nb6 ) 11.Nd2 Ba6
advantage. 7...e6! Benoni setup is 12.Nc4 Bxc4 13.Bxc4 Qb4
the most reliable one Sipke Ernst: 14.Qd3 Nbd7 15.a3 Qb6
'tr.' Survey: Janis Vitomskis: '' 16.Bb5?! ( 16.f4 Rfb8 17.Qe2
Black's most critical continuation, a4 ) 16...Ne5;
challenging in the centre without B1b) 10.h5 e6 ( 10...Nbd7
delay. Black's most critical 11.h6 Bh8 12.Nf3 Rb8
continuation, once again deploying 13.0-0 ) 11.hxg6 hxg6
Modern Benoni motifs. 12.dxe6 ( 12.Nf3? exd5
[ 7...b5 this is not the best version of 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Qxd5 Bb7
Benko since White managed to push 15.Qg5 Re8 16.Nd2 d5 )
e4 and is now ready to secure b5 12...Bxe6 13.Nf3 Nc6
square Black sacrifices a pawn and 14.Qxd6 Rfd8;
heads for Benko Gambit-like waters. B1c) 10.Nh3 h5 11.Ng5
'!?' Black offers a pawn for counterplay. Nbd7 12.0-0 Ne5 13.Na4
Another important line is 7...e6 8.h5 , Qc7 ( 13...Qa7!? ) 14.Bf4 Nh7
15.Rc1 Nxg5 16.hxg5 Rb8 Rxf8 18.f4 ( 18.f3?

17.Bd2 a5 18.b3 Bd7; Nde5! 19.0-0-0 Nf2
B2) 9.bxa6 20.Qb3 Ned3+ 21.Kc2
B2a) 9...Bxa6 Nb4+ 22.Kb1 Qd3+
B2a1) 10.Bxa6 Nxa6 23.Kc1 Rb8 ) 18...Bxc3
11.Nge2 ( 11.Nf3 Nb4 19.bxc3 Ndf6;
12.0-0 c4 ) 11...c4! B2b12) 11...Nbd7
12.Be3?! ( 12.0-0 Nc5 ) 12.hxg6 hxg6
12...Ng4 13.Bd4 Nb4 B2b121) 13.Nf3 Qb4
14.Rh3 Bxd4 15.Nxd4 h5 ( 13...Rfb8 14.Rb1
16.Qe2 Qb6; Ng4 ) 14.Bxa6 Rxa6
B2a2) 10.Nf3 Nbd7 11.0-0 15.Qc2 Ng4 16.Rh4
Qa5! ( 11...Nb6; 11...Qc8 ) Nde5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5
12.a4 Rfb8; 18.a3? Qc4?
B2a3) 10.h5 Bxe2 ( 18...Qxb2! 19.Qxb2
11.Ngxe2 Nxh5 12.f3?! Nd3+ 20.Ke2 Nxb2 )
( 12.0-0 Qd7 13.Rb1 Na6 ) 19.Rh3 Rb8;
12...Nd7 13.Kf2 Rb8 B2b122) 13.Bxa6
14.Rb1 Qxa6 14.Nge2 Rfb8
B2a31) 14...Ne5! 15.g4 15.Rb1 ( 15.Qc2 Ne5
Nf6 16.Bf4 c4 ( 16...h5 16.Rh3 c4 17.Nc1
17.g5?! Nfd7 ) 17.Bxe5 Nd3+ 18.Nxd3 cxd3
dxe5 18.Kg2 h5; 19.Qxd3 Qxd3
B2a32) 14...c4?! 15.g4 20.Rxd3 Rxb2 )
Nhf6 16.Kg2 Ne5 15...Rb4 16.a3 Rb7
17.Bh6 Qd7 18.Bxg7 17.0-0 Rab8 18.Qc2
Kxg7 19.Qd2!? Ne5 19.f3 Qd3
( 19.Ng3?! h5! 20.gxh5 20.Rfc1 Qxc2 21.Rxc2
Rh8! ) 19...Kg8 20.Rh4 Nc4;
Nd3 21.Nd4 e5; B2b123) 13.Kf1 Rfb8
B2a4) 10.Nh3 Qb6 11.Nf4 14.b3 Ne5 ( 14...c4!
Nbd7 12.h5 Ne5 13.hxg6 15.bxc4 Nb6 ) 15.Nf3
hxg6 14.Bxa6?! Qxa6 Nfg4 16.Nxe5 Bxe5
15.Qe2 Rfb8 16.Qxa6 17.Na4 Bxe2+
Rxa6 17.Ke2?! Nfd7; 18.Qxe2 Qa6 19.Rc1;
B2b) 9...Qa5 10.Bd2 Bxa6 B2b2) 11.a4 Qb4 12.Qc2
B2b1) 11.h5 Nbd7 13.Bxa6 Rxa6
B2b11) 11...Bxe2 14.Nf3 Rb8 15.0-0
12.Ngxe2 Qb4 13.hxg6 ( 15.Rb1 Qb3 16.Qxb3
fxg6 14.Qc2 Nbd7 Rxb3 17.0-0 Ng4 )
15.Nf4 Qc4!? 15...Qxb2 16.Qd3;
( 15...Rfb8?! 16.Rb1 ) B3) 9.h5 axb5! 10.hxg6 fxg6
16.Ne6 Ng4 17.Nxf8 11.e5 ( 11.Bxb5? Qa5! )
11...dxe5 12.Bxb5 Ba6 13.Qb3 counterplay in Jobava-Atalik,

Bxb5 14.Qxb5 ( 14.d6+?! Kh8 Burgas 2012. You might though
15.dxe7 Qxe7 16.Qxb5 Nbd7 wish to consider
17.Nh3 e4! 18.Bg5 Ne5 ) StartFENrnbq1rk1/4ppbp/
14...Qd6 15.Nf3 Nbd7; p2p1np1/1PpP4/4P2P/2N5/
B4) 9.Nf3?! axb5 10.Bxb5? PP2BPP1/R1BQK1NR w KQ - 0
( 10.Nxb5 Nxe4 11.a4 Nf6 ) 9EndFEN 9.b6!? Qxb6 10.
10...Nxe4! 11.Nxe4 Qa5+ h5 , returning the pawn to keep
12.Bd2 Qxb5 13.Bc3 Bxc3+ the queenside situation under
14.bxc3 Ba6 15.Nfd2 Qd3 control, as in Bartel-Sapeta,
16.h5 Nd7 17.hxg6 fxg6 Katowice
18.Qg4 Ne5 19.Qe6+ Rf7; StartBracketrapid
B5) 9.a4 A key advance, EndBracket 2019. White
clamping down on the b5-square does, however, decline the
and so denying Black smooth second offer, not wishing to
development with 9.bxa6 Bxa6 . speed up Black's queenside
...but not this second pawn! The development and counterplay.
text is a well-known method for B5a) 9...Qa5 9...Nbd7 10.Nf3 .
countering delayed forms of the Simple development, although
Benko. White refuses to develop 10.h5!? must also be an option.
Black's queenside pieces for him, 10...Qa5 11.Bd2 is a
and angles for a queenside straightforward alternative to
clamp with his bishop on b5. the also promising 11.O-O
Instead, 9.bxa6 Qa5 10.Bd2 axb5 12.Bxb5 of Badelka-Injac,
Bxa6 gives Black easy play and Women's World Blitz
11.h5!? Nbd7 Championship, Warsaw 2021.
StartBracketcalm and Continuing the line
consistent, although 11...Bxe2 12. StartFENr1b2rk1/
Ngxe2 Nxh5 was also possible. 3nppbp/p2p1np1/qPpP4/
EndBracket P3P2P/2N2N2/1P2BPP1/
StartFENr4rk1/3nppbp/ R1BQK2R w KQ - 3
b2p1np1/q1pP3P/4P3/2N5/ 11EndFEN 11.Bd2
PP1BBPP1/R2QK1NR w KQ - 1 Qb4 12.Qc2 . Once again,
12EndFEN 12.hxg6 White is just doing very well,
hxg6! StartBracket 12... as we saw in the notes to
fxg6 13.Nh3! would quickly eye Black's 9th move in Vachier-
that rather large hole on e6. Lagrave-Svidler. 10.Bd2
EndBracket This immediate pin-breaker is
StartFENr4rk1/3nppb1/ almost always a good
b2p1np1/q1pP4/4P3/2N5/ response to the arrival of the
PP1BBPP1/R2QK1NR w KQ - 0 black queen on a5. '!' Qb4
13EndFEN 13.Kf1 Rfb8 ( 10...axb5 11.Bxb5 Qb4
gave Black promising Benko 12.f3! Nfd7 13.Nge2 Ba6
14.0-0 Bxb5 15.Nxb5 Qxb2 axb5 12.Bxb5 of Badelka-Injac,

16.Bc3 Bxc3 17.Nexc3 Qb4 Women's World Blitz
18.Qd2 ) 11.Qc2 Covering e4 Championship, Warsaw 2021.
and in a much less weakening Continuing the line
way than 11.f3 would. White is StartFENr1b2rk1/
now ready to go 12.h5 or 3nppbp/p2p1np1/qPpP4/
simply 12.Nf3 and we saw that P3P2P/2N2N2/1P2BPP1/
11...Nbd7 12.Nf3 is quite R1BQK2R w KQ - 3
promising for him in the notes 11EndFEN 11.Bd2
to Vachier-Lagrave-Svidler. As Qb4 12.Qc2 . Once again,
such, Black might do better to White is just doing very well,
force the pace on the as we saw in the notes to
queenside: axb5 12.Bxb5 Black's 9th move in Vachier-
Clearly, this recapture was the Lagrave-Svidler. Black begins
whole point of White's play to free his queenside. Suat
and now 12...-- 13.h5 is still on Atalik wondered about the
the cards, with the idea of 13... ambitious 9...Qa5?! 10.Bd2!
Nxh5? 14.Nd1 . White is also Qb4 in his notes to his
all set to simply complete encounter with Jobava, but
development with Nf3 and O- after 11.Qc2 White would
O. Ba6 13.f3 Only now do we appear to be doing quite well.
weaken us slightly so as to be Not only is h4-h5 still on the
able to meet 13...Bxb5 with 14. agenda, but Black's queen can
Nxb5 when Black would have quickly run into trouble with
to ditch the queen for the unpinning Ra3 one
insufficient compensation. c4 powerful way for White to
14.Nge2 Completing neutralise all the potential
development while still being pressure on the queenside.
ready to go 14...Bxb5 15.Nxb5 Atalik's idea was 11...Nbd7?!
. Qc5 15.Qc1 Black doesn't 12.Nf3 axb5 13.Bxb5 Ng4?! ,
have enough for a pawn here, but after 14.Nd1! Qxb5 15.
with White set to go Be3 axb5 Rxa1 16.O-O it's very
followed by O-O and, yes, a hard to believe that Black
timely h4-h5 is still on the should have anything like
cards too. 5. King's Indian enough for the queen.
Style Main L-5A | KID with 6... 10.Bxb5 Needless to say,
c5 + 7...b5; White wants to remain a pawn
B5b) 9...axb5 9...Nbd7 10.Nf3 ahead. Clearly the point of
. Simple development, White's play and he now
although 10.h5!? must also be arranges things to be left with
an option. 10...Qa5 11.Bd2 is a pawn on b5.
a straightforward alternative to B5b1) 10...Bd7
the also promising 11.O-O B5b11) 11.f3;
B5b12) 11.Be2 although on the odd

B5b121) 11...Qa5 occasion Black prefers
12.Bd2 Qb4 13.Bf3 something else when White
h5 ( 13...c4!? ) should just continue to
14.Nge2 Ng4; develop:
B5b122) 11...Na6 AEndBracket
12.Nf3 Bg4 13.Nd2 StartFENrnbq1rk1/
Bxe2 14.Qxe2 Nd7 4ppbp/3p1np1/1BpP4/
15.0-0 Ne5 16.f4 Nd7 P3P2P/2N5/1P3PP1/
17.Nc4 Nb6 18.Ne3!; R1BQK1NR b KQ - 0
B5b13) 11.Bc4!? e6 10EndFEN 10...Bd7
12.Nf3 exd5 13.Nxd5 h6 11.Bd2 is likely to transpose
( 13...Nxe4?! 14.0-0 Nc6 to our main line after 11...
15.Re1 Re8 16.Ng5 Bxb5 12.axb5 . If Black
Nxg5 17.Bxg5 Rxe1+ declines to exchange, the
18.Qxe1 ) 14.Nc3 Bc6!? white bishop will be happy
( 14...Be6 15.Bb5 Bd7 to tuck back in on c4:
16.Bxd7 Qxd7 17.0-0 StartFENrn1q1rk1/
Nc6 18.Bf4 ) 15.h5! 3bppbp/3p1np1/1BpP4/
B5b131) 15...g5 P3P2P/2N5/1P1B1PP1/
16.Nxg5! hxg5? R2QK1NR b KQ - 2
( 16...Na6 17.Rh3! ) 11EndFEN 11...Qb6
17.h6 Bh8 12.Bc4! Qxb2? 13.Rb1 and
B5b1311) 18.h7+ Black is losing material.
Nxh7 19.Rxh7 BEndBracket
Bxc3+ ( 19...Kxh7 StartFENrnbq1rk1/
20.Qh5+ Kg7 4ppbp/3p1np1/1BpP4/
21.Bxg5 Qd7 P3P2P/2N5/1P3PP1/
22.Qh6+ Kg8 R1BQK1NR b KQ - 0
23.Qg6+ Bg7 10EndFEN 10...Na6
24.Bf6 ) 20.bxc3 11.Nf3 Nc7 12.Bc4 . White
Bxe4 21.Rh5; avoids an annoying
B5b1312) 18.Bxg5 exchange and maintains
Re8 19.h7+ Kf8 control, being all set to
20.f3 Re5 21.f4; castle. 12...Ba6 13.Bxa6 .
B5b132) 15...Nxh5 This straightforward
16.Kf1 Re8 17.g4 Nf6 approach seems even
18.Bxh6 Nxe4 better than 13.Nd2. 13...
19.Nxe4 Rxe4 Rxa6 14.O-O . Black
20.Bxg7 Kxg7 shouldn't have enough for
21.Qc1; his pawn and White may
B5b2) 10...Ba6 Consistent now find Rb1 a useful move,
and very Benkoesque, overprotecting b2 and also
enabling him to consider control, being all set to

defensive ideas of b2-b3 or castle. 12...Ba6 13.Bxa6 .
even of fighting back on the This straightforward
queenside, if allowed, with approach seems even
b2-b4. Meanwhile Re1 will better than 13.Nd2. 13...
support the key pawn break, Rxa6 14.O-O . Black
e4-e5, and if the black shouldn't have enough for
knight leaves f6, of course, his pawn and White may
h4-h5 may well get in on the now find Rb1 a useful move,
show. Consistent and very overprotecting b2 and also
Benkoesque, although on enabling him to consider
the odd occasion Black defensive ideas of b2-b3 or
prefers something else even of fighting back on the
when White should just queenside, if allowed, with
continue to develop: b2-b4. Meanwhile, Re1 will
AEndBracket support the key pawn break,
StartFENrnbq1rk1/ e4-e5, and if the black
4ppbp/3p1np1/1BpP4/ knight leaves f6, of course,
P3P2P/2N5/1P3PP1/ h4-h5 may well get in on the
R1BQK1NR b KQ - 0 show.
10EndFEN 10...Bd7 B5b21) 11.f3 Qb6
11.Bd2 is likely to transpose 12.Nh3 ( 12.Nge2 c4 )
to our main line after 11... 12...Bxb5 ( 12...c4
Bxb5 12.axb5 . If Black 13.Nf2 Bxb5 14.Nxb5
declines to exchange, the Na6 15.0-0 ) 13.Nxb5
white bishop will be happy Na6 14.0-0 Rfb8;
to tuck back in on c4: B5b22) 11.Ra3?! Bxb5
StartFENrn1q1rk1/ 12.axb5 Rxa3 13.bxa3
3bppbp/3p1np1/1BpP4/ Qa5 14.Qd2 Nbd7
P3P2P/2N5/1P1B1PP1/ 15.Nge2 Nb6 16.0-0
R2QK1NR b KQ - 2 Nfd7 17.Qc2 Ra8;
11EndFEN 11...Qb6 B5b23) 11.Qe2!? Qa5
12.Bc4! Qxb2? 13.Rb1 and 12.Rb1 Nbd7 13.Nf3
Black is losing material. Nb6 14.Qc2 Bxb5
BEndBracket 15.axb5 Qb4
StartFENrnbq1rk1/ ( 15...Na4!? ) 16.0-0
4ppbp/3p1np1/1BpP4/ Nc8? ( 16...Ng4 17.Bg5
P3P2P/2N5/1P3PP1/ Ra7 ) 17.Re1 Na7 18.e5
R1BQK1NR b KQ - 0 dxe5 19.Nxe5!
10EndFEN 10...Na6 ( 19.Rxe5? Nxb5
11.Nf3 Nc7 12.Bc4 . White 20.Rxe7 Nd4 21.Qd3
avoids an annoying Rad8 22.Re5 Ng4
exchange and maintains 23.Re1 Qb3 24.Qd1 )
19...Nxb5 20.Nc6; Championship,

B5b24) 11.Bd2 Batumi 2019. White
A strong and simple little sidesteps 12.Nf3
move, dissuading ...Qa5 Qg4 and will now
ideas while enabling complete
White to recapture on b5 development with
with the a-pawn. '!?' An Nge2 or even Nh3-
important move, directed f2. '!?' e6
not so much against ... ( 12...Nbd7 13.Nge2
Qa5 ideas as to defend Ne5 14.0-0 Nh5;
the rook on a1. That 12...Bxb5 13.Nxb5
means that White can Not our normal
now meet ...Bxb5 with response, but here
axb5, continuing to deny 13.axb5 is fairly well
Black easy counterplay met by 13...Rxa1 14.
while even allowing White Qxa1 Qb7 followed
to probe down the a-file, by ...Nbd7 and ...
as in Vachier-Lagrave- Ra8 when it's Black
Svidler. Main Chapter who will enjoy the
and Extended Variations use of the open file.
Chapter 5: KID Style Instead, we
Main Line recapture with the
StartBracket5... knight, keeping lines
d6 relatively closed
transposesEndBracket while also facilitating
 Variation: 5A | Black useful ideas of both
plays 9...axb5, 11...Qc8 Bc3 and Ne2-c3. 5.
Variation: 5A | Black King's Indian Style
plays 9...axb5, 11...Bxb5, Main L-5A | KID with
15...Rb8 Variation: 5A | 6...c5 + 7...b5,1 Na6
Black plays 9...axb5, 11... 14.Ne2 Nc7
Bxb5, 15...Ne8 Model 15.Nxc7 Qxc7
Game: M. Vachier- 16.Bc3 ) 13.dxe6
Lagrave – Peter Svidler fxe6 14.Nge2 d5
B5b241) 11...Qc8 15.e5 Nfd7 16.f4;
B5b2411) 12.f3 B5b2412) 12.Nh3
This nudge feels a Bxb5 13.axb5 Rxa1
decent response to 14.Qxa1 Nbd7
Black's creative 15.0-0 Ne5
queen move, as was ( 15...Qb7!? ) 16.Qd1
seen in Dragnev- Qb7 17.Qe2 Ra8
Hillarp Persson, 18.Rb1 h5 19.f3
European Team Ne8 20.Nf2;
B5b242) 11...Nbd7 23.Bxg5;

B5b2421) 12.Nge2 B5b244) 11...Bxb5
Ne8 13.h5 Nc7 12.axb5 Our ideal
14.Ng3 ( 14.Bxa6! recapture and also the
Rxa6 15.0-0 Qa8 only way here not to
16.b3 ) 14...e6 drop the e4-pawn.
( 14...Bxb5! 15.axb5 Black has managed to
Rxa1 16.Qxa1 open the a-file, but not
Qb8 ) 15.h6! Bh8 also the b-file and it
16.0-0 exd5 will take him some time
17.exd5 Bxb5 with ...Ne8-c7 to round
18.axb5 Nb6 up the extra pawn on
19.Nge4 Rxa1 b5, time which White
20.Qxa1 Ncxd5 will use to try and mate
21.Nxd5 Nxd5 the black king or at
22.Qa6 Qb6 least crash through in
23.Nxd6; the centre. Nbd7
B5b2422) 12.Nf3 ( 12...Rxa1 13.Qxa1
Ng4 13.0-0 c4 Nbd7 14.f3?! Ne5
14.Qe2 Qc7 15.Bf4 15.Nge2 Nd3+ 16.Kf1
Rfb8 16.Rac1; e6 17.dxe6 fxe6
B5b2423) 12.Bxa6 18.Nc1 Nxc1 19.Qxc1
Rxa6 13.Nf3 Qa8 d5 ) 13.Nf3
14.0-0 Rb8 15.Qc2 Of course, Black has
Ng4 16.b3 some compensation,
( 16.Ra2! Qb7 but in my opinion, not
17.Qd3 Nge5 enough for full equality
18.Nxe5 Nxe5 1-0 (31) Vachier
19.Qe2 ) 16...c4!; Lagrave,M (2751) -
B5b243) 11...e6? Svidler,P (2714) Saint
12.dxe6 fxe6 13.Nf3 Louis 2021 Simple
d5 14.Ng5?! development. White
( 14.exd5! exd5 15.0-0 wants to castle and
d4 16.Qb3+ Kh8 only then begin to
17.Ng5 dxc3 consider any possible
18.Bxc3 ) 14...Qe7 invasions down the a-
15.0-0 d4 16.Ne2 file. It's high time to
Bxb5 17.axb5 Rxa1 catch up in
18.Qxa1 h6 19.Nf4 development. The h-
hxg5 20.Nxg6 Qf7 pawn still has a useful
21.Nxf8 Nxe4 role to play, but for
( 21...Bxf8 22.Bxg5 ) now White must make
22.Nxe6 Qxe6 sensible moves,
content to have won a disruptive b5-b6

pawn on the advance. 14.Qxa1
queenside. Qb6 14...Nb6 15.O-
B5b2441) 13...Qb6 O Qd7 16.Qb1!
14.0-0 Rxa1 Having first
( 14...Rfb8? 15.Qe2 completed
Ne8? 16.h5 Nc7 development, White
17.h6 Bh8 18.Ng5 now gets off the a-
Ne5 19.f4 ); file before the black
B5b2442) 13...Nb6 rook lands on it. The
14.0-0 Nc4 15.Qb3 queen will find a
Nxd2 16.Nxd2 Nd7 nice square on d3,
17.Ra3 Nb6 although
18.Rfa1 Rxa3 immediately b2-b4 is
19.Rxa3; something of a
B5b2443) 13...Ne8 positional threat.
14.0-0 Nc7 15.Ra3 Now 16...Nc4 17.
Qb8 16.Rb3 Qd3! is much
( 16.Qe2 Qb7 stronger than 17.
17.Rfa1 Rfb8 b4? Nxd2 18.Nxd2
18.Qc4 Rxa3 Nh5! . After
19.Rxa3 Bxc3 StartFEN
20.Bxc3 Qxb5 5rk1/3qppbp/3p1np1/
21.Nd2 ) 16...h5 1PpP4/2n1P2P/
17.Bg5 Re8 18.Nd2 2N2N2/1P1B1PP1/
Nb6 19.g4; 1Q3RK1 w - - 5
B5b2444) 13...Rxa1 17EndFEN
13...Ne8?! 14.O-O 17.Qd3! play might
Nc7 15.Qe2 . White continue 17...Nxd2
enjoys an even 18.Nxd2 Rb8?! 19.
more pleasant Nc4 . Black might
advantage than with have an unopposed
15.Ra3!? supplied in bishop, but White
Ruckschloss- was clearly better in
Dobrowolski, Urazayev-Aitbayev,
Warsaw 2010. The Nur-Sultan 2021,
extra pawn is secure with control over the
on b5, the rooks position and the
connected, h4-h5 extra pawn secure.
imminent and White Already a
can very much play breakthrough with
for e4-e5, possibly e4-e5 looms and
in conjunction with a White also has a
strong idea in Na5- 17.Bxe7 Ra8

c6. ( 14...Qc7 18.Qd1 Nxb5?!
15.0-0 Rb8 16.Qa4 19.Nxb5 Qxb5
Qb7 17.Ra1 Ne8 20.Bxd6 Bxb2
18.Bg5 h6 19.Be3 21.Qc2 ) 16...Nef6
Nc7 20.Nd2 Ra8 ( 16...Bxc3
21.Qd1 Rxa1 17.Bxc3 Qxb5
22.Qxa1 Nxb5 18.Qd8 The point
23.Nxb5 Qxb5 and now:
24.Qa8+ Qb8 AEndBracket
25.Qxb8+ Nxb8 
26.Nc4 Nd7 27.b3 StartFEN3Q
f5 28.exf5 gxf5 nrk1/3npp1p/3p2p1/
29.f3 Nf6 30.Nb6 1qpP4/4P2P/
Kf7 31.Kf2 e6 2B2N2/1P3PP1/
32.dxe6+ Kxe6 5RK1 b - - 1
33.Bd2 d5 34.Ke2 18EndFEN
Bf8 ) 15.0-0 18...e6? 19.dxe6
Calmly completing fxe6 20.Ng5 would
development and just leave Black
now Black should with too many
really involve his weaknesses. As
remaining piece in such, White will
the game. Very regain his pawn
logical play from with a large
White who may now advantage.
consider ideas of a BEndBracket
timely Qa6, in 
contrast to which 15. StartFEN3Q
Qa6? Qxa6 16.bxa6 nrk1/3npp1p/3p2p1/
Ra8 would not have 1qpP4/4P2P/
been wise. 2B2N2/1P3PP1/
B5b24441) 5RK1 b - - 1
15...Ne8 16.Qa8 18EndFEN
'!' A powerful 18...Nef6 19.Qxe7
invasion. White Re8 20.Qxd6 Nxe4
vacates a1 for the 21.Qc7! Nxc3 22.
rook and simply bxc3 . This largely
threatens Qc6, all forcing line
the while being followed by h4-h5
temporarily happy and or c3-c4 saw
to sacrifice a pawn: White smoothly
( 16.Bg5 Nc7 proceed to victory
in both 4P2P/2N2N2/
Ruckschloss- 1P3PP1/Q4RK1 b -
Balogh, Slovakian -4
League 2018, and 16EndFEN
Zarubitski-Volianuk, 16...f6 17.Be3 Nc7
Minsk 2021. Nef6 18.b4! sees lines
19.Qxe7 Re8 opening to White's
20.Qxd6 Nxe4 advantage, with
21.Qc7 ) 17.Qc6; 18...f5 nothing to
B5b24442) fear: 19.bxc5 dxc5
15...Rb8 20.d6! Qxd6 21.
Svidler too Rd1! Bxc3!
proceeds StartBracket
thematically and pretty much
this move improves forced as otherwise
over 15...Ne8? 16. the black queen
Bg5! Nc7!? finds herself
StartBracket overloaded. 22.
CEndBr Qb1 Qe6 23.Ng5
acket. The Qc4 24.Rxd7 Nxb5
pawn didn't have to 25.exf5 and at the
be sacrificed, but: end of the forcing
AEndBracket line we find the
 weakness of
StartFEN4 Black's king and
nrk1/3nppbp/ his sub-optimal
1q1p2p1/1PpP2B1/ coordination the
4P2P/2N2N2/ key features of the
1P3PP1/Q4RK1 b - position.
-4 CEndBracket
16EndFEN  Therefore
16...Ndf6? 17.Qa6! StartFEN4
Qxa6 18.bxa6 Nc7 nrk1/3nppbp/
19.Ra1 Ra8 20.a7 1q1p2p1/1PpP2B1/
would just be very 4P2P/2N2N2/
bad news for 1P3PP1/Q4RK1 b -
BlackEndBr -4
acket 16EndFEN
BEndBracket 16...Nc7!? 17.Bxe7
 Ra8 18.Qd1
StartFEN4 StartBracket
nrk1/3nppbp/ if in doubt
1q1p2p1/1PpP2B1/ centralise is rarely
a bad pawn on b5, in

policyEndBr return for which
acket 18...Nxb5 White ensures that
19.Nxb5 Qxb5 20. he will retain
Bxd6 Bxb2 21.Qc2 , control of the open
which left White a-file. 17.Ra1 Kf8
doing pretty well A slightly
with his powerful mysterious move,
centre and safer but Svidler simply
king position in wants to keep e7.
Maatman-Kokje, AEndBracket
Groningen 2019. 
B5b244421) StartFEN1r2
16.Rb1 Ng4 n1k1/3nppbp/
( 16...Ne8!? ) 17.h5 Qq1p2p1/1PpP4/
gxh5?! ( 17...Bd4 4P2P/2N2N2/
18.Rf1 Nde5 ) 1P1B1PP1/R5K1 b
18.Qa6 Qxa6? --6
( 18...Bxc3 17EndFEN
19.Bxc3 Qxb5 17...Nc7? 18.Qxb6
20.Qxb5 Rxb5 Nxb6
21.Nh4 ) 19.bxa6 StartBracket
Ra8 20.Ra1 Ra7  18...Rxb6? 19.
21.Nb5 Ra8 Ra7 wins a
22.a7; pieceEndBr
B5b244422) acket
16.Qa6 StartFEN1
'!?' Invading and r4k1/2n1ppbp/
consistent with the 1n1p2p1/1PpP4/
plan begun with 9. 4P2P/2N2N2/
a4, but the 1P1B1PP1/R5K1 w
unstereotyped 16. --0
Qe1!? was also 19EndFEN
worth a thought, 19.Ra7 would have
hinting at e4-e5 been excellent for
and especially White, even after
preparing to press 19...Bxc3! 20.Rxc7!
on with h4-h5 once Bxb2 21.Rxe7 ,
the black knight but...
vacates f6. BEndBracket
16...Ne8 
The knight comes StartFEN1r2
round to regain the n1k1/3nppbp/
Qq1p2p1/1PpP4/ 21.bxa6; 19...Qb7

4P2P/2N2N2/ 20.Qxb7 Rxb7
1P1B1PP1/R5K1 b 21.b4 ) 20.Qc6
--6 ( 20.Rxb5 Nxa6
17EndFEN 21.Rxb8+ Naxb8 )
17...Bxc3! 18.Bxc3! 20...Qxc6 21.dxc6
StartBracket Nb6 22.Ra7 Nxa4
 18.bxc3 Nc7 23.Rxc7 Nxb2
19.Qa7 Rb7 is fine 24.Bg5 f6 25.e5
for Black, and if 20. dxe5 ( 25...fxg5
Qxb6 Nxb6 26.Rb7 Rc8 27.c7
EndBracket Ke8 28.e6 ) 26.Be3
 Na4 27.Nd2 Kf7
StartFEN1r2 28.Ne4;
n1k1/3npp1p/ B5b2444222)
Qq1p2p1/1PpP4/ 18.Qxb6 Nxb6;
4P2P/2B2N2/ B5b2444223)
1P3PP1/R5K1 b - - 18.h5
0 Some 15 moves
18EndFEN after arriving on h4,
18...Nc7 19.Qxb6 Harry is finally able
Nxb6 20.Ra7 Nba8 to press ahead and
would have seen do keep an eye on
Black regaining his his future career!
pawn and only That said, 18.Bg5!?
slightly worse after might have been a
21.b6 Rxb6 22.Nd2 better try, when...
when White might AEndBracket
hope to make 
something of a StartFEN1r
knight on c4 and 2nk2/3nppbp/
that fine Qq1p2p1/1PpP2B1/
unopposed dark- 4P2P/2N2N2/
squared bishop. 1P3PP1/R5K1 b - -
( 17...Nc7? 8
18.Qxb6 Nxb6 18EndFEN
19.Ra7 Bxc3 18...Bxc3 19.bxc3
20.Rxc7 ) Nc7 is the critical
B5b2444221) line, but at least
18.Ra5 Nc7 here White can
19.Na4 Qxb5 retain pieces with
( 19...Nxa6 20.Qa3 Nxb5 21.
20.Nxb6 Nxb6 Qc1 , with an
unclear StartFEN1
middlegame ahead, r3k2/3nppbp/
albeit one where 1q1p2p1/1NpP3P/
he will have some Q3P3/5N2/
chances on the 1P1B1PP1/R5K1 b
dark squares and --0
kingside. 20EndFEN
BEndBracket 20...Qxb5 21.Qxb5
 Rxb5 would most
StartFEN1r likely have led to a
2nk2/3nppbp/ draw as after 22.
Qq1p2p1/1PpP2B1/ Ra8+ Rb8
4P2P/2N2N2/ StartBracket
1P3PP1/R5K1 b - - and not 22...
8 Nb8? 23.Ba5!
18EndFEN EndBracket
18...Nc7? 19.Qxb6 StartFENR
Nxb6 20.Ra7 would r3k2/3nppbp/3p2p1/
again see White 2pP3P/4P3/5N2/
causing major 1P1B1PP1/6K1 w -
problems along the -2
seventh rank. 23EndFEN
18...Nc7 19.Qa4 23.Rxb8+ Nxb8 24.
Keeping pieces on hxg6 hxg6 25.b3 .
retains a bit of ( 19...Nxb5 20.h6
pressure, which 19. Bf6 21.Nxb5 Qxb5
Qxb6 Nxb6 22.Qxb5 Rxb5
wouldn't have 23.Ra8+ Rb8
done. ( 19.Qxb6 24.Rxb8+ Nxb8
Nxb6 20.h6 Bxc3 25.b3 Nd7 )
21.bxc3 Nxb5 ) 20.Qd1
19...Ra8 B5b24442231)
Allowing White 20...Rb8 21.h6 Bf6
some chances, in 22.Bg5 Nxb5
contrast to which 23.Bxf6 exf6
the simple 19... 24.Nd2 Nxc3
Nxb5! 20.Nxb5 25.bxc3 Qb2
StartBracket 26.Nc4 Qxc3
 20.Qd1? Nd4 27.Rc1 Qb4
is not what White 28.Nxd6 Ne5 29.f4
wants to be Qa3 30.fxe5 Qe3+
doingEndBr 31.Kf1 Rb2
acket 32.Rc2 ( 32.Qe1
Qg5 ) 32...Qb3 spotted this

33.Rc1 Qe3; powerful and neat
B5b24442232) advance a few
20...Rxa1 21.Qxa1 moves in advance.
Ne5 Svidler is in no Suddenly, Black
rush to regain his must be wary of
pawn, but now the white queen
White is able to invading down the
make good use of long diagonal and
Harry and remind the defence isn't an
Black that there will easy one.
always be tactics B5b244422321)
on the back rank. 25...Ke8 26.bxc5
( 21...Bxc3 22.bxc3 Qxc5 27.Bd4
Nxb5 23.c4 Nd4 ) Qc4;
22.h6 Forcing the B5b244422322)
upcoming 25...cxb4 26.Bxb4
exchanges and Ke8 ( 26...Qxb4
also denying the 27.Qh8# ) 27.Qh8+
black king its Kd7 28.Bd2 Qe2
obvious escape 29.Qc3 Qb5;
square. Nxf3+ B5b244422323)
23.gxf3 Bxc3 25...Ne8
This feels like a '??' The pressure
concession, even if Black has been
it does regain the under all game
pawn. Instead, 23... finally takes its toll.
Be5!? , as Svidler was no
proposed by doubt rather
Yermolinsky in his worried by 25...
notes to this cxb4 26.Bxb4 Ke8
encounter for 27.Qh8+ Kd7 28.
Chess.com, would Qxh7! , but it
given Black transpires that
enough time to go Black is somehow
...f6 and ...Kf7, and able to save the
he should be OK day, despite Harry
after, say, 24.Be3 being about to
f6 25.b4 Qb8! . queen: 28...Nxd5!
24.Bxc3 Qxb5 29.exd5 Qxd5! and
25.b4 White isn't able to
Vachier-Lagrave avoid perpetual
had no doubt check. However,
there was no need 29EndFEN

for such heroics 29...Qb1 30.Qg8+
when Kd7 31.Qxf7! Qc1
StartFEN 32.f4 is now a killer
5k2/2n1pp1p/ with h7 followed by
3p2pP/1qpP4/ g6 set to fall and
1P2P3/2B2P2/5P2/ Black too slow after
Q5K1 b - - 0 32...c4 33.Qxh7
25EndFEN Qxf4 34.Qxg6 , in
25...Ke8! was view of 34...c3 35.
available and after h7 c2 36.h8=Q
26.Qa7 Kd7 27. c1=Q 37.Qe6+ Kc7
bxc5 Qxc5 Black 38.Qhc8 . 28.Qa8
would have had c4 White's queen
everything under wriggles her way in
control, with a draw after this, but 28...
again looking likely. Qd7 29.e5 would
26.bxc5 dxc5 also have been
( 26...Qxc5 decisive, and if 29...
27.Bb4 ) 27.Bg7+ c4 30.e6! fxe6 31.
'!' This must have dxe6 Qb5 32.f4! ,
been an enjoyable eliminating any
move to make. The perpetuals and
bishop is leaving Black
untouchable and unable to find a
now the white single good move
queen is set to after 32...Qb1+
invade on the back StartBracket
rank. Kg8 or 32...g5 33.f5!
27...Nxg7? 28. g4 34.Qd8
Qxg7+ Ke8 29. EndBracket
Kg2! 
StartBracket StartFENQ3
avoiding 29. n1k1/4p1Bp/4P1pP/
Qxh7? Qb2! when 8/2p2P2/8/5P2/
Black escapes with 1q4K1 w - - 1
a draw after all, as 33EndFEN
with 30.Qg7 Qc1+ 33.Kg2 Qb5 34.
EndBracket Qd8 . 29.Qd8 Qa4
StartFEN 30.Kg2 Cruel and
4k3/4ppQp/6pP/ precise as White
1qpP4/4P3/5P2/ avoids any checks
5PK1/8 b - - 2 and leaves Black
almost in 14.h5 Ne5 15.Be2 gxh5

zugzwang. Qb5 16.Bxh5 Nxh5 17.Qxh5 b5
31.Bb2 1-0 (31) 4. 18.Qh7+ Kf8 19.Bh6 e6
d4 Nf6 5.Bc4 20.Qxg7+ Ke7 21.dxe6 Kd8
(2751)-Wohl,R 22.Nd5 Qa5+ 23.Bd2 b4
(2714) Chaltubo 24.exf7 ) 10.Ng5 exd5 11.cxd5
(ct) 45/(485) 2021 ( 11.exd5 Re8 12.0-0 Bf5 13.f3
CBM 03 [M. Nbd7 14.Bf4 Ne5 15.Re1 Qc7
Botvinnik] After 31. 16.Bf1 Nh7 17.Qd2 Nxg5
Bb2 Kf8 18.hxg5 Re7 )
StartBracket A1a) 11...Re8
or 31...Qa4 32. A1a1) 12.f3 Nbd7 13.Bf4
Qxe7 Qb5 33.Ba3 ( 13.g4?! Rb8 14.Bf4 Qe7;
EndBracket 13.Be3 Rb8 14.Qd2 Ne5
StartFEN3 15.Ra3 Bd7 16.a5 b5
Qnk2/4pp1p/6pP/ 17.axb6 Rxb6 18.Bxa6
1q1P4/2p1P3/5P2/ Qb8 ) 13...Ne5 14.Qd2 Bd7
1B3PK1/8 w - - 6 ( 14...Rb8 15.0-0 Qa5
32EndFEN 16.Rfb1 Bd7 17.Qc1 c4
32.Ba3! Qb7 Black 18.b4 cxb3 19.Rxb3
might appear to Rec8 ) 15.0-0 Nh7 16.Rab1
have everything Nxg5 17.hxg5 c4 18.b4
defended, but 33. b5;
d6! quickly shatters A1a2) 12.Bf4 Qe7
that illusion and ( 12...Ng4 13.Bxg4 Bxg4
leads to mate. ] 14.f3 Bc8 15.Qb3 Be5
[ 7...a6?! Black's most critical 16.Bxe5 Rxe5 17.f4 Re8
continuation, challenging in the centre 18.0-0 ) 13.0-0 ( 13.a5
without delay. 8.a4 It seems that the Nbd7 14.Ra4 ) 13...Nbd7
insertion of ... a6 and a4 favours white. 14.Bg3 Ne5 15.f4 Neg4
Sipke Ernst: 'tr.' Survey: Janis 16.e5! dxe5 17.d6;
Vitomskis: '' Survey: Janis A1b) 11...Nbd7
Vitomskis: 'Nunn' Clamping down on A1b1) 12.g4?! hxg4
Black's counterplay without delay and 13.Bxg4 Ne5?!
so cutting out all Benko options. ( 13...Nxg4!? 14.Qxg4 Nf6
Always a good response to Black's 15.Qg2 Bd7 ) 14.Be2 Bg4
pawn-to-queen's-rook-three nudge, 15.Bf4? Bxe2! 16.Qxe2
ruling out any ...b5 break for some Nh5! 17.Bd2 c4;
considerable time. A1b2) 12.0-0 Ne5 13.f3
A) 8...h5 Qc7 14.Be3 Bd7 15.Qd2
A1) 9.Nh3 e6 ( 9...Bxh3 Rfb8? 16.Rfc1 ( 16.f4!
10.Rxh3 Nbd7 11.Bg5 Qc7 Neg4 17.e5 dxe5 18.d6
12.g4!? hxg4 13.Bxg4 Rfe8 Qa5 19.Nd5 Qxd2
20.Ne7+ Kf8 21.Bxd2 e4 space advantage and there may

22.f5 Bxf5 23.Nxf5 gxf5 also be ideas of a timely e4-e5 or
24.Rxf5 Rd8 25.Bc3 Rxd6 f4-f5 and if ...Ne5; g2-g4. Finally,
26.Bxg4 hxg4 27.Raf1 ) do note why 12.Rh4 isn't quite as
16...b5 17.axb5 axb5 good: 12...e5! and White is
18.Rxa8 Rxa8 19.Nxb5 unable to take twice on g4 in
Bxb5 20.Bxb5 Qb6; view of the check on h4. 5. King's
A1c) 11...Qc7 12.0-0 Nbd7 Indian Style Main L-5 | Slower
13.f4 c4 14.Be3 Rb8 15.e5 7th Moves | Black,8 '!?' ( 12.Nh3
dxe5 16.d6 Qd8 17.Bxc4; Bd7 13.f5 Ne5 14.0-0 );
A2) 9.f3 Nbd7?! ( 9...e6!? ) C) 8...e6 9.h5 exd5
10.Nh3 Ne5 11.Nf2 Rb8 12.g4 C1) 10.h6;
Qb6 13.g5 Ne8 14.f4; C2) 10.cxd5 Survey: Janis
A3) 9.Nf3; Vitomskis: '1/2:1/2 Anand-
B) 8...Nbd7 '?' 9.h5 White already Khalifman,Reggio Emilia 1991/
enjoys a largely free hand, as Black 92' Re8 11.h6!? Bh8 12.Qc2;
lacks counterplay and also suffers C3) 10.hxg6 d4?! ( 10...fxg6
from something of a problematic 11.e5 dxe5 12.cxd5 ) 11.gxh7+
light-squared bishop. '!' Ne5 Kh8 12.Nd5 Nxe4 13.Nf3 Bg4
B1) 10.Nf3 Neg4 11.h6 Bh8 14.Qc2! Qe8 15.Kf1 Nc6
12.Bf4?! ( 12.Rh4! Ne8 13.Ng5 16.Nh4 Bxe2+ 17.Qxe2;
Ngf6 14.Be3 ) 12...Nh5 13.Bg5 C4) 10.exd5 Ruling out any
f5 14.0-0 f4 15.Re1 Bd7 notion of ...b5, although White
16.e5!? ( 16.Qd2!? ) 16...Nxe5 can also begin with 10.h6 if you
17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Bxh5 gxh5?? prefer. Just as in our main
( 18...Rf5! ) 19.Rxe5! dxe5 20.d6 StartBracket7...
Bg4 21.Qd5+ e6 22.Qxe5 Qd7 e6EndBracket line,
23.Be7 Rf7 24.Ne4 Rxe7 retaining the symmetry of the
25.Nf6+; pawn structure also retains
B2) 10.h6 Our favourite long- control and an edge for White,
term, kingside squeezing-up which is an even better choice
move appears even better here than the 10.hxg6!? of Williams-
than the 10.Nf3 of Artemiev- Palliser. Main Chapter and
Bodnaruk, Internet Extended Variations Chapter 5:
StartBracketblitzEndBr KID Style Main Line
acket 2021. 10...Bh8 11.f4 StartBracket5...d6
Neg4 12.Ra3 By no means the transposesEndBracket
only good move, but one we Variation: 5B | Black plays 9...a6
quite like. If Black is careless the 10...Re8 ( 10...Nbd7 11.h6
rook might manage to swing Cramping and preferable to the
across to g3 and win material. overly-ambitious 11.g4?! of
Now Nh3-g5 is on the agenda, Ruckschloss-Treybal, Slovakian
exploiting White's significant League 2006, when 11...Ne5
would have offered Black decent 12.Nxe4 Rxe4 13.Nf3 Bg4

counterplay. Bh8 12.Bg5 14.Bg5 ( 14.Qc2 Bxf3
The most active square for the 15.Bxf3 Rh4 16.Rxh4 Qxh4
bishop and a choice consistent 17.g3 Qh3+ 18.Bg2 Qxh5
with our play in the main line, 19.Bf4 Nd7 20.Bxd6 ) 14...Bf6
although 12.Nf3 , possibly 15.hxg6 Survey: Janis
looking to go Ng5, must also be Vitomskis: 'Sax,Hazai' hxg6
a decent option. After 12.Bg5 ( 15...Bxg5?? 16.gxf7+ )
White is all set to go 13.Nf3 and C4a1) 16.Be3 Nd7 17.Nd2
14.O-O, so Black pretty much C4a11) 17...Bxe2+
must head forwards with his 18.Qxe2 Re8 19.Qg4 b5
knight: Ne5 13.Kf1 20.Qh3 ( 20.axb5 axb5
Keeping pieces on, unlike 13.Nf3 21.Rxa8 Qxa8 22.Qxd7
Nxf3+ 14.Bxf3 Re8+ After Qa1+ 23.Ke2 Rxe3+
StartFENr1bq1rkb/ 24.fxe3 Qxh1 25.cxb5
1p3p1p/p2p1npP/2pPn1B1/P1P5/ Qxg2+ 26.Kd1 Qg1+ )
2N5/1P2BPP1/R2QK1NR w KQ - 20...Nf8;
3 13EndFEN 13.Kf1!? C4a12) 17...Rxe3 '?!'
White has the simple idea of g2- 18.fxe3 Bxe2+ 19.Qxe2
g3 and Kg2 to untangle his Qe7 20.Rh3 Re8
position, may go f2-f3 to keep 21.Rb1 Bg5 22.Re1
Black out of g4 Qf6+ 23.Qf2 ( 23.Qf3
StartBracketthe king's Qxb2 24.Qg4 ) 23...Qxb2
knight can always emerge via 24.Nf3 Qxf2+ 25.Kxf2
h3EndBracket, and Rh4 Bf6 26.Rb1 b6 27.Ke2
is another idea to very much bear Re4 28.Kd3 Rg4 29.g3
in mind, introducing ideas of Rf4. Kf8 ( 29...a5 ) 30.a5
In short, White's game-plan is to bxa5 31.Rb7 Ke7
deny Black counterplay and only 32.Ra7 a4 33.Rxa6
then begin to head forwards. Ne5+ 34.Nxe5 Bxe5
Qb6 14.Ra3 An important 35.Ra7+ Kf6 36.Rh7
response to Black's queen move. Rxg3 37.Rhxf7+ Kg5
White can now maintain control 38.Rxa4 Rg1 39.Ra2
of the queenside with Rb3 and, Kg4 40.Re7 ( 40.Raf2
of course, snatching on b2 would Rd1+ 41.Kc2 Rg1
see Black losing the queen. 5. 42.Rf1 Rg2+ 43.R7f2
King's Indian Style Main L-5B | Rg3 44.Kd3 ) 40...Bg3
KID with 6...c5 + 7...e6 ) 41.Re6 ( 41.Ra8 ) 41...g5
C4a) 11.Kf1!? This is the 42.Ra6 Rd1+ 43.Ke4
move I am recommending Rc1 44.Raxd6 Bxd6
when ...a6 and a4 are not 45.Rxd6 Rxc4+ 46.Kd3
inserted. The textmove is more Rc1 47.Rf6
promising however Ne4 C4a121) 47...Rd1+
48.Kc4 Rc1+ 49.Kb5 86.Qe1+ Kh2

c4 50.d6 c3 51.Kc4 87.Qd2+ Kh1 88.Qc1+
Kh5 52.Kb3 g4 Kh2 89.Qc2+ Kh1
53.Rf5+ Kg6 90.Qh7+ 1-0 (90)
( 53...Kh4 54.e4 c2 Molina,R (2882)-4.d4
55.Rd5 ) 54.Rd5 Rb1+ Nf6 5.Bc4 (2778)
55.Kxc3 Rb8 56.Kc4 Matanzas 2019 CBM
Kf6 57.Rd4 Ke6; 94 [Stoeppel,Dirk];
C4a122) 47...Kh5 C4a2) 16.Bd3!? Re8
48.d6 g4 49.Ke4 17.Bf4 Bg7 18.Qd2;
( 49.Rf5+ Kg6 50.Rd5 C4a3) 16.Qc2 Re8
Rd1+ 51.Kc4 Rxd5 17.Bd2;
52.Kxd5 Kf7 ) 49...Rd1 C4b) 11.hxg6 hxg6 12.Bg5
50.Rf5+ Kg6 51.Rd5 ( 12.Kf1!? ) 12...Nbd7
Rxd5 52.Kxd5 Kf7 C4b1) 13.Qd2 Qa5 14.Nf3
53.Kc6 g3 54.d7 g2 Ng4?
55.d8Q g1Q; C4b11) 15.Ne4! Qc7
C4a123) 47...c4+ ( 15...Qxd2+ 16.Nfxd2
48.Kd2 Ra1 49.d6 Bxb2 17.Rb1 ) 16.Qf4
Ra3 50.e4 Rd3+ Nde5 17.Nxe5 Rxe5
51.Kc2 Kh3 52.e5 g4 18.Bxg4 f5 19.Qh2
53.Rh6+ Kg2 54.Rh7 Rxe4+ 20.Be2;
g3 55.d7 Kf2 56.e6 C4b12) 15.Kf1?! Nge5
g2 57.Rf7+ Ke2 16.Bh6 Bh8 17.Bf4 Nxf3
58.Rg7 Kf2 59.Rxg2+ 18.gxf3 Nf6 19.Bd3 Qc7
Kxg2 60.e7 Rxd7 20.Kg2;
61.e8Q Rd3 62.Qe4+ C4b2) 13.Nf3 Ne5
Kf2 63.Qxc4 Rf3 14.Nxe5 ( 14.Kf1!? )
64.Kd2 Kg3 65.Qe4 14...Rxe5 15.f4 Re3
Rf4 66.Qg6+ Kf2 ( 15...Re8! 16.Kf1 Qa5! )
67.Qg5 Rf3 68.Qg4 16.Qd2 Qe8 17.Kf2 Ne4+
Ra3 69.Qd4+ Kf1 18.Nxe4 Rxe4 19.Bf3
70.Qf6+ Kg2 71.Ke2 Bd4+?? ( 19...Bf5! 20.Bxe4
Rg3 72.Qf5 Kh2 Qxe4 ) 20.Kg3 ( 20.Qxd4!! )
73.Qh5+ Kg1 74.Qh4 20...Re3 21.Qxd4!! cxd4
Kg2 75.Qe4+ Kg1 22.Bf6! Bh3 23.Rxh3
76.Qd5 Rg6 77.Qd4+ Chapter 9-Game 2 Game
Kh2 78.Qh4+ Kg1 2;
79.Kf3 Rg2 80.Qe1+ C4c) 11.h6 Bh8 12.Bg5
Kh2 81.Qe5+ Kh1 C4c1) 12...Qa5 13.Kf1
82.Qh8+ Kg1 83.Qh4 Nbd7 14.f4 ( 14.Rh4 Ne5
Rg8 84.Qd4+ Kh1 15.Ra3 ) 14...Rb8 15.Nh3
85.Qh4+ Kg1 Ne4 16.Nxe4 Rxe4;
C4c2) 12...Qb6 b5! ( 11...Kg7? ) 12.cxb5?!

C4c21) 13.a5?! Qxb2 axb5 13.Bxb5 Ne5;
14.Na4?! Qe5? B2b) 10.a4! Ne5 11.Nh3! e6
( 14...Qd4! 15.Qxd4 12.f4 Nf7 13.dxe6 Bxe6
cxd4 16.Nb6 Ne4!! 14.Nf2 ]
17.Bf4 d3 18.Rc1 Bd4 [ 7...h6 8.g4! Ne8 9.Be3 e5?
19.Nxa8 Nxf2 ) 15.Nf3 10.Qd2 Kh7 11.0-0-0 f5 12.gxf5
Qe7 16.Nb6 Ra7 gxf5 13.f4 exf4 14.Bxf4 Nf6 15.e5
17.Ra3 Nbd7 18.Re3 ( 15.exf5 Bxf5 16.Nh3 Ne8 17.Bd3 )
Qf8 19.Nxc8 Rxe3 15...dxe5 16.Bxe5 Ne4 17.Nxe4
20.Nxa7; Bxe5 18.Nf2 ( 18.Nf3 fxe4 19.Nxe5 )
C4c22) 13.b3 Bf5?! 18...Qd6 19.Nd3 Bg7 20.Qf4 Qxf4+
( 13...Ng4! 14.Rc1 Bd4 21.Nxf4 ]
15.Nh3 Nd7 16.0-0 [ 7...Qa5 8.Bd2 e6 9.g4 exd5 10.g5!
Nde5 ) 14.Kf1 Nbd7 Ne8 11.Nxd5 ( 11.exd5 )]
15.Ra2 Nf8 16.f3 Bd7 [ 7...Qb6?! 8.h5 ( 8.g4 )]
17.Bd3 Nh5 18.Nce2!; 8.h5 White needs to justify his early h4
C4c23) 13.Ra2 '!?' move The one thing that Black's
13...Ne4 ( 13...Nbd7 last move didn't do is prevent our
14.Nf3 Ne5 15.0-0 favourite advance, so on marches
Nxf3+ 16.Bxf3 Qb4 Harry. There's no reason
17.Be2 ) 14.Nxe4 Rxe4 whatsoever not to press ahead so
15.Kf1 12 Mainline 5... and now White may even be able to
c5 6.d5-black delays ...e6 restrict Black's counterplay with a
[Sipke Ernst] ] cramping h5-h6 and Bg5. 8...exd5
[ 7...Na6 transposes ] The typical Modern Benoni follow-
[ 7...Nbd7 8.h5 up and invariably played. Otherwise,
A) 8...Re8 9.hxg6 ( 9.h6 Bh8 White should simply continue with
10.Nh3 Nf8 11.Ng5 ) 9...fxg6 h6 Bh8; Bg5, cramping Black, and
10.Bf4?! a6 11.Nh3 b5 12.cxb5?! we'll see 8...a6 9.a4 by
axb5 13.Ng5 b4 14.Nb1 Nf8 transposition in Williams-Palliser.
15.Nd2 h6 16.Nh3 e6 17.dxe6 9.exd5 Sipke Ernst: 'tr.' '!' Consistent and
Nxe6 18.Kf1 Nd4; now the spectre of a possible h5-h6
B) 8...a6 looms over Black, as well as the
B1) 9.h6! Bh8 straightforward plan of opening the
B1a) 10.f4? b5! 11.Qc2 Nb6 h-file. Maintaining full control by
12.cxb5 axb5 13.Bxb5 e6 retaining a symmetrical structure
( 13...Bd7 14.Bxd7 Qxd7 ) and so denying Black the easier
14.dxe6 Bxe6; counterplay both 9.hxg6 fxg6 and
B1b) 10.a4 Ne5 11.Ra3 Bd7 StartFENrnbq1rk1/pp3pbp/
12.f4 Neg4 13.a5; 3p1np1/2pp3P/2P1P3/2N5/
B2) 9.hxg6 fxg6 PP2BPP1/R1BQK1NR w KQ - 0
B2a) 10.Bh6? Bxh6 11.Rxh6 9EndFEN 9.cxd5 Re8 allow
him. After StartFENrnbq1rk1/ 16...Nh7 17.Bc4 Ne5;

pp3pbp/3p1np1/2pp3P/2P1P3/2N5/ A3a2) 11.Bg5
PP2BPP1/R1BQK1NR w KQ - 0 A3a21) 11...Qa5?! 12.f3
9EndFEN 9.exd5! White is a6 13.a4 ( 13.Qd2!? b5
ready to increase the pressure with 14.Bh6 Bh8 15.Bf4 Qb6
Bg5 and h5-h6. Another useful 16.g4 ) 13...Nbd7
move is likely to be Qd2 and even 14.Nh3?! Nh5! 15.0-0
Kf1 may prove useful if White Bd4+ 16.Nf2? ( 16.Kh2! )
wishes to step off the e-file. Once 16...Ng3! 17.Re1 Kg7!
again, the best recapture, denying 18.Qd2 Rh8;
Black the counterplay 9.cxd5 Re8 A3a22) 11...a6 12.a4
and 9.hxg6 fxg6 would grant him, Qa5 ( 12...Qb6 13.Qc2
not least with the king's rook. Nbd7 14.a5 Qc7 15.Nf3
[ 9.cxd5 As a rule in this variation. The b5 16.axb6 Qxb6
most common Benoni structure after 17.Nd2; 12...Nbd7!? )
cxd5 is in Black's favour because the A3a221) 13.Qd2 b5
h4 advance is not very useful and 14.f3 Nbd7 15.Bh6
sometimes is just a waste of time. As Bh8 16.Bf4 ( 16.Kf1!
we can see in the analysis, Black b4 17.Nd1 Ne5
obtains decent counterplay after: 18.Ne3 ) 16...Ne5
A) 9...Re8!? The Standard 17.Bxe5 Rxe5;
counterplay in the centre is possible A3a222) 13.Bd2 Qc7
too GM Pavel Eljanov: 'The 14.Rh4!? Nbd7 15.Nf3
Standart counterplay in the centre Rb8 16.Kf1 c4?!
is possible too' ( 16...Ne5!? ) 17.Be3
A1) 10.h6 is possible here too, b6 18.Kg1 Nc5 19.e5
but Black is just fine. He has dxe5 20.Rxc4;
enough counterplay in the centre A3a23) 11...Qb6 12.Qc2
and on the queenside. Bh8; Na6 13.a3? ( 13.f3 Nh5
A2) 10.Qc2 Nbd7 11.hxg6 14.Qd2 Ng3 15.Rh2 c4
hxg6 12.Bh6 Bxh6 13.Rxh6 b5 16.Be3 ) 13...c4 14.Be3
14.Bxb5 Nxe4! 15.Bxd7?? Nc5 15.Rd1 Ng4
( 15.Nge2 Qg5 16.Rh2 ) 16.Bxg4 Bxg4 17.f3?
15...Bxd7 16.Nxe4 Qg5!; ( 17.Nge2 Nd3+ 18.Kd2
A3) 10.hxg6 Qd8 ) 17...Nxe4!!
A3a) 10...hxg6 18.Bxb6 Nxc3+ 19.Kf2
A3a1) 11.f3 a6 12.a4 Bf5 20.Qd2 Nxd1+
( 12.Bg5!? ) 12...Qa5? 21.Qxd1 axb6
13.Ra3?! ( 13.Bh6! Bh8 Chapter 12-Game 2
14.Bd2! ) 13...Nbd7 Game 2;
14.Bd2? ( 14.Kf1! ) 14...Qc7 A3b) 10...fxg6
15.g4 ( 15.Qc1!? ) 15...Rb8 A3b1) 11.Bg5
16.g5? ( 16.Qc1!? ) A3b11) 11...Qa5 12.Qd2
Nbd7 13.Nf3 ( 13.f3!? ) ( 11.Kf1! ) 11...h6 12.Be3 g5

13...a6 14.0-0 b5 15.a3 13.Rh2 Nxe4 14.Rc1 f5 15.Qd3
Qc7 16.Bh6 b4 17.Na4 Nxc3 16.bxc3 f4;
Nxe4 18.Qc1 bxa3 D) 9...Qe7?! 10.hxg6 ( 10.h6 Bh8
19.Rxa3 Bxh6 20.Qxh6 11.Bg5 ) 10...fxg6 11.Bg5 ( 11.f3?
Ndf6; Nh5 12.g4 Nf4 13.Bxf4 Rxf4
A3b12) 11...Nbd7 14.Qd2 Be5 15.0-0-0 Na6 16.Nh3
12.Qc2 a6 13.a4 Ne5 g5 17.Bxa6 bxa6 18.Ne2 Rxf3 )
14.Nf3 Nxf3+ 15.gxf3 11...Nbd7 12.Bg4? ( 12.Nf3 Ne5 )
Bd7 16.Qc1 Qe7 17.Kf1 12...Ne5 13.Bxc8 Raxc8 14.Nf3
Qf7 18.Qf4 Re5; Nf7 15.Qc2? Nxg5 16.Nxg5 Nxd5
A3b2) 11.f3?! Nbd7 17.Nxh7 Bxc3+ 18.bxc3 Rf7
( 11...Nh5! ) 12.Be3 a6 19.0-0-0 Nf4 20.Qd2 c4 21.Qe3
( 12...Nh5! ) 13.Qd2 b5 Qe5;
14.Nh3 b4 15.Nd1 Ne5 E) 9...b5!?
16.Ndf2 Bd7?! 17.Ng5 E1) 10.hxg6?!
Qa5 18.a3!; E1a) 10...hxg6 11.Bxb5 Nxe4
A3b3) 11.Qc2 a6 12.Nge2? ( 12.Nxe4 Qa5+
( 11...Na6 12.a3 Rb8 13.Bd2 Qxb5 14.Ne2 Nd7 )
13.Bh6 Bh8 14.f3 Nc7 12...Qa5?! ( 12...Nxc3!
15.a4 a6 16.a5 b6 ) 12.a4 13.Nxc3 Nd7! 14.Bh6 Bxh6
Nbd7⇆ Black is fully 15.Rxh6 Re8+ 16.Kf1 Rb8
developed. Ne5 is coming 17.Qd2 a6 ) 13.Qa4 Qxa4
soon and I can't see how 14.Bxa4 Nxc3 15.Nxc3 Nd7
White can use the semi- 16.Bg5 Rb8;
open h-file. 13.Nf3 Nf8 E1b) 10...fxg6?!
( 13...Rb8?!; 13...Qe7 E1b1) 11.e5! dxe5
14.Bg5 Ne5 15.Nd2 Nf7 ) 12.Bxb5 Ba6 13.a4 Bxb5
14.Bg5 Bg4 15.Ra3 Qc7 14.axb5 Nbd7 15.Nf3
16.a5 Bxf3 17.Bxf3 N8d7 ( 15.Be3 a6 16.bxa6 Qb6
18.Ne2; 17.Nge2 Rxa6 18.Rh4
B) 9...Nbd7 10.hxg6 ( 10.h6 Bh8 Rxa1 19.Qxa1 e4 )
11.Qc2 a6 12.a4 Ne5 ) 10...fxg6 15...Nb6 16.Ng5 ( 16.d6!? )
11.Bg5?! ( 11.Nf3!? ) 11...a6 16...Qd7 17.Be3 Rfc8
12.Qd2 Re8 13.f3 b5 14.a3 c4 18.Qe2 c4 19.Rd1 Rab8
15.Nh3 Nc5; 20.d6;
C) 9...Qe8?! 10.Rh4!? ( 10.h6 E1b2) 11.Bxb5?! Ba6
Bh8 11.Rh4 ) 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 13.Nge2 c4
C1) 10...a6 11.a4 Nbd7 14.Be3 Ng4 15.Bd4 Nc5
12.hxg6? ( 12.h6! Bh8 13.Kf1 ) 16.Bxc5 dxc5;
12...fxg6 13.Nf3 Ne5 14.Ra3 E1b3) 11.Bg5? b4 12.Nb1
Nxf3+ 15.gxf3 Nh5; Qe8 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Qc2
C2) 10...Na6 11.Bg5? Qe5 15.Nd2 Qxb2
16.Qxb2 Bxb2; cramp à la AlphaZero and then pin?

E1c) 10...b4! 11.gxh7+ Kh8 10...Bh8 11.Bg5 Pinning and, of
12.Nb1 Nxe4 13.Nf3 Nd7 course, ...Qe5 can just be met by
14.Qc2 Ndf6 15.0-0 Bb7; Nf3. 11...Re8 12.Nf3 . White simply
E2) 10.e5 after any other move. intends O-O followed by Re1 with a
Black just achive a wonderful pleasant space advantage right
Benoni '!' 10...dxe5 11.h6 '!' Bh8 across the board, although we
12.Bxb5 '!' Ne8 13.Nh3 Nd6⇆ should admit that 12.Rh4!? Qf8 13.
The position is quite interesting, Kf1 is also quite tempting and
but it is obvious that Black has a strong.
good chances. e5-e4 will come [ 9...a6
soon, Qb6 is another idea. ] A) 10.hxg6 fxg6 11.Nf3 ( 11.Bg5
[ 9.h6 Bh8 10.exd5 ] b5 12.Nf3 b4 13.Ne4 Qe7
9...Re8 We now have a 'look-alike' from 14.Ng3; 11.Bh6? Bxh6 12.Rxh6
chapter 5 [/course/80564/5], except Nbd7 13.Qd2 Ne5 14.f3 Nh5
it would be Black's move there and 15.0-0-0 Qe7 ) 11...Nbd7 12.Ng5
he could do something useful, like Ne5 13.f4 Nf7 14.Ne6 Qe7
9...b6. Here Black can still eke out a 15.Nxf8 Kxf8 16.0-0;
living - if he's careful! Black's main B) 10.h6 Bh8 11.Bg5 Nbd7
move by quite some margin, 12.Nf3 Qc7 13.0-0 Ng4 14.Qd2
pinning and so threatening ...Nxh5. Nde5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.f4 Ng4
It has also been the choice of David 17.Bxg4 Bxg4 18.Rae1 Bd4+
Vigorito and Gawain Jones in their 19.Kh2 f6 20.Bh4 Rae8 21.b4
respective King's Indian repertoires. Bf5 22.bxc5 dxc5 23.Bf2 ]
AEndBracket [ 9...Qe7
StartFENrnbq1rk1/pp3pbp/ A) 10.h6! Bh8 11.Bg5 Re8
3p1np1/2pP3P/2P5/2N5/PP2BPP1/ 12.Kf1;
R1BQK1NR b KQ - 0 B) 10.Kf1!? Nbd7 11.h6! ( 11.g4?!
9EndFEN 9...Qb6?! 10.h6 Ne5 12.f3 Nfd7 13.Nh3 Nb6
Bh8 11.g4! when Black is already 14.Qb3 Nbxc4 15.Bxc4 Nxf3
running out of good moves, with f2- 16.Nf2 f5 17.g5 Nd4 18.Qd1 f4 )
f3 set to keep him out of g4 and do 11...Bh8 12.Bg5 Re8 ( 12...Ne5
note that problem bishop on c8. 13.f4 Ned7 14.Nh3 Qe3 15.Nf2 )
Meanwhile White might go Qc2 and 13.Rh4;
Bg5 or Bf4, or untangle his kingside C) 10.hxg6?! fxg6 11.Bg5 Nbd7
pieces with Nh3-g5 followed by O-O C1) 12.Qd2 Ne5 13.0-0-0 Nf7
or Kf1. BEndBracket 14.Bh4 a6 15.Nh3 Bd7
StartFENrnbq1rk1/pp3pbp/ 16.Rde1 Qd8 17.g4 b5 18.g5
3p1np1/2pP3P/2P5/2N5/PP2BPP1/ ( 18.f3!? ) 18...Ne8 19.f4?! Qa5
R1BQK1NR b KQ - 0 20.Nf2? b4;
9EndFEN 9...Qe7?! 10.h6! C2) 12.Nf3 Ne5 13.0-0 Nf7
White has often preferred 10.Kf1 14.Bh4 ( 14.Qd2 Bg4 15.Rae1
and 10.hxg6 here, but why not Rae8 16.Bd1 Qd8 ) 14...Bg4
15.Qc2 Bxf3?! ( 15...Rae8! R1BQK1NR w KQ - 1

16.Rad1 a6 17.a4 g5!! 18.Nxg5 10EndFEN 10.Kf1 Ne4! 11.
Nxg5 19.Bxg5 Bxe2 20.Rde1 Nxe4 Rxe4 12.Nf3 Bg4 should be
Qf7 21.Rxe2 Ng4 ) 16.Bxf3 Ne5 OK for Black. This advance does
17.Be2 Qd7 18.Rae1 Rae8 mean that White won't be playing
19.b3 ] for mate in a hurry, but is still a
[ 9...gxh5 ] good use of Harry. Black will now
[ 9...Na6 ] always have long-term concerns
[ 9...Qa5 ] over his king. White's short-term
[ 9...Qb6?! 10.g4! Re8 11.f3 goal: to pin the knight on f6, then
When black's position is sort of lost maintain control.
as there is no plan for counterplay [ 10.hxg6 is again well met by
and black didn't manage to relieve his A) 10...hxg6
position with a couple of exchanges of A1) 11.Kf1 Na6 12.Nf3 Bf5
minor pieces. When white finishes 13.a3 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4
development the game is more or less 15.Ng5 Qf6 16.Rh3 ( 16.Nxe4
over. An example line goes Nbd7 Rxe4 17.Bd3 Rh4 18.Rxh4
12.h6 Bh8 13.Nh3 Ne5 14.0-0 Bd7 Qxh4 19.Kg1 Be5 20.g3 Bxg3
15.Nf2+- a6 16.Kg2 Re7 17.Qc2 21.fxg3 Qxg3+ 22.Kf1 Re8
Rae8 18.Bg5+- Stockfish already 23.Be2 Qh3+ ) 16...Re7
gives over +3 advantage to white. ] 17.Nxe4 Rxe4 18.Kg1 Rae8
Sipke Ernst: 'There are plenty of 19.Be3;
interesting alternatives to explore, e. A2) 11.Bg5
g.' 10.h6! the same idea to secure A2a) 11...Qb6 12.Qd2
h6-pawn Sipke Ernst: '!?' '!?' '!?' '!?' ( 12.b3! Qa5 13.Bd2! Nbd7
Grischuk's and Giri's choice, 14.Kf1 a6 15.Nf3 ) 12...Ne4
clamping down on Black in 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.f3 Qxb2
AlphaZero style once again. White's ( 14...Rd4 15.Qe3 Nd7
most popular choice has actually 16.Qe8+ Nf8 ) 15.Qxb2 Bxb2
been 10.hxg6 , but after 10...fxg6 16.fxe4 Bxa1 17.Be7 Nd7
11.Nf3 StartBracket 11. 18.Nf3 ( 18.Bxd6 Bc3+
Bh6?! Bxh6 12.Rxh6 Nbd7 doesn't 19.Kd1 Be5 20.Be7 )
lead anywhere for 18...Bc3+ 19.Kd1 Nf6 20.e5
WhiteEndBracket Ng4 ( 20...Ne4! ) 21.Kc2 Ba5
StartFENrnbqr1k1/pp4bp/ 22.Ng5 Bf5+ 23.Kb3 Bd8
3p1np1/2pP4/2P5/2N2N2/ 24.Bxd8 Rxd8 25.Bxg4 Bxg4
PP2BPP1/R1BQK2R b KQ - 1 26.Rh8+ Kxh8 27.Nxf7+ Kg7
11EndFEN 11...Nbd7 Black 28.Nxd8 dxe5 29.Nxb7 e4
should have enough counterplay 30.Nxc5 e3 31.Kc3 Kf6
with ...Ne5 and/or ...Qe7 on their 32.d6? ( 32.Nd3! Bf5
way. Likewise, 33.Ne1 ) 32...Bf5 33.Na6?
StartFENrnbqr1k1/pp3pbp/ ( 33.a3!? ) 33...Ke5 34.c5 Kf4
3p1np1/2pP3P/2P5/2N5/PP2BPP1/ 35.Nb4 Kg3 36.Nc2 e2
37.Ne1 Kf2 38.Kd2 Bd7 19.Qh6? Bd3+ 20.Kg1

39.g4 g5 40.Nd3+ Kf1 Rae8 ) 18...Bh8 19.Bf4;
41.Ne1 Kf2 42.Nd3+ Kf1 A3) 11.Bh6
43.a3 a5 44.Ne1 Kf2 A3a) 11...Bg4?! 12.Qd2!
45.Nd3+ Kf1 46.Ne1 Kf2 ( 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Qd2 Rh8
47.Nc2 Ba4 48.Ne1 Bd7 14.Rxh8 Qxh8 15.0-0-0 Bxe2
Chapter Introduction-Game 5 16.Ngxe2 Nbd7 17.Ng3! Qh6
Game 5; 18.Qxh6+ Kxh6 19.Nge4 )
A2b) 11...Nbd7 12.Qd2 12...Bxe2 13.Ngxe2 Bh8
A2b1) 12...a6 13.Kf1 14.Bg5 Bg7 15.0-0-0;
A2b11) 13...Ne5?! A3b) 11...Bxh6 12.Rxh6
14.Qf4! Bf5 A3b1) 12...Kg7 13.Qd2
A2b111) 15.Bh6? Rh8? ( 13...a6 14.0-0-0
Nd3?? ( 15...Neg4! Rh8 15.Rxh8 Qxh8 16.Nf3
16.Bxg7 Kxg7 ) Bg4 17.Ng5 Bxe2
16.Qd2 Rxe2 18.Qxe2; 13...Ne4 14.Nxe4
17.Ngxe2 Bh8 Rxe4 15.0-0-0 Qf6 16.Rh2
18.Bg5; Qf4 17.Qxf4 Rxf4 18.f3 )
A2b112) 15.Qh4; 14.Rxh8 Qxh8 15.Qf4 Na6
A2b12) 13...Qe7 ( 15...Qd8 16.0-0-0 a6
A2b121) 14.Qf4 17.Nf3 b5 18.Ng5 Qe7
Qe5?! ( 14...b5!? ) 19.Rh1 Nh5 20.Bxh5 gxh5
15.Qh4 Qd4 16.g4 21.Nce4 ) 16.a3 Bf5
Qe5 17.Bh6 Nh7 17.Qxd6 Re8 18.Qf4 Ne4
18.Nf3 Qe7 19.g5 19.Nxe4 Rxe4 20.Qg3
Qf8 20.Bxg7 Qxg7 Qe8 21.Kf1 Rd4 22.Re1
21.Ne4; Rd2 23.Qc3+ Rd4 24.Nf3;
A2b122) 14.Nf3!? Qf8 A3b2) 12...Ng4 13.Rh1
15.Qf4 Nh7 16.Bh6 Qf6 14.Nf3 a6 15.Kf1 Bf5
Bxh6 17.Rxh6 Ndf6 16.Qd2 Nd7;
18.Rh1 Bf5 19.Nd2 B) 10...fxg6 '!?' 11.Nf3 ( 11.Bg5
Re5 20.g4 g5 21.Qh2 a6 12.Kf1 Nbd7 13.Nh3 Ne5
Bg6 22.Nf3 Nxg4 14.Nf4 Nf7 ) 11...Nbd7⇆ 12.Bg5
23.Qg3; Ne5 13.Nxe5 Rxe5 14.Qd2 Qf8 ]
A2b2) 12...b5 13.cxb5 a6 [ 10.Kf1!? Sipke Ernst: 'tr.' '!' A neat
14.0-0-0 Qb6 15.Bh6 Bh8 sidestep. White retains the option of
16.Nf3 axb5 17.Bxb5 Rxa2 h5-h6 and Bg5 and may also
18.Nxa2 Qxb5; complete development with Bf3,
A2b3) 12...Ne5 13.Kf1 before or after Nf3-g5. 10.hxg6 hxg6
Qb6 14.Rc1 ( 14.Bh6! Bh8 11.Bg5 is also logical, but after 11...
15.Re1 ) 14...Bf5 15.b3 a6 Qb6! Black had sufficient counterplay
16.Nf3 Nxf3 17.Bxf3 Re5 in Rapport-Grandelius, Malmo 2013.
18.Bh6 ( 18.Bxf6? Bxf6 A) 10...Nbd7 Sipke Ernst: 'tr.'
A1) 11.g4? Bf5;

A1a) 11...Ne4!? 12.Nxe4 A2b) 11...hxg6?!
Rxe4 13.Qc2 ( 13.f3? Rd4! A2b1) 12.Bh6?! Bxh6
14.Qc2 b5 15.Be3 bxc4 ( 12...Ne5?! 13.Qd2 Neg4
16.Bxd4 Bxd4 ) 13...Re8 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Bxg4
14.a4 Ne5; Nxg4 16.Re1 Rxe1+
A1b) 11...Ne5?! 12.h6 Bh8 17.Kxe1 g5 18.Qd3 Nh6
13.f3; 19.Nge2 ) 13.Rxh6 Kg7
A1c) 11...b5! 14.Qd2 Ne5 15.Re1 Bf5!
A1c1) 12.cxb5 Ne4 16.Nf3 Nxf3 17.Bxf3
13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.Qc2 Qe7 Bd3+;
15.Bd2 Nb6 16.h6 Bf8! A2b2) 12.Bf4?! Ne4!
( 16...Bh8 ); 13.Nf3 Nxc3 14.bxc3 Nf6
A1c2) 12.Nxb5 Ne4! 15.Ng5 Ne4!;
13.Kg2 a6 14.Nc3 A2b3) 12.Bg5! b5!?
( 14.Na3 Rb8 ) 14...Bxc3! ( 12...Qb6 13.b3!; 12...a6
15.bxc3 Nxc3 16.Qc2 13.a4 Qb6 14.Qd2 Ne5
Nxe2 17.Nxe2 15.a5 Qc7 16.Bh6 )
A1c21) 17...Rb8!? 13.cxb5 a6 14.a4 axb5
18.Bf4? ( 18.g5 Ne5 15.Bxb5 Ba6 16.Nf3
19.Ng3 Bg4 20.f4 Bf3+ Bxb5+ ( 16...Qa5 17.Rh4 )
21.Kf2 Bxh1 22.fxe5 17.axb5 Rxa1 18.Qxa1
Rxe5 23.Nxh1 Qd7 ) Qb8;
18...Ne5 19.f3 Rb2!! A3) 11.Bg5?! h6! 12.Bf4
20.Qxb2 Nd3; ( 12.Bd2 g5! 13.Nf3 Ne4
A1c22) 17...Ne5! 14.Nxe4 Rxe4; 12.Bxf6 Qxf6
18.hxg6 fxg6 19.f3 Nxf3! 13.hxg6 fxg6 14.Qc2 Ne5 )
20.Kxf3 Ra7!; A3a) 12...Ne5 13.hxg6 fxg6
A2) 11.hxg6 14.Bxh6 Bxh6 15.Rxh6 Kg7
A2a) 11...fxg6! 12.Nf3 16.Qd2 Nfg4 ( 16...Bf5
A2a1) 12...Nf8?! 17.Rh1 Rh8 ) 17.Rh1 Qf6
A2a11) 13.Bd3 Bg4 18.Bxg4! Nxg4 19.Nf3 Bf5
14.Bg5 Qb6 20.Kg1;
( 14...N8d7!? ) 15.Rb1 A3b) 12...g5! 13.Bxd6 b5!
N8d7 16.Qd2 Ne5 14.cxb5 ( 14.Qc2 bxc4
( 16...Bxf3? 17.gxf3 Ne5 15.Rd1 Qb6 16.Bg3 Ne5 )
18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Ne4 14...a6 15.Bg3 Ne4 16.Nxe4
Bg7 20.Ng5 ) 17.Nxe5 Rxe4 17.Nf3 axb5 18.Bxb5
Rxe5 18.Bf4; Bxb2 19.Rb1 Rxa2 20.Kg1
A2a12) 13.Bg5 Bg4 ( 20.Qb3 Qa5 21.Bxd7
14.Rh4; Bxd7 ) 20...Nf6 21.Qc2 Qb6
A2a2) 12...Ne5 13.Nxe5 22.Bc4 Ra1;
Rxe5 14.Bf4 Re7 15.g3 A4) 11.h6 Bh8 12.Bg5
GM Ivan Cheparinov: '' 15.Nf3 Bxa1 '?!' 16.Qxa1

A4a) 12...a6 tr.; ( 16.Bd3 Bf6 17.Bxe4 Qd8
A4b) 12...Ne5 not so sure the 18.Bf4 Qe7 19.Bc2 Ne5
knight is well placed here. It is 20.Nxe5 Bxe5 21.Qe1 f6 )
kind of in the way of all the 16...f6 ( 16...Ne5? 17.Rh4
other pieces. 13.g3 Rxh4 18.Bxh4 Qc7 19.Nxe5
Black's set-up might look dxe5 20.f4+- ) 17.Nd2! Rxe2
active, but he is actually a little ( 17...Re5 18.Bh4 ) 18.Kxe2;
low on counterplay and B) 10...a6?! 11.h6 Bh8 '?!'
suffering from a slightly ( 11...Bf8 )
cramped kingside. White might B1) 12.a4 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Rxe4
increase the pressure with 14.g3 ( 14.Qc2 Re8 15.Nf3
Rh4-f4, although in Nd7 16.Bg5 Qb6 17.a5 Qxb2
Leimgruber-Conterno, 18.Qxb2 Bxb2 19.Rb1 Bc3
correspondence 2017, he 20.Bd2 Bxd2 21.Nxd2 );
preferred to gradually creep B2) 12.Bg5
forwards with a2-a4 and Ra3. B2a) 12...Nbd7
( 13.Qd2 ) 13...Qb6 14.Qd2 B2a1) 13.a4 Qb6 14.Ra3
A4b1) 14...Bd7 15.Kg2 Ne4 15.Nxe4 Rxe4
Qb4 16.Qc1! ( 16.b3 16.Rhh3 ( 16.Rh4 Rxh4
allows the freeing move 17.Bxh4 Qxb2 18.Re3 Ne5
Nfg4! 17.Rc1 f5 ) 19.Be7 );
16...Nfg4? can now simply B2a2) 13.g3;
be answered with B2a3) 13.Rh4 Qb6
( 16...Nxc4? 17.Rh4 b5 ( 13...b5 14.cxb5 axb5
18.b3 Ng4 19.bxc4 Qxc3 15.Bxb5 Ba6 16.Bxa6
20.Qxc3 Bxc3 21.Bxg4 Rxa6 17.Nf3 ) 14.Qd2
Bxg4 22.Rc1 Bb2 Ne5 15.Re1 Bd7 16.Nh3;
23.Rc2+-; 16...Bf5 17.Bd2 B2b) 12...b5;
Qb6 18.f3 Nd3 19.Bxd3 C) 10...Na6;
Bxd3 20.b3 white has D) 10...Ne4! For black it makes
everything under control, for sense to trade a pair of minor
example Bf5 21.g4 Bd7 pieces. This especially becomes
22.Nh3 Qd8 23.Nf2; 16...a6 clear after seeing what happens in
17.Rh4 ) 17.f3; other lines 11.Nxe4 Rxe4
A4b2) 14...Bf5 15.Rh4! Black wins a pawn... but so what?
very typical for this line. Black will put an end to this
Stopping ... Ne4 and the noisome Knight after all!
rook can come to f4; D1) 12.hxg6 hxg6 13.Nf3
A4c) 12...Qb6 13.b3 ( 13.Qb3 Rh4 14.Rxh4 Qxh4
( 13.Qc2 Ne5 14.Re1 Bd7 15.Nf3 Qh1+ 16.Ng1 Be5! )
15.Qc1!? a6 16.Rh4 Qa5 ) 13...Bg4 14.Qc2 Bxf3 15.Bxf3
13...Ne4 14.Nxe4 Rxe4 Rh4 ( 15...Re8 16.g3 Nd7
17.a4 ); the 5...Ba6 line, as normally

D2) 12.Nf3 '!' '!' 12...Bg4! 6. a3 is nearly automatic
( 12...b5 13.cxb5; 12...Nd7 (that's why we played Ne2
13.Qc2 Re8 14.hxg6 hxg6 in the first place!). White
15.Bd3 Ne5 16.Bg5 Qd7 prepares e4 and does not
17.Nxe5 Rxe5 18.Bf4 Re8 mind ...Bxc3, hoping to
19.Rc1 ) achieve a position similar to
D2a) 13.Qc2 is another Saemisch Variation (4. a3)
worthy try: but without wasting time for
D2a1) 13...Re8 could be a a3. 14.Bd3 is another move;
more human response my issue with it is what
14.Bd3 ( 14.Bg5 Bf6 ) happens after Re8 15.hxg6
14...Bxf3 15.gxf3 Nd7 hxg6 Here, there are many
16.Kg2 looks ok for black options for White, with the
at first sight, but i believe main attempt being '' still
that white's position with unclear - White has plenty
more space and the two of fight left. We will see the
bishops plus a clear plan is slightly ambitious 16.Rb1
more easy to play.; . I focused mostly on this,
D2a2) 13...Bxf3 14.Bxf3 but I looked at others and
Rh4 15.Rxh4 Qxh4 did not find anything special
Here the engines give an anywhere. '!?' in lesson 13 [/
evaluation of 0. 00 but that variation/20405334/#/14/b]
doesn't mean that the next. Now he is ready to
position is easy for either push the d-pawn, but the
side. Black can easily go immediate
wrong after 16.g3 Qh3+! D2b11) 16...Qa6?
( 16...Qd8?! 17.Kg2 Nd7 Black cannot ignore
18.Be3 ) 17.Bg2 Qxh5 white's attack along the h-
18.Bf4 and now the only file as can be seen by the
move to keep equality is following line '' is also a
Nd7! 19.Bxd6 Re8⇆; good way to play.
D2b) 13.Bg5!? Unclear, and worthy of
D2b1) 13...Qb6? two or three lessons! An
I think it is an excellent interesting idea - if White
practical try for White for doesn't like 17.Qd2
two reasons. First, it is Qxa2 from lesson 10 [/
simply objectively good, and variation/20400198], he
it leads to unbalanced can ready the c4 square
positions that are definitely for his Queen's Knight.
playable. And second - I am Although castling just
pretty sure it should be a now isn't forced it's
surprise for anyone playing probably best; the 18.Bh6
'!?' try seen in lesson 8 [/ Kg8 22.Ng5 and mate;

variation/20417463] D2b12) 16...Nd7
breaks apart like a ship '?' fails to 17.Qd2!
on the shoals. Instead White has good attacking
Bh8 will transpose to prospects, e.g. ''
previous material, winning the Rook. Bxf3
especially lesson 6 [/ '!' '!?' is certainly possible,
variation/13944259], and after 18.gxf3
where we find White '' White can relish his 1/
putting the kibosh on this 3 pawn edge. A good
fianchetto. Likely the move, for if Ne5
most complicated of '!' A rare line that I believe
White's options, maybe equalizes. I spent here
more important than quite a bit of time, but I
19.Bf8! A common tactic did not manage to find
in the Sicilian Dragon, but anything I liked. Black
it also works here! in the answers with the freeing
next chapter [/course/ advance 19.Be2
80564/17]. Black doesn't '' and equality at least.
get the option to capture Again entering into
the Knight; it's free to combat with the mobile
maneuver and plenty can center! But if Black has
happen. Of course, all of missed his morning
that works in two coffee, it's comforting to
directions, and Black know that f5 20.Kg2;
should simply get on with D2b2) 13...f6? This kind of
his program. We can't weakening of the kingside is
really ignore this old- usually not a good idea for
school approach. There black, even if black can go
are too many crossovers, ...f5 in the next few moves
intersections, and 14.Bd3 Re8 15.Bf4 f5
possible transpositions to 16.Qd2 Bxf3 ( 16...Qf6?
Rxf8 in the main line [/ is even worse: 17.hxg6
course/80564/2]; too hxg6 18.Ng5+- ) 17.gxf3
many shared themes, Qf6 18.Bc2! Black's main
patterns, and ideas. problem is now that Nd7
These are all valuable to runs into ( 18...Qxb2
the Steinitz System in 19.Rb1 ) 19.Ba4;
their own right, and will D2b3) 13...Bf6 14.Bd3
help us to understand the The resulting endgame is
whole opening. difficult for Black due to
( 19...Kxf8 20.Rxh8+ ) many weaknesses and
20.Rxh8+ Kxh8 21.Qh6+ White's very active pieces.
( A very interesting 8...Nbd7 [Sipke Ernst] ''

approach that is far less White will win the
common than normal exchange. ]
14.Qc2? , which I must 10...Bh8 10...Bf8?! 11.Bg5 Be7 12.Qd2
admit, I took dogmatically only leaves Black a little cramped
for granted and thought and low on counterplay while White
White must play it. However, can go Nf3, O-O
I ran into some issues there StartBracketor even O-O-
with finding an advantage OEndBracket, and Rae1 to
due to innovative engine maintain control. 12...Nbd7!? 13.O-
solutions that made me O-O! StartBrackethere 13...
question if '!?' is okay, but it Ng4? would lose a piece, whereas
allows the trade of Queens StartFENr1bqr1k1/
by Rxe2 is even the right pp1nbp1p/3p1npP/2pP2B1/2P5/
move. A simple technique of 2N5/PP1QBPP1/R3K1NR w KQ - 5
'looking for candidates' 13EndFEN 13.Nf3 Ng4 isn't
helped me find ) 14...Re8 so clearEndBracket and
is even worse. 15.hxg6 now: AEndBracket
'' Black's position is of StartFENr1bqr1k1/
course very shaky. After pp1nbp1p/3p1npP/2pP2B1/2P5/
hxg6 ( Here White should 2N5/PP1QBPP1/2KR2NR b - - 6
close the center and gain 13EndFEN 13...Nxd5? 14.
space right away. Bxe7 Nxe7 15.Qxd6 . Black might
15...Bxg5? '?!' is even have deployed a tactic, but finds
worse. 16.gxf7+ Kxf7 himself badly suffering, being
Of course, but White is pinned down the d-file and rather
happy to invest a few idle vulnerable on the dark squares.
troops to energize his BEndBracket
remaining army. 17.Ne5+ StartFENr1bqr1k1/
Rxe5 18.Rxh7+ pp1nbp1p/3p1npP/2pP2B1/2P5/
'!' and White cannot 2N5/PP1QBPP1/2KR2NR b - - 6
recapture with the knight. 13EndFEN 13...a6 14.Re1!?
That's the point of 7... Qe7 . White simply prepares to land his
'' Kg8 19.Qxg4+- bishop with some force on b5 and
is analyzed after 6... h5. '' in the event of a break and
Black has a Rook and three exchanges there, will now continue
pawns facing an enemy with Nf3 and Qf4 if unpestered,
Bishop pair, a pair which will while continuing to provoke a
operate in ideal conditions. certain tactic: 14...Nxd5 15.Bxe7
Both sides have full Nxe7 16.Qxd6 . Now Black surely
compensation for their doesn't have anything better than
respective troubles. ) 16.Bf4 forcing the queen backwards: 16...
15 Mainline 5...c5 6.d5 e6- Nf5 17.Qf4! Nd4 18.Nf3 wasting no
time challenging Black's control of our standard method of dealing with

d4. White is simply doing pretty well, any Benko-type play and was seen
with his queen still in touch with the in Urazayev-Schmakel, Internet
kingside, where Black's king is a (blitz) 2021: 13...Qa5 14.Bd2
definite target, and it can easily slip unpinning and preparing to
back to d2 or g3 if needed. recapture with the knight on b5,
[ 10...Bf8?! '?' 11.Bg5 a6 12.a4 after which Bc3, as well as Nf3 and
Nbd7 13.Nh3 ] O-O may well follow.
11.Bg5 GM Ivan Cheparinov: '↑' [ 11...Bf5? failed to equalize 12.f3
Consistent and best, pinning Black, Bd7 13.Kf1 ]
although Giri did once prefer 11.Kf1 [ 11...Nbd7 12.Nf3 '!' Qb6 13.Qd2
in a blitz game. Now 11...Qa5 fails Ng4 ( 13...Ne4 14.Nxe4 Rxe4
to inconvenience White after 12. 15.0-0! Qxb2 16.Rae1 b6 17.Bd1!
Qd2 and StartFENrnbqr1kb/ Rxe1 18.Rxe1 Ba6 19.Ba4 ) 14.0-0
pp3p1p/3p1npP/2pP4/2P5/2N5/ Nde5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.a4! Bd7
PP2BPP1/R1BQ1KNR b - - 2 ( 16...Qb4? 17.Nb5! Qxd2 18.Bxd2 )
11EndFEN 11...a6 12.a4 17.f4! Ng4 18.f5 Bd4+ 19.Kh1 Be3
Qb6 can be met by 13.b3 , as per ( 19...Nf2+?! 20.Rxf2 Bxf2 21.Bg4
our main line, or even 13.Ra2!? , Bd4 22.fxg6 Bxg4? 23.gxf7+ )
which neatly makes use of the a- 20.fxg6! hxg6 21.Bxe3 Nxe3
pawn's advance to retain control 22.Rf3 ]
and may be followed by a4-a5. Now [ 11...a6 is again too slow 12.Kf1!?
White has a few useful ideas, and ( 12.Nf3 Qa5 13.0-0 Nbd7 14.Qc1
not just the routine Nf3 and O-O. Ne4 15.Nxe4 Rxe4 16.Bd3 Re8
His king may prefer to step off the e- 17.Qf4! ) 12...b5 ( 12...Qb6 13.b3 )
file to f1, possibly in conjunction 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Bxb5 and Black
with activating the rook via h4, doesn't have enough compensation
thereby preparing to swing across for the sacrificing material ]
to f4 while keeping Black out of e4. [ 11...Qa5 12.Kf1 ( 12.Qd2! a6
Even Kf1 or f2-f3 then g2-g4 can 13.Nf3 b5 14.Bxf6!? Bxf6 15.Ne4
prove a useful advance, denying Qxd2+ 16.Nfxd2 Bxb2 17.Nxd6
Black's light-squared bishop too Bxa1 18.Nxe8 ) 12...Ne4
much scope. ( 12...Nbd7?! 13.Rh4! Ne5 14.a4 )
[ 11.Kf1 is too slow and Black has a 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.b3 ( 14.Qc2!? Re8
good game after: Ne4⇆ 12.Nxe4 15.Bd2 Qd8 16.Bc3 ) 14...Nd7
Rxe4 13.Nf3 ( 13.Bd3 Rh4 14.Rxh4 15.Nf3 Ne5 ( 15...Nf6 16.Bd3 Re8
Qxh4 15.Qe2 Nd7 16.g3 Qh1 17.Rh4 ) 16.Nd2 Rxe2 ( 16...Rd4
17.Qe7 Nf8 18.Qh4 Qxh4 19.gxh4 17.Be3 Bf5 18.Bxd4 cxd4 19.g4 )]
Nd7 ) 13...Bg4 14.Qc2 Re8 15.Bg5 12.b3! It seems that White can weaken
Bf6 16.Bf4 Na6 ] the dark-squares. I can't find how
11...Qb6! Gawain Jones's Black can gain some benefits from
recommendation, unpinning. 11... it. A brave choice, as it weakens the
b5 12.cxb5 a6 13.a4! is, of course, dark squares, but also a better one
than 12.Qd2 Ne4! . It transpires that -Vachier Lagrave, M (2775) Paris

White is able to maintain control, 2019' Nd7 20.Nf3 Ne5 21.Nxe5
with Rc1 next up and Bd2 if needed. '?!' ( 21.Bc3; 21.Ng5! ) 21...Bxe5
A brave advance, but a better 22.Bd3 Bd7 23.Qf3 ( 23.b4!? )
choice than allowing Black to 23...f5 24.Re1 Qf6 25.b4 cxb4
liberate his position with 12.Qd2 26.Bxb4 b6 27.Bd2 Re8 28.Qd1
Ne4 . White always has Bd2 and/or f4 29.Qf3 fxg3 30.Qxf6 Bxf6
Rc1 if needed and is itching to 31.Rxe8+ Bxe8 32.fxg3 Kf8 33.g4
sacrifice the exchange. Ke7 34.g5 Bd4 35.Kf3 Bd7
[ 12.Qd2 Ne4 13.Nxe4 Rxe4 36.Be3 Bc3 37.Bc2 Kf7 38.Be4
14.Kf1?! Nd7 15.Nf3 Ne5 16.Nxe5 Bb4 39.Bd4 Bc5
Rxe5 17.Re1 Bd7 18.g3 Rae8 ] Chapter Introduction-Game 9 Game
12...Ne4 Black tried a few other options 9]
but it seems like White has a [ 12...Bf5 with the idea Ne4 13.Kf1 '!'
promising position Black wastes no ( 13.Rc1!? Nbd7 14.Kf1 Ne5 15.Rh4
time forcing matters on the dark Qa5 16.Qd2 a6 17.Nf3 Nxf3
squares and this choice of Gelfand 18.Bxf3 )
and Jones is clearly a critical one. A) 13...Na6 14.Rc1 ( 14.a3! Ne4
[ 12...Qa5 13.Bd2 ( 13.Qd2 15.Nxe4 Rxe4 16.Ra2 ) 14...Ne4
will be met by a6 and Black has 15.Nxe4 Rxe4 16.Rh4 Rxh4
decent counterplay ) 13...Qd8 17.Bxh4 1/2-1/2 (30) Kantor,G
( 13...Nbd7 after this White will (2527) -Ganguly, S (2625) Biel
continue with Kf1, Rc1 ) 14.Kf1 Ne4 2021 GM Pavel Eljanov: '1/2-1/2
15.Nxe4 Rxe4 16.Rc1 Rh4 (30) Kantor,G (2527)-Ganguly, S
( 16...Nd7 17.g3 Re8 18.Kg2 ) (2625) Biel 2021' Qa5 18.a4 Re8
17.Rxh4 Qxh4 18.g3 19.Bd3;
A) 18...Qh2 19.Bg4! Nd7 B) 13...Ne4 this is the most
( 19...Bd4 20.Qe1! ) 20.Nf3 Qh1+ straightforward continuation
21.Ke2 Qxd1+ 22.Rxd1; 14.Nxe4 Bxe4 15.Rc1
B) 18...Qd8 '?!' 19.Kg2 B1) 15...Na6 16.Rh3 Qa5
The position calms down and White 17.Bf4! and Black's bishop is
has an advantage. White has more trapped ( 17.g4! and Black's
space on both flangs. The d6-pawn bishop is trapped Nb4 18.f3
is potentially weak and Black's Nxa2 19.fxe4 Nxc1 20.Bxc1 )
pieces lack good squares. 1/2 (39) 17...Nb4 18.f3 Nxa2 19.fxe4
Grischuk,A (2766) -Vachier Nxc1 20.Bxc1;
Lagrave, M (2775) Paris 2019 GM B2) 15...Qa5 16.a4 Na6
Pavel Eljanov: 'The position calms 17.Bd3 Bxd3+ 18.Qxd3 Nb4
down and White has an advantage. 19.Qf3→ Black's pieces on the
White has more space on both queenside are not doing much.
flangs. The d6-pawn is potentially In the meantime, White has
weak and Black's pieces lack good some initiative on the kingside
squares. 1/2 (39) Grischuk,A (2766) and wants to complete the
development with Ne2, g3, Kg2. ] 1P6/P3BPP1/R2QK1NR w KQ - 0

[ 12...Bg4 13.Kf1 Calmly breaking the 14EndFEN 14.Kf1 , 14...Na6
pin and a less risky choice than 13.f3 might simply be met by 15.Bd3 Re8
Bd7 when Black will follow up with ... 16.a3 , thereby retaining control.
Nh5. Bxe2+ 14.Ngxe2 Nbd7 15.f3 [ First I was concentrated to 14.Rc1
White keeps Black out of e4 and so and I found that after Na6!
retains an edge. White's immediate it's a more or less forced draw, but
plan is to expand with Qd2, g2-g4 and Black needs to find a long sequence
Qf4, with Re1 possibly thrown in too. of only moves ( 14...Nd7 15.Kf1 Re8
Black should then find his position 16.Rh4 Ne5 17.g3 a6 18.Kg2 Qa5
more than a little cramped, while the 19.a4 Bf5 20.Nh3 Bxh3+ 21.Rxh3 )
white king will be quite safe on g2 or 15.Rh4 ( 15.Nf3 doesn't promise
even f2. Another idea after Re1 or much after: Qa5+ 16.Qd2 Nb4 17.a4
Rc1 is to simply go Ng3 and Nge4, Nd3+ 18.Kf1 Qxd2 19.Nxd2 Rxe2!=
beginning to press on d6. 5. King's with approximately equal endgame )
Indian Style Main L-5B | KID with 6... 15...Rxh4 16.Bxh4
c5 + 7...e6,1 ( 15.Rh4 a6 16.Rc1 A) 16...Bf5?! was tried by Wagner,
Qa5 17.Bd2 Qc7 18.Ng3 Ne5 but White is better after: 17.Bg4!?
19.Bg5 Qd7 20.Nce4 Nxe4 '?!' ( 17.g4! '!?' Bd7 18.Bg3 Re8
21.Nxe4 ) 15...a6 16.Kf2 Qa5 17.Bd2 19.Kf1 )
Qc7 18.a4 Re7 19.Qc2 Rae8 A1) 17...Bxg4! 18.Qxg4 Nb4⇆
20.Rae1 Ne5 21.Kf1 ] 19.Qe2 Nxd5! 20.Kf1
13.Nxe4 Rxe4 14.Kf1!? Unpinning the ( 20.cxd5?? Qb4+ ) 20...Nc7
bishop which may now head to d3. 21.Nf3;
As we'll see in Line 5B, White is A2) 17...Re8+ '?' 18.Kf1 Bxg4
also all set to go Rc1 next and, of '?' 19.Qxg4 1-0 (35) Paravyan,
course, Black shouldn't get greedy. D (2629) -Wagner,D (2590)
Once again, we find the king is Moscow 2020 GM Pavel Eljanov:
happy to sidestep to f1, freeing the '1-0 (35) Paravyan,D (2629)-
light-squared bishop for other duties Wagner,D (2590) Moscow 2020'
and setting a small trap: 14... f5 20.Qd1 Re4 21.Bg5;
Bxa1?? 15.Qxa1 Rd4 16.Nf3 would, B) 16...Nb4 17.Qd2 Qa5
of course, be most unwise for Black. transposes to the main line;
Grischuk preferred C) 16...Bd7 is too slow and White
StartFENrnb3kb/pp3p1p/ is better after: 17.Nf3 Re8 18.Kf1
1q1p2pP/2pP2B1/2P1r3/1P6/ Qa5 19.a4 Qb6 20.Bg5 Bg4
P3BPP1/R2QK1NR w KQ - 0 21.Ng1 Bc8 22.Rb1 Nb4 23.Qd2
14EndFEN 14.Rc1 against Bf5 24.Rc1;
Gelfand, but then 14...Na6!? , D) 16...Qa5+ 17.Qd2 Nb4
heading for b4, is a little awkward GM Pavel Eljanov: 'transposes to
for White, as pointed out by Jones. the main line' 18.a4 Bf5 19.Nf3
Now, after StartFENrnb3kb/ Bb2! without analyzing this position
pp3p1p/1q1p2pP/2pP2B1/2P1r3/ deeply it's simply impossible to find
this and subsequent moves notable plan is Rh4-e4, thereby

( 19...Re8 20.Kf1 Be4 21.Ng5= involving the dormant white rook and
GM Pavel Eljanov: ''; 19...Qc7 further neutralising Black's activity. 5.
20.Kf1 Re8 21.Rc3! ) 20.Kf1 King's Indian Style Main L-5B | KID
Bxc1 21.Qxc1 ( 21.Qc3?? with 6...c5 + 7...e6,1 ) 15...a5
Bxh6-+ ) 21...Na2! 22.Qf4 The game continues 16.Nf3 a4
( 22.Qb2?? Qc3-+ ) 22...Nc3 17.Rb1 Nd7 18.Bd3 axb3 19.Rxb3
GM Pavel Eljanov: '' 23.Qxd6 Qa5 20.a3 Ne5 21.Nxe5 Rxe5
( 23.Ng1 is also not winning Qb4 22.Bf4 with a slight advantage for
24.g4 Nxe2 25.Nxe2 Qxb3⇆ ) White 1/2 (30) Zordick,M (1984) -
23...Nxe2 24.Qf6 Qc3 25.Ne5 Geerken,L (2014) GER email 2016
Ng3+!! the last fantastic resource GM Pavel Eljanov: 'with a slight
just on the verge of mate! The main advantage for White 1/2 (30) Zordick,
point is to close the way to escape M (1984)-Geerken,L (2014) GER
route of White's king 26.fxg3 email 2016' ]
( 26.Bxg3 Qc1+ 27.Ke2 Qc2+= ) [ 14...Na6 15.Bd3 Re8 ( After:
26...Qa1+! ( 26...Qc1+?? 27.Kf2 15...Re5 White has 16.Bd2!
Qd2+ 28.Kg1+- ) 27.Ke2 ( 27.Kf2 the strong maneuver. White transfers
Qd4+= ) 27...Qb2+ 28.Ke3 Qd4+ the bishop to the a1-h8 diagonal. Nb4
29.Kf3 Qc3+= Amazing line and as 17.Bc3 ) 16.a3 This exchange
many others in the modern chess sacrifice is very strong. White
ended in a draw. ] restricted the a3-knight and is not
14...Nd7 afraid of Bxa1. He is planning to
[ 14...Re8 was tried in a continue with Ra2 ]
correspondance game 15.Rh4 [ 14...Bxa1 15.Qxa1 Re5 ( 15...Rd4
( 15.Rc1 leads to the position which 16.Nf3; 15...f6 16.Qxf6 Qc7 17.Bd3
was analyzed after 14.Rc1 Not for the #2 This is crushing. Main Chapter and
first time, fleeing the long diagonal, Extended Variations Chapter 5: KID
no matter how tempting an exchange Style Main Line StartBracket5...
sacrifice might be, is the simplest and d6 transposesEndBracket
arguably best course of action. Na6 Variation: 5B | Black plays 9...Re8,
16.Bd3 Preventing ...Bf5 and 12...Ne4, 14...Nd7 Variation: 5B |
preparing to meet ...Nb4 with Bb1. Black plays 9...Re8, 12...Ne4, 14...
This now works as Black doesn't have Re8 #1 Variation: 5B | Black plays 9...
an annoying ...Rd4 in response. Qa5 Re8, 12...Ne4, 14...Re8 Quickstarter
17.a4 Sidestepping 17.Bb1 b5! to Guide-QS | 5B | KID Style with 6... )]
retain control. Nb4 18.Qd2 15.Nf3 Re8
Pinning. White may follow up with [ 15...Nf6 after this, White manages to
Bb1 StartBracketQf4 and Bf6 achieve his desired setup 16.Bd3
would ideally then Re8 17.Rc1 Followed by Qd2, g3,
followEndBracket and/or Bf4, etc... ]
beginning to pressure that major 16.Rc1
weakness on d6, while another [ 16.Bd3 is possible too, but Black can
hold the position after: Ne5! 6...Nc6 Nc6 here is wrong because
( 16...Bxa1? this is almost always bad White is simply better after: 7.d5
for Black 17.Qxa1 Ne5 18.Bf6 ) Just as in Line 4A, White presses
17.Nxe5 Bxe5 18.Rc1 a5 19.a4 f6 ahead and plays the critical
20.Bd2 f5 21.Qc2 Qd8⇆ Followed continuation. 7...Ne5
by b6, Ra7-e7, Qf6 with an acceptable [ 7...Nb8 8.h5 e5 9.hxg6 ( 9.h6! Bh8
play ] 10.Bg5 a6 11.b4 ) 9...fxg6 10.Bh6?
16...Ne5 ( 10.g4! ) 10...Bxh6 11.Rxh6 Kg7?!
[ 16...a5 Black can try to open the a- ( 11...Na6 ) 12.Qd2 Ng8? ( 12...a5!? )
file, but this looks slow and White 13.Rh2 Qf6?! ( 13...h6!? ) 14.g3 h6
manages to finish his development 15.Nf3 Rf7 16.0-0-0 Nd7 17.Nh4 ]
with g3-Kg2, Re1 8.h5 Despite Adhiban, Dubov and
A) 17.a4 Ne5= 18.Ng1 ( 18.g3 Smirin playing this way as Black,
Nxf3 19.Bxf3 Bd4 20.Rh4 Be5 White should be quite happy having
21.Kg2 f6 22.Bd2 Qd8 ) 18...f6 got in our favourite advance – a
19.Bd2 f5 20.g3 Qd8 21.Kg2; notable difference with the 5...Nc6
B) 17.g3 a4 18.Kg2 axb3 lines of 4A. Now h5-h6 followed by
19.axb3 f2-f4 is very much a threat,
B1) 19...Ne5 20.Bf4 ( 20.Re1 ); squashing Black.
B2) 19...Ra2 20.Re1 ] [ 8.Bf4 e6 9.Qd2 exd5 10.cxd5 Re8
17.g3 Now, when both sides are well 11.Bh6?! ( 11.h5 c6 ) 11...Bh8 12.h5
developed, White has more c6 13.hxg6 hxg6?! ( 13...fxg6! )
pleasant play due to the space 14.Bg5 Bg7 15.Bh6 ( 15.dxc6 bxc6
advantage 17...Nxf3 16.0-0-0 ) 15...Bh8 16.Bg5 Bg7
[ 17...Bf5 leaving the knights on the 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.0-0-0 ]
board is in White's favour 18.Nh4 Bd7 8...c6
19.Kg2 White is just better here. One [ 8...e6 9.f4 Needless to say, this is
possible line is f5 20.Nf3 Nf7 21.Rb1 an extremely tempting advance with
Nxg5 22.Nxg5 Bf6 23.Ne6 ] Black unable to invade on g4. Ned7
18.Bxf3 '!' 18...Bd4 '?' 19.Kg2 f6 '??' 10.dxe6 Breaking up the black
20.Bd2 Black's king is potentially weak kingside as White goes straight for
and White has different plans. The the attack. fxe6 11.hxg6 hxg6
most obvious one is to exchange 12.Be3 Calm development, if by no
the dark-squared bishops and means the only tempting option, with
exploit Black's king's weakness 12.Nf3 Nc5 13.Ng5 preferred in
Chapter 6 - Setups-with ...d7-d6 & ... Fedoseev-Zhuravleva, Internet
0-0 [GM Pavel Eljanov] GM Pavel StartBracketblitzEndBr
Eljanov: 'Black's king is potentially acket 2019. The text move
weak and White has different plans. prepares to meet
The most obvious one is to StartFENr1bq1rk1/pppn2b1/
exchange the dark-squared bishops 3ppnp1/8/2P1PP2/2N1B3/PP2B1P1/
and exploit Black's king's weakness. R2QK1NR b KQ - 1
' 12EndFEN 12...Nc5 with 13.e5
and Qc2, and in any case White just [ 10...Qb6 11.h6 Bh8 12.0-0 cxd5?!
has a very strong attack brewing: ( 12...Nd7!? ) 13.cxd5 Bd7 14.Qe2
( 12.Nf3! Nc5 13.Ng5 e5 14.fxe5 Rfc8 15.Be3 Qb4 16.Rfc1 Qc4
dxe5 15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.Qd1 Ne8 18.Be2 ]
17.cxd5 Bf6 18.b4; 12.Qd3?! e5?! 11.cxd5 Bd7 12.Be3 Keeping White's
13.f5! Nc5 14.Qh3 Ncxe4? 15.Nxe4 options open and a stronger choice
Bxf5 16.Nxf6+ Qxf6 17.g4 Be4 than exchanging on g6, as White
18.Rh2 g5 19.Nf3 ) 12...e5 13.f5 did in Artemiev-Dubov, Internet
Already we can comfortably state that StartBracketblitzEnd
Black will have a hard time surviving Bracket 2021. White has a
on the kingside with g2-g4 imminent, pleasant advantage since Black
as well as ideas of Nh3-g5. 4. King's must reckon with both the plan of
Indian Style (...Bg-4B | KID Style with Qd2 and Bh6, as well as White
5...O-O |,8 ] taking control with h6 Bh8; Bd4. 4.
9.Nf3 A more restrained choice than 9. King's Indian Style (...Bg-4B | KID
h6 Bh8 10.f4 , since here 10...Neg4 Style with 5...O-O |,8
followed by ...Qa5 and ...e6 or if 11. [ 12.hxg6 fxg6
Rh4? Qb6 appears to offer Black A) 13.Bh6?! Bxh6 14.Rxh6 Rc8
sufficient counterplay. 9...Nxf3+ ( 14...Qb6 15.Qd2 Rac8 ) 15.Qd4
9...Neg4 10.h6! Black isn't going to Kg7?! ( 15...Bg4! 16.0-0-0 Qb6! )
get mated with two knights on the 16.Rh1 Qb6 17.Qxb6 axb6;
kingside and we prefer this B) 13.Be3! h5 14.Bd4 Rc8 15.0-0
cramping advance to the 10.Nd4 of Rf7 16.Qd2 Qa5 17.Rfe1
Morozov-Smirin, Kishinev 2019. Chapter 6-Game 1 Game 1 ]
10...Bh8 11.O-O calmly housing the 6...Qe8 7.h5 Nc6 8.h6 Bh8 9.d5
king and leaving White with a 6...Re8 7.h5 c5 8.hxg6 hxg6
cramping pawn on h6 AlphaZero 9.Nf3 Qa5 10.Bd2
would be proud of. White is now 6...a5 7.h5 a4 8.h6
ready to go Nd4 and f2-f3 to push [ 8.a3 Nc6 9.h6 Bh8 10.d5 Ne5
Black back or 11...Qb6 12.Ne1!? . 11.f4 Neg4 12.Rh4 e5 13.dxe6
The knight is bound for c2 and then Bxe6 14.Bxg4 Nxg4 15.Rxg4 ]
e3 if needed, or White might free 8...Bh8 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.Be3 c5 11.d5
his f-pawn with g2-g3 and Kg2. All a3 12.b3 e6 13.Rc1
the while Black is slightly low on
counterplay and White's space 38
7.Nf3 Continuing to follow the
advantage is an attractive one. Classical main line of the King's
[ 9...Neg4?! 10.h6! ( 10.Nd4?! Qb6 Indian, but, worry not, White won't
11.Na4 Qc7 12.f3 Ne5 13.hxg6 be castling short next move. 7...Bg4
fxg6 ) 10...Bh8 11.0-0 ] Sipke Ernst: 'This is probably the
10.Bxf3 White can now consider best move black has available here'
clamping and cramping ideas with [ 7...c5 Black's most common move,
h5-h6 and O-O, as well as just the seeking Benoni-like play to exploit the
good, old Be3 and Qd2. 10...cxd5 fianchettoed bishop on g7, rather than
a more conventional closed centre ( 10.Bf4! ) 10...Bxe6 11.Bf4 Qa5

King's Indian approach with 7...e5 8. 12.0-0 Nc6 13.Ng5 Rfe8 14.Bd3
d5 . StartFENrnbq1rk1/ Rad8 15.Kh1!?;
ppp1ppb1/3p1np1/7p/2PPP2P/2N2N2/ B) 8...Nbd7 9.0-0 ( 9.Ng5 Ne5
PP2BPP1/R1BQK2R b KQ - 3 10.Bf4 Nfg4 11.a4 a6 12.Qd2 )
7EndFEN 7...Nc6 8.d5 is once 9...Ng4 10.Qc2 ( 10.Ng5!? ) 10...a6
again a powerful advance, one which 11.a4 Re8 12.g3 Nf8 13.Bf4 Nh7
simply increases White's control of 14.Rfe1 Bd7 15.Bf1 Nf8 16.e5;
the position: 8...Ne5 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10. C) 8...b5 9.cxb5 As so often, the
f3 and with Bg5 on its way best way to counter a Benko-type
StartBracketpossibly followed approach is to take the first pawn, if
by Qd2 and O-O-OEndBracket, not then the second: a6 10.a4
Black was already struggling for This Vachier-Lagrave-like advance
acceptable counterplay in Mica- is stronger than taking on a6, as
Sikorova, Pardubice 2020. 8.d5 White did in Deuer-Tasev, Internet
Those who recall the course of StartBracketblitzEndB
Vachier-Lagrave-Svidler or who have racket 2021. The plan is again
already looked forward in the course to keep Black's counterplay on the
will be aware that we are now in a queenside under control. axb5
main line StartBracket 11.Bxb5 Ba6 12.Bd2 White makes
StartFENrnbqkb1r/pppppp1p/ it problematic for Black to deploy
5np1/8/2PP3P/8/PP2PPP1/ his queen to a5, simply wants to
RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 recapture on b5 with the a-pawn
3EndFEN 3...Bg7 4.Nc3 O-O 5. and then make use of the resulting
e4 d6 6.Be2 c5 7.d5 open a-file, while the white king will
EndBracket where Black has find more than sufficient sanctuary
weakened himself with 7...h5 8.Nf3 . on the kingside. 2. Black Obstructs
The advance of the h-pawns is an Harry (...-2A | Harry Obstruction
insertion that slightly favours White as with 3,8;
any bishop or knight on g5 can no D) 8...Bg4 9.Be3 a6 10.Qd2 Qa5
longer be easily dislodged by ...h6. In 11.Bh6 ( 11.0-0!? ) 11...Nbd7
contrast, and in part because White 12.Bxg7 Kxg7 13.Ng5 Bxe2
hasn't yet gone O-O, it will be possible 14.Qxe2 b5 ]
to arrange f2-f3 after ...Bg4 or ...Ng4 [ 7...Na6 8.Ng5 Sipke Ernst: '!' '!'
much more easily than Black can Sipke Ernst: 'now black can delay ...
even make a rather ugly and further e5 a bit'
weakening ...f6 push. Already White A) 8...c6 Sipke Ernst: 'White is a
might just expand with Ng5 or simply pawn up and the knight on d5 is
Bf4 StartBracketnot Be3 when very powerful' 9.f3 Qb6 10.Rb1 e5
...Ng4 may supply some ( 10...d5 11.c5 Qc7 12.e5 Nh7
counterplayEndBracket and 13.Bxa6 bxa6 14.Nxh7 Kxh7
Qd2. 15.Bf4 ) 11.Be3 Nh7 12.c5! dxc5
A) 8...a6 9.a4 e6 10.dxe6?! 13.d5 white is in great shape;
B) 8...e5 9.d5 c6 10.Be3 cxd5 With ...f5 always now set to be met by
11.cxd5 Bd7 12.f3 Qa5?! 13.a3 Ne6, White might even simply castle
( 13.0-0!? ) 13...Rfc8 14.Kf2?! short, but f2-f3
( 14.0-0!? ) 14...Qd8 15.Rc1 Nc7 StartBracketafter Bd2 if 11...
16.a4 ] Ng4 EndBracket, O-O-O and
[ 7...c6 8.Ng5 ] then g2-g4 is the aggressive plan he'd
8.Be3 Black's bishop development prefer to deploy. 9.Qc2 White is once
makes some sense with White no again ready to meet any ...c5 with d4-
longer able to go h3, but the d5, relying on his space advantage to
downside is that the dark-squared help deny Black sufficient counterplay.
bishop can safely settle on e3. Furthermore, the d1-square is freed
White is now set to retain control up for a rook. c6 10.Rd1 Ruling out ...
and complete development with e5 for now and also allowing White to
Qc2, O-O and Rad1, although ideas consider that advance himself.
of Qd2 and O-O-O are by no means ( 10.0-0 ) 10...a6 11.e5 A tempting if
ridiculous either, and neither is a bold advance. Ne8 12.Ng5
timely Ng5 leap. The key follow-up as White prepares
[ 8.Ng5 Sipke Ernst: '1-0 (57) to sacrifice e5 for the initiative. Bxe2
Ponkratov,P (2628)-Ozdemir,S 13.Nxe2 Maintaining control, although
(2191) Chess.com INT 2020 this is a even 13.Kxe2 is possible and if 13...
bit too soon as black is equalizing dxe5 14.dxe5 Bxe5 when 15.g4!? and
with' Sipke Ernst: 'with attacking even 15.Ne6!? are options. dxe5
chances' c5 ( 8...Bxe2 Sipke Ernst: 14.dxe5 Bxe5 15.f4 With f4-f5
'?!' 9.Qxe2 Nc6 Marin: '=' 10.Be3 imminent, as well as simply O-O and
Ng4! ) 9.d5 a6 10.a4 Bxe2 11.Qxe2 Nd4, White enjoyed a space
Nbd7 12.Bf4 Re8 13.0-0 Rb8 advantage, the initiative and
14.Rae1 Nh7 15.Bd2 ] promising compensation in Mozelius-
8...Nc6 Sipke Ernst: '?!' Ruiz Jarabo, correspondence 2017.
[ 8...Nbd7 A surprisingly common Bg7 16.f5 Qa5+ 17.Rd2 Ne5 ]
choice here. It does complete [ 8...Nfd7 9.Ng5 This powerful leap
development but might also leave reveals why Black cannot play here as
Black slightly passively placed. 8...e5 he often does without the h-pawns
9.d5 a5 was seen in Trent-Yordanov, advanced. White is going to exploit
Internet (blitz) 2021, where 10.Nd2 that feature of the position to begin a
was a good positional choice and our strong attack. 9.Qd2 and 10.O-O-O is
favourite leap would be another: 10. also promising. Bxe2 10.Qxe2
Ng5! Now if Black retreats White will Already g2-g4 is possible, an advance
simply lumber up with Qd2, O-O-O, f2- which can always be prepared with f2-
f3 and Rdg1 if needed. However, f3 if needed. c5 ( 10...Nc6 11.g4!
exchanging the bishops instead tends Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Bxd4 13.gxh5
to be a positional error in the King's with a very dangerous attack coming
Indian as it rather weakens Black's up ) 11.d5 05 3...h5 King's Indian
light squares: 10...Bxe2 11.Qxe2 . Style [Sipke Ernst] ]
[ 8...e5?! 9.d5 Sipke Ernst: '' Sipke 18.fxg6+ fxg6 )]

Ernst: 'the pawn on h6 is a longterm 17.Rg1 1-0 (53) Matlakov,M (2685)-
asset in such positions' a5 10.Ng5 Starozhilov,L (2318) Chess.com
Sipke Ernst: '' Sipke Ernst: 'also INT 2020
interesting is' Bxe2 11.Qxe2 ] [ 17.0-0-0 Qa5 18.Kb1 Marin: ''
[ 8...Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Nbd7 10.Be2 c6 Sipke Ernst: '' Nd7 Sipke Ernst: '?'
11.f3 ] 19.Bd4 Bxd4 20.Qxd4 Qb6 21.Qd2
9.d5 Sipke Ernst: '' Sipke Ernst: the engine thinks white is winning
'Normally we should be afraid for' here. ]
9...Bxf3 Sipke Ernst: 'however here we 7.f3 c5
have a nice resource:' 10.gxf3 Ne5 [ 7...e5?! 8.d5 Nh7 9.g4 Bf6 10.Be3
Sipke Ernst: '1-0 (53) Matlakov,M Bxh4+ 11.Kd2 f5 12.gxf5 gxf5
(2685)-Starozhilov,L (2318) Chess. 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Nh3 Nd7 15.Nf2
com INT 2020' 11.f4 Bxf2 16.Bxf2 ]
[ 11.Qc2 c6 12.f4 Neg4 13.Bd4 [ 7...Nbd7?! 8.Be3 ( 8.Nh3!? ) 8...e5?!
Sipke Ernst: '' Sipke Ernst: 'when 9.d5 a5 10.Nh3 Nc5 11.Nf2 Bd7
white obviously has great 12.Qd2 Kh7 13.g4 Qe7 14.Bg5 c6
compensation' 15.gxh5 gxh5 16.0-0-0 ]
A) 13...c5 14.Bxf6 Marin: '' Sipke 8.d5 e6 9.Bf4 exd5 10.cxd5 Re8
Ernst: '!' exf6 ( 14...Nxf6?! 11.Nb5
Sipke Ernst: '?' 15.Rg1 ) 15.Bxg4 [ 11.Qd2!? a6 12.a4 ]
hxg4 16.f5 Marin: '+-' Sipke Ernst: 11...Bf8 12.Qd2 a6 13.Nc3 b5 14.a4
'with a nice edge for white'; b4 15.Nd1 Nbd7 16.Nh3 Ne5 17.Nhf2
B) 13...Nd7 14.Qd2 Bxd4 7.Nh3 Nc6
15.Qxd4 Qb6 Sipke Ernst: '?!' [ 7...Bxh3!? 8.Rxh3 Nc6 ]
Sipke Ernst: 'was seen in a high 8.Be3?!
level blitz encounter, but it looks [ 8.d5!? Ne5 9.f3 c6 10.Be3 a6
like the bishop is really badly placed 11.Nf4 b5 12.cxb5 axb5 13.dxc6 b4
on h8 after white's next move' 14.Ncd5 Nxc6 15.Bb6 Qd7 16.Bb5 ]
16.Qxb6 Sipke Ernst: '!' Nxb6 [ 8.Bg5 Nh7 9.Be3 e5 10.dxe5 dxe5
17.Rg1 ] 11.Qxd8 Nxd8 12.Nd5 Bxh3
11...Neg4 Marin: '' 12.Bc1 c6 13.f3 13.Rxh3 c6 14.Nb4 Ne6 ]
Nh6 Sipke Ernst: '+-' Sipke Ernst: 'and 8...Ng4 9.Bxg4 hxg4 10.Nf4 Nxd4
black cannot hold on the queenside' 11.Nxg6 fxg6 12.Bxd4 Bh6 13.Qd3
14.Be3 Sipke Ernst: '' 14...cxd5 Be6 14.Be3 Bg7
Sipke Ernst: '' 15.cxd5 Rc8 [ 14...Bxe3 15.Qxe3 ]
16.Qd2 Kh7?! 15.h5
[ 16...Nd7 17.Rg1 Sipke Ernst: '+-' 7.Be3 Nbd7?!
Sipke Ernst: '1-0 (33) Ding,L (2799)- [ 7...c5!? 8.d5 e6 ]
Mamedyarov,S (2765) Chess.com INT 8.Qd2 e5?! 9.d5 Nc5 10.f3 a5
2021: 1-0 (33) Ding,L (2799)- 11.0-0-0 Bd7 12.Nh3 a4 13.Nf2
Mamedyarov,S (2765) Chess.com INT
2021' ( 17.f5 Kh7 Sipke Ernst: '+-' 39
7...a6 8.Nf3 Bg4 9.Qd2 Nbd7
10.Rd1 c5 11.d5 b5 12.cxb5 axb5 14.Nf2 Nbd7 15.0-0 Rb8

13.Bxb5 Qa5 14.a4! 16.Be3 b6 17.Rfc1 Ne5
[ 14.Be2 Rfb8 15.b3 Qb4 ( 15...Nh7! 18.b4 cxb3 19.Rab1 )
16.Rc1 Bxc3 17.Rxc3 Nxg5 18.Nxg5 14.Rxh3 Nbd7 15.a5
Bxe2 19.Kxe2 Qxa2 ) 16.0-0 Nxe4!? ( 15.Bh6 Bh8 16.0-0-0
( 16...Nh7! ) 17.Nxe4 Qxe4 18.Rfe1 b5 17.g4 hxg4 18.Rg3
Qb4 19.Qxb4 Rxb4 20.Bxe7 Bc3 ] b4 ) 15...b5 16.axb6
7...c5 8.d5! b5 Qxb6 17.Kf2 Reb8
[ 8...e6 18.Na4 Qa7;
A) 9.Qd2 A2c22) 12...Nbd7
A1) 9...Re8 10.g4 exd5 13.Nh3 Ne5 14.Nf2 Qa5
11.gxh5! ( 11.exd5? Bxg4! 12.f3 15.0-0 Bd7 16.Bxf6 Bxf6
Bf5 13.Nh3 Qb6 14.Nf4 Nh7 17.f4 Ng4 18.Nxg4 hxg4
15.Rg1 Nxg5 16.Rxg5 Bd4 19.g3 Bd4+ 20.Kg2 f5;
17.Rxf5 gxf5 ) 11...dxe4 A2c23) 12...Qa5 13.Ra3
12.0-0-0 Bf5 13.Nd5 Re5 Nh7 14.Bh6 Bf6 15.Nd1
14.h6; Qb4 16.Qxb4 cxb4
A2) 9...exd5 17.Ra1 Nd7;
A2a) 10.Nxd5 Be6 11.Nxf6+ A2c3) 11...Nbd7 12.Nh3
Bxf6 12.f4 Nc6 13.0-0-0; a6 13.a4 Ne5 14.Nf2 Bd7
A2b) 10.exd5 Re8 15.0-0 Qa5 16.f4 Neg4
A2b1) 11.0-0-0 Qa5! 17.Nxg4 Nxg4 18.Bxg4
( 11...b5! 12.Nxb5 Na6 ); Bxg4 19.f5 Bd4+ 20.Kh1
A2b2) 11.Nf3 Bf5 12.0-0 f6 21.Be3;
Nbd7 13.Rfe1 a6 14.a4 B) 9.dxe6 Bxe6 10.Nh3 Qa5
Qb6 15.a5 Qc7 11.Kf1 ( 11.Qd2 ) 11...Qb4
( 15...Qb3?! 16.Qc1 Ne4 12.Qxd6 Qxb2;
17.Ra3 Qb4 18.Ra4 Qb3 C) 9.g4!
19.Bd1 ) 16.Bf4 Ne4 C1) 9...hxg4 10.e5! ( 10.Bxg4
17.Nxe4 Bxe4 18.Ng5 exd5 11.Bxc8 Qxc8 12.Bxf6
Bf5; Bxf6 13.Nxd5 Qd8 14.h5 g5
A2c) 10.cxd5 Re8 11.f3 15.Qf3 Bxb2 16.Rb1 Be5
A2c1) 11...Qa5 12.Nh3 17.Nh3 Kh8 18.Qf5 Rg8
Nbd7 13.Nf2 a6 14.Bh6 19.Rxb7 Qa5+ 20.Kf1 Qa6
Bh8?! ( 14...b5 15.0-0 21.Rxf7 Qxc4+ 22.Kg2 Bg7
Bxh6 16.Qxh6 Qb4 23.Nxg5 ) 10...dxe5 11.h5 gxh5
17.Rab1 ) 15.0-0 b5 16.a4 12.Rxh5 e4 13.Qd2 Nbd7
b4 17.Ncd1 Ne5 18.Ne3 14.Rh1 Qc7 15.d6 Qc6
Qc7 19.Bf4; 16.Qf4;
A2c2) 11...a6 12.a4 C2) 9...exd5 10.Nxd5
A2c21) 12...Qc7 13.Nh3 C2a) 10...Bxg4 11.e5
( 13.Bh6 Bh8 14.Ra3 ( 11.Bxg4 hxg4 12.Bxf6 Bxf6
c4 ) 13...Bxh3! ( 13...c4?! 13.h5 ) 11...Bxe2 12.Qxe2
dxe5 13.0-0-0 Nbd7 14.Nxf6+ B) 9.Qd2 a6 ( 9...Nbd7 10.Nf3 a6

Bxf6 15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.Rxd7; 11.0-0 Re8 12.a3 Ng4 13.Rab1
C2b) 10...Be6 11.gxh5 Bxd5 Rb8 14.Qc2 b5 15.cxb5 axb5
12.exd5 Nbd7 13.Qd3 Ne5 16.b4 cxb4 17.axb4 Qc7 18.Rbc1
14.Qc2 Re8 15.hxg6 fxg6 Ba6 19.Qa2 )
16.h5 Qa5+ 17.Bd2 Qb6 B1) 10.a4 b5 11.cxb5 axb5
18.h6 Bh8 19.Bc3 Qa6 ( 11...Nbd7!? ) 12.Bxb5 Ba6
20.Nh3; 13.f3?! Nbd7 14.Bc6 Ne5
C3) 9...Qa5 15.Bxa8 Nd3+ 16.Kd1?? Rxa8;
C3a) 10.Bxf6!? Bxf6 11.Qd2 B2) 10.f3 b5 11.cxb5 axb5
( 11.gxh5?! Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 12.Nxb5 ( 12.Bxb5!? Ba6
Qxc3+ 13.Kf1 exd5 14.exd5 13.Bxa6 Qxa6 14.Nge2 )
Bf5 ) 11...Bxc3 12.bxc3 exd5 12...Qxd2+ 13.Bxd2 Na6
13.gxh5 dxe4 14.hxg6 Bf5 14.Rc1 Bd7 15.a4 ( 15.Na3??
15.gxf7+ Rxf7 16.Bh5 Rg7 Nb4 ) 15...Rfb8 16.b3 ]
17.Ne2 Bh7 18.Rg1 Rxg1+ [ 8...a6 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.Nh2?!
19.Nxg1; ( 10.a4!?; 10.0-0!? ) 10...Bxe2
C3b) 10.Qd2! exd5 11.gxh5 11.Qxe2 Nbd7 12.0-0 Nh7 13.Bd2
( 11.Bxf6 Bxf6 12.Nxd5 e6 14.Nf3 e5 15.Ng5 ]
Qxd2+ 13.Kxd2 Bxb2 14.Rb1 9.cxb5 a6 10.a4 Qa5 11.Bd2 axb5
Bg7 15.gxh5 ) 11...Nc6 [ 11...Qb4 12.Qc2 axb5
( 11...dxe4 12.hxg6 fxg6 A) 13.Bxb5 Ba6 14.f3 c4
13.h5 Nc6 14.hxg6 d5 15.Nge2 Qc5 16.Ra3 ( 16.Qc1!?
15.cxd5 Nd4 16.Rc1 ) 12.h6 Nfd7 17.Be3 ) 16...Nbd7 17.Qc1?
Bh8 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nxd5 Ne5;
Bd8 ( 14...Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2 B) 13.f3! c4 ( 13...bxa4 14.Nb5 )
Bxb2 16.Rb1 Bd4 17.f4 ) 14.Nxb5 Qb3 15.Qxc4 Qxb2
15.f4 f5 ( 15...Qxd2+ 16.Kxd2 16.Bc3 Qc2 17.Nd4 Nxe4 18.fxe4
Nd4 17.Nf3 Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 ) Qxe4 19.Qd3 ]
16.h5 g5 17.Nc3 g4 18.Qxd6 12.Nxb5 Qb6 13.Qc2 Na6 14.Nf3 Nb4
Chapter 10-Game 1 Game 1 ] 15.Qc4 e6
[ 8...Qa5 [ 15...Ng4!? ]
A) 9.Bd2 Qb6 ( 9...Re8 10.Nh3 16.Bxb4 cxb4 17.0-0 exd5 18.exd5
Qb6 11.Rb1 e6 12.dxe6 Bxe6 Bb7 19.Qxb4
13.Ng5 Bd7 14.f3 Nh7 15.Nd5 7...Na6 8.Qd2 Nh7?!
Qd8 16.Nxh7 Kxh7 17.Bg5; [ 8...c6!? ]
9...Na6 10.Qc1 Kh7 11.Nf3 Ng4 9.Bh6 Bxh6 10.Qxh6 e5 11.dxe5?!
12.Ng5+ Kg8 13.Bxg4 Bxg4 14.f3 [ 11.Nf3! ]
Bd7 15.a3 Qd8 16.Qc2 ) 10.Qc2 11...dxe5 12.Nf3 Bg4??
a6 11.Nf3 Bg4 12.0-0 Nbd7 [ 12...Qf6 13.Nd5 Qg7 14.Qe3 ]
13.Rfe1 Rab8 14.Ng5 Bxe2 13.Ng5 Nxg5 14.hxg5 Bxe2 15.Nd5
15.Rxe2 Qc7 16.a4 b6 17.Rae1 Qf6 16.Nxf6#
Ne5 18.b3; 7...Nh7 8.Be3 e5?!
[ 8...c5 ] ( 13.Ne1 Nh7 14.Bxg4 Bxg4

9.d5 c5?! 10.Qd2?! 15.Bh6 Bxh6 16.Qxh6 e5 17.f3
[ 10.g4! hxg4 11.Bxg4 f5 12.Bh3 Bd7 18.g3 Qf6 19.a5 b5 20.axb6
Qxh4 13.Qf3 Qf6 14.exf5 gxf5 Rxb6 21.Nd3 ) 13...Bd7 14.e5
15.Qh5 ] dxe5 15.Nxe5 Nxe5 16.Bxe5 Rc8
10...Na6 11.a3 Nc7 12.b4?! 17.Rfe1 e6 18.Bf3 exd5 19.cxd5
[ 12.Nh3!? ] Ng4 ( 19...Re8 20.Bg3 ) 20.Bxg7
12...b6 13.bxc5 bxc5 14.Nf3 Bd7?! Kxg7 21.Bxg4 ( 21.g3 ) 21...Bxg4
[ 14...f5!? ] 22.Ne4 Qxh4 23.Qc3+ Kh6
15.Ng5 Nf6 16.f3 Rb8 17.0-0 24.Nf6 Qg5 25.f3 Bf5 26.Qe5;
7...Nc6 8.Nf3 Nh7 B) 10.Qd2 Rb8 11.a4 Qa5 12.0-0
[ 8...Bg4 9.Qd2 Nd7 10.Be3 Qb4 13.Qc2 Re8 14.a5;
( 10.Nh2 Bxe2 11.Nxe2 Nf6 12.f3 ) C) 10.a4 Re8 11.a5?! ( 11.Qd2! )
10...a6 11.a4 a5 12.Rd1 Nb4 11...b6 12.axb6 Qxb6 13.Qc2
13.Ng5 Bxe2 14.Qxe2 e5 15.dxe5 Rb8 14.Ra2 Nf8 15.0-0 e6 ]
Nxe5 16.c5 Ng4 17.0-0 ( 17.Bc1 9.d5!
Ra6 18.f3 Ne5 19.Be3 Qe7 ) [ 9.dxe5?! dxe5 10.Qd2 c6 11.0-0-0
17...Nxe3 18.Qxe3 Nc2 19.Qg3 Nd4 Qc7 12.Kb1 Re8 13.Bh6 Bxh6
20.cxd6 Qxd6 21.Qxd6 cxd6 14.Qxh6 Ng4 ]
22.Rd3 ] 9...a5 10.g4 Nc5 11.gxh5 Bg4 12.h6
9.Be3 Bh8 13.Nh2 Bxe2 14.Qxe2 Qd7
[ 9.d5 Nb8 10.Be3 Bg4 11.Qd2 c6 15.0-0-0 Nh5 16.Rdg1 Bf6 17.Be3
12.Nd4 ( 12.Bd4! Nf6 13.Ng5 ) 8.f3 c5 9.d5 a6
12...Bxe2 13.Ndxe2 Nd7 14.Bd4 [ 9...Ne5 10.Nh3 ]
Ne5 15.b3 ( 15.Bxe5?! Bxe5 10.a4 b6 11.Nh3 Ne5 12.Nf2 Rb8
16.0-0-0 cxd5 17.Nxd5 e6 18.Ndc3 13.g4?
Rc8 ) 15...Nf6 16.f3 a6 17.Rd1 ] [ 13.Qd2! Re8 14.g3!? ]
9...Bg4 10.Qd2 Re8? 13...b5 14.cxb5!?
[ 10...Bxf3! 11.Bxf3 e5 12.d5 Nd4 ] [ 14.axb5?! axb5?! 15.Nxb5? Bd7
11.d5 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Ne5 13.f4 Nd7 16.Bxf6 Bxf6 17.gxh5 Nxc4! 18.Bxc4
14.f5 Ne5 15.f4 Ng4 16.fxg6 Nhf6 Bxb5 19.Bxb5 Rxb5 ]
17.gxf7+ Kxf7 18.0-0-0 Rh8 19.Kb1 a6 14...axb5
20.Bd4 Bh6 21.Bxg4 hxg4 22.Qf2 Rg8 [ 14...hxg4 15.f4 Nf3+ 16.Bxf3 gxf3
23.h5 Qf8 24.e5 Nh7 25.Qc2 17.Qxf3 ]
15.axb5
40
8.Nf3 e5
[ 8...c5 9.d5 a6 ( 9...Re8 10.0-0 e5 41
9.d5 a6!?
11.dxe6 Rxe6 12.Qc2 a6 13.Rad1 [ 9...Ne5?!
Qf8 14.Rd2 Qe8 15.Nd5 Nxd5 A) 10.Nh3?! Re8?! ( 10...b5!? )
16.exd5 ) 11.f3 Qa5 12.Rc1 a6 13.Bh6 Bd7
A) 10.0-0 Rb8 11.a4 Ng4 12.Qd2 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.f4 Neg4
Ndf6 ( 12...b6 13.Nh2 Nxh2 16.Bxg4 Nxg4 17.0-0;
14.Kxh2 Ne5 15.Rae1 ) 13.Bf4 B) 10.Bh6 Bxh6! ( 10...a6?
11.Bxg7 Kxg7 12.Nf3 Nxf3+ B) 15...b5 ]

13.gxf3 Qa5 14.f4 b5 15.f3 e6 15...Qd8 16.Bh6 Bh8 17.Ra2
16.dxe6 Bxe6 17.f5 ) 11.Qxh6 Chapter 7-Game 1 Game 1
Qa5 12.Nf3 ( 12.Qd2 b5 13.cxb5
a6 14.b6 Bd7 ) 12...Nxe4 13.Nxe5 42
4.dxc5 '?!' 4...Na6 5.Nc3 Bg7
dxe5 14.Rc1 Nxc3 15.Rxc3 Qxa2 6.Be3 GM Ivan Cheparinov: '?!'
16.Bxh5 Bf5; [ 6.g3 Nxc5 7.Nh3 d6 8.Nf4 Bf5!?
C) 10.Nf3 With the idea to control the e4 square
C1) 10...Nfg4 11.Nh2?! and to play Rc8 and Nfe4 quickly.
( 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Bh6 ) 9.Bg2 Rc8 10.h5 Nfe4 11.Nxe4
11...Nxh2 12.Rxh2 Bd7 13.Bh6 Bxe4 12.Bxe4 Nxe4 13.Qd5 Nc5=
a6 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.f4 Ng4 Black has a solid position and the
16.Bxg4 Bxg4; trade hxg6 hxg6 doesn't lead to
C2) 10...Neg4 11.a4 Nh7 anything for White. ]
12.Bf4 Bd7 13.0-0 Re8 14.Ng5 [ 6.e4 Nxc5 7.f3 ( 7.e5?! Nfe4 )
Nxg5 15.Bxg5; 7...d6⇆ It's a playable position with
C3) 10...Nxf3+ 11.gxf3 a6 Be6 and Qa5 to be played next. The
12.a4 e6? ( 12...Bd7 13.Bh6 pawn on h4 doesn't make much sense
Qa5 14.Bxg7 Kxg7 15.Ra3 e6 ) in this set-up. ]
13.Rg1 exd5 14.Nxd5 Be6 6...Ng4 7.Bd2
15.Nf4 Qe7 16.0-0-0 Rfd8 [ 7.Bd4? e5 ]
17.Nxh5! gxh5 18.Bh6 Ne8 7...Nxc5 8.Nh3 d6 9.e3 Nf6
19.Bxg7 Nxg7 20.Qh6 f6 [ 9...Ne5 '!?' ]
21.Rg6 Ra7 22.Rdg1 ] 10.Nf4 Nfe4 GM Ivan Cheparinov: ''
10.a4 Ne5 11.f3?! GM Ivan Cheparinov: '1-0 (57)
[ 11.Nf3!? Nxf3+ 12.gxf3 Qa5 Ivanisevic,I (2645)-Neubauer,M
13.Ra3 Bd7 14.Kf1 Rfe8 15.Kg2 ] (2413) Plovdiv 2012'
11...Bd7 [ 10...0-0 11.h5 ]
[ 11...Qa5 ] 11.Rc1 0-0
[ 11...b5!? 12.axb5 Bd7! 13.Nh3 [ 11...h5 ]
axb5 14.Rxa8 Qxa8 15.cxb5 c4 [ 11...Nxc3!? 12.Bxc3 Bxc3+ 13.Rxc3
16.0-0 Rb8 17.Nf2 Bxb5 ] Qa5 ]
12.Nh3 Qc7?! 12.Be2 Bf5
[ 12...b5 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Bxb5 [ 12...a5 ]
Bxb5 15.Nxb5 Nh7 16.Bf4 ] 13.h5 g5 14.Nfd5 h6
13.Nf2 Rfb8 14.0-0 b6 15.b3 [ 14...Nxd2 15.Qxd2 h6 ]
[ 15.Rae1 15.b4 Nxd2 16.Qxd2 Nd7 17.Nb5 a6
A) 15...Qd8? 16.b3?! ( 16.f4! ) [ 17...Nb6?! 18.0-0 Nxd5 19.Qxd5
16...Ne8? 17.f4! Ng4 18.Nxg4 Qd7 20.Nd4 e6 21.Qb5 Qxb5
Bxg4 19.Bxg4 hxg4 20.f5 Nf6 22.cxb5?! Bxd4 23.exd4 Rac8 24.f3
21.e5 dxe5 22.fxg6 fxg6 23.Qd3 e5 25.dxe5 dxe5 26.Rc5 Be6?!
e4 24.Nxe4 Rb7 25.Ng3 Qd6 27.a4 f6? 28.Rfc1 Rcd8 29.Bc4
26.Re6; Bxc4 30.R1xc4 Rf7 31.Rc8 Rxc8
32.Rxc8+ Kg7 33.Kf2 b6 34.Ke3 f5 with Black's king still on e8, so I

35.Rc6 Rd7 36.Rg6+ Kh7 37.Rf6 believe this is a significantly
Rd4 38.Rxf5 Rxb4 39.Rf7+ Kg8 improved version for White, since
40.Rxa7 g4 41.Ra6 gxf3 42.gxf3 with the king on g8 we have even
Kh7 43.Rxb6 Rxa4 44.Rb7+ Kg8 more reasons to start advancing the
45.Re7 Rb4 46.Rxe5 Kf7 47.f4 Kf6 kingside pawns. After 6.Qxd8+
48.Rc5 Ke6 49.Kf3 Rb1 50.Ke4 it is a good opportunity to opt for
Rb4+ 51.Ke3 Kf6 52.Rc6+ Kf5 my favourite 6...Kxd8 '!?' (the more
53.b6 Rb3+ 54.Kd4 Kxf4 55.Rxh6 common 6.d5 is also quite
Kg5 56.Rd6 Kxh5 57.Kd5 promising). 7.Nc3 Bg7
Chapter Introduction-Game 4 Game will transpose to Chapter 6.
4]
[ 17...Bh7 ] 44
I once tried 5.h5 '!?' against Peter
18.Nd4 Bh7 19.0-0 e6 20.Nc3 Ne5 Wells; that game continued '!?'
5...Nxh5 6.e4
43
The continuation 4...e6 5.dxe6 [ 6.Rxh5 gxh5 7.e4 ]
[ 5.Nc3 If you really don't like a [ 6.d6 with a mess, but Black won the
Modern Benoni structure then 5.dxe6 game very convincingly ]
is possible, but we really have to 6...d6
advise our favourite knight [ 6...Bg7 7.cxb5 Qc7
development 5.Nc3 , preparing e2-e4, A) 8.g4 Nf6 9.Nc3 d6 10.g5 Nh5
while also hoping for 5...Bg7 6.h5! ( 10...Nfd7 11.f4 ) 11.Be2;
after all. exd5 6.cxd5 Bg7 7.h5 B) 8.Be2 ]
This pawn sacrifice appears even [ 6...Qa5+ 7.Bd2 b4 8.Be2 Bg7
stronger than the immediate 7.d6 – 9.Qb3 ( 9.Bc1 )]
there's a good reason why Black [ 6...bxc4 7.g4 Nf6 ( 7...Ng7 8.Nd2 )
should have blocked with 6...d6. Nxh5 8.e5 Ng8 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.Bg2 d6
8.d6 White's position already looks 11.e6 fxe6 12.Ng5 Qb6 13.Qc2 Nf6
rather appetising. There are ideas of 14.Rxh7 Rxh7 15.Qxg6+ Kd8
Nd5, as well as expansion with e2-e4 16.Nxh7 Ne8 17.Nc3 Nd7 18.Ng5
or even g4 Nf6; g5 and castling is no Ne5 19.Nxe6+ Bxe6 20.Qxe6 Nd3+
panacea for Black: 0-0 9.g4 Nf6 21.Kf1 ]
10.g5 White insists on obtaining full 7.Rxh5?
control of d5 and even has ideas of a [ 7.cxb5 Bg7 ( 7...Nf6 8.Nc3 h5 9.f3
rapid Qd3-h3. Nh5 11.Bg2 Bg7 10.Be3 a6 11.a4 0-0 12.Qd2
Already Black's position is bordering Qa5 13.e5 dxe5 14.Bxc5 Qc7 15.b4
on critical, with both Bf3 and Nd5 on axb5 16.Bxb5 Rd8 ) 8.Nc3 ( 8.a4
their way. 3. Other 3rd Moves Bar 3... Nf6 9.Nc3 a6 ) 8...a6 9.bxa6 Nxa6
Bg-3A | 3...c5 | Black plays 4..,6 ] 10.Be2 Nf6 11.Bh6 Bxh6 12.Rxh6
5...dxe6 when Black obtained a very Qb6 13.Qd2 Ng4 14.Bxg4 Bxg4
reasonable game in Ligterink 15.f3 Bd7 16.Nge2 Rb8 ]
Hartoch, Hilversum 1985. I have 7...gxh5 8.Qxh5 Nd7 this is too much
even suggested the move g2-g4
45
GM Pavel Eljanov: 'In Korobov's 11.g4 Nf4 12.Qf3 Nd5 13.Qg2
game I mentioned in Chapter 1, Rxa6 ( 13...Bxa6 14.Nxd5 )
Anton played' 6.bxa6 GM Pavel 14.Bxa6 Bxa6 15.Nxd5 exd5
Eljanov: 'which is not the best 16.Qxd5+ Kh8 17.Rh3 Nc6
choice as White is behind in 18.Bd2 Nxe5 19.Bc3 Bc4 20.Qd6
development. His last move only Rf6 ( 20...Nxg4 21.Bxg7+ Kxg7
speeds up Black's development. 22.0-0-0 ) 21.Qxc5 Rc6 22.Qa5;
The game continued' 6...Bg7 B) 10.Nf3!?;
The obvious plan of 18.h5 will give C) 10.Bg5 Here it will be no
White a strong initiative. If '!?' 7.Nc3 surprise that I like the aggressive
then White just continues his 10...Qa5 'N!?' especially compared
normal development with 7...0-0 with 11.Qd2 Nc6↑ Black enjoyed
Sipke Ernst: '!?' '!?' and 0-0-0. an excellent counterplay in the
[ 7...Bxa6!?⇆ 8.e4 ( 8.g3 0-0 9.Bg2 game 0-1 (23) Korobov, A (2713) -
d6 10.Nh3 Nbd7 11.Nf4 Ne5 Jumabayev, R (2607) Moscow 2016
12.Qc2 Qa5 13.0-0 Rab8 14.b3 c4 GM Pavel Eljanov: 'Black enjoyed
15.Bd2 Bc8 ) 8...Bxf1 9.Kxf1 d6 an excellent counterplay in the
Perunovic,Milos: 'this is probably okay game 0-1 (23) Korobov, A (2713)-
for Black, since he always has the g4- Jumabayev, R (2607) Moscow
square for his knight later. Dies ist 2016' 12.Nf3 Rb8 ( 12...Bxa6!?;
wahrscheinlich für Schwarz in 12...Ng4!? ) 13.Rc1 Bxa6 14.Bxf6
Ordnung, da er später immer das g4- Rxf6 15.Rh3 Nd4 16.Bxa6 Qxa6
Feld für seinen Springer hat.' 10.Nf3 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.Nd1 d5 19.Rb3?
0-0 11.g3 Nbd7 12.Kg2 ( 19.Qxd4 Rf4 20.Qd3 Qa5+
We have come to a very familiar 21.Kf1 Rxe4 22.Nc3 ) 19...Rbf8?
position from the Benko that I have ( 19...Rxb3 20.axb3 Rf7 21.exd5
played so many times in Blitz! h5 exd5 22.Qe2 d3 ) 20.Ra3??
( 12...Ng4 13.h5 ) 13.Bg5 ] ( 20.g3 R6f7 21.exd5 Rf5 )
[ 7...Qa5!? ] 20...Qd6 21.exd5 Qh2! 22.Rf3
Probably White can transpose to a ( 22.Qxd4 Rxf2 23.Qxf2 Rxf2
position that is covered in the 3... 24.Kxf2 Qf4+ ) 22...Rxf3
xf3 4.exf3 c6 5.c3 d7 6.e2 C1) 23.gxf3 Qh1+ 24.Ke2
line, by means of 8.e4 d6 Qxf3+ 25.Ke1 ( 25.Kf1 exd5 )
Sipke Ernst: '1/2-1/2 (68) Topalov,V 25...Qh1+ 26.Ke2 exd5;
(2780)-Giri, A (2793) Moscow 2016 C2) 23.gxf3 Chapter Introduction-
CBM 172 [Bronznik,V]' Game 6 Game 6 ]
[ 8...e6! 9.dxe6 when I hardly believe [ 8...Bxa6 9.e5 Ne8 10.Nf3 d6 11.e6
Black has anything better than ( 9.Nf3 fxe6 12.h5 ]
exd5 10.e5 ) 9...fxe6 However, once [ 8...Nxa6 9.e5 ( 9.h5 Nxh5 10.Be2
again I would like to campaign for Nf6 11.e5 Ne8 12.Nf3 d6 13.Ng5
greater aggression. ( 9...dxe6 '!?' h6 14.Nge4 ) 9...Ne8 10.h5 ( 10.Nf3
10.Qxd8 Rxd8 ) d6 11.h5 Nb4 12.e6 gxh5 13.exf7+
A) 10.e5 Nh5 ( 10...Ne8 11.h5 ) Rxf7 14.Bc4 Bf5 ) 10...Bxe5 11.Bh6
Ng7 12.Nf3 Bf6 13.Qd2 ] Qa8 15.Nc3 Rb8 ]

9.Nf3 [ 12.Nd1 Qb6 ( 12...Bxf1 13.Bxa5
[ 9.a7!? Rxa7 10.Nf3 ] Bxg2 14.Nd2 Bxh1 15.Bc3 )
9...Qa5 10.Bd2 '?!' A) 13.Ne3 Bxf1 14.Rxf1 ( 14.Kxf1
[ 10.Nd2 ] Qa6+ 15.Kg1 Qa4; 14.Nxf1 Ng4
10...Bxa6 11.Qc2 '?' 15.Bc3 Bd4 16.Ne3 Nxe3 17.fxe3
[ 11.Bxa6 Qxa6 12.Qe2 Nbd7 Bxc3+ 18.Qxc3 Ra4 19.Nd2
( 12...Re8 13.Qxa6 Nxa6 14.0-0 Qa6 ) 14...Qa6;
Nb4 15.a4 Reb8 16.Rfb1 Nc2 B) 13.Bc4 Bxc4 14.Qxc4 Qa6
17.Ra2 Nb4 18.Raa1 Nc2 ) 13.Qxa6 15.Qxa6 Rxa6 16.Nc3 Nb6 ]
Rxa6 ] 12...Qb6 '!' 13.Bc3 h5 '?!'
[ 11.Be2 [ 13...e6 14.dxe6 fxe6 15.h5
A) 11...Nbd7 12.0-0 Rfb8 ( 15.Ng3 d5 ) 15...Nxh5 ( 15...d5
( 12...Bxe2 13.Qxe2 Rfb8 14.Rab1 16.hxg6 hxg6 17.Nf4 ) 16.Bxg7 Kxg7
Qa6 15.Qxa6 Rxa6 16.b3 Ne8 17.Nc3 ]
17.a4 Nc7 18.Ne2 f5 19.exf5 [ 13...c4
gxf5 20.Ng3 f4 21.Bxf4 Nxd5 ) A) 14.Ng3 Ng4 ( 14...Nc5
13.Rb1 Ng4 14.h5 Bxe2 15.Qxe2 15.Be2 ) 15.h5 Nc5 ( 15...Bf6
Qa6 16.Qd1 Nge5 17.hxg6 16.Bxf6 exf6 ) 16.Bxg7 Kxg7
( 17.b3!? ) 17...hxg6 18.Ng5?! 17.Rh4 Ne5 18.Nxe5 dxe5
( 18.b3!? ) 18...Nc4 19.b3 Nxd2 19.Qd2 Nd3+ 20.Bxd3 cxd3;
20.Qxd2 Qa5; B) 14.Bd4 Nc5 15.Nc3 Qa5;
B) 11...Bxe2; C) 14.Ned4 Nc5 15.Nd2 e6
C) 11...Qb4 '!?' 12.Bxa6 Nxa6 16.Nxc4 ( 16.dxe6 fxe6 17.Nxc4
13.Qe2 ( 13.Qc2 Qc4 ) 13...Qxb2 Qc7 18.Nd2 Bxf1 19.Rxf1 Qb7
14.Rb1 ( 14.0-0 Qa3 ) 14...Qa3 20.f3 Nh5 ) 16...Bxc4 ( 16...Qc7
15.Rb3 Qa5 16.0-0 Ng4 ] 17.Ba5 Qd7 ) 17.Bxc4 Nfxe4
11...Nbd7 '?' 18.dxe6 ( 18.0-0 Ra4 19.b3 Nxc3
[ 11...Bxf1 12.Kxf1 Na6 13.Kg1 20.Qxc3 Ne4 21.Qc2 Rxc4
( 13.g3 Nb4 14.Qb1 Qa6+ 15.Kg2 22.bxc4 Qxd4 ) 18...fxe6 19.Nxe6
Ng4 16.Rf1 Rfb8; 13.Nd1 Qb5+ d5 20.Nxf8 ( 20.Bxd5 Nxc3
14.Kg1 Nb4 15.Bxb4 Qxb4 16.Nd2 21.bxc3 Rae8 22.0-0 Nxe6 )
Bh6 17.Ne3 Qd4 ) 13...Nb4 14.Qb1 20...dxc4 21.0-0 Nxc3 22.Nxh7
Qa6 ] Kxh7 23.bxc3 Nd3 ]
12.Ne2 '?' [ 13...Rfb8
[ 12.Na4 A) 14.h5 Nxh5 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
A) 12...Bxf1 13.Bxa5 Bxg2 16.b3 Qb4+ 17.Nc3 Bxf1 18.Kxf1
14.Nd2 Bxh1 15.Bc3 Bh6 16.Ke2 c4 19.Rc1 cxb3 20.axb3 Qxb3;
Bg2 ( 16...Bxd2 17.Rxh1 ) 17.Rg1 B) 14.Ng3
Bh3; B1) 14...Bxf1
B) 12...Qc7 13.Bxa6 Rxa6 14.0-0 B1a) 15.Kxf1 Ng4 16.Nh2
e6; ( 16.h5 Bxc3 17.bxc3 Qb2
C) 12...Qd8 13.Bxa6 Rxa6 14.0-0 18.Qxb2 Rxb2 19.hxg6 hxg6
20.Ne2 Raxa2 21.Rxa2 Nxd3+ 24.Kf1 Qxd2 25.Nxe7+

Rxa2 ) 16...Bxc3 17.bxc3 Kf8 26.Bxg7+ Kxg7 27.Nxd2 Rc2
Nge5 18.a4 c4 19.Nf3 Nd3 28.Ke2 Nxf2 ) 23.gxf3 Nxe4
20.Nd4 N7e5 21.f3 ( 21.Kg1 24.Bxe4 Bxd4 25.Qxd4 Qxc3+
Qa5 22.Ra2 Ng4 23.f3 Ngf2 26.Qxc3 Rxc3;
24.Rh2 Rb3 ) 21...Nc5; D) 14.a4 Ng4 15.Bxg7 Kxg7
B1b) 15.Nxf1 Ng4 16.N1d2 16.Ra2 Nde5 17.Nxe5 Nxe5
Bxc3 17.bxc3 Qa6; 18.Nc3 Bxf1 19.Kxf1 Qa6+
B2) 14...Ng4 15.Bxg7 ( 15.a4 20.Qe2 Nd3 21.Rh3 Nxb2 22.h5
Bd4; 15.Bxa6 Bxc3+ 16.Qxc3 Qxe2+ 23.Kxe2 ]
Qxa6 17.h5 Nde5 18.Nxe5 [ 13...Rfe8 ]
Nxe5 19.hxg6 fxg6 ) 15...Bxf1 14.Ng3 Ng4 15.Bxg7 Kxg7 16.Bxa6
B2a) 16.Nxf1 Kxg7 17.b3 c4 Qxa6 17.Ne2 Nge5 18.Nxe5 Nxe5
18.bxc4 Ra3 19.N1h2 Qb4+ 19.0-0
20.Qd2 ( 20.Nd2 Rc3 21.Qd1 [ 19.Rh3 '!?' ]
Nge5 22.Nhf3 Nd3+ 23.Kf1 19...Qd3 20.Qxd3
Nf6 24.Ne1 Qc5 ) 20...Nxh2 [ 20.Rfc1 ]
21.Rxh2 Qxc4 22.Qd4+ Qxd4 20...Nxd3 21.b3 Rfb8
23.Nxd4 Rb4 24.Nc2 Rxe4+ [ 21...Ra3 22.Rfd1 Nb4 23.Rd2 Rfa8
25.Kf1 Ra5 26.Ne3 Nf6; 24.Nc1 ]
B2b) 16.Kxf1 Kxg7 17.b3 c4 22.Rfd1 Ne5 23.f3 Ra3 24.Kh2 Rba8
18.Rd1 ( 18.bxc4 Qb2 25.Nc1 f5 26.exf5 gxf5 27.Rb1 Rb8
19.Qxb2+ Rxb2 ) 18...Nc5 28.Rb2 Rb4 29.Kh3 c4 30.Re2
19.Nh2 ( 19.bxc4 Qb2 ) [ 30.Rbd2 cxb3 31.axb3 Kf6
19...Ne5 20.Nf3 ( 20.bxc4 ( 31...Ng6 32.Rd4 Rxd4 33.Rxd4
Qb2 ) 20...cxb3 21.axb3 Nxf3 Ra1 34.Ne2 ) 32.Kg3 Ng6 33.Rd4
22.gxf3 Qxb3 23.Qxb3 Rxb3 Rxd4 34.Rxd4 Ra1 35.Ne2 Ra2
24.Kg2 Ra2; 36.Nc1 Ke5 37.Rd1 Ra5 38.Nd3+
B2c) 16.Rxf1 Kxg7 17.b3 Kf6 39.Nb4 Ra3 40.Rb1 Ra5
Nde5 18.Nxe5 Nxe5 19.f4 41.Rd1 ]
Ng4 20.Rf3 ( 20.Ne2 f6 30...cxb3 31.Nxb3
21.Rf3 Ra3 ) 20...f6 ( 20...c4 ) [ 31.axb3 Ra1 ( 31...Kf6 ) 32.Nd3
21.Qc1 Ra7; Rxd1 33.Nxb4 Kf7 ( 33...Rd4
C) 14.b3 c4 ( 14...Ng4 15.Bxg7 34.Nc6 ) 34.Nc6 Rxd5 35.Nxe5+
Kxg7 ) 15.b4 Bb5 16.Bd4 ( 16.h5 dxe5 ]
Ba4 17.Qb1 Nc5 ) 16...Ba4 31...Ng6 32.Kg3
17.Qxc4 Qb7 18.Nc3 Rc8 19.Qd3 [ 32.g3 Rxh4+ 33.gxh4 Nf4+ 34.Kh2
Qxb4 20.Qd2 Ne5 21.Rb1 Nxe2 35.Rd2 Nc3 36.Nc1 Ra5 ]
( 21.Nxe5 dxe5 22.Bxe5 Nxe4; 32...Raa4
21.Bxe5 dxe5 ) 21...Qa5 22.Bd3 [ 32...Rxh4 33.Rxe7+ Nxe7 34.Kxh4
( 22.Nxe5 dxe5 23.Bxe5 Nxe4 Rxa2 35.Rd2 Rxd2 36.Nxd2 Kg6
24.Nxe4 Bxe5 25.Qxa5 Rxa5 ) 37.g3 Nxd5 38.Nc4 ]
22...Nxf3+ ( 22...Nxd5 23.Nxd5 33.Red2 Kf6
[ 33...Rxh4 34.Nd4 Kf6 35.Ne6 48.Nc2 Nd7 49.Ne3 Ra2 50.Rd1 Rh2
Ra5 ] 51.Rg1 Rh3+ 52.Rg3 Rxg3+ 53.Kxg3
34.Kf2 Nc5 54.Kf3 e6 55.dxe6 Kxe6 56.Nc2
[ 34.Nd4 Rc4 ] Kd5 57.Ne3+ Ke6 58.Nc2 Nb3 59.Ne3
[ 34.Rd4 Rxd4 35.Nxd4 Rxa2 ] Nd4+ 60.Kf2 Nc6
34...Rb5 [ 60...d5 61.Ng2 Nc6 62.Nh4 d4
[ 34...Rxh4 35.Nd4 Ra5 36.Nb3 63.Ke2 Ne7 64.Kd2 Kd6 65.Kc2
Rb5 ] ( 65.Kd3 Kd5 ) 65...Kc5 66.Kd2 Kc4
35.Rh1 67.Kc2 d3+ 68.Kd2 ]
[ 35.g3 f4 36.gxf4 Nxh4 37.Rh1 61.Ke2 Nb4 62.Kd2 Nd5 63.Ng2 Ne7
Rxf4 ] 64.Kd3 Nc6 65.Nh4 Nb4+ 66.Kd4
35...Rxh4 36.Rxh4 Nxh4 37.f4 Ng6 Nc6+ 67.Kc4 Nb8 68.Nxf5 ½-½ (68)
38.g3 h4 11...Qc7 12.Nbd2 cd4 13.c,4 (2780)-
[ 38...Nf8 ] Grube,J (2793) Srbija 106/(17)
39.Rd3 2016 HCL 33 [Blake,Michael]
[ 39.Rd4 hxg3+ 40.Kxg3 Nf8 41.Rd3 6.b6 d6 7.Nc3 Nbd7 8.e4 Bg7
Nd7 42.a4 Rb4 43.a5 Nb8 44.Rc3 9.Be2 Qxb6 10.Nf3 Rb8 11.Nd2 Qc7
Na6 ] 12.Nc4 h5
39...hxg3+
[ 39...Rb8 ] 46
6...axb5 ChessPublishing.com:
40.Kxg3 Nf8 41.Kf3 Nd7 42.a4 Rb4 'leaves White two tempi up on a
43.a5 Nf8 known line, Kramnik,V-Svidler,P/
[ 43...Ra4 44.Rd4 Ra3 45.Rd3 Nb8 Moscow RUS 2008' 7.Bxb5 Qa5+
46.Ke3 Na6 47.Nc5 Rxa5 48.Nxa6 Perunovic,Milos: '?!'
Rxa6 ] [ 7...e6 8.dxe6 fxe6 9.h5 ]
44.Nd4 8.Nc3 Sipke Ernst: 'and now in the
[ 44.Nd2 Ra4 ( 44...Ng6 45.Ra3 normal Benko without h4 and g6
Nxf4 46.a6 Nxd5 47.a7 Nb6 48.a8Q included Black's best line is to go ...
Nxa8 49.Rxa8 ) 45.Nb3 Nd7 46.Rc3 Bb7, however that doesn't work
Nb8 47.Ke3 Na6 48.Rd3 Nc7 anymore.' Perunovic,Milos:
49.Kf3 Ra3 50.Ke3 Nb5 51.Kf3 'Diagram
Nd4+ 52.Rxd4 Rxb3+ 53.Ke2 Ra3
54.Rd3 Rxa5 55.Kf3 ] (Diagram)
44...Ng6 45.a6
[ 45.Ke3 Ra4 46.Nc6 Re4+ ' Perunovic,Milos: 'Or wie auch'
( 46...Nxf4 47.Rd4 Ng2+ 48.Kd3 8...Bb7 Sipke Ernst: '?'
Ra3+ 49.Kc4 ) 47.Kd2 Nxf4 48.Ra3 [ 8...Ba6 Perunovic,Milos: 'N'
Nxd5 49.a6 Rc4 50.a7 Nc7 ] Perunovic,Milos: 'So,Wesley: 'Black's
[ 45.Ra3 Rxd4 46.a6 Rxf4+ 47.Kg3 idea is to try to prevent me from
Rc4 48.a7 Rc8 49.a8Q Rxa8 castling comfortably.' So,Wesley:
50.Rxa8 Ke5 ] 'Schwarz versucht, meine bequeme
[ 45.Ne6 ] Rochade zu verhindern.''
45...Ra4 46.Ne2 Rxa6 47.Nd4 Nf8 A) 9.Be2 Ne4 10.Bd2 Nxd2
a b c d e f g h
'Sindarov is very tactical and
he immediately seeks active
8 8 counterplay. The queen
7 7 controls a lot of squares on the
fourth rank. Sindarov ist sehr
6 6 taktisch und er sucht sofort
5 5
nach aktivem Gegenspiel. Die
Dame kontrolliert eine Menge
4 4 Felder auf der vierten Reihe.'
3 3
B1a1) Perunovic,Milos:
'Much stronger is Viel
2 2 stärker ist' 13.Nf4
1 1
Perunovic,Milos: '!'
Perunovic,Milos: 'you don't
a b c d e f g h
normally see a knight on f4
11.Qxd2 Bg7 12.h5 0-0 13.Nf3 in the Benko, but it is
( 13.Bxa6 Nxa6 14.h6 Bh8 actually quite active here,
15.Nge2 ) 13...Bxe2 14.Kxe2 d6; controlling the d5-square. I
B) 9.Bxa6 didn't realize how strong
B1) 9...Qxa6 ChessPublishing. this move is, and the point
com: 'Amin, B-Bosiocic,M/Online is that Black's queen on c4
Olym 2020.' can also become vulnerable.
B1a) 10.Nge2 Normalerweise sieht man
Adrien Demuth: '↑' Perunovic, im Benkö keinen Springer
Milos: 'So,Wesley: 'Not the auf f4, aber hier ist er
ideal square for my knight, tatsächlich ziemlich aktiv
also having a vulnerable g4- und kontrolliert das Feld d5.
square bothered me a little, Mir war nicht klar, wie stark
but at least I have an extra dieser Zug ist, und der
pawn and I'm ready to castle Punkt ist, dass Schwarz'
next.' So,Wesley: 'Das ist nicht Dame auf c4 auch
das ideale Feld für meinen verwundbar werden kann.'
Springer, und auch das d6 ( 13...e5 14.dxe6 dxe6
verwundbare g4-Feld stört 15.Nb5 Perunovic,Milos:
mich ein wenig, aber ''; 13...Na6 14.Nb5
wenigstens habe ich einen Perunovic,Milos: 'b3 comes
zusätzlichen Bauern und bin with tempo next, and Black
bereit, als nächstes zu has problems with his
rochieren.'' Bg7 11.0-0 0-0 queen. b3 kommt als
12.a4 Perunovic,Milos: '' Nächstes mit Tempo, und
( 12.e4 d6 13.a4 Nbd7 Schwarz hat Probleme mit
14.Nb5 Qb7 15.Qc2 ) seiner Dame.' ) 14.Nb5
12...Qc4 Perunovic,Milos: Perunovic,Milos: 'now the
Black queen is actually konsolidieren.' 16.Rf2

getting trapped. Jetzt sitzt Nbd7 17.Rh2 Qf5
die schwarze Dame 18.Nf4 Nh5 19.g4 Qf6
tatsächlich in der Falle.' Perunovic,Milos: '⇆'
Nbd7 Perunovic,Milos: 'and Perunovic,Milos: 'the
now both 15.b3 and 15.d2 position gets very messy.
are just much better for die Lage wird sehr
White. und jetzt sind sowohl unübersichtlich.';
15.b3 als auch 15.Ld2 B1a22) 13...e6
einfach viel besser für Weiß. Perunovic,Milos: '?'
'; Perunovic,Milos: 'Black
B1a2) 13.g3 Perunovic, looks for counterplay, but
Milos: '?!' at the worst possible
B1a21) Perunovic,Milos: moment. He does not
'Just the normal Nur das have enough time to
Übliche' 13...d6 break open the center.
Perunovic,Milos: 'gives Schwarz sucht nach
Black good compensation einem Gegenspiel, aber
for the pawn. c5 is now zum denkbar
well protected and it's not schlechtesten Zeitpunkt.
easy for White to Er hat nicht genug Zeit,
consolidate because of um das Zentrum
the weak squares around aufzubrechen.' 14.b3
his camp. gibt Schwarz Qg4 15.Ba3 Perunovic,
eine gute Kompensation Milos: 'Unfortunately for
für den Bauern. c5 ist him c5 is very vulnerable.
jetzt gut geschützt und es His queen is misplaced,
ist für Weiß nicht einfach, and Black's position
sich zu konsolidieren, da quickly falls apart. White
die Felder um sein Lager has gained a lot of time
herum schwach sind.' attacking the enemy
14.b3 ( 14.f3 Nbd7 queen, and I am clearly
15.b3 Qb4 16.Ba3 Qa5 no longer behind in
Perunovic,Milos: '⇆' ) development. Zu seinem
14...Qg4 15.f3 Qh3 Pech ist c5 sehr
Perunovic,Milos: '!' verwundbar. Seine Dame
Perunovic,Milos: 'this ist falsch platziert, und
counterplay is very Schwarz' Stellung fällt
annoying. It prevents schnell auseinander.
White from consolidating. Weiß hat viel Zeit
dieses Gegenspiel ist gewonnen, um die
sehr ärgerlich. Es hindert gegnerische Dame
Weiß daran, sich zu anzugreifen, und ich bin
in der Entwicklung nicht ( 27...Rd7 Perunovic,

mehr im Rückstand.' Na6 Milos: 'any move wins,
16.Rc1 Perunovic,Milos: probably the simplest is
'Black does not have time jeder Zug gewinnt, am
to defend all his einfachsten ist
vulnerable pawns. wahrscheinlich' 28.Rc8+
Schwarz hat nicht die Zeit, Rxc8 29.Nxc8 ) 28.Nc8
alle seine verwundbaren Sudgen,J (2773)-
Bauern zu verteidigen.' Chernov,V (2629)
exd5 Perunovic,Milos: '?' London 2022 CBM 51 ext
( 16...Rfb8 17.Nb5 Nxd5 [Nyback/Meyer,CD]
18.Bxc5 Nxc5 19.Rxc5 Perunovic,Milos: '1-0 (28)
Perunovic,Milos: '+-' ) So,W (2773)-Sindarov,J
17.Nf4 Rfb8 18.Nb5 (2629) Chennai 2022
Perunovic,Milos: 'It's CBM 210 [So, Wesley] I
incredible how fast was really pleased with
Black's position this quick win, thanks to
deteriorated from a Black's blunder on move
completely playable 13. As Carlsen has said
position a few moves before "You got to beat
ago! Unglaublich, wie them when they're
schnell sich Schwarz' young"! I was hoping that
Stellung von einer noch this win would help our
vor wenigen Zügen völlig team convert into match
spielbaren Stellung victory, as right after my
verschlechterte!' Qxd1 game it seemed like the
19.Rfxd1 d6 20.Bb2 posiitons on the other
Rb7 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 three boards were more
22.Nxd5 Bg7 23.Rd3 or less equal. However it
Rab8 24.g4 Perunovic, wasn't meant to be, and
Milos: 'The knights on d5 our team performance as
and b5 are killing any a whole was topsy turvy
possible counterplay by at best. No doubt these
Black, not to mention the young talents from
extra pawn. Die Springer Uzbekistan have a very
auf d5 und b5 machen bright chess future ahead
jedes mögliche of them, and I send big
Gegenspiel von Schwarz congratulations to them
zunichte, ganz zu for winning the gold
schweigen von dem medal. I am sure we all
zusätzlichen Bauern.' c4 look forward to seeing
25.Rxc4 Nc5 26.Rd1 what they will accomplish
Nxb3 27.Nxd6 Ra7 in the future! Ich war
wirklich sehr zufrieden Adrien Demuth: '⇆' Perunovic,

mit diesem schnellen Milos: 'works just as well,
Sieg, dank des Fehlers transposing to a similar
von Schwarz in Zug 13. position. In addition it prevents
Wie Carlsen schon sagte: Black from having this idea of
'Man muss sie schlagen, ...c4. So,Wesley: 'when
wenn sie jung sind'! Ich White is on the way to
hatte gehofft, dass dieser consolidating and' funktioniert
Sieg unserem Team zum genauso gut und führt zu einer
Matchsieg verhelfen ähnlichen Stellung. Außerdem
würde, da es nach verhindert es, dass Schwarz
meiner Partie so aussah, die Idee ...Dc4 hat. So,
als ob die Stellungen an Wesley: ', wonach Weiß auf
den anderen drei Brettern dem Weg zur Konsolidierung
mehr oder weniger gleich ist und'' Qb7 Adrien Demuth:
wären. Aber es sollte '?!' ChessPublishing.com:
nicht sein, und unsere 'resembles a Closed King's
Mannschaftsleistung English, Wang, Y-Smirin,I/
insgesamt war Khanty Mansyisk RUS 2005'
bestenfalls ( 13...Nbd7 Perunovic,Milos:
durchwachsen. Zweifellos 'can be even met by begegnet
haben diese jungen werden kann sogar mit'
Talente aus Usbekistan 14.Nb5 Perunovic,Milos:
eine große schachliche 'threatening the fork c7 and
Zukunft vor sich, und ich preparing to bring the other
gratuliere ihnen herzlich knight to c3. begegnet werden
zum Gewinn der kann, was die Gabel Sc7 droht
Goldmedaille. Ich bin und sich darauf vorbereitet,
sicher, dass wir alle den anderen Springer nach c3
gespannt darauf sind, zu bringen.' Qb7 15.Qc2
was sie in der Zukunft Perunovic,Milos: 'Black is
erreichen werden!'; simply a pawn down with not
B1b) 10.a4 Bg7 ChessPublis enough compensation.
hing.com: 'Cheparinov,I-Stevic, Schwarz hat einfach einen
H/Bol 2013.' ( 10...d6 11.e4 Bauern weniger und nicht
Bg7 tr. ) 11.e4 ChessPublis genug Kompensation.' )
hing.com: '!?' ChessPublishing. 14.Bg5 ChessPublishing.
com: 'is interesting, stopping com: 'transposes below.'
Black's possible kingside Qxb2?? 15.Rb1
attack, see the instructive Adrien Demuth: 'N!' Qa3
game Erdos,V-Stevic,H/ Bol ChessPublishing.com: 'So,W-
2013.' d6 Sipke Ernst: 'tr.' Adhiban,B/ Tata Steel Masters
12.Nge2 0-0 13.0-0 2018.' 16.Rb3+-;
B2) 9...Nxa6 10.Nf3 Bg7 with the same idea. This move,
11.0-0 Adrien Demuth: '=' 0-0 however, gives White extra options.
12.e4 Adrien Demuth: '!' ] Nevertheless, I prefer the standard
[ 8...e6? 9.Bd2 Bg7 ( 9...Qb6 Adrien Demuth: '?!'
Adrien Demuth: '!?' 10.Qf3 Bg7 A) After The line 9.d6 '?!' axb5
11.dxe6+- ) 10.dxe6 fxe6 11.h5+- 10.Bxb5 does not have any
Adrien Demuth: '' Nxh5 12.Rxh5 independent value, as we can reply
gxh5 13.Qxh5+ ( 13.Qc1 10.d5 transposing to the main line,
Adrien Demuth: '?!' )] though I believe White also has
9.Bd2 Perunovic,Milos: 'do not lead reasonable alternatives. For
anywhere for Black. führen für example, I would seriously consider
Schwarz nicht weiter.' 9...Qb6 10.g3. Playable but somewhat
10.Bc4 passive is: Bb7 Here I like the
[ 10.a4 Bg7 ( 10...Nxd5 11.Nxd5 following set-up for White:
Bxd5 12.Bc3 Bxg2 13.Rh2 ) 11.e4 ] ( 10...Qb6!? 11.Nge2 Nc6 12.Ra3
10...e6 11.dxe6 Ba6 ) 11.Nf3 Nc6!? ( But not
[ 11.e4 Nxe4 12.Nxe4 exd5⇆ ] 11...Na6 when after '?!' '?!' 12.0-0
11...dxe6 Nb4 13.Qe2 Ne4 14.Nxe4 Bxe4
[ 11...Bxg2? 12.exf7+ Kd8 13.Rh2+- ] 15.Ng5 White retains a slight edge.
12.Nf3 This continuation has been tested
in the game 1-0 (69) Fedoseev,V
47
7.a4 0-0 8.Nc3 Adrien Demuth: '' (2664) -Tari,A (2630) Douglas 2019
White increases his grip on b5 and GM Pavel Eljanov: 'White retains a
prepares to meet ...Qa5 with Bd2. If slight edge. This continuation has
this seems too sedate for you, then been tested in the game 1-0 (69)
by all means explore 8.h5!? Nxh5 9. Fedoseev,V (2664)-Tari,A (2630)
g4 Nf6 10.g5 , fighting hard for the Douglas 2019' Bc6 16.Bd2 Qb6
initiative and intending to launch a 17.Bc3 f6 18.Nf3 Nd5 19.e4
strong attack after 10...Nh5?! 11. Nxc3 20.bxc3 f5 21.e5 Bxf3
Rxh5! gxh5 12.Qxh5 . '!?' Another 22.Qxf3 Bxe5 23.Bxd7 Qxd6
important move, reinforcing White's 24.Rad1 Qe7 25.Rfe1 Qf6 26.Rd3
grip on the all-important b5-square, Kh8 27.Qc6 Bxc3 28.Rxe6 Qg7
a post he would like to maintain 29.Qxc5 Bf6 30.Qc4 Rad8
control of. Always a useful advance 31.Red6 f4 32.a5 Bxh4 33.a6
in such structures, increasing Be7 34.R6d5 Ra8 35.Bb5 Rac8
White's stranglehold over b5 and 36.Qd4 Rc1+ 37.Rd1 Qxd4
the queenside. 8...Bb7 GM Pavel 38.R5xd4 Rxd1+ 39.Rxd1 Bc5
Eljanov: 'A very principled approach. 40.Bc6 Rf6 41.Bb7 Kg7 42.Kf1
Black is planning to strike in the h6 43.Ke2 f3+ 44.gxf3 g5 45.Rc1
centre with ...e7-e6. In this way, he Ba7 46.Bc8 Rf7 47.Rc6 Re7+
tries to prove that the advance h2- 48.Kf1 Bd4 49.Be6 h5 50.Kg2 h4
h4 is just a loss of time.' 51.Bc4 Rd7 52.Be6 Re7 53.Bd5
[ A very decent alternative is 8...e6 Kf8 54.Rc8+ Re8 55.Rc4 Ba7
56.Rc7 Re7 57.Rxa7 Rxa7 At this point, the only independent

58.Bb7 Ke7 59.Kh3 Kf6 60.Kg4 option seems to be 9...exd5
Ke5 61.f4+ gxf4 62.Kxh4 f3 ( 9...Bb7 transposes to the main
63.Kg4 Kf6 64.Kxf3 Kf5 65.Ke3 line. ) 10.Nxd5 and Black was doing
Ke5 66.Kd3 Kf4 67.Ke2 Kg5 fine in D. Gurevich - Hickl,
68.Ke3 Kf5 69.Kf3 Groningen 1988. Bb7 Even though
Chapter Introduction-Game 10 the position is closed, I consider
Game 10 ) 12.Ra3 Ng4 13.Be2 this trade a concession. 11.Nxf6+
The position is pretty unclear.; A slightly unexpected exchange,
B) The standard 9.Ra3 turns out to but by no means a bad alternative
be too slow this time. Black can to the attempt to maintain a grip on
organize his counterplay with White d5 with 11.Bc4 . Qxf6 Perunovic,
was threatening 13.h6. Bb7 Milos: 'Black has compensation for
10.dxe6 This is Krogius - Karasev, the pawn. Schwarz hat
St Petersburg 1995, and now I like Kompensation für den Bauern.'
a modest move: fxe6 'N' 11.Nf3 d5 12.Ra3!? Remember this typical
It's not easy for White to fight idea. By putting the rook out of the
against the strong pawn centre. For x-ray along the big diagonal, White
example - White should be better, enables the advance of the b-pawn.
due to his extra space, for instance: Additionally, the rook often works
12.Be2 axb5 13.axb5 Rxa3 on the third rank. With the idea of
'' I also examined 14.bxa3 slowly preparing f2-f4. The point of
when the following plan looks good White's play. While White might
for White: d4 15.Na4 Ne4⇆ well still meet ...axb5 with Bxb5, he
with sufficient counterplay for can now consider axb5 too and the
Black.; rook is fairly well placed on the third
C) 9.dxe6; rank, with the options of swinging
D) 9.Nf3 Perunovic,Milos: 'White is across to d3 or just b3. Next up will
slightly behind in development, and be Be2, after which White castle or
has to play accurately in order to prefer a more ambitious yet also
consolidate his pawn. ist Weiß in tempting policy with h4-h5 and Kf1.
der Entwicklung leicht im axb5 The most straightforward.
Rückstand und muss genau spielen, ( After 12...d5 13.Be2 axb5
um seinen Bauern zu konsolidieren. 14.axb5 Nd7 15.0-0 White had a
' In the limited practice thus far, pleasant edge in Uhlmann - Orbaan,
White has been tempted into 9.d6!? Poland 1967. It seems White can
here, but there's no reason not to also fight for an advantage with
continue development and now 9... Qb6 16.b3 Black does not have
Bb7 would transpose to enough compensation for the pawn.
StartFENrnbq1rk1/3pppbp/ The b5-passer is actually very
p4np1/1PpP4/P6P/2N1P3/1P3PP1/ annoying. ) 13.Bxb5 '!?' The natural
R1BQKBNR b KQ - 0 12.g2 also comes into
8EndFEN 8...Bb7 9.Nf3 e6 . consideration. d5 Black is playing
for a Bluemenfeld type of example, in case of 18.Rb3 Bg7

compensation, relying on the 19.Ba5 Rdb8 20.Bc3
dynamic power of his central pawns. with a slight advantage. GM
Very often, however, the black Pavel Eljanov: 'White is still
centre turns out to be vulnerable. slightly better due to Black's
White's most natural follow-up is vulnerable centre and the distant
D1) Another typical idea to have passed pawn on a4.' ) 18.Bc3
in mind is 14.b4!? By deflecting with a slight advantage. ]
the c5-pawn, White weakens the [ 8...axb5 ChessPublishing.com:
d4-square. Nevertheless, not 'attempting to exchange some pieces,
everything is so simple. '!' cxb4 but White has a plus, Tratar,M-
15.Rb3 d4! Without this powerful Srebrnic,V/ Open Ljubljana CRO 2000.
resource, Black wouldn't have ' 9.Bxb5 ChessPublishing.com: '?!' ]
enough counterplay. [ 8...d6 tr. 9.Ra3 ChessPublishing.
( In the event of 15...Nc6 com: 'was very active for Black, as he
16.0-0 White is better. The b4- gains a move on the white queen,
pawn will soon drop. ) 16.0-0 and develops quickly.' Bd7
'' Another example is: Bxf3 ChessPublishing.com: 'This seems
17.Qxf3 Qxf3 18.gxf3 Na6 like an odd square for a queen, but it
19.Rd1 Even though White's is very common in similar positions.
position remains slightly more The c1-bishop will be developed on b2,
pleasant, Black is very close to so the queen will be able to defend
the equality.; both the bishop on b2, and the g3-
D2) 14.0-0 Na6 15.Re1 knight, from d2.' ( 9...axb5 10.Bxb5
Freeing the f1-square for the ChessPublishing.com: 'There is no
bishop and anticipating the reason to defer the development of
advance ...d5-d4, when the rook the queen's bishop.' Ba6 11.Nge2
will be well placed on the open Bxb5 ChessPublishing.com: 'It may be
file. Rfd8 Black consistently that White's best plan is not to play
follows the plan he has prepared, the obvious e4 and Bd3, after having
but any opening of the position fianchettoed the queen's bishop, but
favours White: 16.h5 Qf5 rather to play a double fianchetto, and
( One of the points behind 15. bring the king's knight to f4.' 12.Nxb5
Re1 is to answer 16...Nc7 ChessPublishing.com: 'The best time
with Black has been strategically to develop the king's bishop.' Na6
outplayed, plus his b5-pawn is Adrien Demuth: '⇆' 13.Nec3 )]
falling, Ruck - Runic, Bled 2002. 9.Nf3 Adrien Demuth: ''
Not much better is 17.Bf1 ) ChessPublishing.com: '!'
17.Bd2 Another thematic idea. ChessPublishing.com: 'This way
White is planning to exchange round Black fails to liberate his
the dark-squared bishops via c3. position, White's hold on d5 should
'!' Qxh5 ( After 17...Bxb2 give him a certain plus.' Obviously
White wins valuable time. For the critical move. This is a
significant theoretical tabiya. Black preventing Black from expanding with

now has a wide choice between ...d5 and, in short, denying him
which type of position he would like sufficient counterplay. A powerful
to play. With Black not enjoying his invasion, preventing ...d5 and leaving
usual Benko free queenside play, Black a little cramped, as we'll see in
White is now ready to expand with Rapport-Svidler. Main Chapter and
e3-e4. Extended Variations Chapter 3: Other
[ 9.h5 Nxh5 10.g4 Nf6 11.e4 d6 3rd Moves Bar 3...Bg7 Variation: 3A |
12.g5 Nfd7 ] Black plays 4...b5, 6...Bg7, 7...O-O,
9...e6 GM Pavel Eljanov: 'transposes to 8...Bb7 Model Game: Richard Rapport
the main line.' There are two other – Peter Svidler ( 11.Be2 ChessPublis
important lines to discuss: but the hing.com: 'The standard method of
text is the most challenging. Black's treating such positions, the resulting
main pawn break, but now he must ending is not quite as simple as it
allow White's queen to invade might seem.' d5 ) 11...axb5
unless he prefers a slightly lifeless ChessPublishing.com: 'Threatening
position with the d-file open and the the freeing move 7...d5.' Black plays in
queens off. 10.dxe6 ChessPublis the spirit of the Czech Benoni; his
hing.com: 'Illescas Cordoba,M- plan includes ...g7-g6 and ...g7
Arencibia,W/Salamanca ESP 1998. followed by ...f7-f5 . He would also be
or' Once again Black has a choice: happy to trade dark-squared bishops.
Giving up the central bastion, but 12.Bxb5 Adrien Demuth: '' An
also forcing Black into a major important prophylactic move, as now ...
decision over how to recapture and g5 can be met by f2-f4.
an exchange which gives him a A) More tenacious would have been
harder position than 10.e4 exd5 11. After 12...Na6 planning the
exd5 Re8+ 12.Be2 axb5 would. manoeuvre...Nc7-d5. A possible
10...dxe6 The alternatives are: GM Pavel sequence would be 13.0-0
Eljanov: '!' GM Pavel Eljanov: 'This White's central pawns are rather
is the most precise recapture.' vulnerable and Black has definite
[ The fact that Svidler lost without a counterplay, as in the following
fight here suggests that Black's game: Nc7 14.Be2 Ncd5 15.Qxc5
position is quite dangerous after when Black does not have enough
10...fxe6 10...dxe6 11.Qxd8 Rxd8 12. compensation for the sacrificed
Bd2 gave White a pleasant edge in material. The lines below justify
Leimgruber-Laghetti, correspondence this evaluation.
2017. Black is a little low on A1) The alternative is 15...Nxc3
counterplay, will find any move of the 16.Qxc3 And now after the
knight from f6 met by h4-h5 and must inaccurate: Ne4 '?!' In Geller -
also watch out that White can't get in Matulovic, Skopje 1967, White
a well-timed a4-a5 and/or b5-b6 to could have secured his
make significant inroads on the advantage with: 17.Qe1 'N!' Ra5
queenside. 11.Qd6 A star follow-up, The rook joins the attack via the
fifth rank. White, however, has advance h4-h5 very powerful.

time to complete the ChessPublishing.com: 'Sensibly
development. ( An interesting continuing development, Black
alternative is If 17...g5 then plays his bishop to the a1-h8
18.hxg5 Ra5 In this case, the diagonal.' Trying to break out, as
elegant 19.Nh2! somewhat otherwise after, say, 12...Na6 13.O-
eases Black's task. At first I O Nc7 14.Be2! White has sufficient
preferred Rxg5 but then I failed control, having retained an
to discover anything interesting important bishop, and c5 remains
for White after 20.f4 Rg6 an issue for Black. 13.Nxe4 Bxe4
21.Bh5 '!' Rh6 22.Bf3 Here I like the following idea: 14.h5
neutralizes Black's kingside ChessPublishing.com: 'Vera,R-
attack. Black does not have Hodgson,J/ Winnipeg 1997.' It's
enough compensation for the certainly a handy rule of thumb in
material. ) 18.Qb4! Winning an most Benko-type positions to be
important tempo and preparing looking to go h4-h5 as soon as, or
Bd2 on the next move. Bc6 soon after, Black moves his knight
19.Bd2 White has an obvious from f6.
advantage. ''; B1) Svidler played Or 14...Qf6?!
A2) 15...Rc8 With this move, when after Adrien Demuth: '?'
Black immediately regains one of ChessPublishing.com: 'is worse,'
the pawns. 16.Qb5 GM Pavel Eljanov: '??' '??' As
With a double-edged position, remarkable as it may sound, this
Smejkal - Benjamin, Thessaloniki is already a decisive mistake.
1988. Nxc3 A thematic move for Instead, 14...Nc6 15.hxg6 hxg6
this kind of pawn structure. and now: AEndBracket
( Nothing gives 16...Rb8 17.Qd3 Not 16.Qxc5? Bxf3 17.gxf3 Rf5
when White keeps his extra when White's queenside pieces
material. ) 17.bxc3 In my opinion are a little loose, not to mention
the most promising continuation. f3, BEndBracket
Other options are less clear: Bc6 StartFENr2q1rk1/3p2b1/
18.Qd3 This change of pawn 2nQp1p1/1Bp5/P3b3/4PN2/
structure appears favourable for 1P3PP1/R1B1K2R w KQ - 0
White. In the following encounter 16EndFEN 16.Ra3!?
he had definite pressure after: might have been stronger,
Ng4 19.e4 Qc7 20.g3 indirectly offering support
In my opinion, Black's piece StartBracketthe rook is
activity is not enough to now on a defended
compensate for the two pawns. squareEndBracket to the
In the long run, White's distant bishop and thereby allowing
passed pawn on a4 can be very White to consider Qxc5, as well
dangerous.; as even ideas of Bd2 Bxb2;
B) 12...Ne4 This move makes the Rc3!?, sacrificing the exchange
for attacking chances. Rapport,R (2763)-Svidler,P

CEndBracket (2714) Paris 2021'
StartFENr2q1rk1/3p2b1/ ChessPublishing.com: 'is a viable
2nQp1p1/1Bp5/P3b3/4PN2/ alternative:' followed by af1,
1P3PP1/R1B1K2R w KQ - 0 when Black's position is very
16EndFEN 16.Qh2 Bxf3 passive. GM Pavel Eljanov:
17.gxf3 Ne5! 18.Qh7+ Kf7 19. 'Black was forced to resign. 1-0
Qh3 had just been all rather (18) Rapport,R (2763)-Svidler,P
murky and unclear in Ilyin-Martin (2714) Paris 2021' '!' A deft tactic,
Gonzalez, correspondence 2013. overloading the defence. Svidler
15.h6 If '!' Harry gets in on the gave up in view of 18...Rxf4
act, forcing the bishop into the StartBracketit's mate after
corner and taking away the g7- 18...Nxd7 19.Qxe6+ or
square from the black king. Bh8 StartFENrn1q1rkb/3B3p/
ChessPublishing.com: 'Besides 3Qp1pP/2p5/P4R2/4Pb2/
the time lost, the queen will prove 1P3PP1/R1B1K3 b Q - 0
worse here than on d2.' then 18EndFEN 18...Qxd7 19.
16.Rh4! White is winning on the Rxf8 EndBracket
spot in view of the threat Rf4. StartFENrn1q2kb/3B3p/
Probably, Svider missed this 3Qp1pP/2p5/P4r2/4Pb2/1P3PP1/
strong move. After A lovely and R1B1K3 w Q - 0
deadly rook lift. Bxf3 This loses 19EndFEN 19.Bxe6+ .
mundanely, but if... Nxd7 ( 18...Qxd7 19.Qxf8#;
AEndBracket 18...Rxf4 19.Bxe6+ Rf7
StartFENrn3rkb/3p3p/ 20.Qxd8# ChessPublishing.com:
3QpqpP/1Bp5/P3b2R/4PN2/ '!?' ChessPublishing.com: 'The
1P3PP1/R1B1K3 b Q - 2 knight will come to c5, to survey
16EndFEN 16...Bf5? 17. the e4-square, Ruban,V-Miles,A/
e4 BEndBracket Belgrade 1988.'; 18...Bd5
StartFENrn3rkb/3p3p/ 19.Bxe6+ Bxe6 20.Qxe6+ )
3QpqpP/1Bp5/P3b2R/4PN2/ 19.Qxe6+;
1P3PP1/R1B1K3 b Q - 2 B2) ChessPublishing.com:
16EndFEN 16...Bc6 17. 'Perhaps' 14...Bxf3 ChessPublis
Rf4 Qd8 18.Bxc6 Nxc6 19.Rxf8+ hing.com: 'is White's simplest
Qxf8 20.Qxd7 when White is two continuation, as he can then
pawns to the good and Black's react in the centre with d4 when
position is collapsing. 17.Rf4 '!' '!' it is more appropriate,' 15.gxf3
Qd8 ChessPublishing.com: Rxf3 16.hxg6;
'Ernst,S-Dunnington,A/ Lichfield B3) 14...Nc6 This is an
ENG 2000.' 18.Bxd7 Black was improvement over the game of
forced to resign. 1-0 (18) Rapport, Svidler. Nevertheless, White
R (2763) -Svidler,P (2714) Paris keeps his advantage. 15.hxg6
2021 Sipke Ernst: '1-0 (18) 'N!' ( But not 15.h6 when after
Bh8 '!' A thematic pawn sacrifice. Black does not have sufficient
16.Qg3 Nb4⇆ Black suddenly compensation for the pawn. '!' This
gets decent counterplay. White is stronger than 10.d2, since
has a dangerous initiative. ) White's knight is transferred to d3,
15...hxg6 where it can support both the f2-f4
B3a) 16.Ra3 Rf5 ( 16...Nb4? and b2-b4 advances. ]
17.Rc3 Qf6 18.Qg3 ) 17.Bd2; 13.h5 Even in this endgame, the h-pawn
B3b) 16.Bd3 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 can be very annoying. Black should
Qf6 18.0-0 d5 19.e4; constantly reckon with the advance
B3c) 16.Qg3 Nb4 17.0-0 h5-h6.
With the idea: Rf5 18.Be2 [ Giving the a-file with 13.Rc1 axb5
White is slightly better due to 14.axb5 is not the optimal decision. A
his extra pawn and Black's correspondence game saw Nd7
potentially vulnerable king. ] 15.Be2 Nb6 '' Black faced serious
11.Qxd8 Rxd8= Now Black's main difficulties in Li Wenliang - Reh, Bad
positional idea is to trade dark- Zwesten 2003. 16.h5 Now I like the
squared bishops with ...d8-b6, following idea: Nd6 17.Rh4 Ra7
which is why White's next couple of with counterplay for Black. 1/2-1/2
moves are logical. 12.Bd2 Ne8! (26) Leimgruber,R (2452) -Laghetti,G
Black has a decent compensation (2472) ICCF email 2017 GM Pavel
but has to play precisely in order to Eljanov: 'with counterplay for Black. 1/
(almost) maintain the balance. 2-1/2 (26) Leimgruber,R (2452)-
[ Wrong is 12...Ne4 since after Laghetti,G (2472) ICCF email 2017'
13.Nxe4 Bxe4 Black's last two moves 18.Nd1 Bf6 19.Rg4 Ne4 20.Nc3
were simply wrong and now White Nxc3 21.Bxc3 Bxc3+ 22.bxc3 Bxf3
achieves a solid plus with a simple 23.Bxf3 Kg7 24.Rh4 Ra5 25.hxg6
idea: 14.Bc3 White manages to hxg6 26.c4 ]
neutralize Black's biggest asset - the 13...axb5 Now I found the following
g7-bishop. '!' GM Pavel Eljanov: '' ] example quite instructive: 14.Bxb5
[ Another possibility is 12...axb5 Nd6 15.Be2 '!' The best reaction; White
13.Bxb5 Ne8 Black is planning to play carries our a fine regrouping.
...Nd6 with a gain of tempo. White, 15...Nc6 16.Rd1 White is not at risk in
however, has a powerful solution at this endgame but Black should be
his disposal GM Pavel Eljanov: 'Black careful. 16...Nb4 Black is planning
is planning to play ...Nd6 with a gain to increase the pressure with ...
of tempo. White, however, has a Ne4.
powerful solution at his disposal -' [ After 16...Na5 White can play This
14.Bxe8! Rxe8 15.Nb5 The point. position arose in Blagojevic - Guzijan,
White is winning an important tempo Niksic 1996, and now I found an
to prepare the thematic exchange of improvement: 17.h6!? 'N!?' Bf8
the bishops via c3. After '' White has ( In the event of 17...Bf6 18.0-0
a clear positional advantage, Marin - Advancing the b-pawn would only
Khasin, Dresden 1988. Rd8 16.Bc3 ease White's task, for example: Nac4
19.Bc1 White keeps everything way to the draw. Chapter 3 – Benko

together. It's not clear how Black is Approach [GM Pavel Eljanov] White
going to increase his pressure. ) starts his play on the queenside,
18.Nb5! A typical example of a not worrying about a possible trade
transformation of the advantage. of darksquared bishops. GM Pavel
White returns his extra pawn in order Eljanov: '\= The position is still not a
to seize the initiative. Nb3 19.Nxd6 dead draw since White secured the
Rxd6 20.Bc3 '' Maybe there is still a4-pawn. Black still needs to work
nothing concrete, but White has his way to the draw.'
achieved more on the queenside and 7.Nf3 axb5 8.Na3 b4 9.Nc4 d6
has the better prospects. After Rxa4 10.Bd3 Ba6 11.h5 Nxh5 12.e4 Nd7
White can continue with 21.0-0↑ 13.Qe2 0-0
White is better due to his better
coordination. The h6-pawn makes the 48
Once again, putting pressure on c3
black king pretty vulnerable. ] is not the best strategy. For
17.0-0 Ne4 18.Nxe4 Bxe4 example, after Also 7...axb5
This is Gelfand - Campora, Izmir is not so good in this case. The
2004. Black's idea is to transfer his point is that Black has not played ...
dark-squared bishop to a7 with ... bd7, so the d7-square is free for
b8-a7, but White has a strong his light-squared bishop, while the
positional idea at his disposal: knight can develop on a6. 8.Bxb5
19.b3 'N!' 19...Rdb8 This precise Adrien Demuth: '' 8...Qa5
continuation almost solves Black's ChessPublishing.com: 'Sorokin, M-
problems. Tseshkovsky,V/Krasnodar RUS
[ After 19...Na2 20.h6!? Bxh6 21.Ra1 1999.' 9.a4 Ne4 White plays the
Nb4 22.Bxb4 cxb4 23.Rac1 thematic ChessPublishing.com: '!?'
White is better since the protected ChessPublishing.com: 'led to a
passer on a4 is a very important long- convincing victory for White in Suba,
term advantage. ] M-Bosboom Lanchava,T/Malaga
20.Bxb4 '!' 20...Rxb4 21.Nd2 ESP 2003 after' 10.Nge2
The knight is ready to jump to c6. GM Pavel Eljanov: '' '' GM Pavel
White can also create more Eljanov: 'White has a stable
pressure on the queenside with h3, advantage. Establishing a blockade
and then start playing along the c- on b5 is one of the most powerful
file. His advantage is obvious. strategies against Black's
21...Bc2 22.Rc1 Bxb3 23.Nxb3 queenside play. In order to regain
White's d5-pawn secures a clear the pawn, Black will be forced to
space advantage and it is easier for part with his powerful g7-bishop.'
him to generate play on the ChessPublishing.com: 'the same
queenside. 23...Rxb3 24.Rxc5 idea' leads to a double-edged
+=/= The position is still not a dead position. Now it's Black who will
draw since White secured the a4- have to part with an important
pawn. Black still needs to work his bishop if he wants to regain his
pawn: 10...Ba6 Black tries to Bluebaum, M (2640) -Moroni, L

remove the blockade by using the (2575) Chess.com INT 2021' ]
unprotected a1-rook. White's 11...0-0 12.0-0 Nf6 13.e4
typical antidote is Sipke Ernst: '0-1 White enjoys a healthy extra pawn.
(61) Bluebaum,M (2640)-Moroni,L Now there is a split between plans
(2575) Chess.com INT 2021' with ...c7-c6 and instead simply
ChessPublishing.com: '!?' castling:
ChessPublishing.com: 'was tried in 7...d6
Zvjaginsev, V-Tseshkovsky,V/
Krasnoyarsk RUS 2003' 49
8.h5 axb5
[ 10...0-0 11.0-0 Perunovic,Milos: '' ] [ 8...Nxh5 9.g4 Nf6 10.g5 Nh5
[ 10...Nxc3 11.Nxc3 Bxc3+ 12.bxc3 11.Rxh5 gxh5 12.Qxh5 d6 13.Bd3
Qxc3+ 13.Bd2 Qe5 14.Qc1 f5 14.gxf6 Rxf6 15.Bxh7+ Kf8
White eyes c5 and also threatens 16.Bg6 ]
Bc3. ( 14.0-0 ) 14...Qxd5 15.0-0 9.hxg6
This is superb compensation: White [ 9.Bxb5 Nxh5 10.g4 Nf6 11.g5 Ne4
is leading in development, able to rip 12.Nxe4 Qa5+ 13.Nc3 Bxc3+
open further lines if needed with e3-e4 14.bxc3 Qxb5 ]
and h4-h5, and all set to dominate the 9...fxg6
a1-h8 diagonal. 3. Other 3rd Moves [ 9...hxg6 10.Bxb5 Ba6 ( 10...Bb7
Bar 3...Bg-3A | 3...c5 | Black plays 4.., 11.e4 e6 12.Nf3 exd5 13.exd5
6] Re8+ 14.Kf1 Na6 15.Bc4 ) 11.Bxa6
11.Ra3! restricting Black's entire Nxa6 12.e4 ]
counterplay. ChessPublishing.com: 10.Bxb5 Qa5
'!?' [ 10...Ba6 11.Be2 Bxe2 12.Ngxe2
[ After 11.Bxa6 Nxa6 12.0-0 Na6 13.0-0 ]
I played this once and it turned into 11.Rh4 Ne8 12.Rb1
quite an instructive game: Nxc3 [ 12.Ra4 Bxc3+ 13.bxc3 Qxc3+
13.bxc3 Black has good chances to 14.Bd2 Qf6 15.Rf4 ]
fight for a draw in view of White's 12...Ba6 13.Ra4 Qb6 14.Qb3 Qf6
weakened queenside structure. 15.Rf4 Qg5 16.Bf1 Rxf4 17.exf4 Qf6
Eventually, Black even managed to 18.d6+ Qf7 19.Qxf7+ Kxf7 20.dxe7
win in the game 0-1 (61) Bluebaum, M
(2640) -Moroni, L (2575) Chess.com 50
8...axb5 9.Bxb5 Ba6 10.Bxa6
INT 2021 '!?' A remarkable idea: Nxa6 11.e4 d6 12.0-0 This calm move
White intends to push his pawn to f5 is sensible, whereas 12.h5?! Nxh5
in order to open lines. The thematic 9. didn't achieve much in Bashylina-
d5 is also worthy of consideration. GM Ronka, Internet
Pavel Eljanov: 'Black has good StartBracketblitzEn
chances to fight for a draw in view of dBracket 2021. It's important
White's weakened queenside not to rush with Harry in such
structure. Eventually, Black even positions, h4-h5 will be all the
managed to win in the game 0-1 (61) stronger once Black regroups his
knight from f6 to d7 or e8 in typical A1) 12...Na6 13.Re1

Benko fashion. However, if the Adrien Demuth: '?!' Nc7
knight stays on f6, White should ChessPublishing.com: 'Black
look to arrange e4-e5. Two other prefers to keep his e-pawn for
important ideas to be aware of are the moment.' ( 13...Ne4?
Nf3-d2-c4, which may especially ChessPublishing.com: 'Kelly,B-
prove useful in the event of ...Qa5 Speelman,J/ ch-GBR, Torquay
or ...Qb6, and a2-a4 followed by ENG 1998.' 14.Qc2 ChessPublis
Ra3, keeping Black at bay on the hing.com: 'can transpose:' f5
queenside and even hinting at an Adrien Demuth: '' 15.Bd2;
eventual swing over to the e-file or 13...c4 ChessPublishing.com: 'By
into a kingside attack. 12...Qd7 advancing his d-pawn White
Perunovic,Milos: '' prevents Black from
8...e6 consolidating his pawn chain with
9.a4 Sipke Ernst: 'tr.' Reinforcing d4-d5, however, this move
White's grip on the key b5 point. seems premature here' 14.e4
Once again, increasing White's hold Nc5 ChessPublishing.com: 'The
over this key square while making fianchetto doesn't really fit in with
Black exchange then go ...Ba6 if the d4-d5 advance.' 15.Qc2 Nd3
he's after normal Benko-like play. ChessPublishing.com: 'Kleist,F-
9...Bg4! Sipke Ernst: '?!' '?!' Sipke Ernst: Benjamin,J/Edmondton CAN
'this is not very effective here' This 2000.' 16.Rf1 ChessPublishing.
was an unexpected change of com: 'Skembris,S-Lazic,M/
direction when first seen in Verona ITA 2005 The alternative,
Grischuk-Vachier-Lagrave, Riga ' Nxe4 Adrien Demuth: '='
2019. '?!' ChessPublishing.com: 'is less
[ 9...axb5 ChessPublishing.com: 'A aggressive, and it is difficult to
key manoeuvre, borrowed from the believe that it is superior.'
Advance French, the knight comes to 17.Qxc4 ) 14.Nc3 Qd7 15.e4
c7, either to prepare the ... d5-push, ChessPublishing.com: 'White is
or to continue towards the kingside via loathe to capture on e4 because
e6.' 10.Bxb5 Ba6 ChessPublishing. of the opening of the h3-c8
com: 'Conceding the centre is active, diagonal.';
but not forced,' This is Suvrajit - Koshy, A2) 12...Qd7!? ChessPublishing.
Calcutta 1996, and now the natural- com: 'is a more direct approach,
looking aiming to dissolve the black
A) 11.0-0 Bxb5 12.Nxb5 centre before Black has time to
Adrien Demuth: '' ChessPublishing. defend it.';
com: 'This kind of position has B) 11.Bd2 A useful little resource,
usually been satisfactory for Black, connecting the queen with the rook
whose kingside pawn formation is on a1 and so enabling White to
more solid than it looks, Prohaszka, meet ...axb5 with axb5, an
P-Vitor,A/Budapest HUN 2006.' exchange he usually welcomes
once the light-squared bishops when the white knight is heading for
have been removed, as we saw the c6-square.; After 12...Qd7
back in Vachier-Lagrave-Svidler. White can opt for a central
Nbd7 12.0-0 Black may now not expansion - 13.e4 will just
want the a-file to open, but he just transpose to 5...bd7 I was not
doesn't have time to bring a knight satisfied with the results of our
round to c7 in typical Benko usual fianchetto: Rfb8 This allows
fashion: Ne8 13.Bxa6 Not giving the following positional idea: 14.e5!
Black any further chance of an Ng4 15.e6↑ ↑ with a dangerous
exchange on b5 ahead of initiative. '!' Black has good play. )
expanding. Rxa6 14.e4 Nc7 15.h5 13.e4 ChessPublishing.com:
This advance appears even 'Gaining space, and stopping ...d5,'
stronger than the 15.Qe2 of Dardha- Qd7 Sipke Ernst: 'clearly it would
Mirzoev, Guimaraes 2021. After 15. be better to have the pawn on h3
h5 White simply wants to cause now instead of h4. Still white's
long-term trouble on the kingside chances seem to be preferred
with the restrictive, AlphaZeroesque after' ChessPublishing.com: '!?'
h5-h6, after which he may even ChessPublishing.com: 'Black
look to counter on the queenside intends to play the knight to e5, and
with a4-a5 or Rb1 and b2-b4, bishop to f6.' ( Black should be
although he may also simply adopt careful pushing 13...c4?!
a Rb1 and b2-b3 queenside as white can play 14.Nd4
defensive scheme, followed by Re1, heading for the c6 square. ) 14.Qe2
looking to force through e4-e5. 3. Besides taking the c4-square under
Other 3rd Moves Bar 3...Bg-3A | 3... control, with his last move, White
c5 | Black plays 4..,6 ( 15.Qe2 Qa8 also prepares the useful Rd1.
16.h5 Rb8 17.Bg5 Bxc3 18.bxc3 ); ChessPublishing.com: 'This must
C) 11.Bxa6 was strong enough. be the critical reply.' White has a
The threat of f4-f5 is unpleasant positional advantage, due to Black's
and probably forces Black to play badly damaged pawn structure. the
11...Nxa6 ChessPublishing.com: calm GM Pavel Eljanov: '!' ( 14.Bg5
'Gulko,B-Short,N/ Elenite 1995.' h6 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Qe2 )
12.0-0 Black has no easy 14...Rfb8 is also worthy of
counterplay in this typical position. consideration There is no point
Nb4 The knight stands beautifully rushing with ( 14...Qg4
on b4 but it does not create real Adrien Demuth: '=' 15.Bg5
problems for White. We should only ChessPublishing.com: '!'
prevent the move ...Nd3. Black ChessPublishing.com: 'Gupta, A-
often tries to support this knight Nanjo,R/Kochin IND 2004.' ) 15.Rd1
jump by means of ...c5-c4. when Sipke Ernst: '' '' Sipke Ernst: 'but
after ( The immediate 12...c4?! i have to admit that this is one of
?! would be a typical positional the better Benko's that black can
mistake in view of 13.Nd4 get' since Black will answer with
( 15.Ra3 ChessPublishing.com: '?!' worth seeing a few more moves of

ChessPublishing.com: 'this move this instructive encounter: 14...Ng4 15.
led Black into serious trouble, O-O Qc7 16.Qe2 connecting the rooks
Poldauf,D-Nenashev,A/Godesberg and now White is ready to strike with
GER 2001.' ) 15...Qg4 16.a5!? Harry. 16...Qb7 17.h5 g5 is easy to
Even though the position remains criticise, but Nh4 was a definite threat.
balanced, Black's counterplay is not 18.Rxa8 Rxa8 19.Nxg5 and there
obvious. ] went a second pawn, Caruana going
[ 9...Nbd7?! probably this knight is on to convert in a further 30 moves. 3.
misplaced here. It is much better to Other 3rd Moves Bar 3...Bg-3A | 3...c5
develop it to a6, from where it can go | Black plays 4..,6 ) 12...Rxa6 13.Qc2
to b4 or c7 to exchange itself in case ChessPublishing.com: 'and the
there is a white knight on b5. Adrien advantage is that Black doesn't gain a
Demuth: '=' 10.e4 Logical expansion, free hit on the g5-knight with ...Be7
although here too 10.Ra3!? cannot be as below, see Marin,M-Kraus,Y/
a bad move. And why not expand in Jerusalem 2015. or' Qa8 14.Ra3!
the centre while Black has nothing ( 14.0-0 Rb8 15.Nb5 Rxb5 16.axb5
great to do? As well as a Bxb5 ChessPublishing.com: 'Eggleston,D-
recapture, Bg5 is likely to prove a L'Ami,E/Douglas ENG 2017. This line
useful move, potentially making it first came into prominence, after the
harder for Black to regroup with ...Ne8. realisation that the position arising
Finally, even Ra3 can be useful, after' Rxa1 ) 14...Rb8 15.Nb5
facilitating the concept of ...axb5; and black has difficulties finding
axb5 StartBracketor Bxb5 Ba6 counterplay against this setup. ]
and ...Bxb5; axb5EndBracket, Sipke Ernst: 'Grischuk played a move
shoring up the knight on c3 against that is also very typical for this line'
any ...Qa5 issues and preparing to 10.Ra3 Sipke Ernst: 'and got a nice
swing the rook eastwards one day. advantage after' Always a useful
Main Chapter and Extended advance, giving White the option of
Variations Chapter 3: Other 3rd a future ...axb5; axb5 and also
Moves Bar 3...Bg7 Variation: 3A | meaning that ...Qa5 won't threaten
Black plays 4...b5, 6...Bg7, 7...d6, 9... such a powerful ...Ne4 or tricks with
Nbd7 axb5 11.Bxb5 Ba6 1-0 (59) ...Nxd5, since White is
Caruana,F (2792)-Corrales Jimenez, overprotecting c3.
F (2530) Warsaw 2021 12.Bxa6 [ 10.e4!? the strongest
( 12.Bg5 Once again, we find White ChessPublishing.com: 'Black prepares
facilitating an axb5 recapture having to consolidate a space advantage in
protected the rook on a1. Bxb5 the centre. The question is whether
13.axb5 h6 14.Bd2 This modest White is able to disrupt Black's build
retreat keeps an eye on the a5-square up with a blow from the flanks.' axb5
and left White slightly for choice in 11.Bxb5 Na6 ChessPublishing.com:
Caruana-Corrales Jimenez, World '!?' 12.Be2 ChessPublishing.com:
Blitz Championship, Warsaw 2021. It's 'Laznicka,V-Rapport,R/ Novy Bor
2014.' Nb4 13.0-0 Nd7 14.Be3 ( or [ 17.Bxf3 Ne5 18.Be2 c4 19.Qd2
14.Ra3 , transposing to the Grischuk- Nbd3 20.Rb1 ]
Vachier Lagrave game )] 17...Ne5 18.Rf1
[ 10.Bd2 e6 11.dxe6 fxe6 12.Be2!? ] [ 18.Na2!? f5 ( 18...Na6!? ) 19.Nxb4
10...axb5 ChessPublishing.com: 'This cxb4 20.Rb3 fxe4 21.fxe4 Rxa4⇆ ]
seems too slow to hurt Black, [ 18.Bf4 ]
Sultanov,A-Poluljahov, A/53rd ch- 18...c4
RUS Samara RUS 2000.' [ 18...f5!?⇆ ]
[ 10...Nfd7!? '?!' 11.Be2 axb5 19.b3 '!?' 19...Rfc8 20.Bd2
12.Nxb5 Na6 13.0-0 Nb4 14.e4 Nb6 [ 20.Be3 Rab8 21.Nb5 c3 ]
15.b3 h6 16.Bd2 f5 17.Bxb4 cxb4 [ 20.Kg2!? ]
18.Ra2 ] 20...Nbd3 21.f4 '?!' 21...Qb4!?
11.Bxb5 The right way to recapture and [ 21...Nb2 22.Qc2 ( 22.Qb1 Ned3 )
not yet 11.axb5? Rxa3 12.bxa3 Qa5 22...Ned3 23.a5 ]
. 11...Na6 Adrien Demuth: '' 22.Nb1 '?!'
ChessPublishing.com: 'White [ 22.Nb5 c3
contests Black's central space A) 23.Bxc3!? Rxc3 24.fxe5 Nb2
advantage head-on.' 12.e4 ( 24...Nc5 25.exd6 exd6 26.Bc4
Adrien Demuth: '!?' And why not Nxe4 27.Qe2 Nd2 28.Nxc3 Bxc3
expand in the centre? Now the rook 29.Ra2 Nxf1 30.Kxf1 h5⇆ )
on a3 may even manage to make a 25.Qd4 Rxb3 26.Qxb4 Rxb4
powerful swing across to the 27.exd6 exd6 28.Nxd6 Be5
kingside one day. 12...Nb4 13.Be2 29.Nb5 Rxe4 30.Bf3 Rxh4?
Breaking the pin and also allowing ( 30...Rexa4= ) 31.d6 Rb8
White to meet any ...Nfd7 with a ( 31...Rd8 32.a5 ) 32.d7;
line-closing Nb5. White was now B) 23.fxe5 cxd2! 24.Bxd3 Rc1!
ready to go O-O, Re1 and Bf4 or 25.Qf3 ( 25.Qe2? Re1 )
Bg5, with Black slightly low on 25...Bxe5! 26.Be2 ( 26.Ra2 Rac8
counterplay and compensation in 27.Be2 Re1 '' 28.Qd3 Bf4 )
the aforementioned Grischuk- 26...Re1 27.a5 ( 27.Ra2 Rc8 )
Vachier-Lagrave. '!' 13...Nd7 27...f5 28.Ra4 Qc5 29.Rc4
ChessPublishing.com: 'White is ( 29.exf5? Qc1-+ ) 29...Qxb5
better, Crouch, C-Norwood,D/ 30.Qd3 ( 30.Rc8+? Rxc8 31.Bxb5
Birmingham ENG 2000. White can Rcc1-+ ) 30...Rxf1+ 31.Bxf1 fxe4
delay this thrust,' 32.Qxd2 Qxa5 33.Qxa5 Rxa5
[ 13...h6 14.0-0 Qc8 ] 34.Ra4! ]
Sipke Ernst: 'or' 14.0-0 22...c3 '!' 23.fxe5!?
Sipke Ernst: '' '' ', transposing to [ 23.Bxc3 Rxc3 24.fxe5 Nb2 25.Qd2
the Grischuk-Vachier Lagrave Rxb3 26.Qxb4 Rxb4 27.exd6
game' Sipke Ernst: '0-1 (47) exd6 ]
Grischuk,A (2766)-Vachier Lagrave, 23...Nb2! 24.Qc2 cxd2 25.Qxb2
M (2775) Riga 2019' 14...Qb6!? [ 25.Qxd2? Qxe4-+ 26.Qxb2 Bxe5!
15.Re1 Qb7 16.Bg5 Bxf3 17.gxf3 27.Qd2 Rc2 ]
25...Qxe4 26.Qxd2 Rc2 27.Qd3 Demuth: 'N' and now, compared to the
[ 27.Bf3? Qxf3 28.Qxc2 Qg4+ normal Grünfeld, Black cannot
A) 29.Kh1 Qh3+ 30.Kg1 Bxe5 capture White's knight on c3 because
31.Re1 ( 31.Rc1 Bh2+ 32.Kh1 White's does not have a knight on c3!
Bf4+ 33.Kg1 Qh2+ 34.Kf1 Bxc1 ) Instead, after
31...Rc8 32.Qa2 Qf5 33.Qe2 Rc2 A) 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 when I have
34.Nd2 Qf4 35.Qe3 Qh2+ 36.Kf1 gained a big centre and it is not
Bf4 37.Qe4; clear how Black will attack it. h5
B) 29.Kh2 Qxh4+ 30.Kg2 Qg4+ ( 6...Bg7?! 7.e5 Adrien Demuth: ''
31.Kh1 Qh3+ 32.Kg1 Bxe5 Nd5 8.h5 leaves black already in a
33.Rc1 ( 33.Re1 Rc8!-+ ) close to lost position FM Charlie
33...Bh2+ 34.Kh1 Bf4+ 35.Kg1 Storey: '1-0 (43) Gourlay,I (2385)-
Qh2+ 36.Kf1 Bxc1-+ ] Williams,S (2444) Reading 2017'
[ 27.Qe3 Rxe2 28.Qxe4 Rxe4 ] 0-0 9.hxg6 hxg6 Hochgraefe,
27...Rxe2 28.Qxe4 Rxe4 '' 29.exd6 Markus: '=' ) 7.Be2 Bg7 8.Nf3
exd6 30.Nd2?! Black is putting zero pressure on
[ 30.Rd1 Rg4+ 31.Kf1 Rxh4 white's center.;
32.Kg2⇆ '=' ] B) 5...Nb6 6.h5!? This is the point.
[ 30.Kg2! Rxh4 31.Rd1= ] Hochgraefe,Markus: 'This variation
30...Rg4+ 31.Kh1 Rxh4+ 32.Kg2 Rd4 is pretty harmless. Nevertheless, it
33.Nf3?! is played quite often, especially in
[ 33.Nc4 Rxd5 ] amateur chess. Black should
[ 33.Ra2! Rxd5 34.b4⇆ ] equalizes easily.' Adrien Demuth:
33...Rg4+ 34.Kh3 Rb4 35.Rb1 Rc8! '' White has already generated
[ 35...Bc3! ] some dangerous play on the
36.Kg2 Rc3 37.Ng1 '?' 37...Rc2 38.Nf3 kingside. ( Delaying h4-h5 with
'??' 6.Nc3 is a viable option as well. An
[ 38.a5 Bd4 ] online game of mine saw e5 7.Be3
38...Rg4+ 39.Kf1 Rf4 40.Kg2 Rg4+ exd4 8.Bxd4 f6 9.h5
41.Kf1 Rf4 42.Kg2 g5!-+ '!' ± This position occurred in the
[ 42...Rc3 43.Ng1 ] game 1/2 (39) eljanov (2775) -
43.Rf1 Rg4+ 44.Kh1 igorkovalenko (2817) Chess.com
[ 44.Kh3 ] 2018. White's advantage is
44...Rc3 45.Rg1 Rf4 46.Nh2 Rxf2 indisputable. GM Pavel Eljanov:
47.Rxg5 Rcc2 Chapter Best Game- 'This position occurred in the game
Game 1 Game 1 1/2 (39) eljanov (2775)-
igorkovalenko (2817) Chess.com
51
Black's other option is also very 2018. White's advantage is
pleasant for White: 4...Nxd5 indisputable.'; 6.a4 a5 7.h5 )
Sipke Ernst: 'is followed by' GM 6...Bg7 Hochgraefe,Markus: 'Now
Pavel Eljanov: 'is dubious.' 5.h5! White has 3 main options: 7.Ne5
[ 5.e4 Sipke Ernst: 'and now there is (prophylaxis against Bg4 and Bf5),
no knight to take on c3. After' Adrien 7.Bc4 (normal development), 7.c3
(to get the bishop pair)' 7.Nf3 the game Karpov-Hort. 7... Be6
White is better since Black lacks is also equal, but 7...Nd7 is the
counterplay. The kingside tension move I like most.' 8.h6 Bf8
provoked by the advance h2-h4-h5 ( 8...Bxf3?? Hochgraefe,Markus:
will be a recurring pattern in this '!' Hochgraefe,Markus: 'Karpov
course. Depending on the had this position several times
circumstances, White will decide and drawed each time quickly. 9...
whether to open the h-file with hxg6 Qd5 wants to stop the white
or push the pawn all to way to h6. bishop development.' 9.hxg7+-;
The main point behind the second 8...Bf6 9.e5 ) 9.Be3 ]
strategy is to keep the h6-pawn as Maybe a better try would be
an asset for the endgame. For 4...c5!? Nevertheless, after 5.dxc6 Nxc6
example, in all kinds of endgames, Adrien Demuth: '!' 6.Nf3 Bg7
Black will have problems Adrien Demuth: '!?' 7.Nc3 0-0
centralizing his king due to the 8.e3 I doubt Black has enough
vulnerable h7-pawn. In the compensation.
middlegame, the intruder (h6-pawn)
gives White a wide range of 52
a) 6...Bg7 when I would have
tactical possibilities since the black continued 7.e4 with a good
king feels a bit restricted. Sipke position.
Ernst: 'Black is already close to lost. b) 6...c6 looks like the most
' Hochgraefe,Markus: 'Most popular. sensible idea. Black creates an
' Adrien Demuth: '=' escape route for his queen.
B1) 7...0-0 8.a4! ( 8.hxg6 )
8...Bg4 Hochgraefe,Markus: '=' 53
Now that the kingside is open,
( 8...a5 9.hxg6 hxg6 10.Bh6 Black's king will not feel so happy
Adrien Demuth: '=!' Bxh6 resting over there. My main idea
11.Rxh6 Hochgraefe,Markus: was 7...Nxh5? Along with the
'½-½ (18) Sutovsky,E (2565)- material-losing raid on b2, this is
Karpov,A (2775) Tilburg 1996' the capture White should most want
Adrien Demuth: '=' Kg7 to see, as now there's a very
Hochgraefe,Markus: '!?' 12.Qd2 strong exchange sacrifice: 8.Rxh5!!
Adrien Demuth: 'N' Rh8 13.Rxh8 [ 8.e4 Qxd4 9.Nf3 , which is similar to
Adrien Demuth: '=' Qxh8 14.Qf4 the game: White gains a number of
Here the insertion of a4 a5 tempi by attacking the black queen. ]
makes itself felt. After white 8...gxh5 9.Nd5 The point. Black's queen
takes with the queen on c7 the is about to be overloaded. 9...Qd6
knight on b6 is under attack. 10.e4 Already there's just no good way
Adrien Demuth: '=' ) 9.a5 Nc8 to deal with the threat of Bf4.
10.hxg6 hxg6 11.Be3 10...e6 11.Bf4
Adrien Demuth: '='; 7...Qxd4 8.hxg6 fxg6 9.Nf3 Qb6
B2) 7...Bg4 Hochgraefe,Markus: 10.e4
'Black should avoid 7...Bf5, see
54
8...Qxb2? 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.Nb5 board like Pacman on drugs, but he
9.Nf3 Developing with tempo, which has forgotten to castle or to develop
is always pleasant and often worth his pieces! I am now threatening a
a pawn. With tempo. 9...Qb6 '?!' nasty knight jump which would
[ I have my doubts about this move. I unleash a discovered attack against
think that it was time for Black to Black's queen. A fine square for the
retreat with 9...Qd8 when White has bishop, eyeing not just the black
good compensation after 10.Bc4 queen StartBracketNd5 is a
with Qb3 and 0-0-0 to follow, but at huge threatEndBracket, but
least Black can concentrate on also the rook on h8 after e4-e5-e6.
developing some pieces! ] A fine square for the bishop, eyeing
10.Be3!? Forcing Black to capture not just the black queen
another pawn! '!' This move forces StartBracketNd5 is a huge
Black to grab another pawn, but I threatEndBracket, but also
had a strong idea in mind. I was the rook on h8 after e4-e5-e6.
thinking along the following lines: White already enjoyed an extremely
'Which of my pieces is not taking strong initiative in Williams-Platel.
part in the game at the moment? Main Chapter and Extended
Well, my bishop on d2 is rather Variations Chapter 1:
passive, so can I get it into the Grünfeldesque Lines Variation: 1A |
game? Yes, I can, and with tempo!' Black plays 4...Qxd5, 7...gxh5
A third pawn is gambited and Model Game: Simon Williams –
already White is just doing Alexandre Platel 11...c5
extremely well. His bishop is all set This pretty much loses by force, but
to take up a powerful role on d4 even after 11...Qa3 12.e5 Ng4 13.
should Black get greedy and e6! f6 StartBracket 13...Nf6
capture on b2, as we saw him doing 14.exf7+ Kxf7 15.Bc4+ Ke8 16.Ng5
in Williams-Platel, and in any case, fast becomes a
yet again, e4-e5 is set to cause massacreEndBracket
serious headaches for the defence. StartFENrnb1kb1r/ppp1p2p/
Another improving move with tempo 4Pp2/7p/3B2n1/q1N2N2/P4PP1/
and now Platel elects to grab a third R2QKB1R w KQkq - 0
pawn for his suffering. 10...Qxb2 14EndFEN 14.Bc4 White
What was the idea behind Be3!? would have enjoyed superb
Easy to criticise, but Black was set compensation, with Nd5 one idea,
to suffer in any case, not least as Rb1 and Nb5 another and there's
10...Qa5 11.e5 Ne4? is pretty always Rxh5 too to strike on the
much impossible on account of the other flank.
neat 12.Qd5! Qxd5 13.Nxd5 Kd8 14. [ Black has to take some action. He is
O-O-O with a ginormous initiative lost if he ignores my plan: for
for White. 11.Bd4! After this move example, 11...Bg7? 12.Nd5
Black's position falls apart. His with a double attack against the queen
queen has been rushing around the on b2 and the pawn on c7. ]
12.Rb1! Another piece joins in the game. 16...Qxd1+? 17.Rxd1 Na6 does
Another move that develops a piece cover c7, but there's another rook
and gains time. 12...Qa3 13.Nb5! hanging too: 18.exf7+ Kxf7 19.Bxh8
Yet again I attack the black queen . 17.Qa4! I have some big checks
with tempo. Everything continues to in mind! Threatening discovered
come with tempo. Black's queen will check and mate while also freeing
make it back to base, but she only d1 for the rook. 17.Qxd8+ Kxd8 18.
returns there to find her realm in Rd1+ would also have done the
ruins. 13...Qa5+ The only square business. 17...Nc6
for Black's queen. 14.Bc3 Qd8 [ Black attempts to block the a4-e8
When you have the initative you diagonal. Instead 17...Bg7
must use it. What should White play makes some room for the black king,
here? It is time to take stock. The but not enough: 18.Rd1 Qb6
black queen has arrived back at its 19.Nc7+ Kf8 20.Rd8# ( 20.Qe8# . )]
starting square and in the meantime 18.Rd1 Qb6 The only square. What
I have managed to activate most of should White play now? Can
my pieces. The pawn imbalance is anyone spot the finish? 19.Ba5
irrelevant for now, but I must '!' A neat finish, as if 19.Ba5 Qxa5+
continue actively otherwise Black 20.Qxa5 Nxa5 21.Nc7 . 19...Nxa5
may be able to coordinate his [ 19...Qxa5+ also leads to mate after
forces. 15.e5! Always create 20.Qxa5 Nxa5 21.Nc7# . ]
threats. I want to open the a1-h8 20.Nc7# Here Black reacted very quickly
diagonal. Naturally, White does not and badly to my unusual opening
object to an exchange of queens idea. He tried to classically counter
and potential snap mate on c7. in the centre, but such basic rules
15...Ng4 The safest square for Black's do not apply to every situation!
knight. Let's take a look at some of Remember: never rush when faced
the other options: with a new idea. Try to think
[ a) 15...Ne4 allows 16.Qa4! logically about what your opponent
which threatens the knight on e4 and is angling to achieve and react
a discovered mate. ] accordingly. 1-0 Williams,S..-Platel,
[ b) 15...Qxd1+ 16.Rxd1 Ne4 A../_29304 2009
17.Nc7# . ]
[ c) 15...Nd5 16.Qxd5 Qxd5 17.Nc7+
wins a whole piece. ]
16.e6! Simon continues to roll forwards
as the word 'massacre' rather
springs to mind. Do observe though
just how much of a fish bone this
pawn quickly proves to be in the
black king's throat. 16...f6
Now what should you play? I got a
lot of joy from the following finish:

The Harry Attack Repertoire

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ChessBase 16 Printout, Naruemon , 8/28/2024 1

E60 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4

1 ... h4!?2 Nc34 cxd55 Bf4 e3 Be28

2 ... ... Nc310 d512 dxe6!?N14 Qxd8+ Bf4

3 ... ... ... ... e4 Be218 exd519

4 ... ... ... Nf321 d523 e4 Be2

5 ... ... ... h5! cxd5 g428 dxe6

6 ... ... ... e430 Nge2!32 f334 d535

7 ... ... ... ... Be2 Bg5!?38 Qd2!?40

8 ... ... d542 cxb544 e345 Nc347 Nf349

9 ... ... cxd5 Nc3 Bd2 h5!? e4!

Grünfeld that we'll see in this 10.Bd2 e6 11.Nge2 exd5

unhurried development, content to ( 11...Bg4 12.Rxb7 ) 12.d5!

Qxd5 move order' ) 20.Qe2 f6

plays 4.. ] strike' 11.g4 White's initiative on

ditch attempt to salvage the game improvement Bologan,V: 'Black has'

StartFENrnbqkb1r/pppppp2/ full inclusion of Harry: hxg5 8.h6

obtain some counterplay. 10.exf5 6pp/3n4/3P3P/2N5/PP2PPP1/

[ 4...Bb4 some kind of Nimzo. This forced into a rather miserable

winning. It sure looks good, but 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Qg6 ]

10...0-0 11.Rb1↑ ↑ Remember this usually behind the pawn chain

11.Qa4+ Bd7 stay in the game

11.Nf3 15.Bh2 ( A typical trap is

square for the bishop. challenging move.

very strong punch: 18.Rfb1 beginning to seize space so simply

so a stronger continuation than the [ 7.e4!? ]

16.Bxg4 Rxe1+ 17.Qxe1 Nxg4 counterplay-denying a2-a4, as well as

Reykjavik 2011. Nf6 10.g5 Nh5 ( 13...Qb6! ) 14.Nf3 Rxg5 15.Nxg5

A3b) 13...Qb6 Bologan,V: B1) 15.Qc2 Bxf3 ( 15...Re8

12 Nc3 C1a) In this line we will 6EndFEN 6...a6? would be

before looking to jam up Black's has good counterplay after: exd5

Bologan,V: '0-1 Orujov,E (2185)- naturally placed' ]

tightrope – after 19...Rg8 20.Rh1 StartBracket 14...Nxf3+? 15.

e4-e5 11.g5 ( 11.f4 is the most 11.g5 Nh5 12.Bf3 Bologan,V:

instance:' h5 12.g5 Ng4 11.Bg2 Rb8 Bologan,V: '!' ( 11...Qf6

( 36...Rxb7 37.Rf8+ Qxf8 53.Qxf1 Ne5 54.Qxh3+

[ 10.g5 Ne8 11.Qd3 ] 13.cxb5 Nd4 14.Rc1 e5 15.Bc4 ]

[ 11...Nd4 12.Qg2 Nc2+ 13.Kd1 14.f4! Highly thematic as White angles to

Re8 19.Bg5 Qd4 20.f6! Bxf6 21. [ 10.f3!? ]

Memorial-A 2007 (6)' Black dark squares are pretty weak.

18.Rxh5 ] [ 21.Bf3 Black can take the initiative

13.Be3 ] 1992' Bxh6 Survey: Janis

Vitomskis: 'Hazai' 10.Qd2 a6 11.a4 29.d7 Rd8 30.Nxc5 Rg4 31.Qa5

Bxf3+ 19.Qxf3+- with a crushing soon obtained a grip on the

a6 14.a4 axb5 15.Bxb5 c4 qual-02 Server email 2007 ...

king on g2 and to keep the rook on compensation(after 20 0-0 c5).To

Bologan,V: ',Black should decide be well placed on e6 but it doesn't do

16.Kf1 Bf5 17.Rh1 Nxf3 Is similar but a bit slower. a6 15.a4

StartBracket 16...Nf7 17. 18.Ne6 Bxe6 19.dxe6 Kh8

Bf5 23.axb6 axb6 Kh7 37.g3 Kg8

37.Rxe4 Rxf2 47.f3 Qd6 48.Qe4

78.Re8+ Kf7 advantage Nxe5 16.h6

15.0-0-0 Bologan,V: '!?' Bologan,V: d3 Black plays 12 ... Bxh3,which

play for the initiative with the rapid Bologan,V: '!'

rematch(1892)between Wilhelm Bologan,V: 'transposes to the main

postponing the capture on d5, we , we can look forward to the

B2b) 12.h6 Bologan,V: '1-0 have enough.

Ne5 17.Be2 h5 White finds it very compensation is also fine.

'then' Rc8 14.Bd3 ] are gloomy: the dark squares on the

11...Nxe4 Bologan,V: 'Morry,W-Wormald, White's proud center is gradually