Category Archives: Openings

Middlegame endings and endgame openings

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What is an endgame, and what is a queenless middlegame? I’ll look at a couple of the latter, then a game of mine which moved from one into the other. Lastly, I include some examples of lines to practice with.

Anon – Barcza (Debrecen) 1934

  1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Nc3 ? 5… Bxf3 6. Nxd5 Bxd1 7. Nxc7+ Kd7 8. Nxa8 Bxc2 9. Bf4 e5 10. dxe5 Bb4+

The key themes of this position: rapid development, open lines, exposed king and giving up material or development – have little to do with the ending (pawn majority, rook on the seventh, active king, etc.)

  1. Ke2 ?

[11. Bd2 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Bf5 with about equal material]

11… Nge7 12. Nc7 Nd4+ 13. Ke3 Nef5# 0-1

Hubner – Benko (Hungary) 1976 [Mednis]

  1. d4 g6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 e5 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Qxd8+ Kxd8

A more complex queenless middlegame in modern master play

  1. f4 Nd7 8. Nf3 c6 9. Be2 f6 10. O-O Ke8 11. g3 Nh6 12. Kg2 Nf7 13. Be3 Bf8 14. Rad1 b6 15. a3 Be7 16. Ne1 Bc5 ?!

Black was afraid of Nd3 and; b4

  1. Nc2 Bxe3 18. Nxe3 h5 19. b4 Bb7 20. Kg1 Rd8 21. h4 Nf8 22. c5

White is better developed and starts to open lines – again, classic middlegame ideas, but not so much in the ending when direct attacks have little chance of success.

22… Rxd1 23. Bxd1 bxc5 24. Bb3 Nd7

[24…cxb4 25. axb4 and Rd1]

  1. Rd1 Bc8 26. b5

still working for open lines

26… cxb5 27. Nxb5 exf4 28. gxf4 Nb6 29. Nxa7 Bb7 30. Nb5 Ke7 ?

[30… Bxe4 31. Bxf7+ Kxf7 32. Nd6+]

[30… Bc6]

  1. Bxf7 Kxf7 32. Nd6+ Ke7 33. Nxb7 Ra8 34. Nxc5 Rxa3 35. Kf2 Rc3 36. Rb1 1-0

Regis,D – Dobber,P (Paignton #3)

  1. e4 d6 2. d4 e5 3. dxe5

[3. Nf3 of course transposes to the Philidor, but I thought the text was critical]

3… dxe5 4. Qxd8+ Kxd8 5. Bc4 f6 6. Be3 c6

[6… Nd7 ! 7. Nc3 Bc5 this idea my opponent showed me the following day; I think it equalises 8. Bxc5 Nxc5 9. O-O-O+ Nd7 10. f4 exf4]

  1. Nc3 Kc7 8. O-O-O Nd7 9. f4 Bb4 10. Nf3 Ne7 11. fxe5 fxe5 12. Rhf1 Ng6

White is better mobilised but needs a breakthrough. The next phase shows White trying various ideas and angles …

  1. Ng5

[13. h4 h5 14. Bf7 Ne7 15. Be6 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Nf6 17. Bxc8 Raxc8 18. Nxe5 Rcd8]

13… Nf6 14. Bf7

[14. Nf7 Rf8 15. Bg5 Bxc3 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. bxc3 Bg4 18. Rd2 Nf4 19. g3 Be2 20. Bxe2 Nxe2+ 21. Rxe2 Rxf7 22. Ref2 Raf8 23. g4 h6]

14… Ne7 15. Be6

[15. Ne6+ Bxe6 16. Bxe6 was worth a punt – next game!]

15… h6 16. Bxc8 Raxc8

[16… hxg5 17. Be6 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Rae8 19. Bxg5 Rxh2 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. Rd7+ Kb6 22. Bf7]

  1. Nf7 Ng4 18. Bg1 Rhf8 19. h3 Nf6 20. Nxe5 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Rcd8

White has a pawn but it is very vulnerable

  1. Bc5

[22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Nf7 is interesting: 23… Rd7 24. Bh2+ Kb6 25. e5 Nfd5 26. Kb2 Ne3]

22… Rxd1+ 23. Rxd1 Re8

how to keep the pawn?

  1. Bd6+ Kb6 25. Nc4+ Ka6 26. Rd4 Ng6 27. e5 Nd5 28. Rg4

determined but inadequate: …b5 will bring the house down

28… Re6 29. Kd2 b5 30. Nb2 Nxe5 31. Bxe5 Rxe5 32. Rxg7

32… Rg5

Knight endings are harder to draw than rook endings but Black hoped to sac the knight for the K-side pawns and blockade on the Queen’s-side

[32… Nf4 draws, I’m pretty sure 33. Rf7 Nxg2 34. Rf6 Rh5 35. Rxc6+ Kb7 36. Rg6 Nf4 37. Rg7+ Kb6 may even be better for Black]

  1. Rxg5 hxg5 34. g3 Nf6 35. h4 Ne4+ 36. Kd3 Nxg3 37. hxg5 Kb6

some careful footwork secures the win

  1. c4 Kc5 39. cxb5 cxb5 40. g6 Nh5 41. Ke4 Kb4

[41… Kd6 42. Kf5 Ke7 43. Kg5 Ng7 44. Nd3 Ne6+ 45. Kh6 Kf6 46. Nf4]

  1. Nd3+ Kc3 43. Nf4 Nf6+ 44. Ke5 Ng8

[44… Ng4+ 45. Kf5 Nh6+ 46. Kg5 Ng8 47. Nd5+ Kxc2 48. Nf6 Ne7 49. g7 Kb2 50. Nd5 Ng8 51. Kg6 a5 52. Kh7 b4 53. Kxg8 b3 54. axb3 Kxb3]

  1. Nd5+ Kxc2

[45… Kb2 saves a move, but is still too late]

  1. Nf6 Ne7

[46… Nh6 47. Kf4 Kb2 48. Kg5 Ng8 49. Nxg8 a5 50. Nf6]

  1. g7 1-0

Endgame Openings

King’s Indian Defence

  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5 7. dxe5 dxe5 8. Qxd8 Rxd8 9. Bg5

English Opening, Andersson-Book line

  1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. cxd5 Nxd5 4. Nf3 g6 5. e4 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1

English Opening, Double Fianchetto

  1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O g6 6. b3 Bg7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Nc3 d5 9. Nxd5 Nxd5 10. Bxg7 Kxg7 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. d4 cxd4 13. Qxd4+ Qxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxg2 15. Kxg2

French Defence, Tarrasch Variation

  1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Qe2+ Qe7 7. Bxd7+ Nxd7 8. dxc5 Qxe2+ 9. Nxe2 Bxc5

Sicilian Defence, Accelerated Dragon

  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 d6 8. Bg5 Bg7 9. f3 O-O 10. Qd2 Be6 11. Rc1 Qa5 12. b3 Rfc8 13. Be2 a6 14. Na4 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2

Sicilian Defence, Dragon Variation

  1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. g4 Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Be6 11. O-O-O Qa5 12. Kb1 Rfc8 13. a3 Rab8 14. g5 Nh5 15. Nd5 Qxd2 16. Rxd2 Bxd5 17. exd5

Modern Defence, Averbakh Variation

  1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 d6 4. Nc3 e5 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Qxd8+ Kxd8 7. f4

Petroff Defence, Lasker Variation

  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2 Qe7 6. d3 Nf6 7. Bg5 Nbd7 8. Nc3 Qxe2+ 9. Bxe2

 

Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation

  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4
  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O f6 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 c5 8. Nb3 Qxd1 9. Rxd1

 

A disaster in the Stonewall

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Alsop,A – Blundell,J [D00] East Devon Minor (Exeter) (4), 05.03.2000

What went wrong here? Play over this game twice, once fairly quickly to see how it went, and then again slowly to see what went on in more detail, and think of other ideas.

 

Lessons from this game:

  1. Play with a plan . If you understand the ideas behind your chosen openings you have a big advantage over your opponent and can often win games very quickly. In this game White played with one idea – to lock up the centre then attack the King’s-side – and carried it out. Black went from move to move without making any huge mistakes, but this is not enough.
  2. If you think your opponent will stop your plan, play it straight away! Black did have one chance to play …c5, but in trying to make it better, lost the chance.
  3. Open a file for your Rooks . Rooks are worth half a Queen each, and if you don’t get them working, it’s like being a Queen behind! When you plan where to put your pieces in the opening, you must also think about your Rooks. In this game Black suffered from not getting the c-file open for his Rooks. This started to go wrong at move 3!
  4. Don’t castle into an attack . In this game White was ‘pointing’ towards the King’s-side. If Black had blocked this attack – or not castled King’s-side – White’s pieces might have been on silly squares.
  5. Swap off your opponent’s good pieces, keep your own . Black swapped his good Ne4 for a duff White piece on d2, but he did have the good idea of exchanging the Nc6 for the Bd3. Without the Bd3 White would be pretty planless.

None of these criticisms are made because Black is a poor player, it’s just very hard to play positions where you don’t know what to do. It takes a lot of experience before you can plan what to do in positions you haven’t seen before, but it is possible to pinch ideas from other people. So, try to play positions you understand, try to understand the positions you play.

With light notes:

 

Playing White against odd Black defences after 1.e4 (part 1)

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Black avoids 2…Nc6 or plays one of the semi-open defences

rnbqkbnr
pppppppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
RNBQKBNR

An Exeter Junior Chess Club booklet Edition 1., December, 99

 

Bibliography:

Dunnington, How to play the King’s Indian Attack

Evans, The Chess Opening for You

Hodgson/Day, The Grand Prix Attack

Hort, Alekhin’s Defence (inc. Nimzovitch Defence)

Karpov, The Semi-Open Game in Action

Kasparov/Keene, Batsford Chess Openings 2

Keene et al. Understanding the Caro-Kann Defence

Levy/Keene, An Opening Repertoire for the Attacking Club
Player

Nunn, The Complete Pirc

Pachman, Semi-Open Chess

Schiller, How to play the King’s Indian Attack

Solitis/Hall, The King’s Indian Attack

Walker, Chess Openings for Juniors

 

Various magazines and other books

 

Introduction

The repertoires below offer you three ways of playing against
most of the semi-open defences, and also tell you what to do
against some of the less common lines after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3.

The three approaches are:

­ Fast attacking game with pieces

­ Slower attacking game with f4

­ King’s Indian Attack with g3

Which you choose will depend on what sort of player you are. It
may also depend on what you hope to play after 1. e4 e5.

Fast attacking game with pieces

­ Giuoco Piano (my main recomendation for junior players)
or

­ Scotch Game

Slower attacking game with f4

­ Vienna Gambit or

­ King’s Gambit)

King’s Indian Attack with g3

­ KIA with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. g3 or

­ in the Vienna 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3

Sadly, the KIA lines have no real force and are not good lines
to adopt against 1…e5. But the point is, how well does your
chosen repertoire fit together? Once I used to play the following
lines, together with the King’s Gambit:

Alekhin

1. e4 Nf6

Chase variation

1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. c5 Nd5 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nc3

Caro-Kann

1. e4 c6

Panov-Botvinnik Attack

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4

French

1. e4 e6

Advance Variation

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5

Pirc/Modern

1. e4 …d6/…g6

King’s Indian Attack

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nge2 and 5. g3, 6. Bg2

Sicilian

1. e4 c5

Chamaeleon Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 … 3. Nge2

This was an awful lot to keep track of, but more importantly, it
didn’t really combine well. Against the Alekhin I played fast,
against the Caro I played medium, against the French and Pirc I
played slow; the Panov line is main-line established theory with
lots to learn and keep track of, the Chamaeleon is a new and
obscure line where you have to think at the board.

Now, I’m sure a better idea, and the right idea, is to play
similarly against each opening. For example, if you like gambits
and play the Danish Gambit against 1…e5, try and find a gambit
against the lot….

Alekhin 1. e4 Nf6

1. e4 Nf6 2. Bc4 Nxe4 3. Bxf7+ Kxf7 4. Qh5+ g6 5. Qd5+

Caro-Kann 1. e4 c6

Fantasie Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. f3 e5 4. Nf3 exd4 5. Bc4

French 1. e4 e6

Advance Variation, Milner Barry Gambit

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3

Pirc/Modern

1. e4 …d6/…g6

I don’t know any gambits for White in the Pirc but against the
Modern you can try… the Monkey’s Bum!

1. e4 g6 2. Bc4 d6 3. Qf3 Nf6 4. d4 e5 5. Nh3

Sicilian 1. e4 c5

Morra Gambit: 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 or 3. …
Nf6 4. e5 Nd5 5. Bc4 Qc7 6. Qe2

I think neither the Alekhin line nor the Monkey’s Bum are
really any good, but at least we’re thinking along the right lines,
even if this isn’t the repertoire we settle on.

Here’s a repertoire based on pawn advances and space
advantages:

Alekhin 1. e4 Nf6

Four pawns variation 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. c4 Nb6 4. d4 d6 5.
f4

Caro-Kann 1. e4 c6

Advance Variation 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5

French 1. e4 e6

Advance Variation 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5

Pirc/Modern

1. e4 …d6/…g6

Three Pawns Attack 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. c3 g6 4. f4

Sicilian 1. e4 c5

Big Clamp Variation 1. e4 c5 2. d3 (…) 3. f4

 

Now, what sort of player are you? Whether you like lively piece
attacks, slow pawn advances that you can use to force open lines or
more flexible systems, there is a repertoire here for you.

Let’s have a look at some variations that fit together.

Defence

Piece attack

rnbqkbnr
pppppppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+B+P+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPPP-PPP
RNBQK-+R

Slow attack with f4

rnbqkbnr
pppppppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+PP-+
+-+-+-+-
PPPP-+PP
RNBQKBNR

King’s Indian Attack

 

rnbqkbnr
pppppppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+P+NP-
PPPN-PBP
R-BQK-+R

Alekhin

1. e4 Nf6

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3.exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4

1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 and 3.f4 (sadly, this line has no real force
and
is not a very good line to adopt)

1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 and 3.g3/Bg2 (sadly, this line has no real
force
and is not a very good line to adopt)

Caro-Kann

1. e4 c6

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6
7.
Nh3 (Main line with 7.Nh3)

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3.f4 (a line of the Dunst opening, 1.Nc3)

1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3.Nd2 (KIA vs. Alekhin)

French

1. e4 e6

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
(Alekhin-Chatard Attack)

1. e4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3.f4 (a line of the Dunst opening, 1.Nc3)

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3.Nd2 (KIA vs. French)

Pirc/Modern

1. e4 …d6/…g6

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4. f4 (Austrian Attack)

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4. f4 (Austrian Attack)

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4. Nge2 and 5. g3, 6. Bg2 (King
Fianchetto Variation)

Sicilian

1. e4 c5

Closed: without d4

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 and 3.Be2 (idea 4. c3) or 3. Bb5(+) (Rossolimo
Variation)

1. e4 c5 2. f4 (Grand Prix Attack) or

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 with 4. Bg2, 5. d3, 6. f4 (Closed
Variation)

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 and 3.g3 (KIA vs. Sicilian)

I simply haven’t the courage to take on a repertoire which
includes the Open Sicilian, and my experience of playing the Black
side of the Sicilian is that not many White club players have
either! So I’ll leave those lines to you and any time you have to
do your own research. I have a feeling it’s something you come to
study as your chess improves. Analysis and Games

 

I’ll go through each approach in turn, looking at a system to
play against each defence.

I’ll concentrate more on the example games than the theory, and
more on the ‘piece attack’ lines than the others, because I think
that’s what you should be playing.

 

A. Piece attacks against the
common half-open defences

In each of these lines White has a straightforward plan of
campaign:

­ rapid development

­ keep Black passive

­ keep lines open if you can

­ keep an eye out for lightning raids

 

A1. Piece attacks vs.
Alekhin 1. e4 Nf6: 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4.
Bc4

This is not a particularly well-regarded line for White – that
is, it is not considered to be a good way to try for advantage at
GM level. But it gives you game where you don’t have to learn much
sharp theory and you are playing the sort of game you like. It has
also been responsible for some amusing miniatures:

Ourmet,J – Cierniak,P (1) Paris,
1989

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nxd5 4. Bc4 Nxc3 5. Qf3 e6
6. Qxc3 Nc6 7. Nf3 b6

r+bqkb-r
p-p-+ppp
-pn+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+B+-+-+
+-Q-+N+-
PPPP-PPP
R-B-K-+R

8. Bb5 1-0

and

Iskov,G – Woge Nielsen,J, it,
Kobenhavn, 1989

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. e5 d4 4. Nce2 Ne4 5. c3 c5 6. d3
1-0

 

You must be prepared, after 1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3, to play the Vienna
or other opening after 2…e5.

After 2…d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 Black has a choice of moving
the knight (4…Nb6, 4…Nxc3) or finding some way to defend it
(4…c6, 4…e6):

 

|
Avoiding with 4…Nb6

White’s next is easy to find.

5. Bb3 c5

[5… Nc6 6. Qf3 e6 7. Nge2 Be7 8. d3 O-O 9. Bf4 Na5 10. Qg3
Bd6 11. Ne4 Nxb3 12. axb3 Bxf4 13. Nxf4

r+bq-rk+
ppp-+ppp
-n-+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+NN-+
+P+P+-Q-
-PP+-PPP
R-+-K-+R

+= Tietze-Neumann, corr; the Knights are nicely
placed]

6. Qh5 e6 7. d3 Nc6 8. Bg5 +=

[This is the best move, but an example with 8. Nf3 went
8…Be7 9. Ng5 g6 10. Qh6 Bf8 11. Qh3 Bg7 12. Nge4 Nd5 13. Bh6
e5

r+bqk+-r
pp+-+pbp
-+n+-+pB
+-pnp-+-
-+-+N+-+
+BNP+-+Q
PPP+-PPP
R-+-K-+R

White plays a likely-looking Queen sacrifice.

14. Bxg7 Bxh3 15. Nxd5 Qa5+ 16. Kf1 O-O-O 17. Bxh8 Rxh8 18.
gxh3

-+k+-+-r
pp+-+p+p
-+n+-+p+
q-pNp-+-
-+-+N+-+
+B+P+-+P
PPP+-P-P
R-+-+K+R

Visser-Spanjaard 1948; White is better, as the Black pieces
can’t get going]

]

Avoiding with 4… Nxc3

White has a cunning reply to this move.

5. Qf3 e6 6. Qxc3

rnbqkb-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+B+-+-+
+-Q-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
R-B-K-NR

6… Qg5 7. Nf3

[7. Kf1 +=]

7… Qxg2 8. Rg1 Qh3

rnb+kb-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+B+-+-+
+-Q-+N+q
PPPP-P-P
R-B-K-R-

]

White has compensation for the sacrificed pawn.

 

Defending with 4… c6

Again, the Qf3 move is strong; Black is obliged to lock in the
Bc8.

5. Qf3 Be6 6. Nge2 Nc7 7. Bxe6 Nxe6 8. d4

[8. d3 += is good enough]

8… Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Qxd4 10. Be3 Qb4 11. O-O-O e5
?

[11… e6]

12. Qf5 f6 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Qe6

rn-+k+-r
pp+-b-pp
-+p+Qp-+
+-+-p-+-
-q-+N+-+
+-+-B-+-
PPP+-PPP
+-KR+-+R

+- Potengowski-Kerckhoff, 1930; White has a clear
advantage]

Defending with 4… e6

White places his pieces as actively as possible.

5. Qf3 Nb4 ?! 6. Bb3 N8c6 7. Nge2 Be7 8. a3 Ne5 9. Qg3
Nbc6 10. d4

r+bqk+-r
ppp-bppp
-+n+p+-+
+-+-n-+-
-+-P-+-+
PBN-+-Q-
-PP+NPPP
R-B-K-+R

+/- Bellon-Alburt 1978]

White is better placed.

 

 

Example games
A1

|

Karaklajic,N – Marjanovic,Z (3) Pula, 1990 [B02]

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 Nb6 5. Bb3 c5 6.
Qh5

rnbqkb-r
pp+-pppp
-n-+-+-+
+-p-+-+Q
-+-+-+-+
+BN-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
R-B-K-NR

Again, White tries to get Black to play …e6; Black
resists.

6… c4 7. Bxc4 Nxc4 8. Qb5+ Nc6 9. Qxc4 Qd4 10. Qxd4
Nxd4 11. Kd1

r+b+kb-r
pp+-pppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-n-+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
R-BK+-NR

White is a pawn up and just needs to survive the next few moves
to reach a winning endgame.

11… Bf5 12. d3 O-O-O 13. Be3 e5 14. Nge2 Bc5 15. Re1
Nxe2 16. Kxe2 Bxe3 17. Kxe3 Rhe8 18. f3 h5 19. a4 g5 20. h3 g4 21.
hxg4 hxg4 22. f4 Rd4 23. fxe5 Rxe5+ 24. Kd2 1-0

 

Lendwai – Neckar,L, Nova-Park/SW,2,21, 1989 [B02]

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 e6 5. Nf3 Be7 6.
O-O O-O 7. Re1 Nb6 8. Bb3 c5 9. d3 Nc6 10. a3 Nd5 11. Ne4 b6 12.
Qe2 Qc7

r+b+-rk+
p-q-bppp
-pn+p+-+
+-pn+-+-
-+-+N+-+
PB+P+N+-
-PP+QPPP
R-B-R-K-

Neat Knights!

13. Bd2 Nf4 14. Qe3 Nd5 15. Qe2 h6 16. Ng3 Nf6 17. Bc3
Bb7 18. h4

An adventurous pawn

18…Rad8 19. Ng5 hxg5 20. hxg5 Nd5 21. g6 Nf4 22. gxf7+
Rxf7 23. Qg4 Nd4 24. Bxd4 Rxd4

-+-+-+k+
pbq-brp-
-p-+p+-+
+-p-+-+-
-+-r-nQ+
PB+P+-N-
-PP+-PP+
R-+-R-K-

Now an enterprising sacrifice to expose the Black King. White
can regain the exchange with Bb3xe6 xf7 but hopes for more.

25. Rxe6 Nxe6 26. Qxe6 Qf4 27. Nf5 c4 28. Nxe7+ Kh7 29.
Qg6+ Kh8 30. Qh5+ Qh6 31. Qxf7 Rd8 32. Bxc4 1-0

 

Madl,I – Guadalpi,D (1) Val-Thorens, 1989 [B02]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nxd5 4. Bc4 Nxc3 5. bxc3 g6
6. Qf3 e6 7. Ne2 Bg7 8. Ba3 Nc6 9. d4 Ne7 10. O-O O-O 11. Ng3 Re8
12. Rfe1 Rb8

-rbqr+k+
ppp-npbp
-+-+p+p+
+-+-+-+-
-+BP-+-+
B-P-+QN-
P+P+-PPP
R-+-R-K-

White has good chances for an attack.

13. Ne4 Nf5 14. Rad1 b5 15. Bd3 a5 16. Bc1 Bb7 17. Qe2
Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Qe7 19. Bxf5 gxf5 20. Rd3 b4 21. Rg3 Kh8 22. Qh5 Qf8
23. Bf4 Rb7

-+-+rq-k
+rp-+pbp
-+-+p+-+
p-+-+p+Q
-p-P-B-+
+-P-+-R-
P+P+-PPP
+-+-R-K-

Black undoubtedly missed White’s idea when considering his last
few moves.

24. Rxg7 1-0

 

Weiss,M – Shields,P (5), Chicago, 1989 [B02]

1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. exd5 Nxd5 4. Bc4 e6 5. Qf3 Nxc3
6. Qxc3 Nc6 7. Nf3 Qd6 8. a3 Bd7 9. O-O O-O-O

-+kr-b-r
pppb+ppp
-+nqp+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+B+-+-+
P-Q-+N+-
-PPP-PPP
R-B-+RK-

Black skips to the Queen’s-side

10. d4 Be7 11. Be3 Bf6 12. Rad1 Ne7 13. Ne5 Be8 14. Bf4
Nf5 15. Ng6 e5

-+krb+-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-q-bN+
+-+-pn+-
-+BP-B-+
P-Q-+-+-
-PP+-PPP
+-+R+RK-

This central break is the right sort of idea for Black, but goes
very wrong here.

16. dxe5 Qxd1 17. exf6 Bc6 18. Qe5 Rd7 19. Rxd1 Rxd1+
20. Bf1 Nd6 21. Nxh8 Bb5 22. Qxb5 Nxb5 23. fxg7 1-0

 

 

I have spent quite a while on the Alekhin’s, not
because it’s a very common line but

­ you won’t find much on the Bc4 plan in the
books

­ the White plan is exactly what you should be
doing in all the recommended lines below.

 

A2. Piece attacks vs.
Caro-Kann Defence

All the main lines in the books continue:

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5

and now

3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4

You may find players who will try and gum the whole position up
with 3…g6. tempting 4. e5. You can play 4. h3 but the resulting
positions are rather dull If you don’t like that idea, try
instead

3. Nd2

when 3…g6 can be met by 4. c3, keeping the tension in the
centre, and

3…dxe4 4. Nxe4

gives us the starting position from the books.

Black has tried 3…Nf6 e.g.

Tal-Campomanes, Leipzig Olympiad 1960 [B15]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. e6 fxe6 6. Bd3 Nf6 7.
Nf3 g6 8. h4 c5 9. dxc5 Nc6 10. Qe2 Bg7 11. Bd2 Qc7 12. O-O-O e5
13. Bg5 Be6 14. Nb5 Qb8 15. h5 gxh5 16. Nfd4 Bg4 17. f3 e4 18. fxg4
Nxd4 19. Nxd4 exd3 20. Rxd3 Ne4 21. Nf5 Qe5 22. Nxg7+ Qxg7 23. Rxd5
Nxg5 24. Qb5+ Kf7 25. Rf1+ Kg6 26. Qd3+ Kh6 27. Rh1 1-0

 

 

A2.1 Solid line with 4…
Nd7

White places his pieces actively in the hope of forcing …e6
before the Bc8 escapes.

5. Bc4 Ngf6 6. Ng5 e6 7. Qe2 Nb6

[7… h6 8. Nxf7 Kxf7 9. Qxe6+ Kg6 10. Bd3+ Kh5 11.
Qh3#]

8. Bd3 h6

[8… Qxd4 is too dangerous:

9. N1f3

idea Ne5,Ng5xf7

9… Bb4+ 10. c3 Bxc3+ 11. Kf1 Qc5 12. bxc3 Qxc3 13. Bb2
Qa5

r+b+k+-r
pp+-+ppp
-np+pn-+
q-+-+-N-
-+-+-+-+
+-+B+N+-
PB-+QPPP
R-+-+K+R

White has great play for the pawn]

9. N5f3 c5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Ne5 Nbd7 12. Ngf3 O-O 13.
Bd2 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Bd4

[14… Qd5 15. O-O-O Qxa2 16. c3]

15. O-O-O Qd5 16. f4 Qxa2 17. c3 Bc5 18. g4 Nd5 19. g5
Qa1+ 20. Bb1 g6 21. gxh6 b5 22. Qd3 Ba3 23. Qc2 Bb7 24. Rhg1
Rfc8

r+r+-+k+
pb+-+p+-
-+-+p+pP
+p+nN-+-
-+-+-P-+
b-P-+-+-
-PQB-+-P
qBKR+-R-

Ripe for picking, I’d say.

25. Rxg6+ Kf8 26. h7 Ke7 27. Rg7 b4

[27… Rf8 28. Ng6+ Kf6 29. Nxf8 Kxg7 30. h8=Q+ Kxh8 31.
Qh7#]

28. Rxf7+ Kd6 29. Rd7+ Kc5 30. Rxb7 1-0

Kirpichnikov-Lein, 1974]

 

A2.2. Lines with 4… Nf6

5. Nxf6+

…and Black has a choice of captures.

 

A2.2.1 Tartakower Variation, 5…
exf6

This is a dull line for Black. The most straightforward
attacking line against it is

6. c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O 8. Ne2 Re8 9. Qc2 g6 10.
h4

See example games.

 

A2.2.2 Bronstein-Larsen line,
5…gxf6

This is the more dynamic line; Black hopes to make good use of
the half-open files.

6. Nf3 Bg4

[6… Bf5

is the normal-looking move, but it isn’t very good here
e.g.

7. Bd3 Bg6 8. O-O Qc7 9. c4 Nd7 10. d5 O-O-O 11. Be3 e5 12.
Be2 Kb8

[12… c5 13. Nh4]

13. Rc1 f5 14. c5

-k-r-b-r
ppqn+p+p
-+p+-+b+
+-PPpp+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-BN+-
PP-+BPPP
+-RQ+RK-

14… cxd5 15. c6 bxc6 16. Bb5]

7. Be2 Qc7 8. h3 Bh5 9. O-O Nd7

[9… e6 is better, but White should still get a good
attacking game after 10. c4 Nd7 11. d5 O-O-O]

10. d5 Rd8 11. c4 Nb6 12. Be3 Bxf3

[12… cxd5 13. cxd5 Nxd5

[13… Rxd5 14. Bxb6 Rxd1 15. Bxc7]

14. Bb5+]

13. Bxb6 axb6 14. Bxf3 cxd5 15. cxd5 Bh6 16. Qa4+ Kf8
+/- Smyslov-Pachman 1964]

 

|
A2.3 Classical Variation with 4…Bf5

Now play:

5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nh3

This is the most exciting line. The main line goes something
like:

7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qc7 11. Bd2 e6 12.
O-O-O Ngf6 13. Qe2 O-O-O 14. Ne5

-+kr-b-r
ppqn+pp-
-+p+pn-p
+-+-N-+P
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-N-
PPPBQPP+
+-KR+-+R

…when White has a small advantage which is difficult to make
any use of.

7… Nf6 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. Bc4 e6 10. O-O Bd6

Now we see the point of the Nf4 move:

11. Nxe6 fxe6 12. Bxe6

rn-qk+-r
pp+-+-pb
-+pbBn-p
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-P
+-+-+-N-
PPP+-PP+
R-BQ+RK-

White has good chances for attack, although if the attack fails,
the missing piece will lose the game.

12… Qc7 13. Re1

[13. Nh5 may be better]

13… Nbd7 14. Bg8+ Kf8 15. Bxh7 Rxh7

and Black is holding on.

 

Example games
A2

Kavalek-Andersson 1978

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2

Kavalek actually played 3. Nc3

3…dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Nxf6+ exf6 6.c3 Bd6 7. Bd3 O-O
8. Ne2 Re8 9. Qc2 g6 10. h4 Nd7 11. h5 Nf8 12. Bh6 Qc7 13. O-O-O
Be6

[13… b5 14. Rh4]

14. c4 Rad8 15. hxg6 fxg6 16. c5 Be7 17. Nf4 Bf7 18.
Bc4

-+-rrnk+
ppq-bb+p
-+p+-ppB
+-P-+-+-
-+BP-N-+
+-+-+-+-
PPQ+-PP+
+-KR+-+R

The Bf7 must be exchanged.

18… Rd5

[18… Bxc4 19. Qxc4+ Kh8 20. Qf7 Bd6 21. Bg7#]

19. Rde1 Red8 20. Bxd5 cxd5 21. Re3 Rd7 22. Rhe1
g5

else Qe2 and Re8+

23. Bxf8 Bxf8 24. Rh1 h6 25. Ng6 Bxc5 26. Rc3 Bd6 27.
Rxh6 Kg7 28. Nf8 Kxf8

[28… Bg8 29. Nxd7]

29. Rh8+ Ke7 30. Qe2+ Be6 31. Rh7+

-+-+-+-+
ppqrk-+R
-+-bbp-+
+-+p+-p-
-+-P-+-+
+-R-+-+-
PP-+QPP+
+-K-+-+-

White, who has conducted the attack with great accuracy, finds
an equally crisp finish.

1-0

[31… Kf8 32. Rxc7 Bxc7 33. Qxe6 Rxh7 34. Qc8+]

[31… Kd8 32. Qxe6 Rxh7 33. Qg8+]

De Armas,A – Jensen,C (7) Novi, 1990 [B18]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6.
h4 h5 7. N1e2 e6 8. Nf4 Ne7 9. c3 Nd7 10. Nxg6 Nxg6 11. Nxh5 Nxh4
12. g3

r+-qkb-r
pp+n+pp-
-+p+p+-+
+-+-+-+N
-+-P-+-n
+-P-+-P-
PP-+-P-+
R-BQKB+R

The open h-file looks dangerous for both sides, but Black must
retreat.

12… Ng6 13. Bd3 Rh7 14. Qc2

r+-qkb-+
pp+n+ppr
-+p+p+n+
+-+-+-+N
-+-P-+-+
+-PB+-P-
PPQ+-P-+
R-B-K-+R

Suddenly, White looks much the better.

14… f5 15. Qb3 Ne7 16. Qxe6 g6 17. Bg5 Qa5 18.
O-O-O

r+-+kb-+
pp+nn-+r
-+p+Q+p+
q-+-+pBN
-+-P-+-+
+-PB+-P-
PP-+-P-+
+-KR+-+R

White is looking very good!

18… Rxh5

[18… gxh5 19. Rde1 O-O-O 20. Re5 Qa4 21. Bxf5 Rg7

-+kr-b-+
pp+nn-r-
-+p+Q+-+
+-+-RBBp
q+-P-+-+
+-P-+-P-
PP-+-P-+
+-K-+-+R

19. Bxe7 Qd5 20. Qxg6+ Kxe7 21. Rxh5

r+-+-b-+
pp+nk-+-
-+p+-+Q+
+-+q+p+R
-+-P-+-+
+-PB+-P-
PP-+-P-+
+-KR+-+-

Enough! 1-0

 

Haas,C – Trachsel, Arosa, 1990 [B18]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6.
h4 h6 7. Nh3 Nf6 8. Nf4 Bh7 9. c3 e6 10. Bc4 Nd5 11.
Qg4

rn-qkb-r
pp+-+ppb
-+p+p+-p
+-+n+-+-
-+BP-NQP
+-P-+-N-
PP-+-PP+
R-B-K-+R

Black now exchanges one his two developed pieces, bringing
another White piece into play.

11… Nxf4 12. Bxf4 Qf6 13. Kf1 Nd7 14. Re1 O-O-O 15.
Rh3 Bf5

-+kr-b-r
pp+n+pp-
-+p+pq-p
+-+-+b+-
-+BP-BQP
+-P-+-NR
PP-+-PP+
+-+-RK+-

Winning the exchange? This was actually a cunning trap for Black
to fall into.

16. Qf3 Bxh3 17. Qxc6+ 1-0

 

Rodriguez,Danie – Ruxton,K (6) WchJ, 1989 [B18]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3
Bg6

Here White adopts a slightly different move order to the
recommended line above.

6. N1e2 e6 7. Nf4 Bd6 8. h4

rn-qk+nr
pp+-+ppp
-+pbp+b+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-N-P
+-+-+-N-
PPP+-PP+
R-BQKB+R

Again, Black is prompted to exchange on f4.

8… Bxf4 9. Bxf4 h6 10. h5 Bh7 11. c3 Nf6 12. Qb3 Qe7
13. Be5 b6 14. O-O-O O-O 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Rxd3 Nbd7 17. Kb1 Ng4 18.
Re1

r+-+-rk+
p-+nqpp-
-pp+p+-p
+-+-B-+P
-+-P-+n+
+QPR+-N-
PP-+-PP+
+K+-R-+-

White simply plays to dominate the d-file after the exchange on
e5.

18… Ngxe5 19. dxe5 Nc5 20. Qa3 Qg5 21. Rd4 Rfd8 22.
Red1 Rd5 23. b4 Nd7 24. c4 Rxd4 25. Rxd4 Qe7 26. f4 c5 27. b5 f6
28. exf6 Nxf6 29. Rd2 e5 30. fxe5 Qxe5 31. Qd3

r+-+-+k+
p-+-+-p-
-p-+-n-p
+Pp-q-+P
-+P+-+-+
+-+Q+-N-
P+-R-+P+
+K+-+-+-

Black’s position is loose and he must be very careful…

31… Rf8 32. Re2 Qf4 33. Nf5 Re8

-+-+r+k+
p-+-+-p-
-p-+-n-p
+Pp-+N+P
-+P+-q-+
+-+Q+-+-
P+-+R+P+
+K+-+-+-

34. Ne7+ Kf7 35. Qg6+ Kf8

-+-+rk-+
p-+-N-p-
-p-+-nQp
+Pp-+-+P
-+P+-q-+
+-+-+-+-
P+-+R+P+
+K+-+-+-

36. Qxe8+ Kxe8 37. Nd5+ 1-0

…More careful than that, anyway

 

Schlindwein,R – Hugger,M (1) Badenweiler, 1990
[B18]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6.
N1e2 h6 7. Nf4 Bh7 8. Bc4 e6 9. O-O Nf6 10. Re1 Nd5

rn-qkb-r
pp+-+ppb
-+p+p+-p
+-+n+-+-
-+BP-N-+
+-+-+-N-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQR-K-

The pin on the e-file can be exploited.

11. Bxd5 cxd5 12. Qh5 Qg5

[12… g6 13. Qxd5 Nc6]

13. Rxe6+ Kd8 14. Qxf7 Nc6 15. Re8# 1-0

A3. Piece attacks vs. French
1. e4 e6: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
(Albin-Alekhin-Chatard Attack)

Well, you won’t get the Alekhin line in every game. The French
starts:

1. e4 e6

Now play the natural sequence

2. d4 d5 3. Nc3

Black now has an important choice: safe or brave?

 

A3.1. Rubinstein Variation
3…dxe4 4. Nxe4

rnbqkbnr
ppp-+ppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PN+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQKBNR

This is a solid line but Black lacks counterplay.

 

A3.1.1 Rubinstein Variation with
4…Nf6

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6

White can get an advantage through straightforward moves:

5. Nxf6+ gxf6

(5…Qxf6 6. Nf3 h6 7. Bd3

rnb+kb-r
ppp-+pp-
-+-+pq-p
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+B+N+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQK-+R

6. Nf3 b6 7. Bb5+ c6 8. Bc4 Bb7 9. Bf4 Bd6 10. Bg3 Qc7
11. Qe2 Nd7 12. O-O O-O-O 13. Ba6

-+kr-+-r
pbqn+p+p
Bppbpp-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+NB-
PPP+QPPP
R-+-+RK-

Liublinsky-Ufimsev 1945.

 

A3.1.2 Rubinstein Variation with
4…Bd7

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7

This

Stonewall

variation recently had some recommendations with the idea of
getting a line for the Bishop with Bc6, but White shouldn’t be
short of play:

5. Nf3 Bc6 6. Bd3

rn-qkbnr
ppp-+ppp
-+b+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PN+-+
+-+B+N+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQK-+R

6…Nf6

(6…Nd7 may be better)

7. Nxf6+ gxf6 8. Qe2

rn-qkb-r
ppp-+p+p
-+b+pp-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+B+N+-
PPP+QPPP
R-B-K-+R

+/- Levy.

 

A3.1.3 Rubinstein Variation with
4…Nd7

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7

The main line, which, however, promises Black little. There have
been many lines explored here but as an example you could play
over:

5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Ne5

r+bqkb-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-+pn-+
+-+-N-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQKB+R

White has a small advantage with easy development. Tarrasch
showed us several times how to play these positions: see EG.

 

A3.2. Guimard Variation 3.
… Nc6

r+bqkbnr
ppp-+ppp
-+n+p+-+
+-+p+-+-
-+-PP+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQKBNR

In this line, Black cannot play the natural counterattck …c5,
and the other break with …f6 is riskier. Now

4. e5

r+bqkbnr
ppp-+ppp
-+n+p+-+
+-+pP-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQKBNR

4…Nge7 5. Nce2 Nf5 6. Nf3 b6 7. Nf4+/-

r+bqkb-r
p-p-+ppp
-pn+p+-+
+-+pPn+-
-+-P-N-+
+-+-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQKB+R

leaves Black without scope, so Black should prefer

4…f6

when, after

5. exf6 Nxf6 6. Nf6 Bd6 7. Bg5 O-O 8. Bd3 Bd7 9. Qd2 Qe8
10. O-O-O Qh5 11.Rde1

r+-+-rk+
pppb+-pp
-+nbpn-+
+-+p+-Bq
-+-P-+-+
+-NB+N+-
PPPQ-PPP
+-K-R-+R

White has pressure along the e-file and is in any event more
actively placed.

 

A3. 3. Classical Variation,
3…Nf6

This is met by:

4. Bg5

rnbqkb-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-+pn-+
+-+p+-B-
-+-PP+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QKBNR

 

The natural reply here is the balancing …Be7 but Black has two
alternatives: …Bb4 and …dxe4.

 

A3.3.1. The Burn Variation, 4…
dxe4

rnbqkb-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-+pn-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-Pp+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QKBNR

This has obvious links with the Rubinstein line.

5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6

And Black has tried both recaptures:

 

6…Bxf6 (Variation 1)

rnbqk+-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-+pb-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PN+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QKBNR

Black has the two bishops and is solid; White can claim only a
small advantage.

7. Nf3 Nd7 8. Qd2 O-O 9.O-O-O b6 10. d5 Ne5 11. Qf4 Ng6
12. Nxf6+ Qxf6 13. Qxf6 gxf6

r+b+-rk+
p-p-+p+p
-p-+ppn+
+-+P+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
+-KR+B+R

…when White hopes that the greater harmony of the pawns will
give the advantage.

 

6… gxf6 (Variation 2)

rnbqk+-r
ppp-bp+p
-+-+pp-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PN+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QKBNR

A more risky and more dynamic try.

After 7. Nf3 Black hopes the two bishops and open d- and g-files
will give active play. White should develop properly and aim for
d5, breaking open the position.

 

 

|
A3.3.2. The MacCutcheon Variation, 4… Bb4

rnbqk+-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-+pn-+
+-+p+-B-
-b-PP+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QKBNR

This line still offers Black some prospects of a
counterattacking game, but is not as good as the Winawer.

5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Qg4 g6 9. Bd3 Nxd2
10. Kxd2 c5 11. Qf4 Nc6 12. Nf3

r+bqk+-r
pp+-+p+-
-+n+p+pp
+-ppP-+-
-+-P-Q-+
+-PB+N+-
P+PK-PPP
R-+-+-+R

White has the idea of dxc5 and Nd4, with advantage.

A3.3.3. The Classical Variation 4… Be7
(and Alekhin Chatard attack with 6. h4)

rnbqk+-r
ppp-bppp
-+-+pn-+
+-+p+-B-
-+-PP+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QKBNR

Again White’s move is easy to remember:

5. e5 Nfd7

rnbqk+-r
pppnbppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+pP-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QKBNR

6. h4

This is, at last, the Alekhin-Chatard Attack. White offers a
pawn for chances of attack. Just how good this line can be is shown
by the following miniature:

Zuber,M – Halmkin,P (Exeter Vs
Teignmouth, 1995)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5 8. Nh3 Qe7 9. Qg4 g6 10. Bd3 b6 11. Nf4 Ba6 12.
Bxg6 fxg6 13. Nxe6 Nf8 14. Nxd5 Nxe6 15. Nxe7 1-0

Good, isn’t it?

Black has various ways of declining the gambit, but none are
very promising (analysis from BCO2 and elsewhere):

 

Declining with 6… f6

7. Qh5+ Kf8

[or 7… g6 8. exf6 gxh5 9. fxe7 Qxe7 10. Bxe7 Kxe7

rnb+-+-r
pppnk-+p
-+-+p+-+
+-+p+-+p
-+-P-+-P
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PP+
R-+-KBNR

 

Declining with 6… c5

7. Bxe7 Qxe7 8. Nb5 +=

 

Declining with 6… h6

7. Be3 c5 8. Qg4 g6 9. Nf3 +=

Hellers-Barayev 1986

 

Declining with 6… a6

7. Qg4 Bxg5 8. hxg5 c5 9. g6 f5 10. Qg3 h6 11. Nf3 O-O
12. O-O-O Nc6 13. Ne2

r+bq-rk+
+p+n+-p-
p+n+p+Pp
+-ppPp+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+NQ-
PPP+NPP+
+-KR+B+R

+=/unclear BCO2

 

Declining with 6… O-O

7. Qg4 f5 8. exf6 Nxf6 9. Qg3 c5 10. dxc5 Nbd7 11. O-O-O
Nxc5 12. Bd3 b5

r+bq-rk+
p-+-b-pp
-+-+pn-+
+pnp+-B-
-+-+-+-P
+-NB+-Q-
PPP+-PP+
+-KR+-NR

unclear: Kupreichik-Moskalenko 1986

 

The Gambit accepted: 6…Bxg5

7. hxg5 Qxg5 8. Nh3 Qe7 9. Nf4 Nc6

rnb+k+-r
pppnqppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+pP-+-
-+-P-N-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PP+
R-+QKB+R

The N goes to h3 instead of f3 to allow Q to move to g4 when
White has good prospects of attack.

Black has a couple of alternatives to 9…Nc6:

[9… f5 10. Qh5+ Qf7 11. Nxe6 g6 12. Nxc7+ Kd8 13.
Qf3

rnbk-+-r
ppNn+q+p
-+-+-+p+
+-+pPp+-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+Q+-
PPP+-PP+
R-+-KB+R

+- BCO2

13… Kxc7 14. Nxd5+ Kd8 15. Bc4]

[9… Nf8 10. Qg4 f5 11. exf6 gxf6 12. O-O-O: see example
games]

[9… a6 10. Qg4 Kf8 11. Qf3 Kg8 12. Bd3 c5

[12… h6]

13. Bxh7+

rnb+-+kr
+p+nqppB
p+-+p+-+
+-ppP-+-
-+-P-N-+
+-N-+Q+-
PPP+-PP+
R-+-K-+R

Keres-Wade 1954]

10. Qg4 Nxd4 11. O-O-O Nf5 12. Nfxd5

r+b+k+-r
pppnqppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+NPn+-
-+-+-+Q+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PP+
+-KR+B+R

With compensation, according to BCO2

 

A3.4. The Winawer variation,
3… Bb4 and Alekhin Gambit 4. Nge2

rnbqk+nr
ppp-+ppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+p+-+-
-b-PP+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQKBNR

Black takes a risky decision – to attack White’s Knight but with
the important dark-squared bishop. White has the main try 4. e5 but
also some ways of avoiding these critical lines, including the
gambit lines 4. Nge2 and 4. a3, and the Winawer Exchange 4.
exd5.

4. Nge2

Another Alekhin Gambit

rnbqk+nr
ppp-+ppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+p+-+-
-b-PP+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+NPPP
R-BQKB+R

Black is advised not to hang on to the pawn, but to concentrate
on good development instead.

4… dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6. Nxe4 Nf6

rnbqk+-r
ppp-bppp
-+-+pn-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PN+-+
P-+-+-+-
-PP+NPPP
R-BQKB+R

An open game with about equal chances has resulted.

 

 

Example games
A3

A3.3.3 Examples of the Alekhin-Chatard
Attack

|
Alekhin – Fahrni, Mannheim, 1914

This is an early game that showed us all the way.

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
Bxg5 7. hxg5 Qxg5 8. Nh3

rnb+k+-r
pppn+ppp
-+-+p+-+
+-+pP-q-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+-+N
PPP+-PP+
R-+QKB+R

The key move in the Gambit Accepted.

8… Qe7 9. Nf4 Nf8 10. Qg4 f5 11. exf6 gxf6 12. O-O-O
c6 13. Re1 Kd8

[13… Na6 14. Bxa6 bxa6 15. Nfxd5 cxd5 16. Nxd5 Qf7 17.
Qf4]

14. Rh6 e5 15. Qh4 Nbd7 16. Bd3 e4 17. Qg3
Qf7

r+bk-n-r
pp+n+q+p
-+p+-p-R
+-+p+-+-
-+-PpN-+
+-NB+-Q-
PPP+-PP+
+-K-R-+-

18. Bxe4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Rg8 20. Qa3!

Great idea.

20… Qg7 21. Nd6 Nb6 22. Ne8 Qf7 23. Qd6+ Qd7 24.
Qxf6+

r+bkNnr+
pp+q+-+p
-np+-Q-R
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-N-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PP+
+-K-R-+-

1-0

 

Cid,M – Araya,R (4) Copa, 1989[C13]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
a6

Declined

7. Qg4 Bxg5 8. hxg5 c5 9. g6 f5 10. Qf4 h6 11. Nf3 O-O
12. dxc5 Qe8 13. O-O-O

rnb+qrk+
+p+n+-p-
p+-+p+Pp
+-PpPp+-
-+-+-Q-+
+-N-+N+-
PPP+-PP+
+-KR+B+R

The g-pawn is tempting…

13… Qxg6 14. Nxd5

A characteristic sac.

14…exd5 15. Rxd5 Qg4 16. Qd2 f4 17. Rh4 Qe6 18. Bc4
Kh8 19. Rxf4 Rxf4 20. Qxf4 Qe7 21. Nh4 Qe8 22. Rd6

rnb+q+-k
+p+n+-p-
p+-R-+-p
+-P-P-+-
-+B+-Q-N
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PP+
+-K-+-+-

Black’s useless Q-side pieces are all still in bed.

1-0

 

Djurhuus,R – Minero,S (7) Santiago, 1990[C13]

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 e6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
a6

Declined

7. Qg4 Kf8 8. Qf4 c5 9. dxc5 Nc6 10. Nf3 Nxc5 11. O-O-O
b5 12. Rh3

r+bq-k-r
+-+-bppp
p+n+p+-+
+pnpP-B-
-+-+-Q-P
+-N-+N+R
PPP+-PP+
+-KR+B+-

The position is still not easy for Black

12… Bd7 13. Kb1 b4 14. Ne2 Ne4 15. Bxe7+ Qxe7 16. Ng5
Nc5 17. h5 h6 18. Nf3 Ne4 19. Qe3 a5 20. Ng3 Nc5 21. Nd4 a4 22. f4
b3 23. cxb3 Nxd4 24. Rxd4 axb3 25. a3 Rb8 26. Rb4 Rc8 27. Ne2 Ba4
28. Qd4 Bd7 29. Nc1 g6 30. hxg6 fxg6 31. Nxb3 Kg7 32. Nxc5 Rxc5 33.
Rg3 Rhc8

-+r+-+-+
+-+bq-k-
-+-+p+pp
+-rpP-+-
-R-Q-P-+
P-+-+-R-
-P-+-+P+
+K+-+B+-

At last the K-side attack comes!

34. f5 Rc1+ 35. Ka2 Rxf1 36. f6+ Rxf6 37. exf6+
Qxf6

And White won with the exhange and extra pawns.

38. Qa7 Rd8 39. Rb7 Qe7 40. Rc3 Kf8 41. Qb6 Kf7 42. Qe3
Qg5 43. Qd4 h5 44. Rf3+ Kg8 45. a4 Qe7 46. Qe5 Qg7 47. Rf6 Ra8 48.
b3 Re8 49. Qg5 Kh7

-+-+r+-+
+R+b+-qk
-+-+pRp+
+-+p+-Qp
P+-+-+-+
+P+-+-+-
K+-+-+P+
+-+-+-+-

50. Rxd7 1-0

 

Sokolov – Shemiakin, T, Simferopol, 1989[C13]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
O-O

Declined

7. Bd3 f5 8. exf6 Nxf6 9. Nf3 c5 10. dxc5 Nc6 11. Qe2
Qa5 12. O-O-O

r+b+-rk+
pp+-b-pp
-+n+pn-+
q-Pp+-B-
-+-+-+-P
+-NB+N+-
PPP+QPP+
+-KR+-+R

Black now becomes provocative

12… d4 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nxd4 Nxd4

r+b+-rk+
pp+-b-+p
-+-+pp-+
q-P-+-+-
-+-n-+-P
+-NB+-+-
PPP+QPP+
+-KR+-+R

The crowd were baying for…

15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Qh5+ Kg7 17. Rxd4 f5 18. Rh3 Bxc5 19.
Rg3+ Kf6 20. Ne4+

r+b+-r-+
pp+-+-+-
-+-+pk-+
q-b-+p+Q
-+-RN+-P
+-+-+-R-
PPP+-PP+
+-K-+-+-

The lonely King wanders to his grave

20… Ke5

[20… fxe4 21. Rg6+ Kf7 22. Rh6+ Ke7 23. Rh7+ Rf7 24.
Qxf7#]

21. f4+ Kxd4 22. Qd1+ Qd2+ 23. Nxd2 Kd5 24. Nb3+ Kc6 25.
Nxc5 Kxc5 1-0

 

Zeh,H – Bahry,J, Baden-Baden, 1989[C13]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4
a6 7. Qg4 h5

Declined again

8. Qg3 g6 9. Nf3 c5 10. dxc5 Nc6 11. O-O-O

r+bqk+-r
+p+nbp+-
p+n+p+p+
+-PpP-Bp
-+-+-+-P
+-N-+NQ-
PPP+-PP+
+-KR+B+R

11… Bxg5+ 12. Nxg5 Qe7 13. f4 Nxc5 14. Be2 Bd7 15. Qf2
O-O-O

Black escapes to the Q-side

16. g3 Rdf8

-+k+-r-r
+p+bqp+-
p+n+p+p+
+-npP-Np
-+-+-P-P
+-N-+-P-
PPP+BQ-+
+-KR+-+R

17. Rxd5 exd5 18. Nxd5

the sacrifice is not so great, after all!

18… Nd3+ 19. Bxd3 Qd8 20. Ne4 Kb8 21. Nd6 Qa5 22. Nc3
Be6 23. a3

-k-+-r-r
+p+-+p+-
p+nNb+p+
q-+-P-+p
-+-+-P-P
P-NB+-P-
-PP+-Q-+
+-K-+-+R

23… Nxe5

[I think this is unnecessary, but it’s hard to give Black
good advice e.g. 23… Rd8 24. Rd1 f6 25. Nce4 fxe5 26. Nxb7!? Kxb7
27. Nc5+ Kb8 28. Nxe6 Rd6 29. Bc4]

24. fxe5 Qxe5 25. Qb6 Bc8 26. Bxa6 1-0

 

Now, a few games in the other Alekhin gambit.

A3.4 Examples of the Alekhin Gambit in
the Winawer Variation

Miles – Reefschlager, Porz,
1982

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6.
Nxc3 Nc6 7.

Bb5 Nge7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Qd2 a6 10. Bxc6 Nxc6 11. O-O-O f5
12. Bg5 Qe8

13. f3 exf3 14. gxf3

r+b+qrk+
+pp-+-pp
p+n+p+-+
+-+-+pB-
-+-P-+-+
P-N-+P+-
-PPQ-+-P
+-KR+-+R

14… Nd8

[14… e5 return the pawn to activate the Bc8]

15. Rhg1 c6 16. Rg3 Rf7 17. Rdg1 b5

to allow …Ra7, but a move too late

18. Bf6

r+bnq+k+
+-+-+rpp
p+p+pB-+
+p+-+p+-
-+-P-+-+
P-N-+PR-
-PPQ-+-P
+-K-+-R-

1-0 18… Rxf6

[18… Raa7 19. Qh6 Qf8 20. Be5 Kh8 21. Rh3 Qg8 22. Ne2 f4 23.
Rxg7 Rxg7 24. Nxf4 -+bn-+qk
r-+-+-rp
p+p+p+-Q
+p+-B-+-
-+-P-N-+
P-+-+P+R
-PP+-+-P
+-K-+-+-

]

19. Rxg7+ Kh8 20. Qg5 Rg6

[20… Rf8 21. Rxh7+]

21. Rxg6 hxg6 22. Qh6+

1-0

 

Conejero,J. M – Perez Torres,J [C15], Valencia

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6.
Nxc3 f5

Yeuch.

7. Bf4 Nf6 8. f3

The best approach.

8…exf3 9. Qxf3 O-O 10. O-O-O Nd5 11. Be5 Rf7 12.
Bc4

rnbq-+k+
ppp-+rpp
-+-+p+-+
+-+nBp+-
-+BP-+-+
P-N-+Q+-
-PP+-+PP
+-KR+-+R

12… Qg5+ 13. Kb1 Ne3 14. Bf4

1-0

 

Ristic,Nen – Sanchis, A [C15], Chartres

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6.
Nxe4 Nc6 7. Bf4 Nf6 8. Qd3 b6 9. O-O-O Bb7 10. N2c3 O-O 11. Kb1 Qd7
12. Nxf6+ Bxf6

r+-+-rk+
pbpq+ppp
-pn+pb-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-B-+
P-NQ+-+-
-PP+-PPP
+K+R+B+R

13. d5

Always, this is the key break.

13…Ne5 14. Qg3 Ng6 15. Bb5 Qc8 16. Bxc7 Bxc3 17. dxe6
Bxg2

The position is opened up nicely.

18. Rhg1 Bf6 19. exf7+ Rxf7 20. Bc4 Bb7 21. Rge1 Qf5 22.
Qb3 Bg5 23. Be6 Qf3 24. Rd3 Qf6 25. Rd7 Ne7 26. Be5 Qxf2 27. Bg3
Qf3 28. Bxf7+

r+-+-+k+
pb+RnBpp
-p-+-+-+
+-+-+-b-
-+-+-+-+
PQ+-+qB-
-PP+-+-P
+K+-R-+-

1-0

 

Westerinen,H – Bergsson,S [C15], Gausdal

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6.
Nxc3 Nc6 7. Bf4 Nf6 8. Bb5

r+bqk+-r
ppp-+ppp
-+n+pn-+
+B+-+-+-
-+-PpB-+
P-N-+-+-
-PP+-PPP
R-+QK-+R

Black now prompts a move White might make voluntarily.

8… a6 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12.
Nxe4

r+b+k+-r
+-p-+pp-
p+p+pq-p
+-+-+-+-
-+-PN+-+
P-+-+-+-
-PP+-PPP
R-+QK-+R

Black’s pawns look awful.

12… Qh4 13. Qd3 e5 14. dxe5 Qf4 15. O-O Qxe5 16. f4
Qxb2

Careless.

17. Rfb1

r+b+k+-r
+-p-+pp-
p+p+-+-p
+-+-+-+-
-+-+NP-+
P-+Q+-+-
-qP+-+PP
RR+-+-K-

1-0

 

Abdulla,M – Khechen,N [C15], Novi

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6.
Nxc3 Nc6 7. Bb5 Nge7 8. Bg5 f6

Ill-advised.

9. Be3 a6 10. Bxc6+ Nxc6

r+bqk+-r
+pp-+-pp
p+n+pp-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-Pp+-+
P-N-B-+-
-PP+-PPP
R-+QK-+R

11. Qh5+ g6 12. Qh6 Qe7 13. Nxe4 Bd7 14. Qh4 Rf8 15.
O-O-O O-O-O 16. Rhe1 Be8

-+krbr-+
+pp-q-+p
p+n+ppp+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PN+-Q
P-+-B-+-
-PP+-PPP
+-KRR-+-

Again, the position needs opening up with d5.

17. d5 Rxd5 18. Rxd5 exd5 19. Bc5

winning the exchange

19… Qf7 20. Bxf8 dxe4 21. Qxe4 Bd7 22. Bc5
Qa2

-+k+-+-+
+ppb+-+p
p+n+-pp+
+-B-+-+-
-+-+Q+-+
P-+-+-+-
qPP+-PPP
+-K-R-+-

a hopeful lunge

23. Bd4 Nxd4 24. Qxd4 Qa1+ 25. Kd2 Qa2 26. Re7 Bc6 27.
c4 b6 28. Rxh7 Bxg2

-+k+-+-+
+-p-+-+R
pp-+-pp+
+-+-+-+-
-+PQ-+-+
P-+-+-+-
qP-K-PbP
+-+-+-+-

1-0

 

|

Castillo,O – Segovia,J [C15], WchJ

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6.
Nxe4 Nc6 7. Qd3 Nf6 8. Nxf6+ Bxf6 9. Be3 O-O 10. O-O-O

r+bq-rk+
ppp-+ppp
-+n+pb-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
P-+QB-+-
-PP+NPPP
+-KR+B+R

Black now tries a break. Because White is not much better
developed, he keeps it closed. We than have an opposite-side
castling situation, where both sides must attack quickly.

10… e5 11. d5 Ne7 12. Ng3 Ng6 13. Qe4 Bg5 14. Nf5
Bxe3+ 15. fxe3 Ne7 16. g4

r+bq-rk+
ppp-nppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+PpN+-
-+-+Q+P+
P-+-P-+-
-PP+-+-P
+-KR+B+R

You can make this sort of move if your king is on the other
side.

16… Bxf5 17. gxf5 f6 18. Rg1 Kh8 19. Rg3 Qd7 20. Bd3
Rad8 21. Rdg1 Rg8 22. Qh4 h6

-+-r-+rk
pppqn-p-
-+-+-p-p
+-+PpP+-
-+-+-+-Q
P-+BP-R-
-PP+-+-P
+-K-+-R-

Black’s attack hasn’t even started.

23. Rxg7 Nxf5 24. Rxg8+ Rxg8 25. Qxf6+ 1-0

 

De Eccher,S – Schneiders,A [C15], Lugano

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nge2 dxe4 5. a3 Be7 6.
Nxe4 Nf6 7. Qd3 b6 8. Bf4 Bb7 9. Nxf6+ Bxf6 10. O-O-O

rn-qk+-r
pbp-+ppp
-p-+pb-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-B-+
P-+Q+-+-
-PP+NPPP
+-KR+B+R

Black is fairly well placed, though behind in development, but
now blunders.

10… Bg5 11. Qb5+ 1-0

 

A3. Example of other French
variations

Tarrasch – Mieses[C30], Berlin Match (3) , 1916

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6.
Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nxe4 8. Bxe4 Nf6 9. Bd3 b6

r+bqk+-r
p-p-bppp
-p-+pn-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+B+N+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQ+RK-

Black has conceded a small space advantage and plays his last
move to get the blocked Bc8 out. Tarrasch prevents even that.

10. Ne5 O-O

Else Bb5+

11. Nc6 Qd6 12. Qf3 Bd7 13. Nxe7+ Qxe7 14. Bg5 Rac8 15.
Rfe1 Rfe8

Black knows enough not to move his King’s-side pawn unless he is
forced to. So Tarrasch forces him to!

16. Qh3

-+r+r+k+
p-pbqppp
-p-+pn-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+B+-+Q
PPP+-PPP
R-+-R-K-

Threatening 17. Bxf6 and 18. Qxh7

16… Qd6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Qh6 f5

In just a few moves, Tarrasch has got into the heart of the
King’s defences.

19. Re3 Qxd4 20. c3!

A pretty final move: Black resigns, unable to stop Rg3.
-+r+r+k+
p-pb+p+p
-p-+p+-Q
+-+-+p+-
-+-q-+-+
+-PBR-+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+-+-K-

 

Beating the Anti-Indians

Posted on by

Playing Black in Indian systems without c2-c4: a repertoire for
the …g6 and the …e6 player

Daniel Hill, Dave Regis and Steve Webb (Credits)

A. Colle System

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 and 3. e3

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-Pn+-
pPp+-PpP
RnBqKb+r

White will play slowly for the e2-e4 break, opening up the game.

  There is a club booklet on the Colle.

Black plays …g6 against the
Colle

This is well-known as a good system: the Bd3 bites on granite and
e3-e4 results in a Pirc-style game satisfactory for Black.

  The Colle proper is a system which follows 1. d4 d5,
which is not the Indian move-order, but you may end up in the line
below:

4. c3

 

tSlDjL-T
Xx+-XxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-Xx+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-P-Pn+-
pP-+-PpP
RnBqKb+r

4… g6 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Bg7 7. O-O O-O

 

t+lD-Tj+
Xx+sXxLx
-+-+-Sx+
+-Xx+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-PbPn+-
pP-N-PpP
R-Bq+rK-

Now Fine says White is best advised to play

8. b4=

Since

[8. e4 dxe4 9. Nxe4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Ne5 11. Nxf6+ Bxf6
12. Be2 Bd7 is =+]

Colle system vs. King’s
Indian

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. e3

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXx+x
-+-+-Sx+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-Pn+-
pPp+-PpP
RnBqKb+r

Now e2-e4 just loses a tempo on the Pirc, if that’s in your
repertoire (which it should be! White has more than one way to try
and transpose…). Otherwise White can try to get into a main line
as below:

Belavanets – Bronstein 13th USSR
semi-final, 1941

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2
Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. b3 Re8 9. e3 c6 10. Qc2 Qa5 11. a4 Nf8 12. Ba3
Bf5 13. Qb2 Rad8 14. Rfd1 e4 15. Nd2 Ne6

 

-+-Tt+j+
Xx+-+xLx
-+xXsSx+
D-+-+l+-
p+pPx+-+
BpN-P-P-
-Q-N-PbP
R-+r+-K-

The Qa5 is not typical, but we can see several themes here:

fianchetto of the King’s bishop

use of the e-pawn to gain an initiative on the
K-side

over-protection of the advanced
e4-pawn

move all the pieces to the K-side in a committal
attack

16. b4 Qc7 17. Rdb1 Qd7 18. c5 Ng5

  More over-protection

19. cxd6 Bh3 20. Bh1 Qf5 21. Ne2 Nd5 22. b5
Bg4

 

-+-Tt+j+
Xx+-+xLx
-+xP-+x+
+p+s+dS-
p+-Px+l+
B-+-P-P-
-Q-NnP-P
Rr+-+-Kb

23. Kf1

  Two sword-swipes with the Knights decide the game.

23…Nxe3+ 24. Ke1 Nf3+ 0-1

 

Black plays …e6 against the
Colle

3. e3

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXx+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-Pn+-
pPp+-PpP
RnBqKb+r

Of course 3…e6 gives Black a problem developing the Bc8. It can
hold back and wait for …e6-e5, but it is more natural to develop
it either on the long diagonal or immediately (after …d5 and
before …e6).

3… Bg4 4. Nbd2 Nbd7 5. h3 Bh5 6. c4 e6 7. Qb3
Rb8

 

-T-DjL-T
XxXs+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-+x+-+l
-+pP-+-+
+q+-Pn+p
pP-N-Pp+
R-B-Kb+r

about equal: Kovacevic-Timman 1984]

Colle with …b6

2… b6 3. e3 Bb7

“The Queen’s Indian formation against the
Colle-Zukertort has a reputation for reliability; Black indeed had
a good plus score in the games examined.” TRENDS

4. Bd3 e6 5. O-O c5

 

tS-DjL-T
Xl+x+xXx
-X-+xS-+
+-X-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+bPn+-
pPp+-PpP
RnBq+rK-

6. Nbd2

[6. c3 is the traditional recipe]

6… Be7

  is the main line but others are known:

[6… cxd4 7. exd4 Be7 8. Re1 O-O 9. a4 a6 10. Nf1
d6= Kovacevic-Hulak, 1985 (BCO)]

[6… d6 is known to theory]

[6… Nc6!? 7. b3

[7. a3 Be7 8. Re1 O-O 9. b3 d6 10. Bb2 Re8 11. c4 Nb8
Yusupov-Sax, 1988 (1/2-1/2, 63)]

7… cxd4 8. exd4 Nb4 9. Be2 Rc8 10. c4 d5
Yusupov-Chernin, 1987 (1/2-1/2, 18)]

  Example Game:

Colle,Edgar – Capablanca,Jose
(18) [A47] *Karlsbad, 1929

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 b6 3. e3

 

tSlDjL-T
X-XxXxXx
-X-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-Pn+-
pPp+-PpP
RnBqKb+r

3… Bb7 4. Nbd2 e6 5. Bd3 c5 6. O-O Nc6 7. c3 Be7 8. e4
cxd4 9. Nxd4 O-O 10. Qe2

 

t+-D-Tj+
Xl+xLxXx
-Xs+xS-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-Np+-+
+-Pb+-+-
pP-NqPpP
R-B-+rK-

10… Ne5 11. Bc2 Qc8 12. f4 Ba6 13. Qd1 Nc6 14.
Rf3

 

t+d+-Tj+
X-+xLxXx
lXs+xS-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-NpP-+
+-P-+r+-
pPbN-+pP
R-Bq+-K-

14… g6 15. N2b3 Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Bb7 17. Qe2 Bc5 18. Rh3 Qc6
19. e5 Nd5 20. Qf2

 

t+-+-Tj+
Xl+x+x+x
-Xd+x+x+
+-LsP-+-
-+-N-P-+
+-P-+-+r
pPb+-QpP
R-B-+-K-

20… Bxd4 21. cxd4 Rac8 22. Bd1 f6 23. Qh4 Rf7

 

-+t+-+j+
Xl+x+t+x
-Xd+xXx+
+-+sP-+-
-+-P-P-Q
+-+-+-+r
pP-+-+pP
R-Bb+-K-

24. Bf3 Qc4 25. Be3 Nxe3 26. Bxb7 Nf5 27. Qe1 Rc7 28. Be4
Qxd4+ 29. Kh1 fxe5 30. Bxf5 exf5 31. fxe5 Re7 32. Re3 Qxb2 33. e6
dxe6 34. Rxe6 Kf7

 

-+-+-+-+
X-T-Tj+x
-X-+r+x+
+-+-+x+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pD-+-+pP
R-+-Q-+k

White is two pawns down with still the worse position, so:

0-1

B. London System

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 and 3. Bf4

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-B-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

White holds the centre and develops quickly, attacking on either
side as the opportunity arises.

Black plays …g6 against the
London System

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXx+x
-+-+-Sx+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-B-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

The Bishop rather invites …d6 and …e5.

3… Bg7 4. e3 d6

[4… d5 is recommended by Varnusz, but may not sit
easily in the repertoire of a KID player. Also anecdotal evidence
suggests that …d5 may suit a London player’s style]

5. h3

  To preserve the Bf4, but it has at the moment little
scope and its position even invites …e5. We will look at an
example game:

Polugaevsky-Gufeld,
1979

5… O-O 6. Be2 c5 7. Nbd2 cxd4 8. exd4 Nc6 9. O-O Bf5 10.
c3 Rc8=

 

-+tD-Tj+
Xx+-XxLx
-+sX-Sx+
+-+-+l+-
-+-P-B-+
+-P-+n+p
pP-NbPp+
R-+q+rK-

The Bf5 is awkward while it stays and awkward to remove.

11. Bh2 a6 12. a4 Re8 13. Nc4 d5 14. Nce5 Qb6 15.
Ra2 Ne4 16. Nxc6?!

[16. g4!?]

16… bxc6 17. a5 Qb7 18. g4 Bd7 19.
Ne5

 

-+t+t+j+
+d+lXxLx
x+x+-+x+
P-+xN-+-
-+-Ps+p+
+-P-+-+p
rP-+bP-B
+-+q+rK-

19… Bxe5

  An unusual exchange!

20. Bxe5

[20. dxe5 e6 /\ …c5]

20… f6 21. Bh2 c5 22. f3 Ng5 23. h4 Nf7 24. Re1
Bb5 25. b3 cxd4 26. cxd4 Rc3 27. Kg2 e5 28. Bxb5 Qxb5 29. Rae2
Rd3

 

-+-+t+j+
+-+-+s+x
x+-+-Xx+
Pd+xX-+-
-+-P-+pP
+p+t+p+-
-+-+r+kB
+-+qR-+-

30. Rd2 Rxd2+ 31. Qxd2 Qxb3 32. Re3 Qb5 33. g5 Nd6 34. Re1
Nc4 35. Qf2 exd4 36. Rxe8+ Qxe8 37. gxf6 Ne3+ 38. Kg1 Qb5 39. Be5
Qb1+ 40. Kh2 Qf5 41. Bg3 Qc2 42. Qxc2 Nxc2 43. Be5 Kf7 44. Kg2 d3
45. Kf2 d2 46. Ke2 Ne3

 

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+j+x
x+-+-Px+
P-+xB-+-
-+-+-+-P
+-+-Sp+-
-+-Xk+-+
+-+-+-+-

0-1

  White’s poor Bishop could do nothing about the Black
attack, and finally dies on what should be its best square!

Hills-Webb 1995

5… Nbd7

  for 5…O-O see below

6. Be2

[6. Bd3 is deterred by the Pawn on g6]

6… O-O 7. c4

[7. c3 and Nbd2 is a slower way to play the system;
Black can play the Bc8 to b7 as in the game.]

[7. O-O Qe8 is recommended in the book (Varnusz),
planning …e5]

or

[7… c5 8. c3 b6 9. a4 Bb7 10. Bh2 a6!
Varnusz]

7… c5

  Thematic, playing to pressurise the long diagonal.

8. Nc3 cxd4 9. exd4 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Qc2 Rc8
12. b3

  Defends the c4 Pawn but weakens the dark squares.

12… a6

  /\ …b5

13. a4 Re8 14. Rfd1 Nb8

 

-StDt+j+
+l+-XxLx
xX-X-Sx+
+-+-+-+-
p+pP-B-+
+pN-+n+p
-+q+bPp+
R-+r+-K-

/\ …Nb8-c6-b4

15. d5 Nxd5

  draw agreed (!)

[15… Nxd5 16. Bd2 Nb4-+ ]

  One last one with a slightly different move order.

Short,N-Kasparov,Gary/Skelleftea (4) 1989

2… c6 3. Bf4 d6 4. h3 Qb6 5. b3 c5 6. dxc5 Qxc5
7. c4 g6 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. Rc1 Bf5

 

tS-+j+-T
Xx+-XxLx
-+-X-Sx+
+-D-+l+-
-+p+-B-+
+pN-+n+p
p+-+pPp+
+-RqKb+r

Black is fine here: both Bishops are better than White’s, Black has
control of e4 and can enjoy the discomfort of White’s King, which
is at least three moves from castling.

10. Be3 Qa5 11. Bd2 Qd8 12. Nd4 Be4 13. e3 Nc6
14. Nde2 Bd3 15. Nf4 Bxf1 16. Kxf1 O-O 17. g3 e6 18. Kg2 d5 19.
cxd5 exd5 20. Qf3 d4 21. Ncd5 Nxd5 22. Qxd5 Qe7 23. Rhe1 Rad8 24.
Qc5 Qd7 25. e4 Ne5 26. Red1 b6 27. Qc7

 

-+-T-Tj+
X-Qd+xLx
-X-+-+x+
+-+-S-+-
-+-XpN-+
+p+-+-Pp
p+-B-Pk+
+-Rr+-+-

27. Qc7 Qb5 28. Qxa7 g5 29. Qa4

  Sacrificing the Knight for some play

29… Qxa4 30. bxa4 gxf4 31. gxf4 Nd3 32. Rc6 Nb2
33. Rdc1 Nxa4 34. f5 Rfe8 35. f3 Ra8 36. Kh1 Nc5 37. Rg1 Kh8 38.
Rc7 Rf8 39. Bf4 Rac8 40. Re7 Rce8 41. Rc7 Nd3 42. Bd6 Rg8 43. Rxf7
Be5 44. Rxg8+ Rxg8 45. Rd7 Nf2# 0-1

Black plays …e6 against the
London System

3. Bf4

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXx+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-B-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

3…b6

[3… d5 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bg3 c5 6. c3 Ne4 7. Bxd6 Qxd6
8. Nbd2 Nxd2 9. Qxd2 Nc6 = Osmanovitch-Lputian, 1983]

4. e3 Bb7 5. Bd3

[5. c4 is Miles’ variation in the Queen’s Indian 5…
Ne4]

5… Be7 6. h3 O-O 7. Nbd2 c5 8. c3 d5 9. O-O Qc8
10. Re1 Ba6 11. Bc2 Rd8 12. Ne5 Nc6 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4 Qc7 15. f4
Rac8 16. Qf3 Ne4

  1/2-1/2 Gulko-Browne, 1988 (Given in The London
System by Soltis)

C. Torre Attack/Torre System
vs. King Fianchetto

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 and 3. Bg5

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

The founder of this system scored a famous victory over Lasker with
a ‘windmill’ combination. It has similar ideas to the London
System, and chooses perhaps a better square for the Bishop. It also
tempts Black to chase the bishop.

Black plays …g6 against the
Bg5 system

3. Bg5

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXx+x
-+-+-Sx+
+-+-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

3… Bg7

  White can try and fiddle c2-c4 or Nb1-c3 with 4. e3, but
this forgoes e2-e4.

4. Nbd2 c5

  White can now try

5. Bxf6 or

5. c3:

  we’ll look at a game with each.

5. Bxf6 e.g.
Spiridonov,N-Kasparov,Gary/Skara (4) 1980

5. Bxf6 Bxf6 6. Ne4 Bxd4! 7. Nxd4 cxd4 8. Qxd4 O-O 9.
c4

 

tSlD-Tj+
Xx+xXx+x
-+-+-+x+
+-+-+-+-
-+pQn+-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+pPpP
R-+-Kb+r

Although Black lacks the dark-squared Bishop, his position is fine.

9… Nc6 10. Qd2 d6 11. Nc3 Be6 12. e4 Qb6 13.
Rd1?!

 

t+-+-Tj+
Xx+-Xx+x
-DsXl+x+
+-+-+-+-
-+p+p+-+
+-N-+-+-
pP-Q-PpP
+-+rKb+r

Over-ambitious: Black spies the traditional weakness on f2

13… Ne5 14. b3 f5! 15. Be2 f4!-+

 

t+-+-Tj+
Xx+-X-+x
-D-Xl+x+
+-+-S-+-
-+p+pX-+
+pN-+-+-
p+-QbPpP
+-+rK-+r

Cementing the post on e5.

16. Nd5 Bxd5 17. Qxd5+ Kg7 18. O-O Rac8 19. b4
Qxb4 20. Rb1 Qa3 21. Rxb7

 

-+t+-T-+
Xr+-X-Jx
-+-X-+x+
+-+qS-+-
-+p+pX-+
D-+-+-+-
p+-+bPpP
+-+-+rK-

White seems to have developed some uncomfortable threats…

21… Kf6!!

  …but they are all one-move deep, and this stops the
lot!

22. h4 h6

[22… Qxa2? 23. Bg4]

23. Rd1 Rb8

[23… Qxa2?? 24. Qxd6+ exd6 25. Rxd6#]

24. Rc7 Rfc8 25. Rxc8 Rxc8 26. Qb7 Qc5 27. Qb2
Qb6 28. Qc1 g5 29. Rd5 e6 30. hxg5+ hxg5

 

-+t+-+-+
X-+-+-+-
-D-XxJ-+
+-+rS-X-
-+p+pX-+
+-+-+-+-
p+-+bPp+
+-Q-+-K-

31. Rd1 Ke7 32. Qc2 Rb8 33. Qa4 g4 34. Qa3 Qc5 35. Qc3 g3
36. Rf1 gxf2+ 37. Rxf2 Rb1+ 38. Bf1 Qe3 39. Qxe3 fxe3 40. Rc2 Nxc4
0-1

5. c3
Bisguier,Arthur-Fischer,Robert/New York ch-US Rd: 5 1965

5… cxd4

 

tSlDj+-T
Xx+xXxLx
-+-+-Sx+
+-+-+-B-
-+-X-+-+
+-P-+n+-
pP-NpPpP
R-+qKb+r

This capture is best and common in these systems after Nbd2, since
White cannot play Nb1-c3

6. cxd4 Nc6 7. e3 O-O 8. a3 h6 9. Bh4 d6 10. Bc4
Bf5 11. h3 Rc8 12. O-O e5 13. e4 Bd7 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Ba2
g5

  with the e-pawn fixed, the light-squared Bishop lacks
access to f5 and related squares, so this is quite safe here.

16. Bg3 Qe7 17. Re1 Rcd8

 

-+-T-Tj+
Xx+lDxL-
-+s+-S-X
+-+-X-X-
-+-+p+-+
P-+-+nBp
bP-N-Pp+
R-+qR-K-

Black’s position is harmonious with central control; White’s pieces
lack scope by contrast. White would like to sink a Knight into f5
but it’s going to have to be the one on f3, which is going to give
Black the d4 point.

18. Nh2 Be6 19. Bxe6 Qxe6 20. Nhf1 Rd3! 21.
Re3

  takes e3 away from the Nf1.

21… Rd7 22. Qb3 Qe7 23. Nf3 Rfd8 24. Rae1 Nh5
25. Rc3 Qf6 26. Ne3 Nd4

 

-+-T-+j+
Xx+t+xL-
-+-+-D-X
+-+-X-Xs
-+-Sp+-+
PqR-NnBp
-P-+-Pp+
+-+-R-K-

A nice example of over-protection, the Knight cannot be left, and
the exchange will give Black’s pieces extra scope.

27. Nxd4 exd4 28. Ng4 Qg6 29. Rd3
Nxg3

  White faces an uncomfortable choice

30. fxg3 Rc7 31. Nf2 Rdc8 32. Re2 Rc1+ 33. Kh2 h5
34. Qxb7 Be5 35. Qd5 R1c5 36. Qd7 h4 37. Nh1 Rc1 38. Rf3
g4

 

-+t+-+j+
X-+q+x+-
-+-+-+d+
+-+-L-+-
-+-Xp+xX
P-+-+rPp
-P-+r+pK
+-T-+-+n

Mate is threatened

39. Qxg4 Qxg4 40. hxg4 Kg7 41. Rf5

 

-+t+-+-+
X-+-+xJ-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-Lr+-
-+-Xp+pX
P-+-+-P-
-P-+r+pK
+-T-+-+n

41… Rxh1+!

0-1

 

  Another recent game featuring …g6 was this encounter:

Short Nigel D-Kasparov
Gary/Cup World, Reykjavik (Iceland) 1989

2… c6 3. Bf4 d6 4. h3 Qb6 5. b3 c5

  An interesting tempo-loss

6. dxc5 Qxc5 7. c4 g6 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. Rc1
Bf5

 

tS-+j+-T
Xx+-XxLx
-+-X-Sx+
+-D-+l+-
-+p+-B-+
+pN-+n+p
p+-+pPp+
+-RqKb+r

Black is fine here: his dark-squared Bishop is better than White’s,
has control of e4 and can enjoy the discomfort of White’s King,
which is at least three moves from castling.

10. Be3 Qa5 11. Bd2 Qd8 12. Nd4 Be4 13. e3 Nc6
14. Nde2 Bd3 15. Nf4 Bxf1 16. Kxf1 O-O 17. g3 e6 18. Kg2 d5 19.
cxd5 exd5 20. Qf3 d4 21. Ncd5 Nxd5 22. Qxd5 Qe7 23. Rhe1 Rad8 24.
Qc5 Qd7 25. e4 Ne5 26. Red1 b6 27. Qc7

 

-+-T-Tj+
X-Qd+xLx
-X-+-+x+
+-+-S-+-
-+-XpN-+
+p+-+-Pp
p+-B-Pk+
+-Rr+-+-

27…Qc7 Qb5 28. Qxa7 g5 29. Qa4

  Sacrificing the Knight for some play

29… Qxa4 30. bxa4 gxf4 31. gxf4 Nd3 32. Rc6 Nb2
33. Rdc1 Nxa4 34. f5 Rfe8 35. f3 Ra8 36. Kh1 Nc5 37. Rg1 Kh8 38.
Rc7 Rf8 39. Bf4 Rac8 40. Re7 Rce8 41. Rc7 Nd3 42. Bd6 Rg8 43. Rxf7
Be5 44. Rxg8+ Rxg8 45. Rd7 Nf2# 0-1

Torre Attack (Bg5 against
…e6)

3. Bg5

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXx+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

3. … c5

  …b6 systems tend to be upset by d4-d5

 

tSlDjL-T
Xx+x+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-X-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

4. e3

  There are two alternatives:

[4. e4 Wagner Gambit, a sharp line 4… cxd4 5. e5 h6
6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Nh5 8. Qxd4 Nc6 9. Qe4 Bg7 Marshall-Nimzovitch,
Berlin 1928. /\ …Nxg3 and x e5]

[4. c3 4… cxd4 5. cxd4 Qb6 6. Qc2 Nc6 7.
Nc3?

[7. Bxf6 gxf6 8. e3 d5 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. Be2 Be7 11. O-O
O-O 12. Na4 Qc7 13. Nc5 Rfc8 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. Qa4 Ne5 16. Qxd7
Nxd7 17. Rfc1 Nb6=/+ “Black’s Knight is more powerful” – BELLIN
Larsen-Portisch, Tilburg 1980]

7… Bb4

[7… Nxd4]

8. e3 d5 9. Bd3 Bd7 10. O-O Be7

  “By now you should realise that this game lacks
quality” – Daniel 11. a3 h6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. b4 Rc8 14.
Rfc1 f5 15. Qe2 O-O

  and now White blundered with

16. Na4?

[16. Nd2+/= x c5]

16… Nxd4! Stenhouse-Hill, Portsmouth 1996]

 

  After the main line with 4. e3, Black has two
alternatives:

Risky 4…Qb6

Positional 4… cxd4

  One rare alternative:

4… Be7 5. Nbd2 Nc6 6. c3 cxd4 7. exd4 O-O 8. Bd3 b6
9. O-O Bb7 10. Re1 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Bb1 d5 14. Ng3
Bc8= R Ye-J Ye, Jakarta 1994

Risky 4…Qb6

4… Qb6

 

tSl+jL-T
Xx+x+xXx
-D-+xS-+
+-X-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

“This is undoubtedly the most critical variation of the Torre
Attack” – BELLIN.

  White must now decide whether to sacrifice the b2
pawn,

5. Nbd2,

  or to defend it with the passive-looking

5. Qc1.

 

Passive 5. Qc1

5. Qc1 Ne4

[5… Nc6 6. c3

[6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. c3 d5 8. Nbd2 Bd7 9. Be2 Rc8 10. O-O
cxd4 11. exd4 Bh6= Holmov-Anikayev, Tbilisi 1976]

6… Ne4 7. Bf4 d5 8. Bd3 Be7 9. Nbd2 f5

 

t+l+j+-T
Xx+-L-Xx
-Ds+x+-+
+-Xx+x+-
-+-PsB-+
+-PbPn+-
pP-N-PpP
R-Q-K-+r

and Black’s position is fine: Petrosian-Cherepkov, USSR
1961.]

6. Bf4 d5 7. c3 Nd7

[7… Nc6]

8. Nbd2 Ndf6 9. h3 Bd6 10. Ne5 c4?!

  (This type of move often leaves White free to ignore the
centre and attack elsewhere)

11. g4 Nxd2 12. Qxd2 Ne4 13. Qc2 Bxe5 14.
Bxe5

  and now I played the weakening

14… f../strong>

Aggressive 5. Nbd2

5. Nbd2

5… d5

[5… Qxb2 This looks unwise. 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. exd4 Qc3
8. O-O d5 9. Re1 Be7 10. Re3 Qc7 11. Ne5=/and with a nice position
for the sacrificed pawn.]

6. Bxf6 gxf6 7. c4 cxd4 8. exd4 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Nc6
10. O-O Bd7 11. d5

 

t+-+jL-T
Xx+l+x+x
-Ds+xX-+
+-+p+-+-
-+b+-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pP-N-PpP
R-+q+rK-

Although Black has played a safer line I would say that this
position is good for White. The problem for Black after 5. Nbd2 the
Knight on f6 can no longer go to e4, and therefore Black is likely
to end up with doubled pawns.

Positional 4… cxd4

4… cxd4

Bronstein-Ward, Maidstone 1994
/0-1

5. exd4 Be7 6. c3 b6 7. a4 O-O 8. Na3!? Nc6 9. Bd3 Bb7 10.
O-O Nd5 11. Bd2 Rc8 12. Re1 Qc7=

 

-+t+-Tj+
XlDxLxXx
-Xs+x+-+
+-+s+-+-
p+-P-+-+
N-Pb+n+-
-P-B-PpP
R-+qR-K-

This position is equal, although the first thing that struck me was
that White’s position looks a little easier to play. Perhaps Black
can leer at the Knight on a3 and work in a raid based on …Bd6 and
…Nf4. I don’t know how the game went, but Black won.

Summary

If you think that your opponent will defend the
pawn with 5. Qc1 then 4…Qb6 is clearly worth a try. However,
after 5. Nbd2, White is likely to achieve a better position because
no time has been wasted. This is not to say that you can’t take the
b-pawn, if you are looking for a sharp game. For those who prefer a
more positional type of game, then 4…cxd4 is ideal.

D. Trompovsky

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+pPpP
RnBqKbNr

An even earlier Bishop move, and now only 2…e6 and 2…Ne4 can
stop White from kicking a hole in the Black pawn formation. In the
‘seventies Hort and Jansa often adopted it with a positional
approach, but a more brawling style has been characteristic of
Hodgson’s revival of the line in the ‘nineties.

Black plays …g6 against the
Trompovsky

Ah, now – this booklet has got a big hole in it – you can hardly
play …g6 against the Trompovsky.

2…g6 3. Bxf6 exf6

  and I think Black already has some problems getting
organised.

 

2… c5

  is the sort of move that might appeal to a KID player,
particularly if you have a quick look at

3. d5?! Ne4 4. Bf4 Qa5+

 

  A better idea for White is

3. Bxf6! e.g.

3… gxf6 4. d5 Qb6 5. Qc1

 

tSl+jL-T
Xx+xXx+x
-D-+-X-+
+-Xp+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+pPpP
RnQ-KbNr

which is probably the funny sort of position that White may feel
more comfortable than you, although I don’t think White can claim a
plus here, e.g. 5… f5

[5… d6]

6. c3

[6. e3]

[6. g3]

6… Bg7 7. e3 e6 8. Nh3

  Hort says this is unclear. I believe him.

 

  I recommend

2… Ne4

  Now I think the best for White is

3. Bf4

  Alternatives:

[3. Bh4 g5 4. f3 gxh4 5. fxe4 is the old theory on
this line: White will struggle to hold the dark squares]

[3. h4 is Hodgson’s favourite]

3… c5

[3… d5 4. f3 Nf6 5. e4 dxe4 6. Nc3 is a
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit a tempo ahead for White!]

[Another idea for Black is3… Nc6!? /\ 4.
f3

[4. d5 e5!]

[4. Nf3!]

4… e5! 5. dxe5 g5! 6. Bc1 Nc5

/\ …Bg7]

  After 3…c5:

4. f3 Qa5+ 5. c3 Nf6

  when

6. d5

  transposes above.

Black plays …e6 against the
Trompovsky

2. Bg5 e6

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXx+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKbNr

3. e4

[3. Nf3 is the Torre]

Now

3… h6

  is the most common move, but not the only one:

[3… c5

 

tSlDjL-T
Xx+x+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-X-+-B-
-+-Pp+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+-PpP
Rn+qKbNr

is almost entirely untested. One known example went

4. e5

[4. Nf3 is the Wagner Gambit]

4… h6 5. Bc1 Nd5 6. c4 Nb6 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Nf3 d5
9. exd6 Qxd6

[9… Bxd6!?]

10. Qxd6 Bxd6 11. Nc3 Nc6 12. Bd2 Nd7 13. O-O-O Ke7
14. Nb5

 

t+l+-+-T
Xx+sJxX-
-+sLx+-X
+n+-+-+-
-+p+-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pP-B-PpP
+-Kr+b+r

1/2-1/2 Soffer-Yudasin, Israel 1994.

Black could have played on with

14… Bc5]

  After 3…h6:

4. Bxf6 Qxf6

5. Nc3

  White can try the Knight on d2:

[5. Nf3 b6 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. Nbd2 a6

[7… c5 8. e5 Qd8 9. Be4 Qc7 10. O-O Be7 11. Re1 O-O
12. dxc5 bxc5 13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. Nc4

 

tS-+-Tj+
Xd+xLxX-
-+-+x+-X
+-X-P-+-
-+n+-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+-PpP
R-+qR-K-

Levenfish-Rabinovitch, Petrosgrad 1921]

8. Qe2 d6 9. O-O-O Nd7 10. Kb1 e5

  Lots of pawn moves, but he must have thought White
couldn’t rush the centre.

11. c3 Be7 += Korchnoi-Karpov, Hastings
1971/72]

5… Bb4 6. Nf3

[6. Qd2 c5 7. a3 Bxc3 8. bxc3 d6 9. f4 O-O 10. Nf3
Nc6 11. Bb5 Na5 12. Bd3 b6 13. O-O Bb7 Hodgson-Yudasin,
??]

6… d6 7. Qd2 Nd7 8. a3 Ba5 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O
c6 11. b4 Bc7 12. Ne2 e5 =

  Bezold-Bischoff, Altensteig 1994

Summary

I believe 3…c5!? is well worth a try, in order
to try and transpose into the Torre. Of course, White can go for a
Torre immediately with 3. Nf3, and it will be interesting to see
how many White players opt for this. 3…h6 is also OK, although
Karpov sank rather against Korchnoi in the game given in the
Custer’s Last Stand handout.

[Footnote from Frederick Prost: is
3…c5 really so easy?]

E. Systems with g3

1. d4 Nf6 2. g3

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-P-
pPp+pP-P
RnBqKbNr

Transpositional except against the King’s Indian where the double
fianchetto system is known (with b2-b3).

  Against the …e6 systems it usually transposes into the
Catalan, where Black may have problems whether the centre is closed
(Botvinnik) or open (Keene).

Black plays …g6 against
g3

The system with g3 and b3 (without c4) is one to know about:

3. b3 Bg7 4. Bb2 d6 5. g3 O-O 6. Bg2

 

tSlD-Tj+
XxX-XxLx
-+-X-Sx+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+p+-+nP-
pBp+pPbP
Rn+qK-+r

6… e5

  Black has an important alternative here:

[6… Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. dxe5 Ng4

 

t+lD-Tj+
XxXs+xLx
-+-X-+x+
+-+-P-+-
-+-+-+s+
+p+-+nP-
pBp+pPbP
Rn+q+rK-

9. Qd2

[9. Nc3 Pirc 9… Ngxe5!

[9… dxe5 10. Nd2+/= Pirc]

]

 

[9. c4 Re8 10. h3 Nh6 11. Nc3 dxe5 12. e4 c6 13. Qc2
f6 Holmov-Gufeld, about equal]

 

9… Ngxe5?!

[9… Re8! 10. h3 Nh6 11. Na3 dxe5 12. Nc4 f6 which
is probably OK for Black]

10. Nxe5 dxe5 11. Nc3 c6 12. Rad1../em>

[12. Ba3+/= ]

]

 

7. dxe5 Nfd7 8. O-O

 

tSlD-Tj+
XxXs+xLx
-+-X-+x+
+-+-P-+-
-+-+-+-+
+p+-+nP-
pBp+pPbP
Rn+q+rK-

8… dxe5

[8… Nc6 9. Qd2 Miles-Ristic, 1988 9… Ndxe5
Marovic]

9. e4 Nc6 10. Nbd2 b6 11. Qe2

  Now Polugaevsky-Medina, 1972, continued:

11… Qe7

[11… a5 Marovic]

12. Rfd1 Nc5 13. Nf1 Ba../strong>

1-0, 39

[13… Be6 was better, acording to Marovic]

 

  Of course, White might sidle over into the main line with
g3:

Arkell-Nunn/London
1992

3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O

[5. c4 d6 was the game move order]

5… d6

 

tSlD-Tj+
XxX-XxLx
-+-X-Sx+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+nP-
pPp+pPbP
RnBq+rK-

6. c4

[6. c3]

6… Nbd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. Qc2 Re8 9. b3 c6 10. e3
exd4 11. Nxd4 h5

 

t+lDt+j+
Xx+s+xL-
-+xX-Sx+
+-+-+-+x
-+pN-+-+
+pN-P-P-
p+q+-PbP
R-B-+rK-

Intending …h5-h4xg3, when White will be reluctant to play f2-f4
to dislodge a Knight on e5.

12. Ba3 Qe7 13. Rad1 Nc5 14. b4 Nce4 15. Nxe4
Nxe4 16. b5 c5

  (forced, but the Ba3 needs another post now)

17. Ne2

  x d5: Black needs play on the King’s-side

17… Bf5 18. Qb3 h4 19. Nf4 Qe5 to prevent Bb2
20. Rd5 Qf6 21. g4 Bxg4 22. f3 h3

 

t+-+t+j+
Xx+-+xL-
-+-X-Dx+
+pXr+-+-
-+p+sNl+
Bq+-Pp+x
p+-+-+bP
+-+-+rK-

23. Bh1

[23. Nxh3]

[23. Bxh3]

23… Nc3 24. fxg4 Qh4 25. Rd3 Qxg4+ 26. Kf2 Bd4
27. Rxc3 Qxf4+ 28. Ke2 Qxh2+ 29. Kd1 Bxc3 30. Qxc3 Re5 31. Bb2 Rae8
32. Bd5 R8e7 33. Qd2 Qxd2+ 34. Kxd2 Rf5

[34… Rxe3 35. Bf6<-/-> ]

35. Rxf5 gxf5 36. Ke2 h2 37. Kf2 Re6 38.
Bc1

[38. Bxe6 h1=Q]

38… Rg6 39. Bg2 Rg4 40. Bd2 Rxc4
0-1


Black plays …e6 against the g3 system

2. g3 e6

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXx+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-P-
pPp+pP-P
RnBqKbNr

This system with c2-c4 is well known: it is called the Neo-Catalan.

2. g3 e6

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXx+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-P-
pPp+pP-P
RnBqKbNr

3. Nf3

3… c5

  [We looked at 4. dxc4 in the Custer booklet: the only
other independent line is]

4. c4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Nc6

  which is the English Opening: g3 systems have become
fashionable against the Nimzo and so they are another one to slot
into your repertoire

6. Bg2 and now 6… d5 is the Tarrasch Defence to the
Queen’s Gambit

  One complex line which offers hances to both sides is

6. Nc3 Qb6!?

[6… Bb4 is safe, 6…Bc5 is uncommon]

7. Nb3

[7. Nc2 d5!? is an approved gambit]

7… Ne5

[7… Bb4!? and 7…d5?! have also been
tried]

8. e4 Bb4 9. Qe2

 

t+l+j+-T
Xx+x+xXx
-D-+xS-+
+-+-S-+-
-Lp+p+-+
+nN-+-P-
pP-+qP-P
R-B-Kb+r

with a complex position that is given in few Nimzo books! DR has
played either side with pleasure, and some lines he recalls go:

9… a5 10. f4

[10. Be3]

10… a4!? Nunn 11. fxe5 axb3 12. exf6
Rxa2

  Pick the bones out of that!


F. Systems with a delayed c4

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+?P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+pPpP
RnBqKbNr

Even if White has c2-c4 lines in their repertoire, it may reduce
Black’s options to delay this, e.g. in the Catalan.

  This is a transpositional device and your main openings
books should help you here.

G. Stonewall Opening

1. d4 2. e3 3. Bd3 4. f4

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-P-+
+-+bP-+-
pPp+-+pP
RnBqK-Nr

White locks up the centre and rolls down the King’s-side

1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3

[3. f4 is sometimes played to avoid the 3…Nc6 line,
but then Black can always play …Bf5]

Black plays …g6 against the
Stonewall

The Stonewall is not pointless, particularly after …d5/…e6. But
an early …g6 deadens the attack from d3, and Black can try …d6
and …e5 to blow up the centre, e.g.

1… g6 2. e3 Bg7 3. Bd3 d6 4. c3 Nd7 5. f4 e5 6.
Nf3 Ngf6 7. fxe5 dxe5 8. dxe5 Ng4 9. e6 fxe6 10. Nd4 Nde5 11.
O-O

[11. Be2 O-O 12. Bxg4 Qh4+ 13. g3 Qxg4 14. Qxg4
Nxg4=/+ …1/2-1/2 Jordan,D-Regis,D/Devon vs.Glos 1995]

11… Rf8 12. Rxf8+ Kxf8 13. Qf1+ Kg8 14. Bc2 c5
=+


Black plays …e6 against the Stonewall

2. e3 d5

[2… e6 immediately has no special virtues, unless
you really want to play a …b6 system]

3. Bd3 c5

[There is also the system with 3… Nc6 e.g.

4. f4

[4. c3 e5!]

4… Nb4! 5. Nf3 Nxd3+ 6. cxd3 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. O-O
O-O=]

4. c3 Nc6

[4… e6 5. f4]

5. f4

 

t+lDjL-T
Xx+-XxXx
-+s+-S-+
+-Xx+-+-
-+-P-P-+
+-PbP-+-
pP-+-+pP
RnBqK-Nr

5… e6

  blocks the Bc8 better is:

5… Bg4 6. Nf3 e6 7. Nbd2 Bd6 8. h3 Bh5 9. b3
cxd4 10. cxd4 Rc8

 

-+tDj+-T
Xx+-+xXx
-+sLxS-+
+-+x+-+l
-+-P-P-+
+p+bPn+p
p+-N-+p+
R-BqK-+r

when Black is comfortable


H. The Richter-Veresov system

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 (Other moves transpose into
e.g. the Pirc or French)

 

tSlDjL-T
XxX-XxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+x+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+-+-
pPp+pPpP
R-+qKbNr

This is another system emphasising piece play – again with the
threat of doubling the f-pawns, or reserving King’s-side chances.

  Against the Veresov itself:

3…Nbd7

3…Bf5 and

3…c5

  are independent lines with some little theory
attached.

  e.g.

[3… Bf5 4. f3

[4. e3]

[4. Bxf6]

4… Nbd7 5. Nxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 h6 7. Bh4 N7b6 8. exf5
Ne3 9. Qd2 Nxf1 10. Kxf1=/+ ]

[2… c5 is another idea again, which might appeal to
the KID/Benoni player]

Black plays …g6 against the
Veresov

2… g6

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXx+x
-+-+-Sx+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+-+-
pPp+pPpP
R-BqKbNr

Black offers a Pirc. If White declines we probably get a Torre
where the move Nc3 forgoes some of White’s best ideas, like Nbd2
and moves of the c-pawn.

Black plays …e6 against the
Veresov

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXx+xXx
-+-+xS-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+-+-
pPp+pPpP
R-BqKbNr

3. Bg5 d5

3…c5

  You will find White players who head for the French here,
as pure Veresov ideas like 4. e3 and 4. Nf3 look insipid. These are
all playable, particularly at club level (what isn’t!).

 

Credits:

Dan composed the repertoire for the …e6 player.

  Steve composed the repertoire for the …g6 player

  Dave typed it up, and is responsible for all mistakes
that are not the responsibility of the other authors

You know when you’ve been Benko’d

Posted on by

Steve Homer

In the Benoni Black often struggles to arrange …b5 with moves
like …Na6-c7, …b6, …a6 and …Rb8. Here in the Benko Black
plays it at once, as a gambit.

Key ideas for Black:

For example, in the main line after

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6
6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.e4 Bxf1 8.Kxf1 d6 9.Nf3 Bg7 10.g3 0-0 11.Kg2
Nbd7

 

r+-+qB-R
PkP-+-Pp
-Pn+-N-+
+-+p+-+-
-+-+pX-+
+xS-X-+-
xLxXs+-+
+jT-D-+t

  • Control of long dark diagonal, especially the central dark
    squares e.g. …Nfd7-e5

     

  • Pressure against the d5 Pawn

     

  • Queen’s-side attack with e.g. …Qb6, …Rfb8, …Nbd7-b6-c4.
    White’s extra passed(!) Pawn usually remains frozen with terror on
    a3 or a4.

     

  • Central attack with …e6, …d5

We can see all of these ideas below. White must counter on the
King’s-side or in the centre. Oddly for a gambit line, Black
usually won’t mind the exchange of Queens in the Benko, because the
Queen’s-side initiative persists, while White can no longer hope
for mate on the other side.

  However, in none of the games below did White play the
main line, and in only one was the gambit Pawn accepted! This is
not just to avoid theory, as, according to BCO, Black often emerges
with enough pressure to draw in the main lines.

 

Outline of main lines and variations in the
Benko Gambit

Bibliography: Winning with the Benko Gambit, Byron JACOBS,
Batsford, 1995.

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5

  [4.Nf3 b4 (4…Bb7; 4…g6) 5.Nbd2; 4.Bg5]

4…a6 5.bxa6

  [5.e3

A) 5…axb5 6.Bxb5 Qa5+ 7.Nc3 Bb7

A1) 8.Nge2

A1a) 8…Bxd5 9.0-0 Bc6 10.a4
(10.Qd3) 10…Bxb5 (10…e6; 10…g6) ;

A1b) 8…Nxd5 9.0-0 Nf6 (9…Nc7;
9…Nxc3) ;

A2) 8.Bd2 8…Qb6 9.Qb3 (9.Nge2;
9.Bc4; 9.Nf3) 9…e6 10.e4 (10.Bc4) 10…Nxe4 11.Nxe4
Bxd5 12.Qd3 Qb7 (12…f5) ;

B) 5…Bb7;

C) 5…e6;

D) 5…g6 6.Nc3 Bg7

D1) 7.Bc4;

D2) 7.a4 0-0 8.Ra3 (8.e4;
8.Bc4) 8…Bb7 9.Nh3;

D3) 7.Nf3 7…0-0 (7…d6) 8.a4
Bb7 9.Ra3 (9.Rb1; 9.Bc4; 9.bxa6) ;

  5.f3 e6 (5…g6; 5…axb5 6.e4 Qa5+ 7.Bd2) 6.e4
exd5 (6…c4; 6…Qc7) 7.e5 (7.exd5) 7…Qe7
8.Qe2 Ng8 9.Nc3 Bb7 10.Nh3 c4 (10…Qd8) ;

  5.b6

A) 5…a5;

B) 5…Qxb6 6.Nc3 g6 (6…e6)
7.e4 d6 8.a4 (8.Nf3) ;

C) 5…d6 6.Nc3 Qxb6 7.a4 g6 8.a5;

D) 5…e6 6.Nc3 Nxd5 7.Nxd5 exd5 8.Qxd5
Nc6 9.Nf3 Qxb6 (9…Rb8; 9…Bb7; 9…Be7) 10.Ne5;

  5.Nc3 axb5 (5…Qa5) 6.e4 b4 (6…Qa5)
7.Nb5 d6 8.Bc4 (8.Bf4) 8…Nbd7 (8…g6; 8…Ra5)
9.Nf3]

5…g6 6.Nc3

  [6.g3 d6 7.Bg2 (7.b3) 7…Bg7 8.Nf3 (8.Nc3
0-0 9.Nf3 Nxa6; 8.Nh3) 8…Bxa6 9.0-0 Nbd7 10.Nc3 Nb6
(10…0-0) ;

  6.b3]

6…Bxa6 7.e4

  [7.f4; 7.Nf3 d6 8.Nd2]

7…Bxf1 8.Kxf1 d6 9.Nf3

  [9.g4; 9.Nge2]

9…Bg7 10.g3

  [10.h3]

10…0-0 11.Kg2 Nbd7

  [11…Na6]

12.h3

  [12.Re1; 12.Qe2]

 

Black’s Queen’s-side attack: White, RG –
Homer, SJ: Surrey Individual #4, 1988

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. b6 Qxb6

 

tSl+jL-T
+-+xXxXx
xD-+-S-+
+-Xp+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+pPpP
RnBqKbNr

This line restricts Black to only one half-open file on the
Queen’s-side, but 6. Nc3 d6 7. e4 g6 8. Be2 Bg7 9. Rb1 O-O
10. Nf3 Bg4

 

tS-+-Tj+
+-+-XxLx
xD-X-Sx+
+-Xp+-+-
-+-+p+l+
+-N-+n+-
pP-+bPpP
+rBqK-+r

11. O-O Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Nbd7 13. Be3 Qc7 14. Qd2 Rfe8 15. Bg4
Nb6

 

t+-+t+j+
+-D-XxLx
xS-X-Sx+
+-Xp+-+-
-+-+p+b+
+-N-B-+-
pP-Q-PpP
+r+-+rK-

16. Be2 Nfd7 17. Rfc1 Ne5 18. Nd1 a5 19. b4 axb4 20. Rxb4
Qa7

 

t+-+t+j+
D-+-XxLx
-S-X-+x+
+-XpS-+-
-R-+p+-+
+-+-B-+-
p+-QbPpP
+-Rn+-K-

21. Rbb1 Reb8 22. f4 Ned7 23. Rc2 Na4 24. Rb3 Rxb3 25. axb3
Nab6

 

t+-+-+j+
D-+sXxLx
-S-X-+x+
+-Xp+-+-
-+-+pP-+
+p+-B-+-
-+rQb+pP
+-+n+-K-

26. Bc4 Qa3 27. Qe2 Qa1 28. Rc1 Qa2 29. Kf2 Nxc4 30. bxc4
Qb3

 

t+-+-+j+
+-+sXxLx
-+-X-+x+
+-Xp+-+-
-+p+pP-+
+d+-B-+-
-+-+qKpP
+-Rn+-+-

31. Rc2 Nf6 (sealed) 32. Kf3 Nd7 33. Kf2 Nb6 34. e5 Na4 35.
exd6 exd6

 

t+-+-+j+
+-+-+xLx
-+-X-+x+
+-Xp+-+-
s+p+-P-+
+d+-B-+-
-+r+qKpP
+-+n+-+-

36. Qd2 Re8 37. Kf1 Qb1 38. Qc1 Qb3 39. Qd2 Nb6 40. Qc1
Re4

 

-+-+-+j+
+-+-+xLx
-S-X-+x+
+-Xp+-+-
-+p+tP-+
+d+-B-+-
-+r+-+pP
+-Qn+k+-

41. Bf2 Nxc4 42. g3 Qd3+ 43. Kg2 Qxd5 44. Kg1 Bd4
0-1

 

White locks up the Queen’s-side, Black has a
central roller: Parker, C – Homer, S

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. e3 d6 5. cxb5 a6

 

tSlDjL-T
+-+-XxXx
x+-X-S-+
+pXp+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-P-+-
pP-+-PpP
RnBqKbNr

6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. a4 g6

  Theory currently advises Black not to play normal Benko
moves in this variation, but they seem to turn out all right in
this game! Steve wonders if White’s next is inaccurate.

8. Bc4 Bg7 9. Nge2 O-O 10. f3 Nb6

 

t+lD-Tj+
+-+-XxLx
xS-X-Sx+
+pXp+-+-
p+b+-+-+
+-N-Pp+-
-P-+n+pP
R-BqK-+r

11. Qd3 Nxc4 12. Qxc4 axb5 13. Nxb5 Ba6 14. Nec3 Qd7 15.
Ra3 e6

 

t+-+-Tj+
+-+d+xLx
l+-XxSx+
+nXp+-+-
p+q+-+-+
R-N-Pp+-
-P-+-+pP
+-B-K-+r

16. dxe6 fxe6 17. O-O Rfc8 18. Qf4 Rc6 19. Rd1 d5 20. Ne4
Qe7

 

t+-+-+j+
+-+-D-Lx
l+t+xSx+
+nXx+-+-
p+-+nQ-+
R-+-Pp+-
-P-+-+pP
+-Br+-K-

21. Nxf6+ Bxf6 22. e4 e5 23. Qg4 Bc8

  Who can object to winning a Queen? As things go, however,
Black loses the thread, so with hindsight Black perhaps should have
spent a move consolidating the centre – the threat would still
obtain.

24. exd5 Bxg4 25. dxc6 Bf5

 

t+-+-+j+
+-+-D-+x
-+p+-Lx+
+nX-Xl+-
p+-+-+-+
R-+-+p+-
-P-+-+pP
+-Br+-K-

26. g4 Bxg4 27. fxg4 Qe6 28. h3 Qxc6 29. Rd6 Qe4 30. Rxf6
Rxa4

 

-+-+-+j+
+-+-+-+x
-+-+-Rx+
+nX-X-+-
t+-+d+p+
R-+-+-+p
-P-+-+-+
+-B-+-K-

31. Bh6 1-0

 

White plays actively in the centre: Jepps,G –
Homer,S: Exeter Premier #?, 1996

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5

 

tSlDjL-T
+-+xXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+xXp+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-N-+-+-
pP-+pPpP
R-BqKbNr

6. e4 b4 7. Nb5 d6 8. Bc4

  This is the sharpest line at White’s disposal, the
so-called Nescafe Frappe Attack, which should obviously be
boycotted because of the Nestle baby milk campaign.

8…g6 9. Nf3 Bg7 10. e5 dxe5

 

tSlDj+-T
+-+-XxLx
-+-+-Sx+
+nXpX-+-
-Xb+-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pP-+-PpP
R-BqK-+r

11. Nxe5 O-O 12. O-O Ne8 13. Bf4 Bb7 14. Nxf7 Rxf7 15. d6
exd6

 

tS-Ds+j+
+l+-+tLx
-+-X-+x+
+nX-+-+-
-Xb+-B-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+-PpP
R-+q+rK-

16. Bxf7+ Kxf7 17. Re1 Kg8 18. Rxe8+ Qxe8 19. Nxd6 Qc6 20.
Qg4 Qxg2+

 

tS-+-+j+
+l+-+-Lx
-+-N-+x+
+-X-+-+-
-X-+-Bq+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+-PdP
R-+-+-K-

21. Qxg2 Bxg2 22. Kxg2 Bxb2 23. Re1 Nc6 24. Nc4 Bg7 25. Bd6
Bd4

 

t+-+-+j+
+-+-+-+x
-+sB-+x+
+-X-+-+-
-XnL-+-+
+-+-+-+-
p+-+-PkP
+-+-R-+-

26. Re2 Na7 27. a4 Nc6 28. Nb6 Ra6 29. Re8+ Kf7 30. Rf8+
Ke6

 

-+-+-R-+
+-+-+-+x
tNsBj+x+
+-X-+-+-
pX-L-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-PkP
+-+-+-+-

31. Nc4 Kd5 0-1

 

White plays actively in the centre, part 2:
Jepps, G – Homer, S: Somerset vs. Devon, 1996

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. Nc3 axb5

 

tSlDjL-T
+-+xXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+xXp+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-N-+-+-
pP-+pPpP
R-BqKbNr

6. e4 b4 7. Nb5 d6 8. Bf4

  The older line. Most players know the recommended
reply:

8…g5 9. e5 gxf4 10. exf6

 

tSlDjL-T
+-+-Xx+x
-+-X-P-+
+nXp+-+-
-X-+-X-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+-PpP
R-+qKbNr

10… e5

[10… Nd7]

11. dxe6 Bxe6 12. Qf3 Ra5 13. Qb7 Bh6 14. Nc7+
Kf8 15. Qb6 Qxf6

 

-S-+-J-T
+-N-+x+x
-Q-XlD-L
T-X-+-+-
-X-+-X-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+-PpP
R-+-KbNr

16. Qxa5

[16. Qxb8+ Kg7

[16… Ke7 17. Nd5+ Bxd5 18. Qc7+ Kf8 19.
Qxa5

Qxb2 20. Rd1 Qc3+ 21. Rd2 f3 22. Nxf3 Bxf3 23. Qd8+
Kg7-+ ]

17. Ne8+

Rxe8 18. Qxe8 Qxb2]

16… Qxb2 17. Nxe6+ fxe6 18. Rd1 Qc3+ 19. Rd2
Qa1+

 

-S-+-J-T
+-+-+-+x
-+-Xx+-L
Q-X-+-+-
-X-+-X-+
+-+-+-+-
p+-R-PpP
D-+-KbNr

20. Rd1

[20. Ke2 Qe5+ 21. Kf3 Qh5+ 22. Ke4 Qf5+ 23.
Kf3]

20… Qc3+ 21. Rd2 Q

Custer’s Last Stand

Posted on by

Attacking Indian systems without
c2-c4

When the Indian Defences were first mooted they were considered
suspect – fancy giving away the centre like that, when White can
fill it up with pawn moves like c2-c4, and e2-e4. While there are
defenders of this classical viewpoint, all White players of 1.d2-d4
have learned to respect the counterpunching power of the Indian
defences and many Black players use them.

 So now there is another school of thought, saying White
players can get better practical chances by avoiding the main lines
after 2. c2-c4, and instead play with a more solid centre for
activity on the wings, or perhaps playing a simple developmental
move and only playing in the centre when Black’s activity has been
limited.

 One other common theme is to play the Bc1 out early, to
exchange off the Black Knight on f6 (the best defender of the
castled King) and perhaps create weaknesses. We can see all these
themes at work in the following game, where the wily Korchnoi leads
the young Karpov up an unfamiliar alley and duffs him up:

Korchnoi-Karpov, Hastings
1974-5.

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5 b6 4. e4 h6 5. Bxf6
Qxf6 Black has the two bishops and an apparently easy
game.

6. Bd3 Bb7 7. Nbd2 d6 8. Qe2 Now
…O-O-O will be met strongly by Ba6 and a2-a4. 8…a6 9.
O-O-O Nd7 10. Kb1 e5 11. c3 Be7 12. Nc4 O-O 13. Bc2 Rfe8?! 14. d5
c5

 

t+-+t+j+
+l+sLxX-
xX-X-D-X
+-XpX-+-
-+n+p+-+
+-P-+n+-
pPb+qPpP
+k+r+-+r

(Apparently sealing the fate of the White Bc2, but better was 14…
c6: now the centre is closed on the Black bishops too and a
King’s-side attack appears out of nowhere)

15. Ne3 Bf8 16. g4 Qd8 17. g5! h5! 18. g6 fxg6
19. Rhg1 Qf6 20. Ng5 Be7 21. Ne6 Nf8! 22. Nc7 Qf7 23. Rdf1 b5 24.
Nxa8 Bxa8?!

  More counterplay was to be had through transferring the
rook across. Karpov is now doomed to await his fate.

25. c4 Rb8 26. Bd3 Qe8 27. Rc1 Bf6 28. Rg2 Rb6?!
29. Rcg1! Rb8 30. Qf1 b4 31. Be2 h4 32. Rxg6! Qxg6 33. Rxg6 Nxg6
34. Bg4 Nf4 35. Qd1 b3 36. axb3 Bb7 37. Ng2(!) Bc8 38. Bxc8 Rxc8
39. Qg4 Re8 40. Nxf4 exf4 41. Qxf4 Be5 42. Qxh4 Rf8 43. b4 Bd4 44.
bxc5 1-0

 

A. Colle System

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 and; 3.
e3

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-Pn+-
pPp+-PpP
RnBqKb+r

White will play slowly for the e2-e4 break, opening up the game.

  There is a booklet on the Colle
somewhere in circulation.

Landau – Book, Kemeri,
1937

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nbd7 6. Nbd2
Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Qc7 9. e4 cxd4 10. cxd4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4
12. Rxe4 Re8 13. Rh4 Nf8 14. Ng5 h6 15. Qh5 e5 16. Bd2 exd4 17. Rc1
Qe7 18. Ne4

 

t+l+tSj+
Xx+-DxX-
-+-L-+-X
+-+-+-+q
-+-Xn+-R
+-+b+-+-
pP-B-PpP
+-R-+-K-

18… Ng6 (else Bxh6) 19. Bg5 Qe5

[19… hxg5 20. Qh7+ Kf8 21. Qh8+ Nxh8 22.
Rxh8#]

20. f4 Qd5 [20… Qa5 21.
b4]

  White now lands two good punches

21. Nf6+ gxf6 22. Bxg6

  Black’s pawn cover has suddenly disappeared.

22… Bf8 The alternatives didn’t
convince:

[22… fxg6 23. Qxg6+ Kf8 24. Qxf6+ Qf7 25. Bxh6+ Kg8
26. Qg5+ Kh8 27. Bg7+ Kg8 28. Rh8#]

[22… fxg5 23. Qxh6 gxh4 24. Bh7+ Kh8 25. Be4+ Kg8
26. Bxd5]

23. Rc7 Be6 24. Bxf6 Qxh5 Ordinarily,
exchanging queens is an important achievement for the defence.

25. Bxh5 Rec8 26. Bxf7+ and still they
come! 26… Kh7 [ 26… Bxf7 27. Rg4+ Kh7 28.
Rxf7+ Bg7 29. Rgxg7+ Kh8 30. Rg6#] 27. Rxc8 Bxc8 28.
Bxd4 Cashing in 28… Bf5 29. Rh5 1-0

B. London System

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 and; 3.
Bf4

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-B-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

White holds the centre and develops quickly, attacking on either
side as the opportunity arises.

Pribyl – Penrose (Nice)
1974

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. c3 e6 5. e3 Be7 6. Nbd2
O-O 7. Bd3 b6 8. Ne5 A common theme in the London:
White can also try here [8. O-O Bb7 9. a4 or 9. Ne5]

8… Bb7 9. Qf3 Nc6 10. Qh3 g6 11. Bh6 Re8 12. f4
Nd7 [12… Nxe5 13. fxe5 Ne4 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. O-O
with a strong attack: White can contemplate Rxf7!]

13. O-O f5 14. Ndf3 Ncxe5 15. fxe5 Bf8 16. Ng5
Bxh6 17. Qxh6 Nf8

[17… Qe7 18. g4 Qg7 19. Qxg7+ Kxg7 20. Bb5 Rad8 21.
gxf5 gxf5 22. Nh3 with an endgame plus]

18. Rf3 Re7 19. g4 Rg7 20. Raf1 Qd7 21. Kh1 Qe7
22. h4 Bc8 23. Rg3 a5 24. Rfg1 Ra7…1-0 DIAGRAM Black
fiddles while the King’s side burns… White won an endgame in
about 40 moves.

 

-+l+-Sj+
T-+-D-Tx
-X-+x+xQ
X-XxPxN-
-+-P-+pP
+-PbP-R-
pP-+-+-+
+-+-+-Rk

C. Torre Attack/Torre System
vs. King Fianchetto

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 and; 3.
Bg5

We saw this in action in the introductory game. The founder of this
system scored a famous victory over Lasker with a ‘windmill’
combination. It has similar ideas to the London System, and chooses
perhaps a better square for the Bishop. It also tempts Black to
chase the bishop, as we can see in this line against a King
Fianchetto system.

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+n+-
pPp+pPpP
Rn+qKb+r

Smyslov,V – Nunn,J [A48]
(Tilburg), 1982

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. Nbd2 O-O 5. e4 d6 6. c3
h6 7. Bh4 Does driving the bishop back have any effect in
this formation? Yes – it does further weaken the kingside fortress.

7… Nc6 8. Bb5 Bd7 9. O-O a6 10. Bc4 e5 11. dxe5
dxe5 12. Re1! Overprotection of e4 frees up the minor
pieces for more useful tasks.

12… Qe8

[12… b5 13. Bf1 followed by an eventual a2-a4 would
put strong pressure on the queenside.]

13. a4 Nh5 14. Nb3 g5 15. Bg3 Rd8 16.
Nfd2

  DIAGRAM White’s pieces have been quckly transferred to
the queenside. Black’s pieces, especially the offside knight,
cannot get there so quickly.

16… Nxg3 17. hxg3 Kh8 18. Qe2 Qe7 19.
Nf1!

  The exchange of the Black knight for the Bg3 has created
new opportunities on the kingside. Smyslov is the master of
harmonic play – his pieces are often ready to switch to new targets
quickly.

 

-+-TdTj+
+xXl+xL-
x+s+-+-X
+-+-X-Xs
p+b+p+-+
+nP-+-B-
-P-N-PpP
R-+qR-K-

19… Qf6 20. Nc5 Bc8 21. Ne3 Ne7 22. a5 Qg6 Black
has chosen to sue the Bc8 to defend the queenside, but the heavy
guns are all on the kingside, and White controls a bit more of the
center. But before foraging on the queenside, Smyslov squashes the
counterplay.

23. g4! b6?! Black is paralyzed on the
kingside, unable to transfer the knight to f4 due to the placement
of the queen at g6. But this sacrifice of a queenside pawn leads to
disaster. There is nothing more rueful than a lost pawn formation.
Black could resign without remorse

24. Nf5! Nxf5 [24… bxc5 25. Nxe7
Qd6 26. Nxc8 Rxc8 27. Bxa6+/- ] 25. gxf5 Qc6 26. Nxa6
Bxa6 27. Bxa6 bxa5 28. Rxa5

  Now White has an extra pawn and better bishop. The rest
is easy for a player of Smyslov’s caliber.

28… Ra8 29. Rea1 Rfd8 30. Bc4 Rxa5 31. Rxa5 Kg8
32. Ra6 Qd7 33. Bd5 Qe7 34. Qh5 Rd6 35. Rxd6 cxd6 36. b4
1-0 Resigns; a tale of two bishops…

D. Trompovsky

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5

An even earlier Bishop move, and now only …e6 and …Ne4 can stop
White from kicking a hole in the Black pawn formation. In the
‘seventies Hort and Jansa often adopted it with a positional
approach, but the brawling style seen below has been more
characteristic of Hodgson’s revival of the line in the ‘nineties.

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+pPpP
RnBqKbNr

Vaganian-Botterill, Hastings
1974

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 g6 Consciously provocative.

3. Bxf6 exf6 4. e3 Bg7 5. Ne2 b6 6. Nf4 d5 7. h4
h5 8. c4 dxc4 9. Bxc4 Bb7 10. Nc3 Bh6 11. Bxf7+ Kxf7 12. Qb3+ Ke8
13. Nxg6 Qd7 14. Nxh8 Qg7 15. Qe6+ Kf8 16. Nd5 Nd7 17. Ne7 1-0

Hodgson,J – Gokhale,J [D00]
British Ch, Dundee, 1993

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 d5 3. Bxf6 exf6 4. e3 Be7 5. c4 dxc4 6.
Bxc4 O-O 7. Nc3 c6 8. Nge2 Nd7 9. Qc2 Bd6 10. Bd3 g6 11. h3 Qe7 12.
O-O-O a5 13. Kb1 Nb6 14. h4 Be6 DIAGRAM

 

t+-+-Tj+
+x+-Dx+x
-SxLlXx+
X-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-P
+-NbP-+-
pPq+nPp+
+k+r+-+r

15. h5 f5 16. g4 Nd5 17. gxf5 Nb4 18. Qd2 Nxd3 19. Qxd3
gxf5 20. d5 cxd5 21. Nxd5 Qd8 22. Rdg1+ Kh8 23. Qc3+ f6 24. Ndf4
Qd7 25. Ng6+ hxg6 26. hxg6+ Kg8 27. g7 Rfc8 28. Qxf6 Bxa2+ 29. Ka1
1-0

E. Systems with g3

1. d4 Nf6 2. g3

Transpositional except against the King’s Indian where the double
fianchetto system is known (with b2-b3).

  Against the …e6 systems it usually transposes into the
Catalan, where Black may have problems whether the centre is closed
(Botvinnik) or open (Keene).

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-P-
pPp+pP-P
RnBqKbNr

Botvinnik,M – Padevsky,N [E07]
Monte, 1968

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4
Nbd7 7. b3 b6 8. Bb2 Bb7 9. cxd5 exd5 10. Nc3 Re8 11. Ne5 Bd6 12.
f4 Ne4 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. e3 Nf6 15. a3 c5 16. Qe2 cxd4 17. Bxd4 Qe7
DIAGRAM 1

 

t+-+t+j+
Xl+-DxXx
-X-L-S-+
+-+-N-+-
-+-BxP-+
Pp+-P-P-
-+-+q+bP
R-+-+rK-

White has a central grip

18. b4 a5 19. b5 Bxe5 20. Bxe5 Nd7 21. Bd4 Nc5
22. f5 Nd7 DIAGRAM 2

 

t+-+t+j+
+l+sDxXx
-X-+-+-+
Xp+-+p+-
-+-Bx+-+
P-+-P-P-
-+-+q+bP
R-+-+rK-

White turns his advantage into attack.

23. f6 Qe6 24. Qh5 Ne5 25. Rf5 Ng6 26. fxg7 Rad8
27. Qxh7+ 1-0

Keene,R – Robatsch,K [E08]
Madrid, 1971

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. d4
Nbd7 7. Qc2 b6 8. Nc3 Bb7 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Bxd5 11. e4 Bb7 12.
Bf4

 

t+-D-Tj+
XlXsLxXx
-X-+x+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PpB-+
+-+-+nP-
pPq+-PbP
R-+-+rK-

Black now tries to break up the centre, but White offeres a pawn
sacrifice based on his more active pieces.

12… c5 13. d5 exd5 14. exd5 Bf6

[14… Bxd5 15. Rad1 Nf6 16. Ng5] [14… Nf6 15. Rad1
Nxd5]

15. h4 Re8 16. Ng5 Nf8 17. Rad1 Bd4 18. Be3 h6
19. Ne4 Bxe3 20. fxe3 Ng6 21. Rxf7 Kxf7 22. Rf1+ Ke7 23. d6+ Kd7
24. Rf7+ Ne7 25. Qa4+ Kc8 26. d7+ Qxd7 27. Bh3 1-0

F. Systems with a delayed
c4

Even if White has c2-c4 lines in their repertoire, it may reduce
Black’s options to delay

 

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+?P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+pPpP
RnBqKbNr

this, e.g. in the Catalan

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O
O-O 6. c4

  avoids the active Black system with

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4

Fyllingen Roy – Tisdall
Jonathan D (8) [E05] Ch Norway, Namsos (Norway), 1995

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O
dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4 Bd7 9. Rd1 Bc6 10. Nc3 Bb4

 

tS-D-Tj+
+xX-+xXx
x+l+xS-+
+-+-+-+-
pLxP-+-+
+-N-+nP-
-Pq+pPbP
R-Br+-K-

DIAGRAM: Black’s pieces are actively contesting central squares.
White now finds an ingenious way of shedding a piece.

11. e4 Bxc3 12. d5 exd5 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Ng5 c6
15. bxc3 h6 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Bxe4 Bxe4 0-1

  We can see both the g3 and delayed c4 ideas in the
following game:

Speelman,J – Mestel,J [D02]
Hastings, 1979

1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 e6 3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. O-O cxd4 6.
Nxd4

 

t+lDjLsT
Xx+-+xXx
-+s+x+-+
+-+x+-+-
-+-N-+-+
+-+-+-P-
pPp+pPbP
RnBq+rK-

6… Bc5 7. Nb3 Bb6 8. c4 Nf6 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11.
Qxd8+ Nxd8 12. bxc3 Bd7 13. c4 Bc6 14. Ba3 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Nc6 16.
Rfd1 Rd8 17. e3 f6 18. Bd6 Rd7 19. Rab1 Kd8 20. c5 Bc7 21. Nd4 Nxd4
22. Rxb7 Bxd6 23. Rxd7+ Kxd7 24. Rxd4 Kc6 25. Rxd6+ Kxc5 26. Rxe6
a5 27. Re7 g6 28. Rb7 Kc6 29. Rf7 f5 30. a4 Re8 31. Rxh7 Re4 32.
Rh4 Rxh4 33. gxh4 Kc5 34. f4 Kb4 35. e4 fxe4 36. Kf2 1-0

G. Stonewall Opening

1. d4 2. e3 3. Bd3 4.
f4

tSlDjL-T
XxXxXxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-P-P-+
+-+bP-+-
pPp+-+pP
RnBqK-Nr

White locks up the centre and rolls down the King’s-side

1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3

[3. f4 is sometimes played to avoid the 3…Nc6 line,
but then Black can always play …Bf5]

3… c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. f4 e6

  blocks the Bc8; probably not best. The dangers in this
line can be seen in this line, given by Fine:

6. Nf3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne5 Qc7

  Ne5 needs some response; Black could also try to occupy
e4

9. Nd2 Re8 10. g4 DIAGRAM with a crushing
attack

 

 

t+l+t+j+
XxD-+xXx
-+sLxS-+
+-XxN-+-
-+-P-Pp+
+-PbP-+-
pP-N-+-P
R-Bq+rK-

Black can usually see this coming but it (and the Stonewall Dutch)
is still played:

Aldrete,Jorge – Ramirez,P (2)
[D45] Tel Aviv ol prel, 1964

t+l+-Tj+
XxD-+xXx
-+sLxS-+
+-Xx+-+-
-+-P-P-+
+-PbPn+-
pP-+n+pP
R-Bq+rK-

1. d4 Nf6 2. e3 d5 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nd2 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. f4 Bd6
7. Ne2 O-O 8. O-O Qc7 9. Nf3

DIAGRAM

9… c4 10. Bc2 b5 11. Ng3 Rd8 12. Ne5 Bf8 13.
Bd2 a5 14. Be1 g6 15. h4 Ba6 16. h5 Ne7 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Qf3 Bg7
19. Nh1 Bb7 20. Qh3 Kf8 21. Bh4 Nf5 22. Bxf6 Bxf6 23. g4 Nd6 24. g5
Bg7

 

 

t+-T-J-+
+lD-+xL-
-+-Sx+x+
Xx+xN-P-
-+xP-P-+
+-P-P-+q
pPb+-+-+
R-+-+rKn

25. Bxg6 fxg6 26. Qxe6 Bxe5 27. fxe5+ Kg7 28. Qf6+ Kh7 29.
exd6 Qc8 30. Qf7+ Kh8 31. Rf2 Qg4+ 32. Rg2 Rd7 33. Qf6+
1-0

 

  Lots of these Bf4/Bg5 systems can be played with the
Stonewall-style attack in mind but having the dark-squared bishop
the other side of the f-pawn (Burgess below), and of course Harry
Pillsbury imported it into the Queen’s Gambit.

Burgess Graham – Johannesson
Larus (8) [A46] It, 1995

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bg5 Be7 4. Nbd2 d5 5. e3 O-O 6. Bd3
b6 7. Ne5 c5 8. c3 Qc7 9. f4 Bb7 10. Qf3 h6 11. h4 Nc6 12.
Rh3

 

t+-+-Tj+
XlD-LxX-
-Xs+xS-X
+-XxN-B-
-+-P-P-P
+-PbPq+r
pP-N-+p+
R-+-K-+-

seems familiar!

12… Nxe5 13. fxe5 Ne4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. Bxe4
Bxe4 16. Qxe4 Qd8 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. O-O-O c4 19. Rf1 b5 20. Rf6 Kh8
21. Rg3 b4 22. Qf4 bxc3 23. Qxh6+ 1-0

Pillsbury,Harry N – Marco
(Paris, 1900)

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e3 O-O 6. Nf3 b6
7. Bd3 Bb7 8. cxd5 exd5 9. Ne5 Nbd7 10. f4 c5

 

t+-D-Tj+
Xl+sLxXx
-X-+-S-+
+-XxN-B-
-+-P-P-+
+-NbP-+-
pP-+-+pP
R-+qK-+r

This is the basic formation which Pillsbury often steered for
against the …b6 lines.

11. O-O c4 12. Bc2 a6 13. Qf3 b5 14. Qh3 g6 15.
f5 b4 16. fxg6 hxg6

 

 

t+-D-Tj+
+l+sLx+-
x+-+-Sx+
+-+xN-B-
-XxP-+-+
+-N-P-+q
pPb+-+pP
R-+-+rK-

Black’s king’s side has been weakened.

17. Qh4 bxc3 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 19. Rxf6 a5 20. Raf1
Ra6 21. Bxg6

  DIAGRAM Black didn’t need to be shown any more: 1-0

 

 

-+-+-Tj+
+l+dLx+-
t+-+-Rb+
X-+x+-B-
-+xP-+-Q
+-X-P-+-
pP-+-+pP
+-+-+rK-

H. The Richter-Veresov
system

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 (Other moves transpose into
e.g. the Pirc or French)

 

tSlDjL-T
XxX-XxXx
-+-+-S-+
+-+x+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+-+-
pPp+pPpP
R-+qKbNr

This is another system emphasising piece play – again with the
threat of doubling the f-pawns, or reserving King’s-side chances.
In the following game we see both:

Bellin-Penrose, British Ch’p
1974

1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 h6 4. Bxf6 exf6 5. e3 c6 6. Bd3
Bd6 7. Qf3 O-O 8. Nge2 Re8 9. O-O-O b5 10. g4 Nd7 11. h4 b4 12. Na4
g6 13. Rdg1 Be7 14. g5 fxg5 15. h5 g4 16. Rxg4 g5 17. Rgg1! Qa5 18.
b3

 

t+l+t+j+
X-+sLx+-
-+x+-+-X
D-+x+-Xp
nX-P-+-+
+p+bPq+-
p+p+nP-+
+-K-+-Rr

Black has a decision, to counterattack or defend passively, but
Bellin says both lose. In the game Black defended:

18…Nf6

(or 18… Nb6 19. Nc5 Qxa2 20. Kd2 explains the idea
behind move 17. If instead 19… Bxc5 20. dxc5 Qxc5 21. Qf6 Re6 22.
Rxg5+ hxg5 23. Qxg5+ Kh8 24. Qd8+ Kg7 25. h6+ Rxh6 26. Rxh6 Kxh6
27. Qf6+ Kh5 28. Nf4+ Kg4 29. Be2# )

19. Ng3 Bg4 20. Qg2 Kh8 21. Bf5 Bxf5 22. Nxf5 Bf8
23. f4 Ne4 24. fxg5 Nxg5 25. Rh4 Re4 26. Rf4 Rae8 27. Nxh6 Bxh6 28.
Rf6 Qd8 29. Rxh6+ Kg7 30. Rxc6 f6 31. Qf1 Rxe3 32. Rxg5+ fxg5 33.
Rg6+

(221) Torre,C – Lasker,Em
[A46] Moscow, 1925

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 c5 4.e3 cxd4 5.exd4 Be7 6.Nbd2 d6
7.c3 Nbd7 8.Bd3 b6 9.Nc4 Bb7 10.Qe2 Qc7 11.0-0 0-0 12.Rfe1 Rfe8
13.Rad1 Nf8 14.Bc1 Nd5 15.Ng5 b5 16.Na3 b4 17.cxb4 Nxb4 18.Qh5 Bxg5
19.Bxg5 Nxd3 20.Rxd3 Qa5 21.b4 Qf5 22.Rg3 h6 23.Nc4 Qd5 24.Ne3
Qb5

 

t+-+tSj+
+l+-+xX-
-+-Xx+-+
+d+-+-Bq
-P-P-+-+
+-+-N-R-
p+-+-PpP
+-+-R-K-

And the famous finale:

25.Bf6 Qxh5 26.Rxg7+ Kh8 27.Rxf7+ Kg8 28.Rg7+ Kh8
29.Rxb7+ Kg8 30.Rg7+ Kh8 31.Rg5+ Kh7 32.Rxh5 Kg6 33.Rh3 Kxf6
34.Rxh6+ Kg5 35.Rh3 Reb8 36.Rg3+ Kf6 37.Rf3+ Kg6 38.a3 a5 39.bxa5
Rxa5 40.Nc4 Rd5 41.Rf4 Nd7 42.Rxe6+ Kg5 43.g3 1-0

 

  All these systems can be met in practical play, and apply
to both the East and West Indian systems (with …d6/…g6 or
…e6/….b6). One can combine these ideas in defence, but we’ll
leave that to another session.

 

Minor opening mistakes

Posted on by

Here’s another trawl of typical mistakes, this time from the first 20 moves of each game of the WECU Minor Championship at Exmouth in Easter 1999.

The games are appended with notes mostly from DR: “out of book” is Fritz’ comment, and Fritz has also blunderchecked the games. Let’s first have a look at which openings were played:

The most common openings were: (1) Hypermodern, (2) Indian, (3) Sicilian, (4) French, (5) Open games, and (6) Stonewall/Colle. I think, for Minor players, these are (1) dubious, (2) difficult, (3) tricky, (4) good, (5) good and (6) dubious. Which is to say, over half the openings played probably aren’t very suitable. I have more to say about this!

Summary of types of mistake

  1. Not following basic opening advice:

King in the middle 10 86 97 103 — Incomplete development 55 70 71 — Time-wasting 24 43 58 103 — Pawn moves 8 46 49 53 60 67 72 84 85 86 96 — Neglect centre 60

It is notable that the single most common fault is in making too many duff Pawn moves. Develop your pieces! (These problems are not unique to Minor players: Tony remarked that the young Nigel Short used to blow away 170-strength opposition by an approach heavily reliant on fast development.)

2. Planning poor, muddled or absent:

Inconsistent or muddled 16 19 22 23 31 37 59 62 64 84 — Routine moves 4 11 12 18 47 68 69 — Planless 17 33 35 45 55 101 102 — Passive 39 65 79 89 90 93 97

This is also a serious problem for Minor players – either planless or routine moves. This may be because the openings are not the best choices.

3. Blocked in:

Bishops 21 34 41 93 — Rooks 9 25 28 32 49 51 82

Some of this is in the opening choices, again,

4. No counterplay:

in closed position 50 85 96 — shifting attack with Pawn chains 27 102 96

I think this is both important and easy to cure. See below for specific comments on the Colle and Stonewall. I think these two openings are not greatly to be recommended for White, but when they result in easy victories because Black doesn’t have a clue, they will continue to be played!

5. Others:

Looseness 15 91 — Subtleties 16 78 — Out of book 5 42 47 48 56 — Notice what your opponent has just done 6 49 54 — Creating Holes 32 38 44 79 104 — Unjustified exchange 20 — Exposed Queen 52 73 — Exposed Bishop 71 99

See below for specific comments.

There are many types of mistake listed. I have given examples of all of them, and highlighted the most important.

The whole 20 moves of each game are given: worth playing over are games 12, 32, 42, 55, 64, 90, 96 and 104.

Apologies to all players to whom I have been ungenerous, but the point was to find mistakes!

1. Not following basic opening advice:

King in the middle 10 86 97 103

White plays 11.d5!

Incomplete development 55 70 71

Black has got one hope here, being a piece down – that White will distract himself and not do what he should do – complete development, seize key squares, and swap off Black’s remaining pieces.

Time-wasting 24 43 58 103

White played 8.Qxb4, making an exchange Black was clearly seeking. Just develop, 8.Nc3

Pawn moves 8 46 49 53 60 67 72 84 85 86 96

8.h3 here would complete the set! The most common sort of unprovoked Pawn move was:

White’s next move, 4.c3, is unnecessary. Compare with this approach:

Pillsbury – Amateur, Toronto, 1899 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bd3 Nbd7 5. O-O b6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7.e4

Colle played 4.c3 only in reply to …c5, or to stop …Nb4.

Neglect centre 60

7…a6 is a bit off the main arena.

2. Planning poor, muddled or absent:

Inconsistent or muddled 16 19 22 23 31 37 59 62 64 84

7.Nxd4 was played instead of 7.cxd4. What was c3 played for if not to recapture on d4?

Routine moves 4 11 12 18 47 68 69

White has risked nothing but gained nothing.

Planless 17 33 35 45 55 101 102

Black plays 8…b6, when …b5 is where I would expect to find counterplay

Passive 39 65 79 89 90 93 97

Neither side is doing much active. We did see a lot of e2-e3 in the QP openings.

3. Blocked in:

Bishops 21 34 41 93

White would have quite a nice position if only he could get his c1 Bishop into play.

Rooks 9 25 28 32 49 51 82

Woah. Black has not asked himself the question, how am I going to develop my Rooks? Black must play …c5 or …e5 at some point, and having played …Nc6, …Bg4 is now desirable.

4. No counterplay:

in closed position 12 50 85 96

Black is also playing routinely, but with no sense of a plan. White is following a plan, and Black allows him to execute it.

Fine gives the contrasting lines after 1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. f4

Now play might go:

5… e6 (which doesn’t look quite right, as it blocks the Bc8) 6. Nf3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne5 Qc7 White’s threatening Ne5 needed some response; Black could also try to occupy e4 9. Nd2 Re8 10. g4 with a crushing attack.

This is the ideal Stonewall position.

Instead, we might try for Black 5… Bg4,

and play then might go 6. Nf3 e6 7. Nbd2 Bd6 8. h3 Bh5 9. b3 cxd4 10. cxd4 Rc8 when Black is comfortable

Because Black can see what White is up to, Black can arrange the development to counter it. White’s opening plan is not camouflaged enough to stop Black from seeing what is going on and opposing it, and the opening moves are not flexible enough to try any other plan. This is why you don’t see the Stonewall very often among stronger players.

shifting attack with Pawn chains 27 102 96

6…c4 is a typical mistake, relieving the pressure.

5. Others:

Looseness 15 91

Black is playing actively but is getting overstretched.11.g4! should have been played

Subtleties 16 78

In this RL Steinitz, 6. Bxc6 bxc6 is theory. But after 6. Nxc6, Bxc6 exchanges off another pair of pieces, useful if you have no centre and therefore no space.

Out of book 5 42 47 48 56

In this standard French position, neither 7.Bc2 nor its reply, 7…g6, are really to the point.

Notice what your opponent has just done 6 49 54

4…Nxe4 must not be allowed by White, and must be played by Black if possible.

Creating Holes 32 38 44 79 104

Black has already lost the plot, and now creates some dark-square weaknesses with 4…g6(?). This is why you should stay away from closed games, folks.

Unjustified exchange 20

15.Bxb6 is pretty random.

Exposed Queen 52 73

After 9…Qc7 10.Rc1! Black admitted his mistake with 10…Qd8.

Exposed Bishop 71 99

out of book: this Bishop proves more of a problem than anything – it should support the b4-b5 advance, but this never happens (planless, then, also)

(1) Burt D. F. – Stephens J. K. F. [A06]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.Nf3 d5 2.b3 Nc6 3.Bb2 Bf5 4.d3 f6 5.Nbd2 e5 6.e4 dxe4 7.dxe4 Bg6 8.a3 Bd6 9.Bc4 Nge7 10.Qe2 Qd7 11.Nh4 0-0-0 12.Nxg6 Nxg6 13.g3 a6 14.0-0-0 Rhf8 15.Bd5 Nge7 16.Nc4 Nxd5 17.Rxd5 Qe6 18.Nxd6+ Rxd6 19.Rhd1 Rfd8 20.Rxd6 Rxd6 …1/2-1/2

(2) Chamberlain D. – Clarke J. W. [B14]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.e3 cxd4 5.exd4 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be7 7.Nf3 h6 out of book 8.Bh4 Nc6 9.Bd3 a6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Re1 Nb4 12.Bb1 [-0.53 Fritz 5.00: 12.cxd5 g5 13.Bg3 Nxd3 14.Qxd3 Nxd5 15.Rac1] 12…dxc4 13.Ne5 b5 14.a3 Nbd5 15.Qc2 Nxc3 16.bxc3 g5 17.Ng4 Ne4 [5.19 Fritz 5.00: 17…Re8 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.Qxh6+ Bg7 21.Qxg5] 18.Qxe4 f5 19.Qxa8 fxg4 20.Qe4 Rf7…1-0

(3) Waters R. G. – Turner R. D. [D04]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5 4.Be2 e6 5.0-0 h6 6.Ne5 Nbd7 7.f4 Nxe5 8.fxe5 Ne4 9.Nd2 Be7 10.Nxe4 Bxe4 11.Bd2 0-0 12.Bf3 Bxf3 13.Rxf3 c5 14.Qe2 c4 15.e4 dxe4 16.Qxe4 Qd7 17.Qg4 f5 18.exf6 Rxf6 19.Rxf6 Bxf6 20.c3 g5 …0-1

(4) Ariss J. – Gardiner C. J. [B30]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bc4 e6 out of book, but a perfectly reasonable treatment 4.Nf3 Be7 I might have been more inclined to play for …b5 or …d5 rather than merely developing 5.0-0 d6 6.a3 Nf6 7.d3 a6 8.h3 Often a sign that a player has lost the plot; this makes sense if White wants to play Bc1-e3. 8…b5 9.Ba2 Bb7 10.Re1 0-0 11.Bf4 b4 12.axb4 cxb4 13.Ne2 Nd7 Where’s he off to? 14.Qd2 a5 15.Bb3 e5 16.Bg5 Bxg5 17.Nxg5 h6 18.Nf3 Ne7 19.Ng3 Nc5 20.Bc4 Ba6 …1-0

(5) Foster P. – Wingrove S. [C58]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 Nxc6 out of book; not rubbish, but loses the initiative [7…bxc6 8.Be2 (8.Qf3) 8…h6 9.Nf3 e4 10.Ne5 Bd6] 8.Qf3 Bd7 [2.03 Fritz 5.00: 8…Qc7 9.Nc3 Bc5 10.Nge4 Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Bd4] 9.Qb3 [1.16 Fritz 5.00: 9.Bc4 Bb4 10.Bxf7+ Ke7 11.Qb3 Rc8 12.Ne6] 9…Qe7 10.Bc4 Nd5 [2.44 Fritz 5.00: 10…Nd8 11.0-0 Rc8 12.Nc3] 11.Bxd5 Qxg5 12.Bxf7+ Ke7 [12…Kd8 is unattractive but may get counterplay] 13.Bd5 [1.28 Fritz 5.00: 13.0-0 Rc8 14.Na3 Nd4 15.Qxb7 Kd8 16.Qxa7 Bxa3 17.Qxa3 Rxc2] 13…Nd4 14.Qxb7 [-0.38 Fritz 5.00: 14.Qa3+ Kf6 15.Qd3 Bf5 16.Be4 Qxg2 17.Bxg2 Bxd3 18.Na3 Bxa3] 14…Rc8 [2.28 Fritz 5.00: 14…Nxc2+ 15.Kd1 Rc8 16.Qxc8 Bxc8 17.Kxc2 Qf5+ 18.d3 Ba6 19.Nc3] 15.Na3 Ke8 [3.28 Fritz 5.00: 15…Rxc2 16.Qxa7 Ke8 17.Rb1 Bxa3 18.Qxa3 Rf8 19.Qe3 Qxe3+ 20.dxe3] 16.c3 Bxa3 17.cxd4 Be7 18.0-0 Rf8 [3.13 Fritz 5.00: 18…exd4 19.Re1 Kd8 20.d3 Qf5 21.Bd2 Bd6 22.Rac1 Bc7 23.Be4] 19.d3 Qf5 20.Be4 Qf6 …1/2-1/2

(6) Freke R. B. – Holmes P. [D02]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.e3 c6 4.b3 [4.c4 is the only way I can see to create trouble] 4…e6 5.Bd3 Bxd3 6.Qxd3 Nf6 7.Nbd2 Be7 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.e4 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Qxe4 Nf6 12.Qe2

I think this sort of position is the reason Minor players ought to steer clear of 1.d4 unless they have a definite plan of campaign. 12…0-0 13.Bg5 h6 14.Bh4 Nd7 15.Bxe7 Qxe7 16.Rad1 Rfe8 17.Rd3 c5 18.c3 cxd4 19.cxd4 Rad8 [19…Rac8] 20.Re3 …0-1

(7) Willis A. R. – Webber S. J. [A00]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
unintelligible …1-0

(8) Aldwin B. – Coates A. E. [A03]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Be2 c6 5.0-0 Nf6 6.d3 0-0 7.c3 Too many Pawn moves [7.Qe1; 7.Nc3] 7…Nbd7 8.Nbd2 Qb6 9.d4 Ne8 Giving White unnecessary leeway. [9…c5; 9…Re8] 10.e4 dxe4 11.Nxe4 Nef6 12.Bd3 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Nf6 14.Bc2 Bg4 15.Qd3 Bxf3 Not the best exchange. [15…Bf5] 16.Rxf3 e6 17.h3 Rad8 18.Be3 Nd5 19.b4 If White did not mind the exchange, then h3 may have been unnecessary. 19…Nxe3 20.Rxe3 Qc7…0-1

(9) Collier M. J. – Cuggy M. J. [D07]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Nc6 Questionable. How is Black planning to make use of his Rooks? 5.e3 Bd6 out of book 6.Be2 dxc4 7.Bxc4 a6 8.Bd2 b5 9.Be2 Bb7 10.Rc1 0-0 11.0-0 Ne7 That Knight was indeed misplaced for Black’s opening scheme. 12.Ne1 Nf5 13.Bf3 c6 14.Ne4? [-1.00 Fritz 5.00: 14.Nd3 Qc7 15.h3 Rad8 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.Bxe4] 14…Nh4? [0.59 Fritz 5.00: 14…Bxh2+ 15.Kxh2 Nxe4 16.Qc2] 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 Odd-looking. Had Black seen the follow-up? [1.44 Fritz 5.00: 15…Qxf6 16.Bxc6 Bxc6 17.Rxc6 Rfd8 18.Qh5 Nf5] 16.Bxc6 Bxh2+ Clever! 17.Kh1 [0.50 Fritz 5.00: 17.Kxh2 Qd6+ 18.Kh3 Bxc6 19.Qc2 Bb7 20.Kxh4 Qh2+ 21.Kg4 Bxg2] 17…Bxc6 18.Rxc6 Qd5 Not so clever, but I enjoyed this game – good spirit after the stodgy beginning. [1.59 Fritz 5.00: 18…Qd7 19.Rc2 Bc7 20.e4 Rfc8 21.Qh5] 19.Qg4+ [0.59 Fritz 5.00: 19.Rc5 Qxa2 20.Kxh2 Qxb2 21.Nd3 Qa3 22.Qg4+ Ng6] 19…Qg5 [2.88 Fritz 5.00: 19…Ng6 20.Qf3 Qxf3 21.Nxf3 Ne7 22.Rcc1 Bd6] 20.Qxg5+ fxg5…1-0

(10) Young A. – Atkins K. [B02]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nxd5 4.Nxd5 Looks wrong to me. 4…Qxd5 5.d4 Nc6 6.c3 out of book 6…e5 7.Qe2 Asking for trouble! 7…Bf5 8.dxe5 0-0-0 9.Bg5 [-0.88 Fritz 5.00: 9.f4 Be7 10.Nf3 Bg4 11.Bd2 Bh4+ 12.Kd1 Rhe8 13.c4 Bxf3] 9…Nb4 10.f3 [-4.16 Fritz 5.00: 10.Rd1 Nc2+ 11.Qxc2 Bxc2 12.Rxd5 Rxd5 13.Nf3 Rd1+ 14.Ke2 Bc5] 10…Nd3+ 11.Kd2 Nf4+ 0-1 (11 moves!)

(11) Manton P. – Whitfield J. H. [D04]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bg4 3.e3 e6 4.Be2 Nf6 5.h3 Bh5 6.0-0 Bd6 7.b3 0-0 8.Bb2 Nbd7 9.Nbd2 c5 10.c4 White’s position is merely solid. 10…cxd4 11.Nxd4 Bxe2 12.Qxe2 dxc4 13.Nxc4 White now looks better! 13…Bc7 14.Rfd1 e5 Not obvious but losing a Pawn. 15.Nf3 Qc8 The trouble is that after Qe7/Qe8 White can pick up the Rook with Ba3. 16.Ncxe5 Nxe5 17.Nxe5 Qe6 18.Nf3 Rfd8 19.Rac1 Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1 …1-0

(12) Soper E. – Eastwick-Field S. R. [D00]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.d4 e6 2.e3 out of book 2…Nf6 3.Bd3 d5 4.c3 Routine. Nb1-d2 and f2-f4 were more direct. 4…Be7 5.Nd2 Nbd7 6.f4 0-0 7.Nh3 c5 8.0-0 b6 Black is also playing routinely, but with no sense of a plan. White is following a plan, and Black allows him to execute it. 9.Qf3 Bb7 10.g4 Rc8 11.Nf2 cxd4 12.exd4 a6 13.g5 Ne8 14.Qh3 g6 15.Ng4 f5 16.gxf6 Nexf6 [0.84 Fritz 5.00: 16…Bxf6 17.Nxf6+ Qxf6 18.Qh6 Nd6 19.Re1 Nf5] 17.Nh6+ [-0.16 Fritz 5.00: 17.Ne5 Qe8 18.Qxe6+ Kg7 19.Re1 Nc5 20.Qxb6 Nxd3 21.Nxd3] 17…Kg7 18.Nf3 Ng8 [0.59 Fritz 5.00: 18…Ne4 19.Bxe4 dxe4 20.Ng5 Bxg5 21.fxg5 Rxf1+ 22.Qxf1 Qe7] 19.Nxg8 Rxg8 20.Qxe6 Winning. 20…b5 …1-0

(13) Chapman T. J. – Spink D. K. [B22]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d6 3.d4 Nc6 4.Be3 Bd7 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bd3 e6 7.h3 Be7 8.e5 dxe5 9.dxe5 Nd5 10.Bd2 If this is the best reply then e4-e5 was a mistake. 10…Qc7 11.Qe2 a6 12.0-0 b5 13.Re1 c4 14.Bc2 0-0 15.Qe4 g6 16.Bh6 Rfe8 17.Ng5 Bxg5 18.Bxg5 Nde7 19.Bf6 Nf5 20.g4 Ng7 …1-0

(14) Patching G. R. – Buckley S. B. [A56]
WECU Minor (1), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.e3 d5 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bg4 out of book, but reasonable. 6.Be2 e6 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 Qc7 9.Be3 Bd6 Black may lose both Bishops now. [0.31 Fritz 5.00: 9…Bxf3 10.Bxf3 dxc4 11.Qa4 Bd6 12.g3 Rc8 13.Bxc6+ Qxc6 14.Qxa7] 10.Nb5 Qb8 11.Nxd6+ Qxd6 12.Rc1 0-0 13.c5 Qc7 14.Qd2 Ne4 15.Qc2 Bf5 16.Bd3 [-0.91 Fritz 5.00: 16.Qb3 Rac8 17.Rce1 Na5 18.Qb4 Nc6] 16…Nb4 The biter bit. 17.Qb1 Nxd3 18.Qxd3 Ng3 cute 19.Qd2 Nxf1 20.Rxf1 Rfc8 …0-1

(15) Chapman T. J. – Chamberlain D. [B04]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5 5.Nxe5 Bf5 out of book; looks too straightforward. 6.c4 Nb4 Black will become over-stretched – there is no centre to hold his pieces aloft. 7.Qa4+ N8c6 8.Na3 Missing an opportunity. [-0.47 Fritz 5.00: 8.Nxc6 Nxc6 9.d5 Bd7 10.dxc6 Bxc6 11.Qa5 Qd6 12.Nc3 e5] 8…e6 9.Be3 Be7 10.Rd1 0-0 11.Nxc6 Nxc6 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.Rxd3 Ne5 14.Rb3 Ng4 15.Rxb7 Nxe3 16.fxe3 Bg5 [1.06 Fritz 5.00: 16…Bxa3 17.bxa3 Qh4+ 18.Kf1 Qe4 19.Qb3 c5 20.dxc5 Rac8 21.Kf2] 17.Nc2 Qf6 18.Qc6 Qf5 19.Qa4 [-2.31 Fritz 5.00: 19.Kd2 Qf2+ 20.Kd3 e5 21.Re1 exd4 22.Re2 Qg1 23.Nxd4 Qb1+] 19…Qe4 20.Rb5 Qxg2 …0-1

(16) Turner R. D. – Collier M. J. [B38]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.f3 Bd7 Inconsequent. 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.Be2 a6 10.0-0 0-0 11.Rc1 Rc8 12.Qd2 Nxd4 13.Bxd4 Ne8 14.Bxg7 [14.Be3 is a subtlety of this type of position] 14…Kxg7 15.Kh1 Nf6 16.Rfd1 Qb6 17.b3 Rc7 18.Qe1 Rfc8 19.f4 Qe3 20.Qd2 Qxd2 …1-0

(17) Coates A. E. – Manton P. [B24]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 e6 6.Be3 Nge7 7.Qd2 Chicken. [7.Bxc5 Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 Qa5 9.Be3 Qxc3+ 10.Bd2 Qc5] 7…Nd4 8.Nd1 b6 [8…b5 is where the counterplay will come from.] 9.c3 Ndc6 10.Ne2 Bb7 11.0-0 Ne5 12.h3 d5 13.f4 Nd7 14.e5 Qc7 15.d4 c4 16.Nf2 White has a reasonable attacking position but Black has cleverly avoided providing a target. 16…h5 17.Kh2 Nf5 18.Bf3 0-0-0 19.Kg2 Rh7 20.Rh1 Rdh8 …0-1

(18) Atkins K. – Ariss J. [C01]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 6.Nf3 0-0 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bd3 Bg4 out of book 9.h3 Bh5 10.0-0 Nc6 Black is being routine. 11.Bxh7+ Kh8 [11…Kxh7 12.Ng5+ Kg6 (12…Kg8 13.Qxh5) 13.Qd3+ f5 14.Ne6] 12.Bc2 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nf6 14.Be3 Nxd4 15.Bxd4 Qxd4 16.Rad1 Qc5 17.Rd5 Qc6 18.Qd3 g6 19.Qd4 Kg8 20.Re5 Rfd8 21.h4 …1-0

(19) Holmes P. – Soper E. [B21]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.f4 d6 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.c3 [4.Nc3] 4…e6 5.Nf3 Qc7 6.d4 cxd4 7.Nxd4 Inconsistent. [7.cxd4 at least gets the big centre.] 7…Bd7 8.Nf3 Nf6 9.Qc2 a6 10.h3 Rc8 11.Bd3 Nb4 cute 12.Qe2 Nxd3+ 13.Qxd3 Be7 14.Be3 d5 15.e5 Ne4 16.Nbd2 Bc6 17.Qc2 b5 18.Nxe4 dxe4 19.Nd4 Bd5 20.Qd2 0-0…1-0

(20) Buckley S. B. – Willis A. R. [B84]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e6 7.f4 Be7 8.Be2 Nbd7 out of book but reasonable 9.Qd2 b5 careless, but no great harm comes of it [1.00 Fritz 5.00: 9…Nc5 10.Bf3 e5 11.Nde2 exf4 12.Nxf4 0-0] 10.Nc6 Qc7 11.Nxe7 Kxe7 12.Bf3 Bb7 13.a3 Rac8 14.0-0 Nb6 15.Bxb6 unjustified 15…Qxb6+ 16.Kh1 Rhd8 17.Rae1 Nd7 18.f5 h6 19.Bh5 Ne5 20.Qf4 Rf8 …0-1

(21) Wingrove S. – Burt D. F. [A52]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.e4 Nxe5 5.Bf4 Nbc6 6.a3 Be7 7.Bxe5 can’t be right 7…Nxe5 8.Nf3 Bf6 9.Nxe5 Bxe5 10.Nc3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qf6 12.Qd4 Qxd4 13.cxd4 d6 14.Be2 0-0 15.0-0 f5 16.f3 Bd7 17.Rab1 b6 18.Bd3 Rae8 19.h3 c5 20.d5 White’s Bishop, while not bad, is going off. 20…fxe4 …1/2-1/2

(22) Stephens J. K. F. – Primett A. D. [C01]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.e4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Bg5 Be6 6.g3 Random. 6…c6 7.a3 Bd6 8.Nf3 Nbd7 9.Qe2 Causes more problems for White than Black. 9…0-0 10.Bg2 h6 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.0-0 Re8 13.Qd2 Bf5 14.Nh4 Bh7 15.Rae1 Qd7 16.b4 b5 17.Bf3 a5 18.Rxe8+ Rxe8 19.Na2 axb4 20.axb4 Ra8 …0-1

(23) Mansfield A. C. – Foster P. [D05]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6 3.e3 Bb7 4.Nbd2 e6 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 d5 Inconsistent? 7.0-0 out of book 7…Nbd7 8.Qe2 Qc7 9.dxc5 bxc5 10.e4 0-0-0 Very risky. 11.Ba6 Bd6 12.Bxb7+ Qxb7 Overlooks a cheapo. [1.84 Fritz 5.00: 12…Kxb7 13.b4 c4 14.Rd1 Ne5 15.exd5 Nxd5 16.Nxe5 Bxe5] 13.e5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Ne4 15.Nxf7 Returns the favour. [1.03 Fritz 5.00: 15.Nxe4 Bxe5 16.f4 dxe4 17.fxe5 h6] 15…Qxf7 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Qxe4 Kb8 18.a4 Qh5 19.Bf4 g5 [3.78 Fritz 5.00: 19…e5 20.Bg3 h6 21.b4 cxb4] 20.Bxd6+ Rxd6 21.Qe5 Ka8…1/2-1/2

(24) Whitfield J. H. – Spooner K. C. [D11]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.d4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Bf5 4.c4 dxc4 out of book 5.Bxc4 e6 6.Qb3 Qe7 Last square I would have chosen! But I hadn’t seen Black’s idea. 7.0-0 Qb4 8.Qxb4 Time-wasting. 8…Bxb4 9.Bd2 Bxd2 10.Nbxd2 Nd7 11.e4 Bg6 12.Rfe1 Ngf6 13.d5 Good – despite the endgame character of the position, Black is drifting into an attack. 13…cxd5 [1.13 Fritz 5.00: 13…e5 14.Rac1 0-0 15.Nh4 Rac8 16.Nxg6 hxg6 17.Rcd1 cxd5] 14.exd5 b5 15.Bxb5 Nxd5 16.Bc6 0-0-0 17.Bxd7+ [0.19 Fritz 5.00: 17.Rac1 Kb8 18.Bxd5 exd5 19.Nd4 Rc8 20.Nc6+ Kb7 21.Nb3 Rhe8] 17…Rxd7 18.Ne5 Rc7 19.Nxg6 hxg6 20.Rac1 …1/2-1/2

(25) Gardiner C. J. – Freke R. B. [D02]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Nc6 out of book – Black may develop a Rook problem. 4.c3 e6 5.Bd3 Bd6 6.Nbd2 0-0 7.0-0 Re8 8.e4 dxe4 9.Nxe4 e5 Black has solved his Rook problem. 10.Nxf6+ [10.Nxd6] 10…Qxf6 [2.25 Fritz 5.00: 10…gxf6 11.dxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxe5 fxe5 13.Qh5 e4 14.Bc4 Qf6 15.Re1] 11.Bg5 Qe6 12.dxe5 [-0.06 Fritz 5.00: 12.d5 Qd7 13.dxc6 Qxc6 14.Qe2 a6 15.Be4 Qb6 16.Rad1 Bg4] 12…Nxe5 13.Nd4 Qd5 14.Bf5 [14.c4 Nxc4] 14…Bxf5 15.Nxf5 Qe6 16.Nxd6 cxd6 17.b3 f6 18.Be3 b6 19.c4 Qd7 20.Qd5+ Kh8 …1-0

(26) Cuggy M. J. – Waters R. G. [A45]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.e3 d6 3.Bd3 e5 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.e4 Be7 6.Nf3 Bg4 Egging White to gain the two Bishops [6…Nc6] 7.Nc3 0-0 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nc6 10.Be3 Bb4 Waste of time? No harm done and it does give Black something to play with. 11.0-0 Bxc3 12.bxc3 Qd6 13.a4 Nd7 14.Qg3 Nc5 15.Rfd1 Nxd3 16.Rxd3 [16.cxd3 is much better] 16…Qe6 17.Rd5 f5 18.Bc5 Rf7 19.Qd3 fxe4 20.Qxe4 b6 …1-0

(27) Eastwick-Field S. R. – Aldwin B. [D02]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 c5 5.c3 Be7 6.Bd3 out of book, but entirely reasonable 6…c4 Wrong: releases tension in the centre. White can build for e3-e4 in comfort, or go for a King’s-side attack without facing counterplay. 7.Bc2 Nc6 8.Nbd2 0-0 9.h3 Re8 10.0-0 Bf8 11.Ne5 g6 12.Qf3 Nxe5 13.Bxe5 Bg7 14.Rfe1 a5 15.e4 Rb8?? [4.84 Fritz 5.00: 15…b5 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 17.Qxf6 Bxf6 18.exd5 e5 19.d6] 16.Bxb8 Nd7 17.Bg3 e5 18.dxe5 Nxe5 19.Bxe5 Rxe5 20.exd5 Rxd5 21.Nf1 b5…1-0

(28) Spink D. K. – Young A. [D00]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.e3 out of book 2…d5 3.Bd3 Nc6 4.c3 Bg4 [4…e5 equalises easily, and Black has to play something like this at some time] 5.f3 Bd7 6.Ne2 e5 Better! 7.0-0 Bd6 8.e4 0-0 9.Bg5 dxe4 10.fxe4 exd4 11.Nxd4 Bxh2+ [1.31 Fritz 5.00: 11…Bc5 12.Bxf6 gxf6 13.Bc4 Be6 14.Bd5 Bxd5 15.Qg4+ Kh8 16.exd5] 12.Kh1 [-1.44 Fritz 5.00: 12.Kxh2 Ng4+ 13.Qxg4 Bxg4 14.Bxd8 Raxd8 15.Nxc6 Rxd3 16.Nxa7 Rfd8] 12…Be5 13.Nf5 Bxf5 14.exf5 Qd5 15.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Qf3 Qxf3 17.Rxf3 Ne5 18.Rh3 Nxd3 19.Rxd3 Rad8 20.Rh3 [-4.88 Fritz 5.00: 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21.Na3 h5 22.Re1 Kf8 23.Nc4 b5 24.Na3 Rd2] 20…Rd1+…0-1

(29) Clarke J. W. – Patching G. R. [C25]
WECU Minor (2), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.Nc3 Ne7 out of book 4.d3 0-0 5.Nf3 [5.f4] 5…d6 6.Bg5 Nd7 All looks too passive. [1.34 Fritz 5.00: 6…h6 7.Bxe7 Qxe7 8.Nd5] 7.Nd5 f6?? Hideous. [2.41 Fritz 5.00: 7…Re8 8.0-0 c6 9.Nxe7+ Rxe7 10.Bxe7 Qxe7] 8.Nxe7+ [3.31 Fritz 5.00: 8.Nxc7+ Kh8 9.Nxa8 fxg5 10.d4 exd4 11.Nxd4 Ne5] 8…Kh8 9.Nf5 [-0.13 Fritz 5.00: 9.Nxc8 fxg5 10.Nxd6 Bxd6 11.0-0 c6] 9…fxg5 10.h4 g4 [0.41 Fritz 5.00: 10…Nb6 11.hxg5 d5 12.Bb3 Bxf5 13.exf5 Rxf5] 11.Ng5 Nb6 12.Nf7+ Rxf7 13.Bxf7 Qf8 14.d4 exd4 15.Bh5 Bxf5 [0.47 Fritz 5.00: 15…g6 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.Nxd4 Nc4 18.c3 Nxb2 19.Qe2] 16.Bxg4 [-2.81 Fritz 5.00: 16.exf5 g3 17.fxg3 Qxf5 18.Qe2 Bb4+ 19.Kd1 Nc4 20.Qxc4 Qxh5+] 16…Bxg4 17.Qxg4 d3 18.0-0-0 [-3.03 Fritz 5.00: 18.0-0 Qf6 19.cxd3 Qxb2 20.Qf4 Kg8 21.Qc1 Qd4 22.Qc2 Re8] 18…dxc2 19.Rd2 Nc4 20.Rxc2 …1-0

(30) Chamberlain D. – Atkins K. [A57]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.e3 out of book 4…g6 5.b3 Bg7 6.Bb2 0-0 7.Nf3 d6 8.Bd3 bxc4 9.bxc4 Nbd7 10.0-0 Rb8 11.Qc2 [-1.47 Fritz 5.00: 11.Bc3 e6 12.e4 Re8 13.Qc2 exd5 14.exd5 Nb6 15.Nbd2 Bg4] 11…Qb6 [0.03 Fritz 5.00: 11…Rxb2 12.Qxb2 Nxd5 13.Qa3 Nxe3 14.fxe3 Bxa1 15.Qxa7 Ne5 16.Nxe5] 12.Bc3 Nh5 13.Bxg7 Nxg7 14.Nbd2 Qb2 15.Qxb2 Rxb2 16.Rfb1 Rb6 17.a4 Ba6 18.Rxb6 Nxb6 19.a5 [-0.69 Fritz 5.00: 19.Ra3 Rb8 20.Rb3 h6 21.a5 Nd7 22.Rxb8+ Nxb8 23.Ne4 Nd7] 19…Nd7 [0.16 Fritz 5.00: 19…Nxd5 20.Bxg6 Nxe3 21.Bxf7+ Kxf7 22.fxe3 Rb8 23.Kf2 Rb2 24.Ng5+] 20.Rb1 Ne8…1-0

(31) Willis A. R. – Turner R. D. [D66]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bg5 Be7 Inconsistent with the tricky move order, but not a bad move. 6.e3 0-0 7.Rc1 Nbd7 8.Bd3 dxc4 9.Bxc4 b5 10.Bd3 a6 11.0-0 h6 12.Bh4 [-0.19 Fritz 5.00: 12.Bxf6 Nxf6 13.Ne4 Qd5 14.Qc2 Qxa2 15.Qxc6 Qd5 16.Nxf6+ Bxf6] 12…c5 13.b3 out of book 13…cxd4 14.Nxd4 Bb7 15.f3 Rc8 16.e4 Ne5 17.Bb1 Ng6 18.Bf2 Bb4 19.Nce2 Rxc1 20.Qxc1 Qc8…1/2-1/2

(32) Manton P. – Holmes P. [D02]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.e3 e6 Woah. Black has not asked himself the question, how am I going to develop my Rooks? Black must play …c5 or …e5 at some point, and having played …Nc6, …Bg4 is now desirable. 4.c3 Bd7 More lost plot. …Bd6 would at least support …e5 5.Bd3 g6 And now some dark-square weaknesses. This is why you should stay away from closed games, folks. 6.Nbd2 Bg7 7.e4 dxe4 8.Nxe4 Nge7 9.Bg5 0-0 10.Bf6 Bxf6 11.Nxf6+ Kg7 12.Ng4 h5 13.Ne3 Nd5 14.Qd2 Nxe3 15.Qxe3 Qf6 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 Qe7 18.0-0-0 Bc6 19.Be4 Bxe4 20.Qxe4 b6 21.Kd2…1/2-1/2

(33) Primett A. D. – Coates A. E. [A11]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.c4 c6 2.g3 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.Bg2 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bf5 6.d3 out of book 6…Nbd7 7.Qa4 Not suspicious in itself, but forms part of no plan. 7…e6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.Bf4 a6 10.0-0 b5 11.Qd1 0-0 12.Rc1 Rc8 13.Bd2 h6 14.Nd4 Bg4 15.h3 Bh5 16.Qe1 Bc5 17.Nb3 Ba7 18.e4 [-1.25 Fritz 5.00: 18.Be3 Bb8 19.a3 Bd6 20.Bd4 e5] 18…d4 [-0.28 Fritz 5.00: 18…Ne5 ] 19.Ne2 Rxc1 20.Nbxc1 e5…1-0

(34) Burt D. F. – Buckley S. B. [A06]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.Nf3 c5 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2 Nc6 4.e3 Bg4 5.Be2 Bxf3 6.Bxf3 e5 7.d3 g6 8.0-0 Bg7 9.e4 d4 Making all the Bishops bad! 10.Nd2 Nge7 11.g3 0-0 12.Bg2 Qd7 13.f4 Qc7 14.f5 f6 15.g4 Bh6 16.Nf3 Be3+ 17.Kh1 b5 18.Bc1 Bf4 19.Bxf4 exf4 20.fxg6 hxg6 …1-0

(35) Webber S. J. – Gardiner C. J. [B22]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.f3 out of book 3…Nc6 4.Bb5 a6 5.Bxc6+ bxc6 6.d4 e6 7.Ne2 All looks a bit random – nothing bad, just incoherent. 7…dxe4 8.fxe4 But after this exchange Black’s Pawns look quite loose. 8…Qh4+ 9.Ng3 Nf6 10.0-0 Ng4 11.h3 Qxg3 12.Qxg4 [-0.72 Fritz 5.00: 12.Bf4 Qh4 13.Qxg4 Qxg4 14.hxg4 cxd4 15.cxd4 c5] 12…Qxg4 13.hxg4 cxd4 14.cxd4 Be7 15.d5 Just a blunder, I guess. [-1.44 Fritz 5.00: 15.g5 ] 15…exd5 16.exd5 Bc5+ 17.Kh1 cxd5 18.Nc3 Be6 19.Re1 0-0-0 20.a3 h6 …0-1

(36) Foster P. – Clarke J. W. [C55]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Be7 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 Transposing from the Hungarian to the Two Knights’. 5…d6 6.Ng5 out of book, and has to be premature in this position. 6…0-0 7.f4 h6 8.Nf3 Bg4 9.0-0 d5 Loses a temp but probably a good idea to expose d3. 10.exd5 Nxd5 11.h3 Bh5 But this is a poor move, even if it didn’t make an unsound Pawn sacrifice. 12.g4 Bg6 13.f5 [0.03 Fritz 5.00: 13.fxe5 Na5 14.Bb5 a6 15.Ba4 f5 16.b4 fxg4 17.hxg4 Nc6] 13…Bh7 14.Qe2 Qd6 15.Re1 Bf6 16.Qf1 Rae8 17.Nbd2 Na5 18.Ne4 Qb6+ 19.Kh2 Nxc4 20.dxc4 Nf4 Black is spuddling well against a clockwork White attack. …1-0

(37) Soper E. – Chapman T. J. [D00]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.e3 out of book 2…Nf6 3.Bd3 Nc6 4.f4 Nb4 Widely recommended. 5.Nf3 Nxd3+ 6.cxd3 [I prefer 6.Qxd3 ] 6…e6 7.Bd2 Bd7 8.Qb3 b6 9.Nc3 c5 10.0-0 Be7 11.Ne5 cxd4 12.exd4 White’s d4 Pawn may become a target, but Black prefers to pursue other aims. 12…0-0 13.Qd1 Rc8 14.Qf3 It’s not clear what White has achieved over on the Queen’s-side. 14…Rc7 15.a3 Bc8 16.Rac1 a6 17.Na4 Rxc1 18.Rxc1 b5 [2.00 Fritz 5.00: 18…Bb7 19.Qd1 Ba8 20.Qb3 b5 21.Nc5 Qb6 22.Qc2 Rc8 23.b3] 19.Nc6 Qe8 20.Nxe7+ Qxe7 Both Bishops are bad: White’s would improve after f4-f5 …1-0

(38) Collier M. J. – Wingrove S. [A56]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.dxc5 e5 out of book, and rightly so, for Black has a shocking hole on d5. 4.Nc3 Bxc5 5.e3 d6 6.g3 Be6 7.Bg2 Qd7 8.b3 Nc6 9.Nf3 h6 [I’m not sure Black can get away with 9…d5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.Nxd5 Rd8] 10.0-0 Rd8 11.Bb2 0-0 12.Na4 Qc7 13.Qc1 Nd7 14.Rd1 a6 15.a3 Ba7 16.Nc3 Ne7 17.Qc2 Bf5 18.e4 Be6 19.Rd2 Nf6 20.Rc1 Nh7 21.c5 Unthematic! [-0.25 Fritz 5.00: 21.Nd5 Qd7 22.Nxe7+ Qxe7 23.Nh4 g6 24.Rcd1 Ng5 25.Qd3 Nh3+] 21…dxc5…1-0

(39) Spooner K. C. – Mansfield A. C. [A18]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 d6 Passive if solid; Black gets the worst of it, but White finds nothing concrete later. 4.d4 Be7 5.Nf3 b6 6.Be2 Bb7 7.Qc2 c5 8.d5 exd5 9.exd5 0-0 10.Bd3 Re8 11.0-0 Nbd7 12.Bf4 Nf8 13.Ng5 g6 14.Nf3 Bc8 15.h3 Bd7 16.Rae1 a6 17.b3 b5 18.Re2 b4 19.Ne4 Nxe4 20.Bxe4 Bc8 …1/2-1/2

(40) Young A. – Cuggy M. J. [A04]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.Nf3 Nc6 2.d3 e5 3.g3 f5 out of book; Black plays the White side of a Pirc with vigour and is rewarded with some attacking chances. White does not seem to understand what to do about the Black activity. 4.Nbd2 d5 5.e4 Nf6 6.exd5 Qxd5 7.Bg2 Bc5 8.0-0 Be6 9.Ng5 Qd7 10.Nxe6 Qxe6 11.Nf3 0-0-0 12.Qe2 h6 13.Be3 Nd4 [0.91 Fritz 5.00: 13…Bxe3 14.fxe3 g6 15.Nd2 Nd5 16.Nc4 Rhe8] 14.Bxd4 Bxd4 15.Nxd4 Rxd4 16.Rfe1 Nd7 17.Qe3 Qb6 18.c3 Rd6 19.Qxb6 Rxb6 20.Re2 g5 …0-1

(41) Waters R. G. – Aldwin B. [E11]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Bb4+ 4.Bd2 Bxd2+ 5.Nbxd2 0-0 6.e3 b6 The other plan is to go for …e5; after …b6 White can try to blot it out with d4-d5 7.Bd3 Bb7 8.0-0 d6 9.e4 Nbd7 out of book 10.Qc2 e5 11.d5 Just so. But neither Bishop looks wonderful now. 11…a5 12.Nh4 Nc5 [Fritz ignored 12…Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Qxh4] 13.f4 [-1.06 Fritz 5.00: 13.Nf5 Nh5 14.Nb3 Nxb3 15.Qxb3 Nf4 16.Bc2 Qf6 17.Rfe1 Bc8] 13…Ng4 14.Nf5 g6 15.h3 gxf5 16.hxg4 fxe4 [0.47 Fritz 5.00: 16…fxg4 17.Be2 Qh4 18.fxe5 dxe5 19.Rf5 f6 20.Qc3 Bc8 21.g3] 17.Bxe4 Qh4 18.Bf5 Bc8 19.Bxc8 Raxc8 20.Qf5 f6 …0-1

(42) Ariss J. – Eastwick-Field S. R. [C02]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3 Bd7 7.Qb3 out of book: White should know this key French position. 7…h5 Black does not play thematically either. [0.47 Fritz 5.00: 7…Qxb3 8.axb3 cxd4 9.cxd4 (9.0-0 dxc3 10.bxc3 Bc5 11.Rd1) 9…Nb4 10.Ke2 Nxd3 11.Kxd3 Bb5+ 12.Ke3 Nh6] 8.0-0 Nh6 9.Re1 g6 10.Be3 c4 11.Qxb6 axb6 12.Bc2 Nf5 13.Bg5 Be7 14.Bf6 Bxf6 15.exf6 Nh6 16.Ne5 Nxe5 17.dxe5 b5 18.Nd2 Bc6 19.Nf3 Nf5 20.Bxf5 gxf5 …1/2-1/2

(43) Whitfield J. H. – Stephens J. K. F. [D02]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.e3 a6 out of book: total waste of time. 4.Bd3 Bg4 5.Nbd2 f6 (wince) 6.c4 e6 7.Qb3 Nge7 [0.84 Fritz 5.00: 7…Nb4 8.Be2 c5 9.cxd5 Qxd5 10.Bc4 Qd7] 8.a3 [0.19 Fritz 5.00: 8.Qxb7 If you aren’t playing this, why play Qb3? 8…Qb8 9.Qxb8+ Rxb8 10.a3 Bxf3 11.gxf3 a5 12.Rg1 g6] 8…Nf5 9.cxd5 exd5 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Nxf3 Nh6 12.Qc2 g6 13.0-0 f5 14.Bd2 Qf6 15.Qa4 Nf7 16.Bc3 Bd6 17.Bb5 Nfd8 18.Bxc6+ Nxc6 19.Qb3 Ne7 20.Qxb7 0-0 21.Qb3 Rab8 …1/2-1/2

(44) Freke R. B. – Patching G. R. [A46]
WECU Minor (3), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.e3 Be7 4.Bd3 b6 5.Nbd2 out of book 5…d5 6.c3 a5 7.0-0 Ba6 8.Bxa6 Nxa6 9.Re1 0-0 10.Ne5 Nb8 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Rxe4 Bf6 14.Bf4 Bxe5 15.Bxe5 f6 wince 16.Bg3 f5 Circumstances have changed. 17.Rxe6 f4 18.Qe2 [-0.50 Fritz 5.00: 18.Qf3 Na6 19.Bxf4 g5 20.Bxg5 Qxg5 21.Qe2 Rf7 22.Re5 Qh4] 18…fxg3 19.hxg3 Nd7 20.Re1 Rf7 …1-0

(45) Turner R. D. – Chamberlain D. [B02]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.Nc3 Nb6 [3…Nxc3] 4.f4 d6 5.d4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Bf5 7.Nf3 e6 8.Bd3 Bg6 9.Bxg6 hxg6 10.Qd3 No point. 10…Nc6 11.a3 Qd7 12.Bg5 Be7 13.Bxe7 Nxe7 14.0-0-0 0-0-0 15.Rhf1 Ned5 16.h3 Qe7 17.Nxd5 [17.Ne4] 17…Nxd5 18.Rd2 Nf4 19.Qe3 Nd5 20.Qd3 …1/2-1/2

(46) Holmes P. – Primett A. D. [C01]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Bf4 [4.Bd3 may give Black a problem with the QB.] 4…Nf6 5.Nd2 Bf5 6.Ngf3 Nbd7 7.c3 White’s only slack move in this opening – the rest are fine. 7…Nh5 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Qe2 f6 10.Nh4 fxg5 11.Nxf5 g6 12.Qxe7+ Qxe7+ 13.Nxe7 Kxe7 It’s a shame White has no better reward for his vigour. 14.g3 Rhf8 15.Bg2 Nhf6 16.0-0 Rae8 17.Rae1+ Kd8 18.c4 Rxe1 19.Rxe1 Nb6 20.b3 g4 …1/2-1/2

(47) Willis A. R. – Manton P. [D58]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.Nc3 h6 6.Bh4 0-0 7.e3 b6 8.Rc1 Not theory, I think. White plays automatically, with level play. [8.cxd5] 8…Bb7 9.Bd3 Nbd7 10.0-0 c5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Qe2 cxd4 14.Nxd4 Nc5 15.Bb1 Rfd8 16.Qc2 Nf6 17.f3 a6 18.b4 Ncd7 19.a3 Rac8 20.Qe2 Ne5 …1-0

(48) Atkins K. – Burt D. F. [D00]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.e4 d5 2.d4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 Bf5 5.Bc4 out of book [5.fxe4; 5.g4] 5…Nbd7 6.fxe4 Bxe4 7.Nxe4 Nxe4 8.Qh5 Nd6 9.Bb3 Nf6 10.Qe2 c6 11.Nf3 e6 12.0-0 Qd7 13.Ne5 Qe7 Yeuch. [13…Qc7] 14.Bf4 Nd5 15.Rae1 0-0-0 16.c4 Nf6 17.c5 [-1.19 Fritz 5.00: 17.Qf3 Nde8 18.Bc2 h6] 17…Nde4 18.Ba4 [-1.84 Fritz 5.00: 18.Qe3 h6 19.Bc2 Ng5 20.Qf2 Rd5] 18…Rxd4 19.Bxc6 Nxc5 20.Qb5 [-2.59 Fritz 5.00: 20.Be3 Rb4 21.Rc1 bxc6 22.Rxc5 Qxc5] 20…a6 …1-0

(49) Gardiner C. J. – Soper E. [D02]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Nc6 Eric plays the line he just faced with the Stonewall against the Colle, but here White is not committed to Bd3. 4.c3 [4.c4 looks much better, but White ploughs on ignoring his opponent.] 4…Bf5 5.Qb3 Rb8 6.a4 White has no hopes for an advantage, having ignored all the guidelines. 6…h6 7.Qd1 e6 8.Bd3 Bxd3 9.Qxd3 Bd6 10.Nbd2 Ne7 11.e4 dxe4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4 13.Qxe4 Nd5 14.0-0 Qf6 15.Re1 0-0 16.Ne5 Bxe5 17.dxe5 Qf5 18.Qxf5 exf5 19.Be3 Nxe3 20.Rxe3…1-0

(50) Cuggy M. J. – Foster P. [D05]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.e3 b6 3.Bd3 Bb7 4.Nf3 e6 5.Nbd2 d5 Almost inconsistent, and allows White to proceed with his clockwork attack unhindered. [5…c5] 6.Ne5 out of book 6…Nbd7 7.f4 Ne4 8.Qh5 g6 9.Qf3 Nd6 10.g4 Qh4+ 11.Qg3 Qxg3+ 12.hxg3 Nxe5 13.fxe5 Nc4 14.Nf3 c5 15.Ng5 h6 16.Nf3 g5 [0.53 Fritz 5.00: 16…Rc8 ] 17.b3 Na5 18.Nd2 Rc8 19.c4 [-3.50 Fritz 5.00: 19.Bb5+ Nc6 20.c4 Bg7 21.Ba3 a6 22.Ba4] 19…dxc4 20.Be4 c3…0-1

(51) Mansfield A. C. – Ariss J. [D02]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Nc6 out of book: not such a hot idea against the Colle. 4.c3 Bg4 5.Nbd2 e6 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.0-0 0-0 8.e4 Nd7 Allowing White too much leeway. [8…dxe4] 9.e5 Be7 10.Qc2 f5 11.exf6 Nxf6 12.Re1 Qc8 13.Ng5 Bf5 14.Bxf5 exf5 15.Ne6 Rf7 16.Nf3 Ne4 17.Nf4 Qd7 18.Nd3 Raf8 [1.84 Fritz 5.00: 18…Bf6 19.Nfe5 Nxe5 20.dxe5 Bh4 21.g3 Be7 22.f3 Nc5 23.Nxc5] 19.Nde5 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Qe8…1/2-1/2

(52) Clarke J. W. – Spooner K. C. [B13]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 e6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bd3 out of book 6…Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2 Nbd7 9.0-0 Qc7 Too early: the reproof follows! 10.Rc1 Qd8 11.c5 g6 12.Re1 White’s position looks good, although Black is solid he is very undeveloped. 12…0-0 13.Nf1 Nh5 14.Ng3 Nxg3 15.fxg3 White has lost the plot a little. 15…Qf6 16.g4 Qg7 17.h4 f6 18.Rxe6 Nxc5 19.Rd6 Nxd3 20.Qxd3 Bxg4 21.Qf1 The remaining moves were not recorded[-1.16 Fritz 5.00: 21.Rxd5 Qf7 22.Ra5 b6 23.Ra4 Bxf3 24.Qxf3 Rac8 25.Re1 Rc2] …1/2-1/2

(53) Wingrove S. – Chapman T. J. [D37]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 I feel an IQP coming on. 8.Be2 Nc6 9.0-0 Be6 10.Ne5 Rc8 11.Bf3 cxd4 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.exd4 c5 Black immediately exchanges the backward Pawn. 14.Be5 c4 15.Qa4 Qb6 16.Qc2 Rfd8 17.Ne2 g6 I thought I would have nothing to object to in this game, but this doesn’t seem to have much point. 18.Rfd1 Bf5 19.Qd2 Ne4 20.Bxe4 Bxe4 …1-0

(54) Coates A. E. – Freke R. B. [C55]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.e4 Nc6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Bc4 d6 [4…Nxe4 Must be played if allowed, I believe.] 5.h3 [0.00 Fritz 5.00: 5.Ng5 d5 6.exd5 Na5 7.Bb5+ c6 8.dxc6 bxc6 9.Qf3 Bb7] 5…Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.d3 [7.d4] 7…Na5 8.Qe2 out of book (I’m curious! By what moves are the sides expected to arrive at this position?) [8.Bb3 looks more in tune] 8…Nxc4 9.dxc4 b6 10.Nd5 Bb7 An unpromising diagonal? 11.Re1 c6 12.Nxf6+ Bxf6 13.b3 Re8 14.Bb2 Re6 15.Qd3 a5 a bit random – Black should build up behind the d-Pawn 16.Rad1 Qe7 17.Ba3 Rd8 18.Qe3 Qc7 19.Rd3 d5 20.Nd2 d4 …0-1

(55) Aldwin B. – Young A. [A03]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.f4 Nf6 2.e3 d5 3.Nf3 Nc6 out of book 4.Be2 Bf5 5.0-0 Qd7 6.d3 0-0-0 A logical system of development by Black. 7.Ne5 This has an evil tactical point which Black misses. 7…Nxe5 8.fxe5 Ng4 9.Rxf5 e6 10.Rf1 Nxe5 Black has got one hope here, being a piece down – that White will distract himself and not do what he should do – complete development, seize key squares, and swap off Black’s remaining pieces. 11.d4 Ng6 12.c4 Bd6 13.c5 Be7 14.Rxf7 This move, while not a mistake in terms of variations, betrays a faulty attitude. 14…Rdf8 15.Rxf8+ Rxf8 16.Nc3 Nh4 17.e4 Qe8 [3.03 Fritz 5.00: 17…dxe4 18.Nxe4 Nf5 19.Bc4 Rd8 20.Bg5 Nxd4 21.Bxe7 Qxe7 22.Qh5] 18.exd5 Qf7 19.Qf1 [-0.91 Fritz 5.00: 19.Be3 this move is much more to the point 19…exd5 20.Bd3 Qe6 21.Qe2 Nf5 22.Re1 Bh4 23.Bf2 Bxf2+] 19…Qg6 20.Qxf8+ Bxf8 …0-1

(56) Buckley, S.J. – Webber S. J. [C02]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qb6 6.Bd3 Bd7 7.Bc2 out of book – not a good move, but Black must play accurately to show why it is not good. 7…g6 [7…Nh6] 8.0-0 0-0-0 Black is developing rather than playing the French. 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.b4 Be7 11.Be3 Qc7 12.a4 White however, now has a plan, and sets a trap. 12…Nxe5 [2.66 Fritz 5.00: 12…f6 13.exf6 Bxf6 14.b5 Na5 15.Bd4 Nc4 16.Bxf6 Nxf6 17.Qd4] 13.Nxe5 Qxe5 14.Bd4 Qg5 15.Bxh8 f6 16.Bg7 e5 17.Nd2 [2.81 Fritz 5.00: 17.Qxd5 Bxa4 18.Qa2 Bc6 19.g3 a6 20.Rd1 Kb8 21.Rxd8+ Bxd8] 17…Bh3 18.Qf3 Qxd2 [4.47 Fritz 5.00: 18…Bxg2 19.Qxg2 Qxd2 20.Bb3 Kb8 21.Rfd1 Qxc3 22.Bxd5 Qxb4 23.Rab1] 19.Qxh3+ f5 20.Bxf5+ gxf5 …1-0

(57) Eastwick-Field S. R. – Collier M. J. [A00]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
unintelligible …1-0

(58) Spink D. K. – Whitfield J. H. [D00]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 out of book 4…Bd6 5.Bg3 Bxg3 6.hxg3 g6 7.c3 Nc6 8.f4 Ne7 9.Nd2 Nf5 10.Bxf5 Undeveloping. [-0.31 Fritz 5.00: 10.Qf3 Nd6 11.g4 Nd7 12.g5 c5 13.0-0-0 Qa5 14.Kb1 f6] 10…exf5 11.Ngf3 Ng4 12.Nf1 Qe7 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 c6 15.Qd4 Be6 16.Nh2 b5 17.b4 Rc8 18.Qc5 Qxc5 19.bxc5 Ke7 20.Nf3 h6…1/2-1/2

(59) Patching G. R. – Waters R. G. [A51]
WECU Minor (4), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.Nf3 out of book 3…exd4 4.Nxd4 d5 5.Nd2 [5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Nb5 a6? 7.Qxd5] 5…Bc5 6.e3 White looks to be in a right muddle, and has nothing to show for his first move. 6…Qe7 7.N4b3 Bd7 8.Nxc5 Qxc5 9.Bd3 dxc4 10.Bc2 [10.Nxc4 is OK] 10…0-0 11.0-0 Nc6 12.Nf3 Rad8 with obvious intent – not obvious to White, sadly. 13.e4 [-1.94 Fritz 5.00: 13.Qe2 Rfe8 14.Rd1 Nb4 15.Bb1 c3 16.bxc3 Bb5 17.Qe1 Rxd1] 13…Bg4 14.Qe2 Nd4 15.Be3 [-10.91 Fritz 5.00: 15.Qe3 Bxf3 16.gxf3 Rd7 17.Bd1 Rfd8 18.f4 b6 19.Re1 a6] 15…Nxe2+ 16.Kh1 Qh5 [-14.41 Fritz 5.00: 16…Qb5 17.e5 Nd5 18.Be4 Bxf3 19.Bxf3 Nxe3 20.fxe3 Rd2 21.Rad1] 17.h3 [-#3 Fritz 5.00: 17.Ng1 Rfe8 18.Rfe1 Nxe4 19.Nxe2 Bxe2 20.Bxa7 Bd3 21.Ba4 b5] 17…Bxf3 …0-1

(60) Chamberlain D. – Willis A. R. [E60]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.b3 Bg7 4.Bb2 0-0 5.Nf3 d6 6.e3 Nbd7 7.Bd3 a6 Time-consuming, and largely ignores the centre. I would prefer going for …e5. 8.Qc2 c6 9.0-0 b5 10.Nbd2 Bb7 11.Rfe1 Rc8 12.Rac1 Qc7 Missing one. 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Bxb5 Nd5 15.Bc4 Nb4 16.Qb1 d5 17.Be2 f5 18.a3 Na6 19.Ng5 Qd6 20.Rc2 f4 …1-0

(61) Foster P. – Turner R. D. [C54]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.b4 Be7 out of book 6.d3 d6 [6…d5 when White looks loose.] 7.0-0 0-0 8.a4 Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 Not sure about this – g4 may bury it. 10.Be3 a6 11.Nbd2 d5 12.exd5 Nxd5 13.Qb3 Nxe3 14.fxe3 Bg6 15.Ne4 Bxe4 16.dxe4 Bd6 17.Rad1 Qe7 18.Rd2 g6 19.Rdf2 White has been building nicely throughout this game. 19…Kg7 20.Nh2 Nd8 21.Rf5…1-0

(62) Primett A. D. – Atkins K. [A24]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 d6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.0-0 0-0 7.d3 e5 8.Rb1 Nh5 9.e4 Nb6 Where’s he off to? 10.Be3 f5 The action is on the other side! 11.c5 The Knight is a target, not an asset. 11…f4 12.cxb6 fxe3 13.bxc7 exf2+ 14.Rxf2 Qxc7 15.Qb3+ [15.Nd5] 15…Qf7 16.Qxf7+ Rxf7 17.Nd5 Bh6 18.Re1 Be6 19.Nc3 a6 20.Kh1 Raf8 …0-1

(63) Holmes P. – Gardiner C. J. [B21]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 Nf6 4.Bc4 Bg4 5.Ne2 Nxd5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.Bxd7+ Nxd7 8.0-0 g6 9.d4 Qb6 10.c4 N5f6 11.b3 cxd4 12.Qxd4 Qxd4+ 13.Nxd4 Bg7 Black has no problems. 14.Nb5 0-0 15.Bb2 a6 16.N5a3 Nc5 17.Nd2 Rad8 18.Nf3 Nd3 19.Be5 [19.Bc3] 19…Nxe5 20.fxe5 Ne4 …1/2-1/2

(64) Burt D. F. – Mansfield A. C. [A05]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b4 d5 3.Bb2 e6 4.a3 Nbd7 5.d4 Not terrible, but inconsistent. 5…b6 6.e3 Bb7 Black imitates White’s misjudgement. 7.Nbd2 Be7 8.c4 dxc4 9.Bxc4 0-0 10.Bd3 c5 11.bxc5 bxc5 12.0-0 Rc8 13.Qe2 cxd4 14.exd4 Burying the Bishop again. 14…Nd5 15.Ne4 Nf4 16.Qd2 Nxd3 17.Qxd3 Bd5 18.Nfd2 Rc7 19.Rfc1 Rxc1+ 20.Rxc1 Qb8 …1-0

(65) Collier M. J. – Freke R. B. [D37]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.e3 Passive. 5…Nbd7 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Be2 c6 8.0-0 0-0 9.a3 Re8 10.b4 Ne4 11.Bb2 Ndf6 12.b5 a6 [12…cxb5] 13.bxa6 bxa6 14.Nxe4 Nxe4 15.Ne5 Qd6 [15…c5] 16.Rc1 Bb7 17.Qc2 White has been allowed a lot of play from a pretty unpromising position. 17…Rac8 18.Bg4 Rc7 19.Qe2 f6 20.Nd3 Bc8 …1-0

(66) Spooner K. C. – Cuggy M. J. [C00]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.c4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.cxd5 Qxd5 out of book 5.Nc3 Pick a square. 5…Qc6 [5.28 Fritz 5.00: 5…Qe6+ 6.Be2 Nf6 7.d4 Bd6 8.Nf3 c6] 6.Bb5 Qxb5 7.Nxb5 Na6 8.Nf3 Bc5 9.0-0 Ne7 10.d4 Bd7 11.Nxc7+ Nxc7 12.dxc5 Rd8 13.Qc2 0-0 14.Be3 Bg4 15.Nh4 h6 16.h3 Bh5 17.g4 Bg6 18.Nxg6 fxg6 19.Rad1 Ncd5 20.Qb3 …1-0

(67) Young A. – Wingrove S. [C30]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Nf3 d6 After a little fiddle we have arrived in a fairly normal KGB position. In the KGD White would have preferred to meet an early Nc6 by Bb5, but no harm done. 6.f5 Too early. 6…h6 7.a3 Too slow. 7…a6 Pointless here: after Nc3 White may play Na4, but is that White’s plan after f4-f5? 8.Nc3 Nd4 9.Nxd4 Bxd4 10.Ne2 Ba7 11.Ng3 d5 Play on the wing met by play in the centre. 12.exd5 Qd6 Curious. 13.Qf3 b5 14.Bb3 Bb7 15.c4 c6 16.Ne4 Nxe4 17.Qxe4 Rd8 Black is ignoring material in favour of development – excellent. 18.cxb5 axb5 19.Qg4 Qf6 20.dxc6 Bxc6 …0-1

(68) Soper E. – Buckley S. B. [A45]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.e3 g6 3.c3 Harmless. 3…d5 4.Bd3 Bg7 5.Nd2 0-0 6.f4 c5 7.Ngf3 Nc6 8.0-0 Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.Qe1 [10.g4 surely!] 10…c4 11.Bc2 Bxf3 12.Rxf3 [12.Nxf3] 12…b5 13.Qe2 b4 14.e4 Good. 14…e6 15.Rf2 [15.e5] 15…Qa5 16.cxb4 Creating an opening. 16…Nxb4 17.Bb1 Nd7 18.Nf3 Rfe8 19.Bd2 Qb5 20.Bc3 Nb6 …0-1

(69) Stephens J. K. F. – Clarke J. W. [C20]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.c3 out of book 2…Nf6 3.d3 Be7 4.Be3 d6 5.Nd2 Ng4 6.Qe2 Nxe3 7.Qxe3 White has risked nothing but gained nothing. 7…f5 [7…Bg5] 8.Ngf3 f4 9.Qe2 0-0 10.Qd1 Nc6 11.d4 exd4 12.cxd4 a6 13.h3 b5 14.a3 Bf6 15.Nb3 Ne7 Sadly, this cuts off the Bishop’s retreat. [1.88 Fritz 5.00: 15…Re8 Absolutely! White’s uncastled King must be addressed.] 16.Bd3 [0.28 Fritz 5.00: 16.e5 Nd5 17.exf6 Re8+ 18.Be2 Qxf6 19.0-0] 16…Ng6 17.0-0 Bb7 18.Qc2 Nh4 19.Nbd2 Rc8 20.Nxh4 Bxh4 …1/2-1/2

(70) Chapman T. J. – Aldwin B. [C64]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bc5 I like this defence, although White probably has a route to the advantage. 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 out of book 6…Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Nxe4 8.0-0 Nxc3 9.bxc3 [-1.47 Fritz 5.00: 9.Qe1+ Ne4 10.Qxe4+ Qe7 11.Qc2 0-0 12.d5 Ne5 13.Qxc7 Nxf3+] 9…Bxc3 10.Ba3 Having grabbed material, Black must keep lines closed and complete development. 10…Bb4 11.Bxb4 Nxb4 12.Re1+ Kf8 13.Qb3 Nd5 oops [3.34 Fritz 5.00: 13…Nc6 14.Re2 d6 15.d5 Na5 16.Qc3 c6 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.Bxc6] 14.Qxd5 c6 15.Qd6+ Kg8 16.Bc4 g6 17.Ne5 Qf8 18.Nxf7 Qxd6 19.Nxd6+ Kg7 20.Re7+ Kf6 …1-0

(71) Coates A. E. – Whitfield J. H. [D12]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5 4.c4 Good – showing flexibility. 4…c6 5.Qb3 Qb6 6.Qxb6 axb6 7.Nc3 e6 8.cxd5 out of book (I’m interested to know we were still in one! But White should develop) 8…exd5 9.Nd2 Bb4 10.Be2 0-0 11.0-0 Re8 12.Nf3 Nbd7 13.Bd2 Bd6 14.g3 Bg4 15.Rfe1 Bf5 [0.00 Fritz 5.00: 15…b5 16.Bc1 b4 17.Nb1 Ra7 18.a3 Rea8 19.Kg2 bxa3 20.bxa3] 16.Nh4 Be4 17.f3 Bg6 18.Nxg6 hxg6 19.Kf2 Re7 20.Bd3 Rae8 …1/2-1/2

(72) Manton P. – Eastwick-Field S. R. [D05]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bd3 Be7 5.Nbd2 out of book 5…Nbd7 6.c3 You really shouldn’t play this unless there is a positive reason to. 6…0-0 7.e4 Too early, I reckon. 7…dxe4 8.Nxe4 Nxe4 9.Bxe4 f5 [9…Nf6] 10.Bc2 b6 11.Qe2 Nf6 12.Bb3 Gotcha. 12…Kh8 [12…Nd5] 13.Ng5 h6 14.Nxe6 Bxe6 15.Qxe6 Qd7 16.Qxd7 Nxd7 17.Be6 Rad8 18.Bf4 Bd6 19.Bxd6 cxd6 20.0-0-0 Rf6…1-0

(73) Ariss J. – Spink D. K. [B30]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 d6 4.Bc4 e6 out of book 5.a3 Be7 6.0-0 Nf6 7.d3 a6 [7…d5] 8.h3 Qc7 Just castle, or play one of the Pawn moves b5/d5 9.Re1 b5 10.Ba2 Bb7 11.Bf4 e5 12.Bg5 Nd7 13.Nd5 Qd8 14.Qd2 Nf6 15.Bh4 [-0.94 Fritz 5.00: 15.Be3 Nd4 16.Bxd4 cxd4 17.Nxf6+ Bxf6 18.Bd5 Bxd5 19.exd5 0-0] 15…h6 [0.31 Fritz 5.00: 15…Nxd5 16.exd5 Bxh4 17.dxc6 Bxc6 18.Qf4 Bf6 19.d4 cxd4 20.Nxd4] 16.c3 [-0.50 Fritz 5.00: 16.Bg3 Nd4 17.Nxd4 cxd4 18.Nxf6+ Bxf6 19.Bd5 Bg5 20.Qb4 Bxd5] 16…g5 17.Bg3 Nxd5 18.Bxd5 [0.19 Fritz 5.00: 18.exd5 Na7 19.d4 exd4 20.cxd4 c4 21.Qb4 Bxd5 22.Bxd6] 18…Rb8 [1.06 Fritz 5.00: 18…h5 19.d4 g4 20.dxe5 gxf3 21.Qf4 Rh7 22.exd6 Bf8] 19.Kh1 Bf6 20.Bh2 Ne7…1/2-1/2

(74) Webber S. J. – Waters R. G. [B22]
WECU Minor (5), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Bb5+ out of book 4…Bd7 5.Bxd7+ Nxd7 White has lost a clear tempo. 6.Nf3 Ngf6 7.d4 cxd4 8.Qxd4 Qxd4 [8…e5] 9.Nxd4 a6 10.Be3 e5 11.Nf3 Bd6 12.0-0 0-0 13.Nbd2 Ng4 Time-wasting. 14.Nc4 Nxe3 15.Nxe3 Bc5 16.Nc4 e4 17.Nfd2 Rfe8 18.Rfe1 Rad8 19.Nxe4 Ba7 [1.44 Fritz 5.00: 19…b5 20.Na5 f5 21.Ng3 f4 22.Nh5 f3 23.Nb7 Rc8 24.Nxc5] 20.Rad1 …1/2-1/2

(75) Foster P. – Chamberlain D. [C41]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.e4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d6 3.d4 Nbd7 4.Bc4 e5 5.Nf3 Be7 6.0-0 [6.dxe5 is an interesting line.] 6…0-0 7.Bg5 c6 8.Bb3 [8.a4] 8…exd4 [8…b5 grabs useful space.] 9.Qxd4 Nc5 10.Rad1 White logically builds up pressure on d6. 10…Nxb3 11.axb3 Bg4 12.Rd3 Ne8 13.Bf4 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Yeuch. [14.Rxf3] 14…Bf6 15.Qb4 Qe7 16.Bxd6 Nxd6 17.Qxd6 Qxd6 18.Rxd6 Rfd8 19.Rfd1 Rxd6 20.Rxd6 Rd8 …0-1

(76) Atkins K. – Manton P. [B21]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bc4 a6 7.0-0 Be7 8.Bf4 d6 9.Qe2 Qc7 10.Rfd1 [0.53 Fritz 5.00: 10.Rac1 b5 11.Bd3 b4 12.Nd1 Nf6] 10…Ne5 11.Bxe5 dxe5 12.Rac1 Qb8 13.Bb5+ Kf8 out of book (again, I had no idea it went this far! Is Black supposed to take the Bishop?) 14.Bd7 [-0.34 Fritz 5.00: 14.Na4 b6 15.Bc6 Ra7 16.Qe3 b5 17.Nb6 Rc7 18.Nxe5 Nf6] 14…f6 [0.88 Fritz 5.00: 14…Bxd7 15.Rxd7 Nf6 16.Rdd1 b5 17.Nb1 Bd8 18.Nc3 Bb6 19.Qd3] 15.Bxc8 Qxc8 16.Na4 [16.Nd5] 16…Qe8 17.Nb6 Rd8 18.Rxd8 [0.03 Fritz 5.00: 18.Rc7 Qb5 19.Rxd8+ Bxd8 20.Qxb5 axb5 21.Rxb7 g5 22.Nd7+ Ke8] 18…Bxd8 19.Rc8 Ke7 [1.00 Fritz 5.00: 19…Qe7 20.Qd3 Ke8 21.b4 Nh6 22.b5 a5 23.Qc3 Kf7 24.a3] 20.Qd3 [0.31 Fritz 5.00: 20.Qd2 Nh6 21.Nc4 Qd7 22.Qb4+ Ke8 23.Nd6+ Kf8 24.Nxb7+ Kf7] 20…Nh6 …1-0

(77) Gardiner C. J. – Willis A. R. [A48]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Bd3 0-0 5.Nbd2 d6 6.0-0 Nbd7 7.e4 e5 8.c3 a6 9.Re1 b5 10.a4 exd4 11.Nxd4 Inconsistent. [11.cxd4] 11…bxa4 12.Qxa4 The rest of the score is unintelligible …0-1

(78) Turner R. D. – Holmes P. [C62]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bd7 6.Nxc6 [6.Bxc6] 6…bxc6 [6…Bxc6 exchanges another pair of pieces, useful if you have no central space] 7.Ba4 Nf6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Nd2 0-0 10.Re1 c5 11.Bxd7 Qxd7 12.Nf3 Rad8 [12…Rab8] 13.c4 h6 14.b3 Rfe8 15.Bb2 Qc6 16.Qc2 Nh7 17.Rad1 Ng5 [17…Bf6] 18.Nxg5 Bxg5 19.f3 Rd7 20.Rd5 Rde7 …0-1

(79) Spooner K. C. – Burt D. F. [A34]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5 3.e4 Nc6 4.f3 Bleah. 4…g6 5.d3 Bg7 6.Nge2 d6 7.Bd2 e6 8.a3 0-0 9.Ng3 b6 Slow – White has been so passive that Black might play more ambitiously than this. 10.Be2 d5 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Bg5 dxe4 13.fxe4 Qd4 14.Qd2 Na5 15.Be3 …1/2-1/2

(80) Buckley S. B. – Primett A. D. [C02]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.Bd3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Nb4 8.Nc3 Nxd3+ 9.Qxd3 Ne7 10.Bg5 Qb6 11.0-0 Ng6 12.a4 a6 No need for this. 13.Nd2 h6 14.Be3 Bb4 15.f4 Bxc3 16.bxc3 0-0 17.Rfb1 Qc7 18.Nb3 Ne7 19.Nc5 Bc6 20.g4 Qc8 …1/2-1/2

(81) Clarke J. W. – Collier M. J. [B77]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Be3 Bg7 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.f3 Bd7 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Rc8 10.Bb3 0-0 11.h4 Nxd4 out of book: no complaints about the opening, then! 12.Bxd4 a6 13.0-0-0 Qa5 14.h5 Rfe8 [0.78 Fritz 5.00: 14…Nxh5 15.Bxg7 (15.g4) 15…Kxg7 16.g4 Nf6 17.g5 Ne8] 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.g4 Be6 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.g5 Nh5 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Kb1 Qe5…1-0

(82) Wingrove S. – Ariss J. [D35]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d5 3.Nc3 e6 4.Bf4 Nc6 out of book: that tempting Nc6 move is not to recommended 5.e3 Bb4 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 0-0 8.Nge2 [8.Rc1; 8.Nf3] 8…Qe7 9.0-0 Bd6 10.Bxd6 Qxd6 11.e4 Good. 11…Qe7 12.Qc2 a6 13.a3 b5 14.Ba2 Bb7 15.f3 Not convinced about this. 15…Rad8 16.Rad1 h6 17.Bb1 Nh7 18.e5 g6 19.Qd2 [-0.16 Fritz 5.00: 19.Ne4 Ba8 20.Nc5 Nb8 21.f4 (21.Nf4) 21…Qh4 22.b3 Bd5 23.Nc3 Rfe8] 19…Kg7 20.Ne4 [-0.69 Fritz 5.00: 20.Qe3 Na5 21.Ba2 Nc4 22.Bxc4 bxc4 23.Ne4 f6 24.Nc5 Rb8] 20…Nxe5 …1-0

(83) Mansfield A. C. – Chapman T. J. [D02]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nbd2 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.e3 Qc7 6.Bd3 e5 A logical system against the Colle, although Fine says it is over-ambitious. 7.e4 Be7 out of book 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qc2 Be6 11.exd5 Bxd5 12.Ne4 Nxe4 13.Bxe4 Bxe4 14.Qxe4 h6 Perhaps unnecessary. [14…Rad8 15.Ng5 g6 16.Qh4 f5] 15.Re1 Qb6 16.Re2 f5 17.Qd5+ Kh7 18.b4 Qa6 [1.09 Fritz 5.00: 18…e4 19.Ng5+ hxg5 20.bxc5 Qa6 21.Re1 Rad8 22.Qb3 g4 23.Qe6] 19.Qd1 [-0.13 Fritz 5.00: 19.Re1 Bb6 20.b5 Qa5 21.Qb3 e4 22.bxc6 exf3 23.cxb7 Rab8] 19…Rad8 20.Qc2 Bd6…0-1

(84) Freke R. B. – Young A. [D04]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bd3 Bxd3 5.cxd3 Not great. [5.Qxd3] 5…e6 6.a3 c5 Gives White a chance to undo a possible mistake. 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.d4 Bd6 9.Nbd2 Nc6 10.b4 0-0 11.Bb2 Rc8 12.0-0 Rc7 13.Rc1 Qe7 14.Ne5 Rfc8 15.f4 Nb8 16.Qe2 Rxc1 17.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 18.Bxc1 Qc7 19.Qd1 Black has a small plus: forward! 19…Be7 [19…Nbd7] 20.Bb2 Nbd7 …0-1

(85) Waters R. G. – Coates A. E. [D04]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5 4.Bd3 out of book 4…Bxd3 5.Qxd3 e6 6.Ne5 [-0.09 Fritz 5.00: 6.Qb5+ The greedy computer of course grabs a Pawn. 6…Nbd7 7.Qxb7 c5 8.0-0 Bd6 9.dxc5 Bxc5] 6…Bd6 7.f4 0-0 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Nd2 c5 10.c3 g6 No need here: Black need to get some counterplay organised. 11.Qe2 Rc8 12.g4 cxd4 13.exd4 Qc7 14.g5 Ne8 15.Ndf3 Ng7 16.Nxd7 Qxd7 17.Ne5 Qc7 18.Bd2 Nf5 19.Qg4 Kg7 20.h4 h5 …1/2-1/2

(86) Cuggy M. J. – Whitfield J. H. [D00]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.e3 out of book 2…Nf6 3.Bd3 e6 4.f4 g6 5.Nd2 Bg7 6.Ngf3 Nc6 7.c3 a6 8.Ne5 Nxe5 9.fxe5 Nh5 10.Nf3 Bh6 [1.75 Fritz 5.00: 10…f5 11.0-0 Bd7 12.b3 0-0 13.Ba3 Re8 14.c4 dxc4 15.bxc4] 11.g4 Ng7 12.h4 g5 Too many Pawn moves! Both of you! Get castled! [3.31 Fritz 5.00: 12…Nf5 13.gxf5 exf5 14.h5 Qe7 15.hxg6 hxg6 16.e4 dxe4 17.Bxh6] 13.e4 By now, White has been allowed a little coup. 13…f6 14.exf6 Qxf6 15.hxg5 Bxg5 16.Nxg5 h6 17.Qf3 Rf8 18.Qxf6 Rxf6 19.Nh7 Rf3 20.Ke2 Rg3 …1-0

(87) Eastwick-Field S. R. – Stephens J. K. F. [D00]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nc6 out of book 3.e3 a6 Not convinced. 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.c3 Bg4 Better than a previous occurrence of this line. 6.Nbd2 [6.h3 solves two problems: the pin and the retreat of the Bf4] 6…Nh5 7.Bg3 Nxg3 8.hxg3 f6 9.Qc2 g6 10.Bd3 f5 11.Ng5 Bh5 [1.72 Fritz 5.00: 11…e5 12.Ne6 Qd7 13.Nxf8 Rxf8 14.f3 Bh5 15.0-0-0 0-0-0 16.dxe5] 12.Bxf5 gxf5 13.Rxh5 Qd7 14.0-0-0 h6 15.Rdh1 e6 16.Qd1 0-0-0 17.Qf3 Qe7 18.Nh3 Bg7 19.Nf4 Qf7 20.R5h2 Ne7…1-0

(88) Spink D. K. – Soper E. [D00]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5 out of book 4.c3 e6 5.Nf3 h6 6.h3 Be7 [6…Bd6] 7.g4 Bh7 8.Nbd2 Both sides understand the basics of this opening. 8…Ne4 9.Nxe4 Bxe4 10.Bg2 Nd7 11.Qb3 Rb8 12.Rg1 [12.0-0] 12…0-0 13.Nd2 Bxg2 14.Rxg2 b6 15.c4 dxc4 16.Nxc4 Rc8 17.h4 [-0.59 Fritz 5.00: 17.Rd1 Bg5 18.Bg3 Bf6 19.e4 a6] 17…Bxh4 18.e4 Bg5 19.Qe3 Re8 20.e5 Nf8…0-1

(89) Patching G. R. – Webber S. J. [D10]
WECU Minor (6), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 g6 5.Nf3 Bf5 out of book 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 Bg7 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Ne5 Oops. 9…Nxe5 10.dxe5 Ng4 11.Qd4 [-1.47 Fritz 5.00: 11.f4 ] 11…Nxe5 12.Qf4 [12.cxd5] 12…Nxc4 13.e4 Be5 14.Qh6 e6 15.f4 Bd4+ 16.Kh1 Ne3 [-1.50 Fritz 5.00: 16…Qf6 17.exd5 cxd5 18.Nb5 Bb6 19.Qg5 Qg7 20.Rd1 h6 21.Qg3] 17.Rf3 [-3.59 Fritz 5.00: 17.Bxe3 Bxe3 18.Rad1 Qc7 19.Rd3 Bc5 20.exd5 cxd5 21.Qg7 0-0-0] 17…dxe4 18.Nxe4 [-7.06 Fritz 5.00: 18.Bxe3 exf3 19.Rd1 fxg2+ 20.Kxg2 Bxe3 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Ne4 Bd4] 18…Qd5 Natural aggression but missing a trick: White’s weak back rank. [0.53 Fritz 5.00: 18…Bg7 19.Nf6+ Kf8 20.Qxg7+ Kxg7 21.Nh5+ gxh5 22.Bxe3 h4 23.f5] 19.Ng5 [-7.59 Fritz 5.00: 19.Rxe3 ] 19…Ng4 [-3.50 Fritz 5.00: 19…Bg7 20.Bxe3 Bxh6 21.Rf2 Qf5 22.Rd1 f6 23.Bd4 Rd8] 20.Nh3 [-11.53 Fritz 5.00: 20.Qh3 f5 21.Rf1 h6 22.Nf3 Nf2+ 23.Rxf2 Bxf2 24.Bd2 Rd8] 20…Nxh6 …0-1

(90) Chamberlain D. – Holmes P. [D12]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Unambitious. 3…Nf6 4.Nc3 Bf5 5.Nf3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg4 7.Be2 Bxe2 8.Qxe2 I’ve seen so many of these do-nothing solid d4 set-ups for White. Get some muscle in it for Ford’s sake. 8…Be7 9.Nf3 Nbd7 10.0-0 0-0 11.b3 Bb4 12.Bd2 Bxc3 13.Bxc3 Ne4 14.Bb4 Re8 15.Nd2 Nxd2 16.Bxd2 Nf6 17.f3 e5 18.dxe5 Rxe5 19.Bc3 d4 20.Bd2 dxe3 …1/2-1/2

(91) Willis A. R. – Atkins K. [A31]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 g6 4.Bg5 out of book 4…Bg7 5.e3 cxd4 6.exd4 Ne4 7.Be3 Nc6 8.Be2 Qa5+ 9.Nbd2 d6 10.0-0 Bf5 Black is playing actively but is getting over-stretched. [1.59 Fritz 5.00: 10…Nxd2 11.Bxd2 Qf5 12.d5 Nd4 13.Nxd4 Bxd4 14.Qb3] 11.Nb3 [0.38 Fritz 5.00: 11.g4 Nxd2 12.Bxd2 Qb6 13.gxf5 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Bxd4 15.Qa4+ Kf8] 11…Qd8 12.Nh4 Bd7 13.f4 e6 14.Nf3 d5 15.Ne5 f6 16.Nf3 a5 17.cxd5 exd5 18.Rc1 0-0 19.Nc5 Re8 20.Nxb7 Qb6 …1-0

(92) Primett A. D. – Foster P. [A23]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 c6 4.Bg2 g6 Inconsistent. 5.d3 Bg7 6.Nf3 d6 7.0-0 Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 0-0 10.e4 Having acquired the two Bishops, don’t bury one! 10…Nbd7 11.Be3 a6 12.b4 b5 13.Bg2 Nb6 14.c5 dxc5 15.Bxc5 Re8 16.Qc2 Bf8 17.a4 Nbd7 18.Bxf8 Kxf8 19.a5 Kg7 20.Ne2 …1/2-1/2

(93) Manton P. – Wingrove S. [D06]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5 4.c4 Right. 4…e6 5.Nc3 Ne4 6.Qb3 b6 7.cxd5 Nxc3 8.Qxc3 exd5 9.Bb5+ Bd7 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 White would have quite a nice position if only he could get his c1 Bishop into play. 11.0-0 Nc6 12.a3 Bd6 13.Bd2 0-0 14.Rfc1 Ne7 15.Rc2 Rac8 16.b4 c5 17.dxc5 bxc5 18.bxc5 Rxc5 19.Qd3 Rxc2 20.Qxc2 Rc8 …1/2-1/2

(94) Buckley S. B. – Gardiner C. J. [B50]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.b3 d6 4.Bb2 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Bb5 out of book 6…Bd7 7.0-0 Be7 8.Qe2 0-0 9.Rad1 a6 10.Bxc6 Bxc6 11.d4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Qc7 OK so far for White but what next? Black has absorbed what little pressure White has created. 13.f4 e5 14.Nf5 Bb5 15.Nxb5 axb5 16.a3 Rfd8 17.Qxb5 Nxe4 18.Qd3 Nc5 19.Qg3 Bf6 20.fxe5…1-0

(95) Collier M. J. – Spooner K. C. [D94]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.e3 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Bd2 c6 7.cxd5 out of book [7.b4 is the consistent plan, but I don’t know the book.] 7…Nxd5 8.a3 Bg4 9.Be2 e6 10.Nxd5 exd5 11.Rf1 Odd – perhaps a failed attempt at castling, Rook first? 11…Nd7 12.Bb4 Re8 13.Bd6 Re6 14.Bg3 Bxf3 15.Bxf3 Nf6 [0.06 Fritz 5.00: 15…Qb6 16.Bg4 f5 17.Be2 Rae8 18.Qc2 Bxd4 19.0-0-0 Bg7] 16.b4 Qe8 17.Qb3 Ne4 18.Bxe4 Rxe4 19.Rb1 [-1.38 Fritz 5.00: 19.Kd2 Qd7 20.Rac1 a6 21.Qc3 Rae8 22.h3 Qe6] 19…a6 [-0.59 Fritz 5.00: 19…Rxd4 20.Rc1 Qe4 21.Ke2 Re8 22.b5 Qg4+ 23.f3 Qe6 24.Rc5] 20.a4 [-1.50 Fritz 5.00: 20.Kd2 Qe7 21.Kc1 h5 22.Qd3 Re8] …1/2-1/2

(96) Soper E. – Turner R. D. [D00]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.Bd3 e6 4.c3 [4.f4 may save a move one day] 4…c5 5.Nd2 Nbd7 6.f4 c4 A typical mistake, relieving the pressure. 7.Bc2 Be7 8.Nh3 0-0 9.0-0 b6 10.Qf3 b5 11.g4 Eric’s in gear, Black’s in trouble. 11…h6 12.e4 I’d leave the centre closed. [12.g5] 12…Bb7 13.Nf2 dxe4 14.Ndxe4 Rb8 15.Qe2 Nh7 16.Ng3 Bd5 17.Bd2 g6 18.Be4 Nhf6 19.Bxd5 exd5 20.Qf3 Nb6 …1-0

(97) Chapman T. J. – Cuggy M. J. [B22]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 out of book [3…Nf6] 4.cxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.h3 Bg7 7.Be3 0-0 8.Nf3 The GMs have been playing like this recently, but it looks passive for Black to me. 8…b6 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.Rc1 [10.0-0] 10…Nb4 11.Bb1 Ba6 Bingo. 12.a3 Nc6 13.Bd3 Qc8 [2.38 Fritz 5.00: 13…Bxd3 14.Qxd3 Rc8 15.d5 Na5 16.0-0 Nc4] 14.0-0 [0.69 Fritz 5.00: 14.Nd5 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 Re8 16.Nxf6+ exf6] 14…Qb7 15.Re1 Rac8 16.Qd2 Na5 17.Qd1 Bxd3 18.Qxd3 Nc4 19.Rc2 Rc7 [1.84 Fritz 5.00: 19…Nxe3 20.Rxe3 Rc7 21.Re1 Rfc8 22.Rec1 d5] 20.Nb5 …1-0

(98) Young A. – Clarke J. W. [C30]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nf6 3.Bc4 out of book [3.Nf3; 3.fxe5] 3…d5 Right. 4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Qf3 [-0.84 Fritz 5.00: 5.Qh5 Nc6 6.fxe5 Nd4 7.Bd3 Nf4] 5…Nxf4 6.Ne2 Qh4+ 7.g3 Ng2+ 8.Qxg2 Qxc4 lucky 9.Nbc3 Bd7 [-0.59 Fritz 5.00: 9…Qc6 10.Qxc6+ Nxc6 11.d3 Bc5 12.Bg5 Be6 13.Rf1 h6 14.Bh4] 10.Qxb7 Qc6 11.Qxc6 Bxc6 12.Rf1 Be7 13.d3 h5 14.Be3 a5 15.Kd2 Na6 16.Ne4 Rd8 17.Ng5 Bxg5 18.Bxg5 f6 19.Be3 Nb4 20.a3 Nd5 …1/2-1/2

(99) Webber S. J. – Ariss J. [A21]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 g6 3.d3 d6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bg2 0-0 7.Be3 out of book: this Bishop proves more of a problem than anything – it should support the b4-b5 advance, but this never happens. 7…Nc6 8.Qd2 Ng4 9.Bg5 f6 10.Bh4 Nh6 [10…g5] 11.Ng5 Nd4 12.Nh3 [-1.22 Fritz 5.00: 12.0-0 c6 13.Nge4 Nhf5 14.e3] 12…Nf7 [-0.06 Fritz 5.00: 12…Bxh3 13.Bxh3 g5] 13.0-0-0 g5 14.f4 gxh4 15.fxe5 fxe5 16.gxh4 Qxh4 17.Nd5 [-5.56 Fritz 5.00: 17.Ng1 Ng5 18.Qe1 Qxe1 19.Rxe1 c6 20.h4 Nge6 21.Nf3 Nf4] 17…Bxh3 18.Bxh3 Qxh3 19.Rdg1 Kh8 20.e3 c5 [-4.28 Fritz 5.00: 20…Nf3 21.Qg2 Nxg1 22.Rxg1 Qxg2 23.Rxg2 Bh6 24.Rg3 c6 25.Nc7] 21.exd4 [-9.06 Fritz 5.00: 21.Rg3 Qd7 22.Rxg7 Kxg7 23.exd4 cxd4 24.Rg1+ Kh8 25.Qf2 Ng5] 21…Bh6 …0-1

(100) Stephens J. K. F. – Freke R. B. [C44]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.e4 Nc6 2.c3 e5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.d3 d5 5.Nbd2 Bd6 out of book 6.b3 A bit random. 6…Bg4 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 d4 9.cxd4 exd4 10.Bb2 Bc5 11.h3 Be6 12.Rc1 Bb6 13.a3 Qd6 14.b4 Ne5 [0.88 Fritz 5.00: 14…a6 15.Nc4 Bxc4 16.dxc4 Qf4 17.c5 Ba7 18.e5 Nd7 19.Nxd4] 15.Nxe5 Qxe5 16.Nf3 Qf4 17.Bxd4 Bxd4 18.Nxd4 Rad8 19.Nxe6 fxe6 20.Qc2 Rd7 21.Qa4 c6 …1-0

(101) Whitfield F. H. – Waters R. G. [A46]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.e3 c5 4.Bd3 cxd4 5.exd4 Nc6 6.0-0 b6 7.c3 Bb7 8.Bg5 Be7 9.Nbd2 Rc8 10.Re1 0-0 11.Qe2 d5 Black has played this opening soundly but without a plan in mind, as we can tell because the Bb7 has just been smothered. 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5 Ne8 14.Bxe7 Qxe7 15.Nf3 f6 16.Nd4 f5 Always the problem with …f6! 17.Ba6 Rc7 18.Bxb7 Rxb7 19.f4 g6 20.Rf1 Ng7 …1/2-1/2

(102) Burt D. F. – Eastwick-Field S. R. [A05]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.b4 d5 3.Bb2 e6 4.a3 Be7 5.e3 Nbd7 6.c4 c6 7.c5 Often wrong. 7…b6 8.d4 bxc5 9.dxc5 a5 Picking a fight where White is strong: Black should finish developing, then perhaps go for …e5. 10.Nbd2 0-0 11.Bd3 Ba6 12.Qe2 Bxd3 13.Qxd3 axb4 14.axb4 Rxa1+ 15.Bxa1 Qa8 16.0-0 Qb7 17.Rb1 Ra8 18.e4 Black should have the centre, not White. 18…dxe4 19.Nxe4 Nxe4 20.Qxe4 Rb8 …1/2-1/2

(103) Mansfield A. C. – Spink D. K. [D04]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Bf5 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bd3 out of book 4…Bg6 5.c4 dxc4 6.Bxc4 Black seems to have wasted a lot of time: White has two moves visible which Black lacks. 6…e6 7.Nc3 c6 8.0-0 Nbd7 9.Re1 Bd6 10.e4 Right plan. 10…Bc7 11.d5 Right idea again with Black uncastled, but may lead to no advantage with best play by Black. 11…0-0 [0.81 Fritz 5.00: 11…Ne5 12.Nxe5 Bxe5 13.dxe6 fxe6 14.Bxe6 Nxe4 15.Nxe4 Qxd1 16.Rxd1] 12.dxe6 Ne5 13.Nxe5 Bxe5 14.Qb3 Qe7 15.exf7+ Bxf7 16.Bxf7+ Rxf7 17.Be3 Kh8 18.Rad1 b6 19.h3 Raf8 20.Re2 [0.28 Fritz 5.00: 20.Bg5 h6 21.Be3 Re8 22.Bd4 Bxd4] 20…Qc7 [1.09 Fritz 5.00: 20…Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Nxe4 22.Qc2 Re8 23.Rde1 Qf6] …1-0

(104) Aldwin B. – Patching G .R. [A02]
WECU Minor (7), 1999
1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 3.Nf3 Nd7 out of book: not in the maximising spirit of the From. 4.d4 c5 5.c3 b6 6.g3 (Wince.) 6…Bb7 7.Bg2 Bxf3 [1.28 Fritz 5.00: 7…dxe5 This is what White should have seen coming – and Black! 8.dxe5 Nxe5 9.0-0 Nd7 10.Bg5 Ngf6 11.Nbd2] 8.exf3 [0.34 Fritz 5.00: 8.Bxf3 Rc8 9.exd6 Bxd6 10.0-0 cxd4 11.Qxd4 Ndf6] 8…dxe5 9.Qe2 Qc7 [0.84 Fritz 5.00: 9…cxd4 10.cxd4 Qe7 11.d5 Rc8 12.Nc3 Qd6] 10.f4 f6 Unlikely to be right, even if it didn’t hang the Rook! [3.81 Fritz 5.00: 10…Rd8 11.dxe5 Be7 12.Na3 Nf8 13.Bd2 Qd7 14.0-0-0 Ne6 15.Nc4] 11.Bxa8 Bd6 12.Bg2 Ne7 13.0-0 0-0 14.dxe5 fxe5 15.fxe5 Bxe5 16.Rxf8+ Nxf8 17.Bf4 Bxf4 18.gxf4 Nd5 [8.00 Fritz 5.00: 18…Nfg6 19.Qc4+ Kh8 20.Na3 Nxf4 21.Nb5 Qb8 22.Re1 Ng8 23.Qf7] 19.Bxd5+ Kh8 20.Qe4 h6 …1-0

The ideas behind the French Defence

Posted on by

Consider the French defence pawn formation in the diagram. You can
sort of ‘feel’ that White should be attacking on the K-side, and
Black on the Q-side. That’s where they each have more space, and
can organise their attacks better. Nimzovitch taught that these
‘pawn chains’ should be attacked at the base – in this case, at d4
and e6. White will aim for the pawn break f2-f4-f5; Black with
…c7-c5 and/or …b7-b5-b4.

 

-+-+-+-+
XxX-+xXx
-+-+x+-+
+-+xP-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+-PpP
+-+-+-+-

So In the line after 1 e4, e5; 2 d4, d5; 3 e5 we
see 3…c5, attacking the base. The immediate
reply 4.c3 by White transfers the base, and
therefore the focus of the attack, to c3. Black can push past with
…c4 and go for ….b5-b4, or exchange on d4 with ….cxd4,cxd4
which brings the base one step mearer again, at cost of relieving
some tension. There can follow 4…Nc6; 5 Nf3,
Qb6. now the natural 6.Bd3 leaves the d-pawn
exposed (although you can play it as a gambit), and a logical
sequence is: 6 Be2, cxd4; 7 cxd4, Bb4+ 8 Kf1 since
8. Bd2 risks 8…Nxd4. Nowadays we are less rigid about
these things: for example, White need not sit back on the Q-side,
and instead often plays 6.a3 threatening b4, and
experience has shown that this is not an idle threat. Black usually
moves one more step down the chain with 6…c4, but a
playable alternative is 6…f6!?, attacking the
head and not the base. Admittedly after 7 exf6
Black’s e-pawn is a bit sickly, but for the moment White is in no
position to attack it.

  The most important feature of positions shown in the
first diagram is not itself actually shown: this is the Black
light-squared (Queen’s) Bishop. Stuck behind the pawn on e6, it
will play little role in the game for a while. This feature led Bob
Wade to coin the line 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Qb6
planning …Bd7 and …Bb5. Recently there has been a small fashion
for 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bd7!? idea
…Bc6. More commonly Black will play …b6 and ….Ba6 to secure
the exchange (see Hubner-Larsen), but often as not Black just
carries this piece as a slight liability on d7, waiting for its
chances after …e5 or in an endgame when it might reappear on
b5.

 

White’s chances on the
King’s-side

The King’s-side attack is mainly seen in the middlegame. There are
genuine chances here for White, particularly if there are other
factors favouring the attack. For example, in the Alekhine-Chatard
attack White sacrifices a pawn: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3
Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4!? for an open h-file and
attacking chances, or in another line Nimzovitch invented
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. Qg4!?, giving up the
d-pawn but intending to base an attack on the wedge at e5, when
Black’s usual Queen’s-side attack has no natural outlet. There are
many attractive miniatures where White’s attack crashes through in
these lines. However, Black players with a little knowledge of
these lines can avoid the worst dangers, and so White usually plays
more slowly.

White’s chances on the K-side:
Pillsbury – Lasker (Nuremberg, 1896)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. dxc5
Nc6 7. a3 Nxc5 8. b4 Nd7 9. Bd3 a5 10. b5 Ncb8 11. Nf3 Nc5 12. Be3
Nbd7 13. O-O g6 14. Ne2 Be7 15. Qe1 Nb6 16. Nfd4

 

t+lDj+-T
+x+-Lx+x
-S-+x+x+
XpSxP-+-
-+-N-P-+
P-+bB-+-
-+p+n+pP
R-+-QrK-

Despite the weak c-pawn, White is well placed here: Black cannot
quickly organise a Queen’s-side attack while the White Bishops are
nicely placed to influence events on both sides. The Black King
cannot comfortable castle …O-O with the holes all over the
defences there.

16… Bd7 17. Qf2 Nba4 18. Rab1 h5 19. b6 Nxd3
20. cxd3 Bxa3 21. f5

 

t+-Dj+-T
+x+l+x+-
-P-+x+x+
X-+xPp+x
s+-N-+-+
L-+pB-+-
-+-+nQpP
+r+-+rK-

Just as Black is getting somewhere on the Queen’s-side we have a
classic Pillsbury breakthrough. This is a vacating
sacrifice to allow the Ne2 to move up into firing position,
hoping to catch the Black King in the centre.

21… gxf5 22. Nf4 h4 23. Ra1 Be7 24.
Rxa4

  A deflecting sacrifice, pulling the Bd7 away
from the support of e6.

24…Bxa4 25. Nfxe6 fxe6 26. Nxe6 Bd7 27. Nxd8
Rxd8

 

-+-Tj+-T
+x+lL-+-
-P-+-+-+
X-+xPx+-
-+-+-+-X
+-+pB-+-
-+-+-QpP
+-+-+rK-

The Queen rather than the King was caught!

  The attack has thus resulted in a small material
advantage (Q v. RB) which White converts with continued vigour.

28. Bc5 Rc8 29. Bxe7 Kxe7 30. Qe3 Rc6 31. Qg5+
Kf7 32. Rc1 Rxc1+ 33. Qxc1 Rc8 34. Qe1 h3 35. gxh3 Rg8+ 36. Kf2 a4
37. Qb4 Rg6 38. Kf3 1-0

 

Black’s chances on the
Queen’s-side

Just as White can hope for good things on the King’s-side, Black
has opportunities on the other side of the board.

Black’s Queen’s-side attack:
Neumann – Tranmer, Manchester, 1950

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4

  The sharp MacCutcheon Variation.

5. e5 h6 6. Bd2 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Ne4 8. Bd3 Nxd2 9.
Qxd2 c5 10. dxc5 Qc7 11. Qe3 O-O 12. Ne2 Nd7 13. f4 Nxc5 14. O-O
Bd7 15. Rf3 Rac8 16. Rh3 f5 17. Qd4 Rf7 18. c4 dxc4 19. Bxc4 Be8
20. Qe3 b5 21. Bb3 Re7 22. Nd4 Kh7 23. Qe2 Qb6

 

-+t+l+-+
X-+-T-Xj
-D-+x+-X
+xS-Px+-
-+-N-P-+
+b+-+-+r
p+p+q+pP
R-+-+-K-

White’s energetic start has not given him anything concrete.
Meanwhile, Black has ample opportunities on the Queen’s-side, with
a sickly pawn on c2 to lean on.

24. Kh1 Ne4 25. Rd3 a5 26. a3 Bf7 27. Qe3 Qc5 28.
Rf1 a4 29. Ba2 Nc3

  The point immediately in front of an isolated pawn is a
great outpost for a Knight. The Bishop retreats, but soon wishes it
had a 0-th rank to retire further.

30. Bb1 Rec7 31. Qc1

 

-+t+-+-+
+-T-+lXj
-+-+x+-X
+xD-Px+-
x+-N-P-+
P-Sr+-+-
-+p+-+pP
+bQ-+r+k

31… b4 32. Rff3 Qa5 33. Qb2 bxa3 34. Qa1 Qb4 35.
Ba2

[35. Rf1 Qb2 36. Qxb2 axb2 and …a4-a3-a2]

35… Nxa2 36. Qxa2 Qe1+ 0-1

 

The bad Black light-squared
Bishop and the bad endgame for Black

Everyone (Stean, Harding, Taulbut…) quotes this game: Tarrasch
gives a beautifully clear example of what can go wrong for Black
with the bad light-squared Bishop in the endgame. All the other
pieces come off, and Black cannot stop an invasion of the White
King on the dark squares.

[Why does everybody quote this game? Laziness? Or is
it that it’s not so easy to do for White? Or that Black players now
see it coming and avoid it?]

Black’s bad bishop and the bad
Black endgame: Tarrasch,S – Teichmann,R (14) [C14] (San Sebastian,
1912)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7
Qxe7 7. Qd2 O-O 8. f4 c5 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. g3 a6 11. Bg2 b5 12. O-O
cxd4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Qc5 15. Qxc5 Nxc5

 

t+l+-Tj+
+-+-+xXx
x+-+x+-+
+xSxP-+-
-+-+-P-+
+-N-+-P-
pPp+-+bP
R-+-+rK-

The Queens have come off leaving a bad Black Bishop. White has
potential control of the d4 point and would ideally like to get rid
of the Black Knight for his own Knight or Bishop, so that he can
occupy d4 unchallenged.

16. Ne2 Bd7 17. Nd4 Rac8 18. Kf2 Rc7 19. Ke3 Re8
20. Rf2 Nb7 21. Bf1 Na5 22. b3 h6 23. Bd3 Nc6 24. Nxc6 Bxc6 25.
Kd4

 

-+-+t+j+
+-T-+xX-
x+l+x+-X
+x+xP-+-
-+-K-P-+
+p+b+-P-
p+p+-R-P
R-+-+-+-

The moment the Black Knight disappears the King moves up into
position.

25… Bd7 26. g4 Bc8 27. h4 g6 28. Rh1 Kg7 29. h5
Rh8 30. Rfh2 Bd7 31. g5 hxg5 32. fxg5 Rxh5 33. Rxh5 gxh5 34.
Rxh5

 

-+-+-+-+
+-Tl+xJ-
x+-+x+-+
+x+xP-Pr
-+-K-+-+
+p+b+-+-
p+p+-+-+
+-+-+-+-

White has used the extra space and good Bishop to make some
progress on the King’s-side. This progress consists of open lines,
and Black cannot easily oppose Rooks on the h-file because the
White King would immediately barge in through the unlocked door at
c5.

34… Kf8 35. Rh8+ Ke7

 

-+-+-+-R
+-TlJx+-
x+-+x+-+
+x+xP-P-
-+-K-+-+
+p+b+-+-
p+p+-+-+
+-+-+-+-

White is two pieces up on the King’s-side.

36. g6 fxg6 37. Bxg6 b4 38. Rh7+ Kd8 39. Bd3 Rc3
40. a3 a5 41. Rh8+ Ke7 42. Ra8 1-0

 

The good endgame for
Black

If White’s King’s-side initiative dies down, which it often will
with an exchange of Queens, White may be left facing a persistent
Queen’s-side attack from Black (after all, not trying for mate, the
Q exchange need not affect its force) and perhaps over-exposed
pawns.

  Here is a well known example.

Fischer,R – Petrosian,T [C12]
Curacao ct, 1962

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.e5 h6 6.Bd2 Bxc3
7.Bxc3 Ne4 8.Ba5 0-0 9.Bd3 Nc6 10.Bc3

  White has got nothing from his Bishop excursions.

10…Nxc3 11.bxc3 f6 12.f4 fxe5 13.fxe5 Ne7
14.Nf3 c5 15.0-0 Qa5 16.Qe1 Bd7 17.c4 Qxe1 18.Rfxe1 dxc4 19.Be4
cxd4 20.Bxb7 Rab8 21.Ba6 Rb4

 

-+-+-Tj+
X-+lS-X-
b+-+x+-X
+-+-P-+-
-TxX-+-+
+-+-+n+-
p+p+-+pP
R-+-R-K-

After the exchange of Queens there is still an initiative (and for
the moment a pawn) for Black. White successfully fends off the
first wave…

22.Rad1 d3 23.cxd3 cxd3 24.Rxd3 Bc6 25.Rd4 Rxd4
26.Nxd4 Bd5 27.a4 Rf4

 

-+-+-+j+
X-+-S-X-
b+-+x+-X
+-+lP-+-
p+-N-T-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+pP
+-+-R-K-

But the defence has left White passive an uncoordinated. Black
manoevres skilfully to weave a win.

28.Rd1 Ng6 29.Bc8 Kf7 30.a5 Nxe5 31.a6 Rg4 32.Rd2
Nc4 33.Rf2+ Ke7 34.Nb5 Nd6 35.Nxd6 Kxd6 36.Bb7 Bxb7 37.axb7 Kc7
38.h3 Rg5 39.Rb2 Kb8 40.Kf2 Rd5 41.Ke3 Rd7 42.Ke4 Rxb7 43.Rf2
0-1

 

French pawn formations

Fine gives a helpful analysis of possible pawn formations which
might arise from the French.  With a sensible distribution of
pieces, we might expect

A : The hanging centre
(=/+=)

FIX

-+-+-+-+
Xx+-+-Xx
-+-+x+-+
+-+x+-+-
-+-+-P-+
+-+-+-P-
pPp+-+-P
+-+-+-+-

This is best for Black. It is also the most common and important
type of centre. The e-pawn is weak but White cannot easily attack
the K-side because of the need to prevent …e5. In most French
games Black can keep White worrying about enough other things on
the board to stop White making much use of theoretical advantages.

  An actual example:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5

  This is the classic French conjuring trick with the White
pawn centre.

3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7.
f4 O-O

  Now you see it…

8. Nf3 c5 9. Bd3 f5 10. exf6 Rxf6 11. Qd2 Nc6 12.
dxc5 Nxc5

 

t+l+-+j+
Xx+-D-Xx
-+s+xT-+
+-Sx+-+-
-+-+-P-+
+-Nb+n+-
pPpQ-+pP
R-+-K-+r

…Now you don’t! Without the f-pawn White risks being rolled over.
Even with the f-pawn White must still pay constant attention to
Black possibilities of an …e5 break, so much so that White may
undertake little elsewhere on the board.

  Another example:

3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2
cxd4 8. cxd4

  White can count this exchange a partial relief.

8…Qb6 9. Nf3 f6 10. exf6 Nxf6 11. O-O Bd6 12.
Nc3 O-O 13. Re1 Bd7

 

t+-+-Tj+
Xx+l+-Xx
-DsLxS-+
+-+x+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-Nb+n+-
pP-+-PpP
R-BqR-K-

This formation is more favourable to White, but look at the pieces!
White has spent so much time carefully arranging the pawns and
Knights that the Black pieces have had time to come to very good
squares. The proud White d-pawn is under some pressure (not lots of
pressure yet because of the Bxh7+ trick), the White Queen’s-side is
no more developed now than at move three, and Black can eye up a
few stray White pawns (b2, d4, f2). The position possibly is
slightly more favourable to White, but in practical play the
conversion to a full point is a long hard struggle in which Black
has good chances to win, since if …e5 does ever come the d-pawn
will be passed.

White’s chances with a hanging
centre: Nimzovitch – Salwe (Carlsbad, 1911)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 Bd7
7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. O-O f6 9. b4 Be7 10. Bf4 fxe5 11. Nxe5 Nxe5 12.
Bxe5

 

t+-+j+sT
Xx+lL-Xx
-D-+x+-+
+-+xB-+-
-P-+-+-+
+-Pb+-+-
p+-+-PpP
Rn+q+rK-

This is the hanging centre in the worst form for Black: White has a
through blockade.

12… Nf6 13. Nd2 O-O 14. Nf3 Bd6 15. Qe2 Rac8
16. Bd4 Qc7 17. Ne5 Be8 18. Rae1 Bxe5 19. Bxe5 Qc6 20. Bd4 Bd7 21.
Qc2 Rf7 22. Re3 b6

 

-+t+-+j+
X-+l+tXx
-Xd+xS-+
+-+x+-+-
-P-B-+-+
+-PbR-+-
p+q+-PpP
+-+-+rK-

White has maintained the restraint of the pawns, and has pointed
his Bishops at the Black King.

23. Rg3 Kh8 24. Bxh7

  White is now a pawn up, and exchanges down to a won
ending.

24…e5 25. Bg6 Re7 26. Re1 Qd6 27. Be3 d4 28.
Bg5 Rxc3 29. Rxc3 dxc3 30. Qxc3 Kg8 31. a3 Kf8 32. Bh4 Be8 33. Bf5
Qd4 34. Qxd4 exd4 35. Rxe7 Kxe7 36. Bd3 Kd6 37. Bxf6
gxf6

 

-+-+l+-+
X-+-+-+-
-X-J-X-+
+-+-+-+-
-P-X-+-+
P-+b+-+-
-+-+-PpP
+-+-+-K-

38. h4 1-0

 

Black’s chances with the
hanging centre: Van Scheltinga – Van der Tol [C02] , 1946

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. dxc5 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bxc5 6. Bd3
f5 7. exf6 Nxf6 8. O-O O-O 9. c4 e5

 

t+lD-Tj+
Xx+-+-Xx
-+s+-S-+
+-LxX-+-
-+p+-+-+
+-+b+n+-
pP-+-PpP
RnBq+rK-

The centre begins to roll… the central pawns are exposed, so
Black needs to play sharply (i.e. vigorously and accurately).
That’s just what he does!

10. cxd5 e4! 11. dxc6 Qxd3 12. Qxd3 exd3 13.
Ne5

  White really needs to get a few more reserves into
action.

[13. Nc3 bxc6 14. Na4 Bd6 15. Be3
<=>/=+]

13… bxc6 14. Nxd3 Bd4 15. Be3

[15. Nc3 Ba6 16. Rd1 Rad8 17. Ne2 Bxd3 18. Rxd3
Bxf2+]

15… Bxe3 16. fxe3 Ba6 17. Rd1 Rad8 18. Nf2
Rxd1+ 19. Nxd1 Ne4 20. Nf2 Nxf2 0-1

 

B : The c5 lever only
(+=)

-+-+-+-+
Xx+-+xXx
-+-+x+-+
+-XxP-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+-PpP
+-+-+-+-

White can exchange dxc4 and aim to put a N on d4: this is better
for White in the middlegame (ideas of f5) and the endgame (good N
vs. bad Bc8)

White’s chances with only the
…c5 lever: Tarrasch – Noa (Hamburg, 1885)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Nce2 c5 6. c3
Nc6 7. f4 cxd4 8. cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Qb6 10. Nf3 O-O 11. Bxb4 Qxb4+
12. Qd2 Nb6 13. Nc3 Rd8 14. Nb5 Bd7 15. Nd6 Rab8 16. Rc1 Qxd2+ 17.
Kxd2 Nc8 18. Nb5 a6 19. Nc3 N8e7 20. Bd3 Rbc8 21. b3 Nb4 22. a3
Nbc6 23. b4 h6 24. h4 Nb8 25. Ke3 Rc7 26. Rc2 Rdc8 27. Rhc1 Kf8 28.
g4 Be8 29. Nd2 Nd7 30. Nb3 Nb6 31. Nc5

 

-+t+lJ-+
+xT-SxX-
xS-+x+-X
+-NxP-+-
-P-P-PpP
P-NbK-+-
-+r+-+-+
+-R-+-+-

After a long first act we see the c-file being hotly contested with
an additional two plus points for White: the outpost on c5 and the
initiative on the King’s-side. At this point Black snaps and
concedes a pawn for some chances to re-arrange his defences.

31… Nc4+ 32. Bxc4 dxc4 33. N5e4 b5 34. Nd6 Rb8
35. f5 Bd7 36. Rf2 Nd5+ 37. Nxd5 exd5

  White has exhanged all but Black’s least useful minor
piece.

38. g5 h5 39. Rcf1 Kg8 40. g6

 

-T-+-+j+
+-Tl+xX-
x+-N-+p+
+x+xPp+x
-PxP-+-P
P-+-K-+-
-+-+-R-+
+-+-+r+-

The exchanges have left the Queen’s-side blocked while the
King’s-side pawns keep rolling along… This push wins an outpost
on f7(!).

40… f6 41. Re2 Bc6 42. Rfe1 Rd8 43. Kf4 fxe5+
44. Rxe5

 

-+-T-+j+
+-T-+-X-
x+lN-+p+
+x+xRp+x
-PxP-K-P
P-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-R-+-

White now has the e-file all to himself, and Black cannot strike
down the impudent Knight because of the back rank mate. Black tries
to contest the e-file…

44… Kf8 45. Nf7 Re8 46. Ng5 Rce7 47. Nh7+
1-0

 

C : The f6 lever only
(+=)

-+-+-+-+
XxX-+-Xx
-+-+xX-+
+-+xP-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+-PpP
+-+-+-+-

White can exchange exf6 and restrain the e-pawn: this usually
signals a good middle-game for White and a better ending.

Example with only the …f6
lever: Hubner – Larsen (2) [C04] Montreal Intl, 1979

1. d4 e6 2. e4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd7 6. Nb3
a5 7. a4!? b6 8. c3 Be7 9. Bd3 Ba6 10. Bxa6 Rxa6

  After the exchange of the bad light-squared Bishop, Black
can look forward to reasonable chances in the middlegame.

11. O-O Ra8 12. Re1 Nf8 13. Nbd2 Ng6 14. Nf1 Qd7
15. Qe2 O-O 16. Ng3 Rae8 17. Nh5 f6

 

-+-+tTj+
+-XdL-Xx
-Xs+xXs+
X-+xP-+n
p+-P-+-+
+-P-+n+-
-P-+qPpP
R-B-R-K-

18. Nf4 Nxf4 19. Bxf4 f5

  (= Taulbut) After some inaccuracies bu both sides, White
steers home a win, but at this point chances are probably about
equal.

20. Reb1 Ra8 21. Qb5 Rfc8 22. Bg5 Bf8 23. Bd2 h6
24. b4 g5 ?! 25. h4 g4 26. Ne1 Qe8 27. Qd3 axb4 28. cxb4 Ra7 29.
Bc3 Rca8 30. Qd1 Nd8 31. b5 c5 ?! 32. dxc5 Bxc5 33. Nd3 Nb7 34. g3
d4 ?! 35. Bd2 Bf8 36. Qb3 ?! 36… Rc8 37. Rc1 Raa8 38. Ra2 Rxc1+
39. Bxc1 Na5 40. Qd1 Rc8 41. Rc2 Rc3 ?! 42. Rxc3 dxc3 43. Qc2 Qc8
44. Be3

 

-+d+-Lj+
+-+-+-+-
-X-+x+-X
Sp+-Px+-
p+-+-+xP
+-XnB-P-
-+q+-P-+
+-+-+-K-

44… Qc4 45. Bxb6 Nb3 46. Be3 Na1 47. Qe2 Qxa4 48. b6 Nb3
49. Qc2 Qc4 50. Qa2 Qd5 51. Nf4 Qd1+ 52. Kh2 c2 53. Qxb3
1-0

 

D : Two open files
(+/-)

-+-+-+-+
Xx+-+-Xx
-+-+x+-+
+-+xP-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pP-+-+pP
+-+-+-+-

This is poor timing: both …f6 and …c5 have been tried but the
White centre is stronger than ever, and will be unhindered by the
need to defend a tense centre. A good middlegame for White but only
a slightly better ending.

White’s chances with two open
files: Watson – Short (Brighton, 1983)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. c3 Nc6
7. Ndf3 Qb6

 

t+l+jL-T
Xx+s+xXx
-Ds+x+-+
+-XxP-+-
-+-P-P-+
+-P-+n+-
pP-+-+pP
R-BqKbNr

8. g3 cxd4 9. cxd4 Bb4+ 10. Kf2 g5 11. Be3 f6 12. Bh3 gxf4
13. gxf4 fxe5 14. fxe5 Rf8

 

t+l+jT-+
Xx+s+-+x
-Ds+x+-+
+-+xP-+-
-L-P-+-+
+-+-Bn+b
pP-+-K-P
R-+q+-Nr

There is no pawn tension in the centre now. Both Kings are a little
exposed, but what matters is getting men into the box.

15. Ne2 Be7 16. Qd2 Ndb8 17. Rhf1 Na6 18. Kg2 Bd7
19. Ng5

 

t+-+jT-+
Xx+lL-+x
sDs+x+-+
+-+xP-N-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-B-+b
pP-Qn+kP
R-+-+r+-

White’s Knight parachutes in. Of course, …Bxg5 removes the
intruder but at cost of cenceding the dark squares.

19… Rg8 20. Kh1 Na5 21. b3 Rg7

 

t+-+j+-+
Xx+lL-Tx
sD-+x+-+
S-+xP-N-
-+-P-+-+
+p+-B-+b
p+-Qn+-P
R-+-+r+k

White spies loose piece on a5.

22. Bxe6 Bxe6 23. Nxe6 Qxe6 24. Qxa5
1-0

  A pawn down with the King still stuck in the middle,
Nosher had seen enough.

 

E : No pawn levers
(+-)

-+-+-+-+
XxX-+xXx
-+-+x+-+
+-+xP-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+-PpP
+-+-+-+-

White’s game at its best: a built-in King’s side attack with f4 and
even g4 is unhindered by the need to defend the centre, and Black’s
pieces have very little room, and no counterplay to slow up White’s
attack. I actually couldn’t find an example of this, but some of
Black’s problems are illustrated in the following early game in the
Tarrasch Variation by its founder.

Tarrasch – Eckart [C05]
Nuremberg, 1889

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2

 

tSlDjLsT
XxX-+xXx
-+-+x+-+
+-+x+-+-
-+-Pp+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPpN-PpP
R-BqKbNr

This distinctly unclassical move has been a major line ever since:
it avoids the …Bb4 pin, allows c2-c3 reinforcing the d-pawn, and
has a mind to go later to f3, while the Ng1 goes via e2 to f4 or
g3. 3… Nf6

4. e5 Nfd7 5. Bd3 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. Ne2 Qb6 8. Nf3
Be7

  This is now recognised as too slow.

9. O-O O-O 10. Nf4 Nd8 11. Qc2

 

t+lS-Tj+
Xx+sLxXx
-D-+x+-+
+-XxP-+-
-+-P-N-+
+-Pb+n+-
pPq+-PpP
R-B-+rK-

Black’s king is in the firing line with little support. This is the
sort of fierce initiative Black can be faced with if no counterplay
is forthcoming. Now Black is obliged to move the f-pawn.

11… f5 12. exf6 Nxf6 13. Ng5

 

t+lS-Tj+
Xx+-L-Xx
-D-+xS-+
+-Xx+-N-
-+-P-N-+
+-Pb+-+-
pPq+-PpP
R-B-+rK-

Black must make some concession on the King’s-side

13… g6 14. Bxg6

  In such positions, this sacrifice is a matter of
technique more than imagination.

14… hxg6 15. Qxg6+ Kh8 16. Qh6+ Kg8 17. Ng6
1-0

 

t+lS-Tj+
Xx+-L-+-
-D-+xSnQ
+-Xx+-N-
-+-P-+-+
+-P-+-+-
pP-+-PpP
R-B-+rK-

The gang of thuggish White pieces cannot be stopped.

F : The isolated Queen’s Pawn
(+=)

Typically this arises through the Tarrasch Variation, as Karpov and
Korchnoi battled on through their 1974 match, e.g. game 16:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5. Ngf3
Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd6 7. O-O cxd4 8. Nb3 Nge7 9. bxd4 O-O 10. c3 Bg4 11.
Qa4 Qd7 …etc.

  Karpov repeatedly showed that Black labours under a
disadvantage in this line, and Korchnoi repeatedly showed that it
was possible to draw with the IQP. The IQP is associated with
possibilities for a Knight outpost on e4 and chances for a
King’s-side attack, as in this striking game:

Tatai-Korchnoi, Beersheva
1978

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Bd3 c5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Qe2+
Be7 7. dxc5 Nf6 8. h3 O-O DIAGRAM

 

t+lD-Tj+
Xx+-LxXx
-+s+-S-+
+-Px+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+b+n+p
pPp+qPp+
RnB-K-+r

Having played h3, White now castles under it.

9. O-O Bxc5 10. c3 Re8 11. Qc2 Qd6 12. Nbd2
DIAGRAM

 

t+l+t+j+

Xx+-+xXx
-+sD-S-+
+-Lx+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-Pb+n+p
pPqN-Pp+
R-B-+rK-

The weakness created by h3 now meets swift punishment.

12…Qg3 13. Bf5 Re2 14. Nd4 Nxd4
0-1

(resigns, because 14… Nxd4 15. cxd4 Bxd4 16. Bxc8
Rxf2 and Black will soon mate)

 

G : The Winawer Formation
(=/+=)

-+-+-+-+
Xx+-+xXx
-+-+x+-+
+-+xP-+-
-+xP-+-+
+-P-+-+-
p+p+-PpP
+-+-+-+-

White has prospects of a King’s-side attack with f4-f5, but Black’s
attack on the c-pawns can be certain of opportunities. The big
structural disadvantage for Black is the lack of the Bf8, creating
possibilities of a dark-square campaign. Black should castle
Queen’s-side, if at all.

Blacks chances in the Winawer:
Tolush – Botvinnik (Ussr Ch’p, 1945)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6.
bxc3

 

tSlDj+sT
Xx+-+xXx
-+-+x+-+
+-XxP-+-
-+-P-+-+
P-P-+-+-
-+p+-PpP
R-BqKbNr

The basic Winawer start. White can play Qg4 or more slowly:

6… Ne7 7. Nf3 Qa5 8. Bd2 c4 9. a4 Nd7 10. Be2
Nb6

 

t+l+j+-T
Xx+-SxXx
-S-+x+-+
D-+xP-+-
p+xP-+-+
+-P-+n+-
-+pBbPpP
R-+qK-+r

White is passive and Black has already rounded up a Queen’s-side
pawn.

11. O-O Nxa4 12. Nh4 Ng6 13. Nxg6
hxg6

  The open h-file will be important later. Black has
potential initiatives on both sides.

14. Re1 Bd7 15. Bf1 b5 16. Qf3 Rb8 17. Reb1 Qc7
18. Bc1 a5

 

-T-+j+-T
+-Dl+xX-
-+-+x+x+
Xx+xP-+-
s+xP-+-+
+-P-+q+-
-+p+-PpP
RrB-+bK-

Black’s Queen’s-side advance rolls.

19. Ba3 Rb6 20. Qg3 Qd8 21. Bd6

 

-+-Dj+-T
+-+l+xX-
-T-Bx+x+
Xx+xP-+-
s+xP-+-+
+-P-+-Q-
-+p+-PpP
Rr+-+bK-

This is the problem with the Winawer: you may get a Bishop stuck in
your throat. Here Black sacrifices the exchange, confident he has
enough going for him on the Q-side, which the Bishop was holding
up!

21… Rxd6 22. exd6 Bc6 23. h3 Kd7 24. Re1 Qh4
25. Qe5 Qf6 26. Qg3 Rh4 27. Re3 Rf4 28. Be2 Qh4 29. Bf3
b4

 

-+-+-+-+
+-+j+xX-
-+lPx+x+
X-+x+-+-
sXxP-T-D
+-P-RbQp
-+p+-Pp+
R-+-+-K-

White is hanging on grimly.

30. Qxh4 Rxh4 31. g3 Rh8 32. cxb4 axb4 33. Rb1
Rb8 34. h4 Rb7 35. Kh2 Kxd6 36. g4 Nc3 37. Ra1 Nb5 38. Rd1 Ra7 39.
h5 g5 40. Kg2 Ra2 0-1

 

Exeter Chess Club: H: The French `Little’ Centre

Peter Lane, 11th October 1996

The prime example of this formation arises in the Tarrasch
Variation, as a means of avoiding the isolated queen’s pawn.

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3
cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4
a6

 

t+l+jL-T
+x+-+xXx
x+-DxS-+
+-+-+-+-
-+bN-+-+
+-+-+-+-
pPp+-PpP
R-Bq+rK-

r1b1kb1r/1p3ppp/p2qpn2/8/2BN4/8/PPP2PPP/R1BQ1RK1

Black loses time with his queen (…Qc7 will be
her third move) to obtain a better pawn formation for the endgame.
In fact, the position looks more like a Sicilian, with
…a6 and …b5, …Bb7, …Rc8
to come. And, as in a Sicilian, White’s lead in development can
turn into a nasty attack.

  eg: after 11. Re1 Qc7 12. Bb3 Bd6 13. Nf5! Bxh2+ 14.
Kh1 Kf8 15. g3 threatening Bf4-d6, but Black does
have a pawn.

  If the game is less sharp, Black will hope to gain a
little time off the white bishop and develop for the endgame. All
is not peace and tranquillity though, and a careless White can fall
badly.

  e.g.: from the diagram

S. Gilmour vs. P.C. Lane (Maidenhead,
1992)

11. c3 Qc7 12. Qe2 Bd6 13. g3? e5! 14. f4? Bg4!

  and wins a piece, as the queen is overloaded, pinning the
e-pawn (so it cannot take the knight) and defending a bishop.

15. Nf3 e4 16. Bd3 O-O 17. Bxe4 Rae8
(perfect timing!)

  and black won comfortably a little later. This line is
interesting in proving that the e-pawn may move, if the Bishop on
c8 spies a light square weakness.

  Assuming that Black can survive, what sort of endgame are
we looking at? The pattern is simple: The sole central pawn on e6
acts as a buffer to white attacks, and provides a support on d5 for
a knight. The half open c-file and the minority attack generate a
comfortable initiative on the queen side for black. We can see this
in action in the game

L.Vogt vs U.Andersson (Havana, 1975)

-Tl+-Tj+
+-+-LxXx
x+-+xS-+
+x+-+-+-
-+-+-P-+
+-N-B-+-
pPp+b+pP
+-+r+r+k

1rb2rkRbppp/p3pn2/1p6/5P2/2N1B3/PPP1B1PP/3R1R1K

This position derived from a Sicilian, but illustrates the theme in
an easy to understand example of the minority attack.

1. Ba7 Ra8 2. Bb6 Bb7 3. a3 Rfc8

  White may own the d-file, but black’s minor pieces keep
the rooks out, and now the knight on c3 is pinned to the c2-pawn,
and …Bxa3 is threatened! “Half-open files do not need entry
points. They naturally generate pressure.” (Stean)

4. Ba5 g6 5. h3? (weakening)
5…h5 6. Bf3 Bxf3 7. Rxf3 h4!

  suddenly the aggressive f-pawn is looking lonely.

8. Rd2 Rc4 9. b3 (forced, else
…Rac8…Nh5xf4) 9…Rc6 10. a4 b4 11. Ne2 Rac8 12. c4
bxc3 13. Rxc3 Nd5 14. Rxc6 Rxc6

  The finish of this game is given in Stean’s Simple
Chess, with further notes on the minority attack in general.
Black wins by manoeuvring against the two weaknesses. My games are
not so well controlled, but black has ongoing play, and can often
gain the full point merely by planting a knight on d5 and pushing
the pawns down the right.

  These lines are used further in the Rubinstein lines,
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 though …c5 can be
harder to achieve. But for those wanting to shock the
Exchange-players, and to prove a missing d-pawn does not imply a
dull endgame, there is:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Nf3
Nf6 6. Bd3 Ne4 7. O-O Nxc3 8. bxc3 Bxc3

  for his pawn white has a lead in development, and that
queen is still exposed, the books give Kotkov vs. Bukhman, 1966 (by
transposition)

9. Rb1 Nc6 10. Rb5 Qd6 11. Be3 Nb4 12. Ng5 c6 13.
Ne4 Qd8 14.Qg4 Kf8 15. Rg5

 

t+lD-J-T
Xx+-+xXx
-+x+x+-+
+-+-+-R-
-S-Pn+q+
+-LbB-+-
p+p+-PpP
+-+-+rK-

r1bq1k1r/pp3ppp/2p1p3/6R1/1n1PN1QQbBB3/P1P2PPP/5RK1

which is supposedly in white’s favour

  but 15…f5 16. Qg3 fxe4 17. Rxg7 Qf6! wins

  or 16. Qf3 Bxd4 and the Black-side holds, so I
find this unclear at worst.

  This last line highlights the basic strengths of the
Black position. After the queen recapture, White has to gambit a
pawn in order to gain an initiative, else Black develops
comfortably, and patiently waits to begin his minority
attack…

Playing White against odd Black defences after 1.e4 (3) KIA

Posted on by

C. King’s Indian Attack against the common half-open defences

Introduction to the King’s Indian Attack

“Club players and home enthusiasts often ask me to recommend an openings system for White which is safe, yet aggressive and does not require a superb memory and months of intense learning. In such cases I invariably recommend the King’s Indian Attack” – RD Keene

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+P+NP-
PPP+-PBP
RNBQ+RK-

The joy of the KIA is flexibility:

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+P+NP-
PPP+-PBP
R-BQRNK-

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-P-+-
-+-+-B-P
+-+P+NP-
PPP+-PB+
R-+QRNK-

Looking to expand on the King’s-side

Example follow-up

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
P+N+P+-+
+-PP+NP-
-P-+-PBP
R-BQ+RK-

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPN+P+-+
+-PPB-P-
-+QN-PBP
R-+-+RK-

Looking to expand on Queen’s-side or in the centre

Example follow-up

 

To understand the KIA it is important to understand the standard
King’s Indian Defence ideas, which you will play as White. Here is
an early King’s Indian Defence game, which alerted the chess world
to a new way of handling the Black pieces.

Belavanets – Bronstein 13th USSR
semi-final, 1941

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. g3 g6 6. Bg2
Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. b3 Re8 9. e3 c6 10. Qc2 Qa5 11. a4 Nf8 12. Ba3
Bf5 13. Qb2 Rad8 14. Rfd1 e4 15. Nd2 Ne6

-+-rr+k+
pp+-+pbp
-+ppnnp+
q-+-+b+-
P+PPp+-+
BPN-P-P-
-Q-N-PBP
R-+R+-K-

The Qa5 is not typical, but we can see several themes here:

­ fianchetto of the King’s bishop

­ use of the e-pawn to gain an initiative on the
K-side

­ over-protection of the advanced
e4-pawn

­ move all the pieces to the K-side in a committal
attack

 

16. b4 Qc7 17. Rdb1 Qd7 18. c5 Ng5

More over-protection

19. cxd6 Bh3 20. Bh1 Qf5 21. Ne2 Nd5 22. b5
Bg4

-+-rr+k+
pp+-+pbp
-+pP-+p+
+P+n+qn-
P+-Pp+b+
B-+-P-P-
-Q-NNP-P
RR+-+-KB

23. Kf1

Two sword-swipes with the Knights decide the game.

23…Nxe3+ 24. Ke1 Nf3+ 0-1

Now, wouldn’t that all be better with an extra move? Let’s see
now…

Petrosian – Pachman, Bled,
1961

1. Nf3 c5 2. g3 Nc6 3. Bg2 g6 4. O-O Bg7 5. d3 e6 6. e4
Nge7 7. Re1 O-O 8. e5 d6 9. exd6 Qxd6

r+b+-rk+
pp+-npbp
-+nqp+p+
+-p-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+P+NP-
PPP+-PBP
RNBQR-K-

Black seems to have good chances

10. Nbd2 Qc7 11. Nb3 Nd4 12. Bf4 Qb6 13. Ne5
Nxb3

r+b+-rk+
pp+-npbp
-q-+p+p+
+-p-N-+-
-+-+-B-+
+n+P+-P-
PPP+-PBP
R-+QR-K-

Now a very cute intermezzo

14. Nc4 Qb5 15. axb3 a5 16. Bd6 Bf6 17. Qf3 Kg7 18.
Re4

[18. Qxf6+ Kxf6 19. Be5+ Kf5 20. Bg7 is already
decisive]

18… Rd8

[18… Ng8 19. Bxf8+]

r+br-+-+
+p+-npkp
-+-Bpbp+
pqp-+-+-
-+N+R+-+
+P+P+QP-
-PP+-PBP
R-+-+-K-

Now the blow that made this game famous – not so much for the
first move:

19. Qxf6+ Kxf6 20. Be5+ Kg5 21.Bg7 1-0

..but this last one – quiet but deadly.

21… Nf5 22. f4+ Kg4 23. Ne5+ Kh5 24. Bf3# mates

or even easier:

21… e5 22. h4+ Kf5

[22… Kh5 23. Bf3+ Bg4 24. Bxg4#] |3. Bh3|

 

If you’v e got the idea, we can look at some concrete
variations.

 

C1. KIA vs. Alekhin 1. e4
Nf6: 1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 and 3. g3/Bg2

Sadly, this line has no real force and is not a good line to
adopt. Black can transpose into other openings but can also just go
2…e5.

 

Example games
C1

|

Kaulfuss,H – Diaz,Joa.C (4) Hessen-ch, 1989[B02]

1. e4 Nf6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. dxe4 e5 5. Ngf3 Bc5 6.
Bc4 Bg4

rn-qk+-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-+-n-+
+-b-p-+-
-+B+P+b+
+-+-+N+-
PPPN-PPP
R-BQK-+R

Black overlooks a little combination.

7. Bxf7+ Ke7 8. Bb3 Nc6 9. c3 Qe8 10. Qe2 Qh5 11. O-O
Rhf8

r+-+-r-+
ppp-k-pp
-+n+-n-+
+-b-p-+q
-+-+P+b+
+BP-+N+-
PP-NQPPP
R-B-+RK-

Black has some compensation for the pawn.

12. h3 Bd7 13. Bd1 Bb6 14. Nc4 h6

But White’s next shatters any hopes

15. Nfxe5 Nxe5 16. Qxh5 Nxh5 17. Nxb6 axb6 18. Bxh5 Bb5
19. Rd1 Bc4 20. f4 1-0

 

Fischer,Robert J – Fauber,Richard
Milwaukee Northwestern, 1957

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d3 d6 6. e4
e5

This could have arisen from an Alekhin Defence

7. Nbd2 Nbd7 8. a4 Re8 9. Nc4 h6 10. Ne1
Nf8

r+bqrnk+
ppp-+pb-
-+-p-npp
+-+-p-+-
P+N+P+-+
+-+P+-P-
-PP+-PBP
R-BQNRK-

Now the characteristic King’s Indian attack starts:

11. f4 d5 12. fxe5 dxc4 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Bxh6 Bxb2 15.
Rb1 Bg7 16. Bxg7 Kxg7

r+bqrn-+
ppp-+pk-
-+-+-+p+
+-+-+-+-
P+p+P+-+
+-+P+-P-
-+P+-+BP
+R+QNRK-

Of course, dxc4 is an awful move.

17. Qf3 Qe7 18. d4 Ne6 19. Qc3 Ng5 20. Qxc4 Bh3 21. Rxb7
Bxg2 22. Nxg2 Qxe4 23. Rxc7 Qe2 24. Qxe2 Rxe2

r+-+-+-+
p-R-+pk-
-+-+-+p+
+-+-+-n-
P+-P-+-+
+-+-+-P-
-+P+r+NP
+-+-+RK-

The exchanges have left White’s pieces dominant

25. h4 Nh3+ 26. Kh2 Nf2 27. Nf4 Rd2 28. Kg1 Ng4 29. Ne6+
Kh8 30. Rfxf7

1-0

 

 

C2. KIA vs. Caro-Kann 1. e4
c6: 1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2

rnbqkbnr
pp+-pppp
-+p+-+-+
+-+p+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+P+-+-
PPPN-PPP
R-BQKBNR

Black has an unusual amount of choice here, because of the
non-forcing nature of White’s opening. Black has tried:

C2.1. Caro-Kann with 3… dxe4

4. dxe4 e5 5. Ngf3 Bc5

Now for a long while Whites have been playing

6. Bc4

[But what about 6. Nxe5 Bxf2+ 7. Kxf2 Qd4+ 8. Ke1 Qxe5 9.
Nc4 Qxe4+ 10. Be2 Qe6

[10… Qxg2 11. Nd6+ Kf8 12. Rf1 Be6 13. Nxf7 Bxf7 14.
Qd8#]

11. Nd6+ Ke7 12. Nxc8+ Qxc8 13. Qd4

rnq+-+nr
pp+-kppp
-+p+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-Q-+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+B+PP
R-B-K-+R

with a great position for White +-]

After the normal 6. Bc4:

6… Nf6 7. O-O Qc7 8. a4

rnb+k+-r
ppq-+ppp
-+p+-n-+
+-b-p-+-
P+B+P+-+
+-+-+N+-
-PPN-PPP
R-BQ+RK-

and c3 with a quiet game

 

C2.2. Caro-Kann with 3… Nd7

Now logical is

4. Ngf3

[4. f4 is worth considering]

4… Qc7 5. g3 dxe4 6. dxe4 e5 7. Bg2 Bc5

[7… Ngf6 8. O-O g6 9. b3]

8. O-O Ne7

[8… Ngf6 9. Nh4 g6 10. Nb3]

9. b3 Ng6 10. Bb2 O-O 11. a3 a5 12. Ne1 b6 13. Nd3 Ba6
14. Nf3 Bd6 15. h4

r+-+-rk+
+-qn+ppp
bppb-+n+
p-+-p-+-
-+-+P+-P
PP+N+NP-
-BP+-PB+
R-+Q+RK-

with initiative, Olafsson-Eliskases 1960

C2.3. Caro-Kann with 3… Nf6

Straightforward development

4. Ngf3 Bg4 5. h3 Bxf3

[5… Bh5 6. g4 Bg6 7. Ne5 Nbd7 8. Nxd7 Nxd7 9. f4 e6 10.
Qe2 Qh4+ 11. Qf2 Qxf2+ 12. Kxf2 Bc5+ 13. Kg3

r+-+k+-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+p+b+
+-bp+-+-
-+-+PPP+
+-+P+-KP
PPPN-+-+
R-B-+B+R

when White’s game is easier, Gufeld-Birbrager 1963]

6. Qxf3 e6 7. g3 Na6 8. Bg2 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Qe2
Nc7

r+-q-rk+
ppn-bppp
-+p+pn-+
+-+p+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+P+-PP
PPPNQPB+
R-B-+RK-

and now

11. f4 (Evans) puts White on top.

 

C2.4. Caro-Kann with 3… e5

This is the most aggressive, but also the most committal. It has
been viewed with suspicion since the following:

4. Ngf3 Bd6 5. g3 Ne7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O f5 8.
c4!

rnbq-rk+
pp+-n-pp
-+pb-+-+
+-+ppp+-
-+P+P+-+
+-+P+NP-
PP-N-PBP
R-BQ+RK-

The Black centre suddenly looks hollow.

8… dxe4 9. dxe4 Na6 10. a3 f4 11. b4 c5 12. b5 Nc7 13.
Bb2

r+bq-rk+
ppn-n-pp
-+-b-+-+
+Pp-p-+-
-+P+Pp-+
P-+-+NP-
-B-N-PBP
R-+Q+RK-

 

C2.5. Caro-Kann with 3…g6

This has the best reputation.

4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 e5 6. Ngf3 Ne7 7. O-O O-O

Now White has tried all sorts of moves here, including:

[8. Re1] [8. b4] [8. a4] [8. b3] [8. Qe2]

Try the natural:

8. c3

8… Nd7 9. Qc2 h6 10. a4

r+bq-rk+
pp+nnpb-
-+p+-+pp
+-+pp-+-
P+-+P+-+
+-PP+NP-
-PQN-PBP
R-B-+RK-

With a normal slight White advantage,

10… a5 11. b3 b6 12. Ba3 Ba6 13. Rfe1 Re8 14.
Rad1

Threat d4

14…c5 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Nc4 Nxc3!?

17. Qxc3 e4 18. d4 exf3

r+-qr+k+
+-+n+pb-
bp-+-+pp
p-p-+-+-
P+NP-+-+
BPQ-+pP-
-+-+-PBP
+-+RR-K-

Evans-Donner 1971

Now Evans gives

19. Qxf3 Rxe1+ 20. Rxe1 Rb8 21. d5

-r-q-+k+
+-+n+pb-
bp-+-+pp
p-pP+-+-
P+N+-+-+
BP+-+QP-
-+-+-PBP
+-+-R-K-

with advantage.

 

 

|
Example games C2

Fischer – Ibrahimoglu, Siegen,
1970

1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. Ngf3 Bg7 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2
O-O 7. O-O Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nbd7 10. Qe2 dxe4 11. dxe4 Qc7
12. a4 Rad8 13. Nb3 b6 14. Be3 c5 15. a5 e5

Black often plays …e5 in the KIA Caro-Kann line, but here the
light squares are very weak

16. Nd2 Ne8 17. axb6 axb6

-+-rnrk+
+-qn+pbp
-p-+-+p+
+-p-p-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-B-PP
-PPNQPB+
R-+-+RK-

18. Nb1 Qb7 19. Nc3 Nc7 20. Nb5 Qc6 21. Nxc7 Qxc7 22.
Qb5 Ra8 23. c3 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 Rb8 25. Ra6 Bf8 26. Bf1 Kg7 27. Qa4
Rb7 28. Bb5

-+-+-b-+
+rqn+pkp
Rp-+-+p+
+Bp-p-+-
Q+-+P+-+
+-P-B-PP
-P-+-P-+
+-+-+-K-

White’s domination of the Q-side is complete

28… Nb8 29. Ra8 Bd6 30. Qd1 Nc6 31. Qd2 h5 32. Bh6+
Kh7 33. Bg5 Rb8 34. Rxb8 Nxb8 35. Bf6 Nc6 36. Qd5 Na7 37. Be8 Kg8
38. Bxf7+ Qxf7 39. Qxd6 1-0

 

Hennigan – Hastings, Dundee,
1993

1. e4 c6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 g6 4. Ngf3 Bg7 5. Be2 Nd7 6.
O-O Qc7 7. Re1 Ngf6 8. Bf1 Nb6 9. a4 a5 10. c3 O-O

r+b+-rk+
+pq-ppbp
-np+-np+
p-+p+-+-
P+-+P+-+
+-PP+N+-
-P-N-PPP
R-BQRBK-

If Black omits …e5, White can proceed with the usual
attack.

11. e5 Ng4 12. d4 h5 13. Nb3 Nh6 14. Bf4 Bg4 15. h3 Bxf3
16. Qxf3 e6 17. g4 hxg4 18. hxg4 Qe7 19. Nc5 Nc8 20. Qh3 g5 21. Bg3
b6 22. Nd3 c5

r+n+-rk+
+-+-qpb-
-p-+p+-n
p-ppP-p-
P+-P-+P+
+-PN+-BQ
-P-+-P-+
R-+-RBK-

23. f4 f5 24. exf6 Qxf6 25. Ne5 Ra7 26. Bd3 cxd4 27.
Qh5

-+n+-rk+
r-+-+-b-
-p-+pq-n
p-+pN-pQ
P+-p-PP+
+-PB+-B-
-P-+-+-+
R-+-R-K-

1-0

 

 

C3. KIA vs. French 1. e4 e6:
1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2

The lines mostly start with

2. d3 d5

2…c5 is also good; it can transpose to French lines considered
below or stray into the Sicilian section.

3. Nd2 Nf6 4. Ngf3

Now after 4…c5 we enter the ‘long variation’ with

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2
Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1

or

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 Bd6 6. Bg2
Nge7 7. O-O O-O

See below for examples: all the same ideas and sacrifices crop
up over and over again in your own games. The attack is good fun to
play for White, and many Black players have come unstuck against
it.

The important theory you must know about is, what if Black tries
to avaoid the long variation? This can be awkward. I recommend you
play 4. Ngf3, waiting for …c5 until you play g3. Let’s see
why:

 

 

C3.1 Variations with 4. g3

Black, having seen you commit yourself to g3, can try and mess
you up with either …dxe4 or …b6.

 

C3.1.1 French with 4… dxe4

5. dxe4 e5 6. Ngf3 Bc5 7. Bg2 Nc6

r+bqk+-r
ppp-+ppp
-+n+-n-+
+-b-p-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-+NP-
PPPN-PBP
R-BQK-+R

8. O-O O-O 9. Qe2 a5 10. Nc4 Qe7

r+b+-rk+
+pp-qppp
-+n+-n-+
p-b-p-+-
-+N+P+-+
+-+-+NP-
PPP+QPBP
R-B-+RK-

now c3 or Ne3, with only a small White advantage.

 

C3.1.2 French with 4…b6

5. Bg2 Bb7

[The sneaky 5… Be7 should be met by 6. e5

[not 6. Ngf3 dxe4 7. dxe4 Ba6]

6…Nfd7 7. Ngf3 c5 8. O-O Nc6 9. Re1 Qc7 10. Qe2

r+b+k+-r
p-qnbppp
-pn+p+-+
+-ppP-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+P+NP-
PPPNQPBP
R-B-R-K-

holding the Pe5]

Now

6. e5 Nfd7

and …f6 will be awkward.

 

C3.2 Variations with 4. Ngf6

C3.2.1 French with 4… b6

This is now more easily met, not by

 

[5. g3 dxe4 6. dxe4 Bb7 7. e5

[7. Qe2 Ba6]

7… Ne4 with an easy game]

nor

5. Qe2 Be7 6. g3 c5 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. O-O O-O 9. e5 Ne8 10. Re1
f5 11. exf6 Bxf6

r+bqnrk+
p-+-+-pp
-pn+pb-+
+-pp+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+P+NP-
PPPNQPBP
R-B-R-K-

about equal =]

but by

5. e5 Nfd7 6. d4 c5 7. c3

with a normal-looking French

 

 

C3.2.1 French with 4… Nc6

Black plans simple development. You can play the very
sensible

5. Be2

[5. g3 is also played, but is not necessarily the best
square for the bishop e.g. 5… dxe4 6. dxe4 Bc5 7. Bb5 Bd7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Qe2 Qe7 10. e5 Nd5 11. Ne4 Bb6 12. a3 f6]

5… dxe4 6. dxe4 Bc5 7. O-O O-O 8. c3 e5 9.
b4

[9. Qc2 a5 = Radulov-Mednis1970]

9… Bb6 10. Qc2 Re8 =

 

 

Example games
C3

Ciocaltea – Kozma, Sochi,
1963

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2
Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1

[8. e5 Ng4 9. Re1 f6 10. exf6 Bxf6 11. Nf1 += Evans-Bisguier
1955]

8… Qc7 9. e5 Nd7 10. Qe2 b5 11. Nf1 a5 12. h4 b4 13.
Bf4 Ba6 14. Ne3 Ra7 15. h5 Rc8 16. h6 g6

-+r+-+k+
r-qnbp+p
b+n+p+pP
p-ppP-+-
-p-+-B-+
+-+PNNP-
PPP+QPB+
R-+-R-K-

17. Nxd5

Always this same sacrifice with the Q on c7 and the B on f4

17…exd5 18. e6 Qd8 19. exf7+

-+rq-+k+
r-+nbP+p
b+n+-+pP
p-pp+-+-
-p-+-B-+
+-+P+NP-
PPP+QPB+
R-+-R-K-

19… Kh8

[19… Kxf7 20. Qe6+ Kf8 21. Ng5 Bxg5 22. Bxd5]

20. Ne5

-+rq-+-k
r-+nbP+p
b+n+-+pP
p-ppN-+-
-p-+-B-+
+-+P+-P-
PPP+QPB+
R-+-R-K-

Black’s pieces are too far away to contrive a defence.

20… Nf6

[20… Raa8 21. Nxc6 Rxc6 22. Be5+ Nxe5 23. Qxe5+ Bf6 24.
Qe8+ Qxe8 25. fxe8=Q+ Rxe8 26. Rxe8#]

21. Nxc6 Rxc6 22. Qe5 Rd6 23. Bxd5

-+-q-+-k
r-+-bP+p
b+-r-npP
p-pBQ-+-
-p-+-B-+
+-+P+-P-
PPP+-P-+
R-+-R-K-

23… Bb5

[23… Rxd5 24. Qxf6+ Bxf6 25. Re8+ Qxe8 26.
fxe8=Q#]

24. Bg5 Bc6 25. Bxc6 Rxc6 1-0

26. Qxf6+ Rxf6 27. Bxf6+ Bxf6 28. Re8+ Qxe8 29.
fxe8=Q#

 

Fischer,RJ – Geller,U, Natanya,
1968

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2
Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 Qc7 9. e5 Nd7 10. Qe2 b5 11. Nf1 a5 12. h4
Nd4 13. Nxd4 cxd4 14. Bf4 Ra6

-+b+-rk+
+-qnbppp

r+-+p+-+
pp+pP-+-
-+-p-B-P
+-+P+-P-
PPP+QPB+
R-+-RNK-

15. Nh2

[The sacrifice is too early, I think: 15. Bxd5 Bb4 16.
Reb1

[16.Rfc1? exd5; 17.e6, Rxe6; 18.Qxe6, Qxf4; 19.Qxd7, Qxc1!
-+]

16… exd5 17. e6 Bd6 18. exd7 Bxd7 =]

15… Rc6 16. Rac1

-+b+-rk+
+-qnbppp
-+r+p+-+
pp+pP-+-
-+-p-B-P
+-+P+-P-
PPP+QPBN
+-R-R-K-

16… Ba6

[16… Qb6]

17. Bxd5 exd5

[17… Rc5 18. Be4 Rc8

[18…Nxe5? 19.c3!]

19. Nf3 Rxc2 20. Rxc2 Qxc2 21. Nxd4 Qxe2 22. Nxe2
Nc5]

18. e6 Qd8

[18… Bd6 19. Bxd6 Rxd6 20. exd7 Qxd7 21. Nf3 +-]

19. exd7 Re6 20. Qg4 f5 21. Qh5 Qxd7 22. Nf3 g6 23. Qh6
Bf6 24. Rxe6

-+-+-rk+
+-+q+-+p
b+-+RbpQ
pp+p+p+-
-+-p-B-P
+-+P+NP-
PPP+-P-+
+-R-+-K-

Fix

1-0

 

Bronstein – Uhlmann, Moscow,
1971

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2
Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 b5 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nf1 a5 11. h4 b4 12. Bf4 Ba6
13. Ng5

Alternatives include 13.g4, 13.N1h2, 13.Ne3 and 13.
h5

13… Qe8 14. Qg4

r+-+qrk+
+-+nbppp
b+n+p+-+
p-ppP-N-
-p-+-BQP
+-+P+-P-
PPP+-PB+
R-+-RNK-

[not 14. Qh5 h6 15. Nf3 f5]

14… a4??

[14… Kh8]

15. Nxe6 1-0

 

Fischer – Miagmasuren, Sousse,
1967

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nc6 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2
Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 b5 9. e5 Nd7 10. Nf1 a5 11. h4 b4 12. Bf4
a4

Now a fine defensive move

13. a3 bxa3 14. bxa3

r+bq-rk+
+-+nbppp
-+n+p+-+
+-ppP-+-
p+-+-B-P
P-+P+NP-
-+P+-PB+
R-+QRNK-

14… Na5

[14… Ba6 or 14…Nd4]

15. Ne3 Ba6 16. Bh3 d4 17. Nf1 Nb6 18. Ng5
Nd5

[18… h6 19. Ne4 c4]

19. Bd2

r+-q-rk+
+-+-bppp
b+-+p+-+
n-pnP-N-
p+-p-+-P
P-+P+-PB
-+PB-P-+
R-+QRNK-

19… Bxg5

[19…c4 or 19… h6 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Bxe6+ Kh8 22. Bxa5
Qxa5 23. Bxd5]

20. Bxg5 Qd7 21. Qh5 Rfc8 22. Nd2 Nc3 23.
Bf6!

r+r+-+k+
+-+q+ppp
b+-+pB-+
n-p-P-+Q
p+-p-+-P
P-nP+-PB
-+PN-P-+
R-+-R-K-

23… Qe8

[23… gxf6 24. exf6 Kh8 25. Nf3 Nd5 26. Ng5 Nxf6 27. Qh6
Qe7 28. Bf5 Rg8 29. Nxh7]

24. Ne4 g6 25. Qg5 Nxe4 26. Rxe4 c4 27. h5 cxd3 28.
Rh4

r+r+q+k+
+-+-+p+p
b+-+pBp+
n-+-P-QP
p+-p-+-R
P-+p+-PB
-+P+-P-+
R-+-+-K-

28… Ra7

[28… dxc2 29. hxg6 c1=Q+ 30. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 31. Kh2 fxg6 32.
Rxh7]

29. Bg2 dxc2

[29… Qf8 30. Be4 dxc2 31. hxg6 fxg6 32. Bxg6 hxg6 33. Rh8+
Kf7 34. Rh7+ Ke8 35. Rxa7]

30. Qh6 Qf8 31. Qxh7+

-+r+-qk+
r-+-+p+Q
b+-+pBp+
n-+-P-+P
p+-p-+-R
P-+-+-P-
-+p+-PB+
R-+-+-K-

1-0

31… Kxh7 32. hxg6+ Kxg6 33. Be4#

 

Fischer – Ivkov, Santa Monica,
1967

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 Bd6 6. Bg2
Nge7 7. O-O O-O

r+bq-rk+
pp+-nppp
-+nbp+-+
+-pp+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+P+NP-
PPPN-PBP
R-BQ+RK-

Black’s reaction looks logical and solid. But Fischer’s reaction
is so sharp and convincing that it put people off repeating it for
years!

8. Nh4 b6 9. f4 dxe4 10. dxe4 Ba6 11. Re1 c4 12. c3 Na5
13. e5 Bc5+ 14. Kh1 Nd5 15. Ne4

r+-q-rk+
p-+-+ppp
bp-+p+-+
n-bnP-+-
-+p+NP-N
+-P-+-P-
PP-+-+BP
R-BQR-+K

The familiar White:King’s-side/ Black: Queen’s-side split has
appeared.

15… Bb7 16. Qh5 Ne7 17. g4

r+-q-rk+
pb+-nppp
-p-+p+-+
n-b-P-+Q
-+p+NPPN
+-P-+-+-
PP-+-+BP
R-B-R-+K

Ready or not, here we come! Black decide to exchange the
dangerous Ne4, but the recapture forces him to weaken the
K-side.

17… Bxe4 18. Bxe4 g6 19. Qh6 Nd5 20. f5 Re8 21. fxg6
fxg6

r+-qr+k+
p-+-+-+p
-p-+p+pQ
n-bnP-+-
-+p+B+PN
+-P-+-+-
PP-+-+-P
R-B-R-+K

The position is ripe for sacrifice.

22. Nxg6 Qd7 23. Nf4 Rad8 24. Nh5 Kh8 25. Nf6 Nxf6 26.
exf6 Rg8 27. Bf4 Rxg4 28. Rad1 Rdg8 29. f7 1-0

 

 

 

C4. KIA vs. Pirc/Modern 1.
e4 …d6/…g6: 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nge2 and 5. g3, 6.
Bg2

Black has a lot of choice, as usual. In this system with 2. d4
instead of 2. d3, White means to play in the centre and hold on to
the space by restraining Black’s pawn breaks. When everything is
secure and development is complete, you can think about where to
expand yourself.

 

Example games
C4

Short – Donner, Amsterdam, 1982 [B07]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nge2 Bg7 5. g3 O-O 6.
Bg2 e5 7. O-O

[7. h3 is better]

7… exd4

[7… Nc6 is much better]

8. Nxd4 Nc6 9. Nde2

r+bq-rk+
ppp-+pbp
-+np-np+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-N-+-P-
PPP+NPBP
R-BQ+RK-

Avoiding exchanges

9… Re8 10. h3 Nd7 11. Kh2 Nb6 12. a4 a5 13.
b3

r+bqr+k+
+pp-+pbp
-nnp-+p+
p-+-+-+-
P+-+P+-+
+PN-+-PP
-+P+NPBK
R-BQ+R+-

Black has little counterplay, and can just wait for White to
decide how and when to break. Short is a genius in these
positions.

13… Nb4 14. Be3 Nd7 15. Qd2 Nc5 16. Rad1 Qe7 17. Rfe1
Nca6 ?! 18. Nf4 Bd7 19. Nfd5 Qd8 20. Bg5 f6 21. Be3 Bc6 22. Bd4 Bd7
23. Be3 Nxd5 24. Nxd5 b6?

r+-qr+k+
+-pb+-bp
np-p-pp+
p-+N+-+-
P+-+P+-+
+P+-B-PP
-+PQ-PBK
+-+RR-+-

Thous shalt not open lines for your opponent’s fianchettoed
bishop

25. e5 Rxe5 26. Nxb6 cxb6 27. Qxd6

r+-q-+k+
+-+b+-bp
np-Q-pp+
p-+-r-+-
P+-+-+-+
+P+-B-PP
-+P+-PBK
+-+RR-+-

27… Rxe3 28. Rxe3 Ra7 29. Re7 Nb8 30. Qe6+
1-0

 

 

C5. KIA vs.
Sicilian

The KIA can be played against all lines of the Sicilian, and in
fact many French variations start off in the Sicilian (e.g. 1.e4 c5
2.Nf3 e6 3.d3).

Again, we won’t bother too much about variations and get
straight into the games. A few you do need to know about:

C5.1 KIA Sicilian with 2…d6

3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2

r+bqkbnr
pp+-pppp
-+np-+-+
+-p-+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-+NP-
PPPP-PBP
RNBQK-+R

C5.1.1 Sicilian with 4… g6

The best way to develop the Bf8.

5. O-O Bg7 6. c3 e5 7. d3 Nge7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. a4 h6 10.
Nc4 Be6 11. Qe2 Qc7

r+-+-rk+
ppq-npb-
-+npb+pp
+-p-p-+-
P+N+P+-+
+-PP+NP-
-P-+QPBP
R-B-+RK-

Now either 12. Nfd2 or 12. Bd2 with only a small edge.

 

 

C5.1.2 Sicilian with 4… Nf6

Forces d3 and avoids c3/d4 lines.

5. d3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. a4

r+bq-rk+
pp+-ppbp
-+np-np+
+-p-+-+-
P+-+P+-+
+-+P+NP-
-PPN-PBP
R-BQ+RK-

As in a couple of Bobby Fischer games from the early part of his
career.

 

C5.2 KIA Sicilian with …e6 and
…g6

If Black plays the Bf8 to e7 or d6 we have French lines. But Nc6
and Ng7 is the best set-up for Black against the Closed Sicilian,
and many will play it against the KIA.

 

After

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 g6 6. Bg2
Bg7 7. O-O Nge7

you can play the traditional

8. Re1 (Yudasin-Jukic, 1989)

or the new and exciting line

8. exd5 (Dvoretsky – Vulfsson, 1986)

Both are given below.

 

You can also play g3 lines in most variations of the Open
Sicilian: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 (…) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 (…)
6. g3.

 

 

|
Example games C5

|
Fischer,Robert J – Sherwin,James T, New Jersey, 1957

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O
O-O 7. Nbd2 Rb8 8. Re1 d6 9. c3 b6 10. d4 Qc7 11. e5 Nd5 12. exd6
Bxd6 13. Ne4 c4

-rb+-rk+
p-q-+ppp
-pnbp+-+
+-+n+-+-
-+pPN+-+
+-P-+NP-
PP-+-PBP
R-BQR-K-

Characteristically, Fischer selects the simple and clear theme
of winning the bishop pair.

14. Nxd6 Qxd6 15. Ng5 Nce7 16. Qc2 Ng6 17. h4
Nf6

-rb+-rk+
p-+-+ppp
-p-qpnn+
+-+-+-N-
-+pP-+-P
+-P-+-P-
PPQ+-PB+
R-B-R-K-

“Tactics flow from a superior position” – Fischer

18. Nxh7 Nxh7 19. h5 Nh4 20. Bf4 Qd8 21. gxh4 Rb7 22. h6
Qxh4 23. hxg7 Kxg7 24. Re4 Qh5 25. Re3 f5 26. Rh3 Qe8 27. Be5+ Nf6
28. Qd2 Kf7 29. Qg5 Qe7 30. Bxf6 Qxf6

-+b+-r-+
pr+-+k+-
-p-+pq-+
+-+-+pQ-
-+pP-+-+
+-P-+-+R
PP-+-PB+
R-+-+-K-

31. Rh7+ Ke8 32. Qxf6 Rxh7 33. Bc6+ 1-0

 

Smyslov – Botvinnik, USSR Ch,
1955

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O O-O 5. d3 c5 6. e4
Nc6 7. Nbd2 d6 8. a4

r+bq-rk+
pp+-ppbp
-+np-np+
+-p-+-+-
P+-+P+-+
+-+P+NP-
-PPN-PBP
R-BQ+RK-

A standard flexible set-up for White

8… Ne8 9. Nc4 e5 10. c3 f5

r+bqnrk+
pp+-+-bp
-+np-+p+
+-p-pp+-
P+N+P+-+
+-PP+NP-
-P-+-PBP
R-BQ+RK-

White has prepared a strong positional pawn sacrifice

11. b4 cxb4 12. cxb4 fxe4 13. dxe4 Be6 14. Ne3 Nxb4 15.
Rb1 a5 16. Ba3 Nc7 17. Bxb4 axb4 18. Rxb4 Bh6 19. Rb6 Bxe3 20. fxe3
Bc4

r+-q-rk+
+pn-+-+p
-R-p-+p+
+-+-p-+-
P+b+P+-+
+-+-PNP-
-+-+-+BP
+-+Q+RK-

The Black game is teetering

21. Rxd6 Qe8 22. Re1 Rf7 23. Ng5 Re7 24. Bf1 Bxf1 25.
Rxf1 Qxa4 26. Rd8+ Re8 27. Qf3 Qc4 28. Rd7 1-0

 

Yudasin-Jukic, Bern
1989

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 g6 6. Bg2
Bg7 7. O-O Nge7 8. Re1 b6 9. h4 h6 10. c3 a5 11. a4
Ra7

All as in Ljubojevic-Kasparov, Niksic 1983. Now best is

12. exd5 exd5 13. Nb3 d4 14. cxd4 cxd4 15.
Bf4

-+bqk+-r
r-+-npb-
-pn+-+pp
p-+-+-+-
P+-p-B-P
+N+P+NP-
-P-+-PB+
R-+QR-K-

…with White’s pieces being better placed in the more open
position.

15… O-O 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Bxe5 Bxe5 18. Rxe5 Qd6 19.
Qe2 Be6 20. Nd2 Nc6

Now a great exchange sacrifice

21. Rxe6 fxe6 22. Nc4 Qd7

-+-+-rk+
r-+q+-+-
-pn+p+pp
p-+-+-+-
P+Np-+-P
+-+P+-P-
-P-+QPB+
R-+-+-K-

Black has no counterplay

23. Nxb6 Qe8 24. Rc1 Ne7 25. Qxe6+ Qf7 26. Qe2 Qb3 27.
Nc4 Qxa4 28. Qe6+ Kg7 29. Qb6 Rd7 30. Ne5 Rdd8

[30… Rf6 31. Qc5]

31. Rc7 Qe8 32. Qe6 1-0

 

Dvoretsky – Vulfsson, USSR,
1986

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. Nbd2 g6 6. Bg2
Bg7 7. O-O Nge7 8. exd5

Black has a choice

8… exd5

[8… Nxd5 9. Nb3 b6 10. c4 Nde7 11. d4

r+bqk+-r
p-+-npbp
-pn+p+p+
+-p-+-+-
-+PP-+-+
+N+-+NP-
PP-+-PBP
R-BQ+RK-

with advantage]

9. d4 cxd4

[not 9… c4 releasing the tension:

10. c3 Bf5 11. Re1 O-O 12. Nf1 Re8 13. Bf4 h6 14. h4 f6 15.
Ne3 Be4 16. Bh3 Kh7 17. b4 a6 18. a4 Ng8 19. g4 g5 20. Bg3 Qd7 21.
Nd2 Bg6 22. Bg2 Nge7 23. f4 gxh4 24. Bxh4

r+-+r+-+
+p+qn-bk
p+n+-pbp
+-+p+-+-
PPpP-PPB
+-P-N-+-
-+-N-+B+
R-+QR-K-

with advantage]

[Nor 9… Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 11. Nb3]

10. Nb3 Qb6 11. Bg5

[Even better was 11. Bf4!

e.g. 11…Bf5

[or 11… d3 12. c3 Bf5 13. Re1 O-O 14. Nh4 Be6 15.
Qxd3

r+-+-rk+
pp+-npbp
-qn+b+p+
+-+p+-+-
-+-+-B-N
+NPQ+-P-
PP-+-PBP
R-+-R-K-

with play against the IQP]

[or 11… O-O 12. Bd6 d3 13. c3 Rd8 14. Bc5 Qc7 15. Qxd3 Nf5
16. Rfe1 Na5 17. Qb5 Nc6 18. Rad1 Nd6 19. Qe2 Ne4 20. Be3 h6 21. c4
dxc4 22. Qxc4 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Qe7 24. Nh4

r+b+-+k+
pp+-qpb-
-+n+-+pp
+-+-+-+-
-+Q+n+-N
+N+-B-P-
PP-+-PBP
+-+R+-K-

with advantage]

12. Bd6 O-O 13. Re1 Rfe8 14. Bc5 Qc7 15. Bxd4 Nxd4 16.
Nfxd4

r+-+r+k+
ppq-npbp
-+-+-+p+
+-+p+b+-
-+-N-+-+
+N+-+-P-
PPP+-PBP
R-+QR-K-

11… Nf5

[11… O-O 12. Nfxd4 Nf5 may have been better than what was
played]

12. Re1+ Be6 13. g4 Nd6

r+-+k+-r
pp+-+pbp
-qnnb+p+
+-+p+-B-
-+-p-+P+
+N+-+N+-
PPP+-PBP
R-+QR-K-

14. Nfxd4!!

This gives White a prolonged initiative

14…Bxd4

[14… Nxd4 15. Be3 N6b5 16. a4]

15. Nxd4 Qxd4

[15… Nxd4 16. Bf6]

16. Bxd5 O-O 17. Bxc6 Qc5

The best defence.

[17… Qxg4+ 18. Qxg4 Bxg4 19. Bg2]

[17… Qxd1 18. Raxd1 bxc6 19. Rxd6 Bxg4 20. Rxc6]

18. Bf3 Qxg5 19. Qxd6 Rac8 20. c3 Qb5 21. Rad1 Bxa2 22.
Rd2 Rfd8 23. Qxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rxd8+ Kg7 25. Rd2 h5 26. h3 Be6 27. Re4
a5 28. Red4 hxg4 29. hxg4 Qg5 30. Kg2 b6 31. Re2 Qc5 32. Kg3 Qb5
33. Rdd2 Qg5 34. Re3 Qc5

[34… f5 35. Rd4]

Time trouble I think affects both players, and the game rolls to
a halt

35. Be2 Qc6 ? 36. f3 ?

[36. f4! with good winning chances]

36… g5 37. Rd4 Qc7+ 38. Kg2 Kf6 39. Bd3 Qc5 40. Be4
Qb5 41. Rd2 Qe5 42. Ree2 Qb5 43. Bb7 Qc5 44. Rd4 b5 45.
Red2

-+-+-+-+
+B+-+p+-
-+-+bk-+
ppq-+-p-
-+-R-+P+
+-P-+P+-
-P-R-+K+
+-+-+-+-

idea Bd5

45… Ke5 1/2

If this is all too hair-raising, you can always play more
quietly at move 8.

 

Karlsson – George, Torbay, 1994[B40]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d3 d5 4. Nbd2 Nc6 5. g3 b6 6. Bg2
Bb7 7. O-O Bd6 8. Re1 Nge7

r+-qk+-r
pb+-nppp
-pnbp+-+
+-pp+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+P+NP-
PPPN-PBP
R-BQR-K-

9. Ng5 O-O 10. Qh5 h6 11. Ndf3 Nd4 12. e5 Bc7 13. Nxd4
cxd4 14. Nf3 Nf5 15. g4 Ne7

r+-q-rk+
pbb-npp-
-p-+p+-p
+-+pP-+Q
-+-p-+P+
+-+P+N+-
PPP+-PBP
R-B-R-K-

16. Bxh6 Ng6

[16… gxh6 17. Qxh6 f6 18. exf6 Nf5 19. Qg6+ Kh8 20. Rxe6
Bc8 21. gxf5 Bxe6 22. Qg7#]

17. Bd2 Qb8 18. Ng5 Rd8 19. Bb4

rq-r-+k+
pbb-+pp-
-p-+p+n+
+-+pP-NQ
-B-p-+P+
+-+P+-+-
PPP+-PBP
R-+-R-K-

19… Nf8 20. Qxf7+ Kh8 21. Bxf8 1-0

 

D. A single repertoire for
attacking the unusual semi-open defences

 

D1. Center Counter
(Scandanavian) 1…d5

In recent years several GMs have experimented with this move,
and for some it is a regular part of their repertoire. Someone once
described this as a line for “Black players who want to suck all
the life out of the position”.

After 2. exd5 Qxd5 Black will be behind in development for a
long time, but will also be very solid. I have been frustrated by
trying to beat this annoying defence even with a useful space
advantage.

I advise you to make an immediate deviation from theory,
with

1. e4 d5 2. Nc3

rnbqkbnr
ppp-pppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+p+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
R-BQKBNR

Black has a choice: advance, exchange, or defend. In practice
Black does not usually defend the pawn, and any defence will
transpose to lines considered above.

There is precious little published theory on this line and a lot
of scope to improvise.

 

D1.1. Advance with
2…d4

rnbqkbnr
ppp-pppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-pP+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
R-BQKBNR

White retreats with

3. Nce2

and plans to play Bc4 with ideas of attacking on the K-side.

Black should probably continue

3…e5 4. Ng3

when there is a lot of choice.

4…g6

is logical, hoping to cramp the Ng3, but the best move here is
not known. The Ng3 need not stay cramped…

Van Geet – Guyt [A00] Paramaribo, 1967

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 g6 5. Bc4 Bg7 6. d3
c5 7. Nf3 Nc6 8. c3 Nge7 9. Ng5 O-O

r+bq-rk+
pp+-npbp
-+n+-+p+
+-p-p-N-
-+BpP+-+
+-PP+-N-
PP-+-PPP
R-BQK-+R

10. Nh5 Bh8 ? 11. Qf3 Qe8 12. Nf6+ Bxf6 13. Qxf6
dxc3?

r+b+qrk+
pp+-np+p
-+n+-Qp+
+-p-p-N-
-+B+P+-+
+-pP+-+-
PP-+-PPP
R-B-K-+R

13…Na5 was essential

14. Nxf7 Rxf7 15. Bh6 1-0

 

D1.2. Exchange with
2…dxe4

White recaptures with

3. Nxe4

rnbqkbnr
ppp-pppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+N+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
R-BQKBNR

and (guess what?) plans to play 4. Bc4 with ideas of attacking
on the K-side.

Now 3…c6 and 3…e6 will transpose to lines considered
above.

3…Bf5 4. Ng3 Ng6 5. Bc4 e6 can also transpose to the
Caro-Kann, or if you want to be independent you can go 6. Bc4 Nd7
7. d3

The best-looking move in reply is of course

3…e5

when we follow up with

4. Bc4

after which at least three correspondence(!) games have
continued

4…Be7 5. Qh5 Nh6 6. d3 1-0

More careful is

4…Nc6

[The natural 4…Nf6 is bad after 5. Ng5!]

after which

5. d3 Be7 6. Nf3

6. Ng5 is to be considered; 6…Bxg5 7. Qh5

r+bqk+nr
ppp-+ppp
-+n+-+-+
+-+-p-bQ
-+B+-+-+
+-+P+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-B-K-NR

with the two bishops

6…h6

6…Nf6 7. Neg5 O-O 8. Nxf7 Rxf7 9. Ng5 Nd5 10. Nxf7 Kxf7
11. Qf3 reminds us of the Fried Liver in the Two Knights’
Defence

7. Bb5 Qd5 8. c4 Qe6 9.O-O Bd7 10. Re1 O-O-O 11.
Nc3

-+kr-+nr
pppbbpp-
-+n+q+-p
+B+-p-+-
-+P+-+-+
+-NP+N+-
PP-+-PPP
R-BQR-K-

+= Van Geet-Sandklef corr 1982

 

 

Example games
D1

I have included quite a lot of games in this section because
they are hard to find in the books and magazines.

We will look at a few games in what is Black’s strongest idea in
the advance (2…d4) line, then look at a few in the exchange
(2…dxe4) lines.

Brouwn,Arnold – Perrenet,Jacob cr,
1971

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 Be6

Else 5. Bc4 will follow. This looks like Black’s best idea to
me.

5. Nf3 f6 6. Be2 Nh6 7. O-O c5 8. Bb5+ Nd7 9. d3 g6 10.
b3 Bg7

r+-qk+-r
pp+n+-bp
-+-+bppn
+Bp-p-+-
-+-pP+-+
+P+P+NN-
P+P+-PPP
R-BQ+RK-

White now aims to exchange the light-squared bishop

11. Bc4 Qe7 12. Bxe6 Qxe6 13. a4 O-O-O 14. a5 f5 15. Ng5
Qe7 16. exf5 gxf5 17. a6 b6 18. Qf3 e4 19. Nxf5 Nxf5 20. Nxe4 Rdf8
21. Bg5 Qe6 22. Nc3 Bf6

-+k+-r-r
p-+n+-+p
Pp-+qb-+
+-p-+nB-
-+-p-+-+
+PNP+Q+-
-+P+-PPP
R-+-+RK-

23. Qa8+ Nb8 24. Qb7+ Kd8 25. Bxf6+ Rxf6 26. Ne4 Rg6 27.
Qxb8+ Qc8 28. Qxa7 Ne7 29. Rfe1 Nd5 30. Qb7 Rxg2+ 31. Kxg2
1-0

 

Ekebjaerg,Ove – Strand,Torger cr
Nielsen-mem, 1987

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 Be6 5. Nf3 Nd7 6.
c3 c5 7.cxd4 cxd4 8. Be2 Bd6 9. O-O h5 10. d3

r+-qk+nr
pp+n+pp-
-+-bb+-+
+-+-p-+p
-+-pP+-+
+-+P+NN-
PP-+BPPP
R-BQ+RK-

This doesn’t look to me very promising for White.

10… h4 11. Nf5 Bxf5 12. exf5 Qb6 13. Nd2 Bc7 14. Bf3
Ne7 15. Be4 Nc5 16. Qf3 f6 17. b3 Nxe4 18. Nxe4

r+-+k+-r
ppb-n-p-
-q-+-p-+
+-+-pP+-
-+-pN+-p
+P+P+Q+-
P+-+-PPP
R-B-+RK-

It is considered rude to start chanting ‘weak Willie
WhiteSquares’ in such positions

18… Kf7 19. Ba3 Rag8 20. Bc5 Qa6 21. Rfc1 Bb8 22. Rc2
g5 23. h3 b5 24. Bxe7 Kxe7

-b-+-+rr
p-+-k-+-
q+-+-p-+
+p+-pPp-
-+-pN+-p
+P+P+Q+P
P+R+-PP+
R-+-+-K-

With the exchange of the Knight, Black’s position falls
apart.

25. Nxf6 Kxf6 26. Rc6+ Qxc6 27. Qxc6+ Kxf5 28. g4+ hxg3
29. fxg3 1-0

 

Leeners – Simon, Netherlands,
1979

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 e5 4. Ng3 Be6 5. Nf3 Nd7 6.
c3 c5 7. Bb5 Bd6 8. O-O f6 9. Nh4 g6 10. d3 a6 11. Ba4 b5 12. Bb3
Nf8 13. cxd4 cxd4 14. f4

r+-qknnr
+-+-+-+p
p+-bbpp+
+p+-p-+-
-+-pPP-N
+B+P+-N-
PP-+-+PP
R-BQ+RK-

With the obvious threat of f5

14… Bxb3 15. Qxb3 exf4 16. Bxf4 Bxf4 17. Rxf4 Qc7 18.
Rff1 Rc8 19. Rac1 Qd7 20. Rxc8+ Qxc8 21. e5 f5

-+q+knnr
+-+-+-+p
p+-+-+p+
+p+-Pp+-
-+-p-+-N
+Q+P+-N-
PP-+-+PP
+-+-+RK-

22. Nhxf5 gxf5 23. Nxf5 Kd8 24. Nd6 1-0

 

Van Geet,Dick – Van der Zijpp,B,
Haarlem, 1991

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 d4 3. Nce2 c5 4. Ng3 Nc6 5. Bc4 g6 6.
f4

r+bqkbnr
pp+-pp+p
-+n+-+p+
+-p-+-+-
-+BpPP-+
+-+-+-N-
PPPP-+PP
R-BQK-NR

A familiar plan.

6… e6 7. Nf3 Bg7 8. a4 Nge7 9. d3 O-O 10. h4 e5 11. f5
gxf5 12. Ng5 Qd6 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Nxf5 Nxf5 15. Ne4 Qg6 16.
g4

r+-+-rk+
pp+-+pbp
-+n+-+q+
+-p-pn+-
P+BpN+PP
+-+P+-+-
-PP+-+-+
R-BQK-+R

1-0

16… Ne3 17. Bxe3 dxe3 18. h5 e2 19. Qxe2 Qh6 20. g5
1-0

 

Now a few in the exchange lines

 

|

Suba,M – Bellon, Bucharest, 1978[A00]

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nxe4 Nf6 4. Nxf6+ gxf6 5. Bc4
Nc6 6. Qh5

r+bqkb-r
ppp-pp+p
-+n+-p-+
+-+-+-+Q
-+B+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
R-B-K-NR

White is trying to get Black to play …e6, locking in the
Bc8

6… Ne5 7. Bb3 Qd6 8. f4 Ng6 9. Ne2 f5 10. d4 Be6 11.
g4

r+-+kb-r
ppp-pp+p
-+-qb+n+
+-+-+p+Q
-+-P-PP+
+B+-+-+-
PPP+N+-P
R-B-K-+R

Well, the bishop is out on e6, but White now embarks on a long
and unclear attacking sequence that eventually nets him
material.

11… Bxb3 12. axb3 Qd5 13. Rf1 e6 14. c4 Qe4 15. gxf5
exf5 16. Bd2 Qc2 17. Rc1 Qxb3 18. Qxf5 Be7 19. Qg4 Bh4+ 20.
Ng3

r+-+k+-r
ppp-+p+p
-+-+-+n+
+-+-+-+-
-+PP-PQb
+q+-+-N-
-P-B-+-P
+-R-KR+-

It’s hard to say whose king is more in danger!

20… Kf8 21. Rf2 Re8+ 22. Kf1 Qd3+ 23. Kg1 Qxd4 24. Bc3
Qe3

-+-+rk-r
ppp-+p+p
-+-+-+n+
+-+-+-+-
-+P+-PQb
+-B-q-N-
-P-+-R-P
+-R-+-K-

25. Re1 Qxe1+ 26. Bxe1 Rxe1+ 27. Rf1 Bxg3 28. hxg3 Re3
29. f5 Ne5 30. Qd4 1-0

 

Ratsch – Schwarz, DDR tt, 1969 [A00]

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nxe4 Nc6 4. Bc4 e6

This could have arisen from the French Defence.

5. Nf3 Be7 6. O-O Nf6 7. Ng3 O-O 8. d4 a6 9.
c3

r+bq-rk+
+pp-bppp
p+n+pn-+
+-+-+-+-
-+BP-+-+
+-P-+NN-
PP-+-PPP
R-BQ+RK-

White is simply a little better all round.

9… b5 10. Bb3 Bb7 11. Re1 Na5 12. Bc2 Nc4 13. Qd3 Bxf3
14. Qxf3 Qd5 15. Ne4 Nd6 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Qh3 g6 18. Bh6
Rfe8

r+-+r+k+
+-p-+p+p
p+-npbpB
+p+q+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-P-+-+Q
PPB+-PPP
R-+-R-K-

White’s more active pieces are nagging away at the Black
position

19. Bb3 Nc4 20. Bf4 Qc6 21. Bc2 Rad8 22. Be4 Qb6 23. Qf3
e5 24. dxe5 Bxe5 25. Bg5 f6 26. Bh6 Kh8 27. Bc6 Re6 28.
Rad1

-+-r-+-k
+-p-+-+p
pqB+rppB
+p+-b-+-
-+n+-+-+
+-P-+Q+-
PP-+-PPP
+-+RR-K-

Black’s back rank is in danger

28… Red6 29. Rxd6 Rxd6 30. Bxb5 1-0

Told you!

 

Schlenker,Rainer – Zimmermann,G, Heidelberg,
1985[A00]

1. Nc3 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e4 c5 4. exd5 exd5 5.
d4

This could have arisen from the French Defence.

rnbqkbnr
pp+-+ppp
-+-+-+-+
+-pp+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQKB+R

Black has been tempted to occupy the centre, but this move show
it up as a target (6.dxc5, exposing the d-pawn, is one threat). So
Black decides to seal off the centre on the ninth move.

5… Nc6 6. Bb5 a6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. O-O Bd6 9. Be3 c4
10. Ne5 Qc7 11. Qh5 Be6 12. f4 g6 13. Qh4

r+-+k+nr
+-q-+p+p
p+pbb+p+
+-+pN-+-
-+pP-P-Q
+-N-B-+-
PPP+-+PP
R-+-+RK-

Black’s centre is more of a liability than an asset.

13… Be7 14. Qg3 f6 15. f5 fxe5 16. fxe6 Bd6 17. Rf7
Ne7 18. Qh4

r+-+k+-r
+-q-nR+p
p+pbP+p+
+-+pp-+-
-+pP-+-Q
+-N-B-+-
PPP+-+PP
R-+-+-K-

18… Nf5 19. Rxc7 Nxh4 20. Rxc6 Nf5 21. Nxd5 exd4 22.
Bg5 1-0

 

Staples,M – Lee,G, England, 1976[A00]

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nxe4 e6 4. Bc4 Be7 5. Qg4 g6 6.
Qe2 Nc6 7. Nf3

r+bqk+nr
ppp-bp+p
-+n+p+p+
+-+-+-+-
-+B+N+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPPPQPPP
R-B-K-+R

This could have arisen from a French Defence.

7… e5 8. Bb5 f5

r+bqk+nr
ppp-b-+p
-+n+-+p+
+B+-pp+-
-+-+N+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPPPQPPP
R-B-K-+R

Black has been tempted to lash out before completing his
development. Punishment is swift.

9. Nxe5 fxe4 10. Qc4 Nh6 11. d3 Bd7 12. Bxc6 Bxc6 13.
Nxc6 bxc6 14. Bxh6

r+-qk+-r
p-p-b-+p
-+p+-+pB
+-+-+-+-
-+Q+p+-+
+-+P+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+-K-+R

Black is busted.

14… Qd5 15. Qxe4 Qxe4+ 16. dxe4 Bf6 17. O-O-O Rb8 18.
e5 1-0

 

Van Geet,Dick – Lee, Wijk aan Zee III, 1979[A00]

1. Nc3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nxe4 e6 4. Nf3 Nd7 5. Bc4 Ngf6
6. d3 Be7 7. Qe2 a6 8. O-O

r+bqk+-r
+ppnbppp
p+-+pn-+
+-+-+-+-
-+B+N+-+
+-+P+N+-
PPP+QPPP
R-B-+RK-

White has nicely centralised development, against another
French-style line.

8… b5 9. Bb3 Bb7 10. c3 O-O

White siezes on the d6 square.

11. Bf4 c5 12. Nd6 Bxf3 13. Qxf3 e5

r+-q-rk+
+-+nbppp
p+-N-n-+
+pp-p-+-
-+-+-B-+
+BPP+Q+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+-+RK-

White’s next move must have been a shock. If …exf4, Re1 with
advantage.

14. Nf5 c4 15. Bh6 cxb3 16. Bxg7 Ne8 17. Qg3 Bg5 18. Bh6
Kh8 19. Bxg5 f6 20. Be3 bxa2 21. Rxa2 Qc7 22. Qf3 Nd6 23. Raa1 Nxf5
24. Qxf5 Rg8 25. Qf3 a5 26. d4

r+-+-+rk
+-qn+-+p
-+-+-p-+
pp+-p-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-P-BQ+-
-P-+-PPP
R-+-+RK-

Black’s game falls apart after this line-opening strike.

26… a4 27. dxe5 fxe5 28. Qd5 Rab8 29. Rad1 Nf6 30. Qe6
Rg6 31. Rfe1 Qb7 32. g3 Ng4 33. Qf5 Rbg8 34. Rd7 Qc8 35. Red1 a3
36. bxa3 Qxc3 37. Bg5 Qxa3 38. Qxg4 Rxg5 39. Qh4 h5 40. Qe4 R8g7
41. Rd8+ Rg8 42. R1d7 Qa1+ 43. Kg2 R5g7 1-0

 

 

D2. Gurgenidze Defence
…c6/…d5/…g6

Black plans to gum everything up by encouraging e5, then
developing around it.

I assume you don’t want this to happen, and want to avoid it.
You can if you are careful with move order.

 

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2!

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bc4!

1. e4 g6 2. d4 c6 3. c4!

 

 

Example games
D2

Tong,Y – Webster,A [B08], Ch World Cadet’s ( under 18 ),
Singapore

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6

Black intends …d5.

4. Bc4 d6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. O-O d5 7. Bd3 dxe4 8. Nxe4 Nxe4
9. Bxe4 Nd7 10. Re1 O-O 11. c3

r+bq-rk+
pp+nppbp
-+p+-+p+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PB+-+
+-P-+N+-
PP-+-PPP
R-BQR-K-

This position reminds me rather of the Colle.

11… c5 12. Bg5 Nf6 13. Bc2 cxd4 14. Nxd4 Re8 15. Bb3
Qa5 16. Bh4 Bg4 17. Qd3 Rad8 18. Qc4 Nd5 19. h3 Bc8

-+brr+k+
pp+-ppbp
-+-+-+p+
q-+n+-+-
-+QN-+-B
+BP-+-+P
PP-+-PP+
R-+-R-K-

White continues to improve his position, and has more space.

20. Bxe7 Rd7 21. Bh4 Rf8 22. Rad1 a6 23. Nf3 Nf6 24.
Rxd7 Bxd7 25. Ng5 Bc6 26. Qd3 h6

-+-+-rk+
+p+-+pb-
p+b+-npp
q-+-+-N-
-+-+-+-B
+BPQ+-+P
PP-+-PP+
+-+-R-K-

Time for the harvest.

27. Nxf7 Bd5 28. Bxf6 Bxb3 29. Qxg6 1-0

 

Bousum,J – Forbis,R [B08], It (open), Chicago

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bc4 d6

Again, the …d5 idea is discouraged.

5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bb3 O-O 7. O-O Na6 8. Qe2 Qa5 9. Bd2 Qh5
10. e5

r+b+-rk+
pp+-ppbp
n+pp-np+
+-+-P-+q
-+-P-+-+
+BN-+N+-
PPPBQPPP
R-+-+RK-

10… dxe5 11. dxe5 Ng4 12. Rfe1 Nc7 13. h3 Nh6 14. Ne4
Be6

r+-+-rk+
ppn-ppbp
-+p+b+pn
+-+-P-+q
-+-+N+-+
+B+-+N+P
PPPBQPP+
R-+-R-K-

15. Ng3 1-0

 

 

D3. Nimzovitch
Defence

r+bqkbnr
pppppppp
-+n+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
RNBQKBNR

Surprising numbers of master games in the 1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
openings actually start 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 e5. Not what I
recommend…

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4

[3… e6 4. e5 is The Guimard Variation, a poor line of the
French where Black can hit at the centre only by losing time with
the Knight to play …c5, or risk exposing the King with
…f6]

4. d5

r+bqkbnr
ppp-pppp
-+n+-+-+
+-+P+-+-
-+-+p+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQKBNR

4…Ne5

[4… Nb8 5. f3 exf3 6. Qxf3 Nf6 7. Bf4 a6 8. h3

rnbqkb-r
+pp-pppp
p+-+-n-+
+-+P+-+-
-+-+-B-+
+-N-+Q+P
PPP+-+P+
R-+-KBNR

+-]

5. Qd4

[5. f3 and 5. Bf4 are alternatives]

After 5. Qd4 White has a nice game.

 

Example games
D3

Goring – NN, Berlin, 1890[B00]

1. Nc3 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. e4 dxe4 4. d5 Ne5

After an unusual start we arrive at the usual Nimzovitch
line

5. Bf4 Bg4

r+-qkbnr
ppp-pppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+Pn-+-
-+-+pBb+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QKBNR

Black provokes a great combination

6. Bxe5 Bxd1 7. Bb5+ c6 8. dxc6

r+-qkbnr
pp+-pppp
-+P+-+-+
+B+-B-+-
-+-+p+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+bK-NR

8… Bg4 9. cxb7+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Kxd7 11. O-O-O+ Ke6 12.
Rxd8 Rxd8 13. b8=Q 1-0

 

Schlenker,Rainer – Fuchs,D, Germany, 1985 [B00]

1. Nc3 Nc6 2. d4 d5 3. e4 dxe4 4. d5 Ne5 5. Qd4
Ng6

r+bqkbnr
ppp-pppp
-+-+-+n+
+-+P+-+-
-+-Qp+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-B-KBNR

Again the Nimzovitch arises by transposition.

6. h4 e5 7. Qxe4 Nf6 8. Bb5+ c6 9. dxc6

r+bqkb-r
pp+-+ppp
-+P+-nn+
+B+-p-+-
-+-+Q+-P
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PP+
R-B-K-NR

Another Queen sacrifice!

9… Nxe4 10. c7+ Qd7 11. Bxd7+ Bxd7 12. Nxe4 Rc8 13.
h5

-+r+kb-r
ppPb+ppp
-+-+-+n+
+-+-p-+P
-+-+N+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PP+
R-B-K-NR

Which way should the night jump?

13… Ne7 14. Nd6# 1-0

Not that way!

 

|
D4. Other defences

Rarer continuations include

 

D4(a) 1…b6 ( Owen’s
Defence

which can be met with by

2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3

rn-qkbnr
pbpppppp
-p-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PP+-+
+-+B+-+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQK-NR

Black can probably develop each piece but will have trouble
finding a middle-game plan. If the centre is blocked with …d5,
then the Bb7 will suffer, and if the centre is left flexible,
Black’s cramped pieces may be overrun by White’s pawns belting down
the centre.

It was discovered that

3…

f5

4. exf5 Bxg7 5. Qh5+ g6 6. fxg6 Bg7 7. gxh7+ Kf8 8. Nf3!

(8. hxg8+ is actually better for Black because White must now
lose a move: 9. Qg4 Bxh1, 10. h4 Bd5! 11. h5 Be6­, but 8. Ne2
may also be a strong move)

8…Nf6 9. Qg6! is probably a win for White (9…Bxh1 10. Bh6!
or 9…Bxf3 10. Rg1).

So 3. Bd3 is more likely to be met with by

3…e6,

when

4. c4!

is a good reply – 4…f5 doesn’t obviously lose but is still
currently uncomfortable for Black.

 

1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Bd3

Nc6

may be best for Black, although White is still better (

 

 

D4(b) St.George’s Defence
1…a6,

The idea of this move, popularised by Mike Basman, is that in
the Owen’s lines, the …f5 sacrificial line is awful and others
may lead to your Nf6 getting squashed by e5 Nd5 and c4.

So …a6 and …b5 hopefully gives more chances to fight back in
the gambit lines, and gives an outpost on d5 if White plays e5. It
all looks a bit loose to me, and some of the middle-game
awkwardness of the Owen’s Defence still holds.

I have always thought

1…a6

deserves to be met with a straight

2. c4 when the gambit 2…b5 3. Bxb5 Bb7 looks easily
contained after 4. d3!

More natural is:

2. d4 e6

Now 3. Nc3 or 3. Bd3 lead to normal positions.

But you might fancy 3. Be3 (to slow up …c5) 3…Bb7 4. f3
when Black is short of obvious counterplay and White may start to
fancy 5. c4!. If you grab the c5 pawn, remember, the best way to
treat a gambit is to be prepared to return the material to mess up
your opponent’s position.

1… e6 2. d4 a6 3. Bd3

rnbqkbnr
+ppp+ppp
p+-+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-PP+-+
+-+B+-+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQK-NR

Basman has often played

3…b5 4. Nf3 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. c3 Nf6 7.
Re1

rn-qkb-r
+b+p+ppp
p+-+pn-+
+pp-+-+-
-+-PP+-+
+-PB+N+-
PP-+-PPP
RNBQR-K-

…which he calls the Main Line. Now he has tried

7… h6

Why on earth should he do this? Well, after

7… Qb6

[7… Nc6? 8. d5 exd5 9. exd5+ Ne7 10. d6]

8. a4 cxd4 9. cxd4 Nc6 10. axb5

r+-+kb-r
+b+p+ppp
pqn+pn-+
+P+-+-+-
-+-PP+-+
+-+B+N+-
-P-+-PPP
RNBQR-K-

10… Nb4 11. Nc3 Nxd3 12. Qxd3 axb5 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 14.
Bf4

[14. Bg5 b4]

14…Bb4 15. Bg5!

b+-+k+-r
+-+p+ppp
-q-+pn-+
+p+-+-B-
-b-PP+-+
+-NQ+N+-
-P-+-PPP
+-+-R-K-

Black was under a lot of pressure in Nicholson-Basman 1980.
Black recovered but I can’t fancy Black’s position]

Alternatively

[7… Be7 8. Nbd2 Nc6 9. e5 Nd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Ne4 Be7
12. a4 Qb8 13. Bg5 f6

[13… Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Qxe5 15. Nf6+]

14. exf6 gxf6 15. Bh4

rq-+k+-r
+b+pb-+p
p+n+pp-+
+p+n+-+-
P+-+N+-B
+-PB+N+-
-P-+-PPP
R-+QR-K-

and Black is very loose, as in Lewis-Basman 1980]

In each line Bg5 was a big headache, so Basman, never deterred,
tried 7…h6

8. Nbd2 Be7 9. e5 Nd5 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Ne4 Be7 12.
a4

rn-qk+-r
+b+pbpp-
p+-+p+-p
+p+nP-+-
P+-+N+-+
+-PB+N+-
-P-+-PPP
R-BQR-K-

Often an awkward move to meet

12… bxa4 13. Rxa4 Qc7 14. Bb1 Nb6 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16.
exd6 Qd8 17. Rg4

rn-qk+-r
+b+p+pp-
pn-Pp+-p
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+R+
+-P-+N+-
-P-+-PPP
+BBQR-K-

Hennigan-Basman 1991; White won quickly.

 

 

D4(c) the Borg Defence
1. e4 g5

rnbqkbnr
pppppp+p
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-p-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPPP-PPP
RNBQKBNR

(Borg=Grob reversed) which can be met by

2. d4 h6 3.

Bd3

d6

[or 3… Bg7 4. Ne2 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Be3

r+bqk+nr
pp+pppb-
-+n+-+-p
+-p-+-p-
-+-PP+-+
+-PBB-+-
PP-+NPPP
RN+QK-+R

Keene

6… cxd4 7. cxd4 Qb6 8. Nbc3 Nxd4 9. Nd5!]

4. Ne2

e.g.

4…c5

Now

5. dxc5 dxc5 6. Ng3 Nc6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Re1+/-

or

5. c3 Nc6 6. O-O Nf6 7. Nd2 Qc7 8. b4

r+b+kb-r
ppq-pp+-
-+np-n-p
+-p-+-p-
-P-PP+-+
+-PB+-+-
P+-NNPPP
R-BQ+RK-

Nunn-Basman 1980; …1-0

 

An alternative treatment is

[3. h4 g4

[3… gxh4 4. Nf3]

4. Qxg4 d5 5. Qf3 dxe4 6. Qxe4 Nf6 7. Qd3 Nc6 8. Be3 Qd5 9.
Nc3

r+b+kb-r
ppp-pp+-
-+n+-n-p
+-+q+-+-
-+-P-+-P
+-NQB-+-
PPP+-PP+
R-+-KBNR

 

 

Example games
D4

|Hennigan-
Accardo, Roma,
199|

1. e4 a6 2. d4 b5 3. Nf3 Bb7 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. Qe2 e6 6. a4
c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Nbd2 b4 9. e5 Ng4 10. O-O d5 11. Nb3 Ba7 12. h3
h5

rn-qk+-r
bb+-+pp-
p+-+p+-+
+-+pP-+p
Pp-+-+n+
+N+B+N+P
-PP+QPP+
R-B-+RK-

A hasty sacrifice

13. Bg5! Qc7 14. hxg4 hxg4 15. Nfd4 g3 16. Rae1 gxf2+
17. Rxf2 Nd7 18. Nxe6 Qb6 19. Ned4 Nc5 20. Qf3 Qc7 21. Nxc5 Bxc5
22. c3 Kf8 23. Ne6+ 1-0

A dismal game for Black.

 

|
Regis,D – Dansey,P, 1993

Please forgive this one of mine but it’s the only ‘belt down the
centre’ example I have.

1. e4 e6 2. d4 a6 3. Nf3 b5 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Bb7 6. O-O
Nf6 7. Re1

[7. Qe2 c4]

7… Be7

[7… h6 Basman]

8. Nbd2 Nc6 9. a4 b4 10. e5 ?!

[better 10. dxc5 first, or maybe 10. Nb3 !?]

10… Nd5 11. Ne4 cxd4 12. cxd4 =+

[12. c4 Nb6 13. b3 was an interesting sacrifice that I
didn’t have the courage for]

12… Qb6 13. Bc4 Na5 14. b3 Rc8 15. Qd3 Qc6 16.
Bg5

-+r+k+-r
+b+pbppp
p+q+p+-+
n-+nP-B-
PpBPN+-+
+P+Q+N+-
-+-+-PPP
R-+-R-K-

[16 … Nxc4 probably wins a safe pawn! – 16. Bxd5 Qxd5 was
the only way to hang on to it]

16… f5

[16… Nxc4 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. bxc4 Qxc4 19. Qd2 Qc7 20. Nd6
Rb8 21. Qg5+ with probably not enough compensation]

17. exf6 Nxf6 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19.d5

with the lines opening against the Black King, the rest is a
rout.

19…Qc7 20. dxe6 Bxe4 21. exd7+ Qxd7 22. Qxe4 Nxc4 23.
bxc4 Kf7 24. Rad1 Qc7 25. Qe6+ Ke8 26. Qxf6 Rf8 27. Qe6 b3 28. Ne5
1-0

[28. Ne5 Rf6 29. Qg8+ Rf8 30. Qxh7 b2 31. Qg6+]

 

Caillet – Paul, Paris,
1989

1. e4 e6 2. d4 b6 3. Bd3 Bb7 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. Nf3 Nf6 6.
Qe2 h6

Black will regret this move…

7. O-O Bxc3 8. bxc3 d6 9. e5 Nd5 10. Bd2 Ne7 11. Rae1 d5
12. Nh4 Nd7

r+-qk+-r
pbpnnpp-
-p-+p+-p
+-+pP-+-
-+-P-+-N
+-PB+-+-
P+PBQPPP
+-+-RRK-

A model position for White; the advance of the f-pawn decides
because of the weakness on g6.

13. f4 c5 14. f5 c4 15. fxe6 cxd3 16. Qh5 g6 17. exf7+
1-0

17… Kf8 18. Bxh6+ Rxh6 19. Qxh6# 1-0

 

Erben – Foerster, 1989

1. e4 g5 2. d4 Bg7 3. Bxg5 c5 4. Be3 cxd4 5. Bxd4 e5 6.
Be3 Ne7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Nf3 f5 9. Bc4+ Kh8 10. Ng5 Qe8 11. Nb5 Qg6
12. Nd6 Bf6 13. Ngf7+

rnb+-r-k
pp+pnN+p
-+-N-bq+
+-+-pp+-
-+B+P+-+
+-+-B-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+QK-+R

1-0

 

 

E. A repertoire for attacking
the unusual 1…e5 defences

I assume you will aim for the

Giuoco Piano

, an opening I expect you won’t tire of for a year or two.

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3

This is the natural follow-up, developing the Knight to its best
square and attacking the Black e-pawn. Good alternatives include 2.
f4 (

King’s Gambit

) and 2. Bc4 (

Bishop’s Opening

), although the

Vienna Opening

2. Nc3 has rather fallen from favour.

 

Black has all sorts of alternatives in reply to 2. Nf3, most of
which needn’t delay us for long. The

Queen’s Pawn Counter-Gambit

(or

Elephant Gambit

) 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3

d5

can be met by 3. exd4 e4 4. Qe2 and 5. d3. The

Damiano Defence

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3

f6

is refuted by 3. Nxe5! Qe7! 4. Nf3 and now both 4…

Qxe4

+ 5. Be2 and 4…

d5

5. d3 dxe4 6. dxe4 Qxe4+ 7. Be2 leave White about to go further
ahead in development with Nc3.

The most important deviations are:

Hungarian Defence with 3…Be7

Petroff’s Defence 2…Nf6

This is my current recommendation for junior players against the
1. e4 player; please refer to the separate booklet.

Philidor’s Defence 2…d6

This is probably the strongest of the non-standard defences, and
is practiced by many strong county players.

Latvian Gambit 2…f5

It is claimed by Levy and Keene that this defence can be
defeated by learning the lines that follow 3. Bc4

 

 

E1. Hungarian
Defence

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7

r+bqk+nr
ppppbppp
-+n+-+-+
+-+-p-+-
-+B+P+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPPP-PPP
RNBQK-+R

This is a solid but passive defence with links to

Philidor’s Defence

. It is quite in order to play

4. d4 d6

and now the books say play

5. h3,

though Spassky (an attacking player) recommends

5. Nc3

and Mednis (an endgame specialist) recommends

5. dxe5.

I think this is the easiet.

Now 5…Nxe5? 6. Nxe5 dxe5 7. Qh5!

r+bqk+nr
ppp-bppp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-p-+Q
-+B+P+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
RNB-K-+R

!wins a pawn so the line goes

5…dxe5 6. Qxd8+ Bxd8 7. Nc3.

r+bbk+nr
ppp-+ppp
-+n+-+-+
+-+-p-+-
-+B+P+-+
+-N-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
R-B-K-+R

White can complete development with Be3 and O-O, and should aim
to keep pieces on with a3 and/or h3. White can then try to open
lines to exploit the space advantage and get the rooks into
play.

Another line quoted by Mednis is 5. exd5 exd5 6. Bd5!? Bd6
7. Ng5! Nh6 8. c3!

 

 

E2. Philidor
Defence

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6

Now play

3. d4

when Black has a choice between 3…Nd7, 3…Nf6 and 3…dxe4.
3…f5 is occasionally played, too.

 

E2.1 Philidor Defence with
3…Nd7

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7

4. Bc4

This line gives Black all sorts of headaches:

 

E2.1.1 Philidor Defence with
4…Be7

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Be7

You can now win a pawn with

5. dxe5 Nxe5

(not 5…dxe5?? 6. Qd5!)

6. Nxe5 dxe5 7. Qh5!

r+bqk+nr
pppnbppp
-+-p-+-+
+-+-p-+-
-+BPP+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQK-+R

 

 

|
E2.1.2 Philidor Defence with 4…h6

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 h6

r+bqkbnr
pppn+pp-
-+-p-+-p
+-+-p-+-
-+BPP+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQK-+R

Now

5. dxe5 Nxe5 6. Nxe5 dxe5 7.Bxf7+!

r+bqkbnr
ppp-+Bp-
-+-+-+-p
+-+-p-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQK-+R

wins a pawn

Or

5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Bxf7+! Kxf7 7. Nxe5+ Kf6 8. Qd4

with a deadly attack.

 

 

E2.1.3 Philidor Defence with
4…Ngf6

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Ngf6

r+bqkb-r
pppn+ppp
-+-p-n-+
+-+-p-+-
-+BPP+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQK-+R

Now

5. dxe5 Nxe5

(not 5…dxe5 6. Ng5!)

6. Nxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+

wins a pawn:

r+bqkb-r
ppp-+Bpp
-+-+-n-+
+-+-p-+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQK-+R

7…Kxf7 8. Qxd8 Bb4+ 9. Qd2 Bxd2+ 10. Nxd2

 

E2.1.4 Philidor Defence with
4…c6

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6

r+bqkbnr
pp+n+ppp
-+pp-+-+
+-+-p-+-
-+BPP+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQK-+R

This is the only way to survive, but White can still press hard
with 5. Nc3. After 5…h6 6. a4! is the way to keep the edge. A
well-known line goes:

5. Nc3 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Ng5 Bxg5

(7…Nh6 8. Ne6! wins)

8. Qh5 g6

(or 8…Qf6 9. Bxg5 Qg6 10. Qh4 +-

r+b+k+nr
pp+n+ppp
-+p+-+q+
+-+-p-B-
-+B+P+-Q
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+-K-+R

Schlechter-Alekhin 1910)

9. Qxg5 Qxg5 10. Bxg5.

r+b+k+nr
pp+n+p+p
-+p+-+p+
+-+-p-B-
-+B+P+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-+-K-+R

This position is much easier to play for White, and when it has
been reached White players have a huge plus score from here. White
will play O-O-O and double rooks on the d-file. There is no way for
White to penetrate further than playing Rd6 just yet, but b2-b4-b5
should either win the c6 pawn or produce the exchange …cxb5, Nxb5
with huge pressure.

 

E2.2 Philidor Defence with
3…Nf6

rnbqkb-r
ppp-+ppp
-+-p-n-+
+-+-p-+-
-+-PP+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQKB+R

The counterattack on the e-pawn gives Black a moment to get
organised.

After

4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7

r+bqk+-r
pppnbppp
-+-p-n-+
+-+-p-+-
-+BPP+-+
+-N-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
R-BQK-+R

and now

6.

dxe5

(BCO gives 6.Ng5!?),

then

6…

dxe5

? seems to be a mistake because of 7. Ng5 O-O 8. Bxf7+ Rxf7 9. Ne6
Qe8 10. Nc7 Qd8 11. Nxa8. Now after 11…b5 12. Nd5! should win.
Instead

6…

Nxe5

7. Nxe5 dxe5 7. Qxd8+

or 7. Qe2

gives White the edge. Moves like Rd1 or O-O and f4 will keep
Black sweating for some time to come.

 

E2.3 Philidor Defence with
3…exd4

rnbqkbnr
ppp-+ppp
-+-p-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-pP+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
RNBQKB+R

Generally this gives Black a long-term space problem, and White
can play 4. Nxd4, 5. Bc4, 6. O-O, 7. Re1 and so on without
difficulty.

The line 4. Nxd4 g6 imitates the sharp Dragon Variation of the
Sicilian but while White can still execute the standard attack on
the Black King’s-side (f3, Be3, Qd2, O-O-O, h4-h5, Bh6, etc.), the
absence of a half-open c-file for Black makes the counterattack
more difficult to get going.

Another way to play for White (as in the famous game
Adams-Torre) is 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd2 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 7. Nc3 Nf6 8.
Bg5 Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. Rhe1

r+-q-rk+
ppp-bppp
-+bp-n-+
+-+-+-B-
-+-QP+-+
+-N-+N+-
PPP+-PPP
+-KRR-+-

with attacking chances.

4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Qd2 O-O 8. O-O-O
Re8

or 8…Nc6 9. f3 Nxd4 10. Bxd4 Be6 11. g4+/- BCO2

9. f3 Nc6

[now 10. g4 is given in BCO2, e.g. 10…Ne5 11. Be2 a6 12.
Bh6 Bh8 13. h4 b5 13. h4 b5 14. Bg5 c5 15. Nf5! gxf5 16. gxf5 Bb7
17. Bh6 +-, Owen-Wrinn corr. 1985]

10. h4 !?

r+bqr+k+
ppp-+pbp
-+np-np+
+-+-+-+-
-+-NP+-P
+-N-BP+-
PPPQ-+P+
+-KR+B+R

10… Ne5

[10… h5 should also lead to a speedy attack against the
black king after, say, Bg5 and a later g4. If you aren’t sure about
this, play 10. g4]

11. h5 Nxh5

[11… c5

[what else? ]

now 12. Nb3 intending 13.Qxd6 or 13.Nxc5]

E2.4 Philidor counter-gambit
3…f5

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5

BCO2 denies all knowledge of this option. I discover Tony Kosten
covered it in ” Winning with the Philidor .” He
calls it ” Mestel’s Variation ” after JM’s use of it at
the European Junior Championships in the 1970s.

Kosten gives a couple of lines like:

[4. exf5 e4 5. Ng5 Bxf5 6. Nc3 d5 7. f3 e3 8. Bxe3 h6 9. Nh3
Bxh3 10. gxh3 Be7 11. Bf2 Bf6 12. Qd2 Ne7 13. O-O-O Nbc6
“…reasonable play for the pawn” KOSTEN]

[or 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 Nh6 7. Nc3 c6 8. Ngxe4 dxe4
9. Qh5+ g6 10.Qe5 Rg8 11. Bg5 Bg7 12. e7 Qd5 !

Murey’s move, which again Kosten reckons is OK for
Black.]

But Fritz dismisses the whole thing with

4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5! dxe4 7. Qh5

rnbqkbnr
pppp+-pp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-N-+Q
-+-Pp+-+
+-+-+-+-
PPP+-PPP
R-B-KB+R

e.g. 7…g6 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. Qxg6!? Kd7! 10. Qf5+ Ke8 11.
Qe5, getting the rook AND the pawn, with enduring discomfort for
the Black King]

 

 

E3 Latvian Gambit 2…
f5

rnbqkbnr
pppp+-pp
-+-+-+-+
+-+-pp+-
-+-+P+-+
+-+-+N+-
PPPP-PPP
RNBQKB+R

3. Nxe5

This is the simplest way to gain the advantage

[Keene and Levy claim a win for White after 3. Bc4 fxe4 4.
Nxe5 Qg5, but there is much to study here and Black players are
likely to be better rehearsed in the traps]

3… Qf6 4. d4 d6 5. Nc4 fxe4 6. Nc3

White has a simple advantage

 

 

Example Games E

Darned if I could find any recent games in any of these lines.
When they occur White GMs tend to avoid any theory (in case of
improvements) and just play solid, hoping the inferior moves chosen
by Black will prove disadvantageous in any line.

Alekhin – Marco, Stockholm,
1912

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6.
O-O O-O 7. Qe2

[7. h3 is better we now think]

7… c6 8. a4

r+bq-rk+
pp+nbppp
-+pp-n-+
+-+-p-+-
P+BPP+-+
+-N-+N+-
-PP+QPPP
R-B-+RK-

White is not so much concerned for promoting his own position as
restricting his opponent’s. This is not a totally easy thing to do,
and you may see good Black players adopt the Philidor to keep the
pieces on and the game closed.

8… h6 9. Bb3 Qc7 10. h3 Kh7 11. Be3 g6 12. Rad1
Kg7

r+b+-r-+
ppqnbpk-
-+pp-npp
+-+-p-+-
P+-PP+-+
+BN-BN+P
-PP+QPP+
+-+R+RK-

all that to get the Rf8 into play

13. Nh2 Ng8 14. f4 f6 15. Qg4 exd4 16. Bxd4 Nc5 17. f5
Nxb3 18. Qxg6+ Kh8 19. cxb3 Bd7 20. Qg3 Rf7 21. Ng4

r+-+-+nk
ppqbbr+-
-+pp-p-p
+-+-+P+-
P+-BP+N+
+PN-+-QP
-P-+-+P+
+-+R+RK-

With the threat of e5

21… Qd8 22. Ne2

Aiming at e6

22… Rg7 23. Nf4 Qe8 24. Qh4 Qf7 25. Rd3

Going for mate, rather than winning the pawn at h6

25… Kh7 26. Ng6

r+-+-+n+
pp+bbqrk
-+pp-pNp
+-+-+P+-
P+-BP+NQ
+P+R+-+P
-P-+-+P+
+-+-+RK-

With the striking idea Rf4 and Nxh6, Nxh6; Qxh6+ Kxh6; Rh4+ Kg5
and mate follows

26… Rxg6 27. fxg6+ Qxg6 28. Bxf6 Bxg4 29. Bxe7 Re8
30.Rxd6

The White pieces close in for the kill

30… Qg7 31. Bf6 Nxf6 32. Rfxf6

1-0

Index of games

Ourmet,J – Cierniak,P (1) Paris, 1989

Iskov,G – Woge Nielsen,J, it, Kobenhavn, 1989

Karaklajic,N – Marjanovic,Z (3) Pula, 1990 [B02]
Lendwai – Neckar,L, Nova-Park/SW,2,21, 1989 [B02]
Madl,I – Guadalpi,D (1) Val-Thorens, 1989 [B02]
Weiss,M – Shields,P (5), Chicago, 1989 [B02]

Kavalek-Andersson 1978

De Armas,A – Jensen,C (7) Novi, 1990 [B18]
Haas,C – Trachsel, Arosa, 1990 [B18]
Rodriguez,Danie – Ruxton,K (6) WchJ, 1989 [B18]
Schlindwein,R – Hugger,M (1) Badenweiler, 1990 [B18]

Zuber,M – Halmkin,P (Exeter Vs Teignmouth, 1995)

Alekhin – Fahrni, Mannheim, 1914

Cid,M – Araya,R (4) Copa, 1989[C13]
Djurhuus,R – Minero,S (7) Santiago, 1990[C13]
Sokolov – Shemiakin, T, Simferopol, 1989[C13]
Zeh,H – Bahry,J, Baden-Baden, 1989[C13]

Miles – Reefschlager, Porz, 1982

Conejero,J. M – Perez Torres,J [C15], Valencia
Ristic,Nen – Sanchis, A [C15], Chartres
Westerinen,H – Bergsson,S [C15], Gausdal
Abdulla,M – Khechen,N [C15], Novi
Castillo,O – Segovia,J [C15], WchJ
De Eccher,S – Schneiders,A [C15], Lugano
Tarrasch – Mieses[C30], Berlin Match (3) , 1916
Hort,V – Rota [B07], Aachen/SW,16,18
Christ,R – Kljako,D [B07], it, Biel
Knippel,M – Stratmann,B [B08], NRW
Adams,M – Wolff,P [B07], London
Lane,G – Saucey,M [B07], Royan
Chacon,E – Blazquez,J. L [B07], Alicante

Basman-Stean,Hastings 1974

Georgiev,Kr – Feher,G [B30], Cappelle
Smirin,I – Nun,Ji [B30], Polanica
Bogumil – Sarosi [B30], Budapest
Lazarevic,M – Maric,D (6) Pula, 1990[B02]
Van der Vaeren – Savva, Haifa, 1989[A00]
Hill,S – Wright,A , ch-AUS/SW,5,18, 1989[B21]
Campora,D. H – Shirazi,A , Ch New York ( open ), 1989[B21]
Ekebjaerg,Ove (2580) – Van Manen,Gerben (2580) cr Blass-mem,
1990[B07]

Mednis-Vadasz 1978

Bareev – Norwood, Marseilles, 1990[B09]
Hodgson – Ady, Streatham Vs Ymca, London, 1981[B23]
Hebden – Large, British Ch’p, 1982[B21]
Plaskett – Howell, British Ch’p, 1983[B21]

Ekebjaerg,Ove – Danner,Georg, cr Nielsen-mem, 1987

Hodgson – Nunn, Aaronson Open, 1978[B23]

Spassky – Geller, Candidates, 1968

Psakhis – Kasparov, La Manga, 1990 [compare B23]

Smyslov – Romanishin, Moscow, 1976 [B23]

Belavanets – Bronstein 13th USSR semi-final, 1941

Petrosian – Pachman, Bled, 1961

Kaulfuss,H – Diaz,Joa.C (4) Hessen-ch, 1989[B02]

Fischer,Robert J – Fauber,Richard Milwaukee Northwestern,
1957

Fischer – Ibrahimoglu, Siegen, 1970

Hennigan – Hastings, Dundee, 1993

Ciocaltea – Kozma, Sochi, 1963

Fischer,RJ – Geller,U, Natanya, 1968

Bronstein – Uhlmann, Moscow, 1971

Fischer – Miagmasuren, Sousse, 1967

Fischer – Ivkov, Santa Monica, 1967

Short – Donner, Amsterdam, 1982 [B07]

Fischer,Robert J – Sherwin,James T, New Jersey, 1957

Smyslov – Botvinnik, USSR Ch, 1955

Yudasin-Jukic, Bern 1989

Dvoretsky – Vulfsson, USSR, 1986

Karlsson – George, Torbay, 1994[B40]
Van Geet – Guyt [A00] Paramaribo, 1967

Brouwn,Arnold – Perrenet,Jacob cr, 1971

Ekebjaerg,Ove – Strand,Torger cr Nielsen-mem, 1987

Leeners – Simon, Netherlands, 1979

Van Geet,Dick – Van der Zijpp,B, Haarlem, 1991

Suba,M – Bellon, Bucharest, 1978[A00]
Ratsch – Schwarz, DDR tt, 1969 [A00]
Schlenker,Rainer – Zimmermann,G, Heidelberg, 1985[A00]
Staples,M – Lee,G, England, 1976[A00]
Van Geet,Dick – Lee, Wijk aan Zee III, 1979[A00]
Tong,Y – Webster,A [B08], Ch World Cadet’s ( under 18 ),
Singapore
Bousum,J – Forbis,R [B08], It (open), Chicago
Goring – NN, Berlin, 1890[B00]
Schlenker,Rainer – Fuchs,D, Germany, 1985 [B00]

Hennigan – Accardo, Roma, 1990

Regis,D – Dansey,P, 1993

Caillet – Paul, Paris, 1989

Alekhin – Marco, Stockholm, 1912

Playing Black against Queen’s-Pawn Openings (1) Cambridge Springs

Posted on by

White plays 1. d4 or plays one of the flank openings, and you reply
with either a solid or an aggressive system
Black’s basic solid set-up

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+p+-+
+-np+p+-
ppp+n+pp
r-bkqb+r

Black’s basic active set-up

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+p+p+-+
+-np+p+-
pp-bn+pp
+kr-qb+r

  An Exeter Junior Chess Club booklet Edition 1., December, 99

 

Bibliography:

Norwood, Trends in the King’s Indian Attack

Evans, The Chess Opening for You

Kasparov/Keene, Batsford Chess Openings 2

Walker, Chess Openings for Juniors

Varnusz, Play Anti-Indian Systems

Wall, 500 English Miniatures

Soltis, The London System

Botvinnik, 100 Selected Games

Schiller, The Cambridge Springs Defence

Polugaevsky, Queen’s Gambit Declined: Orthodox
Defence

Various magazines and other books   Contents

Introduction

Playing solidly against the Queen’s-side and flank
openings

Playing aggressively against the Queen’s-side and flank
openings  

The repertoires below offer you solid and aggressive ways of
playing against most of the Queen’s side openings, and also tells
you what to do against some of the less common lines where only one
line need be learned.

Playing solidly against the
Queen’s-side and flank openings

Black’s basic solid set-up

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+p+-+
+-np+p+-
ppp+n+pp
r-bkqb+r

When I say solid, I mean, solid and going forward, not solid
and
standing still.

So, you must plan where your counterplay is coming from:

­ play …e5 to get your Bc8 out and working

­ play …Bd6 and …Qc7

­ play …Bb4 and …Qa5

­ play …dxc4 and …b5

Of course you can combine these plans.

play …e5 to get your Bc8 out

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-pp+-+
+-n-+p+-
ppp+n+pp
r-bkqb+r

play …Bd6 and …Qc7

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+p+-+
+-npbp+-
ppp+nqpp
r-+k+b+r

play …Bb4 and …Qa5

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-b-
-+-+p+-q
+-np+p+-
ppp+n+pp
r-+k+b+r

…dxc4 & …b5: keep the P/ hit
a
Bc4

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+p+
+-np+p+-
ppp+n+-p
r-bkqb+r

 

 

 
Playing aggressively against the Queen’s-side and flank
openings

play …Qe8 and …Qh4

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
q+p+p+-+
+-np+p+-
pp-bn+pp
+kr-+b+r

play …Kh8, …Rg8 and …g5

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
qpp+p+-+
+-np+p+-
p+-bn+pp
kr+-+b+r

play …Ne4 and …Ndf6

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+n+-+-
-+p+p+-+
+-np+p+-
pp-b-+pp
+kr-qb+r

re-organise bishops …Bd6 /
…Bd7-e8-h4

-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
b+p+p+-+
+-npbp+-
pp-+n+pp
+kr-q-+r

 

Under the Section A, Queen Pawn
Openings you can see both these lines at work. You
can see straight away that it may be possible to head towards one
then choose the other.

I’ll also show you how to play against some of the more off-beat
approaches to playing White in sections B-F. Analysis and Games

 

I’ll go through each approach in turn, looking at a system to
play against each White opening.

A. Queen’s pawn
openings

As your chess improves you will meet more and more players who
prefer the slower Queen’s-side openings, which although slow, are
dangerous because they are also trying to take over the centre, and
it is harder to stop this than after 1. e4. The reason for this is
worth thinking about:

In the e4 openings, you can often easily play …d5, but in the
1. d4 openings, …e5 takes a lot longer to arrange. You may prefer
to give up on the idea for a while, and concentrate on active
development.

There are several systems below which combine solidity and
winning chances in varying proportions:

The Cambridge Springs Defence to the Queen’s Gambit Declined

The Semi-Slav Defence: the Tchigorin, Romih and Abrahams
variations

The Stonewall Dutch

 

 

A1 Playing solidly against
1. d4

I assume that White will follow 1…d5 with 2. c4. Sometimes
White will play 2. Nf3 and later 3. c4, but basically White usually
needs the c2-c4 move to put Black’s centre under pressure, or Black
will be able to use the c7 and e7 pawns to hit out at the d4 pawn.
There are a few White systems that don’t involve c2-c4:

*

The Stonewall System

1. d4 2. e3 3. Bd3 and 4. f4

*

The London System

1. d4 2. Nf3 3. Bf4

*

The Colle System

: 1. d4 2. Nf3 3. e3 4. Bd3 ( see the booklet devoted to this
opening

 

 

A(a) The Stonewall System

(Notes from Fine, 1943)

1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3

[3. f4 is sometimes played to avoid the 3…Nc6 line. Black
can always play …Bf5]

3… c5

[Another good system is 3… Nc6 4. f4

[4. c3 e5]

4… Nb4 5. Nf3 Nxd3+ 6. cxd3 g6 7. Nc3 Bg7 8. O-O
O-O=]

4. c3 Nc6 5. f4

r+bqkb-r
pp+-pppp
-+n+-n-+
+-pp+-+-
-+-P-P-+
+-PBP-+-
PP-+-+PP
RNBQK-NR

5… e6

blocks the Bc8; probably not best.

[5… Bg4 6. Nf3 e6 7. Nbd2 Bd6 8. h3 Bh5 9. b3 cxd4 10.
cxd4 Rc8
-+rqk+-r
pp+-+ppp
-+nbpn-+
+-+p+-+b
-+-P-P-+
+P+BPN+P
P+-N-+P+
R-BQK-+R

Black is comfortable]

The dangers in this line can be seen in this line, given by
Fine:

6. Nf3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8. Ne5 Qc7

Ne5 needs some response; Black could also try to occupy e4

9. Nd2 Re8 10. g4

r+b+r+k+
ppq-+ppp
-+nbpn-+
+-ppN-+-
-+-P-PP+
+-PBP-+-
PP-N-+-P
R-BQ+RK-

with a crushing attack

 

 

A(b) London System

This can be a dangerous system: e.g.

Pribyl – Penrose (Nice)
1974

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. c3 e6 5. e3 Be7 6. Nbd2
O-O 7. Bd3 b6 8. Ne5

[8. O-O Bb7 9. a4

[9. Ne5]]

8… Bb7 9. Qf3 Nc6 10. Qh3 g6 11. Bh6 Re8 12. f4
Nd7

[12… Nxe5 13. fxe5 Ne4 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. O-O with a strong
attack: White can contemplate Rxf7!]

13. O-O f5 14. Ndf3 Ncxe5 15. fxe5 Bf8 16. Ng5 Bxh6 17.
Qxh6 Nf8

[17… Qe7 18. g4 Qg7 19. Qxg7+ Kxg7 20. Bb5 Rad8 21. gxf5
gxf5 22. Nh3 with an endgame plus]

18. Rf3 Re7 19. g4 Rg7 20. Raf1 Qd7 21. Kh1 Qe7 22. h4
Bc8 23. Rg3 a5 24. Rfg1 Ra7

-+b+-nk+
r-+-q-rp
-p-+p+pQ
p-ppPpN-
-+-P-+PP
+-PBP-R-
PP-+-+-+
+-+-+-RK

Black fiddles while the King’s side burns… White won an
endgame in about 40 moves.

 

Let’s try again from the top:

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. c3 e6 5. e3 Be7 6.
Nbd2

Now 6… Nc6

r+bqk+-r
pp+-bppp
-+n+pn-+
+-pp+-+-
-+-P-B-+
+-P-PN+-
PP-N-PPP
R-+QKB+R

Black should be prepared to snap off a Knight coming to e5, and
can also think about …Nh5 to exchange the Bishop.

7. h3

[or 7. Bd3 Nh5 8. Be5 f6 9. Bg3 g6 10. Qe2 O-O

r+bq-rk+
pp+-b-+p
-+n+ppp+
+-pp+-+n
-+-P-+-+
+-PBPNB-
PP-NQPPP
R-+-K-+R

Eslon-Cramling, 1984. BCO confidently gives this as an edge
to Black. The Black pawns look odd but cover a lot of key squares.
If White castles King’s- side Black will play …Nxg3; if O-O-O
Black should not open a file but …a6.]

7… O-O 8. Bd3 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 c4
12. Bc2 b5 13. a3 Nd7

r+-q-rk+
pb+nbppp
-+-+p+-+
+p+pB-+-
-+pP-+-+
P-P-P-+P
-PBN-PP+
R-+Q+RK-

= Remon-Agzamov 1984

 

 

The only other system which may cause concentr is the Colle
System; early development of the Bc8 to f5 or g4 is the antidote
(see booklet).

 

White has other non-standard plans eg…

[3. g3 c5 4. Bg2 e6 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Qb6 7. e3 Bd6

r+b+k+-r
pp+-+ppp
-qnbpn-+
+-pp+-+-
-+-P-+-+
+-P-PNP-
PP-+-PBP
RNBQ+RK-

= Ardiansyah-Farago 1983.]

….but these should not cause you sleepless nights. The
strongest move is c2-c4, so let us look at these variations.

 

A1.1 The Cambridge Springs
Defence against the Queen’s Gambit

The Queen’s Gambit is a strong and solid approach for White.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5

The main line is 4…Be7 but the line I recommend starts:

4… Nbd7

r+bqkb-r
pppn+ppp
-+-+pn-+
+-+p+-B-
-+PP-+-+
+-N-+-+-
PP-+PPPP
R-+QKBNR

Can White win a pawn here?

[5. cxd5 exd5 6. Nxd5 Nxd5 7. Bxd8

[7. Bd2 N7f6]

7… Bb4+ 8. Qd2 Bxd2+ 9. Kxd2 Kxd8 and Black has an extra
piece!]

No, so White usually continues:

5. e3 c6 6. Nf3 Qa5

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
-+PP-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+QKB+R

This is the Cambridge Springs Defence, a counter-attacking line
where Black aims to put the White Queen’s-side under pressure.
White has ways of heading off to other variations on moves 4,5 and
6 and we will look at those later. First, let us look at an example
game:

Marshall,F – Tarrasch,S, Nuremberg,
1895

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. e3 c6 6. Qc2
Qa5

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
-+PP-+-+
+-N-P-+-
PPQ+-PPP
R-+-KBNR

7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Nf3 ? 8… Bb4 9. Kd2

r+b+k+-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+p+-+
q-+n+-B-
-b-P-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PPQK-PPP
R-+-+B+R

Black’s attack on c3 has given White a real headache.

9… c5 10. a3 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 cxd4 12. exd4 N7b6 13. Bd3
Bd7 14. Rhc1 Rc8 15. Qb3 O-O

-+r+-rk+
pp+b+ppp
-n-+p+-+
q-+n+-B-
-+-P-+-+
PQPB+N+-
-+-K-PPP
R-R-+-+-

16. Ke2

[16. Rc2 Ba4]

16… Rxc3 17. Rxc3 Qxc3 18. Qb1 h6 19. Bd2 Qc7 20. Kf1
Nc4 21. Bc1 Ba4 22. Qa2 Rc8 23. Qe2 Nc3 24. Qe1 Na5 25. Bxh6 Nb3
26. Bd2 Nxa1 27. Qxa1

-+r+-+k+
ppq-+pp-
-+-+p+-+
+-+-+-+-
b+-P-+-+
P-nB+N+-
-+-B-PPP
Q-+-+K+-

27… Bb5 28. Bxb5 Nxb5 29. g3 Qc6 30. Kg2

-+r+-+k+
pp+-+pp-
-+q+p+-+
+n+-+-+-
-+-P-+-+
P-+-+NP-
-+-B-PKP
Q-+-+-+-

30… Rd8 31. Be3 Qe4 32. Qb2 Rd5 33. a4 Nd6 34. Bf4 Nf5
35. Be3 Nxe3+ 36. fxe3 Qxe3 37. g4 f5 38. g5 Qe4 39. Qc3 f4 40.
Qc8+ Kh7 41. Qc3

-+-+-+-+
pp+-+-pk
-+-+p+-+
+-+r+-P-
P+-Pqp-+
+-Q-+N+-
-+-+-+KP
+-+-+-+-

41… e5 42. h4 Rxd4 43. g6+ Kh6 44. Kh2 Qe2+
0-1

Quite a long haul, but not difficult to understand. I predict
you will win a few games like this to White players who do not
really see the attack coming. All the theory below is designed to
give you enough ideas to see you through games where your opponents
do know what they are doing.

From the main line position:

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
-+PP-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+QKB+R

White has several different moves here, but the same ideas are
present in each line: White hopes to safeguard the bishop on g5
and/or to minimise the attack on c3. We will look at:

a. 7. Nd2, stopping …Ne4

b. 7. Bxf6, removing the target

c. 7. Bd3 – a poor move (…dxc4!)

d. 7. cxd5 – stopping …dxc4

The first and last of these are the most important and most
common amongst masters.

 

 

A1.1a Cambridge Springs with 7.
Nd2

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
-+PP-+-+
+-N-P-+-
PP-N-PPP
R-+QKB+R

Black has got two ways to try and equalise here I recommend 7.
Nd2 Bb4 but Black has also tried

7.Nd2 dxc4

e.g.

8. Bxf6 Nxf6 9. Nxc4 Qc7 10. Rc1

r+b+kb-r
ppq-+ppp
-+p+pn-+
+-+-+-+-
-+NP-+-+
+-N-P-+-
PP-+-PPP
+-RQKB+R

which may be about equal but I don’t fancy it as well. Let’s try
instead

7. Nd2 Bb4

8. Qc2 O-O

r+b+-rk+
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
-bPP-+-+
+-N-P-+-
PPQN-PPP
R-+-KB+R

[8… e5 also equalises according to Polugaevsky]

9. Be2

White has also tried:

[9. a3 Ne4]

[9. Bh4 e5

r+b+-rk+
pp+n+ppp
-+p+-n-+
q-+pp-+-
-bPP-+-B
+-N-P-+-
PPQN-PPP
R-+-KB+R

always this blow! But Black can also try

[9… c5 10. Nb3 Qa4 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. dxc5 Qc6 13. cxd5
exd5=]

r+b+-rk+
pp+-+ppp
-+q+-n-+
+-Pp+-+-
-b-+-+-+
+NN-P-+-
PPQ+-PPP
R-+-KB+R

10. dxe5

[10. Nb3 Qc7 11. Be2 [or 11. Bg3 Ne4] 11… dxc4 12. Bxc4
exd4 13. Nxd4 Ne5 = Straat-Spielmann, Scheveningen 1923]

10… Ne4 11. Ndxe4 dxe4 12. e6 Ne5 13. exf7+

[13. e7 Re8 14. O-O-O Ng6 15. Rd8 Bf5]

13… Rxf7 14. O-O-O Bf5 15. a3 Nd3+

r+-+-+k+
pp+-+rpp
-+p+-+-+
q-+-+b+-
-bP+p+-B
P-NnP-+-
-PQ+-PPP
+-KR+B+R

16. Bxd3

[16. Kb1 Bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3 Re8 with good
compensation for the piece]

16… exd3 17. Qd2 c5 18. axb4 ? 18… cxb4 19. Nb1 Rc8 20.
b3 b5 with a strong attack for the piece]

9… e5

r+b+-rk+
pp+n+ppp
-+p+-n-+
q-+pp-B-
-bPP-+-+
+-N-P-+-
PPQNBPPP
R-+-K-+R

10. O-O

Again White has tried other moves:

[10. dxe5 Ne4 11. Ndxe4 dxe4 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3
Nxe5

[13… f6 14. Bh4 Qxe5 =]

14. Qxe4 Ng6 15. Bf4 Nxf4 16. Qxf4 Qxc3

r+b+-rk+
pp+-+ppp
-+p+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+P+-Q-+
+-q-P-+-
P+-+BPPP
R-+-+RK-

is OK for Black]

[10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. dxe5 Ne4 12. Ndxe4

[12. cxd5! Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bxc3 14. Rc1 Bxe5 15. dxc6 Rd8 16.
Bd3 bxc6 17. O-O Ba6 18. Nc4 Bxc4 19. Bxc4 += bukic-nikolac,
yugoslavia 1976]

12… dxe4 13. O-O Bxc3 14. Qxc3 Qxc3

15. bxc3 Re8 16. Rad1 Kf8

r+b+rk-+
pp+-+ppp
-+p+-+-+
+-+-P-+-
-+P+p+-+
+-P-P-+-
P+-+BPPP
+-+R+RK-

]

10… Bd6

[10… exd4 11. Nb3 Qc7 12. Nxd4 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Ne5 14. Be2
Neg4 15. Bf4 Qe7 16. h3 Ne5 17. Rad1 Ng6 18. Bg3 Rd8 =
Spraggett-Saed, Taxco 1985]

11. Nb3

[11. cxd5 exd4 12. dxc6 dxc3 13. cxd7 cxd2 14. dxc8=Q
Raxc8]

[11. c5 Be7 12. b4 Qc7

r+b+-rk+
ppqnbppp
-+p+-n-+
+-Ppp-B-
-P-P-+-+
+-N-P-+-
P+QNBPPP
R-+-+RK-

with chances for both sides; White has more space but while
Black maintains the tension in the centre it will not be easy for
either side

(…e4, though, would be a mistake) 13. b5]

11… Qc7 =

r+b+-rk+
ppqn+ppp
-+pb-n-+
+-+pp-B-
-+PP-+-+
+NN-P-+-
PPQ+BPPP
R-+-+RK-

 

A1.1b Cambridge Springs with 7.
Bxf6

7…Nxf6 8. Bd3 Bb4 9. Qc2

[There is an old line 9. Qb3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 O-O 11. O-O Bxc3
12. bxc3 b6 13. Ne5 Bb7 14. Be2 c5 15. Nc4 Qa6 16. Qb2 Bd5 17. Ne5
Qc8 18. a4 Nd7 19. c4 Be4

r+q+-rk+
p-+n+ppp
-p-+p+-+
+-p-N-+-
P+PPb+-+
+-+-P-+-
-Q-+BPPP
R-+-+RK-

= Capablanca, Lasker,Ed. NY 1924]

9… c5

r+b+k+-r
pp+-+ppp
-+-+pn-+
q-pp+-+-
-bPP-+-+
+-NBPN+-
PPQ+-PPP
R-+-K-+R

Black has a simple equalising plan: exchange centre pawns,
castle, then develop your Bc8.

10. Nd2 [or 10. O-O] 10…
cxd4 11. exd4 Bxc3 12. Qxc3 Qxc3 13. bxc3 dxc4 14. Nxc4 Ke7 15. Kd2
Bd7

r+-+-+-r
pp+bkppp
-+-+pn-+
+-+-+-+-
-+NP-+-+
+-PB+-+-
P+-K-PPP
R-+-+-+R

= Kmoch-Vajda, Kecsemet 1927

A1.1c Cambridge Springs with 7.
Bd3

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
-+PP-+-+
+-NBPN+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+QK-+R

This is a feeble move, although it looks natural.

7… Ne4 8. Nd2

[8. Bf4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Qxc3+ 10. Kf1 dxc4]

[8. Bxe4 dxe4 9. Ne5 Bb4]

8… Nxd2 9. Qxd2 dxc4

And Black has won a piece.

 

 

A1.1d Main line Cambridge with 7.
cxd5

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+P+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+QKB+R

7…Nxd5

Now White usually plays Qd2 but first we will need to examine an
alternative in 8. Qb3.

 

A1.1d(a) White deviates from main line: 8. Qb3

8. Qb3 Bb4

Others can be confidently tried:

[8… h6 9. Bh4 Bb4 10. Rc1 c5 11. a3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 cxd4
13. exd4 O-O = Euwe-Capablanca 1931]

[8… Bd6 9. e4 Nxc3 10. bxc3 e5 11. Bd2 O-O 12. Bd3 Qc7 =
Peev-Atanasov, Varna 1974]

9. Rc1 e5

r+b+k+-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+-+-+
q-+np-B-
-b-P-+-+
+QN-PN+-
PP-+-PPP
+-R-KB+R

!? Tartakower

10. Bc4 !

Best. Alternatives include:

(a) [10. dxe5 Nc5 11. Qc2 Na4

[11… Qxa2]

]

(b) [10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Be6 12. a3 Nxc3 13.
Qxb4

[13. axb4 Qxe5 14. Bf4 Bxb3 15. Bxe5 Na2]

13… Qxb4 14. axb4 Na2 15. Rd1 Nxb4]

(c) [10. Bd3 h6 11. Bh4 exd4 12. exd4 Nf4]

…with Black comfortable in each case.

10… N7b6

[10… exd4 is more solid 11. Bxd5 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 cxd5 13.
exd4 O-O 14. O-O Nb6 =]

11. Bxd5 Nxd5 12. Nxe5 Be6 13. Nc4

[13. a3 Nxc3]

13… Nxc3 14. Nxa5 Nxa2+ 15. Qxb4 Nxb4 16. Kd2
f6

r+-+k+-r
pp+-+-pp
-+p+bp-+
N-+-+-B-
-n-P-+-+
+-+-P-+-
-P-K-PPP
+-R-+-+R

=/=+ As in a consultation game Euwe & Weenink – Alekhin
& Van Den Bosch, Amsterdam 1931

 

 
A1.1d(b) Back to the main line with 8. Qd2

8. Qd2

Black now has the sharp

8… N7b6

and the solid

8…Bb4

 

A1.1d-1 Main line with 8…
N7b6

Now White has a choice:

(1) 9. Bd3

(2) 9. Nxd5

(3) 9. a3

(4) 9. Rc1

Only the last of these is dangerous.

 

d-1(1) Main line with 8…N7b6 9.
Bd3

r+b+kb-r
pp+-+ppp
-np+p+-+
q-+n+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-NBPN+-
PP-Q-PPP
R-+-K-+R

9. Bd3 (?)

This move anticipates transposing to the Rc1 system after

9… Nxc3

but Black can dodge with

9… Na4 !

with no problems after

10. Nxd5

[or 10. Nxa4 Bb4]

[or 10. O-O Nxb2 11. Qxb2 Qxc3 -+]

10… Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 exd5 drawn: Adorjan-Ivkov
1980

This is worth knowing about, because it is not in all the
books.

 

d-1(2) Main line with 8…N7b6 9.
Nxd5

r+b+kb-r
pp+-+ppp
-np+p+-+
q-+N+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+-PN+-
PP-Q-PPP
R-+-KB+R

An attempt to avoid any theoretical novelties, but abandining
any pretence at keeping the White advantage.

9… Qxd2+ 10. Nxd2 exd5 11. Bd3 a5

r+b+kb-r
+p+-+ppp
-np+-+-+
p-+p+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-+BP-+-
PP-N-PPP
R-+-K-+R

= Karpov-Kasparov 1984/85 #47

 

d-1(3) Main line with 8…N7b6 9.
a3

r+b+kb-r
pp+-+ppp
-np+p+-+
q-+n+-B-
-+-P-+-+
P-N-PN+-
-P-Q-PPP
R-+-KB+R

9… Nxc3

the pawn grab with …Bb4 is rather risky

10. Qxc3

[10. bxc3 Nd5 11. e4

[11. c4 Bb4]

11… Qxc3]

10… Qxc3+ 11. bxc3 f6 12. Bh4 c5

r+b+kb-r
pp+-+-pp
-n-+pp-+
+-p-+-+-
-+-P-+-B
P-P-PN+-
-+-+-PPP
R-+-KB+R

= Euwe

 

d-1(4) Main line with 8…N7b6 9.
Rc1

r+b+kb-r
pp+-+ppp
-np+p+-+
q-+n+-B-
-+-P-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PP-Q-PPP
+-R-KB+R

9… Nxc3 10. bxc3 Nd5 11. Bc4

[11. Bd3 Nxc3 12. O-O Bb4 13. a3 Qxa3 transposes
above]

11… Nxc3

[11… Ba3 12. Rb1 Nxc3 13. Rb3 b5 14. Bd3 b4 Black can win
a pawn but the Ba3 is dead for a long while]

12. O-O b5

[12… Bb4 is risky 13. a3]

13. d5

This is the only threatening continuation

[13. Qxc3 Qxc3 14. Rxc3 bxc4 15. Rb1 Ba6 16. Nd2 c5

r+-+kb-r
p-+-+ppp
b+-+p+-+
+-p-+-B-
-+pP-+-+
+-R-P-+-
P+-N-PPP
+R+-+-K-

with better chances for Black]

13… exd5 14. Bxd5 cxd5 15. Rxc3 Bb4 16. Qxd5 O-O 17.
Qxa8 Bg4

Q+-+-rk+
p-+-+ppp
-+-+-+-+
qp+-+-B-
-b-+-+b+
+-R-PN+-
P+-+-PPP
+-+-+RK-

Black’s chances are no worse

 

 

A1.1d-2 Main line with 8…
Bb4

this more straightforward move leads to quieter play

9. Rc1 O-O

r+b+-rk+
pp+n+ppp
-+p+p+-+
q-+n+-B-
-b-P-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PP-Q-PPP
+-R-KB+R

10. e4

[10. Bd3 e5 11. dxe5

[11. O-O exd4 12. exd4 f6 13. Bh4 Rd8 14. a3 Bxc3 15. bxc3
Nf8 16. Bg3 Be6 17. Rfe1 Bf7 18. c4

r+-r-nk+
pp+-+bpp
-+p+-p-+
q-+n+-+-
-+PP-+-+
P-+B+NB-
-+-Q-PPP
+-R-R-K-

with a pull for White: Kasparov-Smyslov, 1984]

11… Nxc3 12. bxc3 Ba3 13. Rd1 Nxe5]

10… Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bd6

r+b+-rk+
pp+n+ppp
-+pbp+-+
q-+-+-B-
-+-PP+-+
+-P-+N+-
P+-Q-PPP
+-R-KB+R

 

[11… Ba3 12. Rb1 e5

r+b+-rk+
pp+n+ppp
-+p+-+-+
q-+-p-B-
-+-PP+-+
b-P-+N+-
P+-Q-PPP
+R+-KB+R

Walker 13. Bd3 Re8

[13… exd4 14. cxd4 Qxd2+ 15. Nxd2 Nb6 16. O-O Be6 17. Nb3
+= Polu]

14. O-O b6 15. Qe2 Bb7 16. Rfd1 += Euwe]

 

This is all the theory you will ever need if White allows the
Cambridge Springs. Play over each line, not to learn the moves by
heart but to see all the different ideas. Once you know the ideas
the moves will come naturally to you – perhaps better moves than
are given in the notes!

 

 

A1.1e White avoids the Cambridge
Springs

 

A1.1e-1 White avoids the Cambridge
Springs after 5. Nf3

5… c6

White has tried

A. 6. Qc2

B. 6. Qb3

c. 6. e4

e-1(1) 6. Qc2

Now the usual attack can be easily met by

[6… Qa5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. e4 Nxc3 9. Bd2]

An active try is:

6… dxc4

[6… h6 is safer 7. Bxf6 Nxf6 8. e3 Be7 9. Bd3 O-O 10. O-O
c5 11. dxc5 dxc4 12. Bxc4 Bxc5

r+bq-rk+
pp+-+pp-
-+-+pn-p
+-b-+-+-
-+B+-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PPQ+-PPP
R-+-+RK-

~= Kotov-Panov 1938]

7. e4 b5 8. e5 h6 9. Bh4 g5 10. Nxg5 hxg5 11. Bxg5
Bb7

r+-qkb-r
pb+n+p+-
-+p+pn-+
+p+-P-B-
-+pP-+-+
+-N-+-+-
PPQ+-PPP
R-+-KB+R

Compared to the normal Anti-Meran system (see below), White has
played the inferior move Qc2 not g3. Black will get a good game
with …Qb6 and …O-O-O. See the section on the Semi-Slav
below.

 

e-1(2) 6. Qb3

Clearly the usual attack is not possible.

6…Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Be2 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. Rad1 h6 11.
Bh4

Samikhovsky-Kasparian 1931. Now

11… Ne4

r+-q-rk+
pb+nbpp-
-pp+p+-p
+-+p+-+-
-+PPn+-B
+QN-PN+-
PP-+BPPP
+-+R+RK-

with good play for Black

 

 

e-1(3) 6. e4

Black cannot allow this pawn to remain.

6…dxe4 7. Nxe4 h6 8. Nxf6+

[8. Bh4 g5 9. Nxf6+ Nxf6 10. Bg3 Bb4+ with advantage:
not

11. Nd2 ? 11… Ne4]

8… Nxf6 9. Bd2 c5 10. Bc3 Ne4

r+bqkb-r
pp+-+pp-
-+-+p+-p
+-p-+-+-
-+PPn+-+
+-B-+N+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+QKB+R

= Subarev-Ryumin 1931

 

 

A1.1e-2 White avoids the Cambridge
Springs after 5. e3

5. e3

Again you play

5… c6

Now:

(1) A. 6. Bd3

(2) B. 6. a3

(3) C. 6. Qc2

6. Nf3 would transpose to normal lines.

 

e-2(1) 6. Bd3

6…Qa5

is still OK here but see note after move 7

7. Bh4 dxc4

[not 7… Bb4 8. Nge2 +=]

8. Bxc4 b5 9. Bd3

[9. Bb3 would be met the same way]

9… b4 10. Nce2 c5 11. Nf3 Bb7 12. O-O Rc8

-+r+kb-r
pb+n+ppp
-+-+pn-+
q-p-+-+-
-p-P-+-B
+-+BPN+-
PP-+NPPP
R-+Q+RK-

= Ornstein-Sveshnikov 1977]

 

e-2(2) 6. a3

Plain enough!

6…Be7 7. Nf3 Ne4 8. Bxe7 Qxe7 9. Qc2

[or 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Nd2 f5 11. c5 O-O 12. Nc4 b6 13. b4 Ba6
14. Be2 Bxc4 15. Bxc4 a5 16. Qb3 Rfe8 17. O-O b5 18. Be2
a4

r+-+r+k+
+-+nq-pp
-+p+p+-+
+pP-+p+-
pP-Pp+-+
PQ+-P-+-
-+-+BPPP
R-+-+RK-

>/< Euwe-Bogolyubov 1941]

9… Nxc3 10. Qxc3 O-O 11. Be2 dxc4 12. Bxc4 b6 13. O-O
Bb7 14. Rfd1 c5 15. dxc5 Nxc5

r+-+-rk+
pb+-qppp
-p-+p+-+
+-n-+-+-
-+B+-+-+
P-Q-PN+-
-P-+-PPP
R-+R+-K-

= Pirc-Rabar 1946]

 

e-2(3) 6. Qc2

An important idea as played at the highest level, but Black can
equalise.

6…Qa5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. e4 Nxc3 9. Bd2 Qa4 ! 10. Qxc3 a5
11. Nf3 Bb4 12. Qc1

r+b+k+-r
+p+n+ppp
-+p+p+-+
p-+-+-+-
qb-PP+-+
+-+-+N+-
PP-B-PPP
R-Q-KB+R

~= Capablanca-Alekhin 1927

12… O-O

[12… Bxd2+ 13. Qxd2 Qb4 14. Bd3 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Ke7
Neishtadt]

13. a3 Bxd2+ 14. Qxd2 e5 15. Rc1 exd4 16. Rc4 Qb5 17.
Rxd4 Qc5

r+b+-rk+
+p+n+ppp
-+p+-+-+
p-q-+-+-
-+-RP+-+
P-+-+N+-
-P-Q-PPP
+-+-KB+R

now not 18. Rxd7 Bxd7 19. Qxd7 Qc1+ 20. Qd1 Qxb2]

 

 


A1.1e-3 White avoids the whole QGD by playing the Catalan

The what? The Catalan is an opening which involves c2-c4 but not
e2-e3. White holds back the e-pawn and instead plays the
light-squared Bishop out to the long diagonal on g2. So how can
White capture the c-pawn if Black takes it? Quite!

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3
b5!?

“Boy, did I underestimate this one!”

SCHILLER, Play the Catalan

This is a sneaky way of grabbing a pawn. White can play 5. Qa4+,
but otherwise play is like the Abrahams’ Variation game
Seirawan-Korchnoi on page . Both Korchnoi and
Karpov have tried this line, which is probably not totally sound
but White will have to walk a tightrope to find the way to
advantage.

If you don’t fancy this line then uncoiling slowly with usual
Slav-style moves will probably equalise. The game is too unforcing
to give much detailed analysis.

I’ll show you a game by Korchnoi and one by Karpov, and look at
the latest theory.

6. a4

[The Karpov game went instead 6. Ne5 and White never broke
up the Queen’s-side pawn mass]

6… c6

The Korchnoi game went 7. O-O

The latest theory goes:

7. Ne5 Nd5 8. O-O

[Schiller recommends 8. axb5 cxb5 9. Nc3 Bb4

[or 9… Bb7]

10. O-O Bxc3 11. e4

rnbqk+-r
p-+-+ppp
-+-+p+-+
+p+nN-+-
-+pPP+-+
+-b-+-P-
-P-+-PBP
R-BQ+RK-

which is splendidly messy

11… Bxb2 12. exd5

[12. Bxb2 Ne7 13. d5 O-O 14. Ba3 f6 15. d6 Nec6 16. Nxc6
Nxc6 17. d7 b4

[Not 17… Bxd7 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 19. e5 +/-]

18. dxc8=Q Rxc8
-+rq-rk+
p-+-+-pp
-+n+pp-+
+-+-+-+-
-pp+P+-+
B-+-+-P-
-+-+-PBP
R-+Q+RK-

“unclear” OLL/NARVA]

12… Bxa1 13. Ba3 a5 unclear (!) BCO2 14. Qg4 Qf6 15. Rxa1
Ra6 16. Bc5 Nd7 17. Nxd7 Bxd7 18. Qe4
-+-+k+-r
+-+b+ppp

r+-+pq-+
ppBP+-+-
-+pPQ+-+
+-+-+-P-
-+-+-PBP
R-+-+-K-

CHERNIN awaits tests…]

After 7. Ne5 Nd5 8. O-O:

8… Bb7 9. b3 cxb3 10. axb5 cxb5 11. Qxb3 a6 12. e4 Nf6
13. d5 Bc5 !

but still += BCO2

Example Cambridge Springs
games

Ottaviani,W – Liying,P (Novi-14) [D52] Cambridge Springs:
loose Bg5, 1990

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. Nf3 c6 6. e3
Qa5 7. a3

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
-+PP-+-+
P-N-PN+-
-P-+-PPP
R-+QKB+R

7… Ne4 8. Qc2

[8. Qa4]

[8. b4 Bxb4 9. axb4 Qxb4 10. Rc1 Nxc3]

8… Nxg5 9. Nxg5 dxc4

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+p+-+
q-+-+-N-
-+pP-+-+
P-N-P-+-
-PQ+-PPP
R-+-KB+R

10. Bxc4 ??

[10. Nxh7 Bb4 11. Bxc4 g6]

[10. Nge4 b5 11. Be2]

10… Qxg5 11. O-O Be7 12. Rae1 O-O 13. f4 Qh6 14. Rf3
f5

r+b+-rk+
pp+nb-pp
-+p+p+-q
+-+-+p+-
-+BP-P-+
P-N-PR+-
-PQ+-+PP
+-+-R-K-

[14… Rd8 15. Rh3 Qg6 16. Bd3 f5 17. e4 Bf6]

15. e4 b5 16. Bb3 Kh8 17. exf5 Bf6 18. fxe6 Bxd4+ 19.
Kh1 Nf6 20. Ne2 Ng4 21. h3 Bf2 22. Rd1 c5 23. e7 Re8 24. Qd2 c4 25.
Qd8 Bb7 26. Rc3 Ne3

r+-Qr+-k
pb+-P-pp
-+-+-+-q
+p+-+-+-
-+p+-P-+
PBR-n-+P
-P-+NbP+
+-+R+-+K

27. Qb6 Qxh3# 0-1

 

 

Buthali,D – Figueroa,C (Novi-14) [D52] cambridge springs:
loose Bg5, 1990

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 d5 3. c4 e6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. e3 c6 6. Nc3
Bb4 7. Bd3 Qa5 8. Qc2 Ne4 9. Bxe4 dxe4 10. Nd2 Qxg5 11. O-O f5 12.
Ne2 Bd6 13. Rad1 Nf6 14. c5

r+b+k+-r
pp+-+-pp
-+pbpn-+
+-P-+pq-
-+-Pp+-+
+-+-P-+-
PPQNNPPP
+-+R+RK-

Things go from bad to worse!

14… Bxh2+ 15. Kxh2 Qh4+ 16. Kg1 Ng4 17. Rfe1 Qxf2+ 18.
Kh1 Nxe3 0-1

 

Borovikov,V – Shabanov,Y (Podolsk) [D52] Cambridge Springs:
Black grabs material, 1990

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 Nbd7 6. e3
Qa5 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qd2 N7b6 9. Bd3 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Na4 11. O-O
Qxc3

r+b+kb-r
pp+-+ppp
-+p+p+-+
+-+-+-B-
n+-P-+-+
+-qBPN+-
P+-Q-PPP
R-+-+RK-

12. Qe2 Qb2 13. Bc2 h6 14. Bh4 Nc3 15. Qd3 Nd5 16. Ne5
g5 17. Nxf7 Kxf7 18. Qg6+ Ke7 19. Bg3 Rg8 20. Qxg8 Qxc2 21. Rae1
Bd7 22. f4 Nf6 23. Qh8 Qh7

r+-+-b-Q
pp+bk-+q
-+p+pn-p
+-+-+-p-
-+-P-P-+
+-+-P-B-
P+-+-+PP
+-+-RRK-

24. Qxh7+ Nxh7 25. fxg5 Nxg5 26. h4 Nf7 27. Rb1 b6 28.
Be1 Rc8 29. Bb4+ Ke8 30. Bxf8 Kxf8 31. Rf6 Ke7 32. Rbf1 Be8 33. h5
c5 34. g4

-+r+b+-+
p-+-kn+-
-p-+pR-p
+-p-+-+P
-+-P-+P+
+-+-P-+-
P+-+-+-+
+-+-+RK-

34… c4 35. Rg6 c3 36. Kf2 Bc6 37. Ke1 Bb5 38. Rh1 Bd3
39. Kd1 Rc4 40. a3 Ra4 0-1

 


Duemer,K – Meyer,Frh (2.BLSW) [D52] cambridge springs:
Q-side attack, 1989

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Nf3
Qa5 7. Nd2 Bb4 8. Qc2 dxc4 9. Bxf6 Nxf6 10. Nxc4 Qc7 11. a3 Be7 12.
Be2 O-O 13. O-O Bd7 14. b4 Rfd8 15. g3 Be8 16. Rfd1 b6 17. Bf3
a5

r+-rb+k+
+-q-bppp
-pp+pn-+
p-+-+-+-
-PNP-+-+
P-N-PBP-
-+Q+-P-P
R-+R+-K-

18. bxa5 b5 19. Nb2 Rxa5 20. a4 Qa7 21. Rdc1 Nd5 22. Bd1
Ra8 23. Ne4 Nb6 24. Nc3 c5

r+-+b+k+
q-+-bppp
-n-+p+-+
rpp-+-+-
P+-P-+-+
+-N-P-P-
-NQ+-P-P
R-RB+-K-

25. dxc5 Nxa4 26. Ncxa4 bxa4 27. Nd3 Rc8 28. Ra3 Bd7 29.
e4 Bc6 30. e5 Rb8 31. Qd2 h6 32. Bc2 Bxc5 33. Nxc5
Rxc5

-r-+-+k+
q-+-+pp-
-+b+p+-p
+-r-P-+-
p+-+-+-+
R-+-+-P-
-+BQ-P-P
+-R-+-K-

34. Qd3 g6 35. Rca1 Ra8 36. Qd2 Kg7 37. Qd1 Ra5 38. Qd2
Qd7 39. Qf4 Qd5 40. Qf6+ Kg8

r+-+-+k+
+-+-+p+-
-+b+pQpp
r-+qP-+-
p+-+-+-+
R-+-+-P-
-+B+-P-P
R-+-+-K-

41. f3 Qc5+ 0-1

 

El Mezwaghi,H – Mubarak,A (Novi-12) [D52] cambridge
springs: Queen’s-side majority in EG, 1990

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. e3 c6 6. Nf3
Qa5 7. Qa4

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
Q+PP-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+-KB+R

7… Qxa4 8. Nxa4 dxc4 9. Nc3 b5 10. Be2 Bb4 11. O-O
Bxc3 12. bxc3 Ne4 13. Rfc1 Nb6 14. Rc2 Nd5 15. Rac1 f6 16. Bh4 g5
17. Bg3 h5 18. Nd2 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Ke7 20. Rb2 Bd7 21. Ne4 h4 22. g4
Nb6 23. Nc5 a5

r+-+-+-r
+-+bk-+-
-np+pp-+
ppN-+-p-
-+pP-+Pp
+-P-P-+-
PR-+BPP+
+-R-+-K-

24. a4 Rhb8 25. axb5 cxb5 26. Nxd7 Nxd7 27. Rcb1 a4 28.
Rb4 a3 29. Ra1 Ra5 30. Kf1 Nb6 31. e4 Rba8 32. Ke1 e5 33. Kd2 Nd7
34. Ra2 exd4 35. cxd4 Nb8 36. Rb1 Nc6 37. Ke3 Rb8 38. f3 Rd8 39. d5
Ne5 40. f4 gxf4+ 41. Kxf4 Kd6 42. Kf5 Rb8

-r-+-+-+
+-+-+-+-
-+-k-p-+
rp+PnK+-
-+p+P+Pp
p-+-+-+-
R+-+B+P+
+R+-+-+-

43. Rba1 b4 44. Bd1 Ra7 45. Kf4 Rba8 46. Rb1 Rb7 47.
Rba1 Rba7 48. Rb1 Nd3+ 49. Kf5 Nb2 50. Be2 c3 51. Kxf6 c2 52. e5+
Kxd5 53. Rc1 Rf8+ 54. Kg5 b3 55. Raa1 Nc4 56. e6 b2
0-1

 

Michaelsen,N – Hort,V (FRG-ch) [D52] cambridge springs:
break on Q-side, 1989

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bg5 c6 6. e3
Qa5 7. Nd2 dxc4 8. Bxf6 Nxf6 9. Nxc4 Qc7 10. Rc1 Nd5 11. a3 Be7 12.
Be2 a5 13. O-O O-O 14. Bf3 Rd8 15. Qc2 Bd7 16. Ne4 Be8 17. Rfd1 b6
18. g3 Rac8 19. h4 h6

-+rrb+k+
+-q-bpp-
-pp+p+-p
p-+n+-+-
-+NPN+-P
P-+-PBP-
-PQ+-P-+
+-RR+-K-

20. Kg2 Bf8 21. Qb1 a4 22. Qc2 Qb8 23. Qb1 g6 24. Nc3
Nxc3 25. Rxc3 c5

-qrrbbk+
+-+-+p+-
-p-+p+pp
+-p-+-+-
p+NP-+-P
P-R-PBP-
-P-+-PK+
+Q+R+-+-

26. dxc5 Rxc5 27. Rxd8 Qxd8 28. Qe4 Bc6 29. Qg4 h5 30.
Qf4 Bxf3+ 31. Qxf3 Bg7 32. Rc2 Qc7

-+-+-+k+
+-q-+pb-
-p-+p+p+
+-r-+-+p
p+N+-+-P
P-+-PQP-
-PR+-PK+
+-+-+-+-

33. Qf4

[33. Qa8+ Kh7 34. Qxa4 b5 35. Qa6 Rxc4]

33… b5 0-1

 

Perez,A – Perera,M [D52] cambridge springs: chances with
NN, 1989

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. Bg5 Nbd7 5. e3 c6 6. Nf3
Qa5 7. Qa4

r+b+kb-r
pp+n+ppp
-+p+pn-+
q-+p+-B-
Q+PP-+-+
+-N-PN+-
PP-+-PPP
R-+-KB+R

7… Qxa4 8. Nxa4 Bb4+ 9. Nc3 Ne4 10. Rc1 Nb6 11. a3
Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Na4 13. cxd5 exd5 14. c4 Be6 15. Bh4 O-O 16. Bd3
Nec3 17. Ng5 h6 18. Nxe6 fxe6 19. cxd5 cxd5

an interesting BB vs. NN ending has arisen

20. O-O Rac8 21. Rc2 Rc7 22. Rfc1 Rfc8

-+r+-+k+
ppr-+-p-
-+-+p+-p
+-+p+-+-
n+-P-+-B
P-nBP-+-
-+R+-PPP
+-R-+-K-

23. f3

[23. Kf1]

23… Ne2+ 24. Rxe2 Rxc1+

-+r+-+k+
pp+-+-p-
-+-+p+-p
+-+p+-+-
n+-P-+-B
P-+BPP+-
-+-+R+PP
+-r-+-K-

25. Kf2 R8c3 26. Bb5 Nb6 27. Be7 a6 28. Be8 Nc4 29. Bd7
Kf7 30. Bb4 R3c2 31. e4 a5 32. Be1 Rxe2+ 33. Kxe2 b6 34. exd5 exd5
35. Bf2 Ra1 36. a4 Nb2 37. Bc6 Ke6 38. Bg3 Nxa4 39. Be5 g6 40. Be8
Nb2 41. Bxg6 Nc4 42. Bg7 Ra2+ 43. Kf1 Ne3+ 44. Ke1 Nxg2+ 45. Kd1
Ne3+ 0-1

 

 

Example games where White avoids
the Cambridge Springs

The only examples I have are from the Catalan.

Lengyel-Karpov, Moscow
1972

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 b5!? 6.
Ne5 Nd5 7. O-O Bb7 8. e4 Nf6 9. Re1 Nbd7 10. Qe2 a6 11. Nc3 Nxe5
12. dxe5 Nd7

r+-qkb-r
+bpn+ppp
p+-+p+-+
+p+-P-+-
-+p+P+-+
+-N-+-P-
PP-+QPBP
R-B-R-K-

13. Rd1 Qc8 14. f4 Bc5+ 15. Be3 O-O 16. Rd2 Bxe3+ 17.
Qxe3 c5 18. Rad1 Bc6 ! (N moves are met by f4-f5) 19. Rd6 Re8 20.
R1d2 ?! 20… Qc7 21. Nd1 b4 !? 22. Bf1 Bb5 23. Bxc4 Nb6 24. Bxb5
axb5 25. b3 Nc8 26. Rd7 Qb6 27. Rc2 c4 28. Rd4 Ra3

-+n+r+k+
+-+-+ppp
-q-+p+-+
+p+-P-+-
-ppRPP-+
rP+-Q-P-
P+R+-+-P
+-+N+-K-

29. Nf2 Ne7 30. Qd2 c3 31. Qd3 Nc6 32. Rd6 Raa8 33. Kg2
Red8 34. a3 Rxd6 35. exd6 Nd4

r+-+-+k+
+-+-+ppp
-q-Pp+-+
+p+-+-+-
-p-nPP-+
PPpQ+-P-
-+R+-NKP
+-+-+-+-

36. axb4 Nxc2 37. Qxc2 Qd4 38. Kf3

[38. e5 may have been more worrying]

38… e5 39. Nd3 exf4 40. gxf4 f6 41. e5
0-1

 

Tukmakov-Korchnoi Leningrad
1973

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 b5!? 6.
a4 c6 7. O-O Bb7 8. Ne5 a6

[8… Qc8]

9. b3

[9. axb5 axb5 10. Rxa8 Bxa8 11. Nc3 Nd5 12. e4 Nxc3 13. bxc3 Bd6
=+]

9… cxb3 10. Bb2 Qb6 11. Qxb3 Nbd7 12.
Nxd7

[12. Nc3 b4]

[12. Nd2 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd7 14. Ne4 ? 14… Nc5 15. Qe3 Nxa4
-+]

12… Nxd7 13. Nd2 Be7 14. d5 (!) 14… cxd5 15. Bxg7
Rg8 16. Bc3

[16. Bh6 (!) 16… Bf6 17. Rab1 Rg6 18. Be3 d4 19. Nc4 bxc4
20. Qxb6 Nxb6 21. Bxb7]

16… Rg4

[16… b4 17. a5 Qb5 18. Bb2 Nc5 =+]

17. Rfb1 Bc5 18. e3 Bxe3!!

r+-+k+-+
+b+n+p+p
pq-+p+-+
+p+p+-+-
P+-+-+r+
+QB-b-P-
-+-N-PBP
RR+-+-K-

19. fxe3 Qxe3+ 20. Kh1 Rc8

[simpler is 20… Nc5]

21. Ba5

[not 21. Rc1 Nc5]

21… Qxb3 22. Nxb3 Rxa4 23. Rxa4 bxa4 24. Nd2 Bc6 25.
Rc1 Ne5 26. Kg1 Kd7 27. Nf3 Nxf3+ 28. Bxf3 d4

-+r+-+-+
+-+k+p+p
p+b+p+-+
B-+-+-+-
p+-p-+-+
+-+-+BP-
-+-+-+-P
+-R-+-K-

29. Bh5 f5 30. g4 fxg4 ?!

[30… Rg8]

31. Rd1

[31. Rc4 ?!]

31… Bd5 32. Rxd4 Rc1+ 33. Kf2 a3 34. Bxg4 a2 35.
Bc3

[35. Rxd5+ Kc6]

35… Rc2+ 36. Ke1 Rxc3 37. Rxd5+ Ke7 38. Rd1 Rb3
0-1