Contents

Introduction 5
Game I Torre-Samisch, Moscow I923 5
Game 2 Torre-Lac;ker, Moscow 1 925 6
Game 3 Petrosian-Lyublinsky, Moscow 1 949 9
Grune 4 Spassky-Petrosian, World Ch, Moscow 1 966 II
Game 5 Taimanov-Gufeld, Moscow I 966 13
First published I 993
Reprinted 1 994 Part 1: Systems '\\ith 2 e6
... 17
I Flank Counterattack 18
Game 6 Benjamin-Yudasin, New York 1990 18
© Eduard Gufeld, Oleg Stetsko 1 993
Game 7 Vaganian-Razuvaev, Moscow 1 983 24
ISBN 0 7 1 34 7 I 65 4 Game 8 I.Sokolov-Kir.Georgiev, Palma de Mallorca 1 989 25
Game 9 Taimanov-Gipslis, Tallinn 1 980 27
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. Game 10 Lobron-Korchnoi, Biel 1 984 28
A catalogue record for this book is available Game 1 1 Todorovic-Dragomaretsky, Bela Crkva 1 989 33
from the British Library. 2 Central System 37
Game 1 2 I.Sokolov-lvanchuk, Biel 1989 37
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be Game 1 3 Tukmakov-Schiissler, Helsinki 1983 43
reproduced, by any means, without prior permission Game 14 Dreev-Pavlovic, Protvino 1988 45
of the publisher. Game 1 5 Bisguier-I.Ivanov, Philadelphia 1 98(l 49
Game 1 6 Psakhis-Tiviakov, Moscow 1989 51
Game 1 7 Murshed-Kaidanov, Calcutta 1 988 53
Typeset by John Nunri GM 3 Systems with an Early .b6
.. 60
and printed in Great Britain by Grune 18 Yusupov-Karpov, London Ct (6) 1 989 60
Redwood Books, Trowbridge, Wills Game 1 9 Kavalek-Brunner. Solingen 198 6 64
for the publishers, Game 20 Kochiev-Veingold, Tallinn 1 985 66
B. T. Batsford Ltd, Game 21 Mikh.Tseitlin-Popov, USSR { 982 69
4 Fitzhardinge Street, 4 Classical System 73
London W I H OAH Game 22 T.Petrosian-Taimanov, Leningrad I960 73
Game 23 Spa">Sky-Andersson, Clermont-Ferrand 1989 77
Game 24 Seirawan-Andersson, Skelleftea 1 989 81
Game 25 Barbero-Schussler, Palma de Mallorca 1 989 84
A BATSFORD CHESS BOOK Game 26 Timman-Andersson, Brussels 1 988 89
Editorial Panel: Mark Dvoretsky, John Nunn, Jon Speelman Game 27 Yusupov-Karpov, London Ct (8 ) 1 989 91
General Adviser: Raymond Keene OBE Game 28 Bala-;hov-Lemer, Kiev 1986 94
Managing Editor: Graham Burgess Game 29 Hulak-Seirawan, New York 1989 97
 Game 30 l.Sokolov-Kir.Georgiev, Haifa 1 989 1 00
5 Modem System I 05 Introduction
Game 3 1 Lerner-Yudasin, Nikolaev 1983 I05
Ga�ne 32 Plaskett-Ward, Ha-;tings 1989/90 1 10
Ga�ne 33 Psakhis-Makarychev, Tallinn 1 983 I 13
Game 34 Hodgson-Eingom, Reykjavik 1 989 1 16
Ga�ne 35 Spassky-Miles, Niksic 1 983 1 19

Part 2: Systems with 2...g6 121

6 Central System I 22 The Torre Attack, 1 d4 lLlf6 2 ibf3 e6 Game l
Ga�ne 36 Komarov-Smirin, Baku 1988 1 22 3 i.g5, is one of the most popular va­ Torre-Slimisch
Game 37 Smyslov-Vaganian, USSR Ch (Moscow) 1988 1 25 rieties of the Queen's Pawn Open­ Moscow 1925
Game 38 Dreev-Khalifman, Moscow 1 985 1 30 ing. It ca�ne into being in November (notes ba..,ed on those by
Ga�ne 39 Schiissler-Vaganian, Tallinn 1 983 1 33 1 925, when the young Mexica11 Bogoljubow)
Ga�ne 40 Gostisa-I.Sokolov, Bled 1 99 1 1 36 chess star Carlos Torre unlea<;hed the
Game 4 1 Salov-Vaganian, Barcelona 1 989 1 39 opening at top level in the important 1 d4 ibf6
Game 42 Torre-Ka'>parov, Thessaloniki OL 1988 141 international tournament in Mos­ 2 lt:Jf3 e6
Ga�ne 43 0stenstad-Basin, Trnava 1 989 144 cow. 3 il.gS cS
Game 44 Ye Rongguang-Tseshkovsky, Belgrade 1988 147 The opening moves introduce all 4 e3 lLlc6
Game 45 Kavalek-Browne, USA Ch 1 986 149 harmonious system of development 5 lLlbd2 b6
Ga�ne 46 Machulsky-Gufeld, Moscow 1991 151 with which White pins the f6 knight 6 c3 .tb7
Ga�ne 47 Malaniuk-Chekhov, Warsaw 1 989 153 a11d then erects the pawn wedge c3- 7 il.d3 cd
7 King's Indian System 1 56 d4-e3. This virtually impregnable 8 cd .te7
Ga�ne 48 Kiselev-limoshchenko, Novosibirsk 1989 1 56 structure, while enabling White to 9 lbc4!
Game 49 T.Petrosian-J;msa, Bar 1 980 1 59 develop his pieces harmoniously Now on 9 ...lbd5 follows 10
Game 50 Smyslov-Nunn, Tilburg 1 982 163 around it, has great flexibility, with lbd6+, while after 9 ...d5?! the knight
Game 5 1 Dreev-Kr.Georgiev, Moscow 1 988 1 65 the result that White's position pos­ proceeds to e5 with all obvious ad­
Ga�ne 52 Bronstein-Gufeld, Tallinn 1 98 1 168 sesses elastic potential, ready to un­ vantage.
Game 53 Chernin-Gavrikov, Match, Moscow 1 985 171 leash it'>elf at a suitable moment. 9 ... tlc7
Game 54 Psakhis-Zilberstein, Irkutsk 1 983 1 73 Torre's opponents were accus­ · Sii..misch is in no hurry to castle,
Game 55 Salov-Smirin, USSR Ch (Moscow) 1988 1 75 tomed to the classical style of play fearing t11at this would present a tar­
8 Flank Attack 1 77 prevalent at the time, and so found it get for a possible attack. This had in­
Ga�ne 56 Smyslov-Emst, London (Lloyds Bank) 1988 1 77 difficult to orientate themselves to deed been the case in an unfortunate
Game 57 V.Kovacevic-Stea11, Zagreb 1972 18 1 the new situation, so that Torre was recent experience of his own: 9 ...0-0
Game 58 Vyzhmanavin-Lanka, Novosibirsk 1 986 182 able to reap a rich harvest of three 10 'i'e2 'i'c7 I I h4 ! h6? ! 1 2 'tit'd2
Game 59 Bala'>hov-Lanka, Naberezhnye Chelny 1 988 185 victories in the Moscow event. The lt:Jg4 (12 .. d5 is more resilient) 13
.

Game 60 Rozentalis-Giek, Odessa 1 989 187 first victim was the strong Genna11 .tf4 d6 I4 lLle3 lbxe3? (the last
Index of Variations 1 90 master Slimisch. chance was 14 .. .f5 1 5 d5 lDce5 when
6 Imroduction lmroduction 7

there is still some hope) 15 �xe3 h5 The only defence wao; 17 ... gh 1 8 in Alekhine's opinion this is 'an ut­ without the second appearance of the
1 6 llh3 e5 1 7 delbxe5 ( 1 7... de is de­ �xh6 f5. terly incomprehensible exchange: bishop on g5, the chess world would
cisively met by 18 i.. h6 !) 18 lbxe5 18 .tlxc6! li.Jxc6 Black limits his own options while have been deprived of the grandiose
de 19 i.. xe5 i..d6 20 W'h6! ! (A move 19 ltJfS+ �g8 opening important lines for his op­ combination which ha<> entered into
of rare beauty ! On 20... f6, the only 20 lbxh6+ 1-0 ponent' . Nevertheless, this very the golden treasury of chess under
defence to instant mate, the reply 21 move is widely used nowadays. the heading 'T he Winchnill'.
llg3, threatening i..c4+, is decisive) However, the greatest sensation 5 ed i..e7 19 lbxd3
1 -0 Janowski-Samisch, Marianske wa<> caused by Torre's brilliant 6 lDhd2 d6 20 �xd3 �aS
Lazne 1 925. queen sacrifice in a combination 7 c3 liJbd7 21 h4! (2)
10 'Wd2 l;IcR nowadays familiar to all experienced 8 .itd3 - h6
11 0-0 h6 chessplayers as 'The Windmill'. Un­ 9 lbc4
12 .itf4 d6 der the miller's grindstone wm; none Torre viewed this move ao; part of
13 �fc1 ltJd8 other than the great Emanuel La<>ker, his system. In our day Bogoljubow's
14 �dl lbd5 one of the winners of the touma­ recommendation, 9 'l!:Ye2 i.b7 10 0-0,
15 ..tg3 0-0 ment. is preferred.
16 ltJh4 (1) 9 .ih7
Gamc 2 10 't'te2 't'i'c7
Torre-Laskcr 11 0-0 0-0
Moscow 1 925 12 l:tfcl 1:He8
(notes based on those by 13 blad1 lbf8
Bogoljubow) 14 .tel
The knight regrouping 14lbe3 is Not only was the nxJk threatened,
1 d4 ltJf6 more logical, keeping an eye on but also the win of the bishop with
2 li.Jf3 c6 the centre. 1 4 ...lbd5 can be met by ... h7-h6. Now if 2t...'ilfxb4, then 22
3 �g5 15 lbxd5 i.xd5 16 Jl.xe 7 !he7 17 Jl.d2 �b6 23 l:tg3 yields a strong at­
At the height of the intense tour­ Jl.e4, while a good reply to 14...lbg6 tack on both flanks, but sharper an�l
nament battle the young Mexican is 1 5ltJh4lbxh4 16 Jl.xh4lbd.."i 1 7 more dangerous is the combination
master, who was trailing Bo­ lbxd5 i..x d5 1 8 Jl.xe7 l:txe7 19 Jl.e4. 22 l:tb 1 �aS 23lbc4 �a6 ! 24 llxb7
16 ••• gS goljubow and La'>ker by half a point, In both cases White's position IS �xb 7 25ltJxd6 �b4 26 'aVxn+ <;f;lh8
After 16 ... ..txh4 1 7 i.xh4 lbf4, throws down a challenge to his re­ rather the more active. 27 h4 'ilfxd6 28 Jl.f6! gf 29 'i:Wxf6+
Torre intended 18 'i'g4 ! lbxd3 19 nowned opponent by developing in 14 lbd5 'itg8 30 l:tg3+.
i..f6 g5 (after 19 ...g6 20 �h4 Wh7 his own patented fashion. 15 li.Jg5 h5! 21 ... 'ft'r5
2 1 lbe3 ! Black is beyond salvation) 3 ... cS 16 li.Ja3 h4 Stronger is 2 l . ..'i:Wd5, when the
20 'ifh5 �h7 21 i.. xg5 f6 when the 4 e3 cd 17 ch ltJxh4 best defence may well be 22 'il4'f3
outcome remains unclear. It is en­ The skilful hand of Lao;;ker wao; 18 'fl'h5 Sl.xgS l:tab8 23 Jl.f4 'i:Wf5 ! 24 't!Yg3 e5 25
tirely possible that Torre would have the first to produce this move, which 19 .1l..x g5 Jl.d2 ! e4 26 l:tc3 'WI'd5 27 l:tcc l .
found winning chances here. h a'> since become one of the main 19 't!l'xg5 deserved consideration, 22 TI.g3 h6
17 'W'h5 Wg7? replies to the Torre Attack. However, to meet 19 ...lbxa2 with 20 Jl.d2, but 23 lbc4! 'ft'dS'?
 8 llltroduction Introduction 9

The decisive mistake. Black had 36 llg3+ 'it>f6 masters, anned with a knowledge of Here are a couple of examples from
to be content with equality in the 37 llf3+ 'it>g6 published opening theory, backed up contemporary practice:
variation 23 ...hg! 24 t!Jxd6 �g6 2S 38 a3 aS by my own analysis; however, this a) 8 .. .'�c7?! 9 f4 b6 10 0-0 a5 1 1
�xg6 t!Jxg6 26 t!Jxb7l:leb8 27 t!JcS 39 ba !haS proved of little benefit in these cir­ Iif3 Jia6 1 2 Jic2 ! l:Ue8 1 3 .l:.h3 g6
llxb4 28 llxgS t!Jf4. 40 t!Jc4 lldS cumstances. What could be done? 14 'ilfe I Jif8 I S 'ilfh4 with a strong
24 t!Je3 �bS (3) 41 .ti.f4 t!Jd7 Dispirited with my results with attack for White, Polihroniade­
42 lln-6+ <bgS White, I thought over what to play, Huml, Rio de Janeiro 1 979.
43 g3 1-0 and came to the conclusion that the b) 8 ... h6 9 Jif4 (9 Jixf6 t!Jxf6 10
sequence of moves I d4 t!Jf6 2 t!Jf3 f4) 9 ... cd 10 ed t!JxeS 1 1 de t!Jd7 12
Perhaps Lasker had this game in e6 3 JigS might be a real go<l-;end. In t!J f3 b6 1 3 0-0 t!JcS 14 Jic2 lle8 1S
mind when the venerable ex-World this way, not only is the Nimzo-ln­ lie 1 Jif8 16 t!Jd4 Jib717 'iiVg4 fS 18
Champion wrote: 'Torre's first steps dian avoided, but Black is also de­ ef 'ilfxf6 1 9 JieS and White's block­
in the chess world are exactly those nied the possibility of playing the ade of the central squares gives him
of a potential World Champion'. Un­ Queen's Indian. The tirst game in the advantage; Averkin-Pigusov, So­
fortunately the chess life of the which I succeeded in applying my chi 1982.
young Mexican master was cut short "novelty" was against the strong 9 de t!Jd7
that very year, when at the age of 22 master Lyublinsky.' . 10 .i.f4! (4)
he gave up chess forever.
Now White's windmill is set in Brief though his career in top­ Game 3
operation. However, 24 ...�xd4 also level chess was, Torre left behind not Petrosian-Lyublinsky
fails to save the game: 2S lid ( ! �e4 only some beautiful games, but also Moscow 1 949
26 Jixh6 t!Jg6 27 JigS threatening this hannonious system of develop­ (notes by Petrosian)
l:lh3, and if 2S ... �xb4, then 26 Jif6! ment, which has since become
t!Jg6 27 lixg6 fg 28 'ijfxg6 wins a known as the 'Torre Attack' . 1 d4 lt.Jf6
piece. All the same, the Torre Attack was 2 lt.Jf3 e6
2S il..f 6!! 'i'xhS introduced at a time when attention 3 il..g S cS
26 llxg7+ �h8 was focused on more classical open­ 4 e3 il...c7
27 l'.Ixf7+ <Ji gS ing schemes, and so it found itself in s lt.Jhd2 dS
28 llg7+ -t.>h8 the shade. In the post-war years Ti­ 6 c3 t!Jbd7
29 llxb7+ gr<m Petrosian recognised it<> poten­ 7 il..d3 0-0 Exchanging on e7 would make no
The rook works like a cyclone. tial and entlmsiastically adopted it in An inaccuracy, allowing White to sense. The pawn on eS cramps
29 �g8 his own games. Let us consider his secure an active game by invading on Black's position, and each exchange,
30 llg7+ 'li>h8 words: 'At the end of the 1940s, eS with the knight. 7 ... 'flic7 is cor- by reducing the number of pieces on
31 llgS+ 'it.'h7 when I began to face ma<>ters regu­ rect. the board, alleviates this problem.
32 . llxhS 'it>g6 larly. I was faced by the question: 8 lt.JeS! lt.JxeS After 10 i..xe7 �xe7 1 1 f4 or 1 1
33 llh3 'i!.>xf6 how to build an opening reper­ Ignoring the strong centralised t!Jf3, Black begins an immediate at­
34 llxh6+ 'i!.>gS toire? I went into important touma­ knight is dangerous, since it is liable tack on White's pawn wedge with
3S llh3 nebS ment battles with more experienced to form the ba-;is of a kingside attack. 1 1 .. .f6.
10 introduction Introduction II

o
If now 1 .. .f6, then 1 1 �h5 is function in unison with the knight, Black does not want to let the 5 e3 li:Jhd7
very unpleao;ant for Black, a'\ 1 l ... f5 and Black's weaknesses will become queen into h5, but overlooks a rather 6 i..dJ eS
is forced since lt.. .g6 is met by the plainly visible, like over-ripe apples obvious threat. After 16 ... h6 1 7 �h5 7 c3 h6
obvious sacrifice 1 2 i.xg6 hg 13 on a tree) 24 'i'a2 �c 7 25 llhc 1 i.b5 lL\d3+ 18 ..ixd3 cd 19 �g6 hg 20 hg The apparent contradiction be­
'i'xg6+ Wh8 14 h4 when White's 26 �a5 �d7? 27 "tifb4 i.d3 28 l:tg l! 'i'e8 2 1 'i'h 7+ wn 22 llh6 the game tween this move and my recmrunen­
threats can hardly be parried. For ex­ �e8 29 �ac l Wh8 30 h5 �d7 3 1 would have been far from clear. dation in the notes to the game
ample 14 ...fe 15 �h5+ Wg8 16 i.h6 ll h 1 h6? 3 2 llh2 �ee8 33 �g 1 �e7 17 h5! Petrosian-Lyublinsky is purely illu­
�f6 17 l:.h3 . Therefore, Black natu­ 34 'i'd6 ! (the end of the story is a Now the h-file is forced open, sory. Provided Black has not yet ca<;­
rally wishes to put an immediate end famil iar one; the d4 knight and the since after 1 7 ... ..ixg5 1 8 i.xg5 tled, he ha<; no obje<;tion to the
to possible threats on the b 1 -h 7 di­ active rook on g6 will sweep away �xg5 19 'ifxd5+ i.e6 20 'i'xc5 knight's intrusion on e5.
agonal. Black's position) 34 ... �xd6 35 ed White's superiority is beyond ques­ H 0-0 Jl..h7
10••• C5 l:cd8 36 g5 e5 37 fe .tlxe5 38 gh gh tion. 9 lL\eS lLlxc5
11 h4! 39 llg6 l:Xg5 40 llxh6+ Wg 7 41 l:Xe6 17 4.:ld3+ 10 de lL\d7
A vital blockading move! Now ( 1 -0,47). 18 i..xd3 cd 11 i..£4
the safety of the bishop on f4 is as­ 13 lL\f3 19 hg hg As in the previous game, the
sured; next on White's agenda is the It turns out that after 1 3 ...b4 14 20 't'fxd3 be bishop preserves itself for future bat­
thrust g2-g4. lLlg5 Black faces serious problems. 21 he i.xgS tles, but here there is a m;tior objec­
11 ... c4 If 14 . ..ltJc5, then 15 'i'h5 h6 16 �g6, 22 i.xg5 'WaS tion. Black has not yet c ao;tled, and
1 l ...'i'c7 seems better, e.g. 1 2 while after 14 ... i.xg5 1 5 hg 'i'e7 the 23 i..£6 lieS this, in fact, deprives White of his
ltJt1 llb8!? 1 3 g4 f g 14 ltJg5 i.xg5 standard sacrifice 16 llxh 7 gives a 24 'Wd4 �f7 chances to use the e5 pawn as an at­
15 hg g6 16 �xg4 ltJxe5 17 i.e2 strong attack, as demonstrated by the 25 c6+ l:lxe6 tacking implement. On the contrary.
(Burgess-S.Pedersen, Gudbjerg 1992) variation 16 .. :;f;>xh 7 17 �h5+ Wg8 26 i..dH 1-0 White's far-advanced foot soldier
when 1 7 ...b5 1 8 �g3 �f5 would 18 g6 ltJf6 19 �·h2! (better than 19 ef becomes subject to attack. It was
h ave left things unclear. gf20 i.d6 'i'g7) �e8 20 ef �xg6 21 The seventh World Champion wiser to direct the gmne along quiet
12 i.c2 b5 fg c.t>xg7 22 i.e5+ wn 23 i.dl . profoundly ma'\tered the strategic channels, by exchanging bishops on
In Petrosian-Bannik, USSR 195 1 , 13 lLle5 subtleties of the positions arising e7 followed by f2-f4, though this
Black played 1 2 ... ltJc5, whereupon 14 g4 b4 from this system, playing it with vir­ means renouncing mnbitious plans.
it became clear that White's chances 15 gf tuosity with both colours. 11 ... '¥fc7
do not just lie in a kingside attack: 13 There wa-> no need to hurry; 15 1 1 ... g5 12 ..ig3 h5 is more reso­
ltJt1 i.d7 14 ltJd4 "tifb6 1 5 i.g5 ! ? ltJd4 is better, since White's position lute.
Game 4
.:.n 1 6 i.xe7 llxe7 17 'iifh l ! i.a4 1 8 is strong enough for a positional 12 ltJf3 h6!
Spassky-Petrosian
b 3 c b 19 ab i.d7 2 0 f4 ! �c8 21 Wd2! treatment to be effective. The knight World Cit, Moscow 1966 13 h4! ?
a6 22 g4 ltJe4+ 23 i.xe4 fe (White's hm; fine prospects on d4; after the ex­ (notes by Petrosian) It is a<; though White is acknow­
powerful knight on d4 against the change gxf5 exf5 Black will have a ledging that he is unhappy with the
bad bishop on d7, plus his mobile backward and potentially weak 1 d4 lL\f6 course of the battle m1d wishes to
kingside pawns, predetennine the pawn on d5. 2 ltJf3 e6 change the character of the play.
outcome of the battle; it is enough 15 ef 3 i.g5 dS There is no sense in Black conced­
for White's m<tior pieces to begin to 16 ll:'\g5 g6'! 4 lL\hd2 Jl..e 7 ing the initiative to his opponent by
 11. Jmroducrioll llltroduction 13

accepting the pawn sacrifice. After in the event of the recapture with the 23 nadt task of finding a solution to the new
13 ...cb 14 cb �xb4 15l2Jd4 the extra b-pawn. i 24 li'lh2 li'lxeS problems arising from the struggle
black pawn will not play a serious 17 •.• c4! 2S li'lxg4 hg against the frre-resistant pawn trian­
role for a long time, while White's In playing this Black takes into 26 e4 J!Ld6 gle.
attacking chances, based on a queen account that the knight has no real 27 't'i'e3 l2Jd7
sally to g4 or h5, the rook's occupa­ prospects of proceeding to d4, and in 28 J!l.xd6 't'i'xd6 Game S
tion of the c-file and possibilities of the first place concems himself with 29 nd4 eS Taimanov-Gufeld
attacking the f-pawn, are very real the safety of his king. In the long run, 30 Il:d2 fS! Moscow 1 966
indeed. the threat of manoeuvring the bishop 31 ed
13 t.. gS to g7, attacking not the pride, but in Marginally better was 31 efl2Jf6 1 d4 l2Jf6
14 J!l.g3 hS fact the main weakness, of White's 32 'i'h6, but then after 32 ...'i/Vd8 fol­ 2 liJf3 g6
1S h4 position, the e5 pawn, cannot be pre­ lowed by 33 ..J�h8, Black ha'> a won­ 3 J!LgS Jl.g7
After the natural I S h3, White will vented. derful attacking position. 4 li'lbd2 dS
sooner or later be unable to hold on 18 J!l.e2? 31 f4 'White achieves the first moral
to the e5 pawn in view of the g­ At White's disposal was the ex­ 32 't'Vc4 l£lf6 victory. For a King's Indian player to
pawn's inevitable advance. After the cellt:nt move 18 �f5!. If Black is 33 ti'fS+ �b8 adv:u1ce his queen's pawn two
text, however, the variation 15 ... g4 tempted by the bait: 18...ef 19 e6 34 f3 squares means renouncing his ha­
I6l2Jg5l2Jxe5 17 i.b5+ is not allur­ �d6 20 �xd6 �xd6 21 ed+ I!xd7 A piquant variation is 34 �e6 bitual middleg:une fonnation' (Tai­
ing for Black. 22 lD<.14!, it tums out that although �xe6 35 de li'le4 threatening manov).
1S gh! Black has two extra pawns, White is 36 ...l2Jxf2+ and 37 ... g3 mate! S e3 i..CS
16 j/_f4 0-0-0! (5) in no way worse after 22 tLld4!. 34 JiLeS 6 J!Ld3 JJ..x d3
Spassky saw this move, but decided 3S 't'Vb1 g3 7 cd c6
against transferring the bishop to h3, 36 llel h3 8 0-0 0-0
where it would not be very aestheti­ 37 J!Lrt Il:h8 9 'Wc2 li'lhS
cally placed. 38 gh J!Lxh3 White intends to begin a minority
18 •.. a6! 39 �gt J!Lxrt attack (b2-b4-b5). On 9 ... h6 there
Strictly speaking, this inconspicu­ 40 ..t.>xn c4 would follow 10 i.xf6 i.xf6 11 b4.
ous move lies at the heart of Black's 41 'W'dt ltJg4 10 b4 f6
plan. Now, in the event of White ad­ 42 fg f3 11 J!Lh4 gS
vancing his a- or b-pawn, lines on 43 Il:g2 fg+ 12 J!Lg3 g4
the queenside will not be forced 0- 1 13 li'lc l cS
open; the significance of tl1is is that 14 li'lb3 li'lxg3
the play will now only take place 'in Eventually Torre's system came 1S hg li'ld7
17 a4'! front of one goal'. to be used against the 'Indian' fi­ 16 l'fc2 rs
Apparently Spassky did not ap­ 19 '.t>ht lldg8 anchetto defences 2 ...b6 and 2 ... g6. 17 de J!LxeS
preciate the subtleties of the posi­ 20 llg1 llg4 One of the authors of these lines, a White has still not created any
tion; otherwise he would have 21 fi'd2 llhg8 stalwart supporter of the King's In­ threats on the queenside. Meanwhile
exchanged on c5, opening the b-file 22 aS bS dian, was one of the first to be set the Black is preparing the advance of his
14 Introduction /ntroductio/1 15

h-pawn followed by ...nf8-t7-h7 to to victory due to 43 ...VJJ/d 2! 44 nc3

harao;s the enemy king. VJJ/xd4! 45 e7 W'd l+ 46 'i.t>g2 d4!, and
18 .l:tc1 h5 Black rescues himself.
19 e4! Editor's Note: While typesetting

In accordance with normal chess this book, John Nunn spotted that in
strategy, a flank attack is met by this line White should be able to win
counterplay in the centre. by 37 "iVd7+ 'it'h8 38 'iVc8+ �g7 39
19 ••• 'W"g5! 'iUxb7+ Wh8 (Black's king cannot
19 ...fe 20 de de (if 20...tbf6, then move to f6 or g6) 40 lifc8+ Wg7 41
2 1 ed 'ifxd5 22 nc5) 21 'i"xe4 i..g 7 'i!Vd7+ �h8 42 'iVe8+ �g7 43 'i"t7+
22 b5 is to White's advantage. Also 'it'h8 44 VJ!if8+ �h 7 45 VJJ/x f5+ <ttg 7
unfavourable for Black is 19 ... de 20 25 h4! 'White realises here that the natu­ 46 'iVt7+ Wh8 47 'iVf8+ �h7 48
de f4 2 1 gf .txf4 22 l:Idl VJJ/e7 23 26 l1.Je6 'W"h5 ral 3 1 VJJ/ x b 7 is no good in view of VJJ/xh6+ lifxh6 49 ne 1 lifd2 50 ne3
'ifc4+ <3;g7 24 lD<B. 27 lflxm the study-like reply 3 I...tbc8 ! ! 32 'iUxd4 5 1 tbb3! (not 5 1 tbxc6? as this
The text is an intuitive pawn sacri­ The continuation 27 gh f4 gives 'itxc8 hg 33 Wxg2 'i'h3+ 34 'it>gl allows the black queen to move from
fice; after 20 ed l:he8 21 de be, Black Black a strong attack. For example, n:h6. Therefore White steals up on b5 to e8 later) �d 1 + (5 l ...'iVh8 52 e7
can reckon on adequate compensa­ after 28 g3 f3 29 'iVd3 .l:tf5 30 tbg5 the opposing king by other means, 'iUe8 53 tbd4 also wins) 52 Wg2 d4
tion. .l:txg5 31 hg Wg7 White must lay deflecting the black queen from the 53 tbxd4 'i!Vxd4 54 e7 'i'd5+ 55 \t'fl
20 d4! down his arms. e8 square' (Taimanov). VJ!ib5+ 56 'lt'g 1 VJJib 1 + (there is no
A counter-sacrifice Black is 27 ••• .llxffl 31 ••• 'W"xh3 ...life8) 57 �g2 followed by e8�.
obliged to decline, since 20 ... i.. xd4 28 c6! 32 'We8 .lfl.d6! Now though, after the text, it ap­
2 1 ed l:Iae8 fails to 22 VJJ/c4. 'The only way not just to avoid No good is 32.. J�h6 33 'i"xe7+ pears that White's attack has become
20 Jid6 dangers, but also to take the initia­ 'it>g8 34 \!t'g5+ �h7 in view of 35 irresistible. For example: 36 .. Jlh6 37
. 21 e5 1Lxh4 tive' (Tairnanov). 'iVxh6+ 'iUxh6 36 .l:tfe 1 f4 3 7 gf 'i"xf4 \!ff8+. 36 ... .txe7 37 lifxe7+ or fi-
22 lfld3 Jic7 In the event of 2H gh 14 29 g3 D 38 .Ub4 when White ought to win. nally 36... .txg3 37 e8lD+' (Taima-
23 tba5 30 'iVd3 i.. x h4 3 1 gh! 'ifxh4 32 33 .l:txb6! nov).
A good reply to 23 tbf4 is VJJ/g6+ Wh8 33 'iVd6 Black can force 33 e7 .txg3 34 VJJ/ h 8+ �xh8 35 36 .1l.xg3!
23 ...'ifh6 followed by ....tg5. a draw by playing 33 ... 'i'h3 34 e8'tlf+ �g7 36 �e7+ :n 37 VJJ/g5+ 37 c8ltJ+ \t>g8!
23 .l:tab8 'itxf8+ �h7. �h7 38 fg 'i"xg3+ leads to a draw. 38 ttJxf6+ .:J:.>n
24 n:bt ttJb6 28 ••• 1H6 33 ab 39 ttJxg4 "ffxg4
25 tbc5 (6) 29 "t'fc5 h3! 34 'Wd7+ �g8 40 'tlfd7+ �'f6
For the sacrificed pawn, White 'The only move! After 29....l:th6 35 "ffd8+ <J;;g7 lfz_lfz
h ao; developed strong pressure on the 30 �8+ Wg7 3 1 'i!Vxb7 White wins, 36 c7
queenside. What should Black play since he ha'> come first in the race 'Unfortunately the tempting vari­ On 41 f3 may follow 4 l ...'iVxd4+
now? If 25 ....lfl.xc5 26 de tiJd7, then to attack the enemy king' (Taima­ ation 36 'tlfxd6 nh6 37 'iUe7+ 'it'g8 42 �g2 'i"d2+ 43 Wxg3 'i!Vg5+,
27 e6 ! tbxc5 28 tbxc6! nbe8 (28 ...be nov). 38 lift7+ �h8 39 liff8+ c.t>h7 40 checking on the squares g5, h6 and
29 e 7) 29 tbxa7 �he6 30 'il.fb5 and 30 "t't'h8+ �'h7 1Vxf5+ 'it>h8 41 VJJ/ f8+ �h7 42 d2.1n the event of4 1 lifd8 �t7 42f3,
White has the initiative. 31 gh! (7) �xh6+ lifxh6 43 ne 1 does not lead Black would reply 42... 'i'h3.
 16 JmroJucrion

The comparatively linle-studied Spassky and Smyslov. In recent

system of play introduced by Carlos times the Torre Allack has been Part 1: Systems with 2 ... c6
Torre is rich in interesting ideas and regularly employed by its origina­
gives extensive scope for creativity tor's namesake, the Philippine
while pennilling one to avoid inter­ Grandma<,;ter Eugenio Torre. It is
minable theoretical discussions in also frequently used by Grandma<>­
the classical systems of the closed ters Timman, Yusupov, Seirawan,
openings. Salov and other famous chessplay­ The 1920s were characterised by an

As evidence for the true potential ers in crucial toumament encoun­ adherence to cla-;sical methods of
latent in the Torre Attack, we see that ters. This book is offered as an development, in the Queen's Pawn
it has found its way into the reper­ attempt in some measure to explain Openings no less than in others.
toires of ex-World Champions the theory of this opening. White's system of development
worked out by Carlos Torre wa'i thus
principally directed against a classi­
cal plan of controlling the centre,
whereby Black establishes a grip on
the e4 square, and places his king's
bishop on e7, sometimes after the
preliminary fianchetto of the queen's hannoniously co-operate and are
bishop. It wa'i only later that the ready for action on either flank, ac­
Torre set-up also came to be em­ cording to the development of the
ployed against the King's Indian for­ black forces. The active deployment
mation. of the bishop on g5 differs advanta­
1l1e cla'isical sequence of moves geously from the analogous struc­
in the Torre Attack is I d4 lLlt6 2 lLlt3 ture in the Colle System (I d4 lLlf6 2
e6 3 Jtg5 (8). lL:If3 e6 3 e3) and restricts Black's as­
The principal continuation for pirations in various ways.
Black is considered to be the allack After 3 ...c5 4 e3, Black's princi­
on the d4 pawn with 3 ...c5. Recently, pal plans are associated with a flank
before the undermining ... c7-c5, it attack by 4 . .�b6 (chapter I ); the
.

ha'> become popular for Black to 'construction of a pawn centre with

clarify the intentions of the bishop 4...d5 (chapter 2); the Queen's In­
on g5 by playing 3 . ..h6. dian scheme of controlling the centre
White arranges his pawns in the by deploying the bishops on b7 and
triangular pattem c3-d4-e3, solidly e7 after the move 4 ...b6 (chapter 4);
defending its spearhead, the d4 4 ...Jte7 (chapter 5); and the prelimi­
pawn, and brings out his pieces to nary 4 ... h6, pushing back the bishop
central positions, from where they (chapter 6).
 Flank Counterattack 19

searching for compensation for the deserves attention) IO . . .llJe5 1 1 lLle 1

1 Flank Counterattack pawn: f5 1 2 f4 llJg6 1 3 i..d 3 d6 1 4 l:tb1
a) The preliminary exchange on �aS 15 'i!Vc2 i..f6 16 e4 llJe7 17
f6, 6�-tQfii_ g f, is also encountered llJef3 0-0. Now 18 l:Ife 1 ? ! 'i'c3 al­
in practice. 7 ..td3 would then lowed Black to exchange queens in
transpose to the main line, but the Malaniuk-011, Novosibirsk 1986;
continuation 7 i..e 2 (10) hac; inde­ better is 1 8 e5 with a definite initia­
1 d4 llJf6 White wins several tempi for devel­ pendent significance, and leads to tive for the sacrificed pawn.
2 llJf3 e6 oping his pieces and generates a play of a specific character which a3) 7 ...llJc6 8 0-0 cd? ! (stronger is
3 .igS cS dangerous initiative, which gener­ deserves examination. 8 ...�b6) 9 lLlc4 'ib4 1 0 lib1 �e7 l l
4 e3 'Wb6 (9) ally serves ao; sufficient compensa­ ed d5 1 2 lLle3 ..th6 1 3 c4 de 1 4 ..txc4
tion for the sacrificed material. 0-0 1 5 'ife2 l:td8 16 llfd 1 f5 (insuffi­
There arises a sharp battle, rich in cient is 16 ... b6 1 7 d5 llJaS 1 8 de
content and demanding concrete de­ i..xe6 19 llJd5 when Black retums
cisions, the result of whicn nonnally the pawn, but his position is shat­
depends on the swiftness of the at­ tered) 17 i..b5 ..ixe3 1 8 'i!Vxe3. The
tack and the resourcefulness of the weak dark squares in B lack's posi­
defence. tion fully compensate for the miss­
ing pawn, Hug-Torre, Zi.irich 1984.
Gamc 6 �
b) crificing a second pawn with
Ucnjamin-Yudasin 6 lib 1' (11) leads to very sharp play.
-

New York 1990

a 1) 7...cd 8 l:tb 1 ! 'iWc3 (after
The counterattacking thrust 1 d4 llJf6 8 .. .'ii'x a2 9 lLlc4 the queen is in dan­
...'ifd8-b6 is the most critical retort 2 llJf3 c6 ger, while also risky is 8. ..'i'a3 9
to the Torre Attack. Its positional ba­ 3 .igS cS llJxd4 llJc6 1 0 lLlb5 1i'a5 1 1 0-0 d5
sis is that the development of the 4 c3 l'fb6 1 2 c4 a6 1 3 cd ab 1 4 de be 1 5 ..tf3
dark-square bishop ha<> left the b2 s llJhd2 with advantage for White, since
pawn undefended. Moreover, the White may instead elect to defend Black is undeveloped and has no
queen puts pressure on the d4 pawn, the pawn (see the games Lobron­ safe place for his king) 9 0-0 'Wic1
which may be reinforced by playing Korchnoi and Todorovic-Drago­ (on 9 ... de, strong is 1 0 llJe4 !) 10 llJe4
the knight on c6. However, by at­ maretc;ky). with a dangerous attack for White,
tacking on the queenside, Black de­ S ... 't'fxb2 Golubenko-Dragomaretc;ky, USSR
lays ca<>tling and has to take into Black can of course decline the 1988. On IO . ....te7 follows ll �xd4 If the pawn is accepted, with
consideration the repercussions of pawn (see the game Taimanov-Gip­ 'it'd8 1 2 llJd6+ i..xd6 1 3 'ilfxd6 'i!Ve7 1...'fn2 7 ..txf6 gf, White obtains a
this. White's most critical reply is slis). 1 4 'iiV g3 threatening 1 5 'iiVg 7. prolonged initiative. Shamkovich
the pawn sacrifice 5 lt:lbd2. By at­ 6 .id3 a2) 7.. .'ii'b6 8 0-0 i..e7 9 c4 llJc6 recommends 8 ..tc4 'i!Va5 9 d5 ! a6 10
tacking the far-advanced queen, White has several other means of 10 d5 (a committal move; 10 lib1 lla1 Wic7 I I 0-0 b5 ! 1 2 ..txb5 i..b7
 ::!0 Flank Comllt'rtllftlck Flank Counterattack 21

13 i.1.Ll will1 unclear pl.ty, where regain� the pawn with 10 i.xf6.1l.xf6 I I ...tL!c6 I 2 tL!d£3. Now I2 ... tL!xd4! the tempo of White's attack: 9 ...c4
\\'hit.: hJ.'> suftici.:nl compensation 11.i:xc5. Risky is 8 ... 'i'xa2?!, for ex­ 13 tL!xd4 'fllxe5 14 ii.b5+ <t>£8 IS 10 .te2 i..e7 I I tiel tL!c6 12 ed ed
for th.: pawn. Also intere!>ting is 8 ample!: 9 .ixf6 gf 10 tL!e4 a6 11 .th4 tDe4 left Black with two extra and White has to resort to violent
lbc-l thr.:at.:ning to trap the •1u.:en i:bc5! :.1.xc5 I2 de 'i'a5+ 13 tL!fd2 f5 pawns and a defensible position in methods: 13 .1xc4 ! (a piece sacrifice
with� lhl. Dl.:n aft.:r 8..JI¥a6 � d51 1-1 tL!d6+ <tle7 15 �h5 'i'ai+ 16 H0i-Shamkovich, Esbjerg 1982. in order to turn to account the pin on
.:d 10 'lhd5 'Sifc6 I I 'i'h5 Black's �e2 b5 (16.. .'iWf6 is well met by 17 Alternative ideas are considered the e-file) 13 ...dc 14 tDe4 'i'a5 15 d5
position is shallered, so the game Ye tLI2c4 threatening 18 tL!b6) 17 in the games Vaganian-Razuvaev tL!e5 (12) and now:
Rongguang-Ch;mdler, M<mila IZ �xt7+ 'it>d8 18 tL!b3 �c3 19 'it>d1 and I.Sokolov-Kir.Georgiev.
1990 continued 8 .. .'�a4 9 d5 b5 ! (it tLlc6 20 ll.d3 <bc7 (more resilient is 7 0-0 dS
is important that the active knight 20 ... tL!b4 21 �e2 tL!xd3 22 tL!d4 8 il..xf6
can be driven back; 10 lixb5 is unfa­ 'i'xc5 23 �f6+ 'it>c7 24 �xh8 'i'xd6 8 lie1, preparing to open the posi­
vourable due to IO ...ll.a6 1 1 tLlb2 or 22 ... tL!f4+ 23 ef 'i'xd4 24 tid1 tion with e3-e4, leads to interesting
'i'e4 12 lib3 'i'xd5) 10 tL!cd2 a6 11 'i'c3) 21 .txb5 ! l:.b8 ! 22 .txc6 l:ixb3 play. Then 8 ...c4 is met by 9 ii.fl
iia1 't'.fb4 12 c4.1l.b7 13 e4.1l.g7 14 23 cb �xb3+ 24 Wd2 �2+ 25 �d3 tLlc6 10 ii.xf6 gf 1 I e4 when White
lib1 'i'a5 15 ll.d3 with an intricate �xc6? 26 tL!c4 'i'b7 27 <t;d4! 'i'b4 has strong threats, Alekseev-Bala­
position. Dlat game continued 28 f!le7 <bb5 29 lib1 ! 1-0 Kopec-De shov, USSR 1972. After 8 ...cd, 9
15 ... 'i'c7 16 0-0 b4 17 tL!h4 a5 18 Firmian, USA I986. ii.xf6 gf 10 e4 deserves allention,
ll.c2 .th6 19 ll.a4 'i'f4 20 de!"? (it 6 ... �cJ while 9 tL!xd4 is also possible. For
would now be risky to grab the piece Dlis manoeuvre may also be em­ example: 9 ... a6 10 tLI4f3 tL!c6 11 e4
with 20...'lhd2 due to 21 'i'h5 0-0 ployed after inse1ting 6 ... cd 7 ed. ii.e7 12 ed tL!xd5 13 tDe4 'tlVa3 14 c4 a) 16 tL!xe5 fe 17 �£3 �£8 18
22 e7 l:ie8 23 tL!f5.1l.g 7 24 life1 'i'g5 However, this opens lines, giving the tL!c3 15 'flid2 tL!xe4 16 ii.xe4 f6! (af­ llad1 .td7 19 W'h5 lig8 20 'i'xh7
25 �h3 threatening lib3-g3) 20... fe allacking side additional chances. ter 16...0-0 17 'i'c2! h6 18 ii.xe7 .tg4 21 'i'h6+ lig7 22 d6 .idS 23
21 'i'h5+ 'it>d8 22 tL!d£3 ll.f8 (more After 7 .. ."f/ic3 8 0-0 d5 events may tL!xe7 19 c5 it is not easy for Black to flih8+ and White's initiative has
persistent is 22...l:tg8 23 libd1 lig7 develop in the following ways: complete his queenside develop­ reached an impasse, so there is
24 'i'xc5 ..1l.xe4) 23 libd l ! .txe4 24 a) 9 lie1 ll.e7 10 lie3 �c7 l l ment) 17 ii.f4 e5 18 l:iad I ii.g4 nothing for White to do apart from
�£7 l:ta7 25 g3 �h6 26 'i'xe6.1l.xf3 tLle5 tLlc6 (1 1 ...0-0? is infeasible due (naturally, 18 ...ef? 19 ii.xc6+ be 20 force a draw,· Balashov-011, Sverd­
27 tL!x£3 1J.c7 28 life I ll.g7 29 �b6 to 12 .ixf6 ll.xf6 13 ll.xh7+) I2 c3 'ilfd8+ does not appeal to Black) I9 lovsk 1987.
'it>c8 30 l:ie7 lid8 31 tL!h4 f5 32 tL!d7 (12...tL!xe5 13 de tL!d7 14 .txe7 1J.e3 'i'c5 20 ii.g3 0-0 (20...lld8 is b) 16 d6 .id8 17 tL!xe5 fe
�xa5 ll.f8 33 tL!xf5 �a6 34 tL!d6+ <t;xe7 15 �h5 ! favours White) 13 met by 21 ii.d5 !, but 20...'flixc4 !? is (17 .. .'�'xe5? loses the queen to 18
(1-0, 58). .txe7 tL!dxe5 14 de tL!xe7 15 'il¥g4 g6 more energetic) 21 �c2 f5 22 ii.d5+ tL!xf6+) 18 d7+ .1xd7 19 tL!d6+ <b£8
After}- 6 ...�c3 White may con- I6 c4 .id7 I7 �g5! with unclear 'it>h8 23 i.. xc6 'i'xc6 24 i..xe5 .if6 20 tL!x£7 'flic7 21 'f/i£3 q;g7 22 tL!xd8
tinue the gambit strategy, trying to play, in which White's initiative fully 25 .txf6 �xf6 26 l:ide i f4 27 l:ib3 llaxd8 23 'il¥g3+ �f6 24 'flih4+ q;g6
extract maximum benefit from the compensates for the sacrificed pawn, lh-th Salov-Psakhis, Irkutsk 1986. 25 'flig3+ 'it'f6 26 'ilfh4+ <t>g6 27
insecure position of the black king: 7 Marovic-Muco, Malta OL 1980. 8 ... gf 'flig3+ th-1h Shabalov-011, Vilnius
1Lxf6 gf 8 ll.d3 cd 9 0-0 de 10 tL!e4 b) 9 lib1 ll.e7 10 lib3 'fllc7 11 9 de 1988.
ef+ 1 1 lix£2 �c7 12 tL!xf6+, but also tLle5?! (Shamkovich considers this To maintain the initiative White By exchanging his central pawn,
good is 7 l:ib3 �a5 8 l:ib5. Now in thrust premature and recommend-> must open the game. After the inune­ White strives to open the game as
the event of 8 ...'t1Vd8 9 c4.1l.e7 White 11 flib1 tLlc6 12 c4 with sharp play) diate 9 e4, Black can slightly impede much as possible.
 22 Flank Counterattack Flank Coullferattack 23

�
9 ••• .il.g7 ( 1 3) 14 i. ':.t···;·,:ftfAii.�(h.
�
idea 23 ...%;lcS 24 ltJxc6 l:txc6 2S
l:Id8+ rJI;e7 26 %;lg8.
R ,. ' Y. . t�:�. ·!� '.:.•,-r�� c) 22 ltJd4l:.dS 23 tUxc6 bxc6 24

·
.' ·. .
· ·:_;

�
· n_ ..tf3.
In attacking the b7 pawn, White
overlooks Black's intervening move
in reply.
22 ... I:lcS
23 ltJxc8?
Exchanges ea<;e Black's defence.
The initiative could still have been
22... l:f8 23 �e4 (more logical is fix the pawn on hS by playing 17 h4 maintained with 23 lb<l2. threaten­
23 l:Ig7) 23 ... fS 24 '11Vd4 eS 2S 'i'xeS intending !o attack it with ltJe4-g3, ing to bring the knight to e4 or b3.
A very unclear position has �xe5 26lLlxe5 (White hao; regained but he aims for more. 23 I:lhS!
arisen, which is difficult to assess ac­ the pawn, maintaining the initiative 17 ltJd6 h4 24 �c2 lbc8
curately. Black has maintained an into the ending) 26.. .rtle7 27 �hS 18 l'tb3 h3 2S .U.d7 ki.h6
extra pawn, but the lack of shelter for 'it'f6 28 ltJf3 rJI;g7 29 l:igS+ �h8 30 19 g3 If.hS 26 �h7
his king constitutes sufficient com­ ltJe5 .te6 3 1l:.h3 lif6 32 ltJg6+ 'ittg7 20 l'td3 �aS This tums out to be a blank
pensation for White. Black must 33 ltJf4+ 'it'h8 34 ltJxe6 l:ixe6 3S 21 c3 If.b8 (16) charge. It wa<; still possible to muddy
now hurry to complete his develop­ lighS lle7 36 l:IxfS l:Iae8 37 lla3 the waters: 26 ..tc4 with the point
ment. lle2+ 38 'it'f3 �c2 39 l:Ixa7 llc3+ 40 that 26.. .'�cS? is met by 27 ..txe6! fe
After 9 ... 'i'xcS 10 c4 White 'it'g4 l:.xc4+ 41 rJi;h3l:.c3+ 42 g3 l;lc7 28 'i'g6 ltJe7 29 l;ld8+. On the natu­
breaks open the c-file and creates K:unsky-Dc firmi<m, Reykjavik 1990 ral 26 ... ltJeS follows 27 tUxeS fe 28
dangerous threats: IO ... ..tg7 1 1 cd (1f2_1f2, 68). �d3 l:.bc6 29 ..tb3 when 29 ... nxc3?
'ikxdS 1 2 'i'c2 ltJc6 1 3 l:Iab1 'i'd7 14 10 l!b1 �xeS fails to 30 'i'd6+ <;t;>g8 31 nxm.
ltJc4 h6 1S lUd 1. The attack along 11 e4 de Now however Black achieves the
the d-file, on which Black ha'> the 12 ltJxc4 Wc7 long-desired simplification: 26 ...%;lb2
weak square d6, is rather unplea->ant, 13 ..tbS+ <t' f8 27 'it'fl l:id8 28 nxd8+ ltJxd8 29
O.Rodriguez-De Firmian, New York 14 �d2 a6 �d3 iUc6 30 'ilkd7 ..th6 3 1 ltJd4
1 988. 1S ..te2 ltJc6 ltJxd4 32 'if'xd4 'flieS 33 ..tf3 l;lxa2
Also interesting is a plan with the 16 .Ufd l hS (15) 34 'i'h4+ 'it'g7 35 'ilkg4+ ..tg5 36
queen joining in the defence of the Such roundabout manoeuvres are 22 �b2 'ii'x h3 f5 3 7 'ilkg2 'ii'xc3 38 ..te2
kingside: 9 .. .fS 10 l:.b1 ltJc6 1 1 l:tb3 not played for the good of one's There were more energetic ways (Black increa<;es his material advan­
'i'g7 1 2 c4 d4 1 3 ed ltJxd4 1 4 ltJxd4 health ! White has more than enough of pursuing the initiative at White's tage, since 38 .ixb7 fails to the reply
'11Vxd4 IS ltJf3 'i'f6 1 6 lie 1 .ixcS 1 7 compensation for the pawn since it is disposal: 38 ... .te3) 38 ... 'ii'b3 39 h4 .td2 40
..txfS �xfS 1 8 l:.eS ..txf2+ 1 9 Wxf2 far from easy for Black to complete a) 22 ltJxc8 l:xc8 23 l;ld7 threat­ �g 1 'ilkd5 41 ..tf3 �c5 42 .txb7
'ikf6 20 �d4 l:g8 2 1 l:d3 '11Ve7 22 his development. while his king ening l:xb7. .te3 43 nn .id4 44 'i'f3 a5 45 �f4
%1gS ( 14) lacks protection. Here White could b) 22 ltJc4 'flic7 23 ltJd4 with the 'ii'b6 46 .ig2 a4 47 <t>h2 ..tf6 48 'flic4
 Flank Counterattack 25

�b2 49 �c6 aJ 50 �eX �c2 51 �·a6 B...tZk-6!, w he n after 9 �cl 'W'aJ 10 19 llc4?
�c5 0- 1 tt:lxc6 be I I 'i#'c2 �bS 12 llb l (else White's advantage could be main­
12...�b2) 12. .. llxb l+ 13 'lixbl Jie7 tained by the preliminary exchange
Gamc 7 140-0 cd J5ed h6 16iLxf6iLxto 17 19 iLxc6 iLxc6 20 lic4.
Vaganian-Razu vac v cd cd 18 iLb5+ �e7 19 .tie l 19 eS
MOSCOIY 1 983 (stronger is 19 ltJt] ! since now Black 20 ltJxc6 be
could win a second pawn with 21 't'fa1 f6
1 d4 ltJf6 19 .. .iLxd4, not fearing 20 lic7+ in 22 llfcl .llac8
2 ltJf3 c6 view of the reply 20. ..�f6) 19.. .'ira5 23 �cJ
3 .itgS cS 20 ltJf3 lidS 21 lieS! there arises a 23 iLxc6? is met by the unplea'>-
4 c3 �b6 double-edged position, Sp:L'>sky- ant intennediate move 23 .....ta3 !.
5 ltJbd2 �xb2 Miles, Tilburg 1978. continuation: 1 3 e4! cd 14 ltJxd4 a6 23 �d6
6 .1Ld3 dS 7 gf 1 S ltJxc6 be 16 e5 with dangerous 24 .ita4 1l.e6
Black fixes the centre, taking 8 c4! 't!Vc3 threats against the uncastled king. 25 llxc6 l'hc6
away the e4 and c4 squares from the 9 .itc2 13 ••• .1Le7 26 �xc6 �xa2
knight, and if given the chance, will 9 <be2 is an interesting possibility. 1 4 ltJc4 l!J..llz
put a cl;unp on White's position with 9 ... dc ( Jl) 14 de is simpler. After 26... llc8 27 'iWxc8+ iLxc8
...cS-c4. For instance: 7 0-0 c4 8 �e2 The continuation 9. . cd lead'> to a
. 14 cd 28 l:ixc8+ iLd8 29 iLb3 the queen is
iLe7 9 ltJeS ltJc6 10 lib1 'iWa3 1 1 dangerous opening of the central 15 ltJxd4 0-0 tied to the defence of the bishop.
ltJxc6 be 1 2 e4 0-0 1 3 lie1 ?! c3 14 tiles: 10 .tiel 'iWa5 1 1 cd ltJa6 12 1 6 .itbS fS!
l!b3 cd ! Kristensen-Sher, Hastings ltJxd4 'iW xdS 1 3 0-0 iLe7 14 iLf3 Black defend'> against the threat Game S
1989/90. However, by choosing this 'ird7 (after 14 ...'ird8 1S 'irb3 0-0 16 of 'iW g4 . On 16 .iLd7 would follow
..
I.Sokolov-Kir.Georgiev
continuation, Black fails to block iLxb7 lib8 17 lixc8 White is better) 1 7 iLxc6 iLxc6 1 8 'S'Vg4+ �h8 19 Palma de Mal/orca 1989
White's c-pawn, which allows White 1S lDc6! 0-0 16 'ire2 ltJb4 1 7 ltJxb4 'iW h4 'ireS 20 l!xc6 with a material
the possibility of blasting open the iLxb4 18 ltJe4 iLe7 19 ll fd l 'ireS 20 advantage. 1 d4 ltJf6
centre inunediately. llc7 eS 21 ltJg3 iLd8 22lhc8 lixc8 17 ltJgJ 1l.d7 2 ltJf3 e6
7 �xf6 23 iLe4 fS 24 ltJxfS ¢>h8 2S ltJd6 18 ltJhS o;i>h8 (18) 3 .itgS cS
Undennining the centre with 7 c4 'S'Ve6 26 iLfS 1 -0 Salov-De Ia Villa, 4 e3 �b6
before exchanging the knight seems Szirak IZ 1987. 5 ltJbd2 �xb2
premature in view of 7 ... 'iWc3 ! with 1 0 0-0 't'kaS 6 .1Ld3 ltJc6
good counterplay for Black. Then, in l O...cd is met by 1 1 ltJxc4 threat­ Black develops his knight and at­
reply to 8 <be2, Black has the ener­ ening .tie l . tacks the d4 pawn. Sometimes this is
getic thrust 8 .ltJe4. 8 ltJeS seems
.. 11 ltJxc4 �c7 also seen after ftrst retreating the
more natural. Then in the event of I l ...'i'Vd8 ? is weak due to 1 2 'irh3 queen: 6. . .'�t'b6 7 0-0 ltJc6, but this
8 ... ltJfd7 9 licl 'iWa3 10 ltJxd7 iLxd7 ltJc6 13 lifd l when White is better. does not lead to fully satisfactory
1 1 iLb 1 h6 1 2 iLf4 cd 13 0-0 ! White 12 l!cl ltJc6 play due to the time lost with the
has a dangerous attack, Kamer-Kar­ 13 ltJcd2 queen. Consider some examples:
pov, USSR 1972. Stronger is Vaganian recommends a stronger a) 8 libl'ii' d8 9 e4 cd 1 0 e5 h6 1 1
 26 Flnnk Coumerattack Flank Counterattack 27

it.h4 g5 I 2 it.g3 ltJdS 1 3 ltJe4 with ('ilfxe6+ is a threat), and can only be H.Nielsen-Riis. Copenhagen 1986.
advantage for White, whose knight saved at the cost of the rook walking 6 i.x£6 gf (21)
controls the important squares d6 into a deadly pin ..
and f6, Knezevic-Stean. Cirella di 19 ltd7
Diamante I 976/77. 2 0 'ffxe6 iLc6
b) 8 .t.xf6 gf9 lLle4 'i'd8 10 de d5 21 .ig4 h5
I I cd f5 I2 ltJed2 .t.xd6 I 3 e4 and 22 .ih3 iLd8
White is better, since Black's king is 22 .. .'t!fd8 does not save Black due
very insecure, Chemin-Lau, Men­ to 23 .l:adi, when lLlxa7+ is threat­
doza �985. ened, while 23...'iti>b8 is decisively
7 0-0 d5 met by 24 'i'e5+ 'it>a8 25 it.xd7
Grabbing a second pawn is ex­ A critical moment. 15 ... it.c6 fails it.xd7 26 lixd7.
tremely risky. After 7 ...cd? Black is to 16 d5 ed 17 ltJeS it.xf6 I 8 it.g4+ ! 23 1lad 1 Iih7
subjected to a powerful attack: 8 'it'b8 ( 1 8 ... �c7 19 ltJd7+ mates) I9 24 a3! ltJc2
lLlc4 ! 'iYb4 9 .l:b I 'ijVa4 10 ed .i.e7 1 1 lLlxc6+ 'it>a8 20 ltJxd8 it.xal 2 1 �c7 An oversight, but White wins af­ Allowing a weakening of his
.t.xf6 it.xf6 I 2 d5 ltJb4 1 3 ltJd6+ mating (Nunn). ter 24 ... ltJa6 25 lLlxa7+ �c7 26 pawn structure, Black relies on the
'iti>f8 I4 it.b5 't:fa5 I 51:!Y d2 a6 I 6 it.e2 16 ltJxd4 .ic6 ltJxc6 anyway. potential of his bishops and seeks ac­
i..e7 1 7 de ltJc6 18 1:!Yf4, McCmn­ 17 ltJhS fl'a5 25 �g6 l:te7 tive counterplay.
bridge-Bonin, Philadelphia 1985. 17 ... it.xb5 18 cb it.d6 19 1:!Ye4 26 'ffxc2 a6 7 'iifh 1
8 jix£6 gf ltJdS 20 it.f3 ..tb8 21 �ad l also 27 ltJa7+ 1-0 By pa"sively defending the b2
9 c4 4Jh4 brings no relief. pawn, White can hardly hope to keep
10 jie2 'Wa3 18 ltJc4 il..x c4 (20) the initiative, since Black has time to
Gamc 9
1 1 e4 de organise play in the centre, based on
Ta imanov-Gipslis
1 2 ltJxe4 jie7 the thrust ... e6-e5. If the rook de­
Tallinn 1980
1 3 �d2 (19) fends the pawn, 7 �b 1 , there would
1l1e queen is transferred to an im­ 1 ltJ£3 ltJ£6 follow 7 ... cd 8 ed lLlc6 9 c3 e5 or 9
portaJlt diagonal, preparing to aim at 2 d4 c6 lLlb3 a5 1 0 a4 it.d7 I I it.b5 it.g7
refuge Black is preparing for his 3 .ig5 c5 when the inclusion of Black's active
king on the queenside. In reply to the 4 e3 'ffb6 bishops in the play ensures equal
tempting I3 d5 Sokolov demon­ 5 ltJbd2 d5 chances. After the modest 7 it.e2 cd
strated the beautiful variation 13 ... f5 Black declines the gambit pawn, 8 ed lLlc6 9 lLlb3 it.h6 (also good is
I 4 d6 fe I 5 lLle5 ! 1:!Yb2 I6 d7+ jixd7 preferring to develop his pieces. 9 ... a5) IO 0-0 0-0 I I .l:te l it.d7 I2 c3
I 7 1:!Yxd7+ 'ifi>f8 I8 1:!Yxb7 �xeS ! 19 Also possible is another method of ltJe7 13 it.d3 it.b5 I4 g3 .t.xd3 1 5
�xa8+ 'iti>g7 when, having sheltered development: s ... cd 6 ed ltJc6 't1Vxd3 a S 1 6 ltJcS 1:!Yc6 the game is
his king, Black seizes the initiative. 19 't'fxl7! (6 ...1:!Yxb2 would transpose to lines level. Hug-Keller, ZUrich 1984.
13 . Adi By means of this fine piece sacri­ considered earlier) 7 ltJc4 'i'c7 8 c3 More active is 7 c4 cd 8 ed. Here i:
14 �£4 0-0-0 fice, White destroys Black's posi­ d5 9 ltJceS it.d6 10 it.b5 ltJe4 I I is to White's advantage to open the
15 ltJx£6 cd tion. Both black bishops are hanging it.h4 0-0 with equal chances, centre: 8... de 9 .ixc4 lLlc6 10 0-0
 Fll.mk Counterattack 29

.i..d 7 1 1 Jj ed 12 'W"e2+ ·�7 13 IS c.a! de 1 ttJrJ lLir6 Borysiak, Warsaw 1980) 8.....id7 9
Ji.xd5 0-0-0 1 4 Ji.xf7; White ha.'i an 16 Jtxc.a 0-0-0 (22) 2 d4 e6 .ie2 l:ic8 10 0-0 cd 1 1 ed. In retum
extra pawn and a good position, Black 'ca.�tles into it' ; safer wa.'> 3 �gS cS for his damaged pawn structure
Spa.'>sky-Zaitsev, Erevan 1962. 16 ...0-0. 4 e3 �6 B lack has the advantage of the two
However, after 8 ... tt:k6 Black can 5 �c1 bishops, of which the dark-squared
develop hannoniously: 9 cd ed 10 After this prophylactic move, is the more active. Here it seems
.id3 .te6 (lO ... liJxd4 I I 'i'a4+ Black can achieve active piece play, logical to centralise this bishop:
liJc6 I2 0-0 .te6 1 3 llacl llc8 I4 usually based on the thrust ... liJf6- I I ....td6 1 21lf h l liJe7 1 3 .:e1 liJg6
'i/Vh4 .te7 I5 'i'h5 gives White sufti­ e4. Due to this, the queen manoeuvre and Black's position is preferable,
cient compensation for the pawn is sometimes made after the prelimi­ K.holmov-Anikaev, USSR 1976.
due to the unsafe position of the nary exchange 5 .txf6 gf 6 '�:Ve l , However, Black also obtains active
black king, A.Rodriguez-Sunye, since i t is unfavourable for Black to play after 1 I ....ih6 1 2 1lfh1 0-0 13
Thessaloniki OL I 984) I I 0-0 .td6 t ake the pawn: 5 .. JiVxb2? ! 6 .txg7 liJb3 liJe7 14 liJc5 ii.c6 1 5 g3 'it>h8
I 2 nci 0-0-0! 1 3 �a4 ¢>b8 I 4 liJb3 .txg7 7 liJbd2 cd 8 ed .txd4 9 llb l 16 a4 lig8 17 liJh4 1lfc7 1 8 ..id3
l:i:hg8 I5 l;Ifel .tlg4 16 "t1Vb5 �dg8 I7 and White stands better. For exam­ liJg6 19 liJxg6+ hg 20 lle 1 e5,
g3 h5 with double-edged play, ple: 9.. JlVc3 10 l:Ib3 "t/Vc5 I I ..ib5 ! B .Kogan-De Finnian, New York
Plachetka-Han.Iicsay, Stary Smok­ 17 .i.xe6+ fe .tg7 (or I I ....txf2+ 1 2 'it>fl threat­ 1984.
ovec I 982. 1 8 liJc4 ening liJe4) 12 liJe4 'W'd5 I3 liJd6+ If White decides against exchang­
7 liJc6 Now the queen is out of play. <3Je7 1 4 l:Id3 'i'c5 15 0-0 with a ing his bishop, then after 6 c3 d5 7
8 c3 cd 18 �b8 strong attack against the king, liJbd2 (23) Black experiences no
9 ll'lxd4 19 lld1 e4 Kamenets-Kuznetsov, USSR 1978. particular problems, and can develop
After 9 ed, 9 ...e5 is also possible: 20 �c2 JL.b4 5 ••• liJe4 freely, a.<; in the following examples:
I O liJb3 .te6 I I .ie2 lig8 I 2 0-0 e4 20...liJb4 doesn't help: 2 1 1lfc3 This energetic thrust compels
1 3 liJe i 0-0-0 with excellent play for liJd3 22 lixd3 ed 23 'i'e5+. White to detennine the position of
Black, Ratner-A.Zaitsev, Vilnius 21 1Ixd8+ llxd8 his bishop, since after it<; exchange
I 96 1 . 22 lldl l:1cS B lack can achieve a comfortable po­
9 ... eS 23 liJb6 lieS sition: 6 c3 liJxg5 7 liJxg5 .te7 8
9 ... liJxd4 I O ed .td7 I I a4 a5 is After 23 ... llc7 White wins with liJf3 d5 9 .td3 liJc6 10 0-0 .td7 I I
also worth attention. 24 'i'/c4 .txa5 25 liJd7+ <3Jc8 26 liJbd2 l:ic8 1 2 'i'hl g6 1 3 h4 0-0,
10 liJ4b3 .te6 'i'xe6. B.Kogan-Yusupov, Lone Pine 198 1 .
1 1 a4 a6 24 l'kc4 .i.xaS If Black continues developing and
12 aS �a7?! 25 liJd7+ �aS attacks the d4 pawn with 5 ... liJc6,
Taimanov recommends I2 ... 'i'/c7 26 liJxaS liJxaS then White can deprive him of the
1 3 e4 0-0-0 with unclear play. 27 �c7 1-0 important resource ... liJf6-e4: 6 .ixf6
13 iLe2 rs gf 7 c3 d5 8 liJbd2 (after 8 .te2 e5 it a) 7 ... .te7 and now 8 ..ie2 Wlc7 9
14 0-0 il.e7 Game 1 0 is dangerous to castle, since 9 0-0 de ..ixc5 10 c4 .ie7 1 1 0-0 0-0 1 2 a.3
More precise is I4 ... 0-0-0 I 5 c4 Lobron-Korchnoi lig8 I 0 lid I ..lth3 l i lLie I 0-0-0 gives .id7 1 3 cd liJxd5 I4 .ixe7 liJdxe7
Si.b4 I 6 cd lixd5 1 7 liJc4 ¢>b8. Bie/ 1984 B lack a strong attack, Sarwinski- I 5 'i'c5 e5 with roughly level
30 Flank Counterattack Flank Counterattack 31

chances in V.Kovacevic-Podlesnik, 6 ..l!l.h4 T.Petrosian-Cherepkov, Moscow 16 hg tUxeS with equal chances,

Lublin 1 989 or 8 .td3 cd 9 ed i..d7 The bishop may be transferred to 196 1 ) 9 ... i.d7 10 0-0 fS I I lUeS T.Petrosian-F.Olafsson, Stockholm
1 0 0-0 l:tc8 threatening ... ttJb4 and a more active position with 6 ..tf4 tUxeS 1 2 i.. xeS i..f6 1 3 i.. x f6 gf 14 1962.
... .tb5. For example: 1 1 �b 1 h6 12 (24), establishing control of the im­ i..xe4 fe IS f3 i..bS 16 l:tf2 ef 17 7 ... dS
i..h 4 lUh5 1 3 i..g 3? lUxg3 14 hg h5 portant central square e5. l:txf3 eS 18 lUd2 cd 19 ed ed 20 8 c3 ..\!l.d7
1 5 �e 1 g5 16 tUn g4 17 lUeS tUxeS 1\Ve 1 + 'iS?d7 2 1 'iS?h 1 l:tae8 22 'ifh4 de Weaker is 8 ... ..td6 9 ..ixe4 de 10
1 8 lheS ..id6 19 l:te2 'i1Yd8 with op­ 23 be 'iS?c8 24 l:txf6 'i'e3 2S lUf3 l:Ie4 tiJfd2 fS I I lUc4 't!Vc7 12 lUba3 (after
portunities for both sides, Kurten­ 26 'ifgS l:td8 27 l:tb 1 i..d3 28 l:td I the exchange 1 2 lUxd6+ 'ifxd6 13
kov-Amason, Plovdiv 1986. ·�xgS 29 lUxgS l:te3 30 l:te6 l:tg3 3 1 i.. g3 'W/e7 Black defends success­
b) 7 ....td6 8 .td3 cd 9 ed tUbS 10 'it'h2 l:ixgS 3 2 l:!.xd3 h S 3 3 llg3 :S.xg3 fully) 12 ...i..e7 13 tUbS 't!fd7 14
tUn h6 1 1 ..td2 'W/c7 12 lUg3 tiJf4 34 'it>xg3 Dreev-G.Agzrunov, Sevac;­ ..txe 7 'it>xe7 and here in the game
and Black has the initiative, Vidmar­ topol 1986 ( 1h-1h, 5 1 ). Shirazi-Saidy, USA 1982, White
Nimzowitsch, Karlovy Vary 1929. 6 •.• ltJc6 kept the initiative by playing 1S b3
c) 7 ....td7. Black tries to exploit The knight may also choose a dif­ threatening 16 'ifa3.
the passive position of White's ferent route: 6 ... dS 7 .td3 lUd7 fol­ 9 ltJhd2 rs
queen by placing his rook on the c­ lowed by ... i..d6 and ... ttJdf6. After the exchange of the central­
file, but justifying this plan calls for The tactical attempt to capture the ised knight, 9 ... lUxd2 10 Wxd2 i..d6
accurate play. Thus on 8 .te2 �c8 9 Here Black ha'> two good alterna­ b2 pawn, 6 ... cd 7 ed gS, does not I I .tg3 .txg3 12 hg, White's posi­
'tlfb 1 possible is 9 . ...td6 10 0-0 0-0?! tives: achieve its goal in view of 8 i..d 3! tion is preferable.
(1 O...cd 1 1 ed tUbS is correct) 1 1 a) 6 ...dS 7 c3 ..td7 8 tiJbd2 lUxd2 9 �aS+ 9 'iS?fl gh 10 .txe4 .th6 1 1 10 il.g3 (25)
.txf6 g f 1 2 de 1Lxc5 1 3 e4 ! de 14 �xd2 ..ib5 1 0 ..txb5+ 't!VxbS 1 1 't!Ve2 Wxh6 'i'hS+ 1 2 c4 Wxb2 1 3 'Wid2
'i'xe4 .te7 (14 ...'Wixb2 is strongly 'i'xe2+ 1 2 'it'xe2 with equal play, Wxa l 14 'iS?e2 and Black's queen is
met by 1 5 'Wih4 ! ) 1 5 l:Iad1 ¢'h8 16 Morovic-Miles, Malta OL 1980. trapped, Tru1gborn-Bergsson, Reyk­
lUc4 �c7 17 'ifh4 l:g8 18 'WihS! lig7 b) 6 ... lUc6 7 c3 dS 8 ..id3 (8 lUbd2 javik 1990.
19 l:td2 l:.cg8 20 g3 bS 2 1 l:Ifd 1 and lUxd2 9 'ili'xd2 i..e 7 10 .td3 .td7 1 1 7 ..td3
White's rook dominates the d-file, 0-0 0-0 1 2 de i..x cS 1 3 e4 de 14 After 7 c3 dS, 8 .td3 transposes to
while his opponent's play has come iLxeH tfd8 1 5 'ifc2 h6 1 6 b4 .te7 17 the grune, while if White attacks e4
to a dead end, Larsen-Pope!, USA l:!.fd 1 l:tac8 with equality, Alburt­ with a knight, Black can maintain his
1 972. 8 ..td3 l:tc8 9 0-0 looks more Sosonko, Lucerne OL 1982) 8...i..e7 grip on this square by means of . .n­ .

natural. Now it is worth considering (with the bishop on the h2-b8 diago­ fS. For instance: 8 tiJfd2 fS 9 lUxe4
9 ...116 1 0 ..tf4 cd 1 1 ed lUb4 12 ..te2 nal, the idea 8 ... ..td7 9 0-0 lk8 is fe 10 i.. g3 .td7 1 1 ..ie2 l:!.c8 12 'WId2
..tb5 ! with full equality, Prokd-Ca­ less effective, since White can keep ..te7 1 3 0-0 0-0 14 f4 ef IS ..ixf3
pablanca, Budapest 1929. A less the initiative with 1 0 lUbd2 f5 1 1 i.gS with advantage for Black, 10 ttJxg3
clear option is 9 ... .te7 1 0 de 'W/xcS lUeS ! gS 1 2 lUxd7 'iS?xd7 1 3 .teS or Quinteros-Ljubojevic, La'> Palmac; It is more promising to continue
1 1 e4 h6 1 2 ..txf6 ..txf6 1 3 'i1Ve 1 d4 1 1...tLlxe5 12 i..xe5 lUgS 1 3 de) 9 h3 1974, or 8 lUbd2 fS 9 lUxe4 ?! (ru1 un­ developing with IO . . i..e 7, but
.

1 4 lUb3 'W/d6 1 5 cd ..txd4 16 l:Id1 (9 lUbd2 fS 10 lUeS lUxeS 1 1 ..ixe5 timely exchange; better is 9 ..id3) IO ... i..d6 I I lUxe4 de 12 i.. x d6 cd
..ixb2 17 i..b5 with sharp play, Bar­ i..d7 1 2 f3 lUd6 13 de 't!Vxc5 14 .td4 9... fe 1 0 lUd2 cd 1 1 ed ..id6 12 .te2 can be met by the very strong 13
lov-G.Agzamov, Sochi 198S. 'W/c7 IS f4 i..b5 with equal play, 0-0 13 0-0 .tf4 14 ..ig3 eS 1S de ..txg3 i..x e4! fxe4 14 lUgS, for example
32 Flank Coumerattack Flank Counterattack 33

14 ...dxe3 15 'i11Yx e3 'i11Yxb2 16 0-0 20 ltJg2 aS

Game 1 1
with a clear plu.'> for White. Worth 21 ltJf4 b4
Todorovic-Dragomarctsky
considering is 1 1 it.xe4 ! ? i.xg3 (af­ 22 ab ab
Bela Crkva 1989
ter 1 I ...fe 1 2 it.xd6 ef 1 3 de fg 14 23 ..t.·n �b7
llg1 White keeps an advantage, as he 24 tt:lf3 Ita8 1 d4 lLlf6
also does after 1 3 tt:lxf3 cd 14 ed 25 c;t>g2 be 2 ltJf3 e6
tt:lxd4 1 5 cd �xd6 16 0-0) 1 2 i.xd5 26 be jLf6 3 JigS cS
i.xf2+ 1 3 'it>xf2 ed 14 lie 1 c4 with 27 llh6 il.g7 4 c3
chances for both sides. 28 l!h1 jLf6 This move, directed against
1 1 hg g6 29 llhS I1xa1 Black's attack on the wing, is often
12 g4 Iic8 30 't'fxa1 tt:la7'?! used by White in order to attain the
13 gf gf Black ought to bring up his re­ standard Torre Attack pawn struc­ White blocks Black's counterat­
1 4 i..e2 i..e 7 serves to defend the e6 pawn, i.e. ture. By reinforcing d4 with the tack and offers an exchange of
Stronger was consolidating the 30 ... tt:ld8 followed by the transfer pawn on c3, White m aintains the queens. Another corrunon continu­
kingside with the queen manoeuvre of his major pieces to the queen­ possibility of defending b2 with ation is 5 �c2 (28), by which
... �b6-d8-f6. side . his queen from a more natural White keeps the queens on the
15 tt:lb3 c4 31 't'Vh 1 jLc8 square. board.
16 liJbd2 "Wc7 32 tt:lgS lle7 4 ••• 'i'fh6 (27)
17 g3 bS (26) The defence would not be eased We should note in pa<>sing that the
by the exchange 32 ... i.xg5 33 attempt to disturb the coordination
lhg5+ l:ig7 34 �h6 when White of White's pieces by means of the
threatens tt:lxe6. manoeuvre 4 ... cd 5 cd �a5+ 6 i.d2
33 il.f3 tt:lbS "ii'h6 is unsuccessful. By continuing
34 "Wa1 in gambit style with 7 tt:lc3 tt:lc6 8 e3
Having tied Black's pieces to the d5 9 l:tc l ! (weak�r is 9 a3 i.d6 10
defence of the e6 pawn, White trans­ i.e2 0-0 and Black secures equality,
fers his queen to the other wing. Lechtynsky-Yuda'>in, Tmava 1 983)
34 jLd7 9 ...i.d6 10 jLdJ 0-0 1 1 0-0 it.d7
35 '6a5 .ie8 (capturing on b2 at any point in this
36 tt:lgxe6! sequence of moves would be ex­ Let us consider some of the possi­
The game is rounded off with a tremely dangerous) 1 2 tt:la4 'W/c7 13 bilities arising:
18 lLlh4 small combination. b4 a6 14 tt:lc5 l:ifb8 15 �b3 i.e8 16 a) 5 ... cd?! (Black attempts to gain
This move initiates a deep ma­ 36 i.xhS a4 and consolidating his knight on tempi for his development by resolv­
noeuvre. The knight is heading for 37 i.xdS '6a7 the c5 square, White generates an ing the pawn tension, but after this
f4, from where it attacks the centre 38 't'fd8+ i..e8 attack on the queenside and in the exchange the queen's position on c2
and the kingside. 39 lLlc7+ c;t>b8 centre, Kamsky-Am.Rodriguez, becomes s tronger, since White gains
18 0-0 40 lLlxe8 't'fd7 Palma de Mallorca 1 989. the possibility of organizing pres­
19 a3 Ilf7 41 't'fxd7 1 -0 5 '6b3 sure on the c-file after exchanging
34 Flank Counterattack Flank Coullferattack 35

Black's more active knight) 6 cd 7 i..d2 'ifxc4 8 e4 the queen is lost) 7 This energetic thrust hao; preten­ 9 g3 1l..d 6
lDc6 7 i..x f6 gf 8 e3 d5 9 i..e2 i..d7 e4 Wic6 8 d5 (29). sions of taking over the initiative, but 10 1l..g 2
10 llJc3 ! (it is important to seize the also good is 5 ...lDc6 6 e3 (it is un­ Maybe White has nothing better
c5 square) 10 ... Ik8 (it is more con­ profitable for White to enter the end­ here than swapping queens. Now,
sistent to finish developing: IO ... i..e7 ing after 6 'i'xb6?! ab 7 i.xf6 gf 8 e3 however, Black can avoid the ex­
1 1 0-0-0 0-0 12 llJa4 WIc7 1 3 llJc5 d5 9 llJa3 c4) 6 ... d5 7 llJbd2 i.e? 8 change with a view to creating pres­
l:tfc8 14 llJxd7 'i'xd7 1 5 'ifa4 llJe5 �e2 0-0 9 0-0 h6 (possible is sure on the queenside.
1 6 Wixd7 llJxd7 with full equality, 9 ... i.d7 and after 10 llJe5 i.e8 1 1 f4 10 ..• �c7! ?
Larsen-Portisch, Tilburg 1 980) 1 1 cd 1 2 Wlxb6 ab 1 3 ed i.d6 Black hao; 11 0-0
0-0 f5 (again 1 l ...i..e 7 is stronger) a cramped but solid position, lvkov­ I I c4? is no good due to I 1 ... cd 12
1 2 l:tfc1 i..d6 1 3 llJa4 Wia5 14 llJc5 Tal, Varna 1 962) 10 i.h4 l:te8 1 1 i.xd4 e5 I 3 i.e3 d4, but after I 1 de
llJxd4?! (better is 14...Wic7, although llJe5 llJd7 1 2 i.xe7 .Uxe7 1 3 f4 cd 14 tbxc5 12 i.xc5 .ixc5 I 3 e4 0-0 14
White's position is preferable) 15 ed 'i'xb6 llJxb6 15 cd i.d7 when the 0-0 de 1 5 tbxe4 i.e? Black ha'> no
b6 1 6 llJb7 l:txc2 17 l:txc2 ! � 18 game is equal, Lutikov-Karpov, particular problems.
a3 'i'a4 19 llJxd6+ �e7 20 b3 Wlxb3 White has a strong initiative for USSR 1 962. 11 ... c4!
2 1 i..d 1 'i.Vd3 22 llJxf7 Ik8 23 llJ7e5 the pawn. After 8 ...ed he has various 6 i..e 3 12 �c2 �b8
'i.Va6 24 i..e 2 Wla4 25 lixc8 i..xc8 26 ways of attacking: After 6 i.f4 White must reckon Already Black is threatening to
l:tcl 1 -0 Platonov-Ennolinsky, Len­ a) 9 ed 'il:Vxd5 10 i.d3 Wie6+ (on on the possibility 6 ...cd 7 cd llJc6. 8 attack with ... b7-b5-b4.
ingrad 1 980. 10 ...i..e 7, good is 1 1 llJe3, while af­ e3 is then unplea<>antly met by 1 3 b4
b) 5 ... llJc6 (the most natural ter 1 o ...�d8? 1 1 0-0 d6 1 2 1Wc2 �c7 8 ... i.b4+ when White is obliged to I3 b3 deserved preference, with
move) 6 i.xf6 gf 7 de i..xc5 8 e4 1 3 llJe3 'ifc6 14 liab 1 Black's king play 9 llJfd2, since after 9 llJbd2? g5! roughly level chances after I 3 ...cb
l:tg8 ! 9 g3 'i'c7 1 0 llJbd2 b6 1 1 llJb3 hao; no chance of finding safety, 10 i.xg5 i.xd2+ Black wins a piece, I4 ab b5 15 c4 or 13 ... b5 I 4 bc bc 15
i..e 7 1 2 i..d 3 i..b7 1 3 Wie2 a6 14 a4 Rotov-Osul, Sevastopol 1978) 1 1 Sangla-Karpov, Riga 1968. The im- l:tab l l:txb l 16 l:txb l 0-0 17 'i'a4.
h5 1 5 Itfl l:!.g4 with double-edged �d2 d5 ! and now in the game S.Sok­ mediate 6 ...lDc6 7 e3 i.e? (an alter- 13 ... bS
play, Garcia Gonzales-Gipslis, Jur­ olov-Muratov, Moscow 1973, White native is 7 ... d5 8 llJbd2 when in the 14 a4? (30)
mala 1 983. could have fought for the initiative game Trifunovic-Diickstein, Vama Now White allows Black a pa<;sed
c) 5 ...llJe4!? 6 'i'xe4 'i'xb2 7 g3 by continuing with 12 l:te l llJe4+ 1 3 1962, Black continued with 8 ... f5 9 pawn. Instead, White should have
d5 (7 ... Wixa1 8 1Wc2 cd 9 llJxd4 i..a3 �c2. llJxe4 fe 10 llJe5 i.d7 1 1 llJxd7 opted for a blockade of the position
I 0 llJb5 !) 8 l!Yd3 i..d7 9 i..g2 i..b5 10 b) 9 llJce5 'i'c7 10 ed d6 1 1 'i'a4+ 'i'xb3 1 2 ab �xd7 1 3 i.. e 2 and the with I 4 f4 0-0 1 5 i..f2 f5 I 6 llJf3 llJf6
c4 l!Yxa 1 ?! (better is 10...i..xc4, �d8? (more resilient is 1 l ...i..d7 12 ending favoured White, due to his 1 7 llJe5 llJe4, when chances are
since White now fmnly seizes the in­ llJxd7 llJbxd7 1 3 i.. xf6 gf 14 llJh4) active bishop pair) 8 llJbd2 llJxd2 9 roughly level.
itiative) 1 1 cb 'iifxa2 12 0-0 c4 13 1 2 Wif4! 1Jiie 7 13 0-0-0 de 14 llJxe5 ltJxd2 d5 10 'i'xb6 ab 1 I i..c 7 i..d8 14 aS!
'it'e3 h6? 1 4 i.. h3 ! hg 1 5 i.xe6 gave llJbd7 1 5 lDc6+ be 16 de c4 17 i.. xc4 12 i.. d6 i.e? gives rise to a roughly 15 ba b4
White a dangerous attack in Hen­ 'il:Va3+ 1 8 �b1 'i'xc3 19 c7+ �e8 20 level ending, Klaric-Suba, Sochi 16 cb l:txb4
Chudinovskikh, Aachen 1 99 1 . libe l+ i..e7 21 'iVd6 Wlxc4 22 'i'xe7 1977. 17 �fll1 0-0
However, i t i s well worth consid­ mate S.Sokolov-Dobosz, Primorsko 6 dS 18 .lhh4 i.. xb4
ering playing in gambit style 5 llJbd2 1 970. 7 llJhd2 ltJxd2 19 ..ltf4 �xaS
'i'xb2 6 llJc4 'i'b5 (after 6 ...'it'xc3+? 5 ... llJe4 8 ltJxd2 llJd7 20 e4 41f6
36 Flank Coumerattack

Black's advantage is obvious: he

2 Central System
ha.o; not only a strong protected
passed pawn, but also possibilities of
attacking the weak pawn on a4.
21 ed ed 22 ltJf3 g6 23 lL\e5 �f5
24 �d l lic8 25 g4 �e6 26 h3 lL\e4
27 �c2 f6 28 lLlf3 i.£7 29 lLlh2 lie8 1 d4 lLlf6 knight on d7, whereupon the main
30 lLlfl g5 31 i.e3 i.g6 32 1J'c1 c3 2 lL\f3 e6 focus of the battle becomes the e5
33 f4 gf 34 i..xf4 lLld2 35 �e3? lLlb3 3 �gS cS square. This plan begins with the
0- 1. 4 e3 dS (31) move 5 ... iJ..e 7. The second plan con­
sists of organising pressure against
d4 and begins with 5 ... lLlc6. Of no
small significance is the timing of
castling by B lack. Depending on
Black's actions, White aims to pre­
pare a kingside attack after estab­
lishing a stronghold on e5 (lLlf3-e5
and f2-f4), carry out the central
breakthrough e3-e4, or organise
pawn pressure on the queenside.

Game 12
By arranging his pawns according I.Sokolov-Ivanchuk
to the classical scheme of the Bie/ 1989
Queen's Gambit, Black seizes con­
trol of e4, aiming to organise coun­ 1 d4 lLlf6
terplay in the centre. However, in 2 lt::lf3 c6
doing this, Black weakens the e5 The continuation 2 ...d5 3 iJ..g5
square which may become a ba'>e for lL\e4 is discussed in the game Mur­
enemy knights. shed-Kaidanov at the end of this
After 5 lL\bd2 the long-term direc­ chapter.
tion the game takes depend'> on the 3 �gS cS
development of the black forces, for 4 e3 dS
which there are two prevalent plans. 5 lL\bd2 �e7
The first is characterised by the fi­ The mai11 altemative, 5 ...lL\c6, is
anchetto of the light-square bishop considered in the games Bisguier­
and the deployment of the queen's I.lvanov and Psakhis-Tiviakov.
38 Central System Central System 39

6 c3 lt:\bd7 1Ic8 12 i-b5 ll:Je8 1 3 i-f4 .ltd6 only i..g3 h5 1 3 f4 h4 14 .tel gf 1 5 ef b5 (an undennining of the centre
7 ..td3 (32) leads to equal play, Barlov-Psakhis, 'i'c7 and after 16 ... 0-0-0 Black's from the flank, but it may have been
Sochi 1984. More consequent and threatc; are very dangerous, Klaric­ more circumspect to prepare this
stronger is 9 f4 !, when White can Geller, Sochi 1 977. with 18 ...a6 and then .. .'�a7, ....ltc6,
meet 9 ...ll:Jxe5 with 10 fe, opening A plan with queenside cao:;tling .. Jlb8) 19 :be l (after 19 cb, possi­
the f-file for his rooks, while Black also fails to lessen White's prob­ ble is 19 ... ll:Jb6 20 ll:Jd2 f5 threaten­
also comes under a strong attack af­ lems: 1 1 ll:Jf3 g5 I2 ..tg3 h5 I 3 h3 ing ... c4, but the hasty 20...c4 21
ter 9 ... 0-0, viz. 10 'i'f3 h6 1 1 h4! 'i'c7 14 'i!Va4 a6 1 5 0-0-0 b5 16 �c2 ll:Jxc4 ll:Jxc4 22 i-xc4 .:c8 23 'it>b I
(threatening a pawn storm with g4, h4 1 7 .lth2 0-0-0 1 8 'flle2 'i'a5 19 leads to a simplified position fa­
i-xf6 and g5) I I ...ll:Je8 12 .ltxh6! gh ¢-b l .:hg8 20 .ltc2 b4 2I cb 'i'xb4 vouring White) 1 9 .S:he I ll:Jb6 20
13 �h5 f5 14 g4 ll:Jg7 15 �xh6 l:.f6 22 Ild3 c4 23 .:d4 f5? (Black's ll:Jd2 be 21 ll:Jxc4 e5 with unclear
I 6 ll:Jg6 Ilxg6 17 11Vxg6 ll:Jf8 1 8 �'h6 chances lie on the queenside, and by play.
fg 1 9 0-0-0 ll:Jf5 20 �h5 ll:Jxe3 21 carelessly giving the h2 bishop new 8 ... .1l.b1 (34)
llde I cd 22 Ilxe3 ! de 23 'ifxg4+ �f7 life, Black only eases White's de­
7 ... b6 24 �h5+ c;t;>f6 25 �e5+ ¢>f7 26 fence) 24 ef ..ixf6 25 .:c1 ! e5 1f2_1f2
The fianchetto of this bishop is �h5+ 'it'f6 27 ll:Jf3 ! i-d6 28 1fh6+ Malaniuk-Razuvaev, Moscow I 983.
the most natural plan of develop­ We7 29 \!Vg7+ 'it'e8 30 .ltb5+ ll:Jd7 Black dare not allow a battery on the
ment in this system. However, bear­ 3 1 ll:Jg5 'fl/e7 32 'i'g8+ 1 -0 Mohr­ h2-b8 diagonal after 25 ... ..txd4? ! 26
ing in mind that the key square in the Anand, Belgrade 1988. ed.
diagrammed position is e5, on which It therefore appears that the ex­ It is more natural to exchange
White aims to place his knight, the change 8 ... ll:Jxe5 9 de ll:Jd7 is practi­ bishops, 10 i-xe7. 'flxe7 I I f4, and
great specialist in this opening, Ti­ cally forced. Now if White preserves after I l ...f6 1 2 ef gf (weaker is
gran Petrosian, recommended that the bishop from exchange with 10 12 ...ll:Jxf6 13 0-0 0-0 14 e4 de I5
Black prevent the manoeuvre ll:Jf3- i.f4? ! i-b7 (33) Black can already ll:Jxe4 i.b7 1 6 'ii'e2 when White's
e5 with 7 ... fic7. Lately Black ha'> embark on an attack on the kingside. position is preferable due to the
preferred first of all to develop his structural weakness of e6) there Both sides avoid exchanges and
pieces and to allow White to estab­ arises an unclear position with White now has the tao:;k of choosing a
lish an outpost on e5, while organis­ slightly better chances for White. Af­ plan. However. this is not easy to do,
ing his attack. ter 1 3 0-0 i.b7 14 e4 we have a posi­ since Black's forces are entirely har­
The immediate 7 ... 0-0 is consid­ tion which is discussed below, in the moniously arranged to counter
ered in the game Dreev-Pavlovic note to White's 1 3 th move. The plan White's play. It is above all Black's
later in this chapter. with queenside castling, 1 3 'i'e2 · pawn structure which suggests two
8 0-0 i.b7 14 0-0-0 0-0-0 I 5 e4, lead<; to main plans for White. The first, the
The immediate 8 ll:Je5 is also en­ double-edged play. From this posi­ organisation of an attack in the cen­
countered. tion, with the small difference that tre and on the kingside based around
Now after 8 ... ..tb7, claiming the · the pawn is on h6, Yusupov-Specl­ the occupation of the e5 square, is
advantage of the two bishops with 9 man, Hao:;tings I 989/90, continued the one chosen in the game. The
..ib5 0-0 1 0 ll:Jc6 i-xc6 1 1 i-xc6 Thus very risky is 1 1 0-0 g5 12 15 ... d4 16 c4 h5 I 7 g3 c.t>b8 I 8 ll:Jf3 other plan involves a pawn offensive
 Central System 41

on £be ..:jUi!�llSiJe. '-' here ffic .:5 .UlJ 1 1 L\e7 option of playing in the centre with 1 2 ... lid8 ! ? wa'> employed in Stem­
b6 pawns may provide convenient Sine� Black ha..; not ca..;tl�d. !here e3-e4, and also of attacking on the pin-Tischbierek, Warsaw 1 990.
targets. This plan is introduced by is no point in preserving !he bishop, queenside with a2-a4. After !he di­ B lack maintains the possibility of
the move 9 �I (9 a4 a6 10 'Wb l } as since it would become subject to at­ rect 1 3 a4 f6 1 4 ef gf 15 a5, Black ca'itling kingside if conditions be­
in !he game Tukmakov-Schiissler. tack by Black's kingside pawns. The can block the position with 15 ...c4 come favourable, while ca'>tling 'by
In !he case of routine develop­ shortcomings of the bishop retreat 16 .ic2 bS 1 7 a6 .ic6 1 8 b4 lt:Jb6 hand' on the queenside remains fea­
ment with 9 'i'c2 0-0, Black can 1 1 .tf4?! were demonstrated in !he with unclear play, Padron-Korchnoi, sible. The game continued 13' 'i¥h5
himself take over !he initiative on !he game S pa.-;sky-Petrosian, which was La<; Palma<> 198 1 ) 13 .. .£6 14 ef lt:Jb8 14 l:he 1 'it>d7 (White ha<> lost
queenside. For example 10 l:Iae1 c4 discussed in !he introduction. lt:Jxf6? ! (better is 14 ... gf and after 1 5 some time aiming at the kingside, so
1 1 i.e2 b5 12 liJe5 lt:Jxe5 1 3 de ttJe4 11 'fixe7 e4 d4 a position i s reached which is the loss of time with the king may be
14 .txe7 'tlfxe7 15 f4 'tlfc5 1 6 .tf3 f5 12 f4 (35) considered later, in line 'b' in the justified) 1 5 e4 rJi/c7 16 't!Ve2 c4 17
17 ef tt:Jxf6 with equal play, Torre­ note to White's 1 3th move) 1 5 lt:JtJ .tc2 'tlfc5+ 1 8 l:If2 b5 1 9 ed i.xd5 20
A.Sokolov, Biel IZ 1985, or 10 liad 1 c4?! (this weakens !he d4 square, but .te4 lt:Jc6 2 1 <t>h I .l:Ihe8 22 l:tf3 g6
h6 1 1 i.h4 a6 1 2 �1 b5 1 3 h3 lic8 White's position is also preferable 23 b3 liJe7 and Black had a flexible
14 i.g3 �6 15 liJe5 lt:Jxe5 16 de after 1 5 ... �b8 16 a4) 16 i.c2 'it>b8 position with plenty of light-square
tt:Jd7 17 e4 c4 and Black attacks on 1 7 'i'd2 tt:Jd7 1 8 'tlfd4 llde8? 1 9 i.a4 control.
the queenside, Hesse-Vomakka. .1Ief8 20 .txd7 and White obtains a 13 'ii'h S+
Eilenburg 1984. positional advantage since the This is a popular continuation, but
9 tt:Jes knight is clearly stronger than the 1 3 lt:Jf3, aiming to secure the knight
An interesting attempt to combine bishop, Hebert-I.Ivanov, Montreal on eS, is also fully rea'ionable, since
this manoeuvre with the transfer of 1983. 1 3 ... fe? is bad due to 14 i.b5. The
the queen to the kingside was carried 12 ...0-0? ! is not in keeping with game Aseev-Novikov, Lvov 1 985,
out in Malaniuk-Balashov, Moscow the spirit of the position. With 13 continued 13 ...0-0-0 14 i.bS �b8?!
1983, where !here followed 9 't!Va4 In many respects the fate of !he 'tlfhS White forces an additional (it seems that Black ought to choose
0-0 10 lDe5. After 10...h6? ! 1 1 i.h4 variation 9 lt:Je5 depends on !he as­ weakening in the king's protective 14 ... a6 1 5 i.xd7+ .l:Ixd7 threatening
lt:Jxe5 12 de tt:Jd7 1 3 i.g3 f5 14 ef sessment of !his position. The e5 screen. For example: 1 3 ... g6 14 'tlfh6 the thrust ... d5-d4) 15 a4 lt:Jffi
lt:Jxf6 1 5 tt:Jt3 i.d6 16 'il'kh4 White pawn constrains Black's position; he (also after 1 4 'ii'e2 f5 1 5 ef lt:Jxf6 16 ( 1 5 ...a6 16 .txd7 lbd7 is ah·eady
maintained some initiative, but must contemplate how to give Lhe b7 e4 de 17 lt:Jxe4 lt:Jxe4 1 8 ..ixe4 i.xe4 tlx> late, since White shakes up
B lack's position was fully reliable. bishop a more active role. The most 1 9 'tlfxe4 White has the advantage Black's defences with the queen ma­
Instead of the weakening 10 ... h6?! it radical way to do !his is the under­ due to !he weakness of !he e6 pawn, .noeuvre 1 7 'i!fb3 ! �a7 1 8 a5 bS 19
is better to exc\ angeknights imme­ mining ... f7-f6, opening the g- or f­ Gudmund<>son-Matanovic, Varna liad1 l:thd8 20 't/i'a3 threatening 21
diately: 10 ... tt:Jxe5 1 1 de lt:Jd7 with file for the rooks. 1962) 14 ...lifd8 1 5 lit3 lt:Jf8 16 lih3 b4) 16 b4 ! a6 (after 16...cb 1 7 cb
equal chances. 12
.•. f6 f6 1 7 ef �xf6 1 8 lifl �g7 19 'tlfh4 �xb4 1 8 lt:Jd4 White's threats are
9 ••• tt:JxeS Black's play is entirely consistent. d4 20 cd cd 2 1 e4 with a clear advan­ very dangerous) 17 .id3 fe 1 8 lt:Jxe5
Less accurate is 9 ...0-0 in view of Another popular continuation is tage for White, whose entire army is with White enjoying !he better
10 f4 (see the game Dreev-Pavlovic, 12 ... 0-0-0, which slightly reduces mobilised for a kingside attack chances.
by transposition). Black's possibilities: 1 3 't!Ve2 (with (Estevez-Sieiro - Torre, 1984). Alert play is also demanded from
10 de lt:Jd7 this manoeuvre White maintains !he Translator's note: The surprising B lack in the ca<>e of the modest
42 Central System Central System 43

continuation 13 ef gf (on 13 ... ltJxf6 Irc7 27 'i!Yb3 d3 28 <;f;>f2?! (28 b5 ! Therefore Black must now decide 24 l't'g3 Ilae8
there follows 14 i..b5+ ltJd7 15 'i!Yc5+ 29 'it'fl intending 'i!Ye6+ and where to place his king. 25 h4 <t;h8
�h5+ g6 16 'i!Yg5 with advantage to ':.. a8 would maintain the advantage) 14 ... 0-0 26 l't'h2 e5
White) 14 e4 0-0-0 (14 ... 0-0 is risky 28 ...b5 ! 29 �f3 �b6 30 lia8 I;ic2 3t After t4 ...0-0-0 White also keeps 27 fc llxfl+?!
in view of White's attack after 15 hi l a7 'i!Yc6 32 lia6 'i'xa6 33 Itxa6 a )ao;ting initiative by attacking with 28 nxn lL'Ixc5
l::t£3 d4 16 .l:Ih3 e5 17 f5) 15 �e2 ltJxa6 34 'i!Ye6+ <;f;>c7 35 'ii'xa6 ':.. xd2 15 ef gf 16 e4 d4 17 a4. The immedi­ 29 lLlxc5 't'fxe5
(36) 36 'i!Ya7+ 'it>c8 37 'i!Yc5+ �d7 38 ate 1 5 e4 is also good. For example: 30 I!.fS+! <Jil g7
'i'd5+ rJI;c7 39 'i!Yc5+ Wd7 40 �d5+ 15 ...fe 16 ed ed? ! ( 16... ..txd5 is 31 1lxe8 l't'xe8
�c7 1h- 1h Spassky-A.Sokolov, Bu­ safer) 17 fxe5 �e7 18 ltJf3 �b8 19 32 l't'c7+ <Jil g8
gojno t986. The little-known game . nae1 d4 20 i..e4 .txe4 21 �xe4 de 33 c4! Sl..c 6
Hewland-Tufler, Karessa t989, fea­ 22 be .l:Ihe8 23 'i!Yxh7 ltJf8 24 'i!Ye4 34 'W'xh6 l't'e5
tured an important reinforcement of ltJe6 25 ltJh4 �d7 26 ltJfS "*'d3 27 35 l't'xc6? l't'g3+
Black's play: t8 ...dc!. Now t9 ab cd ltJd6 'i!Yxe4 28 lixe4 'gf8 29 nee 1 Ifl-1/z
20 ba ltJc6 2t a8'i'+ li.xa8 22 %ha8+ <;t>c7 30 h4 <ttc6 3 1 a4 a6 32 c4
<ttc7 23 .l:Ixd8 .l:Ixd8 24 .l:Idl leads to lixfl + 33 l:lxfl lif8 34 lixf8 ltJxf8 Game 1 3
unclear play, while after t9 be 'i'd6 35 ltJfS g6 36 e6 ltJxe6 37 ltJe7+ Thkmakov-Schiissler
20 I;if3 b5 2t ltJfl ?! c4 Black seizes <;f;>d6 38 ltJxg6 ltJd4 39 h5 ltJfS 40 Helsinki 1983
the advantage. Also after the better �f2 'rt>e6 4t g4 (1 -0, 54) Hulak-Van
2 1 a6 li.xa6 22 li.xb5 li.xb5 23 der Sterren, Wijk aan Zee 1987. 1 d4 ltJf6
White is in charge of events in the 1i.fxb5 't1Vb6 or 21...1i.c6 22 �e3 c4 t4 .. .f5 prevents e3-e4, but by at­ 2 4.Jf3 c6
centre and on the queenside, while Black's chances are no worse. tacking on the queenside White 3 Sl..g5 c5
Black's play on the g-file is still 13 1'*'17 keeps the better chances: 15 a4 aS 16 4 e3 d5
some way off. For example: 1 4 't'fe2 (37) ltJf3 h6 t7 h3 ltJb8 18 Ji.b5+ ltJc6 19 5 ltJhd2 lL'Ihd7
a) 1 5 ... ltJb8?! 16 a4 (also good is :.ret. 20 b4 is threatened, Hulak-Po­ 6 c3 i..c 7
the preliminary 1 6 ed ..ixd5 17 ..ie4 lajzer, Portoroz 1987. Black develops in traditional
followed by a2-a4-a5) 16 .. .'tifd6 17 15 ef ltJxf6 fa<>hion, but also possible is a seldom
e5 ! fe 18 fe �e7 19 a5 and White's 16 lt:\f3 't'fh5 employed plan recommended by
attack will clearly come first, since 17 't'fe1 lL'Ig4?! Alekhine whereby Black develops
after t9 ...I;ihg8 20 ab ab 2t ltJf3 ':..g7 This just wastes time. 17 ...ltJd7 this bisho)J on the more active square
22 .l:.t2 l:tdg8 23 Ji.b5 ! and the open­ t 8 li.b5 llad8 t9 li.xd7 .l:hd7 20 d6 after � the Immediate
ing of the queens ide with b2-b4, his ltJeS .l:tdd8 is more resilient. 6 ... 1i.d6 allows White to open the
pieces will p�mnce on the naked 18 h3 ltJf6 centre advantageously: 7 ..id3 h6 8
king, Nenarokov-Konstantinopol­ 19 ltJe5 a6 li.h4 0-0 9 0-0 b6 10 e4 de 1 1 ltJxe4
sky, Leningrad 1932. 20 g4 't'fe8 li.e7 t 2 de ltJxc5 t3 ltJxcS be t4
b) t5 ...d4 t6 a4 e5 t7 f5 ltJb8 18 20 .. .'illfxh 3 fails to 2t ltf3 !. �e2 Ji.b7 15 ltad1 �c7 1 6 ltJe5 and
a5 ltJc6?! t9 ab ab 20 li.a6 ltJb8 2t White maintains the cramping 2 1 g5 ltJd7 - obtain somewhat the better chances
li.xb7+ 'ttxb7 22 hia3 hid7 23 b4 cb pawn on e5 and plans to open the 22 'mt4 g6 in view of the activity of his pieces,
24 cb 'i!Yc6 25 ':.fat ':..hd8 26 �d3 position with the move e3-e4. 23 lL'Ig4! 'ffe 7 Meister-Pigusov, Togliatti 1985).)...
 Central System 45

� (afrer 7 ···c2 ..:i..J6 8 .l.d3 h6 9 ·'Lhe..52. (correct is .22 . . .-;ti"gS) 1J._£� lLlxh4 ltJto 1 9 ..ixb7 �xb7 and with
�h-l 0-0 10 0-0 'fic7 Black success­ �7 24 ltJt�8 � id<l:!:and White ...ttJd5 to follow, Black ha� equal
fully develops his pieces. 1l1en Tar­ occupies the d4 square, which in chances, Hodgson-Unzicker, Almada
takower-Fine, Nottingham 1 936, combination with the cramping 1988.
continued I I ..ig3 a6 12 I!ad I b5 13 pawn -��� e5, confers an advantage on
de ..ixg3 14 hg lLlxc5 15 tLlb3 lLlxd3 him, liort-Kir.Georgiev, Th�ssalo­
16 �xd3 e5 and Black obtained a niki OL 1984. The alternative retreat
preponderance in the centre, but by the bishop ha� also been tried:.!.!.
even after the superior 15 e4 White ..ih4 0-0 12 l:!e I 'f//c7 1 3 e4 de 1 4
only has equal chancesA}...h6 8 ..ih4 'liixe4 l:!fe8 15 de be Hodgson-Razu­
..id6 9 � d3 'j;\fc7 10 'i'e2 c�(a useful vaev, Sochi 1987. White ha<> ob­
f!
�xchange, since after O ... O-� there
follows I I-de ..ixc5 2 eetwtrh-ad-
tained the more pleasant pawn
structure, and by playing 1 6 iLg3
1 9 "i'Vc2 'fJ/b6
20 ltJb3 lld8
vantage for White)\! I cd 0-0 12 0-0 followed by 17 lLlfd2 he preserved 21 llc1 0-0?
a6 13 libe l 'ilib8 14 ..ibl b6 15 e4 de the better chances. A mistake in time-trouble. 21 ...h6
J6 li5xe4 lbd5 1 7 ztSxd6 'i'xd6 18 9 'fJ/c7 was necessary.
It is also use�t to push back
•••

�c2 ltJ7f6 19 ltJe5 ..ib7J B!ack ha� 11 c4! de 22 e5 ltJd5

safely blockaded the a:r pawn and the bishop wit l(2dlWsince 1 0 iLxf6} Instead l l ...cb 1 2 cd ltJxd5 13 23 ilxh7+
•
'ii>h 8
White's position is only slightly ..ixf6 1 1 e4 cd 12 cd de 13 lLlxe4 ..ixe7 �xe7 14 e4 lLlf4 15 'i'xb4+ 24 "i'Ve4! g6
preferable, Ye Rongguang-Lukov, .Yl.e 7 is not dangerous for Black, who �d6 16 �xd6+ 'it>xd6 1 7 ..ib5 fa- 25 ilxg6 fg
Thessaloniki OL 1988. ;then organise play against the vours White. On 25 .. .'Jig7 follows 26 ..txf7 !
7 Jtd3 b6 isolated pawn on d4. After 1 0 ..ih4�' 12 Jtf4 Iixt7 27 ltJg5 l;.f5 28 �g4.
il. b7 'i'c7 1 1 b4.,..id6.JU,.£!., (since On 12 ltJxc4, possible is 1 2 ...ltJd5 26 �xg6 %Ixf3
) Black's king is uncastled, opening 1 3 ..ixe7 �xe7 followed by ...Ilhc8 27 'i!Vb6+ �g8
Wlu e p p es to attack on the the position with 12 be be 13 e4 and ... <;t>f8. 28 "i'Vg5+ \!.>h7
queenside with b2-b4. Sometimes would be stronger) 1 2 ...c4 13 �
· ·.

12 Sl.d6 29 "i'Vxd8 1 -0
White chooses to insert the moves 9 a6 14 a4?1 �.b::l...�sf6 16 �,M9 13 .il.xd6 'W'xd6
a4 a6 1 0 � I . However, this pawn ltJxf6 1 7 Ile I 0-0-0 Black's chances 14 lt'Jxc4 'W'c7 Game 1 4
configuration is conducive to a are preferable, since his king is in no 15 e4 b5 Dreev-Pavlovic
blockade of the queenside. For in­ danger, and he can begin an attack on 16 ltJa5 cb (39) - Protvind 1988 -
stance: I O...... h6 1 1 ..if4 lLlh5 1 2 ..ie5 the kingside, Damljanovic-Vaiser, 17 l'Icl
.Q:Q_pf� c4. 14. ).hlt�b�_lf..ic_i. Vmjacka B anja 1986. Tukmakov reconunemb the inter·· � .. }.. d4 liJf6
.12ll6.b.Uc6.lLtQ.i:�b I 8 ����
, . ;_.

10 b4 Zlb8 (38) esting continuation 17 tLlxb7 ! llxb7 2 tt'lf3 e6

1 9 SLh2 lLlhf6 20 b4 Ilxa1?! Black can close the queenside, 18 'fllc2 0-0 19 e5 ltJd5 20 SLxh7+ 3 il.g5 d5
�1ger is 20�.:�b7, keeping th� which leads to a heavy-weight battle 'it>h8 21 i.e4 ltJ7b6 22 ..ixd5 lLlxd5 4 ltJbd2 Sl.e7
square und;r contro'f; then 2 1 ltJe5 in the centre: IO ... c4 11 ..ic2 h6 1 2 23 �e4 with a kingside initiative. 5 e3 0-0
lLlxe5 22 dettJe4! gives both sides ..ih4 0-0 1 3 a4 a6 1 ]Jiel W 1 5 e4 17 il.a8! Early castling is a committal deci­
chances) 21 Ilxa1
_._ ....
_
Ila8 22 tLle5
- - - --��- ..
de 1 6 2flxe4 ltJxe4 1 7 ..ixe4 i.xh4 18 18 llc7 'W'd6 sion, as it simplifies White's choice
46 Central System Cemra/ System 47

of plan and gives him the possibility 0-0 f6 1 2 l0ef3 lL\d7 1 3 �c2 fS 14 �
Fo example{9_'fejJJ6 10 e:U.�
of attacking on the kingside. i.bS lL\df6 1S 4Jxe4 de (lS ...fe is 1 l lLixe4 i.b7 1 2 de lLixcS l3 4Jxc�
6 Ji.d3 cS worth trying, planning to attack on fXcs 14 Ixr6 J:x1�)s !e4 }.:i14_
7 c3 lL\bd7 the queenside with ... c4, ... a6 and )6 'ekxd �S 1 7 "t1Vs2 �fd8 18JUi!..
Black develops according to the ...bS) 16 tOes a6 17 i.e2 4Jd5 1 8 �6 1 9 h3 Jjz-1h Tartakower-Capa­
scheme of the Orthodox Queen's 'iVd2 cd 1 9 cd ftac8 20 a3 gS blanca, Nottingham I936.
Gambit, but with the difference that (20.. J!c7, planning to double rooks, 9 'il:>C threatenin.lLi,xh�-�
he ha<> played the active ...c7-cS in­ is more logical, but Black could not parried by the simple �.h6 LO ,!a
stead of ... c7-c6. However, White's resist laying a trap: on the natural 21 i.9.6.JUAdQ...'i'xd6...12.
. b ._bLl Q.ll.
sound pawn structure and pieces g3 gf 22 gf there would follow A�L%lblLl4-�with excellent
aimed towards the kingside, together 22 ...1'kg7+ 23 �h 1 �c2!) 21 i.c4 counterplay for Black, Mikh.Tseit­
with the po�sibility of seizing the eS lhc4! ? 22 lLixc4 bS 23 !OergT'24 lin-Khasin, Naberezhnye Chelny
square give White's position an at­ Ifxf4 ! ? lLixf4 2 S e f �c8 26 �cl I988. 9 e4 poses Black no particular
!
tacking character, especially since xc l+ 27 'i'xcl 't'kh4 28 h3 'i'd8 29 However in recent times, players pro ems: 9 ... de 10 lLixe4 ..tb7 1 1
the white king is not yet cao;tled and 'i'c3 Wf8 10 �fl 1'kc8 31 'icS+ �e8
g
may be evacuated to the queenside, 32 fg 33 'll1V xc8+ i.xc8 34 hg 'i;e7
have not been scared of the thrust
4Jf3-eS and have preferred the plan
�e2 lLixe4 1 2 i.xe7 11fxe7 1 3 ..ixe4
i.xe4 14 'i'xe4 4Jf6 l S �eS nfd8
thus providing for the possibility of a .3S e21 (throws away the win; after
� with the fianchetto, hoping to organ­ with equal chances, Shirazi-Browne,
pawn offensive. 3S gS':the e4 and h7 pawns cannot ise an ..attack against the eS outpost. Los Angeles 1982.
Sometimes B lack reserves the d7 both be defended) 3S ... h6 36 <;f;>e3 �
Incidentally, we sh note that in­ After the manoeuvr aim­
square for the king's knight, by play­ i.b7 37 l0g6+ �f6 3 8 lLih4 aS 39 serting the moves ... h6 i.h4 com­ ing to transfer the play to the queen­
ing 7 ... b6. However, after 8 tOeS this b4 ab 40 ab .idS 41 �f2 i.c6 42 plicates Black's ta�;k, smce now after side, Black has time to complete his
hardly ac;sists in the battle for the �g3 e3 43 0�:2 e2 44 tOe 1 i.e.8. 9 ...b6 10 tOeS lLixeS I I de 4Jd7 development safely and organise
centre: (Black's idea is 4S <;f;>f2 hS 46 gS+
• att...4Jfd7��6 10 .t1i WfS) 1h-1h T.Petrosian-Gligoric,
Niksic 1 983.
White c:m preserve the bishop with
I 2 i.g3 ! when the eS pawn cramps
counterplay: 9 ... h6 (it is useful to in­
clude this m
�
since 9�..i.b7 al­
'i'x_U.J'h6 lt,)_ -· �_etf)c6,1_ Black�s position, helping White's lows 10 tOeS when IO ... lL\xeS? ! is
ffi 1,ii.bS l{;)d8 JUdO fe 1,g li\xe5
__

8 0-0 kingside attack. For example: unfavourable due to I I de l0d7 12

:md White's position is preferable, The move 8 tOeS, which Tigran 12 ...i.h4 13 i.xh4 'lliV�h4 14 f4 i.b7 i.xh7+ �h8 13 i.f4 g6 14 i.xg6 fg
Kiselev-Ivanenko, Moscow 1 984. Petrosian regarded highly, is consid­ 1 S %!f3 1'ke7 16 %lg3 Tartakower­ I S 1lt'xg6 'i'e8 1 6 'i'h6+ cl>g8 17
b�8 . JLb? 9 0-0 li\fd7 1 0 ..txe7 ered in his game with Lyublinsky in Keres, Kemeri 1 937, or 1 2... i.b7 1 3 "Wixe6+ %1£7 1 8 "i.h6 and White h ao;
r
.

'i'x 1 1 f4 i.a6 1 2 i:Aa6 4Jxa6 1 3 the introduction. e4 "Wic7 14 ed i.xd5 I S c4 i.b7 I6 too minty pawns for the piece,
Ja4 l{)ryh8 14 b4! l()xeS 15 fe �d] 8 ... b6 (40) "WihS, Van der Bosch - Milner-Barry, Gelpk�-Nijboer, Amsterdm� 1 984)
and here in the game Spac;sky-Hiib­ In the diagrammed position, the Holland 1939, in both cao;es with ad­ 1 0 i.h4 i.b7 1 1 b4 cb 12 cb �c8 13
ner, Montreal 1 979, White secured key square is eS, the battle for pos­ vantage to White. Instead of ex­ _!_g3 %lc3 14 a3 liJhS 1 S i.illU§
the better ending with 16 1'kxd7 session of which tends to determine changing knights, stronger is .tf4'iSxf4 17 ef �· Blac!<l..JX1S ­
lL\xd7 1 7 e4. Instead of the pac;sive the outcome. Jose Raul Capablanca 1 0 ... i.b7 1 1 f4 lLie4 1 2 ..txe7 'ilt'xe7 session of the c-file guarantees _him
... 4Jf6-d7 the active thrust ...4Je4 de­ himself recognised the importance 1 3 lL\xd7 "W/xd7 14 lLixe4 de 1 S i.e2 equal chances, Kiselev-G�fiuk,
serves attention. For example: of this square and prevented the cd 16 cd %lfc8 with equal play, Beni­ Moscow 1983.
8wi.b7 9 f4 l0e4! 1 0 i.xe7 't'kxe7 1 1 knight's intrusion with §.'f.c.L Pitc, Varna OL 1 962. 9 ... il.b7
 -18 Ct'mraI SysIt'Ill Cemral System 49

2 /ijf3 c6
3 iJ..gS cS
4 e3 dS
5 ttJhd2 tlJc6
6 e3 (43)

I) g which allows
Black to defend, Trifunovic-Filipsic, 19 b4 rs
Yugoslavia 1945. 20 ..te2 1Iac8
Less in accordance with the spirit 21 't'fd4 .llc7
of the position is �� 6 1 1 �IJ! 22 a4! iJ..c8
�e5 12 de tDd7 13 �g3 c� with 23 aS 't'fd6
Jbe e) pawn., c�amps Black's po-- comfortable play for Black. In the 24 h4 llc8
sition. If he igno5C!s it then after game Kavalek-Ravi, Dtibai' 'OL 25 i'feS! 't'fxeS White reinforces his centre in re­
12 ... �b7?J we reach a position that 1986, 13 ... 'i'c7? ! 14 tlJf3 a5 1 5 �adl 26 fe sponse to the pressure from Black's
has already been considered in the was played, which allowed White to In this ending the knight is clearly knight. A possible reply to 6 �d3 is
note (12 ...0-0? !) to Black's 12th attack after transferring his queen to stronger than the bishop. To realise 6 ...'i'b6 when White is practically
move in Sokolov-lvanchuk above. the kingside. this advantage it is necessary to open forced to sacrifice a pawn with 7
Stronger is J2...f6 13 e@t.f6Jaf- 1 0 ... a6 the position. .ixf6 gf 8 de 'iixb2. There is insuffi­
ter the recapture with the rook, The exchange IO...ttJxe5 can be 26 ••• I!cc7 cient practical material to give any
I 3 .. .lhf6 14 e4 �b7 15 e5 'lin 16 met by 11 fe when the f-file is at 27 \!;f2 I:Ic6 verdict on this continuation, but
i'g4 g6 17 tiJf3 'iig7 18 'ii ad l Whi�e White's disposal, but the inunediate After 27...g5, both 28 h5 and 28 hg bearing in mind Black's retarded de­
obtains the better play, Trifunovic- IO ...tlJe4 is stronger. �g7 29 �h 1 maintain the advantage. velopment, White has every right to
Filip, Vama 1962, but now White 1 1 I!.fJ tlJc4 The game finished 28 'it>e1 'fl.ec7 expect ru1 initiative. For instance: 9
gains control of the.key square e5) 12 iJ..xe7 �xe7 29 'it>d2 ct>n 30 <;t>d3 <;t?e7 31 'it>d4 0-0 'i'b4 10 c4 'iixc5 1 1 �cl i..e 7 12
114 ttJfl .id7 15 'i'e 1 'i'e8 1 6 'i'e2 a!i.. 1 3 llh3! f6 <;t>d8 32 �fl g6 33 g4 ! fg 34 �f8+ · cd 'tlixd5 1 3 .ie4 'tlid7 14 �c4 f5 15
(based on the tactical trick 17 �xa6'� After 13 ...tiJdf6 White continues 'it>e7 35 �f6 �xeS 36 be �d7 37 i..xc6 be 16 e4 and after opening the
b5, trapping the bishop)tV 7 b3 �!Q. his attack with 14 g4, while 1 3 ... f5 is �xg6 �b7 38 c6 �xc6 39 �g7+ 1 -0 position White will generate drulger­
c4 �c6 20 tt'Se)_ .S.dH ) well met by 14 tlJxd7 'i�Yxd7 15 ttJf3. ous threats, Guseinov-Novikov, Vol­
14 t2Jxd7 't'fxd7 godonsk 1983.
������ - �- 15 de be (42)
hisguier-t vanov
I 6 •.• �6
� 16 l'Ixh7! ! <oti>xh7 The Jnpin _continuation is consid­
Phi/adelphia 1986
17 ttJxe4 'it>g8 ered to be 6 ... �e7, which is the sub-
18 liJxeS 'tfc6 1 d4 ttJf6 • ject of the next game.
50 Cmtral System Central System 51

Black's aim with this energetic queen. White can only finish his de- .• chances, Pecorelli - Garcia-Gonzales,
queen foray is to sharpen the play ve.lopment by shedding material. Havana 1986.
and develop an initiative on the JS l'fxds_.. .trs After removing the pawn tension
with 7w&�R '*'· the opening of the e­
.... _ _

queenside, thanks to the weakness of 16 Ji.bS

the b2 pawn, which has been left un­ 16 ..ie2 is best met by 16 ....:£e8 -· file gives White extra possibilities of
defended by the early development (weaker is 16 ... ..ixb1 17 0-0) 1 7 occupying the e5 square, with a
of White's queen's bishop. 'i'xc5 Ji.xb1 1 8 0.�0 llxe2 1 9 lt::lx b1 � initiative. For example:
The play takes on a different char­ ��I;>.Z.when Black is better. � 0-0 0-0 1 0 .:l e 1 h6 1 1 ..ih4
acter after the attempt to take the in­ . 16 lifeR+ lt::ld 7 1 7 t xe? lbwz 13 lt::le 5! lt::lxe5
itiative on the kingside with 6...hi')7 17 'it'fl ..... Ji.xb1 14 de lt::lc6 15 ltdp and White, threat­
_!j}4 g5 8 Ji.g3 4dh5 whkh leads to a 18 Ji.xc8 Itxc8 ening to set up a battery of bishop
dangerous weakening of Black's po­ 9 ltJxcS lL\xcS 19 l'fxcS l'fc2 and queen on the b 1 -h7 diagonal, de­
sition, ac; becomes clear afteq9 ii.e5 ! 10 l'fc2 lt:\g4 20 'it>g1 l'fxd2 velops a dangerous attack, Reti -
f6. Goldin-Yudasin, USSR 1985, 1 1 de Jl.cS 21 � h2 1/z-1/z Znos o-Borovsky, Budapest 1926,
�tinued 1 0_$-d3 fe 1 1 J.g� 12 .1l.h4 0-0 h6 .if 5 10 ..i
1 2 ..ixh5 cd 1 3 ed e4 14 lt::l 15 At this point 1 2...Ji.f5 does not Game 16
ztk2 ed l§)Di<J45 xd4 17 cd 'i"b6 work due to 13 b4. Psakhis-Ti viako v 14 .ic2 aS 1 S 'lgA.with an attacking
1 8 Q;-_Q_'t!Vxdfl.Jand here White could 13 h3 rasition for White, T.P�trosian­
Moscow 1989
have continued the attack with 19 1 3 lt::lf3 can be met by 13 ....tf5 14 Mecking, Beverwijk 197 1 .
l:tcl ! ..id7 20 'i"b3 nc8 21 llxc8 .:.d1 ii.e4. 1 d4 lt::l f6 7 . . 0-Clpught to be considered by
.

..ixc8 22 l:te1 (analysis by Yudasin). 13 lt::lx cS 2 lt::l f3 c6 Bla� as a sacrifice of the c5 pawn,
7 llbl 14 l'fxcS (45) 3 Ji.gS cS since in return he gains the possibil­
.
7 ..ixf6 ! ? gf 8 llb1 is worthy of at­ 4 c3 dS ity of �dvancing his e-p·awn. For ex­
,

tention. 8 ... e5 is then risky in view of s lt::lbd2 iJ..e 7 ample: 8 .ixf6. (t�e preparatory �
the possible opening of the position 6 c3 ltlc6 'ilfe2 has also been tried, when after
9 e4! cd 1 0 ed lt::le7 1 1 cd lt::lxd5 12 7 iJ..d j b6 L'ilfc7?! 9 .ixf6 ii.xf6 10 de
..ic4 which gave White dangerous After the advance of the pawn to_ Black's compensation turns out to be
threatc; i in Ermolinsky-Naumkin, c3, Black hao; to reckon with the pos­ insufficient: 10 .e5 11 e4 d4 1 2 gl
Tao;hkent 1987. sibility of Ji.xf6, deflecting· the ii.&A 1 3 d5 ttJd4 14 't!Ve� $,xQ 1 5
7 ... cd bishop from the defence of c5. �
and White retains a material
8 ed (44) eS! ? Therefore Black chooses to rein-· advantage, Varga-Okhotnik, Halle
Black tries to benefit from the fo�)Uare. I 987)
.
8 ... i.xf6 9 dc 't!Ve7 10 'i1Vc2 b6 .
lt::lb3 a5 12 a4 e5 1 3 s4-,L:P 1 4
-�
presence of the rook on b 1 by devel­ l.1.::-'i'_t&Js sometimes played. Af-.
M
.

oping his light-square bishop with ter B :Sh1 h6 2 i h4 eel 1Q erl r5 r•lJ
1
fd2 lg5 ! 1 5 R<ii" .fi!�t8.J6 ed �
xd5 17 .ie4 .ixd2+ !8�xd2?! ·
·

tempo. Now after 9 de Black can 14 ••• l't'g6! Ji.g3 lt::lh 5 1 2 0-0 there arises a dou­
choose between .9 ... lLlg4, 1 0 Ji.h4 A beautiful piece sacrifice. Black ble-edged position, while the weaker Wter the superior 1 8 2EX:d2: llr'xc5
..ic5 1 1 11Ve2 Ji.f5 and the immediate now threatens 1 5 . .iH5, attacking
. 1 2 .ie5?! lt::l xe5 1 3 lt::l xe5 lt::lf4 14 19 0-0 .fe6! the-game -is · ievel)
..ifl Ji.d6 gives Black the better Jl.,$.xb3 19 'ilfxb3 ,6;xd2 20 $'xd2
•

9 ...Ji.f5. the rook and threatening to pin the

 Central System 53

'\\In -t. Black

�
deve lops an initi ..llive.
.
1 6 e-t when 1 6....:)?! fails to 1 7 .:J.
15 c..J cd 16 ed .S:b8 1 7 b3 with
�oses touch with events in the centre.
t seems more consistent to p_u:par
47 �j;J ;.!) f,i:fl�j:}�
taking advantage of" t11e msecu re po- :uaJ
� £! j_ � '£ ! 'tJ,;
sition of the white king, Tichy ­ some adv:ullage in both cases) the central thrust e3-e4 with � ] w
·
•

. :!1-'&Y�
;i·&��i&';�m: & ;?JJ5./
Scherenber g, Pragu e 1 98 1 . � ( 1 5 ...lL!f6 is well met by 1 6 .iLb7 9 0-0 0-0 1 0 ll�91 �.£.!. �since ;.a: � �?;} A ;"41ll f.AO
Black c:m propose :Ul exch:mge of �b3) H i de �xeS !7 e4 .YLa6?! (nec­ White is fully prepared for the ad- 2£� fA� .l ¥J e
bishops with 7 ... lL!dili,.YLxe,7 (after�
.iLf4 0-0 9 0-0 �f§..Biack's prospects
essary't the resolute 17 ... e5) �5
�e7 I9 lL!gf3 f6?! ( 1 9 ... c5 20 c4 d4
v:u1ce e3-e4, it is expedient for Black
to simplify the position with the ma-
.. )1St }!Yf.:,. )Yj·>.M-Y'�!
�e not worse) 8 .. .'t;!Yxe7 9 0-0 0-Q 2 1 lL!e4 Sl.b7 striving for counter­ noeuvre 1 0...lL!h5 I I il..x e7 't;IY�e1 12 /j; 1�; i_��tiJ�tl
play, is worth considering) 20 c4 *''"'' �� yl!J � �/$.'
(9 .. . a5? is well �et by 1 0 e4 ! de I I
l:�drcd 1 2 .YLxc6 be 1 3 cd 0-0 14 li!ae§ 2J Js1 'fb4 22 ef lhf6 23 - �;n�:6�t��; tb�)y�et���;h�� �{L:i.�x{ ;:{· �rJ}l· ··
Ile I with advantage to Whiti!). How- lL!eS �xs3 Uxc3 lL!xe5 25 llxe level chances, Leshtynsky-Marti- 1
......
ever with - 1 0 lle l (46) Whtte .
can pre- (now Jte's advantage consists of novic, Vmjacka B anja 1 984) 1 LiL£4 lDf6 20 lL!e5 lL!d7 2 1 f4 llc8 22 a4 cd
pare e3-e4, pl:uming to increase his the superiority of the knight over the ,!.�-S (on , I l . ..'t;!Yd7, 1_2 lL!e5 is un- 2.3 cd llc3 24 Iis l lixh� 25 't;IYxcl

thrus.s;--
__...
?
space,.a�aufigerwtileit is not ea'>y
for Black o c a.!!.J' out the ,..e6-e5
t
� ..
_ _

-·
bishop) 25 ...llb8 .26 b3 a4 27 f3 ab
28 ab �t7 29 fte I Ofc8 30 sd ! �d 3 1 .4
f4 .l:i:b6t(the ending after 3 1 ...llxf4
pleasant since after 12 ...!Llxe5 1 3 de, f6 26 lL!xd7 'i'xd7 27 �2 llc8 28
Black does not have the move
1 3 ... ti:le4) 1 2 .iLxd6 'ilfxd6 1 3 e4 de
llc1 llc7 29 �f2 WO 30 Iixc7 'ilfxc7
3 1 lL!£3 iLc8 32 'ilfe2 �c3 33 �c2
·
i};
J1fPxe4 t;j�e4 I xe4.fe7 J6d; 'h-'h
�

32lh;6 would no.t suit Black) 32 3

•

lae6 33 laes l We7 34 lL! be 1 7 lld2 llfd8 18 ll tjll.J;t�g�

..,
��!� !!!!' ==;:;������
lbe5 g5 36 lL!xd7 Wxd7 37 fg lle2 38 llxd2 lld8 20 llxd8+ �xd8 2 1 g3. """
ll£3 lla6 39 !lOt �� � �fl d4 The weak pawn on c5 gives White =
J!!.;f;;;;_.���G ;=
.a-;
m�
-;e 17
�=----=il
Murshed-Kaidanov
-�
; !- 42 l'ing?; Ui
41 ffxh7 llaa2 Tim- clearly the bette.r; ending, T.Petro-
��!!!,��Y· Tilburg 198� . sian-Golombek, Stockholm 1 952.
Calcutta 1988

'\a
� prophylacttc move, 8 . ... �d7 1 d4 · lL!f6
recommended by Mikhalchishin; 9 l'fc2 . h6 2 lL!f3 ds .
Black overpn'lects the d5 pawn).,U 10 .iih 4 l'fc7 3 �gS (48)
l!Ur
• .!:!.illJl .£4?
£ } ? 'I:;> 1 l'f'1''·. «t"fJ IS
•t l� �. ...�� .
" 1 1 0-0
Ae2 £n 0-0 Black signals his willingness to
worth considering, although here too 12 a3 llad8 defend a Queen's G:unbit, but White
�ite's dl:Ulces. are better afterLJ.l, q llfcl .iic 8 may here too employ the charac­
� 10.. .'t;lff6 11 $,b5 1 'j'd� e41de 14 �xe4 f5 ! 1 5 �d5t Wg7 161 14 b4 .ii b7 (47) teristic pl:u1 of development of tl1e
( 1'f.:"es?! is bad because of 1 2 .YLxc� .ib5),l3 Is'> f) J4 Jtn41 (fighting . 1 5 bS Torre Attack.
be 1 3 de and White has the better for e5 1 4 ...lL!cb8 1 5 Si(.xd7 ti:lx<rl 1 6 White may well consider 1 5 llacl White is attacking the knight, un-
prospects) 1 2 llc 1 (worth consider- b3.b5 ' 1d White . lL!g4 ( 1 5 ... lL!h5 16 .YLxe7 'ilfxe7 1 7 equivocally threatening the ex-
"" ing is 1 2 de lL!xc5 1 3 b4 lL!d7 14 e4 has the advantage, Cifuentes Parada­ b5 lL!a5 1 8 a4 Ieaves White better) 16 change .YLxf6, spoiling Black's pawn
.. -lL!b6 1 5 �3. as opening the posi­ Granda Zuniga, Buenos Aires 1 99 1 . .YLxe 7 �xe7 1 7 h3 lL!f6 1 8 a4 intend- ' structure. C:u1 Black calmly con-
tion is to White's adv:ullage) 8 't'fa4 ing lL!f3-e5.. .. ·• tinue developing, ignoring this
J2 Jl<? q $,xc6 be 14 �c2 a5 I�
• · - ·

· White's aim with this move is to In the g:une, White's play soon threat? Practice suggests that in this
lDg1 (White has a choice between at­ disrupt the coordination of Black's petered out: 1 5 ...lL!a5 16 �1 lL!g4 case Black can expect some ,prob-
tacking the centre with 1 5 de �xc5 development, but in doing so he 1 7 .iLg3 .iLd6 1 8 .iLxd6 't;IYxd6 1 9 h3 !ems. For ex:unple:
54 Central System Central System 55

bling of his pawns with the natural (after 8 c3 0-0 9 'ii'a4 lt::le4 I 1 0 i.xe7 that the manoeuvre 3 ...lt::le4 can also
reply 3. .e6. After 4 e1 'fv'? lbbrP, Wixe 7 1 1 �adl �fd8 1 2 i.b1 lt::lxd2 be employed after 2...g6 3 ..ig5 and
(49) White can begin playing for 13 �xd2 e5 Black equalised ea.'i.ily in 2 ... b6 3 Ji.g5, considered below, but
control of the key square e5. Hug-Tatai, Thessaloniki OL 1984) here this thrust has a more substan­
�1t-�i.9_9Llb..d.] 1 0 ..t�� 7 �-�� tial positional ba<>is, since the knight
l.Lf·LQ�_o-o J2_a4.f<i1lsf g U4 � �;eizes a central square already sup­
�2_��£li(;i_ 0.f3�� with dou­
__

po_rted by the d5 pawn and Black can

ble-edged play, Spa<;sky-Tatai, Reg­ immediately attack the centre with
gio Emilia 1 983/84. ...c7-c5 without wao;ting time pfac­
Translator's note: after 4 e3 Black iriif a bishop in fianchetto. Thus the
m;y instead -tryJ;;?llo<l71Then Nor­ expediency of the early development
wood-Blatny, Oakham 1 990 contin­ of the queen 's bishop after 2 ... d5 de­
ued 1$d3 h6 § fi h4 <s. i f4 h6 7 0 {l pends on the a'>sessment of this
.i' h7 is equal) 6 ...i.e7 7 0-0 b6 8 counterattack b the knight.
�hd2 Ji.b7 9 d 4Je4 1 0 ixe7 Wiw 4 · r4
J l fc2 lt::lxd2 1 2 lt::lxd2 c5 1 H 4 pS I - remai'gs a<; active
Thus after 5 ...0-()6 i.d3 b6 White when Black, planning the exchange a<; possible, and controls the e5
df opened the position to Wute's succeeds in establishing his knight ing manoeuvre ... ..ia6, and then ... f5 square.
advantage in Ermolinsky-Klovan, on e5 and enerates dangerous to stabilise the position, could be Another popular continuation is 4
Moscow 1 983) 1 5 'i'h6 �h8 16 lt::lc3 threats: 5 � ..tb7 8 i.xfn i.xf6 9 well satisfied. An alternative move­ ,Jlh4, since although this leaves the
lt::ld5 1 7 'fb5 I� (it is important to f4 i.xe5 1 0 fe 'h4+ I I � _
'h6 12 Q
order fo; White is ¢bdi] when af­ bishop on a less active square, White
control the dS square) 17 lN4 18 'ti:Ye2 lt::lc6 13 O-O'tSb4 14 f4! tLlxdS ter 4 ... lt::lbd7 there exists the extra hopes it will interfere with Black's
fh4 lt::ld5 19 11Vh5 lt::lf4 20 'i/Vb5 � J5 'ixJ3 a5 16 ltSf3 gives White mi possThilitYs e4. when s ...de fi lt::lxe4 . normal development. However, the
lJ.g3 ng� 22 :adl a6 23 �3 'i'cz attacking position, Timman-Geller, transposes to a line of the French. In­ bishop loses touch with the queen­
24 �hi iVb7 25 d5. White can create Linares 1983. Also in the case of the stead in Hod�_;on:_Tolnai, K����e- ., side, which allows Black to prepare
calmer 'l .QJ)}i.b7 8 c3 alert play is met 1 988, White secureJa positional pressure against the b2 pawn by ad­
demanded from Black, for instance, a��a_!ltage after kb6 6 $_xf6 li)xfa vancing his c-pawn. 4 ... c5 ! (50) (by
after 8 ...lt::lh 5 9 i.xe7 Wixe7 10 lt::le5 S e4 8 ..td3 xd2 9 'ii'x d2 c5 ) ( at�1cking the centre Black takes ad-:
lt::lf6 1 1 f4 White has a fmn grip on c 3 i.d7 1 1 0-0 b6 1 2 de xc_ • _vantage most effectively of the sub-
the e5 square, and can organise a b4 le7 14 lt::ld4 ifc8 15 hac l a5 1 6 . sequent raid by the queen. The more
dangerous attack: 1 1 ...lt::lbd7 1 2 nf3 a3 ab 1 7 'ab 0-0 1 8 $_b1 �c7 1 9 Widl modest 4 ...c6 is also possible, but
s
g6 1 3 h4 �h8 14 �h3 �g8 1 5 g4 and launched a powerful attack. White's secure position in the centre
tLSe8 1 6 JQ, Dreev-Stefm1sson, Am­ Advancing the knight to e4 is the allows him to take the initiative: 5
hem 1989/90. Black should consider most critical continuation, avoiding lt::lbd2 Wib6 6 :b1 lt::lxd2 7 'iYxd2
8 ... lt::lbd7, intending 9 . . .lt::le4. the weakening of Black's pawn Ji.f5 8 b4 'i'a6 9 nb2 b5 10 e3 'ifa3
It seems safer to place the e5 structure. By gaining a tempo on the 1 tc3 f6 1 2 l:lb3 Wia6 1 JWib�d7
square _under immediate control: bishop, Black hopes to seize the in­ 1 4 lt::ld2 lt::lb6 1 5 na3 'i'c8 1 6 lt::l6 J.
5 .. .lt::lbd7..§....td3 b6 I_0-0 i.b7 !i!Q�� itiative. We should note in pa.<>sing Despite the closed character of the
56 Cemral System Central System 57

position, White's ch<mces are so� e­ '1/Vxd4 12 lUd2 �g4) 9 ...'11Vxb2 10 �xe6 2 1 �xe6 ef 22 �xf5 l:txfS 23 !i:d3 i£.d6 11 Jia�Li,�14_18_'i'xf4..
what better, Hodgson-G.Kuzmm, 't:kxd5 'i'cl+ (grabbing the rook with b6 a5 with chances for both sides in fifi9 .hUad8.2,0..gl..h6..2 1 �g2
London 198S). 10...'t:kxa1 1 1 �bS+ �d7 12 0-0 the ending, Timman-Heijden, Am­ lld6 22 b3 l:.ed8 23 'i'e3 fif6 24 d5
seems risky, but by playing 12 ... lLlc6 sterdam 1989. ed 25 cd b6 26 de l:txd3 27 l:txd3
Black appears to maintain chances 4 ••• c5 Wixc6+ 28 'it>h2 llxd3 lf2_lf2.
of neutral ising White's initiative) 1 1 A resolute attack on the centre in 5 e3 (51)
'it>e2 lLlc6 12 'i'c4 �g7 1 3 't:kc3 'i'f4! the style of the Queen's Gambit. S c3 is entirely logical, intending ·
( 1 3... �g4 14 lLlbd2 lLlxd4+ 1 S 4 ..:.tf51 deserves attention: S to counter 5 . . .'i/Vb6 with 6 'i'b3. After
'i'xd4 �xf3+ 16 'it>xf3 ! 't:kxa1 17 lLlbd2 e6 6 e3 i.d6 (a calm develoP=­ 6 ... cd 7 lLlxd4, Black, in Dizdar-Gel­
�b5+ leaves White better) 14 'i'e3 mg move; the game Palatnik-Gufeld, fand, Halle 1987, was tempted by the
lLlxd4+ 1 S lLlxd4 't:kxd4 16 'iiif d4 Beltsy 1979 proceeded in very inter­ idea of setting up a pawn centre and
�xd4 1 7 c3 �g7 and Black, thanks
to the bishop pair and his supe ior f. esting fa'>hion: 6 ...g5 ! ? 7 . lLlx�:5
lLlxg5 8 h4 lLle4 9 g4 tj\xd? 10 5Pxd2
avoiding the exchange of queens, but
fMI'under an attack: 7 ...'i'd8? 8 e3 f6
pawn structure, ha'> an endgame ad­ and now 10 ...e5_!? 1 1 i£.xe5 f6 12 sf 9 .tbS+ 'it>f7 10 .tc7 ! 'i'xc1'-'Yf1
vantage, Hurje-Kallai, Gyor 1986. fe 13 �'h5+ <t'd7 14 de Wie7 led to fixd5+ e6 12 fixe4 e5 13 lLld2 'Wb6
a) S e3 (the most natural move) b) 5 c3 'i'h6 (the manoeuvre 5 ... cd unfathomable complications) 7 .t 3 14 f4 lLlc6 15 lUc4 'i'c5 16 h4 'fie7
S ... cd (a useful preliminary ex­ 6 cd 'i'a5+! 7 lLlbd2 �g4 8 e3 e5! de­ 0-0 8 lLlxe4 i£.xe4 9 lU 'l • 17 lLlxc6 be 1 8 .ixc6 lib8 19 .idS+
change, but the immediate S..."i/Vb6 is serves attention, whereupon 9 de"?? c4?! (10 i£.e2 is more prudent) 1 -0.
--
also feasible. After 6 'iiic l lLlc6 7 de fails to 9 ... �xf3 10 gf lLlxd2 1 1 10 ... .txg3 I Lhg cS 12 de d4! 13
'iVxcS 8 �e2 �g4 Black can fight for "i/Vxd2 �b4 when Black wins) 6 'iiic l 'ttlb3 de 14 f4 {)c6 with sharp play,
the initiative by attacking on the (6 't:kb3 i s strongly met by 6...c4 !) in which Black's chances are prefer­
wing. For example: 9 0-0 gS ! 10 6...h6 7 lLlbd2 g5 8 �g3 �f5 9 lLlxe4 able, Pieterse-Brenninkmeijer, Am­
�g3 hS 1 1 c4! h4 12 cd "i/Vxcl 13 �xe4 10 lLld2 �g6 1 1 f3 lUd7 12 e4 sterdam 1988.
lhcl hg 14 de gf+ 1 S 'it>fl lLlg3+! 16 �g7 1 3 �t2 lLlf6 14 Ji.d3 l:tc8 and Developing in the style of the
�xf2 lLlxe2 17 cb I:.b8 18 I:.c2! Black secures the more promising Griinfeld Defence is also interesting:
l:hb7 19 lhe2 i.g7 1h-lh A.Zaitsev­ position, Fulton-Bukhari, Lucerne A.. . g6�5�g7 6 liJbd2 0-0 7 lie2
Antoshin, Rostov 1971) 6 ed 'iiib6 7 OL 1982. c5....8. 0-0 lLlc6 9 c3 h6 I 0 li\xe4 de I t
'iiic l (7 lLlc3 would be met by c) S de (smTenders the centre and lUd2 cd 1 2 cd .ltfS 13 �:4 e5 14 (k.,.
7 ... "ii:Yxb2 since 8 lLlxdS and 8 lObS allows Black active play) 5 ... g6 ·
i£.e6 15 lLlxe4 lUx� with chances
can both be repulsed by 8 ... lLlc3 !) (Translator 's note: S... 'iiia5+ 6 lLlbd2 for both sides, Ovchinnikov-Zak­ .. __

7 ... gS ! 8 �xgS (8 �g3 is met by lLlc6 7 c3 'i' xeS 8 e3 �fS 9 �e2 e5 harov, Moscow 1963. - 5 ... -· --· ti'b6 ·------

8 ... g4, and 8 lLlxgS is unfavourable 10 0-0 f6 gave Black a good position Translator's note: an extremely .J.be most energetiC continuation,
due to the pin 8 ...'iiih 6! 9 't:kf4; then in Berg-Danielsen, Danish Ch 1992) modest approach held the balance in practically forcing th�,..rep!�..� 'ficl .
after 9 .. J6 10 lLlh3 �xh3 1 1 't:kxh6 6 lLlbd2 lUxeS 7 lLlb3 lLlxb3 8 ab Kosten-Speelman, English Ch 199 1 : The preparatory �_§] gives
�xh6 12 gh �cl ! 1 3 a4 �xb2 14 �g 7 9 c3 lLlc6 10 e3 0-0 1 1 �e2 4... c6 5 e 3 �g4 6 .ie2 lUd7 7 lLlbcJ2 White extra options after 6 c3 'i'b6
I:.a2 �xd4 White loses material) "i/Vd6 1 2 0-0 eS 1 3 e4 d4 14 b4 f5 1 5 lLlxd2 8 lLlxd2 .ixe2 9 'iiixe2 e6 10 besides 7 'i'c1 , since the queen can
8 ... lLlxgS 9 "i/Vxg5 (after 9 lLlxg5, • b 5 lUe7 16 c d fe 17 d e 'i'xd1 1 8 Q:.Q.,1(Z.J 1 .clJl-.0. .12 e4 de 13 "ltSXe4 defend b2 from other squares:
good is 9 ... �h6! 10 f4 �xg5 1 1 fg l:tfxd 1 lLlf5 1 9 �c4+ �h8 20 e6 lLlf6 14 li:fd1 lLlx�4.cl_��q_ a) 7 WVb3, c4 8 'i'c2 h6 9 lLlbd2
58 Central System Cemral System 59

.i.f5 1 0 'ii:Vc l e6 1 1 lt:lxe4 i(.xe4 1 2 25 g4 b6 26 'ii:Vd2 l:Ic2 27 'i'g5+ lt:lg7 White sacrifices a pawn and gen­
lt:\d2 i(.g6 1 3 e 4 l:td8 14 i(.e2 i(. e7 15 28 l:Id2 'i'al + 29 l:Id 1 'ii:Vc3+ 0- 1 erates threats against the uncao;tled
0-0 0-0 1 6 l'te 1 'i' a5 17 .i.f3 b5 and Kamsky-Novikov, Pavlodar 1 987. king. However, the tempting queen
the game is level, Piket-Marjanovic, 7 cd lt:lc6 sacrifice 1 5 i(.xg6 lt:le2+ 16 'it>h 1
Amsterdam 1 986. s c3 ..trs lt:lxcl 17 i(.xf7+ 'itd8 I 8 X'td I+ lt:\d3
"
,..b) ] 'i'd .i.f5 8 lt:lh4 .i.d7 9 .i.d3 9 lt:lbd2 !i.c8 I 9 lt:lxd3 is refuted by I9 .. Jk6!
llc8 1 0 .i.xe4 de 1 1 d5 lt:la5 1 2 lt:ld2 10 il.c2 when the Black king can escape to
f5 with unclear play, Efimov­ · White h ao; to reckon with threats the queenside (analysis by Kai­
Khalikian, Erevan 1 983. based on the opposition of the rook danov).
Delaying the attack on b2 also to the queen. Thus 1 0 .i.d3 can be 15 i..x hS
gives White the possibility of con­ met by 10 ...lt:lb4. In the game Mohr­ 16 't'fxhS g6
tinuing his development with li:J Kaidanov, Budapest 1 987 White 17 't'fd1 f6 24 llxcl
� In the game Lomaya-Iz­ carelessly weakened the e5 square: 18 cd fc After 24 ...nc4 White opens the
vozchikov, Thilisi 1 96 1 , Black opted 10 lt:lh4?! .i.d7 1 1 .i.d3? ! and after 19 AxeS 0-0 position with 25 f5 ! gf26 �f3 (or 26
for the simple approach 6 ....i.g4 7 c3 l l ...e5 1 2 .i.xe5 lt:lxe5 1 3 .i.xe4 de 20 't'fg4 llc2 'i'd3) threatening d4-d5 .
cd 8 ed lt:lxd2 9 'ii:Vxd2 .i.xf3 10 gf a6 14 "de .i.e7 1 5 lt:lxe4 nc4 ! 16 'i/:Vf4 21 Wxc4 Rxh2 25 llxcl Wxa2
1 1 .i.d3 e6 and now, by playing 1 2 'ii:Vc6 · 1 7 f3 g5 found himself in a lost 22 h3 't'fa6 26 nc7 llhl+?
l:tg l , White could have presented position. 23 f4 .t!c8 This is a blunder. By exchanging
him with difficult problems. It seems 10 •.• c6 After 23 .. .'�e2 24 'i'xe2 1'txe2 25 queens with 26 ... 'i'b l + 27 'i'xb l
that it is unwise to give White the 10 ... g5 is also interesting, indi­ l:tfc l White seizes the c-file and ob­ l'txb i +, Black would have had good
bishop pair, and B lack should prefer rectly attacking the d4 pawn. tains the better ending. chances in the ending. Now however
7 .. .'i'b6 or 7 ... e6. 1 1 0-0 ..tc7 24 llacl (53) his position is indefensible. The fin­
6 �cl cd 12 lt:lxe4 de A double-edged position h ao; ish wao; 27 Wh2 'tWa I 28 d5 ! llh I+ 29
Black resolves the pawn tension 12 ....i.xe4 seems safer. arisen, in which the activity of 'it>g3 'illf a3+ 30 l:l:c3 'i' a6 3 I .i.d4 �f7
and hopes to use the open c-file. Also 13 lt:lcS!? lt:\xd4 White's pieces gives him rather the 32 'illfe5 b5 33 'illfg7+ �e8 34 'i/ltg8+
possible is the immediate ·6 ... lt:lc6;. 14 ..thS il.g6 better chances. �d7 35 de+ Wd6 36 .i.c5+ I -0
maintaining the central tension, for 15 'f'fd1! (52)
example: 7 c3 i..,U (� lead.<; to
t
equality after 8 tt:'!hd2 lt:l d2 9 'i'x d2
;,6 1 0 id.J l e7 11 e 5 lLl'l,t;i..
Klaric-Huerta, Havana 1 986) .!,
lt:\bd2 llc8 9 lt:\b3 e6 1 0 lt:lh4? ( 10
i(.e2 .fi:";."7 maintains equality)
10 ...g5 1 1 de .i.xc5 1 2 lt:lxf5 gf 1 3
lt:lfd4 fe 1 4 'ifxe3 e5 1 5 lt:lxc5 e d 1 6
'ifh3 0-0 1 7 lt:lxe4 d e 1 8 'i'f5 lLle7 19
'ib5 itf6 20 c4 d3 2 1 h4 lLlf5 22
X'tdl a6 23 'ii:Va5 l'txc4 24 l:Ih3 'ii:V xb2
 Systems with an Early ... b6 61

13 ...ed 14 lVxd5 }Vhite attacks the or 14 0-0 with a dangerous attack.

weaknesses in Black's queenside Also insufficient for equality is
3 Systems \Vith an Early ... b6
and obtains an advantage after both 7 ...'i'b6 8 l!Ja3 a6 9 i..e2 'fixb2 10
14 ... l!Jxe4 15 l!Jdxb6 l::.b8 16 a5 and llJc4 tkc3+ 1 1 llJfd2. It seems that
14 ... l!Jxd5 15 'i'xd5 il.e6 16 'i'c6! Black should try 7 ... i.e7 . .
l::.b8 17 l::. fd1 il.xc4 18 il.xc4) J.i.dL 6 l!Jc3 JJ...e7
fe 15 e5 de 16 'i'xd8 lhd8 17 tt:lxe5 The continuation 6 ... i.b7 brings
1 d4 l!Jf6 effectiveness of the pin. lb7 18 l::. fel and White ha'> the bet­ about a ma<>s of piece exchanges: 7
2 l!Jf3 e6 In the case of the still earlier 2 ... b6 ter ending in view of the weakness of l!Jxd5 i.xd5 8 JJ...x f6 tixf6 9 tixd5
The immediate 2... b6 is consid­ 3 i.g5 i.b7, a subsequent ... e7-e6 e6, Barlov-Andersson, Haninge 1988. (55).
ered in the games Kochiev-Veingold leaves the knight pinned, which �6 de\ s also worth considering. Af­
and Mikh.Tseitlin-Popov. gives White the possibility of occu­ ter 6 ... il.xe6?! White tinnly occupies
3 �g5 c5 pying the centre with e2-e4. the d5 square by playing 7 il.b5+
4 e3 h6 (54) tt:lbd7 8 l!Jc3 a6 9 il.xd7+ il.xd7 1 0
Game 1 8 llJJ5 il.e7 1 1 il.xf6 il.xf6 12 lDxf6+
Yu<>upov-Karpov l'kxf6 13 'fid5 <l;e7 14 0-0-0 with a
Candidates Semi-Firwl (6) clear advantage, Yusupov-J.Fries
London 1989 Nielsen, Skien 1979. More in the
(notes based on those by Yusupov) spirit of the position is 6 ... fe, but 7 e4
threatens to wreck the pawn phalanx
1 d4 l!Jf6 with e4-e5, and after 7 ...h6 White
2 tLICJ e6 can sacrifice a pawn with 8 il.h4 g5 9
3 il.g5 c5 il.g3 llJX:e4 1 0 il.d3 with the aim of Here Black cannot grab the pawn
4 c3 h6'!! profiting from the weakness of with 9 ...�xb2? due to a subtle ma­
5 d5! Black's kingside. noeuvre on the theme of enticement:
Petrosi:m's idea. This is the only An idea reminiscent of the �'i/i'Ja.t..l.l.£1! (insufficient i<>
Black develops according to the way for White to punish Black's Blumenfeld Gambit, 5. ..b5,1 ha'> 1 1 lld2 't'ib1+ 1 2 'it>e2 tib5+ 13 .U.d3
Queen's Indian scheme, planning move-order. sometimes been tried. If White de­ 'i'c6 and Black repulses the threats)
the fianchetto of the bishop on b 7, 5 ... ed clines the pawn with 2,_lDcl,Black 1 1 ...'i'xc3+ 1 2 l:id2 tiel+ 13 <l;e2.
taking control of the e4 square. The other main rep!y is the pawn can expect fully adequate play, for The checks have come to an end and
However, in this particular situation, advance 5 ...h6, which is considered example: �i!lia4J>4_8_�4_96..9. Black loses the rook.
with the f6 knight firmly pinned, in tl1e next game. il.c4 e5 10 'fid3 il.e7 1 1 il.xf6 il.xf6 After the forced reply 9 lDc6; in
.•.

the move 4 ... b6 is premature and al­ 5 ... d6 has its drawbacks, since de­ 111ili:f6+'i';f6 �ith equ�l play.-ct the game (the first with this vari­
lows White to make good use of the laying development allows White to fuentes-Speelillail, Malta OL 1980. ation) T.Petrosi:m-Kozma, Munich
Instead 6 de fe 7 il.xb5 is more criti­ {
1958 White �btai1�ed an advantage
weakening of the long diagonal. It
is more logical to play ... b6 after r� ��
organise_ quick pressure in tile cen-
tre: ��:i.xf�� J La6 8 r> cal. Now 7 ... 'i'a5+ is met by 8 lDc3 with 0 i.c4 �e7 1 1 0-0-0 .U.d8 12
the preliminary 4 ... h6 5 i.h4, when
the possibility of ... g5 reduces the
'
'i'dS 9 a4 ie k� HHl I J
C-3'
lDd7 12 llJc4 llJf6 1 3 e4 l::t b8 (after
%Je4 9 'i'd3 l!Jxc3 1 0 be a6 1 1 i.c4
d5 1 2 il.xd5 ed 1 3 'i'xd5 l:ia7 14 libl
l:id2 0-0 1 3 c3 tt:la5 14 i.e2 'i'e6 15
l::. hd1 'i'xd5 16 .l:ixd5. However,
62 Systems with an Early .:,b6
\
Systems with an Early . . . b6 63

even stronger is fjo O.-oa

.o- �d g ·,1 1 �dU �b8 1 1 �d l b5 1 2 .i.e2 lLlc7 1 3 ifxd7 (after I 5...Wxd7, 1 6 ..lii.b 5+ �xf6 1 4 .1i.d5 White obtains the
..tb5 ..te7 1 2 W'e4..! (White organises lLlxf6+ 't!Vxf6 14 0-0 l:.b6 although rt;c7 I7 ltd I ..lii.d6 I 8 W'c6+ is deci­ better play.
---.;:·::
pressure on the d-file, while 12 here after 15 b4!? White maintains sive) 16 �xa8+ i..d 8 1 7 �e4+ ..lii.e7 1 1 ... , hS
..txc6 de 1 3 llt'e5 is also better for the better chances, Chemin-Salov, 1 8 i..d3 with a winning position for 12 Sl..h3
White, since he effectively hao; an ex­ Junnala 1983. White, B arlov-Ostenneyer, Biel Yusupov draws attention to the
tra pawn on the kingside, Mikh. 8 �xf6 1 980. possibility 12 lLlxf6+ 'i!t'xf6 13 ..td5
Tseitlin-Damljanovic, Prague 1983) Less effective is 8 �c4 0-0 9 c3 10 �c4 lLlc6 1 4 �d2 d6 15 llfd l l:Ifd8 16
12 ...0-0 13 l:Id2 lL\b8 14 llhd l �e6 lLlc6 10 h4 lL\a5 1 1 lLlxf6+ .i.xf6 I 2 This seems more active than 10 a4 !? with the better play for White,
i.S i'd5 d6 1 6 ..tc4 't.'Vxd5 1 7 �x!J.1r .i.d5 ..txd5 13 �xd5 �e7 I4 ..txf6 ..lii.e2, although in this ca<>e too it is who controls the queenside and the
L(17 ...lL\d7 m ay be met by 1 8 W'xf6 15 �xd7 llfd8 and Black has not easy for Black to _endure the d­ d-file.
:t5d3 ltJf6 1 9 lla3 a 5 20 ..td5 ex­ enough compensation for the pawn file pressure: I O... d6 1 1 0-0 lLla6 1 2 12 d6
ploiting the long-term weakness of in view of h is play on the d-file, a4 l:Dc7 1 3 i.c4 l:b8 14 'iid 3 i.xd5 13 'tii'cl2 tt:\d 7
B lack's po<�it ion ) 1 8 a4 /4_Y:_(} 19 c3 Pla�kett-Groszpeter. Sochi 1 984. 15 .1Lxd5 a6 16 :.rd I and . having 1 � :!:tfd 1 (57)
l:.aH 20 t;_)d2 l:fhH 21 i.e2 bS 22 Yu•mpov recommendc; 8 ... ltJc6 In­ firmly bl oc kade d the backward d­
�c2 ba 23 11a1 2&5 24 I:.xa4 a5 25 tending 9 ... lL\a5. pawn, White can move over to the
�Sb31£[{261mrarJ:r�2!W 8 �xf6 attack on the queenside, Piket­
28 lLlc4 lLle6...29efll. I -O Barlov­ 9 c3 (56) Farago, Wijk aan Zee 1 988. More
Greenfeld, Biel IZ I 985. dogged resistance appears to be of­
7 lL\xdS fered by a differ�nt knight manoeu­
Somewhat artificial seems 7 ..txf6 vre: I l ...a6 12 'iWd2 lbd7 13 llfd l
..txf6 8 lL\b5 0-0 9 W'xd5 ..lii.xb2 ! 10 ..lii.x d5 14 �xd5 i..e7 I 5 a4 �c7 1 6
llb1 'ir'f6 with unclear play. i..c4 lLlf6 1 7 �d3 �7 although
7 ... �h7 here too White's position is prefer­
After 7 ... 0-0 White organises a able, Bezgodov-Obukhov, Chelia­
blockade of the !Jackward d-pawn: 8 binsk 1 989.
..tf4 lLlxd5 9 't!Vxd5 lLlc6 I 0 lld 1 , and 10 ••• a6 White has a small, but lasting in­
after I O ...b5, attacks the king with Black could consider sacrificing a itiative. For instance 14 ... i.e5 !? can
1 1 ..td3 ..tb7 12 �h5 (after 12 h4 g6 pawn with 1 0...l:Dc6!? 1 1 lLlxf6+ be met by 15 lLlxe5 de 16 lLle7+
threatening 13 ...lL\a5 the white 'i'xf6 1 2 'ifxd7 lLla5 1 3 ..te2 l:Iad8, �xe7 17 ifxd7 l:tfe8 1 8 l:.d6 aiming
queen unexpectedly finds herself in 9 ... 0-0 with compensation in the fonn of to exploit the weakness of Black's
danger) 1 2 ... g6 13 -.:t'h6 lL\b4? 14 After 9 ...lLlc6 Black has more dif- piece activity, but White may decline queenside, or the simple retreat 15
..te5 1 -0 Welling-Roos, Tessenderlo �ficulty coping with the pressure on with 1 1 0-0!? lL\a5 1 2 lLlxf6+ 'fixf6 lLle 1 followed by 16 f4.
I986. On 14 ...f6, decisive is 1 5 the d-file: 10 'i'c2 lLle5?! (more re­ 1 3 i..d 5, maintaining some advan­ 14 jLxdS
lLlg5 !. silient is 10 ...0-0 1 1 �f5 .i.e7 I 2 tage. 15 �xdS llh8
8 .i.c4 also deserves attention, � d l d6 13 iff4 although here 11 0-0 16 'tii'c2 ltJh6
while after the exchange 8 ..lii.x f6 White's position is better too) I I .� i 1 <!4. pre�enting the freeing 17 lld2 g6
..txf6 Black easily repairs his de­ lLlxe5 ..txd5 1 2 0-0-0 ..te6 1 3 lLlxd7! ...b6-b5, looks more critical. After ··· 18 Ii:ad t 'tii'c 7?!
fences, for example: 9 c3 lLla6 IO i.xd7 14 'i'e4+ ..te7 15 Ii.xd7 ! 1 1 ...lLlc6 - i2 0-0 lLle5 1 3 lLlxf6+ 1 8 .. .�e7 is better.
64 Systems with an Early ... b6 Systems with an Early ... b6 65

19 "ii'e 4 35 �xa6 llb8 7 ... a6 is an interesting attempt to also opens the centre: 1 1 f4 ef 1 2
The immediate 19 h4 \t>g 7 20 hS 36 �g6+ <;t>f8'? organise counterplay on the queen­ 'lli'g4 ii.e7 1 3 'lli'xg7 �f6 14 1\Vg4
'Jf/e7 21 g3 intending, after <iS;>g2. to A terrible oversight, but in any side, combined with 'X-ray' pres­ i..xc3 15 'lli'x f4 and develops a strong
bring the rooks into the attack via the case Black is defenceless after sure from the queen against b2. initiative since it is not ea'iy for the
h-file, may be more energetic. 36 ... <iS;>d8 37 lld6 \\Ye8 (37 . . /bc8 38 However this is far from simple to black king to find sanctuary, Manor­
19 <bg7 lle6) 38 lle6 'Jf/f8 39 nf6 'Jf/e8 40 arrange. A n atural reaction is 8 a4 d6 Quillan, Oakham 1990) 1 1 lL:lxb5
20 h4 �e7 llf7. 9 lL:ld2 eS 10 i..d3 followed by pres­ �d8 12 f4 ! (60)
21 �f4 ..ae5! 37 llf3+ 1 -0 sure with lDc4 or lbe4, T.Petrosian­
22 lL:lxe5 de Peterson, USSR 1 960. However,
23 �g3 llbd8 Game 19 White has at his disposal more force­
24 hS !td7 Kavalck-Brunncr ful mea.<>ures: 8 lL:la4 ! (this manoeu­
25 b3 !!fd8 Solingen 1986 vre is mainly directed against the
26 e4 gS weakness of b6. Black cannot de­
27 �e3 h6 1 d4 lbf6 fend the pawn with his queen, since
28 c4 Iic7 2 l[)f3 c6 the weakening of the kingside due to
29 l'Id3 lbd7 (58) 3 iLgS eS the move ... h7-h6 then shows itself:
4 c3 h6 8 ... \\YJ8 9 de fe 10 lbe5 tlueatening
5 d5 h6 �h5+, while on 8 ... e5, 9 d6 is
With this move Black gets out of strong) 8 ...ed 9 �xd5 lh7 10 0-0-0
the bishop's pin, while not detennin­ i..b7 1 1 �d2 i.e? 1 2 lL:lc3 (it is be­ Black ha'i succeeded in closing
ing the pawn situation in the centre. coming clear that in this variation the centre and maintaining the stabil­
6 Jlxf6 �xf6 Black does not succeed in solving ity of his pawn chain, but is behind in
7 lL:lc3 (59) the problem of his backward d­ development and White has possi­
After exchanging his bishop, pawn) 12 ...0-0 13 ii.c4 b5 14 i..d5 bilities of beginning active opera­
White finnly seizes the centre. ii.xd5 15 lL:lxd5 �e6 16 lL:lxe7+ tions. Now on 1 2... ef follows 13
�xe7 17 �d6 lieS 18 �xe7 llxe7 'lli'g4 ! �d7 14 \\Yxf4 'lli'xb5 15 'i'xt7+
19 lidS llc7 20 lihd1 and poss ibili­ 'it'd& 1 6 "ii!Vb7 with a material advan­
ties of attacking on the queenside tage for White. Also after the cau­
30 ..axm with a2-a4, together with d-file pres­ tious 12 ... a6 13 lL:lc3 lbd7 (as before,
A beautiful sacrifice ! Now Black sure, give White the advantage, 1 3 ...ef is met by 14 'i'g4) 14 f5 ii.e7
falls under mating threats, while Zaichik-Gipslis, Berlin 1 988. IS lL:lce4 lL:lto 16 lL:lxf6+ i..x f6 17
White can take charge of the sixth The attempt to block the centre 'lli'h5 �e7 18 lL:le4 White ha'> the ad­
rank. with ...d7-d6 lmd ...e6-e5 can be met vantage. His knight is invulnerable
30 <bxf7 with a kingside attack: 7 ... d6 8 lL:ld2 and controls some important squares
31 �d2 We8 (a useful manoeuvre by the knight, in Black's position, Chemin-Kudrin,
32 �aS be which may be trlmsferred to c4 or e4) Mendoza 1 985.
33 be !teeS 8 ... e5 9 i..b5+ ii.d7 10 0-0 ii.xb5 (af­ 8 c4
34 �a4 !te7 7 i2.h7 ter the queen retreat 10 ... �d8, White Another conunon continuation is
66 Systems with an Early ... b6 System.f with an Earlv . h6 67
..

8 i..c4 a6 9 a4 d6. A good plan then is Black's control over e4 has been the ending) 11 l:te 1 ( 11 1i'd2, plan­
to attack on the queenside: 10 'i'd3 weakened by White's attack on the ning ll:le4-g3-f5, deserves attention)
e5 1 1 a5 ! ba 12 0-0 1i'd8 1 3 ll:\d2 f6 knight, so Black often transfers l l ...g6 12 ll:lc3 (12 c4 is stronger)
i.e7 14 ll:lb3 0-0 1 5 ll:lxa5 with an the function of battling for control of 12 ... a6 13 'i'd3 i.d6 14 ll:le4 with the
obvious advantage for White due to this important square to his light­ better play for White, Yusupov­
the weak pawn on a7 and the weak square bishop. However, this plan in­ Korchnoi. Sarajevo 1984.
square c6, Cifuentes-Tarjan, Malta volves some delay to Black's For the possible consequences of
OL 1 980. It is also quite feasible to kingside development, which gives the move 4 ll:lc3, see the game Miles­
attack on the kingside: 1 0 0-0 e5 1 1 rise to certain problems. (For Spassky in Chapter 5.
lbd2 ll:\d7 1 2 f4 1i'd8 1 3 ll:lde4 (after 3 ... ll:le4 see the game Mikh.Tseitlin­ 4 cS
1 3 f5 Black can free himself with
•••

Popov.) Alekhine considered this the best

13 ... e4! 14 ll:\dxe4 i.e7) 13 ...ef 14 ef White is already threatening 20 4 lL\hd2 way to follow up the qucen's fi­
i.e7 1 5 ll:lg3. The knight is heading ll:\g5+ hg 21 hg followed by lie 1 -h I . A flexible move, allowing White anchetto.
for f5, whence it will attack the 19 i..x f3 to vary his plans with respect to the 4 ... d5. principally aimed against
pawns on g7 and d6, M.Hansen­ 20 gf g6 advance of his c-pawn. White in­ e2-e4, is also logical. After 5 e3 (62),
Auchenberg, Denmark 199 1 . 21 hS lig8 tenet� to occupy the centre with e2-e4. the following developments are pos­
8 �d8 2Z f4 'ffc8 The continuation 4 e3 e6 5 i..d3 sible:
9 eS ed 23 ll:\dS i.d8 i..e7 6 0-0 c5, transposing to the
10 ll:\xdS ll:lc6 24 hg+ llxg6 game Timman-Andersson in the
11 i..c4 ll:laS 24 ... fg is decisively met by 25 next chapter, causes Black less prob­
12 Wd3 ll:lf6+ i.. xf6 26 ef when the rook'> lems, since he is often able to sim­
The tactical continuation 12 1i'e2 burst in. plify the position by means of
b5 1 3 ll:lf6+ gf 14 ef+ i..e7 15 i..x f7+ 25 �h3 �g8 ...ll:lf6-e4.
�xf7 1 6 ll:le5+ 'it>xf6 17 0-0-0 d5 1 8 26 ];Kh1 �g7 With the exchange 4 i..x f6 ef 5 e3
llhe 1 �eads to sharp, intricate play 27 rs l'tg4 White damages Black's pawn struc­
(analysis by Kavalek). 28 f6 �g6 ture, but allows him to establish finn
12 ll:lxc4 29 ll:le3 !J. gS control over e4: 5 ... g6 6 c4 f5 7 ll:lc3
13 Wxc4 i..e7 30 �·h2 1-0 i..g 7 8 g3 0-0 9 i..g2 d6 1 0 0-0 ll:ld7
14 0-0-0 0-0 The threats f2-f4 and �dl -g 1 can­ I I 'iVc2 lle8 12 �fd l ll:lf6 1 3 d5 ll:\e4
15 �he1 i..c 6 not be prevented. 14 ll:\d4 ll:lxc3 1 5 iVxc3 a5 with a) 5 ... e6 6 i.b5+ (it is useful to
16 �g4 (61) equality, Martinovic-Sunye Neto, force Black to dose the long diago­
White dominates the centre and Game 20 Amsterdam 1 984. However, after 4 nal, since after 6 i.d3 JJ..e7 7 c3 ll:le4
threatens a dangerous attack with the Kochicv-Vein gold ll:\bd2, the move 4 ... h6?! allows 8 i..f4 i..d6 9 ll:le5 ll:lxd2 10 1i'xd2
manoeuvre lbd5-e3-f5. Tallinn 1985 White to gain an important tempo: 5 lt:kl7 I I 0-0 0-0 12 i.g3 i.xe5 13
16 a6 i.xf6 ef 6 e4 d5 7 i.. d3 de 8 i.. xe4 i.. xe5 ll:lxe5 14 de 'i'e7 15 f4 f5 16 ef
17 'it>b1 lla7 1 d4 ll:lf6 i.xe4 9 ll:lxe4 i.e7 10 0-0 0-0 gf 17 l:tf3 llf7 18 g4 e5 there are
18 ll:le3 �h7 2 ll:\f3 h6 (White effectively has an extra pawn chances for both sides, Hulak-
19 h4 3 �gS i..h7 on the queenside, which may tell in . Rajkovic, Borovo 1 9 8 1 ) 6...c6 7
 68 Systems with a11 Early . 1>6 ..

Systems with a11 Early ... b6 69

ii.d3 i..e 7 8 tbe5 (after 8 c3 B lack with a defensible position) 12 i..xe4

takes control of e5 and experiences i..xe4 13 'i'xe4 lDf6 14 �e2 with keep an advantage: 20 i..c6+ <tte 7 21 3 �gS lLJe4
no problems: 8 ... lDbd7 9 b4 a5 10 some space advantage for White, �h5. B lack plans to control e4 with two
'ib 1 ab 1 1 cb lh4 1 2 b5 c5 1 3 1iVc2 Mariotti-Tatai, Rome 1977. 18 dS minor pieces. The advance by the
'i'a8 14 0-0 h6 1 5 i..f4 0-0 with ex­ 5 i..xf6 gf If White takes the knight, 18 de, knight, gaining a tempo on the
cellent play, Taimanov-G. Kuzmin, 6 e3 e6 then B lack's queen can then force bishop, is well-founded, but the gain
Moscow 1972) 8 ... 0-0 9 0-0 c5 10 7 �d3 lDc6 her way towards the white king: of tempo may be regarded as aca­
'i'f3 aS 1 1 l:tad 1 lDc6 1 2 c3 lDd7 13 8 0-0 d5 18 ... i..x e5 19 <tt g 1 'i'g6+ 20 <tth 1 demic since White also gains a
'i'h3 f5 14 i..x e7 1iYxe7 1 5 f4 lDdxe5 9 de 'in s 2 1 <ttg 1 VJ/1g4+ 22 <tth 1 VJ/Ih3 23 tempo when he develops his queen's
16 de ii.a6 1 7 ii.xa6 lixa6 18 c4 and Interesting is 9 c3 c4 10 ii.c2 f5 ! �g 1 �e7 and Black wins due to the knight, by either exchanging the
thanks to the cramping pawn on e5, with sharp play. threat ... lla8-g8+. knight or forcing the retreat of
White's position is preferable, 9 �xeS 18 ..• llJg4 Black's most active piece.
Larsen-Visier, Malgrat 1976. 10 a3 r5 19 h4! 4 .i1.h4
b) 5 ...lDbd7 6 i..d 3 e6 7 lDe5 i..e 7 1 1 b4 .ad6 An original and effective way to The most critical response, main­
8 i..b5 0-0 9 lDc6 1iVe8 10 tDxe7+ 12 c4 lDe5 defend the king. The important thing taining potential pins against the
VJ/Ixe7 and Black threatens 1 1 ...�. 13 .ae2 l!g8 is whose attack reaches its goal first. queen and practically forcing Black
In one of the first games with this 14 llcl (63) Here Black would keep sufficient to adopt a double fi:mchetto. After
system, Torre-Verlinsky, Moscow compensation by playing 19 ...i..f4, t11e altemative retreat 4 i..f4 Black
1925, Black played the passive 7 ... a6 but it is difficult to keep one's head easily completes his development by
8 f4 i..e 7 9 0-0 c5 10 c3 0-0? ! 1 1 'i'f3 in such skinnishes. reinforcing the knight's position
lDxe5? 12 fe lDd7 13 'i'h3 g6 14 19 0-0-0'! with 4 d5 (64).
...

ii.h6 c4 (Black cannot retreat with 20 cS! iLxdS 1l1e strategy of ensuring control
14 .. .lle8 due to 15 l:txt7 !) 15 ii.c2 b5 21 cd+ �b8 of the e4 square is the most logical
1 6 l:tf2 'ib6 17 lhfl f5 1 8 ef lixf6 22 �c2 llg8 plan, since after 4 ... e6 5 lL'lbd2 i..b7
1 9 lDf3 l:te8 20 'i'g3 lDf8 2 1 tbe5 23 'l'Vc7+ <baS White succeeds in obtaining pre­
'i'd8 22 h4 l:tf5 23 i..xf5 i..xh4 24 24 'l'Vc8+! domin:mce in the centre: 6 lLlxe4
i..x g6! i..xg3 25 .l1.n+ ! ..t'h8 26 An elegant finish on the theme of i..xe4 7 e3 iLe7 8 iLd3 iLxd3 9
i.. x e8 i..x f2+ 27 l:txf2 1 -0. Of course diversion. 'i'xd3 0-0 10 e4 d5 1 1 0-0 c6 1 2 c4 !
7 ... a6 is too slow; 7 ... i..e 7 is much 24 llxc8 ..tf6 13 lhc l , Mohrlok-Ree, Haifa
more logical. There now follows a cascade of 25 llxc8+ 'iti>b7 OJ_. 1976.
It is worth considering the fi­ sacrifices. 26 llc7+ 'iti>b8 Now however after 5 e3 Black can
anchetto of the second bishop, 14 d4! ? 27 �a6 1-0 maintain his position in the centre:
6 ... g6. For example: 7 1iVe2 ! i..g 7 8 15 ed llxg2+ 5 ... e6 (also good is 5 ... iLb7 6 lL'lbd2
e4 de 9 lDxe4 0-0 10 0-0-0 h6 1 1 16 Wxg2 'l'Vg5+ Game 21 lL'ld7. Pribyl-Groszpeter, Sochi 1984
ii.d2 ( 1 1 i..h4 is a more logical re­ 17 \!;>b1 �h6 Mikh. Tseitlin-Popov continued 7 lLlxe4 de 8 lL'le5 lL'lxe5 9
treat) 1 1 ...lDxe4 (better is 1 1 ...c5 12 After 17 ...lDxf3 18 lDxf3 i..xf3+ USSR 1982 ..txe5 e6 10 iLb5+ c6 1 1 i..c4 �g5
de lDxe4 13 i..xe4 i..xe4 1 4 1iYxe4 1 9 i..x f3 �f4 White only ha<> one 12 <tt n lld8. 13 h4 'fie7 14 c3 b5 1 5
lDxc5 1 5 1iVh4 'i'd5 1 6 'it>b1 1iVe4 way to defend, but it is sufficient to 1 d4 lLJf6 iLe2 f6 1 6 i..g3 a6 17 VJ/Ic2 with un­
2 lLJf3 b6 clear play, in which Black's chances
70 Systems with an Early ... !J6 Sy.Hrms with an Early .. b6 7I
.

10 i.c4 (another interesting plan is 5 lLlbd2 'i'xb2 9 0-0. White's initiative com­
10 a4 a6 I I 'i!Vb3 d6 12 i..e2 lLld7 13 The continuation 5 e3 i..b7 6 pensates for the missing pawn.
0-0 c5 14 d5 ne8 15 f4 leading to a lLlbd2 amounts to a transposition of However 6 c4 1? is the most ener­
Benoni-type position with some in­ moves, but the attempt to battle for getic. Now 6 ...'i!Vb4+ 7 lLllxl2 'ikxb2
itiative for White) IO...d5 I I �XI i..xd5 the initiative with 5 ... �d6 (65) de­ 8 cd lLlcJ 9 �c l �xc l + 10 lhc l
I2 0-0 lLlc6 13 ne t i.. xc4 14 lLlxc4. serves attention: lLlxd5 I I e4 leads to White's advan­
White is slightly better, Trifunovic­ tage, while after 6 ...e6 7 lLlc3 lLlxc3
Bolbochan, Mar del Plata 1 950. 8 be �a3 9 �c2 i..d6 (9 ... i..a6 is met
White also maintains the initiative by the simple 10 cd) 10 cd ed I I
after the extended fianchetto 4 ... i.. b7 i..d3 h6 1 2 0-0 0-0 1 3 e4, White,
5 e3 h6 6 lLlbd2 g5. For instance: 7 having seized the centre, stands bet­
were not worse) 6 lLlbd2 ..td6 7 ..td3 i..g 3 lLlxg3 8 hg e6 9 c3 d6 1 0 �a4+ ter, Zlotnik-Lysenko, USSR 1986.
..tb7 8 c3 0-0 9 'i'c2 f5 I 0 h4 lLld7 I I c6 1 1 lLle4 (La.,ker recommended I I 5 ... Sl.h7
..txd6 cd I 2 lLlg I . Here in the game g4 intending the manoeuvre lLlc.I2- 6 c3 4:\d7
Psakhis-Beliavsky, Lvov 1984 there e4-g3-h5) l l ...g4 12 lLlh4 lLld7 13 6 ... g6 has also been tried, when
followed the mistake 1 2...lLldf6? 13 0-0-0 �g8 14 c4 d5 15 lLlc3 Bo­ the best continuation is 7 i..b5+ ! c6 8
f3 ! lLlg3 14 nh3 lLlfh5 15 0-0-0 and golj ubow-Aiekhine, 1 3 th match i..d3 (66), obliging Black to deter­
White obtained a clear advantage, gmne, Munich 1934, or 7 lLlxe4 gh 8 mine the fate of the e4-knight.
since Black's cavalry has lost its i..d3 e6 9 lLle5 lLlc6 (9 ...d6?! allows A check is threatened on b4. 6 a3
way. I 2 .. .'iff6 ! wa'i far stronger, and 1 0 �h5 �e7 I I lLlxn ! �xn 12 is met by 6 ... �h6! when Black takes
if 1 3 f3, then 1 3 ... 'i!Vh6!, while 13 lLlxd6+ and 1 3 i..g6) 1 0 'i'h5 'i!Ve7 over the initiative. For example: 7
lLle2 is also met by 1 3 .. .'ikh6! when I I 0-0-0 ng8? ( l l ...i..g 7 is more 'i¥d3 (7 i.. d 3? fails to 7 ... g5 8 i.. xe4
White has no visible way to carry out logical) 1 2 lLlxd7 ! �xd7 1 3 d5 ed 14 de 9 i.xg5 'i'g6) 7 ... g5 8 i..g3 lLlxg3
f2-f3. 'i!Vf5+ �e6 I 5 lLlf6+ �d6 I 6 lLlxg8 9 fg i..g 7 10 lLlc3 c6 I I 0-0-0 (it ap­
4 ••• dS 'i!Vxf5 I 7 i.. x f5 i..g7 I 8 i..h7 with a pears that White can rid himself of
B lack can hardly inanage without material advantage for White, his main weakness, the e3 pawn, by
this move, since after 4 ... g6 5 lLlbd2 Epishin-Naumkin, Togliatti I985. It playing I I e4 g4 1 2 lLle5 i.a6 1 3
the light-square bishop's influence is worth considering the more mod­ 'i1Yd2 'ikxd2+ I4 ..ti>xd2 i.. xe5 15 de
on the centre is not so effective. For est 5 ... g6 6 lLlbd2 f5. Then in the lit­ d4 but here too Black's position de­
example 5 ... lLlxd2 6 'i'xd2 i..b7 7 tle-known game Pavlov-Pyanov - serves preference) 1 1 ...0-0 1 2 �bl
0-0-0! ..tg7 8 e4! and after 8 ...0-0 9 Blumenfeld, Moscow 1920, there f5 13 g4 fg I 4 lLle5 lLld7 ! 15 lLlxg4 Giving up the fight for e4 with
e5 White seizes space in the centre, followed 7 lLlxe4 fe 8 lLld2 d5 9 i.. e2 'ib4 16 h3 lLlc5 I 7 1fe2 h5 and 8 ... lLlxd2 9 1fxd2 i..g 7 I 0 0-0 0-0 al­
Timman-Sunye Neto, Amsterdmn (Translator 's note: 9 c4 !) 9 ... i.g7 IO Black takes complete charge of the lows White, with I I e4 de 12 i.. xe4,
I 985, since 8 .....txe4?! 9 net d5 10 0-0 0-0 I I f3 ltJd7 I 2 fe i..h6 13 initiative, Kochiev-Lysenko, Beltsy to obtain the freer position and
i..d3 f5 I l lLlg5 i..h 6 12 i.. fl ! threat­ nxf8+ 'i'xf8 I4 i..f2 de when I981. It is possible that 7 ng 1 is best. threaten pressure on the semi-open
ening f2-f3 is bad for Black (analysis Black's position was better. After 6 i..dJ is possible since it is diffi­ e-file.
by Timman), or 5 ... i.b7 6 lLlxe4 ...e7 -e5 his bishops will generate cult for Black to develop after In the gmne Schwamberger-Kmn­
i..xe4 7 lLld2 i..b 7 8 e4 i..g 7 9 c3 0-0 great activity. 6 .. .'ii'b4+ 7 lLlbd2 lLlxd2 8 lLlxd2 ber. Lugano 1988, Black retreated
72 Systems with an Early ... b6

the knight with 8 ...ltJd6 and after 9

c4 de 10 ltJxc4 iJ..g7 1 1 �b3 0-0 1 2 4 Classical System
0-0 ltJxc4 1 3 .§J..xc4 ltJd7 14 ltJg5
�e8 1 5 f4 e6 16 l:tael c5 17 f5 ! gf 18
e4 iJ..xd4+ 19 �hl h6 20 ef hg 21
iJ..x g5 came under a strong attack.
Only by reinforcing the e4 s4uare
can Black expect ade4uate counter­ 1 d4 lt.Jf6 4 . h6 5 iJ..h4, driving back the
. .

play: 8 ... f5 9 c4 ltJd7 10 �a4 a6 1 1 2 llJfJ e6 bishop and opening an 'air-vent' in

l:tcl b5 1 2 �b3 ltJb6 1 3 0-0 iJ..g 7 or 3 .it gS cS the castled position while still plan­
9 ltJe5 ltJd7 10 ltJdf3 ltJdf6. 4 e3 ile7 ning to play along the lines of the
7 c4 bishop on b7, White carries out a s lt.Jbd2 b6 (68) CJa-;sical System. However, t11e
After 7 iJ..d3 ltJdf6 8 0-0 e6 9 beautiful combination on the theme early advance of the h-pawn also has
i.b5+ c6 10 i.d3 ltJd6 1 l lDe5 i.e7 'enticement' . its minuses.
12 f3 0-0 13 e4 c5 Black has good 13 ltJxe4
counterplay. 14 ilc4 'W'xd4 Game 22
7 ltJdf6 IS 1lx17+! �g8 T.Pctrosian-Taimanov
8 llcl e6 16 ltJfJ 'i'fxb2 Leningrad 1960
9 cd 'W'xdS 17 0-0 ti)cS
9 ... ed is unpleasantly met by 10 After 1 7 ... i.d5, White wins with 1 d4 lL'If6
�a4+ c6 1 1 l:txc6! �d7 12 i.b5 the continuation 18 i.xd5 ed 19 �d7 2 lt.Jn e6
threatening l:te6+. .§J..f8 20 �xd5. 3 il.gS cS
10 !Ixc7 ltJxd2 18 ilxc6! ltJxe6 4 e3 lL'Ic6
1 1 ltJxd2 �d6 (67) 19 llxb7 bS At first sight this active move
Black has not managed to castle 20 'W'e4 'i'fxa2 This variation is considered to be seems a natural reaction to the Torre
and falls under a strong attack. 21 1ld7 ..ixh2+ Black's most cla�sical response to Attack. However, it somewhat pre­
12 'W'a4+ \t'l8 22 'it>xh2 ll18 the Torre Attack. Black's main phm maturely detennines Black's plans,
13 e4! ! 23 llc1 ltJ cS in the subsequent play is associated and so limits his possibilities. TI1e
By exploiting the overloading of 24 Iixg7+ �xg7 with placing bishops on b7 and e7 more natural 4 ... i.e7 is considered
the queen, which is defending the 25 'W'g4+ 1 -0 and organizing piece pressure on the in the next four games, whilst 4 ...h6
centre. The 'Queen's Indian' bishop · 5 i.h4 (or 3 ... h6 4 i.h4 c5 5 e3) is
on b7 takes control of the important considered later in this chapter.
square e4, hindering one of White's s lt.Jhd2
main strategic idea'> - the e3-e4 ad­ Another idea is 5 de, which is
vance - and supporting the organisa­ considered in the gmne Yusupov­
tion of a piece outpost on e4. Karpov later in tl1is chapter.
In recent times Black has fre­ s b6
quently inserted the preliminary 6 c3 iJ...e7
74 Classical System Classical System 75

7 i..d 3 0-0 entirely fortuitous position of the Banja 1985. Here by playing 16 which is far from clear-cut; better
Usually B lack first completes his queen.' The game Marshall-Ca­ lbf3, aiming for e5, White kept the chances were offered by 36 de lDxe5
development with 1 .i.b1'{69).
... pablanca, Kissingen 1928, contin­ better chances. 37 f4) 36...ng8 37 lDxe5 'it'f6+ 38
ued 9 i.. xe 7 �xe7 10 0-0 0-0 1 1 .i.a6 After 1 O ... d6 1 1 a4 the exchang­ 'itf3 lDxe5+ 39 de+ 'it>xe5 40 !Xxa5
i..x a6 12 'i1Vxa6 lbc7 1 3 'i1Ve2 d5 14 ing manoeuvre by the knight leads to l::[ b8 4 1 c4 !Xxb2 42 nxd5+ 'iot'e6 43
e4 cd 1 5 cd de 16 �xe4 lbd5 17 White's advantage: 1 1 ...lDd5 12 naS l:tb4 44 c5 nc4 45 <J;g3 'it>d5 46
nac i llac8 1 8 a3 'i1Vf6 19 nc2 lDce7 .i.xe7 lDcxe7 (keeping control of e5 nxa7 .l:ixc5 ( 1h-1h. 56) Spa.,sky-Be­
20 !Xfc l 'i1Vg6 ! and Black solved all with 12 ...'ifxe7 followed by ... 'i1Vf6 liavsky. Montpelier Ct 1 985.
his problems. The attack on the cen­ deserves attention) 1 3 a5 !.ba 14 'ita4 10 i..xc7 (71)
tralised queen provokes general ex­ lDf4 1 5 .i.e4! (70)
changes of the major pieces, after
which the knight ending finished in a
draw on the 39th move. After this
cla.,sic game, the manoeuvre ... lDf6-
d5 became perceived a<; a universal
Having examined the subtleties of remedy to Black's problems in this
this position, Petrosian pointed out system.
the deficiencies of the move 8 'i1Ve2, 8 0-0 cd
which allows Black to carry out the 9 cd liJdS
profitable manoeuvre 8 ... lDd5 !, a'> Grandmao;ters of the older genera­
first demonstrated by Capablanca. tion were well acquainted with their
Petrosian's assessment of the posi­ classical heritage, and so Taimanov 10 l£Jcxc7
tion arising is interesting: 'After the follows Capablanca's advice. The 15 ...d5 (Black does not wish to 1 0 ... 'itxe7 can lead to problems
exchange of dark-square bishops it modem preference is to complete exchange the bishop which is de­ due to the opposition of queen and
tums out that, although, strictly development with 9 ...i..b 7, but after fending his queenside weaknesses, rook.
speaking, the knight on d5 occupies 10 lle l , Black's best resource re­ but now the light-square bishop Note that Black will generally re­
an insecure position (it can be at­ mains the manoeu�re J O ...lDd5. Af­ gains in force and White can attack capture on e7 with his queen's
tacked by pawns on both sides), to ter other continuations Black runs on the kings ide) 16 .i.b 1 lDc6 1 7 knight. The rea'ion is that the knight
exploit this is not so ea'>y. The rea'>on into certain difficulties. 'i1Vc2 g6 1 8 lDb3 nbs 19 lDc5 i..c8 20 on d5 is ideally placed and should re­
for this is that after the advance of Thus opening an 'air-vent' for the 'itd2 lDh5 21 na2 lDg7 22 'ith6 f6 23 main where it is; if it is kicked by
the c-pawn, the knight will withdraw king with 10 ...h6 1 1 i..h 4 lbd5 al­ h4 fie7 24 g4! e5 25 h5 i.. xg4 26 hg c3-c4, it can move to f4 or f6, open­
to f6, when in spite of his apparent lows White, if he wishes, to avoid the lbf5 27 .i.xf5 .i.xf5 28 lDh4 .i.xg6 ing the long diagonal.
advantage in the centre, it is not clear exchange of his dark-square bishop, 29 lDxg6 hg 30 'ifxg6+ 'it>h8 3 1 'it>g2 1 1 l:tcl SLb7
how White should then organize his with 12 .i.g3, transferring it to an­ nn 32 nh 1+ nh7 33 !Xxh7+ fixh7 12 .tn (72)
pawns. On the other hand, if it is other important diagonal, while also 34 �xf6+ fig7+ 35 'itxg7+ <J;xg7 White retreats his bishop ahead of
driven away by the e-pawn, the quite good is 1 2 .i.xe7 lDcxe7 13 36 lDd7 (White's attack ha<; gained necessity. Attempts by contempo­
knight can jump into f4 with gain of ..tfl lDg6 14 lDe5 lDxe5 1 5 nxe5 h im a pawn, but this enterprising rary grandmao;ters to achieve active
tempo. It is this which reveals the not 'i1Vc7 Z.Nikolic-Plachetka, Vmj acka manoeuvre leads to a rook ending play have not had more success:
76 Classical System Classical System 77

a) 12 lbc4 'W/c7 1 3 a4 lbf4 14 i..fl not succeed, and the pawn becomes 32 lbc4 nrs is necessary for Black to reckon with
%%.ab8 1 5 lbce5 d6 1 6 lbd3 lbed5 17 subject to attack on e4. 2 l ...il.. xe4 22 33 lbg5 the possibility of a direct attack
'W/d2 lbxd3 1 8 i..x d3 lbf6 with equal lbg5 i..d5, planning ... e6-e5, is more The threats 34 lbxe6 i..xe6 35 based on the thrust h2-h4, in addi­
p lay, Bisguier-Adorjan, New York secure. l:ixe6 (35 ... �xe6? 36 il..c4) and 34 tion to traditional plru1s of develop­
1 986. 22 ltJd2 �f4 ..td3 now cost Black a second pawn. ment:
b) 1 2 a4 a6 13 g3 (this weakening 23 �e3 he The game finished: 33 ... 1Yf6 34
of the long diagonal is rather unnec­ 24 lhe5 �f6 lbxe6 l:te8 35 lbxg7 lhe3 36 lbf5+
essary) 1 3 ... lbf6 14 'Wie2 'Wic7 1 5 25 lle2 lbc5 'it'f8 37 lbxe3 1Yd4 38 1Yf2 ..tf7 39
lbe4 lbxe4 1 6 il..xe4 lbd5 1 7 lbe5 26 �g3 h3 lbb4 40 a3 lba2 41 lbc4 1Yxf2+
lbf6 and Black hac; fully equalised, 26 lbxe4 is met by the unpleao;; ant 42 'it7xf2 lbc 1 43 b4 lba2 44 'it'e3 1 -0
V.Kovacevic-Lalic, S arajevo 1988. pin 26...�g6.
26 �r5
Game 23
27 llc7 !!17
Spassky-A ndcrsson
28 I!xl7 ltJx17
Clermont-Ferrarul l989
29 b3 (73)
1 d4 lbf6
2 lbf3 e6
3 il.g5 e5 a) 7 '1We2 (White prevents the ex­
4 e3 .1J..e7 change of light-square bishops)
5 lbbd2 7 ... cd 8 ed lbd5 ? ! (the motivation be­
Translator's 110te: the move order hind this move is that after 9 i..x e7
5 c3 b6 6 i..d 3 encouraged Black, in �xe7 10 0-0 liJf4 ! 1 1 'IWe4 lLJxd3, 12
Kamsky-Hi.ibner, Dortmund 1992, 'Wixa8? fails to 12...lbc6 1 3 cd ..ta6
12 £5 to play for an early exch;mge of trapping the queen. The attempt to
While taking control of e4, Black light-square bishops: 6 ... cd 7 ed i.a6 exch;mge the dark-square bishops
weakens his kingside and allows 8 ..lixa6 lbxa6 9 liJbd2 0-0 10 h4 before castling allows White a strong
White to develop an initiative on the lbc7 1 1 ..lixf6 ..lixf6 1 2 g4 and in this reply, so 8 ... ..tb7 9 0-0 d6 10 l:tfe1
queenside. 12 ... 'W/c7 is stronger. White's position is better. He can sharp position, a draw was agreed. lbbd7 is more reliable) 9 h4 ! f5
13 lLlc5 �c7 create an outside pa'>sed pawn on the The inunediate 5 ..lid3 is consid­ (9 .. h6? is no good since 1 0 c4 lbb4
.

14 llcl .ll ac8 queenside, while Black has prob­ ered later in this chapter in the grune 1 1 ..lib 1 hg 12 hg g6 13 ..txg6! gives
1 5 c4 ltlf6 lems defending the e4 pawn. Here it Tim man-Andersson. White a decisive attack) 10 c4 ..txg5
16 'Wb3 d6 wao;; necessary to activate the rook 5 ••• b6 1 1 hg lbf4 12 'Win lbc6 13 o-o-o b5
17 lbef3 lLlg6 with 29 .. J:ic8 or 29 ... l:if8. However, It is worth mentioning that in this 14 c5 ..ta6 15 g3 lbxd3+ 16 1Yxd3
18 e5 il.d5 Black instead blunders away the e4 system Black's decision when to 'i/Va5 17 �3 'W/a4 1 8 l:1h4 ! 1Yxb3 19
19 �a3 de pawn. castle has great significru1ce; it is lbxb3 i..b7 20 d5 ! liJd8 (20...lbe7
20 de lbc4 29 lLlc5? best carried out after White ha'> cas­ may be met by 2 1 c6! de 22 lDc5) 21
21 lbxe4 fe 30 f3! e3 tled. In the event of 5 ...0-0 6 ..lid3 b6 c6 ! :c& 22 ¢>b1 de 23 Itdh1 cd 24
This attempt to use the f-tile does 31 llxe3 lLle6 (74) White's gains extra options, a'> it l:ixh 7 lbf7 25 g6 lbh6 26 l:i 1 xh6 gh
 78 Classical System Classical System 79

27 llxb7 f4 28 tOeS �f5 29 ltJg4 I -0 0-0 0-0 I 0 �e2 d6 I 1 Ilac l tiJbd7 On b7 the bishop has maximum 9 'tifc2
Lemer-Chekhov, Lvov I 984. I 2 nfd 1 a6 Black achieves equal activity, supporting the manoeuvre As mentioned above, this move
b) 7 c3 (by supporting the d4 chances, Beliavsky-Dolmatov, Kiev ... tiJf6-d5-f4 if appropriate. invites the manoeuvre ...tiJf6-d5,
pawn, White prepares the e3-e4 ad­ I 986. 7 3Ld3 ll'lc6 from where the knight threatens a
vance, not fearing the bishop ex­ More critical is 7 ..ixa6!? t0xa6 8 The development of this knight on fork on f4. Therefore 9 lle i seems
change 7 ... .lta6 8 .ltxa6 t0xa6 9 �e2 c3 0-0 9 'ife2! (after 9 0-0 Black ha'i d7 hao; also been tried: 7 ...0-0 8 0-0 more critical, making room for the
which gives rise to a position dis­ time to defend his queenside weak­ d6 (on 8 ... d5 White seizes control of bishop.
cussed below) 7 .1i.b7 8 h4 !? (8
.. nesses with the manoeuvre 9 ...cd 10 e4 with 9 'i'c2, and after 9 ... tiJbd7 9 e4 is premature, since after
11Vc2 is also worth considering when cd tiJd5 1 I ..ixe7 t0xe7 1 2 'i'a4 lObS takes the initiative by centralising 9 ... cd White is faced by the choice
8 ... h6 is met by an attack on the 1 3 l:%ac l l0bc6 I4 t0c4 't!Vb8 I S 'ifa6 his knight with I O tOeS). For exam­ between allowing the move ...lbc6-
wing: 9 h4 cd I O ed l0c6 I I 1i.xf6 llc8 I 6 �a3 1le8 and White's posi­ ple: 9 de (after 9 e4 Black can organ­ b4 after I O cd and consenting to 10
.ltxf6 I 2 g4 ! with dangerous threats tion is only slightly preferable, Epi­ ize counterplay by preparing the lbxd4. in both cases granting Black
for White) 8 ...d6 9 1i.xf6 (White may shin-Ruban, Thilisi I989) 9 ... tiJb8 ... e6-e5 thrust: 9 ... tiJbd7 I 0 'it'e2 h6 additional possibilities:
also try a plan with long castling: 9 10 e4 cd? ! (1 O...t0c6 or 1 O ... d6 1 1 .ltf4 cd I2 cd e5 1 3 de tiJh5 14 10 cd h6 I I .ltxf6? .ltxf6 12 e5
'ife2 tiJbd7 I O 0-0-0 'W/c7 I I g4 a5 should be considered) I I ttJxd4! .lte3 de 15 g3 tiJhf6 with equal .lte7 13 a3 d6 14 .lte4 (on 14 "ife2
I 2 .ltxf6 t0xf6 1 3 g5 with an attack, (seizes control of c6, since after chances, Drobyshev-Klovan, Po­ would follow 14 ...de 15 de lbd4 !)
but after the premature I 2 h5 Black I I ... t0c6 I 2 t0xc6 de I 3 0-0-0 White dolsk I990) 9 ... bc (after 9 ...dc 1 0 14... b5 ! 15 "ife2 'C!Vb6 16 lbb3 de I 7
can already take over the attack with ha<; the initiative on the kingside) 'i'c2 tiJbd7 1 1 1lfd 1 h6 12 .lth4 lbd5 d e 1lfd8 18 life 1 1lac8 and Black
I 2 ... a4 1 3 'it>bi a3 I4 b3? cd I S cd 1 l ...d6 (after 1 l ...d5 I2 ..ixf6 ..ixf6 I 3 .ltg3, with e3-e4 to follow, White achieves good play, thanks to his
'i'c3 when Black wins. Gerritsen­ 13 e5 ..ie7 14 f4 White ha'i a space successfully activates his pieces) 10 possession of the d-file and possi­
Salminsch, corres. I988) 9 .....txf6 advantage) I 2 f4 tiJfd7 13 l02f3 a6 e4! lbbd7 I l lle i h6 12 .lth4 1lb8 13 bilities of attacking on the queen­
1 0 ltJe4 cd I I cd l0c6 I 2 tiJfg5 g6 13 I4 0-0 ..ixg5 15 ltJxgS Wie7 (after lbc4 .lta8 I4 llb 1 (premature action side, Barlov-Adorjan, New York
a3 .ltg7 I4 t0xh7 ! �xh7 IS h5 c.t'g8 15 ... h6 Black would have to reckon in the centre with I4 .ltxf6 ltJxf6 15 1985. After the bishop retreat 1 1
I 6 hg d5 I 7 'ifh5 fg I 8 'it'h7+ �f7 I9 with I 6 ltJgxe6!) I6 e5 1la7 1 7 'i'd3 e5 de 1 6 lbfxe5 1i"d5 or 14 e5 de IS .lth4 White hao; to reckon with the
llh6 with a strong attack for the sac­ g6 I 8 �h3 h5 1 9 �g3 ! with a strong lbfxe5 lbxe5 16 1lxe5 lbd7 leaves manoeuvre I I ...lbb4 12 .ltbi .lta6
rificed piece, Z.Nikolic-P.Nikolic, attack for White. Spassky-Aiburt, Black's pieces sufficiently active) 13 lie t lbd3 I4 1le3 lbf4 with unex­
Borovo 1 98 1 . Hoiiywood I985. 14 ... lbe8 15 .ltg3 lbb6 16 lba5 lbd7 plored possibilities. It is worth men­
6 c3 Also after the preliminary ex­ 1 7 b4!. White creates a passed pawn tioning that l 3 ...d5 is a mistake: I4
By providing additional support change 6 ...cd 7 ed ..ia6 Black is left and maintains the initiative, Dam­ ..ixf6 ..ixf6 15 1!Va4 de (15 .....te7 16
for the d4 pawn, White maintains the with problems: 8 ..ixf6 .ltxf6 9 l0e4 ljanovic-Ambroz, Biel 1 985. a3 b5 17 �3 lbc6 18 �c2 brings
possibility, after · ... c5xd4, of choos­ .lie7 10 d5 ! ed 1 1 .ltxa6 t0xa6 12 The central exchange 7 .. cd is . no relicO I 6 ..ixe4 ..ie7 17 .lixa8
ing between opening the c-file or the 'ifxd5 ltJc7 1 3 tiJd6+ ..ixd6 I4 'ifxd6 considered in the game Barbero­ and White secures a material advan­
e-file, and at the same time prevents 'ite7+ I S 'it'xe7+ 'it>xe7 with a small SchUssler. tage, Guseinov-Mochalov, Moscow
the exchange of bishops possible af­ advantage for White in the ending, in 8 0-0 1983.
ter 6 .ltd3 ..ia6, which in this situ­ view of the pressure against Black's Also possible is the prophylactic In Yusupov-Hmadi, Tunis IZ
ation involves a loss of time. But is it isolated pawn on d7, Salov-Cebalo, 8 a3, which is considered in the 1985, White preferred 1 0 lbxd4, but
necessary to avoid this exchange? Leningrad 1 984. game Seirawan-Andersson. after IO ...d5 I I lbxc6 ..ixc6 12 e5
Thus after 7 c4 cd 8 t0xd4 1i.b7 9 6 ..• 1i.b7 H ... 0-0 lbe4 13 Ji..xe7 Wixe7 14 tiJf3 f6 15
80 Classical System Classical System 81

'iie2 1i..b7 1 6 ef�xf6 17 :::la e1 (dubi­ After the apparently active move the active 1 3 c4? ! i!Jf6 14 :fe 1 l:c8 the useful move 8 ... lic8 when after 9
ous is 17 .i.xe4 de 1 8 tL:.d2 ·vg6 after 1 2 .i.e-l� !, the knight establishes it­ 1 5 .:.acl is premature here in view of 'i'e2 the manoeuvre 9 ...cd 1 0 ed
which B lack ha5 ob,·ious counter­ self on f-l. fonning the ba..'l! of an at­ Bl.1ck's acti\ ity on the long diagl1nal �5 gains in stn:ngth. For e xample :
play ba5ed on ...:.f-l) 17 ...!:.ad8 1 8 tack on the kin g : 1 2 .. .tLi-l 1 3 ·o·d1 based on 1 5 .. :�·c7 with the manoeu­ 1 1 0.e.t tic 7 1 2 .i.xe7 :Uxe7 1 3 g3
'i"c2 (after a general exchange on e-l (after 13 'i"e3 �ed5 White is obliged ne ...�b8-a8 to folll1w. �go 14 tdell2 0-0 1 5 •'Zle5 tdx.e5 16
Black's rook can penetrate to to exchange his important bi�hop: 1-l 13 �a6 �xe5 �c6 17 i..e4 with unclear
White's second rank) 18 .. ."ib6 19 i.xd5 lill:d5 ) 1 3 .. :�·c7 14 l:.e l ? ! A blank charge; better is the im- play. Andrianov-Kruppa, Sarnarkand
l:e3 lH4 Black obtained suff1cient (White ought to resolve the problem mediate 1 3 a-t 1983.
counterplay. of the dangerous knight by playing 13 �c8 8 ••• 0-0
9 ... cd 14 g3 �xe4 15 ltJxe4 'ilfb7 16 ltJed2 14 1l...xh7 �xh7 8 ... ltJJ5 9 �xe7 1loYxe7 is also rea­
In addition to this relieving ma­ ttJh3+ 17 cbg2 ltJg5 1 8 'i'e2 f5 al­ 15 a4 a6 sonable here.
noeuvre, it is possible to create a though Black's chances are also 16 ltJe5 b5 9 e4
pawn centre with 9 ...h6 I O �h4 d5. preferable here, while 1 8 h4? ! is du­ 17 ltJd3 d6 White erects a pawn centre. After
For example: I I liad i tlJe4 ! ? 12 bious in view of 1 8 ... tlJxf3 1 9 'i'xf3 18 ah ab 9 0-0 Black can obtain good counter­
�xe7 0.xe7 1 3 �b i ? ! (stronger is �c7 intending .. .f5-f4) 14 ... f5 15 19 ltJb4 ltJcd5 play by exchanging the dark-square
1 3 c4) 13 ... 'i'c8 I4 tlJxe4 de I 5 tlJd2 �xb7 �xb7 16 tlJc4 (the counterat­ 20 �f3 tiab8 bishops:
�a6 I 6 c4 f) 1 7 f3 ef I 8 tlJxf3 cd 19 tack in the centre with I 6 c4 does not 21 ltJd3 a) 9 ... cd 10 ed ltJd5 and White
llxd4 �c5 and Black's position is break through, as after I6 ...g5 ! I 7 d5 cannot avoid the exchange of bish­
preferable, Taimanov-Beliavsky, g4 I 8 tlJd4 tlJeg6 Black has a dan­ Gamc 24 ops: 1 1 .11.xe7 tDcxe7 1 2 1le 1 f5 13
Sukhumi 1972. gerous attack on the king, while after Scirawan-Andcrsson c4 lDf4 14 �fl lif6 1 5 'i'b3 llh6 16
10 cd tlJd5 I 6 g3 follows I 6...0.h3+ I7 �g2 Ske/leftell 1 989 llad1 g5 (76)
11 1l...xc7 tlJcxe7 (75) tlJg5 1 8 �e2 f4 when Black has the
initiative) 16 .. JH6 17 0.ce5 g5 with 1 d4 ltJf6
a dangerous attack for Black, who 2 lt!f3 c6
already threatens 1 8 ... g4 19 tlJh4 3 1l...g 5 c5
lih6, Velikov-Tal. Berlin 1986. 4 c3 1l...c 7
12 ••• lDf6 5 ltJhd2 b6
Black frees the newly-weakened 6 c3 1l...h7
long diagonal for possible action by 7 1l...d3 ltJc6
the bishop, while retreating the 8 a3
knight before being forced to, by c3- This prophylactic move ha'> the
c4. Prophylaxis against the capture aim of organising a pawn offensive
of the e5 square. with I 2 ... ltJg6, fails in the centre. White defends against
to achieve its goal in view of 13 the move ...ltJc6-b4 which is possi­ I 7 d5 ( 1 7 lDxg5 fails to 1 7 ...11g6
12 g3 tlJe5 ! lDxe5 14 �xe5 tlJe7 15 liae1 ble in the event of 8 e4? ! cd 9 cd. 18 ltJgf3 tlJh3+, but now 1 7...ed can
The threatened 1 2 ...ttJf4 practi­ f5 16 f4 when White has the more ac­ After 8 0-0, in addition to the tradi­ be advantageously met by 1 8 ltJxg5
cally forces White to weaken the tive pos1t10n, Piket-Matamoros, tional 8 ... 0-0 (considered in the pre­ lig6 19 'i'e3) 1 7 ...g4? ! (Black ought
long diagonal. Gausdal 1986. We should note that vious game), it is worth considering to prepare this move with 17 ...tlJeg6,
86 Classical System Classical System 87

sides. Izeta-J .Gomez, Emma 199 1 , <itb l 1ti'e7 1 9 l:Ihg l I;lg7 2 0 'it'f4 Carlos Torre's opponents chose could have maintained the initiative
continued 1 3 ... llJd7 1 4 llJe4 llJf6 15 :cg8 21 :g3 a5 and now 22 Itdg I ! I 2 ... 1\t'c7 (81) a� a rule, for exam­ with the energetic I 7 llJf4 !?. Should
llJeg5 g6 1 6 h4 llJh5? (16 ... 'tlfd7 is (Korchnoi) would have cemented ple: Black then decide to win the piece,
correct) 17 llJxe6 and White won. White's advantage. there could follow I7 ... llJxf4 18
b) 1 1 0-0-0 a6 12 h4 b5 1 3 llJe4 b4 9 0-0 .ll x f4 e5 I 9 �f7 ! leading to White's
1 4 c4 d5 1 5 llJxf6+ 'tlfxf6 I 6 c5 llJc6 10 Ite1 llJhd7 advantage. It seems that 17 llJf4
1 7 'ife3 l::tfe 8 1 8 l:he1 a5 19 .ltb5 11 llJfl ought to be met by 1 7 ... llJf8 ! , with
l:ec8 20 g4 .lta6 2 1 g5 'i'f5 22 .lta4 I 1 a4 is frequently played, plan­ chances for both sides. For example:
e5 23 llJxe5 llJxe5 24 'tlfxe5 'i'xf2 25 ning to attack the b6 pawn, to which 18 llJxd5 .ll xd5 I9 c4 .llc6 20 d5
h5 'ikh4 26 h6 and White won, I.Sok­ B lack usually replies with the pro­ ..td7 (Torre's analysis) when the a'>­
olov-Mohr, Bled 1 99 1 . phylactic I I ... a6 (also worth consid­ sessment is open to discussion. After
8 ... llJc6 should be viewed with ering is I l ...'it'c7 I 2 llJe4 llfe8 13 21 de ..txe6 22 llJf3, threatening
suspicion in view of the unplea�ant llJg3 .ltf8 I4 llJd2 h6 1 5 ..txf6 llJxf6 llJd4, a difficult fight for equality lies
manoeuvre 9 llJc4! introduced by I 6 f4 e5 ! ? 1 7 ..tb5 ef I 8 .ll x e8 fg I 9 ahead of Black.
Carlos Torre himself in his ga1ne .ltb5 gh+ 2 0 �xh2 d5+ 2 I <Ji> g I .ltd6 13 a4 .I!Lc6
with Samisch discussed in the intro­ when the active bishops constitute a) Torre-Griinfeld, Moscow I 925: Black strives for counterplay on
duction. definite compensation for the ex­ 13 .ll c2 llJf8 14 'tlfd3 llac8 I5 llad1 the queenside, but he could adhere to
9 0-0 change, Remon-Uta<;i, Granma 1 986) llJd5 16 llJh5 llJb4 I7 cb 'tlfxc2 I 8 the waiting strategy with I 3 ...llJf8 I4
This move tends to be played when after I 2 llJfl a transposition to .llx e7 'tlfxd3 I 9 Itxd3 l:txe7 20 d5 .ltd2 �d7 15 llJg5 h6 I6 llJh3 �c6
autom atically, but a plan with queen­ the main line below is likely. Instead llJg6? (20 .. Jic2) 2 I de llxe6 22 I 7 f3 llJ8d7 I 8 llJf2 .ll f8 I9 llJfe4
side ca�tling also deserves attention: I 2 llJc4 allows the possibility of a .l:ed i .ll x f3 23 gf llJh4 24 'itfl llJf5 �c7 20 �e2 llJh7 2 I llJf2 llJhf6 22
9 .ltxf6 ! ? .ltxf6 10 'ti'c2 h6 1 1 .lte4 pawn s acrifice I 2 ... b5 ! ? 13 ab ab I4 25 llJg3 llJxg3+ 26 hg lid8 27 llcl �fl e5 23 I;lad i 1/z-1/z Spa�sky-Por­
tr'c8 1 2 0-0-0 llJd7 1 3 I;lhe1 b5 14 I;lxa8 'tlfxa8 I 5 llJa3 b4 1 6 cb h6 1 7 'it'f8 28 f4 lld7 29 I;lc8+ I;le8 30 nc4 tisch, Reggio Emilia I 986/87 .
.ltxb7 tr'xb7 15 d5 ! e5 I 6 llJe4 0-0 .ltf4 llJ b6 18 b 5 l:C 8 I 9 'i'e2 'tlfa4 llz _ llz. 14 h4 hS
(or 16 ... .lte7 17 llJd4 !) 17 g4 ! and when the activity of Black's pieces b) Torre-Rokhlin, Leningrad I925: 15 aS �c7 (82)
White's attack is very dangerous, B ar­ fully compensates for the small 1 3 llJd2 h6 I4 .lte3 llJd5 1 5 llJh5 ! f5
lov-V.Kovacevic, S witzerland 1 989. material deficit, Z<>u.Polgar-Peturs­ (the placid I 5 ... llJ7f6 can be met by
Translator 's note: in the rapid son, Reykjavik 1988. 16 llJe4 ! llJxe4 1 7 ..txe4 llJxe3 1 8
game Seirawan-Korchnoi, Roque­ Rather sluggish is 1 2 h3 lie8 13 l:Ixe3 .ll xe4 1 9 Itxe4 when White
brune 1 992, White sought to quicken .ll f4 .ll f8 14 .lth2 g6 1 5 llJc4 'tlfc7 16 ha� every possibility of attacking on
the pace of his play with the logical llJe3 llJd5 17 'tlfe2 llJ7f6 when a po­ the kingside. If I5 ... llJxe3, then after
10 ..te4 ! (instead of 10 �c2) sition of dynamic equality ha� I 6 lixe3 White stands excellently,
o
1 ... .ltxe4 (Korchnoi feels that arisen, in which Black's pawn pali­ threatening llg3 and 'tlfg4. I 6 ... .\lg5
10 ... d5 1 1 .ltd3 llJd7 gives more op- sade successfully opposes White's fails to 1 7 f4) 16 'tlfb3 (after 16 .ll x h6
portunities for both sides) 1 1 llJxe4 pieces, Knezevic-Machulsky, Mos­ gh 1 7 lhe6 .ltg5 1 8 .ll xf5 llJf8 !
d5 12 llJxf6+ gf (12 ...1ti'xf6 1 3 cow I 99 1 . White is obliged to exchange
ti'a4+) 1 3 'ii'd2 0-0 14 g4! llJd7 1 5 11 nes queens, depriving him of his attack)
h 4 �b8 1 6 0-0-0 l:g8 1 7 g 5 lic8 1 8 12 ltJg3 a6 16 ...�h8. In this position White 16 h S
 Classical System 85

The queenside may only be de­ White's po�;Jt ion is preferable, c) 9 lbc4 (tactics serve strategy:
fended by transferring the knight to Estevez-Lebredo, Cuba 1984) 12 9 ...il.xg5? 10 lbd6+ <bf8 1 1 lLlxb7
c8 (with the bishops on d8 and d7). 'Jjfe2 (also possible is 12 11e1 f5 13 favours White, while the knight
but this requires too much time. licl lbd8 14 i.fl lLlf7 1 5 lLle5 lLlg5 takes control of some dark squares)
The game concluded 29 ... lLle8 30 with chances for both sides, Costa­ 9 ... 0-0 10 h4 (after 1 0 lbd6? it.xg5
lLlc2 i.h4 3 1 i.f2 i.g5 32 lLlc4 �f7 Brunner, Biel 1990) 12 ... liac8 13 1 1 lLlxb7 'fle7 I2 lLlxg5 �xg5 13
33 lLlb4 fe 34 fe �e 7 35 �g2 �d7 liacl lLlb8 14 life 1 f5 15 1lr'fl lLlf6 �f3 �e7 the straying knight is in
36 a4 ¢Jc7 37 lLlc6 i.xc6 38 de lLlf6 16 lixc8 lixc8 Hart-Larsen, Linares danger) IO...f5 1 1 a3 lLlf6 1 2 �e2
39 a5 ba 40 i.xa7 lLlxe4 4l lLlxa5 1 -0 I 983. Here Hort recorrunends I7 e4 .Yl.d5 1 3 i:ic l lLle4 1 4 it.xe7 �xe7
with some initiative. 15 g3 lLlc6 with equal chances,
8 ... d6 Spa-;sky-Portisch, Geneva 1977.
Gamc 25
9... 0-0 White can prevent it with 10 With this move Black opts for the Another common move after re­
Harbero-Schiisslcr
e4 d6 1 1 0-0, aiming to develop an plan of deploying his forces accord­ moving the pawn tension is 8 ... 0-0.
Palma de Mallorca 1989
initiative in the centre and on the ing to the ' Hedgehog' system, after Straightaway we should mention
1 d4 lbf6 queenside. Z<>u.Polgar-Dimitrov, Ade­ which there arises a position of dy­ that White cannot carry out a plan
2 lbf3 e6 laide 1988 continued 1 1 ...lic8 12 namic equality. White can try to or­ with long ca<>tling, since the move 9
3 il.gS cS lic1 h6 1 3 �e3 lLlg4 14 �e2 lLlxe3 ganise a pawn offensive on the �e2? ! constitutes a typical mistake,
4 c3 .1l.c7 15 'Jjfxe3 e5 16 lLlb3 i.f6 17 d5 lLlb8 queenside where the b6 pawn consti­ a<> in similar schemes of develop­
5 lbhd2 h6 1 8 i.b5 'fie7 1 9 a4 and, due to the tutes a convenient target. Black ha'i ment with the exchange of pawns,
6 c3 j2_b7 threatened advance a4-a5, White's active counterplay with his pieces, and after 9 ... lbd5 Black, by attack­
7 il.d3 cd chances were preferable. In the event ba<;ed around fire-proof row of ing the f4 square with his knight,
8 cd of 10 0-0 it is dubious to fix the cen­ pawns on a6, b6, d6 and e6. forces White to weaken the long di­
The altemative capture 8 cd has tre with 10...d5, after which White The relieving manoeuvre 8 ...lLld5 agonal: 10 it.xe7 'flixe7 I 1 g3 a6 1 2
also been tried, with which White can avoid the exchange of the dark­ also deserves attention. For exam­ 0-0 lbf6 13 lLle5 d6 I4 lLlec4 'f/c7!
hopes to use the c-tile, but this al­ square bishops by means of 1 1 b4 a6 pi�:: (the best posting for the queen in this
lows Black's knight to develop to an 12 i:ic l lbd7 13 i.f4 ! b5 14 lLlb3 a) 9 it.xe7 �xe7 10 g3 it.a6 1 1 system of development) 15 lbe3
active square: 8... lLlc6 (this may also lLlb6 15 lLlc5 i.xc5 16 de lLld7 17 it.xa6 lLlxa6 I 2 'li'e2 lLlac7 1 3 lLle5 lLlbd7 16 c4 1He8 1 7 llac 1 l!ac8 1 8
follow the preliminary exchange i.d6 when White's advantage is ob­ d6 14 lbd3 0-0 1 5 f4 b5 16 0-0 1lr'd7 lifJ 1 e 5 and obtains excellent play in
8 ... lbd5 9 i.xe7 'Jjfxe7 10 0-0 f5 1 1 vious due to his pair of active bish­ I7 lLle4 �c6 with equal play, Kam­ the centre and on the kingside,
!te l 0-0 1 2 e4 lLlf4 1 3 i.fl fe 14 ops and attacking prospects on the sky-Sax, Manila IZ I 990. Shapiro-D.Gurevich, New York
lbxe4 tDc6! 15 g3 lLld5 16 i.g2 liad8 queenside, Dreev-Van der Werf, b) 9 lLle4 0-0 IO it.xe7 'flxe7 I I 1989.
1 7 a3 lbf6 with full equality, Tim­ Amhem 1988/89. However, by ex­ 'Wid2 f5 ! I 2 lLlg3 �d6 (Black seizes However, Black must reckon with
man-Andersson, Indonesia 1983 ). changing bishops with IO ...lbd5 control of f4 and takes over the in­ the possibility of the exchange of the
threatening ... lLlb4, and so obliging Black obtains a sound position: 1 1 itiative) 13 lbe5 lbc6 I4 lLlc4?! ( 14 knight 9 i.xt6 it.xf6 10 'fie2 d6,
White to play 9 a3 (80). i.xe7 �xe7 (after 1 1 .. .lLlcxe7 12 lbxc6 is simpler and more solid) when White can ca'itling on either
If Black is planning the manoeu­ i:icl lic8 13 �e2 lhc 1 14 lixcl 14 ... 'Jjfc7 I5 lLle2 lif6 and Black's side:
vre ... lLlf6-d5, then it is best to do 'Jjfb8 15 lLle5 lLlf6 16 lLlg4 lLlxg4 17 chances are preferable, Klaric­ a) 1 1 0-0 it.e7 1 2 a4 a6 1 3 life l .
this before castling, since after �xg4 f5 18 �g3 �xg3 19 hg Ra-;hkovsky, S ochi 1 977. White is prepared for play on both
86 Classical System Classical System 87

sides. Izeta-J.Gomez, Ennua 199 1 , <;t>b t 'flle7 19 .:f.hg1 lig7 20 'll1Yf4 Carlos Torre's opponents chose could have maintained the initiative
continued 13 ...llJd7 14 llJe4 llJf6 1 5 l::tcgS 21 l::tg 3 a5 and now 22 l::tdg l ! 1 2 ...'t!Yc7 (81) a� a rule, for exam­ with the energetic 17 llJf4 ! ?. Should
llJeg5 g 6 1 6 h 4 llJh5? ( 1 6...'i'd7 is (Korchnoi) would have cemented ple: Black then decide to win the piece,
correct) 1 7 llJxe6 and White won. White's advantage. there could follow 17 ...llJxf4 18
b) 1 1 0-0-0 a6 12 h4 b5 1 3 llJe4 b4 9 0-0 ..ltxf4 e5 19 Wif7! leading to White's
1 4 c4 d5 1 5 llJxf6+ 'tWxf6 16 c5 llJc6 10 !ie1 llJhd7 advantage. It seems that 17 llJf4
1 7 'We3 llfeS 1 S llhe1 a5 19 3Lb5 11 lt:lfl ought to be met by 1 7 ... llJf8!, with
llecS 20 g4 3La6 2 1 g5 'tWf5 22 3La4 1 1 a4 is frequently played, plan­ chances for both sides. For example:
e5 23 llJxe5 llJxe5 24 'tWxe5 'tWxf2 25 ning to attack the b6 pawn, to which 18 llJxd5 ..ltxd5 19 c4 ..ltc6 20 d5
h5 'iih 4 26 h6 and White won, I.Sok­ Black usually replies with the pro­ ..td7 (Torre's analysis) when the a'>­
olov-Mohr, Bled 1 99 1 . phylactic 1 1 ...a6 (also worth consid­ sessment is open to discussion. After
S ... llJc6 should b e viewed with ering is 1 I ...'ll1Yc7 1 2 llJe4 l:UeS 13 21 de Jtxe6 22 llJf3, threatening
suspicion in view of the unplea'>ant llJg3 ..tf8 I4 llJd2 h6 15 ..txf6 llJxf6 liJ<I4, a difficult fight for equality lies
manoeuvre 9 llJc4! introduced by 16 f4 e5 ! ? 17 ..ltb5 ef 1 S ..ltxeS fg 19 ahead of Black.
Carlos Torre himself in his gmne Jtb5 gh+ 20 Wxh2 d5+ 21 �g 1 Jtd6 13 a4 .l!Lc6
with Samisch discussed in the intro­ when the active bishops constitute a) Torre-Griinfeld, Moscow 1925: Black strives for counterplay on
duction. definite compensation for the ex­ 1 3 ..ltc2 llJf8 1 4 'fl/d3 lhcS 15 l::t ad l the queenside, but he could adhere to
9 0-0 change, Remon-Uta<>i, Gramna 1 986) llJd5 16 llJh5 llJb4 1 7 cb �xc2 18 the waiting strategy with 13 ...llJf8 14
This move tends to be played when after 1 2 llJfl a transposition to 1J...x e7 �xd3 19 l::!. xd3 l::t xe7 20 d5 Jtd2 'll1Yd7 15 llJg5 h6 16 llJh3 'll1Yc6
automatically, but a plan with queen­ the main line below is likely. Instead llJg6? (20.. Jlc2) 21 de l::!. xe6 22 17 f3 llJSd7 I S llJf2 ..tf8 19 llJfe4
side cao;tling also deserves attention: 12 llJc4 allows the possibility of a lled 1 Jtxf3 23 gf llJh4 24 'it'fl llJf5 'll1Yc7 20 'lliYe2 llJh7 21 llJf2 llJhf6 22
9 3Lxf6!? 1Lxf6 10 't!Vc2 h6 1 1 3Le4 pawn sacrifice 12 ... b5 !? 1 3 ab ab 14 25 llJg3 llJxg3+ 26 hg l::!.d8 27 licl 1/Vfl e5 23 llad l lfz_l!z Spa�sky-Por­
liicS 1 2 0-0-0 llJd7 1 3 l:rhe1 b5 14 l:rxaS 'ii:Vxa8 15 llJa3 b4 16 cb h6 17 'itf8 28 f4 lld7 29 lieS+ l::!.eS 30 l::!.c4 tisch, Reggio Emilia 19S6/S7.
3Lxb7 liixb7 15 d5 ! e5 16 llJe4 0-0 Jtf4 llJb6 IS b5 lieS 19 'll1Ye2 ifa4 llz_l!z. 14 h4 hS
(or 16 ... 3Le7 17 llJd4 !) 1 7 g4 ! and when the activity of Black's pieces b) Torre-Rokhlin, Leningrad 1925: 15 aS �c7 (82)
White's attack is very dangerous, Bar­ fully compensates for the small 1 3 llJd2 h6 14 Jte3 llJ<15 I5 llJh5 ! f5
lov-V.Kovaeevic, Switzerland 19S9. material deficit, Zsu.Polgar-Peturs­ (the placid 1 5 ... llJ7f6 can be met by
Translator's note: in the rapid son, Reykjavik 1988. 16 llJe4! llJxe4 17 Jtxe4 llJxe3 18
game Seirawan-Korchnoi, Roque­ Rather sluggish is 12 h3 lieS 13 l::!.xe3 Jtxe4 19 l::!.xe4 when White
brune 1 992, White sought to quicken ..tf4 ..tf8 14 ..th2 g6 15 llJc4 'Wic7 16 ha'> every possibility of attacking on
the pace of his play with the logical llJe3 llJd5 1 7 'Wie2 llJ7f6 when a po­ the kingside. If 15 ...llJxe3, then after
10 Jte4! (instead of 10 'i'c2) sition of dynamic equality ha� 16 llxe3 White stands excellently,
I O ..Jtxe4 (Korchnoi feels that
. arisen, in which Black's pawn pali­ threatening llg3 and WIg4. 16 ... ..ltg5
1 O ... d5 1 1 Jtd3 llJd7 gives more op- sade successfully opposes White's fails to 1 7 f4) 16 'Wib3 (after 1 6 ..txh6
portunities for both sides) 1 1 llJxe4 pieces, Kndevic-Machulsky, Mos­ gh 17 l:he6 ..ltg5 18 Jtxf5 llJf8 !
d5 12 llJxf6+ gf (12 ... 'tWxf6 13 cow 199 1 . White is obliged to exchange
'ilia4+) 13 'ii'd2 0-0 14 g4! llJd7 15 11 .l:Ie8 queens, depriving him of his attack)
h4 'it'hS 1 6 0-0-0 llgS 1 7 g5 ncs 1S 12 lt:lg3 a6 16 ... �h8. In this position White 16 hS
88 Classical System Classical System 89

An interesting sacrifice of a pawn a better solution in such a compli­ Black ought to include the bishop
for the initiative on the kingside. cated position; for instance after in the play with 42 ... d5, trying to or­
16 lLlxbS 23 ... lLle5 24 de fe 25 .te4 l:ta7 26 f4 grulize a blockade of the a-pawn,
17 ltJxhS il.xf3 the attack continues, but after which is possible, for instru1ce, in the
1 8 t'fxf3 iLxgS 23 ... lLlf6 24 de llxe6 25 iLlf4 lie5 or event of 43 .tfl �xb3 44 lixb3 d4.
19 t'fg3 .1Lh6 the simpler 23 ... e5 White's attack The game concluded: 43 a6 �
This seems best. After 19 ..iH6
.
runs out of steam. 44 �a2 VJ/ia7 45 .td3 lif4 46 g3 lif3
Black must reckon with threats on 24 liJf4 lle5 47 �g2 lif6 48 l:.b7 �d4 49 .ib l
the g-file. By retreating the bishop to 25 iL.c2 liJf6 �d l 50 .te4 d5 5 1 .txd5 .tc5 52
an outwardly unattractive position 26 �d3 .1Lg7 llxf7 llxf7 53 .txf7+ Wg7 54 a7
Black retains the possibility of in­ 27 iL.h3 �e7 .txa7 55 �xa7 �d6 56 .td5+ <bh6
cluding the queen in the defence by 28 nn lle8 57 �e3+ g5 1 -0 �c2 d6 1 3 llfd l intending 14 de be
me�ms of the m:moeuvre .. .'�c7-d8. 29 ltJxdS ltJxd5 15 lLle4.
20 llc4 g6 30 iL.xdS �c7 Game 26 However after the pawn exchru1ge
21 llh4 t'fd8 31 Ilf3 ll8e7 Timman-Andcrsson 7 ... cd 8 ed, the exchru1ge of bishops
22 Ilh3 .ars 32 b4 Brussels 1 988 is feasible: 8 ...lLld5 9 .txe7 'Wixe7 10
23 dS (83) Despite the pawn deficit, White !te l 0-0 I I .tfl (or I I .te4 d6 12
has the advantage, since the differ­ 1 d4 iLlf6 iLlfl iLlf6 13 i..x b7 'Wixb7 14 'iid3
ence in power of the opposite-colour 2 tt'lf3 e6 llc8) I I ...liJf6 1 2 lLlc4 d6 1 3 a4 lic8
bishops is evident, and Black is tied 3 iL.gS cS 14 ltJe3 �c7 with roughly equal
to the defence of the f7 pawn. Now 4 e3 .1Le7 chances, Krasenkov-Atlas, Podolsk
White transfers the play to the 5 .1Ld3 b6 1990.
queenside, where he can create a 6 0-0 ..11l.h7 Black generally plays 8 ...0-0 9
passed pawn. Maybe it was already 7 c3 lie I d6. Now 10 c3 runounts to a
worth trying to ease the defence with After 7 lLlbd2 (84) there arises a transposition of moves, but White
ru1 exchru1ge sacrifice: 32 .. Jhd5 33 position in which White can try to can try to continue saving a tempo
�xd5 .ixc3. save a tempo in the advance of the c­ for the battle for the centre by pre­
32 t'fc8'!! pawn. paring c2-c4, for example:
33 c4 be Thus, for example, as White has a) 10 lic l liJbd7 1 1 c4 l:Ie8 1 2
White sacrifices a second pawn, 34 iL.xc4 \'fb8 not played c2-c3, the simplify ing b4
. !? lic8 13 h3 ( a useful move, as
in order to keep his initiative alive. 35 �b3 'W'b7 manoeuvre 7 ... lLld5 ? ! 8 i.. xe7 "flixe7 the bishop can now be trru1sferred to
23 •.. ed'! 36 lid3 I1d7 is premature in view of the possibil­ the active diagonal h2-b8) 1 3 ...lLlf8
It is tempting to supplement the 37 lifd l .ars ity 9 c4 ! lLlb4 (or 9 ... lLlf6 10 e4 d6 I I 14 i..f4 "flid7 1 5 i..h2 lLlg6 1 6 a4 a5
material gain, but this move tums out 3 8 lld5 l:Ic7 e5 iLlfd7 12 lLle4 and White estab­ 17 b5 "flid8 18 lLlb3 ltJd7. Notwith­
to be a mistake, since White wins 39 b5 ab lishes control of the centre) 10 i..e2 standing White's space advru1tage,
back the d5 pawn and is able to es­ 40 iL.xbS Ii:cS 0-0 I I a3 ltJ4c6 ru1d here in Gereben­ Black's position has defensive po­
tablish a blockading piece on this 41 !!xeS llxeS Pytel, Nice OL 1974, White could tential, Bisguier-Wedberg, New
square. Certainly it is not ea'>y to find 42 llbl IUS? have obtained the better play with 12 York 1986.
90 Classical System Classical System 91

b) 1 0 lt:lfl (White preserves the benefit from the opposition of the 21 llabl l0e8 connection with the recent search for
dark-square bishop from exchange) rook and queen. 22 f4 new and untraditional paths for
1 O ... h6 1 1 i.d2 lt:lbd7 12 lt:\g3 .l:ie8 12 lt:\d7 White is more active, but how can White. Whilst giving up the centre,
1 3 a4 �c7 1 4 a5 i.f8 15 c4 .l:iad8 16 13 aS lt:\7f6 he strengthen his position? The at­ White takes control of d5 and aims
b4 e5 (16 . .d5 is met by I 7 c5 with
. 14 'flfbJ "Wc7 tempt to use the b-file does not suc­ to place his knight on c3 and rook on
advantage) 1 7 d5 b5 ! (in the event of IS 'flfaJ llah8 ceed: 22 1lb3 lt:lc7 23 1lebi llb7! c 1 , and organise pressure on the
the exchanging operation I 7 ... e4 IS 16 iLfl (85) followed by ... l:.fb8. White tries to half-open d-file.
lt:lxe4 lt:lxe4 1 9 i.xe4 'ifxc4 20 I:Ict increa'\e his space advantage, but S ... 3l.xcS
White gains possession of the c-file) maybe it wao; worth limiting himself Editor's note: Black can also at­
1 8 cb i.xd5 I9 :c1 'i¥'b7 20 i.fl ! to the reserved 22 f3 lt:lc7 23 i.a4 tenpt to regain his pawn with either
.Uc8 (after 20...�xf3?! 2I �xf3 lt:Ja6 24 c;t>f2 bringing the king closer the queen's knight or the queen.
'ifxf3 22 gf the advantage of the two to the centre. Quick draws resulted from 5 ... 0-0 6
bishops takes on a real character due 22 lt:Jc7 i.e2 lt:Ja6 7 c4 lt:lc5 8 lt:Jc3 b6 9 �c2
to the threat of 23 '!J.c7 and 24 i.h3) 23 Ji.d7 g6 lt:Jfe4 I I �xe7 �xe7 1h-1h Cifuentes
2 1 'i'e2 e4 22 lt:\d4 lt:\e5 with dou­ 24 g4 Iixb1 Parada-Adorjan, Polanica Zdroj
ble-edged play, Palatnik-Przewoz­ 2S lhb l Itd8 1 992 and 5 ... lt:Ja6 6 i.xa6 'i'a5+ 7
nik, Lvov 1 986. 26 .ta4 h6 lt'\bd2 bxa6 8 c6 d6 9 c4 'ftc7 10 �a4
c) White achieves nothing by the 27 �1'2 <t>ffl 1lb8 1 1 c5 dxc5 12 i.f4 �d6 1 3
exchange 10 �xf6 i.xf6 1 1 �e4 d5 28 i.d1 lt:\a6 i.xd6 'ifxd6 1 4 lt:\c4 'ifc7 1 5 lt:Jfe5
1 2 �d3. In the game Z.Nikolic­ 1 6 ... bS! 29 �JJ .1Lxf3 l!z_lh Yusupov-Hiibner, Baden-Baden
Stean, Smederevska Palanka I 982, An elegant exchanging combina- 30 c.t>xf3 Ub8 1 992, whilst 5 ...�a5+ 6 lt'\bd2 �xc5
Black equalised ea<>ily after 1 2 ... �a6 tion. 31 1lbS dS 7 c4 b6! 8 i.d3 i.b7 9 0-0 �c7 10
1 3 �xa6 lt:lxa6 I4 c3 lt:\b8 1 5 lt:le5 17 iLxhS lt:Jxc3 32 rs llz_llz tk I d6 1 1 lt'\d4 lt:Jbd7 led to a type
i.xe5 I6 lhe5 lt:lc6. 18 'flfxc3 "ffxc3 of Hedgehog position in Cifuentes
7 ... 0-0 1 9 be 3l.xf3 (86) Parada-Rotshtein, Wijk aan Zee
Gamc 27
8 lt:Jbd2 1 993.
Yusupov-Karpov
8 �e2 lt:lg4 9 i.xe7 �xe7 IO a4 6 c4 (87)
Candidntes Semi-Final (8)
d5 1 1 a5 lt:\d7 1 2 lt:\a3 �c6 prevents
London 1 989
the manoeuvre lt:\a3-b5, and main­
(notes based on those by Karpov)
tains equality, O.Rodriguez-Rechlis,
Thessaloniki OL 1988. 1 d4 ltJC6
8 cd 2 lt:\f3 e6
9 ed lt:\dS 3 Ji.gS cS
10 Ji.xe7 "ffxe7 4 e3 3l.e7
11 llel d6 s de!?
12 a4 This manoeuvre, radically
It is worth considering 1 2 i.fl changing the character of the strug­
followed by c4 and d5, striving to 20 c4 .ta8 gle, wa-; introduced into practice in
92 Classical System Classical System 93

6 iLb4+! has a useful extra pawn on the

•••
blockading the passed pawn.
In the game Hodgson-Franzoni, queenside.
23 .i!l.f4 be
Luceme 1989, there followed 6...0-0 7 lbbd2 h6
24 be .i!l.f6
7 ltJc3 .ie 7 8 �d3 tbc6 (it is also 8 iLd3 tbe6
2S f3 .1£.xc3
worth considering deploying Black's 9 0-0 J!l.e7
26 llxc3 eS
forces in "Hedgehog" style: 8 ... b6 9 10 nct .i!l.b7
Now the weakness of d6 compen-
l:rci �b7 10 0-0 h6 I I �h4 d6 fol­ 11 'We2 (88)
sates for the weakness of c4.
lowed by ... lbbd7) 9 0-0 h6 I O .i.h4 The modest development of the
27 iLe3 il.a6
b6 l l lic l .i.b7 I 2 �e2 d6 1 3 lifd 1 queen is in keeping with a standard
28 'l'fc2 h6
lic8 I4 .i. b i lie8 1 5 lbb5 d 5 16 cd plan of fighting against the "Hedge­
29 cS! 'ii'e6
tbxd5 1 7 �g3 lbcb4 18 tDc7 tbxc7 hog" pawn fonnation, which would
30 lidS de
(Black decides to part with his arise after ... d7-d6, since it is disad­ 16 'Wb8 31 .ll d xeS 'We8
queen, but does not obtain compen­ v:mtageous for Black to aim for the 17 lbb1 tt:Jd7 32 I!xc8 llxc8
sation) 19 lixd8 ..ixd8 20 h4 f5 21 freeing ... d7-d5 which leads to the 18 lLJe3 lLJecS! 33 iLxa7 llxc3
a3 ..ia6 22 �di lbbd5 23 e4 fe 24 opening of the c-file :md exposes 19 ltJxeS �xeS 34 'Wxc3 f6 (90)
.ixe4 .ito 25 tbe5 ..ib7 26 �h5 weaknesses on the queenside, in par­ 20 b3 'Wa8
.i.xe5 27 .i.xe5 tbf6 28 .i.xf6 ..ixe4 ticular a6 and c6. For ex:unple: 21 e4 tt:Jxd3
29 �g4 1-0. l l ...d5? 1 2 .i.xf6 ..ixf6 13 cd �xd5 22 'Wxd3 (89)
The important preliminary check 14 .i.e4 �d7 1 5 �5 lic8 16 lifd1
forces a more modest development with adv:u1tage for White.
of the knight, since now after 7 tbc3 I I .i.b l deserves attention, plan­
Black could weaken of White's ning 1 1 ...0-0 12 �c2, while after
pawn structure. I I ...h6 12 .i.xf6 .i.xto White can ex­
Bearing this in mind, it may be ploit the weakness of d6: 13 lbe4
worth delaying 6 c4, playing instead ..ixb2 14 tbd6+ <t;e7 15 lbxb7 �c7
6 .ie2. Then, in the game Hort­ 16 lic2 (after 16 c5? .i.xc l 1 7 �d6+
Adorjan, Reggio Emilia 1984/85 �xd6 18 cd+ �f6 ! White does not
there followed 6 ... ..ie7 7 c4 b6 (after have compensation tor the exch:mge)
TI1e extra pawn has no real sig­
7 ... �a5+ White may well try the 16 .. .f6 17 c5 �xb7 1 8 �d6+ �e8 19
nific:uJce due to the complete pawn
pawn sacrifice 8 tbc3 ! tbe4 9 ..ixe7 lid2, but at the cost of a pawn.
symmetry on the kingside and the
tbxc3 10 �d2 �xe7 1 1 lic l �xa2 11 0-0 22 bS!? '
opposite-colour bishops: 35 �3+
1 2 �xc3 with more th:m enough 12 llfd 1 'Wc7 Black manages to achieve a free­ �f7 36 �xf7+ �xf7 37 a4 �e6 38
compensation) 8 tbc3 .i.b7 9 0-0 13 .i!l.f4 d6 ing thrust typical of the " Hedgehog" ..ic5 h5 39 �f2 g6 40 a5 �d7 41 h4
0-0 10 �c2 tba6 I I lifd l tbc5 12 14 h3 llac8 structure, since after 23 cb would f5 42 ef gf 43 g3 'ot>e6 44 .i.b4 �d5
lid4 d5 13 liad l l:rc8 14 .if4 ! �e8 1S a3 llfd8 follow 23 ... d5. Also possible is (Black has activated his forces to the
1 5 tbe5 tbce4 16 tbxe4 lbxe4 17 16 iLh2 22 ... d5 23 ed .i.xa3 24 libi (24 lia1 maximum, and so there is no point in
lixe4 ! de 1 8 lbd7 ..ic6 19 tbxf8 The inunediate 1 6 b3 is more would be met by 24 ... .i.b2) 24 ... ed prolonging the g:une) 45 <;t>e3 .ic4
VWxf8 20 .i.e5 and White effectively logical. 25 lL!xd5 ..ixd5 26 cd ..id6, securely 46 .i.e 1 <;t>c6 4 7 .i.c3 <;t>d6 48 ..ib2
94 Classical System Classical System 95

�d5 49 i..a 3 'it>c6 50 i...e7 '.t>d7 51 dark-square bishops, then this can be avoided by the immediate 7 ...i..b4+ Sideif-Zade - Dautov, Budapest
i...f6 �e6 52 i...d 8 <it'd7 53 i...b6 <it'c6 achieved by means of the manoeuvre 8 l0bd2 b6 9 i..e2 i...b7 10 0-0 0-0 I I 1 989.
54 �d2 i..d 5 55 �e2 i...c4+ 56 'Ot>e3 ... ltJf6-h5, though this leaves the l0e5 i... xd2 (Black aims to maintain b) 6...d5 7 i...b5+ (or 7 ltJe5 i..d6 8
q;,d6 57 i..a 7 <it'c7 58 i..c 5 'it>c6 59 knight less attractively placed on the his bishop on the long diagonal, i...b5+ 'it>f8 9 l0df3 g6 10 0-0 a6 1 1
..tf8 �c7 60 ..tg7 q;,d6 61 q;,d2 •12-•h edge of the board. since after I l ...d6 I2 i..f3 i... x f3 13 i...e2 'it>g7 1 2 'iYd2 b6 1 3 a4 h5 14
5 J!L.h4 l0exf3 d5 I4 lUeS it is not easy for l:lfd 1 i...b7 15 c4 l:Id8 1 6 'iYc2 ltJd7
Game 28 Sometimes White exchanges the him to develop his knight, while af­ with equality, M.Hansen-Lev, Am­
Balashov-Lcrner bishop: 5 i... xf6 'iYxf6 (92). ter 1 4 ...i...xd2 15 'iYxd2 de I6 'iib4 hem I 988/89) 7 ...i...d7 8 i... xd7+
Kiev 1 986 White regains the pawn with the su­ l0xd7 9 0-0 i...e7 10 e4 cd (if Black
perior position) 12 'ifxd2 d6 1 3 l0g4 wishes to avoid complications, he
1 d4 ltlf6 'iYg6 I 4 l0e3 l0c6 1 5 f4 l0e7 I6 d5 may play 10 ...de 1 1 l0xe4 'iYf4 12
2 l0 f3 c6 (more solid is 1 6 i...d3 i..e4 17 i...xe4 l0xc5 ltJxc5 13 de i... xc5) 1 1 ed e5!
3 i...g5 c5 'ifxe4 I8 l:aei lOf5 I9 l0c2! with a 1 2 l:Ie 1 0-0 13 'iYe2 llac 8 1 4 li ac l
4 e3 h6 (91) space advantage for White) 1 6...ed 'iYb6 15 l0c4 'iYc5 16 l0cxe5 l0xe5 1 7
17 f5 'iYg5 I 8 f6?! d4! I9 'iYxd4 lOc6 ltJxe5 'iYxd5 1 8 lUg6 fg 1 9 'iYxe7 l:tf7
20 'ifc3 l:Ife8 2 1 llf3 g6 and Black 1h-1h Begun-Vitolins, Minsk 1989.
repulses the threats, Torre-Cebalo, 5 h6
Novi Sad 1984. Instead of I 8 f6?!, 6 �d3 il.h7
White could have maintained the in­ 7 l0hd2 il.e7
itiative with a preliminary pawn sac­ Sometimes Bl:lck chooses to in­
Now occupying the centre with 6 rifice to deflect -the queen: 18 h4! terpose the central exchange before
e4 involves a loss of tempo. White 'iYxh4 I9 f6. this move. The variation 7 ... cd 8 ed
can establish pawn control of the More natural is 6 ltJbd2; however, i..e7 is considered (by transposition)
centre by playing 6 c4, but after this Black can limit the d2 knight's influ­ in the game Hulak-Seirawan.
he will feel the absence of the dark­ ence on the centre by playing ...d7- 8 0-0
square bishop: 6... cd 7 ed l0c6 and d5, not fearing the weakening of the Another common continuation is
Black opens up an 'air-vent' in his Black threatens to double White's dark squares in view of the absence 8 c3, with which White supports his
future king position, with gain of pawns with 8 ...i...b4+ 9 l0c3 i..xc3+. of White's dark-square bishop. centre and prepares the advance e3-
tempo. However, the early advance The prophylactic 8 a3 is inadequate a) 6 ... cd 7 ed l0c6 8 c3 d5 ! gives e4. After 8 ...0-0 9 e4 cd 10 cd, good
of a pawn on the wing ha<> its disad­ in view of 8 ... g5 ! 9 l0c3 g4 10 l0e5 Black a promising position after is 10 ...d6 followed by the knight de­
vantages. Black weakens the diago­ lUxeS 1 1 de \\Vxe5+ 1 2 'iYe2 i... g 7 13 either 9 i...d 3 i.. d6 I 0 0-0 0-0 1 1 ployment ...l0bd7, but 10 ... d5?! is
nal b1-h7, which may serve ao; a 0-0-0 11t'xe2 I4 i...xe2 i...xc3 1 5 be b6 1lt'e2 l:e8 1 2 l:lae 1 e5 ! 13 ltJxe5 risky since it allows White to achieve
motive for the organisation of an at­ with a good ending for Black, due to lUxeS 14 de i...xe5 15 'iVd 1 i...d7 a predominance in the centre: 1 1
tack, and, furthermore, reduces the his better pawn structure, Rozen­ B.Kogan-Christiansen, USA Ch i... xf6 i...xf6 12 e5 i...e7 13 't!Ye2 a5 14
effectiveness of the manoeuvre talis-Smagin, Odessa 1989. How­ I983, or 9 i...b5 i...d6 10 0-0 a6 1 1 0-0 a4 1 5 a3 i.a6 16 i...xa6 l:ha6 17
... ltJf6-d5, in view of the possible ever by playing 8 l0c3 i...b4 9 l:tc l ! i...xc6+ be 1 2 c4?! (stronger is I2 llac l and White's position is better,
bishop retreat i...h4-g3. If Black White maintains his position in the lie I followed by 1 3 l0e5) 1 2 ...0-0 thanks to his possession of the c-file
wishes to carry out the exchange of centre. This problem cannot be 1 3 c5 i...f4 14 llei 'iYe7 15 'iVc2 f6 and pressure against the weaknesses
 Classical System 97
96 Classical �'ystem

10 l!e1 (93) 1 3 iJ...xe7 'i'lxe7 28 'i!r'd3 llxd4

of Black's queenside, Ermolinsky­
Ra'ihkovsky, Kuibyshev 1 986. 14 il..e4 il..xe4 29 �xd4 f6
If White refrains from e3-e4 for 15 lt:Jxe4 lt:Jhf6 (94) 30 a3 'it>l7
the time being, by playing 9 'i1Ve2, lfl.lfl
then B lack may also play 9... cd
(Aiekhine considered that opening Game 29
the e-file was to White's benefit and Hulak-Seirawan
recommended 9 ... d6 10 0-0 tt:\bd7 New York 1989
1 1 l:.ad l . The game Janowski-Aiek­
hine, Mannheim 19 14, continued 1 tt:\f3 tt:\f6
1 1 ...�c7 1 2 l:.fe 1 l:.fe8 1 3 h3 e5 14 2 d4 e6
3 .1l..g5 h6
de de 15 .ig3 .if8 with unclear play)
10 ed d6, but in this ca<;e Black must 4 .1l..h 4 c5
reckon with the attacking possibility 1 0 ... tt:\hd7 5 c3 h6
1 1 �xf6 .ixf6 12 tt:\e4 .ie7 13 g4 After the removal of the pawn ten­ 6 tt:\bd2 cd
l:.e8 14 g5 d5 1 5 tt:\g3 hg 16 h4 gh 17 sion with 10 ... cd 1 1 ed tt:\bd7 1 2 a4 Black has solved his opening The move-order 6 ....ie7 7 c3 is
tt:\h5 tt:\d7 18 l:tg 1 .if6 1 9 tt:\e5 a6 1 3 b4 tt:\d5 14 .ixe7 �xe7 15 problems. After 16 tt:\xf6+ tt:\xf6 17 considered in the game I.Sokolov­
Z.Nikolic-J .Horvath, Smederevska �3 a5 16 b5 Itac8 17 Itacl White e4 ( 1 7 a4 deserves attention) 17 ... b5 Kir.Georgiev.
Palanka 1984. It is worth consider­ ha<; a space advantage, Larsen-An­ 18 a4 l:.ab8 19 e5 de 20 de tt:\d5 he 7 cd il..b7
ing 10 ...tt:\h5 1 1 .ixe7 'i1Vxe7 12 g3 dersson, Bie1 1976. has a secure position. 8 .1£.d3
tt:\f6, with a secure position. 1 1 �e2 16 tt:\g3 hS The thrust 8 tt:\c4 is parried by the
8 ... 0-0 After 1 1 a4 Black can defend by 17 e4 cd flanking blow 8 ...b5 !. After 9 tt:\e3
9 c3 d6 1 1 ... a6, with double-edged play, 18 llxd4 tt:\b6 .ie7 10 c3 a6 1 1 .ie2 0-0 12 a4 b4
Translator 's note: in C.Hansen­ maintaining the possibility of relew>­ 19 I!cdl llfd8 1 3 c4 .ie4 14 ..ig3 d6 15 h3 tt:\c6 16
M.Gurevich, Munich 1992, 9 ... cd ing the pawn tension at the appropri­ 20 h3 nac8 d5 ed 17 cd tt:\e5 B lack has equal
wa'i met by 10 cd!? tt:\c6 (Gurevich ate moment. However 1 1 ...e5? is a 21 e5 chances in view of the weakness of
considers 10 ... d5 1 1 tt:\e5 tt:\bd7 12 mistake, as it weakens the square d5. This move leads to simplifica­ White's d5 pawn, Knezevic-Om­
llc l tt:\xe5 l3 de slightly to favour After 1 2 de de 1 3 e4 tt:\h5 14 .ig3 tions. It WW> worth considering 21 stein, Tmava 1983.
White) 1 1 a3 d6 1 2 e4 ! ? tt:\h5 13 tt:\f4 15 .ib5 tt:\g6 16 �3 tt:\f6 17 tt:\d2 intending f2-f4 and e4-e5, but 8 ... il..e 7 (95)
d5 !? tt:\b8 ! ? 14 .ixe7 �xe7 1 5 de fe l:tad 1 V//ic7 18 lL\c4 �xe4 19 tt:\fxe5 Black also hW> enough counter play 9 c3
1 6 e5 tt:\d7 ! ? (16 ...�xf3 1 7 tt:\xf3 d5 �7 20 llxe4 ! V//ixe4 2 1 .ic6 'W'f5 22 in this cW>e. A useful move. According to cir­
1 8 l:.c1 is pleasant for White) 1 7 ed tt:\e3 V//ih5 23 .if3 VJ/ig5 24 h4 White 21 de cumstances, White can set up a bat­
�xd6 1 8 .ie4 .idS ! ? 1 9 tt:\c4 �c5 ha<; a winning position, De Guzman­ 22 tt:\xe5 llxd4 tery with .ic2 and �d3 on the
20 .ixd5 ed 2 1 tt:\e3 tt:\df6 ! and now Ma<;carifia'>, Manila 1982. 23 llxd4 �c7 weakened b 1 -h7 diagonal.
22 �d4 !? intending to meet Meanwhile White threatens to ex­ 24 tt:\g4 tt:\bdS The prophylactic retreat 9 ..ig3
22 ... l:.ae8 with 23 ltad 1 would have change the active bishop. 25 lt:Jxf6+ tt:\xf6 does not hinder Black's desire to ex­
maintained an edge for White, ac­ 11 a6 26 tt:\e4 tt:\xe4 change this bishop: 9 ... d6 10 'ife2
cording to Gurevich. 12 l!ad1 27 �xe4 lld8 0-0 1 1 0-0 tt:\bd7 12 c4 (more logical
tt:\h5
98 Classical System Classical Sy.�tem 99

lLle4 0-0-0. However, one should Spiridonov, Bela Crkva 1 986) 1 2 b) 1 1 J;te1 tLlh5 12 i(.xe7 'i+fxe7 1 3
bear in mind that following the ma­ lLlxe4 eases Black's defence. For in­ a4 lLld7 1 4 a.."i lLlf4 15 i(. f l Il fc 8 1 6
noeuvre of the knight to the edge, stance: 12 ... i(.e7 13 0-0 0-0 14 lLlfd2 g3 lLlg6 17 i.d3 tLlgf8 1 8 'i+fe2 tLlf6
10... tLlh5 1 1 iJ... xe7 W/xe7 1 2 g3 ! tLlf6 d5 1 5 lLlg3 lLld7 16 'i'e2 i(.d6 with Ionov-Kholmov, Klaipeda 1988. In
1 3 0-0-0 lLllxl7 14 I! he 1 0-0 15 Wb 1 , equal chances, Z.Nikolic-Rivas, Bor both of these lines. the chances are
White's attacking ch:mces are pref­ 1986. roughly level.
erable, ao; his pawns will come into 1 1 lLle4 !? seems more active, 10 d6
contact with the h6 pawn with great when after 1 I ...i(.e7 1 2 0-0 0-0 it is 1 1 0-0-0 lt'lbd7
effect, V.Kovacevic-Henley, New possible to set up the light-square 12 �bel a6
York 1989. battery i(.c2, "Wd3, aiming at the h7 1 3 q.,h1 bS
Recent White hm; tried to avoid square: 14 '.t>al !XeS
is 1 2 c3 intending a2-a4-a5) 1 2 ... tLlh5 this simplifying manoeuvre by ex­ a) 1 3 Ile1 tLld7 14 i(.c2 lLlf6? 15 ..th1 lLlffl (97)
1 3 l:lfe 1 tLlxg3 14 hg l::e8 1 5 J;tad 1 changing his bishop: 10 iJ...xf6 iJ... x f6 (Black should play 14 ... Ile8, freeing
lLlf6 1 6 l::b l d5 and the isolation of (96). However, this voluntary con­ a square for the bishop) 15 lLlxf6+
his d-pawn leaves White with the cession of the bishop pair eases iJ... xf6 16 'i'd3 g6 1 7 lhe6! and
worse position, Skousen-Bjerring, Black's defence. The inunediate White wins a pawn ( 1 7 .. .fe is un­
Copenhagen 1 990. question facing White is which piece plea<>antly met by 18 �xg6+ i(.g7 1 9
9... 0-0 should occupy e4. 'i'xe6+ ), V.Kovacevic-Polugaevsky,
Black can also force the exchange Haifa 1 989.
of the dark-square bishops with the b) 1 3 iJ...c2 tLld7 14 'i'd3 g6 15
manoeuvre 9 ... tLlh5 (after 9 ... lLld5 llfe1 lie8 16 liad 1 lLlf6 1 7 lLlg3 i(.f8
the bishop may retreat: 10 i(.g3) 18 h4 i(.g7 19 h5 g5 20 lLlh2 'flc7 21
since White should avoid 10 lLlc4 i(.b 1 'ito'f8 22 f3 d5 23 tLlhfl lLlg8 24
i(.xh4 1 1 lLld6+ �f8 1 2 lLlxn (better lLlh 1 lLlf6 25 g4 1h-1h Rozentalis­
is 1 2 lLlxb7 i(.xf2+. 1 3 q.,xf2 "ilc7) Vyzhmanavin, USSR Ch (Lenin­ 16 h3
1 2... '0t;xn 1 3 lLle5+ 'Ot;e7 ! 14 'i'xh5 grad) 1990. In this position with cao;tling on
i(.f6 15 lLlg6+ <iti>d6 1 6 lLlxh8 �xh8 1 0 't'fc2 opposite wings, White must make
with a material advantage for Black. White prepares to cao;tle queen­ contact with the h6 pawn (the conse­
However, Black also has a sound po­ side, planning to attack on the king­ quence of Black's fourth move) and
sition after 1 0 i(.g3 lLlxg3 1 1 hg d6 side which has been weakened by Black with the c3 pawn. Now every­
1 2 'iie 2 lLld7 1 3 g4 a6 14 lLle4 tLlf6 The exchange of bishops 1 1 i(.e4 the advance of the pawn to h6. After thing depends on the swiftness of the
1 5 tLlfd2 lLlxe4 16 lLlxe4 b5, Stem­ (or 1 1 1i'e2 a6 1 2 iJ...e4 1i'c7 1 3 d5 !? the more modest 10 0-0 d6, Black opposing attacks. White is planning
pin-Przewoznik, Warsaw 1 990. e5 14 lLlfl lLld7 15 lLle3 g6 with un­ can defend more easily: the pawn stonn g2-g4.
Often Black plays 9 ... d6 instead clear play, Klaric-Utasi, Havana a) 1 1 a4 lLlbd7 1 2 a5 "i/c7 13 "ike2 16 tLldS!
of castling. Now 1 0 "iVe2 can be met 1 986) 1 l ...iJ...xe4 (also possible is liab8 14 ab ab 1 5 Ila3 liaS 16 l:: fa1 17 i£.xc7 l!xc7
o
by 1 . .lLlbd7 1 1 0-0 lLld5 ! with suf­
. 1 l ..."Wc7 12 0-0 lLld7 13 Ile1 0-0 and lixa3 1 7 l::x a3 lia8 1 8 lixa8+ i(.xa8, 18 g3 l!c8
ficient counterplay after 1 2 i(.xe 7 after transferring the knight to f6, Rogers-Korchnoi, Luceme OL 19 l:Ic1 llc8
"iVxe7 1 3 g3 lieS or 1 2 i(.g3 �c7 13 Black achieves equality, Z.Nikolic- 1 982. 20 lt'lh2 l1Jh6
1 {)() CL.zssica/ System Classical System 101

llJc4 29 lL\c2 cS! 7 c3 compromise his pawn structure. Af­

21 llJg4
ll'lxd2 30 rs ed Sometimes the move-order 7 h3 ter 1 3 ... l!JxJ5 White can retreat with
22 f4
aS 31 fg fg i.b7 8 c3 is used, for example: 14 Jll..g 3, but 1 3 ... ed also deserves at­
23 'ilfxd2
b4 (98) 32 nn 'ilig7 a) 8 ... llJc6 9 Jll..d3 cd 10 ed l!Jh5 I I tention) 14 �e2 �7 1 5 lbe5! lDc6
24 il..d3
33 Ilf4 l!JcS !it..x e7- l!Jxe7 1 2 g3 �c7 1 3 �e2 (after accepting the pawn sacrifice
34 I:!xd4 (White prepares to seize the impor­ with 1 5 ... �xb2 1 6 �f3 l!Ja6 17 lDc6
On 34 ll'lxd4 can follow 34...lDe4 tant e5 square which may serve as a 1jb7 1 8 l!Jxe7+ �xe7 1 9 lDe4
(after the obvious 34... ll'lxd3 35 base around which an attack on the Black's position is broken up) 16
'i'xd3 g5 White has the reply 36 l!Jf5 king can be organized) 1 3 ... 0-0 14 ttkl3 ttkl7 17 JlLg3 llJa5 1 8 b3 c4 !?
�f6 37 l:id4) 35 i.xe4 i.xe4+ 36 0-0-0 l!Jf6 15 IDlg 1 llJfd5 1 6 'it>b 1 (Black strives to activate his game)
'it>b2 d5 with advantage for Black. l:tab8 1 7 nc t i.c6 1 8 llJe5 b5 1 9 f4 1 9 be l.Hc8 20 lbb 1 �c6 2 1 lbb4
However White should include his and White's initiative on the king­ �c5 22 lifd l llJf6 23 llJa6 �c6 24
second rook in the play. with 34 side is very dangerous in view of the c5 and White obtains a material and
licfl threatening l:if4-f6. weakness of h6, Kamsky-Hulak, positional advantage, since it is not
34 ... llc7 New York 1 989. easy for Black to regain the pawn,
1l1e inunediate 34...i.e4? fails to b) 8 ...0-0 9 i.d3 cd 10 cd llJc6 1 1 Dreev-Lemer, Simferopol 1 988.
The impression is fonning that 35 Jll.x. e4 lbxe4 36 lixe4 lixe4 37 a3 l!Jh5 1 2 !it.. xe7 Wixe7 1 3 0-0 lifc8 Editor's note: After 7 ...0-0 White
White is ahead in the attack and �d5+. 14 !tel l!Ja5 15 Wie2 d6 with equal can also advance immediately in the
Black is trying to take over the initia­ 35 llxd6'? chances, Hort-Karpov, Biel 1 990. centre with 8 e4. The game Yusupov­
tive with this pawn sacrifice. In the 35 l:ie l is necessary, when after c) 8 ...d5 9 i.d3 llJbd7. The game Beliavsky, Linares 1 993, continued
event of 25 cb ab 26 �xb4 lib8 27 35 ...lice8 it becomes possible to take Miralles-Renet, Royan 1 988, contin­ 8 ... cxd4 9 cxd4 d5 10 i.xf6 i.xf6 1 1
'i'c3 'ib6 followed by ... i.b7-J5 and the pawn: 36 lixe7 lixe7 37 l:ixd6. ued 10 �e2?! ( 1 0 �c2 deserves at­ e5 Jll..e7 1 2 i.b5 i.a6 1 3 a4 i.b7 14
... lie8-e7-a7 Black generates dan­ After 35 l:ixd6 the game finished tention) I O...l!Je4 I I !it..xe7 'i¥xe7 1 2 0-0 a6 15 i.d3 lbc6 with roughly
gerous threats. swiftly: 35 ... i.e4 36 i.xe4 l!Jxe4 37 i.b5 l!Jd6 1 3 !it..a6 !it..xa6 1 4 �xa6 equal prospects.
25 c4 liJd7 �d4 l!Jxd6 38 �xd6 'it>h7 39 �a6 0-0 1 5 0-0 lHc8 1 6 liacl c4 with ad­ 8 i.d3 (99)
26 b3'?! lic5 40 �d6 l:ice5 4 1 ttkl4 lie l 42 vantage for Black, who can organize
White ought to avoid weakening c5 lixc I+ 43 'it>xc I l:id7 0- 1 serious pressure on the queenside,
his king position unless it is abso­ while it is not easy for White to ar­
lutely necessary. Stronger is 26 ll'lf2. Game 30 range the e3-e4 thrust.
intending to attack with h is pawns. I.Sokolov-Kir.Gcorgicv 7 . .. il..b7
In some circumstances it may be Haifa 1989 The continuation 7 ...0-0 8 !it..d3
possible for a white piece to use the i.b7 amounts to a transposition, but
e4 square. Now Black embarks on a 1 d4 l!Jf6 Black can give this line independent
battle for t11e long dark-square di­ 2 ll'lf3 c6 significance by exchanging the
agonal. 3 il..gS h6 light-square bishops: 8 ... Jll.. a6 9
26 hS! 4 ..lih4 cS Jll..x a6 lbxa6 1 0 0-0 llJb8 1 1 e4 d5 1 2
27 ll'lc3 "W'f6 5 e3 b6 de b e 1 3 e d �xd5 (Black aims for
28 'it>b1 g6 6 ll'lbd2 ..lie7 active piece play and is willing to 8 llJc6
102 Ckzssical System Classical Sv.Hcm /03

By developing this knight ac­ after the exchange of bishops 10 reasonable, keeping in reserve the
tively, Black increa.�es the pressure i.xe7 Wixe7 Black ha.� no particular exch:mging manoeuvre ... lL'lf6-h5.
on d4, but the lack of coordination problems. For example: 1 1 f4 l0c6 For instance:
with the other knight makes it ea.� ier 1 2 0-0 lL'ldxe5 13 fe 0-0-0 1 4 a3 f6 1 5 a) 10 a3 l:£Jh5 1 1 i.g3 l:£Jxg3 12 hg
for White to seize the initiative on e f g f 1 6 b 4 c4 1 7 i.c2 lldg8 1 8 'ife2 a5 13 'ii'e2 d5 14 e4 (14 b3 ? ! appears
the kingside. f5 1 9 a4 l:iJd8 and Black revives his to waste time: 14 ... Wic7 15 e4 de 16
The preliminary exchange 8 ... cd bishop with the threat 20 ... e5 21 de 'ifxe4 g6 17 'tlfe3 <ii'g7 1 8 llfd l llad8
is also useful. After 9 ed Black can d4 and achieves the better play, 1 9 l:£Jc4 cd ! 20 cd i.f6 21 i.e4 l:£Je7
continue 9... lL'lc6 or 9 ...d6 with the Mikh.Tseitlin-Razuvaev, Moscow and Black's chances are preferable,
development of the knight on d7. 1 982. Levitina-Lemer, Moscow 1 990)
(Translator's note: the game Stem­ 8 ...d6 is a fully rea.�onable con­ 14 ...de 15 'ii xe4 g6 1 6 l:£Jc4 'iic7 17
pin-Przewoznik, Warsaw 1 990, tinuation, for example 9 'if'e2 (after Here Black sacrificed a pawn: '¥fe3 r$;>g7 1 8 l:£Jce5 with unclear
demonstrated an interesting altema­ the prophylactic retreat 9 i.g3 White 15 ...c4 16 i.c2 d4 ! and obtained an play.
tive: 9 ...lLlh5 !? 10 i.g3 { 10 lLlc4 fails to prevent the exchange of this enduring initiative. 17 '¥fxc4 de 1 8 b) 10 'iie2 cd 1 1 ed l:£Jh5 and
i.xh4 1 1 lL'ld6+ �f8 is okay for bishop in view of 9 ... l:£Jh5 ! 10 'ife2 b e i.a6 1 9 Wib3 'ifc5 2 0 i.d 1 llab8 Black achieves a secure position af­
Black since the knight is liable to be­ l0xg3 1 1 hg l:iJd7 1 2 a4 a6 1 3 e4 2 1 'i'c2 llfd8 22 e5 'i'a3 23 Wie4 ter both 1 2 i.xe7 l:£Jxe7 1 3 g3 f5 14
come trapped } 10 ... lL'lxg3 1 1 hg d6 'if'c7 14 g4 e5 with chances for both 'i'xc3 24 :tel 'i'xc l 25 i.c2 'i'xc2 l:£Je5 l:iJf6 1 5 .l:tael 'iic7 Tseitlin­
1 2 �e2 lLld7 13 g4 a6 14 l0e4 l0f6 sides, Konstantinopolsky-Romanov­ 26 'i'xc2l0b4 (Black's piece activity Conquest, Hastings I990/9 I. and I2
1 5 lL'lfd2 lLlxe4 1 6 lLlxe4 b5 17 a3 sky, Leningrad 1 939) 9 ...l:£Jbd7 10 provides more than enough compen­ i.g3 d6 I3 .l:tae I l::te8 I4 i.b 1 l:iJb8
i.c6 1 8 f4 l:tb8 1 9 g5 'it>d7 !? 20 gh 0-0 Wlc7 with unclear play. Costa­ sation for the sacrificed queen) 27 1 5 l:£Je4 i.a6 1 6 c4 l:£Jxg3 ( 1 6 ...d5?
f5 ! with good play for Black). In the P.Crarnling, Biel 1 990, continued 1 1 'ii'a4 i.c5 28 l:£Je3 i.b5 29 1:1Yb3 allows a strong attack: 17 l:£Je5 l:£Jf6
event of 9 cd the move 9 ... lL'lc6! e4 g5 1 2 i.g3 l:£Jh5 1 3 d5 e5 1 4 i.a6? ..te8 ! 30 'ifc4 i.b6! 3 1 h4 l:£Jd5 32 1 8 l:iJxn ! ! <l;xn 1 9 l:£Jg5+! hg 20
gains in strength since after 10 a3 (correct is 14 a4) 14 ... l:£Jf4 15 'itb5 l:iJfl llbc8 33 1:1Yb3 l::I c3 34 1:\Yb I 'iixe6+ r$;>[8 2I i.g6 mating on n)
0-0 1 1 0-0 Black has the choice be­ 0-0 16 i.xf4 ef and the attack with lldc8 35 l:iJ 1 d2 lOf4 36 l:£Je4 llcl 37 17 fg l0d7 18 Wid3 l:iJf8 19 d5 and
tween plans with _the exchanging the g- and h-pawns is very danger­ 1lfb4 l0d3? (a blunder, after which here in the g:une V.Kovacevic­
m anoeuvre 1 1 ...lL'lh5 12 i.xe7 l:£Jxe7 ous. White takes over the initiative; a.� 'Makarychev, S arajevo 1982, Black
13 l:Xc l f5 14 'iie2 l:Ic8 1 5 .ta6 Ihcl 9 0-0 King analysed, it wa.'> necessary to achieved fully equal play with
16 l:Xxc l \'rb8 followed by ... l::tc8 Sometimes White avoids the ex­ intensify the threats: 37 ... ll8c4 38 19 ... b5 !, based on the possibility of
when Black achieves equality, change of bishops following the ma­ 'ife7 i.c6 39 lLld6 ..txf3 40 'ifxn+ ... 'ifb6+.
Mikh.Tseitlin-Foisor, Sochi 1 986, noeuvre ...l:£Jf6-h5, preferring 9 'ili>h7 4 1 l0xc4 l::tx e1 + 42 'ili>h2 i.xf2! The sharp continuation 9 ... g5 10
and maintaining the tension with i.xf6 i.xf6. in the hope in some 43 gf lle2 44 <t>h 1 i.g3 and Black ..tg3 h5 ! ? (the preparatory IO ...d6 is
1 1 ...d6 12 l:tcl 'tid7 1 3 h3 l:tfc8 14 cases of using the b 1 -h7 diagonal. In wins) 38 l:iJf6+ ! gf 39 Wig4+ 'ili>f8 40 also good) I I lLlxg5 h4 1 2 ..te5 d6
i.g3 l:tc7 15 llc2 l:tac8 16 '1i'h1 Nb8 the game Hulak-King, Moscow ef i.a4 41 'it'g7+ 'ili>e8 42 'ifg8+ '>t>d7 1 3 .txf6 ..txf6 with the initiative on
1 7 llfc l i.a6 1f2-If2 Seirawan-Ljubo�· 1 990, there arose a double-edged 43 'i'xn+ �c6 44 1ixc l+ l:iJxc l 45 the kingside, deserves attention.
jevic, Lucerne 1 989. position after 10 'ii'e2 d5 1 1 de be 1 2 'ii'xe6+ 'ili>b7 46 n i.c5 47 'tlfe4+ 10 ..lixf6!?
The move 8 ...d5 weakens the e5 e4 i.e7 1 3 0-0 0-0 14 1ife l Wlb6 1 5 i.c6 48 'iVb 1 + 1 -0. Following the development of the
square. After 9 l:£Je5 l:iJfd7 10 .tg3 lb f l (100) ( 1 5 llab 1 deserves atten­ 9 cd knight on c6, this exchange is more
White's chances are preferable, but tion). The preliminary 9 ... 0-0 IS also purposeful, since Bl ack lacks the
104 Classical System

possibility of the manoeuvre ...d7 -d6 diagonal after the preparatory thrust
h2-h4. Now White can occupy the
followed by the transfer of the knight
importm1t e5 square.
5 Modern System
to the defence of the kingside on
f6. 14 ti'e2 i.d6
10 ... i2..xf6 15 llael !lc8
1 1 t-'<1 0-0'!! (1 OJ) 16 '.!?hi i.f4
Now White obtains the possibility 17 tt:lh5 i.b8
of organizing an attack on the king­ 18 tt:le5 tt:lxe5 1 d4 tt:l£6 combination with a preparatory 5
side. Deserving consideration are 19 de d4 2 tt:lfJ e6 tt:lc3 or 5 lLlbd2, allowing White to
l l ... g6, closing the dangerous diago­ 20 f4 ti'h4 3 iLg5 h6 vary his plm1s of development.
nal and prepming a square for the 21 cd llfd8 4 Jl..x f6 1'fxf6 After the erection of a mobile
bishop, m1d l l ...'i'c7 with the idea 22 .ll d 1 llc7 5 e4 (102) pawn centre the advanced position
1 2 tt:le4 Jl..e 7 1 3 tt:lg3 h5, while after 2 3 tt:lg3 g5 of the black queen becomes a target
1 3 l:tel a possibility is 1 3 ... 0-0 14 24 ti'e3 llcd7 for the further advance of the e­
i.c2 l:tac8 1 5 llcl tt:la.5 1 6 'i'd3 f5 25 i.b1 ?! pawn, increasing White's space ad­
1 7 tt:led2 i.d5 when the pair of ac­ This wastes time. 25 i.c2 is cor- vantage.
tive bishops fully compensate for rect.
White's slight initiative, Dmna.'io­ 25 f5!
Game 31
J.Horvath, Novi Sad OL 1 990. 26 iLc2 i.a6
Lerner-Yudasin
27 llf2 i..c4
Nikolaev 1 983
28 i.. b3 i.xb3
29 ab b5
1 d4 tt:lf6
30 tt:le2 a6
2 tt:lfJ e6
31 lifJ iLa1
3 .il..g5 h6
32 ti'cJ g4 In recent times Black has fre­ 4 iLxf6
33 llg3 �f7 quently employed the move 3 ... h6, The most critical reply, with
34 b4 ti'e7 with which he aims to clm·ify the po­ which White demonstrates his inten­
35 llgd3 llc7 sition of the bishop before detennin­ tion of creating a pawn centre.
36 Wd2 llc4 ing his own plans. If it' does not suit After the retreat 4 i.h4 Black can
37 d5! White, following the retreat 4 i.h4,
The decisive breakthrough. The . revert to the traditional plm1 4...c5
to reach lines from the previous (when 5 e3 is considered in the last
12 tt:lc4 .il..e7 conclusion wa.'> 37 ...¢'g6 38 de chapter after 4 ... c5, or to face an at­ three games of the previous chapter),
13 tt:lg3 d5 .lhd3 39 'i'xd3 'i'xe6 40 'i'd8 i.b6 tack on the wing with 4 ... g5, then the but also has at his disposal the sharp
This is the consequence of 4 1 'i'h4 i.c7 42 h3 gh 43 'llt'x h3 lie4 most rea.'ionable continuation is the plan of exchanging the bishop: 4 ... g5
Black's 1 1 th move. 1 3 ...d6 is un­ 44 'i'g3+ ¢'t7 45 tt:lc3 l:tc4 46 tt:ld5 exchange 4 i.xf6. White gives Black 5 Jl..g3 tt:le4 (attacking on the wing
plea.<>mllly met by 14 'i'e2 threaten­ 'i'g6 47 'i'h4 i.xe5 48 'i'e7+ <;Pg8 the bishop pair, but obtains a space with 5 ...i.g7 6 tt:lc3 d6 7 e4 tt:lh5 is
ing to attack along the weakened 49 tt:lf6+ 1 -0 advmllage. The advance of the e­ also possible. Foigel-Romm1ishin,
pawn is also often carried out in Kherson 1 989, continued 8 'llfd2
106 Modern System Modem System 107

lLlc6 9 ..ib5 a6 10 ..txc6+ be 1 1 ..id3 lLlc6 1 1 'flib3 a6 1 2 0-0-0 b5 13 (104), intending to withdraw the 36 lLlg4 ..txd3 37 cd ..tg5 38 �dfl
0-0-0 0-0 1 2 lLlg 1 f5 13 ef ef 1 4 f3 .lahe I ..id7 14 d5 ! lLle5 (weaker is king to the queenside after ... lLlb8- llh7 39 d4 'itb6 40 h6 :lg8 1f2_1f2
lLlxg3 1 5 hg 'tiff6 when Black had an 1 4 ... lLla5 1 5 'flia3 lLlb7 1 6 de fe when d7, but White can discourage this Dorfman-A.Sokolov, Nikolaev 1 983.
active position and the tangible ad­ White is better) 1 5 lLlxe5 de 1 6 lLlfl ! plan: b) 8 c3 lLld7 9 a4 a6 10 0-0. From
vantage of the two bishops) 6 lLlbd2 'f!ic5 ( 1 6 ... 0-0 ! ?) 1 7 lLle3. White's this position, the game Dreev­
lLlxg3 7 hg ..tg7 (103) . position is preferable, Mikh.Tseit­ Kengis, Bamaul 1988, continued
lin-Stempin, Polanica Zdroj 1 989. I O ...ifd8 l l lLle l c5? ! ( l l ...g6 1 2 f4
4.•• 'ffxf6 ..tg7 is in the spirit of the system,
5 e4 b6 when after 1 3 f5 Black would block
Black's main continuations are the kingside with 1 3 ... ef 14 ef g5) 12
considered to be 5 ...d6 with the plan ifg4 cd 1 3 cd e5 14 f4 lLlf6 1 5 'i'g3!
of fixing the centre with ... e6-e5 (this pawn sacrifice is ba.<;ed on pos­
(considered, by transposition, in the sibilities of attacking on the f-file:
games Plaskett-Ward and Psakhis­ 1 5 ...lLlh5 1 6 'flif3 lLlxf4 17 �h l !
Makarychev), and 5 ... g6 (considered 'fle7 1 8 lLlc4 and now 1 8 ... lLle6?
in the game Hodgson-Eingom). fails to 1 9 lLlxd6+ !) 15 ...ed? ! I 6 lLlc2
With the fianchetto of the queen's a) 8 'ii'e 2 a6 9 0-0-0 lLld7 1 0 e5 h5 17 e5 lLlg4 1 8 e6 with a decisive
bishop, Black sets his sights on the (by advancing the e-pawn, White attack for White.
Black has a sufficiently active po­ e4-pawn, and indirectly hinders the clears the e4 square for a piece, prac­ 8 W'c2 (105)
sition and can expect good counter­ development of the knight on c3, due tically forcing ... d6-d5 in reply. 10 With this move White maintains
play with a kingside pawn offensive: to the possible pin ... ..tf8-b4. 'it'b l can be met by IO ...e5, where­ the possibility of castling on either
a) 8 e3 d6 9 c3 lLlc6 (9 ... lLld7 1 0 6 .lld3 i..b7 upon Korchnoi-Karpov, Ha<;tings side. Sometimes White reinforces
..ie2 lLlf6 i s also good: 1 1 0-0 'flie7 The bishop exchange 6.....ia6?! 7 1 971172 continued l l c3 ..ie7 12 the centre with 8 c3, preparing for
1 2 e4 0-0 1 3 ..td3 b6 1 4 'ife2 ..tb7 1 5 ..ixa6 lLlxa6 8 0-0 ..ie7 9 'tife2 lLlb8 lLlc4 0-0 1 3 ..ic2 �fe8 1 4 d5 c5 1 5 Black's ... c7-c5, which is possible
..ia6 ..tc6 1 6 ..ib5 ..tb7 1 7 ..ia6 ..ic6 1 0 lLlc3 0-0 1 1 .l:i.ad 1 c6 1 2 e5 'i'g6 lLle3 ..tf8 1 6 g 4 'iVd8 1 7 g 5 h5 1 8 g6 after development with ... ..tf8-e7
lfl_lfl Seirawan-Ehlvest, Skelleftea 1 3 lLle4 allows White to obtain a with a dangerous attack for White) and ...d7-d6. For example: 8 .....te7 9
1 989) 1 0 ..id3 'flie7 1 1 �c2 f5 ! (after space advantage, Ekstrom-Taima­ t O.. .'iiVe 7 1 1 h4 bS 1 2 <;tJb1 dS 1 3 0-0 (the attempt to constrain Black's
1 1 .....td7 1 2 g4 �f8 1 3 0-0-0 0-0-0 nov, Sweden 1 983. lLlb3 cS 1 4 de lLlxcS 1 5 lLlfd4 0-0-0 position with 9 'flie2 d6 I 0 eS allows
1 4 lLlc4 'it'b8 1 5 e4 lLle7 1 6 lLle3 7 lLlbd2 1 6 h5 11Vc7 1 7 f4 (sounding the sufficient counterplay: I O...lLld7 I I
White's chances are preferable The alternative knight develop­ charge) 1 7 ...Wb8 1 8 lLlxc5 ..txc5 1 9 ..te4 'flieS 1 2 0-0 0-0 1 3 1:1fe I l:ld8 14
thanks to his predominance in the ment, 7 lLlc3, is considered (via an lLlb3 ..ib6 20 g4 'fie7 2 1 lLld2 Wa7 1:1ad l de 15 lLlxeS lLlxe5 1 6 ..ixb7
centre, Meduna-Prandc;tetter, Erevan alternative move-order) in the game 22 1:1hfl 1:1d7 23 lLlf3 l:lc8 24 'i'd2 'fixb7 1 7 ifxe5 b5 Jung-Tal, Mos­
1 984) 1 2 e4 ..id7 1 3 0-0-0 fe 14 Spa'>Sky-Miles. :ldc7 25 f5 a5 26 g5 hg 27 lLlxg5 b4 cow 1 990) 9 ...d6 10 a4 a6 I l lLle l c5
lLlxe4 0-0-0 with unclear play, Hort­ 7
•.• 'ffd 8 28 f6 'iVf8 29 lLlh7 'ifh8 30 fg 'i'xg7 1 2 lLlc2 cd 1 3 cd 0-0 1 4 f4 (having
Browne, England 1 979. A prophylactic retreat, with 3 1 'i'gS (this eases Black's defence; achieved a mobile pawn centre,
b) 8 c3 (a flexible move, keeping which Black plans to attack White's 3 1 1Wf4 seems stronger, intending White organises a strong attack on
the possibility of occupying the cen­ pawn, should it advance to e5. An­ h5-h6) 3 1 ...ifxg5 32 lLlxg5 1:1h8 33 the kingside) 14 ... lLld7 1 5 'it> h 1 1:1a7
tre with e2-e4) 8 ...d6 9 e4! 'Wie7 10 other possible continuation is 7 ...d6 lLlh 7 ..ta6 34 lLlf6 ..te3 35 1:1h I 1:1cc8 1 6 'iiVe2 lLlf6 17 lLle3 1:1e8 1 8 e5 lLldS
108 Modem System
Modern System 109

I 9 lL!g4 lL!b4 20 Jlb I a5 2 1 :a3 c.t'h8 c) 9 0-0-0 lL!d7 10 e5 VJ/ie7 I I i..a6

0-0-0 I 2 �bi d5 13 i..xb7+ <bxb7 20 ltJgS
22 llg3 llg8 23 liJc4 Jld5 24 llh3
I4 c4 c6 IS li c l lL!b8 I 6 lL!b3 VJ/id7 White begins piece pressure
Jlf8 25 b3 Jlxc4 26 be de 27 �xeS
17 c5. White has a large space ad­ against the f-pawn. In reply to the at­
I -0 Yusupov-Kengis, Moscow 1983.
vantage, Ennenkov-Szekely, Pam­ tempt to establish the knight on e5,
porovo I982. 20 ed �xd6 2 1 lDe5, Black can play
d) 9 c3 a6 IO lL!c4 lL!d7 I I h4 i.e? the promising exchange sacrifice
I2 lL!e3 lDf6 13 'i'c2 c5 I4 de be I S 2 l .. Jhe5 22 de 'i'xe5.
e 5 d e I6 lDxe5 0-0 I 7 0-0-0 'JJ/c 7 I 8 20 llh6
ltJ3c4 lL!d5 I 9 f4. White, with his 2 1 ..ixdS cd
pieces established on central squares, 22 'W'f3 lla7
has the better chances, Wirthensohn­ 23 llg4 lld7
13 ltJdS 24 llf4 'W'c7
Keene. Dortmund 1978.
14 lL!xdS ..ixdS 2S llcl de
9 0-0-0
1S ..ie4 26 de· .lieS
l11e most energetic plan, allowing
1 5 c4 ! is more resol ute, keeping 27 a3 aS
White to organise an attack on the
an advantage after both I S ... i..x£3 I6 28 lldl b4
8 iJ..c 7 kingside.
llfx£3 d5 I 7 cd 'llfxd5 I8 ..ie4, and 29 a4 i..a7
After another common continu­ 9 d6
I 5 ... i..b7 1 6 d5 ed 1 7 e6 !.
•••

1 0 h4 a6 (106) 30 '&e2 'n.e7

ation, 8 ... d6, it is difticult for Black
IS c6 3 1 llg4 �c6
Also possible is the immediate
..•

to find adequate counterplay:

It is dangerous to fix the centre The first wave of attack has been
a) 9 0-0 i.e7 I 0 liad I (Aiekhine 10 ... ltJd7 1 1 g4 lDf6 12 g5 (the re­
by 15 ... i..xe4 16 �xe4 d5, because parried, but how many more can be
reconunended a more energetic plan strained 1 2 lihg I deserves attention)
1 7 'U¥g4 0-0 18 llh3 gives White an endured? B lack resolves to free him­
to organise an attack in the centre: 10 I 2 ... ltJh5 1 3 'i'e3 ! and White, threat­
attack. self.
c3 lL!d7 11 lLle i ! and then f2-f4, ening the advance g5-g6, keeps the
16 'o!?bl bS 32 lDn rs
lLle i-£3 and lla i -e i ) 10 ...lL!d7 I l c3 better chances. However, the inune­
17 g4 hS 33 ef gf
c5 ! I2 de be and here in the game diate 13 g6? is a mistake: 1 3 ...fg 14
18 gh .t!xhS 34 llg8+ 'itld7
Marshall-Alekhine, New York 1927, e5 0-0 IS llhg l lL!f4 I6 'iie 3 'iie 8 17
White kept the better chances by ex­ r!g4 VJ/it7 and Black, having created
19 ltdgl iJ.. f8 (107) 3S lldgl Wf'c4
changing bishops with 13 i..a6. threats on the f-file, obtains a clear 35 ...e5 36 l:I I g7 !R..c5 was a stur-
advantage, Pa1atnik-Tuk.makov, Kis­ dier defence.
b) 9 a4 a6 10 0-0 i.e? I I d5 ed
(after I l ...e5 I2 a5 0-0 1 3 ab cb I4 lovodsk 1982. 36 �d2 llhS
11 lL!c4 lL!d7 37 ll8g4 �cS
b4 White is better) I2 ed i..xd5 13
llfe i c5 (13 ...�!8 I 4 i..c4 i..xc4 IS 12 lL!c3 ltJC6 38 llf4 cf;c7
lL!xc4 g6 I 6 llad l is an altemative) 1 3 eS 39 lt.Jd4 'it>b7
I4 lLlh4 lia7 and here, in the game White has the imt1at1ve. Now 40 lL!b3 �c7?
Vaganian-Kengis, Yaroslavl I 982, I 3 ...ltJe4 would be answered with 14 Retreat with 40 ... 'i'b6 was neces­
1 5 lL!f5 <li'f8 I6 i..c4 led to White's d5 ed I5 ltJxd5 i..xd5 16 i..xe4, suc­ sary.
advantage. cessfully opening the position. 4 1 %Ixf6 llxh4
42 llxe6! lld7
1 1 0 Modern System Modem System 111

42 ...l'txe6 i s decisively met by 43 British Ch (Ea.o;tboume) 199 1 : 7 Black weakens the d6 square, but This move is best played immedi­
'i'xd5+ l:.c6 44 lL!xa5+. 'ilid2 i.d7 8 0-0-0 0-0-0 9 d5 lL!e7 White may also experience prob­ ately. Black plans to develop his
43 'l't'd3 1 -0 (9 ... lL!e5 is met by IO lL!d4) 10 'ilie3 ! lems with d4. bishop on e 7 and, if White allows it,
On 43 ....l'tc4 there follows 44 'itb8 1 1 e5 'illg6 ( I I ...d e I 2 lL!e4 'irf4 The prophylactic 7 ...a6 is some­ the dark-square bishop will place it­
l:.g5. I 3 �xf4 ef 14 de fe I 5 lL!e5 is deci­ times tried, with the aim of defend­ self on the g 1 -a7 diagonal on which
sive) 12 ed ( 1 2 i.d3 !?) 12 ... cd 13 de ing the b5 square. Then 8 i.d3 ? ! can lies the insufficiently defended d4
Game 32 fe 14 �xd6! lL!f5 15 �xd7 �xd7 I 6 be met by 8 ...c5 . Martin-Hebert, square. After the procrao;tinating
Plaskett-Ward lL!e5 and Black's position was al­ Hastings 1 984/85, continued 9 e5 de 8 ... 'iifd8 9 h4 �c7 10 '>tb l e5 I I g3
Hastings 1 989190 ready in ruins. 1 0 lL!e4 'i'f4 1 1 de 'ifxd2+ I2 '&t>xd2 i.e7 I2 i.h3 lL!f6 13 i.xc8 lhc8 14
7 't'fd2 b5 1 3 c4 i.b7 I4 b3 0-0-0 I 5 '&t>e3 h5 White obtains the better chances
1 d4 lL!f6 It is too early to detennine the lL!b6 16 .l:thcl f5 ! with a strong in­ a<; in Landenbergue-Tolnai, Budapest
2 ..tg s e6 character of the position with the i tiative for Black. 1990.
3 e4 h6 pawn push 7 d5 a<; this allows Black Far stronger is 8 0-0-0, maintain­
4 Axf6 �xf6 to obtain counterplay against the ad­ ing attacking chances. For example:
5 lL!f3 d6 vanced pawn: 7... ed (7...e5 is also 8 ... g6 9 e5 de? (9 .. ."Wie7 is correct,
6 lL! c3 worth considering) 8 lL!xd5 lil'd8 9 when Black can play ... d6-d5 if nec­
The premature 6 e5 makes lL!d4 (9 'ilid4 c6 I O lL!e3 is more en­ essary) 10 de 'Wie7 I 1 lLle4 i.g7 12
White's pawn centre very vulner­ ergetic) 9 ... c6 I 0 lL!e6 'ifa5+ 1 1 b4 'iVc3 lL!b6 1 3 ltJf6+ 'it>£8 I4 i.e2 with
able: 6...'i1Vd8 7 i.d3 c5 8 de 'i'a5+ 9 'ilfa3 12 lL!ec7+ (Makarychev con­ a clear advantage for White, Hodg­
c3 'itxc5 1 0 ed i.xd6 1 1 lL!bd2 'ilic7 sidered I 2 lL!dc7+ more accurate and son-Ward, England I 988, or 8 ... 'i!i'e7
1 2 lL!c4 i.e7 1 3 0-0 lL!d7 14 'i'e2 0-0 gave the beautiful variation 12 .. .'it'e7 9 i.d3 g6 10 l:the1 i.g7 1 I h4 0-0
15 lL!ce5 lL!f6 with full equality, 1 3 lL!xf8 �c3+ I4 �e2 lL!x£8 1 5 (more resolute is I l ...c5 !? I2 e5 d5
Glatman-Dimitrov, Protvino 1989. lL!xa8 lL!e6 1 6 f3 lL!d4+ 1 7 � f2 1 3 de lL!xc5, although White's
The alternative knight develop­ lL!xc2 1 8 .l:tc l 'ilfe3+ 19 'itg3 'ilfg5+ chances are also better here) 12 e5 d5
ment, 6 lL!bd2, is considered in the with a draw) 12 ...�d8 13 .l:tb i ! cd 14 1 3 lL!e2 c5 14 c3 cd 1 5 lL!exd4 lL!c5 9 de
game Psakhis-Makarychev. .l:tb3 'i'xb3 15 ab '1t>xc7 16 'i'xd5 and 1 6 i.b1 i.d7 1 7 h5 g5 I 8 .l:te3 .l:tfc8 In the grune Hodgson-Rogers,
6 ••• lbd7 here, by developing the bishop with (it is better to activate the queen with Wijk aan Zee 1989, White played 9
6... g5 is risky, as it weakens the 16 ... i.e7, Black obtains the superior I 8 ... g4 I9 lL!h2 'i:\Vg5) I 9 lLih2 b5 20 h4? ! , planning to attack with g4-g5,
kingside. King-Summennatter, Lu­ position, Lemer-Makarychev, USSR 'tli'c2 g4? (allows the demolition of on which followed 9 ... i.e7 10 'ife3
cerne 1989, continued 7 e5 'Wie7 8 h4 1 982. the king's pawn cover; 20 ... -t>£8 is lL!£8 ! I I · i.e2 ( I I d5 dangerously
g4 9 lLld2 h5 I 0 f4 g f 1 1 lL!x£3 lL!c6 After 7 i.d3 c6 8 'i'e2 e5 White more resilient) 2I lL!xg4 'i1Vg5 22 weakens the g 1-a7 diagonal and pre­
1 2 i.b5 i.d7 1 3 'ite2 de 14 i.xc6 loses control of d4, and Black can or­ lL!f6+ i.xf6 23 lL!f3 'ifg7 24 ef 'Wixf6 sents the c5 square to the knight,
i.xc6 1 5 lL!xe5 'i'M? (a mistake; af­ ganize pressure on the g 1 -a7 diago­ 25 lL!e5 'iti>£8 26 lL!x£7 'iti>e7 27 lL!e5 which comes back again with
ter 1 5... ..td7 Black can defend) 16 nal after 9 d5 ..te7 1 0 0-0-0 i.d8 and 'iti>d6 28 'ilid2 b4 29 lLic4+ 'iti>c7 30 cb I I ...ll::ld7) I I .. .lL!e6 I2 i.c4 ..td8 13
0-0-0 i.g7 1 7 lL!xf7 with a clear ad­ then ... ..tb6. lL!a4 3 1 i.c2 <Ji>d8 32 lL!e5 lL!b6 33 i.xe6 i.xe6 I4 de de 15 lL!a4 0-0 16
vantage to White. 7 ... c6 'i'd4 1 -0 Yusupov-Bischoff, Munich �b I i.g4 I 7 .l:td3? (a mistake in a
Translator's note: 6 ... lL!c6 wa<; A fundamental move in the plan 1 990. bad position; correct wac; I 7 �c3 b5
brutally treated in Hodgson-Howell, of blocking the centre with ... e6-e5. S 0-0-0 e5 (108) 1 8 lL!c5) 17 ... b5 I 8 lL!c5 i.b6 I 9 l::rc3
1 12 Modem System Modem System 1 13

f/ie7 20 a3 a5 2 1 b4 0- 1 . After 2 1 . ..ab 17 M last surprise was for White. 1 S ...llxhS 16 ..txhS llJxe5) 14 ...llJc6
22 ab 1J/ia7 White is defenceless. 1 8 lbe2 aS 30 h4'!? 1 5 f4 flih6 16 i.f3 ( 1 6 fS does not
o
After 9 'it'b 1 i.e 7 10 h4, 1 .. . llJf8 19 ..I!La4 �a6 An inexplicable blunder. After 30 work due to 16 ... llJxe5 17 de i.c5+
is also good, intending ... llJf8-e6. It 20 �TJ f6 (109) f/ig4 or 30 e6 Black has little hope. 1 8 'it>h 1 h3) 16 ... i.e7 1 7 fS ef 1 8 l::te 1
is a mi�take, though, to surrender the Now the curtain could well be low­ lld8 19 llJxc6 de 20 f/id3 'it>f8 ! 21
centre: 10 ... ed? ! l l llJxd4 llJe5 1 2 f4 ered, but for the sake of complete­ 'i'xf5 'i'g5 22 'i'xgS i.xgS 23 l::te5
llJg4 1 3 hS i.d8 1 4 llJdbS ! cb 1 5 ness, here are the remaining moves: i.e7 24 llae 1 i.d6 25 :5e2 lih6 26
i.xbS+ i.d7 16 i.xd7+ 'it>xd7 1 7 30 .. Jhd7 3 1 llfl lid8 32 b3 llf8 33 'it>h 1 aS 27 a4 i.a6 28 lie3 g5 29 b3
'i'e2 'i'xf4 1 8 llhfl 'i'gS 19 llfS lldl f/ie6 34 g4 i.f6 35 lle l lie8 36 cS 30 lid 1 cd 3 1 llxd4 i.c7 32
'i'h4 20 'i'h5+ r,i>c8 2 1 lhfl i.e7 22 'i'g6 i.xe5 37 'i'h5 'it>g8 0- 1 .l:ixd8+ i.xd8 33 g4 lld6 34 c4 i.c8
llJdS 1 -0 Hodgson-Zsu.Polgar, Haifa 35 h3 i.e6 36 ..t>g2 lld2+ 37 i.e2
1 989. Game 33 i.e7 38 �f3 lib2 39 lld3 fS 0- 1 Va­
9 ... lUxeS Psakhis-Makarychcv g;mi:m-Taimanov, Moscow 1983.
Weak is 9 ... de? 1 0 llJb5 ! (an ele­ Tallinn 1983 b) 6 c3 cd 7 cd llJc6 8 e3 gS (8 ... d5
gant knight sacritice, attacking the is also good) 9 a3 g4 10 lUg I hS 1 1
weak square) 1 0. .. llb8 (after 10. . . cb 1 d4 ltJ£6 g3 ( I l llJe2 can be met by 1 1 ...h4 12
1 1 i.xbS f/ie6 12 lUxeS a second Now after 21 ef i.xf6 or 2 1 e6 cS 2 lt:'lf3 c6 llJc3 g3 1 3 'i'f3 gf+ 14 'ilfxt2 'ilfg6
pawn is lost) 1 l llJxa7 lUc5 1 2 llJxc8 Black ha'> an enduring initiative. 3 ..I!LgS h6 with good play for Black) 1 1 . .. d5 12
llxc8 1 3 b4 and White won a piece, However White has no intention of 4 �xf6 'W'xr6 i.g2 ..td7 1 3 llJe2 h4 1 4 llJf4 'ilfg7
Klinger-King, Luceme 1989. compromising. 5 lt:'\bd2 d6 (1 10) l S llJb3 ..td6. Black's position is
1 0 lbxcS 21 llJd4! ..I!Lxfl As in the variation with 5 e4 this is clearly preferable, Lechtynsky­
After 1 0 lUd4 there arises a dy­ 22 lbxc6 �cS the main continuation, preparing to Velimirovic, Banja Luka 198S.
namically equal position, where 23 llxfl '.t>h8 develop the knight. However, one
Black can organise a defence. 24 'W'xdS should note that the fact that White
10 ... 't'fxcS White hao; two pawns and an ac­ has not yet established his pawn cen­
10 ...de again fails to 1 1 liJbS. tive position for the exchange. but tre creates a favourable situation for
1 1 f4 'W'aS Black tinds an active defence. Black to play the active 5 ...cS. It is
12 il.c4 il.c7 24 llad8! too early to pass j udgement on the
1 3 <t>b l bS 2S ibxd8 llxd8 effectiveness of this move, but the
14 �b3 'W'b6! 26 'W'c4 fe practical material currently available
Black has good attacking pros- 27 fe nrs points to good play for Black:
pects on the queenside. 28 lld1 l1d8 a) 6 lUe4 f/if5 7 llJg3 f/if6 8 e3 cd
15 llhfl 0-0 29 ..I!Ld7 ..I!Le7 9 ed b6 10 i.e2 i.b7 1 1 0-0 h5 ! ? 1 2
16 cS dS Black ha'> repulsed the immediate lUe5 (on 1 2 h 4 follows 12 ...i.xf3 1 3
1 7 �d3 threats, but the outcome of the battle i.xf3 lUc6 when White has prob­ 6 e4
The tight for the initiative is in full ought to be clear, despite the pres­ lems with the h4 pawn) 12 ... h4 13 White hao; also tried a kingside fi­
swing. White threatens the pawn ence of opposite-colour bishops. lUh5 f/igS 14 i.g4 ( 1 4 ..tf3 is well anchetto: 6 c3 lUd7 (6 ... g6 7 g3 ..tg7
march f4-fS-f6. However, in this battle of nerves the met by 14 ...llJc6 threatening 8 i.g2 0-0 9 0-0 e5 10 e3 'i'e7 1 1 b4
114 Modern System Modern System 1 Ij

lbd7 1 2 a4 e4 also leads to unclear �xe3 32 ll l xe3 lDf4 33 i.. xe6 lDxe6 i..d3 bS, achieving a sharp position, 7 ... g6
play, Zilberman-Rashkovsky. Alma 34 l:.xe6 i..f7 35 l:.h6+ l:.h 7 36 in which Black's chances are not The preliminary 7 ...eS was played
Ata 1 986) 7 g3 gS 8 i..g 2 ( I l l) llxh7+ Wxh7 37 l:.e7 'itg6 38 l'hb7 worse, Estevez-Ortega, Cuba 1984. in H0i-Browne, Reykjavik 1988. Af­
i.. xa2 39 l:.xa7 i..ll1+ 40 Wg 1 .l:.b8 8 lDc4 can be met by the resolute ter 8 c3 g6 9 lDc4 i..g 7 10 dS 0-0 I I
41 .l:t.e7 i..D 42 lieS lixb2 43 .l:.gS+ 8 ... g4 (8 ... i..g 7 is also feasible, lbe3 hS 12 "W'e2 i..h6 double-edged
<t'f7 44 llxhS llg2+ 4S 'it>fl .l:.xh2 46 whereupon Yusupov-Gurgenidze, play arose.
llfS+ '.t>e6 47 lleS+ Wf6 48 l:.fS+ USSR 1981. continued 9 i..d3 'ile7 8 c3 J..g7
We6 lfz_l!z Salov-P.Nikolic, Belgrade 10 'fie2 b6 1 1 0-0-0 i..b7 12 .l:.he1 9 a4! (113)
1987. 0-0-0 13 c;fo>b1 <t'b8 14 lDa3 lDf6 1S White is trying to develop an in­
6 ... lbd7 lDd2 'i'd7 16 i.. a6 'i'c8 17 i.. xb7 itiative on the queenside. It is also
Black is under no compulsion to 'Wxb7 with unclear play) 9 lDfd2 possible to insert 9 0-0 0-0 I 0 a4 in­
hurry with this move: 6 ... 'i'e7 1 i..d3 (Browne recommends 9 e5 'fie7 10 tending to meet I O ... e5 with I I 'i'c2
g6 8 0-0 eS 9 c3 i..g 7 10 lDc4 0-0 1 1 ed cd 1 1 lDfd2 hS with unclear play) followed by a4-a5. Ortega-Psakhis,
lDe3 lDd7 1 2 l:.e 1 lDf6 1 3 a4 c6 1 4 de 9 ... h5 10 h3 i..h6 (a" a result of ad­ Sochi 1987, saw the weaker I I de? !
de 1S a5 lDg4 16 lDc4 i..e6 I 7 'iVe2 vancing his g- and h-pawns, Black de 12 a5 .l:.d8 13 11fe2 lDcS I4 i..c2
In this sharp position it is not ea�y .l:.ad8 with unclear play, Dreev-Ro­ can develop the bishop to a very ac­ lbe6 and by attacking the f4 square,
for Black to find an effective plan. manishin, Lvov 1987. tive position) 1 1 i..d3 eS 12 lDe3! Black achieved the more promising
After 8... i..g 7 White can begin pres­ 7 .td3 lbb6 1 3 de 'Wxe5 and Black's posi­ position.
sure on the queenside with 9 a4 0-0 The more restrained 7 c3 (112) tion is preferable, Speelman-Browne,
1 0 a5 threatening 1 1 a6. Vaganian­ ha� also been tried. USA 1987. If Black replies to 7 c3
Pla<>kett, Ha�tings 1 982/83, contin­ with 7 ... eS, then White can attack on
ued 1 0 ... l:lb8 1 1 0-0 eS 12 e3 �e7 the kingside: 8 h4!? c6 9 i..d3 i..e7
( 1 2... l:le8 intending 13 ... lbf8 is more 10 lbc4 0-0 1 1 lDe3 .l:.e8 12 c;t>n i..f8
accurate) 13 e4! ed 1 4 lDxd4 lDeS 1S 1 3 g3 'i'd8 (more active is 13 ... d5 14
l:le1 %le8 16 lDfl lbc6 17 lDc2 and lDg4 'Wd8 1 S lDgxeS lDxeS 16 lDxeS
White obtained the better position. de 1 7 i..c4 i..e6 with counterplay) 14
8... g4 9 lDh4 hS leads to a weak­ dS cd? (better is 14 ...lDf6 1S c4 cd I6
ening of Black's position. For exam­ cd i..d7 or 16...lDg4) IS lDxd5 lDf6
ple: 10 0-0 i..e 7 1 1 e4 'i!Vh6 12 f4 I6 i..bS l:te6 I 7 lDgS ! hg I 8 hg lDg4
lbf8 1 3 eS (13 c4 could be consid­ I9 'ifxg4 .l:.h6 20 'iff} i..g 4? (Black
ered, incre<lliing -White's space ad­ ought to agree to 20... .l:.xh I+ 21 9 'fr'e7
vantage) 13 ...d5 14 c4 c6 1S 'i'e2 'iYxh i 'i'xgS 22 ¢'g2) 21 'it'xg4! 10 aS a6
i..d 7 1 6 l:.acl i..x h4 1 7 gh lDg6 18 Here Black's most energetic reply lhh 1 + 22 ..t>g2 .l:.h7 (22... .l:.xai is 11 0-0 0-0
'it'f2 lDe7 1 9 llc3 0-0 20 .:te 1 Wh8 21 is 7 ... gS !?. decisively met by 23 g6!) 23 lth i ! 12 l:'te1 eS
lbfl de 22 lhc4 f6 23 ef l:.xf6 24 Now after 8 g3 Black attacks on .l:.xh1 24 Wxh 1 'ilfc8 2S i..d7 'i!Vc4 26 13 'fr'c2 lt::lf6
lDg3 lDg6 2S lieS lbxf4 26 'i'e3 the kingside: 8...i..e7 9 i..d3 'i'g7 10 lDe3 'it'xa2 27 g6 i..e 7 28 lbdS fg 29 14 lDc4 lDhS!
l:laf8 27 l:lgS i..e8 28 i..f l llg6 29 h3 hS 1 1 'iVe2 g4 12 lDh2 cS ! 1 3 de �h3 1Wh1+ 30 <it'h2 1 -0 Piket-E.Fer­ 15 lDe3 J..e 6
lleS l:lg 7 30 i..c4 lDh3+ 3 1 Wh 1 lDxcS 14 i..bS+ Wf8 1S 0-0-0 a6 16 nandez, Groningen I98S/86. On 1S ... lDf4 may follow 16 i..c4
116 Modem Svstem
. Modem System 1 1 7
'

planning to exchange the knight af­ 28 "ib3 �· n c3 �aS 16 a3 d5 with equality, I n reply to play on the wing with
ter l0e3-d5 forcing the weakemng _ 29 �xh7 �-h4 G.Kuzmin-Eingom, USSR Ch (Len­ 7 ...a6 8 0-0-0 bS, White seizes the in­
16 ... c6 1 7 i.fl . 30 �c6 lld2! ingrad) 1990. itiative by attacking in the centre: 9
1 6 �c4 llac8 Now the game ends in perpetual 7 �d2 (115) eS ! 'file? 10 lDe4 dS (after 10 ... i.b7,
17 �xc6 fc! check: 3 1 "iVxc7+ <it>e8 32 "iVc6+ �t7 The queen may also be developed good is I I 'ili'f4 gS 1 2 'ife3) I I ed (af­
1 7 ... 'W/xe6 is unplea'>antly met by 3 3 'iiVb7 + <it> f8 34 'Wih4+ <it>t7 3 s on a different square: 7 i..d3 d6 8 ter I I !DeS lDd7 1 2 lDb3 lDb6 Black
1 8 dS 'W/c8 19 c4 and c4-cS attacking 'iiVb7 + <it>f8 36 "iVa8+ <it>t7 3 7 'VIIa7+ 'lli'e2. For ex:unple: 8 ... lDd7 9 0-0-0 succeeds in defending, in view of the
on the queenside. <it>e8 38 �g2 'WigS+ 39 <it>fl �h4 40 0-0 (the slow 9 ... a6 allows White to follow-up ...i..d 7, ...b4 and ... aS, but
18 de llxf3! 'W/a8+ �t7 4 1 'W/a7+ 1h-1h develop an initiative: 1 0 llhe l eS 1 1 the simpler I2 lDxd7 'i'xd7 13 'i'c3
19 gf il..xe5 (114) lDdS 'lli'd8 1 2 de de 1 3 h4 ! c6 14 lDe3 keeps some initiative) l l ...cd 12
Gamc 34 hS I S i..c4) 10 llhe 1 eS 1 1 lDd5 'VIId8 'iVb4 d5 1 3 liJd6+ �d7! I4 !DeS+
llodgson-Eingorn 1 2 c3 ed 1 3 lDxd4 lDcS I4 i.c2 lle8 i..x eS 1 S de lDc6 I6 'lli'f4 gS I 7 'i'e3
Reykjavik 1989 I S f3 c6 1 6 lDe3 'lli'c 7 17 �d2 bS f6 I 8 c4 ! with :Ul attack for White,
with unclear play, Morovic-Browne, H(xlgson-Lputian, Hastings 1986/87.
1 d4 lD£6 S :ultiago I 9 8 1 . An even stronger possibility was I7
2 �g5 c6 'ili'g3 f6 1 8 c4!.
3 c4 h6 8 0-0-0 lDc6
4 iLxf6 't'fxf6 Black often plays the prophylac­
5 li:lf3 g6 tic retreat 8... 'ili'e7 and after 9 h4 a6
This move, in combination with there arises a position from the 19th
... d7-d6, lead" to a King's lndi:m type g:une of the Candidates Final
of position. Note that these moves Korchnoi-Karpov, Moscow 1 974,
Black hao; managed to achieve are often played in reverse order. which continued 10 g3 bS ! 1 1 i.h3
sufticient counterplay. 6 lDc3 il..g 7 b4 1 2 lDdS ed 13 .txc8 0-0 14 i.b7
20 lDg4 nrs The continuation 6...d6 :unounts l:a7 1S i.xdS c6 16 i.b3 'i'xe4 17
21 'ii> h 1 't'fh4 to a transposition after 7 'VIid2 i..g7, 'ird3 �xd3 I 8 llxd3 lbd7 and Black
22 lt:lxc5 de while if White plays 7 eS �e7 8 i..d3 obtained equality.
23 llc3 lLI£4 i.g7 9 'Wie2 then Black can achieve 7 ... d6 In this variation it seems stronger
24 t1g1 Il.d8! his desire of closing the centre: 9. . .a6 It seems that 7 ... 0-0 is also possi­ to attack in the centre: 10 'it'bl bS 1 1
25 llccl lld7 1 0 h4 d5 1 1 0-0 i..d7 1 2 'Wie3 lDc6 13 ble since the aggressive 8 eS is not eS i..b7 I 2 'lli'f4 lbd7 1 3 i..d3 i.xf3
2S ... lDd3 is repulsed by 26 �e2 a3 gS 14 hS 0-0-0 1S b4 g4 16 lDh2 d:utgerous. 8...'lli'e7 9 0-0-0 d6 10 " 1 4 'lli'x f3 dS 1S 'i'g3 cS 16 f4 c4 1 7
�h3 27 �e3. f6 with double-edged play, Knaak­ i..c4 lbd7 1 1 'lli'f4 a6 I 2 i..d 3 bS 1 3 i..e2 lDb6 1 8 Jl.g4 h S 19 fS ! and
26 "'lg4 't'fd8 Luther, Zittau 1989. lLle4 i..b7 I 4 ed cd I S 'lli'xd6 'lli'xd6 White opens the position to his ad­
27 llxf4 The exchange of the light-square 1 6 lDxd6 i.xf3 1 7 gf lDb6 1 8 c3 lia7 v:ultage, Mark Tseitlin-Lukin, Len­
It is difficult to tolerate the irritat­ bishops ea'>es Black's defence: 7 I 9 lDe4 lDdS 20 l:the 1 lid8 2I !DeS ingrad 1983.
ing knight, but stronger wao; the pre­ i.bS+ i..d7 8 'VI/e2 a6 9 i..xd7+ b4 22 �c2 be 23 be lDxc3! with ad­ 8 .. .'i'e7 c:u1 also be met by the im­
paratory 27 'i1Vb3. lDxd7 10 0-0 i..g 7 1 1 'W/c4 1/Vd8 12 vantage for Black, Tinunan-Lobron, mediate 9 eS dS (by closing the cen­
27 ••• ef �b3 llb8 1 3 tDe2 0-0 14 llad1 c6 15 Hmnburg 1982. tre, Black removes much of the
JJB Modern System Modem System I 19

danger to his king; if instead 9 ...0-0 Game 35 5 c4 h6

then 10 �f4 llJd7 1 1 ..id3 is good) Spassky-1\files 6 Ji.xf6 �xf6
1 0 h4 ..id7 1 1 �b 1 llJc6 1 2 ..ie2 NikSif: 1 983 7 ..td3 (I l l)
0-0-0 13 llJa4 b6 14 a3 llJb8 15 llJc3
�b7 16 llhe 1 llc8 1 7 ..tfl a6 18 g3 1 d4 llJf6
l:hd8 and in view of the thrust ...c7- 2 llJf3 b6
c5 to follow, Black has fully equal 3 llJc3 Ji.b7
play, Klinger-Romanishin, Palma de 4 Ji.g5
Mallorca 1989. White's la�t two moves are more
9 Ji.b5 often played in reverse order. The de­
9 h4 ..id7 10 ..ib5 0-0-0 l l l:he1 velopment of the knight on c3 is the
also deserves attention, but weaker is 13 Ji.a4 e5 most critical method in the battle for
9 d5 ed 1 0 ed llJe7 when Black's 14 1lhe1 1lb8 control of the centre when Black ha<>
chances are already better. Thus 1 1 15 �f4! e5 opted for an early queen 's fianchetto.
..ib5+ is well met by 1 1 ...c6 1 2 ..ic4 1 6 llJed2 ef 4 ••• e6
( 1 2 de be 1 3 ..ia4 d5 y ields nothing) 17 Ilxe7 b5 The shortcomings of the develop­ 7 i.b4!
1 2 ... b5 ! 1 3 ..ib3 b4 1 4 llJa4 c5 with 1 8 Ji.b3 e4 ment of the knight may only be re­ Other moves are less effective:
a dangerous attack, ba�ed on the 19 llJxe4 be vealed by the pin ...Ji.f8-b4. After a) 7 ... g5 8 'i'e2 llJc6 9 e5 'i'g7 10
pressure on the long diagonal a 1 - 20 Ji.xe4 1lb7! other continuations Black experiences llJe4 g4 I I llJf6+ '.t>d8 1 2 llJd2 llJxd4
h 8. Maksirnovic-Eingom, Belgrade Black ha� regained the piece, difficulties. 4 ... d5 is unsuccessful, 1 3 'tlfe3 ..ic5 14 "Wig3 ..ie7 15 'i'£4
1 9 86, continued 1 1 llJd4 0-0 12 f4 maintaining a safe position. since White can ea<;ily occupy the e5 llJc6 16 llJde4 with a complete stran­
llJf5 1 3 llJf3 ..id7 14 g4 llJh4 1 5 g5 21 lldel i-f6 outpost: 5 e3 e6 6 llJe5 ..ie 7 7 ..ib5+ glehold on Black's position, Mur­
hg 1 6 llJxg5 and here Black achieved 22 ll7e4 d3 c6 8 Ji.d3 llJbd7 9 f4 a6 1 0 'tlff3 c5 1 1 shed-Conquest, London 1 989.
a clear advantage by playing 23 e3 Ji.f5 0-0 b5 1 2 f5 c4 1 3 fe fe 14 ..ie2 'tiVb6 b) 7 ... "WidX 8 0-0 ..te7 9 e5 ! d6 10
1 6 .. .lHe8. 24 lle8 15 'i'h3 llJxe5 16 de llJg8 1 7 ..ih5+ "Wie2 0-0 I I l:ad1 llJd7 1 2 llJe4 "fileS
9 ... 0-0 24 l:xf4? ..ig5 25 llJxg5 fails to and the king is deprived of his ca�­ 13 l:fe 1 lid8 14 h4 llJf8 15 'i"e3 and
10 e5 25 ... d2+! 26 �xd2 lixb2+. tling rights in the face of White's White ha� a large space advantage
More reliable seems 10 ..ixc6 be 24 g5 continuing attack, Morovic-Valke­ and real threats on the kingside, Bis­
1 1 e5 1Wf5 1 2 .Uhel c5 1 3 llJe4 de 14 25 h3 h5 salmi, Dortmund 1 980. guier-Kudrin, Philadelphia 1985.
de ..ib7 15 'i'e3, when White's posi­ 26 Ji.b3 The straightforward 4...h6 is also c) 7 ...d6.8 'iYe2 'tlfd8 9 o�o llJd7 1 0
tion is preferable, Piket-Nijboer, Hodgson considers 26 lhf8+ dubious. After 5 Ji.xf6 ef 6 e4 ..ib4 7 d 5 e 5 1 1 ..ia6 and White's pos i tion
Wijk aan Zee 1 990. �xf8 27 l:d1 g4 28 hg hg 29 llJd4 Ji.d3 0-0 8 0-0 1i.xc3 9 be d5 1 0 ed is preferable, Schmidt-Miles, Porz
10 ••• de Ji.xd4 30 cd better. ..ixd5 1 1 llJh4 'i'd7 1 2 llJf5 ..ie6 1 3 1981/82. Miles recommends 9 ... a6.
1 1 Ji.xe6 (1 16) ed ! 26 g4 llJe3 'i'd6 1 4 a4 c 6 1 5 c4 lid8 1 6 c3 8 0-0 Ji.xc3
Black sacrifices a piece for two 27 hg hg llJd7 17 a5 "Wic7 18 d5 White creates 9 be d6! (liB)
pawns, relying on a pawn offensive 28 llJd4 Ji.g6 a pa<;sed pawn and has the better po­ Black organises active play in the
on the queenside. 29 llJe6 llxe8 sition, Klaman-Taimanov, USSR centre, preparing the blockading
12 llJe4 'ille7 30 ItxeS+ 1 950. ... e6-e5.
120 Modern System

9 ... 0-0 is weaker since White can 16 llfb l .ia8! I 7 .ib5 threatening
llxa5) 16...il.xa6 17 f!xa6+ <bd7 18
develop a strong attack after 10 tbd2
tbc4 tbxc4 19 'i'fbS+ <bc7 20 �xc4
Part 2 : Systems \vith 2 ... g6
d6 (Keres considered 10 ... c5 better)
1 1 f4 tlJU7 1 2 'i'g4 'i'e7 I 3 llae i �di! (the four-rook ending after 2 I
llfe8 14 e 5 f5 1 5 ef tbxf6 I 6 �g3 'i'xe6+? fe 2 2 llxa7 �d7 would be
'i'd7 17 tDD , Klinger-Summennat­ more pleasant for Black) 21 fi'xc7+
ter, Luceme 1 989. l:1d7 22 'Wc6 hS 23 gf gf (23 ...'i'g4+
24 �h I gf is dangerous due to 25 e5 ! In the heyday of the King's Indian - bishop by erecting the pawn wedge
opening up Black's king position) 24 the beginning of the I 960s - the c3-d4-e3. This gives rise to a rela­
llxf4 llg8+ 25 'it'hl llg4 26 llan Torre Attack set-up began to be em­ tively little-studied position, herald­
llxf4 27 llxf4 (JJ 9) ployed against the fianchetto of ing a battle rich in interesting ideas.
Black's king's bishop: I d4 tbf6 2 Black has a wide choice of continu­
tbf3 g6 3 .ig5 (120) ations, so he can choose a plan for
his forces to -influence the centre
along tl1e lines of the King's Indian
or tl1e Griinfeld Defence.
In the main continuation, 3 ... Jtg7
4 tbbd2, the most popular plan is to
fix the centre in classical style with
10 tbd2 4 ... d5 in combination with the thrust
The knight frees the way for the f­
... c7-c5. Sometimes Black first
pawn. In Larsen-Timman, Tilburg
places his knight in the centre, with
1 980, 10 .ib5+? ! tbd7 1 1 �d3 'i'e7
3 ... tbe4, and then supports it with the
I 2 Jta6 Jtxa6 I 3 'i'xa6 0-0 I 4 1Ife i 27 ...h4 (the pawn creeps into h3,
pawn on d5. Both of these continu­
c 5 I 5 a4 llfcH I 6 d5 lle8 ! was since 28 llxh4 is ruled out by
ations are discussed in chapter 6.
played, with advantage to Black. 28 ...'i'f6. However, Black's king White develops his pieces, tem­ Black can also develop according
10 ... cS cannot find anywhere to rest) 28 porarily refraining from attempts to to the King's Indian scheme with
1 1 f4! cf 'WbS h3 29 'i'i'gS+ '>!.>c8 30 'i't'g8+ dominate the centre with his pawns, 4 ...d6 (chapter 7), or attack the cen­
After l l ...ed White can try the We7 31 �gS+ <be8 32 l'Ih4 lle7 33 and limiting the influence of the g7 tre with 4 ... c5 (chapter 8).
promising pawn sacrifice I 2 e5 de �bS+ <bd8 .34 �c6 lle8 35 tr'a8+
1 3 fe 'i'g5 14 tbf3. 't'Vc8 36 't'Vxa7 'i'i'xc3 37 't'Vxb6+ 'ii>d7
The game continued: 38 't'Vb7+ Wd8 39 'Wb8+ 111-1/z
12 g3 gS 13 a4 ( 1 3 'i'f3 may be The king may break out into open
stronger) 13 ...tbc6 14 fi'e2 0-0-0 15 space: 39 ... �e7 ! 40 1ih7+ �f6 4 I
aS!? (White opts for a preemptive llf4+ �g5 42 llf5+ �g4, but cannot
strike against the king, but Black has avoid the checks: 43 'i'hi ! lhe4 44
defensive resources) 1S ...tbxa5 16 iffl ! lie I 45 llf4+ with a pursuit on
il.a6 (Tigran Petrosian reconunended the f-file.
 Cemral System 123

1 6 b4 with advantage for White, who

6 Central System can make the b5 pawn weak. O.Ro­
driguez-Zabala. Italy 1980.
b) 7 i..b5+ i..d7 8 i.xd7+ tt:lxd7 9
c3 tt:lxd2 10 't!Yxd2 0-0 I I 0-0 Ile8
( l l ...llc8 deserves attention) I 2 b4
cb 13 cb tt:lb6 I4 b5 �d7 I 5 �b4
1 d4 tt:lf6 . . . e7-e5). although early activity on and White attacks on the queenside,
2 tt:lf3 g6 the wing with 5 ... c7-c5 followed by Bohm-Van der Sterren. Holland
3 i..g S Ji..g7 . . . 't!Yd8-b6. may also be tried. The I 975 .
4 tt:lbd2 dS (121) early occupation of the centre with c) 7 c3 -0 (the thrust 7 .. .'i'b6 is
3, ..tt:le4, intending to establish this maintains control of the central as1 y repulsed: 8 �3 tt:lxd2 9
square ao;; a ba-;e in the centre with squares. After 4 ... i..g7 5 tt:llx12 the tt:lxd2 c4 10 �xb6 ab I I i.. x b8!
the subsequent move ...d7-d5, deter­ best reply is considered to be 5 ... d5 Ilxb8 12 e4 with the better ending
mines Black's plans rather prema­ (after 5 . . . tt:lxd2 6 'ti'xd2, Black, due for White, Kovacevic-Bertok. Za­
turely. This restricts his possibilities, to the potential threat of an attack greb 1969. while after the exchange
while the knight cannot be main ­ with i..h 6 and h2-h4-h5, is practi­ of the active knight. 7 ... tt:lxd2 8
tained on e4. cally forced to weaken his kingside �xd2 ttJd7 9 0-0-0 c4 10 e4 �aS I I
with 6...h6) 6 e3 c5 (123). aJ de I 2 tt:lg5 �d5 1 3 lle i tt:lf6 14
Game 36 f3 ! ef 15 Ile5 fg I 6 i.xg2 'i'd8 17
Komarov-Smirin llhe l , the activity of White's pieces
Baku 1 988 more thm1 compensates for the sacri­
ficed pawn) 8 tt:lxe4 (it seems that
Fixing the centre with the pawn 1 d4 tt:lf6 modest play does not suffice for an
move ... d7-d5 is Black's most popu­ 2 tt:lf3 g6 advantage: 8 i..e2 tt:lc6 9 0-0 'ilh>6 10
lar system of development. This 3 1l.g5 tt:le4 (122) 'i!Vb3 'iYxb3 I I ab i.g4 12 i.d l
move largely prevents White from The standard 3 ... .tg 7 is consid­ tt:lxd2 13 tt:lxd2 i.xd I 14 Ilfxd I cd
creating a p awn centre and limits the ered in the other games in this chap­ I 5 ed a5 with roughly level chances
sphere of influence of the d2 knight, ter. in the ending. Vaganian-Mortensen,
before preparing counterplay in the The k'"Tlight proceeds with tempo Esbjerg 1988) 8 ...de 9 tt:ld2 cd 10 ed
centre with ... c7-c5 or sometimes to an active position, but White can f5 I I f3 ! (by u ndennining the e4
... e7-e5. However, this allows in tum regain the tempo with his Black has played with the utmost pawn, White opens the centre to his
White's dark-square bishop more queen's knight, by obliging the cen­ activity, but the knight cannot be advantage; after I I i.e2 tt:lc6 1 2
freedom than the King's Indian tralised knight to redetermine its po- maintained on the e4 square and tt:lc4 i.e6 13 't1Yd2 llc8 the g m n e is
structure with ... d7-d6. sition� White cm1 thus fight for the initiative: level. SchUssler-Mortensen, Lucerne
After the anticipated 5 e3, the a) 7 i..d 3. 'i'a5 8 c3 tt:lxd2 9 'i'xd2 OL 1 982) l l ...ef I2 i.. c4+ 'iot>h8 1 3
main continuation is 5 ... 0-0 in prepa­ Th � <>ible retreat square tt:lc6 1 0 h4 f6 1 1 i.h2 0-0 1 2 i.c2 tt:lxf3 tt:lc6 I 4 't!Ye2 i.d7 I 5 h 4 h5 I 6
ration for the advance ... c 7-c5 (or is 4 i.f4, from where the bishop i..e6 13 0-0 i..f7 14 a4 a6 1 5 llab 1 b5 0-0 tba5 I 7 i..d 3 e 6 I 8 llae 1 'i!Vb6 I 9
124' Central System Central System 125

'i1Yf2 with advantage to White, in ltJc6 1 1 .i.e2 'ii'J6 I 2 0-0 e5 with Retreating the knight gives White 1 1 tt:Jc4 �c8
view of the weak pawns on e6 and equal play, D:unj:u10vic-Marovic, the possibility of attacking in the 1 2 il.e2 ltd8
g6, O.Rodriguez-Westerinen, Ali­ Zagreb I960, or 7 .. lZJc6 8 tt:Jxc5
.
centre: 6 ... lt:Jd6 7 .i.e2 c6 8 0-0 lt:Jd7 13 �c2 lld5
cante 1980.' 'iia.5 + 9 c3 �xc5 10 e3 .i.g7 1 1 .i.e2 9 c4 lt:Jf5 1 0 .i.g5 f6 I I .i.f4 g5 I2 14 lldl Jlxc5
4 ... d5 0-0 I2 0-0 e5 13 l:Ic l a.5 I4 'iYa4 .i.f5 .i.g3 h5 13 .i.d3 lt:Jf8 14 'W'c2. Black hao; regained the pawn and
. 4... Ji.g7.js well met by 5JZ:ifg_� :u1d the activity of Black's pieces as­ White's position deserves prefer­ threatens the advance ... b7-b5-b4.
and after 5 ...ti:)d6 6 c3 c5 7 de tiJtll sures him of at least equal ch:u1ces, ence, since it is not easy for Black to 15 b4 (125)
jLg5 h6 9 �f4 e5 10 �gLW_£L.!l Torre-Ennenkov, Thessaloniki OL complete his development, Meduna­
tt:Je4 0-0 12 e3 'i'c6 1 3 tt:Jbd2 h5 14 I 984. Robatsch, Tmava I 987.
t&i 6!'tt:Jxd6 1 5 cd "-:!�Q.J6 �
..... 6 e3 (124) 7 c3 0-0
White's pressure against the weak According to analysis by Spa-;sky,
squares on the d-file gives him the 7 . .lt:Jxd2 8 'ilfxd2 b6 9 lt:Je5 0-0 10 f4
.

advantage, Gelf:md-Kulaga, Minsk leads to White's advantage, as does

1980. 7 :cd a ed 0-0 9 tt:Jxe4 de 10 lt:Jd2 f5
•.

b
The counterattack on the wing
4 ... c5 � 'ib6! 6 tiJbd2 tt:Jxd2 7
1 1 .i.c4+ �h8 I 2 .i.g5 'ilfe8 1 3 h4 ! .
r7 ...i.g4 ?!- leaves the b7 pawn
8 )Xdf
.

fxd2 cd e5 9 ltdtl f6 I 0 e4 weak, which was convincingly dem­

$-e7 1 1 Ji.c4 tt:Jc6 12 0-0-Q favours onstrated in the g:une Psakhis-Kon­
White, thanks to the pressure on the opka, Erevan 1 986, which continued
d-tile and the a2-g8 diagonal. 8 'ib3 .i.xf3 9 'i1Yxb7 lt:Jxd2 10 15 llxc4!
l:!i7" 6 ltdbd2 d5 which wi l � .i.b5+ lt:Jd7 ( I O ... �f8 is decisively Who hao; trapped whom?
amount to no more than a transposi­ met by 1 1 .i.xe7+ !) 1 I .i.xd7+ �f8 16 il.xc4 tt:Je5
tion to the g:une, is best, since after 6 ... c5 I2 .i.c6 .i.xd4 I3 'i1Yxa8 �xa8 14 17 iLc2 tiJfJ+
g, lnxcp 7 'j'xcl? cd 8 lt:Jxd41 0-0 9 The most energetic continuation. .i.xa8 .i.xg2 15 �xd2 Ji.xh i 16 18 gf iLxc3+
w4zl&9 sJ6 1 $.e2 $,e6
w @s? 1 12 After the exch:u1ge of the central­ . l:lxh 1 .te5 17 Ji.xd5 1 -0. 19 lid2 ef
6
tt.Jv1 j h 1 3 �:4 Wa5 14 Q-0 'iWeS 15 ised knight, 6... lt:Jxd2 7 'i'xd2 tt:Jd7 8 1 ..liJc6 tould be considered. 20 itd3 iLxd2+
'fdJ if4 I§ •hJ
.

White's ch:mces c3 lt:Jf6 9 i.d3 tlJe4 I 0 �c2, White's 8 t;)xc4 de 21 �xd2 iLxd3
are preferable, Bellon-Fraguela, Lan­ position is preferable. Psakhis-Emst, 9 lt:Jd2 il.r5 22 'i!Vxd3 �c l+
zarote 1975. The threat is I7 Ji.xf4 Tallinn I 989, continued 10 ...tiJd6 1 1 1 0 de 23 'i'i'd1 �c3+
'i1Yxf4 1 8 lt:Jg2 with 1 9 f4 to follow. 0-0 0-0 I 2 e4 de 1 3 .i.xe4 tt:Jxe4 14 White could resolve to win the 24 'i'i'd2 'i'fa1+
5 lt:Jhd2 il.g7 'iixe4 lie8 I 5 lHe i 'i'd7 I6 .i.g3 c6 central pawn with I 0 g4 .i.e6 1 I lfl.lfl
Also possible is ,5 ... c5 · which 1 7 .i.e5 'i'f5 1 8 �e3 .i.e6 I 9 i..xg7 tt:Jxe4 since after 1 l ....i.d5 1 2 f3 cd
White ought to meet wit t{§j}/ sup­ <i;xg7 20 tt:Je5 (Black c:u1 only push 1 3 cd 'i'b6 14 Ji.d3 followed by 15 Game 37
porting the d4 pawn, since after sur­ back this dominating knight by 0-0, Black will not succeed in ex­ Smyslov-Vaganian
rendering the centre with 6 de lt:Jxc5 weakening his own position) ploiting the weakening of White's USSR Ch (Moscow) 1 988
7 lt:Jb3 he will have difficulty in ob­ 20 .. .l:taJ8 21 h3 'i1Yf6 22 a4 Ji.c8 23 king position. Now however Black
taining any adv:u1tage. For ex:unple: a.5 a6 24 liadi 'iid6 25 b4 :u1d White ha'> excellent counterplay. 1 d4 tt:Jf6
7 ... lt:Jxb3 8 ab i.g7 9 c3 0-0 10 e3 achieved a large space advantage. 10••• lt:Jc6 2 lt:Jf3 g6
126 Central System Central System 127

3 i..gS .1ig7 Now after 7 0-0 the manoeuvre after 7 ...lt:lc6, i.e. 8 de h6 9 .ixf6
4 ltJhd2 dS 7 ... .lle 8, aiming to organise an attack j_xf6 IO 0-0 a5 1 1 a4 e5 I2 e4 .te6
5 e3 0-0 in the centre with the help of the e­ 13 ed j_xd5 14 lt:le4 j_g7 15 ltJc16
Translator's note: the continu­ pawn, is possible. For instance: 8 h3 'Wie7 16 .ib5 'Wie6 17 i:Ie l b6 and
ation 5 ... c5 �can naturally trans­ e5 9 de lt:lxeS 10 lt:lxe5 .ll xe5 I I .if4 Black secured reliable equality.
pose to many other lines in this .lle8 12 c3 c6 13 a4 .ie6 with equal 7 li:\hd7
chapter, but in the game limman­ chances, Ramos-Bruckner, Bun­ Also encountered is 7 ... lt:lfd7, in­
Kac;parov, Linares 1991, 6 ... ltJbd7 desliga 199 1 . However White can tending to prepare an attack in the
encouraged White to commit his play the more energetic 8 c4!? when centre with the e-pawn, after 8 0-0
queen to b3 rather early: J.� (7 after 8 ... c5 9 'iYb3 the pawn tension · lt:lc6. White must play energetically
j_dJ) ;z....o-Q 8 .te2 b6 9 Q-O.bl..lil is resolved in White's favour: 9...cd to exploit the slow development of
.d..(the slower 10 l:tacl l:tc8 1 1 h3 a6 10 ed de I I .ixc4 .ll f8 12 lt:le5 lt:lxe5 Black's queenside by opening the lt:lxf4 17 ef .llad8 18 llfd l .ll fe8 and
12 a4 .l:te8 1 3 life I c4 1 4 'iYc2 b5 15 1 3 de lt:lg4 14 e6 f6 15 .if4, The position. For example: 9 �a4 a6 10 the advantage of the two bishops
ab ab 16 b3 lh8 1 7 'iVb2 .ic6 left pawn is like a nail on e6. dividing 'Wia3 'Wib6 I I llab l e5 12 c4! ed 13 fully compensates for the pawn defi­
Black, in possession of the a-file, Black's position in two, Plachetka­ cd ltJb4 14 ed lt:lxd3 15 �xd3 cd 16 cit.: After I I ll(dJ J?laclcconsoli­
better in Kovacevic-Giigoric, Yugo­ Hausner, Tmava 1985. j_e7 lle8 1 7 'ifa3 with advantage dates his hold on e4 with I I ...liJdf6,
slav Ch 1984) 1 0... a6 l l l:fd l 'iVb8 The attempt to launch a kingside for White, who controls important and also has no problems. For ex run­
n...�,f4_..'i/Ka7 ] 3 Zile5 e6 1(.iaJ l\? lJ
attack wit Jt eads to a weakening squares on the c-file. Seirawan­ pie: 12 h3?! ( 12 .ie5 is more active)
;ac8 15 b4 liJxeS 16..t�c5 c4 11 of the g4 square and can be repulsed Radulov, Djakarta 1983. I 2...e6 13 a4 a5 14 j_h2 l0d6! and
.tiel j_c6 18 j_Q 'tifb7 12 � by an effective counterattack in the Another way of developing is Black obtains gooi,l...Q!'!,Y.J'Iachetka­
and Black experienced no great diffi­ centre: 7 ... �e8 8 j_f4 c5 9 c3 ltJg4 7 . .. b6 (126), which maintains z.,u.Polgar, Trencianske Teplice
culties. 10 h5 e5 1 1 de ltJdxe5 12 j_e2 iH5 Black's options as to where to de­ 1985.
6 i..d3 13 hg fg t4 lt:lh4 .td3 ! t 5 liJ<If3 (15 velop the queen's knight, while pre­ _ b) 8 0-0 j_b7. Here White ha.�_il .
After 6 l:tcli with the aim of .txg4 can be met by 1 5 ..Jhf4 ! paring to fianchetto the queen's choice betwee11 attacking on the
switching over to play in the style of when I6 ef?? allows 16. . .lt:l f3 mate) bishop, reinforcing the e4 square a<; a queen side and on the. kingside . . for
the Griinfeld Defence after c2-c4, it 15 ... j_xe2 I6 �xe2 llxf4! 17 ef bac;e for knights. White's plans may instru1ce: 9 'iVb I (th� JI!!c::en.:!uppc_l..fiS
is best for Black to react with the en­ lt:ld3+ 18 Wd2 'i'xe2+ 19 Wxe2 include an attack on the queenside, the advru1ce of the b-pawn ru1d con­
ergetic 6 ... c5, since after 6 ... b6 7 c4 ltJxf4+ 20 �d2 lt:lxf2 21 .llh ft l04d3 where the pawns on c5 and b6 pro­ trols the e4 square) 9 ... lt:lc6 I 0 b4 cd
.ta6 8 j_e2 liJe4 9 .th4 c5 10 0-0 22 g4 c4 23 g5 lle8 with more than vide something on which to bite. For I I cd �d6 12 a3 llfc8 13 j_f4 �e6
l0c6 White takes over the initiative: enough compensation for the ex­ instance: 14 h3 ltJd8 15 'ilfb2 ltJe4 16 a4 f5 17
1 1 cd j_xe2 12 'ifxe2 ltJxd2 13 change. Kamsky-H.Oiaf<;son. Rey­ a) 8 't!te2 j_b7 9 0-0 l0e4! 10 .tf4 a5 with the better chances for White,
'ifxd2 'ifxd5 1 4 de Mohr-B.Ivano­ kjavik 1990. l0d7. Now it is hardly expedient to Loginov-G. Agzrunov, Tac;hkent 1983
vic, Yugoslavia 1990. 7 c3 exchange the active knight: I I .ixe4 or 9 ltJe5 ltJfd7 I 0 ltJxd7 ltJxd7 I I f4
The other alternatives to 6 .id3 (6 } White threatens to capture the de 12 ltJg5 e5 ! I3 de lt:lxe5 I4 'iYe8 12 'i'g4 e6 13 'lM'h3 a6 14 .th6
j_e2, 6 c3 and 6 b4) are discussed pawn. However, this does not seem ltJgxe4 (or I4 .ixe5 j_xe5 15 ltJgxe4 .ixh6 15 'ifxh6 'i:Ve7 16 llae l b5 17
later in this chapter. to be so dangerous. For example, in j_xe4 16 ltJxe4 .txh2+ 1 7 'it>xh2 .ll f3 lHc8 18 g4 b4 19 f5 and White's
6 ••• cS the game Kapeliush-Vorontsov, 'ifh4+ 18 'it>gl 'ifxe4 with equality) attack hac; a head start, Z.Nikolic­
Sometimes 6:..ltJbd7 is tried. Kacha 1 99 1 , White took the pawn 14 ... 1/kd3 ! I 5 'ir'xd3 lt:lxd3 16 llabl Cvitan. Borovo 198 1 .
128 .Cellfral System Central System 129

Other alternatives at Black's 10 a4 h6 1 1 i..h4 lLle4 12 i.c2 g5 13 9 lib1 can be met by 9 ...e5 10 As Smyslov indicates, 16 c5 ! be
seventh move are 7..J/Vb6 (see i..g3 lLlxg3 14 hg e5 15 lLlxe5 llJxe5 i.e2 llJe4 1 1 J..b4 cd 12 ed llJxd2 13 17 de followed by liJd4, is stronger.
Dreev-K.halifrnan) and 7 ... cd (see 16 de i.. xe5 17 �d3 f5 1 8 llJt1 i.. g7 1ikxd2 e4 with equal chances, G.Ag­ 16 de
Schussler-Vaganian). with good play for Black, Lutskan­ zamov-Slutsky, Moscow 1983, or 1 7 ltJxc4 i£.f8
8 0-0 't'Vb6 Zilberstein, Leningrad 1990. 9 .. J�e8 10 i.c2 e5 1 1 i.a4 e4 12 de 18 �b2 (129)
An energetic continuation, attack­ It is worth considering 9 a4 c5 10 Wixc5 13 ltJd4 a6 14 b4 W/c7 (after
ing on the queenside. Another popu­ c3 i..b7 1 1 lLle5 lLlxe5 12 de llJe4 13 14 ... W/xc3? 15 J..f4 ! the queen is in
lar continuation is 8 ... b6 ( 127). f4 �c7 14 llJxe4 de 15 i.c4 when danger) 15 i.f4 �d8 16 h3 b5 17
White's position is preferable, i.b3 liJb6 18 t1 i.b7 with unclear
Kopec-Kuczynski, St John 1988. play, Petran-Vegh, Budapest 1989.
A typical manoeuvre in such posi­ 9 lieS
tions is 9 �1. with which White 10 c4! cd
controls the e4 square and prepares 1 1 ed (128)
the advance of the b-pawn. For ex-
ample: 9 ... i..b7 10 b4 cd (the ad-
vance 10 ... c4 allows White to
explode the centre: 1 1 i..c2 lic8 12
bS ! ltJe8 l3 a4 a5 14 e4 ! with the bet­ White's position is better; in par­
ter game) 1 1 cd .l;tc8 12 a4 h6 13 ticular ltJc4-d6 is threatened. After
1Lh4 g5 14 i..g3 ltJh5 15 i.e5 f6 16 l 8 ...�d5 19 ltJe3 Wih5 20 nc7 the
Black aims to complete his devel­ i.g3 ltJxg3 17 hg e5? ! (17 ...e6 is rook bursts in round the back. How­
opment and in-s��ne cases to estab­ more prudent) 1 8 il..f5 and White's ever, Vaganian finds a resourceful
lish a knight on e4. Energetic play is position is better, Malaniuk-Logi­ defence.
required from White to maintain the nov, Tallinn 1982. 18 'i!VbS!
initiative. The virtually unexplored continu­ 19 lL!d6
Thus, 9 h3 .i.b7 10 b4? is weak ation 8 ...lie8, intending to attack the White has a considerable lead in White is tempted by material
due to IO ... lLle4! 1 1 be lLlxg5 12 centre with a second pawn, deserves development and the better chances. gains, and the battle takes on an un­
lLlxg5 e5 ! 13 i..b5 be 14 i.. xd7 cd attention. For example: 9 b4 e5 lO Thus 1 1 ...dc is well met by both 12 usual character. After the more criti­
with a clear advantage for Black in ltJxe5 llJxe5 1 1 de l:ixe5 1 2 il..f4 lle8 i.xc4 and 1 2 ltJxc4. cal 19 a3 i.b7 20 lDce5 it is not at all
the game Velikov-Martinovic, Zren­ 1 3 be i.d7 14 lib 1 .i.c6 15 1ikc2 llJd7 11 �c7 simple for Black to defend.
janin 1980. 16 ltJb3 il..a4 1 7 Wie2 .i.xb3 1 8 ab 12 llac1 a6 19 �xd3
Restrained development, such a<> ltJxc5 with equal play, Schwarz­ 13 1Uc1 c6 20 1Icd1 "Wxd1
9 �e2 i..b7, allows Black to achieve Lagunov, Podolsk 1990. 1 4 i£.h4! b6 21 llxdl i£.xd6
his goal: 10 ];[ad 1 lLle4 1 1 i.. f4 a6 12 9 'fic2 After 14 ... dc 15 il..g3 followed by 22 1Lxd6 i..b7
lLle5 lLlxe5 13 i.. xe5 i.. xe5 14 de In the event of9 1ikh3 c4 10 Wlxb6 16 llJxc4 the weakness of d6 is re­ 23 lL!cS 1Iec8
lLlxd2 15 nxd2 W/c7 16 f4 and here ltJxb6 1 1 i..c2 i.f5 12 i.xf5 gf 13 vealed. Black has compensation for the
the counter 16 .. .f5 maintained equal­ ltJe5 .J;tfc8, Black equalises, Soloviev­ 15 i£.g3 'W'c6 queen.
ity in Lein-Savon, K.harkov 1967, or Kopylov, Dubna 1966. 16 b4 24 h3 i£.c6
130 Central System Central System I 31

25 ti.cl il.b7 The rook ha'> to come back to de­

26 a 3 /DxeS fend, a'> after 42 ... llc2 43 h4! White
2 7 de opens up the position of the enemy
king. The finish was 43 h4 .l::te 8 44
After 27 i.. x e5 /Dd5 followed by
1\fd6 gh 45 il.c7 .l::t c 8 46 i.. d 8 I:c4
...fl-f6 the bishop is driven back.
27 /DdS 47 i..b6 l:tg4 48 il.c5 c;t>h7 49 1l:Yf8
1/z-1/z
28 �xeS+ IXxc8
29 W'd2 </;g7
30 a 4 h6 Game 38
3 1 aS ba Drcev-Khalifman
32 ha Sl.c6 Moscow 1 985
33 'Wd4 �hS 1 1 e4 /Dxe4 1 2 'Dxe4 de 1 3 il.xe4 e5 Black's idea, i n view of the possibil­
34 "&a7 gS 1 d4 !D£6 14 il.e3 'fle7 the game is equal, ity 10 ... tl.Jg4 I I 1Wxg4?! tl.Jxe5 when
35 �h2 �c2 2 /D£3 g6 Kaniak-David, Odessa 1 990) 10 Black regains the sacrificed material
36 iL.cS 3 iL.gS i.g7 'Dxe5 'Dxe5 I I de /Dg4 12 'Df3 since 12 tl.Jxe5 i.xg4 13 /Dxg4 is un­
After 36 'iii>g3 :.c3+ 37 f3 :.c2 38 4 /Dbd2 cS tl.Jxe5 1 3 tl.Jxe5 il.xe5 14 'ifc2 l:te8 satisfactory on account of 1 3 ...h 5 ! .
\\Yb8 /Df4 Black's counterattack 5 e3 0-0 with equal chances, Chekhov-Gore­ I n Malaniuk-T.Georgadze, Lvov
gives him equal chances. 6 i.d3 dS lov, Pavlodar 1 987. 1 986, play continued I 0 tl.Jxe5 tl.Jxe5
36 ••• Itc4 7 c3 'i'Vh6 (13 1) S implifying the position with 8 I I de tl.Jg4 12 i..e7 tt.Jxe5 13 i..e2
37 i.h6 nr4 If Black is intending a counterat­ 'ifb3 eao;es Black's defence, but ac­ (White must avoid 13 i..xf8 tl.Jxd3+
38 "ffb8 l't.c4 tack on the wing, then this thrust is curacy is needed. Thus after 8 ... c4 9 14 'it>e2 i..x f8 15 �xd3 i.. f5+ 16 e4
39 "i!fd6 llc6 best played immediately, since 'ilfxb6 ab I 0 i.. xf6 i..x f6 1 1 i..c 2 i..f5 de+ 17 /Dxe4 c4+! 18 'ilfxc4 'tlfxt2
40 't'fd8 If.c4 Black maintains the possibility of 1 2 i.. x f5 gf the ending is pleao;ant for with irresistible threats, and 13 i.. b5
41 SJ..a7 'f1c7 developing his knight on its most ac­ White due to his better pawn struc­ c4 14 i.. xf8 i.. xf8 15 0-0 a6 when
42 iJ..b8 ( 130) tive square. It is worth considering ture, but stronger is the natural Black wins material) 13 ...i..d7 14
the preparatory 7 ... cd 8 ed � 8 ...tl.Jc6 9 0-0 l:e8 1 0 .Ufd I 'it'xb3 1 1 'i'a3 lHc8 15 tf.Jf3 i..b5 16 i.. xb5
when 9 �3 can be met by the ma­ ab e5 1 2 de tt.Jxe5 when the game is tl.Jxf3+ 17 gf 't1Vxb5 18 'i1Vb3 'i'c6 19
noeuvre 9 ... \\Ye6+. The game Zichi­ level, Azmaiparashvili-Banac;, Stary 0-0 g5 ! 20 h4 and here, by playing
chi-Mednis, Rome 1984, continued Smokovec 1 983. 20 ... h6 21 hg_ 'iid7 !, Black embarked
1 0 'iii>f l 1/:Yd6 1 1 i..h 4 /Dc6 1 2 i..g3 8 ... tl.Jc6 on a mating attack.
"a'd8 1 3 :e 1 a6 14 lbe5 'Dh5 15 Black develops his knight on an 9 b4 is also well met by 9 ...cb 10
/Ddf3 with double-edged play. active square, preparing the pawn cb e5 I I de (or I I tt.Jxe5 tt.Jxe5 1 2 de
8 l:Ib1 advance ... e7-e5. tl.Jg4 with the better play for Black)
White avoids the exchange of However, this purpose is also I I ...'Dg4 12 tl.Jd4 tl.Jgxe5 1 3 i.e2
queens. served by the more modest 8 ... tf.Jbd7 tl.Jc6! 14 tl.Jxc6 be 15 0-0 tl.Jf6 1 6
8 � 1 is rather pao;sive: 8 ... /Dc6 9 (132). i..d3 a5 ! 1 7 a3 ab 1 8 a b l:.a2 when
0-0 e5 (also possible is the prepara­ In now tums out that the manoeu­ Black hac; the initiative, O.Rodriguez­
42 ... l.!e7! tory 9 ... :.e8 when after 1 0 de 'fPxc5 vre 9 'ita4 e5 ! 10 de fails to hinder T.Georgadze, Pontevedra 1986.
132 Central System Cemral System 133

It seems that White's best is the 14 ..ib3 e4 15 lbd4 ltJe5 Black A useful move. Black could also
natural 9 0-0, which transposes to achieves a certain space advantage, have chosen 25 ...lixf6 26 l:Ih3 h6 27
the game after 9...e5 10 ltJxe5 ltJxe5 Salov-Magem, Groningen 1984.
10 ttJxeS
'ikxg5 llg8, but in the game preferred
1 1 de ltJg4. to make the most of his pa'>sed pawn.
9 0-0 eS 1 1 de lt.Jg4
26 eS d3
The more restrained 9...l:.e8 is 1 2 lt.JCJ
27 llfe3 g4
feasible too. Then after 10 b4 cb 1 1 White's tactical trick 1 2 c4 ltJxe5
13 cd lt.Jxd3 14 lt)c4 gives Black suf­ On 27 ... "ilfxa2 there follows 28
c b a5 12 'ti'a4 the tempting exchange e6 !.
sacrifice 1 2 ... ab? ! 13 �xa8 1Lf5 is ficient counterplay after 14 .. JlVa6 15 28 b3 c4
refuted by 14 'ti'a3 ! ba 15 l'ixb6 'ifxd3 b5 16 lbd2 c4 17 "ilfe2 "ilfxa2 29 lld1 �b6 (134)
..ixd3 1 6 llc l ltJa5 17 ltJe5 ltJe4 18 18 1Le7 lie8, Malaniuk-Roman­
ltJxd3 ltJxd2 19 l'ib5 with a material ishin, Simferopol 1983. gf 19 �fl is in White's favour,
advantage for White, Epishin-Arba­ 12 ttJxeS Malaniuk-Kovalev, USSR 1984;
kov, USSR 1984. Safer is 12 ... 1Ld7 13 lt.JxeS ..ixcS however stronger are 17 ...g5 striving
13 ba �xa5 14 �xa5 1h-1h Spassky­ 14 f4 to block the position, and 17 ...iLd7
Gligoric, Moscow 1967. The continuations 14 "ilff3 1Le6 15 1 8 "ilfd2 .:Iae8 19 f6 "ilfg5 20 �f2 lle5
The preparatory 9 ... a5 !? 10 �e2 1Lf6 iLxf6 16 �xf6 llfd8 17 b4 c4 2 1 b4 c4 22 h4 with some initiative
lie8 also deserves attention. In 1 8 iLc2 1Lf5, Anastasian-Magerra­ for White, Neverov-Glek, Lvov 1985.
Plachetka-Ftacnik, Czechoslovakia mov, Pavlodar 1987, and 14 i-c2 17 i.d7
1984, there followed 1 1 l'ifd 1 ltJd7?! 1Lg7 1 5 b4 cb 1 6 cb 1Le6 17 1Le7 18 f6 'it>h8
12 e4! cd 1 3 ed ltJce5 14 lt)c4 and llfc8 1 8 iLb3 "ilfc6 19 llc1 'ti'd7, 19 e4 d4!
White obtained the better play. Umansky-Glek, USSR 1984, both As is well-known, playing in the
Clearly Black ought to keep control lead to equal play. centre is the best way to reply to an Black ha<> taken over the initiative
of e4, and prefer 1 1 ...cd. 14 •.. .i!Lf6 attack on the wing. The further ad­ and now it is White who must play
On 9 ... h6, 10 i-h4 is good, An ahemative is 14 ... iLg7 15 f5 vance of this pawn constitutes an im­ accurately to make a draw: 30 c.t>f2
whereas at this point the exchange h6 16 1Le7 lle8 17 f6 1Le6 1 8 "ilff3 portant counterattacking resource. �aS 3 1 be 'ifxa2+ 32 <t>g3 'i'xc4 33
on f6 is dubious: 10 i-xf6 i-xf6 I I l'ixe7 19 fe lieS 20 b3 llxe7 21 c4 de 20 il.c4 .1Le6
22 1Lxc4 h5 23 1Ld5 1f2-1h Dreev­ "ilff5 'i'xc3 34 l:idxd3 l:ixd3 35 'itxd3
b4 cb 1 2 cb a5 1 3 �a4 �a7 (here the 21 'a'h6 !!g8 �c8 36 'ti'b3 h5 37 �xf7 'itf5 38
exchange sacrifice 13 ... ab 14 'ti'xa8 Dorfman, Moscow 1985. One gets 22 li f3 gS
the impression that White brought "ilff8+ �h7 39 'fie7+ �g8 40 'i'd8+
..if5 15 �a3 is even less effective) White ha<> squeezed the maxi­ �h7 4 1 �e7+ lfl.lh
14 b5 lt.Jb4 15 l'ib3 1Ld7 16 1Le2 the battle to a premature end. mum out of his attack and forces a
l:Hc8 1 7 llb2 1Lf5 and Black's posi­ 15 i.xf6 'a'xf6 weakening of the king's pawn cover, Game 39
tion is the more active, Greenfeld­ 16 rs �c5 (133) but the limitation of his attacking re­ Schussler-Vaganian
Gutman, Netanya 1984. 17 'a'd2 sources allows Black to repulse the
1 0 ltJxeS White is developing an initiative Tallinn 1983
inunediate threats.
The continuation 10 de �xeS on the kingside, but Black has suffi­ 23 Rxc6 'a'xe6 1 d4 lt::l f6
gives B lack no problems. After 1 1 cient defensive resources. 24 net .ng6 2 ltJCJ g6
b4 �d6 1 2 1Lc2 1Le6 1 3 �e2 l'iac8 After 17 l:tf3, 17...1Lxf5 1 8 1Lxf5 25 'a'hS lidS 3 iLgS ..ig7
134 Central System Cen tral System 135

4 liJhd2 d5 b) 10 ...l1d8 ! (a useful move, de­ I l liJe i �h8 I 2 iLid3 lL\e4 1 3 .t.f4 f6 20 .1Lh6?!
fending the d5 pawn) I I lHcl i.f5
•.•

5 e3 0-0 I 4 f3 e5 I 5 fe fe I6 liJc5 ef 1 7 lLie6 Black has developed a dangerous

6 .ild3 c5 1 2 i.xf5 gf 1 3 �a3 l1dc8 ! (it is im­ 11.fd6 1 8 lLixg7 �xg7 1 9 1i'g4+ 'it>h8 initiative on the kingside, but now
7 c3 cd portant to occupy the c-file with pre­ 20 'i'xf4 and White obtains the bet­ loses the thread of the attack, which
Exchanging pawns is the princpal cisely this rook since 1 3 .. .llac8 can ter ending, since after the transfer of could h ave been maintained with
method of resolving the pawn tension. be met by I4 lLle5 ! when after the knight to e3, the weakness of the 20 ... e6 21 �3 i.f6 22 b4 Zih 7 23
8 cd I 4 ... liJxe5 1 5 de lLie4 16 i.xe7 a pawns on d5 and f6 will become per­ it)c5 'it>f7 followed by doubling
This is the main continuation, but pawn is lost) 14 liJb3 e6 I5 .t.xf6 ceptible, O.Rodriguez-Dedes, Thes­ rooks on the h-file and the thrust
8 cd is also playable. Having opened (White ensures himself full control saloniki OL 1 988. ...h5-h4. Now however White can
the c-file, White hopes to develop an of c5, since the immediate 1 5 lbc5 10 .ilh4 liJh5 consolidate his position.
initiative along it, and, in some cases allows the possibility I 5...liJe4) 11 Ite1 'ffd 6 21 4:'ld3 e6
to organise a ba..<;e for his pieces on I 5 ... i.xf6 I6 lbc5 'flic7 I 7 'W'a4 'Wie7 12 ..t h5 22 h4 llh7
c5. The main continuation then is ( 1 7 ...b6 1 8 liJd3 'ifh7 is rea<>onable, The even more energetic 12 b4 ! ? 23 a4 .1Lg5
8 ... liJc6 9 �b3 'ib6 10 0-0 (135). planning I 9 ...lLia5) I 8 l:.c2 b6 is possible. 24 ab ab
( l 8 .. .f4?! is a premature attempt to 12 ... g5 25 .Ua8 h4
develop an initiative: 1 9 llacl fe 20 13 i.g3?! 26 li)c5 k{h 6
fe e5 2 I lLixb7 !) 19 liJd3 lLia5 20 Far stronger is 13 i.xc6 ! be 14 27 'ft'c2?
llacl llxc2 21 l1xc2 1i'b7 22 lLife5 lLle5 li)f4 1 5 .t.g3 with the better The critical moment. Vaganian in­
and White has the better position in game for White (Vaganian). dicates the beautiful variation 27
view of his possession of the c-file 13 li)xg3 Zi xc8 ! axc8 28 axe6 ! ! lhe6 29
and the obvious disparity in the dis­ 14 hg a6 i.xf5 and after �xg4 White devel­
position of the knights, Gelfand­ 15 ii.a4 h5 ops a strong attack. Now Black
Emst, Tallinn I 989. 16 i.c2 g4! seizes the ini tiative again.
8 ... liJc6 11 lLih2 r5 27 hg
8 ..�·b6 was considered in the 18 lt:Jb3 Ra7! 28 fg .:J;f7
.

notes to Dreev-Khalifman. 19 lt:Jrt h5 29 'ft'xb5 (1 37)

The assessment of this position 9 0-0 h6 20 li)ct (136) 29 ¢'f2 was the l:t<;t chance.
largely depends on the fate of the c5 Black is planning action on the
square: kingside. Another possibility is
a) 1 0...1i'xb3 ? ! (after 1 0... .t.f5 the 9 ... .t.f5, hoping after the exchange of
weakness of c5 reveals itself: 1 1 bishops 10 .t.xf5 gf to use the e4
i.xf5 gf 1 2 i.xf6 1i'xb3 1 3 lLixb3 square a<> a base for his knights. For
i.xf6 1 4 llJc5) 1 1 lLixb3 liJb4 1 2 example: I I llel lLie4 followed by
i..b l b 6 1 3 lLie5 i.b7 14 a3 lLic6 15 play on the g-file after ...<t'h8 and
i.xf6 i.xf6 1 6 liJd7 llfd8 1 7 liJxf6+ ... llg8 (weaker is I l ...h6? ! 12 i.xf6
ef 1 8 i.d3 and White ha<> the better i.xf6 13 lLie5 .t.xe5 14 de when
pawn s tructure in the ending, Dydy­ White's chances are preferable,
shko-Gelfand, M insk 1 984. Filip-Barden, Ha<;tings I 957/58) or
136 Cemral System Central System 137

29 •.•
�d2! 7 c3 't'fb6 �f3 b6 20 'it>g2 h5 ! 21 h3 (on 21 gh
Now there is a brutal finish. A well-founded move, benefitting would follow 2 l ... g5 22 ..tg3 g4)
30 lhc8 Iixc8 from the absence of White's queen's 2 l ...hg 22 hg g5 23 ..tg3 f5 24 gf
31 l0b7 f1c7 bishop by attacking the b2 pawn. �xf5 25 'it>fl 'it>f7 26 <bel 'it>e6 27
32 l0xd2 f1xg3 (For 7 ...cd and other Black seventh ..tg2 llh8 28 tiJf3 tlJe4 29 ..te5 �f6
33 tOn f1xe1 moves, see the game Salov-Va- 30 �xf6 ef 3 I tiJd2 tiJxd2 32 'it>xd2
34 li:)d6+ 'it> f6 ganian.) l:txc l 33 lhcl llh2 34 llc6+ 'it>e7 35
35 lDxc8 g3 8 'Wb3 tlJc6 ..txd5 llxf2+ 36 'it>e I l:txa2 37 e4
36 'lifd3 �f2 mate 9 0-0 il.C5 (139) i..d7 38 llc7 'it>d6 39 llb7 g4 40 llb8
g3 0-I Benjamin-Ftacnik, San Fran­
Game 40 cisco 1991.
Gosti.Sa-I.Sokolov
e5 with unclear play, Piket-De Boer, White also achieves nothing after
Bled 1991 Dutch Ch 199 1. 10 ..txf6 �xf6 1 1 'I/Vxd5 cd 12 cd
b) 8...e5 9 l:tc1 e4 IO lDe1 c6 I I cd '11Vxb2 13 llfcl e5 14 �3 '11Vxb3 I5
1 d4 li:)f6 cd I 2 �3 �6 I3 lDc2 '11Ve6 14 tlJxb3 ed 16 tiJfxd4 llfd8 I 7 i..f3
2 li:)f3 g6 lDb4 �f8 (Black should resign him­ tlJxd4, when the game is level, Va­
3 �g5 �g7 self to further weaknesses with g;mian-Ftacnik, Hastings 1982/83.
4 li:)bd2 d5 14... a5 I 5 lDc2 when the knight pro­ 10 ..• 'i'xc5
5 e3 0-0 ceeds to b5) I 5 �b5 ! lld8 16 tlJxd5 11 lDd4
6 �e2 and Black loses material, Salov­ I I a4? is weaker, since after
With this restrained developing Kozul, Wijk aan Zee 1991. l l ...e5 12 �5 '11Vd6 13 llfd l �c2!
move White avoids the somewhat c) 8 ... h6 9 �h4 e5 10 i:ici ed I I 10 de the white queen tums out to be in
unstable posting of the bishop on d3, tiJxd4 de I2 tlJxc4 a6 1 3 'i'c2 Wie7 Black has completed his develop­ danger. Impossible, for instance, is
which becomes apparent after ... c7- I4 i:tfd 1 . The activity of his cen­ ment with an active position and c;m 14 .:tdc l ? a6 15 'i'b6 ttJd7 when the
c5 or ...e7-e5. However, Black now tralised pieces gives White the bet­ face the future with confidence. By queen is trapped. Averkin-Ftacnik,
obtains the possibility of developing ter chances, 0stenstad-Lechtynsky, this exchange of pawns, White aims Sochi 1982, continued 14 tlJc4 fVe6
his pieces more actively. Tmava 1989. to drive back Black's pieces and 15 lld2 a6 I6 'I/Vc5 tlJe4 17 'i'xd5
6 ... c5 If White hinders the ... c7-c5 thrust seize the initiative. However this tlJxd2 18 '11Vxd2 �b3 19 lDb6 lhd8!
Black can also play 6 ... lDbd7 with 7 b4, the Black does best to plan involves giving up the centre, 20 ..txd8 i:txd8 0-1. On 21 '1/Vel ,
(1 38) maintaining a choice between adopt a plan with ... e7-e5 after while White's initiative has a tempo­ 2 I ...tiJa5 is decisive.
plans involving ... c7-c5 and ... e7- 7 ... i:te8 or 7...Wie8, since in the event rary character. 1 1 . .. ..tc8
e5. of 7 ...b6 8 b5 ! �b7 9 0-0 tlJe4 10 The analogous manoeuvre in as­ 12 f4
After 7 0-0 l:te8 White can play tlJxe4 de I 1 tlJJ2 h6 12 ..th4 g5 13 sociation with an exch;mge of White prevents Black erecting a
the active 8 c4 (instead of c2-c3}, in­ �g3 e5 14 c3 f5 I5 f3 f4 16 ..tf2 ed queens 10 'I/Va3 tiJd7 I l de 'I/Vxc5 12 pawn centre. It appears more solid to
itiating play in the centre: 17 cd White secures the better 'I/Vxc5 tlJxc5 allows Black a promis­ aim for piece play with 12 llfdi e5
a) 8 ... c5 9 cd lDxd5 10 �3 lD5f6 chances, thanks to the fixed queen­ ing ending. For example: 13 tlJd4 13 'I/Vb5, but after l 3 ...'i'xb5 I4
1 1 l:iac l cd 12 lDxd4 'IlVaS 1 3 lD2f3 side, Torre-Griinfeld, Zagreb IZ tlJxd4 14 cd f6 I5 ..th4 tlJa4 16 g4 tlJxb5 lDe8 ! Black covers his weak­
a6 14 �c4 llf8 15 'I/Vc2 lDb6 16 �b3 1987. ..te6 17 i:tfcl llac8 18 b3 lDc3 19 nesses and after both 15 c4 and I5 e4
138 Central System Central System 139

will follow 1 5 ... �e6 with sufficient Opening the game tums out to fa­ White has realised the idea begun is reached after 8 ... i.b7 9 a4 l0c6 10
resources in this unclear ending. vour Black, whose bishops obtain with 24 g4, but finds himself in a �3 c4 I I 'i1Vc2 l0a5 12 .l:.fe i .l:te8
In the game Lechtynsky-Stohl, great activity. Better is I 8 tOeS and shattered position. I3 h3 llc8 I4 l0e5 l0e4 I 5 l0xe4 de
.
Tmava 1 989, Black retreated his after 18 ... �f5, I9 e4 is then quite 31 '5t>h1 f6 I 6 �g4 .l:.a8 I7 h4 'iVd5, Georges­
queen: 1 3 ...\\Vd6 14 lD4b3 a6 15 fea'>ible. 32 d6 Be Iotti, Biel 199 1 .
W'd3 ! \We6 (on 1 5 ... �f5 or 1 5.. .lld8 18 d4! After 32 �h6 l:txc2 33 �xc2 llc8 1l1e aims of defending the c5
follows 16 e4! with the better 19 lt:Jh l .1l.e6 the bishop is trapped. Now Black pawn, and centralisation are served
chances for White, while after 20 'Wf2 de finished the game with 32 ...'i'd i + 33 by 7...l0e4 8 �h4 l0c6 9 0-0 l0xd2
1 5 ...e4 White obtains the better end­ 2 1 l0xc3 lt:Jh4 'iPg2 lhc2 34 ..ixc2 'i1Vxd6 35 ..ih6 10 'i1Vxd2 'itb6 I I l:rad I e6 I 2 llfe I
ing by playing 1 6 l0xe4 l0xe4 1 7 22 l0d5?! .l:.c8 36 ..ib3+ e6 37 f5 gf 38 'iPh i a5 13 a4 cd 1 4 ed ..id7 IS �d3 .
1Wxe4 'iVxh2+ 1 8 'Ot>xh2 de I 9 l0c5) This move appears to be ba<;ed on 'iPf7 39 11Ve2 'ilfc6+ 40 ..tl>g i .l:.g8+ White's position is somewhat prefer­
1 6 e4 .l:.d8 ? ! (safer was I6 ...l0xe4 I 7 a miscalculation. Better is 22 'i'c5. 0- I able, Gostisa-Kozul, Bled 1 99 1 .
l0xe4 d e 1 8 'ikxe4 when White has 22 lt:J6xd5 8 ed l0c6
only a small advantage) 17 ed .l:.xd5 23 ed Ji..f5 (141) Game 41 9 0-0
1 8 'ilkg3 ! and, due to the threat of 1 9 Salov-Vaganian White prepares I 0 .l:te I with pres­
i..c4 White's position was consider­ Barcelona 1 989 sure on the important squares e4 and
ably be tter. e5, h indering possible black activity
12 l0d7 1 d4 lt:Jf6 ba<;ed on ... e7-e5. Black can try to or­
1 3 'Wb5 'Wd6 2 lt:Jf3 g6 ganise a minority attack on the
1 4 i.f3 l0b6 3 Ji..g5 ..tg7 queenside ( ...b7-b5-b4), and, in
1 5 .l:.ad1 i.d7 4 l0bd2 d5 some ca'>es, the exchange of White's
1 6 'We2 a6 5 e3 0-0 dark-square bishop.
1 7 l04b3 'Wc7 (140) 6 Ji..e2 c5 9 ... 'Wc7
7 c3 cd The attempt to occupy the e4
Having liquidated the pawn ten­ square does not succeed: 9 ... ..if5 10
sion, Black is able to develop his .l:.e i h6 I I �h4 ( 1 1 �f4 is also
24 g4? knight to an active position. good, for example: I l ...g5 I2 i..g3
Obstinacy is not a virtue. It was Black may also adopt a plan of de­ l0h5 I3 lt:lfl 'ilfd7 14 ..tb5 l0xg3 1 5
time to switch to defence with 24 velopment involving first defending l0xg3 �g6 16 h 4 and White forces
lOc i when in response to 24. . .i..c2, the c5 pawn with 7 ...b6. Now prema­ enduring paw;1 weaknesses on the
White has 25 .l:.d4 !. ture action on the queenside with 8 kingside, Ehlvest-Chiburdanidze,
24 Ji..c 2 b4? is repulsed by the counterattack Tallinn 1 980) I I ...l0e4 I2 l0xe4
25 nc1 i(.xh2 8 ... a5 ! 9 be be 1 0 ..ib5? ! ( 1 0 0-0 is i.. xe4 13 liJd2 ..tf5 14 f4 'i'b6 1 5 g4
26 l0d4 1lac8 necessary) 1 0...a4! I I .l:.b I i.. f5 I 2 ..id7 I6 lLlb3 e5?! I7 lLlc5 ..ie6 I 8
27 ..te4 i(.xcl .l:.b2 'ilfa5 with material gains for lLla4 'i\Vc7 I 9 fe and White won a
B lack's position is already some­ 28 ltxcl 'Wd7! Black, Berenitsky-Spiridonov, Wro­ pawn, Seredenko-Tkachev, Tseli­
what preferable. 29 l0xc2 l0xc2 claw I 980. After 8 0-0 an unclear po­ nograd 1 989.
1 8 e4? 30 1lxc2 'Wxg4+ sition with good prospects for Black 10 �d3
140 Central System Central System 141

This attempt to prevent the active the chances are roughly equal. An al­ 4 dS
development of Black's queen's ternative is 1 3 ... b5, practically forc­ 5 ll.Jbd2 liJbd7
bishop does not achieve its goal, but ing White to play 14 i.. xf6 i.. xf6 15 6 e3 0-0
the slow 10 h3 i..f5 1 1 i..h4 lOe4 b4. 7 b4
also allows Black to strengthen his 14 'Wc3 bS 7 i..e2 is considered in the next
control of the e4 square. TI1e game 15 iLC4 't'r'b6 two games.
Dorfman-Korsunsky, Moscow 1983, 16 h4 h5 7 ... c6
continued in an interesting manner: 17 Jil.d6?! White has largely ruled out the
1 2 liJxe4 de 1 3 liJd2 Itad8 14 liJc4 Stronger is 17 i.. h6. ... c7-c5 advance, so Black's plans
i..e6 15 i..g 3 'i'c8 16 liJe3 f5 1 7 d5 17 llfc8 now involve attacking the centre
i..xd5 18 liJxd5 e6 19 i..d6 llt7 20 1 8 'Wf4 liJe7! with ... e7-e5. Before preparing this
i..c4 �h8 21 liJf4 lito 22 liJxe6 19 il.c7 37 liJc4 cf+ thrust, Black increa<;es his queen's
lixe6 23 ..ixe6 �xe6 24 'i'b3 'i'xd6 19 liJe5 is met by 19 ... liJf5 20 38 '>t>xf2 a4 sphere of influence. Here are some
and Black obtained a material ad­ liJxd7 'i'xd6. The extra passed pawn decides exmnples with a more immediate
vantage. 19 'Wc6 the game. preparation of ...e7-e5:
10 ..
. sH5 2 0 liJb3 llac8 39 \t>c3 .1H6 a) 7 ..Jte8 8 i.. e2 e5!? 9 liJb3 (for
11 'We2 21 il.a5 liJCS 40 g3 c.t>h7 9 0-0, see the next gmne) 9 ...b6 10
TI1e exchange 1 1 Jil.xf5 gf 12 liel 22 'Wd2 41 iLa3 eS i..b5 e4 1 1 .tc6 l:b8 (worth consid­
e6 not only reinforces the manoeu­ The queen retreats in view of the 42 '>t>d2 ering is the exchange sacrifice 1 1 ...ef
vre ... liJf6-e4, but also allows Black threat ... i.. g7-h6, but to an unfortu­ If 42 i.. d6 then 42...ed+ 43 cd 1 2 i.. xa8 fg 1 3 l:tg 1 h6 with mutual
eventually to utilise the g-file. nate square, since the knight can now lie8+. The game finished 42 ...ed 43 chances after either 14 ..ixf6 liJxf6
11 il.xd3 proceed to c4 with tempo. Better wa'> cd l:ib3 ! 44 i.. d6 Jil.xd4 45 lie7 liJf6 1 5 lixg2 i..g4 16 lixg4 liJxg4 17
12 'Wxd3 e6 22 �cl . 46 i.. e5 liJe4+ 47 <bd1 <bg6 48 lid7 �xg4 �xa8, or 14 i.. h4 g5 15 ..ig3
13 life I (142) 22 tt:\d6 i.. xe5 49 liJxe5+ <bf6 50 liJxt7 a3 51 liJf8 16 ii.c6 ii.g4 1 7 'i'c2 l:e6 18
23 iLh4 ll.Jc4 lia7 a2 52 <bc2 l::t b7 0- 1 Jil.b5 ii.h3) 1 I..Jlb8 12 liJfd2 ..ib7
24 'Wc2 'Wc7 13 i.. xb7 .:txb7 14 b5. White's posi­
25 a4 aS Gamc 42 tion is better, Vagm1ian-Beliavsky,
26 iLc5 llb8 Erevan 1975.
Torrc-Kasparov
27 lle2 I!b7 b) 7 ... 'i'e8 8 i.. f4 c6 9 ii.d3 liJg4
Thessaloniki OL 1988
28 ab llxb5 10 i..e2 e5 1 1 ii.g3 (stronger is 1 1 de
(notes based on Kasparov's analysis)
29 il.a3 flcb8 liJdxe5 1 2 lt:lxe5 lt:lxe5 with equal
30 liJhd2 liJxb2 1 . d4 ll.Jf6 chances) 1 l...f5 12 de liJdxe5 13
31 liJg5 �f4 2 ll.JC3 g6 lb<l4 g5 and Black's position is pref­
32 llbl (143) l'if5! 3 iLg5 il.g7 erable, Torre-Vaganian, Leningrad
33 ll.Jgc4 de 4 c3 1987.
34 llxb2 llxb2 With this and the following c) 7 ... a5 8 ii.e2 (after 8 b5 Black
13 ... liJd7 35 iLxb2 e3 moves, White aims to prevent the can revert to the plan of attacking the
In the position which has arisen 36 'WxfS gf ... c7-c5 thrust. centre with ... c7-c5: 8 ... a4 9 ii.e2 c5
142 Central System Central System 143

10 be be 1 1 0-0 c5. However White 15 h4 lt:lg4 16 hg 'iYxg5 17 i.f4 1i'g6 lt:lxc4 1 5 lt:lxc4 de 16 1Wa4 �6 17 considered, removing the rook from
is better prepared for play on the 1 8 f3 ef (l45) i.xf6 i.xf6 18 i.xc4 i.f5 with dou­ the long diagonal and supporting c3-
queenside and seizes the initiative: ble-edged play, Dmfman-Wolff. New c4. After 14 ...b6 15 lt:lxe5 .U.xe5 16
12 l:b1 1Wa5 1 3 l:b5 ! "fia7 14 "irb 1. York 1 989. c4 i.b7 17 i.f3 White obtains the
Torre-Jansa, Biel IZ 1985. Relatively 10 'ilrb3 is well met by 10 ... h6 1 1 important square c4, from which his
best is 1 1 ...'i'a5 1 2 c4 i.a6 with de­ i.h4 e4 1 2 lt:lel g5 1 3 i.g3 lt:lf8 knight can attack the weak pawn . On
fensive possibilities) 8 ... l:te8 9 0-0 when Black is ready to attack on the the other hand, after 14 ... lt:lxf3+ 1 5
e5 1 0 lt:lb3 ab 1 1 cb e4 1 2 lt:lfd2 lt:lf8 kingside with 14 ... lt:lg6 and ... h6-h5- i.xf3 c4 16 i.xf6 i.xf6 17 li e 1
1 3 i.h4 h5 1 4 'i'c2 i.f5 1 5 %Hcl l:te7 h4. White's position is the more plea"­
1 6 a4 lt:le6 with unclear play, Translator's note: the prophylac­ ant, Torre-Ftacnik, Novi Sad 1 984.
Malaniuk-Dorfman, Lvov 1 988. tic retreat 10 i.h4 was tried in Salov­ 14 ... IhcS
8 Jtc2 l:tc8 Gelfand, Reggio Emilia 199112: 15 il.xf6
9 0-0 (144) 10 ... a5 1 1 a3 e4 1 2 lt:le l h6 13 lt:lc2 1 5 .U.cl is also rea'>onable here.
lt:lf8 1 4 c4 g5 1 5 i.g3 lt:lg6 16 ba After the immediate 15 c4 could fol­
1 9 l:txf3 (Gelfand recommends 19 l:txa5 1 7 lt:lb4 .U.a8 1 8 cd lt:lxd5 19 low 15 ... g5 16 i.g3 l:e8.
i.d3 !? fg 20 i.xg6 gri'+ 21 lt:lxfl+ lt:lxd5 cd 20 1Wc2 lle6 21 lifcl llc6 15 1Lxf6
fg with unclear play) 19 ... lt:ldf6 20 22 �3 f5 23 i.h5 lt:lf8 24 h3 lt:le6 1 6 l:tct h6!
lt:lfl ab 21 1Wxb4 lt:le4 22 i.d3 h4 23 25 1/Vdl f4 26 i.h2 1i'd6 27 a4 l:hcl 17 i.g4
a5 'ilrb5 24 �b2 lt:lg5 25 i.xg5 1h-1h. After 1 7 c4 d4 1 8 lt:lf3 l:te8
llt'xg5 26 'ilfd2 i.h6 27 lt:lc2 Wg7 28 10 h6 Black's position is preferable.
c4 i.e6 29 c5 l:te7 30 a6 ba 3 l llxa6 1 1 1l..h 4 aS 17 ... Jtb7
lha6 32 i.xa6 lt:lf6 33 i.d3 i.g4 34 12 hS cS 18 1l.f3
l:.f2 lt:le4 35 i.xe4 .U.xe4 (finally 1 3 de lflxcS (146) It was necessary for White to de­
Black manages to put his bishop pair cide upon 1 8 c4 d4 19 i.f3 l:ta7 20
to use) 36 lUh2 i.e6 37 lt:lf3 'iYg3 38 i.xb7 lhb7 21 e4, although after
9 cS l:e2 i.g4 39 'i"el i.h5 40 'i'f2 f5 ! 41 2 1 ...d3 ! Black is more active.
The preparatory 9 ... h6 10 i.h4 e5 I:.el f4 42 ef i.xf4 43 1i'xg3+ hg 44 18 �e7
is also fea<>ible. White can play 1 1 '.t>fl c;f;>f6 45 !tal lieS 46 lt:lb4 i.xf3 19 c4 l:td8! (147)
l:cl, preparing c3-c4. For instance: 47 gf l:th8 48 l:ta2 �g5 49 l:tg2 l:b8 20 W.c2
1 I ...e4 1 2 lt:le I lt:lf8 1 3 b5 lt:le6 14 be 50 l:b2 i.cl 5 l l:tc2 l:txb4 52 I:.xcl Black ha'> seized the d-file and has
be 1 5 c4 'it'a5 I6 lLlc2 lt:ld7 17 i.g3 '.t>f4 53 !tal I:.xd4 54 lla8 r;t>xf3 55 a serious positional advantage. On
i.f8 1 8 c5 h5 I9 l:tb1 lt:lg7 20 lt:lb4 l:tf8+ l:f4 56 l:lb8 l:le4 57 l:lf8+ <it>e3 20 cd would follow 20... i.xd5 21
l:e6 with unclear play, Torre-Thip­ 0- 1 Salov-Gelfand, Linares 1 990. 'i"c2 i.xf3 22 lt:lxf3 l:ed5. In the
say, New Delhi 1 990. 10 a4 event of20 'ib3 Black gains a tempo
The thrust 9 ... a5 meets with the White wishes to gain space on the to execute the exchanging combina­
reply 10 a4! and now after 10 ... e5 queenside. 1 4 lt:lxc S ?! tion 20... dc 21 lt:lxc4 i.xf3 ! 22
there arises very sharp play. 1 1 'i"b3 Another idea is 10 c4 ed 1 1 lt:lxd4 This exchange is somewhat pre­ lt:lxe5 i.xe5 23 gf 't\Vg5+ 24 Wh1
h6 1 2 i.h4 e4 1 3 lt:le1 g5 14 i.g3 h5 lt:le5 12 l:tcl a5 1 3 b5 c5 14 lt:l4f3 mature. Instead 14 .U.cl could be 11kh5 25 f4 11if3+ 26 ct>g 1 .U.e8 with a
144 Cemral System Celltral System 145

�g7 40 libS lixa4 4l lixb6 lixc4 42 did not manage to find 8 ...t!Je4 ! 9 intending t!Jd6. Instead 15 b5?! cb!
.l:ta6 a4 0- 1 t!Jxe4 de 10 t!Jd4 b6 until after the gave Black good play in the game.
game. Smyslov-W.Watson, New 10 tLlb3
Game 43 York 1 9S7, continued 8 t!Jb3 tDe4 9 White wishes to rule out a coun­
Ostens tad-Uasin i.e2 t!Jxg5 10 t!Jxg5 e6 1 1 �c2 terattack based on the move ... a7-a5.
Trnava 1989 t!Jd7 1 2 c4 �e5 1 3 t!Jf3 �xb2 14 10 ... h6
licl t!Jxc5 15 t!Jxc5 �+ 16 �d2 Black aims to attack on the king­
1 d4 tiJf6 �xc5 with very satisfactory play for side, so forcing the bishop to clarify
2 tiJf3 g6 Black. its intentions.
3 .i1Lg5 .i1Lg7 Another idea for Black is 6 ... b6, T.Petrosim1-Korchnoi, Odessa
4 tiJbd2 d5 which is considered in the games 1974, continued in a different vein:
dangerous attack. Now however 5 c3 0-0 Kavalek-Browne ;md Machulsky­ 10 ... �6 1 1 i.. x f6 (Black was
Black breaks through in the centre 6 c3 tiJhd7 Gufeld. threatening ...t!Je4) I I ...i.. x f6 12 a3
and wins the d4 square. From the d7 square, the knight a<>­ 7 .i1Le2 l:!eS �c7 (after 12 ...e4 a possibility is 13
20 d4 sists in the organisation of an attack 8 0-0 c5 t!Jfd2 i.g5 14 c4 f5 15 g3 and White,
21 .i1Lxb7 'i'fxh7 on the centre .with either ...c7-c5 or 9 b4 having blocked the position on the
22 cd ... e7-e5. 9 c4 is considered in the next kingside, will attack on the queen­
22 t!Jf3 is more resilient, although The immediate 6 ... c5 involves a game. side) 13 lici e4 14 tt::lfd2 b5 15 a4 a6
after 22.. Jif5 23 ed i.xd-t Black pawn sac1itice after 7 de, but for this 9 ... c6 16 lial i.. b7 17 i..g4 t!Jb6 1 8 t!Jc5
maintains the advm1tage. Black gains a lead in development In the game Ftacnik-Douven, i.g7 (1S...i..g5 ! is stronger) 19 ab
22 Iixd4 and has definite compensation. For Groningen 19SS, there followed in­ (White could secure good play with
23 llccl Iixel example: 7... i.g4 S i.e2 �c7 9 b4 stead 9 ... e4 10 t!Jel t!J£8 I I t!Jc2 19 a5 t!JcS 20 i..xcS .txcS 21 f4)
24 llxel �d7 b6 1 0 cb ab I I �b3 lieS 12 t!Jd4 (White is also better after I I c4 dxc4 19 ... ab 20 �e2 f5 21 i..h3 t!Ja4! 22
25 ttJn i.d7 13 c4 t!Jc6 14 t!Jxc6 �xc6 15 1 2 t!Jxc4 t!Je6 13 .th4) l l ...h5 12 tDdb3 (after 22 t!Jxa4 ba 23 c4 good
25 t!JtJ is met by the unplea�mll licl �a7 16 i.xf6 i.xf6 17 cd i.b5 .th4 tiJSh7 13 .tg3 t!Jg4 14 c4 t!Jh6 is 23 ....ta6 24 b5 cb 25 cb i..b7)
25 .. Jif4! . I S !hc8+ lixc8 19 .txb5 licl+ 20 15 f4 ef 16 i..xf3 c6 when White's 22 ... t!Jxc3 23 �c2 t!Ja4 24 t!Jxa4 ba
25 ... h5 �e2 lixh l 21 t!Jfl 1h-1h Lputian­ chances were preferable. 25 t!Jc5 a3 26 �3 i..a6 27 t!Jxa6
26 g3 Khalifman, Kiev 1986, or 7 ... t!Jbd7 Translator's note: the direct 9 ... h6 lixa6 28 lixa3 lixa3 29 �xa3 i.£8
The rook ending arising after 26 S b4 a5 9 t!Jd4 (9 a3 is simpler) 9 ...h6 10 i..h 4 e4 I I t!Jei g5 12 i.. g 3 t!J£8 30 g3 �bS 31 lib I 1h-1h.
t!Je3 lld2 27 lldl lhc2 28 lixd7 10 i.h4 e5 1 1 t!Jb5 g5 12 .1g3 �e7 was tried in Kamsky-Nunn, Bel­ 11 il.xf6
lia2 29 g3 i.d4 30 lib7 i.xe3 3 1 fe 1 3 ttJd6 �e6 14 .te2 b6 15 t!Jb5 grade 1991. Kamsky then consid­ After 1 1 i.h4 g5 12 i.. g3 ttJe4
lixa4 clearly favours Black. �c6 16 cb .ta6 with a dangerous in­ ered 13 c4 t!Jg6 14 b5 de 15 t!Jxc4 Black obtains active play:
After 26 g3 the gmne finished itiative for Black, Sergeev-Odeev, t!Jd5 16 licl t!Jgf4!? to be pleasm1t a) 13 .llc i t!Jxg3 14 hg e4 1 5 t!Jh2
26 ... h4 27 tlJe3 'ilie6 28 �e2 lie4 29 Moscow 1991. for Black, so he prepared this with f5 16 c4 i..£8 17 b5 cb 1 S cd �6 19
gh i.c3 ! 30 .l:id1 lixh4 3 1 �f3 �d-t Translator 's note: best of all may 13 lic1 t!Jg6 14 c4 c6 when he after­ i.h5 lid8 20 g4 tiJf6 with unclear
32 t!Jg2 lih3 33 �d5 �f6 34 t!Je3 well be 7 .. .'�c7. Then 8 b4? ! wa-; wards gave 15 �b3 !? as correct: play, Torre-Uhlmmm, Thessaloniki
nn 35 �h1 lixf2 36 t!Jg4 �f3+ 37 successful in Norwood-Matveeva, 15 ... h5 16 cd h4 17 de hg 18 fg be 19 OL 1988.
'i�Vxf3 lixtJ 38 lie I lia3 39 lieS+ Prestwich 1 990, only because Black .l:hc6 i..e6 20 i..c4 �xc4 21 t!Jxc4 b) 13 �c2 t!Jxg3 14 hg e4 15
I 46 Central System Central System 147

l£Jfd2 fS 1 6 c4 l£Jf6 1 7 a4 'i'd6 1 8 15 .....tg4 is more logical.

bS? ! (White would do better to use 16 h3 'Wh4
his knight to bolster his defences: 1 8 17 �g1 l£Jf6
l:tfe 1 f4 1 9 ltJfl) 1 8. . .f4 1 9 gf gf 20 18 he he
.l:.fc l ..ig4 2 1 'ifd1 fe 22 fe hS 23 19 c4 .US
ltJfl ..ixe2 24 'ifxe2 l£Jg4 25 be be 20 %X.fc1 Ilac8
26 llc3 l:.f8 27 cd llxfl+ 28 <iti>xfl 21 cS gS
'illg3 0-1 0stenstad-Stohl, Tmava 22 i.n (149J
1 989.
11 'Wxf6 (148)

queenside, where Black has weak TI1e early erection of the pawn
pawns on a7 and c6. wedge with c3 and e3 encourages
29 1lg8 Black to prepare a plan with the ad­
30 ltJaS i.f8 vance of the e-pawn, since active
31 'Wgl Si.c7 play by White with c3-c4 involves a
32 Si.a6 loss of tempo.
White ha'i repulsed the threats, 7 i.e2
and now steps up the pressure. The If White develops this bishop
game continued 32 ...llc7 33 lib7 more actively, with 7 ..id3, then after
White has succeeded in warding l:tgc8 34 llxc7 llxc7 35 llb I ..id7 36 7 .. Jle8 (152) followed by ...e7-e5,
off Black's attack, while maintaining 'i!Ve1 l£Jg4 37 l£Jxg4 ..ixg4 38 1/ib4 White will be forced to exchange the
A double-edged position hac;; an advantage on the queenside. <iti>g7 39 'ib8 l:d7 40 1\YeS+ ..tf6 41 d4 pawn.
arisen, in which White will attack on 22 ... 'WitS 'ife8 l:e7 42 'il'a8 'iVfS 43 'it>g1 ..ih4
the queenside, and Black on the After 22...g4 White would block 44 l:b2 l:e6 45 ..ic8 1/i'gS 46 ..ixe6
kingside. the position with 23 g3 �5 24 h4. i.xe6 47 'i'b8 11i'g4 48 'tieS+ ..t>h7
12 '1!fc2 23 'i!t'd1 'i!t'g6 49 l£Jxc6 1 -0
If White plays to seize the c-file, 24 i.e2 g4
Black's kingside attack will be too The g-file cannot be utilised. It Gamc 44
fast: 1 2 llcl e4 1 3 l£Jfd2 'W'd6 14 a3 was more natural to prepare this Ye Rongguang-Tseshkovsky
fS 1 5 c4 l£Jf6 1 6 cd cd 1 7 'i'c2 ':.e7 thrust with 24 ... h5. Belgrade 1988
1 8 l£Jb1 ..ie6, and Black obtains the 2S hg l£Jxg4
better chances, S.Kovacevic-Wojt­ 26 ltJrt hS 1 d4 l£Jf6
kiewicz, Geneva 1 990. 27 l£Jh2 ib£6 2 lt:)f3 g6
12 e4 28 �h1 �h8 3 c3 .iJ..g7
13 l£Jfd2 'WgS 29 �ahl (/50) 4 .iJ.. gS dS 8 0-0 eS (the sluggish 8 ...c6 9
1 4 bS l£Jf6 White hac;; defended his kingside s l£Jhd2 ibbd7 'i'b3 eS allows White to obtain an
1 S ..t>h1 l£Jg4?! and moves over to the attack on the 6 c3 0-0 (151) advantage: 1 0 e4 ! ed 1 1 cd de 12
 Central System 149

lbxe4 \ib6 1 3 t2kl6 and ir is nor e;L�Y ll:Jxe5 14 tLlf3 ac8 15 b5 c5 16 be IS i.g3 il.d7 �d4+ 29 'it'h2 ¢Jg7 30 'ird5 �xb2
for Black to complete his develop­ ll:Jxf3+ 17 �xf3 'i'xc6 1 8 l:iacl 1 5 ... �a6 is well met by 16 ll:Jd6 3 1 Itc8 Itxc8 32 l:Ixc8 'ird7 33 l:g8+
ment, T.Petrosian-Krogius, Lenin­ 'i'e6. Black is preparing to exert Jtxe2 1 7 �xe2 l:If8 1 8 h3 preserving 'it'f6 34 Itf8 I -0
grad 1960) 9 e4 ed 10 cd de I I ltJxe4 pressure on the c-flle, and after 19 the bishop.
'f#e7 I 2 'ib3 �f8 1 3 ll:Jxf6+ ll:Jxf6 'i'a4 a5 20 c4 Jtc6! 2I cd Jtxd5 22 16 llcl ll:JL-6 Game 45
I4 l:Ife i �e6 I 5 �xb7 lieb8 16 Jtxd5 'i'xd5 23 lib I lic6 24 h3 lifc8 17 ll:Jd6 ll:Jxd4 Kavalck-Urowne
'f#xc7 lixb2 I7 a4 ll:Jd5 1h-1h Van 25 lifd l 'i'e6 she had good prospects 18 cd lle7
USA Ch 1 986
Mil-Hazai, Budapest 1991, or 8 h3 in the ending. 19 dS! (153)
e5 9 de ll:Jxe5 I 0 ll:Jxe5 lixe5 l l ll:Jf3 8 0-0 1 d4 tL'lf6
lie8 I 2 0-0 c6 1 3 liei �b6 and After 8 �3 c6 9 c4 Black can 2 c3 g6
Black experiences no particular change plan and aim to dominate the 3 i.gS JJ..g7
problems, Smyslov-Kamsky, Ma­ light squares: 9 ... ll:Jb6 10 cd 'i'xd5 4 ll'ld2 dS
nila IZ I990. I I 0-0 �f5 1 2 ll:Jc4 Jte4 1 3 Jtf4 5 li'lgf3 0-0
After the attempt to prevent the ll:Jh5 14 Jtc7 Jtxf3 I5 gf ll:Jxc4 I6 6 c3
advance of the e-pawn, 8 �f4, White 't�Vxc4 �d7 I7 Jte5 e6 with equal After a transposition of moves,
must agree to a worsening of his play, Bronstein-W.Watson, England there has arisen the characteristic
pawn structure: 8 ...ll:Jh5 9 0-0 ll:Jxf4 1 989. structure of the Torre Attack, which
I 0 ef c5 (White has a finn grip on the 8 ... eS is directed against an early ... c7-c5
e5 square, but the centre can be un­ 9 c4 e4 by Black.
dermined from the other side) I I This move is very committal. An 6 ... h6
ll:Je5 'ib6 I 2 'ib3 'i'xb3 13 ab cd I4 altemative is 9 ...ed I 0 ltJxd4 ltJc5 I I White's positiOn is preferable, 7 b4
cd f6 I 5 ll:Jxd7?! (15 ll:Jef3 would cd \i'xd5 I 2 �f4 c6 1 3 Jtf3 'i'd8 I4 thanks to the strong passed pawn. Another major plan for White is
maintain equality) I5 ...Jtxd7 I6 lia5 \i'c2 ll:Je6 1 5 ll:Jxe6 Jtxe6 I6 lifdl 19 a6 associated with 7 jLJ3. Then the
�h6 I 7 g3 e5 and after the opening \i'e7 1 7 ltJc4 \i'c5 I8 liacl liad8 I9 20 'ffb3 ilg4 most natural response is 7 ...Jtb7
of the position the advantage of the Jtd6 'i'g5 20 Jtf4 'i'c5 21 Jtd6 'i'g5 21 J!Lxg4 tL'lxg4 ( 154), with which Black reinforces
two bishops becomes appreciable, 22 jLf4 1h-1h Torre-I.Sokolov, Biel 22 h3 ll:Jf6 the e4 square in preparation for a
Yusupov-Vaganian, Moscow 1983. 1989. 23 llc6 subsequent ... ll:Je4.
7 ..•
lieS 10 ll:Je1 cS After the doubling of rooks Black
Translator's note: the plan More prudent is 10 ...c6 I I cd cd must respond to the threat of lic8,
adopted in V.Kovacevic-P.Cramling, I2 �3 ll:Jf8, Costa-Landenbergue, pinning the queen.
Seville I992, deserves attention: Biei i990. 23 h6
7 ... b6 8 0-0 i..b7 9 b4 (9 lic l c5 10 1 1 ll'lc2 cd 24 llfcl Wh7
'i'a4 a6 I l lifdl 'i'c8 I2 'ib3 b5 13 1 2 tL\xd4 tL'lcS 25 tL'lc8 lib7
a4 Jtc6 I4 ab ab 1 5 ll:Je5 c4 16 'i'c2 13 i.h4 26 d6!
e6 1 7 ll:Jxd7 'i'xd7 I 8 �xf6 jLxf6 13 licl allows Black to equalise The game is decided. White
1h-1h Grauda Zuniga-W.Watson, New with 1 3 ... ll:Je6 I4 ll:Jxe6 Jtxe6. threatens the rook invasion Itc6-c7,
York 1987) 9 ...'i'e8!? I O 'i'b3 e5 I I 13 de attacking the f7 pawn. The finish
ll:Jxe5 ll:Jxe5 1 2 de ll:Jd7 1 3 i..f4 14 ll:Jxc4 b6 was 26...ll:Jh5 27 ll:Je7 ll:Jxg3 28 fg
I50 Central System Centra/ System 151

If White fails to oppose this, then 7 ... ..lib7 �c8 I I b5 e5 1 2 a4 a5 1 3 :c1 lLle4
Black can proceed with the plan of 7 ... tLlbd7 is also possible. Now af­ I4 lLlxe4 de 1 5 tLld2 h6 16 i.h4 f5 17
occupying e4 by 8 'i'e2 tLle4 9 i.h4 ter 8 b5 'i'e8 Black plans ...e7-e5 and �3+ <it'h7 with sharp play.
c5 10 g4 lbd7 1 1 l:.g 1 a6 1 2 i.c2 �e8 at the same time steps out of the pin.
1 3 tLlxe4 de 1 4 tLld2 cd 1 5 ed e5 ! and For example: 9 i.e2 e5 I 0 0-0 i.b7
the position opens up in Black's fa­ 1 1 a4 lLle4.
vour, Kamsky-J.Polgar, New York Also worthy of attention is attack­
1989, or prepare to attack the centre ing the advanced pawn on b4: 7 ...c5
with ... e7-e5: 8 0-0 lLlbd7 9 a4 l:.e8 8 .te2 aS 9 be be 10 0-0 a4 1 1 llcl
(also good is 9 ...lLle4 1 0 .tf4 lLlxd2 tLlbd7 12 c4 de 1 3 lLlxc4 i.b7 14
1 1 'i'xd2 c5) 10 a5 e5 1 1 i.b5 e4 1 2 i.xf6 lLlxf6 15 de tLld7 16 lLlcd2
lLle5 tLlxe5 !? 1 3 .txe8 11Yxe8 1 4 de �c8. Black's two active bishops 17 lLJxf3 fc
'i'xe5 15 i.f4 1ile7 1 6 ab cb 1 7 lLlb3 provide sufficient compensation for 18 i.xc3 e5
lbd7 1 8 f3 a5 1 9 fe 'i'xe4 with sharp the pawn, Lputian-Dvoirys. Kiev 19 'Wb3+ Wh8
play, in which Black hac; sufficient 1 986. 20 Wc6! Wc8
compensation for the exchange, Har­ 8 il.e2 9 lLle4 More stubborn is 20...'i'e8, but
toch-Peelen, Amsterdam 1 984. Another possibility is 8 b5 lLlbd7 More in the spirit of this variation also here after 2I 'tltb3 <it'g8 22 :ae I
White can place e4 under control 9 a4 (or 9 i.e2 when 9 ...lLle4 is pre­ is 9 .. Ji'e8. For example: 10 i.xf6 e4 23 ltJd2 :xfl + 24 l:hfl lLlf6 25
with 8 'ii'h 1, from where the queen mature due to 10 lLlxe4 de 1 1 lLld2 .txf6 1 1 b5 a6 1 2 a4 e5 13 de lLlxe5 'i!Yg3 �e7 26 h4 White's attack is
supports the advance of the b-pawn, 11Ye8 12 i.c4 h6 13 i.h4 with the bet­ 14 lLlxe5 .txe5 1 5 11Vb3 (White hac; very dangerous.
and in some cac;es ac;sists the move ter chances for White, Malaniuk­ succeeded in constraining the queen­ 21 1lael llc8
e3-e4. However after 8 ...tLlbd7 9 0-0 Epishin, Ta<>hkent 1 987) 9 ... l:.e8 10 side and plans the manoeuvre lLld2- 22 't'i'g6 e4
Black's pieces develop harmoni­ i.e2 e5 1 1 0-0 h6 12 i.h4 c5 1 3 be f3-d4) 1 5 ... ab 1 6 ab d4 1 7 cd i.xd4 23 lt:Jxg5 hg
ously, which allows Black to gener­ i.xc6 I4 �3 when White's posi­ 1 8 llxa8 .txa8 19 i.f3 .txf3 20 24 1lf7 1-0
ate active counterplay, in connection tion is preferable due to the possi­ tLlxf3 and White's position is prefer­
with the thrust ... c7-c5: bility of attacking with a4-a5, able, Seirawan-Kudrin, USA Ch Gamc 46
a) 9 ... c5 10 b4 11Yc8 1 1 h3 :es 1 2 Torre-Zapata, Brussels 1 986. 1 988. Machuisky-Gufeld
l:.cl e 5 1 3 d e tLlxe5 1 4 lLlxe5 llxe5 8 ... lLlbd7 10 tLlxe4 de Moscow 1991
1 5 i.f4 l:.e8 1 6 a4 a5 1 7 ba ba 1 8 9 0-0 (155) 11 li:::ld 2 h6
l:.a2 .tc6 1f2_1f2 G.Agzamov-Vogt, Sometimes the manoeuvre 9 �1 12 i.h4 gS 1 d4 ltJC6
Potsdam 1 985. occurs, with which White discour­ 13 i.g3 rs 2 lt:Jf3 g6
b) 9 ...l:.e8 10 e4 de 1 1 lLlxe4 c5 !, ages both ... c7-c5 and ...lLlf6-e4, and 14 f3 (156) f4? 3 i.g5 i.g7
and now Kindermann-Ftacnik. Dort­ prepares to include the queen in a This opens up the position while 4 ltJhd2 d5
mund 1981 , continued 1 2 l:te 1 "flc7 queenside offensive. However, de­ exposing Black's kingside weak­ 5 c3 0-0
1 3 de be 14 lLlfd2 c4! 1 5 tLlxc4? (bet­ centralising the queen creates a more nesses. Black needs instead to con­ 6 c3 h6
ter is 1 5 .tfl) 1 5 ... tLlg4! 1 6 lLlg3 pleasant situation for the advance of . solidate his position with 14 ... lLlf6. 7 b4 (157) �JS!
'i'c5 1 7 .te3 lLlxe3 1 8 llxe3 f5 with the e-pawn. Chemin-Collier, Somer­ 1 5 i.f2 ef An entirely untraditional treat-
a strong attack for Black. set 1 986 continued 9 .. J�e8 10 0-0 1 6 ..lixf3 .1£.xf3 ment of the position ! It is regarded ac;
 Central System 153
152 Cemral System

goal, since after 16 ... ti:)f6 I7 0-0 21 0-0

would follow 1 7 ... g5 I 8 Jig3 ti:)xe4. It turns out that 21 'i'xe4 fails to
1S ••• ltJd7 2 I ....ic3+ 22 'it>fl 'i'd1+.
16 IIcl 21 'tlfxf4
Black is better after I 6 ti:)xd4 ti:)c5 22 ltJxe7+ 'i.t>h7
17 'i'e3 e5 ! 1 8 ti:)c6 ef I9 'i'xc5 'i'g5. 23 d6 JiLeS
16 lieS! 24 g3 ti:)xg3
17 llxc8 ti'xc8 2S 'tlfxf4 ti:)e2+
18 ttJxd4 ti:)cS 26 'ii> h l ttJxf4
19 ti'c4 0- 1
1 9 \'fe3 ti:)xe4! 20 �xe4 'i'c3+ This game was awarded a prize by
a matter of course that the move White has an extra piece, but how also gives Black a strong attack. World Champion Garry Ka<iparov,
...b7-b6 automatically implies the fi­ can he continue developing? After 19 ••• ti:)xe4 a'i the best of the tournament.
anchetto of the bishop. However, the 14 lid i ti:)xd4 1 5 ti:)xd4 cd 1 6 Jid3, 20 ti:)c6? (159)
unorthodox development of the 16 ...\'fd5 ! 17 Jid2 llab8 is possible, White should resign himself to an Game 47
bishop on f5 has a serious positional but maybe it is necessary to delay de­ inferior ending after 20 'i'xc8 llxc8 .Malaniuk-Chckhov
basis. The bishop not only is placed velopment in favour of 1 6 f3. Possi­ 2 1 ti:)c6 <t>f8 22 0-0 ti:)f6 23 ti:)xa7 Warsaw 1989
in an active position, but also hinders bly White can also find a different way llc4!, but apparently he wa'i tempted
the development of his opposite to parry Black's temporary initiative. by the possibility of creating two im­ 1 d4 ttJf6
number on d3. Meanwhile Black is 11 ti:)xc4 �xe4 mediate threats (21 ti:)xe7+ and 21 2 tt:)f3 g6
preparing to attack the centre in the 12 �dJ i.xdJ 'i'xe4). 3 JigS Jig7
style of the Griinfeld Defence with 13 ti'xdJ cd 4 ttJbd2 dS
... c7-c5, whereupon the bishops will 14 e4 s e3 0-0
work hannoniously in tandem. After 14 ed 'iWa5+ Black's posi­ 6 b4
8 c4 tion is superior. White tries to prevent Black's
Is it not a bad idea to make so 14 ... h6! counterplay bao;ed on the ... c7-c5
many pawn moves in the opening? 1l1e itrunediate 14 ...ttJd7 is un­ thrust. However, the advanced pawn
More prudent is 8 .ie2, since now plem;antly met by 15 'i'a3 ! when on b4 may itself become an object of
the long diagonal becomes weak and Black must already sacrifice material attack.
Black's counterattack in the centre for unclear compensation: 1 5 ...ti:)f6 6 ... ttJbd7
gains in strength. 1 6 0-0 ( 1 6 .ixf6?! is dubious, as After the preliminary develop­
8 cS! 1 6 ... ef!, threatening ... f6-f5, gives ment of the bishop, 6 ... Jig4 7 .ie2
9 be he Black the advantage) 16 ... ti:)xe4 1 7 ti:)bd7, Black must reckon with the
1 0 cd (158) li)c4 .ixe7 'i'xd5 1 8 Jixf8 �xf8 1 9 'i'xa7 20 'tlfg4! possibility of its exchange after 8 h3
A tempting idea is tl1e piece sacri­ d3. A knock-out blow! Both White's Jixf3 9 Jixf3. However, the delay
fice I O ... ti:)xd5 I I e4 ti:)c3 I2 'i'c2 1S �f4 threats are parried and Biack in tum caused to White's development al­
ti:)xe4 1 3 ti:)xe4 ti:)c6 ! upon which it Now after 1 5 Jih4 ti:)d7, the ma­ creates two threats of his own lows Black to orga:·.ise energetic
was difficult to decide at the board. noeuvre 1 6 'i'a3 does not achieve its (2l...'i'xf4 and 2l ...'i'xg2). counterplay in the centre and on the
154 Central System Cemral System 155

kingside: 9 ...c6 1 0 0-0 e5 I I c3 a5 12 possibility 10 cd, while advancing 17 cd gS 25 Iixc6 .tdS

bS 't1Vb6 1 3 be be 14 .l:b1 �a7 15 with 9 ... e4 is to White's advantage. 18 .tg3 lt:lxdS 26 J'.Ixc7 J'.If7
'ifa4 :res 1 6 .l:b2 lt:lb6 17 'i'b3 9 h6 19 l:tcl .tc6 27 Itxf7 <t>xf7
liab8 1 8 .l:fb1 lLlfd7 I 9 1i'di cS with 1 0 .th4 (160) 20 .tbS (161) 27 ...-txn 28 .ltc6 l:.c8 29 i..b7
double-edged possibilities, Torre­ gc) 30 lt:lb I l:.b3 gives Black more
Ziiger, Biel 1988. activity.
Counterattacking on the wing 28 li:\c4 .trs
with 6 ... a5 7 bS c5 is worth some 29 'Wa4 <t>g7
thought. For instance, Zaitseva­ 30 J'.Icl llc8
Sofieva, Leningrad 1991 continued 8 31 .hlc2
c3 a4 9 de 1Wc7 10 .l:cl "fixeS 1 1 c4 White aims to penetrate to the
'i'Va3 with sharp play. weak c6 square after lUc4-e5.
7 h3 31 ... .txc4
The aim of this prophylactic move More stubbom is 3 I .. ..te7.
is to preserve the dark-square bishop 32 l:hc4 r.Ixc4
from exchange. 33 Wxc4
The continuation 7 c4 c6 leads to a 10 ... e4?! 20 rs Simpler is 33 .ltxc4 i..d6 34 'i!Vc6.
position reminiscent of the Griinfeld This is an unfortunate decision, as By means of an exchange sacri­ 33 ... ..td6
Defence, but with White's queen's White's bishop's activity on the h2- fice Black tries to develop some 34 We6?!
knight developed less actively. Thus b8 diagona1 becomes appreciable. counterplay. After 20...l:e7 White White unexpectedly tums away
in the game Balashov-A.Rodriguez, Stronger is IO ... ed !, taking advan­ would strengthen his position with from the right path. After the precise
Minsk 1982, after 8 l:tcl lLle4 9 tage of the undefended pawn on b4 2 1 'i'a4 intending the manoeuvre 34 �c6! Black is utterly paralysed.
i..h4?! (better is 9 .tf4 with mutual­ in the event of I I ed? Wie7. After 1 1 lt:lg4-e5. However White is in no 34 ... 3Lxh2+
chances) 9 ...lt:ldf6 IO .te2 a5 I I cd lt:lxd4 cS I 2 be lt:lxc5 1 3 c4 lt:le6 I4 hurry to reap his harvest. 35 Wxh2 f4?
cd 1 2 bS .tfS 1 3 0-0 'i'd6 14 lLlxe4 lt:lxe6 .txe6 the game is level. 21 lt:leS l:tf8?! After 35 ...�c7+ 36 g3 f4 Black
lt:lxe4 15 't1Vb3 l:fc8 Bl ack seized the 1 1 lLlh2 lt:lh6 The sacrificia1 strategy 2l ...f4 22 would combine defence and coun­
initiative on the queenside. The knight has no prospecto; on i-h2 lLlhf6 is more in tune with the terattack. Now however, White is
A good reply to 8 i.. e 2 is 8 ... a5 9 the queenside. More logical . is spirit of the position. given the chance to correct his inac­
ba "iixa5 I O 0-0 l:ie8 1 1 "iic2 eS 12 1 I ...lt:lf8 followed by the transfer of 22 .th2 lt:lhf6 curacy on the 34th move: 36 'i:!i'c6!
l:ifc l ed 1 3 lt:lxd4 lt:le4 with excel­ the knight to e6. 23 .l:Iel <t>g6 37 i..c4 h5 38 'i:!i'b7 fe 39 fe
lent play for Black, Ma1aniuk-Ka­ 12 a4 .trs 23 'i!:Ya4 is more Iogica1. 'iYd6+ 40 <t>hi h4 41 'ti'xa7 lt:lh5 42
linichev, Warsaw 1989. 13 aS lt:lc8 23 lt:lxb4 .tn+ Wh6 43 i.. x hS 'i!Vb4 44 'i:!i'c7
7 lieS 14 a6 b6 24 lt:lc6 lt:lxc6 I -0
8 ie2 eS 15 c4 lt:lc7
9 0-0 16 lt:lg4! lt:lh7
Supporting the b4 and d4 pawns In White's favour is 16 ... lt:lxg4 17
with the modest 9 c3 deserves atten­ hg .lte6 I S cd with pressure on the c7
tion, when after 9 ... ed White has the pawn to follow.
 King 's India11 System 157

17 �g4 tt::Jf6 18 !lj:xs6 'i'xe6 19 lftdlthe immediate 1 0.....te6 proved ef-

7 King 's Indian System B.d6 20 �fl l:lad8 and, having fective in Malaniuk-Marin, Cali-
•seized tl1e d-tile, Black stands better, manesti 1992: 1 1 l:Xe 1 a6 1 2 \\Vc2 -
Cebalo-Vukic, Yugoslavia 198 1 . 12 a4?! weakens b3 - 12 ...bS 1 3
S e 3 i s considered later i n the l?Jb3 l?Jxb3 14 ab \\Vc7 - 14 ... �!?
gmne Dreev-Kr.Georgiev. - 15 Jth4 h6 1 6 t?Jd2 �6 17 l?Jfl
5 ••• 0-0 l:lfd8 18 l?Je3 l:.a7 19 l:ed l .l:ad7 20
1 d4 ltJf6 moves such as ...ltJb8-d7 or ...�d8- Also very popular is 5 ...h6 6 i.h4 l:hd7 l1xd7 and now 2 1 c4?! should
p
·

e8. Black may also play on the wing 7 Jtg3 tbhS, wh�s considere have been met by 2 I ...l?Jh7 ! intend-
�-
2 ttJf3 g6
3 3L g 5 3Lg7 with ... h7-h6 and ... g6-gS. ���a.J2!� r ing .....td4 when Marin prefers
-

4 ltJbd2 Black's ch:mces) 1 1 ..tf4 ..te6!? 12

�
d6 (162) 6 3Le2 �
Frequently Whitet'firsL h3 a6 13 a4 b6 14 l?Je5 'iic8 IS
•

Game 48
Ki-.clev-Timoshchenko ·when �6...l?Jb�7 and 6._ .. h6 ar�,_, �d3?! (White can keep slightly the
Novosibirsk 1989 �d'itt'ffi �fll �(("' - better ch:mces with 1 S 'i'c2)
'fiWchapter) 7 d de 1S ...lld8 16 .ih2 l?JhS 17 ..te2 ..txeS
1 d4 ltJf6 to a trm1sposition. An emative de- 1 8 �xeS l?Jb3 0- 1 Malaniuk-Yur-
2 ttJf3 g6 velopment of the bishop, 8 ..tc4, has taev, Novosibirsk 1986.
3 i..g 5 .tg7 also been tried, but after 8 ...tbc6 9 b) 9 .. .'JJic7 10 0-0 lba5 (10 ...h6 is
4 ltJbd2 d6 0-0 (163) White does not succeed in well met by 1 1 ..txf6! ef 1 2 lbh4
5 c4 keeping m1 active position. lbe7 13 f4 a6 14 a4 ..td7 15 fS ! with
-� �l. is sometimes encountered, advmltage for White, Trifunovic­
with the idea of establishing the Udovcic, Vmjacka Banja 1963) 1 1
bishop on the h2-b8 diagonal after ..td3 h6 U i..h 4 tbhS 1 3 'iie3 lld8
Black develops along King's In­ S_.h6 6 i..f4. However, Black then 14 ..tc2 �5 IS ..tg3 lbxg3 161"g ..tef
dian lines, which is logically well­ experiences no particular difficul­ with chances for both sides, Znber­
founded, since White's queen's ties: man-Yurtaev, Frunze 1989.
knight is developed less actively on a) 6...b6 7 e4 �b7 8 JibS+ ltJbd7 Also possible is � aiming to
d2. However, a special .. feature of 9 �e2 a6 10 Jtd3 eS I I de tbhS 12 organise pressure on the J-file. For
White's system of "llevef6pment is Jth2 de 1 3 0-0-0 �e7 14 ID!el 0-0 example: 8 ...h6 9 �f4 (after 9 �h4
that tl1e battle may be given an origi­ 1 S �e3 with equal play, Smyslov­ l?Jc6 10 i..c4 i.g4 Black obtains an
nal character, as White can build a Larsen, Tilburg 1 982. active "position, and after 1 1 0-0 can
pawn centre with-15 e4 similar to that bL6 ...0-0 7 c3 l?Jc68 e4 eS 9 de attack with l l ...gS 1 2 Jtg3 lDhS 13
in the Pirc Defence, w� p'awn �b5 10 $.e3 (or 10 Jth2 l?JxeS 1 1 a) 9 ... lba5 (9 ... �g4 leads to the l:lfe1 ltJxg3 14 hg i..h5 15 ltJfl e6 16
on d4 is leHt support by 11 sulEtqtr!!nt - l?JxeS de 12 l?Jc4 �e7 13 l?Je3 c6! exchange of the light-square bishop l?Je3 �c7 with sharp play, Cifuen­
c2-c3. with equality) IO..,de 11 'iic2 �f� 1 0 h3 .txf3 1 1 'iix £3 m1d after tes-Maskey, Luceme OL 1 982)
Black's furtl1er plans are associated < l 2·ltJb3 l$d8 J3 tg)fcP h6 1 4 e3 a5 15 1 0... h6 1 2 �e3 �c7 1 3 'i'e2 fol­ 9 ... ltJc6 10 h3 i.e6 1 1 i..e2 t?Jd7 1 2
with attacking the centre with the c­ a4 Jte6 1 6 Jte2 (16 �bS !? l:ld6 1 7 lowed by t2-f4, White has the advan­ O-Ol:lc8 1 3 l:lad1 'i'b6 1 4 lbc4 ..txc4
pawn or the e-pawn after preparatory 0-0-0 could be considered) 1 6.,'i'e7 tage) 10 Jte2 h6 (Translator's note: 15 �xc4 lbde5 16 lbxe5 tbxe5 17
158 King 's Indian System King 's Indian System 159

�xeS .txe5 1 S f4 �g7 1 9 e5 e6 20 �cS 19 lLla3 or I7 ... g5 1S ab ab 19 Black prevents the doubling of 6 e4 lLlhd7
1:td6 and, having seized the d-file, �b3 with advantage) 16 ...lLlbS ! 17 rooks since 20 ltd2 can be met by Black develops in traditional
White stands better, Lechtynsky­ �cl !? g5 1 S h4 f5 ! 1 9 �xf4 gf and 20 .. Jhd2 and White must recpture King's Indian fashion, planning the
Ca.,per, Berlin 1 9S2. here White could have maintained with the knight. . ..e7-e5 advance.
After 6 .td3 Black's ... e7-e5 slightly better play with 20 lLlcd2. 20 l'fb3 'ffc6 The immediate 6 ... e5? C'is risky
thrust is given extra force: 6 ...lLlc6 7 9 'We7 21 ltxd8 llxd8 since White then takes the advan­
c3 h6 S .th4 e5 9 de de. It now tums 10 'We2 .ie6 (164) 22 'ffbs a6 tage: 7 de de S lLlxe5 '¥Yc8 9 �xf6
out that the position of the bishop 23 't1Yb6 .ixf6 10 lLlef3 lLld7 1 1 .tc4 lLlc5
on d3 is unstable, while the attempt After the 'natural' 23 �3 intend­ 1 2 �e2 ltbS 13 '¥Ye3 �e7 14 0-0
to win a pawn with 1 0 .tb5 �eS ! ing a4-a5, the white queen tums out b5 1 5 .td5 .td7 16 �fe 1 c6 17 e5
1 1 .txc6 'i'xc6 1 2 lLlxe5 �5 13 to be badly placed to neutralise i.g7 1 S lLle4 with a clear extra
�xf6 .txf6 14 lLlec4 .te6 1 5 a4 'iiia6 Black's control of the d-file. pawn, T.Petrosian-Bronstein, Mos­
1 6 'i'e2 :adS 1 7 e5l:tfeS 1 S f4 .tf5 23 'Wxh6 cow 19S3.
1 9 lLle4 .th4+ 20 �fl f6 allows 24 lLlxh6 .tes Interesting is 6. ..tg4,' not fearing
.

Black's pieces to generate a great 25 aS i...e7 the exchange of the bishop after 7 h3
deal of activity, Mascarifia<;-Velimi­ 26 lLle4 hS .txf3 S 'i'xf3 since S ...lLlbd7 9 .tc4
rovic, Zenica 1 9S9. 21 �n �rs c5 gives Black good counterplay.
6 •.. c5 28 l.!b1 �c8 Khetsuriani-Minasian, Frunze 19S9,
This is a logical move, attacking 29 �c2 continued 10 de? ! (better is 10 �e3)
the centre. If Black prefers to attack 1 1 l.!re1 White has some advantage in this 10 ...lLlxc5 1 1 0-0 b5 12 .td5 l:bS 1 3
the centre with ... e7-e5, then a possi­ Dynamic equality has arisen, ending, but it is not clear how it may b4 lLlxd5 1 4 ed lLl:�.4 15 %tac l h6 1 6
bility is 6 ... lLlbd7 7 0-0 e5 S de <� since Black's pieces are sufficiently be realised. After 29 b4 cb 30 1:txb4 .th4 'i'd7 17 %tc2 l:fcS with advan­
Jkl h6 10 j,h4 'feS ' 1 1 ,to %S. active. After 1 1 .tc4 .txc4 1 2 lLlxc4 Black defends with 30 ... 1:tbS. tage for Black in view of the weak
1 2 li)c4 .i;'h8 1 3 'i'd2 f6 I 4 1:tad I b5 1 3 lLle3 e6 14 a4 a6 1 5 l'::tfd 1 c4 29 �d7 pawn on c3. .
IDc5 15 'fw3 b6 I 6 %Jfd2 4Se6 17 Glianets-Tunoshchenko, N aberezh­ 30 l.!d1+ �c6 Recent practice hao:; witnessed the
�e3 f5 with an unclear position in nye Chelny 19SS, Black maintained 31 .llh 1 �d7 introduction of a modem manner of
which Black's chances are no worse, equality. 32 Ild1+ �c6 preparing ... e1-ee:,n. J65), by
Guimard-Ciocaltea, Havana I 962. 11 h6 33 .llh 1 1/z.lfz which Black steps cut of the pin. For
7 de
8 c3
de
lLle6
•••

12 .th4 l1ad8
Also good is the immediate
example: ·�
t»'"7:".tC4 5 e .d ��
Game 49
9 0-0 1 2 ...lLlh5. T.Pctrosian-Jansa �hd7 10 'feb� 11 i b4 0b6 I 1.
Also possible is 9 h3, preparing to 13 �e4 he4 Bar 1980 .te2 lLlh5 I 3 ;ret '4f4, 14 $,fl $,el7
meet 9 ... �c7 10 0-0 h6 with the 14 lLlxe4 lLlhS 15 ltlc4_j.a4 16 b3 '4xc4 J7 hr4
bishop retreat 1 1 .te3. Khalifman­ 15 a4 lLlcS 1 d4 lLlr6 � with equal chances, Hummer­
Howell, Groningen 1 9S5/S6, contin­ 16 lLlrxcS hcS 2 lLlf3 g6 Lutz, Bundesliga 1991) 9 ... lLlh51.L(it
ued 1 1...b6 1 2 'i'c2 .tb7 13 1:tfei 17 .tg3 lLlxg3 3 �gS .ig7 is stronger first to detennine the po­
lLlh5 14 a4 :adS 1 5 lLlc4 lLlf4! 1 6 18 hg JLg7 4 c3 0-0 sition of White's bishop with 9 ... h6;
.tfl (White intends 1 7 a5 b 5 I S a6! 19 Ilad 1 'tlle6! 5 lLlbd2 d6 · then after 10 .th4 ltdh5 the knight
.
 160 Kmg 's ftuiwn Svsrmz King 's !tulian System 161

!<;)"7_Jid3'!!h6 8 Jih4 e5 9 de de 10 After 9 .. b6 10 lle l i£.b7 1 1 1/l/c2 h6

. O.Rodriguez-Damljanovic, New
0-0 tLlbd7 I I 11e I tLlc5 1 2 .tn .ltg4 12 i.. h4 'Vjge7 13 iLfl llfe8 14 b4 a6 York 1 988) 9 0-0 l2Jf4 10 iLc4 'i'e8
1 3 �e2 lDh5 (now the removal of 15 lDc4 llac8? 16 a4! White devel­ l l lie1 e5 12 de de 13 'i'c2 l2Jb6 14
pieces from the queenside tells on ops llll initiative on the queenside, ii.fl i£.e6 15 .ig3 lid8 and the game
Black; worth trying is 13. ..\'Vc6 in­ Kasparov-M:u-tinovic, Baku 1980. is equal, Lechtynsky-Dydyshko, Po­
tending ... 11fe8, since it is dangerous Therefore Black is well advised to lanica Zdroj 19 83.
to grab the pawn: I 4 lDxe5 �xe2 I 5 push back White's bishop from the 7 ... eS
lDxc6 �xfl I 6 lDe7+ Wh7 17 'it>xfl defence of the f4 square, on which Black may consider 7 .c6 intend­
..

c6 I8 lDxc6) 14 \'Ve3 lDe6 1 5 lDc4 his knight can invade: 7 ... h6 8 �h4 ing after�f'!f.!lto carry out the ex­
lDet4 I 6 b4 b6 I 7 a4 and White is for (166) changing operation 8 ... tLlxe4 9
preference due to his chances on the l2Jxe4 d5, although also here after 10
can proceed to f.t with more etlecl) queenside, Torre-Gutm;m, B iel IZ i£.d3 de 1 1 i£.xe4 l2Jf6 12 �d3 .ig4
l.Q_O.;.,Q ti)d7 1 1 !lei lDc5 I2 �J:l I 985. 1 3 h3 �xf3 14 \'Vxf3 'i!Vd5 15 1/l/e3
Jf.e7 13 b4 lDe6 I4 a5 a6 I 5 �sl The other altemative, 6 ...h6, is White keeps some advantage thm1ks
!ld8 1 6 g3 h,!> 1 7 lla'!.Lwith the bet­ considered in the game Smyslov­ to his two bishops, Malaniuk­
ter chances for White, Korchnoi­ Nunn. M.Gurevich, USSR 1 980. After the
G utman, Wijk aan Zee 1987. Instead 7 �c4 prophylactic�·l.b::r'h6 9 .ih4 Black
of(�' interesting is the elastic 7 �d3 is well met by 7 ...e5 8 0-0 can develop his queen to a more
7.� maintaining the possibility h6 9 ..ih4 �e8 !, escaping from the natural position: 9 ... 'i'c7 10 0-0 e5
of exchanging the knight:_8__Q_-_O_.bfi, pin while 9 ... 'i'e7 is dubious: I O !lei 1 1 de de 12 �e2 b6 with sufficient
9 �h4 e5 I 0 de lDxe5 1 1 lDxe5 de lDb6 I I lDfl !le8 1 2 lDe3 \'Vf8?! counterplay after ... l2Jd7-c5 and
I 2 li�i - lDh5 i3a:-r-l.T614 �;16 (stronger is the inunediate I 2 ...�d7) .....ic8-a6.
�::\X.t-6- B-a.s· ..td"il6-'i'ei-'i!e-7 17 1 3 'i'c2 �d7 I4 a4 a5 I 5 lDc4 lDxc4 8 ... lDh5 (also here 8 ... e5 is prema­ 8 de
��3 <t>ii-1 8�f"int:d8 I 9- tt)� .tb5 I 6 ..ixc4 �c6 1 7 de de 1 8 llad I and ture, after which White can achieve White resolves the pawn tension
�-0 lle9 L���JL A�c:±___l&1t_g� White captures the d5 square with the better position, for example: 9 de and aims for piece play, in which
Uxd 1 + 23 Uxd I l:1d8 24 Iixd8 'i'xd8 advantage, Kmnsky-Cvitan, Palma de 10 0-0 'i'e7 l l lie l lld8 1 2 'i'c2 Black is tied to the defence of e5.
25 ;b-ab 26 �e2 'ilfa827-.fJ3�8 de Mallorca I989 _ b6 1 3 �fl �b7 14 lDc4 �e6 15 8 ..• de
28 -�gi lbd6 -29t3-�a2 Mahu��IZ. Another popular continuation is 7 li:Jfd2 'i:Vg4 16 �xf6 �xf6 17 l2Je3 9 0-0 h6
Roinani-s hin, Kherson I989 (•h-1/z, �e2. Now the advm1ce 7 ... e5 leaves �e6 1 8 �c4 'i'd6 19 llad1 c6 20 After 9 ...'fie7 10 lle1 lZJc5 1 1
69). Black in difficulties after 8 de de 9 l2Jf3 'i'e7 21 l2Jg4 �g7 22 'i'd2! and �h4 $.d7 1 2 a4 a6 ( 1 2 ... a5 seems
tbJ7 �eZ:h6 8 1.h4 e5 9 de de I� 0-0 due to d1e rather weak d5 square. White, having seized the weak more secure) 1 3 a5 White keeps the
O-O.lDc6 1 1 �c2 lDh5 J 2 llfe I g5 I� 9 ... c6 in turn weakens the d6 square; initiative. Then 1 3 ... b5 is bad: 14 ab
�
�& lDf4 I 4 �fl �e7 1 5 lDc4 iLg4 thus in the gmne Epishin-Kmltsler,
square d6, has the advmltage,
Balashov-Sax, Rio de Janeiro 1 979, cb 1 5 .lld 5 l:tae8 1 6 l2Jc4 and White
16 fd2 h5 IJ �J. le6 LaJ.lJ!<:!,l Podolsk 1 989, after 1 0 \'Vc2 111ic7 I I or 9 0-0 'i'e8 10 lle l lDh5 1 1 a4 a5 wins a pawn, Espig-Hazai, Leipzig
'i'f6
� -=·
19 lDdc4 and White's chances !lfe i !le8 12 �fl b6 1 3 a4 a5 14 1 2 l2Jc4 ed 1 3 l2Jxd4 l2Jf4 14 ii.fl 1 983 .
are preferable due to his activity in lDc4 iLb7 I 5 llad l .Ue6 16 iLxf6! l2Je5 1 5 l2Je3 c6 1 6 'Yiid2 l2Jh5 1 7 10 JiM
the centre and on the queenside, lDxf6 1 7 lDg5 lle7 I 8 lDd6 White oc­ liad 1 and, i n view of the weak pawn Black equalises after the ex­
B ischoff-Horvath, Graz 1987. cupied this square advmltageously. on d6, White's position is better, change of the bishop: 10 �xf6 �xf6
 162 King 's Indian System l'.."in.(s !nditln SrJrrm /63

I I b4 'fl/e7 I2 'i'c2 lU£6 1 3 l:Ife i 1 6 '6'e2 lUC4 f6 1 6 l!:XW) I S :xe6 fe 1 6 �e21 fol­
Game 50
lUh5 I4 i.fl lUf4 Guimard-Najdorf, 1 7 'fi'e3 gS lowed by W g I with chJnceo; f0r lx'th
Smyslov-Nunn
Mar del Plata I 962. 1 8 llcd l lXe8 sides, M.Gurevich-Tukm:tkov. USSR
1i/burg 1982
10 •.. 'fi'c8 (167) 1 9 g3 lU g6 1976.
20 h3 lUdf8 1 d4 lUC6 6 h6
21 lUh2 hS?! (168) 2 lUC3 g6 7 .i.M �cti ( [ 69)
3 .tgS i.g7
4 lUbd2 0-0
5 e4 d6
6 c3
In the ca<>e of 6 h3, intending to
drop the bishop back to e3 in answer
to ... h7-h6, Black manages to carry
out the advance ...e7-e5, achieving
fully equal play:
,
More active is IO .. .'�e7, b�i: here a) 6 ...lUbd7 (also interesting is
also after I I lXei 1Xd8 I 2 'fllc2 lUb6 6...lUc6 7 c3 e5 8 de de 9 i.b5 h6 10
White obtains the more promising i.e3 i.d7 with unexplored possibili­
Black incautiously weakens his ties) 7 .tc4 e5 8 de de 9 0-0 'Wie7 10 Having developed the knight to an
game. light squares, as Petrosian demon­ c3 h6 1 1 .te3 a5 (it may be more pre­ active position, Black plans the ad­
Evidently the queen is passively strates in ma<>terly fa<>hion. vance ...e7-e5. However this plan
cise to play l l...b6 12 b4 i.b7 13
placed on the e-file; therefore one 2I ...Jte6 would have been more ha'> its drawbacks, since White has
'Wic2 lUeS! 14 lbh2 lUd6 1 5 .tb3
may prefer I O ... c6 when after I I a4 resilient. not yet committed his king's bishop
�h8 I 6 f3 f5 1 7 lUel l:bc8 1 8 ef gf
a5 1 2 'fllc 2 'fllc7 the queen coordi­ 22 .te2! h4 and can force a weakening of
I9 lUc4 e4 ! when Black enjoys ex­
nates better with the other black 23 .tg4! r!;g7 Black's queen side. Moreover the po­
cellent central control and has the
pieces. 24 lUd fl lUh 7 sition of the knight on c6 does noth­
better chances, V.Kovacevic-Polu­
1 1 %Ie1 lUhS 25 lXd3 .i.e6 gaevsky, Vinkovci 1 976) 1 2 'i'c2 b6 ing to control the important squares
Petrosian recommended 1 I ... g5 26 Jtxc6 fkxe6 d5 and..�c"'----
1 3 a3 i.b7 14 b4 1Xfd8 I 5 lUh2 lUf8
1 2 i.g3 lbh5. 27 ciJg4 lUC6 8 .tbS! ?
I 6 lUg4 lUxg4 17 hg lbh7 (17 ...lUe6
l2 a4 .tr6 Black has no wish to suffer is stronger) 1 8 f3 lUf6 19 g5 and This move mders Black's - plan. S
I 2 ... g5 !? is rather loosening, but White's pressure after 27 ...b6 28 .i!!2 is also possible, for exampLe:
the bishop re-establishes its pin,
playable since immediate sacrifices 'fl/f3, while a second knight is trans­ giving White somewhat the better 8 ...'flle 8 9 0-0 e5 10 de de I I 1c2
are unconvincing. The quiet I 3 i.g3 ferred to f5. tbh5 I 2 .r.t i�t�f6 1 J �f9. �xf6 14
play, V.Kovacevic-Popovic, Sara­
is a reasonable reply, hoping to even­ The game finished 28 'fl/xg5 jevo 1 982. lLlc4 <l;g7 1 5 liad 1 -tE:f. 16 lUe3
tually exploit the weakness of f5. lUxe4 29 1rh6+ 'it>g8 30 liad 1 lUf6 b) 6 ... h6 7 i.e3 lUbd7 8 .tc4 e5 9 i.xf3 1 7 i.xf3 lUd8 1 8 'ilrb3 b6 I 9
13 aS fke7 3 1 lUfe3 lUxg4 32 lUxg4 hg 33 l:Ixg3 de de 1 0 g4 'fie7 1 1 l:tgl ! lUeS 1 2 g5 'i'c4 and White seizes the d-file with
14 Jtxf6 fixf6 Itad8 34 l:ei �f5 35 h4 l':te6 36 h5 hg 1 3 1Xxg5 lUe6 14 lhe5 lUd7 advantage, Omstein-Hansen, Lu­
1 s .tm %Id8 'irf4 37 hg 1 -0 (14 ... lUe8 is strongly met by 1 5 .tg5 ceme OL 1982.
 Jt,.; Ktr.g 's Jri.iLun 5_·,�·:mz King 's lnditm System 165

8 .•. .lil.d7 20 tt'lcS JiLeS 1be conclusion was 30 .. Jha5 31

White also maintains the better 21 lbeJ lbe7 (170) ltxa5 �g8 32 l'!a6 'ifd7 33 i.d5 V{je7
chances after 8 ... a6 9 ..lia4 b5 10 21 ... a5 is stronger. 34 V{jh5 l'!d6 35 l::xd6 cd 36 b4 1 -0
i.c2. For instance: I O...ltJd7 11 0-0 It is impossible to simultaneously
l:l:b8 12 l'Ie l 'ife8 13 a4 b4 14 a5 lba7 defend the t7 pawn and restrain
15 lbc4 be 16 be lbb5 17 e5 and White's passed pawn.
White has a space advantage, Ci­
fuentes-Douven, Wijk Zee 1988.a:m
Game 51
9 0-0
Dreev-Kr.Georgicv
The attempt to establish an influ­
Moscow 1 985
ence on the e5 square with 9 'i'e2 a6
10 i.d3 'ife8 1 1 .txf6 i.xf6 12 e5 d4 lt)f6 a) 6 ..lie2 (with this modest move
.tg 7 13 0-0 de 14 de i.e6 15 h3 i.d5 lbf3 g6 White avoids the threat of a fork,
16 i.e4 e6 17 l:.fe 1 l:l:d8 aJ lows i£.g5 .tg7 possible after the advance ... e7-e5)
Black to equalise, Zichichi-Rogers, �;:;..._,:;_,d 2 d6 6 ... lbbd7 7 0-0 (White prepares ac­
Reggio Emilia 1984. 22 aS! tive play in the centre and first evacu­
9 ... a6 Having fixed the queenside, Jte olsters the d4 pawn, ates his king. After 7 c3, Black can
It is not wortl1 pushing the bishop White will get to work on the central avoiding forcing continuations. This attack the centre with the c- or e­
back- to a better position. Black squares, securing clearly the better system was introduced in the game pawn: 7 ... b6 8 0-0 .i.b7 9 a4 a6 10
should consider 9 ...'ife8. game. Alekhine-Biiimich, Dresden 1926, 'ifc2 c5 1 1 ltfd1 V{jc7 12 lbe1 l:.ac8
10 .lil.c4 eS 22 '6'g6
•.•
which continued 5 ... 0-0 6 c3 lbc6 7 1 3 .i.f3 lHe8 14 i.. xb7 'i'xb7 15
11 de de After 22 ...'i'c6 23 b4 b6 24 tt'ld5 ..lic4 ! a6 8 'i'e2 ..lig4 9 h3 ..lid7 10 'i'd3 d5 and Black equalises, Klaric­
12 llel '6'e8 lbxd5 25 ..lixd5 White occupies d5 lbh2! 'i'c8 1 1 f4 e5 12 fe de 13 0-0 Krogius, Sochi 1977, or 7 ... e5 8 0-0
13 a4 lbhS with tempo. lbh5 14 l'!xf7 ! l'!xf7 15 ..lixf7+ 'it>xf7 h6 9 ..lih4 'i'e8 !? 10 a4 e4 1 1 lbel
14 lDh3! 23 g4 h6 lbh7 1 2 lLlc2 f5 13 f3 lbdf6 14 ..txf6
16 'i'c4+ ..lie6 17 d5 ..lixd5 18 lW+
Emphasising the weakness of the 24 lLlfS! lDxfS and White won. lbxf6 15 fe fe 16 a5 c6 17 'ife1 d5
c5 square. After 24...bc 25 lbxe7 'ifd6 26 In contemporary practice Black and Black obtains a space advantage,
14 gS lbxc8 ltxc8 27 ..lixa6 Black loses a usually chooses to develop his forces V.Kovaeevic-Giigoric, Yugoslavia
15 .ig3 lld8 pawn in an even worse manner. according to the King's Indian 1979) 7 0-0 e5 8 i.M lte8 9 c4 b6 10
16 lbfd2 25 gf �c6 scheme, associated with plans of at­ . l:.cl h6 1 1 h3 i..b7 12 d5 a5 (the
White's position is better due to 26 lbxa6 .lil.xa6 tacking the centre by preparing ... e7- closing of the centre has led to an ex­
his secure initiative on the queenside. 27 il..x a6 ba e5 or ... c7-c5. White's more passive tremely unclear position, in which
16 ... lbxg3 28 llxaS lla8 there are sufficient resources at
stance in the centre increases Black's
1 6 ... lbf4 is well met by 17 f3 h5 29 !teal llfd8 chances of a successful defence. Black's disposal) 13 b3 lbc5 14 a3
1 8 .i.f2. 30 il..c4 5 ... 0-0 (171) g5 15 .i.g3 c6 16 b4 ab 1 7 ab lbce4
17 hg Wh8 Besides the extra pawn, White has 6 i£.d3 with an intricate game, Ye Rong­
18 �e2 '6'e7 a clear advantage due to the oppo­ Other developments of this bishop guang-Dreev, Manila 1Z 1990.
19 lbn '6'f6 site-coloured bishops. b) 6 .i.c4 (this continuation allows
are also fea">ible:
 166 King 's Indian System Kin Jl · f lndi,vr Snrrm /()7

Black to gain a tempo with the ma­ 7 b6

•..
11 aS 23 :Ocd2 'ft"bt>
noeuvre ...lLlb8-d7-b6) 6 ...lLlbd7 7 This modest move prepares the fi­
0-0 h6 8 �4 e5 9 c3 "fie7 10 a4 a5 Black has developed his pieces 24 '*'fa t lLlc7
anchetto of the bishop and the ad­ hannoniously, while it is not eac;y for 25 't'fc3 lLlxa6
1 1 'iife2 e4 I 2 lLle i g5 I 3 i.g3 lLlb6 vance ...c7-c5. It is also fully
I4 ..ib3 ..ig4 I 5 f3 ef I6 lLlexf3 White to find an active plan. The a­ 26 �cl lld6 (1 73)
reac;onable for Black to develop pawn's advance is insufficiently pre­
l:ae8 I 7 l:fe I ..id7 I 8 e4 lLlh5 and along standard King's Indian lines:
Black achieves equal play without pared and is met by an energetic
7 ... c6 8 c3 Wlc7 9 'i'c2 e5 10 l1adi
undue difficulty, V.Kovacevic-Sme­ counter-thrust in the centre. A
l1e8 I I e4 lLlf8 12 de de 1 3 h3 lLlh5
jkal, Yugoslavia I 978. sounder option is 1 I e4, but also here
I4 a4 lLle6 I 5 lLlc4 h6 I6 .ie3 lLlef4
6 ...
after 1 1 ...cd 1 2 cd e5 1 3 d5 lLlc5
lLlbd7 with chances for both sides, Cox-Va­
Also possible is a plan with a Black has everything in order.
gar, Hong Kong 1 984.
1 1 ... e5
more active deployment of this 8 Jlcl
knight: 6 ... lLlc6 7 0-0 h6 8 i.h4 g5 9 12 e4
A hannless line for Black is 8 c3 By attacking the centre Black h ac;
..ig3 lLlh5 I O c3 e6 I I e4 f5 I2 ef ef ..ib7 9 11fe2 h6 (9...c5 IO l1fd l 'f//c7
1 3 1i'h3+ �h8 I4 h3 ..td7 I5 lLlc4 managed to expose the drawbacks of
I I a4 e5 12 de de is also possible, but
l':b8 with approximate equality, the development of the bishop on d3.
instead 1 2 ... lLlxe5 13 lLlxe5 de is
Khalifman -Watson, Moscow I 985. After 12 de de 1 3 e4 h6 the chances
weaker due to I4 1i.xf6 1i.xf6 I5 Black hac; an extra pawn which is
7 0-0
are equal.
i.e4 ! and White seizes the d5
7 "fie2 allows Black an energetic 12 .. cd adequately supported by the two
square) IO 1i.h4 "ilfc8 1 I e4 e5 1 2 de
.

counterattack in the centre: 7 ... e5 13 a6?! bishops. To realise the material ad­
de I 3 IUe 1 l1e8 I4 b4 lLlh5 I 5 'il'di vantage Black must first of all con­
(also worth considering is the pre­ After 13 cd ed 14 lLlxd4 ba fcl­
1i.f6 I 6 i.xf6 tLlhxf6 1 7 lLlc4 11Yd8 solidate his position and reactivate
liminary 7 ...h6 and if 8 .ixf6 lLlxf6 9 lowed by ...lLlc5, Black's chances are
I 8 'ifc2 'ife7 1h-1h Torre-Nunn, Til­ preferable. By inserting the further his knight.
h3?!, then after 9 ...e5 ! I O de de 1 1 burg I 982. advance of the a-pawn White strives 27 g3 i..h7
0-0-0 'Wie7 1 2 e4 a5 Black's position 8 c5
is preferable , Kamsky-Ennolinsky, to maintain the initiative on the 28 't'fh2 tDc7
9 c3 i..h7 29 't'fb1
Pavlodar I 987) 8 c3 �e8 9 e4 d5 10 queen side.
10 a4 't'fc7 (1 72) de White cannot improve his posi­
13
0-0 de 1 I lLlxe4 ed I2 cd lLlxe4 13
14 llc1 i..c 6 tion since after 29 I:tc5, in addition to
.ixe4 lLlf6 I 4 ..ixf6 ..ixf6 I 5 'ifc2 c6
15 l:t.xc3 lLlc5 29 . ...llc6, pos..<>ible is 29 ... a6 followed
I 6 .l:tfe i 'ii'd 8. Black has succeeded
1 6 i..fl 't'fd7 by ...lLlc7-e6. Thus White tries to
in restraining White's isolated pawn
17 b4 lLle6 blockade the queenside pawns.
and stands better, Rozentalis-Epi­
18 i..xf6 i..xf6 29 ... . �c6
shin, Tbilisi I 989.
19 lLlc4 l:tfd8 30 lhc6
After 7 c3 Black can attack on the
wing with 7 ...h6 8 ..ih4 g5 9 .ig3 20 lld3 't'fc7 Otherwise Black can peuetrate on
'ii'e 8. Pitterson-Barajora, Santiago The weakness of the a6 pawn al­ the c-file. However, after the exchange
1 990, continued I O "fic2 lLlh5 1 1 lows Black to achieve a material ad­ of major pieces the ending will as­
tLlfl c5 1 2 h4 g4 I3 lLlg5 !? lLldf6 I4 vantage. sume a technical character: Black
de lLlxg3 1 5 lLlxg3 d5 with sharp play. 21 llxd6 b5 can strengthen the position of his
22 llxd8+ Ihd8 dark-square bishop by transferring it
 I68 King 's Indian System King 's Indian System 1 69

to the g 1 -a7 diagonal, while White i..h4 g5 8 Ji.g3 li:Jh5 ( I 74), places tJ;e the game lonov-Guseinov, Klaipeda 9 li:JbJ
can merely hx>k on: 30 ... 'llf xc6 3 1 king in danger due to the serious 1 988 there followed I 0 de lLlxg3 I I White's principal continuations
�b2 'llfd6 3 2 'iic3 a6 3 3 i..d 3 lbe6
34 li:Jb3 i..c6 35 i..c2 ¢;g7 36 ..ttg2
weakening of its pawn cover. White
has a central predominance and plans
� d� 1 2 �c2 li:Jc6 n'!d l �c7 ft
3 �d8 15 e+xd8:t.,�xd8 1 6 st.. c4
are . 9 .Yi.d3,' (considered in the game
Chemin-Gavrikov) and 9 .Yi.c4 (con­
h5 37 h4 i..e8 38 �fl 'llfc6 39 'i'xc6 the advance e4-e5. 'i'd6 1 7 0-0 e6 1 8 li:Jd2 �b8 1 9 a4 a6 sidered in tlte grune Psakhis-Zilber­
i..xc6 40 ..tte2 �f8 4 1 �d3 �e7 42 2.0 f4 gf 21 gf b5 22 e5 with a clear stein), but the text aims to provoke a
li:Jfd2 �d6 43 i..d I i.. d8 44 li:Jfl ""advantage for White, whose pieces crisis on g3. An i �way to
i..b6 45 lbe3 i..b7 46 tLlt12 li:Jd4 47 employ this plan i12...,_ _
�iselev­
dominate the weakened central
�c3 (on 47 f4 follows 47 .. .f6) squares. More logical is �� but lvanchuk, Frunze I 988, continued
47 ...i..c 8 48 li:Jd5 fJ.. a7 49 li:Jfl i..e6 here White too keeps the inlti"ative: 9 ... ll:Jxg3 IO hg c5 I I de de I2 f4 e5
50 li:Jfe3 tZ:lc6 ! (the knight makes JO e5 ttdxg3 I I hg�Q, 1? 'i'c2 � 13 f5 0-0 (Black has mrutaged to
room for the bishop in addition to at­ U lLle3 de 14 de lt.Jxe5 1 5 lt.Jxe� block the kingside, but White keeps
tacking the b4 pawn, so 5 1 i..e2 i..x e5 l6 lD!:4 i..g7 1 7 �dl 'i'e7 1 8 a tirm grip on the initiative) I 4 �c4
would be met by the intervening �xh6+ �f8 1 9 'i'hL'i:Vf6 20 ;uj tal? 15 lt.Jh3 li:Jf6 16 lt.)f2 Ji(.d7 I 7
check 5 1 ... i.. d4+ followed by cap­ 'ixh6 21 e+xit6 'i'gZ.,22 $.e2 an� al­ li:Jg4 b 5 1 8 lt.Jxf6+ 'i'xf6 1 9 il.d5
turing on e3) 5 1 i..b3 i..d-l+ 52 �d2 though White's pieces are more ac­ .Yi.c6 20 0-0 lHd8 2 1 a4 a6 22 'i'e2 c4
li:Jxb4 53 li:Jxb4 Jixb3 54 lLlxa6 Jib6 � II:
tive, Black's position is fully 23 �hi .Yi.f8 24 �xc6 'i'xc6 25 f6
55 �c3 Jie6 56 �b4 'at'c6 57 �:L1 In tltis �harp position, after tlte ap­ defensible, Bala..<;hov-Smirin, Sverd­ ltd6 26 ltf5 llad8 27 ll:Jt1 l:txf6 28
�b7 58 li:Jb4 i..c5 0- 1 parently active 9 i..c-( Black �asily lovsk 1 987. ab ab 29 lt.Jxe5 'i'e6 30 llafl lhf5 3 1
organises counterplay. For example: 6 JtM g5 �xf5 Jig7 32 lt.Jf3 'i'd6 3 3 'i'f2 'i'g6
Game 52 9 ... e6 10 e5 c5 1 1 lDe4 d5 12 tidfxg5 7 Jtg3 lt.JhS 34 g4 �e6 35 e5 'i'd5 36 �a7 ll£8
Bronstcin-Gufcld ttdxg3 1 3 hg de 14 ttdxe4 cd 1 5 %hh6 8 cJ e6 37 �h2 'i'e4 1h-1h
Tallinn I98I (according to analysis by M arti­ Black prepares queenside ca<;tling 9 ••• lt.Jd7
novic, after the superior 1 5 'i'g4! f5 by freeing a square for the queen. 10 lt.Jfd2 lt.Jxg3
1 li:Jf3 6 g6 1 6 'tlkg6 fe 1 7 .l:!xh6 lH5 1 8 'tlkxf5 Unlike systems illustrated by the After White's somewhat ariificial
2 d4 lL\C6 i.. xh6 1 9 'i'g6+ il.g7 20 il.xe6+ previous examples, Black cm1 carry knight mrutoeuvre, this exchange is
·
3 Jtg5 � Jtg7 i.. xe6 2 1 'i'xe6+ the chances are out the pl:m of an attack on the wing no longer premature mtd allows
4 lL'Ihd2 d6 roughly level) 1 5 ...lbd7 1 6 lt.Jf6+ while not determining the position Black to seize the initiative.
5 e4 h6 lt.Jxf6 1 7 ef il.xf6 1 8 'i'h5 (or 1 8 of his king. It is too early to insert the 11 hg 0-0
In this system the fashionable 'i'g4+ i..g 7 1 9 0-0-0 f5 20 'i'g6 .Uf6 exchange_8 ...£lxg3 9 h&, since White 12 Jtd3 aS
plan for Black is to drive back the ac­ 2 I 'i'h7+ �f8 with a winning posi­ can then take the initiative: 9.,.e6 10 13 a4 (1 75) CS
tive bishop to g3, followed by ... li:Jh5 tion for Black) I 8 ... dc 1 9 .l:!di c2 ! 20 7 1 2 b4 t£2.
JL\!�4..il.'i'�d .. 14 'We2 li:Jf6
to force its exchange. However, this llxd8 cl'tik+ and Black secures a l3 b5 lt.Ja5 1 4 lt.Jb3 lt.Jxb3 J5 a� 15 f4 gf
seriously weakens the kingside, so material advmttage, Z.Nikolic-Mar-_ J� e5 f5 11 el�xf6 1 8 �e4.mtd, in 16 gf i..d7
:Olack must detennine the position Qf tinovic, Yugoslav Ch 1 980. view of tlte weakness of the light 17 eS li)dS
his king carefully. • Far stronger is _9 tLlc4 'when squares on the kingside, White has 18 g3 l't'e8!
Carrying out th �ctio11 an .the r.t.S� s dubious, as a whole com­ the advantage, Karpeshov-Zilber­ 19 <bf2
wing after castling{?.. .O-J> . c3 h6 7 plex of squares is thus weakened. In stein, Chirchik I 983. I9 ed cd 20 li:Jc4 Ji(.xa4 and I 9
 1 70 King 's Indian System King 's Indian Srstrm I ll

in _ord�r.t<! realise this, some accurate

_
Game 53 duo, Black ha" set up a ' l ittle ce ntre '

mo_yes ar�!equired. Chcrnin-Gavrikov (e6 and d6) and is ready to join battle
24 •• liJc7 Match, Moscow 1985 across the fifth rank. which ser\'es ao;
_ The curtain is raised on the sec­ a demarcation line. It is important to

ond act; 24... �d8 would instead fin­ 1 d4 liJf6 bear in mind that B lack should delay
ish the battle. F�� instance: 25 ti.Jc f 2 liJf3 g6 the exchange ... �h5 x g 3 until the
liJxf4 26 gf 'i'd5 or 25 liJc5 ltb6 26 3 .i.gS .i.g7 most opportut:'! !:'nn ent. :t<; this
i.xe6+ 1he6 27 /iJxe6 liJxc3!. Now 4 liJbd2 h6 makes White's ch oi ce of p. ::r. =c'l:'�
White obtains equal chances. 5 .th4 d6 difficult.
25 'tlfc4! a4?! 6 e4 gS 9 Jl.d3
• B lack 'is still chasing the iiiusiotl 7 i.g3 liJhS White keeps the c4 square free for
i.b5 i.xb5 20 'i'xb5 '1Wxb5 21 ab a4 of an advantage. _B l<!<J expects to 8 c3 c6 (1 77) the useful knight manoeuvre lLld2-
22 ti.Jcl a3 both lead to Black's ad­ g_.1.in material after 26 i.xe6+ <t>h8 It is worth mentioning that Black c4-e3; from e3 the knight controls
vantage. 27 lbc5 'i!Vxc4 28 -i.�OJ �c6, but may direct his play against the devel­ squares in the centre and on the king­
19 •• de there is a surprise in store. It wao; opment of the bishop on d3, with the side.
1 9 ... i.xa4? fails to 20 ed cd 21 necessary to settle for 25 ... �n 26 more flexible move 8 ... /iJd7�Then� 9 -· 0-0
l:ha4 'ii'xa4 22 '1Wxe6+. W/xc7 a4 27 liJd4 a3 28 'Wixb7 ab 29 _$,d.�can be met by.2·.::�� 1 0 d5 0-0 Black may also delay ca<;tling, not
20 de .txa4 lhb2 'i'a5 30 'i'b3 liJd5 with dou­ 1 1 a4 tbdf6 1 2 lLlc4 lLlxg3 1 3 hg e6! hurrying to detennine the position of
21 �xa4 'i'xa4 ble-edged play. 1 4 lLle3 ed 15 ed liJg4! when Black's his king:
22 Jl.bS 'i'a2 26 liJcS! position is preferable, Espig-Uhl­ a) .9 ... li::xl7 :JQ IDc4 �e] 1 1 eS
23 .i.d7 Ita6 The second act is set to the music mann, E.Gerrnany 1 983. Instead 9 9Jxg3 I 2 fgl ? g4 13 liJh4 de I4_
24 �b1 (1 76) of Bronstein. ti.Jc4 transposes to S alov-Smirin, the .'t!t'xg4 O-O!j5 de lbc5 I6 i.c2 b5 I7
26 •.• 'tlfxc4 final game of this section. �g5 ! IR 't!Vx,;5 hg 19 liJf3 �!?2.
27 liJxc4 �a7 20 liJg4 1h,-1h.Gofman-Mark Tseit-
It was correct to retum the ex­ lin, USSR 1 982.
change with 27 ..�n 28 lLlxa6 ba 29
. b) 9 ...'Wie7 lQ..'tit'e 2 lbc6 I l liJ�
i.xa4 h5, so ao; to free the bishop af­ $dlJ.2 lbfd2 liJxg3 I 3 hg 0-0-0 a
ter ...h5-h4 and ...i.g7-h6. With the �bKl.i.0.-0 Q f5 1 6�ca5 li)xa.l
fall of the e6 pawn, however, White's �l.with unclear play, V.Kova­
��valrY.!':Jmsoutto be ;tro�1ger than cevic-Ree, Plovdiv I983.
�J11ack's clumsy rooks. 10 0-0
28 �d l ! nras 10 liJg i )s reasonable, provoking
28 ...b6 29 lLlxe6 l:b8 30 lLld4 the exchange of the knight:
would bea iittkmore stubbom.Th'e 10 ... lLlxg3 I I hg e5 I2 de de 13 'i!f.£2.
The events in this game unfold a<; finish was 29 i.xe6+ �f8 30 g4 b5 liJd] 14 l:d i 't!t'e7 I 5 liJe2 lQc5 1 {2
a tragedy in two acto;. The first act 3 l lLle3 fg 32 f5 g3+ 33 'it'g2 liJc6 34 There has arisen an almost unex­ J c4.. White's position is slightly
can be described as Black's success­ liJd7+ <t>e8 35 f6 .tf8 36 lLlf5 lLld8 plored position, with dynamic eqii'iJ. more active, Christiansen-Bouaziz,
ful battle for material advantage, but 37 n+ lbxn 38 liJf6 mate ( 1-0). ity. To oppose White's central pawn Szirak IZ I981.
 1 72 King 's Indian System King 's !tulian System 1 73

10 •.• b6 38 ti:Jg4! lLlxg4 Munich 1992, continued I I ... a6? ! I2

Black prepares to fianchetto. 39 "i!l'xc6+ �h8 ti:Jb3 a5 13 a3 ti:Jb6 I4 �b5+ c6 IS
More complicated problems face 40 �xg4 •�z-•�z .i.d3 when White had an edge, but
Black if he opts for IO .lLlco:ll�c4
..
These events, including the draw Khalifm<m considers that I l ...ti:Jb6
f5 (U :lLlxg'll2 hg e5 is met by ll
..
offer, took place in severe time­ would equalise) I2 ti:Jei ti:Jxg3 13 hg
de' de 14 lLle3 with advantage for trouble; otherwise White may have ti:Jg6 14 ti:Jc2 �d7 1 5 ti:Je3 0-0-0 I6
White) tz ef ef 13 h3 f4 H.�.!J2.(the found time to appreciate the advan­ llde I 'it>b8 1 7 llh5 and White's po­
bishop is locked in, but the light tages of his position. sition is preferable in view of his
squares around the black king have possibilities of attacking on the
become dangerously exposed) Game S4 kingside, Soos-Drunjanovic, Bir­
J:l .lbf6 15 .tie l ti:Je7 16 a4 a5 11 Psakhis-Zilbcrstcin mingham 1977.
�3 �t�lU cn;.:ttJf<fS..�s necessary, 23 lla l liaS
Irkutsk 1983 b) 10 'W/c2 'llke7 I I 0-0-0 a6 12 a3
shielding the king) 18 l:he?..L�!� 24 �b4 ti:Jb6 I3 .i.b3 �d7 I4 l:.hei ti:Jxg3 15
19 lLlce5 �e6 20 d5 ! �S� (on 24 liec I may be stronger, pl:ul­ 1 d4 ti:Jf6 hg g4 16 ti:Jh2 h5 17 ti:Jhfl 'llkf6 18
M.:�ttJx<i«here follows 21 ti:Jg6+ ning after �b3-d1 to fight for the a­ 2 ciJf3 g6 lle2 0-0-0 19 ti:Je3 'llkg5 20 �bi
�g8 22 �xd5 !) 21 ti:Jg6+ 'it>��.ll file. 3 JigS d6 lide8 2 I a4 'bb8 22 ti:Jdc4 ti:Jxc4 23
l!e l �d8 23 tt5'x f8 'Wixf8 24 h4 ti:J� 24 Jia6 4 lLlbd2 iJ...g7 ti:Jxc4 f5 24 e5 d5 25 ti:Je3 f4 26 gf
is hg hg 26 ti:Jx_g5 m ti:JJ3 �_gz 2S liaS cS S e4 h6 'i'xf4 27 g3 'Jiif7 28 c4 c6 29 l:1cl
6Uc4 lLlxh_2 29 <bxh2 �d7 30 26 "i!l'a3 h4 6 iJ...h 4 gS lieS 30 'i'd3 �h6 3 I <ba1 'Wif3 32 c5
ti:Jxe5l de 31 d6+ 1 -0 Ribli-Schmidt, 27 cb cb 7 J!L.g3 lLlhS licf8 33 l:.c3 �g5 34 �d1 'llkh I 35
&ile -I����:ul-;1982. 28 �b3 8 c3 e6 �d2 h4 36 gb llxh4 37 l!b3 .i.c8 38
1 1 lLlc4 3Lh7 28 �a2 SLb7 29 lha8 l!xa8 30 9 J!L.c4 �e7 liei �h2 39 'i'a5 �d8 40 �xa6
12 a4 a6 �c4 deserves attention, attacking the 9 ...ti:Jd7 ( 179) is the most com­ 'i'xf2 4 I l'ifl �xfl 42 ti:Jxfl lih1 43
13 .tiel ll'ld7 lonely b4 pawn. mon move: �e2 g3 44 �xc6 l:tfxfl+ 45 �xfl
14 ciJfd2! lLlxg3 28 3Lxd3 llxfl + 0- I Cifuentes-Hort, Amster­
IS hg llb8'!! 29 nxa8 nxa8 dam 1987.
16 "i!l'e2 llc8 30 �xd3 "i!l'd8 c) 10 ti:Jfl ti:Jxg3 (interesting is
17 lLle3 (178) 31 lt'ldc4 �b8 10 ...f5 1 1 ef ef I2 ti:Je5 ti:Jhf6 13
White's chances are preferable 32 lld1 ti:Je3!? with sharp play) 1 1 bg g4 12
due to the weakness of Black's king- 32 b3 is stronger. ti:Jh4 h5 13 f4 ti:Jf6 14 'Wid3 c6 1 5 d5
side, since it is difficult for Black to 32 b3! ed 16 ed cd I 7 �b5+ ¢>f8 1 8 ti:Je3
generate activity. 33 dS lLlcS 'i�Vb6 (the continuation 1 8...a6 19
17 lla8 34 't'fc2 l'ia6 �a4 ti:Je4 20 ti:Jxd5 ti:Jc5 2 I 'llkd i
18 't'fdl 't'fe7 3S de fe Ci:Jxa4 22 �xa4 �e6 23 :dl ! is to
19 llbl llac8 36 'ffhs lLlxe4? White's advantage) 19 0-0-0 d4! 20
20 't'fc2 c6 Instead of this risky escapade, the cd �e6 2 I �c4 .U.c8 with unclear
21 "i!l'b3 bS correct 36 .. .'it?h7 maintains equality. a) 10 'llke2 'W/e7 1 1 0-0-0 ti:Jf8 play, Dobosz-Jru1sa, Copenhagen
22 ah ah 37 't'i'g6 lLlf6 (Translator's twte: Khalifman-Wahls, 198 1 .
1 74 King 's Indian System King 's Indian System 1 75

A practically unexplored plan 29 Ilel ! llh7

with an active development of the 30 ltJe3 Wb7
knight deserves attention: 9 ... ltJc6 31 ltJxdS 1-0
1 0 1i'e2 i..d7 1 1 0-0-0 1i'e7 12 lDe1
ltJxg3 1 3 hg 0-0-0 14 ltJc2 �b8 15 Game 55
ltJb3 with unclear play, Yusupov-Va­ Salov-Smirin
siukov, Vilnius 1 98 1 . USSR Ch (Moscow) 1 988
10 0-0 ltJxg3 (notes bao;ed on those by
11 hg ltJd7
Makarychev)
12 a4 hS! ?
13 'Wei ! 1 d4 ltJf6
It is important for White to limit 17 �e2 hg 2 lL\f3 g6 I I 0-0-0 ltJg6 12 ltJe3 i..d7 1 3 ltJe 1
the activity of Black's Icing's bishop, 18 lLih2 Jlg7 3 JlgS d6 'W/e7 14 i..e 2 lDhf4 1 5 i.. xf4 gf 16
but should also reckon with the 19 lt:'lxg4 fS! ? 4 lLibd2 lL\bd7 lbc4 d5 17 lL\d2 de 18 lLixe4 .1i.c6 19
counter-threat ... g5-g4, since after 1 3 20 ef il.xf6 5 e4 h6 '*h5 0-0-0 with double-edged play,
'ii'e2, 1 3 ...g 4 14 ltJh4 i.. f6 i s possi­ 21 lLib3! aS 6 i..h 4 gS Yusupov-Tseshkovsky, Vilnius 1 98 1 ,
ble. It appears that 21 ...0-0-0 22 lbc5 7 Jlg3 lL\hS rutd I 0 lLie3 'fle7 1 1 'i'c2 b6 12 0-0-0
13 ••• lt)f8 'it'b8 wao; necessary, although White 8 lLic4!? i..b7 1 3 i..c4 0-0-0 14 lihe l with rut
Now 1 3 ... g4 1 4 lDh4 i..f6 can be is better due to the weakness of the It is important to secure the early unclear position, Krruner-Honfi, Wijk
met by 1 5 f4 gf ( 1 5 .. J�g8 16 e5 e6 pawn. exchange of the knight in order to aan Zee 1969.
i.. x h4 17 gb g3 1 8 ltJf3 followed by 22 lt:'lcS b6 exploit the weakening of the king­ After 10 i.. x d6?! Vrut der Wiel
ltJg5 favours White) 1 6 lD<Ixf3. 23 lt'lxd7 �xd7 side. It is for this purpose that White points out the curious draw 1 o ...b5
14 e S dS? 24 f4! prepares the manoeuvre ltJf3-d2. 1 1 lDfe5 ! liJ<If6! 1 2 lbc6 �d7 1 3
A serious positional mistake, a.o; This opening of the position is un­ 8 ••• il.g7 ltJ6e5 'ii'd8.
now both bishops are out of play. It plea'>:mt for Black's unprotected 9 c3 e6 (181) 10 ••• ltJxg3
was necessary to maintain the ten­ king. Also worth attention is 9 ...c6, pre­ 1 1 hg 'ife7
sion with 1 4 ... g4 1 5 ltJh4 i..d7 fol­ 24 ... �c6 paring ...d6-d5 and the development After 1 1 ... d5 12 ed ed 1 3 ltJe3 the
lowed by queenside castling, since 24 ... gf 25 llxf4 i..g 5 is met by the of the queen on b6. weakness of f5 makes itself felt.
after 1 5 ed cd 1 6 lDh4 .1i.d7 17 d5 unplea.'> attt enticement 26 llf7 !. In Chemin-Hort, Wijk aan Zee 12 lLie3 ltJf6
0-0-0 the possibility of ...'ii'g5 gives 25 fS! 1 986, Black exchrutged his knight, . 13 �3!
Black reasonable counterplay. The end is prosaic. After the ex­ 9 ... ltJxg3 10 hg, and after 10 ... e6 1 1 By attacking the b7 pawn White
1 5 Jld3 i..h 6?! (180) change of queens it becomes impos­ i..d 3 �e7 1 2 'i'a4 a6 1 3 ltJe3 c6 14 provokes a weakening of the d6
Black should first have opened sible to defend the d5 and g5 pawns 'ifc2 was able to obtain an accept­ square.
the h6-cl diagonal by playing simultruteously. able grune with 1 4 ... b5 ! 1 5 d5 i..b7 After 1 3 f4 gf 14 gf i.. d7 15 .1i.d3
1 5 ...g4. Now, however, White can 25 ef 1 6 de i.. x c6 17 ltJd4 i..b7. 0-0-0 16 'i'f3 <Jilb8 17 0-0-0 e5 1 8 fe
block the kingside, obliging Black to 26 llxfS �xe2 1 0 lLifd2 de 1 9 d5 h5 Black defends success­
determine the fate of the h5 pawn. 27 ..11Lxe2 ..11Lg7 Of the other possibilities, we fully, Bala..,hov-Tseshkovsky, Sochi
16 g4! Jld7 28 ..11Lf3 lidS should pay attention to 10 'i!Vc2 ltJf8 1975.
 1 76 King 's Indian System

13 ••• c6 White can also maintain an ad­

14 0�0-0 e5'!! vantage with the interesting combi­ 8 Flank Attack
This weakens the f5 square, nation 22 � lh5 �ad8 23 .lil.e2 l:td7
which in such positions hao; great 24 'i'xc6 l:Ifd8 25 l:Ih8+! .lil.xh8 26
significance. Stronger is 14 ... d5 1 5 .l::i. x h8+ 'it>xh8 27 �f6+ 'it>g8 28
e 5 tLld7 1 6 f4 f5 ! (otherwise there 'i'xf5 tLld3+ 29 .lil.xd3 l:lxd3 30
follows 1 7 f5) 1 7 ef tLlxf6 1 8 .lil.d3 'i'xg5+ �f8 3 1 'i'xe5.
�d6 intending to evacuate the king 22 Itad8 1 d4 tt:Jf6 1 d4 tiJf6
via the route ... 'it>e8-d8-c7. 23 il..e2 tlJxh 1 2 tlJC3 g6 2 tlJC3 g6
15 de de 24 llxh l �e6 3 �gS �g7 3 �gS 3ig7
16 tlJdc4 �e6 25 'i'fxg5 �xa2 4 tlJhd2 c5 (1 83) 4 tlJhd2 c5
It is risky to grab the pawn with 26 llh4 �e6 A similar idea is 4 ... 0-0 5 e4 c5, a�
16 ...tLlxe4 17 ti'c2 tlJf6 1 8 tlJd6+ 27 �c4 l:rd6 in the game Rozentalis-Giek (con­
'it'f8 1 9 .lil.c4 .lil.e6 20 tLlef5 since 28 llh6 sidered later). ·
White's attack is dangerous. How­ It is unclear how Black might de­ 5 ..lil..xf6
ever White now practically forces fend after 28 �h5 l:Itu8 29 .lil.xe6 TI1e other forcing variation is 5 de
the win of the queen. �xe6 30 'i'h 7+ 'it>f8 3 1 l:Ig4. After 't/Va5 6 c3 1iixc5 7 �xf6 .lil.xf6 8 tLle4
17 lt'\f5 �xf5 28 i:[h6 play continued instead 't/Vc6 9 tLlxf6+ 't�Vxf6 10 't�Vd4 which
18 ll'ld6+ 'i'fxd6 28 ...lid! 29 .lil.xe6 l:Idxe6 30 lixe6 leads to an ending which slightly fa­
Retreating the king with 1 8 .. 'it>f8
. �xe6 3 1 'i'd8+ .lil.f8 32 'i'a8 e4! 33 vours White: 1 0...�xd4 1 1 cd b6 1 2
1 9 tLlxf5 leads to a clear advantage 'it'd 1 c5 ! 34 'i'xa7 'it>g 7 35 �e2 e3 36 Wd2 .lil.b7 1 3 �cl. Popchev-Kosano­
for White. �7 .lil.d6 37 1iid5 .lil.e7 38 'i'd7 .lil.d6 vic, Pernik 1 987.
19 !ixd6 tlJxe4 39 �d8 .lil.e7 40 �d5 �g8 4 1 'i'd7 The quieter 5 e3 and 5 c3 are
20 'i'fxh7 0-0 .lil.d6 42 �7 <bg7 43 g4 JJ...e7 44 Without further ado, Black at­ considered in the games Vyzhman­
21 lldxh6 tlJxf2 ( 182) 1iid5 '.t>g8 45 �7 '.t>g7 46 �5 .lil.d6 tacks White's pawn centre, obliging avin-Lanka and Bala�hov-Lanka re­
47 �c4 .lil.e7 48 b4 cb 49 cb .lil.d8 ! him to defend the d4 pawn. How­ spectively.
and now the white king is tied to the ever, this plan involves the sacrifice S ... ..lil..xf6
defence of e3, so the queen is of a pawn, the recapturing of which Black can try to avoid forcing
obliged to look for ways to realise requires Black to be prepared for play with 5 ... ef. Then in the ca<>e of 6
the advantage on her own. It is nec­ forcing play. de tlJa6 7 tLle4 0-0 8 'iid5 'i'c7 Black
essary only for Black to construct a TI1e main continuations for White will regain the pawn after ...f7-f5.
fortress in order to put an end to such are liquidation by 5 .lil.xf6, and re­ Also interesting is the pawn sacrifice
etforts. Black achieves this blockade inforcing the centre with 5 e3 or 5 6 ... 0-0 7 c3 b6 !? (the preliminary f­
by controlling the b6 square with the c3. pawn march deserves attention too:
bishop. In the rest of the game White 7 ... f5 8 e3 f4 9 ef b6! 10 �e2 be 1 1
did not manage to strengthen his po­ Game 56 0-0 d5 and Black ha� sufficient com­
sition sufficiently to change the re­ Smyslov-Ernst pensation, Trifunovic-Spa'>sky, Varna
22 'i'fe7 sult (1h-1h, 73). London (Lloyds Bank) 1 988 1 962) 8 cb �xb6 9 'ilfb3 'ilfc7 10 e3
 1 78 Flank Attack Flank Attack 179

lbc6 1 1 .i.e2 llb8 1 2 'ii'c2 d5 1 3 lt::lb3 only pursued with 7 lt::lx f6+ 'i*'xf6 8 many respects determines the fate of c) Also worth attention is Gulko's
.i.f5 14 '*'d2 'Wb6 1 5 0-0 a5 16 llfd l e3 (after 8 c3 cd 9 �xd4 'i'xd4 10 the variation with 4...c5. Black's recommendation 1 1 h4 ! ? 'itxb2 12
.i.e4 1 7 ltJfd4 ltJe5 1 8 f3 lDc4 and in lt::lx d4 lt::lc6 1 1 e3 d6 12 i.e2 .i.d7 13 queenside is so far undeveloped, and l:.b l 'ilfa3 13 h5 with an attack along
retum for the pawn, Black has a great 0-0-0 l:tc8 14 g4 lt::le5 15 l:thg 1 a6 16 evidently White can only hope for a the h-file.
deal of piece activity, Plachetka­ h4 b5 17 a3 h6 1 8 ltg3 ¢>f8 1 9 f4 significant advantage by hindering the A good alternative for White is 9
Velimirovic, S tara Pazova 1988. lt::lc4 20 l:tfl a5 Black obtains level freeing advance of the d-pawn with 0-0-0, a<; considered in the next
What, however, should be played chances in the ending, Torre-Tim­ pressure on the semi-open d-file. game (V.Kovacevic-Stean).
after 6 lt::le4 ! ? In the game Bellon­ man, London 1984, but note that 9 c4 9 ..• lt::lc 6
Meduna, Torremolinos 1977, Black instead 10 cd brings us to Popchev­ White prevents the pawn thrust 10 't'fd2 d6
did not succeed in solving this prob­ Kosanovic in the note to White's ... d7-d5, but now the c4 pawn be­ The ending arising after 1 0 ... \i'a5
lem, and found himself in a difficult fifth move above) 8 ... 0-0 9 'tlfd2, comes subject to attack. After 9 lt::lc3 1 1 g3 "ilixd2+ 12 .;.xd2 ( 1 2 lt::lxd2
position after 6 ... cd 7 lt::ld6+ 'it>f8 8 with the plan of castling long: Black can carry out a counterattack leads to equality after 12 ... d5 13
'ifxd4. a) 9 ... lt::lc6 10 0-0-0 cd 1 1 lt::lxd4 on the wing: 9 ...lt::lc6 1 0 "ilid2 '¥Vb6 ! i.g2 de 14 lt::lxc4 i.e6) 12...d5 1 3 cd
6 lt::lc4 (184) d6 12 f4 ! i.g4 13 .i.e2 .i.xe2 14 (186). lld8 14 lbc3 e6 1 5 i.g2 ed 16 llhd l
lt::lxe2 l:ac8 15 'it>b 1 d5 16 g4 lHd8 By attacking the b2 pawn, Black favours White, since he can organise
17 g5 "ifd6 18 h4 e5 19 h5 lt::le7 20 obtains good counterplay: pressure against the isolated pawn
lt::lg3 and the attack on the h-file is on d5.
very dangerous, Machulsky-Biel­ In the game Azmaiparashvili-Ye
czyk, Berlin 1989. Jiangchuan, Beijing 1988, Black
b) 9 ... d6 10 0-0-0 lt::lc6 1 1 d5 lt::le5 preferred l l ...b6 12 �g2 i.a6 (bet­
1 2 lLlxe5 'tixe5 1 3 i.e2 and White's ter is 1 2 ... i.b7) 1 3 b3 'ii'xd2+ 14
chances are preferable, Machulsky­ ¢>xd2 llac8, but also here after 15
Efimov, Kiev 1989. .llhd 1 lHd8 1 6 lt::lc 3 the pressure on
7 lt::lxd4 cd the d-file wa<> rather unplea<;ant.
8 Wxd4 0-0 (185) 1 1 lt::lc3 .te6
12 e4 'i!VaS
6 .txd4 This move leads to a slightly
Black can force the exchange of worse ending. This may be avoided
the e4 knight by counterattacking a) 1 1 l:b1 'it'd4 1 2 ltd 1 "ilixd2+ 1 3 by means of 12 ... 'i*'b6, upon which
with 6 ...'ii'b6. �xd2 d6 14 lt::ld5 b5 !. Black's posi­ the ·simplest is 13 i.e2 lt::ld4 14 0-0
In the c ao;e of 7 lt::lx c5 'W'xb2 8 e3 tion is preferable, a<> he can play for a l:ac8 15 b3 with equal play, since 1 3
'W'b6 9 .i.e2 WIc7 1 0 0-0 0-0 1 1 c4 b6 queenside attack, Miles-Gulko, Phila­ .l:tdl i s weaker in view o f 1 3 ...lt::le5 ! .
1 2 lt::le4 .i.g7 1 3 llcl i.b7 1 4 lt::lc3 d6 delphia 1 987. Spiridonov-Ka�parov, Skara 1 980
1 5 �3 lbc6 16 'ir'a3 l:lfc8 there b) 1 1 b3 d6?! 1 2 ltJd5 'i'd8 1 3 e4 then continued 14 b3 f5 15 i.e2 f4
arises a double-edged position, e6 14 ltJe3 'ilfh4 15 .td3. After 0-0 16 lLld5 i.xd5 1 7 1Wxd5+ 'it>g7 (the
Maksimovic-Erenska, Smederevska and f4 White can develop an initia­ una<;sailable knight on e5 guarantees
Palanka 1983. tive, Epishin-Mark Tseitlin, Lenin­ Black the advantage) 1 8 0-0 llac8 19
The battle for an advantage may The ac;sessment of this position in grad 1984. b4 'i*'xb4 20 ll b l 'i'a3 2 1 llxb7 '.tf6
180 Flank Artack Flank Artack 1 81

22 h4 h6 23 ll d l ? (stronger is 23
'
19 ..t•c3 ll:\bS Game 57 1l1e passive IO .. .'�c7?! allows
�d2 g5 24 llb3 'W'c5 25 lib5) 20 g4 h6 V.Kovacevic-Stcan White to fix the centre with 1 1 lbc3
23 ...llb8! 24 llc7 llfc8 25 Itxc8 21 h4 lba7 Zagreb 1972 e6 12 e4 and achieve a solid plus. For
llxc8 26 'W'b7 �c5 27 'W'b2 'W'b6! 28 22 llen ! example: I2 ...f5 13 efllxf5 I4 g3 d5
fic1 g5 29 l:[d5 e6 30 hg+ hg 3 1 lld l Having warded oil' Black's 1 d4 ltJC6 15 i.d3 llf3 16 h4 lbe5 1 7 <Ja>bi
rlJe7 32 fic2 lib8 33 �a4 g4 34 116'a3 queenside counterplay, White em­ 2 ltJf3 g6 lLlxd3 18 cd �f7 19 h5 i.d7 20 hg
'i\Vc5 ! 35 �c3 g3 36 llfl gf+ 37 llxf2 barks on a kingside attack. 3 .lll..g S .lll..g7 �xg6 21 l1h6 'W'f5 22 g4! �xg4 23
Itb1+ 38 ..ifl �e3 39 'i�Yxe3 fe 40 22 �g7 4 ltJbd2 eS lidh 1 with a strong attack for White,
Itc2 lbxc4 0- 1. 23 f4 lieS s .lixf6 .lll..xf6 Torre-Vogt, Baku I 980.
1 3 .lll..e2 a6 24 hS llh8 6 lbe4 .11.xd4 On the other hand 10.. .'11Va5 is
14 lbdS! The opening of the f-file after 7 lbxd4 cd fully reliable. After the exchange of
After 14 0-0 lifc8 15 b3 b5 16 cb 24 . . . g5? 25 fg hg 26 h6+ gives White 8 �xd4 0-0 queens I 1 'i'xa5 lbxa5 12 h4 d6 13
ab 17 ..ixb5 lba7 the game is level. additional chances. 9 0-0-0 h 5 f5 I4 ltJc3 ..ie6 1 5 tats ..ixdS 16
14 �xd2+ 2S hg fg By concentrating his major pieces Itxd5 ltJc6 I7 e3 llac8 Black ha'>
15 'it>xd2 .lixdS 26 llhg1 lObS on the d-file White hopes to prevent some advantage in the ending,
16 ed ll:\d4 27 a4 lba7 the advance ... d7-d5. After 9 �d2 Zangiev-Shtyrenkov, Ordzhonikidze
17 .lll..d3 nrcs 28 'it·d4 aS lbc6, 10 e3 d5 1 1 ltJc3 e6 leads to I980.
18 nact �nm ( 187) 29 cS! equal play, whilst 10 g3 d5 I I lbc5 It is better to avoid the exch;mge
This ending favours White, whose The decisive breakthrough, 116'b6 I2 la13 e5 1 3 ..ig2 ..ie6 fa­ of queens, with I I lbc3 d6 12 h4
king is well centralised. However, threatening f4-f5-f6. vours Black, Bialas-Podzielny, Bun­ ..liLe6. Now if 13 Wb I is met by the
the exchange of all the rooks by 29 ... tOeS desliga I991. stereotyped 13 ...Itac8?! White swiftly
1 8... e5 19 lic3 Itc5 20 Ithc 1 llac8 21 30 I:icl ! 9 ltJe6 builds up an attack with I4 e4 f6 IS
lixc5 lixc5 22 lixc5 de would have Smyslov's conduct o f this deli­ 10 �d2 (188) f4 bS I6 h5, Yusupov-Gorelov, Mos­
been a better defence, because ... b5 cate ending is admirably dignified. cow I981 . However, by playing the
will prevent White's king adv<mcing The manoeuvre llai-c l -fl-cl active 13 ...lbeS I4 e4 l:Hc8 I S a3
to attack the c5 pawn. shakes Black's position like a pendu­ lbg4 I6 tats �xd2 I 7 Itxd2 ..liLxd5
lum . .On 30 ... b6 follows 3 I l:[ce I !. I 8 ed hS Black achieves equal ity,
30 ltJh6 Panczyk-Sznapik, Polanica Zdroj
31 llxeS de+ I982. Far more energetic is 1 3 h S!. If
32 �xeS lbxa4+ 13 ...gS I4 e4 h6 then after I S 'it>bi
33 'it>d4 ltJxb2 ll tc8 I 6 ltJdS fixd2 1 7 l:.xd2 'it'f8 18
On 33 .. .lic8 Smyslov intended 34 g3 ltJe5 I 9 f4 lbd7 20 ..tg2 White is
d6 ed 35 ed l1d8 36 ..ib5 lhd6+ 37 more active in the endgame, Lom­
'it'e5 when Black suffers losses. The bard-Kochiev, Kapfenberg 1976.
finish was 34 ..ib5 a4 35 d6 ed 36 ed 11 �xdS
l:td8 3 7 d7 'it'f6 38 l:te I a3 39 'it'c3 10 dS! ? If White declines the pawn with
lla8 40 lie8 lba4+ 4 I ..ixa4 1 -0 Black sacrifices a pawn for the in­ 1 I lbg3 then Black obtains sufficient
itiative. counterplay. V.Agzamov-Loginov,
182 Flank Attack Flank Attack 183

Tac;hkent 1 986 continued 1 1 ...i..e6 4 lf.Jhd2 cS light-square bishops with 7 ... i..a6 8 t0e8 18 tOn t0d6 19 t03d2 11r'd7 20
(also interesting is 1 1 ...d4 1 2 e3 'ikd.S 5 e3 i.xa6 t0xa6 allows White to develop t0c4. White's position is preferable,
1 3 b3 eS 14 i..c4 'iVcS 1 S �b2 bS 16 White avoid., forcing play, post­ an initiative on the queenside: 9 0-0 since he can exploit the weakness of
l0e4) 1 2 e3 l::tc8 13 �b 1 'irb6 14 poning the main fight until the mid­ d6 10 a4 t0c7 1 1 b4 t0fd5 12 'ikb3 cb d.S, Platonov - Sideif-Z1de, Tac;hkent
l0e2? ! d4 ! 1 S lOci t0b4 16 i..d3 dlegame. However, this move is 1 3 c4 t0f6 1 4 'ikxb4 with advantage 1980 .
tUdS ! and Black created dangerous something of a concess ion, and .
for White, V.Kovacevic-Mok Tse Translator's note: in Rozentalis­
threats. After instead 14 i..d3 d4! 1 S Black, harmoniously putting pres­ Meng, Novi Sad OL 1990. Shirov, Tbilisi 1989, 5 ...d6 6 i..d3
ed i..xa2+ 1 6 �xa2 t0b4+ 17 �b1 sure on White's centre, achieves suf­ b) 7 i.xf6 ef 8 de be 9 i.d3 fS 10 t0c6 7 c3 cd 8 ed led to a similar po­
'i'a5 18 c3 'iVa2+ 1 9 <iPcl 'ika1 + 20 ficient counter-chances. 0-0 t0c6 l l 'tta4 l:tb8 1 2 l;tab 1 'W/c7 sition, in which Black continued to
i..b 1 t0a2+ 2 1 �c2 l0b4+ Black 5 ... cd 1 3 l::t fcl d6 14 b4 i..d 7 1 S 'tta3 tOes delay castling in order to seek coun­
forces a draw by perpetual check, Having liquidated this pair of 1 6 tUxeS i.xeS with roughly level terplay on the kingside and in the
since 22 �b3?? fails to 22 ...bS ! with pawns, Black will switch to attack­ chances, Ristic-Kmic, Vmjacka centre: 8 ... h6 9 i.h4 tiJdS 10 .lii.g 3 g5
unavoidable mate. ing the d4 square with his e-pawn. B anja 1983. 1 1 a3 e5 12 de de 13 ire2 0-0 14
H ... "fkc7 The play takes on a different charac­ c) 7 a4 t0c6 8 i.d3 d6 9 0-0 h6 10 0-0-0 l'le8 15 l0c4 'Wie7 16 l::th e1
12 'ii'c S ter if Black defends the cS pawn: i..h4 i..b7 1 1 ire2 1'Hc7 12 l:tfd 1 eS .lii.g4 and obtained adequate play.
1 2 'iVgS is met by 12 ...i..fS 13 S ...b6 6 c3 0-0 (189) 1 3 de tUxeS 14 tUxeS de 1S i.. a6 and 6 ed 0-0
t0c3 t0b4 with sufficient compensa­ after Black, in Plachetka-Kozma, Ta­ 7 il.d3
tion for the pawn. transka Lezna 1 969, avoided the ex­ Also possible is 7 i.e2 l0c6 8 c3
12 ... b6 change of bishops, with 1S ... i.dS, d6 9 0-0 h6 10 i.h4 ( 190), with un­
13 'Wc3 White emphac;ised the weakness of clear play.
On 1 3 'ii'e 3 may follow 1 3 ...t0b4. d5 by playing 16 l0c4, whereupon
13 ... 'ii'f4+ his position deserved preference.
14 "iie 3 Stronger is 1S ... l::tad8 with approxi­
Black's activity compels White to mate equality.
tesign himself to a level ending. d) 7 i..e 2 i..b7 (the exchange on
14 · fi'xc3+ the diagonal fl -a6 leads to a supe­
15 fc tOeS rior ending for White: 7 ... i.a6 8 0-0
16 t01'2 .lii.e 6 '$1Vc8 9 h3 h6 10 i..h4 i..xe2 1 1 'Wixe2
17 g 3 l:tac8 In this unclear position Black can 'i'a6 12 l:tfe 1 'ttxe2 1 3 l::t xe2, Gui­
1/z.lfl expect adequate counterplay: mard-Taimanov, B uenos Aires
a) 7 i..d 3 i.b7 8 0-0 d6 9 'tte2 1 960) 8 0-0 d6 9 l::te 1 'ttc 7 1 0 a4
Game 58 t0bd7 10 l::t fd 1 h6 1 1 i..h4 g5 1 2 t0bd7 1 1 i..f l eS? ! (correct is
Vyzhmanavin-Lanka i..g 3 l0h5 1 3 i.a6?! ( 1 3 e4 i s more 1 1 ...h6! 12 .th4 gS 13 i..g3 tiJhS 14 Here it is worth considering
Novosibirsk 1986 logical) 1 3 ... i.xa6 14 'i'xa6 fS 1 S e4 t0xg3 1S hg e6 when Black's pair 10 ... 'iVc7 (planning ... e7-eS) 1 1 i.g3
tiJ f l 'ike8 1 6 a4 e 5 and Black cre­ of active bishops adequately coun­ l0h5 12 lOe l t0xg3 13 hg e5 14 d5
1 d4 t0f6 ates unpleac;ant threats on the king­ terbalances White's pawn centre) 12 lObS 15 g4 t0d7 16 l::tc l tiJf6 1 7 c4
2 t0f3 g6 side, Konstantinopolsky-I.Zaitsev, de de 1 3 e4 ! a6 14 i..c4 i..c6 15 a5 1 8 t0c2 ..id7 19 t0e3 b6 20 b3
3 .lii.g S .lii.g7 Moscow 1966. The exchange of i.. xf6 t0xf6 16 'tte2 i.b7 1 7 i..d3 t0h7 when Black, w ith idea<; of
184 Flank Attack Flank Attack 185

...t7-f5, achieves an attacking posi­ in active positions. One of the possi­ 32 ltld2 tlJce5
tion, Barta-Lanka, Paris 1990. ble plans of counterplay is to prepare 33 tLJn (193)
1 0...e5 1 1 de de 12 lDc4 'fie? the advance ...e7-e5.
leads to more open play, for which 9 ••• �e7
the white pieces are better mobilised. It is also useful for Black to clear
In the game V.Kovacevic-Kozul, up the position of White's dark­
Ljubljana 1989, Black decided to try square bishop by playing 9 ... h6. In
to close the game and found himself event of the retreat 10 ..ih4 Black
in a difficult position: 12 ... e4? ! 13 will eye the weak f4 square with
tlJfd2 'fie? 1 4 'iic 2 g5 1 5 .ig3 tlJe8 IO ... tlJh5, obtaining good prospects,
I 6 f3 e3 1 7 tlJb3 b5 I 8 tlJca5 tlJx a5 for example: I I lle I f5 I 2 d5 tlJe5
I 9 tlJxa5 f5 20 f4 g4 2 I 'iid3 <;t>h8 22 13 Jtc2 tlJf4 1 4 tlJxe5 de I5 �g3 g5 17 tlJc3 li'ld6
tlJc6 'fie6 23 tlJe5 .ib1 24 'fixe3 I6 Jtxf4 gf 17 f3 Jtd7 I8 JlLb3 b5 19 18 Jte2 '6b6
tlJc7 25 c4 be 26 .ixc4 tt:kl5 27 'fib3 \t>h I 'fib6 20 llc I Iiac8 21 c4 a6, 19 b3 !Dn
l:%tb8 28 llad1 'iib6+ 29 'iix b6 tlJxb6 when Black is better, since he domi­ 20 hg hg 1l1ere now follows the final attack.
30 �d3 tt:kl5 3 1 l:He1 �c8 32 �b1 nates the dark squares. However, af­ 21 llad 1 nrcs 33 tlJg4!
llxb2 33 l:%xd5 �b7 34 �xf5 �xd5 ter 10 �xf6 �xf6 the chances are 22 Jtb1 '!! 34 Jtd4 i.. f4
35 tlJg6+ <;t>g8 36 tlJe7+ <;t>h8 37 -- roughly level. ll1e active I 1 d5 is This attempt to transfer play to the 35 g3 i..e 5
tlJxd5 llxa2 38 i.xg4 a5 39 �e6 well met by I I ...tlJe5 1 2 tlJxe5 de 1 3 long diagonal is rather belated, and 36 .lie2 tlJg5
�d4+ 40 \t>fl l:%d2 4 I f5 a4 42 lle4 'fib3 Jtg7 I 4 llad 1 \t>h7 1 5 \t>h 1 b6 leads to the formation of a weak c­ 37 .lib3+ llxb3!
�b2 43 tlJb6 ( 1 -0, 55). 16 l:He i .ib7 I 7 c4 f5 with the better pawn for White. More natural is 22 38 ab 'i'h7
7 tlJc6 chances for Black, who has mobile .te l , but 22 g4 is also possible, pre­ 39 .lixe5 'i'h3
8 e3 d6 queenside pawns and a bishop pair, venting 22 .. .f5 in view of 23 gf gf 24 40 lle3 tlJf3+
9 0-0 (191) Filip-F.Oiafsson, Vama I 962. I I tlJh4. 0-1
lle I is more prudent. 22 '&c7
10 l!c1 c5 23 e4 rs Game 59
11 de de 24 .tcJ bS Ualashov-Lanka
12 !Dc4 tlJc8 25 �b2 lieS Naberezhnye Chelny 1 988
13 �c2 f6 26 llcl be
14 il.d2 Jtc6 (192) 27 tlJxe4 Jtxc4 1 d4 tt:lf6
15 h4 28 be llb8 2 tt:ln g6
It is hardly appropriate to attack 29 '6a1 3 iLg5 i..g 7
on the wing, where Black h a<> a per­ Black's advantage is obvious, but 4 tt:lbd2 e5
fectly sound position. More solid is the queen is out of play on a i ; 29 5 c3
I 5 .Uad1 .tid8 16 �c l tlJe7 17 b3 'iie2 puts up more resistance. White defends the d4 pawn while
with unclear play. 29 tlJe6 maintaining the possibility of play­
An unclear position has arisen, in 15 tlJc7 30 e5 .lih6 ing e2-e4. In the meantime, White is
which Black's pieces are developed 16 hS lld8 31 lled1 e4 threatening to win the c5 pawn.
 186 Flank Attack Flank Attack 187

5 ... cd i..d 7 10 h3 l:Xc8 1 1 a3 a6 I 2 �e2 22 llJeJ ..l!l.xrt

A natural reaction, but 5 ...0-0 is llJd5 1 3 e4 lDc7 14 d5 l0d4 1 5 lDxd4 23 ed ..1hd3
also possible. 6 de is then premature i..xd4 16 llJc4 i..b5 17 l:Xad 1 i..xc4 24 'i't'xd3 Ilc8
since Black can regain the pawn af­ 1 8 i..xc4 i..g7 with chances for both 25 Aft 'i't'c7
ter 6.. .ltJa6 7 i..xf6 i..x f6 8 lDe4 i..g7 sides. 26 llJf3 'i't'd7
due to the threat of 9 ... f5. In the case 8 ... d6 27 h4
of 6 i..x f6 ..txf6 7 llJe4 �6 8 Upon fixing the centre with 8 ...d5 Black is preparing the pawn push
lDxf6+ ef 9 'ifb3 d6 I 0 'i'xb6 ab 1 I 9 0-0 i..f5 10 'i'b3 'ib6 I 1 �xb6 ab .. .n-f5-f4. Pa<;sive defence with 27
e3 i..e6 1 2 a3 lDc6 1 3 0-0-0 d5 the I 2 a3 llfc8 13 l:Xac 1 lDe4 (stronger is lOe I . intending to meet 27 .. .f5 with
game is level, Jacobs-Gallagher, 1 3 ... llJd7 with equal chances) 14 28 f4, does not suit White, a<; he real­
London I 988. llJxe4 i..xe4 1 5 i..f4 f6 16 i..g3 e5 17 izes that Black can switch to the ac­
6 cd 0-0 de llJxe5 1 8 llJd4, White's position is 17 ..tdJ ..thS tive plan of uti l ising the c-file.
Translator's note: in Muse-Uhl­ preferable, Balao;hov-Hellers, M almo 18 'ilfb3 However it turns o ut that his coun­
mann, German Ch I 99 I , Black pre­ 1987/88. 1 8 f3 looks stronger, intending the terattack leads only to a forced sim­
ferred 6... llJc6 7 e3 'irb6 8 llJc4 't!Vd8 9 0-0 h6 central advance e3-e4 reinforced by plific ation of the position.
9 i..d 3 d5 I 0 lDcd2 'i'b6 I I 'i'b3 Also good is 9 ...i..f5 10 'i'b3 llb8 llJe 1 -c2. 21 rs
'iWxb3 I 2 lDxb3 llJe4 1 3 i..f4 llJb4 I4 I I .:Xac l i..e6 1 2 �a3 'iib6 1 3 llfd 1 18 a4! 28 hg f4
i..b5+ i..d 7 1 5 i..xd7+ ..t>xd7 when .:Xfc8 14 i..xf6 i..x f6 15 lDe4 i..g7 19 'flfhl lDb6 29 '!it'g6 1't'c8
his centralised king helped him to with equal chances, Trifunovic-Tan, 20 lDc2 lDfdS 30 1't'xc8 IlcxcR
achieve very active play. Beverwijk I 963. 21 e4? (1 96) 31 gh Jixh6
7 e3 . l0c6 (194) 10 .i.h4 'it>hS White overlooks a tactical blow 32 lt.lg4 fg
IO ... e5 is more natural. and loses an exchange. After 2 I llJb4 33 lt.lxh6 .J.· g7
11 !let gS llJxb4 22 'i!fxb4 l0d5 23 'i!fc4 e6 24 34 lf:\g4 gf+
12 .i.g3 iHS i..e4 the chances are approximately 35 lt.lxf2 t;)xcl5
1 2 ... lDh5 is unpleasantly met by equal. 36 !let .acs
1 3 d5 lDxg3 14 hg l0e5 15 lDxe5 0-1
i..x e5 16 lDc4 i..g7 17 e4 with ad­
vantage for White.
L-___ _:G_�!}lC tiQ
____ _,
13 a3 1l.g6 (195) RozcntaJi.,.-<; Irk
14 b4?! Odr.ua / 989
White would maintain an initia-
tive on the queenside after 14 'ifb3 . 1 d4 lflf(j
14 aS! 2 0f3 g (i
8 .i.e2 15 b5 lObS 3 JigS ig7
After the more active move 8 i..d3 16 llJe1 4 0.hdl 0-0
Black also has every right to expect 16 a4 followed by 'i'b3 was worth Every so often B l :lck ca•;tles early,
comfortable play. Manor-V.Spasov, a thought. keeping flpen a choke of plans. If
Tunja 1989, continued 8 ...d6 9 0-0 16 ... llJhd7 21 ••• i..e2! Black is not planning tn play along
188 Flank Attack Flank Attack 189

King's Indian lines with ... d7-d6, Black's effective undennining blow The most critical continuation, sacrifice a pawn with 1 1 ... l!Jxd4 12
then the aim is usually to begin an 7 Jte3 c5 !. Now after grabbing the since 6 c3 allows 6 ... cd 7 cd d5 ! with 'tii'xd4 b6 1 3 �d5 ..i.a6 14 'ii'xd7 be
inunediate assault on White's pawn pawn with 8 de tLlc6 9 l!Jxe4 de 10 active play for Black, while after 6 1 5 �xg4 but failed to obtain suffi-
centre. 'ii'xd8 llxd8 I I tLld2 l!Jxe5 I2 h3 de, 6 ... 'ii'a5 is possible, intending to cient compensation.
5 e4 c5 Jte6 13 a3 f5 14 0-0-0 h6 I5 ..i.e2 g5 meet 7 e5 with the pawn sacrifice 10 tbe6
1l1e other main continuation is 16 g3 l!Jg6 I 7 Jth5 ..i.fl I 8 tLlc4 . 7 ... l!Je4 8 ..i.xe 7 lieS with a strong 1 1 c3 'i'fe7
5 ... d5. Now after 6 ed? ! l!Jxd5 7 c3 l!Je5 the ending turns out to be in initiative. 12 f4 gf
,
h6 8 il.h4 tLld7 B lack has an active Black's favour, C.Horvath-Khalif­ 6 ttld5 13 tbxf3 b5!
position, and White's best is evi­ man. Leningrad I 989. After 8 c3 b6 7 de 14 cb ab
dently 9 ..i.g3 controlling the e5 9 ..i.e2 ..i.b7 10 0-0 tLlc6 1 1 l!Je 1 'ii'c7 After 7 c4 l!Je7 8 d5 f6, the ad­ Black has active piece play in re-
square. The move 9 ..i.c4 allows 12 l!Jb3 a5 13 f] cd I4 cd a4 I 5 tLlci vanced pawns, unsupported by turn for the pawn.
Black to begin an attack on tl1e wing: a3 I6 'ii'c2 tLlc5! 17 b3 l:iac8 1 8 'ii'd2 pieces, become objects of attack. .
15 'i'fh5 l:Ia6
9 ... l!J7b6 10 ..i.b3 f5 I I 'ii'e2 g5 I 2 l!Je6 there arises a position with mu­ 7 ... h6 16 ..i.e2 tba7
..i.xg5 h g 1 3 l!Jxg5 e6 I4 l!Jxe6 tual chances, Malaniuk-Mark Tseit­ 8 l!Je4 17 'iifh3 .i.b7
il.xe6 15 �xe6+ <bh7 16 0-0-0 �h4 lin, Moscow 1989. 8 Jth4 can be met by 8 ... l!Jf4 9 Black has completed his develop­
17 g3 �h3 1 8 �e2 c6 19 l!Jf] �g4 7 il.d3 l!Jxg5 8 l!Jxg5 looks more ..i.g3 lL\e6 securing equality. ment and threatens to tie down the
20 Jtc2 llae8 2 I 'iiid3 l!Je3 ! and logical; now if Black tries to exploit 8 hg queen with ... ..i.d5. After I S tbe3
White does not have enough for the the insufficiently defended d4 pawn 9 'i'fxdS g4 would follow I 8 ... l:ta5 when Black
piece, Platonov-Gutman, Reykjavik with 8 ... c5, then he must reckon with 10 tiJfd2 regains the pawn.
1974. White's initiative on the kingside. 10 l!Jd4 ! (198) is more energetic, 18 0-0-0 .tc6
1l1e critical continuation is natu­ For instance: 9 f4 appears to be best when White intends to centralise. 19 tbe3 .ta4?!
rally 6 e5 l!Je4 (197) met by 9 ... l!Jc6 10 de 1Wa5 with un­ Leads to a simplification of the po­
clear play, since after 9 ...cd 10 0-0 sition and an ending in which Black
White can easily organize an attack. fails to regain the pawn. More active
Thus IO ...f6? loses a pawn to I I is I 9 ....th6 with numerous threats.
l!Jxh7, Maksimovic-Lematchko, Ja­ The game concluded:
jce 1982. Also gcxxl is 9 h4 c4 10 20 'i'fe4 'i'fxc4 21 .i.xc4 .i.xd1 22
.i.e2. Now White can meet I 0 ... 1Wb6 .i.xa6 .txf3 23 gf .i.h6 (23 ... Jtxe5 is
with a pawn sacrifice for the initia­ met by 24 tbd5) 24 l:Iel ltJc6 25 'it>c2
tive: I I c3 'iii xb2 I2 lie I . In Uman­ liaS (Black cannot regain the pawn
'
sky-Petrushin, Krasnodar I 982, with 25 ...Jtf4 due to 26 l!Jg4 ! ) 26
after 12 .. .£6 13 l!Jxc4 ! de I4 il.xc4+ .i.b7 l:Ixa2 27 tbd5 lia7 28 .i.xc6 de
<bh8 I 5 lLlfl+ llxfl I6 Jtxfl il.f5 29 l!Jxb6 .i.f4 30 h3 <bg7? (30 ... e6 is
1 7 h5 White obtained an attack to­ I O ... l!Jc6 I I 0-0-0 (a double­ necessary, when it would not be easy
Now White has a choice: to move gether with a material advantage. edged continuation; after I I c3 for White to realize the extra pawn)
tl1e bishop away, or to continue de­ More reliable is IO ... f5, with unclear tbxd4 I2 cd d6! Black has sufficient 31 lle4 g5 32 e6! lib7 33 tbd7 f5?
velopment. The drawbacks of re­ play. compensation). In Rozentalis-Schif­ (33 ... Jtd6 would keep the position
treating the bishop are made clear by 6 e5 fler, Biel 1 990, B lack decided to alive) 34 lle4 llc7 35 b4 1-0
 Index of Variatiom 1 91

4 e3 h6 5 i.. x f6 94
Index of Variations 5 i.. h4 cd 6 ed b6 7 lt:lbd2 i..b7 8 �d3 i.e 7
9 c3 d6 10 i..x f6 98
I O 'il:fe2 98
5 ... b6 6 lt:\bd2 i..e 7 7 i.. d3 i..b7 95
1 d4 liJf6 2 lt:lfJ e6 3 ..tgS cS
1 d4 lt:lf6 2 lt:lfJ e6 3 �gS h6
4 e3 'ifb6 5 lt:lbd2 'i'xb2 6 .i.d3 �c3 20
6 ...d5 24 4 i..h4 1 05
6 ...'ilV!J6 25 4 i..xf6 'i!\fxf6 5 lt:\bd2 d6 1 13
5 ...d5 27 5 ... b6 6 � i..b7 7 i..d3 d6 106
5 .1 � 7 ...�d8 1 06
4 c3 'ifb6 33 5 e4 d6 6 lt:lbd2 1 13
4 e3 d5 5 lt:\bd2 lt:lbd7 43 6 lt:lc3 lt:ld7 7 �d2 110
5 ....i.e7 6 c3 lt:lbd7 7 .i.d3 b6 8 0-0 i..b7 9 lt:\e5 lt:lxe5 5 ... g6 l l6
10 de lt:l<I7 1 1 .tf4 11 5 ... b6 6 lt:lc3 i..b 7 7 i..d3 i..b4 1 19
1 1 .i.xe7 �xe7 1 2 f4 40
6 ... 0-0 7 .i.d3 lt:\bd7 8 lt:le5 9 1 d4 lt:lf6 2 lt:lf3 dS 3 1l..g 5
8 0-0 b6 9 lt:le5 47
9 'tlib1 44 3 ... c6 54
5 ..ltJc6 6 c3 'i'b6
. 49 3 ... lt:\� 4 i..f4 c5 5 e3 'i'b6 57
6 ....i.e7 51 4 i.. h4 c6 55
4 e 3 b6 5 d 5 ed 6 lt:lc3 61 4...c5 55
5. . .h 6 6 .i.xf6 'i'xf6 7 ltJc3 64
4 e3 .i.e7 5 de 91 1 d4 lt:\f6 2 lt:\f3 b6 3 .itgS
5 lt:lbd2 b6 6 .i.d3 .i.b7 7 0-0 cd 8 e d 0-0
9 .:et d6 10 a4 86 3 ... i.. b7 4 .txf6 67
10 lt:\f] 86 4 lt:lbd2 c5 67
10 .:cl 89 4... d5 67
7 c3 cd 8 cd 84 4 ... e6 5 e4 h6 6 i.. xf6 '+Wxf6 1 06
8 ed lt:\d5 85 4 lt:lc3 d5 1 19
8 ...d6 85 4...e6 5 e4 h6 6 i.. xf6 'ifxf6 1 19
8 ...0-0 85 3 ... lt:le4 4 i..f4 69
8 ...lt:lc6 5 4 i.. h4 70
7 ... ltJc6 8 0-0 0-0 9 a3 81
9� �
9 'i'e2 79
9 l:Ie l 79
1 92 bulex of Variations

1 d4 liJf6 2 liJfJ g6 3 Ji.gS

3 ... tl:Je4 4 i..f4 122

4 i.h4 d5 5 e3 i..g 7 6 tl:Jbd2 1 24

3 ...i..g7 4 tl:Jbd2 d5 5 e3
5 ... c5 6 c3 'S'Vb6 7 'i'b3 0-0 8 i..e2 1 37
6 ... b6 7 i..e2 1 39
7 i..d3 1 28
6 ... cd 1 39
5 ... 0-0 6 i..d3 c5 7 c3 tl:Jbd7 1 27
7 ....�fb6 130
6 i..e2 1 36
6 c3 c5 144
6 ... tl:Jbd7 7 b4 141
7 i..d3 147
7 ..11Le2 145
6 ... b6 7 il.d3 149
7 b4 149
6 b4 1 53

3 ... i.. g7 4 tt:'lbd2 d6 5 e4 0-0 6 c3 c5 157

6 ... tl:Jbd7 160
6 ... 'i'e8 1 59
6 ... h6 163
5 ...h6 6 i..h4 g5 7 i..g3 tt:'lh5 8 c3 e6 169
8 ... tl:Jd7 1 75
5 e3 165

3 ...i..g7 4 tl:Jbd2 c5 5 i..x f6 i..x f6 6 tl:Je4 i..xd4 7 tt:'lxd4 cd

8 ifxd4 0-0 9 tt:'lc3 179
9 0-0-0 181
9� 1�
5 e3 1 82
5 c3 1 85

3 ... i.g7 4 tl:Jbd2 0-0 5 e4 1 88