1 d4 lίJf6 2 iιg5

The Trompowsky
CHESS PRESS OPENING GUIDES

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1901259 10 2 French Advance Tony Kosten
1901259 ΟΙ 3 Sicilian Τ aimanov James Plaskett
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1901259048 Spanish Exchange Andrew Kinsman

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 Chess Press Opening Guides

The Trompowsky

Joe Gallagher

ir
[;ΠΠj

The Chess Press, Brighton

First published 1998 by The Chess Press, an imprint of First Rank Publishing,
23 Ditchling Rise, Brighton, East Sussex, ΒΝ1 4QL, ίη association with
Cadogan Books plc

Copyright © 1998 Joe Gallagher

Distributed by Cadogan Books plc, 27-29 Berwick Street, london WIV 3RF

All rights reserνed. Ν ο part of this publication may be reproduced, stored ίη a

retrieνal system or transmitted ίη any form or by any means, electronic,
electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without prior permission ίη writing from the publishers.

Α CIP catalogue record for this book is aνailable from the British Library

ISBN 1 901259 09 9

Author photo, courtesy British Chess Magazine

Coνer design by Ray Shell Design
Production by Book Production Serνices
Printed and bound ίη Great Britain by BPC Wheatons, Exeter
 1 d4 lίJf6 2 iιg 5

Bibliography 8
Introduction 9

Part One: 1 d4 tZJf6 2 iιg5 tZJe4

1 3 ~f4 c5 15
2 3 iιf4 d5 32
3 Other Third Moves for White 47

Part Τννο: 1 d4 tZJf6 2 ~g5 e6

4 Unusual Lines and 3 e4 h6 4 j,xf6 'iWxf6 5 tZJf3 62
5 3 iιg5 h6 4 ~xf6 'iWxf6 5 tZJc3 76

Part Three: 1 d4 tZJf6 2 .tg5 c5

6 3.txf6 89
7 Other Third Moves for White 100

Part Four: 1 d4 tZJf6 2 iιg5 d5

8 3 iιxf6 109
9 Other Third Moves for White 124

Part Five: 1 d4
10 Odds and Ends (including 1 d4 d5 2 .tg5) 130

Index of Complete Games 143

Books
Encyclopaedia ofChess Openings vol.A, Sahovski Informator 1996
Beating the Anti King's Indians, Gal1agher (Batsford, 1996)
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Lane (Batsford, 1995)
Trends in the Torre and Trompowsky, Hodgson (Τ rends, 1995)

Periodicals
In/ormator
ChessBase MegaBase CD-ROM
New In Chess Magazine
British Chess Magazine
Chess Monthly
The Τ rompowsky Attack, character- Tromp is the perfect marriage. Even
ised by the moves 1 d4 l2Jf6 2 j,g5, is J ulian would have to agree that his
an opening variation that has been character is not ideally suited to the
steadily growing ίη popularity, both detailed study of opening theory and,
amongst club players and profession- consequently, he under-performed ίη
als. Its major appeal to club players is the international arena for many
that it starts οη move two, thereby years. It is all very well being a great
eliminating the need to learn masses of talent, but if you have a bad opening
theory ίη the main lines. Grandmas- against a strong player life is very
ters tend to use the 'Tromp' (the affec- hard. The Τ romp solved, to a large
tionate name) as a surpήse weapon, extent, his problem with the white
but even at this level there are players pieces. It enabled him to reach the
who rarely play anything else. complex strategical positions that he
The most famous exponent of the revels ίη, without having to worry
Τ rompowsky is of course English about being caught out by the latest
grandmaster Julian Hodgson, but 100k novelty. It was also to Hodgson's ad-
at the following rather impressive list vantage that the Τ romp was initially
of players who also include the underestimated by many strong play-
Τrompowsky ίη their repertoires: Ad- ers (although nowadays this is ηο
ams, lνan Sokolov, Salov, Miles, 10nger the case). Of course these days
Timman, Piket, Vaganian and Yusup- his opponents are able to prepare quite
ον. Special mention should also be easily for him and there is the odd dis-
given to some talented young Yugo- aster, but his great experience ίη the
slav players, led by Miladinovic and variation more than makes up for this.
Kosic, who have adopted the Τ rom- Another advantage of the Τ romp,
powsky and injected many new ideas. which should not be sniffed at, is that
The alliance of Hodgson and the pre-game preparation can be kept to a

9
The Trompo wsky

mίnimum, thereby allowing White to

arriνe at the board ίη a fresher state οί
mind than his opponent.
Ι think that this νariation deserνes
to be renamed, but the Hodgson-
Trompowsky Attack is such a mouth-
ίυΙ that Ι fear it will neνer happen. If it
did then the names οί Hodgson and
Trompowsky could become as inex-
tricably linked for future players as
the names Caro and Kann are for us.
As one would expect from an open- d)
ing νariation that starts as early as
moνe two, there are many possible
piece set-ups and pawn structures.
Τ ake a look at the following dίagrams
and try and guess which opening they
came from.

a) e)

b) f)

10
 lπtrσdυctίσπ

Easy, wasn't ίι. The first two are opening, there are still some unique
obviously Sicilians, perhaps a Najdorf themes and ideas that nιη through the
and a Richter-Rauzer, the third is a different variations. Let's discuss a few
French, the fourth a Benoni (or per- ofthem:
haps a Samisch Κing's Indian), the
fifth an English and the sixth a Black- White' s Achilles Heel - b2
mar-Diemer Gambit. Well, I'm afraid The softest spot ίη the white camp is
you're wrong οη all counts - they are his b2-pawn it will therefore come as
all Τ rompowsky' s which can be found ηο surprise that ίη numerous varia-
within this book. Here are the moves tions Black plays an early ... ~b6 to
of the games: attack this pawn. White then has the
a) 1 d4 t1Jf6 2 ~g5 t1Je4 3 ~f4 c5 4 choice between defendίng it with iVc1
f3 t1Jf6 5 dxc5 ~ a5+ 6 t1Jc3 ~xc5 7 e4 or ~c1, advancing it to b3 or sacrific-
d6 8 ~d2 a6 9 0-0-0 e5 10 ~e3 ~c7 ing ίι:
(Landenbergue-W alther, Silvaplana
1993). White defends his b-pawn
b) 1 d4 t1Jf6 2 ~g5 t1Je4 3 h4 c5 4 Often White defends his pawn with
dxc5 t1Ja6 5 iVd4 t1Jaxc5 6 t1Jc3 t1Jxc3 7 iVc1. While ίι is true that the queen is
iVxc5 t1Je4 8 iVd5 t1Jf6 9 iιxf6 gxf6 10 slightly awkwardly placed here, then
0-0-0 d6 11 e4 a6 12 t1Je2 iVb6 13 t1Jd4 again the black queen is also not ide-
e6 14 iVh5 iVc5 15 iVe2 (Κοsίc-ShίΡΟV, ally placed οη b6. Very often White is
Jagodίna 1994). able to improve the position of his
c) 1 d4 t1Jf6 2 ~g5 t1Je4 3 ~f4 d5 4 queen by playing c2-c3 and iVc2 or by
f3 t1Jf6 5 e4 e6 6 e5 t1Jfd7 7 iιe3 c5 8 c3 manoeuvring a knight to c4 to drive
t1Jc6 9 f4 (Benjamίn-popovic, Moscow away the black queen, thereby freeing
01ympiad 1994). the white queen from its onerous
d) 1 d4 t1Jf6 2 iιg5 t1Je4 3 .1ιf4 c5 4 duty. Examples of iVc1 are most fre-
d5 iVb6 5 .1ιc1 d6 6 f3 t1Jf6 7 e4 g6 8 c4 quently found ίη the 2... c5 variation
iιg7 9 t1Jc3 ο-ο 10 t1Jge2 e6 11 t1Jg3 (Chapters 6 and 7). For example, the
exd5 12 cxd5 t1Jbd7 13 .1ιe2 (Hodgson- position after 1 d4 t1Jf6 2 Sιg5 c5 3
Gallagher, Bern Rapidplay 1996). .1ιχf6 gxf6 4 d5 iVb6 5 iVc1 forms the
e) 1 d4 t1Jf6 2 .tg5 c5 3 dxc5 t1Je4 4 backbone of Chapter 6.
i..e3 e6 5 g3 t1Jxc5 6 .tg2 t1Jc6 7 c4! The move iVc1 is ηοι always an ορ­
.1ιe7 8 t1Jf3 ο-ο 9 t1Jc3 d6 10 ο-ο tion for White. For example, after the
(Shabalov-Kreiman, USA Champion- moves 2... t1Je4 (all variations start after
ship 1994). the moves 1 d4 t1Jf6 2 ~g5 unless oth-
~ 1 d4 t1Jf6 2 .tg5 t1Je4 3 .1ιf4 d5 4 erwise stated) 3 .1ιf4 c5 4 d5 iVb6, 5
f3 t1Jf6 5 e4 dxe4 6 t1Jc3 exf3 7 t1Jxf3 iVc1
(Hodgson-Panchenko, Bern 1994).
see fo//owing diagram

Despite the fact that the Τ rom- is thought to be doubtful οη ac-

powsky is obviously a very f1exible count of 5... c4! 6 e3 iVa5+! when both

11
The Trompo wsky

7 lbd2 c3 and 7 lbc3 lbxc3 8 iVd2 e6

are quite good for Black.

Another example οί b2-b3 not

working out is 1 d4 lbf6 2 .1ιg5 lbe4 3
Therefore White has to sacrifice his .1ιί4 c5 4 d5 iVb6 5 b3?? iVf6!
pawn or defend it with 5 .tc1, a move
which Hodgson has taken a shine to
recently. It might appear that White
has 10st a 10t οί time, but Black's
queen and knight are not very well
placed and White is likely to regain
the tempi he has spent by driving
them back. This variation is examίned
ίη Game 1.

White plaγs b2-b3

White has to be careful about playing
b2-b3 as this can leave his dark squares when White 10ses a piece. 50 my
οη the queenside very weak. Α good advice to White is to think very care-
example is the following opening dis- fully before playing the move b2-b3.
aster that Ι suffered ίη a recent five-
minute tournament: 1 d4 d5 2 .1ιg5 h6 White sacrifices his b2-pawn
3 .1ιh4 c6 4 lbf3 iVb6 5 b3 i..f5 6 e3 Examples οί White sacrificing his b-
lbd7 7 c4?! e6 8 lbc3?! .1ιb4 9 ~c1? (9 pawn can be found throughout this
iVd2) 9... i..a3! bookj sometimes White gets a 10t οί
see fo//owing diagram
play and sometimes not quite so
much. Grabbing the b-pawn obvi-
and Black won the exchange. lη fact ously costs Black a 10t οί time and he
5 b3 is quite a reasonable move ίη this can usua11y οηlΥ get away with such
positiOllj my problems started when Ι tactics ίί the centre is blocked (as it
played c2-c4 too early. Hodgson often is). It should be pointed out that
would haνe preferred 7 .td3. not οηlΥ does ...iVxb2 win a pawnj it

12
 Introduction

also leaνes the queenside rather ragged. launch, as he will be able to play ... f5-
Sometimes White doesn't just giνe f4 without weakening his own king.
υρ the b-pawn but throws ίη the rook The damage to his pawn structure is
ίn the corner as well. For example, less significant than ίη the Τ artakower
after 2... c5 3 ~xf6 gxf6 4 d5 'iVb6 5 νariation of the Caro-Kann (1 e4 c6 2
'iVcl iιh6 6 e3 f5 7 c4 f4 8 exf4 ~xf4 9 d4 d5 3 l2Jc3 dxe4 4 l2Jxe4 l2Jf6 5 l2Jxf6
'iVxf4! 'iVxb2 10 l2Je2 'iVxa1 11l2Jec3 exf6), for example, as White has ηο
clear queenside majority.

Black has to choose between allow-

ίng White to play d5-d6, which will There are points ίη White's faνour
giνe him excellent attacking chances, too; his most natural idea is to play c2-
or allowing 'iVd2, after which his c4 and this is likely to result ίη a 2-0
queen will be ίη great difficulty. The central pawn majority (after Black
detaίls are to be found ίη Game 47. captures οη c4) as supporting the cen-
tre with ... c7-c6 is not really οη; White
Pawn Structure would then continue with c4xd5 and
In many νariations White plays .txf6 after Black recaptures with ... c6xd5,
and Black has the choice between cap- l2Jc3 and 'i'b3 will create a lot of pres-
turing with either his e- or g-pawn. sure. The white forces also coordίnate
well; he has kept the right bishop for
Black plays ... e7xf6 his pawn structure and the knights
The position after 2... d5 3 .txf6 exf6 haνe plenty of potential ίη the centre.
Τ ο sum up, after i-xf6 e7xf6 both
see fo//owing diagram
sides can feel qUΊte pleased with their
is dealt with ίη Chapter 8. The position and look forward to an inter-
black pawn structure has clearly been esting, unbalanced struggle.
compromised, but ίη return he has
gaίned the bishop paίr and free and Black plays ... g7xf6
easy deνelopment for his pieces. The This structure most commonly arises
front f-pawn can also proνe νery use- after the moνes 2... c5 3 .txf6 gxf6,
ful ίη any kingside assault Black may when White now usually plays 4 d5.

13
The Trompowsky

the years Ι haνe gained the impression

that the Russian school of chess
teaches its pupils that the best knight
is οηlΥ equiνalent to the worst bishop!
Of course ίη the Τ romp White
doesn't part with the bishop pair for
the hell of it. He expects to receiνe
some compensation ίη return. We
haνe already seen examples ίη which
Black's pawn structure was compro-
mised to pay for the bishop pair, while
ίη the line 2... e6 3 e4 h6 4 i.xf6 ~xf6
This time Black has more central
control and a semi-open g-file to work
with, but there are drawbacks. His
biggest problem will be finding a safe
haνen for his king, while his deνelop­
ment will not be easy either. White
often places pawns οη e3 and c3 to
limit Black's bishop. See Chapter 6.

Knights vs. Bishops

νery often ίn the Τ rompowsky Black
'gains' the bishop pair at a νery early
stage of the game. This is ηο great sur- White receiνes a strong centre and a
prise as one of the main ideas behind 2 slight lead ίη deνelopment ίη return
Jιg5 is to remoνe the knight οη f6. for the bishops. This νariation,
Although as a beginner one is usually though, is a strong faνourite among
taught that a bishop and knight are of classical players as Black has suffered
equal νalue, the stronger one gets the ηο structural damage and if he can
more one appreciates the νalue of dampen the white initiatiνe his pros-
bishops. Of course eνeryone knows pects will be good later ίη the game.
that bishops work well together There are many fascinating battles
(hence the term 'bishop pair') and are between bishop(s) and knight(s)
superior to knights ίη open positions, within the book. For example, Games
while knights are superior ίη blocked 25, 27, 29, 60 and 70 show the
POSltΙOllS. The problem for the bishop(s) coming out οη top while
knights is that blocked positions often Games 24, 33, 42, 45 and 53 demon-
open υρ at some point, while open strate the potential of the knight(s).
positions rarely become blocked up. Α Haνing established some of the
knight also needs a solid base, prefera- typical Τ rompowsky motifs, let' s get
bly somewhere ίη the middle. Oνer οη with the action!

14
 2 ... t2Je4 3 i..f4 c5

1 d4lLJf6 2 ~g5 lLJe4 3 ~f4 c5 ~b6

2... liJe4 is the most popular reaction The most critical move, immedi-
to the Τ rompowsky; Black avoids ateIy targeting White's softest spot.
damage to his pawn structure and AIternatives are exarnined ίη Game 4.
gains a tempo. Of course the knight is
not secureIy placed οη e4, but to drive
it away White usually has to play the
move f2-f3, which doesn't do a Iot for
his kingside deveIopment.
White has three possible repIies to
2.. .'~Je4: the eccentric 3 h4, the dubi-
ous 3 iιh4, both of which are covered
ίn Chapter 3, and the sensible 3 iιf4
which is the subject of the first two
chapters of this book. This chapter
deals with the aggressive 3... c5 and
Chapter 2 with the solid 3... d5. 5 ~c1!?
After 3... c5 White usualIy chooses If White is feeIing mean then this is
between 4 d5, Games 1-4, and 4 f3, the best way to deal with the threat to
Games 5-10. Game 11 takes a brief b2. Can White realIy get away with
look at 4 c3. moving his bishop three times ίη the
first five moves just to end υρ back at
Gamel home? Well, he can if BIack's moves
Hodgson-Wel.ls have not being particularly useful.
CopenhagWι· Π)~~ .... Here, the knight οη e4 is suspended ίη
mid-air and the bIack queen would
1 d4 lLJf6 2 ~g5 lLJe4 3 .Jίf4 c5 4 d5 certainIy be ηο worse οΗ οη d8 than

15
 The Trompowsky

οη b6, where it is open to attack by a good for Black) 9 ... exd5 10 exd5 iιe7
knight arriving οη c4. 11 tLJc4 'i!Vc7 (11. .. 'i!Vd8) 12 tLJe3 ο-ο 13
The a1ternatives to the text are: iιd3 tLJbd7 14 tLJe2 tLJe5 15 iιc2 b5
a) 5 tLJd2, which is considered ίη aπd now 16 a4 is good for White.
Games 2 aπd 3. It is clear, though, that Γ~4~(ffi
Hodgson doesn't approve of this par- ,J7 .. :tM+ wins a pawn but is proba-
ticular sacrifice. bly not worth the ρaίη involved:
b) 5 iνc1?! c4! (5 ... e6 6 f3 tLJf6 7 e4 Hodgson gives 8 iιd2 'i!Vxc4 9 e4 ~d4
exd5 8 e5 tLJh5 was a mess ίη Hodg- 10 tLJc3 with compensation.
son-La1ic, Jersey 1997, but the interest- 8cxd5~
ing question is whether Hodgson has Black is quite willing to invest a
aπ improvement οη 5 ... c4 or whether pawn or so to launch a lightning raid
he was bluffing) 6 e3 'i!Va5+! 7 tLJc3 (7 οη the dark squares.
tLJd2 c3 favours Black) 7 ... tLJxc3 8 'i!Vd2
e6 9 bxc3 exd5 with aπ edge for Black.
c) 5 b3?? 'i!Vf6! aπd White caπ resign.
5 ... e6
The sharρest move, but Black a1so
has other ideas:
@ 5 ... d6 6 f3 tLJf6 7 e4 g6 8 c4 .i.g7 9
tLJc3 ο-ο 10 tLJge2 e6 11 tLJg3 exd5 12
cxd5 tLJbd7 13 .te2 h5 with aπ υη­
clear, Benoni-like position ίη Hodg-
son-Ga11agher, Bern Rapidplay 1996.
b) 5 ... g6 6 f3@i4~ 7 e4 iιg7 8 tLJd2
(8 tLJc3 should probably be countered 9 e3!
by the immediate 8... f5, intending to Until quite recently White had οηlΥ
meet 9 tLJge2 with 9 ...fxe4 10 fxe4 Ο-Ο) played 9 e4 here, after which Black
<,00-0 9 f4 e6 10 e5 tLJf5 11 tLJc4 'i!Vd8 caπ achieve very good play with
12 dxe6 (12 tLJe3? tLJxe3 13 .i.xe3 d6! 9 ... .tc5 10 tLJh3 d6 11 .txc4 .txh3 12
gave Black good play ίη Legky- gxh3 ο-ο. The text is more 10gica1 as
Rotstein, Caπnes 1992) 12 ... dxe6 13 the most sensitive squares οη the a7-g1
-'xd8 1:txd8 14 c3 b6 15 .i.e2 i.b7 16 diagona1 are kept under wraps. White
i.f3 .td5! with aπ equa1 game. will be able to defend his e-pawn as
6 f3 lί:\f6 maπy times as Black caπ attack it as
6 .. :ίlfa5+ is the a1ternative, with the long as he is willing to use his king.
idea that after 7 c3 tLJf6, White caπ't 9 ... ~c5
support his d-pawn with c2-c4. Ga1- This commits Black to a pawn sacri-
lagher-Zίiger, Silvaplaπa 1997, contin- fice as he will now be unable to defend
ued 8 e4 ~~ 9 tLJa3 (9 i.d2 ~~d~ 10 his c-pawn ίη a sensible maπner. Ιη the
<e)c4~) is given by Kasparo;;'~-- ' but stem game with 9 e3, Hodgson-Stohl,
10...llJxd5! 11 c4 llJb4 12 a3 i,f5 is Isle οί Maπ 1995, Black preferred

16
 2 ... CΔθ4 3 !iJ...f4 c5

9... 'iVa5+ 10 lbc3 b5, but he was soon piece thaπ its opposite number. Of
struggling: 11 'iVd4! Jιb4 12 'iVe5+ Φf8 course the text is νery risky, but it
13 a3! Jιb7 14 axb4! (one caπ find does win a pawn.
countless such sacrifices ίη Hodgson's 20 tZJd3 ~b6
games) 14 ... 'iVxa1 15 lbge2 'iVa6 16 It was also possible to take the
lίJd4 with tremendous play for White. pawn; after 20 ... 'iVxd5 21 e4 'iVa5 22
10 Φf2! Jιb2 White has play οη the dark
Ι briefly considered this position ίη squares, but Ι caπ't see a knockout.
Beating the Anti King's Indians, point-
ίng out that 10 Jιxc4 'iVb4+ 11 lbd2
.iιxe3 12 'iVe2?! ο-ο and 10 lbc3 ο-ο 11
~f2 .ί:Ie8 were not so good for White.
10 ... 0-0 11 1ιχc4 d6
Ιη the aforementioned book Ι just
gaνe 11. .. .ί:Ie8 12'iVb3 as good for
White. Wells's moνe, enabling Black
Ιο bring a knight to e5 as quickly as
possible, looks like a better try.
12 lLJe2 lLJbd7 13 lLJbc3 lLJe5 14 lLJa4
The text shows that White is willing
to return his extra pawn ίη order to 21 ~b3
exchange off a couple of Black's actiνe It is curious that such aπ attacking
mίnor pieces. Οη 14 Jιb3 Black caπ player as Hodgson opted here to ex-
choose between 14 ... Jιd7 (coνering chaπge queens when 21 Jιb2lbxd5 22
a4), 14 ... Jιf5 (intending ... lίJd3) and Jιd4 looks quite promίsing for Whίte.
eνen one of his knights to g4+, when Perhaps he felt that his chaπces ίη the
he should get a strong attack ίη return ending were eνen better, or maybe he
for his piece. From the aboνe com- was worried about 21 Jιb2 .ί:Ixe3?!,
ment you will realise that writing although this sacrifice seems insuffi-
chess books is much easier thaπ play- cient, e.g. 22 .ί:Ixe3 lίJxd5 23 Jιc1 iιf5
ίng chess games as one is ηοΙ forced to 24 lίJel! (hitting the knight οη d5)
make a decision οη eνery moνe. 24 ...'iVc5 25 a4!, introducing the fur-
14 .. :iVb4 15 b3 ther defensiνe possibility of .ί:Ia3. Note
15 lίJxc5? 'iVxc4, with ... lίJd3+ aπd that 25 ... .ί:Ie8 caπ be met by 26 'iVxd5!
... lίJxd5 to come, is awful for White. 'iVxd5 27 .ί:Ixe8+ with a winning posi-
15 ... lLJxc4 16 bxc4 ~xc4 17 lLJxc5 tion for White. Ι don't see how Black
·O'xc5 18 lLJf4 1:te8 19 1:te1 g5! caπ increase the pressure.
This may look a bit drastic, but οη 21 ... ~xb3 22 axb3lLJxd5 231:ta5
a quiet moνe such as 19 ... iιd7 White Perhaps White should haνe played
wί1l simply reply 20 i.b2 with a clear 23 e4 followed by 24 Jιxg5, regaίning
positional adνaπtage, maίnly because his pawn with aπ endgame edge.
hίs bishop is a much more effectiνe 23 ... 1ιe6 24 e4 lLJe7 25 1:txg5+ lLJg6

17
The Trompowsky

26 f4 ~e3!, although after 32 ... tbxd3 33

This looks extremely strong, but ~g3+ Φh8 34 iLh6! ~xe4! (threatening
White might haνe done better to play mate) he must force a draw with 35
the immediate 26 ~b5 as Black is now iLg7+ Φg8 36 ..Ith6+.
able to deνelop counterplay along the 321:!.xc6?
c-file and agaίnst the e-pawn. Α nice idea, but οηΙΥ good enough
26 ... f6 27 1:!.b5 for a draw. This time Black would
27 ~g3 is met by 27 ... f5! haνe really being under the cosh after
27 ...1:!.ac8! 32 ~e3!, e.g. 32 ...tbxf5 33 exf5 ~xe3 34
There is often more than a grain of ~xc6! ~xc6 35 ..Itxe3 ~c3 36 Φe2 with
truth ίη old sayings; here Black fol- a technically won ending for White, as
lows the principle 'attack is the best Black will not be able to do better
form of defence'. than exchange his a-pawn for the
28 f5 1:!.c2+! 29 ~f1 white b-pawn. Ιη this νariation
29 Φg1 would also haνe been met 32 ...~xe4 also faίls to saνe Black after
by 29 ... iΔ7! 30 ~xb7 .tc6 with good 33 ~g3+ Φh8 (33 ... Φf8 34 iLh6+ is
play for Black, e.g. 31 ~xa7 tbh4 32 mate next moνe) 34 iLb2! ~b2
tbf2 d5. 29 ~e2 would haνe been eνen (otherwise f6 caνes ίη) 35 tbxb2 iLb5+
worse, as after 29 ... ~xe2+ 30 Φχe2 36 tbc4 and 36 ... d5 is ηο good οη ac-
J.d7! 31 ~xb7 ~xe4+ 32 ΦΒ iLxf5 count of 37 ~c8+.
White would be ίη some trouble. 32 ... 1:!.xc6 33 lLJb4 1:!.xc1!
29 ... iLd7! 30 1:!.xb7 iLc6 31 1:!.c7 White' s idea is reνealed after
Now 31 ~xa7 is impossible οη ac- 33 ... ~cc8 34 iLf4!, when Black is help-
count of 31 .....Itb5! less agaίnst the threat of 35 iLg3 pick-
31 ... lLJh4? ing υρ the stranded knight. This
timely return of the exchange, though,
quickly leads to a drawn position.
34 1:!.xc1 1:!.xe4 35 lLJd5 1:!.e5 36
lLJxf6+ Φg7 37 lLJg4
37 tbh5+ Φh6 38 g4 doesn't help as
Black has 38 ... tbxf5!
37 ...1:!.xf5+ 38 ~g 1 1:!.b5 ΥΖ - ΥΖ
Α tense struggle.

~fjarfl:~Ίt '.' . ' ...

Hodgsop~ons~on
,Re1kj;J/6tJii1989 .,'
Α serious error that could haνe cost
Black the game. 31 ...tbe5! was correct, 1 d4 lLJf6 2 i..g5 lLJe4 3 iLf4 c5 4 d5
as after 32 tbxe5 ~xe5 White will haνe ~b6 5lLJd2
slightly the worse of a drawn end- As ίη quite a few lines of the
game. Α better try for White is 32 Τ romp, White prefers to gambit his b-

18
 2 ... tΔθ4 3 .1υ4 c5

pawn rather than play an awkward CLJf7? ~xe6 19 CLJxh6+ i.xh6 20

looking move to defend it. :ϊ:!.Χh6
Wig7 21 :ϊ:!.h4 ttae8
5 ... CLJxd2 The pendulum has swung - sud-
5... 'fWxb2! is the subject of the next denly it is the white king feeling the
game. draught all around him.
6 ~xd2 ~xb2
If Black refuses to take υρ the chal-
lenge he is liable to end υρ ίη an infe-
rior position. For example, Piket-
J.Polgar, Monaco Rapidplay 1995,
went 6... e6 7 ~c3 exd5 8 'fWxd5 'fWe6 9
e4 'fWxd5 10 exd5 d6 11 0-0-0 f6 12 lbe2
lba6 13 lbf4 lbc7 14 h4 with a much
easier game for White.
7 e4

22 ~c3 g5 23 nxb7!? ~xb7 24 fxg5

~g4!! 25 gxf6 ~xd1 26 f7+ ΦΧf7 27
nh7+ Φe6 28 nxb7 ~g4
Black has emerged from the mind-
boggling complications with a favour-
able endgame.
29 nxa7 na8 30 ng7 ng8 31 nxg8
nxg8 32 a4 ~h5 33 Φf2 ~d1 34 a5
nb8 35 Φe3 nb3 36 Φd2 na3 37 g3
~b3
White has a big centre and a lead ίη 37 ... ~B! was better.
development for his pawn, and Black 38 g4 na4 39 g5 Φf7 40 e5! dxe5
will find it very difficult to free his 41 ~xe5 ~xc4 42 g6+ Φg8 43
position. ~xc4+ nxc4 44 Φd3 ng4 45 a6 na4
7 ... g6 8 nb1 ~e5 9 i.d3 ~g7 10 c4 46 a7 nxa7 47 Φc4 %-%
'VJIic7 11 h4 d6 12 h5 CLJd7 13 f4 ο-ο
This looks foolhardy, but what else
is Black going to do with his king?
14 CLJf3 lίJf6 15 hxg6?!
This allows Black some breathing
space when 15 f5! would have placed 1 d4 lίJf6 2 ~g5 CLJe4 3 ~f4 c5 4 d5
him under intense pressure, especially ~b6 5 CLJd2 ~xb2!
as 15 ... lbxh5 16 1:.xh5 gxh5 17lbg5 h6 Α much better way of accepting the
18 lbh3 looks untenable for Black. sacrifice. Now White is unable to de-
15 ... fxg6 16lίJg5 e5! 17 dxe6 h6 18 velop his forces as smoothly as ίη the

19
The Trompowsky

prevιous game. Hastings 1991.

6 tΔxe4 ~b4+! b12) 9 dxe6 "iiVxe6 (9 ... dxe6 10 iιxb8
The point, ίn case you were won- ~xb8 11 iιb5+) 10 lίΊe2 (heading
dering. Black wins back one of the quickly to c3 ίn order to keep d5 un-
white pieces. der control and introduce the possibil-
7~d2 ity of lίΊb5) 1O ... b6 11 lίΊc3 iιb7 12
7 c3 "iiVxe4 8 e3 e6 9 dxe6 "iiVxe6 10 ~d1 with positiona1 compensation for
lίΊf3 j,e7 11 iιd3 b6 12 "iiVc2 g6 13 h4 the pawn.
iιb7 14 h5 ~g8 didn't trouble Black b13) 9 lίΊe2!? "iiVxd5 10 "iiVxd5 exd5
too much ίn Djurhuus-Tisda11, Nor- 11 lίΊc3 d6 12 lίΊxd5 'i:t>d8 13 0-0-0 iιe6
wegian Championship 1995. 14 lίΊc3 and White wins back his pawn
7 ... ~xe4 8 tΔf3 (14 ... 'i:t>d7 15 lίΊe4!) with roughly level
Slightly unusua1, a1though it can chances, as ίn Akopian-Κlinger, Pa1ma
easily transpose to line 'b' below. Here 1989.
is a summary of the current state of b2) 8... g5!? (obviously not 9 iιxg5??
affairs ίn this line: "iiVe5) 9 f3 "iiVf5 (9 ... "iiVg6? 10 iιe5) 10
a) 8 Β?! "iiVd4!? 9 "iiVxd4 cxd4 10 j,e5 iιg3 "iiVf6 11 c3 iιg7 12 ~c1 d6 and Ι
e6 11 j,xd4? exd5 12 j,b2 iιb4+ 13 c3 doubt whether White had enough
j,c5 14 0-0-0 d6 15 c4 ο-ο 16 cxd5 compensation for the pawn ίn Weindl-
iιe3+ 17 'i:t>b1 iιf5+ 18 'i:t>a1, Gerstner- Berthelot, Cannes 1996.
Gallagher, Biel 1993, and now b3) 8... "iiVb4 a1so looks like a good
18 ... ~c8! would have been even move, with similar play to the main
stronger than picking υρ the exchange game
with 18 ... iιc2, as Ι played ίn the game. 8 ... d6
b) 8 e3 and now Black has severa1 8... e6 is a1so playable.
moves: 9 e3 ~b4!
b1) 8... e6 with a further branch: Ι like the idea of evacuating the
queen from the treacherous centre.
10 c3 ~a5 11 1:!.b1 g6 12 i.b5+ tΔd7
There is nothing wrong with
12 ... iιd7 as 13 j,xd7+ lίΊxd7 14 ~xb7
lίΊb6 leaves the white rook ίn trouble.
Ι avoided this line because of 13 c4
which Ι felt would a110w White a
playable ending.
13 ~xd7+ i.xd7 14 1:!.xb7 ~g7 15
ο-ο i.xc3 16 ~c2
Ι was sure that my opponent was
going to play 16 'ii'd3, against which Ι
bll) 9 c4 e5 10 f3 'ii'f5 11 iιd3?? had prepared a nasty surprise: 16 ... iιc8
'ii'f6 12 iιg3 e4! and White lost a piece 17 ~b5 iιa6! 18 ~fb1 j,b4! 19 ~lxb4
and the game ίn Hodgson-Chandler, cxb4 20 'i'd4 "iiVxb5 21 "iiVxh8+ 'i:t>d7 22

20
 2 ... tΔe4 3 ~f4 c5

'i'xa8 'i'f1 mate. c) 4 ... d6 5 f3 12Jf6 6 e4 should be

good for White as he has, ίη effect,
gained a tempoj his bishop has taken
οηlΥ two moνes to get to f4 while the
b1ack knight three moνes to get to f6.
5 dxe6
5 f3 has been played more often,
but 5... iιd6! looks like a good reply.
Weindl-Gutman, Biel 1994, continued
6 .txd6 12Jxd6 7 dxe6 dxe6 8 c3 ο-ο 9
e4 12Jc6 10 12Ja3 'i'e7 with a comfort-
able game for B1ack. White is badly
missing his dark-squared bishop.
16 ... ~c8 17 1:!.xe7+? 5 ... fxe6
This made υρ for my disappoint- 5... dxe6 6 'i'xd8+ '\t>xd8 7 f3 f01-
ment οη the preνious moνe. Ι can't 10wed by e2-e4 giνes White aπ edge
imagine a more unsound sacrifice! 17 6 e3 ~f6
~b3, οη the other hand, would haνe 6... d5 is obνious1y an option.
kept White ίη the game. 7 c3 ~d6 8 lΔd2!
17 ... Φχe7 18 ~e4+ Φd7 8 iιd3?! 12Jxf2! 9 '\t>xf2 e5j but now
18 ... '\t>f6 also wins. 8... l2Jxf2 9 '\t>xf2 e5 10ses to 10 12Je4.
19 ~xd6 1:!.e8 20 ~e5 ~b4! 0-1 8 ... lΔxd2 9 Axd6 lΔxf1

Gdme4
A'dams-A'dorjan
Ma,nila Olympiαd 1992 .
1 d4 lΔf6 2 ~g5 lΔe4 3 ~f4 c5 4 d5
e6
Other alternatiνes to 4 ... 'i'b6 are:
a) 4 ... 'i'a5+ 5 12Jd2 (5 c3 is also pos-
sible) 5... e6 6 c4 d6 7 'i'c2 f5! 8 f3 (8
g4!?) 8... l2Jf6 9 e4 iιe7 with a compli-
cated position, as ίη Hodgson-Adams,
Hitchin 1990. 10 Φχf1
b) 4 ... f5 (this looks a bit much) 5 e3 10 'i'h5+ 'i'g6 (1O ... g6 11 'i'xc5) 11
d6 6 12Jf3 12Jd7 7 tLJbd2 12Jdf6 8 iιc4 g6 'i'xg6+ (now 11 'i'xc5 12Jc6 12 ~xf1
9 h4 'i'a5 10 a4 iιg7 11 c3 12Jxd2 12 'i'd3+ 13 12Je2 b6! is much too risky)
12Jxd2 .td7 13 .te2 h5 14 ο-ο ο-ο 15 11. .. hxg6 12 '\t>xf1 was safer aπd wou1d
~e1 '\t>h8 16l2Jc4 'i'c7 17 .tf3 with an haνe enab1ed White to claίm aπ end-
edge for White ίη Adams-McDonald, game p1us. Adams was obνious1y after
London 1991. something more substaπtial.

21
The Trompo wsky

10 ... b6 11 tZJf3 ~b7 12 h4 tZJc6 13 this queen check may not be immedi-
1:1h3 tZJe 7 14 tZJe5 tZJf5 1 5 tZJg4 ~f7 ately apparent, but the idea is Ιο force
16 ~f4 1:1d8? White Ιο play c2-c3, when his options
16 ... 0-0-0 17 e4!? i..xe4 18 'ii'a4 i..b7 are reduced. For example, the position
19 'ii'xa7 d6 20 'ii'xb6 would have been after 4... tiJf6 (instead of 4... 'ii'a5+) 5 d5
very unclear; White has an extra pawn 'ii'b6 6 e4 (6 tiJc3 is another additional
but Black a big centre and both kings possibility) 6...'ii'xb2 7 tiJd2 'ii'c3 has
are likely to come under fire. been reached several times ίη master
chess and the general consensus is that
White has good play for a pawn.
However, if the moves ... 'ii'a5+ and c2-
c3 had been f1icked ίη, then Black
would have picked υρ a second pawn
with ...'ii'xc3 and ίι is highly unlikely
that White has enough play for two
pawns.
5 c3
5 tiJd2 tiJxd2 6 i..xd2 'ii'b6 glves
White nothing.
5 ... tZJf6 6 tZJd2
17 ~g5! ο-ο This move was popularised by
If the rook had moved, 18 tiJe5 Hodgson, and although he has since
would have been very annoying; returned to the older line (6 d5, which
Black even prefers to give υρ an ex- is considered ίη Games 7 and 8) his
change for ηο real compensation than treatment of this position has attracted
to play this position. several high class players to the
18 ~xd8 1:1xd8 19 h5 d5 20 Φg1 Tromp (Salov, Ιο name but one).
~c7 21 h6 g6 22 ~e2 tZJd6 23 1:1d1 6 ... cxd4 7 tZJb3
tZJe4 24 f4! 1:1f8 25 tZJe5 1:1f5 26 ~b5
~e7 27 ~d7 ~xd7 28 tZJxd7 g5 29
1:1h5 ~c6 30 g4 1:1f7 31 tZJe5 1:1c7 32
fxg5 ~e8 33 1:1h2 tZJxg5 34 1:1f1 1:1e7
351:1f6 1-0

. ····GameJ . .
.V:Κό\ΊaceVίc,~sffiirίηΧ$ ..
.Zag~~fj;ZoWai;~19§j;;";··
1 d4 tZJf6 2 ~g5 tZJe4 3 ~f4 c5 4 f3
~a5+!
The less accurate 4... tiJf6 is exam- 7 ... ~b6
ined ίη Games 9 and 10. The ροίηι of This remains the maιn line, al-

22
 2 ... lΔe4 3 ~f4 c5

though Black brief1y f1irted with a ... 'iYxd4, White's c-pawn is still a c-
couple of alternative queen moves: pawn). Hodgson considers that this
a) 7... 'iYf5 8 i.xb8 ':xb8 9 'iYxd4 b6 position might even be better for
10 e4 'iYf4 11 ttJh3 (11 .i.c4 has also Black and while this may be going a
been suggested) 11 ...'iYc7 12 e5 ttJg8 13 little far, it is certaίnly a more pleasant
0-0-0 (13 ttJf2!?) 13 ... e6 14 f4 with a endgame to play than the one ίη the
slight edge to White ίη Salov-Nunn, prevlOUS note.
Amsterdam 1995.
b) 7... 'iYd8 (this doesn't fight for the
initiative at all) 8 cxd4 g6 9 e4 ~g7 10
i.d3 ο-ο 11 ttJe2 d6 12 ο-ο ttJc6 13 ~e3
and agaίn White was slightly better ίη
Adams-Kir.Georgiev, Las Palmas
1993.
8~xd4
8 cxd4 is the subject of the next
game.
8 ... lΔc6!
This move has breathed new life
into this variation for Black, who had 10 a3?!
previously been suffering ίη the end- White plans an assault οη the b-
game after 8...'iYxd4 9 cxd4. pawn but first rules out ... b5-b4. Ιη
Α good example of Black's prob- Beating the Anti King's Indians my
lems is Salov-Akopian, Wijk aan Zee verdίct was 'greedy and time consum-
1993, which continued 9... d5 10 e3 e6 ing' and nothing has since happened
11 g4! ttJc6 12 .i.b5 .i.d7 13 a3 Φd8 14 to change this view. There are three
':c1 ttJe8 15 ttJc5 .i.xc5 16 ':xc5 Φe7 maίn alternatives:
17 ttJe2 with a big plus for White, who a) 10 ttJd4 ttJxd4 (1O ... e5!? 11 ttJxc6
went οη to win. Ιη addίtion to the exf4 12 ttJd4 d5 13 Φf2 .i.d6 14 e3 is a
queenside pressure, he possesses a little better for White) 11 cxd4 d5 has
kίngside space advantage and the received varying assessments from dίf­
bishop paίr. ferent commentators. After 12 .i.c7
9 ~xb6 axb6 (12 e3 is probably better) 12 ... e6 13
It is worth comparing this position ,i,xb6:
to the one that arises after 8.. :iVxd4 9 a1) Nadirkhanov gives 13 ... ttJd7 as
cxd4. Black's position has suffered ίη slightly better for Black, which Ι don't
just one respect; he is now the not so understand: there doesn't seem to be a
proud owner of doubled isolated b- great deal for the pawn after 14 ,i,c7.
pawns. But οη the positive side he has a2) 13 ... Φd7!, οη the other hand,
gaίned a couple of very important does 100k quite good for Black. The
trumps; the open a-file and a mobile threat is simply 14 ... Φc6 and Ι don't
central pawn majority (by not playing see anything convincing for White,

23
The Trompowsky

e.g. 14 .ί::!.cΙ ~b4+ 15 ~f2 .ί::!.χa2 16 tΔxd4!

.ί::!.c7+ ~d6; 14 ~c5 ~xc5 15 dxc5 ~c6 1t was a small success for White to
16 b4 d4!; and 14 a4 ~b4+ 15 ~f2 ~c6 exchange οΗ his knight for the bishop
16 a5 t2Jd7 17 .ί::!.cΙ+ ~d6 18 ~c7+ ~e7 but one must always look at what re-
19 .ί::!.aΙ b6. 1η each case Black has a mains οη the board and not at what
good game. has just dίsappeared. 1t is certainly not
b) 10 e4 d5! 11 ~d3 (11 exd5 t2Jxd5 a pretty sight from the white point of
12 ~d2 e5 is good for Black) 11 ... e5 12 vlew.
~g5 ~e6 13 exd5 ~xd5 with a very 173ιχd4
active game for Black. 17 ~xf8 .ί::!.χf8 leaves the black
c) 10 ~e3 d5!? (1O ... b5 11 t2Jd4 knights dominating the board. Smirin
t2Jxd4 12 ~xd4 e6 13 e4 b4 14 ~b5! is gives the following pretty variation: 18
slightly better for White according to .ί::!.c1 (18 ~f2 e4!) 18 ... t2Je3 19 ~f2
ΜίΙον) 11 ~xb6 e5 12 e4! ~e6 13 ~b5 t2Jdc2 20 t2Jh3 h6! 21 ~g3 .ί::!.a4! 22
t2Jd7 14 ~f2 dxe4 15 t2Jd2 exf3 16 t2Jf2? t2Jf5+ 23 ~h3 .ί::!.h4 mate.
t2Jgxf3 with chances for both sides ίη 17 ... exd4181:!.c1
the game Tregubov-Nadirkhanov, If Black were allowed to take over
Sochi 1994. the c-file then White could pack υρ
10 ... d5 and go home at once.
10 ... e5 might well be more accurate 18 ... ..td6 19 e4?!
as after 11 ~e3 d5 12 ~xb6 we are Αη understandable bid for freedom
back ίη the game, having avoided the which, however, is doomed ιο failure.
next note. The last chance, according to Smirin,
11 .i.c7?! was 19 g3, although by continuing
Consistent with 10 a3 but there's 19 ...~e7 followed by ....ί::!.hc8 Black
usually a price to pay for completely remains ίη total control.
neglecting one's development. Smirin 19 ... dxe3 20 3ιc4 3ιe5 21 3ιχd5
believes that 11 t2Jd4 was best, al- 21 .ί::!.c2 .ί::!.c8! is a nasty ρίη.
though he still prefers Black after 21 ... exd5 221:!.c2 Φd7
11 ... e5!? 12 t2Jxc6 exf4 13 t2Jd4 ~d6 14 White's hopes are based οη blockad-
~f2 ο-ο 15 g3 t2Jh5! ing the passed pawns, but Smirin's
11 ... e5! 12 .i.xb6 d4! accurate play shows that this ideal is
Τ aking the opportunity to blast totally unattainable.
open the position while White's king- 23 tΔe2 1:!.hc8 24 Φd1 1:!.c6! 25 f4
side pieces are sleeping and his queen- 3ιf6261:!.χc6
side undefended. Otherwise ... .ί::!.ac8 will take the c-
13 cxd4 .Jte6 14l2Jc5 file.
Smirin points out that 14 dxe5? 26 ... bxc6
t2Jd7 costs a piece and that 14 d5 t2Jxd5 Black's centre just seems ιο get big-
15 ~c5 t2Ja5! 16 t2Jxa5 ~xc5 17 t2Jxb7 ger and bigger .
.i.d4! is disastrous for White. 27 Φc2 Φd6 28 1:!.d1 c5 29 1:!.d3 d4
14 ... l2Jd5 15 l2Jxe6 fxe6 16 .Jtc5 0-1

24
 2 ... tΔe4 3 iιf4 c5

to play 9 ~c 1 but then he discovered

that this was a bit of a luxury and the
most importaπt thing was to get his
kingside out) 9 .. .'~Jc6 10 4Je2 e5?!
(1O ... e6 11 4Jc3 is a little better for
White) 11 ~xe5 4Jxe5 12 dxe5 iVxe3
13 'lWd4! iVxd4 14 4Jexd4 with advan-
tage to White, as ίη Gallagher-Forster,
Metz 1994.
b) 8... 4Jc6!? 9 e4 e5! (undoubtedly
prepared ίη the comfort of the Gel-
fand home, or perhaps hotel room,
One of the great advantages of chess this is aπ improved version of the For-
over other sports iS that you can al- ster attack ίη the previous note) 10
ways reslgn. dxe5 .tb4+ 11 ςite2 (11 4Jd2 loses to
11 ... 4Jh5!, aπd while 11 ~d2 might be
. Game6 playable, 11 ... 4Jxe5 is at least ΟΚ for
Hodgson~K~ngis Black aπd Gelfand could well have
lJem1995 had something very nasty υρ his
sleeve) 11 ... 4Jxe5! 12 iVd4! (12 ~xe5
1 d4 liJf6 2 j"g5 liJe4 3 j"f4 c5 4 f3 'lWb5+) 12 ... 4Jg6 13 ~e3 d5! 14 exd5
'i'a5+ 5 c3 liJf6 6 liJd2 cxd4 7 liJb3 ο-ο 15 a3 'lWxd4 16 ~xd4 ~e7 17 ςitf2
'i'b6 8 cxd4 4Jxd5 with some initiative for Black ίη
Hodgson-Gelfand, Groningen 1996.
9 j"d2
Ιη his latest outing against 8... e6,
Hodgson preferred 9 e4 and after
9... 4Jc6 10 4Je2 d5 11 e5 4Jg8 124Jc3
4Jge7 13 a3 4Jf5 14 4Ja4 iVd8 15 iVd2 a
draw was agreed ίη Hodgson-
Tkachiev, Isle of Maπ 1996, just as the
action was about to start.
9 ...liJc6 1 Ο e3 j"b4
Α few rounds later ίη the same
tournament Hodgson-Suetin went
8 ... e6 1O ... a5 11 a4.tb4 12 .tb5 4Jd5 13 'iVe2
When this line first appeared οη the ο-ο 14 4Jh3 d6 with about equal
scene Black almost invariably played chances.
8... d5, but ίη the last couple of years a 11 liJe2 j"xd2+ 12 'iVxd2 ο-ο 13
more dynamic approach has taken liJc3 d6 14 g4 e5 15 d5 liJe7 16
over. Here's a little bit of theory: 0-0-0 a5 17 ..t>b1 a4 18 liJc1 a3 19
a) 8... d5 9 e3 (at first Hodgson used b3 .ί:!.a5 20 j"c4 j"d7

25
The Trompo wsky

good for White) 10 tlJd2 tlJb6 11 b4!

cxb4 12 c4 with excellent play.
7 b3
The drawbacks to 7 "iVd2 can be ob-
serνed ίη the following game, while 7
e4 "iVxb2 8 tlJd2 "iVxc3 looks a little οη
the generous side. 7 iιc1!? has rarely
been played ίη this particular position,
but 7... e6 (7 ... d6) 8 c4 transposes to
Game 1 and was, ίη fact, the actual
moνe order of Hodgson-Wells.
7 ... e6
The game is roughly leνel, but with 7... d6 is a quieter continuation. Α
kings castled οη opposite wings there typical example is Adams-Tkachieν,
is plenty of scope for actiνe play. Wijk aan Zee 1995, which continued 8
21 tΔ1 e2 ~θ8 22 'it>a1 ~b4 23 tΔθ4 e4 g6 9 SΙd3 SΙg7 10 tlJe2 ο-ο 11 tlJd2
~xd2 24 tΔxf6+ gxf6 25 ~xd2 f5 26 tlJbd7 12 tlJc4 "iVc7 13 a4 b6 14 ο-ο a6
e4 fxg4 27 fxg4 tΔg6 28 h3 ~ea8 29 15 "iVd2 1:.e8 16 tlJg3 iιb7 with
'it>b1 'it>g7 30 1:1f1 f6 31 ~d3 Υ:ι-Υ:ι roughly equal chances.
8 e4 exd5 9 exd5 ~d6!?
Game7
. ι.SοkΟΙΟΥ·Smίrίn
.. Wijk;~n Zeeil9,~3 .
1 d4 tΔf6 2 ~g5 tΔθ4 3 Sιf4 c5 4 f3
'iVa5+ 5 c3 tΔf6 6 d5 'iVb6
Black makes the usual enquiries
about the aνailability of the b-pawn.
Alternatiνely, 6... d6 7 e4 g6 8 tlJd2
(8 tlJa3 iιg7 9 "iVd2 is another idea for
White) 8... iιg7 9 iιd3 ο-ο 10 tlJe2 "iVd8
(pre-empting tlJc4) 11 ο-ο e6 12 dxe6
(12 c4 tlJh5 hits b2 and f4) 12 ... fxe6 13 The best way to fight for the initia-
iιg5 led to unclear play ίη Meduna- tiνe.
Stohl, Prague 1992. 10 tΔh3
The immediate 6... e6 is another 10 iιg5 iιe7! might seem like a
idea, although this worked out rather transaction ίη White's faνour, but his
badly for Black ίη Gulko-Browne, bishop οη g5 turns out to be rather
USA Championship 1992: 7 e4 exd5 8 exposed. Α sample νariation: 11 c4 (11
exd5 d6 9 tlJe2 tlJbd7 (9 ... c4 10 tlJa3 tlJa3 is probably best) 11 ... 0-0 12
tlJxd5 11 tlJxc4 "iVc5 12 iιg3! "iVxc4 13 iιd3?! (12 tlJc3 1:.e8) 12 ... tlJxd5! 13
tlJf4 tlJxc3 14 SΙxc4 tlJxd1 15 1:.xd1 is SΙxh7+ Φχh7 14 "iVxd5 iιxg5 15 "iVxg5

26
 2 ... tΔe4 3 iιf4 c5

.:i.e8+ with excellent play for Black. tack οη the white king, but accurate
10 ... 0-0 11 ~d2 ne8+ 12 jιe2 c4! play enabled White to hold the draw.
White cannot be allowed to play c3- 26 ... f5 27 nc7 f4+ 28 Φh3 g4+ 29
c4 after which he could complete his 'ith4! gxf3 30 nxb7 fxg2 31 tZJxf4
development ίη peace. nf2 32 tZJxg2! nxg2 33 nc1 nxh2+
13 jιxd6 ~xd6 14 bxc4 b5! 15 cxb5 %-%
a6 16 c4 axb5 17 cxb5? 34 ~g3 .:ι.hχa2 35 .:i.c8+ Φί7 36
Better was 17 tbc3 bxc4 18 ο-ο with .:ι.χb8doesn't leave a lot οί material
chances for both sides. for the players to work with.
17 ... ~e5 18 tZJc3 tZJxd5! 19 ~xd5
~xc3+ 20 'itf2 :.Game8 .'
;j"'Alb~tt~Sb~ktid .
i'iUSAr;;harrtRi,o~shtp 1?96
1 d4 tZJf6 2 jιg5 tZJe4 3 jιf4 c5 4 f3
~a5+ 5 c3 tZJf6 6 d5 ~b6 7 ~d2?!
tZJxd5! 8 ~xd5 ~xb2 9 ~b3 ~xa1

20 ... jιb7!! 21 ~c4

Did you work out what was wrong
with 21 'iVxb7? Answer: 21 ...'iVc5+! 22
~g3 .:i.a7!, netting the queen.
21 ... ~e3+ 22 'itg3 h5?
Although this wins a piece, it fails
to win the game. Nor should Black Black has won a considerable
play 22 ... 'iVxe2? οη account οί 23 .:i.he1 amount οί material (exchange and two
'iVxe1+ 24 .:i.xe1 .:i.xe1 25 tbg5 .:ι.e7 26 pawns), but his queen is stuck ίη the
'iVc7! The correct move was 22 ... d5!, corner. The game will obviously now
the point being that after 23 'iVd3 revolve around White attempting to
'iVxe2 24 .:ι.he1 'iVxe1+ 25 .:ι.χe1 .:i.xe1 win the queen and Black attempting
White has ηο attack. to extricate it. Ι annotated this posi-
23 ~f4! ~xf4+ 24 tZJxf4 g5 25 tZJxh5 tion ίη some depth ίη Beating the Anti
nxe2 26 nhc1 King's Indians, as at the time ηο one
White has οηlΥ two pawns for a had been daring (or perhaps foolish)
piece, but one οί them dominates the enough to try this sacrifice.
whole black queenside. Smirin felt 10 e4 tZJc6
that his best chance lay ίη a direct at- ΜΥ analysis concentrated οη bishop

27
The Tromρo wsky

moves (.tb5, .tc4 and .td3) followed 25 'itb3?

by l2Je2. White's problem is that he 25 l2Jd2! at once would have won an
needs at least four moves to win the important tempo οη the game. After
queen, which gives Black time to open 25 ... l2Jxd2 26 ~xd2 .ta3 27 ~b3 .tc1
the queenside and evacuate his queen 28 ~d1 .th6 29l2Jf7 ~xf7 30 ~xd6 the
(this is usually achieved with the help black rook is still οη a8. Ιη that case
of ... b7-b5! at some point). White could claim a clear advantage.
11 lί:Jh3 e6 12 ~c2 c4? 25 ...1:tc8 26 lί:Jd2 tιJxd2+ 27 1:txd2
Here, too, 12 ... b5! was the solution, .Jtc1 28 1:td1 .Jth6 29 lί:Jf7 'itxf7 30
e.g. 13 .te2 b4! 14 ο-ο bxc3 15 l2Jxc3 1:txd6 'ite7 31 1:td5
l2Jd4! and if White now moves his The main difference between this
queen Black has the devastating reply position and the previous note is that
16 ... iHxc3!; or 13 .txb5 e5! (intending Black could now meet 31 ~b6 with
... ~b8) 14 .txc6 dxc6 15 .txe5 .te6! 31 ... ~c7. White ηο longer has a seri-
and the queen escapes via a2. ous advantage and Black manages to
13 .Jtxc4 .Jta3 14 'itd2! e5 hold without difficulty.
Black must have intended 14 ... iHb2 31 ... 1:tc6 32 a4 g6 33 a5 'it>e6 34
and realised οηlΥ now that after 15 .Jtc5 .Jtd2 35 'itb4 .Jte1 36 1:td3 h5
iHxb2 .txb2 16 ~c2! he can kiss 37 1:td5 1:tc7 38 'itb3 1:tc6 39 ~b4
goodbye to his bishop. .Jtf2 40 1:td8 1:tc7 41 1:te8+ 'it>f7 42
15 .Jte3 d6 16 1:td1 ~b2 17 ~xb2 1:tf8+ 'it>g7 43 1:td8 'it>f7 44 .Jtd6 1:tc6
~xb2 18lί:Jg5!? 45 c4 'ite6 46 .Jtb4 1:tc7 47 1:td6+
18 ~c2 wins the bishop, but after 'itf7 48 1:td5 'ite6 49 1:td6+ Υι - Υι
18 ... .txh3 19 gxh3 .ta1 20 l2Ja3l2Jd4+!
21 cxd4 .txd4 22 .txd4 exd4 23 ~xd4 , Game9>:'
~e7 Black has fair drawing chances. Landenbergue:;,WaIther
White is looking for more. Silvap!p,na199.?
18 ... f6 19 lί:Jf7 lί:Ja5 20 iιd5 'ite7 21
lί:Jxh8 .Jte6 22 'it>c2 i.xd5 23 1:txd5 1 d4 lί:Jf6 2 .Jtg5 lί:Je4 3 .Jtf4 c5 4 f3
lί:Jc4 24 .Jtf2 a6 lί:Jf6 5 dxc5!?

28
 2 ... tΔe4 3 i..f4 c5

This usua11y transposes ίηto sorne dous cornpensation for the exchange.
sort of Sicilian. 5 d5 is considered ίη 17 ... 1:txh1 18 gxf7+ ~d8
the next garne.
5 ... ~a5+
a) If you think Landenbergue rnade
short work of Wa1ther ίη our rnain
garne, then take a look at this one
(don't blink): 5... lba6 6 e4lbxc5 7lbc3
d6 8 'iVd2 i,d7 9 0-0-0 'iVa5 10 Φb1
~d8?? 11 lbd5! 1-0 Landenbergue-
Roder, Bern 1993.
b) 5... b6!? 6 e4 (6 cxb6 'iVxb6 looks
risky for White) 6... bxc5 7 lbc3 (7
e5!?) 7 ...lbc6 8 i,c4 g6 9 lbb5 d6 10 e5
dxe5 (ηοι 1O ... lbxe5?? 11 i,xe5 dxe5 19 ~b6!! ~xb6 20 "iVxd6+!! ~xd6
12.i.xf7+) 11 'iVxd8+ Φχd8 120-0-0+? 21 f8~ + lΔe8 22 1:txd6+! ι:3;c7 23
(better was 12 i,g5 with good play for lΔd5+ ~b8 24 lΔxb6 1:txg1+ 25 1:td1
the pawn) 12 ... lbd7 13 i,e3 a6 14 lbc3 1-0
e6 15 lbe4 Φc7 16 lbg5? and after White rnust haνe felt quite chuffed
16 ... h6 (Hodgson-Shiroν, Groningen after that one.
1996) White had to beat a hasty retreat
as after 17 lbxf7 ~h7! the knight
doesn't get out. Julian still rnanaged to
draw, though.
6 lΔc3 ~xc5 7 e4 d6 8 ~d2 a6
Perhaps Black should try a Dragon 1 d4 lΔf6 2 ~g5 lΔe4 3 ~f4 c5 4 f3
set-up with 8... g6. lΔf6 5 d5 d6
90-0-0 e5?! 5... 'iVb6 is probably better. After 6
Rather than giνing hirnself a hole e4 (6 b3?! 'iVb4+! 7 .i.d2 'Wd4 8 lbc3
οη d5 ίι would haνe been better to lbxd5 9 lbb5 'i'e5 10 c4 a6 11 cxd5
play sornething like 9... lbbd7 followed axb5 12 e4 b4 was good for Black ίη
by ... b7-b5, a1though Ι suspect that S.schneider-C.Hansen, Copenhagen
White is still doing quite wel1. 1996; as usua16 .tc1 is the best way Ιο
10 ~e3 "iVc7 11 g4! saνe the pawn) 6... 'Wxb2 7 lbd2 'Wc3
The start of a series of aggressiνe (perhaps you reca11 that this position
rnoνes which utterly destroy Black. was briefly discussed ίη Garne 5) 8
11 ... h6 12 h4 ~e6 13 ~h3 lΔc6 14 .i.d3 d6 9 lbe2 'Wa5 10 ο-ο g6 with an
g5 hxg5 15 hxg5 lΔd7 16 g6! lΔf6 unclear garne, Goldίn-Aseeν, St Pe-
17 ~xe6! tersburg 1993.
Υου don't haνe to see eνerything 6 e4 g6 7 lΔc3 ~g7 8 iνd2 ο-ο 9
that follows to play this sacrifice; at .Jίh6! .Jίxh6 1 Ο "iVxh6 e6?! 11 0-0-0
the νery least White will haνe trernen- exd5 12 exd5

29
The Trompowsky

qualms about playing 5 iιc 1 ίη such a

position.
5 ... cxd4 6 "VJiIxb6 axb6 7 .txb8
Played instantly, as were all his
other moves; my opponent was obvi-
ously still ίη his home preparation.
Anyway, 6 cxd4 tίJc6 is very good for
Black as ... tίJb4 is going to hurt.
7 ... dxc3! 8 .te5

White is already much better due to

Black's weakened kingside.
12 ...1:Ie8 13 lΔge2 a6 14 lΔg3 b5
Α case of too little, too late.
1 5 lΔce4 lΔxe4 16 lΔxe4 f5
White was threatening 'ilYf4.
17lΔg5 "VJiIe7?
Overlooking White's devastating
reply. After 17 ... 'ilYc7 18 ~d3 'ilYg7 19
'ilYxg7+ <;t>xg7 20 1:.he 1 Black could 8 ... nxa2!!
have escaped into a poor ending. Only now did my opponent stop to
18 ~xb5! "VJiIe3+ think. Resigns is by far the strongest
18 ... axb5 19 1:.he1! is the end. continuation. The point, of course, is
19 ~b1 ne7 20 ~e8! 1-0 that 9 1:.xa2 c2! wins the house.
There is ηο defence to 21 1:.he 1 9 lΔxc3 nxa 1+ 1 Ο lΔd 1 lΔxf2
"i'xel 22 ~f7+! 10 ... ':'xd 1+ 11 <;t>xd 1 tίJxf2+ would
have left me a rook and three pawns
Gamel1 to the good, but Ι dίdn't feel like hav-
ΤE!r!t\iiev-G~II~gher;, ing my knight stuck ίη the corner - it
Liecht~tein1:990 .. '.,;, doesn't really matter anymore.
11 ~xf2 nxd1 12 e3 e6 13 .te2 nc1
1 d4 lΔf6 2 ~g5 lΔe4 3 ~f4 c5 4 c3 14 h4 .tb4 15 h5 f6 16 .td4 e5 17
"VJiIb6 .txb6 d5 18 g3 .tf5 19 1:Ih4 .te1+
After about twenty minutes pon- 20 ~g2 ~e4+ 21 .tf3 nc2+ 22 ~h3
dering the merits of the text, a move f50-1.
that Ι was reluctant to play if it meant As a postscript, Ι was astonished to
a boring endgame, Ι was suddenly come across the following line ίη ECO
struck by the game continuation. a few years later: 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 tίJB
5 "VJiIb3?! iιf5 4 'ilYb3 'ilYb6 5 cxd5 'ilYxb3 6 axb3
Hodgson would have had ηα .txb 1 7 dxc6! ~e4? 8 .uxa7!!

30
 2 ... tΔe4 3 !Jιf4 c5

Summary
As Black seems to be doing quite well after 4 d5 'iVb6 5 tιJd2 'iVxb2!, Ι think we
will be seeing more of Hodgson's 5 ~c1 ίn the future (Game 1). His 9 e3! is an
important novelty which leaves Black struggling to prove equality. 4... e6 (Game
4) is the most important alternative to 4... 'i'b6, but we need more games here
before any reliable sort of judgement can be made. After 4 f3 ~a5+ 5 c3 llJf6 6
llJd2 Black appears to be doing okay again. Important moves are 8 ... llJc6! ίn
Game 5 and 8... e6 of Game 6, and possibly the latest try from Gelfand, 8 ... llJc6
ίn Game 6. 6 d5 (Games 7 and 8) is returning to the fold. White should avoid 7
~d2 (Game 8); but 7 b3 and 7 .Jtclleave everything to play for.

1 d4 lbf6 2 3ιg5 lbe4 3 3ιf4 c5

4 d5
4Β
4.. :*lia5+ 5 c3llJf6
6llJd2 cxd4 7llJb3 'i'b6 (D)
8 ~xd4 - Game 5; 8 cxd4 - Game 6
6 d5 'iVb6 (D)
7 b3 - Game 7; 7 'iVd2 - Game 8
4... llJf6
5 dxc5 - Game 9; 5 d5 - Game 10
4 c3 - Game 11
4 .. :iVb6 (D)
4... e6 - Game4
53ιc1
5llJd2
5... llJxd2 - Game 2; 5... 'i'xb2 - Game 3
5 ... e6 - Game 1

7 ... 'Wib6 6 ... 'Wib6 4 ... 'Wib6

31
 2 ... 4Je4 3 i.f4 d5

1 d4 lZJf6 2 SLg5 lZJe4 3 SLf4 d5 players have then been able to resist
The 2... 4Je4 3 iιf4 d5 variation is the temptation for a general kingside
one of the most respectable ways of pawn advance.
meeting the Τ rompowsky and is a Games 17-19 feature 4 f3 followed
favourite among strong grandmasters by a quick e2-e4. Sometimes White
who appreciate a firm grip ίη the cen- prepares this advance with 5 4Jc3
tre. White has three principal con- (Game 17) while other players prefer
tinuations: the dull 4 4Jd2, the solid 4 the more f1amboyant 5 e4, which
e3 and the sharp 4 f3. transposes to a Blackmar-Diemer
4 4Jd2 (Games 12 and 13), which Gambit with an extra tempo (Games
for a long time was the main line, cre- 18 and 19). Οί the main Trom-
ates too few problems for Black; ίη powskyites Adams prefers 4 e3 while,
fact it is not even clear that it is a good not surprisingly, Hodgson favours the
continuation to play for a draw, as more aggressive approach.
White needs an improvement οη
Game 12.
4 e3 (Games 14-16) is more f1exible;
White can decide οη a plan of action
after seeing Black's next move. One
interesting idea is to capture the black 1 d4 lZJf6 2 .J1ιg5 lZJe4 3 .J1ιf4 d5 4
knight οη e4 with the bishop lZJd2
(~d3xe4), which leads to more unbal- 4 e3 is the subject οί Games 14-16
anced positions than 4Jd2xe4. Αη­ and 4 f3 the subject of Games 17-19.
other idea is to kick the knight away 4 ... c5!
with f2-f3; and this plan becomes This immediate counter ίη the cen-
more relevant once Black has played tre poses White the most problems;
... iιf5 (Game 15); very few white and it is surprising that it has not been

32
 2 ... tΔe4 3 ~f4 d5

played more often. Alternatives are c) 8 'iνd4 'iνxd4 9 cxd4 tZJc6 10 0-0-0
examined ίη the next game. (10 e3? e5 11 dxe5 i.b4+ will subject
5 lZJxe4 White to an enormous attack) 1O ... e5!
5 e3 can be met by 5... 'iνb6. 11 dxe5 (11 jtxe5 tZJxe5 12 dxe5 e3!
5 ... dxe4 seriously hinders White's develop-
This pawn οη e4 has a severe ment) 11 ... ~e6 with good play for
cramping effect οη the kingside and Black ίη Mikhalevski-Τseitlin, Beer-
will trouble White for the rest of the sheva 1996.
game. Ι think that this pawn is οηlΥ Looking at these lines it is hardly
strong, though, ίη conjunction with surprising that the popularity of 4
an energetic continuation such as tZJd2 is οη the wane and that Τ rom-
4... c5, as White now finds it difficult powskyites are moving οη to new pas-
to settle down and lay siege to the e- tures.
pawn or even to swop it οΗ with f2-f3. 6 ... ~b6 7jLc1
6 c3?! Obviously not ideal, but nor is any-
After this it seems that White is a1- thing else. 7 'iνb3 'iνxh3 8 axb3 cxd4,
ready struggling to maintain the bal- for example, looks pretty awful for
ance. One of his main worries is that White.
after an exchange of pawns οη d4 he 7 ... cxd4 8 ~xd4
will have to keep an eye out for ... e7- It is risky to recapture with the
eS followed by a nasty check οη b4. Α pawn, e.g. 8 cxd4 e5!? 9 dxe5 jtb4+ 10
few other games have continued 6 jtd2 e3!? (1Ο ... 1ιc5 is also good) 11
dxc5 'iνa5+ 7 c3 'iνxc5, and now: fxe3 ο-ο with a very strong initiative
for Black.
8 ... ~xd4 9 cxd4 lZJc6 10 e3 e5! 11
jLb5 exd4 12 exd4
It is true that 12 jtxc6+ bxc6 13
exd4 would inflict damage οη Black' s
pawn structure, but 13 ... 1ιa6 shows
that the price paid is high.
12 ... jLd7 13 lZJe2
13 jte3 is well met by 13 ... ~b4+,
especially as after 14 jtd2 jtxd2+ 15
Φχd2 tZJxd4 16 jtxd7+ Φχd7 White
cannot play 17 Φe3 οη account of
a) 8 1ιχb8 ~xb8 9 'iνa4+ b5 10 'iνxe4 17 ... tZJc2+.
picks up a pawn, but after 1O ... b4! 13 ...lZJb4 14 jLxd7+ Φχd7
White is under heaνy pressure. It is clear that the opening has
b) 8 'iνa4+ 'iνc6 9 'iνxc6+ tZJxc6 10 f3 worked out ίη Black's favour. ΑΙ­
e5 11 1ιe3 ~f5 was very comfortable though White's d-pawn is passed it can
for Black ίη Tunik-Avrukh, Beersheva ίη ηο way be described as strong; 'a
1996. weak isolated pawn' looks like the

33
The Trompowsky

correct description. One of the worst the next few moνes and how he re-
things about isolated pawns is that the fuses to trade his great positional ad-
square ίη front of them cannot be con- νantage for a mere pawn, hanging οη
trolled by one's own pawns; ίη this for something more substantial to
case that translates into a beautiful come his way. When one's opponent
outpost οη ds for the black knight or is depriνed of counterplay the best
king. approach is to take one's time and
squeeze the maximum out of the posi-
tion before making the decisiνe break.
20 .te3 a6 21 a3
This does cut οΗ the knight's retreat
but, quite plainly, it is happy where it
is. Don't forget that there is always
the emergency ... 4Jxe3. If White had
tried instead 21 dS then the simplest
for Black is 21 ... 4Jxe3 22 fxe3 .ί:lc2 and,
although White can defend his second
rank, the d-pawn is liable to drop οΗ
νery soon.

15 ο-ο .td6 21 ... h5 22 J::td2 J::tc4!

The bishop is well placed here, Α strong moνe, preparing to double
where it will be able to eliminate the οη the c-file and at the same time tar-
white knight if need be. geting the d-pawn.
16 .td2 J::tac8 17 lZJg3? 23 J::tb1 Φd6!
White should haνe seized the ορ­ His Majesty knows a stately home
portunity to remoνe the black knight. when he sees one.
After 17 .1ιχb4 .1ιχb4 18 .ί:lac1 Black 24 Φf1 Φd5 25 Φθ2 J::thc8 26 J::th1
has the adνantage, but White has g6 27 J::thd1 b5
much more chance of organising a Black has total control of the board,
successful defence than ίη the game and White is reduced to moνing along
17 ...lZJc2! his back rank.
The knight is οηlΥ going to moνe 28 J::th1 a5
once more ίη the game, but its pres- There is ηο rush to cash ίη and take
ence will be strongly felt. the d-pawn.
18 J::tad1 ~xg3 19 hxg3 f6! 29 g4
Το most players it may seem like a White can stand it ηο longer and
good idea to support the pawn οη e4 makes a desperate bid for counterplay.
with ... f7-fS, but this would concede 29 ... hxg4 30 J::th7 J::t4c7 31 J::th6 J::tg7
the eS-square to the white bishop. Va- 32 Φd1?!
ganian's technical performance ίη this 32 .ί:lh1, preνenting Black's next
game is most instructiνe. Watch how moνe, was the οηlΥ way to prolong
he slowly improνes his position oνer the game.

34
 2 ... tΔe4 3 !1ιf4 d5

32 .. .'=2:Ja1! 0-1 c5 with about equa1 chances ίη the

The knight has the last word. The game I.Sokolov-Van Wely, Leeuwar-
unstoppable threat is ... lbb3, after den 1993.
which either the white d-pawn will b) 6 ~d3 ~d6 (6 ... liJxd2 should ποτ
drop or the black rook will infiltrate be met by 7 iιxf5 lbc4!, but by 7
into the heart of White's position, or ~xd2 transposing to the next note) 7
more likely, both of these things will iιxe4 dxe4 (7 ... iιxe4!?) 8 lbe2 lbc6 9
happen. Resignation seems like a fair lbc4 iιg4 10 c3 ο-ο 11 d5 exd5 12
optlOn. lbxd6 cxd6 13 ~xd5 ~b6 14 b3 iιxe2
15 Φχe2 ~a6+ 16 c4 with an unclear
···. Gam.e 13 game, as ίη Lputian-Winants, Wijk
Salov-Vander Sterrel1 aan Zee 1993. Although Black has
·Biellnterzonal;1993 " structural weaknesses, these are com-
pensated for by the awkward position
1 d4 lίJf6 2 JLg5 lίJθ4 3 JLf4 d5 4 of the white king.
lίJd2JLf5 6 ~xd2 e6 7 lίJf3
4... lbxd2 5 ~xd2 iιf5 6 e3 e6 is an- 7 ~d3 has been seen more often,
other common way of reaching the but it doesn't offer White much
game position. chance of an advantage. One example
5 e3 is Miles-Emms, Hamburg 1995, which
continued 7... iιxd3 8 ~xd3 lbd7 9
lbf3 .i..e7 10 h4 (if White castles then
the position is simply equa1) 1O ... c5 11
h5 h6 12 lbe5 .i..f6 13 ~b5 .i..xe5 14
.Jtxe5 a6! 15 ~xb7 lbxe5 16 dxe5 ο-ο
17 ο-ο ~g5 with good play for Black.
7 ... lίJd7 8 c4 dxc4!
The beginning of a well worked out
sequence from Black which com-
pletely equalises the game.
9 JLxc4 lίJb6 1 Ο JLd3 lίJd5 11 ο-ο
The threat of ... iιb41eft White with
5 ... lίJxd2 ηο OptlOll.
Black can a1so simply play 5... e6, 11 ... JLxd3 12 ~xd3 lίJxf4 13 exf4
giving White the option of exchanging This sort of pawn structure can of-
οη e4, e.g.: ten be favourable for White. Although
a) 6 lbxe4 iιxe4 7 lbe2 iιd6 the pawns 100k weak they create a
(7 ... iιe7 8 c4 c6 9 lbc3 iιg6 10 .Jte2, clamp ίη the centre and Black may
with a solid game, is another possibil- find it difficult to undertake anything
ity) 8 lbg3 .Jtg6 9 h4 iιxf4 10 exf4 h6 active. Here, though, with so few
11 h5 iιh7 12 .Jtd3 iιxd3 13 ~xd3 pieces remaining οη the board, Black
~d6 14 ~d2 ο-ο 15 ο-ο lbd7 16 ~fe1 won't have the usua1 space problems

35
The Tromρowsky

and White's stmctural defects could Of course not 44 ... ~c6?? 45 Φb4
become more prominent. when Black is ίη zugzwang.
45 'it>b3 'it>d7 46 Φb4 'it>c6 47 e6
Υ2-Υ2.
After 47 ... ~d6 48 Φχb5 ~xe6 49
Φχb6 ~f5 50 Φc6 Φg4 both sides will
queen.

Game14
Adams ..XieJun
HastinK{.1996/97 .1.

1 d4 12Jf6 2 SΙg5 lLJe4 3 SΙf4 d5 4 e3

c5
13 .. :iVd5 141:He1 SΙd6 15 f5 4... i.f5 is the subject of the next
Τ akinghis last chance to rid himself game and 4... e6 of Game 16. One
of the doubled pawn. The game is other continuation that has to be
now equa1, the οηlΥ problem for taken into account is 4... c6. Hodgson-
Black being that this is the sort of dull Hjartarson, Copenhagen 1996, con-
technica1 position that Salov seems to tinued 5 iιd3! ~b6 6 iιxe4 ~xb2 7
revel ίη. tΔd2 dxe4 8 tΔe2 tΔd7 9 ο-ο tΔf6 10 c4
15 ... 0-0 16 fxe6 fxe6 17 'iVe4 1:I.f6 ~a3 11 tΔg3 g6 12 iιe5! iιg7 13
18 1:I.e3 a5 19 1:I.ae1 a4 20 'iVxd5 tΔgxe4 with advantage to White.
exd5 21 g3 g6 22 Φg2 'it>g7 23 h4 5~d3!
h6 24 lLJh2 1:I.ff8 25 f4 'it>t7 26 lLJg4
h5 27 lLJe5+ ~xθ5 28 1:I.xe5 1:I.fe8 29
1:I.c1 c6 30 Φf3 1:I.xe5 31 fxe5 1:I.f8!
Α white rook must not be a110wed
to enter via f6.
32 Φθ3 Φθ6 33 b4 axb3 34 axb3
g5!
This fine move a110ws Black to acti-
vate his rook and removes any linger-
ing hopes White might have had of
making his opponent suffer.
35 hxg5 1:I.f5 36 1:I.h1 1:I.xg5 37 Φf3
1:I.g4 38 1:I.h4 1:I.xh4 39 gxh4 Φf5 40 This is much better than 5 tΔd2
b4 b6 41 b5 (remember Landenbergue-Vaganian)
The last try. Οη 41 ~e3 Black plays as it is ίη White's interest to exchange
41 ... c5. his bishop οη e4 rather than his
41 ... cxb5 42 Φθ3 Φθ6 43 Φd3 'it>d7 knight. Firstly, because the knight has
44 'ίti>c3 'ίti>c7! more potentia1 than the bishop and

36
 2 ... t'Δθ4 3 iLf4 d5

secondly because his king will be which gives White an excellent out-
much nearer to safety. post οη e5 for his bishop.
5 ... iVb6 18 ... tΔxd4+ 19 exd4 a6 20 ~a7 e6
5... e6 and 5... g6 have been suggested 21 1:tb 1 .1Le 7? 22 .1Le5+ 1-0
by Greenfeld, while Hodgson- 22 iιe5+ ~f7 23 1ιbb7 1ιhe8 24 iιd6
Ma. Tseitlin, Ischia 1996, continued wlns a plece.
5.. .'~Jc6 6 iιxe4 (criticised ίη some
quarters, but it is the logical follow-up) Game·15
6... dxe4 7 d5 CL\b4 8 CL\c3 e6 9 d6 "iYa5 Conquest-Xie Jun
(9 ... CL\c6 10 CL\xe4 f5 11 iιg5 "iYb6 12 Hastings 1996/97
CL\f6 +! Φf7 13 CL\xh7 I,i.xh7 14 d7 was
good for White ίη Speelman-Wang 1 d4 tΔf6 2 .1Lg5 tΔe4 3 .1Lf4 d5 4 e3
γ aoyao, Beijing 1997) 10 CL\ge2 iιd7 .1Lf5
11 ο-ο f5 12 a3 CL\c6 13 b4! cxb4 14 This has been Black's most popular
axb4 "iYb6 (14 ... "iYxb4 15 I,i.b1) and ac- choice, but it does encourage White to
cording to Greenfeld 15 "iYd2 would advance his kingside pawns.
have left White well placed. 5 f3 tΔf6
6 .1Lxe4 dxe4 7 tΔc3 iVxb2 8 tΔge2
.i.g4 9 tΔxe4! .i.xe2 1 Ο ~xe2 cxd4
11 iVd3!
White has ηο desire to exchange
queens with such a lead ίη develop-
ment. The threat of I,i.fb 1 now en-
courages Black to compromise her
position.
11 ... f5 12 tΔg5 tΔc6 13 tΔe6 ~c8 14
~hb1 iVc3 15 iVxc3 dxc3 16 ~xb7

6 c4!?
White wants space everywhere. Ιη­
stead 6 g4 iιg6 7 h4 has been the prin-
cipal continuation. For example:
a) 7... h6 8 iιd3 iιxd3 9 "iYxd3 c6 10
CL\c3 CL\a6 11 CL\ge2 e6 12 0-0-0 "iY a5 13
Φb1 0-0-0 and 14 g5 was better for
White, Adams-De la Vil1a, Leon 1995.
b) 7... h5 8 g5 CL\fd7 9 CL\c3 (9 iιh3
has been suggested while 9 iιd3 will
The black game is ίη ruins. be similar to the game) 9... c6 10 iιd3
16 ... Φf7 17 tΔd4 ~f6 18 .1Lc7! iιxd3 11 "iYxd3 g6 12 e4 e6 and now:
Forcing Black to exchange οη d4, b1) 13 0-0-0 iιe7 14 I,i.e1CL\a6 15 a3

37
The Trompo wsky

lLJb6 with quite a good game for j,xd7+ 'iVxd7 11 'iVe2 lLJxg2+ 12 'iVxg2
Black, whose play οη the queenside ~xb8 13 dxc5 and at this stage 'resigns'
looks more dangerous than anything looks like a reasonable option for
White might be able to conjure υρ οη Black. He soldiered οη, though, and ίη
the other wing. Sensing the danger, the end White had to fight for a draw!
White, ίη Hodgson-Nunn, German b) 8...!txb8 9 e4 lLJe3 and now
Bundesliga 1995/96, tried 16 ~e5 ο-ο White has to be careful. 10 'iVd2 allows
17 j,f6, but this pawn sacrifice is 1O ... lLJxf1 while 10 'iVd3 is not rec-
rather hard to believe. ommended either οη account of
b2) 13 exd5!? exd5 14 0-0-0 ~b4 15 1O ... 'iVxd4! 11 exf5 lLJxg2+! 12 Φd1
!te1+ Φf8 16 a3 j,xc3 17 'iVxc3 looks 'iVxd3+! 13 j,xd3 !td8, when White
much more promising for White. loses his bishop (14 Φe2 or 14 Φd2 are
Gulko-Kudrin, USA Championship met by 14 ... lLJf4( +) and 14 Φc2 by
1995, didn't last much longer: 14 ...lLJe1+). Therefore White should
17... lLJa6 18 !th2! Φg8 19 !the21LJc7 20 play 10 'iVe2, or perhaps 10 'iVc1. Ιη
'iVd3! (preventing ... lLJe6, which is now both cases 1O ... lLJxf1 is met by 11 exf5
met by 21 ~xe6!) 20 ... Φg7 21 lLJh3 a5 and the black knight is trapped. Black
(as 21 ...!te8 loses to 22 j,xc7 Black's is going to lose a piece and Ι don't see
cause is hopeless) 22 !te7 a4 23 .iιxc7 sufficient compensation.
'iVxc7 24 !t1e6! Φg8 25 ~xf7! 1-0. 7 lΔc3 c6 8 g4 Sιg6 9 h4 h6 10
6 ... e6 ~b3! b6
6...~xb 1 7 ~xb 1 c6 8 j,d3 e6 9 ~d3 Αη undesirable weakening of the
.iιb4+ 10 Φf2 ~e7 11 g4 dxc4 12 queenside, but after 1O ... 'iVb6 11 c5!
~xc4 ο-ο 13 e4 with an edge for White 'iVxb3 12 axb3 Black can't prevent b4-
was Adams-Emms, British Champion- b5; even ... a7-a6 doesn't help due to
ship 1997. the ρίη οη the a-file.
6... c5?! is aggressive but tactically 11 lΔh3 dxc4 12 Sιxc4 lΔd5 13
suspect due to 7 cxd51LJxd5 8 j,xb8! 0-0-0 Sιd6 14 Sιxd6 ~xd6 15 e4
lΔxc3 16 ~xc3 lΔd7
Ι find it hard to believe that Xie Jun
went ίη for this position οη purpose
(especially as one can never predict
what Conquest is going to play) , but
her database would probably have
revealed the game Efimov-Nordahl,
Gausdal 1991, which went instead
16 ... b5 17 ~b3 a5 18 h5 j,h7 19 g5
hxg5 20 d5! e5 21 dxc6 'iVxc6 22 lLJxg5
'iVxc3+ 23 bxc3 .iιg8 24 j,xf7+! j,xf7
25 ~d8+! Φχd8 26 lLJxf7+ Φe7 27
a) Adams-Van Wely, Tilburg 1996, lLJxh8 with advantage to White.
continued 8...lLJxe3 9 .iιb5+ j,d7 10 17 h5 Sιh7 18 Wb1!

38
 2 ... tΔe4 3 ~f4 d5

The king will feel much safer tent himself with 5 liJd2, for example
tucked away ίη the corner than οη the Κinsman-Apicella, London (European
c-file, which is liable to be opened at C1ub Cup) 1996, continued 5... liJxd2 6
anymoment. 'iYxd2 i.d6 7 i.xd6 cxd6 8 CZJf3 CZJd7 9
18 ... 0-0-0 19 Φa1 Φb8 20 lΔf2 f6 c4 dxc4 10 i,xc4 ο-ο 11 ο-ο b6 12 'iYe2
21 i.a6 c5?! 22 ~a3! ~g3 23 1:!.hf1 with a marginal plus for White.
cxd424lΔd3 5 ... b6 6 i.xe4 dxe4 7 tiJc3
Heading for b4 and c6. The differ- Although 7 liJd2 would have
ence ίη strength between the respec- avoided the pawn weaknesses that
tive bishops is quite striking. White received ίη the game, Black is
24 ... lΔe5 25 1:!.c1 1:!.he8 fine after 7... i,b7.
25 ... liJxd3 loses to 26 'iYe7! 7 ... i.b4 8 ~g4 ο-ο

26 ~a4! 9~g3?
This threatens liJxe5 followed by White should have played 9 i.e5! f6
'iYc6, while 26 ... liJxd3 of course loses 10 'iYxe4, when Black must give υρ the
to 27 'iYc6l::ιe7 28 'iYc8+! exchange. After 10 ... fxe5 11 'iYxa8
26 ...1:!.e7 27 ~xd4! 1:!.ed7 exd4 12 0-0-0 i,xc3 13 bxc3 'iYd6, the
Or 27 ... l::ιee8 28 'iYc3liJxd3 29 'iYc6! game is very unclear. If Hodgson had
28 ~c3! 1-0 realised how dire his situation would
The οηlΥ way to stop 29 'iYc8+ be ίη just a few moves time, then he
l::ιxc8
30 l::ιxc8 mate is the clearly υη­ would have certainly ventured this
acceptable 28 ... l::ιb7. Αη elegant finish. line, even if it goes against the grain
for him to grab a rook ίη the corner.
After all, isn't he the man who sacri-
fices three rooks οη a1 before break-
fast?
9 ... ~xc3+ 1 Ο bxc3 tίJc6! 11 lΔh3
1 d4 lΔf6 2 ~g5 lΔe4 3 i.f4 d5 4 e3 11 i,xc7 'iYd5 followed by ... i,a6
e6 5 i.d3 and ... l::ιac8 leaves White ίη a bad way.
Perhaps this time White could con- The extra pawn is irrelevant.

39
The Trompowsky

11 ... ~a6 12 f3 exf3 13 gxf3 f6! 14 and 22 :xf6 4Jc4 +. Α rare drubbing
~h6 1:ιf7 15 1:ιg1 'V/IIe7 for Hodgson ίη the Tromp.
White's p1an has backfired; B1ack's
king is perfect1y safe and it is his own 4Ga111:e 17 ..
king which is fee1ing the draught. 1... qΟΟΡ'Ι;r-GtιfειΙd
16 tΔf4? ..t>h8! 17 'V/IIh4 .Ha!ttn~.;1997·
.;,'\._χ ,';~""
..
'

White must have intended 17

iιxg7+ here, with the idea of regaining 1 d4 tΔf6 2 ~g5 tΔe4 3 ~f4 d5 4 f3
the piece after 17 ...:xg7 18 ~xg7+ tΔf6 5 tΔc3
~xg7 19 :xg7 Φχg7 20 4Jxe6+ Φf7 21
4Jxc7, noticing too 1ate that after
21 ...:g8! B1ack threatens ...:g1+. Α1-
though he has three pawns for a piece
it doesn't fee1 1ike it with his doub1ed
c-pawns. Hodgson prefers to 100k for
swind1ing chances ίη the rnίdd1egame.
17 ... gxh6 18 'V/IIxh6 1:ιg8 19 tΔg6+
1:ιχg6 20 1:ιχg6 'V/IIa3!
Α well ca1cu1ated switch to the of-
fensive.
21 ..t>d2
21 :xf6 ~xc3+ 22 Φf2 (22 Φd1 With his fourth move White sig-
4Jxd4!) 22 ... ~xc2+ 23 Φ g 3 ~g7+ 24 nalled his intention to p1ay e2-e4; he
Φf4 4Je7 1eaves B1ack with a winning just has to decide whether he wants to
attack as well as a materia1 advantage. p1ay it as a sacrifice, 5 e4, or prepare ί!
Note that :f8+ can now be met by with the text. Arguments can be made
... 4Jg8. ου! for both sides (5 4Jc3 b10cks the c-
21 ... tΔe5! 0-1 pawn and makes ί! difficu1t for White
to support his centre after B1ack p1ays
... c7-c5, whi1e 5 e4 might simp1y 10se a
pawn) , a1though if Ι was forced to
choose Ι think Ι would opt for 5 e4,
which is the subject of the next two
games.
5 ... e6
5... c5 6 e4 e6 transposes to the next
note and 6... dxe4 to the next game.
Οη 5... iιf5, Hodgson recommends 6
g4 iιg6 7 e4, whi1e 6 e4 dxe4 a1so
transposes to the next game.
Mate or tremendous 10ss of materia1 6 e4 ~e7
is inevitab1e after both 22 dxe5 ~d7+ B1ack has a coup1e of interesting a1-

40
 2 ... t:Δe4 3 Jιf4 d5

ternatives here: .i.h4+ 14 tLΊg3 e5! 15 .i.xg4 exf4 16

a) 6... ~M and now: 'iWxf4 'iWxd4 with good p1ay for B1ack.
a1) after 7 'iWd3!? a2) 7 e5 tLΊfd7 8 a3 ~e7 (8 ....i.xc3+)
9 .i.e3 c5 10 ί4 cxd4 11 'iWxd4 tLΊc6 12
'iWd2 tLΊdxe5?! 13 fxe5 d4 14 0-0-0 dxe3
15 'iWxe3 with excellent attacking
prospects for White ίη Adams-Smirin,
New γ ork 1994.
b) 6... c5 7 tLΊb5 tLΊa6 8 e5 tLΊd7 9 c3
.i.e7 has been reached οη severa1 occa-
sions, but White's position 100ks a bit
οί a mess to me. One examp1e is γu-
dasin-Uh1mann, Leipzig 1986, which
continued 10 dxc5?! (10 ~g3 or 10
.i.e3, intending f3-f4, should be con-
the position shou1d be compared sidered) 1O ... tLΊaxc5 11 b4 tLΊa6 12 .i.d3
with the following one from a varia- tLΊab8! 13 'iWe2 tLΊc6 14 tLΊh3?! a6 15
tion dear to my heart, the 'f3 Caro- tLΊd6+ .i.xd6 16 exd6 e5 17 ο-ο ο-ο with
Kann' (often known as the Fantasy an excellent game for B1ack.
variation): 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 f3 e6 4 7 ~d2 ο-ο 8 0-0-0 a6! 9 exd5 exd5
tLΊc3 .i.b4 5 ~ί4 ~b4 6 'iWd3. 10 g4 b5
The οη1Υ diHerence is that ίη the And they're οΗ!
Τ romp version the b1ack c-pawn re- 11 h4 b4 12 lLJce2
maίns at home whi1e ίη the Caro- White often faces a simί1ar dί1emma
Kann version it is οη c6. Ι was quite ίη the Sici1ian; shou1d he p1ay tLΊa4,
amused, therefore, to see that ίη ho1ding υρ the attack but sticking his
Sch1osser-Hug, Horgen Β 1995, B1ack knight οη the edge οί the board, or
actually p1ayed 7 ... c6 here (after 7 p1ay tLΊe2 and just get οη with the
'iWd3) , transposing to the Fantasy race? There are ηο hard and fast ru1es,
variation a tempo down (the b1ack but Ι wou1dn't advise p1aying l2Ja4
knight has taken three moves to get to un1ess you're sure that it is good.
ί6 whi1e the white bishop has taken 12 ... a5 13 lLJg3 a4 14 'it>b1 lLJc6 15
just two to arrive οη ί4)! And not οη1Υ g5 lLJe8 16 h5 b3! 17 a3 lLJd6 18 c3
that, but Hug swears the position is lLJa5!
good for B1ack! And ίί Hug thinks It may 100k as ίί White has suc-
that is good for B1ack, what can he ceeded ίη b10cking οΗ the 1ines 1eading
possib1y think οί my variation ίη the to his king, but ίη reality it is οη1Υ a
Caro-Kann? Anyway, Sch1osser-Hug matter οί time before B1ack 1ands with
continued 8 tLΊge2 (after 7 ... c6) 8... b6 9 a devastating sacrifice οη a3 or b2.
a3 σ much prefer 9 0-0-0) 9 ... ~a6 10 19 i,d3 lLJdc4 20 i,xh7+
'iWd2 (and here Ι 1ike 10 'iWe3) 1O ... ~e7 The οη1Υ chance (otherwise B1ack
11 g4?! dxe4 12 fxe4 tLΊxg4 13 .i.h3 p1ays ... ~xa3), even ίί it doesn't work.

41
The Trompowsky

20 ... Φχh7 21 g6+ Φg8 22 ~h2 ~g5 lίJf6 5 e4 dxe4

23 h6 gxh6 24 g7 1::te8 25 lίJ1θ2 5... e6 is the subject of the next
1::ta6! game.
Αη excellent defensive move, con- 6lίJc3
trolling a number of sensitive squares
along the third rank. And if Ι were to
tell you that 15 moves later Black
plays the move ... .ί:ίg6+, you would be
able to work out that the white king
has a lengthy journey ίη front of it.
26 1::tdg1 ~f6 27 lίJθ4!? dxe4 28
~xg5 'iVxf3 29 ~xh6 lίJxa3+! 30
Φa1 'iVd3!

White is now playing the Blackmar-

Diemer Gambit with the extra tempo
iH4. While it may be argued that f4 is
not the ideal square for the bishop, it
cannot be denied that White is one
step closer to castling queenside than
ίη the normal Blackmar-Diemer; con-
sequently, his attack contaίns far more
venom and, ίη my view, this changes
Threatening a smothered mate. the evaluation of the gambit from
31 lίJf4 lίJc2+! 32 Φb1 lίJa3+ 33 'almost unsound' to 'full compensa-
Φa1 lίJc2+ 34 Φb1 a3! 35 lίJxd3 a2+ tion'.
36 Φc1 a1'iV+ 37 Φd2 lίJc4+ 38 Φθ2 6 ... exf3
exd3+ 39 Φf3 ~b7+ 40 Φg3 1::tg6+ The challenge is accepted. The al-
41 ~g51::te3+ ternatives are:
It is incredible how all the black a) 6... e3 7 ~xe3. Strangely enough,
pieces have come flooding into the Black has now won his tempo back
attack. Τ alk about kickίng a man (White has taken three moves to get
when he's down ... his bishop to e3, equalling Black's
42 Φg41::tχg5+ 43 Φf41::te4+ 0-1 three for his knight to get to f6) which
means that we have transposed di-
rectly into what Gary Lane (ίη his
book Blackmar-Diemer Gambit) de-
scribes as the Langeheinecke Defence.
After 7 ~xe3 (7 'i'd3!?, as played ίη
1 d4 lίJf6 2 ~g5 lίJθ4 3 ~f4 d5 4 f3 Benjamin-Yermolinsky, USA Cham-

42
 2 ... tΔe4 3 ~f4 d5

pionship 1995, is a serious alternative), the exciting prospect of booting the

Mi10v-Gelfand, Bie1 1995, continued b1ack queen around some more.
7... e6 8 4Jge2 (Lane's book concen- Hodgson-Kalka, German Bundesliga
trates οη 8 ~d3 and 8 ~c4) 8... 4Jbd7 9 1994, continued 13 ... 4Jxd3 14 ~d3
4Jg3 i..e7 10 'iVd3 ο-ο 11 0-0-0 a6 12 'iVc6 15 'iVg3 0-0-0 16 ~c3 'iVb6+ 17
4Jge4 4Jd5 13 h4 b6 14 4Jxd5 exd5 15 i..e3 'iVd6 18 'iVf2 f6 19 ~d3 Wic6 20
4Jg5 4Jf6 16 i..f4 c5 17 dxc5 and a 4Jd4 Wie4 21 4Jb5 e5 22 4Jxa7+ Φb8
draw was agreed somewhat prema- 23 ~fdl .td6 24 4Jb5 Wig4 25 i..a7+
ture1y. What Ι find most curious about Φc8 26 4Jxd6 cxd6 27 ~c3+ 4Jc5 28
this game is that it was the οη1Υ Wixc5+ 1-0.
Τ rompowsky ίη the tournament; not 7 CiJxf3 g6
50 curious, you may think, except for Α coup1e of other defensive set-ups
the fact that a certain Mr J .Hodgson, have been emp10yed by B1ack. One
who was to be found 1urking ίη the idea is to p1ay ... e7-e6 and ... c7-c6, cur1-
10wer half of the tournament tab1e, ing υρ into a bal1 with the intention of
conducted ηο 1ess than 5even games absorbing al1 White's pressure, while
with the white pieces ίη Bie1. Even the the other idea is to play ... i..g4 ίη or-
maestro needs a break from time to der to exchange οΗ his potential1y bad
time. bishop.
b) 6... c5 7 d5 exf3 8 LiJxf3 (White a) 7... c6 8 ~c4 e6 9 Wie2 (9 ο-ο has
has 1ess chance5 of de1ivering mate been p1ayed ίη a more recent game,
than ίη the main 1ine, but his strong but Ι prefer the idea of cast1ing 10ng)
pawn οη d5 provides other options) 9... 4Jbd7 10 0-0-0 4Jb6 11 d5! 4Jbxd5
8... g6 (οη 8... a6, Ι suggest 9 a4 followed (11 ... 4Jxc4 12 dxe6 4Jd6 13 exf7+ and
by something 1ike i..c4, ο-ο, 'iVe2 and a 11 ... cxd5 12 4Jb5 are both good for
~ to e1; if B1ack defends his e-pawn White) 12 ~xd5 4Jxd5 13 ~xd5! cxd5
with ~e8 then White shou1d examine 14 4Jb5 f6! 15 4Jc7+ Φf7 16 4Jxa8
whether he can switch the attack to .td6 17 ~xd6 (17 'iVd2 and 17 'iVe3
the f7-square) 9 4Jb5!? 4Ja6 10 ~c4 deserve consideration) 17 ... 'iVxd6 18
.tg7, Hertneck-Gavrikov, Germany ~H Gansa gives 18 Wib5 b6 19 Wia4 as
1993, and now 11 ο-ο ο-ο 12 d6 offers good for White, but I'm not so sure
good p1ay for the pawn according to after 18 ...Wib8) 18 ... ~d7 19 4Je5+ Φe7
Gavrikov. 20 Wig4 ~g8 21 4Jxd7 'iVxd7 22 Wig3
c) 6... .tf5 7 fxe4 (7 g4!? is an inter- Wid6! 23 4Jc7 Wixg3 24 hxg3 a6 25 ~el
esting alternative) 7....txe4 (7 ... 4Jxe4 is Φd6 26 ~xe6+ Φχc7 27 ~e7+ 1ι2-1ι2
a1so met by 8 'iVf3, when Ι don't be- Jansa-Sosonko, Amsterdam 1975.
1ieve that B1ack can take the d-pawn) 8 White's active rook guarantees his
4Jxe4 4Jxe4 9 'iVf3!? 'iVxd4 10 ~d1 'iVa4 safety ίη this ending.
11 i..d3 4Jc5 12 4Je2 4Jbd7 13 ο-ο with b) 7... ~g4 8 h3!? ~xB 9 Wixf3 c6 10
unc1ear p1ay. B1ack has a coup1e of 0-0-0 e6 11 ~c4 ~e7 12 Φb1 ο-ο
extra pawns, but White has a 1ead ίη (Baburin be1ieves that B1ack wou1d do
deve10pment, attacking chances and better to de1ay cast1ing) 13 h4 4Jd5 14

43
The Tromρo wsky

lLJe4 b5 15 ~d3 lLJd7?! (15 ... lLJxf4) 16 that 14 ~xb8! ~xb8 15 iιb5 ends the
lLJg5 lLJ7f6 17 iιe5 a5 18 ~df1 a4? game. 13 ... lLJd7 14 ~hd1 also leaves
(overlooking the threat that White has White with a lot of pressure.
painstakingly created with his last 141:tb5! ~c6 15 tΔe5 ~e8 16 h4!
couple of moves) 19 ~xh7+! lLJxh7 20 Α nice way to develop the fina1
'i'h5 1-0 S.Hansen-H.Olafsson, Reyk- piece. Black is totally unprepared to
javik 1995. Black is mated after both meet a mating attack οη the h-file.
20 ... lLJxg5 21 hxg5 f6 22 g6 and 16 ... tιJc6 17 h5! 95
20 ... lLJ5f6 21 ~xf6lLJxf6 22 ~xf6. Keeping the h-file closed, but at
8 ..tc4 ~g7 9 ~e2 ο-ο 1 Ο 0-0-0 c6 enormous cost. Οη the other hand,
17 ... lLJd4 18 'i'f2! lLJxb5 19 hxg6 hxg6
20 'i'h4+ is tota1ly out of the question
and 17 ... lLJxe5 18 ~xe5 will leave
Black with insufficient defenders to
protect his king.
18 tΔxc6 ~xc6 19 1:txg5 ~f6 20
~e5!

If Black played this with the inten-

tion of stopping d4-d5, which is what
Hodgson had intended to play after
10 ... iιg4, then he didn't know his ορ­
ponent sufficiently well.
11 d5!
It makes sense for the better devel-
oped side to open the centre, but there 20 ... h6
are also some nice tactica1 points be- Hodgson gives the following attrac-
hind this breakthrough. tive variation: 20 ... Φh8 21 h6! 'i'xe5
11 ... cxd5 22 hxg7+ 'i'xg7 23 ~xg7 Φχg7 24
Black's queen now becomes very ~h6+ Φg8 25 ~h5! ~d8 26 ~g5+ Φh8
exposed. If instead 11 ... 'i'b6, then 27 iιxf7 with mate to follow.
Hodgson suggests 12 d6! exd6 (12 ... e6 21 1:tg6!
may be better) 13 iιxd6 ~e8 14 Ι rea11y like White's last couple of
iιxf7+! Φχf7 15 lLJg5+ Φg8 16 'i'c4+ moves, which demonstrate that it is
lLJd5 17 ~he1! with a big attack. not necessary to have queens οη the
12 ιiJxd5 ιiJxd5 13 1:txd5! ~b6 board to conduct a ferocious mating
Julian was sure that his opponent attack. Ιη this case exchanging queens
intended 13 ... 'i'e8?, οηlΥ now spotting removes Black's best defensive piece.

44
 2 ... lΔe4 3 Jιf4 d5

21 ... ~xg6 22 hxg6 1ιχe5 23 1ιχe5 to expel the black queen with .te 1.
jLe6 11 tΔd2 a5 12 a3 a4 13 .Jίd3 .Jίd7
There is nothing else. 23 ... e6, for 14 tΔe2 tΔa5 15 ο-ο g6 16 g4 .tc6
example is met by 24 g7 and 25 1ιχh6. 17 tΔg3 tΔbc4 18 tΔxc4 tΔxc4 19
24 nxh6 f6 25 1ιχe6+ 'it>g7 26 1ιf4 ~e2 b5 20 f5 .te7 21 nf3 .Jίh4?! 22
nh8 27 nxh8 nxh8 fxe6 fxe6 23 .th6 ~b6 24 ~f2 0-0-0
The ending is completely hopeless
for Black: White just creates a passed
pawn οη the queenside while the
black king is stuck οη the kingside.
28 c4 Φχg6 29 g4 nh3 30 'it>d2 a5
31 c5 a4 32 b4 axb3 33 axb3 1-0

1 d4 tΔf6 2 1ιg5 tΔe4 3 1ιf4 d5 4 f3

tΔf6 5 e4 e6 6 e5 tΔfd7 71ιe3! Although the black king may have
White immediately redeploys his escaped to the relative safety of the
forces. The bishop has to get out of queenside, the key factor ίη assessing
the way of the f-pawn which belongs this position is White's total control of
οη f4 ίη order to reinforce the centre the only open file, especially as this
and vacate f3 for the knight. open file has several entry points.
7 ... c5 8 c3 tΔc6 25 nf1 nd7 26 Φg2 nhd8 27 'it>h3
Funnily enough, soon afterwards .txg3 28 Φχg3 b4 29 1ιf8 b3! 30
Benjamin found himself defending the .Jίc5 ~a5 31 1ιb4 ~b6 32 nf6 .Jίb5
black position against 'Mr Trom- 33 1ιc5 ~a6 34 nc1 Φb7 35 1ιf1
powsky' himself. After 8... b6 9 f4.ta6 nc8 36 g5 nc6 37 1ιh3 tΔa5 38 nc3
10 ~xa6 l2Jxa6 11 l2Jf3 ~e7 12 ο-ο ο-ο 1ιd3 39 nf7! ncc7 40 nxd7 nxd7 41
13 f5! exf5 14 ~d3 l2Jc7 15 ~xf5 1ιb4!
White had the better prospects ίη White correctly judges that an ex-
Hodgson-Benjamin, Las Vegas 1995. change of minor pieces will leave his
9 f4 cxd4 1 Ο cxd4 tΔb6 major pieces dominant.
Benjamin-Malishauskas, from the 41 .. .1ιf5 42 .Jίxa5! ~xa5 43 nc5
same Moscow Olympiad, went instead ~d8 44 ~d2 nc7 45 .Jίxf5 gxf5 46
1O ... ~a5+ 11 Φf2 l2Jb6 12 b3 .td7 13 ~b4+ Φc8 47 h4 ~e8 48 ~a5! nxc5
l2Jf3 1ιc8 14 a3 l2Ja8 15 1ιa2 l2Je7 16 49 ~a8+ Φd7 50 ~xe8+ Φχe8 51
.td2 ~b6 17 l2Jc3 l2Jf5 18 Μ! ~d8 dxc5 1-0
(18 ... l2Jxd4 19 .te3! 1ιχc3 20 iιxd4) 19 Black may have two protected
g4l2Jh4 20 l2Jxh4 ~xh4+ 21 Φg2 with passed pawns but they are ηο match
advantage to White, as he will be able for White's well spread collection.

45
The Trompowsky

Summary
Ι don't think we'll be seeing much more of 4 tLΊd2 as 4 ... c5 seems quite awkward
for White and 4 ...iιf5 seems to equalise quite comfortably. 4 e3 100ks a better
moνe, keeping the option open of chasing the knight with f2-B. Here 4 ... c5
100ks risky and 4 ... ~f5 inνites White to expand οη the kingside, but γermolin-
sky's 4 ...e6 giνes White much less to work with. After 4 f3 tLΊf6 5 tLΊc3 e6 Black
seems to get a quite decent sort of French, so White mίght do better to play the
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit with an extra tempo. There, at least, if Black declines
the gambit, White will be able to coνer his centre with the moνe c2-c3.

1 d4l2Jf6 2 ~g5l2Je4 3 .tf4 d5

4l2Jd2
4 e3 (D)
4 ... c5 - Game 14
4 ... ~f5 - Game 15
4... e6 - Game 16
4 f3 tLΊf6 (D)
5 tLΊc3 - Game 17
5 e4
5 ... dxe4 - Game 18
5 ... e6 - Game 19
4 ... c5 (D)
4 ... ~f5 - Game 13
5 l2Jxe4 - Game 12

4 e3 4 ... l2Jf6 4 ... c5

46
 2 ... 4Je4: Other Third Moves
for White

1 d4 l2Jf5 2 .)ig5 l2Je4 νery good. Theoretica11y speaking it

This chapter is concerned with two doesn't offer White anything, but if
third moνe a1ternatiνes for White after played against the right opponent it
1 d4lbf6 2 .i.g5 lbe4: 3 h4 (Games 20- can haνe a strong psychologica1 im-
24) and 3 iιh4 (Games 25-28). pact. Black almost inνariably chooses
3 h4 introduces the system com- between the solid 3 ... d5 (Games 20
monly known as the 'Μ Tromp'. Ι and 21) and the sharper 3... c5, which is
belieνe that it first came to promί­ the subject of Games 22-24.
nence ίη the game Depasquale-Kudrin 3 iιh4 used to be the main line but
(see Game 21), and it just seemed so has been discredίted somewhat ίη re-
outrageous that players such as Hodg- cent years. Ν owadays none of the ma-
son and Plaskett immediately adopted jor Trompowskyites seem willing to
it into their repertoires. Although go anywhere near it, the explanation
nowadays this νariation seems almost for which is to be found mainly
commonplace, it had a terrible effect within Game 25. Game 26 features a
οη its first νictims. The memory of more solid treatment from White, but,
Eddie Gufeld all a10ne οη the stage of as it leads to a leνel looking ending by
that most impressiνe chess νenue, the moνe 10, Ι don't expect to see multi-
Queens Hotel, Hastings, one hour tudes of white players flocking to-
after his defeat by Hodgson, is still a wards it.
νery νiνid one oνer ten years later.
The popularity of the 'h4 Tromp' Game 20 : ,/
may haνe waned oνer the last few HodgsOn.:Salov,." .
'"Wijkαan Zl&"'1993 'Ά""
q

years, not least because White has dis-

coνered many interesting ideas ίη the
respectable 3 .i.f4 line (see Chapters 1 1 d4l2Jf6 2 .)ig5 l2Je4 3 h4 d5
and 2), but its practical results remain The main alternatiνe, 3 ... c5, is ex-

47
The Tromρo wsky

amined ίη Games 22-24. out. After this game he made a half-

4lZJd2 hearted attempt to patch ίι up with 5
One of the main drawbacks of play- e3 and soon discarded ίι altogether.
ing 3 h4, as opposed to 3 ~f4, is that His games with 5 e3 were ηοΙ very
the aggressive lines of Games 17-19 are lnsplrιng:

ηο longer an οριίοη (after 4 f3? Black a) Hodgson-Belyavsky, Groningen

replies 4... 4Jg3 with embarrassing con- 1994, continued 5... h6 6 ~f4 e6 7 g4
sequences). ~h7 8 4Jxe4 ~xe4 9 f3 ~h7 10 ~d3
~xd3 11 'iYxd3 c5 12 j"xb8!? ~xb8 13
f4 cxd4 14 exd4 ~d6 15 4Je2 h5! and.
as Julian writes ίη his Trends in the
Torre and Trompowsky, ίη order Ιο
avoid a positional disadvantage, he was
now forced Ιο give up a pawn for
'nebulous compensation' (16 0-0-0
hxg4 17 f5 was the game).
b) 5... 4Jxd2 6 'iYxd24Jd7 74Jf3 h6 8
~f4 e6 9 4Je5 j"d6 10 h5 4Jxe5 11
~xe5 ο-ο 12 ~xd6 'iYxd6 13 j"d3 with
an equal game ίη Hodgson-
4 ... ~f5 Tukmakov, Bern 1995. Ι think this
4... 4Jxg5 is the subject of the next was the final straw.
game, while a couple of other moves 5 ... ~xe4 6 f3 h6! 7 fxe4
deserve a brief mention: Τ ο the solid 7 ~f4 Black replies
a) 4... 4Jxd2 5 ~xd2 (5 'iYxd2 fol- 7... ~h7, tucking his bishop out of
lowed by 0-0-0 is also possible) 5... e5?! harm's way; Kosic-Drozdov, Bukovice
6 dxe5 4Jc6 7 4Jf3 ~g4 8 ~g5 ~e7 9 1993, then continued 8 e3 e6 9 j"d3
'iYd2 'iYd7 10 0-0-0 0-0-0, Hodgson- ~xd3 10 'iYxd3 4Jd7 11 4Je2 ~e7 12
Hebden, Candas 1992, and now 11 e3 g3 c5 with active play for Black.
would have left Black struggling to 7 .. .hxg5 8 jVd3
win his pawn back, as 11 ... j"xf3 12 Ι find the white position particu-
gxf3 4Jxe5 fails Ιο 13 ~h3. larly ragged and unattractive, but
b) Ιι would be nice to see somebody maybe that's just a personal problem.
try 4... c5!? here. Ιι worked well ίη Miladinovic, one of the most faithful
Game 12 and Ι don't believe that adherents of this variation, is ηοΙ will-
White's set-up is any more favourable ing to give up οη this line yet. His lat-
here. est finesse is 8 4Jf3, when although he
5lZJxe4 was successful ίη Miladinovic-
Ι don't believe that Hodgson ever Alterman, Elenite 1995, the opening
had much faith ίη 3 h4, but as long as wasn't responsible. After 8... gxh4 9
he remained unbeaten with ίι he was 'iYd3 c6 10 g3 e6 11 gxh4 'iYa5+
quite happy to keep οη wheeling ίι (11. .. dxe4 12 'iYxe4 'iYd5) 12 c3 dxe4 13

48
 2 ... CiJe4: Other Third Moves for White

Ύi'xe4 lίJd7Black had a perfectly satis- giνes21 0-0-0 .te7 22 g3 i..g5 23 iιg2
factory position. Φd7, when White's kingside is not
8 ... e6 9 ~b5+? going anywhere ίη a hurry.
Α wildly optimistic moνe which 21 e3 Uxh5 22 J:txh5 gxh5 23 ltJe2
leads White ίηto trouble. Saloν pro- ~h6 24 Φf2 h4 25 93 h3 26 tZJc3 f5
posed 9 lίJf3 g4 10 lίJe5 lίJd7 11 lίJxd7 What a beautiful pawn chain!
'i'xd7 12 g3 with an equal game. 27 b4 tZJc7 28 a4 a6 29 J:tb1 Φd7 30
9 ... tZJc6 1 Ο 'i*'xb7 tZJb4! a5 I:.h8 31 .te2 Jιf8!
Perhaps Julian had οηlΥ considered The bishop heads for its ideal square
1O ... lίJxd4, after which 11 0-0-0 would οη d6, from where it can keep an eye
be νery dangerous for Black. οη both sides of the board.
11 't!Vb5+ 32 Wg1 Jιd6 33 Φh2 .ί:.b8 34 b5
11 e3 .ί:.b8 12 .tb5+ r:3;;e7 doesn't axb5 35 cxb5 cxb5 36 ~xb5+ tZJxb5
help White. 37 ~xb5 Wc6 38 ~xb8 .txb8 39 a6
11 ... 'iVd7 12 'iVb7 Jιθ 7 40 tZJe2 Jιb8 41 tZJc3 Wb6 42
12 'iVxd7+ Φχd7 13 <Jtd2 dxe4 is aw- tZJa4+ ΦΧθ6 43 tZJc5+ Φb5 44 tZJxe6
ful for White. Wc40-1
12 ... ~c8 13 ~b5+ 'i*'d7 14 ~b7 White resigned as οη 45 lίJg7 Black
'iVc8 15 't!Vb5+ c6! plays 45 ... f4 46 gxf4 .txf4!, after
Νο draw today, thank you! which his pawns will be unstoppable.
16 'Yia4 dxe4

1 d4 tZJf6 2 ~g5 tZJe4 3 h4 d5 4 tZJd2

tZJxg5 5 hxg5 ~f5
5... c5 is interesting. Kosic-Filipoνic,
Yugoslaνia 1994, continued 6 dxc5 e5
7 e4!? (this is meant to be an im-
proνement οη the preνiously played 7
lίJb3 lίJc6, which does look good for
Black) 7....txc5 8 lίJgf3 'tWb6 9 'ii'e2
White's kingside consists of holes, 'i'xb2 10 .ί:.b 1 'i'xc2 11 'iVb5+ iιd7 12
weak pawns and undeνeloped pieces. 'i'xb7 ο-ο 13 ~xd5 iιc6 14 'i'c4 'iί'xc4
The prognosis is not good. 15 .txc41ίJd7 16 g6! hxg6 171ίJh4! and
17 c4 'iVa6 18 'Yixa6 tZJxa6 19 h5 g4! the threat of lίJxg6 proνed decisiνe.
Sealing the fate of White's h-pawn The whole thing looks rather suspi-
and tying υρ the white kingside eνen cious though and Kosic himself points
further. out that Black could haνe tried
20 a3 g6 11 ... lίJc6 or 11 ... lίJd7.
20 ... e3! was eνen stronger. Saloν 6 e3 c5

49
The Trompowsky

6... e6 is the alternative, after which 9 ... ~b6 10 dxc5 ~f6

Hodgson-Zagrelbeny, Manila 01ym- Those of you who read the previous
piad 1992, continued 7 g4 ~g6 8 f4 note will understand why Black didn't
l2Jd7 9 'iVf3 ~xc2 10 1;Ic1 ~a4 11 ~d3 take either pawn.
g6 12 f5 gxf5 13 gxf5 'iVxg5 14 l2Jh3 11 ~f3 e5 12 ~xf6 gxf6 13 Sιxg6+
'iVh4+ 15 l2Jf2 'iVg5 16 l2Jh3 'iVh4+ 17 Wd8
l2Jf2 'iVg5 18l2Jh3 ~-~. 13 ... Φe7! is better. After 14 f3 (now
7 g4 14 g5 fxg5 15 l2Jgf3 Φf6 is not play-
This, incidentally, was the game able) 14 ... l2Ja6 15 1;Ixh7+ 1;Ixh7 16
that launched the 'h4 Tromp' into the .txh7 .th6 17 l2Jf1 l2Jxc5 Black had
public eye and Ian Rogers, ίη his an- plenty of positional compensation for
notations ίη In/ormator, awarded this the pawn ίη M.Hansen-Fedorov, Τ aas-
move an '!'. Kosic, though, has his trup 1992.
own ideas and recently tried 7 dxc5. 14 g5! ~g7 15 gxf6 ~xf6 16 ~h5
After 7... e6 8 l2Jb3 ~xc5 9 ~d3 (9 l2Ja6 17 0-0-0 ~c8 18 l2Jb3 We 7 19
l2Jxc5 "iYa5+) 9... ~xd3 10 'iVxd3 he ~f3! e4 20 ~e2
claίms that White is clearly better, but ΒΥ forcing the e-pawn to advance,
Ι wonder if he took 1O ... 'iVxg5! into White has secured an important cen-
account, tral outpost for his knights.
20 ... ~e6 21 ~xa6 bxa6 22 l2Je2
~g4 23 ~d2 ~f3 24 ~h6 ~cg8 25
c3 Jιg5 26 ~xa6 h5 27 l2Jg3 h4 28
l2Jf5+ Wf8 29 ~xa7 h3 30 l2Jbd4!

e.g. 11l2Jxc5 'iVxg2 12 'iVb5+ l2Jc6 13

'iVxb7 ο-ο 14 "iYxc6 "iYxh1 15 0-0-0 'iVh4
and Black mίght even haνe the better
prospects.
7 ... Jιd7 8 g6! For a moment there things were
This has become a very famίliar looking a little unclear, but now it
theme ίη the 'h4 Tromp'. becomes obvious that the mating at-
8 ... fxg6 9 Jιd3 tack will triumph over the queening
Black's kingside is very shaky and attempt.
he will constantly have to be οη the 30 ... ~h6 31 ~a8+ Φf7 32 l2Jxh6+
lookout for 1ιχg6 and 1;Ixh7 ideas. ~xh6 33 ~a7+ Φg6 34 l2Jxf3 exf3

50
 2 ... 'Δθ4: Other Third Moves 'σ, White

35 1:rxd5 .i.xe3+ 36 ~c2 .i.f4 37

1:ra6+ ~g7 38 1:rd7+ ~h8 39 1:raa7
1:re8 40 1:rh 7 + ~g8 41 1:rxh3 1:re2+ 42
Φb3 1:rxf2 43 c6 1-0

.. Game22
. Kosic~Shipoν
.Belgrdde4994

1 d4 lίJf6 2 .i.g5 lίJe4 3 h4 c5

This is more energetic than 3... d5,
but it also a110ws White more play.
I'm sure Hodgson gave υρ the 'h4 a) 6 tZJxe4 tZJxe4 7 'i'd4 'i'a5+ 8 c3
Tromp' because of 3... d5 rather than tZJxg5 9 hxg5 iνxg5 10 e4 iνa5 11 tZJf3
3... c5. (Ι dίdn't believe it at first, but White
4dxc5 does seem to have good play for his
4 d5 is examίned ίη Game 24. pawn) 11 ... d6 12 e5! dxe5 13 tZJxe5
4 ... lίJa6 ~e6 14 b4! iνa4 15 !td1 with a strong
This has become quite popular re- attack for White ίη Depasqua1e-Lanka,
cently, although Hodgson believes it Melbourne 1991. Note that 15 ... f6 can
to be inferior to 4 ... iνa5+, which is the be met by 16 tZJg6.
subject of the next game. b) 6 tZJgf3 'i'b6 7 tZJxe4 tZJxe4 8 iν d4
4 ... tZJxg5 5 hxg5 e6 is another wor- 'i'xd4 9 tZJxd4 a6 10 g3 e5 11 tZJb3 d5
thy a1ternative. Τ osic-Varavin, ΑΙ­ 12 ~g2 has occurred several times and
ushta 1994, continued 6 tZJf3 ~xc5 7 practice suggests that White has an
e3 tZJc6 (7 ... iνb6 8 tZJbd2 d5 9 tZJb3 edge here, e.g. 12 ... tZJxg5 13 hxg5 i,e6
~e7 10 iνd2 tZJc6 11 0-0-0 iιd7 12 'i'c3 14 0-0-0 0-0-0 15 i,h3! or 12 ... f5 13
f6 is given as unclear by Timoshenko) i,xe4 fxe4 14 c3 b6 15 0-0-0 i,e6 16 f3
8 'i'd3 iνb6 9 tZJbd2? (White should exf3 17 exf3 iιd6 18 f4, as ίη Hodgson-
not have been so generous; 9 iνb5 is Hebden, Cappelle la Grande 1992, ίη
better) 9... iνxb2 10 !tb1 iνxa2 11 iνc3? both cases with a slight advantage for
and now Black faίled to spot White.
11 ... 'i'xb1+! 12 tZJxb1 iιM, but luckίly 5 ... lίJaxc5 6 lίJc3 lίJxc3 7 'iVxc5 lίJe4
for him, he had another opportunity 8 ~d5 lίJf6?!
to play the same combination a few 8 ... tZJxg5 9 hxg5 'i'b6 10 0-0-0 'i'xf2
moves later. wins a pawn for, ίη my view, insuffi-
5 'iVd4!? cient compensation. Kosic-Kiselev,
The latest offering from Υugoslavia, Yugoslavia 1993, continued 11 tZJf3
although it is still unclear if Black can (Miladinovic suggests 11 iνe4, but af-
equa1ise agaίnst 5 tZJd2. After ter something like 11 ... 'i'b6 12 tZJf3 g6
5... tZJaxc5 there are a couple of varia- Ι prefer Black; 13 iνe5 can be met by
tions: 13 ... f6 14 exf6 'i'xf6) 11 .. :i!Ve3+ 12

51
Τhe Τrompowsky

Φb1 e6 13 'ifc4 d5 14 'ifb5+ iιd7 15 ing i-xf7+ and 'ifd8 mate and
'ifxb7 l:i.c8 with an excellent game for 32 ... i-d7 33 'i'xg5 i-xc6 (33 ... 'i'xc6 is
Black. better) 34 i-xe6! with the point
9 ~xf6 gxf6 1 Ο 0-0-0 d6 11 e4 a6 34 ... fxe6 35 'i'g6+ 'i'f7 (35 ... Φe7 36
Α faίrly typical Richter-Rauzer ρο­ 'ifh7+) 36 ':d8+ Φe7 37 'ifg5+ 'i'f6 38
sition has arisen. Ι suspect that Black is 'i'xf6+ and 39 ':xf8.
not doing to badly at this stage, but he 30 bxc3 nxg4 31 ~h5 ng6 32 ~f3
soon drifts into an inferior position. ~g7 33 'iVb7 ~xθ5 34 ltJf3 ~c7 35
12 ltJe2 'iVb6 13 ltJd4 e6 ltJe5 ng1 36 nxg1 ~xθ5 37 ng8+
Maybe 13 ...'ifc5 at once is better. 1-0
After 14 'ifxc5 dxc5 Black doesn't
haνe to worry about 15 lbb5? as he
can create an escape square for his
king by flicking ίη a check οη h6,
while 15 lbf5 e6 also looks fine. Basi-
cally, a queen exchange is ίη Black's 1 d4 ltJf6 2 ~g5 ltJe4 3 h4 c5 4
interest as then he won't haνe to dxc5 'iVa5+ 5 ltJd2 ltJxg5 6 hxg5 g6
worry too much about king safety. 6... 'ifxc5 allows the pawn sacrifice 7
14 'iVh5 'iVc5 15 'iVe2 ~d7 16 1:th3 g6!, e.g. 7... fxg6 8 e3 lbc6 9 lbgf3 lbe5
1:tc8 17 Φb1 ~θ7 18 f4 1:tg8 19 1:tb3 10 lbxe5 'ifxe5 11 iιd3 'iff6 12 c3 fol-
b5 20 g4 h6 21 ~h3 'iVa7 22 g5! lowed by 'i'c2, with a strong initiatiνe
fxg5 23 hxg5 hxg5 24 ~h5 g4 25 for White.
~xg4 ~c5 26 e5 dxe5 27 fxe5 1:tg5 7 c3
28 'iVh8+ ~f8 29 1:tc3 'iVxc3 7 ':h4!? lbc6 (7 ... 'ifxc5?? 8 ':c4) 8
Black is also ίη a bad shape after ~c4 is a neat way for White to hang
29 .. :~xe5 30 ~xc8+ j"xc8 31 lbc6 οη to his c-pawn, although after
'ifc7 32 'iff6! 8...lbe5 9 I:ic3 iιg7 Black has plenty of
play.
7 ... ~xc5 8 ltJgf3 ~g7 9 b4!?
White has adopted an interesting
strategy; he wishes to gaίn as much
space as possible οη the queenside
while placing his pawns οη dark
squares so that they co-operate well
with his remaίning bishop.
Instead, Hodgson-Nunn, English
Championship 1991, went 9 e3 lbc6
10 lbb3 'i'b6 11 a4 d6 12 a5 'ifc7 13
~a4 i-d7 14 'ifa1 h5 15 gxh6 ':xh6 16
For example, 32 ... ~e7 33 lbxe7 Iίxh6 ~xh6 with a roughly leνel
~xe7 34 "iWh8+ 'i1if8 35 kιd8+; 32 ... game.
:!d5 33 1:.xd5 exd5 34 ~h5!, threaten- 9 ... 'iVc7

52
 2 ... tΔe4: Other Third Moves 'σ, White

Of course not 9... 'iVxc3?? 1011c1. 1:!.xe3 34 ~xe3 iLf6 35 ~e6+

1 Ο e3 d6 11 1:!.c1 liJd7 12 liJd4 a6 35 'iVb3+ is termίnal, except for the
Ι must admit that Ι was feeling fact that White would still haνe had to
rather uncomfortable around here as Ι make the time contro1.
couldn't think of much to do. ΜΥ ορ­ 35 ... Wg7 36 liJf7 iVa5 37 d7 'ii'b5+
ponent' s next moνe came as a relief as 38 '1t>f3 iVb2?? 39 d8iV ~xd8 40
a chink ίη his armour finally appeared. liJxd80-1
13 c4?iVb6! 14c5 White lost οη time. Ι didn't feel too
White prefers to giνe a pawn than guilty considering what had happened
go passiνe with 14 lbc2. υρ until moνe 30, but Ι was rather
14 ... dxc5 15 bxc5 liJxc5 16 iL.c4 ο-ο disgusted with my play.
17 'ii'f3 iVb2!
The queen is going to proνe most
awkward for White to deal with. Ι was
pleased with this moνe as normally
White has to offer some tasty bait to
lure the black queen down here. 1 d4 liJf6 2 iL.g5 liJe4 3 h4 c5 4 d5
18 1:!.b1 iVc3 19 1:!.h4 e5 20 liJ4b3 Hodgson faνours this moνe oνer
liJxb3 21 1:!.xb3 iVc1+ 22 '1t>e2 ~f5 the more common 4 dxc5.
23 e4 1:!.ad8! 24 iL.d5 1:!.xd5! 25 exd5 4 ... liJxg5
~c2 26 1:!.c4 e4 27 liJxe4 1:!.e8 28 Alternatiνely:
1:!.xc2 'ii'xc2+ 29 '1t>e1 'ii'c1+ 30 '1t>e2 a) 4... 'iVb6 5 lbd2 lbxd2 (5 ... lbxg5 6
hxg5 'iVxb2 7 e4 offers White plenty of
compensation for the pawn, while Ι
haνe a νague memory of Hodgson
once playing 7 g6!? fxg6 8 e3 ίη Bad
Worishofen) 6 ..txd2 'iVxb2 is νery
risky for Black. One example is Hodg-
son-Sareen, Calcutta 1993, which con-
tinued 7 lbf3 e6 8 e4 exd5 9 exd5 iιe7
10 llb 1 'iVxa2 11..tc3 iιf6 12 lbe5
(threatening :a1) 12 ... 'iVa4 13 ..td3 ο-ο
14 'iVh5 g6 15 'iVf3 ..tg7 16 11a1 win-
ning the queen.
30 .. :~xg5? b) 4... g6 5 'ilVd3 and now:
If Ι had played the simple 30 ...'iVc4+ b1) 5... lbxg5 6 'iVc3 (a Hodgson spe-
31 We3 f5! 32 gxf6 ..th6+, this would ciality) 6... f6 7 hxg5 ..tg7 8 lbd2
haνe been a game that Ι could haνe (perhaps 8 gxf6 is better ίη order to
been proud of. Instead, with both force Black to recapture with the
players ίη extreme time-trouble, the bishop) 8... d6 9 gxf6 exf6! 10 'iVg3
remainder was a total farce. (threatening :xh7) 1Ο ... 0-0! 11 'iVh4 h6
31 1:!.e3 ~d8 32 d6 f5? 33 liJg5! 12 'iVg3 g5 and Black is better accord-

53
The Trompowsky

ing to Gufeld (and me ίη Beating the Superficially the position may look
Anti King's Indiαns). attractive for Black, with his pressure
b2) 5... 'iWa5+ (preventing 'iWc3, but, οη the b-file and bishop paίr, but a
as we have just seen, that is not really closer inspection reνeals that his
necessary) 6 lbd2 lbxg5 7 hxg5 ..tg7 8 queenside is weak and that the bishops
c3 d69 e4lbd7 10 a4 ~b8 11lbc4 'iWc7 don't have much scope. Maybe he
12 f4 a6 13 a5 b5 14 axb6 lbxb6 15 should have tried ... e7-e6 at some
'iWc2 e6 16 dxe6 ..txe6 with unclear point as the rest of the game was
play ίη Hodgson-Emms, British pretty tragic for him.
Championship 1992. 23 f4 ~xh6 24 1:.f2
5 hxg5 g6 Now the knight οη d1 is free to
It is usually a good idea to prevent roam the board ίη search of booty.
White from playing g5-g6, especially if 24 ... ..ιιh4 25 1:.d2 i.f6 26 tLJe3 1:.c8
you are facing Hodgson. 27 tLJe2 a5 28 tLJd4 ~h7 29 ~f2
6 tLJc3 d6 7 a4 i.g7 8 'i'd2 'i'b6 9 Φg8 30 tLJf3 ~g7 31 g4!
1:.a2 The start of one of the most me-
Ν ot an ideal post for the rook, but thodical and leisurely kingside attacks
remember that it οηlΥ has to be there I've ever seen.
while the black queen is attacking the 31 ...1:.c5 32 g5 1:.b8 33 ~g3 f6 34
b-pawn. gxf6 exf6 35 tLJh4 1:.e8 36 ~f3 Φf7
9 ... tLJa6 1 Ο e4 ο-ο 37 f5 g5 38 tLJg6
Perhaps Black shouldn't have ex- The black bishops have been re-
changed his knight. After something duced to a state of extreme misery.
like lo ...lbb4 11 ~a3 e6 12 ..tb5+ ~f8 38 ...1:.b8 39 1:.a1 1:.b7 40 1:[h2 ..ιιθ8
13 dxe6 ..txe6 he has an active game. 41 tLJg4 ~g8 42 1:.ah1 1:.cc7 43
11 ~xa6 bxa6 12 tLJge2 1:.b8 13 ~f4 1:.h8+! ~xh8 44 1:.xh8+ ~g7 45 1:.xe8
~a5 14 'i'h4 h5 15 gxh6 i.f6 16 1:!.xb2 46 tLJf8! Φf7 47 1:!.a8 1:!.cb7 48
~g3 1:.b4 17 ο-ο ~h7 18 tLJc1 c4 19 tLJe6 1-0
'i'e3 ~b6 20 'i'xb6 1:.xb6 21 tLJd1 The other knight is about to infil-
~d7 22 c3 1:.fb8 trate via h6 and g8. The triumph of
the knights here should be compared
with Game 21, where White con-
ducted a similar attack.

1 d4 tLJf6 2 i.g5 tLJe4 3 ..ιιh4 c5

For 3... d5 see Game 27, while other
third move alternatives are examίned
ίη Game 28.

54
 2 ... tΔe4: Other Third Moνes for White

4 f3 Wisla 1992.
The main line. Other continuations c) 7... i-h6 8 tίJB (White could also
can be seen ίη Game 26. consider 8 Φf2 here, as after 8... cxd4, 9
4 ... g5 5 fxe4 gxh4 'iYxd4! forces the exchange οί queens,
neatly solving White's king safety
problems) 8... tίJc6 9 tίJd5 'ilVxb2 10
i.c4 (10 tίJc7 + Φd8 11 tίJxa8 'iIVc3+
looks very dangerous for White)
1O ... tίJb4 11 1:tb 1 ~xc2 12 1:txb4
~xd1+ 13 Φχd1 cxb4 14 tίJc7+ Φd8
15 tίJxa8 vvith a total mess ίη Chaba-
non-~picella, Paris 1994.

~ most bizarre pavvn structure has

arisen vvhich vvould certainly not be
unfavourable for White if he still had
his dark-squared bishop; vvithout it,
though, it is another story.
6 e3 .i.h6!
This is undoubtedly the most accu-
rate move as White has ηο simple vvay
to deal vvith the threat to his e-pavvn. 7 'it'f2
6... ~b6 has been played quite often, Hodgson is particularly scathing
but after 7 tίJc3! White seems to be ίη about this variation. Let me quote him
reasonable shape, e.g. (from Trends in the Torre and Trom-
a) 7... ~xb2?! 8 tίJd5 Φd8 9 i-c4 e6 powsky) οη this position 'Hovv can
10 1:tb1 ~a3 11 1:tb3 'ilVa5+ 12 tίJc3 White hope to gain an advantage after
cxd4 13 exd4 i-e7 14 tίJf3 tίJc6 15 ο-ο a move such as 7 Φf2? The position
vvith 10ts of play for the pavvn ίη 100ks bad, feels bad and is bad!' The
Romero Holmes-Agdestein, Gronin- alternatives, though, seem even less
gen 1984. good:
b) 7... e6 8 tίJf3 tίJc6 9 d5! ~xb2 10 a) 7 ~f3 ~b6 and the vvhite posi-
tίJb5 tίJb4 111:tb 1 ~xa2 12 1:txb4 ~a5 tion is already caving ίη.
13 d6! ~xb4+ 14 Φf2 iιg7 (14 ... Φd8 b) 7 i-c4 e6! (obviously not
15 tίJc7 1:tb8 16 tίJe5 is a rather amus- 7... i-xe3?? 8 ~f3) 8 ~h5 ~g5 9 ~xg5
ing checkmate) 15 tίJc7+ Φf8 16 tίJxa8 i,xg5 10 tίJc3 (unfortunately for
~xe4 17 tίJc7 and Black's pavvns White, 10 Φf2 allovvs a trick that eve-
vveren't sufficient compensation for ryone should be familiar vvith:
the piece ίη Maliutin-~lexandrov, 1O ... cxd4 11 exd4 iιc1!) 1O ... iιxe3 11

55
The Trompowskγ

lZJb5 Φd8 12 lZJf3 a6 13 lZJd6 Φe7 14 inos, Athens 1993, continued 11 ... d6
e5 cxd4 15 c3, Bellon-Schmidt, Biel 12 'i1fd3 iιd7 13 a4 a6 14 iιxc6 bxc6 15
1990, and now 15 ... dxc3 16 bxc3 lZJc6 a5 'i1fc7 16 1:thf1 (16 lZJxh4 perhaps)
is very good for Black. 16 ... 0-0 17 lZJxh4 'i1fe7 18 'i1fg3+ Φh8
c) 7 lZJd2 is White's latest try. Ι 19 Wg1 1Ig8 20 'i'f2 (20 'iVe1 would
don't see much wrong with 7... iιxe3, have offered extra protection to the e-
but obviously White must have had pawn) 20 ... 1Ig4! with an edge to Black.
something ίη mind. Romero-Sutovski, 11 ... 0-0 12 c4 d6 13 tΔxd6
Vendrell 1996, continued 7... d5!? 8 Ιη Bellon-W.Watson, Hastings
~h5 iιxe3 9 exd5 cxd4 10 lZJc4 lZJd7 1985/86, White tried 13 b4, but after
11 lZJxe3 'f' a5+ 12 c3 dxe3 13 lZJf3 lZJf6 13 ... ~d8 14 1Ib1 (14 a3 is better)
14 'iixh4 1Ig8!? 15 1Id1 1Ig4 16 'i'h6 14 ... e5 15 d5lZJxb4! 161Ixb4 'i1fb6+ 17
'ilVb6 17 b4 lZJe4! 18 'i1fxh7 (after 18 Φe 1 a6 Black regained the piece with a
'i'xb6 axb6 the black rook will come strong attack.
charging down the a-file) 18 .. :iVf6 19 13 ... e5! 14 ~b3 exd4 15 'iVxb6
:d4 iιί5 20 ~b5+ Φί8 21 'i1fh5 Wg7 ~e3+ 16 Φe1 axb6
22 ο-ο Iίh8 winning the queen. Α fine
example οί the 1996 World Junior
Champion's energetic style.
7 ... cxd4 8 exd4 ~b6
8... e5 seems to be equally trouble-
some for White, e.g. 9 lZJf3 lZJc6 10 c3
(10 d5 ~b6+ and 10 iιb5 exd4 11
lZJxd4 'iVb6 12 ~xc6 dxc6 13 lZJc3
iιe6, Dumitrescu-Hunt, Tallinn 1997,
are good for Black) 1O ... d6 11 iιb5 (or
11 lZJbd2 can also be met by ... 0-0 and
... f7-f5) 11 ... 0-0 12 'i'e2 ί5! 13 Ild1?
fxe4 14 ~xe4 d5 0-1 Martinez-Sorin, The black pawn structure may not
Benidorm 1992. White drops a piece. be very pretty, but his dark-squared
9 tΔc3 e6 bishop is a monster and the white
9 .. :ii'xb2? would lose the initiative. camp is ίη total disarray.
Ker-Pommeroy, New Zealand Cham- 17 tΔxh4
pionship 1994, continued 10 lZJd5 Φd8 Not so much for the pawn itself,
11 1:tb 1 'ii'a3 12 'ii'h5 'iid6 13 lZJf3 but more to try and rid himself οί the
'iWg6? 14 'iνe5 1-0. bishop οη e3 by playing lZJf5 (ίί played
1 Ο tΔf3 tΔc6 11 tΔb5?! at once then Black just plays ... ..txf5).
11 iιb5, intending to eliminate the 17 ... tΔb4 18 Φd1 iιg4+!
knight which is exerting so much Α nice finesse, luring the bishop to
pressure οη the white centre, is a safer e2 so that an eventual ... d4-d3 will
option but still does not solve all come with gain οί tempo.
White's problems. Rausis-Tzermiad- 19 iιe2 iιd7

56
 2 ... ti:Je4: Other Third Moves for White

Ν ow Black threatens 19 ... .iιa4+ 20 4 ... tZJxd2 5 ~xd2 cxd4 6 tZJf3 tZJc6 7
b3.iιxb3+. tZJxd4 ~b6 8 0-0-0 tZJxd4
20 tZJb5 8... g6 looks suspicious; Rausis-
The other try is 20 .iιf3, but after Antonsen, Copenhagen 1995, contin-
20 ... iιa4+ 21 We2 there are severa1 ued 9 l2Jxc6 bxc6 10 iVc3! f6 11 e4
tempting continuations for Black; iιh6+ 12 Wb1 ο-ο 13 j,c4+ Wh8 14 e5
21 ... .iιc2, followed by .iιd3, appea1s to .iιg7 15 .iιg3 f5 and now instead of 16
my sense of symmetry. iVa3, 16 h4!?, intending to meet 16 ... f4
20 ... d3 21 Jιf1 Jιxb5 22 cxb5 1:ιfc8 with 17 h5 or 16 .iιh4, look goods for
23 Jιxd3 White.
This is equivalent to resignation, 9 ~xd4 ~xd4 1 Ο 1:ιΧd4
but White was helpless ίη the face of
threats such as 23 ... ~xa2 and 23 ... ~c2.
23 ... tZJxd3 24 ~e2 Jιg5 25 tZJf5
25 l2Jf3 is simply met by 25 ... l2Jf4+.
25 ... tZJe5 26 1:ιhd1 1:ιa4 27 1:ιd4 1:ιc2+
28 ~d 1 1:ιΧd4+ 29 ~xc2 1:ιχe4 30
1:ιd 1 1:ιf4 31 tZJd6 1:ιf2+ 32 ~b3 1:ιχg2
33 a4 1:ιd2 0-1

Game26
iRθusίs~ΜρShane
Hastlngs Challt!8~rs 1996/97 ·
This endίng looks like absolutely
1 d4 tZJf6 2 Jιg5 tZJe4 3 Jιh4 c5 4 nothing for White. True, he has a
tZJd2 slight lead ίη development, but Black
This innocuous 100king move is a has the more long-term advantage of
favourite of GM Rausis and other an extra central pawn. Ιι has to be
Latvian players. ΑΙΙ that can be said ίη saίd, though, that Rausis has made
its favour is that White is unlikely to severa1 people suffer from this posi-
end υρ worse out of the opening, as he tιon.

often does after 4 f3. Other moves 10 ... d6

have virtua11y disappeared from prac- If Black feels obliged to play ... e7-e5,
tice, although a couple merit a quick as McShane did a few moves later,
word: then he should probably do so now, as
a) 4 d5 is well met by 4... iVb6, when White has less options with his rook.
the white bishop is less active than the Sokolovs-Miezis, Riga 1995, went
similar lines ίη Chapter 1. 1O... e5 11 1:!d1 ~e7 12 ~g3 d6 13 e4
b) 4 dxc5 iVa5+ 5 l2Jd2 l2Jxd2 6 iιd7 14 iιc4 ~c8 15 .iιd5 ..tc6 16
iVxd2 iVxd2+ 7 Wxd2 l2Ja6, Legky- ~he1 i,xd5 17 Ϊtxd5 f6 18 f3 Φf7 19
Bouaziz, Cannes 1992, is obviously b3 a6 20 Wb2 b5 with a roughly level
fine for Black. game.

57
The Trompowsky

11 e4 ~d7 12 Ac4 Ac6 13 iι.d5 4... g5 is a1so playable here, a1though

~c8 14 ~hd1 e5 15 ~b4 ~xd5 16 it is much less effective than after
~xd5 ~c7 17 f3 ~e7 18 ~f2 a6 19 3... c5. One example is Vaganian-
~b6 ~d7 20 ~c4 ~d8 21 ~e3 We7 Smejka1, Rίo de Janeiro 1979, which
22 b4 ~c7 23 ~xc7+ ~xc7 24 c4 continued 5 fxe4 gxh4 6 exd5 'iνxd5 7
White enjoys a considerable space lίJc3 'iνa5 8 e3 (8 e4!?) 8... i.g7 9 'iνf3
advantage, but Black is solid and and White's dark squares are ίη a
won't be easy to break down. much hea1thier state than ίη Game 25.
24 ... ~c8 25 Wd2 ~d8 26 Wd3 We6 5 tΔc3 tΔf5 6 iι.f2 c5
27 a4 h6 28 g3 iι.e7 29 h3 ~h8 30 Black sacrifices a pawn ίη order to
f4 f6 31 f5+ Wd7 32 c5 Wc7 33 Wc4 keep Whίte's kίngside bottled up.
~d8 34 cxd6+ ~xd6 35 b5 axb5+ 6... e5 is a simίlar idea.
36 Wxb5 ~d7 37 g4?! 7 dxc5 d4 8 e4!?
This looks rather careless. 37 1:td3! But White is ίη ηο mood to co-
would have kept rooks οη the board. operate and returns the materia1 to
iι..e7 38 ~b6+ Wc8 39 ~xd7 Wxd7 free his pieces. Other games from this
40 ~c5 ~xc5 41 Wxc5 position have a11 gone 8 lίJe4, e.g.
The king and pawn ending looks Hodgson-Sturua, Tilburg 1993, which
very good for White, but there seems continued 8... lίJc6 9 g4 'iνa5+ 10 c3
to be ηο breakthrough. lίJe3 11 i.xe3 dxe3 12 'iνd3 g6 13
41 ... Wc7 42 Wb5 Wc8 43 Wb6 Wb8 'iνxe3 (does Black rea11y have enough
44 h4 Wc8 45 Wc5 Wd7 46 Wd5 compensation here?) 13 ... SΙg7 14
We7 47 g5 hxg5 48 hxg5 Wd7 49 lίJd6+ Φf8 15 lίJxc8 1:txc8 16lίJh3 SΙd4
gxf6 gxf6 50 Wc5 Wc7 51 Wb5 Wc8 17 'iνh6+ i.g7 18 'iνe3 i.d4 19 'iνh6+
52 Wb6 Υ:ι - Υ:ι with a draw by repetition.
8 ... dxc3
Οη 8... dxe3 White continues 9
'iνxd8+ Φχd8 10 0-0-0+ lίJd7 11 ~e1
with quite good chances as Black's
pawn οη e3 is liable to drop off.
1 d4 tΔf6 2 iι.g5 tΔe4 3 iι..h4 d5 9 ~xd8+ Wxd8 1 Ο 0-0-0+ We8 11
Α solid move which, ίη my ορίη­ b4!
ίοη, faίls to exploit the position of the Αη incredible idea. Even if 11 exf5
bishop οη h4. cxb2+ slightly favours Black, it takes a
4 f3 lot of courage (or perhaps home
4 lίJd2 is unlikely to be any more preparation) to play such a sacrifice.
effective here than ίη Games 12 and 11 ... tΔh6 12 tΔe2 e6 13 tΔxc3 iι..e 7
13. 4 ... g5 looks like a reasonable reply, 14 tΔb5 tΔa6 15 a3
as does 4... lίJd6, after which Black For his piece White has two pawns
may be able to eliminate the bishop and a vice-like grip ίη the centre, while
with ...lίJf5 at some point. the black knights are a1so rather comί­
4 ... tΔd6 ca11y placed. With his next move

58
 2 ... tΔe4: Other Third Moves for White

Black frees his kingside pieces but a1so structure ίη anyway. Therefore, White
seriously weakens his pawn structure. should play something like 4 c3 or 4
tίJd2. One example is Buckley-
Hebden, Hastings 1995/96, which
went 4 tίJd2 iVa5 5 c3 tίJxd2 6 iVxd2
d5 (this position must be a little better
for White) 7 f3 (7 tίJB is more solid)
7 ... iιf5 8 iVf4 iιg6 9 e4 tίJd7 10 ..td3
e5! 11 dxe5 tίJc5 12 ..tc2 dxe4 13 fxe4
tίJe6 14 iVd2 iVxe5 15 .i:ίd1 iVc7 16
tίJB i,e7 with a slight plus for Black.
4 f3
4 ..tg3 is lega1 and Ι suppose it might
even be the best move. Black can sim-
15 ... f5 16 exf5 tbxf5 17 i.c4 ~g5+ ρΙΥ play 4... tίJxg3 5 hxg3 iιg7 or try
18 'it>b1 i.e3! 19 i.e1! ~f4 20 i.f2 the more enterρrising 4... c5 5 e3 iVb6
tbc7 21 g3 a6 22 tbd6+i.xd6 23 6 tίJc3 (Danielian-Hebden, Cappelle la
cxd6 tbb5 24 'it>b2 tbfxd6 25 i.b3 Grande 1993) 6... tίJxc3 7 bxc3 iιg7
tbf7 26 a4 tba7? with a double-edged game.
Better was 26 ... tίJbd6 with a dίHί­ 4 iVd3 is another possibility. Joksic-
cult position to assess. Ga11agher, Chiasso 1991, continued
27 1:1he1 'it>e7 28 i.c5+ Φf6 29 1:1e4! 4... d5 5 f3 gxh4 6 fxe4 dxe4 7 iVxe4 c5!
e5 30 f4! 8 dxc5 tίJc6 9 c3 iιh6 10 tίJf3 ..tc1! 11
Now the black kίng will be ripped iVc2 iιe3 with good play for Black.
to pieces by the bishops. 4 ... gxh4 5 fxe4 e5
30 ...1:1e8 31 fxe5+ 'it>g6 32 1:1f1 tbg5
33 ~e3 ~f5 34 1:1ef4 i.h3 35 c3! h5
36 i.c2+ 'it>h6 37 1:1f7 1:1h8
37 ... i,xf1 38 h4! is a nice point.
38 ~xg5+ 1-0

1 d4 tbf6 2 i.g5 tbe4 3 ~h4 g5

Black has one other possibility,
namely 3... c6. The tricky point behind Although this is less trustworthy
this move is that 4 f3 is met 4.. :iVa5+! than 5... c5!, which would of course
5 tίJd2 (5 c3 iVh5 is worse) 5... iVh5, take us into Game 25, it is still a wor-
when Black gains the two bishops thy idea. The basic plan is the same as
without compromising his pawn after ... c7-c5 - a dark square assault.

59
The Tromρo wsky

6lLJf3 timated White's chances.

6 e3 is well met by 6.. .'iVg5. 14 lLJd5! .i.xf3 15 1ιχf3 lLJxd4 16
6 ....i.h6!? ~xd4 1:txf3 17 Φθ2 1:tf8 18 1:taf1
Black parts with a centra1 pawn ίη ~g5! 19 lLJf6+ Φh8?
order to activate his bishops as quickly 19 ...:xf6! would have maintained
as possible. the ba1ance. 20 'Wixf6 is obviously out
6... lLIc6 is a similar idea, which Ι be- of the question and after 20 :xf6 .i.g7
lieve may once have been tried by Black wins back the materia1 with a
Speelman, while ίη an earlier round of likely draw (21 ~c4+? d5).
the Alicante tournament Ι had played 20 1:tf5 ~g6 21 lLJe8+ Φg8 22 ~d5+
6... exd4 against De la Villa. That game Φh8 23 1:txf8+ .i.xf8 24 lLJxc7 ~g4+
had continued 7 ~xd4 :g8 8 ~e5+ 25 Φθ1 ~f3 26 1:tf1 ~θ3+ 27 Φd1
'Wie7 9 'Wixc7 lLIc6 (9 ... lLIa6 is an alter- .i.h6 28 ~d3 ~xd3+ 29 cxd3 1:tc8
native) 10 lLIc3 ~g7 11 lLId5 ~xe4 12 30 1:tf7 .i.e3 31 lLJe6 1:te8 32 1:tf8+?
0-0-0 lLIb4 13 lLIxb4 'Wixb4 14 c3 ~a4 32lL1f4 should win for White.
15 e3 'Wixa2 16 .i.b5 ~f6 17 .i.xd7+ 32 ...1:txf8 33 lLJxf8
~xd7 18 'Wixd7+ Φf8 19 'Wid6+ ~e7 20
~d2 :c8 21lL1d4 :g6! with good play
for Black. Of course Ι feared an im-
provement from I11escas and felt it was
wise to get ίη with my own novelty
first.
7 lLJxe5 d6 8 lLJf3 ο-ο 9 lLJc3 f5! 1 Ο
exf5 .i.xf5 11 e4 .i.g4 12 .i.e2 h3 13
g3 lLJc6
Alicante was the tournament where
Julian Hodgson, Mark Hebden and
myself first became seriously ac-
quainted with the Trompowsky. Α 33 ... .i.f2!
couple of ta1ented, and at that time White had only taken 33 ... .i.g1 into
completely unknown young Span- account, after which 34 'iite2 ~xh2 35
iards, I11escas and De la Villa, turned Φf2 wins easily.
out to be Trompowsky fanatics. As 34 g4 .i.g3! 35 lLJe6 .i.xh2 36 lLJg5
we were Black ίη nearly all our games .i.e5 37 lLJxh3 .i.xb2 38 Φc2 .i.e5 39
against them, our nights were spent Φb3 Φg7 40 Φc4 Φf6 41 Φd5 h6
dίscovering the secrets of the Τ romp 42 d4 .i.g3 43 Φc4 Φg6 44 Φb5
(well, at least ίη between the back- Φf6 45 a4 Φg6 46 a5 Φf6 47 a6
gammon sessions, the duty free tasting bxa6+ 48 Φχa6 .i.e5! ~ - ~
sessions and various other unprintable After 49 dxe5 Φχe5 the black king
episodes). Ι think we had stopped our will take care of the remaining white
ana1ysis here, concluding that Black pawns, while 49 d5 iιd4 is certainly
stood well, but we had rather underes- not to be recommended.

60
 2 ... CΔe4: Other Third Μσ ves 'σΓ White

Summary
3... d5 is the no-nonsense approach to the 'h4 Tromp', after which it is hard to
see even a glimmer of an edge for White. 3... c5 is a1so a perfectly good move
which genera11y leads to a much sharper struggle with chances for both sides.
The maίn line of 3 ..th4, featured ίη Game 25, does not look very promising for
White at a11 and is ίη the process of disappearing from practice. Although 4 lbd2
(Game 26) is more solid, it too is hardly frightening for Black.

1 d4 l2Jf6 2 Sιg5 l2Je4

3 h4
3..th4
3... c5 (D)
4 f3 - Game25
4lbd2 - Game 26
3... d5 - Game 27
3 ... g5 - Game 28
3 ... d5
3 ... c5
4 dxc5 (D)
4... lba6 - Game 22
4.. :iVa5+ - Game 23
4 d5 - Game24
4 l2Jd2 (D) Sιf5
4 ...lbxg5 - Game 21
5 l2Jxe4 - Game 20

3 ... c5 4 dxc5 4l2Jd2

61
 CHAPTfR FOUR

2 ... e6: Unusual Lines and

3 e4 h6 4 iιxf6 'iVxf6 5 tiJf3

1 d4 tΔf6 2 iιg5 e6 centre with e4-e5 or d4-d5 (or both, as

2 ... e6 is one of Black's most respect- Hodgson often seems to manage). The
able options agaίnst the Trompowsky, longer the game goes οη without
and is the favourite choice of Karpov White achieving anything concrete,
and Adams amongst others. This the more likely it is that the advantage
chapter deals with just a couple of ex- will pass to Black, whose bishop paίr
amples where White refrains from 3 may prove to be particularly telling ίη
e4 (not including 3 lbf3, which trans- the endgame. Black also quite often
poses to the Torre Attack), as these castles queenside and should pay atten-
lines are not really ίη the spirit of the tion not to allow a favourable e4-e5 or
Τ romp, some alternatives for Black to d4-d5 breakthrough. It is often a good
3... h6 and the maίn line with 5 lbf3. idea to retreat the queen from f6, to
The modern, and perhaps more prom- draw the sting from e4-e5 ίη particu-
ising 5lbc3, which doesn't block the f- lar. Black's king's bishop is most ac-
pawn, is the subject of Chapter 5. tively placed οη the long diagonal and
The position after 3 e4 h6 4 iιxf6 this can easily become a powerful
'iVxf6 is a very interesting one from a piece as its opposite number is miss-
strategical point of view. White has ing. Black normally tries to keep his
given υρ the bishop pair ίn return for centre solid, very often searching for
a big centre and a lead ίη development. counterplay οη the wings with ... a7-a6
These unbalanced positions are a good and ... b7-bS or with ... g7-g5.
test of a player's skill and precise the-
ory plays a relatively small role as the Garηe29 "
respective forces don't usually clash ", tlodg$on ..Miles'~
too early οη ίη the game. KuaΊa. Luml1ur 19~2
White normally castles queenside
and tries to engineer a break ίη the 1 d4 tΔf6 2 iιg5 e6 3 e4

62
 2 ... e6: Unusua! Lines and 3 e4 h6 4 ~xf6 Wixf6 5 tΔf3

The main alternatiνe is 3 tiJf3, ..tg7 8 ..tc4 ο-ο 9 ο-ο tiJd7 1Ο ~e 1 e5 11

transposing to the Torre Attack which dxe5 dxe5 12 'Wic2 a5 13 a3 a4 14 tiJf1
is outside the scope of this book. Α tiJc5 15 tiJe3 c6 16 ~ad1 with a small
couple of other moνes are considered edge for White, who won by a se-
ίη Games 37 and 38. quence of mind-numbing manoeuνres.
3 ... h6 6 ... l2Jd7
For 3... c5, see Game 35 and for There are a couple of riskier a1terna-
3... ..te7, see Game 36. tiνes. 6... tiJc6 is the subject of Game
4 i.xf6 ~xf6 5 l2Jf3 31 and 6... g5 the subject of Game 32
(where 6... g6 also receiνes a mention).
7 ~d2 a6
Black immediately prepares coun-
terplay οη the queenside οη the as-
sumption that White is about to place
his king there. The main a1ternatiνe,
7... c6, is examined ίη the next game.
8 0-0-0
Ιη a number of recent games White
has bottled out and played 8 a4, fol-
lowed by castling kingside. Black then
has seνera1 a1ternatiνe ways to com-
5 tiJc3 is the subject of Chapter 5, plete his deνelopment (8 ... b6 and
while 5 c3 is a1so worthy of attention. 8... g6 for example), but 8... c5 seems
Helden-Kosten, Isle of Man 1997, con- the most interesting, hoping to steer
tinued 5... d6 6 ..td3 tiJd7 7 tiJe2 g6 8 the game into a good νersion of the
ο-ο ..tg7 9 f4 'Wie7 10 e5 with a pleasant Sicilian. Pomes-Suba, Roses 1992, con-
position for White. Perhaps we will be tinued 9 dxc5 (9 d5 e5 looks νery
seeing more of this line ίη future. pleasant for Black) 9... tiJxc5 10 'Wie3
5 ... d6 ..te7 11 ..tc4 ο-ο 12 ο-ο b6 13 tiJd4 ..tb7
This is by far the most common 14 f4. Now Black has a good structure
choice ίη practice. For an example of but a slight problem with his queen. It
5... d5 see Game 33, and for one of is worth looking at a few more moνes:
5... g6 see Game 34. 14 ....:.ac8 15 ..ta2 ~h8 16 ~ae1 'Wih4
6l2Jc3 17 ~E} ..tf6 18 ~g3 ~fe8 19 tiJf3 'Wih5
Hodgson, perhaps seriously influ- 20 ~h3 'Wig6 21 e5 dxe5 22 fxe5 ..te7
enced by this game against Miles, is 23 ..tb1 ~ed8 24 b4 a5!! and, as 25
now of the ορίηίοη that 6 c3 is bxc5 ..txc5 costs White his queen, he
White's best choice. It does, howeνer, was forced to wreck his own position
lead to more sterile positions than the with 25 bxa5 (although Black later
immediate 5 c3. Seirawan-Karpoν, blundered horribly and lost).
Monaco Rapidplay 1994, is a good 8 ... ~d8
example. Play continued 6... g6 7 tiJbd2 White has a clear lead ίη deνelop-

63
The Trompowsky

ment and an attractive 100king pawn dxc5 liJxc5 14 e5 d5 15 liJfd4 'i'c7 16

centre but, paradoxical1y, I'm sure that ~b1 i..e7 17 c3 liJd7 18 ':'e3 bxc3 19
the majority of grandmasters, given liJxc3 'u'b8 20 'i'g4 ο-ο 21 f4 ~fc8 22
the choice, wou1d opt for the b1ack liJxe6 fxe6 23 'i'xe6+ ~f8 24 .td3 'i'b6
pieces. White's prob1em is that it is 25 'ilif5+ ~e8 26 ':'g3 ~d8 27 ':'xg7
very difficu1t for him to undertake ':'xc3 28 "iVf7 'i'b4 29 'i'xe7+ 'i'xe7 30
active p1ay. Advancing either his d- or ':'xe7 ~xe7 31 bxc3 ':'g8 with a win-
e-pawn will οη1Υ 1ead to the centre ning endgame for B1ack.
being b10cked (thanks to B1ack's care- 10 ... iιb7 11 'it>b1 c5!
fu1 eighth move which took the sting B1ack takes the game into a type of
out of e4-e5). He has ηο other pawn Sici1ian Defence where White's pieces
breaks, ηο open fi1es for his rooks to are not especially active.
penetrate οη and ηο outposts for his 12 dxc5
minor pieces to sett1e οη. Probab1y the ΑηΥ other move wou1d give B1ack
οη1Υ p1an that makes any sense for the option of 1aunching a pawn storm
White is to advance his kingside agaίnst the white king.
pawns, but of course B1ack hasn't 12 ... lZJxc5
committed his king yet. The maίn Not 12 ... dxc5?, as after 13 liJxb5!
reason that the GM's wou1d take axb5 14 .txb5 .tc8 15 liJe5 ':'a7 16
B1ack, though, is that they are high1y ~h3 B1ack is caught ίη a terminal ρίη.
appreciative of the bishop paίr. The 13 'iVe3 ~c7 14 lZJd4 0-0-0 15 f4
bishops may not 100k much at the 'it>b8 16 a3
moment, but they are quite 1ike1y to Perhaps White should have played
make their presence fe1t at some point 16 h5, as it is not c1ear if B1ack gaίns
during the game. from 16 ... b4 17liJce2 d5 18 e5.
16 ... h5

9 h4 b5 10 Jtd3
10 :h3 was the more aggresslve Α good positional move, not allow-
choice of Crouch-Adams, European ing White to gaίn too much space οη
Club Cup 1996. P1ay continued 10 the kingside.
11h3 i..b7 11 'i'f4 b4 12 liJe2 c5 13 17 f5!?

64
 2 ... e6: Unusua! Lines and 3 e4 h6 4 iLxf6 Ψixf6 5 tΔf3

Very double edged. Hodgson obvi- is willing to trade e-pawns, as then his
ously understood the positional draw- bishops would become dominant.
backs of this move (principally, the 25 tΔf2
surrendering of the e5-square) but he After 25 CLJxe6 'i'c6! Black regains
must have been hoping to gain some the pawn with an excellent game.
counterplay against the pawn οη e6. 25 .. :~e7
Instead 17 .tιhf1 iιe7 can be assessed as Black has a positionally won game.
slightly better for Black White has numerous weaknesses, not
17 ... J1ιe 7 18 fxe6 fxe6 19 J1ιe2 least around his king, and his pieces
Intending b2-b4, which didn't work are very awkwardly placed. His rooks,
at once οη account of the hanging for example, can οηlΥ manage three
knight οη c3 after 19 ... CLJd7. moves between them.
19 ... J1ιf6 20 ~h3 ~c8 26 J1ιd3 ~c3 27 tΔb3 ~hc8 28 ~e2
The last few moves have all been 'VJ!ic7
about White trying to get b2-b4 ίη and Threatening to deliver mate by
Black preventing him by lining υρ his ... .tιxb3+ and ... 'i'c3.
pieces against c3. 29 'VJ!id2 d5!
21 ~d2?!
After this the white position goes
downhill very quickly. Ι think the best
chance was to complicate the game
with 21 CLJdxb5! axb5 22 CLJxb5 'i'b6
(perhaps 22 ... 'i'e7) 23 .tιxd6 .tιc6 24 e5
iιe7 25 .tιxc6 iιxc6 26 CLJd6, when
White will have fair chances due to
Black' s naked king.
21 ... J1ιe5 22 ~f3 g6
Planning to step υρ the pressure οη
the 10ng diagonal with ... 'i'g7 at some
point. White must have felt that This classic Sicilian breakout brings
things were slipping away, so he de- the game to a quick finish.
cided to lash out. 30 exd5 J1ιxd5 31 'VJ!ig5 tΔd7! 32 i.e4
23 b4?! tΔd7 24 tΔd1 ~xf3 33 gxf3 ~xb3 0-1
This time the piece sacrifice οη b5 34 cxb3 'i'c3! leads to mate.
100ks insufficient, for example 24
CLJdxb5 axb5 25 CLJxb5 'i'b6 26 CLJxd6
'i'xe3 27 .tιxe3 iιf4 28 CLJxc8 .tιxc8 29
.tιxd7 iιxe3 with advantage to Black.
24 ... tΔf6!?
Perhaps White had been hoping for 1 d4 tΔf6 2 J1ιg5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 ~xf6
24 ...:he8, when 25 .tιf7 gives him a ~xf6 5 tΔf3 d6 6 tΔc3 tΔd7 7 'i'd2
little play. The text shows that Black c6

65
The Trompowsky

and White wins.

b) 1O ... 'it>d8, and now Hodgson sug-
gests 11 "iVa5+! b6 12 "iVc3, which does
seem to win for White. After 12 ... cxb5
13 ~xb5 there is ηο defence to the
threat οί 14 ttJxe5, as 13 ... ~d61oses to
14 "iVc6, while οη 12 ... a6 13 ttJd6!
~xd6 14 "iVxc6 White has a crushing
attack.
10 tΔd4 i.e7
1O ... g5 is risky but might be worth
looking into.
Black intends to play .. .e6-e5 but 11 f4 tΔg6 12 g3 i.d8 13 h4 i.a5 14
doesn't want to be harassed by ttJd5. i.e2 h5 15 1:the1
This is not a bad idea ίη principle, but White has completed his prepara-
he has to be careful ίη its execution. tions for opening the centre and un-
80-0-0 e5?! fortunately for Black his king is still
Black should first play 8 ... ~e7, there (15 ... 0-0 drops the h-pawn).
avoiding the tactics ίη the next note. 15 ... Jιh3 16 tΔf5! d5 17 g4!
Ιη that case the game would have been 17 ~d3 ~xί5 18 exf5+ ttJe7 is not so
roughly level. convlncιng.

9 dxe5! tΔxθ5 17 ... hxg4 18 i.d3 d4 19 e5 ~d8 20

Black would dearly love to recap- tΔd6+ ~f8 21 i.xg6 dxc3 22 bxc3
ture with the pawn ίη order to main- fxg6 23 f5!
tain a grip ίη the centre, but after
9 ... dxe5, 10 ttJb5! looks devastating,
e.g.

White has a tremendous attack. Al-

though Black is a piece up, both his
bishops are out οη a limb, taking ηο
a) 1O ... cxb5 11 ~xb5 "iVe6 12 ttJxe5 part ίη the defence οί their king.
"iVxe5 13 i.xd7+ rJ;;e7 14 ~xc8 1::i.xc8 23 ... gxf5 24 ~f4 ~θ7 25 tΔxf5
15 "iVd7+ rJ;;f6 16 "iVxc8 ~a3 17 "iVxb7 ~a3+ 26 ~b1 Φg8

66
 2 ... e6: Unusua! Lines and 3 e4 h6 4 !iιxf6 fixf6 5 tΔf3

26 ... iιxc3 27 liJh6+ Φe7 28 'i'f7 is οηlΥ a few months earlier agaίnst fel-
mate. 10w Τ rompowskyite Mickey Adams
27 z:ί.d7 z:ί.h5 ίη Dublin. After 7 d5 liJe5 8 iιb5+
Οη 27 ... !ιh7 28 liJe7+ leads to mate iιd7 9liJxe5 'i!Vxe5 10 iιxd7+ Φχd7 11
28 ... Φh8 29 liJg6+ Φg8. ο-ο White's safer king position gaνe
28 z:ί.xg7+ Wh8 29 z:ί.g5 z:ί.xg5 30 him some adνantage. Perhaps Hodg-
'i'xg5 'iff8 31 'ifh5+ Wg8 32 'ifg6+ son was worried about some prepared
Wh8 33 e6 .1l.xc3 34 'ifh5+ Wg8 35 innoνation, or, more likely, he felt
e7 'ife8 36 'i'g5+ Φh8 37 z:ί.e6 'ifg8 that the game continuation was eνen
38 z:ί.h6+ 'ifh7 39 ~xh7+ Φχh7 40 stronger.
'ifh5+ Φg8 41 e8'if + 1-0 7 ... .1l.d7 8 0-0-0 0-0-0 9 d5 t2Je7
9 ... liJe5 would haνe been met by 10
Game31 liJd4 with excellent prospects for
Hodgsol1-Howell White. The strong pawn οη d5 will
British Championship 1991· make communication between Black's
kingside and queenside difficult.
1 d4 t2Jf6 2 .1l.g5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 .1l.xf6 1 Ο 'ife3! Wb8 11 e5!
'i'xf6 5 t2Jf3 d6 6 t2Jc3 t2Jc6?!

This has become the Hodgson

This 100ks a little proνocatiνe, al- trademark. Ιη countless games he has
though White should be quite circum- blown away his opponents by adνanc­
spect about adνancing his d-pawn as ing both central pawns.
this can easily lead to trouble οη the 11 ... 'ifg6
dark squares. Α good rule for White is The tactical justification behind
οηlΥ to play d4-d5 when he has a di- White's last moνe is seen ίη the νaria­
rect follow-up ίη mind and not just for tion 11 ... dxe5 12 liJe4 'i'f4 13 'i!Vxf4
the sake of playing it. exf4 14 dxe6 fxe6 15liJe5, when White
7 'ifd2 will pick υρ an exchange. 12 ... 'i!Vf5
It is, neνertheless, interesting that may be better, but Black's position
Hodgson refrained from pushing his still 100ks νery suspect after 13 dxe6
d-pawn, especially as he had done so fxe6 (13 ... 'i!Vxe6 14 liJc5) 14 liJg3 fol-

67
Τhe Τrompo wsky

10wed by lίJxe5. aged to defend a7. White does, how-

12 exd6 eνer, still haνe a considerable adνan­
12 .td3 is also tempting, but White tage after 18 lίJd4, as 18 ... .td5 10ses to
had spotted some nice νariations. 19 iVxe7 and 20 c4!
12 ... cxd6 14 l:ιxd6!
I'm sure that this must haνe come as
a great shock Ιο James Howell.
Doesn't 14 ... lίJf5 simply win material?
14 ... tίJf5 15 l:ιxd7!!
Νο! White's stunning ροίηι is re-
νealed after 15 ... lίJxe3 16 ':'xd8+ Φc7
17 ':'d7+!, when 17 ... Φχd7 allows 18
lίJe5+, followed by lίJxg6, and after
17 ... Φc8 White simply plays 18 fxe3
when Black still can't take the rook.
White would then haνe rook and two
minor pieces for the queen - a decisiνe
13 dxe6 fxe6 material adνantage.
13 .. :iVxe6 would haνe aνoided the 15 ... l:ιxd7 16 tίJe5! ~e8
10ss of a pawn, but Black would still Now after 16 ... lίJxe3 17 t1Jxg6 lίJxH
be ίη a bad way, both positionally and 18 lίJxh8 lίJd2 19 ':'d1 White emerges
deνelopment-wise, as after 14 'iVd2 a piece Ιο the good.
White will soon be able Ιο gain time 17 tίJxd7+ ~xd7 18 ~e4
hitting the exposed queen. 50 White's brilliant tactical play has
aη 13 ... ~xe6 Hodgson giνes the netted him a mere pawn, but this
following attractiνe νariations: 14 should still be enough to win the game
lίJb5! lίJc6 (14 ... lίJc8 may be better, as Black's e-pawn is so sick. The main
although White is still οη top) 15lίJe5! pitfall White should aνoid is Ιο allow
andnow: his concentration to slip. Many good
a) 15 ... dxe5 16 ':'xd8+ lίJxd8 17 positions are messed up just after the
'iVxe5+! Φa8 18 lίJc7+ Φb8 19 lίJa6+ game has switched from the tactical to
Φa8 20 iVb8 mate (ηο need eνen for the technical phase. As you will see,
the smothered mate). Hodgson remains clinical to the end.
b) 15 ... lίJxe5 16 iVxa7+ Φc8 17 18 ... .Jtc5 19 ~c4 tίJd6
iVa8+ Φd7 18 iVxb7+ Φe8 19 lίJc7+ 19 ....:.e8? is refuted by 20 .tb5.
Φe7 20 lίJd5+ (20 lίJxe6+ followed by 20 ~e5 "jkc7 21 .Jtxe6 tίJb5
21 f4 is also good) 20 ... Φe8 21 .tb5+ The οηlΥ chance .
.td7 and now 22 f4 100ks the most 22 ~xc7+ tίJxc7 23 ~g4 ~xf2 24
crushing. l:ιd1!
c) Black does haνe one remarkable The rook will now penetrate to the
defence though: 15 ... iVg5!, as after 16 seνenth rank.
f4 iVe7 17 lίJxc6+ bxc6 he has man- 24 ... .Jth4 25 l:ιd7 ~g5+ 26 'ίt>b1 ~f6

68
 2 ... e6: Unυsυa! Lines and 3 e4 h6 4 iιxf6 Wixf6 5 CΔf3

27 lίJe4 jιe5 28 h3 twenty years, ηο doubt referring to

Patience is one of the principal rules the 19th game of their 1974 Candi-
of endgame play. Α methodical ap- dates final where Korchnoi scored his
proach often encourages the weaker first victory οί the match. It has ιο be
side to lash out, usually to the detri- said though that Korchnoi didn't
ment of his own position. achieve a great deal from the opening.
28 ... a6 29 c3 Φa7 30 jιf3 Φb6 31 Οη that occasion Karpov chose the
lίJd6 jιh2 more solid 6... g6, and after 7 'iYd2 Wlie7
Α pretty sad move but 31 ... ~xd6 32 8 0-0-0 a6 9 h4 ~g7 10 g3 b5 11 ith3
!ιχd6+ followed by rook back to d7 is b4 12 lίJds exdS 13 ~xc8 ο-ο 14 itb7
completely hopeless and there is ηο !ιa7 15 itxd5 c6 16 itb3 'iYxe4 17 'iYd3
other way to deal with the twin 'iYxd3 18 !ιχd3 lίJd7 they had a
threats of 32 lίJxb7 and 32 lίJc4+. roughly level endgame.
32 lίJxb7 lίJe6 33 a4 a5 34 l:Id5 lίJg5 7 e5 "it'e 7 8 jιb5+! jιd7 9 ο-ο d5 1 Ο
35 l:Ib5+ Φc7 36 jιd5 1-0 jιd3?!
Korchnoi suggests 10 a4 as the only
.... Game32.: i ; way to cause Black problems, while
'if1]f1]an~Karp~~ ..•• Timman gives 10 itxd7 + as a little
. Amsi.erdam 1993·· better for White.
10 ... lίJc6 11 lίJb5?! 0-0-0 12 c3 h5
1 d4 lίJf6 2 jιg5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 jιxf6 13 a4 Φb8 14 b4 jιg7
"it'xf6 5 lίJf3 It looked as if both players were go-
The actual move order was 1 lίJf3 ing to pawn storm the opposing king,
lίJf6 2 d4 e6 3 ~g5 h6 4 ~xf6 'iYxf6 5 but Karpov prefers to break ίη the
e4. centre with ... f7-f6.
5 ... d6 6 lίJc3 g5 15 lίJa3 l:Idf8 16 "it'e2 g4 17 lίJd2 f6
18 exf6?!
18 b5 lίJa5 19 exf6 would have
avoided the note to Black' s 19th
move.
18 ... jιxf6 19 b5lίJa5?!
19 ... lίJxd4! 20 cxd4 itxd4looks very
dangerous for White, as a move like 21
!ιa2 is met by 21 ... !ιχί2! 22 !ιχf2 !ιf8
with a very strong attack for Black.
Even returning the material with 21
lίJb3 ~xa1 22 !ιχa1 doesn't look very
good οη account of 22 ... e5.
Karpov has not got a great record 20 f4 "it'g7
agaίnstthe Tromp. Korchnoi, who Black starts to lose the thread round
was watching this game, commented about here. Timman suggests 20 ... !ιc8
that he hasn't learnt anything ίη followed by ... c7-c5.

69
Τhe Τrompowsky

21 tίJc2 .I1ιe7 22 tίJe3 g3?! 23 h3 5.. .'!i:Jc6 is another quite unusual

.lTιd6 24 f5! ~h6 25 ~ae1 a6 26 tίJf3 fifth moνe. Vaganian-Psakhis, USSR
~e8?! 27 ~d2 ~d8 28 bxa6 b6 29 1983, continued 6 c3 (perhaps 6 ttJc3,
tίJe5! .I1ιc8 30 fxe6 ~xe6 31 tίJf5 hoping to transpose to Hodgson-
\i'g8 32 tίJh6 Howell after 6... d6) 6... d5 7 ttJbd2
White has built υρ a winning posi- iιd7 8 iιd3 0-0-0 9 e5 'iVe7 10 b4 g5 11
tion oνer the last few moνes with the ttJb3 g4 12 ttJfd2 'iVg5 13 ο-ο with
help of some strange play by his ορ­ some adνantage to White as his attack
ponent, but now it is his turn to go 100ks the more dangerous.
wrong. 32 'iVf4 was probably best. 6 tίJbd2
32 ... ~g7 33 tίJf5 ~g8 34 tίJh6? ~g7 There's ηο rush to block the centre.
35 tίJhf7 ~f8 6 ... g6 7 .I1ιd3 .I1ιg7 8 c3 ο-ο 9 ο-ο b6
10 1:[e1 c5 11 a3 a5 12 .tb5 .I1ιb7 13
~θ4 1:[c8 14 ~ad1 cxd4 15 tίJxd4
tίJθ6 16 .Jtxa6 .txa6 17 exd5 exd5
18 tίJf1

36 tίJxd6
Timman had intended 36 iιf5, oνer­
looking that this could be met by
36 ...1:.xe5! Now he is forced into a
couple of exchanges that relieνe most The knights are not inferior to the
of the pressure οη the black position. bishops as they haνe solid outposts ίη
36 ... ~xd6 37 1:[xf8 ~xf8 38 1:[f1 ~f6 the centre.
39 ~e3 h4 40 tίJf3 tίJc4 41 ~g5 18 ... .I1ιb7 19 tίJe3 1:[d8 20 1:[d2 h5 21
.lTιxa6 42 a5 \i'h6 43 ~xh6 1:[xh6 44 ~d1 1:[d7 22 a4 ~ad8 23 tίJec2 1:[e7
axb6 cxb6 45 tίJg5 .lTιb5 46 ~f8+ 24 ~xe7 ~xe7 25 ~e2 ~d7 26 tίJθ3
<l;a7 47 <l;f1 %-% 1:[e8 27 tLJab5 ~xe2 28 ~xe2 .I1ιa6
29 iVe3 .Jtxd4 30 tLJxd4 iVxa4 31 h3
~d7 32 iVe5
Queen and knight is a much more
effectiνe combination than queen and
bishop, so White is not worse eνen
1 d4 e6 2 tίJf3 tίJf6 3 .I1ιg5 h6 4 with a pawn less. Ιη fact I'm not sure
.I1ιxf6 ~xf6 5 e4 d5 if Black should haνe eνen gone for the

70
 2 ... e6: Unusua! Lines and 3 e4 h6 4 i.xf6 Ψixf6 5 'Δf3

pawn, as he now has a 10t of weak 73 Φχb3 Φd7 74 Φa4 Φθ6 75 b4

squares around his king. Φχf6 76 b5 Φθ7 77 Φa5 Φd7 78
32 ....i.b7 33 ~f6 ~c7 34 lίJb5 ~c6 Φa6 Φc8 79 Φa7 1-0
35 lίJd6 ~d7 36 f4! .i.a6 37 f5 .i.d3
38 g4 hxg4 39 hxg4 ~c7 40 Φf2
~d7
Perhaps Black should giνe the pawn
back with 40 ... Vi'cS+ 41 ΦΒ ~e4+ 42
liJxe4 dxe4+, although he would still 1 d4 lίJf6 2 ~g5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 .i.xf6
be some way from the draw. ~xf6 5 lίJf3 g6!? 6 lίJc3 ~g7 7 ~d2
41 Φθ3 .i.c2 42 Φf4! a6
The king is a powerful piece. One
of White's ideas is to deliνer mate with
ΦgS-h6.
42 ... gxf5 43 gxf5 b5 44 Φθ5
44 ΦgS could be met by 44 ... Vi'a7!
44 ... b4 45 cxb4 axb4 46 ~g5+ Φf8
47 ~h6+ Φg8 48 f6 ~θ6+ 49 Φd4
~g4+ 50 Φχd5 .i.b3+ 51 Φc5 .i.e6
52 lίJθ4 b3 53 Φd6 ~d1+ 54 ~d2
~xd2+ 55 lίJxd2
Ι suspect that this endgame should
be a draw. White can win the b-pawn
wheneνer he wants but not without It is νery common for Black to fi-
allowing the black king out of prison, anchetto his king's bishop ίη this line,
after which the pawn οη f6 will be but it 100ks risky to do so without
νery weak. One thing that it is sure first playing ... d7-d6.
though is that Speelman is about the 8 0-0-0 b5 9 e5 ~θ7 1 Ο lίJθ4 d5!?
last person ίη the world you would 11 exd6
wish to be defending this ending l1liJcSliJd7 12liJxd7 i..xd7 13 Vi'c3
against. would haνe been a safe edge for
55 ... Φf8 56 lίJθ4 Φθ8 57 Φc7 .i.d5 White, but Hodgson remains true to
58 lίJd6+ Φf8 59 Φd8 .i.e6 60 lίJθ4 his style.
.i.d5 61 lίJc5 ~c4 62 lίJd7+ Φg8 63 11 ... cxd6 12 ~b4 d5 13 lίJd6+ Φd7!
Φθ7 .i.d5 64 lίJθ5 .i.e6 65 lίJc6 .i.c4 14 lίJθ5+ .i.xe5 1 5 dxe5 lίJc6 16 ~f4
66 lίJd8 .i.d5 67 Φd6 .i.c4 68 Φc5 At first glance White seems to be
.i.e2 69 lίJc6 Φf8 70 lίJd4 .i.d1 71 much better, but Black has counter-
Φc4 Φθ8 72lίJxb3 .i.xb3+? play based οη playing ... f7-f6.
Α simple miscalculation. After 16 ... g5 17 ~θ3 f6 18 c4!
72 ... Φd7 73liJcS+ Φd6 74 Φd4 iιe2 it White must open lines with the
won't be easy for White to make pro- black king ίη the centre.
gress. 18 ... d4?!

71
The Tromρowsky

18 ... bxc4 is better according to Lpu- tried more often, as there seems to be
tian. ηο clear path to an advantage for
19 ~f3 fxe5 20 CΔf7 e4! White.
4 e5 h6 5 ~c1
5 .th4 g5 6 .tg3 tιJe4 100ks fine for
Black.
5 ... CΔd5 6 c4 CΔb6 7 dxc5
7 d5 is presumably met by 7 ... d6,
breaking up the white centre.
7 ... 1ιχc5 8 CΔf3 d5 9 exd6 ~xd6 1Ο
~d2
Hodgson now believes that 10
'iVxd6 is better. Soffer-Yudasin, Israel
Championship 1994, was then agreed
drawn after 10 ....txd6 11 tιJc3 tιJc6 12
21 lIxd4+?! .td2 tιJd7 13 0-0-0 ~e7 14 tιJb5. The
This only leads to a perpetual position 100ks about level after
whereas 21 tιJe5+! tιJxe5 22 ':'xd4+ 14 ... .tc5 15 .te3.
~e8 23 'iVxe4 'iVc5 24 b4! would have 10 ... 0-0 11 CΔc3 f5 12 a3 a5
placed Black ίη serious trouble. Black' s last two moves have pre-
21 ... CΔxd4 22 ~xe4 ~xf7 23 ~xd4+ vented tιJe4 and b2-b4 but have rather
rjJc7 24 ~e5+ 'it>b6 25 ~d4+ 'it>c7 26 weakened his position.
~e5+ ΥΖ-ΥΖ 13 1ιe3 ~e7 14 ~xc5 ~xc5 15
~d4! ~xd4 16 CΔxd4 e5 17 CΔdb5
Game35 CΔa6
Ηοdgsgη~Ward . Perhaps 17 ... tιJc6 would have been
/t13ritish Chafrtpionship 1991 . better.
18 0-0-0 ~d7
1 d4 CΔf6 2 ~g5 e6 3 e4 c5!? Certainly not 18 ....te6? 19 ':'d6!
19 CΔd5 CΔxd5 20 lIxd5 ~c6 21
lIxe5 lIae8 22 lIxe8 lIxe8
Black has given up a pawn for piece
activity and especially the chance for
his rook to penetrate to the back rank.
23 CΔd4 CΔc5
After this Ι don't believe that Black
has enough play for the pawn. It was
more 10gical to continue 23 ....:.e1+ 24
~d2 ':'bl 25 tιJxc6 bxc6 26 ~c2 ':'e1
27 g3 when Black should probably
play 27 ... c5, as 28 ~g2 ':'e2+ 29 ~c3
It is strange that this move is not ':'xf2 30 .td5+ ~f8 looks about leve1.

72
 2 ... e6: Unusua! Lines and 3 e4 h6 4 !iιxf6 Ψ!ixf6 5 CΔf3

24 b4 axb4 25 axb4 tbe4 26 f3 tbf2 tion for his pawn, as he has a para1ys-
27 .t:tg1 .!:ί.e1+ 28 Φd2 .!:ί.d1+ 29 'it>e3 ing grip οη the dark squares.
tbd3 30 tbxc6 bxc6 31 'it>e2 tbb2 32 9 ... tbc6 1Ο tbf3 tbe7
b5 cxb5 33 cxb5 f4 34 g3 .!:ί.d5 35 1O ... b6 would be another develop-
'it>f2 .!:ί.d2+ 36 Sιe2 tbd3+ 37 Φf1 ing attempt, but perhaps Black re-
Φf8 38 .!:ί.g2 jected this because it leaves the knight
Fina11y White has managed to υη­ οη a4 without a square.
ravel and his b-pawn will now prove 11 Sιd3 tbb2 12 J1ιe2 tbf5 13 J1ιa3
decisive. tba4 14 'it>d2 tbb6 15 .!:ί.ab1 f6 16 g4
38... tbc5 39 gxf4 tbe6 40 Sιc4 tbe7 17 Sιd6 tbc6 18 .!:ί.b5! tbd8 19
.!:ί.χg2 41 Φχg2 tbxf4+ 42 'it>g3 tbh5+ .!:ί.a5!
43 'it>g4 g6 44 b6 tbf6+ 45 Φf4 Φe 7 White has now the very peculiar
46 b7 tbd7 47 Sιb5 tbb8 48 'it>e5 g5 threat of .tc7, winning a piece.
49 h3 h5 50 Φd5 Φd8 51 Φd6 g4 19 ... h5
52 fxg4 h4 53 g5 tbd7 54 g6 1-0 The οηlΥ defence Ι can see for Black
is 19 ... 4:Jc6 20 ~a3 4:Jb8, intending to
Game36 meet .tc7 with ... 4:Ja6. However, 21
'Hodgson-Gluckrnan ~xb8 ~xb8 22 ~xa7 followed by ~b1
....'tloyds Bank Masters 1992 should give White some advantage,
while others may prefer to not cash ίη
1 d4lLJf6 2 Sιg5 e6 3 e4 Sιe7 4 tbc3 the wonderful bishop for a mere
If White doesn't feel like sacrificing pawn.
a pawn then 4 e5 or 4 .td3 are a1terna- 20 .!:ί.g 1 tbc6 21 .!:ί.a3 hxg4 22 .!:ί.χg4
tives. 'it>f7 23 Sιc7! tbxc4+ 24 Sιxc4 d5 25
4 ... tbxe4 5 Sιxe7 tbxc3 6 Sιxd8 Sιb3 b5 26 .!:ί.g1 a5 27 J1ιc2 g5 28
tbxd1 7 Sιxc7 tbxb2 8 Sιd6 tba4 Sιd6 Sιd7 29 h4!
White was threatening to cut οΗ the
knight's retreat with 9 a4.
9 c4

There is ηο solution to the mating

attack.
29 ... b4 30 .!:ί.e3 a4 31 hxg5 tba5 32
White clearly has good compensa- iιd3 b3 33 gxf6 1-0

73
The Trompo wsky

12 ο-ο d6 13 t2Jec4 CΩc6 14 CΩe3 :e8

Game37 the position was rather balanced.
··\lvanchUk~Adams 7 ... b6 8 lZJgf3 ~b7 9 ο-ο ο-ο 1Ο
Belgrade 1995 ~xf6!? ~xf6 11 ~e4 'JJHc7 12 1::[e1
~e7 13 ~xb7 ~xb7 141ZJc4! lZJc6?!
1 d4 lZJf6 2 ~g5 e6 3 c3 h6 4 ~h4 Better would haνe been 14 ... d6 or
b6 5 lZJd2 ~b7 6 e3 d6 7 f3!? 14 ... d5 with just an edge for White.
White assures himself of a big cen- 15 d5! 1ZJb4 16 lZJe3! iLf6
tre, but his knights will be rather pas-
siνely placed behind it.
7 ... ~e7 8 ~d3 ο-ο 9 lZJe2 c5 1 Ο e4
cxd4 11 cxd4 e5 12 ~g3 exd4 13
lZJxd4 lZJh5 14 lZJf5 lZJc6 15 lZJc4
lZJxg3 16 hxg3 lZJe5 17 ο-ο lZJxc4 18
~xc4 d5!

17 c3?!
Kasparoν points out that 17 c4
would haνe been better, as 17 ....txb2
18 :b1 ~c3 19 :e2 leaνes the black
mίnor pieces offside.
17 ... lZJxd5 18 lZJxd5 exd5 19 1::[e2 b5
20 1::[d2 b4 21 cxb4 ~xb4 22 1::[b 1
The equalising blow. 1::[ac8231::[xd5
19 lZJxe7+ ~xe7 20 ~xd5 1::[ad8 21 White has an edge but it will be
~d4 ~g5 22 1::[ad1 ~xg3 23 ~f2 νery difficult to conνert it ίηto a full
~c7 241::[c1 ~-~ point, especially agaίnst Kasparoν.
23 ... ~e4 24 1::[d2 1::[fe8 25 h3 d5 26
b3 1::[c5 27 ~f1 1::[ec8 28 1::[e1 ~f5 29
1::[ed1 a5! 30 'JJHd3 ~e4 31 1::[e2 ~xd3
32 1::[xd3 a4 33 1::[ed2 axb3 34 axb3
1::[b5 35 1::[d1 1::[c2 36 1::[b1 Φf8 37
1 d4 lZJf6 2 ~g5 e6 3 lZJd2 h6 4 ~h4 lZJe1 1::[a2 38 b4 h5 39 Φf1 g5 40
c5 5 e3 cxd4 6 exd4 ~e7 7 ~d3 1::[db3 ~d4 41 1::[f3Φg7 42 g4 hxg4
Miles opted for 7 c3 ίη a later (1996) 43 hxg4 1::[b8 44 lZJd3 1::[h8 45 Φg2
game agaίnst Rowson ίη the Four Na- 1::[h4 46 1::[f5 f6 47 Φg3 1::[a3 48 1::[d1
tions League. After 7... b6 8 .td3 ο-ο 9 ~e5+ 49 Φf3 1::[h3+ 50 Φe2 i-c3 51
CΩgf3 CΩh5 10 .tg3 ~b7 11 CΩe5 CΩf6 lZJc1 d4 521::[a5 ~xb4 ~-~

74
 2 ... e6: Unusua! Lines and 3 e4 h6 4 ~xf6 Ψ!ixf6 5 ltJf3

Summary
If White refuses to take υρ the challenge of 3 e4 (Games 37 aπd 38), quite dull
positions arise, without much hope of a theoretical advantage. This mίght be
quite a cunning tactic agaίnst certain aggressive players, but these guys are more
likely to be found playing 2... CL\e4 or 2 ... c5 rather thaπ the classical 2 ... e6. Al-
though 3 ... h6 gaίns the bishop paίr, it is not forced. 3 ... c5 (Game 35) is aπ inter-
esting move which deserves more outings, but 3 ... iιe7 (Game 36) just looks pas-
sive. The best system for Black ίη the maίn line seems to be 6 ... CL\d7 followed by
7 ... a6, as played by Miles ίη Game 29.

1 d4lbf6 2 ~g5 e6

3 e4
3 c3 - Game37
3 CL\d2 - Game 38
3 ... h6
3 ... c5 - Game 35
3 .....te7 - Game 36
4 ..txf6 ~xf6 (D) 5 lbf3
5 CL\c3 - Chapter 5
5 ... d6
5 ... d5 - Game 33
5 ... g6 - Game 34
6 lbc3 (D) lbd7
6... CL\c6 - Game 31
6 ... g5 - Game 32
7 ~d2 (D)a6
7... c6 - Game 30
80-0-0 - Game 29

4 ... ~xf6 6lbc3 7 Ψιd2

75
 CBAPTER~FIVE

2 ... e6 3 e4 h6 4 ..txf6 'iVxf6

5 lίJc3

1 d4 tZJf6 2 ~g5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 ~xf6 ... g7-g5. ΑΙΙ these ideas and more can
~xf6 5 tZJc3 be seen ίη the games below.
After struggling for many years to The material ίη this chapter is or-
achieve anything at all against 2... e6, ganised as follows: Games 39-41 deal
white players have suddenly realised with 5... ~b4, Games 42-46 with 5... d6
that ίι makes a lot more sense Ιο have 6 "iVd2 and then 6... c6 ίη Game 42,
a pawn οη f4 than οη f2. This both 6... a6 ίη Game 43 and 6... g5 ίη Games
dramatically increases the chances of a 44-46.
successful assault ίη the centre or
against the black king and provides Game39
White with more space for his pieces Ηοdgsόπ-Graπda Zuπi{Ja
οη the kίngside. Of course the advance Amsterdam 1996, Ι
f2-f4 can also be regarded as weaken-
ing, but one has to take one's chances 1 d4 tίJf6 2 ~g5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 i.xf6
ίη life. ~xf6 5 tZJc3 i.b4
The white plan is very simple: 6
"iVd2, 7 0-0-0 and 8 f4 and then blow
Black away ίη the centre. Normally
Black doesn't lί~ down and die,
though, and he has several ways of
initiating counterplay or hindering
White ίη carrying ουΙ his plan. He can
hit back ίη the centre with ... e6-e5 or
... c7-c5 (often after pinning with
... Jιb4), he can make ίι difficult for
White Ιο play f2-f4 by playing ... g7-g5,
or he can even wait for White to play
f2-f4 and then counterattack with Hodgson believes this to be the

76
 2 ... e6 3 e4 h6 4 Jιxf6 Wixf6 5 CiJc3

most testing continuation agaίnst 5 knockout tournament) 8 'i'xc3 lZJc6 9

lZJc3. For 5... d6 see Games 42-46, lZJf3 ο-ο 10 ~d3 'i'e7 11 e5 (otherwise
while here are a couple οί examples οί Black equalises with ... e6-e5) 11 ... f6 12
5... g6 6 'i'd2: exd6 cxd6 13 ο-ο ί5 14 Iϊael 'i'f6 15 b4
a) 6 ... ~g7 7 0-0-0 ο-ο 8 ί4 d6 9 lZJf3 a6 16 a4 Iϊd8 17 b5 axb5 18 axb5 lZJe7
b6 10 h4 h5 11 e5 'i'e7 12 ~d3 ~b7 13 19 Iϊal lZJd5 20 ~b3 ~d7 21 Iϊfel
lZJe4 lZJd7 14 lZJfg5 dxe5 15 fxe5 c5 16 with an edge for White, who has c2-c4
c3 with advantage to White ίη Gel- οη the cards.
fand-Rosentalis, Tilburg Rapidplay 8 f4
1994. Οί course this is the whole point
b) 6... d6 7 ί4 'i'e7 8 lZJf3 ~g7 9 0-0-0 behind delaying 1ZJf3.
a6?! (this looks a little slow) 10 ~d3 8 ... g5!?
lZJd7 11 ί5! e5 12 lZJd5 ~d8 13 dxe5 Α rather risky move, which, al-
lZJxe5 14 Iϊhf1 c6 15 lZJe3 ο-ο? 161ZJxe5 though positionally justified, does
~xe5 (16 ... dxe5 17 fxg6 fxg6 18 ~c4+) open the f-file for White's use.
17 lZJg4 1-0 Benjamίn-Yermolinsky, 9 t2Jh3
USA Championship 1994. It should Ιη his entertaίning notes ίη New in
be noted that Black is not a patzer but Chess Hodgson relates that he spent
the number two ranked player ίη the quite a bit οί time οη 9 fxg5 hxg5 10
United States. lZJh3 before realising that 1O ... g4 11
6~d2 lZJf2 g3 12 lZJg4 'i'h4 13 h3 e5 is good
For 61ZJf3 see Game 41. for Black.
6 ... d6 9 ... gxf4 1Ο t2Jxf4 c6
6... c5 is the subject οί the next After the game Granda Zuniga saίd
game. that he rejected the best move,
7 a3 10 ... ~b6, οη account οί the variation
Ι wonder ίί this move is really nec- 11 ο-ο-ο?! ~xd4 12 lZJfd5 exd5 13
essary. Apart from steering clear οί the 'i'xd4 ~xd4 14 Iϊxd4 lZJc6 15 Iϊxd5
7... ~xc3 line (see the next note) , the lZJe5 being too drawish, but Hodgson
immediate 7 ί4 would also deprive belίeves that Black is better here. He
Black οί .. ~b6 (as ίη the note to would have played instead 11 Iϊdl
Black's 10th move) after 7... g5 8 lZJh3 with a sharp game after 11 ... lZJc6 12
gxf4 9 lZJxf4. Οη the other hand it is .i.b5 .i.d7 13 ~xc6 .i.xc6 14 ο-ο.
desirable for White to clarify whether 11 ~c4
or not Black intends to capture οη c3 White develops his bishop here to
or not, as well as having the possibility discourage Black from playing ... e6-e5.
οί b2-b4 ίί he doesn't. 11 .. .d5 12 e5 'ίIVg5 13 ~θ2?
7 ... i.a5 Hodgson can't understand why he
The other, more solid line, is failed to play 13 b4 .i.b6 (οί course
7... ~xc3, e.g. Gelfand-Rosentalis, ΤίΙ­ 13 ... dxc4 runs into 14 lZJe4) 14 ~e2,
burg Rapidplay 1994 (they had a cou- with similar strong pressure οη the f-
ple οί Tromps ίη their tie-break ίη this file, but without Black's counterplay

77
The Tromρo wsky

ίη the centre. 100ked a little further to try and judge

13 ... c5! 14 b4! cxd4 whether White's sacrifice is really
14 ... cxb4 15 CΔb5 is very good for sound. Here is a summary of my
White. analysis:
15 cιJb5
15 CΔcxd5 100ks quite tempting, but
15 ... .td8! seems to do the trick.
15 ... iιb6 16 cιJd6+ We7

a) 21 ... iYxg3 22 hxg3 1:.f5 23 g4 1:.f8

(not 23 ... 1:.xe5 24 iYd3) 24 iYd3 (24
g5!?) 24 ... Φh8 25 iYg6 d3+ 26 Φh2
.te3 and it is not clear if White has
If you cast your mind back to the more than a draw starting with 27
previous chapter you will recall a simi- 1:.f1.
lar Hodgson set-up (Hodgson- b) 21 ...1:.f5 22 1:.xg5+ hxg5
Lputian). (22 ...1:.xg5 could end ίη a draw after 23
17 cιJxf7! iYf4 1:.f5 24 iYg3+ 1:.g5 25 iYf4) 23 g4
Several commentators have de- 1:.xe5 24 Φh1!? (side-stepping a 10t of
scribed this as an astonishing combina- annoying ... d4-d3's) 24 ...CΔd7 25 1:.f1
tion. Hodgson, ίη New in Chess, is re- CΔf6 26 1:.xf6 (not 26 iYf2 .td8 27 iYg3
freshingly honest: 'Ν one of what fol- 1:.e2 28 iYd6 .td7 29 1:.xf6 Φχf6 30
10ws is planned - Ι was rather lucky iYxd7 1:.xc2 31 iYf7+ Φe5 and the
that it all seemed to come together.' Ιη black kίng escapes) 26 ... Φχf6 27 iYf2+
fact there was little choice as after 17 Φe7 (27 ...1:.f5 is unclear) 28 iYf7+ Φd6
1:.f1 1:.f8! White has ηο good continua- 29 iYf8+ Φc6 30 b5+! Φc7 (30 ... Φχb5?
tion of the attack. 31 .te8+ forces mate) 31 iYg7+ Φd6 32
17 ... Wxf7 18 iιh5+ iYf8 with a draw by perpetual check.
This is the point; now White will Although this analysis is far from
be able to castle without 10sing a piece conclusive, it does suggest that White
to ... d4-d3+. has very few winning chances and
18 ... Wg8?! must find some accurate moves to save
Hodgson gives the critical line as the draw.
18 ... Φg7! 19 ο-ο 1:.f8 20 1:.f3 1:.xf4 21 19 ο-ο 1:!.h7 20 1:!.f31:!.g7 21 1:!.af1
1:.g3 with an interesting position. I've The white attack is now extremely

78
 2 ... e6 3 e4 h6 4 ~xf6 Ψiixf6 5 tΔc3

dangerous with all his pieces partici- lowed by tbg6+.

pating, ίη contrast to Black's slumber- 25 ... l2Jxe5 26 .Jth7+ Φh8 27 l2Jg6+
ing army οη the queenside. l2Jxg6 28 .Jtxg6!
21 ...l2Jd7! And not 28 1:ι.χf8+?? tbxf8 when
21 ... tbc6 may look more natural but Black wins.
it meets with a stunning refutation: 22 28 ... ~g8 29 1:ί.f6!
tbg6!! when both 'tWxd2 and 1:ι.χg6 are And now all White has to do is
mated by 1:ι.f8+. The knight οη d7 de- 'place the queen οη the c1-h6 diagonal
fends f8, but it will now be νery diffi- and then munch the h6 pawn' -
cult for Black to get his other queen- Hodgson.
side pieces into the game. 29 ... .Jtd8 30 ~e3! ~xf6 31 ~xh6+
22 1::tg3 d3+ 23 ~h1 ~f5? 1:ί.h7 32 ~xh7 .Jtg7
23 ...'tWxe5 was the last chance ac- 32 ... 'tWxh7 33 'tWf8+.
cording to Hodgson, who then giνes 33 ~h5! 'i'f8
the following νariation: 24 jιf7+! This time 33 ... 'tWxh7 loses to 34
Φχf7 25 tbh5+ (25 tbxd3+ 'tWf5! and 'tWe8+ 'tWg8 35 1:ι.h3+.
Black will haνe plenty of material for 34 .Jtd3+ 1-0
the queen) 25 ... Φe7 26 tbxg7 with a 34 ... jιh6 loses to 35 1:ι.g6 and
νery dangerous initiatiνe for White. 34 ... Φg8 to 35 'tWh7+ <bf7 36 1:ι.Β+.
He continues 26 ...'tWe2 27 'tWf4 d2 28 One of the joys of working οη this
'tWf7+ Φd6 29 1:ι.c3! d4 30 tbe8+ Φd5 book is getting to see all Hodgson's
31 1:ι.f5+! 'tWe5 32 1:ι.χe5+ Φχe5 33 games.
'tWh5+ Φe4 34 tbd6+ Φf4 35 1:ι.f3 mate.
Game40·
Hodgson':'Yudasin
NeiU York 1994\;;;c~

1 d4 l2Jf6 2 .Jtg5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 .Jtxf6

'i'xf6 5 lίJc3 .Jtb4 6 'i'd2 c5!? 7 a3
.Jtxc3
There are a couple of alternatiνes:
a) 7... cxd4 8 axb4 dxc3 9 bxc3
should be a little better for White.
Hodgson-Pritchett, European C1ub
Cup 1996, continued 9... 0-0 10 tbf3
24 .Jtg6! ~f8 tbc6 11 b5 tbe5 12 tbxe5 'tWxe5 13 "iVd4
If now 24 ...'tWxe5 25 tbh5 'tWe2 26 "iVxd4 14 cxd4 d5 15 exd5 exd5 16 jιd3
'tWf4 and the threat of iιh7+ will proνe a5 17 bxa6 bxa6 18 1:ι.a5 1:ι.d8 19 Φd2
terrnίnal, e.g. 26 ... jιc7 27 jιh7+. with a νery pleasant ending for White.
25 ~xd3 b) 7... jιa5 and now:
This quiet moνe is deνastating as b 1) 8 b4!? cxd4 9 tbb5 jιb6 10
White introduces threats of jιh7+ fol- tbd6+ Φe7 11 tbc4 with unclear con-

79
The Trompowsky

sequences. 25 ... '>t>g8 26 ~xg5+ Φh7 27 ~h5+

b2) 8 dxc5 j,xc3 9 bxc3 ο-ο '>t>g8 28 lZ:Je7+ jVxe7 29 ~g5+ Φf8
(9 ... b6!?)1O tΔB b6 (1O ... tΔc6!? but 30 fxe7+ '>t>e8 31 cxd3 c2 32 ~g8+
Black is unlikely to get his pawn back) '>t>xe7 33 ~xf7+ Φd6 34 ~xθ6+ Φc5
11 e5 ~g6 12 1ιd3! ~xg2 13 .ί:rg1! 35 .ί:txc2+ 1-0
~xf3?! (13 ... ~h3 14 .ί:rg3 ~h5 150-0-0
also looks disastrous) 14 ~xh6 g6 15
.ί:rxg6+ fxg6 16 ~xg6+ ~h8 17 ~h7
mate. Pure fantasy, of course, but
sweet dreams are better than night-
mares.
8 bxc3 d6 9 f4
It is curious that ίη Hodgson-De
Firmian, Amsterdam 1996, Julian pre-
ferred 9 tΔf3. That game was quickly
drawn after 9 ... ο-ο 10 1ιe2 (10 e5!?)
10 ... tΔc6 11 ο-ο e5 12 dxc5 dxc5 13
~e3 b6 14 1ιc4 1ιg4 ~-~. If White is
worried about the next note then he '<~a111l1}I!' ,
could consider playing 9 1ιd3 here. Bezold~PiscmQff."
9 ... 0-0 ...:~Alteiffi~i&·1994;~~.
Perhaps Hodgson was afraid of
9... e5!? which does look rather awk- 1 d4 lZ:Jf6 2 i..g5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 i..xf6
ward for White. ~xf6 5 lZ:Jc3 ..tb4 6 lZ:Jf3
1 Ο lZ:Jf3 lZ:Jc6 11 ..tb5 lZ:Ja5?! 12 i..d3
b6 13 ο-ο i.b7 14 .ί:tae1
Black hasn't played the opening
very carefully (Ι suspect that this was a
quickplay game) and White has built
υρ a powerful attacking position
which now proceeds to play itself.
14... .ί:tac8 15 e5 ~θ7 16 f5! dxe5 17
lZ:Jxe5 cxd4 18 f6! 'iVc5 19 ~f4
dxc3+ 20 .ί:tf2 g5 21 'iVg4 .ί:tfd8 22
~h5 ~f8 23 lZ:Jg4
The game is over.
23 ... .ί:txd3 24 lZ:Jxh6+ Φh7 Α quieter continuation, not really
ίη the spirit of 5 tΔc3.
see fo//owing diagram
6 ... d6
25 lZ:Jf5+ Stohl suggests 6....txc3+!? 7 bxc3 d6
25 tΔxf7 + ~g8 26 ~ g6+ was even 8 .td3 tΔd7, with ... e6-e5 to follow, as
quicker. an equalising line.

80
 2 ... e6 3 e4 h6 4 iιxf6 Ψlxf6 5 ljjc3

7 ~d2 lLJd7 8 a3 ~θ5 30 lLJxf6+ 'it>g7 31 l2Jxd7 i.d4 32

8... i.xc3 9 'i'xc3 c5 10 0-0-0 should Itc7 lLJxf3+ 33 gxf3 Itaa2
be a little better for White. Now f2 caves ίη and Black will have
9~d3 a mating attack.
9 b4!? i,b6 10 l2Ja4 ο-ο 11 c4 is 34 Φg2 ~xf2 35 Φh3 and 0-1
worth considering. Οη 11 ... c5 White After 35 ... ~e3 (threatening mate ίη
should probably just play 12 ~e2. three) 36 ~h1 ~f4 there is ησ defence
9 ... 0-0 1 Ο ο-ο c6! to ... h6-h5 and ... ~h2 mate.
Intending ... e6-e5, which seems to
be the best plan, as it maximises the ,,:. '. ~Game\41)::
potential of his king's bishop. ~~dgson:.M· .
11 b4 ~c7 12lLJe2 e5 13 c4 Ite8 14 ;ζΉqrεifft~
d5?!
14 dxe5 dxe5 15 c5 was better al- 1 d4 lLJf6 2 ~g5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 .i.xf6
though Black is still fine after 15 ... l2Jf8. ~xf6 5 lLJc3 d6 6 "ii'd2 c6
14 ... cxd5 15 cxd5 lLJf8 16 lLJg3 lLJg6
17 lLJh5 ~d8 18 Sι.θ2 ~b6

Black has a large number of alterna-

tives. 6... a6 and 6... g5 will be examined
Black now has a clear advantage, ίη subsequent games, while the less
mainly due to the power of his dark- common choices are examίned below.
squared bishop, which is often pas- Note, that ίη this flexible position,
sively placed οη g7 ίη similar struc- there are a fair number of transposi-
tures. tional possibilities.
19 Itac1 Itf8 20 Itc3 a5! 21 h3 axb4 a) 6... l2Jc6 is well met by 7 l2Jf3,
22 axb4 ~d7 23 lLJh2 ~g5! transposing into Game 31.
Exchanging queens would allow b) 6... iVd8 7 0-0-0 i.e7 8 f4 l2Jd7 9
Black to infiltrate οη the a-file. l2Jf3 ο-ο 10 ~b 1 c5 11 d5 l2Jf6 12 dxe6
24 'iVd1 Ita2 25 lLJg4 .i.xe6 13 ~g1 1:1b8 14 f5 i.d7 15 g4 was
25 Iϊg3 is met by 25 ...iVd2. very good for White ίη Κίηsman­
25 ...Itfa8 26 h4 ~d2! 27 'ir'xd2 Pichler, German Bundesliga 1994/95.
%:txd2 28 .i.f3 lLJxh4 29 lLJgf6+ gxf6 c) 6... g6 7 f4 .i.g7 8 l2Jf3 l2Jd7?!

81
The Tromρowsky

(8 ...iVe7) 9 lbb5 iVd8 10 iVc3 lbc5 11 Fίxing the weakness ση g7. Black is
e5 lba6 12 iVa3 ο-ο (12 ... iιf8 13 iVe3 is seνerely short of space.
clearly better for White) 13 exd6 c6 14 22 ... iιe8 23 J:ιd3 J:ιh8 24 lίJg3 J:ιd8
lbc3 and Black had ησ compensation 25 J:ιb3 J:ιb8
for the pawn ίη Yedidίa-Hirt, Neucha- Better was 25 ... b6, not allowing
telI996. White to take oνer the d-file.
d) 6 ...lbd7 7 0-0-0 a6 8 f4 b5!? 9 e5 26 J:ιd 1! J:ιh6
iVd8 10 lbf3 ~b7 11 ~d3 looks quite The tactical justification of White's
promising for White. preνious moνe is reνealed ίη the νaria­
7 f4 e5 tion 26 ...lbxh5 27 ~xf7! lbxg3 28
7 ... g5 8 f5!? exf5 9 0-0-0 gaνe White 'it>xg3 ~xf7 29 lbxf7 :h5 30 :bd3
good attacking chances ίη Daνid-Daly, with a winning endgame for White.
Linares Zonal 1995. Play continued 27 ..t>f3 lίJh7 28 ..t>g4 lίJxg5 29 ..t>xg5
9 ... fxe4 (9 ... f4 wouldn't haνe con- f6+ 30 Wg4 i.d7 31 iιf7! J:ιhh8 32
cerned Daνid too much as he's known J:ιbd3 J:ιbd8
to wheel out the King's Gambit from
time to tίme; 10 e5 looks quite dan-
gerous for Black) 10 lbxe4 iVg6 11
~d3 f5 12 :el! fxe4 13 ~xe4 iVf6 14
~xc6+ 'it>d8 15· iVa5+! b6 16 iVc3
lbxc6 17 iVxc6 ~g7 18 iVxa8 with a
winning adνantage for White.
8 dxe5 dxe5 9 f5 'iVd6
9 ... g6 10 ~d3 lbd7, Minasian-Glek,
Moscow 1992, 11 0-0-0 h5 12 'it>bl
looks good for White.
1 Ο iιd3 iιe 7 11 lίJf3 lίJd7 12 a4!
Preνenting ... b7-b5, thereby secur- 33 iιe6!
ing the square c4 for his bishop. Αη excellent pawn sacrifice which
12 ... a5 13 g4 'iVc5 14 'iVf2 'iVxf2+ Black should haνe refused with
14 ... iVb4!? 15 0-0-0 would lead to a 33 ... ~e8.
sharper struggle. 33 ... iιxe6 34 fxe6 J:ιxd3 35 J:ιxd3
15 ..t>xf2 iιd6 16 iιc4 lίJf6 17 J:ιad 1 ! ..t>xe6 36 lίJf5
iιc7 The knight is a νastly superior piece
17... lbxg4+ 18 'it>e2 ~c5 (18 ... ~c7 to the bishop and the black rook is
19 :hgl) 19 :d2!, intending h2-h3 and tied down to the defence σί g7.
lbxe5, is good for White, as there is ησ 36 ... J:ιg8 37 J:ιb3 b6 38 J:ιc3 ..t>d7?
time for 19 ... 0-0 20 h3 lbe3 21 ~b3 38 ... c5 looks sick but it would at
:e8 ση account of 22 :h2 when the least haνe prolonged the struggle
knight is trapped ση e3. 39 Wh4!
18 g5 hxg5 19 lίJxg5 J:ιf8 20 lίJe2 Now the threat of :g3 is decisiνe.
iιd7 21 h4 ..t>e7 22 h5 39 ... g6 40 J:ιg3 g5+ 41 ..t>g4 ..t>e6 42

82
 2 ... e6 3 e4 h6 4 i..xf6 WΙxf6 5 tΔc3

1:d3! 1-0 17 1:hf1 jLh6 18 4:Jd4 .1ιb7 19

With the d-file firmly under White's jLxb5+?
control, there is nothing to be done This looks unsound. Better was 19
against h5-h6 and ~h5 followed by 'iVf2 or 19 'iVe3 with an unclear game.
queening the g-pawn. 19 ... axb5 20 4:Jcxb5 ο-ο 21 1:f6 jιg7
22 ~xg5 4:Je4 23 1:xe4 dxe4 24 4:Jd6
. Game..43'"/+
.' H~~J~~hilIfffla~~T>;
tennιz1996{)~"

1 d4 lΔf6 2 jLg5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 jLxf6

~xf6 5 lΔc3 d6 6 ~d2 a6 7 0-0-0
~e7
7... ~d7 8 f4 tίJc6 9 tίJB 0-0-0 10 d5
tίJb8 11 e5 'iVe7 12 ~c4 gave White a
very strong initiative ίη Hodgson-
Appel, German Bundesliga 1994.
8 f4 g6 9 lΔf3 jLg7 1 Ο jLd3 lΔd7
24 ... 1:fd8!
Well calculated. If Black had care-
lessly played his other rook then
White would have scrambled a per-
petual check: 24 ...1tad8? 25lZJ4f5! exf5
26 'iVxg7+!! ~xg7 27 lZJxf5+ ~h7 28
1th6+ ~g8 29lZJxe7+ ~g7 30 lZJf5+.
254:Jxf7
Now of course 25 lZJf5 doesn't
work as the black king has a flight
square οη f8.
25 ...':xd4 26 c3 e3! 27 4:Jh6+ Φh8
11 e5 28 4:Jf7+ Φg8 29 4:Jh6+ ~h7! 30
11 f5! actually transposes to the ~g6+ Φh8 31 cxd4
game Benjamίn-Υermolinsky consid- Black also wins after both 31 1tf7
ered ίη the fifth move notes to Game ~e4+ and 31 lZJf7+ 'iVxf7 32 .:.xf7 (32
39. 'iVxf7 e2) 32 ... ~e4+.
11 ... d5 12 g4 c5 13 dxc5 g5 14 31 ... e20-1
fxg5
White would prefer to play 14 f5,
but after 14 ... lZJxe5 15 tίJxe5 ~xe5 he
has to waste time dealing with the
threat of ... ~f4.
14... hxg5 15 1:de1 lΔxc5 16 ~b1 b5 1 d4 lΔf6 2 jLg5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 JLxf6

83
The Tromρowsky

'iVxf6 5 LΔc3 d6 6 'iVd2 g5!? and queen his g-pawn, after which we
Black prepares ιο fianchetto his are left with a completely drawn ορ­
king's bishop while, at least for the posite-coloured bishop ending.
time being, preventing White from b) 1O ... .id7 11 tZJf3 tZJc6 12 d5 tZJb4
carrying out the intended f2-f4. This is 13 .ic4 b5 14 e5! (blocking οΗ the
quite a double-edged idea as Black' s 10ng dίagonal so that White can take
kingside can also become weak, but οη b5 without getting mated) 14 ...1\Vf4
for those οί you who have already 15 1\Vxf4 gxf4 16 tZJxb5 with advantage
studied Chapter 4 ίι is clear that Kar- to White ίη Lputian-Tukmakov, ΤίΙ­
ρον has a soft spot for playing ... g7-g5 burg Rapidplay 1994.
against the Tromp. 7 ... i..g7 8 e5?!
7 0-0-0 This advance seems to be prema-
This is the most natural move, but ture. For 8 g3 see the next game.
ίη his latest outing with this variation 8 ... dxe5!
Adams preferred 7 g3!? (see Game 46). Karpov exchanges at once as
One other move that has Ιο be exam- White's e-pawn is a potential weak-
ined is 7 h4. After 7... .ig7 8 hxg5 hxg5 ness.
9 ~xh8+ .ixh8 10 0-0-0 there are a 9 dxe5 'iVe7
couple οί examples: 9 ...1\Vxe5?? 10 1\Vd8 mate is not rec-
ommended, nor is 9...1\Vf4?! 10 1\Vxf4
gxf4 11 tZJf3 i.d7 12 i.d3 tZJc6 13
~he 1 with advantage to White
(Κarpον).
10 f4LΔc6
Οη 1O ... gxf4 White should first play
11 tZJf3, ίη order to avoid 11 iYxf4
1\Vg5!
11 LΔf3
11 g3 is another idea ίη order to
keep e5 firmly protected, although
11 ... i.d7 and 12 ... 0-0-0 still100ks fine
a) 1O .. .ttJc6 11 i.b5 i.d7 12 tZJge2 for Black.
0-0-0 (12 ... iYxf2 13 1\Vxg5 is awkward 11 ...i..d7 12 h4
for Black due Ιο the threat οί 1\Vg8+) White doesn't feel comfortable with
13 iYe3 ~b8 14 ί3 i.g7 15 g4 ~h8 16 the tension οη the kingside and de-
tZJg3 iYf4 171\Vxf4 gxf4 18 i.xc6 fxg3!? cides to force the issue. Οη 12 tZJe4,
19 i.xd7 .ih6+ 20 ~b1 .ie3 21 tZJe2 Karpov gives 12 ... 0-0-0 13 iYc3
g2 22 .ia4! (οη 22 c3 Black could play (intending tZJc5) 13 ... iYb4! with a good
22 ... c6, trapping the bishop οη d7) game for Black.
22 ....ixd4! 23 c3 i.e3 24 ~c2 ~-lh 12 ... gxf4 13 'iVxf4 0-0-0 14 LΔθ4
Shereshevsky-Kolev, Eliente 1994.
see fo//owing diagram
Black will play ~h1, exchange rooks

84
 2 ... e6 3 e4 h6 4 iι..xf6 fixf6 5 tΔc3

had had a dark-squared bishop οη

some sensible square Ι don't think we
would haνe found Karpoν so eager to
play such a position.
22 ~e3
At first Ι thought that White's best
chance mίght be to play 22 l:ίd1. Al-
though this would break the golden
rule οί not exchanging rooks when
you haνe two mίηoΓ pieces agaίnst a
rook, it would ηίρ ίη the bud the tre-
mendous actiνity that Black's rooks
14 ... tZJb8!! are about to generate. Howeνer, a
Α profound regrouping οί the black more concrete look shows that this is
forces. His οηlΥ passiνe piece is the probably eνen worse than the game.
bishop οη d7, so Karpoν clears the c6- After 22 ...l:ίxd1 23 .Jtxd1 l:ίd8 24 .Jte2
square to allow the bishop to take υρ 'i'c5! White would like to be able to
residence οη the long diagonal. This bring his knight back with 25 l1Jf4,
will also make room for the knight οη but unfortunately this loses to
d7, from where it can exchange itself 25 ... l:ίd4 followed by 26 ... 'i'b4+ win-
οΗ for an annoying knight οη f6. ning a piece. Α moνe like 25 a3 is also
15 tZJf6 well met by 25 ... l:ίd4.
15 l1Jd4 .Jtc6! 16 l1Jf6 .Jtxf6 17 exf6 22 ...1:thd8 23 a3
'i'c5 is also νery pleasant for Black. There is ηο time to grab either
15 ....i.c6 16 .i.e2 tZJd7! 17 tZJh5 rook's pawn as ...'i'b4+ would giνe
17 l1Jd4 runs into a tactical refuta- Black a powerful attack.
tion: 17... .Jtxg2! 18 l:ίhg1 l1Jxe5! 19 23 ... 1:td4 24 93
l1Jh5 l1Jg6! and Black wins, but 17 Now 24 'i'xh6 is met by 24 ... l:ίxh4
l1Jxd7 may haνe been the lesser eνil (or perhaps 24 ... l:ίa4).
with just an edge for Black. 24 .. :~c5
17 ... .i.xf3! Threatening 25 ... l:ίb4+.
The start οί a well calculated se- 25 1:te1 1:tc4!
quence. Agaίn Karpoν shows good judge-
18 .i.xf3 ~xe5 19 ~e4 c6 20 1:txd7 ment (as he usually does) ίη heading
~xb2+! 21 ΦΧb21:tχd7 for the ending whilst White's mίηoΓ
The material balance οί rook and pieces are still out οί position.
two pawns agaίnst two minor pieces is 26 ~xc5 1:txc5 27 1:te2
often a diHicult one to judge. Here White can't allow a black rook to
Black has the adνantage as there are penetrate to the seνenth rank, e.g. 27
open files for his rooks, his king is l1Jf4 l:ίd2 28 .Jte4 l:ίe5 and Ι can't see
safer and White's bishop is biting οη what White is doing about the threats
granite. If οη the other hand White οί ... f7-f5 and ... l:ίd4, as 29 l1Jd3 l:ίxd3

85
The Trompowsky

30 cxd3 f5 doesn't help. stop the black a-pawn.

27 ... 1:1d 1! 28 tLJf4
Karpov had Ιο take 28 1:!xe6 ίηιο
account. This fails Ιο 28 ....i:!d2! 29
.i:!e8+ Φc7 when White can't defend c2
with iιe4 as the knight οη h5 would
then hang. 1 d4 tLJf6 2 Jιg5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 Jt.xf6
28 ...1:1b5+ 29 Wa2 1:1bb1 ~xf6 5 tLJc3 d6 6 ~d2 95 7 0-0-0
Now Karpov has penetrated to the Jt.g7 8 g3
eighth rank and his main idea is Ιο Rather than rushing with 8 e5, as ίη
win the a-pawn with a couple of the previous game, White simply pre-
checks. pares f2-f4.
30 Jt.h5 8 ... tLJc6
White goes οη the counterattack as The panicky 8... g4?! was efficiently
he is very unlikely to be able to hold dealt with ίη Greenfeld-5tull, Moscow
his position together with passive de- 01ympiad 1994: 9 h3 h5 10 hxg4 hxg4
fence, e.g. 30 tL1d3 .i:!a1+ 31 Φb3 11 .i:!xh8+ ..txh8 12 e5 dxe5 13 dxe5
.i:!db1+ 32 tL1b2 a5! 33 c3 (33 a4 b5) ~e7 14 f4 gxf3 15 tL1xf3 ..td7 16 tL1e4
33 ... a4+ 34 Φc2 .i:!c1+ 35 Φd2 .i:!gl and ..tg7 17 tL1f6+ ..txf6 18 ~h6! .i.g7 19
Black should win. ~xg7 ~f8 20 ~f6 tL1c6 21 ..tb5 a622
30 ...1:1a1+ 31 Wb3 1:1db1+ 32 Wc4 .i:!h1 tL1e7 23 .i:!h8 tL1g8 24 ~g5 1-0.
1:1xa3 33 Jιxf7 1:1xg3 34 Jt.xe6+ Wc7 9 Jιb5
White has managed ιο maintain the 9 tL1b5 ~d8 10 d5 (or 10 c3!? with
material equilibrium, but Black has similar intentions to the next game)
gained an immensely strong passed a- 1O ... exd5 11 exd5 tL1e7 12 iιg2 tL1f5 13
pawn. .i:!e1+ Φf8 14 tL1e2 ~f6 15 c3 ..td7 was
35 tLJd3 a5 very comfortable for Black ίη Garcia
Which has Ιο be pushed! Paolicchi-David, Linares Zonal1995.
36 1:1f2 1:1e3! 9 ... Jt.d7 1 Ο tLJge2 a6
Α typical Karpov move, forcing the 1O ...~xf2? 11 .i:!df1 ~g2 12 h4 or 12
opponent to worsen the position of d5 gives White Ιοο much for a pawn
his pieces. according to 5tohl.
37 1:1f7+ Wb8! 11 Jt.xc6 Jt.xc6 12 f4 0-0-0 13 1:1hf1
Better than 37... Φb6, which allows ~g6 14 g4!7
White counterplay with 38 iιc8! Hodgson always seems willing to
381:1e7 1:1e4+ 39 Wc3 invest a pawn if he can get a nice
39 Φc5 .i:!b5+ 40 Φd6 .i:!d4+ leads Ιο square for a knight. This is probably
mate. good practical play.
39 ...1:1b5 0-1 14 ... Jιxe4 15 tLJg3 d5 16 tLJcxe4
Adams calls ίι a day; ηοΙ so much dxe4 17 f5 exf5 18 tLJxf5
because he is dropping the h-pawn, 50, there's the outpost. One of the
but because ίι is virtually impossible Ιο other main points behind the sacrifice

86
 2 ... e6 3 e4 h6 4 §ιΧf6 Wixf6 5 CΔc3

is that it will probably be more diffi- 'it>xb2 ~h8+ 42 Wb3 1-0

cult for Black to utilise his 4-2 pawn
majority οη the kingside than for Game46
White to use his 4-3 οη the queenside. ,:Άdams-Lelφ .
Cap D'Agde Rap{fplay 1996
1 d4 lΔf6 2 Jιg5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 Jιxf6
~xf6 5 lΔc3 d6 6 ~d2 g5 7 g3!?

18 ... ~he8 19 ~g2 Jιf8 20 ~fe1 ~e6

21 'it>b1 h5!
Ridding himself of a weak pawn.
22 h3 hxg4 23 hxg4 ~d5 24 ~e3
~e6 25 ~de1 Jιd6 26 ~e2 Jιf4 27 As Black has already weakened his
c4 ~a5 28 ~c3! kingside, White plays as solid1y as pos-
Not 28 ~xe4? οη account of the sible with the intention of exploiting
surprising 28 ... ~de8! these weaknesses later.
28 ... ~h8 7 ... Jιg7 8 lΔb5
From now onwards White's initia- Α neat manoeuvre to block out the
tive just seems to grow and grow. long diagonal.
Stohl believes that 28 ... e3! would have 8 ... ~d8 9 c3 a6 10 lΔa3 b6 11 Jιg2
maintaίned a dynamic equilibrium. Jιb7 12 lΔc2 lΔd7 13 lΔe3 ~e7 14
29 ~d1! ~b4 30 a3 ~f8 31 d5 1:le8 lΔe2 0-0-0 15 0-0-0 'it>b8 16 Wb 1
32 c5 ~h2 33 c6! .Jίd2 34 ~b3 b5 lΔf6 17 ~c2 h5 18 e5!
35 d6! Forcing favourable exchanges.
Is it space invaders or chess? 18 ... lΔd5 19 Jιxd5 .txd5 20 lΔxd5
35 ... Jιxe1 exd5 21 f4 gxf4 22 gxf4 dxe5 23
After 3s ... cxd6, Stohl points out dxe5
that White can win with 36 'iVdS! White's mobile pawn centre gives
36 d7+ 'it>b8 37 ~c5! him a clear advantage.
The star move. 23 ... Wb7 24 lΔd4 ~d7 25 ~he1 .Jίh6
37 ... ~a5 38 ~xb5+ axb5 26 f5 ~de8 27 e6 fxe6 28 lΔxe6 c6
38 ... ~a7 39 ~b7+ ~a8 40 ~a7+! 29 c4 ~e7 30 ~b3! d4?
doesn't save Black. Α blunder ίη a lost position.
39 ~xb5+ .Jίb6 40 ~a6 ~xb2+ 41 31 lΔc5+ 1-0

87
The Trompo wsky

Summary
After 5 l2Jc3 Black is likely to end up ίη an inferior position if he just quietly
completes his development (unlike ίη Chapter 4). He therefore has to take some
vigorous action. 1t is most noteworthy that Hodgson declined to play 9 f4 ίη his
recent game with De Firmian (see the note to move 9 ίη Game 40). If White has
to play 9 l2Jf3 then he has not much chance of an advantage. Waiting for f2-f4
and then striking back with ... g7-g5 (as ίη Game 39) looks like a risky business as
White can often gain an attack οη the f-file. 6 ... g5 (Games 44-46) has been
Black's most popular line, but both 7 g3 and 70-0-0 iιg7 8 g3 (see Games 45 and
46) seem to give White a pleasant middlegame.

1 d4 l2Jf6 2 .1ιg5 e6 3 e4 h6 4 .1ιΧf6 'i'xf6 5 l2Jc3

5 ... .1ιb4
5 ... d6 (D) 6 'iid2
6 ... c6 - Game 42
6 ... a6 - Game 43
6 ... g5
70-0-0 iιg7 (D)
8 e5 - Game44
8 g3 - Game45
7 g3 - Game46
6 ~d2 (D)
6 l2Jf3 - Game 41
6 ... d6
6 ... c5 - Game 40
783 - Game39

5 ... d6 7 ... .1ιg7 6 'i'd2

88
 2 ... c5 3 i..xf6

1 d4 l2Jf6 2 ~g5 c5 3 .i.xf6 played with the idea of supporting the

2... c5, a10ng with 2... llJe4, is one of d-pawn by i.g2. Hodgson has also
the sharpest ways of meeting the experimented with the sharper J..h3
Trompowsky. This chapter dea1s with but got his fingers burnt a couple of
3 ~xf6 while third move a1ternatives times (Game 49 has the details). Ιη
for White are examined ίη Chapter 7. Games 50 and 51 White plays e2-e3
The main line is reached after the and c2-c3 and often develops his
moves 3... gxf6 4 d5 ~b6 5 'ifc1 f5, bishop to c4.
when White has three distinct con- The sidelines are dea1t with at the
tinuations. First, he can play 6 c4; this end of the chapter. Game 53 features
has the drawback of a110wing Black's the risky 5 llJd2, while ίη Game 54
dark-squared bishop more life than Black declines to play ... 'iWb6.
usua1, but οη the plus side White's d- The 2... c5 variation genera11y leads
pawn has permanent protection and to extremely complex strategica1 bat-
he can develop his queenside ίη a more tles where the better prepared and
natura1 manner. The variations from more experienced player is likely to
Game 47 are a lot of fun, while Game triumph. Exact theory is not of that
48 dea1s with the more prudent much use (except perhaps ίη Game
6....tg7. 47); it is knowledge of ideas and ma-
The second and third plans are quite noeuvres that will bring home the ba-
similar and revolve around White try- con.
ing to reduce the scope of the black
bishop pair. This involves playing c2-
c3 to block οΗ the long diagona1,
while the manoeuvre llJh3-f4 is a1so a
standard part of White's strategy.
Games 49 and 50 feature 6 g3, usua11y 1 d4 l2Jf6 2 .i.g5 c5 3 .i.xf6 gxf6 4

89
The Tromρowsky

d5~b6 b) 5... e6 6 c4 (6 ltJc3 has also been

4... iιg7 is the subject of Game 54. played) 6... iιg7 7 ltJc3 f5 8 e3 (8 ltJh3
5 ~c1 e5 9 e3 d6 10 i-d3, Kovacevic-
Popovic, Tuzla 1981, and now 1O ... f4!?
exf4 11 .1xh3 12 gxh3 exf4 would
have been the most critical) 8... ltJa6 9
ltJf3 ltJc7 10 iιe2 d6 11 ο-ο iιd7 12
I:ι.d1 with an edge for White ίη Ιοηον­
Almasi, Tilburg 1994.
c) 5... i-g7 has little independent
value as Black is going to have to play
... f6-f5 soon, transposing elsewhere ίη
this chapter.
6 c4!?
Other moves are examined ιη
For the pawn sacrifice 5 ltJd2, see Games 49-52.
Game 53. 6 ... ~h6!?
5 ... f5 6... iιg7 is the subject of the next
ΒΥ far the most popular choice. Α game.
quick look at the alternatives: 7 e3
a) 5... iιh6 6 e3 f5 and now 7 c4 The bishop is taboo, as after
transposes back to Hodgson-Van der 7...'iixb2 Black will be able to make a
Wiel, while Julian preferred 7 g3 a successful hit and run raid before
year earlier ίη Hodgson-Peelen, Leeu- White can organise any threats.
warden 1993. Play continued 7... ~g7 7 ... f4 8 exf4 ~xf4
8 c3 (White has the extra tempo e2-e3 Black's strategy is to open the posi-
οη Games 49 and 50, but it probably tion as much as possible to maximise
doesn't help that much as the knight the effect of the bishop pair. There is
can reach f4 via h3 and the queens οηlΥ one way to test the soundness of
route to f4 or g5 is blocked of~ his strategy, and Hodgson has never
8... ltJa6 9 ltJd2 ltJc7 10 ~g2 'iid6 11 been known to shirk such a challenge.
e4!? (l1ltJc4 is met by 11 ...'iia6, when 9 'iVxf4! 'iVxb2 1 Ο tίJe2! 'iVxa 1 11
White doesn't have ltJe3 at his dis- tίJec3
posal) 11 ... fxe4 12 ltJxe4 'iig6! 13 d6!? Black has collected an exchange and
(after 13 ltJxc5 d6 14 ltJb3 ~f5 Black's a pawn, but he is now faced with a
bishops are extremely active) 13 ... f5 14 difficult decision: should he allow 12
'iig5 'iixg5 15 ltJxg5 ltJb5! 16 ο-ο-ο!? d6 or 12 'iid2? The first of these will
(16 dxe7 ltJxc3!) 16 ... ltJxd6 17 I:ι.xd6 (a guarantee White long-term positional
typical Hodgson sacrifice) 17 ... exd6 18 compensation as well as excellent at-
ltJ1h3 i-h6 and Black went οη to win. tacking chances against the king, while
White has a big initiative, but he is a the second will firmly close the door
lot of material down. οη the black queen.

90
 2 ... c5 3 ~xf6

control) 14 'iYc2 (14 iιd3!?) 14 ... Φί8!

(so that 'iYxh7 will not come with
tempo and an eventual iιxb5 will not
be with check) 15 'iYb3 (15 iιd3 b5 16
cxb5 axb5 17 iιxb5 iιa6 is good for
Black) 15 ... lbd7 16 iιe2 b5! 17 cxb5
(17 ο-ο b4) 17 ... axb5 18 iιxb5 lbe5 19
iιe2 c4 20 'iYb6 (ίί White takes the
pawn then the queen escapes via b2)
20 ... iιί5 21 ο-ο !lxa2! 22 lbxa2 'iYxa2.
The queen has made it and Black still
has an extra pawn with a good posi-
11 ... ~b2 tion. Alexandrov-Zhelnin, St Peters-
ν an der Wiel prefers to extricate his burg 1994, concluded 23 !le1 'iYb3! 24
queen. This move has been strongly 'iYd8+ Φg7 25 'iYxe7 i..xb1 26 iιh5
criticised and subsequent efforts for iιg6 27 'iYxd6 lbd3 28 iιxg6 hxg6 29
Black have revolved around 11 ... d6 12 !le7 !lf8 30 'iYc6 'iYb2 0-1.
'iYd2 !lg8 (note that 12 ... iιί5 13 iιe2! b) Ι don't think any conclusions
iιxb114 ο-ο wins for White) and now: should be drawn οη the validity οί
a) Alexandrov played 13 g3 ίη two White's sacrifice until we have seen
games from St Petersburg 1994: some examples οί 13 iιe2!? As time is
a1) 13 ... a5 (Black plans to bring his οί the essence the odd pawn doesn't
rook to the aίd οί the queen via the really matter and White now threatens
manoeuvre ...!la6-b6; however it ο-ο followed by lba3. Here are a few
seems too slow) 14 iιd3 iιh3 15 ί4 variations οί the variations that Ι have
!la6 16 Φί2 !lb6 17 !le1 !lb2 18 iιc2 looked at: 13 ...!lxg2 (13 ... a6 14 ο-ο
iιί5 19 lba3 !lxc2 20 lbxc2 'iYb2 21 iιh3 15 i..f3) 14 iιί3 and now:
'iYe3! e6 (21 ... 'iYxc2+ 22 !le2) 22 !le2
iιg4 (22 ... iιxc2 23 dxe6 is too danger-
ous for Black) 23 !ld2 'iYc1 24 Φg2
!lg6 25 !lf2! 'iYxe3 26 lbxe3 (White has
a much better ending) 26 ... Φd7 27 h3
iιί5 28 g4 !lg7 29 Φh2 i..g6 30 ί5 exf5
31 gxf5 .i.h5 32 lbe4! 1-0 Alexandrov-
Frolov, St Petersburg 1994.
a2) 13 ... a6! (this time Black plans
... b5-b4 to create an escape route for
his queen back along the long diago-
nal; ίί White captures οη b5 then all
Black' s queenside pieces will come to b1) 14 ... i..h3 15 'iYh6! 'iYb2 16 i..xg2
life, makίng it extremely hard for i..xg2 17 !lg1 iιe4 18 !lg8+ Φd7 19
White to keep the situation under 'iYf8 'iYc1+ 20 lbd1 and White wins.

91
The Tromρowsky

b2) 14 ... ~g6 15 ~e2! b5 (οη queen οΗ from defence of her king.
15 ... iιg4 16 iιxg4 ~xg4 White should Remember the last time the queen was
not play 17 tΔa3? οη account of cut οΗ was with tΔec3. This time it is
17 ... ~gl!, but 17 ~c1 first and οηlΥ the other knight that turns the key ίη
then tΔa3) 16 cxb5 (16 tΔa3? ~gl) the 10ck.
16 ... a6 17 b6! tΔd7 18 ~c1 tΔxb6 19
tΔa3 and White wins the queen. Black Game48
will haνe some play, but it doesn't ... Alexandrov-Nadirhanov
look like it is enough. Krasnodar 1995 .
Note that this is untested analysis,
so Ι don't want any whinging letters 1 d4 l2Jf6 2 ~g5 c5 3 ~xf6 gxf6 4
about a miraculous queen escape cost- d5 ~b6 5 ~c1 f5 6 c4 ~g7
ing you the British Championship! Α much saner continuation than
12 d6! l2Jc6 the one we saw ίη the preνious game.
12 .. :iVb6 is well met by 13 tΔb5! 7l2Jc3 d6
and οη 13 ... tΔc6 14 iιd3 looks the Black has also tried ... 'iVb4 a few
simplest. Once White has castled times (either here or later - it usually
Black won't surνiνe νery 10ng. transposes). After 7... 'iVb4 Hodgson-
13 ~d3 exd6 14 ο-ο lΔθ5 15 ~f6! Schlosser, Horgen 1994, continued 8
ο-ο e3 d6 9 f4!? tΔd7 10 tΔf3 tΔb6 11 tΔd2
There is ηο choice, as οη 15 ... ~g8, iιd7 12 iιd3 with an edge for White,
16 tΔd5 is immediately decisiνe. but ίη a later game, Miles-Gi. Garcia,
16 l2Jd5 .1:!.e8 17 ~g5+ l2Jg6 Haνana 1996, Black improνed with
After 17 ... ~h8 Hodgson giνes 18 10 ... tΔf6. After 11 a3 'iVa5 12 tΔd2
tΔf6 tΔxd3 19 'iVh6 'iVxf6 20 'iVxf6+ tΔe4! 13 tΔdxe4 fxe4 14 iιe2 (Ι prefer
~g8 21 f4! and wins. 14 ~f2) 14 ... f5 he had quite a good
18 l2Jf6+ 'it>f8 19 ~h6+ 'it>e7 20 position. This suggests that 9 f4 may
l2Jd5+ 'it>d8 21 ~xg6 hxg6 22 l2Jbc3! not be the most accurate. Another try
1-0 is 9 'iVd2, e.g. 9 ... tΔd7 10 ~c1 tΔb6 11
b3 a5 12 iιd3 a4 13 tΔge2! with an un-
clear game ίη Alexandroν-Neνeroν,
Nikolaeν 1995.
8 e3 l2Jd7 9 ~d2!?
9 tΔge2 (9 'iVc2, intending iιd3,
100ks sensible) 9... tΔf6 10 tΔg3 h5 11
iιd3 e6 100ks okay for Black, while 9
tΔB tΔf6 10 iιd3 e5 11 tΔd2 e4 12 iιe2
h5 13 'iVc2 iιd7 14 a4 was quite pleas-
ant for White ίη Yegiazarian-Tsesh-
koνsky, Budapest 1996.
9 ... l2Jf6
Αη elegant final moνe, cutting the 9 ... 'iVb4 transposes to the seνenth

92
 2 ... c5 3 iιxf6

move note and was the actua1 move the corner, but the difference is that
order of Alexandrov-Neverov. White's is coming home. The ending
10 f3 e5?! with an extra piece contained some
This looks suspect as Black is sad- technica1 difficulties which he eventu-
dled with a weak pawn οη f5. More a11y managed to overcome.
solid is 1O ... iιd7 11 iιd3 e6. 31 Φg1 e4 32 fxe4 1:I.g4 33 Φχh1
11 ~d3 h5 12 ttJge2 ~h6 13 ~c2!? 1:I.xe4 34 Φg1 d3 35 Φf2 1:I.xc4 36
The game now enters a phase of ίη­ 1:I.xb7 1:I.d4 37 Φe1 d2+ 38 Φd1 1:I.xd5
tense complications. 39 1:I.b2 1:I.c5 40 1:I.a2 1:I.c8 41 1:I.xa7
13 ... ~xe3 14 ~xf5 ~xf5 15 ~xf5 l:!.c1+ 42 Φχd2 1:I.g1 43 g3 1:I.g2+ 44
~xb2 16 1:I.b1 ~d2+ 17 Φf1 1:I.h6 18 Φe3 1:I.xh2 45 1:I.a4 Φg7 46 1:I.h4
1:I.d1! ~b2 19 ~d3 ~d4 20 1:I.b1 ~a3 1:I.xh4 47 gxh4 Φf6 48 Φf4 d5 49
tΔc7 d4 50 ttJd5+ Φg7 51 Φe4 Φg6
52 ttJf4+ Φf6 53 tΔxh5+ Φg6 54
tΔf4+ Φf6 55 Φχd4 Φf5 56 Φe3
Φg4 57 h5 Φg5 58 Φe4 1-0

Ga~e49 . ,:
Hodgson-Fedorowic~. .
,Cannes Rapidpld/y'199,2'
1 d4 ttJf6 2 ~g5 c5 3 ~xf6 gxf6 4
d5 ~b6 5 ~c1 f5 6 g3
Α solid move, preparing to develop
21 ~d2! the bishop οη g2 or h3.
The black pieces infiltrated into the 6 ... ~g7
white position οηlΥ to be driven back 6... c4 7 iιg2 tiJa6 8 c3 h5 was the
a few moves later. Now White wins extraordinary continuation ίη Lobron-
materia1 as after Black dea1s with the J.Polgar, Groningen 1993 (what did
threat to his rook οη h6 White plays she have for breakfast?). After 9 tiJf3
tiJb5 and Black ηο longer has ... 'iVa5 to tiJc7 10 tiJa3 tiJxd5 11 tiJxc4 'iVc5 12
defend c7. tiJce5 tiJf6 13 ο-ο e6 14 c4 d6 15 tiJd3
21 ...1:I.g6 22 ttJb5 ~a4 23 tΔc7+ Φf8 'iVc7 16 ~d1 Ι believe that White has
24 tΔxa8 ttJe4! an edge.
Black is not giving up without a Sometimes Black plays 6... d6 fol-
fight. Now 25 fxe4 loses the queen lowed by a quick ... tiJd7-f6, but Ι
after 25 ... l:H6+ 26 Φe1 iιf2+ 27 ΦΗ think this is less accurate as White
Sιe3+. may save a tempo οη c3.
25 ~d3 ttJf2 26 ~b3 ~a5 27 ttJxd4 7 c3 d6
cxd4 28 ~b5! ~xa2 29 ~b2! ~xb2 The more ambitious 7... 'iVd6!? has
30 1:I.xb2 ttJxh 1 had a couple of outings. Sariego-Lugo,
Both sides have a knight stuck ίη Cuban Championship 1987, contin-

93
Τhe Τromρo wsky

ued 8 .tg2 b5 (this is the big idea) 9 a4 14 .1ιh3 .1ιd7

(9 tίΊh3 deserves consideration) Black has an excellent game with his
9 ...~b7 10 tίΊa3 (10 'i'g5 'i'g6 11 'i'xg6 bishop pair and enormous centre.
hxg6 12 axb5 e6 is quite good for 15 lίJbd2 0-0-0 16 lίJc4 ~a6 17 ~f4
Black, but perhaps White could try 11 lίJd5!
'i'f4) 1O ... a6 11 'i'g5 (11 axb5.txd5 12 One always has Ιο take great care
tίΊc4 'i'e6 is good for Black) 11 ... 'i'f6 about allowing a discovered check
12 'i'xf6 .txf6 13 0-0-0 d6 14 axb5 18 lίJxd6+ Φb8 19 ~f7 lίJxc3! 20
tίΊd7 and Black had good play for the bxc3 Jιxc3+ 21 Φf1 1:txg1+ 22 Φχg1
pawn. Ιι would be interesting to see .Jtxa1 23 ~θ7 .1ιf6!
more examples of 7... 'i'd6 - my Α nice little sting ίη the ιaίl.
money would be οη White finding a 24 ~xf6 1:tg8+ 0-1
way to deal with ίι.
8~h3
Other moves are examined ίη the
fol1owing game.
8 ... e6 9 lίJf3 lίJd7 10 dxe6?!
Α year later Hodgson changed his 1 d4 lίJf6 2 .1ιg5 c5 3 .1ιχf6 gxf6 4
strategy and played 10 tίΊbd2, but after d5 ~b6 5 'iVc1 f5 6 g3 .1ιg7 7 c3 d6
10 ... tίΊf6 11 c4 ~d7 (11 ... exd5!?) 12 ο-ο 8 lίJd2
ο-ο 13 'i'c2 .i:.ae8 Black had emerged Keeping the bishop's options open
from the opening with a good position for the time being. We've already seen
(Hodgson-Alterman, Pardubice 1993). 8 .th3 and now ίι is time to examίne
10 ... fxe6 the more measured approach, 8 .tg2.
After 8 ...tίΊd7 9 tίΊh3 there are a cou-
ple of examples:
a) 9... tίΊf6 10 tίΊd2 ο-ο 11 ο-ο e6 12
tίΊf4 ~h6 13 e3 .td7 14 .i:.d1 e5 15 tίΊe2
.i:.ae8 16 'i'c2 'i'd8 17 tίΊc4 'i'e7 18 a4
with an edge for White, Adams-
Lautier, Paris Rapidplay 1995. Α diffi-
cult struggle lies ahead, though.
b) 9... h5!? 10 tίΊd2 h4 11 tίΊB hxg3
12 hxg3 tίΊf6 13 tίΊh4 ~d7 14 'i'c2 tίΊe4
15 tίΊf4 0-0-0 16 ~xe4 fxe4 17 0-0-0
'iia6 18 ~b1 'iia4, Kir.Georgiev-
11 g4 Maίnkovic, Cacak 1996. The duel be-
Hodgson comments ίη his Τ rends tween the knights and bishops eventu-
book that the ροίηι of 6 g3 is Ιο be ally ended peacefully, although White
able to lend support to the d-pawn. had ιο work harder for the draw.
Υ es, wel1, οί course ... 8 ... 0-0
11 ... fxg4 12 .Jtxg4 lίJf6 13 1:tg 1 1:tg8 Ιι is a little unusual for Black ιο

94
 2 ... c5 3 iιxf6

commit his king so ear1yj 8... lίJd7 is a Knowing Stuart Conquest rather
good a1ternatiνe. well, Ι can't imagine that he had much
9 l2Jh3 time 1eft at this stage of the gamej oth-
A1though White gets side-tracked ίη erwise, instead of generously donating
this particu1ar game, f4 is the idea1 his strong pawn, he wou1d haνe found
outpost for the knight. From there it 29 ':xg7+! ~xg7 30 'i'xh6+ ~g8 31
1ends support to the d-pawn, keeps an 'i'g5+ ~h8 32 ':e1! with ':h1 to fo1-
eye οη the b1ack centre, whi1e a1so low.
haνing the possibi1ity of harassing the 29 ... J::!.xe6 30 'iVh5 'iVc4 31 Φh2 b5
bishop with lίJh5. 32 f4 'iVc1 33 J::!.xg7+! Φχg7 34
9 ...l2Jd7 1 Ο l2Jc4 'iVa6 11 'iVf4 l2Jf6 J::!.d7+ Φh8 35 l2Jxh6 J::!.e2+? 36 'iVxe2
12 iιg2 l2Je4 13 l2Je3 e6 14 J::!.d1!? 1-0
Not 14 ~xe4 dxe4 15 'i'xe4 as after A1though Black's 1ast moνe was
15 ... exd5 the knight οη h3 hangs. Αη clear1y a b1under, Ι don't think there
unusua1 sequence now occurs where was any defence.
White first sacrifices three pawns and
then wins them all back. ;~.G:;;tnιf.51; <;,

14 ... 'iVxa2 15 iιxe4 fxe4 16 l2Jg5 ><Β~J'οn;~~qu;.ι~ΙΥ:· .

'iVxb2 17 ο-ο 'iVxe2 18 'iVh4 h6 19 . ~rpss~1!19$1J
l2Jxe4 f5 20 l2Jxd6 f4 21 l2Jg4 Φh 7
22 J::!.fe1 'iVf3 23 l2Jxc8 J::!.axc8 24 1 d4 l2Jf6 2 iιg5 c5 3 iιxf6 gxf6 4
dxe6 d5 'iVb6 5 'iVc1 f5 6 e3
This strong passed pawn guarantees
White the adνantage.
24 ...J::!.ce8 25 J::!.d7 'iVxc3 26 Φg2
fxg3
Of course 26 .. :iVxe1 is met by 27
'i'xh6+.
27 hxg3 Φg8 28 J::!.e3 ~c2

This is White's most solid set-upj by

placing his pawns οη e3 and c3 he lim-
its the scope of the dark-squared
bishop, whi1e B1ack's own pawn οη f5
does a fine job of restricting his light
squared bishop.
6 ... .tg7 7 c3 e6
29 J::!.ed3? For 7... d6 see the next game.

95
The Trompowsky

Οη 7.. :iNd6 Bellon and Cramling one can a110w such a move and live to
give 8 'iWd2 lba6 9 lba3 lbc7 10 ~e2 tell the tale) 23 ~d1! and the threat of
with advantage to White, but Ι don't lbf6+ and I:txh7 mate is decisive.
see anything wrong with 1O.. :i'xd5. 20 ... ~xθ3+ 21 Φb1 lbf4 22 ~g5+
Perhaps they meant 10 I:td1. lbg6 23 ~g3 ~d4 24 ~c4 ~e5 25
8 lbh3 'it'd6 lbxf7?! ~xg3 26l:H1?
8... exd5 9 lbf4 is good for White as 26 lbd6+! \t>h8 27 hxg3 would still
Black won't be able to hang οη to the have been quite good for White.
d-pawn for long. 26 ... d5! 27 ~xd5 ~f4!
8...h5 was tried ίη Gurgenidze- Excellent defence; the point is that
Kapengut, USSR 1975, but Black got 28 lbxf4 is met by 28 ... ~f5+ followed
hammered: 9 ~e2 e5 10 f4 e4 11 lba3 by ...1:Ixf7. White now has nothing
'Wg6 12 lbb5 lba6 13 d6 ~f8 14 'i'd2! better than to take a draw.
'ilVxg2 15 'iWd5! f6 16 'iWxf5 'iVxh1+ 17 28 lbf6+ 'it>g7 29 lbh5+ Φg8 30
Φd2 ~xa1 18 'ii'g6+ \t>d8 19 'i'xf6+ lbf6+ %-%
Φe8 20 'ife5+ \t>f7 21 Sιc4+ 1-0.
9 "d2 lba6 1 Ο lba3 'it'xd5 11 'it'xd5
exd5 12 0-0-0 lbc7 13 lbf4 d4! 14
lbh5! ~h6 15 cxd4 cxd4 16 1:Xxd4
lbe6 17 .1:[d5 f4 18 lbc4! ο-ο 19 lbd6
White is much better as his knights 1 d4 lbf6 2 ~g5 c5 3 ~xf6 gxf6 4
have many fine outposts and Black's d5 ~b6 5 ~c1 f5 6 e3 ~g7 7 c3 d6
queenside is imprisoned. 8 lbh3 lbd7
19 ... fxe3

With a white knight οη f4 Black

20 fxe3?! will feel more secure with his own
Although White still has excellent knight οη f6 covering the h5-square.
compensation for the pawn after this, 9 lbf4 lbf6 1 Ο ~c4 ~d7 11 a4
Bellon and Cramling point out that a It is important to hinder ... b7-b5, es-
brilliancy was missed: 20 lbf5! i.g5 21 pecia11y with a bishop οη c4.
h4!! e2+ 22 hxg5 e1'if + (it is not often 11 ... 0-0 12 ο-ο ~ae8 13 a5 ~c7 14

96
 2 ... c5 3 !1ιχf6

~d 1 Φh8 15 lίJd2 e5 16 lίJh5 lίJxh5 7... ~f6 8 lΔe2 we haνe a couple of

17 ~xh5 ~d8 18 f4 Legky games:
Fixing the weakness οη f5 and gain- a) 8....1h6 9lΔg3 f4? (not the way to
ing some space οη the kίngside. play when you lack deνelopment) 10
18 .. :~f6 19 J:ιae1 ~g6 20 'iVf3 b5 lΔde4 ~e5 11 exf4 .1xf4 12 ~d3 h5 13
21 axb6 axb6 22 J:ιa1 b5 23 J:ιa7 ο-ο h4 14lΔf5! and White soon won ίη
J:ιd8 24 ~b3 e4 25 'iVh3 ~c8 26 J:ιc1 Legky-Fang, Budapest 1996.
J:ιfe8 27 iLd1 J:ιd7 28 J:ιxd7 iLxd7 29 b) 8... d6 9 lΔg3 lΔd7 10 ~b5 .ι::rb8 11
J:ιa1 'iVf6 30 J:ιa7 ~d8 31 lίJxe4?! ο-ο a6 12 i.d3 e6 13 e4 f4 14lΔh5 ~g5
White has built υρ quite a promis- 15 dxe6 lΔe5!? 16 lΔc4 .ι::rg8 17 exf7+
ing position and while οη the surface lΔxf7 18 ~B lΔe5 (18 ... ~g4 19 ~xg4)
this appears to be an attractiνe combi- 19 lΔxe5 dxe5 20 i.xa6 with a good
nation, the rea1ity is that it simplifies game for White ίη Legky-Murey,
the position and allows Black to es- French League 1994. Don't ask me
cape with a draw. 31 Φf2!?, intending what was going οη before!
g2-g4, is an interesting alternatiνe. 7 ... 'iVf6
31 ... J:ιxe4 32 SΙc2 J:ιe7 33 J:ιxd7! 7... ~e5 should be considered, as υη­
J:ιxd7 34 iLxf5 h6 35 SΙxd7 'iVa5! less White wishes to donate a second
This is the problem; Black gets pawn (certainly not out of the ques-
counterplay οη the queenside. tion reca11ing my style ίη those days),
36 ~e8 ~a1+ 37 Φf2 ~xb2+ 38 he will haνe to play c2-c4, thereby
Φf3 'iiVb1 39 ~xf7 ~d1+ 40 Φe4 denying his pieces use of this square.
~c2+ 41 Φf3 ~d1+ 42 Φg3 ~e1+ 7... d6 and 7... e6 are a1so options.
43 Φf3 ~d1+ Υ2-Υ2 8 lίJe2 e6 9 lίJg3 exd5 1Ο SΙxf5 lΔc6
11 ο-ο h5 12 'iVf3 'iVe5 13 lίJxh5!
'> Game53... . jιd6 14 g3 lίJe7 15 e4! dxe4 16
. Gallagt)θr..AnthtJny . lίJxe4 lΔxf5
~W4;ii~rlι1,I~ .. . ·nship:1981.
1 d4 lίJf6 2 jιg5 c5 3 jιxf6 gxf6 4
d5 ~b6 5 lίJd2!?
Hodgson belieνes this to be one of
the few situations ίη the Τ rompowsky
where it is relatiνely safe for Black to
capture the b-pawn. He is probably
right, but White does get some initia-
tiνe ίη return for the pawn and, ίη any
case, the position is so messy that the
game is likely to be decided before the
pawn becomes extremely releνant. Quite an amusing situation has
5 .. :~xb2 6 e3 f5 7 ~d3!? arisen. Origina11y Ι intended 17 ~xf5
7 llb 1 is the usua1 moνe and after "iWxf5 and then to decide with which

97
Τhe Τrompo wsky

knight fork to collect the black queen. l2Jd2 a6 and now:

Both 18l2Jg7+ and 18l2Jxd6+ are good a) Hodgson-Kotronias, Belgrade
for White, but Ι changed my mind and 1993, continued 12 l2Jf1 (headίng for
played for the attack instead. h5) 12 ... iιd7 13 l2Jg3 b5 14 iιb3 'ii'b6
17 tί'Jxd6+ iVxd6 15 a5 'ii'c7 16 iιc2 e6 17 l2Jgh5 l2Jxh5
17 ...l2Jxd6 18 I::i.fe1 is the point. 18 l2Jxh5 with an excellent game for
18 iVxf5 iVh6 19 tί'Jf6+ Φf8 20 h4 White. Kotronias obviously has an
White has a winning position. improvement, though, as he is still
20 ... d6 21 iVf3 Φg7 22 tί'Je4 iVg6 23 playing this line.
1:tfd1! Sιg4 24 iVc3+ f6 25 1:txd6! b) Minasian-Kotronias, Ankara
iVxe4 26 iVxf6+ Φg8 27 iVg5+ Φf7 1995, saw instead 12 'ii'e2 I::i.e8 13 ο-ο
28 1:tf6+ Φe8 29 1:tf4 1-0 e5 14 l2Jh5 l2Jxh5 15 'ii'xh5 'ii'f6 16 f4
exf4 17 exf4 iιd7 18 .td3 b5 19 I::i.f3 c4
,,(Jame54 ",' 20 iιH 'ii'h6 21 'ii'xh6 iιxh6 with
"'ΤΌIJ1aί-Αdοrjan quite a good ending for Black, espe-
"'jji/ιiapest1995 cially after he came υρ with the ma-
noeuvre ... iιg7-f6-d8-b6. Nevertheless,
1 d4 tί'Jf6 2 Sιg5 c5 3 Sιxf6 gxf6 4 the game was eventua11y drawn.
d5 Sιg7 6 ... b5?!
There is a relatively sma11 school of Adorjan's creed is 'Black is ΟΚ" It
thought, led by the Greek grandmas- is unlikely that this will apply here.
ter Kotronias, which is of the ορίηίοη 7 cxb5 a6 8 tί'Jc3 f5 9 Sιd3
that the inclusion of ... 'ii'b6 and 'ii'c1 is Norma11y ίη the Benko Gambit
not ίη Black's interest. Black has a rock solid kίngside which
5 e3 d6 6 c4 allows him to devote a11 his attention
to the queenside. This is certaίnly not
the case here.
9 ... iVa5 1 Ο tί'Jge2 tί'Jd7 11 bxa6 1:tb8
12 iVc2 e6 13 ο-ο tί'Je5 14 a7 1:tb4
15 a3 1:th4 16 Sιb5+ Φe7 17 h3
iVxa 7 18 f4 tί'Jd7 19 1:tad 1
White is a pawn υρ with a promis-
ing attackίng position.
1:tg8 20 1:tf3 i.f6 21 'it>h2 1:th6 22
J.c4 tί'Jb6 23 dxe6 fxe6 24 tί'Jb5 iVa8
25 tί'Jxd6 Sιd7 26 tί'Jxf5+! exf5 27
i.xg8 iVc8
The a1ternative, and more common Unfortunately for Black he drops
plan, is to play with 6 c3. After 6... f5 7 his knight after 27 ... 'ii'xg8 28 'ii'xc5+.
l2Je2 l2Jd7 8 l2Jf4 l2Jf6 we have severa1 28 iιd5 c4 29 tί'Jg3 1:tg6 30 e4 1:txg3
games featuring the Greek grandmas- 31 1:txg3 Sιa4 32 ~e2 c3 33 bxc3
ter, Kotronias - 9 iιc4 ο-ο 10 a4 b6 11 iVc5 34 ~h5 1-0

98
 2 ... c5 3 iιxf6

Summary
The jury is still out οη Game 47's exchange sacrifice; Ι suspect it wil1 return a
verdict of 'playable'. 6 g3 (Games 49 and 50) is supposed to be a solid system, but
give a position to Conquest or Hodgson and solidity soon goes out the window.
Hodgson believes that the e2-e3 and c2-c3 set-up of Games 51 and 52 might be
White's best, but he doesn't play it very often himself. The pawn sacrifice 54:Jd2
(Game 53) is probably better than its reputation, but most white players deem it
unnecessary. Black is not obliged to play 4 .. :~b6, as can be seen from Game 54.

1 d4 lίJf6 2 ~g5 c5 3 ~xf6

3 ... gxf6 4 d5 'iVb6

4 ....tg7 - Game 54
5 'iVc1
5 4:Jd2 - Game 53
5 ... f5 (D) 6 c4
6 g3 iιg7 7 c3 d6
8 iιh3 - Game 49
8 4:Jd2 - Game 50
6 e3 iιg7 7 c3 (D)
7 ... e6 - Game 51
7... d6 - Game 52
6 ... ~h6 (D)
6 ....tg7 - Game 48
7 e3 - Game 47

5 ... f5 7 c3

99
 2 ... c5: Other Third Moves
for White

1 d4 lbf6 2 ~g5 c5 ined ίη Game 60.

Instead of 3 .txf6 (see the last chap-
ter), 3 d5 (Games 55-58) has become Game» ,
quite popular again, ηο doubt because ; V ~ganί~~:'Κι.ιΡieίchίk~.
to Hodgson's recent adoption of the }:~;'»u.'('b'R'
Ζ ~
1;"9;74
-
<,<". ,
move. Games 55 and 56 deal with
3... 'iYb6, after which White is obliged '1 d4lbf6 2 ~g5 c5 3 d5 ~b6
to sacrifice his b-pawn. He does re- For 3... g6 see Game 57 and for
ceive quite good compensation 3 ... e5 see Game 58.
though; look at the way ν aganian was 3...lbe4 is quite a popular move, but
mowing down all-comers twenty after 4 iιf4 we have transposed to
years ago. 6... e5 is currently thought Chapter 1 and after 4 h4 to Chapter 3.
to be Black's best line, and this can be However, 4 .tc1!? is also worth a try
found ίη the notes to Game 55. according to Hodgson.
Apart from 3 ...'iYb6 and 3...lbe4 4lbc3
(which is liable to transpose to Chap- 4 lbd2 is a funny move. Try and
ter 1 or Chapter 3) Black has two make some sense of the following - it
other main schemes of development. is beyond me: 4... lbxd5 5 e4 lbc7 6
Game 57 deals with a King's Ιη­ lbgf3 d6 7 b4 'iYxb4 8 .td3 e5 9 ο-ο
dian/Benoni set-up while 3 ... e5, as ίη lbc6 10 c3 'iYxc3 11 lbc4 lbb4 12 .te2
Game 58, leads to a type of Czech 'iYc2 13 lbxd6+ iιxd6 14 'iYxd6 f6 15
Benoni. .txf6 gxf6 16 lbd4! 1-0 (iιh5 mate is
3 lbc3!?, featured ίη Game 59, usu- coming) Lyrberg-O.Andersen, Co-
ally leads to a sharp Sicilian position, penhagen 1996. If Lyrberg hadn't al-
while the rarest of White's third move ways struck me as a serious, clean-cut
alternatives, 3 dxc5, has more bite young chap Ι would have assumed he
than one would suspect. This is exam- was rather drunk during this game!

100
 2 ... c5: Other Third Moνes for White

4 .. :~Uxb2 b) White could also place his faith

4... h6 has been tried several times, ίη a kingside pawn storm and try 8 f5.
when White has usually replied 5 Pisk-Voller, Correspondence 1994,
iιxf6 or 5 iιc1, but why not 5 iιd2? continued 8... iιe7 9 g4 h6 10 h4 tba6
Black is hardly going to take the b- 11 l1Jh3 iιd7 12 g5?! hxg5 13 hxg5
pawn anymore. l1Jxe4! 14 l1Jxe4 iιxf5 15 ~b 1 tLJb4! 16
5 Sιd2 ~b6 iιg2 'iVa5 with quite good compensa-
It is certainly not advisable for the tion for the piece. If White, though,
queen to hang around οη b2. had f1icked ίη 12 ~b 1 before playing
6 e4 d6 g4-g5, then this sacrifice would have
6... e5 is perhaps the sternest test of been much less effective.
White's gambit. If Black can block υρ There is one other idea worth con-
the position then the tempi spent sidering after 6... e5, namely 7 dxe6.
grabbing the b-pawn will prove less Thorhallsson-Bricard, Reykjavik 1993,
significant. After 7 f4 d6: continued 7... dxe6 8 e5 tLJfd7 9 f4 a6
10 a4 'iVc7 11 tbf3 tbc6 12 tbe4 b6 13
iιc3 iιb7 14 tLJd6+ iιxd6 15 exd6 'iVd8
and White, perhaps wisely, got cold
feet and played 16 ~b1. He must have
been worried about 16 iιxg7 ~g8 17
iιb2 tbd4, when 18 iιxd4 is at best
unclear and 18 tLJxd4 'iVh4+! 19 g3
~xg3 20 hxg3 'iVxg3+ 21 Φe2 iιxh1
looks good for Black, as the knight
can't move οη account of the reply
... iιf3+.
7 f4
a) 8 fxe5 dxe5 9 tbf3 was assessed as
clearly better for White by Paoli,
while annotating Vaganian-Passerotti
(see below) ίη In/ormator, but this
seems wildly optimistic. Soos-Leko,
Kecskemet 1993, continued 9... tbbd7
10 iιc4 iιd6 11 ο-ο ο-ο 12 l1Jh4 'iVd8
13 l1Jf5 l1Jb6! 14 iιe2 iιxf5 15 ~xf5
tbe8 and it was doubtful whether
White had enough compensation for
the pawn. As Black gained a vital
tempo with 13 ... tbb6, White could try
developing his bishop elsewhere; 10 (7'" '. ".. 9 671
..
iιb5, for example, is worth investigat- '. Here we shall just look at 7 ... a6?!, to
lng. complete our Vaganian trilogy, while
The Trompo wsky

all other seνenth moνes will be con- 19 ~xd1 and White wins.
sidered ίη the next game. After 7... a6,
Vaganian-Passerotti, Rome 1977, con-
tinued 8 e5 dxe5 9 fxe5 tZJg4?! (other
moνes are not quite as bad) 10 e6 tZJf6
11 exf7+ Φχf7 12 tZJf3 g6 13 ~c4 iVd6
14 ο-ο b5 15 tZJe4 tZJxe4 16 tZJg5+ Φg8
17 tZJxe4 iVe5 18 iVf3 ~f5 19 ~d3 c4
20 ~c3 iVc7 21 g4! cxd3 22 gxf5 tZJd7
23 fxg6 1-0.
8 e5 dxe5
Vaganian-Jansa, Kragujeνac 1974,
saw 8... tZJfd7, but Black was crushed
there as well: 9 tZJf3 ~g7 10 ~b1 iVd8 16 ~e3!
11 e6 fxe6 12 tZJg5 tZJf8 13 ~b5+ iιd7 Αη excellent moνe. Of course after
14 dxe6 ~xb5 15 tZJxb5 iVc8 16 ο-ο a6 16 ... iVxd1 17 ~xd1 there is ηο defence
17 ~c3! axb5 18 iιxg7 ~g8 19 ~xf8 to ~d8+; not νery deep but it is always
~xf8 20 tZJxh7 ~g8 21 f5 gxf5 22 pleasing to see the attacking side offer-
iVh5+ Φd8 23 iVf7 ~e8 24 ':'xf5 iVc6 ing to exchange queens.
25 ~e1 ~xa2 26 tZJf6 ~xc2 27 iVxe8+ 16 ...'iVa5 17 ο-ο! h6
iVxe8 28 tZJxe8 Φχe8 29 h4 (this is Eνery time a pawn is moνed squares
why White headed for the ending: are weakened; this time it is g6 and
there is ηο stopping the h-pawn) retribution is swift. Ιη fact there was
29 ... ~c4 30 h5 tZJc6 31 ~ef1 Φd8 32 nothing for Black to do as takίng the
~5f4 tZJd4 33 Φh2 tZJxe6 34 ~xc4 bxc4 bishop also loses, e.g. 17 ... axb5 18
35 h6 tZJg5 36 Φg3 b5 37 Φg4 c3 38 ~xb5 "ii'c7 19 tZJd5.!e5 (19 ... "ii'd8 20
Φχg51-0. ~xf6+ iιxf6 21 tZJf7 "ii'e8 22 tZJc7) and
9 fxe5 lΔfd7 1 Ο lΔf3 now ~ ~xc5! 100ks the clearest.
White's game is so ΕυΙΙ of attackίng 18 'iVd3! Φg8 19 'iVxg6 ~xe6 20
potential that I'm amazed to see GM's tΔxe6 1:[h7 21 1:[xf6! lΔd7 22 ~xd7
such as Kupreichik and J ansa willingly 1-0
playing the black side of this position.
10 ... ~g7 11 1:[b1 'iVd8 12 e6! fxe6
13 lΔg5 lΔf6
13 ... tZJf8 would be eνen worse after
14 i..b5+ and 15 dxe6.
14 ~b5+ Φf8 15 dxe6 a6? 1 d4 tΔf6 2 ~g5 c5 3 d5 'iVb6 4 tΔc3
After this there is ηο way back. He 'iVxb2 5 ~d2 'iVb6 6 e4 d6 7 f4 e6
should haνe tried 12 ...iVd4 with some There are seνeral other possibίlities
hope of confusing the issue; eνen here ίη addition to the lines considered ίη
16 tZJe2!? 100ks dίfficult to meet, e.g. Game 55:
16 ...iVd5 17 i..c3! iιxe6 18 tZJf4! "ii'xd1 a) 7... e5 (the position may look

102
 2 ... c5: Other Third Moves for White

identical to the one considered ίη the ~xe6+ ~e7 leads to a roughly level
sixth move note of the previous game, ending) 14 ...lbc6 15 lbf3, which gave
but there is one important difference: White a reasonable initiative ίη return
White has the right to capture en pas- for the pawn ίη Sallen-Urday, Cannes
sant here) 8 dxe6 .i.xe6 (8 ... fxe6 9l::!.b1 1995.
~d8 10 e5 lbfd7 11 .i.d3 was already 11 ... lLJc6 12 1:!.xb7! lLJa5 13 1:!.xd7
very bad for Black ίη Klinger-Wildi, ~xd7 14 Sιb5 lLJc6 15 e5 dxe5 16
2ϋrίch 1992) 9 lbf3 lbc6 10 f5 .i.c8 lLJf3!
(1O ....td7) 11 i,c4 i,e7 ~e2 ~d8 13
g4!? lbxg4 14 l::!.g1 h5 15 h3 .i.h4+ 16
<;t>f1 lbge5 17 :txg7 .i.f6 18 :tg2 lbxf3
19 ~xB with an unclear game ίη
Plaskett-Handley, Hastings Challeng-
ers 1989. Black now blundered with
19 ... .i.d7?, allowing 20 ~xh5! which
gave White a very strong attack.
b) 7....i.g4 8 i,e2 (8 lbf3 lbbd7 9 e5
dxe5 10 fxe5 .i.xf3 11 gxf3! lbxe5 12
~e2 also proved very dangerous for
Black ίη Chepukaitis-Bujakevich, St
Petersburg 1996) 8....txe2 9 ~xe2 Α most original combination from
lbfd7 10 lbf3 g6 11 l::!.b1 ~c7 12 e5 White. Ι don't know exactly how
dxe5 13 fxe5 .tg7 14 d6 ~ c6 15 dxe7 good it is, but with Black now forced
<;t>xe7 16 ο-ο was excellent for White to castle long ίη order to start extricat-
ίη Vaisman-Miralles, French League ing himself from the ρίη, White will
1992. be guaranteed long-term attacking
c) 7... ~d8 8 ~B e5 9 dxe6 .i.xe6 10 chances.
:tb 1 .i.e7! (giving the pawn back to 16 ... 0-0-0 17 ~θ2
complete his development) 11 :txb7 After 17 lbxe5 Black is forced to
ο-ο 12 e5!? dxe5 13 fxe5 lbfd7 14 :tb1 give back the exchange with
lbb6 15 .i.d3 lb8d7 16 .i.f4 i.g5 17 17 ... ~xd2+, but White is obviously
~e4 g6 18 lbf3 .i.xf4 19 ~xf4 f6 with not ίη the mood for an ending.
a roughly level game, as ίη Sahovic- 17 .. :~'c7 18 ο-ο lLJd5 19 1:!.b1 lLJb6
Shneider, Belgrade 1995. 20 iL.xc6 ~xc6 21 lLJxe5 "fic7 22
(J" ( v t
8(jb1') lLJb5 ~b7 23 .ta5
~e6 would transpose to variation Black is certainly ίη deep trouble af-
'a' above. ter this move, but 23 lΔc6! looks even
8 .. :~d8 9 Sιb5+ Sιd7 10 dxe6 fxe6 stronger.
11 Sιc4!? 23 ... c4 24 lLJxc4 iιc5+ 25 'it>h1 1:!.d7
The more direct 11 e5 also comes 26 "fixe6 lLJxc4 27 "fixc4 "fic6 28 h3
into consideration, e.g. 11 ... dxe5 12 1:!.b7 29 1:!.b3 ~b8 30 .tc3 1:!.e8 31
fxe5 lbd5 13 ~ g4 lbxc3 14 .i.xc3 (14 iιxg7!

103
Τhe Τrompowsky

With three pawns for the exchange οη the kingside. The black knight οη
and a safer king the game is essentially h5 is also not ideally placed.
decided. 9 ... 4:Jd7 1 Ο ~e2 1:.b8 11 ο-ο 4:Jhf6
'ίta8 32 ~e5 1:.d7 33 ~e2 SΙb6 34 12 'iVe1 1:.e8 13 ~h4
1:.c3 ~c5 35 a4 a6 36 4:Jd4 'iVb6 37 Hodgson has played countless such
4:Jb3 1:.d5 38 ~f3 ~c6 39 4:Jxc5 attacks, mainly from his Έ4 Sicilian'
1:.xc5 40 1:.xc5 1-0 days.
13 ... c4 14 SΙe3 ~c7 15 'ίth1 b6
:::": Gdtrne,;~?:J .':'Ψ: Black can't eνen play ... b7-b5, as
::;'. ifFιο~gs6i1-lijsΗiifS9rΙ;: then White would come down the a-
MwmaidBeaChClub,. Berm'uda1991
'λ ''''"j .,. ,"'!, " " ,c
file.
16 g4 4:Jc5 17 g5 4:Jfd7 18 SΙd4 tt:Je5
Why don't Ι eνer get tournaments 19 4:Jxe5 dxe5 20 ~e3 b5 21 axb5
like that? The Mermaid Beach Club ... axb5 22 ~f2!
1 d4 4:Jf6 2 SΙg5 c5 3 d5 g6 4 4:Jc3 Hitting the knight οη c5 and threat-
~g7 5 e4 d6 ening f5xg6 followed by iYf7+. Black
5... h6 has been suggested as the is forced to giνe υρ a piece.
most accurate, but ίη Hodgson- 22 ... tt:Jxe4 23 4:Jxe4 gxf5
Cramling, Bern 1996, White achieνed
some positional adνantage after 6
.tf4!? d6 7 h3 iYb6 8 .tb5+ lbfd7 9
l:ιb1 iYa5 10 .td2 ο-ο 11 lbf3 a6 12
~e2lbf6 13 ο-ο iYd8 14 a4 e6 15 dxe6
.txe6 16 .te3.
6 f4!? ο-ο 7 4:Jf3 a6 8 a4 4:Jh5?!

24 ii.g4!!
After 24 lbc3 Black would haνe had
some compensation for the piece.
Ν ow he is going to get mated.
24 ... e6 25 4:Jf6+ ii.xf6 26 gxf6 fxg4
27 ii.h6 SΙb7 28 1:.ad1!
Material doesn't matter any more.
9 f5! White just has to safeguard his king
Although this concedes the e5- until his queen can penetrate οη the
square, Black is preνented from gain- dark squares.
ing much needed space with ... e7-e6, 28 ... i.xd5+ 29 1:.xd5 'iVc6 30 1:.fd1
and White will now haνe a free hand Φh8 31 SΙg7+ 'ίtg8 32 'iVc5 ~b7 33

104
 2 ... c5: Other Third Moνes for White

~g1 exd5 34 ~xg4 d4+ 35 Wg1 ploying his bishop οη the long diago-
~c8 36 ~g5 1-0 nal.
Black has finally run out of ways to 15 ... ~g8 16 b3 lΔe8 17 iιb2 iιf6 18
stave οΗ mate. Never mind, I'm sure Wh1 Ψlie7 19 Ψlid2 iιd4 20 g3 lΔdf6
the Mermaid Beach Club has plenty of 21 lΔd1 ~xb2 22 lΔdxb2 ~g7 23
ways to console the unlucky loser. lΔe3 iιd7 24 lΔbc4

Gatne58
Mil.es~Matamoros
·1J,~erliz1997

1 d4 lΔf6 2 ~g5 c5 3 d5 e5
Black opts for a Czech Benoni set-
up. Although White would not nor-
mally develop his bishop οη g5 against
this system, here he has the advantage
of not having played c2-c4; this means
that the square c4 will be available to
his pieces at a later stage. Black's weak pawns οη d6 and f5
4 lΔc3 d6 5 e4 iιe7 6 lΔf3 ο-ο 7 entitle White to claim a clear advan-
~e2 tage.
24 ... ~d8? 25 Ψlia5! ~c8 26 Ψlixa7
~h6 27 ~g1 lΔh5 28 iιxh5 Ψlixh5 29
Ψlia5 ~g6 30 ~af1 Ψlih3 31 ~f2 lΔf6
Black can't increase the pressure οη
the kingside without bringing υρ rein-
forcements, and he can't do that with-
out jettisoning some crucial pawns.
32 lΔxd6 ~f8 33 ~xc5 lΔh5 34
lΔexf5 e3 35 ~fg2 1-0
Perhaps there is an error οη my da-
tabase as Ι don't understand the con-
clusion to the game at all. Simply 34
White has to keep an eye out for ~fg2 would have left White three
tricks such as ... tZJxd5, but they never pawns υρ for nothing.
seems to work, e.g. 7... tZJxd5 8 tZJxd5
iιxg5 9 tZJxg5 ~xg5 10 tZJc7. .Ga.me59·
7 ... lΔbd7 8 ο-ο Φh8 9 a4 lΔg8 1Ο luldachev-Serp:e{ .
iιe3 g6 11 lΔd2! f5 12 exf5 gxf5 13 rdshkent 1993··
f4lΔgf6 14lΔc4 e4 15 iιc1!
Αη excellent move, vacating e3 for a 1 d4 lΔf6 2 iιg5 c5 3 lΔc3!? cxd4
knight, the ideal blockader, and rede- Black can also play 3... d5, transpos-

105
The Trompowsky

ing into a relatively unusual variation 9 tίJί3 hxg5 10 tίJxg5 (better than 10
οί the Veresov (1 d4 tίJί6 2 tίJc3 d5 3 .txh6; White now threatens e5)
.tg5 c5). Strangely enough, this was 1O .. :~Yc7! 11 e5! tίJxe5 12 tίJd5! exd5 13
Hodgson's choice οη the οηlΥ occa- fxe5 'iYxe5 14 ~e1 'iYf5 (14 ... 'iYd6 15
sion that Ι have seen him facing the .td3 g6 16 'iYh6! is winning for White)
Veresov, against Shrentzel ίη Tel Ανίν 15 ~xe7 'iYg4! 16 'iYxg4 tίJxg4 17 .tb5!
1988. (Black has made it to the ending, but
4 ~xd4 lΔc6 5 ~h4 e6 6 0-0-0 he is still ίη trouble) 17 ... tίJί6 18 h4 a6
6 e4 at once will normally trans- 19 .td3 b5 20 h5 ~e8 21 .th7+! Φί8??
pose, although ίη Conquest-S.Garcia, (21 ... Φh8 22 ~he1 is very good for
Havana 1996, White preferred to cas- White, but at least the game goes οη)
tle kingside. That game continued 22 :'xf7 mate.
6....te7 7 tίJί3 'iYa5 8 .tb5 d6 9 ο-ο 7... h6 8 ί4 ~g8!? is an interesting
.td7 10 ~fe1 a6?! (10 ... 0-0 is better) 11 idea. After 9 i,xf6 .txf6 1Ο 'iYg3 .txc3
.txc6 SΙxc6 12 e5! dxe5 13 tίJxe5 ~c8 11 'iYxc3 'iYa5 12 'iYxa5 tίJxa5 13 e5 g5!
14 ~ad1 ο-ο?! (14 ...'iYb4) 15 ~d3! with Black had quite a good ending ίη Dor-
a very strong attack for White. The fanis-Atalik, Katerini 1993. Ι assume
conclusion was 15 ...'iYb4 16 ί4 'iYb6+ that 12 'iYb3 wou1d have been met by
17 Φh1 'iYxb2 18 ~g3 Φh8 19 i,h6! g6 12 ...'iYb4.
(not 19 ... gxh6? 20 'iYxh6 tίJe8 21 8 f4 d6 9lΔf3 h6! 10 e5?!
'iYxf8+! .txf8 22 tίJxί7 mate) 20 .tg5 Serper believes this to be premature
Φg7 21 'iYh6+ Φg8 22 .txf6 1-0 (~h3 and gives 10 i,b5 .td7 11 e5 dxe5 12
wίll force mate). .txc6! SΙxc6 13 tίJxe5 ~c8 with a level
6 ... iιe7 7 e4 game.
1 ο ... dxe5 11 fxe5 lΔxe5 12 iιb5+
iιd7! 13 lΔxe5 ~xb5

7 ... ~a5!
It makes sense for Black not to
commit his kίng too early. The game 14 lΔxf7!? ΦΧf7 15 iιxf6 iιxf6 16
Krasenkov-Degraeve, Cappelle la ~h5+ Φg8 17 ~xb5 iιxc3 18 ~xb7
Grande 1990, demonstrated that iιxb2+!
7... 0-0 is very risky: 8 ί4 h6?! (8 ... tίJe8) Οη the immediate 18 ... Φh7 White

106
 2 ... c5: Other Τhird Moves for White

has 19 'iVe4+. able English Opening; Black has taken

19 'iVxb2 three moνes to get his knight to the
Black's point is that 19 <;t>xb2 can be insecure square c5 from where it οηlΥ
met by 19 ...'iVe5+ and οηlΥ then proνides added incentiνe for White to
20 ... <;t>h7. expand οη the queenside.
19 ... 'it>h7
Now Black has the much safer king.
20 :the1? :thd8! 21 :txd8 :txd8 22
'iVe5 :td5! 23 'i!fe4+ Φh8 24 a4
'i!fd2+ 25 Φb2 :td4 26 'i!fa8+ Φh7
0-1

1 d4 lίJf6 2 ii.g5 c5 3 dxc5

Rarely played, but surely it can't be 7 ... i..e7 8 lίJf3 ο-ο lίJc3 d6 1 Ο ο-ο
any worse here than after 2...lbe4 3 h4 a6 11 a3 Ψlic7 12 :tc1 'i!fb8 13 'i!fc2
c5 4 dxc5 (see Games 22-23). lίJd714:tfd1
3 ... lίJe4?! White's harmoniously placed pieces
3...'iVa5+ 4 'iVd2 'iVxc5 5 lbc3 e6 6 e4 giνe him a clear adνantage. Black now
d6 7 f4 a6 8 lbf3 led to a decent Sicil- decides to sacrifice the bishop pair ίη
ian for White ίη Bus-Khurtzidze, order to complete his deνelopment,
Oakham 1992, so perhaps Black's but things turn out much worse than
most reliable moνe is 3... e6, e.g. 4lbf3 expected.
iιxc5 5 e3 ο-ο 6 lbbd2 iιe7 7 iιd3 d6 8 14 ... b6 15 lίJg5! ii.xg5 16 1ιχg5
ο-ο lbbd7 9 c3 b6 10 a4 i.b7 11 lbd4 1ιb7 17 lίJe4 d5 18 cxd5 exd5 19
a6 with roughly leνel chances ίη Kry- 1ιf4! lίJce5 20 lίJg5 lίJf6 21 'i!ff5 :te8
lον-Ρορον, St Petersburg 1995. 22lίJf3 lίJxf3+ 23 1ιχf3 'i!fa7 24 :tc7
4 ii.e3 e6 White totally domίnates the board,
4...'iVa5+ 5 lbd2 e6 would transpose which soon allows him to turn his
to Atalik-Moldoνan, Bucharest 1995. attention towards the black king.
After 6 c3 lbxd2 7 Μ! lbxf1 8 bxa5 24 ...:tac8 25 :tdc1 'iVa8 26 1ιe5
lbxe3 9 fxe3 i.xc5 10 lbf3 Black didn't :txc7 27 :txc7 ii.c8 28 'i!ff4 lίJd7 29
haνe enough for the queen. 1ιd4 :tf8 30 'iVg5 1-0
5 g3 lίJxc5 6 ii.g2 lίJc6 7 c4! 30 ... g6 31 ':'xd7 i.xd7 32 'iVf6 and
Steering the game towards a faνour- 30 ... f6 31 i.xd5+ are ηο good.

107
The Trompo wsky

Summary
3 ...liJe4 is perhaps the most important response to 3 d5, but unless White plays 4
~cl this will transpose elsewhere ίη the book. The pawn sacrifice after 3 ... Vib6
ίη Games 55 and 56 has scored quite heavily for White ίη practice, even if theo-
retically speaking 6 ... e5 is supposed to be okay for Black. Black's opening strat-
egy ίη Games 57 and 58 allows White a relatively free hand, but they are of
course perfectly playable. 3 liJc3 and 3 dxc5 are also both viable options for
White, taking the game into relatively uncharted territory.

1 d4 tbf6 2 3ιg5 c5

3 d5 (D)
3 liJc3 - Game 59
3 dxc5 - Game 60
3 ... ~b6 (D)
3 ... liJe4
4 ~f4 - Chapter 1
4 h4 - Chapter 3
3 ... g6 - Game 57
3 ... e5 - Game 58
4 tbc3 ~xb2 5 3ιd2 'iVb6 6 e4 d6 7 f4 (D) g6
7... e6 - Game 56
8 e5 - Game 55

3d5 3 ... 'iVb6 7 f4

108
 ;':;';", , ',' i ','

GRA;PTER~~EIGHΤ '

2 ... d5 3 iιxf6

1 d4lbf6 2 Jιg5 d5 3 Jιxf6 anchetto his bishop, delaying c2-c4

2... d5 is the most solid line of the until he has developed his kingside.
Τ rompowsky and, Ι suspect, one of This is almost always followed up by a
the most annoying lines for White to minority attack. Examples are to be
meet. Ιη this chapter we examine 3 found ίη Games 63 and 67.
i.xf6, while third move alternatives The third idea for White is to de-
for White can be found ίη Chapter 9. velop his bishop to d3, his queen to f3
Games 61-68 continue 3... exf6 4 e3 and his knights to d2 and e2. This is
when Black has several possible re- very flexible as he can castle either
plies: Games 61-65 deal with the most way and play for c2-c4 or g2-g4. Εχ­
popular 4... i.d6, Games 66 and 67 amples of this plan are to be found ίη
with what Hodgson believes to be the Games 64 and 65.
most accurate, 4... i.e6 and Game 68 Usually Black develops ίη a straίght­
with 4... c5 and rare continuations. forward manner, but the idea of play-
However, many variations can trans- ing a quick ... c7-c5 is interesting. Εχ­
pose into each other, so it will be at amples of this can be found ίη games
least as helpful to have a breakdown 65,66 and 68.
according to the plan selected. The last two games of the chapter
White has three basic schemes of feature 3... gxf6, a much riskier con-
development: tinuation which deserves more outings
Firstly, he can play a quick c2-c4 than it actually gets.
and then choose between castling long
and playing for mate or castling short .' Garhe761;.·
and playing for a minority attack. Εχ­ ·Nielsen-Danielsen .
amples of this plan are to be found ίη Dani~ Cb,ampio:z.{h,ip:~~~~.
Games 61 and 62.
The second popular plan is to fi- 1 d4lbf6 2 Jιg5 d5 3 Jιxf6 exf6

109
The Trompowsky

For the riskier 3... gxf6 see Games 69 were to play 9... lbd7 with the bishop
and 70. οη c4 protected White would simply
4 e3 ..td6 take the pawn. Thus, ίη order to de-
There are plenty of alternatives and velop his queenside ίη the desired fash-
transpositional possibilities ίη this ίοη, Black is forced into weakening his
variation. For 4 ... iιe6, see Games 66 kingside with ... g7-g6. The game now
and 67, while less common moves are continued 10 h4 (ηο prizes for guess-
examined ίη Game 68. ing that one) 10 ... lbd7 11 h5 lbf6 12
One other move that occurs quite hxg6 hxg6 13 f3 c5 14 dxc5 iιxc5 15
frequently is 4... c6, but it has little ίη­ iιxf7+! ~xf7 16 'ilVxc5 b6 17 'ilVe5 iιa6
dependent value. For example, after 5 18 lbf4?! (18 lbd4 is better) 18 ... g5! 19
c4 dxc4 6 iιxc4 iιd6 7 lbc3 ο-ο we lbe4!? gxf4 20 'iVxf5 'ilVd3 21 lbxf6+
have transposed back into this game, ~xf6 22 ~h8+ Υ2-Υ2. Α lot of action
while after 5 iιd3 iιd6 we are ίη was packed into a mere 22 moves.
Game 64. 7 ... c6
5 c4 7... c5!? 8 dxc5 iιxc5? 9 iιxf7+! cost
Black a pawn ίη Adams-Polugayevsky,
Monaco Rapidplay 1992, as 9...Φxf7
10 'ilVh5+ picks υρ the bishop οη c5.
However, ίη Adams-Ivanchuk from
the same tournament Black fared bet-
ter with 8... iιe5! After 9 lbf3 .txc3+
10 bxc3 'ilVa5 11 ο-ο lbd7 12 'ilVb3lbxc5
13 'ilVb4 'ilVc7 14 lbd4 .te6 15 ~fd1 a5
16lbxe6 fxe6 17 'ilVb5 ~fd8 18 g3 Φf8
White had οηlΥ a small plus.
7... a6 was Black's choice ίη Hodg-
son-Arkell, Lloyds Bank Masters 1991.
This Queen's Gambit treatment of After 8 a4 lbd7 9 lbge2 c5 10 dxc5
the position has been the most popu- iιxc5 11 ο-ο lbe5 12 Jιd5 White had a
lar choice ίη recent years. 5 g3 is the slight advantage which was soon trans-
subject of Game 63 and 5 .td3 (or 5 formed ίηto something more devastat-
lbd2) is examined ίη Games 64 and 65. ing: 12 ... 'ilVb6 13 a5 'ilVc7 14 lbf4 iιd7
5 ... dxc4 6 ..txc4 ο-ο 7 tZJc3 15 'ilVb3 lbc6 16 lbe4 lbxa5 17 'ilVc3
The slightly artificial 100king 7 iιb6 18lbxf6+! Φh8 (after 18 ... gxf6 19
lbd2!? transposes into Gurgenidze- 'ilVxf6 the best Ι can see for Black is
Tseshkovsky, Κislovodsk 1972. After 19 ... ~ae8 20 lbh5 'ilVe5 21 ~xb6 'ilVxh5
7... c6 8 'ilVc2 f5 9 lbe2 g6 one can start 22 ~xa5 with a completely 10st posi-
to understand the point behind 7 lbd2. tion) 19 'ilVxc7 Jιxc7 20 lbxd7 ~fd8 21
With the knight οη c3 Black could lbc5 1-0.
simply play ...lbf6 here as 'ilVxf5 would 8~c2
10se to ...lbe5. Now, however, if Black Alternatives are examίned ιη the

110
 2 ... d5 3 Sιxf6

next game. attack οη, then check which way your

8 ... f5 bishops are pointing; note how useful
It makes sense for Black to stake his the doubled f-pawns are ίη such posi-
claim for central control at some tions as the front one caπ be used for
point, but ίη Miladinovic-Abramovic, attack and the back one for defence)
Yugoslav Championship 1994, 22 Ψib2 Φg8 23 !tc1 h4 24 h3 L2Je4 25
8.. .'~Jd7 9 L2Jf3 L2Jb6 (9 ... f5 is still possi- Φf1 Ψif6 26 Ψic2 L2Jxd2+ 27 !txd2 f4 28
ble) was preferred. After 10 ~d3 g6 11 Φg1 f3 29 L2Je4 'iYf5 30 L2Jc5 'iYg5 31 g4
h4 L2Jd5 12 L2Jxd5 cxd5 13 h5 Ψic7 14 hxg3 32 fxg3 Ψixg3+ 33 Φh1 iιxh3 34
hxg6 fxg6 15 Ψib3 ~e6 16 Φe2 Ψib6 !tg1 ~g2+ 35 !tgxg2 fxg2+ 36 !txg2
17 Ψixb6 axb6 18 L2Jd2 Φg7 Ftacnik 'iYe1+ 37 !tg1 'iYh4+ 38 Φg2 'iYh2+ 39
points out that 19 ~c2 followed by Φf3 'iYxg1 0-1. If White wishes to
~b3 would have given White aπ edge carry out a minority attack then he
ίη the ending. should probably fiaπchetto his bishop,
9 tίJf3 tίJd7 as ίη Game 63.
1 Ο ... tίJf6 11 0-0-0
Confirmation that White wishes to
attack οη the kingside, although his
10th move gave aπ enormous hint.
11 .. :~θ5 12 ~b1 b5
Black is obviously not going to re-
main idle, aπd he even maπages to be
first out of the starting blocks ίη the
race to attack the opposing king.
13 1ιd3 l:tb8 14 tίJd2!
14 ~xf5? 10ses a piece after 14 ... b4.
The text is a good move, as if Black
10 h3 ever plays ... b5-b4 now White is ready
10 Ψixf5 is not a good idea οη ac- to occupy c4 with his knight. 14 L2Je5!?
count of 10 ... L2Je5! 'iYc7 15 f4 is aπother idea although
The text is intended as an im- Black caπ immediately exploit the
provement οη 10 a3, which occurred weakness of e3 by playing 15 ... b4 fol-
ίη Conquest-Daπielsen, Espergaerde 10wed by ... L2Jd5.
1992. After 1O ... L2Jf6 11 ο-ο Ψie7 12 14 ... g615g4!?
L2Jd2 ~d7 13 !tfe1 !tae8 14 iιd3 g6 15 Time for action; the 10ss of a pawn
b4 ~e6 16 !tab1 !td8 17 ~c4 ~c8 ίη exchaπge for open lines οη the
Black' s grip οη the centre gave him a kingside will not cost White a 10t of
good game. The remainder is a neat sleep.
illustration of what can happen to 15 ... fxg4 16 hxg4
White if he plays aimlessly: 18 !te2 Ιwould be tempted to play 16 e4!?
!tfe8 19 !tf1 iιb8 20 Ψia2 Φg7 21 iιb3 After 16 ... ~e6 17 L2Jb3 iιxb3 18 Ψixb3
h5! (if you don't know which side to White has good play for the pawn.

111
The Trompowsky

16 ... lLJxg4 17lLJde4 iι..e7 18 f3 b4! teresting, after which Black should
Αη important move as 18 ...tZJxe3 19 play 26 ... 1:1.f6! as 27 tZJd7 fails to
~h2 hits h7 and the rook οη b8. 27 ...1:1.h6! 28 1:1.xh6 ~e1+ 29 ~c1
19 fxg4 bxc3 20 lLJxc3 iLxg4! 1:1.xb2+! 30 'itxb2 iιa3+! and Black
The best way to defend the kingside WlllS.
is to remove this pawn. 26 ...1:!.xb2+!
21 1:tdg1 f5 22 ~xg4! Black is happy to give back some of
If White plays something like 22 the material as it will now be the
~h2 then Black can seal υρ the king- white king who is ίη more danger.
side with 22 ... h5. Therefore, more 27 ~xb2
material has to be invested to keep If 27 'itxb2 then both 27 ...1:1.b8+ and
open the lines of fire. 27 ... i-a3+ win very quickly.
22 ... fxg4 23 iι..xg6! ~g5! 24 iι..xh7+ 27 ... ~xg3 28 ~c2?!
Φg7 28 d5+ was probably the last chance
as 28 ... i-f6? 29 'i\Yb7+ 1:1.f7 30 ~c8 al-
lows White to escape with a draw
(after 30 ...1:1.f8 31 'i\Yb7+). Black should
play 28 ...1:1.f6! when his position is still
preferable.
28 ... ~d6! 29 iι..d3? 1:!.b8+ 30 Φc1
~f4+ 31 ~d2 iι..a3+ 0-1.
32 'itd1 is met by 32 ... 'i\Yf3+.
Αη entertaining battle.

G'ιime1162:
·pik~t-I~Gur~y,ich;:~c
25 lLJe4? Bk!lnter2QiIιJl*ij 993": .
..Υ;. >.>
" •• ~,,,,<,,,,,: ' .t4'",
Ftacnik recommends 25 iιd3, but Ι
like the look of 25 ~g2!, with the 1 d4 lLJf6 2 iι..g5 d5 3 iι..xf6 exf6 4
powerful threat of tZJe4 (at first Ι e3 c6 5 c4 dxc4 6 iLxc4 i.d6 7 lLJc3
thought 25 ~e2 was good, but then ο-ο 8 ~f3!?
Black can defend with 25 ...1:1.f3! 26 White can also develop his knight
i-e41:1.h3!). After 25 ...'i\Yxe3! 26 'i\Yxg4+ to e2 at once, as Hodgson tends to do
'i\Yg5 27 'i\Yh3 (27 'i\Ye2 is also met by ίη these type of positions. Hodgson-
27 ...1:1.f4) 27 ...1:1.f4! the most likely out- Yakovich, Palma 1989, went 8 tZJge2
come is a draw after 28 i-e4 1:1.h4 29 f5 9 'i\Yc2 tiJd7 10 h3 (we have already
~xh4 'i\Yxh4 30 1:1.xh4 i-xh4 31 iιxc6. seen a very simi1ar plan ίη the previ-
25 ... ~xe3 26 lLJg3?! ous game) 1O ... 'i\Ya5 11 0-0-0 b5 12 i-b3
White had been banking οη this tiJb6 13 'itb 1 iιe6 14 g4! b4 15 tZJa4
move (of course the knight can't be ~ac8 16 tiJc5 iιd5? (a blunder ίη a bad
taken because of 27 'i\Yg6+) but Black position) 17 tZJb7 ..txb3 18 'i\Yxb3 'i\Ya6
has a powerful riposte. 26 tZJc5 is ίη- 19 tiJxd6 1:1.cd8 20 tiJxf5 'i\Yxe2 21 tZJe7+

112
 2 ... d5 3 ~xf6

<ot>h8 22 t2Jxc6 nde8 23 t2Je5 1-0. 35 i..e4 l:ιf6 36 na6 liJd7 37 :txc6
8 ... f5 9 l2Jge2 ~h4 1:txf2 38 a4 lΔf6 39 :'c4 %:.e2 40 a5
1-0

1 d4 l2Jf6 2 i..g5 d5 3 i..xf6 exf6 4

e3 ~d6 5 g3

Α quite puzzling queen sortie; per-

haps Black wants to play ... c6-c5, but
this is easily parried, or maybe he just
wants to make sure that White castles
queenside.
1 Ο ~b3 ~e6 11 0-0-0 l2Jd7 12 g3
~h6 13 h4 1:tad8 14 ~c2 ~f6 15
'it>b1 .Jib4 16 h5 1:tfe8 17 a3 .Jia5 18
~f4 .Jixc3?! 19 l2Jxc3 l2Jb6 20 h6! 95 White is not renouncing the idea of
Ι don't know if Black believed ίn playing c2-c4 but he only wishes to do
this move as he played it, but the so after he has developed his kingside.
problem is that 20 ... g6 21 g4! is very 5 ... c66l2Jd2
unpleasant. $0 that ... 'i'b6 can be met by nb1.
21 l2Je4! .Jia2+ 22 Φχa2 1:txe4 23 6 ... 0-0 7 i..g2 f5 8 l2Je2 l2Jd7 9 ο-ο
~f3 g4 24 ~e2 ~e6+ l2Jf6 1Ο c4 dxc4
If the rook retreats the black king- Black can also try and hold the d5-
side will soon drop οΗ (25 nh5, 25 point with 10 ... ~e6. Rustemov-
'i'd3). Rashkovsky, Elista 1995, continued 11
25 ~a 1 1:texd4 26 1:txd4 1:txd4 27 c5!? iιc7 12 b4 g5 13 t2Jf3 t2Je4 14 t2Je5
.Jixf5! h5 15 ~b1 a6 16 a4 <ot>g7 17 f3 with the
The sting ίη the tail! better prospects for White.
27 .. :~Vc4 28 'iVxc4 1:txc4 29 :td1! 11 l2Jxc4 i..c7 12 ~c2!?
'it>f8 Remarkably enough, two games
As 29 ... t2Jd5 is met by 30 e4, the from the England-Hungary match ίη
only way for Black to avoid mate is to the 1994 Moscow Olympiad followed
part company with the h7-pawn. the same path until move 17: 12 lZJc3
30 i..xh7 1:tc5 31 1:td8+ Φe7 32 l:ιb8 ~e6 13 'i'e2 'i'e7 14 a3 1:iad8 15 b4 a6
l:ιh5 33 :xb7+ Φf8 34 :txa7 nxh6 161:iab1 ~fe8 (16 ... h5!?) and now:

113
The Trompowsky

21 1:!.xa1 Wic7 22 bxc6 bxc6 23 Wia4

tΔd7 24 tΔa6 .txa6 25 Wixa6 tΔb8 26
Wic4 h5 27 tΔa4 h4 28 tΔc5 hxg3 29
hxg3 1:!.c8 30 1:!.b1 Wie7 31 1:!.b7 Wie8
32 e4!?
White opens a new front, as queen-
side pressure might not be enough to
break down the black position.
32 ... .txc5 33 dxc5 fxe4 34 .txe4
Despite the reduced material Black
still has to play accurately.
34 ... tΔd7 35 1:!.a7 tΔe5 36 Wic3 1:!.d8
a) Adams-Almasi continued 17 1:lfc1 37 1:!.c7 Wie6 38 7o>g2 1:!.d7?
h5! 18 CiJd2 (rushing back to defend Black is still slightly worse, but this
his kingside) 18 ... h4 19 CiJf3 hxg3 20 allows White to whip υρ an instant
hxg3 CiJd5 21 1:lb2 a5! 22 CiJxd5 iιxd5 mating attack.
23 "iYd2 axb4 24 axb4 and now Almasi 39 1:!.c8+ Φh7 40 Wia1! 1:!.d1 41 Wixd1
considers 24 ... iιe4 to be the most ac- Wixc8 42 Wih5+! 1-0
curate with an edge for Black. After
24 ... g6 25 CiJe1 the game was drawn ίη Ga#ι.e'~4
37 moves. Gallagh~r';'Hartston .?ii:
b) Hodgson-Leko went instead: 17 British Champ~rfnship 1985
a4 CiJd5 (17 ... h5!?) 18 CiJxd5 iιxd5 19
"iYc2 iιxg2 20 ~xg2 1:ld5 21 CiJd2 "iYd7 1 d4 tΔf6 2 .tg5 d5 3 .txf6 exf6 4
22 ~h1 h5 23 CiJf3 with a roughly e3 ~d6 5 ~d3
level game, drawn ίη 46 moves.
Ι don't suppose the team captain
was too impressed.
12 ... .te6 13 tΔe5
Ι much prefer McDonald's treat-
ment to the above couplet; transfer-
ring this knight to c5 will place the
black position under considerable
pressure. Black won't want to play
... b7-b6 as this will seriously weaken
the light squares.
13 ... tZJd5 14 tΔd3 g6 15 tΔc5 .tc8
16 tΔc3 tΔf6 17 b4 a6 18 a4 This is the way everyone used to
White has achieved his ideal posi- play before strong grandmasters ar-
tion and can carry out his rnίnority rived οη the scene and evolved sophis-
attack without hindrance. ticated plans with c2-c4 and g2-g3.
18 ... .td6 19 b5 axb5 20 axb5 1:!.xa1 5 ... c6

114
 2 ... d5 3 iιxf6

The next game features a more am- with a2-a3 included for White and ο-ο
bitious plan involving ... c7-c5 (after for Black) 8 a3 4:Jc7 9 4:Je2 4:Je6 10 c4
the preparatory ... 0-0 and ....i.e6). 4:Jg5 11 Vi'h5 g6 12 Vi'h4 !Ϊ.e8 13 cxd5
6lΔd2 cxd5 144:Jc3 i.e7 15 f4 f5! 16 Vi'f2 (16
6 Vi'f3 is likely to transpose to later fxg5? .txg5 followed by ... .txe3
variations, while 6 4:Je2 introduces a would be suicidal from White)
slightly different idea. Hodgson- 16 ... 4:Je4 17 4:Jdxe4 fxe4 18 .tb5 !Ϊ.f8
Baginskaite, Lloyds Bank Masters 19 ο-ο .te6, as ίη Hodgson-Taimanov,
1991, continued 6... f5 7 c3 .i.e6 8 Vi'c2 γerevan 1986, and Τ aimanov, perhaps
g6 9 h4 h5 10 4:Jd2 4:Jd7 11 4:Jf3 Vi'c7 slightly optimistically, considers this
124:Jg5 with an edge for White. position to be level.
6 ... lΔd7!? 7 'ikf3 lΔf8 8 lΔe2
6... 0-0 is more common, when after It is nice to have the option of cas-
7 Vi'f3 there are several examples: tling either side as it makes it more
difficult for the opponent to plan
ahead.
8 ... lΔe6 9 lΔg3
Ιη the light of Hodgson-Taimanov,
the immediate 9 c4 deserves considera-
tion.
8 ... g6 10 c4 dxc4 11 ~xc4
11 4:Jxc4 .tb4+ is annoYlng for
White.
11 ... f5 120-0-0 'iic7
Directed against h2-h4. Ι probably
should have played something more
a) 7... !Ϊ.e8 8 4:Je2 4:Jd7 9 h4 4:Jf8 10 solid than my next move.
g4 iιe6 11 0-0-0 c5 12 dxc5 .i.xc5 13 13 e4?! ο-ο!
4:Jb3 !Ϊ.c8 14 4:Jf4 4:Jd7 15 .i.f5 4:Je5 16 13 ... 4:Jxd4? 14 Vi'e3! iιe5 15 f4! is
Vi'g2 with advantage to White ίη Piket- excellent for White. Ι can't remember
Stull, ΙΥοη 1990. whether Ι sacrificed a piece now be-
b) 7... a5?! 8 4:Je2 a4 (Ι assume Black cause Ι thought it was good or because
is trying to dissuade White from cas- Ι wasn't that keen οη my position af-
tling long, but it is not too difficult to ter something like 14 e5 .te7 15 4:Jb3;
change plans and find something probably the latter.
where ... a5-a4 is a bit of a luxury) 9 ο-ο 14 lΔxf5 gxf5 15 exf5 lΔxd4?
!Ϊ.e8 10 c4 dxc4 11 4:Jxc4 i.c7 12 e4 Ι don't know what Ι had ίη mίnd
with some advantage to White ίη against 15 ... 4:Jf4, but Ι certainly can't
Hodgson-Langeweg, Candas 1992. see anything very promising now, e.g.
c) 7... 4:Ja6!? (this looks like a slightly 16 g3 4:Jd5 17 f6 !Ϊ.e8! 18 .i.d3 .tf8 and
better version of Hartston's idea as we Black defends against the immediate
end up with the same position except threats. White isn't completely lost,

115
Τhe Τrσmpσwsky

though, especia11y as Ι think both would have thought that something

players were a1ready οη the verge οί like 8 c3 (instead οί 8 a3) 8... ttJe7 9 g4
serious time trouble. ~d7 10 1::i.g1 ttJg6 11 t2Jf4 was more ίη
16 ~g4+ 'it>h8 17 ~xd4+ SΙe5 18 the spirit οί the variation. Here is a
~c5 possible continuation: 11 ... ttJxf4?! 12
18 ~e4 1::i.e8 19 ~ί3 looks like a exf4 ί5 13 ~h3! 13 ...1::i.fe8 14 ~ίι ί6
very reasonable winning attempt. (forced) 15 gxf5 ~ί7 16 ~h4 (16 ~h6
Probably the clock was the deciding ~g6! and White must go back with
factor ίη why Ι repeated moves, al- the queen) 16 ... 'iVe7 17 ttJd2 with good
though ίη those days Ι would not have chances for White.
been too unhappy to draw against a 8 c3
strong ΙΜ. 8 dxc5 obviously comes into con-
18 ... SΙd6 19 ~d4+ SΙe5 20 ~c5 sideration. See Games 66 and 68 for
SΙd6 21 ~d4+ Υ2 - Υ2 examples οί this pawn structure.
8 ... lΔc6 9 lΔd2 ~d7 1 Ο h3 c4 11
'Gdme65 SΙc2 b5 12 e4
Βellοη~Μίkhalchίshίιi·. Ι don't like this as Black ends up
,Ι;;,.}fastίngs 1985· .' ." with a nice outpost οη d5.
12 ... lΔe7 13 tLJf4 JLxf4 14 ~xf4 f5
1 d4 lΔf6 2 ~g5 d5 3 JLxf6 exf6 4 15 exd5
e3 SΙd6 5 SΙd3 ο-ο 6 ~f3 SΙe6 7 15 e5 ttJg6 followed by ... f5-f4 is
lΔe2 good for Black, while after 15 exf5
~xί5 Black will be a little better as he
has the pawn break ... bs-b4.
15 ...lΔxd5 16 ~f3 f6 17 ο-ο g5! 18
g3 Uae8 19 Ufe1 lΔe7 20 Ue3 Jιd5
21 ~e2 lΔg6 22 lΔf1 f4 23 Uxe8
Uxe8 24 ~h5 SΙe4 25 Jιxe4 Uxe4
26 ~f3 Ue7

7 ... c5!?
Mikha1chisin had previously claim-
ed that 7... ttJc6 8 a3 ttJe7 9 ttJd2 ~ d7
10 h3 a5 (he played 1O ... c6 against
Lputian, USSR 1984) was good for
Black, so it is interesting to see him
changing plans ίη what Ι assume to be
his next outing against the Tromp. Ι Control οί the e-file and attacking

116
 2 ... d5 3 !iιxf6

chances against the white king give lbxe6 cxd3 14 lbf4 ο-ο 15 ~ab 1 ~ab8
Black the advantage. 16 ~fd1 .ixc3 17 bxc3 'iVxc3 18 lbxh5
27 b3 ~xh3 28 bxc4 bxc4 29 1:tb1 gxh5 19 'iVxf5 ~fd8 20 ~xb7 d2 21
~d7 30 tΔd2 g4 31 ~a8+ Φg7 32 ~h2 a5 22 g3 a4 23 ~db1 ~b7 ~-~
tΔf1 Φh6 33 ~h1+ Φg7 34 ~h5? as 24 'iVg5+ gives perpetual check.
The queen is out of play here; he 6 dxc5 ~xc5 7 tΔe2
should have gone back to a8, when 7 c3 lbc6 8 tΔd2 ο-ο 9 tΔb3 iιd6 10
Black would have tried 34 ... 'iVa4. lbe2 ~c8 11 lbed4 ~e8 12 ο-ο ,i,b8 13
34 ... ~e6 35 1:td1 ~e2 36 1:td2 ~f3 f4!? ~c7 14 'ii'h5 g6 15 'iVh4 ,i,c8 16
37 ~h1 ~xc3 38 1:td1 ~c2 39 1:td2 ~f3f5 17 'iVh6 'iVf6 was about level ίη
~c1 40 Φh2 c3 0-1 Ungureanu-Ikonnikov, Berlin 1992.
7 ... tΔc6 8 ο-ο ο-ο 9 tΔd2 f5 1 Ο tΔb3
~b6 11 c3 ~f6 12 a4 1:tad8 13 a5
~c7

1 d4 tΔf6 2 ~g5 d5 3 ~xf6 exf6 4

e3~e6
The most accurate move according
to Hodgson, as it makes it more diffi-
cult for White to play c2-c4.
5 ~d3
5 g3 is the subject of the next game,
while White has also tried a couple of
knight moves:
a) 5 lbe2 iιd6 6 lbf4 iιxf4 7 exf4
'iVe7 8 lbc3 iιg4+ 9 ,i,e2 .iιxe2 10 Ιη the normal Τ arrasch pawn struc-
lbxe2 with equality, as ίη Alburt- ture, i.e. one without the pawns οη e3
Novikov, New York 1993. Not very and f5, White is usually assured of a
tnsptrιng. slight advantage. Here, though, White
b) 5 lbd2 lbd7 6 .iιd3 f5 7 lbe2 iιd6 has less space and doesn't have an e-file
8 c4 dxc4 9 .iιxc4 lbb6 10 .iιxe6 fxe6 to operate οη. The position is difficult
11 'iVb3 with an edge for White, as ίη to assess.
Rublevsky-Neverov, USSR Champi- 14 a6 b6 15 tΔbd4 tΔe5 16 tΔf4 ~b8
onship 1991. 17 ~b5 1:td6! 18 ~e2 1:tc8 19 1:tfd1
5 ... c5!? g6 20 1:ta4 tΔd7 21 c4!? tΔc5 22
5... iιd6 6 'iVf3 ο-ο transposes to cxd5 ~xd5 23 tΔxd5 1:txd5 24 1:taa1?
Game 65 while 5... f5 led to a short, This loses a pawn. 24 ~c4 would
sharp struggle ίη A.sokolov-Zagrel- have maintained the balance.
beny, Moscow 01ympiad 1994: 6 'iVf3 24 ... ~e5! 25 1:tac1 i.xd4 26 exd4
g6 7 h4 h5 8 lbe2 lbd7 9 lbf4 c6 10 c4 1:txd4 27 1:txd4 ~xd4 28 ~e7?
'ii'a5+ 11 lbc3 iιM 12 ο-ο dxc4 13 Α strange miscalculation. 28 ~d1

117
The Trompo wsky

would have kept drawing chances. Mikhaίl Τ a1 who played a simίlar sac-
28 .. :~xb2 29 .!:txc5 .!:txc5 30 ~f1 rifice ίη the 11th game οί his 1960
~θ1 0-1 W orld Championship match with
Botvinnik (who didn't accept).
11 ... iLxd2 12 ~xd2 dxc4 13 l2Jf4
cxb3 14 l2Jxe6 fxe6 15 .!:tfb1! ο-ο 16
.!:txb3
White has promίsing Benko Gam-
1 d4 l2Jf6 2 ~g5 d5 3 ~xf6 exf6 4 bit-style compensation, but Black is
e3 ~θ6 5 g3 f5 6 ~g2 solid and has an outpost οη d5 for his
Ιη one οί the nerνe racking play-off knight. The chances are about equa1.
games from the 1994 PCA Candίdates 16 ... ~d7 17 ~b4 .!:tfb8 18 .!:tab1
quarter-fina1 between Adams and l2Jd5 19 ~θ4 b5!? 20 ~θ5 .!:tb6 21
Tiviakov, White, rather bizarrely, .!:tc1 ~b7 22 a3 .!:ta6 23 ~θ1 ~d7 24
played 6 ~d3. The game was agreed .!:tc5 .!:tb8 25 h4 .!:tab6 26 h5
drawn after 6... c6 7 lbd2 lbd7 8 lbe2
~d6 9 ο-ο ο-ο 1Ο c3 lbf6 11 'ii'c2 lbe4
12 lbf4 iιxί4 13 exf4 b6 14 lbf3 ί6 15
~fe1 ~ί7 16 lbd2 :l.e8 17 lbf1 g6 18
~ad1 'ii'c7 19 lbe3 l:.ad8 20 ~e2 :l.d7
21 ~de1 c5 22 'ii'd1 'ii'c6 23 h4 a5 'h-'h.
6 ... c6 7 l2Jd2 l2Jd7 8 l2Je2 ~d6 9
b3!? l2Jf6 10 c4 ~b4

While Black cannot use his extra

pawn οη the queenside, White must
be wondering about playing e3-e4 at
some point; this would not οηlΥ shift
the action to the kingside and increase
the scope οί his bishop, but a1so seri-
ously weaken d4, makίng it a very
double-edged idea.
11 ο-ο!? 26 .. :it'f7 27 iLf3 .!:td8 28 .!:tb2 .!:td6
Tiviakov gives 11 cxd5 ~xd5 as 29 Φg2l2Jf6 30 ~b4l2Jd5
level, but this is not the way Hodgson 30 ... lbxh5? 31 !:txf5! is very good
plays chess. He prefers to give up a for White.
pawn for some positiona1 pressure. 31 ~θ1 l2Jf6 32 'iί'b4 l2Jd5 33 ~θ5
Perhaps Julian received his inspiration ~b7 34 'iί'θ1 l2Jf6 35 .::tbc2 ~d7 36
for this sacrifice from the spirit οί 'iί'h1 a5 37 ~h4 h6 38 ~f4 a4 39

118
 2 ... d5 3 !iι...xf6

~θ5 na6 40 nc1 nb6 41 n5c2 lίJd5 lΔe2 lΔd7 9 ο-ο f5 10 c4 lΔf6 11 lΔf4
42 nc5 lίJf6 43 n 1 c2 lίJd5 ΥΖ - ΥΖ 'iVd7 12 ~c1 g5?! 13 ctJd3 ctJe4 14 ctJe5
'iVd6 15 f3 ctJxd2 16 'iVxd2 ~f6 17 f4
with a clear plus for White ίη Hodg-
son-Upton, Moscow 01ympiad 1994.
5 dxc5 j"xc5 6 lίJc3!? j"e6
6... ~b4 7 ~b5+ lΔc6 8 lΔge2 is
1 d4 lίJf6 2 j"g5 d5 3 j"xf6 exf6 4 slightly better for White (Gureνich).
e3 c5!? 7 j"b5+ lίJc6 8 lίJge2 ο-ο 9 ο-ο lίJθ5
We haνe seen this idea seνeral times Gureνich suggests 9... a6 as a possi-
already ίη this chapter, but playing ble improνement.
... c7-c5 straightaway giνes White more 1 Ο lίJf4 a6 11 ~a4!
options. There are a couple of other The bishop is headίng for b3 from
unusual moνes: where it will intensify the pressure οη
a) 4... ~f5 5 ~d3 ~xd3 (5 ... ~g6 the d-pawn. 11. .. d4 would now be met
might be better) 6 'iVxd3 ~d6? 7 'iVb5+ by 12 ctJe4 with good play for White.
lΔc6 8 lΔc3! (obνiously not 8 'iVxd5?? 11 ... lίJc4 12 ~b3 lίJxb2 13 ~θ2 nc8
~b4+, but now the d-pawn is lost) 14 lίJcxd5 j"xd5 15 lίJxd5 b5 16 c3
8... 0-0 9 'iVxd5lΔb4 10 'iVb3 'iVd7 11 a3 j; 33 17 nab1 lίJc4 18 nfd1 ~d6?
lΔc6 12 lΔf3 and White was a pawn up
for nothing ίη Adams-Koνaleν, Os-
tend 1991. 4... ~f5 has hardly been
seen since this game.
b) 4... ~e7 is an inferior deνelop­
ment of the bishop. We haνe a couple
of examples from Hodgson:
b 1) 5 c4 dxc4 6 ~xc4 ο-ο 7 lΔc3 c6
(7 ... c5!? mίght be a better try) 8 lΔge2
lΔd7 9 'iVc2 ~d6 (pretty sad; now
Black is just a tempo down οη lines
from Games 61 and 62) 10 iιd3 g6 11
h3! (to answer 11 ... f5 with 12 g4) Black stumbles into a trap; better
11 ...'iVe7 12 0-0-0 a5 13 Φb1 lΔb6 14 was 18 ... 'iVa5 when Gureνich giνes 19
h4!? ~e6 15 h5 f5 16 g4lΔd5 (16 ... fxg4 ~d4 as clearly better for White.
would lose to a sacrifice οη g6) 17 gxf5 19 j"xc4! nxc4 20 lίJb6! ~xb6 21
lΔb4 18 'iVd2 lΔxd3 19 'iVxd3 gxf5 20 ~xc4! ~xθ3 22 ~xb5! 1-0
d5! cxd5 21lΔxd5 'iVd8 22 ~dg1+ Φh8
23 'iVc3+! f6 24 lΔdf4 'iVd7 25 lΔg6+! '~~m~~€f!ιί:; ',,'
hxg6 26 hxg6+ Φg8 27 g7 ~fc8 28 ~bn';;MQttio~
'iVxf6 iιxa2+ 29 Φa1 1-0 Hodgson- ',b~ΠlJ?iQr1$fJ~i~.
Gokhale, British Championship 1993.
b2) 5 g3 ο-ο 6 ~g2 c6 7 lΔd2 ~e6 8 1 d4 lίJf6 2 j"g5 d5 3 ~xf6 gxf6!?

119
The Trompowsky

'ίi'e3 (νυΙ gives 11 lbh4 lbe5 12 'iVxd8

.ί:ϊχd8 13 ..te2 lbd3+ 14 ~xd3 1::!.xd3 as
equal) 11 ...'iWb6 12 'iWxb6, as ίη Hodg-
son-Vul, Amantea 1995, and now Vul
considers 12 ... axb6 to be slightly bet-
ter for Black. I'm not sure Ι agree with
that assessment but Black has certainly
surνived the opening.
b2) 5 e3 c5 (5 ... l::ιg8!? was suggested
by Vul) 6 ~xc4 cxd4 7 exd4 iιg7 8
lbe2 ο-ο 9 lbbc3 12Jc6 10 'iVd3 (a year
later Romero preferred 10 'iVd2, reach-
This generally leads to a much ing an unclear position after 10 ... f5 11
sharper struggle than after 3... exf6. .ί:ϊd1 a6 12 'iVf4 ~d7 13 ο-ο 'iVb8 14
Black doesn't get the same easy devel- 'iVh4 'iVd6, Romero-Am.Rodriguez,
opment and his king is less secure, but Medίna del Campo 1986) 1O ...lbb4?!
οη the other hand, he has a nice cen- (the knight is not well placed here;
tral pawn mass and possible play οη Romero suggests 10... f5 11 l::ιd1 e5 as a
the g-file. It has to be said that this line possible improvement) 11 'iVd2 ~f5 12
has never captured the public imagina- ο-ο .ί:ϊc8 13 ~b3 e6 14 l::ιfd1 'iVe7 15 a3
tion and, accordίng to my database, lbc6 16 d5! with advantage to White
for every player who ventures 3... gxf6 ίη Romero-Sunye Neto, Benasque
there are six who prefer 3... exf6. 1985.
4c4 5 e3 e6
This is more testing than 4 e3, Martin opts for a Stonewall set-up
which is the subject of the next game. which, at least ίη this game, doesn't
4 ... c6 work out very well.
Black decides to hold the d5-point. 5... ~f5 has been more common,
However, there are a couple of other but White seems to be doing quite
lines where he tries to open the posi- well there as well, e.g. Miladίnovic­
tion to make his bishop pair work: Grund, Holger 1995, continued 6lbc3
01) 4... c5 5 cxd5 'ii'xd5 6 lbf3 cxd4 7 e6 7 lbge2 .id6 (7 ... 'iVb6 looks better;
lbc3 'ϊIΜ8 8 lbxd4 e6 9 e3 a6 10 'ii'h5 perhaps White should consider play-
~b4 11 ':c1 'iWa5 12 'iWf3 lbd7 13 .te2 ing 7 'iib3) 8 lbg3 ~g6 9 'i'b3 b6 (not
'ii'g5 14 0-0 with a clear advantage for a nice move to play but 9 .. :ifb6 10 c5!
White ίη Hodgson-Lukacs, Kecskemet 'iVxb3 11 axb3 followed by b2-b4 and
1988. BlO1ck is seriously behind ίη de- b4-b5 is good for White) 10 cxd5 cxd5
velopment. 11 ':c1 a6 12 lba4 b5 13 lbb6! 'i'xb6
b) 4... dxc4 (this might be the best) 14 ':c8+ rJiιe7 15 ':'xh8 'ii'a5+ 16 Φd1
andnow: :a7 17 ':'c8 and although the position
b1) 5lbc3 c6 6 a4 e5 7lbf3 .tg7 8 e4 is complicated, Black doesn't have
~g4 9 .i.xc4 exd4 10 'i'xd4 lbd7 11 enough for the exchange.

120
 2 ... d5 3 i..xf6

5... e5 led to a faνourable ending for 14 ... h6 15 ltJxf7 'iitxf7 16 'iWf5+!

White ίη Hodgson-Suri, San Ber- would subject Black to a most fear-
nardino 1992, after 6 ltJc3 i.e6 7 ltJf3 some attack.
ltJd7 8 ~b3 'i'b6 9 ~xb6 axb6 10 cxd5 15 tΔce4 h6
cxd5 11 .tb5 e4 12 ltJg1 llg8 13 ltJge2.
Black now, rather optimίstically,
played 13 ... llxg2?, οηlΥ to lose mate-
rial after 14 ltJg3 and JιEι.
The player of the black pieces,
Hans Suri, is more noted for his or-
ganisational abίlity than his oνer the
board skίll, haνing run the Biel chess
festiνal, perhaps Europe's biggest, for
thirty years. He also happens to be my
team captaίn and if Ι had played a
moνe like 13 ... llxg2 ίη a match for
Biel, I'm sure that my end of season Ι don't know if Black had seen
pay check would haνe suffered hor- White's 17th moνe, but eνen if he had
rendous damage. he might haνe decided that his posi-
6 tΔc3 f5 tion was so bad that his οηlΥ chance
Ιη Tseitlin-Morris, Hastings 1991, was to take the piece and try to
Black preferred 6... ltJd7. After 7 l1c1 weather the storm.
a6 8 ltJf3 i.d6 9 e4 dxe4 10 ltJxe4 16 tΔxf7! Φχf7
.tb4+ 11 ltJc3 ltJb6 12 a3 i.xc3+ 13 Obνiously not 16 .. :ί'Vxf7 171tJd6+.
.:.xc3 White had the better game. 17 d5!
7 tΔf3 Jιg7 8 ~c2 tΔd7 9 h3! The poίnt behind the sacήfίce is re-
White is now ready to play g2-g4 at νealed.
anymoment. 17 ... Jιθ5
9 ... dxc4 Other moνes are ηο better:
This is νery anti-positional but 17 ... exd5 18 i.xd5+ 'l;e7 19 'iί'c5+ is
Black is struggling for a plan. 9... 0-0 the end and after 17 ... i.c8 18 d6 'ii'd8
looks much too risky, while 9... b6 19 exf4 is good enough while 19 d7
could lead to problems οη the light i.xd7 20 ltJc5 is νery temptίng.
squares after 1Ο cxd5. 9... ltJf6 is the 18 dxe6+ 'ίPg7 19 'i'c5!
moνe Black would like to play, but Setting up the final combination.
this allows 10 ltJe5. 19 ... Jιc8
1 Ο Jιxc4 ~c7 11 0-0-0 This loses at once. The οηlΥ try
The opening has been a great suc- seems to be 19 ....:t.h7, when 20 :'d6!?
cess for White and he is now perfectly ~xd6 21 ltJxd6 Φh8 22 exf4 looks
poised to moνe οη to the offensiνe. completely hopeless for Black.
11 ... b5 12 Jιb3 JιΔ6 13 g4! f4 14 201'Σd7+! 1-0
tΔg5! tΔf8 Α little interference theme; after ei-

121
The Trompowsky

ther 20 ... lL1xd7 or 20 ... ~xd7, White before this) 12 ... exf3 13 ~xf3 h3! 14 g3
plays 21 iYe7+ and 22 iYf7 mate. 'iVb6 15 cxd5 .i:!d8 16 e4 lL1e5 17 ~e2
i..d7 with an extra piece for Black ίη
"Gdme70 Miles-Conquest, Hastings 1995/96.
:;~'~CΙI,I~$,cιdler .;ι:; .:,Ι~, 5 ... cxd4 6 exd4 l2Jc6
<;;1Ίjδjr?~~ fripionshiR'~19~~~" Also interesting is 6... iYb6, as
played ίη Hort-Tatai, Venice 1971.
1 d4 l2Jf6 2 ~g5 d5 3 ~xf6 gxf6 4 After 7lL1c3 iYxb2 8 lL1xd5 ~f5! 9 iYc1
e3 c5! (Hort probably rejected 9 lL1c7+ very
Hodgson writes ίη his Τ rends book quickly, as after 9 ... 'it>d8 10 lL1xa8 ~c2
that the position after 1 d4 lL1f6 2 ~g5 11 iYc1 iYc3+ 12 'it>e2 iYd3+ 13 'it>e1
d5 3 e3 (see the next chapter) 3... c5!? 4 iYc3+ Black has at least a draw, and it
~xf6 gxf6 is extremely dynamic for wouldn't be surprising if he could rus-
Black; of course, we now have the tle υρ a mate from somewhere)
same position by transposition, which 9 ... iYxc1 + 10 .i:!xc1 lL1a6 11 lL1e3 ~g6
perhaps explains why Hodgson always 12 c5 lL1c7 13 lL1f3 0-0-0 14 ~e2 ~h6
plays 4 c4. 15 ο-ο ~e4 with a good game.
5 c4 7 c5?!
Not as effective now. The alterna- This gives Black a free hand ίη the
tives are: centre. Perhaps White should not
a) 5 dxc5 e6 6 lL1c3 (6 c4 dxc4 7 worry about the ρίη and play 7 lL1f3 as
iYxd8+ 'it>xd8 8 ~xc4 ~xc5 has oc- 7 lL1c3, 7... dxc4 8 d5 lL1e5 9 i..xc4
curred a few times, the most recent lL1xc4 10 iYa4+ ~d7 lliYxc4 .i:!c8 12
example being 9 lL1c3 'it>e7 10 lL1f3 iYe2 .i:!g81ooks good for Black.
lh-lh Tolnai-Farago, Budapest 1995; 7 ...1:rg8 8 l2Jc3 e5 9 ~b5 1:rxg2 1 Ο
this says a lot about the position, but "iVf3 1:rg6 11 ~xd5 exd4! 12 ~xc6+
if anyone should play οη it is Black) bxc6 13 ~xc6+ .Jtd7 14 "iVe4+ "iVe7
6 ... ~xc5 7 iYg4 lL1c6 8 0-0-0 i..d7 9 15 "iVxe7+ ~xe7 16 l2Jd5 ~c6 17
iYg7 'it>e7! 10 e4 .i:!g8 11 iYxh7 d4 with l2Jxe7 r:J;;xe7 18 f3 1:rg2 19 l2Je2 1:rd8
excellent play for Black ίη Υ egiaz- 20 b3 iιxf3 21 l2Jf41:rg4 0-1
arian-A.Petrosian, Υ erevan 1995.
b) 5 c3 (unambitious, but maybe it
is too late for ambition) with a couple
of examples:
b1) 5... iYb6 6 iYb3 lL1c6 7 lL1f3 e6 8
lL1bd2 ~d7 9 ~e2 f5 10 ο-ο ~e7 with a
very comfortable game for Black ίη
Koch-Krogius, Berlin 1995.
b2) 5... lL1c6 6 lL1f3 (6 g3!?) 6... e5 7
i..e2 i..e6 8 ο-ο h5!? 9 lL1bd2 h4 10
dxc5 i..xc5 11 c4?! e4 12 lL1b3 (White
needs an improvement somewhere

122
 2 ... d5 3 Jιxf6

Summary
2... d5 is a solid and reliable way for Black to meet the Trompowsky. Α quick c2-
c4 from White (Games 61 and 62) should probably be followed up by 0-0-0.
4... iιe6 rules out this most dangerous plan and is Black's best accordίng to
Hodgson. It should be noted, though, that ίη his most recent efforts Hodgson
has preferred the plan with g2-g3 even when he has had the opportunity to play
c2-c4 and 0-0-0. The old plan with iVf3 and .td3 can be dangerous for Black, but
a quick ... c7-c5 (Games 65 and 66) might be the antidote. After 3... gxf6 White
should play 4 c4, but there is still nothing very convincing after 4 ... dxc4. More
practica1 examples are needed here.

1 d4 tί:Ίf6 2 Jιg5 d5 3 Jιxf6

3 ... exf6
3... gxf6
4 c4 - Game 69; 4 e3 - Game 70
4 e3 Jιd6
4 ... c6
5 c4 dxc4 6 iιxc4 iιd6 7 CLJc3 ο-ο - see Games 61 and 62
5 .td3 iιd6 - Game 64
4 ....te6 (D)
5 iιd3 - Game 66; 5 g3 - Game 67
4 ... c5 - Game 68
5 c4
5 g3 - Game63
5 .td3 (D)
5... c6 - Game 64; 5... 0-0 - Game 65
5 ... dxc4 6 Sιxc4 ο-ο 7 tί:Ίc3 c6 (D) 8 ~c2
8 iVf3 - Game 62
8 ... f5 - Game 61

4 ... Jιe6 5 i..d3 7... c6

123
 2 ... d5: Other Third Moves
for White

1 d4 lΔf6 2 i.g5 d5 Games 71 and 72 deal with 3 e3,

Ιη this chapter we shall concern while Games 73-75 feature 3 tLJd2.
ourselves with White's two main al-
ternatives to exchanging οη Ε6, 3 e3 Game'71.
and 3 tLJd2. Those οΕ you wishing to Gerstner~Kishnev
play these lines with White should be 13erli~ <1992 .•
>,(.,c, :, ";'\

warned that there are many transposi-

tional possibilities, including ίηto the 1 d4 lΔf6 2 iLg5 d5 3 e3 c5!?
Torre Attack and Queen's Gambit, as 3... c6 is the subject οΕ the next game
well as into other variations οΕ the and 3...tLJe4 4 iιE4 transposes to Chap-
Trompowsky. ter 2. There are a couple οΕ other
Although 3 e3 and 3 tLJd2 have both moves that should be considered:
been growing ίη popularity recently b) 3... tLJbd7 4 tLJf3 g6 5 c4 (5 tLJbd2
this can be attributed more to the dy- transposes to the Torre Attack) 5... e6
namic duo, Hodgson and Adams, get- 6 tLJc3 c6 7 iιd3 iιg7 8 ο-ο h6 9 iιh4
ting depressed about 3 iιxE6 rather ~a5 10 iιg3 dxc4 11 iιxc4 ο-ο 12 a3
than any special virtues that these lines tLJh5 13 iιd6 :e8 14 e4 with an excel-
might possess. Players who choose lent game for White ίη Fries Nielsen-
such variations as White are often ac- Skembris, Copenhagen 1995. Black's
cused οΕ playing for a draw, but this is bishop doesn't belong οη g7 ίη these
usually not the case. Many οΕ them are sorts οΕ position.
simply not interested (or find it be- b) 3... e6 4 tLJd2 iιe7 5 iιd3 tLJbd7
yond them) ίη achieving a theoretical (5 ... c5 6 c3 tLJc6 7 Ε4 ~b6 8 :b 1 iιd7 9
plus out οΕ the opening, and prefer to tLJgf3, as played ίη Hodgson-Olsen,
get a middlegame position with which Copenhagen 1996, leads to a good
they are familiar and from where they Stonewall for White with his dark-
can try to outplay their opponent. squared bishop actively deployed out-

124
 2 ... d5: Other Third Μο ves for White

side the pawn chain) 6 c3 e5 7 tΔe2 c6 1I..g7 12 ο-ο ο-ο 13 b4 b5?!

8 ο-ο exd4 9 exd4 ο-ο 10 tΔg3 tΔb6 11 Black gives up a pawn to save his
tΔf5?! (this looks premature as Black queen, but 13 ... tΔxc3 was also possi-
now manages to equalise through a ble. After 14 tΔxc3 'iVxc3 151lac1 'iVb2
neat manoeuvre) 11 ... :.ι.χf5 12 :.ι.χf5 16 :.ι.b7 ':'ae8 17 :.ι.χd5 White has just
tΔe8! 13 :.ι.e3 tΔd6 14 :.ι.d3 tΔbc4 15 an edge.
tΔxc4 tΔxc4 16 'iVc2 tΔxe3 17 fxe3 \ι2-\ι2 14 i.xb5 ~c8 15 ~b3
Hodgson-Atalik, Hastings 1995/96. White avoids ... tΔb6 with tempo,
4 c3 but both 15 :.ι.c6 and 15 :.ι.a6 deserve
4 :.ι.χf6 gxf6, transposing to Game consideration.
70, has occurred more often ίη prac- 15 ... tΔb6 16 .ί:!.c1 tΔc4 17 tΔa3 e5 18
tice. i.g3 tΔed6
4 ... ~b6
4 ... tΔc6 is a solid alternative.
5 ~c2!? tΔe4
Sometimes a move like 5... :.ι.f5
works, but certainly not here: 6 'iVxf5
'iVxb2 7 'iVc8 is mate.
6 i.f4 i.f5?!
Ι think that Black would do better
to exchange οη d4.
7 dxc5! ~xc5 8 ΓWb3 b6 9 tΔf3 tΔd7
10 ~a4

19.ί:!.d1??
White should have played 19 tΔxc4
dxc4 20 'iVa4, when Black has some
compensation for the pawn as White's
minor pieces are not well placed
(20 ... tΔxb5 21 'iVxb5 f6). The text is a
terrible blunder, losing a piece for
nothing.
19 ... tΔxa3 20 i.f1 tΔdc4 21 .ί:!.ac1
~e8 0-1

Black has serious problems οη the Game72·····

light squares. .LΡμtίan~νesdο\ιί
1Ο ... g6 11 i.a6 .MoscOw Olympiad..1994 .
This embarrasses the black queen as
her retreat is now cut οΗ, but 11 :.ι.b5 1 d4 tΔf6 2 i.g5 d5 3 e3 c6
also looks quite good. Οη 11 ... a6 Hodgson considers this to be a
White can simply play 12 tΔd4. pointless move.

125
The Trampawsky

4 ~d3 ~g4!? but ίη so doing he has seνerely weak-

4.. .'~Jbd7 has been played seνeral ened his queenside.
times, but after 5 tbf3 e6 6 ο-ο iιe7 7 ~h5 20 z:txc8 z:txc8 21 ~a6 z:te8 22
c4 ο-ο 8 tbc3 we haνe transposed to a tΔc6 ~f8 23 ~xa7 ~b5 24 tΔd4 ~e5
line of the Queen's Gambit Declined 25 i-f2 ~g5 26 tΔe2 z:tc8 27 ~e3
which promises White an edge. ~b5 28 tΔd4 ~h5 29 z:tc1 z:te8 30
Rustemoν-Tiνiakoν, Elista 1996, con- tΔe2 i-d6 31 i-g3 ~f8 32 z:tc7 ~b5
tinued 8 ... b6 9 'iVe2 (9 cxd5 exd5 is 33 tΔd4 ~a5 34 tΔc6 ~b5 35 tΔa7
giνen as equal by Tiνiakoν, although ~a5 36 tΔc6 ~a6 37 ~d4 e5 38
ECO continues 10 ':'b 1 i.,b7 11 b4 ~c4 ~xc4 39 bxc4 z:ta8 40 z:ta7 1-0
':'e8 12 'iVb3, with a clear adνantage to
White, as ίη Korchnoi- Simagin, Bu- ,: ;'~;>ι Gaf#.~73#·
dapest 1961) 9... i.,b7 10 ':'fd1 dxc4 11 CHepukJiiis-AtaliR';
i.,xc4 tbd5 12 tbe4 iιxg5 13 tbexg5 h6 ~<St :Pete:fsPu:rl::19~4
14 tbe4 'iVe7 15 ':'ac1 ':'fc8 16 tbe5
with a νery pleasant position for 1 d4 d5 2 i-g5 tΔf6 3 tΔd2 c5
White. Rarely played but undoubtedly the
4...'iVb6 has also been tried. After 5 most testing continuation for White to
'iVc1 g6, Gofstein-Hίibner, Hapoel- meet. 3... tbbd7 is the subject of Game
Bayern 1992, Gofstein giνes 6 iιxf6 74 and 3... i.,f5 is examined ίη Game
exf6 7 h4 h5 8 c4 as better for White. 75.
5 f3 ~h5 6 tΔe2 tΔbd7 7 ο-ο i-g6 8 4 dxc5 e6 5 b4
c4 i-xd3 9 ~xd3 dxc4 1 Ο ~xc4 e6 5 tbb3 is more solid, but after
11 tΔbc3 i-e7 12 e4 5... tbbd7 6 e3 tbxc5 7 tbxc5 iιxc5
White can be quite pleased with the Black has an easy game.
outcome of the opening. 5 ... b6 6 c4
12 ... 0-0 13 i-e3 z:tc8 14 z:tfd1 b5 15 6 cxb6 iιxM 100ks like a 10t of has-
~d3 b4 16 tΔa4 ~a5 17 b3 c5 18 sle for a pawn
z:tac1 cxd4 19 tΔxd4 6 ... bxc5 7 cxd5 exd5 8 bxc5 ~xc5 9
z:tc 1 ~b6 1 Ο e3 ο-ο
Α strange sort of isolated queen's
pawn position has arisen ίη which
Black's chances are not inferior. White
still has some catching up to do ίη the
deνelopment department.
11 tΔgf3 h6 12 i-xf6 ~xf6 13 i-e2
tΔc6 14 ο-ο z:td8 15 i-b5 ~b 7 16
~a4 z:tac8 17 i-a6 i-xa6 18 ~xa6
tΔb4!
Α queen νersus two rooks can be
one of the most dίfficult material bal-
Black has managed to free his game, ances to judge; here Black is doing

126
 2 ... d5: Other Τhird Moves for White

quite well as his mίnor pieces are more 33 ... ~xh4 34 ttJxd5 g3 35 h3 'i'c4
active than White's. 36 ttJxb6 axb6
White is a king down ίη this ending.
37 1:tfc1 ~a6 38 a4 Φg6 39 1:ta1
Φf5 40 1:tcb1 Φe441 1:tb4+ Φd3 42
1:tb5 ~xa4! 43 1:tbb1 ~f4
Ι was wondering if Black could win
even after 43 ... "iνxa1, but White can
draw with the aίd of a stalemate trick.
44 1:tb3+ Φc2 45 1:tbb1 ~d2 46 1:tf1
Φd3 47 1:tfb1 Φe20-1

·Gatii~74· .
I:i,!?,dg~όη:;;~~essοn .
19 ~xc8 1:txc8 20 1:txc8+ Φh7 21 a3 'eop~hlJrefι:r1g~ri ,: .
ttJd3 22 1:tc2 ~g6 23 1:ta2 f5!
The f-pawn is the lever that will 1 d4 ttJf6 2 ~g5 d5 3 ttJd2 ttJbd7
open the kίngside. Black intends to fianchetto his
24 ttJe1 f4! 25 ttJxd3 fxe3? kίng's bishop, but prefers to avoid
Although interesting, there was ηο 3... g6 4 i..xf6 exf6.
need for this. After 25 ... "iνxd3 26 exf4 4 ttJgf3
"iνe2! there is ηο good defence to the Here too White can aim for a
threat of ... i..a5. ΑΙΙ Ι can see is 27 Stonewall set-up, but it is slightly less
Iϊfa1, allowing ... "iνxf2+ and ... "iνxf4. effective when Black has fianchettoed
26 ttJb4 exf2+ 27 Φh 1 ~f5 28 1:tb2 his kίng's bishop, e.g. Dizdar-
i.e3 29 ttJf3 g5 30 ttJc2 Lehmann, Albena 1981, continued 4
White should be lookίng to return e3 g6 5 f4 i..g7 6 i..d3 c5 7 c3 a6 8
some of his extra material to rid him- lbgf3 b5 9 ο-ο ..tb7 10 lbe5 with an
self of Black's passed pawns, e.g. 30 unclear game.
Iϊe2 d4 31 lbc6 'iVd3 32 lbfxd4 i..xd4 4 ... g6 5 c4
33 lbxd4 "iνxd4 34 Iϊbxf2 would be 5 e3 would transpose into quite a
good for White, but I'm not sure good variation of the Τ orre Attack,
what's happening if Black calmly but Hodgson's move looks even more
plays 32 ... g4! Ι can't see a constructive to the point.
move for White. 5 ... dxc4 6 e4 ttJb6 7 a4 a5 8 ~c2
30 ....tb6 31 ttJb4 g4 32 ttJh4 ~g7 9 ttJxc4 ttJxc4 1 Ο ~xc4 ο-ο 11
White was probably worried about ο-ο c6 12 1:tfe1 ttJe8 13 h3
32lbd2 g3! White has a large space advantage
32 .. :ii'f6 33 1:tbb1? which soon enables him to launch a
The losing move. 33 lbd3 'iVxh4 34 devastating attack.
lbxf2 g3 35 lbh3 gxh2 is better for 13 ... ttJd6 14 i.a2 1:te8 1 5 1:tad 1 'i'b6
Black but far from over. 16 e5 .tf5 17 ~c1 ttJc8 18 .th6

127
Τhe Τrompo wsky

'ii'b4 19 ~f4 :tf8 20 ~h4 ~c2 .1Le2 Φf7 21 g4 Φθ 7

One wonders why Black didn't just
play ... .ί:.f8 and ... Φe7.
22 g3 :tf7 23 lbb3

21 lbg5!
Ι always enjoy seeing such primitive
chess paying off at grandmaster leve1.
21 ... i.xd1 22 J:txd1 i.xe5 23 ~xf8 23 ...lbxe5!
Φχf8 24 ~xh7 1-0 Black gets a tremendous initiative
for his piece; stil1, a brave decision ίη
an ending.
24 dxe5 d4 25 lbd1 d3 26 1ιf1 1ιθ4
27 :tg1 i.xe5 28 Φd2 1ιd5 29 1:ta3
J:tf3 30 lbc3 1ιχg3 31 lbxd5+ 1:txd5
1 d4 lbf6 2 i.g5 d5 3 lbd2 1ιf5 4 e3 32 Φd1 :tf2 33 lbc1 1ιf4 34 :txd3
c6 J:txb2 35 1:txd5 cxd5
4... e6 5 lbgf3 h6 6 i.xf6 "iVxf6 7 c4 I'm sure that Black is better here,
c6 8 'iib3 "iVe7 9 .i.d3 i.xd3 10 fixd3 but White defended himself very re-
lbd7 11 ο-ο g6 12 cxd5 cxd5 13 11fc 1 sourceful1y and ίη the end it was Black
gave White some advantage ίη Rausis- who had to fight for the draw.
Apicel1a, French League 1993, but 36 lbd3 1:th2 37 J:tg2 1:th 1 38 1:tf2 e5
5... lbbd71ooks better. 39 Φc2 Φθ6 40 Φb3 h5 41 gxh5
5lbe2 :txh5 42 :tc2 e4 43 lbf2 Φd7 44
The delayed 5 i.xf6!? is a reasonable i.h3+ Φc6 45 ~f5 1:th8 46 lbg4 1:tf8
alternative. 47 i.e6 1:td8 48 lbf6 .1Le5 49 1:tf2 e3
5 ... lbbd7 6 c4 ~b6 7 ~b3 e6 8 lbc3 50 1:tf5 -tf4 51 J:txd5 1:tf8 52 -td7+
h6 9 .1Lh4 g5 1 Ο i.g3 lbh5 11 c5 Φc7 53 lbe8+ Φb8 54 1:td4 g4 55
.xb3 12 axb3 lbxg3 13 hxg3 a6! :te4 g3 56 -th3 :th8 57 -tf1 -tg5 58
Α careful move ensuring that White lbd6 Φc7 59 1:tg4 J:th1 60 1ιθ2 1:th2
won't be able to achieve the position- 61 1:txg5 1:txe2 62 1:txg3 1:te1 63
ally desirable b4-b5. :tg7+ Φc6 64 1:te7 e2 65 Φc2 J:ta1
14 b4 :td8 15 f3 i.g7 16 e4 i.g6 17 66 :txe2 1:ta2+ 67 Φd3 1:txe2 68
e5 f6 18 f4 fxe5 19 fxe5 ο-ο 20 Φχθ2 a5! %-%

128
 2 ... d5: Other Third Moves (σΓ White

Summary
After 3 e3 Black's two most active replies, 3... tLΊe4 and 3... c5 usually transpose
elsewhere, although White did quite well out of the opening ίn Game 71 with
the solid 4 c3.
3 tLΊd2 seems to be well met by 3... c5 (Game 73), but it would be nice to see
some Hodgson games against this move, which he himself recommends for
Black. There is also not much wrong with 3... i.f5 (Game 75), but I'm not so
impressed with 3... tLΊbd7 followed by ... g7-g6, the plan chosen ίn Game 74.

1 d4 tίJf6 2 .1ιg5 d5

3 e3 (D)
3 tLΊd2 (D)
3 ... c5 - Game 73
3... tLΊbd7 - Game 74
3... i.f5 - Game 75
3 ... c5 (D)
3... c6 - Game 72
4 c3 - Game 71

3 e3 3 tίJd2 3 ... c5

129
 Odds and Ends

1 d4 lbf6 2 Sιg5 it is νery closely related and is unlikely

Games 76-79 feature 1 d4 tLJf6 2 to be wheeled out by anyone who
~g5 g6. Here we shall οηlΥ concern isn't a committed Trompowskyite.
ourselνes with 3 ~xf6, as the other Games 81 and 82 deal with the sharp
natural moνe, 3 tLJf3, transposes to the lines, 2... f6 and 2... c5 respectiνely,
Torre Attack. After 3 Sιxf6 exf6, while the solid 2... c6 (with or without
White's main scheme of deνelopment ... h7-h6 thrown ίη) is the subject of
inνolνes fianchettoing his king's Games 83-85. I'm sure you'll enjoy
bishop and later adνancing his queen- playing oνer Game 81 - Ι certainly
side pawns. There are many possible enjoyed playing it!
moνe orders; οη moνe four, for ex-
ample, White can play 4 c4, 4 e3 or 4
g3 and they νery often transpose into
one another. Hodgson faνours 4 c4, as
this preνents Black from playing ... d7-
d5 (as ίη Game 78). Game 79 deals 1 d4 lbf6 2 ~g5 g6 3 Sιxf6 exf6 4
with the main alternatiνe plan for c4
White; a quick h4-h5 (if allowed). This White's moνe order is open to ques-
looks like a reasonable idea, but ίη tion, but his most popular plan ίη­
practice Black has done quite well. νolνes a combination of c2-c4, tLJc3,
Game 80 deals with other second g2-g3, iιg2, e2-e3 and tLJe2. Once this
moνe possibilities for Black. solid set-up has been completed,
Games 81-85 are a bonus (and con- White can then fling his queenside
sequently the theory is not quite as pawns υρ the board with the intention
thorough as ίη other parts of the of creating some weaknesses ίη the
book) as strictly speaking 1 d4 d5 2 black camp. The bishop οη g2 is par-
Jιg5 is not a Trompowsky; howeνer, ticularly well placed to support this

130
 Odds and Ends

queenside offensiνe. The adνantage of oνer the last few moνes doesn't look
playing an immediate c2-c4 is that conνincing - 28 .tf3 suggests itselQ
Black's options are reduced. For 4 g3 28 ... ~a2 29 ..tf3 ~b2 30 h4 ~xb5 ~-~.
d5, see Game 78 and for 4 h4, see b) 9... c6 10 b4 a5 11 b5tΩb6 12 bxc6
Game 79. bxc6 13 .txc6 ~b8 14 ..tb5 .tb7 15 ο-ο
4 ... f5 iιf3 16 'i'd3 doesn't look quite
Black's moνe order is also f1exible. enough for a pawn to me, although
His most popular set up is to play Black held the draw with relatiνe ease
... SΙg7, ... f5 and ... d7-d6 followed by ίη Lputian-Kνeinys, European C1ub
... tΩd7-f6 and eνentually into e4 if cir- Cup, Budapest 1996: 16 ... h5 17 h4 iιf6
cumstances permit. 18 e4 fxe4 19 tΩxe4 iιxe4 20 'i'xe4 d5
5 t2Jc3 Sιg7 6 g3 d6 7 Sιg2 t2Jd7 21 cxd5 'i'xd5 22 'i'xd5 tΩxd5 23 a4
Ιηthe next game we examine an al- tΩc7 24 ~ab 1 tΩxb5 25 axb5 ~fc8 26
ternatiνe plan for Black inνolνing a ~fd1 ~c4 27 ~g2 ~b4 28 tΩc3 SΙxd4
quick ... c7-c5. 29 ~xb4 ~-~.
8 e3 ο-ο 9 t2Jge2 t2Jf6 10 b4 I::ί.e8
The natural home for the knight. Black has usually preferred 10... c6
There are also a couple of examples ίη here, which doesn't allow White quite
which Black has tried to interfere with such a free hand οη the queenside, but
the smooth running of White's queen- οη the other hand, giνes him a target
side attack: to attack. After 11 ο-ο there are seνeral
a) Hodgson-Martin, British Cham- examples:
pionship 1993, continued 9... tΩb6 10
b3 a5 11 ο-ο c6 12 ~b1 ~e8 13 'i'd3
tΩd7 (the knight has done its job οη
the queenside and now heads for f6;
although Black has lost a tempo ίη
comparison with playing ... tΩf6 at
once, White, if he wishes to continue
his queenside play, will now be forced
to open the a-file, thereby actiνating
the black rook) 14 a3 tΩf6 15 b4 axb4
16 axb4 tΩe4!? 17 tΩxe4 fxe4 18 ..txe4!
d5 19 cxd5 cxd5 20 iιf3 .tf5 21 'i'b3
..txb1 22 ~xb1 (a typical exchange a) 11 ....:.e8 12 'i'd3 .td7 13 a4 a5 14
sacrifice for this line; when Black' s d- b5 'i'c7 15 ~ab1 iιf8 16 ~b3 ~ec8 17
pawn drops off White will haνe two 'i'b1 ~ab8 18 'i'b2 c5 19 b6 'i'd8 20
pawns and ηο weaknesses) 22 ...'i'f6 23 tΩb5! 'i'xb6 21 dxc5 dxc5 22 ~d1 ..tg7
.txd5 ~a7! (Black's οηlΥ hope is to 23 tΩd6 'i'c7 24 tΩxc8 .txc8 25 tΩc3
infiltrate with his rooks οη the a-file) with a clear adνantage to White ίη
24 b5 ~ea8 25 ~c1 'i'e7 26 ~g2 ~a3 Alexandroν-Noνik, USSR 1991.
27 'i'c4 'i'd7 28 .te4 (White's play b) 11 ... 'i'e7 12 b5 tΩe4 13 'i'd3 ~e8

131
The Tromρowsky

14 ~ab1 ~e6 15 bxc6 bxc6 16 lίJxe4 ble to defend the weakness οη c7. Per-
fxe4 17 i.xe4 d5 18 cxd5 cxd5 19 i.f3 haps Black could have tried 14 ... lίJe4.
~f5 20 'tWd2 i.xb1 21 ~xb1 ~ab8 22 15 cxd5 ~d7 16 iVb3 h4 17 ο-ο g5
~xb8 ~xb8 23 i.xd5 with advantage 18 iVd3 ~h8 19 f4!?
to White, as ίη Alexandrov-Janev, Black's position is extremely ugly,
European Junior Championship 1992. but he was, nevertheless, threatening
The same sacrifice that we saw above to play ... f5-f4. White takes drastic
ίη Hodgson-Martin, but this one is action to prevent this.
even more favourable to White, as 19 ... iVe7 20 .1:ta3 a6!
Black doesn't have as much counter- Black takes advantage of White's
play οη the queenside. awkward piece placement to open the
c) 11 ... d5?! 12 cxd5 cxd5 13 'tWb3 queenside. The weakness οη c7 is be-
i.e6 14 lίJf4 lίJe4 15 lίJcxd5! lίJd2 16 ginning to look less important.
'tWd3 lίJxH 17 lίJxe6 fxe6 18 lίJf4 'tWd7 21 bxa6 bxa6 22 ~c2 .1:tg8 23 ~h1
19 ~xH with excellent compensation Considering that the white king re-
for the exchange, as ίη Fernandez- turns ίη a few moves this move may
Hejberg, Copenhagen 1996. be questioned. White's idea is to meet
lη all of these exchange sacrifices, 23 ... hxg3 with 24 lίJxg3, when his
one of the key factors ίη White's fa- king is obviously more comfortable
vour is that his bishop is much more οΗ the g-file.
effective than Black's. 23 ... .1:tg7
11 b5 h5 12 a4 This looks like a good moment to
It may 100k natural to block the exchange οη f4; after 23 ... gxf4 24lίJxf4
further advance of the h-pawn with 12 10ses a pawn, 24 exf4 i.b51eaves Black
h4, but this would allow Black to play very active, while 24 gxf4 looks risky
... lίJg4, after which White will always but is almost certainly how White
have to be οη the look out for sacri- would have recaptured.
fices οη f2 or e3. The square g4 would 24 .1:tf2 .1:tbg8 25 .1:tc3 .1:th7 26 ~g1
virtually be an outpost for Black, as ~g7 27 .1:txc7 hxg3 28 hxg3 gxf4 29
expelling the knight with f2-f3 will be exf4
very hard to organise ίη view of the
weakness it would create οη e3.
12 ....1:tb8 13 a5 ~h6 14l2Jd5!?
White wishes to exchange one of
Black's most dangerous attacking
pieces, while he may also have felt that
his own knights were treading οη each
other's toes.
14 ... l2Jxd5
After this double-edged move Black
will have to succeed οη the kingside
as, ίη the long run, it will be impossi-

132
 Odds and Ends

White has won his pawn, but Black the pleasant choice between 19 ~c 1
is still very much ίη the game. With and 19 tLJe7+) 16 axb4 'iVd8 17 tLJxf6+
his next move he threatens to play i.xf6 18 d5 with advantage to White .
... i.b5 ίη order to eliminate the crucial 9... tLJc61ooks like a more serious al-
knight which is protecting both d4 ternative. Legky-I.Zaίtsev, Orel 1994,
and g3. White prevents this with a continued 10 dxc5 i.e6! 11 b3 'iVa5 12
thematic exchange sacrifice. ~c1 dxc5 13 i.xc6 bxc6 14 ο-ο f4! 15
29 .. :~θ8 30 .ί:!.c6! ~θ7? gxf4 i.h3 16 ~e1 ~ad8 17 'iVc2 i.f5 18
Judging by the way the game fin- e4 i.g4 19 Φg2 i.xe2 20 ~xe2 i.h6!
ished, Black must have been ίη serious and Black regaίned his pawn with the
time-trouble. better game. Perhaps exchanging οη c5
31 ~d3 .ί:!.b8 is wrong; 10 'iVd2 or 10 ο-ο look bet-
It is already much less promίsing to ter.
take the exchange, as Black 1S now 10 exd4 tΔc6 11 'iVd2 f4!?
liable to lose his f-pawn. Α previous Sokolov game had gone
32 .ί:!.b6 .ί:!.χb6 11 ... ~e8 12 ο-ο i.d7 13 ~ab1 ~c8 14
White's passed pawn will now de- ~fdl b6 15 b3 a6 16 c5! dxc5 17 dxc5
cide the game, but other moves were tLJb8 18 cxb6 'iVxb6 19 tLJd5 with ad-
also hopeless. vantage to White ίη I'Sokolov-Spasov,
33 axb6 jιb5 34 ~c3! jιxθ2 35 Bourgas 1992. The text frees the black
~c8+ jιf8 36 .ί:!.Χθ2 1-0 position for mίnimal cost.
12 gxf4 'iVh4 13 d5 tΔθ7 14 ο-ο tΔf5
15 tΔg3 tΔh6?
Over-optimίstic. After 15 ... 'iVf6 16
tLJxf5 i.xf5 Black has good compensa-
tion for the pawn according to Sok-
1 d4 tΔf6 2 jιg5 g6 3 jιxf6 exf6 4 010V.

e3 f5 5 tΔθ2 jιg7 6 g3 ο-ο 7 jιg2 d6 16 tΔce4 tΔg4 17 h3 tΔf6 18 tΔg5

8 c4 c5!? tΔh5 19 tΔxh5 'iVxh5 20 'ith2 jιh6
Α logical idea attempting to bring
his king' s bishop into the action. Ιη
many of the variations of the previous
game it was a mere spectator.
9 tΔbc3 cxd4
9... tLJd7 looks a little passive. Ku-
min-Fίlipovic, Rimavska Sobota 1996,
continued 10 ο-ο a6 11 'iVd2 ~b8 12
~ad1 ~e8 13 a3 'iVa5 14 b4! cxb4 (if
Black takes the a-pawn, he loses his
queen after ~a 1, ~fb 1 and i.d5) 15
tLJd5! tLJf6 (15 ... 'iVxa3 16 ~a1 'iVb3 17
~fb1 'iVxc4 18 ~xb4 'iVc6 gives White 21 'itg3!

133
The Trompowsky

Αη extremely elegaπt way to re- 4:Jb3 ~e8 16 a4 4:Jf8 17 '*IVd2 .i.g4 18 b5

move the queen's οηlΥ flight square. '*IVd7 19 a5 with some initiative for
21 ... f6 22 SΙf3 1-0 White.
9 ... dxe4 1 Ο liJxe4 .tc7 11 'iVd2?!
Ye gives 11 d5! as slightly better for
White.
11 ... liJb6 12 0-0-0 Φf8 13 Φb 1 Φg7
14 tbf4 a5! 15 J:[he1 a4 16 a3 liJd5!
1 d4 liJf6 2 .tg5 g6 3 iιxf6 exf6 4 17 liJd3 .ta5 18 c3 b6 19 liJb4
g3 d5!? .txb4 20 cxb4 iιθ6

Play is now quite similar to certain Black's grip οη d5 gives him aπ

lines from Chapter 8 (see Games 63 edge, but Salov soon maπaged to set
aπd 67), although this is a slightly infe- up aπ impregnable position with some
rior version for Black as he has wasted timely exchaπges οη d5.
a tempo οη ... g7-g6 (the bishop be- 21 tbc3 ~d7 22 h4 J:[hd8 23 iιθ4
longs οη d6 rather thaπ g7). J:[a7 24 ~d3 b5 25 iιxd5! SΙxd5 26
5 .tg2 c6 liJxd5 ~xd5 27 J:[e4 J:[ad7 28 ~θ3
As just mentioned 5... .i.g7 is a little J:[d6 29 J:[d3 ~f5 30 Φc2 J:[d5 31
doubtful. Lobron-Xie Jun, Amster- Φc3 'iVh3 32 Φc2 ~d7 33 Φd2 ~d6
dam 1994, continued 6 e3 ο-ο 7 4:Jd2 34 Φc3 J:[f5 35 'it>c2 'ij'd5 36 f4 ~d6
c6 8 4:Je2 4:Jd7 9 c4 dxc4 10 4:Jxc4 4:Jb6 37 'it>c3 'iid5 ΥΖ - ΥΖ
11 4:Ja5 with aπ edge for White.
6 e3 .td6 7 liJd2 liJd7 8 liJe2 h5 9
e4!?
9 c4!? looks like a good alternative,
while ίη Adams-Xie Jun, Cap DΆgde
1994, White preferred to block Black's 1 d4 liJf6 2 iιg5 g6 3 iιxf6 exf6 4
kingside advaπce with 9 h4. Play con- h4
tinued 9... 4:Jb6 10 b3 Φί8 11 c4 .i.c7 The most straightforward way οί
12 liJc3 i,e6 13 c5 liJd7 14 b4 Φg7 15 creating play against a fiaπchettoed

134
 Odds and Ends

position is to throw your rook's pawn pieces back into the game. 15 lbd3
at it. Aggressiνe players are often υη­ would haνe been a safer option.
able to resist such temptations. Usu- 15 ... fxg4 16 e4 ~g5 17 exd5 'fif6
ally White plays e2-e3 first, but it 18 lLJe4 ~xf4 19 lLJxg5 ~xd2+ 20
doesn't make much difference. Here Φχd2 cxd5 21 :de1+ 'itί>f8 22 hxg6
are a couple οί other examples οί the fxg6 23 :xh7?
h-pawn charge after the moνes 4 e3 Rather careless; both 23 lbxh7+ and
iιg7: 23 lbe6+ look good for White.
23 ...:xh7 24lLJxh7+ Φf7 25 :e5
25lbg5+ 'it>f6 26lbh7+ is a draw.
25 ...:e8 26 ..txd5+ 'itί>g7 27 ~xb7??
The οηlΥ explanation for such a
blunder is that White must haνe imag-
ined he had already exchanged οη e8.
After 27 ~xe8 iιxe8 28 iιxb7 ~xh7
29 b3 White's passed pawns ensure
that he is still νery much ίη the game.
27 ... lLJc4+ 0-1

a) 5 h4 b6 6 h5 SΙb7 7 c4 d6 8 lbc3
lbd7 9 lbge2 ί5 1Ο 'iVa4 ο-ο 11 hxg6
hxg6 12 lbf4 lbf6 13 c5 c6 14 cxd6
'iVxd6 15 'iVb3 lbg4 16 iιe2 ~fe8 17 1 d4 lLJf6 2 ~g5 d6
~d1lbxe3! 18 fxe3 ~xe3 19 ο-ο i.xd4 There are a couple of other rare
20 ~d4 'iVxd4 21 'iVc4 'iVxc4 22 i.xc4 second moνes which are worth look-
'it>g7 with adνantage to Black ίη Hodg- ing at:
son-Nilsson, Copenhagen 1996. a) 2... c6 3 i.xf6 (White often plays 3
b) 5 lbe2 b6 6 lbf4 d5?! (what a c3, but this is rather passiνe; Black can
funny moνe to play after ... b7-b6!) 7 reply with either 3...'iVb6 or 3... d5)
h4 h5 8 c4 dxc4 9 iιxc4 iιb7 10 lbc3 3... exf6 4 c4 lba6 (4 ... d5 5 e3 would
iιh6 11 SΙxί7+! 'it>xf7 12 'iVb3+ 'it>e8 13 transpose to Chapter 8, but White
lbxg6 'tWd7 14 lbxh8 'iVg7 15 'iVe6+ should probably play 5 cxd5 as after
~ί8 16 lbd5 lbd7 17 lbe7! 1-0 Va- 5... cxd5 6 lbc3 Black is likely to expe-
ganian-Botterill, Hastings 1974. Α rience some trouble with his d-pawn)
typical Vaganian demolition job. 5 lbc3 lbc7 6 e3 d6 7 lbge2 iιe7 8 g3
4 ... f5 5 h5 ..tg7 6 e3 d6 7 ..tc4 lLJd7 iιe6 9lbf4 ο-ο 10 'iVd3 ί5 11 iιg2 with
8 lLJe2 lLJb6 9 ~b3 ..td7 1 Ο lLJbc3 an edge for White ίη Fernandes-
'fie7 11 a4 a5 12 lLJf4 c6 13 ~d2 Lobron, Debrecen 1992.
..tf6 14 0-0-0 d5 15 g4! b) 2... b6 and now:
Α pawn sacrifice to blast open the b1) 3 c4 iιb7 4 lbc3 e6 5 e4 (οί
centre and bring White's queenside course 5 lbf3 would transpose into the

135
The Trompowsky

Queen's Indian) 5... h6 6 .txf6 'i'xf6 7 now enters a period of mass simplifi-
lZJf3 g6 8 .td3 j"g7 9 h4 lZJc6 10 e5 cation, from which White emerges
'i' e7 with a double-edged game, as ίη with a νery small edge.
Gutman-Bewersdorff, Frankfurt 1990. 15 ... bxc4 16 d5 cxd5 17 tΔcxd5
The position is of course from the tΔxd5 18 tΔxd5 1:tc8 19 1:td4 Jιf6 20
same family as Chapters 4 and 5, the tΔxf6+ 'ii'xf6 21 1:tad1 .JTιe6 22 .JTιd5
inclusion of c2-c4 giνes White more .JTιxd5 23 1:txd5 1:tfd8 24 1:txf5 'ii'g6
space but leaνes his dark squares 25 e4 1:te8 26 1:td4 c3 27 1:tf3 h6 28
weaker. 1:txc3
b2) 3 lZJd2 j"b7 4 .txf6 exf6 5 e4 28l:Ie3 would haνe kept more play.
'i'e7 6 'i'e2 (after 6 ..td3 f5 7 'i'e2 fxe4 28 ... 1:txc3 29 'ii'xc3 1:txe4 30 a4 'i*'e6
is fine for Black as 8 lZJxe4 is met by 31 '>t>g2 'ii'e5 32 jVc8+ '>t>h7 33 1:txe4
8... f5) 6... g6 7 0-0-0 .th6 8 ~b1 d6 9 Υ:ι-Υ:ι
'i'c4?! (Ι don't like this moνe, which
οηlΥ encourages Black to adνance of
his queenside pawns) 9... lZJd7 10 lZJgf3
a6 11 h4 b5 12 'i'd3 c5 with a good
game for Black Pedersen-Sorensen,
Hernig 1991. 1 d4 d5 2 iLg5
It would be nice to see how Hodg-
son or Adams would deal with 2... b6.
3 Jιxf6 exf6 4 e3 f5 5 g3 tΔd7 6
.JTιg2.JTιe7
Black more often fianchettoes his
bishop, transposing to Game 76 or 77.
7 tΔe2 ο-ο 8 c4 tΔf6 9 tΔbc3 .JTιe6 1 Ο
jVb3 1:tb8 11 ο-ο c6 12 tΔf4 .JTιd7 13
jVc2 a6 14 b4 b5 151:tfd1!?

Ideal for those of you who haνe

taken υρ the Tromp but can't be
bothered to learn a line against the
Queen's Gambit. Ιη fact this line used
to be regarded as a bit of a joke, but
with Hodgson and Adams hammering
away with it for years it has finally
gained some respectability.
2 ... f6
15 c5 would lead to a dour struggle, Dependίng οη Black's reaction, the
but is worth considering. The game games after 1 d4 d5 2 iιg5 can either

136
 Odds and Ends

lead to wild uncharted territory or Or 8... fxg3 9 .Jtxf5+ e6 10 i..h3 with

rather dull sterile positions; 2... f6 be- an unclear game.
longs to the wild ones. 9 .Jtf4 g5 10 e4! dxe4 11 ~c1
2... c5 is the subject of the next game
while ... c7-c6, with or without a pre-
limίnary ... h7-h6, is the subject of
Games 83-85.
3~h4
Hodgson prefers 3 .Jtf4, e.g. Hodg-
son-Lalic, Guernsey 1994, continued
3... tbc6 4 tbf3 .Jtf5 5 e3 (5 c4 e5 is dan-
gerous for White) 5... ~d7 (5 ... e6 is
more solid) 6 a3 g5 7 .Jtg3 h5 8 h3 e6 9
c4 tbge7 10 tbc3 .tg6 11 i..h2 with a
good game for White, as it is not clear
what Black is going to do with his Αη interesting test for your friends
king. would be for them to try and work
3 ...lZJh6 out how this position came about! Ι
3...tbc6 4 e3 e5 5 i..b5 exd4 6 exd4 haven't got a clue what's going οη, but
a6 7 i..d3!? tbxd4 8 tbc3 tbe7 9 tbge2 what is clear is that Crouch's plan of
tbe6 10 ο-ο c6 11 ~e 1 gave White good blockading the light squares doesn't
compensation for the pawn ίη Miladi- work out.
novic-Shabalov, Moscow 01ympiad 11 ... Φθ7 12 c3 ~d5 13 lZJh3 lZJd6
1994. Black has problems getting his 14 ο-ο ~d7 15 b3 lZJc6 16 .Jte3 b5
kingside out; οη 11 ... tbg6, 12 tbd4 17 a4!
looks quite strong. The key move which breaks the
4 e3lZJf5 blockade.
Or 4... c5 5 dxc5 e5 (5 ... e6 is better) 6 17 ... I:ιb8 18 axb5 ~xb5 19 lZJd2 lZJf5
tbc3 iιe6 7 i..b5+ Φf7?! (7 ... tbc6) 8 20 lZJxe4!? ~xb3 21 ~f3
tbf3 iιe7 9 i..a4! ~a5? 10 tbxe5+! fxe5 With Black's queen far away, White
11 "iVh5+ g6 12 'ii'xh6 i..xh4 13 "iVxh4 turns his attention to the kingside; a
"ii'xc5 14 0-0-0 tbc6 15 tbxd5 i..xd5 16 sacrifice οη g5 or f6 is now inevitable .
.u.xd5 1-0 Kosic-Palac, ΑηΖίο 1994. 21 ... Φf7 22 ~h5+ Φg7 23 lZJhxg5!
5~g3 fxg5 24 ~g4 ~θ7 25 ~xg5 Φf8 26
Kosic points out that 5 iιd3 is also ~xθ7+ lZJcxe7 27 ~g5! I:ιh6 28 g4!
playable, giving 5... l2Jxh4 6 "iVh5+ g6 7 Ι really enjoyed this move, which
'iVxh4 i..g7 as unclear. forces open the f-file.
5 ... h5 6 ~θ2!? 28 ... hxg3 29 fxg3 I:ιxh5 30 ~xh5
Ι couldn't resist the crazy variation ~c6 31 lZJg5 Φg7 32 ~h7+ ~f6 33
that follows, but 6 iιd3 may be better h4 iιθ8
as 6... h4 can be met by 7 'ti'g4. Α blunder ίη a hopeless position.
6 ... h4 7 ~h5+ Φd7 8 ~g4 e6 After 33 ... ~f8 the most elegant is 34

137
The Trompowsky

g4!, so that 34 ... 'i'd5 can be met by 35 .tc4+ ~g7 20 ~d1 .tf5 21 'i'c7+ ~h6
tbe4+! 'i'xe4 36 g5 mate. 22 h3 1-0 I.Sokolov-Oll, Parnu 1996.
34 4:Je4 mate This all looks like great stuff, but Ι
One of my personal favourites. wouldn't bet my bottom dollar οη
this line standing the test of time. Two
facts make me suspicious. First, Hodg-
son has discarded this line. One may
argue that this is just because he has an
embarrassment of riches against 2... c5
1 d4 d5 2 .i.g5 c5 3 dxc5 (see the main game), but the second
The other interesting line is 3 e4!? point is perhaps more telling; Sokolov,
After 3... dxe4 4 d5 we have a couple of who won the above miniature against
entertaining examples: 011, chose to defend with precisely
this line when he recently had to face
Hodgson with the black pieces (see
below). It is not unreasonable to ex-
pect that he has some improvements
for Black.
3 ... f6 4 .i.h4 e5 5 e4!
Obviously White must take some
vigorous action.
5 ... dxe4
Ιη Hodgson-I.Sokolov, Groningen
1996, Black declined the offer, but af-
ter 5....te6 6 exd5 'i'xd5 7 'i'xd5 .txd5
a) 4... h6 5 .i.f4 tbf6 6 tbc3 a6 7 a4 e6 8 tbc3 .te6 9 tbb5 tba6 10 f4! .txc5
8 .tc4 .i.d6 9 tbge2 exd5 10 tbxd5 (10 ... exf4 11 .tf2 is good for White) 11
.i.xf4 11 tbexf4 (White has excellent fxe5 fxe5 12 0-0-0 tbf6 13 lLJf3 White
compensation for the pawn) 11 ... 0-0 had a very promίsing game.
12 tbg6! tbxd5 13 tbxf8 'i'a5+ 14 c3 6 'iVxd8+ Φχd8 7 4:Jc3 .Jίxc5 8
tbb6 15 .i.xf7+! ~xf7 16 'i'h5+ ~xf8 0-0-0+ tΔd7 9 tΔxe4 .Jίe7 10 f4!
17 b4!! .i.g4 18 'i'e5 and Black has lost Ι always approve of playing ίη
his queen ίη a most pleasing manner Κing's Gambit fashion.
(except perhaps for him) ίη Hodgson- 10 ... exf4 11 tΔf3
Roder, Bad Worishofen 1995. 11 tbe2 g5 12 tbd4 gxh4 13 tbe6+
b) 4... tbd7 5 lLJc3 tbgf6 6 'i'd2 ~e8 14 tbc7+ ~d8 15 tbxa8 is also
(Adams once played with 'i'e2 but was good for White according ιο Hodg-
less successful) 6 ... g6 7 0-0-0 .i.g7 8 son .
.i.h6 .i.xh6 9 'i'xh6 a6 10 lLJh3 'i'c7 11 11 ... Φc7 12 tΔc3! tΔb6 13 a4 .Jίb4
d6 exd6 12 tbg5 d5 13 tbxd5 tbxd5 14 14 a5! .Jίxa5 15 tΔb5+ Φb8 16 I:td4!!
l:ίxd5 'i'f4+ 15 ~b1 tbf6 16 ~d8+ White wishes to remove the pawn
'ίt>xd8 17lLJxf7+ 'ίt>e7 18 'i'xf4 ~xf7 19 οη f4, as a check οη the h2-b8 diagonal

138
 Odds and Ends

could easily be mate. 1:I.a2+ 55 Wg3 1:I.g2+ 56 Φh3 1:I.g6 57

16 ...l2Jd7 Φh4 1:I.h6+ 58 Φg3 i..e6 59 1:I.h4
16 ... g5 17 tbxg5! fxg5 18 ..txg5 and .ί:tg6+ 60 Wf2 Φe7 61 1:I.h7+ Φd6 62
16 ... a6 17 tbd6 don't save Black. 1:I.a7 .td5 63 1:I.a6+ Wc5 64 1:I.a5+
17 1:I.xf4 a6 18 .i.g3! axb5 19 1:I.a4+! Φd4 65 1:I.g3 1:I.h6 66 1:I.g4+ Φe5 67
.i.c7 20 .i.xc7+ Φχc7 21 1:I.xa8 h41:1.h5 68 Φe3 Φe6 691:1.f41:1.h8 70
Φd4 iιg2 71 1:I.a6+ Φe7 721:1.g4!
72 1Iaxf6? faίls to 72 ...1Ixh4!
72 ... .i.f3 73 1:I.g7+ Φf8 74 1:I.c7
1:I.xh4+ 75 Φe3! .i.h1 76 1:I.aa7! 1:I.e4+
77 Φf2 1:I.e5 78 1:I.h7 .i.d5 79 1:I.h8+
1-0

1 d4 d5 2 i..g5 c6
White's brilliant play has netted This is Black's most solid and popu-
him an exchange but he made heavy lar set-up, a1though he often f1icks ίη
work of converting it into victory. 2... h6 first.
The punctuation that follows is based 3 e3
οη Hodgson's notes ίη Informator. Hodgson often plays 3 tbf3 here,
21 ... b4 22 l2Jd4 l2Jb6 23 l2Jb5+ Φc6 e.g. Hodgson-Petursson, Horgen 1994,
241:1.a5 l2Je7 25 .i.e2 l2Jbd5 26 l2Jd4+ continued 3....tf5 4 c4 ~b6 5 'iVc1 e6
Wc7 27 .i.f3 1:I.d8 28 1:I.e1! Wb6 29 6 c5!? ~c7 7 tbc3 tbd7 8 ..tf4 ~d8 9
1:I.b5+ Φc7 30 c4 bxc3 31 bxc31:1.d7 b4 tbgf6 10 h3 .te7 11 e3 tbe4 12 .te2
32 Φc2 g6 33 l2Je6+ Φb8 34 l2Jc5 tbdf6 13 .th2 tbxc3 14 ~xc3 tbe4 15
1:I.d6 35 c4? ~b2 h5 16 ο-ο a6 17 a4 with advantage
35 tbxb7! ..txb7 36 1Ixe7 tbxe7 37 to White.
1Ixb7+ would have been a fitting fi- 3 ... i..f5
na1e. Examples of ...~b6 are to be found
35 ...l2Jf5 36 l2Ja6+? 1:I.xa6 37 1:I.xd5 ίηGames 84 and 85, albeit with the
.te6 38 1::ιd8+ Φc7 39 .ί:th8 l2Jd4+ 40 moves ... h7-h6 and ..th4 included .
Φd3 l2Jxf3 41 1:I.xh7+ Φd6 42 gxf3 4 l2Jf3 l2Jd7 5 c4 h6 6 .i.h4 g5
.ί:ta3+ 43 Φd4 1::ιa4 The ρίη οη the e-pawn is annoying
Now it is not even clear if White is for Black, but there are less risky ways
wlnnlng. to play.
44 1:I.xb7 1:I.xc4+ 45 Φe3 .ί:tc3+ 46 7 .i.g3 e6 8 l2Jc3 h5 9 h3 i..e7 1 Ο
Φd2 .ί:tc6 47 1:I.b4 g5 48 1:I.d4+ .i.d5 cxd5 exd5 11 i..d3 l2Jh6 12 ~c2
49 .ί:te8 Φd7 50 1:I.e3 1:I.c5 51 f4 gxf4 .i.xd3 13 ~xd3 h4 14 .th2 f5 15
52 1:I.xf4 .ί:ta5 53 Φe1 :l.a1+ 54 Φf2 0-0-0

139
The Trampa wsky

the slight misplacement of the queen.

White has a clear adνantage as the

black king has ηο safe home; if he cas- 5 ... e5
tles long the bishop οη h2 will make Α nice idea, the point being that 6
its presence felt. dxe5 drops a piece to 6.. :iVb4+.
15 ... '::'g8 16 '::'he 1 liJf6 17 liJe5 ~ a5 6 liJf3 e4 7 liJfd2
18 cJib1 iιb4 19 '::'c1 i.xc3 20 '::'xc3 Ιη a preνious Adams-Gelfand en-
liJe4 21 '::'cc1 ~d2 22 ~b3 ':g7 23 counter, Chalkidίki 1993, White tried
f3! ~xθ1 24 fxe4 7 lbe5, but after 7.. .lbd7 8 'iVh5 lbxe5
Obνiously not 24 ~xe1? lbd2+, but 9 'iVxe5+ iιe6 10 .te2 'iVb4+! 11 c3
the text ensures White of a powerful 'iVd6 Black had equalised.
attack ίη return for his exchange. 7 ...liJe7 8 c4 liJf5 9 i.g3 liJxg3 1 Ο
24 ... ~a5 25 'iVd1 dxe4 26 'i!Vh5+ hxg3 i.e6 11 iιθ2 liJd7 12 a3 iιθ 7
liJf7 27 liJc4 'i!Vd5 28 liJd6+ cJid7 29 12 ... 'iVd8 is another idea, intendίng
':c5 .:!.h8 30 'i'd1 liJxd6 31 nxd5 to deνelop his bishop οη the more
cxd5 32 i.e5 '::'gh7 33 'i'a4+ Φθ6 34 actiνe d6 square.
'ij'xa7 ':d8 35 'ij'b6 '::'dd7 %-% 13 liJc3liJf6 14 b4 ο-ο 15 ':c1 'i'd8
16 liJb3 b6 17 c5 a5?!
17 ... b5 18 a4 a6 would haνe been
more solid.
18 bxa5 bxc5 19 dxc5 liJd7 20 liJd4!
'i'c7 21 a6 liJxc5 22 ο-ο ]:Hc8 23
1 d4 d5 2 i.g5 c6 3 e3 liJa2! i.d7 24 liJb4 'i'd6 25 'i!Vc2 i.f8
3 lbf3 h6 4 iιh4, which preνents 26 ':fd1 g6 27 ':d2 h5 28 liJb3
the ... e7-e5 idea, is the subject of the liJxb3 29 'i!Vxb3 ~θ6 30 'iVd1 i.e7 31
next game. liJc2 ~f6 32 nb1 ':a7 33 liJb4 nca8
3 ... h6 4 i.h4 'i'b6 5 b3 34 'i'c1 'i!Vd6 35 '::'b3 '::'c8 36 '::'c3
White always used to play 5 'iVc1 '::'cc7 37 i.d1 i.f6 38 '::'c4 i.e6 39
here, but the experts seem to haνe i.e2?
concluded that the slight weakening of Better was 39 ~c5 with a roughly
the dark squares is less important than leνelgame.

140
 Odds and Ends

39 ... c5! 40 lίJxd5 6 e3 e6 7 ~d3 iιxd3 8 ~xd3 lίJd7 9

White giνes υρ a piece as 40 l2Ja2 d4! ο-ο ~e7 10 ~xe7 lίJxe7 11 c4 ο-ο
will also cost him quite dearly. 12 lίJc3 ~a6 13 1:!.fd1 lίJb6?!
40 ... ~xd5 41 ~d1 1:!.d7 42 1:!.xe4 Hodgson prefers 13 ...1'lfd8 with a
~c6 43 1:!.e8+ ~g7 44 1:!.b8 c4! 45 leνel
game.
1:!.b7 c3! 46 ~b5 ~xb5! 47 1:!.xb5 14 1:!.dc1 dxc4 15 ~f1 lίJd7 16 bxc4
cxd2 48 ~xd2 ~c4 49 'iVb4 ~xb5 c5 17 d5 1:!.ad8 18 1:!.ab1 exd5 19
50 ~xb51:!.d6 cxd5 ~xf1 + 20 ~xf1
Once the a-pawn drops the rest will White's passed d-pawn assures him
be νery easy. of a faνourable endgame.
51 e4 1:!.e6 52 ~d3 1:!.exa6 53 'ith2
1:!.xa3 54 ~d6 1:!.3a6 55 ~d3 1:!.a1 56
f41:!.c1 57 g4 hxg4 58 ~e2 1:!.aa1 59
~g31:!.a3+ 0-1

"j,(;,T.i" ...:"" Game8~"

'. ;\,i{i;;,.;~]",()ςlgson-Adianto
i'" '~i~j{it~:~.λjrmsterdam 1996

1 d4 d5 2 iιg5 h6 3 ~h4 c6 4 lίJf3

'iib6 5 b3 ~f5
Other possibilities are:
a) 5... a5 6 a3 ~f5 7 c4 e6 8l2Jc3 l2Jd7 b6 21 a4 f5 22 a5 lίJc8 23 lίJb5
9 l2Ja4 ~a7 10 e3 ~e7 11 iιxe7 l2Jxe7 bxa5?!
12 ~d3 iιxd3 13 ~xd3 ο-ο 14 ο-ο ~a6 Οη 23 ... l2Jf6 Hodgson intended 24
151'lfcl1'lfc8 16 ~H (a faνourite moνe l2Jxa7!? l2Jxa7 25 axb6 l2Jc8 26 1'lxc5,
of Hodgson's ίη this line) 16 ... b6 17 when ίι will ηοΙ be easy for Black to
cxd5 ~xH+ 18 ΦχΗ cxd5 19 Φe2 f6 deal with the passed pawns.
with a leνel game ίη Hodgson- 24 lίJc7 1:!.π 25 1:!.b5 lίJcb6 26 1:!.xa5
Βabuήη, Isle of Man 1996. lίJf6 27 1:!.cxc5 1:!.dd7 28 1:!.xa7 lίJfxd5
b) 5... l2Jd7 6 e3 e5 7 iιg3 exd4 (7 ... e4 29 lίJxd5 1:!.xd5 30 1:!.cc7 1:!.xc7 31
would be less good than ίη Game 84 as 1:!.xc7
there Black's queen's bishop was free If Black's f-pawn were back οη f7 he
Ιο go Ιο e6; to deνelop ίι now, Black would haνe fair drawing chances; with
will haνe to moνe his knight οη d7 ίι οη f5 they are νery slim.
again and ίι hasn't got a better square 31 ... lίJd7 32 lίJd4 lίJf6 33 1:!.a7 g6 34
than d7) 8 exd4 l2Jgf6 9 iιd3 iιe7 10 h4 f4? 35 lίJc6! 1:!.d7 36 1:!.xd7 lίJxd7
ο-ο ο-ο 11 lie1 1'le8 12 c4 l2Jf8 13 c5! 37 exf4 lίJc5 38 'ite2 'itg7 39 lίJd4
~d8 14 h3! l2Jg6 15 l2Jc3 l2Jh5 16 lίJb7 40 g4 lίJd6 41 'itf3 h5 42 g5
..txg6! (securing e5) 16 ... fxg6 17 iιh2 Φπ 43 f5 gxf5 44 'itf4 ~g6 45 f3
..tf8 18 l2Je5 with a plus for White, lίJb7 46 lίJxf5 lίJc5 47 lίJd4 lίJd3+ 48
Adams-Lautier, Groningen 1995. ~g3 1-0

141
The Trompowsky

Summary
2... g6 is by far the most popu1ar second move alternative to the standard 2...tbe4,
2 ... e6, 2 ... c5 and 2 ... d5, and it almost warrants a chapter οί its own. Near1y al1
white players now opt to fianchetto their king's bishop and pawn storm οη the
queenside. 8... c5 (Game 77) is perhaps the best way for Black to fight for the ίηί­
tiative, although more tests are required before any sort οί definitive judgement
can be made. 1 d4 d5 2 iιg5 is certainly a reasonab1e alternative to burning the
mίdnight οί1 οη the Queen's Gambit, although it is not easy for White to prove
any advantage agaίnst the solid lines with ... c7-c6.

1 d4lLJf6
1... d5 2 iιg5 (D)
2 ... f6 - Game 81
2 ... c5 - Game 82
2 ... c63 e3 (D)
3... .tf5 - Game 83
3... h6 4 .th4 'iVb6 - Game 84
2 ... h6 3 .th4 c6 4 tbf3 - Game 85
2 iιg5 g6
2 ... d6 - Game 80
3 i-xf6 exf6 (D) 4 c4
4 e3 - Game 77
4 g3 - Game 78
4 h4 - Game 79
4 ...f5 - Game 76

2 i-g5 3 e3 3 ... exf6

142
Adams-Adorjan, Manila Olympiad 1992..................................................................... 21
Adams-Gelfand, Belgrade 1995 .................................................................................. 140
Adams-Georgiev.Kir, Elenite 1993 ............................................................................. 29
Adams-Karpov, Las Palmas 1994 ................................................................................ 83
Adams-Leko, Cap DΆgde Rapidplay 1996 ................................................................. 87
Adams-Short, English Championship 1991 ............................................................... 134
Adams-Xie Jun, Hastings 1996/97 .............................................................................. 36
Alburt-Shaked, USA Championship 1996 .................................................................. 27
Aleksandrov-Loginov, Kstovo 1994 ........................................................................... 54
Alexandrov-Nadirhanov, Krasnodar 1995 ................................................................ 92
Bellon-Kouatly, Brussels 1987 ...................................................................................... 95
Bellon-Mikhalchishin, Hastings 1985 ....................................................................... 116
Benjamin-Popovic, Moscow Olympiad 1994 .............................................................. 45
Bezold-Bischoff, Altensteig 1994 .................................................................................. 80
Bibby-Ward, British Championship 1992 .................................................................... 65
Casagrande-Gallagher, Biel1996 ................................................................................ 52
Cheρukaitis-Atalίk, St Petersburg 1994 .................................................................... 126
Chepukaitis-Tunik, St Petersburg 1994 .................................................................... 128
Chepukaitis-Yemelίn, St Petersburg 1996 ................................................................ 102
Conquest-Panno, Buenos Aires 1994 ........................................................................... 94
Conquest-Xie Jun, Hastings 1996/97 ......................................................................... 37
Cooper.L-Gufeld, Hastings 1992 ................................................................................. 40
Depasquale-Kudrin, London 1986 .............................................................................. 49
Gallagher-Anthony, National Club Championship 1985 ......................................... 97
Gallagher-Crouch, Nottingham 1987 ....................................................................... 136
Gallagher-Hartston, British Championship 1985 .................................................... 114
Gerstner-Kishnev, Berlin 1992 .................................................................................. 124
Gilles-Gallagher, Bem 1995 ......................................................................................... 19
Gurevich.M-Wolff,PalmadeMallorca 1989 ........................................................... 119
Hall-Κhalίfman, Vienna 1996 ..................................................................................... 83
Hodgson-Adams, Wijk aan Zee 1993 ......................................................................... 53
Hodgson-Adianto, Amsterdam 1996......................................................................... 141
Hodgson-Akesson, Copenhagen 1996 ....................................................................... 127
Hodgson-Davies, London 1991 .................................................. :.............................. 130
Hodgson-Fedorowicz, Cannes Rapidplay 1992 ........................................................ 93

143
Index of Complete Games

Hodgson-Frias, London 1990 .................................................................................... 117

Hodgson-Gabriel, Horgen 1995 .................................................................................. 86
Hodgson-Gluckman, Lloyds Bank Masters 1992 ....................................................... 73
Hodgson-Granda Zuniga, Amsterdam 1996 ............................................................ 76
Hodgson-Hjartarson, Mermaid Beach Club, Bermuda 1997 ................................. 104
Hodgson-Howell, Great Britain 1991 ........................................................................ 67
Hodgson-Jonsson, Reykjavik 1989 ............................................................................. 18
Hodgson-Kengis, Bem 1995 ........................................................................................ 25
Hodgson-Lputian, Hastings 1986 ............................................................................... 71
Hodgson-Magem, Horgen 1995 .................................................................................. 81
Hodgson-Martin, British Championship 1992 ......................................................... 119
Hodgson-Miles, Kuala Lumpur 1992 .......................................................................... 62
Hodgson-Panchenko, Bem 1994 ................................................................................ 42
Hodgson-Salov, Wijkaan Zee 1993 ............................................................................ 47
Hodgson-Tiviakov, Groningen 1994 ........................................................................ 118
Hodgson-Van der Wiel, Amsterdam 1994 ................................................................ 89
Hodgson-Van Wely, Horgen 1995 ............................................................................ 138
Hodgson-Ward, British Championship 1991 .............................................................. 72
Hodgson-Wells, Copenhagen 1996 .............................................................................. 15
Hodgson-Yermolinsky, Hastings 1995/96 ................................................................ 39
Hodgson-Yudasin, New York 1994 ............................................................................ 79
IIlescas-Gallagher, Alicante 1985 ................................................................................. 59
Iuldachev-Serper, Tashkent 1993 ............................................................................... 105
Ivanchuk-Adams, Belgrade 1995 ................................................................................. 74
Kosic-Shipov, Belgrade 1994 ......................................................................................... 51
Kovacevic.V-Smirin, Zagreb Zonal1993 ................................................................... 22
Landenbergue-Vaganian, Biel1994 ........................................................................... 32
Landenbergue-Walther, Silvaplana 1993 .................................................................. 28
Lputian-Vescovi, Moscow Olympiad 1994 ................................................................ 125
McDonald-Lukacs, Budapest 1995 ............................................................................. 113
Miles-Kasparov, Horgen 1994 ...................................................................................... 74
Miles-Matamoros, Ubeda 1997 .................................................................................. 105
Miles-Yusupov, Groningen 1994 ............................................................................... 139
Nesterov-Urban, Katowice 1992 ............................................................................... 135
Nielsen-Danielsen, Danish Championship 1994 ...................................................... 109
Piket-Gurevich.I, Biel Interzonal1993 ..................................................................... 112
Rahman-Thipsay, London 1991 .................................................................................. 96
Rausis-McShane, Hastings Challengers 1996/97 ........................................................ 57
Salov-Van der Sterren, Biel Interzonal1993 ............................................................. 35
Salov-YeJiangchuan, Tilburg 1994 .......................................................................... 134
ShabaIov-Kreiman, USA Championship 1994 ......................................................... 107
Sokolov.I-Har Ζνί, Wijk aan Zee 1993 .................................................................... 133
Sokolov.I-Smirin, Wijk aan Zee 1993 ......................................................................... 26
Speelman-Brynell, Copenhagen 1996 .......................................................................... 70
Terentiev-Gallagher, Liechtenstein 1990 .................................................................... 30
Timman-Κarpov, Amsterdam 1993 ............................................................................ 69
Tolnai-Adorjan, Budapest 1995 .................................................................................... 98
Vaganian-Kupreichik, USSR 1974 ........................................................................... 100
Wall-Sadler, British Championship 1996 ................................................................... 122
Yuldachev-Zagrebelny, Uzbekistan 1993 .................................................................. 58

144
 1η the past few years the Trompowsky Attack (1 d4
Nf6 2 Bg5) has risen from relatίve obscurity to
becoωe one of White's most popular queen's
pawn openings. Largely inspired by the Englisl1 grandιnasters
Julian Hodgson and Micl1ael Adams, the 'ΤroωΡ' has been
enthusiastίcally taken up by club players and graπdωasters

alike, and 11as become one of tl1e ωοst potent weapons at

Wιύte's disposal. From tlle second ωοve White sets 11iS ορρο­
nent unusual and diffιcult problems; one false Blove and
Black can often be swamped by a quick attack, as countless
victίms will testίfy.

Ιη tllis book Graπdωaster Joe Gallagher explains tlle strat-

egy and tactίcs of tlliS excitίng opening. Tllrough the use of
Illodel gaωes for bOtll sides, tl1e autll0r provides a tl1orougll
grounding ίπ tl1e key ideas, so tllat readers can qιIickly and
rr."fldel1tlv s.tart to use the Trσιnpowsky ίη tl1eiI" OWI1 games.
Ι
sky,

ctίcs for

ιrt playing

ISBN 1-901259-09-9

Ι
9 781901 259094
111111