Queensgambitdeclined

Queen's Gambit Declined
[D3039] [D5059] [E0109]

Written by GM Ruslan Scherbakov
Last updated Tuesday, July 5, 2011
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he solid, classical, reply to 1 d4. Black defends his outpost in the centre and
looks to develop his kingside as quickly as possible. Perhaps not the most
exciting of variations, and one that will mostly appeal to positional players.
Black will normally aim to equalise, and must be wary of the Minority Attack.
All the game references highlighted in blue have been annotated and can be downloaded in
PGN form using the PGN Games Archive on www.chesspublishing.com.
Contents
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6
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3 c3
3 f3 f6 4 g3 e7 5 g2 E01-E09 Catalan Opening
3...f6
3...c5 4 cxd5 exd5 (4...cxd4 D32 QGD/1SharaHennig Gambit) 5 f3 (5 dxc5 D32 QGD/2
Tarrasch DefenceVarious White's moves) 5...c6 6 g3 f6 (6...c4 7 g2 b4 D33
QGD/3 Tarrasch DefenceSwedish Variation) 7 g2 e7 8 0-0 0-0 9 g5 with:
9...cxd4 D34 QGD/5 Tarrasch DefenceMain Lines 9. g5 cd4
9...c4 D34 QGD/4 Tarrasch DefenceMain Lines 9. g5 c4
3...e7 D31 QGD Exchange Variation 3...Be7
4 f3
4 cxd5 exd5 5 g5 e7 6 e3
a) 6...0-0 7 d3 c6 8 ge2 bd7 9 c2 (9 g3 D35 QGD/6 Exchange VariationVarious
lines with g1-e2) 9...e8 D36 QGD/7 Exchange VariationMain lines with g1e2
b) 6...bd7 7 d3 (7 f3 c6 8 c2 D36 QGD/8 Exchange Variationvarious lines with g1f3) 7...0-0 8 f3 e8 9 0-0 D36 QGD/9 Exchange Variationmain lines g1-f3 and
0-0
4...e7
2
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4...c6 5 g5 bd7 6 e3 a5 7 cxd5 (7 d2 D52 QGD/17 Cambridge Springs9. d2 +
other moves) 7...xd5 8 d2 D52 QGD/18 & 19 Cambridge Springs9. cd5
4...dxc4 D39 Vienna Variation 7. Bxc4 ... 10. Bb5+ Bd7
4...b4 D38 QGD/14 16 Ragozin System
5 f4
5 g5 0-0 6 e3 h6 (6...bd7 D60-D66 QGD/24 Classical Approach ...Nb8d7) 7 h4 b6
(7...e4 D56/7 QGD/20 & 21 Lasker's Defence) 8 d3 b7 D58 QGD/22 & 23
Tartakower System
5...0-0 6 e3 c5
6...c6 7 c2 D37 QGD/10 5. f4 without ...c7c5
7 dxc5 xc5 8 c2
8 c1 D37 QGD/11 5. f4 00 6. e3 c5 various White systems
8...c6 9 a3
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9...a5 10 0-0-0
10 d2 D37 QGD/13 5. f4 00 6. e3 c5 the lines with Qd1c2 and 00
3
10...e7 D37 QGD/12 5. f4 00 6. e3 c5 the line Qd1c2 and 10. 0-0-0

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QGD/1 Various options [D30]

Last updated: 06/12/07 by R.Scherbakov
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 f3 f6 4 g5
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White is playing without b1-c3, trying to avoid such systems as Ragozin or Cambridge
Springs, which may not work well if White still has an option b1-d2. However, the
early bishop's sortie gives Black some other good options.
4...h6
4...dxc4 is also playable. It may lead to the Vienna but also might be something special
see the game Epishin Scherbakov/RUSch Krasnoyarsk 2003 for details.
5 xf6 xf6 6 bd2 d7 7 g3!?

A Catalan development of the bishop seems to be the only White's option now.
White may also include 7 c1 c6 and after 8 g3 e7 9 g2 g6 10 0-0 g7 11 e4 dxe4 12
xe4 f6 13 c5 0-0 14 b4 d8 Black has achieves acceptable play.
7...g5!?
Black could restrain himself to a typical ...g7g6 setup, similar to the abovementioned
line but this active push looks very interesting.
8 h3 g7 9 c1 c5!?
5
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Black is playing energetically, trying to use White's somewhat passive play in the opening.
10 e3
10 g2 cxd4 11 cxd5 can be met with 11...d3!? 12 exd3 (or 12 e4 xb2 13 dxe6 fxe6 14 exd3
0-0 etc.) 12...exd5 13 0-0 0-0 with a good play.
10...0-0 11 g2 b6 12 cxd5 exd5 13 0-0 b7 14 e1

This position arose in the game Aronian Grischuk/WCh Mexico City 2007. It seems that
here
14...e6!?
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was the most accurate option, taking care of the only vulnerable point in the position f5
square and so avoiding unnecessary problems.
D31 QGD/2 Exchange Variation 3...Be7

[D31]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7

Black intends to play a main line QGD of some description after 4 f3 f6 but this allows
him to avoid the g5 lines of the Exchange.
4.cxd5 exd5 5.f4
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5...c6
5...f6 Was Kasparov's preference.
6.e3
Should White not wish to have to patiently grind, then he may play the more enterprising
6.c2!? g6 preparing ...f5, but there are alternatives, and (6...d6!? deserves
attention because after 7.g3 e7 8.e3 f5 9.b3 Black has 9...c8!, 6...g4 7.e3 h5
8.d3 g6 was met by the dynamic 9.xg6!? hxg6 10.0-0-0 in Carlsen,M
Nakamura,H/Medias ROU 2011.) 7.f3!? more promising than (7.e3 f5 8.d2) 7...f6
8.0-0-0!? Izoria,ZSturua,Z/Dubai Open 2006.
7
6...f5
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Black immediately gets to develop his lightsquared bishop (something which is always a
major problem in the 3...f6 Exchange lines)
Black can also simply lose a tempo with the rather simplistic, but extremely solid 6...d6
7.g3 (White should now consider Grischuk's 7.ge2 e7 8.h4!?) 7...e7 8.f3
f5!? (8...f5 9.b3 is Palliser,REggleston,T/Street 2004) 9.d3 White concedes the
bishop pair in return for a healthy spatial advantage on the kingside, 9...xg3
10.hxg3 d7 11.c2 f6 12.0-0-0 h6 13.h4!? White appears to have a slight
edge, see Sokolov,IBaramidze,D/Bundesliga 2005.
7.g4!
The main line and the critical test of Black's idea.
7.ge2 d7 8.f3 should be met by the accurate 8...g6 as in Lautier,J
Vaganian,R/Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2004, a crushing demonstration of the potential
of Black's position.
7.d3 is a very unambitious continuation, but it might prove tricky for those striving as
Black for the win, 7...xd3 8.xd3 f6 9.h3 d6 10.ge2 level, Polak,T
Blatny,P/Czech Championship, Brno 2006.
7...e6 8.h4!?
White continues to seize space even though Black prudently hasn't retreated his bishop to
g6.
Botvinnik's 8.h3 is more restrained, 8...d7 9.d3 g5! seizing the kingside initiative in
Krush,IBruzon,L/American Continental, Buenos Aires 2003.
8...d7
The classical counter 8...c5?! might not be too advisable, because of 9.e5! f6 10.xb8!
xb8 11.g5 e7 12.g2 h6 13.ge2! White relies on his superior development and
pressure against d5 to maintain some advantage, Dautov,RLputian,S/Istanbul

Olympiad 2000.
9.h5 h6!
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Karpov's idea remains rather unexplored despite leading to some fascinating positions.
10.e2 b6
Turov,MVaganian,R/Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2002, when White should play
11.c1
Tarrasch Defence
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 c5
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This defence (or, rather, counter attack) became famous in 18871889 when
Siegbert Tarrasch used it in a couple of games. He considered 3...c5 to be the only move
which could help Black to achieve active counterplay. In doing so he allows the isolation of
his dpawn after which his minor pieces can be developed much more actively than in the
"orthodox" systems, especially the bishop on c8 and the knight on b8.
After years of success with the move 3 ...c5, many respected players of that time
agreed with Tarrasch, (who considered the modest 4 e3 to be the best reply to his invention)
that the isolated dpawn is not a weakness.
However a new setup which was introduced by Carl Schlechter in Prague 1908 and
then developed by Akiba Rubinstein and Richard Rti struck a severe blow to the Tarrasch
Defence. It was connected with a fianchetto of the White Bishop by g2g3 and Bf1g2
which exerts additional pressure on the isolated pawn as well as reducing Black's active
possibilities on the kingside. After numerous examples of Black losing the game without
making any visible mistake, but rather just because the defects of his pawn structure
eventually told due to White's not only strong but accurate play, the defence lost its
10
popularity. Tarrasch himself made a lot of effort to prove that comfortable development
should compensate for the isolated dpawn, but while he improved some lines, tournament
statistics relentlessly verified Black's failures and the defence began disappearing from
practice.
A long time has passed and a lot of variations have been reappraised. Nowadays the
Tarrasch Defence is still not very popular in spite of it being in the repertoire of Garry
Kasparov in the first half of 1980's when he used it on his way to the World Title. The
problem is still the same Black should maintain the initiative with high creativity and
precision but just one mistake may force him to switch to an unpleasant defence. This is
obviously not to everyone's taste. However if the weapon is wellpolished it may work very
well there are lots of lines where White' simple and accurate play leads nowhere. He
should not only be generally well prepared but demonstrate something more than official
theoretical advice in order to prove an advantage. Just like in the almost every opening ...
11
QGD/3 SharaHennig Gambit [D32]

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 c5 4 cxd5 cxd4
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The SharaHennig (or Von HennigShara) Gambit. Thanks to a rather witty pawn
sacrifice, Black gains an advantage in development and takes the initiative. However
both theory and practice seem to prove that White has the better chances.
Nevertheless in many lines very sharp positions can arise and White needs to know
exactly what to do.
5 a4+
5 xd4 can lead to the main line after 5...c6 6 d1 exd5 7 xd5
a) From the 1930s to the 1950s the ending after 7...e6?! 8 xd8+ xd8 was thoroughly
tested and it was proved to be favourable for White after 9 e3 b4 10 b5+ e7
a1) 11 e2? is much weaker as after 11...c2 12 b1 a6 there is no good square for the
bishop: 13 a4 (13 d3 b4) 13...c4+ 14 f3 e1+ 15 g3 d6 16 f4 g6+ 17
f2 d3+ 18 f3 e1+ with the repetition of moves
a2) 11 f1! 11...f6 (11...a6 12 e2 g5 13 f3 c2 14 b1 h6 15 e1) 12 f3 c2 13 b1 f5
14 d2! and Black doesn't have sufficient compensation for the pawn
b) 7...d7 and so on.
5...d7
The surprising 5...b5?! is probably worse: 6 xd4 (White should not capture on b5: 6
xb5+? d7 7 b7 dxc3 8 xa8 cxb2 9 xb2 a5+ 10 d1 a4+ 11 c1 e1#
12
or 6 xb5? d7 7 dxe6 fxe6 followed by ...a6 and ...Qb6)

a) 6...b4? is bad due to 7 b5! a6 (7...exd5 8 xd5+) 8 dxe6!+ and White is winning
b) 6...c6 7 d2 exd5 8 xd5 d7 and now White can play 9 g5 (9 e4+? e7 10 g5 h6
11 xe7 gxe7) 9...f6 10 xf6 xf6 11 e3 with a clear advantage.
6 xd4 exd5 7 xd5
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7...f6
7...c6 usually lead to the same variations after
a) 8 g5 is weaker: 8...f6 9 d2 a5!? 10 xf6 (10 e3+!? is probably better although
after 10...e7 11 xf6 gxf6 12 f3 b4 Black has certain initiative to compensate for
the pawn) 10...gxf6 11 d5? The text move allows Black to launch a very strong
attack with the queen's off. (11 f3 seems to be safer but anyhow Black's initiative
looks to be more than sufficient to compensate for his minor material loss after 11...00-0) 11...xd2+ 12 xd2 0-0-0 13 c1 h6+! 14 e3 f5 15 c3 he8! Suddenly
the White king finds himself in big trouble: Rxe3 is threatened! 16 b3 and here in the
game Avrukh Novgorodskij/AlmaAta 1991 the king was invited to go for a walk
by 16...xe3!! 17 fxe3 xe3+ 18 b2 d2+ 19 a3 c5+ with very strong attack.
b) 8 e3
b1) 8...b4 is weaker: 9 f3 e7 10 e2 0-0-0 11 b3 f6 12 0-0 g5 In this standard
position the bishop is usually on c5. This difference favours White a great deal: 13
d4! xd4 (13...g4 14 d2 and White is clearly better) 14 exd4 c6 15 e3 d6 16
fd1 d5 17 xd5 xd5 18 ac1+ b8 19 c4 with a huge advantage
b2) 8...f6
b2a) 9 b3 is a promising plan, too: 9...c5 10 f3 e7 11 e2 0-0-0 12 0-0 (By means of
12 a3 followed by Qc2 and b4 White can switch to the plan which was tried in the
game Grabliauskas Hector/Copenhagen 1998) 12...g5
b2a1) 13 d2!? is a good alternative: 13...g4 14 d4 hg8 (neither 14...xd4 15 exd4 xd4 16
f4
nor 14...xd4 15 exd4 xd4 16 c4+ c6 17 fe1 solve Black's problems) 15 ac1 b8 16 fd1
and White looks clearly better here but Black's play can probably be improved upon
13
b2a2) 13 d4!?
b2a21) 13...xd4?! is dubious as 14 exd4 xd4 15 xg5 hg8?! can be strongly met by
(15...c6 16 b5!?) 16 f3! e6 17 xf6 xf6 18 d5 with a huge advantage
b2a22) 13...xd4 14 exd4 xd4 15 c4+ c6 16 e3 e5 (in case of 16...e6?! 17 xd4
xc4 18 xc4 xd4 19 xf7 d2 20 b4 Black does not get sufficient compensation for the
pawn) 17 ad1 xe2+ 18 xe2 xd1 19 xd1 This position arose in the game
Moreno Vilela/La Habana (m/2) 1996. Despite of his goodlooking pieces Black
still has the problems. He suffers not so much because of his slightly exposed king,
but because his kingside pawn structure is weak thanks to his 'active' gpawn.
b2b) 9 d1 9...c5 10 f3 and so on.
8 d1
Another retreat 8 b3 c6 9 e3 was just considered above.
8...c5 9 e3 c6 10 f3 e7 11 e2
White also tried 11 a3 0-0-0
a) 12 b4 b6 13 c2 b8 14 e2 g5 usually leads to similar positions. The attempt to
achieve more with 15 a4 (15 b2 g4 16 d2) 15...c7 16 b2 g4 17 d4 fails to
17...xd4 18 xd4 xa4 19 xa4 xd4! 20 exd4 e4 21 f1 b6 with very
unclear play, where Black seems to be at least not worse
b) 12 c2
b1) Black can also try 12...b8 After the possible 13 e2 g5 14 b4 g4 15 d2 d6 (15...b6
16 a4!?) 16 c4 c7 17 b2 a key position in this line arises. Practice has shown
that Black has acceptable play although White's chances are probably slightly better.
b2) 12...g5 13 e2 g4 14 h4!? A new idea the knight blockades the Black's kingside
pawns and at the same time keeps an eye on the square f5. Nevertheless this looks
rather risky as the knight is offside and in the game Grabliauskas
Hector/Copenhagen 1998 Black proved his superiority by playing 14...b8 15 d2
c8 16 d1 e5 and so on.
11...0-0-0 12 0-0 g5
14
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Starting immediate actions against White king.
13 b4!?
Recently this is one of White's most promising attempts to gain the advantage. He gives the
pawn back and tries to start an attack against the Black king, who can easily become
vulnerable as he is not well protected by pawns.
White can also try 13 d4!? g4 14 b4! The position after 14...xb4 (in my opinion,
14...xd4!? 15 exd4 xb4 is a more precise move order) 15 b3 (15 b2 could transpose
to the game) 15...xd4 16 exd4 e6 17 b2! is known to be in White's favour
13...xb4
13...g4 has also been played. White can win another pawn with 14 bxc5 (the position after
the more reliable 14 d4!? was considered in the previous note) 14...gxf3 15 xf3 but
after 15...e5 Black's pieces become very active.
14 b2 g4 15 d4 h5
15...xd4? is bad for Black due to 16 xd4 c5 17 d5! xd5 18 ac1 c6 19 xc5+
with an almost decisive advantage
after 15...hg8 16 cb5 b8 17 b3 e4 18 fc1 White also takes the initiative
the immediate 15...b8!? looks logical. After possible 16 cb5 a6 17 xc6+ xc6 18 d4
d5 19 d3 hg8 Black can obtain a good counterplay
16 cb5 b8
16...c5?! is bad for Black due to 17 c2 followed by Rc1 with a strong attack.
17 a4 a6 18 xc6+ xc6 19 xf6

It seems that White has solved all the problems and retains an extra pawn, but in actuality
the real fight only begins now.
15
19...e4!!
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The routine 19...xf6? 20 xb4 axb5 21 xb5 is unsatisfactory for Black.
20 f3
By means of 20 e5+ a8 (20...xe5? 21 xb4 axb5 22 fb1) 21 c7+ a7 22 b5+ a8=
White can force a draw.
20...xe3+ 21 h1 xe2 22 xb4 gxf3!?

A tempting 22...d2 can be strongly met by 23 f4+ a8 24 c7+ a7 25 d4+ b6 26
f2 gxf3 27 g3 hd8! 28 d5!! (28 e6? xe6 28 ab1?? xf2!) 28...8xd5 29 c7+
b7 30 xb6+ b8 and here both 31 g1 (and 31 ac1 give White a strong
initiative)
23 f4+ a8 24 c7+ a7
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16
This position arose in the game Krush Kapnisis/WCh Boys Oropesa del Mar 1999. In my
opinion White should not waste time capturing on f3 as it does not solve her
problems on the long diagonal. A possible improvement is
25 d4+! b6 26 f2!
and it looks like White has an overwhelming advantage here.
17
QGD/4 Tarrasch Defence Various White

moves [D32]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 c5 4 cxd5
Slow development by 4 e3 f6 5 f3 leads to the Symmetrical Tarrasch which generally
doesn't promise too much for both sides. Yet, the typical position with isolated d
pawn (it may be either White's or Black's one!) requires a good understanding of
such kind of position from both players. In the game Renet Conquest/Clichy 2001
Black didn't follow the symmetry, having preferred 5...a6, keeping in mind ...d5xc4
followed by ...b7b5. (5...c6 is a common option) 6 cxd5 exd5 7 e2 (Black's
earlier useful ...a7a6 move has ruled out 7 b5+ ) 7...c6 8 0-0 d6 9 dxc5 xc5 10
b3 0-0 11 b2 e8 12 c1 a7 13 a4 e4 14 d4 (A fascinating possibility 14
xa6 could have been met by 14...xe3! 15 xc6 (15 fxe3 xa6) 15...bxc6 16 xc8
xf2! and the position after 17 xf2 xc8 should be in Black's favour, although it's
not a simple clearcut matter after 18 d4) 14...g5! and Black started a typical
play on the kingside.
4...exd5
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5 dxc5
18
It is interesting to realise this idea with inclusion of the moves Ng1-f3 and Nb8c6: 5 f3
c6 6 dxc5 d4 7 a4 b5! A typical pawn sacrifice.
a) There are a lot of alternatives. 7...xc5?! leads to quite play with a stable
advantage for White: 8 xc5 a5+ 9 d2!? (9 d2 xc5 10 e3 dxe3 11 xe3 b4+ 12
d2 xd2+ 13 xd2 ge7) 9...xc5 10 e3 dxe3 11 xe3+ xe3+ 12 xe3 ge7 13
c4 e6 (Black should neutralise the bishop but it damages his pawn structure) 14
xe6 fxe6 15 g5 d7 16 0-0-0+ d5 17 he1
b) Both 7...f5
c) and 7...g4 were also tested but the problems seemed to be not completely solved.
8 cxb6 axb6 9 e3 b4+ (9...b5? doesn't work due to 10 xb5 a5+ 11 c3!+) 10 d2 d7
The best continuation.
a) 10...dxe3?! is unsuccessful: 11 xb4 xd1+ 12 xd1 xa4 13 c3 ge7
(13...exf2+ 14 xf2 ge7 15 b5 xa2 16 e5 b7 17 d6+) 14 fxe3 (here 14 b5 gives
nothing: 14...xa2 15 e5 b7 and White cannot win the knight on c6 because his rook
has to guard the first rank) 14...xa2 (14...0-0 15 a3) 15 xg7 g8 16 c3+ with an
almost decisive advantage.
b) 10...d3?! cannot bother White very much: 11 xb4 xb4 12 d4 f6 13 c3 00 14 xd3 xd3+ 15 xd3 a6 16 cb5 with two extra pawns
c) finally, 10...xd2+? can be simply met by 11 xd2 xa4 12 b5 winning the
piece back in a favourable situation.
11 b5 f6 (11...a5?! seems to be dubious: 12 xb4 (12 xc6 xd2+ 13 xd2 xc6 14 b3
xa4 15 bxa4 dxe3 16 xe3+ e7 is drawn) 12...xb5 13 d2 with a healthy extra
pawn in a safe position) 12 xb4 This capture allows White to gain a big material
advantage but the result is a forced draw. (12 0-0!? is probably more testing it
could secure an extra pawn and complete development. After the possible 12...xd2
13 xd2 a5!? (13...0-0 14 b3) 14 e2 0-0 15 b3 dxe3 16 fxe3 Black has some
compensation for the pawn. He has good pieces while White should be careful about
his epawn, but an extra pawn is an extra pawn White's chances are preferable.)
12...xb4 13 xd7+ xd7 14 xb6 (In the case of 14 b3 dxe3 15 fxe3 d3+ followed
by ...Rd8 Black has more than enough compensation for the minor material losses.)
14...b5 15 xa8 d3+ 16 f1 (Of course, not 16 d2?? e4+ 17 c2 0-0!-+ and
Black is winning.) 16...f4+ and here a draw was agreed in the game Krasenkow
Halkias/Kavala 2001.
Another curious option is 5 e4
19
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9rsnlwqkvlntr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-+-zPP+-+0
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9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKLsNR0
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This gambit was introduced into tournament practice by Frank Marshall at MonteCarlo
1904. Recently it is out of fashion, which is quite understandable instead of
sacrificing a pawn White can follow Rubinstein's setup to pressurize Black in the
Tarrasch Defence. 5...dxe4 6 d5 (the idea 6 c4?! cxd4 7 b3?! is dubious: 7...f6!
8 xf7+ e7 and White's resources are not enough to make his action successful. 9
b5 (9 d5+?! xf7 10 c7+ g6 11 xa8 a6 was bad for White in the game
Nadanian Godena/EUch Saint Vincent 2000) 9...c6 10 d2 a6 11 a3 a5! and
Black's powerful center in addition to his extra pawn and White's poor coordination
gives him a big advantage, Mamedyarov Genba/Pardubice rapid 2008) 6...f6
(6...f5 is ambitious but somewhat weakening: 7 f4 (other continuations seem to be
weaker, for example, 7 f3 d6!? 8 h3 f6 9 b5+ bd7 10 fxe4 fxe4 11 g5 a6 12 e6
e7 and the knight on e6 can easily be neutralized) 7...d6 8 b5+ f7 9 h3 f6
10 c4 a6 11 a4 e8 (11...h6!? looks quite good for Black) 12 d2 e7 This position
arose in the game Starck Baumbach/Colditz 1967. A possible knight's raid to e6
may grant White compensation for a pawn, but it can hardly promise White serious
chances to fight for the initiative.) 7 g5 e7 8 b5+ Now Black has a good choice.
The game Knaak Baumbach/Frankfurt/Oder 1977 continued 8...fd7 This knight's
retreat is doubleedged.
a) The other continuations are also not bad: 8...d7 9 d6 (9 c4 f5 is fine for Black)
9...xb5 10 dxe7 xd1+ 11 xd1 d3 12 xf6 gxf6 13 d5 (13 xe4 xe4 14 f3 xe7
15 fxe4 c6) 13...a6
b) 8...f8!? 9 ge2 a6 10 a4 h6 11 h4 b5 12 c2 b7 with a good play for Black
9 f4 0-0 10 d2
a) 10 ge2 can be met by 10...a6 11 c4 g5!? 12 d2 (12 xe4 xf4 13 xf4 e8)
12...xf4 13 xf4 b5 14 b3 f5 and Black's chances look preferable.
b) 10 xe4 f6 11 c3 d6 is also in Black's favour
10...a6 11 e2 b6!? 12 d6 e3!? A nice counterblow, which damages White's pawn
structure. 13 fxe3 h4+! It is also useful to force some weakening of the White's K
side. 14 g3 f6 15 h4 (15 e4 could not prevent 15...g5 since after 16 d7 8xd7 17
xf6+ xf6 18 d6 e8 White still couldn't develop his Kside as 19 f3? was met by
19...c4!) and now it seemed better to prevent Nc3e4 by 15...f5!? with excellent
play. (15...e6!? was also worthy of consideration.)
20
5...d4
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9tR-vLQmKLsNR0
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Theory considers the move 5...f6 to be a good alternative. In ECO Kasparov gives the
line 6 e3 c6 7 f3 a5 8 a3 e4 9 c1 e6 10 a4 xa4 11 xa4 a5 12 b4
c4 13 d4 with 'equality' in a couple of moves, but in my opinion this position is
clearly better for White.
6 e4!?
Recently White prefers to move his knight to the centre of the board, rather than the edge.
This allows Black to restore the material balance but as compensation White tries to
gain other advantages. The idea is not without poison, but does not seem to be a
serious attempt to fight for the advantage. Theory has never seriously considered this
continuation but Black obviously should know what to do.
6 a4 b5! (6...xc5?! is weak, after 7 xc5 a5+ 8 d2 xc5 9 c1 f5 10 a4+ c6 11 f3 d5
12 e3 dxe3 13 xe3 White obtains a clear advantage) 7 cxb6 axb6 8 b3 The only move
to prevent ...b6b5. (8 b3?! is too dangerous for White because after 8...b5! 9
xb5+ d7 10 e5+ e7 11 b3 xa4 (11...c6 followed by ...Nb4 also looks good)
12 bxa4 c6 the attack looks very strong.) 8...f6 9 e3 (9 f3 should be met by
9...e4! and the pawn on d4 cannot be taken.) 9...c6!? An interesting attempt.
(9...d7 is the main line according to theory but the text move is probably not
weaker. After 10 xd4
a) the alternatives are 10 f3 b5 11 b2 dxe3 12 fxe3 (12 xe3 b4+ 13 d2 e7+ 14
e2 e4 15 xb4 xb4+ 16 f1 0-0 with compensation) 12...e4 13 d4 a5+ 14 d2
f5 15 e5+ e7 16 d3 c3 17 xc3 xc3 with good compensation for the pawn
in the ending
b) and 10 exd4 b4+ 11 d2 e7+ 12 e2 e4 13 f3 xa4 14 bxa4 0-0!? with
the initiative
10...c6 11 b2 e4 12 a3 b5 13 d3 f5 14 xe4 fxe4 15 c3 e5 16 f1 d3 Black's
initiative is probably sufficient compensation for two pawns) 10 b5 (10 f3!?
looks more reliable although Black can achieve good play by 10...b5 11 b2 b4+
(11...e4!?) 12 d2 dxe3 13 fxe3 b6 14 xb4 xb4 15 d4 d7 16 d3 bd5
followed by ...0-0, ...Rfe8 and so on) 10...d5! 11 e2 (Of course 11 xb6 xb5 12
21
xa8 a5+ followed by Qxa8 is not what White is playing for) Here in the game
Ruban Arencibia/Habana 1990 Black came up with excellent 11...a5! 12 exd4+

d8! and seized a strong initiative.
6...c6
The most natural reply.
6...f5!? also looks good: 7 g3 (7 d6+ xd6 8 cxd6 xd6 9 f3 c6 10 d2 f6 11 g3 0-0 12
g2 d3! gives Black the better chances) 7...e6 and so on.
7 f3 f5 8 g3 g4
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9tR-vLQmKL+R0
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8...g6 9 e4 is in White's favour
but 8...e6!? is worthy of consideration.
9 b4!?
An interesting attempt!
9 b3 does not promise much: 9...a5+ 10 d2 xc5 11 g5 (11 xb7 is risky for White:
11...b8 12 a6 b4 13 a4+ d7 14 xb4 xb4 with some initiative) 11...h6 12 h3
c8 13 c1 b6 14 xb6 axb6 15 a3 e7 16 f3 f5 with a good ending.
9 c2!? deserves attention. After 9...f6 (if 9...a5+?! White could hope for a small edge
by playing 10 d2 xc5 11 e4+! e6 12 g5) 10 h3 d3!? 11 xd3 (11 exd3? is hardly
good for White: 11...xf3 12 gxf3 d4 and so on) 11...xd3 12 exd3 xf3 13 gxf3
xc5 (13...d4 14 e3 c2+ 15 d2 xa1 16 d4 with compensation) 14 e3 White has
the slightly better chances in the ending thanks to his extra pawn, but Black should
be able to hold the balance because White has a lot of weak pawns and a passive
lightsquared bishop.
9...xb4 10 a4+ c6 11 b1
11 e5!? is worthy of consideration.
22
11...d7 12 e3 xf3
12...dxe3 13 xe3 seems to be in White's favour.
13 gxf3 xc5 14 e4 e7 15 g1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+ntr0
9zpp+qvlpzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9Q+-zpN+-+0
9+-+-zPP+-0
9P+-+-zP-zP0
9+RvL-mKLtR-0
xiiiiiiiiy
After rather logical play an important position was arisen in the game Babula
Leito/EUCup 1997. The longrange White pieces are very good, but his king is not
totally safe. It seems that Black should be okay but of course concrete and precise
play is required.
23
QGD/5 Tarrasch Defence Swedish

Variation [D33]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 c5 4 cxd5 exd5 5 f3 c6
5...f6?! is supposed to be less precise due to 6 g5
6 g3 c4
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9r+lwqkvlntr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+NzP-0
9PzP-+PzP-zP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The Swedish Variation. It was introduced and developed by famous Swedish players
Gideon Stahlberg, Erik Lundin and Goesta Stoltz. Black avoids an isolated dpawn
and his pieces can come into play quickly by ...Bf8b4 and ...Ng8e7, after which
Black is not worried about Bc1-g5 in contrast to those lines where the knight is
developed to f6. However the advance ...c5c4 unties White's hands in the centre
and increases the potential of the dpawn very much.
7 g2
The immediate 7 e4 is known to be not too dangerous for Black and can be met by the
brave 7...dxe4 8 g5 xd4!
7...b4 8 0-0 ge7
24
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9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
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9 e4
In case of 9 a3 a5 10 e4 0-0 11 exd5 xd5 12 g5 (12 g5 with the idea of c2 can be
parried by 12...xc3 13 bxc3 (13 c2? xg5!! 14 xg5 xd4 and the queen is trapped!)
13...f5 with good play.) the inclusion of the moves a3 and Ba5 allows Black to
play 12...xc3!? (12...f6 13 xd5 xd5 14 e3) 13 bxc3 f6 14 d2 e6 with acceptable
play.
9 e5!? deserves serious attention. White intends to exchange on c6 weakening Black's
pawn structure, then to undermine it with b2b3 or e2e4. The game Van Scheltinga
Stahlberg/Amsterdam 1950 continued by 9...0-0 10 xc6 bxc6 11 e4 (Alternatives
such as 11 a4, or 11 d2 followed by b2b3 would promise a small edge for White.)
11...e6 12 e5!? This game was played half a century ago but strangely enough in
that time, noone has repeated this pawn advance. (Recent attempts do not bother
Black very much, for example: 12 f4 xc3 13 bxc3 dxe4 14 xe4 d5 15 f3 g6 16 d2
xf4 17 xf4 a5 18 d2 ab8 and Black has no problems at all) 12...b8 (Black has a
lot of possible continuations such as 12...d7, 12...f5 and, 12...f5 which are all
worthy of consideration.) 13 e2! a5 (13...f5!? deserves attention.) 14 b3 with
certain advantage.
9...0-0
The main line.
The alternative 9...dxe4 10 xe4 0-0 doesn't promise full equality. (10...f5?! seems even
worse for Black due to a strong 11 h4! e6 (In case of 11...xd4 12 xf5 xf5 13 g4
d7 14 c3 White could have obtained the better chances, for example: 14...cd4 15
d5 with initiative. However, Black might have considered this option more
thoroughly) 12 a3 a5 13 c5 xd4 14 xe6 fxe6 15 h5+! g6 16 e2 and White
has achieved clearly better chances, Arencibia Bruzon/CUBch Santa Clara 2005)
11 c2! The main idea is to free the square d1 for the Rook with tempo, after which
the passed dpawn might become very powerful. Here Black has a lot of possible
continuations. (The alternative 11 a3 a5 12 a4 g4 13 e3 (13 xc4 xf3 14 xf3
25
xd4= followed by ...Rc8 is good for Black) 13...b6 is thought not to be dangerous
for Black) 11...d5

a) 11...xd4?! is dubious, after 12 xd4 xd4 13 d1 e5 14 f4 h5 15 xc4
White wins the pawn back and gains tangible advantage
b) If 11...g4 White proves his advantage by the simple 12 xc4! xf3 13 xf3
xd4 (13...xd4?! is weaker as after 14 g2 c8? does not work due to 15 xb4 c2 16
f6+! gxf6 17 g4+ g6 18 b1 with an almost decisive advantage) 14 b3 with a
certain edge thanks to the bishop pair
c) 11...f5?! fails because of 12 h4! c8 (12...xe4 13 xe4 xd4 14 d1, 12...xd4 13
xf5 xf5 14 d1 e5 15 xc4, 12...xd4 13 xc4 e6?! 14 xb4 c2 15 xb7 b8 16 xa7
xa1 17 g5 in all case with a certain edge) 13 f6+! with a clear advantage.
12 e3 and White achieved better prospects in the game Reshevsky Stahlberg/Zurich (izt)
1953.
10 exd5
Another possible way is 10 xd5 xd5 11 exd5 xd5 12 a3 (a good attempt seems to be
12 e3 f5 (If 12...g4 White gets the edge by playing 13 e5! xg2+ 14 xg2 xd1 15
xc6 bxc6 16 fxd1 d6 17 ac1 fb8 18 xc4 xb2 19 xc6 d8 20 a6) 13 e5 b5
(13...e4?! does not solve Black's problems because of 14 xc6! xc6 15 xe4 xe4 16
a4 a5 17 a3 winning the pawn on c4) 14 f3 d3 15 xd3 cxd3 and here a very
strong idea 16 d5! posed certain problems for Black in the game Becerra Rivero
Palao/Cuba 1995) 12...a5 With this retreat the Bishop doesn't allow the Rook on f1
to go to e1. 13 e5 (the sharp 13 g5 xd4 14 a4 doesn't bother Black very much, as
was proved in the game Szabo Bronstein/Amsterdam (ct) 1956) 13...b5 (of
course not 13...xd4?? 14 xc6+) 14 a4 a6 15 e3!? An interesting approach.
(White used to capture on c6, damaging Black's pawn structure but after 15 xc6 bxc6
the weak pawns at c4, c6, b2 and d4 probably compensate each other.) 15...e6
(After 15...xe5 16 dxe5 the kingside pawn majority gives White reasonable chances
for attack.) 16 h5!? A good idea White begins kingside actions while Black's
queen on a6 and the bishop on a5 are far from their king. 16...ad8 17 fd1 and
White's chances look preferable, Lautier Conquest/Clichy 2001.
10...xd5
10...xc3? is bad due to 11 dxc6
11 g5
26
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9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+n+-vL-0
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9+-sN-+NzP-0
9PzP-+-zPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
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A recent attempt White provokes f7f6 before capturing on d5.
The immediate 11 xd5 was considered above.
11...a5!?
After 11...f6 White obtains better chances by 12 xd5 xd5 13 e5 b5 14 a4! a6 15
xc6 (15 d5+? h8 16 xc4 does not work due to 16...a5 17 xc6 bxc6 18 e3 h3
with a slight edge) 15...bxc6 16 d2 xd2 17 xd2 e6 18 fe1 with initiative.
12 xd5
12 e4?! can hardly be recommended: 12...f6 13 d2 g4 14 a3 xd2 15 xd2 xd2 16
exd2 c3 17 bxc3 xc3 with advantage for Black.
12...xd5 13 a3 a5 14 e5 b5 15 a4 a6 16 xc6 bxc6 17 c2!?

After 17 d2 xd2 18 xd2 e6 Black does not have major problems as his bishop is
supported by the pawn on f7 as opposed to the line 11 ...f6.
17...e6 18 fc1 ab8 19 f1
27
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+-trk+0
9zp-+-+pzpp0
9q+p+l+-+0
9vl-+-+-vL-0
9P+pzP-+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9-zPQ+-zP-zP0
9tR-tR-+LmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This rather important position occurred in the game G.Timoshchenko M.Tseitlin/Palma
de Mallorca GMA 1989. The pawn weaknesses are likely to be eliminated soon but
White captures first and so Black should be very careful otherwise he may find
himself in trouble at the end of some forced line, as happened in the game. This is
one of the main drawbacks of the Swedish variation White is quite often able to
play for a win without risk, while Black has to defend very precisely to get half a
point.
28
QGD/6 Tarrasch Defence Main Lines

9. Bg5 c4 [D34]
1 f3 d5 2 d4 c5 3 c4 e6 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g3 c6 6 g2 f6 7 0-0 e7 8 c3

0-0
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9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
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9 g5
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9tR-+Q+RmK-0
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Nowadays this is the main line of the Tarrasch Defence.
29
9 dxc5!? is less ambitious but rather annoying for Black because it seriously reduces his
possibilities of getting active counterplay, too. 9...xc5 10 g5 d4 11 xf6 xf6 12
d5 (12 e4 e7 13 xc5 xc5 is fine for Black, for example: 14 e1 e8 15 d3 b6
16 d2 f5 17 ac1 e4! and Black has no problems thanks to the pressure on efile)
12...d8
a) 13 e1 but it is much less popular probably because the knights begin to duplicate
functions. A possible continuation is 13...e8 14 d3 f8 15 d2 (15 a3!? with the
idea of b2b4 deserves attention) 15...f5 and now after 16 b4 Black can solve the
problems by 16...xd3! 17 exd3 e5 18 b5 e7= with equality
b) 13 d2 Sometimes White plays
b1) 13...a6 14 c1 a7 15 f4 d7 16 e4 with an initiative
b2) 13...e6 14 f4 d7 15 c1 b6 16 xe6 (16 a4 ac8 17 c4) 16...xe6 17 xc6
bxc6 18 c4 fe8 19 c2 ad8 20 d3 d5 21 fc1 with a clear advantage
b3) 13...e8 There are some alternatives which seem to be less precise: 14 c1 f8 Another
possibility is (14...b6!? A lot of games were continued by 15 c4 g4 16 e1 a5 17
xa5 xa5 18 b4! xb4 19 xd4 xd5 20 xg4 ad8 21 ed1 f6 22 c4 b5 23 c2 with
small advantage thanks to the superiority of bishop over the knight) 15 f4!? g4 16
f3 and (16 e1 16 f3!? were worthy of consideration keeping the strong and very
useful bishop on the board.) 16...xf3 In the case of (16...f5 17 b3 White keeps the
pressure as well.) 17 xf3 with a slight edge, Miles Lautier/Biel 1992.
9...c4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
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9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
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Thanks to great efforts of Alexander Grischuk, this continuation recently gained popularity.
The position is similar to the Swedish variation but Black has more problems with
the d5 pawn as the white bishop is on g5. On the other hand, the knight on f6
reduces the possible sting from White's plans connected with e2e4.
If Black does not want to play the position with an isolated pawn, he can also try 9...e6
However, it is recently not very popular, mostly because after 10 dxc5 (it seems that
in case of 10 c1 Black can achieve acceptable play by playing 10...c4) 10...xc5
a) 11 c1 after which Black chooses between 11...b6 and(11...e7 keeping a slightly worse
position but the text move is more popular.)
30
b) 11 xf6 White achieves a very nice ending with a modest but definite and stable
advantage: 11...xf6 12 xd5 xb2 13 c7 ad8 14 c1 xc1 15 axc1 e7 in
the case of (15...b6 16 xe6 fxe6 17 e3 h6 18 c4 d6 19 e4 f5 20 h4 and Black is
suffering 15...b6 White plays the same 16 xe6 fxe6 17 c4 h6 18 e4 with a typical
advantage.) 16 xe6 fxe6 17 c4! That's why the ending is so attractive for White!
The excellent manoeuvre Rc1-c4e4 allows him to obtain the initiative combining
pressure on the pawn on e6 with a possible advance of the kingside pawns. The fact
that the bishops are of the opposite colour as usual favours the side which has the
initiative. Black is forced to maintain endless defence without a sign of counterplay.
The game Yusupov Spraggett/Quebec 1989 continued by 17...f6 18 e3! d6 19
h4 h6 20 e4 fd8 21 h3! f7 22 g2 e8 23 c1 e7 24 c2 and White
maintained the pressure.
10 e5 e6
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11 f4
11 xc6 bxc6 12 b3 also looks promising but Grischuk successfully stand up for this kind
of position: 12...a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zp-+-vlpzpp0
9-+p+lsn-+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
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9P+-+PzPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
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31
a) In the game Bareev Grischuk/Wijk aan Zee 2002 White has not achieved much after
13 a4
a1) in case of 13...fd8 14 e3 c5 15 xc5 xc5 16 dxc5 xc5 17 xf6 (17 bxc4!? is an
alternative: 17...dxc4 18 xa8 xd1 19 fxd1 d7 20 f4 with slightly better chances for
White) 17...gxf6 18 bxc4 dxc4 19 xa8 xd1 20 fxd1 Black experienced certain
problems, Dzhandzhgava Lputian/chURS (semifinal) Lvov 1987
a2) 13...ab8!? 14 f4 b7 15 c2 c8 16 bxc4 b4 17 b2 b6 18 ab1 dxc4 with
quite acceptable play for Black. His pawn structure is somewhat damaged but in fact
the doubled cpawns are more strong than weak. The pawn c6 gives additional
control over the center and is also ready to advance at appropriate moment while the
c4pawn is passed and White should be always care about it.
b) 13 c2 13...fd8
b1) In the game White has tried 14 e3 was also tested: 14...ac8 15 bxc4 (15 a4 does not
bother Black very much: 15...c5 16 xc5 xc5 17 xf6 gxf6 18 dxc5 xc5 19 fd1 d4 20 exd4
xd4 21 xd4 xd4 22 d1 e5 and Black is at least not worse, as was proved in a
number of games.) 15...dxc4 16 e4 f5 17 ac1 (17 xf6!? gxf6 18 ab1!? deserves
attention, with idea to counter 18...c5 with 19 b5 although everything is still too far
from clear) 17...c5 18 dxc5 d3! (18...xc5? is just bad for Black: 19 xf6+ gxf6 20 xf5
xf5 21 xf6 and so on.) 19 xf6 gxf6 Thanks for his very good pieces Black has got
reasonable compensation for the sacrificed pawn, Lautier Grischuk/Wijk aan Zee
2002.
b2) 14 a4 14...ac8 15 fd1 c5 The programmed pawn advance. 16 d2!? (16 xc5 xc5
17 dxc5 xc5 18 xf6 gxf6 is acceptable for Black.) 16...b5! Another fruitful idea by
Alexander Grischuk. (in the game Bareev Gluzman/FIDE WCh, Moscow 2001 the
pair of bishops secured White's advantage after 16...c7 17 f4 a5 18 xc5 xc5 19
dxc5 xc5 20 e3)
b2a) 17 xc5 is a worthy alternative. Black can continue by 17...xc5 18 dxc5 xc5 19 b4
(19 e3!?) 19...b6 20 e3 g4!? (20...e4) 21 dc1 e4 with acceptable play.
b2b) 17 bxc4 17...cxd4! An excellent and farsighted decision! Black sacrifices a pawn but
it will turn out later that White cannot support his extra pawn Black's doubled d
pawns keep many important squares under control and prevent White's manoeuvring
very well. (In case of 17...xc4 Black could have achieved a safe but worse endgame:
18 xc4 dxc4 19 xc5 xd4 20 xe6 fxe6 21 c3 xd1+ 22 xd1 f7) 18 xh7+! xh7 19
cxb5 e4! 20 a5 d7 This important position was proved to be good for Black in
the game Bacrot Grischuk/Dubai 2002 but White can obviously look for
improvements.
11...g4
11...xe5?! is dubious: 12 fxe5 e4 13 xe7 xc3 14 bxc3 xe7 15 e4 d7 16 a4 fd8
17 h5
11...b6?! is also suspicious although things are maybe not so clear: 12 f5! xe5 13 a4!
c7! (13...a5 14 dxe5 d7 15 exf6 gxf6 16 h6) 14 dxe5 xe5 15 xf6 xf6 16 fxe6
fxe6 and Black has compensation for the piece although White's chances still look
preferable
32
12 xg4
it seems that
12 xe7 also does not promise too much. For example: 12...xe7 13 d2 h6!? 14 h3 f6
15 f3 hf5 16 g4 d6 17 f5 f7 18 f4 b5! 19 ad1 d7 with complicated play
12...xg4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+pzP-zPl+0
9+-sN-+-zP-0
9PzP-+P+LzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13 xd5!
Strangely enough, White always captured the pawn with the bishop, trying to get advantage
after
13 xd5 xg5 14 fxg5 xg5 15 f4 but after 15...e6 (15...ad8 16 f1 e6 17 xe6 fxe6 18
e3 may promise an edge for White) 16 g2 ad8 17 h1 e7! Black can probably
achieve quite acceptable play
13...xg5 14 fxg5 xg5 15 f4 ad8 16 d2 fe8 17 e4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trr+k+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+N+-wq-0
9-+pzPPtRl+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9PzP-wQ-+LzP0
9tR-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
33
17...e6
The immediate
17...b5!? was worthy of consideration.
18 c1
White finds the way to take aim at the pawn on c4.
18...xd5
The swapping of the bpawns deserved attention:
18...b5!? 19 b3 xd5 20 exd5 e7 21 bxc4 bxc4 22 xc4 and now 22...b8!? only
not(22...xd5? 23 c5 h6 24 a5 xf4 25 xg5 e2+ 26 f2 hxg5 27 c6+)
19 exd5 e7 20 xc4 xd5 21 c5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trr+k+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-tRn+-wq-0
9-+-zP-tR-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9PzP-wQ-+LzP0
9+-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
and Black found himself under pressure, G.Timoshchenko Halkias/EUch Ohrid 2001.
34
QGD/7 Tarrasch Defence Main Lines

9. Bg5 cd4 [D34]
1 f3 d5 2 d4 c5 3 c4 e6 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g3 c6 6 g2 f6 7 0-0 e7 8 c3

0-0 9 g5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-zpp+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+NzP-0
9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...cxd4 10 xd4 h6
The immediate 10...e8 is supposed to be less precise. After 11 c1 in the game
R.Scherbakov Magomedov/Cheliabinsk 1990 Black played an inaccurate
11...d7?! and after a rather unexpected 12 f4! he faced some concrete problems.
11 e3
11 f4 is much less popular but here Black should also work hard to solve his problems
completely: 11...g4 the alternative (11...b6!? leads to more complicated play) 12 h3
e6 13 c1!? d7 (13...c8!?) 14 xe6 fxe6 15 e4 d4 16 e5 dxc3 17 exf6 xd1 18
fxd1 xf6 19 bxc3 and White proved a small but stable advantage in a number of
games.
11...e8
35
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9zpp+-vlpzp-0
9-+n+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-sN-+-+0
9+-sN-vL-zP-0
9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This is a tabia of the Tarrasch Defence. Thousands of games have started from here. White
has a lot of possible plans.
12 c1
12 a3 e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqr+k+0
9zpp+-vlpzp-0
9-+n+lsn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-sN-+-+0
9zP-sN-vL-zP-0
9-zP-+PzPLzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
a) 13 h1!? However, it seems that Black can obtain a good counterplay by 13...g4! 14 f3
and (14 h3 14 b3 seem to be the principled continuations, according to Kasparov)
14...h5 15 xc6 after (15 g1 d7! 16 a4 c5! 17 ad1 b6 18 fe1 g6 Black has no
problems) 15...bxc6 16 a4 c8! 17 d4 e6 18 c1 d7 19 c3 g6 with
mutual chances.
b) 13 xe6 in the earlier games of the match Smyslov tried to pose problems for Black by
playing 13...fxe6 14 a4 c8 15 ad1 h8 the immediate (15...a6!? deserved
attention.) 16 h1 a6 17 f4 This position arose in the game Smyslov
Kasparov/Vilnius 1984. White looks preferable but Black is not without a
counterplay. The plan, invented by Vassily Smyslov (Kg1-h1 with the idea of f4,
Bg1 and e2e4), is really interesting.
12 b3
36
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9zpp+-vlpzp-0
9-+n+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-sN-+-+0
9+QsN-vL-zP-0
9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...a5 13 c2 g4 14 f5 another possibility is (14 h3 h5 15 ad1 c8 16 g4 g6 17 f5)
14...c8 (14...b4 is the alternative.) 15 d4 (15 xe7+ does not promise too much)
15...c5 16 xc5 xc5 17 e3 Increasing the pressure on the pawn on d5. 17...e6
18 ad1 d7!? after (18...c8 19 a4 d8 20 d3 White achieved a stable advantage
in the game Karpov Kasparov/Moscow (m/9) 1984. His play is clear to create as
much pressure as possible on the isolated pawn.) 19 d3!? as it turns out, (19 b4 is
not dangerous for Black: 19...c7 20 bxa5 d4 21 d3 f5!) 19...c4 20 xc4 dxc4! 21
d6!? xd6 22 xd6 White keeps the initiative in this ending but Black's position
is defensible as was proved in the game Lastin Bezgodov/Moscow 1999.
12 a4
12 c2 are also wellknown.
12...f8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqrvlk+0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-+n+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-sN-+-+0
9+-sN-vL-zP-0
9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The main alternative
12...g4 gives Black less chances of obtain good counterplay: 13 h3 e6
a) 14 h2 is also not bad: 14...d7 15 c2 (15 a4!?) 15...ac8 (15...e5!?) 16 fd1 f8 17
a3
b) 14 a4 14...e5!? 15 cd1 a6 (15...d7 16 b3 c6 17 f5) 16 f4! and White seizes a
strong initiative
37
13 xc6
White has tried some other possibilities which also promise him a small advantage.
13 a4 e5 (13...a5 14 cd1 d7 15 c2 c8 16 b1!) 14 cd1 d7 15 b3 c6 16 xc6
bxc6 17 d4 b8 with counterplay but White's chances are still preferable
13 a4 d7 14 c5 a5 (14...e5) 15 b3 c8 16 xd7 xd7 17 d3 c6 18 xc6 bxc6
19 fd1 with a small edge
13 a3!? g4 14 h3 e6 15 xc6 bxc6 16 d4 (16 a4 c8 17 h2 a6!) 16...d7 in the
case of (16...e4 White secures the advantage by 17 xe4 dxe4 18 c5 xc5 19 xc5 d5
20 b4) 17 d3 with a small but stable advantage.
13...bxc6 14 a4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqrvlk+0
9zp-+-+pzp-0
9-+p+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9N+-+-+-+0
9+-+-vL-zP-0
9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...d7
14...a5? is a wellknown mistake due to 15 xc6! d7 16 d2! b4 (16...b5 fails to 17
xf6! gxf6 18 c3 xb2 19 xd5 with a huge advantage for White, for example:
19...ac8 20 c3! xc3 21 xf6+! g7 22 d4!+) 17 c5 xa4 18 xa4 xa4 19 xb4
xe2 20 b3 d7 21 a1 with a big advantage in the ending.
15 c5
An exchange of darksquare bishops is tempting in order to establish full control over the
squares d4 and c5 but this perhaps is not the only way to treat this kind of position.
15...xc5 16 xc5
38
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqr+k+0
9zp-+l+pzp-0
9-+p+-sn-zp0
9+-sNp+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-+-zP-0
9PzP-+PzPLzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
At first sight White should be much better here but actually things are not so clear as Black
has counterplay because all his pieces are active. Both rooks have half open files to
operate on while the rest of his army also has good prospects. The main and fairly
serious drawback is of course his bad pawn structure which White is eager to
exploit.
16...g4
16...f5 does not solve the problems completely: 17 e3 b8 18 b3 with small but stable
advantage, R.Scherbakov Orsag/Polanica Zdroj 1996.
17 e1 a5
The preliminary
17...b8?! 18 b3 a5 allows White to avoid the weakening of the queenside by playing a
natural 19 c2
18 h3 f5 19 d4
The standard
19 a4!? deserves attention, after 19...e4 20 e3 White's chances should be preferred.
19...ab8
Of course not
19...xa2? 20 a1 c4 21 xc4 dxc4 22 xc6 and White wins an exchange.
20 a3
39
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tr-+r+k+0
9zp-+-+pzp-0
9-+p+-sn-zp0
9wq-sNp+l+-0
9-+-wQ-+-+0
9zP-+-+-zPP0
9-zP-+PzPL+0
9+-tR-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
20...b6!
The queen is much better placed on b6 not only because it is more mobile there (the only
way to retreat from b5 is actually to b6) but also pins the knight which is rather
important.
20...b5 21 b3! Black cannot take on e2 anyway while the queen is not very useful on b5
(21 b4 a5!)
21 b3
21 b4 is pointless due to 21...a5
21...e4! 22 xe4 dxe4

22...xe4!? also came into mind.
23 g4 e6!
Transferring the bishop to d5.
24 c3 bd8 25 e3
40
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trr+k+0
9zp-+-+pzp-0
9-wqp+l+-zp0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9-+-+p+P+0
9zPPtR-wQ-+P0
9-+-+PzP-+0
9+-+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black's play looked fairly logical, however, the control over some important dark squares
probably gives White slightly better chances, Filippov Bezgodov/Petropavlovsk
1999.
41
Exchange Variation
This system includes all the lines where White makes an early exchange in the
center c4xd5. After ...e6xd5 the pawn structure acquires a very specific nature:
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
This kind of structure drew much attention after the Carlsbad 1923 tournament
where it was tested in a number of games. Therefore this is frequently referred to as the
"Carlsbad pawn structure".
The system is rather popular and occupies an important place in chess theory. It
contains a number of typical positions and strategic ideas and plans which are very
important for general chess understanding. Of course there are many concrete variations but
most of them originate from basic strategic concepts.
Let's take closer look at the possible plans for both sides. White usually selects one
of the following schemes:
1) A minority attack by means of b2b4b5xc6 with the aim of creating a weak
pawn on the side where the opponent has a pawn superiority. This plan is used in practice
very often.
42
2) Central attack with e3e4. This plan is much more dangerous with the Knight on
e2 than on f3.
3) Kingside attack with the kings on the same side.
4) Kingside attack with the kings castled opposite sides. Like the plan of e3e4 this
also looks more promising with the Knight on e2.
Black's counterplay is connected with central and kingside operations. On the
queenside he usually defends passively. So the main defensive methods are:
1) Counter attack with pawns on the kingside.
2) Counter attack with pieces on the kingside. These kingside operations have more
chance of being successful if White has weakened his kingside pawn structure, especially
with the move h2h3.
3) Positional methods of defence such as: creating a pawn barrier with ...b7b5,
preparing for ...c6c5 in reply to b4b5, obtaining piece control over the b5, c4 squares, the
pawn advance ...a6a5 with the aim of taking control over the b4 square, the knight lunge
...f6e4 and various others.
4) Counter attack on the queenside in the case of White's long castling.
Of course this division is rather conventional and in practice the playing methods are
usually combined with each other. For those who want to get a good understanding of these
positions, thorough study of classic games are very important.
For example, one of the typical problems is in whose favour the exchange of light
square bishops is? Taking into account some static features of the position (black pawns b7,
c6, d5 are on light squares) we can conclude that black's queen's bishop is worse than the
white counterpart and would be better off exchanged. Black has even invented a very
original plan to do this:... d7f8e6,...g7g6,...e6g7 and ...c8f5. But in some
situations this Bishop is very useful and it is Black who needs to secure it from exchange.
There are lots of such strategic problems which cannot be solved with move by
move calculations. But if you know what the best players did in similar situations the task
becomes much easier. It was one of my main openings till the end of '80s and I believe it
helped me greatly in understanding chess better.
43
The main Black's adherents are: GMs Arthur Yusupov, Paul van der Sterren,
Alexander Beliavsky, Andrey Kharitonov, Sergey Smagin, Alexander Panchenko, Uwe
Bonsh, Janis Klovans, Ventzislav Inkiov and others.
A lot of famous GMs play the Exchange Variation with pleasure, including Garry
Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov, but they are often widely diverse in their approaches
So the whole system is strategically complex and looks attractive for White who has
clear and logical plans. Black's active possibilities are limited and he must defend carefully.
Nevertheless his position is quite safe and solid and if he understands it well and knows its
many subtleties then his chances to outplay the opponent are quite reasonable.
With the knight on e2 White's main plan seems to be a central pawn advance e3e4.
Sometimes he realises this plan with a quite interesting method. First he makes it
appear that he is going for minority attack by a2a3 and b4b5 notice that the Rook is not
used but then he completely switches for the e3e4 break, having additional control over
the c5 square to prevent the quite typical Black reaction ...c6c5.
44
QGD/8 Exchange Variation Various

lines with Ng1-e2 [D35]
1 d4 f6 2 c4 e6 3 c3 d5 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqkvl-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKLsNR0
xiiiiiiiiy
5...e7
Sometimes Black opts for an early ...Nf6h5, exchanging the darksquared bishops: 5...c6
6 e3 e7 7 d3 bd7
a) similar position would arise after 8 c2 h5 (of course, 8...0-0 any time can lead to the
main lines ) 9 xe7 xe7 10 ge2 g6 11 0-0-0 b6 12 g3 g7!? (After
12...xg3?! 13 hxg3 White is clearly better) 13 b1 d7 14 c1 0-0-0 15 a4 xa4
(15...b8 16 c5 c8 17 b4 would also allow White to seize a strong initiative on the
Qside.) 16 xa4 b8 17 c3 with initiative on the queenside, Kasparov
Andersson/Reykjavik 1988
b) 8 ge2 8...h5 (The fact there is no queen on c2 allows Black to play 8...e4 but it does
not solve his opening problems: 9 xe7 xc3 10 bxc3 xe7 11 b3 followed by c3c4
with a small but stable advantage.) 9 xe7 xe7
45
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+nwqpzpp0
9-+p+-+-+0
9+-+p+-+n0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzP-+-0
9PzP-+NzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10 g4!? Taking an opportunity to get some space on the kingside. 10...hf6 11 g3
b1) 11...b6 may lead to the transposition after 12 g5 g8 13 h4
b1a) while 13...h6 looks risky as it allows White to advance the gpawn. However, in the
game Petursson Hjartarson/Reykjavik 2000 14 g6 f6 15 f3 (15 gxf7+!? xf7 16
c2 deserves attention: 16...0-0 17 g6 c7 18 0-0-0 g4 19 df1 e6 20 h5 with
initiative on the kingside) 15...0-0 16 f5 xf5 17 xf5 ae8 18 g1 Black proved
that White doesn't have real threats on the kingside: 18...b4 19 0-0-0 c4 and so
on.
b1b) 13...g6 and so on
b2) 11...h6 is not very popular: 12 h3 b6 13 d2 d7 14 b3 g6 15 a4 a5 16 f3 with small
but stable advantage
b3) 11...g6 12 h4 (12 g5 g8 13 h4 gives Black an extra possibility: 13...h6 14 gxh6 df6!?)
12...b6 13 g5 g8
b3a) Later in the game Milov Andersson/Groningen 1997 White tried to improve with 14
d2!? , not giving Black the possibility to exchange all the kingside pawns but after
14...h6 15 f4 hxg5 16 fxg5 (16 hxg5!? xh1 17 xh1 was worthy of consideration.)
16...e6 17 f3 0-0-0 18 ge2 d7 19 a4 e7 has finished his development and
seemed to be fine.
b3b) 14 e2 14...h6
b3b1) 15 f4 did not promise too much: 15...hxg5 16 hxg5 (16 fxg5!?) 16...xh1+ 17 xh1
e6 18 g3 0-0-0 19 0-0-0 d7 20 h1 e7 with ...Nf5 to follow.
b3b2) 15 0-0-0!? An interesting pawn sacrifice. 15...hxg5 16 h5! This is the point. White is
trying to use his advantage in development to get at the Black king before it escapes
to the queenside. 16...gxh5 17 xh5 h6! 18 dg1 White's initiative looks very
strong. Ng7+ followed by Bh6 and Qh5 is threatened as well as the simple f2f4.
However, a very cool defence 18...d8! (This is probably the only move because all
the alternatives were bad: 18...d7? 19 g7+ f8 20 xh6 xh6 21 h5+
or 18...f6?! 19 g3! with a rather annoying initiative.) 19 f3 d7! allowed Black to defend
successfully in the game Vyzmanavin Kharitonov/Helsinki 1992.
6 e3 0-0 7 d3 c6
46
An attempt to treat the position without c7c6 grants White an interesting options: 7...bd7
8 ge2 e8
a) 9 c2 f8 10 0-0-0 e6 Black tries to advance his pawn to c5 in one step. 11 b1 To
move the king from the cfile is rather useful in view of Black's plan. 11...g4
(11...c8!? deserves attention) 12 xe7 xe7 13 f4 f6 14 f3 White begins action
on the kingside so Black, who wasted a couple of tempi with the knight's
manoeuvring is forced now to undertake his plan without good preparation. 14...c5
(In the case of 14...g6 15 g4! xf4 16 exf4 followed by f4f5, g4g5, etc and White's
attack seems to be very strong.) 15 g4! and Black faced problems, Kasparov
Campora/Thessaloniki (ol) 1988
b) 9 0-0 9...f8 an now White has a rather unexpected 10 b4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqrsnk+0
9zppzp-vlpzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-zP-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzP-+-0
9P+-+NzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
b1) The pawn cannot be taken for free: 10...xb4?! 11 xf6 gxf6 12 xd5! xd5 13 a4
h3!? (both 13...e7 14 xe8 h3 15 f4!+
and 13...d6 14 xe8 h3 15 e4!+ do not seem to work) 14 f4 a5 15 xa5 xa5 16
xh3 e6 and Black is far from equality because of his weakened kingside pawns
structure
b2) 10...h6!? is worthy of consideration: 11 xf6 (11 h4!? is interesting: 11...g5 12 g3 xb4
13 b5 a5 14 c2 c6 15 d6 e7 with complicated play) 11...xf6 12 b5 with a
small advantage for White(or 12 b3 )
b3) 10...g6 11 b5 g4 doesn't promise a full equality due to 12 xe7 xe7 13 xg6!
hxg6 14 f4 c6 15 h3 f6 16 bxc6 bxc6 17 d3! a6 18 e1 xd3 19 xd3 e4
20 ec1! xc3 21 xc3 e6 22 ab1 with certain advantage
b4) 10...e4 does not solve Black's problems, too: 11 xe7 xe7 12 c2 f5 13 f4 and
so on
b5) 10...a6 11 a3 c6 12 c2 With a slightly different move order we have transposed to the
main lines. The game Kasparov Short/London 1993 continued by 12...g6 13 f3
White's main plan should be connected with central pawn advance e3e4. Black's
typical reaction is ...c6c5 but here it is not so easy to realize as White has taken
additional control over the c5 square. 13...e6 14 h4 h5 (in case of 14...g7
White achieves the advantage by 15 f2 h5 16 h3 h7 17 e4 h4 18 d2 xf2+ 19 xf2)
15 xe7 (After 15 f2 d6 Black was not without a counterplay.) and here
15...xe7 seemed to be better. After the possible (15...xe7?! 16 d2 b6?! 17 ad1 b7
47
18 b1!) 16 ae1 a5 17 b2 axb4 18 axb4 White could have secured small but
lasting edge.
8 ge2 bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+nvlpzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzP-+-0
9PzP-+NzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9 g3!?
This line is not very popular but actually is quite tricky. White postpones the move Qd1-c2
hoping to use the queen for some other purpose.
9...b6!?
This square is not very common for the knight but in this position more concrete reasoning
should prevail.
Black has tried a lot of alternatives. 9...h6 10 h4 b6!
a) 11 f3? is impossible: 11...g4! 12 f4 hxg5! 13 hxg5 d6 14 h7+ (both 14 gxf6 xf4
and 14 xg4 xg4 is not enough to make a perpetual check as every time Black is able to
cover the king with a minor piece on h6) 14...xh7 15 xg4 xg5 16 h3 g6-+
with a clear extra piece.
b) 11 c2 11...e8 Here in the game Gulko Van der Sterren/Amsterdam 1988 White
continued very consistently and creatively by 12 0-0-0 and confused his opponent in
the struggle although objectively the position was too far from clear.
White's idea works to its full in case of the "automatic" 9...e8?! 10 f5 and Black is in
trouble: 10...f8 (the position after 10...f8 11 xe7+ xe7 is not much fun for Black)
11 f3 h6 12 h4 with a strong initiative on the kingside I have been lucky enough
to have this position a couple of times in rapid tournaments
an old alternative 9...e8!? deserves attention. After 10 h4 the best continuation is, in my
opinion 10...d6! with a fairly solid position
10 h3!?
Rather unusual in these positions.
48
In case of 10 c2 h6 11 f4 d6 12 ge2 (12 e5? is impossible due to 12...xe5 13 dxe5

g4) 12...e8 Black obtains a solid position but probably do not equalises
completely.
10...h6 11 f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzp-0
9-snp+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-sNLzP-sNP0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...e8!
Intending to play ...Be7d6 next.
Immediate 11...d6?! was an inaccuracy in the game, which allows White to prove the
advantage by 12 e5! xe5 Otherwise f2f4 will follow. 13 dxe5 fd7 Thanks to
the move 10. h3 the g4 square is unavailable for the knight. 14 f4 c5 15 0-0
R.Scherbakov Boensch/EUCup Final Munich 1992.
12 c2 d6 13 ge2
White has a small advantage, keeping in mind queenside castling as well.
49
QGD/9 Exchange Variation Main lines

with Ng1-e2 [D36]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 f6 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g5 e7 6 e3 0-0 7 d3 bd7 8

ge2 c6 9 c2 e8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9zpp+nvlpzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzP-+-0
9PzPQ+NzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10 0-0
Another option is 10 0-0-0 A long castling with the knight on e2 is rather dangerous plan
for Black who really has to know what he is doing. 10...f8 11 h3
a) Black has also tried for counterplay with other moves: 11...a5 12 b1 (12 g4 e4 13
xe7 xc3 14 xc3 xe7 15 b1) 12...e6 13 f4!? ad8 14 g4 c8 15 h4 e4 16
e1 xc3+ 17 xc3 c7 18 f2
b) 11...e6 12 g4 c8 13 b1 a6 (13...c5!?) 14 f4 c7 15 f5 c8 16 f4 d6 17 he1 ce7
with a small advantage in both cases
c) 11...b5 A queenside pawn avalanche remains to be the main Black's weapon in this line
it is known to be doubleedged and so is quite acceptable for Black. 12 b1 a5 13
g4 a4 14 g3 a5 15 ce2 d7
50
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+rsnk+0
9+-+lvlpzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9wqp+p+-vL-0
9p+-zP-+P+0
9+-+LzP-sNP0
9PzPQ+NzP-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position has been tested many times and so is rather important. White has a number of
possibilities. (It seems that Black should not hurry with 15...a3 16 b3 as the rigidity of
the queenside pawn structure reduces Black's attacking possibilities: 16...d7 17 f5
xf5 18 xf5 with better chances.)
c1) 16 f5 which is probably not so good for White due to 16...b4!
c1a) 17 xd7 8xd7 18 xc6?? was impossible due to 18...ac8 19 b7 c7-+ and the
Queen is trapped
c1b) the superior attempt 17 xf6!? did not promise too much either because of 17...b3! 18
c3 (18 c1 bxa2+ 19 xa2 xf6) 18...bxa2+ 19 xa2 xf6 20 xa5 xa5 and
Black should be satisfied with this position as the White king is still not quite safe.
However maybe it was the best way for White.
c1c) 17 d2 17...g6 18 xd7 8xd7 19 c1 ac8 20 f4 b6 Black's chances are
preferable he has the initiative on the queenside and so White should defend
carefully, Cebalo Inkiov/Roma 1985.
c2) Among the alternatives 16 h5 deserves attention, a possible continuation being
16...xh5 17 xe7 xe7 18 gxh5 b4 19 d2 e6 20 dg1 h8 21 h2 f6 22 hg2
e6 23 f4 h6 24 h4 a3 25 b3 g8 with complicated play
c3) This position has been tested many times and so it is rather important. 16 f5 Logical
and probably the best continuation. 16...xf5 17 xf5!? (White would not achieve
too much with the open gfile: 17 gxf5 ac8 18 hg1 h8 and c6c5 comes soon, with
a good counterplay as was proved in a couple of games) 17...a6 18 d3 (18 f4
seems to be less precise: 18...b4 19 d2 e4! 20 xe4 xg5 with excellent play) 18...b6
19 g3 b4 20 d2 g6 with complicated and doubleedged play where White's
chances are maybe slightly better.
10...f8
51
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqrsnk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzP-+-0
9PzPQ+NzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A startposition of this system. White has a lot of possible continuations.
11 f3
The most direct and dangerous plan for Black. White is going to advance e3e4
immediately or after some preparation.
11 a3 g6 Black has in mind the standard ...Be7d6 followed by ...h7h6 trapping the
Bishop on g5. (11...g6 can lead to the game Kasparov Short/London (m/15) 1993
after 12 b4 a6 and so on.) 12 b4 a6 13 g3 (White can achieve a small advantage after
13 ad1 g4 14 xe7 xe7 15 h3 f6 16 g3 a5 17 b2 axb4 18 axb4 e6 19 b5 c5 20 dxc5
xc5 21 ce2) 13...d6 14 ae1 h6 15 xg6?! (15 xh6!? looked more promising,
although Black's chances should not be worse after 15...gxh6 16 xg6 fxg6 17 xg6+
h8 18 e4 f4) 15...hxg5! 16 d3 e6 and Black has achieved the better chances,
Shirov R.Scherbakov/Borzhomi 1988

11 ad1 A modern approach. White tries to keep his plan in secret for a while. Nevertheless
it is hard to believe he has something other than e3e4 (after f2f3) in mind.
11...g6 (11...h5!? deserves attention: 12 xe7 xe7 13 fe1 g6 14 g3 xg3 15 hxg3
e6 16 a3 d6 with quite a solid position) 12 g3 (By means of 12 f3 White can
transpose to the main lines) 12...e6 The manoeuvre ...Be7d6 followed by ...h7h6
is not possible every time. 13 h3 c8 14 f4 White chooses another possible plan
connected with the fpawn advance. This setup is rather poisonous as the Black's
pieces look slightly overcrowded in the center. Besides this advance wins a couple
of tempi. Its main drawback is that the pawn e3 becomes detached and White's
central pawns cannot be improved with e3e4 because the pawn d4 would become
isolated in this case. 14...f8 15 f5 d7 16 f2 (16 f4 c5 would lead to unclear and
complicated play.) 16...g4! 17 hxg4 xg5 18 e4 In the game Maksjutov
R.Scherbakov/Magnitogorsk 1989 Black realised a strong rearrangement: 18...h6!
(after 18...dxe4?! 19 cxe4 following with Bc4 White's pieces could become very
active) 19 fe1 g5! 20 f3 cd8! with very complicated play
11 xf6 White parts with a darksquared Bishop to gain a tempo for the minority attack.
This idea is not very popular with the knight on f3
here it is even less promising. 11...xf6 12 b4 a6 13 a4 g6 14 b5 a5! Nowadays this is well
known and typical reaction for the minority attack but twenty years ago it was rather
52
a new method of defence. Now the weakness of the pawn c6 (and of the square c5 as
well) cannot be exploited directly as the square a4 is not available for a white knight.
As to the bfile, Black can use square b4 for his pieces while the square b5 is just
covered by the pawn on c6. 15 e4 (an attempt to put the knight on c5 by 15 c1?!
doesn't work, as was proved in the very instructive game Vaganian
Panchenko/Sochi (Russia) 1980: 15...e6 16 b3 d6 17 fd1 d7 18 d2 ed8 19 e2
g7! Starting a very strong redeployment of pieces. While White has no active plan
Black finds a way to launch an initiative on the kingside. 20 a2 e8 At the same
time Black keeps pressure on the e4 pawn to deprive White from a possible e3e4.
21 g3 f8 22 b1 e7 23 c2 f6 and Black is ready to begin kingside actions by ...h5
h4, then ...Kg7,...Rh8 and so on. A darksquared Bishop is in no hurry to occupy its
ideal position on d6 it might be useful on b4 as well. Notice that the square c5 is
still covered twice to prevent Nc5. Black's chances are clearly better.) 15...dxe4 16
xe4 d6 17 ad1 d7 and Black is okay
Generally speaking, the minority attack itself is not too effective with the Knight on e2.
After 11 ab1 Black has many possible answers, including strange looking 11...a6!?
(11...d6?! with idea ...Bxh2+ and ...Ng4 is not good as White suddenly switches to
the alternative plan: 12 h1 g6 13 f3! e7 (there was no better way of meeting e3
e4) 14 be1 d7 15 xe7 xe7 16 g3 f6 17 f2
among other alternatives 11...g6 looks quite good, for example: 12 f4 g4!? 13 xe7 xe7
14 h3 f6 15 ce2 h4 16 g3 f3+ 17 g2 g5 18 h4 ge4 19 be1 d6 20 c3 h6 and
Black has no problems, Chernin Inkiov, Saint John 1988) 12 b4 g6 (with the pawn
on b4 12...d6!? is maybe not so bad as compared to the game Botvinnik Keres.
White cannot switch so easily to the plan with e3e4 as the pawn on b4 is hanging.)
13 a4 a5!? Another interesting idea Black himself provokes b4b5. He would meet
b4b5 with a6a5 anyway but his idea is to deprive White from possible a4a5 by
analogy to the game Kortchnoi Karpov. However it gives White another option
which should be taken into account. 14 bxa5!? xa5 15 c1 e6 16 xf6 xf6 17
b3 a7 18 a5 e7 19 a1 d6 20 e2 d7 with good play for Black.
11...e6
Nowadays Black begins with ...Be6 rather than with 11...g6 This seems reasonable
because, as we have already seen, 1) the idea to trap the bishop g5 by ...Be7d6
followed by h7h6 is hardly possible here and 2) the knight is quite often forced to
go back to f8 where it has more possibilities for the manoeuvring. Still, the same
positions arise quite often. 12 e4 A straightforward approach. (Both 12 ad1
and 12 h1 , trying to advance e3e4 in the most favourable situation, seem to be more
dangerous for Black. Also deserving of attention is the plan of the fpawn advance
by Rae1, Ng3, f3f4 and so on.) 12...dxe4 13 fxe4 e6
a) 14 h3!? leads to very sharp play after 14...c5!? 15 xf6 xf6 16 e5 g5! (in case of
16...cxd4 White can achieve good attacking possibilities by 17 exf6 dxc3 18 bxc3 gxf6 19
g3!) 17 d5! the position looks dangerous for Black but he is probably holding on
as was proved in a couple of games
b) 14 ad1 14...g4! 15 c1 (15 xe7 is also in Black's favour: 15...xe7 16 d2 c5 17 d5 d7
18 h3 4e5 with a small advantage) 15...c5! Getting a very good square e5 for the
53
pieces. 16 d5 (16 b5 c7 17 g3 ed8 18 d5 c8) 16...d7 and Black is at least not

worse, Nenashev Panchenko/Minsk 1986
12 ae1
There are some alternatives. 12 ad1 may lead to the same positions after
a) 12...a5?! was proved to be dubious in the game Baburin Ziatdinov/Oak Bridge 2000
13 a3! (13 h4? g4!) 13...ac8 14 h1 a6 15 b4! c7 (15...xa3?? 16 b1+) 16 a4
h5 17 xe7 xe7 18 c5 Black's position is difficult
there is no sign of counterplay and e3e4 is coming.
b) while 12...c8 is one of the main continuations
c) 12...g6 13 h1 and so on
12 h1 c8 13 ad1 g6 14 e4 is a quite logical play. Compared to the game Nenashev
Panchenko White makes the programmed advance in a better situation the
inclusion of the moves Kh1 and ... Rc8 is definitely in his favour as the king is
hidden from possible tricks over the g1-b6 diagonal. (14 g3!? looks quite good
leaving the advance e3e4 for later and trying to achieve some advantages
beforehand. A possible continuation is 14...a6 15 f5 f8 16 e4 xf5 17 exf5 e7 18 g4
d6 19 f2 d7 20 b1 and White' s chances look preferable) 14...dxe4 15 fxe4 g4
16 c1 c5 17 e5! In the game Nenashev Panchenko White could not even think
about this possibility. 17...cxd4 18 xd4 xd4 19 xg6 xe5 20 f4 c5 21
xh7+ h8 22 e4 At first sight Black looks completely OK but actually he has
still to avoid some dangers connected with the slightly opened position of his king,
Sadler Asrian/Las Vegas 1999.
12...c8 13 h1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwqrsnk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+p+lsn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzPP+-0
9PzPQ+N+PzP0
9+-+-tRR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...6d7
After 13...c5 14 dxc5 xc5 15 d4 White has a certain advantage
13...a6 14 a3 h6 15 h4 c5 is similar: 16 dxc5 xc5 17 d4 with a small edge.
54
14 xe7 xe7
14...xe7 has been played a couple of times but in my opinion a capture with queen looks
more natural.
15 d2
The immediate 15 e4 could be met well by 15...dxe4 16 fxe4 c5 with a good counterplay.
15...b6
The Knight is rather useful here.
16 b3
16 e4 c5= was fine for Black.
16...cd8
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-trrsnk+0
9zpp+-wqpzpp0
9-snp+l+-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+PsNLzPP+-0
9P+-wQN+PzP0
9+-+-tRR+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
Not only placing the rook on the dfile to meet e3e4 head on but at same time keeping in
mind a possible knight transfer to d6 (via c8). Black's position looks quite solid now,
Lutz Yusupov/Tilburg 1993.
55
QGD/10 Exchange Variation Various

lines with Ng1-f3 [D36]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 f6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g5 e7 6.e3 bd7 7.f3 c6

8.c2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+nvlpzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
In case of 8.d3 Black would think about 8...e4!? 9.f4 df6 10.c2 0-0!? (10...f5
11.e5 g6 12.f3 d6 was somewhat better for White in the game Fressinet
Ponomariov/KhantyMansiysk (ol) 2010. Here he should have played 13.xf5 xf5
14.g4 and so on) 11.0-0
a) White cannot grab the pawn: 11.xe4? dxe4 12.xe4 xe4 13.xe4 g5 14.g3
f5 15.e5 f4 16.exf4 g4 17.d2 f6 18.h5 e8+ 19.xe8 xe8+ 20.d1 xd4
b) other options do not promise much as well: 11.h3 f5 12.g4 (12.e5 g6 13.g4 e6)
12...g6 13.e5 xc3 14.xg6 fxg6 15.xc3 d6
c) or 11.e5 xc3 12.bxc3 (12.xc3 e4 13.c2 f6) 12...c5 13.0-0 c4 14.e2 e4
11...f5 12.e5 g6 with slightly worse but acceptable play for Black.
8...0-0
A simplifying manoeuvre 8...h5 is more popular when White develops his knight to e2.
9.xe7 xe7 10.0-0-0 (10.d3?! hardly promises White any advantage due to
10...f4! and Black is okay: 11.0-0 xd3 12.xd3 0-0 13.ab1 a5 14.a3 b6 15.d2 g6 16.f3
e6= with good play) 10...b6 11.e5!? Beginning an interesting and rather
56
promising setup. (another approach is 11.h3 g6 12.g4 g7 13.d3 e6 14.b1 0-0-0 and
now White begins queenside actions with 15.a4 xa4 16.xa4 b8 17.c1 intending
to manoeuvre both rooks closer to the Black king via the cfile and the 3rd rank.
Yet, Black's defensive resources are not to be underestimated) 11...g6 12.g4 (in the
game Van Wely Filippov/WCh Tripoli 2004 White achieved a typical slight edge
after 12.h3!? f6 13.d3 g7 14.b1 e6 15.a1 f7 16.c1 e6 17.e2) 12...g7 13.h3
e6 14.e2 Keeping the d3square available for the knight's retreat after ...f7f6 as
well as for the rook's manoeuvring. 14...0-0-0 15.a4 xa4 16.xa4 b8 17.d3!
and White has got a rather annoying initiative in the game Kasymdzhanov
Hertneck/GERchT 2001. The White rook quickly gets to the queenside while Black
is late to transfer his knight to c8.
9.d3 e8 10.0-0-0 f8 11.h3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqrsnk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzPN+P0
9PzPQ+-zPP+0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...e6
Immediate queenside pawn attack does not seem to be well prepared: 11...a5 12.g4 a4
13.xa4! Principal and probably the best. (some fainthearted alternatives are not
good for Black, for example: 13.dg1?! a3! 14.b3 e6 15.xf6?! (15.b1 with Rc1
to follow is much safer) 15...xf6 16.b1 c8 17.e2 g6 18.h4 d7 19.h5 c5 and
Black's attack comes first) 13...a5 14.c3 b5 (14...e6!? deserves attention) Black's
initiative looks dangerous but it is White's turn at the moment. 15.xf6 xf6 It's
hard to believe but after this natural move Black can only look on at the total
destruction of his position. (after the game we can assume the ugly 15...gxf6!? is the
last chance for improvement. Yet, the position doesn't look so clear as Black's
initiative should not be underestimated) 16.g5 e7 17.e5 b7 Not everything looks
so bad for Black here but unfortunately White can immediately start a strong and
probably decisive attack. (17...xg5 can be hardly called an improvement: 18.xc6
b6 19.h4 d8 20.xd5 b7 21.b1 d7 22.db4+ with a decisive advantage)
18.xh7+! xh7 19.g6! with decisive attack, Ruban B.Lalic/Jyvaskyla 1991.
12.b1 a5 13.g4 ac8

57
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+rsnk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+p+lsn-+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+P+0
9+-sNLzPN+P0
9PzPQ+-zP-+0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A solid approach against White's queenside castling Black prefers to develop all his
pieces to active squares...
13...e4 is also quite good: 14.xe7 (after 14.xe4 dxe4 15.xe7 xe7 16.d2 ae8 Black gains
an extra tempo compared to Quinteros Andersson/Mar del Plata 1981 which may
not be too important in itself but this clearly gives Black a good game) 14...xc3+
(14...xe7 was pretty good) 15.xc3 (it's better to swap the queens as after 15.bxc3 xe7
the White king is not safe) 15...xc3 16.bxc3 xe7 and Black is completely okay,
Bischoff Van der Sterren/Munich 1990.
14.c1 e4
14...c5 gives White better chances after 15.dxc5 xc5 16.d4
15.xe4
15.xe7 xe7 was also acceptable for Black.
15...dxe4 16.xe7 xe7 17.d2 ce8 18.a3 d5=
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+rsnk+0
9zpp+-trpzpp0
9-+p+-+-+0
9wq-+l+-+-0
9-+-zPp+P+0
9zP-sN-zP-+P0
9-zPQsN-zP-+0
9+KtR-+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
58
This position arose in the game Quinteros Andersson/Mar del Plata 1981. Black has
fortified his e4pawn and his pieces are sufficiently good not to be worried about
possible White activity on the kingside.
59
QGD/11 Exchange Variation Main lines

Ng1-f3 and 0-0 [D36]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 f6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g5 e7 6.e3 bd7 7.d3 0-0
8.f3 e8 9.0-0
Delaying castling may give Black some interesting extra options: 9.c2 c6 (9...c5!?) 10.h3
e4!? 11.xe4 dxe4 12.xe4 a5+ 13.f1 f8 with active play for the pawn.
9...c6 10.c2 f8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqrsnk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzPN+-0
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A start position of this system. White has a lot of possible continuations and it's impossible
to say which is preferable. It's just a matter of taste but of course depends on the
plans which the player has in mind.
11.ab1
This is an old and still most popular continuation. White is preparing for the "minority
attack".
11.h3 is one of the most promising attempts: 11...g6
a) 11...e6 12.fc1!? (12.f4 was also tried. Black can obtain a good play by 12...d6
13.xd6 xd6 14.ab1 e7!? 15.b4 ae8 16.fc1 g6 17.b5 c5 18.dxc5 xc5 and White
should be careful about his kingside such ideas as ...e6xh3 followed by ...e7xe3
60
are hovering over the board, Van Wely Yusupov/Frankfurt Masters 2000)
12...6d7 13.f4 b6 14.ab1 d6 (It was possible to include 14...g6!? 15.h2 d6
but it is not so clear if the Knight is better placed on g6.) 15.e2 g6 It seems that it
was to too bad to do it on the previous move. 16.xd6 xd6 17.a4! ac8 18.c5
b8 19.a3 a6 20.c3 c7 21.bc1 a8 22.d2 with a certain advantage, Karpov
Kharitonov/USSR (ch) 1988
b) 11...d6?! is dubious as the standard ...f8g6 and h7h6 cannot be realised
here. After 12.ae1 d7 (Of course not 12...g6?! 13.e4 dxe4 14.xe4 ruining Black's
pawn structure on the Kside.) 13.a3!? g6 14.e4 dxe4 15.xe4 e7 16.c5 c8
17.c4 Black has got better chances, R.Scherbakov Polovodin/Tula 1999
c) 11...g6 is playable. After 12.xf6 xf6 13.b4 a6 14.a4 e6 15.b5 axb5 16.axb5
d7! White realised that he cannot prevent ...c6c5 so Black's only problem will be
the d5 pawn: 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.e2 c5! and Black held this position without much
problems, Karpov Ehlvest/Vienna 1996
12.xf6 xf6 13.b4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+p+-vln+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-zP-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzPN+P0
9P+Q+-zPP+0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...a6 14.a4 can be met by 14...e7 15.b5 d6 (15...axb5?! is a clear mistake as it made a4
square available for the White's knight: 16.axb5 d7 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.a4 a5 19.d2 c7
20.b3 a7 21.ac5 and Black's life is difficult) 16.bxc6 bxc6 17.f5 a5 18.fc1
f6 19.xc8 exc8 with reasonable play for Black
A straightforward approach 11.xf6 xf6 12.b4 is not very popular nowadays. 12...g4
13.d2 e7 A typical manoeuvre Black moves the bishop to its best square on d6.
(in the game Kortchnoi Karpov/Baguio City (m/31) 1978 White achieved a slight
edge after 13...c8 14.f5 xf5 15.xf5 d7 (15...e6!? was not so bad, keeping
queens on the board: 16.ab1 g6 17.d3 g7 with acceptable play) 16.xd7 xd7
17.a4 e7 18.fb1 f6 19.a5!? Since it is hard to realise the plan b4b5xc6 White
comes up with an interesting scheme: he blockades the kingside and hopes to target
the b7 pawn at a future date via the center or the kingside. Black's position is safe
and solid but he has no active possibilities at all. 19...a6 20.a4 f8 21.c5 e7
22.f1 e8 23.e2 d6 24.d3 and Black has not managed to hold this endgame
although it is obviously drawn) 14.ab1 (White cannot advance 14.b5?! without
sufficient control over the c5 square: 14...c5! 15.dxc5 xc5 16.b3 b6 with already
better chances for Black) 14...d6 15.f5 h5! A modern and concrete approach to
the dilemma of exchanging lightsquare bishops: here Black's is more useful and so
61
he refrains from its trade. 16.fc1 (16.b5?! is still in Black's favour: 16...c5 17.xd5 cxd4
18.e4 e2 19.fe1 d3) 16...g6 17.d3 (17.h3?! was dubious: 17...e6 18.xe6 xe6 19.h3
g5! with an advantage for Black.) 17...g5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+rsnk+0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-+pvl-+p+0
9+-+p+-wql0
9-zP-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzP-+-0
9P+QsN-zPPzP0
9+RtR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
with a good counterplay, Timman Kasparov/London 1984
11.ae1 Black has tried lots of continuations here. 11...e4 This manoeuvre is quite typical
for the "Karlsbad structure".
a) 11...e6 seems to be weaker. After 12.e5 6d7 13.xe7 xe7 14.f4 f6 15.f3
the position looks similar to Browne Lukov but with a little difference which is
rather important. Compared to the line 11. e5 g4 White has secured both knights
so he has much more active possibilities. In particular, the knight on f3 not only help
with a possible kingside attack with g2g4, h2h4, g4g5 its potential is far
greater... 15...c8 16.f5 f7 17.g4 c5 18.f2 a6 19.h4! A very good manoeuvre.
The knight is going to f4 to exert pressure on the d5 pawn. 19...b5 20.a3 It was
dubious to allow ...b5b4 followed by ...c5c4. 20...b6 21.g2 ce8 22.c1! A
subtle move. 22...d6 23.f4 with advantage, Rogers Speelman/Spain 1994
b) Among the many possibilities which Black has tried in this position I would like
to pay attention to the move 11...g6 A possible continuation is 12.e5 e6 13.f4
(13.h4!? g7 14.f3 deserves attention) 13...g7 14.h3 f5 15.g4 xd3 16.xd3 d7!
17.xe7 xe7 18.e4 f6 with mutual chances.
12.xe7 (12.f4 has been played from time to time. Probably Black's most reliable answer is
12...f5 with the possible followup 13.h3 xc3 14.bxc3 xd3 15.xd3 g6 with
acceptable play) 12...xe7 13.xe4 dxe4 14.d2 f5
62
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+rsnk+0
9zpp+-wq-zpp0
9-+p+-+-+0
9+-+-+p+-0
9-+-zPp+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9+-+-tRRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15.f3 The main continuation which is quite consistent with previous play. (15.d5 does not
pose any problems for Black: 15...d7! The best defence. 16.f3 (16.b3 is not
dangerous for Black: 16...cxd5 17.xb7 (17.xd5?! allows Black to take the
initiative: 17...f7 18.c7 e6 19.xe6 xe6) 17...eb8! 18.xd5+ e6 19.c6 d7
and White should take a draw by repetition.) 16...exf3 17.xf3 cxd5 18.xd5 e4
19.xe4 xe4 20.d4 ae8 and Black has no problems at all, Spassov Van der
Sterren/Albena 1983) 15...exf3 16.xf3 e6 17.e4 fxe4 18.xe4 h6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+rsnk+0
9zpp+-wq-zp-0
9-+p+l+-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zPR+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzPQ+-+PzP0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position has been played many of times but White has failed to prove any advantage.
19.fe1 (in case of 19.e2 Black can get a counterplay by 19...b4! 20.a3 b3 21.d2
d5 22.xe8 xe8 23.e5 e6 24.c3 b6 25.xd5 and now 25...xd4+! 26.xd4 xd4=)
19...ad8 It is known that the pin over efile cannot give anything tangible for
White. 20.h3!?
a) White has tried many possibilities here, for example: 20.1e3 f7 21.e2 c4
22.e1 xe4 23.xe4 e6 24.h4 e8 25.e5 f6 26.g3 d8 with a small edge
for Black
b) 20.e5 f7 21.b4?! (21.a3) 21...d7 22.a5? (22.5e3) 22...g4 with the
initiative
20...d6 21.1e3 Both sides consolidated their armies. White's position does not look
promising to fight for advantage, Yussupow Kramnik/Vienna Millenium 1996
63
11.e5 This activelooking move only makes Black's defence easier. 11...g4! Black has
tried various moves here but the text seems to be the safest and most solid one.
12.xe7 xe7 13.xg4 xg4 14.ae1 h5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+rsnk+0
9zpp+-wqpzpp0
9-+p+-+-+0
9+-+p+-+l0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzP-+-0
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9+-+-tRRmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Here a lot of continuations have been tested. The immediate bishop retreat seems to be one
of the most reliable. White's possible plan is: f2f4f5 then Rf4, Qf2, g4, h4 trying
to seize the initiative on the queenside. The first problem Black has to solve is:
where is the proper place for the Bishop in view of all this? The correct answer is on
f7 where it not only covers some important squares on the kingside but also helps to
create queenside counterplay with ...c6c5. 15.f4 f6 16.f2 (16.f5 f7 17.f2 ad8= is
also good for Black) 16...g6!? Black provokes f4f5 at the cost of a tempo so as to
make clarify the structure. 17.f5 (17.xg6 xg6 18.f5 was pointless as after 18...h8!
Black will transfer his knight to d6 obtaining small advantage) 17...f7 18.h1 a6
19.g1 c5 20.g4 h6 21.h4 h7 22.a3 b5 Both sides are playing very logically. Black
has successfully defended on the kingside and now begins actions on the opposite
side of the board where he has a pawn majority. Of course White cannot wait
otherwise his queenside will be destroyed. 23.e4! cxd4 (23...dxe4? was just bad
because of 24.xe4 ad8 25.c6+) 24.xd5 This position arose in the game Browne
Lukov/Palma de Mallorca 1989. Here 24...e5 seemed much more reliable:
25.f4 c4 26.b1 ad8 27.g3 a5 28.b3 f7 with mutual chances.
11...g6
One of the safest and most solid continuations.
Instead of this standard approach Black tested a number of moves, the main possibilities
being: 11...a5
11...e4
11...g6
12.b4
64
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+p+-snn+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-zP-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzPN+-0
9P+Q+-zPPzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...a6
12...d6 was also tried. At first sight the play without the inclusion ...a6 and a4 seems to be
in White's favour but Black is not without a counterplay anyway: 13.b5!? (13.f5
xf5 14.xf5 can be strongly met by 14...d7! and White is forced to swap the queens:
15.xd7 xd7 16.b5 b6 with roughly equal endgame) 13...h6 14.xf6 (14.xh6? does
not work: 14...gxh6 15.xg6 fxg6 16.xg6+ h8 17.xh6+ h7, 14.bxc6 bxc6 15.xf6 xf6
16.e4 can be met by a standard 16...f4! 17.e5 e6! 18.e2 xd3 19.xd3 e7 (the fact
the apawns are on the board deprives Black of the possibility of activating the
Bishop on a6) 20.fc1 f5 21.c3 d7 22.g3 e6 23.e1 eb8 24.d3 g6 25.b3 b6
26.c5 c8 27.f1 h5 28.e1 h4 29.h3 ab8 with excellent play) 14...xf6 15.e4! (now
15.fe1 is out of the point: 15...g4 16.d2 h4 with initiative on the Kside.)
15...f4! 16.e5 e6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-+pvlq+-zp0
9+P+pzP-+-0
9-+-zP-sn-+0
9+-sNL+N+-0
9P+Q+-zPPzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17.e1
a) 17.exd6?! was in Black's favour: 17...g4 18.h4 (18.e1 xe1 19.f3 xf1+ 20.xf1
e6) 18...xh4 19.fe1 h3 with an attack.
b) 17.h4?! was also dubious: 17...g4 18.g3 xd3 19.exd6 f4 and the Knight
escapes.
65
c) 17.e2!? deserved attention: 17...xd3 (17...xg2? 18.g3!+, 17...xe2+ 18.xe2!

c7 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.fc1 d7 21.a6 <>c6) 18.xd3 c7 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.fc1 with
unclear play
17...f8 18.e2 (The preliminary 18.bxc6?! bxc6 gave Black an extra possibility in activating
the Bishop: 19.e2 xd3 20.xd3 a6) 18...xd3 19.xd3 cxb5! Otherwise it could
be very difficult to solve the problem of the c6 pawn. 20.df4! (After the hasty
20.xb5 Black could quickly activate his pieces: 20...a6 21.b1 (21.xd5? e6,
21.b3 b6! 22.ef4 d7 23.xd5 a4 24.c3 ac8) 21...f5 taking the initiative.) and
here Black should have played 20...c6!? (20...g4? 21.xb5 b6 22.h3 g5 23.b3!
Dydyshko Kveinys/Moscow 1994) 21.b3 (21.d3 b4! 22.fc1 d7) 21...b4
22.fc1 (22.bc1 a6 23.xd5) 22...a6 23.c7 e6 24.bc1 with complicated
play.
13.a4 d6
Black is threatening to trap the Bishop with ...h7h6.
14.fe1!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqr+k+0
9+p+-+pzpp0
9p+pvl-snn+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9PzP-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzPN+-0
9-+Q+-zPPzP0
9+R+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
An interesting attempt. White tries to combine both b4b5 and e3e4 ideas.
Before only 14.b5 was played: 14...axb5 15.axb5 h6 16.xf6 xf6 and now: 17.fe1
a) 17.bxc6 bxc6 18.e4 (18.b6 g4 19.d2 e6 20.a4 h4 with the initiative)
18...f4! 19.e5 e6! (a typical resource) 20.e2 xd3 21.xd3 a6 with excellent
play
b) 17.e4 f4! (17...dxe4 is weaker because of 18.xe4 f4 19.xd6 xd6 20.bxc6 bxc6
21.fc1 with a small advantage) 18.e5 e6!
17...g4 18.d2 h4 with a queenside initiative.
14...g4!
14...h6?! 15.xf6 xf6 16.e4 may be unfavourable for Black.
15.h4 h5!?
66
After 15...d7 16.h3 White has a small advantage.
16.xg6 xg6 17.h4!

(...Bh2 was threatened)
17...e7 18.xf6 xf6 19.xg6

The immediate 19.b5? was a serious inaccuracy as after 19...xd3 20.xd3 axb5 21.axb5
c5! 22.dxc5? a3 is followed by ...a5 capturing the Knight.
19...hxg6 20.b5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqr+k+0
9+p+-+pzp-0
9p+p+-vlp+0
9+P+p+-+-0
9P+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9-+Q+-zPPzP0
9+R+-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has finally advanced his bpawn and probably stands slightly better. But his
advantage is not so easy to increase as Black can successfully fight against the
possible transfer of the knight to c5.
20...c8!?
Black wisely refrains from exchanging the pawns so as not to make the a4 square available
for the knight. Notice another interesting idea: Black also does not play ... a6a5,
trying to use the a5 square for the queen!
21.bxa6 bxa6 22.e2 e7 23.ed1 c5

with a slightly worse but quite defensible position, Knaak Balashov/Berlin 1988.
67
5 Bf4 System
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-vlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-vL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The system with 5. c1f4 is rather popular nowadays. It offers many attractive
variations for those who like boring play with a small, often disappearing, advantage but
with no counter chances for the opponents, as well as for the tough fighters, who try to
destroy their rivals from the very beginning even if this involves conceding real
counterplay.
The theory of the system 5. f4 is well developed but there are many different
variations and many strong players are searching for the truth, so surprises are quite
possible either in the wellbeaten or in the almost forgotten paths. Read "Chess Publishing"
and be a pioneer good luck!
68
QGD/12 5.Bf4 Black delays ...c7c5

[D37]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7 4.f3 f6 5.f4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-vlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-vL-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The system with 5. c1-f4 is rather popular nowadays. It offers many attractive variations
for those who like boring play with a small, often disappearing, advantage but with
no counter chances for the opponents, as well as for the tough fighters, who try to
destroy their rivals from the very beginning even if this involves conceding real
counterplay.
5...0-0 6.e3
69
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zppzp-vlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-vL-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
6...bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zppzpnvlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-vL-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black delays the programmed advance ...c7c5 for a while, hoping to gain a tempo is White
develops his lightsquared bishop or to see the less useful move.
Sometimes Black prefers to postpone a confrontation in the center by playing 6...c6,
avoiding the positions an isolated dpawn or the complications with opposed
castled kings. However, it is somewhat passive and the future attempts to get active
counterplay won't be as easy as Black is hoping for. 7.c2 bd7 8.h3 a6 9.d1
Black keeps in mind a capture on c4 so White is in no hurry to develop the king's
bishop, playing as many useful moves as possible first. The rook is good on d1 in
case of a possible ...c6c5 too. 9...h6 (The queenside action 9...b5 would be met by
10.c5 and after 10...b4 11.a4 a5 12.d3 a6 13.xa6 xa6 14.0-0 c8 15.e1
d8 16.d3 c7 17.a3 bxa3 18.bxa3 e8 19.xc7 xc7 20.b1 e5 21.b6! aa8
(21...xb6 22.cxb6 xb6 23.xb6 xb6 24.xe5 e6 25.c1+) 22.b2 White achieves a
tangible advantage) 10.a3 dxc4 (It wasn't so easy for Black to keep patience in a
rather dull situation but such a waiting move as 10...e8!? would be playable)
11.xc4 d5 (11...b5 12.a2 b7 13.e4 e8 14.b1 is clearly better for White) 12.0-0!
(The routine 12.g3 xc3 13.xc3 could also secure the edge but the text is more
energetic.) 12...xf4 13.exf4 The downside of damaging the pawn structure would
70
be probably outweighed by some obvious benefits. White has secured control over
the center, gained the efile for the rook Black can only dream about getting his
c8bishop into play. The fpawn would be used as a ram at some point and, as we'll
see, the dpawn is not fixed, either. The game Kramnik Lputian/Debrecen 1992
continued 13...c7 14.e5 f6 (The attempt 14...c5!? deserved attention but
White's pieces are too active to allow Black to get activity. A possible line was
15.a2!? (15.d5 xe5 16.fxe5 xe5 17.fe1) 15...xe5 (15...cxd4? 16.b1 f6 17.d5!+)
16.dxe5 b5 17.b1 g6 18.d3! with an attack on the kingside) 15.a2 d7
16.b1 and White has obtained a clear advantage.
Another opportunity to delay ...c7c5 is 6...b6 but it's not much popular: 7.cxd5 xd5
8.xd5 xd5 (8...exd5 is a less popular alternative. A possible line is 9.d3 b4+
10.e2 (10.d2!?) 10...d6 11.xd6 xd6 12.c1 (12.c2 a6 13.hd1) 12...c5!
(12...a6?! 13.xa6 xa6 14.a4 b5 15.c2) 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.a4 a6 15.hd1 xd3+
16.xd3 with a typical stable advantage for White thanks to the pressure over the
"hanging pawns") 9.d3 The game Sakaev Tregubov, TchRUS St.Petersburg
1999 continued by 9...c5!? This programmed advance looks like a blunder as Black
loses a pawn at once. However everything is not so clear (The more reliable 9...a6
doesn't solve the problems completely. After 10.0-0 c5 11.e4 b7 12.d5 exd5 13.exd5 xd3
14.xd3 a6 15.ad1 White keeps better chances thanks to the strong passed pawn)
10.c2 Thanks to the threat Bd3e4 White wins a pawn h7. 10...b7 The only
move. 11.xh7+ h8 12.d3 (12.dxc5!? was also possible: 12...xc5 (12...g6
13.xg6 fxg6 14.xg6) 13.xc5 xc5 14.d3 with an extra pawn in the endgame
but perhaps White didn't want to sacrifice the bishop.) 12...a6 A capture of the
pawn h7 cost White two tempi and, as often happens, Black gained the initiative.
Now ...Na6b4 should be prevented. 13.a3 cxd4 14.exd4 a5+! 15.e2
(Unfortunately for White, 15.d2 could have been strongly met by 15...b4!
16.xb4 (16.b1 xd3+ 17.xd3 h5) 16...xb4+ 17.e2 ac8 with excellent
compensation for the pawn.) 15...ac8 16.d2 h5 All Black's pieces are very
active. 17.hc1 and here 17...cd8!? would promise Black satisfactory counterplay.
Yet, this approach looks risky and White's play would be definitely improved.
7.a3
7.c2 is an alternative: 7...c5 (7...a6 seems dubious as after 8.cxd5 exd5 9.d3 c6 the
transposition to the Carlsbad pawn structure seems to be clearly in White's favour.
The move a7a6 might be a waste of time while the position of the bishop on f4
(instead of g5) has its benefits such typical manoeuvres as ...Nf6e4 (after Rf8
e8) or ...Nf8g6 have no effect as the bishop is already secured from exchange. The
game Khalifman Kamsky/Wch (m/2) Las Vegas 1999 continued by 10.h3 e8 11.g4
f8 12.0-0-0 e6 13.g5!? and White began direct actions on the kingside) 8.dxc5
xc5 with playable but probably slightly worse position for Black.
7.c5 can be met by 7...h5 8.e2 (White has really struggled to prove anything after 8.d3
xf4 9.exf4 b6 10.b4 a5 11.a3 c6 12.0-0 c7) 8...c6 9.0-0 xf4 10.exf4 Grischuk
Gelfand/Kazan RUS 2011.
7...c5
71
The main option, otherwise Black would begin to lose time, giving White more chances to
arrange his pieces in the best possible way.
8.cxd5
8.dxc5 does not promise much: 8...xc5 9.cxd5 (9.e2 fe4) 9...xd5 10.xd5 xd5!?
with a good play for Black.
8...xd5 9.xd5 exd5 10.dxc5 xc5 11.e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-snpvL-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9zP-+-zPN+-0
9-zP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A typical position with an isolated pawn is reached.
11.e2 f6 12.e5 xe5 13.xe5 e6 Wojtaszek Berkes/Paks HUN 2011.
11...f5!?
Black has also tried some other possibilities: 11...g4 12.e2 f6 (the other options would
help Black to get rid of the isolated pawn but they do not completely equalise:
12...e6 13.0-0 f6 14.xf6 xf6 15.xd5 xb2 16.d3, or 12...xf3 13.xf3 f6 14.xf6
xf6 15.xd5 xb2 16.0-0 with a small advantage for White in both cases) 13.xf6
xf6 14.d4 e4 (or 14...xd4 15.xd4 xe2 16.xe2 fc8 17.ac1 e6 18.f5 and so
on) 15.xf6 xf6 16.d4 xe2 17.xe2 fc8 18.ac1 a6 19.f3 White has got a
typical small and stable advantage. Black should hold such endgame with precise
play but White can pressurize comfortably and long in the game Leitao
Bruzon/Havana 2003 Black has eventually failed to hold on.
11...f6 has been played a lot: 12.xf6 xf6 13.d4 (in case of 13.c1 an isolated pawn's
dream would come true after 13...e6 14.c2 d8 15.d2 d4! 16.xd4 xd4 17.xd4 e6
18.e2 xd4 19.xd4 xd4 20.exd4 d8 21.f3 b6 22.e2 xd4 23.c1 c4 24.xc4 xc4+
25.e3 f8= with a dead draw) 13...xd4
a) 13...d6!? seems to be a good alternative: 14.d1 d8 15.c4 (or 15.d3 xd3+
16.xd3 f5 17.c3 e4 18.0-0 xf3 19.gxf3 g6+ 20.h1 f5 with excellent play) 15...f5
16.0-0 c2! 17.c1 dxc4 18.xc2 b5 19.xd6 xd6 20.d4 a6 21.b1 ad8 and
Black is completely OK
72
b) 13...e7!? is also worthy of consideration: 14.d1 d8 15.d3 (15.e2 f5 was

fine for Black) 15...xd3+ 16.xd3 f5 17.c3 ac8 18.0-0 xc3 19.xc3 c8
20.b3 e4 21.d4 h6 22.f3 g6 23.e1 c4 24.d1 c5 25.d2 a5 and White
cannot achieve much
14.xd4 d7 15.f3 White has achieved a typical small advantage in the endgame thanks
to the better pawn structure. Black can defend such positions with isolated pawn but
he should play accurately and in the game Zvjagintsev Lputian/Poikovsky 2003 he
has failed to get half a point.
12.e2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-snpvLl+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9zP-+-zPN+-0
9-zP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
12...f6!?
A straightforward approach.
12...a5!? is an alternative, which gives acceptable play for Black after 13.0-0 a4 14.c1 e4
and so on.
13.xf6 xf6 14.d4

This position arose in the game Anand Kramnik/WCh (m/4) Bonn 2008, which continued
14...e6!? 15.xf5
This capture does not look very promising but otherwise Black would equalise by capturing
on d4.
15...xf5 16.0-0 fd8
73
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-+n+-+0
9+-+p+q+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9zP-+-zP-+-0
9-zP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
and Black has no problems playing this position with isolated pawn as he keeps better
control over the d4square. However, some accuracy is required as he might still get
worse after possible exchange of central pawns, having the knight against White's
bishop.
74
QGD/13 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c5 [D37]

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 f4 0-0 6 e3 bd7 7 c5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zppzpnvlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-zPp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A common reaction. White prevents ...c7c5 once and for all, at the same time gaining
space on the Qside.
Other options, such as 7 a3 and 7. Qc2 are considered in the line D37 QGD/10 5. Bf4
7...c6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+nvlpzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+-zPp+-+-0
9-+-zP-vL-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black refrained from thematic ...c7c5, which usually leads to the positions with isolated
pawn. His pawn structure is solid here but at the same time he does not have space,
75
sufficient for active manoeuvring. Yet, the position is getting rather closed and it is
going to be tough to break Black's defence.
8 h3
White often plays this prophylactic move before developing his lightsquared bishop to d3.
The point is obvious he wants to save time if Black comes up with a typical Q
side action.
8 d3 is a natural alternative: 8...b6 (Black can eliminate White's bishop by 8...h5 it takes
time and helps White to fortify his Qside pawn chain. The game Mchedlishvili
Warakomski/Polanica Zdroj 2008 continued 9 c2!? xf4 10 exf4 h6 11 0-0 c7 12 g3 b6
13 b4 a5 14 a3 a6 15 fe1 and White has maintained a small edge but Black's position
remained very solid) 9 b4 a5 This typical Qside action does not break White's pawn
structure but it helps to get rid of the lightsquared bishop, which is very much
desirable for Black because of his lack of space and his pawns arrangement. 10 a3
(10 b5 can be well met by a cool 10...b7!
a) 10...bxc5? is bad due to 11 bxc6
b) while 10...cxb5!? is also playable though White might still achieve somewhat
better chances after 11 xb5!? (11 c6 b4! 12 c1 e4 13 xe4 dxe4 14 d2 f6 is
unclear) 11...bxc5 12 c7 e8 13 d6 xd6 14 xd6 c4 15 c2 a6 16 e5
11 bxc6 xc6 12 cxb6 xb6 13 0-0 fd7 14 c2 h6 15 b5 xb5 (15...c8 16 a7 a4 17
e2 c3 18 b5 xb5 19 xb5) 16 xb5 c4! (16...c8 17 b3) 17 xc4 c8! 18
ab1 xc4, solving the opening problems) 10...a6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9+-+nvlpzpp0
9lzpp+psn-+0
9zp-zPp+-+-0
9-zP-zP-vL-+0
9zP-sNLzPN+-0
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11 0-0
a) An immediate 11 b5 does not promise much: 11...cxb5 12 c6 c8 13 c1 (or 13
xb5 xc6 14 c1 xb5! 15 xc6 xc6 and Black is okay: 16 b3 (16 a4 b4+ 17
e2 e4) 16...b5! 17 0-0 b4 18 axb4 axb4 19 c1 fc8 with excellent play)
13...xc6 14 e2 (14 e4!? c5 15 xf6+ xf6 16 dxc5 bxc5 is also good for Black a
very similar position is considered in the game Milos Vescovi/Sao Paulo 2006)
14...c5 15 dxc5 bxc5 16 a4 b4 17 ed4 b7 18 xa6 xa6 and Black has
achieved the better chances
76
b) an ambitious 11 xa6 xa6 12 b5!? cxb5 13 c6 is rather unclear: 13...c8!

(13...b4? 14 b5 bxa3 15 0-0!) 14 c7! (14 xb5? xc6 15 c7 a7 16 c1 b7 is simply
better for Black) 14...b4 (14...xa3 is well met by 15 xb5! b4+ 16 e2) 15 b5
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15...e4
b1) 15...bxa3 16 0-0 a4 17 c2 gives White sufficient compensation for the pawn
b2) while a typical 15...a4!? with idea ...Ra6a5 deserved attention: 16 c1 e4 (not
16...b3? 17 d6!) 17 d2 df6! (17...c3 18 xc3 bxc3 19 xc3 b5 20 0-0 is simply better
for White) 18 xe4 dxe4!? with unclear play but perhaps White would still get the
edge by playing 19 d6 xd6 20 xd6 b3!? 21 xf8 xf8 22 d2 d5 23 0-0 and
so on.
16 0-0 bxa3 17 a4 (Both 17 c2!?, and 17 d2 xd2 18 xd2 were also worth considering.)
17...g5!? A good reaction, as otherwise White would get time for the better
protection of his main trump the passer on c7. 18 g3 g4 This position arose in the
game Karpov Kir.Georgiev/Dubai 2002, which continued 19 e1!? An interesting
exchange sacrifice. (19 e5 xe5 20 xe5 d7 was okay for Black) 19...d2 20 d1!
xf1 21 xg4+ h8 22 xf1 White's powerful pawn on c7 gives him sufficient
compensation for the exchange but the position is probably roughly balanced.
11...c8 12 h3 As a rule, White does not touch his queen early, playing some useful moves.
a) In case of 12 c2 xd3 13 xd3 Black gets an extra tempo but it does not give
him the right to play ambitiously, as he did in the game Nyback Carlsen/Dresden
(ol) 2008: 13...h5?! 14 e5 b7 15 fc1 fc8 16 h3 xe5 17 xe5 b5 (Black did
not have time to get his knight back into play by 17...f6? because of 18 a4!) 18
cb1 and after a careless 18...c7?! White came up with a typical break on the Q
side by 19 a4! axb4 20 axb5! bxc3 21 xc6 f6 22 xc3 with a big advantage
b) White also tried other moves, which somehow improve his position but does not
change a course of the game very much: 12 b1 axb4 13 axb4 xd3 14 xd3 b7
15 h3 with a typical slight edge
12...b7 (12...xd3 might give White some benefit, which, however, is not so great in such
a closed position: 13 xd3 axb4 (or 13...b7 14 fc1 (14 g4!? axb4 15 axb4 xa1 16
xa1 a8 17 b1 a3 18 c2 h6 19 g2) 14...h6 15 c2 fc8 16 ab1 axb4 17 axb4
a7 18 e1 ca8 19 d3) 14 axb4 b7 15 c2 fc8 16 fb1 d8 17 d2 xa1
18 xa1 a8 19 xa8 xa8 20 a2 xa2 21 xa2 and, thanks to his tangible
space advantage on the Qside White has maintained the pressure. Black has a
77
limited number of squares for manoeuvres but it should still be possible to hold on
such position) 13 b1 (an immediate 13 c2 has been played as well: 13...xd3 14
xd3 a7 (Black also tried the more direct approach: 14...axb4 15 axb4 xa1 16 xa1
a8 For example, 17 b1 a7 18 d2 d8 19 xa7 xa7 20 a2 with a slight edge) 15
d2 (A rearrangement of the major pieces by 15 fb1!? fa8 16 d1 deserves
attention, does not giving Black control over the afile) 15...fa8 16 ab1 axb4 17
axb4 a3 (A typical manoeuvre 17...d8!? deserved attention: 18 b3 b5 with
acceptable play for Black) 18 c2 White's main task is to secure his Qside pawn
chain without giving counter chances to his opponent, then he would begin to think
about possible progress. The game Nakamura Bruzon/Wijk aan Zee B 2004,
continued 18...d8 19 b3 and here Black should have preferred something like
19...b5 sealing the Qside (or exchange a couple of pawns by 19...bxc5 20 bxc5 a6) )
13...axb4 14 axb4 fc8 The game Cheparinov L'Ami, EUch Budva 2009
continued 15 xa6 xa6 (a simple 15...xa6 looked more natural) 16 c2 d8 17
b2 b7 18 e1 c7 19 d3 and White maintained a small advantage.
8...b6 9 b4 a5 10 a3
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10...a6
A slow approach 10...b7 avoids possible sharp variations but it gives White a whole extra
tempo compare to the common lines: 11 d3 c8 (11...axb4?! 12 axb4 xa1 13 xa1
a8 is dubious: 14 0-0 xa1 15 xa1 a8 16 xa8+ xa8 17 a6 with a clear advantage)
12 0-0 (an attempt to prevent Black's thematic action by playing 12 c1 does not
work well: 12...axb4 13 axb4 a6 14 b5?! This tempting push brings White an extra
piece. However, it will turn out soon that Black gets more than sufficient
compensation for it. 14...cxb5 15 c6 xc6 16 e4 (Other retreats: 16 e2 c5 17 dxc5
bxc5, 16 xb5 b4+ 17 f1 c5 18 e5 b7 19 dxc5 bxc5, or 16 a2 c5 17 dxc5 bxc5 18
b4 b6 19 xa6 xa6 20 0-0 c4 were favourable for Black) 16...c5 17 xf6+ xf6
18 dxc5 bxc5 and Black's three connected pawns overwhelmed White's extra piece
in the game Milos Vescovi/Sao Paulo 2006) 12...a6 13 b1!? xd3 14 xd3
and White keeps a small advantage.
78
10...e4!? is a rare but very interesting idea where Black begins action in the center, trying
to gain benefit from the fact that White is still to complete his Kside development:
11 xe4 (11 c1 doesn't bother Black very much: 11...axb4 12 axb4 xa1 13 xa1 bxc5 14
bxc5 f6 with the idea ...d7xc5. Yet White had sufficient compensation after 15 e2
dxc5 16 0-0 d7 17 e5 xc3 18 xc3 e4 19 b4) 11...dxe4 12 e5 (12 d2 is well
met by 12...bxc5 (12...e5!?) 13 dxc5 (13 bxc5?! e5! 14 dxe5 xc5) 13...f6 (or 13...e5!? 14
g3 f5) 14 c4 d5 15 xe4 xf4 16 exf4 c7 with a good play for Black)
12...b7 (12...xe5!? deserves serious attention: 13 xe5 f6! (13...axb4 14 axb4 xa1
15 xa1 f6 16 g3 d5 17 e2 bxc5 18 bxc5 e5 19 dxe5 f5 20 0-0 is better for White) 14 g3
d5! 15 e2 a6 16 0-0 axb4 17 axb4 xe2 18 xe2 b5 and Black has almost
equalised) 13 c4 axb4 14 axb4 xa1 15 xa1 a8 16 b2 (16 b1 bxc5 17 bxc5 a6
is fine for Black) 16...bxc5 17 bxc5 e5 (A preliminary 17...a6!? deserves attention as
well. For example: 18 e2 e5 19 xe5 xe5 20 xe5 xe2 21 xe2 a1+ 22 d1 c3+ 23
d2 a1+= with repetition of moves) 18 xe5 (18 xe5 is hardly better: 18...xe5 19
xe5 a5+ 20 d1 a6 21 xa6 xa6 22 e1 f6 and White had to be careful with his
vulnerable king) 18...xe5 19 xe5 a5+ 20 d2 White still failed to complete
development of his Kside so he should be satisfied Black has no more than
repetition of moves. 20...a1+ 21 d1 c3+ 22 d2 a1+ draw agreed,
Cyborowski Berkes/Trier 2008.
11 xa6 xa6
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12 b5
A straightforward approach.
After 12 0-0 c8 13 c2 b7 14 ab1 White keeps a small advantage but Black's position
is quite solid and playable: 14...axb4 15 axb4 a7 (Black also tried other options,
such as 15...fa8 16 fc1 (16 e1 b5 17 d3 d8 18 f3 c7 19 g4) 16...b5 17 d2 d8
18 b3 h6 (or 18...c7 19 xc7 xc7 20 f4 h6 21 f1 8a7 22 a5) 19 a1 xa1 20 xa1
xa1+ 21 xa1 c7 22 b3 with a typical small advantage for White) 16 d2
fa8 In some games, in which White was less precise in the opening, this position
has been reached with two extra moves for Black, ...b7b5 and ...a7a3. However,
79
in such closed positions time is less important. 17 fc1 (If, for some strange reason,
White played 17 d3 then the position from the game Nakamura Bruzon/Wijk aan
Zee B 2004 would have been reached) 17...h6 (An immediate 17...b5 is playable: 18
b2 d8 19 a1 xa1 20 xa1 xa1+ 21 xa1 with a small edge) 18 b3 b5 In many
games in such position White maintained a slight edge by swapping the rooks along
the afile. The more ambitious approach 19 f3 might eventually give Black counter
chances, as happened in the game Khismatullin Zvjaginsev/RUSch Krasnoyarsk
2007: 19...f8 20 e4 e8 21 e1 (It deserved attention to swap a pair of rooks by 21
a1!?, preventing Black's possible invasion through the afile once and for all)
21...d7 22 h2 g6 23 e5 d8 24 g4 c7 25 e2 f5 and so on.
12...cxb5 13 c6! c8! 14 c7!

The point of White's play he gets a very strong passer on c7. However, Black has got an
extra pawn and counter chances on the Qside.
14 xb5 does not promise much: 14...xc6 15 c7 a7 16 c1 b7 17 b5 aa8 18 c7
a6 19 a4 b4+!? 20 f1 fd8! followed by ...Nf6e8.
14...b4 15 b5 a4
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A typical push with the idea to not only get a strong passer after ...b4b3 but also to disturb
his opponent's knight by ...a6a5.
15...bxa3 does not bother White very much: 16 0-0 a4
a) other options do not solve the problems: 16...a8 17 c2 e4 (17...a6 18 c6)
18 c6 h6 19 fc1 b4 20 c2
b) or 16...e4 17 c2
17 c2 e4 (17...a5 18 d6!) 18 fc1 and White secures his main trump: 18...h6 19 h2 g6
20 e1 a8 21 f3 a6 22 ab1 ef6 23 d6! xd6 24 xd6 fc8 25 c6+
16 c1
White gives more support to his powerful c7pawn.
80
An alternative 16 axb4 deserves attention as well: 16...xb4+ 17 e2 a5 18 d3 (not 18

xa4? xb5 19 d3 failed to 19...e4! 20 c1 c5! 21 dxc5 dxc5 and Black gets material
advantage: 22 b5 xa4 23 xa4 c3+ 24 xc3 xc3 Yet, White keeps compensation
for the exchange after 25 d6 e8 but it's hard to believe it might promise any
winning chances) 18...e4!? (18...a6 can be well met by the strong 19 d6! (19
hb1 is less promising as 19...xb5 20 xb5 xb5 21 xa4 c8 22 bxb4 xb4 23 xb4 e8
24 b2 f8 25 c2 e7 and Black solves the problems) 19...xd6 (19...c8?! is very
risky for Black: 20 xb4 xb5 (or 20...xb5 21 xb5 xb5 22 xa4, locking up the rook
on b5) 21 a2! (21 hc1?! e8) 21...xc7 22 ha1 c4 23 xa4 c8 24 a8 and
Black has to give up his queen by 24...bxb4 25 xc8+ xc8) 20 xd6 xd3+ 21
xd3 e4 22 c8 xc8 23 xc8 xf2+ 24 c3 xh1 25 xh1 and White has won
a piece and achieved good winning chances, Akobian A.Onischuk/Merida 2008)
19 hc1 a6
a) 19...b7?! would be met with 20 g5! (20 ab1 e7 is okay for Black) 20...xg5
(20...c8?! 21 xe4 dxe4 22 c4) 21 d6!! and Black faces problems: 21...c5 (or
21...c5 22 dxc5 c8 23 f4) 22 xf8 xf8 23 f3! f5 24 dxc5 xc5 (24...bxc5 25
cb1+) 25 b1 a6 26 b4 xb5 27 c8+! xc8 28 xb5+
b) perhaps a restrained 19...e7!? is more precise but it requires more analysis
20 d6 (20 ab1 e7) 20...xd3+ 21 xd3 xd6 22 c8 xc8 23 xc8+ f8 This ending
has been considered acceptable for Black thanks to his Qside passers but White
might still hope for advantage: 24 c7! a6 (24...xf2+?! 25 e2 e4 26 d8 df6 27
xb6 b5 28 c5) 25 d8 df6 26 a2 b5 27 e5 and 27...b4? fails to a shocking 28
a5!! xa5 (28...b3 29 b4+) 29 c6+
16...e4
Neither 16...b3 17 d6!
or 16...a5 17 d6! can solve Black's problems.
17 d2!
White did not have time for 17 0-0? due to 17...a5!
17...df6
17...c3 does not seem equalising: 18 xc3 bxc3 19 xc3 with better chances for White.
For example, 19...b5 20 0-0 b7 21 c2 with advantage.
In case of 17...e5 White secures his advantage 18 xe4! dxe4 19 xe5 xe5 20 dxe5 c5
21 d5!? bxa3 22 c6 and so on.
18 f3
81
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18...xd2!?
This simple capture deserved serious attention.
18...a5?! was known to be acceptable for Black but it is far from truth: 19 xe4! (19
fxe4?! is weaker: 19...xb5 20 g5 (20 xa4?! a5 21 c6 bxa3) 20...b3 21 e5 xa3!
22 xf6! (22 exf6? xc1 23 xc1 b2-+, 22 a1? e4 23 xe4 b4+ 24 d2 xc7-+)
22...gxf6 23 exf6 h8 24 c6 g8 and White has to look for equality: 25 f3 b2! 26
e5 xg2 (26...b1?? 27 xf7#) 27 b1 b3 28 f1! g6! 29 e2 xf6 30 f1 xf1
31 xf1 b1 32 f6+ g8 33 g5+!? (33 xf7+ h8 34 f6+=) 33...f8 34 d7+
e8 35 f6+ f8 36 d7+= with perpetual check) 19...xe4 20 fxe4 xb5 21
xa4 a5 22 c6 bxa3 23 exd5 xd5 24 xb6 d7 25 0-0 c8 Both sides have got
strong passed pawns but White's passer is stronger because White's pieces are much
more active! The game Tomashevsky Riazantsev/RUSch Superfinal Moscow
2008 continued 26 c6! h6 (Perhaps 26...b4!? was more stubborn: 27 b7 g5 28
b6!? a5 (28...g7 29 xc8! xc8 30 b8 a6 31 xb4! a2 (31...gxf4 32 b8+) 32
a1 d7 33 b8 xc7 34 xc7 a3 35 e5+ f6 36 g3 xe3+ 37 f2 c3 38 xa2
c1+ 39 h2 f4+ 40 g3 xd4 41 b7+ g6 42 a6+) 29 xg5! xc7 30
b8+ f8 31 d8! aa7 with chances to survive as the position remained quite
complicated) 27 fc1 h7 28 a6! f5 29 d6! h4 30 xa3 and White has got a
decisive advantage.
19 xd2 d7
82
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20 d6
Or 20 d6 c8 21 xb4 xd6 22 xd6 xc7 23 xc7 xc7 24 d2 a8 25 c1 d8
20...xd6 21 xd6 c8 22 xb4 e8 23 g3 xc7 24 0-0 e8
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Black keeps good chances to neutralise White's pressure.
83
QGD/14 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 various White

systems [D37]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7 4.f3 f6 5.f4 0-0
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6.e3
6.c1 is a very rare option but perhaps it's a bit underestimated. 6...c5!? (6...dxc4 may lead
to problems: 7.e4 The point of delaying e2e3. 7...c5 (Both 7...b5 8.xb5 b4+ 9.c3
xe4 10.xc4, and 7...b4 8.e5 d5 9.g5 followed by f1xc4 give White the better
chances) 8.xc4 cxd4 9.xd4 White's advantage in development certainly promises
him the better chances, Jakovenko Ghaem Maghami, KhantyMansyjsk (ol) 2010)
7.dxc5 xc5 8.cxd5 (White can also play 8.e3 c6 and here 9.a3 transposes to the
line, which is considered below) 8...exd5 9.e3 c6 10.e2 (not 10.a3 d4!, or 10.d3?!
d4!, which gives Black the better chances) 10...d4!? (10...e6 11.0-0 promises small
advantage for White, according to the tournament practice) 11.exd4 xd4 12.0-0
xc3! (in case of 12...f5 White would maintain small advantage by 13.a4!?)
13.xc3 e6 Black has obtained a good play but perhaps White can still hope for a
slight edge.
6...c5 7.dxc5 xc5 8.a3 c6 9.c1

84
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This continuation is less popular than the common 9. c2. Here Black has a wide choice.
9...a6
There are many possibilities. Some examples: 9...dxc4 10.xc4 xd1+ 11.xd1 a6 12.d3
d8 13.a4!? a7 14.c7 d7 15.b6 d5 16.xa7 xa7 17.c4 b5 18.xd5 xd5
19.xd5 exd5 20.c3 e6 21.d4! xd4 22.exd4 with stable advantage
9...e7 10.cxd5 exd5 11.e2 e6 12.d4 c8 13.0-0 a6 14.xc6 xc6 15.e5, and Black
has not equalised
9...d4 10.exd4 (10.xd4 can be met by an interesting 10...e5! 11.b3 xa3 12.bxa3 exf4 13.xd8
xd8 14.exf4 e6 with a compensation) 10...xd4 11.e5
a) 11.e2 is an alternative: 11...e7 (11...xe2 12.xe2) 12.b4 d8 13.d2 xf3+
(13...xe2 14.xe2) 14.xf3 d4 15.0-0 e5 16.c2 e6 17.c5 with small advantage
b) 11.b4 forces the issue in the center, 11...xf3+ 12.xf3 d4 13.b5 see
Grischuk Gelfand/Kazan RUS 2011.
11...b6 12.d3 b7 13.0-0 h6 14.b4!? e7 15.b5! and Black still faces problems.
10.b4
The alternative 10.cxd5 seems less promising as after 10...exd5 it's almost impossible for
White to prevent the simplifying ...d5d4. 11.d3
a) 11.g5?! was proved to be dubious in the game which continued 11...d4!
12.b5?! (according to Nigel Short, White already faced problems: 12.e4 a5+
13.b4 xb4 14.axb4 xb4+ 15.ed2 e4 16.f4 dxe3 17.xe3 d8, 12.xf6 gxf6 13.e4
b6, 12.exd4 xd4 13.xd4 xd4! 14.xd4 xd4 15.e2 e8) 12...dxe3! 13.xd8
(13.xc5 exf2+ 14.e2 e7+-+) 13...exf2+ 14.e2 xd8 and White is in trouble
b) 11.e2 is harmless for Black: 11...d4 12.exd4 (12.b5 axb5 13.xc5 dxe3 14.xe3
b4=) 12...xd4 13.xd4 xd4 14.0-0 e6 15.d2 b6 16.a4 a7 17.cd1 ad8
with unclear play

c) 11.b4 a7 12.e2 d4 looks equal as well: 13.exd4 xd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.e3
xd1+ 16.xd1 d7 17.f3 a5 18.xb7 xe3 19.xe3 ab8 20.f3=
11...a7 (11...g4 is also not so bad) 12.0-0 d4 13.exd4 xd4 14.xd4 xd4 15.e3 h4
16.xa7 xa7 17.a4 xa4 18.xa4 The ending is drawish but Black should play
85
precisely. 18...e6! (18...b5 19.c5) 19.e2 e8 20.fe1 f8 21.h3 b5 22.c5 d5

with equality.
10...d6
Black has also tried the other bishop's retreat to e7 and a7, but it seems that White keeps the
advantage in all lines: 10...e7 11.c5 h5 12.a4 (12.d3 xf4 13.exf4) 12...xf4
13.exf4 c7 14.b6 b8 15.d2 d7 16.d3 f6 17.0-0 e7 18.fe1
10...a7 11.c5 h6 12.e2 b8 13.0-0 e5 14.g3
11.g5!?
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An interesting idea to pressurise Black's position in the center.
11.xd6 seems less promising: 11...xd6 12.e2 (or 12.cxd5 exd5 13.e2 g4 14.0-0 fd8)
12...d8 13.cxd5 exd5 14.0-0 g4 with good play for Black.
11...a5!?
In reply Black begins concrete actions against White's Qside a rather unusual and risky
approach.
11...e7 does not promise a full equality: 12.c5!? h6 13.h4 d7 14.g3 b6 15.cxb6 xb6
16.e2 b7 17.0-0
12.b5 e5 13.xe5
13.c5 is an interesting idea. However, it does not promise real chances to get advantage:
13...xf3+ 14.gxf3! (in case of 14.xf3?! White's idea did not work well: 14...xc5
15.xd5 exd5 16.xc5 d6 with a strong initiative) 14...xc5 15.xd5 xd5 16.xd5
xd5 17.xc5 This position arose in the game Najer Kaidanov/Moscow 2003.
White has got a pair of bishops in the endgame but a lack of development and the
poor position of the bishop on g5 do not give him real chances to obtain an
advantage. The game continued 17...f6 18.h4 d7 19.e4 b6 20.g3 e5 21.f4
ac8! with a good play for Black.
86
13...xe5 14.c5 a4!
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Preventing the annoying Nc3a4.
15.f4 xc3+ 16.xc3

Black's position looks bad but a beautiful and fairly unexpected idea of Vishy Anand gives
him reasonable counter chances.
16...e5!!
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A brilliant resource if White was able to put his queen on d4 then the whole Black's set
up was just wrong.
17.xf6
The point of Black's trick is that 17.fxe5? fails due to the unexpected 17...a5!
17...xf6 18.fxe5 h4+
87
Before taking the pawn e5 Black can force some weakening of the White's Kside.
19.g3 e4 20.g1 g4!?

20...xe5 is also playable: 21.d4 h5 22.h4 g4 23.d3 f3! 24.f2 e4 25.xe4 dxe4
26.xe4 ad8 with good compensation for the pawn thanks to the vulnerable
position of the White king.
21.g2 xe5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9+p+-+pzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+PzPpwq-+-0
9p+-+-+l+0
9zP-tR-zP-zP-0
9-+-+-+LzP0
9+-+QmK-tR-0
xiiiiiiiiy
It looks like White should be very careful in this complicated position. Black keeps the
initiative, P.H.Nielsen Kaidanov/Bled (ol) 2002.
88
QGD/15 5. Bf4 0-0 6. e3 c5 the line Qd1c2 and 0-0-0 [D37]

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 f4 0-0 6 e3 c5 7 dxc5 xc5 8 c2

c6 9 a3 a5 10 0-0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-vlp+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
At first sight it appears that White takes too much risk castling queenside however, he
supposes that the activity of his pieces won't give Black the time to think about
attacking.
10...e7
89
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This bishop's retreat is recently the most popular continuation.
Black has also tried a lot of possibilities. The position after 10...d7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+l+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-vlp+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11 g4 (Both 11 b1, and 11 d2 were also tested) 11...fc8 12 b1 is rather important. Here
Black has a surprising option. 12...b5!? (12...f8 is the alternative, after which the
knight's attack 13 g5!? looks interesting. (13 g5 is a promising alternative:
13...h5 14 g3 e7 15 e2!? (15 e5 e8 16 e2 f6!) 15...e8 16 d6!? g6 17
e5 d8 18 xe7 xe7 19 cxd5 exd5 20 f4! with certain advantage) The game
Vera G.Garcia/Matanzas 1992 continued by 13...g6 14 h4 g7 15 h5 White has
achieved better chances, but Black is also not without counterplay) 13 cxb5!?
a) 13 cxd5?! is strongly met by 13...b4! 14 dxc6 (14 a4? bxa3!? 15 xc5 a2+ 16 a1
b4-+) 14...xc6 15 axb4 xb4 followed by ...Bc3 and ...Be4 with a decisive
attack
b) 13 b4? is hardly possible: 13...xb4 14 axb4 xb4 15 e5 xg4 16 d4 bxc4
followed by ...Rab8 and so on.
c) 13 xb5 e7!? is unclear
d) 13 g5 h5 14 cxb5 xf4 15 exf4 (15 bxc6 xc6 16 exf4 d4 17 e4 xa3) 15...e7 16
e5 e8 also looks very good for Black
13...e7 14 d2 Bringing up the reserves. (There are some other possibilities. After 14 e5
xg4 15 xg7 xe3!? 16 fxe3 xg7 Black's chances are at least not worse, 14 d2 xa3
15 xd5 a4 16 xf6+ gxf6 also looks quite good for Black, Finally, 14 a4!? deserves
90
serious attention. A possible play is 14...d8 15 e5 e8 16 a6!? cb8 17 c4!? xg4

18 g1 xf2 19 d2 with clearly better chances for White) 14...d8 (14...xa3? doesn't
work due to 15 b3 b4? 16 d4+) 15 e2 and Black still has to do a good work to
prove compensation for the pawn. (15 b3?! was proved to be weaker in the game
Gelfand Beliavsky/Linares 1991)
In case of 10...d8
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+ltr-+k+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-vlp+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White can probably prove better chances by 11 d2!? dxc4 12 xc4 (12 xc4!? is also
worthy of consideration. Then possible is 12...e7 13 b3 xd1+ 14 xd1 h5 15 f3 a5
16 g4 xb3+ 17 xb3 c5 18 b1 h6 19 e4 c6 20 a2 with small advantage)
12...xd1+ 13 xd1 d8 14 xd8+ xd8 15 e2 with advantage in the ending,
Gelfand Kir.Georgiev/Novi Sad (ol) 1990
In the original game of the plan 10. 0-0-0 Black decided to capture on c4 before the knight
comes to d2: 10...dxc4 A quick disaster gave little credit to this move but later Black
found some improvements to prove it to be playable. 11 xc4 e7 (11...a6 gives
White an interesting possibility to launch an attack by 12 g5!? e7 (12...b5? 13
ce4+) 13 d3! g6 (13...h6!?) 14 h4 e5 15 h5 xd3+ 16 xd3 e5 17 xh7!? exf4
18 xf8 xf8 19 hxg6 fxg6 20 d5! and Black can hardly survive here) 12 g4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+L+-vLP+0
9zP-sN-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zP-zP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Starting direct action on the kingside. 12...e5 The most principled continuation.
91
a) There are some alternatives: 12...xg4?! looks risky: 13 hg1 h5 14 h3 f6 15

e2 gives White a strong initiative, for example: 15...d8 16 e5 h4 17 g5!
xf2 18 f3! d5 19 h6 g6 20 e4 xg1 21 xg1+ with decisive advantage
b) 12...a6 is playable: 13 g5 h5 (13...d7? is too passive: 14 e4 c5 15 f6+! with
a strong initiative on the Kside) 14 d3 (14 d6!? is maybe more promising:
14...xd6 15 xd6 e5 16 e2 xf3 17 xf3 xg5 and here 18 hd1!? deserves serious
attention with a fairly promising compensation for the pawn) 14...g6 15 e4 This
position arose in the game Khalifman Onischuk/RUSchT Togliatti 2003, which
continued 15...e5! 16 xe5 xe5 17 d5 c7 18 xe5 e6 19 d1 d6 20 xe6
fxe6 21 b3 g7 22 xb7 with better chances for White but Black's position
should be defendable.
c) 12...b5?! seems to be an impatient reaction. After 13 xb5 b7 14 d2! Black
suddenly faces serious problems with his queen, M.Gurevich A.Sokolov/USSR
(ch) 1988
d) 12...d8!? is a solid continuation which seems to be a sufficient antidote to the g
pawn advance. Here 13 e4 looks too risky: (13 g5 gives nothing due to 13...d5
(13...h5!? is also not bad) ) 13...xg4 A principled reply. 14 hg1 xd1+ 15 xd1
(15 xd1 ge5 looks comfortable for Black) 15...xf2 (15...ge5 16 xe5 xe5 17 d4
g6 18 b5 would promise some compensation for the pawn.) 16 f1 The only
move to prevent ...Nh3. 16...xa3 17 d2 (Of course, not 17 xf2? xc3+-+) 17...c5
18 b1 Black already gained three extra pawns but he still has to be very careful as
White has many pieces in action. Besides, the knight f2 is in danger. Yet, Black's
chances should be preferred, Shabalov Kharitonov/USSR 1989
13 g5 exf4 14 gxf6 xf6 15 d5 (15 d5!? looks interesting but it seems that its real effect
is less than expected: 15...c7 16 h5 (16 e4 is met by 16...e7! (16...e7? is bad
due to 17 xf6+ gxf6 18 g1+ g6 (18...h8?? 19 xh7+!!) 19 c5!+) 17 h4 g6! 18
h5 f5 19 xf6+ xf6 and Black is okay) 16...g6 17 d5 d8 18 g1 e6 19
xf6+ xf6 20 xe6 and here Black has a strong counter resource: 20...xe6! (after
20...fxe6 21 g5 White gets some initiative) 21 g5 a2! and it seems that White is
already in trouble: 22 xh7 e5!-+ and White loses material in all lines) 15...e7!
A very important defensive manoeuvre otherwise White's attack is really strong.
(For example: 15...d8 16 hg1 fxe3 17 fxe3 g6 18 h4 followed by h4h5 and so on.) 16
xf6+ gxf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-snp+p0
9-+-+-zp-+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+L+-zp-+0
9zP-+-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zP-zP0
9+-mKR+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
92
This position was tested many times and White failed to prove that he can provide serious
problems for Black. 17 hg1+ (the alternative 17 d4 does not bother Black very
much: 17...fxe3 18 fxe3 e5 19 b1 f5 (19...h8!?) 20 xf5 xf5 with good play,
Huebner Van der Sterren/Germany 1994) 17...h8 18 e4 (both 18 e4 g6 19 d4
b6 20 xb6 axb6 21 d6 h3!?, and 18 d4 fxe3 19 fxe3 f5 20 xf5 xf5 21 d3 e5 22
b1 f5 are acceptable for Black) 18...b5 19 d5 xd5 20 exd5 The game Anand
(+C) Kramnik (+C)/Advanced Chess Match, Leon 2002 continued by 20...b4 21
axb4 a1+! 22 d2 a6 23 c6 d8 24 c3 b7 25 xa6 xa6 26 d4 ac8+ 27
d2 b7 28 c1 xc1 29 xc1 g7 and this ending was once again proved to be
drawn.
11 b1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zPPzP0
9+K+R+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Loek van Wely's favourite move. As we already saw many times this prophylactic king's
retreat is always useful so it is reasonable to play it before the active moves.
In case of 11 g4 dxc4 (the immediate 11...d8!? was also tested) 12 xc4 we transpose to the
already considered position see the line 10 ...dc4 11. c4 e7 12. g4 etc.
11 h4!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-zP0
9zP-sN-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zPP+0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is an interesting and rather unexpected idea of Garry Kasparov instead of the gpawn
advance, White moves his neighbour on the hfile. At first sight, it does not create
93
immediate threats (such as g4g5) and requires further spending of time to achieve
the desired effect. On the other hand, it does not allow Black to respond with
immediate counteractions in the center, utilising the advanced position of the g
pawn. In the game Kasparov Vaganian/Novgorod 1995 Black was smashed
quickly in very impressive style, but thorough analysis and further practice helped
him to find some good ways to achieve acceptable play. 11...a6
a) 11...dxc4 12 xc4 b6 was played in the just mentioned game. After 13 g5
(White shouldn't win the queen by 13 b5 b7 14 d2 as after 14...a6 15 c4 axb5 16
xa5 xa5 as Black has achieved good compensation, for example: 17 d6 xd6 18
xd6 b4 19 axb4 c4 20 dd1 a1+ 21 b1 c8 and so on.) 13...a6 14 ce4 g6 (The
preliminary 14...xe4 seems to be in White's favour: 15 xe4 g6 16 xa6 xa6 17 h5
and White is quicker) 15 xf6+ xf6 16 e4 (Here White cannot capture the piece
for free the position after 16 xa6 xa6 17 xc6 ac8 18 c7 xc7 19 xc7 c8 20
xc8+ xc8+ 21 b1 is good for Black) 16...e7 17 xa6 xa6 18 b1 White has
obtained better chances
b) 11...d8!? looks solid. Possible play is 12 d2 A typical manoeuvre White is
trying to bother Black's queen. (12 g4 d7 (12...dxc4!? deserves attention: 13 xc4 d7
14 g5 h5 15 d6 ac8 16 e2 e8 17 xe7 xd1+ 18 xd1 xe7 with good play for
Black) 13 b1 dxc4 (13...e8 14 g5 e4 15 xe4 dxe4 16 d2 b6 17 a1 a5 18 e2
xd2 19 xd2 b3+ 20 a2 xd2 21 xd2 a5 22 e5 is slightly better for White) 14
xc4 ac8 15 g5 h5 16 d6 e8!? (16...g6 looks also playable) 17 xe7 xe7 18
xd8 xd8 19 d1 c8 20 b3 White has a small advantage but Black can be also
satisfied with the position) 12...dxc4 13 xc4 (13 xc4 can be well met by 13...e5!?)
13...xd1+ 14 xd1 d8 15 xd8+ (Otherwise Black could hardly face problems,
for example, 15 c2 d5 with good play) 15...xd8!? 16 e2 White keeps a small
advantage in the endgame thanks to his more active pieces but Black still has good
defensive resources, Topalov Kramnik/Wijk aan Zee 2007.
12 g5 According to tournament practice and thorough analysis this aggressive approach
does not promise White very much.
a) There are many alternatives but the move h2h4 does not seem to be a good
combination with some of them. 12 b1 dxc4 13 g5 f5 14 xf5 exf5 15 xc4
h6 16 f3 e6 is fine for Black
b) 12 g4 dxc4 13 xc4 b5 14 g5 (14 d3!?) is not dangerous for Black: 14...bxc4 15
gxf6 xf6 16 e4 f5 17 xf6+ xf6 18 g5 f5 19 d6 xc2+ 20 xc2 e8 21
c3 e5 22 xc4 f6 23 e4 e6+ 24 c3 a5 with roughly equal ending
c) the hpawn advance 12 h5 dxc4 13 h6 doesn't bring much effect: 13...g6 14 xc4
b5 15 d3 b7 followed by ...Rac8 with good play for Black.
12...d8 (Obviously not 12...h6? 13 cxd5 exd5 14 xd5 hxg5? 15 hxg5+) 13 cxd5 exd5 14 e4 (A
slow line 14 b1 h6 15 f3 g4 16 e2 ac8 just gives Black better chances White
has no possibility of attack while he should be very careful about his own king)
14...dxe4 (14...xe4!? is maybe even stronger) 15 c4 d4 (15...g4!? was also not
so bad: 16 xf7+ (16 xd8+ xd8 17 cxe4 f5) 16...f8 17 xd8+ xd8 18 b3 d4
19 xb7 xa3! 20 b1 and here the play may be ended by the repetition of moves:
20...d7 21 c8+ d8 22 b7= (22 c4 b6) ) 16 xd4 xd4 and here in the game
Pelletier Doettling/Essen 2000 White should have played 17 xf7+! f8 18 a2!
94
with good compensation for the exchange thanks to the idea of possible invasion
after Qc2b3.
11...a6
11...d8 is a solid continuation. After 12 d2 dxc4 (a careless 12...b6? loses to the rather
unexpected 13 c5!! xc5 14 b3 b6 15 a4+ and the queen is trapped!, 12...e5!? is
interesting. In case of 13 g3 e6 14 e2 ac8 Black's position looks very good) 13
xc4 f5 A good idea Black sends the queen to the kingside to make the
programmed pawn advance ...e6e5 more efficient. 14 de4 xd1+ 15 xd1 xe4
16 xe4 e5 17 g3 e6 18 f3 (18 xe6 xe6 19 c5 xc5 20 xc5 f6 is also very good
for Black) 18...c8 19 b3 xc4 20 xc4 h5! Black has achieved a very good play
in the game Van Wely Van der Sterren/Wijk aan Zee 1998.
12 d2 b6 13 b3 a5 14 xa5 xa5 15 cxd5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+p+-vlpzpp0
9p+-+psn-+0
9wq-+P+-+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zP-+-0
9-zPQ+-zPPzP0
9+K+R+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...exd5
15...xd5 16 xd5 exd5 does not solve the problems completely.
16 e5 e6 17 d3 ac8 18 d2
95
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+-trk+0
9+p+-vlpzpp0
9p+-+lsn-+0
9wq-+pvL-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9zP-sNLzP-+-0
9-zP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+K+R+-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
After rather logical play White has achieved a small advantage thanks to the better pawn
structure, Van Wely Kramnik/Wijk aan Zee 1998.
96
QGD/16 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 the lines with

Qd1-c2 and 0-0 [D37]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 f4 0-0 6 e3 c5 7 dxc5 xc5 8 c2

c6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9+-vlp+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9 a3
The setup without the typical a2a3, 9 d1 a5 10 e2 has gained some popularity
thanks to Ivan Sokolov's efforts. It looks too simple but in fact it is rather poisonous!
(here 10 a3 is transposition to 9. a3 ) 10...b4!?
a) The main alternatives are: 10...dxc4 11 xc4 and here, for example, 11...a6 12 0-0
e7 13 a3
b) 10...b4 Black makes use of the fact that White did not cover the b4square but
this bishop advance is probably not the best: 11 0-0 dxc4 (11...xc3 12 bxc3 gives
White a stable advantage, for example: 12...h6 (or 12...e4 13 c1 b6 14 cxd5 exd5 15 c4
b4 16 b2) 13 e5 e8 14 f3) 12 xc4 xc3 13 bxc3 b6 (An attempt to get the
bishop into play by 13...e5 could be well met by 14 g5, 13...c5!? 14 b3 e5 15 g5 e7
seems more reliable but it cannot completely solve the problems) 14 d6 e8 15 e4
White's Qside pawn structure is damaged but it does not really matter in this
position. He is going to fortify his strong bishop on d6 and open the way to the K
side for the other pieces. Although Black did not commit any serious mistakes his
97
life is difficult as his forces are seriously restricted, see Grachev

Vaganian/Moscow 2009.
11 a4!? (or 11 b3 dxc4 12 xc4 bd5 (12...a6 13 a4 c6 14 xa5 xa5 15 d3 b5 16 e4
b4+ 17 e2) 13 e5 b4!? 14 0-0 xb3 15 axb3 b6 with almost equal play)
11...xa4 12 xa4 e7 13 a3 c6 with a slightly worse but quite acceptable ending
for Black.
9...a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-vlp+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zPN+-0
9-zPQ+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10 d2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9wq-vlp+-+-0
9-+P+-vL-+0
9zP-sN-zP-+-0
9-zPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This continuation is recently becoming White's main attempt to fight for the advantage.
Before the long castling 10. 0-0-0 appeared on the scene at the end of 1980s, the main
White's attempt was 10 d1 e7 (an immediate 10...e4?! can be well met by 11
cxd5 (11 b4? xb4) 11...exd5 12 xd5 xc3 13 bxc3! xa3 (13...e6? 14 g5) 14
g5! with a strong attack) 11 d2 (here 11 e2 still promises a slight edge for
White: 11...e4!? Black has some other interesting options. (11...dxc4!? 12 xc4 e5 is
slightly reminiscent of the f4 Variation in the Grunfeld Defence, but here Black's
darksquared bishop is not on g7. After 13 g3 g4 14 0-0 White maintains a small
98
advantage, according to tournament practice., An immediate 11...e5 would be met by

12 xe5!? dxc4 13 xf6 xf6 14 xc4 f5 15 d3 with good chances to extinguish Black's
initiative and escape with an extra pawn) 12 cxd5 xc3 The game I.Sokolov
Meier/EUch Budva 2009 continued 13 xc3 xc3+ 14 bxc3 exd5 15 xd5 xa3
16 d4 and White has secured a small advantage in the ending thanks to his
superiority in the center, while Black cannot give sufficient support to his good
looking passed pawn on the afile.) 11...e5 12 g5 d4 13 b3 d8 (The alternative
13...b6 leads to the quiet play with small advantage for White: 14 xf6 xf6 15
d5 d8 16 d3 g6 17 exd4 xd4 18 xd4 exd4 19 0-0 (19 xf6+ xf6 20 0-0 e6
21 fe1 ac8 22 b3 fd8) 19...g7 20 de1 e6 21 f4 d7 22 e4 b8 23 d3 c7
24 b3, although Black usually holds the balance without much problem) 14 e2
(An attempt to win the pawn on d4 without the development of the kingside is
doubleedged: 14 exd4 xd4 15 xd4 exd4 16 b5 g4!? 17 xd4 e8! and Black is at
least not worse) The pawn d4 seems to be in trouble but Black has got an excellent
resource. 14...a5!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9+p+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9zp-+-zp-vL-0
9-+Pzp-+-+0
9zPNsN-zP-+-0
9-zPQ+LzPPzP0
9+-+RmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The idea of Efim Geller Black intends to push the attacker of the d4square by ...a5a4.
15 a4 The main field of investigation before the plan with 10. 0-0-0 became
popular.
a) in case of 15 exd4 Black obtains good counter chances by 15...a4! Black
sacrifices this pawn in order to disturb the coordination of White's pieces. 16 xa4
xd4 17 xd4 exd4 18 b3 (18 0-0 is harmless for Black: 18...a5 19 xf6 xf6 20 b3
d7=, while the attempt to bring the knight back to the center by 18 c3 fails to
18...a5 19 xf6 xf6 20 b4 f5! and Black takes the initiative.) 18...a5+ 19 d2 (19
d2 can be parried easily by 19...d7!?) 19...f5! An excellent counter attack. 20 b2
e5 21 b4 A principled attempt. (White could think about 21 e3 a5+ 22 d2 with
repetition of moves and it was really not such a bad idea.) 21...xb4+ 22 axb4 fe8
23 xd4 White has got two extra pawn and everything looks wellprotected...
23...c2! Wonderful!!! 24 d2! The only move. (24 xc2 xd4) 24...xb3! 25 xb3
a1+ 26 d1 xd1+ 27 xd1 xa4 28 f3 xb4 Black restored material balance
and still has the initiative, Portisch Beliavsky/Moscow 1981
b) other continuations also do not promise too much: 15 0-0 a4 16 c1 e6
c) and 15 xf6 xf6 16 0-0 a4 17 c5 a5 18 3xa4 e7 19 b4 a7 are good for
Black
99
15...g6 (15...h6!? 16 h4 d7 was tried several times with good results for Black.) 16 xf6
(The alternative 16 exd4 is usually met by 16...f5 17 c1 xd4 18 xd4 exd4 19 0-0 c8
with acceptable play for Black.) 16...xf6 17 c5 White is hoping to exploit the
weaknesses which were created by the apawn advance. However, Black has
sufficient counterplay. (17 0-0 c7 18 c5 e6 19 e4 g5 is also good for Black)
17...e6 18 e4!? Consistent play White should keep the center closed. (yet, a
natural 18 0-0 is worthy of consideration.) and here Black started interesting counter
actions by 18...e8!? Alterman Kasparov/Tel Aviv (simul) 1998.
10...e7
10...b4 is recently put in doubt: 11 cxd5 exd5 (11...xd5 doesn't solve the problems: 12
xd5 exd5 13 d3 h6 14 c1 e7 (14...xd2+ 15 xd2) 15 0-0 e6 16 b3 b6 17
c5 xc5 (17...ac8 18 xe6 fxe6 19 e2 f6 20 h5! e7 21 b4 is clearly better for
White ) 18 xc5 xb2 19 b1 d2 20 fd1 a5 21 b5 a4 22 a1 fc8 23 xb7
a5 24 b5 xb5 25 xb5 with certain advantage.) 12 d3 (12 b3 xc3+ 13 bxc3
a4 14 d3 doesn't promise too much due to 14...b6 followed by ....Ba6. For example:
15 d4 xc2 16 xc2 d7 17 f3 ac8 18 d2 a5 19 d3 a4 with a slightly worse but
obviously drawn ending.) 12...d4 13 0-0! xc3 (13...dxc3?! is dubious because of 14
axb4 xb4 15 bxc3) 14 c4 h5 15 bxc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+-sn-+0
9+-+-+-+q0
9-+Nzp-vL-+0
9zP-zPLzP-+-0
9-+Q+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
An important position for this line. Black has two possibilities. 15...d5 (15...dxe3 is a
serious alternative but White's chances still look preferable. A possible line is 16
xe3 (An interesting sacrifice 16 ae1!? exf2+ 17 xf2 gives White a certain
initiative but the position remains far from clear: 17...e6 18 e5 d5!? etc.
(18...g4?! 19 xg4 xg4 20 b1, 18...ae8!?) ) 16...d7!?
a) 16...e6 seems to be worse due to 17 ab1 d5 18 b5! fd8 (18...xe3 19 xh5
xc2 20 xh7+ h8 21 xc2+ g8 22 h7+ h8 23 f5+ g8 24 xe6 fxe6 25 e3+) 19 c4
d4 (19...xe3 20 fxe3 h4 21 xb7+) 20 b2 xb5 21 cxd5 xd5 22 xb5 with a
huge advantage
b) 16...e8 17 ab1 a6 18 c4 b5 19 d6 gives White a certain initiative.
17 ab1 (17 fd1 can be well met by 17...e7!? 18 c4 c6 (18...fe8!? is also worth
considering: 19 e2 a5 20 b2! g6 21 d6 c6 22 c5 e4 23 ac1 xd6 24 xd6 with a
slight edge for White) 19 g3 fe8 20 e1 and here in the game Avrukh
100
Hammer/Helsingor 2009 Black should have prevented c4c5 by playing 20...c5!?

(or 20...b6!? ) ) 17...a5!? (this is much safer than 17...e5? 18 e2! and Black is in
trouble, while 17...d8?! 18 g3 c8 19 fd1 is also clearly better for White) 18 f5
and White keeps better chances. For example, 18...d5 19 g3 h4 20 d2 ac8
21 fe1 fe8?! 22 xe8+ xe8 23 f5 with the initiative) 16 g3 dxe3 17 ae1!?
e6 (In case of 17...exf2+ 18 xf2 White's initiative is more than enough to
compensate minor material loss) 18 fxe3 ad8 (18...de7 does not solve the
problems: 19 d6 b6 20 b1! f6 (20...d5 21 b5 (21 d2!?) 21...h6 22 f3 is
also better for White) 21 b5 e5 22 f4! 7g6 23 d4 and White has secured the
better chances thanks to his very active pieces, Topalov Kasimdzhanov/Linares
2005) 19 d6 (19 e4?! could be strongly met by 19...f4! 20 xf4 xc4 21 xc4 c5+
followed by ...Qc4.) 19...e5 The game Topalov Kramnik/Monaco 2001
continued: 20 xh7+! xh7 21 xh7+ xh7 22 xe5 and White has gained an
extra pawn although his pawn structure is far from perfect and it makes his task not
so easy.
10...d8
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is a rare, and fairly surprising continuation Black simply retreats the queen back.
Strangely enough, such a waste of time is not so bad here as he has to defend against
d2b3 anyway. 11 d1 (11 cxd5 exd5 12 b5 b6 13 d3 d4 looks satisfactory for
Black.) 11...h6 12 cxd5 exd5 13 de4!? (The routine 13 f3!? looked quite good,
keeping the better chances.) 13...f5 The only move. (13...xe4? was bad due to 14
xd5!) 14 xf6+ xf6 15 d3 (15 xd5 gives nothing: 15...xc2 16 xf6+ gxf6 17 c1
b4! and Black is okay, for example: 18 f3 g7 19 e2 ac8 20 axb4 xb4+ 21 f2 fd8
and so on., 15 c1 is too risky as after 15...e7 16 xd5 xd5 17 xd5 e7 he is late in
development.) 15...e6 (15...xd3 16 xd3 fd8 17 0-0 is worse for Black but quite
playable.) This position occurred in the game Kaidanov Shabalov/WCC Moscow
2001. Now the simple 16 0-0!? would have secured the better prospects.
11 g3
11 d1 may lead to the line, which is known to be good for Black: 11...e5 12 g5 d4 13
b3 d8 14 e2 a5! and so on refer to 10. d1.
11 b3!? is worthy of consideration.
101
11...d7
11...b6 does not seem fully equalising: 12 e2 (12 b4 is acceptable for Black: 12...d4 13 c5
d8 14 ce4 and here Black can try 14...dxe3!? 15 fxe3 d5 followed by ...f7f5f4
with good counter chances, The rather unexpected change of course 12 f3!?
deserves more attention) 12...d4 13 a4 d8 14 0-0 and White has got a slight
edge in the game Kaidanov Lputian/Calvia (ol) 2004.
12 e2
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An important position is arisen. Black has a wide choice.
12...fc8
Preparing the queen's return.
12...b6?! does not seem to be the best. 13 b4!? White does not spend time for castling,
gaining space on the Qside at first.
a) 13 cxd5 exd5 14 0-0 ac8 15 fd1 e6 16 b3 a6 17 ac1 e4 gives Black a
good counterplay.
b) after 13 0-0 d4 14 a4 d8 Black still faces problems: 15 b4 (15 e4!? deserves
attention) 15...dxe3!? (in case of 15...c8 16 b2 e5 White would have proved the
advantage by 17 e4!) 16 fxe3 e5!? A tricky way to simplify the position. However,
it doesn't bring the desired relief. 17 xe5 xa4 18 b2 The pawn majority on the
queenside and more active pieces secure White's advantage, Lautier
Khalifman/FIDE WCh KO (3.1) Moscow 2001.
13...d4 14 a4 d8 15 e4 White has got clear advantage. The d4pawn can excellently be
blocked by the knight, after which White would think about flank actions, I.Sokolov
Short/Bled (ol) 2002.
A deep retreat 12...d8 is not as bad as it looks like. A possible play is 13 cxd5 xd5 14
xd5 exd5 15 0-0 d4 16 e4 c8 17 d3 f5 18 f3 h8 with good play for Black.
13 0-0 d8
102
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13...b6 is a bit inconsistent with previous move: 14 b4 d4 15 c5 d8 16 b5 and White
takes the initiative.
14 ad1
The alternative is 14 cxd5 exd5 (14...xd5 15 de4 gives better chances for White) 15 f3
with a typical slight edge.
14...a5!?
14...d4 15 b5 dxe3 16 fxe3 b6 17 d3! followed by b2b4 and c4c5 seems better for
White.
15 cxd5 xd5 16 de4 e8 17 d3
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9r+r+q+k+0
9zpp+lvlpzpp0
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White keeps a small advantage.
103
QGD/17 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5...

9.Nxd5 NOT 12...d4 [D37]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7 4.f3 f6 5.f4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 xc5 8.cxd5
xd5 9.xd5 exd5
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This variation is rather popular at the GM level nowadays. As a rule White is able to
achieve a slight edge but, apart from his isolated pawn, Black does not have any
other problems and usually gets acceptable play. Many games end in a draw but if
Black defends inaccurately he may certainly face problems. White has less chances
to go astray but to get a full point he has to show excellent technique, endgame
knowledge and an ability to put pressure on his opponent in boring positions.
10.a3
The main continuation.
10.d3 is an alternative. White does not waste time preventing a possible check, hoping
that his king will be fine in the center while Black's bishop would not be useful on
b4. 10...b4+ 11.e2
a) 11.f1 can be met with 11...d6!? (in case of 11...c6 White can think about the
direct 12.h4!? d6 (12...h6?! might be weakening and White would try to exploit it by
13.c2!? e7 14.d3 f5 15.b3 e6 16.d1 with a clear advantage) 13.xd6 xd6 14.h5
followed by h1-h4, increasing control over the d4square and securing the better
104
chances) 12.g3 (Here in case of 12.xd6 xd6 13.h4 Black would save time for the
move ...b8c6 and play 13...h6 14.h5 g4) 12...c6 13.c2 (13.e4?! is dubious:
13...dxe4 14.xe4 e7 15.e2 e6 16.h4 and here the solid 16...h6 could have
secured the better chances for Black in the game Jobava Rustemov/Aeroflot
Moscow 2006 after 17.g1 (17.g5? failed to a simple 17...xg5 18.hxg5 xg5)
17...b6 18.h2 fe8 and so on) 13...e7!? 14.h4 f6 15.d2 d4 with a good play.
b) 11.d2 gives White the possibility to castle but this retreat is not quite desirable
against an isolated pawn as he loses control over the important d4square. 11...c6
12.0-0 d4
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Without any delay Black pushes his central pawn forward. As a rule, he is fine if this pawn
is exchanged but here it is not the case as White can advance his epawn.
Nevertheless, it is usually not too bad for Black when his isolated pawn becomes a
passer but he can still find some other resources as it is well blocked! (12...f6 13.a3
xd2 14.xd2 f5 15.xf5 xf5 is not completely equalising: 16.ac1 ad8 17.c5 d7
18.b4 h6 19.d1 with a small advantage, In case of 12...d6 13.xd6 xd6 14.f3 White
regains control over d4square and maintains a small advantage, 12...e7 13.a3 f6 is
playable) 13.e4 Now White's hopes are connected with a pawn majority on the K
side, which can be well supported by his pieces. The game Harikrishna
Charbonneau/Montreal 2007 continued by 13...f5!? An interesting novelty Black
immediately destroys White's hopes to build a strong pawn center! 14.a3 a5 15.b4
fxe4! Now this capture is possible. 16.xe4 xf4 17.bxa5 xa5 18.c2 h6 19.fe1
and White has achieved sufficient compensation for the pawn thanks to his better
development and weakened position of Black's king.
11...c6 (11...d6 does not seem fully equalising: 12.xd6 xd6 13.a4 c6 14.hd1 with a
small advantage) 12.b3!?
a) White can also begin an interesting rearrangement by playing 12.b1!? h6
(12...g6!?) 13.d1 e8 14.f1 g4 15.e2 d7 16.a3 e7!? (16...f8 17.b4 a6 18.a2
ad8 19.ad2) 17.b4 f6 18.a2 ac8!? 19.ad2 e7!? gives Black a good
counterplay
b) 12.c2 is the most popular option but possibly not the most promising as in many
cases c2 is not the best place for the queen. 12...h6 (12...g6 is a natural alternative:
13.hd1 (13.h3!?) 13...g4 14.f1 xf3 15.gxf3 f6 16.g2 White keeps a slight
edge but Black is solid enough) 13.hd1 e6 (13...f6 is also playable as the bishop
105
might come a the more active position: 14.a3 (or 14.f1 a5!? 15.e2 b6) 14...e7
However, White can maintain a small advantage by playing 15.f1 and if 15...g4
then 16.b3!?) 14.f1 c8 This position arose in the game Bacrot
A.Sokolov/FRAchT Marseille 2008 which continued 15.e2 (15.a4!? might be
stronger. Then after 15...d6 (15...b6 16.ac1 e7!? seems more to the point although
White would still hope for a slight edge by 17.e5!?) 16.a3 xf4 17.xf4 and White
secures a typical small but stable advantage) 15...d6!? This exchange seems to be
in White's favour as it increases his control over some important dark squares.
However, such types of worse positions are known to be drawn with accurate
defence. 16.xd6 xd6 17.g1 e5!? and Black did not face serious problems on
his way to half a point.
12...g4 13.hd1 f6!? (a natural 13...e8?! is not quite necessary here: 14.f1 The game
Dobrov Ziatdinov/Caerleon 2005 continued 14...d6? (14...xf3 15.gxf3 d7 16.g2
with idea Bd3e4 was better for White, as well as 14...d7 15.e2) 15.xh7+! xh7
16.xd5 (16.g5+!? g8 17.xd5 might have been stronger) 16...xf3 17.gxf3 e5
18.xe5 xe5 19.d3+ g8 20.xd6 and White has converted his advantage)
14.f1!? (14.xd5?! xb2+ 15.f1 ad8 16.e4?! g6 was in Black's favour in the game
Samraoui Marciniak, corr. 1985) 14...xf3 15.gxf3 fd8 (15...g5?! 16.g3 xf3 was
well met by 17.b5 e7 18.xd5, increasing the advantage) 16.g2 with a slight edge
for White but Black was also doing well.
10...c6 11.d3
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11...b6
11...e7 This bishop's retreat is played from time to time Black is shifting the bishop to
the long diagonal. However, it takes time and does not completely neutralise White's
pressure against the isolated dpawn. 12.0-0 (A preliminary 12.c2 seems less
precise as c2square is not the best square for the queen: 12...g6 (12...h6 is also
playable: 13.b4 f6 14.c1 g4 with a good play for Black) 13.0-0 e6 with acceptable
play) 12...f6 13.b3!? (13.c1 e6 (13...xb2?! 14.xh7+!) 14.b4 also promises a
small edge for White, according to tournament practice) 13...e7!? Black tried
106
many option and this modest queen's advance deserves attention among them. (A
logical 13...b6?! leads to the problems: 14.xd5 At first sight White helps Black
to get rid of the isolated pawn but he gets good attacking prospects on the Kside
thanks to his active pieces. 14...d8?! A natural but actually dubious continuation,
which increases White's attacking chances. (14...e6! should have been played
although White still kept the initiative after 15.e4 (or 15.h5 g6 16.h6 g7 17.h4
d8!, swapping the queens) 15...g6 16.h6 fe8 17.f4 xb2 18.ab1) 15.e4 g6
16.g5! xb2 17.c4! g7 18.h4 h5 19.xf7! and White launched a very strong
attack, Kramnik Short/Wijk aan Zee 2000) 14.xd5 (14.ac1 g4 seems good for
Black) 14...d8 15.e4! (in case of 15.b3 e6 16.c2 ac8!? Black gets a very active
play) 15...xe4 16.xe4 xb2 17.a2 f6 18.b1 e6 19.c2 White is pressurising
Black's Qside but this ending seems defendable for him.
12.0-0
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12...g4
One of the main continuations where Black comfortably develops his bishop.
12...f6 is not the most popular continuation but in fact it is rather playable: 13.b4 f5 (a
preliminary 13...h6!? deserves attention: 14.c2!? This seems more promising.
a) 14.b5 can be well met with 14...d4! 15.xd4 xd4 16.b1 A new continuation,
which does not impress much. White tried other possibilities but Black keeps solid
position in all cases. (16.exd4 xf4 is equal, 16.c1 b2 17.c7 xa3 is also good for
Black) 16...c5 17.a4 f5 and Black had no problems in the game Swiercz
Sachdev/Wijk aan Zee C 2011.
b) while 14.g3 g4 is acceptable for Black: 15.h3 xf3 16.xf3 xf3 17.gxf3
fe8 18.g2 ad8 19.fe1 d4 and Black slowly solves his problems
14...f5 15.xf5 (Since is met by 15.b5 d4! White agrees to play the position with Black's
extra move ...h7h6) 15...xf5 16.b5 a5 17.e5 fc8 18.h3 This position arose in
the game Grachev Akobian/Moscow 2009, which continued (18.d4!?) 18...e4
(18...c2 was worthy of consideration: 19.d4 (not 19.d4?! xd4 20.xd4 b3 21.b1
d2) 19...e4 20.b1 ac8 and Black's pieces were very active although he still
107
couldn't do anything with White's blockading piece on d4) 19.d4 xd4 (19...c4!?
was also possible) 20.xd4 c4 21.e2 a6 22.fd1 axb5 23.xb5 and here 23...c5
24.a4 b6 was more reliable.) 14.xf5!? (14.b5 can be well met by 14...d4!, which
almost equalises: 15.xf5
a) 15.e5 brings nothing: 15...xd3 16.xd3 fd8! 17.a4 (17.g4?! g6! 18.xg6
e2+! 19.h1 hxg6) 17...e6 18.a5 c7 19.g4 e7 20.xc7 xc7=
b) 15.xd4 xd4 16.c1 (16.exd4 xd3 17.xd3 xf4=) 16...b6 17.xf5 xf5 18.c7
e4 leads to equality as well
15...xf3+ 16.xf3 xf5 This position has been tested many times. Thanks to the better
pawn structure White keeps a slight edge but apart from his isolated pawn Black is
fine. As a rule, he is able to hold balance without serious problems. 17.a4 (After
17.fd1 Black gets acceptable play, too: 17...ad8 (17...d4!? is interesting but White
should be better after 18.exd4 xb5 19.xb7 ad8 20.e3) 18.ac1 d7 and so on)
17...fd8 18.a5 c5 19.c7 (19.ac1 was a natural alternative: 19...b6 (or 19...ac8
20.fd1 b6) 20.fd1 ac8 Here White would have tried 21.a6!? but it would hardly be
possible to get access to the pawn a7 if Black defends accurately) 19...xf3 20.gxf3
d7 21.b6 This position arose in the game M.Gurevich Beliavsky/Belgrade 1991.
Here Black had a precise way to solve the problems: 21...d6! 22.xd6 (22.a6 failed
to 22...xc7 23.axb7 xh2+!, while after 22.fc1 xc7 23.xc7 xc7 24.bxc7 c8 25.c1 f8
the pawn on c7 was not well supported) 22...xd6 23.bxa7 xa7 with a drawn
ending) 14...xf5 15.b5 (15.b1!? is worthy of consideration: 15...xb1 Black does
not hesitate to simplify into the ending, which is slightly worse but defendable. (In
case of 15...e6 White would have maintained some edge by playing something like
16.d1 h6 17.b2) 16.axb1 fd8 17.a4 The game Dautov Lutz/Essen 2001
continued 17...ac8 18.a5 c7 19.xc7 xc7 20.fc1 dc8 21.f1 Thanks to his
better pawn structure White has maintained a small advantage but Black should not
face too many problems) 15...a5 (15...d8!? deserves attention) 16.e5 fd8
17.d4 ac8 18.xb6 axb6 19.d4 e4 20.e2 h6 21.h3 c3 22.fd1 c4 23.a4
Black's position is quite defendable but White's play is easier thanks to his very solid
knight on d4.
13.h3 h5 14.b4
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108
14...e8
14...a6 15.c1
a) 15.a2 can be well met with 15...d4 16.e4 c7!? 17.xc7 xc7 with acceptable
play for Black, Seirawan Kir.Georgiev, Dubai 1986.
b) but 15.e2!? is a serious attempt. It would also be met by the same central
counter strike 15...d4!? but it does not completely equalise: (after 15...e8 16.a2
White maintains the edge: 16...g6 (here 16...d4? fails to 17.xd4 xd4 18.xh5)
17.d2 e4 18.g5! f6 19.xe4 dxe4 20.d7 with a clear advantage) 16.exd4
(not 16.xd4? xd4) 16...xf3 17.xf3 xd4 (17...xd4!? 18.a2) 18.e3!? (but
18.xc6!? is worthy of consideration: 18...bxc6 19.f3 f6 20.ac1 ac8 21.fd1 with a
stable advantage) 18...xd1 19.fxd1 xe3 20.fxe3 and White has secured a small
advantage in the ending.
15...e8 may lead to the same line (15...d4 is always an option. White can play 16.e4
(16.e4!?) 16...e8 17.g4 g6 18.e1 c8 (18...f6?! 19.c4+ h8 20.d5 is better for
White) 19.e5!? (19.g2 c7 20.d2 xf4 21.xf4 gives White a slight edge) 19...e7
20.c4 and here Black should have played 20...d5 21.g5 d7 with good counter
chances.) after 16.xa6!? and so on.
14...d4!? 15.b5 (White tested 15.g4 g6 16.e4 (16.xg6 is well met by 16...fxg6!) 16...c8
17.c1 with a slight edge) 15...a5 16.exd4 xd4 (Black also postponed the
capture, getting more pieces into play first of all: 16...d5 17.e2 ad8 18.b1
xf3 19.xf3 xd4 20.xd4 xd4 21.e5 d3 and here White would have thought
about 22.bd1! fd8 (22...xa3?! 23.d6) 23.xd3 xd3 24.c1 d8 25.c3!? with a
certain advantage) 17.xh7+! xh7 18.d3+! (Black was okay after 18.xd4?! xf3
19.xd8 fxd8 20.gxf3 d5) 18...g6 (Surely not 18...g8? 19.xd4 with extra pawn for
White) 19.xd4 b3 20.xd8 axd8 (20...fxd8 has also been tested: 21.a2 d3
22.e1 xb5 23.b2 c4 24.eb1 a5 25.c7 d5 26.xa5 xa5 27.xb7 xa3 28.e5 d5
29.d7 e6 30.e7 and White has maintained a slight edge) 21.ad1 d3 22.fe1
xb5 23.b1 c4 24.e7 Thanks to his active pieces White has secured the
advantage. 24...d5 In the game Shulman Ippolito/Philadelphia 2008 White came
up with a strong novelty 25.g5+! g8 26.d1! and achieved good winning
chances as he wins a pawn.
15.c1
15.a2 is the less popular alternative. Black gets counterplay by a typical 15...d4! and if
16.g4 then 16...d5! 17.b2 g6 18.xg6 hxg6 19.b5 a5 with active play.
15...a6
109
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This move allows a tactical blow. However, Black supposes it would be acceptable.
Here 15...d4?! is not sufficient due to 16.g4 g6 17.xg6 hxg6 18.b5! e7 (18...dxe3 fails to
19.bxc6 e2 20.xd8 exf1+ 21.xf1 axd8 22.cxb7+) 19.exd4 d5 20.a4 with extra
pawn for White.
16.xa6!?
16.g4!? deserves attention among other options: 16...g6 17.xg6 hxg6 18.d3!? (after
18.c3 d4 19.d3 d5 20.exd4 e4 Black achieves a good compensation for the pawn)
18...d4 19.e4 with a slight edge.
16...xa6 17.b5 xa3 18.bxc6 bxc6 19.xc6
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The position is simplified. White still keeps a slight edge thanks to his better pawn structure
but Black's position should be defendable.
19...a7
19...e6 is inaccurate for after 20.xe6 fxe6 21.c1 Black faces problems. 21...a6
(21...a8? is a serious mistake due to 22.g5! with ideas g5xe6 and c1-b1!)
110
22.c6 e8 23.c1 xc6 24.xc6 xf3 25.gxf3 d4 26.e4! and White keeps
winning chances.
20.d6
20.b3 xf3 21.gxf3 c7 22.xc7 xc7 23.xc7 xc7 24.xd5 e5 leads to a drawn
ending.
20...d7 21.xd5 xd6

21...xf3 22.gxf3 xd6 23.xd6 xd6 24.xd6 leads to the game position.
22.xd6 xd6 23.xd6
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9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has got an extra pawn in the ending but all the pawns are on one side, which gives
Black reasonable drawing chances. Now he faces a dilemma to damage White's
pawn structure by giving up his pair of bishops or to keep it as it is. In the game
Leko Kramnik/WCh (m/5) Brissago 2004 he preferred
23...xf3
23...d8!? is maybe more reliable: 24.g3 (or 24.f4 g6 25.c1 e4 26.c4 d5 27.b4 c5
28.b5 c8 29.d2 e6 30.e4 e7 31.d6 d8 and Black keeps defending) 24...c5
25.c1 f8 26.d4 g6 27.c7 h6 28.h4 e8 29.b5 b8 30.c3 e8 and Black is
holding on.
24.gxf3
111
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+r+k+0
9+-+-+pzpp0
9-vl-vL-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-+-zPP+P0
9-+-+-zP-+0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
and Black eventually failed to get half a point.
112
QGD/18 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 7.dc5...9.Nd5

ed5 ... 12...d4 [D37]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 f4 0-0 6 e3 c5 7 dxc5 xc5 8 cxd5

xd5 9 xd5 exd5 10 a3 c6 11 d3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-vlp+-+-0
9-+-+-vL-+0
9zP-+LzPN+-0
9-zP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...b6 12 0-0 d4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-vln+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zp-vL-+0
9zP-+LzPN+-0
9-zP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
113
One of the main options where Black takes the good opportunity to push his isolated pawn
forward. It solves all the problems with the pawn itself, but it is firmly blocked and it
makes Black's minor pieces (Bb6 and Nc6) rather passive. Besides, White gets a
pawn superiority on the Kside and can think about possible active play. As a rule,
White keeps a slight edge but Black's position remains solid as usual in this
variation.
13 e4
Simplifications after 13 exd4 are harmless for Black. White keeps a slight initiative but it
does not promise much: 13...xd4 14 e5 c6 (a careless 14...g4?! gives White an
extra pawn after 15 xd4 xd4 16 xh7+ xh7 17 d3+! g8 18 xd4) 15 c3 g4 16
h3 h5 and Black slowly equalises
Some years ago 13 c2!? came on stage thanks to Alexey Dreev's efforts. White avoids a
pin over the diagonal d1-h5 but Black is still solid enough: 13...h6 (13...dxe3? fails to
14 xh7+! h8 15 fxe3 g6 16 g5 f5 17 f2 with a strong attack, but 13...g6!? still needs
more tests) 14 e4 g4
a) Black also tried other options: 14...f6 15 g3 g4 16 e5! (16 d2 ac8 is fine for
Black, according to the tournament practice) 16...e6 (16...e7 17 e2 xf3 18 gxf3!)
17 e2 xf3 (17...f5 18 c4 e7 19 h4 e6 20 d3) 18 gxf3
b) or 14...e6 15 e2 (15 b4 c8, 15 ac1!?) 15...c8 16 d2 e8 17 g3 c7 18 f4 f6
19 h5 f7 20 g4 e6 21 h4 d7 22 ae1 and White has maintained a slight
edge
15 e5 (White also tried 15 d2 but Black is okay: 15...c8 16 a4 f6!? 17 g3 e5 18
xe5 xe5 19 c4 f4 20 fe1 (20 xb6 axb6 21 b4 c6 is good for Black since
White the pawn on d4 is untouchable: 22 xd4? d6 23 c3 c8 24 b3 e6 25 b5
h3!!-+, but 20 g3!? f6 21 f4 deserves attention) 20...fd8 21 e5 g5 22 d6 (22
xb6!? f3 23 g3 axb6=) 22...f3 23 g3 c7 and Black is at least not worse) 15...xe5
16 xe5 Dreev played this position many times but it might promise only a very
slight edge for White: 16...e8 (or 16...c8 17 d2 e8 (17...e6 18 ac1 d7 19 h3
xc1 20 xc1 c8 21 xc8+ xc8 22 f4 d8 23 d6) 18 f4 g5 19 d6 g6 20 ac1
cd8 21 b4 g5 with acceptable play for Black) 17 g3 c8 18 d2 a5 19 f4
g5 20 ac1 (or 20 h4 xf4 21 xf4 d8 22 f3 d7 23 g3 with a very slight edge)
20...xf4 21 xf4 g5 22 xc8 xc8 23 e5 e6 with equal ending.
13...g4
13...c7 does not seem fully equalising: 14 xc7
a) 14 d2 would be met with 14...g4!
b) but White can think about a rather unusual 14 c1!? e8 (here 14...g4? fails to 15
xc7 xc7 16 xd4) 15 e1 with a small edge
14...xc7 15 h3 b6 (15...e6!? was worthy of consideration, intending to meet 16 g5 with
16...e5) 16 b4 e6 17 c1 h6 18 d2 fd8 19 f4! and White has achieved a
certain advantage.
14 h3
114
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-vln+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-zpPvLl+0
9zP-+L+N+P0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...h5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-vln+-+-+0
9+-+-+-+l0
9-+-zpPvL-+0
9zP-+L+N+P0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has a wide choice in this position.
14...f6 is interesting counter action. However, it might be not the most reliable
continuation: 15 g3
a) A straightforward approach 15 hxg4!? deserves attention: 15...xf4 16 g5 d8! A
good rearrangement. (Other options do not solve the problems, for example: 16...f6?!
17 g6!, or 16...fe8 17 g3 g4 18 g2 e5 19 xe5 xd1 20 axd1 xe5 21 f4) 17 g3 (17
e5?! e6 18 c2 g6 is fine for Black) 17...g4 18 g2 White's play is rather simple:
he is going to use the opened hfile and superior bishop to put problems for Black
on the Kside. 18...e6 19 h1! f4+ (The middlegame with opposite coloured
bishops after 19...xg5 20 xg5 xg5 21 f4 g6 (21...e7? 22 xh7!) 22 f3 h6 23
ac1 is clearly better for White thanks to his superior bishop and flexible Kside
pawn structure) 20 f1 h3 (20...g6 couldn't solve the problems: 21 e5 ae8 22 e2
e7 23 e1 fe8 24 d1 and White keeps things under control) 21 d2 This position
arose in the game Beliavsky Meier/EUch Plovdiv 2008. It continued 21...d8
and here 22 g2! would have secured a small advantage for White: 22...xg5 (in
case of 22...xg5?! 23 e5! xd2 24 xg4 g5 25 ad1 a5 26 e5 h6 27 f4 e6 28 f5 c5 29
c4 b5!? 30 a2+ White's Kside initiative would not be parried) 23 xd4 g6 24
115
ad1 f6 (24...xe4? 25 h6 f6 26 f3 a4 27 e5 e8 28 b3! xa3 29 d7! xb3 30

e4!! b4 31 d5 e7 32 xf6+ xf6 33 xh7+ f8 34 xf7! xf7 35 h8+ g8 36 xd8!+
) 25 f3 d7 26 e2 ad8 27 f4 d4 28 b4 followed by f4d5 and so on
b) The less active 15 h2 is played with the idea to push Black's bishop by g2g4.
Thus it is logical for Black to capture on f3: 15...xf3 (15...h5 16 g4 g6 might still
be playable) 16 xf3 xf3 (16...e5?! 17 xe5 xe5 18 d1 g5 19 g3 is better for
White) 17 gxf3 Despite the damage White's Kside pawn structure remained
flexible and his pair of bishops give him a small advantage. Yet, Black's position
seems defendable: 17...a5!? 18 ac1 b3 19 c2 ac8 20 d1 c5 and Black held
on this position without serious problems
15...xf3 (With White's bishop on g3 it is logical to postpone a capture on f3, not being
worried about g2g4 push: 15...h5!? 16 c1 ac8 etc.) 16 xf3 xf3 (The position
after 16...e5 17 xe5 xe5 is not equal, as has been mentioned above) 17 gxf3 In the
ending White keeps a small advantage. It has already been considered in the
comments to 15. h2, the position of White's bishop on g3 certainly gives him some
benefit. The game A.Onischuk Vaganian/Moscow 2009, continued 17...a5 18
ac1 fc8 19 fd1 b3 20 c4!? a5 (In case of 20...a5 White would maintain his
advantage by 21 g2 g6 22 e5) 21 b4 and White has maintained a small but
stable advantage.
15 c1
White has tried such options as 15 e1
15 e5
and 15 g4 g6 16 c1, and in all cases he has maintained a slight edge, but Black's position
was always solid enough.
15...e8
In case of 15...f6 White can improve his lightsquared bishop by 16 c4+ h8 17 d5 c8
18 d3 with better chances.
16 e1 c8
A typical position is reached. Black's passed pawn in center is firmly blocked and it
seriously decreases potentiality of Black's pieces. On the other side White's pawn
structure is flexible and it gives him somewhat better chances.
17 e5!
116
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9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-vln+-+-+0
9+-+-zP-+l0
9-+-zp-vL-+0
9zP-+L+N+P0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9+-tRQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...xf3!
After 17...d7? White came up with 18 xh7+! xh7 19 g5+ g6 and here, in the game
Andreikin A.Onischuk/RUSchT Dagomys 2008, White could have achieved a
big advantage by playing 20 d3+! f5 21 g3 f6 22 exf6 xf6 23 h4 g6 24
e4!! with serious problems for Black.
18 xf3 xe5 19 xe5 xe5 20 xb7 c7 21 f3 g6 22 g3

Thanks to the better pawn arrangement (Black's pawn on d4 is fixed on the same colour
square as the bishop) White keeps a slight edge. However, a draw would still be the
most likely result.
117
Ragozin System
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 f6 4 f3 b4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-vlPzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This opening system was named after the Russian Grandmaster Viacheslav Ragozin. He
didn't achieve great triumphs over the board but he is famous for his successful work
as a second of World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik.
The Ragozin system reminds me both of the NimzoIndian and the Queen's Gambit and it
is quite logical Black plays both the ... f8b4 and ...d7d5 moves. Transpositions
are quite possible for example, for those who can play the Rubinstein Variation of
the NimzoIndian this system does not bother much since they can simply continue
5. e3 and so on.
The Ragozin system also resembles the Vienna Variation and this sharp system can be also
be reached if White does not capture on d5. However, despite the similarities, the
Ragozin System has its own typical ideas, manoeuvres, subtleties and concrete lines.
It seems to be a positional opening like the Nimzo, but at the same time it is rather
ambitious and White players cannot feel too comfortable in some lines Black
begins to create threats very quickly!
Statistics tell us that the Ragozin System does not belong amongst the most popular
openings but perhaps it is a bit underestimated and still waiting for its time...
118
QGD/19 Ragozin System Black plays

...h7h6 [D38]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 f6 4.f3 b4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-vlPzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This opening system was named after the Russian Grandmaster Viacheslav Ragozin. He
hasn't achieved great successes over the board but he is famous for his successful
work as a second of World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik. The Ragozin system
reminds me both of the NimzoIndian and the Queen's Gambit and it is quite logical
Black plays both the ...f8b4 and ...d7d5 moves. Transpositions are quite
possible for example, for those who can play the Rubinstein Variation of the
NimzoIndian this system does not bother much since they can simply continue 5.
e3 and so on. The Ragozin system also resembles the Vienna Variation and this
sharp system can be also be reached if White does not capture on d5. However,
despite the similarities, the Ragozin System has its own typical ideas, manoeuvres,
subtleties and concrete lines. It seems to be a positional opening like the Nimzo, but
at the same time it is rather ambitious and White players cannot feel too comfortable
in some lines Black begins to create threats very quickly! Statistics tell us that the
Ragozin System does not belong amongst the most popular openings but perhaps it
is a bit underestimated and still waiting for its time...
5.cxd5 exd5 6.g5

119
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This pin looks rather annoying for Black, who has already sent his bishop to b4. Now he
must think how to solve this problem.
6...h6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzp-0
9-+-+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black usually plays 6...bd7 which leads to the main lines after 7.e3 followed by Bf1-d3
and so on. (A typical 7.c2, which may transpose into the Nimzo, does not seem
necessary at the moment. It might give Black a good extra option: 7...h6 8.h4 0-0
9.e3 c5 10.d3 c4 11.f5 b6!? with good play. The game Van Wely
Mamedyarov/Dortmund 2008 continued 12.g4?! This ambitious move is interesting
but it does not look solid and certainly gives chances for Black as well.
a) Yet, routine moves do not bother Black much: 12.xc8 xc8 13.0-0 e7 14.ad1
h5 15.f5 g6 16.xe7 xe7 17.h3 g7 18.e5 f6 with acceptable play
b) 12.0-0 xf5 (or 12...e7!? 13.fe1 xf5 14.xf5 c8 15.c2 e8 16.ac1 e6) 13.xf5
d7 14.c2 e6 15.xf6 xf6 and Black is doing well
12...g5! 13.g3 xf5 14.gxf5 e4 with excellent play for Black.)
7.h4
120
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzp-0
9-+-+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-vl-zP-+-vL0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
An exchange 7.xf6 is not very popular: 7...xf6 8.b3 White plays this variation with a
hope to achieve a slight but comfortable edge without being involved in
complications. However, Black keeps good counter chances. 8...c5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-+-+-wq-zp0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+QsN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.dxc5
a) 9.e3 is one of the main alternatives: 9...c6!? (9...0-0 is also playable) 10.dxc5 0-0
11.b5 d4 (11...xc3+?! 12.xc3 xc3+ 13.bxc3) 12.xc6 (surely not 12.xd4?! xd4
13.exd4 xd4) 12...dxc3 13.xb4 cxb2 14.b1 bxc6, after which White chooses
between 15.xb2 (and 15.0-0 with somewhat better chances in both cases, according
to the tournament practice)
b) 9.a3!? might be promising: 9...xc3+ (in the ending after 9...cxd4 10.axb4 dxc3
11.xc3 xc3+ 12.bxc3 White keeps the edge) 10.xc3 (10.bxc3 can be well met by
10...c4! 11.b5+ c6 12.xc6+ (12.a4 0-0, 12.b1 0-0 13.e4 dxe4 14.e5 xb5 15.xb5
d7 16.xc4 b6 17.e3 d8 18.d2 b7) 12...bxc6 13.e4 0-0 14.d2 d7 15.e2 e8
16.0-0 c5! and Black achieves good counter chances) 10...d7!?
b1) other options do not solve all the problems: 10...b6 11.c1 d7 12.e3
b2) 10...0-0?! 11.xc5
b3) 10...c4 11.b3 0-0 12.bxc4 dxc4 13.xc4 e6 14.b5! g4 15.e3 xf3 16.gxf3
xf3 17.g1
b4) or 10...a6?! 11.c1 c4 12.b3 b5 13.bxc4 bxc4 14.e4! e7 (14...dxe4 15.e5 0-0
16.xc4) 15.e3 0-0?! 16.exd5 d8 17.xc4 e8 18.e5 d6 19.0-0+
121
11.e3+!? (or a simple 11.e3 ) 11...e7 (11...e6 12.xe6+ fxe6 13.dxc5 xc5 14.c1)
12.xe7+ xe7 13.dxc5 xc5 14.c1 with a small advantage in the ending, which
should be defendable for Black: 14...e6 (14...e4 15.e3 d7 16.d3) 15.e3 d8
16.d2 d6 17.d3 and so on
c) Other options are harmless for Black: 9.c1?! c6 10.e3 c4 11.d1 0-0 is already
better for him
d) 9.0-0-0?! is too risky: 9...xc3 10.xc3 c4 (10...0-0!?) 11.e4 dxe4 12.d2 and here
Black can secure the edge by a simple 12...0-0!? 13.xe4 g6 14.f3 b5
e) Accepting the gift by 9.xd5? is really dubious: 9...c6 10.e3 e6 11.e4 0-00 with a strong initiative.
9...xc3+ (9...a6 10.e3 xc3+ 11.bxc3 xc5 12.b5+ gives better chances for White.) 10.bxc3
(The ending after 10.xc3 xc3+ 11.bxc3 is fine for Black: 11...d7 12.0-0-0 f6 13.e3 0-0
14.d3 g4 15.d2 ac8 with a good play) 10...0-0 (10...e6!? is also playable: 11.d4
d7 12.g3 0-0 13.g2 xc5 14.b4 fc8 and so on) 11.d4 (11.c1 is well met by
11...a6! 12.e3 xc5 13.xd5 b6! 14.d2 e6 15.d4 ac8 16.f3 c7 followed by ...Rf8
c8, getting the c3pawn back) 11...e6!? (Black has also tried 11...a6 12.e3
(12.xd5 d8 13.f3 g5! (13...e5 14.e3 xc5 15.c1 b4 16.e2 xa2 17.c2 seems
to be in White's favour) 14.e4 g4! 15.g3 xc5 16.h4 g6 17.f3 b6! 18.f2
a4!? and Black grabbed the initiative) 12...xc5 13.xd5 b6!? 14.xa8 b7
15.xa7 a8 16.xa8+ xa8 with reasonable compensation. For example, 17.f3
h4+! 18.g3 g5 19.f2?! (19.e2!) 19...xf3!! with a big advantage since the
bishop is untouchable: 20.xf3 e4+ 21.g2 xe3 and Black gets everything
back with benefit. However, White might certainly find the more precise way to
extinguish Black's initiative in this variation) 12.e3 White might begin with 12. a3
as well. (12.xb7?! is dubious as White gets nothing but problems. The game
Akobian Mitkov/Chicago 2008, continued 12...d7 13.b4 ab8 14.a3 fc8 15.e3
g6 16.f3 xc5 17.f2 f6! 18.c1 e7! 19.g1 d7! 20.e1 b1! and Black eventually
smashed his opponent in style) 12...d7 13.a3 This position has been tested many
times in practice. Conclusion: Black is okay. For example, 13...fc8 (13...e7!? with
idea to get the pawn back after 14.e2 fc8 is interesting) 14.c6 bxc6 15.a6 cb8
16.0-0 b6 17.e2 g6 (or 17...c5 18.xe6 xe6 19.fd1 c4 20.a5 f6 21.f3 a6
22.b5 b6! 23.xb6 axb6 24.xd5 xd5 25.xd5 xa2 26.xa2 xa2 27.d8+ h7 28.g4 a3
29.d6 with a draw in the endgame) 18.xe6 xe6 19.ab1 ab8 20.b3 f6 with
good play for Black.
7...c5
122
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-+-+-sn-zp0
9+-zpp+-+-0
9-vl-zP-+-vL0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The concrete and rather risky attempt to get rid of the pin and obtain counter chances by
7...g5 8.g3 e4 does not solve the problems. White has a strong resource 9.d2!
(9.c1?! is known to be bad as after slightly unexpected 9...h5! White cannot save his
bishop without serious concessions) 9...xc3 (in case of 9...xg3 White gets the
edge after 10.hxg3 c5 This active approach is doubleedged.
a) 10...e6 11.c2 c6 12.a3 e7!? (the deep retreat 12...f8?! is rather typical for
such positions as Black thereby fortifies his Kside. However, this delay in
development might be costly for him. 13.e4! dxe4?! Another move, which can only
promote White's initiative. (the more solid 13...d7 14.0-0-0 g7 does not solve the
problems completely: 15.f4 dxe4 16.dxe4) 14.0-0-0 and White's initiative has
become threatening, S.Ernst Miedema/NEDch Haaksbergen 2009) 13.0-0-0 d7
14.e4 and here Black should prefer 14...b6!?, keeping the worse but defendable
position.
b) a restrained 10...c6 11.e3 leads to a similar play
11.a3 cxd4 (11...xc3 12.bxc3 c6 13.e3 f5 does not solve Black's problems: 14.b5 a5
15.f3! xc3 16.0-0 and White's initiative should bring himself real benefit soon)
12.a4+!? (12.axb4 dxc3 13.bxc3 may also promise better prospects for White: 13...f6
14.e3 0-0 15.a3 and so on) 12...c6 13.axb4 dxc3 14.bxc3 f6 15.b5 The game
Chabanon Anic/Enghien les Bains 1997 continued 15...e7 16.d4! xd4
17.cxd4 and thanks to his active rooks and the better pawn structure White has
achieved a stable advantage in the endgame) 10.bxc3 xc3 11.c1 Here Black has a
choice. 11...b2 The main continuation.
a) In case of 11...xd2+?! 12.xd2 c6 13.h4 Black is just suffering without counter
chances
b) while after 11...a5 12.e3 (a logical 12.h4 is also possible: 12...g4 (a surprising
12...f8 does not equalise: 13.e3 c6 14.d3 c7 15.xc7 xc7 16.h5 e6 17.hxg5 hxg5
18.xg5 d7, in case of 12...c6?! 13.hxg5 xg5 14.e3 White obtains more than enough
compensation for the pawn) 13.e3 c6 (or 13...0-0 14.d3 c6 15.0-0) 14.e2 followed
by castling with excellent compensation for the pawn) 12...f5 (12...c6?! is less
precise since White can develop his bishop more actively: 13.d3 c7 14.xc7 xc7
15.0-0 and Black can hardly stop White's actions) 13.e2 (a typical 13.h4 deserves
attention as well) 13...d7 14.0-0 White is playing without pawn but he has already
completed his development and ready to act. The game Yermolinsky
123
Zilberstein/San Francisco 2003 continued 14...c6 15.e4! dxe4 16.c4 c7 17.d5

and White seized the initiative
12.xc7 (12.xc7!? is also rather interesting: 12...a6 (Black fails to trap the rook:
12...c6? 13.e3 a3 14.b5) 13.c2 xd4 14.e3 g7 (The bishop had to retreat since
14...e7? failed to 15.xa6 bxa6 16.xc8+! xc8 17.a4+ d7 18.xd4+) 15.xa6 bxa6
16.0-0 0-0 17.b3 and thanks to the better pawn structure White can claim a small
edge, Stocek Izoria/EUch Antalya 2004) 12...e7 (12...d7 is less popular:
13.b1 c3 (other options are not completely satisfactory for Black: 13...xc7 14.xb2
c6 15.e3 e6 16.d3, or 13...a3 14.xb8 xb8 15.e3 0-0 16.d3 in both cases with a
certain advantage for White thanks to Black's weakened pawn structure) 14.e5
(White would also get a small advantage by 14.g3 c6 15.e3, and 14.xb8 xb8
15.e3, as was tested in some games) 14...0-0 This position arose in the game
Moiseenko Giorgadze/ESPchT Sanxenxo 2004, which continued 15.b3!? a5
16.h4 and White has got initiative on the Kside though Black still had a lot of
defensive resources) 13.d6! e6 14.b1 Probably the best series of moves.
14...c3 (14...xd6?! gives a certain edge for White after 15.xb2 c6 16.e3) 15.a3
c6 16.e3 xd4 Black has got extra pawn but his king got stuck in center. 17.c1!?
a) In the game Shabalov Mitkov/Chicago 2002 White preferred 17.b5 f6 (in
case of 17...e5 White can simply continue by 18.0-0 d6 19.xd6 xd6 20.e4 e5
21.xd5 xd5 22.f6+ f8 23.xd5 with initiative) 18.b3!? c3+ 19.f1 a6 20.d3
b5 21.c5 f6 22.a4 but Black has eventually extinguished White's initiative by
22...e7!
b) In a number of games Mitkov successfully defended the ending after 17.e2 e5
18.0-0 d6 19.xd6 xd6 20.e4 e5 21.xd5 xd5 22.f6+ f8 23.xd5
White keeps a slight edge but it's difficult to convert it into something more
substantial.
17...f6 18.b5 Here is the point Black's king cannot escape from the center. The game
Cheparinov Mitkov/Morelia 2007 continued 18...e7 19.xe7 xe7 20.b3 A
tempting but perhaps not the best continuation. (20.0-0!? f8 21.b3 came into
consideration with more than sufficient compensation for the pawn) 20...g4!
21.xd5 b4+ 22.e2 d8 23.c5+ xc5 24.xc5 and White's pressure has
eventually brought him a full point.
8.e3
124
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9-+-+-sn-zp0
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9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.dxc5 is an alternative, which may lead to complications: 8...bd7 9.c1 a5 10.a3
(Perhaps White should pay more attention to the old 10.d4!?, which has been tried
in practice more often: 10...0-0 (or 10...xc5 11.d2 0-0 (11...b4 12.a3 is simply
better for White) 12.e3 b6 13.d3 (13.e2!?) 13...e8 14.b1 with somewhat better
chances) 11.a3 xc5 12.d2 e7 13.e3 b6 (13...d8 14.d3 (14.e2 c5 15.d4)
14...c5 15.d4 with a stable advantage) 14.d4 e4 (perhaps 14...c4!? is
preferable) 15.xe7! xd2 16.b4 xb4 17.axb4 xf1 18.xf1 e6 19.b3
(19.cb5!?) 19...a5 20.bxa5 xa5 21.d2 fa8 22.c2 and White has secured a
small edge) 10...xc3+ 11.xc3 e4 12.b4 xc3 13.a1 a4 (Black can also try
13...a6 14.xc3 g6 15.e3 b1+ 16.d2 0-0 but perhaps White is still able to
maintain some pressure: 17.g1!? A simple way to get rid of the pin and get the K
side pieces into play. If White manages to secure his king he will be able to maintain
the pressure thanks to his better pawn structure and strong minor pieces. The
material balance is almost equal as White has got one pawn for the exchange.
Besides, his king has already become a real piece. (17.e1?! a5 brings only problems
for White, but 17.c2!? deserves attention: 17...a1 18.h7+!? xh7 19.d3+ g8!?
20.xa1 a5 21.c3!? axb4+ 22.xb4 and White keeps excellent compensation for the
exchange and may try to increase pressure over Black's Qside, using his strong
pieces, including the king. However, here White's Qside pawn structure was
damaged and Black looks okay after, for example, 22...b8!? 23.g3 c6+ 24.c3 d7)
17...a2+!? (after 17...a5 18.c4 axb4 19.axb4 e4 20.d3 e6 21.d4 e5 22.g3 f6
23.b5! White has obtained the better chances in the game Delchev Palac/Khanty
Mansyjsk (ol) 2010) 18.c1 a5 19.b2 xb2+ 20.xb2 axb4 21.axb4 a4 22.b3
a1 Here White has to exchange his last major piece but perhaps he still has some
edge after 23.b5 xg1 24.xg1) 14.xc3 0-0 15.e3 a5 16.b5 We have considered
a very similar position in the chapter "D38 QGD/19 Ragozin System deviations
from the main line" in the games Khenkin Maze/Geneve 2007 and N.Kosintseva
Zdebskaja/EUch Dresden 2007. Here the moves ...h7h6 and g5h4 have been
included. 16...xc5 Black is in a hurry to create counter chances against uncastled
opponent's king. (16...e8 17.e2 gives White a small but stable advantage) 17.xc5
f5! A good idea, Black places his bishop more actively. (17...e6 also seems
playable. White would try to extinguish Black's initiative by 18.c1
125
a) 18.d4 xa3 19.e2 can be well met by 19...c1+ 20.d1 (20.d1? a4 21.0-0 a3
22.e2 fc8!) 20...c3+ (or 20...fc8!?, 20...b2? 21.0-0 a4 22.g3! f6 23.d4 f7 24.d3 a3
25.f5 a2 26.g4 gives White a very strong attack) 21.d2 (or 21.d2 d4 22.0-0 dxe3
23.e4 b4) 21...a1+ 22.d1 (22.d1 looks risky for White: 22...a4 23.0-0 a3 24.d4
fc8 25.c2 b2 and Black's apawn is very strong) 22...c3+ with a repetition
b) while 18.e2 fc8 19.d4 c1+ 20.d1 xb5 looks okay for Black, for
example: 21.d2 ac8 22.d4 c4 but perhaps White can still look for some way
to prove his advantage in this line
though here the moves ...h7h6 and g5h4 give Black more resources: 18...ac8 19.a1
g4 20.g3 d4! with good counter chances as White is still seriously behind in
development) 18.c1!? (the dubious 18.d4?! xa3 19.e2 b4+! 20.xb4
(20.d2 fc8 was not much better) 20...axb4 gave Black a rather annoying initiative
thanks to his strong passed pawn and active rooks, Aronian Kramnik/Tal
Memorial Moscow 2010) 18...ac8 19.a1 can be met by the already mentioned
19...g4 20.g3 d4! but the position is still rather unclear. This line still deserves
more analysis.
8...0-0
The drastic measure 8...g5 9.g3 e4 still seems risky for Black: 10.b5+ f8 (other
options cannot equalise: 10...c6 11.0-0 is considered in the game Borovikov
Alexandrov/Kramatorsk 2001, while 10...d7 11.xd7+ xd7 12.0-0 also gives White a
small but stable advantage) 11.0-0 (Garry Kasparov preferred 11.dxc5!?, which is
interesting but probably less clear: 11...xc3 12.bxc3 xc3+ 13.e2 xa1 14.xa1
f6 (14...g8 wasn't easier for Black: 15.e5 h7 16.f6 a5 17.d3 d7 18.c3!
(18.xh7+?! xh7 19.d4 b6!) 18...xc5 19.h4! g4 20.g5! with decisive attack)
15.h4 and here Black must continue 15...g7 with a sharp and complicated play,
according to some correspondence games) 11...xc3 12.bxc3 c4 (12...xc3?! 13.c2!
xb5 14.xc5+ g7 15.xb5) 13.e5 (13.c2 f5 14.b2 could have promised some
advantage for White) 13...xc3 14.h5 f6 15.f4! g4 16.f5! with the initiative
although Black could still defend
After 8...c6
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9-+n+-sn-zp0
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9tR-+QmKL+R0
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126
White has a choice. The most natural decision is to continue the development. 9.b5 (9.e2
is also playable though a bit less active: 9...g5 10.g3 e4 11.c1 a5 12.0-0 xc3
13.bxc3 xc3 14.e1 xe2+ 15.xe2 c4 Black has secured his extra pawn but his
king is not castled and White can begin actions first. The game Chekhov
Inkiov/Polanica Zdroj 1981 continued 16.e5!? (16.e4!? deserves serious attention)
16...xe5 17.xe5 g8 and here 18.e4! was stronger. White's chances seemed
preferable since he was playing against the opponent's king) 9...g5 (Black tried some
other options to get rid of the annoying pin but failed to equalise: 9...b6 10.0-0 xc3
11.xc6+ xc6 12.e5 e6 13.bxc3 0-0 14.d3, or 9...a5 10.xc6+ bxc6 11.xf6 xc3+
12.bxc3 xc3+ 13.d2 gxf6 14.c1 d3 15.xc5) 10.g3 e4 11.0-0 xc3 12.bxc3 0-0
(After 12...xc3 13.xc6+ bxc6 14.c2 e4 15.dxc5 White gets the better chances)
13.xc6 bxc6 14.dxc5 xc5 This position arose in the game Borovikov
Aleksandrov/Kramatorsk 2001 which continued 15.d4 (an alternative 15.e5!? is
also worthy of consideration) 15...f6 16.f3! g6 17.c4! and White has achieved
the better prospects.
9.d3
White tried a number of continuations here but this natural move seems to be the best.
9...c4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-+-+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-vlpzP-+-vL0
9+-sNLzPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This pawn advance is typical for the Ragozin. Black gets rid of the eventual d4xc5 and
obtains a pawn superiority on the Qside. Of course, it gives White free hands in
center and he will certainly try to prepare e3e4. However, this task is not so simple
and Black hopes to get use of his trump in the complex middlegame.
10.b1!?
127
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-+-+-sn-zp0
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9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tRL+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A very interesting idea White is going to use the c2square for his queen!
The natural 10.c2 would also promise a small advantage for White: 10...bd7 (in case of
10...g4 White can play 11.0-0 xc3 12.bxc3 bd7 13.b1 xf3 14.gxf3, maintaining the
edge, R.Scherbakov A.Aleksandrov/Sochi 1997) 11.0-0 a5 (11...xc3 12.bxc3 a5
is too complaisant and White gets a stable advantage by 13.c1 e8 14.d2) 12.e2
(12.c1 xc3 13.bxc3 xa2 14.d2 also gives White a good compensation for the pawn
but this way requires more analysis and practical tests) 12...e8 13.b3 a3!
Preventing a rather annoying a2a3 followed by b3b4. The game Kir.Georgiev
Kacheishvili/Dubai 2005 continued 14.bxc4 dxc4 15.b1!? b5 16.e5 with a very
complicated play.
10...bd7
A routine 10...xc3+ 11.bxc3 e8 does not prevent White's plans: 12.d2 bd7 13.0-0
f8 14.h3 g6 15.g3 a5 16.c1 with better prospects.
11.0-0 a5 12.c2 xc3
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9zpp+n+pzp-0
9-+-+-sn-zp0
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9tRL+-+RmK-0
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13.xc3!?
128
Another important decision White supposes the endgame is more promising to him!
13.bxc3 could have also maintained a small advantage since 13...e4?! was strongly met
by 14.d2! xc3 (14...f5 15.xe4 fxe4 16.f3) 15.xe4 xc2 16.xc2 dxe4 17.xe4
with a tangible advantage.
13...xc3 14.bxc3 e8 15.d2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zpp+n+pzp-0
9-+-+-sn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+pzP-+-vL0
9+-zP-zP-+-0
9P+-sN-zPPzP0
9tRL+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has achieved a stable advantage in the endgame he can play on both the Qside
and the center, Kasparov Aleksandrov/Bled (ol) 2002.
129
QGD/20 Ragozin System 7. e3 c5 8.

dxc5 [D38]
1.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.c3 b4 4.f3 d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.g5 bd7 7.e3 c5

8.dxc5!?
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9zpp+n+pzpp0
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9+-zPp+-vL-0
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9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This is not the most popular way to counter the Ragozin variation but perhaps it's
underestimated.
8...a5 9.c1 xc3+

9...xa2?! is too risky: 10.xf6 xf6 11.b5+ d7 12.0-0 xc3 13.xd7+ xd7 14.xc3
xb2 (or 14...0-0 15.b4 fc8 16.d4) 15.c2 f6 16.xd5 c6 17.xc6 (17.d6!?)
17...bxc6 18.d4 with a clear advantage
9...e4 10.xd5 xc3 11.bxc3 xc3+ 12.d1 0-0 is an alternative topical line, in which
Vladimir Kramnik recently gave Black problems: 13.c4 f6 (13...xc5?! favours
White: 14.e7 b4 15.xf8 e6 16.d4 xf8 17.e2 and White gets the better chances.
For example, 17...a3 18.xe6! xc1 19.c4 a3 20.g5 b5 21.xf7+ xf7 22.xf7 xf7
23.d5+ and so on) 14.xf6 xf6 15.e2 and White gets the better chances,
according to tournament practice
9...0-0 is a transposition to another important line, which usually arises via a different order
of moves: 6...0-0 7. c1!? bd7 8. e3 c5 9. dc5 a5 and it is considered in "D38
QGD/19 Ragozin System Deviations from the main line".
130
10.bxc3 0-0
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9-+-+-+-+0
9+-zP-zPN+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.d4!?
This rare option is rather interesting.
White usually played 11.e2 e4 12.0-0 but Black is recently doing well: 12...xc3 (or
12...dxc5 13.e7 e8 14.xc5 xc5 15.c4 dxc4 (15...e6!? 16.d4 ac8) 16.xc4
e7 17.c2 d6 18.c7 f5 19.c1 with some pressure) 13.d2 xe2+ 14.xe2
b6!? 15.fd1 a6 16.c2 xc5 17.e7 fc8 18.xd5 h6 19.xc5 b7! followed by
...b7xf3 and Black solved all his problems.
11...xc5
The brave alternative 11...xa2 is risky but worth considering. Here 12.f4!? deserved
serious attention. (12.e2 a3 13.b5 xc5 14.f4 e8 15.0-0 b6 16.d4!? xd4 17.cxd4
also gives White good compensation for the pawn) 12...a6!?
a) both 12...xc5 13.d6 fe4 14.c2 a5 15.xf8 xf8 16.f3
b) and 12...e8 do not solve the problems: 13.b5 a3 14.0-0! xc5 (14...a6? 15.c6!)
15.c4 a6 16.cxd5 xd5 17.a4 h5 18.c7 and White gets the initiative
13.c6 bxc6 14.xc6 e8 15.d3 with somewhat the better chances for White.
12.d3 e4
12...e8 13.0-0 (13.c2 h6 14.f4 h5) 13...e4 14.f4 is also better for White.
13.f4
131
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+-+-+-+0
9+-wqp+-+-0
9-+-sNnvL-+0
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9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has maintained a small but stable advantage, Nakamura Grischuk/Wijk aan Zee
2011.
132
QGD/21 Ragozin System Deviations

from main line [D38]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 f6 4.f3 b4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.g5
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9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
6...bd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zppzpn+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
6...0-0 is not very popular. Recently White tried to put problems for Black by playing an
early 7.c1!?, making a typical ...c7c5 more difficult. (7.e3 may still lead to the
133
main lines but some subtleties are always there, for example, after 7...c5 8.d3 c4
White cannot put his bishop on f5. Then after 9.c2 bd7 10.0-0 a5 is considered
below in the line 6 ...Nbd7 7. e3 c5 8. Bd3 c4 9. Bc2!?) 7...bd7
a) Black can also include 7...h6, after which 8.xf6 (8.h4!?) 8...xf6 9.a3 xc3+
10.xc3 c6 11.e3 g4 gives him a slightly worse but playable position.
b) 7...c5 can be well met with 8.dxc5 e6 (or 8...c6 9.e3 h6 10.xf6 xf6 11.b5
(11.a3!?) 11...g6 12.0-0 h3 13.e1! with idea c3e2f4, which gives White a
clear edge) 9.e3 (an attempt to win a pawn by 9.a3?! xc5 10.xf6? is dubious as White
is getting late in development: 10...xf6 11.xd5 xd5 12.xd5 a6! and Black has
seized the initiative, Chuchelov Jobava/EUch Dresden 2007) 9...bd7 10.a3
xc5 11.b5 (11.e2 c8 12.0-0 also gives White the better chances) 11...e7 12.0-0
c5 13.f4 with a small edge in a typical position with isolated pawn
8.e3 Despite the knight on c3 is protected by the rook White does not want to waste time
for pushing the bishop, supposing that he is well prepared for the advance ...c7c5
anyway. (In case of 8.a3 xc3+ (Black might also think about 8...e7 9.e3 c6,
transposing into the Carlsbad type of position, in which White's one extra move on
the Qside might not be very important however, it is not completely in the more
active Ragozin system which he initially played) 9.xc3 h6 10.h4 c6 11.e3 g5!?
12.g3 e4 13.c2 df6 Black has got acceptable play) 8...c5 Otherwise what was
the point of moving the bishop to b4?! 9.dxc5 a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9wq-zPp+-vL-0
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9+-tRQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
(9...xc5 10.d4 xc3+ 11.xc3 ce4 12.xf6 xf6 13.xf6 xf6 is certainly not equalising as
White enjoys a comfortable edge in the endgame with isolated pawn) 10.a3! This
pawn push was supposed to be not so good for White since 1929! (10.d2 was
known to be the main continuation, preventing ...f6e4: 10...b6!? (10...xc5 11.a3
xc3 12.xc3 b6 13.b3) 11.c6! d4! (11...xc3? fails to 12.xc3 d4 13.xf6! xf6 14.c4!
followed by d1xd4) 12.cxd7 dxc3 13.bxc3 xc3!? 14.xf6 gxf6 This position has
been tested in several games and White failed to pose problems for Black)
10...xc3+ 11.xc3 e4 12.b4 xc3 At the moment Black has a whole extra rook
but the knight is going to be lost. 13.a1 a4 (in case of 13...c7!? 14.xc3 a5
White can secure his advantage by 15.b5!? (15.d3 axb4 16.axb4 e8 17.0-0 e5 is
rather unclear) 15...axb4 16.axb4, trying to keep Black's pieces passive) 14.xc3 a5
At first sight this position should be fine for Black he has got the exchange while
134
White's king is still in center. However, it soon becomes clear that White's
superiority is based on solid positional grounds. 15.b5 e8!?
a) 15...xc5?! 16.xc5 does not give Black sufficient compensation: 16...e6?!
(16...d7!? is preferable) 17.c1! fc8 18.a1! and after this cool defence Black
finds himself without targets
b) while after 15...b6 16.c6 c5 17.d3 g4 (17...g4!? came into consideration but
it seems that White would simply continue by 18.0-0) 18.0-0 xd3 19.xd3 White
has secured the better chances in the game Khenkin Maze/Geneve 2007
16.e2 (16.d4!? might have been more precise, locking up Black's queen. Then it would be
a transposition to the game after 16...f8 17.e2 e6) 16...f8 (Black had an
interesting attempt 16...e4!? 17.0-0 d4!? 18.exd4 xc5! 19.e1 a4 20.d2 White had
the initiative but it seemed bearable) 17.d4 (In case of 17.0-0 Black could have
thought about 17...g4!?) 17...e6 The game N.Kosintseva Zdebskaja/EUch
Dresden 2007 continued 18.xe6 xe6 19.0-0 d7 20.b2 and White has secured
the better chances.
6...c5 is usually played after ...h7h6 and g5h4 or after ...b8d7. Here White can
secure the better chances by 7.dxc5 (7.e3 would be a transposition into the other
lines) 7...0-0 8.c1 see 6...0-0 7. c1 c5.
7.e3
Recently White began to play 7.c1 as well, trying to make a typical ...c7c5 more difficult
for Black. However, he still failed to put real problems: 7...c6 (7...c5?! 8.dxc5 gives
better chances for White, according to the tournament practice: 8...a5 (or 8...xc5
9.d4 xc3+ 10.xc3 ce4 11.xf6 xf6 12.xf6 xf6 13.e3 with stable advantage) 9.d2
(9.a3 xc3+ 10.xc3 e4 11.d2 looks promising but Black can almost solve the
problems by 11...dxc5! (11...xc3?! 12.xc3 xc5 13.xg7 g8 14.d4) 12.c1 xd2
13.xd2 xd2+ 14.xd2 b6 15.e3 e7 16.b4 e6 17.b3 a5 and so on) 9...xc5
10.e3 with a comfortable edge) 8.e3 (8.a3 deserved attention, clarifying situation on
the Qside) 8...a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
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9+-tRQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.d3!? (9.b3 e4 10.f4 can still be met by 10...c5! Despite being played in two steps this
typical pawn advance is still rather strong. 11.a3 xc3+ 12.bxc3 c4 The game Laznicka
Sargissian/GERchT 2006 continued 13.b4 xb4 14.axb4 a5 15.bxa5 xa5 with
135
acceptable play for Black) 9...xa2 10.0-0 a5 Black played some wasteful moves
in the opening so White should have good compensation for the pawn. However, it's
still not so easy to pose real problems. The game Navara Aronian/Wijk aan Zee
2007 continued 11.e5 0-0 12.f3 xe5 13.dxe5 g4 14.g3 xe5 15.xe5 f6
16.xf6 xf6 17.e8+ f8 18.h5 h6 and White had no more than repetition of
moves by 19.g6 f6 20.e8+
7.c2 is also playable, 7...c5 8.dxc5 h6 9.d2 0-0 10.e3 xc5 11.c1!? Carlsen
Ivanchuk/Medias ROU 2011.
7...c5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-zpp+-vL-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.d3
An alternative 8.e2 is rarely played. White develops his bishop to the less active position
but at the same time Black will not gain time by his typical cpawn advance. 8...a5
9.0-0 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9wq-zpp+-vL-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(Black also tried 9...c4 10.c2 xc3 11.bxc3 e4, and an immediate 9...xc3 10.bxc3 c4) 10.d2!?
White prevents the typical ...f6e4 at the same going to disturb Black's advanced
Qside pieces.
136
a) A rather unexpected 10.xd5!? deserves attention: 10...xd5 11.dxc5 (11.a3!?)

11...h6 12.h4 7f6 13.a3 xc5 14.b4 xb4 15.axb4 xb4 16.xf6 gxf6 17.c2
and White has achieved good compensation for the pawn
b) 10.dxc5 xc3 11.bxc3 e4!? 12.c4 is acceptable although maybe slightly worse
for Black: 12...dxc4!?
b1) 12...c3 does not fully equalise: 13.c2 xc5 (after 13...xe2+?! 14.xe2 dxc4?!
15.xc4 b6 16.c6! a6 17.g4! xf1 18.cxd7 d3! 19.d4 f6 20.xd3! fxg5 21.c4+ h8
22.d1 White has got a clear advantage) 14.cxd5 xd5 15.ac1 b6 16.fd1 with a
certain edge
b2) 12...xg5!? is playable although White keeps a slight edge after 13.xg5 h6
14.f3 dxc4 15.xc4 xc5
13.xc4 xc5 14.d5 (14.c1?! xg5 15.xf7+ xf7 16.xc5 xc5) 14...xd5 15.xd5 df6,
exchanging White's darksquared bishop and almost equalising.
c) 10.c2 can be met with 10...xc3 (10...c4 11.d2 e8 12.h4 xc3 13.bxc3 e4
14.xe4 xe4 15.g3 gave White a small but stable advantage in the game
A.Rychagov Zvjaginsev/RUSch Superfinal Moscow 2007) 11.bxc3 (The
endgame after 11.xc3 xc3 12.bxc3 e4 does not promise much for White) 11...e4
(It is also worth considering to open way for the bishop by playing 11...b6!? ) 12.c4
cxd4 This position arose in the game Radjabov Aronian/Wijk aan Zee 2007, which
continued 13.cxd5 (after 13.exd4 xg5 14.xg5 f6 15.c5 d7 16.d3 g6 17.f3 White's
position looks a bit better but Black is solid enough) 13...e8! (The more reliable
13...xg5 14.xg5 f6 could be well met by 15.d3! g6 (15...h6 16.h7 xh7
17.xh7+ h8 18.e4) 16.e4 with better prospects) 14.ad1 h6 15.h4?! (An
alternative 15.f4 dxe3 16.xe3 at least gave Black a very useful tempo) 15...dxe3
16.fxe3 c3! 17.e1 xe3 18.d3 c5! and after the forced 19.xc3 xe1+
20.xc5 xf1+ 21.xf1 xc5 White has found himself in the endgame with a
pawn down.
10...xc3 (In case of 10...c4 11.c2 the game could transpose into a typical position with
some advantage for White perhaps this way is more reliable for Black) 11.bxc3
xc3 12.c1 a3 13.dxc5 xa2 14.f4! e8 15.f3 e4 16.b5 a6 17.a4
exc5! 18.xc5 xc5 19.xe8 e6 20.e5! xe8 21.xg7! xg7 22.d4+ g8
23.xc5 White has achieved good compensation for the pawn thanks to the Black's
vulnerable king, Morozevich Aronian/Morelia Linares 2007.
8...c4!?
Black usually begins with 8...a5
9.f5
137
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9+-+p+LvL-0
9-vlpzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
In case of 9.c2!? Black can continue according to his plan 9...a5, intending to grab the
pawn: 10.0-0 xc3!? (in case of 10...0-0 11.e5 (11.e2!? might also promise some
edge for White, according to the tournament practice) 11...e8 (after 11...xc3
12.xd7! (12.bxc3 is less promising: 12...xe5 13.dxe5 (13.xf6 g6) 13...e4
14.e7 e8 15.b4 c7 16.xe4!? (16.xd5 xe5 17.d4 f5 18.ad1 ee8 is fine for
Black) 16...dxe4 17.d6 c6 and White keeps somewhat better chances thanks to
his strong bishop on d6) 12...xd7 13.bxc3 and the c3pawn cannot be taken for
free: 13...xc3?! 14.b1!, gaining the h7pawn thanks to the idea g5e7b4,
trapping the queen) 12.xd7 xd7 13.e2 f8 14.f4 d6 15.h5 c7 16.f3
g6 with acceptable play for Black) 11.bxc3 xc3
a) 11...e4 12.h4 is better for White according to the tournament practice but
perhaps Black should try a brave 12...xc3!? (12...0-0 13.xe4 dxe4 14.d2 d5 15.a4,
12...xc3 13.c1 a3 14.xe4 dxe4 15.d2, 12...df6 13.xf6 xf6 14.c1 0-0 15.a4)
13.e1 b6 14.e4 xe4 (14...0-0!?) 15.xe4 xe1 16.fxe1 dxe4 17.xe4+ f8 with
defendable position.
b) 11...0-0 12.e5 is also supposed to be better for White but Black's position is
playable. (there are some other options such as 12.c1 The game Van Wely
Carlsen/Biel 2007 continued 12...e4!? (12...e8 is also not bad) 13.b1 e8 14.f4
b6!? with good counter chances) 12...xe5!? (only not 12...xc3? 13.xd7 xd7
14.b1! (with idea Be7b4!) 14...a3 (14...e8 15.xh7+ h8 16.c2 with a clear
advantage) 15.xh7+ h8 16.c2 with a big advantage) 13.dxe5 e4 14.e7 e8
15.b4 c7 16.xe4!? (16.xd5 xe5 17.d4 f5 18.ad1 ee8 is at least not worse for
Black) 16...dxe4 17.d6 c6 and White keeps somewhat better chances thanks to
his strong bishop on d6.
12.c1 (12.b1!? looks interesting but it gives Black the time to complete development:
12...0-0 13.a4!? (13.e4 can be met by 13...dxe4! 14.d2 a3 15.b4 a6 16.xf8 exf3 with
excellent play for Black, as was proved in a few games) 13...a5 14.e5 xe5
15.dxe5 e4 with good play for Black) 12...a5 (12...a3!? is also worthy of
consideration: 13.e5 b5!? This looks suspicious but it's not so easy for White to
disprove it. (a natural 13...0-0 is also possible: 14.xd7 (14.f3 d6 15.g3 h6 16.xh6
h5 is favourable for Black) 14...xd7 15.e4 gives White good compensation but
Black does not look bad) 14.xd7 xd7!? (14...xd7 15.e4 h6 16.h4 b6 17.e1 0-0
18.e5 gives White strong attacking possibilities) 15.f3 (15.xf6!? gxf6 16.e4
138
deserved serious attention) 15...d6 16.xf6 (16.a4?! g4! 17.f4 e6!?) 16...gxf6
(16...xf6 seems worse: 17.xd5 c8 18.e4 c6 19.c5 e7 20.h5 0-0 21.cd1 with
advantage thanks to the strong central pawns) 17.e4 with good compensation.
However, this still line looks quite playable for Black, especially in case he needs a
win) 13.e5 0-0 This position arose in the game Harikrishna
B.Savchenko/Aeroflot Moscow 2007. After 14.xd7 xd7 15.e7!? e8 16.h5
f8!? 17.xf8 g6 18.b4 xb4 19.xd5 e6 Black has achieved acceptable play.
9...b6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-sn-+-sn-+0
9+-+p+LvL-0
9-vlpzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
An interesting idea Black benefits from the White bishop's early sortie, intending to
complete development of his Qside first of all. On the other hand, it deprives Black
from his typical manoeuvre ...Qd8a5 and weakens the knight on f6.
9...a5 is a common option. Here White can also sacrifice a pawn by 10.0-0 (10.c2 0-0
leads to the main line, see D38 QGD/16 and D38 QGD/17 for details) 10...xc3
(10...0-0 11.c1!? is a very rare option, Mchedlishvili Gajewski/Konya 2010)
11.bxc3 e4
a) This time it was rather dangerous for Black to capture the pawn: 11...xc3?!
12.xf6 xf6 (12...gxf6 13.a4) 13.xc8 (13.a4+?! e7! 14.fc1 b5! 15.xb5 a3
16.b1 e8) 13...xc8 14.a4+ followed by a4xa7 with a strong initiative.
b) while after 11...0-0 12.c2 it may turn out that Black exchanged his bishop for
the knight a bit early see D38 QGD/17.
12.c2 The game Tarjan Lein/Greenville 1983 continued 12...df6 13.xc8 xc8
14.xf6 xf6 15.fb1 c7 16.b4! b6 17.a4 0-0 18.b5 a6 19.e5 and White
has secured a small advantage.
10.xc8
White has also tried other possibilities.
10.c2 does not promise much: 10...xf5 11.xf5 d7 (11...a4!? is also interesting)
12.e5+ e6 with a good play
A bit unexpected retreat 10.c2!? deserves attention now Black does not have the typical
...d8a5 and so White's knight on c3 is safe. A possible line is 10...g4 11.h3 h5
139
12.a4+!? f8 13.c2 d6 14.xf6 (14.0-0 could be met with a typical 14...xc3

15.bxc3 e4 16.f4 a3 and Black was fine, for example: 17.xe4 dxe4 18.g4 g6 and so
on) 14...xf6 15.g4 g6 16.e5 e6 and Black is fine.
10...xc8 11.0-0 0-0 12.e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-sn-+-sn-+0
9+-+psN-vL-0
9-vlpzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
In case of 12.c2 Black may think about 12...e7, supposing that the exchange of the
lightsquared bishop improved his position.
12...xc3
Here 12...e7!? has also been tried in a number of games with good results. However, it
seems that White is able to keep some pressure: 13.xf6 (or 13.f3 d6 14.ac1)
13...xf6 14.a4 a5 15.f4 e7 16.f3 with a slight edge but Black's position always
remains solid enough.
After 12...e8 13.f3 xc3 14.bxc3 d6 15.fb1 c7 16.xf6 xf6 17.a4 White has got
somewhat better chances, too.
13.bxc3 d6 14.xf6 xf6 15.a4 c7 16.g4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-trk+0
9zpptr-+pzpp0
9-sn-+-wq-+0
9+-+psN-+-0
9P+pzP-+Q+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0
9-+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
140
The game Moiseenko B.Savchenko/Aeroflot Moscow 2007 continued:
16...e6 17.xe6 fxe6 18.fb1 d7 19.xd7 xd7 20.b5 ff7 21.ab1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9zpp+r+rzpp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+R+p+-+-0
9P+pzP-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+-0
9-+-+-zPPzP0
9+R+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
and White has maintained a small advantage.
141
QGD/22 Ragozin System Main line

White plays 13.Bh3 [D38]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 f6 4.f3 b4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.g5 bd7 7.e3 c5

8.d3 a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+-+-sn-+0
9wq-zpp+-vL-0
9-vl-zP-+-+0
9+-sNLzPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A common approach Black is not pushing White's bishop from g5, which in most cases
comes under attack from the Black queen, and so White usually has to waste time to
solve this problem in the future.
9.c2
9.0-0 may still lead to the same line but Black can also try some deviations: 9...c4!? (9...00?! gives White some good options, such as 10.xd5!? (10.c2 c4 11.f5 leads to the
main line, while it is also rather interesting to deviate by 10.c1!?, intending to meet
10...c4 with 11.b1) 10...xd5 11.a3 cxd4 (11...h6 12.h4 cxd4 13.axb4 xb4 14.xd4
with a good compensation for the pawn, according to the tournament practice)
12.axb4 xb4 13.a4!? xb2 14.xd4 c3 15.c1! e2+ (15...xc1? 16.xc1+)
16.xe2 xe2 17.c7 with more than sufficient compensation for the pawn)
10.f5 (or 10.c2 both these lines are considered in D38 QGD/15.)
9...c4 10.f5 0-0 11.0-0 e8 12.d2 g6

142
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zpp+n+p+p0
9-+-+-snp+0
9wq-+p+LvL-0
9-vlpzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A critical position for this variation. White faces a very important choice.
13.h3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zpp+n+p+p0
9-+-+-snp+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-vlpzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+L0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...xc3
The most popular approach Black is fighting against White's main idea e3e4.
13...e7?! seems dubious: 14.ae1 (14.f4!?) 14...f8 15.xc8 axc8 16.f4 d8 17.d1 d6
18.f3 8d7 19.f5 with annoying activity on the Kside
13...g7!? is not quite safe for the king in some cases it may be disturbed by White's
bishop from e5. However, Black keeps reasonable counter chances: 14.ae1
a) 14.a3 also gives White somewhat better chances: 14...xc3 15.bxc3 e4 (15...b5
16.a4 b4 17.cxb4 xb4 18.fb1, 15...h6 16.xd7 xd7 17.xf6+ xf6 18.e4) 16.xe4 dxe4
17.f4 b6 18.xc8 axc8 19.fb1!? (after 19.f3 Black has to play 19...d5! 20.fxe4
xc3 21.f2 xe4 22.e5+ f6 23.xf6+ xf6 24.xf6+ g8 25.f7+ h8 26.xb7 xe3+
27.h1 ce8 28.d5 with a small advantage for White) 19...e7 20.e5+ f6 21.d6
e6 22.c5 with a clear advantage

b) 14.h4 might initiate interesting complications: 14...b6!? 15.b3!? (15.xc8
axc8 16.xf6+ xf6 does not seem logical as White simply loses tempo for the
143
manoeuvre Bg5h4xf6. For example, 17.a3 (17.e4 dxe4 18.dxe4+ g7) 17...xc3
18.bxc3 a4 19.ac1 g7 20.e4 dxe4 21.xe4 c6 with a good play for Black)
15...cxb3 16.axb3 xc3 17.xa5 xa5 18.xf6+ xf6 19.c5 xh3! 20.gxh3 d2
21.d1 xe3 22.fxe3 xe3 23.c7 g7 24.f1 f8 25.xb7 (25.h4!?) 25...xb3
26.xa7 xb2 with sufficient compensation for the queen
14...e4 (Black also tried 14...b6!? 15.xc8 axc8 16.xf6+ xf6 He had completed the
development but it will certainly take time to secure his advanced king so White
would think about direct actions such as 17.f4 (perhaps the immediate 17.e4!? is more
promising) 17...g7 18.f5 a4 19.db1 xc3 20.bxc3 e4! 21.f2 f8 22.f6+
h8 with a complicated play) 15.dxe4 dxe4 This position has been tested many
times. 16.f4 (another retreat 16.h4 does not put any problems for Black: 16...b6
17.xc8 axc8 18.f3 xc3 19.bxc3 The game Beliavsky Mamedyarov/EUchT
Crete 2007 continued 19...d5 (19...f5!? is also possible. Then a tempting break
20.g4!? can be met with 20...exf3 21.gxf5 xf5 22.xf5 gxf5 23.xf3 d5 and Black seems
to be ok even though his position looks suspicious) 20.f6+ g8 21.e5 d7
22.fxe4 e6 and Black got the pawn back with a good play) 16...f5!? Black gets
more control over the key e4square and cuts off the h3bishop but weakens his
king. (in the game Huzman Dreev/Uzhgorod 1987 White showed a good way to
put problems for Black after 16...b6 17.xc8 axc8 18.f3! exf3 19.xf3 f5 20.e4! g8
21.g3! fxe4 22.xe4 xc3 23.bxc3 d5 24.g4! d7 25.g5 with good attacking
prospects on the Kside) 17.f3 f6 18.a3 (18.e5?! is certainly met by 18...xe5!
19.dxe5 xe5 with excellent play for Black, but 18.g5!? was interesting, trying to
break in center, 18.f2 does not impress much: 18...exf3 19.gxf3 d5! 20.e5+ xe5!
21.dxe5 xc3 22.bxc3 xc3 23.c1 e6! with better chances for Black, Tregubov
Delchev/FRAchT Noyon 2008) 18...xc3 19.bxc3 This position arose in the game
Grischuk Morozevich/WCh Mexico City 2007. White's chances look preferable
but Black's position is actually full of life.
A deep retreat 13...f8 does not seem fully equalising. Black secures his bishop and
prepares for his Qside pawn advance but White can already begin some actions:
14.h4 (14.ae1!? also looks promising: 14...h6 (14...g7 15.b4!) 15.xd7 xd7
16.f4 f6 17.e4!? e6 18.e5) 14...h6 (A solid 14...g7!? comes to mind as well)
15.a3 (A concrete action 15.xd7!? xd7 16.e4 deserved attention) 15...g5 This
position arose in the game Sakaev Aleksandrov/EUch Istanbul 2003. It seems
that a natural 16.xd7 xd7 17.g3 ac8 18.ae1 could have secured somewhat
better chances for White.
The rather unexpected retreat 13...h5!? was almost never played before. However, it is
quite reasonable Black releases his other knight on d7 and gives way for his f
pawn, which could increase control over the center as well as cut the bishop on h3.
Besides, he takes control over the squares of possible darksquared bishop retreats
and so hopes to exchange it. 14.a3 (Since Black's control over the center was just
decreased it seemed logical to advance the epawn. However, it did not bring real
benefit for White: 14.e4 dxe4 15.dxe4 xc3! (15...b6 16.xc8 axc8 17.h6)
16.xc3 (16.bxc3 xe4! 17.xe4 xg5) 16...d5 17.ae1 b6 (17...xe4? 18.xe4 xe4
19.e1 d3 20.e8+ f8 21.e1+) 18.xc8 axc8 19.f6+ xf6 20.xf6 f5 with
excellent play for Black) 14...xc3 (Perhaps Black could still think about 14...f8!?,
keeping his bishop alive. Then a logical 15.b4 was not so clear: 15...cxb3 16.xb3 c7
144
followed by ...d7b6 with counterplay) 15.xc3 xc3 16.bxc3 White's chances

should be preferred in this typical endgame. He can combine a pressure over the b
file with preparations of the epawn advance. However, Black's position is still quite
playable, Kunte Aleksandrov/Dubai 2005.
14.xc3!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zpp+n+p+p0
9-+-+-snp+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9+-wQ-zP-+L0
9PzP-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
14.bxc3 has been played much more often but actually it does not seem promising for
White. 14...e4 15.xe4 dxe4 Here White has a choice. 16.h6
a) 16.f4 may promise some advantage for White: 16...b6 (16...f6!? is worthy of
consideration: 17.xc8 axc8 18.e5 d5 19.fc1 f6 20.g3 c6 with acceptable play for
Black) 17.xc8 axc8 18.fb1!? (18.f3 can be strongly met by 18...d5! 19.fxe4 xc3
20.xc3 xc3 21.e5 b5 with a certain advantage for Black, according to the
tournament practice) 18...d5 19.xb7 xc3 (19...xc3 20.a4 d5 21.e5) 20.xc3
xc3 21.f1 d5 22.d6 e6 23.c5 a6 24.e1 with advantage in the endgame
b) 16.xd7 xd7 17.f4 This position has been tested many times but White failed
to find anything substantial. The game Ubilava Campos Moreno/Andorra 1997
continued 17...d5 18.a4 e6 19.a5 (19.fb1 is a common and probably the better
option although it does not promise much for White. For example: 19...a6!? 20.b4
b5!? 21.b2 bxa4 22.b8+ g7 and Black is completely okay) 19...a6 20.b2 c8
21.ab1 b5 and Black had no problems.
16...f6!? It is rather typical for such positions to move the knight to b6 to get counter
chances on the Qside but this way also has its advantages. As we have seen in the
game W.Schmidt Rogers/Prague 1990, if the knight placed on b6 then White can
create pressure over the bfile here a simple advance ...b7b6 solves the problem.
Meanwhile, the knight gets more control over the center being on f6. (16...b6 is
also playable but maybe a bit less precise. The game W.Schmidt I.Rogers/Prague
1990 continued 17.xc8 axc8 18.f3 f5 (18...f5!? is quite popular: 19.ab1 e7
20.fxe4 xe4 21.h3 ce8 22.g4!? and here Black should play 22...d5! (22...d5?! is
strongly met by 23.f2) 23.gxf5 xe3 24.f6 f5 with unclear play) 19.ab1 c6
20.fxe4 (20.f4!?) 20...xe4 21.f2 and White has maintained some pressure)
17.xc8 axc8 18.f3 This typical breakthrough does not bring desired effect.
However, some other options White tried in this position did not pose any problems
145
for Black. (For example, 18.ab1 b6 19.a4 d5 20.bc1 c6 21.f4 g7 22.e5+ f6 23.g3
e7 24.fe1 a6 25.h3 b5, or 18.a4 d5 19.fc1 c6 20.ab1 b6 21.xb6 xb6) 18...e7
(an immediate 18...exf3!? comes into consideration: 19.xf3 (19.gxf3?! h5 20.f4
d5) 19...e4 with a good play) 19.ac1 The game Dokhoian Arencibia/Pamplona
1991 continued 19...ce8 20.e2 h5 21.f4 exf3 22.xf3 e4 with a very good
play for Black.
14...xc3 15.bxc3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zpp+n+p+p0
9-+-+-snp+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+pzP-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+L0
9P+-sN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
In the endgame White can claim some advantage but Black's position is quite playable.
15...g7!?
15...e4 does not equalise: 16.xe4 dxe4 (after 16...xe4 17.fb1 f5 18.g3 b6 19.g2 Black has
to sacrifice exchange: 19...b7 20.xe4 fxe4 21.b2) 17.g4!
a) 17.fb1 is an alternative way, which seems to be less promising: 17...b6
18.xc8 exc8! It is important to keep the a7pawn protected. (18...axc8?! 19.b5
(19.a4 c7!) 19...c6! 20.a5 Moiseenko Ponomariov,R/Kiev UKR 2011.) 19.b5
(19.a4 d5! 20.xb7 ab8!?) 19...a4! 20.c1 a6 21.xb7 ab8 22.xb8 xb8 23.f3
f5 24.fxe4 fxe4 with excellent counter chances
b) The endgame after 17.xd7 xd7 has been played many times and the most
likely result is obviously a draw. For example, 18.a4 a5 (or 18...e6 19.a5 a6 20.fb1
b6 21.axb6 axb6 22.xa6 xa6 23.h3 b5 24.e7 f5=) 19.fb1 c6 20.f1 e6 21.e2 f8
22.d2 e8 23.c2 a6 24.f4 d7 25.b2 c8=
17...b6 18.e2 and in the game A.Karpov V.Milov/Cap d'Agde (rapid) 2002 White
conclusively converted the advantages of his position.
16.fb1 b6
16...b6?! 17.xc8 axc8 18.a4 is clearly better for White.
17.a4
146
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+-+0
9zp-+n+pmkp0
9-zp-+-snp+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9P+pzP-+-+0
9+-zP-zP-+L0
9-+-sN-zPPzP0
9tRR+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has maintained a small advantage but Black's position is quite playable, according to
tournament practice.
147
QGD/23 Ragozin System Main line

White plays 13.Bxd7 [D38]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 f6 4 f3 b4 5 cxd5 exd5 6 g5 bd7 7 e3 c5 8

d3 a5 9 c2 c4 10 f5 0-0 11 0-0 e8 12 d2 g6 13 xd7
White gives up his bishop but gains time for development. This approach is more popular
than the retreat 13 h3, which costs a tempo and in most cases does not secure the
bishop from exchange with its Black's counterpart anyway.
13...xd7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zpp+n+p+p0
9-+-+-+p+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-vlpzP-+-+0
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14 f3
148
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An advance e3e4 is the White's main idea it increases a power of his pieces, which are
getting closer to the weakened Black's king. However, before pushing his epawn
forward, White has to do something with his bishop on g5, which falls under attack
of the Black queen on a5 after usual...d5xe4.
14 a3 clarifies the situation but in many cases turns out to be a waste of time since Black
often parts with his bishop without invitation. Besides, the pawn on a3 is not
protected by the queen: 14...xc3 15 bxc3 b6 16 f3 As we can see in the other
games, in this position White is usually able to play more useful move then a2a3.
16...d7!? (16...a4?! seems like an inaccuracy as in most cases it just saves White a
tempo there is no need for him to do something with the bishop on g5 before
playing e3e4: 17 b1 f6 18 h6 a5 19 b4!? xb4 20 axb4 g5 21 f2 d7 22 h4 with
better chances in the endgame, 16...a4 does not bother White very much: 17 ac1 f6
18 h6 d7 19 e4 with a typical small edge for White, Arencibia Disconzi da
Silva/Buenos Aires 2005) 17 fe1 a4 18 c1 c6 19 a2 e6 (19...f5!?) 20 f1
ae8 21 h4 c8!? with a good play for Black.
14 h4 is a logical but probably not the best move. White's main hopes are connected with
the Kside play so he advances his hpawn and at the same time protects the bishop
on g5, preparing the advance e3e4. However, in some cases White can play e3e4
without wasting time for the bishop's protection as it can be done by capturing on e4
with the knight. Besides, the bishop is rather useless on g5 and in many cases White
just moves it somewhere. 14...b6 15 f3 xc3 Black has tried some other options.
a) A rather unexpected 15...f6!? is interesting: 16 f4 d7 17 ae1 (17 e4 a4! 18 c1
c6 19 e1 a4) 17...a4 18 c1 c6 19 e4 ac8 with acceptable play for Black
b) 15...d7 16 e4 c6 17 ae1 e6 is also not so bad for Black
c) 15...f8!? is rather interesting. Apart from thematic capture on c3 this retreat is
also playable Black's darksquared bishop might be very useful while opponent's
direct actions do not look harmful. However, White is also happy to keep his strong
knight on c3 alive. The game Cheparinov Mamedyarov/World Cup Khanty
Mansiysk 2007 continued 16 e4 g7 17 e3 e6 18 a4 d7?! A bit unexpected
change of the course. (Black had some reasonable options at his disposal, such as
18...ad8, and 18...c8!? followed by ...Nc8e7, fortifying the d5square, or maybe
even 18...h5, stopping the opponent's pawn advance) 19 h5 (White had an interesting
tactical shot 19 b4!?, which could have led to a roughly equal ending after 19...cxb3
149
20 xb3 b4 21 a5 c4 22 xd5 xe3 23 xb4 xc2 24 xc2 ac8 and White's

extra pawn did not promise him any winning chances. For example, 25 c5 (or 25
f2 c3 26 c5 c6!? 27 b1 d8) 25...xd4+ 26 xd4 xc5=) 19...ac8 20 fe1
c6 21 hxg6 hxg6 22 e5 and White has achieved somewhat better chances while
Black's position is still full of resources.
16 bxc3 The game Pinter Greenfeld/Beersheba 1991 continued 16...a4
a) 16...a4 17 ac1 d7 18 e4 f5 19 fe1 ac8 20 e3 (20 e5)
b) 16...d7 17 e4 f5 18 e5
17 b1 (17 c1?! f5 18 e1 c6 19 f1 a4 20 g3 d3) 17...a3 18 c1 d7 (18...d6!?
deserved serious attention, intending to meet 19 e4 with 19...f6 20 e3 (20 h6?!
g3) 20...g3 21 f2 f4 22 c2 d7 23 e1 a4 24 b2 c6 with a quite
acceptable play) 19 e4 ac8 and Black could be satisfied with his position.
14 ae1 b6 15 f3 may also lead to the main line.
14 e4!? is a rarely played option. As a rule, White prepares this thematic pawn push by f2
f3. 14...xc3 (14...dxe4 can be met by 15 h4!? xc3 (15...b6 16 dxe4) 16 xc4!
c7 (16...d5 17 xc3 b6 18 e3) 17 xc3 b5 18 e3 xc3 19 bxc3 with a small
but stable advantage in the ending) 15 xc3! (15 bxc3?! dxe4 is fine for Black)
15...xc3 16 bxc3 Such type of ending is known to theory but it is usually played
after White bishop's retreat to h3 (D38 QGD/19). However, even without a pair of
bishops it may still promise some advantage to White thanks to his better pawn
structure and possible pressure on the Qside. 16...f6!?
a) 16...b6!? 17 f3 (17 fe1!?) 17...d7 18 fe1 is also acceptable for Black
b) while after 16...dxe4?! 17 xc4 b6 18 d2! d7 19 c4 ac8 20 fc1 White
has obtained a stable advantage in the ending in the game Kramnik Grischuk/Nice
rapid 2010.
17 h4 g5 18 g3 b6 only with a very slight edge for White.
14...b6
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14...f6?! just promotes White's plans: 15 h6 b6 16 e4 xc3 17 bxc3 a4 18 c1 e6 19
e1 c6 20 c2 f7 21 a4 with a clear advantage.
In case of 14...xc3 15 bxc3 b6 White can also think about 16 fe1 then White can
protect his c3pawn with the other rook, using his knight for actions in center. The
150
game Mamedyarov R.Bagirov/Baku 2005 continued 16...d7 17 h6 (perhaps

White would also consider an immediate 17 f4!? ) 17...e6 (A natural 17...a4!?
seemed good, forcing White to play a wasteful move: 18 ac1 e6 19 e4 ae8 with a
slightly worse but acceptable play) 18 e4 ae8 19 e3 and White has achieved a
typical small advantage.
15 ae1
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15 f4 is a typical retreat, which would promise the better chances for White: 15...d7
a) A capture 15...xc3 should not be equalising: 16 bxc3 a4 (16...a4 17 ac1 d7
18 e4) 17 b2 f5 18 fe1 d3 19 e4 c6 20 e5 a4 21 c1
b) while 15...f8!? is worthy of consideration: 16 e4 (16 ae1 g7) 16...g7 17 e3
d7 with good counter chances.
16 ae1 (An immediate 16 e4 is also playable: 16...xc3 (16...ac8 17 ae1 f8 18 db1 g7
19 f2 e6 20 d1 ed8 21 g5 d7 22 e5) 17 bxc3 a4 (17...a4 18 fc1 c6 19 e5 d7
20 f1) 18 c1 c6 19 e5 a4 20 b1 b6 21 f2 with a small advantage for
White) 16...f8!? Black wants to keep his bishop on the board. In the game Huebner
Tischbierek/Saarbruecken 2002 White continued 17 db1 g7 18 f2 with
somewhat better chances.
15 h4 is a transposition to the game Pinter Greenfeld/Beersheba 1991.
15...xc3
Black also treated this position without immediate capture: 15...d7!? 16 h4 (White also
tried such typical preparatory moves as 16 h4, and 16 h6 ) 16...a4
a) in case of 16...xc3 17 bxc3 a4 White can probably maintain a small advantage
by 18 b1 For example, 18...f5 (18...b5?! 19 e4 b2 is a dubious idea: 20 xb2 xb2
21 exd5 f5 22 a3 b5 23 xe8+ xe8 24 b1 a4 25 xb5+) 19 g3!? (19 e4 dxe4 20 fxe4
fxe4 21 f6 e3! 22 e5 f8! 23 e4 c6 24 xe3 d5) 19...e6 20 e4! with initiative.
b) 16...a4 17 c1 c6 18 e4 also gives White the edge according to the
tournament practice.
151
17 db1 White fortifies his Qside with this typical manoeuvre. The game Bellon Lopez
Campos Moreno/Spain 1991 continued 17...e6 (It deserved attention to keep the
bishop alive by 17...f8!?, intending to meet 18 e4 with 18...g7 19 f2 b6) 18 e4
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18...xc3 19 bxc3 ae8 20 e5 f5 21 c1 c7 22 f6 b6 23 h4 f4! 24 xf4 f5 and
Black has achieved good counter chances although White's chances still seemed a bit
better after 25 g5
16 bxc3 a4
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16...a4?! is dubious as in most cases it just saves White a tempo there is no need to do
something with the bishop on g5 before playing e3e4: 17 b2 c6 18 e4 e6 19
e3 and White is doing very well.
17 e4!?
152
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A very energetic and interesting approach after placing his Qside rook on e1 White
found the way to protect his c3pawn without moving his knight back to b1!
17 b1 does not put serious problems before Black: 17...d7 (17...f5!? was also
interesting: 18 e4 dxe4 19 fxe4 xe4 20 xe4 xg5 with a good play for Black. Here
White has to play 21 ef4 b6 22 xf7 e3+ 23 f2 xf2+ 24 7xf2= with a roughly
equal endgame) 18 h4 (White can probably maintain a small advantage by 18 h4!?,
or 18 f4!? ) 18...e6!? (Black does not want to play a weakening 18...f5, which could
be met by 19 h5 e6 20 hxg6 hxg6 21 f4 with a small advantage for White) 19 e4 The
game Navrotescu Inkiov/FRAchT2 2003 continued 19...f6!? Stopping further
advance of the epawn. (19...ae8 seems playable as well: 20 e5 b6 21 f2 b2 22 e3
d3 23 d2 f5 with a complicated play) 20 f4 ae8 21 e3 b5 22 a3 c6 23 fe1
d8 and Black has successfully consolidated his forces and fortified the center.
White failed to get initiative on the Kside or in center so Black has no problems at
all and can slowly do something on the Qside.
17...d7
Black could hardly capture on c3: 17...xc3?? was just lost to 18 xa4 xd4+ 19 e3+
while 17...xc3? 18 xc4! dxc4 (or 18...xa2 19 xa2 xa2 20 d6 e6 21 b5+) 19 d2
xa2 20 xc3 b3 21 a1 was too dangerous for the Black king.
17...dxe4? was also bad since Black was losing his knight after 18 xe4 xe4 19 fxe4
xg5 20 xa4+
18 e3
18 exd5 does not look promising: 18...xc3 (18...xd5?! can be met with 19 e7! c6 20 d5!
with a strong initiative) 19 xc3 xc3 20 xc4 (20 d6 b5) 20...xd5 21 d6 xe1
22 xe1 f6 23 d2 b6 with a good play in the endgame.
18...dxe4
153
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9+-+-+RmK-0
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19 h4
Obviously 19 xe4? was met with 19...xe4!
but both 19 h6!?
and 19 h4!? would promise a small advantage for White.
19...exf3 20 xc4 d5 21 e5 fxg2 22 xf7 xe5! 23 xd7 xd7 24 xe5
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9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+Q+-+p+0
9+-+-+-mK-0
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The forced play has led to a position with the better chances for White his pieces are
strong and his passed dpawn would increase his chances in the endgame. However,
a lack of material and the open position of the white king give Black sufficient
counter chances, Korotylev Landa/RUSchT Dagomys 2005.
154
Vienna Variation
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 dxc4 5 e4 b4
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9-+-+psn-+0
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9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
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The Vienna Variation is known to be one of the sharpest in the entire body of opening
theory. However, in many cases after a wellknown series of moves the position
becomes rather quiet and White can maintain some slight pressure.
155
Vienna Variation/1 Early deviations

[D24]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 dxc4 5 e4 b4
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9tR-vLQmKL+R0
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The Vienna Variation is known to be one of the sharpest in the whole of opening theory.
However, in many cases after a wellknown series of moves the position becomes
rather quiet and White can maintain some slight pressure.
6 g5
6 xc4!? is a rather unexpected attempt to fight against Vienna Variation White simply
gives up his central pawn! 6...xe4 7 0-0
156
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9tR-vLQ+RmK-0
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7...xc3
a) 7...f6 does not promise full equality: 8 a4+ c6 9 e5 e7 10 xc6 bxc6 11
xc6+ d7 12 f3
b) 7...xc3?! is suspicious. Black takes another pawn but gives up his important
bishop and delays his development. The game Pedersen P.H.Nielsen/Faaborg 2007
continued 8 bxc3 xc3 9 b3 d5 10 a3 (White could have thought about 10 e1,
intending to meet a logical 10...0-0 with 11 a3 e8 12 xd5 exd5 13 xe8+ xe8 14 e1
e6 15 xb7 with initiative) 10...c6 11 fe1 ce7 12 xe7 xe7 13 d5 and
White has developed a strong initiative.
8 bxc3 e7 (the greedy 8...xc3?! is too suspicious: 9 b1 (9 a3 xa1 10 xa1 with
compensation looks interesting as well) 9...c5!? (in case of 9...0-0 10 d3 followed by
f3g5 White's initiative looks almost decisive) 10 g5 f6 11 b3!? cxd4 (11...fxg5
12 xe6) 12 xe6 with a strong initiative against Black's centralized king) 9 e5 00 10 g4 Thank to his lead in development and control over the center White can
already begin attacking actions. 10...h8!? Black radically prevents the threat of
c1-h6. (after 10...c6 11 h6 f6 12 f4 White has achieved excellent compensation
for the pawn in the game Potkin Kharlov/RUSchT Sochi 2006) 11 h3 e8 12
d3 f5 13 e1 White's compensation for the pawn is beyond doubts. His pieces are
comfortably developed and he can continue further improvement using his space
advantage. However, Black has a solid position although he must defend very
carefully, Kasimdzhanov Gelfand/Candidates (m/4) Elista 2007.
6...c5 7 e5
157
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9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
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This pawn push was almost forgotten but it recently seems to be back.
7 dxc5!? is another rare option. It has never been popular but perhaps White can count for a
slight edge in the ending, which arises after 7...xd1+ 8 xd1 bd7
a) An inclusion of 8...xc3+!? deserves serious attention as otherwise Black will not
get the chance to damage opponent's pawn structure: 9 bxc3 bd7 10 c6
a1) White has some other options but it is rather unclear how he can secure the better
chances, for example: 10 d4 xc5 11 e5 d5 12 xc4 e7
a2) 10 e5 e4 11 e3 dxc5 (or even 11...xc3!? )
a3) but perhaps it is at least more precise to include 10 xf6!? gxf6 (10...xf6 11
d4!) 11 c6 bxc6 (11...b6!?) 12 xc4 with a slight edge
10...bxc6 11 d2 a6 12 xf6 xf6 13 f3 and here it seems more accurate to play
13...e7!? 14 xc4 b5 with equality.
b) 8...c6 9 d2 0-0 10 xc4 xc3 11 xc3 xe4 12 b5 gives White a small
advantage
c) The simple 8...0-0 is also worth considering. A possible line would be 9 d2 (9
d4!?, 9 e5!?) 9...bd7 10 f3 xc5 11 xc4 a4 12 d2 xc3 13 xc3 xc3+ 14
bxc3 d7 15 d6 c6 16 e2 fd8 17 f2 f8 and Black solves the problems.
However, White's play might be improved.
9 d2 Black has a choice. (9 d4!? deserves attention: 9...h6 (9...xc5!?, 9...a5!?) 10 d2
xc5 11 xc4 0-0 (11...xc3!? 12 xc3 fxe4 13 b4) 12 e5 xc3 13 xc3 d5 14
xd5 exd5 and here it deserves attention to simply capture the pawn by 15 xd5!?
b6 16 d4 a6 17 d2 /) 9...xc3!? A principled choice.
a) in case of 9...xc5 White maintains a small advantage: 10 xc4 a6 11 e5 fd7 12
a3 (12 e2!?) 12...xc3 13 xc3 b5 14 e2 b7 15 0-0 d5 16 d2 0-0 17 d4
fc8 18 c1 ab8 19 f3 f8 20 f2
b) 9...xc5 is a natural option, too: 10 xc4 g4 (10...a6 can be met by an
interesting pawn sac: 11 e5!? (perhaps 11 e2!? d6 12 0-0 0-0 13 a3 b5 14 e3 b8 15
d4 b7 16 f3 with a small advantage is more promising) 11...g4 12 e4 gxe5
13 xe5 xe5 14 c3 xc4 15 xg7 However, it seems that Black can achieve
acceptable play by 15...f5! (not 15...b4+? 16 e2 f8 17 f6+! e7 18 xh7! etc.) 16
f6+
b1) 16 xh8? fxe4 is bad for White
158
b2) while 16 xc5!? g8 17 f6! f7 18 c3 b6 (18...xg2?! 19 d8 g8?! 20 xg8

xg8 21 g1+ f8 22 g7) 19 d3 b7 20 f3 would still promise some edge
16...f7 17 xh8 e5!? 18 d7 d4 19 xd4 exd4 20 e5+ xe5 21 xe5 e6 and Black
should hold on without problems) 11 0-0 a6 12 e2 White keeps a slight edge in
this ending, Nyback Macieja/Warsaw 2008.
10 xc3 xe4 (after 10...xc5 11 xc4 cxe4 12 b4 d7 13 e5 White seizes the initiative,
which more than compensates the sacrificed pawn) 11 xg7 g8 12 d4 exc5!
(12...dxc5? can be strongly met by 13 e5! b6 14 f3 f6 and here in the game
Matlakov Landa/RUSch Qualifier Ulan Ude 2009, the simple 15 xc4 was good
enough to secure a clear advantage) 13 xc4 xg2 White keeps sufficient
compensation for the pawn in this complicated ending but perhaps not more than
that. For example, 14 e2 (14 b4 e4) 14...a6 (14...b6!?) 15 b4 e4 16 hg1 xg1 17
xg1 b5 and Black has got acceptable play.
7...h6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
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9-+-+psn-zp0
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9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
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This sharp and risky alternative to 7 ...cxd4 does not solves all Black's problems.
8 exf6 hxg5 9 fxg7 g8
XIIIIIIIIY
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9+-zp-+-zp-0
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159
10 c2!
White is continuing development and at the same time heading his queen to h7.
In the endgame after 10 dxc5 xd1+ 11 xd1 xg7 Black is okay but perhaps White
slightly better. For example, 12 d4 xc3+ 13 bxc3 c6 14 g4 f6 15 h4 h7 16
xc4 e5 17 d3 h6 18 h5 e6 19 g6+ d7 20 a4
10 a3 xc3+ 11 bxc3 may also promise better chances for White: 11...cxd4 (11...a5 12 dxc5
c6 13 d2! gives better chances for White) 12 xd4 c6 13 xc6 xd1+ 14 xd1
bxc6 15 h4 with small advantage in the endgame
10 xc4!? is a rare but interesting option: 10...g4 11 d2 cxd4!? 12 ce4 xg7 13 h3!?
and White has seized the initiative, Moradiabadi Barsov/Doha 2006.
10...cxd4
10...d7 fails to solve the problems: 11 dxc5 f6 12 xc4 xc5 13 0-0 xc3 14 bxc3
xg7 (or 14...d7 15 e2 xg7 16 e5, 14...g4 15 d2 f5 16 xf5 exf5 17 fe1+ e6 18
e5 b6 19 b3 0-0-0 20 xe6+ xe6 21 xf5) 15 fe1 d7 16 ab1 f8 17 e5 e8 18
b5 b6 19 a4 f5 20 d1 and Black's forces are divided in two parts.
11 h7 e7 12 d1
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12 0-0-0!? deserves attention but White's king might be unsafe.
12...c6
An attempt to stop White's development by 12...d3? fails to 13 xd3! xc3+ 14 bxc3 cxd3
15 xd3 and White's has launched a very strong attack, Moiseenko
Bluvshtein/Edmonton 2005.
13 xc4 d7 14 xd4
14 a3!? is worthy of consideration.
160
14...xd4 15 xd4
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15...b6
15...a5? was proved to be bad for Black in the game Tkachiev Kharlov/RUSchT Sochi
2006: 16 0-0 xc3 17 bxc3 e5 18 b1! c6 19 e1 a5 20 xe6!+ with a
decisive attack.
16 d3!?
Black is fine after 16 e4?! c6 17 e5 c5
16...c6 17 0-0
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White keeps better chances thanks to the vulnerable position of Black's king.
161
Vienna Variation/2 7. e5 cxd4 8. Qa4

[D39]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 dxc4 5 e4 b4
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9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
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9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
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6 g5 c5 7 e5 cxd4 8 a4+
This is an old main line, which leads to a very sharp and complicated play. It has been
thoroughly tested on practice but after Black found good counter chances it almost
disappeared for years. However, recently White has found some ideas...
8...c6 9 0-0-0
162
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9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
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9...d7
9...h6 is a rare continuation, which is not as dubious as it may look like: 10 exf6 hxg5 11
fxg7 g8 12 xd4 (12 e4 can be well met by 12...d3! 13 xd3 cxd3 14 xd3 e7! 15 e5
f5) 12...xc3! (An immediate 12...d7? is known to be bad for Black: 13 e4! e7 14
c2 f5 15 xb4 fxe4 16 xc6 xc6 17 xc4 c8 18 b1 f7 19 e2 with a big advantage
for White) 13 bxc3 (13 xc6?! should be met by 13...d7! 14 bxc3 c7 15 xc4 xc6 with
acceptable play for Black) 13...a5! (In case of 13...d7 White grabs initiative by 14
b5) 14 xa5!? Perhaps the most promising continuation.
a) 14 xc4 promises some edge for White: 14...d7 15 b5 xg7 16 d6+ (16 c5
0-0-0 is okay for Black) 16...e7 (16...f8 17 xb7 a3+ 18 b1 e7 19 c5 b8+ 20
a1 e8 21 h4) 17 xb7 a3+ 18 c2 (18 b1?? b8-+) 18...e5 19 c5+ xc5 20
xc5 but Black keeps good compensation for the pawn after 20...c6 21 e1!? (21
h3 h8) 21...f6 22 f3 c8
b) A tempting blow 14 xc6?! actually gives nothing: 14...xc3+ (Surely not
14...xa4?? 15 d8# mate!) 15 b1 bxc6 16 xc6+ e7 17 d6+ f6 and White
does not have more than a draw see the game Malakhatko Perez Felipe/La
Laguna 2008 for details.
14...xa5 15 h4 g4 (15...gxh4!? 16 xh4 e7 17 h8? d7, 15...xg7? 16 hxg5 xg5 17 h8+) 16 h5
xg7 17 h6 h7 18 e2 with advantage in the endgame.
10 e4
163
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpp+l+pzpp0
9-+n+psn-+0
9+-+-zP-vL-0
9QvlpzpN+-+0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10...e7
10...xe4?! is a very unexpected idea in a wellknown position. Black's queen sacrifice
may come as a surprise for the opponent but objectively White should be able to
secure the better chances with precise play. 11 xd8 xd8 12 xd4 d2+! The best
chance. (12...xf2 13 xc6 xd1 14 xb4 xc6 15 xc4 f2 16 f1 d3+ 17 xd3 xd3 does
not solve the problems, as was tested in a few games) 13 xd2 xd2 (In case of
13...xd4 White can continue 14 xc4 (14 xa7!? deserves attention: 14...c6 15 e3
xd2 16 xd2 etc.) 14...xd2 15 xd4 xf1 16 b4! xh2 17 xh2, keeping
winning chances) 14 xc6 (14 b5? failed to 14...0-0! (but not 14...xf1?? 15 a3!)
15 xd2 xe5 and Black wins the knight on b5 after the forthcoming ...a7a6)
14...xc6 15 a3 xf1 16 xf1 The game Ivanchuk Nisipeanu/Foros 2007
continued 16...d3 17 b4! a5 18 xc4 d5 19 d1 0-0 20 xd5 xd5 21 a4
xg2 22 xa5 and White has managed to get a pawn majority of the Qside, which
gives him reasonable winning chances although it may take a long time.
11 exf6 gxf6 12 h4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wqk+-tr0
9zpp+lvlp+p0
9-+n+pzp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9Q+pzpN+-vL0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-mKR+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
164
12...c8
12...b4? can be strongly met by 13 xb4! xb4 14 xf6+ f8 15 xd4 a5 (15...e7 16
e5 a4 17 xd8+ xd8 18 e2) 16 xd7+ e8 17 f6+ f8 18 e5 (or 18 xc4 c8
19 b1 h5 20 hd1 e7 21 d7+ e8 22 g3) 18...h5 19 xc4 and Black's extra queen
cannot fight against White's superior forces: 19...g7 20 fd7 hc8 21 b1 b5 22
f6+ g8 23 h4 e7 24 xe7 xc4 25 f6+ g7 26 xh5 with inevitable
checkmate
12...e5? is also unsatisfactory for Black due to a wonderful 13 a3!! 0-0 (or 13...xa3 14
xf6+ f8 15 xe5 a5 16 fxd7+ e8 17 xc4 c8 (17...c7 18 f6+ f8 19 g3)
18 b1) 14 xe7! xe7 15 xe5 a4 16 xd4! and White is overwhelming:
16...b4 17 xf6+ h8 18 xc4 c5 19 e4 followed by Nf6d7 with decisive
attack.
12...b5?! is dubious: 13 xb5 e5 and here White can secure a big advantage by 14 d5! (14
xc4 c8 15 b1 0-0 gives Black good counter chances) 14...b4 15 xf6+! xf6
16 xf6! xd5 17 xd8 xd8 18 xe5 and White will soon gets a healthy extra
pawn in the endgame
12...a5?! is bad for Black: 13 c2 e5 14 xd4! exd4 15 xd4 b6
a) 15...c6 16 d6 xd6 17 xf6+ f8 18 d2!+ (but not 18 xh7+?? xh7 19
xd8 xd8 20 xh7 f4+ 21 b1? (21 c2 f5+! 22 xf5 d4+-+) 21...f5+! 22
xf5 d1+ 23 c2 c1# mate!) 18...e6 19 h6+ e7 20 e4+ e8 21 xd8+
b) 15...c8 16 c3 c6 17 e2 b6 18 d5 e6 19 g4! xe4 20 xd7+ f8 21
g5!+
16 d6! b4 17 a3 a4 18 xf6+! xf6 19 xf6 xc2+ 20 xc2 g8 21 g3 with a clear
advantage in the endgame
Another side line, which deserves more attention, seems to be 12...e5!? 13 xc4 a6!? (or
13...0-0 14 b1 c8 15 c1 b4 with compensation for the piece but perhaps White
can somehow prove the better chances: 16 xf6+!? (16 d1 b5 17 b3 xc1+ 18 xc1
f5 19 fd2 a5 20 a3 a4 21 c2 d5 this line certainly requires more analysis)
16...xf6 17 xf6! xa4 18 xd8 fxd8 19 xe5 e8 (19...g7!) 20 a3 c6 21
he1 with a small advantage.) 14 b3 a5!? 15 xf6+! (15 xf7+?? fails to
15...f8 16 d3 (16 d5 c8+ 17 b1 c6 18 xd8+ xd8-+) 16...b5 17 d2 xf7-+
with a huge advantage for Black) 15...xf6 16 xf7+ f8 17 a3+! (17 b4+ e7!
18 xa5 xh4) 17...g7 (17...xf7? 18 xe5+! e8 19 xf6 xf6 20 he1+, 17...e7?? 18
xf6+, 17...e7 18 xe7+ xe7 19 xe5! c8+ 20 d2!? xa3 21 bxa3 g7 22 f4 /) 18
xf6+ xf6 19 xa5 f5! 20 b3 ac8+ 21 d2 e4 22 xd4! (22 e5 exf3 23 xf6+
xf6 24 gxf3 e5 ...e5f4) 22...hd8 23 e1 xd4 24 xd4 xd4 25 d2 f6
and, since White has already castled once, Black keeps reasonable compensation for
the pawn although White's chances still seem preferable.
12...a6!? is a rare option, which has recently become popular. At the moment White fails to
show any advantage: 13 xc4 e5 14 xe5! (A simple development could only give
Black a time to seize initiative, for example, 14 d3? e6 and so on while White's
pieces are still doing nothing) 14...xe5 15 xd4 c8+ (15...c7+!? is also
interesting: 16 b1 (after 16 c3 c8 17 xc7 xc7+ 18 b1 f5 19 f3 0-0 20 e2 fc8
Black was fine in the endgame, Riazantsev Sorokin/Salekhard 2006) 16...0-0-0!?
165
a) 16...c8? fails to 17 xa6! (17 e2 f5 18 a1) 17...f5 (17...bxa6 18 xf6+ xf6 19

xf6+) 18 b5+ f8 19 a1
b) while 16...f5 does not fully equalise: 17 e2 c6 18 f3 0-0 19 e3 ac8 20
a1 with a small advantage for White.
17 c1 c6 18 e3 The game Lysyj Wojtaszek/Stockholm 2010 continued 18...f5 19
xe7 xe7 20 c5 b8 and after 21 xa6!? This tempting blow looks strong but
Black can defend. (21 f4 a8 was okay for Black, but perhaps 21 e2!? would have
still promised the better chances for White) 21...bxa6 22 he1 e4+! 23 xe4 fxe4
24 xe4 he8 25 e3 d7 26 b3+ a7 27 e3+ a8 28 e4+ the game ended
with repetition of moves.) 16 b1 f5!? An interesting continuation. (A common
16...0-0 still seems more reliable though not fully equalising: 17 e2 f5 18 e3!
(18 xd8 fxd8 19 f3 g7 looks acceptable for Black) 18...c7 19 a1! with a small
advantage for White) 17 a4+ d7 (17...d7? is senseless as White could simply
continue his development by 18 d3) 18 b3 (18 d4 f5 would be a repetition of
moves) The game Kunin Khenkin/EUchT Budva 2009, continued 18...c7! 19
d3 e6! 20 a4+ and here the rather unexpected retreat 20...f8! would have
given Black reasonable chances to hold balance. (in the just mentioned game White
seized a strong initiative after 20...b5? 21 d4) 21 c1 b6! 22 xc8+ xc8 23 c2
d7 (23...g8) 24 b3 xb3 25 xb3 c6 with a good ending for Black.
13 b1
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwqk+-tr0
9zpp+lvlp+p0
9-+n+pzp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9Q+pzpN+-vL0
9+-+-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+K+R+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The rather unexpected 13 xf6 should not be harmful for Black: 13...xf6 14 d6+ f8 15
xc8 xc8 16 xc4 g7 (an immediate 16...e5!? is maybe even stronger: 17 b1
(17 d3 e6) 17...f5+ (17...e6!?) 18 a1 and here Black should have chosen a
restrained 18...g7 (after a hasty 18...e4?! 19 d2 g7 20 g4! g6 21 g2 White
obtained good counter chances, Gormally Wells, Hereford 2006) 19 d2 (19 g4
e6! 20 a4 d8) 19...e8 with powerful play) 17 b1 (17 d3 b4!?) 17...e5 18 d3
e6 19 a4 a6!? (19...f5 is also good) 20 c1 d5 (20...f5!?) 21 d2 g5 and
White has to fight for equality.
13...a5
166
Here Black also has some other options.

After 13...b5? 14 xb5 Black fails to prove compensation for material losses: 14...e5
a) or 14...c3 15 xd4 c7 (15...xd4 16 xd4 c2+ 17 c1+, 15...a6 16 b3! a5 17 c2
cxb2 18 xb2+) 16 c4+
b) 14...e5 15 xf6+ xf6 16 xe5 xe5 17 xd8+
15 xc4 b8 16 d5 0-0 17 xf6 b6 18 b3 e6 19 xe7! xd5 20 f6+ g7 21
xd5+
13...e5 is not so easy to refute: 14 xc4 a6 15 b3 a5 (the position without inclusion of
moves is considered in the line 12 ...e5!?) 16 xf6+!? (after 16 xf7+ f8 17 d3 b5
18 d2 xf7 19 h6 White's initiative is probably sufficient only for some perpetual)
16...xf6 17 xf7+ f8 18 a3+ e7 19 xe7+ xe7 20 xa5 c5 21 d2 f5+
22 a1 xf7 23 he1 and White's chances look preferable thanks to Black's
vulnerable king
13...a6 14 xc4 e5 is a transposition to 12 ...a6 after 15 xe5!
a) 15 xf6?! can be strongly met by 15...f5! (but not 15...e6? 16 xe7! xe7 17
c5!? xa2+ 18 a1! xc5 19 xc5 b4 20 c1 0-0 21 xe5 b6 22 cd3+)
b) while 15 a3?! is slow: 15...e6 16 a4 and here Black can secure the better
chances by 16...d5! 17 xf6+! (17 c3 b3!) 17...xf6 18 c4! f5+!? The most
ambitious though a risky choice.
b1) 18...e4+ 19 d3 f4 20 g3 h6 21 de1
b2) 18...xc4 19 xc4 xc4 20 xf6 g8 21 xe5 xe5 22 he1!? (22 xe5 d3)
22...e6 23 xe5 xg2 24 xd4 xf2
19 a1 d6 20 xf6 xf6 21 xe5! (otherwise White does not get sufficient
compensation for the pawn) 21...b5 22 xf7+ f8 23 xa6 xe5 24 he1 f6 25
d5 g7 26 g4 d7 (26...xg4?! 27 g1) 27 g5 d6 28 xd4 he8 and Black
consolidates his position and maintains the advantage.
15...xe5 16 xd4 and so on.
14 c2 e5 15 xd4!
Otherwise White's pieces are too restricted.
15...exd4 16 xd4 b6
167
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+r+k+-tr0
9zpp+lvlp+p0
9-wq-+-zp-+0
9sn-+-+-+-0
9-+ptRN+-vL0
9+-+-+-+-0
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9+K+-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A very important position is reached. White has tried a number of possibilities.
17 d5!?
A fresh idea, which recently caused some headache for Black.
17 xd7 xd7 18 e2 is known to be fine for Black: 18...e6!? (18...e8 19 c3 c6 seems
playable as well) 19 e1 c7 20 g3+ b6 21 f3 a6 and White has to work hard
to prove compensation for the exchange
17 d6 used to be the most popular option: 17...c6 (surely not 17...xd6? 18 xf6++) 18
xc6 (18 xf6 is worse: 18...xd6 19 xh8 (19 xd6+? is losing to: 19...xd6 20 xh8
f5!-+ 21 xf5 d1#) 19...f5 20 e2 e6 21 f3 and here 21...g6! (21...f8 22 g4
g6 23 g2 is very unclear, while 21...c6?! 22 d6+ xd6 23 xf5 gives White a clear
advantage) 22 c3 c6 23 e1 b4 24 a4+ f8 25 e2 f5 26 c5 xc5 27 xe6
f4+! with sufficient counterplay) 18...xc6 19 e2 f5! (19...0-0 20 g4!) 20 xe7
xe4 21 f6 (21 b4 c6 22 c3 g8 is okay for Black) 21...g8 22 e1 xc2+ 23
xc2 e6 24 d1 c6 25 f3 d7 26 c3 g6 27 d6 and White gets somewhat
better chances in the endgame, which is likely to be drawish.
Another wellknown option is 17 xf6+ xf6 18 e4+ f8 19 xf6 xf6 20 xd7 e8
does not promise much for White: 21 d4 (or 21 c2 g6 (21...e1+!? 22 d1 xd1+
23 xd1 g7 24 g4+ g6+ 25 xg6+ hxg6=) 22 xg6 e1+ 23 c2 hxg6= and Black
almost equalised) 21...e1+ 22 c2 xd4 23 xd4 e7 with slightly worse but
quite playable endgame, in which Black does not face serious problems in practice.
17 d2!? looks harmless but Black should defend accurately: 17...f5 18 d6+! (This is
forced as an attempt to keep things complicated would be harmful only for White: 18
g4? xe4 19 xe4 0-0! 20 xe7 c3 etc.) 18...xd6! 19 xf5 c5! 20 xd6 xf5 21 d1
with good compensation for the pawn, Riazantsev Zhu Chen/Biel 2009.
17...e6 18 a4+
White has also tried 18 h5!? g4 19 a4+! c6 20 b5 and here Black has to play
20...a6! (after in the game Riazantsev Jakovenko, Moscow 2006 Black faced
problems after 20...d4?! 21 f3 e6 22 f2 d7 23 xc4 xc4 24 xc4 0-0 25 h4) 21
xa6 bxa6 22 b7 f5 23 f3 g8!, transposing to main line.
168
18...c6 19 b5
19 xc4 can be well met by 19...b4! 20 xb4 xb4 21 b5+ f8 22 d2 xa2+ 23 a1
e6 24 xf6 g7 25 h5+ f8 26 f6 g7 27 h5+ with repetition of moves.
19...a6! 20 xa6 bxa6 21 b7 f5 22 f3 g8!

Black gets his Kside rook into play as quickly as possible.
22...c5 23 xf6!? (23 xc4 is also worth considering: 23...a5 24 xf6 xc4 25 xh8 a5 26
b3 xb3 27 axb3 and Black has to do a good work to get half a point) 23...0-0 is
worse for Black.
After 22...0-0?! Black also faces problems: 23 xc4 a5 24 xe7 xc4 25 xf6
23 g3 g5!? 24 a4 d4 25 b8 xe4+ 26 fxe4 gc5
XIIIIIIIIY
9-tRr+k+-+0
9zp-+-vlp+p0
9p+-+-zp-+0
9+-tr-+-+-0
9P+psnP+-+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-zP-+-+PzP0
9+K+-+L+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black has achieved good play in the ending, Khmelniker Khenkin/ECC Feugen 2006.
169
Vienna Variation/3 7. e5 cxd4 8. Nxd4

[D39]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 dxc4 5 e4 b4 6 g5 c5 7 e5 cxd4 8 xd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+-zP-vL-0
9-vlpsN-+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...xc3+ 9 bxc3 a5 10 exf6 xg5 11 fxg7 xg7
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+pwqp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+psN-+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This line is known to be harmless for Black but White is trying to put problems for him
from time to time.
170
12 d2
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+k+-tr0
9zpp+-+pwqp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+psN-+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Recently this is the most popular continuation. White doesn't cover the 3rd rank, which
might be used for rook's transfer to the opened gfile.
The line 12 f3 d7 13 xc4 0-0 is good for Black: 14 b3 (In order to secure his bishop
White also tried another retreat 14 e2 but failed to achieve good prospects:
14...c5 (14...e5 15 e3 g6! is also acceptable for Black) 15 0-0 b6! 16 fe1 (16
xa8? b7) 16...b7 17 h3 ad8 with a good play) 14...c5 (14...e5+!? deserves
serious attention: 15 e2!? (or 15 d2 g5+ 16 e3 xe3+ 17 xe3 c5 18 c2 d7
with good endgame for Black) 15...c5 16 0-0 d7 17 d4! and White may still
hope for some edge) 15 c2 (15 0-0 can be strongly met by 15...b6! 16 fe1 (16
xa8? b7 17 xf8+ xf8 18 f3 g5 19 c2 e3+ 20 f2 a6 is clearly better for Black)
16...b7 17 h3 h8 (17...d3!? is maybe even stronger) 18 e3 g8 19 f3 f6 20
c2 g7 and Black achieves the better chances) This position arose in the game
Kir.Georgiev Perunovic/Vrnjacka Banja 2005 which continued by 15...e5+
(However, Black's position looks fine and it can probably be proved by energetic
15...e5! 16 f5 e4! 17 xg7! exf3 18 h5 e8+! 19 f1 e5 with superior play) 16 f1
and here Black has solved opening problems by a typical 16...b6!=
12...0-0
12...c6 is a rare but interesting continuation: 13 xc6 bxc6
171
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zp-+-+pwqp0
9-+p+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+p+-+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14 0-0-0!? (the common 14 xc4 is well met by 14...e5+! 15 f1 (15 e2 a6= leads to an
equal endgame) 15...b7!? (both 15...c5?! 16 f4! g8 17 b1! g5 18 g4! a5?! 19 h4!
g7 20 g5!, and 15...0-0 16 h4 c5 17 e2 e5 18 g5+ h8 19 f6+ g8 20 h5 e8 21 h6
f8 22 h5+ have been unsatisfactory for Black) 16 d1 0-0 with good play for
Black) 14...0-0 15 xc4 Here White cannot count on easy play against Black's king
since his own monarch is also unsafe. The game V.Popov Filippov/ECC Saint
Vincent 2005 continued 15...e5! 16 h4 h6 (In case of 16...f5 17 g5! White could
achieve small advantage in the endgame) 17 he1 g4!? (17...f5 18 e3 ab8 19 b3
couldn't completely solve Black's problems) 18 f3 f5 and here White should have
played 19 g4!? g6 20 g5 with somewhat better chances.
13 xc4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pwqp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LsN-+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...d8
13...a6 looks a bit slow but perhaps still playable: 14 0-0 b5 (in the game Topalov
Naiditsch/Dortmund 2005 Black faced serious problems after the dubious 14...d8?!
15 f4!) 15 b3 b4 16 ac1 d8 17 e3 b7 with acceptable play.
172
14 e3
14 f4 is well met by 14...c6!
14...d7 15 0-0 c6 16 f3 e7 17 e5
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9zpp+lsnpwqp0
9-+-+p+-+0
9+-+-sN-+-0
9-+L+-+-+0
9+-zP-wQ-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
17...g6
17...c6 is less precise: 18 g3!? d5 (18...d5!? 19 b3) 19 xd5! xd5 20 fe1 ad8 21
f4 and White's strong knight is dominating over the Black bishop although it was
still not easy to create real threats.
18 f4 xe5
18...ac8 19 e2 can still promise a slight edge for White.
19 fxe5 c6 20 g3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-tr-+k+0
9zpp+-+pwqp0
9-+l+p+-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+L+-+-+0
9+-zP-wQ-zP-0
9P+-+-+-zP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
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173
White is hoping to exploit a weakened position of Black's king and awkward position of
Black's queen but a lack of resources as well as activity of Black's remaining pieces
makes this task too difficult. Yet, White can still hope for a small edge but even if
achieved it usually does not promise him real winning chances.
20...d7 21 f4
In the game Onischuk Jakovenko/Foros 2007 White tried 21 f6 He wants to restrict
Black's queen, however, the doubled rooks on the dfile give Black sufficient
counter chances. 21...ad8 22 e2 d2! (In case of 22...h8 23 af1 White kept
Black's major pieces restricted) 23 f4!? (Here 23 af1 could have been met with
23...8d3! 24 xd3 xd3 25 xd3 g5 with sufficient counterplay against
weakened opponent's king, for example, 26 xh7+ h8! (26...xh7?? 27 xf7+ g8 28
f8+ g7 29 1f7+ h6 30 h8+ g6 31 g8++) 27 xf7 e3+ 28 1f2 e1+ 29 f1
e3+= with repetition of moves) 23...h8 24 d4 (24 g4 f8 was okay for Black)
24...2xd4 25 cxd4 f5 26 exf6 xf6 and Black has eventually equalised without
serious problems.
21 e2!? is worthy of consideration: 21...h8 22 ad1 ad8 (22...xd1!?) 23 d4 with a
small advantage.
21...h8
A careless 21...ad8? is strongly met by 22 e2 followed by Rf4g4. 'followed by Rf4
g4'
22 af1 ad8
This position arose in the game Shulman Van Wely/Foxwoods 2006. It seems that White
should have preferred
23 d4 xd4 24 cxd4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-tr-+-mk0
9zpp+-+pwqp0
9-+l+p+-+0
9+-+-zP-+-0
9-+LzP-+-+0
9+-+-wQ-zP-0
9P+-+-+-zP0
9+-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
, still hoping to maintain a slight edge.
174
Vienna Variation/4 7. Bxc4 ... 10. Bxf6

Qxc3 [D39]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 dxc4 5 e4 b4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-vlpzPP+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The Vienna Variation is known to be one of the sharpest in the whole of opening theory.
However, in many cases after a wellknown series of moves the position becomes
rather quiet and White can maintain some slight pressure.
6 g5 c5 7 xc4 cxd4 8 xd4
175
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-vlLsNP+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...xc3+
In the Vienna Variation Black begins Qside actions rather early, trying to put some
concrete problems for White, to force him to make some concessions, for example,
to sacrifice a pawn. Thus if Black suddenly stops at the halfway and decides to
complete his Kside development by 8...0-0, White usually does not have any
problems and he can comfortably think about concrete actions. The first moves in
Vienna are promoting White's development and Black must at least get something as
a compensation, even by taking more risk. 9 0-0 bd7 10 e2! A strong idea
White simply continues his development, not being worried about such ideas as
...Nd7e5 or ...Ba5xc3 followed by ...Qd8a5. 10...xc3 (10...e5 could be well met
by 11 ad1 xc4 12 xc4 with initiative) 11 bxc3 a5 12 f4 e5!? Black is trying to
get his bishop into play and so the Qside rook but it is still not so easy in the
game Ivanisevic Ninov/Lazarevac 1999 White seized a strong initiative on the K
side after 13 f5
Sometimes Black does not want to damage his Kside pawn structure and plays 8...bd7
before capturing ...b4xc3 and ...d8a5, for example, such players as Andrei
Kharlov, employs this approach from time to time. Next Black castles with a hope
that the weak c3pawn will make White's life less comfortable. However, White
should not be too worried about it. It also gives him the possibility of castling and
his chances seem to be better thanks to his good development and active pieces
everything is in his hands to get real benefit by using the advantages of his position.
What Black is hoping for? The position becomes unbalanced and in such situation,
as a rule, one cannot play just safe moves strong chess is very much required and
so it gives Black chances to outplay the less experienced opponent. 9 0-0 (9 db5
cannot put serious problems for Black: 9...0-0 10 a3 e7 11 0-0 a6 12 d4 e5 13 e2 d7
14 f4 g6 15 e3 b8 16 g3 c8 with a good play) 9...xc3 10 bxc3 a5
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Attacking both bishop on g5 and pawn on c3. However, in many cases a capture of the
pawn is too risky. (In case of 10...0-0 White can continue his development by 11 e1
(or 11 e2 a5 12 f4 Ivanisevic Ninov/Lazarevac 1999) 11...c7 (11...e5 12 b3)
12 b3 c5 (12...xc3 is suspicious: 13 e5 d5 14 xd5! exd5 15 f5 with a strong
initiative) 13 d2 and White's chances are preferable 13...b6 14 xe6!? fxe6 15
xe6 followed by 16. Nxf8 with better chances for White.) 11 h4 The main
continuation. Let's take a look at some other options.
a) 11 e5?! looks interesting but in fact Black has sufficient defensive resources:
11...xe5 12 f4 c5 13 e2 0-0 14 h1 h6 and Black is fine
b) 11 b5!? deserves attention: 11...0-0 12 xf6!? xf6 13 e5 and White's chances
are preferable.
c) 11 xf6 This simple approach can still put some problems for Black but they do
not seem too dangerous. 11...xf6 12 b5+ d7 13 b1 xb5 (13...d8!? is also
worthy of consideration: 14 e5 d5 15 c4 e7 with a good play for Black) 14 xb5
This position arose in the game Dreev Kharlov/chessassistantclub.com 2004,
which continued 14...xc3!? (it also deserves attention just to move the queen back
by 14...c7!? White must find the way to maintain the initiative otherwise his weak
c3pawn gives Black an easy play: 15 e5 (15 b3 b6=) 15...d7 (in case of 15...d5?!
White can think about 16 xd5! exd5 17 b5 followed by 18. Nd6 with initiative) 16
f4 0-0 17 f3 and White's chances look preferable although Black's position is
rather solid) 15 e5 and here Black should have thought about 15...e4!? 16 xb7 00 with acceptable play
11...0-0 (11...a6 is a bit slow: 12 e1 0-0 13 b3 h5?! 14 xh5 xh5 15 e7! e8 16 d6 with a
clear advantage) 12 e1
a) Other continuations might also promise somewhat better chances for White, for
example: 12 e2 c5 (12...a6 13 fd1) 13 ad1 b6 14 h1 b7 15 f3
b) or 12 c2 b6 13 fe1 b7 14 b5 e5 15 f1
12...e5
a) Other moves do not solve the problems: 12...c5 13 xe6 (White can also make
some preparations first: 13 e2 b6 14 ad1 b7 15 xe6!? fxe6 16 xe6+ h8 17 xd7
although Black gets counter chances after 17...xe4) 13...fxe6 14 xe6 c6 (or
14...h5 15 xf6 (15 xf8!?) 15...xd1 16 axd1 gxf6 17 xf8 xf8 18 e3 b6 19
177
h3 g7 20 hd3 c5 21 d8 b7 22 f3 g6 23 f2) 15 b3 h8 16 xf8

xf8 17 xf6 xf6 18 ad1 e7 19 b4! xb4 20 cxb4
b) Or 12...b6 13 b5 a6 14 c6 a7 15 e5!? xe5 16 g3 with initiative
13 f1 (13 b3!? is also worthy of consideration) 13...d7 The game Sakaev
Kharlov/YUGchT Budva 1996 continued 14 b3! d8 15 g3 g6 16 d6 e8
17 e5 and the very strong bishop on d6 gave White a clear advantage.
Sometimes Black begins with 8...a5, which gives White a chance to protect his knight on
c3. However, a principled way is still 9 b5+, which may lead to one of the main
lines. (9 d2!? is supposed to be not so ambitious but White might still count for
some edge: 9...c5 (9...0-0 deserves attention among other possibilities. 10 e2 (10
c2?! is dubious: 10...xc3 11 xc3 g5 12 e2 xg2 13 0-0-0 xe4 14 hg1 g6!
15 e3 (15 xf6? f4+) 15...e5 and Black is already better) 10...e5 11 c2 c6 12
a3 d4 13 d3 xc2+ 14 xc2 c7 15 b3 e7 16 c1 b6 17 e3 a6 18 e2
with advantage) 10 b5+ d7 (10...bd7 11 b3 b6 does not equalises completely
according to tournament practice: 12 e2 a6 13 d3 e5 14 0-0 d7 15 ac1 0-0 16 e3
d6 17 fd1 and so on) 11 b3 In the game Bacrot Delchev/FRAch Port
Barcares 2005 Black continued 11...e5 (Both 11...b6, and 11...e7 are also playable
and more popular than the text move) 12 d3 (An immediate 12 f4!? deserves serious
attention: 12...c7 13 d3 xc3 14 bxc3 c6 15 e2 with certain advantage) 12...a6 13
f4! d6 and here the more natural 14 e2! (14 c2?!) 14...c5 (14...xc3!? 15 bxc3 e5)
15 xc5 xc5 16 a3 xc3 17 xc3 was preferable, maintaining the advantage)
9...d7 (9...bd7?! is dubious as it transposes into a rather risky line for Black after
10 xf6 xc3+ (after 10...gxf6 11 0-0 Black has no compensation for the damage of his
Kside) 11 bxc3 xc3+ 12 f1 gxf6, which usually arises after 8 ...Bxc3+ 9. bxc3
Qa5 10. Bb5+ Nbd7 11.Bxf6 Qxc3+ 12.Kf1 gxf6) 10 xf6 (Here 10 d2? is a big
mistake due to 10...xb5 11 dxb5 xe4!) 10...gxf6 (a surprising 10...xb5!? is
interesting but it probably does not completely equalise: 11 dxb5 (11 b3!? was
an interesting alternative: 11...b6 (11...c7?! 12 xg7 g8 could be strongly met by
13 h5!) 12 xg7 g8 with extremely complicated play, which needs further
analysis) 11...gxf6 12 0-0 (not 12 d6+? e7) 12...c6 13 a3 (13 f3!? e7 (13...a6?!
failed to 14 xf6! g8 15 d4 xc3 16 xc6! and White escapes with extra pawn) 14
ad1 is also worthy of consideration, keeping some edge) 13...xc3 14 xc3 After
some complications players have reached a rather typical for Vienna type of
position. Thanks to his opponent's vulnerable king White's chances are preferable
but Black's pieces are active enough and he keeps good control over the center,
Kramnik Anand/WCh (m/8) Bonn 2008) 11 0-0 xc3 (11...xb5?! is dubious: 12
cxb5 c6 (or 12...a6 13 a3! e7 14 b4 b6 15 c3 0-0 16 a4 d8 17 c1) 13 a3 e7
14 c1 (14 h5!?) 14...g8 15 xc6 bxc6 16 d6+ f8 17 c4!) 12 xd7+ xd7
13 bxc3 this main line is considered in D39 Vienna Variation/3.
9 bxc3 a5 10 xf6
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Nowadays this line is supposed to be acceptable for Black but White would still try to
prove that his advantage in development can give him more than just a
compensation for the pawn.
10...xc3+ 11 f1 gxf6
11...xc4+?! seems too risky for Black. 12 g1 d7
a) Other continuations do not solve the problems: 12...d7 13 c1 b4 (13...a6? 14
b5!+) 14 xg7 g8 15 f6
b) or 12...0-0 13 c1 (13 g4!? g6 14 f4 d7 15 e5 xf6 16 exf6 h8 17 c1
e5!? (17...b4 18 h4) 18 h6 xc1+ 19 xc1 exd4 20 h4 f5) 13...b4 (13...a6 14
g4 g6 15 e5 d7 16 g5 xf6 17 exf6 e5 18 c6! h8 19 e7!+) 14 g4 g6 15 e5 e8
16 f4 with initiative.
13 xg7 g8 14 c1 a6 15 h6 This position is clearly in White's favour. The game
Stahlberg Sefc/Trencianske Teplice 1949 continued 15...f6 16 e5! d5 17 h4!
d7 18 c2 and so on.
12 c1 a5
12...b4?! can be strongly met by 13 xe6! c6!? (13...xe6 14 xe6+) 14 xc6 bxc6 15
xc8 xc8 and Black has to defend his damaged position: 16 h4!? (16 g4!?) 16...0-0
17 g4+ h8 18 h3 with a certain advantage.
13 h4
13 b5+ is known to be harmless for Black: 13...e7 (13...d7? loses to 14 xc8+! xc8
15 xd7+ e7 (15...xd7?? 16 b3+) 16 xc8 xc8 17 h4!+ and White is in time to
get his rook into play.) 14 e5
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This pawn push does not promise White more than a draw. 14...fxe5 15 h5 d7 (In case
of 15...exd4?? White has a very important check 16 g5+! f6 17 c5+, winning the
queen after 17...f7 18 e8+! xe8 19 xa5+, 15...f6 looks risky: 16 c4 a3 17 f5+!
d8 18 d1+ d7 19 d6 c7 20 f7 with initiative) 16 g5+ f8 (16...d6 is too
suspicious: 17 e2 (17 c4!? is also interesting) 17...a6 18 f3 f6 19 g7 with a
certain initiative) 17 xc8+ (17 h6+ does not promise much for White: 17...e8 18
g7 f8 19 xe5 d2! and the Black queen is disturbing White's development,
Kaidanov Ivanchuk/Lvov 1987) 17...xc8 18 xd7 White's position looks
promising but after 18...d8! he does not have more than a draw by 19 xe6+ fxe6
20 h6+ e7 (or 20...f7 21 xe6+ g7 22 g4+ f6 23 h4+=) 21 xe6+= with
perpetual check.
13...e7
13...d7 is a bit slow: 14 h3 c6?! (14...a6!?) 15 b5 e5 16 d6+ e7 17 xb7 b6 18
b3 a4 19 xb6 xd1 20 bb1 with a big advantage in the endgame.
14 h3
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180
14...c6
14...d8 15 d3 d7 is rare and probably dubious approach. Black is taking much risk,
trying to get winning chances. (15...c6 16 xc6+ bxc6 would be a transposition to the
main line) 16 b3 b6 In the game Naumkin Delchev/Reggio Emilia 2005 White
played a stronglooking 17 f4!, taking e5square under control: 17...f8 18 xd8
(18 e5!? was also worthy of consideration) 18...xd8 19 e1!? e8!? 20 c5 b6
and here 21 a4! seemed to be the right way to maintain the initiative although
Black still have reasonable defensive resources.
15 xc6+ bxc6 16 d3
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A critical position for this line is reached. White sacrificed a pawn but has got all his pieces
into play. An attempt to do the same usually costs Black his h7pawn but in most
cases he gets sufficient counter chances. Yet, White's chances still seem to be
slightly better.
16 hc3!? is a very rare but interesting option: 16...d8 17 f3 a6 (or 17...d4 18 b3 d7
19 c5 b4 20 5c4 xc4 21 xc4 b5 22 g1 a5 23 c3 a4 24 c2 a3 25 b3 and White
has maintained his good compensation for the pawn) 18 xa6 xa6+ 19 e2 (19
g1!? deserves attention) 19...xe2+ 20 xe2 d4 21 e3 with a slight pressure
but the endgame is certainly drawish.
16...d8
16...b8 is a bit less popular alternative: 17 g1 d8 (Other options do not solve the
problems: 17...b2?! 18 b3 b6 19 f3 a6 20 dc3, or 17...b7?! 18 b3 d7 19 g4
with initiative in both cases, 17...b4? is even worse: 18 d2! a4 19 e3 d8 20 b3
xd3 21 xd3 a6 22 e3 a5 23 d1 with a clear advantage as Black's pieces are
badly placed) 18 xd8 (18 e5
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This pawn push is rather typical for such a pawn structure. Since Black cannot capture this
pawn with his queen his king becomes more vulnerable however, White still
cannot gain any real benefit: 18...fxe5 19 h5 xd3 20 g5+ f6! Black has to force the
matters. 21 g7+ d6! 22 xd3 Of course, Black cannot be happy with his advanced
king but the next move causes some problems for White and so distracts him from
the main target. 22...d2! 23 f8+ c7 24 c5 d7 with a good play, Bagaturov
Palac/Batumi 1999) 18...xd8 19 h5
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19...d4 (19...b2!? is rather interesting. The game continued 20 c5+ e8 21 xa7 b6 22
xb6 xb6 with a slightly better for White but drawish endgame) 20 b3 b4!?
Black has to play actively.
a) In case of 20...d7 White gets better chances by 21 xh7 f5! 22 h6 h8 23
g5+ f6 24 exf5 xh4 25 xf6+ xf6 26 fxe6 fxe6 27 c5 but Black still keeps
reasonable drawish chances thanks to the lack of pawns on the board.
b) 20...xe4 does not solve the problems completely: 21 c5+ e8 22 xa7 b7
(or 22...b4 23 a8 d8 24 a5+ e8 25 a8 d8 26 g3!?) 23 a8 c7 24 b8!? and
White maintains his initiative
21 xh7 d7 (21...xe4!? is also worthy of consideration. After 22 xe4 xe4 23 xc6 d7 24
c4 f5 25 xe4 fxe4 26 g4 f6 27 g2 e5 28 d1 f7 Black can probably hold the
endgame) 22 h5 This position arose in the game Norri Hjelm/Helsinki 2002. It
seems that Black should have played 22...e5! (22...xe4?! 23 c5+ e8 24 xa7 was
182
clearly better for White) 23 xe5 fxe5 White's advantage in such endgame is
beyond doubts but Black can probably neutralise the passed hpawn with his king.
17 xd8
17 e5 does not promise much: 17...fxe5 18 xd8 xd8 19 f3 d6 with acceptable play.
17...xd8
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18 b3!?
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The idea of Krishnan Sasikiran. White chooses a completely new direction for the queen
White is not in a hurry to get the h7pawn. At first he is going to stop Black's
development and, of course, would not hesitate to disturb his king if such a
possibility occurs.
Some 1520 years ago the line 18 h5 d4 was rather popular but nowadays it's supposed
to be okay for Black. White gets h7pawn back but he moves his queen away from
the center while its counterpart is very strong on d4. 19 xh7 (19 g1 can lead to the
183
line we considered in the game Norri Hjelm/Helsinki 2002 after 19...b8 20 b3 but
Black can also think about other options on the move 19) 19...b8
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(19...c5 does not solve the problems since White can simply continue 20 h5 following by
retreat of the bishop and attacking the c5pawn) 20 b3 a6+ 21 g1 d3 22 g7
xe4 Black has already got all his pieces into play and he looks fine. However, the
passed hpawn still gives White sufficient compensation for the pawn. 23 g3 (after
23 g4?! d8 24 d1 e5 25 xd8 xd8 26 h5 e7 Black has got the better chances,
Tunik Vyzmanavin/RUSch Gorky 1989) 23...h8 24 c4 a1+ 25 h2 with
roughly equal play.
18...b6
18...d6 is also worthy of consideration. However, it does not fully equalise: 19 d1 b8
20 xd6 (20 f3!? also came to mind but Black seems fine after 20...c5 21 d3 f8!
22 e5!? xe5 23 xh7 e7) 20...xb3 21 xc6 b1+ 22 e2 d7 23 c7 a5 24 a7
b2+ 25 e3 a4 26 g4 d6 27 f4 with a small advantage for White in this
endgame.
19 a3+ c5
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184
This position arose in the game Sasikiran Gustafsson/playchess.com 2004, which

continued
20 e3!? d7 21 e5
White is in a hurry to act.
However, a prophylactic 21 g1!? deserved serious attention. Black couldn't defend
everything anyway but White could win a pawn in a better situation.
21...fxe5 22 g5+ f8 23 xe5
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with the initiative but Black still has an extra pawn and reasonable defensive resources.
185
Vienna Variation/5 7. Bxc4 ... 10. Bb5+

Nbd7 [D39]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 f3 f6 4 c3 dxc4 5 e4 b4 6 g5 c5 7 xc4 cxd4 8

xd4 xc3+ 9 bxc3 a5 10 b5+
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Nowadays this line is one of the main White's attempts to gain some advantage. Here Black
faces a dilemma.
10...bd7
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This is the more risky approach. Black wins a pawn but White develops a rather annoying
initiative.
11 xf6 xc3+ 12 f1 gxf6 13 h4 a6 14 h3
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14...b4
14...a5 15 e2 is another line, which is known to be no less risky for Black but perhaps
still defendable.
15 e2
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15...e5!?
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This rare knight's jump was considered suspicious for Black but it is probably not so clear.
15...d6 can be met with 16 a4!? (16 c1 is another possibility) 16...0-0 17 d1 with
more than sufficient compensation for the pawn, according to the tournament
practice.
One of the critical positions arises after a common 15...0-0 was supposed to be a common
option: 16 b1 d6 17 g3+ h8 18 d2 g8 It is necessary to swap a pair of
rooks. (18...b5? fails to 19 e5! with decisive attack) 19 bb3 xg3 20 xg3
188
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A critical position for the assessment of the whole line. It is clear that White has got
excellent compensation for the pawn but perhaps Black can still defend?! 20...b6
a) 20...b5 deserves attention as well. However, the more advanced push does not
bring Black real benefit: 21 f3! a7 (21...b7? 22 e5! xe5 23 xb7 d8 24 f4+,
21...b8?! 22 e5! fxe5 23 g5 f8 24 c6 f6 25 g4) 22 e5! fxe5 23 g5 f8 24 c6 f6
25 g4 f5 and, despite the c4square is not available, White can maintain his
initiative by 26 g5 h6 27 g6 c7 28 xe6 and so on.
b) 20...f8 can be well met with 21 h5 b5 22 c6 with a strong pressure
c) an attempt to swap queens by 20...e5?? loses on the spot: 21 h6 f8 22 f5
xh6 23 xh6+
d) while 20...f8? is also bad for Black: 21 e5! d8 (21...fxe5? 22 g5+) 22 h6
g6 23 f3! followed by h4h5.
21 f3! This strong manoeuvre poses serious problems for Black. (in the game Werle
Wells/London 2008 White played weaker: 21 h5?! b7! 22 xf7 f8 23 e5!? (23
xe6 c5 24 f5 xe4 25 xe4 xe4 promised nothing) and here 23...xe5! was
correct: 24 xe6 (24 g6 could be parried by 24...e4! 25 xe4 xe4 26 e3 xh4
27 xe6 c8 (27...h1+ 28 e2 h5+ 29 f3 b5+ 30 f2 g8 was also possible) 28
xd7 c1+ 29 e2 g4+ 30 f3 e4+ 31 e3 g4+ with perpetual check)
24...c5 25 f5 e4 (or 25...e4 26 h6 f7 27 d2 f8 28 h6 f7=) 26 h6 xg3+
27 fxg3 f7 28 xh7 d5 29 g6+ g8 30 xf7+ xf7 with a probable draw)
21...a7 (21...b7? 22 e5! xe5 23 xb7 d8 24 h6 g6 25 f3+) 22 e5! fxe5 23 g5
f8 24 c6 f6 (24...c7? 25 e7+) 25 g4 (Not 25 g8+? xg8 26 xg8+ xg8 27
xa7 when Black escapes by 27...e4! 28 xe4 c5=) 25...f5 26 c4 On the next move
White captures on e6, securing a clear advantage.
16 b1!?
16 h5 takes g6square under control but the idea to push Black's knight back does not work
well: 16...d6! (16...d7 17 b3 d6 18 xb7 d8 19 b3 gives White a certain
advantage, as a rule, an early castling would only promote White's initiative in this
line: 16...0-0 17 b1 d6 18 d2 and so on) 17 d2!? (17 g1?! d7 18 b1 d8
gave Black the better chances in the game Shulman Naiditsch/Montreal 2009: 19
c3 (the pawn on b7 was untouchable: 19 xb7?? c6!) 19...b5 20 bc1 b4 and after
189
21 g3? e7 22 f4 e8! 23 fxe5 fxe5 Black has got the piece back, securing
material advantage) 17...d7 (17...g8?! 18 d1 d7 19 b2, 17...c6?! 18 d3 h2! 19
f4) 18 b2 c6!? 19 d1!? xd4 20 xd4 e5 with a good play for Black.
16 c1!? deserved attention as well: 16...d6 (16...0-0?! seems weaker: 17 b3 e7 18 d2
h8 19 h5 with initiative) 17 c2!? with active play for the pawn.
16 b3 has been tried in the game Borovikov Drozdovskij/TURchT Konya 2010, which
continued 16...d6 17 c1
a) In case of 17 d2 Black could have solved his problems by 17...c6! 18 d3 (the
ending after 18 d1 xd4 19 xd4 xd4 20 xd4 b5 was harmless for Black) 18...h2!
19 h3 e5 20 d3 h2= with a repetition of moves.
b) 17 a4!? deserved attention, stopping ...b7b5. However, Black seemed to be fine
after 17...0-0
17...b5 18 d2 (18 bc3 b7 19 f4 c4 was fine for Black. Then it would be a repetition
again: 20 xc4 bxc4 21 e5 fxe5 22 fxe5 d5 23 a4+ f8 24 b4+ e8=) 18...b7 with
good play for Black.
16...d6 17 b2!?
In case of 17 c3 Black would have thought about 17...b5! with unclear play. (after
17...e7? 18 f4 d7 19 d2 d8 20 d1 he faces problems) For example, 18 d2 (18
b3!? xd1+ 19 xd1) 18...d7 19 e3 and so on
17 h5?! b5 18 d2 b7 19 f4? d8! is bad for White.
White would also think about such options as 17 a4!? with compensation for the pawn but
it requires more analysis.
17...b5 18 d2 c7!?
in case of 18...b6 19 g3 b7 20 f4 White's chances looks preferable: 20...g6!? 21 f5
d8! (21...xh4? 22 h3) 22 fxg6 hxg6 23 h5!? but Black still keeps reasonable
counter chances.
19 a4
Here 19 g3 b7 20 f4? g6 was simply bad for White
19...b4
190
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9+-wq-+p+p0
9p+-+pzp-+0
9+-+-sn-+-0
9Pzp-sNP+-zP0
9+-+-+-+R0
9-+-tRLzPP+0
9+-+Q+K+-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The position is very complicated. White keeps sufficient compensation for the pawn but
Black has also got something to be satisfied with.
191
Vienna Variation/6 7. Bxc4 ... 10. Bb5+

Bd7 [D39]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.f3 f6 4.c3 dxc4 5.e4 b4 6.g5 c5 7.xc4 cxd4

8.xd4 xc3+ 9.bxc3 a5 10.b5+ d7
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+k+-tr0
9zpp+l+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9wqL+-+-vL-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This is known to be safer but Black's chances to outplay White are very limited in this line.
11.xf6 gxf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-+k+-tr0
9zpp+l+p+p0
9-+-+pzp-+0
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9tR-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
192
11...xc3+? just loses to 12.f1 gxf6 13.c1 followed by Rc1-c8.
12.xd7+
12.b3 used to be the main continuation but recently Black is holding on. 12...0-0 The
most popular approach.
a) 12...a6 13.e2 (Some 1520 years ago an interesting sacrifice 13.xd7+ xd7
14.xe6!? was rather dangerous for Black but now it is known to be drawish.
14...c8! This rather unexpected move is the most convincing way to solve the
problems.
a1) In case of 14...e5 White gets small advantage after 15.g7+ f8 16.f5
xe4+ 17.e3 c5 18.b4!
a2) After 14...fxe6 the problems still remain: 15.xe6+ d8 16.d1 b5!
(16...xc3+?! 17.e2 b2+ is worse: 18.f3 c3+ 19.g4! f5+!? 20.h5! and White gets
material advantage: 20...g7 21.xd7+ xd7 22.f6+ c7 23.c1+ b8 24.xh8+ a7
25.e5!) 17.xf6+ (White can also repeat moves: 17.d5 c6 18.d6 a4 19.d4, 17.c4
c6 18.d6 a4 19.0-0 is worthy of consideration but Black can also defend)
17...c7 18.d6+ c8 19.c4 a5+ 20.d2 d8 and Black is under some pressure
15.0-0 xc3 16.g7+ f8 17.d1 xg7 18.g4+ g5 19.xd7 Black's Kside pawn
structure is seriously damaged but White is late to get his rooks into play. 19...b5!
20.xb5 (Or 20.g4+ g5 21.e2 hc8= and White has no chances to bother Black's
king) 20...axb5 21.f3 White is fortifying his Kside pawn structure. (21.fb1 a8
22.xb5 is met by 22...xa2!=, 21.ab1 a8 22.xb5 xa2 23.xb7 c4 is also drawish.
White loses his e4pawn since 24.f3 is met by 24...cc2) 21...hc8 (21...c2 22.f2 hc8
23.xc2 xc2 24.b1 is similar) 22.ab1 c2 23.f2 c1+ 24.xc1 xc1+ 25.f1 c4
(25...c2 26.b1) 26.d1 Thanks to his better pawn structure White has got a slight
edge in this endgame but it is certainly drawish. The maximum White can achieve is
the endgame 4 vs 3 on the Kside but the doubled fpawns make Black's defences
easier in such kind of endgames, P.Cramling Brunner/Biel 1994) 13...c6 14.0-0
c7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9+pwql+p+p0
9p+n+pzp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+QzP-+-+-0
9P+-+LzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This type of position is under test during many years and the overall assessment has not
been changing much. Black's damaged Kside pawn structure is a bit more
important that White's weak c3pawn. White usually maintains a small advantage by
193
trying to disturb the vulnerable Black king. 15.a3 This seems to be the most
promising continuation. (15.ab1 a5 16.a3 c8 may also promise some edge but
in many cases Black can simplify into worse but drawish positions. Here White has
a choice. 17.fd1 (Here 17.c4!? might also promise a small advantage for White:
17...xc4!? (17...c5 is also playable but not fully equalising: 18.c3 e7 (or
18...e5 19.b3 xb3 20.axb3 a5 21.fd1 e6 22.h3!?) 19.h1 e5 White can secure a slight
edge by 20.b3! xb3 21.axb3 a5 22.bd1) 18.xc4 xc4 19.fd1 c3 (in case
of 19...c5 White gets initiative: 20.f3 b5 21.xf6 g8 22.f3 e7 23.d4) 20.xc3!?
The endgame gives better chances for White. (after 20.d6 c7 21.b4 (21.a3
c3) 21...g8 22.d2 (22.xb7 xb7 23.xb7 e5= is drawish) 22...g5! Black gets his
Kside rook into play with a good prospects) 20...xc3 21.xb7 c8 22.b6!?
(White does not achieve much after 22.a7 0-0 23.e2 c2 24.f4 g7=) 22...0-0
23.d6 with a certain advantage for White. ) 17...xc3!? A principled and perhaps
the most convincing way to get half a point. (17...c5 18.c1 A typical manoeuvre
White sends his queen to the center or the opposite flank trying to put problems for
the Black king. 18...e7 19.c4!? hd8 The game continued 20.f5+! exf5 21.d5
c7 (An alternative 21...c6!? did not solve the problems: 22.a3+ e8 23.xa5! fxe4
24.bd1 with a certain initiative) 22.a3+ e8 23.xa5 fxe4 24.h5 f5 25.xh7
with better chances for White, Burgess Law/Birmingham 1999) 18.b3! (18.d6
c7 seems to be fine for Black. 19.f5?! This tempting sacrifice, which was
successfully played by Garry Kasparov, can actually create problems only for White.
(White would repeat the moves by 19.b4 c3 20.d6=) 19...exf5 20.xf6 g8!
a1) 20...0-0? justifies White's strategy: 21.d3 f4 22.d5 with decisive attack
a2) 20...c3? is also bad: 21.e5!+ f8 (or 21...g8 22.xd7! xd7 23.xf7+ c6
24.e6+ followed by 25. Qd6 checkmate) 22.xd7! xd7 23.d1+ e8 24.h5 c6
25.e6+ with a quick checkmate.
21.exf5! (in the game Shulman Yakovich/New York 1998 White went astray: 21.h5?
c6! 22.d4? (22.xf5 g7) 22...xe4 23.bd1 c6 24.e6+ f8 25.h6+ e7!
26.d7+ xd7 27.xd7+ xd7-+ and Black has eventually converted his material
advantage) 21...c6!? (it is worth considering to include 21...c3!? 22.d4 and only
now 22...c6! 23.e5+ f8 perhaps this line may promise real advantage for
Black) 22.e5+ f8 23.f3 c7 24.e3 xf5 25.bc1 c4!? (or 25...e7 26.h6+
e8 27.xh7!? g5 28.xc8+ xc8 with roughly equal play) 26.h6+ e8!? (Black
could already force a repetition of moves by 26...g7 27.xc4 xc4 28.d6+ e8
(of course, not 28...g8?? 29.d8+ xd8 30.xd8# checkmate!) 29.e5+ f8
30.d6+=) 27.e1+ e6 28.xe6+ (28.xh7 d7 29.cd1+ d6) 28...fxe6 29.xe6+
f8 30.d5 g6 31.f5+ g7 32.xc4 e7 and Black's chances look somewhat
better) 18...xb3 (18...c4? is losing to 19.xc4 xc4 20.bc1 b5 21.xc8+ xc8 22.c1
d7 23.c5 c6 24.b4 d7 25.a5+) 19.xb3 c7 (the endgame after 19...c5
20.xc5 xc5 21.xb7 c8 22.a7 0-0 23.a4 is difficult for Black) 20.b2 White gets a
pawn back and maintains the better chances. However, after 20...e5! 21.xb7 c6
22.xe5 (or 22.b6 xb2 23.xb2 xe4 24.xa6 a8) 22...fxe5 23.a7 0-0 (23...xe4?!
24.xa6) 24.f3 b5! 25.xb5 axb5 26.b7 c2 27.xb5 and the endgame 4 vs 3 on
the Kside is most likely to be drawish) 15...c8 16.fd1 This seems to be the most
promising way White first of all places his rook on the dfile. 16...a5 Black also
tried some other options.
194
a1) 16...h5?! seems dubious: 17.d2 e5 18.ad1 xc3? and here 19.b3! with
idea 20. Rxd7! Nxd7 21. Rc1 wins instantly: 19...c7 20.f4+
a2) 16...g8!? 17.ab1 g5!? deserves attention
a3) while 16...e5 17.c4 (17.ab1!?) 17...c5 18.b3 gives White a typical small
advantage
17.c4 c5 This position arose in the game Bocharov Ovod/St. Petersburg 2002, which
continued 18.c3 (18.g3!? is also interesting) and here 18...xc4! should have been
played: 19.ac1 b5 20.xc4 bxc4 (20...xc4? 21.d2+) 21.c2!? e5 22.d4 with
idea Nc2e3 and White maintains initiative but Black should not be too bad.
b) 12...xb5 13.xb5 0-0 14.0-0 c6 can lead to the main line.
13.0-0 xb5 (13...b6 does not equalise: 14.fd1! c6 15.xc6! xc6 (15...xb3 16.axb3
xc6 17.xc6 bxc6 18.f1) 16.c2 ac8 17.e2 c5 18.ab1 (18.d3!?) 18...h8
19.d3 g8 20.g3 gd8 21.f3 g7 22.bd1 and Black's defence is not so easy)
14.xb5 c6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+-trk+0
9zpp+-+p+p0
9-+n+pzp-+0
9wqN+-+-+-0
9-+-+P+-+0
9+QzP-+-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
(14...d7?! is dubious. White gets a big advantage by a simple 15.c4 a6 16.d6 followed by
Ra1-d1) 15.c4 White also tried to get his rook to the Kside first.
a) 15.ad1 ad8 16.d6 e5 17.a3 does not promise much: 17...b6 (17...d7!?
deserves attention as well) 18.d3 (18.f4 can be met by 18...a5 19.xa5 xa5 20.f3
b7! with a drawish endgame: 21.g3+ h8 22.gd3 xd6 23.xd6 xd6 24.xd6 c8
25.d7 g7= and so on) 18...f4 19.fd1 e5 20.g3+ h8 and Black is okay
b) 15.ae1 fd8 16.e3 White transfers his rook to the Kside but it would be very
difficult to provide real support for it. 16...d2 17.d4!? (17.g3+!? h8 18.c4 is
also tempting but Black could defend: 18...e5! (18...g8 19.d6!) 19.e3 (19.c5 g8
20.xg8+ xg8 21.g3+ f8 was okay for Black) 19...g8 20.h6 xg3 21.hxg3 g8!
22.xf6 xc4 and Black is holding on) 17...xd4 18.cxd4 xd4 19.xb7 e8!
20.b2 ed8 21.h3 e5 Thanks to the weakened Black's king White's chances are
preferable but Black's position is defendable, Malakhatko Schenk/Deizisau 2004.
15...ad8 (An attempt to quickly bring the queen to defence by 15...d2 16.ad1 f4 17.d6
limits the prospects of Black's rooks very much.) 16.g3+ White also tried some
other options.
a) 16.ae1 does not promise much: 16...d2 17.g3+ (17.c5!? deserves attention)
17...h8 18.e3 g8 19.f4 g6 and Black is doing well.
195
b) in case of 16.c5 it is better to exchange White's knight, which can be rather

dangerous for Black on d6square: 16...d4 (16...d2?! 17.g3+ h8 18.f4 g7
19.d6!) 17.xd4 xd4 18.g3+ h8 19.f4 g7 The game Krasenkow
H.Olafsson/Reykjavik 2004 continued 20.ac1!? (20.ab1 is fine for Black: 20...xc5
21.xb7 g5 22.c7 e5 23.e7 xe4 24.xa7 e1=) 20...c8 21.g4+ h8 (there is
nothing wrong with 21...f8 ) 22.h5 and here 22...g8! was correct and White
could achieve nothing: 23.g4+ (23.fe1 c4!, 23.e5? xc5) 23...f8 and so on.
16...h8 17.h4 g7 Black has no choice and now White can make a draw any time he
wants. The question is whether he can provide real help for his queen. 18.f4 d2!
This novelty might become a heavy blow to all White's attempts to put real problems
for Black in the whole 10. Bb5 approach. (In the game Mamedyarov
Bluvstein/Calvia de Mallorca (ol) 2004 White put real problems before Black after
18...d3 19.e5! d8 20.h5! White is playing energetically now he is simply
going to bring remaining pieces into action by Ra1-e1, Nb5d6 and so on. 20...g8
(An interesting 20...a6!? 21.d6 fxe5 can be met by 22.c5! (in case of 22.fxe5 Black
escapes into the drawish endgame by 22...xe5! 23.xe5+ f6 24.xb7 fxe5 25.xd8
fxd8) 22...f5 (or 22...f6 23.f5) 23.fxe5 and White maintains his initiative) 21.ae1
a6 22.d6 fxe5 23.c5! f5 (23...f6 24.f5 couldn't extinguish White's initiative)
24.fxe5 White has supported his knight on d6 very well so his chances should be
preferred without any doubts.) 19.e5 (The logical 19.f3!? can be well met by
19...g8 20.f5
a) White must be careful such actions as 20.g3+?! f8 21.xg8+ xg8 22.xf6
may be fatal for his knight on b5 after 22...a6 For example, 23.c7 e3+ 24.h1
xe4
b) 20.e5 also clarifies position in Black's favour: 20...fxe5 21.fxe5 d7! 22.g3+
(22.f2 e3) 22...f8 23.xg8+ xg8 24.g3+ h8 xe5
20...d3!? An interesting option. (perhaps a simple 20...e5!? is more reliable: 21.af1
(21.c3!?) 21...d4 22.g3+ f8 23.xg8+ xg8 24.xf6 e2+ 25.h1 d1!
26.g5+ f8 27.h6+ g8= and White must repeat the moves) 21.g3+ h8
22.xd3 b2! 23.f2 xa1+ 24.f1 b2 with reasonable counterplay: 25.fxe6
fxe6 26.d4 e5! 27.xf6+ g7 28.f8+ g8 29.f6+ g7= with a repetition of
moves which seems to be the most logical finish in this whole line.) 19...fxe5
20.g5+ h8 21.f6+ g8 22.g5+ h8 23.f6+ g8 24.ae1 White is trying to
get any rook to the gfile but it does not seem to be possible. The game
Mamedyarov P.H.Nielsen/Wijk aan Zee B 2005 continued 24...a6 (It was also
unclear how White would create mating threats in case of 24...exf4 For example,
25.e4 e5 26.g3 (26.c5 xa2) 26...d3 27.gxf4 h3=) 25.g5+ h8 26.f6+ g8
and after a few fruitless attempts White eventually played the perpetual check.
12...xd7 13.0-0
196
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9zpp+n+p+p0
9-+-+pzp-+0
9wq-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This simple approach has recently become popular.
13...a6
13...xc3?! can be well met 14.a4 0-0 15.xe6! fxe6 (15...b6?! 16.d4 xd4 17.xd4 fd8
18.f5) 16.xd7
13...d8?! does not solve the problems: 14.b1 c5 (14...e5?! 15.xb7 xc3 16.a4+ f8
17.d1) 15.f3
in case of 13...c5 White can secure the better chances by 14.f3! e7 15.b3!? xb3
(15...c7 16.xc5 xc5 17.e5! fxe5 18.xb7+ f6 19.f3+ e7 20.ab1 ab8 21.h3)
16.axb3 b6 17.c4
13...c7!? deserves attention: 14.d2 c5 15.ae1 (15.e3 seems more precise) 15...0-00!? and Black has managed to move his king to the safer place.
14.b1 c7
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9+pwqn+p+p0
9p+-+pzp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-zP-+-+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+R+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Black's defence must be well thought out, such routine play as 14...c5?! 15.f3 d8
16.fe1 c8 17.bd1 with the idea d4f5 gives White a strong initiative.
15.f3!?
197
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+k+-tr0
9+pwqn+p+p0
9p+-+pzp-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-sNP+-+0
9+-zP-+Q+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has tried many moves with his queen but this one, which has never been popular,
might be the most promising option.
15.g4 does not promise much: 15...h5 16.h3 e7 17.f4 h4 18.f3 ac8 and after 19.e5
xc3 20.exf6+ xf6 21.xc3 xc3 and Black is fine
15.e2 gives White nothing special: 15...0-0 16.fd1 h8 17.d3 g8 with acceptable
play.
15.d2!? is one of the main options but Black is doing well: 15...h5! One of Black's main
problem in such type of position is that his Krook is often lacks connection with
other forces while it has no real work on the Kside. Thus Black is trying to get his
rook on h8 into action, meanwhile preventing a possible White queen's jump to h6.
Besides, Black is going to keep his king in center and pressurize over the cfile,
trying to distract White's attention from the main target. Perhaps such approach is
more risky but it would also promise more counter chances.
a) White's idea not to move his queen to the Qside would be justified if Black still
wants to castle then it takes less time to transfer White's queen to the opposite
flank: 15...0-0 16.fd1 ad8 (16...e5?!, which has been played in the game
Azmaiparashvili Harikrishna/Dos Hermanas 2005, is even worse. Here White
could have secured a tangible advantage by playing 17.f4! c6!? Probably the best
defence Black exchanges one of the attacking pieces. 18.f5 (18.f2!? h8 19.h4
e7 20.h1) 18...h8 19.h6 e7 20.b6!? xd4 21.cxd4 exf5 22.exf5 and so
on) 17.h6 h8 18.d3 g8 19.e2! and White has secured a slight edge,
Akopian Izoria/Aeroflot Open Moscow 2005.
b) 15...c8!? is worthy of consideration. A possible play is 16.fd1 (White could
have thought about 16.h6!? e7 with slightly worse but playable position for
Black) 16...b5 17.f4 c5 18.e3 with a complicated position, probably with
somewhat better chances for White in the game P.Smirnov V.Popov/Aeroflot
Open Moscow 2005
16.f4 c8 17.f3 b5 18.e1 b6 19.f2 h4! 20.h3 a4 This is a kind of position Black
should try to achieve in this line all his pieces are doing a good work and White
cannot think about attacking actions against Black's centralized king, Gelfand
Topalov/Monte Carlo 2005.
15.h5!? This queen's sortie keeps Black under some pressure. 15...c5 The most reliable
defence.
198
a) 15...0-0? is too risky as after 16.bd1 c5 17.f4 White launches a direct attack
against Black's king
b) 15...e7 does not solve the problems due to 16.f4! (White also tried 16.fd1 b5
(Black has successfully tried other continuations, such as 16...ac8 17.h4 b5, or
16...ad8 17.d3 e5 18.g3 g6 19.d1 d7 20.b3 c8 with acceptable play in both
cases but perhaps White could have posed more problems for Black in these games)
17.b2! A good manoeuvre White doubles his rooks along the dfile. 17...ac8
18.bd2 c5 This position occurred in the game Avrukh Grischuk/Biel 2007.
Here 19.h4!? seemed more to the point. Then in case of 19...e5 White would
think about 20.f4!? (a tempting 20.f3!? xe4 21.d7+ e8 22.xf6 xd7 23.xh8+ f8
was less promising) 20...xe4 21.e2 g6 22.f5 g5 23.h3 e5 24.f3 g7
25.h4 with excellent attacking chances.) 16...xc3
b1) Other continuations couldn't stop White's initiative, too: 16...ac8 17.e5 fxe5
18.fxe5 cf8 and here a possible way would have been 19.f3 c5 (19...xe5?
20.f6+ e8 21.f5! hg8 22.xb7! xg2+! 23.xg2 xb7+ 24.h3 c7 25.e1!+)
20.b4! with idea Nd4b3 with decisive attack

b2) or 16...hg8 17.e5 ac8 18.be1 with a strong initiative.
17.fd1 Black's position is hard to defend and he was quickly smashed in the game
Gustafsson Naiditsch/Dortmund 2008.
16.b4! A strong manoeuvre b4c4 followed by d4xe6 is threatened.
a) White also tried other options but most of them are rather harmless for Black:
16.be1 is rather harmless for Black: 16...0-0-0 17.e3 b8 18.g3 a8 19.b1 e7
20.b3 c8, equalising without serious problems
b) 16.fe1 0-0-0 17.e3 (17.f3!?) 17...e5!? (17...e5!? 18.e2 hg8) 18.b3 xb3
19.axb3 d7 20.g3 e6 21.f3 and White has maintained a small advantage
c) 16.f4 0-0-0 17.f3 d7 18.e3 b8 19.b4 c8 and Black has no problems.
16...e5 17.h6!?
a) The endgame after 17.xe5 fxe5 18.b3 xb3 19.axb3 0-0-0 is certainly
drawish although White can still maintain a slight edge by 20.f4! exf4 21.c4+ b8
22.xf4
b) 17.f3 does not impress too much. White puts his queen in the way of his fpawn
and so he cannot immediately push his opponent's queen from the strong e5square.
However, the main drawback of Black's position, his damaged Kside pawn
structure, is still there so he has to defend carefully: 17...d8 18.b3 xb3 19.axb3
b5 20.e3 0-0 21.d4 White keeps some advantage thanks to opponent's vulnerable
king. However, Black does not have any other problems so his position seems
defendable with accurate play, Romanov Sargissian/Moscow 2009.
c) 17.h4 was White's common option but he can put his queen more actively. Here
Black can think about 17...d8!? (17...g5 18.h3 has been played many times, but it
is considered after 17. h6 g5 18. h3) 18.f3!? xc3 19.e5! g8! Only the
activity of all pieces can distract White from his general plan. (In the game Tkachiev
Balogh/World Cup KhantyMansiysk 2007, Black faced serious problems after
the dubious 19...f5?! 20.c4 a5 21.g5 e4 22.xe4! fxe4) 20.xh7 e7 21.f4 f5 The
game Gelfand Aronian/FIDE GP Nalchik 2009, continued 22.h4+ (22.d4!?
might have been more promising. A possible play would be 22...xg2+!? (surely not
22...xf3?? 23.h4+, while 22...xd4 23.xg8 did not seem fully equalising) 23.xg2
199
xd4 24.xd4 xd4 with good compensation for the exchange. However, White
could still try to play on: 25.h5 e4+ 26.f3 xe5 27.d1 f4 28.h4 keeping
somewhat better chances) 22...e8 23.g3 e4 24.xe4!? fxe4 25.xe4 d5 26.f4
and White's initiative fully compensates the exchange but probably not more than
that.
17...c8!? (17...g5 18.h3 is an alternative line: 18...h5!?
a) In case of 18...g8 19.g3! would still promise the better chances for White:
a1) 19.f4 gives nothing: 19...g4 20.xg4 xg4 21.g3 c8= with equal ending
a2) while after 19.c4?! b5! White has to force a draw by 20.xc5 (here 20.f4?? fails
to 20...xg2+! 21.xg2 xg2+ 22.xg2 bxc4 with extra pawn in the ending) 20...xc5
21.xe6! fxe6 22.xe6+ f8 23.xf6+ e8 24.e6+ 1/2 Khismatullin
P.H.Nielsen/EUch Plovdiv 2008
19...h5
a1) in case of 19...c8?! White would have captured the pawn: 20.xh7
a2) while after 19...g6!? 20.c4! b6 21.b1 xe4 22.xb6 e1+ (or 22...g5 23.f1
d3 24.xd3 xd3) 23.f1 xf1+ 24.xf1 g5 25.c6 d7 26.b3 Black has to
defend the worse ending.
20.c4! b6
a1) 20...b5?? 21.f4+
a2) 20...c8? suddenly loses due to unfortunate position of some Black's pieces,
especially the rook on g8. A similar and playable for Black position without
inclusion of the moves ...h8g8 and g2g3 is considered after the main 18 ...h5:
21.xe6!! (a typical 21.b3?, swapping Black's important knight, maintains the edge
but it is certainly weaker than the deadly blow: 21...b6 22.xc5 xc5 23.f4) 21...fxe6
22.xc5! xc5 (22...xc5 wasn't better: 23.xe6+ f8 (with the rook on h8 Black
could simply move his king to the Qside) 24.xf6+ e8 25.e6+ f8 26.d1 g7
(26...c6 27.d6+) 27.d5+ with decisive advantage) 23.xe6+ f8 24.d1 g7
25.h4! Only this pawn push, which breaks coordination between opponent's pieces,
justifies White's rook sacrifice! 25...g6 (In case of 25...g4 some precision was
still required: 26.d7+! (26.e7+? h8!-+) 26...h8 (26...h6 27.xf6+ g6 28.f4+!)
27.xf6+ g7 28.f8+ h7 29.xg7+ xg7 30.xc5+) 26.e7+ h6
27.xc5+ Two extra pawns and vulnerable Black's king make White's win easy,
G.Meier Acs/Paks 2009.
21.b1 (21.f4 g4 22.xg4 hxg4 23.b1, 21.a4!?) 21...b5!? (21...h4 isn't better: 22.xb6 c1+
23.f1 (23.g2?! d3 24.xe6+ f8 25.xf6 e1+ 26.f1 f3+ 27.g2 e1+=)
23...xf1+ 24.xf1 hxg3 25.hxg3 xe4 26.g2 with initiative ) 22.f3! (22.f4??
xf4 23.xc5 e3+-+) 22...g4 23.xg4 hxg4 24.xc5 gxf3 25.c7 and Black has to
do a good work to hold balance in this ending.
b) In case of 18...e5 19.e1 d8 20.e3 g8 21.f3 (21.f4 c7 22.c4 b6 23.b3
c8) 21...c7 22.d4 d7 23.ed1 e7 24.g3 White also keeps a small but stable
advantage.
19.c4! (19.f4 g4 20.e3 g8 21.b2 c8 22.d2 h4 was the lesser evil for Black in the
game Sasikiran Macieja/Warsaw 2008 but here White would have also secured the
edge by playing 23.b3!?, swapping important Black's knight, which defends the
Qside as well as prevents a possible invasion through the dfile. A possible play
would have been 23...h5 (both 23...xb3?! 24.axb3 d8 25.ff2, and 23...b6?! 24.d4 e5
200
25.fxe5 xe4 26.exf6 were far from solving the problems) 24.e5!? (24.h1?! was
strongly met by 24...xb3 25.axb3 g3!, while 24.d4 h3 25.g3 xb3 26.axb3 c5 should
be drawish) 24...fxe5 25.fxe5 xb3 26.axb3 with better chances for White since
Black's king will never be absolutely safe.) 19...c8 (Or 19...b6 20.b3) 20.b3 b6
21.xc5 xc5 22.d3 0-0 23.f4 g6 White keeps some edge but Black's position
should be defendable) 18.f3 A typical attacking method. (18.a4 can be well met
with 18...xe4! 19.xf6 g8 20.f3 (20.g3 d7! 21.h6 xc3 is also good for Black)
20...g4!? (20...xf3 21.xf3 e7 could not be bad for Black) 21.h3 h5!? with
acceptable play for Black.) 18...xc3 19.d4 e7 20.e5! (20.c1 could be well met
by 20...b2! 21.e5 d7 22.cd1 hd8, after which White had to think about 23.xd7+
xd7 24.xf6+= with perpetual check.) 20...d7! (Surely not 20...fxe5?? 21.g5+ e8
22.xe5 g8 23.d8+! xd8 24.xc3+) 21.h4 Black's position looks dangerous but he
keeps sufficient defensive resources. 21...hg8 (Better than 21...hd8?! 22.f4! with
initiative.) 22.h1 (In case of 22.fd1 gd8! the more active position of White's rooks
would only force him to give perpetual by 23.xd7+ xd7 24.xf6+ e8 25.h8+, 22.f4
g6 was fine for Black.) 22...b5 Intending to swap White's active rook by ...Rc8c4.
23.h3 (Again, 23.fd1 gd8 would lead to perpetual check soon.) 23...c4 24.xd7+!
This sacrifice is not winning and it may even not give White any advantage.
However, Black still must be very careful as his king is vulnerable. (Some
simplifications after 24.fd1?! xd4 25.exf6+ xf6 26.xd4 c8 were favourable for
Black, while 24.xh7 xd4 25.xg8 d5 26.exf6+ xf6 was also good for him as White
couldn't get his rook in action.) 24...xd7 25.xf6 Here Black has a choice.
25...d3!? Giving up a couple of pawns but keeping opponent's rook passive. (A
natural alternative 25...e8!? 26.d1 (26.g5 does not promise much: 26...xg5
27.xg5 d3 28.g1 c2 and White's rook can not be activated. However, Black still
has to be careful as his king was not safe) 26...c8 27.g5 c7 Black has secured
his pawns but it allowed White to get all his pieces to very active positions. 28.e4
f8
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29.d6! (White could force a draw by 29.g5 e8 30.e4=) 29...b8! (A natural 29...d8?!
makes Black's task more difficult: 30.d4! and here he already had to be very
precise in defence: 30...c1+! (after 30...g6? 31.h8+ g8 32.xh7 c1+ 33.h2 d7
34.g3+ Black found himself defenceless, Gupta Naumann/Bad Wiessee 2009)
31.h2 d7 32.g4!? d2! 33.e4 c1! etc.) 30.d4 g7! and it's not easy, if
201
possible, for White to get real benefit from his powerful position. However, he
would still try: 31.h4 (31.g4 xg4 32.hxg4 would only secure the perpetual: 32...b4
33.h8+ e7 34.f6+ f8=) 31...g8 32.g3, slowly improving the position. However,
it would still be not easy to make it harmful for Black. Perhaps then White would
think about shifting the knight to f6 by f6f4 and d6e4, followed by h4h5,
f4h6 and d4g4...) 26.xf7+ c6 27.xe6+ b7 28.e1 The position is
extremely complicated. White is at least not worse and a draw seems to be the most
likely result as it is not so clear how he can play for a win since he cannot begin
rolling his powerful Kside pawns, Kramnik Naiditsch/Dortmund 2009.
Finally, after 15.f4 White has a wide choice and he usually developed his queen towards
Kside. 15...h5 (In such type of position Black's main problem is the vulnerability of
his king and he has a logical choice to keep it in center or to move it to either
flank. Every such action must be well thought sometimes it might work,
sometimes it is too risky. Here 15...0-0-0!? deserves attention: 16.e2 (16.f3!?
seems more energetic) 16...c5 17.b4 b8 18.fb1 d6 19.c4 c8 20.h5 b6
with reasonable counter chances as White's Qside may be also rather vulnerable)
16.f3 This position arose in the game Chatalbashev J.Gustafsson/Calvia de
Mallorca (ol) 2004, which continued by 16...c8!? 17.e5! b6 and here 18.f5! seemed
more energetic although Black could still defend by: 18...xc3 (18...xe5? 19.g3)
19.f2! fxe5 (19...xe5 20.fxe6 g4 21.f4) 20.fxe6 xd4 21.exd7+ xd7
22.be1!? c6 23.xe5+ f8 and so on.
15...c8
15...0-0-0 fails to solve the problems: 16.b4 e5!? (16...c5 17.fb1 gives White annoying
initiative) 17.xf6 g4! (17...d3 18.bb1 xc3 19.xf7! d7 20.e2! secures extra
pawn for White) 18.h4 xc3 19.c6!? (in case of 19.xe6 fxe6 20.b3 g7 21.g3!
b5! Black keeps drawish chances: 22.h3 h5 23.a4 e5 24.hxg4 xg3 25.xg3 hxg4 26.axb5
axb5 27.xg4 d4 etc.) 19...xc6 (19...bxc6? 20.b3 g7 21.fb1) 20.xg4 d7!?
(20...b8 21.g7) 21.g7 hd8 22.xh7 c2 and Black gets counter chances.
16.fd1 0-0
In case of 16...b6!? White would think about 17.g4!? with idea to meet 17...e7? by
18.xe6!
17.e2 fd8
202
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18.d4!?
In the game Kazhgaleyev Kulaots/KhantyMansyjsk (ol) 2010, White maintained
somewhat the better chances after 18.g3 but perhaps it is less promising. After
18...f8 19.h5 Black should have played 19...xc3! (while 19...e5?! led him into
problems after 20.d4! e7 21.bd1)
18...f8 19.h5 e5! 20.f4

Or 20.xh7 e7! 21.xd8 (21.h6 xd4 22.cxd4 c2) 21...xd8 22.h6 b5 23.c1 d3
24.e3 c5 (24...c5?! 25.d1 xe3 26.fxe3) 25.d4 a4 26.c1 c5 planning ...b5
b4 with good counterplay.
20...d3 21.xh7 xd4 22.cxd4 c2!?

After 22...b5 23.f1 c2 24.g3 e7 25.e5 f5 26.h4+ d7 27.f6 White is better.
23.h8+ e7 24.xb7+ c7
In case of 24...d6? White has a very narrow path to the win: 25.e5+ d5 26.d7+ e4
27.g3+! (27.h7+? e3-+) 27...e3 28.f1+! e4 29.h4! g8 (29...f5? 30.g3)
30.f5+! f4 31.e1+ e2 (31...e2+? 32.f2) 32.xe2+ xe2+ 33.f2 xd4
34.fxe6 xe6 35.exf6+ with a technically winning endgame.
25.xc7+ xc7 26.h3 c2 27.f3 b1+ 28.f1 xa2
203
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Black keeps good drawing chances thanks to his active pieces and passed apawn.
204
SemiTarrasch 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bc3 cd4

8.cd4 [D41]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 f6 4 f3 c5 5 cxd5 xd5
This position can also be reached via other move orders, for example: 1.f3 f6 2.c4 c5
3.c3 e6 4.d4 d5 5.cd5 xd5 or 1.f3 f6 2.c4 c5 3.c3 d5 4.cd5 xd5 5.d4 e6
while here 5 ...g6 would lead to the Gruenfeld Defence.
6 e4 xc3 7 bxc3 cxd4 8 cxd4
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8...b4+
Sometimes Black tried 8...c6 9 c4 b5 but it does not solve the problems. (9...b4+ 10 d2
xd2+ 11 xd2 would be a transposition to the main line) 10 e2!? this seems to be
the most reliable way to secure an edge, (10 d3 b4+ 11 f1 is doubleedged)
10...b4+ (10...a6 11 0-0 e7 12 b2 is certainly better for White) 11 d2 xd2+ 12
xd2 Tournament practice promises a stable advantage for White. One example:
12...b8 13 d5 exd5 14 exd5 e7 15 d6 f5 16 d1 0-0 (16...b6 17 xb5+!) 17 d7
b7 18 0-0 f6 19 f4 and Black faces serious problems.
9 d2 xd2+
205
More simplifications after 9...a5?! are known to be in White's favour: 10 b1 xd2+ 11

xd2 xd2+ 12 xd2 0-0 13 b5! with a tangible advantage in the ending.
10 xd2 0-0 11 c4
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Some exchanges at the early stage help Black to complete his development and get a solid
position. His extra pawn on the Qside might also give him some hopes. However,
White has some trumps which could be really harmful for his opponent. His
powerful pawn center should be more important in the middlegame as the dpasser
might become strong and in many cases White combines play in the center with play
on the Kside.
11...c6
Black usually prefers this more active development of the knight. However, in many cases
he should be ready to move his knight to the edge of the board after White's thematic
dpawn push.
Black has also developed his knight in the other direction: 11...d7 12 0-0 b6 13 fe1
Apart from this natural move White tried a lot of possibilities and most of them do
not spoil the edge. However, he has to create some concrete plan and so a play in the
center, keeping in mind possible Kside actions, is quite reasonable. 13...b7 14
ad1 c8 15 b3
206
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15...f6
a) in the game Kazhgaleyev Eliet/Cannes 2009 Black preferred 15...e8 16 h3
a1) both 16 f4 f6 (16...h6!?) 17 d6 ed8 18 a3
a2) and especially 16 d5!? exd5 17 exd5 xe1+ 18 xe1 f6 19 d6 were worth
considering as well
16...f8?! (16...f6 seemed more to the point. White keeps only a slight edge, for example,
17 f4 c7 18 h4 h6 with acceptable play for Black. Here it deserved attention to
push dpawn forward: 19 d5!? exd5 20 e5 e4 21 xd5 xd5 22 xd5, maintaining
somewhat better chances) 17 d5! exd5 18 exd5 xe1+ 19 xe1 f6 20 g5! and
White seized a strong initiative
b) 15...h6 is worth considering among other options. This pawn advance is often
useful in such positions but it might also be weakening: 16 b2 c7 (16...f6!?) 17
d5 exd5 18 exd5 c5 (in case of 18...f6 White would have seized the initiative by 19
d6 d7 20 d4!, intending to meet 20...xd6?! by 21 e6!) and here White should have
played 19 e5! xb3 (19...d6 20 c4 g6 21 e3!?) 20 d6! c5 21 xb3 with a
clear advantage thanks to his strong dpawn.
16 e3 (16 b4!?) 16...fd8 17 h3 This position arose in the game Jakovenko
Naiditsch/Odessa (rapid) 2009, which continued 17...f8?! This knight retreat
makes play in the center easier for White as he is not bothered about a possible
...d7c5 anymore. (The accurate 17...h6!? seemed more reliable. However, it
couldn't solve all the problems: 18 h2 e7 19 f1 (19 g3 f6 20 d5!?) 19...b5 20
g3!? a5 21 d5 exd5 22 f5! f6 23 xd5 and White has secured the better
chances) 18 d5 exd5 19 exd5 g6 20 g5! and this typical knight's manoeuvre
posed serious problems for Black.
Other continuations seem to be weaker. For example, 11...a6 12 a4!? (12 0-0 b5 13 b3 should
be better for White as well) 12...b6 and here an immediate 13 d5!? is rather
interesting: (a natural 13 0-0 b7 14 fe1 d7 is also somewhat better for White but it
is not so easy to increase the advantage) 13...exd5 14 xd5 a7 15 0-0 with a
promising position.
12 0-0 b6
207
Apart from this natural developing move Black later tried to solve his opening problems by
other means and usually failed.
12...e5?! can be strongly met by 13 d5 a5 14 ac1 (Black's idea justifies in case of 14
xe5?! e8 15 d4 xe5! 16 xe5 xc4 17 d4 b5!? 18 a4 d6 with unclear play) 14...f6
(14...xc4 15 xc4 f6 16 fc1 is clearly better for White) 15 d6+! xc4 16 d5+! f7
(or 16...h8 17 xc4 g4 18 c7 xf3 19 gxf3) 17 xc4 with a huge advantage
After 12...d6 White has many possibilities. One example: 13 ad1 (13 ac1, 13 fd1, and
even 13 e5 are also playable) 13...d8 14 fe1 d7 15 d5! exd5 16 exd5 e7 17
g5! and White launches a strong attack.
13 ad1
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Sometimes White begins with 13 fe1, which might be a transposition to the main lines but
in some cases it is not. For example: 13...b7 14 d5 a5 15 d3 h6!? (15...exd5 16 e5
would be similar to the main line, 15...d6 16 ad1 e5 Keeping the center closed
certainly gives more security to Black's king. However, his pieces are not working
well for, as a rule, a queen is a bad blocker while White's central pawn chain keeps
his opponent's minor pieces restricted, too. The game Pashikian
Naiditsch/Moscow 2009 continued 17 c1! fc8 18 g3 f6 19 h4! g6 20 g2 and White
has secured a small but stable advantage.) 16 f4 c8 17 ad1 and so on,
Ponomariov Vallejo Pons/Donostia 2009 see the main line with 16...h6!?
13...b7 14 fe1
An immediate 14 d5!? is worthy of consideration. Then in case of 14...a5 (or 14...exd5 15
xd5) 15 d3 exd5 (15...e7!?) 16 e5 it might be a transposition to the other main
lines. It is rather unclear if any side can get benefit from the fact that there is no
White's rook on e1 and Black's rook on c8...
In case of 14 f4 Black can seriously think about 14...f6!? with acceptable play,
according to the tournament practice.
14...c8
208
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Black tried some other options.
14...e7?! Black does not want to send his knight to the edge of the board. However, this
solidlooking retreat does not solve the problems as White's dpawn becomes very
strong. 15 d5! exd5 16 exd5 f5 Moving the knight to the best blockading square.
However, it does not help much as one good piece can hardly fight against a whole
army when Black cannot quickly get his rooks into play. (Both 16...d6 17 g5, and
16...g6 17 d6!? xf3 18 gxf3 are clearly better for White) 17 e5 (17 d6!? xf3 18 gxf3
deserved attention. White's strong dpawn kept Black's rooks passive and so White's
king was safe enough: 18...h4 19 e4 f6 20 d7 g6 21 f4 with a clear advantage)
17...d6 18 c6! and White's advantage has become tangible, T.V.Petrosian
Korchnoi/Il Ciocco (m/6) 1977.
Another possible deviation is 14...f6 but here White can play in similar style: 15 d5 (15
e5?! is much weaker as it can even been met with 15...h6! going to the ending)
15...a5 16 d3 and if 16...e5?! (16...exd5!? was preferable but then after 17 e5 White
could win a tempo since 17...h6?! was already not quite satisfactory for Black due to
18 g5! g6 19 f4 with a rather annoying initiative) then 17 c3 fe8 18 b5 and
Black faces serious problems.
14...a5 15 d3 c8 would be a transposition to the main line after 16 d5 and in many
games this was actual order of moves.
15 d5
In many games White was not in a hurry to push his dpawn and played something like 15
h4 h6
a) 15...f6 could be already met with 16 d5 (but not 16 e5 h6!)
b) 15...a5 is playable but after 16 d3 Black should not be in a hurry with
16...c4?! (16...h6!?, 16...e7!?) 17 e2 b5 18 c1 (perhaps it is a bit more precise to
play 18 a4!? a6 19 c1) 18...f6 (18...a5!?) 19 a4 and White wins a pawn
c) 15...d6!? is worthy of consideration as well.
16 f4 f6 17 g3, maintaining a small but stable advantage, Chuchelov
Hoeksema/NEDchT 2009.
209
The natural 15 f4 is often met by 15...f6! and after 16 e3 (the ending after 16 xf6 gxf6
17 d5 a5 is good for Black) 16...fd8 and 17 e5?! can be again met with 17...h6!
18 xh6 gxh6 and Black's chances might be already preferable in this ending.
15...a5
15...exd5 does not solve the problems: 16 xd5 (16 exd5!? is also worth considering: 16...a5
17 f1 d6 18 g5! and White's chances are preferable) 16...a5
a) Both 16...e7 17 f4 (or 17 e5 d8 18 xb7 xb7 19 d4 g6 20 f4 c5 21 e3)
b) and 16...c7 17 e5 (or 17 g5!? promise better chances for White, according to
tournament practice)
17 f4 The game Spassky T.V.Petrosian/WCh (m/5) Moscow 1969 continued 17...c7
18 f5 xd5 19 exd5 and the strong and wellsupported passed pawn combined
with possible play on the Kside gave White a big advantage.
16 d3
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16 dxe6 does not promise anything: 16...xd2 (16...xc4? 17 exf7+ h8 18 xd8 cxd8 19 xd8
xd8 20 e5+) 17 exf7+ h8 18 xd2 xc4 19 xc4 xc4 with a drawish ending:
20 e5 g6!? (20...c8!? 21 e6 xe6 22 xe6 g6) 21 e6 c6 22 d8!? g7 23 e7 xf7 24
c8 ff4! 25 xc6 fe4! 26 f1 xe1+ 27 xe1 e4+ 28 d2 xe7=
16...exd5
In case of 16...c4?! White can win a pawn by 17 xc4 xc4 18 dxe6 xd2 19 exf7+ xf7
20 xd2 with reasonable winning chances as 20...xe4? was impossible due to 21
xe4 xe4 22 g5 e7 23 d8+
16...d6!? is worth considering but it cannot completely solve the problems: 17 dxe6!?
xe6 (17...fxe6!? deserved attention) 18 d4 e5 19 f5 g6 20 h6+ h8 21 g4
e6 22 f4 f6 23 b5! and White has obtained a clear advantage.
16...e7 is also possible: 17 f4 (17 dxe6!?) 17...fd8 18 h4 h6 19 h5 f6 20 g4 with
better chances for White
Black should also pay more attention to 16...c5!?
210
However, perhaps the most reliable way is 16...h6!? 17 f4 c5 18 d4 exd5 19 e5 c8!

The game Ponomariov Vallejo Pons/Donostia 2009 continued 20 h4 and here
Black should have seriously thought about 20...c6! attacking White's dangerous
knight. (after 20...c4?! 21 f5! e8 22 d3! Black faced problems) Then after 21 b3
(21 b5 e7 22 d6 e6 was also far from clear) 21...c3 22 e3 h8 23 b5 xe3
24 xe3 e7 Black has kept a passive but quite solid and acceptable position.
17 e5!
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This strong attacking concept, connected with the sacrifice of the central pawn, was
introduced by Lev Polugaevsky. White's army looks really powerful and Black's life
is really not very easy, although he keeps defensive resources.
17...c4
A natural reply.
Black has tried many possibilities. Let's briefly take a look at them: 17...d4 18 g5!? h6 19
h7 c4 20 f4 b2 21 xf8 xd1 22 e6! c7 and here White should have
played 23 h7! fxe6 (23...c3? 24 e7 xe7 25 xe7 xe7 26 b8+) 24 xd1 e7 25 e1
with decisive advantage
17...e7 18 f4 f5 19 d4 g6 20 h4 c6 21 b5 with advantage
17...h6 18 f4 c6 19 f5 g6 20 g4 g7 21 h4 (21 e6 f5) 21...h5 22 g3 e7 23 g5
b4 24 f5! c4 25 e6+! and White wins the exchange.
18 f4 h6
211
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-trk+0
9zpl+-+pzp-0
9-zp-+-+-zp0
9+-+pzP-+-0
9-+n+-wQ-+0
9+-+L+N+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This cautious move seems to be the best defence.
Here Black has also tried many possibilities: 18...f6?! 19 e6 e7 20 d4 g6 21 g3 h8
22 h4 with the initiative, Toth Gasthofer, Baden 2000.
The provocative 18...c6!? could nevertheless be met by 19 d4! (19 g5?! h6 20 h7+
h8 21 xf7+ xh7 (21...xf7 22 xf7 xh7 23 xb7+ (23 e6 d6 24 d7+) )
22 xd8 xf4 23 xb7 (23 e6? f8 24 xb7 c7 25 e7 e8) 23...e4) 19...c7 and
here White can secure the better chances by 20 e6! b2 (20...fxe6 21 xe6! xf4 22
xd8 b2 23 b1 f8 24 xh7+! xh7 25 e6) 21 c1! xc1 (21...xd3? 22 xc7 xc7 23
xc7 xe1 24 e7 e8 25 xb7+) 22 xh7+! xh7 23 xc1 f6 (23...d3 24 b1) 24
xb2 e8 25 b1+ g8 26 exf7+ xf7 27 xe8 xe8 28 e1+ f7 29 e3 with
stable advantage.
While in case of the immediate 18...c7 White would come up with thematic 19 xh7+! (19
g5!?) 19...xh7 20 g5+ g6 21 h4! c8 (21...h8 22 d3+) 22 h5+! h6 23
xf7+ h7 24 e6 cxf7 25 exf7 with a decisive advantage.
18...b2 is a principled way as Black is in a hurry to get rid of White's dangerous bishop.
However, it does not bring the desired results... 19 xh7+! the bishop strikes just in
time! 19...xh7 20 g5+ g6 21 h4!! This cool pawn advance is the only way to
maintain the initiative. Now Black has to parry a mating threat h4h5. The game
Polugaevsky Tal/USSRch Moscow 1969 continued 21...c4! The best and
probably the only defence! 22 h5+ (Perhaps 22 d4!? is a more reliable way to
secure a clear advantage: 22...xd4 (22...e7 23 e3 e3g3) 23 xd4 c8 (23...d7
24 e6! fxe6 25 xe6 f5 26 g4+ f6 27 f8!+ Kunath Ruppe, corr. 1983) 24 xb2
and Black's life is difficult) 22...h6 (22...xh5? 23 g4+! h6 24 h2+ xg5 25 h5+
f4 26 f5#) 23 xf7+ h7 24 f5+ g8 25 e6! f6! 26 xf6 gxf6 27 d2! c6 28
xb2 e8 29 h6+! h7 30 f5 exe6 31 xe6 xe6 32 c2! c6 33 e2 and
White has secured the decisive invasion.
19 f5!
White provokes weakening of Black's Kside.
The tempting push 19 e6?! is less promising: 19...fxe6! (in the game Huzman
Parligras/Turin (ol) 2006, White achieved the better chances in the ending after
19...f6 20 xf6 gxf6 21 f5 c7 22 d4) 20 g4 b2! 21 xe6+ h8 22 e5 f6 23
212
f7+ (23 g6+ h7 24 f8+ h8=) 23...xf7 24 xf7 xd1 25 f5!? (or 25 xd1 c7
26 f5 g8) 25...b8 26 e6!? (26 xd1 f6) 26...g8 27 h5 f8! 28 g6 g8 with
a repetition of moves.
19...g6 20 h3
20 g4!? is also worth considering: 20...g7 21 d4 e8 22 f5+ h7 23 e6! with
initiative. However, Black could probably hold on by 23...xe6 24 xe6 fxe6 25
d6 e5! 26 xe6 c6! 27 xb7 xe6 28 xd8 e8 29 b5 (29 b7? xd3)
29...xd8 30 e1 f7 31 e7 g7 32 xa7 f6 with a drawish ending
20...g7
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+rwq-tr-+0
9zpl+-+pmk-0
9-zp-+-+pzp0
9+-+pzP-+-0
9-+n+-+-+0
9+-+L+N+Q0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9+-+RtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
21 e6! f6!
21...fxe6? 22 d4+
22 exf7 c6!
22...xf7?! could be met with 23 xg6! (23 g3!?) 23...xg6 24 e7+ f7 25 xb7! with
advantage.
23 xc4
23 g3 b2! 24 d2 xd3 25 xd3 xf7
23...c8!
23...dxc4 24 e5 c8! 25 c3!
24 g3 dxc4 25 e5 c5 26 c1
26 f4 c3
213
26...e6 27 h4
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-tr-+0
9zp-+-+Pmk-0
9-zp-+lwqpzp0
9+-tr-sN-+-0
9-+p+-+-zP0
9+-+-+-wQ-0
9P+-+-zPP+0
9+-tR-tR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White keeps the better chances thanks to the strong knight on e5 and Black's vulnerable
king.
214
SemiTarrasch 6.e3 [D42]

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 f6 4 f3 c5 5 cxd5 xd5 6 e3 c6 7 d3 cxd4 8

exd4 e7 9 0-0 0-0
The Semi Tarrasch is well worth study even if you do not play this line with either colour.
It is an important way to learn about how to play, and defend, IQP positions and the
games are rich in both strategy and tactics. Furthermore, this line can be reached
through several different openings.
10 e1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-vlpzpp0
9-+n+p+-+0
9+-+n+-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sNL+N+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
These days the CaroKann, Panov Variation is the main way to reach this position (by 1 e4
c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 f6 5 c3 e6 6 f3 e7 7 cxd5 xd5 8 d3 c6 9
OO OO 10 e1)
10...f6!
It seems to me that the other main choice 10...f6 is far too generous towards White,
allowing him to gain the sort of automatic attacking position that IQP players love.
11 a3 b6 12 g5! this has become the critical move since it has been proven over
time that (12 c2 a6!= preventing 13 d3 works out well for Black.) 12...b7 13
c2 c8!? (13...d5 14 d3 g6 15 h6 e8 16 ad1 xc3!? is Yemelin Galkin/Tomsk
RUS 2006) 14 d3 g6 15 h6 e8 16 ad1 a critical position where Black has a
number of alternatives, 16...d6! Hebden Ciuksyte/Liverpool ENG 2006.
215
10...xc3 is a clear error, as after 11 bxc3 Black will be a whole tempo down on the 8 c4
line where the bishop drops back to d3.
10...b6?! is also bad because of 11 xd5 xd5 12 e4 d6 13 e5
11 e4 ce7! 12 e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+-snpzpp0
9-+-+pvl-+0
9+-+nsN-+-0
9-+-zPL+-+0
9+-sN-+-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-vLQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The main line.
12 d3!? is a very interesting move, 12...h6! 13 d2!? see Li Chao2 Wang Hao/Yerevan
ARM 2006.
12 c2 This move led to an attractive plan for White after: 12...xc3 13 bxc3 g6 14 b1
b6 15 b5! b7 16 g5 c7 17 e4 e7 18 h5 and White had attacking chances
but Black will have ways to improve on this line, Garcia, GShabalov Reykjavik
1994 1-0 40 moves.
12...d7!?
Yemelin Ivanchuk/Tallinn EST 2006, when
13 d3 is best.
216
Cambridge Springs System

1 d4 f6 2 c4 e6 3 f3 d5 4 c3 c6 5 g5 bd7 6 e3 a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Cambridge Springs was the original venue for the most important early games with
this defence. However twice US Champion Harry Pillsbury played it even earlier and so it
is sometimes called the Pillsbury Attack.
Black intends to attack the Knight on c3 by ...e4 followed by ...b4 (and vice
versa). The Queen is also keeping an eye on the Bishop on g5 so it's not so easy for White
to develop his pieces to their most comfortable squares (for example, the Bishop to d3, due
to some tactical tricks connected with ...e4 or ...d5xc4).
A peak of its popularity was in the 19201930's when the defence was included in
the repertoire of many top players. It was thoroughly tested (and passed successfully!) in
such World Title matches as Capablanca Alekhine, Alekhine Bogoljubow, Alekhine
Euwe. A lot of important ideas on which the modern theory of the system is based were
invented at that time.
Later the Defence lost much of its popularity not only because a dangerous line for
Black was found but also because White quite often opted for the Exchange Variation by
217
capturing on d5. Other reasons such as the growth of popularity in Indian systems should
also be taken into account.
A new wave of popularity was registered in the 1980's. The Cambridge Springs is
closely linked with the Exchange Variation which was always on the agenda when Black
discovered some new and interesting ideas.
In my opinion there is another good motive to include the opening in one's repertoire
nowadays: Black's life in the Moscow Variation 5...h6 and especially the Botvinnik System
5...dxc4 are not so easy.
Since the Cambridge Springs was in the repertoire of almost every respected player
in the 20's and 30's it's just impossible to name all the players whose great efforts
constructed the theory of the defence but such players as Harry Pillsbury, Alexander
Alekhine, Efim Bogoljubow, Jose Raul Capablanca, Rudolf Spielmann, Frank Marshall,
Gideon Stahlberg and Paul Keres should be mentioned.
Nowadays for the popularity of the system we have to thank such players as Sergey
Smagin, Alexander Panchenko, Lembit Oll, Vassily Ivanchuk, Arthur Yusupov, Jan
Timman, Sdrjan Cvetkovic and World Champion Vassily Smyslov who bravely defended
the Cambridge Springs in his Candidates Final match. Objectively speaking he was
suffering in the opening but his opponent was none other than Garry Kasparov who should
be also mentioned as one of White's adherents.
White has two main ways to fight for an advantage:
1) He prevents possible ...d5xc4 and gains a pawn majority in center by an early
exchange 7 cxd5.
This continuation often leads to very sharp and interesting play. In turn Black has
two main possibilities:
a)...7b6 followed by ...xc3 then ...a4 (...d5) attacking the pawn on c3. White
cannot defend it so he usually develops his kingside obtaining a long lasting initiative as
Black is getting seriously behind in development. This setup has proved to be dangerous
for Black so ...
b) nowadays 8...b4 9 Rc1 is the main line and its popularity increases. White has
still failed to show a tangible advantage.
2) He prevents a possible ...e4 by means of 7 d2.
218
This continuation more often leads to a rather quiet play but complications may
sometimes occur. Black has two possible plans:
a) to give up the center by 7...dxc4 after which White is forced to part with the
Bishop by capturing to f6. This leads to rather boring play where Black has a pair of
bishops in return for White's space advantage the character of play reminds one of some
lines of the Moscow variation after 5...h6 6 xf6 xf6. This setup is more reliable but
rather passive.
b) the classical 7...b4 intending to solve the problem of the lightsquared Bishop
by the breaks ...c6c5 or ...e6e5 at some point this leads to the usual complications.
Generally the Cambridge Springs Defence has a fairly solid reputation. White has
still failed to come up with anything really dangerous for Black but it must be said that
sometimes the nature of Black's play is not to everyone's taste.
219
QGD/24 Cambridge Springs 9. Nd2 +

other moves [D52]
1.d4 f6 2.c4 e6 3.f3 d5 4.c3 c6 5.g5 bd7 6.e3 a5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The Cambridge Springs variation. Black intends to attack the knight on c3 by ...f6e4
followed by ...f8b4 (and viceversa). The queen is also keeping an eye on the
bishop on g5 so it's not so easy for White to develop his pieces to their most
comfortable squares, for example, the bishop to d3, due to some tactical tricks
connected with ...f6e4 or ...d5xc4.
7.d2
Radically preventing ...f6e4. This continuation usually leads to a rather quiet play but
complications may sometimes occur.
7.xf6
220
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+pvL-+0
9wq-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
7...xf6 8.d3 can hardly be dangerous for Black: 8...b4 9.b3 dxc4 10.xc4 c5 Black's
main problem is his bishop on c8 which has to be activated somehow. (10...0-0 is
also good: 11.0-0 xc3 12.bxc3 (12.xc3!? deserves attention) 12...b6 13.e5 b7
14.e2 c5! 15.c4 a6 16.b2 d5! and White's initiative is slowing down:
17.e5 c8 18.a4 d7 19.c4 e4 20.xd7 xd7 21.dxc5 bxc5= with equality)
11.0-0 cxd4 12.b5+ d7 13.xd7+ xd7 14.exd4 0-0 and Black has nothing to
worry about, Romanovsky Smyslov/Leningrad 1939.
Problems for White may really start to occur after some thoughtless moves like 7.d3 e4
7.c2 e4
7.b3 e4 followed by ...Bb4.
7...b4
The active approach Black keeps in mind both the ...e6e5 and ...c6c5 options
attempting to solve the problem of the lightsquared bishop.
7...dxc4 is an important alternative. Black gives up the center, after which White is forced
to part with the bishop by capturing to f6. This leads to rather boring play where
Black has a pair of bishops in return for White's space advantage the character of
play reminds one of some lines of the Moscow variation after 5...h6 6. xf6 xf6.
This setup is more reliable than 7...b4 but rather passive. 8.xf6 xf6 9.xc4
c7
221
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zppwq-+pzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+NzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.c1 A good possibility in preventing an early ...c6c5 and thus keeping Black passive.
a) There are some other moves. 10.g3 The idea of developing the bishop to the long
diagonal looks promising but it seems Black can successfully realize his
programmed advance ...c6c5 here. 10...d7 (here 10...c5 11.b5 (11.g2 cxd4
12.xd4 d7 13.0-0 c8 14.d2 c5 15.d3 0-0 is fine for Black) 11...b8 is maybe not
so bad for Black but there is no need to hurry with ...c6c5 as after 10...Bd7 it
follows anyway) 11.g2 c5! 12.d5 Looks strong but is in fact harmless for Black.
Timman Seirawan/Amsterdam 1983 continued 12...exd5 13.xd5 xd5 14.xd5
(14.xd5 can be parried by the simple 14...b8 and after 15.0-0-0 e6 16.d6+! xd6
17.xd6 xd6 18.xd6 e7 19.hd1 b6 20.6d3 hd8= Black has no problems) 14...0-0-0!
An excellent decision. I don't remember any other game where the Black king was
castled to the queenside in the CambridgeSprings but in this situation it feels quite
comfortable there. 15.a4 f5 16.f3 b8 17.0-0 h5 18.fd1 c8 with a good play
for Black.
b) After 10.e2 d7!? (10...c5 is risky due to 11.b5 with a strong initiative) White
can prevent ...c6c5 by 11.b3!? Black should now switch to his typical plan:
11...e7 (11...c5 12.b5) 12.0-0 0-0 13.ac1 fd8 and so on
c) 10.a3 is another possibility: 10...e7 11.b4 White has prevented ...c6c5 but
Black has got an opportunity to exchange the knights which is desirable in such
positions. 11...d5!? 12.c1 (An attempt to avoid the exchange was too risky as
after 12.e4?! b6 followed by ...a5 or ...c5 Black could begin active operations
while White still has not developed his kingside) 12...0-0 13.d3 xc3! 14.xc3
d8 Starting a quite typical regrouping plan for this kind of positions: ...Be7f8,
...Bc8d7e8 and ...Qc7e7. Then Black would play ...g7g6 and use both the a3
f8 and a1-h8 diagonals for the bishop keeping in mind both the ...a7a5 and ...e6e5
breaks. The queen's rook can just stay on a8 but can also move to b8 or after ...b7
b6 to c8 to keep in mind ...c6c5 as well but this is connected with risk. The game
Khenkin R.Scherbakov/Sochi 1989 continued 15.0-0 f8 16.f4 e7 17.e5 d7
and here White should have better played something like 18.b1!? g6 19.fc1,
keeping a typical slight edge.
10...e7
a) 10...d7 deserves attention not only so as to advance ...c6c5 but also not to
allow White to develop his bishop to the long diagonal immediately. After 11.e2
222
(11.g3 c5!) 11...e7 12.0-0 0-0 13.a3 both 13...fd8 (and 13...d5 are normal
continuations)
b) Immediate 10...d5!? also springs to mind. After 11.a3 (in case of 11.d3 Black
has got a possibility to close the cfile by 11...xc3 12.bxc3 and after 12...e7 followed
by ...b6, Bb7, c5 he seems to be okay) 11...xc3 12.xc3 and so on we can probably
reach the position, which is considered after 10...e7.

11.e2 d5!? 12.0-0 xc3! (In the case of 12...0-0 White could think about 13.e4) 13.xc3
0-0 14.a3 d8 15.b4 f8 16.c2 d7 17.f3 (17.e5 d6 is nothing special) 17...g6
18.b2 e8 19.fc1 e7 20.g3 ab8 After logical play a typical position was
arisen in the game Janjgava R.Scherbakov/Odessa 1989. White has a small
advantage as Black has no active plan but it is extremely difficult for White himself
to make progress as he always should be careful about a possible ...e6e5, ...c6c5
or ...a7a5 (after ...b6b6) which may open the position and increase the power of
the two bishops.
8.c2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-vlPzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8...0-0
8...e5 looks rather risky. Black usually advances this pawn only after the castling. In the
game White tried to refute it by 9.dxe5!? (9.b3 is the alternative it may lead to
the main line 8 ...0-0 after 9...c7 10.e2 dxc4 (10...e4!? deserves attention: 11.h4
exd4 12.xd4! a5 13.0-0! xc3 14.cxd5! cxd5 15.bxc3 xc3 16.d1 with good
compensation for the pawn) 11.xc4 0-0 12.0-0 exd4 13.xd4 and so on) 9...e4
(9...g4?! is bad: 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.c1 gxe5 and now White has the beautiful 12.xd5!,
in the ending after 9...xc3 10.xc3 xc3 11.bxc3 xe5 12.xf6 gxf6 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.b3
White has a small but stable advantage) 10.dxe4 dxe4 This position occurred in the
game Lutz M.Gurevich/Munich 1993, which continued 11.0-0-0! f6!? 12.exf6!
xg5 13.xe4 and White has obtained not only a strong initiative but also enough
pawns for the sacrificed piece.
The immediate 8...e4 is suspicious: 9.dxe4 dxe4 10.h4! e5 11.e2 0-0 12.0-0 exd4
(12...f5?! leads to troubles due to an old but still promising idea of Russian master
223
Solomon Gotthilf 13.xe4! (13.d5 cxd5 14.cxd5 was also better for White in the game
Garcia Ilundain Rojo Gomez/chTESP Cala Galdana 2001) 13...exd4 (13...fxe4?!
14.a3 d6 15.b4 c7 16.c5 exd4 17.cxd6 xd6 18.xe4+ gives White an almost decisive
advantage) 14.a3 fxe4 (14...d3 15.axb4 xa1 16.xd3 a6 17.d6+) 15.axb4 xb4
16.exd4 with a huge advantage for White) 13.exd4 g5!? 14.g3 f5 15.f4 White's
chances should be preferred without any doubts.
8...dxc4 is possible at this moment and leads to the same kind of position as was considered
in the previous games. Generally speaking, this exchange is more reasonable on the
previous move as here White gains an extra tempo for the move a2a3 as the bishop
will obviously retreat to e7.
9.e2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-vlPzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQsNLzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.h4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-+-0
9-vlPzP-+-vL0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQsN-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is an alternative. White intends to develop his another bishop to d3 which was impossible
straight away because of ...d5xc4. However this waste of time allows Black to
achieve acceptable play without much problem. 9...c5 (The other standard advance
9...e5!? is also not bad. It may lead to complications after 10.dxe5 e4 11.dxe4
dxe4 12.e6! e5! 13.exf7+ (13.e7?! would lead to nothing but trouble: 13...e8
14.e2 (14.0-0-0 g6 15.d8 f5) 14...e6 with excellent play) 13...xf7 14.0-0-0
224
f5! with good compensation for the pawn) 10.b3 a4! Quite a typical retreat
for these positions. Strangely enough this is not as bad a place for the queen as it
looks.
a) Other moves seemed to be worse: 10...c7?! 11.dxc5 (11.g3!?)
b) or 10...b6?! 11.dxc5
11.xf6 (In the case of 11.dxc5 e4 Black would have gained real initiative on the
queenside. White had to be careful about his bishop on h4 the 4th rank is closed at
the moment but who knows what may happen...) 11...xf6 12.dxc5 A rather
important position. 12...c6!?
a) 12...e4?! is the wrong moment for this standard knight lunge due to 13.cxd5
xc3+ 14.bxc3 xc5 (14...exd5 did not solve the problems: 15.d1 e6 16.d4 c6
17.d3 f5 18.b4! with idea Nd4) 15.d1 exd5 16.xd5 and Black has not proved
sufficient compensation for the pawn in the game Capablanca Alekhine/WCh
Buenos Aires (m/7) 1927.
b) 12...xc3+ leads to slightly better ending for White after 13.xc3 e4 14.a5
xa5+ 15.xa5 xc5 16.cxd5 exd5
13.cxd5 exd5 14.a3 xc5 Black seems to be okay thanks to White's lack in development.
Now 15.xd5?! looks risky for White because of 15...xd5 16.xc5 f5 with an
initiative.
9.a3 is a rare continuation. After 9...dxc4!? 10.xf6 xf6 11.xc4 xc3+ 12.bxc3 (the
ending after 12.xc3 xc3+ 13.bxc3 c5 14.e2 promises nothing) 12...d5!? is a rather
interesting idea which leads to complicated play. (12...c7 does not solve the
problems completely: 13.e4 c5 14.e5 d5 15.d3 cxd4 16.cxd4 g6 17.0-0) 13.d3! A
principled decision. White is going to advance e4e5 so Black should accept the
sacrifice otherwise he will be much worse. The game Timman Kasparov/Prague
(m/6) 1998 continued 13...b5!? 14.e4 g5 15.e5 xg2 16.0-0-0 g5+ 17.d2
xd2+ 18.xd2 with a complicated endgame. White has a superior position but
his chances are reduced to rough equality because he happens to be a pawn down.
9...e5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9wq-+pzp-vL-0
9-vlPzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQsNLzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The main continuation. This position was popular in 20-30's and still is one of most
important and critical lines in the whole CambridgeSprings system.
225
9...c5!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9wq-zpp+-vL-0
9-vlPzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQsNLzPPzP0
9tR-+-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is the more recent alternative. 10.0-0
a) In case of 10.b3 Black can continue with a typical 10...a4!? (10...c7!? is also
worthy of consideration. After 11.0-0 dxc4 12.xc4 cxd4 13.b5 b8 14.5xd4 d6 15.f4
h6 16.h4 a6 17.e2 d5 18.d2 White has the slightly better chances) 11.xf6
(11.cxd5? suddenly loses a piece after 11...c4! 12.xc4 xc3+ 13.xc3 e4 followed by
...ed5 and ...Ne4g5) 11...xf6 12.dxc5 dxc4 13.xc4 c6 14.0-0 xc5 and here
White can probably achieve a small edge by playing 15.xc5!? xc5 16.e4 xe4
17.xe4 b6 18.d3 g6 19.e5 although Black should hold this position
b) A bit unexpected idea 10.f4!? is interesting: 10...cxd4 11.exd4 As a rule, in the
Cambridge White used to retreat his bishop to h4 while its position on f4 looks much
more active here. On the other side, we may notice that Black's pieces, such as the
knight on d7 and the queen on a5, are not perfectly placed and it's not so easy to
develop the lightsquared bishop as it would be fatal for the queen. Thus we can
conclude that Black's task is not so easy. The game Najer Bareev/RUSchT Sochi
2006 continued 11...dxc4 (11...e8!? with idea to open diagonal for the lightsquared
bishop by ...e6e5 was the better continuation but White's chances were still
preferable. ) 12.xc4 d5 13.0-0 xd4 14.g3 xc3 15.bxc3 e4 16.b2 c6
17.d6 and thanks to his powerful pieces White has obtained more than sufficient
10...cxd4 11.b3 (11.exd4 does not promise much but White's play is still easier: 11...dxc4
12.h4 b6! (12...e7?! justifies White's approach: 13.xc4 d8 The game
Gunina Ushenina/Bucharest 2011 continued 14.f3!? (14.ad1 b6 15.e5 was
natural, avoiding simplifications: 15...fd5 16.g3 However, after 16...d7 Black's
position was very solid while it was not easy for White to get initiative.) 14...b6
15.xb6!? xb6 16.fd1 As a rule, it is not recommended to exchange pieces,
playing with isolated pawn. However, White's approach is rather concrete the
pawn push d4d5 is secured and it always gives White the active play.) 13.xf6
(Black is not much afraid of 13.xc4 xc4 14.xc4 d7= 15.xf6 gxf6 16.d5 xc3
17.dxe6 xe6! 18.xe6 fxe6 19.bxc3 ac8 with a good play but White's play was still
easier thanks to Black's vulnerable king. For example, 20.ac1 fd8 21.fe1 d5
22.a4 a6 23.g4+ f7 though Black is still okay, 13.xc4!? is worth considering but
Black can achieve a good play by 13...xc3!? 14.bxc3 fd5 followed by ...Bc8d7 and
226
...Ra8c8) 13...gxf6 14.xc4!? and perhaps White can still obtain some edge.)
11...b6 12.a4! This idea looks rather promising. (12.exd4 is not harmful for
Black: 12...dxc4 13.xc4 The bishop on c8 is still at home and everything would be
fine for White... if only his knight was on f3 instead of b3. 13...c7! Winning a
tempo for ...Nd7b6, ...Bd7c6 or ...b7b6 and ...Bc8b7. 14.e2 (14.b5!? is
worthy of consideration and would lead to complications after 14...c6 15.a3 e7
16.a5 b6 17.b4 a6 18.c3 xd4 19.ad1 g4 20.f4 with unclear consequences)
14...xc3 15.bxc3 e4! 16.xe4 xc4 This position is acceptable for Black.
17.ae1 (After 17.fe1 b6 18.e7?! (18.e3 d5! was fine for Black but perhaps it
should have been preferred) 18...e8 19.c5 d5 Black was completely okay in the
game Azmaiparashvili Ivanchuk/Tilburg 1994) 17...e8 (Here Black could have
thought about 17...b6!?, too) 18.f3 f6 19.f4 b6 Black has achieved a good
play, Sulypa S.Atalik/Antalya 2006) 12...c7 13.xd4 dxc4 14.xc4 and
White's chances are preferable, Bacrot Rabiega/GERchT Bann 2006.
Other continuations are probably weaker: 9...b6 does not solve the problems: 10.0-0 xc3
11.bxc3 a6 12.h4!? ac8 (12...dxc4 13.e4! b5 14.a4 b6 15.fb1) 13.a4! dxc4
14.xc4 xc4 (14...d5? 15.xb6, 14...f5!? 15.d3 g4 16.g3 c5 17.d6) 15.xc4
with a clear advantage
9...e8 looks too slow: 10.0-0 and now 10...e5 does not have desired effect: 11.dxe5 xe5
12.b3 d8 13.f4 xc3 (13...e8 14.cxd5) 14.xc3 e8 15.fd1 with certain
advantage
9...dxc4 is not without its points at this moment although White has got an extra tempo after
10.xf6 xf6 11.xc4 c7 12.a3 e7 13.b4 and so on. The main reason to realize
the exchange ...dxc4 at this particular moment is to deprive White with a possibility
of fianchettoing his lightsquared bishop.
10.0-0
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9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQsNLzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
10.dxe5 leads to simplifications and does not bother Black too much: 10...e4 11.dxe4
dxe4 12.0-0 (12.e6 can be parried by 12...e5! and after 13.exf7+ xf7 14.f4 (14.00? f3+!) 14...d3+! 15.xd3 exd3 16.xd3 f5 17.d4 e8 with the idea ...Rd7
Black gains excellent play) 12...xc3 13.bxc3 (the ending after 13.xc3 xc3 14.bxc3
xe5= is good for Black) 13...e8 (13...xe5?! is weaker: 14.f4 e6 15.fd1 with an
227
upper hand, in case of 13...xe5 White would think about 14.e7!? e8 15.b4)
14.fd1 (14.f4 xe5 15.xe4 can be met by a rather unexpected 15...f5! 16.d4
ad8 Luckily enough the position after 17.xe5 xd4 (17...xe5 18.h4 d2 19.fd1)
18.cxd4 d2 19.f3 is not so bad for White) 14...xe5!? (14...xe5 15.f4 a5
does not seem to be fully equalizing) 15.xe4 e6 16.h4 (again, 16.f4 is met by
16...f5! 17.d4 ad8 18.xe5 xd4 19.cxd4) 16...xc3 17.ac1 a5 The position
seems to be roughly equal. White can hardly hope to realise his pair of bishops as he
has to defend queenside weaknesses and Black's minor pieces are very good,
Vaganian Jussupow/Erevan 1982.
10.xf6 is also known to be not too dangerous for Black: 10...xf6 11.dxe5 e4 12.dxe4
(after 12.cxd5 xc3 13.bxc3 xc3 14.c1 xe5 15.dxc6 bxc6 16.0-0 White keeps only a
symbolic edge) 12...dxe4 13.0-0 xc3 14.xc3 (14.bxc3?! xe5) 14...xc3 15.bxc3
e8 16.fd1 f8 and Black is okay.
10...exd4
10...d6?! does not look very good because of 11.cxd5 (11.b3 c7 12.cxd5 cxd5! is okay for
Black) 11...exd4 (11...cxd5 12.b5 b8 13.dxe5 xe5 14.f3 gives White a clear
advantage) 12.c4 c7 13.xd6 dxc3 14.dxc6 xc6 15.ad1 with a big
advantage.
11.b3
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9r+l+-trk+0
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9PzPQ+LzPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11.exd4?! is dubious as after 11...dxc4 White has to part with the bishop: 12.xf6 xf6
13.xc4 c7 with a slight edge for Black.
11...c7
11...b6!? is interesting. Yet, after some unsuccessful attempts White has probably found a
good way to prove small advantage by playing 12.exd4 (12.xd4?! is weaker due to
12...xc3! 13.bxc3 dxc4 14.xf6 (14.xc4 c5) 14...xf6 15.xc4= with equal play)
12...dxc4 13.xc4 c7 14.d2! g4 15.f3 d6 16.g3 b6 17.b3 h8!?
228
18.fe1 with a certain advantage as Black has problems with some pieces, mainly
the knight on g4 and the bishop on c8.
12.xd4 dxc4
The position after 12...xc3 13.bxc3 (not 13.f4? xf4! 14.exf4 xd4) 13...dxc4 14.xc4 will
be considered in the notes to 13 ....Bd6.
13.xc4
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9r+l+-trk+0
9zppwqn+pzpp0
9-+p+-sn-+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-vlLsN-+-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A rather important position is arisen. White probably has a small advantage thanks to his
easier development and the pawn majority in center. Nevertheless Black can be also
satisfied with his position as he has no pawn weaknesses and not such bad pieces.
13...d6
Black has tried lots of possibilities here. 13...e5 is unsuccessful: 14.f3 e7 15.a3 a5
16.ad1 c7 17.a2 e8?! 18.h4! h6 (18...f8 19.g5) 19.d4! c5 (19...f8 20.e4)
20.fd1 and Black is in serious troubles
13...xc3 14.bxc3 e5 is not without problems: 15.f3 (15.f4 c5 16.d3 e5 17.b3
d5!? is good for Black: 18.e2 f5 19.c4!? xc2 20.cxd5 g6 21.dxc6 xf4 22.exf4 bxc6=
and White should already play carefully to equalise) 15...c5 Here White has tried
some possibilities, one of the most promising seems to be 16.d3!? For example,
16...e8 17.d4 e4 18.f4 b6 19.d3 xd4 20.cxd4 f6 21.h3 d5 22.h2 b4
23.xe4 xe4 24.fc1 e8 25.a3 d5 26.ab1 e7 27.d2 with a small but stable
advantage in the ending
13...e5 does not solve the problems: 14.b3! eg4 15.f4 e7 16.h3 e5 17.g5 with
advantage
13...g4?! is dubious due to 14.f4 and 14...d6 is impossible: 15.cb5! cxb5 16.xb5
xf4 17.xc7 xc7 18.xf7+ xf7 19.xc7+ and the Queen + pawns is much
stronger than 3 minor pieces.
This position after 13 ...Bd6 occurred in the game P.Cramling Smagin/Kopenhagen 1991.
Here both
229
14.f4!?
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9r+l+-trk+0
9zppwqn+pzpp0
9-+pvl-sn-+0
9+-+-+-vL-0
9-+LsN-zP-+0
9+-sN-zP-+-0
9PzPQ+-+PzP0
9tR-+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
and 14.h3 would promise a small advantage for White.
230
QGD/25 Cambridge Springs 9. cd5

Nxd5 10. Qd2 ...e6e5 [D52]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.f3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 bd7 6.e3 a5
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9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+psn-+0
9wq-+p+-vL-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
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7.cxd5
White prevents possible...d5xc4 and gains a pawn majority in the center. This continuation
often leads to very sharp and interesting play.
7...xd5
231
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9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+n+pzpp0
9-+p+p+-+0
9wq-+n+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8.d2
8.b3 is known to be in Black's favour after 8...b4 9.c1 e5! (this strong move was
played first by Tartakower in 1925) 10.c4
a) White has a number of possibilities: 10.dxe5? is just bad due to 10...c5 11.c2
a4 (or 11...xa2 )
b) 10.xe5 is fine for Black: 10...xe5 11.dxe5 e6 12.a3 xc3 13.axb4 xe5
14.xc3 xg5 15.c5 xc5=
c) after 10.e4 xc3 11.bxc3 a3 12.d1 exd4 13.xd4 c5 14.d2 0-0 15.d3 b6!
16.0-0 c5 17.c2 g4 Black takes the initiative
10...7b6 11.xd5 xd5 12.xe5 e6 (of course not 12...f6? because of 13.c4 followed by
Bh4) 13.c4 (13.a3? is bad for White: 13...xc3 14.xb4 (14.axb4 xb3 15.bxa5 a2)
14...xb4 15.axb4 a2 followed by ...f7f6) 13...xc3! 14.xa5 xa2+ 15.xb4
xb4 16.d2 f6 17.f4 0-0-0= with at least equal ending for Black.
8.c1!? has recently appeared on stage. White's idea is fairly interesting, he wants to avoid
the main line 8. d2, which is known to be solid for Black. 8...b4 (8...xc3 9.bxc3
xa2 10.d3 gives White more than sufficient compensation for the pawn) 9.a3!
xc3+ (9...xc3?! fails to 10.axb4! xd1 11.bxa5 xb2 12.c2 a4 13.c4 b5 14.xc6 a6
15.c7 with a clear advantage) 10.bxc3 h6
a) after 10...0-0 11.e4 5f6 12.d3 White builds a strong pawn center for free
b) 10...b6!? is worth considering: 11.d3!? (White can still try to play something
other than one of the main lines, which may arise after 11.d2 c5) 11...h6 12.h4 a6
13.xa6 (13.0-0 xd3 14.xd3 xa3 15.e4 f4 16.e3 g6 17.a1 d6 18.g3 e7 seems
acceptable for Black) 13...xa6 14.c4 a5+ 15.d2 5f6 16.0-0 0-0 and here
17.c5!? looks promising.
11.h4 xa3 A principled decision. Since Black can hardly prevent the appearance of
White's strong pawn center he doesn't want to suffer for nothing. 12.d2
232
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9wq-zP-zPN+-0
9-+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Thus White has achieved his goal he has forced Black to take the pawn on a3. 12...0-0
a) a typical 12...b6 does not bring desired effect: 13.d3 b7 (In case of 13...a6
White keeps all his powerful pieces by 14.c4 b4 15.b1) 14.0-0 and Black is in
trouble, Cmilyte Romanko/EUch Tbilisi 2011, since 14...0-0? loses a piece after
15.e4
b) After 12...e7 White can choose between some options, such as 13.e4 (or
13.g3!? f5 14.f4)
c) 12...c5 transposes into the position, in which tournament practice promises better
chances for White.
d) 12...b5, securing his knight on d5 from c3c4, should not solve the problems:
13.d3 (13.e4!?) 13...0-0 14.0-0 (14.e4!?) 14...b7 and here I would prefer 15.e4
13.e4 this position is considered below in the main line with 11. a3!?
8...b4
This is one of the main continuations in the whole Cambridge Springs system nowadays.
White still fails to prove a tangible advantage.
8...7b6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
9zpp+-+pzpp0
9-snp+p+-+0
9wq-+n+-vL-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
is an alternative, which was popular 1520 years ago but recently has disappeared from
practice. Black wins a pawn almost by force but leaves White a strong initiative in
233
return. 9.d3 (In the case of 9.c1 xc3 10.bxc3 d5 11.d3 we transpose to the
one of main lines which, however, seems not to be the most dangerous for Black.
(11.c4 is good for Black: 11...xc3 12.0-0 b5! (12...b4? 13.a3 xa3 14.a1 e4
15.e2 is bad for Black) 13.b3 (in the ending after 13.xc3 xc3 14.xc3 bxc4
Black has no problems: 15.b1 (15.xc4? a6) 15...a6 16.d2 c5! 17.xc4 cxd4
18.exd4 f6 followed by ...Rc8) 13...b4 14.e4 h6 (14...xe4 15.f4) 15.h4 d6!
(15...e7 16.xe7 xe7 17.e5) 16.fe1 b7! and White's compensation for the
pawn is insufficient) ) 9...xc3 10.bxc3 (A rather unexpected 10.0-0!? deserves
serious attention. 10...ba4 (The alternative 10...b4 does not solve the problems:
11.a3 e4 12.axb4!? (12.xb4 xb4 13.axb4 xg5 14.xg5) 12...xa1 (both 12...xd2
13.bxa5 xf3+ 14.gxf3, and 12...xg5 13.xe4 are in White's favour) 13.xe4 a4
14.e5! with a strong initiative for the big material losses. For example, 14...f6? is
bad because of 15.e2! and after 15...fxe5 16.h5+ f8 17.f4! exd4 18.f5+ the
attack is irresistible) 11.a3!? An interesting attempt. (By the simple 11.bxc3 White can
transpose to the main line) 11...h6 12.h4 This position occurred in the game
Vladimirov Shabanov/Tashkent 1987. Black played unsuccessfully: 12...d6?!
(12...xb2 13.xb2 d5 was better with a complicated position after 14.e5) 13.e4!
f4? (13...xb2 had to be played again.) 14.xf4 xb2 15.d2! (Of course not
15.d6?? g5-+, 15.e5 0-0 was also nothing special.) 15...xd3 16.xd3 and Black
faces serious troubles) 10...a4 Strangely enough the knight seems to be safer on
the edge of the board as White does not have a chance to advance e3e4 with
increased effect. It is also more useful there it can allow Black to slightly
disorganise White's pieces by some curious manoeuvres. (For a long time the main
continuation was known to be 10...d5 11.0-0 xc3 12.e2 d6 (12...e7?! is
dubious: 13.xe7 xe7 14.e5! g6 15.xg6!? hxg6 16.f3 0-0 17.h4 and White's
initiative is very strong) 13.d2 a5 14.c4 (14.e4 can be parried by 14...f4! 15.c4
c3!) 14...c7 with a very complicated position, in which White was supposed to
have more than enough compensation for the pawn) 11.0-0 The main continuation.
(The alternative 11.c1 is not without interest. 11...xc3 (11...a3?! is weak due to
12.b1! and now 12...xc3 is bad: 13.b3 b4 14.a3! xa3 15.xc3 xc3+ 16.xc3 b4
17.d2 with a big advantage.) 12.0-0 b4 13.b2!? (13.a3 xa3 14.a1 b3 was
tested several times. Here White has some possibilities, the most testing seems to be
15.fc1!? a2 16.xa2 xd3 17.d5!? and now 17...0-0! is the most reliable way which
promises better chances for Black: 18.d1 f5 19.d6 f6!? 20.d7 xd7 21.xd7 fxg5 and so
on) 13...d5 (Black should probably not include 13...h6 14.h4 as it not only makes a
square e5 available for the knight but weakens a kingside pawn structure the main
White plans are obviously connected with a center and kingside activity.) 14.c4
The position arose in the game Loginov A.N.Panchenko/USSR 1986. After
14...e7 (An inclusion of 14...a3!? 15.b1 e7 dislodging the queen from the long
diagonal might be an improvement) 15.xe7 xe7 White came up with a powerful
16.d5! However, by playing a cool 16...0-0 17.g4 g6 Black has parried direct
threats and has achieved more or less acceptable play although White's initiative
after 18.dxc6 bxc6 19.h4 more than enough compensated a minor material loss)
11...xc3 12.e2 b2! A highly unusual approach Black's queen and knight
invaded deeply into White's camp and are not in a hurry to go back! Actually they
are trying to slightly disorganise White's pieces and slow down the development of
234
his initiative. 13.c2 b5 14.d1 (It seems that the queen on b2 makes the
development of White's initiative more difficult: 14.d3 b2 15.d1 c3 16.e1
f6! (16...b4 17.e4) 17.h4 (here White can force the draw by a curious 17.d2 fxg5
18.c4 b4 19.a3 b3 20.a5 b2 21.c4 b3= with repetition) 17...b4 with a good
counterplay) 14...c3 15.d2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+kvl-tr0
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9tR-+-+RmK-0
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15...b4 (15...e2+!? was unexpectedly played in the game Gauglitz
Cvetkovic/Balatonbereny 1987. Where the knight is going to?! 16.h1 b4 17.a4!
A strong reply. (After 17.d1 c3 18.c1 h6! 19.h4 (19.f4 e2) 19...g5 20.g3
e2 Black has the better chances) 17...xd2 The only move otherwise the knight
would just be lost. 18.axb5 c3 19.ab1 (Surprisingly enough, the knight cannot be
trapped by 19.a3?! due to 19...cxb5! 20.d3 b4 followed by ...h7h6 and ...g7g5 and
the bishop has no other way than to go under the knight's attack!) 19...h6 20.bxc6
bxc6 (20...hxg5? 21.cxb7+ is bad for Black.) 21.e4!? d7 and here White should
have played 22.h4 (in the game White has fallen into a very beautiful trap: 22.e5?
hxg5 23.b7? 0-0-0!! 24.fb1 xh2+! with a checkmate on the next move! ) 22...g5
23.e5!? with a very good compensation for the pawn when Black has no chance
to open the hfile.) 16.d3 a4 (This is clearly not the best square for the queen but
16...a5? was bad because of 17.a3 xa3 18.fc1 xc1 19.xc1 with a big advantage.)
17.a3 a5 18.b2 f6 19.h4 d5 20.fc1 This position arose in the game
Magerramov R.Scherbakov/Cheliabinsk 1991. White has a strong initiative which
more than compensates for his minor material loss. Black has no time to develop the
rest of his pieces as he has to take care of his stuck queen first of all.
9.c1
235
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9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...h6
An immediate 9...e5 is suspicious. The game Kasparov Smyslov/Vilnius (m/9) 1984
continued by 10.a3! and now the pawn should have been accepted: 10...xc3!?
(10...d6?! gave White very pleasant play with no obstacle: 11.dxe5 xe5 12.xe5 xe5
13.b4! xc3 14.xc3! xc3 15.bxa5 e4 16.f4 0-0 17.f3 f6 18.e4 with a big advantage in
the ending) 11.bxc3 xa3 (11...e4 12.c4!) 12.e4 5b6 13.d3 with more than enough
compensation.
In case of 9...0-0 White should probably continue his development by a natural 10.d3 (an
old continuation 10.e4 promises nothing: 10...xc3 11.bxc3 a3 12.b1 e5! 13.d3 exd4
14.cxd4 xd2+ 15.xd2 b6 with a very good counterplay in the ending) and after
10...h6 11.h4 e5 one of the main lines arises see 9 ...h6 10. h4 0-0.
10.h4 0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
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9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A natural continuation.
However, 10...c5 is maybe more reliable.
11.d3
236
The ending after 11.e4 xc3 12.bxc3 a3 13.b1 e5 14.g3 exd4 15.cxd4 xd2+
16.xd2 b6 is good for Black
11.a3!? is rather interesting, clarifying situation on the Qside as early as possible.
11...xc3 12.bxc3 xa3 A principled continuation. Otherwise White will get a
certain advantage thank to the strong pawn center and the pair of bishops. 13.e4
'leads to one of the main lines, in which White keeps excellent compensation for the
pawn.' 13...e7 (13...5b6 was also tried: 14.d3 e8 15.0-0 e5 16.g3 exd4 17.cxd4 f8
18.fe1 e6 19.a1 e7 20.b2 and White keeps the position under control) 14.d3
g6 15.g3 This position arose in the game Khalifman M.Gurevich/Lanzarote
2003, in which, despite of the good novelty 15...e5!? Black has failed to solve the
problems completely: 16.h4! exd4 17.cxd4 e8 18.h5 gf8 19.0-0 f6 20.a1 e7
21.h4 e6 22.a5!? with better chances for White.
11...e5
11...e8!? may lead to the main line as after 12.a3 xc3 13.bxc3 xa3 14.0-0 Black should
probably play 14...e5 anyway. (14...f8!? looks passive but quite possible it has not
been tested yet.) 15.xe5 xe5 16.dxe5 and so on see 11 ...e5
12.a3
12.0-0 e8! is known to be good for Black. This strong move was first played by Efim
Bogoljubow as long ago as 1929. (An inclusion of 12...exd4 13.exd4 e8 gives White
far more possibilities, perhaps one of the most promising is 14.a3!? xc3 15.bxc3 for
example, 15...f8 16.e5 e6 17.f4 f6 18.c4 d8 19.f5 f7 20.g3 with certain
initiative) 13.c2!? (13.e4 does not promise too much: 13...f4 14.c4 g6 15.a3 xh4
16.xh4 e7 17.f5 f8 18.b4 d8 19.a2 f6 20.d5 b6= and so on) 13...exd4 14.xd5
(14.exd4 7b6 15.e5 e6 looks quite good for Black) 14...xd5 15.exd4 (15.xd4=
does not promise anything real) 15...b6 This position is good for Black. In the
game Shirov Piket, Aruba (m/6) White has tried to get the initiative by 16.g3!?
(After the quiet 16.a3 d6 followed by ...Bc8g4 Black had nothing to worry about.)
but after the brave 16...xa2! 17.e5 e6 18.f4 he could have achieved almost
nothing for the pawn if Black had played 18...d5 (the immediate 18...f6!? was also
worthy of consideration.) 19.h1 f6! 20.f5 (20.h7+ h8 21.g6+ does not work
because of 21...xh7 22.e7+ f5! 23.xf5 e4) 20...f7 and so on.
12...xc3 13.bxc3
237
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzp-0
9-+p+-+-zp0
9wq-+nzp-+-0
9-+-zP-+-vL0
9zP-zPLzPN+-0
9-+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...xa3
13...exd4!? is an interesting option. The position after 14.cxd4 (14.exd4?! looks suspicious:
14...e8+ 15.e2 7f6 and Black takes the initiative.) 14...xa3 15.0-0 e8 is rather
important. White should probably play 16.e4!? (16.b1 b4!? 17.d3 f8 was good
for Black in the game Rogers Smagin/Prague 1992) 16...5b6 (16...b4 17.c4 b6
18.e5) 17.fe1 with good compensation for the pawn.
13...e8!? deserves attention although White's chances are preferable in the ending after
14.c4 xd2+ 15.xd2 Yet, a strong 15...e7! (15...c7? is much weaker: 16.0-0 e6
17.fe1 b6 18.f5 exd4 19.exd4 with a certain advantage ) 16.0-0 (16.xe7 xe7 17.d5
could promise a small edge for White) 16...exd4 17.exd4 f8 18.fe1 f5! gives
Black reasonable chances to equalise.
14.0-0
in the case of 14.xe5 xe5 15.dxe5 Black can try 15...e7!? (instead of 15...e8 16.0-0!
the main line) For example, 16.e4 g6 17.g3 d8 followed by ...Qa3c5 and
...Ng6e5
14...e8 15.xe5 xe5 16.dxe5
238
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+r+k+0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-+p+-+-zp0
9+-+nzP-+-0
9-+-+-+-vL0
9wq-zPLzP-+-0
9-+-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This important position arose in the game Shirov Piket/Amsterdam 1995.
16...c5!?
After 16...xe5 17.e4 b6 18.f4 followed by f4f5 White would have achieved sufficient
17.h1!
Still not defending the pawn the bishop on h4 keeps under control the very important h4
d8 diagonal.
17...e6!?
Black ignores it too!
18.e4 b6 19.f4 c4 20.f3! xd3 21.xd3

and here a prophylactic
21...h7
239
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+r+-+0
9zpp+-+pzpk0
9-snp+-+-zp0
9+-wq-zP-+-0
9-+-+PzP-vL0
9+-zPR+-+-0
9-+-wQ-+PzP0
9+-tR-+-+K0
xiiiiiiiiy
was more to the point although White still had good attacking chances.
240
QGD/26 Cambridge Springs 9. cd5

Nxd5 10. Qd2 ...c6c5 [D52]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.f3 f6 4.c3 e6 5.g5 bd7 6.e3 a5 7.cxd5 xd5

8.d2 b4 9.c1 h6
The immediate 9...c5 can lead to the same positions if Black plays ...h7h6 on the next few
moves.
10.h4 c5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+n+pzp-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9wq-zpn+-+-0
9-vl-zP-+-vL0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This was played by Mikhail Botvinnik as long ago as 1926. Now it is one of the main lines
in the whole Cambridge Springs system.
11.c4!?
241
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zpp+n+pzp-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9wq-zpn+-+-0
9-vlLzP-+-vL0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-wQ-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
A fresh and interesting approach. White puts pressure on the d5square to make the typical
...b7b6 less attractive for Black.
A natural 11.d3 is known to be not dangerous for Black: 11...cxd4 12.exd4 b6 (or 12...0-0
13.0-0 b6 with a good play for Black according to the tournament practice) 13.0-0
(13.a3 xc3 14.bxc3 b7 is also good for Black. Then in case of 15.g3 he can think
about 15...xa3!? 16.b5 5f6 17.e5 e7 18.0-0 0-0 19.h4 d6!) 13...0-0 (in case of
13...b7 White can try to exploit that Black hasn't castled yet: 14.b5!? xb5 15.xb5
xd2 16.d6+ f8 17.xd2 a6 18.fe1 g5 19.g3 g7 20.f3 hd8 21.h4 g4 22.e5 xe5
23.dxe5 with a certain advantage) 14.a3 (after 14.b1 a6 15.c2 f5 16.xd5 xd5
17.fd1 d6! 18.d2 ac8 Black looks already slightly better) 14...xc3 15.bxc3 b7
with a solid position.

11.a3 used to be a common option: 11...xc3 12.bxc3 b6! (12...xa3?! is suspicious for
Black: 13.e4 5f6 14.d3 a5 15.d5! c4!? (15...exd5?! leads to serious trouble for
Black after 16.e5! e4 17.xe4 dxe4 18.d6 g5 19.xg5! b6 20.xe4 xd6 21.xd6+ f8
22.f4) 16.xc4 exd5 17.xd5!? xd5 18.exd5 0-0 19.0-0 f6!? (19...b6 20.e7 e8
21.d6) 20.fe1 b6 21.c4!? xd2 22.xd2 f5 23.f3! with a certain advantage in
the endgame.) 13.c4!? Strangely enough, this pawn advance is not much popular but
it may promise the better chances for White in the endgame thanks to his pair of
bishops.
a) 13.e4 is a logical alternative: 13...5f6 14.d3 b7 (14...a6 does not solve the
problems completely: 15.xa6 xa6 16.e5 h7 17.d5 c4 18.dxe6 xe6 19.0-0 0-0 20.fe1
fe8 21.cd1 with a small edge for White thanks to his possession of the dfile and
in particular the possibility to place his rook on d6) 15.d5 Otherwise it seems
impossible to pose problems for Black. This position arose in the game Kramnik
Ivanchuk/Novgorod 1995 which continued 15...c4! 16.dxe6 cxd3 17.exd7+ xd7
18.xd3 g5 19.g3 c5 20.d6 and in this complicated position a draw was
agreed.
b) A common option is 13.d3 but Black recently gets acceptable play after
13...a6!? (13...b7 has also been tried: 14.0-0 5f6 (in case of 14...cxd4 15.cxd4
xa3 (15...xd2 16.xd2) 16.b5 White has good compensation for the pawn)
15.e2 0-0 16.d2 (16.e4 fc8 17.e5 d5 18.e4 f8 looks acceptable for Black)
16...cxd4 17.cxd4 ac8 (17...xa3!? deserves attention although the invasion 18.c7
gives White the initiative) 18.c4 a4 19.f3! and White secures a small advantage)
242
14.0-0 (After 14.c4 xd2+ 15.xd2 5f6 16.e2 White can hope for a small advantage
although Black's position is quite solid) 14...cxd4!? (14...5f6 does not promise a full
equality: 15.e4 xd3 16.xd3 cxd4 17.cxd4 0-0) 15.xa6 (15.exd4 c8 is very good for
Black) 15...xa6 16.xd4 0-0! The only way. (16...5f6?! is suspicious for Black due
to 17.e5 with the initiative) 17.e4 (17.c4 does not promise much: 17...5f6 18.e4
e5! 19.xe5 (or 19.e3 g4 20.c3 fe8 with a good play) 19...xe5 20.xe5 fe8
21.b5 xb5 22.cxb5 xe4 23.f3 c5= with a drawish endgame) 17...f4
18.xd7 e2+ 19.h1 xc1 20.xc1 xa3 21.d2 ac8 22.d4 A rather
important for the assessment of the whole line position is reached. With the queens
on the board two minor pieces are often stronger than the rook but it is usually
thanks to the attacking possibilities against the rival's king. Here it seems to be not
easy as White has to take care about his cpawn first of all. 22...a6 (22...d6 is an
alternative: 23.f4!? It is quite logical to use the pawns more actively White's main
plan should be connected with the Kside actions. (23.e3 c4 24.f3 fc8 did not give
White real chances to get advantage in the game Rogozenko M.Gurevich/FIDE
WCh KO Moscow 2001) 23...c4 24.e5 d5 25.e3 fc8 26.e1 b5 27.b1 a6
28.h3 Quite natural play has led to this position, in which White's chances look
preferable as he has managed to stop Black's Qside pawns and to prevent other
counter attempts. Yet, to do this White was forced to place his pieces rather
passively so now it's not so easy for him to start active actions, Ruck
Grabarczyk/Griesheim 2003) 23.f4 b5 This position has been tested in the game
Nyback Fridman/Calvia (ol) 2004, which continued 24.e2 a5 25.b1 c4
26.xb5 a1+ 27.e1 xe4 with acceptable play for Black.
13...xd2+ 14.xd2
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+k+-tr0
9zp-+n+pzp-0
9-zp-+p+-zp0
9+-zpn+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-vL0
9zP-+-zP-+-0
9-+-sN-zPPzP0
9+-tR-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
14...e7 (14...5f6 is a logical alternative: 15.e2 (15.f3 a6 16.g3 0-0 17.b3 fd8 18.e2)
15...b7 16.0-0 0-0 17.f3 fd8 (17...cxd4 18.exd4 e5 19.c5!) 18.fd1 ac8 19.a4 and
White has got the better chances.) 15.f3 Securing the bishop on h4. 15...a6 (Or
15...b7 16.e2 f5 17.f2 c8 18.0-0 with a typical small advantage for White.)
16.e2 c8 17.0-0 f5 18.f2 e7 19.fe1 White keeps a small but stable
advantage, Grischuk Dreev/Poikovsky 2005.
11...xc3
243
This decision is doubleedged. Black allows White to build up a strong pawn center,
hoping for Qside counterplay.
11...cxd4!? 12.xd4 xc3+ 13.bxc3 0-0 14.0-0 b6!? (14...5b6 15.b3 e8 16.fd1 is better
for White) 15.e4 5f6 deserves attention
In case of 11...7b6 White gets better chances by 12.xd5!? xd5 13.a3 xc3 14.bxc3
The simple 11...0-0 deserves attention.
12.bxc3 a3 13.b1 a6 14.e2

White can also begin with 14.0-0 0-0 (while 14...b5? would have been met by the rather
unexpected 15.d5! f6 (15...bxc4? was simply bad: 16.dxe6 fxe6 17.d6 f7 18.e7+ g6
19.xe6+ f6 20.e5+ h7 21.c6 a7 22.xf6 gxf6 23.xf6 g7 24.fd1+, while 15...b6
wasn't quite sufficient: 16.dxe6 xc4 17.d5! 0-0 18.exf7+ xf7 19.xa8 with a big
material advantage) 16.xf6 gxf6 17.dxe6 fxe6 18.d6 d8 19.g3 with a strong
attack) 15.e2
14...0-0 15.0-0 b5 16.c4!
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9+-+n+pzp-0
9p+-+p+-zp0
9wqpzp-+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-vL0
9vl-+-zPN+-0
9P+-wQLzPPzP0
9+R+-+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
White has maintained the advantage, Anand Shirov/Wijk aan Zee 2011.
244
QGD/27 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 [D57]

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 g5
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-vlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
5...h6 6 xf6
6 h4 0-0 7 e3 leads to other systems.
6...xf6
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwqk+-tr0
9zppzp-+pzp-0
9-+-+pvl-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-sN-+N+-0
9PzP-+PzPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This system with an early capture on f6 was a frequent guest in the battles between Anatoly
Karpov and Garry Kasparov both players tried it with either colour. White has
245
exchanged his bishop for the knight it gives him better control over the center but
may reduce his chances in the possible ending and in case the position becomes
opened. The play is usually slow and players often share a point but it may also get
sharp and complicated, with chances for both sides.
7 e3
A rare 7 d2 does not promise much: 7...dxc4!? (7...0-0 8 e3 is a common option, which is
considered after 7. e3 0-0 8. Qd2 (while after 8 e4 but Black gets sufficient counter
chances: 8...dxe4 9 xe4 b6 (or 9...d7 10 0-0-0 c5!? 11 e3 (11 dxc5 e7) 11...e7
12 d3 cxd4 13 xd4 e5 14 c2 b6) 10 0-0-0 b7 11 e3 d7 12 d3 e7 13
xf6+ xf6 14 e5 ad8 15 c2 c5 with a good play for Black in all cases) ) 8 e4
(8 e3 c5 is good for Black: 9 dxc5 xd2+ 10 xd2 xc3 11 bxc3 a6 and so on) 8...c5 9 d5
exd5 10 e5!? (10 xd5 0-0 11 xc4 c6 12 0-0 e6 is acceptable for Black) 10...g5 (A
counter strike 10...d4!? was worthy of consideration: 11 exf6 dxc3 12 e3+ f8 13 xc5+
g8 14 xc4 cxb2 15 b1 c6 16 fxg7 xg7 17 0-0 f6 18 a3 g4 with acceptable play
for Black) 11 xd5 The game Karpov Kasparov/WCh (m/21) Moscow 1984
continued 11...c6 (11...xd5!? 12 xd5 d8 13 xc4 0-0 seemed quite playable for
Black and it would be a possible improvement) 12 xc4 0-0 13 0-0 xd5 14 xd5
b4 and Black held on this slightly worse ending.
7 b3 can be met with an interesting counter strike 7...c5!?, which reminds Grunfeld
Defence.
a) A bit passive 7...c6 is also quite playable. White might still hope for a slight edge
after 8 e3 (while an ambitious 8 0-0-0 is probably too risky Black has good
counter chances on the Qside after 8...dxc4 9 xc4 b5 10 b3 a5!? 11 e4 (11 e4 is
worthy of consideration, taking control over the important c5square and moving
the knight away from Black's bpawn. A possible play would be 11...e7 12 e5 0-0
13 e3 a4 14 c2 b4 15 c5 with a complicated play, in which both sides have their
trumps) 11...a4 12 c2 d7 (12...a6!? is also interesting and possibly stronger the
knight is not going far from the center while its jump to b4 will gain time. For
example, 13 b1 0-0 14 h4 a3 15 b3 b4 16 d2 b7 with excellent counterplay) 13 d5!?
(A logical alternative is 13 e5 e7 14 e4 b7 15 b1, which seems more reliable but
less ambitious) 13...cxd5 14 exd5 This complicated position arose in the game
Timman Jussupow/Candidates (m/6) Tilburg 1986, which continued 14...a3!? 15
dxe6 axb2+ 16 b1 fxe6 17 e4! xc3! 18 xa8 0-0 with excellent compensation
for the exchange)
b) 7...dxc4 8 xc4 0-0 is one of the common options
8 dxc5 (8 cxd5!? cxd4 9 xd4 can be met by 9...xd4!? 10 a4+ c6! 11 dxc6 0-0 with
compensation for the pawn) 8...0-0!? (8...dxc4 9 xc4 0-0 does not seem sufficient:
10 c1!? (Both 10 e3, and 10 e4 are also worthy of consideration) 10...d7 11 e3 e7
12 b4!? with better chances for White) 9 cxd5 (9 0-0-0?! is logical but dubious,
White's king is unsafe on the Qside. In the game Araslanov Korneev/Badalona
1994 Black has grabbed the initiative by a series of energetic moves: 9...a6
(9...d7!?) 10 cxd5 xc5 11 b5 b6 12 dxe6 e7! 13 d4 xe6 and so on)
9...a5!? 10 0-0-0 a6 11 e4 d8 12 d6 d7 13 e3 xc5 14 xc5 xc5+ 15
246
b1 c8 Black has a good play but this line should be checked more thoroughly
and perhaps White might find the way to prove some edge.
7 c2 can be also met with an early capture 7...dxc4!? A typical reaction for any White
queen's move. (A routine 7...0-0 is certainly playable but White might still hope for
some edge: 8 0-0-0 dxc4 (a typical 8...c5?! is insufficient: 9 dxc5 d4 (or 9...a5 10
cxd5 xc3 11 xc3 xa2 12 e4 exd5 13 exd5 f5 14 c4 b1+ 15 d2 e4 16 he1 f4+ 17
e3 d7 18 d4 c7 19 b4+) 10 xd4! xd4 11 e4! c6 (other options do not
solve Black's problems: 11...e5 12 e3 f5 13 f3, or 11...g5+ 12 f4 xc5 13 xd4) 12 e3
f5 (12...xe3+ 13 xe3) 13 f3 g5 14 h4! xe3+ 15 xe3 xe3+ 16 fxe3 with
extra pawn in the ending) 9 e4 (9 e3 is maybe more reliable) 9...c6!? 10 e5 b4 11
e4 e7 12 xc4 d7 (12...c6!?) 13 d5 c8 and here White would think about 14
dxe6!? (14 d4 exd5 15 xd5 xd5 16 xd5 c6 17 c4 c5 18 e2 f5 is acceptable for
Black) 14...xe6 15 xe6 xe6 16 b1 with a small advantage) 8 e4!? An
interesting attempt.
a) White has tried other options but none of them promised much: 8 0-0-0 a6!? (8...c5
is also acceptable for Black: 9 e3 cxd4 10 xd4 e7 11 xc4 0-0 12 e2 d7 13 f3 a6
with a good play) 9 e4 b5 10 e5 g5+ 11 b1 b7 12 h4 e7 with a clear
advantage for Black
b) In case of 8 e3 Black can try an immediate 8...c5 A possible play is 9 dxc5 (9 xc4
cxd4 10 exd4 c6 11 0-0-0 0-0 is better for Black as White's king is more vulnerable)
9...a5 10 xc4 xc5 and Black gets a good play: 11 e4 b4+ (or 11...a5+ 12
e2 e7 13 c3 (13 hd1!?) 13...xc3 14 xc3 a6 15 hd1 d7 with acceptable
play for Black) 12 fd2 and here Black can simplify into drawish ending by
12...xb2!? 13 d6+ e7 14 xb2 xb2 15 xc8+ xc8 16 b1 c3 17 xb7+
d7 18 e2 xd2 19 b5 d8 20 xd2 ab8 and so on.
8...b5 9 a4 (9 b3!? was worthy of consideration) 9...b7!? (After 9...c6 10 xf6+ gxf6 11 g3
White has sufficient compensation for the pawn) 10 axb5 The game Aronian
Ivanchuk/Morelia Linares 2008 continued 10...a6! Black prefers to give up the pawn
in order to keep his strong bishop on the board! (In case of 10...xe4 11 xe4 d5 12
c2 xb5 13 e3 White could have achieved a small but comfortable edge) 11 xf6+
xf6 12 xc4 (12 bxa6 could have been by 12...0-0!) 12...0-0! 13 xc7 axb5 14 xa8
xa8 and White has found himself unable to complete development of the Kside
without any concessions.
7...0-0
247
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zppzp-+pzp-0
9-+-+pvl-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
8 c1
In case of 8 d2 Black might also think about straightforward 8...dxc4!? 9 xc4 d7 10 00 (10 e4 is a worthy alternative but Black keeps solid position after 10...e7 11 00 (or 11 d1!? c5!? 12 dxc5 c7 13 b4 and here Black could have thought about 13...b6!?
14 d6 d8 15 0-0 bxc5 16 xc8 axc8 17 b5 b6 18 c2 a6!? 19 a4 xc4 20 xc4 axb5 21
axb5 xd1 22 xd1 b8 with a slightly worse but defendable position) 11...c5 12 ac1
cxd4 13 xd4 f6 and Black has no problems) 10...c5 11 fd1 cxd4 12 xd4 (Here
White did not have very active play to go to the position with isolated pawn by 12
exd4 After a possible 12...a6 13 a4 c7 14 d3 b6 Black is fine) 12...b6 13 e2!
Black's only problem is his lightsquared bishop so White moves his bishop to the
diagonal f3b7 to maintain pressure over opponent's Qside. 13...d7 14 f3 This
position has been tested in the game Karpov Kasparov/WCh (m/6) Moscow 1985.
It continued 14...b8 (14...b8!? deserved serious attention. Black's idea to get the
rook to d8 and then retreat the bishop to e8 looks rather solid) 15 e4 xd4!? 16
xd4 a4! 17 xd8 fxd8 18 xd8+ xd8 19 c5 d2! 20 b3 c6 21 xb7 xf3
22 gxf3 d7! and thanks to his activity Black held this ending without problems.
White also tried 8 c2, after which Black might think about 8...a6!? This side
development of the knight is rather interesting as it not only supports ...c7c5 but is
ready to jump to b4 if needed. (8...c5 is known to be the main line) 9 d1 (9 cxd5 b4
10 b3 xd5= is harmless for Black) 9...c5 10 dxc5 (Again, 10 cxd5 could be well met
by 10...b4 11 b3 xd5 12 xd5 exd5= with a good play since the c5pawn could not
be captured for free: 13 dxc5 a5+ 14 d2 xc5) 10...a5 11 cxd5 xc5 12 d2
a) 12 a3?! was dubious because of 12...a4!
b) 12 d4 exd5 is harmless for Black. The game Piket Sturua/Debrecen 1992
continued 13 a3?! (13 e2 could be met with 13...e4 14 0-0 xc3 15 bxc3 d7=, while
13 d3 xd3+ 14 xd3 e6 15 0-0 fd8 is acceptable for Black as well) 13...e6! 14
db5? a6! 15 b4?! d8 16 xd5 d7! 17 d2 axb5 18 xd7 xd7!! 19 xd7
xc3+ 20 e2 fd8-+ and Black has launched decisive attack.
12...d8 13 d4 exd5 14 e2 b6 (or 14...e6 15 b3 xc3 16 bxc3) 15 0-0 e4 16 c2
xc3 17 xc3 White maintains a slight edge but Black's position is quite
defendable. For example, 17...e6 18 c2 ac8 19 b1 c7 20 d2 xd4! (in case
248
of 20...dc8?! 21 xe6! fxe6 (21...xe6!? 22 fd1) 22 g4 c4 23 h3 c6 24 d3

White has got chances to exploit weakened light squares on the Black's Kside) 21
xd4 dc8 and so on.
8...c6 9 d3
As a rule, Black follows ...d5xc4 with the cpawn advance so now it will also come with a
loss of time.
9...d7 10 0-0 dxc4 11 xc4
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+n+pzp-0
9-+p+pvl-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQ+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...e5
Black logically tries to solve his main problems the passive lightsquared bishop.
11...c5 does not solve all the problems: 12 e2 (12 e4 does not promise much, according
to the tournament practice: 12...cxd4 13 xf6+ xf6 14 xd4 xd4 15 xd4 d7 and so
on) 12...a6 (or 12...cxd4 13 exd4 b6 14 d3 g6 15 e4!?) 13 fd1 cxd4 (Unfortunately
for Black, an attempt to get his bishop to b7 by playing 13...b5?! could be strongly
met by 14 dxc5! bxc4 15 c6 e7 16 cxd7 xd7 17 xc4 with extra pawn for White) 14
xd4 e7 15 e4 e5 16 h5! and White has maintained the pressure, Kasparov
H.Olafsson/Dubai (ol) 1986.
12 h3 exd4 13 exd4 b6
13...c5 has been rarely tried. Black wants to swap central pawns but it does nothing to
promote his development. White gets a small but stable advantage by playing 14
e4!? (or 14 b3!? cxd4 15 e4 e5 16 xd4) 14...cxd4 15 e1 (15 xf6+ xf6 16
b3 b6 (16...e4 17 fd1 f6 18 d5 g5 19 xd4, 16...f5?! 17 e5) 17 fd1
Tukmakov Abramovic, Bor 1983) 15...b6 16 b3 d7 17 xf6+ xf6 18 xd4
xd4 19 xd4 ac8 20 xc8 xc8 21 c1 Dokhoian Pigusov, Irkutsk 1986
249
13...e8 can be met with 14 b3!, attacking the f7pawn: 14...f8 (14...e7 15 fe1) 15 c2,
gaining a tempo. Then after 15...e8 (15...b6 16 b3) 16 fe1 f8 17 xe8 xe8 18
e1 White maintained a stable advantage in the game Kosten Stohl, Austria 2005.
14 b3 f5
14...e8 15 e1 f5 16 xe8+ (16 g4 has been tried in the game Gelfand
Kramnik/Dortmund 1997, which continued 16...e6!? (both 16...xe1+ 17 xe1 d3,
and 16...g6 were playable for Black as well) 17 xe6 xe6 18 xe6 fxe6 19 e2
e7 20 e1 e8 and Black defended his position.) 16...xe8 17 d2 may be just a
transposition.
15 e1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-wq-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-snp+-vl-zp0
9+-+-+l+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+LsN-+N+P0
9PzP-+-zPP+0
9+-tRQtR-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
15...a5
An attempt to solve Black's problems by 15...g5!? does not bring full equality: 16 a1! (16
xg5 xg5 17 e4 xe4 18 xe4 ae8!? is acceptable for Black) 16...f6!? (16...f4 17
e5 xe5 18 xe5 d7 19 f3 followed by Ra1-e1 gives White a certain edge, while
after a dubious 16...d7?! 17 d5! c8?! 18 d4! g6 19 e6! fxe6 20 dxe6 h7! 21 xd7!
b6! 22 e7! fe8 23 g4! White developed a very strong initiative in the game
Kasparov Short/Bruxelles 1986) 17 e4 xe4 18 xe4 fe8 19 e2 xe4 20
xe4 d8 21 e1 d5 22 h4 f4 23 h5 with better chances for White.
16 a3 e8 17 xe8+ xe8 18 d2
250
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+-+q+k+0
9+p+-+pzp-0
9-snp+-vl-zp0
9zp-+-+l+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9zPLsN-+N+P0
9-zP-wQ-zPP+0
9+-tR-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
After the World Title matches between two K's this position became very popular. White's
active pieces, especially his strong bishop on b3 and central though isolated pawn on
d4 give him active play but Black's position looks solid enough and quite
defendable.
18...d7
The most reliable continuation Black simply resumes his development, preparing to get
his rook to e8.
After 18...d7 19 f4! g6 20 h4! d8 21 a4 h5! 22 e1 White has maintained a small
advantage in the game Kasparov Karpov/WCh (m/22) London/Leningrad 1986.
19 e1 e8
An inclusion of 19...a4 20 a2 may increase Black's problems: 20...e8 (20...d8!? is
worthy of consideration: 21 f4 g6 22 e5 xe5 23 xe5 (23 dxe5 d2=) 23...c2
(23...h7!?) 24 e7 (24 a5!?) 24...b3 25 xb3 axb3 26 b4 xd4 27 xb3 c5
28 e4 b5 29 xb5 cxb5 30 e2 with a small advantage for White) 21 xe8+
xe8 22 f4 and here Black cannot neutralise White's strong bishop by 22...e6?!
due to 23 xe6 xe6 24 b8+ c8 (24...h7 25 xb7 xd4 26 xd4 e1+ 27 h2 e5+
28 g1 e1+ 29 h2 e5+ 30 g3 xd4 31 xf7 is also better for White) 25 xc8+
xc8 26 xa4
20 xe8+ xe8 21 f4 e6 22 xe6 xe6
251
XIIIIIIIIY
9-+-+-+k+0
9+p+-+pzp-0
9-snp+qvl-zp0
9zp-+-+-+-0
9-+-zP-wQ-+0
9zP-sN-+N+P0
9-zP-+-zPP+0
9+-+-+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The game Timman Jussupow/Linares 1988 continued
23 c7
An immediate 23 b8+!? deserves attention but Black seems to be fine after 23...c8 24
a7 c4
23 e4 e7 is also good for Black.
23...c4 24 b8+ h7 25 xb7

and here Black has solved his problems by
25...xd4! 26 xd4 e1+ 27 h2 d2!

27...e5+ 28 g3 xd4 29 xf7 xb2 was also drawish.
28 xf7
and here a draw was agreed in view of the perpetual check.
252
Lasker's Defence
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 g5 0-0 6 e3 h6 7 h4 e4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnlwq-trk+0
9zppzp-vlpzp-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzPn+-vL0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
The main idea of this manoeuvre, which was introduced by Emanuel Lasker in his match
against Frank Marschall in 1907 is obvious to force some exchanges. Black really
obtains a solid position but is getting a bit late in development. The main drawback
of the Lasker Defence is that Black's chances to take the initiative are very limited.
But if a draw is an acceptable result then this system is quite playable and it gives
Black very reasonable chances to achieve this aim although a good work still has to
be done.
By the way, Lasker himself played this manoeuvre ...f6e4, which is quite typical for
some systems of the QGD, without the preliminary ...h7h6 but this pawn advance
is quite useful. Black prevents possible f3g5, removes this pawn from possible
attack on the b1-h7 diagonal and creates a hole for the king in case of possible
invasion on the 8th rank.
253
QGD/28 Lasker Defence Various lines

[D57]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7 4.f3 f6 5.g5 0-0 6.e3 h6 7.h4 e4 8.xe7

xe7
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0
9zppzp-wqpzp-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzPn+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.cxd5
This option gives White a strong center and opened files on the Qside. The drawback is
obvious it promotes Black's development.
9.xe4 dxe4 10.d2 does not give White any advantage: 10...f5 11.c5!? (11.c1 is
passive: 11...d7 (11...c5!?) 12.c2 c6 13.c5 e5 14.c4+ h8 15.0-0 f6 16.fe1
d8 17.c3 exd4 18.exd4 e6 with excellent play) 11...e5 12.b3+ h8 13.c4
exd4 14.exd4 c6 15.0-0-0 d8!? (or 15...b6!? with good counter chances)
9.c2 is rarely played: 9...xc3 10.xc3 dxc4 11.xc4 (11.xc4 allows the program
advance 11...c5!? (in case of 11...b6 White might hope for a slight edge: 12.0-0 b7
13.e2 c8 14.b4 d7 15.fc1 c5 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.b5 a6 18.a4) 12.0-0 c6 13.dxc5 (or
13.fd1 cxd4 14.xd4 d7 15.b5 fd8 16.ac1 e8 and Black is fine) 13...xc5 14.ac1
d8 15.a3 d7 16.b4 b6 with only a symbolic edge for White) 11...b6 12.c1
White's pressure over the cfile looks irritating but Black can still continue his plan:
12...c5! 13.dxc5 b7! The most precise way to solve all the problems. (13...a6 is
known to be a good option: 14.h4! (or 14.e4 b7 15.f4 c8) 14...xh4 15.xh4
254
c8 16.e2 (16.b4 promises nothing: 16...xf1 17.xf1 bxc5 18.bxc5 a6 19.c6 b4 and
Black wins the pawn back) 16...bxc5 17.f3 although here White keeps a slight
edge thanks to his better pawn structure. Yet, in practice Black were able to hold the
ending in most cases, as in the game Lputian Pigusov/ECC Halkidiki 2002)
14.a4 (14.h4 does not promise anything: 14...xh4 15.xh4 c8 16.b5 a6!
17.c6 (or 17.xa6 xa6 18.c6 c7 19.f3 ac8 20.d4 e5 21.f5 f8) 17...b4! with
equality) 14...c8! 15.e2 xc5 16.xc5 xc5 17.0-0 c6 18.d1 e5 and Black
equalised, Aronian Jakovenko/FIDE GP Sochi 2008.
9...xc3 10.bxc3 exd5 11.b3 d8 12.c4
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnltr-+k+0
9zppzp-wqpzp-0
9-+-+-+-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+Q+-zPN+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
Now Black has a choice.
12...e6!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-tr-+k+0
9zppzp-wqpzp-0
9-+-+l+-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+Q+-zPN+-0
9P+-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
This rare continuation is very interesting. Moreover, it is possibly the most promising
continuation.
A rather unexpected 12...c5 was introduced in the game Kalin Bezgodov/Russia 1999.
Black tries to open position by any cost before White completes his development.
The idea looks interesting but White can probably prove his advantage by precise
255
play: 13.cxd5 (13.a3 a6 was fine for Black) 13...cxd4 14.xd4 c6!? 15.d1 a5
16.b5 c7 and here a simple 17.e2!? deserved serious attention since actually it
was not so easy for Black to win the d5pawn: 17...a6 18.a4 c3+ (18...xd5??
19.e8+ h7 20.e4++) 19.d2 c1+ 20.d1 and Black still cannot capture the
pawn.
An immediate 12...c6 seems worse: 13.cxd5 a5 (or 13...b4+ 14.d2 xb3 15.xb3
b4 16.c1 (16.d2 xd5 17.g3 b6 18.g2) 16...xd5 17.e4 e8 18.f3 f5!? (18...c6
19.f2 e7 20.g4! b6 21.h4 e6 22.c4 xc4 23.xc4 ad8 24.a4) 19.c4 c6 20.c5! fxe4
21.fxe4 f5 22.0-0 xe4 23.xb7 ab8 24.d6 e6 25.xe4 xe4 26.b3 xd4
27.xc6 d8 28.c7) 14.b5 a3 15.d3 g4 16.0-0 with better chances for
White, for example: 16...c6 17.dxc6 bxc6 18.b1 xf3 19.gxf3 ab8 20.h7+! h8
21.d3 e7 22.e4 and Black has not achieved sufficient compensation for the
pawn.
12...dxc4 13.xc4 c6 used to be a common option: 14.e2 (14.c3 is an alternative:
14...g4 15.0-0 xf3 16.gxf3 White has got pawn superiority in center and the
bishop against the knight but on the other hand Black has no weaknesses and no
problems with development so he should be more or less satisfied with the position.
Now 16...f6 seems to be the most precise continuation. (16...h4?! did not
prevented White's plans in the game Beliavsky Vaganian/Reggio Emilia 1995:
17.h1 d6 (17...h3 18.e2 d6 19.g1) 18.g1! e7 (It turned out that the f2
pawn was untouchable: 18...xf2?? 19.af1 h4 20.d5 f6 21.xf6 xf6 22.dxc6+)
19.g4 h5 (19...xf2? 20.f1 d5 21.b3 xe3 22.xd5+) 20.ag1 with annoying
initiative.) 17.e2 ac8! and the idea ...c6e7 and ...c7c5 gives Black a good
play. For example, 18.ab1 b6 19.fc1 (19.a6 xf3 20.xc8 xc8 21.fc1 e7 with
initiative on the Kside) 19...e7 20.h1 (20.a6 d5!?) 20...d5!? with good
counter chances) 14...b6 An old and very solid approach. 15.0-0 b7 16.fc1
(16.ac1 is similar since White is going to double the rooks on the cfile: 16...a5
17.b2 ac8 18.h3 c5 and Black almost equalises) 16...ac8 (The immediate 16...a5
leads to similar play: 17.b2 ac8 18.c3 c5 19.ac1 cxd4 20.xd4 xc3 21.xc3 e5
22.c2 d5 with idea ...Rd5c5 with good play for Black) 17.a4 a5 18.c3 c5 As
a rule, this thematic advance gives Black good play he has no more pawn
weaknesses and no problems with development. Yet, White still keeps some
pressure and so Black has to defend accurately in fact, such a great player as
Vladimir Kramnik failed to solve the problems completely in the game Deep Fritz
Kramnik/Bahrain (m/5) 2002.
13.xb7
13.c1 is harmless for Black due to a simple 13...c5
13.cxd5?! xd5 14.c4 can be well met by 14...xf3 15.gxf3 c5
13.c5 is harmless for Black as well: 13...b6! 14.c1 bxc5 (The capture is stronger than
14...d7 15.cxb6 (15.a3?! g4 Koblencs Ravinsky, Riga 1952, 15.c6!? f6 16.d3
is worth considering) 15...axb6 16.xc7 a3 17.b1 d6 18.c1 da8 and Black
wins the pawn back but White still keeps a slight edge thanks to his better pawn
structure.) 15.xc5 (15.a3?! was proved unsuccessful in the game Topalov
Anand/Nanjing 2010: 15...d7 16.b5 g4! 17.xd7 xd7! 18.xc5?!
256
a) 18.e5 looked very strong but tactics worked in Black's favour: 18...cxd4!
19.xe7 xe7 20.c6 (after 20.xg4 h5! Black gets the piece back, securing the extra
pawn in the ending) 20...e6 21.h3 h5 22.xd4 a6 23.xc7 xa2 followed by an
advance of the apawn.
b) Perhaps the best way to fight for equality was 18.xc5 e4 19.e2 e8 20.c3
with reasonable chances to hold on.
18...e4 and Black's initiative was unbearable.) 15...d7! 16.xc7 ab8 17.c2 a3 and
Black's activity fully compensates the pawn.
13...a3! 14.b1 xa2

This position arose in the game Jobava Shengelia/Batumi 2002. Here White should have
seriously thought about
15.b2!?
but then Black can achieve good counter chances by
15...xb2 16.xb2
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsn-tr-+k+0
9zp-zp-+pzp-0
9-+-+l+-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-+-zPN+-0
9-tR-+-zPPzP0
9+-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
16...c5!?
or 16...c6!? with a roughly balanced endgame.
257
QGD/29 Lasker Defence Main line 9.

Rc1 [D56]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7 4.f3 f6 5.g5 0-0 6.e3 h6 7.h4 e4 8.xe7

xe7
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0
9zppzp-wqpzp-0
9-+-+p+-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzPn+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9.c1
Recently this is the most popular continuation. Since one of the main Black's option is the
advance ...c7c5 White is trying to create pressure over the cfile.
9...c6
258
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0
9zpp+-wqpzp-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzPn+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9...xc3 10.xc3 c6 11.e2!? is usually a transposition to the main line.
10.e2
This modest bishop development seems to be more accurate.
After 10.d3 xc3 11.xc3 d7 may lead to the same position but it gives an important
extra option for Black. Here White can think about 12.cxd5!?, transposing into the
Carlsbad pawn structure. Yet, it also helps Black to solve the problem of his bishop.
a) after 12.0-0 the immediate 12...e5!? deserves serious attention. (12...dxc4 13.xc4
leads to the main position see 11...dc4) Then after 13.dxe5 (13.b1 does not seem
too harmful for Black but it still worthy of consideration. After 13...exd4 (13...e4!?
14.d2 f6 deserved attention) 14.xd4!? (14.exd4 dxc4= and ...d7b6 is just equal)
14...b6 15.c5 c4 16.b3 e5 17.h3 White can obtain a small advantage)
13...dxc4 14.xc4 (14.xc4 xe5 15.e4 does not promise too much: (15.xe5 xe5)
15...xf3+ 16.xf3 e6 17.c4 ad8 18.xe6 fxe6 19.e2 (19.g4 d6) 19...d5
and White has very little chances to exploit the weakness on e6, as was tested in a
number of games.) 14...xe5 15.xe5 xe5
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+-+pzp-0
9-+p+-+-zp0
9+-+-wq-+-0
9-+L+-+-+0
9+-tR-zP-+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
This position is wellknown to theory. Thanks to the possibility to advance his e and f
pawns White's chances are preferable but it was usually not so easy for him to
maintain the advantage in practice. 16.f4!? seems to be the most principled way
259
White should try to advance his central pawns. The e3pawn is temporarily
detached but White is going to either soon take control of the e4square, or to
advance his fpawn further, trying to create a direct Kside attack.
a1) 16.c2 is harmless: 16...f5 17.d3 xd3 18.xd3 fd8 19.fd1 xd3 20.xd3
a5 21.b1 d8 22.xd8+ xd8 with slightly better chances for Black thanks to
his Qside pawn majority.
a2) 16.e2 is also fine for Black: 16...e6 17.xe6 xe6 18.b3 ad8 19.d3 d6
20.h3 fd8 21.fd1 g6 22.xd6 xd6 23.xd6 xd6
a3) 16.b3!? can be met by an interesting 16...b5!? (a slow 16...b6 seems playable as
well: 17.d1 f5 18.d3 e6 19.a4 c5 wit acceptable play) 17.e2 e6 18.c2 d5
and the strong bishop on d5 prevents White's active possibilities very well, Lautier
Kramnik/Monaco 1999.
16...e4!?
a1) Other moves were also tested. It seems that White keeps good attacking chances
on the Kside after 16...f6 17.e4 (17.f5!?)
a2) or 16...e7 17.f5
17.e2 (17.e1 e6 18.xe6 xe6 should be OK for Black) 17...d8 18.b3 (18.d3 can be
strongly met by 18...g4!) 18...f5 19.c2 d5 20.e4 d4+ 21.h1 e8 22.d1 b4
23.b3 e7 24.e3 h7 25.e5 White has managed to advance his e and fpawns
so his chances are preferable but it is very difficult to get something more
substantial.
b) while the move 12.c2 may not be the best in the forthcoming play: 12...dxc4
13.xc4 b6 (A plan with 13...e5 is also playable: 14.0-0 e4!? (14...e8?! is weaker:
15.d5 e4 16.d4 c5 17.b5 e5 18.d6 with a big advantage) 15.d2 (15.e5 xe5 16.xe4
e8 17.dxe5 xe5 18.xe5 xe5 19.d1 f8 20.f3 e6 21.xe6 xe6 22.e4 ae8 and Black
should hold this position without serious problems) 15...f6 with acceptable play
although here White can probably find something else than a transposition to the
game Anastasian Miladinovic/Moscow (ol) 1994 by 16.b3 g4!? see the line
11 ...dxc4 12. xc4 d7 13. 0-0 e5 14. b3 e4!?) 14.d3 c5 15.e4 b8 16.0-0 a5
see the main line with 16. c2 instead of 16. a4.
12...exd5 13.0-0 f6 White looks preferable but he should play very precisely to prove the
advantage since Black can find good counter chances. For example: 14.e5 e4!?
15.a3 (15.xe4!? dxe4 16.b1 deserves attention) 15...f5 16.c2 h7 17.h1?! f6
18.f3 g5!? 19.e1 a6 20.b3 ae8 21.c1 h5 22.e2 g6 23.d3 h4 and Black
has made certain progress on the Kside.
10...xc3 11.xc3
260
XIIIIIIIIY
9rsnl+-trk+0
9zpp+-wqpzp-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-tR-zPN+-0
9PzP-+LzPPzP0
9+-+QmK-+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
11...dxc4
Here 11...d7 12.0-0 dxc4 transposes (12...e5? is just bad because of 13.dxe5 dxc4 14.d6 e8
15.d1!)
12.xc4
12.xc4 is an old continuation, which is recently not popular. 12...d7 Since ...c6c5
seems to be hardly possible Black is logically preparing the other way to get the c8
bishop into play the advance ...e6e5. 13.0-0 e5 14.c2 Radjabov
Kramnik,V/Kazan RUS 2011.
12...d7 13.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+nwqpzp-0
9-+p+p+-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LzP-+-+0
9+-tR-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
The main position of the Lasker Defence. By the way, it can be also reached in one of the
lines of the QGD 6. h4 0-0 7. e3 bd7 8. c1 c6 9. d3 dc4 10. xc4 d5 11.
xe7 xe7 12. 0-0 xc3 13. xc3. Now Black has two obvious ways to solve the
problem of his bishop on c8 ...c6c5 and ...e6e5. Usually Black chooses between
the immediate 13 ...e5 and 13 ...b6, preparing for ...c6c5.
261
13...b6
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zp-+nwqpzp-0
9-zpp+p+-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+LzP-+-+0
9+-tR-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
13...e5 is the main alternative. 14.b3
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zpp+nwqpzp-0
9-+p+-+-zp0
9+-+-zp-+-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+LtR-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-+Q+RmK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
A typical prophylactic move. Now it is not easy for Black to keep tension in center if he is
going to develop his bishop. 14...e4!? This active pawn advance is maybe the most
promising continuation for Black.
a) The exchange 14...exd4 opens files for White's pieces: 15.exd4! Here the isolated
d4pawn helps White to develop the initiative very much. The opened efile, the
control over e5square, the possibility to bring the rook to the Kside via the 3rd
rank, the strong bishop on b3 all these factors make White's position fairly
attractive. 15...f6 (A different route of the knight 15...b6 does not affect White's
play: 16.e1 d6 17.e5 e6 18.xe6 fxe6 19.g3 and Black has no compensation for the
his weaknesses: 19...f5 20.g6 with annoying initiative) 16.e1 d6 17.e5 Black
has no pawn weaknesses but White's initiative looks rather annoying all his pieces
are very active. The main Black's problem is still his bishop, which cannot be
developed without any concessions. 17...d5
a1) 17...f5?! is strongly met by 18.xf7! xf7 19.xf7+ xf7 20.b3+ f8
21.xb7 b8 22.xa7 xb2 23.xc6! xa2 (23...xc6 24.a3+ g8 25.xb2+) and
here White can secure the decisive advantage by 24.b6! e7 (24...d5 25.xf6+ gxf6
262
26.xf6+ f7 27.h8+ g8 28.e8++) 25.xf6+! gxf6 (25...xf6 26.b8+ f7 27.e8#)
26.b8+ followed by 27.xe7+

a2) 17...e6 does not solve the problems either: 18.xe6 fxe6 (a tricky 18...xe6 it
should be in White's favour: 19.g6 e4 (19...xa2 20.xf8 xf8 21.a3 xb2 22.b3
a2 23.xb7) 20.xf8 xc3 21.bxc3 d5 The knight is trapped but Black cannot
win it for free. For example, here White can simply gain a healthy extra pawn by
22.b1!? xf8 23.xb7) 19.g3 ad8 20.b3 with initiative.
18.g3 This position arose in the game Karpov Yusupov/ London (m/8) 1989. Black
was unable to extinguish White's initiative.
b) 14...e8 is not so bad but it still does not seem fully equalising: 15.c2
b1) 15.d5 is harmless for Black: 15...cxd5 16.xd5 f6 17.c5 e4 18.xe7 xe7
with drawish endgame.
b2) 15.b1!? is an interesting alternative. In some cases the queen would be more
active on c2 but, on the other hand, the position of the queen on b1 would help
White to avoid the exchange of the lightsquared bishop: 15...exd4 (in case of 15...e4
16.d2 f6 17.c5 e6 18.e5 Black does not have the simplifying ...Be6xb3) 16.exd4
f8 (16...f6 17.e3 e6 18.xe6 fxe6 19.fe1 is clearly better for White) 17.e1 e6
18.ce3 d7 19.c2! and White maintains a small advantage.
15...e4 (15...exd4 is an obvious alternative. White would continue by 16.xd4 (here in case
of 16.exd4 f8 17.e3 e6 18.fe1 d7 White could not secure his bishop from
exchange!) 16...f8 (16...f6 17.f3 (with idea e3e4) 17...c5!? 18.xc5 xe3+ 19.f2
with advantage) 17.d1 g6 18.f3 d7 19.e4 with a certain advantage) 16.d2 f6
17.c5 A typical move White is trying to prevent the comfortable development of
the Black bishop. By the way, now Black should be careful with his e4pawn
c5e5 is threatened. Now 17...e6! is a principled continuation: (17...c7?! is
dubious: 18.h3 d7 19.f4! exf3 20.xf3 d8 21.e5 e6 22.xe6 xe6 23.xe6 fxe6 24.c4
e7 25.e5, 17...d8?! is too passive: 18.e5! xe5 19.dxe5 g4 20.xe4 xe5 21.c5!
and Black has found himself in trouble since he has no good defence against e4
d6, Vyzhmanavin Klovans/Bern 1993.) 18.e5 xb3 19.axb3!? (19.xb3 can give
White a slight edge after 19...d7 20.c2 xe5 21.dxe5 g4 22.xe4 xe5 23.d1 e7
24.c5!) 19...c7!?
b1) 19...d7?! can be met by 20.xe4 xe5 21.dxe5 g4 22.c5 e7 23.e6! fxe6
24.c4 with advantage
b2) 19...b4!? deserves attention: 20.a1 xe5 (in case of 20...a6 21.a4 b6 22.h3
White keeps better chances) 21.dxe5 d7 here White can try an interesting 22.e6!?
20.xe4 xe5 21.xf6+ gxf6 22.dxe5 fxe5 and Black has almost nothing to worry about.
c) 14...d8 was also tried. Black's plan is to play ...Nd7f8 after exchange on d4.
15.e1 exd4 16.exd4 (16.xd4 is harmless for Black: 16...f8 17.e5 xe5 18.xe5
e6= with equal endgame) 16...d6 17.e2! A strong idea White finds the way to
disturb Black's development!
c1) 17.ce3 is simply met by 17...f8 and after 18.e5 (18.e7? e6-+) 18...e6
19.h5 xb3 20.xb3 c7 21.g4 e6 22.xf7 xf7 23.xe6 xd4 24.xd4
xe6= and Black has no problems
c2) while 17.d5 gives White some initiative in the endgame after 17...cxd5 18.xd5
xd5 19.xd5 f8 20.e4
263
17...f8 Black is ready to neutralise White's strong bishop by ...Bc8e6 so White should
hurry up. 18.e7! The only way to keep the bishop on c8 now it's tied up with the
b7pawn. 18...e6 (The endgame after 18...xe7 19.xe7 is difficult for Black:
19...e6 20.e5! xd4 21.f3! e4 (21...f6 22.e8+ h7 23.c2++) 22.e8+ h7
23.c2+) 19.h4! Now the path for the Black bishop is closed so White can retreat
his queen. This position arose in the game Zakharevich Biriukov/St. Petersburg
2000. It seems that Black should have still moved his knight back: 19...f8!,
resuming the idea to get the bishop into play. (19...f4? was met by a brilliant
20.xd8+!! xd8 21.e8+ h7 22.xd8 and Black found himself in trouble due to the
very annoying 8th rank pin.) Then it was not easy for White to maintain the initiative
since the direct 20.e7 could have been met by 20...g6! 21.xf7+ f8! and Black
wins the exchange.
15.d2 f6 16.c2 (The immediate 16.c5 looks interesting but Black can still play the
same 16...g4!? 17.b1 e2 18.e1 d3 19.c2 d7 20.c3 xc2 21.xc2 fe8 22.a3 f6
23.c5 d7 and Black is OK) 16...g4!? A strong idea Black is going to play
...e2d3. (if Black continued 16...e8 then the position from the game could have
been reached.) 17.e1 d5! Clarifying the situation. (17...ad8 18.c5! seems to be
better for White) 18.xd5 cxd5 This position arose in the game Anastasian
Miladinovic/Moscow (ol) 1994. Perhaps it was the time to simplify position by
19.c7 (19.c1?! gave Black the initiative after 19...g5 20.f1 ad8!? 21.c7 d6)
19...fc8 20.c1 xc7 21.xc7 xc7 22.xc7 c8! 23.xc8+ xc8 24.b1 d7
25.c3 c6= with a drawish endgame.
This immediate cpawn advance 13...c5 is very rare and probably dubious. The cpawn
advance is usually played after the preliminary ...b7b6 as otherwise Black reveals
his plans earlier than he is really ready to get the bishop into play and so it would be
easier for White to plan his actions: 14.e2 (14.c2!? is also quite interesting. After
14...b6 15.b5 Black cannot stand White's pressure over the cfile. An attempt to
radically solve this problem by 15...b7 (15...cxd4 16.xd4) 16.xd7 xf3 17.gxf3
cxd4 (after 17...xd7 18.dxc5 bxc5 19.xc5 White got a healthy extra pawn but it was
maybe more stubborn) 18.c7 ad8 fails to 19.c6 g5+ 20.h1 dxe3 21.fxe3
xe3 22.c3+ and Black does not get sufficient compensation for the bishop.)
14...cxd4 (14...d8 does not solve the problems: 15.fc1 cxd4 16.xd4 (16.exd4!? is
maybe even stronger) 16...b6 17.b3 with a certain advantage.) 15.exd4 f6
16.b3 This position was played in the game Chekhov G.Schmidt/Dresden 1997.
White's superiority is beyond doubt Black still cannot develop his bishop as now
he has got one more problem the possible advance d4d5.
13...d8 is not popular. It is not so clear if the rook is well placed on d8 in case of both
...e6e5 and ...c6c5. Besides, this move costs Black one tempo: 14.d3 (In case of
14.c2 Black could think about 14...b5!? 15.d3 b7 with idea ...b5b4 with real
chances to get his bishop into play) 14...c5 15.c2 cxd4 (15...b6 16.b5) 16.xd4
(16.exd4!? also came to mind, keeping the better chances.) 16...f6 17.c7 d6
18.d1! White has already got all his pieces so there are small doubts about his
superiority, I.Sokolov Timoshchenko/Maribor 1990.
14.d3
264
After 14.e2 Black should probably continue 14...b7

a) in case of 14...c5 White can think about 15.b5!?, increasing pressure over the
c5pawn. (15.a6 can be well met by 15...xa6!? (in the game Zvjagintsev
Cherepkov/St.Petersburg 1994 White has got advantage thanks to the weakness of
the c6square in the typical endgame after 15...cxd4 16.xd4 xa6 17.xa6 c5 18.e2
f6 19.f3!? xf3 20.gxf3) 16.xa6 e5! getting an extra tempo compare to the line 14
...Bb7.)
b) 14...a5 was also tried: 15.fc1 b7 16.h3!? (16.a3 fd8 17.h3 a4 18.d1 c5= is good
for Black) 16...c5 (16...fd8!? seems to be more accurate) 17.b5 e5 and here White
can get the pawn superiority on the Kside, keeping Black's Qside pawns blocked:
18.dxe5! (18.xd7? exd4) 18...xe5 19.xe5 xe5 20.d3 with advantage.
15.a6 (15.d1 does not seem to be necessary: 15...fd8 16.a6 xa6 17.xa6 c5 with similar
play) 15...xa6 16.xa6 c5 17.fc1 (17.a3 does not promise much: 17...e5 18.dxc5
xc5 19.b4 e4 20.c4 g5 21.xg5 hxg5 22.c3 with a very small advantage) 17...e5!
This advance helps Black to clarify the position. White tried to get advantage many
times but it did not seem to be an easy task. For example: 18.dxc5 xc5 19.b5 e4
20.d4 fe8 21.a3 a6 22.e2 a5= and Black is completely OK.
14...c5
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15.e4
15.b5 is the less promising alternative: 15...d8
a) 15...cxd4 gives White a slight edge after 16.xd4 c5 17.c6 b7 18.f3 xc6
19.xc6 b7! 20.e5! (20.b4 fc8=) 20...xf3 21.gxf3 f6 22.c6 (22.g6 f7=)
22...a5 23.d1 f7 24.d6 a similar position was considered in the game
Zvjagintsev Cherepkov/St.Petersburg 1994. The endgame looks drawish but Black
should defend very precisely.
b) Other options are much worse: 15...b7?! 16.xd7, winning the pawn
c) or 15...f6 16.dxc5 e4 17.c4 xc5 18.b4 and Black is too late in
development of his Qside.
265
16.c6 (here 16.e2?! is dubious as after 16...b7 17.xd7?! Black has an important 17...cxd4!
with better chances) 16...b8 17.c2 cxd4 18.xd4 e5 19.f5 f6 20.d1 c5=
and Black has successfully solved the problems.
15.b1 b7 16.c2 does not promise much: 16...g6 17.e2 ac8 18.fc1 fd8 19.h3 e5
20.dxc5 xc5 21.xc5 xc5 22.b4 xf3 and Black is OK.
15...b8
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15...a6?! is dubious: 16.xa8 xf1 17.c6 a6 18.a4 b8 19.dxc5 bxc5 20.h3 with a
clear advantage.
16.a4
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16.c2 seems to be the less promising alternative: 16...f6!? A rare but rather interesting
continuation. Black allows the weakening of his Qside pawn structure, playing for
activity.
a) Black tried many options here, let's take a brief look at some of them. 16...a6
does not equalise: 17.c1 fc8 18.dxc5 (18.a4!?) 18...xc5 and here White would
have thought about 19.xc5 xc5 20.e5 with some initiative
266
b) In case of 16...a5 17.c1 (17.d1 has also been tried: 17...d8 (17...b7 is maybe
less precise: 18.xb7 xb7 19.a3 e8 20.h3 with a whole extra tempo compare to the
game Karpov Yussupow/Dortmund 1997 because White hasn't spent time for the
move Qd1-a4. Yet, in the game Van Wely Azmaiparashvili/Calvia (ol) 2004
White failed to achieve anything substantial after 20...e5 21.e4 bb8 22.dxe5 xe5
23.xe5 xe5 24.xe5 xe5 with only a slight edge in the endgame a draw is
obviously the most likely result, 17...a6 18.c6 cxd4 19.xd4 c5 20.a3 also promises a
small advantage for White) 18.c6 b7 19.xb7 xb7 20.cd3 bb8 21.h3 bc8
with good play for Black, for example: 22.d5 exd5 23.xd5 f6 24.xd8+ xd8
25.xd8+ xd8 26.a4 d5 27.d2 e6 28.c4 d5=) 17...b7 (17...d8!? deserves
attention) 18.xb7 xb7 19.dxc5 xc5 20.e5 f6 21.d3 d8! A strong idea
Black is playing for activity, supposing it would compensate his Qside pawn
weaknesses. (The routine 21...xd3?! could lead to the problems as it gave White
control over the important files after 22.xd3 since 22...d8 is met by 23.c8) 22.xc5
bxc5 23.e2 bd7 24.3c2 Thanks to the better Qside pawn structure White
keeps small advantage but Black's activity over the dfile gives him reasonable
chances to hold the position. In the game Khalifman Yusupov/GERchT 1993 he
has successfully solved this task.
17.dxc5 xe4 18.xe4 bxc5 19.c2 White removes his queen from the long diagonal and
begins to pressurize Black's c5pawn. However, it is going to be a rather difficult
task! (he also tried 19.b3 b7 20.f4 (or 20.e5 bc8!? 21.fc1 fd8 22.e4 d6!=)
20...xf3 21.xf3 fd8 22.fc1 d2 23.1c2 bd8 24.g3 xc2 25.xc2 d5= with
a slightly worse but acceptable position for Black) 19...b7 20.d2 fd8 21.f3 (In
case of 21.b3 Black had the typical 21...c4! with the idea to put pressure on the
b2pawn. Then after 22.xc4 (or 22.d4 g5 23.f3 (23.f4 d5) 23...e5 24.f5 c8!
25.g3 e6) 22...a6 23.c7 bc8! 24.xe7 xc2= he would solve all the
problems) 21...a6!? and Black had no problems in the game Topalov
Anand/WCh (m/12) Sofia 2010.
16...f6
16...b7 is not completely equalising: 17.xb7 xb7 18.c2! This queen retreat seems to
be the most annoying for Black.
a) 18.c6 can be met by 18...b8 19.e4 c7 20.fc1 fc8 and Black is more or
less OK
b) In case of 18.d1 Black can think about 18...e5!? (18...b5 does not seem
equalising: 19.a5 (in case of 19.b3 Black can probably solve the problems by
19...a5!? (19...c4?? 20.xc4+) 20.dxc5 xc5 21.c2 a6 22.a3 b4 23.c6 c7!
24.d4 bxa3 25.bxa3 fc8 26.xc7 xc7 27.e2 c4 28.f3 c7 with equality)
19...c4 20.b3 b6 21.c2 cxb3 22.axb3 d5 23.c5 b4 24.a1 c3 25.a6 a8
26.e5 c7 27.xc7 xc7 28.h3 d5 29.c4 g6 30.a5 with a clear advantage)
19.d5 (19.c6 b8) 19...e4 20.d2 f6 with a complicated play.
18...a5!? (18...c8 is dubious because of 19.c1 bc7 20.b4! and Black faces serious
problems) 19.a3 e8!? Intending to advance the epawn. 20.d1! (A slow move like
20.h3?! allows Black to equalise comfortably by 20...e5 21.e4 exd4! 22.xb7 dxc3 23.bxc3
e5!=) 20...bb8 (Now 20...e5 can be met by 21.e4 exd4 22.xb7 dxc3 23.bxc3 e5
267
24.xb6 xf3+ 25.gxf3 g5+ 26.f1!?) 21.h3 White keeps small advantage.
Obviously Black has reasonable chances to hold this position but he must defend
precisely. Yet, sometimes it is not so easy to choose between some good looking
continuations and in the game Karpov Yusupov/Dortmund 1997 Black failed to
solve the problems.
17.c6
17.dxc5 is simply met by 17...bxc5 with two ideas ...b8xb2 and ...b8b4.
17...cxd4!
17...d5?! gives White real advantage after 18.xd5 exd5 19.dxc5 bxc5 20.a3 e6
21.fc1 fc8 22.b3 with annoying pressure over the c5pawn.
18.exd4
18.xd4 e5 looks fine for Black.
18...a6 19.e5 b7
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20.fc1
20.xb7 xb7 followed by ...f6d5 is OK for Black.
20...d5
This position arose in the game Zvjagintsev Bologan/Poikovsky 2003, which continued
21.xd5 xd5 22.xa6 a8 23.xb6 g5 24.g3 xa2
268
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9-wQ-+p+-zp0
9+-+lsN-wq-0
9-+-zP-+-+0
9+-tR-+-zP-0
9rzP-+-zP-zP0
9+-tR-+-mK-0
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With good play for Black. It is hard to believe White can promote his extra bpawn here,
taking into account Black's dominating bishop on d5 and the weakness of the light
squares around White's king.
269
Tartakower System
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 g5 h6 6 h4 0-0 7 e3 b6
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9-zp-+psn-zp0
9+-+p+-+-0
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9PzP-+-zPPzP0
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The fianchetto of the Queen's bishop in the Queen's Gambit Declined was played as
early as the end of the 19th century. It can be found in the games of giants like Emanuel
Lasker and JoseRaul Capablanca, but they omitted the preliminary ...h7h6.
It was Saviely Tartakower who introduced the modern treatment of the system in
1922 by combining ...h7h6 and ...b7b6. He played it regularly and successfully so the
system was named after him. Later Russian players such as Vladimir Makogonov and Igor
Bondarevsky made important contributions to the system, so in Russian the line is often
called the "TartakowerMakogonovBondarevsky" or simply the TMBsystem.
A lot of great players have polished their positional skills by playing the Tartakower
System (and, of course, all the connected QGD systems). It was really astonishing to see the
numerous Karpov Kasparov games in their World Title matches when they played the
same positions with either colour. Many famous players, for example Alexander Beliavsky
and Rafael Vaganian, also do the same. Recently Vladimir Kramnik has joined their
company ... Other notable experts in this system are Nigel Short and Smbat Lputian.
270
The play is usually more quiet than sharp in this complex system. Playing with the
Black pieces you get a solid position but you may find yourself under a certain amount of
pressure throughout the whole game, while with White you may find it difficult to maintain
a small, often vanishing advantage. Both players need to have a good understanding of
some typical kinds of positions such as those with hanging pawns or an isolated pawn, so
studying books and articles concerning these strategical themes is a very useful way to
improve your play in the Tartakower system.
271
QGD/30 Tartakower White develops Q

side first [D58]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7
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The Tartakower System can be also reached by 3...f6 4 g5 (Of course, White can prefer
the Exchange variation: 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g5 e7 6 e3 However, it sometimes may also
lead to the Tartakower but only to the favourable line for White: 6...h6 7 h4 0-0 8 d3
b6 and so on this position will be considered in the line 8. cd5. If possible, Black
usually takes on d5 with the knight, while here he has already recaptured with the
pawn. 4 f3 e7 5 g5 0-0 6 e3 h6 7 h4 b6 is another way) 4...e7 5 e3 0-0 6 f3 h6 7
h4 b6 and so on.
4 f3 f6 5 g5 h6 6 h4 0-0 7 e3 b6
272
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A starting position of the Tartakower System. White has a number of possibilities.
8 b3
White is going to increase pressure over the d5pawn and so make it difficult for Black to
carry on his program advance ...c6c5.
Let's take a look at the other options. 8 c1 b7 9 e2 bd7 10 cxd5 exd5 11 0-0 c5 12
dxc5 (12 e5 xe5 13 dxe5 e4 is good for Black) 12...bxc5 A typical position with
hanging pawns has arisen. These pawns definitely require attention as White can
create pressure down the open "c" and "d" files. Black must defend carefully, but has
reasonable chances of counterplay he has the b and e files for his rooks, and his
central pawns are not blockaded sometimes they can move forward! 13 c2!?
Karpov's improvement. (In the game Korchnoi Karpov/WCh Merano (m/1) 1981
White treated the position unsuccessfully: 13 c2 c8 14 fd1 b6 and Black
eventually advanced his hanging pawns with great effect) 13...c8 14 d2 White
created some pressure over the hanging pawns but it seems that Black can hold the
position with careful defence.
8 c2 is often connected with a long castling. 8...b7 9 xf6 xf6 10 cxd5 exd5
a) 11 0-0-0 c5 12 dxc5 (12 g4!? is a transposition to the main line) should be met by
12...d7! with an excellent counterplay for Black, as was shown in the game
Kasparov I.Zaitsev/Baku 1980. (12...bxc5 is weak due to 13 xd5! xd5 14 c4 d7 15
xd5 b8 16 b3 and Black does not have sufficient compensation for the pawn)
b) 11 g4!? 11...c5 12 0-0-0
273
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12...cxd4 13 exd4 c6 14 h4
b1) 14...c8!? is interesting but probably too risky. A possible play is 15 g5!? hxg5 16
hxg5 xg5+ 17 b1 g6 18 xg5 xg5 (18...f5? does not work due to the
astonishing 19 xf5!! gxf5 20 g1 d6 21 e6+! h7 22 xf8+ xf8 23 d3 followed by
Rh3+ winning) 19 f4!? xf4 20 xd5 f5 (20...d6?? 21 xc6!) 21 d3 xd5 22
h2 g7 23 h6+ f6 24 xf8 and now Black equalises with the spectacular
24...xa2+!! 25 xa2 (Not 25 c1 a1+ 26 b1? xb1+-+) 25...e6+ 26 a3 xf8=
but perhaps White's play may be improved
b2) 14...g6 15 g5 hxg5 16 hxg5
b2a) 16...g7!? is an alternative which promises good play for Black, for example 17 h4
e8 (17...c8 is also not bad: 18 b1 e8 19 h3 c7 20 d2 ce7) 18 h3 b5 19 b1
c8 20 xc8 xc8 21 d2 d7 with good play for Black
b2b) 16...xg5+ A principled continuation. 17 b1 f6 The opened g and hfiles may
promise good attacking chances for White but actually Black should be okay, Bellon
Lopez K.Georgiev/Tarrasa 1990.
8 cxd5 As a rule, White only takes on d5 when Black's bishop has already moved to b7 and
only after the preliminary h4xf6.
a) In the very first game in which this system was played, Tartakower preferred 8...exd5
which is definitely weaker. The position after 9 d3 (9 b3 e6 10 d1 was strongly
met by Tartakower in 1923: 10...e4!? 11 xe7 xe7 12 e2 and now 12...xc3 followed
by 13 ...c5 would have led to a position in which Ra1-d1 looks odd.) 9...b7 10 0-0
would have been also arisen from the Exchange Variation but it would be too easy
way to solve Black's problems there! In the World Championship quarterfinal
match between Kasparov and Beliavsky this position was tested four times!
a1) An attempt 10...e4 does not solve the problems completely: 11 xe7 xe7 12 e5
d7 13 f4 xe5 14 fxe5 c5 15 e1! ad8 16 d1! g5 (the ending after 16...f6 17
xe4 dxe4 18 exf6 xf6 19 xf6 xf6 20 dxc5 bxc5 21 xd8+ xd8 22 a4 is no fun for
Black) and now both 17 h4!? (and 17 e2 ) 17...h5 18 e2! can prove White's
advantage
a2) 10...c5 11 e5 bd7 (11...c6?! is weak because of 12 a6! c8 13 xb7 xb7 14 xf6 xf6
15 g4 d8 16 xd5 xd4! 17 df6+! xf6 18 xf6+ gxf6 19 exd4 cxd4 20 xd4 with a big
advantage thanks to the weakened position of the Black king) 12 f5! xe5 (Now
12...cxd4 leads to a position which is not much fun to defend: 13 xd7! xd7 14 xe7
274
xe7 15 xd4 with a clear advantage) 13 dxe5 e8 (It is important that the typical
13...e4? is not possible due to 14 xd5! 13...h7!? was maybe more to the point) 14
g3 c7 (14...g6 was a more precise defence, but of course after 15 c2 White keeps
a tangible advantage.) 15 g4 and White's superiority was proved in the game
Kasparov Beliavsky/Moscow (m/5) 1983

b) 8...xd5 The main line which was introduced by Savely Tartakower in 1926. The
knight's recapture allows Black to reduce White's active possibilities by exchanging
a couple of pieces. 9 xe7 (9 xd5 is less precise as Black has 9...xh4!? For example,
10 xc7!? xf2+! 11 xf2 xc7 12 c1 e7 with a roughly equal position. White has got
pawn advantage in center but Black's pressure over the dfile does not let him to
advance pawns with all conveniences. Besides, White's king is not quite safe. The
game Mamedyarov Lputian/WCh Tripoli 2004 continued 13 c2 d7 14 c7 b4 15
c3!? a4 16 c4 xc4 17 xc4 f6 18 c7 d5 19 c1 b7 20 a3 ac8 21 d3 f6 with a
good play for Black) 9...xe7 10 xd5 exd5 Now the bishop can be comfortably
placed on e6, then Black can oppose White's pressure on the cfile with the typical
advance ...c7c5, being prepared to play a position with hanging pawns. 11 c1 e6
12 a4 c5 13 a3 A standard manoeuvre, White increases the pressure on the pawn
on c5 and prevents the possible ...c5c4. (13 dxc5 bxc5 14 a3 is less popular. In the
game Mamedyarov Lputian/WCh Tripoli (m/2.5) 2004 Black has achieved very
good play after 14...c8 15 e2 a5 16 d4 a6! 17 xa6 xa6 18 0-0 d7, freeing the 6th
rank for the rook's transfer) 13...c8 14 e2
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An important and wellknown position has arisen. 14...f8 In view of the possible ending
Black defends his queen with his king, also bringing it closer to the centre. This
continuation is very logical, but possibly not best according to theory. (Black has a
lot of alternatives: 14...f8 14...a5 14...b7 which promise him good play. However,
the question is not which move is the best. You can choose any of them, but the
move chosen should be part of your defensive plan) 15 dxc5 bxc5 16 0-0 a5!? (in
case of 16...d7 17 fd1 f6 White is able to place his bishop on a6 by 18 a6 c7 19
d4 creating some pressure) 17 c3 d7 18 fc1 cb8
b1) in case of 19 b3 Black solves his problems instantly by playing 19...a4! (19...b4 20 e1!
with a clear edge) 20 bxa4 c4! cutting off White's pieces from his apawns
b2) 19 b3 19...c4 A typical pawn advance. Of course, Black is worried about the d4 square
but not overly so creating pressure on the bfile in order to obtain counterplay is
275
more important. The game, Winants Kasparov/Bruxelles 1987 continued 20

xb8+ xb8 21 xa5 xb2 22 d4 g8 23 a1 c5= with a good play for Black.
A direct attempt to prevent ...c6c5 8 xf6 xf6 9 cxd5 exd5 10 d2 can be well met by
10...e6 11 d1 e7! 12 g3 c5! (12...d7 13 g2 fd8 14 0-0 ac8 15 c1 c5 is also good
for Black)
a) 13 dxc5?! looks risky as White is behind in development: 13...d8! 14 cxb6? (14 g2 bxc5
15 0-0 c6) 14...d4! 15 g2 c6 16 xd4 xd4 17 exd4 h3+ 18 f1 xd4 with
a strong initiative
b) 13 g2 13...c6 14 0-0 cxd4 15 xd4 xd4 16 exd4 d7= with equal play.
8...b7 9 xf6 xf6 10 cxd5 exd5 11 d1
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11...c6
Black has some good alternatives, for example: 11...e8 12 d3 c5 13 dxc5 d7 14 c6
xc6 15 0-0 c5 16 c2 c8 and Black can be more or less satisfied with this
position he has a pair of bishops and good development to compensate for the
isolated pawn on d5.
12 d3 c8!?
An interesting idea: Black improves the bishop on b7 first.
Both 12...e8 13 0-0 d7
and 12...a6 13 0-0 c7 are usually played.
In the game Karpov Beliavsky/chTJUG, Niksic 1996 White treated the position in a
rather unexpected way which did not seem to be very promising:
13 0-0!?
13 h3 e6 14 b1 e8 15 e2 d6 16 0-0 d7= gives Black acceptable play.
13...g4 14 e2!?
276
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Consistent with his previous move White is not worried about the doubling of the pawns
on the ffile.
14...e7 15 b1 c8 16 h3 xf3 17 gxf3 d7 18 f4 f8
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The position looks very good for Black and probably it is but the unbelievable Karpov
technique which allowed him to outplay his opponent.
277
QGD/31 Tartakower White develops K

side first [D58]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 g5 h6 6 h4 0-0 7 e3 b6 8 e2
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Anatoly Karpov's pet variation. It was thoroughly tested in several World Title matches
between him and Garry Kasparov, curiously enough with both players playing both
colours at different times.
8 d3 b7 9 0-0
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278
is also a good method White keeps the tension in the centre. (Another standard approach
is 9 xf6 xf6 10 cxd5 exd5 11 b4 c6 12 0-0 d6 13 b3 with a slight edge) 9...bd7 10
e2 The main line. (Both 10 g3
and 10 c1 are less popular continuations) 10...c5 (10...dxc4 11 xc4 e4 is known to be a good
alternative.) 11 g3 e4 (Both 11...cxd4 12 exd4 dxc4 13 xc4
and 11...dxc4 12 xc4 promise White a small advantage) 12 cxd5 exd5 13 ad1
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13...xg3 The most popular continuation. 14 hxg3 a6 (14...c4 15 b1 seems to be in White's
favour 14...f6 looks natural although White can hope for a slight edge by playing 15
dxc5 bxc5 16 a6 b6 17 xb7 xb7 18 d2 fd8 19 fd1) 15 dxc5 bxc5 (15...xc5? is bad
due to 16 c4
while 15...xc5 does not solve Black's problems completely, as after 16 c2 f6 17 b3 White
creates rather annoying pressure on the isolated dpawn) 16 b1 An ambitious
approach but it also gives Black more possibilities of active counterplay. (16 e4!? d4
17 b1 would promise White a small but longterm advantage) 16...b6 (It is
impossible to find a comfortable place for the knight 16...f6? would have been
strongly met by 17 xd5! xd5 18 e4 with a clear advantage.) 17 a4!
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9+L+R+RmK-0
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It is useful to compare this position with the game Korchnoi Karpov/WCh Merano (m/1)
1981 the material and the pawn structure is the same, but here White has managed
to place his pieces much more successfully and so has secured better chances,
Kramnik Jussupow/Dortmund 1998.
279
8...b7 9 xf6 xf6 10 cxd5 exd5 11 b4
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11 0-0 is an alternative which can lead to the same positions: 11...d7 (there are a lot of
alternatives: 11...e8 12 b4 c6 11...e7 12 b3 d8 11...c5 12 dxc5 xc3 13 bxc3 bxc5) 12 b4
c5 (12...c6) 13 bxc5 bxc5 14 b1 (14 b3 can be met by 14...cxd4 15 xd4 xd4! 16 exd4
b6 17 a4 b8 18 a5 c4 19 xc4 dxc4 20 xc4 d6 with a good play) 14...c6 and so
on.
11...c5
Black often postpones ...c7c5 and plays 11...c6, concentrating on development first of all.
He hopes either to advance the cpawn later in a more favourable situation, or to
find counterplay elsewhere maybe with ...a7a5 or ...b6b5 followed by ...b6c4
or some kind of kingside activity. 12 0-0
a) There are some alternatives: 12...e8 13 b3 a5!? 14 bxa5 (14 a3 d7 15 b5 can be
strongly met by 15...c5! 16 xd5 xd4! 17 ad1 e5! 18 xe5 xd5 19 c4 g5 20 g3 f5
with initiative: 21 fe1 e4 22 f3 xe3+! 23 xe3 xe3 24 xe3 xe3+ 25 f1 d4 with
excellent ending) 14...xa5 15 fe1 d7 16 a4 and here 16...a8!? looks
interesting: 17 ab1 a6 18 xa6 xa6 19 h3 e6 20 e4 dxe4 21 xe4 xe4 22
xe4 e7= and Black has no problems
b) 12...d6 13 b3 d7 14 fe1 e7 (The following idea deserves attention: 14...a5!? 15
bxa5 xa5 16 a4 d8! 17 f1 f6 18 g3 c7= and Black seems to be fine) 15 ab1 a5 16
bxa5 (16 b5 c5 is good for Black) 16...xa5 17 a4 This typical position arose in the
game Karpov Kir.Georgiev/Tilburg 1994. White keeps a small pressure but
generally Black should be satisfied with his position.
c) 12...a5 13 b5 (13 bxa5 xa5 14 a4 does not bother Black too much: 14...c5 (with the idea
...Nc6b4) 15 b3 a6 16 fb1 b4 17 a2 xa2 18 xa2 a6! 19 xa6 xa6= with an
equal game) 13...c5 14 e5!? This continuation has recently become popular
White tries to make Black's development more difficult. (Slow play does not bother
Black very much. For example, 14 e1 e8 15 c1 d7 16 g3 f8 17 a4 c4 with good
play.)
c1) 14...xe5!? is a principled alternative. After 15 dxe5 d4 16 exd4 cxd4 17 a4 Black
should probably continue by 17...g5!? (the ugly move 17...a7?! creates the threat
280
...Qd7d5. However, it can be easily parried while the rook will feel uncomfortable
on a7. In the game Khalifman Beliavsky/FIDE GP Moscow 2002 White has
achieved a big advantage after 18 f4 d5 19 f2 d7 20 c1) 18 g4 xe5 19 xb6
a7 20 b1 e4 (20...d8!?) 21 e1 f5 22 f3 h8 23 c4 White has achieved
better chances but Black was able to hold balance
c2) 14...c7 15 g4 e7 This attempt to secure the bishop is logical but risky Black
postpones the development of his Qside. (15...d7!? looks safer. A possible play
would be 16 f3 ad8! 17 xd5 xd5 18 xd5 cxd4 with a good counterplay.) 16 f3
d8 17 c1 c4 (17...a7 was also tried but without much success: 18 e5!? d6 19
g4! Locking up the knight b8. 19...a8 20 a4 c7 21 c2 b7 22 f4 c4 23 c3 with a
certain advantage) 18 e5 b4 Black is going to decrease the pressure on d5 by
exchanging one of the attackers, after then exchanging the knight e5 by ...Nb8d7.
In the game Onischuk Rychagov/Moscow Aeroflot 2002 White came up with a
very interesting idea: 19 xd5! xd5 20 xd5 xd5 21 xc4 d8 22 f3 with
annoying initiative for the piece although everything is still far from clear.
d) 12...d7 13 b3 b5!? This is not the most popular but also quite a typical method of
playing this type of position. Of course, it creates some weaknesses and the bishop
on b7 is not the Black's proud but, on the other hand, he is going to move his knight
to c4, after which White would hardly find much play on the Qside. 14 a4 a6 15 a5
White prevents the Black knight's manoeuvre but, on the other hand, it completely
closes the Qside the now the only way to open the position is the advance e3e4.
(The idea to keep tension is also worthy of consideration: 15 d3 e8 16 fe1 b6 17 e4
dxe4 18 xe4 c4 19 ad1 c7 20 b1 followed by Qb3c2 and White's chances are
preferable) 15...e8 This position arose in the game Sturua Lputian/Bled (ol) 2002
which continued 16 a2 White begins to exploit the Black weaknesses the knight
is going to d3, then maybe to c5. However, he can hardly pose problems without e3
e4. (At least, White should keep Black in tension by the possibility to advance e3e4
so it seems more logical to move another knight to d3: 16 e1!? followed by Ne1-d3
would be an improvement) 16...e7 17 c1 d6 18 d3 e6 19 ad1 f6 and
Black began his Kside manoeuvres although White's position is still not so bad.
12 bxc5 bxc5 13 b1 c6
13...a5 does not solve Black's problems completely: 14 d2 cxd4 15 xd4 xd4 16 exd4
c6 (16...a6 17 b5 d8 18 0-0) 17 b5 d8 18 0-0 with a small but stable
advantage.
14 0-0 d7 15 b5 c7
281
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9P+-+-zPPzP0
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This position was tested many times in the games between Karpov and Kasparov. As usual
Black managed to hold the balance, but only after very careful defence.
16 d3
White has also tried other possibilities, but it is not so easy to put serious problems for
Black. The idea of Karpov's second Vladimir Epishin deserves attention: 16 d2
fd8 17 fc1 ab8 18 a4!? The game Epishin Lugovoi/St.Petersburg 1996
continued by 18...d6 19 h3 cxd4 (19...b6!? 20 a5 bb8 deserves serious attention) 20
exd4! (the play against the isolated pawn does not promise much: 20 xd4 a8 21 f1
e5 with good counterplay) and now Black should have preferred 20...dc8 21 f1
(21 d3 g6 21 xc6 xb1 22 xb1 xc6=) 21...f8= moving the knight to e6 and Black
seems to be fine.
16...fd8 17 fd1
17 fc1 is another possibility.
17...ab8
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282
18 xc6 xc6
The preliminary 18...xb1 19 xb1 xc6 allows White to create some pressure on the
queenside by 20 b5 b8 21 a5 b6 22 xb6 axb6 23 b1
19 xb8 xb8 20 dxc5 xc3 21 xc3 xc5 22 xc5 xc5 23 h3
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9P+-+-zPP+0
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The position has simplified to the endgame which is drawn but not completely equal
Black still has to play precisely to achieve his desired result, Karpov
Kasparov/WCh Moscow (m/8) 1985.
283
QGD/32 Classical Approach ...Nb8d7

[D60-66]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 e7 4 f3 f6 5 g5 0-0 6 e3 bd7
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9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9tR-+QmKL+R0
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A classical approach. Black is going to play ...c7c5 immediately or to capture on c4
followed by ...f6d5, to exchange the darksquared bishops and then the knight on
d7 would be helpful to advance either ...c5 or ...e5, opening the way for the light
squared bishop.
Black may also include 6...h6 7 h4 bd7 (7...b6 leads to the Tartakower Defence., while
7...e4 to the Lasker Defence) 8 c1 As a rule, the inclusion of moves ...h7h6 and
Bg5h4 is useful for Black in most of the QGD variations. However, here it almost
forces him to play a rather unusual setup: 8...c6 9 d3 dxc4 10 xc4 b5 (here the
normal simplifying strategy 10...d5 does not bring the desired effect because of the
simple retreat 11 g3) 11 d3 a6
284
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9PzP-+-zPPzP0
9+-tRQmK-+R0
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So Black is playing a strange mixture of the Queen's Gambit on the Kside and Meran on
the opposite flank! (Recently Black sometimes tries to realize a typical ...c6c5
without advancing his b5pawn rather than supporting it: 11...b7 12 0-0 c8) 12 a4
White attacks the pawn on b5 and so makes it more difficult for Black to advance
...c6c5 and open diagonal for his lightsquared bishop.
a) 12 e4?! can be strongly met by 12...xe4! 13 xe4 (13 xe7? xc3) 13...xh4 14
xc6 a7 with excellent play for Black:
b) 12 0-0 c5 is fine for Black
c) In case of 12 xf6 xf6 13 e4 e7 14 0-0 Black gets acceptable play by 14...f5!
15 g3 (15 c3 c5) 15...c5
d) 12 b1!? with idea to build a battery over the diagonal b1-h7 is rather interesting:
12...b7 (In case of 12...c5?! 13 dxc5 xc5 (13...xc5 seems more accurate but here
White can also hope for advantage after the same 14 c2 and Black must be very
careful. For example, 14...b6 may lead to the problems after 15 xf6! xf6 16 e5!
and it is not so easy to meet Ne5g4! without any concessions) 14 c2 Black faced
real problems) 13 c2 c5 14 dxc5 b4! (14...xc5 could be met with a direct 15 d1! g5
16 g3 with a certain advantage) 15 d1! g5! 16 xg5! hxg5! (In case of 16...bxc3
White should probably play 17 xe6! a5 (17...e4?! 18 xd8 xc2 19 c6! xc5 20
xc2 cxb2 21 f5 fc8 22 e5!) 18 b4! xb4 19 d4 b2 20 f5 with better chances
although the position remains extremely complicated and requires serious analysis)
17 xg5 This position arose in the game Vladimirov Ubilava/USRch FL
Volgodonsk 1981, which continued 17...bxc3 (Perhaps 17...e8!? was stronger.
White's attack looked very powerful after 18 d4!? (in case of 18 xf6 xf6 19 h7+
f8 20 e4 Black keeps defending by 20...g7 21 d6 c7 22 0-0 xc5 23 xe8 xe8)
18...bxc3 19 g4 but in fact HIARCS 12 finds no win for White, giving only
repetition of moves after 19...h8 20 h4+ g7 21 h6+ h8 22 c6!? (22 g5+ g7
23 h6+ h8) 22...xc6 23 xc3 e5 24 xc6 a5+ 25 e2 ec8 26 f3 b5+ 27
d1 d5+ 28 e2 b5+! (28...xf3+?? 29 gxf3!+) 29 d1 d5+=) 18 xf6 (Surely
not 18 xd7?? xd7 19 xf6 d2+!-+) 18...xf6 19 xd8 fxd8 20 xc3 a5! 21 0-0
ac8 22 xa5 xc5 23 a7 and White has got material advantage. However,
Black's pieces are very active and it should give him sufficient counter chances.
12...bxa4 (12...b4 should be met with 13 xf6! gxf6! (13...xf6 14 e4 allows White to take
control over the key c5square) 14 e4 f5 15 g3 c5 16 e4! cxd4 17 exf5 e5
285
(17...c5? 18 xc5!! xc5 19 c1!+) 18 c6!? (a simple 18 0-0 was also good enough)
18...f6 19 c1! with a strong attack) 13 xa4 (13 xa4 allowed 13...c5) 13...a5+
14 d2 b4 (here 14...c5?! can be simply met by 15 xf6) 15 c3 c5 16 b3 (In case
of 16 c4 c7 17 g3 Black achieved a good play by 17...c6! 18 0-0 b7 19 f3 cxd4 20
exd4 h5!=) 16...d8 (16...b6 does not equalise: 17 dxc5 (17 0-0 cxd4 18 a4!?
deserves attention as well) 17...xc5 18 xc5 xc5 19 xf6 xd3+ 20 xd3 gxf6
21 0-0 and so on.) 17 0-0 cxd4 (17...b7?! failed to 18 xf6!? xf6 (18...xf6 19
e4!) 19 xc5 xc5 20 dxc5 c8 21 a4 d5 22 f3 with extra pawn) 18 xd4 b7
19 e4!
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Exchange of the lightsquared bishops increases White's control over c6square, where he
is heading his knight to. 19...b8 (19...b6?! is more risky: 20 a4 a7 21 c7
xe4 22 xd7 a5 23 g4 g5! (23...a6? does not prevent 24 xe6!) 24 xg5 and
Black's defence wasn't easy in the game A.Kharitonov Nenashev/Omsk 1985) 20
c6! (20 g3 a7 21 c6 xc6 22 xc6 ac8 23 a4 fd8 24 f3 a5 Black has got a solid
position, Fischer Spassky/Reykjavik (m/12) 1972) 20...xc6 21 xc6 a7 22 g3
e5 This position has been tested in some games. Perhaps the most promising
continuation is 23 d4!? d6 (not 23...xc6? 24 xb8 xd4 25 xa7 xc3 26 xd4+) 24
e4 and White maintained a small advantage, Kamsky Salov/Candidates (m/3)
1995.
7 c2
The most popular setup. White keeps in mind an aggressive Qside castling but he may
also castle short, simply placing his rook on d1 in order to make Black's typical play
in the center more problematic.
7 b3 is less to the point. Sometimes this position after 7...c6 may be reached with a
different order of moves, when White met Black's Meran setup with an early Qd1b3. Then a possible play is 8 d3 b6 9 0-0 b7 10 fd1 dxc4 11 xc4 d5 with
acceptable play for Black, Agrest Movsesian/Mallorca (ol) 2004.
7...c5
286
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Here 7...h6 is also possible. 8 h4 ( In his turn, White might consider a very unexpected 8
cxd5!?, ignoring the threat to his bishop. After a principled 8...hxg5!? (8...exd5 gives
White a chance to get a good version of the Carlsbad by 9 f4!? The game Kasparov
Portisch/Brussels 1986 continued 9...c5!? 10 e2 b6 11 0-0 b7 12 fd1 c8 13 dxc5 bxc5
14 a4! and White has maintained a small but comfortable edge) 9 dxe6 fxe6 10
xg5 b6 11 h4 White gets a certain initiative. However, the position remains very
unclear, for example: 11...b4 (11...c5 deserves attention among other
continuations: 12 h5 cxd4 13 h6 dxc3 14 d1 e8 15 hxg7 xg7 16 h7+ g8 17
d4! White's attack looks very strong but it seems that Black holds on: 17...cxb2 18
dh4 bd5 19 f4!? b1+ 20 xb1 b4+ 21 f2 c3! 22 h8+ (22 c2? ce4+! 23
xe4 xh7!-+) 22...g7 23 4h7+ xh7 24 xh7+ (24 xh7+?? f6-+) 24...g8 25
h8+=) 12 h5 e7 13 h6 e5 14 dxe5 xe5 15 hxg7 xg7 16 h7+ xh7 17 xh7+
f6 18 ge4+ e6 19 0-0-0 xc3 20 bxc3 and White's initiative is sufficient only
for equality: 20...f7 21 h6+ e7 22 h4+ f6 23 h7+ f7 24 h4+= with
repetition of moves. Yet, these variations should be checked more thoroughly...)
8...c6 (8...c5 is a logical alternative) 9 0-0-0!? With inclusion of moves ...h7h6 and
Bg5h4 the long castling seems more promising as it will be easier for White to get
to the Black's king. 9...a5 This is one of many Black's possibilities.
a) 9...dxc4 10 xc4 b5 is playable: 11 d3 b7 12 b1 c8 and so on
b) 9...b6 seems a bit slow: 10 g1 b7 11 g4 c5 12 g5 hxg5 13 xg5 and so on.
c) 9...a6!? deserves attention. Here a straightforward 10 e4 does not bother Black
much: 10...dxc4 11 e5 (11 xc4!?) 11...d5 12 xe7 xe7 13 xc4 xc3 14 xc3
c5 with counterplay
10 g1 (10 cxd5 exd5 11 d3 a4!? gives Black excellent counterplay) 10...dxc4 11 g4!? (White
does not want to waste time for the bishop's retreat after 11 xc4 b5 12 d3 a4 and
Black advances his Qside pawns first) 11...b5 12 g5 hxg5 13 xg5 This position
arose in the game Mikhalevski Speelman/Gibraltar 2008. Here something like
13...a4!? should have been played, intending to open White's king by ...a4a3 and
keeping support of the knight on f6. The position was extremely complicated and it
certainly required thorough analysis. (while after 13...b6? White could have
launched a powerful attack by 14 g3!, intending to disturb the knight on f6 by
Bg3e5. Black faced real problems: 14...e8
287
a) 14...b4? was losing by force: 15 e5! g6 (or 15...b3 16 axb3 cxb3 17 b1 bd7 18 c4
e8 19 ce4) 16 xe6!! xe6 17 xg6+! fxg6 18 xg6+ h8 19 d3! cxd3 20
h5+! g8 21 g1+ g4 22 xg4+ xg4 23 g6# checkmate!
b) 14...bd7 15 e5 would probably lead to the line 14. .Qe8 after 15...e8 16
ce4 etc.
15 e5 bd7 16 ce4 'etc.' 16...g6 (16...xe4? 17 xe6!+) 17 xf7!! xf7 (17...xf7 18 d6!
f8 19 xg6+ g7 20 h3! xe5 21 dxe5+) 18 xg6!! g8 (18...xg6? 19 xf6+) 19
g5+ f8 20 xe6+ f7 21 f4! f8 22 xg8 xg8 23 e2 with decisive
attack.)
In case of the slow 7...c6 White may continue 8 d1 with a slight edge: (8 cxd5 looks a bit
premature: 8...xd5!? (8...exd5 leads to the Carlsbad, in which White keeps a small
advantage) 9 xe7 xe7 10 e2 e8 11 0-0 xc3 12 bxc3 e5 13 a4! e4 14 d2 f6
15 fb1 g4! and Black has achieved acceptable play, Volkov
Zvjagintsev/Moscow 2005) 8...b6 9 d3 b7 10 0-0 h6 (A typical 10...dxc4 11 xc4
d5 does not fully equalise: 12 xe7 xe7 13 e4, but 10...c8!? seems quite playable)
11 f4!?
a) 11 h4 c8 is acceptable for Black. A possible play would be 12 cxd5 (or 12 g3
dxc4 13 xc4 b5 14 e2 b4 followed by ...c6c5) 12...cxd5 13 b3 e4 14 xe7 xe7
15 c1 df6 with slightly worse but very solid position
b) White also tried 11 xf6 xf6 12 e4 dxe4 (12...dxc4 13 xc4 a6!? was worthy of
consideration) 13 xe4 c7 14 c5 and here Black can think about 14...fd8 15 fe1
xe4 16 xe4 bxc5 17 dxc5 f6 with a good play.
11...dxc4
a) 11...a6 is a bit slow: 12 e4 dxc4 13 xc4 b5 14 e2 c8 15 e5 d5 16 xd5 cxd5
17 d2 with advantage
b) 11...h5 does not solve the problems: 12 e5 xe5 (12...f5?! was well met by 13
cxd5 cxd5 14 b5 xe5 15 xe5 d6 16 c1 c8 17 e2 xc1 18 xc1 f6 19 xd6 xd6 20
a6 with a clear advantage, while in case of 12...f6?! White can exploit weaknesses of
light squares around Black's king by playing 13 h4! fxe5 14 h7+ h8 15 g6+ xh7
16 xf8+ g8 17 xe6 with initiative) 13 dxe5 with better chances
c) A typical 11...c8!? seems quite playable for Black.

12 xc4 b5 13 d3 b6!? (13...a6 is quite playable as well) 14 e4 c5! This clever pawn
sacrifice gives Black excellent counter chances, Tkachiev Graf/FIDE WCh Tripoli
2004.
8 d1
288
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+nvlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-zpp+-vL-0
9-+PzP-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9+-+RmKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
In case of 8 cxd5 Black might think about 8...cxd4!?, which helps him to avoid a position
with an isolated pawn on d5. However, his pieces remains a bit passive. (after
8...xd5 9 xe7 xe7 10 xd5 exd5 11 d3 (White also tried 11 dxc5 xc5 12 e2,
hoping to maintain a small advantage in a typical position with the opponent's
isolated pawn. A possible line is 12...g4 13 0-0 ac8 14 ac1 Here Black played a
number of moves, keeping a slightly worse but defendable position. For example,
14...f6!? 15 d2 e4 16 d4 xf3 17 xf6 xf6 18 xf3 fd8 19 fd1 f8 20 f1 e7 with
a drawish endgame) 11...g6 (11...h6 12 dxc5 xc5 13 c1 xd3+ 14 xd3 g4 15 d4 g5
16 d2 ac8 17 0-0 gives White a stable advantage) 12 dxc5 (An attempt to slow down
Black's development by 12 0-0?! fails to 12...c4! 13 e2 b5 followed by ...a7a5, ...b5
b4 with strong play on the Qside) 12...xc5 13 0-0 (13 c1 allows Black to solve
the problems by a concrete 13...xd3+ 14 xd3 f5 followed by ...f5e4) 13...g4!?
Black should be more active if he does not want to keep defending during next 40 or
so moves with only two possible results. 14 d4 This position has been tested many
times. White is usually able to maintain a small edge thanks to his opponent's
isolated pawn but Black can usually hold on with accurate defence. Yet, such kind of
play is not to everyone's taste. The game Pr.Nikolic Kir.Georgiev/FIDE GP 2002
continued 14...e6!? (Both 14...fc8 15 ac1 d7 16 d2, and 14...ac8 15 ac1 does
not change much both lines have been played many times) 15 b3 ac8 16 d2
c5 17 b4 e6 18 ac1 b6 19 e2 c7 20 d4 fc8 21 c2 d7 22 fc1 and
White maintained a slight edge) 9 xd4 xd5 10 xe7 xe7 11 e2 f6 12 0-0
d7 13 fd1 b6 In the game Moiseenko Iordachescu/EUch Warsaw 2005
White came up with 14 a4!? (14 f3 can be met with 14...e5!? 15 b3 ac8 16 d2 a5!?
with a good play, while the ending after 14 b3 xb3 15 xb3 is certainly defendable
for Black. For example, 15...ac8 16 e4 a4 17 xf6+ gxf6 and so on) 14...a5?!
(14...xa4! 15 xa4 fd8 was better with a slightly worse but quite acceptable play) 15
c5! xa4 (In the endgame after 15...xc5 16 xc5 White kept annoying pressure
over Black's Qside) 16 b3! b6! 17 xe7 a5 18 a4 and White kept the better
chances thanks to his more active pieces.
8...cxd4
289
8...a5 is an alternative: 9 cxd5 xd5 10 xe7 xe7 11 d3 (11 e2 is less active:

11...f6 (11...d5!? deserves attention, for example: 12 0-0 xc3 13 bxc3 b6 with
acceptable play for Black, 11...cxd4 is not completely satisfactory for Black: 12 xd4
f6 13 0-0 d7 14 fd1 c6 15 b4) 12 0-0 d7 13 e5 cxd4 (13...fd8 14 xd7 xd7 15
dxc5 xc5 16 xd7 xd7 17 d1 is somewhat better for White) 14 xd7 xd7 15
xd4 f6 16 f3 ab8 White retains some pressure but Black's position is very
solid. ) 11...f6 12 0-0 cxd4 (An attempt to develop the bishop to the long diagonal
by 12...b6? fails to 13 e4!) 13 xd4 This position has been tested many times. 13...e5
Black also tried a few other options.
a) 13...d7 does not solve all the problems: 14 e4 ed5 15 b3 d8 (15...a4?!
is worse: 16 ec5 h4 17 xb7 ac8 18 7c5 (or 18 e2 c6 19 7a5 a8 20 a6)
18...c6 19 e2 b4 20 b5 with extra pawn) 16 bc5 (16 xf6+ xf6 17
c5!? is interesting: 17...c8 (17...e7? 18 xh7++) 18 xd7! xc2 19 xf8! but
Black is still doing well after 19...c8 20 xh7+ xf8 (or 20...xh7 21 xd8 xd8 22
xh7 xh7 followed by ...Rd8d2) 21 xd8+ xd8 22 c2 d2 23 c1 g4 with a
drawish ending) 16...c8 17 b3 xe4 18 xd7 xd7 19 xe4 with a slight but
comfortable edge.
b) 13...h6!? is rather solid: 14 e4 (or 14 e2 d7 15 f3 ab8 16 d3 fc8 17 d2 e8
and so on) 14...ed5 15 a3 d7 16 b3 (16 c5!? deserved attention: 16...xc5 17
xc5 with a slight edge in the endgame) 16...b6 17 bc5 c6 18 b4 xe4 19
xe4 f6 and Black has no problems.
14 b3 b6 (Other retreats are not better: 14...c7 15 e4 xc2 16 xf6+ gxf6 17 xc2, or
14...b4 15 e4 ed5 16 c4 and White keeps the better chances.) 15 e4 Black's
position is solid enough but White still keeps pressure thanks to his more active
pieces, Benjamin Morovic Fernandez/New York 1987.
9 xd4!?
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+lwq-trk+0
9zpp+nvlpzpp0
9-+-+psn-+0
9+-+p+-vL-0
9-+PtR-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzPQ+-zPPzP0
9+-+-mKL+R0
xiiiiiiiiy
9 xd4 has also been tried but it does not bother Black very much. He can react by 9...dxc4
(9...b6 is also playable: 10 e2 d7 11 xf6 xf6 12 cxd5 xd5 13 xd5 exd5
14 c5 (14 0-0 b6 15 d2 ac8 16 b1 g6 17 fd1 fd8 18 g3) 14...b6 (14...e7 15 xd5
b4+ 16 f1, 14...a4!? 15 b3 e7 16 c3 c8 17 d2 d7 18 0-0) 15 xb6 axb6 16 a3
with a slight edge) 10 xc4 a5 (10...c7 11 e2 a6 12 0-0) 11 h4 (11 b5?! a6 12
290
b3 c7 13 d3 e5) 11...e5 12 e2 d7 (12...g6 is worthy of consideration: 13

g3 e5!? (13...d7!?) 14 b3 b6 but here White would have got the better chances
by playing 15 h4!? (15 0-0 e6 16 d3 d6 is okay for Black in the game C.Hansen
Kveinys, Groningen 1990) 15...h5 16 0-0!? (16 d3 g4) 16...g4 (16...e6 17 d3)
17 xg4 hxg4 18 f5) 13 0-0 fc8 14 b1 e8 and Black is doing well.

9 exd4 b6 is fine for Black.
9...h6 10 cxd5!? xd5

10...hxg5?! was unnecessary: 11 dxe6! (or 11 d6 xd6 12 xd6) 11...fxe6 12 xg5 b6 13
xe6! with annoying initiative.
11 xe7 xe7 12 e2
12 b5 can be met by the same 12...c7 (12...a6?? 13 xd7 xd7 14 d2+) 13 0-0 b6 and
so on.
12...c7 13 0-0 b6 14 fd1
XIIIIIIIIY
9r+l+-trk+0
9zppwq-snpzp-0
9-sn-+p+-zp0
9+-+-+-+-0
9-+-tR-+-+0
9+-sN-zPN+-0
9PzPQ+LzPPzP0
9+-+R+-mK-0
xiiiiiiiiy
Thanks to his slight lead in development White is more active but it is not so easy to gain
real benefit, Carlsen Jussupow/Solingen 2008.
291

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Queen's Gambit Declined

[D3039] [D5059] [E0109]

10...e7 D37 QGD/12 5. f4 00 6. e3 c5 the line Qd1c2 and 10. 0-0-0

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QGD/1 Various options [D30]

5 xf6 xf6 6 bd2 d7 7 g3!?

10...0-0 11 g2 b6 12 cxd5 exd5 13 0-0 b7 14 e1

D31 QGD/2 Exchange Variation 3...Be7

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7

4.cxd5 exd5 5.f4

pressure against d5 to maintain some advantage, Dautov,RLputian,S/Istanbul

QGD/3 SharaHennig Gambit [D32]

or 6 xb5? d7 7 dxe6 fxe6 followed by ...a6 and ...Qb6)

6 xd4 exd5 7 xd5

17 a4 a6 18 xc6+ xc6 19 xf6

20...xe3+ 21 h1 xe2 22 xb4 gxf3!?

QGD/4 Tarrasch Defence Various White

Ruban Arencibia/Habana 1990 Black came up with excellent 11...a5! 12 exd4+

QGD/5 Tarrasch Defence Swedish

7...b4 8 0-0 ge7

for Black) 11...d5

12...xd5 13 a3 a5 14 e5 b5 15 a4 a6 16 xc6 bxc6 17 c2!?

17...e6 18 fc1 ab8 19 f1

QGD/6 Tarrasch Defence Main Lines

1 f3 d5 2 d4 c5 3 c4 e6 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g3 c6 6 g2 f6 7 0-0 e7 8 c3

13...xg5 14 fxg5 xg5 15 f4 ad8 16 d2 fe8 17 e4

19 exd5 e7 20 xc4 xd5 21 c5!

QGD/7 Tarrasch Defence Main Lines

1 f3 d5 2 d4 c5 3 c4 e6 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g3 c6 6 g2 f6 7 0-0 e7 8 c3

21...e4! 22 xe4 dxe4

QGD/8 Exchange Variation Various

In case of 10 c2 h6 11 f4 d6 12 ge2 (12 e5? is impossible due to 12...xe5 13 dxe5

QGD/9 Exchange Variation Main lines

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 c3 f6 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g5 e7 6 e3 0-0 7 d3 bd7 8

Shirov R.Scherbakov/Borzhomi 1988

pieces. 16 d5 (16 b5 c7 17 g3 ed8 18 d5 c8) 16...d7 and Black is at least not

QGD/10 Exchange Variation Various

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 f6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g5 e7 6.e3 bd7 7.f3 c6

9.d3 e8 10.0-0-0 f8 11.h3

12.b1 a5 13.g4 ac8

15...dxe4 16.xe7 xe7 17.d2 ce8 18.a3 d5=

QGD/11 Exchange Variation Main lines

c) 17.e2!? deserved attention: 17...xd3 (17...xg2? 18.g3!+, 17...xe2+ 18.xe2!

After 15...d7 16.h3 White has a small advantage.

16.xg6 xg6 17.h4!

17...e7 18.xf6 xf6 19.xg6

21.bxa6 bxa6 22.e2 e7 23.ed1 c5

QGD/12 5.Bf4 Black delays ...c7c5

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7 4.f3 f6 5.f4

8...xd5 9.xd5 exd5 10.dxc5 xc5 11.e5

b) 13...e7!? is also worthy of consideration: 14.d1 d8 15.d3 (15.e2 f5 was

13.xf6 xf6 14.d4

15...xf5 16.0-0 fd8

QGD/13 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 Nbd7 7.c5 [D37]

b) an ambitious 11 xa6 xa6 12 b5!? cxb5 13 c6 is rather unclear: 13...c8!

12...cxb5 13 c6! c8! 14 c7!

An alternative 16 axb4 deserves attention as well: 16...xb4+ 17 e2 a5 18 d3 (not 18

20...xd6 21 xd6 c8 22 xb4 e8 23 g3 xc7 24 0-0 e8

QGD/14 5.Bf4 0-0 6.e3 c5 various White

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.c3 e7 4.f3 f6 5.f4 0-0

6...c5 7.dxc5 xc5 8.a3 c6 9.c1

with unclear play

precisely. 18...e6! (18...b5 19.c5) 19.e2 e8 20.fe1 f8 21.h3 b5 22.c5 d5