THE

CLOSED
SICILIAN
THE CLOSED SICILIAN

V Ravikumar

TOURNAMENT CHESS
AU rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electrostatic, magnetic
tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other-
wise, without prior permission in writing from the pu-
blishers. THE CLOSED SICILIAN

Published by:
TOURNAMENT CHESS
51 Cissbury Crescent
Saltdean
Brighton
East Sussex
BN28RH
ENGLAND

Copyright (c) TOURNAMENT CHESS

First edition 1993

ISBN 1 85932 025 2

ISSN o 0276 7090
Bibliography

Many books and sourees were consulted in the re- CONTENTS

search of this work and the following are to be re-
ferred to as of particular importance and for having
provided the author with much material.
Bibliography 6
Chess Informant Volumes 1- 56 Symbols 6
Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings Volume B Introduction 9
Skakmathy Foreward 11
The Closed Sicilian Pickett & Swift
The Chess Player Chapter1
Sicilian Defence Gligoric & Sokolov 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 11
Tournament Chess Volumes 1 - 48
Batsford Chess Openings Gamel Speelman - Sunye Neto, Graz 1981 13
Schachwoche Game 2 Lima - Makarychev, Seville 1990 17
Winning with the Closed Sicilian Lane Game 3 Ibrahimov - Tolnai, Budapest 1992 19
as weB as various other magazines & periodicals Game 4 Short - Hjartarson, European Club Ch 1990 21
GameS Short - Sveshnikov, European Club Ch 1992 24
Game 6 Kiernan - Veingold, Manila Olympiad 1992 26
Game 7 Spassky - Kasparov, Bugojno 1982 28
Symbols Game 8 Lane - Nunn, Stroud 1980 32
Game 9 Fischer - Spassky, Belgrade (17)1992 35
! Good move
!! Very strong or brilliant move Chapter2
Mistake 2 g3 4)c6 and White plays cl 40
?
11 Blunder
!? Interesting move Game 10 Chandler - Cebalo, Vrsac 1981 40
?! Dubious move Game 11 Ravikumar - Kirov, Copenhagen Open 1980 43
Equal or balanced position Game 12 Rajkovic - Filip, Kragujevac 1977 45
=
N Novelty Game 13 Korchnoi - Karpov, World Ch, Baguio 1978 46
1-0 White won Game 14 Trapl- Vogt, Bundesliga 1992 49
0-1 Black won
White has a slight advantage Chapter3
± 2 g3 with White playing 4)c3
Black has a slight advantage 52
=1=
± White has the upper hand
=F Black has the upper hand Game 15 Short - Kasparov, Tilburg 1991 52
±± White has a winning advantage Game 16 Davies - Ivanov, London 1992 SS
=F=F Black has a winning advantage Game 17 Spassky - Kindermann, Dubai Olympiad 1986 60
 Introduetion 9

Game 18 Spassky - Hort, Bugojno 1978 62 Introduction

Game 19 Palacios - Rios, Spain 1990 64
Game 20 Donev - Orlowski, Schweiz 1992 66
The Closed Sicilian has attained steady popularity
Chapter 4, on the International circuit. It offers an alternative
2 g3 or 2 ~3 leading to the Main llne 69 method to dealing with the Sicilian Defence sidestepp-
ing the vast amount of theory, typical of variations like
Game 21 Spassky - Hjartarson, European Club Ch 1991 69 the Najdorf and Dragon.
Game 22 Balashov - Pigusov, USSR 1990 74
Game 23 Lane - Sadler, London 1992 79
In the chapters th at follow, I have examined the
Game 24 Castro - Tzoumbas, Manila Olympiad 1992 83
Game 25 Spassky - Beikert, French Cup 1991 86 various forms of The Closed Sicilien with emphasis on
Game 26 Ljubojevic - Quinteros, Mar del Plata 1981 88 the important illustrative games played by experts of
Game 27 L Roos - Abravenel, Clermont Ferrand 1985 90 these variations.
Game 28 Burchardt - Levitina, Manila Olympiad 1992 92
Game 29 Brooks - J Benjamin, Las Vegas 1992 95
I have tried to provide the reader with a clear pic-
Game 30 Balashov - Shirov, Klaipeda 1988 99
Game 31 Ljubojevic - A Rodriguez, Biel 1985 101 ture and understanding of these lines. I have also fur-
Game 32 Conquest - Cvitan, Forli 1992 104 nished interesting ideas and theoretical novelities
Game 33 Hjartarson - Arnason, Reykjavik 1992 107 through the games with refined notes.
Game 34 Spassky - Hjartarson, Belfort 1988 111
Game 35 Hodgson - Crouch, Scotland 1987 113
The book also includes general plans, strategy and
Game 36 Spassky - GeIler, Suhumi Candidates 1968 115
useful hints that the reader, regardless of playing
ChapterS strength, will find useful
Other White Second Moves 119
I wish the reader every success in his encounters for
Game 37 Timman - Giardelli, Mar del Plata 1982 119
Game 38 Spassky - Sosonko, Tilburg 1978 122 or against The Closed Sicillen.
Game 39 Short - Portisch, London 1982 123 Vaidyanathan Ravikumar
Game 40 Lukin - Shirov, Klaipeda 1988 125 Madras
Game 41 Varnusz - Pogats, Hungary 1979 128
November 1993
 Foreward 11

FOREWARD

After the Opening moves 5 Unusual White Second

1 e4 cS Moves
White can adopt the Closed
Variation of the Sicilian 2 g3
with 2 g3
or2 ~ The move 2 g3 is played
Less popular second with the intention of fian-
moves for White are 2 b3 chettoing the Bishop on g2,
and 2 c4?! which also lead establish control of the
to other forms of Closed h1-aBlong diagonal and the
Sicilian and are analysed in central square dS. This var-
Chapter S. iation of ten transposes in-
to the main line 2 4jc3
We now classify them which is dealt with tho-
into S main chapters as roughly in chapter 4. There
follows: are many similarities in the
1 2 g3 dS positions and features of
or where Black plBDB an these two variations. In
early ... dS chapter 2 I shall restrict
myself to dealing with
2 2 g3 ~6 variations where White
and White plays c3 refrains from developing
his Queens Knight to c3.
3 2 g3 White retains his option
wlth White playing ~. of transposing into the
but Not the Maln llne main line. The development
of the Queens Knight is
4 2 g3 or normally delayed and
2 ~ depends on Blacks defen-
leading to the Maln llne sive formation. This gives

12 Foreward
White the opportunity to
aim for a powerful centre
by c3, d3, d4. This thematic
strategie plan is one of the
main objectives for White
in this line. Black has two
alternatives against this
variation. He can go for an
immediate central break
with 2 ... dS!? leading to a
sharp theoretical struggle.
Alternatively he can
adopt a normal defensive
set up by fianchettoing his
Bishop to g7. In most cases
this would transpose into
the main line.
The Basic position after
1 e4 cS
2 g3
2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 13
CHAPTER 1
2 g3 d5!? or ","henBlack
plays an early ... dS
Black has two main pos si-
2 dS!?
bilities:
2 dS!?
Onteresting) which is
featured in Chapter 1
and
2 4)c6 (regular
set up) which is covered in
Chapters 2-4.
This variation leads to
sharp play in the opening
phase and is one of the ma-
ny weB analysed lines in
the Closed Sicilian. Black
reacts immediately
strike at the centre with 2
... dS!? Before we go into
the analysis let us look at
some useful hints
Black.
1. Rapid development of the
Queen side pieces.
2. Queen side cas tling.
3. To increase the control
over d4, with ... eS, ... f6.
4. Pressure along the d file.
GAMEl
Speelman v Sunye Neto
Graz 1981
1 e4 cS
2 g3 dS
3 edS
The advance 3 eS is a
technical mis take in view
of 3 ... 4:)c6 4 f4 (4 4:)f3
.a,g4+) gS! S 4:)f3 gf4 6 gf4
~h6+.
Another alternative is 3
.a,g2 de4 4 ~c3 (4 -'le4 ~f6
gives Black a tempo and
smooth development) fS S
f3 ef3 6 4:)f3 4:)c6 7 00 eS
8 d3 fle7 9 tt;Je2 ~f6!+ (not.
to 9 ... -'lf6 10 -'le3 tt;Jd611~bS
tt;Je7 12 tt;Jf2± Spielmann v
Bogoljubov, Silac 1932) 11
~hl ~d4! and Black has the
for advantage. 3 ~c3 would
transpose into King's In-
dian defence with colours
reversed af ter 3 ... d4 4
~ce2 ~c6 S d3 eS 6.a,g2 fle7
7 4:)f34:)f6+ ECO.
3 ttdS
The alternative which
14 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS
could be of some surprise
value is 3 ... ~f6 4 c4 (If
White doesn't, defend the
Pawn e.g. 4 -'lg2 or 4 ~c3
then Black would have
a good game with 4 ... ~d5
leading to a Maroczy Bind
set up) e6 5 de6 ~e6 6 -'lg2
~c6 7 d3 ~d7 with some
compensation for the
pawn. Franzoni v Hoelz,
Biel 1980 went 3 ... ~f6 4
!lg2 !lg4 5 ~e2 ~d5 6 00
~c6=.
4 ~J
Laskers suggestion of 4
~f3 is met by 4 ... ~fS! (4
... ~f3?! 5 ~f3 and White is
OK) 5 ~f5 ~f5 6 !lg2 ~c6 7
d3 000 and Black has equa-
lised. 8 ~c6 could follow.
4 .Qg4
5 .Qg2
The passive 5 ~e2? was
played in the game Novo-
pashin v Saharov, USSR
1968 and af ter 5 ... ~c6 6 h3
~d7 7 ~c3 ~e6 8 d3 ~d4
9 ~d4 cd4+ White's Bishop
on e2 is misplaced. Svesh-
nikov suggests 5 ... ~h3!
5 .e6
The best square to check
the White King 5 ... ~e4
leaves the Black Queen
vulnerable to ~c3, d3 af ter
the King moves to ft. The
game Merchies v Ferreira,
European Junior Ch 1980
went 5 ... ~e4 6 fi11f1
~c6 7
~c3 ~e6 8 h3 ~h5 9 d3 and
White is a move up in the
main line which arises af ter
5 ... ~e6.
Taimanov v Korchnoi,
USSR Ch 1965 varied with 5
... ~c6 6 h3 ~h5 7 00 ~d 7 8
d3 e6 9 ~bd2 000 10 a3 f6 11
b4± Whites attack on the
queenside is quicker (5 ...
~c6 6 h3 ~f5 7 00 ~d7 8
fi11h2 000 9 d3 e5 10 ~c3 f6 11
~e3 ~d4 12 a3 fi11b8 13
~d2±)' White's develop-
ment gives him the edge.
6 \lift
White avoids the Queen
exchange and gives up the
right to cas tie as af ter 6
~e2?! ~e2 7 fi11e2 ~c6 8 c3
000+ Black has the lead in
development, a weakness
on d3 as a target and a
clear edge in the ending.
6 ~
The older idea in this
line was to force the
exchange of the Bishop on
g2. However this went out
of fashion af ter the Novel-
ty in the game Korolev v
Russakov, Corr USSR 1978
which went 6 ... ~h3?!
2 g3 dS!? or when Black pJays an early ... dS 15
7 b4N cb4 8 a3 b3! (on 8 ...
ba3 9 ~a3±, 8 ... ~c6 9 ab4
~b4 10 ~a3 ~d7 11d4 !lg2
12fi11g2e6 13 c4± White has
the lead in development
and control of the centre) 9
~c3c:o. Trifunovic v Bolko-
chan, Rio de Janeiro 1952
went 6 ... ~h3 7 ~c3 ~c6 8
d3 ~f6?! (8 ... ~d7 9 ~e3
!lg2 10 fi11g2e6) 9 ~e3 b6 10
~g5! !lg2 11 fi11g2~d7 12
~f3± e6 13 d4! cd4 14 ~d4±
~e7 (on 14 ... ~d4 15 ~c6±±
and 14 ... ~d4 15 ~a8±±) 15
Z!adl ~b 7 16 ~ce4 ~d8 (16
'" ~a5 17b4 ~b4 18 ~f6 gf6
19 ~f6±±) 17 ~f6 gf6 18
~f6 1:0. If 18 ... ~f6 19 Z!d8
wins the Queen.
6 ... ~h3 is clearly a du-
bious idea as the following
games also illustrate:
Pachman v Taimanov,
Buenos Aires 1960 7 d4 cd4
8 ~d4 ~d7 9 ~c3 ~c6 10
~c6 ~c6 11 ~d5! N ~d5 12
~d5!lg2 13fi11g2000 144Je3
g6 15 4Jc4 and White has
better chances in the end-
ing.
Pachman v Gufeld, Sara-
jevo 1964 varied frorn the
above with 8 ... ~d5 9 ~f3!
~f3 10 4Jf3 !lg2 11fi11g24Jc6
12 c4± and White has a
slight edge.
7 hJ ,Q,hS
Mestel v Simic, Rakovica
1982 went 7 ... ~f5 8 d3 Z!d8
9 ~c3 ~c8 10 ~e2 h6 11~e3
e6 12 Z!dl 4Jd4 13 ~d2 4Je7
14 ~e2 ~ec6+ and Black
eventually won. White
should have tried 8 ~h4
~e4 9 4Jc3 !lg2 10 fi11g2with
an unclear position.
8 dJ
In the game Fuller v Sax,
Manchester 1979 White
tried the strange 8 4Jc3 000
9 ~e2 ~d7 10 ~f4 ~f3
(White has forced this
exchange without weaken-
ing his Kingside by g4 and
retains the Bishop pair) 11
~f3 e5 12 ~d5± rs 13 d3
4Jge7 14 !lg5? ~d5 15 ~d5
Z!d5 16 ~e7 ~e7 17 ~d5
~d5++ and Black went on
to win the ending with his
material advantage. 14 4Je3
deserves attention.
In Gurgenidze v Bykov,
USSR 1990 af ter 8 ~c3
Black tried another move 8
... 4Jf6 9 4Je2 ~d71O 4Jf4
!lg6 11d3 e5?! (11... e6=) 12
~e2 ~d6 13 ~g6 hg6 14 c4
00 154Jg5±. The control of
the key centra! squares e4,
d5 and the Bishop pair pro-
vide White with a slight
plus in this complex posi-
tion.
8
9 g4
Fuller v Keene, Brisbane
1979 saw 9 ~e3 e6 10 4Jbd2
~f6 114Jb3 ~d5 (11... b6 12
g4 !lg6 13 4Je5 wins an
exchange) 12 ~c5 ~c5 13
~c5 ~e7 14 d4 00 15 c3 e5
Black has superior deve-
16 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 17

lopment to compensate for tial advantage on the Black has to get rid of
his Pawn. White could try Kingside together with the threat to his g Pawn
16 g4 ~6 17 ciJeS ciJeS 18 Blacks lack of develop- and activate his King's
~dS l'Xad819~2 b6co. ment give him a tangible Rook. 20 ... h6 was a viabie
9 .Qg6 advantage. White could alternative. The text allows
10 ~ activate the King's Rook the dormant Rook on hl in-
Suetin v Sveshnikov, via the third rank or open to the attack.
Dubna 1979went 10 ciJh4 e6 up the h file. 21 hS .Q.fS
11ciJg6 hg6 12 ciJc3 ciJf6 13 22 nh4± f6
~e3 ~e7 14 ciJe4± when ii ~ ~~L~ ~! Desperation. Black
Whites pair of Bishops ~î.~~~î.~î. sheds a Pawn hoping to
give him a slight technical .~ ~î.~ ~ complicate the issue. How- 30 ne7!!
edge.
10 ~6
~ '[~ ss
~~~~Fh
~.l ever Whites superior
forces prevail af ter winning
Speelman returns the
exchange which simplifies
U .af4 e6 ~ ~ ~ ... two Pawns. into a won ending. A wise
White has completed his ~ '~1h~ ~ 23 gf6 gf6
24 .Q.f6 t1g8
decision to choose the qui-
ckest path to victory.
development except for the 1h~1h~ ~~~ 2S nd4 (tf7 30 (te7
King's Rook on h1. It is ~9
,;~ .~
~ ~~~~
~~g~
time to commence opera- 31 (te7 rl;e7
tions on the Kingside. 16 ~ ~ii ~~?:)ii 32.af3 1:0
12 gS!? 17 a4 nc8 ~î.~ ~~~î. Sunye Neto actuaUy
Horner v Quigley, Brit- Black declines the ~
~ ~+~~~
~.LM ~ played 32 ... l'Xf7 and re-
ish eh 1982 continued 12 exchange on eS as it would signed in view of the hope-
ciJeS ciJeS 13 ~eS ~d6? 14 aUow Whites Queen to
~ ~ ~.l~1h less ending three Pawns
~f6! gf6 15 ~f3 ~eS 16 l'Xel occupy the centre and 1h~ ~~ ~ ~
~ , ..... z ~ down. A good example of
l'Xb817 h4±. White went on restrain his development ~ ~1h~ .~
z~~w"'~~
the positional attack.
to convert his advantage on the Kingside (17 ... 4JeS x~d.b~.~
Z~Z.~ ~~.",~
0~
~ ~
~ Speelrnan's technique was
~~ ~~ z~ ~
into a fuU point. See games 18 ~eS± L, ciJe4 ciJg3). Mo- impeccable and he also
reover Black can transfer
LJ ~ ~r3J~ showed a sharp tactical
section.
12 4)g8 his Knight to d4 and pres- 26 (tc3!!±± vision.
On 12 ... ciJdS13ciJdS edS surize the weak pawn on White uncorks a fine
(13 ... ~dS 14 ciJeS±) 14 ~e2 c2. tactical continuation which GAME 2
~e7 (14 ... ~e6 15l'Xel~e2 16 18 ~bS ~4 wins an exchange and the
l'Xe2 'i!td7 17 ciJh4± and This reply weakens the game. 26 ... l:!c3 27 l'Xd8 Uma V Makarychev

White has the Bishop pair) diagonals and gives White a checkmate is elementary SevUle 1990
15ciJeSciJeS16~eS±. clear objective. However while 26 ... l'Xb8is met by 27 1 e4 cS
13 (tel 4)ge7 after 18 ... a6 19ciJa3 is ± as ~c6 bc6 28 ~c6 ~d7 29 ~d7 2, g3 dS
14 h4 .Q.hS the Knight springs into checkmate. 3 edS ädS
15 4)eS 4)eS action via c4 exploiting the 26 (tf6 4 ~3 .Qg4
16 .Q.eS:t weakness on b6. 27 (tc8 rIJf7 5 .Qg2 (te6
19 ~4 cd4 28 nd7 .Q.e7 6 ctJfl ~
White's control of the
important diagonals, spa- 20 (td2 .Qg6?! 29 (tb7 t1g7 An interesting alterna-
18 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 19
tive to the main line comes 114JeS±) 114JeS ~dl 12 4Jd7 ing a Pawn storm. 25 ttf4 ~
into consideration 6 ~c2 134Jf6 4Jf6 14 4Jc2. The 17 titeS 00 26 hg6 .Q.g6
~d6!? 7 h3 -'ld7 (the point Bishop pair and the weak- 18 h4 ttb61 27 .Q.g6 hg6
of ... ~d6 is that the Bishop ness of the e6 Pawn con- Black does not realize If 27 ... l!el th en 28 ~g2
retreats to a better square) stitute a slight advantage the need for immediate de- ~c6 29 .o.e4±±.
84Jc3 eS 9 ~e2 f6 10 d3 4Je7 for White. fensive measures. Better 28 titc4 'lJg7
114Jd2 ~c6 12 4Jde4 ~c7 13 10 ~4 4)(6 was 16 ... l!e8 17 hS f6 18 29 titc2 titc6
~hS 4Jg6 14 f4 ~d8! lS fS U g4 .Q.g6 ~e2~f76eS.
12 .Q.f
4 4)d.S 30 nh3 ttf3
4Je7 16~f3 4Jd7CX) Chandler 19 nel ~b4 31 gS! 1:0
v Levitt 1981. However A precise move which Black tries to solve his White is a piece up and
Whites position is pre- keeps the balance. The na- difficulties by jettisoning a now he exposes the Black
ferred due to the relative tural 12 ... ~e7 134JfeS 4JeS Pawn but he goes out of monarch. Black has no
safety of the White King 14 4JeS ~c8 lS h4± leads the frying pan into the fire. counterplay whatsoever,
and the active positioning Black into troubled waters 20 hS f6 hence resigns.
of his pieces. as his Kingside Pawn 21 tite6 .Q.f7
7 h3 .Q.hS structure is shat.tered. The ending af ter 21 ... GAME 3
8 d3 titd7 13 4)feS 4)eS ~e6 22 l!e6 ~f7 23 l!e2± fa-
14 4)eS titd8 vours White who has the Ihrahimov v Tolnai
li ~ ~"L~~L. 15 .Q.g3:t
m.L~~m.Lm.L Bishop pair sweeping
across the board and an
extra pawn. The continua-
Budapest 1992

.~~~ ~. ~ 1 e4 cS
~
~ ~'~ ~~ ~J.
~
tion could be 23 ... -'la2 24 2 g3 dS
-'ld6 l!fe8 2S ~cS l!e2 26 3 edS
~ ~ ~ ~ ~e2 4Jc2 27 ~b7±±.
~~:lt~{)~:lt 22 ttfS!±±
4-~4-~ ~~~
Lh~Lh~ ~.leL~ Lima wisely rejects the
~~{).~.'~tt1
~~ ~ ~ exchange of Queens under
unfavourable conditions: 22
9 ~!1N ~b6 ab6 23 a3 4Jc2 24 l!e7
A novelty which l!ae8 2S l!e8 l!e8 26 ~b7
improves over the earlier Whites active minor 4Jd4. Despite being a Pawn
game is designed to gain pieces and the imminent light Black has enough
control of the eS square. Pawn storming on the Kin- counterplay as oompensa-
White also has the choice gside gives him the better tion.
of preventing Black from game. If now lS ... ~e7 16 22 nae8 White can refrain from
anchoring his Knight on d4 ~d2 ~h4 17 ~h4 ~h4 18 Mter 22 ... ~h8 23 l!e7 capturing on dS although
with c3. c4!±. 4Jc6 24 h6 White's threats
15 .Q.d6 his prospects af ter that are
9 e6 are unstopable. 22 ... 4Jc2 gloomy. 3 ~2 de4 4 .o.e4
Informator suggests 9 ... 16 tite2! .Q.eS 23 .o.e4 g6 24 ~f4 tran- 4Jf6 S ~2 ~4 6 4Je2 4Jc6+.
f6 as a better alternative 16... 00 would be "castl- sposes into the game. 3 titdS
when White would follow ing into it." and unplea- 23 ne8 ne8 4 4)(3 .Q.g4
up with 10 ~e3 e6 00 ... eS santly met by 17 h4 initiat- 24 .Q.e4 g6 5 .Q.g2
20 2 g3 aS!? or when Black plays an eerly ... as
an elegant tactical blow: 12
4'JeS.Q.dl134'Jd7 .Q.e214 ~el
4'Jc2 15 ~e2 ~d7 16 ~ac1
4'Je317fe3 ~c8 18 ~hdl 4'Jh6
to the weakness of the d3
Pawn. So:
~:t~~~
~~

~4)~
~.~~
2 g3 aS!? or when Black plays an early ... as 21

'~:t
~:t'~
19d4!
8 ttd7
~ ~ m .~
.~~ ~ ~ .~
9 ~ f6 ~ ~ ~ ~4-
10 .Q.e3 ~ ~ ~ ~Lb

• ~ ~.L.~4)L.
jt~
~ ~~~:-~
~ ~~.~
~

5 tte6
m:t~~m r~:t
~4)~ ~ ~
~

24
L.~l:::!~

tte6
~

~ ~ .~ 2S ~gl );tf7
Recommended by former ~
~ ~ .~
~
~ ~.l
~ Forced as White was
World Champion Max threatening to sac the
~ ~ ~ ~
Euwe and the logical choice
to play for an advantage.
Cugini v Buzzi, Caorle
..4-M4-~
~~"'/0.
z. z

Lb~Lbg
~~
~~~
~
4- ~~"""i
~~0
....
r-.
M~~
~~~
~~.q~

..
4-
~d.h to the weakness of the d3
Pawn. So:
exchange on c6. However it
makes little difference to
15 d4! cd4 the outcome.
1991 went 5 ... ~e4 6 ~f1 ~~~~~~~§ 16 cd4 .Q.a3 26 );tcS );td7
4'Jc6 7 d3 0-0-0 8 .Q.e3eS 9
10 ~4 16 ... ed4 is met by 17 27 );td7 ttd7
4'Jbd2~g6 10 h3 .Q.d7114'Je4 28 );taS! Resigns
10 eS? seems natural ~ac1 ~b8 18 ~hd1± ± (18 ...
c4 12 4'Jh4 ~e6 13 4'JgS~e8 ~dS fails to 19 .Q.f4~a8 20
14 dc4 fS. Black has a but is in fact an error.
Tactics favour White: 11 ~dS ~dS 21 ~c8 mate; 18 ...
dangerous initiative to .Q.d6 19 ~d4 with 4'JbS to
compensate for the Pawn. 4'JeS!~dl12 4'Jd7~c2 134'JcS
~cS 14 4'Jc2. White is a foll ow >.
Possibly better for 17 bal t$)e7
White would have been 9 solid Pawn up.
11 cl .Q.f3 18 deS feS
h3! .Q.hS10 4'Jbd2 ~dS 11g4 19 .Q.a7± );thf8
.Q.g612 4'Jd4±± so 9 ... .Q.f3 12 .Q.f3 ~3
13 ttf3 eS 20 ttg4 g6
is forced when 10 .Q.f3~g6 21 .Q.b6 );tde8
11 4'Jd2±. White has the The critical moment.
Black could have won a 22 );tacl ~
advantage of the Bishop
Pawn here by 13 ... ~d3 but 23 tha4
pair. The Queen swings to the A pretty finish.
6 ~1 ~ after 14 ~g2 he would have
been in difficulties: 14 ... other side to participate in
7 h3 .Q.hS
~d71S ~cS±.
a mating attack. Blach GAME 4
8 d3 should have exchanged
This is perhaps the most 14 ~g2 0-0-0
The preparations for Queens earlier and Short v Hjartarson
precise move order. Mozes accepted a passive and dif'- Solingen v Reykjavik.
v Nemeth, Eger 1991varied battle are complete. Now
White must hurry. If Black ficult endgame. EuropeanClub Ch 1990
with 8 4'Jc3~d7 9 d3 f6?! 10 23 ... ~b8 1 e4 cS
.Q.e34'Jd4114'Je4 eS?! This is gets time to complete his
development he will have 24 );thd1±± 2 g3 dS
dubious. Mozes now un- The end is nigh. 3 edS thdS
dermines the centre with asolid positional plus due
22 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 23
4 ~3 .Qg4 11 ... ~d8 was probably White just a minute edge. 20 l!h3 4)d4
5 .Qg2 tte6 more precise with the However White could 21 ~4 ~5
6 'lifl 4)c6 threat of ... c4. But the attempt a positional Pawn 22 4)g5 g6
7 h3 .Q.h5 move played is equally sacrifice by 17~f4!? ~h4 18 23 cl!
good as Black parries the ~h4 ~h4 19~f3 with an un-
H~ ~*L.~~L. threat. If 11 ... ~e7 then 12 clear position.
m~~ m~m~ a6 b6 13 g4 !1g6 14 4JeS±±
exploiting the pin on the
16 h5

~H ~ ~~*
~~~~~ ~
long diagonal.
~
~ ~
.~ ~
~ ~.l
~ 12 g4 .Qg6 m~~~~.·?~~m
~ ~ ~ ~ 13 4)114 ~~~.L~.L~
~
~ ~
~4J~1t
~ ~ ~ Sensing that his activity
~ ~~ ~ ~1t
~ ~ ~
1t~1t~ ~11~ on the Queenside
reached an impasse White
has
~ ~ ~1t~
.~

L~4J~ tIJ~~ rtJ ~~~

~~. ~.'"~

~
switches to the Kingside. m ~1t~
~ m ~m
8 ~
Nigel Short the main line
White also obtains
Bishop pair. The logical
the ~1t~
~ ~ ~11~
~
This is not just a casual
move but a requirement of
of ECD. follow up would be to con-
~~
•• J
~N~tIJ~rtJ~~
.~ ~ ~
the position. White pre-
8 d3 is also playable as tinue the Pawn storm with 16 gh51 pares to develop his Queen
shown in the previous h4, hS and activate his Hjartarson wasnt to e2 or b3 exploiting the
two games. King's Rook. pleased to see the shatter- weakness of the backward
8 13 .Q.e7 ing of his Kingside Pawn Pawn on e6. Black has no
9 d3 Black commits a slight structure. This move acce- satisfactory defence
10 a4N technical error. The control lerates White'sattack on against this threat.
A Novelty. White adopts of the important g8-a2 the Kingside. Something 23 e4
a different approach to the long diagonal was impera- more eff'icient is clearly 24 tbe2 cd3
position. Short sets out to tive. The text is passive and called for. Better was 16 ... 25 tbe6 tte6
weaken the hl-a8 long dia- allows White to obtain a 4Jd4! 17 hg6 fg6 18 4Je4 26 ~ l!fe8
gonal by aS, a6. This varies clear positional advantage. 4JdSoo. Blacks centralized 27 l!d3±±
from the standard plan of 13 ... ~d6i1~eS was a pru- pieces and the open f file White has a won ending,
immediate Kingside expan- dent alternative. provide him with the much asolid Pawn up and an
sion and rapid deployment 14 ~6 hg6 needed counterplay. If 17 active Bishop pair. Short
of his pieces controlling 15 h4 00 ~e3? then 17 ... ghS 18 gS neatly pockets the point in
the centre. "Castling into it". Hjar- 4Jg4 19 ~hS 4Je3 20 fe3 just 4 more moves.
Black cant aff'ord to tarson relies on his fully 4JfSoo. White can also try 27 .Q.d6
cas tie on the Queenside in developed forces to repel 174Je4 4Je4 18~e4 gSeo, 28 4)d4 4)d4
view of 11g4 !1g6 12 ~f4i1 the attack on the Kingside. 17 g5 ~4 29 l!d4 .Q.eS
aS, a6. White has the scope In a slightly cramped 18 l!h5 f5 30 l!e4 1:0
for developing a powerful position Black should seek After 18 ... 4JgeS 19 f4 Black spares himself a
attack against the King. exchanges to free himself. 4Jg6 20 ~g4 gives White a very unpleasant ending and
10 e6 15 ... 4JdS 16 4JdS edS 17 gS promising attack. a slow, painful death. To
11 aS l!e8 4Jd4 18 c3 4Je6± gives 19 gf6 ~6 avoid the loss of a second
24 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 25

Pawn he has to play 30 ... 11 nd8N Sveshnikov suggests a tac- plan.

b6 31 ab6 ab6 32 !lgS giving 12 g4 .Qg6 tical solution: 18 4Ja4!? 28
White an overwhelming 13 4.)h4 J1e7 4JaS 19b4! 29 nc6
advantage. Hjartarson's novel idea 18 t!tc6+ 30 ~2
13... .Q.d6!?to obtain a bet- Now Black has the bet- 31 nel
GAMES ter positioning for the ter game because of the
Bishop on eS deserves weakness on the light
Short V Sveshnikov attention. squares and the better King
EuropeanClub Ch 1992 14 4)g6 hg6 position.
15 h41! 19 nh3 c41
1 e4 cS Strangely enough this After 19... fS! 20 gf6 gf6
2 g3 ds logical move increasing the Black would have consoli-
3 eds t!tds tension proves to be a se- dated his positional plus.
4 4)(3 .Qg4 rious mistake. It was 20 na4 003
5 .Qg2 t!te6 essential to weaken the 21 003 00
6 'I1fl ~ long diagonal with 15a6! b6 22 J1b6 nc8
7 h3 .Q.b.s before commencing opera- The logical 22 ... ~d7? is Time trouble sets in and
tions on the Kingside. GM an error and would enable it is a factor in determining
Sveshnikov considers 15 White to force a draw by the final outcome. GM
.Q.d2so as to meet 15 ... a6 repetition of moves by 23 Short has put up a resour-
by 164Ja4± ~c4 ~d6 24 ~d4 etc. ceful defence and has li-
15 a6! 23 t!tg4 t!td7 mited Blacks positional
16 J1e3 t!tc7 24 t!td4 t!te8 advantage. The weakness
17 gs 4.)hs! Of course only by re- of Blacks a6 and c6 allows

~
~~~"
~:'~~""~f
.. ,
/ '"
~ ~
--1:'~L.
.~
taining the Queens did
Black have the chance to
exploit his advantage. The
White to gain counterplay.
The remaining moves were:
32 'i1ilg2 IIJh71
exchange would ease the 33 'I1fl IIJg8
~~~~~~~~
pressure on the structural 34 t!td3 êb7
~
~ ~
.~ ~
~ ~~
~ 35 t!te4 IIJh8
weakness and the backward
~
~ ~
~ ~
~ i'"
..... Pawn on d3. 36 nf3 êd7
~
~
~:'/~
~
jt ~..
~ ~
~ 25 ne3 37 J1cS Ac7!
~jt~
~ ~ ~.o.~
~ 26 nc4 38 b4 ne8
~~ ~M~ ~ 27 t!te4 39 ~ Ab8
L.~ ~0~rJ]~~
28 d4 40 t!tg4 .c7
18 J1c61 More accurate than 28 41 ~2 Aa7
A questionable decision. .Q.cS~cS 29 ~cS ~cS 30 ~b7 42 nd3 nd8
White gives up the flan- ~aS! when the weakness in 43 t!te4 nds!
chettoed Bishop to prevent the Pawn structure and the 44 J1a7 '.a7
the loss of the aS Pawn. exposed White King would 45 ~ nfs
This results in the weaken- pave the way f'or a 46 t!tc6 .b8!
ing of the light squares. straightforward winning 47 nf3! 4)f4!
26 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 27
11 .Q.e3 e6 19 tte3 f5!=i=
Ha1 ~,,~ 12 tte2?
~j:~ ~~~j:~j:
~ ~~~ ~
~
~ ~
~ ~~ ~
~
~ ~ ~J.~
~~ ~~ ~4J~
~ ~
~~~~~~~i~'~/-
r.e%4J~ tIJ ~ rJ;) ~ §
6 .Q.h3
The choice of this var- The triumph of Blacks
iation, early in the opening While the merits of plan. Whlte's domination
48 b5!± 'lih7!
is evidence of the Estonian Whites plan initiated on of the centre collapses and
49 tta6?
Grandmaster's intention to the 9th move are open to the Knight has to retreat to
49 4Je2!±
avoid the main line analy- discussion this analogous a passive square. The se-
49 ttc7
sis. move by White is a serious quence of forced moves
SO b6 ttc6
However the text is inaccuracy. Now Black car- that follows transposes in-
51 cIS ~5!=i==i=
harmless and does not pose ries out his plan without to a pleasant endgame for
52 ~5 I:tf3
any hinderance. 12 4Jge4 Black. Black's Rooks which
SJ ~3 1:t(4! any problems for rus oppo-
nent. The inevitable 4Je4 13 4Je4 was essential were focusing on Whites
54 .d3 ttf3!
exchange of the light to create threats against weak Pawn acquire terrible
SS .d2 J:th4
squared Bishops enables the Pawn on cS and deploy strength.
56 'liel I:thl
57 ~1 .h3! White to obtain a safe ha- rus Queen aggressively on 20 ~ I:tel
58 .e2 .c3 ven for his King on g2 and the Kingside. 21 .e6 .e6
the free Rook on hl.
12 .Q.e7 22 1:te6 J1f6
59 'lidl .aS
7 dJ ~N 13 I:thel ~4!
60 b7
0:1
.d5
Veingold improves on
the previous tried 7 ... ~d7.
14 .Q.d4 004;
15 ~4 ~4
:v.r- '/~
~...~.A.~
~ ~ ~ ~m"+
+~
~
':v.r- '/~
~~.A.
8 ~ ~6 16 ~4 I:tc8 ~ ~~r'1
~ ~ ~ .
GAME 6

Kiernan v Veingold
9 ~5!?
It was this logical move
that White was counting on
17 c4?
This positional mistake
leaves White with an iso-
lated Pawn. Black now has
~~~~~i~
~ ~~1t~ .~
Manila Olympiad 1992 to complete his develop- ~ , •••. z ~ ~

ment smoothly. However a fine positional advantage. 1t~

~ " ~'0'
~ ~~i"/- ...
cS this does not pose any pro- Instead 17 f4 followed by
1 e4 ~~~~.~ ..

d5 blems for Black. 9 .Q.e3!b6 linking the pair of Rooks by

2 g3
ed5 10~d2 intending ~el was a ~fl, ~ael would have been a During the last six
3 ttd5
.Qg4 better alternative. better continuation. moves the position has
4 ~3
5 .Qg2 .e6 9 .Qg2 17 dcl changed sharply. Despite
10 'lig2 ttd7 18 be3 00 the material equality
6 'lifl
28 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 29

Black's superior minor GAME 7 lated Pawn. When Black 4:)f6!lf6 9 ~e2 !le7 10 4:)h3
piece and its dominating commits himself to ... d4 4:)d71100 00 12 !!el !ld6 13
post assures him a strate- Spassky v Kasparov White could undermine !lf44:)f6 14 !ld6 ~d6 15~e7
gically won ending. The Bugojno 1982 Blacks centre and obtain a with a pleasant position for
weakness of the Pawns on 1 e4 cS positional plus. White. A later game Gulko
d3 and a2 spells dis aster 2 g3 e6 White is doing well after continued 7 ... 4:)e4 8 de4
for White. Veingold dis- J udasin v Klaman, USSR S d4 cd4 6 4:)e2 4:)c6 7 00 !le7 94:)e2 00 10 004:)d7?! 11
plays flawless technique in 1978 varied with 2 ... g6 3 ..o.cS 8 4:)d2 d3 (or else c3± demolishing Black's
exploiting these advan- .o,g2.o,g74 4:)e2eS 5 d34:)e7 White recovers the Pawn centre and obtaining a
tages. 6 4:)ec3 4:)bc6 7 4:)a3 d6 8 with 4:)b3) 9 4:)f4! (l>4:)d3±) powerful outpost on dS.
23 l1eel 11c2 4:)c4 !le6 9 00 00 10 4:)e3± dc2 10 ~c2±; Hanov v Zai- Upon 10 ... 4:)c6 114:)f4 !ld6
Black goes for the Pawn ~d7. Whites control of the chik, Moscow 1979 went 6 12 4:)dS!±. ECD considers
on a2 so as to create con- key central square dS gives ~d4!? 4:)f6 (6 ... 4:)c6! 7 ~dS 6 d3 as the main line with
nected passed Pawns on him a slight edge. ~dS 8 ..o.dS4:)b4! 9 !lb3 !lfS reference to Taimanov v
the Queenside. 3 .Qg2 dS gives Black adequate com- Polugaevsky, USSR eh 1965:
24 4)c4 11a2 4 edS pensation for the sacrificed 6 ... !le7 7 4:)ge2 d4 8 4:)e4
25 ~6 .Q.d4 The game has now Pawn). 4:)e4 9 !le4 4:)d7 10 00 00 11
26 111e2 transposed into a King's 7 .o,gSIJ..e78 4:)c3 4:)c6 9 .o,g2 4:)f6 12 .o,gS h6 13 !lf6
26 4:)b7 allows 26 ... !!f2 Indian defence with colours ~a4 00 10 000 ~b6 114:)h3 !lf6=. White's control of
27 ~h3 gS+ +; 27 ~hl reversed. !lh3 12!lh3 h6 13!le3 !lcS±. the hl-a8 diagonal and the
fîd2++. 4 edS 5 4)(6 dS square compensates for
26 l1e2 5 Black refrains from the the Bishop pair and space
27 l1e2 11b8 premature advance in the gained by Black.
28 4)(5 .Q.f6 centre 5 ... d4 in view of 6 6 d4
29 d4 g6 ~e2 !le7 7 4:)e4 ~b6 (7 ... 7 ~4 ~4
30 ~7 ~8 4:)d7 8 4:)d6±) 8 4:)f3 4:)d7 9 8 .Q.e4 ~7
31 ~ .Q.d4 OOt. The most natural reply 8
32 4)c7 .Q.b6 6 &e2 ... 4:)c6 followed by ... ..o.d6,
33 ~ .Q.d8 Gulko v Vladimirov, ... 00 also leads to a good
The Bishop prevents the USSR 1966varied with 6 d3 position. Kasparov played
invasion of the Knight and d4 7 4:)e4 !le7 (7 ... 4:)e4 8 this game 11years ago. He
paves the way for !le4 !ld6 9 ~hS {94:)e2!? 00 was then a young energetic
advancing his connected 10 00 4:)c6 11 4:)f4± . The and very ambitious player.
passed Pawns on the The diagrammed posi- control of the long diago- Perhaps he would now
Queenside. tion was reached by a dif- nal hl-a8 gives White a prefer 8 ... 4:)c6. The text
34 l1e4 bS ferent move order in the tangible edge} 4:)d7 10 .o,gS leads to an interesting po-
35 ctlb4 &5++ Spassky v Kasparov game !le7 114:)f3 h6 12 h4 fîg8 13 sition.
36 4)c6 nc8 --- 1e4 cS 2 4:)c3 e6 3 g3 dS !lf44:)f6+ Smyslov v Trifu- 9 00 4)(6
37 ~4 b4 4 edS edS 5 .o,g2. novic, Moscow 1947 where 10 .Qg2 .Q.d6
38 ctle6 ~ White seeks to weaken Black has neatly collected
the Bishop pair and has a see following diagram
39 4)f4 b3 the hl-a8 diagonal and
0:1 saddle Black with an iso- slight positional plus) 8 11 cl!
30 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 31
play along the f file. Upon
14 ciJc5?.Q.h215~h2 ciJg4 16
24 h3 ~s
25 d4
~gl (16 ~g3 t/1c7 17 f4 Spassky can "t afford to
t/1c5++) t/1h4++ Black's allow the Black Knight to
attack on the Kingside is land on d3 blockading his
overwhelming. Pawn on d2 with a positio-
14 ttd3 nal bind. Hence he accepts
15.3 .3 a weak isolated Pawn in the
16 .Q.f3 centre to free himself from
Spassky's position has a cramped position.
improved with the 25 cd4
Thematie approach. exchange of Queens re- veloped. Kasparov has 26 cd4
White starts to undermine sulting in a complex a powerful initiative due to Worth considering is 26
Blacks Pawn centre imme- endgame . Black' s attack his lead in development and .Q.d2. White could return
diately. Quieter play would was gaining momentum better piece position. How- the Pawn to deploy his
have resulted in a favour- and extremely dangerous. ever the limited amount of Bishop to a good diagonal
able position for Black who White hopes to free him- material on the board and obtain a technieal
has already established a self with d4 when his makes Black' s task edge. 26 ... dc3 27 .Q.c3±.
space advantage and a Bishop pair will play a key extremely diffieult. Espe- However Black could split
powerful centre. role in the ending. 16 ~f3 cially af ter this precise the point by repetition of
U dJ!? .Q.e6 followed by ... ~fd8 move. moves af ter 26 ... ciJd3 27
Typieal Kasparov. he gives Black better chances. 21d4?! cd4 22 cd4 l1el 23 ~f3 ciJe5 28 ~f 4 4Jd3 29
manages to create lively 16 .Q.h3 b3 4Jg4 leads to paralysis ~f3=.
play even from quiet posi- 17 .Q.b7! due to the unpleasant pin 26
tions. 11... 00 12 cd4 cd4 13 Spassky accepts the on the back rank. 27 .Qgs
d3 (13 ciJd4? .Q.g3 14 hg3 Pawn and boldly takes the Whites plan is now the 27 .Q.f4ciJf4 28 gf4 ~e4=.
t/1d4+ leaves White with a gauntlet. Perhaps he was in rapid deployment of his Black regains the Pawn
weak isolated Pawn in the too aggressive a mood. If 17 Queenside with .Q.a3- cS - with a satisfactory Rook
centre) ~e8 and Black .Q.g2.Q.g218 ~g2 l1ad8 19 b3 a7 and leaves his Kingside and Pawn ending. 27 .Q.a3?
commands a microscopie l1fe8 20 ~f2 l1d3 White to its own fate. is met by a simple combi-
advantage. still has problems. 21 W2 nation: 27 ... ciJel 28 ~f2
12 ~4 00 17 nae8 22 ~2 4)g4 ciJc2++.
The hasty 12 ... .Q.f4? 13 18 .Qg2 .Qg2 23 !lig2 fs! 27 h6
t/1a4 .Q.d7 14 ~e1! ~f8 15 19 !lig2 ne2 The obvious continua- 28 ndl hgs
t/1f4± and Blacks King is 20 nf2 nfe8 tion is surprisingly incor- 29 nd3 ne2
misplaced and loss of ma- rect. If 23 ... ~el 24 .Q.b2 30 ~ na2
terial is unavoidable. see following diagram ~e2 25 ~f3 ~d2 26 .Q.a3ciJh2 31 d5 ~
13 ~3 .Qg3 27 ~e4. Suddenly White's 32 d6 'lie8
14 fg3! 21 b3! active pieces and his cen- 'G:'G
This is superior to the Spassky has won a Pawn tralized King position con- The Black monarch
natural recapture 14 hg3. at the cost of his stitute a forrnidable force stops the passed Pawn just
White's Rook comes into Queenside being underde- to deal with in the ending. in time. The sequel would
32 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 33

be 33 !,te3 fitld734 !,te7 fitld6 with 5 ... de4 6 4je4 4je4 14 ~d6 ~d6 15 ~e7 with
35 ~g7 ~b2 36 !,tg5 fitle6 37 7 ~e4 4jd7! 8 4je2 ~e7 9 0-0 White again a little bet.ter)
~g7 !,tb3 resulting in a 4jf6 10~2 ~b6! 74jf3 0-0 8 0-04jc6 9 4Je2
drawn ending. 4 ed5 ~e6 104jf 4± .
Another 6th move var-
GAME 8 iant was Spassky v
Korchnoi, Kiev 1966:6 4jge2
LanevNunn d4 7 4je4 4je4 8 ~e4 4jd7 9
Stroud 1980 d3 4jf6 10 ~2 ~d6 11 0-0
1 e4 cS 0-0 when Black has equal-
2 4)c3 e6 ized.
3 g3 5 cd4 White. The isolated Pawn is
Tseshkovsky v Gorelov, Nunns capture sets the blockaded, the minor pieces
Aktjubinsk 1985 varied with pattern for the rest of the are undermining the d5
3 4jge2 4jf6 4 g3 as 5 ed5 game. The text proves that square and Black has failed
ed5 6 d4 ~4 7 ~2 cd4 8 5 d4 Black is willing to accept to obtain any concrete
~d4 4jc6 9 ~a4 ~c5 10 ~5 Introducing an unusual an isolated Pawn in the threats. 19 ... ~e4 20 ~g4
when Black's isolated Pawn attacking conception. The centre in exchange for un- 4jg6 21~e4 de4 22 4jf5 ~c5
give White an advantage. text is tricky but is a bold dermining the White 234jh5
3 d5 attempt to exploit Black's Queen.
4 edS early advance in the centre. The alternatives are:
Hug v Korchnoi, Biel It is rarely seen on the a) 5 ... ~e6 6 4jge2 4jc6 (6 ...
1986 refrained from the tournament circuit. 4jf6 7 ~2 c4 8 0-0 4jc6 9
early capture by 4 d3 4jc6 5 White hopes to saddle ~5±) 7 ~2 4jf6 8 0-0 ~e7
ed5 (5 ~2!? is p'layab le) his opponent with an iso- 9 ~5 cd4 10 4jd4 4jd4 11
ed5 6 ~2 d4 7 4je4 4jf6 8 lated Pawn. This idea is ~d4 0-0 12!,tadl ~a5 13~d2
4je2 4je4 9 ~e4 ~d6 10 0-0 certainly worth a try espe- and White has a positional
.Q.g411.Q.g2 ~d7=. cially as surprise value. advantage .
Lane v Nixon, Paignton Podrazhanskaya v Segal, b) 5 ... 4jc6 6 dc5 d4 7 4je4
1976 saw a dubious tran- Graz 1991saw the more na- ~c5 8 4jc5 ~a5 9 ~d2 ~c5
sposition into a King's In- tural 5 ~2 4jf6 6 d4 ~e6 7 10~2±. Blacks pieces are in dis-
dian with colours reversed 4jge2 4jc6 8 0-0 cd4 9 4jd4 6 ttd4 4)f6 array. 23 ... f6 24 4jhg7 ~d5
with 4 ... d4?! 5 4jce2 4jf6 6 ~e7 10 !,tel 4jd4 11 ~d4 Superior to Lane v 25 4je7 4je7 26 4jf5 fitlf7 27
.Q.g2 4jc6 7 f 4 e5 8 4jf3 when White is doing weIl. Bologan, Cappelle LaGrande ~g7 fitle6 28 ~e7 fitlf5 29
~d6±. 9 0-0 gives White a Tilenboeva v Herrera, 1992:6 ... ~e6 7 ~2 4jc6 8 ~f8±±.
promising attack. Manila Olympiad 1992 var- ~a4 ~b4 9 4je2 a6 10 0-0 7 .Qg5 Jle7
Instead of 4 ed5 Marja- ied from the above by 6 d3 4je7 114jf4 0-0 124jcei'~c5 8 Jlb5
novic v Masic went 4 ~2 ~e7 (Gulko v Vladimirov, 13c3 b5?! 14 ~dl ~b6 15 a4! A curious concept which
4jf6 5 d3 ~e7 6 4jge2 de4 7 USSR 1966 continued 6 ... b4 16 cb4 4jb4 17 b3! Z'iac8 appears to be anti-positio-
4je4 4je4 8 ~e4 0-0 9 0-0 d4 7 4je4 ~e7 8 4jf6 ~f6 9 18~b2 ~f5 194jd4± nal. Normal is 8 ~2 4jc6 9
and White is a little better. ~e2 ~e7 10 4jh3 4jd7 110-0 see following diagram ~a4 with play against the
Black should have varied 0-0 12 !,tel ~d6 13 ~f4 4jf6 An ideal situation for isolated Queen Pawn as
34 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 35

occurred in Spielmann v 11 tlJe7 loped forces. Now back to the actual

Mieses, Austria 1910.How- 12 tlJe7 ~7 16 dc4 game after 20 !!d4 ~e6 we
ever nowadays expert opi- 13 0-0-0 17 .Q.c6 find
nion is that Black is more Despite now being in the A desirabie trade of mi- 21 a3!!
than OK as he gains super- ending White has not lost nor pieces before Black This coup-de-grece had
ior development. However the advantage as the iso- consolidates with ... .!!hd8. been planned wen in
every rule has an exception lated Pawn remains a tar- 17 bc6 advance. White delivers a
and the text is one of get. By this move Black knock-out punch to the
those. 13 .Q.e6 shows that he seeks vietory wandering King forcing
8 ~ 14 4)e2 ~6!1 at aU costs. His last chance mate in every line.
9 .Q.f6 J1f6 The more sedate alter- was 17 ... ~c6 with a prob- 21 'liaJ
10 tIJcS! native 14 ... .!!ac8 intending able draw after 18 ~d4 ~c7 If 21 ... ~c3 then 22 ~e2
... !!hd8 is preferabie. 19 ~e6 fe6 20 .!!e6 .!!he8 21 mate.
15 nbel r&rcS .!!ed6!!e7 22 .!!6d4ss. 22 4)e6 'lib4
18 ~4 .Qg4 No better is 22 ... fe6 23
19 neS 'lib4 !!c4 aS 24 !!e3 ~a2 25 .!!a4
If 19... ~b6 20 !!d4 Z'!he8 mate.
21 !!gS White will soon re- 23 neS Resigns
gain the Pawn with inter-
est. He has active play and GAME 9
an energetic pair of Rooks
to compensate for the loss Fiscber v Spassky
of a Pawn. Belgrade (17) 1992
The point! Black is pre- 20 nd4 .Q.e6
vented from castling. It is vital to organise a 1 e4 eS
10 ... .Q.c3 True! The King is a rapid and effective defence 2 4:)c3 ~
Apractical decision. It fighting piece and the plan for the King since Whites 2 ... e6 3 g3 dS 4 d3 d4 5
is much better to eliminate of activating the King is a Rooks dominate the posi- ~ce2 fS!? 6 ~2 fe4 7 ~f4
Whltes active Knight than standard technique often tion. Mate is inevitable. 20 ~f6 8 de4 ~c6 9 ~f3 eS 10
to cling to the often sym- used in endings. But this ... .!!ad8 21~d3 ~c3 22 !!g4 ~dS ~e4 11~eS tt;JdS12~c6
bolie and illusory advan- technique is undesirable in cd3 23 Z'!cSmate ~h3 13 c4! tt;JfS 14 tt;Jf3 tt;Jf3
tage of the pair of Bishops. this position because 15~f3 ~d6+ was Kovacevie
10 ... ~e6 gambiting a Blacks pair of Rooks are v Duric, Yugoslavia 1989.
Pawn is a risky venture. 11 still underdeveloped and 3 ~e2
~c6 bc6 12 tt;Jc6 ~f8 13 tt;JcS Whites forces are ideally Fischers setup com-
~g8 14 ~ge2 !!c8 15 tt;Ja7 placed. bines .f'Iuidity with long
.!!a8 16 tt;JcS .!!c8 17 tt;Jb4 is 16 c4! term prospects for activity
unclear. White blasts open the on the Kingside based on
11 bc3 centre with a timely blow achieving f4 and g4.
After 11tt;Jc3 0-0 12 ~e2 revealing the drawbacks of 3 e6
d4 13 tt;Jd2tt;Jb614 ~c6 bc6 the ambitious King ma- 4 g3 dS
Black stands better. noeuvre and underdeve- 5 edS
36 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 37

Opening preparation but xible position. Not the 14 .Q.d2 ne8 ~dS ~dS 24 fJ..dS Z!dS 25
the concept seems a poor tempting 12 ... fJ..f4 13 fJ..f4 15 nel nel 'itlg2 f6.
one. White is unable to fJ..dS14 fJ..h3fJ..e6(14 ... fS is 16 .el .d7 21 ttb7 ~
obtain any tangible advan- interest.ing) 15 fJ..e6 fe6 16 17 g4 22 nel t)b7
tage from the opening. ~e2 ~dS 17 Z!fel Z!ae8 18 An unorthodox concept, 23 .Q.b7 ~b4
Transposing into a King's ~e4 when White enjoys a the intention of which is to 24 .Q.e4 .Q.a2
Indian Defence with co- microscopic plus due to force Black into conceeding 25 .Q.d2!
lours reversed seems to be the weakness of the Pawn the Bishop pair. 17 'itlh2 is
White's best bet: 5 d3 d4 6 on e6. passive and uncharacteris-
{)bl eS 7 .Qg2{)f6 8 0-0 fJ..e7 13 h3! tic of Bobby Fischer.
9 {)d2 and White has the The idea behind the text 17 ne8
option of playing on either is to make a flight square 18 .dl .Qf4
side of the board. as weIl as to try and obtain 19 .Q.f4 .Q.e6
5 eds the Bishop pair. Blacks 20 t)f3 ~b4?
6 .Qg2 proposed plan of ... ~d7
In the 23rd game of the followed by ... fJ..g4harass- ~ ~liI~"
same match Fischer wisely ing the White Queen is also ~:L~~~:L~:L
.~ ~ ~ .~
varied with 6 d3 {)f6 7 fJ..g2 defeated. ~ ~.l~ ~
fJ..e78 fJ..gSd4 9 fJ..f6fJ..f610 In his heyday Ficher was
~ ~ ~ ~
{)e4 fJ..e711{)f4 0-0 12 0-0 lil~ ~\i. ~~" ~
~
~
~
~ ~
~.~.'.''?i~40 ~
famous for bis flawless
Z!e8 13 ~hS g6 14 ~dS and m:L~ ~:Lm:L ~
~7.~jt~~~A
~ Mdb~ handling of the Bishop pair.
White has a slight edge. ~~f'''~ ~ ~ Uttle has changed. The
6 d4
~ ~
~
~ ~ .....

~
~
~.l~
~
A~A~
~ ~ ~.o.~
~
text is designed to flush
7 ~s .~ out any counter chances
Not 7 {)e4? as 7 ... fS ~
~ ~'~ ~
~ ~ "-..3 ~
~~ ~
~
~
~
~"'l/.

based on the advancing c

traps the Knight. ~
~ ~A~
~ ~ ~A
~ The critical point in the Pawn. Now the Black
7 ~6 A~A~~ ~ ~ ~.o.~ game. Spassky commits a Pawns will fall like nine
8 ~f4 ~ ~~ ~N~~~~r'l/. grievous mis take which pins.
9 ~ .Q.d6 , M0~
... z ~ meekly surrenders the 25 Z!cSfJ..blallows Black
10 (}-O (}-O 13 J:1b8 initiative. The text is into the game.
Fischer has drawn a An ambltious approach. essentially the losing move 25 .Q.ds
blank from the opening. Boris is obviously playing which opens up the posi- 26 .Q.ds ~s
Black has a comfortable for an advantage. He pre- tion for his opponents 27 neS ~b6
position with central space pares to centralize his Bishop pair. The sequence 28 'lifl
and smooth development. Knight by ... {)eS, play ... b6 of forced moves leads to a White prevents the
The White Knights stay on and reroute bis Bishop to miserabie endgame for Black Rook from infiltrat-
dS is only temporary. the a8-hl diagonal. If 13 ... Black. ing the seventh rank.
~d7 14 g4 fJ..f415fJ..f4fJ..e616 Spassky could have kept 28 ... f6
11 dJ .Q.e6 ~f3 Z!ad8 17 Z!fel fJ..dS18 the dynamic balance with After 28 ... {)a4 29 Z!c4
12 ~4 .Q.fs ~dS ~dS 19fJ..dSZ!dS20 l'le2 20 ... Z!d8! 21Z!el'itlf8! (21 ... {)b2 30 Z!d4 aS 31 fJ..c3 {)dl
A precise and logical re- and White has a slightly fJ..dS22 ~dS ~dS 23 fJ..dSZ!dS 32 fJ..aS±± the Black Knight
sponse maintaining a fle- superior position. 24 Z!e8 mate) 22 a3 fJ..dS23 is out of play and may ne-
38 2 g3 dS!? or when Black plays an early ... dS 2 g3 .[}c6 and White plays c3 39
ver return. 46 ~4 ~
29 lta5! lte7 47 'lld4 ctlbS
30 .Q.b4 ltd7 48 ~4 ltc3
31 .Q.cS rIJf7 49 ~b5 ltd3 CHAPTER 2
32 ~2 g5 SO ~6 lth3
33 1fIif3 !ik6 Boris has sacked his 2 g3 ~c6 and White plays c3
34 ~4 h5 Knight for three Pawns.
35 .Q.d4 lte7 Unfortunately for him
36 1fIif3 h4 White's forces are harmo-
37.Q.cS lte1 niously placed. The final 2 4)c6 3. Control of the d4 square.
38 lta7 ~5 onslaught combining Rook, This move signifies 4. Build up a Queenside
Bishop and King leads to a Blacks willingness to attack and gain space.
won position. transpose into the main 1 e4 cS
51 'lld5 ltf3 line variations and adopt 2 g3 4)c6
52 ~6 W2 a regular defensive setup 3 .Qg2 g6
53 ltg8 ~h7 irrespective of Whites The text is the most
54 rIJf7 lta2 move order. The different common setup. Black will
SS ltg7 ~h6 objectives of both sides are fianchetto his Bishop on g7
S6.Q.f8 lta7 as follows: which of ten acts as a good
57 1fIif6 lta6 defensive piece. The alter-
58 rIJf7 Resigns Objectives for White: native system is with
1. Central (d4) Pawn advan- Pawns on d6, e6 and the
Conclusion: ces; ideal positioning of Bishop on e7. This is a pas-
Black seems to be gain- This leads to interesting Pawns on f4, e4, d4. sive setup as shown by the
ing counterplay for the sa- and complicated positions 2. To gain space advantage. following analysis: 3 ... e6 4
criflced Pawns. However where sound theoretical 3. To fix his Pawn structure 4Je2 d6 (on 4 ... dS S edS edS
the next move kills Spas- preparation and a sharp eye in accordance with Blacks 6 d4;!;;saddles Black with a
sky off. for tactics is of paramount reaction on the Queens weak Pawn on dS) S 00 4Jf6
39 .Q.f8! importance. This line may wing. 6 d3 !J.e77 f4 00 8 c3;!;;and
40 .Q.d6 turn out to be disadvanta- 4. Build up a steady attack White has the better game.
41 ltd7 gous for a player witha on the Kingside with the 4 d3
42 ltd8 steady positional approach. storming of Pawns. Preparing for the direct
43 b4 2 ... dS needs more home- d4 advance, omitting d3 is
44 bS work and practical applica- Objectives for Black: premature as was shown in
45 l:lb8 tion. 1. To complete the deve- Ginsburg v Dzindzihashvili,
lopment of his pieces on USA 1980 which went 4
the Kingside and cas tie as 4Je2 !J.g7 S c3?! eS! 6 00
early as possible. 4Jge7 7 4Ja3 (in Rogers v
2. Refrain from committing Pribyl, Eerbeek 1978 the
his Pawn structure on the Australian master tried 7
Queens wing by a prema- b4!? cb4 {7 ... d6 is passive
ture thrus t. as 8 bSL,d4± gives White
40 2 g3 fJc6 and White plays c3 2 g3 fJc6 and White plays c3 41
the beUer game} 8 d4 bc3 9 2 g3 ~ open up the position as 14 h3! .Q.f8
deS {9 dS 4Jd4++} d6!!CX). 3 .Qg2 g6 af ter 10 ... cd4 11cd4 ~a6 12 15 ~ .Q.e7
Refer to games section for 4 d3 e6!? ~el ~c8 134Jc3 4JaS 14 ~f2 16 t)d2 ne8
10 ed6!? c2 11'tfjc2 ~al12 de7 Black adopts the most 'tfjd7 15 ~c1 4Jc4+ Black has
'tfje7 13~a3CX).White's posi- commonly played system the bet.ter game. This was ~!(~~~~ ,.....
tion is preferred af ter 9 ... against the Closed Sicilian. Sveshnikov v Makarychev, ~J.~
~ ~ ~~.L~
?~ ~
c2?! 10 'tfjc2 4JeS 114Jbc3 00 The text prepares for the
12~a3 as he has more than thematic central advance ...
USSR 1978)'tfjd7 11~el h6 12 .L~41~.L~.L~
d4! cd4 13 cd4 ~b7 14
adequate compensation for dS. Ris thoughts are also 4Jc3±.
~ ~~.L~41~.L
~ .~ ~ ~
the sacrificed material) 7 ... aimed at parrying the stan- Whites game plan be- ~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
008 4Jc2 dS= 9 d3 ~e6 10 f4 dard manoeuvre f4, fS by gins to take shape. Ris mi- ~ ~:ft:~4J~;tt
~ ~ ~ ~
de4 11de4 ~c4+ and Black White by developing his nor pieces are weU placed :ft:
i'~4J~ ~''"~.Cl
~
has the initiative. See Knight on e7. and the enormous energy ~~~fj/'"
~ LJ
/~~~:rh
~~~
games section. Whites S f4 d6 stored up in Whites huge
plan in this game is utter 6 .w3 .Qg7 centre is beginning to 17 d4!±
failure. Hence the text is 7 c3! break out. Markarychev Chandler has attained an
preferred. Stopping ... 4Jd4 and soon obtained a winning ideal centre typical of this
preparing for the thematic advantage and clinched the variation. He has space
thrust d4. issue on the 41st move. advantage and has com-
7 ~e7 9 eS pleted his development
8 00 Black obtains a good which gives him asolid po-
position af ter 94Jbd2 0010 sitional plus. Black is de-
!( ~J.~~~ ~ L .. ~el de4 11de4 eS!+. prived of a concrete plan of
~.L~ • .L~J.L 9 b6 action. Hence he seeks
~41~.L~.L~
~ .~ ~ 10 4)a3 a6?! exchange of pieces to sim-
~ ~ ~ ~ This is a waste of time. plify the position.
~ .~ ~ ~ 17 cd4
Black should continue his
~ ~~:ft:~
~ ~ ~ development by 10 ... ~b7 11 18 ~4 .wd4
From the diagram given ~~ ~:ft:~4J~
~ ~ ~ 4JbS?! 4Jc8= covering the d6 19 4)d.4 4)d.4
above Black has 3 possibil-
ities:
4
4
e6!?
eS?!
~~4S~:~:m'"
8
:ft:
~ ~ ~.Cl
dS!?
~"h square.
U .Q.e3:i: .Q.b7
12 .Q.f2 hS!
This unexpected reply
20 .Q.d4 .Q.eS
An inaccuracy
aUows White to exploit the
weakness on the hl-a8 long
which

4 .Qg7 ECO considers 8 ... 00 as upsets White's general diagonal and effectively
the main line. Makarychev plan of Pawn storming up strike at the centre. 20 ...
4 e6!? v Dolmatov, USSR Ch 1979 the Kingside. Cebalo delays 'tfjc7!? was necessary to
went 8 ... 00 9 ~e3 b6 10 castling as it would trigger prevent c4.
GAME 10 ~f2 (the immediate 10 d4 is a vicious at.tack on the Kin- 21 .Q.eS neS
premature and invites gside. 12 ... 00 13 g4 bS 14 The alternative 21 ... bcS
Chandler v Cebalo trouble on the Queenside. 4Jc2 with d4, ~h4 to fol- is even worse. 22 c4! ZIc7
Vrsac 1981 White, lagging behind in low. (22 ... 00 23 fS!±±) 23 cdS
1 e4 eS development, should not 13 net .ws ~dS 24 ~dS edS (24 ... 'tfjdS
 " 1 }!.I (.r, 11/ I Whit pJays c3 2 g3 cfJc6 and White plays c3 43

•.t, trYcI~ (.
t '6 - fd1. White natural move should prove A fine game by Chandler transposes into a King's
out.. a Pawn up in a
,'()lIlü to be amistake. The best who handled the final Indian defence with colours
r vourable Rook ending. defence was 26 ... t/;Jc7!? phase in clinieal fashion. reversed.
After 24 ... ~d7 25 !lc6± ±) 27 nfs!! ,Ctds
25 ~fd1 d4 26 b4!±±. White Whit.es "Castie in the 4 eS?! • ~.l~~ ~~.
demolishes Blacks centre air" is tactically immune. ~:t~:t.:t ~J:t
and soon becomes a Pawn 27 ... gfS 28 t/;JgS ~h8 29 This variation is dubio us
up with a won position. t/;JhS~g7 30 t/;JgS ~h8 31 as it weakens the dS ~
~4)~ ~:t~ ~.fo'/~ ~ ~

22 e4! ldd4 with checkmate to square. White has two ~~ ...~~~

The exchange has ter- follow. alternative plans of action. ~F/~
~~1t~ ~
~F/~ ~ w..",~
ribly weakened the dark 28 nf4 .Qg2 a) Rapid Queenside expan- ~ ~.",~~1t~4J~
~ rfi""'~ ~.«
squares. Black loses an exchange sion as seen in the follow- ~ ~ ~~0
Now Whites fully coor- as 28 ... ldfd8 29 ~d4±± and ing game. ~~r.-..
~N~M~
~~"LJ~0~l:::i~~
<;!"l m
dinated pieces launch a 28 ... !lc6 29 t/;Jd7±±. b) Transposing into the
powerful attack in the 29 ttd7 ,Ctc6 King's Indian Attack with 8 ds!

~.~.
centre. 30 ttd6 ,Cta4 colours reversed. Upon 8 ... aS 9 a4 White
22 00 31 net ne8 obtains an excellent
23 rs efs GAME 11 outpost on bS as well as
Cebalo resigns himself ~~ the c4 square for his
to a passive position. Now ~ ~ ~:t~ Ravikumar V Kirov Knights.
White obtains a powerful :t~ ~ ~:t~
~
CopenhagenOpen1980 9 ctlbd2 h6

rr'~
~ ~.
. ~~
~~
.~ ;.~
passed Pawn whieh virtual- 1 e4 cS A prophylactie move de-
ly decides the game in his ~ ~ ~ ~:t 2 g3 g6 signed to prevent the stan-
favour. Instead 23 ... gfS!? ~ ~ L.z 3 .Qg2 ~ dard spring board action
would have led to a com- ~ ~ ~ ~1t
~ ~ ~ ~ 4 dJ eS?! 4JgS-e4 in the King's Indian
plicated struggle af ter 24
b4 ldc7 25 cdS ldc1 (25 ...
1t~ ~
~ ~~ ~
~ r
~
0·· /.
5 ~3
White can transpose to
Defence. Black intends ...
!le6, t/;Jd7 to obtain a
~L.~~~
!ldS 26 ~c7 t/;Jc7 27 !ldS edS the main line with 5 f4!? d6 smooth deployment of his
28 ldfS±±) 26 ~c1 !ldS 27 32 nf7! 6 ~f3!tg7 7 00 ~ge7 84Jc3 forces.
!ldS t/;JdS (27 ... edS 28 A bolt from the blue. AU 00=. However the text is 10 b4 eb4
~c6!~ldf6±±) 28 t/;JgS ~h7 of a sudden Black is faced preferabie in view of the 11 ab4 ,Cte6
29 t/;JhS~g7 co. with a mating attack. This excellent strategie pos si- 11... bS!? deserves a clo-
24 b4 ne7 Rook sacrif'ice destroys bilities. ser look. White will conti-
25 eds±± Blacks castled position. 5 .Qg7 nue to enjoy a slight pull
Blacks tragedy is that 32 tte4 6 00 ~e7 af ter 124Jb3 de4 13 de4 !le6
under conditions of re- Upon 32 ... ~f7 33 ldc7 7 cl 00 144JcS!lc4±.
strieted manoeuvring space ~g8 34 t/;Jg6 ~h8 35 t/;Jg7 8 a3! 12 b5 ~
he has to parry the threats mate. White prepares f'or rapid 13 ,Cta3±ne8
of Whites mobile centre. 33 nefl ,Ctc6 Queenside expansion with 14 nel ne8?
25 nd7 34 nf8 IjfJh7 b4. This strategie plan is This natural move is a
26 nedl .a8? 35 n1f7 IjfJh6 effective against Blacks mistake af ter whieh White
It is strange that such a 36 .d2 1:0 ambitious setup. Kirov now obtains the better game. If
44 2 g3 4)c6 and White plays c3 2 g3 4)c6 and White plays c3 45

Black has seen this tactical 16 edS .Q.el spectacular conclusion to A problematic finish.
combination, then he would 16 ... ~d5 17 ~e5 ~2 18 the game. The final posi- Black is left with only
have preferred 14 ... b6! ~g2± b6 19~e4±. tion deserves a diagram. Pawn moves as 25 ... ~d7 26
16 ... ~d5 17 ~e5 4Jc3 18 .o.c6 ~c7 (26 ... 4Jc6 27 bc6

~~'/<'+ ~~~~
~i!~i1i!
•.,,~
+ 0."~
~. ~f3±. White has the Bishop
pair and the better piece ~fA~~f~. î1c7 28 î1e7 ~e7 29 c7±±) 27
.o.d6±±. Also 25 ... ~e8 26

.
9}~.L~
:z z '-.L~::.. ...~ " .... z ~ , ..... z ~

......
~.J..:t[~ ~ Ol.....
position. ~
~ ~
~ ~:t~'h.
~
î1e6 ~d8 27 ~e7 ~e7 28 ~g6
17 de6!!±± wins.
~4>.~:t.~
~d!:.~ .~
.~
~ ~jt~ .~~
......• ~jt. ~ ~i!~i!~. ~ ~ ~ GAME 12
~~....
~~ ~~d!:.~'i.J~
4>~.!.'\ ~ ~:t~
~ ~:t~
~ ~
~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
~

...
~ .~
.... ~
~
"
~
~~w.·0
~~0 .~ ~jt~:t[~ fN~
~ ~
~ i~~i0
~ .....
Rajkovic v Filip
~~".~
~~
~~~%tt1
....~~.. 'Wi1
~.~~ ~~ ~jt~ ~ ~ U
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
~~
Kragujevac 1977
, ••••• /. ~ , ••••• "/. " •• :.1. 1 e4 cS
15 ~ .Q.eS ~ 18 4)e4! 2 g3 g6
Here Kirov thought for a ~ ..... ~ ~ ~~~ ~n~~~ ~
The sting at the end of 3 .Qg2 {)c6
long time before making
....• ~ .~ ~~~'0
the combination. Now a 4 d3 eS?!
his reply. On closer exami-
, ..... z ~ , .... ., z
~~~~{~~t:1fm.... sequence of forced moves S 4)e2
nation it turned out to be
.Z
results in a won position An unusual way to de-
not so simple. Black had a 17 .d3 for White. ploy his Knight which leads
wide choice of continua- After convincing himself to a complex situation. In
tions which seem good in that he cannot accept the Ivkov v Tarjan, Novi Sad
this complicated situation. exchange sacrifice, Kirov 1975White tried 5 4Jf3 ~7
A detailed penetration into swings his Queen into 6 00 d6 7 c3 4Jf6 8 4Jbd2 h6
the maze of variations dis- action. The alternatives are 9 ~el 00 10 a3 aS 11 d4?!+
closes Whit.es enormous unsatisfactory. If 17 ... ~al when Black stood beUer
resources. Here are a few 18 ~al 4Jd5 19 ef7 ~f7 20 af ter this premature thrust
possibilities: ~e8 ~e8 (20 ... ~e8 21 in the centre. Instead 11a4!
a) 15 .., ~c3 16 ~b4 ~e5 17 ~d5±±) 21 ~e5 4Je7 22 gives White a clear techni-
~a5 b6 18 ~c3± ± and being 4Je4±±. White has an over- cal edge with an excellent
the exchange up White has whelming attack and is outpost for the cavalry on
a winning position. also winning on material. c4, b5 and dS.
b) 15 ... de4 16 ~e4 ~f5 17 18 ... 4Jf5 19 ef7 ~f7 20 ~e8 S .Qg7
~e3 ~d5 18 ~d5 ~d5 19 c4! ~e8 (20 ... ~e8 21 ~d5±±) 6 00 ~e7
~d8co. However 16 d4! 21 ~e5 ~d7 22 4Je4 ~c2 23 7 el 00
gives White a superior po- ~h3± ±. Black succumbs to 8 al d6
sition as the following the powerful onslaught. 18 9 b4 .Q.e6
confirms: 16 ... f5 17 ~e7 ... ~d3 19 4Je4 4Jb3 20 4Jf6 Black ignores his oppo-
~e7 18 ~g6±±. Also White ~h8 21 4Je8!! 4Jal 22 ef7 nents strategic Queenside
threatens 17 ~e4 becoming ~f5 23 ~b2 ~h7 24 ~e7±±. expansion. He completes
asolid Pawn up retaining It was disappointing that his development neverthe-
the initiative. Kirov did not allow this less and also strengthens
,'lt(. • I~''J (, and White plays c3 2 g3 fJc6 and White plays c3 47

18 ... 4Je3 19 fe3 fS 20 Here 9 ... bS would be a

4JcS tfjf7 214Jc3±. logical consequence of
~ ~ ~~ 19 .Q.d4 ~4
~ ~~~ ~....~ Black's counterplay with ...
'.
.:t~
~
~.:t~"~.:t
~ .
20 ~4 ed4?! b4, ... ~a6 to follow. GM
~4)m..l~.:t~ On the threshold of time Tal suggests 9 ... ~4!? 10
trouble Black commits a 4Jbd2 bS 11 h3 ~f3 12 4Jf3
~
~ ~
.~ ~~ ~
~

~······~r~~~
""".
positional mistake. 20 ... 4Jd?±. This continuation
9 ~1t~ ~ tfjd4 would have retained leaves Black with a clear
~ ~ ~ ~ some counterplay based on cut plan of action. White
'~
~~~.,,«~4J
~~..
9.Cl
.~",,/....
~'0 the weakness of the Pawn. still commands a slight
The remaining moves are advantage due to the
LJ4J~~~~m self explanatory. Bishop pair and excellent
10 .Q.e3!:t 21 ttd1!:t nae8 A well known position prospects for an attack on
White has a slight pull 22 t)f3 ne7 from the Closed Sicilian. the Kingside.
in view of his advantage in 23 naS fS Korchnoi had retained the 10 .Q.e3 4)c7
space and more flexible 24 ~ .e8 option of side stepping the U d4 004
piece position. 2S 4)b3 tlih7 main line by refraining 12 004
10 eb4?! 26 neS?! tte8 from developing his The critical position for
A positional error which 27 bS abS? Queen' s Knight to c3. evaluating the course taken
opens up the Queen Rook 28 J:tbS±nff7 6 4)16 by White in this variation.
file and gives White an in- 29 ndS nd7 Nowadays 6 ... e6 is more White has a splendid
itiative on the Queens 30 ~ ne7 popular than the text. centre and has retained a
wing. 10 ... b6 was correct 31 J:tbl nfe7 After 6 ... e6 White should solid positional edge. The
maintaining the tension and 32 r&ig2 tta8 prefer the main line as he alternative capture is in-
was practically equal. 33 h4!±± hS has not been able to obtain consistent with White's
U ab4 a6 34 J:tb6 tIIa7 any tangible advantage thematic approach. 12
12 ~ d5 3S )k6!! neS against this setup. 4Jd4?! eS 134Jc6 bc6 14 !J.a?
13 ttbl h6 36 tthS tlig8 7 00 00 !:la815!J.e3~a6 16c4 dS and
14 edS 37 nd8 1:0 8 cl Black's active piece posi-
Simple and strong. Sveshnikov v Sidief tion provides ample com-
White clarifies the situa- 4 .Qg7 Zade, USSR 1980 went 8 h3 pensation for the Pawn.
tion in the centre and ~b8 9 g4 bS 10 fS±. This 12 .Qg4
obtaining access (via e4 GAME 13 variation is preferred to 13 ndl dS
and c4) to the weak spots the text. The active Pawn 13 fS!? deserves
(b6, d6) in Blacks camp. Korchnoiv Karpov thrust has the aim of seiz- attention according to GM
14 .Q.dS WorldCh ing space and restricting Tal.
14 ... 4JdS lS ~cS ~e8 16 Baguio1978 the mobility of the Black 14 eS tIId7
4Jc4±. 1 g3 eS pieces on the Kingside. 15 4)c3 nfe8
15 .Q.dS .. 2 .Qg2 4)c6 White also has a promising 16 t)fl bS
16 e4 3 e4 g6 attack. 17 h3 Jlf3
17 ~4 4 d3 .Qg7 8 J:tb8 An important moment.
18 na3! 5 f4 d6 9 .e2 ~8 Karpov's inaccuracy in the
1\·8 2 g3 4Jc6 and White plays c3 2 g34Jc6 and White plays c3 49

sequence of moves allows 24 ndel .d7 34 fk2 ttf7 Worishofen 1991saw 4 4Je2
White to establish a posi- 2S nc2 b3? 35 .c2 aS ~7 5 0-04Jf6 6 f4 0-0 7 d3
tional advantage. 17 ... b4! This is a serious mistake 36 g4 feS (7 eS!?) dS 8 eS 4Jd7 9 4Jbc3
18 4Je2 (18 4Ja4 .Q.f319 .Q.f3 after which Blacks posi- 37 feS a4 (9 -'ldS?! 4JdeSD e6 10 g4
4JeS++; 18 hg4 bc3 19 bc3 tion disintegrates slowly. 38 naa lè/17 ~b8 114Jg3bS 124Jce2 b4+.
~g4=) .Q.f3leads to a level It was essential to elimi- 39 na6 .e7 4 .Qg7
position. nate the pin and the pres- 40 na4 nc7 S d6
18 .Q.f3 sure on the c file by 25 ... 41 .b3 6
~
Zlcb8 26 ~ac1-'lf8=. 42 nat ~b4
f~
~iOi ~ ~~
~.u.~+-~--~+-
26 ab3 llb3 43 nel nc4
~ ~t:!~.L~~.L 44 r;tb8 nel
--""~i'~"""'~i:~ ~~'/<'
o ~
~li~
Z~W1J<.u.
~
~~
~~ +- ~ --~+-
4S .Q.cl .c7
~:t~:t~ ~ ~....~
~~~...L~
7..... ~
%.L
~....~ 46 r;tb4 .el
~ ~ ~ ~
~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~ ~
~:t~:t~ 47 .d3 hS
48 r;tb6 .Q.h6
~
~
~:"~~.,,~
~ ~
11~.~
~
ft ~
~ ~:t~ ~~
~ .~
49 ghS .gS
~ ~ ~ ~
ft~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ so .g3 .d2
~ ~
~~
LJ
~
~~~0~
~WIt ~--'l/- ~li~ ~
~ ~~~
M ~ft
~ 1:0

18 b4?! ~~
~~~11~
~ ~~ ~~--'l/-
~ 6 e6
GAME 14
A dubious move which ~~ ~ ~tt1~ The text looks more na-
allows White to gain a 27 .c1!±± Trap! v Vogt tural but practice has
powerful outpost on cS. A multipurpose move, Bundesliga 1992 shown that Black has bet-
Instead 18 ... e6 followed defending the Bishop on e3 ter prospects in the
by ... .Q.f8 gives adequate and obtaining a decisive pin 1 e4 cS aggressive Botvinnik sy-
counterplay on the along the c file. Karpov 2 g3 ~ stem which occured in Mo-
Queenside. must have overlooked this 3 .Qg2 g6 rovic v Larsen, Buenos Air-
19 .Qg4! e6 move which results in the Nagy v Ivanka, Hungary es 1992:6 ... eS 7 c3 4Jge7 8
20 ~4 ~ forced loss of an exchange. varied by 3 ... e6 4 d3 g6 5 0-0 0-0 9 4Ja3 ef 4 10 .Q.f4
Tal suggests a tactical 27 llb7 4Jf3.Q.g76 0-0 4Jge7 7 c3 dS dS and Black is happy. He
solution to Blacks pro- 28.Q.a6 ncb8 8 ~e2 0-0 9 eS bS 10 ~el. went on to win in 40
blems by 20 ... 4JeS!? 21 29 .Q.b7 llb7 Black is weak on the dark moves.
4JcS 4Jg4 22 4Jd7 4Je3 23 30 na3 h6 squares. 7 0-0 ~e7
~d3 4Jdl 24 Zldl resulting 31 nac3 ~bS 4 dJ 8 cl 0-0
in a complex situation 32 nc8 rtJiIh7 Ivekovic v Milu, Bucha- 9 .Q.el b6
where White has a clear 33 n2c6 rest 1992went 4 4Je2 .Q.g75 Black usually advances
edge but has to overcome White went on to clinch 0-0 d6 6 c3 eS 7 d3 4Jge7 8 his b Pawn gaining space
technical problems in rea- the issue on the SOth move. ~e3 0-0 9 d4 ed4 10 cd4 and an initiative on the
lising his advantage. Black has been deprived of ~b6 11 4Jbc3 4Jd4 12 4Jd4 Queenside. However af ter 9
21 ~ .e8 all counterplay. the re- cd4 134Ja4 de3!? 144Jb6 ef2 ... bS 10 d4! leaves White
22 .Q.e2 ~b7 maining moves were: 15Zlf2 ab6 16~d2± ±. with a small advantage.
23 ~b7 llb7 33 ... f6 Wade v Smyslov, Bad 10 ~bd2!N
50 2 g3.fJc6 and White plays c3 2 g3.fJc6 and White plays c3 51

tt1c8 (30 ... -'lf6 31 ef6 tt1h2

~ ~~e
~ ~.:t~"~.:t
32 \tlfl and Black has no
more than a draw) 31 ~f2
~ L..
i ?' .....
m.~.:t~ ~ and White can defend the
position - just.
~~ ~
~ ~~ ~
~ 30 (tc3++
~ ~~~
~ ~~ ~ 31 .Q.d3 nc7
~ ~ ~ ~ 32 (te4 (td2
r"~ ~
2t~~ ~ ~
~
Fh
i... 33 (th7 ~8
~ ~ ~~m 34 (thS (tg2 mate
A gross blunder in time
A new move which pre- danger in capturing this chance: 26 4JfS!! efS 27 tt1fS trouble. However White is
pares to launch the tradi- Pawn. The text is a tactical ~d8 28 tt1h7\tlf8 29 g6 ~d4 still lost af ter 34 tt1h3 ~c1
tional Pawn storm on the error which allows Black (29 ... f6 30 ef6 .Q.f631 tt1h8 35 ~c1 tt1c1 36 .Q.fl (36 tt1f1
Kingside. to obtain a powerful initia- mate) 30 gf7 tt1f7 (30 ... tt1e3 37 \tlhl ~f2+ +) g4+ +.
10 ... .Q.a6 tive. He should have tried tt1eS? 31 tt1g8 \tle7 32 fBtt1
11 (te2 cIS the complicated 20 b4 .Q.f833 ~f7 \tld6 34 tt1f8± ±)
This is a logical ref'lec- ~eS!? (20 ... ~c7 21 bS .Q.c8 31 ~f7 \tlf7 32 .Q.d3with an Conclusion:
tion of Blacks desire to act 22 tt1e3 {22gS} and White is unclear position. I find combining c3 with
quickly before the bet.ter) 21 feS -'leS 22 ss. 26 h6 the Closed setup very
onslaught. 11... bS with the Black does not quite have 26 ... ~d8 27 tt1hS~d6 28 natural and asthetic. As the
idea of ... b4 seems natural enough in the position for ed6 tt1d729 tt1h7\tlf8 30.Q.g6 positions tend to involve
but after 12 a3! Blacks the material deficit. .Q.d431\tlhl tt1b7 32 .Q.e4tt1d7 slow build ups the Pawn
attack is restrained. 20 gS! 33 g6 wins for White. structure is just as impor-
12 eS d4 21 d4 .Q.fl 27 nf6 (tc7! tant as piece development
13 004 {)d4 22 nft 28 (tel and let us not forget that
14 {)d4 004 Better than 22 dcS .Q.g2 It seems that 28 gh6 is Black can of ten gain time
15 .Qf2 23 \tlg2 gf4 24 tt1f4 bcS simply crushing but 28 by hitting the Knight on c3
The retreat is forced as when White would have se- tt1c1 29 ~f1 tt1h6defends. during queenside expan-
15 .Q.a8? de3! gives Black rious trouble in defending. 28 hgS sion.
two pieces for the Rook. 22 gf4 29 (te3 nc8 This line is, I think, un-
15 nc8 23 (tf4 nc2 30 nft derrated and is very easy to
16 {)e4 ~S 24 .Q.e41! In acute time trouble take up as the plans are
17 g4 {)e3 Dubious. He should have White overlooks 30 4Jc8 straightforward.
18 .Q.e3 de3 tried the immediate 24 gS
19 {)d6 neS with 4Je4, 4Jf6 and tt1h4 to
follow.
see following diagram 24 ... nh2
25 gS tlJe7
20 (te3? see following diagram
Perhaps Trapl misjudged 26 tlJh41
the position and sensed no White misses his golden
52 2 g3 with White playing f)c3
CHAPTER3
2 g3 w"ith White playing ~c3
GAME 15
Short v Kasparov
TIlburg 1991
1 e4 cS
2 ~ e6
3 ~3
There is little theoreti-
cal experience with this
unorthodox system which
offers an alternative
approach to the complex
variation 2 ... e6. The sy-
stem involving 2 ... e6 and
early ... d5 has at.tained
steady popularity due to
the efforts of World Chess
Champion Gary Kasparov,
and former World Chess
Champion Boris Spassky
who used it against GM
Bobby Fischer in their 1992
match.
3 a6!?
4 g3 bS
5 .Qg2 .Q.b7
6 d3
White renounces any
thought of transposing in-
to the Open Sicilian and
plays instead for the solid
Closed Sicilian set-up.
6 d6
7 0-0 ~7
8 aJN
The hall mark of a Super
Grandmaster is introducing
novelties even in les ser
known unusual variations.
Short's novelty is designed
to discourage ... b4 and re-
straining Black's counter-
play and space advantage
on the queenside.
Kupreichik v Novikov,
Lvov 1986went 8 ciJel ciJgf6
9 f4 tlJc7 Of 9 ... !J.e7 10 eS
!J.g211ef6 !J.ft12 fe7±) 10 f5
ef5 11ef5 !J.e712!J.f4 0-0 13
g4 b4 14 ciJe4 ciJe4 15 de4
ciJf6 16tlJe2 jdfe8 17 g5 4Je4
18 !J.e4 !J.f8 19 !J.b7 jde2 20
!J.a8 c4 unclear position.
8 ne8
2 g3 with White playing .f)c3 53
9 .Q.d2 ~6
10 ~4 .Q.e7?
With the text move
Black appears to be on
track to attain equality
af ter ... 0-0 and ... tlJc7.
But this may be a decisive
error by Kasparov since it
allows White to uncork a
thematic tactical sequence
and gain the upper hand.
Mter 10 ... tlJc7 11 f4±
White enjoys a slight pull
in view of his thematic
kingside build-up.
11 eS ~s
A forced move. 11... !J.g2
12 ef6 !J.ft13 fe7 tlJe7 14 tlJft
leaves White with a super-
ior position. White's undi-
sputed advantage in the
position are his two minor
pieces for the Rook, his
lead in development, and
active piece placing.
12 ed6?
This natural looking
move is in fact a serious
mistake which allows
Kasparov to complicate the
position. It is surprising
that Short overlooked a
neat tactical continuation
in 12 ciJf5 ef5 12 ... ciJc3 13
ciJg7~f8 14 ciJe6 fe6 15 !J.h6
~g8 16 tlJg4 ~f7 U6 ... !J.g5
17tlJe6 mate} 17tlJg7 ~e8 18
tlJh8 ciJf8 19 !J.b7±} 13 ed6
!J.d6 14 jdel ciJe5 (14 ... !J.e7
15 !J.d5!±) 15 ciJd5 0-0 16
ciJf6 tlJf6 17 !J.b7±. The
Bishop pair and superior
Pawn structure constitute
White's advantage in this
position.
12
13 ~s
Informator suggests 13
!J.d5! !J.d5 14 ciJd5 0-0 15
gh4 (15 ciJc7 !J.f6 or 15
ciJb8!? Kasparov) ed5 16
tlJf3±. The passed Pawn on
d6, the superior minor
piece (Bishop v Knight),
and the excellent prospects
of developing a powerful
attack along the half-open
g-file give White the better
game.
13 .Q.ds
14 .Q.f6!
This is probably what
Short had overlooked when
he played his 13th move.
Mter 14 ... ed5 15 ~el ~f8
16gh4 tlJh4 17tlJf3±.
Black's King is stranded
and is placed precariously.
The passed Pawn on d6 and
the superior minor piece
enable White to obtain a
decisive advantage.
15 tflel! tflb6
54 2 g3 with White playing 4Jc3 2 g3 with White playing 4Jc3 55
The Pawn on b2 is tacti- 19 t[fel ~b6 cb4 would leave a weak Munich Olympiad 1958,
cally immune 15 ... .o.b2 16 20 .Q.f4 tlJe7 isolated d-Pawn. Black employed a radical
.o.a5 4Jb6 17 .o.e6 fe6 18 21 h4 aS! 25 beJ system to oppose White's
~e6±. But the natural wish 'Attack is the best form 'ü:f#z strategy by advancing the f
to tuck the King into safety of defence', Kasparov rea- The position is equal ln- Pawn af ter 5 ... d6 6 f4 f5 7
by castling is a serious lises that passive play and formator gives this contin- 4Jf3 4Jf6 8 0-0 0-0 9 ~hl
mistake 15 ... 0-0 16 .o.a5 the lack of a plan for the uation 26 bc3 4Jd5 27 .o.d2 .o.d710.o.e3~b8 11~e2 b5 12
4Jb6 (16 ... ~e8 17 .o.b7 ~b8 initiative will sow the ~b8 28 ~g4 ~f8 and .clgl b4 13 4Jdl 4Je8 14 c3
18 .o.c6±) 17 .o.b7 ~b8 18 seeds of defeat. Hence he Black's fortress is difficult 4Jc7 15 ~c1 4Je6 16 4Je3 and
.o.a6±. It is obvious that the tries to create queenside to breach. White has a slight pull in
Bishop pair will continue to counterplay to exploit the view of his better coordi-
dominate the proceedings. weakness of the b-Pawn. GAME 16 nation amongst his forces.
16 J:tbl 22 cl h6 Raicevic v Martinovic,
This represents a small Black creates a flight Davies v Ivanov Vrnjacka Banja 1978 varied
victory for Black. White square, eliminating a back- Londen 1992 with 9 ... ~h8 10 .o.e3.o.e611
has to give up the vital rank weakness before .clgl~d7 12 efS .o.fS13 d4 b6
Pawn on d6. 16 .o.e6 seems starting the queenside 1 e4 cS 14 dS 4Jb4 15 a34Ja6 16 ~el.
right but it is a tactical manoeuvre. 2 ~ ~ White stands better due to
mistake: 16 ... fe6 17 ~e6 J gJ g6 Blacks backward e Pawn.
~d8 18 ~ael ~c6 19 .o.f4 23 J:tbcl b4! 4 .Q.g2 .Q.g7 Hence the above variation
g5!+. 5 dJ ci)f6 to cross Whites general
Black succeeds in re- Blacks normal strategy game plan has drawn a
pelling the attack as the in this system is to seek blank against straightfor-
Pawn on d6 will soon be rapid counterplay on the ward play in the centre.
lost. Queens wing. This involves 6 f4 d6
16 0-0 Pawn storming to gain 7 ci)fJ 0-0
17 .Q.g2 .d6 = space and direct an attack 8 0-0 J:tb8
Kasparov has managed against Whites Queenside.
to reeover from a dis- However this system is not ~~.l~~ ~~tI
astrous opening. Short's ideally equipped to deal ~'f'"~'·····<~tf'"~"!~
successive errors on the
12th and 13th moves have This, together with his
with White's onslaught on ~4)~'~
~ ~~~
~
the Kingside. Often Black's
allo wed Kasparov to escape next move, sets in motion a ~
~ ~~ ~
~ ~
~
counterattack is quicker
from an inferior and diff'i- plan to undermine the but lacks adequate power ~
~ ~jt~
~ ~
~
cult middlegame. White's queenside Pawns. Short is to obtain a winning advan- ~~ ~jt~4J~
~ ~ .~
Bishop pair advantage is
offset by Black's active
piece position and control
over key central squares.
forced to simplify the
position on the queenside
and to accept a perennial
weakness on c3.
tage. White has a free hand
on the Kingside. Usually
there are no problems for
advancing his Pawns (f5,
~~·····~:~:r
jt~jt~ ~.kl~.~

The text prepares for

The position is dynamically 24 ah4 ah4 g4, h4), laying the founda- b7-bS-b4 to push the
balanced. 25 .Q.e4 tion for a promising attack. White Knight away from c3
18 .e2 Itfd8 The alternaive 25 cb4?! In Smyslov v Larsen, to a less useful square. The
56 2 g3 with White playing fJc3 2 g3 with White playing f) 3 'l
host of alternatives favour inevitable) 18 eS;±;.In Lane school of thought that 10 4Jc7 15f5 4Jb5 16~d2 4Jbd4.
White. v Saharov, USSR 1968 Black a3 is necessary. On the 17 4Jh4 4Je2 18 ~e2 4Je5 19
Hickl v Nemet, Chiasso varied with 14 ... 4JeS IS other hand others believe 4Jf34Jf3 20 ~f3 ~b7 21 h4·
1991saw 8 ... a6 9 h3 ~d7 10 ~d2 aS 16 ~h6 ~d7 17 4Jf3 the opening of the 'a' file ~h8 22 ~e2?! ~e5 23 g4
~e3 !'îc8 11~d2 bS 12a3 ~c7 ~b6 184JeS deS 19~e3;±;. favours Black in the long
13 g4 ~b8 14 ~h1 aS 15 fS. Spassky v Petrosian, term.
White has succeeded in World Championship 1966 10 b4
obtaining a promising saw Black try 9 ... ~d7 10 fS 11 ~2 ~8
aUack on the Kingside bS 11~S b4 124JdS aS (12... 12 f5 1Oc7
exploiting Blacks clumsy 4JdS 13 edS 4Jd4;±;) 13 ~hl 13 tbel
strategy on the other side. 4JeS 14 ~d2 ~c6 IS !'îae1. The standard move.
Smyslov v Ilivitsky, Whites fully mobilised I prefer 134Jg3 followed by
USSR 1952went 8 ... 4Je8 9 forces are weIl set to gS, h4-hS.
h3 4Jc7 10 ~e3 b6 11 ~d2 launch an attack on the 13
~b7 12 fS bS 13 ~h6. Again Kingside whilst Black's 14 tbh4
Black has lost valuable counterthrust has made 15 4Yl4 In order to get a grasp of
tempis in organising his little impact. The weakness 16 4Yl4 how to handle the attack
Queenside attack whilst of the doubled Pawns in 17 'lihl we now examine the con-
White is poised to Blacks camp gives White a clusion of the above game:
exchange the aU important microscopie plus. ~~.I. ~îj ~~" 23 ... e6 24 g5 ef5 25 ef5
fianchettoed Bishop. 9 bS z.~."
~
...,~.~.,
..···z~h.z~(i~
~ .~ ~.
.L ~2. The ploy of exchang-
ing the potential attacking
9 h3 The logical foUow up ~
~ ~~ ~.L~
~
~ 'm
.~
Davies sets in motion for implementing Blacks pieces is the simp lest and
~jt~
the longterm plan of play-
ing g4, fS in conjunction
counterplay.
Spassky v Szabo, Palma ~~"""'~"11~1~:'
......
, L .. ~ ~.
best way out of such situa-
tions. 26 ~g2 ~d7 27 fg6?
The tension is released and
with active piece play on de Mallorca 1968 continued ~~jt~ ~jt
the Kingside to develop a instead 9 ... 4Je8 10 ~d2 bS 4-'~4-'~
~~~~
'~!1~
~
with it any real chances of
decisive aUack against the 11!'îbl e6 12~el4Jd4 134Jd4 ~~~ ...~ ~ 'I'!!I ~ '" pursuing the attack. 27 !'if3
~~ ~ ~~~'0 deserves consideration.
Black monarch. This me- cd4 14 4Je2 ~b6 IS a3 eS 16
thod is simple, straight- ~h2 fS 17 efS gfS 18 ~aS. Not to be too cri tical, Back to the game: 27 ... fg6
forward better than 94Jh4 The lack of harmony but this position seems to 28 b3. This releaves the
which occurred in Medina v amongst Blacks forces suggest that Whites Rook from the task of pro-
Korchnoi, Palma de Mal- ensures White a positional attack has run out of tecting the b Pawn. 28 ...
lorca 1968. There followed plus. steam. ~g7 29 !'if8 !'îf8 30 !'ifl !'ifl
9 ... 4Jd4 10 fS bS 11~S b4 10 g4 The position now very 31 ~fl ~e6. The exchange
12 4Je2 4Je2 13 ~e2 4Jd7 14 A controversial strateg- much resembles Reshevsky of all the of Rooks leads to
!'îabl !'îb6 IS~d2 !'îa6 16~h6 ic situation. Expert opinion v Korchnoi, Amsterdam a drawish position. The
!'îa2 17 fg6 fg6 (17 ... hg6 is divided as to whether to 1968af ter 1e4 cS 24Jc3 d6 3 remaining moves need no
leads to an immediate loss interpose 10 a3 which g34Jc6 4 ~2 g6 5 d3 ~7 6 explanation. 32 ~g1 ~c3 33
after 18~7 ~g7 194JfS gfS aUows White to activate f 4 4Jf6 7 4Jf3 0-0 8 0-0 !'ib8 ~f2 h5 34 ~b 7 ~f8 35 ~b8
20 ~gS ~h8 21 !'îf4 4Jf6 22 rus Queeris Rook when ... 9 h3 bS 10 a3 aS 11~e3 b4 12 ~e7 36 ~b7 ~d7 37 ~e4 ~e6
!'îh44Jh7 23 ~h6 with mate b4 arrives. There is one ab4 ab4 134Je2 4Je8 14 !'ibl 38 ~b7 ~d7 39 ~e4 ~e6 40
58 2 g3 with White playing 4Jc3 2 g3 with White playing 4Jc3 59

~b7 Draw. groups his Queen to a use- principles makes me give teIl as White's Rook has
17 .Q.b7 ful position. This rep re- this move an exclamation succeeded in penetrating
18 l:1bl aS sents a small victory for mark. Following the recipe the eighth rank. White's
19 .Q.h6 tlJc7 Black and the battle shifts of 'An attack on the flank forces have perfectly
to the Queens flank. is best countered in the regrouped and now is the
21 nd8 centre'. Ivanov opens up time for concrete action
22 tlJd2 .Qg7 the position to explore the --- but
23 gS .Q.eS exposed White King forc- 37 ... ttd2!
24 tlJf2 .Q.d4 ing White onto the defen- 38 eS ttd4!!
25 tlJf3 nf8 sive. The equalizer. Brilliantly
26 h4 29 .Qg2 de4 combining the tactical ele-

~J.~
~ ,.. ,
~
~.L~.L
~ .~
~~" 30 .Q.e4 fgS
31 ttgS
A sad necessity as 31hgS
ments offered by the posi-
tion, Black jettisons a piece
and despite being a whole
~fS is + +.
An enterprising attempt
to refute Whltes strategy
on the Kingside for the
price of an exchange. Black
·.·~··
.....···~
m m
~
~

.~
~
..~r~·
.~

~ ~:ft:~~~
~.L~
~
~:ft:~
L .. ~
·~F/.

.
gfS 32 ZXfS
31
32
33
34
ttg2
de4
fg6
'lih8
.Q.e4
Ilg8
Ilg6
Rook down and with White
on the move he manages to
force a draw by perpetual
check.
39 ef6 'lih6!
hopes to take the sting out
of Whites onslaught,
:ft:~:ft:~
~ ~ ~1l~
~ 35 nf8
36 ttf3
k7
.Q.f6
~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~
maintain an enormous pre- 37 naS ~ ~ .~

sence on the dark squares 26 ... f6! ~ ~ .~.;"/.

and engineer a break- White seems to be . ~ ~ ~ ~.....
through on the Queenside. coasting smoothly, utiliz- ~'~
.........
~~ ~
~ ~
~
The norm al 19 ... ~e8 wea- ing his space advantage and . ~
~ ~
LJ ~
~ ..
kens the critical f7 square Pawn storming to good
~ ~ ~~~
which will be the focus of
the White attack. Mter 20
effect.
important
It is extremely
to note that
:ft:~:ft:~~
~ ~ ~ .~
fg6 fg6 21 ~f3 intending 'attack is the best form of ~~~ ~ .~~

ZXbf1with a threat of ~f8 is
unpleasant. Also 20 ... hg6
21 ZXf3~7 22 ~bf1 ~f8 23
gS± and White has a pow-
erful attack on the Kin-
gside.
2O.Q.f8 nf8
21 tlJel
Now that Whites
attacking scheme has little
chance of succeeding on
the Kingside Davies re-
def'ence". Often inexpe-
rienced players would rely
on passive defence drifting
to a slow, steady, painful
death in such a situation.
Ivanov taps into his rich
experience and makes a
bold attempt to organize a
vigorous counterattack.
27 tlJg4 ttd7
28 .Q.h3 d5!
Respect for basic chess
Black's counterplay is
closely connected with the
exposed position of the
White monarch. White
seems to have emerged
with a fine position from
the difficult middlegame
complications. The mate-
rial deficit is beginning to
This is the position Iva-
nov envisaged when he
played his 37th move. A
unique position. Black's
centralized Queen and
actively placed Rook com-
bine to create mating
threats against the King.
White is handicapped in
this position because both
his Rooks are away from
the scene of action. The
60 2 g3 with White playing4Jc3 2 g3 with White playing 4Jc3 61

White Queen barely ma- ~h7 17 4Je3 4Je8 18 c3;!;; 22 ... f6

nages to shield his King Schorer v Valvo, New York ~~J.1~ ~~" White retains the
from a mating attack. 1987) hs!? 8 h3 ~d7 9 4Jds ~
.~
~
~
~:1:~"~
~ ~.z
advantage af ter 22 ... .Q.b7
40 CjfJh2!tf6 ss 10 c3 eS 114Je3 ~b6 12 b3 ~
~.
~:1:~:1:~'h
~ ~ .
23 ~b7 ~b7 24 ~b4 ~d7 25
~fb1;!;;.
41 .g3 .d2 4Jge7 13 ~b2 0-0 14 ~h2;!;;
~4J~ ~ ~ 23 ef6 .f6
42
43
CjfJh3ttd7
CjfJh2ttd2
Timpa v Sunye Neto, Luan-
da 1981.
1t~.1t~ .~ 24 !tfel .f5
44 CjfJh3Draw 7 0-0 ~e7 ~ ~1t~ .~ 25 .e2 .eS
Scintillating. White cant 8 .Qgs!1 ~1t~4S~·.ël.i·~
~ ~ ~ 25 ... eS loses to 26 ~e4
m~~~m~~ .
.....
avoid the checks af ter 44 A Spassky speciality. ~f7 27~hs.
~hl ~g6 45 ~f3 ~d4 46 Black is asked the question 26 c4 !tfe8
--- does he hit the Bishop 14 ... 4)bs1! 27 .Q.e4
~h2 ~f6 47 ~g3 ~d2.
or ignore it and continue A dubious move which Black has weak points
GAME 17 with normal development? doses the Queenside. Af ter all over the place -- b6, e6
8 h6 this Black has little play. and g6. White also threa-
Spassky v Kindermann A sample of normal de- Better was 14 ... a6 154Jbd4 tens g4.
Dubai Olympiad 1986 velopment is: 8 ... 0-0 9 cd4 16.Q.f4eS 17~d2 .Q.e618 27 !tf8
1 e4 eS ~d2 ~e8 (9 ... ~d7 10 ~h6 c4;!;;.No good was 14 ... 4Je2 28 !tb2 b5
15~e2 4Jc6 16eS 4Jes 17.Q.f4 29 !tal .Q.c8
2 ~3 d6 4Jd4 114Jd4 cd4 12~7 ~g7
3 g3 ~ 13 4Je2 eS 14 f4;!;; Spassky f6184Ja7;!;;. 30 .Q.e1!±
4 .Qg2 g6 v Arnason, Reykjavik 1985) 15 abS a6 Black now jettisons an
5 d3 .Qg7 10 h4 ~b8 11hs ss 12 ~h2?! 16 ba6 -'la6 exchange to ward off the
6 ~e2 e6 b4 13 4Jdl 4Jes 14 f3 ds= 17 .d2 CjfJh7 immediate attack.
The best of several Preziuso v Komljanovic, 18 h4 ~ 30 !tfs
choices. Others indude: Zurich 1989. 19 f4 ~4 31 cbS .Q.b7
a) 6 ... ~d 7 7 .Q.e3 b6 8 f 4 Another possibility is 8 20 ~4 cd4 32 .Q.b4 ttc8
.Q.b790-0 4Jd4 10 ~d2 hs 11 ... b6 9 ~d2 h6 10~e3 .Q.a611
21 .Q.f2 hs 33 .Q.fs efs
h3 rs 12 ~f2 0-0-0 13 4Jd4! ~fel4Jd4 12 f4 ~c8 13 ~abl According to Hickl 34 .Q.d6 !ta8
~d4 14~d4 cd4 ls4Je2 eS 16 ~d7 14 ~f2 0-0 15 4Jd4 cd4 Black could have equalised 35 !tel ttc3
c3!;!;;Karpov v Schaufelber- 164Je2 4Jc6 17 c3 dc3 18 bc3 with 21 ... eS! 22 f'S gfS 23 36!tc2 .b3
ef'S .Q.b7. 37 !tc7 .d5
ger, Groningen 1967. ds 19eS!;!;;Spassky v Panno,
b) 6 ... ~b8 7 0-0 (7 a4 a6 8 Lucerne 1985. 22 eS! 38 !tb7!
0-0 ss 9 abS abS 10 f4 ~d7 9 -'le3 ~4 Spassky returns the
rs
11 4Jf6 12 4Jf4 0-0 13 g4 10 !tbl exchange to kill off al l
b4 14 4Jcds 4Jds 15 4Jds e6 Spassky adopts the counterplay.
16 4Je3 ~h4 17 ~f3 ~a8 18 slightly unusual plan of 38 ttb7
~bl 4Jd4 19 ~h3 ~e7 20 playing on the Queenside. 39 !tbl ttds
~fl= Georgadze v Ruban, 10 !tb8 40 ttg2 ttg8
Tbilisi 1989;7 ~5 bs 8 ~d2 11 b4 b6 41 b6 !ta2
b4 9 4Jdl h6 10 ~e3 4Jf6 11 12 beS deS 42 1!b2 Resigns
h3 us 12 f4 ~d7 13 0-0 ~c8 13 a4 0-0
14~h2 aS 15a3 0-0 16~1!? 14 4)bs
62 2 g3 with White playing f)c3 2 g3 with White playing f)c3 63
GAME 18 Andersson, Reykjavik 1988 .o.d4 g4 23 z:îae1±.
went 8 c[:)f4c[:)ge79 0-00-0 H~
~'/" ~~
~.l~.
~~~L.~~~,
:.., Another tenth move
Spassky v Hort 10 !le3 {Bilek v Evans, variant occured in Trapl v
~~ ~ L,~ ~
Bugojno 1978 Lugano Olympiad 1968 saw
1 e4 cS 10 c[:)fdSc[:)dS11c[:)dS!le6 12 ~
~
~.k1~
h ...• '. •..•.• %
~ Pribyl, Czech Champion-
ship 1972: 10 .o,gS!? f6! 11
2 ~3 4:)c6 c[:)f4 !ld 7 13 c3 bS 14 a3 aS 1S ~.i:~A~ ~ ~hS ~d7 12 efS c[:)c213 z:îac1
3 g3 g6 !le3 c[:)eS16 hê=} z:îb8 11 a3 ~ ~ ~ ~ 4Jd4 14 4Je4 ~f8 15 ,O.e3
4 Ag2 Ag7 c[:)eS12~h1 b6 13~e2 !lb7 14 ~
~ ·~A~
~ ~ ~
~ 4Yc6 16 c[:)hf2?!~c7 17 !ld4
S d3 d6 g4 c[:)7c615 h3 ~d7 16 ~f2
6 f4 eS c[:)e717 ~g3 ~h8 18 z:îf2 bS
A~A~
~ ~ ~
~ r'''' , ..
ed4 18 4Jd6!? ~d6 19 4Je4
~f8 20 z:îcS!ld7 21 b4 ~b8?
7 ~3 19 z:îaf1aS 20!lc1 b4 21 ab4 ~ ~ ~~~\ft 22 bS c[:)eS23 z:îeS!feS 24 f6
Already threatening to ab4 22 c[:)cdSc[:)dS 23 edS 8 0-0 ~4 !lh6 25 ~eS ~c8 26 4Jd6
break through with fS af ter Z!fe8 24 !le4 b3 2S c3 c4 26 Certainly better than 8 ~c7 27 b6 and Black resigns
castling. The cautious dc4 c[:)c427 !lg2 !la6 28 z:îd1 ... 0-0 as in Balashov v 11ic, as mate is inevitable .
7 c[:)f3 leads to a patient Z!e7 Draw) c[:)ge7 9 ~d2 Kudasi 1990 which conti- 10 h6
manoeuvring game: Baecke (Spassky v Portisch, Geneva nued 9 fS! f6 10 g4 !ld7 11 11 nf2 .Q.e6
v Mongeay, Novi Sad Olym- Candidates 1977 went 9 0-0 c[:)f2~h8 124Je2 !le8 134Jg3 12 .Q.e3 (td7
piad 1990 7 c[:)f3c[:)ge78 0-0 h6 10 Z!b1 0-0 {Hodgson dS 14 h4 de4 1S de4 ~d1 16 13 nafl 0-0-0
0-0 9 h3 (9 !le3 ef 4 10 gf 4 v Kudrin, Hastings 1986/87 Z!d1b6 17 c3!±. 14 ~S! fe4
HO !lf4!?} c[:)d411~d2 c[:)ec6 instead went 10 ... gS 11!le3 9 fS!? 15 ~7 (te7
12 Z!ab1!lg4 13 c[:)dSc[:)f314 c[:)eS12c[:)f20-0 13 h4!? with The text is the best 16 .Q.d4 cd4
!lf3 !lf3 1SZ!f3 fS= Bastian v a double edged posrtion} 11 amongst the main choices.
Ribli, Baden Baden 1981; 9 a3 !le6 12 !le3 c[:)eS13 c[:)f4
!ld2 c[:)d410 Z!b1!lg4 11c[:)e2 with a complicated posi-
Alternatives include:
a) 9 z:îf2 h6 10 !le3 ef 4 11
L. ~*~m. ~
~.i:~ ~.i:~J
c[:)f312 !lf3 !lf3 13 z:îf3 dS= tion) h6 10 0-0 c[:)eS11 ~h1 4Jf 4 0-0 12 ~d2 fS 13 Z!aft ~ ~.l~ ~'h

Benschop v J Bellin, Manila !ld7 12 z:îae1bS 13 c[:)dS4JdS ~ .~ ~ .

~h7 14c[:)cdSfe4 15!le4 !lfS
Olympiad 1992) c[:)d4 10 g4 14 edS gS 15 !leS !leS 16 16 c3± Spassky v Timman, ~ ~ .~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~tt1
fS 11gfS ef4 12 !lf4 gfS 13 b4!±. Black has deliberate- Buenos Aires Olympiad ~
~
~.i:~ ~
•••••• % ~

!lgS± ~e8 14 !le7 ~e7 1S ly delayed castling which 1978. ~ ~A~

~ ~ ~ ~~
~
c[:)dSc[:)f316 ~f3 ~gS 17 efS has led to a critical and ri-
sky situation and now
b) Former World Champion ~~.k1 A r'~A ~ r"h
!lfS 18 c3 Z!ae8 19 z:îae1!leS? Euwe recommended 9 c[:)dS ~ ~ ~Ç!!'?~
~ ~ h ••.• Z •.....

20 c[:)c7z:îe7 21 ~dS ~g7 22 loses a Pawn and the c[:)dS10 edS 0-0 11c3 c[:)fS=. ~ ~ ~J:3~~

d4 cd4 23 cd4 z:îc7 24
z:îeS!!±± Z!c2(24 ... z:îcf7) 25 0-0 17 bcS ~c8 18 c[:)gS!
z:îefSz:îfS26 z:îfSz:îc127 ~h2
~e3 28 ~f7 Resigns
7 {)ge7
Roos v Stoica, Bagneux
1979went 7 ... ef4 stopping
once and for aU White
playing fS. The game conti-
nued 8 -'lf4 (Spassky
game. The finish was 16 ... 9 gfs 17 nf71
10 (ths A Spassky special.
hgS 08 ... ~cS 19 c[:)e4 Threatening 4JgS. 17 ... (te8
foUowed by ~h6 leads to Seret v Birnboim, Malta No good is 17 ... !lf7 18
an overwhelming at.tack) 19 Olympiad 1980 saw 10 z:îf7 ~e8 19 ~g4 ~b8 20
z:îeS!!f6 (19 ... deS 20 ~gS 4JgS!? h6 11 efS hgS 12 f6 ~g7±±.
~h8 21 z:îf6 and mate .o.f8 13 fe7 !le7 14 c[:)dS!le6- 18 .Q.e4 nf8
follows) 20 Z!e7 ~d8 21 1Sc3 c[:)c616~a4 ~f8 17 b4! 19 .Q.fslI
cd6 !le8 22 !lh3 ~d6 23 cb4 18 d4! ed4 19 cb4 4JeS Planned long ago by
v !le6 ~h8 24 ~gS!! Resigns 20 .o.b2~d7 21 ~d7! .o.d7 22 Spassky.
M, • ,.,/ wil IJ Whlte pJaying fjc3 2 g3 with White playing fj :1 .1.
19 'êf7 have been an error as 35 ... able to play ~h5. 11 4)fs
20 'êf7 nf7 de4 36 4Je4 '3;e5 37 4Jf2 d3 7 4)ge7 12 .Q.e4 4)fd4
21.Q.e6 nfd7 38 4Jd3 '3;d4 39 4Jb4 '3;c3 8 0-0 0-0
22 nf7 rlJc7 would have foUowed and 8 ... 4Jd4 is evidently
23 .Q.d7 nd7 Black is more than just better and discussed in
24 nd7 ~7 alive. game 18.
25 'ltig2 35 ... hgs 9 fs!
36 hgs 'lties White is on his way.
~ ~ ~ 37 'ltig4 JJg7? 9 gfs?!
~j:~.~
.~ ~ ~ ~"~ .
Better was 37 ... e3 tying Black has to accept a
~ ~'~ ~ ~,/. White down. passive position with 9 ...
~ ~ .

~ ~ ~ ~
38 ~s .Q.f8 f6 10 g4 g5 when 114Jf2 in-
~ ~ ••••• y. ~
39 g6 e3 tending h4 and the opening
~
~ ~'~ ~
~ ~ 40 'ltif3 'ltifs of the h-f'ile gives White Ipek v Stefansson,
~
~ ~jt~
~ ~ ~4J
~ 41 g7 Resigns the initiative. European Junior eh saw
jt~jt~
~ ~
~\!)~.,/.
~ .. lOef 5 Black wiped out af ter 12 ...
GAME 19 4Jcd4 13 ~h5 ~f6 14 4Jd5
~ ~ ~ ~
li ~J.~~ ~~. ~e6 15 c3 h6 16 cd4 4Jd4 17
A good Knight vs bad
Bishop endgame.
Palacios V Rios
Spain 1990
m.j:~ ~j:~.Jj: 4JgS 4Jf3 18 4Jf3 l"!ac8 19
~41~'~ ~ ~ 4Jh4 c4 20 4Jf5 cd3 21 .Q.h6
25 ... 'ltie6 1 e4 cS ~ ~
~ ?,,,,'/~ ~jt~ d2 22 4Jde7 '3;h8 23 .Q.g7
26 'ltif3 as 2 4)c3 4:)c6 ~~ ...~~~ mate.
26 ... '3;f5 was a wiser 3 g3 g6 ~ ~ ~ ~ Another unsuccessful
4 JJg2 JJg7 ~
~r.LJ~~~jt~

~:~~~ ~4J
choice preventing the King Black try is 12 ... 4Jh4 13
entry. 5 d3 eS!? jt~jt~ ~.kl~." gh4 ~h4 14 '3;g2 h6 lS .Q.e3
27 'ltig4 'ltif6 6 f4 d6 ~~ ~.. . f5 16.Q.f34Jd4 17.Q.f2~e7 18
28 'ltihS .Q.f8 4Jd5 ~d7 19.Q.hS~c6 20 c4±
29 ~1 10 .Q.fs?! -- analysis by Pickett and
29 a4 forestalling Unpleasant is 10 ... 4Jf5 Swift.
Black.'s plan of expanding 11 ~h5 4Jfd4 12 .Q.e4 f5 13 Also failing is 12 ...
on the Queenside was .Q.d5'3;h8 (13 ... .Q.e614 4JgS 4Jfe7? 13 .Q.h7!'3;h7 14 ~h5
essential. Now Black is h6 15 4Je6±±) 144Jg5 h6 lS '3;g8 15 4Jg5 with mate to
back in the game. ~g6! hg5 16~h5 .Q.h617~h6 follow.
29 hs mate. 13 (ths tsn
30 4)e2 aS Little better is 10 ... f6 11 This is the losing move.
31 g4 a4 ~h5 d5 12 g4 4Jd4 13 l"!f2b6 Bilek v Gheorghiu,
32 h4 h4 14 .Q.h6 and White has a Bucharest 1968 saw Black
33 h3 al 7 ~3 promising attack. try a different defence but
34 4)g3 e4! An enticing method de- 11 nfs! with similar outcome:
35 gs signed to keep the f file This exchange sacriftce 13 ... l"!e814~h7 '3;f8 15.Q.g5
White needs to play free for the Rook. At some destroys al l Blacks defen- ~d7 164JdS l"!e617 ~f1 4Jc2
accurately. 35 de4 would stage White may even be ces. 18 .Q.g6 4J2d4 19 .Q.h6.
66 2 g3 with White playing4Jc3 2 g3 with Whit pl 'YIn!; • (,I

Resigns. Ulvija v Djeno, Germany and went on to win in SO U .Q.f4 .Qg4

14 .Q.eIS rcfih8 1992) 10 .o.f2 (10 eS 4JefS 11 moves.
15 4)gs h6 .o.f24Jf3 12 ~f3 4Jd4 13 ~dl 8 ~O
16 (tg6 Resigns dS 14 4Ja4 b6 lS b4 .o.d7 16 Not so hot is 8 .o.e34Jd4
bcS .o.a4 17 .o.d4 ~c8 18 cb6 9l"rbl b4 104Je2 eS 11c3 bc3
GAME 20 ~c2 19~b1 ab6 20 .o.b6 ~a8 12 bc3 4Je2 13 'itJe2 ef 4+ as
21 ~f2 ~fc8 22 l"rc2 .o.c2 occurred in Norwood v
Donev v Orlowski Draw Relange v Mirumian, Benjamin, Toronto 1985.
Schweiz 1992 Germany 1992)4Jec6 11eS (11 8 aSN
1 e4 cS 4Jd4 4Jd4 12 l"rbl ~aS 13 a3
2 ~ ~ ~b8 14 4Je2 ~a4 lS 4Jd4 ~~J.~~~~4'lL.
3 g3 g6 cd4= Sharavorj v Simon, ~
~ .~
~ ~:tr-"~:t
.~ .
A key defensive move.
Lane v Hutchings,
Stroud 1980 saw Black go
Germany 1992) deS 12 4JeS
4JeS 13 feS ~b8 14 4Je4 .o.eS
'.4'l'~
~ ~:t~
~.~
Insufficient is 11 ... ciJf3 12
al l out on the Queenside: 3 lS c3 ciJbS16.o.cS±:
~'~:t~'~
......... •~ ~
~ ~f3 .o.b7 13ciJe4 ~c8 14 ciJd6
... l"rb8 4 .Q.g2g6 S d3 .Q.g76 7 ~3 ss ...
~
~
'~jt~
~ ~
~ ed61S~b7±:.
f4 bS 7 4Jf3 b4 8 4Je2 ~b6 9 Donev v Novkovic, ~
~ "jt~{')~
~ ~ ~ 12 ~5!!
0-0 d6 10 ~hl 4Jf6 11 h3 c4 Buchs 1992 saw Black 4>~4>~ ~~i'« Introducing a wonderful
12 g4 cd3 13 cd3 0-0 14 fS±:. employ an offbeat variation ~~~.·,..~!~~ffi.·.·"/. ... attacking conception. This
4 .Qg2 .Qg7 ~~ ~0~J:::!~~ move, leaving the White
which is quite alien to the
5 dJ d6 whole spirit of the var- An innovation which Queen on dl en prise is
6 f4 iation: 7 ... .Q.g48 h3 .o.f3 9 improves over Donev v Gal- certainly based on intuition
~f3 e6 10 0-0 ciJge7 11.o.e3 lagher, Lenk 1991 which rather than actual calcula-
0-0 12l"rael ~aS 13 .o.d2~b6 went 8 ... b4 9 4Je2!? (Mar- tion.
14 .o.et ciJd4 lS ~f2 4Jec6. janovic v Velimirovic, 12 ... (td4!
White has al l the advan- Yugoslavia 1978 saw 9 Af ter 12 ... .o.d1 there
tages Bishop pair, 4JdS!? e6 10 4Je3 4Jge7 11a3 follows 13 .o.c6 'itJf8 14 4Jd7
space and the bet.ter ba3 12 ~a3 0-0 13 c3 dS 14 ~d7 (14 ... 'itJe8 lS 4Jb8 \l1f8
attacking chances. eS f6 lS d4 cd4 16 cd4±:. 16 ciJd7 'itJe8 17 ciJcS ~f8 18
Bronstein v Keres, Zu- White has both asolid ciJe6 fe6 19 .o.c7±±) lS .o.d7
rich 19S3saw 7 ... e6 8 0-0 centre and a space advan- ~d8 16 .o.e6!? (16 .o.bS±±)
ciJge7 9 eS! (Bronstein, not tage.) ciJd4 10 a3 4Jf3 11.o.f3 ciJf6 17 ~adl fe6 18 ciJbS±:
for the first time, goes for aS 12 ab4±: ab4 and now 13 with an excellent ending
6 rIb8 the tactics) deS 10 feS 4JeS d4! cd4 14 4Jd4 with .o.e3 to for White.
The alternative to the 11.o.f4 4Jf3 12 ~f3 l"ra8 13 come. 13 rcfihl .Q.dl
normal Queenside play was .o.e3 (Not 13 .o.eS O-O! de- 9 eS! 14.Q.c6 rcfid8
seen in Claudio v Ibragi- fending both f7 and g7) 0-0 A Pawn sacrrfice to rip There is no respite in 14·
mov, Germany 1992 which 14 .o.cS.o.d4 1S .o.d4 ~d4 16 open the centre as weU as ... 'itJf8 lS 4Jd7 ~d7 (1S ...
went 6 ... e6 7 4Jf3 4Jge 7 8 'itJh1~b8 17 ciJe4 fS 18 ~f4 exploiting Blacks under- 'itJe8 16ciJb8 'itJd8 17ciJbS±±)
.,(le3 4Jd4 9 0-0 0-0 (9 ... .o.d7? us ... ~a8!) 19 c3! ~b6 developed forces. 16 .o.d7 ~d8 17 .o.bS !lc2 18
4Jec6 10 eS dS 11.o.d44Jd4 12 20 4Jf6±:. Bronstein picks 9 deS .o.c7 ~d4 19 ~f3!±. Th
4Jd4 cd4 13 4Je2 ~b6= up the loose Rook on b8 10 feS ~s Bishop on c2 is trapped and
 •I tt.h White playing4)c3
'k must lose at least an
-la nge.
15 lOf7 'lie8
16 .Q.b8
Informator mentions 16
~adl ~b6 174:JbS~bS 18 c3!
t#/f6 19.Q.bSt#/f7 20 .Q.a6~d7
21 .Q.bS~c8 (21 ... ~d8? 22
.o.c7±) 22.Q.a6=
The text is designed to
prevent the Black monarch
from running away.
16 .Q.c2
Perhaps the last chance
is 16 '" ~b8 17 ~adl
although 17 4:JbS ~b2 18
~ad1 threatening to take on
h8 should win on material.
17 ~bS t)b2
Missing the reply.
18 .Q.eSu
see folJowing diagram
A beautiful finish.
18 .Q.eS
19 ~d6 ResJgns
ConclusJon:
While the basic plans
rernain the same, the
versatility of finesses and
move orders are apparent
here. It is relatively easy to
spring a new move on your
opponent to get him out of
specific preparation or you
can just experiment with
ideas to see if it is to your
taste. I am especially
attracted by Spassky's
7 4:Jh3in game 18 and game
19 when Palacios used 7
4:Jh3in a slightly different
position to great effect.
2 g3 or 2 4)c31eading to the Main Lin
CHAPTER4
2 g3 or 2 ~c3 leading to
the Main Line
GAME 21
Spassky v Hjartarson
Lyon v Bayern MunJch 1991
1 e4 es
2 4)c3 4)c6
3 g3 g6
4 .Q.g2 .Q.g7
5 d3 d6
6 f4
The main line of the
Closed Sicilian. This var-
iation has stood the test of
time and has been the main
battleground of the sy-
stem. This line has been
enriched by numero us
attempts to introduce new
ideas. Involving early king-
side expansion, it is gene-
rally regarded as the most
solid, positional approach
for White.
The text move lays the
foundation for developing a
kingside attack and gaining
space. This system is suit-
able for those players who
prefer a steady build-up
and controlled aggression.
6 e6
This move is regarded as
6<
the most robust defence
available f'or Black. The
positional features of this
varlation are:
a) Preventing an early
thrust in the centre (d4) by
occupying d4 with the
Knight.
b) The thematic advance of
the f-Pawn to fS, shunting
White's attack and re-
stricting his space advan-
tage on the kingside.
c) To vacate the 7th rank
for organising an effective
defence by manoeuvring
the major pieces.
d) Black usually opts f'or a
slightly delayed response
in the centre L. dS) rather
than the traditional coun-
ter-attack on the queen-
side.
7 4:)(3 4)ge7
8 0-0 0-0
Spassky v Hort, West
Germany 1981 saw delayed
castling: 8 ... .Q.d7 9 .(le3
4:Jd410 ~b1 ~c8 11.o.f24Je (,
124:Je2t#/aS134:Jed44Jd4 14
c34:Jf3 1St#/f3;!;;.
9 .Q.e3
70 2 g3 or 2 f)c3 leading to the Main Line
White has a variety of
alternatives which are exa-
mined in later games. The
text is preferred by most
Closed Sicilian advocates
for its straight forward
approach. White prepares
for the thematic central
thrust d4 whilst developing
his Queens Bishop on a
useful diagonal.
9 4)d4
A standard reply de-
signed to prevent Whites
central advance. There is
scant theoretical expe-
rience with ... b6. ECO
gives 10 d4 ~a6 11!lel eS 12
feS cd4 13{Jd4 {Jd4 14 ~d4
.Q.eSIS ~a4± Evans v Lom-
bardy, USA 1973. However
we examine a more recent
example in later games.
10 .Q.f2
The Bishop retreats to a
safer square to prepare for
a fut ure exchange on d4 as
weU as the tactical Pawn
sac eS. The text is consi-
dered to be cautious and
suitable for those who pre-
fer a steady build-up. The
speculative Pawn sacrifice
10 eS, Spasskys patent 10
~d2 and 10 ~bl are dealt
with in the later part of
this chapter.
10 ~ the same position could
U 4)d4 4)d4
Roos v Benjamin, New
York 1984 went 11... cd4 12
{Je2 fS 13 c3 dc3 14 bc3 ~d7
IS !lbl b6. The position is
approximately equal. 11 ...
cd4 requires further prac-
tical tests to evaluate and
reach a conclusion. The
variation 13 efS efS 14 !lbl
intending ~c6!? & ~d4 is
critical for this line.
12 eS
• ~J.~~ ~m.
~~:fU
.~ ~ ~:t~--~:t
~ .
.~
~ ~:t~:t~
.~~
~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ the capture on eS White
U
~ '";ft:U
~ ~ ~
~ obtains a better position as
;ft:~;ft:~ ~ 11i"/-
~9·U~Uz~~.
i~ ~'0~e~~
An unorthodox approach
to the situation which de-
parts fom the traditional
lines of Pawn storming on
the Kingside to launch an
offensive against the Black
monarch. The text sac's
a Pawn to open up the po-
sition in the centre for his
Bishops as weIl as putting
a spoke in Black's Pawn
2 g3 or 2 f)c3 leading to the Main Line 71
structure. The sacrificed
material is soon regained
with active piece play. This
line is White's best bet in
this variation.
It must be noted that
also be reached by tran-
sposition from the early
Pawn sac variation 10 eS!?
(i ns tead of 10 ~f2) {JefS 11
.o.f2{Jf3 12~f3 {Jd4 13~d1.
Hence this line is worth
studying for 10 eS!? affi-
cionados.
12 deS
Black accepts the offer.
The alternative 12 ... dS is
passive and allows White a
lasting advantage af ter 13
~a4 b6 14 c3 {Jc6 IS d4 cd4
16 cd4±. White hasa space
advantage and a promising
attack.
13 feS .Q.es
If Black refrains from
in Rogulj v Paunovic,
Belgrade 1987 which went
13 ... !lb8?! 14 {Je4 b6 IS c3
~fS 16 {Jf6 litth8 (16 ... ~f6
17 ef6 ~f6 18 g4! {Jd6 19
..Q.cS±when White regains
the Pawn with a lasting
advantage) 17 g4 {Je7 18
~f3 .Q.b719 ~h3 ~f6 (19 ...
h6 20 .Q.e3±±)20 ef6 {Jg8 21
-'lg3±±. The Pawn on f6 is a
thorn in Blacks flesh and
keeps the Knight on g8 out
of play. White has excel-
lent prospects of develop-
ing a mating attack on the
Kingside. Rogulj won in 30
moves.
14 ~4 rs
The start of an excellent
plan to fend off White's
attack on the Kingside and
undermine the centralized
Knight on e4. It is inevit-
able that White will regain
the Pawn with a slight in-
itiative. The text is Blacks
best bet. The alternatives
are inconsistent as White is
on top in every line.
Campora v Obiltas,
Buenos Aires 1991 went 14
... ~d7 IS c3 {JfS 16 .Q.cS(16
g4!?) !le8 17~f3 ~c6 18 d4
.Q.g719!ladl ~c7 20 ~f2 hS
21 !lfe1±. White has a
slight edge due to his
actively deployed forces.
Balashov v Groszpeter,
Biel 1991saw Black adopt a
cautious retreat with 14 ...
.Q.g7IS c3 {JfS 16~cS !le8 17
~f3 ~c7 18 d4 aS 19 g4 {Jh6
20 !lael±. The control over
the key d6 square plus a
fully mobilised force and
the totally underdeveloped
Queenside of his opponent
constitute Whites positio-
nal superiorty.
If 14 ... ~c7 IS c3 {Jc6 16
.Q.cS!ld8 17 d4 (17 .Q.e3!?)
deserves consideration.
15 ~ ttd6
Black is in a quandary,
unable to decide on the
72 2 g3 or 2 4)c3 leading to the Main Line
best square for the deve-
lopment of the Queen to
oust the menacing Knight
on cS. Expert opinion cen-
tres around the prudent lS
... t/Jc7 as the most appro-
priate square. However it is
yet to be proved that
Whites strategie plan faUs
short of an advantage
against this improvement.
Abramovie v Damljanov-
ie, New York 1988 went lS
... t/Jc7 16b4 4Jc6 (16 ... 4JbS
17 a4 -'1.al 18 t/Jal 4Jd6 19
-'1.d4±.The weakness of the
dark squares and the domi-
nant Queen and Bishop
combination on the long
diagonal {al-h8} and the
underdeveloped Queenside
pieces provide ample com-
pensation for the exchange).
17 d4 -'1.f618 c3 .!'rb8 19 tlJb3
4Jd8 20 .o.e3!? -'1.e7 (20 ...
rt/g7 21-'1.f4eS 22 deS -'1.eS23
-'1.eStlJeS 24 .!'rfel t/Jc7 2S
Z1ad1± Abramovie v A
Rodriguez, New York 1988.
Whites active forces and
Black's difficulty in un-
tangling his Queenside
pieces is a major factor in
tilting the scales in Whites
2 g3 or 24)c31eading to the Main Line 73
the centre. The host of tactical shot that wins This innovation enables
alternatives al l favour a piece) 19 tlJb3 b6 20 4Jd3 Hjartarson to obtain a ba-
White. -'1.b721 -'1.b7.!'rb722 a4 4Jc7 lanced middle game posi-
If 16 ... 4JbS?! 17 a4 ~al 23 ~fel 4JdS 24 c4 4Je7 2S tion. The exchange of dark
18 tlJal 4Jc7 19 4Jb7 -'1.b720 4Jf4! 4Jc6 (2S ... -'1.d4 26 squared Bishops assists
-'1.b7 tlJb4 (20 ... ~b8? 21 .!'radl -'1.f2 27 rt/f2 t/Jb8 28 Black in establishing con-
~cS±) 21-'1.a8~a8 22 tlJeS±. 4Je6 .!'re8 29 cS± ± . The trol over the d4 square.
The total domination of threat of discovered check The threat is ... 4Jb4 winn-
the dark squares, the and the weak spots around ing a Pawn.
superior minor piece and the Black monarch give Why had not this been
the lasting initiative along White an overwhelming played before? A logical
the al-h8 diagonal give attack) 26 ~e6 tlJb4 27 tlJd3 move curbing Whites
White a winning advantage. 4Je7 28 -'1.eltlJb2 29 -'1.c3tlJb3 activity and control over
Also 16 ... ~717 a4 eS 18 30 .!'rf6!!(The former World the centre.
c3 4Jc6 19 aS gives White a Champion unleashes a This innovation enables
slight edge according to dazzling exchange sacrifice Hjartarson to obtain a ba-
Gufeld. Black's Queenside to exploit the classie lanced middle game posi-
pieces are tied down to the weakness on the long dia- tion. The exchange of dark
defence of the b 7 Pawn and gonal. The rest is straight- squared Bishops assists
are unable to dislodge the forward) ~f6 31 dS rt/f7 32 Black in establishing con-
Knight on cS as weIl as 4Je6 ~e6 33 de6 rt/e6 34 ~el trol over the d4 square.
warding off the pressure rt/f7 3S tlJd4 t/Ja4 36 tlJg7 The threat is ... 4Jb4 winn-
along the hl-a8 long dia- rt/e8 37 -'1.f6rt/d8 38 t/Jf8 tlJe8 ing a Pawn.
gonal. 39 .!'rd1.!'rd7 40 -'1.e7rt/c7 41 18 ttd2 ~f2
Lane v Schneider, Cap- t/Je8 Resigns. 19 ttf2 ~8
pelle La Grande 1992 wit- 17 ~1 ~d4!= 20 a3 b6
nessed an unusual tactical 21 4)b3 ~b7
solution to Blackts nagging l!~.tl ~ ~~e Hjartarson gives 21 ... eS!
problem on the Queenside. ~.L~ .~ ~.L with immediate equality.
16 ... ~7 17 ~bl aS! 18 4Jb7 ·······~41·~.L~.L~
~ h.,- ~
Instead he gets carried
-'1.b720 -'1.b7ab4 21-'1.a8~a8
with an unclear position. ~
~
.~
~
~.L~
~ ~
away in completing his
development. This aIlows
Blacks enormous presence
on the dark squares com-
~ [! ~ ~ White to obtain a foothold

favour) 21 dS edS 22 tlJdS bined with excellent

~ ~1t~.~ .. in the centre.
4>~1t~~ ~~~~i'"
~~ M .....
22 d4 ~8!
4Jf7 23 -'1.f4 -'1.d624 -'1.d6tlJd6
2S .!'radl±.
16 b4 ~!
attacking chances on the
Kingside compensates for
the loss of an exchange.
~~~~~~m A fine positional move
ensures that White's
Why had not this been advantage is minimal. The
This sensible move is Spassky v Gufeld, Wel- played before? A logical premature thrust in the
the correct choiee to lington 1988 went 16 ... ~b8 move curbing Whites centre 22 ... eS 23 dS 4Je7 24
thwart Whites attempt to 17 c3 4JbS 18 d4 -'1.f6(18 ... activity and control over c4 tlJf6 2S ~fd1±. White's
establish an advantage in 4Jc3? 19 deS± ±. A pretty the centre. Pawn cluster on the
74 2 g3 or 2fJc3leading to the Main Line
Queenside will create two
mobile connected passed
Pawns, which will result in
an overwhelming advantage
for White.
23 c4 W 4Jf6 64Jc3 a6 7 g3 g6 8 .Q.g2
24 .Q.b7 1tb7
2S .eJ eS
26 deS
If instead 26 dS ~c7 27
~bc1 ~fc8 Black is able to
restrain the Pawn majority
on the Queenside.
26 'ü:'lz
The players split the
point since af ter 26 ... ~eS
27 ~eS 4JeS 28 cS bcS 29
4JcS ~b6 the ending offers
no scope for either player
to play for an advantage.
GAME 22
Balashov v Pigusov
USSR 1990
1 e4 cS
2 4)c3 ~ h3 fS! 9 0-0 ~h8 10 4Je2
J gJ
The system involving the
development of the King's
Knight to e2 has been gain-
ing steady popularity ever
since Fischer adopted it in
his revenge match against
Spassky in Yugoslavia.
Radu v Peptan, Rumania
1992 went 3 4Jge2 g6 4 g3
.Q.g75 .Q.g2e6 6 d3 4Jge7 7
.Q.gS!?h6 8 .Q.e34Jd4 9 0-0
0-0 10~d2±,
ECO considers Geor-
gadze v Nemet, USSR v
Yugoslavia 1979 as the main
line: 3 4Jge2 eS 4 4JdS d6
(Ghinda v Manolov, Pernik
1982 went 4 ... 4Jce7 5 4Je3
.Q.g79 a3 d6 10 b4 0-0 11bcS
dcS 12 a4 ~b8 which is un-
clear) 5 4Jec3 4Jge7 6 .Q.c4
4JdS 74JdS .Q.e68 0-0 .Q.e79
d3 0-0 10 a4 ~c8 11 f4±.
White has a slight edge.
Finally Hort v Kinder-
mann, Bath 1983 adopted an
ultra sharp system: 3 g4?!
e6 4.Q.g2 hS! 5 ghS 4Jf6 6 d3
~hS 7 4Jge2 dS which is
also unclear.
J g6
4 .Qg2 .Qg7
S dJ d6
6 f4 e6
Black has two interest-
ing alternatives which lead
to complex middlegames:
Sax v Tolnai, Hungary 1991
saw 6 ... 4Jh6!? 74Jf3 0-0 8
~b8 11 c3 eS 12 .Q.e3 b6 13
~d2 4Jf7=.
ECO gives 6 ... fS!? 7
4Jf3 4Jf6 (7 ... 4Jh6!?) 8 0-0
0-0.
7 ~J 4)ge7
8 ~O ~O
9 .Q.eJ
A dual purpose move to
prepare for the thematic
central thrust d4 and to
deploy his Queen Bishop on
a useful square.
Mascarinas v Yurtaev,
2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Main Line 75
Frunze 1979 went 94Je2 dS
10 eS f6 11 ef6 .Q.f6 12 ~hl
~d6, unclear according to
ECO but I prefer Black be-
cause af ter ... eS he will
have smooth development
and an active position.
9 ~4
The standard reply to
block Whites central
advance and occupy a fine
outpost in the centre.
Ghafour v Powell, Mani-
la Olympiad 1992 saw an
unusual Queen sortie: 9 ...
~b6 10 ~bl.Q.d7 11~hl ~ac8
12 ~e2 4Jd4 13 ~f2 4Jec6 14
a3 4Jf3 15 .Q.f34Jd4 16 .Q.g2
~a6±. Whi te has the better
game as Blacks counterat-
tack on the Queenside
lacks punch and is inconsi-
stent with the general plan.
10 eS!?
Currently the most
important variation in the
Closed Sicilian. This line
was recently introduced
into Master level and the
International circuit. It is
such a new idea that it is
not considered in most of
the opening monographs.
The Pawn sacrifice as early
as the tenth move signals
Whites highly enterprising
approach and the urge to
whip up a rapid positional
attack in the centre. The
central Pawn thrust breaks
up Blacks Pawn structure,
simultaneously opening up
the position for his pair of
Bishops and capitalizing on
Blacks lag in development.
The text also under-
mines Black's Knight on d4
whilst vacating the vital e4
square for the Queens
Knight to join the fray.
The alternative 10 ~bl,
will suit players who prefer
a subtie quieter approach.
A model game by former
champion Anatoly Karpov
involving positional ma-
noeuvring, Pawn storming
on the Kingside and a fine
display of controlled
aggression will help Closed
Sicilian advocates to deve-
lop a feelfor these posi-
tions. Karpov v Quinteros,
Buenos Aires 1980 went 10
~bl4Jec6 114Je2 4Jf3 12.Q.f3
b6 13 c3! (13 eS?! is prema-
ture as af ter 13 ... .Q.b714 d4
cd4 15 4Jd4 4Jd4 16 .Q.b7
4JfS+ Black emerges with
an edge) .Q.b714 ~d2 dS 15
eS aS (If 15 ... d4 16 cd4 cd4
17 4Jd4! White exploits the
pin on the hl-a8 diagonal
76 2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Main Line
to win a Pawn) 16 d4 t!;Je7 17
.Q.f2 .Q.a6 18 Z!fe1 (It is
obvious that the closed
centre will benefit White
who seeks to attack on the
Kingside. He also enjoys
spatial advantage. He can
manoeuvre his pieces to
better squares before
launching the final
onslaught against the
Black monarch) hS?! (18 ...
Z!ac8 intending ... cd4 and
to create counterplay along
the c file is a wiser choiee.
This fatal advance is a
positional blunder and act-
ually assists White in
opening up the Kingside) 19
h3 ~ac8 20 ~g2 fS 21 t!;Je3
~f7 22 a3! a4 23 g4!;!;; cd4
24 cd4 hg4 2S hg4 4JaS 26
gfS Z!fS27 .Q.g4~ff8 28 ~hl
(Blacks counterattack on
the Queens wing is rather
slow while White on the
other hand has organised
an effective attack on the
Kingaide) 28 ... ~f7 29 ~h7
Z!h8 30 Z!bhl 4Jc4 31 t!;Jg3
4Jb2 32 fS!
A tactical breakthrough
whieh shatters Blacks po-
sition and leads to a fine
mating attack. It is ironie
that the decisive move is
the one that Black tried to
prevent throughout the
middlegame.
10 ~b6!1
Expert opinion considers
the text as the antidote to
the 10 eS Pawn sac var-
iation. However GM Bala-
shovs handling of this line
is impressive and casts a
shadow on its assessment.
The text threatens the
b2 Pawn, bolsters the d4
square and lends support
to the cS Pawn which be-
comes a target af ter the
exchanges in the centre.
U J::tb1
A logieal response from
Balashov who now defends
the b2 Pawn before com-
mencing the attack in the
centre.
Spassky v Horvath,
Rotterdam 1988 went 11
4Je4 4JefS 12 .Q.f2 t!;Jb2 13
4Jd4 cd4 (If 13 ... 4Jd4 14
4Jd6 t!;Jc2 lS .Q.d4t!;Jdl16 ~fdl
cd4 17 ~ab1± Iintending
~dc1, ~c7} and White
clearly stands better in the
ending) 14 g4 4Je3 lS .Q.e3
de3 164Jd6 f6! (16 ... gS?! 17
t!;Je2 gf4 184Jc4 t!;Jd419 ~ac1
bS 20 c3 t!;Jd721.Q.a8bc4 22
d4±±. The passed Pawns
{e3, f4} will soon be
rounded off. eg: 22 ... ~h6
23 h4 followed by gS and
~f4. Also 22 ... .Q.b723 ~b7
t!;Jb724 ~f4 .Q.h62S gS!±±.
This is analysis by GM
Adorjan and Vegh) 17 t!;Je2
feS 18 4Jc4 t!;Jd419 feS ~f2
20 t!;Je3 ~fl 21 Z!fl .Q.eS!22
t!;Jd4.Q.d423 ~hl Z!b8 24 ~bl
Draw.
U 4)efS
2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Main Line 77
12 Jlf2 4)(3 pionship 1989 went on 13 ...
Donev v Komljenovie, deS 14 feS .Q.eSlS 4Ja4 tbc7
Ruse 1989 varied with 12 ... 16 .Q.cS.Q.d7 17 .Q.f8 Z!f8 18
.Q.d713 4Je4 .Q.c6 14 ed6 (14 4Jc3 4Je3 19t!;Jd24Jfl 20 ~fl
b4!? merits at.tention) 4Jf3 ~c8 21 .Q.dlt!;JaS22 d4 .Q.g7
lS .Q.f34Jd4 16 .Q.g2fS 17 c3 23 a3 ~c4 24 dS edS 2S t!;JdS
fe4 18 de4! (After 18 cd4?! .Q.h30:1.
e3! 19 .Q.e3.Q.g220 ~g2 cd4 13 deS
21 .Q.f2 t!;Jd6 Black has a 14 feSN
slight edge) eS (If 18 ... 4JbS
19 a4 traps the errant li ~J. ~ ~~~
Knight) 19 cd4 cd4 20 t!;Jb3 ~1:~
.~ ~ ~1:~"11:
~ _ ..
t!;Jb321 ab3 Z!fd8 22 .Q.d4!! ~ ~1:~1:~
Z!d6 (The Bishop is taboo 22 "-'- ~ ~
... ed4 23 eS .Q.g2 24 ~g2
~
~ ~~ ~4'l~
.~ ~ ~
~e8 2S Z!bdl. The connected ~ ~ ~ ~
passed Pawns on the fifth ~
~ ~:fi:~~~
~ ~
%0."'<'
~
~ ~ç-~ %0.'"
and sixth rank assist White :fi:~:fi:~ ~ 1l~.
in nursing his advantage) ~g~ ~g~
23 .Q.c3 ef4 24 eS .Q.g2 2S ~ ~ ~ ~~
~g2 f3 26 ~f3 ~e6 27 ~dl A novelty. The text
Z!ae8 28 ~d7 and White improves on the strategie
went on to register a fine plan whieh occured in
vietory in 46 moves. Bastian v Muller, Germany
13 ~3 1988. 14 4Ja4?! t!;Jc7 lS feS
The best and the most .Q.eS16.Q.cS.Q.d7!17 .Q.f8~f8
aggressive course in asso- 184Jc3 .Q.d419~hl4Je3.
ciation with the normal For the priee of an
game plan. To a certain exchange Black has a con-
extent White should ignore siderable initiative, which
the addition of 13 ~b1 and coupled with the disarray
... t!;Jb6and adopt a similar of Whites forces gives him
strategy to the previous a better game. Further
game. Yugoslav Grandma- Black 's pair of Bishops will
ster Abramovie, an ardent dominate the open diago-
follower of the system, nals af ter Whites vital
tried to inject some origi- Bishop on g2 is exchanged
nality to the system with 13 for the Knight. 20 t!;Je4? (20
.Q.f3. However his attempt t!;Jf4) t!;Jb6 21 ~f4 eS 22 4Je2
resulted in unfortunate .Q.c623 4Jd4 .Q.e424 Z!e4 ed4
consequences: Abramovie v 2S .Q.f3Z!c8 26 ~e7 t!;Jf6 0:1.
Cebalo, Yugoslav Cham- This game had a decisive
78 2 g3 or 24Jc3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 fjc31eading to the Main Line 79

effect on many Closed Si- Papazov vBoris, Germa- the position to exploit the resorts to passive defence.
cilian Sicilian followers ny 1992varied with 19 ... ~f6 underdeveloped Black for- The Pawn on b4 is poisoned
which made them abandon 20 4Jb3 4Jd6 21 4JcS eS 22 ces on the Queenside. The in view of 32 ... ~b4 33 z:îb1
the variation. In fact the ~dS ~g7 23 d4? e4 24 ~e3 way Balashov tackles this !la3 34 z:îb3±± (33 ... aS 34
Knight on a4 (14 4Ja4?!) is ttJe7 25 ~f4 4Jf7 26 z:îbe1gS complex middlegame raises z:îb4ab4 35 z:îd6).
the real culprit which led 27 ~c1 4Jd6+ . doubts on the assessment 33 .Q.f3 lIbd8
to this debacle. The plan to 20 a4 ~7 of 10 ... ttJb6. The Pawn is still tacti-
stake a claim against the cS 21 4)c4 !1f6 22 eb4 cally immune. 33 ... ~b4 34
23· ~b6 lIb8
Pawn only manages to dis-
rupt the harmony
Whites forces. Hence this
of li ~.l~ ~~* 24 4)c8
25 (te6
4)c8
rlJg7
g4 fg4 (ot.herwise 35 gS
mate) 35 !lg4 z:îdd8 (35 ...
z:îf7 36 z:îb1!) 36 !lb6 fol-
~~~
~ ",' ~
~ ~~
~
plan to put the Knight on ~~~ ~~f"~~~ 26 eb4 lowed by ~c7 wins -- anal-
~ ....
a4 lacks strategical fore- ysis by Krasenkov.
~ ~
.~ ~~~
~ ~ 34 .Q.b6 lIe8
sight and aUows Black to
create significant counter 1t~4J~ ~ ~ 35 .Q.eS lIed8
chances. ~
~ ~1t~
~ ~ ~
~ 36 g4
14 .Q.e5 ~ ~ WIl ~~."'.~~~ ~." The threat of an unusual
~ ~0M~~
15 ~4 ~'i""i'~
~1:::1~
~'i""i'~
~1:::1~~
mate by 37 ~d4 and 38 gS
The point of Whites delivers a death blow to
previous move is to refrain White has generated Black who is now forced to
from the plan of regaining considerable counterplay give up the exchange.
the Pawn on cS. Truly the based upon the activity of 36 fg4
White Knight belongs in his forces and control of 37 .Q.g4 ~5
the centre where it will the key central squares. Material equilibrium is 38 IId7 Resigns
contribute to the Kingside Black's Queenside is in dis- restored with White re- Black resigns in view of
play whilst maintaining array, underdeveloped and taining the initiative along 38 ... z:îd739 ~f8.
a vigil on the cS Pawn. he lacks a proper game with the Bishop pair.
15 ~4 plan. Hence Whites initia- 26 (td6 GAME 23
In Balashov v Kiselev, tive in this position 27 (td6 ~6
Moscow 1989Blacks posi- outweighs the material de- 28 lIbel 1If7 Lane V Sadler
tion disentigrated rapidly ficit. White is also on top Lcmdon1992
af ter 15 ... ~d7 16 ~cS ~d4 22 b4! af ter 28 ... z:îbc8 29 z:îcS!
17~h1±±. Whites chief trump when the weakness of the 1 e4 eS
The Bishop on cS is tac- card, the 'b' Pawn moves 'b' Pawn and the weU 2 4)c3 d6
tically immune in view of 17 forward to tilt the scales in placed Rook on cS give 3 g3 g6
... ~cS 18 4Jf6 ~h8 19 favour of White. The Russ- White a distinct edge. 4 .Q.g2 .Q.g7
4Jd7±± resulting in a stra- ian Grandmaster insists on 29 lIeS .Q.g5 5 d3 4)c6
tegically won position. maintaining the tension in 30 h4 .Q.d2 6 f4 e6
16 t!)dl f5 the centre with this excel- 31 .Q.d4 rlJh6 7 ~3 ~e7
...
17 4)d2 t!)e7 lent confrontational move. 32 IId5 IId7 8 0-0 0-0
18 cl ~b5 The key idea behind Black wisely refrains Wahls v Feller, Luxem-
19 t!)e2 a6 Whites play is to open up from the capture on b4 and bourg 1991saw 8 ... .cld7 9
80 2 g3 or 2fJc31eading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 fJc31eading to the Main Line 81

4JbS ~b8 10 c4 a6 114Jc3 bS
12 ~hl 0-0 13 ~c2 !la7 14
4Jdl !lc8 with Black weU
posted to organize a pow-
erful Queenside attack.
9 .Q.e3 ~4
10 eS!?
Bef'ore we proceed fur-
ther the recent develop-
ments in the Main Line 10
~f2 deserve consideration.
Spassky v Miles, Gjovik
1983 went 10 ..o.f24Jec6 11
4Jd4 4Jd4 12!lbl!ld7 124Je2
~aS! 14 c3 (Spassky v
Adorjan from the same
event varied with 14 4Jc1
!la4 15b3 !lc6 16..o.el~a3 17
c3 4JbS 18 4Je2 fS 19 ttJc2
!lae8 20 !ldl rIf? Draw) 4Je2
15 ttJe2 ttJa2 16 eS ttJb3 17 ed6
rIfc8 18 fS gfS 19g4 with an
unclear position.
Fernandes v Mossong,
European Team Champion-
ship 1989 went 10 ..o.f2!lb8
11 ~d2 ttJaS 12 a3 ..o.d7 13
rIfdl !lfc8 14 !labl bS 15
4JdS ~d8 (15 ... ttJd2 results
in the loss of a Pawn af ter
16 4Je7 ~f8 17 4Jg6 hg6 18
rId2) 164Je7 ~e7 17 c34Jb3
18 ~c2 4JaS 19 d4 cd4 20
..o.d4..o.d421 rId4±. Blacks
backward Pawn on d6 will
come under intense pres-
sure as White can rapidly
deploy his pieces on the
Queen'.s file.
Kornasiewicz v Georges,
Zurich 1988 went 10 ... ..o.d7
11~d2 ~aS 12 ~hl 4Jec6 13
a3 4Jf3 14 ..o.f34Jd4 15 ~2
4JbS 16 ..o.el4Jc3 17 bc3 !lc6
(17 ... fS!) 18 fS± with
a promising attack in the
offing.
Berend v Groszpeter,
Cannes 1991adopted a dif-
ferent approach: 10 ... ..o.d7
11!lb1 ~aS 12 4Jd2 rIad8 13
4Je2 (134Jc4 ttJc7 14 a4 with
eS to come is interesting
and merits further prae-
tice) ~a2?! (13 ... 4Je2 14.
ttJe2 ttJa2 15 4Jc4 ttJa4 16 eS
dS 17~cS!±. White has the
better chances due to his
con trol over the d6 square)
14 4Jc4 ttJa6 15 rIal ~c6 16
4Jd4 !ld4 17rIa7±.
Abramovic v Vuruna,
Vrnjacka Banja 1989went 10
... fS 114Jd4 cd4 124Je2 eS
13 c3 dc3 14 bc3 ef4 15 4Jf4
~h8 (If 15 ... ..o.c3 16 ~b3
nets White a piece) 16 ~b3.
The focus on the e6 square,
active position, the isolated
Pawn on d6 and the under-
development of Blacks
pieces on the Queenside
combine to give White a
real advantage.
In Abramovic v Stohl,
from the same event saw
Black employ an unusual
double fianchetto setup. 10
... b6 114Jd4 cd4 12 4Je2 eS
13 e3 de3 14 4Jc3 !le6 lS d4
ef4 16 gf4 which according
to Stohl is unclear.
McLaren v Hassapis,
British Championship 1990
witnessed an interesting garded as the antidote to
Pawn offer. 10 ... 4Jec6 11eS the Pawn sac variation.
(Todorcevic v L Portisch, Though White is positio-
Szirak 1987 saw a series of nally squashed in the later
unusual Knight moves: 11 part of the game there is
4Jd2 !lb8 124Jcbl 4Je7 13 c3 room for innovations and a
4Jdc6 14 a4 b6 15 4Jf3 US new strategical approach.
4Ja3!?} eS 16 4Jbd2 ..o.a617 It must be noted that
~e2 ef4 18 gf4 rIe8 19 !lfel White emerges with a fine
4JdS 20 ~3. Whites posl- position from the opening
tion is precarious and his and early middlegame af ter
Knight manoeuvres have a complex struggle.
been a total waste of tirne.) Stjazkin v Kazakov, Su-
deS 12 4JeS 4Jb4 13 a3 4JdS men 1991saw 10 ... 4JefS 11
(The Pawn on c2 is tacti- !lf24Jf3 12ttJf3 !ld7 134Je4!
cally defended. 13 ... 4Jbc2 (This is superior to Kinder-
14 rIct. White will now mann v Spassov, Novi Sad
obtain two minor pieces for Olympiad 1990 in whieh
the Rook and retain his in- White took the Pawn on b7
itiative despite the weak- aUowing Black to obtain
ness on the backward d active counterplay. 13 ttJb7
Pawn.) 14 4Je4 f6 154Jc4 b6 !lb8 14 ~a7 !lb2 lS rIad US
16 c34JfS 17~e2 ..o.b718 b4 4Je4 !?} deS 16 feS ..o.eS 17
cb419 ab4±. 4Je4..o.c618 ~cS ..o.e419..o.e4
10 .Q.d7 ..o.d420 ..o.d44Jd4. The Rook
on the seventh rank and the
li ~ ~~~~" weU placed Knight on d4
~~~
.~ ~ J.?1"~~~"~~
~ .
coupled with the immediate
threat of ... 4Je2 enable
~ ~~~~~
.~ ~
Black to regain the Pawn
~
~ ~
.~ ~~ ~
~
and restore material equil-
~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~ librium).
~~
~.ft~<tJ~
%j'''~ {?.,,~ VF~/.
13 ... ..o.c614 c3 deS 15!lcS
.ft~.ft~
~ ~ ~
~ ~i'"
...
4Jd6 16feS (16..o.d6is met by
~~ ~M~ 0"r/. 16 ... !le4 17 ttJe4 ttJd6 18 feS
LJ ~0~~~
~eS 19 ~eS !leS with an
This is one of the most equalish endgamel ..o.e4 17
searching tests of Whites de4 !leS 18 !ladl ttJc7 19
plan, deploying the Bishop !ld4±.
on c6. Black neutralizes the 11 ~4
activity on the hl-a8 long Stohls suggestion of 11
diagonal. The text is re- 4Jd4 cd4 12 !ld4 ..o.c6(12 ...
82 2 g3 or 2 fjc3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 fjc3 leading to the Main Lin Ij

4JfS! 13.Q.f2deS 14 feS .Q.eS=) 19 d4; 26 ttg2 ne4 Pawns down.

13 4Je4! deS 14 .Q.eS.Q.eS15 This natural looking Setting the tone for the 3S nel
feS Wd4 16 ~hl does not move is correct enabling rest of the game. Black 36 d6 nf2
yield any tangible advan- Black to saddle White with stakes al l on a vigorous 37 Reslgns
tage for White. a weak isolated Pawn on attack against the isolated A neat tactical blow fin-
11 ~fS the Queerï s file. 19 .Q.h3 Queen Pawn. The battle ishes the game:37 'tt;tf2'tt;tf2
12 .Q.f2 ~3 preventing Black from shifts to positional mode 38 ~f2 ~dl± ±. The d6 Pawn
13 ttf3 .Q.c6 staking a claim in the where Sadler first consoli- falls.
14 cl ne8 centre was the right move. dates his advantage fol-
19 ~4 lowing the recipe of GAME24
20 .Q.e4 .Q.e4 Nimzowitsch 'Restrain,
21 tte4 ttbS blockade,destroy' . Castro v Tzoumbas
22 nd2 cd4 27 ttf2 nde8 ManilaOlymplad1992
23 .Q.d4 ned8 28 a3 tta4 1 e4 cS

~.
24 ttb7 29 'lih2 nd8 2 4)c3 {)c6
30 nadl ndS 3 g3 g6
4 .Q.g2 .Q.g7
~ 5 d3 d6
~ ~~~~ 6 f4 e6
Pazos v Zapata, Medel-
~~
.~ ~~~~~
~ ~
Sadler succeeds in neu- lin 1987 saw the unusual 6
tralizing the pressure on ~ ~l!~ ~ ... b6 7 4Jf3 .Q.b78 0-0 'tt;td79
.u.~'I:I'm m
the hl-a8 diagonal remov- e~.=.~ ~ fF"
0. .Q.e3fS 10 efS gfS 11 d4!?
ing the sting from the ~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
~ 4Jf6 12 ase. White has good
gambit variation. r'/~
~
~~ ~~~
,.,
f":'
-..
l. play due to the weakness
By maintaining the of the e6 square.
tension in the centre Black This leaves White with a ~ ~~~ ~ 7 ~3 4)ge7
hopes to gain a positional lifeless position. The inva- Sadlers forces converge 8 0-0 0-0
concession as weU as indi- sion on the seventh rank for the final onslaught on Not to be recommended
rectly protecting the cS fail s to achieve anything the isolated Pawn. AH that is 8 ... dS 9 eS 0-0 10 4Je2 f6
Pawn. and allows Black to inflict White can do is struggle 11ef6 .Q.f612c3 'tt;td613 ~el;!;;
15 ed6 a longterm weakness in the helplessly. as in Gabriel v Langier. Sin-
This exchange weakens centre. 31 tte3 aS gapore 1990.
the cS Pawn but permits 24 b3 intending 25 nadl 32 fS nfS 8 ... ~b8 was tried in
Black to mount pressure on would have laid a founda- 33 b3 tta3 Abramovic v Diaz, Vrnjacka
the backward d Pawn. More tion for tough defensive 34 dS tteS Banja 1989and continued 9
combative is 15 d4 cd4 16 chess. 3S tte2 .o.e34Jd4 10 .Q.f24Jec6 11eS
cd4 deS 17 deS 'tt;taS18 'tt;tc3;!;;. 24 ... .Q.d4 The resultant ending deS 12 4JeS 4JeS 13 feS .o.eS
15 4)d6 2S ed4 af ter 35 'tt;tcS ~cS 36 d6 ~c8 14 4Je4 b6 15 c34JfS 16 'tt;ta4
16 tte2 b6 .. 25 nd4 is met by 25 ... 37 d7 ~d8 38 net ~cS 39 .o.d7(16 ... ~d7?? 17 4Jf6!
17 nfdl ttd7 ~b2 26 nadl nf8++. ~cS bcS leaves White in a .o.f6 18 .o.c6±±) 17 'tt;ta7and
18 h4 nfe8 2S ... ttaS hopeless position two Black is under pressure.
84 2 g3 or 2 4Jc31eading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 24Jc3 leading to the Main Line 8S
9 .Q.e3 10 (td2 11 JIael 13 .Q.f2 ci)f3
Preparing the excellent Playable, but not so 14 .Q.f3 4)d.4
• ~.l~~ ~~. plan of trading Black accurate is 114Jh4 support- lS.Qg2 b4?!
m1:~ "1:~J1: squared Bishops. ing the fS break. An A more cautious
~4)~1:~1:~
~ .~ ~
The main al ternati ve is
10 Z1bl is for those who
example is Campora v approach is essential.
~~ ~ ~~ ~ Greenberg, Buenos Aires Better is 1S ... deS 16 feS
.~ prefer a slow build up and 1978: 114Jh4 bS 124Jd1 fS! 13 .o.b7 174Je4 b4 18 c3 bc3 19
~
~ ~;ft:~~
~ ~ has been seen on a few c3 4Jdc6 14 4Jf3 b4 1S c4 bc3 .o.e4! 20 Z1e4 tlJaS 21
~~ Z~.,,~4-~' .~~ ~~.,,~
~~ "'- z.dh z% ... z~ ~ . ~~ occasions:
~ . ~ 4Jd4 with an unclear posi- ~fe1 Z1fd8=Castro v Learg,
4-~4-~ ~~!'2"" aHO ... 4Jec6 114Je2 b6 12 c3
d..!,.~d..!,.~ ~à!L~ tion. Manila Olympiad 1992.
~~~~~~m
,...., ~0~ ~... ,
4Je2 13 tlJe2 .Q.a614 b4! .Q.b7
lS d4 cd4 16 cd4 tlJd7 17 ,a3
White has also tried 11
~ab1 b6 12 4Je2 4Je2 13 tlJe2
16 ~4
17 c3!
deS
bel
9 4)d.4 Z1ac8 18 Z1bc1± Natalia v .Q.b714 g4 fS 1S .Q.d2tlJd7 16 18 bel 4:)bS
The chief alternative Kotalin, Germany 1992 h3 ~be8 17 1'1fel= Dobrich v 19 .Q.c5!± JIe8
here is 9 ... b6 which has b) 10 ... dS!? 11 edS (11 eS? Gadia, Canada 1978 as well 20 feS .Q.eS
occurred many times: 4Jf3 12 tlJf3 d4=ï==ï=) edS 12 as 11g4 fS 12 gfS efS 13 Z1ael 21 d4 .Qg7
a) 10 d4 .o.a6 11 Z1f2 (11 Z1el 4Ja4 tlJc7 (12 ... b6 13 b4!) 13 ~h8 14 ~hl4Jf3 1S1'1f3b6 16
cd4 12 4Jd4 4Jd4 13 .o.d4 eS c34Jf3 14 .Q.f3b6 1S b4 cb4 .Q.f2 .Q.b7= Medina v Smy- ~~.l~~.~.
14 .o.e3 Z1c8= according to
Ilic) tlJc7 (Worse is 11... cd4
16 cb4 .Q.e6=Teh v Gadasi,
Manila Olympiad 1992
slov, Siegen Olympiad 1970.
Clearly 11 !'lae1 is the
~~ ~
.~ ~ ~ ......•..
'~1:r'~+
12 4Jd4 4Jd4 13 .o.d4 eS 14 cl 10 ... ~b8 11 .o.d4 cd4 12 best of the four moves dis-
. ~ ~1:~1:~
.o.e3 Z1c8 is fS! aUowing 4Je2 bS 13 ~h1 tlJb6 14 h3 cussed . ~4)~ ~ ~
White astrong attack) 12 .Q.d71Sg4 fS 16 4Jh2 ~fc8 17 11 bS .
~
~ ~{)~
~ ~ .~

a4 Z1ad8 13 4JbS .o.bS 14 abS 4Jg3 Z1c7= Kast v Moussa, 12 eS! ~~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~
4Jd4 lS 4Jd4 cd4 16 .o.d4 eS Manila Olympiad 1992 ;ft:~ ~ ~ ~ i' 0

17.o.c3dS!? (17 ... ef4 18 gf4 10 ... l:1b8 ~~.l~~ ~~. ~ ~

~ ~~
~9 ~à!L.
0"'-/, .
.o.c3 19 bc3 dS! with an Medina v Andersson, ~ ~ ~1:~~+ ~ ~ ;'~~~
.~ ~ ~ ~~ ...•..
unclear position in Kova- Las Palmas 1974 saw the
cevic v Paunovic, Kladova error 10 ... b6 which wea- ~ m1:~1:~ 22 JIf7!!

1989). The text in this note kens the long diagonal.

~1:i~
~ ~
~ .~
~
A sensational shot
which is the culmination of
is Abramovic v Damljanov- There followed 11 .o.d4 cd4 ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ic, Pljevlja 1989. 124JbS 4Jc6 13 eS deS 14 4JeS ~
~ "4-~~'~
~.dhMvtJ~
White's strategy in the
middlegame. White wins at
b) 10 .c.f2 (pref'erable to 10
d4) .o.a6 (10 ... Z1b811Z1eleS
4JeS 1S.Q.a8.Q.d716.Q.e4.Q.bS
17 feS .Q.eS18 a4±. Af'ter 18
;ft:~;ft:~
~ ~{.'-~~
.....
~~r«
~~ ..,,/. ....
least a Pawn.
22 'l;f7
12 feS 4JeS 13 4JeS deS 14 ... .Q.d7Black has some play, ~ ~ ~~~~
23 (tf4 'l;g8
.c.e3.Q.e6is tlJd2± Abramov- but not enough for the The most aggressive 24 (tb8 4:)c3
ic vLobron, New York 1987) exchange. continuation, trying to
11tlJd2 tlJd7 12 Z1abl Z1ac8 13 Arapovic v Cebalo, Me- prise open the centre for see following diagram
g4 fS 14 gfS efS?! (14 ... gfS) drisio 1988 instead went 10 attacking purposes as weU
lS Z1fel ~ce8 16 4JdS!± 4JdS ... 4Jec6!? 114Jdl 4Jf3 12.Q.f3 as vacating the e4 square 25 4)d.6 JIf8
17 edS 4Jd8 18 c4 Todorcev- Z1b813 c3 b6 14 h4!? .Q.b71S for the Knight. 26 (tb3 Resigns
ic v Andruet, Geneva 1985. tlJg2±. 12 ... ~fS One continuation is 26
86 2 g3 or 2fJc31eading to the Main Line
GAME 2S
Spassky v Beikert
French Cup 1991
1 e4 cS
2 ~3
Unusual was Conquest v
Renet, Reykjavik 1992: 2 g3
4:)c6 3 !lg2 4:)f6 4 4:)e2 dS 5
edS 4:)dS 6 0-0 eS 7 4:)bc3
4:)c78 f4! ef4 94:)f4±.
2 4)c6
Rublevsky v Karpman,
Rossija 1992varied with 2 ...
d6 3 4:)ge2 e6 4 g3 4:)f6 5
!lg2 4:)c6 6 0-0 fle7 7 b3N
0-0 8 flb2 eS!? 9 h3 4:)d4 10
f4 fld7 11g4 flc6 12 d3 bS 13
4:)d4 cd4 14 4:)e2 b4 15 4:)g3
aS 16 gS 4:)d7 17 h4 and
White has the attacking
prospects.
3 g3 g6
4 ~2 .Qg7
5 d3 d6 ..
6 f4 e6
7 cW3 ~e7
8 0-0 0-0
Spassky v Hort, West
Germany 1981 saw Black
delay castling in order to
generate some Queenside
play first: 8 ... fld7!? 9 fle3
4:)d4 10 ~bl ~c8 11flf2 4:)ec6
12 4:)e2 (A favourite of
Spasskys undermining d4)
tt:JaS134:)ed4 4:)d4 14 c34:)f3
15 tt:Jf3 flc6 16 g4! 0-0 17
fS±. Whites Kingside play
is much faster than Blacks
Queenside. White is already
threatening f6! Hort only
chance was to sacrifice a
Pawn. The game concluded
17 ... f6 18 fe6 tt:Ja2 19 b3
~fe8 20 tt:Jdl! tt:JaS (20 ...
~e6 21 ~al tt:Jb2 22 flel
threatening ~f2 trapping
the Queen) 21b4 cb4 22 cb4
tt:Ja423 bS! flbS 24 tt:Ja4fla4
25 ~b7 ~e6 26 gS ~eS 27
~a7 flbS 28 gf6 flf6 29
fld4± ± flh4 30 fleS deS 31
flh3 ~c6 32 ~bl ~cS 33 ~aS
Resigns.
9 .Q.d2
A little surprise for
Black who must have been
2 g3 or 2fJc31eading to the Meln Uw' UI
expecting the stereotyped 9 was balanced as in Sp ky
fle3. The point of this v Portisch, Mexico 1980)
cautious move is to prepare tt:Jd7 12 4:)e2 4:)d4 13 4:)ed4
~bl, a3 and b4. cd4 14 tt:Je2 ~ac8 15 ~bc1 aS
9 b6 16 tt:Jf2 eS= as in Balashov
The main alternative v Adorjan, Munich 1979. In
here is 9 ... ~b8 as seen in exchange for White's Kin-
Karpov v Ribli, Budapest gside initiative Black has
1969 which continued 10 play against the weak c2
~bl bS 11 a3 fS (Marjanovic Pawn.
v Matulovic, Sombor 1978 10 ... -'tb7
saw 11 ... b4 12 ab4 cb4 13 11 g4 fS?!
4:)e2 tt:Jb6 14 ~hl with b3 to A dubious move which I
follow. White has the find difficuit to under-
advantage as Black's stand. The text severely
Queenside play has been weakens the e6 square.
brought to a halt; A more A complicated mess
recent Marjanovic game arises out of 11... tt:Jd712 fS!
went 11... c4!? 12 h3!? b4 13 efS 13gfS dS 144:)gS.
ab4 cd3 14 cd3 tt:Jb6 15 ~h2 12 efS efS
4:)b4 16 flel fla6 17 flf2 tt:Jc7 13 ~S ttd7
18 4:Jel ~fc8 20 tt:Jd2 when 14 tte6
Black is at least equal.
White needs an improve-
ment on 9 fld2) 12 b4 (B
etter was 12 fle3 4:)d4 13
4:)e24:)f3 14flf3 tt:Jc7 15 b4!±
as in Marjanovic v Damlja-
novic, Yugoslavia 1988) cb4
13ab4 aS 144:)a2ab4 154:)b4
4Jb4 16 flb4 and Karpov is
doing quite nicely.
10 .e1!?
A fashionable move in-
tending to transfer the
Queen to the Kingside. It
also supports a possible eS.
White has also tried 10
~bl flb7 11a3 (114:)e2tt:Jd712
g4 fS 13 gfS efS 14 c4 4:)d8
15 4:)c3 4:)e6 16 4:)gS 4:)gS 17
fgS ~f7 and the position
8B 2 g3 or 2~c31eading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 ~c3 leading to the Mein Lin 89
Queenside before it is too
which looks forward to
exploiting the weaknesses late.
in Blacks Queenside Pawn 12 tI1g7
structure. If instead the
iI ~ ~~,,~ ... L.
plausible 16 4Jg7 '3)g7 17
4Jb54Jc8 18~c3 '3)f8 19~d5
Z!e7 Black though standing
worse still has some chan-
ces of survival.
16 ... 4)d8
...~~.
~~

~
..
..•.•à'I.:t~:t
_..L~~~

•
~
~d.b~
~~
······m41m:tm:t~
~ ~
~ ~
~1t.
~ ~ ~
~ ..
~.

..
~
A better try, though un-
8 .Q.h6 .Q.h6
~m~~.Î.'\m
d.b~d.b.'i.J ~àd.
~ ~'/,
pleasant was 16 ... 4Jc8 17 0...

4Jec7 Z!b8 18~dS.

17 4)g7 Planned by Spassky as
If 8 ... 0-0 White storms
the Black monarch starting
m m~m m~
with 9 h4! ~e8 10 0-0-0. The hallmark of this
long ago as move 17.
Szakolczai v Gombocz, complex position is the pe-
23 ... Resigns
Kecskemet 1989 continued netration on the Kingside
Hopeless are
10 ... 4Jb4 11a34Jbc6 12 h5 by the White Queen and
a) 23 ... 4Jg4 24 fîe8 '3)f7 25
fS 13 ~7 '3)g7 14 4JbS ~d8 the exploitation of the
4Jd6 mate and
15 4Jf3 a6 16 hg6 hg6 17 weak dark squares around
b) 23 ... d5 24 Z!e3d4 25 fîe8
Black' s King.
'3)f726 4Jd6 '3)g7 27 ~d2 and ~h6±±.
In Jones v Harwar, Lon- 12 nf8
White is a piece up.
don 1988 Black varied with The strange 12 ... '3)e7
9 ... f6 10~7 '3)g711hS fîb8 deserves attention. Though
GAME 26 it is not clear that this
12 4Jge2 ~d7 13 d4 4Jd4 14
4Jd4 cd4 15 ~d4 ~c6 16 adventurous move can
Despite exchanging lots Ljubojevic V Quinteros
really punished immediate-
of pieces Spassky retains Mar del Plata 1981 O-O-O±.
ly White should be able to
his advantage. 9 tth6 4)d4
17 .Qg2 10 0-0-0 exploit the poor position of
1 e4 cS
An unusual situation has the Black King.
18 ~g2 I:Ig7 2 ~ ~
19.Q.el 4)d5 arisen where White castles 13 ~bl tlJe7
3 g3 g6 A computer would have
Black discards 19 ... fîf7 4 .Qg2 .Qg7 long to facilitate the King's
Rook deployment on the certainly considered 13 ...
20 4Jd6 Z!f8 21 Z!ael 4Jd5 22 5 d3 e6
6 .Q.e3 d6 central files. The absence hS avoiding the immediate
gf5 gf5 23 Z!e5.
Belkert had based his of the Bishop on g7 takes Ioss of a Pawn.
7 ttd2 4)ge71!
counter chances on 20 Z!ael the sting out of Black's 14 tlJh7 'êf6
This routine develop-
4Jc3 21 bc3 fg4 with an un- counter chances on the 15 tI1h6 'êf2
ment move encourages A questionable decision.
balanced position but .... White to switch to aggres- Queenside.
GM Quinteros miscalcu-
20.Qg7 4)e3 sive mode. Practice has 10 ~
11 4)ge2 .Q.d7 lates. 15 ... 4Je2 16 4Je2 ~f2
21 ~gl 4)(1 shown that White develops
22.Q.el 4)e3 Black tries to find a safe 17 fîhf1 ~g2 (17 ... ~e2 18
a violent attack which is
haven for his King on the ~f3) 18 4Jf4 is also unsa-
23 liel! often decisive.
90 2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 fJc3leading to the Meln LIt". 91

tisfactory for Black. 30 nf6 'ttih7 cfJge2 cfJd4 10 4Jd4!? cd4 11 the Black King's po lU n,
16 ndfl êg2 31 d5 ed5 4Jdl ~a6 12 ~f2 ~d7 13 c4 Roos has obviously 1 u-
17 nhgl êe2 32 nd6 Resigns bS 14 b3 ldb8 15 cbS .Q.bS16 lated that his oppon n
18 4:)e2 4:)e2 cfJb2 0-0 17 0-0 ~fc8 18 will have to forego castlln
19 J:tg2 4)ed4 GAME27 a4 .o.d719b4 ~c3 20 bS ~c8 to keep a material balanc
20 cl ~bS 21 4Jc4 Blatny v Nicevski, 9 cd4
21 a4 tf:jc7 L Roos v Abravenel Poland 1985. Blatny's deci- 10 ~bS êb6
Clermont Ferrand 1985 sion to transpose to the f4 U tbb4 r.tid7
li ~ ~e~s. System works well in this 12 tbc4?!

······~i·~~r~
~
~
~ r~.:'
~ftiJIJ.~:.t~
.~
.~
.~
~
~
~
~
~
,.
1
2
3
4
e4
~
g3
cS
tf:jc6
g6
.Qg2 .Qg7
game.
b) 7 ... 4Jge7 8 .Q.h6~h6 9
~h6 4Jd4 10 0-0-0 4Jec6 11
4Jge2 (11 ~g7 \tle7 12 ~h6
Dubious, allowing Black
to seize the initiative. Roos
strives to win the d4-Pawn,
hoping to exploit the
1t~ ~1t~ ~ 5 dJ e6 ~f8 13 ~d2 .Q.d7 leads to awkward placement of the
~ ~1t~ ~ 6 .Q.e3 d6 complex play) .Q.d712 cfJd4 Black monarch. However
~ ~ ~~~." The best policy is to cd4 13cfJe2~aS 14 \tlbl ~a4 he underestimates Black's
~ ~ ~
keep faith with the main 15c3! dc3 164Jc3 ~b4 17 d4! resources and is saddled
~~~ ~~~ Iine. However in Spassky v ~c8 18~g7 ~f8 19~helcfJaS with an inferior middle-
22 J:tgf2 Korchnoi, Montpellier 1985, 20 4JdS Hort v Hodgson, game. Roos should have
Whites pieces are fo- GM Korchnoi tried to inject Wijk aan Zee 1986. kept up the pressure with a
cusing on the weak Pawn some originality into the 8 ~3!? ~4 pseudo-Pawn sac following
on f7 thus pinning the opening but with unfa- 9 .Q.d4! the recipe of Zakharov v
Black King to its original vourable consequences. Karpeshov, USSR 198112 eS!
square. 6 ... ~aS 7 cfJe2 cfJd4 8 deS 13 4Jd2 aS (13 ... a6 14
22 4:)e5 0-0 cfJe7 9 ~d2 d6 10 cfJd4 cfJc4! ~bS 15 ~d6 \tle8 16
23 d4! cd4 cd4 11cfJdS~d8 12cfJe7~e7 ~b8±) 14 ~a4 \tld8 15
24 cd4 tf:jc6 13 c4 dc3 14 ~c3±. Material cfJc4±. White's active
No better was 24 ... cfJg4 is level but the full power pieces, lead in develop-
25 ~f8 \tlf8 26 ~f7 \tlg8 27 of White's mobile central ment, and Black's mis-
~d7±. Pawns are revealed and it is placed King provide ample
2S êf8 'I1f8 difficult for Black to re- compensation for the
26nt7 'ttig8 strict their effectiveness. Pawn.
27 nd7 4:)e8 7 êd2 JIb8 12 4:)e7
28 ndf7 The text move is re- A deep and excellent 13 ~bd4?
White sets off to gain garded as Black's best bet. move. It looks forward to Consistent with White's
material with the veiled The idea is to expand ra- an exploitation of the wea- previous move but af ter
threat of 29 ~f8 \tlh7 30 pidly on the queenside knesses in Black's Pawn Black's reply it becomes a
~1f7 \tlh6 31 ~h8 \tlgS 32 whilst delaying White's structure. The strategy is serious error. He should
~7f8.The pin on the back thematic exchange of the unorthodox because White have continued 13 ~a4 cfJc6
rank nets a piece. dark-squared Bishop. The concedes his all-important 14 0-0 a6 15 cfJa3± when
28 ~7 alteratives are: Queen's Bishop, exchanging Black's forces lack proper
29 JIb7 aS a) 7 ... ~aS 8 f4 cfJge7 9 it for the key defender of coordination because of his
92 2 g3 or 24)c3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 24)c31eading to the Main Line 93

awkward King. defence. White. poning the activity on the

4 .Qg2 .Qg7 Queens wing and develop-
13 (tb2 20 (tc3 (tb6
14 ~bS 21 nabl (tc7 5 d3 ~8 ing the Kingside, is more
The obvious reply loses 22 (ta3 1-0 (time) Or 5 ... d6 6 ,Q,e3,Q,d7(6 solid.
immediately: 14 0-0 bS 15 ... bS 7 eS ~d7 8 ed6 ed6 9 7 (td2
~b3 .Q.d4!16 4Jd4 ~d4+ as ~~.l~ ~ ,..... .Q.f4!N 4Jge7 Unformator It transpires that af ter 7
Black is a piece up. White's ~~~ mentions 9 ... ~b8 10 4Je4 .Q.cSb4 8 4Jce2 ~aS the
~ ..
/ /~ .
~~~"/~~

4JeS 114Jf3} 10 4JbS 0-0 11 threat of -'lb2 and ... b3 dis-

position now deteriorates ~~ ~ ~~~~~
and he is forced to sacrifice
.. ~
/" /
4Jd6 -'lb2 124Je2! .Q.al13~al covered check allows Black
a piece. ~ ~ ~ ~ and White has enough for to regain the Pawn with a
the exchange in Lebredo v favourable position.
14 4)c6! ~~~~ ~ ~~~.~~ ~
Hemming in White's Hernandez, Bayamo 1984; 6 7 b4
~~ ~ ~ ~
Knight on bS where it has
no retreat. If 14 ... ~al?? 15
jt~jt~ ~.clr" ... b6 7 ~d2 ~b7 8 4Jge2
~d7 9 f4 e6 10 0-0 4Jf6 11h3 9
8 ~
~3
d6
~~~
~ ~ ~~~
~ ~~ 0-0-0 is unclear as in A matter of taste. 9 f4
~e2 ~b2 16~c7 ~e8 174Jd6
~f8 18~d8 mate. Abravenel overstepped Lebredo v Zapata, Bayamo 4Jf6 is equally good.
15 0-0 a6 the time limit. The position 1984) 7 ~d2 ~c8 8 4Jge2 9 aS
16 4:)d6 is unclear though Black has 4Jd4 9 0-0 e6 10 4Jdl 4Jge7 Camilleri v Riza, Novi
White sacrifices the a difficult task nursing his 114Jc1! 0-0 12 c3 4Jdc6 13 Sad Olympiad 1990 varied: 9
trapped Knight hoping to King to safety. Mter 22 ... -'lh6 with a promising posi- ... fJJ!.410 h3.Q.f311-'lf3 4Jd4
exploit the exposed King ~d7 23 dS eS (23 ... lXe8 24 tion for White as in Dun- 12fJJ!.24Jf6 13 0-0 0-0 14 c3
position. His ambitious ~fd1±, 23 ... ~e8 24 c4 un- worth v Vandongen, Clichy bc3 15bc3 4JbS 16 a4 ~aS 17
1991. ~a2 4Jc7 18 4Jb2 and
strategy to win the d4- clear) 24 d6 ~d8 25 ~cS!
Pawn has backfired due to the position is unclear 6 -'le3 bS Whites Bishop pair and his
miscalculating the tactical although White has a pow- stronghold on the dS and
possibili ties. erful initiative. c4 squares gives him a po-
16 ~6 sitional plus.
17 eS GAME 28 In Hubner v Gabriel,
Continuing in the same West Germany 1992 Black
courageous vein. With his Burchardt v Levitina equalised easily af ter 9 ...
back to the wall because of Manila Olympiad 1992 4Jd4 10 0-0 fJJ!.4114Jel eS 12
his flawed plan, Roos gives f3 -'le6 13 f4?! (Inconsistent
up the Pawn to open the 1 e4 cS with Whites strategy in
position and spread conf'u- 2 {)c3 4)c6 the Closed Sicilian. 13 c3!
sion. 3 g3 g6 bc3 14 bc3 4Jc6 15 f4! gives
17 ~S Roos v Miles, Amster- Queenside expansion White an edge) ~aS 14 feS
18 ~ (teS dam 1978,deviated with 3 ... this early is highly unusual. deS+. Mter ... 4Je7, ... 0-0
19 d4 (tbS ~b8!? indicating early Black runs the risk of over Blacks control over d4 and
A sensible move. By Queenside activity 4 f4 g6 5 expanding resulting in a central space gives him the
threatening to exchange 4Jf3 fJJ!.76 fJJ!.2bS 7 0-0 d6 premature attack on the advantage.
Queens, Black gains a vital 8 d3 b4 9 4JdS!? e6 10 4Je3 Queenside. Practice has 10 0-0 ~6
tempo to organise his with a slight pull for shown th at 5 ... d6, post- Black underestimates
94 2 g3 or 24Jc31eading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 24Jc31eading to the Main Line 95

his opponents attacking advantage. eS gives White a powerful 34 (td8 nd7

potential on the Kingside. 16 4)115 attack. If 21... ~d7 22 ~hfS 35 (taS ndc7
The text is a significant Dubious and provocative l!tg8 23 ~d6 White regains 36 4)f3 .Q.f3
concession as it allows the is 16 ... gS 17 ~hfS ~fS 18 the Pawn with an over- 37 nf3 t[b211
exchange of the fianchetto ~fS ~fS 19 z:îfS h6 20 whelming position. 38 (tc7 Resigns
Bishop. 10 ... ~d4 11 ~e1! z:îaf1±. 21 be3 (tgS
(as a general rule in the 17 nf2 ~ 22 d4 004 GAME29
Closed Sicilian White Sensing that the doubl- 23 004 4)g4
should avoid unnecessary ing on the 'f" file will be 24 4)g4 .Qg4 BrOOD v J Benjamin
exchange of minor pieces) the start of a major offen- 25 (tc4 tte7 Las Vegas 1992
~f612 c3 bc3 13 bc3 ~c6 14 sive Black decides to re-
,!lh6 White's advantage is group his Knight to .eS to 1 e4 cS
minimal because of Blacks provide additional defence 2 ~ ~
attacking chances along for the f7 Pawn. 3 g3 g6
the 'b" file. 18 nafl ~S 4 .Qg2 .Qg7
11 .Q.h6 0-0 19 tte2 .Q.e6 S d3 d6
12 .Qg7 fl}g7 20 cl! 6 .Q.e3 t[b8
13 ~3 ~4 This middle game play is
14 4)114 eS typieal of the Closed Sicil-
Black firmly secures the ian. The attack along the f
d4 square and prevents file, the involvement of the
White's proposed plan of minor pieces on the Kin-
26 dS t[b4
taking over the centre by c3 gside, exchange of the dark
and d4. However, the text coloured Bishop and the Whites strategy has
encourages White to beaver eventual transfer of the been a complete success.
away with the advance of Queens Knight to the Black's pieces have been
the f Pawn (f4, fS and g4) bat tie zone serves as a co- driven to passive squares.
and seize the initiative on pybook example of con- His castled position is
the Kingside. When White trolled aggression whieh is weakened by the exchange This plan to gain space
gets in fS Black utilises the an integral part of the of the fianchettoed Bishop and to counter-attack on
outpost on eS for defensive system. Whilst Blacks and there remains the ever the queenside is currently
purposes. One of the Black control over d4 is lax present danger that White in vogue. Whilst 6 ... e6
Knights is able to occupy White embarks on asolid will be able to obtain a transposes into earlier
this square whieh impor- positional plan for a cen- decisve breakthrough on games in this chapter, the
tantly defends f7. But here tral push aimed at destroy- the Kingside. provocative 6 ... bS was
this option is ruled out. ing Blacks stronghold of 27 ttc3 !lig8 adopted in Romanishin
15 f4 ef4 the critical eS square. 28 al t[b7 v Torre, lndonesia 1983: 7
16 nf4 20 ... be3 29 ttaS (teS eS ~d7 (7 ... ~b7 8 ed6 ed6 9
16 gf4 fails to the ele- Black is in a diffieult 30 (ta6 nfb8 ~bS ~ge7! {9 ... ~b2? 10
mentary tactieal shot 16 ... situation. He cant afford 31 (tc4 nc8 z:îbl ~7 11 ~d6 ~d6 12
~e4 17 ~e4 ~h4 winning a to piek up the Pawn on a2 32 tta6 ncc7 z:îb7±} 10 ~c3 ~b6 11 !!bl
Pawn with a decisive as 20 ... ~a2? 21 d4 ~c6 22 33 tta8 !lig7 ~eS 12 ~e4 0-0 unclear
96 2 g3 or 2.f)c3 leading to the Main Line
position. Black's lead in White seizes the oppor-
development compensates tunity to avoid the unne-
the mate rial deficit). cessary exchange of a
GM Ljubojevic pursued minor piece. If 11c3 bc3 12
his theoretical battie with bc3 4Je2 13 ttJe2 4Je7 Black
Miles by varying on the 8th has active counterplay on
move in Plovdiv 1982: 8 4Jf3 the queenside. White suc-
4Jh6 9 ed6 ed6 10 4Je4 Of 10 ceeds in his strategie aim
4JbS 4JfS 11 .Q.f4 0-0 un- despite losing some tempi
clear poslt.ion) 4JfS 11 .Q.gS with the retreat of the ca-
with equal chances. 8 ed6 valry to the first rank. The
ed6 9 4Jge2 4Jge7 10 d4 b4 text move prepares central
11 4Je4 0-0 12 ~h6 c4?! expansion and the eviction
(Black should be resource- of the Black Knight on d4.
ful in his defence with 12 ... It is common knowledge
.Q.a6!13-'tg7 rtJg7 14 dS 4JeS that the player who is
15 0-0 ttJfS with equal attacking the kingside
chances) 13 .Q.g7rtJg7 14 dS should strive to prevent
4JeS 15f4 4Jg4 16h34Jh6 (16 the unwarranted exchange
... 4Je3 17 ttJd4±±) 17 g4. of pieces as this eases the
The cramped placing of pressure on the defender.
Black's pieees give White 11 1iJe7
an undisputed advantage in Informator suggests 11
this position. ... ttJaS 12 c3 bc3 13 bc3
7 ttd2 bS 4Jc6+. Black has a pro mis-
8 ~e2 ing queenside offensive but
White prefers to rein- White is not required to
force the central d4 square play c3 immediately: 12 f3
whilst keeping the option with the idea 4Jf2, 4Jb3,
of either exchanging the 4Jd4 and .Q.h6.
dark-squared Bishop or 12 ca bel
pawn-storming with f4. 13 bel 4')dc6
Further, the deployment of 14 .Q.h6 0-0
the King's Knight on e2 has 15 .Qg7 fl}g7
the advantage of allowing
the fianchettoed Bishop on see following diagram
g2 to influence the centre.
8 4Jf3 is also possible. 16 1iJe3
8 4')d4 Time to take stock.
9 0-0 e6 White has emerged with a
10 4')d1 b4 fine position af ter a com-
11 ci)cl! plex opening struggle. The
2 g3 or 2.f)c3 leeding to the Main Line 97
the centre, superior minor
piece, the possibility of
exploiting the weakness of
dark squares, and working
up a powerful kingside
attack constitutes White's
positional advantage.
17 ndl ttaS
18 4:)b3 ttal?
The long-term strategie
plan of trying to penetrate
absence of the dark- the seventh rank via b2 is
squared Bishop has signifi- pointless. Hence the Queen
cantly weakened the dark should be placed on a4 to
squares around the King. influence the centre and
This represents a small engineer the crippling of
vietory for White who now White's pawn structure
gives preferenee to a stea- with ... c4.
dy build-up on the king- 19 f4 f6
side. 16 d4 seems natural 20 fS eS
but it is premature. The 21 h4
opening of the centre The h- Pawn adds to
allows Black to maintain Black's discomfort. This
the tension and organise an was essential to prevent ...
effective queenside coun- gS when Black would be
ter-attack. 16 ... ttJaS 17ttJe3 able to defend with little
(174Jb3 ZXb3=F=F) !la6 18 ZXel trouble.
!lc4=. White's forces lack 21 gfS
coordination and are yet to Benjamin has problems
be mobilised. So the text restrieting White's kingside
move is a prudent choiee attack, so he reluctantly
and objectively stronger. opens the g-file and awaits
16 ~a6 White's reply.
Ljubojevie v Tringov, Lu- 22 efS fl}h8
eerne Olympiad 1982 varied 23 g4 tta4
16 ... .Q.b717 4Jb3 aS 18 a4 24 nn
.Q.a619 .§.fbl ttJb6 20 h4 4JeS Brooks' decision to shift
21 d4 4Jc4 22 ttJel cd4 23 the Rook from the d-file is
cd4 4Je3 24 ttJe3 ZXfc8 25 hard to justify. Surely cor-
rtJh2 4Jc6 26 4JcS! ttJa7 27 rect is 24 .Q.e4strengthen-
ZXb84Jb8 28 4Ja6 4Ja6 29 ing the phalanx of kingside
hS±. White's domination in Pawns.
98 2 g3 or 24Jc31eading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 24Jc3 leading to the Main Lln C (

24 e4 immune. If 35 ... Hf7 36 Hf? decisive. 4Je4!+. The remainlng

2S de4 .Q.e4 !J.f7 37 ~f6 gg7 38 h6±, or 40 4)d8 moves were
26 J:tfd1 ltbd8 35 ... !J.f7 36 ~f6 gg7 37 41 ttf6 flg8 52 ctlb4 aS
27 ttf2 )k8 h6±. 42 (th4 ~ 53 ctlbc2 flg3
28 g51! 36 ttf6± The position is now un- 54 'i!id2 d51!
Brooks' continuation is dear. The Black Knight is SS (te8 (td6
not particularly incisive. He advancing towards the 56 .Q.e2 m8
should have improved his outpost on f4. Black's re- 57 (ta4 4)e21
position by regrouping his covery from a totally lost 58 !le2 4)e7
pieces (~h2, 4:Jd2, 4Je4>' position is remarkable. The 59 (taS J:td8
Now Benjamin accepts the exposed King position, the 60 4)d4± 4)g6
challenge. However it is inactive Knight on cl, and 61 4)df5 ttf6
doubtful whether he fore- the lack of proper coordi- 62 4)d51 ~4
saw all the tactics which nation among White's 63 !te4 4)d5
begin with his next move. forces gives Black com- 64 4)d4 ttf21!
28 fg5 pensation for the piece. 65 J:te2 ttf4
29 f6 J:tdf8 The culmination of 43 h6 J:tf7 66 'i!ic2 (tg5
JO h5 .Q.e6 White's attack. The dual 44 (tg4 ~4 67 J:te5 (te5
31 J:tft ~8 threat of h6 and ~e6 gives 4S.Q.f1 4)h6 68 (td8 rl;g7
32 J:tad1 g41 him a won position. Black's 46 (te8 ~8 69 ttd7 rl;g6
An unnecessary weaken- main error was his 32nd 47 4)d3 !tf6 Draw
ing thrust on the flank. It move. Also the Queen sor- 48 'i!ih2 J:th6
is a tactical error which tie to grab the Pawn on a2 49 'i!ig3! 4)h5 GAME JO
allows White to obtain a was unwarranted. Black's 50 'i!if3 J:tf6
dangerous kingside attack. ability to defend has been 51 'lie2 e41 Balashov v Shirov
Mter 32 ... 4:Jd8 with the considerably weakened by Klaipeda1988
idea ... ~e8 the concentra- the absence of his Queen.
tion of Black's forces on 36 ... (tb6 1 e4 cS
the kingside enable him to 37 J:tde11 2 4)c3 4)c6
work up astrong attack. A tragic mistake due to 3 g3 g6
The f6-Pawn will be event- acute time trouble, allow- 4 .Qg2 .Qg7
ually lost. ing Benjamin to shed a 5 d3 e6
33 (th4 (ta21 piece and complicate the 6 .Q.e3 d6
Informator considers issue. The elementary 37 h6 7 (td2 h6!1
this a tactical mistake giv- results in an overwhelming This cuts across Whites
ing away a vital tempo. In- position: 37 ... ~e3 38 ~hl plan of !J.e3,~d2, !J.h6 wea-
stead 33 ... Hf7 was impe- gff7 39 hg7 ~g8 40 ~e6±. Benjamin falters at the kening Blacks dark
rative to check the further 37 J:tf7 crucial moment. The cor- squares.
advance of the f-Pawn. 38 (te6 J:tft rect method of prosecuting Ivanovic v Vukic, Yugo-
34 ~1 (ta6 39.Q.ft 4)8e7 the attack is 51 ... 4:Jg3 52 slavia 1987went 7 ... 4:Jd4 8
35 f7! )k7 40 .Q.d31 ~d2 ~b3 53 ~c1 ~a3 S4 ~bl 4Jdl4Je7 9 c34Jdc6 104Je2
The f7-Pawn is tacticaUy 40 ~d6 was simple and (54 ~c2 ~a2 SS ~c1 4:Jfl+ ) 0-0 110-0 b6 12!J.h6~h6 13
100 2 g3 or 24)c3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 24)c31eading to the Mein LhJ 101

~h6 .o,a6!=. and decides to stir things 24 40 J1f4

8 f4 up himself. In doing so he 25 The timely exchange of
Quieter play does not jumps from the frying pan 26 pieces results in a won
yield anything for White: 8 into the fire. A wiser alter- ending for White. The rest
4:Jge2 4:Jd4 9 0-0 4:Je7 10 native is IS ... ~c7 foUowed is routine.
~ael 4:Jec6 11a3 .o,d7 12 4:Jc1 by ... .o,b7and ... 0-0-0. 40 4)(4
hS 13h3 fS 14 efS gfS IS ,O,gS 16 4)e3 4:)g6 41 llf4 $lfs
~aS 164:Jb34:Jb3 17 cb3 ~f7 17 4)(3 gf4 42 \fif2 $le6
18 ~f4 4:JeS 19 b4 cb4 20 18 gf4 hs 43 al rlJc6
ab4 ~b6 21~e3 ~g6 with an If 18 -... 4:Jf4 19 4:JfS efS 44 lle2 lle2
equal game as in Balashov v 20 ~f4 .o,e6 21 d4±. The 45 'l;e2 .Q.b3
OU, also from Klaipeda tactical melee has resulted If Black attempts to de-
1988. in a favourable outcome fend the h Pawn then the
8 4:)ge7 for White because Blacks White King will march up
9 4)(3 4)d4 Pawn structure is shat- After the skirmish the Queenside and gobble
10 0-0 4)ec6 tered. White has emerged with a up Blacks Pawns.
11 4)el b6 19 h4 .Q.h6 clear positional advantage. 46 llfs aS
12 4:)d1! 4)e7 20 4:)gs 4){4 White controls the all 47 llhs b5
13 cl 4)dc6 21 cW7!1 important f6 square. 48 'l;e3 ~6
14 .Q.f2 ds 26 ... llh7 49 llh6 ~s
15 eS
White is planning to
create astrong centre by
i~'~~I~~''''''
~41~~~
.~ ~ ~
~..,.
27 J1f6
28 t)gs!
t)g6

Grandmasterly touch.
50
51
52
llab
)lb6
~
a4
rlJc4
Resigns
The average club player
foUowing up with d4, g4,
'.
The Russian GM rightly
~ ~"~~~ .~~
might be surprised by the
.o,h4,4:Je3and 4:Jf3etc. ~~ '-~ ~ ~~.« goes for the exchange of
~ ~ ~ ..... Queens as his own King is apparent early resignation.
~ ~1t~ ~ vulnerable to a surprise White wins the vital Pawn
r~r[~z...~~~
~~ ..... ~~. ,,~ .... ~/.
attack by Blacks forces.
28 t)gs
af ter S2 ... .o,a2 S3 ~c1 .o,b3
S4 gd6 .o,a2 SS ~c2 .o,b3 S6
L.~ ~ ~§~ 29 hgs .Q.ab ~bl b4 S7 ab4 cb4 S8 gd4.
21 t)e7 30 g6 llh6 Hence Shirov conceded.
The Knight is taboo. If 31 4)(4 4)e7
21 ... ~f7 22,O,g3~g7 23 .o,f4 32 .Q.gs llg6 GAME31
~h4 24 4:Jc4 is good for If 32 ... ~h8 33 g7 ~g8 34
White. Blacks Rook and 4:JhS~d8 3S !Xf7wins. Ljubojevic V A Rodriguez
Bishop on the Queenside 33 4:)g6 4:)g6 Biel 1985
are out of play. 34 llf6 .Q.d3
22 ~6 ttlg7 35 lle6 ~7 1 e4 cS
The alternative 22 ... ~h6 36 lld6 rlJc7 2 4)c3 ~
23 ~3 is equally unplea- 37 llds .Q.e4 3 g3 g6
sent for Black. 38 lld2 lle8 4 d3 .Q.g7
23 cW7 4:)g2 39 lln lles 5 .Q.e3
102 2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Main Line
Van der Wiel v Tukma-
kov, Tilburg 1984 went 5
,O.g2 d6 6 ,a,e3 1:!b8 7 ~d2
(Another Van der Wiel idea
is 7 4Jge2 4Jd4 8 0-0 bS 9
b4!? 4Je2 10 4Je2 ,a,al 11~al
4Jf6 12bcS 0-0 13cd6 ed6 14
,a,gS!± as in Van der Wiel v
Sosonko, Wijk aan Zee
1984) e6 8 4Jge2 4Jd4 9
h4!?N hS 10 0-04Je7 11,a,gS
~d7! 124Jdl (124Jc1!?) 4Je2
13~e2 b6 14 1:!el0-0 15~d2
r3ih7=.
5 d6
The rich tactical nature
of the position allows early
deviation from the quiet
positional play. Moors v
Dueball from the Bundesli-
ga 1985/86 led to a compli-
cated struggle af ter 5 ...
4Jd4 6 4Jce2! 4Je2 7 4Je2
.o.b28 1:!bl,a,g79 .o.cS~aS 10
.o.b4 ~a2 11,a,g2 d6 12 0-0
4Jf6 13 c4,a,g4 14 f3 .o.d7 15
1:!a1. White's initiative is
ample compensation for
the Pawn. This is one of the
unusual positions where
White will seek play on the
Queenside along the a and
b files.
6 .d2 e6
7 .Qg2 .a5!?
The early Queen sortie
is to discourage White
from castling Queenside.
Black ex erts pressure on
c3, delays castling and
maintains a flexible piece
position. Black has a var-
iety of alternatives worth
considering.
7 ... 4Jd4 8 4Jdl fS 9 c3
4Jc6 104Je2 4Jf6 11efS efS 12
0-0 0-0 Spassky v Ivanovic,
Niksic 1983.
7 ... 1:!b8and now 84Jge2
(8 4Jh3 4Jd4 9 0-0 4Je7 10
4Jdl b6 11 c3 4Jdc6 12 .o.h6
0-0 13fJJ!,7 r3ig7144Je3 eS 15
f4 f6 16 1:!f2=Pacis v Sham-
kovich, Malta Olympiad
1980) 4Jd4 (8 ... bS delaying
the immediate occupation
of d4 is also playable. 9 0-0
4Jge7 10.o.h60-0 11,a,g7r3ig7
12 f4 b4 13 4Jdl= Romani-
shin v Ivozchikov, USSR
1979)9 0-0 bS 104Jdl 4Je7 11
4Jc1 b4 12 a3 aS 13 ab4 ab4
14 c3 bc3 15 bc3 4Jdc6 16
.o.h6 0-0 17 ,a,g7 r3ig7 18
4Je3= Spassky v L Portisch,
Mexico 1980.
8 ~3!?
An unusual choice. The
Yugoslav GM spurns the
known path arising af ter 8
f4, keeping the diagonal
open for the Queens
Bishop.
2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Mein Line 103
8 ~4 The Yugoslav GM Lju-
9 ()-O .Q.d7 bojevic is a tactical wizard
If 9 ... 4Je7 10 .o.h6.Q.h611 with the uncanny knack of
~h6 4Jc2 when 12 1:!ac1± stirring up things in a quiet
followed by ~g7 allows position. This wing thrust
White to grab the initiative is designed to weaken
with adequate compensa- Black's fianchetto forma-
tion for the Pawn. tion.
10 .Q.f4! 19 ~S?!
A Novelty which is an Better is 19 ... ~d6 20
improvement over 10 a3 lXbel 4Jc6 21 1:!Se34Jd4 22
1:!c8111:!ablb6= of Augustin ,a,g24JfS 23 1:!eSc4 with an
v D Byrne, Lugano Olym- unclear position.
piad 1968. 20 c3 hSl?
10 .b6 There is a saying that 'a
10 ... eS allows White to threat is worse than its
end up with a slightly execution'. Black is unduly
superior endgame af ter 11 worried about 21 hS but in
4Jd4! cd4 12 4JdS ~d2 13 the process of preventing
,a,d21:!c814.o.b4. it he weakens his Pawn
11 nahl ne8 shield in front of his King.
12 nfel fje7 21 Itbel nfd8
13 eS!? 22 a3 .e71
White wants to liven up GM Rodriguez is un-
things as the normal 13.Q.h6 aware of the hidden tacti-
0-0 14 ,a,g7 r3ig7154Jd4 cd4 cal resources of the posi-
164Je2 gives Black equality. tion. Hence he assumes
13 .Q.c6 that White does not have
The alternatives to the any significant break-
text are 13 ... 4Jf3 14 .o.f3 through on the Kingside
deS 15 .o.eS.o.eS 16 1:!eS0-0 and embarks on a longterm
17b4! cb4 18 4Je4 f6 19 1:!b4 strategical plan. The Cuban
~d8 20 1:!cS.o.c6 21 ~e2 b6 hopes to mount pressure
unclear and 13 ... dS 14 4Je2 on the weak d3 Pawn forc-
4Jf3 15 .o.f3 4Jc6 also with ing the eS Rook to retreat
an unclear position. to the defence of the Pawn.
14 ~4 .Q.e4 22 ... ~d6 23.o.b7 1:!b824
15 ne4 ~3 fJJ!,2 ~d3 25 ~d3 1:!d326 !:Xl
16 .Q.f3 deS e2± or 22 ... 1:!d7 23 t!JgS
17 .Q.eS .Q.eS ~b2 24 .o.hS ~c3 25 .,Cig'"
18 neS ()-o also give White good
19 h4! chances due to the br ak-
104· 2 g3 or 2 fje3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 fjc3 leading to the Main Lin 10

through with hS. 30 ]k8 Resigns win in 33 moves. Yudasins Another example of
23 .Q.hS!1 handling of the opening Queenside Pawn storming
A bolt from the blue! A GAME 32 was fine until the 12th is Hracek v Schlosser,
deep and excellent move move. Keskemet 1992: 6 ... !,!b8 7
looking forward to a future Conquest V Cvitan White should choose to ,O.g2bS 8 h4 hS 9 4Jh3 t!;JaS
exploitation of the wea- Forli 1992 exchange on fS instead of 10 0-0 4Jd4 11 <ifjh2b4 12
knesses around the Black 13 !,!b1. After 13 ... ,O.fS14 4Jdl 4Jf6 13 f3 t!;Ja4 14 b3
monarch. This dazzling 1 e4 cS 0-0 4Jf6 15 <ifjhl0-0 White t!;Ja315t!;Jf2 0-0. Black's po-
piece sacrifice is possible 2 ~ ~ has a slight edge. sition is preferred as White
due to the centralized 3 g3 g6 6 (taS is unable to create play on
forces and the fact that 4 d3 .Q.g7 Here 6 ... eS 7 ,O.g24Jge7 the King's wing. The game
actual calculation begins S .Q.e3 d6 8 f4 0-0 9 4Jf3 ef4 10 ,O.f4 continued 16 ,O.c1t!;Ja617 a3?
af ter a forced sequence of 6 fld2 dS 110-0 d4 12 4Je2 ,O.g413 4Jf3 18 ,O.f3 ,O.h3 19 <ifjh3
moves. An opening refinement c3 t!;Jd714 !,!adlldad8 lS,O.h6 4Jg4! 20 t!;Je2 ,O.aH+. 17,O.b2
23 ... f6 which should be adopted by ,O.f316 ,O.f34JeS 17 cd4 cd4 was necessary.
Readers are invited to the Closed Sicilian enthu- 18 ,O.g7 <ifjg7 19 ldc1 gives 7 .Q.g2 ~4
join us in finding out whe- siast. The idea is to prepare White the better chances 8 f4
ther White has anything for an early exchange of due to the weakness of White transposes to the
better than perpetual the Black squared Bishops. Black's Pawn on d4. The Main Line with early Kin-
check af ter 23 ... ghS 24 ldfS The text retains the option text is Klinger v Summer- gside expansion because
efS 25 t!;JgS<ifjf826 t!;JhS<ifjg7 of deploying the King's matter, Berne 1991. Blacks energetic play on
27 t!;JgS<ifjf828 t!;Jf6 <ifjg829 Knight to an appropriate GM Aseev came up with the Queenside has
~e7 t!;Je7 30 t!;Je7±. square depending on an unusual plan for Black throttled the standard plan
The Queen outweighs Blacks defensive forma- is his game against Hracek of exchanging the Bishop
the pair of Rooks by its tion. ECO considers 6 ,O.g2 in Keskemet 1992: 6 ... eS 7 on g7.
activity and the weakness 4Jh6 7 t!;Jc14Jg4 8 ,O.d24Jd4 ,O.g2hSl? 8 h4 4Jge7 9 4Jh3 8 e6
of the Black Pawns. 9 h3 4Jh6 10 4Jce2 with 4Jd4 10 4Jdl dS 11c3 4Je6 12 9 4)h3! ~7
24 nfS gfS White maintaining a slight t!;Je2 d4 13 ,O.d2 bS 14 4JgS 10 0-0 .Q.d7N
24 ... efS is also in vain. edge. If 7 h3 fS 8 t!;Jd24Jf7 9 4Jc6 15 0-04JgS 16,O.gSf6 17
After 25 !lg6 lddS 26 t!;Jh6 4Jge2 0-0 10 0-0 ldb8 leads ,O.d2,O.g418 f3 ,O.e619 f4 c4 .~ ~~~ L.
t!;Jg7 27 t!;JhSldeS 28 ldeS feS to a complex middle game with an unclear position. '~+'~
~..&.~ .l~X~"~X
~ .
29 ,O.fS!,!c6 30 t!;Je8 t!;Jf8 31 where Whites traditional Chiburdanidze v Pamuk, ... ....
~ ·~~X~X~
~ .~ ~.
t!;JeSwins. counterattack is hindered Kusadasi 1990 varied with
White has an over- by Blacks unusual setup. ~ ~ ~ ~.
10 0-0-0 (American GM Fe-
whelming position. Yudasin v Kisetow, Po- dorowicz gives 10 f4!? ef4 ~ .1t~ ~
~~H.;r.~.,'~>~ '0.~"''l!..... ~.Î.'\
The remaining moves dolsk 1991went 6 ,O.g2ldb8 11 4Jf 4 ,O.g4 12 0-0 0-0 13 ~
~
z.
z....
~~%
~ ~
~ ~~
~.

were 7 t!;Jd2bS 8 f 4 b4 9 4Jdl t!;Jb6 ldae1=)t!;JaS11!,!df1bS 12<ifjbl ~~~~~

4>'~4>~ ~:ä.~
_~~'"
25 ne6 nd6 104Jf3 fS 11a3 aS 12 ab4 ab4 ~~ ..... ~( .. '~'I"'/~
b4 13 ,O.d4cd4 14 4Je2 ldb8 ~~ ~ ~l=j.~~
26 (te2 ncd8 13 ldbl 4Jf6 14 4Jf2?! 4Jg4 15 1Sf4 ,O.e616 4Jc1. White has
27 ne7 n8d7 4Jg4 fg4 16 4Jh4 ,O.c3!17bc3 sufficient resources to 11 nael fS
28 JJJ7 ~8 bc3 18 t!;Jc3 t!;Jbl 19 <ifjd2 defend the onslaught on An unnecessary and
29 ne8 ~7 t!;Jb2++. Black went on to the Queenside. weakening thrust in th
106 2 g3 or 24)c3 leeding to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 tfjc3 leading to the MaJn Lin 107

centre. Instead Black 21 ndl .Q.a4 36 ... Zle237 ~h3 tlJa8 38 able him to target th
should play 11 ... 0-0 in He might have profited Zle2 Zle2 39 Zld4!! cd4 40 centre for his counter-play.
order to meet 12 4:JdSby 12 from the temporary re spite .o.h6 and Black cannot stop This positional approach is
... 4:Jec6!=. to play 21 ... .o.bS22 4:Jd6.o.f1 the mate on g7. unusual and requires fur-
12 eS! tlJe7 23 4:Jc8-'lg2 24 4:Je7 tlJe7 25 37 ne4 tlJe4 ther practica! tests.
Of course Black cannot ~g2 h6 264:Jf3. Blacks po- 38 nel tlJe2
accept the Pawn and sur- sition is passive but de- 39 ~h3 nel
vive: 12 ... deS 13 feS .o.eS 14 fence is not out of the que- 40 4)gS
~S and Whites fully de- stion. Conquest goes for a fla-
veloped forces gives him an 22 4)d6 llb8 shy finish. The absence of
overwhelming attack. Not 22 ... ~dl 23 4:Jc8 the Black Queen is the key
13 ed6 tlJd6 4:Jc8 24 Zldl when White's factor.
14 4)b1! Bishop pair is a decisive 40 .Qg7
A subtie move with the factor. 41 tlJd8 .Q.f8
multiple idea of manoeuvr- 23 b3 .Q.c6 42 .Q.d6 Resigns
ing the Knight to c4 and 24.Q.c6 tlJe6 After 42 ... ~g7 43 tlJf8
decentralizing the Black 25 e4± eS ~g6 44 tlJf7 ~gS 45 ~f4 is Rohde v Dlugy , USA 1986
Knight on d4. White has 26 feS .Q.es mate. varied with 6 ... eS (con-
the better game. 27 4)(3 .Q.g7 testing control of the
14 ne8 28 .Q.gs 4)c8 GAME33 ceritre) 7 tlJd2 4:Jge7. (Black
15 4)a3 b6 29 4)(s!±± has two alternatives which
16 cl 4)de6 White is now clearly Hjartarson V Arnason delay the thematic
17 4)gs 4)d81! winning. Reykjavik 1992 exchange of fianchettoed
More exact is 17 ... h6 18 29 gfs Bishops:
4:Jc4 tlJc7 19 4:Jf3 when If 29 ZlfS 30 tlJd8 .o.f8 1 e4 cS a) La Rota v Birnboim, St
Whites advantage is mini- 314:JeS±±; Also 30 ... Zlf8 31 2 4)c3 d6 John Open 1988 went 7 ...
mal. 4:JeS±±. 3 g3 4)c6 .o.e6 8 f4 ef4 9 .o.f4 4:Jd4 10
The text is passive and 30 .Q.d8 4 .Q.g2 g6 4:Jf3tlJd7 110-0 4:Je7124:JgS
allows White to gain the 31 .Q.gs Black deviates in the h6 13 4:Je6 fe6 14 ~h3t.
upper hand. 32 .Q.f4 move order before joining White has a slight edge due
18 4)c4 tlJe7 33 tlJd6 the mainline of the Closed to the Bishop pair.
19 d4! 34 nfel1 Sicilian. b) Karpov v Kallai, Buda-
The thematic central An error in time trouble 5 dJ .Qg7 pest 1989 went 7 ... 4:Jd4 8
blow, placing maximum which allows Cvitan some 6 .Q.e3 b61! 4:Jce24:Je79 c3 4:Je610 f4 fS
pressure on Black 's struc- chances. The simple 34 tlJc7 Arnason improvises on a 114:Jf3.o.d712feS deS 13.o.h6
ture if Black plays 19 ... cd4 forcing the exchange of traditional continuation .o.f6 14 d4! ed4 15 eS dc3 16
20 .o.d4~d4 21 tlJd4±±. The Queens would have paved which is recommended in 4:Jc3 -'lg7 17 -'lg7 4:Jg7 18
Rook on h8 is threatened. the way for a smooth vic- all the old books on the o-o-ot and White is on
Hence Black is forced to tory. opening. Refraining from- top. The lead in develop-
accept a weak Pawn on cS. 34 nfe8 queenside activity, Black ment, the weakness of dark
19 0-0 35 tlJe7 .Q.d4 hopes that the double squares and the initiativein
20 deS beS 36 ~2 tlJe6 fianchetto system will en- the centre outweighs th
108 2 g3 or 2 cfJc3leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 cfJc3leading to the Main Line 109

sacrificed Pawn.) 8 .o.h6 7 ttd2 .Q.b7 13 ttd2 to saddle Black with a

.o.h6 (If 8 ... 0-0 9 h4 f6 10 8 ~3 The Queen returns to d2 weak backward Pawn on f7.
.Qg7 '3;tg7 11hs gs 12 h6 ~h8 This is a crucial re- having prevented Black It was wiser to play a
13 0-0-0 ~g6 La Rota v sponse aiming to advance castling short. This is an waiting game, letting
Smejkal, New York 1988 the f-Pawn later, keep the unusual post for the White make his move in the
with a dynamically ba- f-file free for the Rook to Queen, but time is not of centre.
lanced position but 9 ~7 take a positive stance, and the essence here, and th ere Arnason would like to
~g7 10 f4 ~d4 11~f3 ~4 the c1-h6 diagonal open to is plenty of scope for the play 21 ... dS but af ter 22
12 0-0 ~d7 13 feS ~f3 14 allow the thematic Queen to re-emerge. The d4! c4 (if 22 ... cd4 23 e'dS
.o.f3 deS 15 ~4 ~g4 16 exchange of dark coloured position is approximately .o.ds 24 ~es ~c7 25 .o.ds ~es
~f2±. The dual threat of Bishops. even. 26 ~es ~ds 27 Z'!ds eds 28
~cs and ~f6 enables White The alternatives are 8 13 hS ~d4 ~d8 29 c4 White has a
to win a Pawn) 9 ~h6 ~d4 ~f3 and 8 ~ge2. 14 f3 h4 superior endgamel 23 ~f2
10 Z'!c1.o.e6 11 ~f3 ~b6 12 8 4)(6 The attempt to oppose White enjoys an undisputed
~dl ~as 13 c3 ~f3 14 .o.f3 9 .Q.h6 .Q.h6 White's strategy by positional advantage.
~a2 15 O-O±. The Black 10 tth6 e6 advancing the h-Pawn is 22 nf1 ~
monarch is bound to be U 0-0-0 ineffective. 23 feS deS
shifted to the queenside 15 g4 24 ttf2 nh7
since the White Queen on li ~ i~*~ ,....
~.l~ ~.:t~.:t
16 gS 25
26
ttf6
.Q.f3
ttd6
h6 prevents short castling.
Rohde hopes that he will
be able to develop a pow-
······m:mr•. r~.·~·,
~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
~
17 f4
It is evident that Black's
attempt to create counter-
erful queenside attack, play on the kingside has
gaining time by harassing ~ ~1t~ ~ backfired allowing White
the Black Queen on a2. ~
~ ~1t~
~ ~ ~A
~'t-J to obtain a slight edge due
The position is very w-'''''' ~ w-"/<, w-'''' to his better control of the
complex with Black
1t~1t~ ~!l~. centre.
~~ ~'i""?~
~~B.~ ~~
~B.
attempting to consolidate 17 !&lb8
his extra Pawn while his Castling queenside is 18 !&lbl
opponent is poised to work rare in the Closed Sicilian. This is the type of move
up an initiative for the ma- However this is one of the which inexperienced
terial deficit. The remain- special cases where White players find hard to visual- White embarks on a
ing moves were 15 ... ~c6 16 is inclined to castie long. ize. A prophylactic move scheme to manoeuvre his
~e3 0-0-0 17 ~ds ~b8 18 The motives behind this enhancing King safety be- Bishop to a useful diagonal
Z'!al~b3 19Z'!a3!~bs 20 ~d2 unusual move are King sa- fore starting a central (h3-c8). White has handled
.o.ds 21 edö ~e7 22 ~fal a6 fety, bringing the Queen's attack. the initiative along the
23 ~as ~d7 24 b4 cb4 25 c4! Rook into play, and de- 18 ttd7 f-file in copybook fashion.
~c7 26 ~b4 ~a7 27 ~a3 ~b6 fending the c2-Pawn which 19 ttf2 ~7 Black is tied to passive de-
28 Z'!bs~d4 29 cS! ~a8 30 is of ten the main weakness 20 ~2 ~2 fence and is deprived of a
c6 1-0. A scintillating in the Pawn structure. 21 tte2 eS proper game plan.
game. White's strategy U tte7 A premature strike at 26 rI1c7
triumphed. 12 nhel 0-0-0 the centre, allowing White 27 .Qg4 ne8
110 2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Main LiJ,' III

28 ~1! ~4 It is obvious that White 42 baS 3 g3 g6

29 ~3 enjoys an undisputed posi- 43 nc6! a4 4 .Qg2 .Qg7
It should be noted how tional superiority due to 44 ha4 ~4 5 dJ e6
Hjartarson handles the the awkward position of 45 ne8 ~7 More enterprising than
closed positions very calm- the Black Rooks, reduced 46 neS ~2 the solid 5 ... d6 of Yudasin
ly. A favourite tooI in such to passive defence. The 47 Ilg4 nh8 v Gelfand, Munich 1991
positions is to probe wea- Knight on g2 is misplaced, 47 ... 4Jc3 48 ~c1 4Ja4 49 which went on with 6 -'le3
knesses. away from the battle. .§.as with the idea of 4Jes .§.b8 7 thd2 ss 8 4Jge2 4Jd4
29 ~2 37 ~7 and .§.a7±. 9 0-0 b4 10 4Jdl aS 11c3 (11
The threat of 4Jes winn- 38 nff3 ~4 48 c3! 4Jc1!?) 4Je2 12 the2 when
ing a Pawn evicts the Black 39 nf2 A radical solution to White has a slight edge.
Knight from its outpost on If 39 .§.h3 4Jf3 40 Z!h7 stymi Black's counterplay At the Manila Olympiad
f4. 4Jgs and Black gets back on the b-f'ile. White sheds 1992Lematscho v Gliamorg
30 4)d.2 (tf6 into the game. a Pawn to activate his King. saw early Queenside
Upon 31 ... 4Je3 32 ~d6 39 4)g2 48 4Jes .§.es 49 .§.es .§.b8 50 expansion with 5 ... d6 6
\tjld633 .§.f6\tjle734 .§.gl with 40 b3 nh5 .§.bs Of 50 ~a2 4Jc3 51 ~a3 ~e3 Z!b8 7 a4 a6 8 4Jge2
the idea of -'lh3, Z!f3,4Jc4±. 41 nf6 ~8 4Jbl 52 ~a2 4Jc3=; if 50 ~al 4Jd4 9 0-0 bs 10 abS abS 11
The exchange of Queens 42 aS!± 4Jc3! 51.§.bs4Jbs 52 abS Z!bs ~d4?! cd4 124Jds e6 134Jb4
weakens the Pawns on White has technical pro- 4JeTt. White should have
es/f7, Prime targets for blems realizing his material tried 11b4! 4Je2 (If 11... cb4
White's forces. advantage) 4Jc3 51 ~c1 (51 12 -'ld4 -'ld4 13 4Jd4 bc3 14
31 nf6 h3 ~b2 4Ja4! 52 ~a3 .§.bs 53 4Jc6±±) 12 4Je2 -'lal 13 thal
32 ndfl ~3 ~a4 Z!b2!±)4Jbs 52 abS .§.bs f6 (If 13... 4Jf6 14 bef dcó 15
33 Ilgl .Q.e8 and White has an extra eS 4Jds 16 e6 with a pro-
In aclosed position the Pawn. mising attack for White) 14
Knight is superior to the 48 ~ bcfi aes 15 -'lcs. This posi-
Bishop. Following this 49 r3lc2 ~2 tion is unclear. White has
recipe Arnason fails to vi- 50 ~5 ~6 superior development,
sualize a resourceful de- 51 ~3 Ilb7 initiative and an extra Pawn
fence. 33 ... 4Jg4! 34 Z!g4 The culmination of 52 ~ Ilb2 but is an exchange down.
-'lc8 35 .§.gl ~e6 when the White's positional 53 ~3 nhb8 6 .Q.e3
backward Pawn on f7 is onslaught whereby he will 54 nh4 n8b3 A crafty move exploiting
adequately defended and is eventually piek up the 55 Ilh3 nc3 the move order adopted by
freed the Rook on h7. weak Pawns on cS and eS. 56 ~4 1-0 Black. The attack on the cS
34 .Q.e8 r3lc8 The text inflicts further Pawn enables White to
35 Ilg3 4)g2 weaknesses on Black's GAME 34 initiate rapid development.
36 ~4 ne7 Pawn structure. His pieces 6 ~4?!
37 a4 are dominant and the Spusky v Hjartarson The text is an automatic
A fine positional move advance of a Pawn allows a Belfort 1988 choice designed to curtail a
which is designed to sta- decisive breakthrough. The future d4 by White as weU
bilize the Knight on c4 and remaining moves are self- 1 e4 as preventing -'lh6 as the c2
create space for the KJng. explanatory. 2 ~ Pawn is weak. However in
112 2 g3 or 24)c3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 24)c31eading to the Main Line 113
this position it is ill- stranded in the middle of that Black is in an unplea- 20 ... .Q.b7fails to 21..clb7
advised. 6 ... d6, which the board. White has sant position with his for- Z!b7 22 ~f3 attacking both
transposes into the Main excellent attacking chan- ces in dis array . b7 and f8.
Line, is a wiser choice. ces. 14 .Q.d4 21 ~4 'l}e7
8 .Q.d4! Black attempts to sim- 22 g4 b5
11~.l~~~ ~4)~i Spasskys uncanny abili- plify. An attempt to compli-
~.L ~.L
.~ ~
~.L
~
~"1.L '"
ty to create complicated 15 ~4 .cs cate the issue backfires.
~ ~.L~.L~ situations which an average Black is in a quandary. 1S However 22 ... ~h4 23 ~f2
~ m ~ ~
~ " ~ ~
club player will fail to no-
tice comes to the fore. The
... ~e7 does not help as
af ter the simple 16 0-0 ~fS
is little better for Black .
23 gfs bc4
~
~
~
:r,"'~
~1t~~
~
;>J;'''~ 0"~~
~ normal reaction would be 17 ~fS gfS 18 Z!fS exposes 24 .es! 1:0
~ [j1t~ ~ to hit the Knight by 8 c3 the Black King to a vigo- Black resigned in the
1t~1t~ ~Qr~ ~e2 9 ~e2 .Q.b7 10 ~d2 fS 11 rous attack. face of f6 check winning
~~
7~
,.....
/ ~~m
~~
~0"
:,,""/'
....z
~:.,~ 'i"'/
~.1:::i
~
0-0 ~e7 12 Z!fe10-0 13 .Q.gS
~c8 14 ~f4 ~c6 when
16 ~b3
17 0-0
.gs
~7
the Queen and the attack
on the undefended Rook.
7 ~2 Black has attained equality. 18 nael
Accepting the challenge. 8 cd4 AU White's forces are GAME 35
White now threatens c3 9 eS J;Ib8 targetting the Black mo-
displacing the Knight af ter 10 f4 f6 narch. Hodgson V Crouch
which d4 will soon follow. 18 nf8 Scotland 1987
7 b6 ~~.l~~~~4)~i 19 ~!
Recommended in all ~ ~.L~ ~"1.L 1 e4 cS
opening monographs. Smy-
slov v Denker, USSR v USA
.~
m. ~.Lm..L~
~ ~ .
2
3
~
g3
~
g6
1946 went instead 7 ... d6 8 ~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
~ 4 .Qg2 .Qg7
c3 ~c6 9 d4 cd4 10 ~d4 ~
~ ~~
.~ ~
~ ~ 5 d3 d6
~d4 11.Q.d4eS 12 .Q.e3~ge7 ~
~ ~1t~
~ ~ ~
~ 6 .Q.e3 ~6
13 ~e2 0-0 14 0-0 .Q.e615 1t~1t~4J~
~ ~ ~.)ä. ~ i"/'.
~d2! ~c7 16 ~fc1±. White ~~
r.J
~M:,,""4
~0~
~. .,~'i"'/
[j.1:::i
has a Maroczy type posi-
tion. 16 ~fd1 is an error in If 10 ... d6? 11~d4 deS 12
view of ... ~fd8 followed by ~c6 t/1c7 13 ~b8 wins the
... dS with full equality. exchange. Hence Black's Grandmasterly. Before
If instead of 7 ... b6 reply was almost forced. going full throttle he sees
Black grabs the b Pawn 11 ~3 feS to it that all his forces are
White gains a powerful in- 12 feS .c7 mobilised and in the best
itiative, f'or example 7 ... 13 ~4 .Q.es attacking position possible.
~e2 8 ~e2 .Q.b29 ~b1 .Q.g7 14 .e2 The Knight will go to
(9 ... ~aS 10.Q.d2~a2 11Z!b2! Whites lead in develop- either c4 or e4 and possibly Rarely played this last
~b2 12 .Q.c3winning' mate- ment and coordination d6. move threatens ... ~g4
rial) 10 .Q.cS~aS 11.Q.b4~a2 amongst his pieces are 19 nfl gaining a tempo.
120-0 when Blacks King is obvious. It is crystal clear 20 nft ~s 7 h3
114 2 g3 or 24Jc31eading to the Main Line
Whites reply is virtually
forced as Nikolic v Smejkal,
Varna 1977 proves: 7 ~d2?
4:Jg4! 8.o.f4 eS 9 ~5 f6 10
.o.e34:Je3 11 fe3 00 12 4:Jge2
4:JeTt. Black has the Bishop
pair and a slightly better
Pawn structure.
Pachmans unusual 7 gets the b2 Pawn.
~c1!?, which was in vogue
in the 1950's, deserves clo-
ser attention. The idea is to
gear up for the thematic
exchange of dark coloured
Bishops (by .o.h6) whilst
keeping the d2 square free
in case of ... 4:Jg4 e.g: 7 ...
0-0 8 .o.h64:Jd4 9 ~7 C3;g7
10 f4!±. The proposed plan
is 4:Jdl, c3 and 4:Jf3.
7 ... hS (after 7 ~c1) 8 h3
eS (Also 8 ... ~b8 9 f 4 4:Jd7
10 a4 a6 114:Jf34:Jd4 12 ~d2
bS 13 abS abS± Pachman v
Najdorf 1954; 8 ... .o.d7 9 f4
~b6 10 4:Jf3 4:Jd4 11 4:Jh4!
.o.c6 12 0-0 4:Jd7 13 C3;h2
0-0-0 14 4:Jdl± Pachman v
Ciocaltea, Bucharest 1952.
White has c3 and b4 in the
air) 9 f4 .o.e6 10 4:Jf34:Jd4 11
4:Jg5.o.d7 12 0-0 0-0 13 ~d2
bS 14 4:Jdl~e7 15 c3± Pach-
man v Toran 1955. The main
threat is f5!
Mter 7 ~c1 4:Jd4!? is
probably Blacks best. 8
4:JdleS 9 c3 4:Jc610 .o.h60-0
11~7 4:Jg7 12 4:Je2=. 12 ...
dS! 13 ed5 4:Jd5 14 0-0 .o.e6
is comfortable equality.
Analysis by ECO.
2 g3 or 24Jc3 leading to the Main Line 115
7 (tb6!1 9 4)d4 ill-timed.
An opening innovation 10 0-0 eS The opening of the g file
which departs from Blacks A move that is open to gives White a winning
normal Queenside Pawn question and lacks strate- attack.
storm. gical foresight because 18 .Q.h5 gh5
However it is debatable Black has already deployed 19 l::Igl ~h8
whether this Novelty is an his Knight on f6. 20 l::Ig7!
improvement. The text tar- 11 f4 .Q.e6 This exchange sacrifice
12 ~h2 4)e2 is quite obvious as it re-
Alternatives are: 7 ... 13 (te2 ef4 moves the only defender
0-0 8 ~d2 ~b8 9 .o.h6.o.e610 It now dawns on Black around the King and paves
~7 C3;g7114:Jge2bS 12f4 b4 that the intended Pawn the way for a mating
13 4:Jdl 4:Jd4 14 0-0 ~c8 15 thrust (f'S) by White will attack.
C3;h24Je2 16~e2 c4 17 d4 dS lay the foundation for a 20 ... ~g7
18 eS 4Je4 19.o.e4 de4 20 g4 powerful attack. He there- 21 l::Igl ~h8
h5 21 4Je3! Now the threat fore opens up the e file Black cant escape and
of fS gives White an over- clearing the eS square for must return to the corner.
whelming position as in his Knight. However it is If 21 ... C3;f7(21 ... C3;f8)22
Dunworth v Tardio Fran, too late. ~h4 ~g8 23 ~h5 C3;e7 24
Andorra 1991. 8 ... 4:Jd4 9 14 gf4 l::Ife8 ~h7 .o.f7254:Jd5±±.
4:Jce2eS 10 c3 4:Jc6 11f 4 b6 15 t)f2 l::Iad8 22 ~4 Resigns
12 4:Jf3 ef4 13 .o.f4 .o.a6 14 Blacks forces are in a A beautiful final coup.
0-0 ~e8 15c4 bS 16 cbS .o.bS precarious situation and Mter the Black Queen
17 ~f2!± was Ljubojevic hence counterattack is not cedes the d4 square there
v Sunye Neto, Brazil 1981. on. will be a killer check on
White is weU placed to 16 ~hl1! the al-h8 diagonal. If 22 ...
launch a Kingside aUack. Not best. The only pos- ~b4 23.o.d2!!.
He also has con trol over dS sible point to this move is
whereas Black is saddled to avoid any flash tactics GAME 36
with a weakness on d6. based on the weakness of
7 ... ~b8 8 f4 .o.d7 94Jf3 the g3 square. Spassky v Geiler
0-0 10 0-0 b5 11~el b4 12 16 ~51! Suhumi, Candidates 1968
4:Jdl4:Je813g4 4:Jd4Knaak v Black is restless and 1 e4 cS
Malieh, East Germany 1974. commits an error. The text 2 {)c3 d6
Whites attack is gaining plays into Whit.es hands. 3 g3 {)c6
momentum. In such diff'icult. situations 4 .Q.g2 g6
8 llbl 0-0 patience is a virtue. Black 5 d3 .Q.g7
9 ~e2 should instead regroup his 6 f4 ~6
The alternative 9 f4 in- Queen by ~c7 and aUack in The double fianchetto
tending 4:Jf3is equal ly good the centre. system occured as long ago
and of ten transposes into 17 .Q.f3 f5 as 1968 in Bernstein v
other lines. This counterattack is Fischer, Netanya and conti-
 116 2 g3 or 2 tfJc3 leading to the Main Line 2 g3 or 2cfJc3leading to the Mein Lino 111
nued instead 6 ... b6!? 7 White's strategy on the Black to obtain a level po- other side of the board.
4Jf3.o.b7 8 0-0 ~d7 9.o.e3 fS Queenside. The subtie sition. 22 (th4 Itc8
10 ~d2 4Jf6 11~hl O-O-Ot. point of the text is that his 14 ... Ital 23 Itf6!
Aftr 12 a3 intending b4 Queens Rook is activated Marjanovic v Hernandez,
White will have the better when Black plays ... b4. Vrsac 1977varied: 14 ... ~c7 ~H~ ~tJ~
game. Quite of ten it is suspect to lS g4 ~a8 16 ~c1 ~a2 17 ~
~ J.~
~ ~j:~"1
.~ .
7 ~J ~O
Delaying castling in fa-
move the Pawns in this fa-
shion but here it is just.ified
~el!? 4Jd7 18 ~h4t
White has the initiative.
and ~~~ ~~ ~~rnj:~
,
vour of action on the ~
~ ~'~ ~
~ ~
~
since White has only to de- 15 1tc1 1ta2
Queenside is nothing spe- fend the b Pawn to hold the 16 g4 ~ ~1t~1t~:.,
~
.~ ~ ,.
cial. Minev v Dimitrov went
7 ... .o.d7 8 h3 hS 9 .o.e3~b6
entire Queenside. ~1t~1t~
~ ~ ..
1 ~1t
~
10 aS ~ ~~ ~m.tJ
10 ~c1 4Jd4 114Jh4 .o.h6 12
4Jdl ~g8 13 c34Jc6 14 ~d2
11 .Q.eJ b4 ~J.~
~ ~ ~.îJlî.
.~ . ~.~1t~~~~~
~rn~ ~"r/.

eS lS feS ~e3 164Je3 4JeS 17

12 ab4 ab4 ~4)~~
~ ~.î.~
~
~ L3 ~ ~

13 ~2 .Q.b7 Introducing a wonderful

o-ot. White, with control ~
~ ~
.~ ~~ ~
~
of the dS square and play
down the f file is doing
14

, ~m.
b3!

~m.tJ
r~ ~1t~1t~ attacking concept. Black's
only defensive piece is
nicely.
§~ ~1t~1t~J~~1t destroyed at the mere cost

Another possibility for

~J.~ ~.t:I]j: .~1t~~~~~ of the exchange.
~4~"""lt::f~ ~~ ~~tIJ~ ~"r/.
23 ef6

~.~
Black was seen in Wade v L.~· ~~~ 24 (th7 c&Ilf8
Byrne, Hastings 1971/72: 7 ~ ~..~~~ ~ ~ 16 ... (taS?!
~.~
~"'1 ~~~ ~
2S 4)f7!
... ~b8 80-0 bS?! 9 eS! deS ~..~ ~8~ ~ GeIler embarks on a
10 feS 4Jg4 11 e6 .o.e6 12
4JgS±. Blacks forces are in
~1t~1t~4S'~1t faulty plan which takes the ~~
disarray. ~1t~4J'~.ël~ Black Queen away from the ~J.~
~ ~ ~~~@.tIJ
~ ~~
~~ ~M~~"r/. action. ECO suggests 16 ...
~~ ~ ~j:~

•.
8 ~O ~8 ,.....~ ~0~~~
e6 174Jg3 ~e8 18iS!t.
9 hJ bS One smaIl slip in the 17 .el .a6 ~
~ ~~ ~
~ ~
~
10 al implementation of White's 18 .f2 ~ '. ~;tt~1t~
~
...... ~
defensive strategy on the 18 ~h4? is met by the 1t~
~r~ ~ 1t~'''1
~ ~~ 1t
Queenside will aIlow Black pretty tactical shot 18 ...
fuIl equality. 4Je419 de4 ~e2+. ~
.~1t~~~~~ ~~ ~ ~"r/.

Equal is 14 g4 ~a8 lS ~bl 18 ... lOa7 ~L.~~~

A modest move, but one
of immense importance to
~a2 16 4Jc1 ~a6 17 ~el ~c7 Eyeing up c2. Spassky comes out with
184Je2 ~a2. 19 fS 4)bS one of those slashing in-
Another game from the 20 fg6 hg6 stinctive anti-Sicilian sa-
Spassky v GeIler Candi- 20 ... fg6 would allowan crifices for which he is
dates match saw 14 ~d2 eventual ciJe6. just.ly famous.
~a8 lS ~abl ~aS 16 b3 ~fc8 21 ~S ~ 2S Itc2
17 fS! ~b6 18 g4 ~a2 194Jc1 GeIler is carried away by 25 ~f7 aIlows
~aS with more than suffi- his faulty Queenside plan 26 !lh6 ~g8 27 4Jf4 ~c2 28
cient Queenside play for completely ignoring the ~f1 ~f8 29 4Jg6 '3;f7 30 4Jf4
118 2 g3 or 2 fJc3 leading to the Main Line Other White Second Moves 119
Iitlf8314']hS.Q.h632 ~h6 Iitle7 32 efS Resigns
33 ~h7. Power, fluency and ele-
26 .Q.h6! ~cl gance all rolled into Olie
White's attack is over- characterise Spasskys play CHAPTER S
whelming. Nobetter is 26 in this game.
... ~e2 27 ~g7 litle8 (27 ... Other White Second Moves
~e7 28 4JgS) 284JgS! fgS 29 Conclusion:
-'lgS±± or 26 ... ~d3 27 ~g7 People normally asso-
~e8 28 ~c24']c2 294']f4. ciate the Closed Sicilian as
27 {)cl fIJf7 White playing for an attack We now examine the ity of this variation after
Also useless was 27 with fS but in games 21-24 various auxilary lines and the Buenos Aires Olympiad
.Q.h6 28 4']h6 ~e8 29 4Jg8 it is the theme of eS that unusual forms of Closed in 1978 where Spassky
~f8 304']e7 with a check on proves dangerous. 10 eS in Sicilians. We classify them produced many good games
g6 to follow. games 22 and 23 is espe- into four sub variations in in this line. This variation
28 .g7 ~8 cially critical for the sy- the following order: often leads to complex si-
Also losing is 28 ... litle6 stem when Sadlers handl- I 2 b3!? tuations and could be used
29 gS fgS 30 -'lgS ~e8 31 h4 ing of the Black pieces n 2 ~2 as a surprise weapon occa-
(threatening 32 .Q.h3)dS 32 looks best. As a general mz c4?! sionally.
edS Iitld6(32 ... .Q.dS33 ~g6 rule, Black should prevent IV 2 dJ (King's Indian
with ~a6 to follow) 33 .Q.f4 White achieving the the- Attack) 2 b3!?
l!eS 34 .o.eSmate. matic fS by playing ... fS Black has four main re-
29 gS fS himself. Of course timing The most popular among plies.
30 .g6 rtfid7 is of the utmost impor- the unusual systems is 2 &)2 d6
31 .f7 ~ tance. b3!? The other forms of h) 2 ~6
Closed Sicilien are seldom d2 {)c6
adopted on the Internatio- d)2 e6
nal circuit. Black equalizes
easily agairist. these un- &)2 d6
orthodox systems by
adopting asolid defensive GAME 37
setup in accordance with
the special features of the TImman v Giardelll
position. Mar del Plata 1982
1 e4 cS
I 2 h3!? 2 b3 d6
This form of Closed Si- This move has the pur-
cilian is advocated by for- pose of blocking the al-h8
mer World Chess Cham- long diagonal af ter ... eS,
.. pion Boris Spassky and shutting in the Bishop at
Dutch GM Jan Timman at b2.
International level. There Black can continue nor-
was a surge in the popular- mal development on the
120 Other White Second Moves Other White Second Moves 121

Kingside unhindered with 7 tbe2 fle7 situation. hoping for counterplay and
... ~h6, ... e6 and ... fle7. 8 00 00 U 4)es deS to complete his develop-
3 flb2 9 c4 ne8 12 f4! ef4 ment. However this boo-
American Grandmaster 10 ~ 13 eS 4)d7 merangs on him quickening
Anatoly Lein tried against 14 nf4 .Qgs1 the col1apse. 21 ... ~d6 22
Polugaevsky at the 1978 Black commits a posi- flg7 ~b6 23 fJ.d4~c7 24 fleS
Buenos Aires Olympiad 3 tional error. The Bishop ~f7 25 !1fd3 and White has
flbS!? fld7 4 c4 flbS 5 cbS moves away leaving the an overwhelming position.
a6! 6 ~c3 ~f6 7 ~f3 g6 8 weakness on d6 unguarded. 21 ... 4Jg6 22 fJ.eS~d7 23 cS
flb2 flg7+. Blacks superior Instead 14 ... fS 15 ef6 flf6 also gives White a lasting
and flexible Pawn structure would have restricted positonal advantage and a
gave him an edge. Whites advantage to the strategically won position.
3 e6 minimum. 22 fleS 4)d7
4 4)f3 4)f6 15 nf3 rs 23 ne3 tbb6
The game Karlsson v 16 ~b5!±± 24 fld4 ne3
Duric, Vrnjacka Banja 1981 This position was in fact 25 fle3 ne8
went 4 ... ~c6 5 flbS fld7 6 arrived at by a different li ~ ~~li ~.~ 26 rI1f2!
00 a6 7 flc6 flc6 8 ~e1 ,1dc89 move order: 1 4Jf3 cS 2 e4 ~+B&. ~.L
~.A. ~-:IIl ~ .~
c4!±. Whites lead in deve- e6 3 b3 d6 4 fJ.b24Jf6 5 fJ.bS ......•• .L •.. ~
lopment offsets the Bishop fld7 6 fJ.d74Jbd7 7 ~e2 fle7 ~~~ ~+0 ~
pair advantage and he re-
~<i..J ~ ~.A. L.~
8 00 00 9 c4 ,1de810 ~c3. 9
'.:it••
tains a slight plus.
5 flbs
Short v Lein, Hastings
c4 was played with the in-
tention of creating a Ma-
roczy Bind when White
.:it.
4>?"~~
.1j.~
~.1v\t ~ 4> ffl"h

1981/82 took an interesting

turn with 5 eS!? deS 6 ~eS
would enjoy undisputed use ~9·····~·····mm
8~

~~ ~ ~
~0~8~

~.,
..

of more space and bet ter

fJ.e7 7 ~a3 ~bd7 8 ~ac4 00 piece position. 16 ~8'
9 fJ.d3 ~eS 10 ~eS ~d7 11 10 4)es 17 d4 cd4
~hS! fS 12 OO±. White has An important part of 18 fld4 fle7 White comes out clean
obtained a significant posi- Blacks plan is to prevent 19 ndl from the various technical
tional advantage. the dreaded Maroczy Bind. Whites forces are fully problems denying any
5 fld7 The text allows the doubl- mobilised and have taken counterchances for his
6 fld7 ~bd7 ing of Pawns but it is up active positions. Black opponent. The passed Pawn
In Spassky v Hubner, superior to the antipositio- is faced with insuperable on d6 enables him to clinch
Buenos Aires Olympiad nal 10 ... eS? The weakness difficulties resulting from the issue.
1978 Black recaptured with of the light squares sadd- being underdeveloped and 26 4)c5
the Queen 6 ... ~d7 7 fJ.f6 les Black with a permanent without a proper game 27 ttf3 neS
gf6 8 ~c3co resulting in an disadvantage. Hence Black plan. 28 d7 tbd8
unclear position. Blacks should prefer the quieter 19 a6 29 fleS 1:0
position is preferabie in 10 ... a6 11 d4 cd4 12 4Jd4 20 4)d6 fld6 White wins a second
view of the central pawn ~c7 13 ~fd1 ,1dac814 ~ac1 21 ed6 eS Pawn maintaining all
cluster. flf8 resulting in a complex Black jettisons a Pawn aspects of his advantage.
122 Other White Second Moves Other White Second Moves 12

b) 2 {)f6 15 (th3 (te7 25 (te2 1:0

~ac1± left White with a
Black resigns as th
lasting positional plus in
li~ ~~~li exchange of Queens is
GAME 38 Czerniak v Janosevie,
Belgrade 1954. Here Black i~+~
i!: -"- ~
ä'\ ii1:~
.:.
forced leaving him in a
Spusky V Sosonko can transpose into the var- ......
'~f ..~1:~
h

1:~•• Z ~
hopeless ending: 25 .,. ~h7
~ ~ 26 ~e6 and White emerges
1
TIlburg 1978
e4 cS
iation with ... e6.
6 .Q.c4 deS
~
~ .~ ~
~ ~1:
~ .~ a whole Rook up.
.~~.~ ~ ~
2 b3 {)f6 7 4)eS 4)eS ~ ~ ~
This move provokes the 8 .Q.eS e6 ~.ftl·~ ~ ~'ltJ c) 2 4)c6
eS Pawn advance and tran- 9 ~ ~1 .ft~:ft:.~. ~;Q: ~ 'h
GAME 39
sposes into a type of ~
~~,~, ~ ~9§m
..... ,
Nimzowitsch Sicilian. li ~J.~~~L~ ,..... Short V Port1sch
3
4
eS 4)d5
.Q.b2 4)c6
~1:~
..... ~ ~1:~1:
~ .~
16 fS!
16
gfS
gfS London 1982
~ ~1:~ .~ 17 nfS Jlg6
S ~3 ~~~~~.~
~ .~ ~ ~ 18 nf2 (tgS 1 e4 cS
~~~ .~ .~ 19 .Q.d3 0001 2 b3 4)c6
~.ftrl ~ .~ Realising that the stra- 3 {)f3
~~~m
~~~~
m~'~''''
~~0
tegie battle is lost af ter 19
~~ 0.~~.~ .. ~.~ ... ~g8 20 .Q.e4!Black gives
,.....
, ~ '0 ~Eii ~ t:j,
up the exchange to find
After this faulty some tactical counter
exchange White maintains chances. But it is too late.
strong pressure. Instead The chess truth is on the
Black should aim to com- White side.
plete his development 20 1lf7!±±
By overprotecting the quiekly. 9 ... {Jb6 10 .Q.d3a6
Pawn on eS White adopts a 11 00 .Q.d7 keeps White's
positional principle of the advantage to a minimum.
10 .Q.c3± .Q.d7 Now White could have
legendary Nimzowitsch.
U 00 .Q.d6 chosen 3 .Q.b2!?which leads
Czerniak v Rossetto,
Belgrade 1962 went 5 g3 d6 to a complex middle game
12 (tg4!±
6 ed6 eS! 7 .Q.g2.Q.e68 {Je2 as shown below: 3 .Q.b2!?d5
The concentration of
.Q.d69 {Jbc3 .Q.e7=and Black Whites forces on the Kin- 4 ed5 ~d5 5 {Jc3 ~e5 6 ~e2
~e2 7 {Jge2 .Q.f58 {Jg3 .Q.c2
has comfortably equalised. gside far exceeds the
9 ~c1 .Q.g610 {Ja4±. White
S d6 defensive resources of
Subsequent games had has the better end game.
Black. White now enjoys an
shown that 5 ... {Jf 4?! was He will quickly regain the
undisputed positional
not a viabie alternative: 6 advantage, Pawn with the better game.
g3 {Je6 7 .Q.g2g6 8 c3!!Jy,7 9 Eg: 10 ... b6 11.Q.b5~c8 12
12 ]k8
d4±. The text was Czerniak
d4 cd4 10 cd4 d5 1100 00 12 13 nael g6
{Jc3 {Jc7 13 ~d2 b6 14 v Cebalo, Zagreb 1969.
14 f4 hS
 Other White Second Moves 125
124 Other White Second Moves

Black should meet 3 .o.b2by

3 ... 4Jf6 transposing into
the main line. Instead
Bellin v Spassov, European
Team Ch, Skara 1980 went 3
9 d3 f6 10 4Jc3 feS 11 4JeS
~e8. Black has obtained a
good game. Spassky
Quinteros, Linares 1981saw
yet another different 6th
v
10
11
12
13
14
nel
.afl
~3
ed6
00
~
ne3!? h6
d6!
.Q.d6
.~
ZXc22S.o.d3 ZXc8+.

~.l~
~ ".,
~

.1:~ ~.1:~4)r~
~lî.~~
~

15 4:)e4 .Q.e7
... d6 4 g3 eS 5 .Q.g2g6!? 6 move: 6 4Jc3 4Jc3 7 .o.c3~c7
16 d4?
~.1:~ ~ ~
4Jc3 !Jy,7 7 4JdS 4Jge7 8 h4 8.o.d3 g6!? 9 ~e2 .Q.g710 h4 ~ ~~ ~ ~
~ ~
hSl 9 4Jh3 .Q.g4!10 f3 .o.e6+. h6 11ZXh3b6 12 ZXg3.o.b7 13
Black has asolid position ZXg4é[je714.o.e44JdS 15.o.b2 ~1t~
~lf~~~~
~ ~
and maintains an edge.
3 {)f6
hS. The strange
manoeuvre was amusing.
Rook ~~f~'..
L..~
~ ....
d.h~d.1.~
~..,,/.
'tt1 ~ -'1 m
~
.....
~~101-%
~~~

The alternative 3 ... e6!?, However Blacks solid se-

23 nd8++
preparing central thrust is tup was preferabie. 24 .Q.d3 {)f 4
interesting and deserves The text has strategical
attention. Czerniak v Tatai, drawbacks. Black will sub-
25 tlJg4 .af8
26 4:)e411
Netanya 1973 continued 3 ... sequently exploit the
White quickens the end
e6 4 .o.b24Jf6 5 4Jc3 d6 6 g3 weakness of the f 4 square
by blundering away a piece.
.o.e7 7 !Jy,2 00 8 d4 cd4 9 and gain active counter- 26 .Q.e4
This break turns out to
4Jd4· .o.d7 10 OO±.Whte play.
be premature and ill-timed. 0:1
obtained a small but signi- 6 a6!?
However White is already 27 ~e4 fS enables Black
ficant advantage. Nei v
in a difficult situation due to win a piece. The techni-
Knaak, Tallin 1979 varied
to lack of coordination cal error in the middlegame
from the above with 4 ... d6
amongst his pieces. was exploited in a clinical
5 d4 cd4 6 4Jd4 4Jf6 7 .o.d3
16 nd8 fashion by the experienced
.o.d78 00 4JeS?! 9 c4 4Jd3 10
17 nd3 cd4 Hungarian master.
~d3 .o.e7114Jc3 a6 12~h1 00
13 f4±. White has control 18 ~4 ~5+
19 nd2 b5 GAME 40
of the critical dS square
20 ~3 {)f3
and astrong initiative on
21 tlJf3 nd2 Lukin v Shirov
the Kingside.
22 ~ .Q.b7 Klaipeda 1988
4 eS ~5
5 .Q.b2 e6 Black completes his de-
We are now following 1 e4 cS
6 .Q.e2?! velopment and now threa-
the game Short v Portisch,
tens to win the c Pawn. 2 b3 ~
Former World Champion London 1982 which arrived
23 tlJd1? A interesting plan of de-
Boris Spassky has adopted at this position by an
Short resorts to passive velopment occurred in
the more prudent choice of entirely different move
play and drifts into a stra- Honfi v Gheorghiu, Bad
developing the Bishop on order: 1 e4 cS 2 é[jf3 e6 3 b3
tegically lost position. He Worishofen 1988 wh en
bS and hoping to cripple a6 4 ~b2 4Jc6 5 .o.e2 é[jf6 6
should jettison a Pawn and Black tried 2 ... b6!? 3 .o.b2
the Pawn structure. Spas- eS é[jdS.
.Q.e7 continue the struggle in .o.b744Jc3 e6 S4Jf3 a6 6 d4
sky v Hernandez, Buenos 7 00
8 ()c3 {)f4 the ensuing ending by 22 cd4 7 4Jd4 d6 8 g3 4Jf6
Aires Olympiad 1978 went 6
.o.bS.o.e77 00 00 8 .o.c6bc6! ~c3 ~c3 23 .o.c3 ZXc824 .o.aS 9 ~2 .o.e710 00 ~c7 11~e2
9 4:)e4 tlJc7
 126 Other White Second Moves Other White Second Moves 127
00 12 z:Iadl±. White has a .Q.c6bc6 9 4jge2 ~d 7 10 f3 highly complex position lS ~ ~c8
fine position. Black varied fS 11 00 00 was Efimov v af ter a mere 8 moves. Black Lukin gives 15 ... ~e7!? 16
from the above game in Kuporosov, USSR 1979. has kept the gambit Pawn !la3 ~f6 174jf8 !lc6 as un-
Honfi v Ghinda, Budapest Black's structural weak- and prevented White from clear.
1988 with 5 ... d6 6 .Q.bS4jd7 ness and superior deploy- castling. However he faces 16 ttdS
7 d4 a6 8 .Q.d7~d7 9 00 l":!d8 ment of Whites forces problems in completing his
10 ~e2 (10 dS!?) cd4 114jd4 offset the advantage of the development. A wiser
4jf6 12 z:Iadl and White Bishop pair. alternative to the text
stands a little better be- 3 .Q.b2 eS would be 8 ... .Q.e79 eS {JhS
cause of the superior de- Gurgenidze v Zaichik, 10~f2 00 114jdS. White has
ployment of his forces. USSR 1979 varied with 3 ... compensation for the ma-
Gurgenidze v Lukin, d6 4 .Q.bS.Q.d75 4je2 e6 6 00 terial deficit and the posi-
USSR 1979saw 2 ... 4jf6 3 eS 4jf6 7 d3 .Q.e78 4jd2 00 9 tion is undear.
4jdS 4 4jc3!? e6 5 4je4 fS 6 4jg3 dS 10 f4 a6 11.Q.c6.Q.c6
ef6 4jf6 7 .Q.d34je4 8 .Q.e4 12~e2±, li ~.l ~.?:} ,,'
~f6 which according to 4 f4 ef4N ~i~~ ~i~~i
~
~~~ ~ r'
,~ ,~

ECO is unclear. Honfi v Ackerman, It is hard to believe that

Novapin v Krpic, USSR Baden Baden 1985 saw 4 ... ~ •••••• Y. ~ "
this position has arisen
1975 followed a different d6 5 4jf3 .Q.g46 .Q.c44jf6 7 ~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ .~
,~
from a Closed Sicilian/2
path: 2 ... e6 3 .Q.b2dS 4 edS 4jc3 ~d7 8 00 000 9 feS ~~~1l:~ ~
~àd.~ ,~ b3. The outcome of the
edS 5 4jf3 4jf6 6 .Q.bS4jc6 7
4jeS ~d6 8 00 .Q.e79 d4 cd4
{JeS 10 ~el !lf3 11gf3 gS 12 ~1l:~ ~4J~ opening is favourable to

10 4jc6 bc6 11 .Q.a3~c7 12

d4 {Jc4 13 bc4 g4 14 dcS 1l:r~~1l:
M ~
~ ~
~ 1l:i'"
,.,
...
White. The attack against
l":!g8with an undear posi- the Black monarch is gain-
.Q.e7~e7 13 z:Ie1.Q.e614 .Q.f1 tion. ~~ ~~~~~~ ing strength with the
cS 15 c3. Again unclear S .Q.c4 9 ~b5! ~8 White Queen joining the
according to opening mo- The most energetic con- Black gives up castling fray. GM Shirov is an
nographs. tinuation and one which rights as 9 ... l":!b810 ~e2 excellent tactician and with
2 ... d6! 3 .Q.b24jf6 (3 ... sets Black a difficult !le7 11eS causes unpleasant an ingenious counterthrust
a6?! 4 f4 4jc6 S4jf3 e6 6 g3 choice. threats in the centre. is able to maintain the dy-
4jf6 7 eSt. White has the S tth4 10 eS ~4 namic equilibrium.
better game in view of his After 5 ... 4jf6 6 eS 4je4 7 Informator considers 10 16 f3!!
space advantage and the ~hS ~e7 8 4je2 Whites ... deS!? as an interesting 17 tte4
Pawn on eS which restricts lead in development gives alternative. Mter 11 4jeS The only move as 17 gf3?
normal development; 3 ... him an edge. Hence GM 4jeS 12.Q.eS.Q.g413 ~el .Q.e7 ~h3++ and 17 z:Id1?4jg3 18
eS!? deserves attention: 4 Shirov seeks to complicate Black can mobilise his Kin- ~f2 4jhl 19 l":!hlfg2 20 l":!dl
.Q.bS.Q.d75 .Q.d7~d7 6 .Q.f6 the issue with an early gside. 13 .Q.f6fails to 13 ... ~f6 21~g1 ~f7 22 ~c4 .Q.cS
gf6 7 ~hS 4jc6 {7 ... l":!g8!?8 Queen sortie. ~f6 as 14 ~g4 leaves the 23 ~cS .Q.c624 ~d6 ~d7++
4je2 ~g4 9 ~g4 l":!g4 10 S tth4 Rook on al unguarded. 17 fg2
4jbc3 4jc6 1100 .Q.h6Ciko- 6 ~1 ~6 11 d4 004 18 ttg2 .Q.e6
vini v Lapnis, USSR 1979}8 7 ~3 tth6 12 4)bd4 .Q.d7 19 .Q.e6 t)e6
4jc3 rsn 4 .Q.f6 gf6 5 ~hS 8 4)c3 d6 13 JJJ7 ~S 20 tte4 .Q.d6
.Q.g76 4jc3 4jc6 7 .Q.bSa6 8 We have arrived at a 14 ~S deS 21 ~2 ~7
128 Other White Second Moves Other White Second Moves 129
Shirovs resourceful so- improve with 4 ... 4Jf6 5 position. Another weak plan is to fianchetto his
lution has triggered a se- 4Jc3 !J.e7 6 !J.bS 4Jbd7 7 d4 square - g6 - appears in Bishop with g3 and obtain
ries of forced moves lead- cd4 8 ~d4 00 equalising as Blacks position. Maybe the a flexible two Pawn centre
ing to the endgame. in Holmov v Tukmakov, last chance was 17 ... -'lb4 by c3 and d4. Further it has
22 nhel nae8 Moscow 1969. However and if 18 c3 !J.d6 with ... b4 also a hidden psychological
23 nadl ftg6! 5 eS! deS 6 4JeS 4Jbd7 74:Jd7 to follow although Black's point that it may direct the
The exchange of Queens !J.d7 8 !J.e2!J.c6 9 00 !J.e7 10 position remains difficult. opponent from employing
results in a drawish posi- 4:Ja300 114Jc4±. 18 .Q.e1! h4 his pet line in the Sicilian.
tion. The players split the 4 ed5 ed5 19 .Qg5! hg6 For example if a players
point as neither side could 5 .Q.b5 .Q.d7 Better than 194Jfl !J.eS. pet line is the Paulsen then
obtain any advantage. 6 .Q.d7 4)d7?! 20 ~!! he would normally reply
24 ftg6 hg6 This move is dubious 2 ... e6. But if he meets 2
25 ne4 ne6 and allows White to gain ~H~~ ~ ,..... 4:Je2by 2 ... 4Jc6 hoping for
~=".l the upper hand. Better was ~
~~~, ~ ~4J~..., a Closed Sicilian then 3 d4

d)2 e6
6 ... ~d7 7 00 4Jc6 8 Z1el
1:00 ~~"~~1:~
~ ~ 00 ~ would transpose into an
4Jge7 9 !J.b2000 10 d4 4Jg6=
according to opening mo-
~i:~i:~L.~ Open Sicilian.
2 {)e2 ~
GAME 41 nographs. '~1:~
~ ~ ~
~ ~ 3 g3 g6
Varnuszv Pogats
7 00
8 .Q.b2 ~6
.Q.d6
~jt~
jt~jt~
~~m
~ ~jti'"
4
5
.Qg2
00
.Qg7
d6
1
Hungary1979
e4 cS
9 net
10 d4±
'lif8 ~~~~~~··m·· 6 c3 e5!=
The game could now
2 b3 e6 White stands clearly 20 rlJf7 tranpose into the main
3 ~3 d5!? better. 21 ne6 ~bd7 lines of the Closed Sicilian
3 ... 4Jf6 4 eS 4JdS 5 -'lb2 10 e4! There were no better or to the super solid
!J.e76 c44Jc7 (6 ... 4Jb4!?) 7 11 4)c3 a6 prospects with 21 ... gf 23 Botvinnik system.
4Jc3 f6 8 4Je4 feS 9 4JeS 00 12 {)eS! ~f2 (23 ~f2? !J.h2!).
10 d4 (10~g 4?! 4Je8 11-'ld3 Now we can summarise 22 nd6 gf m 2 e4?!
d6 124Jf3 eS+ Westerinen v the results of the opening. 23 ftf2 nf8
Kaplan, Skopje Olympiad Despite a symmetrical 24 nee6! eb This idea is very rarely
1972) cd4 11 ~d4 !J.b4 12 Pawn structure White has a 25 nf6! Resigns used against the Sicilian.
!J.c3! (12 ~dl?! d6=FWeste- big advantage due to his If 25 ... 4Jf6 26 Z1d8wins White intends to setup a
rinen v Tal, Tallinn 1973) lead in development, and while if 25 ... ~g7 26 Z1g6 Maroczy Bind. Black can
4Jc6 13 4Jc6 !J.c3 14 ~c3 pressure over weak Pawn leads to mate. prevent it with ... 4Jc6 and
bc6± according to GM dS. ... eS! which is a recom-
Keres. ·12 b5 n 2 {)e2 mendation of GM Portisch.
In Keres v Tukmakov, 13 ftf3 ~b6 We have few examples of
USSR 1973there followed 3 14 {)e2! ne8 Astrange system which this rare form of Closed
... d6 4 !J.b2 eS 5 !J.c4 !J.e7 6 15 ~3 g6 seems to be antipositional Sicilian.
00 4Jc6 7 4Jc3 !J.g4 8 4:JdS 16 ne2 rlJg7 because it obstructs the 2 e4?! ~
4Jf6 9 rle1± and White got 17 nael h5? development of the King's Orev v Manolov, Bulga-
the edge. Black can A weak move in a bad Bishop. However Whites ria 1975went 2 ... e6 3 4Jc3
130 Other White Second Moves
4Je7 4 4Jf3 d5 5 cd5 ed5 6
ed5 4Jd5 7 -'lb5 4Jc6 8 00
4Jc3 9 bc3 -'ld7 10 d4±.
White has the lead in
development and enjoys an
edge.
3 {)c3 4)f6
Here opening books
mention 3 ... eS 4 g3 h5!? 5
h4 d6 6 -'lg2 (6 -'lh3 4Jf6 7 d3
fJ.e7 8 fJ.c8 ~c8 9 fJ.g5?!
4Jg4! 10 f3 fJ.g5 11 fg4 hg4
12 ~g4 4Jd4 13 ~h2 g6+)
fJ.g4 7 f3 fJ.e6 8 d3 fJ.e7 and
Black has attained equality.
Carls v Euwe, Gothen-
burg 1920 went: 34Jc3 e6 4
f4 4Jge7! 54Jf3 d5 6 d3 g6 7
fJ.e2 fJ.g7 8 00 00. Black
stood better due to control
of the d4 square and better
piece position.
4 f4 d6
In Beni v Tal, Munich
Olympiad 1958 th ere fol-
lowed 4 d3 e6 5 f 4 d5 6 eS
4Jg8 7 4Jf3 4Jge7 8 -'le2 4Jf5
9 00 -'le7 10 ~e1 00 and
Black has the better game.
S d3 g6
6 .Q.e2 .Qg7
7 4)f3 .Qg4=
Apart from this var-
iation another solid line for
Black occurred in Sliwa v
Botvinnik, Budapest 1952
which went 3 ... g6 4 d3
fJ.g7 5 g3 d6 6 fJ.g2 e6 7
4Jge24Jge7 8 fJ.g5 h6 9 -'le3
4Jd4=. Blacks grip in the
centre and the outpost on
d4 gives him a slight pull.
IV 2 d3
This move signifies the
King's lndian Attack which
of ten leads to a very slow
but steady build up. This is
suited to the players who
wish to avoid the well
known theoretical lines in
the Closed Sicillen. Black
has two satisfactory alter-
natives as shown below.
2 dJ 4)c6
Black can also adopt the
popular French defence se-
tup by 2 ... e6 3 4Jd2 d5 4
4Jgf3 4Jf6 5 g3 4Jc6 6 fJ.g2
-'le7 7 00 00 8 eS 4Jd7=.
I advise the reader to
obtain additional informa-
tion from a French Defence
opening book for detailed
analysis on this line. Alter-
natively you can adopt the
main line variation.
3 4)d2 g6
4 g3 .Qg7
S .Qg2 e6
6 ~3 ~e7
7 00 00
8 nel d6
The text is Suttles v
Geller, Mar del Plata 1970.
Conclusion:
These forms of Closed
Sicilien are of good sur-
prise value but they are not
as sound as the main lines.
Spasskys patent 2 b3!? is
worth trying when com-
pared to the other forms.
 TIIE CWSED SICILIAN

About the Author

Vaidyanathan RAVIKUMAR,is a First Class Commerce

Graduate from the University of Madras (B.Com). He is
employed as an officer at the Union Bank of India in
Madras.

He became India's second International Master and the

first for seventeen years when, in 1979, he won the As-
ian Junior Championship at Teheran in Iran.

His career highlights include 3rd place in the British &

Commonwealth Championship in 1982. A couple of
months earlier he had finished 2nd in the North Sea
Cup at Esbjerg in Denmark. In 1991he wori the presti-
gious Dutch Open in Dieren.

He is an experienced coach and author. Amongst the

titles he has written are The Caro Kann Defence, Lar-
sen verietion published by Skakhuset of Denmark. Play
the Benko Gambit by Pergamon; Timmen's Selected
Games, Ulf Andersson "s Decisive Games and Kerpov's
Selected Games aU published in India.

Other titles published by Tournament Chess include

SHORT Chess For The Rank and File
by Jon Tisdall, by Tony Rubin, John Emms
Andrew Martin,
Richard O'Brien
Secret Weapons The Contemporary Antl-Dutch
by Andrew Martin by Andrew Martin

ISSN 0 0276 7090 ISBN 1 85932 025 2

:t:9.95 ~----..... $17.95
ISBN 1-85932-025-2

J]IJIUI~I~I~~II