Dangerous Weapons-Anti-Sicilians - Emms, Palliser, Wells

7/21/2019 Dangerous Weapons-Anti-Sicilians - Emms, Palliser, Wells

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VRYMAN CHESS



OHN MMS

�ICH� PFS�P� S

VRYMAN CHESS

Glouceser Pblshes pc w everymanchesscom



Fr pule n 009 y Gloueer Puler pl formerly verymanPler pl), Norurg oe, 10 Norrg ree, Lonon EC1V A

Copyrg© 009 Jo Emm, Rar Paler an Peer Well

e rg of on Emm, Rar Paller an Peer Well o e enfe a eaor o work a een aere n aorane w e Copyrg, egn

an Paen A 19

All rg reerve o par of pulaon may e reproe ore n a rereva yem or ranme n any orm or y any mean, eleron, eleroa,

magne ape, pooopyng, reorng or oerwe, wo pror permon of

e pler

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work ner lene from Ranom oe n

EVRYMAN CHSS RIS (formerly Caogan Ce)

Cef Avor Byron Jao

Commonng eor Jo Emm

Aan Eor: Rar Paller

ypee a ee y Fr Rak Pulg, BrgonCover egn y orao onevere.Prne an oun n e U y Vera Pre.



Cs

Preface

Series Introduction

1 Action on te -file

2

3

4

5

l 5

A Twst in te c3 Sicilan

f x 5 f x x

Neter oo Eary no oo Late

5 x Qx 5 f

Danger wt te d4 Gambt

S f bS 0-0 l 5 f

Become a Cameleon!

f b5

5

5

8 3

5



he vehnikov abt 5 f 5 l 5 f 5 00 f 5}

7 I 4 e ealy o bad? 5 f f 5

Forcing Black to Deend 9 5 f f 5

Coing White' Pan 5 f x Qx 5 b5 x bx

10 A TuboChaged King' ndan Attack 5 f

11 Foowng in taunton' Foottep 8 5 f

12 A Reedy to the Nzowitch 5 f f 5 5

ndex o Varaton 9Index o ae 85



Pra

An-clan sysems connue o e a source o comor or We players wowan o avod e ever-growng eory o e man lnes, and conversely a pan ne nec or ose playng Blac wose only real ws s o reac e Najdor,Dragon, cevenngen or vesnkov (or waever er avoure clan varaon s) n every sngle game ey play

I ope a s ook w provde some aracve opons o o payers odposses or Blac agans some o Wes more popular Anclans, andalso weapons or We o ry, amng o sock and conuse opponens

would lke o an my co-auors Rcard Pallser and Peer Wells or all er

ard work on s projec; no only or er own arcles, u also or er enusasm o dscuss and anayse oer posses As usual a numer o deas evenually ad o e dscarded, oen relucanly so. One ypcal reason or dsualcaon was a weapon seemed o provde more danger o onesel an e opponen

card Pallser wroe Capers 3 6 7 and 9; Peer Wells conrued Capers and 4; and nally I was responsle or Capers 1 5 10 11 and 1

on Emms

ldenoroug Ken

arc 009



Srs Irdu

Th original concpt bhind no Wpon was to tak a major chss opning

and to approach it in a compltly diffrnt way: to concntrat on variatons thatar ambitious sharp innovativ disruptiv tricky njoyabl to analys; ons notalrady wighd down by mountains of thory and ons unfairly ignord or discrditd. To m this smd ik an author's paradis which 'm sur contributdsowhat towads th inspiation bhind this sris

h main motivation bhind sudying major opnings in such a way is to b ablto prsnt th radr (not forgtting th author) wih a considrabl numbr offrsh hardhitting opning wapons for boh Whit and Black in som cass to

crat rprtoirs and in othrs to nanc and rjuvnat xisting ons.

What is a Dangerous Weapon?

For th purpos of choosing opning variations for this sris usually a noWpon fits into on or mor of ths ovrlapping catgoris

1) Mve that create cmpex rgna ptn u razrharp tactc and rchptna dea where creatve attackng pay rewarded; mve whch are newrare r very reh eavng penty cpe r reearch

t should b pointd out that vn though mainlin thory producs a vast numbr of wondrfully coplicatd positions ths opning variations los out havily in th dangr' staks. No attr how sharp and difficult h position hopning phas is nowhr nar as hazardous for your opponnt if h is abl to fallback on that comfort blant known as thory. I'v playd plnty of incrdiblysharp lins wihout any ral far simply bcaus of rasonabl book knowldg

and som solid ho prparation. hus in no Wpon th mphasis hasmainly bn on non-thortical lins whr your opponnt is lft to his own dvics at a vry arly stag.

6



Sees Itodto

2) Mve that are hghy ambtu ne whch am fr tta dmnatn.

Perfet for those not satisfied with a quiet theoretial edge as White and eager tosearh for a big advantage or even a diret refutation, albeit at some risk; or forthose as Blak who prefer to strive for the initiative at any ost, preferring this

over a manageable disadvantage or sterle equality

3) Mve that have been prevuy gned dcarded r dcredted by theyperhap unary r maybe r the wrng rean.

Disredited lines an be espeially dangerous the psyhologial element annotbe ignored Faing an opening like this, find myself asking the question, Why ishe playing this variation if it is meant to be bad? Often there is a very good reason(a logial improvement, perhaps, whih overturns a previous assessment), and in

any ase how are you supposed to remember a hypothetial Smove reftationwhen you only browsed it in a book one, and that was a few years ago?

4) Mve that are vuay hckng mve whch eem t cntradct the aw the game

Disregarding he question of objetive merit for the moment, theres no doubt thata raylooking move has at the very least some psyhologial value Unleashedon an opponent, it an produe a range of emotions unontrolled laughter, per

haps folowed by overonfidene; anger (at being insulted by suh a move) folowed by overaggression or perhaps disomfort, followed by timidity. Of ourseyou may instead enounter understanding followed by objetivit you have topik and hoose your opponents.

Dangerous for Whom?

t would be diffiult, probably impossible, to guarantee that every single variationin this book is 100% sound. You have to understand that in some ases dangerous an mean dangerous for both sides What do expet, however, is that youropponents ride throughout the opening should be far bumpier than yours

Guiding You Through

Throughout the book there are various ions together with explanatory notes to

emphasie signifiant points They shoud be fairly selfexplanatory, but heres abrief summary

7



Dangerous Weapos: Anti-Sicilians

DNGEROU WEPON! Th gne a game varatn ubvaratn r ptn where the Dangeru Weapn habvuy prduced the dered eect.

BEWRE! Pntng ut mmedate danger r the payer ung the Dangeru Weapn.

ROLL THE DCE! gnyng a varatn r ubvaratn whch perhap mre uted r game wth h tmemt r rpayer wh enjy takng rk.

TRCKY TRANPOTON Th ndcate a tranptn t a

derent penng varatn. Ung derent mve rder treach a derabe ptn r t trck yur ppnent ntmethng wth whch he unamar becmng a weapn ncreang vaue.

As he ile suggess no pon may no be o he fainheaed Moehan anyhing i is aimed a playes of all levels who lie o be eneained hosewho ae happy o y ou funoplay openings a hei local chess club on heInee in ounamens wheeve hey choose o play.

Good luc sudying and playing you no pon!

8

on ms

veyman Chess



Chapter One

Action on the h-file

John Emms

1 4 cs 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 d3 d6 6 B3 s!? (Digm 1)

Dagram 1 (B)

Blak has so many options at 6 B3 in th Closd iilian. Thousands o gamsha bn playd with 6 ... 6 6. 5 6 ... N6 and 6 ... Rb8 whil Blak has also trid

9



Dangeous Weaons Ant-Sclans

6Nd 6Bd7 6Qa 6b6 ad v 6 . b. is apr w w sdy a frhr possibiiy or Bak, 6 .. !?. Is ru ha payg ... is o uard o i Cosd iiia ar 6 ... Rb8 7 Qd2 b 8 Ng2, som srog payrs hav x-primd w 8. b4 Nd or 8 ... Nd4 00 bu is vry uusua o shis paw ug as ary as mov 6

v ough Cosd ia is mor o a sysm a a opig as Wids o mpoy smiar movs rgardss o Baks rspos pushig h paw p h board dos ar dyais o posio somwa a givsbo payrs mor o ik abou i h opig sags, ad his maks i a goodhoi as a Dagrous Wapo.

Ls bgi by sg a w pois abou 6 .. h

1. I Wi s arss ary o h oud asiy wid up i bg roub, as h dos h rs iusrav gam.

2. v i Wi aks appropra masurs h osa possibiy o ... h4, oombid wi or das, raiy irass Baks possibis or aivy

3. Maa pay by Whi, wih a b iv or s, is o usussu ar ... h. Ts is a impora poi, baus i prai Wi s ddo sik o h usua movs whh do work so w hr

4 Baks ary ug dos av bid waksss. For xamp, gsquaraks proio ad so h ypia . . brak immdiay boms ss dsrab.Furrmor, i Bak ass kgsid his paw ovr is ss rsii a woudhav b wi paw o 7. Is up o Wi o ry o xpoi hs advaags.

Ls bgi wi a sary dmosrao o wha a happ o Wi h ais oak 6 . h sriousy.

D VAmage • N.Miezis

oigny 2005

1 e4 c 2 Nc3 Nc63 g3 g64 g2 g7 5 d3 d6 6 e3 hS 1 Nge2

Ng2 is par o Whs ypa dvopm pa, so is qui udrsadabwy h woud pay su a mov hr. Howvr, i dos og o disouragBaks ida

.h4 (Digm 2)

ours T sio rad by prosp o a xag o paws o g3 oop h i, oupd wh opporuy a ay mom o aus dsrupioby payig .3 is ary bia o Bak; ors hm a osidrab umbr

o possibiis woud ormay joy.800

By asig Whi s ow rady o m 8.. h3? wi B. or ad,



Ation on e hfile

Blak will find e idea f penin e -file mre araie

Agains 8 Qd2 inending 000, Blak an pu a efty spanner in e wrks byplayin 8 3! (Digm 3)

Digm 2 (W) Digm 3 (W)

Fr example, Bf3 if 9 Bf, b .. Bg4 and . Nd4 lk prmisin) Nd4

.. Ne5, frin e umiliain rerea 10 Ng1, is als gd) 10 Bxd4 xd4 11NdS? Wie as aep e is lumbered wi miserable minr piees and play11 Nb1) 1e6 12 Ndf4 N6 In is psiin e rea f S winning a piee isirually impssible mee, sine 13 Nxd4 eS frks e w knis and 13 NgS! 14 Nfe2 4! (Digm 4) is a raer sn usifiain f Blas preius play!

8 d4 was played weeRBumann, Bad mbur 2000, a game in wiWie lased nly fur furer mes!): 8 xd4 8 . Bg4 lks empin, inendin f3? 3!, dS NeS, r finally dxS 3 10 Bf Bx3 11 bx3 Nf6!) 9 Nxd4 NeS?

Bd) 10 f3?! 0 Qe2 lks srner) 0 Bd 11 b3? R8 12 Qd2?? 3! andWie suddenly realized a 13 Bf is me by e rusing 3 Nxf3+! 14 Nxf3Bx3, s e resigned

If Wie replies . 4 by playing 3, Bak suld enerally ake e ppruniy rade n g3, erwise Wie mig ninue wi g3-4 Afer 8 3 x3! 9 fxg3(Digm , e new pawn frmain faurs Blak Fr ne in, e eSsquaremre r less bemes an ups, and furermre e 8-rk as beme aiaed n is me square One pssible ninuain frm ere wud be Nd410 Qd2 Bx3! well see is ai expliing e N£3 frk rp up in arius

er psiins) 11 Rx3 Rx3 12 Bxd4 xd4 13 Bx3 dx3 14 bx3 14 Nx3 Qb6!)4 ... Qa5, wen I ink Blaks beer srure is enug gie im an ede

8Nd4?



Dangeu Wean Anti-icilian

Th can no dnying that this mo wos wonds in th gam, ut om auly ojcti iwoint its ossil that th siml 8.. N6 lining u .. Ngmight stong n though i Whit lays accuatly h just aout qualizs

Dagram 4 (W) Dagram 5 ()

At 9 Qd2 Blac can ma good us o th gsqua y lying 9..hxg3 10hxg3 Ng. Whit now tis to nt t ositionally undsial xchang ohis da-squad isho y laying 11 B, th y stong 1..Nh2 (Dagram 6)will ma him gt this dcision Whit s in som toul h o xaml, 12R1 Bg (laing th cushing 13 .N3+ 13 Q3 Nd and th is no good dnc to th considal that o 1 ..Nd3+ 15 Bx£3 Nx3+ 16 Kg2 Rh2+ 1 KBh3 mat

Whit should oaly nt Ng, and sinc 9 h3 loss a awn that ls thuglylooing 9 3 as th st t At 9 .. hxg3 10 hxg3 Bh3 Whit managd toqualiz n Ra-JBonin, Nw Yo 198, y contsting th hil 11 Bxh3

Rxh3 12 Kg2 Qd 13 Rh1 xh1 1 Qxh1 00-0 15 Qh3 h8 16 Qxd+ Nxd. Ocous Blac can instad choos to mo tnsion in th osition with somthing li 9 . Bd and thn 10 g h3 (o Whit can lay h3 himsl) 11 Bh1N5, o 10 Qd2 N5 I slightly Blacs chancs in ths comlx ositions

9 Qd2

9 £? xosing th g-squa is a dliction o Whits dnc, and at 9.hxg310 hxg3 Nh6 11 Qd2 Ng (Dagram Whit is alady n ig toul Fo xaml 12 Nd1 Qa5 intnding 13 Nxd Qxd2 Bxd2 Bxd+ o 13 c3 N3.

Th tt than it loos 9 3 is again ossl and h Blac can choos twn9 .. hxg3 10 hxg3 Bh3 11 Bxh3 Rxh3 12 Kg2 Rh8 13 Qd2 Qa5 o 9 ... Bd intnding. .. Qa5 and .. Rc8 to ach mo comlx ositions.

12



Action on he h-file

Diagram 6 ( Diagram (

9..hxg3 10 hxg3

ne o the reasons why 8 N6 miht be stroner than 8 Nd4 is that the positionally ndesirable 10 x3? s playable here, since it oers White an nsal tacticalposibiiy on the ie Back shold probably respond with 10 .. Be6, meetin 11

N4 wih 1N6 12 Nxe6 xe6

BEARE he aturakig 10 Bh3? ru it 11 Bxh3Rxh3 12 Nxd4 cxd4 13 Qf2 hite ca emy the ame trickagait 10 Bd?: 11 Nxd4 cxd4 12 Qf2

10 Bh3 (Diagram 8)

There's nothin too reined abot Black's play, bt it ts ot to be mihtily e

ective11 f3?

It's too late or this now, and ater Blacks next move there's no loner any dobtwhere he advantae lies

Normaly ts not ood practce to ve p the darksqared bshop or the knhton d4 bt in this particlar instance 11 Bxd4 miht be White's best try. The pointis that ater 1cxd4 12 NbS Bx2 13 Kx2 Qd? 14 Nbxd4 e5 15 Nb3 Qh3 + 16 K3Black doesn't seem to have anyhin better than perpetal check with 16 Qh5 1

K2 Qh3 o Black miht preer 13 Qb6 bt then 14 a4 is okay or White11Qd

st in ime Now White can no loner hope to oppose the hile, as Bxh3 s alwaysmet by Qxh3

13



Dangeous Weapons Antiicilians

12 Nf4 Bxg2 13 Qxg2?

Whie had o r 13 Kxg2, even hough Black is clearl on op afer 13 ... e5 Forexample, 14 Nfd5 Qh3 + 15 K2 Qh2+ 16 Ke1 Qxg3+ 17 Kd1 Rh2; or 14 Nfe2 Qh3+15 Kf2 Qh2 16 Ke1 Rd8 17 Nd5 Ne7. t's worth rememberng here hat Wte can

no longer casle13 ... gs 01 {Diagram 9)

Diagram 8 { Diagram 9 {

A sudden end o he game 14 Nfe2 is impossible because of 14 . Nxc2, and 14Nfd5 is me b 14...e6 rapping he knigh in mid-board Afer 15 Bxg5 exd5 16exd5 Ne7 17 Rae1 f6 18 Be3 000 Black has a winning posiion.

.

DANGEROU EAPON A ciderabe umber f aarmigy

�

h e i ractica ay idicate that hite dimie theadvace f Back' haw at hi w eri.

While is cerainl rue ha Black has he opporuni for immediae success ifWhie is careless, i would be foolish o wie off 6 .. h5 as a crude aemp o aackdown he hfile. n he following game Whie demonsraes more cauion, andeven coninues in pical Closed icilian fashon and e afer onl en movesBlack akes conrol of he cenre, and jus a few moves laer he is in a posion ofoal dominance

0 MNabuurs • TBus

Maastricht 200

1 e4 cs 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg 5 d3 d6 6 Be3 hs h3 (Diagram 10

14



Aco o h hfe

Diagram 10 (B Diagram 11 (

Tis is pobably t bst way to mt 6 . Wit is now ady to answ . 4 byplaying g3g4 kping t il blockd Black must now b caul wn considing i and wn to play . 4 bcaus und t wong cicumstancs tisadvanc migt only sult in a cut-o vulnabl pawn on tat squa

es 8 Qd2 Nge 9 Nge2 Nd4! (Diagram 11Tis is stong tan 9 B6 o 9 00 bcaus t causs Wt som dsupton.T point s tat against t otwis dsiabl 10 00 Black can mploy a common tick wic ctainly justiis t inclusion o .. and 3: 10 Bx3 Tutis isn't catastopic o Wit sinc can avod matial loss by pying 11Bxd4 but tink I would tak Backs position at it 1Bxg 1 Bx dxS13 Kxg Qd o xd4 1 Bx3 dxc3 13 Nxc3 4

10 Ndl?!

Tis knigt tat planning c-c3 is a ommon tm in t Closd icilian so itsquit undstandabl wy it was playd Howv it usually occus atBlack xpnds som tim on qunsid action typically . Rb8 and b-b4) and Black succssully utlis t xta tmpi to tak contol o t cnt

Dominguz-PCamling tockolm 994/9 os som similaitis to maingam as Black again taks contol o t cnt at Wit tats is c3-knigt.Following 10 Bg 6 11 B3 B6 1 Nd1 Wit sould play 1 4 o 1 Nd vntoug Back s n n t cas) 1 . d 13 Nc3 Qd 14 3 Rc8 1 xdS Nxd 16Nxd BxdS 1 00 N 18 B B6 19 Q 00 0 K 4 1 gx4 B4 Kg1 B6Camling was in complt contol wit Kg ollowd by . R8 on o manypossibiitis

Black is usually appy o Wit to castl qunsid sinc it placs t wit king



Dangeos Weapons: Ant-Sclans

igh i h dicio o his counly 0 0-0-0 B h wll ollow u whmovs such s .. QS d . .bb4 wih obvious chncs o ck

10 4 is obbly Whis mos logicl mov, d his is covd i h Lookig il D scio

10 ... d Diagram 12)

Diagram 12 ( Diagram 13 (

Why o? h ws v mov o xloi Whis vious o, his would bit.

113

Cosdng how cmd Whi bcoms i h gm, i migh hv bn bo d ws o dS, h o o h ollowig mov Ev so, 11 xdS xdS1 dc3 B (o 1 .b4?) 13 0-0 0-0 14 xdS BxdS Blck is ciy h mocomobl

11...Ne6?Blck ws o xloi his sc dvg by kig s my ics o hbod s ossibl Ev so, 1.x 1 x d4 lso looks y good

12 Qc2 d4

ow Whi is lly sugglig o sc, d i's diicul o s ny uu oih o his ooly lcd kighs.

13 Bd2 h4 (Diagram 13)

Blck gs h imig so o wih his dvnc Whi's g3-g4 will lv bighol o £4, d Bck wih song kigh o is wll lcd o xloi hdksqd wksss Whi gs i -4, bu his dosn solv his oblms

14 g4 Nc61f4 exf4 16Nxf4 Nxf4 1 Bxf4 Bes 18 o-o Qd6 19 BgS

16



Acton on the hfe

nsupisingly White is eluctant to tae his one an only goo' mino pieceO the othe han Black's bishop on e5 isn't too shabby eithe

19f6 20 Bd2 gS 21 a3 Be6 22 c4!

White's best chance is to aim fo b2-b an ty to inuce Black to block the queensie. Black quickly obliges which leaves any uthe pawn beaks a poblem Hisconfience of beaking though is justifie by what happens in the game although oppose by moe stubbo eence Black's task wou have been consieaby moe ifficult

22 . as!? 23 a4 00 24 b3 Bd7 25 Khl Kg7 26 Rb1 Ne7

Heaing fo g an then f o e5

27 Bel Ng6(Diagram 14

Diagram 14 (W

28 Kgl

Diagam 15 {W

Ha White been awae of Black's plan he might have tie 28 Bf2 Qe7 2 Bg toefen he -squae. Howee Black si has goo chances to make pogesshee; fo example 2...Bc 30 Nf2 Bg3 31 Rbe b 32 R N 33 Re f5 3 gxf5Rxf5.

28.Qe7

Plaing to eaange the queen an bishop on the b8-h2 iagonal. With thequeen in font it's a bit moe theatening

29 Rf3 Bc730 Bfl Ne5 31 Rf2 Qd632 Qe2 Rae8! 33 Bd2 Bc6 (Diagram 15Black has aange his pieces pefectly an is eay to beak though with .. Nx3an iea that completely bypasses White's thinking

Afte 3 Nb2 Black can win vey nicely with 3 .. Nx3 35 Nx3 Rxe 3 Q Re3

17



Dangeous Weaons AntiSiilians

7 Be o 7 Be R B2 R2 9 R2 B2 40 2 Qh2 41 Q)7.. de Re2 Q and now 9 R2 B2 40 B2 Qh 41 ! o 9 B2Q2 40 .

4 B2, oweve, pevents te saie and allenes Blak to ind anote plan

simila to te one seen in te note to Wite's 2t move34 Rfs Nxd3! o1

Qd allows mate in one wit ... Qh2, and so wit te loss o te dpawnWite's position ollapses

Lookng a Lttle Deepe

1 e4 cS 2 Nc3 Nc63 g3 g64 Bg2 Bg7 d3 d6

ROLL THE DICE! My feeing i that hs i nt eective i Whiteche f4 ie intead f the mdern 6 Be3. Eve it cud tifind me taker amngt the wh are prepared t take rik

... !? 6 4 6 d6 7 4 4 eads to te same tin, weeas 6 Be d6 is ou mainline) 6 .. 4 7 4 d6 !?, as played in aspsikAolov, Bankia 1990, mitwell appeal to some playes. Tat ame ontinued 9 aainst 9 e 10 Blak ontinues wit 10 ... e6 ollowed by ...Ne7-6; 9 !? is anote idea) 9 ... 10 N N6 11 Qe2?!, and ee I'm not sue wy Blak avoided te vey temptin...N!.

Note tat i Blak wants to play .. . aainst 4 set-ups e sould oose ...,sine .. . d6 6 4 ?! is met by 7 N! peventin . ..4 witout te need o 2.

6 Be3 hS (Diagram 16)

Diagram 16(W) Diagram 17(W)

8



Acio on he h-ile

7h

7 N2 was covrd i AargrMizis ad Whit also has so othr otosavailabl:

a) 7 d2 is siilar to 7 Ng2 ad 7.h4 is th obvious rly. f 8 000 h3 9 Bf (or9 Bf3 Nf6 itdig 10 Ng2 N5) 9 ...Nd4 Black will fd lty of acto oth qusid with ...Bd7 (or .. .B6) .. . b5b4 ad .. .a5.

b) 7 f4 h4 8 g4 Bd4 (8 ... h3 9 Nxh3 ad oly ow 9..Bd4 s also itrstig) 9 Bd2(aftr 9 Bxd4 cxd4 th oly kght ov that dos't los atrial is th sad rtrat to b1) 9 .. h3 (Dagram 17) 10 Bf3 (or 10 Nxh3 N6 11 f5 N5 12 gS Nfg4 withrosig lay) 10 ... 5 (thratig dvastatio wth ... h4+) 11 g5 f6 (11 .. xf42 Bxf4 B5 is also ossbl) 12 c xf4 13 Bxf4 N5 14 B2 B6 15 Nd1 c4 adBlack was rtty activ i .Pirsig.Prs corrsodc 2003.

c) 7 h4 is a drastic way to liiat ...h4 idas ad aftr 7 ... Nf6 Blacks ida s torov hat g4 will b a or usful squar to hi tha g5 will b for Whit. orxal 8 Nh3 (8 f3 rvts ... Ng4 but 8...d5 itdig 9 Bxc5 d4 is a strogrly) 8 .. Ng4 9 Bg5 Rb8 10 f3 Ng5 as layd i J.orgoZ.brth Hvs 1999looks fi for Black. h rob with h2h4 is that it virtually aks th 5squar a outost for Black sc f3f4 wll always lav th g4squar xosd.

d) You wo't fid ay Closd icilia layrs choosig to block thir f-awwith 7 Nf3 but this ov dos at last rvt ... h4 for th ot ad Whit

ight chag las altogthr with d3d4. My flig s that 7 ... Nd4 is Black'sbst rsos.

DANGEROU WEAPON Whte fe fr yet anther trck n thegame HMueer-Ntanec Lnz 1997. Aer 8 h (t prevent Bg 8 Bd7 9 oo? Qc8 10 Kh2? Nxf+ Whte uddenyreazed that 11 Qxf e t 11 Bg (Dagram 18 12 QfBh6 yet anther pnt behnd hs he wa frced t gveup a pawn wth 11 Bxf Bxh

8 d2 looks strogr tha 8 h3 ad hr thi Black should dvlo with 8 . 5 900 N7 (or 9... Nxf3 10 Bxf3 N7). If Wht tris 9 Nd5 istad of 9 00 th colicatos aftr 9 ... Bh3 s to favour Black; for xal 10 Nxd4 Bxg2 11 Bg5d 12 NbS Bxh1 13 Nbc7 8 14 Nxa8 f6 or 12 Rg1 cxd4 13 Rxg2 f6 14 Bh4 g5.

7 e5 (Dagram 19)

Claig dow o th d4squar ad tdig quick dvlot with . .. Ng7ad ossibly ... B6 ad ... d7.

Black ca also choos to k th log diagoal o ad aftr 7 ...Bd7 (or 7 .. Rb8)r's a vry good chac of a trasostio to 6 ... Rb8 lis i whch Black lays alatr ... h5. or xal 8 d2 (agaist 8 f4 Black ca try 8... Nd4 9 Nf3 c8) 8 ... Rb89 Ng2 b5 10 00 (or 10 f4 Nd4 11 Nd1 b4 12 c3 Nx2 13 x2 bxc3 14 bxc3

19



Dngeru s Wepns : Ant i - ic i l i n s

J.HouskaHuma, Vce 003) 0. . b4 d Qc 2 6 w a ypcally complex poso oerg level caces, E.KuzesovaKalscew, ede00 Ts more ud opo wll ceraly appeal o some players, especally vew o possble mprovemes or We e ma le o move

8 (B) 9 ()

Q

From e adul o games I ave oud reacg e poso aer 7 . e5, Qdas vrtally always bee We's respose, ad s s udersadable gve a's suc a auomac ollowup o Be3. owever, my eelg s a Qd s actally a accuracy ere Because o . . S ere's o cace o play a quck B6, soWe mg be beer advsed usg e empo elsewere

Frs o all ere's d5?, wc led o a small advaage or We aer .Be6 e BxdS 0 exdS ce7 c3 S Bd B6 3 00 ge7 4 Bx6 Rx6 5 d4 BolubovcV.Lukov, Marosca 3. O e oer ad, .ce7 looks sroger

a . Be6, as Black would ceraly preer o us a kg o rade o dS Furermore, rom a eorecal vewpo Back also eed o ear ge7 BgS vew o . .Qa5 0 Bd Qd aloug o course We ca repea moves ere.

Tere's also 4? o cosder. Te oly game I could d was F.Egelad.Mes, Oslo 003, were e ava radmaser's evercreave play reapeddvdeds aer . . .ge7 3 d4 0 00 6? (preparg .Be6 wou alowggS) xe5? dxe5 Qd Be6 3 K Qd7 4 a4 Rc 5 Q g5? 6 g g4 7 400 b3 5, we Black ejoyed a srog ave. However, We was raercooperave a game, ad 4 loos muc more callegg ow. Be6? s o loger possble because o xg6 xg6 3 5, so Black souldswc plas w . . .ex4 gx4 S o preve We rom playg S msel.

... ( )

20



Act ion o n the h f i l e

2 0 () 2 ()

9 Nge2

9 f4 has bn playd a fw ims, vn hogh I hink i's lss ffciv hr hanon h prvios mov Black rpis wih 9 Nd4! and now

a) fr 0 Nf3 Nxf3+! Bxf3 B6 Whi has som problms wih his h3pawn.

H rid sacriicing i in .KrapivinDKryakvin, Vladimir 2006, b afr 2 N2Qd7 3 c3 Bxh3 4 fx Bx d4 cxd4 6 cxd4 Bg7 I don' hink h compnsaion is qi sfficin.

b) 0 Nd h4 ( 2) (his works wll hr as Black is in a good posiion ofigh for h dark sqas) g4 x£! 2 Bxf4 N6 3 N2 d 4 Ndc3 d4 NdNxd 6 xd Nxf4 7 Qxf4 Qa+ was br for Black in Glinr.Fdoowic,orono 2000. In .Barba.Zgic, Monral 200, Whi snsiby kp his darksqard bishop wih 3 B2, alhogh vn hr 3 .Nc6 4 Nf3 Nd4 looks fin

for Black.9Nd40 f4

Ohr movs for Whi ar covrd in h NabrsBs gam

0B

Black is in no hrry o casl h plan of ..B6 and .Qd7 is vry appaling

00

000 Qa! again offrs Black xclln aacking chancs agains h whi kingOn possibl variaion, givn by Finkl in ChessBase Magazine, rns 2 a3 b! 3 fBb3! 4 Rdf (4 Bxd4? cxd4 cxb3 loss o . .Bh6) 4 . . .b4 f6 bxc3 6 Nxc3Bxf6 7 Rxf6 Bxc2 8 Bxd4 cxd4 9 Nd Qxd2+ 20 Kxd2 Nxd 2 xd R 22 Rxd6Ba4 wih som advanag o Black



Dangerous Weapons : Anti - i c i l an s

Black has qi a fw pins agains Nd inclding h simpl .Nx Qx2 Bxd 3 xd Nf 4 Bf2, whn bh 4 h4 and 4. .Qa lk prmising

inall, h knigh rra Nd can b m b . . .d, an ida wv aradsn c3 Nx 3 Qx2 d4 4 Bd2 Qd7 crainl lf Black n p in G.pp

GNdlman, Bns irs 200Qd 2 Kh2 0-0 (Dagram 22)

Diagram 22 (W) Diagram 2 3 (W)

In his psiin h insrin f .h an h3 favrs Black, sinc h pawn n h3rqirs cnsan anin and is difficl fr Whi rslv h siain. nh gam .Bachmann chiavB Xianghi, Calvia Olmpiad 004, Black gainda cnsidrabl advanag afr 3 Nd S! (again his rpl Nd) 4 Nc3 fS!(Diagram 23) xd Nxd 6 NxdS Bxd 7 Nc3 Bc6 8 h4 Rf8 9 fxS Bx 20Bf4 Bxf4 2 Rxf4 R6 Insad f 3 Nd Whi shld prbabl kp his knigh nc3 and bild p slwl wih 3 Rf r 3 Ra. Evn s, Black is fin hr: h can

sk h sal acn n h qnsid wih .Rab8 fllwd b b r h canaim f .£, prbabl wih Ra8 hrwn in firs

Coclusio

s fr as I can s, h vidnc in his chap sggss ha 6 .h is a gd pracical wapn fr Black, vn whn plad agains an xprincd Clsd icilianplar s w saw in margrMizis, carlss pla b Whi can and him in hwar vr qickl rhaps mr impranl, amaic Clsd icilian mvs,

ns which hs plaing Black ar likl fac mr fn han , ar n alwas h bs wa frward fr Wh. Ind, Whs chancs f sccss sm incras if h chss lss bvis mvs, sch as 8 Nd r 8 f4 insad f 8 Qd2in h main lin, alhgh vn hr I dn hink Back has mch far

22



w

A Twist in the c3 Sicilian

Peter Well s

1 4 3 Nf6 3 N 4 4 x4 5 Nf3 N6 6 x4 6 7 B4 x!?{m 1)

Diagram (W)

I hink i will pay righ frm h s b qi pfrn ab wha can b xpc rm a Dangerous Wea pon in h c3 icilian. 2 c3 n nly has a richly



Dangeous Weapons Ant c i l a ns

srvd rpaon for sold, b I also spc ha par of s scorng ponalcoms from h fac ha man of h rall aggrssv Black rsponss smpl dono sand p o clos scrn In dong h grondwork for hs chapr I rvsda fw of hm, and am farl condn ha n slcng a wapon wh rahr

mor mods ambons I am dong h radr a sgnfcan favorWha 7 . . dx5!? ndobdl dos hav o offr s h fac ha has bn nfarlnglcd n comparson wh h mch mor sandard 7 Nb6 or 7 . 6 Indd, Ihav bn plang h Black sd of h Nf6/ . Nc6 and d6 ssms for somm and I hav o confss ha s onl rlavl rcnl ha I hav bn morhan dml awar ha hs mov s vn vabl. Frhrmor, whls workng onhs chapr I hav bcom ncrasngl convncd ha 8 BxdS h ln whch sgnrall rcommndd n horcal works a onc nbalancs h posonncl who offrng Wh an horcal advanag hs dal s far from

rrlvan n scrng h sas of 7 . dx5 as a Dgou Wpo. If hs spposdl problmac ln n fac offrs Black xclln conrpla, hn m onl possbl rsrvaon abo h whol wapon s ha 8 dxS can lad o posonswhch ar ponall a b dll. owvr hs s no a hogh o b ovrsadhr I hnk h rslng posons compar vr wll wh h gnn dmwhch ofn noorosl accompans h man ln 7 . .Nb6 8 BbS dxS 9 NxS Bd70 Nxd7 (or vn 0 Bxc6) q asd from havng h vr of bng consdrabl lss xplord. nohr aracon of hs ssm as I wll hop o show nwha follows s ha n h cas of boh 8 dxS and 8 NxS, hr sms o m ob a good dal of scop o dpar from sablshd hor and sll o mrgwh a vr dcn poson hr s rch scop hr boh o xamn lns whchhav prvosl bn nfarl nglcd and o dbnk a handfl of mhs w�chdo no sand p o mor han a crsor xamnaon.

Enogh propaganda! I s 8 BxdS whch s mch blovd of h horcans anddspng allgd ffcac of hs mov s dfnl m rs ask rangl, Ialso sns s on of h ass! L s bgn wh a comforngl pcal xamplof Wh rong o h rcvd wsdom and dscovrng ha h pcr s

mch mor complx hs s b on of man gams plad a a rasonabl hghlvl n whch Wh dscovrs ha whls h ma njo a mporar navbasd pon h rapd moblzaon gnrad b harrng h black qn hs opponn can nonhlss scr a sold foohold n h cnr and hrafr s hdfnd's bshop par whch ma cons h mor sgnfcan as n h longrn

0 X.Bedouin BChatalbashev

Rd 26

e cs 2 c3 Nf6 3 es Nds d cxd 5 cxd d6 6 Nf3 Nc6 Bc dxes 8 Bxds ?

s mnond abov, hs mov gs a vr good prss and n som annoaons



A Twst n th c S l an

is lvad o somhing clos o rfaion sas. cold hardly disagr morsrongly wih his! I no longr bliv his o b h mos promising mov vn ifi is followd p wih pinpoin accracy. Morovr, as w shall s, i significanlyps h an by injcing considrabl imbalanc ino h posiion his can asily

rbond on WhiQxdS (Diagram 2)

Diagam 2 (W) Diagam 3 (W)

9 Nc3 Qd6

Hr and only hr In h sqnc ha follows i is ssnial for h qn odfnd S for wo disinc rasons irs, i nabls Blacks knigh o advanc o d4rahr han acqiscing in som ignominios rra scond, i nabls a ar. . .S, wiho which Whi wold njoy a largly nchallngd spaial advanag.n ohr words, his is no momn for xprimnaion!

is r ha 9 . . .Qc4 0 dS Nb4 Nx Qa6 2 a3 Bf dos dmand a pcisand aciv rspons from Whi, b so long as h is coragos nogh o find 3axb4! Qa 4 00 Black will hav immns problms finding scriy for bohmonarchs. fr 4 Qa6 R g6 ( . f6 wold hav bn oghr, b wihBlack's king facing qi a barrag n h cnr i is nsrprisng ha Whi canmak robl 6 Qf3 g6 7 bS Qd6 8 Nc4 Qb4 [8 . . .Qd7 9 d6] 9 N3! o m9 . Bd7 wih 20 Nc2 and Qxf6 looks o b on good way) 6 bS Qb6 7 d6 Rd8Whi cold hav brokn hrogh immdialy in G.BranMchrad, Rosock978, had h fond 8 Nc4 Qc 9 b3! wih a vry powrfl Ba3 o follow

0 ds N4 Nxd4 exd4 2 Qxd4 es (Diagram 3)

is no xaggraion o say a his mov is absolly pivoal o Black's niropning f i wr no possibl, Whi wold rally b abl o claim a gra dal in

5



Da ngus Wapns Ant -S c l an s

xchang for Black's bshop par. H wold noy a dvlopmn advanagwhch wold nd owards crcal proporons f h cold play B£4 wh mpo aswll as a sbsanal spaal ps snc chalngng h dpawn wold nalopnng h poson wh all s andan dangrs s s Black saks hs clam

o h cnr ad wll shorly sppor hs by advancng hs £pawn oo.rhaps ndlss o say Black dos no hav vryhng hs own way Folowng2 . Wh has a passd dpawn o add o hs ls of asss and h shold drvncoragmn from h rpaon of h qn as a profondly napproprapc o ndrak h mnal ask of blockadr. H can also aspr o aackBlack's cnr pawn by mans of h f4 lvr ll hs as hav pond o hasaddd p o a gnrally favorabl horcal assssmn of Whs chancs(Doran Rogoznko who n ChBa Ma gazn wro In mos horcal sorcshs poson s wrongly valad as br for Wh In fac Black has . good

play' s an honorabl xcpon) B Wh's problm s ha onc Black has scrd hs qn wh ..f and . . Bd7 and s rady o m any £4 wh . . .4 s farfrom sraghforward o ncras h prssr.

3 Qd3 Bd 4 0-0

naral way o dvlop of cors b onc h vrs of Black's sp n hgam ar apprcad s worh askng whhr s possbl o srk mmdaly wh 4 f4 bfor h s rady o m hs wh 4 Cranly f Black wasforcd o capr hr wold b good mlag n hs da snc afr 4 . xf4

00 Q4+ s no bad hr b lss dangros) Black cold only prvn Bxf4by . g and alhogh Frtz lks hs I sspc ha hr afr 6 N4 or vn6 Qd4 Qb6 7 B3!? mos hman playrs wold no

Fornaly hogh h poson of Wh's kng n h cnr nabls Black om 4 £4 wh 4 . . . £ Black s rady agan o rply wh 4 o anyhng b fx Qx+ whn 6 Kf2 Bc+ 7 B3 Qf4+ 8 K2 Qg4 9 K£2 Bd6 favors Blackas dos 6 Q2 Bd6 7 Qx+ Bx 8 00 00 9 B£4 Bd4 20 Kh Rac8 2 Rf3 Rf8whn h dpawn provdd scan compnsaon for Black's xclln pcs nMKolarGrnfld sral Champonshp 986.

ampd gan of m by prmpng .. . f wh 4 N4? s also rvald asvry sprfcal by 4. .Qg6 00 f 6 Ng3 Bd6 (Rogoznko) whn Black has abaflly harmonos poson

4fs (Dagram 4)

s possbl o play hs poson wh ron' movs sch as 4 . . .B7 b hvry drc x mov n conjncon wh K£7 sms o m o lav Black by farh bs placd o conr prssr agans . It do not alway pay to hurry thmov 4 but t xtrmly ul to hav t avalabl!

5 Re

nohr naral mov b by no mans h only approach brf look a halrnavs may ac as a sl gd o dn h sor of das whch carry



A Twst n the c Sc l a n

sm dangr fr Black and hs which ar dfinily lading nwhr

a) h firs qsin is whhr h blckadr can b knckd ff crs wih SNbS whil h black king is sill n 8 his sms fairly asily dismissd lhgh S NbS all b bligs Black cd h bishp pair, his cnr is nancd

by h changing f h gard n d6 afr S . . .BxbS 6 QxbS+ Qd7 7 Q2 (r 7Qb3 Bd6 8 £4 4 9 B3 0-0 20 Rac Rfc8 and again prfr Black,Drngrimssn- Bbras, asings 200S) 7 . Bd6 8 B£4 (Diagam 5)

Diagam 4 (W) Diagam 5 (B)

r Black can rspnd calmly wih 8 0-0 9 BxS Ra8 20 £4 BxS 2 fxS QxdSand h waknss f h -pawn gav him a dfini iniiaiv in F.KwiakwskiC.Ward, lyds Bank Masrs, Lndn 994

b) wvr, his migh n b h nd f h NbS ida, b rahr an indicainha i nds b applid wih a lil mr finss h inrsing ramn

wi an accrad S a4? can b viwd a as in par as js sch a mdificain. h firs ida is ha S . .Kf7 will b m by an nhancd 6 NbS sinc h £Spawn wld nw hang in h vn f 6 .BxbS

h scnd is rvald if Black ris sp NbS by br frc wih S a6, frhn h sbsidiary ida S a4 is rvad by 6 b3! whn h plan f playing hbishp a3 (which will als far in h gam) can b sn in a nw gis hismay n scr a pls fr Wi, b i ds a las s prblms in a nw andfrsh sig.

h hird ida was rvald by h crs f h gam Nay O Kyaw nimannak, Kala Lmpr 2006, afr S .B7? 6 NS? BxbS 7 QxbS Qd78 R (Diagam ) as r ar implicains fr h S-pawn nw ha Whi hasprpard his qn sri by dfnding bS. fr 8 .4 9 £3 Black dfndd pr-



Dangus Wapns : Ant S c l a ns

cisely wh 9. .Qxb5 axb5 Bb4 1 Re Bc5 Kh (he po of Blacks hmove is evealed by Be3 exf3 3 gxf3 Bxe3 4 Rxe3 Kd 5 Rea3 Rhd8 adBlack wll have o oubles i he edig) .- ad he acics have all wokedo eable Black o hold his posio ogehe ealy deed, afe 3 B£4 Rad8 4

Rd1 he should have played 4 .Bd6? whe he posiio is dawish, bu i migho be ouladish o alk of Back havig a sligh edge.

Diagam 6 (B) Diagram (B)

c) Oe moe idea meis a meio hee, i oly fo is oigialiy VysochiM.Vachie Lagave, vy 5, Whie foud a ew home fo he quee i coucio wih he ae, bu impoa pla o aackg Black's cee wih a quick f4advace Afe 5 Qg3 K? 16 f4 e4 1 Be3 Be 8 Bd4 Bf6 9 Bxf6 Qx6 Qe3Qb6 1 Qxb6 axb6 Rad Rhc8 3 Rd4 b5 4 a3 Whe may eve be slighly bee i his edgame sice he has doe a dece ob o fixig Blacks queesideweakesses Noeheless, exchagig dak-squaed bishops feels like a sligh co

cessio is i so scay fo he bishop o lad o e5 afe 8 . .Qg6 o eve 18 Rhg8?Neihe am fully pesuaded of he ecessiy fo . .Qb6. ohe wods his allooks lke a useful exesio of Whe s opos ahe ha a huge hea

Reuig o 15 Re (Diagram )

S... Kf 6 a4

Oe of he beauies of his posiio fo he defede is ha i seems o be vey easyfo eve sog playes o dif wih Whie hee.

16 Qe3 makes oably lile sese, sice afe 16 .a6 he epaw is immue (due o

. .Re8). Neihe does 16 Bd look vey pomisig; Black was soo bee iA.ospee-P.zekely, Hugaia Ch, Budapes 98, afe 16 .e4 1 Qg3 Qxg38 hxg3 Rc8 19 Rac Be g4 g6 1 g5 Rc4 g3 h6 3 gxh6 g5. Whe's aemps

8



A Twst n the c S c a n

to udeme Blacks paw cha have meely weakeed hs ow ad ulmatelygated t exta moblty.

6 ..a6!?

I lke ths moe. geeal t seems to me that thee s o eed to ush the spacegag ..e4 bette to wat utl the et moe whe Whte has weakeed the c3-squae ad thus edeed a successful beak wth a quck f3 moe poblematc

b3

Ths moe should ot pass wthout commet. e f t tus out to be stog ad t has cetaly bee the most popula moe ths theoetcally mpotatposto the possblty to play Bb2 o Ba3 cetaly comes at a pce. o c3 stagbly weakeed, ad wth t (as we shall see) the whole alue of the cfle toBlack s geatly ehaced

... e4 Qh3 R! (Dagram )

Dagram (W) Dagram 9 (B)

Natual ad logcal; t becomes clea the moe study ths le that a cetaweakess o the c-fle fact udeles may of the poblems whch Whte tedsto ecoute I ay case, Whte does have a seous pla Ba3 hee ad thsshould ocetate Black's md somewhat. patcula the whte quee seemsto be the wog taget, ad Blacks attempt to embaass he wth 18 .h5? was leftlookg athe ae afte 19 Ba3 Qc 2 d6 Bxd6 21 Bxd6 Qxd6 22 Rad1 Qe 23Nxe4 D.Paasovc-P.o, lovea . Mabo 1998. Whe the posto

opes up lke ths, may of the pefectly decet moes tegal to Black's setupbeg to look lke the heght of folly!

9 Ba3

Ths feels cosstet deelopg wth tempo ad attackg the blockade of the

9



Dangus Wapns Ant -S c l an s

passed paw But the weakess o c3 meas that othig is staightowad heead a body o theoy is developig which suggests that White should pobably beseekig impovemets aleady.

19 Bb is cetaiy plausible too. Ate 19 .. Be White ca ty Ne? itedig

oly ate . .Rc to poceed with 1 Ba3 {Dagam 9)Now Black should esist the geedy 1 .Qxd5 Rad1 Rd (ot . .Rxe? 3Qh5) 3 Nc3 Qd4 4 Rxd Qxd 5 Rd1 whe he is obliged to give up his queewith 5 . Qxd1 6 Nxd1 Bxa3 Ne3 ad his oces do ot look quite well eoughcoodiated o all this to be advisable. Neithe is 1...Qh6? the usual paacea iview o Qxh6 gxh6 3 Bxe Kxe 4 3 placig Black's cete ude some pessue Istead he should settle o 1.Qe5 Bxe Kxe 3 Rad1 K£ which eteekely with his customay excellet positioal ad deesive isticts seected iRahls. ekely, Beli 1988. till, White has a good squae o d4 ad is acig

less uget poblems o the cile tha i may lies. Black is okay hee, butWhite's teatmet emais a valid oe

Retuig to 19 Ba3 {Dagam 0)

Dagam 0 {B) Dagam (B)

9...Q6!?

O oe evel this positioally pooud move simply meits a ' . Howeve, Ihave maked it less geeously with the itetio o highlightig the eglect othe alteative 19 .Qc? amogst commetatos I metioed at all, it is usuallyobseved that Bb gives White some iitiative. Howeve, give that Black the

has . .Bb4 available this at least begs the questio: a outie move such as 1Rac ca be met with 1 . .Qd6 ad I like the impact o the bishop o b4

I act, am pobably ot ecommedig 19 ..Qc, but oly because the complica-

0



A wst n th c S c l a n

ios asig om Bb Bb4 1 N4 look ah haiaisig ad h kd odc quid dos o l i h spii o h li. Acually, a .4 Qh5 Diagram ) suspc ha Black ca had his way hough h complicaios a h . . .Kg8 3 R4 Qc 4 R4 g6 5 Q5 Bc3 6 Q B5 Rc4

Rc4 8 bc4 Qb 9 Q8 Kg 3 Q Kh6 31 Qh4 wih a daw by ppual o .. g6 3 Qh4 Qd8 4 Q4 B5 5 Bh8 Qh8 6 g4 B1 R Q£6 8 g5g£5 ad Black is o wos.

ill, his is woh mioig o wo asos is, i hoy quis his lvl oigui ad accuac om Whi o scu a daw should suly b splldou cod, I hav misassssd ayhig h complicaios o ollow iwould b usul (a las o h vy bav had) o kow ha his opo isqui playabl, so log as a daw is o uaccpabl

20 Qx6

Whi ca also amp o gab a paw by acical mas h by N4 Qh3(o . .Ba3 1 Ra3 Rc Raa1 Ra1 3 Ra1 Qh3 4 Ng5 K6 5 Nh3 Rc8which looks playabl, bu lss ambiious) 1 Ng5 K6 Nh3 Ba3 3 Ra3 Diagram 2) bu i somhow lavs a bi oo high a popoio o his pics cligigo h dg o h boad As a sul, Black appas o gai qui ough compsaio by 3 Rh8 4 Raa R (o 4 .Rc3 5 R8 B8 6 R B£ N4g5 8 N6 Rb3 9 h4 gh4 3 Nc5 Rc3 31 Nd Kg 3 R which also quis acosidabl dg o accuacy om Whi, bu wh h dos sm o hav hid

d soucs o coupay) 5 R Rc3 6 N4 Rb3 d6 ad ow . .Rb wih . Rd o ollow should lav Black vy comoabl alhough agai Whi hasphaps show mo soucs ha i appad a is sigh.

Diagam 2 B) Diagram 3 W)

20 gx6 2 Bb2?!

3



Dangus Wapns Ant S c l a ns

s pobably me fo Whe o k ems of secug eual chaces ad ohs ed akg efge he opposecoloued bshop edg wh 21 Bxf8? Rc322 Bxh6 Rxb3 looks wse. Howeve, oy ook a couple of accuae moves foBlack o eew hs wg chaces Cgelbe-Z.Laka, Hambug 22, afe23 g3 (23 aS looks a much safe be, peveg Black's ..b5 beak) 23 ..Rc8 24 Be3Rd3 25 Rab b5 26 axb5 Bxb5 2 Red Rd8 28 Rxd3 exd3 whe Whe wl eduememoable suffeg.

2 ... Bg 22 Nd Bxb2 23 Nxb2 Rc3! (Dagram 3)

Black could o ea he bshop pa, bu he has exaced a cea pce fo hsexchage. The deal sll eues some fesse because hs kg emas poealy a b vuleable f he opes he a-fle pemauely o example, h mmedae aemp o embaass Whes poeally vey awkwad kgh o b2 by23 b5? would backfe somewha afe 24 axb5 axb5 25 Ra Rhd8 26 f3 ad Black

wl o be coodaed me o peve he kgh eachg a dece cealsuae afe all, fo example afe 26 Rc5 (26 .Rc2 2 Nd) 2 fxe4 fxe4 28 Rxe4Rxd5 29 Re3 wh Nd3 o follow ad o fuhe dffcules. Hece he ex move,whch fac explos aohe coseuece of he exchage ye ew eyuaes o he cfle ad peses Whe wh a dffcul choce

2 Re3

Neuazg he black ook, bu a he same me aeg he sucue he cee a way whch esues he ccal e4 paws mmuty fom aack. A leas

fo paccal puposes, hee mgh have bee moe mleage sacfcg he bpaw o esue ha he kgh wll be a segh ahe ha a log-em souce ofaxey

would pefe 24 Nc4? Rxb3 25 f3 Rb4 26 Ne5 Ke 2 Rab Rb1 28 Rxb Bc8 29Rb6 Rd8 3 Rxh6 Rxd5 ad Black eas a edge, bu Whe s clealy fghg 26Rac ? sead of 26 Ne5) s a vey eesg aleave, seg a eesgap 26. . .b5? 2 axb5 axb5 28 Ne5 Ke leads o some ouble, o so much afe29 Rc? Kd6, bu ahe he cky 29 Rc6 wh dece coueplay ad a elavely ae example of agble poblems asg fom he weakeed h-paws.Howeve, Black ca mpove wh caeful play ad afe 26 . Bxa4 2 fxe4 Rd8 hesads well, sce f ow 28 Rf ? Kg8 he boh 29 exf5 Bb5 ad 29 Rf5 Rc8 ed msey fo Whe

2 ... Rxe3 25 fxe3 bS! 26 Rc Ke (Dagram )

The kgh o b2 s domaed ad fo he fs me s vey dffcul o po oay eal hopes o Whe o ceae coueplay. o al ha, hs ex move cealy does o help hs chaces of sayg coeo

2 Rs? Kd6 28 b bxa?!

Ths slp does o seous ham, bu headg fo a pue mo pece edg featug he mseable kgh o b2 wh 28 Rc8 would have bee much moe clcal

3



A Twist in the c3 S c ia n

29 R5 Bb51 30 Nx Kxd5 3 Nc5 R 32 Nx6 Kc (Dgm 5)

DANGEROU WEAPON t not jut tt Wte' pece e oode. T poton c o dgm becue t epeent

get ucce o te cent pwn wedge wc cctezet vton gt om te openng.

The est eques ol the lghtest commeta.

Dgm (W) Dgm 5 (W)

33 K2?1 Rc6 3 Nb Rb6 35 R 1?

destadable gve that Wtes peces ae uttel ted up tll, thee was acase fo the smple 35 ..Kxb4 too

36 ex Kd3 3 R3+ Kd 3 R8 e3+ 39 K3

Now t s all ove Mseable though hs task s, Whte had to t 39 Ke.39Re6 0 R e2 K2 Re 0

Lookig a Little Deeper

hope the extesve otes to the game above have bought the eade o boadwth oe cuca ealzato Back s ot ol theoetcal oka afte 8 BxdS, healso has excellet wg chaces fa exceedg the om almost a ma

vaato of the c3 cla.o t s tme to etu to the ow famla posto afte e c5 2 c3 N6 3 es Nd5 d cxd 5 N3 Nc6 6 cxd d6 Bc dxes!? (Dgm 6) ad a caeful examatoof Whtes alteatve les the two staghtfowad ecaptues o eS

33



Dangeous Weapons Ant i Sic i l i a ns

A 8 dxes

B 8 Nxes

Dagram 6 {W) Dagram {W)

A) e4 s 2 3 Nf6 3 es Nds 4 d4 xd4 5 Nf3 N6 6 xd4 d6 B4 dxes! ? 8 dxesAs will ofe be he case whe a sysem eceives elaively lile aeio i lieaue he mos obvious epy has also bee he mos popula i his case i speof a easoably cea ecommedaio fo oe of he aleaives Noeheless, i isfa fom clea o me i his case ha public opiio has ecessaily bee misguided Ceaily he ex move is Whies mos solid choice ad eve if hequees ae sholy o be exchaged he ca sill aspie o a sligh space advaage.

8Ndb4! (Dagram )

is move ages c2 ad hus esues ha Whe wi o be able meey o exchage quees ad poceed wih quick developme wihou aedig o hisicoveiece. Fo some his wi be see as esseial o he viabiliy of Black'swhole sysem, alhough ahe suspec ha his fudameal sucue is soudeough ha us 8 . .Nb6 is o so bad eihe. ill, he ex move should be pefeed ad immediaely ses Whie a ieesig choice This is a mao paig ofhe ways Whie has fou piciple opios, oe of hem o keep quees o heboad ad he ohe hee o head fo subly vaied ypes of queeless middlegame

3



A) 9 Qb3

A2) 9 0-0

A3) 9 Qxd8+

A) 9 a3

A Twist in the c3 S ic i l i an

e addoal possbly of 9 Qe also mes a meo alhough he cauoequed fom Black s pey mmal aue The obvous ely 9 .Bf5 mus bebes bu afe would advse agas he maealsc .Nc? 11 Rd Qc81 g4 Bg6 (1..Bxg4 13 Ng5 s also awkwad o mee) 13 e6 Nxa1 14 Nc3 wh asog aack Ideed s o smple ask o sugges a easoable move fo Blackwh 14 .Nxc? falg mos elegaly o 15 Qxc

Isead he pude bu posoally wellgouded 1. Bd3 should be pefeedsce 11 Bxd3 Qxd3 1 Qxd3? (1 Nc3 s playable bu he exchage of quees oe evdely leaves Black comfoable eough) 1 . Nxd3 esuls some embaassme o he epaw

A) 9 Qb3 looks he mos aggessve move sce keeps quees o he boad adecso whch a fs sgh seems appopae o he ug o such a spaalplus fac s o loge beleved o be ecessaly he case ha he playe whmoe space should keep quees o ad my huch s ha hs move has eoyed

ahe a uusfed populay I s cealy focg ally bu acually afe9e6 0 0-0 (Diagram 8) (o 1 a3? NaS 11 Bb5 Bd 1 Qa4 Nc 13 Qc Bxb5wh excelle lgh-squae pospecs IFlpovc-Mabcs Pula 1999) Black hasa eesg choce of ways o play he poso I wll cosde

Diagram 8 (B) Diagram 9 {W)

3 5



Dangeous Weapons : Ant -S c l a ns

A 0Bd

A Nas!?

A) 0Bd dvlops a d blocks chcks o h a48 diagoal hs makig hha o fok h q ad bishop a aliy h ky o h dowsid of 9 Qb3.Fo a whil ms admi had aicipatd cocaig xclsivly o hismov wih o svaios whasov. My hsiasm was paiclaly highwh I xamid h wdish aioal Mas Rolad ksoms df hadlig of h posiio af h popla ad mily plasibl 11 Bg5. Th moscommo spos has b to play 11Qc h fo xampl 12 Qc3 Rc(12. Na5 13 Bx6!) 13 Na3 NaS 14 Rfc1 Nxc4 15 Nxc4 bS! 16 Nd6 Bxd6 1 xd6Qxc3 18 Rxc3 f6 ad Black is fi sic h ca asily liv aod h d6paw

wh i will vally pov vlabl ill acally wiig h balacd dig which aos i L. BgM.Vachi Lagav vy 25, af 19 Rxc8 Bxc8 2B3 Nc6 21 Nd4 Nxd4 22 Bxd4 Kd 23 Bxa Kxd6 was qi a achivm!Howv h icky 13 Rc!? migh mak i mo difficl o implm Blackspla sic 13 . Na5 agai fails actcally o 14 Bx6

Rah I am aacd o h simpliciy ad dicss of ksoms 1.Na5!?(Diagram 9)

Th a wo mai idas Th fis is ha af 12 Bxd8 Nxb3 13 axb3 Black is o

v willig o p p wih wha appas o b b a mio icovic o hiskig af 13 . .Kxd8 14 NgS!? K8 15 Nc3 b is ah willig o sacific a pawfo a dcpivly powfl iiiaiv af 13 ..Rxd8! 14 Rxa Bc6 15 Nc3 BcS 16Raa1 K (Diagram 0) wh Blacks posiio is a viabl pic of hamoyad cool.

Diagram 0 (W) Dagram {W)

3



A Twst n th e c3 S c a n

DANGEROU WEAON! White' continuation of Na4 Ba 8Nc3 in E.edina-R.Etoem, wi eague 008, wa atetament to the temendou difficulty he undertandably

found in deviing a contructive way forwad here, and after8 ... Bb8 9 Na NdS? 9 .... Nxa followed by 0 ... Bxf3 aloloo promiing 0 Nd4 Bxes Nxc6+ bxc6 Bxds cxdsBlac' advantage i beyond dipute.

The second idea is that ate 12 Qc3, Black can play to the secue squae with12 ...Qc8 Diagram avoiding the now amilia Bxe6 tactic to which the queentends to be vulneable on c. Clealy, the pessue on c2 pevents White om peseving his bishop and I aleady somewhat pee Black ate 13 b3 h6 14 Bd2Nxc4 15 bxc4 Bc5 16 B4 1 a3 Na6 18 Nbd2 Bc6 (ModenaRkstoem, wissLeague 25), although I do think thee may have been a case o 15 ..Be?, keeping the c5 squae o the knight. Back at move thiteen I would be tempted to pee 13 bd2 (o pehaps 13 Na3) 13 ...Nxc4 14 Nxc4 although 14. . .b5 15 Nd6 Bxd616 exd6 Qxc3 1 bxc3 NdS esults in a quite acceptable vaiant o the endgamewhich we saw handled by VachieLagave in the note above Black will ollow upwith . .6 and thee is suicient imbalance hee o the moe ambitious! o, all inall, kstoems 11..Na5!? seems to hold up well against the popula 11 Bg5.

But what o othe moves? iven the theat to ok on aS, the main altenaive is aeteat o eithe queen o bishop, with 1 1 Qd1 Na5 12 Be2 o 11 Be2 Na5 12 Qd1Diagram esulting in the same position.

Diagram B Diagram 3 W

I believe Black is okay hee, but at the same time he does need to teat Whites

37



Dangerous Weapons Ant i -S ic i i an s

spac advaag wh som spc. hk hs as 2. . .Nd5 whch cas hs kgh ad pvs a asy Nc3 by Wh. Wh u ds o fd aaoa schm fo dvopg hs qusd. xamps such as 3 a3?! Rc8 4Bd3 B7 5 Ra2 b5 6 b4 Nc4 7 Rc2 a5 8 bxa5 Qxa5 9 Q2 2 Q4 g6 2 h4

Ncb6 22 Bh6 Rfd8 23 Rxc8 Rxc8 24 Ng5 Qa4 25 Qf3 Qf4!, PadaZ Laka,ambug 27 md us ha Back s payg fo mo ha jus quay as swh af 9 Qb3, h s py of mbaac h poso owv,wo b pas fo bgg h qusd pcs suggs hmsvs 3 Bd2 foowd by 4 Nc3 (hopg som way o mbaass h kgh o aS a ) adsmpy 3 Nbd2 B7 4 N4.

Nh of hs ooks pacuay hag, bu boh ps dc 'souos' ad ufy som of h spca facos whch af Bg5 Na5! pvWh fom v aspg o bud aoud h xa spac whch hs 5paw s

cus o, fo ayo who fds a hs uappag, I w cosd a supsgad ah adca aav

A) 0 NaS! ? ooks vy sag a fs wh Wh ca smpy sdsp h fokwh BbS+ owv, af h amos obgaoy Bd Qa4 (sc 2Bxd7 Qxd7 gvs Back vy asy pay) us ou ha h a wo qu coasg das avaab o mak ss of Back's da

a) 2 .. .Bxb5 3 Qxb5 Nbc6 (Diagram 3 s h mo aa a as oc s ob

svd ha h b7paw s aboo fo h mom Now 4 Nc3 (ppag Rd)sms o b w m by 4. . .a6! wh 5 Q2 aowd 5. . .Qd3 6 Rd Qx2 7Nx2 Nd5 wh vy smp quay ad as usua suffc mbaac o gdWh dow D.juaT.uskovjak, ombahy 23. If h spac advaag whch h 5paw scus cass o b va, h s ow poa vuaby ad h d5 squa whch s advac has hpd o wak d o su ha Back has som pspcv To vok Ta's maxm wh h gam squa Back s b' woud b a xaggao, bu cay w a ay dag wh a y du ad s quay hs s. o Wh shoud ooko mpov o 5 Q2, bu 5 Qc4!? (5 Qa4 b5 6 Qb3 Na5 dos o quafy)5 Qd3 6 Qg4 (o 6 Qh4 B7 7 Bg5 Bxg5 8 Nxg5 Qg6!? ad aga Back ookssod ough) 6 . . .Qg6 aso ooks sasfacoy fo Back.

b) Back's oh da s ms cosdao, hough, fo s sh audacy. Af2 Qa4 us ou s o obgaoy o xchag, bu ah Back ca hop ombaass h wh qu by psvg h bshops wh 2 ..Nac6 {Dagram 4)dg o mak oub wh a wmd . . . a6. Ths wokd w I.Vkja.Vdk, sak 998, wh Back m 3 Bg5 wh h ah adca 3. f6!? ad

4 xf6 gxf6 5 Bd2?! a6 6 Bxc6 Bxc6 7 Qb3 Qd5 8 Qxd5 Bxd5 abd hm ompm hs pa a ay pfc vso. I fac, I suspc ha af h ogca 5 Bh4! a6 6 B2 Nd4 7 Qd Nx2 8 Qx2 Back's waksss woud coufo jus as much as h gas h has mad. Nh s h smp 3 .B7 a souo.

3 8



A Twist n the c3 S ic i l i an

Whte's dea s that afte 14 Bxe Qxe the ook o a8 s o loge defeded ad sohe has tme fo 1S Nc3, eady to meet 1S .a6?! wth the aoyg 16 a3. Howeve,thee s a thd possblty 13 .Qb8!? httg eS some ccumstaces ad etag the coe dea to play ...a6 wthout delay.

Diagram 24 (W) Dagram 25 (W)

teestgly, a smla stoy esults fom the ogcal 13 Rd1, whe 13 . Qc8! (Dagam 25) s aga dffcult to kck to touch Nethe 14 a3 NdS 1S Nc3 Nxc3 16bxc3 a6 1 Bxc6 Bxc6 18 Qg4 BdS, o 14 Qb3 a6 1S Be2 (o 1S Bxc6 Bxc6 16 Nc3Bxf3!? 1 gxf3 Be wth easoable coute-chaces) 1S . . .NaS! 16 Qc3 NdS lookespecally theateg.

RO THE DCE ! ome of th of coure ha a lightly ry ar toit but agan cannot ee a totally convincing reply to theimpendng a6 and thu 0Na5!? retan definte appeal for

the player uncompromiingly eeing the full point.

A2) 9 00 has the vtue of ecouagg Black to eckless geed, but at least thegames o my database suggest that ths s oe of lfe's moe esstble temptatos.Afte 9 Qxd 0 Rxd (Diagram 2 6) t s fact ot that clea that acceptgWhte's vtato wth 10 . . Nc2 s tself so dsastous. f Whte eples wth 1 1Nc3 the t s cetaly tme to call a halt to matealsm sce 1.Nxa1? 12 NbS sclealy a step too fa Howeve, 1 . BfS!? pepag to meet NbS wth . Rc8 smuch toughe, ad fact Whte wll eed to show some geuty to avod amedate epetto afte 12 Rb1 N2b4 o some vaat of ths theme Coseuetly I suspect that Whte should pefe to tade developmet fo a slght stuctal cocesso wth 11 Na3! Nxa3! 12 bxa3 whe satsfactoy developmet of the

3 9



Dangeous Weapons Anti S ic i l i a ns

c8bishop i he face of he halfope bfle will be he chief challege fo he defece I feel ha Black should y o make 1 g6? wok hee, sice 1 Bg4 13Rb is awkwad, whils 1 e6 will allow a pla of Bb ad Nd-e4d6 which alsolooks iiaig hee is lile o fea i 1. g6 13 Ng5, sice 13 . Ne5 14 Bb5 (o

14 Bb Nc4 which seems a plausible eough ivesme) 14 .Nc6 15 Bb f6 16Rac Bd 7 looks safe eough. o, pehaps 13 e6? Be6 14 Be6 fe6 15 Rb1 Rd8 16Re1 whe Whie should eai some pessue. Howeve, his is by o meas cleaad is obviously playable fo Black


o all ha, he mos popula (ad pobably also he mos pude) choice hasbee o age he e5paw ad iflic some sucual damage wih 1 Bg4?whe 11 e6? fe6 1 Nc3 g6 13 NbS R 14 Bf4 Bf3 15 gf3 Nd5 {Dagram 2) hasbee esed a umbe of imes Neihe side will be sedig ou poscads of heipaw sucues, bu he e6paw a leas suppos d5 Moeove, i is clea ha 16Bd5 ed5 17 Rd5 Bg7 peses Black wih o poblems hasoeve heefoe,

he moe esig pacical y is 16 Rd5 ? ed5 1 7 Bd5 bu afe 17 . .e5 18 Be6 Rb819 Bg5 Be7 Be3 h6? (ahe ha . .Bf6 1 Bc5 Be7 Be3 Bf6 3 Bc5 ec, whichwas he chose oue o a daw i .vesikov-W.Haso, ochi 1979) 1 f4ef4 Bf4 Rd8 3 Nc7 Kf8 4 Bc4 Rd7 5 Ne6 Ke8, as played i he gameAJakubiec Pokoy, Lae Bohdaec 996, Black should be soakig up hepessue successfully deed, i is pobably ime fo Whie o hik abou cashigi o eieve his maeial ivesme, alhough afe 6 Nc7 Kd8 7 Be6 Nd4? 8Bd7 Ne 9 Kf Nf4 3 Ne6 Kd7 31 Nf4 Rg8 i is oly Black wih hebishop ad he slighly ighe sucue who ca y o claim a edge i hisedgame

A3) 9 Qxd8+ a leas displaces oe of Black's pieces, bu much will hige upo he

0



A Twst n the c3 S c an

placig o Whes kigh m ae 9 Nxd8 0 Na Diagram 8 sce hee Nc2 Nc3 Nxa 2 NbS o loge covices ae 2. . .Be6, Yagupov-MBlokh, Moscow 992

Diagram 8 B Diagram 9 W

eply o Na3, like 0a6! akig he bSsquae away om Whie's pieces,

bu also pepaig ...bS as pa o he campaig o esic he a3kigh's opiossead, . . .Be6, hough playable, i a sese isks simply iviig his piece backio play, whils . . .Bg4 may be okay i coucio wih a ealy Ndc6, buBlack should be cauious abou exchagg o 3 pemauely, sice doubligWhie's £-paws would eail boh weakeg he ligh squaes ad ecouagig abolseig o his cee wih 3-4.

Ae 0. . .a6 00 lke he simple mehodical pla o developme show i.BlascokVesselovsky, Tiec 20 .. .e6 2 Rd Ndc6 3 Be3 bS 4 Bb3 BbS Bb6 Ne! 6 Nc NedS BaS Nxc2 8 Bxc2 Bb4! 9 Bxb4 Nxb 2 Bb3 Ke

Diagram 9 wih o poblems ad eve chaces o age eS i he log em piciple his upeeious pla o developme seems o be applicable aeWhie's aleaive h moves oo. Bd2 e6 Ke2 bS 3 Bb3 Bb 4 Nc2 Ndc6S Nxb4 Bxb4 6 Bxb4 Nxb4 Rhd Ke was aguably o especially iveig, bualso a vey eicie equalie i R.ege-Loda, Budapes .

DANGEROU WEAON! Moreover aer Nd4?! e6 Be b5 Bd? Bb 4 0-0 Ndc6 5 Bf there the extra twit that

50! leave Whte' piece more vulnerable than hi op-ponent' o that 6 Nxc6 Rxd Nxb4 Bxb4 8 Rfc+ Kb8 9Bxb Kxb already gave Blac a coniderable endgame advantage in Aolomaha-I .Nyhny Kiev 00



Dangerous Wea pons Ant S c l a ns

A4) 9 a

This has the obvious dawback that it peits the displaceet of Whites kigHoweve, i the cotext of a exchage of quees it could be claied tha divigBlacks kight to the edge of the boad povides sigificat copesatio fo what

is eal a elativel io icoveiece t a ot be stetchig a poit toouch to clai that the assesset of the lie ests to a sigificat degee upohow each side solves the poble of these espective pieces. Black does fo suelose tie with his kight, but thee is ohig uch to stop it headig fo c adtheeafte d5. Whites kig teds to be safe eough o e, but if a piece is goigto cause it hassle, it wil be that kight esoall, thik Whites chaces heeae cetal o wse tha i the othe quee exchage lies we have see but a at the sae tie cofidet that Back has few pobles keepig the balace.

9 ...Qxd+ 0 Kxd Na6 {Diagram 30)

Dagram 30 {W) Diagram 3 (B)

b4t would be all but a cie agaist his light squaes fo White to coside exchagig o a6 the athe peipheal weakeig of Blacks stuctue would ot evecoe cose to copesatig fo that Howeve, thee have bee pactical exaplesof 1 e6?, aothe attept to ake a ess of Blacks stuctue which looks deeplisguided to e. o it is pecisel the e5paw which udepis White s spatialplus ad i its absece the f8 bishop gows iesel i statue Blacks epawsae ot eal weak eough to ake up fo that afte 1 Bxe6 1 Bxe6 fxe6 13 B£4

g6 14 Nc3 Bg 15 Re1 - 16 Bg3 NcS, whe Blacks g-bishop was desevedldoiatig the boad i Olsa.Wassi, Zakopae

... Bg4!

2



A Twst n th e c3 Sc a n

The best pace to deveop this bishop ad a usefu tactica espose to the theat of12 b5?, which is ow of couse met by 12 ...Ne5 with advatage.

Bb (Diagam 3) ... Nc

This makes sese avoidig the theat o b5 fo good. fact, i K. KiikYoaFiish League 199, Back chose 12 ...e emidig us that i fact 13 b5?! is o themomet we met by 13 . .. Na5 whe White has eay oy succeeded i ceatighoes i his positio. Noetheess, fo the most pat move ode is ess impotathee tha udestadig a few basic ideas ad the eay usefu esso of thisgame ate 12 .e 13 Nbd2 -- 14 Rc? Bf3 15 g£3 Nc 1 Ke2 Kb8 1 Ne4Nd5 (1. . .Be woud have bee a toughe defece) 18 Ng5! Rd 19 Bd5 ed5 2 £4h 21 N£3 (Diagram 3) is that echagig o £3 is by o meas aways a good ideaeve if White's paws ae doubed i the pocess. Hee the fot £paw is abe to

pay a vauabe oe defedig e5 ad eacig White's advatage

space Afte the additioa echage o d5, the pospect of White advacig this £pawsti fuhe is ot a peasat oe eithe. My othe issue with the desie to ush itocaptuig o f3 is simpy that this bishop o g4 is a vey usefu pesece itsefWith the White kig ikey to sette o e2, the pi teds to be aoyig, whistevictig this piece by advacig g2-g4 wi ikey have cosequeces fo the £4squae. This i tu wi assist the c kight to fid oe.

Diagam 3 (B) Diagam 33 (W)

3 Nbd e6 4 h3 Bh5! 5 Ke

It is ot idicuous at a to go chasig Back's bishop whie the oppotuiy sti

eists, but the pice as usua is good squaes fo the back kights Afte 15 g4 Bg1 Nh4 Be 1 Ng hg 18 Nf3 Nd5! (NZambo-T.Pokoy, Padubice 199),this was eough to pesuade White to head fo 19 Bd5?! -- 2 Kc2 Rd5 21Rad1 Rd 22 Kd b5 whe Back had sighty the bette of equaity

43



Dageous Weapons Ant S c l a ns

50-00 (Diagram 33) 6 Rfc!?

This ook moe looks a bit stage, but i is the oly alteatie to the immediateshaig of the poit to hae bee tested i pactice thik I woud ty 6 Rachee, eaig the kig's ook fo the ope d-file, but hee too afte 6 . .Kb8, the

same pla of meetig b5? with . . . Na5 8 d3 Nd5 looks moe tha sufficiet,whilst afte the moe patiet Ne4 Nd5 also foesee o paticula poblems folack.

6 Kb8

V.Meijes-D.Rogozeko, othebug 4, was aso ageed daw hee. Rogozeko metios that b5? Na5 8 d3 xf3 9 gxf3 Nd5 epesets a case iwhich lack's iasio of squaes is ideed apid eough to justify patig withthe eeed light-squaed bishop, but b4b5 geeally seems a athe loose idea.Agai, Ne4 looks ight ad afte ... Nd5 the positio oce moe looks balaced but by o meas dead.

B) e4 c5 c3 Nf6 3 e5 Nd5 4 d4 cxd4 5 Nf3 Nc6 6 cxd4 d6 Bc4 dxes !? 8 Nxes(Diagram 34)

Diagram 34 (B) Diagram 35 (W)

This keeps the quees o ad esults i positios which ae somewhat less distictie tha those foud afte the two alteaties we hae cosideed. Of couseWhite eeds to be willig to accept a isolated quee's paw (IQP). Howee,ee if we disegad as uduly exteme Taasch's famous maxim that he who

feas a isolated paw should gie up chess' thee is o deyig that a eluctace to take o such a weakess would seeely camp the style of a c3 iciliaplaye, who must also expect to meet 2 . . .d5 o a egua basis. o thik we ca



A Twist in the c3 S ic i l i a n

assum ha o mos c3 plas, his is o a mao dowsid

Also i h movs avou is ha 8 Nx5 dos o hold up Whas h sucuwhich aiss smd o hold w pils o Black i h spciic cox which wxamid i Li A, i is o o b disgadd i gal ms. Moov, h

spciics a 8 . .Nx5? appa o avou Whi o h x ha, as w shall vi blow, Black all ds o id aoh wa. Howv, i is quall impoa o udsad ha h oh sucual modiicaio which ca ais b viuo a xchag o c6 is b o mas pul i Whis avou. I oh wods, asw shal s h is o d o a Nxc6 as a ha dd, Black is wll advsd o o do so

86

This looks h mos solid

8 Nx5? cao b commdd as I suggsd abov. paicula h xchag o kighs has opd a usul ou o Whs qu a 9 dx5 6 (o9 B6?? Bb5) B (o .6 Qxd8 Kxd8, bu Black will alwassu a bi sic ih his kig o his kigh a spciall happil placd oxampl Bb3 Bd 3 Nc3 Bc6 4 B3 Kc? 5 Rac a6 6 N4 s uplasa) Qg4 K8 (. Bh6 coss h xchag o cous, whil g6 Bh6 Qc 3Q is much u ih) Rd Qc 3 Q Nb6 4 Bb3 h5 5 Nc3 Bd 6 h3 a6 B4 Bc6 8 Rac ad Black wll hav a lo o oubl gig h maiigpics io pla, N.DauashviliNTsadzikidz, Tbilisi

RO HE DCE! 8 B5 (Dagram 35) might b payabl, but myntinctiv raction i cainy that t i athr too ambitiou

Fo sas i is a om cla ha Black alwas was o dvlop his bishop his wa wh ighig agais h IQP Mo o ha o his qusid susom is absc Howv, h mos obvious uaio 9 Qb3 dos o covic a h cool 9 .6 Qxb Bb4 Bd Nx5 dx5 (bu o Bb5? K8

3 dx5 Rb8 4 Qd Qb6 wih has o b5 ad b) .. 13 Bxb4 ( 3 Rb8 14Qxa Bxb 5 Bxb4 Rxb4 6 Bxd5 Bd3 also lavs Whi sugglig o usi hisivolua ivsm) 3 . Rb8 ad Whi mus had o a posiio wih woooks agais h qu a 4 Bxd5 Rxb 5 Bxb Qb6 6 Bx8 Qxb Qxb8 Nc3 Kx8 (Dagram 36) i which h bishop o 5 is a cosidabl ass

Isad, Whi ma sl o 9 6 wh h ca us coiu dvlopig, alhough h ds o bwa o a iml xchag o 5 O mo adical possibili is Bb5 Qc Qa4 ig o a paw. Whh Blacks compsaio willsuc a . .b6 Bxc6 bxc6 3 Qxc6 Qxc6 4 Nxc6 is ucla, bu i is u

diabl ha his chacs o h ligh sas will amou o som Phaps hmos isig ida is 9 Nc3? Nx5 Bxd5 which looks odd sic i allows1 . .Nd3, bu a K Black ds o dd b ad Qd Bc4 Nxc 3Rxc is o a il covi wa o doig his wh 3. .a6 ails o 4 Nd5

45



Dngrous Wpons : Ant - S i l i ns

9 - (Diagram 3)

Back sould o ea 9 Nxc6 ee geeal ems e sucue wi a solaedd-paw o Wie ad a isolaed cpaw o Black olds ew eos o e deede o log as e ca keep a sog gip o e c5squae, is im cool o

d5 ad coueplay o e bile cosiue sigiica asses. is wo oig especic cicumsaces wic peai ae 0 Q3 i Lie B below, oe occasioi wic is sucue does pose some poeial poblems. A cosideaio oese may elp o claiy e ac a e sucue is o i isel poblemaic.

Diagram 36 (W) Diagram 3 (B)

Fom Diagam 3 would like o coside wo disic possibliies o Black:

9 B

9 d6

9 . . Be is by a e moe popula ad leads o posiios wic i geeal emsee quie saisacoy o Black Bu ee is oe specic possibiliy wic causesme a lile coseaio, ad i was ikig abou s wi led me o e ideaa peaps 9 . Bd6!? cosiues a less ackeyed ad ulimaely simply moeappopiae appoac o wa is disc ad uusual e diagam posiio. I iso e eade o udge wee is sligly adical claim olds up

) 9 B (Diagram 38)

Tee is muc o be gaied i geeal by makig compaisos bewee diee

4



A wst n te c3 S c an

bu elaed chess opegs, bu also much a sake esug ha ay such compasos ae pee and eleva I beleve ha Dagam 38 s a mpoa case po Reades wh a wde kowledge of ypca IQP posos ae lkely o besuck by he smlaes bewee he dagam poso ad a mpoa heoe

cal poso whch ases fom he Paov-Bovk Aack fo example fom hemoves e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e6 6 Nf3 Be cxd5 Nxd5 8 Bc4

Dagram 38 (W} Diagram 39 (W}

Pehaps as a cosequece of some specfc facos deep my chess educao Ied o vew hs (ad s cous' wh he Whe bshop o d3) as somehow heacheypal' IQP posos, a leas amog hose wh a black paw o e6 The dffeeces hee, of couse, ae ha Whe's kgh has aeady played o e5, he hascasled ad he has ye o develop hs kgh o c3 Ths feels o me as f shouldbe a uambguous mpoveme fo Black Fo oe hg, s o loge guaaeed ha so aual a move as Nc3 wll be possble whou ag a uwel

come modfcao of he paw sucue Fo example, L. BegeMVache Lagave, Pas 25, coued Re - Nc3?! whch I am covced shouldhave bee asweed wh Nxe5 2 dxe5 Nxc3 3 bxc3 ad ow 3 xd ! (assume Blacks 3 Qc?! was a wng y' bu seems boh sky ad o moelkely o compee o he ull po o me) 4 Rxd Rd8 (Dagrm 39) 5 Rxd8 (5Be3 Bd) 5 Bxd8 6 Be3 Bd Rd whe as Rogozeko pos ou Bc6?oses a paw o 8 Bxa b6 9 Rd6 bu Be8! s que safe sce ow 8 Bxa? b6would be a dsase fo Whe Aga hs skes me as a equaly whc s by omeas sele wh muually caeful play a daw s he lkely esul, bu oce hehas ullfed hs oppoe's empoay ave Black aways has some sucualdefceces o am a

O he subec of suctve eos, hee ae also a umbe of games o he daa-

47



Dange ous Weapons Anti - S c i ans

base hee wh Bb5?! whch skes me as beg seously msguded We'seo o saddle hs oppoe wh a solaed paw o c6 s clea. Howeveafe 1 Bd7 1 1 Nxc6 (11 Nxd7 Qxd7 jus leaves d4 vey weak fo whch hebshop pa he absece eve of ay specal pece acvy s suffce compesao) 1Bxc6 12 Bxc6 bxc6 he exchage of lgh-suaed bshops favousBlack jus abou evey way weakeg hs oppoe's kgsde avespeedg hs moblao ad leavg hm wh a good' bshop o oly amesce as eal chaces o ske a he weak d4 po

Howeve Whe does have oe ue dscve eame of he poso whchseems o me a excelle aemp o make a asse of hs ealy Ne5 move amey

0 3 00 Rd (Dagram 0)

Diagram 0 (B) Diagram (W)

Whe efeds d4 all bu ules ou a exchage o e5 fo he mome ad veymuch keeps he opo of Nxc6 alve accodg o how Black espods Ts s

clealy a case of he hea beg soge ha he execuo he poblem fo hedefece s how o poceed wh developme he coex of hs ag eso

pacce Black has eded o seek clafcao mmedaely wh 1..Bf6 whchlooks logcal sce afe 12 Nxc6 bxc6 hee s a leas a degee of pessue o d4.Howeve hee s oe val pa of he euao whch he move ca be accused ofeglecg he mpoace of keepg a eye o he c5suae deed afe 13Nc3 s aoyg oo ha he aval of he kgh o e4 wll also h he f6-

bshop13 Qb6? fuhe eglecs he c5suae ad led o seous posoal poblemsafe 14 Na4 Qb4 15 b3 e5 16 Bb2 exd4 17 Bxd4 Bxd4 18 Rxd4 eve whou he

48



A wt te 3 c a

acca bude 18. .Ba6? 1 9 Rxd5! cxd5 Bxa6 whch edeed he advaage adecsve oe M.LyePPeez Aema, Budapes 8.

3 .. a5? (Diagram 4) ooks ke he bes y. Afe 14 Ne4 Back shoud pay14 .. . Ba6 (ahe ha he vey casua 14 . a4? 15 Bh6 Re 16 Rac Be 1 Qg3 Bf8

8 of VOkhokAWg, Nacy , whe Whe has umps o boh wgsaded by hs oppoes passvy). Foowg 15 Nx£6 (15 Bxd5 cxd5 16 Nxf6Qxf6 1 Qx£6 gxf6 does o ook uduy peubg, whs 15 b3 Re8!? edgo mee 16 Nc5 wh 16 .Bxc4 1 bxc4 N6 ooks easoabe fo Back oo) 15 . Qxf66 Qx£6 Nxf6 1 Bb3 he aemp o foe maes wh 1 a4? fas o 18 Bxa4 B29 Rd Rxa4 whe Whe ca how b3! wh advaage, bu smpy1 . Rf8! 18 Bf4 Rb6 ooks payabe Back has vey dece mo peces whchgve hm suffce pay o he gh squaes

Noeheess, I cao cam ha hs s defve. I ay case, wh s emeycomphesbe dawbacks I ema a b dssasfed wh 1...Bf6. o wha ese?Laka has ed 11.f6, aga demadg a decaao of Whe's eos adceay avodg some of he pobems oued wh he bshop move. oweve, weakes e6 u, ad f Back eeds o mee 1 Nxc6 bxc6 13 Nc3 Kh8 14Ne wh 14 . g5 as Laka dd he he whoe hg woud make me pooudysuspcous I w awa wh ees whehe he veues hs agas gadmase opposo!

oweve, hee s oe fuhe move 1.Qd6!? (Dagram 42) whch s as ye u

esed bu seems o me boh ogca ad devod of obvous dawbacks Teeseems ohg much wog meeg 1 Nxc6 wh 1 .Qxc6 ha case, whsehe 1 Bxd5 Qxd5 o 1 Qg3 Rd8 ook pacuay scay ehe. Ths equespacca ess, bu ooks o me he mos appeag opo afe 11 Rd

Diagram 4 2 () Diagram 43 ()

9



Dangerous Weapons Ant i -S c i l i ans

B2) 9B6? (Digrm 3)

As I came gadually o eale a e dffeeces oduced by e exa moveNe5 wee o exclusvely Blacks favou, so came o appecae a e aleave developme of s bsop o d6 s o wou me Aga, e fac a I

fd s somewa coueuve pobably les deep my educao of IQPposos, bu e sascs would sugges a I am o e oly oe Of couse eably o e5 decly cosues a eleva specal faco, ad s ee ealy Blacks favou a e we bsop s o c4 ae a d3 especally cojuco w ay eea of e kg fom e5

Wa follows s ecessaly ae eave sce ee ave bee few paccaless, ad ose wc do exs Black as eded o be e soge play ad as scoed eavly

Afe 9 Bd6? I wll befly cosde a age of opos

a) 1 Nxc6 seems scacely moe aacve a befoe Folowg 1 bxc6, oeplausble dea would be o bg e oe kg va d bu afe 11 Nd -, emmedae 1 Ne4 fals o 1 .. Bx, ws oewse Black s quck w s . c5beak afe 1 Nf3 Bb fo example, o 1 Re1 Qc? we meeg 13 g3 w13 . c5 looks vey plausble

b) 1 Bxd5 also fals o mpess sce Wes old o e e5squae s o suffce fo esablsg a posoal bd. Afe 1 exd5 11 Bf4 (Digrm Blackmay o be oblged o ead fo 1.Bxe5? mmedaely, bu ca see o sogagume fo o dog so excep, peaps, a 1 Bxe5 (1 dxeS d4 13 Nc3 d4 14NbS Be6 1 5 Nd6 Qb6 leaves Black ae acve) 1 - 13 Nc3 Be6 14 Re1 Qdmay be ae dull. ll, ee s o queso of ay eal advaage fo We ee.

Digrm (B) Digrm 5 (B)

s



A wt th e 3 S a

c) 0 3 makes some iuiive sese, i oy because we ae accusomed o seeigBacks bishop o e o maybe 6 i such QP posiios. he whie bishop weeaeady o d3, his move migh give pause o hough sice he pospec o a successu eek gi woud he o seem impausiby a away oweve, hee is

o aw agais eeaig he bishop i ecessay especiay i he coex o heime which Whie has cosumed hee Ae 0 N3 Re (Diagram 45) (Bd3? cb4!) hik Back is eve i ime o iiiae such a exavaga maoeuve as .Nce!? 2 c3 (2 Bd3 Bd 3 Nc3 Rc8 ooks ie o Back: mos Bxhsaciices wi o be a dage i . .N6 s avaiabe ad 4 Bxh Kxh 5 Ne4 o5 Ng5 Kg8 6 ce4 B4 5 . Qc! 6 g5 Kg6 Rh8 is o excepio)2 ...Bd 3 Ne5 Rc8 ad agai Back has mobiied vey eiciey

is aso woh oig ha i Whie egecs o pay Re ad heads o he immediae Nc3 Back ca seiousy coside . . .Nxc3!? 2 bxc3 e5 3 Re ( 3 Bg5Qc) 3 . exd4 4 cxd4 Bg4 agai wih pomisig pessue agais Whie's cee

Cocusio

As say, much o he ia secio o he chape is a ahe eaive oweve, iBack eve has a choice o viabe weapos agais 8 Nxe5, he impessio is uhe segheed ha dxe5 is a eaivey ie kow, ahe egecedweapo, idea o akig c3 iciia payes o he beae ack wihou saciicig

ay udamea soudess aog he way.

5



Neither oo Eary nor oo LateRichard Pall ser

1 4 5 3 5 3 x5 Qx5 4 4 N6 5 Nf3 !? (m 1)

Dgrm (W)

A seasoed c3 icilia playe is o doubt eady fo the stadad ways i whichBack foows up 2 . .d5 3 exd5 Qxd5 wit a quick ..e5 deed, they ae likely to be

5 2



Ne the r Too Ear ly n or Too Late

pepaed fo boh he simplifyig 4 ..e ad he moe complex 4 . Nc6 Nf3 cxd4 6cxd4 eS as Joe allaghe ecommeded hs classic Batng th Ant-Sclan fouaely ehe dea cuely seems que eough fo equaly he fome dueo 5 dxeS; he lae because Nc3 b4 8 d2 xc3 9 xc3 e4 gves Whe dece

chaces fo a pull afe boh he olde NeS ad he mode 1 Nd2!? Howeve,lack ca also play ..eS o his h move, as well cosde hee. You could agueha, played o his move, is ehe oo ealy, o oo lae

ve some quie expeieced c3 cilia playes have bee supised by 4 . Nc6 Nf3 eS? a lie whch s que diffee fom s cous e vaiaios abbgo eS s que ciical, bu also fie fo lack as we will discove Howeve, i aycase I eleve ha ack obas a dece eough game Moeove us a lilekowledge mgh well pove dageous fo Whe as we will ow see i a sidee which heoy has appoved of.

0 DPavasovc • JVotava

Erp T Cpp L

4 s 2 3 s 3 xs Qxs 4 4 6 5 f3 s 6 b21? (Dagram 2)


Whies shapes move ad a move ecommeded by some souces, cludigNCO eve sice Joel eam scoed a cushg w wih i back a he 1996Olympad.

6 x4

es lack was he opo of movg hs quee o he kigsde somehigwhch he s deied afe 6 cxd4 c4

53



Dangerus Weapns Ant -Sc l a ns

BEWAR Blak obtan eent ounterhane aer the text,but mutnt be too ambitou at thi pont; a hown bypratie, both 6 ... e4? B4 Qf5 8 Qe2 an 6 Bg4? B4 Bxf3 8Qb3 are bet avoie.

B4 Qh5 (Diagram 3)

Beami's suggesio fom Informant 67 Isead . Qf5 was see i JBeamiMiladiovic, Yeeva Olympiad 1996, ad ate 8 - (Whie should pobablypefe 8 cxd4 cxd4 9 Be6 ad ow 1 Qa4! yields a sog iiiaive: 1 ... 11 Bxe6 fxe6 1 3 Qd5 13 Bg5 gave Whie a lage lead i developme iMO-C.Myes, coespodece 5, ad 1 . Bxc4 11 Nxc4 1 Bd alsolooks ahe scay fo Black) 8 Be6 9 Bxe6 fxe6 1 cxd4 Black migh have plugedio he complicaios wih he geedy 1 .cxd4!? (1 -- 11 dxc5 Bxc5 1 Qe1

gave Wie a small plus i he game) 11 3 e5, afe which 1 Nxe5!? Nxe5 13Nxd4 (Beami) is a dageous sacifice bu fa fom clea afe somehig like13 ..Qg4 14 Qa4 Nc6 15 Re1 Be

8 0-0

Whie migh also begi wih 8 cxd4 whe 8 .cxd4 (8 Nxd4!? 9 - Bd6 is a idepede way of exploiig he quee's posiio o h5 ad oe which seems quieplayable as Black should be fie afe 1 h3 Ne 11 Nxd4 Qxd1 1 Rxd1 cxd4) 9 -Nf6 asposes o he game.

shape appoach is 8 Qe!? Be 9 Ne4 ?! (if, as seems likely, his us ou o beoo ambiious, Whie should sele fo equaliy wih he dull 9 cxd4 cxd4 1 Nxd4Qxe 11 Nxe) which saw Whie playig fo he iiiaive ahe ha y o egai he paw i P.MalyshevaMMalakov, Peesbug 1 Black should espod i kid wih 9 .Bg4! 1 Nd6 Kf8 (Diagram 4) ad afe 11 Nx£?! (ciicalbu oo ambiious 11 Bxf? g6 simply coss Whie a piece, bu 11 Bf4!? shouldpobably be pefeed, afe which 1 . . Bxd6 1 Bxd6 Nge 13 cxd4 cxd4 14 Qe4! ad o 14 -?? Qh6, eig he bishop 14 . . .Bxf3 15 gxf3 Rd8 16 Bxe Nxe

1 Qxb Qa5 esics Black o jus a small pull) 1 .Re8 1 -? ( 1 Bf4!? s sky,bu pobably a bee y Black migh ae he daw wih 1 .Bf6 13 Bd6 Be 14Bg3 Bf6 15 Bd6 Be, bu should pobaby coiue wih 1 b5! 13 Bxb5 Qxf 14Bxc6 R, eig wo bishops fo he ook afe 15 Bb Qxf4 16 Bxc8 Bxc8) 1 Bf613 Qd3 (thee is ayhig bee hee; 13 Qd1 Na5 also leaves Whie i someouble) he ook i he coe is doomed

54

DAGEROU WAPO White i atuay unabe to take theook an appear to be i n ome troube afer 3 ... Bxf3

beaue 4 gxf3? Re (Diagram 5) 5 xh8? e5 eiter winthe queen or fore mate



Nethe Too E a y no Too ate

A bee y is 4 Qx£3 Qx£3 5 gx3, bu afe 5. . .Na5 Back is doig pey well,sice he will wi wo pieces fo he ook, such as wih 6 Bd5 Ne Be6 dxc3 8bxc3 Nc8 9 Nxh8 Rxe6 whe he ea whie kigh wil eve escape.

8 f6 9 x4

Diagram 4 {W) Diagram (W)

A moe ceaive y is Filipovics 9 Re ? Be BbS alhough afe . .QdS

( dxc3? bxc3 Be6 2 ReS showcases Whes idea Blacks quee is i someouble hee) cxd4 cxd4 2 Qe2 Be6 3 Bc4 (3 Nb3 is he aleaive, b Backhas a leas 3 . . d3? i espose, afe which 4 Bxd3 Rd8 5 Rd Qh5 looks feo hm) 3 . Qd 4 Bxe6 fxe6 5 Qxe6 Qxe6 6 Rxe6 Whie had doe o moeha egai his paw i BFilipovic-HJukovic, Pula 22 Blacks d-paw is a usefu asse hee ad, ideed, he migh eve suppo i immediaely wih 6 ..Rd8 ogo 6 6, wih a leas ough equaliy i boh cases

9 x4 0 b3

Beamis oes sopped hee wih a assessme of a sigh edge o Whie, buhe appeaed o have udeesimaed Blacks ex. Oce agai Whie has also iedhe check, bu afe Qe2 Be BbS Be6 2 Nxd4 Qxe2 3 Nxe2 - Black hado poblems whasoeve i R.Doleza-JTue, Czech League 996.

0 Bg4! (Diagram 6)

Black makes good use of s quee s aggessive locaio o geeae some pessue, whie seig a asy ap ...

bx4?

which he loveia admase ad leadig c3 icilia expoe falls saigho As idicaed i Rogozekos excelle CD o he c3 icilia, Whie shoudpefe o give a check

a) Qe+ avoids he pi ad egais he paw afe Be 2 Nfxd4 Nxd4 3

5 5



angerous Weapons Ant -S c l an s

Nxd4, bu Black s okay hee despe he p dow he e-fle 1 3 . Rd 1 4 NbS (heccal y Blacks poblems ae solved a a soke by 14 Be3 - ad Whe musavod 14 Nb3? whe he loses maeal afe 14 . . .b5) 14 . Rd (hus fa Rogozeko)15 Bf4 (15 Nxa? c5 foks wo peces ad afe 16 Bb5 xa 1 Bg5 d4 1 Bxd

xd 19 Bxf6 gxf6 f3 Be6 Black s slghly fo choce wh hs uopposed bshoppa) 15 . . .- (Dagram ) 16 h3 (gabbg he paw s bee ha o he pevousmove, bu sll sky: 16 Nxa? Bc5 1 NbS Re ad Black has a sog avewhch should a leas fully compesae fo he paw deed, Whe mus be caeful hee as show by 1 c Ne4 19 Be3? B£3 gxf3 Bxe3 whe Back ws afeboh 1 fxe3 Rd ad 1 xe3 g6 h1 Ng3 3 hxg3 Rxe3 4 fxe3 Rd) 16 .. a6s abou eual, sce 1 hxg4 Nxg4 foces Whe o a defesve move lke 1 Be,wheeas 1 Nc3 Bd6 explos he abse hpaw o ega he pece wh advaage afe 19 d Bx£4 xf4 Rd4.

Diagram 6 (W} Diagram (W}

b) 11 Re1 ? Be 1 Nbxd4 s a lo moe ambous ha may ally appea:1 . . .-? (he ccal espose, alhough a sold ad easoable aleave s1. . .Rd8 13 a4 Bx£3 14 Nxf3 whe 15 h3 Bc5 16 Be3 Bxe3 1 Rxe3 c5 1 RcNd5 gves Black some acvy o offse Whes slghly supeo mo pece) 13Nxc6 (gvg up he uee s Whes mos dageous y 13 c Rxd4 wouldecho ou ma game, alhough Whe mgh jus abou be okay afe 14 Bx£ xf15 Nxd4 Bd 16 B£4) 13 . .Rxd1 14 Nxe+ Kd (he kgh mus be aacked;14 .. Kb8? 15 Bf4 Ka 16 Raxd1 smpy gves Whe oo much fo he uee) 15Rxd1 xe 16 Re1 gves Whe ook ad bshop fo he uee, a s well as some

ave, bu does see ayhg moe ha ahe uclea afe Rogozeko s16 ... Kd8 ? 1 Ng5 Re o he smple 16 . Be6 1 Bd R.

(Diagram 8)

5



2 Q2

Nei the r Too Ea r ly nor Too Late

Dagram 8 (W) Dagram 9 (W)

DANGEROU WEAPON opn poton ardy rbl a3 an and Blak an b vry appy wt t outom oft opnng Indd, Wt mut o matra r bau oft prur down t d-f and t potnta wakn o 2

ee wast athg bette, especall sce 1 Be? Nxd4 1 Bxd4 Bx 14 gxBd6 would have temated the game o the spot.

2 Rx41

Ate 12 . . .Nxd4? 1 Nxd4 Rxd4 Whte would have at least saved hmsel wth 14Be6+ ( 14 Be ? s also possble) 14 . Kd8 15 Qc8 Ke7 16 Bxg4 Nxg4 17 h, but Blackca, o couse, do much bette tha ths

3 Nxd4?s o eall makes mattes wose. A slghtl bette wa to ght o was wth1 Bx7, although ate 1 ..Qc5 14 Nxd4 Nxd4 15 Qxc5 Bxc5 Black s cleal bette wth two actve peces o a actve ook ad paw.

3 Bd

e pot o the combato; the weakess o wll esue that Black pcks upthe kght o d4.

4 3

e ol move. As poted out b Rogoeko 14 g? Nxd4 ws because 15 Be6ca ow be met b 15 . . .Kb8 as thees o mate o c8.

4 Q51 (Dagram 9)

5 7



Dangeus Weapns An -S c i a ns

ocig uhe weakesses ad a eve bee way o goig wo pieces o a ookup ha 14 . . .Nd4 15 Qc3 Nc6.

5 f4 Qxd4 6 Kh B6

Voava plays i sae. The compue pois ou ha 16 Ne4 would have bee eve

bee as 1 hg4 h5 18 g Ng3 19 2 N 2 B B4 21 B4 Q4 22 Kg1Qg5 would have le Black wo clea paws o he good.

Bx6+ fx6 8 Rd Q4 (Diagram 0)

Diagram 0 (W) Diagram (W)

Now Whie mus eihe cose o he echage o quees o be oveu by heacive black oces ae 19 ...Rd8.

9 Qx4 x4 20 R 5 2 B3 R 22 Rd 4 23 Ra g3

I would have bee soge o liquidae he weakess ad big he ook ioplay wh 23 . .e5 bu Voavas choice hadly hows away his lage advaage

wih wo pieces o a ook.24 Kh2 f5 25 g4 x3 26 Rxd6 d5?!

Im a om ceai ha Black eeded o allow he ohcomig echage;26. . .Kc 2 Rd4 Nd5 28 5 Kd6 looks like a bee way o maiai cool.

2 f5 28 fx6 x6 29 R

Whie has gaied a bi o aciviy ad ow Voava is oced o egoup.

29. d8 30 Kg3 K 3 Rd5 6 32 Rh5 h6 33 g5 d4 (Diagram )

Black has egouped wel ad will ow aim o age he whie kig34 gxh6 gxh6 35 Rf Rg8+ 36 Kh2 Rg6 3 Rh4 6 38 Rg4 g5 39 Rf2?1

No doub ude eeme ime pessue Pavasovic ahe makes Back's ask easie

58



Ni th r Too Ea r y nor Too at

ere and oer te next few moes A muc etter defence was 39 Rgf4 folowedb Rf6 wt decent counterla aganst 6

39... Rd6 40 h4 S 4 R2 Kd 42 Ra4 gf3 43 Kg3 d4

lack's knts ae taken u a coule of suerb osts, and Votaa makes no mstake from ere on:

44 Rf2 a6 45 Ra3 K6 46 Kh3 fs 4 Rb3 bS (Diagram 2)

Diagram 2 (W) Dagram 3 (B)

48 a4

Deseraton, but tere was no ood defence to te treat of 48 . Rd4

48 ..bxa4 49 Rb4 Rd3 50 Kh2 f3 5 Kh3 3xh4 52 Kh2 f3 53 Kh3 a3 54 Ra4?d2 0-

Hang seen tat te sar 6 Nbd2 need not be feared, we sould tu our attenton to Wtes attemt to cature and ten ang on to s extra awn

0 LVajda • ZVukovc

B r 1999

4 s 2 f3 6 3 3 ds 4 xds Qxds s 4 s 6 dxs

Ctcal, altoug a more oular coce as been 6 Nxe5 Nxe5 dxe5 wen lack

can, and sould regan s awn wt .

.Qxe5+, as we w exlore full n teLookng a tte Deeer secton

6 ...Qxd Kxd Bg4 8 Bf4 (Diagram 3)

59



angeous Weapons Ant S c l ans

Holding on o e awn us as een ar Wie's main coice, u e as anumer o alernaies as we'll see in Line elow.

8 ... g7

Vukoic urries is knig o g6 in a id o regain e awn, u lack can also

la more adenurousl wi 8 000+!? 9 Nd (usual and es 9 Kc isn soad, u ollowing u wi 9 . Nge7 10 c4?! is and aer 10. . .x3 11 gx3 lacksould siml ae coninued wi 1 .. .Ng6 in V. PlaJ.Priorsk, Mlada olesla008, wic regains e awn as Wie is in some roule aer 1 g5 e7 13 xe7Ncxe7 4 x7 Nxe5 15 e6+ K8) 9 . .Nge7 10 Kc (e king usuall lies weswards, since aer 10 Ke1 Ng6 1 1 g3 i ma run ino roule down e e-ile anddoes lock e 1-rook; a said, is can' e so ad or Wie and aer 11. .Re81 5 d7 13 xc6 xc6 lack as no more an reasonale comensaion, jus ase oained oo wi 11..£6!? 1 ex6 gx6 in A.FominA.Koso, molensk 00)10 . Ng6 11 g3 (sandard, since 11 g3 6 reares o smas Wies awns on 4and aer 1 ex6 Nx4 13 xg7 xg7 14 gx4 R8 raer like lack's isos andcomensaion) 1...6! Diagram 4 oering a awn o ring e dark-squarediso o an eecie osiion on 6.

0

Diagram 4 W Diagram 5 W

DAGEROU WEAPO Thi ia appar a nt altrnativto our main gam a it i vry riky for Whit to hang on to hixtra pawn hr 2 xf6? gxf6 3 h3 Whit mut alray bquit arful; th migui 3 B4? for intan in't thway to go an ar 3 ... Bh6 4 h3 Bf5! 5 R 5 Whitfoun himlf unr om prur in E.KmaniPPako Bratilava 989 3 ...Bf5 Diagram 5 an Whit will o wll tountangl.



Ne the Too E ly o Too te

Te game V.Melnkov.Nastasuk, oc 2007, contnued 14 S (te radal 144! s anoter tr, ut ten lak as 146! 15 x6 Rxd2 16 Nxd2 R8, trang te so to emerge wt two atve mnor eces or Wtes assve extrarook and two awns; roal Wte as to nd 14 Nc4, wc avods losg ma

teral, altoug ater 14. .6+ 15 Ne3 Nce5 16 e2 e8 lack wll soon acqurete so ar and enjos romsng omensaton) 14. 6 15 Rd1 (eas to rtce, ut ater 15 x6 xc6 16 Re1 Rd7 1 7 Re2 d8 Wte remans orrendouslnned and must gve u te excange ater 18 Kd1 d3) and now 15 ...Ne5 wasonce agan ndated. ndeed, 's ar rom eas to nd a deene ere: or examle,16 Nxe5 (Wte must tr sometng 16 a4 Nx3 17 gx3 a6 18 4 e8 treatensmate and osts m at least a ee) 16 . Nxe5 17 2 Nd3+ 18 xd3 Rxd3 19 4 Rg820 g3 Rgd8 and deste te losure o te c-6 dagonal, Wte remans underuge ressure and orrl ned.

Tus Wte must e less greed ater 11 . 6, altoug lak sould e oka n anase:

a) 12 3 £5 13 Nc4 (or 13 c4 Ngxe5 14 Nxe5 Nxe5 15 xe5 xe5 16 Re1 g6! andlack was ne wt er so en route o 6 n Eltcouk-Masnskaa, Taolca 1996) 13 .Nxe5 14 NxeS NxeS 15 Nxe5 xe5 16 4 Wte las t sae,sne 16 xeS! Re8 17 4 d6! s awkward or m, and ater 18 d3 xd3 19 xd6Re2 lack's ave and domnatng ees gave m more tan enoug omensaton n Jer.Nurkc, Pula 1990) 16 . . .Rd6 17 e2 g6 18 g5 g7 saw Wte de

endng sensl and was aout equal n TKarolG.Franzon, Gronngen 1980) 12 5 Nxe5 13 xeS Nxe5 14 Nxe5 xe5 15 Re1 sees Wte gve u te soar to saddle lak wt an solated eawn. owever, wt s queen's ook stllout o te game, Wte cant e etter ere and, ndeed, 15 . . .g6 16 Ne4 6+ 17 Kc25 18 d3 would ave een arl equa n P.uekerU.Kaeser, eden 1987, adak now douled on te dle, egnng wt 18 . Rd5.

) 12 e2 was one tred a c3 lan coosseur, ut ater 12 .Nxe5 13 Nxe5Nxe5 14 xg4 Nxg4 15 3 Ne3 16 Re1 lak as a decent coe etween te am

ous 16 ...Rd3 and te sensle 16 ..N5 o D.ermek.Jurkov, Pula 1994We now ret to 8 . Nge7:

9 Kc2

Wte rets te awn to move out o e n and o te dle, ut one agan eas tred a numer o alteatves ere, as we'll see elow

9..g6 0 Bg3 (Diagram 6)

... hs?

A arl useul move to lk n, as Wte must now decde wat to do wt s awn, altoug a good ase an also e made or 10 . 000! and 11 5, ten1x3 12 gx3 NxeS.

h4

1



Dangeous Wea pons : Ant -S ic i l i an s

Te safe coce and te onl move seen us far n ractce. A more amouscoce s 11 3!? xf3 12 gxf3 4 13 2 Ngxe5 wen Wte's sos are otentall owerful, ut lack sould e oldng s own after 14.. 0-0-0 followed alan nvolvng ..d6 and ...Ng6

000!Furter amton from te eran IM, and a etter coce tan 1 .xf3 1 2 gxf3Ngxe5 wen Wte s a lttle etter after 13 5! (Emms) 13 .0-0-0 4 Nd2 a6 15e2, folowed centralzng te rooks and rngng te kngt to e4 or c4

Dagram 6 (B) Dagram (B)

2 bd2

In Strtng Out: Te c3 Sicilin coautor Emms as roosed 1 2 Na3!?, wc scertanl a reasonale tr. However, once agan lack sould e ale to otandecent comensaton n an unclear oston after 12 .f5+! (est te materalstc12 . . xf3?! 13 gxf3 Ngxe5 s less mressve, snce 14 Re1 ! gves Wte te ntatveand some ressure) 13 K3 (Dagram ) 13 .. .e6+ (Emms onts out tat13 . .Na5+?! 14 Ka4 leads nowere for lack, ut 13 . 6? s an dea, ntendng 14exf6 gxf6 15 5 e6 16 Ka4 Nge7 wt a most unusual oston n wc Wte'skng s cut off on a4) 14 c4 Nge7! (a strong manoeuvre wc rater ecoes a kemotf n te erln Defence) 5 NgS NfS 16 Nxe6 fxe6 17 f4 e7 Wte s a awnu ere and as te so ar, ut te structure s fxed n lack's favour and 18g3 f8! leaves Wte's lgtsquared so unale to move unless e wants togo n for te rater rsk 19 g2 Ncd4+ 20 Ka4.

2

fs!?et more creatvt! lack wants to lunt Wte's dark-squared so wt 13. 4efore furter restrctng te wte eces after 14 .f5+ Te alteatve s 12 . . f6,



Nei her Too Ea r ly no r Too ae

ut now Wte s ale to deelo sensl and 13 d3 (surrsngl 13 ex6 aseen reerred n rate; ater 13 . 5+ Wte's ng must rael ead orwards e wses to gt or te adantage, sne 14 K gx6 15 N4 6+ 16 Ne3Nge5 gae la good ressure or te awn n KOng-PVan der Merwe, atatas

001) 13 .. Ngxe5 14 Nxe5 Nxe5 15 xe5 xe5 16 Rae sould ge m an edge3 Bd3 (Diagram 8}

Diagram 8 (B) Dagram 9 (W}

Oerwse la would arr out s lan and otan good la or te awn, utow an e now reent Wte rom sml onsoldatng?

3 Rx!

Ol! la ges u more wood to dre Wtes ng orward and e ltte douttat Vuo was lang or ts oston wen e eleted to astle long

4 Kx3 f4 5 Bh2 xS+ 6 xs xS+ (Diagram 9}

K41?A er rae deson, een t s aroed o te eergreed mane Tatad, neter would 17 K ae een a ed o roses or Wte, eause ater7 ..5+ 18 Kd Nd3 19 Ke d6 s roos reman out o la and la as atleast suent la or te exange.

Bd6 8 f3 Bd 9 Bxf4

1 dare sa tat ts materalganng metod o reeng e so was te ont oWte's old ng adane. Howeer, te oston s aout to oen urter or

a's so ar and one as to le s omensaton, eseall n an oerteoard stuaton.

9 B6+ 20 K3 g4+!

3



Dngeous We pons Ant iS ic l i ns

Essental lack must oen et more lnes and reent te wte kng from reacng safet.

2 fxg4 R8+ 22 Kf2 Bxf4 (Diagram 20)

Diagram 20 (W) Diagram 2 (W)

t's tme to take stock Wte s te excange and a awn u, but susect tat

Vajda was feeng rater nerous n te face of lack's allowerful bsos23 4 hxg4?

Ts alows te wte kng to run awa to g ack ad to contnue n gorousen wt 23 Re4 24 b3 b5!, after wc 25 Na5 e3 26 Kf d7 woud aedren Wte's kngt offsde and retaned a dangerous ntate.

24 Rh Rf8 25 Kg Bg3 26 R2

Natural enoug, esecal wt tme troube no doubt begnnng to rear ts ugead after suc a comlex struggle, but Wte mgt ae referred te calm 26

Rf! R8 (26 . .Rxf+? 27 Rxf b5 s neffectua ere on account of 28 Rf5) 27 Rad,altoug ts would ae been ard to do oer te board. lack would almostceran ae resonded wt 27. . g5 28 xg5 2+ 29 Kf2 g3 wen analsssows tat Wte s cear better after 30 Ke2, but n a tme scrambe antngmgt ae aened n ts stll rater murk oston

26 Bb5 2 b3?

Gftng lack a good drawng cance Vada sould ae unnned wt 27 Re4,foowed b te accurate sequence 27 f2+ 28 K 8 29 Rxg4 d7 30 Re4 c6 31

Rf4 x4 32 Kg. Ts woud ae left Wte a cear excange aead, atougconertng t n te face of lack's bsos woud ae requred decent tecnque

2 Bx41 28 bx4 Bxh4 29 Rf Bf6 (Diagram 2)

4



Ne ther Too Ea r ly no r oo ate

Vukovic as seized is ance and now his strong darksquared iso gies imanes to old

30 R4

is allows lak a fair amount of atit and te defensie 30 Re3!? migt ae

een a etter tr30Rd8! 3 Rxg4 Rd2 32 Rf2 Rd 33 Kh2 Rc

Wite annot defend 3 and alread te ontours of te draw egin to tae sae

34 R4 Rxc3 35 g4 b6 36 Rfs Kb 3 g5 YzY

No dout due to time ressure, tis as't een te most acurate fnis to a gameeer, ut te result aears fair enoug After 37 d4 38 Rf7+ Ka6 39 Ree7 Rx440 Rxa7+ S laks iso olds eerting togeter from its exellent square

on d4, and aen't found a good wa or Wite to make an real rogress eforeak atiates is rook and queenside awns

Looking Litte Deeper

4 cs 2 c3

TRICKY TRAPOITIO Our choic of wapon may pciayappa to fan of ... c6 Opn iciian. uch payr omtimhav to fac th mov orr 2 f3 c6 3 c3, which rducBack' option compard with th immdiat 2 c3, but hr3 ds 4 xd5 Qxd5 5 d4 S impy tranpo to th ubjct ofthi chaptr

2 d5 3 xds Qxd5 4 d4 c6 (Diagram 2 2)

Diagram 22 {W) Diagram 23 {W}

5



Dgerous Wepons Ant S c l ns

Te es wa o reacing our desired seu s also ossile o egin wi 4 . . .eS SN£3 Nc6, as indeed PaasoicVoaa acuall did, u is gies Wie e oiono 5 dxe5 Qxd+ 6 Kxd1 Nc6 7 4 ome laers ma e a o deate lackscomensaion ere, u o m ee Wie as an imroed ersion o e gami

acceed, wic will e considered in Line 5 f3

Wies inariale coice, u e as een known o osone is on occasion

a) 5 dxcS Qxd1+! 6 Kxd1 eS 7 4 aS gies lack good la or e awn weer emees 8 S w 8 d7 or, as recommended in Figting te AntiSiilians, 8 S9 a3 N6

) 5 e3 e5!? (airl consisen wi our main idea and quie a decen coice) 6 c4(6 dxc5 Qxd1 7 Kx< N6 8 N3 Nd5 once again gies lack romising la or a

awn) 6 . Qd8 7 dS Nd4 8 Nc3 N6 9 d3 d6 10 Nge 00 (Dagram 23) was ineor lack in MWalsGallager, iel 994, and one would do well o guess ais ad egun lie as a c3 icilian!

s ..s

We will now consider Wies main moves in descending order o oulari

A 6 xs

B 6 dxsC 6 B3

Oerwise e eoreicallaroed 6 Nd was seen in PaasoicVoaa, and6 c4? lunders a awn o 6 . Qe4+. Ta us leaes a ew minor oions

a) 6 e?! cxd4 7 0-0 (sligl srangel 7 cxd4 as oen een me 7 . . e4 wenMilner-arr's 8 Nc3 is quie rick oweer, lack can siml cature and ater7 exd4 la is likel o ransose ollowing 8 00 N6 unless Wie reers 8 Nc3Qd8 9 NS 4+? 10 K Nge7, wic sees lack reurning e awn or esmooer deelomen) 7 .N6 8 cxd4 exd4 9 Re1 (Dagram 24) as een ried in acoule o games, u is raer seculaie and now can see oo muc wrongwi eier 9 e7 o 9 . e6? inending 10 NgS 4

) 6 dxcS is no means an unknown idea in e c3 icilian in general, u ails oconince ere as 6 Qxd + 7 Kxd xc5 8 e3 xe3 9 xe3 S gies lack e morecomorale deelomen, F.Tiol-TLadani, Hungarian League 1999.

c) 6 Na3? is anoer unconincing idea 6 g4? (lack ursues e iniiaie, al

oug is no means clear ta e isn jus eer aer 6 cxd4 7 NS Qd8) 7e (or 7 c4 Qe4+ 8 e and now 8 0-0-0!? was seen in ZRunicMKuiolaLjulana 00S and also romising is e maerialisic 8 .cxd4 9 cxd4 xa3 0 xa3

66



Ne ther Too a r ly nor Too ate

x3 11 gx3 Qxd4) 7 cxd4 as let Wte alread n some trouble n a coule ogames 8 . . xa3 s on te cards and 8 NbS s rater well met b 8 .0-0-0

Digrm 24 (B) Digrm 25 (W)

d) 6 b5? s te most acte and robabl best o tese rare otons, altoug ater6. .cxd4 xc6 bxc6 8 cxd4 lack as acqured te bso ar and sould not be

too ua Pla mgt contnue 8 e4!? te most acte aroac, altoug a decent case can be made too or te sold 8 b4+ 9 d xd 10 Qxd Qe4+) 9 Nc3b4 (Digrm 25) 10 Nd2? 10 Qe2 a5 1 1 Nd2 was reerred n O.utenkoAZestere, Ke 00, but now tnk tat lack mgt cature as 11..Qxd4 1dxe4 can be met b 1 .a6 wen bot double-dscoered cecks smpl costte materal) 10 . .. xc3 (saer tan 10 Qxd4 11 0-0 5 1 Qa4 wen Wte asome nate or te awn) 11 bxc3 N6 0-0 0-0 wt an unbalced oston nwc lack wll look to attack on e kngsde and/or to la on te lgt squares.

A) 4 5 2 3 d5 3 xd5 Qxd5 4 d4 6 5 f3 5 6 x5 x5 dx5

Wtes most common coce n ractce Wt a ar o kngts excanged edoesn't ear an excange o queens, and oes or a small edge sould lack recature on e5.

Qx5

lack's man coce and a moe wc sould equale wtout an real dcult.

ROLL THE DCE Tho hppy to obti om tivity for pw, wl plyr dtrmid to wi d k to voidth qu xhg Qx5 8 Q2 my prfr Qxd? 8Kxd Bg4 (Digrm 26)



Dangeous Wea pons: nt S c an s'


Comaed wt te 6 dxe varaton (Lne ), tere s no n and te wte awns ree o advane. Tat sould gve Wte slgtl te better anes, but lak snot wtout anes of reatng dffules for te wte kng

Prae as now seen 9 3 (resetable ateatves are bot 9 K 000 10 d3 Ne7

11 gS 6 1 xe7 xe7 13 f3 e6 14 e4, as n J.VolfF Lana, Ust nad Orl 006,and now lak sould robabl ave sougt atvt wt s rooks begnnng14 ..Rd7, and 9 e 000+ ere 10 Nd ? gves lak some la for te awn,d 10 Ke1 xe 11 Kxe Re8 1 4 Ne7 13 Nd Ng6 reganed t n HalaM.abol,Ce League 000) 9 . ..000 10 Ke1 (or 10 Nd e6 1 1 Ke1 6?, w angled tooen te efle n M.werewskAakube, Ustrk Dolne 1996, d after 1 N4fxeS 13 gS?! Nf6! 14 Nxe RdS 1 f4 Ne4 16 Nf3 6 17 4 gS! 18 g3 Rd8 lak wasrewarded wt lent of ongog atvt) 10 .e6 11 e3 (Wte s objetvel stll alttle better after 11 e Ne7 1 K N6 13 4 4 14 e3 g, but ts temat break

gave lak some ounternes n FKerasotsAMalds, Kavala 1999) 11..6!(Diagram 2) 1 Nd! (Wte wsel eles to exange te extra awn for a ostonal advtage e more greed 1 exf6 Nx6 s ossble, but after 13 Na3 e7 144? x4 1 Nx4 Nd 16 d bS! 17 Ne e8 te tatve most ertanl belonged to lak HEngelmannVerovodko swlle 999) 1 .d 13 4fxeS 14 xd Rxd 1 Ne4 Nf6 16 Ke saw Wte fndng an aurate sequene ofmoves to emerge wt an edge .KaleDKont, jelo Polje 004

Returnng to te objetvel stronger 7 ...Qxe+, and now we wll efl onsder:

A 8 B3

A2 8 Q2

8



Nt h oo a y no oo at

Te ormer is Wites onl real tr or an edge; te latter a drawis attemt tosimli

ractice as also seen 8 e2 wen lack sould la as in Line A wit 8 d7(Dagram 28)


Ater 9 e3 la as transosed to note b to Wites 9t moe tere, but neiterdo te ateaties gie Wite anting

a) 9 £4 Qc7 0 0-0 0-0-0 Na3 N£6 2 Qb3 c6 gae lack decent enoug counterla, eseciall ater 3 Nc4? b5! (4 Ne5 c4 5 Qc2 e4 tras te wite queen) inJalkoi-KRoid, Hungarian eague 994

b) 9 0-0 saer) 9 . 000 0 £3 (or 0 Nd2 c6 1 1 3 d6 2 g3 x£3 3 Qx£3 as inEMoserEMorkunaite itooto 999, and now Rogozenko notes tat 3 ..N6 4Nc4 Qd5 5 Qxd5 Nxd5 6 Nxd6 Rxd6 is equal as Wite lacks a good square or

te biso) 0 . c6 (lack can rarel go wrong wen e smootl deelos tus) Qe2 was alread agreed drawn in A.Cerniae-Jlaskett, London 2000 Teosition is equal, but lack migt la on and oe to exloit is sligtl moreactie ieces ater Qxe2 2 xe2 d6 3 Nd2 N£6 4 Nc4 c7.

Al 4 s 2 3 S 3 xs Qxs 4 4 6 5 f3 s 6 xs xs 7 xs QxS 8 B3Bd7! (Dagram 29)

A recise resonse; lack reares to castle queenside and aoids te line 8 . .N£6

9 b5+ d7 0 xd7+ Nxd7 Nd2 in wic Wite as a small ull92

A natural enoug moe but tere are some imortant alternaties

9



Dageous Weapons Ant i ic i l i a ns

a) 9 Q3 tagets 7 and 7, ut lak aall as a deent oe ee

a1) 9 . . N6 an tansose to ou man lne ollowng 10 Nd2 Te altenate s 10Na3, ut ate 10 . . .e7 11 0-00 (Okotnk's 1 1 5! ? mgt e a tou moe alengng not tat an ea see an oems o ak ate 11 00-0 12 N4

Q5 13 0-00 s now well met 13 e6 and 13 xd7+ Rxd7 14 0-0 Nd5 s ettomotale o lak) 11.00-0 (Diagram 30)


Wte must e ate ae to ga te awn Tat sad, t's osse tat e anand le to tell te tale 12 Qx£7? (tal 12 e2 g4 13 N4 Q7 14 xg4+ Nxg415 Q2 g6 was just al leel n PCaonneau-Mladno, Monteal 2000)12 .. e6 (lak oes a seond awn a sensle altenate s 12 Ng4!? 13 N4Qe6 14 Qxe6 xe6 15 e2 Nxe3 16 xe3 R£8 wen lak's so a souldomensate o te awn mnus, eseall as .g5 s mmnent) 13 Rxd8+ xd814 N4! (a ke esoue emakal 14 Qxg7? Rg8 15 Q6 was seen n

VOkotnk.Estada Neto, Haduoszomen 1995, onl o lak to mss tedese 15 . Ng4, wnnng mateal ate 16 Q4 Qx£4 7 x£4 Nx2 18 Rg1 N3 oeadng to a dese attak n te eent o 16 Qx7 Nxe3 17 xe3 Qxe3 18 K1Qe+ 19 K2 Q£2+) 14 .. .Qd5!? (e amtous a sae altenate s 14 ..Qxe3+ 15xe3 x£7 16 Nd6+ K7 17 Nx£7 Re wen lak wll egan s awn wt equalt) 15 Qxg7 Rg8 16 Q6 5 (Diagram 3) 17 Nd2 Qxa2 eaes a ate oen andomlex oston lak as some attakng anes, ut s own kng oston sadl seue and e does eman a awn n aeas

70

ROLL THE DICE Playr who ik to attak may wih o atlon th oppoit flank, and ar 0-0? 2 Qxb (Whitdon't hav to grab, but i any a Blak an look to attak



Ne t her oo a r ly no r oo ate

on th qunid, a h did with 2 Bbs? Bg41 3 Rd a6 4B2 b, which ft Whit in om troub in DHi ingrHBaa, Autrian Lagu 2005) 2 Bf5 th ha fopn bficainly giv Black raonabl compnation for th pawn

a2) 9 00-0 ? 10 Nd2 N6 sees lack waste no tme n actatng s kngt, andate 11 0-0-0 (11 N3!? Qc7 12 000 s obabl a moe callngng t, as nFFeett-.Nukc, Rome 1995, altoug ate 12. . .d6 ollowed b ...4 lacksould be oka wete o not Wte excanges on 6) 1 Ng4 12 Nc4 Qc7 13e2 e7 14 3 e6 lack was at least equal n MHemann-WHatmann, GemanLeague 1982

b) 9 e2 ges lack a comotable game n te eent o 9 ..00-0 ollowed b

10 c6, and also e aable s 9 . N6 wt a ossble tansoston to note cto Wtes t moe, below, ate 10 Nd2.

c) 9 Na3 0-0-0 (9 .. N6 s ne too, ate wc 10 Nc4 tansoes to aaton a nte notes to Wtes t, below) 1 0 Qb3 can be met b 10 N6 11 00-0 e7 tansosng to aaton a, aboe, but I susect tat lack can do een bette eeInded, bot 1.Ng4? and a moe eale 10 c6!? look al omsng; telatte eents Wte om castng and ate 11 Nc4 Qc7 12 Rd Rxd1+ 13 QxdN6 14 e2 b5! 15 Na3 a6 16 3 d6 ack enoed a act oston n OLeneARotsten, Austan League 1995

9 f6 (Diagram 32)


Pactce as also seen 9 .0-0-0, bu I ee to temt Wte nto a awn ad

0 Qb3

7



Da ngeou Weapon Ant - S c a n

We akes up e callenge, bu e mg also pla moe soldl

a) 0 Nc4 Qe6 Qb3 ecoes bo ou man lne and noe 'a' o We's 9 moe.'s possble o go long ee, bu pee ..e7!? because 2 Qxb7 (o 2 0-0-0 003 Qxb7 Rab8 4 Q3 c6 5 Q4 d5 and We alead nds msel unde pes

sue w 6 .Ne4 nex up) 2 0-0 3 e2 (VEgn-V.Galamo, Tasken 2007)3 .. Rab8! looks lke a decen gamb o example, 4 Qc7 (alenael 4 Qxa7?s smpl oo geed and ae 4 ...Nd5 We s n some ouble, as e decselne 5 3 Ra8 6 xd5 Qxd5 7 Qc7 Rc8! 8 Qe5? Qxc4 9 Qxe7 g4 20 3 Re8 2Qg5 x3 22 gx3 6 23 Qg Qd3 ull demonsaes and 4 Q3? c6 5 Qg3 d56 b3 Ne4 sees lack egan s pawn w some adanage) 4 . b5 5 00 Nd5 6Qg3 6 (Diagram 33) and lack eans sucen ac o e pawn.

b) 0 N3 Qc7 c4 (o Qd2 e7 2 4 Qb6 3 c4 0-0 4 0-0 5 and lackenjoed eas ac n KLu-H.Rasc, Hessen 998) . .d6 2 Qd3 and now would be emped o go long, no a ee was anng wong w e smple2 .00 3 000 4! n CEngelbeM.eg, Geman eague 988

c) 0 e2 as oen been mee n pacce w e sold 0.. e7, bu also possble se bsopunng 0 Nd5? o example, N3 ( Nc4 mg be a slgl bee coce, aloug lack can sll am or a ougl balanced bsop-esuskng poson ae . Qe6 2 0-0 Nxe3 3 Nxe3 000 4 g4 Qc6 5 xd7+Rxd7) .. Qd6 2 g5?! 6 3 4 N4 4 0-0 g5 5 g3 0-0-0 and lack wasslgl o coce n HKa-CPapaposolou, Wembeg 993.

d) 0 c4 akes am a 7 lack can, o couse, mee s w 0 e7 and ..00,bu also possble s 0 . 00-0? as x7 (O.KaploskP.Hodac Cec League2004) . .c6! 2 00 d6 3 g3 Q5 leaes lack acel placed and w decenkngsde cances o e pawn

0Be71 (Diagram 34)

Diagram 34 (W) Diagram 3 5 (B)

72



Neit her T E a r ly n r T Late

Once agan escewng 10 00-0 n aour o oerng a awn or some ac

Qxb? !

Crcal, u roal oo rsk Howeer, e alernaes leae We w nong, as sown 1 1 N3 Qc7 12 5 0-0 13 xd7 Nxd7 14 00 Rad8, wc wasre leel n HKauscmannHDesc, Koengsluer 1988, wle 11 5 Rd812 N3 Qc7 13 c4?! 0-0 le lack se o see e nae w 14 5 n KRodMMuk, Dresden 2000

Rb8 2 Qxa -!?

.

a

DAGEROU WEAO! Bak din to rgain on of th

arifid pawn, prfrring to play againt Whit oid

qun, and thi arifiia approah look rathr dangrou

Ta sad, que lke lack's nae oo aer 12 Rx2 13 Rc (or 13 Qa3 Rxd2!14 Kxd2 Ne4 15 Ke1 0-0 16 c4 4 and lack ad a er srong aack or eexcange n Jaw-ELawson, Hasngs 2002, no leas ecause We was, ocourse, unale o casle) 13 Rxd2! 14 Kxd2 00 5 e2 Qd5 16 Ke1 (Diagram 35)and now n LVajda-MMuk, Parduce 1999, 16 Ra8! ? 17 Qc7 d6 18 Q6 R8would ae mroed lack's eces, aer wc 19 Qa6 Qxg2 20 R Qx2 wouldae gen lack a awn and an ongong nae or e excange We's co

ordnaon reall s a mess n s lne3 4

Naural enoug We mus aod 13 N3?? Ra8 14 Q7 R8 15 Q3 g4 wen eloses a ece, u e ruden 13 N3!? Qe6 14 Qa6 s ossle, rearng o reue exra maeral Ta sad, een s sn' so comorale or We aer14 Rx2 15 Qxe6 xe6 no onl s a2 en rse, u Ne4 s se o lead a rad one c3-awn

3 Q6 4 b3?

Ts as o el We's roal, aloug one can undersand s deermnaono aod 14 0-0-0? 5! wen e would nd msel n all sors o roule: or examle, 15 3 (or 15 xc5 xc5 16 Qxc5 Rc8 and lack wns a ece) 15 Ra8 16Q7 c6 1 7 Q6 Rxa2 and e aack s ar oo srong

Que ossl We's es s acuall 14 Qc7!? 5 5 3 wen lack souldroal kee u s nae w 15 Rd8!?, snce e emng 15 Nd5 16Qe5 Qxe5 1 7 Nxe5 6 allows We o escae no an excange-down endng uw decen cances o old aer 18 x5 xe5 19 c4! xc3+ 20 Ke2 Nxe3 21 xe3xa1 22 Rxa

4 ds 5 Qa3 x3 (Diagram 36)

W lack's sos en roue o c6 and 6, e clearl as more an enoug ore awn ere No dou sunned jus ow quckl ngs ad gone wrong,

73



Dangerous Wea pons : nt S c l a ns

Wte now collapsed n Reardt-MMozn, German League 003 16 Rc Ra817 Qb2 Nxa2 18 Rb1 6 19 Qc Nb4 and Wte resgned as e would ave beentoast aer 20 Qc Ra2


A2 e4 cs 2 c3 dS 3 exds Qxds 4 d4 Nc6 s Nf3 es 6 Nxes Nxes dxes Qxes+ 8 Qe2

Ts sn't reall a tr or te adantage, but does present some practcal problemsor a black plaer casng te ull pont

8 ... Qxe2+ 9 Bxe2 Bd!?

Te coce o te 2600-rated grandmaster, gor Mladnoc, but lack s appenoug w a draw ten 9 e6 seems te smplest lack s now read to castlelong wt qute a comortable game and tat can onl be dsrupted b 10 b5+,ater wc 10 d7 (Diagram 3 11 Na3 (or 11 xd7 Kxd7 wen te kng mgtwell come to c6 and a draw was agreed ere n WWernertKLema, German

League 1994) 110-0-0 1 xd7 (ts lne doesn't ae to lead to a quck draw;ndeed, bot sdes can am to outpla te oter as te course o KDolzkovaOanenko, Dpropetrovsk 2006, demonstrated 12 4 Re+ 13 Kd2 xb5 14Nxb5 a6! 15 Na7!? Kd7 16 Rad1 Ra8 17 Kc2+ Ke6 18 Re1 K5 19 c7 Rxa7 20Rd8 b5 and antng lacks kng was well placed or te resultng endgameater uter captures on te rear ranks) 12 Rxd7 13 00 Ne7 14 4 Ng6 15 g35! (lack must tr to set some problems ) 16 Rad1 ?! ( and stragtawa Wteals to apprecate te ull extent o te danger to s bsop) 16 17 Rxd7 Kxd718 b8 e7 19 xa7 Kc6 20 c4 Rd8 21 S Rd2 saw lack regan s pawn wt a

pull n PPcolaLFtacnk loakan League 19960 a3 (Diagram 38

Te poston ater 9 d7! ? as been reaced n a surprsng large number o

7



N th r Too Ea r ly nor Too at

games edetl 6 NxeS ad 8 Qe2 s a faourte reacto of ot outrated wtelaers ad tose caugt surrse S .. eS. At ts ot ractce as also see

Diagram 38 B Diagram 39 W

a) 0 3 0-0-0 00 Ne7 (lack reares to la agast Wte's darksquaredso; a decet ateate s 6? 2 Nd2 g5 3 g3 Ne7 4 Re Nc6, wc

saw lack accumulate some kgsde sace IWerer-Masskaa, Tall997) 2 e3 (te so s targeted ere, ut fds tself ee worse troule after 2 4 Ng6 3 g3? fS 4 3 f4; roal Wte sould't tus urr to commt s so so quckl) 2. . .NfS 3 £4 f6! 4 Na3 gS S g3? S left Wte some troule o te kgsde EVacG.Mlosec, Lugao 989 ts arassg .Ne7fS/g6 maoeure s well wort rememerg.

) 0 0-0 0-0-0 Na3 ( £4 Ne7 oce aga reares to target te dark-squaredso) . e6 2 f4 d6 (3 NS was treateed) 3 xd6 Rxd6 4 Rad RxdS Rxd N£6 reaced a leel edgame TraertAotsar alkdk 2002

c) 0 £4 Ne7 (auser's . N6 3 0-0-0 2 0-0 e6 s a sesle alterate) Na3 was see .Ujma-Auzek, lask 996, ad ow oe amtous wa tocreate some malace s . . 000? 2 NS xS 3 xS Ng6 4 g3 fS.

BEWARE Black can targt Whit' bihop on th h2-b8iagona , but mut b carfu whnvr h ha a bihop on dan a whit knight an on bS; a owng mat on a wounot b w!

00-00 Bf4

A safer coce would ae ee to castle, ut a coule of grdmasters ae al-

7 5



Dngerous We pons : An -S c ns

lowed te resultng n down te e-le

... Re! {Diaram 39) K!

Unale t o castle, Wte elects to moe s kng an d now treatens 3 NS A closel related dea was seen n MGodena-Aotsar, ant Vncent 998 Rd N6 3

K Re4 (lack sould la actel 3 a6? 4 Nc4 ges Wte a clear ull) 4g3 S ( susect tat 4 Re6? mgt e a etter tr lack s read ot to meetS c4 wt S R6 and to contest te rater unclear oston wc arses ater SNS xS 6 xS R6 7 c4 Rx 8 x7 S) S 3 and now otsar moed errook to a4 Qute ossl se was temted too S 4? sacrcng te excange or some la ater 6 xe4 xg3 7 3 (oterwse e4 alls wt an excellentgame or lack) 7 gS, ut ater 8 Kg g4 9 xg3 6 0 K gx3 gx3lacks so ar doesnt ull comensate or Wtes materal lead o rook andtwo awns or te two mnor eces

... Re4 3 Bg3 N6!

A rudent coce, wereas 3 S? 4 d3 Re8 S NS onl saw lack weakenngs oston n te all-grandmaster clas, Durc-Mladnoc, Rome 004

4 B3 Re 5 Re Be 6 Nc4 Be6 {Diaram 40)

Diaram 40 {W) Daram 4 {W)

Wee een ollowng te game EMakka-Aotsar, Atens 00S, n wc lackswelllaced lgtsquared so ensured tat se was ne

B) e4 c5 c3 d5 3 exd5 Qxd5 4 d4 Nc6 5 N3 e5 6 dxe5 Qxd+ KxdA arl crtcal coce, ut now Wte wll alwas e amered s centraledkng

7



Ni th Too Ea ly no Too at

Bg4 Dagram 4) 8 B4

Wtes man moe, but ractce as seen too a number o alteates:

a) 8 e2 0-0-0+ ges lack quck and eas deeloment, not to menton te oortunt to regan s awn. Now we ae

a1) 9 Ke1 x3 10 x3 Nxe5 11 e2 (Wte can kee s structure ntact wt 11Ke2, but ten lack can excange on 3 or consder te untred 1 .N6 ? 12 g5d6 ollowed b . .Re8) 1 . N6? (lack rerans rom te ceck, reerrng tomantan te tenson) 12 Na3 d6 13 3? (Wtes oston was alread trck toandle, but e can ll aord ts urter weakenng) 13. . .Re8 14 K2 c4 was astrong awn sacrce to actate lacks orces n M.Ftko-DMloanoc, Parsan 2005.

a2) 9 Nd2 s ne or lack e mmedatel regans te awn, but e can also

consder 9 . Nge7 10 3 5?, rearng o regan te awn ater 1 . .Ng6 wlekeeng te bso ar. Tus n G.talda-D.Njegoan, Vence 1966, Wte tred 11N4 e6 12 4?, but ts onl turned out t o make matters somewat worse ater 2. . Nd5

a3) 9 d2 can be met b eter 9 ... Nge7? or 9 . x3 10 x3 Nxe5 11 e2 N6,wc was comortable or lack n RDolealAZakoucka, Cec League 2006

a4) 9 Kc2?? 5+ 10 K3 c4+ let Wte oelessl lost n NMakaroaT.Nara,Tallnn 2007.

b) 8 Kc2 0-0-0 9 4 s smlar to our man lne and ma een transose. Now anmmedate ceck on 5 s ossble, but tat takes some o te ressure o e5 Tusack mgt reer 9 ...Nge7 10 Nbd2 Ng6 11 g3 Dagram 42)

Dagram 42 B) Dagram 43 (W)

and onl now 1 5+ 12 Kc 6 Ts oston s extremel smlar to one consd

77



Da ngeou Weapon : Anti S i ci l i an

eed n e noes o lk's 8 move n VjdVukov T onl ffn s lk's bso s on f5, e n g4, nd one gn lk s e deenomenson: fo exmle 3 x£6?! (ndvsble, lbe no s bd s wen ebso s on g4 lenvel, 3 N4 sould led o equl, wle 3 e6 xe6 4

4 £5 5 Re d6 lef lk les equl n LKufmn-EFlesmn, sn 006) 3 gxf6 4 b5 ddn' leve We omleel ded on d nEPeelunge-Hls, Ausn Legue 999, bu 4 6 5 Rd Re8 ould sllv ben song

TRICKY TRANPOITON: Anohe deen opion in hi equene

�

i he paegaining hs , whih ranpoe o Vajda-Vukovi.

) 8 b5?! s e msguded n vew of lks nex, nd fe 8 000+ 9 K? (9Nbd ould ve been sfe, lbe sll lesn fo lk fe 9 Nxe5) 9 f5+!

Kb3 4+! (Diagram 43) K4 mos unusul oson ws eed n DAnTPfffel, G 997 lk s some emng des ee, bu suse ebes s Nge7 x4 Nd5, bngng noe ee no e led song k

d) 8 Nbd 00-0 (nd no 8 Nx5?! s 9 bS+ s lle wkwd) 9 Ke £6!? 10 e6?!(blnd n ex£6 Nxf6 would ve gven lk deen omenson fesomeng lke 4 d6 Kf R£8, bu We d o s nd en govel) x6 N4 g5? sw lk begnnng o eno s useful nve n

obekoVAndeev, Kv 0088Nge (Diagram 44)

Diagram 44 {W) Diagram 45 {B)

No e onl deen oe ndeed, s e sw n e noes o Vjd-Vukov, den se n be mde oo fo 8 000+!?

78



Nei the r Too a r ly no r oo ate

Be2

Wtes most ommon tr n rate, ut as well as Vajdas 9 K, we sould onsder:

a) 9 5 0-0-0 10 Nd (lak an meet 10 K n te same manner wt te

awn-reganng 10. . Ng6, ut e an also onsder 10 ..x3! ? 1 1 gx3 Ng6 1 x6Nx4, w would ae let m wt deent omensaton and la aganstWtes rled struture n J.Kadlkar-.Hund, Ro de Janero 1979, ad e met13 5 wt 13. . .Ng6 14 Re1 e7, ollowed g5+) 10 . .Ng6 and now:

a1) 1 1 g5 Diagram 5 11 .Rd5 1 x6 (or 1 4 Rd7 13 e6 xe6 14 3 x£3+ 15gx3 e7 16 e3 Rd6 and ak sould e oka, sne e an us ak Wtesannong lgt-squared so wt eter ...Na5 or ...Ne5 and .4) 1 . . .x6 13K 5+ 14 K3 Nxe5 15 Nxe5 Rxe5 was at least equal or lak n D.Rouo

Kamerak, Krna 003 laks so ar and saer kng oset swreked queensde

DANGEROU WEAPON! There' nothing wrong with ... R5,but a themati an probaby even tronger option i theuntrie ...f6!. Blak want to wrench open fuher ine anbae hi play on the point that 2 Bxc6 bx6 3 exf6 gxf6 Bxf6 Bxf3+ 5 gxf3 Bh6 eave him actively pace an beterwith two minor piece for a rook.

a) lak s ne too ater 11 x6 Nx4 1 e4 and now 1 .x3+ 13 x3 Nd3 14K Nxe5 s te sae and sensle aroa, ut no worse s te dnam 1 ..5!?13 ex6 gx6, w oered qute deent omensaton n G.Passakos-GMlose,Agos Krkos 007.

) 9 d3 000 10 Ke (remanng n te n, ut stll est nstead 10 K?! an emet 10 .. Ng6, ut een etter s 10 . Nd5! 11 d x3 1 gx3 Nxe5, w letlak or oe n T.MamedjaroaA.Kour, Au Da 007) 10 ...Nd5 (10 . g5!?

11 xg5 Nxe5 also deseres attenton, eseall rom tose wo lke to amstragt at te kng) 11 g3 Nxe5! (an aurate moe, and te est sequene toequale) 1 xe5 Re8 Diagram 6 13 K x3 14 g3 g4 saw lak regan see wt aroxmate equalt n P.Kausenek-MJrosk, German League1996.

) 9 Nd Ng6 10 g3 Ngxe5 (10 . 000!? would e a slgtl more dnamoe) 11 e Nx3 1 x3 x3+ 13 Nx3 0-0-0+ 14 K e7 saw lak regan teawn wt ull equalt n R.LendwaDHerst, Oerwart 001.

9...Ng6 0 Bg3 000+Plang la Vuko wt 10 . .5!? also seems ossle, ut teres notng wrongwt te dret and sensle text.

79



Dangerous Weapons: Ant - S c ans

Kc2

Anote unromsng oton for Wte s 11 Nbd and ere I qute lke 5 1 f6!? (Diagram ) sne 13 exf6 gxf6 leaes Wte strugglng to eauae skng from te entre as e must, of ourse, aod 14 ?? 6 wen a ee goes

west

Diagram 6 (W) Diagram (W)

Te tex was referred n MLutk-GWesgkl, German League 997, n wlak deded to regan s awn I woud, oweer, refer to retan te bsoar and 11 f5+! 1 f6 looks lke anoter deent sarfe, as well as onew eoes te la n note b to Wte's 8t moe, aboe Pla mgt ontnue13 exf6 13 Rd1 s te safe aroa, but lak sould be fne after 13 Rxd1+ 14xd1 Ngxe5 15 Nxe5 Nxe5 16 xe5 fxe5 anks to s bso ar and better deeloment) 13 gxf6 (Diagram 8) 14 b3!? (trng to aod walkng nto a nastn, w 14 Nbd would do) 14 6+ 15 b Re8 16 4 Nf4 wen lak s

well entraled and as strong ressure for te awn

C) e cs 2 c3 d 3 exds Qxds d c6 s f3 es 6 Be3 (Diagram 9)

Ts deelong moe as neer reeed mu teoretal attenton, but s a soldalternate to aturng on e5

6 cxd

Te sensble oe, but te more ambtous 6 e4!? also deseres attenton Here 74 as neer been tred, robabl beause 7 Qd6 8 d5 exf3 9 dx6 Qxd1 10 xd1bx6 11 gxf3 f5 ges lak farl eas deeloment n an unbalaned strutureInstead rate as seen

a) 7 Nfd Nf6 8 4 (ts at least fgts for te d5-square, wereas after 8 e e7 9

80



Nethe r Too Ea r ly no r Too Late

Qa4 xd4 10 xd4 00 11 N3 Q5 Bla ad a pretty mrtable ame due t de ppet ad ptetal ue te d5quae .Badema OraaM.tvu, Cpllett 1 993; Wte mt avd u prblem wt 8 4 Q£5 9 d5,but te 9 . . .Nd4 10 Nb3 Nxb3 11 axb3 Bd6 1 N3 Bd aled t really truble

Bla ax.Ze, tuttart 004) 8 .Q5 9 00 xd4 10 xd4 Bd6 11 N3 00(Diagram 50) ed t a ubalaed ad apprxmately level mddleame A.erualY.ermv, rt 001. Bla e4brdeead ve m mede ae, Wte ebly aleed t wt 1 3 ad w 1 ex3 13x3 (13 Qx3? N4 qute awward r Wte) 13 . .Q6 l le te bet repe

Diagram 48 (W} Diagram 49 (B)

b) Ne5 xd4 8 xd4 Nxe5 9 N3 Bb4 10 dxe5 Bx3+ (ad t 10 . .Qxe5?? 11 Qa4+)11 bx3 Ne l le a mprved ver te 5 .xd4 6 xd4 e5 varat rBla, a w by 1 Qxd5 (r 1 Qa4? Bd 13 Qb4 Qxe5? 14 Bd4 Qe6 15 Bx

8 16 Bd4 b6 wt qute a ulear me) 1 xd5 13 Bd4 00 we Bla ate eay ad d pla . Be6 ad ..a8.

cxd4 xd4

A mle equalzer ad a le w trut ltly mre ta te related . . .B4 8N3 Bb4

8 Nc3

Ater mve rder 8 xd4 Bb4 9 N3, trap.

8 Bb4 9 Nxd4 Nge (Diagram 5)Bla a ree ad eay develpmet ad ud ave ay prblem ere.w 10 x6 a be met by 10 . .Bx3+? 11 bx3 Qx6 we Wte paw mtbeme wea u Wte a uually preerred t play mre reully

81



Da ngeous Weapons : Ant S c l an s

0 Ndb Q a B 2 N

Wte mt ave w te bp par but e wll trule t ld t t ad t'e ae w uld be t equalze ere. AMameD.tYulav Team Campp 1994 tued 13 Bb5 (Wte mut be areul 13

Bd3 B5 14 Be ad8 15 Q d4 16 Bxd4 xd4 17 00 d8 wuld leave Blawt a mall pull) 13. . .N5 14 Qe e ad aa Bla wa ltl r e duet preure aat e3.


Conclusion

Cmpaed wt t mre amu relatve 5 ...xd4 6 xd4 e5 te earer 5 ...e5 aever reall aut but I'm t ure w. Ideed t atve varat lle a deet ad t epeall teretal le r Bla t adpt aat te 3

la a well a e w mt at ut eve a expereed ppet.Bla appear t ave deet uterae te ulear pt wqul reult rm bt 6 dxe5 ad 6 bd. Ideed te l dwde w Ia ee tat t a be ard t eerate w ae aat 6 xe5 Nxe5 7dxe5 Qxe5+ 8 Qe ad t a eer extet 6 Be3.

8



F

Danger with te d4 Gambit

Pete Well s

1 4 Nf3 N6 3 Bb 6 4 o-o B7 5 3 Nf6 6 4? (m 1)

Diagam B)

Tere a alway bee a wrld dieree betwee te reputati ejyed repetively by 3 Bb5 a a awer t d6 ad 3 Bb5 a a awer t 6 i te

83



angerous Weapons : Ant i Si c i l i an s

la. e ormer as a mostly welldeserved reputato or beg relatvelyuambtou, eve draws. Fraly, everal o te more extg les (u a3 ... Nd7 ted to arse we Bla s wllg to sare a meaure o oldty teteret o provog a more etertag ad uompromg battle By o

trat, 3 Bb5 agat . .N6 (w tll ted to bear te ame o oolmo spte o te teady tream o mode tar tat ave bee attrated to t) a beepopular a a try or a opeg advatage at all level I beleve t eoy a ealtydegree o respet ot least or t ablty to appeal to players o wdely dverestyle Oe attrato o . . .N6 3 Bb5 s tat eve te more postoal les ted tobe tese ad ubalaed. or example, reet tme ave see a degree o oetrato o te omplex trateg battle w eue we Wte outers temot popular respose 3 . . g6 by mmedately edg te bsop par wt 4Bx6 ad aga t a led to ubtatal teoretal tusle w ave luded

games rom te world etowever, tere aoter way to meet 3 g6 w Wte retas bsopad mply prepares to buld a bg paw etre Iteretgly, t does ot yet tsel ommt Wte to ay partular tyle o battle e a stll am or a eavystrateg tussle wt a xed etre w e wll stll ote gve up te bsoppar ad ow te uperorty o te gt ome xed struture. owever, teels very mu te sprt o 4 00 Bg7 5 3 ot oly to reate a bg paw etre,but to avod t beomg prematurely xed ad to ue t a te bae or early aggressve operatos. o ts ed tere are tremedous advatage to be ad meetg te temat 5 . . .N6 wt te supremely uompromsg 6 d4?.

o be o lastg value, ay gambt varato must pass two rual tet:

e rst ould be elevdet tat tere eed to be ome tagble ad opeully durable ompeato or te paw, rater ta merely ome leetg advatage developmet or atvty w ealy ulled by a ouple o areulmove. By way o ade, I would be tempted to argue tat a umber o gambtsw otue to eoy a ar measure o popularty (at leat below gradmaterlevel) barely pa t rual tet, but I wll ret amg ames (or ear, or ex

ample, o oedg devotee o te Mora ambt). It udeably o odee tat may o te edurg gambts at te ge level geerally volve tegambteers attag some derble postoal advatages alogde ter uperor developmet It s ow a amlar matra to empasze tat ue a gambt all about overtg a temporary tatve to ometg more robut adt ote easer to overt trutural ompesato se t s a ese a ar waydow t road to beg wt.

owever, u a argumet a be tae too ar ad I uspet ote s. For a ad

vatage developmet aloe togeter wt te ope les w are a almotevtable osequee o arg ay paw may be tel powerul eougto due serous oessos rom te deeder w wll prove to be ar romtemporary May player are upou o u gambt ad te ompeato

84



a nge wh he d Ga mb

eed t be all te mre cvc we te paw acrfced a valuabe cetrepaw rater ta a w paw but t t catery t wc 6 d4 fall, admy jb te majrty f t capter t cvce te reader tat free ece play cjuct wt te alfpe e-fle caue Blac prblem wc cat mply

be lved tru patece ad a lw prce f develpmetal catc-upTe ecd crucal tet fr ay ambt perap le bvu, but carcely lemprtat amely tat t cat be pltely decled wtut te ppet crr me meaure f dadvatae mre rmatc tme we e wa allbut u bud t play ball, t may ave bee eu tat all d f tllad pl wuld eue frm te ambt be accepted. Tee day, wever, temve wc ffer te materal a t ave trc mert wc cmpare wellwt te le mac alteratve T a tet wc I beleve 6 d4 pae wtfly clur T ee wy, t wrt cmpar t mve fr a mmet wt tetree ma alteratve after 5 Nf6 (Diagram 2)

Dagram 2 (W) Diagram 3 (W)

a) 6 e a decet mve, but t al fxe e cetre at a mmet we Blact a te ealty quare d t ettle . After 6 d5 7 d4 cxd4 8 cxd4 Wteted t fllw up wt Nc3, precptat a excae t quare Tere t wr wt t et-up fr Wte but t a l way frm te purepaw cetre t wc 5 c3 apre, ad a very dfferet ame.

b) 6 e al a mprtat alteratve, but affrd te ppet te pprtty t catle leave m much better placed t clam are f te cetre we

te d4 mve fally lad pecfcally, 6 . .00 7 d4 t frced tere a cae frdelay t wt te ubtle 7 3 but a bet uc a u-frc le Blac tea may way t play, f wc I ave a ft pt fr 7 . . e5? wt play mlar tme quet le f te pa) met wt 7. d5 (Diagram 3)

8 5



Dageous Wea pos At S c i l i as

T Wt ould amouly avod 8 d Qd 9 4 Qd6 0 d? w 0 d4avod b pud baward ad dd lav t b bop l ta omortably tuatd Tr ar may way to avod t mbarramt, o 8 o blvd to b almot rtaly t mot tt ovr, t r

aa d ad t tm Bla t qut abl to op to 4 It at wll bto b ad, rtaly ot trappd ad proally, altou t l otu to joy a raoably prol, I blv tat Ba ould b abl to putut prur o Wt tr

) 6 Qa4 a ou mov Wt dd 4 wl multaouly puttprur o 6 Morovr, blv tat wll b abl to ollow up wt ttdd d4 wtout mor ado, or aal rao paw wll d tob mmu owvr, tr ar a oupl o ral drawba to t mov ado (prap two) p problm T ma dowd wtout ma to

oud lppat tat Wt qu o a4 It mt b lt tat t o tt trrtory, but t raoably ot ot a rat quar owvr, t ot a y top r I l mto oly br tat otroa vry lvr a ar 6 0-0 7 d4 d4 8 d4 N4? 9 d5 N5 0 Qa3 Qb6 3 Nd42 d4 Bd4 3 B6 d6 4 B8 8 5 ad B5 a a vry p adratr lo adow ovr t ytm at prt play aat llt,wllmtd dar-quard bop prov o u at all

o, t mportat ma r tat al t mtod o avod aptur o 4

av om atv oqu ompard wt mmdatly o aad adtabl a paw tr T y may ay tat t ot a rat avmt toavod av a paw tr d by tad lo part o t But ttv ambtr wll udrtad tat omtm t prorty to p t poto udad tat ompato wl low rom avod a blod poto ad otrat or o t rult op l I am vry odt tat t lar uprory o 6 d4 ovr or mov ay to dmotrat to a wr Bla dl t paw ( A t tory to) T rt o t aptr tratrwll b about ow tat Bla apt t or, Wt a a poto ull o

prom or to wo r p play ad t tatv, ad may aul o urprly uplord trrtory I t I a lam tat a ubtatal porto o at olow my o aaly ad wr tr o am rr trally ma tat prat a yt to at up wt u

D A.Likov • EErmenkov

b 76

cs 2 3 c6 3 BbS g6 0-0 Bg 5 c3 6For mot playr t da tat attmpt to buld up a paw tr may b mt byatta t paw alrady t tr ratr ta otrat all rour oprvt t tdd adva wll b amlar rom t Itala Gam o-

8



Da nger with the d G am bit

were ele Tere ure ate 1 e4 eS N N6 B4 B5 4 N6 Wte a aarly lmted e betwee pre wt 5 d4 r deed te epaw wt5 d w ure mea a at elv ba pla. wever a Idued te trdut wlt Wte a mre veet way t deed

e4 te preet ae tey are at te ame tme t peret. Bear wt tmpar r a mmet t al wrt met tat te Itala Gamee Bla ueully atle te ae te ele wll be dmedwlt te 6 d4 ambt altu Wte le lely t ve mate dretly teele preure aat e7 lely t ttute a valuable aet eve teba a ueully evauated

6 d cd

T by ar te mt mm way t aept t ambt. Te exae paw

udubtedly eae te 7bp w wll play a majr rle varu reureul deee truut te apter. Mrever te pe te b6daal te eable te ey reure ..Qb6+ wtut w le wt ...Ne5wuld be extremely prblemat e te ple up pee te ele ater aexae e5 llwed by e wuld be lable t vlve eru materal t.Netele we Wte ta mu up ee ad rapd develpmet t reretable t ree up te ptmal quare r quee t. trea ale t very udertadabe at Bla a explred te mmedate apture e4 uually jut wt e mdet retreat te 6t t b8

ad te ted t retur te t rm e4 t te mre atural quare 6T dea wll be explred later Le B te L a Lttle Deeper et

cd (Dagram )

Dagam (B) Dagram 5 (B)

Ne

87



angeou Weapon Ant S c a n

Obvoly ral ad le obvouly alo e be! I bear repeo ju oemore a wou 6 d4 would mert a udpued ! .

8 ds (Dagram 5)

Te embarrame w advae pell or e 6 a major oure

o We ompeao. I ereore eem erely ar o ay a oer movemply do mer oderao ere.

8d6

oue o eoy ma le au ad wll opeully beome clear e eory eo ( o eearly e oure o Bla raer apoaypdeea ere) a ere are old roud or rerea a a momewe a mmedae deo a be demaded reard e b5bop Tedrawba o oure a e poo o rae ome queo abou

e moblzao o Bla queede deed a we all ee Le C ad C e eory eo were bo e omewa pave 8 .8 ad e ry8 .. .e5 wll be oud bo o mer erou oderao rerea ar romompulory. I ao ay or ure eve aer exeve wor o aper a Iave a lear vew abou

9 a3(!) (Diagram 6)

Diagr 6 B) · Diagam B)

T by o mea e oly way o play ad my aeme deely ope odpue or oe loo a rae way o beave ju a move or wo aer Iexplaed e drawba o 6 xd4 erm o ae o e 3quare Ideed e avalably o e more aural developme o e b a major movao or oe oo e que repeable alerave 9 Bd3Tere o eou room o do move ue ere o I wll mply expre my

88



Da nger wth the d Ga mbt

geerl sypty wt, u perps o full elef Wes ttckg ccesfter sy 9 . . N4 10 Nc3 0-0 (10 . .Nxd3 11 Qxd3 0-0 1 Bf4 6? looks resolelterve s well) 11 Re1 6 1 B1? (preservg te sop to retur to e fryv te -squre) 1. . .B7 13 Bf4 (1 3 Ne? Rc8 14 3 llows 14 . . .Nxd 1 Nxd

Bxd 16 Qxd RS w cler dvtge) d ow fter 3 . .Bxc3 14 xc3 Nxd(R.elger-D.vsovc, r 00), Wte could ve oed qute dececopesto y sply plyg 1 B6 Re8 16 Qd4 f6 (1 6 . .Nf6 7 Ng) 17 Qg4 kel ut just 13 Rc8? looks eer g s 14 Be Bxe 1 Nxe e6 levesBlck's peces lookg que well coorded.

Tere s doutless uc ore to e sd out 9 Bd3. owever, trced ote prorty wc 9 N3 gves to te speed of Wtes developet. Ts ysee to soe to represe quty over qulty', u eve f tere s soe trut ts crge, t s ot cocevle to e s ywy eets te deds ofte posto y cse, ope to sow eoug cses of ts kgt coggood' to vdce te ove geerl ters. Te otto le s tt t s te specfcs of wt follows wc s go e excted g out 6 d4, d led e totk t fr fro eg erely fu ut specultve' t costtues susld dgerous syste

9Nes

Nturl ot ts desre to tte excge d to vod retrg tskgt to pssve poso Te drwck, of course, s tt fter te rde of

kgs Wte y g furter te w erely turl d purposefu developg oves Te ltetves re cosdered uder Le C3, elow

0 Nxes Bxes Re (Diagram ) Nxbs?

A serous stke wc ees wt devstg refutto. But would rget ths s ot oly error of clculo, rer t s volto of sc prcples too. or ts vrto te uer of cses wc Blck c prt wt sdrksqured sop d lve to tell te le s very lted. Te copestggs eed to e ese to jusfy s d ere ey cerly do ot qulfy I

fc, Blck s ulttde of superor lertves wc ke ogether revels to e poso of jor teoretcl sgfcce

) 1 . . f6 looks strge, ut s ot so esy to refue. Te de s t Blck'skgt y use te rer stle squre 7 o tck y te te c-sop septed to vde o 6 suspec t e ost drect tept t refutto f4? s proly lso te es, ut t s ot erely coclusve fter 1 . . .Nx (oky, sotere re soe exceptos o e rule ouled ove) 13 fxe fxe 14 Nx (14Rxe Nx3 1 d6 e6 16 x3 00 looks plyle for Blck sce e wek drksqures roud s kg re o especlly esy to ccess) 14 . Q6 1 Nd4?Qxd4+ 16 Qxd4 exd4 17 Bg e6 18 R d (8 B6 ? s lso wort look t wouldo e te oly te s le t t s wor gvg prorty o oldg te lckkg e cetre eve fter excge of quees) 18 . . .0-0 19 dxe6 dxe6 0 Rxd4

89



Dangerous Weapons Ant i S i c i l i a ns

6 1 Bh6 R Rf4? Bd7 3 Ref B 4 R Rd8 3 d We s leseoug pressure for e pw u s o cler weer e pedg vso ofe 7 rk wll ou o cler dvge. Noeeless lso cosderg eoe o We's 18 wls 11.6 y o e refued eer s especlly

rcve proposo for Blck . ..Bg7? s url eoug rere wc s ee pssed over y ll esroges plyers o ve defeded s poso Nevereless I k y e uderred Te drwck of course s We c edely pply pressure o e7 y 1 Bg (zgly ovely' s fr s I c see forcg 1. .f6 Tequeso s ow uc of cocesso does s represe? My feelg s fer13 Bf4 0-0, were We o rus w 14 Bxd6 e swer could e wlsBlck would prefer o ve s pw sll o f7 e wll e le o lve w o fespeclly sce e ede 14 Nc4?? s ruled ou y errsse o e

-sop o We eeds o re s poso w ore fesse keepg eexcge d u frs securg e sop w 14 Bd3? keepg oposope Te frs po s 1 Bxd6 d Nc4 c ow e see s soeg closeo re. Te secod o less por po s e eve of 14 . .f Wes o loge coed o e excge o d6 u y coue w sple develope suc s 1 Qd we erve pls suc s B6 or eve Be lsocoe o ply. Lsly s wor ceckg ou Blck co free self s cse y 14 .e u ere oo We wll ve eoug pressure fer 1 dxe6dxe6 16 Q3 K8 (Dagam 8) so log s e fds e srucve d o so ovous couo 1 7 Red


Te po of course s oce Blck plys ..e e efle wll o loger e eplce for we's rook wls o e d- d c-fles re ugely sgfc cus-

90



Danger w th the d 4 Ga m it

g dscofort to lck's qee d kgt After 17.e 18 Be3 eter 18 . . Qc7 19Rc or 18 .. Qe8? 19 BcS or deed 1 8.. 6 19 NS? NxS 0 Be4 look tooelty for te defeder. Wlst ot detled lyss ope ts dscssoglgts soe portt pots to reeer we prosectg sc t

tve. sre tt Wte s eog' t of corse ckowledge tt te defedr y ve soe etter wys to dle 1..Bg7

c 1...B6 (Diagram 9) s otvtd y te desre to prevet Wte fro pplygjst tt pressre to e7 wc we wtessed te le ov

owever t s te drwck tt Blck c ow e peveted fro cstlg dwlst te les tt follow re teseves ot etrely erct tk te resltg postos re very dffclt for te defece to dle. Certy tese proes wc te defeder's kg c expeece we cgt te cetre for

rge prt of y ttrcto to te 6 d4? gt Coseqetly recoed 1B6? ere wt set of des to coe wc wll e reforced lter te cpterwere wll offer ssttl lyss of 13 B6 logos posto wtte oves 6 d Bd3 trow . Alogos t ot te se fct to teked eye tere y pper to e stroger cse gst t ove ts csesce Blck s te extr resorce NfS t s dsposl. owever t s fr froesy to cstle eve sc cs s sl ope to sow

After 1 B6? (Diagram 0) Blck c try

Diagram 0 (B) Diagram W)

c 1 . Bx s ere qte well et y te clever 13 Nc4 soewt ore efectve

t wt 6 d Bd3 trow t lso vrtlly forced ts cse. After13 . Nxc4 13 .Nx 14 Nx s ppelg eog for Blck tt tere s o eedto look rd t terestg d lso dgeros coces sc s 14 Q3?; eterdoes 13 Nf5 14 Qc? treteg of corse to tke o fS 14 . .Nx6 1 Nd6

9



D ngerous We pons : An -S l ns

K8 16 Qxb looks much un to deend Black s clealy playing with ie n theelines) 14 Bxc4 d6 (the only way to ty and consolidate the geedy 14 ...Bxa1? getswhat it deseves ate 15 Qxa1 Rg8 16 Q6! e6 17 dxe6! xe6 18 Rxe6+ dxe6 19 BbS+wit mate to ollow) 15 Rb Bc3 (Diagram ) 16 Rxb7! Bd7 17 Re3 Qa5 1 Qe (18

Qb3 Bd4 19 Rxd7! is also vey stong, but with so much concentated iepowethee ae aleady seveal oads to Rome) 18 ...Be5 19 Bg7 Rg8 0 BxeS dxeS 1 RxeSQa3 h3 Rd8 3 d6! Qxd6 4 RdS Qc6 5 Rdxd7 Rxd7 6 Rxd7 1-0 A.KimJBaules, Desden Olympiad 008

Retuing to Back's 15th move thee might be a case instead o S ...BeS?, although Wite still has the simila tactic 16 Rxb7! 6 (to make an escape oute othe king) when Wite should maintain pomising pessue with 17 Rb3! in peeence to ushing in with the ceative 17 RxeS!? xe5 18 BbS+ 7 19 Q3+ Kg8 atewhich, although extemely lashy, 0 Q6 leads only to a daw ollowing 0 ex6

1 Rg7+ K£8 Rc7 etcc) 1 . N5 13 Qd! (athe than the ticky 13 Q3? Qb6!, when Black looks comotable enough) 13 . . .a6 (it oten doesnt seem to help to exchange on h6 in suchcases; hee 13 Nxh6?! 14 Qxh6 a6 [14 . Bxb? 15 Nc4 is o couse even wose] 15Nc4 [15 Rac would also be inteesting as Black is athe stuck o a move!]15 e616 dxe6 xe6 16. . .axb5 17 exd7+ Kxd7 18 Rad+ is hopeless] 17 Rxe6+! £7 18Nd6! Kxe6 19 Qd axbS 0 Re+ BeS 1 Qd4 Q6 4 is a cushing attack) 14Rac (Diagram 2)


and now:c1) Once again Black is likely to be punished quite seveely i he gets geedy:14 . . .axb5 15 NxbS is selevidently disasous; while 14 . .Qb6 15 Bd3 Qxb looksquite plausible, but in act uns into the delightul 16 Nc4 (bette than 16 NbS,

92



an ger wth the d4 Ga mbt

ltug te ide f meetig 16 . xb wit 1 7 Q! migt be te useful ttckig esuce t be we f) 16 . . . Qxd2 1 7 Bxd2 00 18 Bxf gxf 19 Nb6 Rb8 20Rc4! wic peets ...Bd4 d pepes simply Re d te eml f te c8bisp s it sleeps.

c22) Ate 14 . . .Ng7! 1 Bf? ! d6 16 Bg Bxg 17 Qxg e! 18 Qxd8+ Kxd8 19 Nc4Ne8 20 Nb6 Rb8 21 Rc3 f6 22 Re Bf Blck d fily successfully uelled iD.dks.Vke, Ekteibug 1997. sted Wite my eite fist embss te blck quee wit 1 Bf4!? 00 16 Bc7 Qe8 17 Bd3 b 18 d6!? wit esble iititie ty te ey ggessie 1 Bd3 00 16 d6!?. te ltte cse16 . .exd6 1 7 Be4 lees Blck stugglig t deelp, wilst 16 . e6 c be met witte te ielegt but effectie 17 g4! tgetig te bisp f6 d pepigt meet 17 ...Bd4 wit 18 Bxg6! Bxf2 19 Qxf2 fxg6 20 Qd4 Qf6 21 Qxf6 Rxf6 22 Nc4we ce gi Blck's dksque wekesses tis time te queeside pe t be duble suce f cmpesti ee witut quees te bdc3) 12. . Qb6!? is ls esble ty, pbbly best met wit te supisig 13Qf3!? (i pefeece t 13 Nc4!? Nxc4 14 Bxc4 d6 1 Qf3 Kd8!? 1. . .Qxb2?! 16Rb1 Qc3 1 7 Re3 Qd4 18 Re4! Qc3 19 Qd1 lks muc less secue 16 R Qxb217 Re2 Qb4 we Wte is ctie, but dt see y cle wy t ld blw)13 ...Nf (Dagram 3) 14 Nc4! Qc! (but t 14. . .Qxb 1 Nd6!+ Nxd6 16 Qxf6 wit spectcul ccidet!) 1 R Bd4 16 Bd2! 00 (ce gi excge f queeswill pe isufficiet t sle te deep pblems wic Blck suffes bigig is

kig it y kid f sfety 16 ..Qxb?! 17 Qxf gxf?! ltug 17 . . .00 18 Qf3e6 19 B6 Bg7 20 Bxg7 Kxg7 21 Qc3 is t muc fu f te defede eite 18Nd6 Kf8 19 Nxb d Blck is i ll sts f tuble) 17 4! d suddely it is ts muc Blcks kig, but te is quee wic is embssed. Te fct tt tetul 1 7 . d6 c be met butlly by 18 b4! Qc7 19 Ne3 Qd8 20 Rxc8! Qxc8 21 RQd8 22 Nxf gxf 23 Qxf wit temedus ttck is, wilst t exustie, tlest suggestie f Wite's ic ttckig pssibilities.

2 Rxes 6?!

Tis peps mkes mttes ee wse, but it is well wse empsizig ttmst f te dmge s ledy bee de. Blck's mi pblem is tt ee fte te me cicumspect 12. . .d6 3 Re1 Nx3, Wite is t bliged t ecptue,but c cete ll sts f tuble wit te zwiscezug 14 Bg!, wilst similfte wuld wit te immedite 12 . . .Nx3. Nw tug, it becmes ut!

3 Nxbs!

Temtic, cetie d tugly i te spiit f gmbit ply, tis ls ppest be te cusig

3

xes d6! (Dagram )A desttig blw. uc dces f te dpw will be see t ply quite m le tugut te cpte, but usully Blck c t lest cside eite dcig is epw cptuig d6. ee we get clecut illustti f

93



Dangerous Weapons Ant i -S i c i l i an s

qite ow bad tings are wen tese responses ae unaalable

4 .. 0 5 Bg5 Qb6 6 dx Qxb5 xf8Q+ Kxf8

Of orse Blak would be let off er ligtl if is problems were to ease wit teeturnng of te exange. In fat, te usual poten exibited b diret attaks in

positions wit oppositeoloued bsops is ere magnified man times b tetotal exlusion of Blak's qeenside piees from te main aena . . .

8 Qd6+ Kg8 9 Bh6 0 (Diagram 5)

Diagram 4 (B) Diagram 5 (B)

. . .and Blak alread as to resign sine 19 ...Kf7 20 Bg5! keeps te king utterlboxed in so tat 20 ...Q4 for example ofers no assstane afte 2 Qe7+ Kg8 22B6 foing mate.

DANGEROU WEAPON! An unvn tu admit but togthrwith th xtniv not at mov 2 I hop it ha givn uom flavour of th rich divrity of attacking ida at Whit'dipoa in thi gambit.

Geing There

4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 g6 4 00 Bg 5 c3

ine tis is te onl plae wee Blak an meaningfll deiate after 3 ...g6 it is

wort a word ere about is alteaties and terefore impliitl abot te likelood tat ate 3 Bb5 t will be possble to rea te bas gambt poston. orstaters te statistis sow that 5 . . .Nf6 is oerwelmingl te most popular

94



Dang w h th d4 Gam bt

choice, being payed i n about 65% of a games from this position. Of the aternaies, 5 . . a6 has some foowing, based upon the notion that the presence of c3 renders an exchange on c6 significanty ess attractie for White than in most Rosomo postons oweer, the moe .a s in itsef weaening and after 6 Bxc6

dxc6 Whites position seems quite attracte whether he chooses to permit the iquidation of his opponent's doubed pawns with 7 d4, or to tries to pay againstthem wih 7 d3. It aso oos quite egitimate to attempt to get the bac pieces todecare their intentions before maing this choice to this end 7 Qe2 ? oos quitettrace f Bac then puts hs c8bishop to g4, White can switch to d3 systems.Otherwise he can een throw in h3 before proceeding with d4

In spite of its pimariy positiona character, this a oos ery satisfactory. Moreitica is the most popuar of the aternaties, 5 . .e5? (Dagram 6)

Dagram 6 (W) Dagram (B)

ere too there is a choice to be made between positiona approaches and something wit more bite. oweer, for payers een to enture the subject matter ofthis chapter, there woud seem to be a strong syistic presumption in faour ofhe promising gambit 6 d4? here. By way of encouragement, it is worth pointingout that a ariant of this gambit which arises after 5 Re e5? 6 c3 Nge7 7 d4 asoenoys reasonabe popuarity But this is ceary a ess enticing ersion since theaue of he moe 5 Re is open to debate whist .Nge7 is not Bac to the preent case, there is not space here to gie a detaied treatment uffice to say thatafter 6 d4 cxd4 (6 . . exd4 7 cxd4 Nxd4 8 Nxd4 Bxd4? 9 Nc3 Ne7 0 Bh6 shoud

apea to anyone een to expore the critca ines ater in this chapter) 7 cxd4exd4 8 Bf4 Nge7 9 Bd6 Nbd2 (Dagram ) White has exceent deeopment and his occupation of the ey square d6 definitey sets Bac some probemsn bringing out his remaining pieces After 0 a6 Bc4 b5 2 Bb3 Bb7 3 Nb3,

9 5



Dangerous Weapons : Ant i Si c i l i ans

Blck c t lest cosde gg u te excge wt 13 xd5 1 Bxf8 Qxf8 1 5exd5 we s s seeds ese cest Teee teegt e cse gst ssstg Blcks deeloet ts w d sted tg 11 Bd3!? ed to eet 115 wt te edte 12 N3 A foute of Ydeos, ts s scoed exteel well ctce d sees to e t oe osg d edug tte fo te w

ookg a ittle Deeper

e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 g6 4 00 Bg 5 3 Nf6 6 4!?

Te tel s slt to tee ts

A The Gambit DecinedB 6 Nxe4!?

C 6 cx4 cx4 Nxe4

A) e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 g6 4 0-0 Bg 5 c3 Nf6 6 4!? {Diagam 8)


I e led dscussed te toducto te otce of gt esuc s 6 d g tsc uose ddto to lg dow cllege fote ooet. lso exessed cofdece tt ts culd e esl deosttedd te esos e well wot exg toougl, sce tee sees to e susg lck of weess soe exoets of te gt of Wtes exctgossltes ee

9 6



Da nge with the d Gam it

6 cd4

rig t declie the gbit with the iedite 6 .d5?! lks still less cvicig 7 Ne5!? lks prisig, sice Blck is virtull bliged t pl 7 . . .Bd 7 givigp with bishp pir with thig t shw r it ter 8 Nxd7 Qxd7 e5, but it ls

sees hghl iplusible tht Blck shuld hve eugh cpesti r thepw ter the ver strightrwrd 7 exd5 Nxd5 8 dxc5. B ctrst, 7 e5 is curse plble, but isses wht is specil but 6 d4. Bth here d ter the exchge d4 id it strge tht se plers pper t beieve tht the stsigiict dierece r the i lie 6 Re 0-0 7 d4 d5 is t the urtutepsiti Blck's kig, but rther the vilbilit the e-squre s tht ter 7e5 Ne4 there is the chce t ebrrss the kight b plig 8 Ne But this piecec be sved b plig . . .h6, whlst 8 . .cxd4 cxd4 Qb6 Bxc6+ bxc6 3 Bxe5is ls r r cler d ther rguet gist plig i this w.

cd4 d S

his is the st ppulr ltertive t 7 Nxe4 bsed the ssupti tht iBlck leves the White cetre uchlleged he will suer r his lck spce withlittle t er b w cpesti. This is certil true ves such s7 0-0, r exple, whe 8 d5 Nb8 Re d6 h3 Nbd7 Nc3 Nc5 2 B4 Qb6 34 S 4 e5 Nd7 S R3 (S exd6 lks eve better) 5 .dxe5 6 Nxe5 NxeS 7Bxe5 Bxe5 8 Rxe5 Q6 Qe2 let White with plest sptil plus d strgpressure gist e7 i ALutikvA.Arutiuv Yerev 77

erhps the st resble w t declie the pw, hwever, is t pl 7 6!?(Diagram 9) sice here there is etirel cst-ree rute t the kid sueezewhich we witessed bve Netheless, like White's psit ter 8 Bxc6 (8Bd3!? ls lks quite plusible, wheres 8 e5 which hs se llwig lks te specultive d rkl rther ulikel) 8 dxc6 Nc3 Bg4 (iprtt, s terutie 0-0 0 h3 leves this bishp lckig prisig squres) Be3 00 h3 Bx3 2 Qx3 Q5 3 Rd Rd8 AVlkiti-Vhliv, Alusht 2004,White chieved thig specil ter the slightl lckdisicl 4 Rc wever,

Whte culd rther ephsize his spti dvtge with the re purpseul 43? itedig b4, whe Blck hs rther pssive deece t lk rwrd t

Returig t 7 .d5 (Diagram 20)

8 NeS()

DANGERO WEAPON! A I uggeted in m introductorremark one of the great adantage of pang d4 a earl amoe 6 i that Back i aforded no repite with which to get

cated

ricll, whilst this pls rle i the criticl lies i which Blck ccepts the pw, it culd be rgued tht it pls eve re pivtl rle i st

97



Dangerou Weapon : nt i S i ci l i an

o h pauble aemp o declne he oe Ne5 he eaon! ylcally haggeve aemp o explo he poon o he kng n he cene alo ha obvou aacon o he ype o aackng playe who lkely o be aaced o 6 d4n he pace and agan hee aboluely no need o ele o he le punchy,low manoeuvng che whch chaaceze 8 e5

8Qb6 9 Nc3 (Diagram 2)


Black need o ead wh ome cae. Te plauble 9 .Be6 un no ouble ae10 Qb3 (he appcaon o vey dec peue by 10 Qa4! no bad ehe nceae 10 Rc8 1 1 Be3 Black hould avod 11 0-0 due o 12 exd5 Nxd5 13 Nxd5Bxd5 14 Nd7 wnnng maeal) 10. . .00 11 Bxc6 bxc6 12 Qxb6 axb6 13 Nxc6 dxe414 d5 h a heahy nave n ERaae-M.uodopaa Kuopo 1995. heeoeBlack hould pee 9 . . . 00! 10 exd5 Nxe5 (bu ceanly no 10 . . Nxd4 11 Be3) 1 dxe5 g4 when Whe would appea o have a pleaan choce beween 2 d6

exd6 13 Qxd6 Nxe5 14 Qxb6 axb6 15 Be3 wh good chance o ne a pawn, alhough he weepng bhop on g7 lkey o epeen ome compenaon; omply 12 h3 Nxe5 13 Be3 Qd6 14 Be2 h a pleaan pace advanage hchque move uch a a3 and Rc wll eve o pomoe A ome age Whe wlly o pay Ne4 and he mng gh hen a Black e B5 o peven h,he lgh weakne whch he move g4 may epeen wll be wohwhle o dveh pece away.

B) 4 cS 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 BbS g6 4 00 Bg 5 c3 N6 6 d4!? Nx4!? (Diagram 22)Th an unuual way o accepng Whe' acce hch eem o be ecevngahe moe aenon n he la ew yea pehap booed by a le han con

9 8



Da nger with the d4 Gam bit

·g eao om Pee dle e e oud msel o e Wie side Ie aleady disussed i e oes o Luiko-Emeko e moiaio eide idespead peeee o peaig is apue i a exage o pason d4. is exage eaes e gisop ad also oes esoues ased upo

a ae . .Q gealy ieases Blaks suseque opos oee, is agiia ous a Wie's kig is deied e 3squae, ad i Blak is oduly ouled y eig olged passiely o eu is kig om ee ie e ee is dee logi o e ex moe Moeoe, e ee gamesee ae ypiied y e eea o e e4-kig o ae a d. is oo asit logi Blak eses a agualy supeal ga o ime a s sage i odeo assue a geae measue o udameal eal o is deelopme i e mem em. I ae sympay i e geae ed oads oduig e deee i is ay Moeoe, am suk y e exe o We does o ye

appea o e eely omoae adlg is suly u uially aleed sue A e same ime, oug, I ope o so a ee ae pomsg pas oploe

Diagram (W) Diagram 3 (W)

d5

s adae, o less a elseee, s e oesoe o Wies play.

...Nb8?

BEWARE! Any doub on hi core houd be quahed by herealizaion ha Re?! can comfoably me wih ds !

and Whie wil be ruggling o prove any rea compenaion

I s is modes eea i paiula i seems o me o make sese o Blak's

99



D a n g e u W e a p n A n t i - i c i l i a n

ply Of cou h h mm 7 5 fll ho o h mpl 8 N5 5 9Q2 wg ml Howv lo pol o ply m logouwh h m l wh 7 N6 (Daram 23)

H h' choc u o o mpl 8 N3 uul h p of v

opm o h ol gum h h kgh ulkly o hg fo c3 h l y c 8 3 o h oh h ul ou 5cpu oc fo ll My f flg ou h w h 8 N3 w polypuch h v h lck w mg o go o 5 wh h c6 kghwh 8 3 mgh mo ppop h v h g o 8ywy O coo occu o m h oh h' mov lklyo f h l c hfo I hv plump owly fo 8 3?Ev o h co of 8 3 m fo mpl 8 5 9 N5 5 10 R1g7 1 1 Q2 w o mpvly c y whch o fu f 1 6 1 5 12

h6 houl lv h wh l om v f 12 00 13 g7 Kg7 14Q5 Qf6 15 Qf6 Kf6 16 3 lck h o compo fo h mowkw vlopm) 12 f4 Q6 13 4 c4 14 S Q6 15 c2 0-0 16 3 5 17Q2 1-0 AMKlug Ko 1998

Af 8 3 (Daram 24) m h lck h h pcpl mov c If h 8 5 9 N5 6 10 N3 5 11 6 f3 12 Qf3 6 13 3 of lDPohk Lul 2001 oh ghfow covcg ough)

Daram 24 (B) Daram 25 (W

) 8 6 my o h mo covcg mov u l o cg

cou full of ucv ONkolko-Vlov Mocow 2002 Af 93 N7 10 R1 0-0 1 1 g5 f6 12 f4 Nf7 13 Q2 R (Daram 2 5) huh h cll 14 h4 whch o of ky ckg ouc hpoo whch lck h go pv'

00



Da n ge with the d 4 Gambt

After 14 d6 15 h5 g5 ite decided to sacrifice with 16 xg5? with enormouscomplications following 16 fxg5 17 Qe4 The refutation of the natural 17 h6 by8 Qh7+ Kf8 9 e6 xe6 20 dxe6 Ne5 (or 20 Nh8 2 Nc4) 2 Nxe5 dxe5 22 g6with decisive threats is especially pleasing However in the game lack sensibly

avoided this with the prudent 7 e5 an after 18 Qxh7 Kf8 19 g6 he could perhaps have defended with 9 e7 rather than 9 Qf6 which ran into 20 d2 e71 e4 Qf4 22 g3 Qg4 23 Nc4 NbS 24 Ne3 Qf3 25 d2 Qf6 26 Ne4 Qf3 when theimple 27 a4 would have left lack struggling to hold his position together onetheless given the possibility of 19 e7 am left wondering whether there was acase for the restrained 16 g3? (intending to meet 16 f5 with 17 Qc2) lack isterribly vulnerable on the kingside light squares in is case and it should be quiteeasy to bring the a3-knight to join the party as well

b)8 Ne5 should be met in the traditional manner with 9 Nxe5 xe5 10 e1 g7or 0 f6 11 h6 Qb6 12 Qf3 Kd8 when 13 g4? e 13 g5? 14 Nc4 Nxc4 15

xc4 Qxb2 16 d6 Qxc3 17 Qxc3 xc3 18 xf7 b5 19 xe7 1-0 was a terrific knockout in APyhalaHaasanen yvaskyla 1987 but the quiet 3 Qe2? is a reasonable fallback option) when 1 Qe2 0-0 12 Qxe7 Qb6 13 Nc4 Nxc4 14 xc4 looksike a vey simple and logical route to a pleasant game APyhalaMolaner yvaskyla 994

c) 8 Nb8 should be met by 9 d3 I am generally less enthused by giving up thebishop on b5 if White cannot force the d6 break thereafter or example after 9

e1 I would be concerned about just 9 xb5 10 Nxb5 d6 and 11 g5 can be simpy met by 11 f6 with good chances for lack to use the e5-square to cement hisdefence With this formaton there are real benefits to having avoided an exchangeof pawns on d4 since the c5-pawn prevents a white knight from landing easily ond4 and then e6

After 9 d3 lack can attempt to expand on the queenside with 9 00 10 e1 a6(Daram 26)

t worked out quite well in MaTseitlin-PKondratiev eningrad 1974 after 11 Qe2

b5 12 Qxe7 Qxe7 13 xe7 b7 14 c4 bxc4 15 xc4 Nxc4 6 Nxc4 xd5 17 Nb6 xf318 gxf3 Nc6 when lack's minor pieces are excellent However it seems logicalnstead to cut across lack's plans wth 1 1 g5 f6 12 e3 b6 if 12 Qc7 then 13f4 is awkward) when once again 13 h4 looks the right way to punish lack forhis passivity The attack after something like 13 b7 14 h5 f5 15 hx6 hxg6 16h4 Qe8 17 f4 looks very promising indeed

8 Re 6? (Daram 2 7)

Havng seen and begun to appreciate the difficulties surrounding the passive

knight on d6 in the above note (and elsewhere) this unpretentious method gainsin plausibiliy lack is lining up one of hose pure cases to which I made referencein the introduction where White will really have to prove that his superior development and greater space in combination with the haf-open efile amount to

0



D a ng e u W e a p n : A nt i ic i ia n

omthing tangibl h numial vlopmnt avantag i prhap gatthan uual hraftr al Nc6b8 o th fnr fw favour on thi cor but lack can argu that h ha at lat avoi om of t qualitativ vlopmnt iu which w hav witn whr or with th knight on f6, h

'thratn' to continu imply with 0-0 an 6 looking to vlop hi quni in a traightforwar mar rathr alin to mot of th rt of th chaptr ti for thi raon that upct that impl vlopmnt with 9 c4 an 10 Nc3 i araonabl option, but not an pcially xciting on

Daam 26 (W) Daam 27 (W)

am tll mor cptical of vilr' 9 3 b6 10 6 6 11 b4? which look to b amaiv vinication of lack' arlir ciion to avoi xchanging on 4 f Whitn th 4-quar unr hi control o baly that h i willing to nhanc thg7bihop in th way, woul b a bit conc n PvilrVChuchlov,rnch agu 004, h wa ultimatly uccful, but th poition rach along

th way aftr 1 cxb4 12 cxb4 b7 13 Nc3 0-0 14 c Nc6 15 a3 Qb8 16 h3 c8 iquit murky

Howvr, am in ympathy with th ia that thi (rathr xcptionally) i a poition in which th mov 9 6 6 houl b thrown in t m to m that Whithoul b abl to gnat ufficint play without moiying th pawn tucuraftr 10 gS h6 1 1 h4, whn 1 g5 look a bit prmatur aftr 1 g3 Nc6 13 h4? although lack ha not yt catl, it will b har for him to complt any raonabl vopmnt with hi king tuck in th cntr o that lav u to coni 110-0 (Daam 28)

Hr Wt i po an intrting probm how to vop th b1 -knight fficintly without bing vulnrabl to a wll-tim Qb6 1 Nb i th mov thatwoul fit in bt with Whit' goal

0



Da ng e with the d 4 Gambt

DANGEROU WEAPON The tenth of Whte oveall ntatve unelne by the fa that 12 ... then aleay unlayable 13 Nx hx 14 Bx Qb6 (what ele?) 15 B3 Qx6 16 N4

Qe7 17 Ne3 wth unmeetable theat of Nf o N4.

The only probem is that for al his lack of development after 2 Qb6 3 d3 (3a4 is similar) 3 Qxd6 4 c4 Qe7 5 g3 e8 lacks extra centre pawns standhim in good stead o Whites task seems to be to foresta this while ideally keepng aive his sacrificial possibiities on the kingside To this end 2 a4? looks attractive t is usefuli general to have the move aS available to counter attempts todevelop simply with b6 White aso prevents a6 and b5 (which incidentalywoud have been the most promising answer to 2 a3) However after 2 c6

3 d2 the consequences of sacrificing as an answer to 3 g5? are no longer soclear cannot find anything clear after 4 xg5 hxg5 5 xg5 Qe8 intending h7 which seems to hod the defence together

Daam 28 (W) Daam 29 (B)

his is not a huge problem 4 g3 h5 5 c4 is quite payable as a later f5 canbe answered by e5 whilst lack's difficlties developing his queenside persisttill it does offer some outline of what a plausible defence might ook like

t also encourages me to take a look at 2 e5? since 2 c6 3 xc6 bxc6 4 d2(Daam 29) offers compensation which is enduring and positionally soundly

based 4 b8 5 b3? (5 e4 with the intention of sacrificing on g5 is evenhere not missng by much once again 5 g5 6 xg5 hxg5 7 xg5 Qe8 i theonly defence but hard to refute) 5 Qb6 6 c4? with f3 and f2 to come or 4 g55 g3 d5 6 c4 b4 7 b3 offer some illustration of Whites chances here

0 3



D a n g eo u W ea p o n : A n t i ic i l i a n

C) e4 2 Nf3 N6 3 Bb 6 4 0-0 B7 3 Nf6 6 4? x4 7 x4 Nxe4 8 Daam 30)

Daam 30 B) Daam 3 (W)

I have already touched in general terms upon the pros and cons of Nd6 in thenotes to utikov renkov However n such a postion where the dev tendsto be in the quite specific details, the ony true assessment of the move can comefrom consideration of the alternatives I will consider

C: ...Ne?

C2: 8... Nb8

C3: 8 ...N6

C) e4 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb 6 4 oo B7 5 c3 Nf6 6 4!? x4 7 cx4 Nxe4 8 Ne?

This has probaby failed to capture the pubic imagination since offering the pawnback immediately is not the most ambitious of responses to White's gambit Howeve so ong as lack is really ready to o this and avoids switching back in'greedy mode' it is probably a rather underrated response After 9 Nxe BxeDaam 3) White has an important choice

C: 0 Qe2

C2: 0 Re?

104



Da n ge with the d 4 Gambit

( Qe2 h ended be preerred n prcce b er 0 5 (Daam 32)


beliee it cnt be jutiied in cnjunctin with Nd2 ince .0-0 2 Nxe4dxe4 3 Qxe4 d lk cmrtbe enh r lck imply perir erin the min line in C2 belw Hence ny the hrp 3? cn hpe t mke

ene the een me, bt ter d4 2 e3 (2 h Nd 3 4 3 5 ime with 3 h whilt 3 d3 00 4 5 5 x ex miht be liht impremen but t eentilly imilr t inpire cnidence 3 00 4 5 5 x ex Nc3 7 Qd2 b5 b3 b7 w Venen- Oteren, Arhu99 when White de nt he enuh) 2 . xe3 3 Qxe3 Nd 4 Nc3 Qb? 5Qxb xb d3 whil lck' cntined diicultie in deelpin clerly ddp t me cmpentin, it i diicult t imine tht in ch mpliied pitin te inititie cn relly mnt t iniicnt dnte

2) ! herere uet iel ince thi i ery nurl me nd thetmic chice in mt een intly nl pitin, wnder whether thepibilty 0 . .Nx2? i wht h put hite ? I , the wrry w prbblyn unnecery ne Ater x2 (rther thn Q4 N4 when the cmplictin eem ine r lck) . Qb 2 Re3, neither 2 d4 3 N3 5 4 3 5 Qc5 Nc2 Qxd5 7 e2 4 Rxe7 xe7 9 Qxd4 nr 2. . .5 3 3 xh2 4Nc3 Qd 5 Qe cue White mre thn temprry incnenience, with eeryppect lw but cnincin cnlidtin lck hld therere ettle r

0 5 nd ter Nd2 (Daam 33) he h urher chice, lthh nt diicl ne

0



D a n ge u W ea p n A n t i i c i i a n

DANGEROUS WEAPON11...Q7?ooks eey an t s12Nxe4 fxe4 13 Rxe4 Bxh2 (13...00 mht stll be bette butthen t makes muh moe sense two moves eale!) 14 Kh1B6 15 Bh6 ves Whte the so of omensaton we have be

come acustome to thouhout the hate.

The blck kin i tuck in the centre cin power brre on the e-ie withew o the mititin eture we hll ee lter on nd the bihop on d6 in prticulr i orry iht. The continuton 5 . .Q5 6 Qd4 R 4 x4 Q6(Daam 34) i by no men orced, but it ie lour o jut how uicklythin cn et ery rim or lck.

Daam 34 (B) Daam 35 (W)

Thereore, lck hould deinitely preer 0-0 (Daam 35)

Howeer, hte til h the cpcity to mke trouble nd to plce obtce in thewy o lck' emerin piece, not let by men o 2 d6? 2 Nxe4 xe4 3 Rxe4d6 4 h6 R doe not excite lck will ctch up in deeopment when he ply 5, whilt he h no prticulr weknee howeer, it i poible irt to exchne and then to ply 3 d6? with likely trnpoition bck to the text) 2 . . .e6but not 2 . ..exd6? 3 Nx4 xe4 4 Rxe4 with typicl deelopment dnte, orwore till 2 . xd6? 3 Nxe4 xe4 4 c4+ when lck wil be prooundly embrred by Qd4+ next mo) 3 Nxe4 xe4 4 Rxe4 R5 5 d3 (Daam 36)

It i cler tht hite' enterpriin d-pwn h mde iniicnt impct on the

poitio or better nd or wore. Thi pawn thrut, we hl ee in number oimir c throuhout the chpter in ene cut ck' poition in h ndundoubtedly deepen hi mobiition probem Nonethele, there i no denyintht the pwn ite cn be wek.

106



Da ng e with the d 4 Gambt

When irst sw this line, ered White miht be strulin to roe much, bu t m now much more otimistic

Daam 36 (B) Daam 37 (B)

) For strters, the wn is immune riht now since 5 . . .xd? Rd4 is embrrssin s . . .c5 7 x5 xd4 Qxd4 x5 9 h Qe7 20 Re wil result in n

excellent demonstrtion o the considerbe ttckin otentil o the oositecooured bishos

b) 5 .. .Q R4? Rx2 7 5 Q7 Qe orces .. .R5 when do not belieeck cn clim ul lue or the exchne.

c) Ater the instntly reconibe comuter insirtion 5 . Q? 4 Q7White looks the better coordinted ter simle consolidtion with 7 ? orexmle, 7 Rb 2 R7 9 4 xb2 20 Rb c3 20 . .xc 2 Qxc oers nesier route to c7) 2 Q4? nd the ueen is in en route to c7 with stron ini

titie. In ll these lines, i d is not droin then lck needs conincin strtey or brinin his ueenside ieces into the me nd it is r rom cer wherethis will be ound.

d) nsted lck should consider 5 . . .Qb Qc2? e3 Qxd 7 Rxe5 Rxe5 4 Qd4 9 xe5 Qxe5 20 Qd2 lso oers some comenstion but ind the textmore themtic) .. .Qxd once in . .d4 7 Rxd4 Qxd4 x5 x5 9 hQxd 20 Rd rther thn 20 Qc3? e5 looks distinctly nerewrckin or theblck kin) nd now the oint is reeled with 7 Rc4 (Daam 37)

DANGEROUS WEAPON Not fo the ft tme t not jut theoblem Blak ha evelon the 8bho but t vey vulneabl ty at home whh Whte able to make ue of.

10



D a ng e u W e a p n A nt iS ic i ia n

Ater . .R h6 ( .. .Re? 9 x6 ) 9 x x 20 Rc Whte h nuck knckut, but endurn cmpentn bed upn exceptnlly pertentdeelpment dculte ter ether 20 . . .b6 2 e4 Rb 22 Rc r 20 ...Qe5 2 Rc

C2) 1 e4 2 Nf3 N6 3 Bb 6 4 00 B7 5 3 Nf6 6 4!? x4 7 x4 Nxe4 8 Nb9 Re1 (Daam 38)

Daam 38 (B)

9 N6

Alterntely

Daam 39 (B)

) ur ltle lcn rend rther enjy nyn th rt ptn but they dtend t et bt rky nd cme up wth tu lke 9 .Nx2? whch whteerne' ntnct but t, cn then hrdly be nred In th ce Whte rely bled t e ecnd pwn, but eem t enerte me ttck 0 Q4 (0

x2? Qb6 3 Qxb5 2 Nc3 Q5 3 5 £6 much le cnncn) 0 . N4 Qx4 Qb6 2 h Qxb5 3 Qh4 Daam 39) (the key me) 3 . 00 (3 . . e6weken t mny ure een the ery mple 4 Nc3 Q5 5 Ne4 00 6 N6x6 Qx£6 Qd Qc3 ecure Whte ret ttck) 4 Nc3 Qb6 (r 4 Qc5 5h6 £6 5 .. xh6 6 Qxh6 £6 Ne4 6 x x b4 nd lck' crdntn eered) 5 h6 Ate 5 . . .Qxb2 (nether 5 . . .Q6 6 5 nr 5 . e6 6 N56 x x5 Qh6 R 9 eS, when lck' deence h nthn t ernt the mpendn Ne4, help t ll) 6 x x Qd4+ Rb Q39 NbS Q5 20 Rxe nce n t wll mtter tht lck' pece re tll hme

b) 9 N6 much under lternte, but l l t mpre prtculrly. eelure tht lck whe t put h knht t th nturl ure he relly huldechew the cpture n d4 n the preent ce the lure t pull bck me rt

10



Da ng e wi th the d 4 Gambt

emp by hiing he bihp lk bi much in he cnex ...Nb.

10 Na3

Whie h ried her me here nbly 0 4? which wrked well ini.Teilin-H urdirdj Peik 977 er 0 ..0-0 g5 Re ( ? 2 4

xb5 3 xb5 e5 migh be beer be) 2 Nc3 h 3 4 Nxb5 4 xb5 d 5 Qd2g5 e3.

uch led in deelpmen cn hrdly il yield diidend nce lck h lel bliged weken hi king' piin. Hweer i nce gin eel legiime keep deelping piece here Mreer ck cn l ry he me rder . Nd 9 N3 Nb when i eem unlikely h Wie h mie impremener 0 Re in which ce i i imprn h he ex me be mde wrk

10 ... 0-0 11 B (Daam 40)


lck huld prbbly id . ..Nxb5 2 Nxb5 Qb 3 Qd3 ? 4 3 erwhich e7 cn nly be hielded by he ugly 4. . . when 5 e3 Qd Nc4 embrre lck' queenide I lk beer che ll .Re 2 Qd2 N ( 2 . Qb3e3 i wkwrd) nd nw mng riu ide he righrwrd 3 Re2?cme mind when 3 . Nxb5? 4 Nxb5 Qb 5 4 Nc5 remin mbiiuince xe7 Nb3 7 Q4 reul in ery pwerul ck g 7 lckhuld ick 3 . . .Nc5 lhugh 4 Re will rce . nd I like Whie' ply r pwn.

perhp i mke mre ene ply . . . £ immediely bu Whie h hindrd cmpenin er 2 4 when 2 . .Nxb5 3 Nxb5 d 4 Qe2 d7 5d4 minin rng iniiie

10



D a n g e u W e a p n A n t i - i ci i a n

C3) e4 2 Nf3 N6 3 Bb 6 4 0-0 B7 3 Nf6 6 4? x4 7 x4 Nxe4 8 N69 Na3!? (Daam 41) 9a6?

Ti i undeniably te main line in term o it popuarity not leat in i leelencounter Howeer, te diiculy ee in tryin to expain te oic o te moe

raie or me ome quetion oer it merit uppoe lack i tryin to orceWite to commit i biop beore decdin a detination or i knit, but concretey ti ony realy appear to make ene i e i ready to anwer 10 d3 wit10 . .Nb4 and a we al ee beow, ti doe not ook maiely conincin. Ocoure a may be a ueu moei te preparn .b5 to dmn Wte' a3-knit and promote ome muc needed deelopment o lack' queenide. Nonetele, I cannot ep but upect tat part o te appeal o te moe a been tatWite a tended to repond wit 10 Qa4 were a imple retreat would be moreappropriate

y way o alternatie, we ae already examined 9 .Ne5 in Lutikorenkoand alo conidered te rater paie 9 . . 8 by tranpoition rom 8 . .8 in tenote aboe. o tat reay eae u to dicoer weter remoin Wite biopi a eriou tet.

9. . Nxb5? look riky ince te career propect o te knit on a3 become mucreater an uual Howeer, ater 10 Nxb5 ack can and jut about mut) continue wit te coo 10 . . .a wen tere i notin better tan to retreat albeit toward te centre. Howeer, ater 11 Nc3 Ne5 retrictin ack' kin to te centre

by 2 Nxe5 xe5 13 doe not, or once, really impre ince ater imply 13 .dte ret o deeopment ook reatiey moot and it i unclear ow Witecan trenten i attack Howeer, Wie a te muc troner trut 12 d(Daam 42) wic eek to damae ack' coordination in te now amiiarmanner Ti eem to yield decent attackin cance in al ine


0



Da ng e with the d 4 Gambit

1. . .exd6? 13 Qxd6 Nx3 (13. .Qe7? 14 Qxe7 Kxe7 15 Nd5 Kd6 16 Rd1 is evenorse 14 gx3 Qe7 15 Qxe7+ Kxe7 16 Nd5+ Kd8 17 g5 6 18 e3 nd lcksking remins in very rel dnger.

b 1. . .Nx3 (1 . e6 13 Nd5 ? is similr s neither 13. .exd5 14 Nxe5 xe5? 15 Re1

nor 13 . 0-0 14 Ne7 Kh8 15 Nxe5 xe5 16 h6 Re 17 Q3 Rxe7 18 Re1 ! g7 19xg7 Kxg7 0 Qc3 6 1 dxe7 Qxe7 Qc7 look very ppetizing or lck 13Qx3 e6 is more logicl ttempt to close the centre but White cn gin keep poerul inititive through the elegnt 14 Nd5! 00 (14 . .exd5? 15 Re1 K8 16 Re7s cruhng 15 Ne7 h8 16 d

DANGEROUS WEAPON In th oton the mot obvou tyfo Black emoval of the huely nfcant 6awn loe

ectacula ly afe 16 ... Q6 17 Bc3 Qx6 an now 18 Qf6(Daam 43) when the queen cleay mmune whlt18 ... R8 19 Qxf7 cuhn too.

Highly ttrctive but the inl position highlights key point hich deinesWhites compenstion Ho cn lck be expected to mount successul deenceith his c8-bishop stuck t home dmging ll his usul lines o communiction?

c 1 . 00 looks ser hen 13 g5!? is hugely complicted nd might repy creul study but even the simple 13 dxe7? Qxe7 14 Nd5 Nx3 15 Qx3 Qd8 16 Re1d6 17 Ne7+ Kh8 18 g5 6 19 4 oers very decent ply or pn

10 B3?

A simple nd logicl retret but one hich hs been curiously overshdoed inpctce by 0 Q4!? hich hs lso been the choce o such strs s AlexndersMorozevich nd Motylev. Hoever do not intend to conduct detiled surveyo 10 Q4 This is prtly becuse believe it is precisely here tht the 6 d4 gmbitmost needs n inection o something ne 8 Nd6 nd 9 . . .6 is ter ll probblyseen s lcks most theoreticlly respectble deence. Hoever there is lso

simple concrete reson or my scepticism since one line hich ppers o crucilimportnce 10 . .Ne5 11 Nxe5 xe5 1 Re1 6 13 h6? N5 14 Q4? (Daam 44)does not seem to hold ter ter 14 . xb5 15 Nxb5 Nxh6 (15 d6?! 16 Rc insted resulted in huge complictions nd n eventul White in in AMotylevO.emmers Rotterdm 1998 nd no ter 16 Nc7 (neither 16 Qxh6 Qb6 nor 16Qx6 0-0 oer potentil or improvement Motylev himsel dmits tht 16 .Qxc717 Qxc7 00 ould hve been sti test o his ide here is no reson to betginst the three pieces hich tend tords supremcy over the queen in the b

sence o specil ctors. m in ct not s convinced s Motylev tht the greedy16 . K8 17 Qxh6+ g7 18 Q4 R7 is so convincing or the ttcker either but inny cse the theoreticl verdict is cler enough.

O course it ould be very nive to ssme tht this is it or 10 Q4. n the bove



D a n ge u W ea p n A n t i i c i l i a n

line the imple retret 1 3 d3? h been tried nd i lmot certinly the oundet. ut then the obviou quetion rie hy not ply here erlier inted? donot doubt tht the queen my prove to be ueul on 4 ith it crcely dguiedintenion to ing to the kingide. ut it i not t ll cler tht hi move ould be

top priority. My contention i tht in the nlogou poition hich e il exmine in ome detil White i ble to give priority o prevening Blacks king om casling wihou having o sacrce he bishop on b5. Although e hll ee there renumerou criice involved in the detl thee eem ltogether ounder ndmore complex or the deender to negotite


There i one inl reon hich might ccount or cepticim tord 10 d3 (Daam 45) nmely tht it oer n lternive 10 Nb4 ttcking it once ginThi hoever m conident ill not eem problem ter conidering ht ollo.

No lck h three pluible continution (ide rom 10 . 8 hich illtke to be too imilr to poition lredy conidered nd hich eem to mixkrly ith 6 in ny ce) o hich I uppoe the econd to hve een nunjutiied cue o concern to mny here the lt look to be clerly the motteting

31 10.. N4?

32: 10.. Nb4C33: 10.. Ne5




31) 10... N4? is tcticlly vulnerble to 11 Nxd4 xd4 1 xg6 x+ (1 . .hxg613 Qxd4 7 14 4 NS 15 Q4 K8 16 d6? e6? 17 Rc Rb8 18 Rc7 6 19 Rc soverhelming in rle-ZKvcic lovenin Legue 006 13 Rx hxg6 14 4(Daam 46) hen 14 Ne4? is ell met ith 15 Qd4 hile 14 Qb6 15 Qe nd

14 . .N5 15 g4 Ng7 16 d6 re lso very krd or lck As usul the loss olcks drk-squred bishop tends to be the hrbinger o tough times hed.


C32) 10 ...Nb4

This hits the bishop nd ould be nnoying but or he clever response:

11 Nc4 Daam 47)

Agin lck hs n importnt choice o moves touching upon key issues such shether he is illing to live ith the doubling o his d6 pns nd to ht extenthe is conceed tht his knight on b4 my become strnded nd rther vulnerble

to ttcIn ct lck hs no esy tsk ter either choice:

32 11.. . Nxc4

322: 11...0-0

321) 11 ... Nxc4 12 Bxc4 b 13 Bb3 a (Daam 48)

Ths s n temp o expnd he queenside nd mke y o he en nigh oeturn to the old. Hoever e7 is quite vulnerble nd the bishop on the b3-g8digonl dds urther punch to Wite's ttcking designs ndeed he ppers to

3



D a n g e o u W e a p o n A n ti - ci i a n

hve mre hn ne prmsng de

14 g ? is very rcky nendng mee 14. . .h6 h 15 xe7 Kxe7 16 3 hen16 . N6 is ruled u by 17 d6 K8 18 Qd5 hile 16 Re8 17 xb4 K8 18 d6 b7 19d5 ls leves lck bdly crdned. Neiher des 14 6 lk prculrly

hehy since 15 d 0-0 16 xb4 xb4 17 Re1 Kh8 18 Qd ers Whie cerinry rsk-ree psiinl plus


lck shuld herere press n ih 14 . . .4 hen 15 xe7 is n especilly cnvincng since er 15 . . .Kxe7 16 Qe1 K8 17 Qxb4+ d6 18 c 3 lck seems hve resnble psiinl cmpensin r he sligh vulnerbiliy his kng.Hever here is ls he very enernng 15 d6? cnsider. Aer 15 . .xb3 16xe7 Q5 1 7 Re1 Nc? (17. b7 cn be me ih 18 6+ K8 19 Qd4 ih veryperul hres since 19 . .Rg8 ils 0 Ng5 nd 19 x6 0 Qx6 Kg8 1 Re7R8 Ne5 d5 3 Nxd7 ih inning ck 18 6 Qxe1 19 Nxe1 x6 0

Nxc bxc Whe cn ply he surprising 1 Q3 . Whies queen perrms hercsin he seemingly rher rcing sequence ...xb Re1 K8 3 Qx8 Kg7 4Qe4 cQ 5 Rxc xc 6 QeS 6 7 Qe7 Kh6 8 Qx6 (Daam 49) hen sheppers cnquer lck's pprenly impressive rry rces Once gn hd6-pn mps upn he ppnens crdnn hle s ls hndy h8 .. .Re8 cn be ell me ih 9 Qe7.

b Fr l h s n ncnceivble h lck migh ind n imprvemensmehere deep in his line nd i culd be useul hve bck-up n he rm

he (sighly mre pen 14 3 N6 15 Re1 0-0 (lck hs ls emped sheld e7 h 15 . h6 bu hs s mre hn us lss emp s que ekenng ; i is g6 hich hen eels priculrly vulnerble nd er 16 Ne5 ? 0-017 d6 e6 18 Q3 Rb8 19 Qh3 h5 0 4 i il n be esy ree lck's psiin 16

4



Da nge r wit the d 4 Gambit

gS 6 17 £4 (Daam )

Daam so B Daam 51 (W)

Retreting to this ctive squre lso contins drop o poison lck cnnot nowply he themtic 17. . Nc5? in view o the vicious shot 18 c7 Qe8 19 Rxe7 ycontrst it is diicult to justiy stmpeding with 1 7 Rxe7? in view o the simple

reply 17. . d6 in this event White would hve to tke reuge in very uncler exchnge scriice. However, 17 d? might lso be legitimte retret. n generlWhites compenstion is so believble here becuse lcks c6 nd e6squres willlwys suer whenever he plys the otherwise desirble move ...d6. t is lsoworth noting tht 17 d e5? crries typicl dngers 18 d6 Kh8 19 Rc ? or exmple prepres to meet 19 b7 with 0 Nh4, nd now tht 0 . .£5 ils to 1Nxg6 hxg6 Rc3 lck seems curiously ill-equipped to meet even the crudesto threts.

Retuing to 17 4 here re some possibilities

b 17 e5 cn here be met by the strngely powerul 18 dxe6 dxe6 19 Rc restricting both o lcks minor pieces on the queenside nd mking it quite problemticor him o ind ny constructive move t ll

b 17. . Kh8 18 Nd4 b4 19 Rc b7 0 xb4 xb4 (Daam 51) 1 h4 ( m not entirely convinced by Wites previous couple o moves, but m in complete sympthy with her use o the hpwn it seems to be one o Whites most promisingplns with this structure 1..Q5 h5 xd5 3 h6 xb3 4 Nxb3 Qd8 5 hxg7Kxg7 6 Qd ws crushing or White in Muzychukelen Mursk obot 007

b3 ginst 17 .. Re8 lso like the look o 18 h4? when 18 d6 llows 19 Nd4 susu while ter 18 b7 19 h5 gS 0 e3 lcks pieces look rther scttered orcoming o the id o the wekened kingside



D a n ge r u W e a p n A n t i i c i i a n

C322) 1 .00 1 2 Nxd (Dagram 2)

Dagram 2 B Dagram 3 B

12..Nxd3

Flckng n ths exchnge s prtly bout securng the bshop pr but s muchbout ensurng tht he ll not emerge th strnded knght

he lterntve 1 . . .exd6? leds to problems fter the smple 13 e (13 c4 lsooffers decent compenston but there s no need to offer lck temp t hchto strt extrctng hs knght) lck should probby try 13 . 5 but the remnder of hs development ll not be esy he plusble 13 . Re8? by contrst onlymkes mtters orse fter 14 Re1 S 15 gS f6 16 £4 Qb6 17 3 N6 18 c4 ndgven the stte of hs development the tenson on the e-fle merey dds to lck'soes.

13 Qxd3

13 Nxc8? s not t l n the sprt of the poston hlst 13 Nxf7? s met by13. .Nxf hen 14 Nh6 Nxh6 15 Rx£ g7 16 d6? s fr from rdculous, butooks more specultve thn the text

13 ..exd

Here t seems tht Whte stll hs tme t ffrm hs spce dvntge th

14 a4? (Dagram 3)

hs dvnce s lso bout tng for b6 to restrct the scope of lcks ueen14. .b6 does remn the most plusble try but lke Whte fter 15 g5 £6 16 x£6

Qxf6 17 Nd. lck cn complcte mtters to degree th 17 . . 5 17 .Rb8 18Ne4 Qxb 19 Rb1 Qg7 0 Nxd6 gves Whte endurng pressure hle n ths lne19 .Qe5? 0 f4 Qe7 1 f5 Qe5 Rbe1 llustrtes yet nother strng to Whte's t



Da nge with the d 4 Gambt

tckng bo) 18 Ne4 Qxb 19 Rb1 (19 Re1 6 0 Qe3 Re8 1 Rb1 Qg7 Qds nother resonble de Whte s lys ng one pn bck nd keepng helthy nttve 0 Qf3 Qc nd no Whte hs t lest dr mmedtelyth 1 Rfc Qx4 Qf4 th 6 nd Nh5 on the horzon but my el try

for more th 1 Nf6 Kg7 Rfe. lcks deensve tsk seems to be fr fromsmple n these lnes

C33) 10 ... Ne 11 Nxe Bxe 12 Re1 Bf

hs looks crtcl here lthough o course the decson to permt Whte to preventcstlng for some tme s not tken lghtly ut 1 g7 13 g5! f6 14 4 00 looksto be one o mnorty of cses here Wtes peces re so orgnzed tht n mmedte exchnge on d6 ofers promsng ply. o hlst 15 Qe e5! 16 dxe6 dxe6

17 Rd1 e5 18 Nc4 ? e6! 19 Nxd6 Qxd6 0 xg6 Qb4! 1 d Qxb offers rthermurky uncler chnces for the pn lke 15 xd6 exd6 16 c4 rre luxury16 .f5 17 Qb3! hen 17 Q6?! llos 18 Qb6 nd ck s lookng somehtprlysed.

13 Bh? (Dagram 4)


I thn I hve no mde the cse enough tmes for holdng the blck kng n thecentre ths kd o mnne Uness there s cer ctc reutton ths mbtous move hs to be plyed Of course t s strongly to the credt of Whtes setuptht or the moment the bshop on d3 prevents ..N5 (the move e s n smr poston th ..6 nd d3 omtted

lcks choce here s fundmentl one beteen tryng to restrct the 3-knghtnd grbbng further mterl

7



D a n g e u We a p n A n t i - S i i i a n

C331: 13b

332: 13 Bxb2

C331) 13 b13. . .b5 is intended to keep White's knight from c4. This is in itself worthy gol,but it gives White nother move to develop his promising inititive. I like:

14 Qf3? (Dagram )

14 Qd b7 15 Qf4 lso looks tempting, but problem we shll encounterthroughout this section rers its hed here the most direct scrificil sequencesoften seem to be sufficient for hlf point, but not more, e.g. 15 . . xb! 16 Qxd6x1 17 g5 f6 18 xf6 xf6 19 Qxf6 Rf8 0 xg6 hxg6 1 Qxg6 R£7 Qg8 Rf8

3 Qg6 with perpetul check.14 Bxb2 1 Rab1 Bxa3

lck needs the mteril here fter 15 ... c3, simply 16 Re followed by Rc ndg5 thretens to run the bishop out of squres.

16 Bg7 Rg8 (Dagram 6)


16 .. .f6?! 1 7 Qxf6 Rg8 18 Rb3 is very strong since if 18 . c5 19 xg6 hxg6 0 Rf3mtes.

After 16 . .Rg8, despite being lredy piece down, White seems to obtin tre

mendous ttck with the spectculr scrifice:17 Rxe7 Qxe7 18 Bf6

It is immeditely pprent tht lck cnnot keep ll of his mteril, but nonethe

8



Dage wit the d4 Gambit

less remrkbe tht his pieces re s o disorientted tht there is no convincing yto give up the queen. For exmple:

18 . .Nb7 is met by 19 xe7 xe7 0 d6 (the key move in mny ines bringingthe d3-bishop into the ttck 0 . . . xd6 1 Re1 K8 e4 Rb8 3 d5 Nd8 (ndnot 3 . Rg7?? 4 Q6) 4 Q6 c7 (Dagram 7) 5 Re7? Rg7 6 Re3 Ne6 7 xe6dxe6 8 Rc3 nd White continues to ind cretive ys to hrry the lck pieces.

b) 18 . .c5 19 Rc Nb7 (or 19 . .Qx6 0 Qx6 Nb7 1 d6 xd6 e4 e7 3 Qb6d8 4 Qe3 K8 5 d5 ih pesstent poblems o coodintion) 0 xe7 xe7 d6 xd6 e4 Rb8 3 xb7 xb7 4 Q6 inning bck signiicnt mteril

c 18 .. .Qx6 looks reltively best: 19 Qx6 Nb7 0 Re1 K8 1 d6 xd6 e4? (c c7 3 b3 Nd8 4 Qd4 is lso interesting . .e7 3 Qb6 d8 4 Qd4 ndonce gin lck is running out o moves hich oer hopes o hrmonizing his

nominly superior orces

C332) 13 ... Bxb2 (Dagram 8)

Dagam 8 (W) Dagram 9 (B)

It my seem strnge but this ppers to be cse here greed is the best policy.Wht cn I sy? lcks position is in essence pretty lousy nd he needs somethingsigniicnt to compenste or this

Rb1?

It is time lrgey to dispense ith strtegic verbl discussions For this is one othose positions especilly susceptible o modern nlysis methods nd lmost entirely dependent upon the speciic detils unerthed by very complex investigion. Although he text move my look specultive even reckless I m utterlycondent tht White hs t lest dr in the ensuing complictons indeed s

9



D a n g e u W e a p n A n t i - i c i i a n

e shl see, he hs n lmost beildeig nge of otions fo seuing hlf point

he key question is hethe he n get moe. f not, then this is one le heeWhite might be dvised to tke look t less fnti ine suh s 14 N4 Nx4

15 x4 d6 (of ouse, 15 . x1? 16 Qx1 Rg8 17 g5 is disstous fo lk nddesevedly so) 16 Rb1 (Dagram 9)

his position is vey simil to one seen in note to lks 11th move in Lutikovmenkov Unfotuntely the single diffeene, the blk pn on 6 thethn 7 is highly signifint one nd hps n dvet fo 9 6 fte l ) It istheefoe not possible no to spek of le White dvntge, but fte 16 e5(o 16 . 3 17 Re3 e5 18 Qf3, hen 18 . .b5 is simil to the min line; it is stikinghee though tht even the supe peutiony 18 Qd7? does not entiely eliminte the possibility of 19 Rxe5? dxe5 0 d6 exd6 1 Qf6 hen lk should ly. Rf8 xf8 Kxf8 3 Rd1 nd no seek ugent simplifition ith 3 . .Qf5 ftehih 4 Rxd6 Qxf6 5 Rxf6 Ke7 6 Rxf7 Kd6 7 Rxh7 b5 fizzles out to ppoximte eqlity) 17 Qf3 b5 (7 Qd7? ill be simi to the note bove on 16 .3)18 Rxe5? dxe5 19 d6 bx4 0 Qx8 exd6 1 Q6 Qd7 Qx4 White etins lusible ompenstion sine the opposite-ooued bishops defitely ssist hs ttking hnes t my lso be possible to ty the ptient 17 4 Q7 18 Qb3? lthoughI suspet lk should be ble to etun some mteil to eh deent positionhee.

1Bxa3 (Dagram 0)

Dagram 0 (W) Dagram 1 (B)

One gin, the only onsistent y to ly is to mss enough mteil lte to bein position to offe some bk nd bek White's bind Afte 14 3?! 15 Re3d4 16 Re Dagram 1) both 16 £6 nd 16 f6 e ell met th 17 Q4 futhe

0



Da nge with the d 4 Gambit

building he pressure.

Hving orked our y up o his mos complex posiion (Dagram 0 by considering number o reled cses i migh be esy o lose sigh o quie ho remrkbe Whie's ide is He hs scriiced piece nd o pns nd hving no

ye creed ny signiicn hres his compension cn be sid o res minlyupon his opponens very poorly plced pieces sring ih his king The principl y o proceed mus be o bring his bishop o 6 nd his opponens mindeence in rn ends o hinge on he move .N5.

A presen s hve lredy indiced I hve no ound ny cler y by hichWhie cn obin more hn dr. Hoever he does hve some rher venueso explore Moreover cnno see lck plyers rushing or his line even i rmedih degree o heoreicl knoledge. The deence demnds he kind o exreme

ccurcy ch mny prcicl plyers ould undersndbly vie s n unccepble burden especilly ih only h poin s he spirion

5 Bg7?

Heding or 6 erhps surprisingly here re resonble lernives here

15 Qb3 Q5 16 g7 Rg8 17 c3!? is ricky bu 17 Qc5 18 6 e6 19 ReS Qb4 isuncler enough h serious invesigion o he hugely murky 18 .K8!? seems sep oo r My hunch is h lck hs us e oo mny resources here

b 15 Q4!? is hoever perecly ccepble bu only s n leive mens o

implemening n ide e shll see in he min line oo dly i seems o oer nomore hn dr lbei very unusul nd specculr one er 15 ..c5 16 g7!Rg8 17 6 N5 (once e hve esblished h lck's remining pieces re oenoo dispersed nd his king oo exposed in posiions here he hs o give up hisqueen his is he only resonble y o deend e7 18 x5 K8 (or 18 ...gx5 19Qh4 Rg4! 0 Qxh7 d6 lhough er 1 Rxe7 Qxe7 xe7 Kxe7 3 Re1+ Re4 4Rxe4+ xe4 5 Qxe4 K8 6 Qh4! i looks s hough i nyone is beer i cn onlybe Whie in spie o his meril deici since lck remins bdly orgnizedhile he h-pn is very srong nd ill help cree hres gins lcks king

even s i dvnces 19 Qh4! (Dagam 2 (n esheiclly plesing dring moi bu unorunely no more hn h 19 . . .ex6 0 Qxh7 gx5 1 Qh6+ Rg7 ndWhie seems o be obliged o ke he dr ih Qh8 Rg8 3 Qh6.

Reurning o 15 g7

Rg8

es . Alhough 15 .. 6 16 x6! oers lck rre opporuniy o ge csled in hisline Whie reins poerul ck er 16 ...00 17 xe7 Q5 18 Qg4! Qc3(ougher hn 18 . . .R7 19 xd6 xd6 0 xg6 hxg6 1 Qxg6 Rg7 Re8 8 3

Qd6 R7 4 Rb4!! ih inning ck despie he reducion in irepoer ndno here re vrious ys o proceed bu 19 x8 Kx8 0 Re3 1 3! issimple nd r rom esy o mee.

1 2 1



D a n g e u We a p n A n t i - i c i a n

6 Bf6 Nf! (Daam 63)

he mst lgicl deence nd the best the pssibility . . K8 next mve menstht in spite ppernces, lck is nt bliged t retu the piece


DANGEROUS WEAPON! 6 .. Bc5?! s much weake afte 7Q2 ! b6 8 Rxe7+ Qxe7 9 Re Nf 20 Bxf Qxe+ 2 Qxe+Kf8 when 22 Qe! xf 23 6 s evastatn. As we haveaeay seen Whte seems to o well n these ostons wheeBack ves u the queen even fo aaently omsn quanttes of matea.

Ater 16 N5 there is inl prting wys:

17 x5 is se enugh. Ater 17 .. K8 there re vrius lines but s r s cnsee n win. 18 Qb3 is ne resnble mve but ter 18 d6 White seems t bebliged t hed r n lredy milir dwing ide 19 Qh3 ex6 0 Qxh7 when0 .gx5 1 Qh6 Rg7 Qh8+ Rg8 r 0 . .e5? 1 d6 gx£5 Qh6+ Rg7 3 Qh8etc munt t bsiclly the sme thing. 18 Q£3 nd 18 Q4 shuld hve similrcnsequences. dly thers such s 18 d6 ex6 19 Qd5 gx5 0 Re7 Rg7 1 Rbe1b seem simply t specultive.

b Cnsequently, m tempted t cnclude tht i White is determined t cmpeter the ull pint he hs t plump r 17 d6 ? xd6 18 x5 (Daam 64)

Here t lck hs tw resnble tries:b1 18 . c5 cn be met either the rcing 19 Rc 3 0 Qd3 (prbbly better thn0 Rc3 b4 1 xe7 xe7 Rce3 d5 3 Rxe7 Qxe7 4 Q4 b5 5 Rxe7 Kxe7 6




Qb4 e8 and ts unclear whether Whte's ntatve wll compensate or s materal defct) 0 xc 1 Qd6 a3 Qxa3 d6 3 xe7 Qxe7 4 Qa4 b5 5 Rxe7Kxe7 6 Qh4 Kf8 7 e4 and Whte should have suffcent play but probably notmore However there s probably some case for smply 19 e4? wth a poston

whch I can magne would qute enjoy playng. lack wll have consderabletrouble freeng hmself but t s three pawns

b) Nonetheless 18 . . .Kf8 s also hghly crtcal. Now 19 Qd? s well met by19 exf6 (although even 19. . .gxf5 0 Qh6 Ke8 1 Qxh7 K£8 or . .Rf8 Qh4Rg8 3 Qh7 22 Qh6 s just another daw) 0 Qxd6 Kg7 1 e4 Re d5 aSwhen am sceptcal whether Whte can cause trouble n tme

Nether does 19 g5 gx£5 0 h6 Rg7 1 Qd5 Kg8 xg7 Kxg7 3 Qxf5 b5 lookqute suffcent o Whte must be wlng to smplfy and test the capacty of hs

actve peces to generate a strong attack n a queenless mddlegame after 19 Qxd6exd6 0 xd8 gxf5 (Daam 65)


cannot pretend to be certan how best to proceed n ths extraordnary postonHowever t seems rght to forestall the useful resource . .Rg6 by 1 e7 Kg7 andnow perhaps Rb6 whch attempts to styme lack's development once aganThe downsde to ths story s sadly a famlar one after . .. d5? ( . . .Re8? losesto 3 £6 K£8 4 g7) 3 £6 (f 3 g5 d6 4 Rxd6 e6 ack consoldatessomewhat) lack should play 3 Kf8 (but not 3 .. Kh6 4 Rd6 b5 5 Re3 wthvey dangerous threats) when I am strugglng to fnd better than a repetton. That

sad don't n Whte rsks much by tryng somethng along the lnes of 4e7 Kg7 5 h4? when lack needs to fnd 5 .d6 6 xd6 e6 and the play after7 e5 Kg6 8 Rxb7 looks farly balanced.

1 3



D a n ge u W ea p n A n t i i c i i a n

Cocusio

The reader ill have to dge or himsel ho mch is being demanded o the opponent in the latter stages o the chapter. My personal vie s that there are so

many chances to go rong along the ay that the presence o a cople o theoretcal dras very deep in the analysis scarcely represents a draback. Time illtell hether players ho enter this gambit ith good preparation ill tend toscore very heavily, bt sspect that they ill t's time to test is claim

124



Chapter Five

Become a Chaeleon!Joh Emms

1 e4 cs Nf3 Nc6 3 BbS e6 4 c3 (Diagram 1)

Daam (B)

The min line in the Rossolmo ter 3 b5 e6 remins 4 00 Nge7 5 c3 lthoughits true tht 4 xc6 is n importnt lterntive. Id oten ondered ithout look



D a n g e u W e a p n A n t i - i c i a n

ng t eouy, ht hppened f Wte plyed 4 c3 tght y, movehch eltvely pekng plyed vey lttle. When I begn tudyng 4 c3 t oonbecme cle to me tht plyng the cc3 dvnce move ele led to completely dffeent poton. In ptcul, t eem tht lck cnnot ely upon the

me ppoch he ue n the mn lne hch, gven h temptton to do o, ledy omethng of potve fo Whe. On the othe de of the con, by commttng to cc3 move ely Whte doe gve lck moe opton thn he ouldhve n the mn lne. ut th not uch bg del, epeclly thee' goodchnce thoe plyng lck ll be uped by 4 c3.

omethng ele tht tuck me the condeble numbe of tnpotonlpobte vlble to Whte In ht could be condeed the mn lne fte 4c3, he h the opton of echng type of Fench Advnce o even vton ofthe CoKnn! o t look lke Whte plye cn chnge the openng, chmeleon

tyle, nd pehp to omethng the opponent ould not be entely comfotble plyng

Let' begn th nce n by Alexnde Moozevch, n hch he demontte convncng ttegy fo Whte gnt 4 . dS.

•

Krasnoa r 1997

e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb e6 4 c3 (Diaam 2)

Daam 2 (W) Diaam 3 (B)

In mny y 4 .. .d5 logcl eply to c3, becue lck peped to ne5 exdS th S . .QxdS explotng the fct tht Nb-c3 no longe vlble to

6



Beme a Cha e en

Wie Tis loos oay fo lac fo example 6 Nf6 7 d xd 8 c d6 Nxd d7 1 Nxc6 xc6 11 xd6 xd6 12 xc6 bxc6 13 Nc3 e7 wi an equalposiion PedomoZ.Fanco Ocampos lisa Olympiad 18

5 Qe2!?

Te moe diec 5 xc6 bxc6 6 a will be coveed in e ooing a ile Deepesecion.

s.. xe4

Mooevics cafy 5 e2 pevens bo 5 . . .d7 and 5 .. d6 because 6 exd5would exploi e pin on e efile. u developing e g8nig o f6 o e7 is analenaive o capuing on e and ese moves will be discussed lae

6 Bxc6+

's impoan o inse is capue 6 xe d7! would allow lac o avod e

poblem of doubled pawns.6 ... bxc6 7 Qxe4 Q

7 Nf6 is an ineesing pawn sacifice bu afe 8 xc6! d7 a6 my feeling isa lacs compensaion isn' quie adequae wi Wie planning o coninuesoidly wi d2d3 d Na3c

8 Qe2! (Daam 3)

Obviousy Wie doesn wan o swap queens on d5 wic woud ony ep o

saigen ou lacs pawns.8Nf6

Afe Wie's eply o is move ee's no quesion a lac is wose so i looslie weve aleady eaced a ciical momen. n a lae game V.TacievV.Milov Fenc eague 18 la cose e muc less complian 8 . .c! wcfoces Wie o wo ade o develop is queenside ven so is insucive osee ow wi some diec play Taciev manages o acieve an advanage d6 1 b3! Wie mus ge id of is aoyance on c even if i means eliminaing a doubled pawn 1 cxb3 one nice lne s 1 a6 11 a3 b8 - . c5 is meby 12 b2 inending Na3 12 xd6 cxb3! 3 xa6 b2 1 xb8! bxa1 15 c d3 16xc6 d7 17 xd7 xd7 18 e5 xa2 1 xg7 and Wie is winning!) 11 axb3Nf6 11 . xb3 12 Na3 inending Nc a3 and possibly Nfe5 offes Wie omising play fo e pawn 12 a3 c5 13 d 1 dxc5 xc5 15 c 15 Rd1 !) 15 . . 516 xcS xcS 17 eS b6 8 Nbd aS 18 . .b7 s peaps songe) 1 cS! b 2c6 ad lac ad poblems dealing wi e seng of Wies passed cawn.

9 c4 (Daam 4)

Tis is an insucive idea wic guaanees Wie a longlasing edge and moe

if lac is unawae of e dange. Having no qualms abou moving is cawn foa second ime in quic succession Mooevic fixes lacs doubled cpawns andbings ino quesion e fuue of lac's bisop on c8 wic is in dange of being

7



D a n g e o u W ea p o n A n t i - i c i i a n

sut completely out of te gme.

9 ... Q8?!

t s o be dmitted tt lcks resistnce in tis gme is not te strongest, ltoug t lest tt does llow us to see Moroevic crry out is pln to its logi

cl conclusionlck must constntly be tinking bout is c8bisop nd ow to ctivte it. nview of tis e sould ply Q5 10 Nc3 d6 intending e6e5 to minmieWites dvntge

0 N Be7 oo oo 2 b3 Bb7? (Dm 5)

Dm 4 (B) Dm 5 (W)

lck just seems to give up on te tsk of trying to ctivte is ligtsquredbisop witout figt Good or bd, e d to ty 12 Nd7 nd prepre or ..e5,even if wit 13 b2 followed by e1 nd N Wite sould be winning te bttle

3 Ne5! N7 4 Nx7 Qx7ts cse of simple mtemtics wit ec piece tt is ecnged, te nonpticiption of lcks ligtsqured bisop produces greter effect on te resulting position

5 B3 Rf8 6 R Q3 7 Rfe B 8 Qx3 Rx3 9 Re3! R8 20 Rx Rx3 2Kf

Moroevic s ppily trded two moe pirs of pieces, nd e intends to mkeis etr' one count in te endgme

2 .. Kf8 22 Ke2 R4 23 3 Ke8 24 3 eFinlly lcks bisop cn reenter te gme vi c8, but its too little, too lte.

25 N4 (Dim 6)

8



Become a Chameeon

Daam 6 B Daam 7 B

Te cpwn inlly drops Is rue Moroevic could ve gone e epwn erlier bu quie rigly e cose o improve is posiion irs in e senowledge lc could never proec is cronic weness.

2...Bc8 26 Bxc Bxc 27 Nxc a 28 a3 R6 29 b4 a4!?

29 .. . xb4 30 xb4 ollowed by 78 ec would be esy enoug or Wie soMrrov ries lile ric

30 f3

Ting e second pwn wi 30 Nx4 would lso be good enoug bu er30 . .e4 Wie mus e cre o void 31 dxe4 g4 32 3 x3+.

30...Be6 3 R2 R8 3 2 Nxe6

Te nig inlly pus e bisop ou o is misery bu only becuse Moroeviccould see e resuling roo ending is esily wiing.

32 ...fxe6 33 Rb2 K7 34 b c 35 b6 Rb8 36 Ke3 Rb7 37 Ke4 K6 38 h4 Daam 7s ugwng. lc will soon run ou o pwn moves nd en e will ve ogive wy

38...6 39 Rb h6 40 Rb2 h 4 Rb -0

A possible inis is 4 . . .b8 42 b7! Kc6 3 Kxe xb7 44 xb7 Kxb7 4 Kxe6 ec.

DANGEROUS WEAPON! Ths was a ostonal cush by Moozevch wth Whte's statey wokn efectly all the way fom9 c4!. Even thouh Blacks lay coul be move ts easy tosee how Black can stule n ths so of oston as ts veycult fo hm to acheve any meannful countelay.

9



D a n g e u s W ea p n s A n t i - i c i i a n s

Lookig a Litte Deepe

e4 2 Nf3 N6 3 Bb e6 4 3 (Daam 8)


TRIKY TRANSPOSITION Those who use the 3 Sl an va e4

�

2 Nf3 N6 3 3 oul onse tansosn to ou lne f Blak

lays 3 .. .e6 by hoosn 4 Bb!?.Here we wi consider

A 4...

B 4... Ne7

ac as oter options tooa) Given tat Wite often captures on c6 witout any provocation in order to sadde ac wit doubed cpawns at first sigt it appears tat 4 a6 acs any sortof ogic acs argument is tat after 5 xc6 bxc6 (Daam 9) Wites cpawnisnt idea paced if e is ooing to buid a soid wa of pawns. Neverteessweve aready seen tat a oss of tempo wit c2c3c4 as in MoroevicMararov) isnt serious. Furtermore te pan of d2d4 is aso quite promising.

3 0

TRIKY TRANSPOSITION The nonommttal 6 00 s a sensble

move esealy ven that aanst Blaks most oua ey6 ... Whte an smy lay 7 Qa4 when he s a full temo uon the oston ana lyse n ne A!



Becoe a Chaeeon

Atetively n MNovioveyshov Tul 21 ite lyed 6 e5 ndsecured n dvntge ter 6 6 7 d4 cxd4 8 cxd4 b7 e3 c5 1 dxc5 Qc7 11Nbd2 d5 good or bd c d to try 1 . xe5) 12 d4 xe5 13 Nxe5 N6 14 e7 15 c

b) 4 Qb6 5 4 ting on c6 is less enticng now tht lc's queen cn recure;insted hite ims to show tht the queen is oorly lced on b6) 5 N6 6 e5 Nd57 Qc7 7 d6 could be met by 8 N3 intending Nc4) 8 d4 cxd4 cxd4 e7 1 Nc3 trying to exloit the blc queens osition by lying 1 b3 intendng thesimle xd5 ollowed by Nc3 is worth investigtin) 1 Nx3 11 bxc3 b6 wsIYguovGulo Moscow 12 Insted o Yguovs 12 g5 I reer 12 e1b7 nd now eithe 13 Qd3 o 13 d5 exd5 14 Qxd5

c) 4 N6 s been tried by some strong lyers nd ite hs to wor hrd or

the dvntge For exmle 5 e5 5 Qe2 Qc7 6 6 7 4 b5 8 c2 b7 loosoy o c but hite could ty 6 e5 Nd5 7 intendng 7 6 8 c4) 5 Nd56 d6 7 d4 cxd4 8 cxd4 e7 Nc3 reces ind o c3 icilin in wicWhites bisho is unusully lced on b5 nd the osition loos equl

Howeve hte cn ly moe cretivey with 6 xc6 bxc6 7 d3 (Daa 0)which ws Nigel hort's choice when he reched this osition Agin the ide is toly l Moroevich with c3c4 nd try to subdue te c8biso NhortMdler ritish hmionshi lyo id) 18 continued 7 e7 8 c4 Nc7 Nc3 1 6 11 Ne4 Ne8 12 e3 xeS 13 Nxe5 Qc7 14 4 d6 15 N3 N6 16 Qe2

(Daam 11) with stble dvntge or Wite since lc s longlsting roblems wit his wn structure.


At ChessPublishingcom Jonthn owson suggests tht lc should strie erlierin te centre with eiter 7 d6 or 7 6 nd tese moves do loo more chlenging

3



D a n g e u W ea p n A n t i - i c i i a n

Agains 7 . .d6 8 c loses some of is appeal because afe 8 . . .Ne7! e f5squaebecomes an enicing pos fo e nig. would sugges 8 e2 fo example8 . . . dxe5 9 NxeS c7 1 Na3 e7 1 1 12 f f6 13 Nec d7 1 d2 ab8 15ae1 a nd Wie as e bee posiion

m

TRICKY TRANSPOSITON Ae 9Qc7 we've actualy eache

�

the ame Moozevch-Rajabov covee n the notes to Whte'sth move n Lne A but wth the ffeence that hee t s Whteto move nstea of Blac!

Agains 7 . . f6 Wie could o cause some disupion wi 8 c Ne7 9 exf6!? gxf61 N inending S+

A) e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb e6 4 c3 Bxc6+5 e2 dxe was seen ealie in MooevicMaaov bu es examine wo alenaives o e pawn capue

a) Afe 5 Nf6 (Daam 2)


Wie an eac in wo diffeen was

a1 ) 6 eS Nd7 7 d eaces a pe of Advance Fenc and 7 . . e7 8 9 e3cxd 1 xd!? of couse ee is also noing wong wi e usual cxd)1 . .Nxd 11 Nxd Nc5 12 Nd2 d7 13 xd7 xd7 1 f g6 15 g f5 16 1 was a

bi bee fo Wie in Oomanisinvesniov Tallinn 1988.a2) n a moe ecen encoune Mooevic pefeed o pla in a simila fasiono is game wi Maaov saddling lac wi doubed isolaed cpawns 6 Ne5c7 7 exd5 Nxd5 8 xc6 bxc6 9 d3 d6 1 Nc 11 Nxd6 xd6 12 Na3 a6 13

3



Become a Chame eo

00 Rd 14 Nc4 Nf4 1S f4 4 16 Rfd1 (Daam 13) 16 RdS! n nsucvemomen lck sould ve ken s cnce o de e mno peces s16 c4 17 dc4 mus suely be equl) 17 NS! now We wll follow up wc3c4 kllng e 6bsop) 17 c7 1 Nb3 ReS o 1 . . .Rfd 19 c4) 19 f3 RfS 20

e3 b6 21 c4 c 22 Rd2 6 23 3 S 24 d4 cd4 2S Nd4 RgS 26 Re1 Rg6 27 Nf3e3 2 Re3 w vey fvouble endng fo We AMooevcTRdbovOdess pd) 2007.

b) S . . Nge7 looks esonble so lck cn ecpue on c6 w e kng.Agns s I would sugges 6 edS levng lck w coce of ecpues

b1) We cn be ppy fe 6 ed5! 7 d4 s 's no cle ow lck s gong ode w e ssue of developng s kngsde

b2) Afe 6 . .dS 7 d4 ck woud pefe o ve s kng on f6 e n e7

nd We s cnces o eplo ck's dely n geng ogned Fo emple7 cd4 7 NfS could be me by c4 d6 nd now 9 dS o 9 dcS cS 10 Nbd2nendng Ne4) cd4 NfS 9 Nc3 b4 9 d6 10 dS) nd ee We cn coosebeween 10 3 c3 11 bc3 00 12 00 w sod posonl dvnge cenend wo bsops) o 10 00 ! wen 10 Nd4 11 Nd4 d4 12 Rd1 gves veygood compenson fo e pwn

b3) 6 . NdS my be lcks songes ecpue Plyng lke Mooevc w 7c6 bc6 s ceny s possbe oug e 00 e7 9 d3 00 ck s n

poson o mee 10 c4 w 10 Nc7 plnnng . f6 ..eS nd Ne6 f6 nd . .eS slso lck's pln gns 10 N3) We's enve o ese unce lnes s 7 00e7 d4 w e lkelood of ecng n IP poson fe cd4 9 cd4 0010 Nc3 compe e noe o We's 7 move n ne )

sbxc6 6 Qa4 (Daam 4)


3 3



D a n g e u We a p n A n t i - i c i i a n

6 ...B7

6 dxe 7 xe nsposes o MooevicMkov bu Wie could lso conside king pwn wi 7 xc6 d7 8 xe Nf6 e2 s suggesed by Jonnowson lcks open lines nd bisop pi ceinly offe some compension

bu gee wi owson is pobbly no quie sufficienMgnus lsen s suffeed defe s lck in is line lbei in bli gme nAGiscuk-Mlsen Wold li mpionsip ison e Zion 26 Giscuk ws ble o cy ou simi segy o Mooevics 6 Nf6 7 e5 Nd7 8d3 b6 pefe 8 c7) - 6! 1 c! e7 11 c2 12 b3 {Dm ) nde bisop on 6 ws gin noing moe n speco Te gme coninued12 f6 3 exf6 xf6 1 Nc3 e8 15 e1 xc3 16 xc3 d 17 c2 e5 18 d2 c8 1e2 e oewise e bisop is sil ded s moving e knig loses e e5-pwn)2 Rxe xe 21 dxe d8 22 d3 e7 23 e1 wi consideble dvnge foWie

6 c7 peping d6 nd Ne7 looks sensible bu in ZHcekTikvskylovkn egue 27 Wie cme up wi pomising empoy pwn scifice 7 d3 d6 8 - Ne7 8 Nf6 would lose on e spo o e5!) e5! e movelck oug e d pevened!) xe5 1 Nxe5 xe5 11 e3 d7 11 d6! 123! egins e pwn) 12 xc5 Ng6 13 f! f5 1 N3! nd ee e eckless1 xd3 would un ino 15 f5! wi poweful ck ikvsky cose e moesensible 1 f6 bu fe e gmes 15 e1 Kf7 16 e3 N 17 Nc2 feel

Wies ply on e dk sques offes im e bee cnces7 3 (Dm 6)

Dm 6 (W) Dm 7 (W)

7c4!?

1 3 4



Becme a Chameen

With this move lck rdiclly lters the wn structure, nd the chrcter of thegme chnges oth 7 . . .Nf6! nd 7 d6 re fvourbly nswered by 8 e5 However, don't see too much wrong with 7 c7, lnning to meet 8 e5 with 8 Ne7 Ng6 10 e1 e7 followed by f7f6 White should insted consider 8 in

tending 8 . .c4 d4! in comrison to the min line, dxc4 is no longer effectivesince fter dxe4 the e5squre isn't vilble) . Nf6 or .dxe4 10 Ne5) 10Nbd2 e7 11 Ne5 nd now 12 e1 or 12 Nxd7 Nxd7 13 e1, in either cse withthe ide of b2b3

8 xc4

White relly hs no other choice

8 ... xe4 9 Ne B6 10 Nx7 Qx7 11 Be3

Plnning Nd2 hitting e4, with ides of or d1) to exloit the oen dfile, in

conjunction with c4c5 nd Nc4 lck's next move revents the ltter ide, butdoes leve vulnerble wn on c5

11 ... c (Diaam 17)

Perhs lck cn do without this move For exmle, 11 . f5 12 Nd2 Nf6 12 . £4loses to 13 Nxe4! fxe3 14 ) 13 c7 this time 13 . .4 runs into 14 c5! fxe315 Nxe4!, nd 13 . c5 14 xd7+ Kxd7 15 Nb3 Kc6 16 N5 Kc7 17 Nb7! Kxb7 18xd6 is lso good for White) 14 Nb3 Kf7 rther thn 14 15 Nd4!) wit nuncer osition.

refer White's osition fter 11 . c5 One ossible continution is 12 xd7 Kxd713 Nd2 fS 13 . . Nf6 14 g5!) 14 Ke7 15 f3 exf3 16 gxf3 Nf6 17 Nb3 c8 18 d2followed by hd. n the gme FressinetMe, Pris 2006, White chose tokee the queens on for bit longer After 12 6 c8 13 Nd2 f5 14 c6, swell s Fressinet's 15 bS, White could consder grbbing wn with 15 x7since the comlictions following 15 . . Ne7 16 Nb3 8 17 NS! or 16 . .£4 1 7 xd6!xd6 18 d1 e5 1 xc5 look fvourble for him

B) 1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb e6 4 c3 Ne7Prering . 76 nd to recture on c6 with the knight This hs been lck'smost oulr choice when fcing 4 c3, understndbly so given tt it's by fr thebest move ginst the more common 4

5 4 (Diaam 18)

5 would trnsose to the min line fter 3 e6 ie. 4 Nge7 5 c3) nd thiscontinues 5 . . .6 6 4 bS 7 c2 b7 Here hite often selects 8 e1 or 8 e2, becuse fter the nturl dvnce 8 d4 cxd4 cxd4 Nxd4 is lyed more often)

White must be rered to ly without his lightsqured bisho if lck chooses . Nb4 As we shll see in the notes below, by lying d2d4 s erly s oefie, Whte elimintes this roblem, nd becuse of this lck is more or lessforced to do something different

3



D a n g e u W ea p n : A n t - i i i a n

sxd4

Alenaively

a) f lack plays like in he Nge7 5 c3 main line wih 5 . . .a6 6 a 6 xc6?Nxc6 7 d5 is a good alenaive 6 ..b5 7 c2 cxd 7.. b7 dxc5) cxd Daam

9) he cucial diffeence hee is ha hie can keep his lighsquaed bishop afe b7 9 Nc3 inending 9 . 1 b1, o . .N 9 b3 b7 1 Nc3.


b) 5 .. .d5? 6 dxc5 d7 o 6 . dxe 7 Qxd+ xd NgS) 7 Nbd2 a6 a g6 9 exd5exd5 1 Nb3 g7 1 1 f 12 ef hie a good pawn ahead in .Van denDoelJ.Nun Geman eague 26

c) 5 . Qb6 6 a 6 Na3? cxd 7 Nc Qc7 ansposes o noe d) 6 . d5 7 dxc5Qxc5 e3 QaS was psein.une eale 23, and hee 9 b Qd 9 . .Qc7?1 b5) 1 Nbd2 looks bee fo hie

d) 5 . .Qa5 6 Qa cxd 7 QxaS NxaS cxd a6 9 d3 d5 1 Nc3 bS 11 exd5 exdS 12 f6 13 e6 1 ac was pobaby a ouch bee fo hie in VminovA.Fedoov, Minsk 26 Fuhemoe, hie has moe aggessive possibiliies amove six 6 xc6 inending 6 . Nxc6 7 d5, o 6 Na3? cxd 7 Nc Qc7 no cxd d5 9 Nce5?? QaS) . . d5 9 exd5 exd5 1 Nce5 6 11 Nd3 wih good compensaion fo he pawn.

6 cxd4 d (Daam 20)

Agains 6 . a6 hees nohing wong wih 7 a bu 7 xc6 also comes ino consideaon hie plans o mee 7 . Nxc6 wih d5 ahe han ? d5 ) whenlack has o ose moe ime moving his knigh, and exd5 9 exd5 b+ 1 d2Qe7 is songly me by 11 f fo example, 1 . .xd2 12 Nbxd2 Ne5 13 Nxe5Qxe5 1 Nc

3 6



Becme a Chameen

etuning to 6 d5 Wite must now me fundmentl coice ove wt typeof position e wnts to ply e dvntge is of couse tt its Wite wosbe to me te decision not lc

7 Nc3

ve cosen 7 Nc3 to be te min line i noting else becuse it s te most independent significnce but tee e two equly impotnt ltentives.

e fist of tese is 7 e5 (Daam 2) wic migt we ppe to tose wo pyte Advnce Vition ginst te Fenc Defence. Wen comping tis o teAdvnce Fenc its tue tt Wites bisop doesnt usully belong on te b5sque On te ote nd lc doesnt nomly ecnge on d4 so ely sincetis lows Wites b1nigt ccess to te c3sque. tin tt wit pecise plylc soud be oy ee see note c) but its wot emembeing tt te

Fenc stuctue my not ppel to l icilin plyes nd 7 e5 is cetinly seiousenoug to ve been plyed by some stong gndmstes ets see some empes fte 7 d7 o 7 . Nf5 8 Nc3 d7) 8 Nc3 N5 00


) Qb6 10 g4? N6 10 . .Nfd4? oses mteil fte 11 Nd4 Nd4 12 d7Kd7 13 e3 o 11 .. Qd4 12 c6 Qd1 13 d7 Kd7 14 xd but I tin I pefe 10 . . Nfe7 to lcs coice in te gme) 11 3 Ne5? 11 . . .e7 is sfe even if itleves lc wit pobem of wt to do wit te 6nigt) 12 Ne5 bS 13Nb5 Qb5 14 6 f6 14 ... g6 15 Q3) 15 4 Qb6 16 S Qb5 17 £4 fe5 1 8 eSQd7 1 6 b6 20 c d6 21 d6 Qd6 22 Q4 Qd7 23 Q3 K£7 24 Q3 e7 25Qg3 nd Wites foceful py s led to stong inititive vesniovIKgel ed 2005 veshniov of couse is one of te wolds leding epetson te Advnce Fenc so its no mjo supise to see im coosing 7 eS ee

3 7



D a n g e u W ea p n A n t i i c i i a n

b) b4 1 d3 a5 (Dm 22) 11 d s is a pomsin pawn saebu aso don' see wa's won wi 1 Ne leavin e bisop iin in aion b4) Nxd4 1 Nxd4 Nxd4 13 4! Nc6 14 a3 14 x7 15 a3 e7 is unclea) 4 xc3? Wie undoubedly enjoys siniican compensaion ae

14 8 15 Re bu s is sill wa lack sould o o) 15 xc3 c7 16 x7 17 Rac b8 18 b4 a8 1 d6 wi a bi advanae o WieVZvjainsevYVovk Moscow 8

Dam 22 (W) Diam 23 (W)

c) a6 1 a4 b6 11 Ne e7 1 a3 Rc8 13 c Na5 14 x5 ex5 15 N4 e6 wiood couneplay o lack miinTRadjabov Rison e Ziyyon 6 suspeca ie sould play e same way as vesnikov did wi 1 1 4!? Fo example 1 Ne7 o 11 N6 1 3) 1 Ne 5 13 x5 Rx5 14 N3 R8 15 5?

We's second alenaive is 7 exd5 Nxd5 7 exd5? leaves e kni on e7 lookin silly wile 7 a5 8 Nc3 Nxd5 can be me by d3) 8 e7 Nc3 (Da

am 23)

TRIKY TRANSPOSITION Ths IQP oston nomy ses vi ane of the aoKann e4 c6 2 c4 3 cx cx 4 ex Nf6 5Nc3 Nx 6 Nf3 Nc6 7 Bb e6 8 oo Be7 9 4 oo, n so thstnsoston mht we ea to those who enjoy IQPs nay 2 c4 (o the cosey eate Pnov Attack) anst the ao

1 Re1 d7 as been e mos popula coninuaion and ee Wie can coose

beween 11 d3 o 11 Nxd5 exd5 1 b3 wi cances o an ede eie way7xe4

7 d7 as been played by Radjabov albei in a bli ame) bu ink lack su

1 3 8



Becme a Chaeen

fes by bocng te dfe and tus educng s counteay aganst d 8 00 8exd5 Nxd5 00 s aso ossbe and afte e7 Wte coud consde 10 Nxd5!exd5 11 Qb3) 8 dxe Nxe Nd5 10 g5 Qb6 o 10 f6 11 Qb6 12 c e7 13Nc3 Nxc3 1 bxc3 Na5 15 d3 wt a us fo Wte G.KasaovA.Kogan Te

Avv smu) 1) 1 1 c f6 (Daam 24 12 d2! 12 woud tansose toKasaovKogan) 12 . . .e7 12 . Nxd s sy afte 13 Nxd Qxd 1 Q5) 13 e1d8 1 Nc3! c8 15 Na Qc7 16 c was PvdeTadjabov son e Zonbt) 2006. ecause ac as ayed ...f6 e as a ess comfotabe QP tannoma due to te ongastng weaness on e6.


7 a6 can be met by 8 d3! dxe xe! as ayed n APousenAHost Danseague 1.

8 Nxe4 (Daam 25) 8Nf5

Atenatvey

a) Wte can aways oe fo 8 d7 Nd6 mate! wc was te abut concuson of te game .PandsGPaadas Atens 2006

b) 8 Nd5 00 d7 tansoses to 7 . d7 above

c) 8 .. a6! and now

c) a b5 10 b3 Nf5 11 g5 Wte coud consde 11 d5 o 11 00! ntendng1 .Ncxd 12 Nxd Qxd 13 Qf3) 1 b 12 Nc3 e7 13 xe7 Ncxe7 was equa nOomansnM.Pocev aajevo 188

c2) f! Ng6 ... axb5 10 Nd6 Kd7 11 Nxf7 Qe8 12 Nx8 Nd5 13 d2 d6 1Qe2 Qx8 15 00 s vey uncea and coud cetany do wt a actca test) 10xc6+ bxc6 11 d2 £5 12 Nc3 12 Nc5!) 12c5 13 00 o 13 d5! answeng13 exd5 wt 1 g5) 13 . .cxd 1 g5 e7 15 xe7 Qxe7 16 Qxd 00 wt a

3 9



D a n g e u W ea p n A n t i - i c i a n

ouly equal posiion miiniov Odessa apid) 27

9 (Dm 26)

Dm 26 (B) Dm 27 (B)

9Be7

fe 9 b6 1 d3 e7, lie 11 d5 exd5 12 Nc3!, wic loos a bi bee fo

Wie Fo example, 12 13 Nxd5 c5 1 Nxe7 Ncxe7 15 f, o 1 xc6 insead o 1 Nxe7) 1 bxc6 1 xc6 15 x£5!) 15 Nxe7 Nxe7 16 e3

0 Bxc6+ bxc6 Qc2

few ons afe is encoune wi miin see above), iov decided o playis lin as Wie aains Magnus alsen a e Euopean eam ampionsipee 2 and e acieved a slig advanae afe 11 e3! 12 Rc f6 opeven Ne5) 13 Re Rb8 1 b3 d5 15 f Rb 16 a3 Rb7 17 b Rd8 18 Nc5 xc5 19RxcS d7 2 c2

... 0-0 2 R (Dm 27)

BEWARE! 2 Qxc6?! oes Bck too much countelyollown 2 ...Rb8 e whch the c8-bsho suenlybecomes n exceent ece.

in e as e oe cofoabe posion afe 2 Rd as once again acneeds o find a suiable ole fo e c8bisop on a6 i appeas moe effecve ani acually is; in u i jus is in ai) ven so, lac's posiion is solid, andWies advanage is small In NoMasenow, lisa Olympiad 1998, lacevenually equalied, bu alon e way Wie ad one o wo ways o ae life alile moe difficul: 12 c7 13 g5 Rowson suggess 13 N3; also possible is 13

40



Becme a Chaeen

e3 sine lck migt well ply ...76 voluntily s e did in iovlsen)13 . £6 14 d2 te bisop is pobbly bette on e3) 14 . .d8 15 c4 Nd6 16 Nxd6xd6 1 7 c d7 18 e1 18 b3 intending to meet 18 . d5 wit 1 b4! owson) 18 . dc8 1 e3 d5 20 Nd2 nd t tis moment te plyes geed dw

Cocsio

4 c3 is still quite e nd s suc it soud still cy some supise vlue lcks quite ew plyble esponses but tee is no obvious consensus s to wicis best if indeed tee is best move ee. Judging by expeience lck is mostikely to coose 4 . . .Nge7 ine ). n tis line 7 Nc3 7 exd5 nd 7 e5 ll offe Witecnces to clim n dvntge nd peps just s impotntly n oppotuniy toec type of position in wic e migt feel moe comfotble tn is oppo

nent

4



Capter Six

The Sveshnikov GambitRichard Paliser

1 e4 cs Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 es 4 Bc4 Be7 s d3 Nf6 6 Ngs oo 7 f4 s!?(Diagram 1)

Diaam (W)

he atveshov 3 Nc3 has become creasgly popular at all evels over thepast decade A sesble respose s 3 e5 4 c4 e7 5 d3 N£6 whe a crtcal test s

4



The vehnikv Gambt

e acie 6 NgS 7 f lack as ofen responded wi e airly solid ...exf 8xf d6 bu i's also possible o be somewa more ambiious wi 7 . . d5!?

To my eye breaking in e cenre wi 7 .d5 is very logical; Wie is ye o casleand mig regre advancing wi f2f Furer suppor for our gambi comes

from e fac a no lesser player an Evgeny vesnikov as adoped i on anumber of occasions. ndeed i' no surprise a 7 . . d5 as become known as evesikov Gambi. e's begin by examining jus wa e grea .eS iclian exper sees in hs acive gambi

0 M.Srebnic • E.Sveshnikov

Bled 2008

1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 e 4 Bc4 Be7 5 d3 Nf6 6 Ng - 7 f4 d 8 exdWie can also firs excange knigs on dS as we'll examine in e ookng a ile Deeper secion below

8 ... Bg4 (Diagram 2)

Dagram 2 (W) Diagram 3 (W)

vesnikov's laes ry He used o prefe 8 . .Nd afer wi g 1 d2e acificial e! ? is currenly considered criical as ine reveals) 0 . exfransposes o our main game ere

9Qd2

gly b somewa less ugly an allowing Wie's pawns o be smased up afer 9 N£3 Nd

9 ... Nd4 10 0-0

43



Dan geu Weapn Ant-c an

A natal enog move nfeio appeas to be 1 feS Nd7 te pesse againstc2 and te misplaced nigt on gS become impotant factos) 11 NeS (Diagram 3) wen lac's nigts ae aggessively placed. Now

a) 12 Nge4 fS 13 Ng3 d6 gives lac pomising activity

DANGEROUS WEAPON! Whereas Whites pieces do notcombine at all wel here, Blacks are well coordinated and veryactively placed Moreover White is rather sho of a goodmove at thi point

In ARamie AlvaeGegoie appelle la Gande 24 Wite tied to foceecanges wit 14 Nce2 easy to citicie bt it's vey ad to find anytng bet

te fo instance 14 Qf2 f4 15 Nge4 f3 16 Nd6 Qd6 gives lac a stong attacand 14 NbS f4 15 Ne4 f3 16 Nd4 cd4 aso leaves Wite in seios toble on teingside) 14 .e2 15 Ne2 bt afte 15 Q4 (Diagram 4) 16 3 Wite migt tyto bloc wit 16 Nf4 bt afte 16 .Rae8 lac as te csing teat of17 Nef3 18 gf3 Re2 te only defence appeas to be 1 7 Qf2 wen lac migteteat is qeen to 6 o settle fo 17 . Qf2 18 R£2 Ng4 1 Rf Nc2 2 RbNd4 egaining te pawn and obtaining some advantage afte 21 . .b5) 16 b5 tegame actally saw 16 Ne2 17 Qe2 f4 18 Qe4 Rae8 wen Wite emained nde some pesse and was qicly destoyed by 1 d2 Nc4 2 Qc4 Re2 21

e QgS 22 Rf2 bS 23 QbS £3 24 g4 QeS and 1) 17 b3 Ne£3 Wite wold avebeen foced to tae an ealy bat as 18 Rf3 o 18 g£3 R£6) 18 . .Nf3 1 gf3 R£6wold ave given lac a staigtfowad and decisive attac


b) 12 3 is an idea aiming to gain a tempo in te event of 12 ..5 13 Nge4 fS

144



he vehn i kv Gambit

(ac soud pefe 13. . .Nxc4 14 dxc4 g6 wen is bisop pai wepacednig and mobie pawn suppy fu compensaion) 14 Ng3 ac migoug pefe o eea wi 12 ..d7? suppoing a possibe advance of e bpawn bu pobaby is bes idea is e moe focing 12 ...6 inending 13 Nx7

Nx7 14 xg4 d6 wen We is wo pawns up bu is ingside a vey soysig w 15 .4 nex up

efoe euing o ou main game we soud noe a Wie mig coninue eambiious eme of e opening wi 1 3? 5 11 g4 (11 fxe5 Nd7 12 Nxe513 Nge ansposes o a posion we consideed n vaaion b' above ee wesaw a ac mig ade on c4 and anoe easonabe idea is uaos'13 . ? unpinning e pawn fo acive duies) and ee ac mus be caefu 1 . 6? 12 g2 was ae venomous in uaosAFedoov Moscow 24

and afe 12 . . xg5? uaos noes a ac can impove wi e soid 12 . exf413 N3 g6 bu Wie is a ie bee ee afe 14 g1) 13 fxg5 N7 14 g5 xg515 g1 Wie ad mos ceainy seied a ae song iniiaive.

ac impoves wi 1.exf4 (Diagam ) 12 (a cange of diecion pay because We mus of couse avoid 12 gx5? NxS wen e is in some oube assown by e ine 13 d1 Ng3 14 xf4 x1 15 Nce4 d7 wic eaves ac ase o pus bac e advanced wie pieces anoe idea is o pay a uaoswi 12 g2 wen 12 . .b5? 13 NxbS Nxb5 14 gx5 Nx5 15 Nd6 is quie uncea and aso possibe is uaos' suggesion of 12 Nd7? 13 gxS xg5 14

Ne5 15 1 again eacing a quie unbaanced sucue) 12 . Nd7? (ac soudneve be afaid o sacifce a pawn fo nceased aciviy o aacing cances nis vaaion bu 12 g6 13 Nf3 a6 14 a4 d6 aso seems fine ee as e pawnis se o advance) 13 xf4? e safe aenaive is 13 Nf3 Nxf3 14 xf3 bu14 . Ne5 15 x4 Nxc4 1 6 dxc4 g6 gves ac good pay e fpawn is a se oadvance and e dasquaed bsop w eye Wie's ae exposed ingsidefom d6) 13 . g6 e pawn is aboo 13 Nxc2? 14 gx5 uns ou ae we foWie ae bo 14 Nxa1 15 Nx7 e 16 d6 and 14 . ..xg5 15 xg5 Nxa1 16 g2as noed by uaos) 14 Nge4 Wie mig defend c2 bu 14 f2 Nb6 gives acgood pay as 5 Nge4 now uns ino 15 . Nxc4 6 dxc4 f5 wi exceen and ideaaciviy fo ac) 14. . .Nxc2 15 b1 (Diagam 6) wic foows an insucive inegiven by uaos in Informan 90 Ta ended w e pey easonabe assessmen ee of uncea' Pay mig connue 15 xe4 16 dxe4 f6 17 g3 e5 1g2 Nd4 wen ac is we paced on e da squaes and may oo o expandwi b5.

Having examined wo impoan aenaives we eun o 1

10exf4 11 Qxf4

I's aso possibe o ecapue w 11 x4 as debaed by wo eading advocaesof e eaive causes in .uaos.vesniov iga 23 1.5? (ac feese g4squae fo is nig bu e naua 11 . .d6 is a good coice and afe e12 f2 of .HebeaGanoine Monpeie 27 can' see oo muc wong

4



D a n g e u W ea p n A n t i i c i i a n

wt 2 , snc 5 4 Ng4 N4 5 d4 g6 gvs lac full pssufor s pawn, but Wt sould prfr tat to 5 N4? b5 16 b c4) 12 f (Diagram 7) 12 Ng4? (vsov's suggston of prfacng d6 wl supportng b5 wt 2 Qb loos l a bttr tr) Ng4 Qb and r a draw was sur

prsngl agrd Aftr 14 Qf4 (Co) 14 b5 5 Qb Rab lac as som actvt aftr somtng l 16 b c4 1 dc4 bc4 1 a4 f5, but t's ard to blvtat t sould objctvl b noug

Diagram 6 (B) Diagam 7 (B)

W sould not n passng tat Wt cannot lav t f4-pawn wr t s: 1 1Ng4? f s smpl ratr awward for m, and aftr 12 Qf4 (alarv-AUtn,Ptrof 200) 2 N4 Qg4 (or 1 d4 fg2 14 g2 Qd wt good prssur on t ngsd and aganst c2) 1 Nf6 4 Q Nc2 5 b Nd4 16 gf a6 a4 d6 lac's safr ng and supror structur proms m t uppr and

11 Bd6

vsov gts t rgt at t scond tm of asng 5? 2 Ng4 N wassomwat lss convncng n MVlcva-vsnov, Duba 2004

12 Qf2 Qb8 (Diagam 8}

A scond mprovmnt from vsnov H as rald tat lac nds to gtn b5, but s arlr 12 d? ad fald to woll convnc 1 b5 14 bQc 15 Nc4 N4 6 N4 lft lac wt a bt of practcal compnsaton but notral noug for s pawn n Drolanov-vsov, ussan am Camponsp 2006

13 Bf4Wt blunts t prssur down t b-h2 dagonal, and prpars som cangs s sms prtt natural and loos l a bttr tr tan g? b5 4

46



he vehnk Gambt

b3 wn 14 5? loos l a rasonabl mtod to mprov la's poston

rbrn must av lood too at 13 3!? g3 and dsld t baus Wt sford to rtu wt s qun to d2 an tr to justf s pla wt 14 Qd25 (14 bS? s an altrnatv for tos wo l to atta la rmans a pawn

down aftr 1S NxbS NxbS 16 xg4 Nxg4 1 xbS QxbS 1 Q2 Qd, but wll obtanrasonabl ompnsaton baus of Wt's draugt ng poston) 1S Rxf6?(otrws la brngs s bsop to g6, ma wll manouvr s ngt to S andan trow n an advan of t bpawn) 15 gxf6 16 Nx, w xplots t unusual battr of qun and bsop on t 6 dagonal. s s dangros, butla an dfnd wt 16 QS (Diagra 9) wn 1 N4 (ontnung to fgt fort ntatv, sn 1 Nxf? Rxf would lav la dong t attang aftr 1N4 N2 19 1 t drt 19 QfS s xtrml strong baus 20 Qd 1 allows alovl mat wt 20 Qx3+! 21 gx3 f3 mat) 1 N2+ 1 1 f4 19 Nxf6 ras somtng of a mss Wt's wllplad ngts gv m dntpla for t xang, but antng mgt appn r wt bot ngs vulnrabl s s rtanl a fun poston to trow t ps around n, and from wat'v found so far t poston s rougl baland

Diagra 8 (W) Diagra 9 (W)

13 .. .Bxf4 14 Qxf4 b

pont of la's pla obtans good qunsd prssur and Wt must barful to avod an adnt on 2

15 Qxb8

A radal altrnatv s 15 b3 ? Qxf4 16 xf4 b4 1 xd4 xd4 1 NbS, gvng upt xang for a saf qunsd and passd dpawn, but t's ard to blv tatla an b wors r aftr 1 6 19 N4 Nx4 20 dx4 Ra 21 R1 RS

147



D a ge u W ea p A t S i c i i a

1 ... Raxb8 16 Bb3 c4! {Diagram 10)

17 dxc4

Diagram 10 {W) Diagram 11 {W)

DANGEROUS WEAPON! Activity is the secret to the SveshnikovGambit, and one reason why it s an excellent practical choice;Whites positon is smply the harder to handle over the board.Sveshnikov has conducted this game in an instructve and ac

tive manner thus far and he is most ceainly not worse as thequeenside opens up

A slgl rs-oong alrnav s f4 cb d4 bc2 bu W souldb abl o lad t gam owards wars of a draw r w 9 c b4 20 Nc4N4 2 N4 d 22 Nf2 f 2 f

17 ... bxc4 18 Bxc4?!

Now W bgns o drf no roubl was mporan for m o ang on o c2,and o r o oban som counracv: a4 b2 ( 6!? 9 Ng4 N4 20N4 b2 s alrnav, bu afr 2 Nc! f 22 f2 W ods g) 9ab f 20 b2 b2 2 d6 and d-pawn suppls noug counrpla omanan a roug balanc Indd, t gam mg wll nd n a rpon w2 6 22 Ng4 N4 2 N4 Nc2 24 f2 b 25 f b2

18 ... Nxc2 19 Rac1?

As s so ofn cas, on naccurac follows anor W 9 ab N 20 f4

W would av bn abl o pu up a btr dfnc Admdl lac s brafr 20 6 2 N f5 22 Nc4 2 c4 b2 ans o s supror mnorpc, bu passd d-pawn would av gvn rasonab cancs o draw

48



Te veh i kov amt

19 Ne (Dagram 11) 20 b!?

rbrnc lcts to gv up t cang, wc was not suc a bad practcal tr as20 f4 b2 21 f would av lft m unplasantl pnnd down t cflad la vr actv

20 Nxf1 21 Rxf1 Rfe8 22 d6 Bh 2 Nd?Wt s too n to attac f7 and dos muc of vsnov' s ard wor for mt was bttr to tr st tgt or tr 2 g4 g6 24 N2? wn lac s bttr aftr24 5 25 4 6 6 Nf4 gS 27 Ng6 4, but Wt would av rtand somcancs to complcat urtr r

23 Nxd 24 Bxd Re! (Diagram 12)


T problm f7 wll fall, but t nsung smplfcaton dos not assst Wtscaus

25 Bxf7 Bxf7 26 Nxf7 Rd 27 d7Tr was notng bttr wt 27 f8 tratnd, but lac s now t cangaad on an opn board

27Rxd7 28 Ne Rd2 29 Rf2 Rd1+ 0 Rf1 Rbd8

vsnovs tcnqu s mor tan up to t callng Wt's qunsd wllsortl fall

31 Nc6 R8d7 2 b4 Rxf1+ 33 Kxf1 Rd1+ 01

Looking A Little Deepe

1 e4 c 2 Nf

49



D a n g e u W ea p n : A n t i i c i i a n

TRCKY TRANSPOSTON hese days a common attempt to

�

manoeuvre Najdo players away from their favourite opening is2 Nc3 Nc6 (White's c laim is that 2 ... d6 3 f4 gives him a goodersion of the Grand Prix Attack, since Black can't play ... d in

one go) 3 Nf3, but this just transposes to the main subject of thischapter. Thus it's not just Sveshnikov, Kalashnikov andLwenthal fans who may like to fuher explore 3 ... e !

2 ...Nc6 3 Nc3 e (Diagram 13) 4 Bc4

As lac as weaened te long dagonal, ts s b far te most natural squarefor te bsop Gong to b5 maes less sense ere and after 4 b5 d6 5 c6 (unmpressve, but 5 d can be met b 5 Nf6 and 6 e, or even 5 Nge? anglngfor a ngsde fancetto) 5 bc6 6 d Ne (lac as an mproved verson of te

ossolmo varaton b5 e6 4 c6 bc6 e as plaed e5 n one move andnow brngs s ngt to an ecellent sqare on te ngsde) b Ng6 Ne2?g4 lac was alread slgtl for coce n GCanfellMadler, Ostend 1991

suppose tat Wte mgt also fancetto and after 4 g g6 5 g2 g 6 0-0 Nge d 0-0 we've reaed a poston wc usuall omes about from eter a Closedclan or a 2 d move order Wte often re-routes s ngt ere wt Nd2wen d6 9 Nc4 e6 reaces a rougl balanced poston n wc lac tends toepand wt 10 Qd and 11 f5

4 ... Be7

5 d3

BEWARE! Black must cover the gsquare if he wishes to paythe Sveshnikov Gambit; 4 ...Nf6? 5 Ng5 echoes the Two KnightsDefence and favours White somewhat aer 5 ...d5 6 exd5 Nd47 d3.

Wte's nvarable coce He mgt prefer te commttal S 00, but ten e asn'tantng better tan 5 Nf6 6 d, transposng to ne A, below

5 ... Nf6 (Diagram 14)

A more popular coce as been to prevent 6 Ng5 wt d6, but ten lac can'tget embroled n te fun world of te vesnov Gambt After te text Wte astree man approaces, and we wll begn wt te least mpressve and end wtte most crtcal of tese:

A 6 0-0B 6 Nd2

C 6 Ng5

0



The vehnikv Gambt

A) 1 e4 5 2 Nf3 N6 3 N 3 e5 4 B4 Be7 5 3 Nf6 6

is can suggst a lack of familiarit or ambition on Wit's part, unlss intnds to follow up wit a sarp Ng5

600 (Diagram 15)


lack isn't going to gt in d5 in tis vaiation, but t txt is still t most prcis 6 d6 7 Ng5 00 8 f4 would transpos to a lin wic t vsikov Gambitaims to avoid

7 Ng?

On migt av tougt tat lack's last would av dscouragd tis mov, butit is plaabl if followd up vigorousl Wit as also trid a numbr of morpositional altrnativs:

a) 7 Nd5 xploits t ol on d5 to fr Wt's cpawn for acton, but lacksould b oka aftr 7 d6 8 Nx7 (or 8 c 6 9 Nxf6 xf6 10 Qd7 wn 11x6 fx6 onl lps lack, but in an cas Wit as no advantag: for instanc,11 Ng5 xg5 12 x6 Qx6 1 xg5 £5 14 Qb?! Qxb 15 axb 6 16 d2 £4! 17 ff7 18 f2 g5 gav lack a and initiativ on t kingsid in YandarbivEvsnikov, rasnoarsk 200, and 11 a a6 12 x6 Qx6 1 c4 b5 14 Nd2 ab8was fin for lack in YtisisEcmttdil, Groningn 1994) 8 Nx7! ( pf tisrcaptur to 8 Qx7 9 c; t knigt will b wll placd on g6) 9 g5 Ng6 (nowlack is st to pus Wt back bgiing wit 6 and Wit must b carful

tat lack dosn't obtain an initiativ on t kingsid not too ow unimportantt waknss of d5 currntl s) 10 N4 Nx4 11 x4 6 12 xf6 Qx6 1 Qd2 6(Diagam 16)

1 1



D a n ge u W e a p n : A n t i - S i c i l i a n

Diagram 1 6 (W) Diagram 17 (W)

14 c ad brougt lac comfortabl qualt n }rnand Garcavsnov, Ovdo 199

b) 7 gS 6? (lac as mor oftn prfrrd 7 d6, but Mosno s somtngof a connossur of 5) f6 f6 9 NdS d6 10 c g4 (Diagram 17) 1 1 S! ?

(an unbalancng dcson aganst s lowr-ratd opponnt 1 6 followd b g6 and, f allowd, g7 also sms oa for lac) 12 g4 g6 1 g2 a6 14 a4b 15 b 7 16 Q2 Qd7 17 h1 Nd brougt t ngt to an cllnt squaron 6, altoug t poston stll rmand rougl balancd n A ZoulaAMosno, Alusta 1999

c) Wt t ngt unabl to qucl rac va f, unl n Ln , Wt astd 7 1 too, but ts s sow and 7 d6 f4 f4 9 f4 6 10 NdS S 11dS NdS 12 dS Nb4 (12 Nb also sms fn) 1 c4 gS! 14 a Na6 saw lacqual n Landa-uosov, rasnoars 200

d) 7 d6 N2 s anotr vrson of t sam plan, but b contstng t a2gdagonal lac sould usuall b oa n ts structur 6 9 Ng4!? Ng4 10g4 g5! (tradng off t potntall bad bsop) 11 NdS Rb 12 a4 gSQgS 14 N g6 prpard ngsd countrpla and was about qual n CorralsJmn-AMosno, tcnr 2006

7 h6 (Diagram 18)

A logca prod

8 f4!?

hs bod trust s t onl ral wa to ustf Whts last N?! d6 9 f4 g4!? 10Q1 11 g f4 12 f4 NS 1 gS 14 1 NS gav lac good plan andaVolov, Vladvosto 1990



e ve n Gabt

8 ..exf4

A e move for te prpose of our repertore Nobod as et captured te peceno doubt because 8 g5?! 9 fgS Ng4 10 g6 just loos rater precarous for teblac ng t can survve after 10 d5 1 1 gf+ £ 12 dS Nf6 1 f+ f,

bt Wte sold be better ere after 14 NdS compared to related postons wtWte avng a roo and two pawns fo te two peces n ne C, ere te centresn't so open and te blac ng s less safe

9 Nh3

Diagram 18 W Diagram 19 B

TRICKY TRANSPOSITION: Black should avoid responding toWhite's sacrifice with the solid 8 ... d6 because 9 Nf3 exf4 10 Bxf4would trick us into a l ine we are trying to avoid i.e. play hstransposed to the variation 6 Ng 7 f4 exf4 8 Bxf4 d6 9 -h6 10 Nf3.

Wte's man tr so far, preparg to recapture on f4 wt te ngt ave to agreewt omn tat 9 Nf?! £ 10 f £ 11 f4 d6 12 NdS g8 sould favorlac, bt 9 Nf!? Diagram 19 doesn't seem so bad Unless e wants once agan totranspose wt 9 d6 to a lne we are trng to avod, lac must old on to tepawn: 9 g5 (crtcal, but now we reac qte an unclear verson of te gs Gambt 9 N5!? also deserves attenton, snce lac sould be able to equale aterbot 10 NdS d6 11 Nf4 Nf4 12 f4 e6 and 10 N4 4 11 QS QgS 12 Qd1 d6

1 f4 Qg6) 10 N (10 Ng4!? s possble but s rater rs, as was sown bte course of GGusenovMcter, stanbul 200: 11 gS gS 12 g! fg?! 1NdS Nf2? 14 f2! gf2+ 15 f2 g4 16 Q1! and Wte ad a decsve attac) 1 1gS g5 12 g and now 1 2 fg 1 Qe1 8 14 Qg fS remaned rater mr

3



D a n g e u W ea p n : A n t i i c i i a n

wt bot ngs far from well proteted n NMtov-Jauter, urn Olympad2006, and reug te pawn wt 12 d6 ? 13 gf4 g4 also loos far from lear

9f3

vesnov's preferene and probably te best move la s wse to avod te

dangers of 9 g5? 10 Nf4 gf4 11 f4 (atouras-atsrs, rmon 2006),but te sold 9 Ne5 10 Nf4 N4 1 1 d4 d6 s a reasonable alteatve Wteas a lamp on d5 and la s a lttle passve ere, but e s soldly plaed andpossesses te bsop par HNaamuraAraama Grant, Gbraltar 200, ontnued 2 b3 Ng4 3 Nfd5 g5 14 Qe and now 14 e6 would ave ept Wtesadvantage wtn manageable bounds

10 Qxf3 Nd4 (Diagram 20)


11 Qg3?

oo ambtous, but Wte may ave mssed or at least underestmated la's

net omn later mproved wt 11 Qd wen t was vesnov's tu to err: d5? 12 Nd5 3 13 g3 b5 (Wte s better too after 13 Nd5 14 d5 d615 Q5 omn) 14 Nf6 f6 15 d5 16 3, w lef m lealy orse nomn-vesnov, ata 2006 m not qute sure wat vesnov wastnng wen e played s 11t mov ere t's far oo optmst la doessomewat bette wt te sold d6 wen 12 Nf4 g4 13 Qd2 14 3 e6loos about equal; Nd7 preparng g5 and/or Ne5 may follow

u. d

DANGEROUS WEAPON his sacrifice has shades of theSveshnikov Gambit, as Back counterattacks rather than defend on the kingside.



The ehni Gambit

12 exd

omkin criticied this in Informant 98, but White comes up short too after 12 d5Nd5 1 h6 (or 1 ed5 h4 14 Qf4 h 15 gh Nc2 and White's position iscollapsing) 1 f6 14 ed5 Nf5, as he has nothing better here than to give up the

echange for insufficient compensation on f512 b 13 Bb3 b4 (Dagram 21} 14 Bxh6

We've followed the game omkinveshnikov, Miass (rapid) 2006 and now, aspointed out b omkn in nfrmn 98 Ng4 would have been rather strongndeed, White is simp osing a piece here for ver little

B) 1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 e 4 Bc4 Be7 5 d3 Nf6 6 Nd2 (Diagram 22}

Dagram 22 (B) Diagram 23 (W}

he older choice White priorities the transfer of his knight to e to increase hiscontrol over the d5square uch a plan is positionall well motivated and hasbeen plaed b a number of strong plaers, but it is fairl slow and lack shouldbe able to obtain sufficient counterpla

6 d6 7 Nf1 Bg4

his is b no means the onl option and the ramnikendorsed Nd!? is a viable alteative but the idea of provoking a small concession before placing thebishop on e6 cannot be bad

8f3

A small weakness unless White later advances the pawn on to f4 but Qd2 is alsonot whol ideal Moreover, lack can do better than retreat his bishop here: Nd Diagram 23} 9 Nd5 (lack's point is that 9 Ne g5 activates his pieces



D a ng e u W e a p n A nt i - ic i ia n

wt a comfortab gam) 9 Nb6 1 0 Nb6 (10 N Q 11 N 6 s f toofor a) 0 ab6 1 c 0-0 2 Qc2 6 N g5 saw ac mrgg from topg arv-Mo, Moscow 2004, wt prtt mc vtg caop for ts varato: t cag of a par of gts as asd s cramp

as cotstd t a2-g dagoa s bad bsop as b actvatd ad tog r mgt dvop cotrpa wt f5

8Be6 9 Ne 00

ac as o dsr to strgt Wt's ctra camp frtr wt 9 c4 0dc4 Morovr Wt s't gog to cag o 6 a rr, as tat wod dfat t wo prpos of s pa b gvg ac cotro of d5

10 (Diagram 24)


10 Nd7!?

Ts v atra mov as v f ta off, bt tat ma w b d to tfact tat ac was otpad aftr t b praps t gratst par of a tm t gam GasparovVaba, Prag (rapd) 200 At a rat, ca't s mcwrog wt t ogca dcso to fr t dar-sqard bsop

Istad ac's most popa coc as b 10 a6 1 1 a4 Nb4, fgtg for t d5-sqar wt dct cacs of qat 'm assmg tat a wt par wprobab b rad for tat varato, ad aso tat ac ma do bttr to maovr agast a war par wt tr or ma or t cos-atd0 N5!?, as pad b o ad jaov Wt mst t dcd ow, f at a,to arrag t f4-advac

a) Nd5 g5 2 g5 (ot t most ambtos of trs, bt sgt bttr ta 12f4 Nf4 Nf4 f4 4 f4 4 15 f4 Qg5 Wt sod't b wors r ad

6



The vehnikv Gambit

e ame Toarasi-.zabolcsi, Budaes , was areed draw afer 16 £1Nd4, bu Black mi well lay o, ryi o make some use of is corol of d4ad eS, as e did i I.Tekielak-Kurkiewicz, Trzebiia : 16 Rf Ne5 1 Bd5?N4 18 f3 Qe5 ad ie ad already maaed o bluder e excae

1 ...x5 13 c (Diagram 25) 13 . .d8? (like ikel, Im o sure a ere wasoo muc wro eier wi 13 Qxc1 14 Raxc Nd4 15 Kf Rab8) 14 a4 6 15 RfNe saw Black temaically free is osiio furer rou a rade of ks,ad was fie for im i M.Adams-P.Leko, DE orld Camiosi, a Luis5

b) 11 Ncd5 B5 1 a4 Ne ecoes our las oe ad afer 13 Nxe+ xe 14 Nd5Bxd5? 15 Bxd5 Bxc1 16 xc £4 1 Bc4 K8 18 3 N6 e . f5-break bacedou ies uoosed biso i DLeskur-B.Vuckoic, Maaruska Baja 8.

c) 1 1 3 B5 1 Ncd5 is robably e mos loical way o ry o e e f3-f4 adace i. Ulike afer 1 Nd, Black is oo well laced o equalize wi aimely ..f5, bu 1 . . .Bxe3 13 Bxe3 Na5 (ui dow e biso air) 14 QdNxc4 15 dxc4 Bxd5 16 xd5 (16 cxd5 6 would ae reared . f5 wi dececouerlay) 16 . e (Diagram 26) 1 ad1 Rad8 18 Rf Nf6 demosraed aoer meod of equalizi i Mosesia-P.Eljao, Merida 5.

Diagram 26 (W)

e ow reu o 1 Nd

11 Ne?

Diagram 27 (W)

Kasaros coice. ie as also lifed is oer ki io d5, bu 11 Ncd5 B5(e easies way o equalize) 1 £4 (ie o owere oo wi 1 3 Bxe3? 13Bxe3 Nb6 14 Nxb6 axb6 15 Bxe6 fxe6 16 4 ex£4 1 Bx£4 e5 i Meff-A.Zubare,Barliek ) 1 . . .exf4 13 Nx£4 Bxf4 14 Rx£4 is ery solid for Black, wo drew

1 7



D a ge u W ea p s : A t i - S i ci i a s

mftably afte 4 Ne5 (Cx's suestin f 4 . .x4 sul suffie t fequality afte 5 x4 Ne5 6 Nf5 Re8 7 b3 Re6 wen lak is ey slilylae 5 b3 (mi's 5 b3 N4 6 5 mit be a bette ty, in f6 .. .x5 7 ex5 wee lak es bette wit eite 6 . .7 7 3 N6 8b3

xb3 9 axb3 Ne7 just 5. . .b5) 5. .a6 6 a4 Rb8(Diagam 27)

7 b5 85 b4 in L-D.NisieanuV.knnik, Vlissinen 3.

ite mit als ty t et in f4 wit 3, but in esnse . ..Nb6 unts wnis lit-squae bis an equalizes: f4 (neite i N5 Nx4 3 x46 4 f ffe ite anyt in A.Gisuk-TNee, Panm ) . Nx4 3 x4 (ite's usual eaue an ee 3 Nx4 exf4 4 xf4 5 is aneasy equalize, as inte ut by Cx) 3 . . .exf4 4 xf4 f5 (a ey temati way tbeak u ite's awns; eas ile e tat tis was imssible as lakannt eatue n f5 wit is bis, but Lautie a seen fute) 5 exf5 8

(Diagm 28) 6 N N4 7 b3 Nx£5 eaine te awn wit mftable equality in P.ile-J.autie, iel 2

Diagam 28 (W) Diagram 29 (W)

11Nb6

A sli iea, but lak may well be able t ime ee Kasa's ntes suest tat e iea bein is was tat x5 x5 an nw be metby 3 N7 an 3 N bably als ies ite a ull. Hwee, tee an't bet mu wn wit .N4, uyn a ental squae, wile eain a ssible ...b. Play is likely t ntinue 2 £4 ex4 3 x4 Ne, wi seems

fine f lak. A stn eteba anmaste fae tis is in D.FimanA.alabae, esnene 4, an afte 4 4 (nt su a ba squae fte bis wen it an't ea ; mee, lak is nw fee t me is queen)5 a4 (ite ealizes tat e as ntin bette tan t slwly maneue)

8



The vehniv Gambit

15 . . .Qa5 16 a2 lack woul hae been fine ha he iece his eneies aainshe b4beak wih 16 . . .a6 17 Rab1 Rac8!.

12 Nxb6 Qxb6 13 Nd

Wee followe he afoemenione Kasao-abula ame in which lack was in

oo much of a huy o exchane on 5 A inicae by he ea man himself, heshoul hae efee 13 . Q8 (Diagram 29) an hen 14 f4 (hemaic; 14 c3 515 Qe2 xc1 16 Raxc Ne7 equalize wihou ifficuly in IVasileich-V.aeen,Moscow 26) 14 . . .exf4 15 xf4 Ne5 woul hae lef lack solily lace.

C) 1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 e 4 Bc4 Be7 5 d3 Nf6 6 Ng 0-0 7 f4

oical, bu no foce; 7 woul ake lay back ino ine A.

7 d !? (Diagram 30)


lack may jus abou be holin his own hese ays in he oical line 7 . .exf4 8xf4 6 9 - h6 1 Nf3 e6 11 N5, bu hee is no oub ha ou efee ambi is moe fun an offes bee winnin chances

8 exd

Whies main moe, an obably his bes choice. The alenaies aea lesschallenin

a) 8 Nx5 Nx5 9 x5 (9 ex5 N4 has only been seen he once, bu lack shoulhae enouh counelay hee; 1 - is counee by 1 ...exf4 11 xf4 4, while1 c3 can be me by 1 exf4, bu ha lae couse is sill bee fo hie han hecouse of Roy Chowhuy-.mino, Mumbai 24 1 6? Qx6 11 x5 12fx5 b5 13 b3 b7 an eens wee mos ceainly oceein in lack's faou)

9



D a n g eo u W e a p o n A n t i - i c i i a n

9 . exf4 (Diagram 31) a ow ite must ecie wat to o about is kit:

a1 10 xf7 Rxf7 11 0-0 (it mit seem more loical for ite to trae te queeswit 11 5? f8 12 xf7 xf7 13 Bxf7 Kxf7, but tis is still a mileame ota eame; after 14 Bxf4 Bf6 15 Rf K8 16 c3 Be6 17 Ke2 R8 18 3 Blak wasokay i Pascall.ilsse, Buapest 2004, a mit ow ae sout couterplay wit 18 ..b5? 1 1 . . .Bf6? (Black fits to keep te bisop pair, wereas11 . . e8 12 Bxf4 K8 13 Bxf7 xf7 14 B5 e8 15 Bxe7 xe7 eprie im of it E.utoskyA.Karlo, Moscow 2005; oweer, ites paws were still uercotrol ere a te positioe remaie rouly balace after 16 c3 Be6 17 a4R8 18 Ra1 B4 12 Bxf4 e7 13 Bxf7 xf7 14 BS (14 B6? picks up a trpaw, but as Fikel poits out, Black ca couter wit 14 6 15 Bxc5 B3 16f3 B4 17 3 b6 18 Ba3 Be5, wic e assesses as uclear; ite mit ae arook a tree paws for te two pieces, but if ayti ' prefer to take te ac

tie black positio especially wit 19 . . 4 ext up 14 B4 15 K1 e (Diagram 32) 16 c3 (tere was't ayti better, but ow 3 is more likely to becomeweak ta ite is to eforce a effectie 3-4 aace 16 Be5 1 7 Be3 B6 8c2 B7 19 Bf4 (it's still too early for 19 4?, as sow by Fkel: 19 cx4 20 cx4b4 21 b1 BbS 22 R1 Rc8 a Black's pieces omiate te positio; tus tesraeli Gramaster as propose 19 a3?, but after 19 e5 Black soul ot beworse wit some combiatio of Bb5, c4 a ..4 to follow 19 Re8 20 Bx6x6 left Black well cooriate a, if ayoe, slitly for coice i ERoriuezGuerrero.Maze, La Roce sur Yo 2006; e5 may follow to pressure bot 3

a h

Diagram 32 (W) Diagram 3 3 (W)

a2 10 f3 B4 (preeti ite from castli; 10 . .Be6 as also bee trie aucompromisi souls may wis to cosier too te ouble-ee a Kis

6 0



The vehnikv Gambit

Gambitlike 10. . 5? 11 K1 6 (Digram 33) 1 x4 (a ambitious alteratie is1 xc6 bxc6 13 eS, but lack sould be fie ere after 13 . 5, ad it's also possible to sacrifice te paw wit 13 . . .e7? 14 xf4 e6, followed by c4 ad/or .61 .xb 13 Rb f6 14 d e6? 15 c4 (lack would ae ejoyed full compesa

tio for is paw te eet of 15 xe6 xe6 16 Rxb7 e5 17 e3 c8 18 Rb d415 . d7 16 3 Rae8 was fairly comfortabe for lack i T.GruskojakEesiko, loea Team Campiosp 004

a3 10 4 ? x5 (te sesible coice oe of ites ideas appears to be 10 . . 6 115 x5 1 x5 x5 13 wit te bisop pai ad a likel pull 1 1 x5x5 1 0-0 4 13 xf4 (tis is te oter poit beid ites t, altou owlack ca reai is paw tus 13 e d4 14 xf4 mit be tried ee touack sould be okay after 14 . .e7 13 .. .xd1 14 x5 xc 15 Rf3 was te courseof D.zoe-KEjsmot, ielpa 004, ad ow 15 . . .Rac8? 16 Raf Rc7 followed byimproi te kit would ae maitaied a rou balace.

b 8 xdS (rare 8 . . .exf4 9 xc6 (ite loses a piece i te eet of 9 xf4?? xd5because 10 exd5 x5 11 xS x5 1 dxc6 x is pretty crusi oce aaite mit ubaace te positio wit 9 x7 Rx7 10 x£7 Kxf7 11 xf4 K8,but lack as to be at least equal ere wit is cetral rip ad material balace oftwo mior pieces for te rook ad paws 9 . .bxc6 10 xf4 d5 (Diagrm 34) 115 (ambitious, but 11 exd5 x5 1 00 cxd5 leaes lack wit a useful cetread a biop for kit adatae . . 6 1 exd5 x5 13 d cxdS was at least

equa for ack i .MoitTCaistri, astia 004

Digrm 34 {W) Digrm 3 5 (W)

Returi to te critical 8 exdS ad ow 8 . . .4 was see i rebeicesikoI beliee at is lack's best moe but let's also ae a ook at esiko odercoice

6



D a n g e r ou W ea p o n A n t i - i c i i a n

8Nd4? (Digrm 35)

9 0-0

ROLL THE DCE! Sveshnikv my hve switched frm this riskyarch t 8 Bg4 but 8 Nd4 des nt aear t be in sbad stte s thery hs suggested m nt ceain tht 'dwnt t ly 8 Nd4 against an nent wh revels in shrattacking situtins, but it might well be gd try ginst mre sitinal r unreared nent

A sa alenaie is 9 fxe5? g4 1 exf6? (aical an no eniely conincing,bu 1 N7 gies lack ey easoable counelay as we saw in e noeso ies moe in ebic-esniko) . . .x fxe7 xe7+ 1 x,

wic gies ie ee ieces fo e queen. Howee, afe 1 . .7 lack is ebee co-oinae an aeas o be oing ey well 13 e b5 14 b3 g4+ 15Ne Nxe 1 6 xe ae8 17 Ne4 c4 an lack won a iece in D.miAalasubamanian, Pasiany 7

9 Bg4 10 Qe (Digrm 36)

Digrm 36 (B) Digrm 37 (W)

A aical sacifice an efiniely ies mos angeous y. As elae by Paelkacko in New in Chess Yearbook 81 is moe was analyse by some youngussian mases afe a aining session in 4, an was fis emloye by one ofei aines, Yako Meise I beliee a lack can jus abou ol e balanceafe e ex, bu e mus ea caefully

Peiously ie a suggle afe 1 Nf3? 6 1 1 fxe5 xe5 1 g5? (ieskingsie is a oblem oo afe 1 e Nxf3+ 13 gxf3 e 14 4 f5, bu is was

6



The vehnv Gambt

obably a bette ty) . . .x3+ 3 x3 B3 4 Re Bd4, wc let s kn exosed n CPle-E.esnko, Ca d Ade 3; a acto wc te stunnncouse o te ame lted: 5 K (5 Be3? would ae lost to 5 Nxd5, asonted out by katcko) 5 . . .N4 (Diagram 37) 6 Qd Qx5 7 Qx5 N 8

K xd3 9 K (te loses s queen n te eent o 9 Re3 6 Q4 xe3 K 5) 9 . .+ K e4 Qe3 d and an suned te eetton,lack enoyed te ue and

TRCKY TRANSPOSTON: Another option here is 10 Qd2 whch

�

takes play back into Srebrnic-Sveshnikov

10exf4

Te ntal ont o tes bold lay s tat . . xc Q3 Nxa? (lack sould

ee ex4 Bx4, tansosn to aaton a' below) xe5 B5 3 d6 xd64 exd6 es m a ey ston ntate o te excane

11 Bxf4

At ts ont actce as only seen ..6?, but ate Ne4 5 (.. . xc 3Q3 Nxa d6 s once aan ate ston) 3 Qd te was smly mu bette n YMesteP.mno Moscow 4 Tus eel at lack eally mus btete bullet wt . . .xc (Dagram 38) wc could eally do wt some a test otwo ow we ae:

Diagram 38 (W) Diagram 39 (W}

a) Q3 5? (Black's cause s by no means elless ate . . xa 3 d6 Nc4 dxe7 Qxe7, but Cox's 5 Nce4 aeas to aou te, suc as ate 5 .b5 6d6 Nxe4 7 xe4 Qd7 8 d5 Nd4 9 ) 3 Qx4 Nx4 s a bt o a mess andleads to ute dde

6 3



D a n g e u W ea p n A n t - i i i a n

a1) 14 7 R7 15 6 B6 16 B7 Kh8 (Dgrm 39) ws anayss b y Orasky hie cann ai sin he echane back here an Back seems bekay r eame, 17 bS ? (ryin rce he ace, an hie es ack a aricuary aeraie an) 17. . .e3 8 3 1 19 R Be5 2 b7 a6 21

e4 ab5 22 e5 3 23 e3 c4 24 b3 a he ame ks ikey izze u a raw

a2) Anher scary-kin arach is 14 ce4? a1 5 R4, bu I ee haBack has he sui i 15 . . .B 16 5 b5, as 7 h7 (hie cmes u shr aer 17 h5 h6 18 7 e8, an een 17 Bb5? h6 18 e4 c2 9 6 Kh82 h5 es aear i him any aanae aer 2 .6) 17 .. .Kh7 8 hK8 19 Rh4 h4 2 h4 bc4 uy eens.

a3) Aher ery criica ry is 14 h7? Kh7 1 R4 as Jh C iscerewhis researchi his ecee Starting ut: Siilian Sveshnikov This arach isaerus, bu Back aears hae he answer in 15 . 6 (he bes ry; Backcan caure he rk i iew 15 . .a? 6 h K8 17 6 when hiewins, a 15 . . .B5? as aears cme u shr aer 6 h5 K8 17 R7 R718 6 Be3 19 Kh1 7 2 R Ra8 21 R3) 16 6 (Back ees aer 16 Rb15) 16 .. .B5 (Dgrm 40) 17 R7? (17 Ra 5 kees ines cse he knsie)1 7.. R7 18 B7 6, which esn aear ie hie ayhi mre ha 19 £7 2 a1 21 7 R£8 22 £6 K7 23 8 R8 24 h5 Kh7 256 an ereua.

Dgrm 40 (W) Dgrm 41 (W)

b) 12 h4 ? is as wihu enm w Back shu aain w Oraskys anaysis r ChessBase wih 12.. . h6 13 Rac (hie wu ike make 137 R£7 14 6 wrk, bu aer 14 .. B6 15 B6 6 he esn seem haeayhin beer han recui his maeria wih 16 B7 K7 17 4 a1 18

64



The ehnik Gambit

4+ e6 19 Rxa1) 13. . .x5 14 Bx5, but ow e oly osiere aturi o 5,wereas 14 Ne3 {Diagam 41) aears sroer for examle, 15 Bxe3 (15 6? isaoter ea a oe wi ist at all lear after 15 x6 16 Bxe3 Rae8 17 B5B7 15 Nx5 16 x4 Nxe3 (te oit of Blaks lay) 17 5 Nx4 (Blak must

atte to te aer ow te -file; 17 Nxf? 18 Rxf e8 19 Rf3 woul ot bete way to o) 18 x4 4 19 K1 Rae8 Rf3 6 sees Blak efei amaitaii a rou balae.

Conclusion

By meeti ites ati-esiko aroa wit 3 . .e5 4 B4 Be7 5 3 Nf6 Blakaears to ai a eet ositio He obtais atie outerlay i te eet ofesikos yami 6 N5 7 f4 5?, wi just looks like a eet ambit

Moreoer, eseially like Blaks atiity after 8 ex5 B4, wi siestes tetriky lie 8 .N4 9 B4 1 e

ite oest ae to ot for te ritial 6 N5, a e mit refer eiter 6 or6 N Tey a easily lea to a less exiti ame ta te eshiko Gambit,but eiter soul eseally trouble Blak wo wll obtai a fair sare of teaes a maoeuri strule.

6



Chapter Seven

I s 4 e Realy so Bad?Richard Paliser

1 e4 s Nf3 N6 3 N3 Nf6 4 es? (Dagram 1)

Diagram (B)

A oular way o dee a he heory ad comlexy of he ehko, o omeo he Kalahko ad Lwehal oo, ee he delay d4 for a moe

6 6



I 4 e Rea y Bad?

wih 3 N3. H e mus, of ourse, be reay for 3. . .e6, 3 . .e5 (he subje of Chaer 6),3 .. 6 a 3 . .6 i resose, as well as a moe whih has beome oular wihmay fas of he eshiko, amely 3 . Nf6. Here he as majoriy of ramaser ames oue 4 bS or 4 4, bu a he aressie 4 eS really be so ba?

y aai i he ere hie isrus laks eeome while obaii auseful brihea. Tha omes a some os, houh; hie mus lose ime wihhis quee a be reare o sarifie a aw. Howeer, feel ha he beefis aleas balae o he eaies, a ha 4 eS is a rey aerous weao. Iee, hi is a ariaio whh heoy has lo bee wo o rahe ele

Oe layer who has eraiy o bee afrai o emloy 4 eS o oasio has beehe aak-loi weish Gramaser, Joy Heor.

JHeo • MLndngeHamburg 2003

1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e!? Ng4 5 Qe2 (Diagram 2)


Qc7

A riile a oular moe, bu ow hie es o reeal some of he maiaki ie wihi his se-u A safer hoie is S 6, as we will osier ihe Look a Lile Deeer seio.

6 Nbhie mus aak he quee, alhouh he a also ambi wih 6 NS !? Qb8 4, we wil exlore i Lie A2 below

6 7



D a n g e u W ea p n : A n t i - i c i a n

6 Qb8 7 d4 a6?

ite as a amai scre ater tis misuie arac, wic as caut uta umber layers. A better cice is te mai lie 7 cx4 8 B4 6, altutere ca be little ubti ites suerir eelmet a cmesati ere

8 Nd6+ (Diagram 3)A werul sacriice a a key it bei ites lay. Amittely 8 3 Nxe59 xe5 axb5 1 B4 (A.iceMite, Hesl ark 7) ist t ba, but ater1 Ra4? 11 a7 te siti ist at all clear

8 exd6 9 exd6+ Kd8

Blacks siti is alreay rater ueiable, but e as t a t te extraiece; 9 . Be7?! 1 B4 cx4 11 Nx4 Nce5 1 Bxe5 Nxe5 13 xe7 6 14 -- sawite reai te iece wit sme aatae i R.ert-Citmaurice, Oakam

199710 dxc

10 b6

DANGEROUS WEAPON White has sacrificed a piece for apoweul bind on the position, not to mention some initiatve,and he aready appears to be doing pretty wel

Tis attemt t break u ites cetral aw alax is a lttle slw, bu Blackas als suffere smewat ater te alteaties:

a) 1 .Bx6 tries t retur te iece t break ut, but ite ca muc betterta 11 cx6 Re8 1 Be3. ee, 11 N5 (Diagram 4) reets Re8 a after1 . N6 (Black reerre 1 . . Nce5 1 cx6 Re8 13 Ne4 b6 14 3 Bb7 15 x4 Bxe4i A.Leiller, Auckla 1997, but w 16 B5 6 17 wul ae beesimle a str; eras te best try is 1Bxc5!?, altu ite sul bebetter i te amittely t ttally clear siti ater 1 Nx7+ Kc7 13 x4 Re8+

14 Be 6 15 x7 B7 16 c3 a ere 14 Be3?, retui te aw r e liesa t urter ites eelmet ater 14. . .Bxe3 15 xe3 Rxe3+ 16 Be, mit beee strer) 1 cx6 x6 (essetial; 1 ...Re8? 13 Be3 treatee mate, rearet ee 6 by i l a let Black uable t satisactrily urael i.Mt ueralt-A.Castill Martie, Mislata 4) 13 Be3 (als retty iste imler 13 Ne4 e5 14 Nc3 N5 15 xe5 Nxe5 16 B 6 17 --, wic letite wit a leasat aatae ue t is saer ki a te bis-air iDse-Besuk, Mscw 199) 13 . Kc7 (13 . . .b4+?! 14 c3 a5 15 c4 Ne5 16b3 let Black uer ue ressure i .uar RssellABallester Claera,

alma e Mallrca 3) 14 c3 £6 (t ieal, but 14 Re8? rus it 15 Bb6+) 15Ne4 e6 16 -- (Diagram 5) ite is clearly better as ee 16 . ..xa ails treally truble im ater 17 Bx6 x6 18 x6

6 8



I 4 e Rea y Bad?


b) 1. . .f6! s dreced aans e rea of 11 N5, bu afer 11 e4 Ne5 (1 1 .5!s a more combae coce wen e sould aod 12 3 Bxd6; muc beer se aresse 1 N5 fx5 13 Bx5 Nf6 14 -- wen e s wo ecesdown, bu enjoys a crusn bnd and e rea of 15 6 s robably a decse

one!) 1 Nxe5 Nxe5 13 Bf4 (Diagram 6) 13 Nc6 (no a rea defence, bu Back salready n some rouble 13 . . b6 14 Bxe5 fxe5 15 4 Ke8 16 5 Kd8 17 5+Ke8 18 xe5 Kd8 19 5 Ke8 -- forced resnaon n ALoeT.Anderson,Melbourne 1997; 13 . .N6 14 Bc4 Nxf4 15 x£4 b6 16 - bxc5 17 Re1 reaens18 B£7 w a monsrous aack; and een 13 . .Bxd6 4 cxd6 xd6 15 Be leaesWe w some adanae) 14 -- 6 15 Bc4 Black ad o resn n MadlBromberer Reden 1996; 15 B7 16 Bf7 b6 17 Re1 woud ae ed o ae

RO THE DCE! White should be pretty happy to see 10 ... f6

when his position is so good that he can even show o with 11Ng5!?, as 11..fxg5 (11 ... Nh6 is a better defence, although 12Be3 b6 13 00-0 still gives White pomising compensation anda strong bind) 12 Qxg4 h6 13 Bxg5+ hxg5 14 Qxg5+ Ne7 15000 promises White some initiative for the sacriiced ieces.

Reun o 1 .b6

11 Ng5!?

e eerkeeno-sacrfce Hecor wans o manan s cenral awn wede andmay wel ae been afer e brllancy re Hs coce does rean e uerand, bu e sould realy refer e smle 11 3! wen e s jus muc beer: 11...bxc5 (e mmedaely reaned s ece w 11..N6 1 Bx6 n

6 9



D a n g e u W ea p n A n t i - i c i i a n

DeenerC.Troyke, German eaue 1993, a 12 x6 13 e5 would ave beencruin; 1 Bxd6 i a better alternative, altou after 12 N5 ite will emerewit ome advantae and 12 e5? 13 cxd6 Re8 14 Be3 left Black wit an extremely rim oition indeed in Jaitzkin-D.Mianovic Matino 1994) 12 x4

Bxd6 (Dagram 7) 13 N5 (direct and tron, altou a ood cae ca alo bemade for te imle 13 c3?) 13 Rf8 14 Rx7 Nd4? 15 d (15 c4 f6 16 Nf7?Rxf7 1 7 xf7 xc 18 Kd1 Nxa1 19 Rx7 b4 aw a very reieved 26 Ukrainian layer ettin out of aol in CaiEljanov, Adod 4) 15 . .f6 16 c3 c6(or 16 fx5? 17 cxd4 cxd4 18 xd4 and ite will oon arvet a econd awn)17 Ne4 Re8 18 3 ee ite maintain control and a clear advantae

Diagram 6 (B) Diagram 7 (W}

11Nh6 12 Ne4 Nd4

ow Black bein to obtain ome counterlay, altou i obtructed develoment and kin oition remain eriou caue for concern

13 Qh5 bxc (Diagram 8}ite would alo ave been for coice after 13 Bb7? 14 Bd3. A lon, forcin ineten run 14 bxc5 15 Bx6 Bxe4 16 B5 f6 1 7 Bxe4 Bxd6 18 Be3 xb 19 wenBlack remain amered by i kin oiton and ite a romiin comenation after 19 .Rb8 Rad

14 Bxh6?

Hector underetimate Black counteractivity He ould ave referred 14 B5Ke8 (14 6? oe to 15 Nx£6) 15 - wen ite far uerior coordinationive im more tan enou for te iece for exame 15 f5 (15 .Bxd6? 16xd6 xd6 i robably a better try, altou ite retain ome advantae after17 c3) 16 Bc4 Ne6 17 Bxe6 dxe6 18 d7 Bxd7 19 Rxd7 Kxd7 x£7 Kc6 1 xe6

7 0



4 e Real ly Bad

Nd6 2 Rd1 ad te reas a ece wle reta a kller attack

14 Qxb2

der sezes s cace ad ow ts ot clear wc k s te weaker

15 Rc1?A bold w try aast s 23-rated ooet, wereas 15 5+ f6 16 Rcfx5 17 x5 Ke8 wouldt ae e te ayt more ta to force eretual


1 Nxc2+ 16 Kd1 Qd4+?

Now ts lacks k wc oce aa becomes te weaker Lder souldae referred 16 x6 we ayt mt ae aeed ts extremelymurky osto: for examle, 7 4+ (qute ossbly te cetralz 17 d3?d4 18 Kxc2 Rb8 19 Rb1 b7 2 Rd1 s a better try, ot tat ts s at all clear after 7 17.. f6 18 Rxc a1 19 Ke2 b7 ad f ayt sltly refer lacksce t wll take te tme to deelo s ksde

17 Bd2 Qxe4 18 Qxc Qd4 19 Qa?

ute wy Hector rejected 19 c7+ Ke8 2 Kxc2 s beyod me tes attack squckly decse te eet of 2 £6 21 Re1 Kf7 22 c4+ K6 23 d3 Kf7 24Re4

19 Ke8 20 Kxc2 (Diagram 9) 20 Bxd6?

s retty muc just loses to a forc sequece. der woud ae oedow too after xd6? 1 c4 e7 2 Re1, as castl s, of course, lleal eread . .Kf8 loses to 23 Rxe7 Howeer, ack sould ae tred . . .b7 Hs lackof ksde deelomet remas a ssue, but ts was stll by far te best try 21

11



D a g er o u W e a p o : A t i S ic i l i a

b4! ( mn 1 R 4+ 2 K s lss ffc n w of 2 Rb wnlack's aack s suffcn fo a aw af 23 xa6 Rb+ 24 K2 Rb!, as sown by comu-asss ln 25 Rc x6! 26 Rc K7 7 Rx c5 2 Rc ! xf2 9K + 30 4 31 2 a f anyn i s lucky a lack as nomo an a ual) 2..Rc+ (21xb4 22 xb4 Rc 23 Kb Rxc 24 Kxc ssmla; lack now fals o unanl w 24 ...6 n w of 25 c4 K 26 R 727 R7) 22 K Rxc 3 Kxc xb4 24 xb4 a5! 5 c5! 5 26 b5 6 27 R!an af an accua squnc, ans som aana anks o ssomwa suo lomn

21 Re1+ Be7 22 Bc3!

Hco s mn o cay on sacfcn! Hs coc s a wnnnaack, alou munan 22 3 woul also a on busnss, as22 b7 smly fals o 23 b4.

22 Qxf2+ 23 Re2 Qh4 24 g3 Qg4 (Diagram 10)


only y lack as o m 25 c5 w 25 x2!

25 Qd

o ba, bu on woul a xc co o fn 25 Rx7+! Kx7 6 2,wc woul a n a cusn aack, as 26 . 7 Kc x 25+ las o ma

2Ra7?

s loss a c an am. lacks caus woul also a bn olss n n of 5 . Rb 6 Rx7! Kx7 27 c4!, bu m a connu sul w 5 6 6 Kc 6+ 27 K Rb Amly as Rx7!Kx7 29 5 6 30 xb, bu af 30 . 5+ 31 Kc b7 (an no 3 x

7



4 e e so

we 32 Qe5 foces mae) 32 Bb4 e sll as some wok aead o cove sexa ece w s ow k fa fom well oeced

26 Rxe7+ Kxe7 27 Qc+ 1-0

Looking a Litte Deeper1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e? Ng4

Naual ad obvously bes. Oewse 4 N8? 5 Bb5 jus ves e a moved veso of e Rossomo

5 Qe2 (Dagram 11)

e wll ow cefly focus ou aeo o

A Qc7

B d6

c: f6?

TRICKY TRANSPOSTION Another natural-enough move dwhen White ha uualy taken play into Line B wth 6 exd6 6h3 !? Nh6 7 g4 i the independent approach)

Alo w 5 . d5, oe ae aoaces ae

a) 5 . 6 6 3 N6 s e mos acve of ese esse oos we e mus decde ow eedy e feels

a1 ) 7 Ne4 B7? (Blacks vaable coce acce; 7 . . .Qa5 ves e dececaces of eme w a ede afe bo 8 c3 ad 8 Qb5!? Qxb5 9 Bxb5) 8 Nxc5s e slly eedy bu also ae ccal esose Blacks bee develomeves m some comesao, bu m o sue a s que eou: 8 . -(8 .Qc7 was efeed G.veoEGallo, coesodece 1985, ad ow 9 d4

looks ood, as 9 . Nxd4 1 Nxd4 Qxc5 11 c3 - 12 B5 eus e aw fo someessue) 9 d4 Nxd4 (s eas e aw, bu susec a e uued9 .. .d6 ? 1 Nd3 dxe5 11 dxe5 Nf5 m be a bee ry, alou e cao beoo uay w s exa aw afe 12 c3) 1 Nxd4 Qa5 11 c3 Qxc5 was ecoue of NevaovcA.Kaeo, Yeeva Olymd 1996, ad ow 12 B5(Dagram 12) eves d6 ad sould suffce fo a ull

a2) 7 4 ? B7 (e sly msuded 7 . a6? 8 B2 B7 9 d3 1 Be3 favouede JHaley-C.oods, Edbu 26) 8 B2 - 9 d3 d6 1 Bf4 f5?

(1 dxe5 11 Nxe5 Nd4 12 Qd2 ves e a ull) was osoally que comex J.loa-VHoa, Padubce 1965, bu ow 1 1 exf6 exf6 (1.Rxf6 ? 12 Qd2 Re6s a moe ceave ad obably bee y, alou I k a e as e aswe 3 Ne4, ea o mee 13 . . .d5? w 14 NfS; oce aa a offsde

7 3



D a g er o u W e a p o : A t i Si c i l i a

kni on 6 es lack ino rouble) 1 Nf 13 4 oens e osiion fories more acie ieces

b) 5 Nb4? fails o oerloa ies queen, an jus leaes im beer afer 6 4cx4 Nx4.

c) 5 e6 ? 6 3 N6 is fairly soli for lack wo will look o break wi eier .. 5or Nf5 an £6 A is sae Ne4? coul o wi a es, wereas 3 4?5 8 3 is anoer iea wen 8 c 9 N8 1 a6 11 f4 b5 ecoe eKin's nian Aack an wasn' a all clear in J.DuraoD.Alsina eal, Lisbon 1) Nf5 8 (Diagram 13) 8 Nc4 (8 6 9 ex6 x6 1 Ne4 e 11 1 c3 13 3 was a ouc beer for ie in JHanleyACeiae, lackool ) 9Nx4 Nx4 soul be fine for lack wo can aack e5 afer 1 1, an equalizesin e een of 1 e4 5 1 1 ex6 x6

Diagram 12 (B) Diagram 13 {B)

A) 1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e Ng4 Qe2 Qc7 {Diagram 14)

A loical if risky moe ie mus now sacrifice a awn, bu e will obain abin an some iniiaie for i e now consier:

A1 6 Nb

A2 6 Nd ?

174

BEWARE Pay has often transposed to Line A1 aer 6 d4?!cxd4 7 Nb Qb8, but m not convinced that White has enoughfor his pawn after 7 Qb6 and feel that this option is wellwoh avoiding



s 4 e R ea ly so Bad

A1) 1 e4 c 2 Nf Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e Ng4 5 Qe2 Qc7 6 Nb

om ee te kit ot oly attaks te blak quee but suots te followid4adae ad may ee jum ito d6 f Blak is aeless.

6 ...Qb8

By some mai Blaks mai moe altou e as also tied:


a) 6 . .Qa5 7 3 (7 Qe4? N6 8 Be is te alteatie) 7 N6 8 4 a6 9 N3 e6 (o9 . . Nd4 1 Qe4 Nxf3+ 11 Qxf3 Q7 1 Q3 e6 13 Ne4 ad Blak failed to equaliei A.NaumaD.Buzma Halle 1996) 1 B ies ite a ede due to tee5-bideead ad is slitly bette deelomet.

b) 6 . Qb6 7 3 (I suset tat 7 Qe4 ? is ee stoe as 7 . N6 8 d4 oes teositio i ites faou) 7 N6 8 4 e6 9 a4 a6 1 Na3 Q7 11 N4 b6 1 BBb7 13 - was a little bette fo ite i Muasek-P.Bazat Cze Leaue 1998

) 6 .. Qd8? does tou emai utested obably beause 7 Qe4 N6 8 d4 justlooks ate sto

7 d4 (Diagram 15) 7 ... cxd4

Te mai lie ad a somewat bette oie ta 7 . a6? altou a umbe osto layes ae failed to ealie tat as we saw i Heto-Lidie

8 Bf4 f6

Blak exloits te i dow te -b8 diaoal but e as also tied:

a) 8 . a6? 9 Nbxd4 e6 adly els to fee te blak ositio ad afte 1 --ite ejoyed a ideal adatae i JMelleesVa de Meule Heelo 1996

b) 8 5? saw a 3-ated laye foet about a key motif i taiulesuA.Bote elix a 7 ad sould ae bee uised by 9 Nd6+ exd6 1

7



D a n g e o u s W e a p o n s : A n t i -S i c l i a n s

exd6+ Kd8 ( 1 Be7 11 B3 ad ie will eai e iece wi sme adaae) 11 Nx5 N6 12 Ne4 wi a exemely s iiiaie; Black ca ad weake is dak squaes us

c) 8 ..d3 9 cxd3 e6 was a lile slid m Black i AZzulia-HEle, Desde

25, ad w 1 d4 Bb4+ 11 Nc3 - 12 Bd2 ? wuld ae ie ie a smewa imed esi e c3 icilia.

d) 8 . . . e6 (MTsiulik-ABk, Kie 24) 9 --? eaes eai e awwi a d ame, ad ae 9 . 6 1 Nd6+ Bxd6 11 exd6 12 Nxd4 (eadi b5 ad c7) 12. . .Nxd4 13 Qx4 Nc6 14 4 e as like ies bid ad kisidessibiliies

9 Bg3

Te mai lie iasmuc as ee is e ey as l ae eleced u e

eeic 4 e5 aac bu e e ideas wic ae bee ied, 9 Nbxd4?(Diagram 16) ms ceaily desees ue scuiy Nw:

Dagram 16 (B) Diagram 17 (B)

a) 9 xe5 1 3 (Hec as ied 1 B3? d6 11 Nxc6 bxc6 12 --, bu 'm ciced by is ae Muz ajas 12 . .Qb6) 1 . d6 (1 N6 1 1 BxeSies ie d cealizai ad e iiiaie, alu w wuld aeu a Claide-.Balabae, cesdece 26, wuld las jus e meme: 11 Nxd4?? 12 Nxd4 ad e 245aed black laye ae u i disuswiu waii 12 d6 13 Bx6 x£6 14 Q5+ Kd8 15 Bb5) 11 x4 Nxd4 (eas 1 exd4? imes, alu ae 12 NS e5 13 Bd2 Be7 14 e4? BxS 15

BxS ie will eai is aw wi e ue ad) 12 Nxd4 exd4 13 - e5(easy ciicize, bu ae 13 Qc7 14 Rxd4 Black as ayi bee a14. .e5 we 15 RS ce me eaes a weul saciice) 14 R5 (Diagram 17)14 Be7 Black is deeceless i e ee 14 K7 15 BxeS dxeS 16 RxeS Be6

7 6



I s e Rea y so Bad

17 3+ Ke7 18 5) 1 5 BeS deS 16 Re5 ? (superior ad oly clearly betterfor ite is 16 . .d6 17 Re - 18 Re7 f4 19 Kb1 B4 f3) 17 e4 B4 18Bd3 Re 19 7+ Kf8 Bc4 ad 1- was te brutal course of JClarideJBruecker, correspodece 3.

DANGEROUS WEAPON! There is something very satisingabout sacrificing a piece to go after the black king while theblack queen s lumbers on 8 The 2400rated Caridges ideaust ooks very dangerous and is well woh remembering

b) 9 Nd4 1 Nd4 Ne5 looks like a more critical try. Claride as ow cotiued 11 B3 e6 1 - Be7 13 S (13 f4? deseres attetio too; ite woquickly after 13 .Nc6? 14 f5 ad 15 5 i MMelosaGoulas, teet (blitz)4, ad so 13 . .Nf7 looks fairly essetial oweer ite retais decet play foris paw ere ad after 14 f5 e5 15 5 16 Bc4 e ejoyed ooi pressure iM.ouoDeiso, Nookuzetsk 999) 13 6 14 6 (Diagram 18) we14. Bf8 (14 . Kf7 15 Be Bf8 wast quite so effectie i ClarideE.Jaosi, correspodece 7, ad ow qute like 16 e3!?, prepari to pus te -pawwile pi for 16 . . .K7? 17 Nf3! d6 18 Ne5 de5 9 f4 wit some iitiatie; wesould also ote tat Cmilyte ad earlier preferred 15. . K8 16 e3 c7 1 7 f4 Nf7i APourkasiyaVCmilyte, Turi omes Olympiad 6, ad ow 18 4

looks quite daerous) 15 4 Be7 left ite wit oti better ta a repetitiowit 16 6 ad was areed draw i ERepkoa-VCmilyte Dresde 7 Tuste critial test must be 15 e3 ? we 15 . . a6 (15 .Bc5 also preets 16 NbS, butleaes Black rater weak o te dark squares after 16 c3 Bd4 17 d4) 16 f4Nc6 17 f5 e5 18 Nc6 bc6 19 Bd3 looks fairly critical ad far from cear, atouites superior deelopmet must ie im at te least ood compesatio

Dagram 18 (B) Diagram 19 (B)

7 7



D a n g e r ou s W e a p o n s : A n t i - Si c i l i a n s

c) 9 N 1 N s Black non br an 1 . N w a sll curous ransoson o our las araon

Run o 9 B3

9 ...Ngxe

Onc aan Black s bs as o ra cs 9 . f5? 1 3 Diagram 9)1 . . Nf6 somwa rfrabl s 1 . . a6 alou afr 11 h4 ab 1 N5 wll sorl ran scon sacrfc awn w aana) 1 1 N5 61 Nc6 bc6 13 N6 ouc ) 13 .K7 14 Nc4 m alra b m b rsnaon as Black on o aroun o afr 14 . b4 or 14 . .b7 1 6 16 R4K8 17 B6 w crusn onon rssur n MTsrulnk-V.abann Dnrorosk 4) 15 c3 c3 16 --+ N5? asnn n; 16 ..K8 a o b rno a Black as anwr nar nou for s rook afr 17 N6 K7 18 Nf7K8 19 N8 6 c) 1 R+ c5 18 N5 K6 19 N3 n Rol MonsM.Al a, Moscow Olma 1994

0 0-0-0 Diagram 20)

Diagram 20 B) Diagram 2 B)

No lssr orcan an Jon Nunn sto r w an unrsanabl assssmn of uncar n NC s s o ran on awn afr wc s suror lomn comnsas for or.

BEWARE! White must not immediately regain the first awnwith 0 Nfxd4?, as 0 a6 Nxc6 bxc6 oened the bfile for

Black's queen with some effect in MPansekI Kragel,Slovenian Chamionshi 99.



4 e Real ly B a d

10 d6

A ey atual moe, althouh some easoable layes hae abble the alteates

a) 1. . .a6 11 Nbx4 (11 Nxe5? Nxe5 1 Nx4 b5 13 f4 Nf7 14 f5 also looks lke easoable alue fo a aw) 1...6 was te N.taecHael, Austa Leaue1995, a ow I qute lke Nxc6 bxc6 13 Nxe5 fxe5 14 f4, e the cetea eta ecet comesato afte someth lke 14 .exf4 15 Bxf4 e5 16 e4c7 17 Be.

b) ts slhtly sus that 1 6 11 Nfx4 a6 1 Nc3 Bh6 13 Kb1 - hastbee te moe to eelo Backs kse, althouh afte 14 N5 (Diagam 21)hte etas ecet essue BachekoP.alet, Kaza 3, cotue14 . f7 15 e4 b5 a ow 16 f4 f5 17 e1 Nx4 18 fxe5 loks qute ctcal, e

a to lauch the haw the eet of 18 . . .Ne6 a to o afte the exchaewth 18 . . £4 19 Bf Nc6 Nb6.

c) 1 .. 3? 11 cx3 6 ( 1 . .a6 1 Nc3 6 s a bette aoach whe 13 4 Nx£3 14x£3 6 15 Bc4 Bf5 16 he1 oest ook at al clea, a hee hte ca aso cose 15 e3 ? olowe by N) 1 4 N7 13 Nce 14 c saw hte ot Blacks weakesses ACela- .oss, New Yok (a) 3.

11 Nfxd4 a6

The choce of a you Chea Black fs t hae to utale afte

1 Nx4? 1 Nx4 fo examle, 1 . . .6 (o 1 . Kf7 13 f4 B4 14 e4 a Blackwas too weak o the lht squaes .Va Koote-Va e eule, Ahem1996) 13 f4 Nc6 14 Ne6 Kf7 15 e1 a6 16 e4 a the hole e6 wll cotue totouble Black fo some tme to cme, O.Kuma-alek, Bua 3.

12 N3 (Diagram 22)

Diagram 22 (B) Diagam 23 (B)

7 9



D a g e r o us W e a p o s A t i ic i i a s

12... Bd7

Black coiues o uale his queesie, bu he mih cosier oo:

a) 1 e6 13 f4 x4 14 Rx4 c6 15 R1 K7 16 3 (reari f4-f5 wih 16 e4looks quie sesible oo) 16 . c7 17 Bc4 a5 18 B3 6 19 Rhe1 lef hie well

ceralize a wih ece comesaio i ACela-A.Cheiae, Halkia 1996e4 a/or B may follow

b) 1 a7 13 xc6 (13 3 Be6 14 e1 woul hae bee oo ba for Blackha he ow laye aais f-f4 wih 14 5 i Kloas-Jeme, Berli 1997)13 .. bxc6 14 h3 reares f4 wih he usua comesio Black remais some isace from uraelli his kisie ieces

c) 1 .x4 13 Rx4 a7 ales for a imroe ersio of our las oe, buhie ca couer 14 R1 b5 aressiely wih 15 f4! B4 16 e4, which ies

him he iiiaie a ece aacki chaces for he exchae afer 16 . Bx1 17fxe5 BhS 18 c6 Kf7 19 exf6

13 Nd

Closely relae a o less effecie is he immeiae 13 f4, afer which 13 x414 Rx4 B4 e4 c6 16 R e6 17 Bc4 Bf 18 e K7 19 Bh4 eare o exa wih 4 i T.CiiCKoch, corresoece 1998

13 ...Qd8

Cheario referre 13 .. x4 14 Rx4 b5 15 f4 c6 16 R, alhouh oub

ha he ejoye his osiio oo much Black is raher crame a, alhouh hemay o objeciely be worse, mos layers woul robably ake hieare-Chearo, Boroez , coiue 16 .Ra7 17 Bf Rb7 18 4 (Diagram 23) 18 .e6 a ow he uhurrie 19 B woul hae bee quie sro forexamle, 19 h5 (Blacks roblem is ha 19 Be7 xe7 xe7 1 Bxb7 xb7 Re1 oes ie him eouh for he exchae, a 19 .Kf7 Re1 also looks quieuaeizi) f5 e 1 f4 a oce aai we fi Black beii o collase o he lih squares.

14 f4 Nxd4 15 Rxd4 (Diagram 24)

e'e followe he ame JKloas-AIaie, Parubice 1996, i which hieshemaic lay ha reaie oo comesaio Probably Black shoul ow haerie he fairly assie rerea o 7, sice he ames 15 B4! 16 e4 c6 17 Re6 woul hae lef him i rouble afer he simle 18 e3

A2) 1 e4 c 2 f3 Nc6 3 Nc3 f6 4 e g4 5 Qe2 Qc7 6 Nd!? (Diagram 2 5)

8 0

ROLL THE DICE! Lne A1 oered White good compensation, ut

is y no means his only choice. The text is a decent alternatvegamit, although if Black knows what hes doing, which isfounatey rare, the main line does look a little etter for him.



s 4 e Rea l ly so Bad?

e soul oe oo a s arao as usually le o a ecse resul racce e as wo 17, los 16 a rawn jus 4 of e ames e scoere ere

Dagram 24 (B) Dagram 25 (B)

6Qb8

Ie oly fou oe ame wc e quee we back w 6 . 8, bu scao be so ba a afer 7 3 (7 4? cx4 8 Bf4? s wa e woul lke olay a C.Laeberue.akob cuol 1 bu ow 8 .a5 s smea sro 7 . N6 8 4 (8 3 Nf5 9 c3 e6 1 4? s aoer ambous ry 8 .e6 9Nc3 6 1 ex6 Bx6 11 3 e s o more a a ouc beer.

7 d4 cxd4

Bes; e aleraes are somewa less coc

a 7 . e6? 8 3 (Dagram 26) leaes Black w a raer ueable coce

a1 8 . Nx4 9 Nx4 cx4 1 x4 ex5 1 B c7 1 -- b6 13 3 reae eaw w some aaae R.ZelccT.Glasea, Zaar 1994

a 8 . .Nxf 9 xf ex5 was re NTolskPBaza, Olomouc , bu ow1 N5 woul ae bee effece a e IO .N8 (or 1 .Nx? 11 Nxf7 R81 B3 w sme aaae as 1 . .6? 13 - es e a crus aak 11B3 c4 1 Bx7 es a useful kse aw

a3 8 .Nxe5? was re GToorocP.Orlo, Paceo 1985, wc Blackwas foruae a e was au fa w Krc a Mlecs aalyss from In

formant 34 9 Nxe5 Nx4? (9 . .Nxe5 ? mroes, bu s sll roms for eafer 1 Bf4 6! 11 c4! 1 5 ex5 (1. 6? loses o 11 N£6 Ke7 1 5 6 13N5 Ke8 1 4 £6 11 x£7+ K8 1 B5 Kc7 13 - Ne6 14 Rx5 (w a cousrea of 15 Rx7+ 14. . .B6 (Dagram 27) 15 Rx6 Kx6 16 Be7+ Kxe5 17 Bb5 a

1 1



D a g ro u s W a p o s A t i - S ic i l i a s

e blac i will be maed mid-boad


a4) 8 . .exdS!? 9 x4 cxd4 is suisily uied Ideed, is loos elaively bes,alou Id sill efe o ae ie afe 10 a3! d6 11 f4 e6 1 00-0

b) 7 .. .Nxd4? 8 Nxd4 cxd4 9 £4 S (9 e6 0 Qx4 exdS 11 0-0-0 is vey omisi

oo) 10 3 was ey so i J.Covese-G.Gliz, Aeia 003, bu iecoud ave emiaed e ame wi 10 e6! d6 11 QbS+ Kd8 1 d! xe6 (1 ..b613 aS is simila) 13 aS b6 14 Nxb6 axb6 1S xb6+

8 Bf4 e6 9 h3 (Diagram 28)

9Nh6

Pobably e mos aual ad e bes move, bu may layes ave ied somei moe ceaive o simly aiced a is sae:

a) 9 Nb4 10 Nxb4 (10 x4!? is also ossble ad ave ie a ull afe 10 . NxdS

11 d d6 1 Qe4 d7 13 Qxd4 i X.Mac Mola-AOlive eao, Palma de Malloca 003; 10 . d3!? is e aleaive, bu e 11 Nf6 xf6 1 cxd3 NdS 13 3d6 14 exf6 obably oly maes maes eve wose fo lac) 10 xb4+ 1 1 Nd!(moe omisi a 11 d o accou of omis 1 1 d3! 1 cxd3 xd+ 13Kxd N6) . Nf6 ( .. N6! 1 x6 x6 13 000 b6 14 Nf3 b7 1S Nxd4 leflac suffei due o is smased sucue i DVazoisAiuias,Paevezys 008) 1 000 NdS 13 3 Qc7 (Diagram 29) was e couse of M.JeullVuici, coesodece 003, ad ow bo 14 Ne4 ad 14 Q4!? sould iveie a leas a ull

b) 9 . .Nxf 10 Qxf exdS sees lac o wo aws u, bu afe 11 0-0-0 is is daws ae vuleable ad 11 Qc7 1 NS! (ceaive ad so, alou 1 Nxd4Qb6 13 e3 is a simle oue o a ede) e7? (obaby lac sould efe

8



s 4 e Rea l ly so Bad ?

2. .Qa 1 3 Kb1 Qb6, altou afte 4 B I still ate like ite afte bot14. . . Nxe5 15 Re f6 16 Rxe5 fxe5 7 Qf7+ Kd8 8 Q5 and 14. . .Nd8 15 Bd3 66 4) 3 e6 Bx5 4 exf7 Kf8 5 Bx5 d6 16 Be2 ae ite some initiatie inM.De BackeMKocan, coesondence 1990.


c) 9 . exd5 0 x4 Bb4+ 1 1 Bd (moe omisin tan in aiation a, altou 1Nd 00 000 also ies ite decent attackin cances, J.Bauma-J.Janacek,zec eaue 00 Bxd2 Qxd2 d6 (ites attack is ate ston too inte eent of 1 . .0-0 13 0-0-0 Nxe5 14 Qxd4 d6 15 Bd3) 13 Q5 Kf8 4 Nxd4 Bd7left a andmaste in a sot of tuble n JAnlada Bioda-DGacia lundain,Teassa 1996, and now 15 Nf5 Bxf5 6 xf5 (Dagram 30) 6 . .Qe8 (6. . .dxe5 17f6 wences oen fute lines) 7 e6 fxe6 8 00-0 Qe7 9 Q5 would ae etained a ston initiatie.

d) 9 d3 (V.Vass-DBibas, Budaest 1999) 10 cxd3 exd5 (0 . .Nxf Qxf exd5 sobably a bette ty wen 12 00-0 Qc7 ies Black an imoed esion of aiation b, altou Id still be faily ay as ite afte 13 Kb Be7 14 Q3) 1 1x4 Bb4 1 2 Bd2 sould aain omise ite an ede as 1 Bxd+ 13 Qxd2 0014 d4 eaes to taet 7 wit Bd3

10 Bxh6 exd

aily essential. Black can adly allow 10 .. x6 1 1 Nf6+, afte wic 1 ..Ke7 (o1 . . .Kd8 0-00 Bc5, as in VGietli-.isko loakian eaue 003, and now 13Qe4 mit be een bette tan te ames 3 4; ite as ideas of bot Bb5 and

Q4) 1 Qe4 B7 (o 12 .. . d6 3 Q4 dxe5 14 Bb5 wit ey ston essue fo tetwo awns) 13 Q4 (een bette tan 13 0-0-0 Nxe5 14 N5 Nxf3 15 Nx7 Qe5 6xf3 Qx7 7 Rxd4, wic etained ood comensation due to Blacks unsafe kinosition in Je Roux-N.ousaet, t oain 2003) 13 . Kf8 (13 . Nxe5 uns into

8 3



D a n g e r o u s W e a p o n s : A n t i - S i c l i a n s

e owerul forn sequene 14 N8 K6 15 x4 K7 16 Nxe5 Rx8 17 5+K8 18 Nxf+ Ke8 19 N6+ K8 -- 14 -- 15 f4 leaes lak raerrame an ie se o inrease e ressure wi 3

11 Bd2


CKY TNSPOSTON Kril Georgiev once tried 11 Bf4 Bb4+12 Bd2, but this makes litte difference and ony adds one to themove number aer 12 Bc!

nsea KGeorieVaso ularian Camionsi 1988 saw 1 . . .e7 (o1 . x 13 x Nxe5 14 x4 Nxf3 15 xf3 16 -- wen e aloen file ies ie een kinsie ressure Torrao uineaAVia NieesVilaaria e Arousa 6 13 -- - 14 4 6 15 ex6 x6 16 x6 x6 17Nx4 an ie reaine is awn wi an ee

11 Bc (Diagram 31) 12 - -

ak is now reay o break i .6 an beliee a is auae sequeneleaes m a leas equal wi is wy ine A1 is obeiely sroner

13 Bf4 d6!

Te bes way of frein lak's osiion 13 . .f6? 14 3 (14 b5? b6 15 b3 isossible oo 14 . fxe5 15 Nxe5 6 16 N3 wasn' quie so oninin in KellLair oresonene 199

14 exd6 Bf 15 Nh4!ie mus fi for e iniiaie by aakin e biso us He reains someomensaion in is fairly riial osiion bu jus ow mu is no lear:

1 8 4



I s 4 R a y o B a d

a) The stem ame saw 15. . Be6 1 6 hS (Dagram 32) 1 6 . Bxd6 17 Bd ( 1 7 Bxd6?xd6 18 Nf3 Ra8 19 Kb1 is a try, althouh Blak aot be worse after 19 .. . f4)17 .. 6 18 h6 R8 (ufortuately Blak later imroved with 18 . 7, reeti19 Nf3 due to 19 ..Bf5, ad after 19 Kb1 Ra8 Bd3 fear that he would hae ob

taied the uer had, albeit i a ot totally lear situatio, had he foud ..Ne5i J.MularzykGBodaovih, orresodee 1987) 19 Nf3 ad Blaks weakeed kiside saw hite maitai reasoable omesatio i Z.KiDMozei, Yuoslavia 198


b) 15 . Be4? 16 4 (or 16 f3 d3 17 xd3 B6 18 Nx6 hx6 with a deet ame foBlak) 16 Bxd6 17 Bxd6 xd6 18 f3 B6 19 Nx6 fx6 Bb5 saw hite retaisome omesatio i FBertoaFGozalez Velez Motada 1997, althouh Isuset that oly Blak a be better after ..Rf4 1 5 h6 3 Ne5 3 Rhe5

B) 1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e Ng4 5 Qe2 d6 (Diagram 33)

A sesible method of udermii hites bridehead, albeit oe whih has oybee layed haf as ofte as the more ambitious 5 7

6 exd6

Blak must ow deide whih iee he wshes to reature with o d6

1: 6 Qxd6

2: 6 e6!?

1 8



Dangerou Weapon : Ant i -S i c i l i an

B) e 4 5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e 5 Ng4 5 Qe2 d6 6 exd6 Qxd6 d4! (Digrm 34)

Digrm 34 (B) Diagram 35 (W)

DANGEROUS WEAPON! With Blk having three pieces overing d4, I suspect that this might ome s a shock to anunsuspecting opponent. However, White's gambit is logiclenough; one again he wants to blow open the entre to pose

problems for both members of Blak's royalty.

I's also ossble o develo more quely w 7 d3 followed by 3 B and Bf4bu I'm no a fan of 7 Ne4 dese s use by avenko as 7 . 7 8 Nx5 e5 asbeen sown o ve Blak exelen ay fo s awn.

7 ..cxd4

Naural and best alou no e ony move w as been red:

a) 7 . . . Nxd4? 8 Nxd4 xd4 9 Nb b6 1 4 (nonn e roblem w an

exane of kns) 1 Kd8 (1. . Rb8 ? m no be so bad aou edoes ave a leas e smls 11 3 Ne5 1 N7 Kd8 13 d5 d6 14 xd6exd6 15 Nb followed by reann e awn w a leasan ede) 11 3 smleand sron; e ambous 1 1 Bf4 ? e5 1 xf7 wouldn' ave been a all lear nGTodoov-Z.Markov Baka aanka 22 ad Blak seled fo 12 Bd7 13B5 K8) 1 Ne5 1 xd4+ xd4 13 Nxd4 ves e a leasan advanae; Bf4and -- wl follow aren Blak's mslaed kn

1 8 6

BEWARE! Black might prefer to over the 4-squre with. . .Q5 (Diagram 35) when White ws luky to get away with10 Bf4?? in O.Kuzmina-T.Sterligov, Serpukhov 2002, s thedefleting 10. d3! would have won piece



s e Re y so Bd?

ite soul refer to o to c4 rearless of Blacks last, a after 1 Qc4! Qxc41 Bxc4 Rb8 1 3 e ejoys somewat te better rosects, as 1 ..Ne5 walks itoquite a asty i after 13 B£4.

b 7 . a6 coers te b5-square but is misuie, albeit i a ifferet maer to

we laye erroeously o te same moe i Hector-iier: 8 Ne4 (iteoes for te aw e mit also eelo raily wit 8 3! Nf6 9 xc5 Qxc5 1Be3 Qa5 1 1 --, altou tis was o more ta rater oubleee after 1 . 61 N4 B7 i JDosoMaite, Paito 4 8 .Qc7 (ite wis a awfo irally oti after 8 Qe6! 9 3 Nf6 1 Nxc5, a 8 . . .Q5 9 xc5 5 1 c4Qe6 11 3 Nf6 1 Nxf6 x£6 13 Be3 looks retty oo too for im 9 xc5 e5 1B £5 lO . .B£5 11 Qc4 Be6 1 Qc3 eables ite to ol o to te extra aw 1 1N6+ Bx6 1 cx6 Qx6 13 - sees ite excae is extra aw for tebiso air a te iitiatie

8 Nb (Diagam 36)

Diagam 36 (B) Diagam 37 (B)

8 Qb8

Black wats to kee cotrol of te e5square A more roocatie coice is8. . Q8 we 9 Bf4 e5 1 -- Qe7 (critical 1 Bc5! 11 3 1 x4 exf4 13Qe4 6 14 5 just left Black uer some ressure o te kisie i NoseliaiKArakamia Grat, Belrae 199, but Black mit try 1 . . . Be7!, as e i iL.osa-AMallai, lista Olymia 1998, we 11 Bxe5 Nxe5 1 Nxe5 - 13 Nxc6bxc6 14 Nx4 ies im some comesatio for te aw taks to is biso

air 11 fx4 (Black soul be okay after 1 1 3 a6 1 Nbx4 ex4 13 x4 Bx4,but aoter temti iea is 1 1 Nxe5! Nxe5 1 Bxe5 Nxe5 13 Rx4 after wic13 .. . 5 14 N6+ Qx6 15 Rx6 Bx6 16 4 4 17 Q Ke7 18 Q5 K7 was raterubalae a ar to assess i Clarie-Nuko, corresoece 6

1 8 7



Dangeous Weapons : Anti - S i c i l i ans

11 4 12 R4 ex4 1 3 c7 K8 14 a8 Diagam 7) 1 4. . .5 (14 e2 15xe2 cS is ate uclea too, but ite soult be wose as is kit will escae ia c7) 15 2 c5 was aily uclea i .aakuis.Veie, coesoece 1998. ow ite mit ae bout is kit back ito ay wit 16

c7, ate wic 16. . a6 17 c4 e5 18 xe5 e5 19 5 e4 2 c3 e5 woulae bee about equal.

9 Nbxd4 Nxd4 10 Nxd4 e

Te oly moe tie tus a i actice lack soul aoi 1 e5 11 bS, bute mit be able to et away wit 1 . a6 3 6 12 c3 2 altou e oesemai bei i eelomet ee.

11 Nf

A sime aoac, ocussi o eelomet A you Maus Calse oce

eee 11 3 6 12 4 but ate 12 . 6 13 bS (oei te ositio wit 13xe5 eS 14 4 - 15 xe5 Re8 16 Rxe5 1 7 2 mit be a slitly bettety) 13 . .- 14 2 Re8 lack wast wose i M.Calse-I.Kaiull, eiscola22

11 ... Bd6 12 h Nf6 1 Bg Diagram 8)

Diagram 8 B) Diagram 9 W)

ee ollowe te ame .Haley-Lalic, itis Camiosi, Lieool 28,i wic te ily eae teoeticia was ow uily o layi too ambitiously 13 . 7 (ack a to aow is aws to be oube, a 13 ..c7 14x6 x6 woul ae bee o moe ta ate uclea, as lacks biso aiies im easoable coutecaces ate 15 - e6 16 b5 K8) 14 -- 15 2 c7 a ow te oci 16 bS e4 eable lack to equalie, but 16 3woul ae maitaie a ull; ite eaes to meet 16. . c5 wit 17 e7

1 8 8



I e Rea y Bad?

Nd3+ 18 d3 Re 19 NS ak am a e udefeded ksde) 1 9. .e4 2e4 Bf4+ 21 Kb1 BS 22 BS, wic es a clea aw

2) 1 e4 c 2 Nf Nc6 Nc Nf6 4 e Ng4 5 Qe2 d6 6 exd6 e6!? (Diagram 9)

A solid coce ad a safe oe a 6 d6. uemoe, oe ca obably eec is slily awkwad defece fom a well-eaed ooe, as i was ecommeded by Kole ad Nede ei ece Te Easies Siilian

7 Nb

ie oes fo e biso ai. Usually is aiaio am a fa of a aessie 7 d4, bu ee 7 . cd4 8 NbS Bd6 fals o de e solid black osiio 9BS bes; 9 Nfd4 Nd4 1 Nd4 Bb4+ lef ie wose i M.GscwedeTRodewis, Gema Leaue 23) 9 . .Be7 (es idea s a 9 . 6 1 fS11 Nfd4 will eai e iece eie o 4 o dow e dfile) 1 Be7 e7 11- eabled ie o eai is aw wi equaliy bu o moe iDKaoskyP.eo, Liomysl 24

Neie am I oely eamoued by e ambious 7 c4, dese is oce beiemloyed by Calse 7 . .e5 8 3 N6 9 cS (cosse, weeas 9 d3 N5 1BS d6 11 -- Be6 aledy lef ie o e back foo i e lae ameMVacie Laae-V.aso, Tui Olymiad 26) 9 . Bd6 1 c4 11 d3 NfSae Black a ceal ad ey easoable lay fo is aw i BReefa

Tae, Los Aeles 2Ha see e dawbacks o ies moe aesse deas, we ca udesadbee e faily sold e moe. A elaed idea is 7 Ne4 Bd6 ad ow 8 c4(Diagram 40) desees a ou,


8 9



Dangeous Weapons : Ant -S i c i l i an s

alou 8 . . f6! (once aai Black is coen o ade is c-pawn fo a ealylead i developmen 9 d3 Nxe4? (Coxs idea; 9 . . . 1 B5 Be7 was pefeed iA.amuliaA.Goloscapov, eesu 2, we 11 Nxf6 Bxf6 12 xc5would ave foced Black o demonsae is compesaio, wic poaly iseniely ee afe 12 . . .Bx5 13 Nx5 d4 14 f3 1 dxe4 - 11 Be2 e5 12 c3 Be6is poaly jus faily level.

7 ... Bxd6 8 Nxd6+ Qxd6 (Diagam 41) 9 d3

Tose appy o maoeuve in a ae sow ame may wis o coside 9 3 e5 13 Nf6 11 B2 - 12 d3, wic as also een ied ad is ouly alancedBlacks ip o d4 alances ies isop pai.

...00

Black mi do ee wi 9 . . .6 ? 1 3 f6 we is o so easy o ie o

unane, and 11 B5 B7 12 -- d4 13 e5 saw im do o moe an mainaia ou alace i J.HaseJ.Koc, Escoa 24.

10 h3 Nge 11 Nxe Nxe 12 Be3

As so ofe i is vaiaion, ie does es we e oes lo ad e aacks.

12 ... b6 13 -- Ba6 14 Qh

Ts posiio emaied faily unalaced i B.eyelV.Au, Budapes 27,u would sily pefe o ake ie due o e opio o advace wi eied3-d4 o f3-f4.

C) 1 e4 2 Nf3 N6 3 N3 Nf6 4 e Ng4 Qe2 f6? (Diagram 42)


Black uies o in is kni ack io play. Tis appoac can e oo ad fo

1 9 0



s 4 Real ly s Bad

im and was acually seen in e ealies ame wi 4 e5 wic I'e found, namelyFRieann-LPaulsen, Baunscwei 188. Moeoe, i mus e said a Riemann aeas no o ae ained any imiaos amons is conemoaies

6 exf6

Bes; 6 Ne4? fails o conince af o 6 Nxe5 and 6 . fxe5 ? 7 Nxc5 e6, wicae Black decen cenal conol in CFeijoo Nooa-.Gacia Mela, Nian 1994

6 ...Nxf6 7 d4!

Ou faouie sacifice o fi fo e iniiaie Insead e se ame saw emoe solid 7 d3 d5 8 3?, u afe 8 .B4 9 B Nd4 1 d1 d7 Paulsen wasaleady slily fo coice

7 .cxd4

Ciical, alou 7 . . .e6 is ossile oo wen 8 d5? (e es y; 8 Be3 cxd4 9 Nxd4B4 jus ies Black easy lay) 8 . Nd4 9 d1 (efusin o osuc eie iso)9 . 6 1 Bc4 4 ? (amiious lay fom Black oo, u 1 . Be7 11 - 1 a3sould ie ie a small ull) 1 1 Nd 5 1 a3 a5 13 Ba ke d5 fully suoed in FGa-F.enne, Hessen 1999, and afe 13 B7 14 - -(14 .exd5? would ae een exemely isky ecause 15 Re1 Be7 16 Nf3 iesie some iniiaie, as sown y e coninuaion 16. . Nxf3 17 xf3 c4 8 B6)15 Nde4 ie was ee, as e dawn emained off-limis 15 Nxd5? (o15 Nxe4? 16 Nxe4 exd5 17 4) 16 Nxd5 Bxd5 17 Bxd5 exd5 18 Nc3 eains e

awn and leaes ie somewa ee anks o is muc safe kin.8 Nb (Diagram 43) 8 ... e6

Black's mos oula moe, u y no means e only ciical aoac

a) 8 .d6 9 B5 e5? (is ae amiious if ciical y was seen in DFoloAPidoo, Omsk 1; insead 9 B4 1 -- Rc8 was efeed inOKuan-EBend, Leneeide 6, wen a simle oue o a lus wouldae een 11 Bxf6? xf6 1 3, eain o o un down e li-squaediso and o mee 1 B5 wi 13 e6) 1 Bxf6 (ie's only y fo e adan

ae, and no a ad one a a) 1 . xf6 1 Nfxd4 a6 (15? 1 -- dS is analenaie, alou e lack osiion emains iddled wi oles and icky oandle afe 13 Nc3) 1 Nxc6 xc6 13 Nd4 sould e a i ee fo ie; Blackas e cene and e iso ai, u is kin isn' oo ay in is aiy osiion

) 8 .. .5? 9 Nxe5 (9 Nxd4 ? d6 1 Nxc6 xc6 11 B5 sould e okay fo Blackanks o is cenal conol, u some layes may wis o y is and en layo oain essue down e dfil) 9 B4 1 c3 - (Diagram 44) is quie a ceaie y wen 11 Nxc6 (11 Nxd4? Nxe5 1 cx4 Nf4 can only e ood fo Black)1dxc6 1 Nxd4 xd4 (simle and faily effecie, weeas 1 K8 13 Be3 Bd614 Nd5, as in Eilaa-BGuenide, ilisi 1979, 15 3 oaly doesnie Black quie enou fo is awn) 13 c4 d5 14 cx4 Re8 15 Be3 Be6 16

9



a gerous Weapos At i -S i c i l i a s

Qx5 Nx5 1 7 b5 Nxe3 1 8 fxe3 B5 ies Blak eou lay to maitai te balae, a looks likely to fizzle out to a raw.

Dagram 44 (W) Diagram 45 (B)

9 Nbxd4 Be7

esible, tyially iilialike eelomet, but i tis ufori ositio ra

tie as also seea) 9 .. .Nx4 1 Nx4 B5 11 Nb3 1 Nx5 Qa5 13 B2 Qx5 14 -- b6 15 B3Bb7 16 £3 ae ite a ull ue to is bso air i VTseskoskyEMatsakaia, Yerea 1984.

b) 9 Qb6 1 3 (a more aressie tretmet woul be 1 Nb3 Be7 11 Be3 Q712 - - 13 4, wi looks rater ulear) 1 Be7 11 3 - 1 B sawite eeloi sesiby a was eras a tou better for im i RCowleyJ.Freyta, Aelaie 24

10 Be -Blak mit also issuae queesie astli wit 1 Qa5+ we 11 3 - 12Q2 sees ite ae aroa B3 a - will follow.

11 -- (Diagram 45) 11 . . d5 12 Kb1 Qd6?

Tis ubale, Frelike ositio wa s reae i A.uoruko-Vialia,orresoee 25, a ow ite mit ae followe u te ames 13 Nb5Qb8 by striki bak i te etre wit 14 4.

Concuson4 e5 is a mu more aerous moe ta oe mit tik osieri ow teory as rater elete it After te ritial 5 . Q7, 6 N5 is ratally quite

1 9



s so

aners albeit nt bectiely wlly ufficient Hweer, 6 NbS sulies ecent cmensatin an sul cntinue t scre well in ractice; Black's sitinis nt at all easy t untanle er te bar.

A wise layer will escew in after te e5-awn in faur f eiter Paulsens

5. £6? r 5 . . . 6 Bt are quite reasnable esecially te latter wic just seems tequalize witut t muc ifficulty after 6 ex6 e6. at snt cane te iewtat 4 e5 is a anerus ty wic will catc many nents ut but may meantat it is nt te ieal cice aainst a wellreare nent w is ay witsli equality.

1 9 3



Chapter Eight

Forcing Black o DefendRichd Pliser

1 e4 cs Nf3 d6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 es!? (Dagram 1)

Diagram 1

uis a 2 d6 laye ist at al easy if oe wats to aoid te Oe icilia,but eas tis weao mit just do te tick Vaious woks o te ati

19



Forc g Black to Defe d

lans ae ate nelete 4 e5 an, as we wll see, t as etanly aut anumbe of faly exeene lan layes by suse

Aann wt e4e5 s ostonally qute well motate; te smly wants toe s kns knt an ate ole on e5 lak as aous metos to ty an

equalze, but none ae eseally ynam an so te ajof o Daon layewo eels n unbalane ostons may not feel too at ome ee Moeoe,te sks lttle wt ts lusequals aoa, alou t woul be a mstaketo assume tat te an nee ase to moe tan a small ee

JRudd • MRe

ritsh eague 2004

1 e4 c 2 Nf3 6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e!? xe Nxe (Diagam 2)

Diagam 2 (B) Diagam 3 (B)

a6

Peentn a ossble ek on b wle ean b as been fatonallylaks most oula oe n ate, atou bot 5 an 5 e6 ae motant atenates, as well see n te okn a ttle Dee seton

6g3!?

RO THE DCE! Whites man choice has been the soi 6 a4 aseven paye by Anan in a coupe of api games but the textis somewhat ticke White not only issuaes 6 b but pepaes a athe eep tap

1 9



Dageous eapons : Ant i S ic i an s

6Q7

Blak eelops w empo an pepaes ...N6 n a poson n w e assumese ao exane kns ue o e open lon aonal ose awae ofwa folows may wel, ou pefe somen else

a) 6 . Nb7 ? was eenly aoae by Kl Geoe n e Shaes Siilian ans a fay een oe 7 N4 (Ru as e 7 4 ee oo, bu . Nb7 s moeof a useful moe an Q7; ee Blak m jus exane on 4 an e5 an7 e6 8 Nx7 Qx7? 9 Be3 Q6 1 R1 Qb6 was anoe een meo nONkolenko-AKalfman eesbu 4) 7 . .b5 8 B2 Rb8 9 Ne3 (Dagram 3)9 e6 (Blaks naable oe bu Geoes sueson of 9 6!? esees aes; e m oune w 1 4 x4 11 Qx4 B7 1 a4, bu Blak soul beokay n a manoeun sue afe 1 . 13 axb5 axb5 14 - b4) 1 3 (1 -Be7 11 b3? - 12 Bb Q7 13 Qe2 s anoe meo of eployn es pees,

Roques-Denaye, oesponene 7) 1 .Be7 11 a4 (e mus beak wee s o 4 f e wses o eae a b of pessue) 11 . 1 Bb7 13 Bxb7Rxb7 1 Qf3 Qb6 15 Q (popylaxs; e poson emans ouly leel, buee s eanly peny of play lef an sope o oumanoeue e opponen)15 .R8 16 B Ne5 1 7 axb5 axb5 saw anoe eula 4 e5 exponen n aon nHVee.Bu Du Leaue 7, an now bo 18 Ra5? an e oous 18f4? N6 19 f5 ae een aleaes o e ames smple 18 Ra

b) 6 . .Q4 was an ambous y o e bak e ae kn n B.Bonae

Iojesky, Beoeensk 5 an 7 Qe2 Nb7 8 Nf3 Q6 9 B e6 1 - Be7 113 1 Bf4 wou ae en e a pleasan pull ue o s fee eeopmen.

) 6 . e6 7 B2 Be7 8 - - 9 3 Nb7 1 Qe (e m o sly bee one e eelopmen of Blaks queense w 1 Bf4? wen 1 . Nxe5 11Bxe5 N7 12 Bf4 e5 13 Be3 eoes e play afe 1 Qe2) 1. .Nxe5 11 Qxe5 Q4(e sol 11 . ..B6? 12 Qe Rb8 looks ke a bee y; s a o belee a 13B5 6 14 Bxf6 Qxf6 15 Ne4 Qe7 16 Nx6 Qx6 eas anywee fo e an soe m pefe 13 b3?) 12 Qe Rb8 13 Be3 Q8 14 Ra1 (Diagram 4) 14 . e5?(peenn e fom openn e poson fo s moe ae pees w 4,bu alown a woul ae been e lesse el) 15 B5 ef Blak suln osasfaoly efen s epawn n J.RuVAun Coulson 27 as 15 .N7 16Bxe7 Qxe7 17 4 x4 18 Rx4 b5 19 Rf1 woul ae lef e w e nae an onol of e poson

7 d4 (Dagram 5)

Blaks las wo moes aen espeally elpe s eeopmen, an so e senely oe o blow open e poson.

7 ... cxd4?

Now es lea n eelopmen pomses m a eas a pull us Blak soupefe 7 .. .e6 8 Bf4 (8 B2 x4 9 Qx4 B5 equazes, H.Vee-J.Aaaa Vejen

1 9 6



F g B ak Defe d

1993, but 8 Nc4! deseres attenton, rearn to meet 8 . . .cxd4 9 xd4 Bc5 wth1 f4 c6 11 R1 - 1 Be3; that may suffce for a small ull, but s far fromforced and the somewhat more radcal 8 . b5 9 B bxc4! was referred nD.AndreknM.Rodshten, Euroean Chamonsh, lod 8, after whch 1

Bxa8 a 7 11 B cxd4 1 Ne4 Be7 mht not hae en Black qute enouh for theexchane had hte settled for the smle 13 - followed by e and an undermnn b-b3) 8 . .Bd6 9 B Nbd7 (best; 9 . . .- 1 - Rd8! 11 dxc5! xc5 1 eBe7 13 Rad1 Nbd7 14 Nc4! left Black struln to comlete hs deeloment nRudd-A.Hunt Brtsh Chamonsh, carborouh 1) 1 Nxd7 Bxd7 (Diagram 6) whch es hm decent chances o equalze. Now 11 B5 cxd4 1 xd4Be5 13 b4 aS! sdelned hte's queen and saw Black seze a stron ntate n.Rudd-DGormally, Brtsh Chamonsh, Lerool 8, and haen't foundanythn better than 11 Bxd6! xd6 1 dxc5 xc5 13 Rd8 14 e, whch just

looks retty leel after 14 . Bc6 15 Bxc6 xc6 16 Rad1 -.


8 Qxd4 Nc6

hs was the ont of 6 . . c7. Otherwse 8 . Nbd7 9 B£4 enerates early ressureand after 9 .. .c5 1 xcS Nxc5 11 B Ne6 1 Be3 6 13 B7 hte wouldhae obtaned a crushn bnd had he found 14 Na4! Rb8 15 6 - 16 f4 nR.Vedder-.Van Bltterswk, Amsterdam 1.

9 Nxc6 Qxc6 10 Bg ! {Diagram 7)

DANGEROUS WEAPON! Ahead in development and with the dfile open, White is fuly usified in sacrificing a whole rook tofuher his initiative.

1 9 7



Dangerous Wea pon s Ant i -S ii l i an s

10 ... Qxh1!

Criica, bu ow ack mus face a mosrous iiiaie Ta said, e is aready isome roube ad eeds o fid a ood moe (of wic ere is oy oe a isoi:


a 10 6 1 1 0-0-0? (more ricky a 11 xf6 exf6 1 0-0-0 e6 13 1 c5 14 xd4 15 xc6+ bxc6 16 xd4 aou is sufficed for a edame ede iHVedder-oPoar, Amserdam 1995 1..4? (missi a ey daerous sacrifice ack mus refer 1.e6 we I ae foud ayi beer a 12 xf6exf6 13 d3 c5 14 e4 xd4 15 xc6+ bxc6 16 xd4, reaci a iruay deicaedi o VedderPoar i wic ie as a easa u, bu ack reasoabecaces o od wi accurae deece 12 2 x 13 xf6 (Diagram 8) 13 c6(acks ki fids isef defeceess afer 13 exf6? 14 x4, ad 13 xf6? 14Nd5 woud aso be faa 14 x4 xf6 15 Nd5 ef ack uder ue ressure i

ONikoekoDeuski, Moscow 007b 10 . . 4? 11 xf6 f3 1 x7 8? (beer a 1 . d8 13 e5 d6? 14 3 f615 xf6 x£6 16 0-0, wic cos ack a secod aw i HVedder-Mosboom,ijk aa Zee 1997 13 xf8 x1 14 xe7 e6 (14 xe7 15 0-00 f8 16 f4 f3 17b4 7 18 d6 ies ie a so iiiaie, wo aw ad moe aeou for e excae 15 e (15 d? mi we be more recise; 15 . xe7?oses o 16 d3 ad 15 . xe7 16 4+ f8 17 d3 ies ie is usua sroressure for e excae 15 xe7 16 000 was see i Geisma-Picma,Euroea Cub Cu, aiea 008 Now ack soud ae ake is caces ia edame wi 16 d8 17 a7 xd1 18 Nxd1 6, sice e ames 16 c6?soud ae bee me by 17 c4 d8 18 Nd5 xd5 19 xd5 f8 20 f4 wi sroceraiaio

1 9 8



Foc ng B la c to

c) 1 Bf 11 - 6 1 2 Bx£6 x£6 13 B2 c8 (13 x2 14 Nd5 las Blackdfclss du crusi cck c) 14 d2 b8 15 Nd5 did s Blacklas muc lr i HVddr-BVa Ousd, Duc Lau 25

11 0-0-0 (Diagram 9) 11 Bd7


T ly surc I culd fid wic a dc cra 4 5 was 1 Nc3() , amy Harald Kilacks xcl Knight on the Left: N3, wic id ua 1 . Nd fails Black i iw f crusi 12 Nd5 f6 13 B3 .

12 Bxf6 --?

Tis ss by frc, as ds 12 d8 13 Nd5 awil udd ad riuslyfacd 12. Bc6 i }udd-.Dwrakwska, Hasis 23/4, ad afr 13 Bx( srr a 13 B3 xd1+ 14 xd1 xf6, wic is Back w rks fr qu, alu wil d wl ura wiu sddi a fw aws af

r 15 Nd5 B6 1 6 f4) 13 . Bx (13 8 was ssial, au afr 14 B5i as sm iiiai fr xca, as sw by i 14 .f3 15 B2B6+ 16 Kb1 f5 1 Nd5 w Back facs a rim cic bw 1 Bxd5 18xdS c8 19 B5 ad 1 .. f6 18 Nc+ Kf 19 Nxa8 xa8 2 Bc, wi a a adaa fr i i b cass) 14 x 8 (Diagram 10) is rmaly y-aracical y surrisiy missd 15 Bxa6 3 (r 15 . xd1 16 Nxd1 xa6 1 a3w is aci qu ad xra aws ar muc srr a Blacks rks)16 NbS c8 1 5 (Kiack) wi a dcisi aack

ialy, w suld rcurri m f 12 . c6 13 B2, afr wic13 6 (13 c8 lss 14 Bx Bx 15 x f8 16 Nd5 cS 1 5 adrs d dfc b ccks; ras Back mi us ry 13 d6 as Vddr c facd, bu afr 14 xd6 xd6 15 Bxb b8 16 1 B 1 x

1 9 9



Dangeou Wea on Ant -S ic i l i a n

K8 1 8 Bxa6 xf6 1 9 x7 e a a oo muc fo e excane n e ensunenn) 14 N5 15 Bx7 Bx7 16 x7 Rf8 17 4 once aan es e oorea an nae for e excane.

DANGEROUS WEAPON! These lines show just how dangerousWhite's rook sacrifice is ndeed, it's not hard to appreciatewhy both Vedder brothers and Jack Rudd (al decent 2300strength players) have been so attracted to 4 e5!

13 Be5

Preenn e black kn from mon an rearn a ecse aack on eark squares

13 f6 14 Nd5! (Diagram 11) 14fxe5 15 Qxe5 Qxd5


orce, bu Black m as well ae resne; e secon wae of e aack wllfns m off before e can e s knse eces no lay.

16 Rxd5 e6 17 Rd3 Be7 18 Rc3+ Bc6 19 Rxc6+!

Te eases way o wn, as u cks u ye more maeal.

19 bxc6 20 Qxe6+ Kc7 21 Qxe7+ Rd7 22 Qe5+ Kb6 23 b4 Ra8 24 a4 g6 25 Bg2 Rad826 Qc5+ 10

ooking a itte Deepe1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Nc3 Nf6

00



Forc in g Ba ck to Defen d

BEWARE t must be realized that our 4 e weapon does notsuppy a complete system against 2d6. n more than half the7,000 games could find aer 3 Nc3 on ChessBases MegDtbe 2008 3 ...Nf6 was played but its not Blacks ony

choice.

Ideed, ite must fid a ie aaist eac of 3 Nc6 3 . a6 ad 3 e6 I a tosecases e ca immediatey take ay ito te Oe iciia wit 4 d4, o efe 4 3foowed by eite a Cosed set-u o d-d4, tasosi to te fiacetto aiatio of te esectie Cassica Najdof o ceeie Note too tat a sesibeDao aye wi be wt 3 . .Nc6, f ot 3 . Nf6 as 3 . 6? 4 d4 cxd4 5 xd4N£6 6 e5 ies ite a easat u

4 e (Diagram 2)


4..dxe

Amost excusiey ayed aty because 4 Nfd7 5 exd6 exd6 6 d4 just esite a easy ede Tees aso 4 . . .N4 but afte 5 Bb5+ Nc6 (Keiack oitsout tat bot 5 Bd7 6 e6 ad 5 Nd7? 6 e6 ae omisi i bot cases 6 .. .fxe6 7NS eais te aw wit adatae) 6 exd6 xd6 (ite as a ede too afte6 . exd6 7 00 Be7 8 Re1 0-0 9 3 Nf6 10 d4 ae) 7 Ne4? d5 8 d3 Nf6 teewee aious ways to secue te ue ad i Aayad-CRusso, Rome 004icudi 9 e B4 10 c4

5 NxeHa aeady cosideed oe ey imotat aiatio i Rudd-Rose, we tuou attetio to two imotat ateaties:

0 1



Dgeous Wepos At i -S ic i l i s

A Nbd7

B se6

omewhat rarer otios area . . . 6?! 6 B4 ores a weakess ad ater 6 . . .e6 7 3! hite has some ressure7 . .B7 (alteratiely, 7 . . a6 8 Ne4! B7 9 Nx iked u a aw i H.Vedder.os, Duth eaue 199, just like hte does with 7 Nbd7 8 Bb B7 9 Bxd7Bxd7 1 xb7, as oited out by Keilhak 8 Bb (Diagram 13) 8 .Ke7? hardlyideal, but 8 Nbd7 would trasose to a ositio osidered ater 7 .Nbd7 9 -(keei matters simle, whih they would't hae bee i V.BoboloihYArkhiki, eastool 1968, had Blak met the ambitious 9 d4!? with the essetial 9 . . . a6! 1 B! xd4 11 N4 h 9 a6 1 Ba4 7 (1 Nbd7 oe aai sheds a

aw to 11 Bxd7 Bxd7 12 xb7 1 1 Re Bd7 12 d4 Bxa4 13 Nxa4 xd4 14 B4 adhites iitiatie is ar too stro.

b .. .7?! is a little misuided ad should be met by the iorous 6 d4! 6 . . xd4(otherwise 6 . Nbd7? 7 B£4 a 8 N4 d8 9 e2 e6 1 -- let Blak i serioustrouble MMlousek-B.Fiedler, Ceh eaue 1992, ad ate 6 . . a6 hte a doee better tha trasose ito Rudd-Rose with 7 3; a loial ad romisi ideais 7 B4 ater whih 7 . .b6 8 Na4? a+ 9 3 xd4 1 xd4 e6? 11 N4 ad 1-was the abrut ed to RGarriso-AKah, Detroit 23, as 11. 12 Nab6 would

hae wo material 7 xd4 (Diagram 14)


7. N6 (Blak is already i some trouble as 7 . a6 is well met by 8 B4 N6 9 Nx6x6 1 -- ad 7 . Bd7 8 Nb Bxb 9 Bxb Nbd7 1 - looks airly romisitoo 8 Nx6 (simle hess; 8 Nb!? xe+ 9 xe Nxe 1 N7+ Kd 11 Nxa8 a

0



oc in g Blac k to Defen d

be met by 11 .Bf 1 2 B4 Nc6 1 3 00-0+ Kc8 we 14 Nc7 doest work, bu its otimossible tat tere is a way to make ts ariatio work 8 bxc6 9 B4 b6 waste course of A.Ceo-GGooceko, t Petersbur 000, ad ow a simeateratie to te ame's 10 a4 is 10 000? xd4 11 Rxd4 e6 1 Rc4 Bb7 3 Be,

beii to lay aaist Backs queeside weakesses wit a leasat eec 5 .. .d6? attacks te kit wile kee cotrol of te d4square ad isrobably a better, i rarer, try ta our last ariatio Te radmaster clasA.uetiL.D.Nisieau, Caelle a Grade 1998, cotiued 6 Nc4 (6 Bb5 Nbd77 e a6 8 Bx7 Nx7 i e o Black) 6 e6+ 7 Be Nc6 (Diagram ) a ow8 00 (8 NbS 7 led owere i te ame 8 . Nd4 9 Bd3? deseres attetio,rea to uae wit somet ke 9 . . .6 10 Re1 c6 11 Ne4, teeby obtai ecet caces for a ee

d 5 . Be6 6 Bb5+ Nbd7 looks a little uatural, but is robably ot so bad 7 d4cxd4 8 xd4 a6 9 Ba4 aS? (ambtious; Black does better wit 9 . .b 10 Bb3 Bxb311 axb3 e6 1 Nd3, restricti hite to a small ede 10 0-0 00-0 1 1 Nxd7 Bxd7 1Bxd7 Rxd7 13 c4 Rc7 14 xf7 icked o a aw for isufficiet comesatioi ViberoYBalaso, UR Camiosi, Moscow 1969

A) e4 c 2 Nf3 d6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e dxe Nxe Nbd7 (Diagram 16)

Dagram 6 (W) Diagam 7 (B)

6 d4!?

More ote hite as retreated wit 6 Nc4, wic is a decet, ostioal altera

te, but i keei wit our etos, we wil stick wit te sarest coice.6 e6

Backs mai moe, but its wort bei aware wy ite is ay to allow a

0 3



Dageou Wea po : At - i l i a

arly xan of qns 6 . Nx5 7 x5 Qx 8 x ? (mor nomromisina oar tan 8 Nx1 N5 9 N3 Nx3 0 x3 6 1 3, alto t limitrati ssts tat tis too may sffi for a ll 8 N4 9 b5 (Diagam 17)9 7 (lak fo mslf sort of a oo mo aftr 9 . .8? 10 K f5? 11R1+ K8 1 f4 VasikoHR Amstram 1969, an r bot 0 .. 6 1f4 7 1 f3 N6 13 4, as orr n inzttl-Mmi, Hartbr 199, a10 .. .Nx5 1 R1 7 1 f4 f6 13 N5+ Kb8 4 N3 also la im som wayfrom qality 0 6 (t oit of it's lay for t awn ts to smas laks strtr a to rtar s lomt 10 fx6 11 N£6 (it a afnit ll aftr . xb5+ Nxb5 £7 3 a4 a6 4 N3 6 5 N4 6 inizttl-Rnwai, Astran Camionsi, Mrk 001, an now I qtlik 16 Ra3 folow by ratin som trats alon t tir rak 1 3 R8a it fl omnsatio for t aw i .oro-Trofimo, Voroz

003 roin mor is not so asy alto 3 x7? Nx 4 R 6 5 N4mt wll b tri, wit ias of bot N5 a an xa sarifi on 7

sol not tat a fw stro ayrs a rfrr t soli 6 . . x4 7 Qx46 (it obtan t initiati aftr 7 Nx5 8 Qx5 a6 9 5 N4 0 Q3 Qa51 5 1 3 N£6 13 00-0 n R.MKayD.ilor, ottis Camionsi, tArws 98 8 b5 (Diagram 18) bt its mor at lomt ism oo as to rtai a l:

Diagam 18 (B) Diagram 19 (B)

a 8 . .7 9 £4 0-0 0 0-00 Nb6 (0 Nx5 Qx5 Qb6 1 3 Qa5 was rfrr JTimma-DKi, Cas (blitz 006, a ow it mit a sz t

initiati wit 13 R4? 1 Qx8 x8 1 N£3? 7 13 6 x6 4 Rx6 (Diagram 19) 14 . . Nb5 (ossbly bttr s t soi 4 . 7 5 x7 Nbx7 6 R1Nb6, alto it as a small ll aftr 7 b3 taks to is ontrol of t -

0



Fo ng Ba k to Defend

file) 1 5 xd5 exd5 1 6 Re1 Be6 1 7 5 Bf5 18 Re7 saw ite retai a ede adsome ressure i J.TaaGlioric oe Pie 197

DANGEROUS WEAPON! Black might be quite solid here, but

there can be no doubt that White's position is the morepleasant; something which isn't a su rprise when one considersthe active and straightfoward nature of his first 10 moves.

b) 8. . .a6 9 Bxd7 xd7 (Diagram 20) 1 c4 (layi to eai a biso but tisist te oy try for a ede; 1 Be3 Qf6? 1 1 f4 Bc5 1 Qd Bxe3 3 Qxe3 xe5 14fxe5 Q4+ 15 3 Q5 16 Qc5 f6 left Black close to equaity i o lesser ame ta.jubojeicGKasaro Tilbur 1989 ad 1 Bf4? Bc5 11 Qc4 Qa5 1 -- xe513 Bxe5 also looked more easat for ite i DaaraV.Babula Czec eaue5) 1 . b5 (1 .. Qf6? was referred i RMamedoRbraimo Baku 3we tere was oti wro wit te ceck but te ame saw 11 Qxf6 xf6 1a4 b6 ad ow 13 Be3? mit ae led to a smal ede suc as after 13. . .R8 14- Bb7 15 f3 Rb8 16 Kf) 11 d6+ Bxd6 1 Qxd6 Bb7 13 a4 bxa4 14 - Qe7 15 Bf4was areed draw i B Kuraica-ouaesky, Belrade 1969 but ite mitae layed o as 15 ...Rc8 (or 15 Qxd6 16 Bxd6 f5 1 Rxa4 Kf7 18 Rfa1 folowedby Rb4 wit some ressure) 16 Rxa4 Rc6 17 Qxe7+ Kxe7 18 Be3 Rb8 19 Rfa1 woudae retaied a smal ull.

7 Bb (Diagram 21)


o rizes for uessi tis moe as ite cotiues to deelo as aressielyas ossible

7a6

0



Dangerus Weapns : Ant i - S i c i l i ans

7 .cxd4 8 Qxd4 ransses a siin wic we jus discused ia a 6 . . xd4me der. 7 . .e7 ies e a few ins, incudin 8 f, bu refeRf's idea, laer layed by Timman.

DANGEROUS WEAPON! With the aggessive 8 d!? White sets alittle tap 8 .. .0-0? 9 Nxf7! (Diagam 22) is stong as 9 .. .Kxf7 10dxe6+ egains the piee with an exta pawn, beause Blakmust avoid being mated by 10 ..Kxe6? 11 B4+.

Diagam 22 (B) Diagam 23 (W)

lack des beer wi 8 . .exd5 9 Nxd5 a6, aer wc 1 xd7 (1 Nxf6+ xf6 11Nxd7 is e alernaie, bu lack suld be kay afer 11 . Qe7 12 e3 xd7 13xd7 Qxd7 14 Qc6) 1 .. xd7 11 - e6 12 Nxe7 Qxd1 (12 . Qxe7 13 5 Rd814 Qf3 ies ie cances bainin a us) 13 Rxd1 Kxe7 14 e3 Rac8 15 Nd3b6 16 N4 Rd8 17 Nxe6 Kxe6 reaced an unbalanced endame in Jimman

Gsnk, Amserdam 1973, alu is suld be abu equa; lack's cenraliain baances ie's enialy suerir minr iece

c) e slid 7 . Qc7? 8 f4 d6 sn saw ack equalize in G.ilaAukae,Earia 27, bu ie mi ae ried 9 - sill wi sme cances fr a ull9 . a6 (e calm 9 . . .- may be beer wen 1 Nxd7 xd7 11 xd6 Qxd6 12 xd7Nxd7 13 dxc5 Qxd1 14 Raxd1 Nxc5 15 Rd4 leaes ie n mre an a uc beer in e endame) 1 Nxd7 xd7 11 xd6 Qxd6 12 xd7+ Nxd7 13 d5 and iewi eier bain a assed awn r see e cenre en in is faur

8 Bxd7+8 Nxd7 xd7 9 xd7+ Qxd7 1 e3? (missin e las cance en e cenre)1 c4 1 1 - b4 lef ie a uc wrse in Crisce-RPalliser, Yei 22

06



F Ba k Defe d

BEWARE White mustn't, though, go too far to the otherextreme with the pseudoactive 8 Ba4? b 9 Qf3, as 9 Rb8 10Nc6 Bb7 costs him a piece

8 Nxd7 (Diagam 23)Black usually cotius to lay for xcas, altou 8 . .Bxd7 caot b so bad:9 B5 6 10 B4 R (10 . cxd4 11 xd4 B7 1 0-0-0 forcs t biso to mo to aslitly subotimal squar ad is it a ull) 11 Bxf6 xf6 1 Nxd7 xd7 1d5 f5 14 B7 15 0-0-0 oc aa lt Black udr a bit of ctral rssur adslitly wors i G.JosMCbalo, Bratto 005.

9 Qh?

Mor arssi ta 9 £, altou tis also is it cacs for a d

9 Nx5 (bttr ta 9 6? 10 Bf4 cxd4? 11 N4 f5 1 Nc4 6 1 0-00 adit joyd a ry stro iitiati i GEdrK.Birstil, corrsodc 1969)10 dx5 c7 11 Bf4 Bd7 1 0-0-0 Bc6 1 b5 14 R1 Rd8 saw Black slowly uralli ad adi for full quality i Grafl-E.Kislik, Budast 008

9Nxe

Probably bst. Altatily, 9 . .7? 10 B5 Nf6 11 f didt wolly coici M.LcotN.Bmsba, Pau 008, but som stro layrs a trid 9 6 10f ad t

a) 10 .. £5? 1 1 B B7 (bttr ta 1 . Nx5? 1 dx5 c7 1 0-0-0 B7 14 Bd715 B5 , wic ba to xloit Back's dark-squar waksss i MaaduKMa, Murck 1998) 1 000? (t calmr 1 robably imros 1 . . cxd41 Bxd4 Nx5 14 Bx5 00 15 0-0 las it wit a lasat adata, ad as cacs to b slitly bttr aftr 1 .Nx5 1 dx5 c7 14 B£4 followd by0-00 ad 4) 1 . . . cxd4 1 Bxd4 5+ 14 B Nx5 15 Bx5 Nxf 16 x£ 6 17Rd8 K£7 18 Rx8 Bx8 19 Bx6 Bd7 a Black ou lay for is aw NDaisD.Naara, Britis Lau 005 but it took Naara just a coul of wksto switc to t wit sid aaist Babula (s t ots to Black's 6t mo,

abo)b) 10 ..Nx5? 11 dx5 B7 is it a imrod rsio of our mai l, asBlacks dark squars ca quckly b tartd 1 B£4 (siml css, altouDjuric's 1 N4? Bx5 1 B5 a5 14 Bd a4 15 0-0 is a tmti ambt)1 . 00 (1 . c7? 1 b6 14 N4 0-0 15 Nf6 raically xloitd Black'skisid wakss i G.osTZly, Hrc Noi 005) 1 N4 (Diagram 24)1 . .a5+ (bttr ta 1 . £5? 14 xf6 Bx£6 15 Rd1 , wic lft Black struli iAcwitzr-F.Bidric, Grma Lau 005) 14 Bd (disaoitdly for it,

14 c b5 15 0-00 Bd7 16 Nf6+ Bxf6 1 7 xf6 a4 is Black ou coutrlayto draw) 14 .. c7 15 Nf6 K8 16 ss t fit o o, but t ols i Black'skisid romis it t adata

c) 10 .f6 1 1 x£6 Nxf6 as b layd i a fw ams, icludi P.Kotsur-

0 7



Dangerous Weapons : Ant i S ic i l i an s

Zan Zon Asan Team Camons, odur 3, bu nobod as e rede smle 1 dxc5!? xc5 13 6 (Diagram 25) wc looks farl romsn13 e7 (neer does lack mmedael equaze w 13 f8! ? 14 xf8 Kxf8, as15 Rd1 reares o mee 15 K7 w 16 Rd6; a beer defence ere s 15 . . Ke7wen e s no more an a ouc beer afer 16 f3 d7 17 Kf Rd8 18 Rd4 14-- b5 15 f3 b7? (s allows a acc, bu e's kns are quck o exlo equeensde oles afer 15 b4 16 Na4 Nd5 17 Nc6 16 7! R8 17 xf6 xf6 18Nxf7! exlos lack's vuneable second rank o ck off a awn.


dxe Bd7

A sold oe lak las o raduall equalze He also see some saceand 1 . .b5 11 5 c7 1 -- b7 13 Re1 (as n our nex varaon 13 Rd!? deserves serous aenon; ere lack as e exra oon of 13. .b4!?, bu afer 14Rd1 bxc3 15 Rd8 Rxd8 16 Rxd8 xd8 17 xd8 Kxd8 18 xf7 e canno be

worse w s queen so acvel laced 13 . e7 14 xe7 xe7 15 Rd6 Rd8 16Red1 - would ave ven e no more an a sma ede n Kosur.Ansmov, eersbur 3, ad e aed o asss s kn and dssuade. .f6 w 17 4.

mar bu worse for lack s e more assve 1. .b6?!, afer wc 11 5 c7 1-- b7 13 Rd! (Diagram 26) 13 ... e7 14 xe7 (14 Rd1 xe5 15 f4 f5 16 4 f3!s a ke esource 14. . .xe7 15 Rd1 c6 6 Rd6 ves e conro of e oson. However, lack sould refer a o 13 . xe5? (or 13. . 6? 14 Rd1 x5 15x8 xe5 16 f3 and lack ddn' ave anwere near enou for e excane n

LLjubojevcK.Rooff, Malaa 1971 14 f4 f5 (e wns oo afer 14 c7 15Rd1 e7 16 Rd7 15 d1 ! f6 16 4 6 17 Re ! fx5 18 £5, wc ves e awnnn aack, as oned o b Rooff n Informant .

0 8



Foc ng Bac k to Defend

11 Bg Qc

Preferable to . . .e7? 1 Ne4 a5 (ee worse would be 1 . .? 13 - x514 Nx5 h6 15 Ne4 c7 wch walks ito 16 Nf6 13 c3 c6 14 xe7 xe4 15 h46 16 - ad hites dar-square coro was rather awkward for te black ki

i E.EoroRIbrahimo, led Olymiad .12 00-0! Bc6!

The eaw is, of course, taboo: 1 . . .xe5?? 13 Rxd7 Kxd7 14 xf7 Kc6 15 f4ies hite a decisie attack

13 Rhe1 Be (Diagram 27)

lack has defeded well, albeit somewhat more solidly tha the aerae icilialayer would like to, ad is ery close to ful equality. Perhas hite miht cosider 14 xe7? xe7 15 Rd6 16 Red1 Rad8 17 4, sice 14 Ne4 didt realyead aywere after 14 xe4 15 Rxe4 Rd8 16 Rxd8 xd8 17 xe7 xe7 18 R4- 19 h6 £5 ex£6 xf6 i OPaoPoluaesky, Maila Iterzoal 1976.


B) 1 e4 c 2 Nf3 d6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e dxe 5 Nxe e6 6 BbS+

hite has a decet, more ositioal alteratie i 6 e, but theres o reaso otto oce aai exloit the absece of ...a6 to ie a check.

6 .. Bd7 (Diagram 28)

7 Nxd7

TRICKY TRANSPOSITION Black usual ly prefers 6 ... Nbd7 after

which 7 d4 takes play back into ine A and a number of gamesmentioned there began this way including LjubojevicKasparov.

0 9



Dangerous eapons : Ant i- S i ci l i an s

ie aes e biso air, bu e mi also lay o obain a bi of ressure wi7 f3? c7 (or 7 b6 8 Nc4 c7 9 3 Nc6 1 Bf4 an e weaness of e 6-square ave ie an ee in Cenrei-FKovacs, Hunarian Leaue 83, afer wic 8 N (oo efence, wereas 8 Nc6? 9 Nxc6 x3 1 x3Bxc6 11 Bxc6 bxc6 1 3 woul leave Blac sale wi a miserable queensiesrucure 9 6 1 Nx7 Nx7 11 3 Be7 (HBlauu-JEnricci, corresonence4 1 6 ? -- 13 Bx7 Rx7 14 c6 1 a4 is eras a ouc moreleasan for ie

7 Nbxd7

Usual, wereas 7 Nfx7 8 4 a6 9 Bx7 x7 allowe ie o seie e avanae wi e emaic 1 in Vavicevic-NRisic, Ulcinj 1997; ie soulalways loo ou for suc an ooruniy wen Blac refuses o excane on 4

8 - Be7 9 d4 cxd4 10 Qxd4 00 (Diagram 29)

Diagram 28 {W) Diagram 29 {W)

Tis osiion was assesse as equal by Joe Gallaer in NCO Blac is cerainlyvery solily lace, bu ie oes ave e biso air an us some reasonsfor oimism RKolmov-EGeller, UR 1973, coninue 11 Bf4 Nb6 1 Bex4 13 Bx4 Rfc8 an e iea of Nc4 enable Blac o equalie, bu iemi o beer wi 11 R1? c7 (1Nb6 can now be me by 12 e 1 4,reainin some cances o laer u e biso air o oo use

Concusion

Many blac layers believe a 4 e is farly innocuous, bu suc a misueview an a lac of any real eoreical nowlee can easily lea o rouble Blaccan equalie if e is careful, bu oin so is no so sraiforwar

10



Forc g B ac k Defed

e'e examie wo riial lies 5. . .a6 6 3 a 5 . . Nb 6 4 e6 Bb5) i whihhie a quikly whi u a sro iiiaie if Blak is jus a lile areless, a Iwoul imaie ha boh aressie ariaios will oiue o laim ususein ms e aais a reare ooe oe a lay 4 e5 for ie risks

lile, alhouh we shoul o fore ha a say blak layer may aoi heeemily aural 3 . . . Nf6 i resose o 3 N3

1 1



Chapter Nine

Crossing Wite's PlansRihad Palser

1 e4 cs Nf3 6 3 4 cx4 4 Qx4 Nc6 Bbs B7 6 Bxc6 bxc6!? (Da-gram 1)

Dagram 1 (W)

The 4 xd4 ariaio is o wihou is daers or Blak Aer 4 N6 5 B5 Bd7 6Bx6 Bx6 7 N3 (7 4 is a osiioal alraie) 7 N6 8 B5 a shar, oosie-

1



Coss ing Wite ' s P l an s

sde castln suaton usually arses n wc Black realy must know wat esdon. ome layers ae tred to aod suc a scenaro wt 4 . a6 or 4 .Bd7, buttat entals alown a Maroczy Bnd w 5 c4. Many mt well, tou, referto aod bot tose lans f tat was someow ossble.

I belee tat recaurn on c6 wt te awn rater tan te bso n te manlne fts Backs crtera fary well. He takes control of d5 and oens te bfle; tuste s unlkely to castle lon and neter can e occuy te d5-square after on c4. Te small downsde s tat Black fals sltly bend n deeloment, buts stron centre enabs m to et away wt tat Moreoer, wle e as aclear lan to deelo ( . . .e5, ..c7 and . Ne7-6), t s muc arder for te tocome u wt a ood lan, as well see n te follown all-randmaster clas.

0 D.Svetushkn•

SalkiasAth n s 2004

1 e4 c Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb d6 4 d4 cxd4 5 Qxd4 Bd7 6 Bxc6 bxc6!? 7 c4

tes man moe before deeon s queensde, e ncreases s centra control.

7 e

Deelon wt 7 . . .c5 8 d3 6 as been a ouar alternate and s not so bad,

but we wll focus on te sltly more dynamc . . .e5 set-us.8 Qd3 (Dagram )

Dagram 2 (B) Dagram 3 (W)

tes narabe coce, altou on te odd occason e as been known toretreat elsewere. If ossbe Black sould stll contnue wt . .Ne7-6 (nconuncton wt 8 c7 f te as retreated down te d-fe) . Te only way

1 3



Dangrus Wans : Ant i - S i ci i an s

uco w c7 f as rrad dow dfl) T oly way I cas wc m cu across s la s w urd c3 (layfor c4-c5; d c7 9 b3 fals o roubl lack wo m cou 9 ..N7 10 a3N6 11 0-0 4, bu m do br w 9 f5), alou lack ca

ca las ad .Nf6 9 Nbd c5 10 00 7 11 b3 00 followd by N adr .f5 or ..Nc76 sms f for m

8 Qc7!?

T Grk Gradmasr cors s d6-aw rarao for mo s ka 7 o ak u a f ouos o 6 lack as mo usually dlod w. Nf6 ad 7, bu rfr Halkass aroac Radrs wo do oo may alsows o cosdr a coul of qu rar mo ordrs:

ROLL THE DICE! By developing with 8 f6!? 9 Nc3 Ne7 Black

sets a little trap 10 Qxd6?? Nd imprsons the queen!

A muc mor ssbl rsos s 10 0-0 6 1 1 Rd1, afr wc 1 . N6 1 b4 (afarly commo mof was o brak u lacks cr w b4-b5 or somms c4-c5) 1 .7 13 b5 (13 3 00 14 a4 would b a slowr da ad owc lack m m w 14 f5, sc s uabl o xca of5 ad occuy 4 r) 13 0-0 14 bxc6 R 15 Nd5 (a frs s may look a llbr for , bu lack wll rssur c4 ad brak w f5, rby obasuffc courcacs) 15 . Rxc6 16 3 d7 17 Nd Rfc 1 Rab1 f5 (Diagram3) ld o a rouly balacd oso HHcHolm, uao Olymad 196.

A rarr aroac as b .. b, cor d6 ad am o forc o lay b3 ZZaar-EGras, Caa 1995, coud 9 0-0 6 (9 N7dsrs ao oo) 10 Nc3 Nf6 11 b3 7 1 N4 0-0 13 Nf5 xf5 ad r aarly draw was ard; 14 xf5 Rd 15 3 sould b f for lack w ssro cr

9 0-0

m dlay s for a b ad 9 Nc3 N7 10 N4 cod our ma am CscaAlsbrr, Ausra au 00 Idd, 10 f6 11 00 would rasos o os o s 11 mo, blow, bu lsbrr rfrrd som mor ambous 10 6 1 1 5 6 (Diagram 4) 1 3 (mor crcal, bu farfrom clar would a b 1 f6 R7 13 Nf3 N 14 4 5 15 3 b6 ssdls s bso ad s lack som ksd lay, bu mus wacou for Na4 ad c5 das) 1 Rd 13 f4 7 14 fx5 dx5 15 6 16 0-0 0-0 adlack was f

O brak wc lack mus always k a y o s arao s c4-c5, al

ou s rarly asy for h o forc w ffc: 9 b3 N7 10 0-0 N6 1 13 7 1 Rd1 Rd 13 Nbd 0-0 (lack s alrady qu comforabl) 14 c5 was,for sac, mos craly msudd as 14 d5 saw lack adac cr

1



Coss i ng W i t' s l an s

wi adaae i L.acez Moreo-Core rasque, Mislaa 1995.

9N7 (Diagram 5)

I like Blacks se-u wi is ki o 6, suori e e5aw aais c4c5ideas ad assisi ay fuure kiside lay A similar idea is ofe see i eRossolimo ariaio Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 e6 4 Bxc6 bxc6 we Black follows u wi aquick .Ne7-6 ad ...e5, as layed by Radjabo, afer wic ie ca, as ere,srule for a ood la.


Noe a eres o eed for 9 6 a is sae, bu we sould sill ake a look ase furer course of Doaldso-cill eale 979, was quie isrucie: 1b3 Rd8 1 1 Rd1 Be6 1 Bb Ne7 13 Nc3 N6 14 c5? (uable o fid a aricularlyood la, ie seizes e cace o smas u Blacks aws; 14 b4 was ossible, bu e Black mi ee rooke a kiside weakess wi 4 .Nf4? 15 f

Be7 we quie like is ame, as - ad .f5 is ery muc o e aeda)4 .dxc5 15 xd8 xd8 6 Rxd8 Kxd8 7 Na4 f6 18 Nd (o coer e c4-squarebefore aacki c5, bu is is a lile slow) 18 .Nf4 9 Ba3 c4 (simle cess, alou a case could also be made for e more maerialisic 19 Nd3!? d Kc71 Nc4 Nb4) Bx£8 Rxf8 1 bxc4?! (1 Nc5 would ae offered ie beercaces for couerlay, desie e aw mius) Nd3 Rb1 Kc7 3 Kf Rd8ad Blacks suerior ieces ae im a rey leasa adaae ideed

10 Nh4

e Moldoa radmaser was o bri is £-aw io lay is is iesmos acie aroac, as sow by e aleraies

a) 1 Nc3 N6 11 b3 (ie referred o ceralize wi 1 Re Be7 1 Be3 - 3Rad1 i H.Millia-A.Ayazya, ydey 7, ad ow 3 ..B4 would ae

1



Dangeous Weaons nt i - S c i l i ans

eace ..5 wi oo lay insea e ame saw 13 . Ra8 1 4 e2 5 wenciical woul ae been 15 c5 4 16 cx6 x6 17 c4+ K8 18 xa7, nein aawn, alou ae 18 . .4 19 Rx6 x6 c5 6 1 x8 x3 lack woulae a ecen comensaion in iew o is kinsie cances) 1 1 . .e7 1 Ne -13 N3 makes i ae o lack o beak wi . .5, bu e calm 13 ..Re8 14 e3Ra8 15 c3 8 16 Ne1 b7 (Diagram 6) 17 R1 e6 eae u o . 5 an was aleas equal o lack in EGueo-J.Rio, ueal 1986; we soul nee oea s biso ai is a useul lon-em asse

Diagam 6 (W) Diagram 7 (W)

b) 1 e3 N6 1 c5 (as oo a ime as any o e is in, weeas 11 Nc3 e7 13 - 1 3 Ra1 Ra8 14 b3 was a lile lanless om ie in V.CiubaaA.Nikoloa, Peeal (ai) 27, an en 14 .6 15 Ne 5 saw lack seizin einiiaie in emaic syle; ee 12 R1 R8 13 3 14 Rac b8 15 b3 6 ollowe by aanin . . .5 was also ey comoable o lack in I.Lewyk

RPallise, ees (ai) 9) 1..xc5 12 c3 6 (Diagram 7) soul be ine olack: 13 xc5 N4 14 K1 xc5 15 xc5 b6 ies im ecen counelay, ane slowe 13 Nb e6 14 Rac also ails o bin ie any aanae ae14 . . . R8 15 Nb3 c4 16 Nb e7 17 Nxc4 ie as a bi o queensie essue,bu lack's bisos ae ey well lace an e mi een us . c5.

c) 1 R1 N6 11 b3 (alenaiely, 1 1 Nc3 e7 1 3 6 13 e3 R8 14 Ne 15N3 e6 was ey comoable o lack wen JGen-M.Oso, Miecuea Ciuc1, was emauely aee awn; moe ambiious an callenin is 11 c5xc5 12 e3, as ie ie in M.Holzaeue-TNaeele, embe 1996, bunow 12 . e7 13 c2 - 14 xc5 xc5 15 xc5 e6 16 Nb2 b6 soul ie lackenou counelay on e queensie an wi ieas o . . .N4) 1 R8 1 5(somewa moe ecenly 1 2 Nc3 e7 13 b4 - 14 b5 was seen in OCee-

1 6



Cross ig Wite s P a ns

NKelecevc, Mary 28, ad ow bo 14 £5? ad 1 4 Be6 15 bxc6 xc6 16Nd5 f5 sould be okay) 12 £6 13 Be3 was advocaed ECO based o e ameVBarov-GRumasev, UR 1969. However, I'm o covced a forc 6 from Black s suc a b ad 13 Be7 14 3 Be6 15 Nc3 - (Diagram 8) 16

Rac would ave bee fe for Black ad e foud 16 .b7? (cou o der c4-c5 deas, wle suor a laer d5; 16 d7 17 K2 6? 18 c5 avee a leasa ull e ame) 17 c2 £5, as 18 c5? (robably oo ambous;oweve, 18 N5 Bc8 s fe oo for Black ad eve 18 B5 fxe4 19 Bxe7 xe7 2xe4 e8 ves m a fary dyamc seu, esecally as N£4 may folow)18. .d5 19 exd5 cxd5 would ave ve Black a moble ad daerous cere

Diagram 8 {W) Diagram 9 (W)

10f6

A useful sem-roylacc move for we e oes £4, alou was alsoossble o be w 1 Be6, as 11 N£5? Nxf5 12 ex£5 Bc8 13 £4 Be7 seems okayfor Black

11 f4

Cosse, bu e m also delay s w 1 1 Nc3 we 1 Be6 (. 5? 12Nf5 Nx£5 13 exfS folowed by Ne4 sould favou e) 12 Be3 Rd8 13 Rad1 que a sesble se-u Black sould robably resod w 13 d7 (13 6 14 £4reveals e's dea ad ves m a ull, because 14 exf4? 15 Bx£4 5 s owraer uncovc vew of 16 Bxd6), so a 14 £4? (roducvely wa w14 b3 s robably a beer ry, alou 14 5? 15 N£3 N6 sould offer Black

suffce couercaces o e ksde ca be me by 14 exf4 15 Bxf4 5,wc ves e o more a a b of comesao for e ece afer 16 Bxd6x4 17 e5 f5 18 Na4 N6 19 Nc5 £7

17



Dangeous Weaon s : Ant i S ic i i an s

1 1...Be6 (Digm 9) 12 Nc

eii space wit 1 f5? woul ae bee a ouble-ee coice After 1 b613 K1 13 Be3? rops a paw to 13 Bxc4! 13 Bf7 14 Nc3 4 Blacks miorpieces mit be i a ule, but c4 is weak a S immiet

12 ... Rd8 1 BeOc aai 13 fS esere attetio, altou after 13 . Bf7 14 Be3 5 15 cxS cxS16 Rac b7 Black is oli eeryti toeter.

Possibly 13 Nf3!? woul ae bee a touc more callei ta te ame cotiuatio, altou Black still looks comortable eou after 13 exf4 14 Bxf4N6 15 Be3 Ne5 is kit is a fie piece i tis ariatio

1 ...exf4

Te simplest meto of utali Halkias puts a stop to f4f5 ieas a prepares to excae a set of pieces

14 Rxf4

Tis opes te -file for Blacks rook, but it was impossible for ite to try to exploit is better eelopmet after 14 Bxf4? i iew of te piecewii 14 5

14 . Ng6 15 Nxg6 hxg6 (Digrm 10)

Digm 10 (W) Digrm 11 (W)

16 Rf2?

Te Mooa Gramaster uerestimates te aer ow te -file ite

mit ae keep is rook o f4 for as lo as possible a after 16 R1 5 17 RfS matters woult ae bee so clear for istace, 18 3 xc4 19 x8+ x8 Rx8 Kx8 1 R sees hite escapi ito a ubalace ei, altou Isuspect tat Black is slitly for coice after Kc7 Bxa7 Bb4

1 8



Co ing Wite P a

Oe a see wy etuski didt like te look of 16 3! 17 Rff 4, but teroylactic 16 3! doest seem too bad ad after 16 .e7 17 b4 te ositio is'teasy to assess.

16..d!

DANGEROUS WEAPON! One advantage of 6 ...bxc6 is that itgives Black the bishop pair and here Hakias seizes the chanceto open the position and get those bishops into pay.

17 Bf4 dxc4 18 Qe2?!

ite fails to readjust to te defesie task i time He sould ae attacked 6ad after 18 3 f7 19 Rd1 Rxd1+ 2 Nxd 5 21 d6 e7 22 Rd2 lack would

ae bee better but would ot ae foud it triial to maitai cotrol18 .. Qb6 19 Kh1 Rd3! (Diagram 11)

Now Halkias is i cotrol ad does't sli u as e beis to rosecute is lareadatae

20 e f 21 Rf3 Qd4 22 Rxd3 cxd3 23 Qf3 Kf7! 24 Be3?

No doubt rater disillusioed wit is ositio, etuski bluders a secodaw More resolute would ae bee 24 Rd altou after 24 c5 25 3 Rc8ite remais badly tied dow ad somewat worse

24 .. Qxe 25 Bf4 Qd4 26 Be3 Qc4 27 Bxa7 Bd6 28 Bg1 Rb8!?

Also sufficiet to do te job would ae bee 28 f4 29 xf4 xf4 followed bseerdi ome te daw, but Halkas refers to kee te iitiatie

29 Rd1 Rxb2 30 Rxd3 Be 31 Qe3 Qg4 (Digram 12)

Diagam 12 (W) Diagam 13 (W)

1 9



Dngerus Wens : nt i - S i c i l i ns

32 Rd2

Afe 3 B£ £4 33 xf4 Bxf4 Wie wul have ha a ls enin, bu nw helses a iece

32 ...Rxd2 0-1

Black uns ff a fine ame ecisely; 3 Rx 33 x b4 wins a iece

ookig a ittle Deepe

1 e4 c 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4

RCKY RANSPOSON his is the normal route into our

�

weapon but it may also be of interest to those who contest thatRossolimoMoscow hybrid which arises aer 3 Bb5 Nc6 as

then 4 d4 cxd4 5 Qxd4 Bd7 transposes to the Qxd4 system.

3 ...cxd4 4 Qxd4 Nc6 5 Bb5 Bd7 6 Bxc6 bxc6? (Diagram 13)

eve aleay examine 7 c4, which has been laye in slihly me han halfhe ames ve fun wih he lesse-knwn ecaue n c6 e nw u examine

A 7 0-0

B e?

Line A is faily cmmn; Line B quie ae, bu n wihu is lic

RCKY RANSPOSON Another common move is 7 Nc3 but

�

aer 7 ... e5 8 Qd3 Qc7 White has nothing better than 9 -,transposing to the note to his 9th move in ine A.

n his sequence hie mih als aim even Ne7 wih he unusual 8 c4bu Black shul be faily hay chane aach in u 8 Be7 9 Nf6 10BS - 11 Ra1 (hie eaes mee 11 c7? wih 1 Bxf6 Bxf6 13 NS)11.b8 is faily cmfable f him ue his cenal eneance anhes lack f an esecally lan

e shul als examine 7 BS, which evens u efee eS seu, bu ffes Black a ecen chice:

a) Afe he 7 b6 (lically layin aains b nw ha he bish has mve S

c3 (hie bably es bes kee he queens n 8 Nb x4 9 Nx4 6 1- B7 11 Nc4 c5 1 3 Be6 3 Nba5 N£6 14 Rhe1 N7 ke he e5-squae ue cnl an was faily cmfable f Black in HAeshiu-Fbhani,Ian 199) 8 Rb8 (Diagram 14) 9 b3 Nf6 1 N h6 11 Be3 (11 Bx£6 x£6 1 0-

0



Crss ng W te s P ans

S ecoes the Rauze and sould be okay fo Black; t wll be ad fo te toobtan any seous cental essue) 1 . c5 12 d3 of NAndeescu-CRusu, Romana 1994, 12 6 would hae been a decent altenate to the ames moe ambtous 1 N4?.


b) Black mt also nsst on an eS set-u wt 7 f6? 8 Be3 eS, wc looks lke adecent alteate. The only examle I could fnd contnued 9 d (9 d3 alsofas to suly any adantae as Black can beak wt 9 Be6 10 c4 dS) 9 .. Be6 10Nc3 d5 1 1 exdS cxdS 1 0-0-0 and now 1 . d4? 13 Bxd4 exd4 14 Nxd4 ae htea ston ntate fo te ece n G.Keeln-LHunt, Guesey 001, but 1 . . .Bb4would ae been omsn fo Black wth hs ston cente

A) 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Qxd4 Nc6 5 Bb5 Bd7 6 Bxc6 bxc6 - e5 8 Qd3

Once aan by an oewhemn man te usual coce of eteat squae. temt now contnue wt c4 o e mt sk tat and o Nc3. Moeoe, weshould note tat ths moe ode was adocated n Cs Bakes 1998 wok AStartling Che pening Repertoire whch endosed 4 xd4

8... Qc7 9 Rd1!? (Diagram 1) TRICKY TRANSPOSITION Whites usua chice here has actuaybeen 9 c4 taking pay back int the eam f SvetushkinHakias.

Te text s a tcky, ndeendent ty and bette than 9 Nc3 Hee classcal deeloment wt 9 Be7 looks qute comfotable fo Black and, ndeed, 10 Rd1 Rd8 11c4? Nf6 1 BS Be6 13 a4 0-0 aleady left hm fo efeence n G.allRal-

1



Dangeous Wea ons Ant S c l ans

sr Briis Lu 009 Howv on in 9 . N7!? wl rr is y mun oon n r 1 0 BS (1 0 N4 R 11 B3 B6 1 4 6 sou so b oky orBk 10 .. .N6 11 R1 6 1 B B6 13 N B7 14 4 0-0 15 N3 R mrs urn ou irly wl or Blk in .Drozy-Goszoy, Nyiryz 00.

9

Rd8Bk ors som suor o 6 n, o ours, 9 . . N7 is imossibl r s 10x6 x6 11 Rx6 jus wins lr wn.

0 4

On in is is Wi's mos llnin o; 10 Nb2 N6 11 N4 is loil olow-u o rssur 6 bu Bk quizs wi 1.B6 1 BS B7(Diagram 6)

Diagram 6 W) Diagram 7 W)

Ts osiion ws uly r rwn in J.Mvriv-TOksnn, Hlsinki

00 n 13 Bx6 Bx4 14 x4 Bx£6 15 R3 0-0 16 R1 B7 soun' o nyr or Bk; is 6- n 6 wn wl o b br

0Be

Hvin or n rly R1 ou o Wi, Bk ss or ssi su. Anuni ro or os wo r rmin o ly . N7-6 is 10 . B6wn 11 NS (Wi's or ry is 11 N3 N7 1 B3 N6 13 S; irs r 13 . .x5 14 x x 1 R Kx 16 N4 wou i m ni ul in oromin nin, bu 16 .6 17 Bx5 BxS 1 NxS K7 19 R1 Rb soulnb Bk o rum u suiin ounry . . .B (1...N7 1 Nx6 x6is Bk nr sruur soul rrly omlin bou bu r 13 B56 14 3 is qui wkwr 1 N3 (or 1 4 B7 13 N3 N6 wi n osiion or Bk; ...x4 n .N4/7-5 my olow 1 . .N7 13 B3 N6 os o-



Cross ing Wite s lan s

stos cosdered etusk-Halkas ad sould be okay for Black.

11 N3 N6 (Diagram 17) 12 Bg

tes most local moe ad te oe layed te most we ts osto asarse (from a umber of moe orders) . Alterately

a) 12 b4 ? Be6 1 B5 0-0 14 Rac Qb6 15 a (15 Bxf6 Bxf6 16 b5 looks more localad was layed wt te black quee back o b7 G.TroL.Eas, Luao1968; ere Black sould resod 16 . . .Rc8 we 17 Qxd6 Bxc4 18 Nxe5 Bxe5 19Qxe5 Rfe8 sould suly eou couterlay ad 17 bxc6 Qxc6 18 Nd5 Bxd5 1 9QxdS fd8 also seems teabe, as c4 s a touc weak ad tes kt some wayfrom d5) 15 . . 6 16 Bxf6 Bxf6 17 b5 Rc8 was farly leel A.eadesNuyeA Du, Moscow Olymad 1994; 18 Qxd6 Bxc4 19 Nxe5 Bxe5 20 Qxe5 fe8 1Qd4 Qxd4 Rxd4 cxb5 s a ed wc certaly olds o fears for Black.

b) 12 b 0-0 1 Ba Bc8 14 Qc2 N5 bea ksde couterlay ad was fe forBlack V. HaseJlut, Zwolle 2004.

12 Be6 13 Bxf6

Play to br s kt to d5 s tes best la. Oterwse 1 Rac Qb8(reet b4 1 . 00 14 Nd5 cxd5 15 cxd5 st so terrble for Black, but 15 . . .Qb716 dxe6 fxe6 17 Qc4 sould e te a ede) 14 R1 (Baker ad to admt tat14 b 0-0 was oly equal, wc t s) 14 b4 15 Nd2 00 16 a Qb7 17 Bxf6 Bxf618 b4 ddt e te ay adatae ad was areed draw at ts ot

H.Hade-A.Holls, corresodece 198 18 ...Rd7 19 b5 Rc8 mt follow we . .Bd8a5/b6 becomes ery muc a oto.

13 Bxf6 14 b4 0-0 15 Ra1 Be7 (Diagram 8)


Black s ery sold ere ad te lo ru s bsos mt come to ter ow.

3



Dangeous Weapons : Ant c l ans

The ame Heier-M.alae Eas Germay 199 coiued 16 b5 (or 16 Nd5b7 17 Nxe7 xe7 18 b5 6 19 bxc6 c7 wh eouh coueplay aas c416 .5 17 Nd5 (17 bxc6 xc6 18 Nd5 d7 would hae echoed he eshikoad bee dyamically balaced, oly o he uure radmaser o mis 17 ...cxd518 cxd5 b7 wih a ame-wii X-ray aais e4.

B) 1 e4 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 xd4 4 Qxd4 N6 5 Bb Bd7 6 Bx6 bx6 7 e!?

A ucompromisi bu loical moe. hie prees ..e5 ad prepares o exersome early ceral presure

7 d Diagram 19)

lack ha ried 7 . .b6 here oo bu boh 8 c3 ad 8 exd6 xd4 9 Nxd4 exd6 1- ie hie chaces or a pull

8 4Coiui hie ceral play, bu his is by o meas hi oly approach

a 8 e6 9 Nc3 c5 1 4 Ne7 ies lack a dece eouh rech-like e-up,ad aer 1 1 Re Rb8 12 a3 h6 (preei ay ideas o N5 or 5 beore hekih eads or a excelle square o 5 13 Rb1 c6 14 Ne2 N5 15 N4 6hie was beii o rule or a ood pla i eba Kaalek, arajeo1968.

b 8 Nbd2 b6 (wisely aoidi allowi hie a clamp wih 8 . . e6 9 Nb3 9 d3

(9 Nb3 xd4 1 Nxd4 e6 ow leaes hie uable o pree ..c5 wih a oodame or lack 9 . Nh6 (9 . e6 was ie, bu lack is aer omehi more ambiious 1 Nb3 5 11 c3 e6 Diagram 20) 12 e3 b4 13 xb6 xc3 14 bxc3 axb615 Nd4 Kd7 ae lack ome adaae due o his perior srucure iRGoedarica-N.Mie, Odaci 1978

Diagram 20 (W) Diagram 21 B)

4



Cross ig ite s P a s

c) B3 9 3 (9 c5!? is o ss ffci, rarig o rgai aw i of 1 Bxc5 Rc 11 b4 BxcS 1 bxc5 7) 1 f5 was fi for Back iJoriao MayaJCor Frasqu, ai 1995, as 1 1 Bc5 Bxc5 1 xc5 b woulda rd i from raiig ic coro of c5.

d) ? Bx 9 5 Bd7 1 c4 faid o gi i oug for is aw iJVras azMira Garcia, a basia 7

8 .e6 9 Nc3

A firs I was a i cocrd a i ad 9 c5! ? r, bu i rasirs aBack wi obai suffici couray oc as camy comd is dom: 9 Rb 1 b4 7 11 f5 1 c3 B7 ( ky ida of .. ad £bgis o ak sa) 13 d4 !? (by o mas ssia 13 xd4 14 xd4 sms ayab oo, as 15 f4 f 1 d fx5 17 fx5 Rxf+ 1 xf acias

qu wi dc oug couray) 14 d (agais 14 xfS x£5 15 Bb Backad o doub rard 15 . a5! 1 a3 c7 foowd by rssurig b4 wi . b7)14 . xd4 15 xd4 f 1 f4 B !? was a maic rcik aciaio of badbiso ad ga Back dc courcacs i Joz AosoJMro Moras,Asurias 1993

.Ne7 10 - Nf 11 Qf4 (Dagram 21) 11 .. h6

Kig is ics ou of g5, bu is is by o mas oy aroac ad1. 5 1 R1 B7 13 b3 aS smd fi oo i CisakMVasi, Mdi 199

12 Re1 Be7 13 Nd4 g!? 14 Qd2 Nxd4 15 Qxd4 Qb6 16 Qd1 Qb4 foowd gam RLamadGarou, rc Lagu 3, i wicBacks aci aroac ad f im wi dc couray.

Concusion

Mig ricky 4 xd4 ariaio wi 4 ...c 5 BbS Bd7 Bxc bxc!? ooks ika good ida for os k o o b mad i mai i ( Bxc) or o uffr ia sadard Maroczy osiio i ca si ay c4, bu a su wi .5, c7

ad .7g ooks ik a good aido. Im o a a sur wy is as' bayd mor of, bu a dos ma a i may w cac ou a xricd xd4 raciior!

2 2 5



Chapter Ten

A Tubo-ChagedKing's ndian AttakJohn Emms

1 e4 cs Nf3 e6 3 g3 (Dagram 1)

Diagram 1

e a a mber of Acla opo afer Nf3 e6 (for example, 3 d3, 3Nc3, 3 b3, 3 c3 ad 3 c4 ad all of ee moe ae accmlaed ome eory,

6



A TurboC arged K i g s d i a Attack

bt sm asn 3 g3 has vd ltt n gntn Chkng thghpvs Antlan matal nd th vag th t b dsappntng vn nn-xstnt vn thgh 3 g3 has bn playd by th lks Mvhtvsky Tkahv Glk and passky ndd ths mght alady pvd a a

sn why 3 g3 ld b a Dangs Wapn WhtWhat s h da bhnd ths aly anhtt? Wll Wht s tyng t play a tbhagd vsn th ng's ndan Attak (KA) whh nmally ass at 3d3 Th pnt s that n many lns th A aganst th an Whts vntalplan s d3d4 sally ppad b 3. why nt sav a tmp and play -d4 nn g! O s as w shall s lat t's nt qt as smpl as that bt t's lathat ths addtnal pssblty d2-d4 gvs Blak plnty t think abt

A maj pstv s that n tw Blak's mst ppla dns aganst 3 d3smply d nt wk h a pnt gaphally dmnstatd n th llwng gam.

0 S.Akpov • M.Epebam

Ausha 1994

e4 c 2 Nf3 e6 3 g3 Nc6 4 Bg2 g6?

Fanhtng th kng's bshp s a vy ppla way mtng th standadA bt h t ns nt smthng qt nasty

5 d4 (Digrm 2)

Digrm 2 (B) Digrm 3 (B)

And h t s Wht hss an Opn lan at all Fthm t's n nwhh 6 dsn't ally t n wth . g6 lavng Blak patlaly vlnabl nth dak sqas.

7



Dagerous Wea pos At i -S i c i l i a s

TRCKY TRANSPOSTON King's ndin Atck plyers migh befmil ir with the tricky ide of 3 d3 Nc6 4 g3 g6 5 d4? cxd4 6Nxd4 Tht line isn't too troublesome for Blck s long s heknows wht he's doing, but the whole extr tempo n our line is

ceinly gong to help Whitescxd4 6 Nxd4 Bg7

6 a6 has th advantag pvnting Whit's nxt mv (inidntally it alsnaly lavs Blak in a psitin t bgin a gam hks!) Whit shld stillmantan sm advantag thgh at 7 00 Bg7 Nx6 bx6 9 4 (9 N3 N7 0Qd6! Bb7 Na4 Qb 2 Qa3 N 3 4 d6 4 S ! lt Whit wll n tp inTPtsianNMiis Lasann 2005 bt Blak shld pbably hav tid 9 d5)and nw 9 N7 ( 9 d6 0 N3 N7 BgS 0-0 2 Qd2) 0 Qd6 (Dgrm 3)

whn Bak is ath tid p and laking spaI think Whit has tw ways ahiving an advantag at 6 Qb6 Th ist is thtypial tat 7 Nb3 xampl 7 Bg7 0-0 Ng7 9 4 0-0 (DabkNHmann hwabish mnd 2005) and h I p 0 N3 0 S!? tth gam's 0 Na3

Th snd pssibility is 7 Nx6 bx6 B3! intnding 5 9 N3 Bg7 0 00 Qxb2 Bd2 Bx3 2 Rb Qa3 3 Rb3 B5 9 BxS QxS 0 N3 N7 and h Whitan play qitly with 00 hs th m aggssiv Qd2 llwd by0-0-0 and shving th h-pawn p th bad

Dspit all this bth 6 a6 and 6 Qb6 a sa than th txt mv as Whit'sply is ptty stng.

7 Nb

O That d6sqa ds lk ath nvtng.

7 Nge7

Fm a patial pint viw th's an agmnt giving p a pawn with7 d5 xdS xdS 9 QxdS Q7 0 Q4 as in Ktask-A.Pgahv ntnt

2004 vn i Blaks mpnsatin is vially nn-xistnt h8 Nd6+ Kf8 9 00 b6 10 4 (Digrm 4)

DANGEROUS WEAPON White hs clerly won the openingbttle nd l redy enjoys n overwhelming dvntge Hisknight on d6 s n bsolute monster, nd Blck is forced intocontoions in order just to chllenge it

10 B6 11 Q4 N5 12 N3 Qc7 13 Rd1 Rd8 14 Rb1Thatning b2-b4. 4 NabS BxbS 5 xb5 intnding B4 and Ra is als vystng.

8



A bo-Ca ged K n g s nd a Attack

14 Nc8 15 Bf4! e 16 Bg f6 17 Nxc8 Qxc8 18 Be

fa Black has managd t avid any matia lss t his psitin has bcm ahamls and th is n a hp f svival if Whit pays accatly

18 Qc6

1 Nxc4 lss th knight aft 19 Rc

19 Nb (Diagram 5) 19Kg8


And h 19 Qxc4 lss o 20 Qa3 g 21 Bf g 21 Qc2 22 Rc Qx4 23 Nd6

20 Rbc

20 b4 Qxc4 21 Bf Qx4 22 Nd6 wins asiy t th txt is als gd ngh

20 Bc8 21 b4 Nxc4

O 2 N7 2 Qxa7 and 6 als dps

22 Bf a6 2 Bxc4+ Kf8 24 B24 Q3! intnding 24 ax5 25 Bg is qick

24 Qxb 25 Qxb axb 26 Bxb6 Re 27 Bc+ 1-0

Lookng a Ltte Deepe

hat was a dvastating win f Whit and its caly a gat pactical advantagthat Back's main dfnc against th IA is vitaly blwn t pics

t's nw cnsid m sis ptins f Back

2 2 9





A Turbo-Ca red K in s nd i an Attack

e ght-sqaed bishp wil be well placed n g2 whee it diecty hits the pawnis eminds me a line in the Clsed iciian ( e4 cS 2 Nc3 e6 3 g3 dS) bt theppeaance 3 in pace c3 alws White t achieve d2d4 with geatease

ex5ts te hat 4 Qxd5? (Diagram 7) desn't seem that appeaing Black bt itas been played by ne tw gandmases and it's nt as bad as it ist lks. 5�c3 (5 Bb5+ intending 5 c6 6 Nc3 Qd8 7 Ne5 t saddle Back with dbed cpaws s anthe pssibiity) 5 Qd8 6 d4 (bee Back has he chance t pevents advance by paying Nc6) 6 . N6 7 Be3 cxd4 8 Qxd4 Qxd4 9 xd4 a6 0 Bg2ked vey nice White in the game GlekAWiig pean Cb pegen 2006 althgh ate 0 g4 0-0-0 Nxe3 2 xe3 Be7 3 Nb3 Ra7 4

�e4 00 5 Nd6 Rd8 Back had managed t estict White's advantage t a minimm n view this pehaps its a gd idea t eiminate the pssibility g4y paying 0 h3 ?

5 Bg2 (Dagram 8)


Ching the immediate 5 d4 has the advantage avidng 5 Bg2 Qe7+ (ine A2)as 5 d4 Qe7+? can be vey eectively met by 6 Be3. On the the hand 5 d4 desaw Black t pt immediate pesse n the d4pawn by paying 5 Nc6 6 Bg2Bg4? Back's idea is t ce White t capte n c5 s that the bishp n 8 canecapte in ne g (in the main ines we wi see White gaining time by ny tak

ing n c5 nce the 8-bishp has mved) ee that White's mst chaenging epnse is t e a pawn saciice with 7 0-0 ( 7 c3 cxd4 8 00 tanspsing tnte d' bew) and nw

3 1



Dangeous Weapons : Ant i S i c i l i an s

a) 7 N6 tansposs to n

b) 7 B7 was playd n th vy nt gam M.Calsn-T.Radabov Wk aan Z2009 Ths looks nonsstnt wth Blaks pvos mov and at dx5 Bx5 9Q? B7 0 N5 B6 4 N6 2 N3 Blak was nd som pss sn

2 00 oss matal to 3 xd5 ntndng 3 Nxd5 4 Nxd5 Bxd5 5 Bxd5 Qxd56 Nx6 Qx6 7 Qx7. Radjabov nstad playd 2 R 3 xd5 Nxd5 whn 4Bh6 ? ld to som tatal woks avong Wht Howv 4 Bxd5 Bxd5 andonly now 5 Bh6 (Babn) ntndng 5 ..gxh6 6 Rd mght b vn mo aat In any as ths ln looks paos o Blak

) 7 Nxd4 Q B6 9 Nxd4 xd4 0 Nd2 B5 Nb3 Bb6 2 a4 a5 3 4 (o 3QS?) 3. 4 5 Bd7 5 h od Wht good ompnsaton n .GlkPotsh Hoknh 997

d) 7 xd4 3 dx3 9 Nx3 Wht has pomsng ompnsaton h; o xampl 9 N6 0 Qa4 ? Qd7 Bg5 (Diagram 9) Bb4? (ths ns nto somthngnasty; I thnk that Bak shold nt th nla omplatons asng at . B7 2 Bx6 Bx6 3 Nxd5 Qxd5 4 R B6 5 N5 Qd6 6 Nx6 and nownot 6 bx6? 7 Bx6 7 Rad bt smpy 6 0-0) 2 N5 Nx5 3 Qxb4B6 4 Rad N6 5 Qh4 wth a la advantag n MlovGE Bad obg2004

Bak an also hoos th sa opton o dlnng th gambt bt at . .Bd6 9xd4 Ng7 0 N3 0-0 h3 Bh5 2 B3 h6 3 Qd2 Na5 (a daw was agd h n

ERontals-Movssan Eopan Tam Ch Bat 999) 4 b3 Rontasand Haly assss ths poston as sghtly btt o Wht d to hs mo atvps

TRCKY TRANSPOSTON: his line can occur from the c3 Sicl ian

�

and indeed the actual move order of RozentalisMovsesian was1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 c3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 d4 Nc6 6 g3!? Bg4 7 Bg2cxd4 8 -.

Rtng to 5 Bg2 h w w stdy

A1: 5 Nc6

A2: 5 Qe7+?

5 N6 s also an mpotant opton bt ths mov s vy lkly to tanspos to postons onsdd n n at 6 0-0 B7 7 d4 0-0 dx5 Bx5 9 Bg5 N6 b

as Bak gans nothng by omttng N6.

A1) 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 exd5 5 Bg2 Nc6 6 - (Diagram 10)

3



Turbo-Ca rged Ki ng s n d i a tack


6 N6

6 Bg4 is pssibl vn thgh it appas t mak ss sns i Whit hasn't cm-mittd t d2-d4 sinc th is lss immdiat pss n th cnt 7 h3 (7 d4tanspss t d4 s abv) 7 Bx3 Qx3 N6 9 Nc3 4 0 d4! B7 (0 cxd4

Qb6 is citical bt vn h 2 R B7 3 Nxd4! Qxd4 4 c3 ks pmising Whit) dxc 0-0 2 Bg R 3 a3 Nxc2 4 Rad d4 (4 Rxc Rd2!) Bx6 gx6 ( Bx6 6 N4 llwd by Qd3 mbaasss th knight) wasAvanv-Tat Washingtn DC 99 and h 6 Qg4 h 7 B4 wld havbn immdiatly dcisiv

ping th pin with 7 Bh ks m appaing bt thn d4!? (Diagram 11)s Whit a gd vsin th d4 ( 7 d4) in bcas th instin thmv pai h2-h3 and Bh avs him th bishp can n lng tat alng thch3 diagna and thm Whit has th ptin baking th pin with g3-

g4 F xampl cxd4 ( Nxd4 9 g4) 9 g4 (9 c3!?) 9 Bg6 0 Nxd4 N6 c4!Anth typical dvlpmnt plan Back is 6 Bd6 7 d4 Ng7 (7 c4 b3! cxb3 nt b5? 9 Nc3 9 axb3 Ng7 0 Nc3 0-0 Nb is a bit btt Whit) Thknight is lss activly placd n 7 bt Black ds avid th pblms assciatdwith th Bg pin in th main in Glk-PTgbv Vlissingn 2002 cntind dxc (snsibl nw that th -bishp has alady mvd) Bxc 9 Nc3 (aspssibl is 9 Nbd2 00 0 Nb3 Bb6 and h lik c3 t pvnt dd4 llwd by th plan R and B3 t a tad Black's gd bishp) 9 0-0 0

N !? d4 N4 Bb6 2 Nd3 whn Whits knights spcially th n n d3w wll placd in th cnt

7 Be7

3 3



Dangerous Weapons Anti S ic i l i a ns

h man altnatv n pactc ha bn 7 . .cxd4 Nxd4 B7 (Digrm 12)( .. Bc5? cally allow 9 R+ ) and h Wht ha two way to ght o thadvantag

Dgm 12 (W) Digm 13 (B)

a) 9 Nc3 tanpo to a poton that can alo b achd va th Clod clanand t' on whch look avoabl o Wht. Fo xampl 9 .00 0 R (0 h3 alo pobl) 0 .Bg4 Qd3! Nb4 2 Qd2! (Wht' qn awkwadly placdat th momnt bt Black' pc a n no poton to xplot th tmpoay nconvnnc; thmo th dpawn man vlnabl) 2 .R 3 h3 Bc 4Qd Bc5 5 Rx Qx 6 B3 Bb6 7 h2 and Wht wa btt n V.pchkR.a Mdo 996.

b) 9 c4? alo tmptng 9 . . 0-0 o 9 Nxd4 0 Qxd4 dxc4 Qxc4 0-0 2 Nc3wth an dg J.pka-DGo Cch ag 2004) 0 cxd5 Nxd5 Nxc6 bxc6 2Qa4 Qb6 3 Nc3 Nxc3 4 bxc3 Ba6 5 B3 Qb5 6 Qxb5 Bxb5 7 Rd B6 a4 B

9 Rdc Rc 20 Rab gav Wht om advantag n A.MoovchH.R lbg 994 althogh t look lk Black can mpov wth 3 . B6 4 Nxd5 cxd5(whch wa agd dawn at th pont n R.lobodjan-GMoh Pla 2000.

7 ... Bg4 alo pobl h vn thogh t ha bn aly playd R B7 9dxc5 wold b th typcal way owad o Wht althogh t' t that 9 .00 0h3 Bh5 g4 Bg6 2 B3 N4 don't look that bad o Black ntad qt lkth look o Bg5? (Digrm 3)

Fo xampl . .Nxd4 (ht' da cxd4 9 R B7 0 Bx6) 9 R B7 (o

9 ..N6 0 Bx6 Qx6 Qxd5 Qxb2 2 Nbd2) 0 Bx£6 gx6 Nc3 Qd7 (HHcJ.Caama an doo 993) and h h3 Bx3 (2. .Bh5? 3 g4) 3 Bx£3 Nx3+4 Qx£3 000 5 Nxd5 Qxd5 6 Qxd5 Rxd5 7 Rx7 mt b a lttl btt oWht bca o Black' pl pawn

3



TuboCa ged K ng s nd a n tack

I Bak lass th tnsin by playing . . .4 thn as sal th way t spnd iswith b3! L.Dabk-Fiz wiss Lag 2005 ntind ...xb3 ( . . b5? 9 a4!baks Blak's pawn hain) 9 axb3 B7 10 5 0-0 11 R1 B5 12 x6!? bx6 13Rx7 Qx7 14 Ba3 Qb7 15 Bx x 16 3 intnding t xplt th waknsss

n th qnsid with a4-5 and Qd2a5 xc

ypially Whit nly apts n 5 nw that th £-bishp has alady mvd

8 Bxc Daam 1

Daram 1 W Daram 15 B

9 B!

9 3 00 10 Bg5 is anth mv d

BEWARE! In ths oston Whte shoul avo the lausble 9

Nb2?! 10 Nb3 snce after 10 ... Bb6! Black's actve ecesbsho on b6 knht on 6 are erfectly ace to meetWhtes setu for exame 11 Nbd Re 12 Be3 B 13 h3Bh 1 c3 Ne wth a lvely oston for Black F.BellnJ.Tmman Sant Vncent 2000

It maks mh m sns Whit t pt immdiat pss n th d5-pawn

9.00

9 . B6 10 3 0-0 tansps10 Nc3 Be6

h mst natal way t ptt 6 Akhipv-Bkmann Gman Lag

3



Dangeous Weapons : Ant i- S i c i l i ans

993 nstead saw 0 d4 Bxf6 Qxf6 2 e4 Qe7 3 Re Bb6 4 a3 Bf5 5 h4Be6 6 Qh h6 7 f BxfS QxfS Rad 9 d2 Qd7 20 Qxd7 Rxd7 2 Bx6? bx622 4 {Dr 15) wth a slght advantage fo Whte n vew of the knght's speoty ove the bshop whh s hampeed by ts own dpawn t's woth gvngthe est of the moves to show how Whte albet vey slowly aptalzed on thsedge 22 Rb 23 Rad f 24 f Bd 25 Re Rd 26 Re4 Bf6 27 Rd3 aS 2 a4 R29 b3 Rb4 30 a3 Rb 3 e2 Rd 32 4 R 33 h4 g6 34 Rf3 g7 35 d2 g5 36hxg hxg 37 g4 Rd 3 d3 Rd 39 Re Rh 40 d2 Be 4 Rf Rh3+ 42 f3 B643 Rxd xd 44 e2 Rh 45 Rg R 46 d2 R3 47 e Be 4 d3 Bf4+ 49 dBd6 50 Rh R 5 3 f5 52 gxfS Rf 53 Rh Rxf 54 f4 Be7 55 fxg5 g6 56 Rhxg 57 Ra g4 5 Rxa Bg 59 Ra7 Be3 60 a 6 Rg7+ f 62 a6 Rh 63 e2Rh2 64 f3 Rx2 65 a7 Ra2 66 b4 Ra3 67 b Bh6 6 Rf7 g6 69 R7 Rxd3 70 g4and fnall Blak esgned t's noteable that Blak neve eally managed to fnd

a sefl ole fo hs dak-sqaed bshop.11 Ne1

Whte ses the same manoeve as the one seen n Glekegbov above he dpawn s led fowad a sqae and d3 wl pove to be a vey effetve post fothe knght

Bxf6 Qxf6 2 xd Qxb2 3 g5 Bf5 4 e4 Bb6 5 Rb Qxa2 6 xb6 axb6 7Rxb6 Rad eahed a n eqal poston n LFessnetataf Cap d' Agde (apd)2002

11... 12 Bxf62 e4 Be7 s less hallengng

12 ... Qxf6 13 Ne Qe7 1 N3 (Dr 16)

Dr 16 (B) Dr 17 (W)

3 6



A urbo-Ca ged K ings n d i an Attack

As wv sn al Wht s happy t kp Blaks dak-sqad bshp n thbad bas ts tvnss s dd n th dpawn has ahd d4 Evns 14 Nx5 Qx5 15 Nd3 Qb6 16 R Ra 17 a3 B5 1 B4 Bx4 19 Rx4 Nd 20Qd2 N6 21 Ra was phaps a tny bt btt Wht n RMantvan-T.Wyss

Gahn 1999 smply bas h s m lkly t b abl t at sm play.Indd at 21. .Rd 22 R12 h6 23 h4 Rd5 24 N4! Nx4?! 25 R+ Rx 26 Rx+h7 7 Qx4 Blak's bst han wld hav bn t apt an n ndgamat 27 . .Q6

Bb 5 Qh! Ra8 Rae

hatnng Ng5 whh Blak pvnts wth hs nx mv

.. . h (aa 7)

W hav bn llwng th gam Am-A.Nadanan Msw 2003 whh nw

plngd nt nla mplatns at th atv p sa 17 4 5 1Ng5!? hxg5 19 xg5 Qd6 20 g6 R6.

Aganst th m ntlld 17 N5 Nadanan mmnds th ln 17 . .g6 1 Qxh6 Bx5 19 Nx5 Qx5 20 Rx6 x6 21 Qxg6+ ladng t a daw by pptalhk Hwv th pwl 19 R4! thatnng R4 sms t t ths dn Blak ( xamp 19 Rd5 20 Rh4 R5 21 Rxh5 gxh5 22 B4! 5 23 Nx5Qx5 24 Qx6+ t) and n vw ths I l that 17 N5 s Wht gdhans sm adantag

A2) e c 2 Nf3 e 3 3 ex ex 5 B2 Qe7+!?

hs hk s tanly dbl-dgd as t dspts bth Wht's and Blak's dvlpmnt I Wht wants t avd t h an hs 5 d4 nstad 5 Bg2 btths a gd agmnt allwng Blak ths pssblty

Kf (aa 8)

Wht lnqshs astlng ghts bt h hps that Blak's wn dvlpmntpblms asd by th awwadly plad qn wll pvd nsdabl m

pnsatn I ld nd nly gams n my databas ahng ths pstn btth sts a nagng 100% Wht!

6 Q2 Qx2+ 7 x2 N6 s mpltly hamlss Blak

... Nc 7 Nc3

7 d4 N6 N3 tanspss t th man txt and pvnts th pssblty Blak hasn hs nxt mv. Whth Wht ally wants t d ths s anth matt.

7 .. . Nf

7 d4 Nd5 avd Wt n Akhp-Mtang Mnh 1997 at . . .Qd 9Q2 B7 (aganst 9 Ng7 Wht ld ty 10 Ng5 xampl 10 B5 1 1 3 h6 12N4 tatnng N6+ 12 Bx4 13 Bx4 llwd by g2) 10 N5 Nx5 (10 B6s mt by 11 N4) 11 Qx5 12 Nx7 Qx7 13 Qx7 Nx7 14 b3 Rb 15 d3

2 3 7



Dan grou Wapon Ant Sic i l i an

8 d4 Daram 19) 8 .. .Be6

Daram 18 (B) Daram 19 (B)

Bg4 9 h3? Bx£3 (9 Bh5 10 g4 Bg6 11 g5) 10 Bx£3 xd4 11 xd5 xd5 12 Bxd5000 13 c4 h5 14 g2 g5? 15 R1 Q£6 16 B3 Bg7 17 Bxd4 cxd4 1 Qa4 ld t astng atack Wht n AkhpvBlasksk Gman ag 1992 bt thnk Black mssd a gd chanc t gan cntpay th 14 . . Rxd5 15 cxd5 Q5n v ths Wht shd als cnsd 10 Qx3 (nstad 10 Bx£3) 10 xd411 xd5 and n

a) 11 xd5 12 Qxd5 xc2 13 Bg5! 6 14 R Rd (14 b4 15 Q3) 15 Qc4 xg5 16Qxc2 hn that Black's vas dak-sqad aknsss m than cmpnsat Wht's pan dct.

b) 11 . .x3 12 x7 d4 ( 12 . .Bx7 13 Bx£3 th a typcal w-bshp advantag) 13 d5 xd5 (13 . xc2 14 x6 gx6 15 Bxb7 s gd Wht; nt hhat 15 .. .Rb 16 Bc6+ d 17 Rb1 a3? als t 1 B4!) 14 Bxd5 0-0-0 15 c4 and

agan th bshp pa pmss Wht an dg.9 Be3 0-00 Daram 20)

Wtht a dbt Black ld p hs kng t b sa and snd n th hsd th bad bt aangng t castl kngsd ld b qt tm cnsmngth th qn n 7 t can b dn hv and at 9 cxd4 10 xd4 Qd7Wht shld pbably s th xta tm t bng hs kng t h2 F xampl 1 1g B7 . Bb4 12 Nc2; 1 1 Bd6 1 2 dbS) 1 2 h3 0-0 13 h2.

Th pstn at 9 . 000 s cmplcatd bcas bth kngs a nt dally

placd Th stm gam n ths ln as askvB.Lasn Msc 1962 hchcntnd 10 h3 (agan plannng g1-h2) 0 . Qd7 11 g1 h6 12 h2 g5 13 N5x5 14 dx5 Ng 15 Bd2 7 16 R Bg7 17 4 th an ncla pstn Instad

3



A urbo-Ca rged K ig s d i a Aack

12 h2 Whi ld als y 12 a4? as h advan his pawn an nas Blak sm iiain On siking lin h is 12 ..gS 13 aS 4? 14 a6 (Daam 21) 14. . .b6? (alhgh i's bvisly ndsiabl Blak has allw h ail b pnd) 1S NS NxS 16 dxS Ng8 17 Bxb6 and Whi wins a 17. .axb6 18

a7 b7 19 NxdS

Daam 20 {W) Daam 2 (B)

M nly Alxand Mvih has playd his lin as Whi and his gamagains mnds Miis (Tin Olympad 2006) nind 10 N2? Ng4(10 . N4?) 11 BgS (aking away h 6sqa) 1 1 . £6 12 Bd2 xd4 13 Nxd4 Bd714 Nx6 Bx6 1S Nd4 Bd7. I qi lik Whi's psiin h As wll as Mvih's 16 h3 Whi ld als nsid 16 BaS ying ind a h waknss ( . .b6) and h blak king and innding answ 16 R8 wih 1 7 Q3hiing h dSpawn.

B) e4 c 2 Nf3 e6 3 3 Nc6

This is a ppla hi amngs hs aing 3 g3 alhgh his migh simply bbas wih 3 . N6 Blak dsn' ally mmi any paila shm dvlpmn and an dlay having mak a al disin nil h nx mv

4 B2 (Daam 22) 4 Nf6

TRICKY TRANSPOSITION Thee s nothn won wth ths movee se, but by layn t Black does have to accet a ossble

tansoston to the Kns Indan Attack n whch he scommtted to Nf6, a move he mht deendn on hseeoe want to avo

2 3 9



Dangerous Weapons nt i - S ic i l a ns

4. . .g6?! was cvd in th istativ gam Akhipvpbam whi 4 . d5 5xd5 xd5 tanspss t Lin A 5 . . Qxd5 (instad 5 . . xd5) 6 0-0 N6 7 b3 Qd Bb2 Bd7 was AKhasinI.Liskv Mscw 1949 and h I p Whit at 9 d4cxd4 10 xd4

4 . . .Ng7 is tn a pcs t a kingsid ianchtt bt it as cats th pssibiity ..d5 whn Back intnds t capt with th knight At 5 0-0 Daam 23) ts cnsid Backs tw ptins


a) . .g6 snt as isky as 4 . . g6? sinc at 6 d4 cxd4 7 xd4 Bg7 Nb d5 9 xd5xd5 10 Bxd5 Nxd5 11 Qxd5 0-0 th absnc Whits ight-sqad bishp sBack sm cmpnsatin th pawn Ging back B3 00 9 Nc3 s a snsibatnativ Whit. Fthm ai n 6 c3 s Whit gd chans gaining an advantag. Bcas d2-d4 is achivd in n g 6 Bg7 7 d4 cxd4 cxd4 d 9 5 00 ss Whit a wh tmp p v a simia in in th KIA. H

I ik 10 Nc3 6 11 R1 sppting th 5-pawnb) 5 .. .d5 6 xd5 Nxd5 7 d4 B7 dxc5 00 9 Q2 Bxc5 10 c4 N6 11 Nc3 Bd7 12 Rdh6 13 B Q7 14 5 and Whits m activ pics gav him a sight advantagin W.AncibiaA.Zapata anta Caa 1996

5 3

w that Back has cmmittd hims t . N6 I that tanspsing back t thKIA pp is Whits bst cs actin This is cs a aiy maj banch pning thy and its smthing which I cvd in Starting Out: King's In

dian Attack. H wi attmpt t smmai th thy whi cncntating nth ashinab Q2 ins

0



Tubo-C age K ing's n i a n ak

BWAR Whte must avo 5 e5? N4.

5 .5 (aram 24)

aram 24 (W) aram 25 (B)

Blak ais m playig .. d7-d5 th Whit's vtal pla is 2-3 ad d3d4. F xampl 5 . B7 6 - - 7 R d6 8 3 Bd7 ( 8 5 9 h3 t pvt . .Bg4 llwd y d3d4) 9 d4 xd4 1 xd4 d5 wh Whit a hs tw xd5 Nxd5 2 N3 ad 5 N4 2 Nd2 Nxd2 3 Bxd2.

6Qe2

6 Nd2 is th th mai mv t i t yas 'v tid that may Axpts p t play Q2 wh pssil s that Whit has th pptity dvlpig th daksqad ishp ali ad th q's kight may als

dvlpd m ativly 3 (sally at th adva 24).6 .. Be7 7 (aram 25) 100

Blak's mai atativ t astlig kigsid has 7 . . 6 ad agaist this Whithas ptty sssl with 8 5 Nd7 9 4! F xampl

a) At 9 . Whit a gai s th 4sqa with 1 N3! d4 N4 Blakant apt 5 as at Ndx5 2 Nx5 Nx5 Whit has 3 Nd2!attakig th 5 ad a8

) Blak has t d h with 9 dx4? whih liqishs sidal il

i th t ad allws Whit t tliz th p d-il with his k hgam VChkhv-Maskw Plish am Champiship 994 pvids apwul dmstati th diiultis Blak as h 1 dx4 B7 N3 a6(alady th kight 3 shws its wth with Blak havig t xpd a tmp

24 1



D ngerous We pons : Ant i- S i ci l i n s

prparing . Q7) 1 Rd1 Q7 13 B4 000 1 4 Nd aram 2) (a typiall powrl KIA kngh arii on d5) 14 xd5 15 xd5 Nb4 16 d6 Bxd6 17 Rxd6 N 1Bh3 N6 19 Ng5 Rxd6 0 xd6 Q6 1 3 Kb Bx6 x6 3 N7 and Whiwon

aram 2 (B) Daram 27 W)

) 9 . d4 (Blak' main mov) 10 Nd? (Whi wih o ppor h 5-pawnwih 4 and mak h mo o h 4-opo wih hi knigh; a mor andardKIA qn wold b 10 Bb7 11 B4 h6 1 h5 Q7 13 Nbd 00-0) 10 . .Bb7(10 .. Ndx5?? lo marial o 11 4 ) 11 4 Q7 1 N4 00-0 13 Na3 a6 14 N Hr Whi' plan i o pla or bb4. Blak on h ohr hand will k onrplay on th kingid wih h7h5h4 and/or ..7-6.

7 .b5? Daram 27) i a mh l ommon han 7 b6 b i' argably arongr mov ba i rndr h -4 advan l dirabl In viw o hiplay on rvr bak o mor radiiona KIA ar For xampl 3 (or 8 R1; in

h abn o h -4 ida, Whi ally wai or Blak o al bor ommiing o 45) 0-0 9 5 Nd7 10 h4 a 1 1 B4 (making o h opn diagonalo dvlop h bihop bor playing Nbd) 1.b4 (or 1.a4 1 Nbd Ba6 13 R1Qa5 14 Ra R 15 Bh3 Qd 16 Ng5 N 17 Qg4 wih an dg or WhiV.ZvjginvVChhlov Main 005) 1 4 (ing o kp h qnid ablokd a poibl) 1 Nb6 3 Nbd Ra7 wih a tpial KIA poiion in GlkVPokin Inrn 004 Whi njoy h al han aoiad wih an aakon h kingid b Blak an obain om onrplay wih Rd7 ollowd by. Bb7

e5 Daram 2)

Now ha Blak ha ald hr' no raon o dlay h mov any rhr

2 4 2



A Turbo-Ca rged K ng s nd a n Attack

8N7

8 ..N8 ks m passiv athgh at ast h Blak an answ 9 4 with9 .N7 whn th knight is qit wll plad it sppts bth th dS-pawn andqnsid ntplay with b7b5 O s aft 8 N8 Whit is nt d t

pay 9 4; h ld vt bak t a m typial stp with 9 bS 1 B4 t9 c (Daam 29

Daam 28 ( Daam 29 (

n pati Whit has bn vy sssf with this 2-4 thst At ist sight itsms slightly stang t stik t n th qnsid th pa wh Blak ismant t hld all th as and by playing -4 Whit als psnt Blak with thd4sqa. Hwv th a a nmb psitivs that m than mak p fthis:

1) Whit adds pss t th dSpawn and this an b inasd by N3.

2) Blak play dx4 . . .d5d4 Whit wil gain ass t th 4sqa a vygd tpst that an b tilid in a kingsid attak.

3) Blak xhangs n 4 Whit an tansf a k t d tiliing th pn dil

9Nb6

With this mv Blak maintains nsidab psn in th nt and ps smpss n 4 Whit apts n d5 Bak an apt with th pawn ing th 8-bishp and maintaining nt 4. Th nly a ngativ bhind

9 . .Nb6 is that it blks th b-pawn laving it m diilt Bak t aangqnsid ntplay

My ling is that th altnativs a wak

4 3



Dangeous Weaons Ant i -Si l i a ns

a) Ate 9 d4 White an nentate n a kingside attak and in mpaisn tsme the lines he nw has the e4sqae at his dispsal whih is lealy beneiial Hee's an example a sessl attak 10 h4 a6 11 B4 Rb 12 Nh2! (thisknight is heading g4 while the the ne vets e4; als Blak's qeensde

nteplay is slwed dwn de t the atak n 6) 12 Na5 13 Nd2 b5 14 b3 Bb715 Bh3!? (an inteesting deisin White avids an exhange bishps and tempaily gives p ntl the lng diagnal bease he eels that the bishp willbeme a vey sel additin t the kingside attak) 15 bx4 16 bx4 N6(16 Ba answeing 17 Ng4 with 17 Rb2 lks me ative bt pehaps Blakwas wied abt 17 Ne4) 1 Ng4 Ba 1 N3 Rb4 19 Ng5 Qb6 20 Bg2! (nw thebishp heads e4) 20 Rb2 21 Qd1! (White wants t play Be4 bee bingig theqeen t 3) 21Qa5 22 Be4 g6 23 Q£3 Q7 (Daram 30) (alwing a mbinatinalthgh in aiess Blak as aleady nde the sh) 24 Nh6! g7 25 Nhx7

Nxe5 26 Nxe6 x7 27 Bxe5+ xe6 2 Bd5 Bxd5 and Blak esigned inDBnsteinBelly Hastings 1995

Daram 30 (W) Daram 3 1 (B)

b) 9 £6 10 ex£6 Nx£6 11 N3 (1 1 B£4 als lks easnable) 1 Nd4 12 Qd1 ! hasbeen played me than ne White has been tempaily ed bakwads btBlak has lngtem pblems with his shaky pawn stte

10 Bf4

10 N3 Nd4! is slightly awkwad White

10 Bd7 l h4 (Daram 31)

Witht Whites knight n 3 Nd4 isnt vey eetive F example 12 Nxd4xd4 13 Nd2 B6 14 Rad1 Na4 15 Nb3 dx4 16 dx4 B5 17 Bx6 bx6 1 Nx5Nx5 19 Be3 d3 20 Qg4 Qe7 21 Bg5 and Blak esigned in DBnstein



A TurboCa rd K n s n d i an Attack

RDndhashvili UR Champnshp 972 in viw 2 . Q7 22 6 g6 23Qg5 and Qh6

a5 s stng and 2 bd2 a4 3 a3 a5 4 Ra 6 5 R Qd7 dak asnabl ntplay in J.Galagh-D.ndl Zh 999 nstad

2 Nbd2 Whit shd nsid paying 2 a4? blking laks ntpay atth st giving away th b4-sqa. Ths is a gd tad in my pnn

C) 1 e4 cs 2 Nf3 e6 3 3 Nf6 (Daram 32)

Daram 32 (W) Daram 33 (B)

y mmdiatly attakng th 4pawn lak s Whit t mak an ay dsin. O s givn that ak has mmttd his knght t 6 Wht d payas in Lin with 4 d3 bt h 'm ging t k at anth ida.

Fistly a b k at a pl a ptins lak wh h aims a

qnsid ianhtt Again Wht ld vt bak t a A by playng d2-d3bt that a qik d2d4 might b vn m pmisng

a) 3 b6 ? 4 g2 b7 5 3 d6 (5 6 6 5 d5 7 xd5 xd5 b3 6 9 b2 R 100-0 was a bt btt Whit in VJansa-EDidavi Cattlia 993) 6 d4 xd4 7xd4 6 0-0 bd 9 R a6? (lak is ndstandaby kn t pvnt bSbt this nata mv is a sis mstak; 9 .Qb shld b playd againstwhh 0 d5? is a pmsing ida) 0 5 (Daram 33) 0 xg2 x6 b7 2xg7 xg7 3 N5 (3 x6 s als vy stng) 3 0-0 4 Nxg7 xg7 5 Qxd6 and

Whit aady has a wnning psitin Ni-YAnikav Dagavpils 974b) Against 3 a6 4 Bg2 b5 think Wht has a pmsing ida mbining d2-d4wth a2-a4: 5 0-0 b7 6 R d6 (against 6 . 6 as wll as 7 d4 Wht ld nsd 7 3 and d4) 7 d4 xd4 ( 7 . d7 d5 5 9 a4 whn in vw th ps



Danerous Weaons : Ant i Si c i l i an s

s aganst b5 lack wll pobabl b ocd to gv p th c4sqa) Nxd4 N6(o Qc7 9 a4 b4 0 c3) 9 a4 b4 0 c3! bxc3 Nxc3 and lack s acng vn modclt poblms than n th pvos not: o xampl ..7? 2 5! xg2 3x6 wnnng a pc o .Qc7 2 Nd5 xd5 3 xd5 d 4 d2 wth a dc

sv attacke5?

Ths advanc was mpossbl n th pvos scton (at 3 .Nc6 4 g2 N6) bth 4 .Ng4? can b mt smpl b 5 h3

N5

Ths mnds m a b t o Rontals's al g2g3 ln n th c3 clan (2 c3 N6 35 Nd5 4 g3) xcpt h Wht can bnt b dong awa wth c2c3 (Th samthng cold b sad abot th wapon poposd n Chapt 2 )

5 Bg2 Nclack qald n V.JansaJHllstn Eopan Tam Ch Pla 997 at 5 ... d6 600 dx5 7 Nx5 7 b3 00 9 b2 6 0 Nd3 Nc6 Nc3 Ndb4! so t mght bbtt o Wht to pla as n th man ln wth 6 xd6 xd6 7 00 00 d4.

0-0

6 7 7 c4 Ndb4 d3 d6 9 a3 Na6 0 xd6 Qxd6 Nc3 00 2 4 Qd 3 Q2d6 4 3 d7 5 Ng5 was pobabl slghtl btt o Wht n RblvskAloov ntt (apd) 2004. Th's also an ntstng altatv n 7 Nc3

Nxc3 dxc3!? tng to gan pss on th dl and . d5 (o 00 9 Q2 ollowd b 4 and Rad) 9 xd6 xd6 (9 .Qxd6 0 Q2) 0 Q2 00 Rd Q7 2Ng5! lt Wht wth th ntatv n C.chbtHNdma Gman ag95

7 ex Bx 8 (Dagam 3)

Dagam 3 (B) Dagam 35 (B)

46



A uboCaged K ng' n d an Aack

Agan w s h d2d4 hs. Opnng h n sms bng h bshp n g2 l and Blak n nds h pss alng h ha dagnal nmabl

8 9

Wh als has gd hans mananng an dg a h m sbl 9 dxSBx5 10 Q hldng bak n 24 s h mmn F xampl 10 . . .Q7 11bd2 Bd7 4 Bb6 3 4 7 14 Rd JGallaghC.andnbg kbad2002; 0 R 11 bd2 Bd7 12 Rd1 Q7 13 4 B 14 4 PWllsEGsbhGman ag 1999 n bh ass Wh's psn lks b

9Nde

O 9 .. . b6 10 dx5 Bx5 11 Q d4 (hws Wh plays Rd and 3) xd4 Qxd4 3 d2 (13 B3 s m by 13 . Q5) 13 B7 4 Rb1 (Jansa) ppangb2b3 llwd by Bb2 3

10 N3 xd 1 Nxd Be5 1 Nx6 Nx6 13 Be3 (Daram 35)

W hav bn llwng h gam V.JansaMasnkw Hambg 992. Wh'sbshps spally h n n g a wl plad and hs pss n h qnsd anly pmss hm a slgh advanag h

Conclson

ally l ha 2 3 6 3 g3 s an ndad pn Wh. Evn hgh 's

bn d by a w sng gandmass s vd vy ll gnn byhy Ths san mgh wll hang n h t b h mmn Whplays an s hs h advanag 3 g3 s lkly spng a ga spshan alnavs sh as 3 b3 3 4 and anly a ga n han 3 d3 3 3

Blak ams a 6/ .g6 anA sp hs psn bms pasa 5 d4! (s AkhpvEplbam) n A1 lks slghly b Whwhl n A2 lads vy nbaland psns and wll b nsng llw h dvlpmns h. Blak plays 6 Wh's bs han anadvanag s ansps nmal A lns (n B) alhgh agans 3 6(n C) hs h addnal pssbly 4 5!?

47



Capter Eleven

Foowing nStaunton's FootstepsJohn Emms

1 e4 cs Nf3 e6 3 c4 Nc6 4 Nc3 Nge7 !? (Dagram 1)

Daa 1

Even thugh the line 2 N3 e6 3 4 shldn't be wrrisme r Blak rm atheetial perspetive he is still let with the prblem what t d i he really

8



Fo l lowi ng i n Stau nton's Footsteps

wants t nbalane the pstn he man lne s 4 . . 6 5 Be2 d5 6 exd5 exd5 7d4 bt t's vtally mpssble Bak t dtate the pay when Whte s atemp p n a symmetal pstn and ths s pehaps eleted by the hgh peentage daws n pate. Ftheme the pstns eahed n the man lne

ae mst n-lan lke hs s nt neessaly a bad thng bt many anpayes pee when pssble t tk t sttes they ae mst ama wth

Ftunately thee are the easnable ways Bak t play and ne that appealst me s 2 N3 e6 3 4 6 4 3 Nge7!? (nstead 4 6) Ths mve s nt exaty new adng t my database he st paye t try t 4 .Nge7 was Hwad tantn way bak n 843 tantn was wel ahead hs tme n he ndestandng these pstns and t's pehaps eealng that the next game uldnd wth 4 ge7 ed me than 00 yeas late t's etanly nwhee neaas ppla as 4 6 bt enagngly t's been played by sme ey pmnentgandmastes nldng Mevh ht Rblevsky and pshn.

One the easns lke 4 ge7 s that Blak shws sme ambtn n tyng texplt the man dawbak 24 Whte's tempay dsegad the daksqaes n the ente. Regadless whethe Whte plays d2d4 nt n manylnes Blak an adpt a smple stategy based n dak-sqae ntl I sessths plan an lead t a pmsng mddlegame pstn st ke n the lwnggame.

0 PStmskij • AMrzevicA shta 1994

1 e4 c 2 Nf3 e6 3 c4 Nc6 4 Nc3 Ne7 5 4 (Daram 2)

Daram 2 (B) Daram 3 (B)

49



Dangerous eapons : nt - S c l ans

Unspsngly ths has bn Whts mst ppla h n pat bt ha altnatvs and ths ll b dsssd n th Lkng a Lttl p stn

Nx

S xd4 6 Nxd4 Nxd4 7 Qxd4 tanspss bt that mv d alls Wht th

xta pssblty 6 NbS!? m ntan hth ths s ally any gd Wht bt m Blaks pnt v t sms snsbl t lmnat th pssblty

6 Nx x 7 Qx

7 NbS? s n gd n: 7 . .N6 Nxd4 Qh4! (an da bd m th thOpnng bt ths s a a btt vsn Blak) 9 NbS ( 9 B2 BS! 10 B3 Qx411 NbS Bb4+ 12 K 0-0) 9 Bb4 10 Bd2 Qx4 11 Q2 (11 B2 Qxg2) 1Bxd2 12Kxd2 Q4 13 Q3 Q6 14 K2 0-0 gav Blak a bg advantag n M.HlbkAKma Matn 1996

7 N6Blaks manng knght plas ts patn

8 Q (Daram 3)

By mvng hs qn all th ay bak ts gnal sqa Wht maks s thatth dvpmnt bth bshps s nmpdd. All th th qn tas (d2d3 and 3) a playabl and thy ll b vd lat n

s B!

Ths s a vy mptant mv hh ntds Blaks statgy daksqantl n any as ts asy t ndstand hy th bshp s ll plad n thsattatv dagnal.

9 Be2

Aganst 9 Bd3 ths absltly nthng ng th ntnng as n th mangam by playng ...0-0 and . .d7-d6; n at th bshp s pbably dng lss n d3than n 2 n th gam ONaans-A.Pt Bdapst 199S Blak tld smn pssblts and hs bav play as add albt th th hlp smp dn n Whts pat: 9 . .Qh4! ? 10 0-0 NS (tyng t xplt th absn th bshp m 2) 1 1 B2 hS? 12 h3 (ndstandably Wht as sad abt thpssbly .Ng4 bt 12 Na4! ntndng 12 . Ng4 13 Bxg4 hxg4 14 B4 lksm hallngng) 12. . .b6 13 NbS?! Bb7!? 4 b4? (Wht had t ty 14 N7+ K7 1SNxa vn 1S . Qx4 16 B3 Nx3 17 Qx3 Qx3 1 gx3 Rxa s Blak apmsng ndgam) 14 Qx4 (Daram ) 1S B3 Nx3+ 16 gx3 (16 Qx3 Qx3 17gx3 Bxb4 1 N7+ K7 19 Nxa Rxa s an vn btt vsn th ndgam dt Whts mssng bpan) 16 . Qg6+ 17 Kh2 Bxb4 1 N7+ K7 19 Rg1 (th s nay Wht ll svv th attak at 19 Nxa Bd6 20 Kh1 QS 21 Kg2 gS)

19 Bd6 20 Kh1 QS and Wht sgnd9 00 10 00 6

10 b6 and Bb7 s anth typal ay t dvlp bt l that Mvhs

5 0



h s bh smp and sng

a3 e5 (Diaa 5)

o lown g n Sau on s Fooseps

I lk hs mv a l Blak s happy gv p h dSsqa f mans h angan mpl nl f d4, whh bms an xln ps f h hskngh hs bshp Fhm, wh h dvlpmn f h 8-bshp nwslvd, al f Blak's mn ps hav ls pay

2 B Be6

Blak wll nly ad ff hs gd bshp n hs wn ms, whh wld manpnng h f-fl and nwng sm nl v h dS-sqa. Manwhl, 'sdffl magn a sng bad' bshp han h n nly psd a 5

Diaa (W) Diaa 5 (W)

3 Bxe6?

Ths ad s pbaby mplan, and 's la nw ha Blak has any advanag ha's gng vn s, I hnk I sghly pf Blak's psn vn whhs xhang F xamp af 3 Nd5 Qh4 4 h3 Blak an hs bwn4 N 4 h5?

3...fxe6 Q3 Qb6 5 N?

Af hs a Wh s py n h dfnsv, and Mvh smply nass h pss mv by mv. Wh shld hav d 5 B3, n fang5 Bx3 (5 Qb3 ass Wh m pblms) 6 fx3 Qxb2 NS

5...a5 6 b3

Phaps mskj was afad f fang a pawn lamp wh .a5-a4, b h waknsss n b3 and a3 a fsh pbms.

6 ... Rf7 (Diaa 6)

2 5 1



Dangeros Weapons : Ant i - S i c i l i ans

Daram 6 {W) Daram 7 {W)

Nhng sphscaed Black js ples p n he 2pawn

17 Be3 4 18 Bx4

n vew he aenaves hee was ealy n he chce R leaves a3hangng whle Nc3 Qx3 9 R als 9 . Qxc3.

18.. .Bx4 19 Rb19 Ra2 pecng 2 s sely me esen even Back sll enys a g advanage

19 ... Raf8 {Daram 7)

Nw smehng ms all: example 20 Qe2 R4 lwed y Qc6. Whe'schce n he game enses ha hee's n paced seng

2 e3? Rxf2! 21 Rfe1 Q8! 1

Black has many heas ... Qg5 eng he man ne A wel played game y ayng Mevch even hs ppnen was a lle hepl

DANGEROUS WEAPON! Whte laye very natural moves nthe early a of the ame but ater 12 ...Be6 t was areayclear that Back was at east equal . Ceany hs oston waseaser to lay an ths s very encouran from Black's ontof vew.

ooking a itte Deeper

1 e4 c 2 Nf3 e6 3 c4 Nc6 4 Nc3 Ne7 (Daram 8)



Fo lown g i n Stu nton ' s ootsteps

Daam 8 (W

H ll look a Wh's man o opons

A: 5 Be

B: 5

Daam 9 (W

Q movs psn Black h vy f polms, f nohng ls cas4 Ng7 also ppas a ak n h cn h . d7-d5

a) 5 d3 d5! looks fn fo Back fo xamp af 6 cxd5 xd5 7 B2 d4 anonnsad opd fo 5 . Ng6 and achvd a nc poson af 6 B2 B7 7 B3 d6 a3? Bf6 Nd2 0-0 0 0-0 Nd4 R1 a6 2 f4 5 (P an AmanHanonondon 43) o my mnd Wh's play as fa oo accommodang and h

as no al ason fo hm o avod h naal d4!) 5 g3 Nd4!? 6 Bg2 (o 6 Nxd4 cxd4 7 N2 Nc6 d3 5!?) 6 . . .Nc6 7 d3 g6 0-0Bg7 9 Nxd4 Nxd4 0 B3 0-0 R d6 dmonsad a ypcal daksqad sagy y Black n h gam AMzychk-Vasvch opan Womn's Chsdn 2007. Hov h acal mov od o ha gam as 4 ..Nd4? 5 d3N7 6 g3 Nc6 7 Bg2 c. O mov od cas h xa possy of 5 d5?(Daam 9

can' fnd any gams ahng hs poson h slng vaaons do look

okay fo Blak. Fo xampl 6 xd5 xd5 nndng 7 d4 Bg4 o 7 Bg2 dxc4 0-0Ng6; o 6 cxd5 xd5 7 Q3!? Bg4! Bg2 Bxf3 9 Bxf3 Nd4 0 Qd Nxf3 Qxf3 d4

2 3



Dagerous Weapos : Ati S ic i l a s

A) 1 e4 c 5 2 N3 e6 3 c4 Nc6 4 Nc3 Ne7 5 Be2

Rath than play d2d4 staight away Whit challngs Black t ind a slmv F simila asns 5 B2 is th main lin against 4 N6 s it's a sa assmptin that many plays will als ty it h

s...Nd4 Daram 10)

Daram 10 (W) Daram 11 (W)

DANGERO WEAPON Ths s Blac's useul move Heevents d2-d4 n the most basc way ossble and s nowready to mlement hs lan o darsquare control n thecentre.

In act th ctivnss Nd4 has bn incasd by th psnc Whit'sbishp n 2 sinc at a tad n d4 Whit n lng has this sqa availabl asa nata tat f th c3knight

Mvs sch as 5 Ng6 5 d6 and 5 a6 a all mt by 6 d4 jstiying Whit's dcisin t play 5 B2 (Black wldn't adily play any ths mvs in systmat 5 d4) Fthm 5 d5 is playabl bt lss ctiv h than it is against 5d3 5 g3 sinc at 6 xd5 xd5 7 d4 Whit is btt dvlpd than in thspvisly disssd lins

6 0-0

F th mmnt Whit tis t play and th knight n d4

6 Nxd4 cxd4 hasn't casd Black any pblms xampl 7 S ( 7 Nb Nc6

d3 d5 9 xd5 xd 0 cxd Qxd5 00 B6 2 Nd2 B7 3 4? 00 4 B3 Qd7with a vy cmtabl psitin AnianDlak Intnt blit 2003) 7 Nc6 00 B7 9 d3 00 0 4 a6 Na3 d6 2 Rb1 Bd7 3 b4 b5 4 R3 5? 5 x5 Rx5 6

5 4



F l lw g Stau t s Ftsteps

Rh3 Rb 7 N Qb6 wth good ontply o lak .Ga-T.man alo99.

Nec 3 Be (Daa 11)

7 g6 ollowd by . . .g7 also maks som sns bt I p th lxbility that

7.. 7 os. Th bshop mght wll vnally go to 6 bt o os lak is notnd any oblgation to pt it th mmdatly.

8 Nx

y xhangng knghts on d4 Wh as th way o th possblty o 2-4.

3 0-0 9 Nb hallngs laks ontol o th d4-sqa. In th gamINyhnyk.stjansson Rykjavik 200 lak ontd wth 9 . . .Nx3 (ontinng th poly o dak-sqa ontol althogh 9 . . Nx2 0 Qx 5 ? Qd2b6 4 d6 3 x5 5 4 g5 x5 povd to b a good altnativ appoah n

.it-D.akovnko Oopsa dl Ma 999) 0 x3 d6 Qd2 (Wht dos havth oppotnty to play d4 h bt only at th ost o havng to tad hs daksqad bshop and . ..a6 2 N3 xd4 3 xd4 Nxd4 4 Qxd4 6 5 Qd3 Qb6 sin o lak) ...6 2 a3 a6 3 N3 Nd4 4 d b6 (o 4 ...d7? ntnding ...b7b5) 5 b4 b7 lavng hm wth a lxbl poston and wllplad ps.

8 Nx

TRCKY TRANPOTION: 8Nx ha been the choce o thee

GM who have eache th oton but a a a can eethee' alo nothn won wth 8cx, when 9 NbStanoe to the note to Whte' th ove.

9 Be3 00 (Daa 12)

Daa 12 (W) Daa 13 (B)



Dangerous Weaons : Ant i -S ic i l ans

And nw

a) 0 Nb Nc6? (adptng the same appach as n Nyzhnyk-Ksanssn abvealthgh Black cld als cnsde the smple 0 Nxb cxb d) d4 a6 2Qa4? ( 2 Nc3 cxd4 3 Bxd4 Nxd4 4 Qxd4 Qc7 fllwed by Bf6 even . Bc)

2 d6 3 d exd 4 exd Bd7 dxc6 axb 6 Qxb Bxc6 (6. . .bxc6 7 Qb3 Bffllwed by Rb lks nteestng) 7 Qb3 d (Black cld als keep the tensnwth 7 Bf6? especally snce Rfd ?? s mpssble de t ...Ba4) cxdQxd 9 Qxd Bxd was ageed dawn n RassYhlman Lnaes 997

b) 0 Qd2 d6 Bd (pepang Ne2) a6 (anthe dea s b6 2 Ne2 Nxe2+3 Bxe2 Bb7 plannng d f) 2 Ne2 e 3 Nc3 f? 4 exf Bxf Nd Bd76 Bxd4 cxd4 7 Be2 b b3 Rb 9 Rab Bg wth a ghly eqal pstnVGenba-PTegbv Beln 997

c) 0 £4 d6 Qd2 Bd7 2 Rae Bc6 3 Bd (Daram 13) 3 Bh4 (ndcng aweakness befe settlng n the f6sqae) 4 g3 B£6 5 Ba4 ( g4 Bh4) Bxa46 Nxa4 a6 7 Nc3 b left Black wth a vey sld pstn n the cente and pssbltes f cnteplay n the qeensde n JGelleRMaks Zada 2003 Oveall Black's pstn afte 9 0-0 lks pefectly satsfacty and Be2 s cetanlynthng t fea

B) 1 e4 c 2 N3 e6 3 c4 Nc6 4 Nc3 Ne7 5 4 Nx4 6 Nx4 cx4 7 Qx4 Nc6 8 Qe3

Ot f the f avalable qeen eteats hs s pbably the mst challengng fnthng else becase t pevents the mmedate Bc t's te that the qeenmmenaly blcks the c-bshp bt Whte ntends t spend anthe temp epstnng t t g3 On ths sqae t avds bstctns and pesses Back'skngsde; n the the hand wth the qeensde nptected Whte has t be way an ealy Nb4

Befe cncentatng n Qe3 let's check t Whte's the mves Qd wascveed n Ptmskj-A.Mevch s that leaves

a) Qd2 (ntendng t fanchett the c-bshp) Bc and nw

a) 9 Be2 0-0 0 0-0 d6 b3 e5 (emplyng the same plan as the ne we sawMzevch se eale) 2 Bb2 Qh4? 3 Bd3 f 4 exf Bxf5 5 Bxf5 Rxf 6 Qd5(Degeman-U.Andessn Malm 99) and hee 6 Rf7 lks stnge thanAndessn's 6 Kh snce 7 Ne4?? nw lses t 7 Nb4 whle 7 g3 Qg4 man-tans gd cnteplay

a2) 9 a3 a 0 Nb (lng t the pssblty f ..Nd4; 0 Be2 0-0 00 d6 2 b3Nd4? wld explt a dawback f a2a3) 0 0-0 Be2 Qh4? (agan we see thsactve qeen mve) 2 Qf4 (chasng the qeen back bt Whte's wn qeen s nt

deally placed n f4 whee t's vlneable bth t e and 6 deas the lattene ae e4e by Whte) 2 . Qe7 3 Be3 b6 4 0-0 Ba6 e (afte Rfd Blackcan even play 5. Bxb 6 cxb5 Nd4 makng se f the tactc 7 Bxd4 Bxd4

5 6



Fol lowng i n Stau nton' Footte

Rxd4 5) 5. . 6! 6 x£6 Rx£6 7 Q4 Ra£ (Drm 1) and Blaks xllnt piativity mpnsatd r his slightly inri sttr in A.kiphnkHtanssn w Yrk 994 In th gam Whit nw rd with h3?! Bb7! 9Bg5? allwing Blak t ary t a pwrl qn saii whih vntally

wn th gam 9 . . .Rx 0 Bx7 x7 Qxb7 Rx h Bg 3 g3 5+ 4g4 3 5 g3 Rxa 6 Qxd7 5 7 g4 R Qx6+ h 9 d6 h6 30g3 B5 and hr kiphnk rsignd prbably in viw 3 h R6 3 Qg 33 7 Rx£7 34 Qx7 Bd6+ 35 g3 Rx 36 h Rxb.

Darm 1 {W) Daram 15 (W)

b) Qd3 B5 9 B 0-0 0 0-0 d6 (Blak an als play 0 ...Qh4 a3 5 Qd 53 Q£4! Q£6 4 x£5 Qx£5 5 Qx£5 Rx5 6 4 B7 7 B3 as in VYandmirv.ht Csm 004 bt t m th plan . . . d6 and . . .5 again lks th mstpmising ptin) B3 5 Rad B6 {Darm 15) (tmprarily sariiing apawn) 3 bS (I p Blak atr 3 Bx5 dx5 4 d5 d4 h always has th

ptin gtting id th knight by playing .. Bxd5 bt a smilar pssibilitydsn't xist Whit) 3 Qb6 4 a3 a6 (4. . .Rad 5 b4!) 5 xd6 d4 (nt5 . Rad? 6 Bx5 Qx5 7 xb7) 6 5 Bx5 (6 . . .Qxb 7 xd4 xd4 Rb Qa9 B£4 9 Ra Qx4! 9 . .b5 0 xb5 axb5 Qxb5 Qxa3 is dad qa bt psmably Blak wa aft mr) 7 x5 Qxb Bxd4 Qxd4 9 Qxd4?! (9 Qb ! Q40 g3 Qg5 Qxb7 Qx£5 lks rghly lvl) 9 . . . Bxd4 0 B£3 Ra7! Rb b6 Rb3 R7 3 B Rd whn Blaks strngr bishp and slightly bttr strr dt an ndgam advantag in M.Okks-V.Epishin Ar 00.

Rtning t Q3(Darm 16)

b6

his is th mst lgial mv pparing th dsiabl . . .B5. hat said n tw4 . g7 xpts hav prrd th m rstaind .B7 in dr t astl

5 7



Dagerus Was At i S i c i l i as

qikl and th daw ome of the ting ot of Qg3 and thi doe eem like aviable alteative to me n the game hapohnikov.alegin Moow 1996Blak late adopted the ..b6 and .. .B5 plan anwa and inteetingl the lottempo didn't eem to ht hi hane Afte 9 Be2 00 10 00 b6 11 b3 Bb7 12 Bb2B5 13 Qg3 6 14 NbS Ne5! 15 Bxe5 fxe5 16 Qxe5 a6 (Daam 17) Blak enoedgood ompenation fo the pawn and the game ended ve well fo him 17 N3(17 Nd6 Q7 1 Rad1 Bxe4! egain the pawn eahing a level poition afte 19Qxe4 Bxd6 20 g3 B5) 1 7 . Qe7 1 Rad1 B6 19 Bg4 Rf6 20 Rde1? Ra 21 Re2 Rg622 Bh3 Qh4 23 h1 d6 tapping White' een in midboad and foing an immediate eignaton!

The heek . . Nb4 ha alo been plaed hee bt following 9 Qd2! (athe than 9Bd3 B5!) think White i lightl bette off in ompaion with the poition afte Qd2 wold pefe the knight to be on 6 hee.


9 Bd39 Be2 B5 10 Qg3 00 ( alo like the idea of plaing a in the main line with10 Qf6 11 00 Qg6) 11 0-0 d4 12 Bd3 Bb7 13 Be3 f5 14 Rad1 (14 b4 fxe4) 14 .fxe415 Bxd4 Bxd4 16 Nxe4 B6 17 B2 B6 wa eqal in MalakhovRblevklita 1995 egei Rblevk ha been one of the hief potagonit of the 3 4 tem o it' enoaging fom o point of view to ee him hooing to pla4 Nge7 when faing hi own line

Blak ha two wa of dealing with the immediate 9 Qg3

a) 9 .Qf6 i enible Afte 10 Bd3 B5 we have tanpoed to the main text andBlak old alo onide 10 Qg6!?.

b) 9 Nb4? (Daam 18) (tng to expoe a dawbak of White' qeen move) 10



Fo l lowi ng i n Stau nton's Footsteps

NbS! ? ( 0 d3 Nxd3 Qxd3 b7 psnts n challng t lack) 0 . d6 Qb3Nc6 3 7 3 00 4 0-0 Rb 5 Rac a6 6 Nc3 NS 7 Rfd Qc7 RdRd was slid ngh f lack in VZvjaginsv-.Rblvsky Pikvsky 200 thgam nding in a daw a fw mvs lat In his nts t Che Informant 84,

Rblvsky ffs th lin 0 Nc (instad f 0 . d6) d Nxa 2 Nc7+ 73 Nxa (3 NdS 4 Nc7+ is pptal chck) 3 d6 4 d3 b7 5 f4 S 63 Qxa 7 2 f6 f3 f7 9 Rxa 7 20 a4 and asssss th slting psitinas slighty btt f Whit ag with this bt th might w b n twimpvmnts f lack ali n f xampl 5 . h6!? 6 g5 7 3 g7!

Dm 18 (W) Drm 19 (W)

Bc 1 Q3 6 (Drm 19)

bst way t ntali Qg3 is t pps qns n g6 As w shall s atlack has n asn whatsv t fa th ndgam

Whit has gat chancs f achiving an advantag if ack dlays this manv F xampl 0 .0-0 0-0 Qf6?! (it's t lat f this and lack wld havbn btt svd with . . f6 . .b7 intnding 5 fS) g5! Q5 (lackhas t avid . Qg6? 3 S Qh5 4 N4) 3 f4 QhS 4 S d4 5 4! Rb 6Rad with sm advantag f Whit .Rblvsky-A.Plljahv Intt (blit)004

11 -

n L.Anianvtshkin Epan Ch. stanbl 003 Whit was sccssflwith f4!? bt lking at th gam it sms t m that lack missd n twpptnitis .Qg6 (.00? 5!) NbS!? Qxg3 {phaps . .0-0 intnding3 S fS 4 Qxg6 hxg6 whn Whit might hav sm pblms dfnding his pawn . a7a6 fllwd by ..d4 is n ida) 3 hxg3 7 (3. .5 lks slid

5



Dangos apons : Ant c l an s

nogh o ampl 1 4 B 0-0 1 a3 a 1 6 Nc7 Ra7 17 N 6 1 0-0 a4) 1 4 a3 a61S b4! (now th position bcoms tactical 15 . .ab5 16 bcS S 1 7 cb5 Nb4 1 Bc4(Dara 20) 1 Nc (1 4 19 gains th pic bt h 19 Na6 0ba6 g3 1 cb6 Ba6 looks in o Black bcas th bpawn alls) 19 Na1

0 B5 bc5 (0 . Ra4 1 Ba Bb7 Ra1 R 3 B6 4 5 bc5 5 Bb3 alin gvn by Jonathan Rowson at Chesspblshng.com - is also btt o Whit) 1Ra1 6 Bc3 an th bishop pa copl with th connct pass pawns ltWhit in contol. o Aonian's ov-th-boa inspiation was wa bt itctainly appas that Black has som sl impovmnts aong th way.

Dara 20 (B) Dara 2 (W)

can't n any ampls o 11 Nb bt at 11 . 00 (o vn 1 Bb4) Im notally s what th knight is oing on b5.

11Q6 (Dara 21)

Now Whit mst c whth o not to pmit an chang o qns

Dlayng Qg6 in avo o 1100? wol allow a tanspostion to th not toBlack's th mov with Whit plying 1 Bg5

12 Bf4

hs mov is lss angos than Aonian's 11 B4 Fo on thing with Whit alay having castl kingsi h can no long tak avantag o th opn h-ilat .Qg3

H a som altnativs:

a) At 1 Qg6 hg6 it's Black who may b abl to ploit th h-il an thgam Taiovatpovaia Dianchnko pkhov 004 povis a goo monstation o how this qnlss milgam can avo Black 13 a3 7 14 b4B4 15 Bb g5 16 Na4 Bb 17 Nb Bb7 1 h3 g6 19 3 N5 0 Rac 1 Rc 6

6 0



Fo l owi ng i n Stau nton' Foottep

e3 3 e Rh4 4 ex gx (iagam 22) and lak went n t nvert heradvantage.

iagam 22 (W) iagam 2 (W)

b) 12 Qh3 h (t answer e4-e5 wth . Qg4; lak ld als nsder 12 Ne5 13e b7) 13 Rd (r 13 Nb 0-0 14 e Qg4) 13 .b7 14 4 Q6 1 e3 d6 16 Ra

Rd 17 a3 g 1 b4 g4 19 Qg3 d4 0 xd4 Nxd4 21 Qh6 2 Qd3 e 3 NeNxe2 4 Qxe2 was agreed drawn n RblevskyAMrevh Msw 1993.he nal pstn lks rghly level althgh there s stll qte a bt pay let

) 12 Q4 s anther way t avd the qeen exhange bt we've already seen that4 snt a artlarly wnderl sqare the whte qeen and 1 . . .00 13 e3 d614 Rad1 e 15 Qh4 Nd4! 16 Qg3 e6 prved t be mre than mrtable r lakn P.Orev-Lpassv a 004

12 ... Qxg 1 Bxg Ke7 14 R1 (agam 2)

We've been llwng the GM ennter VMalakhv-PTregbv Cappelle laGrande 1999. I eel that lak s pretty mrtable n ths endgame: hs kng swell plaed; he enjys nsderable dark-sqared ntrl n the entre; and nallytheres the pssbly takng the ntatve n the kngsde by advanng hepawns there. Certanly n the game regbv was able t press and reate smeprblems r Whte. Ater b7 16 Ra Ne5 17 e 6 1 g 19 3 Rh0 e a 1 a3 a4 Nb h 23 Nd4 b7 24 2 g4 R2 gx3 6 gx3 a6 7Rd h4 2 R3 Rg 9 Rd Ng6 30 e3 d6 31 h3 4 32 2 e 33 e1 Ra 34 g3 3 N2 Ne lak was dtatng the play and regbv managed t wn

n the end

6



Dangeous Weapons : Anti - i c i l i ans

onclusion

ally lik th ambitis ida bhind 4 g7 and als th at that Whit anplay nmal mvs nly t ind himsl stggling badly (as h did in th tm

ski-Mvih gam)Fm a thtial viwpint it lks lik Blak has n pblms whatsv at5 B2 d4! Whits mst hallnging appah appas t b 5 d4 and Q3! (sin B) bt vn h bliv that Blaks ss a siint t ah anintsting psitn with qal hans bth sids

6



Chapter welve

A Remedy to the Nimzowitsch

ohn mms

1 e4 cs Nf Nf6 es Nds 4 g!? (Diagram 1)

Daram 1 (B)

The Nimwitsch icilian is a vey ticky and ndeated weapn f Black. Taditinally they has sggested that White hlds the advantage in the main lines

6 3



Dangerous Weaons Anti - S i i l i ans

ate 3 e Nd 4 Nc3 e6 Nxd exd 6 d4 Nc6 7 dxc xc Qxd Qb6 ( d6 9exd6 Qb6) bt it's devilishly cmplicated and ndestandably many playes withWhite ae elctant t ight n thei ppnents' avite teity especially sincey'e nlikely t cme p against 2 N6 evey day the week

me sces e 3 Nc3 as a sltin with the idea tanspsing t an Openicilian ate d2d4 This is ai engh bt ite still has t deal with bth3 d!? and 3 N6 4 d4 d! ? Ftheme 3 Nc3 cases pblems Ant-icilianplayes F example i lack eplies with 3 d6 sme Anti-icilian pssiblitiesthat Whte enys ate 2 N3 d6 n lnge exist: c2-c3 is impssible while bthb+ and c4 ae less eective with a knght aleady cmmitted t c3 (White canhweve ty 4 e!? see Chapte )

I checked t a ew Anti-icilian' pssibilities White and the ne I inallyplmped was 3 e Nd 4 g3!? when the bishp develps n the lng diagnaland indiectly attacks the knightThis weapn wks well in cnnctin with 2 N3 e6 3 g3 (see Chapte 0), asthee ae sme tanspsitinal pssibilities which I've highlighted late n in thischapte st as with 2 N3 e6 3 g3 the ianchett appeas deceptively qiet andyet it's nt nsal the game t beak t int vilence

We'll begin with a cple examples whee White's pening stategy bings sccess n the ist game White desn't chse the mst citical appach bt lackndeestimates sme tactical pssibilities the g2bishp with atal cnse

qences

A.Avi • M.Simonet Pons

Tu n Oympad 2006

1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 e Nd 4 g3 d6

mmediately attacking White's pawn speahead is lgical and has been lack'smst ppla way meeting 4 g3 althgh in pactice he has sally adpted a

mve de 4 Nc6 g2 and nly nw d6aly deviatins lack will be cveed in the Lking a Little Deepe sectinbelw

5 Bg2 Nc6 6 exd6 Qxd6 7 0-0 (Dagam 2) 7 Bg4

Given the chance White wld cetainly play d2-d4 hee and pinning the 3-knight is a cmmnsense way t pevent this

8 h3 Bh 9 d3

Late n we'll als cve the me diect 9 Nc3! which I think cases lack mepblems as well as the bld 9 d4!?

9 e6 10 Nc3 Be7 11 Nxd

26 4



A emedy to te mzowitsc

R 0-0 and nly nw Nxd ms int nsidatin sin i Blak aps as in th gam with Qxd5 Whit an py 3 g4 Bg6 4 NS ing apawn waknss n th qnsid. 4 ..Qd6 is d and h Whit an hs5 Nx6 x6 6 Q3 Ra 7 B4 vn 5 Bx6? x6 6 B4

ex Qxd5 R and nw . . .Qd7 lks lik an asi way t ah a lvl psitin.

3 - 3 Qb3? (Diaram 3)

Daram (B) Diaram 3 (B)

Ojtivly 3 Q3 might nt Whits stngst mv t it tainly ds thtik in this gam as Bak ails t at pply

3 R is a dnt atnativ spialy sin against h plasil 3 . .B6(3 Qd7 is sa) Whit an ga th initiativ with sm l pay that's

wth mming 4 B4 Qd7 5 g4 Bg6 6 gS whn th shp is kikd th lng diagna and Whit an play NS Blak has t al h; xampl 6 . B7 7 NS QS Qg4 Qxg4 9 Nxg4 Rd 0 4 (0 . . dx4?? Bx6 wis a pi) BxdS Bxd3 and Bak is hanging n t Whit is still xting onsida pss

13 b6?

Blak wa ndstandaly kn t liminat th pm th 7-pawn vt 3 .. 6 ass him tatial pms d t th knight n 6 n lng ing

pttd y a pawn. Hwv 3 Qd7 4 R and nw 4 . 6 intnding ..B7wld hav hld hngs tgth.

4 Re

6



Dangeus Weapns : An i S i c i l i a ns

Planning B4 llwd b y N

4 ...f6

This mv pvnts th B4/N ida and ppas B7 Untnatly Blakit ntais a ma tatial law

Against 14 B6 Whit an at in th sam aggssiv mann as disssd a-li 15 B4 Qd7 16 g4! ( 16 N5 Bx5! 17 Bx Rad is playabl Blak) 16 Bg6 17g5! (Dagram 4) and n again th knight is abl t ah 5. Fllwing 17. .B71 N Nx5 19 Rx Bxd3 20 Rxd Qb5 21 R1 Ra! (2 R lss t 22 Rxd3Qxd3 23 Bxa) Blak has st abt managd t avid any atastphs b h stillhas many pblms t slv; xampl 22 B7! (ially pvnting th ing Bd; Blak svivs at 22 Rd Bd!) 22 B4 23 Qxb Bxb5 24 b3 and Whit'spss psists


Pbably th sast ptin Blak is t simply giv p th bishp pai vn iWhit njys a lasting dg at 14 . Bx3 1 Bx3 Rad 16 B4 Qd7 17 Kg2

Bf4 Q8

15 ..Qd7 wld n int th sam ply

6 N4 (Dagram )

-f

DANGEROUS WEAPON Whte's fanchetoe bisho s finllyunleashe. hs tactcal sho exlos Black's unrotecte

eces on c6 an h an wns at least a awn.

Phaps Blak had bn xpting th pdstian 16 Nh4?, whn h an sviv byplaying 16 B7 17 N5 Qd7 t



A Rmdy to t i m zwitsc

16 ...cxd4

6 Nxd4 is no btt: 7 Qxd5 Qxd5 (o 7. . .7 Qxa N2 9 Qxa7) Bxd5+h 9 Bxa N2 20 g2 Rxa 2 Bd2 and Blak has no good dn to 22 g4

17 Qxd+ Bf7

O 7 . Qxd5 Bxd5 R7 9 Bx6 Rd and now 20 4 lavs Whit a halthpawn ahad 20 xd4 is also stong sin 20 . Rxd4 loss mo matial to thhk 2 B

18 Qxc6 c8

dx3 loss at 9 Qxa Qxa 20 Bxa xb2 2 Rab Bb4 22 R4 B3 23 Bb7Bxa2 24 Rxb2 Bxb2 25 R2.

19 Qb7 Bd6 20 Bxd6 Qxd6 21 Re7!

Th's no tp; th that is 22 Rx7.21 ... Rce8 22 Rd7 1-0

Winning a sond pawn and pobabl a tid on on a7 Blak saw no ason tostggl on

n th nxt gam Whit plas mo aggssivl with 9 N3 and th slt is av shap batt with opposit-sid astling

0 VZaitsev • I.Ddkin

Ser pk hov 2004

1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 e Nd 4 3 Nc6 5 B2 d6 6 exd6 Qxd6 7 B4 8 h3 Bh 9 Nc3Nxc3 10 bxc3 e 11 Rb1! (Daam 6

Daram 6 (B Daram 7 (B

2 6 7



Dangero s Weapons : Ant i- i c i l i ans

...00-0!

DAGEROS WEAPO rucay Wte sees te sem-oen bfle as eary as ossble, at a tme wen Black cannot easyeal wt te treat to s b-awn.

lack is ctainly castling int an attack bt at cnsiding th altativs itcld b agd that this bav appach is th bst ptin availabl

t's asy t ndstand why sm dncs a impssibl b6?? lss t 2 g4g6 3 x5 natly xpliting th pn il and th lng diagnal whil 4?is answd by 2 Q ! and lack lss a pawn at 2 5 3 d3 2 g6 3Nh4 Hwv th a als pblms with lack's m plasibllkingmvs

Against Qc7 Whit can play h dvastating 2 g4 g6 3 Nx5! ! (3 Rxb7Qxb7 4 Nx5 is als stng) 3 Nx5 4 Rxb7 xampl 4 Qd6 5 4 Nd7 65 gaining th pic with a dcisiv advantag

vn Rb8 isn't cmpltly sa at 2 d4! cxd4 (2 4? 3 4) 3 g4 g6 4cxd4 xampl 4 xd4 5 Rb3! (planning a3) 5 7 6 a3 Qc7 7 Nxd4!0-0 ( 7 Nxd4 8 Qxd4 0-0 9 Rc3) 8 x7 Nx7 9 4

2 Qe2!

Th qn hads twads th al actin with minimm ss Th Q2-b5 ma

nv is a cmmn at this lin2 .. Qc7 3 Qb f6!

Whit was thatning 4 Nx5!

4 4!? (Dagram 7)

Whit aiss th staks and nw th gam hads int nathmabl cmpicatins Fm a pactical viwpint thgh lack's psitin is h m diclt tplay bcas any slip cld lad t disasts cnsqncs his nd-iking and this is indd what happns in th gam

4 d3 planning 3 and Nd2 was a m staind appach against which lackcld cnsid 4 8 4 7

4... a6 Qb2 cx4 6 cx4 e4

At 6 xd4 7 4 d6 (7 Qd7? lss t 8 Nxd4!) 8 Nxd4! x4 (8 Nxd49 xb7!) 9 Nxc6 bxc6 20 gx4 Whit has th advantag bcas lack's aiy kingcntins t b th mst imptant at th psitin

2 f!

lack gatst chanc sccss lis with ying t stil Whit's light-sqadbishp hnc his lctanc t xchang' th 4- and d4pawns

8 b3 Bf7 9 Be3 Rg8

6 8





Dagerus Weaps : Ati - S i i l i a s

g5 7 35 Qd6 c 36 Qx7 whn i's nlikl ha lack wld b abl srviv

26 Bf1!

w Whis aack is srng lack simpl cann dal wih all h hras

26 . Ra 27 Bxc Bxc 2 Qe Bd6 29 Rxc+! Rxc 30 Qd Re 31 Qxc+ Qc6 32Qxc6+ 10

Looking ittle Deeper

1 e c 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 e Nd 3 (Daam 10)


Nc6

As wv alrad sn 4 . . d6 5 g2 c6 ranspss h main x

In h gam P.Ppvic-Khirazi Nw Yrk 96 lack dvlpd his qnsbishp imaginaivly wih 4 . .b6!? 5 g2 a6 b Whis rspns was qi cnvincing 6 d3 Nc6 7 0-0 6 R 7 9 c4 cmpll blcking h bishpAfr 9 .Nc7 I slighl prr 0 Nc3 0-0 N4 Ppvics 0 b3 Hwvr ilack ris raciva his bishp b plaing .b5 Whi ds ndd rpl wih2 b3 kping i hmmd in

70

TIKY TANSPOSITION If Black plays e6 we have eachedLne of hapte 10 1 e c 2 Nf3 e6 3 3 Nf6 e Nd Whte

needs to be eady fo ths tansposton especally snce thesame vaaton wll also be eached f Black plays ... e6 on move 5o6



A Remedy to t e m zowitsc

5 B

5 ..g6 s a lgcal altnat t th man ln At 6 0-0 Bg7 7 R 0-0 Wht hastd a cpl ms

a) d4 cd4 9 Nd4 Nc7 N3 d6 d6 Qd6 ( p Wht at . .. d6 2Nc3) 2 Qd6 d6 3 c3 (wth th qns th bad Black cld answ 3Nc3 by httng c2 say wth 3 . .B5) 3. . .d5 4 Na3 B5 S B3 B4 6 Rad N6 7NbS Rd and Black's pc actty nsd that th slatd qn's pawn wasnt a maj pblm n V.Jansa-JMy Hcknhm 2007

b) Nc3 and nw

b) .. .Nc3 9 dc3 (ths gs Black m t thnk abt than 9 bc3) 9 . . .d6 (thws Wht's plan wld b B4 Qd2 Rad tc) d6 Qd6 (phaps Blackshld play . . d6 nstad althgh n h B4 d5 2 Qd2 ntndng

ms lk Bh6 N5 and Rad lks pmsng Wht) Qd6 d6 2 B4Rd 3 Nd2 and Black s nd m pss N4 s n maj da and 3 ...d5s n hlp n accnt 4 Bc7.

b2) . .Nc7 9 d3 N6 Nd5 d6 d6 Qd6 2 c4 Nc7 3 Ng Nd5 4 cd5 Nb4(Daa 11) pdcd cmplcans hat lkd aabl Wht nWPtzsch-F.Bambach ldtz 967. As wll as th gam's S Qb3 lk thmmdat B4 h. F ampl Qa6 6 R7 B6 ( 6 . Bb2 7 d6) 7d6 B7 d7 R 9 N4 R7 20 Nc Qb5 2 d4 whn Wht's powlly

placd pcs cpld wth Black's chnc dak-sqa waknsss cllntcmpnsatn th small matal dct

DANGEROUS WEAPON! Qc7 attack the e-awn, but t atheat that Whte can noe Afte -! Nxe 7 Nxe Qxe 84! (Daam 1) 8 cx4 9 Re1 Q (PPoovc-MBjelajac,Nov Sa 1981) 10 Qx4 Qb4 11 Q1! (Bjelajac) Whte enjoyoen lne a eou lea n eveoment an a bho on that fully jutfe h econ to fanchetto on move 4

Th a many pssbl cntnatns whch llstat th dang t Black's pstn. F ampl . . N6 2 Nc3 6 3 a3 Qa5 4 B4 B7 5 Qd3 a6 ( S . . .0-0 6S d5 7 Nc7 Rb Nd5) 6 Bd6 Qd 7 Na4 00 Rad and Black s stgglng t ath; c2c4c5 s n bs way Wht t cntn.

ex Qx

Wht can clam an dg at 6 .d6 7 00 B7 d4 snc Black mst b calh dsnt nd p wth a cmpmsd pawn stct . 00 9 Na3 (9 c4 Nb6 0

d5? s not th ght path snc at .Na5 Wht cannt ptct th c4pawn b3 lss t . B£6) 9 . .B5 c3 Rc R B6 2 Nh4 Bh4 3 BdS B6 4dc dc 5 B£4 Qd7 6 Nc4 was btt Wht n F.Njb-.Van d WlWk aan Z 2003 and llwng 6 . . .Bg4 7 B3 Qd Bd Bd 9 Rad

2 7 1



Dangerou Weaon : Ant i S ic l i a n

lack was acng an phll ask hld h ndng whch h ald d

7 - (Daam 13) 7 ... B4

Daam 12 {B) Daam 13 {W)

Agans 7 g6 Wh shld canly ply d4! whn h has gd chancs anadvanag xampl a g7 9 c4 Nb6 0 d5 N5 ( 0 Na5 Na3 00 2

Q2) Nx5 x5 2 Q2 0-0 3 R Th h way pvn d2-d4 s wh 7 5 b claly h s sm sk aachd hs pawn lng Na3! as playd n PPpvcIvanvc lgad97 cs lack cnsd das basd n bh Nc4 and NbS and hs ms bWh's ms dangs appach Tha gam cnnd Nb6 (snsbly lng Nc4; g4? 9 h3 h5 alws Wh mmdaly xpl h pn lwh 0 g4 g6 Nc4 Q6 2 Nx5) 9 NS Qd7 0 R 7 a4! (nndng aSand mayb vn a6) 6 2 c3 a6 3 Na3 Qd (lack ms avd 3 00? 4Qb3+) 4 d4 cxd4 S cxd4 g4 and h 6 Qb3 mgh wll b Wh's sngs

cnnan A 6 x3 7 Qx3 b4 (7 Qxd4 a5 NxaS 9 3 Qd6 20Qg4 s achs lack whl 7 Nxd4 Qxb7 as avs Wh) R4Nxd4 9 Qd h dang sn' v: 9 00 20 Rxd4! Qxd4 2 Qb3 h 22 3Qd6 23 Rd wns maal; whl vn a 9 xa3 20 Rxa3 nndng 3 9 c5 20 3 hanng 2 b4 h pss cnns

Gng back a w mvs 2 Nh4!? hanng 3 QhS lks lk a pmsngalnav 2 c3 spcally snc h naal ply 2 00 ns n a plasngda 3 aS Nc4 4 Nc7! (Daam 14) nndng answ 4 Qxc7 wh 5 dS

h 6 QhS h3

n gnal 's sl Wh hav h mvs h2h3 and h5 nsd b

2 2



A Remedy o e mz owsc

th mmdat N3 s as pssb h h gam KdnK.ha UChampnshp Gn 193 ntans sm smats t th man txt andpds a gd statn th hans Wht an gnat sng th ha-pnb- at th xhang knghts n th 3-sqa ...Nx3 9 bx3 Qd7 (9 . . .6 s

mt by 10 Rb1 mpa th man txt wth h3 and Bh5 nstd) 10 Rb1 0-0-0 11Q2 ( 11 d4! s tmptng as 1 . .xd4 12 xd4 Nxd4 13 Qxd4 Qxd4 14 Nxd4 Rxd4 15Bxb7 wd by B3 as Bak's kng stggng t p wth Wht's ampat ks and bshps) 11..6 (Daam 5) 12 d4!? (12 Qb5 s a stng m andss sat than 12 d4) 12 xd4 13 Rd1 5 14 xd4 xd4 (Wht's da at14 . .Nxd4 mst ha bn 15 Rxd4! xd4 16 B4) and h 15 Qb5! wd hamantand th ntat


Bak an as pay 6 aganst N3 whn sspt that Wht shd tbak t th man txt wth 9 h3

8Bh5

Qt ndstandaby ths nata tat has bn th mst mmn h Bak Hw gng p th bshp pa wth Bx3 9 Qx3 6 (Daam ) s asd atnat Indd n thgh Wht has a pssb dg n w thptnta th bshp pa at ast m Bak's pnt w adnts a ssky t RbskyAKhaman Kaan 200 ntnd 10 N3 (10 Na3B7 11 3 0-0 12 d3 Rad 13 Q2 B£6 14 N4 Q7 15 a4 was ghy qa nP.Pp-Dah mn 190) 10 . . .Rd! (many pays wd nd 10 ..Nd4

t tmptng t sst bt at 1 1 Qd1 1 QhS! ? s as ntstng 11 .B7 12Nxd5 xd5 13 3 Wht gans th st tm and 1 3 ... N6 14 d3 ppang Qb3and B4 ks pmsng hm) 1 1 NxdS Qxd5! 12 Qxd5 xd5 13 d3 B7 4 4dx4 15 dx4 00 and Bak had jst abt qad sn th knght's tpst n

7 3



Da ngerous Weaons Ant i - Si c l i a ns

d4 mpnsas h bshp pa (and n pala Wh's sng bshp ng2)

Daam 16 {W) Daam 17 (B)

kng a h pssbls Wh ld phaps dlay apng n d5 n av R B7 and nly nw 2 xd5 nndng m 2 Qxd5 wh 3Qg4!? (Daam 17) 3 Q3!?; xampl 3 Qg4 Qd4 4 Bx6!? bx6 5 R4Q6 6 d3 0-0 7 B4 and n h lng n Wh wll y nbbl away a Blak'swak pawns n h qnsd

9 Nc3!

9 d3 6 0 3 wkd wll n h llsav gam lvmn Pns b I blv ha 0 3 s Wh m hans ganng an advanag In q aw ass Wh an as Blak pblms wh d2-d4 vn hgh Blak's nsagy has bn basd and pvnng hs mv

ROLL THE DICE! I Whte s eeln bold he coud ty hs luckwth the daneous 9 d!? {Daam 1)

O my daabas hs mv has sd a p 00% alb nly m gamsBlak has m han n way g wng b h an js ab ah a playablpsn h navgas h mplans ssslly (s n d')

a) 9 xd4?! s h bvs nnan b 0 g4 ! Bg6 xd4 xd4 2 Qxd4 sgd Wh xampl 2 6 3 a3 B7 4 4 Qb6 5 Qxg7 B6 6 Qh6

Kha-Yk a F 2003b) 9 Bx3 0 Qx3 6 dx5 Qx5 2 3! ? x3 3 bx3 B7 4 Rb d (4 Rb?5 Rxb7!) 5 Rd 0-0 as playd n Vlkv-EMnasakanan ls 93 lavsWh wh xlln p avy spally h hss 6 Rd7! h

7



A Rmdy mzwsc

) 9 . . .xd4 0 g4 Bg6 Nxd4 0-0-0 ( . .Nd4 2 Nx6 Qxd 3 Rxd Nx6 4 46 S N3 with an dg) 2 Nx6 x6 3 4 N4 (3. . .N4 4 Qa4) 4 Qxd6 N2+S h2 Rxd6 6 B3 ahs a mpliatd psitin in whih wld payta Wit.

d) pping th stas y paying 9 . . .0-00 (Daram 9) sms t Bla's stida. A 0 4 N6 dS Bla mst ma a disin

Daram 8 (B) Daram 9 (W)

d) Whit gts a stng initiativ at . . .Nx4 2 N3 xampl 2 . . .N4 3R NxdS 4 Qd3? Nx3 S QS+ 6 6 QxhS NdS 7 NgS.

d2) . .. 6 2 N3 xdS 3 B4 Qd7 4 g4 Bg6 S NS was V.mliavV.Chv Va Thns 994. 'm nt ttally nvind y Whit's atta h iBla hss S ...a6 intnding 6 B7 Nx4 7 Bxd axS. n viw this 2 B4(instad N3) 2 . . .S 3 Bd2 Nd4 4 g4 Bg6 S Na3 ld wll Whit's st

ptin h. ndd with Nxd4 llwd y NS and als 24 in th ai Whithas sm pmising pssiilitis

Phaps was slling 9 d4 a littl sht with Rll th Di'

9Nc3

n th th gams nd ahing this psitin Bla has aways hsn t las th tnsin y apting n 3 t n again 9 ..6 ms int nsidatin. thin th ntinatin that ass Bla th mst pms h is 0 R(0 Nxd5 QxdS R is mt y . . .Qd7 whil 0 d3 is n m a tanspsi

tin t Aviimnt Pns) 0 . . .B7 (tning t 0 . . Nx3 is still pssil tR is a aily sl mv Whit and x3 B7 2 R Q7 3 d4 is an ativspns) NxdS and nw

a) ..QxdS 2 g4 Bg6 3 NS (this is why Whit plays 0 R instad 0 d3)

7





A Remedy o e mzowc

reach a awnown enn aer 1 bxc6 16 Rxb8+ Qxb8 17Bxc6+ K8 1 8 Bxb8 Bxc2 19 cx

12

12 d3 d6 followed by 00 would let lack off the hook

12 R8

12. .d6 prevents £4 but can be met by 13 d5

13 Qe2 Daram 22)

Daram 22 B) Daram 23 B)

13 e3 was also possible, but this is much more dynaic

13 cx

lack would of course like to finally develop his darksquared bishop, but 13 d6

runs into 14 d5, and likewise 13 e7 is met by 14 4 d6 15 d5 1 3

e best deence 14. . .g6 15 Nxd4 Nxd4 (15. .e7 16 Rxb7) 1 6 cxd4 leaves lackwith problems over b7, since 16 b6 is answered by 17 Qb5 Rd7 18 c6

15 cx3 B6 16 N Daram 23)

Crucially lack is given absolutely no time to settle and reach a playable positionWe have been following the game AhabalovChristiansen U Championship,Parsippany 1996, which continued 16 xd4 1 7 cxd4 Qd6 1 7 b6 is answered by

18 f4, and here 18 Rxb7 would not only leave White a pawn ahead but aso stillwith a strong initiative For example, 18 ..e7 19 d5 00 20 b2; or even 19 4?,plannin to meet 19 Qxd4? 20 e3 Qxd3 with 21 Rxe7+ Kxe7 22 c5 Rd6 23Qxd3 xd3 24 Rd 1 wining

277



Danerous Weapons Anti Si c i l i ans

Concuson

4 g3 is fairly easy t lea and remember, an d fr this reasn alne it's a gdpratial weapn against a iilian line y are nlikely t fae very ften t is it

dangers engh? dging frm the evidene f this hapter I believe the answer is yes

7 8



I ndex of Va r iat ions1 e4 c and now

A 2 Nf3

2 c3

C 2 Nc3

A) 1 e4 c 2 Nf3 Nc6

2 d6 d4 cxd4 4 Qxd4 Nc6 5 Bb5 Bd7 6 Bxc6 bxc6

7 e5

7 00

7 c 4

Nc Nf6 4 e5 dxe5 5 Nxe5

5 . 6

5 . Nbd7

7 9



Da ngeous Wea pons Ant - S c l an s

5 6

2 6

3 c4 Nc6 4 Nc3 Ng7 5 d4 (5 2 ) 5 Nxd4 6 Nxd4 xd4 7 Qxd4 Nc6

Q3

Qd

3 g3

3 Nf6

3 Nc6 4 g2

4 Nf6

4 g6

3 d5 4 xd5 xd5 5 g2

5 Nc6

5 Q7

2 Nf6 3 5 Nd5 4 g3 6

Nc6

8 0



4 . d6 ,

3 Bb

Nc

..f6 4 5 Ng4 5 Q2

5 . .Qc7

5 . .d6 -

5 . . £6

. .5 4 c4 7 5 d N£6

6 6 d2

6 g5 7 £4 d5 xd5

8 . Nd4

.. g4 -

36 . .6 4 c

4 ..f6 -

nde o Va ia t ions

8 1





10 b4

10 d4

B) 1 e4 2 3 Nf62 d 3 exd Qxd 4 d4 c6 3 e

6 Nbd

6 xe

6 e3

6 dxe , 3 e Nd 4 d4 xd4 5 xd4 d6 6 Nf3 N6 7 B4 dxe

8 dxe

8 xd

8 xe

8Ndb4 9 Qb3 9 00

9 Qxd8+

8 3



Dangrous Wapons Ant -S l an s

3

) 1 e c Nc3 Nc6 3 3 6 B B7 3

...d6

5 5

6 Be3 7 3

7 Nge2

7 Q2

7 £ 4

7 ...e

7 7

8



I n dex of Ga mesAlvr.A-Smonet Pon.M Tui Olymiad 006 . . . . 264

Amarer.V-Me.N Toigy 00 . . . . . . . . .. . . 10

Arkhpov.S-Epelbaum.M Alsta 994 . . . . . 227

Beoun.XChatalbahev.B Rode 006 24

Hector.JLnner.M Hambug 003 . . . . . . . . 167

Lutkov.AErmenkov.E Abea 976 . . 86

Moroevch.AMarkarov.A Kasoda 997 . 126

Nabuur.M-Bu.T Maastict 007 14

Pavaovc.D-Votava.J Eu oea Team Cam ios i Leo 00 . . . . . . . . .53

Ru.JRoe.M itis eage 004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Srebrnc.M-Svehnkov.E led 008 . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Stromkj.PMoroevch.A Austa 994 . . 249

Svetuhn.DHalka.S Ates 004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Vaja.L-Vukovc.Z ucaest 999 . . . . . 59

Zatev.V-Duukn. Seukov 004 . .. ....... .. ...... ... 267

8



Documents

Dangerous Weapons-Anti-Sicilians - Emms, Palliser, Wells