Rudel ZUK

early a critury ago Aron Nim; ii4igated a re’ottfttt5rFWichess
strategy, claiming a player not occu4 the centerto control it. The
popularity and strength of the King’s Indiar Defense, which invites White
to build a center that Black can attack, has demonstrated the value of this hypermodern
style.
But what if White refuses to play along? What if White plays for both space and development
without giving Black a target?
David Rudel, author of the tremendously popular Zuke ‘Em, presents a cohesive,
plug-and-play system against repertoires based on a K-side fianchetto (e.g., the
King’s Indian, Grünfeld, and Dutch). He shows how White can turn hypermodern
defense on its head by refusing to let Black utilize his early development advantage,
putting the onus on the second player to justify his lack of space.
This integrated system, which Rudel nicknamed Zuka, can be incorporated into any
traditional 1 .d4 repertoire, whether White intends 2.c4 or 2.Nf3.
of Rudel’s work on the Dangerfield Attack. Note that Zuka contains the entirety
The Dangerfield Attack sub-portion of this Fight the King’s Indian... ZUKA
ISBN-i 3 978-1-888710-63-2 book has been published concurrently as
ISBN-i 01-888710-63-2
a separate book (Dismantle the Dutch with
the Dangerfield Attack), but the two books 90000
have the same content with respect to the
Dutch defense.
9 781888 710632 GAMES> CHESS > SPECIFIC STRATEGIES

Table of Coifleifls
P iefic:e: ocIe tJariie t.i1ca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •. . ‘7’
A Stand-Alone System Created for Colle Players but Usable
by i\i15rone . I.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Part I: The King’s Indian Defense

Background: The Current Status of Queen’s Pawn Game
Iesjonse to . . .g6—systems . . . . . . .. . . . . •....... . .. . . . 15
Overview: Using Zuka Against ...g6-defenses ..... ....... 27
Introduction to the King’s Indian Defense... 43 01: Chapter

KID with 9...dxe5—Black Plays ...Qc7 61 02: Chapter
KID with 9...dxe5—Black Plays ...Qe7........ 77 03: Chapter
K ID with ¶.. . .tJxe5 ............. ................. 93 04: Chapter
KID dds and Ends . . . . . •...... . . . . 13 05: Chapter
Part 2: The Grflnfeld
6 : ‘T’Ii e S n e a 1c)1 G ri.1 n fe 1 d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 Chapter

07: Optional: Closed Grünfeld ......... ...... 137 Chapter
Part 3: Black Plays ...d6 and Avoids KID
08: Black Transposes into a Benoni Structure.. 149 Chapter

09: Optional: The Shrewed h3.... ...... 179 Chapter
10: The Old Indian and Other ...d6 Defenses.. 193 Chapter
Part 4: The Dutch
Chapter 11: Introducing the Dangerfield Attack... . 209

Chapter 12: The 2-hour Dangerfield Attack Primer.........221
Chapter 13: Dutch Odds and Ends 251
Chapter 14: 1.d4 e6 2.c4 257
Part 5: Further Analysis
Chapter 15: KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 1: Bg5-f4 267

Chapter 16: KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 2: Black Simply
D exielcps............. 28’’
Chapter 17: KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 3: Pre-emptive
295
Chapter 18: The Sneaky Grünfeld 301

Chapter : The StcneAra1l 3 3
Chapwr 20: The Classical Dutch 327
Chapter 21: The Leningrad Dutch 347
Chapter 22: The Deferred Leningrad 355
Chapter 23: The Dutch Fianchetto Variation 379
Position Training
Dutch ui L103
Dutch AnsArers 4-07
tJ n—Dutch 413
tt%J n—Dutch . . . . 421
Reference
Variation 1.Ja’vigator. . . . . . . . . 437

B illicgraph)r . 439
C1pn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •....... . . . . . 441
Preface
i—fl flP NflITIP 7111/fl
L. U Li C I I fl I I C: £ Li C? C?
fter finishing Zuke ‘Em: The Colle-Zukertort Revolutionized,

a recurring question from readers and players on the
Colle System Players Forum was “When are you going to write
a book discussing how to meet ...g6?” Several other readers
asked about the Dutch.
Zuke ‘Em gave little guidance against an early ...g6 or

...f5 (other than directing the reader to other books) for two
reasons:
• I didn’t have any new ideas I deemed worth advocating

against these lines.
• Those systems were outside the intended scope of the
work.
To clarify this second point, Zuke ‘Em provided ammunition

against anti-Colle lines, especially those where Black
deviated after White had already blocked his dark-squared
Bishop with e3. Its other main purpose was to address tricky
move orders that leave Black the option of transposing to a
typical QGD.
My thinking was that systems like the KID, Pirc, Modern,
Grünfeld, and Dutch generally take the game so far outside
normal Colle territory before White commits to e3 that they
represent less of a repertoire challenge for the first player, who
is free to pick any of several opening systems more suited to
meeting ...g6 or ...f5 than the Colle.
To some extent that basic idea still holds, but even within
its truth we find the source of a frustration for Colle System
7
Zuka: The Zuke Companion
players. I’ve long advised players to weave the Colle into

a larger repertoire, but that larger repertoire tends to have
several disparate pieces with different pawn structures. Contemporary,
serious players who use the Colle System have to
use one system against the Pirc, another against the Dutch,
another against the King’s Indian Defense, and (perhaps
most annoyingly) two different tacks when facing the Grünfeld—one
against the typical move order (1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6
followed by ...d5) and another against the Sneaky Grünfeld
(1.d4 NJf6 2.NJf3 d5 3.e3 g6!?).
It’s not surprising that different Black defensive systems
are best met by different White choices, but it sure would be
nice if those various White continuations were closely related
to one another. This would significantly reduce the study time
required because one would face similar structures, execute
familiar strategies, and avoid traps lurking in foreign contexts.
Furthermore, the more cohesive your repertoire, the less likely
you will find yourself foundering when a clever move order
forces you to switch from one system to another.
After much work, I believe I can now present to readers the
perfect regime to combine with the Colle System. It is a structure
that can be used (with a few exceptions and a couple of
tweaks) against repertoires based on the Dutch, Pirc, Modern,
KID, and both Grünfeld move orders.
Zuka: The Zuke ‘Em Companion
8
Preface
I have dubbed this setup “Zuka,” because I believe it is the

perfect companion to those using a Zuke ‘Em repertoire, but it
also integrates well with a c3-Colle system repertoire. In fact,
our move order allows the system to be used by almost any
1 .d4-player, whether you prefer 2.c4 or 2.Nf3.
It might seem arrogant to assign this setup a name. I’m
quite definitely not the first person to propose the configuration.
It is becoming more and more popular to meet the
CrQnfeld with this setup, and it is not uncommon for people
to use it against the Dutch, though we will be incorporating
a twist by developing the Bishop to f4 early.
I’m giving it a name for four reasons. First, I believe it has
never previously been developed as an integrated system designed
to combine seamlessly with the Colle, allowing White
to meet practically any defense the Colle stmggles against.
Second, we will be using a novel move order in most cases,
delaying Nc3 to avoid certain troublesome lines. Third, of all
the relevant defensive systems, the KID poses by far the biggest
problem for those who play quiet e3-systems, and I know of
no modern work exploring this setup for White against the
KID. Finally, I’ll be referring to this complex frequently, and
didn’t want to say “The c4/d4/e3/Nf3/Be2/Nc3 configuration”
over and over again.
Normally one expects these one-size-fits-many approaches
to come with a concomitant reduction in power, but the advantage
sacrificed for simplicity is surprisingly small in this
case. As we shall find later, there are just not many critical
setups Black can use against the Zuka configuration once he
has played .. .f5 or .. .g6, and White has every reason to expect a
genuine advantage against each. Sure, White can score better
against the KID if he knows the Classical Variation 20 moves
deep, but I suspect such people have little interest in the Colle
in the first place, and knowing the KID so well doesn’t solve
the problems of the Dutch, the CrQnfeld, etc.
9
Perhaps best of all, the Zuka system allows White to take

the game into waters that are both unexplored and thematic,
so he should expect to understand the relevant strategy better
than his opponent. Finally, I believe the lines I propose here
will appeal to readers of Zuke ‘Em because they achieve the
same goals that informed the variations in that book: they
suppress Black’s counterplay while giving White either an
initiative or long-term, concrete advantages.
As always, I hope to see you on the forum (http://www.
zuke-dukes.com/forum), and feel free to write me with feedback
at David@zukertort.com.
David Rudel
Budapest, Hungary
10
Preface
A Stand-Alone System Created for

Colle Players but Usable by yoqe
Author’s Note to Non-Colle Players
e Zuka System developed and explained in this book

can be used by most players who open 1 .d4, whether they
intend 2.c4 or 2.NJf3. Because Colle System players constitute
a large proportion of my readership, I have used 2.NJf3
throughout the book.
Unless Black plays a delayed Dutch, this should make no difference

at all because 1.d4 NJf6 2.NJf3 g6 3.c4 and 1.d4 NJf6
2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 are equivalent. In the case of a delayed Dutch
(1 .d4 e6, planning . . . f5) there are a couple of lines where 2.c4
and 2.NJf3 lead to different possibilities. These are covered in
Chapter 14. The extra-delayed Dutch, in which Black waits
until his 3rd move before playing ...f5, should really only
pose a concern to Colle System players, so in the specific case
of 1.d4 d5 2.NJf3 e6, the coverage assumes White is aiming
for a Colle setup.
In all other variations the book should serve Queen’s Gambit

players and their Colle System peers equally well, and Collecentric
remarks are mainly confined to the preface and an occasional
framing discussion in other introductory material.
11
12
Part 1
The King’s Indian Defense

Background: The Current Status of
Queen’s Pawn Game Responses to
.g6-systems
Before
usedjumping into a detailed
against various look ata how
...g6 systems, quickZuka can beof
discussion
the current state of theory seems appropriate.
When discussing deviations from “Queen’s Pawn Game”
openings, loosely defined as anything where White opens
1 .d4 and delays or omits c4, one can identify two categories
that match two very different kinds of Black repertoires.
The first category comprises the various pet defenses,
each designed to defuse an individual opening. The second
category comprises recognized opening systems that naturally
cut across White’s plans; examples include the Benoni, Dutch,
and King’s Indian defenses. While challenging lines exist in
both categories, the members of the second group are particularly
problematic because they tend to result in structures the
second player is well versed in playing. A tournament player
might have to use each of his pet defenses once a year, but a
I3enoni specialist is going to bash out 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 many
times each month.
Furthermore, these “real” defenses are much more likely to

provide Black substantial winning chances. Compare this to
many pet defenses that make White work harder to achieve a
significant advantage in the opening, but which can be quite
hard for Black to win with even against mediocre play should
White be happy with a draw. Examples include meeting the
Colle with 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Bf5 or the accelerated London
with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d6.
But these two categories differ in another important regard.
Pet lines are rarely tested at high levels, and their theory
15
changes slowly. Once White finds the proper refutation for

such a line, it can be a long time before it gets resurrected.
At one point many of these variations could have been considered
silver bullets, but their tips have since degraded to
bronze or clay. Not so with the Modern, Pirc, Benoni, GrQnfeld,
Dutch, and Indian systems. Many of these are played at
high levels regularly, and the opportunity for developments,
even in their sidelines—the variations Queen’s Pawn Game
players may adopt—is much greater. A recommendation for
White that looked good in 2000 may have already had its
coffin made by 2010.
Of these various defensive systems, those employing an
early ...g6 are particularly difficult for Colle System players to
meet. The knee-jerk explanation for this is that White’s powerful
Bishop on d3 bites on g6-granite. This reasoning contains
some truth, especially for the C-K version which relies heavily
on that Bishop. Yet it glosses over a more fundamental
point. As I described in Zuke ‘Em, the Colle-Zukertort aims to
render Black’s light-squared Bishop as worthless as possible.
If Black fianchettoes his dark-squared Bishop, White has no
real hope of containing Black’s light-squared Bishop with a
Colle structure because there is no compelling reason for the
second player to issue ...e6.
This short circuits White’s whole setup. Not only will Black
get to make some use of his light-squared Bishop, but he does
not need to take any drastic early action to do so. No wonder
the Colle stands to do poorly against the ...g6 systems: Black
has sabotaged from the start the whole basis of White’s opening!
(Incidentally, the Zuka system I will be recommending
renews this idea of suppressing Black’s play with this Bishop
by eventually covering g4 and f5 with pawns on e4 and either
f3 or h3.)
Because theory can change relatively rapidly even in the
sidelines of these defensive systems, many different suggestions
for White have been given over the years. Smith and Hall
16
The Current Status of Queen’s Pawn Game . . .g6-systems
actually suggested something close to the Zuka system against

one particular ...g6 line, but they looked for massive Q-side
expansion with a4 and b4, allowing Black to play ...e4. Soltis
suggested White simply use a Torre against these openings in
his 1992 repertoire pamphlet.
A new era began when GM Summerscale suggested the
Barry and 150 Attack in the original edition of A Killer Chess
Opening Repertoire.
The Barry Attack

The Barry Attack (1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7
5.e3 0-0 6.Be2) provoked much debate as it was used with
some success by several strong players.
The Barry instantly became the preferred method for upto-date

Colle players to engage the ...g6 defensive complexes.
Unfortunately, as is often the case in chess, success for White
at high levels accelerated the evolution of the line. Black finally
found a reliable response involving an annoying retreat:
6...c5 7.Ne5 cxd4 8.exd4 Nfd7!
17
White doesn’t have anything better than 9.Nf3, so he had

to find a way to make progress without Ne5.
This ...Nfd7 tactic had been known even before Summer-
scale’s book. Long-time Barry proponent Mark Hebden beat
widely renowned opening theorist GM John Nunn in 1998
by castling long after playing Qd2, Ne5, and Be3. However,
Hebden evidently didn’t trust the specific continuation in
that game and ran into trouble with this line in 2005-6 as
he started looking for something better. He even tried Ngl
against fellow GM Jonathan Rowson. Nothing came of this
experimentation and he agreed to a couple of draws from the
position in 2006.
In my view 7...cxd4 8.exd4 Nfd7 is the biggest issue for
Barry Attack players. IMs Richard Palliser and Yelena Dembo
(writing from opposite sides of the chess board) have each
put more weight on the 7...Nc6 variation.
18
Position after 7...Nc6
It’s true that White has gotten the worse of it from this
position in recent years if one looks at all games, but closer
examination shows that this is largely due to White stubbornly
trying to attack come hell or high water with h4 or
playing Nxc6 too early. The traditional move, 8.0-0 continues
to work fine for White, who must now play positionally on
the Q-side.
The variation that Dembo gives as the refutation to White’s
setup is 8.0-0 cxd4 9.exd4 Qb6 10.Nxc6 Qxc6.
Does this pose

a problem for White?
19
Palliser agrees with Dembo’s assessment that White has

nothing here, but I think they have under-estimated 11.Rel
a6 12.Bf3, which Dembo gives a “?!“The Greek IM criticizes
this move because it does not stop Black’s minority attack,
but in the suggested continuation she gives, 12...Be6 13.a4
b5 14.axb5 axb5, I don’t see what Black has accomplished
after 15.Na2.
The b4-square belongs to White
Following c3, Nb4, and probably Rd1 Black cannot make

anything of the a-file. Note that he has problems finding a
spot for his light-squared Bishop. He would like to move
the Bishop to allow ...e6, shoring up the twice-hit d5-pawn.
Rerouting it to e8 is complicated by the weakness on e7, and
moving it to f5 invites a powerful K-side pawn storm. Retreating
all the way to c8 leaves Black even less well-prepared to
meet a K-side assault.
While I don’t see 7...Nc6 as particularly problematic, it
does prevent White from playing for an immediate K-side assault.
It is a stylistic obstacle rather than a theoretic one.
The Tarzan Attack

The Barry Attack lost its greatest advocate when Hebden
switched openings after his dispiriting encounters of 2005-
2006 against 8...Nfd7. He began tilling the fields of 1.d4 Nf6
20
rIhe Current Status of Queen’s Pawn Game . . . g6-systems
2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.Qd2, which Israeli GM Arthur

Kogan had been cultivating for some time.
White’s play, aiming at Bh6 with a K-side assault, may not

appear particularly nuanced, but it has proven quite hard to
contain. The variation has received a fair amount of attention
recently, and its theory is still evolving. Several repertoire
books have suggested Black play for a relatively early ...c5 after
5...Ne4 6.Nxe4 dxe4 7.Ne5 Nd7 8.Nxd7 Qxd7 9.e3 0-0.
White can really only stop . . .c5 temporarily with 10.Qc3.

After 10...c6 11 .Be2 b6, Black will get . . .c5 in eventually. The
question is whether White can get anything out of it.
While White has had some rough games recently with
this variation, I think it is still too early to render judgment.
Kogan has looked for improvements on move 10, and there
are plenty of possibilities left to explore. White might find
21
something in 11.a4, though Hebden only managed to draw

with it against the significantly lower-rated Houriez in 2008.
White could consider preventing ...c5 with 10.Qb4 instead
of 10.Qc3. Castling long rather than developing his Bishop
(11.0-0-0) is also a possibility.
As of this writing, many of Kogan’s personal suggestions
for White involve Be5, either played immediately on move 12
or after 12.a4 or 12.0-0-0.
I don’t think White has run out of ideas here, but it is hard
to make a solid repertoire suggestion.
The 150 Attack

The 150 Attack refers to an opening system normally
employed against the Pirc that emphasizes (to the point of
caricature) the importance of classical development. White
gets his pawns on e4/d4 and, meeting no resistance, proceeds
to simply plop his pieces on their classically best squares. For
Queen’s Pawn Game players, this means d4, e4, Nf3, Nc3,
Be3, and normally Bd3 and Qd2 as well. The downside is
that his Knight on c3 blocks his c-pawn, limiting his ability to
transform the center and bringing a certain degree of inflexibility
to his game.
Back in 1999 GM Summerscale wrote that he thought the
150 Attack was putting Black off the Pirc at all levels, and he
may well have been right. To this day Pirc players continue
to struggle badly against the 150 regardless of whether they
castle early (e.g., 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be3
0-0 6.Qd2 c6 7.Bh6) or delay castling (e.g., 1.d4 d6 2.e4 Nf6
3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be3 c6 6.Qd2 b5 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.Bh6).
This latter idea, shown below, is considered Black’s best, but
White still tends to mop the floor with him in these lines as
long as the first player knows the theory.
22
Position after 8.Bh6
While the 150 continues to dominate the Pirc, it has been

on the business end of a rude awakening against the Modern
Defense. In particular, after 1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 g6 3.e4 Bg7 4.Nc3
a6!, White has had a terrible time proving any advantage
(practical or otherwise) at all. Opening manuals written for
players using the 150 Attack tend to suggest 5.Be3 b5 6.Qd2
Bb7 7.Bd3 Nd7 8.a4! b4 9.Ne2, but no convincing response
to 9...c5! has been found.
Eggshell in the omelet
Tiger Hillarp Persson suggested 10.c3 be met with 10...

Ngf6 in his Tiger’s Modern. That line has been good for Black.
Worse, even if White finds a promising rebuttal to that particu23
lar variation, there appears to be no end to Black’s worthwhile

ideas and potential improvements elsewhere in this system.
This ...a6-version of the Modern has increased in popularity
tremendously over the past 15 years, and I don’t see any
good way around it for those wanting to use the 150 Attack.
White has other ways to meet 4...a6, but none of them are
particularly compelling. Of course, White could elect to play
the 150 only when Black plays an early ...Nf6, but this is no
solution in terms of repertoire preparation because Black
can remain flexible longer than White can. Eventually White
will have to decide whether to play an early c4 (the only real
deterrent to the Modern), and Black can keep all his options
available until then.
Thus, the only way White can reliably incorporate the
150 Attack selectively against the Pirc while still having good
chances for an opening advantage against the Modern is to
allow himself to be pulled into the King’s Indian Defense after
1.d4 d6 2.e4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.c4 Nf6!
Speaking of the King’s Indian, there is one other minor
annoyance that sometimes goes unmentioned in manuals.
Players using the Barry/Tarzan and 150 Attacks as a repertoire
will often say they “use the Barry against the King’s Indian and
the 150 against the Pirc/Modern.” But that is not true.
The Barry, after all, follows the move order 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3
g6 3.Nc3 d5, but ...d5 is not a King’s Indian move. What is
really going on is that White assumes that after 3.Nc3, Black
will opportunistically switch to an unusual version of the
Grunfeld, taking advantage of the fact that White has omitted
c4.
This is a reasonable enough idea. Black may not be particularly

interested in playing a Pirc, and fixing a ram on d4/d5
is the most direct way of removing flexibility from White’s
setup. It also takes c4 away from White’s pieces. F-Iowever,
while Black certainly has the option of switching to a Grunfeld
and playing for ...c5 (as is thematic in that opening), there
24
is nothing requiring him to do so. As Richard Palliser has

pointed out, there is no reason why a KID player cannot play
the typical KID moves against a Barry/Tarzan/150 repertoire:
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 Bg7 5.Be3 0-0 6.Qd2 e5!?
Position after 6...e5!?
In the few games between comparably rated, strong players,

Black has done fine in this variation, which illustrates
one problem with weaving together a repertoire based on
two rather disparate, thematic systems. If your opponent
mixes and matches moves from the two in an intelligent way,
you can find yourself in uncharted waters where thematic
components of neither system are necessarily critical or even
pertinent.
25
26
Overview:
Usiri3 Zulça ksairisf ...36deferises

dopting a new opening requires committing both time
and energy. Moreover, it involves overcoming a certain
degree of psychological inertia, which is all the greater when
the decision pertains to a defensive setup as important and
common as the early-...g6 complex. Before discussing specific
lines, I want to make sure you understand what you are getting
into, and why.
Typical position of Zuka system against ...g6
An Integrated System
As described in the CODE 1’IRflE: Zuka preface, the Zuka system
is a natural choice for those who use the Colle System (either
type) against ...d5 because the two integrate seamlessly.
White doesn’t have to learn two different systems based on
27
different Grunfeld move orders, and he uses the same basic

pawn structure against most deviations from a Colle, includingthe
Dutch, KID, and several anti-Colle lines (e.g., 1.d4 Nf6
2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Bf5).
Another level of this cohesion shows through when one
considers just the ...g6-defenses. Most players using a Colle
System nowadays have to use one setup against the KID and
another against the Pirc. Given the resilience (and recent
popularity) of the ...a6-Modern, they probably need a third
system just against that opening, and a fourth against 1.d4
Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 g6.
In addition to requiring extra study time, this many-system
approach is vulnerable to sabotage when Black employs a
crafty move order. I gave a couple of examples in the previous
chapter: there is nothing stopping Black from starting with a
Pirc and switching to a KID, nor is there anything preventing
him from feinting at a Modern and switching to a Pirc. When
White relies on different systems with different pawn structures,
he can find himself in unfamiliar territory after Black
throws a curve ball.
Using an integrated system cuts such dangers down
considerably. I feel strange saying this, but White really can
use the d4/Nf3/c4/e3/Be2/Nc3 setup against practically any
early-...g6 system without surrendering early equality to the
Black player.
Why does saying this make you feel strange?
If you’ve read my Colle System books, you may recall that

I give quite the opposite view when discussing that opening.
The Colle System can be played safely against any Black
setup, but that doesn’t mean White is well advised to do so.
Class-level Colle System players have traditionally been lazy
about learning proper refutations to various anti-Colle lines.
It’s fine to start out using the Colle System against everything,
28
Overview: using Zuka Against . . .g6-defenses
but you should gradually refine your repertoire by learning

how to respond to Black’s deviations.
But this really does not apply to the earliest moves of the
Zuka when played against ...g6. Situations where White need
vary his 4th and 5th moves after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 are
few and easily recognized. Yet the opportunity to optionally
deviate as a matter of taste is present, which brings me to my
next point.
Extensibility
The Zuka system is “extensible” in the sense that players
who happen to like other openings can work those into their
repertoire. In some cases this simply lets White play a position
he knows well. In other cases White’s willingness to play
one line gives him more flexibility when meeting other lines.
Sometimes this additional flexibility allows White to play a
stronger response than he might otherwise have access to.
Can you give an example of how a willingness to play

one line allows White more freedom when faced with a
completely separate one?
Sure. A useful optional line for White is the closed Grünfeld:

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 d5 5.e3 0-0.
The Closed GrUnfeld is optional in the Zuka
29
The repertoire proposed here does not require White to

play this line, but if he is willing to do so, he can delay for an
extra move the deployment of his light-squared Bishop. To
avoid this version of the Grunfeld, White has to delay Nc3,
meeting 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 with 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2.
White can avoid the Closed Grünfeld by delaying Nc3
So long as White holds back Nc3, he can meet ...d5 with

the Sneaky Grunfeld line, where he exchanges on d5 and
then plays e4, after which Black cannot exchange his Knight
because there is nothing on c3 for Black’s Knight to capture.
If White is willing to play the Closed Grunfeld, then he
can instead play 4.e3 0-0 5.Nc3, arriving at the same position
but with Nc3 instead of Be2.
30
The value of this line is that White may wish to play his
Bishop to d3 rather than e2 on the off chance that Black plays
...c5, leading to an irregular Benoni.
Best of all, if Black plays this way, he probably hasn’t studied
the Benoni much. Benoni players do not typically begin
their games 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6. Actually, even if Black is a Benoni
specialist, he will likely be flummoxed by this particular
Benoni. As we shall see; his standard tool for generating play
(an early ...b5) does not work in this line.
This last point applies in general to most lines White will
play when using the Zuka setup, leading to my next point.
Black Is on His Own

The Closed Grunfeld’s recent popularity notwithstanding,
modern chess theory tends to sneer at an early e3, unless
White has already developed his dark-squared Bishop. This
goes double against the ...g6-systems, perhaps because it is
assumed White should secure a good post for his c-Bishop because
his f-Bishop is unlikely to find a good square early on.
The flip side of this disposition is that opening manuals
tend to dismiss the possibility of an early e3. Many treatments
of the King’s Indian don’t discuss the line at all. Ironically, one
of the few places I’ve found worthwhile discussion of the idea
is Volume 2 of John Watson’s excellent Mastering the Chess
Openings, which is generally devoted to the most important
or illustrative lines. Not even Yelena Dembo’s Fighting the
Anti-King’s Indians gives any analysis of the Zuka setup. One
paragraph in her Colle System chapter applies to the Zuka system
by transposition, but she gives no variations or strategic
advice. We will discuss her suggestion later in this chapter.
Other than the practical advantage of taking Black out of

book, what does White accomplish by playing e3 instead of
e4?
31
I thought you’d never ask...
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love

Delaying e4
In most lines I will be suggesting White eventually play
e3-e4. Since mainstream play in these lines calls for White
to play e2-e4, one could see this as the forfeiture of a tempo.
However, such a judgment is rash, for the lines I recommend
only involve playing e4 after Black has already been forced to
abandon his typical play.
To accurately evaluate White’s slow approach, we must
look at it in context. The whole point of hypermodern opening
strategy is to speed development by forgoing early central
control, and then use that faster development to undermine
and attack White’s center. If Black is unable to attack White’s
center, the onus is on him to show adequate compensation
for his lack of central presence.
Black’s lead in development is only meaningful if he can
use it to force a concession, but the Zuka setup presents no
targets for the second player. Much of Black’s general play in
more popular (e2-e4) lines revolves about the relative weakness
of White’s d4-pawn, and the early moves can depend
critically on the presence of a pawn on e4 that Black can
attack.
To put a finer point on this, let’s look at Black’s most common

response when White uses a Zuka setup.
King’s Indian Defense

In the case of the KID, the relevance of the e4-pawn shows
up on move 6 in the standard move order: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6
3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5.
32
Overview: using Zuka Against .. .g6-defenses
Black can play ...e5 safely
A rote beginner could be forgiven for asking why Black

can even play 6...e5, yet KID practitioners do it without the
barest hint of concern for their pawn. They know White cannot
win material owing to 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Nxe5 Nxe4. With
White’s pawn on e3 though, this central push is a dubious
gambit at best.
For this reason the standard method of dealing with e3 is
to support ...e5 by first playing ...Nbd7, but this already takes
Black outside the modern treatment of the line; that Knight
normally goes to e7 by way of c6. Long ago, ...Nbd7 was
Black’s standard play, and its advantages and disadvantages
(compared to ...Nc6) are well known. Our proposed move
order allows White to maintain an opening advantage in this
thematic line, even playing a move down. The basic position
is shown below.
33
White to move
I give plenty of analysis of this position later, but for now

I point out that Black’s ...Nbd7 gives White greater fluidity in
the center, allowing him to catch up on his development. By
the time the center becomes static, Black is unable to conveniently
attack it as he does in more familiar variations.
This position is particularly important for those utilizing
the Zuka system. It is also rather unexplored. Finding serious
games between strong, comparable opponents is like searching
for a straight pool cue in a low-class honky tonk. That is to
say, they are uncommon. Yet, I claim White has good chances
and, perhaps more importantly, a comprehensible plan. The
lines I suggest give White control of the center and a space
advantage while suppressing Black’s counterplay.
If Black’s repertoire is centered on the KID, he should
reach the diagramed setup through natural play, but even if
his repertoire is built on some other ...g6 opening, he is likely
to end up there anyway. With the d4-pawn solidly defended,
...Bg4 loses much of its sting, so Pirc players will probably find
themselves there as well. The c6-Modern just leaves Black a
move down on the GrQnfeld; its brother, the a6-Modern, is
particularly ill-suited to meet White’s setup because d4 cannot
be undermined, e4 cannot be targeted, and (most of all),
Black cannot play for ...a6/...b5 after White has played c4.
34
Neither can Black move-order White by playing a delayed Leningrad

(1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 f5) because White
can just transpose into the Dangerfield Attack with Bf4. Nor
is 1.d4 g6 2.Nf3 f5 to be relied upon, for that move order is
particularly prone to 3.h4!
To wit, whatever Black may originally intend to play after . . .g6,

he will likely end up transposing to the position shown above unless
he plays into a Grunfeld line. In a tiny minority of games, Black
will steer into Benoni waters by playing .. . c5 instead.
The Delayed Benoni

In her Fighting the Anti-King’s Indians, IM Dembo suggests
Black change course, presumably because she wants to avoid
the standard ...Nbd7/...e5 line described in the previous section.
Dembo does not give any lines, but suggests that 1.d4
Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e3 be met by 4...c5 or 4...O-O and 5...
c5, which she says yields “a very weak and harmless Benoni”
if White responds with d5.
It’s worth mentioning that Dembo’s general suggestion
for fighting the Colle System centers on inflicting hanging
pawns that can then be attacked. The Zuka setup is the only
one that allows White to avoid that by advancing his d-pawn
before Black can exchange it, so our setup represents a unique
challenge to her entire suggested strategy. From a repertoire-
building standpoint, one can understand the temptation to
dismiss it as a rare line one hopes not to see too often.
I do not mean to single Dembo out for criticism. In fact,
her ideas are important to consider, and they lead to lines
where White’s objecttive advantage is smaller than in the more
common KID continuations. Still, I believe she has uncritically
dismissed White’s potential, and a slew of strong GMs
would appear to agree. I present these lines at this early stage
because they provide further examples of how White’s delaying
e4 has subtle benefits.
35
The First Benoni Continuation

Let’s first look at the idea of 4...0-0 followed by 5...c5, assuming
White plays 5.Be2. (5.Nc3 will transpose to Dembo’s
4...c5 line, which we treat later in this subsection. Strong players
should consider 5.h3!?, a tricky optional play discussed in
the Shrewd 5.h3 chapter.) After 4...0-0 5.Be2 c5 6.d5 d6 7.Nc3
e6 8.0-0 exd5 9.cxd5, we arrive at a near-copy of the “old”
Classical Variation of the Modern Benoni, the only difference
being that White has a pawn on e3 rather than e4.
The fact that White’s e-pawn is on e3 rather than e4 does

not impact his long-term trump, his central majority. While a
case could be made that the pawn on e3 prevents White from
even contemplating Bf4, a thematic threat in this line, the
truth of the matter is that Black typically avoids this anyway
with 9...Re8, provoking 10.Nd2, blocking the Bishop.
In fact, taking a closer look at . . . Re8 highlights the value
of delaying e4. In the Classical Variation, which can be visualized
by mentally moving White’s e-pawn to e4 in the above
diagram, the targeting of White’s e-pawn is a critical component
to Black’s game plan. After White uses a move on Nd2 he
finds his pieces all a jumble, so he uses another move on f3 to
allow Nc4. Of course, c4 is often a great square for a Knight,
but that is irrelevant here because Black is just going to play
...b6, ...Ba6 and ...Bxc4.
36
A typical version of this line illustrating all the time spent

by White shoring up the vulnerable e4 is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6
3.c4 c5 4.d5 d6 5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.Nd2 Bg7 8.e4 0-0
9.Be2 Re8 10.0-0 Na6 11.f3 Nc7 12.a4 b6 13.Nc4 Ba6.
The time White has lavished on e4, directly or indirectly,

has allowed Black to prepare his Q-side expansion, which
is now more or less impossible to stop. Black’s . . .b6 cannot
even be considered a waste of time because it prevents White
from holding Black back with the simple a5. Moreover, since
Black is certain to achieve . . .b5, White must use another move
retreating his Bishop from c4 after it recaptures.
From the diagram, White generally plays Bg5, and after
• . .h6 Black has actually scored pretty well in top-level play,
scoring exactly 50% in my database (though there are not
many games to be found since White now prefers Bd3 instead
of Be2 and this gives him such a good game that interest in
the Benoni at top levels has dwindled).
The vigor of Black’s Q-side initiative must be respected. For
those who have never been on the receiving end of a Benoni
Q-side assault, I’ll give the bloodbath seen in Koul-Cvitan,
Stan Mikanovci 2010, which involved the strongest players
I can find locking horns in recent times over this line. That
game continued 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4 Qd7 16.Rel Rab8 17.Bf2
Bxc4 18.Bxc4 a6 19.Bfl Qd8 20.Rcl Nd7 21.f4 b5 22.axbs
axb5 23.b4 cxb4 24.Na2 Na6 25.Rc6 NdcS 26.e5 b3 27.Nc3
37
dxe5 28.f5 gxf5 29.Ne2 Rc8 30.Ng3 Qg5 31.h4 Qf4 32.Nh5
Qb4 33.Rxc8 Rxc8 34.Nxg7 Kxg7 35.Rxe5 b2 36.Qbl Ne4
37.Be3 Rd 38.Bxcl bxclQ 0-1.
I bet you’re going to tell me that White can avoid such massacres
by delaying e4.
Quite so. Since White does not have to spend time tending
to his e-pawn and then untangling the aftermath, he can
play a4 and Rb 1 (threatening b4) much sooner. Black’s entire
strategy is neutralized, and White still has his long-term positional
advantage (space and a central pawn majority). Black’s
thin hope at play lies in advancing his c-pawn to c4 and then
making use of c5. But then White can target the c-pawn, which
will enjoy no pawn cover—unlike in similar variations of the
Classical Benoni where Black gets pawns on a6, b5, and c4.
You might be surprised to see who has opted to play
this “very weak and harmless” Benoni. IMs Managadze and
Renner, GMs Strikovic, Hort, Ftánik, Miles, and Lobron have
all chosen White’s side of this position, as well as super-GM
Morozevich, who played it in the 2007 World Championship
tournament against reigning champion Kramnik, and won!
Following 9.cxd5 (see first diagram of this section), that
game continued 9... Bg4 10.h3 Bx13 11.Bxf3 Nbd7 12.a4 a6
13.g4 c4 14.Be2 Rc8 15.g5 Ne8 16.f4 Qe7 17.Ra3 Rc5 18.Bf3
Ra5 19.Bd2 Nc5 20.Qe2 Nb3 21.Ne4 Nxd2 22.Qxd2 Qd8
23.Qb4 b5 24.axb5 Rxb5 25.Qxc4 Qb6 26.Qc6 Bxb2 27.Qxb6
Rxb6 28.Ra2 Bg7
38
Overview: using Zuka Against .. .g6-defenses
29.Rcl h6 30.h4 hxg5 31.hxg5 f6 32.Rc6 Rxc6 33.dxc6 fxg5

34.Nxg5 Nc7 35.Rd2 Rd8 36.Bg4 Bc3 37.Rd3 Ba5 38.Kg2 d5
39.e4 d4 40.e5 Bb6 41.Rb3 Rb8 42.Rh3 Ba5 43.Rh6 Rb2+
44.Kg3 Bel+ 45.Kf3 d3 46.Rxg6+ Kf8 47.Rd6 d2 48.Ke4 1-0
Notably, White’s g4-g5 would be impossible in the normal

Benoni, with White’s pawn on e4, because Black could play
...Nc5, forcing the e-pawn forward and dissolving the center.
Some of these games where an IM or GM plays an e3-ver-
sion of the Benoni come from an English move order, but in
most cases White willingly plays e3 after Black has already
signaled his interest in a Benoni. A couple (IM Renner — IM
Kolbus 2008/9 Bundesliga and GM Lobron - GM Wojtkiewicz,
2000 Frankfurt) are notable for matching exactly the
move order expected when the Zuka system is used against
an early ...g6.
The Other Benoni Continuation

Dembo’s other suggested move order provides a further example
of the subtle value of delaying e4. After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3
g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e3 c5 5.d5, White can transpose to the line discussed
above, but he can also push for a Bd3-continuation.
After 5...d6 6.Nc3 0-0 7.h3 e6 8.Bd3 exd5 9.cxd5, we arrive
once again at a near-replica of a major tabiya of the Benoni,
but with White having his pawn on e3 rather than e4.
39
Modern Benoni with e3 instead of e4
If White’s e-pawn were on e4 rather than e3, we would be

at the critical position for the modern main line of the Benoni,
reached thousands of times in tournament play between titled
players. Black’s essential problem in that system is a lack of
natural pawn breaks. He cannot prepare ...b5 with ...a6 because
White can just play a4. Even if he manages to get ...f5
in, it is quite risky owing to the weakness on e6.
For that reason, the critical line for Black (in the mainline
version) is 9...b5!?
Normal Modern Main Line 0J...

kCI7
UJ..
40
Black depends on the tactic 10.Bxb5 (10.Nxb5 Re8 avoids

material loss owing to further tactics) Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Qa5+
to get compensation for his material after 12.Nfd2 Qxb5
13.Nxd6. Black can exert pressure down the e-file and create
practical chances by making a mess of the Q-side with his
pawn mass on that wing. (See Mastering the Chess Openings:
Volume 2 for illustrative examples and more discussion.)
But with White’s pawn still on e3, this will obviously not
work. Black’s Knight no longer eats a pawn on its way to e4.
Instead, Black has to come up with some other way to find
play because White still has the long-term trump, his central
majority.
There are fewer typical move orders that arrive at this e3-
version of the modern main line, but I did find one high-level
game between Vladimir Burmakin and Andrey Zontakh (Portoroz,
1995), one year after the former had earned his GM title
and two years before the latter would do the same.
That game continued 9...a6 10.a4 Nbd7 11.0-0 Re8 12.Rel
Qc7 13.e4 Rb8 14.Bf4 Nh5 15.Bh2 c4 16.Bfl Ne5 17.NxeS
BxeS 18.BxeS RxeS 19.a5 b5 20.axb6 Rxb6 21.Ra4 Rxb2
22.Rxc4 Qd8 23.Qcl Rb8 24.Ne2 Bd7 25.Nd4.
White has a great position because Black cannot stop an

eventual Nc6. Black can lance the boil by exchanging on c6,
but that gives White a dangerous, advanced, passed pawn.
Instead, Black just decided to live with the Knight and White
41
built up a very strong position after 25...Qb6 26.Qd2 Rc8

27.Rxc8+ Bxc8 28.Nc6 Re8 29.Qc2 Nf6 30.Rbl Qc7 31.f3 Nh5
32.Rb8 Rf8 33.Qb2 f5.
From here, opening the a3-f8 diagonal with e5 would have

been decisive, but White instead continued with 34.Qb6?, allowing
Black to exchange on e4 and then pressure that square.
Black sacrificed one pawn to allow him to trade off enough
others to escape with a draw.
Conclusion
The Zuka system works against Black’s basic strategy in
the various hypermodern ...g6 lines by refusing to give Black
easy targets on d4 and e4 until after White has developed
sufficiently (and forced Black to deviate from his preferred
setups) to make attacking those squares unfeasible.
The system is rather unexplored, and even a small amount
of study will generally guarantee that you have a better grasp
on the relevant strategy than your opponent.
There are only a handful of important variations to know.
In most games when White faces an early ...g6, he will find
himself playing against either ...d6/...Nbd7/...e5 or the Sneaky
Grünfeld. Rarely, White may find his opponent switching into
a Benoni. In all three cases, White’s delay of e4 has subtle and
important benefits.
42
Chapter 1
Introduction to the King’s Indian Defense

gainst KID players, you old classical line of the King’s
will likely find yourself in Indian, before ...Nc6 became
the following position: popular:
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7
4.e3 00 5.Be2 d6 6.Nc3 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 e5 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.Be3 Re8
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.Qc2
This line is so rare that Bringing up this variation

one cannot speak of theory may be discouraging to the
saying anything, but we can reader, for one has to simply
get a handle on each side’s admit that White is playing a
strategy by considering two “move down” on a standard
more common openings. line. In fact, one could say
the situation is even worse
A Slow Old King’s Indian than that: White is playing
First, one can compare the a move down on a sideline
position to a sideline of the that itself is not particularly
43
Chapter 1
popular. Historically, White in 1991 when they began

has instead tried to punish responding with 9...Nh5 followed
Black for playing his Rook to by ...Bf8 (or ...Bf6),
e8 so early by closing the center ...Ng7, ...Be7, and ...f5. It
immediately with d5 instead. began as a sputtering wave.
The idea is that Black’s GM Viktor Bologan played
thematic strategy after 9.d5 is it in a single, now famous,
to prepare ...f5, so Black’s 8th 1991 game against GM Magerramov
move looks pretty stupid. at the 1991 Nimes
(We will be discussing tournament. Bologan did

these lines for a while. I will not stick with this idea, but it
refer to the standard line, might have been the inspiration
where White plays e2-e4 in for Viorel lordachescu,
one move, as the “fast” variation who played it a few times,
and the Zuka version, starting in 1993 when he
where White plays e2-e3 and was a little-known 16-year-
only later pushs his e-pawn old FM. That game (Glodeanu-lordachescu,
to the 4th rank as the “slow” Homorod
variation.) 1993) gives a typical example

A couple of points must of Black’s setup:
be kept in mind when making 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3
such evaluations. First, Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.d4 0-0 6.Be2
this entire setup (KID with Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Be3 Re8
...Nbd7) went out of fashion 9.d5 Nh5 10.g3 Bf8 11.Nel
before the KID really came Ng7 12.Nd3 Be7 13.Qd2 f5
into its own, and it is not particularly 14.f3 Rf8.
well explored. There
is still much to be learned
about this variation. Recently,
the whole notion that 9.d5
gives White an easy advantage
has come under increasingly
heavy challenge.
A few Moldovan players
started this sea change back
44
lordachescu would later f5! and 14.hxg4 Bxd4 15.gxf5

switch to a Nimzo-QID system, gxf5 16.exf5 Qh4 is good for
but not before another Black, as pointed out by John
Moldovan (Viktor Komliakov) Watson in Mastering the Chess
would take the ...Nh5 Openings: Volume 2.
idea up. Other strong players Given the above, I
(Saltaev, Nevednichy, and wouldn’t be surprised if players
eventually Bologan himself) start taking a second look
have turned the sea change at the early exchange on e5
into a tidal wave. Super-GM after 8.Be3 Re8, after which
Radjabov beat Gelfand with it ...f5 is much harder to pull off
at the 2008 Wijk aan Zee! safely. In its limited number
So how can White adapt? of outings, this early exchange
Qc2, which we play in our idea has done well.
slow version very early, has Furthermore, this opening
had extremely good results line is not one where speed is
in general, but is hard to incorporate particularly critical, so the fact
into the standard that we are playing a move
“fast” line without exchanging down should be taken with
on e5 first. After 8.Be3 a grain of salt. Indeed, let’s
Re8, 9.Qc2?! is met well with pretend for the moment that
9...Ng4. we have never heard of the
normal KID and look at the
board after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3
g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d6

6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2
Re8 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4.
The normal 10.Bg5 f6

11. Bd2 doesn’t work here: 11...
exd4 12.Nxd4 Nc5 13.h3?!
45
Chapter 1
chosen 9.dxe5 as the repertoire

move is that it tends to
lead the game into thematic

channels. I suspect this will
appeal to “system” players
who prefer to focus more on
understanding relevant motifs
than knowing a bunch of
disparate lines.
Black’s goal is to maneuver
Take a look with fresh eyes his Knights to f4 and e6,
threatening an invasion on
Just taking a quick glance d4. This is Black’s thematic
at the board, it is difficult to effort to do something in
claim that Black has come the short term, knowing that
anywhere near equalizing. White’s hand holds the long-
Both players have a central term trumps: he has a space
pawn on the 4th rank, but advantage, will control the
Black appears to be masochistically only open file on the board,
trying to block his and should get the best of any
own pieces. His Rook is on Q-side play that ensues.
a file that will be closed for a Black’s basic strategy is
long time, rather than on f8 discussed from the second
where it could help push his player’s perspective by Yelena
f-pawn. His Knights step on Dembo in Dangerous Weapons:
each other’s hooves and each The King’s Indian Defense,
manages to block a Bishop as which she co-authored with
well. His Queen currently has Palliser and Hear. In the
one square available to her. section describing play after
Yet such considerations 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7
do not tell the full story. 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5
What matters is not so much 7.0-0 Nbd7 8.Be3 Re8 9.dxe5
where the pieces currently are dxe5, the typical, “fast” version
but rather where they can be of our line, almost all
moved to. One reason I have suggestions for Black end
46
with one Knight on e6, and winning d6 for his Bishop.

the other on f4, giving him If Black adopts some other
an initiative. plan, White will just play c5
I found her work quite soon and have many great
helpful in laying out suggested squares (b3, c4, d6, and perhaps
executions of Black’s b6) for his pieces.
thematic idea, but I was quite The g3-idea can be used in
surprised to find no mention other lines that Dembo mentions,
of White’s thematic antidote. but it is particularly
As a general rule, White’s key strong after 11.b4 because
method of guarding f4 is to White has successfully staked
play g3, if possible before the out Q-side space. In other
Knight ever gets there. Yet, lines, such as the equally
I found this idea engaged common 11.Radl or 11.Rfdl,
nowhere in the text. For example, White has to leave his Q-side
after 10.Qc2 c6 11.b4, undeveloped to get g3 in
the reader is told “Black is early against best play. In this
more than fine” after 11... extremely under-explored
Nh5, without any lines or variation, one could claim
further discussion. Yet White 11.b4 has historically been
can simply play 12.g3, stopping White’s best choice. In fact,
Black in his tracks. I cannot find a single game
where White played 11.b4
and did not win. I found
three games between competent

players of similar ratings:
(Figura-Borisova, Samara
2004; Mai-Seidemann, Cottbus
1983; Gschnitzer-Vatter,
Eppingen 1988).
Let’s take a look at the last
of these to see some basic
12...Nf8, hoping to use ideas that are equally relevant
the c-Bishop, can be met with in our slow version.
13.Rfdl followed by Bc5, 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
47
Chapter 1
4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 up something against White’s

7.Be3 Nbd7 8.0-0 c6 9.Qc2 King.
Re8 1 0.dxe5 dxe5 11 .b4 21 ...Re7 22.Bc4 Ng5
Ng4 12.Bg5 Bf6 13.Bcl Be7 23.Nxg5 Bxg5
14.Rbl Qc7 15.c5 Nf8 16.h3
Nf6 17.Bb2 Nh5
24.Kh2
White could have landed
White cannot play g3 a crushing blow with 24.g3!,

now without dropping his because the h3-pawn cannot
h-pawn. This is a standard safely be taken. 24...
motif in this line; Black Bxh3 25.gxf4 Bxf 1 26.fxg5
tries to get White to play h3 Bxc4 27.Nxc4 leaves material
(preferably before moving equal, but Black may as well
his Knight) so that g3 is later start looking for cemetery
more difficult to play. Here, plots for his King because
White has little to weep over he cannot stop White from
because he is able to achieve opening up the long diagonal,
his own thematic objective: after which there is no
preparing c4 as transport for hope. The other capture (24...

a Knight to d6. Nxh3+) allows Black to sacrifice
18.Ndl Bf6 19.Ne3 Nf4 material for an attack on
20.Nc4 N8e6 21 .Nd6 White’s King. The Knight will
White has achieved his never make it out alive after
goal and has a considerable 25.Kg2, but I can understand
advantage. Black has to redouble why White might want to
his efforts to rustle avoid the aftermath of 25...b5
48
26.Bb3 Qd7, planning Qg4.

But there is really nothing for
Black there after 27.Rhl Nf4+
28.gxf4 Qg4+ 29.Kfl.
24...b5 25.Bb3 a5 26.a3 Be6
27.Bxe6 Rxe6 28.g3
White continues to increase

his board influence.
35...Ra8?
Black had to give his

Bishop immediate protection
with, for example, 35...Qe7.
White ejects the Knight, 36.Kg2?
leaving little for Black to look I can only assume White
forward to. was short of time and looking
28...Nh5 29.Rbdl Be7 for a solid, safe move. Otherwise,
30.Rd3 axb4 31 .axb4 Ra4 I don’t understand why
Based on the next several he waited to play Bxe5, which
moves, it looks like Black is could have been played here
having trouble finding a plan. with much better effect. The
Perhaps it would have been text lets Black give his Bishop
better just to exchange on d6 a little extra protection.
and play against the passed 36...Ne8 37.Bxe5 Rxe5
pawn. White has too many 38.Nxe8 Raxe8 39.Rxf6
pieces and too much space to
let him create new threats.
32.Qc3 Bf6 33.Rfdl h6
34.Qb3 Ng7 35.Rf3
49
Chapter 1
59.h4 Rb3 60.e5 Rbl 61 .Kf5

1-0
In our slower version,

we use g3 in a different way.
We invite Black to set up his
Knights on e6 and f4 and
then eject the more advanced
cavalier with g3, at which
point Black’s K-side becomes
jumbled.
White has won a central This is a poetic refutation
pawn, for which Black has to the hypermodern philosophy
no compensation. Black attempts backing Black’s opening.
to hold up the inevitable Typically it is the KID player
by plopping his major who invites his opponent to
pieces down in the center of put men on classically good
the board, but the general squares so he can advantageously
contours of the rest of the attack them.
game are not hard to predict. The Gschnitzer-Vatter

Black might have had a better game is a good example
chance of swindling his showing how speed is not
opponent by advancing his the number one priority in
h-pawn at some point in the this opening. White won
near future, but the odds are because he found good, durable
against him. squares for his pieces,
39...R8e6 40.Rxe6 Rxe6 but the process took much
41 .Rd4 g5 42.Qd3 Qe5 maneuvering. The game also
43.Kgl Kg7 44.Kg2 Re7 illustrates our basic offensive
45.Kf3 Qe6 46.Kg2 Qe5 plan. We hope to achieve a
47.Qd2 Re6 48.Qdl Rf6 powerful Knight placement,
49.Qd2 Qe6 50.Qd3 Qa2 normally on d6 but sometimes
51 .Qe3 Re6 52.Rd6 Qc4 Black may play an early
53.Qd4+ Qxd4 54.Rxd4 ...c5, giving us d5 instead. We
Re8 55.f4 gxf4 56.gxf4 Ra8 may also get a Knight lodged
57.Kg3 Ra3+ 58.Kg4 Rc3 on b6 as well. These power-
50
ful outposts combined with went out of favor in the ‘50s,

White’s control of the open and the early exchange on
d-file can completely overwhelm e5 is an uncommon choice
Black. within that system.
An illustrative line is 1.d4 Fortunately, our setup
Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 0- is related to another, more
0 5.e3 d6 6.Be2 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 modern and popular line.
8.Qc2 Re8 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4 After 8 moves we have, in fact,
c6 11.Rdl Qe7 12.Be3 Nf8 arrived at a reversed version
13.h3 Nh5 14.Rd2 Nf4 15.Bfl of what French Defense players
Qf6 16.Qdl! (A key idea: routinely use against the
White gives his Knight support King’s Indian Attack.
so Black cannot play ...Nxh3+, 1 .e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6
and he also prevents ...Nd4 4.Ngf3 c5 5.g3 Nc6 6.Bg2
coming with tempo against his Be7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Rel
Queen.) 16...N8e6 17g3.
I,
Our Zuka setup is identical

to the one shown for Black
A Reversed French above, except our side has
The discussion in the last an extra move. This should,
section came with a rather perhaps, give us a little more
significant caveat. There is confidence than the discussion
something unsatisfying about in the last section provided.
basing our strategy on a similar After all, the King’s
line that is itself exceedingly Indian Attack is not a particularly
rare. The ...Nbd7 KID popular White opening
51
Chapter 1
system and the French Defense point opening the e-file is no

is one of Black’s most easy equalizer.)
well-regarded choices, and
we get to play it with a move Instead of pushing our
in hand. b-pawn, we will be exchanging
In the normal French d-pawns. I believe history
Defense line, Black most frequently has shown that Black (whose
continues by pushing side we will be playing a
his b-pawn, but I certainly do move up) has the superior
not suggest this in the equivalent position but it is harder to
position for our reversed play because he has to find
line after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 the perfect time to advance
3.e3 Bg7 4.c4 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 his c-pawn. Luckily, our move
6.Be2 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 in hand will greatly mitigate
Re8. that latter aspect.
We will look at two typical
losses that illustrate my
point.
Juarez Flores-Briffel
Dubai Olympiad 1986
1 .e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.Nd2 c5

g‘ 4.Ngf3 Nc6 5.g3 Nf6 6.Bg2
Be7 7.OO 0-0 8.Rel dxe4
The problem is that 9.b4?! 9.dxe4 e5 1 0.c3 h6 11 .Qc2
can be met with 9...a5!, and White tends to play his
after 10.b5 exd4 11.exd4 Nb6, Queen to the c-file in this
Black is ready to play ...Bf5. variation as compared to
The upshot is that an immediate KID players in similar positions,
b4 does not mesh very who play ...Qe7 more
well with White’s previous often than ...Qc7. Our strategy
Qc2. (Note that things would will depend heavily on
not be so simple had Black where Black puts his Queen.
played ...Qe7 first, at which The earlier discussion of the
52
KID described our general 16... exf4 17.gxf4 Bc5 18.Khl

strategy when the Queen is Ng4.
on e7, where it covers c5 but
can get in the way of its other
pieces, and this section on
the reversed French poilrays
our plans when Black puts his
Queen on c7.
11 ...Be6 1 2.Nfl Qc7 1 3.Ne3
Rfd8
Black does not have time
for ...c4 because it would allow
White to play Nd5 with Capturing on g4 lets Black
advantage: 13...c4 14.Nd2 keep the d-file open for his
b5 (14...Rfd8!?isanunclear, maj or pieces. After 19. Nxg4
but very interesting, gambit.) Bxg4 20. Bf3 Qd7, Black expects
15.Nd5. to get a Queen on h3 or
14.Nh4 Bf8 15.Rfl a Queen or Rook on d3.
A scrappier choice is
19.Nd5!?, but Black still has
plenty of piece power and
should come out with much
the better long-term chances
given White’s shredded pawn
structure. A sample line is
19...Bxd5 20. exd5 Ne7
21.Qe2 Qc8 22. f5 Nf6 23. b4
Bd6 24. Rgl Re8 25. Bf3 Nxf5
15 N5”
... 1 ••
26. Qg2 Bf8.
White has telegraphed his Thus, barreling ahead
intention to play f4, so Black with f4 is not a prudent
should have played 15...c4! If choice, but White can hardly
White proceeds with 16.f4?! enjoy his other options. In
he will have to pay a steep particular, the looming threat
price for his additional space: of . . . Rd3 makes it difficult to
53
Chapter 1
be enthusiastic about any of 20... Nxd5?

White’s courses. Black reaches a reasonably
16.b3 Nc6 17.f4 safe advantage by locking
things up with 20...b4
21.c4 Nd4.
21.exd5 Nb8?
21...Ne7 is much better,
but White is ahead regardless.
Now it’s hard to see how Black
offers any real resistance.
22.f6 Na6 23.fxg7 Bxg7
24.Be4
24.Rxf7! is a direct way

1 7...b5 to end things. After 24...Kxf7
Opening the f-file would 25.Qh7, Black cannot escape
be dangerous, but Black cannot the net.
like the prospect of f5 24...Bh3 25.Nf5 Bxf5
either. Black is theoretically 26.Rxf5 Nc7 27.c4 Rab8
okay after either response, 28.Qf2 bxc4 29 bxc4 Qa6
but White has real practical 30.Rxf7 Rf8 31.Rfl Qxc4
chances. Note that this push 32.Qf5! Qxfl+ 33.Qxfl Rxf7
would be an unmitigated disaster 34.Bh7+ Kxh7 35.Qxf7 Rbl+
if Black no longer had 36.Kg2 Rb2+ 37.Kh3 Nb5
a pawn on c5, after which 38.Bxc5 Rxa2 39.Bf8 1-0
...Qb6 or ...Bc5 would eventually
come at a moment Our second game features
disastrous for White. Black putting up a good
18.f5 Bc8 19.Nd5 Qd6 fight against a much stronger
20.Be3?! opponent.
This takes away the
Knight’s retreat square. Instead, Miroshnichenko-Gajewski
White should play (PZU SA Open, Polanica Zdroj
20.Rdl!, so he could keep 1999)
things lively after 20...b4 with
21.Ne3. 1 .e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d3 Nc6
54
4.g3 d5 5.Nbd2 Nf6 6.Bg2 This is when Black needs

dxe4 7.dxe4 e5 8.0-0 Be7 to play 17...c4!, forcing White
9.c3 Qc7 1 0.Re1 0-0 11 .Qc2 to play on the Q-side with
h6 1 2.Nc4 Be6 1 3.Ne3 Rfd8 18.a4 b4, etc. because exposing
14.Nh4 his King along the a7-gl
diagonal with f4 will be too
dangerous for the foreseeable
future.
Since this is a critical idea
for our system, let’s take a

look at what would happen if
White pushes his f-pawn after
17...c4!: 18.f4 exf4 19.Nd5
Nxd5 20.exd5 Bxd5 21.Bxf4
Qb6+ 22.Be3 (22.Khl Bxg2+
1 4...b5 is no better) 22...Bc5.
Not bad, but 14...Rd7
is stronger. Even with the
Queen on c2, Black should
keep in mind the possibility
of her moving to f3, at which
point it would be nice to have
d8 open for his Queen to
cover the N/f6.
14...c4!? may be a bit
early because White still has
plenty of piece play available White’s f4 has rebounded
on the K-side: 15.Nhf5 Bf8
16.Qe2 is double-edged and Compare this to the actual
unclear. game, to which we return.
15.Nhf5 Bf8 16.Qe2 g6?! 18.f4
This is thematic, but here
it could have been well met
by 17.Nd5!
17.Nh4 Rab8
55
Chapter 1
Rxd5 23.Nxg6! fxg6 24.Qe6+.

So he has to cut off communication
between his Rook on
d8 and his Bishop on d5 with
21...Bd6, and after 22.Bxd5
Bxf4 23.Bxc6, White will
come out ahead.
20...f3! 21.Bxf3 Bxd5 encourages
White to exchange
on d5 before Bf4 because
Things now become razor 22.Bf4?! Bxf3 comes with
sharp, and the question tempo against the Queen, but
is “who will make the first after 22.Bxd5 Rxd5 23.Bf4
2’-best move?” (Or, as Tartakower Bd6 24.Qe4, the Rook is
would put it, “who harrassed.
will make the last 2mIbest 20. Bxf4 Bd6 21 .exd5
move?”)
18...exf4 19.Nd5 Bxd5
After 19...Nxd5? 20.exd5,
Black has problems supporting
whatever piece goes to
d5.
21 Bwf47I
... ,‘ ..
Unsurprisingly, the answer

is “not the International
Master.” Black’s dark-squared

Bishop has great potential for
future attacks against White’s
20...Bxd5 21.Bxf4, and King once Black gets ...c4 in,
Black cannot play the natural and the second player should
21...Qb6 because of 22.Bxd5 strive to keep that piece on
56
the table, even if it means

dropping his h-pawn. Indeed,
Black should welcome Bxh6
sometime in the near future
because time is much more
important than material at
this point. Instead, the text
costs Black time because he
will have to retreat the Bishop

later.
Black can maintain equality Black will follow-up with ...c4,

(or at least unclarity) with opening a highway to White’s King
21...Re8, pushing the Queen and procuring an outpost on d3
into fi, where he prefers to
put his Rook later. (Sending We return to the position
her instead to f3 blocks the after 21...Bxf4?!
return of the Knight after

22.Qf3 Ne5 23.Bxe5 Bxe5,
and retreating to f2 removes
pressure from b5, allowing
Black to easily recapture with
his Rook after 22.Qf2 Ne5
23.Bxe5 Bxe5 24.Nf3 Bd6
25.Rxe8+.)
After 22.Qfl Ne5, the
game remains balanced.
Black has excellent chances 22.dxc6 Bd6 23.Rfl Kg7
after 23.Bxh6?! Nfg4. 24.a4 a6 25.axb5 axb5 26
Radi c427.Khl Re8
27...Bc5 keeps things pretty

close to even. The text isn’t
terrible, but is a little crack
that makes way for a fatal
mistake on the next move.
28.Qf3
57
Chapter 1
a possible f-pawn advance

and piece-play on the K-side.
This is a very difficult balancing
act that only gives him
a nibble of time here and
there to work toward his own
plan.
However, having an extra
move helps immensely
because we will often have
Both sides have played time to get a Rook to dl, get
very well. Unfortunately, now our Queen to c2, and push
Black misses a tactic. our c-pawn. Unlike French
28 B’5”
... I.
Defense players, who have
28...Be7 29.Rd7 Qe5 is not to carefully pick safe times to
pleasant, but must be tried. make this critical advance, we
29.Rd7 Qb6 30.Qd5! will get to play it much earlier
30.Rd6 works too, but in most lines (at least against
this is more fun. ...Qc7), before Black has time
30...Nxd5 31 .Rfxf7+ Kg8 to play ...f5. The opening of
32.Bxd5 Re6 33 Bxe6 Qxc6+ c4 and the a2-g8 diagonal
34.Bd5 1-0 makes a huge difference and
I’ve presented these wins takes much of the headache
by the opposing side to illustrate and danger out of the position,
how White generally or at least out of our
comes out ahead because his side of it.
position is easier to play An illustrative line is
rather than because it is objectively l.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
better. It is useful to 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d6 6.Nc3
note what makes Black’s position Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8
so hard to manage. 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4 c6 ll.Rdl
The basic problem is that Qc7 l2.Be3 Nf8 l3.h3 Ne6
Black has to guard against l4.c5!
an invasion on d5 while also
making preparations against
58
With easy access to the

a2-g8 diagonal, White can
welcome ...f5.
Looking Forward
This chapter has shown
in very broad strokes some of
the strategic ideas and themes
White can expect to use. In
later chapters I give more
specific guidance. We also
have to look at the alternative
recapture on e5 (with the

Knight rather than the pawn)
and a few odds and ends.
59
Chapter 1
60
Cliapter 2
KID with 9...dxe5 Black Plays ...Qc7
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 him to control the d-file with
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 a Rook.
Nbd7 7.0-0 Re8 8.Qc2 e5 Playing . . .Qe7 only makes
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3 sense if Black expects to dissuade
an early c5 by immediate
offensive operations,
working to send his Knights
toward d4 and f4. The Queen
on e7 can hold back c5 temporarily
and then transit to
f6, where she combines with
Black’s light-squared Bishop
to overwork White’s g2-pawn,
which must defend both the
After Black recaptures Knight on f3 and the pawn

on e5 with a pawn, he must White will soon push to h3
try to prevent White from to prevent ...Bg4.
advantageously playing c5, Playing ...Qc7 signals the
which opens c4 for a piece, opposite course. Paradoxically,
allows White to pressure the moving the Queen to
a2-g8 diagonal with a Queen c7 indirectly allows Black to
on b3 or a Bishop on c4, and contest c5 for a long time, for
creates an outpost on d6, she does not obstruct Black’s
which can be particularly useful Bishop after it tactically retreats
because White’s superior to f8. Indeed, Black
development typically allows should probably play ...Bf8
61
Chapter 2
before . . . Qc7 to stop White

from getting b4 in “for free”
(i.e., without having to prepare
it with Rbl or a3).
The above point, viz, that
Black should play 11...Bf8!
rather than 11 . . . Qc7 is illustrative
of a common theme
in this branch: Black has to
find moves that most would
deem unnatural on the surface An untidy position favoring White
just to put up proper
resistance. As Black has likely The position is favorable
not prepared for this line at to White because his b-pawn
all, White can expect to often can cause more problems
play c5 (or sometimes b5) than Black’s a-pawn, and he
early on, and with significant will retain a space advantage.
advantage. Yet, those looking to suppress
1 1...Bf8 all counterplay will prefer to
Black puts paid to White’s play 12.h3, offering to transpose
hope of an early c5 and also after 12...Bf8. There is
puts pressure on b4. a very good chance that your
You are more likely to opponent will not play 12...
see 11...Qc7, which allows Bf8, allowing an immediate
12.b4!? This is likely to lead b4 without the drama of the
to an improved version of the above variation.
main line because White will By the way, this ...Ng4
not have to play a3. Be aware tactic exposes the immediate
that Black can strike back immediately 12.c5?! as rash.
with 12...Ng4!?, 12.h3 Qc7 13.Rfdl
leading to a mess: 13.Bcl a5 I prefer this over immediately
14.b5 Ngf6 15.Rdl Bf8 16.h3 preparing b4 because it
Nc5 17.Be3 Be6 18.Racl. makes Black play a little more
(Note that a multitude of precisely if he wants to use c5
transpositions are possible.) to get a Knight to e6.
62
KID with 9. ..dxe5—Black Plays ...Qc7
1 3...b6
13...Nc5?! 14.b4 Ne6
15.c5.
The text is a critical move
for Black. Until Black plays

...b6, White is almost guaranteed
a good game simply
by pushing c5 as early as he
can do so without dropping
the pawn. Generally speaking,
if Black plays ...b6 after From here we look at several
White plays c5, the first player options listed in order of

does well by capturing on b6, increasing importance:
increasing White’s space and • The prophylactic
allowing him to target the 14...a5?!
c6-pawn and Black’s Queen •The natural 14...Bb7?!
down the semi-open c-file. •The flexible 14...Nc5
Once Black has played •The shrewd 14...Nh5!?

...b6, however, White has to
be more careful in determining The Prophylactic 14...
when (or if) c5 should be a5?!
played. Often White will look Since Black does not have
to play b5 instead, expecting any piece conveniently placed

either to open the c-file and to occupy d4, stopping b4
embarrass Black’s Queen or with 14...c5 is a case of the
induce . . . c5, which yields d5 medicine being more harmful
as an outpost. than the disease, so 14...a5 is
14.a3 the natural expedient for such
an enterprise.
14...a5?! 15.Na4!
63
Chapter 2
use any of his advanced, dark-

squared posts and trade down
to a favorable endgame.
1 8.Nel!
prevents . . .Nh5-f4. White

18...Ba6
connects his Rooks Black
him to contest the to allow
d-file.
19.Rd2 Rad8
This is a typical, and

strong, retort to pushing the
a-pawn after Black has already
played ...b6 and ...c6.
15...Nc5
15...c5?! 16.Nc3 and
White has the d5-square.

15. . . Bc5 will transpose after
16.BxcS NxcS (16...bxc5?
lets White mercilessly target
c5 with Nel, Bf3, and an Black threatens to get
eventual Nd3). Or White some use out of d4.
could try to cause even more 20.Rxd8 Rxd8 21 .Rdl Rd4
problems with 16.Bg5!? 22.Nf3!
1 6.Nxc5 Bxc5 1 7.Bxc5 bxc5 White certainly does not
White has succeeded want to exchange Rooks on
in splitting Black’s Q-side d4. 22.Rxd4? cxd4 solves
pawns. Black does not have all of Black’s problems and
much compensation because leaves the second player with
he will not claim either the the better position.
b- or d-files soon and none 22...Rxe423.Bd3 Rf4
of his pieces are positioned 24.Rel
to make use of d4.
An easy plan for White is
simply to ensure Black cannot
64
KID with 9...dxe5—Black Plays ...Qc7
Rook will soon invade either

on the a-file or b-file.
25.Bxe4 Nxe4 26.Rxe4 Rxe4
27.Qxe4
White’s superior pawn
structure gives him excellent
chances.
24...e4
Black could consider sacrificing
the exchange: 24...

Rxf3 25.gxf3 Nh5 26.Bfl Nf4
27.Qc3, but White’s Queen is
extremely powerful because
Black s pawns are so weak.
Also, White can threaten to
invade on the d-file, a potent The Natural 14...Bb7?!
strategy because White’s Rook This is the most natural
will become all the more move, but it is quite poor. The
powerful once the Queens are problem is easy to describe:
off the table. Black no longer can swing a
Indeed, things start to Knight to e6 via c5, so he will
look quite unfavorable for eventually have to use . . .Nh5-
Black after 27...f6 28.Rdl f4-e6 instead, but White can
Kf7 29.b4! axb4 30.axb4 cxb4 strike when the Knight is on
(30...Bc8 31.b5 is calmer but the rim with good effect.
allows White’s b-pawn or 14 Bb7” ... ..
Bishop to come to the party,

depending on whether Black
takes on b5 before White can
support further advancement
of the pawn) 31.Qxb4 c5
32.Qa4 Bc8 33.Qa8. White’s
65
Chapter 2
15.b4 Nh5 18...c4
This doesn’t work, but it is After 18...cxb4? 19.axb4,

Black’s most natural plan. Black has no good way to
15...a5!? 16.Rabl axb4 stop both Nb5! and Ng5!,
17.axb4 Ra3 18.Nh2! Rea8 either of which will begin the
19.Ng4 Nxg4 20.hxg4 h6 process of winning back his
21 .g5 h5 is an interesting way material with interest.
for Black to create a mess, but 19.Rabl
White has a significant space Black’s pieces on the
advantage and Black must Q-side will look odd after
eventually retreat his Rooks White starts pushing his a-
because they have little to do pawn. White’s two Q-side
on the a-file. pawns stand a better chance
Most other moves allow of surviving than Black’s three
an immediate c5 and those isolated footmen.
that do not (e.g., 15...Ba6)

are temporary solutions The Flexible 14...Nc5
that let White improve his The previous section
position. shows that Black cannot stop
16.c5 bxc5 17.Bc4 b4. Hence 14...Nc5 is Black’s
17.Ng5 h6 18.Bxh5 is also last chance to conveniently
quite good. move his Knight to e6. This is
17...Nb6 18.Ba2 a flexible option because his
other Knight can then swing
either to h5 or d7.
66
14...Nc5 15.b4 Ne6 16.Racl
If Black had any notions

We look at three options of advancing his f-pawn, they
for Black: are probably gone now.
• 16...Nd7 17...Bb7
• 16...Nh5 Black must eventually
• 16...Bb7 make this move to accomplish
any meaningful development.

16...Nd7 It rather plays into
It is more natural to develop White’s hands, but other continuations
the Bishop first, but just give White an
perhaps Black wants to move improved version of another
his Bishop back to the long line, as he will have time to
diagonal; he could even have double his Rooks or improve
fantasies of playing ...f5 to his position in other ways.
open up some space. 18.Nb5 cxb5 19.cxb5 Ndc5
White can make it very 20.bxc5 bxc5

difficult for him to continue Black doesn’t have a good
development: move here. The other recaptures
16...Nd7 17.Qb3!? show their frailty more
quickly. In both cases White
can target c5 and f7. The
variations below are example
continuations.
20...Nxc5 21.Ng5 Re7

22.Bxc5 bxc5 23.Bc4 Bh6
67
Chapter 2
24.h4 Bxg5 25.hxg5 Bxe4 Kg7 24.Bc4 Re7 25.Ng5 Qf4

26.Qe3 Bf5 27.Rd5; 26.Qg3 Qxg3 27.fxg3 Rae8
20...Bxc5 21.Qb2 (21. 28.Bd5 Bxd5 29.exd5 Re5
13c4 Nd4 22.Nxd4, etc. is also 30.Ne6+ Kg8 31.Nxf8 Rxd5
good, but the text keeps more 32.Nd7 Rxd7 33.Rxc5 leads
pawns on the table) 21...Nf4 to a good position for practicing
22.Bc4. your double-Rook end-
21 .Ng5 Nd4 game abilities, but the text is
21...Nxg5 22.Bxg5 Bxe4 a much stronger move.
23.Bg4 (threatening a crushing 22.Qa2?! (or 22.Qb2?!)
Rd7!) 23...Bd6 24.Qc4 22...Nxe2+ 23.Qxe2 h6
Bb7 25.Rd2 is a living nightmare 24.Nf3 Bxe4 is not what
for Black. White’s looking for.
22...exd4 23.Bxd4 Rad8
The text (21.. .Nd4) arrives 24.Bc4 Rd7 25.Bb2 Ree7

at the position below. Black 26.e5 Bh6 27.Nxf7 Bxcl
just forked White’s Queen 28.Bxcl Kf8 29.e6 Rd4
and Bishop with his Knight. 30.Bh6+ Ke8
Should White capture the 30...Kg8 31.Bg5 is awkward
Knight or move his Queen? to meet.
31.a4
White has more than
enough compensation for being
down two Exchanges for
two pawns: he has two powerful
Bishops, an advanced
passed pawn, two advanced
outposts, and far better King
safety. His current plan is
a powerful b6, opening b5
Black’s Knight forks for a Bishop. Pushing the
White’s Queen and Bishop a-pawn, possibly as a sacrifice,
and Be3 are tools that
22.Rxd4! can help him play this move
22.Bxd4 exd4 23.Nxf7 advantageously.
68
KID with 9...dxe5—Black Plays .. .Qc7
16...Nh5 (18...Nhf4 will transpose

Th. branch shows what to the main line) 19.c5 is
happens if Black assumes similar, except now White
White’s Q-side initiative has can respond to 19...b5 with
been adequately addressed 20.Rd6!
and switches gears to attack 18.Bfl Bg7
with his Knights. 18...Bb7 19.Nd5 cxd5
16...Nh5 17.Qb2 20.cxd5 Qe7 21.dxe6 Nxe6
(21...Qxe6? 22.Rc7 Re7
23.Rxe7 Qxe7 24.Nxe5)
22.Qxe5 does not give Black
sufficient compensation.
1 9.Na4 Bb7 20.c5 b5 21 .Nc3
Rad8 22.g3 Nd4

This is the standard attacking
response when White
attempts to eject a Knight
from f4.
As in other variations, 22...Nh5 23.Qc2 Nd4
White threatens to open the 24.Bxd4 exd4 25.Ne2 Nf6
c-file, but this time there is 26.Rxd4 Rxd4 27.Nfxd4 Rxe4
the added threat to e5 posed 28.Bg2 Re8 29.Nb3 allows
by the Queen. White to target c6 with both
1 7...Nhf4 Knights.
17...Bb7 18.c5 bxc5 (after 23.Nxd4 Nxh3+ 24.Bxh3
18...b5 19.Nbl!, Black exd4 25.Nxb5 cxb5 26.Bxd4
struggles to hold onto his Bxd4
material: 19...Nf6 20.Nbd2 26...Rxd4 27.Rxd4 Qe5
a5 21.Qxe5 Qxe5 22.Nxe5 28.Bd7!
axb4 23.axb4 Nxc5 24.Nxf7! 27.Rxd4 Rxd4
is the best way for White to 27...Bxe4 28.c6!
make sure his advantage is 28.Qxd4 Rxe4 29.Qd6

convertible.) 19.Na4 gives
White fantastic play.
17...Bg7 18.Bfl Bb7
69
Chapter 2
Typically, Black makes

this move to allow ...Nf4,
but that should not be Black’s
purpose in this line. With no
Bishop on c8 to pressure the
h3-pawn, it is too easy for
White to play g3. Instead,
Black should only make this
move as a means of covering
f6, anticipating an otherwise
White should be very dangerous Nd5.
happy looking forward to the Of course, if your opponent
endgame with his beautiful can see this danger, he
passed c-pawn. almost certainly would have
done something about it
16...Bb7 earlier rather than deal with
If your opponent is simply it now in such an unnatural
trying to play reasonable way. Therefore, you are more
moves, this is the most likely likely to see any of several
continuation. other moves:
16...Bb7 17.Qb3 17...Nd7 transposes to
the 16...Nd7 line;
17...Rad8? 18.Nd5! +1—;
17. . . Bg7 covers the Knight,
but 1 8.Nd5! still leaves White
very well off: 18...Qb8 (18...
Qd8? 19.Nxb6) 19.Nxf6+
Bxf6 20.c5, and Black cannot
afford to lock things up with
20...b5 owing to 21.Rd6.
17...Nf4?! 18.Bxf4 exf4
As in other lines, White 19.e5 Nd7 20.Ne4 Bg7 (20...
threatens to open the c-file by Nxe5 21.Nf6+) 21.c5 gives
playing Nd5. White a powerful Knight
17...Nh5 posted on d6.
70
1 8.Qa4!
1 8.Nd5 can now safely be
met with 18...Qb8 because
Black doesn’t have to worry
about losing the exchange to
Nf6+.
The text temporarily hamstrings
Black by keeping the
a-Rook glued to defense. This
stops Black from competing
for the d-file, which is otherwise From here, many safe-
what he would most looking moves lead to
like to do. problems:
It’s not clear how Black 19...Nh5? 20.Nd5 Qb8
should proceed. He can move (20...Qd8 no longer works
his Knight back to f6 without because the Knight is no
getting crushed because longer covering the e-Rook:
18.Qa4 Nf6 19.Nd5 Qd8 21.Nxb6 axb6 22.Rxd8)
20.Nxb6? doesn’t work now 21.c5!! cxd5?! 22.exd5 Neg7
that 20...axb6 comes with 23.c6 is very strong for White.
tempo on White’s Queen. Other 2l” moves for Black
But White could still play are better, but all leave White
20.Nxf6+ Qxf6 21.c5 with a significantly better.
comfortable position. 19...Kg7 blocks in Black’s
However, I’m inclined to Queen after 20.Nd5 Qd8
let Black stew in his own juices. 21.Nxf6 Qxf6 22.Rd7 Re7
White has several semi- 23.Rd6, threatening Bg5.
useful moves he could play Black can stop material loss
before releasing the tension. with 23...h6, but then White
I recommend scanning for gets a great position with
tactical opportunities because 24.c5.
most moves by Black get him 19...Kh8 leaves f7 unQd8
in trouble. To illustrate this, defended after 20.Nd5
consider the position after 21 .Nxe5.
18...Nf6 19.Bfl.
71
Chapter 2
The Shrewd 14...Nh5!? er what happens if White attempts

This unlikely move offers to attack Black in the
the most active resistance. way we saw in the 14.. . Bb7?!
Black’s Bishop doesn’t do line. After 17.c5 bxc5 18.Bc4
much immediately on b7, Nb6 19.Ba2 cxb4 20.axb4
so the second player focuses Bxb4, we arrive at the position
on sending his Knight on a below.
long journey to a more active

square.
14...Nh5!? 15.b4 Nf4 16.Bfl
Bb7
21.Bxb6? axb6 22.Nd5

doesn’t work here because
the Knight on f4 covers d5.

Instead, White must resort
17.Na4 to 21 .Ng5 Re7 22.Nxf7 Rxf7
It’s useful to see why 23.Bxb6 axb6 24.Bxf7+ Qxf7
White does not get much out 25.Rxa8+ Bxa8 26.Na4,
of an immediate c5 here. which will not allow him to
17.c5 bxc5 18.Bc4 Nb6 win back enough.
1 9.Na4 cxb4 20.axb4 Nxc4
21.Qxc4 Red8 and probably We return to the position

the best White can realistically after 17.Na4
hope for is a Knight-versus-Bishop
endgame with just
K-side pawns on the table.
To see the importance of
moving Black’s Knight to the
rim one move earlier, consid72
1 7...c5 To avoid concessions on
17...Ba6 is tenacious defense, the K-side, Black can try 22...

but gives White a free Nec5 23.a4 Qd8, but this lets
hand to continue to develop White focus on ensuring he
by doubling his Rooks on the has the better minor pieces
d-file: 18.Rd2 Ne6 19.Radl; with moves like Nd2 (contemplating
17...Ne6 18.c5 bxc5 (18... Nbl-c3 and/or
Rad8 19.cxb6) 19.bxc5 and Bd3-c2) and a5.
White’s c-pawn holds back, 19...Qb8 is a worse version
directly or indirectly, over half of the above because it
of Black’s army. gives White the additional
18.Nc3 Ne6 19.Nd5 Qd8 option of 20.Qa4, hitting the
Another unnatural move now-undefended Knight.
that is probably Black’s best
chance. It looks cheeky to We return to the position
create the self-pin, but otherwise after 19...Qd8.
White can threaten key
dark squares on the K-side:
19...Qc8 20.bxc5 Bxc5 (20...
Nexc5 21.a4 a5 22.Nh2 allows
White to go after K-side

dark squares.) 21.Qc3 Bxe3
22.Qxe3.
73
Chapter 2
20.h4 h6
Both 20...Nd4 21.Nxd4
exd4 22.Bg5 and 20...Be7

21.bxc5 Bxc5 22.Bg5 must be
unpleasant for Black. Note in
the latter case that 22.. .Nxg5
23.hxg5 Be7 can be met by
24.c5!, threatening Bb5 and
exploiting the danger to
Black’s Queen down the d-file
and White’s ability to fork d7, White stops ...Nb3 and
e8, and g8 with Nf6. Black’s temporarily complicates
least terrible continuation is Black’s use of d6 and f6 because,
probably 24...Qc8 25.Bb5 for example, 24...Nf6
Bc6 26.Bxc6 Qxc6 27.Nb4 allows White to get 25.Nd4!
Qc7 28.c6, which is not at all in owing to 25...exd4 26.e5+.
pleasant. Black can prevent this with
21.Qcl Nd4 the simple 24. . . Kg8, but even
Black fights fire with fire, then White can go about
threatening . . .Nb3. redeploying his troops with
21...Kh7 is passive defense 25.Nh2 without worrying
that must be good for much about his hold on the
White, especially since it puts center because after 25.Nh2
the King on the bl-h7 diagonal. Nf6, the e-pawn is not in any
White should play 22.h5 danger: 26.Be2 Nfxe4?! (26...
and exchange on g6, further Ncxe4?! 27.Nxb6!) 27.Ng4!
weakening Black’s K-side Instead, Black is best served
light squares. Black can stop by 26...Bxd5 27.exd5, which
this with 22...g5, but that is quite pleasant for White.
weakens the path to his King
further. After 23.bxc5 Nexc5 We return to the position
(23...Bxc5 gives White time after 21...Nd4.
to play g3.) 24.Qc2 we have
the position below.
74
22.Bxh6 Nb3 23.Qe3 Nxal

24.Rxa 1
And the basic plan of Bxf8,

Qh6, h5 poses real danger to
Black’s King. Notably, the
cute 24...Nf6 25.Bxf8 Ng4?!
backfires because the Knight
will be short on squares after
26.Qg5 Qxg5 27.hxg5.
Black’s best defense
may be 24...Bg7 25.h5 Nf6

26.Bxg7 Kxg7 27.hxg6 Ng4
28.Qd2 fxg6 29.Ng5, planning
Be2 soon.
75
Chapter 2
76
Cliapter 3
KID with 9...dxe5 Black Plays ...Qe7
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 course of action is an atypical

4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 one. As illustrated in the
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 introductory KID chapter, his
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3 middle-game goal is to push
Qe7 12.Rfdl his c-pawn and make use
of d6. Should Black prevent
this by pushing his c-pawn to
c5, White is happy to use d5
instead, and he may find b6
available because ...a5 is not
an uncommon reaction.
You said White’s plan was

“atypical.” Playing for an
advanced outpost does not
By playing his Queen to strike me as so strange.
e7, Black says he has no interest
in playing defense. He Quite so. The reason I
probably does not realize it, described White’s strategy
but once the second player as “atypical” is that he must
has placed his Queen on allow these plans to be delayed
e7, he has forfeited his best for several moves as
chance to complicate White’s he defuses Black’s potential
later Q-side play. K-side operations. Normally,
Consistent with the above, White does not willingly allow
White’s most profitable Black to mount an attack
77
Chapter 3
without material concession. were not fully explored in the

Yet I propose White do exactly first half.
this because there is no real
poison in Black’s initiative so The Power Line
long as White knows which 12...Nc5
potholes to avoid.
I offer two possible plans/
setups for White depending
on his temperament and
study time.
• The Power Line is
White’s best plan, inviting a

misconceived attack against
his K-side. This line not only
gives White a significant advantage,
but tends to generate Black’s Knight takes a half-
sharp positions where he has step toward the e6-square.
every chance to convert his 12.. .Nf8 will generally come
advantage. to the same thing but the
• The Safe Line suppresses text gives both sides more
some of Black’s most options, so we will use it for
dangerous plans by dissuading illustration.
variations involving . . .f5. 12...Ng4?! is the wrong
White still gets a good advantage, idea; it puts the Knight one
but in general should expect move farther from his goal:
to work harder to bring the f4-square. After 13.Bg5, a
home the full point. worst-case scenario for White
should be a transposition to
The first half of this chapter the main line after 13...Ngf6
gives individual treatment 14.h3 and a later Be3.
to each line, generally focusing 13.h3
on what should happen White prevents ...Bg4.
if Black does not over-extend 13...Nh5
himself. The second half discusses This is the simplest path
general stratagems that toward Black’s planned setup.
78
KID with 9...dxe5—Black Plays ...Qe7
Most players will avoid 13... What does White get in

Ne6, which leaves the e-pawn return?
unguarded.
I think Black would really Two things. First, as long
have to love gambits to as White keeps his Rook on
willingly dive into 13...Ne6 dl, Black has a difficult time
14.Nxe5 Nc5 15.Bxc5 Qxc5 completing his basic plan of
16.Nf3 Qe7 17.Rel Nd7 ...Ne6 and ...Nf4. (We shall
18.Radl Ne5 19.Nd4, after see later that playing Rd2
which Black has not secured makes it much more difficult
adequate compensation. for White to play g3 in response
Plus, since 14.Rd2 is a perfectly to a later ...Nf4.)
good alternate play, Second, the text maintains
it isn’t clear what Black accomplishes greater flexibility with respect
by dangling the to Rook placement, which
central pawn before White. turns out to be the key to
Also, the text gives Black squeezing maximum advantage
a greater ability to advance from this opening. White
his f-pawn later by keeping may find Rd2 to be a wasted
clear the line-of-sight from move if he decides to use his
c8 to f5. other Rook to give his c-pawn
14.Bfl! more support (Racl).
This is where the Power Line 14...Ne6
diverges from the Safe Line. By Black retreats before White
moving his Bishop to fi so exploits the placement of his
early, White makes it much Knight to get b4 in. White
easier for Black to advance his should be quite happy with
f-pawn. Now, Black no longer 14...f5?! 15.b4 Nxe4 16.Nxe4
has to be concerned about fxe4 17.Bc5 Qf6 18.Nd2.
exf5 gxf5; Nxe5, unveiling an Because White has already
attack on the unguarded N/h5, tucked his Bishop safely away,
an attack made all the stronger 14...Nf4 can simply be met
as capturing the Knight comes with 15.a3 here. Compare
with tempo on the R/e8. this to the Safe Line, where
14...Nf4 is Black’s best play.
79
Chapter 3
Had Black played 12...Nf8 We now return to the position

instead of 12...Nc5, White after 15.Racl!
would instead play 15.Rd2
now, transposing to a superior
variation of the Safe Line,
see extended discussion in
the note to Black’s 14th move
in the Safe Line section.
15.Racl!
White finds a useful move
that keeps his Rook off d2.
Instead, 15.Rd2 allows
Black to post his Knight on 15...h6
f4 without worrying about 15...Nhf4 can be rebuffed
an immediate g3 because with 16.g3 because Black’s
after 15...Nhf4 16.g3?! Nd4 knee-jerk response, 16...Nd4
17.Nxd4 Nxh3+! 18.Bxh3 17.Nxd4 exd4 18.Bxf4! dxc3
exd4 19.Bxc8?! (19.Bxd4 is 1 9.bxc3 Qxe4?? fails to 20.Qxe4
better, but still not great) Rxe4 21.Rd8+ Bf8 22.Bh6+—.
19...dxe3, White does not
have time to extricate his
Bishop.
The text (15...h6) speaks

to this concern by opening h7
for Black’s King.
White wishes his Rook 16.a3
were back on dl 16.c5 is also good, but
I prefer the text because it
80
allows White to play the clear. No matter what, it

thematic g3 in response to seems White is going to get
Nhf4. After 16.c5 Nhf4, White a powerful Bishop on d6.
would need to play 17.Qa4 or The text biffs a Bishop that
1 7.Ne2 to get the most out of White was planning on moving
the position because in the anyway, but it does allow
g3 continuation he wants to Black to capture the e-pawn
be able to play Bxf4, which without trading Queens and
leaves c5 unprotected. giving White an initiative
1 6...Nhf4 against his King. Compare
Even after .. . h6, Black cannot to 20...Qxe4 21.Qxe4 Rxe4
maintain a Knight on f4, 22.Rd8+ Kh7 23.Bd6 Bf6
but nothing else appears better. 24.Rf8 Kg7 25.c5.
16...Ng5 17.Nxg5 hxg5 20.. .h5 is not very threatening
18.f3 closes off the K-side and and gives White time to
allows White to pressure the play 21.Bg2 to protect e4.
Q-side with Qf2 soon. This 20...Qxa3 displaces the
shows yet another advantage Queen and picks up the less
to delaying Rd2—the Queen valuable of the two pawns
is not blocked laterally along available.
the 2nd rank. 21 .Bd6 Qxe4 22.Qb3
17.g3
White will secure his Bishop

1 7...Nd4 1 8.Nxd4 exd4 with either c5 or Qb4 and
1 9.Bxf4 dxc3 20.bxc3 g5 proceed to pressure Black’s
Q-side pawns. Black’s best plan is not
81
Chapter 3
The Safe Line ly pleasant position after

12...Nc5 13.h3 Nh5 14.Rd2 16.Khl!!
By maintaining a Bishop White avoids committing his a-Rook

on e2 until Black plays . . .Nf4,
White dissuades his opponent White remains flexible.
from the otherwise natural He can still play Radl or Rel.
advance of his f-pawn. The If Black proceeds with ...h6,
downside is that White can he will achieve an improved
no longer rely on an immediate version of the 14...Ne6-line
g3 to expel Black’s Knight because he can put his a-Rook
after ...Nf4 is played. on dl, where it will be more
14...Ne6 useful later. If Black plays
14...Nf4 is Black’s best or ...g5, he will want to
play, but only if he intends to play Rel, likely following up
follow up with . . .Nfe6 rather with Qdl. In the second half
than the more thematic of this chapter, we discuss
Nce6. After 14...Nf4 15.Bfl these pawn marches.
a5, White has to cede some The value of White’s Kh 1
of the Q-side to Black, though becomes apparent if Black tries
he will still be able to double the tricky 16...h6 17.Radl
his major pieces on the only Qf6, aiming to exploit White’s
open file. overworked g-pawn (threatening
Following the more thematic ...Nxh3) at a time when
14. . . Nf4 15. Bfl Nce6, White cannot play Qd 1. White
White is in a particular- can respond 18.Nh2 (or
82
18.Ngl) and ends up ahead if

Black plays 18...Nd4 19.Bxd4
exd4 20.Rxd4(D) because
White has nothing to fear
from 20...Qg5.
15.Rel
White could play 15.Bfl,

keeping his Rook development
flexible, but this is
inconsistent with the rest of
Position after 20.Rxd4: his play. White avoided Bfl
White is glad his King is not on gi earlier to make an f-pawn
march painful for Black.
If White’s King were still After 15.Bfl Rf8!, Black is
on gl, he could be in a lot of ready to counter-strike. I
trouble after 20. . . Qg5. think White can maintain
an advantage, but the game

Compared to 14...Nf4, gets messy because White no
the value of the text move longer has time to properly
(14...Ne6) is that Black retains prepare against . . .f5. Instead,
. . . f5 as a credible threat. he should opt for 16.Radl
Once his Knight moves to f4, f5 17.Qa4 Nhf4 (17...f4
the strength of an f-pawn advance 18.Bb6; 17...fxe4?! 18.Nxe4
is diminished because Nd4 19 .Bg5!) 1 8.Ne 1 (White
the Knight blocks the pawn must guard against the combination
from advancing to f4, hitting ...fxe4, ...Nxh3+,
White’s Bishop. and then ...Rxf3.)
With the text, though,
We return to the position White needn’t worry about
after 14...Ne6. any of this because after 15...
83
Chapter 3
Rf8?! 16.Qdl, he will come 17...Ng5

out on top should Black barrel White can meet 17...h5?!
forward with his f-pawn. with 18.g3 Nd4 19.Nxd4

See The f-pawn Advance section exd4 20.Bxf4 dxc3 21.bxc3,
for details. after which Black has insufficient
15...Nhf4 16.Bfl h6 compensation for the
Ostensibly, this prepares pawn. Note that if White’s
...Ng5 since the immediate King were still on gi, Black
16...Ng5?! is well met by could play 19...Nxh3+! in
17.Nxg5 Qxg5 18.g3. More this variation, leading to a sequence
subtly, Black was in danger of of exchanges leaving
having his Knight kicked off the game dynamically equal.
f4with 17.g3. For illustration, 18.Nxg5 hxg5 19.f3
consider 16...b6?! 17.g3 Nd4
18.Bxd4 exd4 19.Nd5!
Black can make no further
progress on the K-side, so

Black has nothing better play should finally turn to the
than 19.. .cxd5 20.exd5 Qd8 Q-side, where action favors
21 .Rxe8+ Qxe8 22.gxf4. White owing to his more actively
17.Khl posted pieces.
Since most of White’s
pawns are going to end up on The f-pawn Advance
light squares, 17.Qcl is worth Pushing the f-pawn is a
a shot, but I prefer the text natural aim for Black. In the
because it leaves White better ...Qc7 version of the ...dxe5
able to meet 17...h5. variation, White typically
84
plays c5 early on, meaning (beginning with the diagram

that . . . f5 is well met by Bc4 or at the beginning of the
Qb3, making the advance of chapter) 12.. . Nf8 13 .h3 Nh5
the f-pawn more dangerous 14.Rd2 f5?! 15.exf5 Bxf5.
for Black than for White. In
the ...Qe7 version, though,
White generally must delay c5
for quite a while, and the case
against ...f5 is more multifaceted.
White must have a
solid understanding of when

this play poses real danger
and how to thwart it.
First, it must be recognized
that ...f5 is primarily Black has solved one problem and
dangerous when Black can created several new ones
recapture with . . .gxf5 should

White exchange pawns on Black is ill-equipped to
f5. Sure, . . . Bxf5 gives Black’s use the dynamism often associated
“problem Bishop” a good with an isolated central
temporary post, but it leaves pawn. White can double

Black in a poor isolated pawn his Rooks on the d-file and
structure, especially because send one to perch on d6 (or
his Queen is in front of his d7 should Black play ...Ne6
Rook. Indeed, this is the soon), and Black’s Queen
famous mismove made by placement complicates his
C.H.O’D. Alexander against support of the e-pawn. Black
Botvinnik in the 1958 Olympiad, cannot even look for a tactical
to which the World Exchange sacrifice on f3
Champion responded, “every because his Rook is no longer
Russian schoolboy knows on f8.
Black must play ...g6xf5 in The need to meet exf5
such positions!” with ...gxf5 poses a conundrum
To see a simple example, which is easiest to see
consider the continuation by taking a step back and
85
Chapter 3
surveying the board after can make Black rue this pawn
12...Nf8 13.h3 Nh5 14.Rd2. advance. It stands to reason,
then, that if White can get this
move in before Black can push
his f-pawn, the first player
should come out ahead.
To see an example of this
in a critical line, consider
12... Nf8 13.h3 Nh5 14.Bfl
Ne6 15.Racl! Rf8! 16.c5!
The g6-pawn is the only

man covering h5, so Black is
ill-prepared to recapture on
f5 with this g-pawn until he
moves his Knight to f4 (14...
f5?! 15.exf5 gxf5? 16.Nxe5).
The practical upshot
of the above is that White
should only make special After 16...f5 17.exf5
preparations against . . .f5 after gxf5 18.Bc4 Kh8 19.Bxe6

he plays Bfl, unless Black Bxe6 (19...Qxe6?! 20.Rd6)
plays ...Rf8 first. 20.Qe2, White is prepared
to meet 20...f4 with 21.Bd2,
And what preparations can uncovering an attack against
White make? e5 made significantly more
menacing by the fact that
Good question. 21...Qxc5?! can be met by
22.Ne4 or 22.Ng5!?
Thwarting ...f5 The other main deterrent
There are two ways for to ...f5 is Rel combined
White to prepare against with Qd 1. The former sets up

...f5. First, as stressed in the tactics based on X-ray attacks
introductory KID chapter, c5 against Black’s Queen, the
86
latter creates a battery against beyond the typical aims of

the Knight on h5. To see an a K-side pawn storm. White
example from the Safe Line, plans g3, evicting the Knight
consider 12... Nf8 13.h3 from f4. If Black gets a pawn
Nh5 14.Rd2 Ne6 15.Rel Rf8 to h4, he can exchange on g3,
16.Qdl. exposing the h-pawn and perhaps
creating tactical complications.
A black pawn on g5
fmstrates White more directly,
as illustrated by the variation
12... Nf8 13.h3 Nh5 14.Rd2
Ne6 15.Rel Nhf4 16.Bfi g5
17.g3 h5.
Instead of 16.Qdl, c5
would have been a perfectly
good play in keeping with
White’s strategy. The text,
however, prepares to meet
16...f5? with the mangling
17.exf5 gxf5 18.Nxe5 Bxe5
19.13xh5 f4 20.Bd4 Nxd4 Beware Black’s g-pawn
21.Rxd4, illustrating the importance
of White’s major Three tactical points center
pieces on the central files. on Black’s g-pawn. First,
White’s dark-squared Bishop
K-side Pawn Storm will find itself entombed
In the Safe Line, after should the first player capture

Black sets up his Knights on the Knight with gxf4. Second,
e6 and f4, he may choose to the immediate ...g4 is awkward.
push his g- and h-pawns up Even more troubling is
the board. Advancing these 18...Nxh3+ 19.Bxh3 g4.
pawns has tactical points
87
Chapter 3
Weathering the Storm will likely pick up the Exchange

The easy solution to these by taking the Rook on
pawn marches is to play Qdl, d6 with his Bishop. A typical
which douses the immediate scenario beginning at the second-most
danger: 18.Qdl Nxh3+?! recent diagram is
(18...g4? 19.hxg4 hxg4 i8.Qdi h4 i9.c5 Qf6 20.Rd6
20.Nh2) 19.Bxh3 g4 20.Nh4! hxg3 21.fxg3 Bf8 22.gxf4 gxf4
gxh3 21.Nf5 Qf6 22.Qxh5. 23.Bf2 Bxd6 24.cxd6.
A shredded pawn storm White’s pieces are much

easier to activate than
Only tattered clouds remain Black’s.
of what was once a pawn
storm. Black has nothing better Why let Black win the
than 22...Qg6 23.Nxg7 Exchange? Can’t White just
Qxg7 24.Qxh3 Nd4 25.Qg2 make room for his Bishop
Bg4 26.Bxd4 exd4 27.Ne2, with Rc2 instead of securing
which does not approach d6?
proper compensation.
After White has played White needs to maintain
Qdl, he should play Rd6, control of the d-file, especiallyd4.
prepared if need be by c5. For example, after 18...
This opens d2 for his Bishop, Qf6, i9.Rc2?! allows i9...g4!
allowing it to safely retreat to 20.hxg4 hxg4 2i.Nh2 Nh3+
ci. In compensation for losing 22.Kg2 Nd4, and White cannot
the Knight on f4, Black afford to take the Knight
88
because his e-pawn will collapse Instead of g3, the key move
after 23.Bxd4? exd4 for White whenever this occurs
once the c-Knight moves. is Qa4, pinning the a7-pawn
(allowing Bb6) and giving
Special Note: . . .h4 before g3 White two routes to push c5
A caveat applies whenever through. First, the Queen on
Black gets . . . h4 in before a4 supports b4. Second, she
White can play g3. If White can move to a5, where she
is playing accurately, this covers c5 herself. Finally, in
should only occur after he the event that Black plays his
has elected to play Khl to Queen to f6, the Queen on
keep his options open with a4 pins Black’s c6-pawn to his
respect to the placement of unguarded Rook on e8.
his Rooks. An example continuation
is 12...Nf8 13.h3 Black Attempts to
Nh5 14.Rd2 Nf4 15.Bfl N8e6 Secure c5
16.Khl!! h5! 17.Rel (17.g3?! White hopes to eventually
Nxh3! 18.Bxh3 Nd4 19.Nxd4 play c5. Black can attempt
exd4 20.Bxd4 Bxh3 is fine for prophylaxis against this goal
Black) 17...h4. by playing ...a5 to prevent
b4. Normally this is a mistake
because White can just play
Na4 and target the anemic
b6-square, but what if Black
stops this by playing ...Nc5
first?
Several move orders support
this notion, but the standard
solution is shown by the
most direct case: 12...Nc5
Now 18.g3 can be answered 13.h3 a5.

with 18. . . hxg3 19 .fxg3
Nh5, which isn’t very good at
all for White.
89
Chapter 3
White should respond White threatens more than b4
actively. After 14.Bxc5! Qxc5

15.Na4 Qe7 16.Nb6 Rb8 White’s last move prepares
17.c5, Black’s Bishops are b4, but its real value
very far away from matching comes from allowing 1 6.g3!,
White’s well-placed Knight which White could not have
and soon-to-be-advancing advantageously played on
Q-side pawns. White should his last move: 15.g3?! Nfe6
play a3 and b4 as soon as is (15...Nxh3+?! is messy but
reasonable. favors White after 16.Kh2 g5
Black can try to prevent 17.Bxh3 g4 18.b4 Na6 19.b5)
the Bxc5 idea by routing his 16.b4 Nd4 17.Nxd4 exd4
other Knight all the way to 18.Bxd4 Bxd4 19.Rxd4 Ne6
e6 (...Nh5-f4-e6). If White is 20.Rd3 Qxb4.
using the Power Line, he can
refute this by simply playing
a3: 12...Nc5 13.h3 Nh5
14.Bfl Nf4 15.a3.
90
White can probably improve clearly create weak squares

a bit on this by doubling to target. Among those that
up on the d-file with i6.Rd2, do not entail such concessions,
but it still does not look very ...b6 and ...h6 are the
inspiring to me. most natural, but I would not
After the text, i5.a3, everything be shocked to see i2...Nf8
changes because i3.h3 Nh5 i4.Bfi Be6.
White’s b-pawn will have extra While White should be
protection if it reaches b4. happy to see such moves,
Black can try to counter with he should not immediately
i5...a5, but after i6.Rabi switch to full-throttle offense,
Black must admit that he planning to bash c5 out as
has mn out of tricks. (White soon as possible. If Black
could also play an interesting continues along this path,
variation of the Bxc5 line with White will no doubt get to
i6.Bxc5 Qxc5 i7.Na4 Qe7 advance on the Q-side, but
18.Nb6 Rb8, but here Black at first I recommend only a
has more central activity as slight change of tack.
his Knight can repair to e6. Any of ...b6, ...h6, or
On the other hand, there is Be6 are best met by immediately
now nothing hitting White’s doubling Rooks on the
e-pawn, so the first player d-file. The point here is that
can hit the stray a-pawn with even one move of dalliance
Qc3.) gives White the opportunity
to erect his optimal setup,
Black Tarries which is Rooks doubled on
We have covered the the d-file and—at the first
primary attacking plans for sign of aggression—his King

Black, but the second player moved to hi. As described
might take a less-focused in the Safe Line discussion,
approach, either looking for White typically does not have
quiet waiting moves or early time to adopt this setup without
means of developing his light- allowing .. . f5, but if given
squared Bishop. Some moves, an extra move, White generally
most notably .. . a5 and . . . c5, can double up his Rooks
91
Chapter 3
on the d-file, and then either before White can play g3.
play g3 or Khl as needed, to Here, though, the issue may
stop Black’s more provocative simply be that the Queen
tries. cannot get to dl.
Of course, the above is A few examples of how
extremely general advice. You Qa4 can be used are shown
should still use your head. If in the line l2...Nc5 l3.h3
Black dithers in a way that h6 l4.Rd2 Nh5 l5.Radl
allows White to play c5 (or Nf4 16.Bfi Nce6 17.Khl h5
some other obviously good (17...g5 l8.g3 h5 l9.Qa4
move) immediately, then by Nxh3 20.Bxh3 g4 2l.Nh4
all means do so. Similarly, if gxh3 22.Nf5 Qf8 [22...Qf6?
Black commits early—before 23.Nd5] 23.f3) l8.Qa4! Qf6
White has finished doubling (l8...h4 is better, but l9.b4!
his Rooks—to one of the is quite promising for White.)
attacking ideas treated previously l9.Nd5 Nxd5 20.cxd5 Nf4
in this chapter, White 21 .dxc6.
should feel free to adapt accordingly.
That being said, I
have looked at many possible
lines Black can take after . . .b6
or ...h6, and doubling the
Rooks on the d-file appears to
be an all-purpose response in
those cases where an immediate
c5 is unclear.
When White attempts to

exploit Black’s languid move
order by immediately doubling
up on the d-file, he may
find himself having to use the
Qa4 move mentioned in the
K-side Pawn Storm section as
the standard way of proceeding
when Black plays ...h4
92
CIlapter 4
KID with 9...Nxe5
1.d4 Nf62.Nf3 g6 3.c4 d6 pawn on e5, threatening . . .e4,
4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 he should have played 9. . .dxe5
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 instead rather than exchanging
9.dxe5 Nxe5 off White’s K-Knight, which is
the piece that . . .e4 hits.
In fact, this 9. . . Nxe5 1O.Nxe5
dxe5?! move order weakens the
threat of . . .e4 in another way

as well. Not only will . . .e4 not
come with tempo, but when
White’s Rook comes to dl, it
won’t be blocked by a horse’s
rearond2.
Black keeps both middle

files semi-open. The text also
keeps the al-h8 diagonal
clear of pawns. The downside,
of course, is that Black will
have much less central pawn
influence, can’t even attempt
an e5/f5 pawn phalanx,
and—worst of all—won’t
have outposts on d4 and f4. After 11.Rdl Qe7 12.Nd5
10.Nxe5 Rxe5 Nxd5 13.cxd5 e4, White will
1O...dxe5?! makes little exchange dark-squared Bishops
sense. If Black wanted to get a (Bd2-c3), which lets his
93
Chapter 4
Rook use d4, and then concentrate

on the c- and d-files.
Note that responding
to 9...Nxe5 1O.Nxe5 dxe5?!
11.Rdl with 11...Nd7 gives
rise to a terrible version of the
9...dxe5 line because White
achieves his thematic c5 push
immediately, owing to the
pin against the black Queen.
11.e4
White frees his dark-
squared Bishop, which will
become a key piece in the
ensuing play.
White’s Three MidRange

Goals
Over the course of the
next several moves, White
Position after 12.c5! will aim to accomplish one
of three goals.
White opens the a2-g8 White’s primary goal is to
diagonal to dissuade .f5, induce an advance of Black’s
threatens a disruptive c6, h- or f-pawns. Any transformation
and more or less forces 12... of Black’s K-side
e4 because 12... c6 13. N e4is pawns tends to favor White.
horrible for Black. A pawn on f6 blocks Black’s
After 12...e4 13.c6 bxc6 g-Bishop, a pawn on h6 can
14.Nxe4, it is hard to find be targeted by White’s Queen
much to like about Black’s and Q-Bishop, and any pawn
position. on the 5th rank gives White a
hook for his pawns to attack.
We return to the position Black is not in a position
after 1O...Rxe5. to attack White’s King with
94
KID with 9...Nxe5
his pieces any time soon, so a problem so long as Black

White can afford to advance is not able to take advantage
his K-side pawns to break-up of the situation. In particular,
Black’s. But White should White should ensure that
only do this after a target exchanging Bishops does not
emerges. I do not recommend allow Black to activate his
simply playing h4-h5. Queen.
White plans on eventually It might be an over-generalization,
playing f3. This combined but a useful rule
with control of the cl-h6 diagonal of thumb is that White can
and a Knight coming advantageously exchange
to d5 prevents Black from Bishops as long as he has
deploying his pieces on the a Knight on d5 and Black’s
K-side. This means Black is Knight is on d7, where it
likely going to play ...b6 and blocks communication between
...Bb7 soon. The second outcome the Queen and d6. It
White would be happy is hard for Black to free his
to see is simply ...Bxd5. This Queen because c7 is under
trades a rather inactive Bishop attack and ...c6 (shooing the
for White’s well-placed Knight away) would leave d6
Knight, but it allows White to unprotected.
target the backward c-pawn. In addition to looking for
Finally, White can obtain a Knight on d7, White would
a good game by exchanging also like to have his Queen
dark-squared Bishops, so on the cl-h6 diagonal when
long as it is under the proper the exchange occurs, as this
conditions. is the diagonal that his dark-
squared Bishop had been
What are the proper defending.
conditions? Finally, the above guidelines
assume that Black initiates
In general, arranging for the exchange and White

the exchange of Bishops can must recapture. If White captures
leave White’s pieces temporarily first, keep in mind that
misplaced. This is not he’ll have a tempo after Black
95
Chapter 4
recaptures to attain a good generally critical for the exchange

setup. to work.
Let’s look at a few positions Still, there is value in

to identify when exchanging working out variations and
Bishops is good and seeing the concrete reasons
when it is not recommended. White should avoid lopping
The diagram below shows the off the Bishop:
continuation 11...Nd7 12.Be3 15.Bd4 Bxd4+ 16.Qxd4
Re8 13.f3 b6 14.Qd2 Nc5. Ne6 (16...Qg5? 17.Nd5)
Should White force a Bishop 17.Qd2 Qf6 18.Nd5 Qg7;
exchange, and if so, how? 15.Bh6 Bxh6 16.Qxh6
Bb7 17.Nd5 c6 18.Nc3 Qf6
19.Radl Rad8 20.Qd2.
In both cases Black has
equalized.
Let’s look at the same line
but with 14...Bb7 instead of
14...Nc5.
Bd4, Bh6, or something else?
I hope you were able to

determine that White should
not play either Bd4 or Bh6
here. Black’s Knight is on
c5. Moreover, the exchange
initiated by Bd4 does not let Does Bd4 make sense?
White keep his Queen on
the cl-h6 diagonal and the Black’s Knight is on d7,
exchange initiated by Bh6 so that argues for exchanging
leaves no pressure on the Bishops, but White’s Knight is
d-file. Finally, White’s Knight back on c3, so Black’s Queen
is not even on d5, which is is unshackled. Thus, White
96
KID with 9...Nxe5
is not doing himself any favors White one of his desired outcomes.
with 15.Bd4. After 15... While the pawn is on
Bxd4+ 16.Qxd4 Qg5, Black f6, Black’s Bishop is blocked,
has nearly equalized. but advancing it lets White
Imagine that instead begin the process of breaking
White plays 15.Racl and down the pawn cover around
Black replies 15...a5 to block Black’s King.
b4. Now 16.Bg5! is particularly 16...Bf6 (or the slightly
illustrative because its better 16... Bd4+ 17. Kh 1 Bf6)
various continuations span gives White the opportunity
all three of White’s goals. to exchange on f6. Even
though White’s Knight is not
on d5, he can still advantageously
exchange; Black has
to use a move to recapture
with the Queen, allowing
White to get Nd5 in.
Three Branches
Let’s take another look at
the position after 11 .e4.

Blocking the Bishop with
the Knight cannot leave Black
well off. Meeting 16...Nf6?!
17.Nd5 without capturing
the Knight (which allows
White to achieve one of the
three goals) is awkward. More

than that, the f6-square is just
not a good place for Black’s
Knight. It did, after all, just
recently retreat from that Over the next few moves,
square. the game will unfold in one
Blocking with the f-pawn of three principal ways depending
(16... f6) immediately grants on the path taken by
97
Chapter 4
White’s dark-squared Bishop,

which creates a debilitating
pin should it safely reach g5.
(Note: these three branches
do not align with the three
mid-term goals described in
the last section.)
One possibility is that
White plays Bg5 before playing
f3. Black will almost certainly
play ...h6, after which The third possibility is
White will pull his Bishop that Black simply prevents the
back to f4. The chief way pin by playing ...Nd7 before
this may occur is by 11...Re8 White plays Bg5.
12.Bg5 h6 13.Bf4.
General Remarks
Black is likely to play
...b6, ...Bb7, ...Re8, and ...Nd7
in some order as his first few
moves, and White will play

f3 soon regardless of Black’s
setup, so ransposiional
possibililies exist. Generally
speaking, Whhe can, if he so
chooses, avoid one of the first
Another possibility is thai two branches, but he should
White plays f3 before Bg5. no seek to avoid both.
White’s basic plan is to provoke For example, if White
...g5 and then threaten does no care for the first
to redeploy his dark-squared option, he can meet 11...Re8
Bishop to c3(!) after Nd5. with 12.f3, bu then Black
This branch should most gets o choose between the
frequently begin with: 11 ...b6 other wo branches by playing
12.f3 Bb7 13.Bf4 Re8 14.Bg5 either 12...Nd7 or 12...
h6 15.Bh4 g5 16.Bel. b6. In the event of 11...b6,
98
KID with 9...Nxe5
probably avoid And why would you not recommend White can
opiion by playbin the second White use this idea?
I don’i really ing 12.Be3,
recommend i. I just don’t think there is
a good reason io avoid the
How does that work? second branch. White can ge
a rather significarn advantage
h’s a bh complex. Black after 11...b6 12.f3 Bb7 13.Bf4
will warn io play ...Nd7 soon, Re8 14.Bg5, so I recommend
bin after Be3 this would allow knowing thai line. Also, the
Whiie io pin his Rook io idea of using 12.Be3 o entice
the g-Bishop with Bd4. Thus, ...Re8 assumes Black will nrn
after Be3, Black will probably call your bluff with 12...Nd7,
play ...Re8 of his own accord allowing 13.Bd4 Re8 14.Bxg7;
and then White can play White’s advarnage after that
Qd2, which threatens a more exchange is less than he gets
painful version of the Bg5 pin in any of the other lines.
because now ...h6 can be me
simply by taking the pawn. You keep assuming Black will

An example line showing this retreat his Rook to e8. What
is 11...b6 12.Be3 Re8 13.Qd2 if he retreats to e6 instead,
Bb7 14.f3. where it protects f6 and d6?
That is certainly a possibility,

bu it should give
White an improved version
of another line. Black’s principal
problem is not d6, and
the Rook’s proiecfion of thai
square is not particularly
solid. Moreover, prrnecting
f6 does not help Black much
Black will probably play because his Queen has very
...Nd7 here. few places to go.
99
Chapter 4
Black’s biggest issue is time, which cannot be a good

that his Queen is tied down thing. For example, 11...Bd7
to the protection of c7 and 12.f3 Bc6 13.Bf4 Re8 14.Qd2
lacking safe squares on the Kside. looks pretty good for White
Furthermore, a Rook on since 14...Nd7 can be met
e6 interferes with Black’s typical well with 15.Nd5.
use of his Knight. Black In addition to the above
generally ends up moving his considerations, White can
Knight to e6 (via d7 and c5), simply push e5 before Black
whence it can invade on d4 has managed to complete his
with the help of the Bishop. ...Bc6/...Nd7 maneuver. This
Black may be able to happened to the great Efim
take the game into territory Bogoljubow playing Black
independent of the analysis against Alexey Selezniev in
here by playing, for example, 1922. That game continued
...Rc8, ...Qf8, and then ...Nd7, 11...Bd7 12.Bf4 Re8 13.Radl
but such a plan hardly seems Bc6 14.e5.
critical. So I think it is best to
focus on continuations where
Black plays ...Re8.
What about other options

for Black’s light-squared
Bishop?
White will soon control
h3, g4, and f5 with pawns,

and posting the Bishop on d7 After 14...Nd7 15.exd6
blocks Black’s Knight. Black cxd6 16.Bxd6 (16.Rxd6
could play ...Bd7 and then would have been better), the
...Bc6, which lets the Bishop great Russian was not at all
get on the long diagonal interested in exchanging Bishops
without weakening c6. But and instead went in for a
this means Black will not be Queen sally: 16... Qg5 17 .Nd5
able to play ...Nd7 for some Rac8 18.Bf4 Qh4 19.Bg3
100
KID with 9...Nxe5
Qg5, which White could have Bishop is blocked, so White

responded to with 20.f4! Instead retains some edge. Still, the
he chose to consolidate advantage here is probably
his advantage with 20.Qd2 less than in the more laid-back
Qxd2. White played well for 11...Bd7 12.f3 Bc6 13.Bf4 Re8
several moves but had trouble 14.Qd2, so correspondence
converting his passed, extra players might want to go with
pawn: 20.Qd2 Qxd2 21.Rxd2 that line. Over the board I
Nc5 22.Bf3 Ne4 23.Bxe4 Rxe4 would suggest White consider
24.f3 Re6 25.Rel Rxel+ 26. 11...Bd7 12.Bf4 Re8 13.Radl
Bxel Kf8 27.Re2 Bd4+ 28.Kfl Bc6 14.e5 instead, for 14...
Bxd5 29.cxd5 Rd 30.Rd2 Be5 Nh5! 15.Bxh5 Qh4! is hard
31.d6 Bf6. to find.
Final (for Now) Advice

In the Further Analysis
chapters, I cover each of the
main branches in greater
detail, but you can play these
positions with some confidence
based on the following
general guidelines:
• Play for one of the 3
At this point White played “Mid-Range Goals” described
32.Ke2 and the game was above.
agreed drawn. 32.Re2 or • Get your Knight to d5.
32.d7 should have given • Play for a prepared f4,
White more chances. leading to a K-side attack, and
A more critical try for if Black turtles up to prevent
Black using ...Bd7 is 1L.. this, threaten to activate your
Bd7 12.Bf4 Re8 13.Radl Bc6 light-squared Bishop on h3,
14.e5 Nh5!, but after 15.Bxh5 which should be the straw
Qh4! 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.Nd5 that breaks the camel’s back
Bxd5 18.g3 Qg4 19.cxd5 dxe5 when it comes to taking away
20.Be3 Rac8 21.f3, Black’s squares from Black’s army.
101
Chapter 4
• If all else fails, or when

it appears advantageous to
do so, slip into an endgame
where your central pawn majority
and space should give
you the better chances.
102
CIapfer 5
KID Odds and Ends
advantage of certain move

Conventional wisdom
does not esteem our repertoire orders (or when you know
line against the KID, ahead of time that your opponent
so most opponents you face favors the KID).
will gleefully play into it, not
realizing how difficult it is for Black Supports His
them to use their typical KID e-pawn with ...Qe7
plans when White does not Nearly 90% of the time,
give them easy targets early Black will play 8. . . Re8 to support
on. However, there are three his e-pawn push to e4,
alternate lines Black can use but sometimes players issue
for which a small amount of 8...Qe7, perhaps figuring it
preparation is appropriate: doesn’t matter which heavy
• Black can play ...Qe7, piece comes to the e-file first.
rather than ...Re8, to push 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
his e-pawn. 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
• Black can play ...c6 earlier, Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Qe7

giving his Queen the c7-
square prior to any exchanges
in the center.
• Black can play ...Bf5

prior to ...Nbd7.
In addition to these defensive
variations, I have
included discussion of an
optional transpositional device

White might use to take
103
Chapter 5
9.b4 ing observation on his 1. . .e6:

9.dxe5?! is not recommended. A Solid Repertoire Against 1. d4
9.dxe5 Nxe5 and 1.e4 DVD about play in
1O.Nxe5 Qxe5 holds no the reversed line (King’s Indian
promise for White. Attack versus a French
Defense).
White’s Strategy in a Nutshell “When White plays e5 like
The text is the most common this it gives Black quite a nice,
move when this opening easy-to-play counterattack on
is played from the Black the queenside, based on just
side as a French Defense. In charging all his pawns up the
the introductory KID chapter, board. On the other hand,
I indicated that it was although White is playing
poor against 8... Re8 owing against Black’s King, it’s not
to 9...a5! 1O.b5 exd4 11.exd4 so easy to organize a pawn
Nb6, planning ...Bf5. This storm, and instead White has
response is not nearly as significant to attack with pieces, which
a concern after 8... is quite tricky to bring off.
Qe7, though. The presence That’s what I discovered in
of Black’s Queen on the e-file my 36 years playing the KIA:
can be exploited, as shown in it’s by no means an automatic
the note to Black’s 9th move in mate on the kingside. It can
the White’s Strategy Executed: be very difficult to build up
Other Lines section. an attack over there, whereas
Incidentally, White’s expansion for Black it can be very easy
on the Q-side was to advance the queenside
recommended by Smith and pawns.”
Hall in their landmark classic Grandmaster Davies’
Winning with the Colle System, remarks notwithstanding, I
with the aim of breaking up cannot bring myself to make
the ground there for an invasion. this my official repertoire recommendation.
This general idea is If you are an
quite potent in the hands of experienced player who feels
stronger players. Indeed, Ni- comfortable using Davies’
gel Davies makes an interest- plan, then I certainly stand
104
KID Odds and Ends
behind that choice. One of
the biggest complaints made

by improving players is that
most opening books do not
give sufficient guidance, and
I think many weaker players
are intimidated when told
just to “push your pawns up
the Q-side and take advantage
of the aftermath.” That being
said, if you are happy with Instead of pushing the
the general plan of Q-side a- and b-pawns up the board
expansion, I still recommend immediately, I advocate that
looking at the analysis here, White seek to get a pawn on
and in particular consider the d5, either by pushing d4-d5
note to White’s 12th move in directly or by playing Nd5!,
the Typical Play subsection. which forces an exchange on
Felicitously, I have found that square. This latter scenario
a completely new way to is particularly good for
play this line that I think is White (so long as he times
even better than the standard Nd5! properly), because it
Q-side expansion plan. It opens the c-file for his Rooks.
allows me to give just a bit Black should block this with
more guidance in this line, ...c6, after which White’s
which I hope class players plan is to push his d-pawn
will appreciate. first and then, should Black
Let’s take a look after the refuse to exchange pawns on
expected 9...e4 1O.Nd2 Re8 d5, White can begin advancing
11.Bb2. his a- and b-pawns, knowing
that b6 has already been
weakened.
Using this recommendation,

White only resumes his
Q-side advance when he has a
clear goal, viz, the b6-square,
105
Chapter 5
which Black will have to The text is far superior

cede him because the second to the much more common
player must push his a-pawn 11 . . .Nf8?!, which gives White
eventually. Most of the time, a great game after 12.Nd5!
advancing the a- and b-pawns NxdS 13.cxd5 Bf5 14.Rfcl
will not be necessary because Rac8 15.Qb3.
other targets (typically pawns
on c7 or d6) will have presented
themselves.
Detailed coverage is given

below, broken into two
sub-sections:
• Typical Play (9...e4)

• Other lines
White’s Strategy Executed: Typical White has a fantastic

Play position. He will double his
9...e4 1O.Nd2 Re8 11.Bb2 Rooks on the c-file. Black will
likely push his c-pawn, otherwise
White will just march his
a- and b-pawns up the board,
taking advantage of Black’s
lack of space and inability
to defend that sector. Unlike
in other typical Q-side pawn
marches, White can be more
optimistic about actually
winning material in the near
11...h5!
Black opens h7 in anticipation future rather than simply

of. . .Nf8-h7. He is also procuring a good square for
hoping to provoke h3, which a piece.
can later become a target if hethe
If Black pushes there
exchanges his c-pawn,
allow
can get his Queen to g5. White to more easily target
106
KID Odds and Ends
Black’s pawns with his pieces. who just like to throw their
On the other hand, White’s Q-side pawns up the board.
pawns on d4 and d5 limit If that is your chosen style, I
Black’s minor pieces. highly recommend you use
this move order to execute it.
We return to the position 1 2...c6
after 11...h5! 12...Nf8 13.Nd5 Nxd5
14.cxd5 Qg5 15.Nxe4 Qxd5
16.f3 is the safest way for
White to get a big advantage
in this line but White is also
safe after the more dangerous
15.h4!? Qxh4 16.Qxc7
Bg4 17.Bb5 Bf3 18.gxf3 exf3
19.Nxf3 Qg4+ 20.Kh2 Qxf3
21 .Qxd6.
13.Rfdl Nf814.d5
12.Racl
12.Nd5 is not nearly as

good here because Black has
not retreated his Knight to f8.
12...Nxd5 13.cxd5 Nb6, and
Black is not so badly off.
12.h3 is not a bad play in
and of itself, but it cannot be
used as a mere waiting move
if White plans on using the
Nd5 trick. The pawn on h3 White achieves his desired
becomes a target if White’s pawn on d5, taking e6 away

g-pawn is pinned: 12...Nf8 from Black’s N/8 and opening
13.Nd5?! Nxd5 14.cxd5 Bf5 d4 for his own Knights.
15.Rfcl Rac8 16.Qb3 Qg5. More importantly, the
On the other hand, in the eventual removal of Black’s
same continuation, 13.c5 d5 c-pawn virtually guarantees
14.b5 is a great line for those that White will have either
107
Chapter 5
b5 or b6 for a Knight after

he pushes his a-pawn up the
board.
White’s Strategy Executed: Other

Lines
It is very hard to find any
games where Black does not
push the e-pawn after putting
his Queen on e7. He does not
particularly want the e-file 1O...c6
opened, and a pawn on e4 1O...e4 will lead to play
prevents White from covering similar to the Typical Play
f5 with Bd3. sub-section. White has played
Black cannot delay ...e4 h3, so it is best to play for d5
indefinitely and temporary rather than Nd5. Note that
efforts will involve playing on Bf5 can often be met with
his weaker side. In particular, g4 in this variation.
he cannot simply make his 11.a4
thematic plays prior to advancing White prepares Ba3 and
the pawn. Though dxe5.
it is unlikely to ever occur in 11...Nf8
one of your games, here’s a Having delayed ...e4,
quick look at what might occur Black now finds that he does
should Black try to keep not have time to achieve his
the center fluid for a while. thematic K-side development
9...Re8 (...Nf8 allowing ...Bf5) without
9...a5 is no longer the gray handing White a great
cloud it is in the typical move Q-side setup: 11...e4 12.Nd2
order. 1O.b5 exd4 11.exd4 Nf8 13.Ba3 Bf5 (13...a6
Nb6 12.Rel Bf5 13.Bd3 does 14.b5; 13...h5 14.a5 a6 15.b5
not equalize because Black’s Bf5 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.Rabl)
Queen is under attack. 14.a5 a6 15.b5 c5.
1O.h3 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.b5 e4
14.Nd2 Bf5 15.bxc6 bxc6
108
KID Odds and Ends
16.Ba3! 17.Rfdl Ne6, threatening

White pushes Black’s ...Ng5 (or ...Bxh3) is
Queen to e5, which appears a not simple to meet. Black
more dominating square but can combine pressure on the
is actually worse because she K-side accentuated by the now
has less access to key K-side weakly guarded f2-square
squares. See note to Black’s with discovered attacks on c3
next. once the N/f6 moves. 18.Bb2
16...Qe5 defuses the latter aspect but
White has difficulty making
any headway on the Q-side
without being able to push
his c-pawn. After the text he
can meet this sort of play with
g4!, but after 17.Rfdl Ne6
18.Bb2 Qc7, 19.g4?! is met
by 19...Ng5 20.gxf5 Nxh3+
21.Kg2 Nxf2, which is promising
for Black since 22.Kxf2?
Black much prefers his loses to 22...Qh2+

Queen to be on e7, where 1 7...Rad8
it has access to both g5 and 17...Bxh3?! 18.gxh3 Qg5+
h4 in case White plays g4 19.Khl Qf5 20.Bd6;
and Black plays the sacrificial 17...Ne6 boxes in his
...Nxg4. White’s goal from Queen, who would like to

here is to safely play c5, after retreat to e7 if need be. White
which he will have a large gets a good game with 18.Bb2
advantage owing to the numerous planning Nd5 because 18...
good squares (c4, d4, Qc7 allows 19.g4! Note that
and d6) he will have on the 19...Ng5? 20.gxf5 Nxh3+
Q-side. 21. Kg2 doesn’t work for Black
1 7.Racl here because White still controls
17.c5?! Bxh3 18.gxh3 f2 with a Rook.
Qg5+ 19.Khl Qf5 is a forced 18.Rfdl h5 19.Bfl

draw; White can now safely play
109
Chapter 5
c5 and post a Knight on d4. 9.Rdl Qc7

Instead 19.c5 Bxh3 The text puts the Queen
20.gxh3 Qg5+ 21.Kfl Qh4 on a suboptimal square. First,
22.Kel Qxh3 is about even. she does not have access to
Black’s King is much safer, safe K-side dark squares (in
which compensates nicely for particular g5, which is a key
being down a piece for two roost for her in the normal
pawns. line). More important, she
no longer supports e4, so
Black will need to play an
Black Plays an Early early ...d5 if he wants to push
...c6
his e-pawn. This gives White
Our main line assumes a target because he can exchange
Black plays ...c6 only afterthe on d5 and then target
center is resolved. White must the recapturing pawn. If Black
be a bit careful if Black plays does not push his e-pawn, he
...c6 earlier.
will eventually need to exchange
on d4, at which point
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 d6 he has no good square for his
4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 light-squared Bishop while
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 c6 White has good squares for
Black could have played all his pieces.
...c6 on any of the last 9...Re8 is the most likely
several moves, with play move. The aftermath of
transposing. 1O.dxe5 will see a transposition
to our mainline
chapters.
9...Qe7 1O.h3 Re8 11.b3
e4 brings the game to a
version of the early ...Qe7
branch analyzed in the previous
section.
110
KID Odds and Ends
Black pushes his e-pawn,

White still needs to play 11 .b3
in this variation, lest his bpawn
become a target after
11...exd4 12.exd4 d5.
We return to the position

after 9...Qc7
Black’s move order has

caused both sides to issue
marching orders that look

short-sighted in hindsight. If
White had known Black was
going to play ...e4, he would

have preferred playing b4 in
one play and may have delayed
h3. On the other hand, 1O.h3 Re8 1 1.a3 exd4
Black’s early ...c6 gives White Black does not equalize
a hook on the Q-side, so the by trading pawns, but he
first player should shift gears cannot just sit around and let
and play for b5 as soon as White expand on the Q-side.
possible. After 12.Nd2 Nf8, At least by capturing now he
Black can engage White’s plan removes that element from
of b4-b5 by advancing his a- White’s bag of options.
pawn, but that hands White 11...e4 12.Nd2 d5 13.cxd5
the b6-square on a silver cxd5 14.b4;
platter. Nf8 13.dxe5 11...h6 12.b4
dxe5 14.c5;
Why doesn’t White just play 12.dxe5 dxe5 11...Nf8
1 1.b4 and save a move?” 13.b4;
11...a5 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.e4
While White prefers to Nc5 executes a dubious strategy

play b4 in one move when to post a Knight on c5.
111
Chapter 5
But with no Queen on e7 to may figure it best to develop

support it, the Knight can just the Bishop early. Normally in
be lopped off or scared away these circumstances, White
with b4 in the near future. should target the pawn on
11...Bf8 puts some pressure b7 that is left unguarded, but
on c5 but does nothing in this line I suggest the first
to help Black develop his player look to obtain a space
Bishop, so White can just advantage by threatening the
continue his Q-side operations Bishop.
with 12.b4. 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
1 2.exd4 Nf8 1 3.Bd3 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 Bf5
White has every reason to Black can engineer this

be happy now that Black will development earlier, but
not get easy use of f5 for his most of the time I would expect
Bishop. to see it now. One reason
is that developing the Bishop

Black plays an early to f5 earlier gives White more
...Bf5 possibilities involving Ng5
In many of the lines treated and e4.
by this chapter’s earlier 7.0-0 Ne4
sections, Black’s problems derive Black needs to act quickly
from difficulty developing or else White will exploit the
his Q-Bishop after playing B/f5’s lack of space.
...Nbd7. If he is not familiar White’s most basic plan is
with this line of the KID, he h3 followed by Nh4 or Ng5
112
KID Odds and Ends
& e4. After Ng5, if Black tries useful to contemplate. White

to hold back e4 with ...d5, will play a4 to set up a bind
White can exchange on d5 on the Q-side and then use
and play Qb3, after which his space advantage to better
Nxf7!? can be a potent sacrifice. reorganize his pieces.
Alternatively Nd2, planning 1 O.Bxf3
to push both his f- and There is a lot of game left
e-pawns is a possibility. to be played, but White does
8.Nxe4 Bxe4 9.d5 have the Two Bishops and
White blocks the Bishop’s will have greater central space
path to c6. after e4.
The Bg5 Trick

When a Zuka player faces
off against a KID practitioner,
the first three moves are
unlikely to startle the second
player. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4
Bg7 is a perfectly normal way
to open the game. When 4.e3
hits the mat, there is some
9...Bxf3 chance that Black will deviate
Black gives up the Two from KID-style play. He may

Bishops without any real switch into a Grünfeld or a
compensation, but otherwise Benoni.
White will just gain time and If White is willing to allow
space by hitting this Bishop. the game to occasionally take
For example, 9...Nd7 1O.Nd4 an independent route, there
c5 (1O...Nf6?! 11.f3 c5 12.fxe4 is a little transpositional trick
cxd4 13.exd4 Nxe4 14.Bf3 f5 he can use to prevent such
15. Bxe4 fxe4 16. Rxf8 + Qxf8 deviations by masking his
17.Be3 is plenty good for intended setup. In fact, using
White) 11.Nb5 Nf6 12.Nc3 this trick will generally get
BfS 13.Bf3 and the Bishop White into one of the more
on f5 clearly has nothing pleasant KID lines in our
113
Chapter 5
repertoire, or something very By far the most common

near it. move, and GM Bologan’s suggestion
1.d4 Nf62.Nf3 in The King’s Indian: A
If White is truly confident Complete Black Repertoire. Several
that Black will play a KID, he other tries are possible.
can even play 2.c4 here. 6...Nbd7 should
2...g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 0-0 transpose.
5.e4 d6 6.h3!? 6. . . c5 can lead directly to
the main line of the Modern
Benoni, rather than our delayed-e4
version. It is a very
dangerous line that I recommend
avoiding by 7.d5 e6
8.Bd3 exd5 9.exd5 (rather
than 9.cxds) 9. . . Re8+ 10. Be3
with a fine position.
6...c6, 6...a6, and 6...
Na6 are all efforts to delay
Thus begins the Krasenkow ...e5 until White has committed
Variation, named for his K-Bishop too early
super-GM Michal Krasenkow, or to the wrong square. These
who has played it in dozens are all important efforts in
of games. A recent book by the fashionable version of
GM Jan Markos (Beat the the Krasenkow, where White
KID) used it as one possible plans to advance his d-pawn.
line, and Martin Breutigam If White plans on exchanging
produced a ChessBase CD devoted on e5, as I advocate, they
to the opening, so your become less interesting. Obviously,
opponent probably has some you should use your
preparation against it. own good chess sense, but
We, however, will be cutting when in doubt I recommend
through all the theory by playing moves that fit into
paddling down an obscure our standard repertoire plan
sideline. (e.g., dxe5, Be2, Qc2, Be3).
6...e5 7.dxe5
114
KID Odds and Ends
This has a tame reputation,

but we have our own
agenda.
7...dxe5 8.Bg5!?
A very uncommon play.
White normally simply exchanges
Queens instead.
8...Nbd7
The text is Bologan’s suggestion,
but two other moves
are common as well: Bologan agrees this is
8...Qxdl+ gives White better than Bxf6, but he
a better version of the normal gives no other commentary
Exchange KID because or analysis beyond saying it
White’s Rook (rather than shows the “senselessness” of
Black’s) enters the action White’s previous Bg5. Yet we
upon capturing. Since Black have managed to transpose
often enjoys the d4 square in to a position with the same
the typical Exchange Variation, character as our KID repertoire
one possibility White lines following 9...dxe5
can consider is immediately 1O.e4. Indeed, if play continued
destroying e5 (e.g., 9.Rxdl c6 (from the diagram)
1O.Nxe5 Nxe4 11.Nxe4 Bxe5 1O...c6 11.Be2 Qe7 12.Rdl
12.Nd6). This is terrible in Re8 13.0-0 Nh5 14.Rfel Nf4
the standard Exchange Variation, 15.Bfl Nf8 16.Rd2 N8e6
but it gives White a safe we would be in the critical
advantage here. continuation of our 10...c6
8. . .c6 9.Qc2 should transpose 11.Rdl Qe7 repertoire line.
(or be similar) to the Of course, actual play
text. should not follow that line
9.Qc2 h6 1 O.Be3 exactly. Black has some extra
flexibility with respect to the
placement of his K-Rook, and
White has little reason to play
the inefficient Radl and then
115
Chapter 5
Rfei in this version. With White should expect to get

Black already having used a a bigger advantage in these
move on ...h6, White should lines than in the key continuation
aim for the much stronger treated by the repertoire
setup of Rooks on d2 and chapter on 9. . . dxe5 followed
di (or Rooks on di and ci). by ...Qe7. (With ...h6 already
The point is that White has played, ...Qc7 makes
enough time to address the less sense, even if Black uses
danger of . . . Qf6 with Nh2 in a move order that gets ...c6
this line. For example, after in before moving his Queen.
10.. .c6 ii .Be2 Qe7 12.0-0 The advance of his h-pawn is
Re8 13.Rfdi Nh5 14.Rd2 less productive in that line.)
Nf4 15.Bfi Nf8 16.Radi Qf6 Black’s best try may be
(D), White is safe after either to strike out immediately on
17.Nh2 (planning g3) or the a mission to exchange his
more interesting 17.Nei!? K-Knight for White’s light-
Qg5 18.Khi. squared Bishop. He can accomplish
this with i1.Be2
Nh5! 12.0-0 Nf4 13.Rfdl
Nxe2+.
Black is way too late to the dance
White’s ability to play

immediately for doubled I recommend 14.Nxe2
Rooks on the d-file is worth Qe7 15.b3, planning a4 (and

far more than anything Black aS if allowed) and the re-routing
can try based on playing of his very good Bishop
...Rd8 instead of ...Re8, and from e3 to a3 (or perhaps b2)
116
KID Odds and Ends
via ci. White has little to fear play a KID if given a typical
from ...f5-f4; White’s minor move order.
pieces are superb, and Black
cannot afford to play i5...f5
16.Nc3 fxe4, for that invites
Nh2-g4, exploiting the weakened
K-side pawns in Black’s
camp.
Alternatively, White can
hold back ...f5 with i5.Ng3,
which leads to a quieter
game.
Pros and Cons of the Bg5 Trick

Using this trick has both
pros and cons. White avoids
the Benoni continuations
that might otherwise ensue

after i.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4
Bg7 4.e3. Assuming Black
plays along, White should
end up in a better version of
our KID repertoire line.
On the other hand, Black
can more easily take the
game into a different realm.
In addition to deviations
discussed above, Black can
simply choose to play a Gninfeld
(4...d5), and White no
longer has the option of the
Sneaky Grünfeld line. This
is why White may prefer using
this trick only when he is
confident his opponent will
117
Chapter 5
118
Part 2
The Grünfeld
Cliapter 6
The Sneaky Grünfeld

riginally, the Sneaky
Grunfeld was so called
because Black switched to a
Grunfeld after tricking White
into playing e3 in the Colle
System: 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6
3.e3 g6. If White’s anti-GrQnfeld
line required Bg5 or Bf4,
he no longer could play it.
Since the advent of Zuke
‘Em, one could just as easily The joke’s on Black
refer to White as the sneaky
party in such lines, who tricks In the normal Grünfeld,
Black into playing a Grunfeld there is a Knight on c3 for
before there is any Knight on Black’s endangered steed
c3 to exchange. After 4.c4! to take out, but here e4
Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4, practitioners kicks him to the curb (b6)
of the Grunfeld don’t instead.
have a good place to move It is quite wrong to soothe
the Knight. Black’s feelings by saying he
is one move up on the more
normal Grünfeld. The Knight
is quite poorly placed on b6
and, as I described at length
in Zuke ‘Em, Black suffers
a transportation problem:
half his army depends di121
Chapter 6
rectly or indirectly on d7 for • 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4

locomotion. Bg7 4.e3 d5
My claim that White is • 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4
much better is easy to support Bg7 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d5
because Black’s position Using a Zuka move order,
after 6...Nb6 corresponds the latter is actually the more
precisely with colors reversed common way to get to the
to a terrible setup White Sneaky Grünfeld, which is
sometimes uses against the just as well because it is probably
Benoni: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 better for White than the
3.g3 cxd4 4.Nxd4 d5 5.Bg2 former.

e5 6.Nb3. Even without using
the best moves (6...a5!!, Early ...d5 Line

6...Be6!?), Black has scored 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
60% in this line through hundreds 3...d5 is rare but should
of outings. transpose.
Part of the allure of the 4.e3 d5
Zuka system is that it allows For 4...c6, see reprint of
a Colle System player to meet Zuke ‘Em chapter.
the Grünfeld the same way 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nb6
every time should that be his
wish. White can transpose
to the Sneaky Grünfeld line
after 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4,
whether Black plays ...d5 on
move 3, 4, or 5.
For those who have not
read Zuke ‘Em, I’ve placed in

the Further Analysis section a
reprint of its treatment of the
Sneaky Gninfeld. The content 7.a4!!
here is meant to complement The text is definitely a key
that coverage. I analyze two move for White, threatening
key continuations a Zuka user to stunt Black’s development
will see:
by knocking the N/b6 back to
122
The Sneaky Grunfeld
d7. By simultaneously forcing the better minor piece.

• . a5 and covering b5, White If Black responds to
accentuates the strength of a 7.Be3!? with the more sober
later Bb5. Thus the first player 7...0-0, play should transpose
hinders typical Grunfeld play (eventually) after 8.a4
by inducing ...c6. On a practical a5 9.Bb5, but there are several
level, White may prefer suboptimal lines Black might
7.Be3!?, hoping Black attempts try. If you want to pose your
the panacea 7...c5?!, opponent a number of difficult
after 8.Nc3 cxd4 9.Bb5+, questions and are prepared
Black must yield some concession for many disparate (but
regardless of how he advantageous) outcomes, this
blocks the check. line might be more to your
liking than the main line, to
which we now return.
7...a5 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Be2 0-0
9...c5?! 10.Bb5+ N6d7
11.d5 is quite nice for White,
but if he did not have the
a-pawn anchoring the Bishop,

Black could play 10...Bd7!
and already be ahead.
10.0-0 Na6 1 1.Be3 Nb4
9...Bd7 10.Bxd4; On the surface this is
9...Nc6 10.Nxd4 (10. just Black grabbing his one

Bxd4?! 0-0 11.Bxg7 Kxg7 square and can hardly be
12.Bxc6 bxc6 gives Black bad. It has a few other good
compensation for his split points, though. First, if Black
Q-side pawns. White has were to develop his Q-Bishop
killed off Black’s powerful instead, it is just going to be
fianchettoed Bishop, but his kicked around by h3 or Ng5.
other one has many squares.) This can be problematic because
10...Bd7 11.Nxc6 Bxc3+ White would love to
12.bxc3 Bxc6 13.Qxd8+ Rxd8 have just a little time to effect

14.Bxc6+ bxc6 gives White Nc2 or Na2, contesting
123
Chapter 6
Black’s single useful square, blocking the Queen from the

or Nc4. The point of the last fragile Knight on b6.
is to exchange Black’s N/b6 12.Rel
so White can grab the a2-g8 White keeps his options
diagonal. open with respect to the development
Secondly, Black would of his Q-Knight.
like to play . . . f5, which might This generally dissuades
give him some action on the • . . Bg4, which is well met with
K-side. It will likely make Nbd2 so long as White still
White commit to a central has that move available.
pawn formation. Currently, I’m not a fan of 12.Nc3
though, ...f5 is poor in light because it leaves c4 too soft.
of 11...f5 12.Qb3+ Kh8, after This allows Black to play 12...
which 13.Ng5 will win Be6 and meet White’s thematic
an exchange for a pawn and 13 .Ng5 with 13.. . Bc4.
13.e5 Nb4 14.Na3 lets White 12.Na3 is worthy of consideration,
coordinate a clearing of b4 and we take a brief
after Bd2. break to examine it in case
After the text, . . .f5 is not you like the possibilities and
nearly as easily refuted. White the position that should arise.
can still win an exchange for It covers c4 and also threatens
a pawn on f7, but Black has Nc2, waging war against
his own Knight maneuver for Black’s well-placed Knight on
White to worry about because b4. The cost is that 12...Bg4
c2 will be undefended after cannot be met with Nbd2. I
Qxf7. E.g., 11...Nb4 12.h3 f5 wish I could say that White
13.Qb3+ Kh8 14.Ng5?! fxe4 gets an immediate advantage
15.Nf7+ Rxf7 16.Qxf7 N6d5! after 1 3.h3 Bxf3 1 4.Bxf3
17.Nc3 Nxe3 18.fxe3 Nc2 Rc8 by simply clearing the
19.Nxe4! Bh6! (19...Nxal?! center.
20.Ng5 with Rf4 coming is
very dangerous).
On a simpler note, the
text (11... Nb4) takes some
of the sting from Qb3(+) by
124
after 15...Nxc2 16.Qxc2

Bxd4 17.Rfdl c5 18.e5 Qc7
19.Bxd4 cxd4 20.Qxc7 Rxc7
21.Rxd4, but Black’s better
development requires White
to use his energy holding
onto his pawns, which Black
can immediately fork if he
wants to.
White can prevent the

Unfortunately, this is above byplaying 15.e5, blocking
more easily said than done. Black’s Bishop away from
With no development advantage the center. But then either of
to speak of and Black’s Knights could jump to
Black’s g7-Bishop breathing d5 to defend the other. This
fire down its long diagonal, suggests 15.Rcl, covering c2,
White has a hard time containing is the better choice.
those Knights.
On a practical level, there
are certainly a few forcing
ways for White to play after
14.Bxf3 Rc8 that require
precise play by Black, largely
because the first player has
a pretty clear, apparently
modest, goal. White should
simply be looking to force
the exchange of Black’s N/b4 Black has to respond activelywith
(without allowing Black’s 15...Rc7, planning
other Knight o safely take its ...Rd7. Then White can play
place). 16.Rc5, bringing the possibility
Unfortunately, the immediate of Rxa5 to the table while
15.Nc2 will not do. One giving the center lateral support.
would think White would After 16...Rd7 17.e5,
cheer the collapse of the center Black will move a Knight to
125
Chapter 6
the center, and the position 13...Be6 14.Ng5 Bc8

is complex, but I don’t think 15.Nc3 f4 16.Bcl cannot be
White has a clear edge. good for Black since White
now has access to e4 and g4.
We return to the position 13.. .f4 just kicks White’s
after 12.Rel. Bishop back to d2, where it
was happy to go anyway to attack
the N/b4. With the a2-g8
diagonal open, N6d5 is no
longer as significant because
the Knight will be pinned by
Qb3. 14.Bd2 N6d5 15.Nc3
Be6 16.Qb3 is not at all pleasant
for Black.
14.Nc3
White still wants to contest
12...f5 13.e5 Kh8! b4, and this move (planning
Black anticipates Qb3. Na2) is now the better
This turns out to be rather method. Since g8 has been
important as shown by the opened for Black’s light-
reasonable variation 13... squared Bishop, White is unable
h6 14.Na3 Be6 15.Bd2 Bd5 to keep Black’s Bishop
16.Nc2 Nxc2 17.Qxc2 Bxf3 off the a2-g8 diagonal. This
18.Bxf3 Qxd4 19.Qb3+, when complicates any strategy
Black is in trouble. Note that involving Nc2. In addition
after 19...Nd5 20.Radl e6 to meeting Nc2 with the annoying
21.Qxb7 Qxa4 22.Qd7, trying . . . Bb3, Black can play
to defend the e-pawn (22... Bd5 and then . . . Bxf3, leaving
Rfe8) lets White liberate his White’s Queen as the only
e-pawn with 23.Bxd5 since defender of the d-pawn.
Black’s c-pawn is pinned. The text addresses both
I think Black must find these concerns. It temporarily

13...Kh8! or else White can covers d5 and threatens
immediately obtain a clearly to contest b4 from a2 rather

favorable position: than c2.
126
14...Be6 15.b3 lets White keep his material

White covers c4. advantage.
15...N6d5 16.Bd2 Nxc3 20.Qxb4 Bd5 21 .h4
Black clears d5 before White looks toward the
White can play Bc4. Black endgame. In addition to gaining

is once again threatening space on the K-side, he
...Bd5 followed by Bxf3. This wants to create dark-squared
threat keeps White’s light- anchors for his Knight. Black
squared Bishop tied down to will probably exchange this
defense. Knight, and White would prefer
Bd5 1 8.Bxb4 axb4 1 7.Bxc3 to take out Black’s dark-
19.Qd2 squared Bishop to maximize
winning chances.
1 9...Bxb3
19...Qa5 20.Bc4 Bxc4 White has four factors on
(20...Bxf3 21.gxf3 f4 22.Be6 his side. First, he does have

Rad8 23.Qb2 and unless the outermost pawn on the
Black plays c5 very soon [giving Q-side, high-maintenance
White a powerful d5/e5 though it may be. As more
phalanxj, White will just keep pieces are traded, this pawn
Black’s major pieces tied up will be less a liability and
in the center while he pushes more a strength. Second,
his h-pawn up the board White has a significant space
to create a fatal weakness advantage all over the board.
there.) 21 .bxc4 b5 22. axb5 He also has greater pawn control
Qxal 23.Rxal Rxal+ 24.Nel in the center and Black’s
127
Chapter 6
b7-pawn gives him a target. ing until after Be2 before

White has a significant pushing his d-pawn, but this
alternate 21st move. 21.Qxb7 ignores a critical Grünfeld
heads toward a safe endgame idea. The crucial move for
where White has the only Black in almost all Grunfeld
winning chances. 21...c5 lines is ...c5. That is what
22.Qb2 cxd4 23.Qxd4 Bxf3 you learn on the first day of
24.Qxd8 Rfxd8 25.Bxf3 Ra5 class in Grünfeld 101, just
26.Bc6 maintains the outside after remonstrations against
passed pawn (on a file whose eating the chess pieces and
Queening square Black’s just before learning how to
Bishop does not control). pronounce “fianchetto.”
The early-...d5 variation
of the Sneaky Grunfeld covered
in the last section deprives
Black of this thematic
pawn push, but a least he can
move his pawn to c6, where
it gives his pieces a foothold
on d5. Moving the pawn rn
c6 also opens a lane for the
Queen, though this may
White is the only player only be important in some
who can win such an end- sidelines.
game in the absence of an incredible As we shall see, delaying
blunder. White still d5 does nothing rn help him
must significantly outplay his play this thematic c-pawn
opponent to emerge victorious, advance. Indeed, his sirnation
but at least there is some is worse, for ...c6 will
hope of doing so. just leave him in an inferior
version of the line described
Black Delays ...d5 above. Black is liable rn have
Since White plays Bb5+ in his c-pawn stuck on c7 for

the above line, Black might a long, long rime. With one
try to gain a move by wait- Knight kicked rn b6 and the
128
The Sneaky Grunfeld
other blocking his c-pawn, chosen this move order to

I3lack’s game begins on terrible make White waste a move on
footing. Be2 and then, behold, it is
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 White who comes away with
4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d5 6.cxd5 the extra tempo because the
Nxd5 7.0-0! point of Bb5+ (which White
would normally have played
before retreating to e2) was to
induce ...c6 in the first place!
After 8.e4 Nb6 we will essentially
have a version of the
previous line but with White
having an extra move and no
gaping hole on b4. 8...Nc7 is
possible, but it can hardly be
critical. I recommend 9.Nc3
7...Nc6 Bg4 1O.Be3 Nd7 11.Ng5
By waiting to play ...d5, rather than 11 .h3. I would not
Black has given White time want White to feel compelled
to castle, meaning that 7. . . c5 to keep his dark-squared
can now simply be met by Bishop on the table to cover
8.dxc5!, for Black no longer g3, which h3 weakens. I’d
has ...Qa5 as an expedient rather concentrate on getting
for retaking the pawn. Black the Rooks to open files than
can engage this concern with play dodge-the-horsie with
7...Nd7?! 8.e4 N5f6 9.Nc3 my Bishop.
c5, but one hardly thinks of 7...Nb6 is inferior because
this as the way Black should it does not provoke e4,

play. White can either play for meaning that ...f5, Black’s
e5 with 1O.h3 or advance his only way to generate play
d-pawn immediately, planning (and eventually find a good
to meet . . . Qc7 (preventing home for his light-squared
e5) with g3 and Bf4. Bishop) doesn’t hit anything.
7...c6 would be true After 8.Nc3 Nc6 9.h3, White
irony, for Black may have can find good squares for his
129
Chapter 6
pieces much more quickly Before closing our look at

than Black can. this variation, we must make
8.e4 Nb6 9.Be3 f5 sure that Black cannot get
9...Bg4!? is an interesting anything from the immediate
gamble of sorts. Black wagers 14...h6, planning K-side
one move—his Bishop will expansion. This may not be
soon take on f5, which it the best move, but it should
could have done just as easily be the only one posing White
from its home square—to real danger. The continuation
cajole White into developing and variations shown below
his Knight to d2 rather than highlight some important
c3. This takes some of the ideas for both players. There
edge off this otherwise razor- are less ambitious methods
sharp variation. for White, but I believe this is
the way for him to play.
1O.Nbd2 f5 11.exf5 Bxf5

(11...gxf5 12.Nb3e5 13.Nxe5 15.Bd2 g5 16.h4 g4
Nxe5 14.dxe5 Qxdl 15.Bxdl 17.Ne5 Nxe5 18.dxe5 h5
Bxdl 16.Raxdl Bxe5 17.Nc5 (18...e6 lets White safely
Bxb2 18.Nxb7 leaves Black lock up the K-side because
with four isolated pawns to 19.g3 Bxe5?! can be met with
defend.) 12.Rcl Kh8 13.Nb3 20.Bxh6) 19.f3 g3 20.Qel!
Nd5 14.Bg5 has to be good Bxe5 21.Ba6! Bxb2 22.Bxb7
for White, whose Knights can Bxcl 23.Qe5+ Nf6 24.Rxcl
quickly move to good squares Rb8 25.Qxf5 Rxb7 26.Bc3
(c4, c5, e5) and contest e4. puts Black up an exchange
130
plus a pawn, but White has

Nc5-e6 coming and is easily
ahead.
26...Rf7 27.Nc5 Rb6 (27...

Rb5 28.a4 Rb6) 28.Ne6 Qc8
(28...Qg8 29.Bd4 Rd6 30.Be5
Qh7 31.Qxh7+ Rxh7 32.Bxd6
allows White to invade on the
7th rank.) 29.Rel Qg8.
White will take on f5,

and we look at both main
recaptures:
• 1O.exf5 gxf5
• 1O.exf5 Bxf5
1O...Rxf5 can hardly be
critical since e6 is not a very
good square for Black’s light-
squared Bishop. 1O...e5 11.d5
30.Qc5 (30.Bd4 Rd6 Nd4 12.Nxd4 exd4 13.Bxd4
31.Be5 Qh7 32.Qxh7+ Rxh7 gives Black almost no compensation
33.Bxd6 exd6 lets Black off for the pawn.
the hook.; 30.Qxh5+ Qh7
31.Qg5 Qc2 gives Black a Black Retakes with the
draw.) 30...Qg6 31.Nf4 Qh7 g-pawn
32.Qxc7 Qf5 33.Ne6. 1 O.exf5 gxf5
White will collect further
material as he threatens
Qxa7, Bd4, and Qc8+ to push

Black’s King to h7 allowing
(among other things) a forking
Ng5+.

after 9...f5.
131
Chapter 6
Retaking with the g-pawn and he should live to enjoy

in such positions is the default, his additional material.
but here it is probably 1 2.Bc4 Kh8
onparwith 10...Bxf5. Black is 12...e6 is a case of the
behind in development and medicine being worse than

his K-side is already short on the disease. It blocks Black’s
defense. The lack of a pawn c-Bishop and enhances the
on g6 will prove significant strength of White’s dark-
soon enough. squared Bishop, which will
11.g3 Nd5 now take up a post on the
11...Be6 gives While a free h4-d8 diagonal. With no
hand. After developing his g-pawn, Black can do liuie
Q-Knigh to c3, he has many about that Bishop short of
ways rn force concessions and exchanging his own prize
cause problems, such as Qd2 minor piece.
(threawning Bh6), Ng5, and 12...f4 is an interesting
Bb5. gambit thai Whi W can meet
In Horvath-Marinovic, in two ways:
Croatia 2006, Black coninued 13.Bxf4 Bg4 1 4.Nc3 e6
11...Kh8. White was 15.Nxd5 exd5 1 6.Be2 is
already doing quite well after the simplest route to a safe

12.Nc3 f4 13.Bxf4 when the advantage;
second player over-reacted 13.Nc3 fxe3 14.Bxd5+ e6
with 13...Bh3?!, which is 15.Bxc6 exf2+ 16.Rxf2 bxc6
well met by 14.Ng5, threatening 17.Qe2 is a more fiery choice,
Bd3 followed by Qh5. leaving Black with 5 isolated
Black would have done pawns!
much beaer with 13...Nxd4 13.Bxd5 Qxd5 14.Nc3 Qg8
14.Nxd4 Qxd4, after which The text markedly increases
15.Rel more or less forces his K-side defensive
Black o find and execuW the resources and makes it easier
Exchange sacrifice 15...Rxf4. for his Rooks to contest the
After 16.gxf4 Qxf4 17.Qd8+ center eventually.
Bf8 18.Qd3, While’s defensive 14...Qf7 is poor because
resources are sufficient a later Ne5 will come with
132
The Sneaky Gninfeld
tempo. This means Black has his already substantial

no good way to meet 15.Bf4. advantage.
Other replies, like 14... 1 6.Nxd4 e5
Qc4 or 14...Qa5 leave the 16...Rd8 17.Ncb5!
f-Rook less support and will 1 7.Nde2 exf4 1 8.Nxf4 Qf7
at best be a loss of time because 18...Be6 is better development
Black needs his Queen than Black will get with
to defend against White’s the text, but it fails to cover
coming K-side initiative. h5. This becomes significant
after 19.Rel Bc4 20.Qf3 c6
21.Radl Rae8 22.Rxe8 Rxe8
23.Qh5 Bxc3 24.bxc3 Qf7
25.Qg5 Bxa2 26.Rd8, when
the threat of Nh5 is strong.
Black is not able to promote
a pawn in time:
26...Rf8 27.Nh5 a5 28.Rd6
a4 29.Rh6 Qd7 30.Nf6 Rxf6
(30...Qdl+ 31.Kg2 Bd5+
15.Bf4 32.Kh3 Qfl+ 33.Kh4 Qc4+
15.d5 unnecessarily flirts 34.f4 Bg8 35.Nd7 Qe2 36.h3
with disaster. Black can cause Qe8 37.Nxf8 Qxf8 38.Rf6
more than a little trouble after Qg7 39.Rxf5 a3 40.Qxg7+
15...f4. Kxg7 41.Ra5 a2 leads to a
15.Qd2, taking away the similar ending.) 31.Qxf6+
possibility of a pin on the Kg8 32.Qg5+ Kh8 33.Rf6
f3-Knight, giving f4 more Qdl+ 34.Kg2 Bd5+ 35.Kh3
support, and connecting his Qg4+ 36.Qxg4 fxg4+ 37.Kxg4
Rooks is a low stress way for a3 38.Rf8+ Kg7 39.Ra8 a2
White to keep his advantage. 40.Kf4 is a hopeless case for
The text is a sharper try. Black.
1 5...Nxd4! 19.Qf3 c6
Anything else just lets
White go about targeting the
e-pawn with Rel, increasing
133
Chapter 6
22.Qd3 Rfe8
A more active way to defend
the Bishop than moving
a Rook to the d-file, especially
since moving the Q-Rook
lets White pivot to attack the
Q-side: 22...Rad8 23.Qd6 Bf6
24.Qa3.
23.Re3 Rxe3 24.Qxe3 Be8
Black would rather not do
One could easily be forgiven this, but the Bishop has nowhere
for believing Black is to go and Black cannot
okay here. He has the Two afford to relegate his Queen
Bishops and a Q-side majority, to defense.
so the ending certainly 25.a3
appears to be good. But, as
Siegbert Tarrasch famously
wrote, “before the endgame,
the Gods have placed the
middle game.”
White will first grab control
of the central files to
make it difficult for Black to
complete development and
connect his Rooks. Then he
will use those files to pose White’s control of the
new problems for Black and central files is worth more
threaten to establish a Knight than Black’s Bishops. ft will
in the center, negating Black’s be very difficult for Black to
Two-Bishops advantage. avoid exchanging a pair of
20.Rfel Bd7 21 .Radl Kg8!? minor pieces soon. In addition
Black gets his King off to the annoying Ne6,
the main diagonal so he can White can get a Knight rn e5,
move his Bishop in response which Black will more or less
to Nh5. be forced to exchange. White
134
The Sneaky Grunfeld
can also invade with Rd6 1 2...Rad8
and create new targets on the 12...Nd5?! is careless, for

1<-side with h4 (feinting at there is no pawn on e6 to
Nh3-g5). help Black close the diagonal.
13.Nxd5 Qxd5 14.Raci e6
Black Recaptures with 15.Bc4;
the Bishop 12...e6 13.h3 h5 weakens
1O.exf5 Bxf5 further the K-side squares
White threatens to use after
forcing an exchange of
dark-squared Bishops. It also
makes a later Nh4 stronger by
weakening g6;
12...Bg4 13.Radi Rad8
14.Ng5!, and Black does
not have time to play 14...
Nxd4 (as he could were his
Queen on d7), for his Bishop
11.Nc3 Qd6 hangs.
Black prevents White 13.Radl
from dangerously pushing
his d-pawn, but from d6 the
Queen gives no support to his
light-squared Bishop, which
would like to go to g4 without
fear of Ng5! or Ne5!
After ii. . . Qd7, 1 2.d5 Nb4
13.Qb3, threatening d6, is a
straightforward way for White
to secure an advantage.
12.Qd2 White plans on simply
White makes room for his exchanging dark-squared
Rook. He then plans to drop Bishops and making use of
his Queen back to ci, whence the many open lines at his
she can support a later Bh6. disposal (the semi-open
135
Chapter 6
e—file, the a2-g8 diagonal) as

well as the weak dark squares
near Black’s King. A reasonable
continuation is 13...Nd5
14.Bh6 Be6 15.Rfel Nxc3
16.bxc3 Bd5 17.Bxg7 Kxg7
1 8.Qb2.
136
Cliapter 7
Optional: Closed Grünfeld

useful optional line to 8.bxc3, which strikes me as
work into a Zuka Repertoire a simpler choice. Tim Taylor
is the traditional Closed calls this the “Keres Variation,”
Grünfeld, shown below after a reasonable appellation,
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 for the great Estonian
4.e3 0-0 5.Nc3 d5. World Champion Candidate
did play it. I will follow suit,
but take note that this is completely
unrelated to the better-known
“Keres Variation”
in the Russian System of the

Grünfeld (5.Qb3).
There are several ways for

White to proceed hence; notable
tries include 6.b4 and
6.Qb3. The jury is still out on
whether either offers White
a theoretic advantage, but I

lack sufficient confidence in Unlike the Sneaky Grünfeld
either one to advocate the line, which is quite good
extra work required to master for the first player, I cannot
its intricacies. I instead suggest guarantee an advantage for
6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bc4 Nxc3 White in the Keres Varia137
Chapter 7
tion. For this reason I do not the better prepared, for the
suggest offering the Closed Keres Variation generally
Grünfeld early (e.g., 1.d4 Nf6 commands only a speck of a
2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3) Gntnfeld player’s study time.
unless you are nearly certain Even if White cannot force an
your opponent will play a advantage against perfect play,
KID, in which case you can the proper path for Black can
feint at a normal KID and prove elusive over the board.
use a clever move order that Lastly, White’s initial goals
should give you an improved are rather straightforward and
version of one of our repertoire tend not to change from one
lines. (See the Bg5 Trick line to another.
section of the KID Odds and Black can refuse to enter
Ends chapter.) the Keres proper by retreating

A few practical considerations his Knight (7...Nb6) rather
favor the Keres variation. than capturing on c3. Though
First, White controls this is not a gambit line, I will
what type of game ensues. call it the Keres Declined for
If he is happy with a draw, it lack of a better term.
is not hard to generate balanced,
near-lifeless positions
that require a good deal of effort
to win (with either side).
Yet, he can also navigate the
game toward unbalanced positions
that afford the stronger
player reasonable chances

to triumph. Indeed, the Keres
Variation has enjoyed a bit
of a revival at the highest This position is only
levels recently with several superficially similar to the
GMs playing it against one basic tabiya for the Sneaky
another. Gntnfeld occurring after 1 .d4
Second, White has good Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 g6 4.c4
reason to suspect he will be Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nb6.
138
In the latter White has already

pushed his e-pawn and
...Nb6 does not come with
tempo. This allows White a
number of options not available
in the Keres line. He can
put extra pressure on c5 with

Be3, he can threaten to knock
Black’s Knight back to d7
(blocking his development)
with a4-a5, or—taking advantage Any regular Grünfeld
of his pawn on e4—he practitioner will instinctively
can simply play Be2, planning consider this move, which is
to meet ...c5 with d5. Black’s best by far. The second
player chips away at the dark-
The remainder of this squared central granite vexing
chapter is divided into two his g7-Bishop, opens c7 for
sections, one treating the his Queen and allows ...Nc6
Keres Proper, the other the to be played without limiting
Keres Declined. his own pawns.
White’s initial goal is
The Keres Proper to accomplish one of the
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 following:
4.e3 0-0 • Provoke ...cxd4, opening
4...d5 transposes to the the a3-f8 diagonal for his
Sneaky Gntnfeld after 5.cxd5 Bishop, which he will typically
Nxd5 6.e4! play to a3.
5.Nc3 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Bc4 • Win Black’s c-pawn.
Nxc3 8.bxc3 c5 • Attain a solid center with
actively placed Rooks.

These goals are connected
in that often Black may exchange
on d4 to avoid either
the loss of the pawn or the

investment of time required
139
Chapter 7
to defend it. This latter investment 11...bxc5 12.Qxd8 Rxd8

tends to give White 13.Bxc5 Bxc3 14.Bb5 Bb7
opportunity to achieve the 15.Racl and Black will lose
third bullet. his e7-pawn after the Knight
9.0-0 Qc7 on c6 is taken;
Black moves his Queen to 11...Qc7 12.Nd4 and
a safer square and adds some Black neither wishes to take
poison to the otherwise weak the Knight nor wants to deal
...cxd4. If your opponent is with Bd5. Note that brain-
like most Grünfeld players, he dead play can quickly cause
has booked up on the mainline Black problems: 12...bxc5
variation and quite likely 13.Nxc6 Qxc6?! 14.Bd5.
will play a more “natural” Another natural move
move like 9...Nc6. After this is 9...b6. Then 10.Qe2 gives

single inaccuracy, White can White easy development
already force a concession by and Black will have trouble
simply pressuring the pawn exploiting White’s soon-to-
on c5. Let’s take a look. be-established center.
9...Nc6 1O.Ba3 b6 (10...

cxd4 11 .cxd4 unblocks the a3- We return to the position
f8 diagonal for White’s dark- after 9...Qc7.
squared Bishop.) 11.dxc5
10.Qe2 Bg4
11...Bxc3 12.Rcl Bg7 10...Nc6 is a rather brave
13.Qe2 lets White grab good option, allowing White to

files early; more easily grab the center.
140
In his Beating the King’s Indian while it remains on the a2-

and Grunfeld Defenses, Taylor g8 diagonal. In particular, if
gives no coverage at all of this Black plays ...Bb7 and ...Rd8
play and strongly suggests before ...Na5, then Bxf7+
that anything but the text is (followed by Ng5+) can be
clearly inferior. Would that quite powerful. For example,
Taylor were correct! Unfortunately, consider 11.Ba3 b6 12.Rfdl
I quite believe him to Bb7 13.Rabl Rfd8? 14.Bxf7+!
be wrong here. Kxf7 15.Ng5+ Ke8 16.Qc4 e6
1 7.Nxe6.
Second, owing to the

above, Black will likely play
...Na5 at some point. If Black
has already played ...Bb7
when this occurs, White
should consider Ba6, offering
to exchange Bishops.
This leaves Black with very
little control over d5 or e4. It
By keeping his Bishop also allows White to put his

position flexible, Black can Queen on b5, where she can
arrange staunch defense, but join in the pressure against
it will require precision. Over c5 while also causing tactical
the next several moves, White complications for Black’s
will likely play Ba3, Rfdl, Knight on a5 (whose defenders
Rabl (or Racl), and perhaps at this point, b6 and the
e4. Black should generally Queen, also happen to be the
play ...b6, ...Rd8, ...Na5, and defenders of c5).
...13b7 in some order. When Since Black is likely to
looking for inaccuracies to reduce his central influence
exploit, here are a few tips to with .. . Na5, White should assume
consider. that he will eventually
First, the strength of be able to play e4 without
White’s light-squared Bishop much difficulty. Care must
should not be underestimated be taken that Black cannot
141
Chapter 7
respond advantageously with 11.Rbl

...Bh6. This is one reason I ii.Ba3 used to be the
tend to favor Rab 1 instead of most frequent response, but

playing a Rook to ci, where it it invites ...Qa5, knocking
is more vulnerable. A Rook on the Bishop back to b2: ii...
b 1 can also be hit by a Bishop Nd7 12.Raci (12.Rabi allows
(...Bf5), but this tends to just Black uncomfortable
let White play e4 with tempo, pressure down the c-file with
so it does not bother me so 12...Rac8.) 12...Qa5 13.Bb2
much. Rac8 allowed Black to equalize
Finally, Black will generally in the important game M.
not let himself be coaxed Najdorf-V. Korchnoi, Hastings
into ...cxd4, so White will 1971/72.
often initiate exchanges on 11...Nd7
c5, at which point a Rook on i1...Nc6 12.Bd3 Rad8
b 1 is better placed than one 13.h3 Bc8 (13...Be6 14.Ba3

on ci. Indeed, White generally as played in Martin RebolloNoriega
does not need a Rook de la Sierra, ICCF
to defend the pawn on c3, 2006, is similarly bad.)
which becomes vulnerable 14.Ba3 forces Black to make
after dxc5, because ...Bxc3 a concession. In Jelen-Polajzer,
makes a later Rbci or Rdcl Ptuj 1990 the second
quite potent. player exchanged on d4, but
even after the better 14...b6,
We return to the position White is well ahead: 15.Rfdi
after i0...Bg4. (15.dxc5? bxc5 16.Bxc5 Ne5
17.Nxe5 Qxc5 18.Nf3 Qxc3)
15...Na5 16.e4 Bb7 17.d5!
142
Optional: Closed GrQnfeld
28.Rb2 e4 29.Kgl e3 30.h4

Qf6 31.d6.
Let’s return to the position

after 11.Rbl to consider some
other 11th move alternatives.
White gambits a pawn to

gain space. He can obtain a
promising game regardless of
how Black responds:
17...c4 18.Bc2 Bxc3
19.Nd4 Bxd4 20.Rxd4 is a
poor bargain, leaving Black 11 ...Bxf3?!, attempting

with weak squares and worse to disrupt White’s Q-side immediately
pieces; by exploiting the
17...Bxc3 T8.Rdcl Bg7 X-ray attack of Black’s Queen
19.Qe3 aims to exploit the against c4 does not work:
N/a5’s lack of squares (e.g., 12.Qxf3! cxd4 13.Bd5!
19...Qd7 20.Bxc5!); 11...cxd4!? 12.cxd4 Bxf3
17...e6 signals a brash 13.gxf3 allows Black to compromise
counter-gambit: 18.c4 Rde8 White’s K-side, but
19.Qc2 f5 20.Ng5 Bd4 21.Bfl White gets more than sufficient
e5 22.exf5 Bc8 23.fxg6 Rxf2 compensation for this.
24.gxh7+ Kh8 25.Qxf2 Bxf2+ He now has the makings of
26.Kxf2, and White’s pieces a central pawn roller, he has
and pawns are worth more three useful open files for
than Black’s Queen. In particular, his Rooks, and he has the
White’s d-pawn is Two Bishops. Moreover, after
every bit as dangerous as White plays f4, his Queen
Black’s e-pawn after, for example, will have good transportation
26...Qg7 27.Bcl Bf5 and great squares on the
143
Chapter 7
K-side. Lastly, Black no longer Black expanded his Q-side

has his light-squared Bishop, pawns, but I think White can
limiting his ability to exploit turn this to his favor. After
the weak squares produced by 15...a6 16.Rfcl b5 17.Bc2
this tactic. cxd4 18.cxd4 Nc3 19.Bxc3
12.Bd3 Nb6 13.h3 Bd7 14.e4 Qxc3 20.Bb3 Qa5 21.e5 Qb6,
14.Ba3 c4 15.Be4 may I suggest 22.a4 planning to
interest some people, but I leave Black with a single,
don’t like letting Black play isolated Q-side pawn. Winning
...c4 and ...f5. this pawn may yield a
14...Na4 15.Bd2 winnable endgame. White
should keep Black’s b-pawn
contained, look to use his
Rooks on the central files, and
threaten to open up Black’s
King with e5-e6 with the
help of his Bishop on b3 or a
Knight moved to g4.
The Keres Declined

The main line of the Keres
It is not clear how the Declined ends up looking a
game should proceed from lot like a reversed Tarrasch
here, but White can make Defense, except the move order
the case that every one of allows White to post his
his pieces is situated as least K-Bishop more actively than
as well as its counterpart in Black typically does in the
Black’s camp. Tarrasch.
The only games I could 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7

find arriving at this position 4.e3 0-0 5.Nc3 d5 6.cxd5
were correspondence Nxd5 7.Bc4 Nb6 8.Bb3 c5
bouts, Eldridge-Merot, ICCF 9.0-0 cxd4
2010 and Dos Santos-Bastos, 9...Qc7 is not good as it
Dr Maia Vinagre Memorial allows White time to prevent
(ICCF) 2007. In both cases ...Bg4 with 10.h3.
144
1O.exd4 Bg4 15.Bf4 gives White tremendous

10. . .Nc6 is also common, central influence with
it will probably lead to something still several ways to improve
very similar to the text his position, like Re2 (or in
after 11.d5 Na5 12.Rel! The some cases Qe2), h4-h5, and
point is that White is happy the placement of his Q-Rook.
to see 12...Nbc4 13.Bxc4 Note that he does not want
Nxc4, for it allows him to to tarry too long with the last
find good spots for his other of these because Bc2 may be
pieces (14.Qb3 Nd6 15.Bf4). necessary soon (in response
This means Black will likely to ...Nc5), and White may
play ...Nxb3 and ...Bg4 soon wish to play Bbl not long
(before White plays h3), and after that.
we will be back at the text 13...Rc8 Is suggested by
variation with Black’s Knight Avrukh in The Grunfeld Defense
taking a different path to b3. (Volume 1), but I believe
The only difference is that Whhe has an excellent game
White can delay placing his in this line if he transfers his
K-Rook in the text variation, Queen to the K-side, in particular
so he may play his Rook from to g3, where she can control
fl to dl in one move. key central squares and
11.d5 N8d7 12.h3 Bxf3 also pressure Black’s K-side:
1 3.Qxf3 14.Bg5 Ne5 (14...h6 15.Bh4
Re8 16.d6 Ne5 17.Qxb7
Qxd6 18.Bg3) 1 5.Qg3 Nec4
16.Rfel Re8 17.Qh4.
Instead of 14.Bg5, White
can also play 14.Rel immediately.
This leads to energetic
play, but the exchanges may
simplify things so much that
the stronger side lacks sufficient
winning chances.
1 3...Nc5 The key to this line
13...Nc8 14.Rel Nd6 is that after 14.Rel Ne5
145
Chapter 7
15.Qg3 Nec4, White can play

16.Bg5!
After 14.Rdl Nxb3

15.axb3 Nc8 16.Be3, Black
Notably, 16...Nxb2 can does not have naniral, good
be met by 17.Ne4, threatening ways to deal with the danger
a powerful d6: to his a-pawn. In KuzminJansa,
17...Nxd5 18.Radl Nxdl Sochi 1976, Black
19.Rxdl Qc7 20.Bxd5 Qxg3 played 16...Nd6, consisteni
21.fxg3 and White’s nimble with his previous move. The
minor pieces should prevail. game continued 17.Rxa7
17...Qd7 18.Qh4 Nd3 Rxa7 18.Bxa7 b6 and White
19.Bxe7 Nxel 20.Rxel Nxd5 won by giving back one of
21.Bxf8 Rxf8 22.Rdl Qe7 his Q-side pawns o break up
23.Qxe7 Nxe7 24.Rd7 Nc6 Black’s K-side pawns by pushing
25.Rxb7 Na5 26.Rxa7 Nxb3 his d-pawn o provoke
27.axb3 gives White the only .exd6.
winning chances. After the more challenging
We return to the position 18.. . Qa5, While can still continue
after 13...Nc5. to improve his position
after 19.Bd4 Bxd4 20.Rxd4
Qal+ 21.Ndl by playing Qe2,
g4, Kg2, and Rd2.
146
Part 3
Black Plays ...d6 and Avoids KID

Cliapter 8
Black Transposes into a Benoni Structure
If Black plays 3...c5 here,

InZuke ‘Em I described an
unorthodox (and potent!) he probably plans on playing
method of meeting the typical the Benko Gambit (4.d5
Benoni: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 c5 b5). Since that is a line you
3.e3 g6 4.dxc5 Qa5+ 5.Nc3! will have to have something
That idea will not work if against anyway, let’s talk
Black delays ...c5. The Zuka about it here. After 5.cxb5 a6,
response to a latent Benoni I recommend defending the
depends critically on the timing pawn with 6.e3 (shown below)
of ...c5. Accordingly, this rather than giving Black
chapter is broken into three any free development. Of
main sections. course, this makes sense given
• Black plays ...c5 be- our repertoire, for White was
White develops his fore going to play e3 soon anyway,
K-Bishop. and Black could theoretically
• Black plays ...c5 immediately switch to the Benko after
after Be2 but before 3...Bg7 4.e3 as well.

• . . d6 .
• Black plays ...c5 after

having played ...d6.
Black Plays ...c5 before

White develops his
K-Bishop
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
149
Chapter 8
White can avoid any early of this gambit! Unlike most

difficulty here by simply refusing other gambits, the compensation
to capture on a6, playing Black obtains for his
Nc3, a4, and Ra3! as soon lost pawn can increase as the
as is reasonable. The Rook game wears on and those
move gives White’s Knight open a- and b-files allow
exfla protection, removes his pieces to target White’s
pownial tactical accidents pawns. You must be vigilant
along the long diagonal, and in the middle-game and not
lets White delay developing adopt the mindset of “I’m up
his light-squared Bishop for a pawn, I just have to survive
a lillle longer. into the endgame.”
Why delay moving his We return to the position

Bishop? Shouldn’t he be after 3...Bg7.
trying to castle?
Eveniually yes, but Black

is looking for a good rime
o caprnre on b5, and White
will probably recaprnre with
his Bishop. If Black can delay
capturing on b5 until after
White has played Be2, then
Bxb5 will mean the loss of
a tempo. Conversely, since 4.e3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.Nc3 d6
Wh ie avoided 6. bxa6 Bxa6, 7.Bd3
which pins White’s e-pawn This allows Black to play
o his undeveloped K-Bishop, 7...Bg4 if he wants, which
there is little Black can do to is nothing to be concerned
harass White’s King in the about, see note to Black’s
near term, and White can delay next. If you’d prefer not dealing
castling a bit. with this, you can play
Thai being said, do not 7.h3!?, which should transpose
underesimae the strength to our main line.
150
The niggle here is that

White is one move further
from castling, which means

that 7...a6 needs to be met
by 8.a4 since 8.Bd3?! b5
9.cxb5?! axb5 10.Bxb5 Ne4
11.Bd2 Nxd2 12.Qxd2 Qa5
gives Black a much improved
version of the Benko Gambit
and is not at all what White
should be wanting. White If Black wants to use his
could choose a different path, light-squared Bishop on the

like 9.0-0, but I’d avoid this K-side, he can play 7...Bg4
8.Bd3 line altogether as I’m now, before White gets h3 in.
not a fan of letting Black get The problem with this line
...b5 in easily without a very is that he has not exchanged
good reason. pawns on d5 yet, so White
That means after 7...a6 obtains a target by respondingto
8.a4, Black might go his own 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 Nbd7
way and come up with something 10.Qdl e6 with 11.dxe6!
completely original
like trying to lock the game
up with 8...e5?! followed
by ...e4 or ...a5 (whichever
White allows). None of his
options equalize, but you will
definitely have to be willing
to paddle in undiscovered
seas, for Black has ample opportunity
to improvise.
7...e6 White will not be able to
directly attack his target (the

e-pawn) immediately. Instead
he should concentrate on
preventing . . .d5. As the varia151

Chapter 8
tions below show, Black cannot

push his d-pawn without
providing White easier targets
on the Q-side or an exceedingly
weak, isolated e-pawn:
11...fxe6 12.0-0 Ne5
13.Be2 Qd7 (13...d5 14.cxd5

exd5 [14...Nxd5 15.Qb3
Qd7 16.Nxd5J) 14.b3 Rad8
15.Qc2 Nc6 (15...d5 16.cxd5
Nxd5 17.Nxd5 exd5 18.Ba3 We have before us a major
b6 19.Radl Qe7 20.Rd2) tabiya of the Modern Benoni,
16.Bb2 Nb4 17.Qcl b6 18.a3 except that White’s e-pawn is
Nc6 19.Qc2 Qf7 (19...d5 still on e3. In the standard
20.cxd5 exd5 21.Radl, with line, White’s e-pawn is on e4
Bb5 and/or b4 soon is good) instead.
20.Radl d5 21.cxd5 Nxd5 This is a big deal because
(21...exd5 22.Bb5 Qb7 23.b4 Black typically uses White’s
threatening Qa4 or bxc5 bxc5 e-pawn as a target. By far the
and the later use of the b-file.) most common way to do this
22.b4 Nxc3 23.Bxc3 Rxdl is 9...b5, exploiting the fact
24. Bxd 1, and Black should that 10.Bxb5 Nxe4 11.Nxe4
soon have two isolated pawns allows 11.. .Qa5+ with a sharp
and a dismal endgame. game. Another common way
8.h3 exd5 for Black to exploit White’s
8...Re8 9.0-0 will transpose e-pawn is 9...Re8 10.0-0 c4,
to some later variation knowing that 11 .Bxc4 can be
depending on Black’s 9th answered with Nxe4. In our
move. line, neither of these ideas
9.cxd5 works because White’s epawn
is safe on e3.
So what can Black do? We
look at three possibilities, the
first being vague, poor, and
likely.
152
• Black tries to muddle waiting for the other side.

through with 9... a6?! or Black waits for White to play
9...Nbd7?! Bf4 so he can play .. . Nh5 followed
• Black plays 9.. .Na6!? by ...Ne5. Conversely,
• Black plays 9.. .Nfd7!? White often loses time moving
his light-squared Bishop
Black Gets Lost about because after ...Ne5,
I expect you will find he will want to retreat it to e2
many opponents just trying to guard f3.
to develop as best as they can
with ...a6, ...Re8, and ...Qc7, Uhm. I’m getting a bit lost
hoping to push the c-pawn or here. Can you give me a concrete
playing ...Rb8 to push ...b5. variation?
This style of play scores terribly

in the Modern Benoni Sure. Starting with the
because White always seems position in the last diagram,
to be able to push his e-pawn if Black continues 9...a6?!
to e5 before Black can accomplish and both players used the
anything. For example, maneuvers typically seen in
the most frequent variation those lines within the Modern
after 9...a6?! is 10.a4 Nbd7 Benoni, you could expect
11.0-0 Re8 12.Rel Qc7, and 10.a4Nbd7 11.0-ORe8 12.Rel
White scores in the mid-to- Qc7 13.e4 Rb8 14.Bf4 Nh5
upper 70s in tournament 15.Bh2 Ne5 16.Be2 Nxf3+
play between players 2000+, 17.Bxf3 Nf6 18.e5.
though it must be admitted
that in such games White is
typically the stronger player.
These 9...a6?! and 9...
Nbd7?! lines should be about
as bad in our variation, even
though White is playing a
move down. In the standard
Modern Benoni, both sides
tend to spend a few moves
153
Chapter 8
As is normal, White does in tournament play. First, he

very well by pushing his can just push his a-pawn all
e-pawn. In fact, this exact the way to a5, so that ...b6 or
position has occurred a few ...b5 will mean the isolation
times in tournament play, of Black’s Q-side pawns and
and the equivalent position an opening of the a-file for
with Black’s Rook still White’s Rook. This also allows
on a8 has shown up in over White to play Na4, eyeing b6.
a dozen high level games, Another idea is to avoid Bf4
including Dreev-Malakhov, entirely. Instead, White can
Villarrobledo 2007, which target Black’s c-pawn after
continued 18... dxe5 19.d6 inducing ...c4 with Be3. In
Qb6 19.Bxe5 Be6?! (19...Bd7 our next sub-section we will
is more circumspect) 20.a5 see examples of how White
Qa7?! (20.Qb4 dissuades can wage war against Black’s
White’s next) 21.Qa4 Red8? Q-side pawn mass.
(21...Rad8, maintaining
Rook-coverage of e6 was Black Plays 9...Na6!?
much better. In our move order, o N6”
_... % ••
this would be ...Rbd8.)

22.Qh4 Ne8 23.Bxg7 with a
crushing 23...Kxg7 24.Rxe6!
or 23...Nxg7 24.g4 with Ne4
(threatening Ng5 or Nf6+)
to follow. (I’ve adjusted the
move numbers to accommodate
this discussion. In
Dreev-Malakhov, Black had
not played ...Rb8 and White
had played e4 in one move, A clever effort at exploiting
so the move numbers were all White’s straggling e-pawn.
one less.) At first this move looks silly
In addition to 18.e5, because White has b5 securely
White has two other strategies under control, so using
that are less frequently seen two moves in a vain effort at
154
playing ...b5 should be even (The one exception would be

worse than 9...a6. Black’s 16...Re5, which White meets
point is that ...Nc7 will not with f4-f5.)
cover merely b5; it also hits 12. . . Bb7 and 12.. . a5 will
White’s d-pawn. both transpose.
10.0-0
White has a dilemma. He We are nearing the end of
does not wish to play 1O.a4 a slow build-up of complex
immediately, which gives tension. To get an idea of the
Black’s Knight the b4-square. relevant themes, let’s assume
He also avoids 1O.e4, which for now that the game continues
allows Black to equalize 13.Rel c4 14.Bfl Bb7.
immediately with 1O...Re8
followed by ...c4 (and perhaps
...Nc5 soon). So White
consigns himself to allowing
...b5, planning on targeting
Black’s advanced Q-side
pawns later.
10...Nc7 1 1.e4 b5 12.a3
12.Rel!? is a double-
edged trap, hoping to lure

Black into over-extending his White’s strategy is based
Q-side pawns immediately. on two top-level threats:
Just be careful what you ask • The advance of his
for if you go this route. 12... e-pawn.

Re8 will transpose. • The collapse of Black’s
12...Re8 advanced Q-side pawns with
12...c4 hits the Bishop a prepared b3 or a4.
before White can open fl, but White has two further
it seems rash. After 13.Bc2 tools to prevent Black from

Bb7 14.Nd4 Re8 15.Rbl, escaping his clutches, depending
White expects 15...a6 16.Bg5 on how Black deals
with b3 or Qf3! soon depending with White’s eventual Bg5:

on Black’s reaction. • If Black responds ...h6,
155
Chapter 8
White can target the h-pawn ...a6 instead of ...a5) to play

later. 17.Nd4, and he is in command
• If Black ignores the of the position and
pin, White threatens a quick will likely add to his strength
K-side attack, using the cih6 in the center with Radl. (Indeed,
diagonal to transport after 17. . . Rac8 18. Rad 1
his Queen to f4, hitting the a5, White is already happy
Knight again and possibly to exchange Queens with
preparing to strike d6. 19.Qf4 Nh5 20.Qg4 Qxg4
Black, on the other hand, 21.hxg4 Nf6 22.f3.)
has more or less one tool in Generally speaking, White
his toolkit: find a good time uses the threat of e5 to paralyze
to push ...b4 (prepared by Black while he prepares
.a5). e5, a4, or b3.
Some of these notions His dark-squared Bishop
influenced Black’s 14th move. will go to g5, where it pins the
Immediately advancing his a- Knight. The Bishop can later
pawn two squares (14.. .a5?) shift to f4 and then h2, where
is a blunder: 15.e5! dxe5 it supports the e-pawn’s advance
16.d6 Ne6, and both 17.Nxe5 safe from being hit by
and 17.Nxb5 are extremely a Knight after ...Nxd5 or
good for White. Playing the Nxe4. White’s light-squared
safer single-square advance Bishop is fine on fl, where
(14...a6) fails to develop the it is out of the way and pressures
threat of b4 and is met by Black’s Q-side pawns.
15.Bg5 Bb7 16.Qd2, threatening White’s K-Knight tends
Qf4-h4, which is quite to support the possibility of
potent and hard to meet. e5 early in the proceedings
Black can discourage this by and then later moves to d4
breaking the pin (16...Qd7), or (more often) to d2. From
since the Queen trade after d4 it hits b5 directly and the
17.Qf4?! Nh5 18.Qg4 lets possibility of Nc6 or Ne6
Black off the hook. Instead, may also be useful. From d2
White takes the free move it gives excellent support to
Black has given him (using White’s planned b3 or a4,
156
in the latter case working

against the reply . . .b4 by targeting
c4. Nd2 also gives e4
more cover to free up White’s
other Knight. Furthermore, a
Knight on d2 allows White to
respond to . . .b4 with the sacrificial
sequence Nxc4! bxc3;
Nxd6! Qxd6; e5. In general,
the well-timed movement of
this Knight can be a crushing White’s last move is designed
blow. to allow Qdl, which
The placement of White’s covers key light squares on
Queen and Q-Rook depends the Q-side. Had White played
on move order and is tightly 18.Qdl?!, Black has 18...h6!
linked to complex tactics surrounding If White responds 19.Bh4,
Black’s threat of’ Black can play 19...Na6
...b4. It is fair to say that the without having to worry
key to playing this position is about Qf4-g4, and 19.Bf4 allows
knowing exactly when Black 19...b4! 20.axb4 axb4
can push this pawn. All other 21.Na4 Ncxd5 22.exd5 Rxel
apparently constructive ideas 23. Nxe 1 Nxd5, when Black’s
for Black fail because his pieces advanced Q-side pawns are
must defend his b5-pawn still to be reckoned with.
while preventing e5 and the From the diagram, it is
calamity ensuing after Qf4. difficult to find much of anything
Starting with the position diagramed Black can do:
above (after 13.Rel 18...Na6 (trying to make

c4 14.Bfl Bb7), one variation some use of his Queen’s new
showing Black’s struggles home) 19.Qf4! exploits the
is 15.Bg5 a5 16.Qd2! Qd7 overworked Queen.
(16...Rc8?! 17.Qf4!) 17.Racl 18...Nh5 is slow, and
Rac8 18.Bh4. that generally means White
should play Nd4 or Nd2.
Here Nd2 is impossible, but
157
Chapter 8
19.Nd4 is good, especially after 21...Qxa4 22.Bxc4 Qd7

since 19...Nf4?! is too clever (the Queen will not find
by half and allows White a herself comfortable after
significant advantage after Ne3 and Bd3 should she stay
20.Nc6. in White’s territory), White
18...h5 takesaway ...Nh5, plans Ral, hitting the a-pawn
so White should respond that Black cannot now defend
19.Qf4! planning Bg3. with ...Ra8 because the Bishop
18...h6?! does not give occupies the a8-square.
Black sufficient compensation Nor can Black uncover an attack
for the pawn after on the B/c4 with ...Na8
19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.Qxh6. for the same reason.
18...Qe7? is disastrous: 18. . . Ba6 certainly appears
19.e5 dxe5 20.d6 +—. a reasonable effort to get more
18...Rb8 (to help push use from his bishop, using it
his b-pawn after ...Ba8) to cover his Q-side pawns that
leaves his c-pawn in the lurch White is planning to target
after 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.a4 b4 soon. But relaxing the pressure
21.Ndl. against White’s center
18...b4 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 allows 19.e5! dxe5 20.Bxf6
20.axb4 axb4 21.Ndl similarly Bxf6 21.d6 Na8 22.Ne4, with
leaves Black’s c-pawn in a big advantage.
dire straits. Lastly, should Black play
18...Ba8 may be Black’s 18...Bh8 as a nothing move,
most conscientious reply, White will play 19.Qdl, planning
as it at least prepares to defend to attack Black’s Q-side
his Q-side from White’s pawns with b3.
coming assault. Instead of
Qdl, which Black can meet Once ...a5 has been
reasonably well with ...Rb8, played, there are four rules
White should make the same that determine whether
reply here as against 18.. . Rb8 White is safe from ...b4. If
above: 19.Bxf6 Bxf6 20.a4 b4 White satisfies all these criteria,
21.Ndl, and Black’s Bishop Black cannot safely play
on a8 is misplaced because ...b4:
158
1. White’s e-pawn must Let’s look at each one

be safe from attack even if the separately to understand their
N/c3 were displaced. derivation.
2. If Black’s Rook is on
c8, the g5-square is open, Rule 1
and Black’s N/f6 is not under To see the importance of
attack, White’s d-pawn must the first point, let’s step back
have more defenders than attackers a few moves and consider the
(i.e. equal number of continuation 13. . . a5.
defenders once the N/c3 is
moved). In particular, White
cannot rely on pawn protection
to protect d5 from capture
by a piece.
3. If Black’s Rook is on c8
and his N/f6 is not pinned,

White should have a major
piece on the c-file.
4. If White’s Queen is on
c2, his Knight must be able l4.Bg5?! c4 (l4...h6
to escape safely to either a4 l5.Bxf6 Bxf6 16.Nxb5 Bxb2
or dl. (This is generally only l7.Rbl Bg7 l8.Nd2 with
an issue when Black’s Queen Qf3 soon [to allow Reclj
has moved to d7, whence she gives White the clearly stronger
hits a4.) Q-side play.) 15.Bfl h6
I will later give a set of 1 6.Bf4.
“safe configurations” that are
consistent with these points.
Practically speaking, these
configurations are more
important to know than the
above principles, but I wanted
to make sure the tactical
underpinnings of the b-pawn

push were spelled out for reference.
159
Chapter 8
Discounting the Knight lated the second rule. There

on c3, White has only one is a Black Rook on c8 and
man defending e4. Black has nothing blocking g5, so d5
two pieces hitting that pawn, needs to have more defenders
so the rule suggests ...b4 is than attackers. There are three
a good move for Black. Sure pieces hitting the square and
enough, 16...b4! 17.axb4 only two men defending it.
axb4 18.Rxa8 Nxa8 19.Nb5 This suggests that Black
Rxe4 20.Rxe4 Nxe4, and has something in 18...b4!,
White is still probably a bit and indeed he does: 19.axb4
better, but he will have a hard axb4 20.Na4 b3 21 .Qb 1 Rxe4!
time actually winning. 22.Rxe4 Nxe4 23.Qxe4 Bxd5
24.Qe2 Ra8 25.Qdl Bxf3.
Rule 2
The importance of the

second rule can be seen after
13...Bb7 14.Bg5 c4 15.Bfl

h6 16.Bf4 Rc8 17.Qc2?! a5
1 8.Bh2.
26.Qxf3 keeps White

nominally ahead, but after
26...c3 27.bxc3 b2 28.Rbl
Rxa4 29.Rxb2, he is going to

have an awfully difficult time
winning the game. White
White’s last move is general would rather play 26.gxf3, but
preparation for later central that allows Black to equalize
play. Now a Knight capture with either 26. . . d5 27 .Bxc7
on d5 or e4 will not come Qxc7 28.Qxd5 Ra5, planning
with tempo on the Bishop. Rg5+ soon, or 26...Qg5+
Unfortunately, White has vio160 27.Bg3 d5.
Had White coerced ...g5 Knight later and White gets a

before moving his Queen better version of the ending,
to c2, White would be well though there is still some
ahead. The suggested way fight left because Black’s advanced
to do this after 13...Bb7 Q-side pawns have
14.Bg5 c4 15.Bfl h6 16.Bf4 not been liquidated.
Rc8 is 17.Qd2! g5 (17...a5!? More importantly, the
18.Bxh6 b4 leads to a series Rook on c8 prevents White
of captures that gives White from taking another line completely:
choices as to what type of material 20.Na4 b3 21.Qdl
advantage he wants and Rxe4 22.Rxe4 Nxe4 23.Bxc4
17...Kh7 18.Nd4 followed by Na6 24.Qxb3 Nac5 25.Nxc5
f3 has to be good for White.) Nxc5 26.Qc2 (26.Qe3? Na4)
18.Bh2 a5 19.Qc2!, when 26... Nd7, pinning the Bishop
White is quite well off after and thus endangering the
19...b4 20.axb4 axb4 21.Na4 pawn on d5, is about equal.
Rxe4 22.Rxe4 b3 23.Qbl (In other versions of this
Nxe4 24.Qxe4 Bxd5 25.Qe2 line, Black might prefer 25...
Ra8 26.Qdl Bxf3 27.gxf3! d5 Rxc5.) This finishing touch is
28.Bxc7 Qxc7 29.Qxd5. impossible if the Rook is still
on a8, in which case White
Okay, but what is the should be quite happy with
relevance of Black’s Rook the situation.
on c8? You said the second
guideline was only in force if Rule 3

Black’s Rook were on c8. The third rule just makes
sure White has some powerful
The Rook’s placement follow-up threat after
matters for two reasons. First, ...b4; axb4 axb4; Na4. If
if Black’s Rook is still on a8 Black’s Knight is pinned,
when the b-pawn is pushed, then the threat is simply e5!
White can exchange Rooks Otherwise, it is good to have
early on, before Na4 in the a major piece on the c-file so
above variation. This prevents that Black’s c-pawn is under
Black from pinning that double attack.
161
Chapter 8
Rule 4 • A Bishop on g5 pinning

The fourth point should the N/f6.
be pretty clear based on the • A Queen on c2 and
variations shown above. If Rooks on dl and el.
Black’s Queen is on d7 and • A Queen on c2 and
White’s Queen is on c2, then Black has a pawn on g5.
axb4 axb4; Na4?! b3 strands Admittedly, it may seem
the Knight. Other possible retreat risky to put White’s Queen
squares are problematic: on c2 so often given that
White needs b 1 for his Queen Black’s Rook is on c8, but
(and would be a poor square the Queen is safe because
for the Knight anyway), Na2 White will have significant
sets up a fork when Black piece control of c4 and c5
plays ...b3, and Ne2 would before there is any concern
cut off the R/el from the that Black can liquidate the
pawn on e4. This isn’t an issue c-pawn advantageously.
when White’s Queen is on If Black’s Queen has
dl herself because then ...b3 moved (almost always to d7),
does not come with tempo White’s safe configuration
on her, so White has time to is a Queen on d2 or dl and
move his Knight (e.g., to b6, Rooks on ci and el.
where it might fork Black’s
Rook and Queen!) Conclusion
White will always play

Safe Configurations Bg5, and the proper plan for
So long as White’s e- and White is largely determined
d-pawns are safe in light of by how Black reacts to the
the first two rules and White pin. All variations shown below
fulfills the requirements begin from the position
described in the last two, after 13.Rel.
Black cannot play ...b4 advantageously.
In practice, this
means White has three safe
configurations when Black’s
Queen is on d8:
162
Case 2:
If Black responds to Bg5

with an immediate ...h6,
White should first target h6
to induce . . .g5 and then, inoculated
from any real danger
from ...b4, he can prepare
a devastating e5 or a4 with
Bh2, Qc2, Nd2, and Radi. A
straightforward line following
Case 1: this pattern is 13...Bb7
If Black ignores the pin 14.Bg5 c4 15.Bfl h6 16.Bf4
completely, White should Rc8 17.Qd2! g5 18.Bh2 a5
quickly play Qd2 (to prevent 19.Qc2.
a later .. .h6) and look to play
Qf4, bringing a second piece
to hit the pinned Knight.
A likely line following this
outline is 13...a5 14.Qc2 c4
(14...Bb7? 15.Nxb5) 15.Bfl
Bb7 16.Bg5 Rc8 17.Qd2.
There is little Black can do

against Nd2, Radi, and e5!
Case 3:
If Black responds to Bg5

with an immediate ...h6
but tactically prevents White
After any reasonable move from playing Qd2 owing
other than . . . Qd7, White can to the danger of ...b4, then
play Qf4 with a very good White will play Qc2 and Rad 1
game. to permanently oppose .. .b4
163
Chapter 8
and then work toward the defense: 19...Ba6! 20.Na2

same plan as Case 2 with Nd2. Na8 21.Be3 Qb7 22.Bd4 Nb6
A continuation matching this 23.b3 (23.Rbi Na4 24.Nc3
outline occurs by taking the may be a reasonable try for
example given in Case 2 and more) cxb3 24.Qxb3 Na4
interchanging Black’s ...a5 25.Qbl Nd7 26.Nb3 Bxd4
and ...Rc8. After 13...Bb7 27.Nxd4 gives White a hard-
14.Bg5 c4 15.Bfl h6 16.Bf4 earned advantage.
a5, White’s e-pawn needs immediate Don’t let the variation
protection so White shown above scare you. Most
must play 1 7.Qc2 rather than of the time when White turns
Qd2. After 17...Rc8 18.Radl, his sights on the Q-side with
White is once again planning Nd2 and b3 (or a4), he has a
Bh2 and Nd2, threatening a much easier time conquering
devastating e5 or a4. that wing.
Case 4:
If Black breaks the pin by

moving his Queen, White
will play Qd2 to prevent
...h6 and ...Na6. (Recall that
after .. . Qd7, White can meet
• . . Na6 with Qf4! threatening
Qg4 to exchange the overworked
Queen.) He will post
Black can put up staunch his Q-Rook on ci, drop his
defense in this particular line Bishop back to h4 and then
by playing 18...Qd7!, which attempt to exploit whatever
normally means White wants mistakes Black makes in dealing
dl open for his Knight since with his situation.
a4 will be covered by the One variation matching

Queen. However, White is so this example is 13...c4 14.Bfi
well developed and 19.Nd2 Bb7 15.Bg5 a5 16.Qd2!
is so powerful that Black cannot Qd7 17.Raci Rac8 18.Bh4,
quite muster sufficient which is the line discussed
164
immediately after the listing for it, you might find yourself
of White’s threats and heading for the baths
strategic tools. See the commentary quickly.
there for some idea Rather than mess around
of the tools White has at his on the Q-side, Black looks to
disposal take the fight to White’s King
by trading off the N/f3 and
attacking immediately with
his Bishops and Queen.
1O.e4
10.0-0 is not terrible for
White, but Black—who is
used to fighting against the
Four Pawns attack—is unlikely
to be distressed by 10...
Ne5 11.Nxe5 (11.Be2 Nxf3+
12.Bxf3 Qh4 with ...Be5 to
Black Plays 9...Nfd7!? follow, is not my idea of a
9 Nfd7”
... .. good time) 11...Bxe5 12.f4
Bg7 13.e4. After 13.. .a6 14.a4
Bd4+ 15.Khl, hemayevenbe
liking his position.
As Pillsbury once told W.
E. Napier, “Castle because
you will or because you must;
but not because you can.”
1O...Ne5 11.Nxe5 Bxe5
1 2.Bh6 Re8 1 3.Qd2
The text covers his Bishop
This looks like the sort of to allow castling.
smart, unnatural, response 13.0-0?! Bxh3 14.gxh3
GM John Nunn might use. It Qh4 and Black is significantly
is quite unlikely you’ll meet better.
it, and it does not equalize, 13.Be3 a6 14.a4 f5 15.exf5
but if you are unprepared Bxf5 16.0-0 Qf6 17.Ne2 (17.
165
Chapter 8
Ne4? Bxe4 18.Bxe4 Bxb2 f-files, which he can prepare

uncovers an attack on e4.) for more easily than his opponent,
17...Nd7 18.a5 Rab8 19.Ra2 who must deal with
Qf7 gives White a headache. an awkward Bishop. White
13...a6 should meet 20...fxe4 with
13...f5 14.0-Ofxe4 15.Bxe4 21 .Bc2. White can retake on
and White can quickly transfer e4 after preparing the capture
enough firepower to the with either Rfel or g4 or
K-side that he can trade off both.
Black’s defenders in that sector
and gain an advantage by Black Plays ...c5 before

dominating the e-file and/or ...d6 and Immediately
using e4. after Be2
After 13...Nd7 14.0-0 Nf6 This is the rarest of the
15.f4 Bd4+ 16.Khl, White three possibilities. It should
has several ways to cause only occur in our repertoire
problems (f5, Bg5, or Rf3, after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4
etc.) Bg7 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 c5! (or
14.a4 Nd7 15.0-0 with Black’s first few moves
Finally White can castle! permuted; e.g., 1 .d4 g6 2.Nf3
Bg7 3.c4 Nf6). Furthermore,
this variation should only
come about if White is playing
our basic repertoire, waiting
until ...d6 before playing
Nc3 to avoid the more traditional
Grünfelds. White can
also avoid this line using an
early h3, as described in The
Shrewd 5.h3 chapter.
15...Bd4 16.Be3 Ne5 17.Be2 This defensive variation
happens to be both good Bxe3 1 8.Qxe3 f5 1 9.f4 Nf7
20.Bd3 and unlikely. As a practical
matter, that suggests White White looks forward to
should favor a simple plan an attack down the e- or
166
that gives him a minor edge, dition to closing out his fianchettoed
the opportunity to outplay Bishop, the pawn
his opponent under slightly on e5 prevents Black’s pieces
favorable circumstances, and from using that square. White
a comprehensible game plan. will have a much easier time
That is what I give here. tending to the Q-side with
However, be aware that the center blocked up.
even this effort at keeping 9.cxd5 Re8 1 0.Rel!?
things simple will involve
tactical complications and
require some endgame and
near-endgame technique.
Hence, if you are pitted
against a stronger player, you
might seriously consider the
alternate line in The Shrewd
5. h3 chapter.
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 c5! 6.d5 I suspect most players
familiar with the Benoni will
see this as an inaccuracy at

first. In the standard Benoni
(where White has played e4
rather than e3), Black expects
Nd2, supporting e4, allowing
Nc4, and preventing ...Bg4.
If White does allow ...Bg4,
it is because he plans to fight
back with Bf4, which is part
6...d6 of a complex central struggle.
6...e6 7.Nc3 should Since White cannot play Bf4,
transpose. it stands to reason that allowing
7.Nc3 e6 8.0-0 exd5 .. . Bg4 is probably poor.
8...e5 9.e4 should be But this all assumes White
quite good for White. In ad- is going to play e4 soon. One
167
Chapter 8
of the crucial components of White has already spent several

the “complex central struggle” moves getting it to c4!
I mentioned earlier is a pawn The specific lines I suggest
on e4 for Black to target. generally call for White to
The vulnerability of White’s concentrate on harmonious
pawn on e4 accentuates the piece placement rather than
strength of a Knight on e5 aggressive attacking. White’s
should Black post one there mid-term goal is to prevent
because those two concepts ...b5 and then lure Black’s
together tend to make it difficult c-pawn forward so he can
for White to find a good liquidate it. This gives White
spot for his light-squared the makings of an endgame
Bishop. On e2 it gets in the advantage because he will
way of the Rook that should have greater central pawn
be protecting e4, and on f3 or influence and a better pawn
d3 it is hit by the N/e5. structure.
But if White delays e4, To illustrate why I emphasize

many of the standard notions “unkinking” White’s
require re-examination. position, consider what
In particular, White’s Bishop happens if White played in
can remain on e2, covering a more traditional manner,
c4 and d3, without White rushing his Knight to d2 to
having to tie himself in knots support e4 while Black works
protecting his e-pawn. Thus, to effect ...b5. One reasonable
White needn’t be concerned line is 1O.Nd2 Na6 11 .e4
about a Knight coming to Rb8 (11...Bd7 is no piece
e5. By extension, he doesn’t of cake either: 12.Rel Rb8
need to go out of his way 13.Bfl Ng4!, threatening
to prevent ...Bg4 because 14...Nxf2 and 15...Bd4, requires
...Bxf3, allowing Black’s later White to turn his attention
Ne5 to come with tempo, is to the center, allowing
no strategic victory for Black. Black to make progress on the
Indeed, in the normal version Q-side.) 12.Rel Nc7 13.a4 a6
of this line, Black often takes 14.a5 Bd7.
that Knight anyway ... after
168
Black Plays ...Bg4

1O...Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3
White is not worse, but trying

to keep e4 defended and
Black’s Q-side constrained 1 2...a6
has knotted up his pieces. I Without his light-squared
don’t like subjecting myself to Bishop, Black does not have
this if it can be helped, and I time for the slower .. . Na6-c7
suspect you don’t either. maneuver: 12...Na6 13.Be2
Nc7 14.a4 a6 15.a5. Also,
We look at the two main moving the Knight to c7
replies to our recommended makes it harder for Black to
move, 1O.Rel!? use the e5-square soon.
• 1O...Bg4 13.a4 Nbd7
• 1O...Na6 The second player is not
is also perfectly just eyeing e5. He is also 1O...a6
but should trans1O...Bg4 interested in using c5 after reasonable,
pose to the line after pushing his c-pawn. This is
11.a4. a natural plan given the difficulty
he has advantageously
pushing his b-pawn.
14.Bd2 Rc8
Black has to choose
whether his Knight is ultimately

meant to use e5 or c5.
If he is more interested in using
e5, he can play 14...Ne5
169
Chapter 8
15.Be2 c4, trying to dominate Does White have an easy

White’s light-squared Bishop. win here? No, definitely not.
But with White’s e-pawn still But he does have more central
on e3, White is happy with pawn strength and fewer
16.Qbl! Rc8 17.Rcl planning pawn islands.
b3, b4, or Ne4. White
has several other ways to We return to the position
neuter Black’s position by after 16...Nc5!?
removing the c4-fang, like f4
Nd3; Bxd3.
1 5.a5 c4 1 6.Be2 Nc5!?
An interesting effort leveraging

a tactical point. The
more prosaic 16...Rc5 leads
to the type of endgame that
has been our backstop goal:
16...Rc5 17.Ra4 Qc7 (17...
Ne5 18.b4 cxb3 19.Qxb3 Rc7
20.Ne4 gives White a huge 1 7.Bxc4 Nfe4 1 8.Nxe4 Rxe4
space advantage and the Two 18...Nxe4 pushes the
Bishops) 18.Qc2 Ne5 19.f4 game closer to an endgame
Nd3 20.Real Ne4 21.Nxe4 after 19.Bd3 Bxb2 20.Ra2.
Rxe4 22.Bxd3 cxd3 23.Qxd3 This suits White.
Rxa4 24.Rxa4 Bxb2. 19.Be2 Bxb2 20.Ra2 Bf6
21 .Qbl Re7 22.Bb4
Black has an excellent
Bishop, no denying that. His
Knight is also on a decent
square, but one that can be
contested (and which blocks
his Rook). This does not make
up for his lack of space. White
has enough breathing room
to find very good diagonals
for both his Bishops, and
170
i3lack’s Knight is not quite advanced Qd6 20.Nc4 Rxel+ 21.Qxel,

enough to coordinate we have arrived at the position
with the Bishop to hamper below.
White’s major piece play.
if Black doesn’t move his
Knight, White will just line up
his major pieces on the c-file
and take with the Bishop. If
Black does move his Knight,
he has no other perches to
alight upon, and Black cannot
afford to lose d6.
Black Maneuvers his Knight Since 21.. .Qxd5 loses material

(1O...Na6) (22.Qe8+ Kg7 23.Rel
1O...Na6 1 1.Bfl Be6 24.Qxa8 Nxd3 25.Ne3),
Black will likely play 21...
Qf8, 21.. . Qf6, or some other
retreat. This allows White to
continue exerting pressure

down the center, probably
with Rdl.
12.h3 Bxf3 13.Qxf3 Nd7
Black needs to occupy e5
with his Knight at some point
or else White will push e4-e5
11...Bg4 with good effect. It is better
11...Bf5 looks odd since to play for this now while
12.Nd2 threatens e4. his Knight is still on a6, This
11.. .Ne4?! underestimates allows him flexibility to play
White’s ability to spring ...Ne5, ...c4, and ...Nc5. It
into action. After 12.Nxe4 also allows ...Qa5, which can
Rxe4 13.Bd3 Re8 14.e4 Nb4 be useful for ganging up on
15.Bg5 f6 16.Bf4 f5 17.e5 the N/c3.
dxe5 18.Bxe5 Bxe5 19.Nxe5 14.Rbl!
171
Chapter 8
In the same variation,

the thematic response to
15...Nc7 would be 16.e4 Rb8
17.a4 a6 18.a5, which is okay,
but White is probably better
off allowing the b-pawn’s
advance in this instance,
for after 17.Bf4 b5 18.a4 a6
19.Bg3, Black is in no position
to play ...b4 because
White continues to remove White’s Knight has all sorts of
any exploitable kinks interesting possible destinations
in his position. In addition after Na2-cl-b3.
to preparing a later b4, the 15.Qdl c4 16.Nb5
text removes the Rook and White forks a7 and the
b-pawn from possible danger a3-square, whence the Knight
down the long diagonal. can hit c4.
Most importantly, it frees up 16...Nf6
White’s Q-side minor pieces.
Up until the text, White could
afford to move his Q-Knight
or his Q-Bishop, but not
both.
14...Rc8
As in the previous sub-section,

it is probably clear that
getting .. .b5 in anytime soon
is unlikely, so Black switches
to c-file play. Black hits d5 so that
Black doesn’t get anything Nxa7 can be met by ...Rc5
from immediate use of e5. without fear of b4. After almost
14...Ne5 15.Qdl c4 16.f4 anything else, White
Nd3 17.Bxd3 allows White will eventually get b4 in with
to achieve his thematic goal advantage.
with a good position. 17.a4
172
White gives his Knight that Black can cause at least a

an anchor so he won’t get little discomfort if White refuses
stranded. Compare this to to advance his d-pawn:
17.Nxa7 Rc5 18.b4 Rxd5 6...c5 7.Be3 Qa5! Butingeneral
19.Qc2 Qb6. the whole notion fares
From here possibilities poorly if White simply delays
abound, but here are three pushing his d-pawn until he
reasonable continuations: sees how Black approaches
17...Rc5 18.b4 Rxd5 the position. The first player
19.Qc2 works nicely for is not under great pressure to
White. advance the d-pawn because
17...Qb6 18.Bd2 Ne4 ...cxd4 leads to a pleasant
19.Bc3 Nxc3 20.bxc3 Nc5 Maróczy Bind structure.
21.a5!? leads to interesting The same is generally true
play, but White has greater in our slower variation. I recommend
central pawn presence and playing for superior
will likely capture Black’s cpawn development and/or space
on his next move. because Black’s position does
17...Nb4 18.Nxa7 Rc5 not have any weaknesses yet.
19.Nb5 gives both players With that in mind, I’ve chosen
chances. Black has active pieces, as a “main line” a path that is
but White has multiple targets not so common in actual play
and can switch between but does present White with a
threatening d6 and c4. couple of challenging choices.
The most common responses
Black Plays ...c5 after tend to have straightforward
...d6 paths to a pleasant position,
Occasionally Black enters and they are mentioned in
a Benoni setup from a KID the variations.
move order. This may make 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
sense in some variations, like 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d6 6.Nc3 c5
the Krasenkow (1 .d4 Nf6 2.c4
g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3
0-0 6.h3), where White is far
enough away from castling
173
Chapter 8
7.O-Ocxd4 9...Bg4 1O.Qd3!? illusRarely

played, this idea of trates why White did not
seeking to resolve the center want Black to have the option
now rather than allowing of...Nb4 later.
White to play d5 at his leisure 9...e5 1O.Bg5 h6 11.Be3
makes some sense. Several and White has already created
other moves are more common a weakness on h6;
in practice: 9...a6 1O.h3 Bd7 11.Bf4 b5
7...Nc6 is the most frequent (11. . . Qc7 1 2.Nd2 and White
response. It is not has enough coverage of b3
a Benoni-style move, and to play a4 soon) 12.e5 dxe5
White should play 8.d5 immediately 13.Nxe5 Nxc4 14.Bxc4 bxc4
to force the Knight 1 5.Qf3 gives White much to
to commit to a square. In particular, be happy about.
White does not want 7...Nbd7 is the second
...Nb4 coming at a bad time. most common response,
8...Na5 is the most common either planning Q-side expansion
response and White is good or hoping to get
after 9.e4. Knights on f6 and e5. White
can prevent the former and
invite the latter with 8.d5 a6
9.e4Ng4 1O.a4Nge5 11.Nel!,
planning f4.
7...Bf5 is the third most
common option. White
174
should just knock the Bishop

back with Ng5 and e4: 8.d5
Ne4 9.Nxe4 Bxe4 1O.Ng5 Bf5
11.e4 Bc8 12.Rbl.
7...e6 hopes for a transposition
to a Benoni, so
White should demur. 8.e4
Nc6 9.Be3 d5 (9...Ng4 1O.Bg5
f6 11.Bf4 e5 12.dxe5 dxe5
13.Bg3 leaves White better
able to use d5 than Black d4.) 8...d5
1O.exd5 cxd4 11 .Nxd4 exd5 Play has transposed to an
12.h3. odd version of the Panov-Botvinnik
Attack (1.e4 c6 2.d4
d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4). Here
Black has lost a move because
...d6-d5 was played. This
would almost be balanced by
White’s abnormal Be2 except
that Black has played ...g6
rather than ...e6.
Playing . . .g6 in the PanovBotvinnik

is not poor in itself,
White does best by refusing but it complicates Black’s
to exchange, knowing that efforts at getting his wasted
...dxc4; Bxc4 has to be good move back here. He would
for him. He should just develop really like to shift play into
and eventually play c5 a line where ...dxc4 was a
if Black refuses to exchange. good move. Since White
For example, 12...Re8 13.Rcl has already moved his lightsquared
Nxd4 14.Bxd4 Be6 15.c5. Bishop once, any
continuation where White
We return to the position has to play Bxc4 soon should

after the 7...cxd4. counter-balance the move
8.exd4 Black has lost with .. .d6.
175
Chapter 8
Unfortunately for Black, 1O...Bf5

having played ...g6 rather 1O...dxc4 i1.Bxc4 Na5
than ...e6, the second player 12.b3, and White doesn’t
would prefer not to bring mind exchanging his light-
White’s Bishop to c4, where squared Bishop because he
it will cut into Black’s K-side plans on getting good play
unless he weakens his dark- down the e-file after Ba3.
squares further with ...e6. 1O...Be6 covers d5 to allow
Thus, Black faces an unhappy Black to free his Knight
choice of giving White a good and weaken White’s Q-side
diagonal for his Bishop or resources with Ne4. This
waiting around until White is probably unnecessary,
pushes his c-pawn, at which for White will play c5 soon
point the Bishop on e2 will enough regardless. 11.c5 Ne4
turn out to be, relatively 12.Bf4 Qa5 13.Qd3 Nxc3
speaking, well placed. i4.Qxc3 Qxc3 15.bxc3 isolates
9.Rel White’s a-pawn but gives
White retains flexibility him more central influence
with respect to the development and the b-file. Since Black
of his Q-Bishop. A cannot afford to play ...a6,
critical variation showing the White should be able to find
value of this move is 9.Bf4 a nice square on the Q-side
Nc6 1O.h3 dxc4 11.Bxc4 Na5 for his light-squared Bishop,
and if White’s Bishop were beginning with Bb5 soon.
still on ci, he would be happy A more sober effort is
playing b3, planning Ba3. i3...Rfe8 14.Racl Rad8!,
9...Nc6 1O.h3 covering d5 to dissuade a3
andb4. (C.f., 14...Rac8 15.a3
Bf5 16.b4 Qxa3 17.Nxd5.)
After i5.Qb5 Qxb5 16.Bxb5
f6 17.a3 Bf7 18.Nxe4 dxe4
19.Rxe4 Bd5 20.Re3 Bxf3
21.Rxf3 White has a significant
advantage regardless of
how Black reacts.
176
11.c5 Ne4 l2.Bf4
Be3 is often a good development

in this opening, but
here it allows ...Nxc5 owing
to the possibility of...d4. Also
White wants to control b8 in
case Black offers to exchange

pawns on b6 or opens the
b-file for White with ...Nxc3.
1 2...Rc8
21...Nxd4 initiates exchanges 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3 gives
that accentuate White an open b-file for
White’s Q-side majority after Q-side conquest.
22.Bxe8 Nxf3+ 23.gxf3 Rxe8 13.Rcl
24.b4 Rc8 25.Rdl. White looks to transfer
21...Rxd4 allows White to his Queen to the Q-side and
retain the Two Bishops, which attack there.
will be very powerful in the
open position that arises after
22.13e3 Rd7 23.g4! (White
opens g2 for his King, which
takes some of the sting from a
later ...Rd3.) 23...Red8.

after 1O...Bf5.
177
Chapter 8
178
Cliapter 9
Optional: The Shrewd h3
e Zuka repertoire outlined advantage, but there is one

in this book is variation that stands out as a
balanced between objective near-exception. The strongest
(theoretic) advantage and theoretic defense Black has is
subjective (practical) advantage. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
Increasing one often 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 c5!
means decreasing the other
because White is more likely
to capitalize on his greater
strategic understanding when
play is confined to certain
thematic channels, but always
choosing thematic continuations
often means forgoing
stronger deviations. Similarly,
the strongest lines may lead
to positions that are harder This is one of the lines
to play or require greater recommended by IM Dembo
study time, cutting down on in Fighting the Anti-King’s Indians.
the practical strength of those While very strong players
lines, especially for improving have been willing to take
players. the White position, White’s
I believe I can honestly theoretic advantage is quite
say that every line given in modest. Of course, it is my
the basic Zuka repertoire affords hope that White’s practical
White some objective chances are significantly bet179
Chapter 9
ter because delaying e4 gives certainly have played 4...d5.

White time to short circuit For those willing to take this
Black’s entire Benoni strategy risk, I provided the chapter
as described in the Using Zuka on the Keres Variation to
Against . . .g6 Defenses chapter. handle this contingency. But
A prepared player should alas, that system gives White
frequently come out of the even less of a theoretic advantage
opening well ahead. than the 5.Be2 c5! line.
Still, it is certainly understandable Indeed, I would say Black is
that stronger probably objectively equal if
players looking to guarantee he plays perfectly for the first
a clear objective advantage 12 moves.
may desire to modify their Of course, one solution to
repertoire, especially correspondence all this is simply to play the
players. White mainline Crunfeld. The type
can avoid this line by playing of player looking to maximize
5.Nc3, and most of the his objective advantage
time he will be very well off is likely to be fine with that,
because Black will continue and the problem is solved.
with 5...d6 or 5...c5. The That is all very well, but as
former case transposes to an author I don’t feel good
our KID repertoire line; the simply saying “Oh, and if
latter transposes to a more you want a bigger advantage,
favorable Benoni continuation play the Crunfeld Exchange.”
in our repertoire because Many are the players who
White’s Bishop has not been would prefer not to play into
committed to e2. their opponent’s preparation.
Yet there is no law that Also, playing the mainline
says Black cannot play 5. . .d5, Grünfeld requires playing
and we are in the Closed 4.Nc3 (rather than 5.Nc3),
Grünfeld rather than the which means White will end
Sneaky Grünfeld. I must up playing this heavily analyzed
stress that this is quite unlikely. line relatively frequently.
If Black enjoyed the Delaying Nc3 until move 5
Grünfeld, he would almost greatly increases the chances
180
that White will end up in the of the Benoni described

Sneaky Grunfeld line, which in the Black Transposes into a
is good for him. Benoni chapter.
With that in mind, I’m That leaves two significant
tendering an optional, new possibilities for Black. He can
way of meeting the problem play his KID or he can switch
line 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 into the Grunfeld. Each gets
Bg7 4.e3 0-0 that guarantees its own section.
White a greater objective advantage
than 5.Be2. However, Black Plays a KID
its use requires a fairly high Since White is not able
level of flexibility because to castle immediately, it is
Black can take the game in unsafe for him to make an
directions not otherwise covered early exchange in the center
in our repertoire. and then push his e-pawn to
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 prevent ...Bf5. In particular
4.e3 0-0 5.h3 5...d6 6.Nc3 Nbd7 7.Be2
e5 8.Qc2 Re8 9.dxe5?! Nxe5
10.Nxe5 Rxe5 11.e4 Qe7
is already equal, for White
cannot afford to castle and a
dogged effort to somehow get
to a structure resembling our
repertoire line is doomed:
12.f3?! Nh5 13.Be3?! Ng3,
and Black is already well
ahead.
Seeing that the main Instead, White expects

problem against the Benoni is play to be similar to what ensues
that White would rather play when Black uses ...Qe7
Bd3 than Be2, the first player rather than . . . Re8 to support
delays development for one his e-pawn. This was detailed
more move. If Black continues in the KID Odds and Ends
5...c5, the game quickly chapter. Here I concentrate
transposes to the Bd3 version on continuations where Black
181
Chapter 9
prevents a natural transposition do well by playing 12.Rbl

to the lines covered in and then slowly pushing
that chapter. pawns (e.g., a3, b4, f3, and
5...d6 6.Nc3 maybe c5) rather than trying
to advance his e-pawn.
Another reasonable choice is
immediate K-side expansion:
12.g4 Na6 13.f4 Bg7 14.Rbl.
This allows White to play Ng3
in response to ...f5.
White can also just meet
7...Re8?! with 8.0-0, with a
likely transposition to the text
given here.
6...e5 7.. . e4 transposes.
6...Bf5 7.Bd3 Bxd3 8.Qc2 Re8 9.0-0
8.Qxd3 favors White, who
will have more space and
the better Bishop after 8...e5
9.d5, with e4 soon.
6. . . Nbd7 transposes.
7.Be2 Nbd7
7...Qe7 8.dxe5 dxe5 9.e4
Rd8 leads to play similar to
our repertoire line because
...Nc6, the move that might
lead somewhere independent, 9...a5
is no magic bullet. 9...e4 is much more
7...Re8?! seems unsound likely, and after 10.Nd2 Qe7
because White can snap up 11.b4, play will continue in
the e-pawn with 8.dxe5 dxe5 the style shown in the KID
9.Qxd8 Rxd8 10.Nxe5 Ne4 Odds and Ends chapter.
11.Nxe4 Bxe5 and Black’s I’ve selected the text as the
compensation is less than a “main line” because it temporarily
full central pawn. White can prevents b4, creating
182
a distinct variation. White’s White’s Q-side expansion

general plan is the same, has been slowed by the inclusion
though: play for d5, Nd5, or of ...a5, but his Q-side
general Q-side expansion. initiative is still significantly
1O.b3 e4 ahead of anything Black has
Delaying this is unnatural on the K-side.
and generally unproductive. 13...Nf8 14.b4 Bf5 15.Nb3
As described in the KID Odds N8h7
and Ends chapter, delaying Black’s various Q-side possibilities

...e4 will allow White to play (15....axb4; 15...a4;
dxe5 when it favors him. In 15...b6) are all about equal
this line Black is less likely and play into White’s hands.
to play ...c6 early since that Black should prefer to lose
cedes the b6-square. the a-pawn and gain some
11 .Nd2 Qe7 1 2.Bb2 h5 time to cause mischief on his
12...Nf8?! does not work side of the board.
immediately, even with 1 6.Rfcl

White’s h-pawn on h3. After White can survive after
13.Nd5! Nxd5 14.cxd5, 16.Nxa5?! with precise defense:

White does not need to worry 16...Ng5 17.Qdl (17.
about ...Qg5 and ...Bxh3 because Rfcl?! Nf3+) 17...Nxh3+
after 14. . . Bf5 (14. . . Qg5 18.gxh3 Nh7 19.Qel Bxh3
15.Rfcl Bxh3 16.Bfl Rac8 20.f4 exf3 21.Rxf3 Ng5
17.Nxe4) he has 15.Bb5 22.Rg3, when he has a Knight
Rec8 16.g4. for a pawn, but the pawn on
13.a3 e3 is moribund and it will be
a while before White’s King

rests easy—unless he rests in
peace first.
16...Ng5 17.Bfl
183
Chapter 9
to take into consideration

that Black may not exchange
on d5, in which case his
b-pawn cannot be stuck defending
the Knight on a5.
18...Nxh3?! 19.gxh3
Bxh3 20.Nxf6+ Bxf6 21 .Bxh3
Qxh3 22.Qe2 is plenty good
for White. Most of Black’s attackers
are in the box, and his
In addition to shoring up Queen is one step away from
the fl-h3 diagonal, White challenging Black’s.
has opened e2 for either his 19.Nd2 Nxd5
Queen or Knight to swing 19..Nxh3+? is hopeless
over for defense. This is a very because e4 will be unprotected
solid setup. after 20.gxh3 Bxh3
17...Qd7 21.Nxf6+ Bxf6.
17...Nxh3+ 18.gxh3 Nh7 20.cxd5 Rec8 21 .b5 Qe7

19.Ne2 gives White an easy
way to block the g-file.
1 8.Nd5!
One of my favorite moves

for White in these lines. In
this instance White wants
to be able to exchange the

N/f6.
18...a4!
Since Black has not exchanged
on d5 yet, this is Probably Black’s best way

the perfect time to push the to exit his attacking scheme.
a-pawn. Once Black takes the Black opens d7 to allow Nh7-
Knight on d5, opening a line f6-d7-b6 to defend a4.
of attack against c7, White 22.Nbl Nh7 23.Nc3 Nf6
would prefer to meet ...a4 24.Rabl g5
with Na5. But here White has Black pauses his Knight’s
184
traipse to see how White giving him more than

reacts to the K-side advance. sufficient compensation.
While on f6, the Knight keeps 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 g6
White’s N/c3 stuck defending 4.e3 Bg7 5.h3 d5 6.cxd5
d5. It can also change direction Nxd5 7.e4
to begin a new attack on
White’s King should the first
player fumble his defense.
25.Rel
White’ s f-pawn may

to cover g3, so be needed
his e-pawn more White gives
defense.
From here, White’s King is

safe regardless of how Black
continues on the K-side: 7...Nb6
25...h4 26.g4 hxg3 7...Nf6?! is avery strange

27.fxg3; way to play, as it blocks the
25...g4 26.h4 Nd7 27.g3 f-pawn and Black’s fianchettoed
Nb6 28.Bal. Bishop. Moreover, after
8.Nc3 c5, White gets a good
Black Plays a Grünfeld game with simply 9.dxc5 because
If Black plays a KID or a it is no simple task to
Benoni, play will likely transpose recover the pawn given that
to one of our repertoire White has Be3 and Rcl:
lines or at least be similar in 9...Na6?! 1O.Bxa6;
character. Not so with the 9...Nbd7?! 1O.e5 Ne8
Crunfeld. In particular, there 11.Bc4 and e6 or Bxf7+ are

is no clear tactical or strategic powerful threats, but White
issue dissuading ...c5, can also just play Qd4, which
a thematic Crünfeld move he also could have played on
that backfires on Black in the his 10th move.
Sneaky CrUnfeld lines. 9...Nfd7 1O.Be3 Bxc3+
Fortunately, White can 11.bxc3 Qa5 12.Qc2 Nxc5

utilize a very promising gambit, 13.Bc4 gets the pawn back
185
Chapter 9
but can hardly be considered 9.Be3 is a safe way to play,

good for Black. but if Black is patient, he can
9...Qxdl+ 10.Kxdl Rd8+ equalize by carefully preserving
11.Kc2 leaves White’s King his pawn structure with
plenty safe and the exchange 9...cxd4 10.Nxd4 Bd7 11.Be2
of Queens has strengthened a Nc6 12.Nxc6 (12.0-0 Nxd4
later Bg5, for the e-pawn has 13.Bxd4 Ba4! =) 12...Bxc6
no defense. (Though White 13.Qb3 e6 14.0-0 Qe7, and
will still probably prefer Be3 the biggest challenge to either
in the short term.) Black’s side appears to be staying
best be is to go ahead and awake.
finalize the gambit with 9...f5
11...b6 12.cxb6 axb6 13.Be3, 9...Na6 cannot be recommended
but he is nowhere near full because Black
compensation. will want to play the Knight
8.Nc3 c5 to c6 or d7 should White respond
8...f5?! is wrong because to a later .. .f5 with e5.
after 9.e5 Black’s Bishops are White is simply better after
constrained by pawns on e5 10.a3!, the point of which
and f5, meaning that White is not so much to defend
can meet 9...c5 with 10.dxc5, against ...Nb4 but rather to
which would be foolish allow b4 later should it be
if Black’s B/g7 had a clear necessary after . . . Qa5+. (E.g.,
diagonal. 10...Nc7 11.Be3 f5 12.e5
9.d5 Ncxd5 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 14.Bc4
is quite good for White, but
only because 14...Qa5+? can
bemetwith 15.b4.)
1O.Be2!
White gambits a pawn.

Accepting the pawn gives
White the Two Bishops and
leaves Black’s King exposed.
Since White is still under-developed,
creating a big
186
advanced center with 10.e5 able and his King’s fortress is

just gives Black a ripe target: quite drafty. Other than taking
10...f4 11.Bd3 e6 12.dxe6 on e4, White’s Knight has
Nc6. no squares, and Black would
1O...Bxc3+ sorely like to use that to his
10...fxe4 should transpose advantage. So long as White
after 11 .Ng5 unless Black can prevent the exploitation
declines the gambit with 11 of his Knight, he will be fine.
Na6, which may not be as We look at two lines.
bad as it looks, but still gives • 12...Qxd5
(planning • 12...Qd6 White the better game after
12.0-0 Nb4 13.Ngxe4 N4xd5 ...Qe5)
14.Nxd5 Qxd5 15.Qxd5+
Nxd5 16.Nxc5 b6 17.Bc4 e6 Black Captures (12.. .Qxd5)
18.Nd3 1 2...Qxd5
Other methods of declining Having an exposed King
the gambit fare poorly. In and an extra pawn, Black
practically every case either invites the exchange of
e5 or exf5 leads to advantage. Queens.
Note that ...a6 means a future 13.Qxd5+ Nxd5 14.Bc4 e6
Qb3 hits the undefended 1 5.Nxe4
Knight on b6.
11 .bxc3 fxe4 1 2.Ng5
has a powerful
basic plan of Bh6 and 0-0-0
Black is up a pawn, but followed by play through the
c5 and e4 are both vulnerWhite middle and h4-h5!
187
Chapter 9
15...Nd7 White will recover his
15...Kg7 covers h6 and pawn soon with a comfortable

removes tactics involving e6, advantage.
but it also completely releases 15...Nc6 retains ...Nxc3
the pressure on c3 owing to as a real counter-threat against

the possibility of Bb2. White Nxc5. White should immediately
should just recoup his material set about castling long
and enjoy his better pieces with 16.Bh6 followed by 0-0-
after 16.Nxc5 b6 17.Ne4 Ba6 0 and the domination of the
18.Bxa6 Nxa6 19.0-0 Nf6 central files with his Rooks.
20.Nd6 Rfd8 21.Ba3. Note that once Black plays
15...Nf6!? is a crafty Nb6 (e.g., 16...Rf7 17.0-0-0
attempt to get White to reclaim Nb6 18.Be2), Rd6 and Nd6
his material too early. are strong candidates.
Black hopes for something 15...b6?! 16.Bh6 with
like 16.Nxc5 b6 17.Nd3 Ba6 0-0-0 to follow should just
18.Bxe6+ Kg7 19.Nf4 Re8, give White a better version of
when White’s position brings the above lines. Black needs
to mind Jesus’ remonstration b6 for his Knight. Note that
against building one’s house 16...Rf5?! 17.0-0-0 Ba6? is
on the sand. decisively bad: 1 8.Rxd5 exd5
Instead, White should 19.Bxd5+ Rxd5 20.Nf6+ with
play 16.Nd6, threatening to Nc7 coming.
take on c8 and fork on e6.
This should lead to 16...Kg7 We return to the position
17.Be3 b6 18.Nxc8 Rxc8 after 15...Nd7.
19.0-0-0.
188
16.Bh6 The same idea works
Probably not much of a against 17...N7b6 in this

surprise if you looked at the variation, but White should
variations shown in the notes capture first in that case:
to Black’s 15th move. 18.Bxd5 exd5 (18...Nxd5?
16...Rf5 loses a piece for a pawn to
16...Re8? is easily punished: 19.c4 because allowing Rd8
After 17.0-0-0 N5b6, leads to mate in 2.) 19.Ng5.
both 18.Nd6 and 18.Bb5 16. ..N7f6!? immediately
(planning Rd6) are practically is a worthwhile try, but after
winning for White. 17.Bxf8 Nxe4 18.Bh6 Ndxc3
17...Re7 is the lesser evil for 19.Bd3, White possesses four
Black, but White is still very out of the six long-range
far ahead after 18.Bg5. pieces on an increasingly
16.. . Rd8 is not unreasonable, open board. Also, he has a
but should be slightly powerful near-term plan in
worse than the text after h4-h5!
17.0-0-0 N7b6 18.Be2 c4 17.0-0-0 N7b6
(18.. .e5 19.Nf6+ Kf7 20.Nxd5 17...N7f6?! 18.g4.

Rxd5 21.Bc4 Be6 22.Bxd5 18.g4 Re5 19.Bxd5 exd5
Bxd5 23.Rhel does not give 20. Nxc5
Black adequate compensation)
19.h4! Bd7 20.h5.
16...Rf7 allows ...N7f6
without Black’s Rook getting
trapped, but 17.0-0-0 N7f6
fails to the flank maneuver
18.Ng5. The point here is that
White covers all of Black’s
King’s flight squares except
h8, so allowing Rd8 or Re8
leads to quick mate. No matter White has recovered his
how Black chooses to save material and is set to exchange
his Rook, he will lose material Rooks on the e-file, after
to the pins on d5 and e6. which he will have the far
189
Chapter 9
more active pieces. Note that with f4!, leading to the liquidation
Black has a very difficult time of e4 and the Knight’s
doing much of anything right safe return (with tempo) to
now without exposing his f3. White’s best response is
Bishop to exchange because 14.a4! Rf5 15.Qd2, which is
20...Nc4 21.Nd3 Re8 22.Nf4 good for White in all lines:
can hardly be appetizing. 15...e3 16.Qxe3 Qxe3
17.Bxe3 Nxd5 18.Bd2;
15...Nxd5 16.Rel e6
Black Avoids Queen Exchange 17.Bc4;
12...Qd6 15...h6 16.f4 Qxd5
17.Qxd5+ Nxd5 18.Nxe4
with g4 and Bc4 soon.
What is the point of 14.a4! in

this line?
Good question. Black

plans on ...Nxd5 sooner or
later, and White likes to have
the ability to force the issue
Black tactically stops Nxe4 because after ...Nxd5, Black’s
(13.Nxe4 Qe5 is unpleasant Queen is tied to the defense
for White) and hopes to gain of the Knight. This is most
some concession by removing important when considering
all of White’s Knight’s theline 14...h6?! 15.a5Nxd5
squares. This turns out to be (15...N6d7 16.Ne6), after
impossible, but Black can use which White can safely play
the idea to get some development 16.f4 since ...Qxc3 hangs the
in.
Knight. Instead, after 16...
13.0-0 Bf5
exf3 17.Nxf3 Qd6 18.Bxh6,
13...Qe5 does not ultimately White is well off.
make sense because 14.a4
the first player can now meet
an attack against his Knight
190
16.Rel
White will take on e4 next
and continue to bring more
and more pressure against
Black’s center, expecting in
the end to win either Black’s
c-pawn or his remaining epawn
to balance material,
leaving White with the superior
minor piece at the very
1 4...Nxd5 least. Two example continuations
14...h6 15.Ne6 Bxe6 are:
16.dxe6 is quite fine for 16...Nc6 17.Nxe4 Qe5

White since h6 is exposed. 18.Nxc5 Qxc3 19.Bxd5 Rfd8
14...N8d7 15.c4 opens 20.Bd2 Qxc5 21.Bxe6+ Bxe6
the long diagonal and shores 22.Rxe6;
up White’s d-pawn. White 16...Nd7 17.Nxe4 Bxe4
looks forward to Qb3 with an 18.Rxe4 N7f6 19.Rel with

excellent position. Qb3 and Bh6 or Bg5 coming
15.Bc4e6 soon.
15...Rd8?! 16.g4.
191
Chapter 9
192
Cliapter 10
The Old Indian and Other ...d6 Defenses
os of your outings rebranded as the 11Black Lion”

against ...d6 should by Jerry van Rekom and Leo
land you in KID erriories. Jansen. I’ll give two options
Even when Black plays here.
• . .d6 very early, he is likely rn • If White is willing to
switch o a KID after 1 .d4 Nf6 play against a Pirc, he can
2.Nf3 d6 3.c4. However, there sink the Lion very quickly
are plenty of players who play with an early Bf4.
...d6 against anything without Otherwise, he can just
any intention of . . .g6. play into the Old Indian
There are wo lines worth proper, which is pleasant for
preparing for: White.
• Black plays for an Old

Indian: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 Removing the Lion’s Pride with
•The Wade Defense (a.k.a. Bf4
The HodgsonVariaion: 1.d4 The Lion system revolves
d6 2.Nf3 Bg4) about an early ...e5, so if
White rakes thai away, Black
Old Indian Play will be at a loss.
Looking rn simplify their 1 .d4 d6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3
repertoire, some players use Nbd7
...d6, ...Nf6, ...Nbd7, and The 11downside,” at least
...e5 against everything. from a repertoire perspective,
This repertoire, essentially a of this line is that you have
synthesis of the Philidor and rn be willing to face the Pirc
Old Indian defenses has been should Black continue with
193
Chapter 10
3...g6. Many readers will 6. . . Ne4: 7.exd6 Nxc3 8.bxc3

have already learned the 150 exd6 (8...Qxc3+ 9.Bd2 Qa3
Attack, for it has been a standard 10.dxe7 Bxe7 11.Bd3 0-0
tool used by those of us 12.0-0 Nb6 13.Rel Be6
who avoid the more fashionable j13...Bg4 14.Qe2] 14.h4!?
Queen’s Gambit. But I gives White good prospects
would certainly not request for attack) 9.Bd3! dares Black
you learn it from scratch just to take the pawn, which gives
for this one unlikely line. White ferocious development
That said, White should and a promising future attack
love to see 3...g6 from an because Black’s King has trouble
objective standpoint. In the castling owing to pressure
Current Status of Queen’s Pawn White will mount down the
Game Responses to . . .g6-sys- e-file (e.g., 9...Qxc3?! 10.Bd2
tems chapter I described how Qa3 11.0-0 Be7 12.Rel d5
the 150 Attack is still wiping 13.Ng5).
the floor with the Pirc. The one likely line where
4.Bf4! I do not recommend e4-e5
immediately is 4... g6 5 .e4
Bg7, when 6.e5?! Nh5 is no
pro mising for White. Instead,
the first player should play
6.Be2, giving him a very favorable
amalgam of the Barry
Attack and the 150 Attack.
5.e3
4...c5!
Practically anything else

lets White get a great game
by playing e4 and then e5!,
even against 4...c6 5.e4 Qa5,
White should play 6.e5!, for
he has nothing to fear from
194
The Old Indian and Other . . d6 Defenses
Black’s Knight on d7 which is generally accepted as

is poorly placed and all of giving White an advantage.
White’s pieces can look forward The variations below provide
to good posts. From two routes for White.
here, Black will likely play I give a novelty (4.Bf4) that
5.. .g6, at which point White works well in practice and a
is well off after 6.h3, protectingthe suggested route in the Old
Bishop against ...Nh5. Indian main line. Of course,
It’s no problem for White if the chief benefit of this alternative
Black goes after the Bishop over that shown in the
immediately: 5...Nh5?! previous subsection is that it

6.Bc4 Nxf4 (6...e6 7.d5 e5 integrates more tightly with
8.Bg5 is not as bad for Black, the rest of our repertoire.
but shows the inefficacy of his Another practical point in its
5th move) 7.exf4 gives White favor is that the Old Indian
very active pieces against an does not have a lot of early
opponent whose King is still branches to learn.
at least two moves away from 1.d4d62.Nf3 Nf63.c4
castling.
The Old Indian

When played against a
d4-player, the Black Lion is
nothing more than an effort
to transpose to the Old Indian
Defense: 1.d4 d6 2.c4
Nf6 3.Nc3 Nbd7 4.Nf3. Lion
players simply play the same
second move after 1.d4 d6 3...Nbd7
2.Nf3 as well. On a practical 3...g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e3
level, there are several ways transposes to our repertoire
to take Black outside his repertoire, KID variations. White can
but objectively speaking, also play 5.h3 without being
White is likely best served concerned about Black shifting
playing into the Old Indian, into a Grünfeld. (See The
195
Chapter 10
Bg5 Trick section of the KID a little more difficult for Black
Odds and Ends chapter.) to conveniently use the h-file
3...Bf5 is the Janowski that White will open for him.
variation, which is sometimes Note that 6...Nb6 7.a4 a5 is
played by strong players no real solution for Black,
against weaker ones to get as Whiw has effectively accomplished
them out of book. Tal used his goal and can
it many times. After 4.Nc3, continue with 8.g3 e5 9.Be3
Black can decide between with Rdl coming.
continuing in the Old Indian 4...g6 is far more common,
style (4...Nbd7) and switching and I like a move recently
to a KID type arrangement played by a few strong
with 4. . .g6. White should get players (e.g., Ftácnik and
a considerable advantage in Gustafsson), 5.d5! intending
both cases. Let’s take a look. Nd4. Note that after 4...g6
5.d5! Bg7 6.Nd4 Bd7, Black
has an inferior KID position.
His Bishop has been
11developed” to d7, where it
does more harm than good.
It blocks Black’s Knight from
d7 and could conceivably
block Black’s Queen from
supporting d6 at some later
point. 6. . . Bc8 might be wiser,
While White can do perfectly but it still leaves Black with a
well by simply pressuring position he would probably
the center along the not willingly choose from
light squares (g3/Bg2/Nh4), the start.
I prefer more devilish ways of If you’d rather no play
hamstringing Black: anything that even looks like
4...Nbd7 5.Nh4 Bg6 a KID, I recommend meeting
6.Qb3! threatens to take the 4...g6 with 5.Qb3 Qc8 6.h3
B/g6 and prevent Q-side castling, Bg7 7.g4 Bd7 8.e4, a promising
which will make it just line that has been played
196
at very high levels, including We return to the position

Eljanov-Volokitin, Russian after 3...Nbd7.
Ch (Sochi) 2008. That game
continued 8...0-0 9.Be3 Nc6,
when White would have had
a great game by simply castling
long. He has too much
control of b5 for Black to pose
any real problems for his King
in the near future. In the actual
game, Black pushed too

hard on the Q-side and White
had a substantial advantage 4.Nc3
after 10.Be2 a5 11.Qdl a4 4.Bf4 is a very good practical
12.Qd2 a3 13.b3 Nb4 14.e5 try, played for the same
Ne8 15.Ne4 c5?! 16.dxc5 reason as the 1.d4 d6 2.Nf3
Bc6 17.Qxb4. 15...Nc6 or Nf6 3.Nc3 Nbd7 4.Bf4! recommendation
15...Na6 is better, but White in the last subsection.
still has the upper hand. E.g., This should do very
15...Nc6 16.Bh6 f5 17.Bxg7 well in practice because Lion
fxe4 (17...Nxg7?? 18.Qh6; players focus their preparation
17...Kxg7?! 18.Ng3 with d5 on the Philidor defense
soon is dangerous) 18.Bxf8 lines. Indeed, the principal

exf3 19.Bxf3 Kxf8 and Black Black Lion repertoire manual,
has no advanced squares for The Black Lion: The Chess
his Knights other than the Predator’s Choice Against Both
distant b2. 1.e4 and 1.d4, has—its title
4...h6 gives Black’s Bishop notwithstanding—zero coverage
an escape square, but the of lines involving d4/c4
time used should let White outside a single game in its
get a good position by simple introductory chapter. All of
development. Indeed, after its analytic chapters focus on
5.g3 c6 6.Bg2 Nbd7 7.0-0, d4/e4/Nc3 lines.
White has an incredible score The reason I only claim
of 70%. 4.Bf4 as a practical weapon is
197
Chapter 10
that Black might find 4...c5 looks less artificial. Third, he

5.d5 Ne4! This allows Black can very likely play g4!? (with
to achieve a quite harmonious or without preparation by
setup by exchanging h3) with strong effect soon.
Knights on d2 (perhaps after We return to the position
...Qa5+) and then developing after 4.Nc3.
with ...g6 (or ...g5!?), ...Bg7,
and ...Nb6 or ...Nf6. I cannot
find any games where Black
found this over-the-board,
but it probably equalizes.
Much more likely
continuations:
4...c6 5.Nc3 Qa5 (5...

Qc7 6.h3 e5 7.Bh2 is good
for White, as Black’s Queen is
misplaced) 6.Bd2 is pleasant 4...e5
for White; This and the following
4...g6 gives White a good four moves by Black can be
version of the KID after he played in many different
plays h3 to guard against a orders.
later Nh5. 5.e4 Be7 6.Be2 0-0 7.0-0 c6
4...Nh5 5.Be3!? is an interesting 8.Qc2 a6
way to respond to I don’t think ...a6, ...b5
immediate harassment of the causes White any trouble,
Bishop. There are three important but it is the most common
ideas forming White’s plan, and the chief alternative
ensuing strategy. First, after (playing ...Qc7, ...Re8, and
Qc2 he will have so much then redeploying his pieces
control over the light squares by using the f8-square) is very
in the center that Black slow and White should get
cannot force ...e4 anytime a good game by playing h3,
soon. Second, he is looking Rfdl, and d5.
to coerce Black into ...exd4, I will be advocating a nonstandard
after which White’s Be3 move method of engaging
198
the text. Historically, White Black’s difficulties would
has either attacked immediately, largely be mitigated if he

trying to provoke weaknesses could afford to play an early
or stirring up trouble ...exd4. A Bishop on b7 and
with an early Bg5, or he has a Rook on e8 could then
given Black too much credit eventually combine forces
on the Q-side, working too against White’s e-pawn. Unfortunately,
hard to prevent an expansion with .. .c6 already
he can mostly ignore. played, this exchange tends to
I advocate a more relaxed expose Black’s d-pawn more
response. Black has precious than White’s e-pawn.
little space and will generally Thus, White has the luxury
be forced to fianchetto of choosing when to resolve
his Q-Bishop in order to the central tension. After developing
complete development. This his pieces, he plans
turns out to be a poor square to secure an advantage in one
for the Bishop for many reasons. of two ways:
It gets in the way of his • Play a well-timed dxe5
Queen’s later locomotion on to fix the center and inhibit
the a-, b-, and c-files, and it Black’s Queen and light-
will prove rather useless in squared bishop.
the long run if White can • Push his own Q-side
maintain a pawn on e4. pawns and target Black’s weak
soldiers in that quadrant by
either achieving an advantageous
b4/c5 versus b5/c6
pawn structure or by splitting
Black’s a- and c-pawns.
Enough chatter. Let’s look
at the details. We return to the
position after 8...a6.
Position after 9.h3 Qc7 1O.Be3 b5

11.a3 Bb7 12.Rfdl
199
Chapter 10
for a pawn: 19...Bd6

20.Rxd6 Qxd6 21.Nxc5, after
which White looks to invade
with Ra6.
9.h3!
While White is not concerned
about the coming
...b5, Black’s 8th move does
increase the annoyance of If those lines look a bit
...Ng4 because after, for example, sharp for your tastes, White
9.Be3 Re8 io.Rfdi also has a significant advantage
Ng4 11.Bd2 exd4 12.Nxd4 after simply 11.Na4.
Qb6, White no longer has 1O.Be3
the easy, strong response of
Bcl followed by Na4 because
Black’s Queen has a7 as a retreat
square.
9...Qc7
9...b5 10.Rdl will transpose
because 10...b4?! leads
nowhere good for Black:
11.dxe5 dxe5 (11...bxc3
12.exd6) 12.Nxe5 Qc7 (12...
bxc3 13.Nxc6 Qe8 14.e5±) White plans rn shut down
13.Nxd7 Bxd7 14.Na4 c5 Black’s Queen by keeping
15.Be3 Rfe8 16.Bf3 Rad8 the h2-b8 diagonal blocked
17.a3 a5 18.axb4 axb4 and by dominating the gl-a7
19.Qcl! threatens Bf4, e5, diagonal.
and prepares to sac the Exchange 1O...b5 11.a3 Bb7
200
White is mostly looking awkward time. Also, Bg5 pins

for the best time to play the Knight.
dxe5. As a general rule, White 13...Rfd8 14.cxb5 cxb5
should always consider this 15.d5 is a simple line giving
exchange as a response to White a significant
...Re8 because the Rook will advantage.
find itself blocked by fixed 14.b4
pawns on e4 and e5. Thus, we
assume Black delays committing
his Rook.
12.Rfdl Rac8 13.Racl Qb8
Even though Black has
completed development,
13...Rfe8 can still be well
met by the simple 14.dxe5
Nxe5 (14...dxe5? 15.b4!,
threatening c5, is very difficult
for Black.) 15.Nxe5 dxe5 Since Black has not committed
16.Nbl!?, planning Nd2 his f-Rook, White
whence it can easily go to either does best to avoid resolving
c4 or c5 (via b3), is quite the center. Instead, he
promising for White. should switch to plan B,
which involves either pushing
If White is waiting for Black his pawn to c5 or forcing
to play ...Rfe8 so he can exchanges that let him target
advantageously exchange Black’s pawns with a4.
on e5, why doesn’t Black just To give some idea how
play . .. Rfd8 instead? dire Black’s position is, consider
the only two examples
Black’s Rook on d8 can I can find of the position
give White extra tactical possibilities. in question, Ligterink-Janssen,
In particular, after Dieren 1984 and BenMenachem-Gruenfeld,
Black drops his Queen back Holon
to b8 and White pushes his 1986. In both cases Black
d-pawn, Bb6 can come at an chose to transform the game
201
Chapter 10
immediately, even though 20.Bxf7+ Kh8 21.Na2. There

it meant accepting a clearly are still plenty of pieces on
inferior position. I can only the table to make the isolated
assume both players saw the a-pawn hard to hold, and
looming difficulty that otherwise Black’s e-pawn is isolated as
awaited them. well.
In Ligterink-Janssen, Black FM Ben-Menachem instead
stopped White’s principal took with the Bishop

idea with 14...c5, but White first (15.Bxc4), which also
will rule the Q-side after gives White a big edge but allowed
15.d5!, planning Nd2. The his stronger opponent
game response, 15.bxc5 also to stay alive long enough for
works well since White will White to blunder.
be able to invade on the bfile
and Black’s b-pawn is still Wade Defense
under attack. 1 .d4 d6 2.Nf3 Bg4
In Ben-Menachem-Gruenfeld, The Wade Defense, named
GM Gruenfeld—playing for IM Bob Wade, has increased
down 200 points—went with in popularity recently
14...bxc4. owing to the publication
of An Explosive Repertoire for
Black by Yrjölä and Tella. GM
Julian Hodgson has been
honored by those authors by
having his name anached to
the variation as well. I recommend
dealing with this brash
move in a way reminiscent of
the Zuke ‘Em line against 1 .d4
Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3 Bg4. White
White has a straightforward will advance with h3, g4, h4.
route to a significant Note that after White has
advantage in 15.dxe5 dxe5 played c4, this early Bishop
16.Bxc4 c5 17.Qb3 cxb4 tromp (pun intended!) is
18.axb4 Ba8 19.Ng5 Qxb4 easily met by Qb3, covering
202
the Knight and hitting the bpawn toward diminishing White’s

at the same time. potential on the light squares.
3.e4 Black could then contest e4
In this variation White outright; moreover, once

does not have the option of ...d5 is played, it is generally
an early Ne5, which means harder for White to engineer
it is much easier for Black to the opening of the h3-c8
keep his Bishop on the table diagonal.
without immediate ruin. In
the Zuke ‘Em line, White plays

for a surgical strike based on
an immediately compromised
pawn structure. Here,
White is looking to activate a
larger portion of his army for
warfare across the board.
The one thing I would
stress about this entire variation
is that White is most concerned 3...Nf6
about keeping control 3...Nd7 is sometimes
of d5 and eventually pushing played with the idea of getting

his d-pawn to that square. In in an early ...e5. The
many critical or natural lines, problem is that an early ...e5
much of White’s strength lies does not pose any problem
in the utilization and dominance for White. It is the e4-square
of the light squares. He that Black can conceivably
will have a powerful Bishop gang up on with moves like
on g2 or h3 and Black’s light- ...Bh5-g6, ...Nf6, and ...d5.
squared Bishop will soon be After 3...Nd7 4.h3 Bh5
in the box. White would like 5.Nc3 e5 6.Be3, White has
to use the hl-a8 and h3-c8 historically played this position
diagonals as well as (if possible) rather conservatively
the e4-square. Should with Be2 and 0-0, but I
Black manage to play ...d5, propose meeting the typical
he will have gone a long way 6...Ngf6 with the untried
203
Chapter 10
7.Qd3! Be7 8.dxe5 dxe5 (8...

Nxe5 9.Nxe5 dxe5 10.Qb5+±)
9.g4 Bg6 10.g5 Nh5 11.h4,
and Black will need to castle
because otherwise Bh3 and
0-0-0 put more pieces on d7
than he can handle.
4.h3Bh55.Nc3e6
5...c6 should transpose
after 6.Qe2.
6.g4 Bg6 7.Qe2 From the diagram, White
had a better chance to convert
his advantage by focusing on

Q-side expansion. Instead
of the game move, 14.h4,
White should play 14.c4 Nd7
15.Be3 and he can advance
his b- and a-pawns as well.
Note that White’s Bishop
on g2 plays a double role in
helping White dominate d5.
7...c6 In addition to attacking it
By far the most common directly, i also prevents (or
atemp by Black o counter at least heavily complicates)
White’s onslaught. The second • . .b5, which would otherwise
player covers b5 and d5. be a natural way for Black to
It is irneresfing o see what get a better grip on d5.
happens if Black bravely plays Very few players have brazenly
...d5 himself immediately: played 7...d5!?. A more
7...d5!? 8.exd5 Nxd5 9.Nxd5 common variation from the
Qxd5 10.Bg2 Qe4 11.Nh4 text is 7...a6?!, preparation
Qxe2+ 12.Kxe2 c6 13.Nxg6 for b5 thai is no rn be recommended
hxg6, as occurred in the GM because the pawn on
rumble Cebalo-Dizdarevic, a6 does nothing to help Black
Pula 2000. prepare ...d5. White has a
204
simple plan of g5, Nh4, Nxg6, a Queen, and a Knight all

h4, and then playing d5 as pointed at that sector, Black
soon as possible to liquidate would be crushed.
Black’s e-pawn. This makes
it much easier for White’s We return to the position
pieces to invade. (E.g., 8.g5 after 7...c6.
Nfd7 9.Nh4 Be7 10.Nxg6
hxg6 11.h4 b5 12.d5.)
Why does Black have to

exchange his e-pawn? Why
not just lock up the center?
White’s central space

lets him place his pieces on
squares that allow quick entry
o both wings (e.g., Be3, Qf3, 8.h4h5
Be2). To really lock White 8...h6 is also common.
out, Black would probably White can continue attacking
have to play 8...Nh5 or else after 9.h5 Bh7 10.g5 hxg5
White will eventually open 11.Nxg5, planning to push his
the h-file with h5. d-pawn unless Black pushes
The problem then is that his own. (The one exception
the Knight is rather trapped is that 11. . . Bg8 reduces
on h5 so long as White keeps pressure against e4, allowing
f4 guarded. With a Rook and White to castle long quickly
a Knight locked up on the with 12.Be3 and 0-0-0.)
K-side, Black would have no 9.g5 Nfd7
hope of defending his Q-side 9...Ng4?! 10.Nd2 forces
after White switched his attention concession in view of f3.
there. With the center 1O.Bh3
locked up, Whfte can connect This is the most common
his Rooks with Kd2!?, open choice, but several other reasonable
the a-file, and double up. moves exist. The position
With two Bishops, two Rooks, is full of possibilities.
205
Chapter 10
1 O...Be7
Black’s problems are

clearly no over. One idea thai
has not been esed much bu
looks quite strong is for White
to push d5 while he still can,
and use e4 after the exchange
on d5: 11.d5 cxd5 12.exd5
e5 13.Be3 0-0 14.Nd2!? Na6
(14...Bxc2 15.Qxh5 increases

Black’s problems more
than White’s.) 15.0-0-0 Qc7
1 6.Nde4.
Notably, the position

after 14...Na6 was reached
in Damljanovic-Hodgson,
Cacak 1996, bu White went
for 15.Nb3 instead.
206
Part 4
The Dutch
Cliapter 11
Introducing the Dangerfield Attack
IIf Dutch.
you areAfter
a class-level
spendingplayer,
so muchyoutime
probably hatethe
studying facing the
typical
lines of your main opening, you find yourself staring down
at that silly pawn on f5, knowing your opponent knows his
opening better than you do.
Time to make your opponent an alien on his own
planet.
The Colle-Zukertort possesses several appealing qualities.
The “double-barreled” system I propose for meeting the
Dutch Defense shares several of those qualities.
• Against many Dutch setups, White has a particular configuration
to aim at.
• There are plenty of tactics, but they are generally thematic

and strategically motivated (so mere mortals like me
can find them).
• At the same time, the repertoire here should keep all the
fun on White’s side of the board. Black finds himself with little
in the way of counter-attacking options.
If you have ever found yourself matched against someone
proficient in the Dutch, you likely appreciate this last point.
Finally, like the C-Z, the system described here is offbeat.
In fact, “offbeat” is a mild term. It makes the rather syncopated
1.d4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.0-0 0-0 6.b4!?
look like a main line. No matter what manual your opponent
used for his repertoire, you can be reasonably confident he
will soon be out of book.
209
Chapter 11
Book Survey
Fundamentally, my system against the Dutch combines two
threats, hence the “double-barreled” adjective. First, White
hints at gaining fantastic piece placement by developing his
dark-squared Bishop to f4 and then opening up the other
with e3.
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3
Then, most of the time he will switch gears and aim for
a powerful K-side pawn fusillade. For example, a common
continuation is:
3...g6?! 4.h4
These two threats, actively placing both Bishops and storming
the K-side, complement one another. In the Dutch Black’s
standard antidote against a K-side pawn raid is to set up a
Stonewall formation, and thai is precisely what Black does not
want rn do against 2.Bf4! Indeed, Aagaard writes in his Dutch
Stonewall, referencing the position after 1.d4 f5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3
d5, “This version of the Stonewall cannot be recommended.
White’s fluid development soon leads to a dangerous initiative.”
The reason for his disapproval becomes clear after 4.Nf3
c6 5.Bf4, “White should not be allowed the luxury of bringing
out both Bishops.” In his summary he writes “Systems involving
e2-e3 are not a threat to the Stonewall player unless White
has already brought his Queen’s Bishop into play.” Aagaard
gives no suggested method to meet this contingency.
210
For this reason, I believe 2.Bf4 is vastly underestimated. It

is certainly not well examined in the various opening manuals.
A survey of recent books yields stunning results.
Book and Author Year Pgs

Dutch Defense by Christiansen and Silman 1989 1
The Dutch for the Attacking Player by Pedersen 1996 1/2
The Dutch Leningrad by McDonald 1997 0
Dutch Stonewall by Aagaard 2000 0
Classical Dutch by Pinski 2002 1
Understanding the Leningrad Dutch by Beim 2002 0
Play the Classical Dutch by Williams 2003 0
Starting Out: the Dutch Defense by McDonald 2004 0
Leningrad System by Kindermann 2005 ¼
Win with the Stonewall Dutch by Johnsen et al. 2009 4
Dangerous Weapons: The Dutch Palliser et al. 2009 0
I’ve estimawd the coverage in what I hope is a fair manner.

Johnsen, Bern, and Agdestein give 1 .d4 e6 as a repertoire
line. For the Zukertort player, this means you are going to be
playing 1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bf4, so I counted coverage for those
lines. Similarly, Pinski only spends 1/8 of a page on 2.Bf4, but
two or three variations he gives in various annotated games
land in our repertoire by transposition, so I included that coverage
in the staisics. Lastly, though Aagaard spends 1’/2 pages
describing how Black should no contemplaw the Stonewall
after White plays Bf4, he doesn’t provide any guidance for
what Black should do, so I indicated 0 pages for his book.
Many of these books treat lines where White plays Bf4
later, bu there appears a decided tendency to omit move
orders thai allow White to use the double-barreled plan.
For example, several manuals give coverage of 1.d4 f5 2.Nc3
with Bf4 coming later, but with that move order much of the
fizzle has escaped from White’s standard method of punish211
Chapter 11
ing a Stonewall played against Bf4. The c-pawn is blocked.

Similarly, Kindermann spends four times as much space on
1.d4 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 g6, as he does on 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4, bu
the Knight on f3 turns out to be misplaced as it blocks the
Queen’s access to the K-side.
The Move That Gets No Respect

Rodney Dangerfield built a career on the catchphrase “I
get no respect.” The authors of books written from the Black
side of the Dutch have some pretty harsh words for 2.Bf4. In
one of his books McDonald makes a blanket statement that
any development using e3 rather than g3 is “completely harmless,”
and evidently does not consider Bf4 worth even a line of
discussion. Pinski uses precisely the same phrase, “completely
harmless,” to refer to the same setups. Kindermann is particularly
unabashed in his disdain. In one place he speaks of how
“Bf4 has little to recommend it,” and in another he groups it
with a collection of odds and ends upon which he casts the
aspersion “I would not recommend a single one of the White
ideas in this section.”
Yet Kindermann’s suggested antidote to an early Bf4 is

hopeless, saving Black from the fire only by transporting him
to the frying pan. He recommends 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6
4.h4! h6, allowing Black to close the K-side should White
play 5.h5, but this gives White both an enduring attack and
fantastic position so long as he knows the key, one-move
refutation.
212
White to play and eviscerate
Do you see how White can exploit the vulnerability on g6

created by Black’s 4...h6? (See next chapter for details.)
Only Aagaard and Johnsen et al. give much respect to this

line, the latter giving several variations where White achieves
without any suggested improvements for Black. It is likely no
coincidence that their books focus on the Stonewall variation,
which they do not recommend Black adopt against Bf4.
Some of the invective ladled upon Bf4 can be attributed
to the tendency of authors to favor the side from which their
book is written. These are all books written from the Black
side of the board, so it is not surprising to see negative sentiment
concerning uninteresting side variations they hope the
reader never actually has to engage.
However, these authors have been kind enough to describe
the problems they see in an early Bf4, so it is appropriate to
discuss these as well as the move’s virtues. We shall do this in
the next two sections.
Bf4’s Supposed Vices

Contempt for Bf4 is commonly justified by referencing three
shortcomings:
1. The Bishop is vulnerable to attack by ...h6 and ...g5.
213
Chapter 11
2. Developing the Bishop in this way is inconsistent with

White’s desire to fianchetto his other Bishop.
3. Black’s thematic ...e5 comes with tempo and practically
guarantees equality.
Hold on a sec. Why is Bf4 “inconsistent” with fianchettoing

the light-squared Bishop?
If Black plays ...d6 and White plays g3, there is not much
breathing room for a dark-squared Bishop on that wing.
Anyway, I contend these concerns lose significant potency
if White castles long, or at least retains the ability to do so.
White then welcomes the expansion of Black’s K-side pawns,
so the first point listed above is hardly a concern. It will, in
fact, seldom even be a reasonable plan to consider. Similarly,
the value attached to playing Bg2 depends on the assumption
that White castles short. In typical play, White attacks on the
Q-side while Black presses on the K-side. A Bishop on g2 helps
defend White’s King and also hinders Black’s Q-side development,
particularly in that Black has trouble safely playing
• . . Bb7. In our repertoire, however, lines with a Bishop on b7
are not particularly troublesome, especially as they leave e6,
f5, and g4 with less protection.
With regard to the third point, Black has by no means
solved all his problems once he plays . . .e5. Indeed, the pawns
on e5 and f5 are high-maintenance and can be real liabilities if
White castles long. To see an example of this, consider a typical
position suggested by Pinski (via transposition) after:
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 d6 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3 0-0 7.Qc2
Qe8 8.h3 Nc6 9.a3 Bd8 10.0-0-0
214
After 1O...e5 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Bh2, Black’s pieces are tied

down defending his e-pawn. White has a free hand to prepare
standard opposite-castle operations: Kbl, Rgl, perhaps Nd2
(to safeguard e4) and/or Be2 (sometimes needed to defuse
tactical threats against the Knight on f3 after g4).
Bf4’s Virtues
So, what does Bf4 have to commend it? Several things.
We have already mentioned how a Bishop on f4 dissuades
Black from establishing a Stonewall setup, and the pressure
on c7 and e5 is obvious. There are two more nuanced points
worth noting.
First, Bf4 allows White to play e3 with a clear conscience,
opening a transportation lane for the Queen. For example,
many books grudgingly discourage Black from using the line:
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6
215
Chapter 11
And now the continuation mentioned above, 4.h4! Bg7?!

5.h5, is very dangerous. Kindermann suggests that 4...h6 is
the antidote. But it does not save Black, as we shall see later.
Second, Black’s flexibility is limited by the moves he makes
while White is playing Bf4 and e3. For example, after 1 .d4 f5
2.c4 e6 3.Nc3, Black can play 3...Bb4. However, if White’s
move order involves playing Bf4, e3, and Nf3 before c4 and
Nc3, Black will either no longer have the option of playing
...Bb4 (e.g. 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 d6 5.c4 Be7
6.Nc3) or will have at least already moved his dark-squared
Bishop once (e.g. 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.c4
0-0 6.Nc3). Actually, my official recommendation in the latter
case involves not allowing Black to pin a Knight on c3 even at
the cost of the tempo. Playing 6.Be2 is preferable.
Why a New Response to the Dutch?

Players who use the lines suggested in the first volume
of Zuke ‘Em likely have A Killer Chess Opening Repertoire by
Summerscale and Johnsen, and it is reasonable to question
the time required to learn a new system. Obviously, only the
reader can determine this. If you like playing the system in
AKCOR and are comfortable with it, your study time is probably
better spent elsewhere. That said, certain concerns are
worth mentioning.
Summerscale’s recommendation, 2.Bg5, is a strong move.
Unfortunately, because of its strength, there is now a good
deal of theory known. Right now it appears the wind is at
Black’s back in the main line:
1 .d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6 3.Nd2 Bg7 4.e4 fxe4 5.Nxe4 d5! 6.Nc5 b6
7.Nb3 Nh6!
216
If your opponent is building his repertoire from a book

published after 2003, he probably knows this continuation,
which looks very good for Black. It is frustrating to know your
theory solidly as White and still get the worse position!
If you want to keep playing 2.Bg5 as your solution here, I
would instead suggest the somewhat simplistic:
1 .d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Bxf6 Bxf6 6.Qd2!?
From here White can castle long, play e3, and then get
down to business with h4. I’d be happy to play the White
pieces in that position.
White’s 3rd move has been recently criticized as looking
poor after Black plays an eventual d5, but if you are aiming
at the line given above, you should end up at pretty much
the same place if Black continues 3...d5 4.h4 Bg7 5.Nf3 Nf6
6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Qd2.
217
Chapter 11
If you are going to play these lines as White, be psychologically

prepared for 1.d4 f5 2.Bg5 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.h4 Bg7 5.Nf3
c6!? 6.Qd2 Be6 7.Qe3 Bf7 8.h5 Nd7.
This and similar positions have occurred several times in

strong competition, and Black can get a Q-side pawn storm
brewing very quickly. Be warned! Indeed, we will be aiming
for a much improved version of this in this book.
Unfortunately, a less easily addressed problem occurs in
the Dutch Deferred (1 .d4 e6 2.Nf3 f5). If you currently use
AI<COR’s recommendation, 3.d5, then I suggest you take a
long, hard look at what happens when Black shows no rush
to recapture his pawn after 3.. . Nf6 4.dxe6 d5!
Igor Naumkin has played this as Black several times with

success. The good thing is that you can find another response
to 1 .d4 e6 2.Nf3 f5 while keeping 2.Bg5 as your standard way
218
of meeting 1 .d4 f5, should that be your aim. In our repertoire,

there is no need to learn a separate line for 1.d4 e6.
219
Chapter 11
220
Cliapter 12
The 2-hour Dangerfield Attack Primer

ne nice thing about using the C-Z’s basic ideas. After
the Colle-Zukertort these opening fifty pages or
as the basis for a repertoire so, I told readers to close
is that you can build up your the book and just go play a
opening book one theme bunch of games so they had
at a time, using the C-Z as an idea of the challenges the
a backup when confronted rest of the book was meant to
with lines whose solutions tackle. Seeing the solution to
you have not studied (or a stubborn problem has more
have forgotten). Unfortunately, value to someone who has
many players become struggled with that problem.
complacent in their opening, Learning the basic ideas
never actually getting around and tab iyas of an opening and
to learning antidotes to the then playing it in a bunch of
various anti-Colle systems. I skittles games is good psychological
believe this has contributed priming. It helps you
greatly to the Colle’s poor better grasp the significance
reputation among club players of analysis seen later. Plus, it
— too often its practitioners adds enjoyable punctuation
never assimilate ripostes to the sometimes dull task of
to critical lines and play the learning a chess opening.
Colle against everything their I have attempted to do
entire lives. something similar in this
But I digress. Because the chapter. You should be able
Colle-Zukertort has this feature, to achieve promising positions
I started Zuke-’Em with using the Dangerfield
a handful of chapters describing attack after investing just
221
Chapter 12
120 minutes in studying this Nimzowitsch’s Krause Variation.

chapter. For deeper analysis See Dutch Odds and Ends
on each variation, see the chapter for both.)

appropriate chapters in the • If he plays ...Be7 without
Further Analysis section of the having already played
book. ...b6, he is probably playing
a Classical, but could switch
Four Standard Defenses to the Fianchetto setup. In
Black typically uses four standard theory he could still opt for a
setups against an early Stonewall, but it is unlikely.
Bf4. They are shown on the • If he plays ...d5, he is
next page. playing the Stonewall.
It is important for you to The rest of this chapter
learn immediately how to presents the basic responses
tell which setup Black is going to each of these setups. Due
for. Here are some useful to move-order subtleties,
guidelines: there are two separate lines
• If he plays ...g6 without for the Leningrad.
having already played
...e6, he is playing for a Stonewall
Leningrad. I don’t know of a single
• If he plays ...d6 without manual on the Stonewall
having already played that encourages Black to erect
...e6, he is probably playing it after White plays an early
a Leningrad, but he could Bf4, but it is still played frequently,
switch to the Classical. (It is even at high levels.
unlikely that he is pursuing a Perhaps C-Z players are not
Hort-Antoshin with White’s the only ones who become
Bishop on f4, for his Queen complacent with their favored
won’t be comfortable on structures.
c7 and he cannot favorably To the extent that Black has

push through e5. An early a plan against Bf4, he likely
...d6 might also be preparation imagines using the Bishop as
for ...h6 followed by a target. In particular, . . .Ne4
is a pos...g5, playing in the spirit of followed by ...g5
222
The 2-Hour Dangerfield Attack Primer
Stonewall Setup Classical Setup
Leningrad Setup Fianchetto Setup
223
Chapter 12
sible idea. It is just as likely I see how . . . Nbd7 increases

that Black will attempt to use his central influence, but
standard Stonewall methods, what about ...Na6?
hoping they work regardless
of the Bishop on f4. Two important points
Unless Black plays ...Na6 about . . .Na6: First, it threatens
or ...Nbd7 before committing . . .Nb4, which would fork
to . . . Ne4, I recommend the Queen on c2 and Bishop
White short-circuit this plan on d3. This means White normally
by lunging with g4! immediately has to spend a tempo
after ...Ne4. The best on a3 in response. Second,
move order is shown in the the Knight is not going to
next section. A typical position stay on a6. Black will move it
is shown below. to c7, whence it can go to d5
after Black plays ...dxc4.
So what should I do if Black

plays ...Nbd7or...Na6
earlier, before he has played
his Knight to e4?
Well, you could still wait

for . . . Ne4 and then play g4,
but it won’t be as strong.
How is White’s g4 at all However, these moves are
pretty uncommon and not related to Black’s Q-Knight?
without drawback. For example,
White has actually done . . .Nbd7 temporarily cuts
quite well by playing g4 immediately communication between the
after .. .Ne4 regardless Bishop on c8 and the pawn
of Black’s development, on e6, so White can often
but playing ...Na6 or ...Nbd7 resolve the middle favorably.
before ...Ne4 lets Black fight Spending three moves to
harder in the center. maneuver the Knight to d5
by way of a6 and c7 is rather
224
a waste unless Black plans to storm he is used to.

exchange his other Knight. In any event these lines
After all, if all Black wants are rare and should not be a
is a Knight on d5, he could problem for you. Let’s move
accomplish it more quickly on to the type of play you will
by simply moving his Knight face more often.
from f6 to d5 directly. It is unrealistic
to hope for Knights Sample Lines
on both d5 and e4 since any 1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
Knight on e4 is going to need 4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 c6 6.Nc3 Be7
double-pawn protection. Black can play 6...Bd6
In fact, normally the instead, which changes the
reason Black plays an early timbre of the game substantially.
Na6 is to support an energetic I recommend allowing
(or, depending on the Bishops to stare each
your view, chaotic) Q-side other down. Black is unlikely
pawn advance. For example, to want to exchange on f4
1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 since it opens up his e-pawn
4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 c6 6.Nc3 Be7 to attack. White has neutralized
7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Na6 9.a3 Black’s prize Bishop with
dxc4 10.Bxc4 b5?! 11.Bb3 b4 his bad one.
12.axb4 Nxb4 13.Qxf5 Nfd5 7.Bd3
has been played a couple of This is more accurate than
times to win the Bishop pair 7.Qc2. If Black plays 7...Ne4,

(e.g. 14.Qe4 Nxf4 15.exf4 White might decide this was
Rxf4! 16.Qe3 j16.Qxf4? not the best place for the
Nd3+j). But Black has gotten Queen. The Bishop belongs
the worse end of the bargain. on d3 to put pressure on f5.
Note that White might consider 7...O-O
13.Qe2 or 13.Qd2 instead, 7...Ne4 8.g4!?
though strong players 8.Qc2
(including GM Matamoros White puts more pressure
Franco) have played the text, on f5 and, more subtly, prevents
which is much less likely to tactical issues where
give Black the K-side pawn Nxc3 might come with tempo
225
Chapter 12
as an in-between-move. Finally, Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 c6

it puts an additional 6.Nc3 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2
defender on c3 in case Black Ne4 9.g4!? Na6 10.a3 Nxc3.
plays ...Qa5.
8...Ne4
8...Bd7 9.h3 Ne4 10.g4

gives White an attack similar
to the text.
9.g4
How should White recapture?
Regardless of how White

recaptures, Black plans to get
a Knight on d5 by exchanging
on c4 and then playing
In addition to using the Nc7-d5. White has a variety of
g-file, White plans to overwork ways to continue. To illustrate
Black’s central pawns. the range, consider the following
two continuations:
Important Notes Continuation 1: 11.Qxc3

Much more detailed analysis dxc4 12.Qxc4 Qd5 (12...
is given in the chapter Nc7? 13.gxf5) 13.Qxd5 exd5
devoted to the Stonewall, but 14.g5!
here are a collection of important
points to know.
A key strategic decision
White often has to make in
this variation is how to recapture
on c3 if Black plays
...Nxc3. Consider the position
following 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4
226
The 2-Flour Dangerfield Attack Primer
White’s 15th move makes

it easier for him to keep his
Q-side pawns protected in
the event of ...Qa5. Since
the a-pawn is on a square the
Queen controls, White can
respond with Racl to protect
the pinned c-pawn.
White is once again very
much for choice in the diagrammed
Black is contained position, but Black
has natural ways of posing
White is ahead. None of counter-threats:
Black’s pieces have much to 15... Qa5 1 6.Rc lbS

do and White can build up 17.Bb3 bxa4 1 8.Bxa4 BxeS
pressure against Black’s King 19.NxeS c5;
or consider a minority attack. 15...a6 and an eventual
Yet, having exchanged .b5 once he gets a semi-free
Queens, the ferocity of White’s move.
attack is diminished. Computers would be
Compare this with continuation more than happy to have
2: 11 .bxc3 dxc4 such positions, and I imagine
12.Bxc4 Nc7 13.Rgl Nd5 most correspondence players
14.Be5 Bf6 15.a4! would be thrilled with at
least continuation 1, but I
propose a different strategy
for OTB play, one that limits
Black’s counterplay while
giving White both an initiative
and the objectively better
position.
In short, I recommend
that White prepare to simply
iop the Knight’s head off as it
Double-edged but moves through c7 by continu227
White’s edge is sharper
Chapter 12
ing 11.Qxc3 dxc4 12.Bxc4. to e5. This is a significant

concession, for it gives White
a half-open g-file without increasing
the scope of Black’s
light-squared Bishop.
White should be very
happy with both likely
continuations:
12...fxg4 13.Ne5 Nc7

14.Bg3 Nd5 15.Qc2 Bd6;
12...Nc7 13.Bxc7 Qxc7
White prepares Bxc7 14.gxf5 Rxf5 15.Ne5 c5
16.Bd3 Rh5 (16...Rf8?
How is Bxc7 related to 17.Qc2! g6 18.Bxg6+—)
White’s last two moves? 17.Be2 with Rgl and 0-0-0
to follow.
Killing the Knight as it The above discussion only

moves through c7 has one applies if Black has played
significant drawback: it lowers ...Na6. If Black has played
White’s control of e5 by ...Nbd7 instead, then White
two notches. First, White’s should recapture on c3 with
dark-squared Bishop is in the his b-pawn. This allows his
box. Second, Black’s Queen is Bishop and Queen to stay
now on c7. This means Black trained on Black’s f-pawn,
can conveniently pressure the which is temporarily weakened
Knight that comes to e5 with because the Knight on
...Bf6 or ...Bd6. d7 blocks Black’s Bishop
By capturing on c3 with from the f5-square. Moreover,
his Queen and then letting his doubled c-pawns can be
his Bishop take on c4, White used to good effect; often
keeps e5 under double protection. one is exchanged on d5 and
If Black wants to the other pressed up to keep
safely move his Knight to c7, Black’s Q-side contained. The
he’ll have to play 12...fxg4 general rule to use the Queen
first, sending White’s Knight to recapture on c3 if Black has
228
already played ...Na6 is also longer needs to use a move on

abrogated when Black has a a3. This puts White a crucial
Queen on a5. White does not step ahead in the tactics involving
want a Queen trade. the pinned e6-pawn
after 10...dxc4 (10...Na6?!
What if Black hasn’t moved 11.c5!) 11.Bxc4 Na6 12.gxf5
his Q-Knight or his Queen? Nc7 13.Bxc7 Qxc7, and White
Couldn’t he exchange on c3 can consolidate his material
very early, say after 1.d4 f5 advantage with 14.Ne5.
2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 d5 Black may pin the Knight
5.c4 c6 6.Nc3 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 on c3 with ...Qa5 or ...Bb4.
8.Qc2 Ne4 9.g4!?, and wait Seriously consider castling
to see how White recaptures short, especially when you
before planning how he are unable to maintain the
develops his Q-Knight? Knight while safely playing
Ke2. For example, after 1.d4
f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 d5
5.c4 c6 6.Nc3 Be7 7.Bd3 Ne4
8.g4!? Qa5, White should
play 9.0-0!! because 9.Qc2?!
Na6 cannot be met by 10.a3
due to the pin on the a-pawn:
10.. .Nb4.
What if Black captures before

developing his Q-Knight?
This is no solution at all

for Black because White can
just take with the pawn (10.
bxc3) and the b4-square is
now covered, meaning that White’s King is actually
after a later ...Na6, White no quite happy after 9.0-0!!
229
Chapter 12
Castling K-side may appear c3 Knight is sufficiently defended,

a huge concession, but so White does not
Black has a difficult time getting need to castle. However,

to White’s King. With his White can choose to do so
King on gl, White’s Queen and safely get an advantage
should be able to find an active, because the Queen is off-side.
safe post. For example, 11.0-0 Nxc3
12.bxc3 dxc4 13.Bxc4 Nc7
Illustrative Game 14.Bxc7 Qxc7 15.Ne5 Bd6
The g4-attack line of this 16.f4.
opening, unlike many of the 11...Nxc3+ 12.bxc3 Nc7
other ideas presented here, The Knight is hoping to
has been played several times get to d5, but White will not
with great success. let him.
1 3.Ne5!
Ivanov, Timur (RUS) — Guliev A good move that stops

Sarhan (AZE), Moscow 1995 Black from getting his Knight
to d5.
1 .Nf3 d5 2.d4 e6 3.c4 c6 13.Rhgl?! dxc4 14.Bxc4
4.Nc3 f5 5.Bf4 Nf6 6.e3 Be7 Nd5 and thep osition is sharp
7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Ne4 9.g4! but unclear. 15.gxf5 Nxf4+
16.exf4 Qxf5 17.Qxf5 Rxf5.
1 3...Ne8
14.Nxc4 drops 13...dxc4?

the Knight.
1 5.gxf5 exf5 14.Rhgl Nd6
16.c5
This is our thematic responseto...Ne4.
9. ...Na6 10.a3 Qa5 11.Ke2

Standard and good. The
230
l6...Ne8 Nf6 20.Bxf5) 20.Qb3 (20.

16...Ne4 is perhaps an Bxf5? Bxe5) 20... Bxe5 21. Bxe 5
overly pessimistic effort at Qd8 22.Ragl Rf7 23.f4 and
cutting his losses by only White has easy ways to continue
dropping the exchange after attacking the K-side.
17.Bh6 g6; 1 7...Qd8
16...Nf7! lets Black get Better was 17. . . Bf6, giving
rid of White’s Knight. This is White a choice between allowing
important because the Knight his influential Knight to
controls f7, where Black will be exchanged or (via 18.Bxf6
eventually need to put a Rook. Nxf6) handing Black’s steed
In addition to supporting g7, some very nice squares.
vacating f8 is a good idea l8.f4
because then Black does not
have to worry about dropping
the exchange after Bh6.
1-lowever, White still gets
a good attack after 16.. . Nf7!:
17.c4 (17.Nxf7 Rxf7 18.c4
Be6 19.cxd5 cxd5 20.Rabl
Bf8 21.h4 is also good.) 17...

Nxe5 18.Bxe5 Bf6 19.Bd6
(19.cxd5 Bxe5 20.dxe5 cxd5

and Black might survive) 19... This is solid play, preserving
P17 20.cxd5 cxd5 21.Rabl. the attack and limiting
17.Bg5 Black’s counter-attack. I like
17.c4! makes the f5-pawn it more than exchanging on
a costly foot soldier. Keeping e7, bringing the Queen to
it doubly-protected without a useful defensive square.
playing ...g6 is just too difficult. However, using the h-pawn is
17...Kh8 (17...Nc7 a more dynamic choice. It has
18.cxd5 Nxd5 j18...cxd5 more attack power but leaves
19.Rxg7+ Kxg7 20.Rgl+j Black’s f-pawn unimpeded.
19.Bh6) 18.cxd5cxd5 19.Rg3 18.h4 Kh8 19.c4 Nf6
13f6 (19...g6? 20.Rxg6; 19... 20.cxds cxd5 21.Rabl hoping
231
Chapter 12
to clear some more squares

for his Queen. 21...b6 22.cxb6
axb6 23.Nc6 Qc7 24.Nxe7
Qxe7 25.Rxb6 f4 shows how
Black can mix things up.
From here, 25...a6 probably

poses more of a challenge
than simply forfeiting
the a-pawn after Qa5. Black
has trouble meeting all the
Returning to the actual various threats.
game after 18.f4: In particular, Black’s Bishop
1 8...Bxg5 and c-pawn are both
White’s Knight is very hard overworked. The Bishop has
to displace after this exchange. to cover f5 and d7 while the
He turns out to be a very potent c-pawn has to defend d5
piece. Black’s game is no while stopping the c-pawn’s
longer tenable, and his position forward march.
deteriorates. This means that cxd5 is
19.Rxg5 Qf6 20.Ragl b6 a pretty tough move to face
20...Be6 contests the important unless Black keeps the Knight
a2-g8 diagonal, but on c7, which is why the
White can target the Q-side. a5-square is a powerful post
21.c4 Nc7 22.Rxg7+ Qxg7 for the Queen. The Rook on
23.Rxg7+ Kxg7 24.Qbl Rab8 f8 has to swing back and forth
25.Qb4! and White’s Queen as it works to protect both
can rapidly cause threats on the Knight and King: 26.Qa5
both sides of the board. Rfc8 27.Qel Rf8 28.Qg3+
Kh8 29.cxd5 Nxd5 30.Qh4
Rf6 31.Bc4 Rbf8 (31...Nc3+
232
The 2-1-lour Dangerfield Attack Primer
32.Kd3 Ne4 33.Bxe6 Rxe6 g6?? 27.Bxg6 hxg6 28.Nxg6+)

34.Qh5 Rf8 35.Nd7) 32.Bxd5 27.Bxe8 Bxe8 28.Rxg7.
cxd5 (32...Bxd5 33.Nd7) 26...Bb7 27.h4
33.Qel with Qa5 and Qc7 The plan in the last note
in mind. was still available.
21 .Qa4 b5 22.Qa5 Kh8 27...Qe7 28.h5 Qd8?
23.R1 g3 Kg8 24.Kd2 Black’s position was loathsome,
White opens a highway but this cure seems
for his Bishop, but he could worse than the disease.
also cause problems by simply 28...Rf6 gives some hope
playing a4. of defense, though White has
24...Kh8 25.Be2 Qe6?! an easy time getting a winning
advantage by hitting on
the Q-side with 29.Be2.
29.Qxd8 Rxd8 30.h6 Rf6
31 .hxg7+ Kg8 32.Bh5 h6
33.Bf7+ Rxf7 34.Nxf7 1-0
Classical Setup
If Black views Bf4 as a mistake,
he might simply go about his
normal play, assuming that
This allows a kill shot, but ...e5, when he gets it in, will
there is no satisfactory solution be that much better. White
to the pressure against should play along at first but
g7 and h7. then zig to the left (castle
26.Bf3? long) when Black expects him
White can practically end to zag to the right.
things here by threatening a White’s move order is dictated
key defender of g7. by a desire to keep Black

26.Bh5! Bd7 (26...Qe7? from playing ...Ne4 with
27.Bxe8 Rxe8 28.Rxg7 Qxg7 advantage. White will cover
29.Rxg7 Kxg7 30.Qc7+ is mate e4 with Nc3 and Qc2, but he
in 9; 26...Nf6 27.Bf7 Ne4+ has to make sure he can get
28.Kcl Qf6 29.Ng6+; 26... both of these moves in before
233
Chapter 12
Black can land his Knight on level of play, the likelihood

e4. In this line, White would of Black even considering this
rather not exchange Knights sacrifice is small, but it is a
on c3. Thus, White should formidable idea.
only play Nc3 if he can satisfactorily 9.exf4 d5 1 0.Be2 Nc6
take immediately Black has two chief threats.
on e4 should Black respond He is hitting the undefended
with ...Ne4. d-pawn, and he can easily attack
the f-pawn with ...Qd6
Howdolknow whether or ...Qf8.
White can “satisfactorily” 11.Nb3 a5 12.a4 Bb4+
take immediately? 13.Kfl
To get a feel for that question,

it is best to look at the
most straightforward case:
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf63.e3 e6
4.Nf3 Be7 5.c4 0-0 6.Nc3?!
Ne4!
Is the pain worth the Exchange?
Black is now assured of

reasonable chances.
He can heap threats as his
pieces become very active. He
plans ...Ne7, . ..Nf5, ...Bd7,
7.Nxe4 fxe4 8.Nd2 Rxf4! ...Bd6, and then either ...g5
This is the issue. Black or activating the Queen with
can set up a powerful central ...Qe7 or ...Qf6. White can
pawn mass and develop retain his material for a long
quickly by targeting White’s time, but that does not mean
pawns. Depending on the he has any advantage.
234
For those willing to brave White’s control of e5. White

the dangers of this variation, just has to prepare f3, and he
I give analysis and a suggested should come out ahead.
plan in the Further Analysis Let’s look at an example
chapter for the Classical where Black has played ...d6
Variation, where I also discuss early, which ends up ceding
the benefits one can derive by the immediate activity he
taking this semi-gamble. needs to make the Exchange
You can glean from the sacrifice work.
above that White can satisfactorilytakeone4
aslongasany 1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6

of the following are true: 4.Nf3 e6 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3 Ne4
• Black has not castled. 7.Nxe4 fxe4 8.Nd2 d5
• White has moved his
Bishop from f4.

• White is one move away
from castling and Black has
not already played ...Nc6 or
‘15
In the last case, White is
one move ahead of the critical
line and can castle after
Black uses a move on ...d5.
9.Be2 0-0 10.0-0 Nc6
I’m a little unclear about 11 .Bg3!
something. Can’t Black just e3-pawn was T h e
always secure the pawn on overworked.
e4 by advancing his d-pa wn? 11. . . Bg 5
Temporarily stopping f3.
Unless Black gets immedi- 1 2.Qc2
ate activity or can pose critical White’s simple solution is
threats, the wall of pawns you to get his Queen to c3. This
refer to ends up hindering is the correct route. 12.Qb3?
him more than they trouble Nxd4 exploits the pin on e3.
his opponent, largely due to From here, White will
235
Chapter 12
play Qc3 and f3 to obtain an must, however, be patient!

advantage. For example, 12...Nb4 must
Now let’s look at the most not be met with 13.Nxe4?,
common lines you will meet when 13... Qg6! puts White
if Black adopts this setup. in a spot. See analysis chapter
for details.
Sample Lines Black could break from his

1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf63.e3 e6 plan and try to exploit White’s
4.Nf3 Be7 5.c4 0-0 curious move order with
Ne4 or. . . Bb4+ at some earlier
point, but White should have
no problem getting a comfortable
advantage due to the loss
of time.
7.Nc3
White is one move from
castling, and Black has not

played ...d5 or ...Nc6, so
White need not be concerned
6.Be2 with ...Ne4.
White avoids putting his 7...Nc6 8.Qc2 Qe8

Knight on c3 because 6.Nc3 This is a standard move
could be reasonably answered looking to support . . .e5 while

with 6...Ne4. also allowing for ...Qg6.
6. ...d6 9.a3 Bd8 10.h3
After 6.. .Nc6, a player using

our repertoire must postpone
Nc3 for quite a while.
He would tuck his Bishop
into h2 with 7.h3 d6 8.Bh2
Qe8 9.Nc3. The aggressive
9...Ne4 1O.Nxe4fxe4 11.Nd2
e5 is met by 12.d5, and Black
will not be able to hold onto
the advanced e-pawn. White
236
White has kept his options

open on both sides of
the board. He has a solid grip
on b5 and e4.
10...e5
This is Black’s most consistent
response, and likely
his plan all along. Other
moves should not be hard to
turn to an advantage given

the flexibility of White’s White prepares to break open the
position. a2-g8 diagonal
While Black can play . . .d5
without immediate loss of We return to the position
material, the c7-pawn is likely after 10...e5.
none too thrilled about the
resulting position. Moreover,
advancing the d-pawn will
not grant Black’s Knight the
use of the e4-square as White
can break open the Q-side,
gaining a significant advantage
by combining threats
along the a2-g8 diagonal
and the c-file, augmented by
the spectre of a powerful d5 11 .dxe5 dxe5 1 2.Bg3
pawn nail: 1O...d5?! 11.Nb5 I prefer this placement
Qd7 (11...dxc4 12.Bxc7 a6 over h2, for it allows a later
3.Nd6 Qd7 14.Bxd8 Qxd8 Bh4.
15.Nxc4) 12.0-0 a6 13.Nc3 12...e4
Ne4 14.cxd5 Nxc3 (14...exd5? Black decides to remove
15.Nxd5 Qxd5?? 16.Bc4) the pressure on the e-pawn by

15.bxc3 exd5 16.c4. advancing it. Other moves are
possible, but they should allow
White to comfortably cas237
Chapter 12
tie iong, put his King on bl, squares. White wiii probabiy
and prepare g4. Biack’s position play Bh4 soon, threatening to
is not very nimbie with remove that key piece, but he
the high-maintenance pawns should delay this transition
on e5 and f5 and White not a bit. If Biack is going to apply
having already castled. This pressure to c4 (e.g., with
iast point does not speak to illusoryagiiity, ...Qe6) or transfer a Knight
12...a5 13.Rdl with ...Nfd7, White wants
ieaves White weii off; Biack’s to keep the other Knight
Q-side, vulnerabie. Consider pinned whiie he redeploys
the continuation 13...e4 his d-Knight to b3, whence
14.Nd2 (or White couid just it can support c5 and/or iater
grab the d-file with 14.Nd4 move to d4.
Nxd4 15.Rxd4 c6 16.0-0 The Rook on dl was aiready
Be6 17.Rfdl) Be6 15.Nb5 well placed, so White

Rc8 16.Nb3 Nd7 17.c5 Qe7 shouid resist the temptation
18.0-0 as an exampie. to try for Rooks on both the gand
1 3.Nd2 Ne5 14.0-0-0 c6 h-files with 16.Rdgl?! It
15.Kbl Bc7 is unlikely that Black is going
to ailow White to easily open
both files, and the centrai
influence White already has
is not worth the gamble. For
example, consider 16.Rdgl
Be6 17.Bh4 Rd8 18.g4 Qf7
19.gxf5 Bxf5 20.Bxf6 Qxf6
21.Ndxe4 Qe6 22.Kal Ba5!
Black’s last move is a preemptive
measure against
16.Rhgl White bedeviling his Q-side
White positions his Rook pawns with Qa4 (e.g., 23.Qa4
before determining the best Bxc3 24.Nxc3 Bd3 25.Qxa7
place to put the dark-squared Bxe2=).
Bishop. The Knight on f6 Compare this to the
covers e4 and g4, two criticai same continuation foiiow
238
r1he 2-Hour Dangerfield Attack Primer
ing 16.Rhgl, where this expedient Nope. White’s dark-

(22...Ba5) is dodgy squared Bishop can capture
owing to the mutual tension the f-Knight or (in case Black
down the d-file. plays . . . Rad8) pin it. This not
only reduces Black’s coverage
of g4, but also imperils
Black’s e-pawn. To see an
example of why Black should
not be eager to capture on g4,
consider the continuation
16...Be6 17.Bh4 Kh8.
Position after 22. . .Ba5
in the 16.Rhgl variation
After 23.Rxd8, recapturing

with the Bishop obviously
puts Black back on his heels,
but recapturing with the Rook
can land him in trouble because After 18.g4 fxg4 19.Bxf6
his back rank is no longer Rxf6 20.Ndxe4, Black is
as secure (e.g., 23. . . Rxd8 struggling.
24.Qa4 Bxc3 25.Nxc3 Bd3 Of course, these lines
26.Qxa7 Bxe2 27.Qxb7! Qd7 are just meant to give you
[28...Rd7? 29.Qb8+j). an illustrative example. In
general, the lesson is that
That’s interesting, but—on White should care about both
a more basic level—I want the center and the K-side.
to confirm something. Black Many times, it won’t matter

currently has four men — White will double up on
lined up against g4. These the g-file regardless of which
g4-lunges are intended as order the Rooks arrive. Unless
gambits, right? the center is closed, or
239
Chapter 12
you are certain you can close Leningrad deferred (1.d4 f5

it, I would suggest restraint, 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 4.Nf3 g6)
keeping one Rook available instead. However, the more
for central play. direct line has come back into
prominence. We address the
Important Notes 3...g6 Leningrad in this section
After having played Qc2 and and the 3.. .d6 4.Nf3 g6
Nc3, you should play a3 before line in the next.
h3 if Black has played Black started playing
...Nc6. Otherwise, play h3 3...g6 more regularly once
first. Preventing tactics involving the continuation 4.h4! h6
...Nb4 is more important came of age. However, I have
than guarding against a response that kicks Black in
...Nh5. the teeth. Given how common
If you do not want to the Leningrad is, you

mess with the problems concerning should be pocketing quite a
...Ne4, you might few points in this variation.
consider an earlier h3/g4 When you bash out 1.d4
thrust. Unfortunately, you f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3, your opponent
really need to embark on this will likely think you
before playing c4, for you will are keeping your Knight on
often want to play Bc4 in the gi so that your Queen can
aftermath. The standard line access h5. There is certainly
would be 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 something to this. 3...g6?!
3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.h3 0-0 4.h4 Bg7 5.h5 Nxh5? 6.Rxh5
6.g4!? has claimed more than one
high-level scalp. However,
Leningrad there is a second point to
The Leningrad used to be keeping the Knight on gi. The
considered Black’s best way Queen does not have to go to
to punish White for playing h5 to be useful. If Black plays
Bf4, but then people noticed an early ...h6, the g6 pawn
the strength of 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 becomes pretty shaky. In particular,
Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.h4! Opening the threat of White’s
manuals began suggesting the Queen going to g3 via f3 has
240
a rather paralyzing effect on 5...d6 6.Qf3!

Black.
Let’s see why.
Sample Line
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6
4.h4h6
4...Bg7 5.h5 Nxh5 6.Rxh5

is quite dangerous. Black
does not have to take on h5,
though. After 5.. . d6 6. Bc4!,
he has a terribly difficult The Queen paralyzes
time developing. White will Black’s position. Both Bishops
eventually play h6, kicking are tactically frozen (6. . . Bg7?
the Bishop back to f8. But 7.Qg3), and 6...Nbd7 leaves
until he does so, there is the the e6-square weak (7.Qg3
threat of Qf3-g3. Black has Rg8 8.Bc4).
to develop in ways that keep 6...Nc6
this potential line in mind. This shields b7 and is
White can naturally develop probably Black’s best. There

with Nc3 while maintaining are many dangers for Black
this threat (the Nc3 covers e4 in this position. For example,
in case Black responds to Qg3 6...c6 looks like a reasonable
with ...Ne4). move, shielding b7 and
5.Nc3 preparing to put a pawn on
White keeps his intentions d5. After 7.Bc4 d5 8.Qg3!,
shrouded. White would it is clear Black’s problems
be fine playing 5.Qf3 immediately, have not disappeared. Since
but I prefer waiting a 8...dxc4? loses to 9.Bc7
move, hoping Black will play (9...Qd7?? 1O.Qxg6#), Black
5...Bg7?!, allowing 6.Qf3! d6 should go with 8...Rg8 or
(6...O-O? 7.Qg3 endangers c7 8...Be6!?, but White still has
and g6) 7.Qg3 Kf7, which is an advantage due to his greater
even worse for Black than the activity and the hole on
line shown here. e5. However, White should
241
Chapter 12
not msh to put a piece there. 5.h4 h6. Indeed, you may be
That weakness is not going able to get away with such
anywhere. things against someone you
7.0-0-0 e6 8.e4 are certain plays the Leningrad
I cannot imagine anyone and only the Leningrad,
wanting to play Black here. but I cannot recommend it.
The above is just one of While ...d6 is typically
several possibilities, but in all a Leningrad move, it is also
cases White should have the eventually played in the Classical
easier time. variation, and after 1.d4
f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 4.Nc3
Important Notes e6, White’s c-pawn is stuck
In addition to the importance behind a horse’s rear. Feel
of getting Nc3 on the free to play this line if you
table, it is worth pointing out are happy meeting the classical
that White has little to fear without having played
from ...Nh5, which can fork c4. It isn’t a bad setup for
White’s Bishop and Queen White, but it doesn’t really
after Qg3 comes down. The mesh with the themes of our
Queen can just move back to repertoire.
f3, where she is happy to stay. I advocate a more explosive
White probably would prefer line instead — an early
to develop his Knight to h3 c4-c5-thrust that chips away
or e2 anyway, planning on at the h2-b8 diagonal while
playing Bh2 and Nf4. allowing White to exploit the
weakened a2-g8 diagonal as
Deferred Leningrad well. White is targeting the
In the last section, I said that squares all beginners eye:
...d6 is the best response to c7 and f7. Black’s defense
1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6 is complicated by the open
4.h4 h6 5.Nc3, which might a2-g8 diagonal and the easily
lead you to believe that 1.d4 opened d-file. The former
f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 can be practically guarantees Black’s
met with 4.Nc3, aiming for King will not stay on g8 to
transposition after 4...g6 protect the f7-square. The lat
242
ter can lead to Black’s Queen, Black does best to play

a natural defender of c7, being this now. He will have to
traded off. move his King once a Bishop
or Queen gets on the a2-g8
Sample Line diagonal. Efforts to stop
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 this (...d5; ...Be6) fare badly.
4.Nf3 g6 The one exception to this is
4...c6 heads for the HortAntoshin. 7.. . c6, aiming to shore up the
5.c4 Nbd7 6.Nc3 a2-g8 diagonal in exchange
Qc7 7.c5 is a good start for for interring his own Bishop.
White. After 8.cxd6 exd6 9.Qb3+ d5,
4...Nc6 should be met White’s pieces enjoy much
with 5.c4, allowing for a transposition greater freedom. See illustrative
to the Classical line. If game.
Black switches gears with 5... 8.Bc4 dxc5
h6, White would do better to This is Black’s best play.
ignore the threat of . . .g5 than The pawns Black would like
to react to it. Black may be to move are the ones supporting
hoping for 6.h4?! Ng4!?, looking d6. Also, by taking on c5,
to push through . . .e5. ...Nbd7 will come with tempo
See Dutch Odds and Ends against the undefended
chapter for more coverage on c-pawn.
both these lines. 9.dxc5 Nbd7
5.c4 Bg7 6.Nc3 0-0 7.c5 Black may wish to seriously

consider 9...Qxdl+, though
it is an obvious concession of
the middle file and leaves c7
without a defender.
9...Qxdl+ 1O.Rxdl
Nbd7 11.Bxc7 Ne4 (11...
NxcS 12.Bd8) 12.Nxe4 fxe4
13.Nd4 NxcS 14.b4 Nd3+
15.Bxd3 exd3 16.Rxd3
should give Black insufficient

7...Kh8 compensation.
243
Chapter 12
1 O.c6!! the fact that there is no longer

a ...b5 to come with tempo
against the Bishop.
From here, White will
soon castle and pair his
threats along the two indicated
diagonals with an occasional
feint at an h-pawn
march. Black’s weaknesses are
not going away. White should
neither hurry nor lose his
White obtains many benefits focus on the c-file pawns and
from this pawn sacrifice. the f7-square. He should not
First, it indirectly helps him be afraid to trade off Black’s
with his Queen placement. good pieces (e.g. 1O...bxc6
He would generally like to 11.0-0 Nb6 12.Qb3). Just
put his Queen on b3, but he play smart chess.
often has to put her on a3
or b4 to stop an annoying Illustrative Game
...Qa5. With the c7-pawn This game between evenly
buried, that is not happening matched 2200s shows how
any time soon. Second, White might proceed if Black
he won’t have to worry about takes drastic measures to
defending his c-pawn anymore. shore up his position. White
Third, the c7-pawn is gets a great position but then
now fixed for attack whereas slips.
otherwise it could advance to
get off its dangerous home Tschann, Stephan (GER)

square. Fourth, White’s c-file —Vingerling, Marcel (NED),
just got a good deal more Oberliga Baden 2001
powerful, having received
isolated doubled pawns. 1 .d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6
Fifth, Black’s Q-side expansion 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bf4 d6 6.e3 0-0
is not only slowed by the 7.c5 Kh8
doubled c-pawns but also by
244
squared wall, a3 is a great

square for the Queen.
1O...d5 1 1.h4 Nh5
11...Ne4 does not dissuade
the h-pawn march

because White does not fear
...g5. It must be admitted,
/ though, that White’s best
course of action after 12.h5
g5 is unclear. If White is looking
8.Qb3c6 for a safe advantage, 13.h6
Black is better off exchanging Bxd4! 14.Bxg5 Bf6 15.Bxf6+
before pushing the Qxf6 1 6.Nd4 is likely his best
c-pawn. This leads to a position bet, though even here Black
where his light-squared could go in for the speculative
Bishop has some freedom. piece sac 16...Nxf2?!
The text leaves his pawn on If White is more of the
d6 weak. double-edged type, he might
8...dxc5 9.dxc5 c6 10.Qa3 prefer either of the following
(10.Bc4?! Qa5! equalizes) promising lines:
10...Be6 11.Rdl Nbd7 12.h4 13.Nxe4 gxf4 14.Nd6 fxe3
offers Black more play. This 15.fxe3 Nd7 (15...a5 16.0-0-0
line is the main reason I propose b5 17.Nxc8 b4 18.Qa4 Bh6!
playing 8.Bc4 first. j18...Qxc8?! 19.h6j 19.Kbl
9.cxd6 exd6 1 O.Qa3 Qxc8 20.Bd3 Bxe3 21.Qc2)
Nudging the Queen to a3 16.Bd3 Qe7 17.Kd2! Rf6
is often a concession White 18.Nxf5 Qxa3 19.bxa3 Bf8
makes to stop Black from 20.g4 Bxa3 21.g5!;
invading with ...Qa5, as in 13.h6 Bxd4! 14.Nxe4
the note to Black’s 8th move. (14.Bc7!?) gxf4 15.Neg5 Bf6

Here, though, it is meant to 16.exf4 Re8+ 17.Kd2 Kg8
pressure Black into playing 18.Bd3.
...d5, which is inconsistent 12.Bd6
with his seventh move. Once
Black has erected his light-
245
Chapter 12
17.Nd3!? a4 18.Be5 chips

away at Black’s defenses. Staring
down the Bishop on g7
is a common tactic in this
variation.
1 7...Nc7 1 8.Bxc7 Qxc7
1 9.Nfd3 a4 20.0-0
White’s Knights are much

better than Black’s Bishops.
12...Re8
12...f4!? forces White to
think because winning the
Exchange lets Black equalize
after 13.Bxf8?! Bxf8 14.Qb3
fxe3 15.fxe3 Ng3. Instead
13.e4! lets White continue
to cause problems. Even with

White’s King in the center,
Black should not be goaded 20...Bf6 21 .g3 Kh8 22.Kh2
into opening the center: Rg8 23.Qc5 Be6 24.Racl
13...dxe4?! 14.Nxe4 Re8 Raf8 25.Nf4 Bc8?!
15.0-0-0! with ...Nfg5 to follow. Black sacrifices a pawn to
Instead, he should prefer focus on his K-side attack.
13. . . Re8 14.0-0-0 Bg4 1 5.Be2 25...Bf7 holds the pawn
Qc8 16.Rhel, but now the but blocks Black s Queen
threat of a passed e-pawn is away from the g-file. White
added to White’s arsenal. can consolidate by getting
1 3.Ne5 Kg8 1 4.Be2 a5 his Queen to e2. For example,
15.Bxh5 gxh5 16.Ne2 Na6?! 26.Ned3 Qe7 27.Rgl Ra8
16...Nd7!?, trading off 28.Qc2 Qe4 29.Qe2.
the Knight and, more importantly, 25...Bxe5?! looks like it
preserving his Bishop wins a pawn, but allows White

on g7 is better. to infiltrate with 26.dxe5
17.Nf4?! Qxe5 27.Qe7.
246
26.Nxd5 Qg7 27.Nxf6 Rxf6 in the mainline Dutch are

28.Qc2? irrelevant.
White underestimates Dutch Defense manuals
Black’s attack. 28.Nd3 makes generally assume White will
it very hard for Black to proceed castle K-side. The rare exception
in his K-side enterprise. to this involves White
28...f4 29.exf4?! playing c3, Nbd2, and Qb3.
29.Rgl fxe3 30.fxe3 Qf8 Instead, I’m proposing a
31.Rg2 allows White to retain setup based on Nc3 prepared
an advantage. with a3. White’s basic plan
29...Rxf4 30.Qe2? is to develop his Q-side and
I suspect there was some then bash out h4.
time trouble here.
30.Ng6+! hxg6 31.gxf4 Sample Lines

Qf6 32.Qc3 Qxh4+ 33.Kg2 is 1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
still slightly better for White. 4.Nf3b65.a3
30...Rxh4+ 31.Kgl Bf5 This prepares Nc3 by taking
32.Rcdl? away the possibility of
Loses on the spot. Bb4.
32.Rfel would let White 5... Bb7 6.Nc3
struggle on. 32... Be4 33. Qxe4
Rxe4 34.Rxe4
32...Be4 33.Nf3 Qg4 34.Rd3

Qh30-1
Fianchetto Variation
A couple of books suggest
Black abandon the normal
Dutch configurations and

adopt a Q-side fianchetto
setup. This makes a certain 6...a6
amount of sense because Probably the smartest
White has not played Bg2, so play. Securing b5 against a
many of the dangers Black Knight invasion not only
faces after fianchettoing makes the c7-pawn more
247
Chapter 12
comfortable but also allows Advancing the b-pawn is certainly

for a future ...Bd6 should reasonable, but Black
Black desire to go that route. should probably only push
7.h4! it once (to b5) until White
Even though Black has actually castles long. Most
not castled, White should still importantly, Black’s Q-Knight
push forward. is difficult to develop. Playing
7...Be7 it to c6 allows a very powerful
Unless Black plays .. . Bd6, d5 while . . .d6 (making a hole
he won’t be developing the on d7 for the steed) leaves e6
Bishop elsewhere any time terribly weak. Furthermore,
soon. 7.. .g6?! is quite impolitic since Black will have to respond
due in part to the weakness to Ng5 with ...Qd7,
on c7. Black’s Queen has pushing the d-pawn fails to
to leave it to prepare defense give the Knight an exit anyway.
against a later Qxh5+. For example Pushing the a-pawn to
8.h5 Nxh5 (8...gxh5? a5 (to allow ...Na6) not only
9.d5! threatens to open the gives White the b5-square
d-file while blocking the but means Black cannot play
long diagonal) 9.Rxh5 gxh5 ...b5, which he generally likes
1O.Ng5 Qf6 11.d5! to use in response to Bc4.
8.h5 0-0 9.h6 g6 1 0.Qd2 From the diagram, White
is hoping to provoke one of
three responses from Black:
1. Black allows a Knight
exchange on e4, and then
recaptures with the f-pawn:
This closes off the Bishop
on b7 and allows White to
dance his Knights around on
the K-side and develop his
light-squared Bishop without
This more or less begs concern over g2. In particular,
for ...Ne4. It is hard to find the f4-square is often a good
worthwhile moves for Black. place for his Knight.
248
rfhe 2-Hour Dangerfield Attack Primer
2. Black allows a Knight to play for a simple advantage

exchange on e4, and then by exchanging on d6 and
recaptures with the Bishop: then fighting for the central
White should look to play on light squares with c4/Nc3/
the K-side with Rh3-g3 and Bd3 (this means Black has to
Ng5. White will likely play play ...d5 soon if he is going
f3, shove his King into f2, and to play it at all). If Black plays
then break open some space ...d5, I think you can still get
on the Q-side to put, further a K-side pawn attack going
pressure on Black s King with h4. Otherwise, just expand
along the a2-g8 diagonal. on the Q-side and castle
3. Black takes on f3: White short.
can then use the g-file. However, there is no

need to play such a tame
Important Notes line. White can interpose his
Given the problems Black has Knight with Ne5 and still
developing, he may be well work for a K-side attack after
served by simply playing an developing. For example 1 .d4
early ...Bd6. However, this f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 b6
will certainly not seem like a 5.a3 Bd6 6.Ne5 Bb7 7.Nc3
natural move. Stonewall players 0-0 (7...Nc6 8.Nb5; 7...a6
will often play . . . Bd6, but 8.h4) 8.h4.
in their lines this allows for
recapturing with the Queen.

It is highly unlikely your
opponent will play ...Bd6
in this variation because he
must do it before Nc3 to
avoid being hamstrung (1.d4

f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 b6
5.a3 Bb7 6.Nc3 Bd6? 7.Bxd6
cxd6 8.Nb5). Should Black

play an awkward, early ...Bd6
before you get Nc3 on the
board, you might just want
249
Chapter 12
250
cIpfr 13
Dutch Odds and Ends
provoke h4, weakening g4

This chapter contains coverage
of various odd lines so he can later play ...Ng4 to
that did not fit well elsewhere. help push ...e5. The key plan
We discuss three defenses: for White is to play h4-h5 as
• The Krause Variation long as he has not already played
(Black attempts to push ...e5 c4. With c4 available to his
with an early ...Ng4). Bishop and g6 available to
• The Hort-Antoshin setup his Knight (secured by the
(Black attempts to push ...e5 pawn on h5), White is more
with the support of a Q/c7). than happy to allow Black to
• A delayed Stonewall expand with ...e5, expecting
(1...d5, 2...e6, 3...f5). that he can benefit from the
opening of lines afterward.
The Krause Variation Hence, our repertoire
The Krause Variation, move order poses a greater
named after Orla Hermann challenge for those wishing
Krause, a contemporary of to play the Krause effectively
Nimzowitsch, has recently because we tend to delay c4
received some attention in a bit. If Black adopts a move
literature devoted to offbeat order that delays . . .Ng4 until
lines. Nimzowitsch appears after White has played c4,
quite enthusiastic about things can get interesting.
the defense, and discusses 1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6
it in his Blockade (recently 4.Nf3 Nc6
republished). 4...h6 5.h4 allows White
Black’s plan is to play to play h5 before Black has

...h6, threatening ...g5, to finished his setup:
251
Chapter 13
5...Nc6 6.h5 Ng4 7.Nc3 by playing ...d5 soon. The

e5 8.Bg3 and Black has text presses White’s advantage
achieved his space-gaining more and offers transposition
maneuver, but White has to lines White has presumably
natural ways to send pieces studied.
at Black’s K-side: Bc4 and 5 h6” ... ..
Nh4-g6 (or Ne5-g6 if Black’s 5...e6 or 5...g6 should

d-pawn moves). Furthermore, transpose to other chapters.
White can still comfortably 6.Nc3!?
castle on either wing. White allows Black to hit
Diverting the Knight with his Bishop, planning to use

8...exd4 9.Nxd4 Be7 does not the vulnerability of Black’s
work very well. After 1O.Bc4 Knight against him. This cuts
Bf6 11.Qd2 Nge5 12.Bb3, across the basic idea of the
Black has lost all ability to Krause because White has
contest the a2-g8 diagonal. not weakened g4, so ...Ng4
5.c4 (to prepare ...e5) can be met
Black has not divulged with h3.
his intentions, so White assumes Now h4 should be avoided,
he will transpose to because his own c-pawn
the deferred Leningrad or then stops White from dominating
the Classical Variation. Both the a2-g8 diagonal.
cases call for c4. White is still a while away
5.Nc3 is an okay alternative from castling, so he would
if White wants to keep prefer not to open up the
things quiet. He keeps c4 e-file. Black can exploit this
available for his Bishop and with 6.h4 Ng4 7.h5 e5 8.Bg3
threatens d5, so Black will exd4 9.Nxd4 Be7 1O.Nc3
likely play 5...e6. White can Nxd4 11.Qxd4 Bf6 when
then expand on the K-side Black has almost made it
with h4 and will get his back to equality.
Bishop on c4 or b5 with a 6...g5
pleasant position. However, 6...g6 just gives Black a
I think Black can manage worse version of the Leningrad
stodgy defense, for example Deferred Line.
252
Dutch Odds and Ends
7.Bg3e6 Qc7
This does not fully disnow
suade d5, but e7 is open
to the Knight, whence it bolwould
sters f5, which become
quite fragile after 7...Bg7
8.d5 Na5 9.Bd3.
8.Bd3 Bg7 9.d5 Ne7 1O.dxe6
Bxe6 11.Nd4 Bd7 12.Qb3
7.c5!?
Quieter choices are certainly

very good for White
as well. After 7.Be2 e5 8.Bg3,
White’s dark-squared Bishop
can cause a good deal of trouble
along either the h2-b8
or h4-d8 diagonal, and for
I believe it is safe to say the moment there is nothing
that Black no longer has a guarding e6, so Ng5 can be
safe place to put his King. strong.
The text is more direct,
The Hort-Antoshin though. It highlights the
The Hort-Antoshin is another danger to Black’s Queen
variation of the Dutch by punching at one of the
in which the second player attempts two pawns that separate her
to push . . .e5 through, from the Bishop on f4. Just
this time preparing it with as important, though, is the
...Qc7. Until Black plays vacating of c4 for White’s
...Qc7, White should play as light-squared Bishop.
though Black will transpose 7...Nh5
to the Leningrad Deferred. The only other reasonable
‘1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 move. 7...e5?! is naïve. After
4.Nf3 c6 5.c4 Nbd7 6.Nc3 8.Bg3, White has a simple
253
Chapter 13
plan of playing Ng5, cxd6, 1O.dxe5 Nxe5 11.Nxe5 Nxg3

and Bc4 (or Qb3). Black [11...Bxe5? 12.Nxe4+—] 12.Nc4
has no good way to address Nxhl 13.Nxd6+ Kf8 14.Qd4 is
this because his Knight and very good for Whe) 1O.Bxe5
Queen are bound to protecting Nxe5 11.Nxe5 nets White a
his central dark pawns/ pawn.
squares and liquidating the 8.cxd6 exd6 9.d5 Nxf4
pawns in the center just exposes 1 O.exf4
his Queen.
An example of this idea
being executed is 7...e5
8.Bg3 g6 (8...Be7 9.Qc2 and
Black does not have time to
save the f-pawn because the

B/g3 poses too great a danger
to his Queen. [E.g., 9...g6
1O.Bc4! d5 11.Nxe5.j Thus,
Black is likely best served ceding
the pawn with 9...Nh5, White will enjoy better development
which gives him some compensation: over the next few
1O.Qxf5 Ndf3.) moves, and he can put quick

9.Ng5 Be7 (9...Bg7? 1O.Ne6) pressure down the e-file. Furthermore,
1O.cxd6 Qxd6 (1O...Bxd6? it will be a long
11.Qb3 Rf8 12.Ne6) 11.Bc4, time before Black’s Bishops
planning Nf7. are more useful than White’s
8.. .Ne4?! is an interesting, Knights in the center.
though ultimately flawed, effort
at throwing sand into Delayed Stonewall
the cogs of White’s plan. The simple 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3
However, it allows White e6 can be surprisingly annoying
to defend his Bishop on g3 to meet for Queen’s Pawn
while capturing a piece with Game players, depending on
a later Nxe4: the rest of their repertoire. If
7...e5?! 8.Bg3 Ne4?! you are happy to play the orthodox
9.cxd6! Qxd6 (9...Bxd6?! QGD, then obviously
254
Dutch Odds and Ends
3.c4 works great because

3. . f5?! can be answered with
4.Bf4, and we are back to a
very pleasant Stonewall line.
If you play the London
System, you might be tempted
to simply play 3.Bf4, but
now 3...Bd6! is a stronger
response than in the various
Dutch chapters because . . . f5
has not yet weakened e6, so
after 4.e3 Bxf4 5.exf4, White
does not have a ready-made
target.
Given the above issues, I
think Queen’s Pawn Game
players who do not want to
play a QGD should opt for
3.a3!?, which leaves open Bf4
if Black continues with 3.. . f5
(or 3. . . c6) and will otherwise

likely transpose to the “strong
and saucy” (See Zuke ‘Em)
line of the Colle-Zukertort after3...Nf6
(or3...c5) 4.e3.
255
Chapter 13
256
Cliapter 14
1.d4e6 2.c4
After playing such an early

If that
your1.d4
repertoire requires
e6 be met with ...e6, White need be less concerned
2.c4 (rather than 2.Nf3, as about control of the
used throughout this book), central dark squares; Black
you may wonder how play is quite unlikely to attempt
after 1.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 differs ...e5 any time soon. This
from that following 1.d4 e6 means White can consider
2.Nf3 f5. delaying Nf3. Moreover, since
The short answer: not Black is not playing a Leningrad,
much. White does not need to
open a path for his Queen to

Black Plays a Dutch the K-side. Hence, White can
Main Line comfortably delay e3 as well.
Black is quite unlikely to This tack gains extra strength
adopt a Leningrad after 1... if Black opts for a Fianchetto
e6, and in two of the other line, for White can comfortably
major lines (i.e. Stonewall play g3! and obtain a
and Classical), our repertoire superior version of the Dutch
calls for c4 anyway, so play main line.
should transpose. Thus, the If White elects to delay
only significant difference either of these moves, he obtains
is that the line described in an ability he lacks in the
the 2-hour Dangerfield Attack typical Fianchetto Variation.
Primer against the Fianchetto To wit, he can play for quick
line is no longer available. dominance of d5 with a3
The good news is that White (preventing ...Bb4) and Nc3,
has even better options. combining with the c4 he
257
Chapter 14
has already played. We shall rest of the bold-text line

see how this tactic prevents here, because transpositions
Black’s more imaginative defensive are possible should you later
tactics, in particular decide to play Nf3. Also be
an optimally timed ...Bd6 warned that White should
prepared by ...a6. not always play for d5. You
The above considerations will have to think through
combine to give White multiple the tactics yourself to decide
ways to continue after whether it makes sense. For a
1.d4 e6 2.c4 f5, which we discussion of why d5 is often
now describe in more detail. a very strong move, see note
1.d4e62.c4f5 3.Nf3 to Black’s 6th
3.a3!? allows White to cut 3...Nf6 4.Bf4
out ...Bb4+ completely—a
virtue that should not be
underestimated—and accelerates
his play against d5, by

delaying both e3 and Nf3. If
you are looking for a dead-
simple line, this is as good as
the text. However, by playing
a3 so early, White invites all
manner of experimentation
should Black play the Classical 4...b6
Variation. You very well The text is extremely unlikely
may transpose to our repertoire because most Dutch
Classical Variation line Defense players know not to
(which also calls for both c4 fianchetto their light-squared
and a3), but be prepared for Bishop until after White has
Black to throw dust in your committed his own lightsquared
eyes, trying to prove that Bishop. But Black
a3 was a luxury you could may suspect White is avoiding
ill-afford. g3 because he has no understanding
Even if you choose 3.a3!?, of typical Dutch
I recommend studying the play, and in any event Black’s
258
1.d4 e6 2.c4
other responses allow White

to follow a natural path:
4...d6 5.e3 transposes to
line given in the FianchVariation the
etto chapter.
4...Nc6?! only makes
White’s eventual d5 stronger.
4...Bb4+ has been the
choice of most strong players,

but it has little bite because
there is no Knight to pin. 5.a3!?
While there have been several The text supports a d5-ini-
games played with the tiative that is my official
continuation 5.Nbd2, it is repertoire suggestion against
hard to find high-level games ...b6 for those using a 1.d4
between equally strong players. e6 2.c4 move order. It gives
The most recent I could White a clear theoretic advantage
find was Panzer-Lehmann, and coherent short-term
Budapest 1993. plan. It also allows him to

That game continued avoid the main line and uses
5.Nbd2 0-0 6.e3 b6 7.Be2 a strategy that has had very
Ne4 8.a3 Bxd2+ 9.Nxd2 Nxd2 good practical results.
10.Qxd2 Bb7 11.0-0 d6 12.b4 Still, two other strategies
Nd7 13.Rfdl Qe7 14.Racl are worth mentioning.
Nf6 15.Bg5 h6 16.Bxf6 Qxf6 White can simply transpose
17.c5 dxc5 18.bxc5 Bd5 to the line I mention
19.cxb6 cxb6 20.Rc7 Rfc8 in the Fianchetto Variation
21.Rdcl Qd8 22.Qc3 Rxc7 chapter in the note to Black’s
23.Qxc7 Qxc7 24.Rxc7, and move in the Delayed Q-side
control of the only open file Fianchetto section. Here that
gave White enough of an edge would mean playing 5.e3 Bb7
to win 17 moves later. 6.Bd3. Johnsen et al. give no
suggestions for how Black
We return to the position can equalize against this challenging
after 4...b6. line.
259
Chapter 14
A more aggressive option Bishop immediately, White

is for White to play 5.g3! will have plenty of rime to
and fianchetto his Bishop to prepare and push d5, likely
g2. A Bishop so placed typically followed by e4 with a substantial
poses significant tactical space advantage (e.g.,
problems along the long 5.g3 Bb7 6.Bg2 h6 7.0-0 [allowing
diagonal. Nc3 while avoiding
a pin by Bb4j 7...d6 8.Nc3
Earlier you said White Nbd7 9.d5).
shouldn’t fianchetto after Yet forsaking developmern
playing Bf4 because his and trying to blitz the Bishop
Bishop is short on squares is a dubious strategy. After
should it be targeted for 5.g3 Bb7 6.Bg2 h6 7.0-0 d6
attack. What is different 8.Nc3 g5?! 9.Bd2, White can
now? lock up the K-side with h4!
and retain fantastic control
Good memory. of the center. For example:

What is different now 9...Qe7 10.h4! g4 11.Nel!
is that we are already several
moves into the game and
Black has played ...e6 and
• . .b6. Black will need o play
Bb7 to stop discovered attacks
down the long diagonal
after Bg2, but with the Bishop
on b7, any movement of the
d-pawn will leave the e-pawn
weak, vulnerable to a well
timed Ng5 (normally after A more sane way to challenge
e4!?). This means Black will the Bishop is with . . .d5
need to play both ...h6 and and ...Bd6, brn this should
• . .d6 before he can even think give Whhe the bener chances
of hassling White’s Bishop. because if Black exchanges
Unless Black forsakes development Bishops, the Bishop on b7
and goes after the will likely be misplaced. Most
260
1.d4 e6 2.c4
of the time in such positions tion arising after 1.d4 e6

Black would rather have his 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bf4 b6 4.e3 Bb7
Bishop on h5, which is a long 5.a3 Be7 6.Nc3, Black can
traipse from b7. afford to play ...a6. Here,
though, 6...a6? is an instructive
We return to the position mistake because White
after our official suggestion: has played c4 instead of e3.

5.a3!? Now, Black is reeling after
7.d5!
5...Bb7
5...Bd6 6.Bxd6 cxd6 will is no knock-out
give White a superior position blow in the position, but

through simple development. White is ready to pounce on
This advantage will many good squares. First,
take different forms depending he is threatening to simply
on how Black chooses to play Qc2 and then Rdl. The
deal with the weak pawn on strength of Qc2 is enhanced
d6, but natural moves should by the new option of Nd4,
suffice to give White a pleasant and a possible gang-up on the
game. f5-pawn. Furthermore, White
6.Nc3 is threatening to play d6 at
White continues to delay some point. Should Black exchange
e3, preferring to contest the on d5, stopping White
central light squares. from opening the d-file, then
6...Be7 this threat of d6 becomes
In the Fianchetto VariaThere even stronger because White
261
Chapter 14
can play Bc4 either before or We return to the position

afterward. after 6...Be7
Of course, Black can stop
d6 more or less permanently
with ...d6, but that leaves e6
without any protection, making
Nd4 or Ng5 that much
stronger.
As a side note, d5 sometimes
also carries with it danger
to c7, especially if White
trades pawns on e6. After
Black recaptures (...dxe6), he After 7.e3 0-0 8.Be2, Black
can no longer block White’s begins to run out of natural
Bishop with ...d6. Also, in ways to improve his position.
some cases opening the d-file In particular, he doesn’t
allows a Queen exchange that have a good place to put his
leaves c7 without protection. Q-Knight since ...d6 leaves
There is less danger to c7 in e6 terribly weak, inviting either
this particular line because Qb3 or Ng5. Developing
Black has blocked . . .Nb5, but the Knight to a6 only makes
I thought it was worth pointing sense if Black plans to play
out. ...c5, but then d5 is quite
6...Ne4 appears shortsighted. strong.
One issue arguing After completing his development,
against this continuation is White should
that the strength of an eventual consider either an h-pawn

Qc2 is greatly enhanced march or opening lines with
because Black would like to c5!?, which can be particularly
support his advanced e-pawn strong after Qb3.
after 7.Nxe4 fxe4 8.Nd2 (with
Qc2 soon), but he does not Miscellaneous lines
want to let White open the after 1 .d4 e6 2.c4
c-file with the Bishop on f4 In addition to the mainline
and the Queen on c2. options, Black has two
262
1.d4 e6 2.c4
important minor options The English Defense

that often lead to Dutch 1.d4e62.c4 b6 3.a3
play: Keres Defense (1.d4 e6
2.c4 Bb4+) and the English
Defense (1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6).
If you play 1.d4 e6 2.c4, you
likely already have prepared
responses to these lines, but
it seemed appropriate to provide
some simple answers
that mesh well with the rest
of the repertoire.
In practice, Black almost
The Keres Defense always heads for the Dutch
1.d4 e6 2.c4 Bb4+ 3.Nd2 now, so White can transpose
to the line given in the previous
section.
White’s simple, and quite

successful, plan is to play
a3 after any reasonable 3rd
move.
263
Chapter 14
264
Part 5
Further Analysis
Cihlapter 15
KID After 9...Nxe5 Branch 1: Bg5-f4
This subtlest
for branch allows
the deepest
study. Black, if he knows
exactly what he is doing, can
fight for a long time before
conceding White an advantage.
I suspect, though, that
in most over-the-board play,
White will not have to wait
so long to come away with a

very good position. 12.Bg5 h6
Note: Even if you decide Black certainly doesn’t
to avoid this continuation, have to play this now, but
this chapter’s contents will he’ll have trouble developing
prove quite useful toward if he does not play it eventually.
understanding many strategic White can now target the
ideas and tactical motifs that h-pawn.
can arise in other branches, 13.Bf4
especially the second This is my repertoire recommendation,
branch discussed in the next but 13.Be3
chapter. may actually be stronger! I’m

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4d6 using the text instead because
4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 it allows fewer reasonable
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 continuations and is easier to
9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 Rxe5 study. After 13.Be3, Black has
11.e4Re8 the option of an early ...Ng4
(which makes less sense after
267
Chapter 15
the text) or ...Nd7 followed 13...Nd7

by a very early ...He5, perhaps 13...b6 14.Radl (threatening
followed by ...Qh4. e5) should transpose.
The text allows White to 14.Radl
potentially put a lot of pressure I prefer to play this move
on d6 and c7 (e.g., with immediately to avoid ...Be5.
c5, e5, Nb5, Radl, Qd2). This 1 4...b6
should dissuade Black from 14...Be5?! 15.BxeS is very
early complications. Plus Bf4 good for White no matter
invites a later ...g5, which how Black recaptures:
turns out to rather play into 15...RxeS 16.f4 Re8 17.e5
White’s hands. Nc5 (17...dxe5 18.f5! looking
Still, I would recommend to invade on the K-side light
that strong players willing to squares) 18.g4!? (18.Qcl,
simply play chess in advantageous to remove some of the edge
positions consider from ...Bf5, also works well,
13.Be3 instead. I don’t think when White threatens b4 or
any of the annoyances mentioned Nd5.)
above actually amount 15...dxe5 is met by
to anything even remotely 16.Qd2, and Black cannot
resembling equality for Black, meet all of White threats
but I would prefer to keep the (Qxh6, f4, and Bg4). Note
opening as thematic as possible that Black’s Queen has to stay
for those with limited near the c-pawn: 16...Qg5?!
study time or who desire to 17.QxgS hxgs 18.Nb5, and
gain an advantage through Black cannot defend against
thorough understanding of both the fork and the loss of
the position. the c-pawn.
If you do decide to use 15...NxeS 16.c5 with f4/
13.Be3 instead of the text, I e5 or cxd6/Nb5 to follow exploits
suggest following it up with the pin down the d-file
Radl as soon as possible, for to good effect.
this tends to maximize the 15.f3 Bb7 16.Qd2
advantage White gets should The h-pawn is under
Black play an early ...Be5. attack.
268
KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 1: Bg5-f4
1 6...Kh7 24.Nd3 Nxe4 25.Qg2 Bf6

16...g5?! is way too 26.Nf2 Nxf2 27.Qxf2 Qxe3
optimistic. 28.Qxe3 Rxe3 29.Rxf6 and
White will recoup his material
with interest) 22.fxe5
d4 (22...dxc4 23.exd6 Bxe4
f23...Qd7 24.Rf6j 24.d7 Re7
25.Bxc4, threatening, among
other things, Qc3 followed
by Rxf7!) 23.Bh5 dxe5 (23...
dxe3? 24.Bxf7+ Kg7 25.Qxe3
Re7 26.Qf3+—) 24.Bxf7+ wins
the Exchange.
No matter what Black Nor can Black avoid the
tries, it seems that White can problems in the last line with
always get f4! in with advantage 17.Be3 a5, stopping b4, because
so long as he avoids White can just push the
exchanging his dark-squared f-pawn immediately: 18.f4!
Bishop. Some continuations Nc5 (18...Bxc3 19.Qxc3 Bxe4
for illustration: 20.Bh5! is no solution for
17.Be3 Nc5 18.Nd5 c6 Black) 19.fxg5 Bxc3 20.Qxc3

19.Nc3 Be5 (19...Re6 20.b4 Nxe4 21.Qa3! hxg5 22.c5 and
Nd7 21.f4 gxf4 22.Rxf4) 20.f4 both captures lose at once
Bxc3 21.Qxc3 Nxe4 22.Qd3 (22...bxc5? 23.Qb3).
c5 23.fxg5 hxg5 24.Bh5. 17.Nd5
Ignoring White’s Knight

on d5 doesn’t work either:
17.Be3 Nc5 18.Nd5 13e5
19.b4 Ne6 20.g3 and White

can play f4 with advantage
after any reasonable reply.
White’s strength down the
d-and f-files defangs 20...
c6: 21.f4 cxd5 (21...gxf4?!
22.Nxf4 Ng5 23.Bh5 Qe7
269
Chapter 15
The Knight takes away discuss an annoying tactic at

e7 and f6 from Black’s major Black’s disposal.
pieces, making it even more Imagine the game continued
difficult for the second player 17...a5 18.Rf2 Nc5 and
to generate significant threats. White, anticipating ...Ne6

It also ties down Black’s played 19.Be3?!
Queen to defense of c7.
We have reached a key
position for this branch. I recommend
searing the position
shown above into your brain.
Some of the past few moves
could have occurred in a different
order, but the next several
moves demand precision
and a deep understanding of
the motifs involved should White played the right
help immensely. moves at the wrong time.
Rather than jump into Both Rf2 and Be3 turn out to
a bunch of different variations, be very useful in the coming
it is best to understand battle, but the first player has
the relevant moves each side overlooked the strength of
might use over the course 1 9...Be5!
of the next half dozen or so
moves. I’m assuming 19...Be5
...a5 and ...Be5 doesn’t just drop the
If I were to just begin discussing h-pawn...
the central moves to
each side’s plan, most of the Quite correct. 20.Bxh6?

variations would look a little Bxd5! 21.cxd5 Qh4, and
strange because they include White is choking on that
...a5, which does not appear dropped pawn.
to do anything to stop White
from getting f4 in. To avoid
confusion, it’s best to first
270
KID After 9.. .Nxe5—Branch 1: Bg5-f4
Don’t let this happen to you! And now Nf4 blocks
White temporarily from h6

It’s true that White’s Rf2 and Nc3 allows ...h5, which
made this sequence especially would have been a mistake if
bad, but the same idea can be played while White’s Knight
used, with more muted effect, was on d5 owing to Bg5! (We
in other variations after White return to this Bg5! idea again
retreats his Bishop to e3. later.)
White is not worse after
But there is no law that says 20...c6, but he has allowed
White has to take on h6. Black to equalize by getting
Can’t he just play g3 and ...c6 in without catastrophe.
Black will have to go back to
defend h6? And what does this have to
do with Black’s pushing his
Ah, there’s the rub. It’s a-pawn?
certainly true that White can
(and should) play 20.g3, Let’s look what happens if
but Black need not waltz his Black omits ...a5 and tries this
Bishop back to g7. Instead, he same idea: 17...Nc5 18.Be3
can play 20...c6! Be5?! 19.b4
271
Chapter 15
a front in the one region that

White is not dominating him:
the a-file.
If Black instead plays 17...

Nc5, I suggest allowing him
to get ...a5 in later. I think
this ensures a greater advantage
than trying to “exploit”
the imprecision with 18.b4.
White has to be careful that
After the Knight moves, he himself doesn’t get tricked
there is no longer any pressure after 17...Nc5. The best response
on e4, so White can play is 18.Be3.
f4 with a great position. 19...

Qh4 doesn’t save Black: 20.f4
Nxe4 21.Qd3 Bg7 22.Nxc7.
19.b4 followed by an immediate
f4 worked in this
line, but White would have
been fine after 19.g3 as well
because 19...c6 fails to solve
Black’s problems: 20.Nc3 h5
21.b4 Na6 22.f4 with f5 to
follow. We’ve already seen that
This idea would not work 18...Be5 doesn’t do anything
if Black’s Knight were secure good for Black here. 18...a5
on c5 because Black could will transpose after 1 9.g3 and
play ...Bxc3 followed by White is good after 18...c6
...Nxe4. 19.Nc3 Re6 20.b4.
So, the real value of 17... After 18...Ne6, White
aS is not preventing an immediate should continue with 19.Rf2.
b4. Rather, Black wants If Black plays 19...c5 to support
to prevent that pawn push ...Nd4, White can just
occurring at some later time. push his f-pawn immediately.
With 1 7...a5, Black also opens Any other move should allow
272
KID After 9.. .Nxe5—Branch L Bg5-f4
White to do well by playing Nope. Part of White’s plan

13f1, g3, and Bh3. involves enticing Black to
Alternatively, White can move his Knight from c5. The
play 19.Bd3, planningto tuck most direct way to do this is
his Bishop back to bi in the to at least feint at re-routing
event of i9...Nc5. This gives his Bishop from e2 to h3.
White a very pleasant position, This takes a few moves to accomplish,
but he cannot expect to but it should spur
be able to play f4 soon. Black to action. If White gets
Now we can move on to his Bishop to h3, his massive
consider the main offensive board control will furnish
and defensive moves without him time to give e4 the necessary
being distracted by questions added support. (Though
about ...a5 and g3. my guess is that, over-the-
board, Black is likely to take
Moves Central to desperate action should
White’s Main Plan White get Bh3 in, and White
White’s main plan is to should just exploit whatever
push his f-pawn to f5, where weaknesses occur consequent
he can exchange it to open to that.)
lines to Black’s K-side. This
plan does not require much Moves Central to Black’s

to execute: Bd3 and Be3. The Defense
former move defends e4, Black will mostly be fighting
which the f-pawn is currently with his minor pieces.
guarding. In some cases I think it is fair to say that
White may support this pawn virtually any move by Black’s
by routing his light-squared Queen or Rooks over the
Bishop to g2 rather than d3. course of the next several
moves is either itself a mistake
After ...Nc5, Black has or indicative of a previous
two pieces hitting e4, but one. Black’s basic defense
your plan only has White is to get his Knight to d4 (via

defending e4 once. Are you c5 and e6) and then play ...f5
proposing a gambit? in response to f4.
273
Chapter 15
An example line where Black’s Alternate

this defense works well is: Defenses
17...a5 18.Rf2?! Nc5 19.g3 Depending on White’s
Ne6 20.Be3 c5 21.Bd3 Nd4 move order, Black may find
22.f4?! f5. it impossible to stop f4 using
the Nc5-e6-d4 maneuver. For
example, after 17...a5 18.Be3
Nc5 19.g3 Ne6 20.Bd3, Black
cannot stop f4 via ...Nd4.
Black can withstand exf5
If White hadn’t played

Rf2, he could just lop off
the Knig h t with out . . . Bxd4 ...Nd4 doesn’t work here
pinning the Rook. I guess the

solution is not as simple as 20...Nd4 21.f4 f5 22.exf5
“don’t play Rf2”? gxfs? is terrible, not just because

White will win material
You are correct. Rf2 is actually after 23.Qf2 but because he
a useful move, though can use e6 as a transit point
White should not play it quite for attacking Black’s King unless
so early. It tends to work Black drops an entire Exchange
against White’s main plan, with 23...Rxe3!? This
but it can be instrumental might be preferable to 23...c5

in thwarting one of Black’s 24.Bxd4, after which Black is
alternate defenses, which we going to be hurting, notwithstanding
now look into. the Exchange he can
win pinning the Queen with
24...Bxd4. Following 25.BxfS+
274
Kg8 26.Rxd4 cxd4, White gets draw by playing his Bishop

a big advantage after either back to e2. A more aggressive
27.Qxd4 or 27.Qf3!? Bxd5 version is to wait until
28.Qg4+. White has actually played f4

Note that trying to establish before forking e4 and d3 with
Bishops of opposite ...Nc5. An example of this in
color with 24...cxd4 allows the above variation is 20...a4
White to grab the e-file with 21.f4 Nc5.
25.Bxf5+ Kg8 26.Bg6!
20...Nd4 21.f4 f5 22.exf5
Nxf5 23.Bf2 is quite pleasant

for White, who can continue
aiming artillery at Black’s
K-side with Qc2. In some cases
he can also play g4 soon.
The above variations show
some of the dangers Black can

face if he does not play ...c5
before ...Nd4. Here, though, Even though the e-pawn
he simply does not have is hit twice, White can still
time to get ...c5 in. White is push his f-pawn: 22.f5 Nxe4?
happy to see 20...c5 21.f4 23.fxg6+ fxg6 24.Qc2, and
Nd4 22.f5. White will end up with a significant
When faced with such a material advantage.
situation, Black can generally Instead, Black can play 22...
hamper White’s main plan Bxd5 23.cxd5 Nxd3 24.Qxd3
by keeping his Knight on e6 Qe7, and White can target the
and playing ...Nc5 at the appropriate f-pawn after 25.Bd4 Bxd4+
time. In the above 26.Qxd4 Qxe4 27.fxg6+ Qxg6
position, Black could play 28.Rf6.
20...Nc5 and White cannot
immediately push his f-pawn. White’s Tools Against ...Nc5

This is a rather laid-back version The defense described
of the strategy because above, where Black swings

White can essentially offer a his Knight back to ...Nc5 to
275
Chapter 15
douse White’s central play, and then play Bg5. So long as

is a general technique which White still has his Knight on
the second player may use d5, this can be very awkward
in various move orders and to meet.
variations. There are four key Since there are two uses
strategic resources White can for each Bishop, there are
use in the face of this defensive four possible combinations,
resource. Two of them but I don’t know of any line
concern White’s deployment where White is best served
of his light-squared Bishop by combining ideas 2 and 3.
and two concern the use of This is to be expected because
his other one. Consequently, idea 2 is all about board control,
White will tend to choose two and you generally want
of the four ideas, one for each to keep as many pieces on the
Bishop. board as possible if your opponent
1. White can drop his is short on squares.
light-squared Bishop back Each of the other three
to bi. There it maintains combinations gets its own
defense of e4 without being subsection. White often has
targetable by ...Nc5 (or, in multiple routes to advantage
some lines, ...b5 followed by in these lines, and the path he
...bxc4, drawing it away from takes will depend on which
defense of e4). combination of the above
2. White can play Rf2, ideas he wishes to rely upon.
the move that looked silly
earlier. This opens fi, allowing Combining Bbl and Bg5
the Bishop to move to h3 This combination occurs
(or perhaps g2), giving White less frequently than the

excellent board control. other two we will investigate,
3. White can exchange but it is still worth seeing an
dark-squared Bishops with example. Consider the continuation
Bd4, expecting to have the 17...a5 18.Be3 a4
better endgame chances. 19.Rf2 Nc5 20.g3 Ne6 21.Bd3

4. White can play h4 (if Nc5 22.Bbl.
necessary) to provoke ...h5,
276
KID After 9.. .Nxe5—Branch 1: Bg5-f4
plan. A key line showing

these two working together
is 17...a5 18.Be3 a4 19.g3
Nc5 20.Kg2 Ne6 21.Bd3 Nc5
22.Bbl.
Black can play22...h5?! to

allow his King to move back
to g8. He might be wanting to
move his Knight from c5 and
looking for ways to remove
the sting from f4. The text A key position if White plays
qualifies, for his King is no an early Kg2
longer on the bl-h7 diagonal.
Secondarily, the f7-pawn From here, White intends
is now no longer completely to play Bd4 and exchange
defenseless. White should Bishops. An exception must
respond with 23.Bg5, expecting be made against ...c6, after
23...Qd7 24.Nf6+ Bxf6 which White plays Nb4 with
25.Bxf6 Qe6 26.Bc3! Notably, a good game.
26...Qxc4?! is just asking for To see an example of how
trouble. After 27.g4!, White’s White can proceed in such a
Bishops and Queen pose Bishop-exchange line, consider
significant danger to Black’s the position after 22...
King. The immediate threats Ba6 23.Rcl Bb7 24.Bd4 Bxd4
are Qg5 and gxh5. 25.Qxd4 Bxd5 26.cxd5 Re7.
Combining Bbl and Bd4

This combination is a
good one to rely on if you are

looking for a simple, good
277
Chapter 15
Black. First, there are enough

pieces on the table that the
loss of real estate can be problematic.
Second, each side
will want to support its own
pawns with its Rooks. Black
will likely have pawns needing
support on both edges,
and supporting those will
split his Rooks and tend to
Why is White better? put them in less central posts
compared to White’s. This
Take a minute or two situation can be deleterious
to evaluate the above position. to the health of Black’s King,
What is White’s key who generally also needs to
advantage? stay centrally located to help
restrain White’s pawns.
First, White’s advantage If you want to use the
has nothing to do with basic idea of exchanging
the minor pieces. I’m a big dark-squared Bishops, this
believer in Bishops being position is important to
better than Knights in most understand. Not only is this
endgames, but there are lots variation useful to know, but
of pawns on the table and the underlying structure of
Black’s Knight should hold its the position is similar to what
own for quite a while. you can expect frequently if
The key to White’s end- you exchange dark-squared
game chances lies in his Bishops in these lines.
ability to advance his e-pawn Below I give games illustrating
and f-pawn. His temporary the ideas described
space and development advantage above. They are all from an
help considerably engine tournament I made
in this regard. There are two using 5 of the strongest
reasons White’s advancing engines available. The net
pawns cause problems for results for that tournament
278
KID After 9.. . Nxe5—Branch 1: Bg5-f4
were7winsforWhite, 1 win 48.Rfe3 Rd8 49.Ba4 Qh6

for Black, and 12 draws. In 50.Bc6 Nf8 51.Qel Qh7
each case I’ve chosen games 52.Qfl Qg7 53.Qf3 Nh7
where the engine playing 54.h4Kh855.b5Qh656.Qf2
White is weaker than the g5 57.Re4 gxh4 58.Rxh4 Rg8
engine playing Black. To save 59.Qd4 Rg7 60.Kfl Nf8 61.g4
space, I’ll truncate the games Kg8 62.Rxh5 Qcl + 63.Rel
when the result is a foregone Qc2 64.d6 cxd6 65.exd6
conclusion. Rxe 1 + 66. Kxe 1 Qb 1 + 67.Kf2
Qa2+ 68.Kg3 Ne6 69.d7
The first game we look at Qa3+ 70.Kf2 Qe7 71.Qxb6
shows how White’s advancing Q d 6 72. Q e3 Rxg4 73. B f3
pawns can suffocate Black. Qg3+ 74.Kfl Rd4 75.Qc3
Qf4 76.b6 f6 77.Qc8+ Nf8
Critter 1.2— Houdini 2.0 78.Rh8+ Kxh8 79.Qxf8+ Kh7
80.Qf7+ Kh8 81.Qh5+ Kg7
27.Rf2 Qh8 28.Qd2 Qe5 82.Qg4+
29.Rel Qf6 30.Ree2 Rb8
31.Re3 Qg7 32.b4 axb3 The second game shows
33.axb3 Ra8 34.Rfe2 Ra7 White sacrificing the Ex35.b4Nd736.Rc3Kg837.Qc
l change for a pawn. Notably,
Ne5 38.f4 Ng4 39.Qd2 Rd7 this exchange pulled Black’s
40.Rd3 Qal 41.Qel Qg7 d-pawn to the side, making
42.h3 Nf6 43.e5 Nh7 44.Qd2 it easier for White to advance
Ra8 45.Bc2 h5 46.Rf3 dxe5 his e-pawn.
47.fxe5 Re7
Rybka 3 (Dynamic) — Critter 1.2
27.Qf6 Rd7 28.Qc3 Qh8

Re7 30.Rc3 29.Qb4 Kg8
31.Bc2 h5 32.h4 Ra5 33.Rf2
Na6 34.Qc4 b5 35.Qd3 Nc5
36.Qd2 Ra8 37.Qe3 Qf6
279
Chapter 15
gxf5 37.Bd3 Kf6 f5 36.gxfs

Ra8 39.Bc2 Ra5 38.Ke3
40.Rbl Rb5 41.Rf2 Rb4
42.a3 Rc4 43.Rgl b5 44.Bbl
b3 46.Bbl f4+ b4 45.Ba2
47.Kxf4 RxdS 48.h4 Rh5
d5 50.Ke3 c6 51.Rg2 49.Rhl
d4+ 52.Kd2 Ne6 53.Bd3
Nf4 54.Rg4 Nxd3 55.Kxd3
Rc2 56.f4 Rxb2 57.Rhgl Rf2
39.Qxc5 58.Kxd4 c5+ 59.Ke3 Rc2 dxc5 38.RxcS!?
Rb8 40.Bd3 Qd6 41.Rc2 60.Kd3c4+61.Kd4b2.
42.RxcS b4 43.f4 QxcS a3
Kg7 44.b3 45.Kf3 f6 46.Ke3
g5 47.hxgs fxgs 48.Kd4 h4
49.e5 Rbe8 50.Rc6 hxg3
51.Rg6+ Kf8 52.Rxg5 Rf7
53.Ke3 Rg7 54.Bg6 Rd8
55.Ke4 Rgd7 56.f5 RxdS 57.f6
58.Kf5 Rh4 59. Rxg3 Rd4+
Rd5 60.Ke6 c6 61.Rg2 Rdl
62.Bf7 Rh8 63.Rg7 c5 64.Bg6
Rh6 65.Bh7 And now for an episode of Rooks
Gone Wild...
The third game illustrates

what kind of trouble Black’s 62.Rg6+ Ke7 63.Rg7+
King can get into with his Ke8 64.Rg8+ Kd7 65.R1g7+
Rooks split on the edges Kc6 66.Rg6+ Kd7 67.R8g7+
rather than in the center. Kc8 68.Rc6+ Kd8 69.Ra6
Rd2+ 70.Kc3 bl=N+ 71.Kxc4
Stockfish 2.11 — Rybka 4.1 Rc2+ 72.Kd3 Rc3+ 73.Ke2

27.Qb4 Qh8 28.Rf2 Kg8 RhcS 74.e5 Rc7 75.Ra8+ Rc8
29.Qd2 Ra5 30.13d3 Qd4 76.Rg8+ Kd7 77.e6+ Kxe6
31.Bfl Qxd2 32.Rxd2 Kh7 78.Rgxc8 Rxa3 79.Ra6+ Kf5
33.g4 Kg7 34.Kg3 Re5 35.Kf4 80.Rf8+ Ke4 81.Re6+ Kd5
280
KID After 9. . . Nxe5—Branch 1: Bg5-f4
82.f5 Nc3+ 83.Ke3 Na2+ 64.Rh2 h4 65.Rg2 Rh6 66.Re2

84.Kf2 Rb3 85.Rd8+ Rh7 67.Kg4 Ke7 68.Kg5
Finally, a less flashy game Combining Bh3 and Bg5

illustrating White’s basic winning I described the strength
plan. of Bh3 earlier and the danger
posed by Bg5 should be pretty
Stockfish 2.11 — Houdini 2.0 obvious. Indeed, the latter
27.Qb4 Qh8 28.Rf2 is so powerful that White
h5 29.h4 Rg8 30.Rel Qg7 should consider using it even
31.Rfe2 f6 32.Bc2 Ra8 33.Qc4 when Black hasn’t used Nc5
Ree8 34.b4 axb3 35.axb3 to defend against f4, and
Ra7 36.b4 Nd7 37.f4 Kh8 the threat of Bh3 is strong
38.Qd4 Rg8 39.Rhl Re8 enough that merely feinting
40.Ral Rxal 41.Qxal g5 at the option should cause a
42.hxg5 fxg5 43.Qxg7+ Kxg7 reaction.
44.Ba4 Re7 45.Bxd7 Rxd7 In accordance with the
46.Kf3 Kg6 47.Rg2 b5 48.Rh2 above, I’m using a line where

Rh7 49.Rhl Kf6 50.Rcl Rg7 the threats of Bg5 and Bflh3
51.Rel gxf4 52.gxf4 show up in the variations
rather than in Black’s best
replies. This has the secondary
benefit of allowing comprehensive
investigation of
a very important variation
for anyone who wants to use
these ideas: 17...a5 18.Be3 a4
19.Rf2 Nc5 20.g3 Ne6 21.Bd3

Nd4 22.h4!
52...Re7 53.Rhl Rh7

54.Rh4 Rh8 55.Ke3 Kg6 56.e5
Kf7 57.Kf3 Kg6 58.Ke4 Kf7
59.Kf5 Ke7 60.e6 Rf8+ 61.Ke4
Rh8 62.f5 Kf6 63.Kf4 Rh7
281
Chapter 15
becomes rather high-maintenance

once White gets a
pawn on d5. After 22.h4! BxdS
23.cxd5, Black’s Knight has no
squares, so the danger posed
by Bfl is strong. At the same
time, White is still threatening
h5. Black can flail about for
a bit with 23...Qf6 24.Kg2 a3

25.b4, but then 25...Qe7 is well
A key position if White plays met by 26.h5 and 25...c5 leads
an early Rf2 to 26.dxc6 Nxc6 27.b5 Ne5
28.Bxb6, which is certainly no
Black does not want to let fun for Black either.
White get h5 in, but 22...h5?! 22...c6 doesn’t work either,
allows 23.Bg5, which is pretty though it is a much

terrible: better try than either of the
23...f6?! 24.Be3 Nc6 (24... above. White need not retreat
f5?! 25.Bbl!; 24...c5 25.Bxd4 the Knight. He should drop
cxd4 26.Qb4 leaves Black’s his Bishop back with 23.Bbl.
pawns so poor that he should He gets a pleasant game after
have trouble holding on even 23.. .cxd5 24. Bxd4 dxc4
with opposite-colored Bishops) 25.Bxg7 Kxg7 26.Qc3+!
25.f4;
23...Qd7 24.Bfl (threatening
Nf6+) 24...Nc6 25.f4!
Rxe4 26.Bf6 with Bxg7, Bg2,
and/or Qc3 coming.
Most of the time, Black
will meet h4 first by playing
...Bxd5—indeed White’s purpose
in playing h4 may be
to force that exchange. Here,
though, Black has not played The key here is that 26...
...c5 yet, so Black’s Knight Qf6 can be met with 27.Rxd6
282
Qxc3 28.bxc3, after which

White can double up on the
d-file. Black will have a difficult
time holding his own
across the board while also
keeping his b-pawn safe.
Black’s best response to
22.h4! is 22...a3!, a zwischenzug
that forces 23.b4, after
which White’s Queen will not
have c3 as an anchor. This Position after 29.Bd3
means that 23...c6 should be
met differently. After 24.Nf4, White can also meet 22...
White will be able to play a3! 23.b4 c6 with 24.Nc3!?,

h5 with advantage because which leads to the wild 24...
after 24...h5?! 25.Nxh5 Qf6 25.Ne2 Nxf3+ 26.Rxf3
gxh5 26.e5+ Kg8 27.Bxd4 c5 Qxf3 27.Rfl Qg4 28.Rxf7
28.bxc5 bxc5 29.Bc3 dxe5 Bc8, and White may actually
30.Bh7+ Kf8 (30...Kxh7? have something here. After
31 .Qc2+ gives White a Queen 29.Bxh6 Rg8 30.Bxg7 Rxg7
for a Rook and Bishop), 31.Rf4 Qe6 32.Nd4 Qe5
Black’s pawn structure is a 33.Nf3 Qb2 34.Ng5+ Kg8
shambles. 35.Qf2, we arrive at the position
A more reasonable defensive below.
effort after 24.Nf4
is 24...c5 25.h5 g5 26.Ne2
Nxe2+ (diverting the Bishop
from the checking diagonal)
27.Bxe2 Bf8. White has to be
the preferred side after 28.f4
g4 29.Bd3, but at least Black
is not utterly lost.
283
Chapter 15
White has some real Since Black will likely want

chances because c5! can be to play ...Bc8 soon, anticipating
a very powerful pawn sacrifice. e6, 41...Rae8 looks like
For example, after 35... the most reasonable play, but
Qxf2+ 36.Kxf2 Bd7 37.c5! after 42.g4! it should be clear
bxc5?! 38.Bc4+ Kh8 39.bxc5 that White’s position poses
dxc5, White gets a free move some real danger.
to play 40.Rf6!, after which
White threatens a potent hpawn Final Warnings
advance because Black We started this long discussion
must avoid at all costs letting on strategy and tactics
White’s Rook get to h6. by describing the danger
Black does better by declining posed by a potential ...Be5.
the pawn sacrifice There are two other pitfalls
with 37.. .dxc5, which allows White should consider when
him to later play ...b5: choosing his move.
38.Bc4+ Kh8 39.bxc5 b5! First, if White is imprecise
in his play, ...c6 can come as a
rude awakening. This is most
likely when White avoids the
Bb 1 lines, for this can lead to
his Bishop staying on d3 for a
while, where it blocks his major
pieces. Most of the time,
...c6 is a mistake, and White
can get a good game simply
by playing Nc3 (or perhaps
White does not have time Nxb6!? as a temporary sacrifice).
to play Rf6 because he has to Be particularly careful
move his Bishop. However, when Black has a Knight on
keeping White’s e-pawn restrained c5 (blocking the B/e3 from
is more difficult than b6).
it looks. After 40.Bb3 Re7 Second, beware the danger
41.e5, taking the pawn drops of ...Bxb2 or ...Bxc3. For
a Rook (41...RxeS 42.Nf7+). example, if White does not
284
like the Bbl continuations, 24...Qc7, White cannot take

then he has to be careful after the pawn because his Queen
17...a5 18.Be3 Nc5 19.g3 Ne6 must defend his Knight.
20.Bd3 Nc5.
Softening c3 allows Black

White should not play to keep his d-pawn
21.h4 because of 21...Nxd3
22.Qxd3 Bxb2. White will The good news is that

get his pawn back after h5, 21 .Rf2 avoids these problems.
but he does not get the kind It gets White’s Rook off fl, so
of advantage in this line that ...Ba6 does not have as much
he would normally obtain. bite. It puts extra defense on
Actually, Black could also b2 so ...Nxd3 does not leave
counter 21.h4 with 21...c6 that pawn undefended, and
22.Nc3 Qd7, allowing him Black’s Queen shouldn’t even
to put more support on the think about invading on h3
d-pawn while also threatening so long as White’s Bishop is
...Qh3. He can also defend one move from fi.
with just 22...h5, which
shows yet another example Recommended Lines
of tactical resources Black has The above discussion
along the al-h8 diagonal because should have given you a

after 23.Bc2 Ba6! 24.b3 solid understanding of this
(24.Qxd6 doesn’t work very position, but I’m listing my
well because 24...Bxc4 comes recommended lines here to
with tempo on White’s Rook) avoid any ambiguity. In some
285
Chapter 15
cases there are multiple options For all players:

suggested for White 17...a5 18.Be3 Nc5 19.g3
depending on what combination Ne6 20.Bd3 c5 21.f4!;
of I3ishop moves he 17...a5 18.Be3 Nc5 19.g3
prefers. Ne6 20.Bd3 Nd4 21.h4!.
Finally, if Black plays

an early ...Na4, hitting b2 a
second time, Rbl does not
do much because after Black
moves his Knight back to c5,

White will want to move his
Rook back to dl. While the
knee-jerk response to an early

...Na4 is b3, I would be very
cautious about playing it. As
For players who tend to noted above, softening c3 in
prefer Bb 1 and/or exchanging this way can be asking for
dark-squared Bishops: tactical problems later. In particular,
17...Nc5 18.Be3 Ne6 Black might be able to
1 9.Bd3; get ...c6 in at a time when Nc3
17...a5 18.Be3 Nc5 19.g3 Bxc3 is awkward.
Ne6 20.Bd3 Nc5 21.Bbl; Instead, I recommend
17...a5 18.Be3 a4 19.g3 White maintain a reasonable
Nc5 20.Kg2 Ne6 21.Bd3. advantage by simply exchanging
dark-squared Bishops
For players who tend to immediately:
prefer keeping alive the option 17...Nc5 18.Be3 Na4
of Bfl-h3: 1 9.Bd4;
17...Nc5 18.Be3 Ne6 17...a5 18.Be3 Nc5 19.g3
19.Rf2; Na4 20.Bd4.
17...a5 18.Be3 Nc5 19.g3

Ne6 20.Bd3 Nc5 21.Rf2;
17...a5 18.13e3 a4 19.Rf2
Nc5 20.g3 Ne6 21.Bd3 Nd4
22.h4.
286
CIapfer 16
KID After 9...Nxe5 Branch 2:
Black Simply Develops
will run out of squares. To
If Black ignores the threat of
Bg5 and simply develops, secure this option, White had
White can shore up e4 with f3 to use an extra tempo, playing
and then pin the Knight. Bf4 and then Bg5.
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 Black has to decide how
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 to break the pin. We look at
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 three possibilities.
9.dxe5 Nxe5 1 0.Nxe5 Rxe5 • 15...Qd7
11.e4b6 12.f3 Bb7 13.Bf4 • 15...Qe7 (planning
Re8 14.Bg5 h6 15.Bh4 ...Qe5)
• 15...g5
15...Qd7
This is the safest continuation
in the sense that Black
neither exposes his Queen

to attack nor weakens his K-
side. On the other hand, it
leaves Black’s pieces on poor
squares. White’s K-side pawns
A key difference between form a barbed-wire fence on
this branch and Branch 1 is the K-side light squares, and
that the el-h4 diagonal is the Q-side looks no better.
open, so White can maintain Furthermore, Black would
the pin after . . . h6 without being prefer having d7 available
concerned that his Bishop as a transport square for his
287
Chapter 16
Knight, which he would like White can meet 16.Radl

to swing around to c5. Nh5?! with 17.Nd5!
Then wouldn’t 15...Qc8 be

better?
Excellent question. Although

15. . . Qc8 does break
the pin while leaving d7
available to the Knight, there
is a deep subtlety that makes
it significantly worse. One of
the hidden strengths of Were Black’s Queen on
Qd7 is that it hints at . . .f5. Indeed, d7, the second player could
with d7 occupied by the just kick the Knight off d5
Queen, Black’s natural path with ...c6 and then play
is to play ...Nh5, simultaneously a powerful ...Nf4 or ...c5
threatening ...Nf4 and (planning ...f5). Most of the
.f5. This strategy attempts to time White would be thrilled
exploit the peripheral placement to have Black’s Queen as the
of White’s Bishop on lone defender of a pawn on a
h4, which would be trapped semi-open file, but here there
if White simply tried to stop are more immediate concerns
...Nf4 with g3. preventing him from simply
ganging up on the d-pawn.
I understand, but I don’t see It is the danger of an
how this has anything to do f-pawn advance that dictates
with...Qd7 over ...Qc8. The White’s recommended play
Queen supports ...f5 from in this variation, to which we
both squares. now turn.
15...Qd7
True, but on ...Qc8 she
is vulnerable to a fork on e7,
and this makes a huge difference
because after 15...Qc8
288
KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 2: Black Simply Develops
edged game. I mention the

line to illustrate why an accelerated
g3 cannot be engineered.
Instead, the text acts
to dissuade a later ...f5 by
making c5! viable owing to
the pin on the d6-pawn. (In
case you slept through the
introductory chapter to the
KID, c5 works against ...f5 by
1 6.Radl clearing c4 for White’s Bishop
White is not advised to and allowing White’s Queen
avoid the ...Nh5-f4 motif to hit Black’s King from b3.)
by simply retreating the 16...Nh5
Bishop (16.Bf2), expecting Black’s most trying option.
16...Nh5 17.g3. After 17...f5 Other moves should
White’s Queen cannot support give White time to either pin

exchanges on f5 while Black’s Knight to his powerful
also keeping the B/e2 under Bishop via Bf2-d4 or achieve
protection. After 18.exf5 Qxf5 a good game by targeting
19.Qxf5 gxf5, White will Black’s h-pawn with Bf2,
have to use a move defending Qd2, and Be3.
the Bishop, say 20.Rfel, 1 7.Rfel
after which 20...Bxc3 21.bxc3 White opens fi for his
is about equal. (20.Bd3 Bishop, anticipating ...Nf4.
Bxf3 is more dangerous for He also increases his resources
White than Black, either after against .. . f5 by giving his
21.Bxb6 or 21.Bxf5?! Bxc3 light-squared Bishop another
22.bxc3 Be2.) defender, thus freeing his
Note that there are better Queen.
ways for White to play the 17...Nf4
above variation, for example The text is by no means
he could play 17.Qd2, planning Black’s only reasonable
to meet 17...f5 with choice, but it does make use
18.Be3, leading to a double- of f4 while the square is avail289
Chapter 16
able. Other choices generally because 18. . . Ne6 can now be

let White execute one of the met by 19.e5.
plans discussed in the note to A reasonable continuation
Black’s 16th. from the diagram is 18...Be5
If Black were trying to 19.Nd5 Nxd5 20.cxd5, and
douse both ideas, he could Black’s pawns are easier to
play 17...g5 18.Bf2 c5, which attack than White’s.
is probably better than it
looks. Black accepts a backward 15...Qe7 (Planning
d-pawn on a semi-open ...Qe5)
file, a common feature in the Playing the Queen to e7
KID, to remove the backwardness does not break the pin immediately,
of his c-pawn, which but it does give the
could easily come under Queen the option of heading
fire after an exchange on d5 to e5, whence she can slide to
brings White’s c-pawn to that a useful square on the K-side
square. Still, there are plenty or give check on c5. More
of weaknesses in Black’s importantly, she avoids interfering
camp, and White is well with the movement
ahead in development. of Black’s Knight. Furthermore,
18.Bfl in the event of Nd5,
Black threatens to exchange
on d5 and immediately play
...Qb2 (or ...Qxb2) afterward.
Most of the time, this
Queen exchange is to Black’s
advantage.
15...Qe7
White removes his Bishop

from danger and increases
the scope of his e-Rook. This
has immediate consequences
290
KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 2: Black Simply Develops
l6.Radl Rac8 Two Bishops terrorizing a Rook

Black will likely play this
soon because the c-pawn White’s Bishops are so
needs protection after the powerful that Black has little
Queen moves. choice but to play 21...c6,
17.Nd5 Qe5 18.b3 leaving the d-pawn very weak
White removes the b-pawn after 22.dxc6 Bxc6 23.Ba6.
from danger in the event of The text (18...a6) aims
.Nxd5. to prevent this, but it is not
18.b4 Nxd5 19.cxd5 Qc3 the only reasonable move.
20.Qxc3 Bxc3 does not work Black can continue developmentwith
so well. 18...Nd7, butthen
1 8...a6 19.Rd2! threatensf4. 19...a5?
To see the value of this 20.f4 Qxe4 21.Bd3 Qd4+??
move, consider what happens can be met by 22.Bf2 because
if Black exchanges on d5 22...Qb2 no longer makes
immediately and then forces any sense. Hence, Black will
an exchange of Queens: 18... have to use a move to defuse
Nxd5 19.cxd5 Qb2? 20.Qxb2 the danger of an immediate
Bxb2 21.Bb5. f4.
However Black chooses to
deal with the danger, it gives

White more time to improve
his position. Moreover, Black
will not find it easy to harmo291
Chapter 16
niously develop afterward. on e8) 23.Rd4! is quite good

Let’s look at three possibilities for White.
after 18.. . Nd7 19. Rd2!
after 18...a6.
Retreating the Queen

(19...Qe6) gives Black time
to attack the e-pawn in the 19.Bg3
event of f4 (e.g., 20.f4?! Nc5). White knocks the Queen
But 20.Rfdl! gives Black a from e5 before she can cause
new problem to deal with, any mischief by moving to b2
the threat of Nxc7! followed after an exchange on d5.
by Rxd6. 19...Qe6
Retreating the Bishop Now White will establish
(19...Bh8) allows Black’s control of the cl-h6 diagonal,

Queen to escape to g7. But and the general character of
20.b4! stops ...Nc5 and entices the game will be similar to
20...a5, allowing White that seen in Branch 1. White
to open the b-file when he has multiple good continuations,
can much more easily utilize but a simple one
it than his opponent. involves playing for an exchange
19...Bf8 simply does not of dark-squared Bishops.
work; Black’s Bishop needs to E.g., 20.Bf2 Nd7 21.Qd2
stay on the long diagonal to a5 22.Be3 Kh7 23.Rfel Nc5
coverd4: 20.f4 Qxe4 21.Qdl! 24.Bd4.
Bxd5 22.cxd5 Qb4 (22...Nc5 Alternatively, White can
23.Bb5 terrorizes the Rook pressure the K-side dark
292
KID After 9.. .Nxe5—Branch 2: Black Simply Develops
squares immediately with Rdl would lead to the

20.Bf4, planning Qd2, Rfel, same thing most of the time,
Bfl, and Qf2. White can also but the text allows White
simply increase his board to play Rfel faster in some
control by playing his Bishop cases.
to e3 and then expanding on 1 7...c6
the Q-side with a3 and b4. Black will likely need to
play this soon, or else White
15...g5 should get a good game after
I suspect this option will Radl and Nd5, possibly followed
capture the attention of many by Rfel. Then White
KID practitioners. Black has several natural moves to
breaks the pin and gains consider (e.g., b4, Qa4, e5,
space on the K-side. Fortunately, Bd4, Ne3-f5).
White has a thematic As a quick sanity check, we
plan: force ...c6 and then must make sure Black cannot
start poking at Black’s pawns get anything from an immediate
using his pieces. 17...h5: 18.Qd2 g4 (18...
1 5...g5 Nh7 19.Nd5) 19.Rael Qe5
(dissuading Nd5) 20.Nb5
(20.Nd5? Nxd5 21.cxd5
Qxb2) 20...Qe7 (20...Rac8?
21.Bd4) 21.Nd4 Bc8 22.Nf5
Bxf5 23.exf5 c5 24.Bdl Qd7
25.Qf4±.
18.Radl
16.Bel!
White threatens Nd5 followed
by Bc3!
1 6...Qe7
1 6...c6 transposes.
17.Bf2
293
Chapter 16
White has plenty of pawns

he can target. In addition to
the d-file, his dark-squared
Bishop has two beautiful
diagonals and his Queen can
go to a4 and a3, pressuring a7
and either c6 or d6.
294
Cliapter 17
KID After 9...Nxe5
Branch 3: Pre-emptive ...Nd7
Black moves his Rook
Thisofisthethe9...Nxe5-KID
one branch back to avoid the skewer
defense you simply cannot 13.Bd4.
avoid. Black immediately retreats 13.Radl
his Knight before White White plans on dropping
can play Bg5. his Queen back to ci, so it
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 d6 makes sense to develop his
4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Be2 Q-Rook now, but it also contains
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 near-term poison.
9.dxe5 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 Rxe5 1 3...b6
11.e4Nd7 13...Nc5? 14.Bxc5;
13...Ne5?! 14.c5!
14.Qcl Bb7
14...Nc5 opens d7 for the
Queen, so White needs to
take the game down a different
path. 15.b4 Bxc3 16.bxc5
Bg7 17.cxd6 cxd6 18.Qa3
loses a central pawn for insufficient
compensation. More
conservative i 5th moves for
White’s next several plays Black (e.g., 15...Ne6) relegate

are good, natural, developing his pieces to poor squares.
moves, but they also are at 15.Bg5
least semi-forcing. i5.f3 is a simple alternative
12.Be3 Re8 that gives White a low-
295
Chapter 17
key, low-stress version of We return to the position

Branch 1. However, this is after 15.Bg5.
really only a good choice for
those who have confidence
in their technique because
White is not assured an advantage
by simply pushing
his f-pawn. Since there is no
target on h6, Black’s King can
stay on g8, defending f7. This
means White no longer gets
an automatic Rxf7 once the
f-file is open. If you are just 1 5...Bf6
looking for a superior position 15...Qc8 16.Bg4;
and an opportunity to 15...Nf6 16.f3 can hardly
outplay your opponent, then be critical since the Knight
you can certainly consider just moved from f6. It gives
this line. White a superior version of
A reasonable line showing Branch 1.
the plays White will likely 1 6.Bxf6 Qxf6
make over the next few moves 16...Nxf6 17.f3 leaves
is 15...a5 16.Rf2 Nc5 17.g3 both of Black’s minor pieces
Ne6 18.Bfl. biting on White’s pawns.
Also, White’s pieces can
have a field day on the dark-
squares around Black’s King.
One major problem for Black
is that he doesn’t have time
to swing his Knight around
to c5 to maintain pressure on
e4 without White seizing the
opportunity to play f4, beginning
an initiative against
A simple way to Black’s sparsely defended
increase board control King. 17...a5 18.b3 Rc8 (18...
296
KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 3: Pre-emptive ...Nd7
Nd7 1 9.f4 Bxe4 20.Nxe4 Rxe4 way, but also to take away
21.13f3) 19.Qc2 Nd7 20.f4. useful squares from White’s
17.f3 Rac8 18.Nd5 Qg7 pieces in the battle that will
Black has at least found be staged near f5 soon. The
a good post for his Queen, downside is that Black’s Qside
which is something that he light squares are left extremely
does not get in Branch 1. On weak, so if he eventually
the other hand, White has an plays ...Bxd5, Black may
easier time containing all his have a tough time containing
other pieces. Over the next White’s light-squared Bishop
several moves, White will in that sector.
focus on taking away c5 and 19...Nc5 20.b4 Ne6 21.Bfl
d4. Since he already controls h6 (21...Nd4 22.Qg5 Kh8

f4 and g5, this makes it hard 23.Qf6) 22.Qe3 leaves Black’s
for Black’s Knight to find a pieces miserably placed because
useful home. White controls d4. At
19.Rf2 the same time, White threatens
Qa3! For example, 22...
Ng5?! 23.Qa3 a6 24.c5.
19...h5 20.b4 will allow
White to take over more and
more of the board as Black’s
pieces have nowhere to go.
20.Qc2
I do not like 20.Bfl, for it
lets Black create a ruckus in
the middle. Also, in general

19...a5 White should retain the possibility
Black’s best hope at any of playing this Bishop
kind of play involves making to f3, which can be a very
use of his Rook on the good post for it, allowing his
e-file to help get ...f5 in. To King to move to g2. 20...Nc5
do this, Black needs to secure 21.b3 Re5 22.g3 f5 23.exf5
c5 for his Knight, not only gxf5 24.f4 Re6 25.Bh3 Rf8
to get the Knight out of the 26.Qc2 Qf7.
297
Chapter 17
Note that White should

welcome K-side expansion
(...h5-h4 or ...g5) in general,
either here or later (or
even earlier). Black is not in
a position to do much with
the space he gains on the K-
side and, more importantly,
these moves weaken squares
White can use. In particular,
White is almost certainly after . . .h5, White should plan
better, but Black has loosened Qd2-g5 soon, threatening
his chains a bit and can provoke Nf6 or Ne7. After . . .g5, White
piece exchanges down can look to play Ne3-f5.
the e-file to lessen White’s 21...Bc6 attempts to dissuade
chances of converting. a3 and b4 by threatening
...Ba4. But it gives White
We return to the position a move to prepare another
after 20.Qc2. solution. 22.Bfl Re5 23.g3
f5?! 24.exf5 gxf5 (24...Rxf5?
25.Bh3) 25.f4 Ree8 26.Bh3
Ne4 27.Bxf5!? Nxf2 28.Kxf2
Bxd5 29.cxd5 and White
is down an Exchange for a

pawn, but his Bishop is going
to be fantastically placed on
e6, especially after f5. Black’s
Rooks, though, have a dismal
future.
20...Nc5 21.b3 Re5 There are other ways for
Black has successfully White to react that do not
played his Rook to e5 before give up material, but most
having his Knight pushed players would be thrilled with
back to e6, but he still cannot the position White has here.
advantageously play ...f5. 22.a3 f5
298
KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 3: Pre-emptive ...Nd7
22...Bc6 23.Qb2 Ree8 gained some air for his Rooks,

24.Nf6+ and Black can choose but the one on the f-file is
from among many continuations, not particularly useful. After
but White will have White pushes b4 and plays
better-placed pieces and more Qd2, Black’s pieces will once
space in all of them. again be constrained, both by
23.exf5 Rxf 5 White’s superior forces and
Since White has moved by each other.
his Queen to c2, retaking White’s plan should involve
with the pawn clearly doesn’t grabbing more and
work: 23...gxf5 24.f4 Re6 more space, threatening to
25.Qxf5. suffocate Black. If Black seeks
24.f4 Re8 counterplay, it will inevitably
Black avoids disaster after lead to a weakening of his
Bg4. position.
24...Bxd5 lets Black exchange
the Knight before

White can get a Bishop to f3,
but Black’s sole remaining
minor piece will find himself
with no moorings in the
middle. 25.cxd5 Re8 26.Bg4
Rff8 27.b4 axb4 28.axb4 Ne4
29.Rf3.
25.Bf3
Black appears to have
299
Chapter 17
300
CItapter 18
The “Sneaky Grünfeld” (a fitting appellation coined, I think,
by Smith & Hall) is the following defense:
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 g6
Oops. After the fianchetto, White would like to play his

dark Bishop out; but, the committal e3 has deprived him of
this response. No Torre attack, no 150 Attack, whatever shall
he do?
1 Familiarization
If he looks in Smith & Hall, he is told to follow a plan

based on c3 and b4, hoping Q-side play will emphasize the
lack of Black’s dark Bishop. After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3
g6 4. Bd3 Bg7 5. Nbd2 Nbd7 6. 0-0 c5 7. c3 0-0 8. b4, they
say White has a small advantage. I ran this position through
a large database and found 43 games between humans
from this position. The score in those games: 7: 17:12. rfo be
301
Chapter 18
fair, among stronger players to say about this move order?

(2000 and up playing both), Nothing. In fact, he does not
the score was 5:4:5, but this mention the Grünfeld at all.
is hardly compelling. To be fair, this is probably
Of course, quoting a database linked to his willingness to
does not refute an idea, play a sub-optimal opening
so if you like the look of the out of convenience. He more
position for White after 8. b4, or less says as much in his introduction
by all means play this line. to the Colle versus
However, Aaron Summerscale the KID.
suggests instead simply playing Not being happy with any
a normal Zukertort setup of the above, I decided to find
except with Be2 and possibly an answer to this myself. Offering
Na3 instead of Nbd2 to avoid a draw after the third
easy exchange. He says that move did not seem politic, so
this black setup is “a tough I sought some more innovative
nut to crack,” and in an email method. As Christ said,
to me said that section of “When you seek, you shall
his book was a headache to find.” And found it I did.
write. After finding my answer, I
The position after 1. d4 sent GM Summerscale a note.
Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 g6 4. b3 He was kind enough to write
Bg7 5. Bb2 0-0 6. Be2 c5 7. me back, congratulating me
0-0 occurred over 100 times on my solution and initial
in my database, and White analysis. It was that interchange
fares better here than in the that sealed the deal
c3/b4 line, scoring 51 percent. with regard to my choosing

There were 40 games to write the book you hold in
where both players were humans your hands.
rated 2000 or higher Take a look at what the
and the ledger was 8:22:10. typical Grünfeld opening
Not quite as good as one involves:
would like. 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4.
What about Lane? What Nf3Bg75.cxd5Nxd56.e4
does The Ultimate Colle have
302
The Sneaky GrQnfeld
I found this position in We have arrived by transposition

about 3500 games in my database. to the same position,
98% of the time, Black but with White’s c-Knight
responds ...Nxf3, leading to back on bi. Now Black lacks
what is called the “Modern the option of exchanging his
Exchange” variation of the Knight.
Grünfeld. White’s position In fact, we have arrived at a
would actually be better if bad, colors-reversed version of
the Knight were back on bi. the Benoni! This variation is so
Black gains time by having bad for White (or, in our case,
something to exchange for Black) that it, most of time, gets
his Knight. Black does poorly classified as a Torre attack even
in practice with the rare alternatives though the c-Bishop might
...Nb6 and the even not end up moving for many,
rarer ...Nf6. many moves!
With this in mind, I propose I have only found 4 games
a line inviting Black to between players 2000+ from
take a free move he wish he this position, but all four
did not have: were wins by White! However,
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 g6 4. I’ve found about 120
c4!Bg75.cxd5Nxd56.e4 games in the reversed version
with both players 2000+. The
tally being 31:33:54, which
sounds pretty darn good to
me!
303
Chapter 18
2 Black Declines both h4 or Qb3 look good for

White.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 g6 6... Bg4 has similar problems

4. c4! c6 after 7. h3 since 7... Bxf3
8. Bxf3 just gives White more
control over d5.
The quiet 6.. b6 7. 0-0
Bb7 is well-met by 8. Qc2,
highlighting the lack of low-
cost defenders of c7 while
threatening e4.
6...NxdS!? avoids the
problems in the next section,
but it is unclear what Black
4... dxc4 almost never occurs has to write home about after
as it transposes to a favorable 7. e4 Nb6 8. 0-0 since he
line of the QGA after cannot profitably pressure
5. Bxc4 Bg7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. Nc3. White’s central pawns.
I’ve found about 500 games 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be2 0-07.0-0
with White scoring 61%.
One problem for Black is
that ...e6 (to blunt the B/c4)
weakens the already anemic
f6 -square.
Black can play an odd
gambit with 4... Bg7 5. cxd5
0-0?! 6. Be2, but it looks like
there is nothing there:
6... Bf5 can be met with 7.
Nfd2! which discourages 7... This is a typical position
QxdS because 8. Bf3 Qb5 9. in the Schlechter-Slav. From
Nc3 gives White excellent development here Black has many possible
and K-side expansion plans. In Sadler’s excellent
options. 7... Bxbl 8. Rxbl book The Slav, the following
Nxd4 is a lackluster fix, when plans are mentioned:
304
The Sneaky GrQnfeld
• Fianchetto his c-Bishop. Q-side with a4 or advance in

• Prepare Bg4 by playing the middle.
dxc4. In the 7... Be6 line, I’m
• Unbalance the pawn suggesting 8. Ng5, which
structure with Ne4. essentially tries to get a free
• Expand on the Q-side. move out of Black by forcing
Of the ideas mentioned him to use 3 moves (...Bf5,
by Sadler, all but the last ...h6, ...Be6) compared to
fare poorly in practice. Black two for White (Ng5, Nf3).
often has to give up a pawn White can get a great attack
for play, but seldom gets full if Black tries to leave his
compensation. Black appears bishop on f5: 8... Bf5 9. Bd2
to do best with the three h6 10. Nf3 Nbd7 11. cxd4
strange looking moves ...e6, cxd4 12. Nh4! Be6 13. f4 Nb6
...a6, and ...Be6. 14. f5 with a strong initiative
The common 7... Nbd7 occurred in Polugaevsky-S hamkovich,
can be ably met with 8. cxd5 Leningrad 1971.
cxd5 9. a4! b6 10. b4, and
Black’s pieces are very constricted. Bareev-Kramnik
Novgorod, Russia 1994

The solid 7... b6 is met
with 8. cxd5 cxd5 9. Ne5! This game illustrates the
If Black prepares ...Bg4 d-pawn march rather clearly.
by first playing ...dxc4 and
exchanges the Knight, White 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. e3 g6 4.
can get good play by launching Nc3 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Be2
his d-pawn up the board, 0-0 7. 0-0 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bg4
as shown in the Bareev-Kramnik 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Qxf3 Nbd7 11.
game below. Rdl e512.d5
Against 7... e6, White has

had tremendous success with
Qc2, Rdl and then e4.
After 7... a6, 8. Qb3 dxc4
9. Bxc4 b5 10. Be2, White can
either probe the advanced
305
Chapter 18
face, for White is voluntarily

moving his King from the center
when he could just as easily
play Be3. The issue is that
White will derive play from a
combination of advancing his
passed d-pawn and threatening
Black’s Bishop. Note that
currently b6 is the only pawn-
protected square available to
This d-pawn march is the Black’s Bishop. Exchanging
indicated play when Black Bishops would relieve Black’s
exchanges on f3. other pieces from defending
12... e4 13. Nxe4 Nxe4 14. the Bishop. See the note to
Qxe4 Nb6 15. Bb3 White’s 23rd move to see how
Black’s maneuvering has these twin concerns influence
managed to sidestep the the game.
structural disadvantages that 20... Bxf2 21. Bh6 RxdS 22.
would arise if White were allowed exd5 Rd8 23. Rdl
to capture on c6. Black
is a pawn down, but soon his
Queen and Bishop will coordinate
well.
d6 has been tried a few
times from this position, but
not enough to draw conclusions.
Bareev has suggest Rbl
here. I found 7 quality games
with this suggestion, and
White picked up 6½ points This position is a good
out of those 7! example of how isolated
15... cxd5 16. Bxd5 NxdS 17. d-pawns can be useful even
RxdS Qb6 18. Qd3 Rad8 19. late in the middle-game.
e4 Bd4 20. Khl With so few pieces on the
This looks odd on the sur306 board, restraining the pawn
The Sneaky Grunfeld
is a real priority, which ties

down Black’s pieces.
After 23... Qxb2 Black is
a pawn up and controls the
diagonal White would like
for his Queen. However, the
simple 24. d6 is probably too
much to handle, especially / —
with Black’s Bishop lacking

outposts. 24. d6 Qe5 25. Qd2
Bg326.d7b627.Rcl Qe728. The two options are
Rc6! looks decisive. Nb6 and ...Nf6. The clumsy
23... Qd6 24. Qc3 f6 25. Rfl ...Nb4? loses to Qa4 with d5
Bh4 26. Qb3 Bg5 27. Bxg5 to follow. The overwhelming
fxg5 28. Qxb7 Qxd5 29. Qxa7 favorite in practice has been
Ra8 30. Qe3 Qxa2 31. Qxg5 ...Nb6. A problem in both
Rb8 32. b4 Qc4 33. Rf4 Qe6 lines is that Black would like
34. Rd4 Rxb4 35. Qd8+ Kg7 to pressure White’s center with
36. Qc7+ Kh6 37. Qcl+ 1-0 natural moves like . . . Bg4 and
...Nc6, but ...Nc6 allows d5
3 TheBadBenoni to come with tempo and Black
has no reason to play ...Bg4
So, what about when Black unless he intends to actually
plays to our script? How bad exchange the Bishop, for the
is this Benoni? And why? K-side fianchetto robs him of
Let’s return to a point where space if White plays h3.
Black has to make a decision: Let’s cover the less common
where to send his horse? option first.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 g6 4.
c4Bg75.cxdsNxds6.e4 3.1 Black retreats his Knight to f6
This move allows Black to
fianchetto the B/c8, and the

shielding of the B/g7 can be
useful as well.
307
Chapter 18
In these lines, White does Asilkefeli-Kanmazaip

fine by slowly building up Turkey 2004
more and more center control 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 cxd4
until Black cannot defend 4. Nxd4 d5 5. Bg2 e5 6. Nf3
all his pieces. Black typically Nc6 7.0-0 Be7 8. b3
needs to play ...e6 before he 8. c4 d4 9. e3 0-0 10. exd4
plays . . .c5 to stop d5. But, before exd4 and White is not in a
playing ...e6, Black will position to either capture or
want to develop his Bishop, blockade the pawn. This has
so the most consistent line of been tried in 11 high-quality
play is: games. Black won 8 of those
6... Nf6 7. Nc3 0-08. Be2 and only lost 1.
Since Black’s Q-side pawns 8... 0-0 9. Bb2 Qc7 10. h3.
can become mobile, this is This prevents the pinning
probably the best place for ...Bg4, but White would do
the Bishop. better just playing e3 immediately.
8... b6 9.0-0 Bb7 10. Qc2 In addition to the tempo
used, White might need the
h3-square for his Knight if a
later e4 forces Ng5.
10... Rd8 11.e3 Be6
(Colors Reversed)
From here White will seek

play on the c-, d-, and e-files
while being prepared to assail
Black’s King if he attempts to
play too much on the K-side.
An illustrative game with Black has developed logically,
colors reversed: placing his pieces to
support his pawns.
308
The Sneaky Grunfeld
12. Qe2 Rac8 Qxe4. The 18. Rdl line might

r1he prophylactic ...h6 and have tempted Black into taking
.a6 might be reasonable on h3 too quickly: 20...
choices. These moves jam up Bxh3? 21. Qh5! and White is
White’s position by taking back in the game!
away choice squares from his 18... Nxe4 19. Bxe4 Rd2 20.
Knights. Qh5 g6 21. Qh4 Rxb2 22.
13.Nbd2e4 14. Nel? Qf6 Rd2 23. Nd3 Rd8 24.
Perhaps White anticipated Racl R8xd3 25. Rxc6 Qd7 26.
his Knight on d2 cutting off Rxa6 Rc3 27. a3 Qe7 28. Qe5
defense of c2 by his Queen on Bc8 29. Qxe7 0-1
e2. 14. Ng5 would have still left
him down (e.g., 14... Bf5 15. c4 3.2 Black retreats his Knight to b6
Nb4 16. g4 Bg6 17. h4 dxc4 18.
Nxc4 h6 19. h5 Bxh5 20. Bxf6 This requires more finesse
Bxf6 21. Nxe4 Bxal 22. gxh5), from both sides.
but he would be safer. 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 g6
14... a6 15. c4 dxc4 16. Nxc4 4. c4 Bg7 5. cxd5 NxdS 6. e4
b5 17. Nd2 Bb4 18.Nxe4 Nb6
(Colors Reversed)
Viewed in a very cursory

manner, this position looks does the This loses, but so
promising for White. He has 18. Rdl objectively better
a huge space advantage, a big 20. Bxe4 Qd6 19. Bxf6 gxf6
center, an open file, and classically 22. Rfel Bxd2 21. Nf3 Bxh3
Qb4 23. Nxd2 Rxd2 24. Rxd2 a Knight on b6 is not
309
Chapter 18
particularly good (Tarrasch has one major problem: the

said so). d7-square.
But when you look more d7 is a vital transportation
closely, a slew of problems square. Note that 4 of Black’s
becomes evident. To keep an pieces require this square
advantage, White needs to for transport. Three of those
make sure Black cannot play pieces are completely dependent
...c5 or ...e5 with advantage. on it at the moment!
The former of these is particularly Furthermore, the pressure
hard to meet because down the d-file depends on
dxc5 typically goes badly due the d7-square being open. Finally,
to pressure down the d-file the “...f5” retort to d5 is
and along the long diagonal based on Black controlling e6
(and White cannot hold the or else Ng5! can hurt... but if
pawn anyway!) while meeting that d7-square were blocked,
c5 with d5 is met by a the Bishop could not control
near-future f5! e6.
To add to all this, Black 7.a4!!

has the looming threat of This move (only played
• . . Bg5, which indirectly puts in 5 of 200+ games) threatens
even more pressure on d4. to knock the N/b6 into
Stopping this with h3 does the d7-hole, causing all the
nothing about the ...c5 and problems described above
...e5 threats. plus more (since now Black’s
To add to these problems, Knights will soon be on the
White has a hard time developing same color and hence more
without committing easily contained by White’s
his Bishops, and to top it off center).
Black has the option of simply 7. a4 also takes away aS
playing ...Nc6. from Black’s pieces since a
pawn will be there soon no
Well cheerio to you too! matter what Black does.
7...a5
Yeah, but if you look even Black can ignore the threat
closer you find that Black with 7... 0-0?!, but after 8. aS
310
The Sneaky GrQnfeld
N6d7 9. Nc3, White’s advantage

is undeniable.
7... 13g4?!, trying to get
the Bishop out before it gets
stuck, appears too ambitious:
8. a5 N6d7 9. Be2 and all the
problems mentioned before

really inform the position:
9... c5 10. d5 and the ...f5
plan fails because the B/g4
is trapped away from e6. 9... The pawn on c6 hinders
Nc6 10. e5 cages Black up. Black’s development. He essentially
9... e5?! 10. Bg5! is very awkward has one square (b4)
to meet while 9... 0-0 to use, and there is only so
10. 0-0 has only postponed much he can do with it.
Black’s difficulties. Here is a colors-reversed
8.Bb5+c6 version of this idea.
8... Bd7 does not scare
White since he is happy to

exchange on b5 here (which Schiosser-Albu rt
removes the sting from ...c5 Italy 1981
for the foreseeable future).
8... N8d7 with the idea 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 cxd4
of ...Nf6 later is suspect: 9. 4. Nxd4 d5 5. Bg2 e5 6. Nb3
0-0 0-0 10. Be2 with a good a5!
position that has room to improve
(e.g., Ne5, d5, Bf4).
9. Be2
311
Chapter 18
We have arrived at a colors-reversed dark-squared Bishop.

version of the 15.Rel Rfd816.e3
position after White’s 7th White is doing the only
move in our mainline. thing that he can... attacking
7. a4 Bb4+ 8. c3 Be7 9. 0-0 in the region where he is
0-0 10.Na3 Be6 11.Nb5 not wholly beaten. This move
White has grabbed his one clears the a6-fl diagonal to
and only square. Woohoo! help in a future Q-side pawn
11... Nbd7 initiative. It doesn’t work out,
As a rule Black would like but it is hard to see what better
to retake on f6 with a Knight, road he has.
Rac8 18. 16... Nd7 17. Qbl but now with the white
Knight on b5, this is especially Bfl Nc5 19. b3
important since the dark- White prepares c4 while
squares on the Q-side need a addressing the weakness
litde extra attention. of the b3-square. His N/d2
12. Bg5 h6 13. Bxf6?! is in danger of becoming
13. Be3 is better. Now that overworked. 19. b4 is probably
White has found some spots better, or Bd3-c2. Either
for his pieces, exchanges would prevent the particular
are not so needed, his space problems he is about to have
deficit notwithstanding. on d3.
Since the Knight on b5 is 19... g6 20. c4 Bf5 21. Qa2
his prize piece, maintaining Nd3 22. Redl
his dark-squared Bishop (to 22. Bxd3 Bxd3 is not pleasant,
overload the dark-squares but it is probably a little
on the Q-side) appears more less lethal.
reasonable. Plus, the text allows 22... Qf6 23. Nc3?!
Black to move the most Now Bxd3 had to be
awkwardly placed piece in tried.

his army. 23... Nxf2! 24. Rel
13... Nxf6 14. Nd2 Qb6 24. Kf2?? Bbl+
A natural (and good!) 24... Nd3 25. Bg2 Nxel 26.

post for the Queen now that Rxel dxc40-1
White has exchanged his
312
Cliapter 19
The Stonewall
The one point

booksDutch defense
agree on is
that the Stonewall variation
is not to be recommended
when White plays his Bishop
to f4, especially if he retains
the ability to play c4 and Nc3.
The combination of pressure
against e5 and a useful
Bishop on the h2-b8 diagonal
is bad news for Black. I’ve found nearly 300
The key tabiya in this line games with this position,
occurs after 1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 many involving quite strong
f5 3.Bf4 Nf6 4.e3 d5 5.c4 c6 players. White has an astounding
6.Nc3 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 78% score when
Ne4. playing 9.g4!
(Note the move order.
Black has not committed to If White wins so often, why
the Dutch, so White plays does this position arise at
2.Nf3. This poses no difficulty high levels?
for our repertoire
because White only needs to Colle System players are
delay Nf3 to allow his Queen not the only ones occasionally
access to the K-side after 1 .d4 guilty of too much allegiance
f5 2.Bf4 g6?!) to their preferred
setups. Typically this position
arises when Black erects a
313
Chapter 19
latent Stonewall against the it is hard to see how Black can

Queen’s Gambit, possibly possibly cause the center to
transposing from a Semi- resolve in his favor.
Slav. That is to say, by the The last of these three
time White plays Bf4, Black variations sets up the possibility
has already played ...d5, ...e6, of a good-Knight versus
and ...f5; you cannot put the bad-Bishop ending. This idea
toothpaste back in the tube. hovers in the background of a
few variations in this chapter,
Analysis for Bxe4 is common. In most
1 .d4 e6 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bf4 Nf6 cases there will be specific
4.e3 d5 5.c4 c6 6.Nc3 Be7 tactical aims as well, but the
6...Bd6 is not uncommon, good Knight/bad Bishop possibility
but White should be fine as is definitely one White
long as he refuses to initiate should keep in mind.
an exchange of Bishops. As in 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2
most lines of the Dangerfield,
White is happy to allow a
trade on f4 and then use the
semi-open e-file.
While White does not
want to initiate the trade of
his dark-squared Bishop, he
can do well by exchanging
his light-squared Bishop at
the proper time. After 7.Bd3
0-0 8.0-0 Ne4 9.Bxe4, White 8...Ne4
is good no matter how Black This brings us to the
recaptures: tabiya shown earlier and is
9...dxe4 10.Ne5 b6 (10... Black’s overwhelmingly most
Qe7 11.c5 Bc7 12.f3); popular choice, being played
9...fxe4 10.Ne5 Qe7 11.c5 about 80% of the time.
Bc7 12.f3; Black has other options,
9...Bxf4 10.Bxf5 Bxh2+ but in most cases White will
11.Nxh2 Rxf5 12.e4 Rf7 and still be able to play g4:
314
The Stonewall
8...Bd7 9.Ne5 Be8 1O.g4 What if Black just recaptures

c5 (1O...fxg4 11.h3) 11 .gxf5; instead (1 O...exf5)?
8...Nbd7 9.h3 Ne4 1O.g4;
8...Na6 9.a3 Nc7 1O.c5 Strong players have played
Ne4 11.g4. 11.cxd5 followed by 12.Ke2,
but I’m not too keen on this
The last line illustrates a line of play. Generally, White
basic point: White generally should avoid capturing on d5
likes to play c5 in response until Black has developed his
to the ...Na6-c7 maneuver because Q-Knight or pushed his pawn
it prevents Black from to c5. Once Black can safely
exchanging on c4 to allow a play ...NJc6, he will be one
later ...Nd5. big step closer to equality. In
When playing these variations, particular, I don’t think White
keep in mind that if has much after fl.cxd5 cxd5
Black plays ...Qa5 then a3 12.Ke2 Be6!! because 13.Nb5
will not keep a piece off b4. (threatening Nc7) can be met
This is seldom an issue, but with 13...Nc6 14.Nc7? Bf7
occasionally White will need 15.Nxa8 Bh5.
to change tack and castle
short. Chapter 12 gave one
example of this after 7...Ne4.
An example here would be
8...Na6 9.a3 Qa5. Another
example occurs in a note to
Black’s ninth move.
9.g4 Qa5
9...Na6 appeared in the illustrative
game given in chapter
12. It will likely transpose. ...Qh4 is going to hurt
The text is more common.
9...Bb4 1O.gxf5, and in If White chooses 11.cxd5,

the event of 1O...Qa5, White he should avoid the humiliation
should play 11 .fxe6 and castle shown above by the
short when possible. simpler 12.Qb3 Nc6 13.Rgl
315
Chapter 19
(threatening Bh6 at some From here I give two suggestions

point). for White. 10.a3!
However, I suggest delaying looks slow, but it is the simplest
cxd5 to prevent Black way for White to get the
from getting ...Nc6 in. Instead, kind of attack he is looking
11.Qb3 is better, forcing for. It is admittedly quite rare,
I3lack to address the but GM Yermolinsky played it
danger to the Bishop before against GM Minasian in 1999.
c6 is open. Then White can The other move I can recommend,
play Rgl (or 0-0, in the case for those wanting very
of 11...Qa5) with a great position. sharp play, is the immediate
Black does not have exchange on f5.
convenient ways of getting This latter choice, 10.gxf5,
his pieces to useful squares, is the most common one, and
but White has plenty of good White has a fantastic record
moves. If Black develops his with it at very high levels, but
Q-Knight, then cxd5 becomes it requires more preparation.
much better. If he refuses to It is much less forgiving on
develop the Knight, hoping both sides. If Black finds the
to play ...Nc6 later, White can right moves, White has to be
use e5. For example fl.Qb3 very careful to maintain his
a5 12.Rgl Kh8 13.Be5. advantage.
rphe immediate 10.Rgl?!
We return to the position has also been played, but
after 9...Qa5. I definitely do not recommend
this as a repertoire
choice. White has no good
response to 10...Na6! because
the a-pawn is pinned to the
a-Rook.
An Educational Misstep
Analysis of my two suggestions,
10.a3! and 10.gxf5,
begins at the next subsec
316
fh Stonewall
tion, but before diving into be nearly as attractive. After

that, many subtle points can Black moves his Queen back
be seen by considering what to d8, White can castle long
can happen after 1O.Ke2?!, a and clearly be playing the
move I do not recommend. better side of an opposite-
castled-Kings position.)
Worse for White, in the
event of 13.Rhgl or 13.h4,
Black can defend without
redeploying his Queen because
White’s King is vulnerable
in the center, especially
to ...Bg4+ or a well-timed
...NJxd4+. This book is not
written from Black’s perspective,

Though it has a fantastic so I will not devote
record and has been lauded the space this line deserves,
by multiple books, there is a but here are a few sample
hole in this line. Black can lop continuations that could be
off White’s most powerful attacking compared to the similar line
piece with 1O...Bd6!! in the 1O.a3! variation:
If White avoids exchanging, 13.Rhgl Kh8 14.Ne5 c5!
Black can quickly equalize. and White is already having
After 11. Bxd6 Nxd6 12. cxd5 to change his plans because
exd5, Black can simply pull 15.Bxf5? is disastrous: 15...
his Queen back to d8 in the Bxf5 1 6.gxf5 cxd4 and White’s
event of 13.Rhgl, 13.Ragl, or King is being de-shelled.
13.h4. With his Queen back 13.Rhgl Kh8 14.gxf5 Bxf5
on d8, Black has adequate 15.Bxf5 NJxf5 16.Ng5 NJd7
defensive resources, especially 17.NJe6? Rae8! 18.NJxf8 (pins
since White’s King can be the Knight to the mating
targeted eventually by major square h7, but...) 18...NJxd4+
pieces on the e-file. (Had wins for Black.
White still the ability to castle, 13.h4 Kh8 14.h5 NJa6!!
this simple defense would not 15.a3 fxg4 16.NJh4 g3 17.f3
317
Chapter 19
(17.Ng6+?? hxg6 18.hxg6+

Kg8, and White has no good
way to meet the crushing
...Bg4+) 17... g2 18.Nxg2 (18.
Rh2? Nb4), and 18...Bf5 gives
Black multiple ways to draw
while 18...Nf5 is complex
and allows for any result. This
line illustrates the strength of
a late ...Na6 as a curious defense
against a K-side attack. Never underestimate r51 ... .
Not only does it provoke a3

(hence not losing a move), I’ll spare you the details,
but it removes a piece from but Black can withstand
the back rank to let a thematic 16.Bxh7, 16.h5 16.NxdS,
...Rae8 come sooner. Also, and 16.Nxg4.
as shown in this variation, it
manages to shackle the Rook Couldn’t White avoid these
all the way across the board dangerous ...c5 lines by just
on h 1. With Black’s Knight on playing 12. c5 rather than
a6, White must think twice exchanging?
about moving his K-Rook to
the second rank because it 12.c5 avoids Black’s later
leaves his other Rook without ...c5, but is not nearly as
defense, pinning a3 and good here as when Black has
allowing ...Nb4. The fact that played ...Na6. After 12.c5
Black will likely play ...Na6 at Ne4 13.Rhgl Kh8 14.gxfs
some point gives further credibility exf5, Black can safely transport
to 1O.a3. his Knight from b8 to
After 13.h4 Kh8 14.RagI f6. Having exchanged White’s
fxg4 15.Ne5, Black can play dark-squared Bishop, Black
his thematic, and strong, 15... has extra time to assemble his
c5. defenses.
Now we take a look at each
of the lines I recommend.
318
The Stonewall
Sure, Simple, and Good: 1O.a3! After 1O...Nd7, Yermolinsky

1O.a3! continued 11.Rgl Ndf6 12
Ne5 fxg4 13.Bxe4 (13.c5! first
is better, after which Black
probably has nothing better
than 13...Kh8. Then 14.Bxe4
Nxe4 15.b4! wins a pawn)
13...Nxe4 14. Rxg4 Nf6, to
which White replied 15.Rh4,
targeting h7. There followed
15...Ne4 16.Rh3 Rf5, when
the danger to h7 did not do
This anticipates ...Na6, anything for White. After
but it also has hidden value 17.f3, Black simplified and
in that b4 can turn out to played c5 with advantage:
be quite powerful as Black’s 17... Nxc3 18.Qxc3 Qxc3+
Queen runs short on squares 19.bxc3 c5!
in variations involving Ng5-
e6, when Nc7 (forking a8 and
a6) becomes an issue.
1O...Na6
This transposes to a major

branch of this opening and
fully justifies White’s 10th
move. But Black cannot exploit
White’s move order:
1O...Nd7 was played by
GM Minasian against Yermolinsky This general idea of simplifying
(Stratton Mountain, in the middle and
1999), but it should give then playing ...c5 is a powerful

White an improved version of one. Yermo could have
the 1O.gxf5 line because the played 17.c5, after which he
Knight blocks Black’s Bishop would still have the better
from e6, which 1O.gxf5 exf5 position. Better yet was to
opens for Black. play for pressure down the
319
Chapter 19
g-file with 15.Rg2 (ratherthan Ne6 coming unless Black

15.Rh4). This maintains the finds 16...Na6!, in which
threat of Bh6, which Black case 17.0-0-0 is probably
cannot comfortably defend best, though 17.Qe2 is worth
against, and White will have considering.
a powerful K-side attack after Note that 16...Nd7?
he castles long. 17.Ne6 Rf6 (or 17...Rf7) runs

If Black tries to simplify into 18.b4! White’s horses
immediately with 10...Bd6, stampede Black’s Queen.
White can play 11.Bg3 with a
good game, but 11 .Bxd6 Nxd6
12.cxd5 exd5 is better. (12...
cxd5 allows White’s King to
stay safe in the center because
Black’s ability to transform
the center is greatly reduced.)
After 12...exd5, White can
continue a promising attack
by either Rgl or h4. White’s
two key ideas are Rgl, Ng5, Black’s Queen is no cowgirl
and Ne6; or h4, h5, Nh4, and
Ng6. White’s potential Nc7 and
The main continuations Na4 mean there is no good
worth pointing out here are: place for Black’s Queen. Black
13.h4 Kh8 14.h5 fxg4 is destined to lose at least the
15.Nh4, planning to take on Exchange.
h7. Unlike in the 10.Ke2 variation, 11.Ke2
Black cannot cause any
problems with 15...g3 here
because there is no danger of
a later Bg4+. After 16.Ng6+
hxg6 17.hxg6+ Kg8 18.fxg3,
White is simply winning.
13.Rgl Kh8 14.gxf5 Bxf5
15.Bxf5 Nxf5 16.Ng5 with
320
The Srnnewall
Black has tried man y At least it opens d5 for his

things from this position, Knight. But in the short term,
none with much success. the tactics must favor White
11...Nxc3+ is the most because e6 is pinned, making
common move here. See the gxf5 much more powerful.
illustrative game given in This means Black cannot
chapter 12. The one thing to get his Knight to d5 any time
keep in mind with thai variation soon: 12.Bxc4 Nc7?! 13.Bxc7
is that after ...Nc7, White Nxc3+ 14.bxc3 Qxc7 15.gxfs,
will want to prevent Black and Black is hurting.
from getting his Knight to After 11...dxc4 12.Bxc4,
d5. 1-le can do this by playing the Russian IM Andrei Chigvintsev
Ne5 soon, as in the IvanovGuliev tried 12...b5 against
game (see chapter GM Aleksandr Poluljahov
12). 12.bxc3 Nc7 13.Ne5 (2000 Smolensk). After 13.b4
prevents an immediate 13... Qb6 14.Bb3 (14.Bd3 was
dxc4 because 14.Nxc4 drops probably better) 14...NJxc3+
the Knight. 15.Qxc3, Black missed his
Another option is just chance to claw his way back
13.c5, with which White has to only being significantly
a perfect record (5 out of 5) worse.
in my database.
11...Bd7 12.Ne5 Be8 is a
common Dutch maneuver
that has been played a few

times, which is surprising, for
it gambits the f-pawn without
much compensation. 13.gxfs
is perfectly fine, but 13.f3
NJxc3+ 14.bxc3 is better. Black
cannot save his pawn (14...

g6 15.Ragl), which is pinned The game continued 15...
to h7. fxg4?! (15...Nc7 immediately,
11 ...dxc4 is a scrappy way heading for d5 was needed)
of trying to get some play. 16.Ne5 NJc7, which White
321
Chapter 19
could have met with 17.Qd3 The Sharp Line: 1 O.gxf5

or 17.h3 (to be followed by 1 O.gxf5
Qd3), highlighting Black’s
problems down the h-file.
Note that White has Bc2 coming
as well.
Instead, White decided
to just grind his lower-rated
opponent down, and the
game continued 17.Racl
Nd5 18.Bxd5 exd5 19.Qb3
Bb7 20.Rhgl, at which point
Black’s Exchange sacrifice This early exchange gives
(20...Rxf4) was not enough. Black’s Bishop entry to e6.
Black fought hard but was With proper defense, Black
never able to get much use can stop White’s K-side play,
from his light-squared Bishop but not without making other
until it was too late to concessions.
matter. 1 O...exf5 11 .Ke2
11...Bd6 does not work 11.cxd5 limits Black’s
any magic for Black now that ability to deviate, but the
his Knight is committed to a6. deviations he might choose
White would be doing fine are poor. The text gives Black
after simply 12.Bxd6 Nxd6 more ways to err.
13.c5, but he can do better 11 ...Be6 1 2.cxd5 cxd5
with 12.Ne5 (or 12.Bg3 fxg4 13.Qb3
13.Ne5). Those moves do not White hits b7 but also
give White much in the 10... raises the threat of Nxe4
Ke2 11.Bd6 line because if because the Bishop on e6 is
Black takes on e5 and White undefended.
recaptures with his Bishop, 1 3...Nd7!
Black’s ...Nd7 (or ...c5 followed This offers the most tenacious
by ...Nc6) hits e5. Here that is defense.
not possible because Black’s 13...Nxc3+ is too easy on
Knight is already on a6. White. After 14.bxc3, White’s
322
The Stonewall
Queen can invade on b7 because I4.Bxe4 fxe4 15.Nxe4??

she no longer needs to does not work immediately
worry about protecting the for two reasons. First, Black
Knight on c3. This added can simply play I5...Qa6+,
distraction is not something giving check while putting a
Black needs. defender on his vulnerable
He should instead force Bishop. Even if Black did not
White to take on e4. To see have this resource, White has
why, let’s look at the position to watch out for ...Bg4! This
after the text, 1. 3...Nd7! pins White’s f-Knight and gets
one of Black’s Bishops off the
e-file. White has to be very
careful about the possibility
of ...Rae8 followed by play
against his King.
White could avoid the
problems in the above line
by taking with the Knight first
(14.Nxe4 fxe4 I5.Bxe4), so
that 15...Qa6+ could be met
White has two protosimply by I6.Bd3. Norwegian Øystein
threats here. One is Hole did exactly that in the
Qxb7. The other is to take on 2003 Norway team championships
e4, exploiting the pin against against Jan Sigmund
d5. Neither of these can be Berglund. After 14.Nxe4 fxe4
executed yet, but they are im I5.Bxe4 Nf6 16.Bd3, Black
portant to understand. could have grabbed the upper
14.Qxb7?! is not good hand with 1 6...Nh5!; White is
because after 14...Rab8! not in a position to do much
15. Bxb8 Rxb8, White cannot with the open file, and his
play 16.Qa6 and hold onto own King is one step closer to
his material since 16.Rxb2+ danger once ...Nxf4 comes.
removes the pawn defending
his Knight.
323
Chapter 19
Why not just move the possibilities of Nc7 and Rc7,

Bishop? and retreating the Queen lets
White more easily take on b7.
White would love to move In addition to Qb5, White
the Bishop, say to Be5 with can also contemplate Nb5
Rhgl as a follow-up, but this immediately. Finally, White
runs into ...Bg4, pinning the hopes to force Black to exchange
(now-twice-hit) Knight. on c3, in which case
the first player can now recapture
We return to the position with the Rook.
after 13...Nd7! White’s standard idea
of 14.Rhgl is insufficient
here. Jacob Aagaard played
it against Nicolai Vesterbak
Pedersen (Ringsted 1992)
and came out on top after
14....Kh8 15.Ne5 Rfc8?
Instead, Black should have
played 15...Nxe5 16.Bxe5
Bf6, after which he can hold
his own.
14.Rhcl!
Played by GM George-
Gabriel Grigore against the
much weaker Cristian-Clement
Daianu (2006 Romania

Championship), this signals
willingness to find an advantage
on the Q-side. White accentuates
the danger to b7 by
introducing the idea of Qb5!
Black would rather not defend 17.Bxf6 Nxf6 18.Qxb7 Bd7
his Queen with ...b6, for that is quite okay for Black, who
allows Qc6. Exchanging on b5 can now hit down the b-file.
requires Black to address the 19.Rabl is met by 19...f4!
324
The Stonewall
7.Qb5 Qd8 could land key checking square, so White

White in lots of trouble because prepares Bxe4 with 15.KfL
his King soon becomes getting the King off the e-file
quite unsafe as the center is and, more importantly, stopping
transformed. Note that Black Black from pinning his
can now retake on f6 with the Knight with ...Bg4.
Queen. 14...Ndf6 drops the
17.f4 Bxe5 18.fxe5 Nxc3+ b7-pawn because now Qxb7
and White will not be able comes with tempo against
to stop Black from obtaining the Bishop on e7. (This was
some play down either the the choice of Daianu against
c-file or f-file, nor does White Grigore.)
have much to write home 14...Rac8 guards the
about. c7-square, which White is obviously
17.Racl Bxe5 18.dxe5 now targeting, but it
d4 gives Black play against allows a Rook exchange that
White’s King. helps White immensely. Now
If White wants a K-side 15.Nxe4 fxe4 I6.Bxe4 Nf6
attack, 14.h4, preparing Ng5, works well for White because
is worth investigating. after 17.Rxc8 Rxc8 18.Bd3
there is no longer a Rook on

We return to the position f8, meaning that 18...Nh5
after 14.Rhcl. can be well met by 19.Be5
without fear of 19...Bg4.
15.Qb5
15.Nb5 Bf7!!, threatening
...Bh5, is quite strong;
15.Nxe4?! runs into problems
because Black can gambit
a couple of pawns to cause
White’s King grief: 15...fxe4
16.Bxe4 dxe4 17.Qxe6+ Kh8
18.Qxe4 Qb5+ 19.Qd3 Qh5
1 4...Nb6 and it looks like White has
14...a6 takes away Black’s to allow a draw by repetition
325
Chapter 19
(20.Qe4 Qb5+, etc.) because

he cannot allow Black to get
...Rae8 and ...Bd6 in. Black
could even play for more
with 20...Rae8 21.Be5 Bd6,
but that gives White chances
as well.
1 5...Nxc3+
Black has avoided this as
long as he can.
15...Bb4 16.Qxa5 Bxa5
17.Nb5 Nc4 18.Rc2 White
has e5 as an outpost while

Black has no true outpost
squares. White is able to
challenge Black’s temporarily
well-placed Knights.
15...Qxb5 16.Nxb5 Bd7
17.Nc7 Rac8 18.Ne5 Be8 is
not pleasant for the second

player.
16.Rxc3 Qxb5 17.Bxb5 Rfc8
18.Rb3
White has the more influential

pieces.
326
Cliapter 20
The Classical Dutch
e key position to know • Meeting Ld4 f5 2.Bf4

when playing against the Nf6 3.e3 e6 4. Nf3 Be7 5.c4
Classical Variation occurs after 0-0 6.Be2 Nc6;
Ld4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 • A delayed fianchetto for
4.Nf3 d6 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3 0-0 Black, for example: Ld4 f5
7.Be2 Nc6: 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7
5.c4 0-0 6.Be2 b6.
Braving the Exchange

Sac
In chapter 12 I cautioned
against responding to 1 .d4 f5
2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7
5.c4 0-0 with 6.Nc3.
Because this is such a
critical position, chapter 12

covered it in depth. This chapter
covers an assortment of
sidelines and elective ideas. In
particular, we will look at:
The advantages and disadvantages
of braving Black’s
exchange sac in the Ld4 f5 The problem is that White
2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7 wants to meet 6...Ne4! with
5.c4 0-0 move order. 7.Nxe4, but he can find him-
327
Chapter 20
self in a distasteful position That only stops one avenue,

after 7...fxe4 8.Nd2 Rxf4!? and only temporarily.
9.exf4 d5. After 10.c5 a5!, the only
way to keep b3 open for
the Knight is fl.a4, which
doubles down on the 11stop
Bb4+” strategy by weakening
b4 further. White will
have problems because the
c5-pawn is essentially pinned
to the super-vulnerable
b4-square, so Black can play
11...b6 12.Nb3 bxc5 I3.Nxc5
Black has ...Nc6 coming. (13.dxc5 Nd7 14.Qc Qf8
Nb3 uncovers protection puts 3 attackers on the pawn)
for d4 but allows ...Bb4+. If 13...Nd7, when 14.b4 brings
White stops ...Bb4+ with a3, yet another target forward for
then Black can concentrate Black.
on d4 with ...a5, ...Bf6, and There are many other
...a4. If White then dances his ideas White can try, like just
Knight around to e2 to save playing his Knight back to
d4, then it blocks his Bishop bi rather than trying to go to
and ...Na5 hits the weakened b3, but I hope the variations
b3-square as well as the now shown above give some idea
unguarded c4-pawn. of the virulence of Black’s
initiative.
Whoa, whoa, myheadis I am not averse to occasionally
spinning. Give me a line! advocating a

variation owing to 11practical
10.a3 Nc6 fl.Nb3 a5 advantages” one side might
12.Nc1. Bf6 13.Ne2 a4, threatening have. Certain positions are
...Na5. simply easier to play, especially
by mere mortals like me
Okay. But what about c5 to and 99% of the chess-playing
block the Bishop from b4? population. However, I am
328
fh Classical Dutch
leery of suggesting a line in for Black, which required

the hope that your opponent White to play Be2 because the
will simply overlook the best situation had not met the requirements
play. That is not how anyone for Nc3. If Black’s
should develop a repertoire. move order allows White to
That being said, there play Nc3 earlier (or if White
are worthy considerations is willing to risk Black’s finding
that could legitimately lead the equalizing exchange
White to let Black make this sacrifice), White can castle
sacrifice. First, the obvious: one move earlier. This has
White’s repertoire is simplified profound implications. In
if he does not have to particular, it cuts out Black’s
resort to 6.Be2 after 1.d4 f5 most challenging follow-up
2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7 to ...e4.
5.c4 0-0. But there are two After any sequence that allows
further points to note: for an early Nc3, for example
1. Playing 6.Nc3 gives 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3
White an additional advantage e6 4.Nf3 d6 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3
if play continues in the 0-0 7.Qc2 Nc6 8.a3 Qe8 9.h3
main line because, not needing Bd8 10.0-0-0, we will arrive
to play Be2, White can at the same position as in
castle long one move earlier.; the Sample Lines section from
2. Even if Black finds the chapter 12, except White has
Exchange sacrifice, White still castled long instead of playing
has a worthwhile game plan. Be2.
Each of these gets its own From there, if Black advances

subsection. his e-pawn, we should
have 10. ...e5 lLdxe5 dxe5
The Value of Castling 12.Bh2 (I prefer this over Bg3

Early in this line) 12. ...e4 13.Nd2
White is given an interesting Ne5. Since White has already
option if Black does not castled, 14.Nb3 uncovers his
castle immediately. In the Rook down the d-file before
chapter 12 section, I showed Black’s Bishop has left d8.
the most common sequence
329
Chapter 20
White can exchange the Bishop,

which had earlier been
supporting Black’s advanced
light-squared pawns while
restraining White’s g-pawn.
Once this Bishop is in the
box, g4 can be played without
even the preparatory Rgl.
So Black has a difficult
time unwinding his position
Black’s reason for playing if White can get a Rook to dl
13...Ne5 was to free his before Black gets . . .c6 in.
d-Bishop via . . .c6. It was this
Bishop that was tied down Is there any reason for White
earlier when Black had pawns not to opt for this line?
on e5 and f5. The Knight
on c6 was fixed defending White is going to have to
the pawn on e5, and ...Be7 study the other line (where
would break the Queen’s support Nc3 is postponed) anyway,
of the same pawn. unless he is not bothered by
Black’s efforts at freeing the Exchange-sac idea mentioned
his Bishop are largely wasted. above. So learning this
With the d-file open, 14.. .c6? variation entails additional
loses to 15.Rxd8! study time. Furthermore,
when White castles early, Black
Can’t Black just play 14... has more credible alternatives
Bd7, blocking the file? on move 12, or even move 10.
For example, playing 10...a5
Sure, he can play 14... does not make a lot of sense
Bd7. But that probably puts if White can still castle short,
him a move down on whatever but is a perfectly reasonable
variation would otherwise choice after 10.0-0-0. These
ensue. More critically, there possibilities further increase
are tactical complications. the study time required if you
After 15.Kbl c6?! 16.Nc5, are going to use these lines.
330
The Classical Dutch
Anything else special to

know about this line?
As noted above, Bh2 is

the better retreat here because
less skirmishing is likely, so
the ability to play Bh4 later
is not worth impeding the
g-pawn. Also, when White
gets in an early c4 and Nc3,
...Nc6 can often be met with There are many ways
significant advantage by d5! White can play this position.
For example, after 1.d4 f5 Here I give one reasonable
2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 d6 line and a roadmap White
5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3 Nc6?, White can follow.
can take advantage of Black’s 1O.Be2
inaccurate move order with White does nothing to
7.d5! Black’s best response stop either of Black’s threats,
is 7...e5. After 8.dxc6 exf4 but he does force Black to execute
9.exf4 bxc6, White should be his plan now if he wants
for choice. to force White to forfeit the
Of course, White is generally right to castle.

under no requirements 1 O...Nc6 11 .Nb3 Bb4+
to exploit this wrinkle. White 11...a5 is a bit of a trap.
could just plan on transposing If White castles, he will
with 7.Qc2 or 7.a3 definitely lose a pawn very
instead. shortly: 12.0-0?! Qf8 and
White cannot hold onto
Life after the Exchange Sac: both d4 and f4 owing to the

A Reasonable Game Plan danger of ...a4 and ...Bf6. Instead,
Let’s take another look at after 12.a4, play should
the position after 9...d5. transpose.
12.Kfl a5 13.a4 Ne7
Since White is planning
g3, ...Qf6 may prove prema331
Chapter 20
ture. Instead, Black should Black’s Queen can settle back

look for a good way to develop to g7, whence it not only hits
his light-squared Bishop. d4 but also supports ...e5. If
The text opens c6 for that Black can get ...e5 in advantageously,
piece and prepares to place his pawns in the
the Knight on f5. middle will begin to look like
14.g3 Nf5 a murder of crows.
15.c5!
Black can develop his

light-squared Bishop to c6
or b7, so White would prefer
the pawns on d5 and e4 stay
where they are. By advancing
his c-pawn, he stops Black
from removing one of them
by ...dxc4. It is particularly
intelligent to play this move
This Knight can prove now because White will need
quite pesky. The most basic to play Bg4 once Black plays
threat Black has (other than ...Bd7, at which point ...dxc4
a well-timed ...g5) is to combine would let Black win a pawn
attacks against a4 and while partially clearing the
d4. White does not want his long diagonal.
Queen tied to the defense of
d4, but as long as Black has Why does White need to play
a Knight on f5, White will Bg4 in response to ...Bd7?
have to keep that pawn covered.
Unfortunately, using ...Bd7 brings extra zest
the Knight on b3 for this task to ...g5. If White reacts too
hinders White from protecting slowly, Black can invade on f3
a4. with his Rook. For example,
Notably, the ...g5 idea consider 15.Kg2 Bd7 16.c5?!
complements Black’s pressure g5! 17.fxg5 Qxg5 18.Bg4
against d4 because after Nh6, and White’s Bishop will
a pawn exchange on g5, eventually be captured if it
332
The Classical Dutch
remains on g4, but otherwise What does this have to do

it cannot keep both h3 and with Black’s ...gspush?
f3 covered. The former can
prove quite sensitive after a White’s preferred way of

later ...e5 while the latter requires meeting ...g5 is Qcl!, because
more immediate attention he is happy to exchange
owing to ...Rf8-f3, hitting pawns on f4 if it brings his
White’s Knight on b3. Black Queen to that square. But
gets dangerous chances once once Black has the option of
his Rook reaches f3. doubling his pressure on a4,
An alternate idea White Qcl loses its charm.
might consider is 15.Kg2 Bd7 For this reason, White
16.Bg4! The concern I have welcomes 15...b6 because the
with this variation is that open c-file accentuates a later
Black can cause a lot of stress Qcl. After 16.cxb6 cxb6, a future
after 16...dxc4 17.Nc5 Bxc5 Qcl will threaten Qc6!
18.dxc5 Bc6 19.Qxd8+ Rxd8. 16.Bg4
He has several advanced central
pawns and will plant his
Rook on d3 soon. However,
White can look forward to an
endgame where there are lots
of pawns to hinder Black’s
Bishop.
15...Bd7
The note to White’s previous

play described one reason
this move is intimately tied to White has gone a long
the strength of...g5, but there way towards surviving the
is a second half to that story. middle-game with an intact
In addition to ...Bd7 putting advantage. Note that 16...g5
the R/a8 one step closer to f8, can now be met with 17.Bxf5
it also allows Black to hit the exf5 18.Qh5!
a4-pawn a second time with Some other possible continuations
...Qe8. from here, all of
333
Chapter 20
which look good for White: so early in this opening, and

16...Qe8 17.Ncl Rb8 Black is unlikely to play 6...
18.Kg2 b6 19.cxb6 Rxb6 Nc6 here because of 7.d5, so
20.Na2! Bd6 (20...Bxa4 21.b3 this variation is low priority.
Bb5 22.Nxb4 axb4 23.Ra7 is Still, it is not at all clear what
very helpful for White.); is the best response to study.
16...Qf6 17.Kg2, and 7.Nc3?! is not to be recommended,
White can start edging his for 7...Ne4 8.Nxe4?

K-side pawns up the board: fxe4 9.Nd2 leaves White in
17...Rb8 18.h3 Be8 19.h4 h6 sorry shape after 9...Nxd4
20.Qe2 Kh7 21.h5; 10.Nxe4 Nxe2 11.Qxe2 Bb4+.
16...Be8 17.Kg2 Qf6 (We will look at 8.d5 later, see
18.Qe2 and White can again note to Black’s 8th move in
start pushing his h-pawn. the 7.d5 subsection.)
Since White intends to
Meeting 6...Nc6?! castle long, the only move

There is one move order that allows him any real hope
that requires extra care if of transposing to the position
White is avoiding the Exchange discussed in chapter 12
sac described above. is 7.h3, but I suspect in most
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 cases Black will play ...Ne4
4.Nf3 Be7 5.c4 0-0 6.Be2 too early for White to proceed
Nc6?! with the plan described there.
In almost every case, this will
mean White should castle
short. White tends to get a significant

objective advantage in
these lines, but using 7.h3 as
your repertoire move has two
downsides.
First, a wide variety of continuations

are possible, perhaps
too many to study given
It’s uncommon for Black how infrequently you will face
to develop his Knight to c6 this line. Second, even though
334
The Classical Dutch
White gets good positions in 7...b6 looks to be a misBb7

these lines, Black tends to get take because 8.0-0 9.d5
the kind of game he is probably exd5 10.cxd5 Nb4 11.d6! is

looking for. I don’t think disruptive.
there is any reasonable way of 8.Bh2 Ne4
stopping Black from advancing 8...Qe8!? is interesting:
his e-pawn and posing 9.Nc3 hints at castling long
serious threats. and perhaps transposing to
I give coverage here of the something like the main line
two best repertoire options: discussed in chapter 12. Then
7.h3 and 7.d5. Keep in mind I3lack can prevent this with
that the latter is probably 9...Ne4 10.Nxe4 fxe4 11.Nd2
what Black expects. e5! 12.d5 Nb4.
Weathering the storm with 7.h3

7.h3
Position after 12...Nb4
13.0-0! (13.Nxe4?! Qg6!)

Castling will likely transpose, 13...Bf5 14.a3 Nd3 15.Bxd3
but the text keeps at exd3 16.e4 Bg6, and White
least some hope of transposing should play 17.Rel! because
to the main line, 17.Qb3?! Bg5 18.Nf3 can be
which White presumably has met with 18...Rxf3!
studied.
7...d6
7...Ne4 8.0-0 should
transpose;
335
Chapter 20
We return to the position plays ...d5 soon, White wants

after 8...Ne4. to be able to pressure d5. Furthermore,
after Nbd2, Black
can contemplate an a-pawn
march, which makes less
sense if White has a Knight
on c3 because ...a5 leaves b5
quite weak.
Lastly, getting the Knight
off f3 can be a smart policy if
Black can push his pawns on
the K-side. Though it must be
9.0-0 admitted that in these positions
This is better than immediately White will generally
challenging the Knight. have time to get his Knight off
For example, 9.Nfd2?! Nxd2 f3 without calamity.
10.Qxd2 e5 and 9.Nfd2?! 9...Bf6
Nxd2 10.Nxd2 f4! are both Other moves should lead
a little better for Black than to similar play. Black will
where the text leads. likely play this anyway to support
...e5, so it makes sense to
What’s wrong with 9.Nbd2 play it now.
instead? 1 0.Nfd2
I prefer this over 10.Nbd2
A couple of things. First, Nxd2 11.Qxd2 e5, though
should Black allow an exchange White does have some interesting
on e4, White would prospects with Nel-c2
much prefer to attack the in that formation.
pawn coming to e4 with a 1 0...Nxd2 11 .Qxd2 e5
Knight on c3 rather than d2. 1 2.dxe5
Compare 9.Nfd2 Bf6 10.Nxe4
fxe4 11.Nc3 to 9.Nbd2 Bf6
10.Nxe4 fxe4 11.Nd2.
A Knight on c3 hits d5
and also can go to b5. If Black
336
The Classical Dutch
consider playing 13.Nc3 followed

by Nd5.
I’m afraid there is no good
way to prevent Black from at
least being able to begin a
K-side pawn blitz. Black will
be looking to play ...g5 soon.
However, White has the better
chances. He will have plenty
of central influence, and he
White should be in good won’t have to use tempi to
shape regardless of how Black deliver his pieces from the
recaptures. mouths of Black’s oncoming
12...dxe5 assures Black pawns.
of a phalanx on e5/f5, but
13.Qc2! threatens to bring The Simple 7.d5
Rooks to the d-file while 7.d5
keeping open the possibility
of Qb3. White can quickly
gain a lot of central influence
in this variation.
1 2...Bxe5 allows White to
avoid, or at least delay, Black’s

bringing a pawn to e5. I recommend
taking advantage
of this by simply developing.
For example, 13.Nc3 Be6
14.b3 with Bf3 likely to follow. The thing that bothers
This line might call for me most about this move is
Bxc6 soon. that Black almost certainly
12...Nxe5 suffers from the expects it, yet he was willing
same problems as 12...Bxe5, to play the irregular 6...Nc6
but it is worse because Black anyway. I don’t like giving my
no longer has the possibility opponent what he wants, but
of Bxh2+. White should it seems there is little choice
337
Chapter 20
because the 7.h3 line leads Qe8 variation of the previous

to positions where the most section because White can
dangerous plan at Black’s play Ne4.
disposal—expansion on the
K-side—will be familiar to Why is provoking ...Bb4+ so
Dutch players. I realize I’m useful for White? You avoid it
speaking in very large brush in almost all other lines.
strokes here, but my proposed
repertoire tends to minimize The movement of Black’s
such K-side initiatives, so the Bishop to b4 gives White an
7.h3 line is rather an outlier additional tactical tool; as in
in this regard. the 9...Nc6 variation above,
7...Bb4+ he can now exchange Queens
Other moves do not work and then take on c7. This will
out well for Black, and that, not necessarily work if Black
in a nutshell, is why 7.d5 is has a Bishop on e7 because
worthy of consideration in he can recapture on d8 with
the first place: the Bishop, which keeps c7
7...Nb4 8.Nc3 d6 9.dxe6 defended. (Of course, even
with Nd4 to follow is very this is a bit of a concession
good for White. The two because a Bishop on d8
main replies calling for blocks Black’s Rooks and
something other than Nd4 makes it easier for White to
are: grab the d-file with his Rooks,
9...Nh5 i0.Nd5; but that is another matter
9...Nc6 10.c5 dxc5 entirely.)

11.Qxd8 Nxd8 (11...Bxd8?! 8.Nc3 Ne7
12.Bc4 Ne7 13.Ne5) 12.Bxc7 This is the one variation
Nxe6 13.Bc4. where I advocate allowing
In the above variations, Black to double White’s
8...Ne4 9.Nxe4 fxe4 10.Nd2 pawns with ...Bxc3. White
Nd3+ 11.Bxd3 exd3 12.0-0 should be quite happy after
doesn’t present the same 8...Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Ne7 10.dxe6
challenge as the line discussed d6, when both 11.c5 and Nd4
in the note to the 8... look good.
338
The Classical Dutch
In the discussion to Black’s

7th move, you said that
White was fine after 7.d5
Nb4 8.Nc3 Ne4, and here
you are saying White is also
okay with doubled c-pawns.
Putting those two ideas
together, shouldn’t White
play 7.Nc3 first and then
only play 8.d5 if Black plays
his Knight to e4? That would The basic idea for the ensuing
give White some hope of struggle should be the

transposing to the main line same regardless of how Black
covered in chapter 12. responds. He will likely exchange
a Knight for the Bishop
That is certainly an interesting on f4, and White comes
idea, but the acceptance out with the better Bishop
of doubled c-pawns and the opportunity to grab
was predicated on Black’s the center with his Rooks and
exchanging a Bishop for the target Black’s Q-side with his
Knight. Things are not so rosy Queen and Bishop, which he
after 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.d5 Nxc3! will likely tuck back to g2.
Black gets some concessions
for his poor development A Delayed Q-side
after either 9.bxc3 Na5 or Fianchetto
9.bxc3 Nb8!? Black can adopt a hybrid
9.dxe6 d6 move order that combines
9...dxe6?! 1O.Qxd8 Rxd8 the Classical Variation described

11.Bxc7. here with the Fianchetto
1O.Qb3 Variation.
3.e3 e6 1.d4f5 2.Bf4Nf6 1O.Nd4?! Ne4 11.Qc2

Bxc3+!, and Black’s strategy 4.Nf3 Be7
begins to make some sense. The threat of ...Bb4(+) is
1 O...Bxc3+ 11 .Qxc3 a key idea in the fianchetto
variation, so if Black plans on
339
Chapter 20
playing ...b6, he is unlikely for denying White a significant

to make this move. 4...b6 is advantage.
more natural. It is quite unclear what
5.c4 they envision after 1.d4 f5
Once White makes this 2.Bf4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 b6
move, he can no longer transpose 5.Bd3 Bb7 6.c4 because in the
to the plan discussed lesson they reference, none
in the Fianchetto Variation of these non-...Bb4-lines are
chapter. shown. Furthermore, their
5...O-O lesson suggests the alternative
After 5...b6, White has the to playing ...Bb4 is ...d5,
additional option of playing which they repeatedly admonish
Bd3 rather than Be2. This allows against so long as
transposition to 1.d4 f5 White has not locked in his
2.Bf4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 b6 dark-squared Bishop. This is
5.Bd3 Bb7 6.c4, a line which why they avoid 1.d4 f5 2.c4
Johnsen and Bern appear to e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 d5. Si-
applaud in their book, written men Agdestein, who contributed
from Black’s perspective, to their project writes,
without giving the reader any Quite a few strong players
advice as to how to combat choose the stubborn 4...d5?!
White’s setup. but I think 5.Bf4! gives Black
Indeed, one could plausibly serious problems.
claim this move order is a The problem is that one
refutation to their repertoire presumes that after ...d5
because the only commentary (which in the referenced lesson
they give (other than comes before ...b6), Black
awarding 6.c4 an !“) is that would take a very different
the game should be similar course, probably not fianchettoing
to the lines covered in their at all. But after 1.d4
chapter on 1.d4 f5 2.c4 e6 f5 2.Bf4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3
3.Nc3 1except White has b6 5.Bd3 Bb7 6.c4, Black has
avoided the ...Bb4 lines.” The already fianchettoed, so it is
rub here is that they present difficult to guess what kind of
those lines” as critical play they have in mind.
340
The Classical Dutch
6.Be2 b6 5th move, then the game will

progress as 5...b6 6.Be2 Bb7,
after which 7.0-0 is probably
the best repertoire option, for
it minimizes the likelihood
that Black will get creative.
If it looks like the second
player is considering castling
long, 8.Nc3 (threatening d5)
should bring him back to
reality.
From here it seems that
there are at least three ways White Creates a Hole on h2

for White to get a good game 7.h3 Bb7 8.0-0
with a clearly better position. We have arrived by transposition
The closest thing Black has to at a line mentioned
a threat at this point is ...Nh5, by Johnsen and Bern, citing

and it seems that White does Vasiljevic-Malaniuk, Yugoslav
fine no matter how he chooses Team Championship, Cetinje
to address (or not address) 1993.
that possibility: 8...Ne4 9.Nfd2 Ng5
• He can play 7.h3, Other moves are likely
which gives his Bishop the better, but generally require
h2-square; some concession by Black.
• He can play the crafty 10.Nc3 d6
7.Nfd2!?, which prevents
...Nh5 directly;
• He can ignore the threat
altogether and simply castle.
I’ll give each of these
ideas its own mini sub-section.
Note that if Black omits
castling and White chooses
not to take the alternate route
given in the note to Black’s
341
Chapter 20
From here, VasiljevicMalaniuk I’m rather fond of this

continued 11.b4 move. White will likely need
Nd7 12.c5?! Nf7?! 13.cxd6 to play this soon anyway, and
cxd6 14.Bf3 d5 15.Nb5 playing it now cuts out the
Bxb4 16.Nc7 e5 17.Ne6 possibility of ...Nh5 directly.
Qe7 18.Nxf8 exf4 19.Nxd7 Objectively speaking, the
fxe3, but the c-pawn push is move 11saved” by not needing
ill-conceived. Black would to play h3 may not be too
have been fine after simply significant because that is
exchanging on c5. often a useful move anyway,
White can do much better but I like how this unforcing
from the diagram by shutting move asks Black an intriguing
out Black’s light-squared question 11how, exactly,
Bishop and then applying are you planning to improve
pressure in the center and your position?”
along the diagonals leading 7...Bb7
toward Black’s King. For 7...Ne4? 8.Nxe4 fxe4 is
example: horrible. See note to Black’s
11.d5 e5 12.Bh2 Nf7 8th move.
13.Qc2 g6 14.f4 Nd7 15.e4; 8.0-0
11.Qb3 Na6 12.Radl c5 And here Black probably
13.Rfel Qc8 14.Bh2 with d5 needs to try something
soon. provocative because he is
otherwise running out of
White prevents ...Nh5 ways to improve his position
7.Nfd2!? while White still has plenty
of solid plays (Nc3, Qc2/b3,
Radi). The standard ...Ne4
(allowing ...g5 among other
things) is certainly not the
answer though. Black is not
developed enough to sustain
the collapse of the center:
8...Ne4?! 9.Nxe4 fxe4 (9...
Bxe4 10.d5!) 10.Nc3.
342
The Classical Dutch
White Ignores the Threat

White can also proceed
by simply ignoring the issue
entirely. This is generally a
good policy when White has
not fianchettoed K-side. Yet
here one could excuse Black
for going after the Bishop

because he has not pushed
his d-pawn yet, meaning that
Position after 1O.Nc3 the pawn on e6, which will
soon be subject to an attack
Black’s basic problem is along the semi-open file, is
that he cannot properly develop not quite as vulnerable as
and defend e4 without in other lines of the Dutch.
allowing White to target e6. In White’s plan is to provoke
addition to hitting this pawn, the advance of the d-pawn to
White also plans to open the weaken e6.
f-file and put his Bishop on 7.0-0
e5. A particularly brutal version
of this is: 1O...d5 11.Bg4
Rf6 12.Be5 Rh6 13.cxd5 exd5
14.Nb5 Na6 15.f3.
7...Nh5
After 7...Ne4, White
should play 8.h3 because
8.Nfd2 g5!? could soon become
unsavory. After 8.h3,
play will likely transpose to
343
Chapter 20
the White Creates a Hole on be okay after 10...a6!? 11.Bf3

h2 line. Ra7.
If Black omits castling to lO.Nc3

allow his fianchetto to come 10.Ne5 is playable, but
one move earlier (5...b6 6.Be2 there are many different reactions
Bb7 rather than 5...0-0 6.Be2 to consider: 10...Bb4
b6), White no longer needs to and 10...d6 11.Bf3 Be4 in

be concerned with ...g5. Since particular, and I recommend
Black has not castled, 7.0-0 White not be in a rush. The
Ne4 8.Nfd2 g5?! is met with text looks to broaden White’s
9.Bh5+ Kf8 10.Be5. threats by allowing for d5.
8.Rel This has a certain logic to it
White assumes the e-file because Black has no interest
will be open soon. in playing ...d5 owing to the
8...Nxf4 9.exf4 Bb7 straits into which his e6-pawn
White plans on Ne5 and would be plunged.
Bf3, so it is wise to develop 1 O...Bf6
the Bishop rather than get
involved in tactics that might
allow Bf3 to come at an awkward
time.
9...d6 would derail
White’s plan, but weakens e6
and leaves the long diagonal
open: 10.Nc3 Na6 (10...Nc6?!
11.d5) 11.d5 (11.Ng5!? is also
interesting) 11...Bf6 12.dxe6
Bxe6 13.Ng5! Bxg5 14.Bf3 This culminates a common
looks like no fun for Black. strategy goal, but it also
In the event of 9...Bf6, I has tactical import. The pressure
recommend simply playing against d4 complicates
to transpose with 10.Nc3. The White’s life because after
thing that bothers me about 11.Ne5 d6 12.Bf3 c6 12.Nd3,
the more aggressive 10.Ne5 his d-pawn is en prise.
is that Black might actually 11.Qd2!
344
The Classical Dutch
Qc2 may seem more

natural, but the text has several
commendable aspects. It
maintains connection with
e3, whence the Queen can
protect d4 even in the event
of Ne5-d3. Furthermore, the
Queen is less vulnerable on
d2 than on c2, where it can
be hit by a Knight going to
b4 or d4. For example, after
11.Qc2, I think Black can get
away with 11...Nc6 because
12.d5 can be answered with
12...Nd4. I’d just as soon not
allow Black this luxury.
After the text, White will
continue to work toward winning
Black’s e-pawn. However,
keep in mind that this might
involve pawn expansion on
the c- or d-files, which can
lead to the liquidation (rather
than the advancement) of
Black’s d-pawn.
345
Chapter 20
346
Chapter 21
The Leningrad Dutch

1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6?! in the event of 5.h5?! Each of
The pure Leningrad is, these plans gets its own short
historically, the most popular section.
response to 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4
Nf6 3.e3, which is very good Black Continues with
news for White as it is a terrible the Leningrad
setup for Black. Indeed, 4...Bg7? 5.h5 Nxh5
I almost did not even include It is far safer for Black to
this chapter, for White’s position simply admit that he goofed
practically plays itself. and play 5...d6!, knowing
4.h4! that he will have to pull his
Bishop back (6...Bf8) after
6.h6. Black will have trouble
keeping his King safe. The
strongest matchup I can find
where Black allowed h6 in
this manner was from Rabinovich-Hnydiuk,
European
Championship (Juniors)
Rimavska Sobota (Slovakia)
1996.
Black has two major options. That game continued

He can continue on 7.c4 e6 8.Nc3 Be7 9.Qc2 0-0
his merry way—playing 4... 10.0-0-0 Qe8 11.Nf3 Ng4
Bg7?—or he can use Kinder- 12.Bg3 a6 13.e4, and there
mann’s suggestion of 4...h6, is little to like about Black’s
aiming to close up the K-side position. (Note, I might sug347
Chapter 21
gest White play 7.Bc4 instead,

simply to cut out the complexity
of 7...Be6!?)
5...gxh5 only leads to
something independent if
he refuses the offered material
after 6.Rxh5. Obviously,
this leaves Black in a dismal
position, but probably one
that is easier to survive than
the text. However, White can 6.Rxh5
go his own way with 6.Ne2!, The obvious follow-up,
planning Ng3. Both 6...d6 but given how often Black
7.Ng3 e6 8.Nxh5 and 6...h4 has played 5.. .Nxh5, I have to
7.Nbc3 followed by Bg5 look assume that many Leningrad
wretched for Black. (I prefer players simply live in denial
Nbc3 before Bg5 so that that White will play it.
...Qa5 does not come with 6...gxh5 7.Qxh5+ Kf8
check after Black plays ...c5. 8.Qxf5+ Kg8
Indeed, after 7.Nbc3, 7.. . c5?! 8...Ke8?? 9.Be2! threatens
is beyond dubious: 8.dxc5 Bh5# and more or less ends

Qa4 9.Nd4 Qxc5 10.Qf3 a6 the game.
(allowing . . .d6 without having 9.Nc3
to worry about Bb5+) White begins to bring
11.0-0-0 d6 12.Rxh4 leads to back-up troops to the battle
a ludicrous position: White and obtains the ability to
has marvelously developed castle long.
every piece except his K-Bishop 9...e6
whilst the majority of Black will almost certainly
Black’s pieces remain on their play this soon anyway, so we
original squares.) will assume he plays it here.
We return to the position 9...Qf8, hoping White
after 5...Nxh5. will exchange Queens, can
hardly be good since after
10.Qc5, it is clear Black will
348
The Leningrad Dutch
lose material without helping 11...Nd7

his defense. Note the possibility 11...Qf6?! is well met by
of Nd5, adding pressure. 12.Nb5!, the point being that
10.Qh5 12...Qe7 fails to protect c7:
I prefer this over 10.Qh3 13.Nxc7! Qxc7 14.Qe8+ Bf8
even though it releases pressure 15.Bh6 Qe7 16.Qxc8 wins a
from e6 (which allows pawn for White, making up
Black to play ...Nd7-f6). The for the material gambited on
text keeps White’s Queen in move 6. The first player now
contact with e8 should Black’s has 2 pawns and a Bishop for
Queen get deflected. The his Rook and will continue
combination Qe8+ followed attacking with Nf3-g5. This
by Bh6 can be deadly. See will be delayed in the event of
note to Black’s 11th move. 1 6...Kf7, which allows . ..Qe7.
10...d6 11.0-0-0 White will need to preserve
In Schlindwein-Schoenfeld, his Queen with 17.d5! e5
Germany 1994, White 18.Nf3, with Ng5 and Qc4
brought more piece power soon.
to bear immediately with This motif often works
11.Nf3. I prefer keeping the against a later . . . Qf6 as well.

f3 open for the Queen, especially 11.. .Nc6 is too optimistic.
since it isn’t clear which After 12.Nf3, White will simply
of the various dark squares play d5 with an enduring
on the K-side should be used initiative.
by White’s Bishop and which 12.Bg5
should have a Knight posted
to them.
Schlindwein-Schoenold
continued 11...Bd7 12.Bc4
Nc6 13.d5 Be8 14.Qg4 Na5?!

(14...h5! immediately puts
up better defense) 15.Bg5 h5
16.Qg3 Nxc4?? 17.Bxd8 Rxd8
18.Qh4 Nxb2 19.Qxd8 Bxc3+
20.Kfl 1-0.
349
Chapter 21
12...Nf6 Black Dissuades h5 with

4...h6 12...Qf8 is probably
Chapter 12 showed the about as good but seems to
gist of this line, but a bit admit that Black has little to
more discussion of the problems fight for. After 13.Nb5, Black
will lose the c-pawn unless Black faces seemed
warranted. he tries the dubious 13...c6
Nf6 3.e3 g6 1.d4f5 2.Bf4 14.Nc7 Rb8 15.Ne8 Nf6
4.h4! h6 16.Nxf6 Bxf6 17.Nf3, after
which exchanging attackers
does not solve Black’s problems:
17...Bxg5 18.Nxg5 and
White’s Knight and Queen
will coordinate very well
in attacking Black’s d- and
e-pawns after White plays
Ne4.
13.Qf3
Surveying the previous

section indicates why Black
would wish to dissuade h5.
The text is currently believed,
quite incorrectly, to be the antidote
to White’s brash K-side
operations.
White can now disrupt
Black’s play by threatening to
White has natural ways of target g6. Many of the ideas
increasing his piece pressure lurking behind the next few
against Black’s King. moves are linked to the question
of whether White can
force ...Kf7 by playing Qg3.
The key point for White to
remember is that he wants
350
The Leningrad Dutch
to play Qg3 as he can do so against 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3.

without Black being able to 6...Nc6
advantageously play . . . Rg8 in Black has some hope of
response. eventually playing his Knight
A consequence of the to e7, where it can protect g6.
above is that Black has tremendous 6...Nbd7?! blocks the
difficulty castling, B/c8 from e6, so 7.Qg3 Rg8?!
for that generally calls for can be met with 8.Bc4.
Bg7, which invites Qg3. 6...c6 7.Bc4! d5 8.Qg3!
5.Nc3 (8...dxc4? loses to 9.Bc7 owing
5.Qf3! immediately is also to the danger of Qxg6#.)
fine, but the text allows Black 6...Bg7 suffers from the
to fumble with 5...Bg7?! same problem as 5...Bg7.
The reason White is willing 7.0-0-0 e6
to use a move on Nc3 is Black would love to get
that he cannot expect to play his Bishop from c8 to f7, but
Qf3-g3 immediately because obviously 7...Be6? loses to
5.Qf3 d6 6.Qg3 is well met by 8.d5.
6...Rg8. The text gives Black Blocking this with 7...d5
an opportunity to play inaccurately, only provokes 8.Nb5.
allowing White to I suppose Black could
get Qg3 in when Black cannot try 7...a6 to stop this. But
respond ...Rg8. after 8.Bc4, Black has to play
5...d6 8...e6 anyway, and Black
5...Bg7 6.Qf3! d6 (6...O-O? won’t have time to get d5 in
7.Qg3 threatens g6 and c7) if White plays 9.Nge2, expecting
7.Qg3 Kf7 is worse for Black Bg3 and Nf4. This gives
than the text. White great board influence
6.Qf3! and, absent some obviously
This is, of course, the key exploitable inaccuracy White
move in myplan. I cannot find can push e4 to begin the process
any games where this was tried, of breaking open lines to
but I believe it gives White a Black’s King.
fantastic game and demonstrates 8.e4
that 3. . .g6 is a dead-end
351
Chapter 21
White will still be able to

easily mount pressure against
Black’s K-side with a later
Qg3 and Nf4 (after Bd2).
Better yet, White can just play
Rgl andbashoutg4!
It is no simple feat for
Black to castle long: 8.. . Qe7
9.exf5 gxf5 10.Bc4 Bd7 (10...
Na5 11.Ba6!? is interesting,
8...fxe4 but White will definitely
8...Bg7 9.e5 Ng4 (9...Nd5 retain an advantage) 11.d5
10.Nxd5 dxe5 I10...exd5? exd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Qh5+
11.exd6 cxd6 12.Qxd5 is terrible.] leaves Black with isolated fand
11.dxe5 exd5 12.Bc4 h-pawns.
loses a pawn, for Black would 9.Nxe4 Nd5
be utterly lost after 12...Nxe5? Black is not threatening to
13.Qe3 Qe7 14.Bxd5 Ng4 take the Bishop immediately,
15.Qxe7+, his King stuck in which would be a mistake in
the center.) 10.Qg3, and Black most cases. Rather, by hitting
will have to make some concession the Bishop with his Knight he
in light of the Knight sets up a method by which he
on g4 being stranded. can safely get his Bishop to g7.
Black can actually manage See note to White’s move.
to castle without immediate 1O.Ne2 Bg7
material loss by playing 10...Nxf4? 11.Nxf4 Rg8
8...Ne7 to protect g6, but 1 2.Bc4+—.
after 9.e5 Nfd5 10.Nh3! Nxc3 10...Nce7 is now no
(10...Bg7? 11.Nxd5 exd5 longer necessary and blocks

jll...Nxd5 is not quite as the Queen from f6. White
bad but allows the standard has many good ways to proceed,
pressuring of g6 with 12.Qg3j but 11.N2c3! is quite
12.exd6 cxd6 13.Qa3 puts potent, the point being that
too much pressure on d6.) 11... Bg7? can be met with
11.Qxc3 d5 12.Kbl Bg7, 12.Bxd6! Nxc3 13.bxc3 cxd6
352
The Leningrad Dutch
14.Bb5+ Nc6 15.d5. Other

11th moves for Black fail for
various reasons:
11...Nxc3 12.Nxc3 Bg7

13.Bb5+, and holding onto
b7 (13...c6?!) weakens d6,
leaving d6, e6, g6, and h6
all available for targeting.
This accentuates the strength
of White’s already powerful
Queen, who will soon go to It is not clear what Black’s
g3 or e3 to continue to terrorize best course here is, but one

Black. strategy is to provoke a
11...Nxf4 12.Qxf4 Nf5?! Queen exchange by getting
(12...Bg7 13.Nf6+) 13.g4! his lady to f7. Another is to
gives White a tremendous prepare Q-side castling with
attack. ...Bd7.
11...Nf5 12.Nxd5 exd5 The latter runs into trou.Bd7
13.Ng3 loses material, for ble after 11.. 12.Qg3

Black has no hope of safely Nce7 13.c4!, which helps
castling with his material intact White’s pieces better use his
after 13...c6?! 14.Nxf5. space advantage:
11.Bd2 13...Nb6 14.c5 Nc4
11.Qg3 no longer works 15.Bc3, with Nf4 soon.

because after Black castles he 13...Nf6 14.Nxf6+ Bxf6
will have two pieces hitting 15.Bc3, with Nf4 soon.

the Bishop on f4, so White’s The Queen exchange
Queen is tied down to defense plan is probably Black’s best
for a move. hope, but it is not particularly
rosy. For example, 11...Qe7
12.N4c3 Nxc3 13.Bxc3 Qf7
14.Qxf7+ Kxf7 15.Nf4, and
White can easily bring more
pieces to the K-side via Rh3
and Bc4.
353
Chapter 21
354
Ctiapfer 22
The Deferred Leningrad
any Dutch Defense who transposes to the Classical

practitioners respond with 4...e6, or plays the
to 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 by strange-but-reasonable 4.. .c6
playing 3. . . d6, delaying .. .g6 5.Nf3 Qb6. In either case,
to avoid 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 you will rue early placement
3.e3 g6 4.h4! of your Knight on c3. In fact,
This chapter addresses with White’s pawn stuck on
those variations where Black c2, Black could even justify
plays ...g6 and ...Bg7 reasonably playing a Stonewall Defense
soon after this delaying a tempo down. Hence, White
...d6. Other lines featuring should reluctantly play the
an early ...d6 should either natural 4.Nf3, which blocks
transpose to variations in his Queen’s direct access to
other chapters (or better versions the K-side.
thereof) or are handled
in the Dutch Odds and Ends But couldn’t White delay
chapter. another move with4.c4,
If you think that Black which also allows him to
will eventually opt for a Leningrad, transpose to the Classical or
you can respond with meet a slow Stonewall?
4.Nc3, hoping to transpose to
the lines in the chapter on the That is worth considering,
normal Leningrad. While this but I don’t think it is a good
saves you the time of studying idea. The biggest problem is
this chapter, I cannot recommend that even if Black plays ...g6
it in general. You will soon, White’s h4 onslaught
eventually play someone will not be nearly as potent.
355
Chapter 22
First, in the h4 attack, White it isn’t a big deal that c4 will

likes to play Bc4, but now be occupied by a pawn for a
the c4-square is blocked. while. White will push it to c5
Furthermore, the d7-square soon enough, and his light-
has been opened as an escape squared Bishop will likely be
route for Black’s King. Most needed elsewhere anyway.
importantly, the pawn on d6 He ultimately hopes to
can support a timely ...e5 gain control of both the a2-g8
(or perhaps ...c5). Also, in and al-h8 diagonals as Black
some variations the control attempts to keep his Q-side
of g4 by the Bishop on c8 intact. Black’s responses can
can become highly relevant generally be grouped into
as White might like to use three categories, each getting
that square as transport for its own section:
his Queen. A reasonable line 1. He can distract White
showing some of these facets from his plan.

is: 1.d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 2. He can block the
4.c4 g6 5.h4?! Bg7 6.h5?! c-pawn.
Ne4! 7.hxg6 hxg6 8.Rxh8+ 3. He can ignore White’s
Bxh8 9.Nd2 e5! actions.
Still, White is not scrapping

the idea of a K-side Distractions
storm when he plays 4.Nf3. Many players choose the Dutch
Indeed, it will be a looming because they get to dictate the
threat, and White hopes to opening. Hence, some of your
return to it later. Black’s reaction opponents will try to take control
to White’s initial play of the game’s course, wanting
may make it harder for him to to short circuit your plan.
meet the h-pawn march. There are two active options for
After 4.Nf3, White plans Black, and they both involve
to throw his c-pawn up the attacking the Bishop White
board to gain space on the developed on move two.
Q-side. Unlike in the quick Black can set out to win
K-side attack following 1.d4 the “minor exchange” by
f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.h4!, playing ...Nh5, threatening
356
to take White’s Bishop, but 4...g6

White is happy to exchange 4...Nh5 does Black no favors.
on f4, which opens up the An exchange on f4 just
e-file and puts double-pawn sets White up to use the e-file.
coverage on e5. He can play aggressively in
The other distraction involves the center with impunity.
gaining K-side space Playing this move so early
by hitting the Bishop with removes any niggling concerns
his pawns. This often works that Black is likely to
well for Black in variations get a decent, slow Stonewall
where White is less active in structure since the open e-file
the middle, but not here. The would give White great play
lines I suggest for White exert in that case.
too much pressure for Black There are many good ways
to play ...e5 advantageously, for White to proceed, but I
and ...h6 followed by ...g5 is like 5.Bc4, which forces Black
slow and ineffective. to consider tactics that could
I won’t catalogue every occur on f7 after a later Ng5.

variation where Black can White is fine giving Black the
try one or the other of these “free” . . .d5, since he is happy
tactics; a few lines convey the putting his Bishop back on
basic point that White has b3 anyway; furthermore, once
little to fear here. • . .d5 is played, Black’s e-pawn
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 would be particularly weak if
4.Nf3 Black takes on f4. Regardless
of Black’s play, White should
be able to develop well and
plan on targeting the light
squares d5, e6, and f7, which
future play should give him
access to.
4...h6 is an ill-conceived
effort to gain a tempo by
playing ...g5 in a single shot.
After White responds 5.h4,
357
Chapter 22
...g5 is off the table and White both to a discovered attack

can continue with his basic from White’s Queen and to
plan, knowing that a future a disrupting g4! For example,
Ne5 will now come with 6.Nc3 Nh5 7.Bg5 h6 (7...Bg7
tempo against g6. 8.Bh4 should transpose.)
For the provocative 4... 8.Bh4 Bg7 (8...g5 9.Nd2 Nf6
h6 5.h4 Ng4 (or 5...Nc6), 1O.Bg3 might be what Black
see Dutch Odds and Ends had in mind all along, but after
chapter. the K-side collapses, White
5.c4 Bg7 will be in a better position
5...c6 will likely lead to a to pick up the pieces.) 9.Qc2
line in the next section (Black g5 1O.g4 Nf6 11.Bg3 fxg4
Blocks the c-pawn) and only 12.Qg6+ Kf8 13.Nd2 Qe8
leads to something independent 14.Qc2 h5 15.f3 gives White
if Black follows up superb compensation for the
with 6 ...Nh5. This probably pawn, but he does not have
means he is hoping to push to play this way. 1O.Bg3 is a
the Bishop to g5 and then expand quieter route to an advantage.
against it with pawns, as Black’s going to find it rather
he would if White had played awkward to maintain the
Bg5 in one play. pawn on f5 without castling
However, this plan is not short, so White should have
good here for at least two a straightforward attack after
reasons. First, when Black castling long.
expands against the Bishop, 5...Nh5 6.Nc3 Nxf4 is
he likes to be able to play his the last real chance Black has
Knight to c6 to help “dispute to take the Bishop without
control of the center” (a quote giving White an easy, free,
from Kindermann), which K-side initiative. 7.exf4 Nd7
is now impossible. This, lets Black transfer a Knight
coupled with the Knight’s to f6 before White can push
movement to the rim, gives his h-pawn up the board
White a dominating central (e.g., 7...Bg7 8.h4), but since
influence. Second, the White has not committed his
Knight on h5 is vulnerable light-squared Bishop, he still
358
rfhe Deferred Leningrad
gets a great position. 8.g3 about the position

Nf6 9.Qd3 covers e4 and allows after 1O.Rcl:
White to castle on either 1. Black will likely either
wing. castle or play ...b6 soon.
6.Nc3 2. If he plays ...b6 and
White captures, Black will almost
certainly have to recapture
with the a-pawn rather
than the Queen.
Preparing to take with the
Queen or some other piece
has tactical problems. For
example, ...Nd7 blocks

Queen from the :“•so g
the d-pawn,
...b6 can be met with Nxd5
6...O-O cxd5; Qxd5, hitting the Rook
6...Nh5 7.Qb3 Nxf4 8.exf4 on a8. Playing ...b6 immediately
c6 9.c5 temporarily closes off with the idea of recapturing
b6 from Black’s Queen. There with the Queen runs
are many reasonable ways into 1O...b6 11.cxb6 Qxb6?!
for White to proceed, but the 12.Nxd5, when the c-pawn is
one that takes greatest advantage pinned to the Bishop on c8.
of Black’s space issues is If Black is really trying to keep
9...d5 1O.Rcl. his options open, he will have
to play ...e6 and perhaps
...Rb8 (after ...Nd7).
These slow maneuvers
mean White gets an even larger

development advantage by
simply castling and hitting
the e-pawn (and perhaps
the c-pawn). Furthermore, if
Black recaptures on b6 with
a piece, White will already
Note two important observations have a head start on hitting
359
Chapter 22
the newly isolated c-pawn When determining which of

since his Rook is on ci. While these plans is better, White
Black can untangle his pieces, should consider whether he
it would take a special type can redeploy his Knights with
of player to find the resulting tempo. They currently block
positions comfortable (e.g., his Queen from sliding over
iO...Nd7 ii.h4 Qc7 i2.g3 to attack the K-side.
Nf6 i3.Qa4 Be6 i4.Bg2 0-0 If Black plays ...b6 immediately
i5.Ne5.) or very soon (prior
to castling), White’s goal is to
So Black probably either extract maximum advantage
castles soon or plays . . . b6 from Black’s spatial poverty.
and recaptures with ...axb6. The point of h4-h5 in these
What’s the big deal? variations is to threaten h6,
kicking the Bishop to f8 or
The “big deal” is that f6, where it takes away one
White can start pushing his of the few squares Black has
h-pawn immediately, for it for his pieces. Black’s biggest
works well in both of those problem is that he needs to
likely eventualities, albeit for bolster d5 so he can push
different reasons. White can his c-pawn. Unfortunately
structure his thinking about for him, the moves that do
a few basic plans, and choose this (...e6 and ...Bb7) can be
whichever works best with exploited. If Black moves his
Black’s particular moves over Bishop to b7, the pin on the
the next few plies. b-pawn makes Na4 powerful.
If Black castles very soon, Pushing his e-pawn to e6 has
White will exchange pawns the subtle downside of making
on g6 (hxg6). Then he can ...Nd7-f8-e6 impossible.
mount an immediate attack This invites White to play h6.
against Black’s King, or he will
seal up the Q-side to achieve What does ...h6 have to do
a closed board where the only with . . . Nd7-f8-e6?
open file is the h-file (which
he has sole control over). The strength of h6 is that
360
it pushes the Bishop to f6 abandons hope of expanding

(probably), where it can get with ...c5 and opts for ...b5
in the way of a Knight on d7. instead. If you plan on playing
If Black’s d-Knight has some Na4 to take advantage of
other means of finding a useful a Bishop on b7, you probably
square, then the potency should first play a3 because
of h6 will be much reduced. ...b5 is a likely response.
Hence, so long as Black can In general, play h6 as
still play ...Nd7-f8-e6, White soon as Black has played
should retain the option of ...e6. There are two significant
hxg6, either because Black exceptions. If Black has
will eventually castle or because castled, hxg5 may be better.
the recapturing pawn If Black has already played
on g6 can be targeted. ...Bb7, then consider a3
and Na4 first. Na4 can be a
White needs to be flexible very strong move because it
in these lines, but a little advice threatens operations against
should go a long way: the Q-side but also removes
Do not be in a rush to one of the pieces blocking
develop your light-squared the Queen from sliding over
Bishop. On d3 it gets in the to the center or K-side.
way of the Queen who might • Don’t be in any rush to
want to move to the K-side. In castle. White’s King is probably
particular, Qe3 can be useful, safer in the center than
targeting an often undefended Black’s King is regardless of

e-pawn. The e2-square needs his location. As long as White
to be available for a Knight, can play hxg5 to commence
in particular if Black plays his an attack against Black’s
own Knight to e6, hitting the King, White should have the
pawns on d4 and f4. better of any double-edged
a3 is a high-quality waiting situation. This is illustrated
move. It creates the threat by: 1O...b6 11.cxb6 axb6
of Na2-b4, hitting c6 and 12.h4 Nd7 13.h5 Bb7 14.a3
d5, but it also opens a hole 0-0 15.Na4 b5 16.Nc5 Nxc5
for the Queen in case Black 17.Rxc5 Qa5+ 18.Ke2, plan361
Chapter 22
fling Ne5, hxg6, and either Kh8 9.h4.

Qe3 or Qh3. 8.Qb3+ Kh8
• If Black plays ...Qc7, 8...e6 erects a shield
hitting the pawn on f4, don’t around the black King, but
be afraid to counter with g3. White should end up having
This will make it harder for the more useful pieces,
White’s Queen to maneuver and Black’s King can get in
later on the K-side, but it trouble if he tries to make
also opens up a new avenue something of his space there.
for the Bishop. If White later I suggest: 9.cxd6 cxd6 10.Be2
plays Bg2, it puts 3 pieces on Ne4 (10...a6 is ambitious
d5. Tactics can easily arise but violates the rule that you
later on that square, for Black shouldn’t push pawns in the
has already opened the a2-g8 sector where you are weakest.
diagonal with . . . f5 and White 11.0-0 b5 12.Racl Re8 [12...
has several ways of hitting e6 Rb8 13.a4b4 14.Nd5!j 13.d5
should Black play ...e6. Na5 14.Qb4e5 15.Bg5) 11.h4
h6 12.Bh2.
Returning to the mainline 9.Be2

position after 6...0-0: 9.h4 is also good, but if
you go with that choice, you
have to allow ...e5 because
9...Qe8 10.d5 e5 11.dxc6?!
exf4! 12.cxb7 Bxb7 13.Qxb7
fxe3 is much more dangerous.
Instead, just play 11.Bg5
and plan to pressure d6. For
example, 11...Ne7 12.cxd6
cxd6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.h5!
(playing this move now puts
7.c5 Nc6 more bite into later back-rank
7...Nh5 is too late to bother tactics since the pawn is only
the Bishop. Soon Black will one move away from hitting
have no interest whatsoever g7) 14...g5 15.Nd2.
in exchanging on f4. 8.Qb3+ 9...Qe8
362
There are three ways to block

it (...c6, ...c5, and ...Nc6),
but only ...c6 requires close
attention. The double-advance
of the c-pawn generally
leads to a huge development
advantage for White, and
playing ...Nc6 throws away
Black’s most direct way to
stop a K-side pawn storm.
This is the thematic preparation
for . . . e5 that Kinder- What does a Knight on c6
mann suggests when White have to do with a K-side
plays an early Bf4. It obviously pawn storm?
does not work here, but
other moves should not be The most straightforward
very challenging for White. way for Black to block White’s
9...dxc5 10.dxc5 Nd7 h-pawn is to play one Knight
(10...e6 11.Nb5 with Rdl to to h5 and swing the other
follow does not look good for via d7 to f6 so it protects its
Black) 11 .0-0-0 e5 12.Bg5 Qe8 brother and the g4-square.
13.Qa3 and Black’s K-side is When Black plays an early
looking rather drafty. ...Nc6, he forgoes this tactic.
10.d5 e5 11.dxc6 exf4 1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6
1 2.cxb7 Bxb7 1 3.Qxb7 fxe3 4.Nf3 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Nc3

14.0-0 Ng4 15.Bb5
And White has a significant
advantage since
Black cannot push the pawn
through.
Black Blocks the c-pawn

White is threatening to
disrupt Black’s position by
pushing his c-pawn to c6.
363
Chapter 22
6...c6 Bishop or to block White’s

6. . . Nc6, blocking with the h-pawn), these enhancements
Knight, transposes to the last to White’s Bishop can
section. The text removes the be critical.
c7-pawn from danger should For example, consider
Queens get exchanged along 6...O-O 7.c5 c6 (7...dxc5
the d-file. More importantly, 8.dxc5 Qxdl+ 9.Rxdl c6
it might not be obvious at 1O.Bc4+ Kh8 11.Ne5 e6 and
first blush, but this is Black’s White’s positional advantage
last chance to safely block is undeniable.) 8.cxd6 (If
White’s c-pawn! If Black White does not want to learn
castles, he won’t have time a separate line, he can transpose
to both play ...c6 and guard to the main line of this
against cxd6. section with Qb3+, but the
text allows White to exploit
Why does Black need to be Black’s inaccurate move order.)
worried by cxd6? 8...exd6 9.Qb3+ d5.
White will soon push

his pawn to c5. If Black allows
him to exchange on
d6, pulling the pawn away
from e7, it greatly increases
the power of White’s dark-
squared Bishop. The Queen
will be under greater pressure
if White plays Bg5 since there
will be no intervening pawn Finally, let’s see why 6
on e7. Furthermore, in some ...c5 in this particular line
lines (particularly after Black leaves Black with a ragged
plays ...Nbd7), d6 becomes game. 6...c5 7.dxc5 Ne4 (7...
a useful transition square for dxc5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Rdl+
the Bishop. Since Black will Ke8 j9...Bd7 1O.Ne5 cannot
likely play ...Nh5 at some be fun for Black] 1O.Nb5
point (either to threaten the Na6 11.Be5 is the simplest
364
way to make Black feel like and grabbing the central files
he is floating in quicksand.) or planning to expand on
8.Nxe4 fxe4 9.Nd2 dxc5 (9... the Q-side to harrow Black’s
13xb2 10.cxd6) 10.13e2 and poorly placed forces there.
White will clean up later. 8...0-0 9.Be2 Na6 10.a3 c5
Note that if White plays (10...Nc7? 11.c5) 11.0-0 h6
the wrong move order, the 12.dxc5 Nxc5 13.b4.
...c5 push can nearly equalize. 8.c5+ d5 9.Qa3!!
For example after 6. . .0-0,
7. . . c5 is a reasonable reply to
7.Qb3 or 7.13e2. This is one
reason White should immediately
play 7.c5 after 6.. .0-0,
leading to the Black ignores the
c-pawn section below.
7.Qb3
This threatens to win the
a-pawn after Bxb8, but that

is among the least important
of its points. More important
is the support it gives c5.
The Queen directly defends
c5 from a3, but moving her
also indirectly prolongs the
7...O-O c-pawn’s life by preventing
7...Qb6 puts the Queen possible future tactics. In particular,
on a poor square, so White a Knight that chomps
relocates his own with 8.Qc2. on c5 no longer hits the
Black has a hard time developing Queen at the same time.
quickly, and White is But the most important
already ahead in development, point of Qa3 is that it significantly
so I would suggest either restricts Black’s options.
completing development The pawn on a7 is pinned,
365
Chapter 22
making ...b6 less enticing, caveat I would add is that if

...Qa5 is no longer an option, Black plays 11...Nh5, White
and (most importantly) should not play 12.Bxb8 because
.Nbd7 now comes with significant his own Knight is now
liabilities. misplaced as well. Instead,
just play 12.Nf3. As in the
I don’t see how a Queen earlier lines, White is happy
on a3 prevents Black from to allow this exchange.
developing his Knight. The position after 9.Qa3
is a critical decision point,
It’s related to the earlier and our coverage branches
discussion of the c5-pawn. After into four threads:
9...Nbd7?!, the e6-square • 9...Nh5
becomes very soft. White can • 9...Qe8

exploit this with 10.Ng5! If • 9...Re8
White’s Queen were still on • Other moves
b3, Black could counter-attack

with ...e5 since taking Black plays with fire: 9... Nh5
the pawn leaves the pawn on 9...Nh5
c5 without a defender. With This move, which attacks
the Queen on a3, 10. . .e5 does the piece White is threatening
not save Black. After 11.dxe5 to exchange anyway, is practically
Nh5 (11...Ne4 12.Ncxe4 saying dare you to go
fxe4 13.Ne6 Qe7 14.Nxf8 is after that pawn.” White has
clearly worse.) 12.Ne6 Qe7 two promising possibilities
13.Nxf8 Bxf8 14.Be2 leaves here. Taking the pawn gives
White up. White better practical chances,
Of course, Black can but it also requires more
retreat the Knight with 10... preparation.
Nb8, but White should be If you want quiet play,
fine after 11.Bd3. Since Black respond with 10.g3!?, which
is likely to have to spend a puts an extra defender on f4.
tempo on ...h6 to knock the This increases your flexibility
Knight back, White should be (you can recapture with the
ahead of other lines. The one e-pawn or open up the g-file
366
if Black takes), but it also supported. The rest of

defuses some Black tactics the analysis in this section is
against d4 by making sure the meant to give a sample of the
pawn on e3 does not become lines and ideas.
overworked.
After the expected 10...
Nbd7, White can respond
with Be2 and expect to put a
piece on e5 on his next move.
If Black’s play is devoted to
pushing his e-pawn, then
White will block up the e-file
by playing Ne5, likely followed
by Q-side castling and
an all-out attack on the K-side. 15...Bg4
If Black instead rushes to play This is Black’s most aggressive
Ndf6—the standard way to option, but certainly
make sure he can maintain not his only one:
a Knight on h5 even if White 15...Be6 16.Qa3 b5 (16...
plays Bxh5—then White b6 17.0-0 bxc5 18.QxcS Nd7
should play Be5 instead. j18...Rxb2?! 19.13c4 Bxc4
The rest of this section 20.Qxc4+ Kh8 21.Na4 Rbb8
takes 10.Bxb8 to be the main 22.Nc5 and Black has to guard
line both against the a-pawn’s
1 O.Bxb8 Rxb8 11 .Qxa7 advancing and White putting
Qc7 1 2.Be2 f4 1 3.e4 dxe4 a piece on e6.j 19.Qxe7
14.Nxe4 Nf6 15.Nc3 Rfe8 20.Qh4 is promising)
15. Nxf6 +?! lets Black get 17.Qb4 Nd5 18.NxdS BxdS
at White’s d-pawn more easily 19.0-0 does not give Black
and is a serious mistake! sufficient compensation;
Though there is plenty of 15...Bf5 16.Qa3 b6 (16...
play in the position, Black has e6 17.0-ONd5 18.Racl leaves
inadequate compensation White solid) 17.0-0 bxc5
for the pawn, mostly because 18.QxcS Rxb2 19.Bc4+ Kh8
White’s d4 pawn can be solidly 20.Bb3!?
367
Chapter 22
16.Qa3 Bxf3 18.0-0-0!?

As in the note to the last This secures the pawn
line, 16...b6 is also possible while leaving White’s King
here, but now it is White’s moderately safe. If this looks
Queen that grabs the a2-g8 diagonal: too exciting” for you, then
17.0-0 bxc5 18.Qxc5 White can maintain a safer
Rxb2 19.Qc4+ Kh8 20.Rfbl advantage by castling short
Rxbl+ (20...Rfb8?? 21.Rxb2 and targeting the pawn that
Rxb2 22.Ne5! wins a piece will appear on d4 after Black
owing to the threat of the captures: 18.0-0 exd4 19.Ne2
well-known smothered mate Nd7 20.Rfdl d3 21.Qxd3 Ne5
trick: 22...Bxe2? 23.Nf7+ 22.Qa3.
Kg8 24.Nh6+ Kh8 25.Qg8+! Note that after 22.. .Nxf3+,
Nxg8 26.Nf7#) 21.Rxbl and a good case can be made for
neither of Black’s Bishops both recaptures.
are doing much for him. The
tactics White is threatening
based on moving a Knight
to f7 should allow him to
exchange off one of Black’s

Bishops, leaving him with
a promising game and a
reasonably healthy outside
passed pawn.
17.Bxf3 e5
If White retakes with
23.gxf3, he has an easier time
keeping a healthy Q-side
majority. Obviously, you
should only do this if you
feel confident in short-term
defenses, as Black can attempt
to take advantage of
the weakened squares on
the K-side. If White does not
368
want to draw, he must stop needs to go to d4 to block

Black’s Queen from getting to the diagonal. Just be aware
h3. White would like to post that after the likely continuation
his Knight on e4, but this 23...Qe5 24.Qb3+ Kh8
is pointless if Black gets his 25.Nd4 Rbd8 26.Nf3 Qxb2
Queen to h3 because at that 27.Ng5! Qxb3 28.axb3 Bxal
point Black would be happy 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Nf7+ Kg7
to exchange a Rook for the 31.Nxd8 Kf6 32.Nxb7 Ke6,
N/e4, for it lets him advance there are still plenty of ways
his f-pawn to f3. For example, for Black to save himself. (E.g.
consider 23...Qc8 24.Nc3 33.Kfl f3! 34.gxf3 and White
Qh3 25.Ne4 Rbe8!, and the will have a difficult time winning,
best White can do is draw by regardless of being two
repetition with 26.Ng5 (26. pawns up.)
Re 1? Rf5, threatening .. . Rxe4 In fact, 18.0-0-0!? is actually
followed by ...Rg5+). rather a compromise
Against a weaker player, between danger and long-
White might do best to dissolve term advantage. The sharper
the f-pawn altogether, 18.d5!? is also possible, but
but Black can sacrifice a pawn very dangerous:
or two to force a draw in that
line as well: 23...Qc8 24.Qb4
Qh3 25.Rd3 Rbe8! 26.Nxf4
Qf5 27.Re3 Rxe3! 28.fxe3
g5. If you are a strong player
and you want to use this line,
I think Kg2 is your best bet:
23...Qc8 24.Kg2 Rf5 25.h4,
and then White can safely
reroute the Knight to e4.
If you don’t mind drawing 18.d5 e4 19.d6 Qf7! (this
and are happy to have stops White from playing
the easier end-game, then Qb3 + with tempo later: 19...
23.Qxf3 is the best move. Qd7? 20.Bxe4 Rfe8 21.f3 Ra8
In that variation, the Knight can be met with Qb3+, giv369
Chapter 22
ing White a huge advantage.) the pawn raid: 10.Bxb8 Rxb8

20.Bdl (20.13xe4?! Rfe8 21.f3 11.Qxa7 Nd7 (This defends
Ra8 22.Qb4 Nd5 23.Nxd5 the Rook while allowing
cxd5 24.d7 Red8 25.13c2 Black to activate his position
Qe6+ with ...Qe3(+) as a with ...e5) 12.Be2 e5 13.dxe5
possible follow-up just does Bxe5 14.0-0 f4 15.Nxe5 Qxe5
not look very pleasant for 16.exf4 Qxf4 17.a3.
White.) 20...f3 is the epitome
of double-edged.”
9...Qe8
And White has reasonable
‘//// y /
chances of converting
his advantage. If Black tries to
launch a full-scale K-side attack,
Since Black needs to advance White has two major defensive
his e-pawn so he can resources. First, Qa4
cover the e6-square, this will threatens to trade Queens.
seem a natural choice for Second, g3 followed by f4
many Dutch players, as it is allows Bf3 and gives White’s
the typical preparation for King some very useful space.
...e5. However, because it Once White grabs the central
moves the Queen away from files with his Rooks, he
the important Q-side dark should be quite safe.
squares, it increases White’s
options considerably. What’s the other option?
There are two major plans
tied to the softening of the Since Black is putting
dark squares. I recommend all his eggs in one basket,
370
rfhe Deferred Leningrad
White can play 10.Ne2, followed has been compromised.

by Nd and Nd3. This Thepawnonh6 isnowa
gives Black the e4-square but target: iO.Ne2 Nbd7 ii.h4
clamps down on e5. If you go h6 i2.Nci Ng4 i3.Nd3 e5
this route, you should play h4 14.dxe5 and now Black probably
before retreating the Knight has to play i4...Qe7
to ci. Fh goal is to get Black since i4...Ndxe5 i5.Ndxe5
to play either ...Ng4, ...Nh5, NxeS i6.NxeS BxeS is met
or ...h6 before committing with i7.Bxh6.
the Knight to d3 via ci: White needs to be very
• If Black plays ...Nh5, flexible to play this line because
the Knight will not be able to he is allowing Black a
help him push ...e5 through. free hand to attempt trouble
This commits Black to playing elsewhere.
e5 before White can reroute
his Knight. After i0.Ne2 9...Re8
Nbd7 ii.h4 Nh5 i2.g3 (12. Whether or not this is
Bh2 is also possible, but a Black’s best move is unclear,

little wilder. The key is that but it does lead to the most
i2...e5 i3.dxe5 Nxe5 14.Nf4 complex positions.
Ng4 i5.Nxh5gxh5 i6.13f4d4 9...Re8
can be met with i7.Qb3+!
with Bc4 to come) i2...e5
i3.Nxe5 Nxe5 i4.dxe5 13xe5
15.0-0-0, when White is looking
pretty good.
• If Black plays ...Ng4,
White pushes through with
h5 immediately, with his
Knight on e2 able to come
across to g3.
• If Black plays ...h6, White’s basic plan from
White is happy to continue here is to achieve a goodKnight/bad-Bishop
redeploying the Knight because late
now Black’s ...e5-push middle-game after Black
371
Chapter 22
eventually pushes his pawn The h2-b8 diagonal has plenty

to e5. In particular, White of good perches for White’s
plans to have a Knight able dark-squared Bishop.
to use d4 or f4 pitted against The continuation 13...Bf6
a light-squared Bishop relegated 14.Bxf6 Ngxf6 15.Nxe5 Nxe5
to defense. White can 16.dxe5 Rxe5 is likewise fine
then nip at the edges of the for White.
pawn structure and target c6 11...Nh5 does not put as
and g6. White should look much pressure on e5, and
to trade pieces, which accentuates White can strike back on the
his better minor, but Q-side with 12.b4. This is
should keep the pawns on White’s backstop plan in case
the board. Black simply dallies, content
1 0.Bd3 Nbd7 11.0-0 Ne4 to block the h-pawn march.
11. . . Ng4 is certainly a natural However, White must be
try since Black is aiming careful to play for a Q-side
for ...e5 and (as we shall see) advantage only when doing
the Knight on e4 can end up so will not expose him to
blocking Black’s own Rook. central tactics. This is much
12.h3 e5 13.Bg5 (13.hxg4 more of an issue when Black
exf4 14.gxf5 fxe3 15.fxg6 has a Knight on e4, as the
hxg6 16.Bxg6 Re6 17.Bc2 discussion after White’s 13th
Bh6 18.Rael Qe7 19.Ne2 mainline move details.
Nf6 20.Ne5 Rxe5 21.dxe5 12.h3
Ng4 22.f3 Nxe5 23.f4 Ng4
is probably fine for White,
but there is no real reason to
subject yourself to this.) 13...
Ngf6 14.dxe5 Nxe5 15.Nxe5
Rxe5 leaves White better off.
He has pieces he can put on
d4 and f4, and Black’s men
get in each other’s way. Note
that White can transport his
Bishop to d6 by way of f4.
372
This might seem like a bit he is willing to exchange his

of a silly move. White is in Queen for a Rook, Bishop
little danger of back-rank assaults and pawn after 15.Qxc5 Bf8
and he is planning on 16.Nxd5 Bxc5 i7.Nf6+.
exchanging his Bishop on e5,
so why play a move primarily Can’t White just retreat his
intended to protect it? Bishop to c2 so that a later
Nxc5 won’t hit it?
Why indeed?
Retreating the Bishop
White is currently waiting leaves the c4-square without
for Black to play . . .e5, but the protection, so Black can later
second player may play some play ...Nd2 (hitting the Rook
waiting moves or even offer a on fi) and then jump up to
draw, suggesting that White c4. For example, i2.Bc2 e5
cannot improve his position 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 i4.Bxe5 Nd2
significantly. Indeed, the i5.Rfei Nc4 hits the Queen
obvious moves White might and the stray pawn that will
play to improve his position appear on e5, more or less
(e.g., Rabi, Raci, Radi, Rfel) equalizing.
actually give Black additional
tactical options based on a Okay, then what’s wrong
well-timed ...Nd2 or ...Nxc5; with 12.Radl, so ...Nd2 is
the latter threatens to take the prevented and if Black takes
Bishop on d3 with tempo if the Bishop on d3 (after
there is a Rook on ci or el. ...Nxc5), it won’t come with
The consideration of tempo?
Nxc5 derives from White’s
desire to recapture on e5 with The problem with Rdi

a Bishop rather than a pawn (or Rbl) is more direct. At
or Knight, directly threatening some point White expects
the Bishop on g7. For to take a pawn or piece on
example, after i2.Racl e5 e5 with his d4-pawn, and he
13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Bxe5 Nxc5!, expects Black to recapture
White can only take on c5 if with the Rook from e8. When
373
Chapter 22
that happens, he would White has the sort of position

like Black’s Knight to still he wants. His pieces can
be on e4, shielding White’s hit Black’s strongpoint (e4),
e3-pawn so that White can but Black’s are unable to access
safely hit the Rook with f4. d4 or f4.
However, with a Rook on dl
orbi, Black can play ...Nxc3 Other Ninth moves for Black
with tempo before taking the A short discussion of
pawn. other moves is worthwhile.
Going back to the position

And what does h3 have to do after 9.Qa3:
with any of this?
As I mentioned earlier, all

of these tactics come about
because White would like to
capture (or in some cases recapture)
with Bxe5. If White
can get his Bishop to h2, taking
the bite out of a possible
...g5, the option of recapturing
with a pawn becomes Playing 9. . . h6 in anticipation
much more attractive. of a later h4-h5 march
1 2...e5 1 3.Bxe5 Nxe5 weakens g6 too early: lO.Bxg8
1 4.Nxe5 Bxe5 1 5.dxe5 Rxe5 Rxg8 ll.Ne5 Qe8 l2.Qxa7.
16.f4 Pawn pushes on the
Q-side allow White to find
an excellent square for his
Knight: 9...b6?! lO.cxb6
Qxb6 11.Na4, with Nc5 soon.
9. . . a5 obviously just gives up
b6 immediately.
Other than 9...Qe8 and
9...Re8, Black’s development
options are awkward. 9. . . Na6
374
calls for 10.Bxa6, 9...Ne4?!

ignores White’s basic threat
and should be met with 10.h4
and 11.h5. After 9...Be6?! I
recommend switching gears,
castling K-side and aiming for
Q-side play.
Black might address the
danger of Ng5 by simply
playing 9...e6, but this has
two major problems. First, As mentioned in chapter
it gives up the d6-square so 12, this gambit hobbles Black
that White can play Bd6, by blocking the c-file. White
which comes with tempo on expects to win back at least
the Rook. Second, it cuts off one of the isolated Q-side
the Bishop from g4. White pawns.
should have no problem This line will probably
executing his basic plan. For arise infrequently, but not because
example: 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.h4 Black fears this gambit.
Nh5 12.Bd6 Re8 13.Ne5 (or Ironically, he will likely avoid
0-0-0 first). the variation because he does
not want to play one himself:

Black Ignores the 10.Nb5 lets White win
c-pawn the Exchange but gives Black

Finally, we must consider significant play. I’m not a fan
what happens if Black ignores of this line. It may be okay
the c-pawn. depending on your temperament
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 and your opponent’s
4.Nf3 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Nc3 0-0 skill and imagination, but I
7.c5 Kh8 don’t like the activity Black
7...Nbd7 8.cxd6 cxd6 has after 10...c6 11.Nc7 Ne4
9.Ng5 Nb6 10.Qb3+ is good 12.Nxa8 e5 13.Bg3 f4.
for White. 1 0...bxc6 11.0-0 Nb6 1 2.Qb3
8.Bc4 dxc5 9.dxc5 Nbd7 Nfd5 13.Rfdl Be6 14.Bxd5
1O.c6! Nxd5
375
Chapter 22
14...Bxd5 15.Nxd5 cxd5

16.Racl Nc4 17.Qb7 will
give White’s Rooks the important
central files. 14...cxd5?!
15.Nb5 is not going to be fun
for Black at all.
15.Qc2
This removes some tactical
concerns since the Knight will
no longer unveil an attack on
the Queen. From here White’s 1 9...Bf6
Queen will eye many useful Black would prefer to
squares along the c-file once exchange Bishops here than
the Knight moves. White’s on g7.
chief plan involves playing After 19...Nf6 20.Bd4 Qa6,
Be5 to exchange dark-squared 21.e4 is strong, planning on
Bishops and then exploiting opening the e-file and possibly
the long diagonal. allowing for the exchange
1 5...Nb4 of his Knight on c3 for a defending
There are several possible piece.
continuations, but I think 20.Na4 Qb5 21 .b3 Nb6
this scrappy choice is the only Black needs to give his
one whose tactics demand a Queen access to e5.
closer gaze. 22.Bxf6+ Rxf6 23.Nd4 Qe5
1 6.Qa4 Qb8 1 7.Be5 The text allows Nxc6 to
White threatens, among come with tempo, but leaves
other things to exchange on d5 open for the Bishop to
g7 and then play Nd4. defend c6. 23...Qd5 24.Racl
17...Qb6 18.a3 Nd5 Nxa4 25.Nxe6 Qxe6 26.Qxa4
19.Qh4!? is worse.
24.Nxc6 Qe4 25.Qxe4 fxe4
26.Nd4
White has every reason

to be happy about the likely
endgame, where he should
376
have the better pawns and the

better minor pieces.
377
Chapter 22
378
Chapter 23
The Dutch Fianchetto Variation
general rule in the Dutch This second idea can be
•s that Black should at considered an independent

least consider fianchettoing strategy yielding a practical
his Q-Bishop whenever advantage in its own right,
White forgoes a K-side fianchetto. but it is more accurately
Given how infrequently understood as arising from
White plays 2.Bf4 and 3.e3, it an effort to improve the first
is likely that your opponent plan. If Black plays ...a6 very
will have to do some thinking early to increase his development
at the board to decide options, h4 is best seen
whether he can get away with as a potent, provocative waiting
...b6 or not. Johnsen and move.
Bern explicitly recommend

it in their recent Win with the Ricochet Attack
Stonewall Dutch. I covered the basic outline of
As described in chapter this variation in chapter 12.
12, White can follow two In addition to a few worthwhile
distinct strategies when facing side variations, my
this defense. The simplest main interest here is describingwhy
plan is to ricochet the light- Black has a hard time
squared Bishop to a2 via c4, successfully getting a pawn

and then play Nc3-e2 to allow to c4, which White should
the c-pawn to advance. The almost never allow.
goal is to uncover and then 1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf63.e3 e6
target the e6-pawn. The other 4.Nf3 b6
proposed tack is to throw the
h-pawn up the board.
379
Chapter 23
...Bb4 is so nettlesome
that I suggest immediately

precluding it, even at the cost
of a tempo. Johnsen and Bern
do not treat this possibility,
which completely changes
the landscape by allowing
White to play Nc3 early.
If White is looking just to
get a good position and see
Black opts for the fianchetto how things develop, 5.Bd3
defense to Bf4. He can Bb7 6.c4! is a perfectly good
play 4...Be7 first, after which alternate line. Black will not
play will take a significantly be able to efficiently fight for
different course, ultimately control of e4 because he will
transposing to the Classical have to develop his K-side
Variation chapter after 5.c4 Bishop before White develops
0-0 6.Be2 b6. his Q-side Knight, so
This is unlikely, though, ...Bb4 will not only represent
for fianchettoing early is a loss of time, but will also
more flexible. not involve an absolute pin.
5...Bb7 6.Nc3
I’m confused. Isn’t fianchettoing
much more committal
than developing the Bishop
toe7?
Fianchettoing is committal
in the sense that it alerts
White to Black’s intention,
but it is also flexible in this
case because it leaves Black
the option of...Bb4, a critical The Knight on c3 complicates
concern. In fact... Black’s development.
5.a3! Since 6...Bd6?! is not much
380
of an option (7.Bxd6 cxd6 7...Na6

8.Nb5!), Black has 5 moves 7...Nd5 can be met by
worthy of attention. 8.Nd6+ (or the more interesting
• 6...d5 8.Bg5!? followed by
• 6...c5?! Ne5).
• 6...d6 8.Bd3 d6
• 6...Be7 Certainly not the only
• 6...a6 move, but a natural one.
The first of these, transposing Black wishes to prevent Nd6.
to a delayed Stonewall, is 8...d5 is probably better, but
covered in the Dutch Odds and it can hardly leave Black well
Ends chapter. The rest are ordered off as it makes it much easier
by increasing strength. for White to attack along
6...c5?! and 6...d6 are easily the c-file or the a2-g8 diagonal.
met, but the last two demand Black is not developed
significantly more coverage. enough to invite the opening
of lines.
6 ‘5”
... ..
9.Qe2!
This lunge frequently Black has no satisfactory
equalizes, but here it gets way to engage the looming
Black in trouble. The line ...Nxd6, which uncovers an
shown below illustrates a attack on a6.
motif that can also occur in
other lines of the fianchetto 6...d6
variation. This is a reasonable effort
6...c5?! 7.Nb5 at getting on with development.
But it does not pose
many obstacles for White,
who can attack the K-side.
6...d6 7.h4!?
381
Chapter 23
Black develops immediately

6...Be7
This is weaker than 6.. . a6;

Black will likely have to play
a6 at some point. However,
it is quite possible your opponent
will begin to drift and
simple development might
look good.
7... Nbd7 8.Ng5 Qe7 9.Bc4

Bxg2
9...d5 10.Nb5.
1O.Rgl Bd5 11.Ba6
White is planning Nb5.
The line shown above
gives White a fully satisfactory

attack, but those looking
for something even more
aggressive can go in for the The Ricochet Attack is
interesting 7.Bc4 d5 8.Bb5+ particularly good against this
c6 9.Ng5 cxb5 10.Nxe6 Qc8 move order, mostly because
11.Nc7+ Kf7, but there is no Black has committed his
need to play like this. In this Bishop so early and is still
variation White can safely several moves away from being
castle K-side should Black able to safely play ...c5.
choose to castle long: 7.Bc4 7.Bc4
Qe7 8.Bg3 Nbd7 9.0-0, planning White should on with
Qd3 and Ng5! to target his plan.
the anemic light-squares on 7...d5
e6 and f5. This may not be for With the Bishop on c4,
the faint of heart, though. ...a6 is not advisable: 7...
a6? 8.d5, and the game has

become a lesson in how
one should not castle simget
382
Fh Dutch Fianchetto Variation
ply because one can. (Note him with a good position,

that Black cannot hold on but he can take advantage of
with 8...exd5 9.Nxd5 Nxd5 Black’s uncastled position by
10.Bxd5 c6 owing to 11.Ne5! first playing 10.Be5!
with Qh5+ coming.)
8.d5 is also the strongest What does the Bishop do on
response to the ill-conceived e5?
7...c5?!, though 8.Nb5 is
good as well. In some cases the danger
After 7...Bxf3, White to Black’s f-Knight can be
should be able to more easily tactically important, but for
target the light squares, even the most part the Bishop on
if Black puts up a picket fence e5 is very good at...not being
with ...c6 and ...b5. In that on f4. Unless Black plays 10...
case I recommend White plan Nh5, White threatens a quick
on g4, prepared either by h3 Nf4 and Ng5, ganging up on
or (likely stronger) Qh3. e6 before playing c4.
8.Ba2 0-0
8...c5 is still off the table How is this related to Black’s
because of 9.Nb5. Black uncastled position?
could try to prepare it with
8...a6 9.Ne2 c5. Two ways, both primarily
concerning the Knight on
f6. First, the g7-pawn is not
defended, so the Knight is
pinned to that pawn by the
Bishop on e5. Second, the
Knight has to stay on f6 to
guard h5 from a Queen invasion.
Black would really like
to move his Knight—either
to e4, where it would support
White cannot allow ...c4, ...g5, or to g4.
so
he needs to either play c4 With Black’s King still on
or
dxc5. Both of those leave e8, Black’s only good way of
383
Chapter 23
keeping his e-pawn is 10... player or another might consider

Nh5, covering f4 and opening natural or reasonable.
up his Bishop to survey g5. If Black is looking for
White then gets a great game simple development, then
after 11 .c4 because the Knight the game should continue
is badly misplaced. 9...c5 10.c4 Nc6 11.dxc5
Note that 10...Qd7, planning bxc5 12.cxd5, and none of

to bring a second defender the recaptures are pleasant
to e6 via Nc6-d8, does for Black. In particular, 12...
not work out well: After 10... exd5 leaves him with a poor
Qd7 11.Nf4 Nc6 12.c4!, Black hanging-pawn structure, for
is destined to lose his d-pawn White’s pieces are a comfortable
after a well-timed Bxf6 removes distance from the pawns
one of its key defenders; and the first player is in a
12...dxc4?! just shifts the good position to strike back
problem to e6. against them.
9...b5!? is actually a pretty
We return to the position good try in this line because
after 8...0-0: Black has already castled,
so 10.Be5 does not pin the
Knight allowing a quick
K-side initiative (compare to
the 6...a6 line in the next section).
Still, the pawn has no
support on b5 and this means
that Black cannot safely follow
up with an immediate
...c5. The pressure on b5 and
e6 after, for example, 9...
9.Ne2 Ne4?! b5 10.0-0 c5?! 11.dxc5 Bxc5
I’m highlighting the text 12.Ned4 is uncomfortable.
because it is the sharpest Black could prepare ...c5
line and therefore the most in this line with 9...b5 10.0-0
important to know. There are a6.
several other moves that one
384
Thus, White would like to

see either ...Nc6 or ...Ne4. The
former allows Bg5, the latter
gives Ne5 just the extra punch
White is looking for (11.
h3 Ne4 12.Ne5 followed by
f3). At the same time, Black
has a difficult time making
meaningful moves that don’t
involve moving one of his
If this transpires, I recommend Knights, so White is well advised
playing 11.h3 or 11.a4!? to play a constructive
as a strong semi-waiting waiting move (h3 has the advantage
move. The point is that White of allowing for g4 or
really wants Black to move Bh2), after which he should
one of his Knights. White have a good game.
should make it difficult for I don’t see any lines in
Black to develop his Q-Knight which the inventive 9...Ba6
to d7, where it does not get in 1O.Rcl works to Black’s favor.
the way of his c-pawn or the After the likely 1O...Ne4
B/b7. This development is or 1O...b5, White should get
currently tactically prevented a slightly better version of
because 11...Nbd7?! is met whatever he would have if
by 12.Ng5, and the Queen is Black had simply played 9...
blocked from defending e6. Ne4 or 9...b5 instead.
Keeping Black’s Knight
off d7 stops White from redeploying We return to the position
his f3-Knight and after 9...Ne4 overleaf.
also keeps his Bishop off g5.
White would be happy with
11.Bg5 Ne4 12.Bxe7 Qxe7,
except this line gives Black’s
Queen free access to e7,
where it defends e6 and thus
removes the sting from Ng5.
385
Chapter 23
13...g4 14.Ng5! Bxg5

Black has his choice as
to which piece he uses to
capture on g5, but White
is good in both cases: 14...
Nxg5 15.hxg5 Bxg5 (15...
Nxe5 16.dxe5 Bxg5 17.Qd3
and there is no satisfactory
response to an eventual f4)
16.Bf4, planning Rh5 is quite
While it is certainly possible powerful.
that Black is playing 1 5.hxg5 Nxe5
this to support ...c5 or just 15...Nxg5 16.Bf4, planonce
for general development, it ning Rh5, is again
is quite likely he plans to advance strong.
his g-pawn. White can 16.dxe5 Nxg5
do quite well against this line, 16...g3 looks dubious:
but it requires care. 17.Nxg3 Nxg3 18.fxg3 QxgS
1 O.c4 g5?! 19.BxdS+ BxdS 20.QxdS+
This doesn’t end up working, Kh8 21.0-0-0 Qxe3+ 22.Kbl
but anything else should Rad8, and White can opt out
allow White a good game. of the pleasant two-Rooks
11.Be5 Nd7 versus Queen endgame and
11...g4 12.Nf4! instead play 23.Qe6! Rxdl+!
1 2.cxd5 exd5 1 3.h4! 24.Rxdl Qxg3 25.Rd8! Rxd8
26.Qf6+ Qg7 27.Qxd8+ Qg8
28.Qd7!, with what looks
like a won endgame.
17.Rh5 Ne6 18.f4
Down the rabbit hole
386
7.Bc4
7.h4! is stronger and

will be discussed later in
this chapter. We will spend
some time analyzing the text
instead for those who wish
to simplify their repertoire
and use the Ricochet attack
against all setups.
7...d5
This move vexes Black. 7...Bxf3 suffers the same
Taking en passant has some issues in this line as it does in
rather obvious repercussions the 6...Be7 line.
with respect to his King’s White must play quite
safety, but leaving the pawn precisely in response to either
alone gives White’s Knight a 7...c5 or 7...b5, which should
safe, strong perch on g3. come to more or less the
I think it is fair to say same thing. This is one of the

that most players would be more challenging defenses to
overjoyed to have the White this line and is the main reason
pieces here. 7.h4 is the best response
to 6...a6.
Black plays 6...a6 The good news is that,

This is the move highlighted even in the 7.Bc4 line, White
in the Sample Line has several viable ways to
from chapter 12. play against 7...c5 or 7...b5.
They are all over the map in
terms of timbre, so it is a near
certainty that one will match
your disposition.
One possibility is to play
the knee-jerk dxc5 after .. .c5
(e.g., 7...c5 8.dxc5 Bxc5 9.0-0
b5; 7...b5 8.Ba2 c5 9.dxc5
Bxc5). White’s plan in that
387
Chapter 23
case is to strike at Black’s central

pawns with moves like
Ng5, Nd4 (either from f3 or
from e2 after Nce2), Nf4, and
(possibly) Qd3. Note that
Nd4 can threaten a devastating
Nxf5 sacrifice owing to
the pressure along the a2-g8
diagonal. For example, 7...b5
8.Ba2 c5 9.dxc5 Bxc5 10.0-0
d5 11.Ne2 0-0 12.Ned4 Qe7 Because he plans on castling,
13.Ng5 Bc8? 14.Nxf5! White has to be careful
about his move order because
he doesn’t want to play Ne2
if Black can play ...Bxf3. (In
other variations White might
be quite happy if Black opens
his g-file for him, but not
here.) He also needs to keep
his Queen on dl for a while
for the same reason, so he
can recapture on f3 with the
Black wishes he still had Queen.
a pawn on f7 These considerations frustrate
White if Black castles
Let’s go back to the po7...b5 without having played ...d5
sition after first. Often, White would 8.Ba2 c5
9.dxc5 Bxc5. like to meet ...0-0 with Bd6!,
forking the Rook on f8 and
the Bishop on c5, leading to
an exchange on d6 that brings
his Queen to that square.
But this tactic is unavailable
if the Queen must keep f3
protected.
388
What if White doesn’t castle,

so recapturing with the
g-pawn isn’t so bad?
The problem is that, once

...b5 and ...c5 are played,
Black has ...Qa5 available.
This should make White
think twice about playing an
early Ne2. Nor does an early
Nd2 work instead because Full speed ahead!
...Qb6 followed by ...Qc6 is
good then. So White more Obviously, the pawn on
or less just runs out of moves a6 makes a world of difference
if he holds off on castling since Black can respond
because he does not want to 8...b5! After 9.Ba2 b4 10.axb4
play Ng5 until it threatens the cxb4, White then has a choice.
e-pawn. He can play the probably not
Even after castling, White quite sound gambit 11.dxe6?!
might have to start looking bxc3 12.bxc3, which has some
for constructive semi-moves. significant practical chances
Starting from the position but does not give White quite
diagrammed above, after enough if Black responds 12...
10.0-0 0-0, I would recommend Qc8! 13.exd7+ Nbxd7, or he
11.h3 rather than can play the more modest
11.Nd4, which is well met by (and sound) gambit 11.Na4,
11...Kh8. leading to another interesting
White can also respond to position: 11...Nxd5 12.Bxd5
7...c5 as he would in the 6... Bxd5 13.Nd4 Bb7 14.0-0 Nc6
Be7 line: 8.d5!? 15.c4:
389
Chapter 23

after 7...d5:
15...Be7 allows 16.Qh5+!

g6 17.Qh6.
Several of the above ideas 8.Ba2 c5
have potential and good I wouldn’t consider this
practical possibilities, but the “main line” by any stretch,
I wouldn’t hang my hat on but it is the only one that deserves
any as giving White a clear extra attention. After
theoretic advantage. If that is any other reasonable move,
what you are looking for, you save ...b5, White has little
should probably abandon trouble executing his plan of
the Ba2 plan and play Be2 Ne2 and c4. I addressed ...b5
instead. White has yet two in chapter 12.
more distinct viable options 9.dxc5
in that case: The fact that the Bishop
1. Switch to a modified on f8 has not moved should
(slightly suboptimal) version not stop White from capturing
of the h-pawn march line we now.
cover next 9...bxc5
2. Castle, play dxc5 and Black does well to avoid 9...

plan on forcing the exchange Bxc5 regardless of the “gain” in
of Black’s b-pawn as well. time. His Bishop cannot stay
White can do well from this on c5, and White will be able to
position if he focuses on creating push his own c-pawn without
and using a 2-1 Q-side any problem, and now White
pawn majority. has the option of using Na4,
390
coming with tempo against the

Bishop, to get his Knight out of
the way of his c-pawn. White
has several good positions to
choose from after 9...Bxc5.
Here are two sample lines:
1O.Na4 Bd6 11.c4 Bxf4
12.exf4 Nbd7 13.cxd5 Nxd5
14.Bxd5 Bxd5 15.Nc3, and
White can aim for an eventual
outpost on d6 after an A key difference between
exchange on e5 brings one of this line and the one discussed
his pawns there. in the note to Black’s 7th move
1O.O-0b5 11.a4b4 12.Ne2 is that the early ...d5 in this
Nc6 13.c4. White has no line blocked Black’s Bishop
qualms with letting Black from f3, so White was able to
take on c3 en passant, as it play Ne2 early, allowing him
gives his Rook an open b-file now to play b3 without ...Qa5
to bedevil Black’s b7-Bishop. pinning the Knight. Black is
1O.Ne2 welcome to fork the a3-pawn
Black’s last move kept and White’s King with 11...
alive the possibility of ...c4. Qa5+, but after 12.c3 he has
White forces him to decide to step lightly because there
whether to execute the option is much poison and nothing
or lose it. good for him in the position.
1O...c4 (E.g., 12...Ne4?! 13.bxc4
Insufficient, but anything Nxc3? 14.Qd2!)
else lets White gain a fairly The b-pawn’s absence also
nice advantage playing c4 plays a key role. Normally,
himself. b3 would just lose a pawn to
11.b3 ...Bxa3, but without a pawn
on b5, White has more attackers
on c4 than Black has
defenders and Black cannot
address this with simply
391
Chapter 23
11...Bxa3?! 12.c3! cxb3?, for

13.Qxb3 forks both Bishops.
The text (11.b3) plants
many such booby traps. If
White just wants a clear advantage
without worrying
about these things, 11.Ned4
fits the bill. Since 11...Bc8
drops material after 12.Bxb8
Rxb8 13.Nc6, Black should
counter with 11...Qe7. With Whatever compensation
the Queen tied down and Black has because of White’s
blocking the Bishop, White ratty pawns, it is not enough
can castle and then play b3 to match the material imbalance,
with less drama. let alone the fact that
11 ...Nbd7 White has the Two Bishops.
Other moves are as strong
theoretically, but this is the h-pawn March
sharpest continuation. This is the second major strategy
1 2.bxc4 Qa5+ 1 3.c3 dxc4 for White. It works best
13...Rc8 14.Qbl. when Black plays an early
1 4.Bxc4 Bxf3 ...a6 and offers only a practical
14...e5, letting the Queen advantage if Black delays
get back to c7, doesn’t work ...a6. These two strategies harmonize
out so well: 15.Bg3 Qc7 when used together;
16.Ba2 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Qb7 sometimes the best path for
18.Qa4! is tough to meet. White is to play h4 and then,
15.gxf3 Rd8 16.Qc2 Nd5 depending on how Black
17.0-0 responds, jump into a good
version of the Bc4-a2 line.
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
4.Nf3 b6 5.a3 Bb7 6.Nc3 a6
Against 6...Be7, I only
recommend 7.h4 for those
who simply like playing those
392
positions. I am unconvinced rank, even if it means sacrifice

that White has a theoretic of material. Since Black’s
advantage after 7...O-0 8.h5 g-pawn is forced to g6 and
a6 9.Be2 d5 10.h6 g6, but that his f-pawn is already on f5,
does not mean it will turn control of the 7th rank is even
out 50-50 in over-the-board more potent than normal.
play. 7.h4!?
There are two major strategies White is not merely hinting

for White in this position. at a K-side assault, he is
One is to castle long also delaying the decision
and mount a standard K-side as to where to develop his
assault. Fortunately, success K-Bishop. In this he is taking
with this strategy does not advantage of Black’s rather
require that White’s K-side passive setup. White’s King
assault lead to mate or even is safe for the foreseeable
a material advantage. Often, future and he is in no rush

White just needs to make a to castle.
mess of the K-side pawns and 7...Bd6
then obtain a Q-side pawn 7...Be7 lets White switch
majority that will be more back to the Bc4 idea without

mobile than the wreck on the having to be concerned about
K-side. ...c5. The point is that ...Be7 is
The second strategy for even worse than doing nothing
White is to castle short and when it comes to getting
aim at infiltration on the 7th an early ...c5 in because now
393
Chapter 23
d5 has extra bite in the form after 8.gxf3. Moreover, since

of d6: 7...Be7 8.Bc4 c5 9.d5! Black has not castled and his
b5 1O.d6! bxc4 11.dxe7, and Knight must keep h5 under
Black should not even recapture surveillance, 8.gxf3 d5 9.e4
immediately because has more than a little sting.
11...Qxe7 12.Bd6 gives White 8.Ne5!
an even better game. Much of the point to 7.h4
If Black plays ...b5 first, was being able to wait until
the situation is different because Black had played ...Bd6 before
Black has not weakened committing his Knight
d6 with ...c5 yet. In that case to e5. White should generally
play should go 7...Be7 8.Bc4 not play an early Ne5 in this
b5 9.Ba2 c5 1O.dxc5 Bxc5 line unless Black has played
11.h5, and White is a move ...Bd6.
up on what he gets in this line White is not concerned
of the 7.Bc4 variation. about the vulnerability of his
7...d5 allows Black to g2-pawn, and the possibility
cover d6 with his Queen, but of ...Bxg2 will not dissuade
weakening e6 and e5 while him from developing his
blocking the Bishop so early light-squared Bishop.
is not recommended. White 8...O-O
can probably do well using 8...Be7 is an imaginative
many different strategies at effort to use ...d6 before castling.
this point, but Ne5 and then 9.Bc4 should transpose
g4 appeals to me. (Note that to the version of the Ricochet
this goes against the Second Attack discussed in the
Rule of Thumb” I mention at note to Black’s seventh move
the end of Chapter 12. Here, in this section. After 9...d6
I think it is worth trying to 1O.Nf3 d5 1O.Ba2, White has
make something of Black’s lost two tempi moving his
lack of K-side development.) Knight back and forth (or,
7...Bxf3 can no longer rather, forth and back), and
be met with the h3 and g4 Black has lost two in using
plan, but White should be two moves to play ...d5 and
happy with the open g-file two moves to get his Bishop
394
to e7. The g2-pawn is hanging From here we look at two

after 9.Bc4, but White should options for Black:
not let this concern him. • He can ignore the danger
One warning: in this and get on with trying to
variation White should not improve his own position
respond to 9...c5 with 1O.d5?! with ...Be7, allowing ...d6.
because 1O...d6 does not leave • He can play an immediate
him ahead. He should instead ...c5!, planning to let
play 1O.Ba2, planning 1O...b5 some oxygen into his Q-side
11.dxc5. Fh lines turn out after ...cxd4.
better for White than in any Other moves are possible,
other variation because he but Black cannot do much
now has Nd3 at his disposal. without resorting to one or
9.Be2! the other. White welcomes
both ...Bxg2 and ...Bxe5.
Black Ignores Threat

Contrary to the heading,
Black is not really ignoring
the danger so much as assuming
it only requires a single
move to quell. The pawn on
h4 plays a material role in
determining whether that assumption
This brings a new wrinkle is correct.
to the tapestry. White is 9...Be7 1O.Bf3

threatening Bf3, which is not
easy to meet because Black is
loath to give White’s Queen
access to the K-side, coming
with tempo on the a8-Rook
no less! Yet, addressing the
danger to the b7-Bishop exposes
other weaknesses in his
position.
395
Chapter 23
1 O...Qc8 White is unprepared for

If the h-pawn were still ...Ne4 because Nxe4 leaves
on h2, then 10...Ne4 would his other Knight without
be a fine way of dealing good squares.
with White’s scheme. However, In the 10.Bf3 line, the
that now fails to 11 .Bxe4 availability of d3 is, of course,
fxe4 12.Qg4 Qe8 13.h5, doubly important because
with which Black cannot be White’s Bishop is on f3!
thrilled.
11.Bg5 We return to the position

This exposes a significant after 11.Bg5.
downside to combining
...Be7 with ...Qc8. The Bishop
is now unguarded, so White
can pin the Knight. This is
very important because now
White can react to ...d6 with
Nd3 instead of Nf3.
What are you talking about?
For sake of illustration, 11...Re8

imagine that White castled Black cannot advantageously
before playing Bf3. After transform the position.

10.0-0 d6, 11.Nd3 would be This looks like a reasonable
a mistake. way to improve his
game. Some other options:
11...Nc6 12.Nxc6 lets
White compromise Black’s

pawn structure.
11...d6 12.Nd3 and neiof
ther development Black’s

Knight looks good:
12...Nc6 13.Qe2 Nd8 reinforces
Black’s e6-pawn but
396
White dominates the center.

He can castle long and hit on
the K-side.
12...Nbd7 blocks the
Queen’s support of e6, so after
13.Nf4, Black will have to
advance the pawn, meaning
that White will come away
with control of the important
d5 square. After 13...
e5 14.Nfd5, a massive set of Notably ...e5 can be met by
exchanges will ensue, and 21...e5 22.Rd5! since 22...Bxd5
White should retain an advantage 23.Nxd5 hits b6 while positioning
because the danger to the Knight on a prime
b6 and c7 posed by a Knight post to support a strong h5
on d5 is awkward to address. and g4. White has more than
Two sample continuations sufficient compensation!
showing how the exchanges
could play out: Black counterattacks
14...Nxd5 15.Bxd5+ Bxd5 9...c5!
16.Nxd5 Bd8 17.dxe5 Nxe5
18.Bxd8 Qxd8 (19...Rxd8??

20.Ne7+) 19.Qd4;
14...Bd8 15.dxe5 Nxe5
16. Nxf6 + Bxf6 17. Bxb 7 Qxb 7
18.Qd5+ Qxd5 19.Nxd5.
After the text (11...Re8),
a sample line is 12.Qe2 d6
13.Nd3 Nbd7 14.0-0-0 c5
15.Nf4 Bf8 16.Bxf6 Nxf6
17.Nh5 Nxh5 18.Bxh5 Advancing the c-pawn
Rd8 19.e4 g6 20.Bf3 cxd4 indicates either a major oversight
21 .Rxd4. or confidence in one’s
ability to calculate. Black
should only make this move
397
Chapter 23
if he is willing to allow White can keep White’s advantage

to invade his Q-side, an offer to a minimum, which is
I believe White should why 10.Nf7 is my official
decline. recommendation.
1 O.Nf7!? Two notes before moving
10.Bf3 Bxf3 11.Qxf3 cxd4 on:
12.exd4 Nc6 13.Nxc6 dxc6 The Bishop on g5 can
14.Bg5! makes life very difficult prove quite dangerous because
for Black because he has Bxf6 can pull a Rook
lots of weak pawns that White up to f6, leaving his brother
can target. undefended on the back rank.
Forcing the exchange with
14...h6 is no good because after
15.Bxf6 Qxf6 16.0-0-0 c5
17.dxc5 Bxc5 18.Na4, Black
has a horrible pawn structure
for the endgame. Black will
have an open b-file, but I
don’t think there is sufficient
wood left on the board for
White to be too troubled.
The foot soldiers on c6 Deviating from this line
and e6 are obviously vulnerable, with 12.Qxa8 wins a Rook
but so is b6 (e.g., after for a piece and a pawn, and
the Knight on c3 moves and is fine if White is just looking
White plays Qb3). Furthermore, to force a draw, which
the pawn on f5 can he can probably get after
prove a liability as Black tries 12...dxc3 13.b4 Qc7 14.Nd3
to deal with his other weaknesses. Bxf4 15.Nxf4 b5 16.0-0 Nc6
Because Black’s major 17.Qxa6 Rb8 18.Rfdl Rb6
pieces will have defensive 19.Qa8+ Rb8 20.Qa6 Rb6
duties, White is better placed 21.Qa8+, etc. Playing for a
to secure the e- or d-file after win, though, looks too optimistic.
exchanges in the center. With After 16.Qf3 Nc6
precise play, though, Black 17.Qe2 in the above line,
398
Black has lots of advanced,

useful posts for his Knights,
and White has weak Q-side
pawns.

after 1O.Nf7!?
From the diagram, a

sample continuation is 16...
Bd5 17.Rdl Nc6 18.b3 Ne4
19.Nxe4 Bxe4 20.Rd2 f4
21.Bh5 P15 22.Bdl P17 23.h5
Ne7 24.Bxf4 Nd5 25.Qd4
Nxf4 26.Qxe4 Nd5 27.h6 Nf6
1 O...Rxf7 11 .Bxd6 cxd4 28.Qe5 g6 29.Bf3 Ra7. White
12.Qxd4 Bxg2 has recovered his pawn, has
Finally we will take a look better control over the center,
at an example of play after and should be able to
this move, which is a possibility manufacture a Q-side passer

for Black in many lines. in time.
13.Rgl Bb714.Qf4
14.Na4 b5 15.Qb6 Qc8 We return to the position
16.Nc5 is another possibility. after 14.Qf4.
White’s plan here is to tie up
Black’s forces so badly that
the second player feels compelled
to give back material to
free up his position.
399
Chapter 23
1 4...Ne8
14...b5, getting the pawn

off b6 in view of 13c7, is another
possibility. Its chief
value lies in taking a4 away
from White’s Knight. However,
it lets White keep the Two
Bishops. White’s three Q-side
pawns give him surprising
endgame strength, even if he
never recoups his material. 17.Bh5
But White does not have White finds an innovative
to wait for an endgame to way to protect the h-pawn:
cause Black trouble. He can force Black to block his own
mix threats to the K-side and Queen.
down the d-file. For example, 17.Na4 is probably a bit
he can use a Rook posted on reckless, but if Black eats the
d6 to keep Black pinched h4-pawn, White gets an extra
while pushing his h-pawn. If move to work on liquidating
he manages to get his pawn Black’s b- or d-pawns. Success
to h6, forcing ...g6, he should in that operation would
strongly consider trebling his increase the strength of his
heavy pieces on the g-file, Q-side majority significantly.
planning to play Bh5, allowing Of course, the downside is
a sacrifice on g6. Note that Black’s h-pawn might
that Black’s light-squared be able to creep down the
Bishop can have trouble getting board.
over to cover the light 1 7...Re7 1 8.Na4
squares White is targeting in
that attack.
15.0-0-0 Nxd6 1 6.Qxd6 Nc6
400
“7/,,
‘// 7/
Black’s position is hard to

play because he cannot afford
to give back the gambited
material, at least not on the
Q-side. White’s Q-side pawn
triad is-iust too powerful in
the endgame if Black loses his
a- or b-pawns.
401
Chapter 23
402
Position Training
403
404
Dutch Quiz
Each of the positions below is discussed in the 2-Hour

Primer chapter. What is White’s best move and why? The
answers are in the next chapter.
Position 1 Position 2
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3
c6 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Ne4
405
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
4.Nf3 d5 4.Nf3 b6
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6

4.Nf3 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Nc3 4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3
0-0 c6 7.Bd3 Ne4 8.g4 Qa5
406
Dutch Quiz
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6

4.Nf3 Be7 5.c4 0-0 4.h4! h6 5.Nc3 Bg7
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6 1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
4.Nf3 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Nc3 4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3
0-0 7.c5 Kh8 8.Bc4 dxc5 c6 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Ne4
9.dxc5 Nbd7 9.g4 Qa5 1 0.a3 Na6
407
408
Dutch Answers
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3 c6
7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Ne4
White should play 3.e3 (rather

than 3.Nf3) because this
opens the dl-h5 diagonal for Our thematic reaction to
his Queen. If Black stubbornly • . .Ne4 in the Stonewall Variation
plays a Leningrad, White is g4!
has 3...g6?! 4.h4! Bg7? 5.h5
Nxh5 6.Rxh5 gxh5 7.Qxh5+
Kf8 8.Qxf5+, with a fantastic
initiative.
409
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6
4.Nf3 d5 4.Nf3 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Nc3 0-0
White should begin o wage Whiie should play 7.c5!,

war against Black’s light opening the a2-g8 diagoBlack’s
squares with 5.c4, likely nal and disrupling
followed by Nc3, Bd3, and development
Qc2.
Position 6
Position 4 1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3 c6
4.Nf3 b6 7.Bd3 Ne4 8.g4 Qa5
White should play 5.a3, preventing White should play 9.0-0!?

a later ...Bb4(+). Note thai his Queen does no
have rime o go o c2 because
410
Dutch Answers
9.Qc2 Na6! cannot be met

by 1O.a3? since the a-pawn is
pinned.
Instead, White should
castle short. Black has a hard
time posing any danger to the
King and White’s Queen can
find a safe, powerful post after
the various pins (and potential
pins) in White’s position
have been removed. The key play to send Leningrad
players into deep
Position 7 thought here is 6.Qf3!, threatening
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 Qg3, which puts c7 and
4.Nf3 Be7 5.c4 0-0 g6 under threat.
Position 9
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 d6
4.Nf3 g6 5.c4 Bg7 6.Nc3 0-0
7.c5 Kh8 8.Bc4 dxc5 9.dxc5
Nbd7
Unless White is thoroughly

at peace with (and preferably
prepared for) the repercussions
of 6.Nc3 Ne4 7.Nxe4
fxe4 8.Nd2 Rxf4!, he should
prefer 6.Be2!?
White should play the positional
Position 8 sacrifice 1O.c6!!
1 .d4 f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6
4.h4! h6 5.Nc3 Bg7
411
Position 10
1.d4f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
4.Nf3 d5 5.c4 Be7 6.Nc3 c6
7.Bd3 0-0 8.Qc2 Ne4 9.g4
Qa5 10.a3 Na6
White should play 11.Ke2!,

connecting his Rooks, and
unpinning his Knight and
a-pawn (which currently
would not be able to take
on b4 should Black play

...Nb4).
412
Non-Dutch Quiz
What is White’s best move and why? The answers are in the
next chapter.
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 3.c4 g6
4.e3 Bg7
413
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 0-0 4.e3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.Nc3 d6
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 c6
414
Non-Dutch Quiz
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Qe7 Nb6
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Qe7
9.b4 e4 1 0.Nd2 Re8 11 .Bb2
Nf8
415
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Qe7
9.dxe5 Nxe5 1 0.Nxe5 dxe5 9.b4 e4 1 0.Nd2 Re8 11 .Bb2
h5
Position 12
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 Position 14
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
9.dxe5 Nxe5 1 0.Nxe5 Rxe5 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8
11.e4b6 12.f3 Bb7 9.dxe5 Nxe5 1 0.Nxe5 Rxe5
11.e4Re8
416
Non-Dutch Quiz
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3 9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3
Qe7 12.Rfdl Nf8 Qe7 1 2.Rfdl Nc5 1 3.h3 a5
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Qe7 12.Rfdl Nc5 13.h3 Ne6 Bf8 12.h3 Qc7 13.Rfdl b6
14.Rd2 Nh5 15.Bfl Nhf4 14.a3 Bb7
417
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 Nb6 7.a4 a5 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Be2
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3 0-0 10.0-0 Na6 11 .Be3 Nb4
Bf8 12.h3 Qc7 13.Rfdl
b6 14.a3 Nc5 15.b4 Ne6
16.Racl Bb7
Position 22
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d5 6.cxd5
Position 20 Nxd5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.e4 Nb6
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 9.Be3 f5 10.exf5 Bxf5
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 11.Nc3 Qd6
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3
Qe7 12.Rfdl Nf8 13.h3 Nh5
418
Non-Dutch Quiz
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Qe7 12.Rfdl Nf8 13.h3 Nh5 Bf8 12.h3 Qc7 13.Rfdl b6
14.Bfl Ne615.Racl Rf8 14.a3 Nh5 15.b4 Nf4 16.Bfl
Bb7
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d5 6.cxd5
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 Nxd5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.e4 Nb6
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3 9.Be3 f5 1 0.exf5 gxf5 11 .g3

Qe7 12.Rfdl Nf8 13.h3 Nh5 Nd5 1 2.Bc4 Kh8 1 3.Bxd5
14.Rd2 Ne6 15.Rel Nhf4 Qxd5 14.Nc3 Qg8
16.Bfl g517.g3h5
419
4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d5 6.cxd5 4.e3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.Nc3 d6
Nxd5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.e4 Nb6 7.Bd3 e6 8.h3 exd5 9.cxd5
9.Be3 f5 1 0.exf5 Bxf5 Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 1 1.e4 b5
11.Nc3 Qd7 12.a3 Re8 13.Rel Bb7
4.e3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.Nc3 d6 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 c5 6.d5 d6
7.Bd3 e6 8.h3 exd5 9.cxd5 7.Nc3 e6 8.0-0 exd5 9.cxd5
Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 1 1.e4 b5 Re8
12.a3 Re8 13.Rel a5
420
Non-Dutch Answers
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d6 3.c4 g6
4.e3 Bg7
The Zuka response to 3...

Bg7 is 4.e3!? White delays the Since Black has already
development of his Q-Knight played ...d6, White should
so that he can use the Sneaky continue with 5.Nc3, keeping
Grunfeld line against ...d5. the development of his
If White plans on using K-Bishop flexible.
the Bg5 trick, as outlined
in the last section of the
KID Odds and Ends chapter,
then he can continue 4.Nc3
instead.
421
4.e3 0-0 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5
If White is playing the

basic Zuka repertoire, he will White should continue
play 5.Be2, continuing to delay 8.Qc2, preventing ...e4.

Nc3 until after Black has
played ...d6. Position 5
If White has incorporated 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
the Keres Variation of the 4.e3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.Nc3 d6
Grünfeld into his repertoire,
he plays 5.Nc3 here instead.
Lastly, if White is making
use of the idea described in
The Shrewd 5. h3 chapter, then
he will continue, unsurprisingly,
with 5.h3.
Black has played ...c5

earlier than is optimal, giving
White the opportunity to develop
his K-Bishop to d3 rather
than e2. 7.Bd3 is correct.
422
Non-Dutch Answers
Position 6 advantage.
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 Position 7
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 c6 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Qe7
Black has played an early

...c6, opening c7 for his
Queen. White should avoid Unlike in the far more
allowing the exchange of common version of this line
pieces on e5 while Black has (with 8...Re8), White should
the option of ...Qc7, so he not pursue early central exchanges.
should first get the Queen Instead he continues
to commit to a square with 9.b4!? (This line is covered

9.Rdl. If the Queen goes to in the KID Odds and Ends
c7, White will take the game chapter.)
into the closed variation of
this line described in the KID
Odds and Ends chapter.
Note that 9...Re8 allows
White to play our main repertoire
lines by exchanging
on e5 because Black cannot
safely exchange pieces on e5

and then play . . .Qc7: 1O.dxe5
Nxe5 11.Nxe5 Rxe5 12.e4
Qc7?! 13.Bf4 gives him a big
423
Position 8 transport. After 7.. .a5 8.Bb5+
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 c6, Black’s development has
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 been disrupted.
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 As a practical point, White
can also play 7.Be3, but only
because he hopes to provoke
7.. .c5?! as a mistake. After the
more sober 7. . .0-0, White will
need to return to a4, which is
a key idea in the line.
Position 10
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
White should initiate central Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Qe7
exchanges: 9.dxe5. 9.b4 e4 1 0.Nd2 Re8 11 .Bb2
Nf8
Position 9
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4
Nb6
White can grab a significant

advantage with 12.Nd5!
Nxd5 13.cxd5. The pawn on
d5 prevents Black from using
White should continue e6, and he has an open c-file
with 7.a4!!, exploiting the
point that half of Black’s
pieces depend on d7 for
424
Non-Dutch Answers
to attack down. general advantage, so White

should just develop quickly
Position 11 with 12.b3, planning to gain
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 either tons of space with e4
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 and/or a4 or quick development
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 with Ba3 and the doubling
9.dxe5 Nxe5 1 0.Nxe5 dxe5 of Rooks on the d-file.
Position 12
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8
9.dxe5 Nxe5 1 0.Nxe5 Rxe5
11.e4b6 12.f3 Bb7
Black’s 10th move was a

mistake. However, if White
simply plays 11 .e4, it is Black
who benefits from his own error
because he now has time
to play 11...c6 before moving
his Queen. In general, White
only wants Black to be able White should continue
to play ...Qc7 in the 8...dxe5 with 13.Bf4 to knock the
variation. Rook off e5, planning to follow
White should respond up with Bg5.
with the immediate 11.Rdl
planning to exploit Black’s

Queen’s position after 11
Nd7 or 11. . . Qe7 with 1 2.c5!
and 12.Nd5 respectively.
11...Bd7 is less exploitable
but concedes an immediate
425
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Qe7 Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8
9.b4 e4 1 0.Nd2 Re8 11 .Bb2 9.dxe5 Nxe5 1 0.Nxe5 Rxe5
h5 11.e4Re8
Black has not retreated White can immediately

his Knight from d7 yet, so pin the Knight with Bg5
12.Nd5?! comes too early. before Black has time to
Instead, White should play play ...Nd7. That can lead
12.Racl, expecting to meet to a complex struggle where
12...Nf8 with 13.Nd5! and White, being better prepared,
12...c6 13.Rfdl Nf8 with should have a significant
14.d5! advantage.
If White prefers to play If White wishes to play a
for general Q-side expansion, somewhat simpler repertoire,
then 12.h3 is the best way he can play 12.f3, hoping to
to do that. Then 12...Nf8 get a better version of the
13.c5 d5 14.b5 is excellent 11...b6 line after 12...b6
for White. 13.Bg5. Having played f3,
White now has the ability to
play Bh4-el threatening Nd5
& Bc3.
However, Black can prevent

all of this with 12.. .Nd7,
426
Non-Dutch Answers
after which White would Position 16

develop more calmly with 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
13.Be3 b6 14.Radl Bb7 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
15.Qcl. White looks forward Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8
to significant board control 9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3
and harmonious development Qe7 12.Rfdl Nc5 13.h3 Ne6
after Rf2, g3, and Bfl. 14.Rd2 Nh5 15.Bfl Nhf4
He can also play more aggressively
with Bg5 (orb4 if Black
plays ...Nc5, ...Rc8, or some
other move that invites it).
Position 15
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3
Qe7 12.Rfdl Nf8 Black has chosen an inferior
move order that allows
White to squeeze a greater
advantage from the position
with 16.Khl!! This lets him
keep his Rook development

flexible. At this point it is unclear
whether Radi or Rael is
better. The text also removes
the sting from an otherwise

critical, thematic maneuver
White should play 13.h3, based on ...Qf6 and a later
preventing . . . Bg4 and forcing ...Qg5, which now will not
Black to rely on his Knights pin g2.
for play.
427
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4c6 11.Be3 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.e4 c6 11.Be3
Qe7 1 2.Rfdl Nc5 1 3.h3 a5 Bf8 12.h3 Qc7 ‘13.Rfdl b6
14.a3 Bb7
Black is trying to maintain

his Knight on c5, which Black’s last move, though
effectively kills White’s plan. natural, is a mistake. After
White should respond aggressively 15.b4, Black will no longer
with 14.Bxc5 Qxc5 be able to use c5 as a springboard
15.Na4, planning Nb6, c5, for his N/d7 to move to
a3, b4, and then contesting e6. White expects to advantageously
the d-file. play c5 soon.
428
Non-Dutch Answers
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Bf8 12.h3 Qc7 13.Rfdl Qe7 12.Rfdl Nf8 13.h3 Nh5
b6 14.a3 Nc5 15.b4 Ne6
16.Racl Bb7
White has two good

moves. The strongest play is
White should play 14.Bfl immediately, which
17.Qb3, threatening Nd5, delays choosing a Rook
a thematic idea in this line configuration. It is not clear
that exploits the location of whether Rd2 and Radi is better
Black’s Queen. than simply Raci because
placing a Rook on d2 allows
later tactics involving Black’s
e-pawn capturing on d4 and
then c3 with tempo. The
risky aspect of 14.Bfl is that
it allows Black to get ...f5 in
much more easily.
The alternate, safer line
is 14.Rd2 immediately, and
White can choose a move order
that makes .. . f5 extremely

dubious.
429
In this particular variation, ward two of those three goals.
the safer line is almost It covers c4 at the moment
as strong. In the variation and can be moved to c2 to
where Black has played contest b4. However, be
Nc5 instead of ...Nf8, there aware that 12...Bg4 13.h3
is a larger discrepancy in the Bxf3 14.Bxf3 is by no means
objective advantage White without danger.
gets against perfect play.
Position 22
Position 21 1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
1 .d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d5 6.cxd5
4.e3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxd5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.e4 Nb6
Nb6 7.a4 a5 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Be2 9.Be3 f5 10.exf5 Bxf5
0-0 10.0-0 Na6 1 1.Be3 Nb4 11 .Nc3 Qd6
My main suggestion for White’s simple plan from

White is 12.Rel, leaving the this position is 12.Qd2,
development of his Q-Knight followed by Radi and the
for later. There are too many exchange of dark-squared
things White would like to do Bishops. Black has many
with this Knight (contest b4, weak squares and diagonals
cover c4, and defend f3 in the that White can use. 12...Bg4
case of ...Bg4) for White to 13.Radl Rad8 is strongly met
commit his Q-Knight now. by 14.Ng5! because Black
An alternative idea is does not have time to play
12.Na3!?, which works to- Nxd4.
430
Non-Dutch Answers
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2
Qe7 12.Rfdl Nf8 13.h3 Nh5 Qe7 12.Rfdl Nf8 13.h3 Nh5
14.Bfl Ne615.Racl Rf8 14.Rd2 Ne6 15.Rel Nhf4
16.Bfl g517.g3h5
Black is clearly planning

...f5. White can strongly Taking the Knight leaves
contest this plan with 16.c5!, White’s Bishop with no place
allowing him to later use d6 to go. Instead, the simplest
and opening possibilities defense against the K-side
along the a2-g8 diagonal for pawn storm is 18.Qdl.
attacks on Black’s King once White’s Queen can quickly
his f-pawn advances. become active on the K-side
should Black continue his
pawn offensive.
431
4.e3 d6 5.Nc3 0-0 6.Be2 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d5 6.cxd5
Nbd7 7.0-0 e5 8.Qc2 Re8 Nxd5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.e4 Nb6
9.dxe5 dxe5 1 0.e4 c6 11 .Be3 9.Be3 f5 1 0.exf5 gxf5 11 .g3
Bf8 12.h3 Qc7 13.Rfdl b6 Nd5 1 2.Bc4 Kh8 1 3.Bxd5
14.a3 Nh5 15.b4 Nf4 16.Bfl Qxd5 14.Nc3 Qg8
Bb7
White’s advantage in
White should avoid the this line lies in his ability to
temptation to play c5 immediately quickly dominate the center
because the strength with his Rooks. To do this he
of that move is diminished needs to play 15.Bf4, hitting
by Black’s extra coverage of d5 c7 and complicating Black’s
furnished by the N/f4. development.
Instead, White should
play 17.Na4 to provoke
17...c5, winning d5 for his
pieces. For example, 18.Nc3
Ne6 (18...cxb4 19.axb4 Bxb4
20.Nb5 is sharp but good for
White.) 19.Nd5.
432
Non-Dutch Answers
4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 d5 6.cxd5 4.e3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.Nc3 d6
Nxd5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.e4 Nb6 7.Bd3 e6 8.h3 exd5 9.cxd5
9.Be3 f5 10.exf5 Bxf5 Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 1 1.e4 b5
11.Nc3 Qd7 12.a3 Re8 13.Rel a5
Black’s last move gives the White’s key play in this

B/f5 some support, but it is line is Bg5, pinning the
ultimately flawed because it Knight. However, here White
does not mechanically block has to first play 14.Qc2, giving
White’s d-pawn. The first his e-pawn extra support.
player can get a significant Otherwise, ...c4 and ...b4
advantage with the straightforward will lead to a position where
12.d5 Nb4 13.Qb3, White has easier play but a
threatening d6+. steep climb to actually convert
his advantage to a win.
433
4.e3 c5 5.d5 0-0 6.Nc3 d6 4.e3 0-0 5.Be2 c5 6.d5 d6
7.Bd3 e6 8.h3 exd5 9.cxd5 7.Nc3 e6 8.0-0 exd5 9.cxd5
Na6 10.0-0 Nc7 11 .e4 b5 Re8
12.a3 Re8 13.Rel Bb7
White should take advantage

White needs to play of his solidly defended
14.Bg5, pinning the Knight. e-pawn by playing 1O.Rel,
This is a critical move in this planning on harmoniously
variation of Zuka versus the developing with Bfl and Rbl,
Benoni, and White’s future which he can play so early
play largely hinges on how that Black’s thematic Q-side
Black chooses to deal with initiative is completely short
the pin. circuited.
434
Reference
Reference
436
Variafio Naviafor
1.d4 Nf6
1.. .f5: Chapters 11-12
1.. .e6 2.Nf3 f5. Chapters 12
1.. .e6 2.Nf3 d5. Chapter 13
1.. . e6 2.c4: Chapter 14
1 . . .g6 should transpose after White plays c4
1.. . d6: Chapter 10
2.Nf3 g6
2.. . d6: Chapter 10
2.. .d5: Chapter 18
3.c4 Bg7 4.e3
4.Nc3 0-0 5.e4 d6 6.h3!?: Chapter 5
4.Nc3 d5:Chapter7
4...O-O
4.. .c5: Chapter 8

4.. .d5: Chapter 6
5.Be2
5.h3!?: Chapter 9
5...d6
5.. .c5: Chapter 8
5.. .d5: Chapter 6
6.Nc3 Nbdl
6.. .c5: Chapter 8
6.. .Bf5: ChapterS
7.O-0e5
7.. .c5: Chapter 8
437
Reference
8.Qc2 Re8
8.. .c6: Chapter 5
8. . . Qe7: Chapter 5
9.dxe5 dxe5
9.. .Nxe5: Chapter 4
1O.e4c6 11.Be3
11...Qe7:Chapter3
11 ...Qc7. Chapter2
438
Reference
Bib1iorapIy
Aagaard, Jacob. Dutch Stonewall. Everyman Chess. 2001
Avrukh, Boris. Grandmaster Repertoire: The Grünfeld Defence

Vol. 1. Quality Chess UK LLP. 2011
Beim, Valeri. Understanding the Leningrad Dutch. Gambit

Publications. 2003
Bologan, Victor. The King’s Indian. Chess Stars. 2009
Breutigam, Martin. King’s Indian with h3. Chessbase. 2002
Dembo, Yelena. Fighting the Anti-King’s Indians. Everyman

Chess. 2008
Gallagher, Joe. Play the King’s Indian. Everyman Chess. 2004
Job nsen, Sverre et al. Win with the Stonewall Dutch. Gambit
Publications. 2009
Kindermann, Stefan. Leningrad System:A Complete Weapon

Against 1.d4. Edition QIms. 2005
Markos, Jan. Beat the KID. Quality Chess Europe AB. 2009
McDonald, Neil. Starting Out: Dutch Defense. Everyman

Chess. 2005
McDonald, Neil. Dutch Leningrad. Everyman Chess. 1997
Minev, Nikolay. Dutch Defense: New and Forgotten Ideas.

Thinkers’ Press. 2003
439
Reference
Palliser, Richard et al. Dangerous Weapons: The Dutch.

Everyman Chess. 2009
Pedersen, Steffen. The Dutch for the Attacking Player.

International Chess Interprises. 1996
Pinski, Jan. Classical Dutch. Everyman Chess. 2002
Silman, Jeremy and Larry Christiansen. Dutch Defense.

Chess Digest Inc.. 1989
Sosonko, Genna and Paul van der Sterren (Editors). New In

Chess Yearbook 78. New in Chess. 2006
Taylor, Timothy. Beating the King’s Indian and Grünfeld.

Everyman Chess. 2006
Williams, Simon. Play the Classical Dutch. Gambit

Publications. 2003
440
Co1op1or
Fight the King’s Indian, Grunfeld, and Dutch Defenses with

Zuka was typeset in ITC Giovanni, Myriad Pro, and TPi’s C.R.
Horowitz® diagram font.
Layout and design: Bob Long & David Rudel

Cover: Rob Long
Editing: Graham Stevens, John Wright, Bob Long
Proofing: Graham Stevens, John Wright, Rob Watson, Dan
Coryea, David Rudel, Bob Long
Thank Yous
The author would like to thank the entire community at the

Colle System Players Forum and particularly Rob Watson
for his help on the most recent edition of Zuke ‘Em and
Christoph Schroeder for his helpful opinions on a few knotty
positions.
Do you like this book? Would you like to be involved in the

production of a book like this by or through yourself? If so,
please contact the finest chess publisher in the world:
Bob Long
bob @thinkerspressinc.com
or write to:
1524 LeClaire St.
Davenport, IA 52803 USA
563-271-6657

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What is the book about?

What is the book about?

What chess openings does the book cover?

What chess openings does the book cover?

early a critury ago Aron Nim; ii4igated a re’ottfttt5rFWichess

9 781888 710632 GAMES> CHESS > SPECIFIC STRATEGIES

Part I: The King’s Indian Defense

Introduction to the King’s Indian Defense... 43 01: Chapter

Part 2: The Grflnfeld

6 : ‘T’Ii e S n e a 1c)1 G ri.1 n fe 1 d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 1 Chapter

Part 3: Black Plays ...d6 and Avoids KID

08: Black Transposes into a Benoni Structure.. 149 Chapter

Part 4: The Dutch

Chapter 11: Introducing the Dangerfield Attack... . 209

Part 5: Further Analysis

Chapter 15: KID After 9...Nxe5—Branch 1: Bg5-f4 267

Chapter 18: The Sneaky Grünfeld 301

Variation 1.Ja’vigator. . . . . . . . . 437

fter finishing Zuke ‘Em: The Colle-Zukertort Revolutionized,

Zuke ‘Em gave little guidance against an early ...g6 or

• I didn’t have any new ideas I deemed worth advocating

To clarify this second point, Zuke ‘Em provided ammunition

players. I’ve long advised players to weave the Colle into

Zuka: The Zuke ‘Em Companion

I have dubbed this setup “Zuka,” because I believe it is the

Perhaps best of all, the Zuka system allows White to take

A Stand-Alone System Created for

e Zuka System developed and explained in this book

Unless Black plays a delayed Dutch, this should make no difference

In all other variations the book should serve Queen’s Gambit

The King’s Indian Defense

Furthermore, these “real” defenses are much more likely to

changes slowly. Once White finds the proper refutation for

actually suggested something close to the Zuka system against

The Barry Attack

The Barry instantly became the preferred method for upto-date

White doesn’t have anything better than 9.Nf3, so he had

Position after 7...Nc6

Does this pose

Palliser agrees with Dembo’s assessment that White has

The b4-square belongs to White

Following c3, Nb4, and probably Rd1 Black cannot make

The Tarzan Attack

2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.Qd2, which Israeli GM Arthur

White’s play, aiming at Bh6 with a K-side assault, may not

White can really only stop . . .c5 temporarily with 10.Qc3.

something in 11.a4, though Hebden only managed to draw

The 150 Attack

Position after 8.Bh6

While the 150 continues to dominate the Pirc, it has been

Eggshell in the omelet

Tiger Hillarp Persson suggested 10.c3 be met with 10...

lar variation, there appears to be no end to Black’s worthwhile

This is a reasonable enough idea. Black may not be particularly

is nothing requiring him to do so. As Richard Palliser has

Position after 6...e5!?

In the few games between comparably rated, strong players,

Usiri3 Zulça ksairisf ...36deferises

Typical position of Zuka system against ...g6