% BOOKTITLE = The Triangle System
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E70"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "6"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.11"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 {. Grandmaster Ruslan Scherbakov presents an
opening system for Black based on the Semi-Slav Triangle, an ambitious way to
fight the ever-popular Queen's Gambit. Black's weapons include the Noteboom
Variation - a dynamic counterattack which takes White out of his comfort zone
and offers Black the chance to dictate the game from the outset. Scherbakov
also examines options for Black against the aggressive Semi-Slav Marshall
Gambit, as well as White's quieter tries such as the Exchange Variation,
various defences of the c4-pawn and the Catalan approach. Scherbakov has over
20 years of experience in studying and playing these opening variations, which
have been tried and tested successfully at grandmaster level and are specially
designed for players who want to challenge White in the opening.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Introduction"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E70"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "7"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2011.07.11"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 {. A first attempt to write this book was made in
the late 1990s, when the Slav 'Triangle' - or the 'Wineglass', as Maxim
Sorokin described the black pawn structure - used to be my main weapon against
1 d4. However, after almost finishing the Noteboom and a good part of the
Marshall, I was unable to complete the issue - family cares, growing kids and,
at the same time, intensive coaching work forced me not only to put a few
hundred pages on the shelf but almost to forget about playing chess
tournaments! Meanwhile, working with players of different levels and styles
distracted me from the Triangle itself. During the last decade many other
opening systems occurred in my practice, so when I got a chance to resume this
work at the end of 2010 everything had to be reviewed from the beginning. Yet,
it was actually nice, as it brought some pleasant memories back to me... ---
Frankly speaking, I've always been a bit superficial in my approach to chess,
digging wider - in contrast to Maxim, who always dug deeper. Writing this book
in memory of my best friend, I tried hard to be as accurate and systematic as
him, coming up in advance with answers to many possible questions which may
occur to attentive readers. Perhaps it made the book rather heavy, but modern
chess has become very concrete and requires thorough preparation in all parts
of the game, starting from the opening. Actually, when it came to the final
stage of writing I cut many variations from the book; but if the material is
still a bit too complicated for lower-level players, I would offer a simple
piece of advice: at first look through the main lines, given in bold, and only
refer to the sidelines later, whenever you feel it is required.} 4. -- {This
book gives a complete and well-organized repertoire for Black, based on the
Slav Triangle. However, I didn't avoid any problems Black may face, so it
should be also helpful for White players in their search for a way to counter
the Triangle. I tried to remain as objective as possible, so don't be
surprised to see an assessment like 'White keeps a slight edge' at the end of
some lines. In fact this is true for almost every normal opening system, so
why should the Triangle be an exception?! --- The strategic ideas behind
Black's approach are rather simple and can be described in a few words: grab
the pawn on c4, protect it by ...b7-b5, and prepare an advance ...c6-c5 to get
the light-squared bishop into play and undouble the c-pawns. As a rule, if
Black succeeds with this plan, he obtains a tangible advantage, though of
course there will be many obstacles in the way. Actually, it may look like
Black is ignoring some basic principles of opening play, such as quick
development, safety, fighting for the centre. He should certainly keep those
in mind, but at the same time he wants to get some benefit on the queenside.
--- Isn't it too ambitious for the beginning of the game?! Doesn't it look
like Black is trying to kill two birds with one stone? Perhaps, but there will
be more stones in his bag! Besides, Black isn't playing this way against 1 e4
- it's a closed opening after all and White can't develop an initiative so
quickly. Perhaps Black's approach might be called an exception, but it has
been successful so many times in practice it should already become the rule!} (
4. -- {In some lines Black has more than one possible way to play and, in
spite of my own preference and simply to give a choice, I have covered most
reasonable options - sometimes even those not quite satisfactory from Black's
point of view, if there were some interesting or typical ideas which would be
useful in other lines. ---With the help of this book, which gives a complete
picture of the 'Slav Triangle' and many related systems, you may comfortably
build your own repertoire with Black, adjusting it to your own style, level or
your goals in chess. I've also attempted to provide as much explanation as
possible since, as Eugene Znosko-Borovsky taught more than 75 years back,
understanding typical plans and ideas, thematic manoeuvres and common tactics
is more important than learning numerous variations by heart. As often happens
in the latter case, a player is unable to refute a dubious move simply because
he didn't see it in the book. On the other hand, since the Triangle can lead
to rather unusual positions, it might be difficult - and in many cases not
quite correct - to apply general principles, so the more concrete details
aren't superfluous either. Modern chess hasn't only become a rather tough kind
of sport, it's also becoming more and more scientific and so requires more and
more precise knowledge...}) (4. -- {Among those players who have regularly
caused headaches for White and advanced the theory of the Slav Triangle, I
would mention (in the order they came to mind): Maxim Sorokin, Alexander
Galkin, Pavel Tregubov, Michal Krasenkow, Andrei Kharlov, Marek Matlak, Glenn
Flear, Evgeny Sveshnikov, Alexander Moroz, Igor Novikov, Oleg Korneev, Marinus
Kuijf, Markus Stangl, Josef Klinger, and Mark Van der Werf. Younger
generations would be represented by Yuri Shulman, Dusko Pavasovic, Jakov
Geller, Dmitry Frolyanov, Artyom Timofeev, Vladimir Malakhov, Sergei Zhigalko,
and Niclas Huschenbeth. --- Almost all top players, including the World
Champions, have used the Triangle from time to time, but two of them, Alexei
Shirov and Alexander Grischuk, deserve special praise for their contribution
to the Noteboom and the Triangle Stonewall. As you may have noticed, a huge
majority of the Triangle advocates mentioned here are Russian-speaking players,
so I apologize in advance to those, especially from other parts of the world,
who are somehow omitted from the list.}) (4. -- {I would also like to thank
some people personally, without whom this book would hardly have been written:
Alexander Filipenko and Evgeny Gleizerov, who taught all of us to play the
Meran and Stonewall at Alexander Panchenko's chess school in the 1980s, and of
course 'Pancha' himself, who was my coach for many years (sadly, he's no
longer with us); Alex Volzhin, who partially shared my enthusiasm for the
Noteboom in the 1990s; Kateryna Lahno, who encouraged me to resume and finally
complete this work; John Emms, who guided me through the writing process and
kindly accepted all delays; and very special thanks to my wife Tatiana, who
took care of our kids and many other things while I was plunged into this work.
--- In conclusion I would like to encourage readers to get the most benefit
from my first big work. Enjoy sailing in the often troubled waters of the Slav
Triangle and let it become the 'Bermuda Triangle' for your opponents!}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Pt.1: The Noteboom Variation"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 ({Black can also build the Slav Triangle by playing} 2... c6
{, followed by 3...e6. In this case he has to be ready to face the Exchange
Slav after} 3. cxd5 cxd5 {, which will not be discussed here. It isn't so
dangerous for Black, but he may find it more difficult to make things
complicated and so obtain chances to outplay his opponent.}) 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3
dxc4 {This is the starting position for the Noteboom Variation. White has
tried numerous different approaches here. The most popular is} 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3
{, where he gets the pawn back, but we begin with plans which make quick and
comfortable development a priority.} b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10.
b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O {. When building the
Triangle many of Black's advocates (including myself) are actually dreaming of
the Noteboom Variation, which begins when Black takes on c4, reaching the
position in the diagram above. --- However, many players associate it with a
different position:} O-O {. Dutch player Daniel Noteboom was probably the
first to use this system regularly, though he never really played this
position. However, that was simply because his life and chess career ended too
early, at the age of 21. In some publications this variation is called
Abrahams Defence, after the Englishman Gerald Abrahams, but most players know
this variation under the name of the Dutchman. --- My first acquaintance with
the Noteboom took place in 1986. Before that, I only knew such a variation
existed and that it was considered to be very dubious for Black, so I was
quite happy to face it in an important game with the white pieces. I remember
very well my feelings during that game: "I am better... much better...
probably winning... what's happening??!" The next year I played a consultation
game at Alexander Panchenko's training camp and the scenario was almost the
same. These defeats certainly caused me some doubts, but until the end of the
1980s I was still trying to refute Black's approach - White's position looked
too powerful. Besides, I liked the pair of bishops very much and a serious
part of my opening repertoire was based on lines which promised good chances
to obtain it. In this particular position no one can seriously talk about the
bishop pair advantage, which is overwhelmed by some other important factors,
but it was just one more reason why it was not easy for me to accept that
Black's position was perhaps not so bad after all!! --- Looking at it without
prejudice, without considering the ugly moves Black has played to reach it, we
would notice many positive points: Black's development is complete, he has
neither pawn weaknesses nor bad pieces, and he already has connected passed
pawns!} 15. -- {Is there any other opening in which Black achieves such
results by move 14?! So then, what are the problems? The answer is obvious:
the opponent's powerful centralized position - which, by the way, contains no
weak points either - is the problem!} (15. -- {The clash of two extremely
powerful forces isn't exactly common in chess games, and many players may find
it attractive and suitable for their style or for the tournament situation.
Besides, the logic of opening strategy, which is somewhat different for White
and Black, make it more attractive from Black's side. In particular, he
already solved one of his main problems - safe development - and already has
real counter-chances. Moreover, White doesn't actually have full domination in
the centre; Black has some influence there too. In any case, strategic issues
- here the centre and its importance - aren't just determined by who has more
units there, nor by who has greater control there; everything depends on how
these factors help promote each player's plans, gain advantages, and
eventually achieve the desired result!}) (15. -- {As White, strong players
often try to get a position where they can safely aim for two results, a win
or a draw, without any risk of losing the game. But in the Noteboom White
never feels very comfortable, and any result is certainly possible. In fact
he's practically forced to play for a win - in such extreme and tense
positions it's rather difficult to play accurately - and this should increase
Black's winning chances too. As for the power of White's pawn centre and his
bishops: we'll see who will prevail! --- At that time I used to play the Meran
Variation, and related systems, and felt myself very comfortable on Black's
side. Then it suddenly struck me - why not try the Noteboom?!}) (15. -- {At
the beginning of the 1990s players didn't have big databases. The Noteboom
still had a bad reputation and so was a rare guest in tournament practice.
Thus it allowed me, and other advocates, to skim the cream off during those
years. It sounds unbelievable but in a few games my opponents spent more than
an hour to reach the position in the main diagram! However, White's initially
disastrous results can be explained not only by being taken by surprise:
Black's approach is also based on good positional grounds! --- After a few
years White recovered from the shock, found some interesting plans, and in the
middle of the decade the Noteboom Variation and this particular position
gained its proper assessment as very complicated and unclear. Since that time
it remains risky but playable for Black. Very much playable, I might add. My
score in this position is +8=2-0, and in the whole Noteboom it's +18=6-0.
Taking into account that in half of those draws I failed to convert a decisive
advantage, one can easily come to a logical conclusion - it was White who was
suffering a lot! --- This should not, of course, mislead us to the conclusion
that Black is simply better. Surely not! Most probably, as in many other
opening lines, White objectively keeps somewhat better chances. His position
not only looks powerful, it really is, and many players would prefer to be on
the white side. On the other hand, it's often a difficult task to maintain
such an advantage. White is almost forced to go forward; he has to show his
real strength, good level of general chess understanding, as well as tactical
skill. The first mistake - from either side - can be fatal. --- Perhaps this
reasoning explains why the Noteboom is played less often than other famous
Slav openings: most players don't like situations where they can't keep things
under proper control. Another reason, however, would be even more pleasant for
Black: White may be unable to gain the advantage at all! Well, to prove or
disprove that, we should finally get closer to the chessboard...}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "1: 5 e4"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. e4 {Strangely enough, this approach
isn't very popular against the Noteboom - but it may be underestimated.} (5. a4
Bb4 6. e4 {can also lead to the main line of 5 e4. This move order deprives
Black of an early ...b5-b4 push (see 5 e4 b5 6 a4 b4!? below) but gives him
another option in} Nf6 $5 {, which transposes to some sidelines of other
openings - the Botvinnik Variation and Slav Defence. Then White has a choice:}
7. -- (7. e5 Nd5 8. Bd2 b5 9. axb5 Bxc3 10. bxc3 cxb5 11. Ng5 {gives rise to a
well-known position from the Slav Defence. White keeps sufficient compensation
for the pawn, but there are players who find it certainly playable for Black.}
(11. --)) (7. Bg5 {is a good alternative, which can also be reached via the
Slav (2...c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 dxc4 5 a4 e6 6 e4 Bb4 7 Bg5) or Semi-Slav (2...c6
3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 e6 5 Bg5 dxc4 6 a4 Bb4 7 e4). Tournament practice promises
better prospects for White, but this line is still not well developed and
Black may find decent counter-chances.})) 5... b5 {This is what "Trianglers"
keep in mind: grab on c4, protect it by ...b7-b5, and let White show what he
can get for that! Of course, the problems are obvious: lack of development and
control over the centre, the light-squared bishop is unhappy... However,
Black's hasn't burned all his bridges; he has some natural ways to improve his
position. These are mainly connected with the ...c6-c5 pawn push, which shakes
opponent's centre and opens the diagonal for the bishop. Sooner or later, with
or without ...b5-b4, once Black comes up with the thematic c-pawn push his
pieces gain energy and he obtains excellent counter-chances. --- On the other
hand, with such good development and a great pawn centre White should have
many good options. What is a bit annoying for him in such positions - apart
from the pawn minus and Black's thematic ...c6-c5 - is that he can't develop
his bishop to d3 and so point both bishops towards the opponent's kingside. An
eventual ...b5-b4 is also something to be wary of. --- Well, there can be many
different situations; it's impossible to describe all of them in a few words.
But we've only just begun...} 6. a4 {White immediately attacks the opposing
queenside pawn mass.} ({Other moves:} 6. e5 {gives Black time to fortify his
queenside pawn structure by natural means, without involving his dark-squared
bishop. Any inconvenience with the development of the king's knight is solved
by creating the threat of ...c6-c5:} Bb7 7. Be2 h6 $5 ({otherwise} 7... Ne7 8.
Ne4 Nd5 {transposes to 8 e5 in line 'b' with acceptable play for Black}) 8. O-O
Nd7 {with good play. In W.Paschall-R.Scherbakov, Hastings (rapid) 1995, Black
quickly proved his superiority after} 9. Ne4 $6 c5 10. Nd6+ Bxd6 11. exd6 Ngf6
12. Bf4 $6 O-O 13. h3 Nd5 14. Bh2 Qb6 {and White had no compensation for the
pawn.}) (6. Be2 {, intending a quick kingside castling, seems more promising
with the inclusion of a2-a4 and ...Bf8-b4 (see line B), when White might
exploit the position of the black bishop. Here the typical undermining move
b2-b3 can be met by ...b5-b4 and ...c4-c3. On the other hand, the pawn push
d4-d5 can sometimes gain in power but, as a rule, Black is well prepared for
that:} Bb7 7. O-O Nf6 ({first of all Black should either fortify his queenside
pawn structure or prepare for the opponent's break with d4-d5 - thus he may
also begin with} 7... a6 8. Qc2 Nf6) ({, whereas such moves as} 7... Nd7 $6 {
can lead to real trouble after} 8. d5 $1) 8. a4 ({the immediate} 8. e5 Nd5 9.
Ne4 {isn't dangerous:} h6 $5 ({or} 9... Nd7 {and if} 10. Nfg5 {then} Be7 {with
better chances for Black, R.Spielmann-E.Eliskases, Linz (7th matchgame) 1932})
10. a4 a6 11. Bd2 Nd7 12. b3 {and now} c5 $5 {, V.Alatortsev-A.Kotov, USSR Ch.,
Moscow 1948,} (12... cxb3 13. Qxb3 Be7 {and Black obtains good play - this
position will be considered later; see 11...h6 note 'a' in line B2})) 8... a6
9. Bg5 Nbd7 (9... Qb6 $5) 10. -- {, when White has a choice:} ({. The typical
undermining} 10. b3 {is well met by} Qa5 $5 {, when in V.Ikonnikov-M.Sorokin,
Cheliabinsk 1991, White had problems after} (10... b4 11. e5 $1 {is unclear})
11. e5 $6 (11. Qc2 {isn't much better after} b4 12. e5 bxc3 13. exf6 c5 $1) ({
perhaps} 11. b4 $5 {was stronger, although Black still has the upper hand after
} Bxb4 12. axb5 Qc7 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. b6 $5 Qxb6 15. Rb1 a5 {etc.}) 11... Qxc3
12. exf6 gxf6 13. Bd2 Qxb3 14. Qc1 {and Black could have secured a big
advantage with} Rg8 $1 {, not worrying about his queen since Bd1-c2 is no
longer a threat.}) (10. e5 h6 11. Bh4 g5 12. Bg3 {actually belongs to the
Anti-Moscow Gambit, usually arising from 2...c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 e6 5 Bg5 h6 6
Bh4 dxc4 7 e4 g5 8 Bg3 b5 9 Be2 Bb7 10 0-0 Nbd7 11 a4 a6 12 e5. This line is
supposed to be rather harmless for Black.} -- ({. After} 12... Nd5 13. Ne4 {
White gets sufficient compensation for the pawn (e.g.} Qb6 14. Nd6+ Bxd6 15.
exd6 {with a complicated game, T.V.Petrosian-Y.Averbakh, USSR Ch., Moscow 1950)
}) ({, but the typical} 12... Nh5 $1 {, dominating White's important bishop,
gives Black good play. J.Piket-A.Dreev, Groningen 1991, continued} 13. Kh1 Ng7
$5 (13... Qb6 $5) 14. Ne4 Nf5 15. Nfd2 Qb6 {and Black had the better chances
and eventually converted them into a full point.}))) (6. Bg5 {gives Black a
wide choice:} -- (6... Nf6 {transposes to the Botvinnik Variation}) (6... f6 {
is suspicious as can retreat the bishop back to e3 (compare 5 Bg5 f6, line A
in Chapter 2)}) (6... Be7 $5 {may be playable, exchanging the important
dark-squared bishop but gaining time for development.}) ({. However, since the
b-pawn has already gone to b5, the most natural move is} 6... Qb6 $5 {. Then a
possible continuation might be:} 7. -- (7. Be2 Bb7 8. O-O Nf6 $5 (8... Nd7 $5)
9. Bxf6 gxf6 {- as a rule, Black should not be afraid of such damage to his
kingside pawn structure, as it gives him more control over the centre and the
open g-file. V.Lazarev-R.Van der Burght, Soest 1996, continued} 10. d5 Bc5 (
10... Nd7 $5) 11. dxe6 fxe6 12. e5 Nd7 $1 13. exf6 O-O-O $1 {with excellent
counter-chances.}) (7. a4 Nd7 ({both} 7... Bb4 8. Be2 Nf6) ({and} 7... Nf6 $5 {
are also playable}) 8. Be2 Ngf6 9. axb5 cxb5 10. d5 {arose in N.
Gaprindashvili-V.Bagirov, Ter Apel 1990. Here} Bc5 11. O-O O-O {should have
been preferred, with acceptable play for Black.}))) 6... Bb4 {This method of
protecting the b5-pawn is typical for the Noteboom.} ({Otherwise it would
become some kind of the Queen's Gambit Accepted after} 6... b4 $5 {.
Nevertheless, this push deserves attention too, as Black might get reasonable
counterplay due to the advanced white e-pawn:} 7. Nb1 $5 (7. Na2 {is harmless:}
Ba6 8. Bd2 Nf6 9. Nxb4 Nxe4 10. Nxa6 Nxd2 11. Nxd2 Nxa6 12. Bxc4 Nb4 13. Nf3
Be7 14. O-O O-O {with good play, S.Koutsin-M.Matlak, Czech League 1995}) ({but
} 7. Ne2 $5 {deserves attention:} Nf6 8. Ng3 Ba6 9. Qc2 b3 $1 10. Qc3 Qb6 11.
Bd2 Bd6 $5 {with mutual chances in a very complex position, I.Zakharevich-M.Makarov, Russian Ch., Elista 1996}) 7... Ba6 $5 8. Qc2 (8. Ne5 $6 {is dubious
- in the old game A.Zinkl-A.Albin, Vienna 1899, Black could have replied
quickly and thematically} c5 $5 {with advantage}) 8... Nf6 9. Nbd2 b3 (9... c5
$5) 10. Qc3 Qb6 11. Bxc4 {and here in M.Frolik-S.Koutsin, Czech League 1996,
Black should have preferred} Nxe4 $1 12. Qxb3 Qxb3 13. Bxb3 Bb4 {with a good
ending. However, I would mention that White can avoid this line by playing 5
a4 Bb4 6 e4 (see the beginning of this chapter).}) 7. -- {Returning to 6...Bb4,
White has two different approaches: (i) to challenge Black on the queenside
immediately; and (ii) to complete his kingside development first.} ({A:} 7. Bd2
) ({B:} 7. Be2) ({Let's take a look at other possibilities:} 7. e5 {is well
met by} Ne7 8. Bd2 (8. Be2 Bb7 9. O-O a6 {will be considered in line B1}) 8...
Bxc3 $1 9. bxc3 (9. Bxc3 Nd5) 9... h6 {(preventing Ng5-e4)} 10. Be2 Nd7 11. Qb1
({or} 11. O-O Nb6 12. Qb1 Bd7 13. Qe4 a5 {, M.Horn-M.Weyrich, German League
1992}) 11... a6 12. O-O Nb6 {and Black is doing fine, P.Pneumonidis-D.Tyomkin,
Montreal 1998.}) (7. Bg5 Nf6 $6 {, would transpose into a favourable version
for White of the Botvinnik Variation after} ({but} 7... Qb6 8. Be2 Nf6 $5 {is
certainly okay for Black (see 8 Bg5 Qb6!? in line B2)}) 8. e5 h6 9. exf6 hxg5
10. fxg7 Rg8 11. h4 {.}) (7. Qc2 Nf6 8. Bg5 {can be also met by} Qb6 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 e4"]
[Black "A: 7 Bd2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. a4 Bb4 7. Bd2 a5 $1 {This
strange-looking pawn push is one of those moves which have become trademarks
of the Noteboom!} ({Let's briefly consider a couple of other possibilities:} 
7... Nf6 {is well met by} 8. e5 Bxc3 9. bxc3 Ne4 (9... Nd5 $6 {is weaker due to
} 10. Ng5 $1 {followed by Ne4}) 10. Qc2 $1 {(the strongest - White has to
protect the c3- and d2-squares)} ({for some reason he always played} 10. Qb1 {
and after} Qd5 {Black managed to get good play; e.g.} 11. Be2 (11. axb5 cxb5
12. Ra5 a6 13. Bxc4 Qxc4 14. Qxe4 Nc6 15. Ra1 Bb7 {was also fine for Black in
some games}) 11... Nd7 12. O-O Bb7 13. Bxc4 $6 bxc4 14. Qxb7 O-O {with a small
advantage in J.Plachetka-M.Matlak, Czech League 1992}) 10... Qd5 11. Be2 Nd7
12. O-O Bb7 13. Be3 {with more than sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) (
7... Bb7 {allows White to obtain active play after} 8. axb5 Bxc3 9. bxc3 (9.
Bxc3 {seems less promising:} cxb5 10. d5 $5 Nf6 11. dxe6 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1 Nxe4 $1
13. Bxg7 Rg8 14. Bh6 ({or} 14. Rd8+ $5 Kxd8 15. exf7 Rh8 $1 16. Ne5 Ke7 17.
Bxh8 Nc6 18. Nxc6+ Bxc6 19. Bd4 Kxf7 20. f3 Nf6 {and Black's queenside pawns
are well supported by his active pieces}) 14... fxe6 15. Nd4 Rg6) 9... cxb5 10.
Qb1 $1 Bc6 11. Ne5 a6 12. Be2 Ne7 13. Bc1 $5 O-O 14. Ba3 {, as in L.
Dzandzgava-L.Gofstein, USSR 1987, with good compensation for the pawn. White's
bishop transfer is rather typical; it's much more active on the a3-f8 diagonal.
}) 8. axb5 ({Switching to kingside development with} 8. Be2 {doesn't promise
much. The move ...a7-a5 is rather useful and Black gets good play with} Nf6 (
8... Ba6 $5 {is also playable}) ({but} 8... Bb7 {is weaker as the moves ...a7-a5 and ...Bb7 don't combine well, and after} 9. O-O {the b7-bishop is
subject to the trick a4xb5, ...Bxc3, b5xc6!}) 9. Qc2 (9. e5 Bxc3 10. bxc3 Nd5
11. O-O $1 Nd7 12. Ng5 $6 ({or} 12. Qc2 h6 {is fine for Black, J.Fraser
Mitchell-G.Ballon, Guernsey 1989}) 12... Nxc3 $1) 9... h6 10. O-O O-O {.
White's strong pawn centre always promises him reasonable compensation for the
pawn, but Black can be satisfied with his position too. D.Marovic-I.Nei,
Zinnowitz 1966, continued} 11. e5 Nd5 12. axb5 Bxc3 13. bxc3 cxb5 14. Rfb1 Ba6
{and Black has eventually prevailed.}) 8... Bxc3 9. bxc3 $1 ({Strangely enough,
the natural} 9. Bxc3 $6 cxb5 {only leads to problems for White, the main
reason for that being the exposed position of the e4-pawn:} 10. -- (10. d5 {is
well met by} Nf6 11. d6 $5 ({both} 11. dxe6 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1 fxe6 $1 {, I.Mai-A.Dergatschova Daus, German League 2001}) ({and} 11. Bxf6 $6 Qxf6 12. Qd4 O-O {
, S.Dedijer-A.Galliamova, Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010, are clearly better
for Black}) 11... Nxe4 $5 12. Qd4 $5 Nf6 {and White doesn't have enough for
the pawn.}) (10. b3 {gives Black a choice:} -- (10... Bb7 {(this natural
developing move isn't the best)} 11. bxc4 (11. d5 $6 {allows Black good
counterplay by} Nf6 12. bxc4 Nxe4 $5 (12... b4 $5 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 {is also
acceptable}) 13. Bxg7 Rg8 14. Qd4 ({or} 14. Bd4 exd5 15. cxb5 Qe7 16. Be2 $5
Rxg2 17. Kf1 {and here a draw was agreed in H.Teske-S.Rausch, Dresden 1997:
White has sufficient compensation for the pawn but Black isn't worse}) 14...
exd5 15. cxb5 Nd7 $5) 11... b4 12. Qb1 $1 Nf6 ({in a pre-computer era Maxim
Sorokin suggested a shocking} 12... f5 {, trying to win material, but White
has the strong} 13. d5 $1) 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O 15. Bb2 e5 $1 {- compared
to the main lines White played e2-e4 in one step, but his queen isn't
perfectly placed on b1 so the position might still be unclear.}) (10... Nf6 $1
{(this strong move secures the better chances for Black)} 11. Nd2 ({, after} 
11. bxc4 $6 Nxe4 12. Bb2 {Black could even try} bxc4 $5 13. Bxc4 O-O {with an
extra pawn}) ({, while} 11. Qb1 $6 {isn't so effective here: Black gain the
upper hand by} Bb7 12. bxc4 Nxe4 13. Qxb5+ Bc6 14. Qb2 ({or} 14. Qe5 Nxc3 15.
Qxg7 Rf8 16. d5 Nxd5 17. cxd5 Qxd5 18. Be2 Qe4) 14... Nxc3 15. Qxc3 Bxf3 $1 16.
Qxf3 ({or if} 16. gxf3 O-O 17. Bg2 {, as in K.Arkell-A. Volzhin, Hastings 1991/92, instead of} Qf6 ({Black could have achieved more advantage with} 17... Nc6
18. f4 Rc8 {, as pointed out by Alexander Volzhin})) 16... Qxd4 {O.Foisor-S.Dolmatov, European Junior Ch. 1977.}) 11... Bb7 $1 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bb2 Nxe4 14.
Nxe4 Bxe4 15. d5 $1 (15. Qg4 $6 Bg6 16. Be2 O-O {was clearly better for Black
in T.Baumstark-S.Birk, German League 1998}) 15... O-O $5 ({or} 15... exd5 16.
Qg4 Bg6 17. Bxg7 Rg8 18. Bb2 Nc6 19. Be2 Qd7) 16. Qd4 Qf6 17. Qxf6 gxf6 18. f3
Bg6 19. Bxf6 Nd7 {and White has to fight for a draw.}))) 9... cxb5 10. Qb1 $5 {
A typical queen manoeuvre - from b1 it creates pressure on both flanks and
might be transferred to the kingside via e4.} ({Other options fail to impress;
e.g.} 10. Qc2 Nd7 11. Rb1 Ba6 12. Be2 h6 13. O-O Ne7 {with good play for Black
in P.Skalik-R.Scherbakov, Anapa 1991, which continued} 14. Ne1 $6 (14. Bc1 $5 {
was preferable, shifting the bishop to the a3-f8diagonal}) 14... O-O 15. f4 $6
f5 $1 16. Nf3 Nf6 17. exf5 exf5 18. Ne5 Nfd5 19. Rfe1 Rf6 20. Qa2 Kh7 21. Bf3 {
, and after} b4 $1 22. Nxc4 bxc3 23. Bc1 Rc8 24. Nxa5 c2 25. Ra1 Nb4 26. Qa3
Ned5 {Black's initiative decided the game.}) 10... Ba6 11. Be2 {Here Black
must decide how to arrange the cavalry. There are two options for each knight!}
Ne7 (11... h6 12. O-O Nf6 {is worth considering too.}) 12. O-O Nbc6 {The
knight is more active here as it takes under control such important squares as
e5, d4 and b4. On the other hand, Black must be very careful about possible
tactical shots, such as d4-d5.} (12... h6 13. Rd1 Nd7 {, as played in T.Saatdjian-D.Breder, Paris 2010, looks quite acceptable for Black as well.}) ({
He might also postpone a prophylactic ...h7-h6 and play} 12... Nd7 {.}) 13. Rd1
O-O 14. Be3 h6 {This position arose in A.Kharlov-S. Beshukov, Ekaterinburg
1997. Thanks to his strong centre White maintains good compensation for the
pawn, but it's not easy for him to create concrete problems. After} 15. Qc1 a4
$2 ({But the correct} 15... f5 $1 {might have promised him the better chances;
e.g.} 16. Bxh6 (16. d5 {is harmless:} exd5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nd4 Qf6 19. Bf3 ({
or} 19. Nxc6 Nxc3 $1 20. Bf3 Nxd1 21. Qxd1 Bb7 {and the queenside pawn
avalanche should be decisive}) 19... Nxe3 20. fxe3 Nxd4 21. exd4 Rae8 22. Rxa5
Qb6 {followed by ...Bb7 and Black escapes with the extra pawn}) 16... fxe4 $1
17. Ne5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Qc7 {, when Black's kingside is safe and his knight is
quite strong, in addition to his extra pawn.}) 16. Bxh6 $1 gxh6 17. Qxh6 f6 18.
d5 $1 exd5 19. exd5 Ne5 20. Nxe5 fxe5 21. Bg4 {Black found himself in trouble.}
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 e4"]
[Black "B: 7 Be2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. a4 Bb4 7. Be2 {White
postpones queenside action and completes his kingside development first. This
approach is rather dangerous for Black, who has to solve two problems: to
protect his queenside pawn mass and get his pieces into play, while preventing
the opening of the centre, which would be harmful for his king. --- As a rule,
the inclusion of a2-a4 and ...Bf8-b4 is useful for White, as it makes the
thematic b2-b3 easier in the future. Besides, he may use the position of the
piece on b4 to gain time, as in many cases Black saves his important bishop
from exchange by moving it back to e7 or even f8. After 7 Be2 Black has two
main options: (i) to fortify his queenside pawn structure immediately by 7...
Bb7; and (ii) to attack the e4-pawn by 7...Nf6 first. There isn't much
difference between them and the same positions may eventually be reached after
either move. However, a choice is not only a matter of taste: Black - and, of
course, White - should plan his strategy, set his goals as cleverly as
possible (at least for the near future), and try to get the most favourable
situation on the board.} -- ({B1:} 7... Bb7) ({B2:} 7... Nf6) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 e4"]
[Black "B1: 7...Bb7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. a4 Bb4 7. Be2 Bb7 8. O-O a6
{Black has to support the b5-pawn as White was threatening 9 axb5 Bxc3 10
bxc6!.} 9. e5 $5 ({The pseudo-active knight jump} 9. Ne5 $6 {only promotes
Black's development:} Nf6 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Bf3 O-O 12. Qd2 h6 13. Be3 Nbd7 14.
Rfd1 Qc7 {and White has no compensation for the pawn, J.Cao Armillas-S.Koutsin,
Villalba 1996.}) (9. Qc2 {is met by} Nf6 {, transposing to line B2. As a rule,
the knight is better placed on f6 where it supports the thematic ...c6-c5 push
by pressurizing the e4-pawn.} ({Here} 9... Ne7 $6 {is passive. White can
consider an immediate} 10. b3 $5 cxb3 11. Qxb3 Ba5 12. Ba3 {with good
compensation.})) (9. Bg5 {is a popular option, getting one more piece into
play, but the bishop isn't so effective on g5. Black has a choice:} -- ({. The
exchange of dark-squared bishops is usually in White's favour, but here} 9...
Be7 $5 {deserves serious attention as it gains time for development and
increases Black's chances to realize the thematic ...c6-c5. Besides, the
bishop leaves its unstable position on b4 with tempo. After} 10. h4 $5 ({or} 
10. Qd2 Bxg5 11. Nxg5 h6 12. Nh3 Ne7 13. Qe3 Nd7 14. f4 O-O 15. Rad1 Qb6 {
followed by ...c6-c5 and Black obtained a clear advantage in O.Rodriguez
Vargas-A.Antunes, Seville 1990}) 10... h6 11. Bxe7 Nxe7 12. Qd2 Nd7 13. Rfd1
O-O {Black's chances look preferable, S.Lputian-P.Wolff, Tilburg (rapid) 1992.}
) (9... Ne7 {and now:} 10. -- (10. Na2 Ba5 11. b3 cxb3 12. Qxb3 O-O 13. Rfd1
Nd7 {is okay for Black, M.Swayams-D.Sengupta, New Delhi 2010.}) (10. e5 {isn't
too dangerous:} h6 $5 (10... Qb6 11. Ne4 Nd5 12. Qc2 Nd7 {would transpose to
12 Bg5 in line B2}) 11. Bd2 Bxc3 $5 (11... Nf5 12. Ne4 Be7 {is also playable,
S.Conquest-N.Sehner, Budapest 1987, though Black must be careful about g2-g4})
12. bxc3 Nd7 {and White still has to prove compensation for the pawn.}) (10.
Qc2 h6 11. Bh4 O-O ({on} 11... Nd7 {White should think about} 12. b3 $5 cxb3
13. Qxb3 Ba5 14. axb5 axb5 15. d5 {with initiative}) 12. Rfd1 {was tested in
Bu Xiangzhi-Liang Chong, Chinese Ch., Wuxi 2006. After} f5 $5 ({a restrained} 
12... Nd7 $5 {was worth considering}) 13. exf5 exf5 14. d5 $1 {White took the
initiative, but Black had sufficient defensive resources:} cxd5 15. Nxd5 Bxd5
16. axb5 {and here he should have parried White's threats by a cool} Kh7 $1 17.
Bxc4 (17. Ra4 Be4 $1) 17... axb5 18. Rxa8 bxc4 19. Bxe7 Bxe7 20. Rxb8 Qxb8 21.
Rxd5 Qb3 {with a drawish ending.}))) 9... Ne7 10. Ne4 {White wants to play the
thematic b2-b3 without wasting time on Qc2.} Nd5 (10... Nf5 $2 {fails to} 11.
g4 $1 Qd5 (11... Ne7 $2 12. Bd2 $1) 12. Nc3 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Ne7 14. Nd2 O-O 15.
Ba3 {and White takes control over many important squares, D.Belotelov-B.Molnar,
Paks 2000.}) 11. Bd2 Be7 ({The unexpected deep retreat} 11... Bf8 $6 {has its
point, securing the bishop to keep control over the dark squares. However, a
lack of development can become dangerous:} 12. b3 cxb3 13. Qxb3 Nd7 14. Nfg5 $5
({in J.G.Cooper-A.J.Mestel, Ayr 1978, White maintained compensation by} 14.
Rfc1 h6 15. Ne1 $5 Qb6 16. Nc2 Rc8 17. Rab1 Qa7 18. Qh3 {with definite pressure
}) 14... Be7 15. Bg4 $1 {and White's initiative is threatening, M.Michna-A.Walkenhorst, corr. 2007.}) 12. Bg5 ({On} 12. b3 cxb3 13. Qxb3 {, the move} Nd7
{, gives White the time to shift his queen to the kingside} ({but after} 13...
O-O $5 14. Rfc1 Nd7 {Black can be satisfied with his position}) 14. Nfg5 O-O ({
not} 14... h6 $2 15. Nxe6 fxe6 16. Bh5+ Kf8 17. Qf3+) 15. Qg3 {with good
compensation.}) 12... O-O $5 ({After} 12... f6 13. exf6 gxf6 ({or} 13... Nxf6
14. Nxf6+ gxf6 15. Bh6) 14. Bh6 Rg8 15. Re1 {Black's position is compromised,
though perhaps it's still playable.}) 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nd6 $1 {. White keeps
excellent compensation for the pawn, since Black can't easily mobilize his
b8-knight.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 e4"]
[Black "B2: 7...Nf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. e4 b5 6. a4 Bb4 7. Be2 Nf6 {Black
attacks the e4-pawn, so White has to react somehow.} 8. Qc2 ({Alternatively,
the position after} 8. e5 Nd5 9. Qc2 Bb7 10. O-O a6 {transposes to the main
line.}) ({The sharp} 8. O-O $5 {deserves serious attention. Black has to grab
a second pawn as he's late in supporting his queenside pawn mass:} Bxc3 ({after
} 8... O-O {White gets very active play by} 9. axb5 Bxc3 10. bxc3 cxb5 11. Bg5
({or} 11. Ng5 $5 h6 12. e5 $5 Nd5 13. Ne4 {etc}) 11... h6 12. Bh4 g5 13. Nxg5
hxg5 14. Bxg5 e5 15. f4 $1 {and Black is in trouble, A.Ramirez-F.De los
Angeles Martins, corr. 1998}) 9. bxc3 Nxe4 10. Qc2 Nf6 ({or} 10... Nd6 11. Ba3)
11. Ba3 Nbd7 12. Ng5 $5 ({after} 12. Nd2 {Black can defend by} Qc7 13. Bf3 Bb7
14. Rab1 a6) 12... Nb6 ({or} 12... Qc7 13. Bf3 Bb7 14. Rfe1) 13. Bf3 Nbd5 14.
Rfe1 {with sufficient compensation, J.Stocek-J.Lipka, Slovakian Team Ch. 2007,
although Black has two extra pawns and it's not so easy to break into his
fortress.}) (8. Bg5 {gives Black several possibilities:} -- (8... Nbd7 9. e5 h6
10. exf6 (10. Bh4 $6 g5 {is a good version for Black of the Botvinnik
Variation or Anti-Moscow Gambit}) 10... hxg5 11. fxg7 Rg8 12. h4 {reaches a
rather unclear position, reminiscent of another line from the Botvinnik
Variation, known to be good for White: 2...c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Nf3 e6 5 Bg5 dxc4 6
e4 b5 7 a4 Bb4 8 e5 h6 9 exf6 hxg5 10 fxg7 Rg8 11 h4. However, the inclusion
of the moves Be2 and ...Nbd7 might be in Black's favour:} gxh4 $5 (12... g4 $6
13. Ng5 Rxg7 14. Bxg4 {is worse}) 13. Rxh4 Qf6 (13... Bb7 $5) 14. Kf1 $5 (14.
Qc2 $6 Bb7 15. O-O-O {, B.Spassky-I.Nei, Riga 1959, is good for Black who
could have simply played} a6 {followed by ...0-0-0}) ({while} 14. Rh5 $5 {can
be met by} Bb7 $5 15. axb5 Qxg7 16. Rg5 Qh8 17. bxc6 Bxc6 18. Rxg8+ Qxg8 19.
Kf1 Qh7 20. Kg1 Ke7 {with good counter-chances}) 14... Qxg7 15. g3 {and White
keeps good compensation for the pawn as Black's position is compromised.}) (
8... h6 9. Bxf6 ({not} 9. Bh4 $2 g5 10. Bg3 Nxe4) 9... Qxf6 10. O-O {sees
Black late to secure his queenside pawn mass, so he will be forced to give up
his dark-squared bishop, allowing White to maintain good compensation for the
pawn. Nevertheless, it might still be playable after} a6 {.}) (8... Qb6 $5 {is
probably the strongest reply, unpinning the knight and protecting the
queenside pawns. As we've already seen, Black isn't too worried about possible
damage to his kingside:} 9. Bxf6 (9. Qc2 Nbd7 10. O-O Bb7 {is okay for Black})
9... gxf6 10. O-O Bb7 {with good play. Compared with the main line Black can
try to save a move by omitting ...a7-a6; e.g.} 11. Qc2 ({, other options are} 
11. axb5 cxb5 12. d5 a6 13. Nh4 Nd7 {and Black has the better chances, I.Zakharevich-O.Maiorov, Krasnodar 1997}) ({, and} 11. Re1 Nd7 $5 ({or} 11... a6
12. Bf1 Nd7 13. d5 O-O-O $1 14. dxc6 Bxc6 15. axb5 axb5 16. Qc1 Kb7 17. Qf4 Bc5
{with a superior position, P.Cramling-J.Hector, Sweden TV 1993})) 11... Nd7 12.
b3 cxb3 13. Qxb3 a5 14. Rac1 Bxc3 15. Rxc3 b4 {and Black is okay, A.Goncharov-B.Grachev, Russian Junior Ch. 2001.})) 8... Bb7 {Now Black is just
in time to fortify his queenside.} ({Other moves, such as} 8... Nbd7 $2 {,
would require him to give up his important dark-squared bishop:} 9. O-O Bxc3 (
9... Qb6 10. Be3 Qb7 {doesn't look good, but it may be more tenacious}) 10.
bxc3 O-O 11. e5 Nd5 12. Ng5 g6 13. Ne4 {with a big advantage, D.Ilic-P.Kiss,
Dortmund 1988.}) 9. O-O a6 ({Giving the pawn back by} 9... Nbd7 $6 {isn't in
the spirit of the opening. V.Korchnoi-Zsu.Polgar, Prague 1995, continued} 10.
e5 Nd5 11. axb5 cxb5 ({perhaps Black had forgotten about the tactic} 11... Bxc3
$2 12. bxc6 $1 Bxc6 13. bxc3) 12. Nxb5 a6 13. Nc3 {and White had a clear
advantage thanks to his superior pawn structure.}) 10. e5 ({Preparing d4-d5 by
} 10. Rd1 {is hardly dangerous, as it gives Black time to secure his position:}
Nbd7 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 Qb6 13. Ne5 O-O {, and via a different move order
we've reached B.Spassky-V.Smyslov, USSR Ch., Leningrad 1960, in which Black is
doing well.}) ({However,} 10. Bg5 {, is an important alternative, and then:} --
(10... Qb6 {is risky. We've already seen this typical manoeuvre in the line 8
Bg5 Qb6, but over the last two moves, while Black fortified his queenside pawn
structure, White has completed his kingside development and this difference
may be fatal for the black king:} 11. Bxf6 $1 (11. e5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Nd7 {is
harmless - see 12 Bg5 Qb6 in the main line}) 11... gxf6 12. b3 $1 cxb3 13. Qxb3
{and White's initiative is rather annoying:} Be7 ({or} 13... Bxc3 14. Qxc3 Nd7
15. Rfb1 {, J.Scholze-O.Kase, corr. 1979}) ({but} 13... Ba5 $5 {may be playable
}) 14. d5 $1 cxd5 15. exd5 b4 16. dxe6 ({not} 16. Bc4 $6 Nd7 $1) 16... fxe6 17.
Nd4 $1 {with a decisive attack, T.Buttenmüller-B.Trabert, German League 2009.})
(10... h6 11. Bh4 Nbd7 {is a better reaction:} 12. e5 (12. Rad1 Qb6 {, A.Hoffman-M.Sorokin, Villa Ballester 1996, is fine for Black: he's well prepared
for any break in the centre and after} 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Nd7 {obtained a
clear advantage}) 12... g5 13. Bg3 {- we've already considered a similar
position, which actually belongs to the Anti-Moscow Gambit, in the line 5 e4
b5 6 Be2 (see note 'b2' to White's 6th move). Here Black has had to include ...Bb4, but he's still okay after} Nh5 $1 {, getting the opponent's important
bishop under control.})) 10... Nd5 11. Ne4 (11. Ng5 $6 {is strongly met by} Be7
$1 {and White can forget about compensation for the pawn. B.Ahlander-A.Kharlov,
Aalborg 1993, continued} 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13. f4 Nc6 14. Be3 Qb6 {and Black
converted his advantage.}) 11... Nd7 (11... h6 12. Bd2 Be7 {is a good
alternative:} 13. -- (13. b3 cxb3 14. Qxb3 Nd7 {has been tested in practice
many times. White keeps compensation for the pawn, but Black can also be
satisfied with his position:} 15. Ne1 $5 ({opening the third rank for the
queen; White should not allow the comfortable development of the opposing
kingside, as after} 15. Rfc1 O-O 16. Rc2 Qb8 $5 17. Rac1 Rc8 {Black has
nothing to worry about, S.Koutsin-P.Haba, Austrian League 1996}) 15... O-O (
15... Qb6 $5 16. Nc2 O-O 17. Qg3 Kh8) 16. Qg3 (16. Nd3 Qb6 {is fine for Black,
C.Costello-A.Summerscale, Dublin 1993}) 16... Kh8 17. Qh3 {, when White has
the initiative on the kingside, but Black has sufficient defensive resources;
e.g.} f5 $5 18. Bxh6 fxe4 19. Bd2+ Kg8 20. Qxe6+ Kh8 21. Qh3+ Kg8 22. Bg4 N7b6
23. Be6+ Rf7 {with a probable draw.}) (13. Ng3 $5 {deserves attention,
shifting the knight to the kingside first:} Nd7 14. Nh5 Bf8 (14... O-O 15. Qe4
{may be dangerous for Black's king}) ({but} 14... Kf8 $5 {is worth considering}
) 15. b3 cxb3 16. Qxb3 g6 17. Ng3 Be7 18. Ne4 {, G.Botterill-A.J.Mestel,
Hastings 1977/78, and White has maintained good compensation, though Black
doesn't stand badly. Curiously enough, after all the manoeuvres we've reached
a position from note 'a' (after 14...Nd7) - the only small difference being
that Black's pawn is on g6.})) 12. Bd2 {Other moves aren't testing:} (12. Nfg5
$6 {can be met by a cool} h6 {, and a desperate} 13. Nxe6 $6 fxe6 14. Bh5+ Kf8
15. f4 {should not be too dangerous for Black. R.Salvador-E.Virzi, Bratto 2005,
continued} Qh4 (15... Qb6 $5) 16. Ng3 Ne7 $1 17. f5 Qxd4+ 18. Kh1 Nxe5 19.
fxe6+ Kg8 20. Bf4 Nd3 {and Black had a decisive advantage.}) (12. Bg5 {is also
harmless:} Qb6 (12... Qc7 $5) 13. -- (13. Rfd1 h6 14. Bh4 {(trying somehow to
justify the bishop's excursion to g5)} O-O 15. Qc1 $5 {(otherwise ...c6-c5)} f5
$5 ({the hasty} 15... c5 $6 {allowed a tactical shot in} 16. Nf6+ $1 N5xf6 17.
exf6 {and White had attacking chances, J.Mont Reynaud-E.Bacrot, World Junior
Ch., Bratislava 1993}) 16. exf6 N7xf6 17. Nxf6+ Nxf6 18. Ne5 Rad8 {and Black's
chances are at least not worse.}) ({. Instead, an old game M.Najdorf-B.Larsen,
Havana Olympiad 1966, continued} 13. Bd2 Be7 14. Bg5 {, and here Larsen
avoided the repetition by} Bf8 $5 15. b3 h6 16. Bd2 cxb3 17. Qxb3 Be7 {
reaching another typical position (cf 13 b3 in the main line), but this time
with Black having the extra move ...Qb6!.})) 12... Be7 {Compared with line B1 
(7...Bb7), the moves Qc2 and ...Nbd7 have been inserted, which can't be bad
for Black.} (12... f5 $6 {is unnecessarily weakening. White obtains more than
sufficient compensation for the pawn by} 13. exf6 N7xf6 {, when he can choose
between} 14. Nfg5 (14. Rfe1) ({or} 14. Nc5 Bxc5 15. dxc5 {as in E.Zschoch-W.Baer, corr. 2001.})) 13. Bg5 $5 {Trying to provoke some concessions.} ({The
immediate} 13. b3 cxb3 14. Qxb3 {doesn't bother Black too much. After} O-O ({
other moves are also playable:} 14... h6 {was considered in note 'a' to 11...h6
}) ({while if} 14... b4 15. Bg5 O-O 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Nd6 Rfb8 18. Rfc1 {, A.Ter Karapetian-H.Tikkanen, Olomouc 2009, Black would be okay after} a5 {thanks
to the outpost on c3 for his knight}) 15. Qd3 h6 {, the players signed the
scoresheets in S.Flohr-A.Kotov, USSR Ch., Moscow 1948. White might have
thought about} ({Black might have tried} 15... b4 $5 16. Neg5 (16. Bg5 $5)
16... g6 {, which looks weakening, but a quick ...c6-c5 should secure the
better chances}) 16. Bd1 $5 {, intending to create a battery on the b1-h7
diagonal, but the thematic} c5 $1 {would have come in time. --- Here it's
worth mentioning that White would prefer to achieve the undermining b2-b3
without wasting time on Qc2 - and that queen move is exactly what Black is
trying to induce with 7...Nf6.}) 13... O-O $5 (13... f6 $5 {is also possible,
though White keeps decent compensation for the pawn:} 14. exf6 N7xf6 ({,
instead} 14... gxf6 15. Bh6 {is unclear}) ({, while after} 14... N5xf6 {White
would try} 15. Bxf6 $5 gxf6 ({or} 15... Nxf6 16. Neg5 Qd5 17. Ne5 {with the
initiative, A.Abhyankar-B.Trabert, World Junior Ch., Adelaide 1988}) 16. b3 {
with complicated play}) 15. Nc5 $5 Bxc5 16. dxc5 O-O {and Black's chances are
not worse.}) 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Nd6 Rab8 {. In contrast to line B1 (7...Bb7),
Black has managed to complete the development of his queenside. The
forthcoming ...c6-c5 will shake the support of the strong-looking knight on d6,
and even if Black loses his extra pawn his chances at least should not be
worse.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "2: 5 Bg5"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 {This bishop lunge is rather
poisonous - White already gets a third minor piece in action - but Black keeps
sufficient defensive resources. We'll consider:} -- ({A:} 5... f6) ({B:} 5...
Qc7) ({C:} 5... Be7) ({Note that White should also be ready to play the
Botvinnik Variation after the move} 5... Nf6 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 Bg5"]
[Black "A: 5...f6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 f6 {Frankly speaking, I never
liked this move. The e6-square weakness always gives White good compensation
for the pawn. However, some players may still find it attractive for Black, as
it gains time either for development or the fortification of the queenside.} 6.
Bd2 $5 {Perhaps the most promising continuation;} ({although other retreats
might also offer White the better chances:} 6. Bh4 {allows Black to strengthen
his position by} Nh6 $5 ({moving the knight to a solid post on f7;} 6... b5 {
can lead to the same thing:} 7. a4 a6 $5 8. e4 Nh6) 7. e4 (7. a4 $5 {deserves
attention too, as} Nf5 8. e4 Nxh4 9. Nxh4 {seems to be in White's favour}) 7...
b5 8. a4 a6 9. Be2 (9. axb5 $6 cxb5 10. Nxb5 $6 {can be strongly met by} axb5
$1 11. Rxa8 Bb7 {and it's White who faces problems}) ({while} 9. g4 $6 {is too
optimistic:} Be7 10. e5 f5 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. g5 Nf7 13. Rg1 Bb7 {and Black had
a clear advantage in K.Sakaev-A.Beliavsky, Yugoslav Team Ch. 1995}) 9... Bb7
10. O-O Be7 ({on} 10... Nd7 {White can try an immediate} 11. d5 $5) 11. Qc2 O-O
12. Rad1 Nf7 {White has sufficient compensation for the pawn, but Black is not
worse.}) (6. Bf4 $5 b5 ({Black should not rush to develop by} 6... Ne7 7. e4
Ng6 8. Bd2 ({or} 8. Be3 $5) 8... b5 {as the knight can be disturbed by} 9. h4
$1 {; e.g.} Bb4 $6 ({he may still get counter-chances with} 9... e5 $5 10. h5 (
{or} 10. dxe5 Bc5 11. exf6 gxf6 {, but White should still be better}) 10...
exd4 11. hxg6 dxc3 12. bxc3 h6) 10. h5 Ne7 11. h6 g6 12. b3 cxb3 13. Qxb3 {
with a strong initiative, M.Krasenkow-A.Nenashev, Tbilisi 1985}) 7. e4 {(Black
is practically forced to develop his kingside by ...Bb4 and ...Ne7 so there's
no need for White to hurry with a2-a4) and now:} -- (7... Bb7 {leaves the
e6-square unprotected:} 8. a4 ({or} 8. Be2 Ne7 9. h4 {, M.Pein-V.Bagirov,
German League 1995}) 8... a6 9. Be2 Ne7 10. O-O Ng6 11. Bg3 Be7 12. h4 (12. d5
$5 b4 13. d6 $1 {is also interesting, V.Buturin-F.Levin, Lvov 1995}) 12... O-O
13. b3 Re8 14. h5 Nf8 15. bxc4 {and White has regained the pawn and secured
the advantage, Y.Drozdovskij-M.Perez Candelario, Chalkidiki 2001.}) (7... a6 8.
Be2 Ne7 9. O-O ({or} 9. h4 $5 {, D.Rajkovic-S.Semkov, Vrnjacka Banja 1987})
9... Ng6 10. Be3 Be7 11. a4 (11. h4 $5) 11... Bb7 {, P.Soln-B.S.Reefat, Bled
Olympiad 2002, and here the typical} 12. h4 $1 {would have made Black's
defence rather unpleasant.}) (7... Bb4 {is more reliable. As a rule, Black
should try to secure his queenside pawn structure without involving his
dark-squared bishop - i.e. by ...b7-b5 and ...a7-a6 - but, as we've just seen,
it's rather dangerous to leave the bishop on f8 as Black faces problems with
the development of his king's knight. After} 8. Be2 Ne7 9. O-O O-O ({or} 9...
a6 10. a4 Bb7 11. Qc2 $1 O-O 12. b3 cxb3 13. Qxb3 Bxc3 14. Qxc3 Ng6 15. Be3 Nd7
16. h4 {with the initiative, J.Pigott-M.Barnes, British League 1998}) 10. a4 {
Black is slow in fortifying his queenside by normal means, so he can hardly
keep his bishop. A.Dreev-J.Klinger, Palma de Mallorca 1989, continued} {in the
game A.Dreev - J.Klinger, Palma de Mallorca 1989 Black played} Ng6 ({after} 
10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 {White's superiority is beyond doubt, Y.Drozdovskij-V.Ermakov, Ukrainian Junior Ch. 2002}) ({perhaps Black might try something like} 
10... Qd7 {, but} 11. Qc2 {leaves White with more than sufficient compensation
for the pawn}) 11. Be3 Bxc3 12. bxc3 a6 {and after} 13. d5 $5 exd5 14. exd5
Qxd5 15. Qxd5+ cxd5 16. axb5 {White seized the initiative in the ending.}))
6... b5 {This protective move in fact fails to secure the queenside.} ({Other
options:} 6... Nd7 $6 7. e4 b5 8. a4 Bb4 9. b3 Nb6 10. a5 Nd7 11. bxc4 {with a
huge plus, D.Berczes-D.Rombaldoni, Rogaska Slatina 2009.}) (6... c5 $6 7. e3 ({
or} 7. dxc5 $5 {followed by e2-e3}) 7... Nc6 8. Bxc4 $1 cxd4 9. exd4 Nxd4 {, I.Glek-A.Bykhovsky, Porto San Giorgio 1999, and here White could have obtained
more advantage by} 10. Bf4 $1 Bc5 11. O-O Ne7 12. Ne4 {.}) (6... Na6 7. e4 b5
8. Be2 Nc7 9. O-O Bb7 10. Re1 Qd7 11. a4 a6 12. Qc2 {and it's not easy for
Black to complete his development without making concessions, W.Paschall-R.Bauer, Lowell 2002.}) (6... a6 $5 {is an interesting subtlety. Black isn't in
a hurry to play ...b7-b5, and in some cases he may free himself by ...c6-c5
even if means losing the c4-pawn. Nevertheless, the problems remain:} 7. a4 (7.
g3 $5 {is also promising:} b5 8. Bg2 Ne7 9. O-O Nd5 10. e4 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bb7
12. e5 {and Black's defence isn't easy, M.Orr-T.Chandler, corr. 1997}) 7... c5
8. e3 ({or} 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. e3 Nh6 10. Bxc4 Nc6 11. O-O) 8... cxd4 9. exd4 Nc6
10. Bxc4 $1 {and White has a clear plus due to the weakness on e6.}) 7. a4 (7.
e4 {should also be good.}) 7... b4 ({Others don't solve Black's problems
either:} 7... Bb4 $6 8. axb5 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 cxb3 11. e4 {.}) (7...
Qb6 $6 8. axb5 cxb5 9. b3 Bb4 10. bxc4 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 b4 12. Qb1 Nc6 {, M.Sorokin-M.Guseva, Moscow 2007, and here} 13. e4 $1 Rb8 14. c5 Qd8 15. Bb2 {
would have increased White's advantage.}) (7... Qd7 {(this queen manoeuvre
looks awkward, although it's quite typical for the Triangle)} 8. e4 a5 9. axb5
$5 (9. Be2 Bb4 10. O-O Ne7 {is less clear, T.Banusz-S.Zhigalko, European Ch.,
Budva 2009}) ({but} 9. g3 $5 {is interesting}) 9... cxb5 10. d5 Bc5 11. b3 {
and White breaks up the black pawn chain.}) (7... Bd7 8. g3 Ne7 9. b3 b4 10.
Ne4 Nf5 11. bxc4 {with a certain edge for White, B.Laube-K.Kögler, corr. 2002.}
) 8. Ne4 ({The text move is stronger than} 8. Na2 {, which may also offer
White somewhat better chances, according to tournament practice.}) 8... Ba6 ({
After} 8... a5 9. e3 Ba6 10. Rc1 Qd5 11. Ng3 {Black is unable to secure his
extra pawn and so White gets a clear advantage, S.Lukey-S.Solomon, Auckland
2005.}) 9. Rc1 ({The routine} 9. e3 $5 {is also good for White:} Qd5 10. Ng3
Nd7 11. b3 $1 e5 ({or} 11... Rb8 12. bxc4 Qa5 13. Qb3) 12. Rc1 $1 {and his
advantage is beyond doubts.}) 9... Qa5 (9... Qd5 {is no better:} 10. Ng3 f5 ({
or} 10... c5 11. e4 Qd7 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Bxc4 Bxc4 14. Rxc4 {, Z.Gyimesi-J.Delemarre, German League 2001}) 11. Nh5 $1 Nf6 12. Nf4 Qd7 {(N.Sulava-M.Perez
Candelario, Lisbon 2001)} 13. e3 {and White regains the pawn with a clear
advantage.}) 10. e3 Nd7 ({After} 10... c3 11. bxc3 Bxf1 12. cxb4 $1 Qd5 (12...
Bxb4 13. Kxf1 Bxd2 14. Nfxd2 {is just bad}) 13. Nc3 Qd7 14. Kxf1 Bxb4 15. Ne4 {
Black faces serious problems because of his vulnerable pawn structure, L.Psakhis-E.Bareev, USSR Ch., Minsk 1987.}) 11. Bxc4 Bxc4 12. Rxc4 Qd5 13. Qc2
Nb6 (13... b3 14. Qd3 {.}) 14. Rxb4 $1 Bxb4 15. Bxb4 {. White initiative is
very annoying for Black; e.g.} Rd8 16. O-O Ne7 17. Rc1 Nbc8 18. Nc5 {followed
by e3-e4 with total domination of the position, R.Sielaff-M.Kovacevic, corr.
2000.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 Bg5"]
[Black "B: 5...Qc7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Qc7 {This ambitious queen slide
doesn't easily come to mind. Black avoids simplifications as well as the
weakening of his pawn structure, but is it possible to play such a move at an
early stage?! White has already developed three pieces and his lead in
development may become really threatening. Nevertheless, I liked this approach
for Black many years ago, even if thorough investigations with the aid of
modern computers may yet prove White's initiative to be too dangerous...} 6. --
({B1:} 6. e4) ({B2:} 6. g3) ({B3:} 6. a4) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 Bg5"]
[Black "B1: 6 e4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Qc7 6. e4 b5 7. Be2 Bb7 8. O-O
Nf6 $5 {This move combines central control with kingside development, which
already becomes vitally important. In other cases White would seriously
consider an immediate d4-d5. As we've seen in Chapter 1, Black isn't overly
worried about possible damage to his kingside pawn structure. However, in
similar positions from that chapter his queen gave better support for the
thematic ...c6-c5, being on the more natural b6-square.} 9. d5 $5 ({The main
alternative,} 9. a4 $5 {, can be met by} a6 {, when the attempt to break
through with} (9... b4 $5 {isn't clear either}) 10. axb5 cxb5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12.
d5 {is double-edged as it also surrenders some good squares to Black's pieces:}
Bc5 ({both} 12... Qb6 13. b3 cxb3 14. Qxb3 Nd7 15. dxe6 fxe6 16. Nd4 $1) ({and
} 12... Nd7 13. dxe6 fxe6 14. Nd4 Nc5 15. Bh5+ Ke7 {give White good
compensation for the pawn due to the vulnerability of the black king - in the
latter case he can force a draw by} 16. Nf5+ exf5 17. Nd5+ Bxd5 18. Qxd5 Bg7 $1
19. Qf7+ Kd8 20. Qd5+ {etc - and yet, despite Black's position always seeming
quite risky in these lines, it isn't easy for White to get something
substantial as Black's pieces are very active}) 13. b3 $1 ({in M.Makarov-A.Galkin, Russian Team Ch. 1998, White went wrong with} 13. dxe6 $2 fxe6 14. Nd4
$2 {, and after} Qd7 $1 15. Bh5+ Kf8 {, he couldn't keep the position
complicated without further sacrifices, which simply didn't work:} 16. Nd5 $6
exd5 17. Bg4 Qd6 {and Black converted his material advantage}) 13... cxb3 ({
securing a passed pawn on c3 by} 13... b4 $6 14. Na4 c3 {gives White good
squares for his pieces a time to develop an initiative with} 15. Nxc5 Qxc5 16.
dxe6 fxe6 17. Nd4 Qe5 18. Bc4) 14. Qxb3 Qb6 15. Rab1 Nd7 {and Black is
defending well. Here White can win the pawn back with} 16. Nxb5 -- ({, but
Black should be able to hold after} 16... exd5 17. Nc3 $5 (17. Nd6+ Bxd6 18.
Qxb6 Nxb6 19. Rxb6 dxe4 20. Rxb7 exf3 21. Bxf3 O-O 22. Rb6 Rad8 23. Rxa6 Be5 {
is a draw}) 17... Qxb3 (17... dxe4 {is risky:} 18. Qa4 Qc6 19. Rxb7 $1 Qxb7 20.
Rb1 Qc8 21. Nxe4 {with the initiative}) 18. Rxb3 dxe4 19. Rxb7 exf3 20. Bxf3
Ne5 {.}) ({. Or} 16... axb5 17. Bxb5 Ke7 18. Bxd7 Qxb3 19. Rxb3 Ba6 20. Rc1
Rhb8 $1 21. Ba4 Rxb3 22. Bxb3 Rc8 23. Rd1 Be2 24. Rd2 Bxf3 25. gxf3 Ra8 {and
so on.})) 9... b4 $5 {This principled move leads to sharp complications.} ({
Instead, in E.Solozhenkin-I.Khenkin, French Team Ch. 2000, Black played} 9...
Nbd7 10. Nd4 cxd5 11. Ndxb5 Qb6 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Bxc4 Nxc3 14. Nxc3 Be7 15.
Bb5 $1 {and White seized the initiative. Then after} Rd8 16. Be3 Bc5 {, it was
stronger to play} 17. Bxc5 $5 Qxc5 18. Qa4 a6 19. Bxa6 Ra8 20. Rad1 $1 {,
escaping with an extra pawn.}) 10. dxe6 bxc3 11. exf7+ Qxf7 12. Qd4 Nbd7 13.
Bxc4 Qg6 {. Black's position looks suspicious but perhaps he can hold on. For
example:} 14. Qxc3 ({Or} 14. Be6 $5 Bc5 15. Qc4 Bb6 16. Bf5 Qf7 17. Be6 Qg6 {
with a possible repetition.}) 14... O-O-O 15. Rfe1 Re8 16. e5 Ne4 17. Rxe4 $1
Qxe4 18. Re1 Qf5 19. e6 Nf6 (19... Nb6 20. e7 Nxc4 21. Qxc4 h6 22. exf8=Q Rhxf8
23. Be3 {isn't so bad either.}) 20. Re5 Qb1+ 21. Re1 Qf5 22. Re5 {, and White
seems to have nothing better than repeating moves. However, this line is
certainly dangerous for Black.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 Bg5"]
[Black "B2: 6 g3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Qc7 6. g3 $5 {This switch to
the Catalan is rather interesting: the light-squared bishop will be well
placed on the long diagonal after the forthcoming ...b7-b5. It may also be
useful that the g5-bishop can retreat to f4 with tempo.} Nd7 {This is the most
popular option, though it may not solve Black's problems completely.} ({
Instead:} 6... b5 {has been tested a few times. A possible continuation is} 7.
a4 Bb4 8. Bg2 Bb7 9. O-O a6 ({after} 9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 Nf6 11. Qc1 $5 Nbd7 12.
Bf4 Qd8 13. Qa3 {White obtains excellent compensation for the pawn, A.Lastin-A.Grischuk, St. Petersburg 1999}) 10. Ne4 Nd7 11. Bf4 Qb6 12. Bd6 (12. b3 $5)
12... Bxd6 13. Nxd6+ Ke7 14. Nxb7 Qxb7 15. axb5 Qxb5 $5 16. Nd2 Ngf6 17. Qc2
Nb6 {, and despite Black still being a pawn up, White's chances should be
preferred, S.Savchenko-T.Markowski, Cannes 2000.}) (6... Nf6 $5 {deserves
attention. As we'll see, the manoeuvre ...Nb8-d7-b6 can't achieve two tasks at
the same time: protecting the c4-pawn and preventing the kingside from being
damaged. Thus it seems logical not to waste time on it. Then} 7. Bg2 Nd5 8. O-O
b5 9. e4 (9. a4 $5) 9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 Ba3 $1 {(Black finds an unusual but
quite safe square for the bishop, while at the same time preventing a2-a4!,
though it's hard to believe he can solve his problems in such a way)} 11. Bf4
Qa5 {arose in K.Sasikiran-V.Malakhov, World Junior Ch., Yerevan 2000. White
has more than sufficient compensation but he eventually failed to maintain it
and lost. Here he might have preferred the restrained} 12. Qc2 $5 {, making}
O-O {more difficult for Black in view of} 13. d5 $1 {.}) 7. Bg2 Ngf6 8. Nd2 Nb6
9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. O-O (10. e3 $6 {is weaker due to} e5 11. d5 cxd5 12. Nxd5 Nxd5
13. Bxd5 Be6 14. Bxe6 fxe6 15. O-O O-O-O 16. Rc1 Kb8 17. Qe2 f5 18. Nxc4 e4 {
with good play for Black, A.Beliavsky-A.Yermolinsky, Chicago 1999.}) 10... Be7
$5 (10... h5 {is dubious. After} 11. h4 Be7 12. Rc1 Bd7 13. e3 Rd8 14. Qe2 e5
15. Nxc4 Be6 16. Na5 $1 exd4 17. exd4 Kf8 18. Rfd1 {, A.Beliavsky-I.Khenkin,
German League 1999, White has a clear advantage as it's difficult for Black to
find compensation for his kingside weaknesses.}) 11. Rc1 {Nothing can stop
White from regaining the pawn on c4. So Black must find a way to create
counterplay or he will be simply worse.} e5 $5 ({The slow} 11... Bd7 {doesn't
solve Black's problems. White can proceed with} 12. e3 {, keeping in mind such
possibilities as Qh5, or Qe2 and Nxc4, or Nce4 and Nxc4.}) 12. d5 {. This
position arose in the game R.Scherbakov-A.Yashtylov, Russian Ch., Samara 2000,
which continued:} Bd7 $5 13. b3 $5 cxd5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. Bxd5 c3 16. Ne4 Rd8
17. Rxc3 Qb6 $1 (17... Qa5 $6 18. b4 $1 {.}) 18. Nd2 $3 Bh3 (18... Be6 $5 {
seems more reliable, but after} 19. Bxe6 fxe6 20. e3 {White still keeps a
small but stable advantage.}) 19. Nc4 Qc5 20. Rd3 Bxf1 21. Kxf1 {with the
better chances thanks to a total control over the key light squares.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 Bg5"]
[Black "B3: 6 a4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Qc7 6. a4 Bb4 {Black must be
ready to support the c4-pawn with ...b7-b5.} 7. e4 (7. e3 {looks slow after} b5
{and then:} 8. -- (8. Nd2 Qb6 $1 {(Black can allow himself one more queen move
to protect his queenside)} 9. Qf3 Bb7 10. Qg3 Nd7 $1 11. Bf4 Ngf6 12. Be2 ({if
} 12. Bc7 $2 Nh5 $1) ({or} 12. Qxg7 Rg8 13. Qh6 c5 $1) 12... Nd5 $5 13. Nxd5
cxd5 14. Qxg7 O-O-O {and Black achieved excellent play in V.Ruban-R.Scherbakov,
Anapa 1991. The game continued} 15. Rd1 Rhg8 $5 (15... bxa4 $5 16. O-O f5) 16.
Qxf7 e5 $1 17. dxe5 Rdf8 18. Qh5 (18. Qxh7 $5 {was unclear}) 18... d4 $1 19.
Bg4 $1 c3 $1 20. bxc3 dxc3 21. Bxd7+ $2 (21. O-O $2 cxd2 22. e6 Qxe6 $1 {was
also bad}) ({but things would still have been unclear after the correct} 21. e6
$1 cxd2+ 22. Ke2 Bc6 $1 23. exd7+ Kb7 24. a5 $1 Bxa5 25. Qxh7 Rd8 26. Bf3 Bc3 {
followed by ...b5-b4. It doesn't really matter that White has five (!)
connected passers against only three - Black's chances are not worse}) 21...
Kb8 $1 22. axb5 cxd2+ 23. Ke2 Rxf4 $1 24. exf4 Qd4 $1 {and Black launched a
decisive attack.}) (8. Be2 Bb7 9. O-O a6 {secures Black's queenside and he
isn't worried about the d4-d5 push, though even here he isn't quite safe due
to his lack of development:} 10. Bf4 $5 (10. Ne4 $5) 10... Qd8 $5 ({, other
queen moves are also playable; e.g.} 10... Qb6 $5 11. Ne4 Nf6 $1 12. Nxf6+ gxf6
13. Qc2 Nd7) ({, or} 10... Qe7 $5 11. d5 $5 cxd5 ({but not} 11... exd5 12. axb5
axb5 $4 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Bxb8) 12. axb5 Nd7 ({or} 12... Nf6 13. Bxb8 Rxb8 14.
bxa6 Ba8 {with unclear play in both cases}) 13. bxa6 Rxa6 14. Rxa6 Bxa6 15. Qa4
) 11. Ne4 Nf6 12. Nxf6+ gxf6 13. b3 {and a draw was agreed in J.Fedorowicz-L.Kaufman, US Ch., Seattle 2003. Black would have had to play} c3 14. Qc2 Nd7 {
, maintaining mutual chances.})) 7... b5 8. Be2 {The main and the most
dangerous continuation, completing White kingside development; though other
options are worth examining.} (8. d5 {isn't so dangerous for Black, who can
continue with} Nf6 ({or even} 8... Nd7 {.})) (8. g3 {can be met by} h6 $5 ({in
V.McCambridge-V.Strugatsky, San Mateo rapid 1989, Black played} 8... Nf6 9.
Bxf6 gxf6 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O {and here he should have preferred} Qb6) 9. Bf4
Qb6 {followed by ...Nf6.}) ({On} 8. Nd2 {Black can support his queenside pawns
by} a6 {, being ready to sacrifice the exchange after} 9. axb5 cxb5 10. Nxb5
axb5 11. Rxa8 Bb7 12. Ra1 Bxe4 13. Qg4 {, as in V.Bagirov-V.Chekhov, Telavi
1982, when} Qb7 {would have maintained good compensation.}) (8. Qc2 {is a rare
but playable option.} -- ({. Here} 8... Bb7 $5 {deserves attention, avoiding
the weakening of the kingside and transposing to the main line after} 9. Be2
Nd7 10. O-O Bxc3 11. bxc3 Ngf6 {(see note 'b1' to White's 9th move)}) ({;
whereas in the case of} 8... Nf6 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. Be2 Bb7 11. O-O a6 12. b3 {
White obtains excellent compensation for the pawn, according to tournament
practice. This typical undermining move helps White to open files on the
queenside, disturb the bishop on b4, and get some vital squares for his pieces.
The queenside pawn chain restricts not only White's light-squared bishop
itself - being on e2, it also limits his other pieces' scope.} (12. --))) 8...
Nd7 $5 (8... Nf6 $6 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. O-O {is too risky for Black. He is yet to
support his queenside pawn, and he's seriously behind in development!} -- (
10... Bb7 $6 11. axb5 Bxc3 12. bxc6 $1 (12. bxc3 cxb5 13. d5 {is also
dangerous for Black:} a6 ({or} 13... exd5 14. Nd4 a6 {and here in V.Ivanchuk-M.Sorokin, Sochi 1986, White could have seized a strong initiative by} 15. exd5
$1 Nd7 16. Bg4) 14. dxe6 fxe6 15. Nd4 {, N.Gaprindashvili-T.Kilpi, Helsinki
1992}) 12... Bxc6 13. bxc3 Bxe4 14. Nd2 Bd5 15. Bf3 $1 {and Black seems unable
to protect his numerous weaknesses.}) (10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 O-O {is also
unsatisfactory for Black. N.Pushkov-P.Tregubov, Sochi 1993, continued} 12. Qc1
Nd7 13. Qh6 Kh8 14. e5 Rg8 15. exf6 Rg6 16. Qh5 (16. Qh4 $5) 16... Nxf6 17. Qe5
Qxe5 18. Nxe5 Rg7 19. Nxc6 {and Black has too many weaknesses in the ending.}))
9. axb5 $5 ({The straightforward} 9. d5 $5 {is well met by a cool} Ngf6 $1 10.
dxc6 ({both} 10. dxe6 fxe6 11. Qc2 O-O) ({and} 10. O-O Bxc3 11. d6 Qb6 12. bxc3
Nxe4 {are rather unclear}) 10... Qxc6 {, and A.Khalifman-A.Galkin, Russian Ch.,
St. Petersburg 1998, ended in a draw after the very next move,} 11. axb5 {.
Then in case of} Qxb5 ({but} 11... Qxe4 $5 {might have been stronger; e.g.} 12.
O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb7 {with good play for Black}) 12. O-O Bxc3 13. bxc3 O-O 14.
Qd4 {White would have maintained good compensation for the pawn.}) (9. O-O {is
a natural continuation:} -- (9... Bxc3 10. bxc3 Ngf6 11. Qc2 (11. Qb1 $5) 11...
Bb7 12. Bh4 $5 ({both} 12. Rfb1 a6 13. Bh4 c5 {, L.Filip-V.Raceanu, Rumania
2003}) ({and} 12. Bc1 a6 13. Re1 c5 {, .Ovsejevitsch-P.Tregubov, Krasnodar
1996, are more or less acceptable for Black}) 12... a6 13. Bg3 {, S.Cade-J.Balje, corr. 2003, and White has more than sufficient compensation for the
pawn, though the position remains double-edged.}) (9... Ngf6 {allows White
some extra options, but they still aren't so clear:} 10. axb5 ({or} 10. d5 Bxc3
11. d6 Qb6 12. bxc3 Nxe4 13. Qc2 Nxg5 14. Nxg5 Nf6) 10... Bxc3 11. b6 $5 ({or} 
11. bxc6 Bxb2 12. cxd7+ Bxd7 13. Ra2 c3 14. Qc2 Qb6 {, K.H.Johnsen-H.Andersson,
corr. 2001}) 11... Qb7 $5 (11... Qxb6 12. bxc3 Nxe4 {is also playable}) 12.
bxc3 Nxe4 13. Rxa7 ({or} 13. Bxc4 axb6) 13... Rxa7 14. bxa7 Nxc3 15. Qa1 Nxe2+
16. Kh1 Qa8 17. Re1 Bb7 18. Rxe2 c5 $1 19. Re3 O-O {and Black is okay.})) 9...
cxb5 10. O-O Bxc3 ({The attempt to keep the bishop by} 10... Qb7 $6 {is
suspicious. In response, the slow} 11. Qc2 ({but after the thematic} 11. d5 $5
Ngf6 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Nd4 {Black's defence isn't easy}) 11... Ngf6 {isn't so
clear (e.g.} 12. e5 Nd5 13. Bd2 Be7 14. b3 cxb3 15. Qxb3 Nxc3 16. Bxc3 b4 {
with good play for Black).}) 11. bxc3 Ngf6 ({After} 11... Bb7 12. d5 exd5 13.
exd5 Ngf6 14. d6 {White's initiative is rather annoying, D.Beaumont-V.Rezzuti,
corr. 1999.}) 12. Qb1 $5 {Only this typical manoeuvre can pose problems for
Black. The white queen is doing a good job on b1, keeping an eye in all
directions.} a6 13. Qb4 h6 14. Bh4 {Black's position looks suspicious. His
king has got stuck in the centre, while White almost completed his
mobilization.} a5 $5 {This seems to be the only way - castling is vitally
important for Black!} 15. Qa3 $1 (15. Qxb5 Nxe4 {is okay for Black; e.g.} 16.
Rfc1 ({if} 16. Ra3 Nd6) ({or} 16. Qxc4 Qxc4 17. Bxc4 Nb6 18. Bb5+ Bd7) 16...
O-O ({after} 16... Nd6 17. Qa4 O-O 18. Bg3 {White maintains the pressure}) 17.
Qxc4 Qxc4 18. Bxc4 Ba6 $5 19. Bb3 g5 20. Bg3 Rfc8 {with good play in the
ending.}) 15... Bb7 16. Rfb1 b4 $1 17. cxb4 Bxe4 18. Rc1 {It seems that Black
faces serious problems, but he can still fight.} axb4 $1 19. Qxa8+ (19. Qxb4 {
allows Black to simplify after} Rxa1 20. Rxa1 Qb6 21. Qa3 Qb3 22. Nd2 Qxa3 23.
Rxa3 Bd5 {with a likely draw.}) 19... Bxa8 20. Rxa8+ Ke7 21. Rxh8 c3 {.
Black's strong passed pawns give him decent chances to hold on, but it's not
much fun to play such a position straight from the opening. A possible
continuation might be} 22. d5 $5 ({After} 22. Bg3 Qb7 23. Bd3 Ne4) ({or} 22.
Bxf6+ Kxf6 23. Bd1 Nb8 $1 24. Ne5 Nc6 25. Nxc6 Qxc6 26. Bb3 Qd7 {Black is okay.
}) 22... Qc5 23. Nd4 $5 Qxd5 ({Not} 23... Qxd4 24. Rd1 {.}) 24. Rd1 Qc5 25. Nb3
Qc6 26. Bd3 Nc5 27. Nxc5 Qxc5 28. Rb8 g5 29. Bg3 c2 30. Bxc2 (30. Rc1 $2 Nd7
31. Rxc2 Qd4 {is fine for Black.}) 30... Qxc2 31. Bd6+ Kd7 32. Rb7+ Kc8 33.
Rc7+ ({Or} 33. Rb8+ Kd7 {.}) 33... Qxc7 34. Bxc7 Kxc7 35. Kf1 Kc6 36. Ke2 Nd5
37. Kd2 {, and although White keeps some winning chances, objectively it's a
draw. Nevertheless, Black is walking on the edge in this line.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 Bg5"]
[Black "C: 5...Be7!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. Bg5 Be7 $5 {Perhaps the strongest
continuation. As a rule, the exchange of these bishops is unfavourable for
Black because the dark squares in his camp become weak. However, in this case
it deserves serious attention as it gains time for development, giving Black
reasonable chances to improve his other bishop's scope with the thematic ...c6-c5. Besides, he still has an extra pawn and White must spend time himself
in getting it back.} 6. Bxe7 Nxe7 (6... Qxe7 {looks dubious as Black is
falling behind in development after} 7. e4 b5 8. e5 {. A.Barsov-J.Candela
Perez, Ubeda 2000, continued} Qb4 9. Qc2 Ne7 10. O-O-O Nd5 11. Ne4 {and White
seized a strong initiative.}) 7. a4 ({After} 7. e3 b5 8. a4 -- (8... b4 $6 9.
Na2 a5 10. Bxc4 {, followed by Nc1-b3, White gets a small but stable advantage.
}) ({. However, Black can secure the extra pawn with the typical} 8... Nd5 $1
9. Be2 Nxc3 (9... Nd7 $5 {also deserves attention, keeping the b-file closed})
10. bxc3 Nd7 {, when A.Beliavsky-V.Ivanchuk, Lvov 2000, continued} 11. Qb1 ({
for White} 11. Nd2 $5 {might have been stronger; e.g.} Nf6 12. Bf3 Nd5 13. Qc2
{followed by Ne4 with good compensation for the pawn}) 11... a6 12. Nd2 Rb8 $1
13. Bf3 c5 $1 14. axb5 axb5 {and Black had nothing to worry about.})) 7... Nd5
({On} 7... O-O 8. e4 c5 9. Bxc4 ({after} 9. dxc5 Qa5 10. Bxc4 Qxc5 11. Qe2 Nbc6
12. O-O Ng6 {Black has good chances to equalize, V.Malakhatko-S.Pons Sastre,
Palma de Mallorca 2009}) 9... cxd4 10. Qxd4 $1 Qxd4 11. Nxd4 Nbc6 12. O-O-O $5
Bd7 13. Ndb5 Rfd8 14. Rd2 {, followed by Rhd1, White maintains the better
chances in the endgame, A.Rychagov-D.Kosic, Corinth 2002.}) 8. a5 c5 ({The
alternative} 8... b5 $5 9. axb6 Nxb6 {isn't as ambitious as it looks - Black
is still playing for equality. Here} 10. e3 {, doesn't promise much} ({but
White may still gain an edge with} 10. g3 $5 N8d7 11. Bg2 Bb7 12. O-O Qc7 13.
Ra5 {, as in S.Ovsejevitsch-L.E.Johannessen, Bergen 2002}) 10... N8d7 11. Nd2
O-O 12. Nxc4 c5 {, P.H.Nielsen-P.Tregubov, New York Open 2000.}) 9. e4 (9. e3
O-O 10. Bxc4 cxd4 11. exd4 Nc6 {is okay for Black.}) 9... Nb4 $1 {This clever
idea might solve all Black's problems.} ({For some strange reason Black used
to take on c3 here, fortifying White's centre, which fails to equalize:} 9...
Nxc3 10. bxc3 Qc7 ({or} 10... cxd4 11. cxd4 c3 12. Qc1 O-O 13. Qxc3 Nc6 14. Be2
Bd7 15. O-O {, R.Bagirov-A.Cherniaev, Biel 2000}) 11. Qa4+ Bd7 12. Qxc4 O-O 13.
Be2 (13. Bd3 $6 {is weaker since the d3-square isn't quite safe for the bishop;
e.g.} Rc8 14. d5 a6 {intending ...Bb5, R.Meessen-S.Lputian, Elista Olympiad
1998}) 13... Rc8 14. d5 {and the passed pawn on d5 secures a stable advantage
for White, according to tournament practice.}) 10. dxc5 {The best option.} (10.
d5 {is well met by} exd5 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. Qxd5 Qe7 $5 (12... O-O {is also
playable:} 13. Qxd8 Rxd8 14. Bxc4 Nc6 {and so on}) 13. Bxc4 Nc6 {and Black is
doing well.}) 10... Qxd1+ (10... N8a6 $5 {is worth considering too.}) 11. Kxd1
$5 {At first sight this capture seems illogical, but it makes sense as White
may need his rook on the a-file, supporting his a-pawn.} ({In J.Kipper-T.Nyback, German League 2010, Black had no problems after} 11. Rxd1 N8a6 12. Bxc4
Nxc5 {followed by ...Ke7 - in fact White had some difficulties arranging his
rooks.}) 11... N8a6 12. Bxc4 Nxc5 13. Ke2 Ke7 14. Rhd1 Bd7 {. Black should be
able to hold the balance without too much trouble.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3: White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 {Switching from the Noteboom to
a Catalan set-up has never been really dangerous for Black. The fact that
White has already clarified the position of his queen's knight may be helpful
for the defender. Nevertheless, precise play is certainly required - Black
should know what to do and, of course, what his opponent is aiming for. Note
that playing without the inclusion of a2-a4 and ...Bb4 usually gives Black
more choice, though in some cases the bishop advance can be useful in speeding
up development.} ({A:} 5. g3) ({B:} 5. a4 Bb4 6. g3) ({Sometimes White begins
with} 5. Ne5 b5 6. g3 -- ({, but this may benefit Black, who has no need to
transpose to the Catalan proper with} 6... Bb7 7. Bg2) ({, or} 6... Nf6 7. Bg2
Nd5 {, where White has good compensation for the pawn;} ({or} 7... a6 $5 {- a
recent invention})) ({. Instead, he can omit ...Nf6 in favour of} 6... Nd7 $1 {
, exploiting the fact that the white bishop hasn't yet arrived on the long
diagonal. Then} 7. Nxc6 ({while after} 7. Bg2 Nxe5 8. dxe5 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Bb7
10. Nxb5 ({or} 10. Kc2 O-O-O 11. Be3 Nh6 $5) 10... O-O-O+ 11. Nd6+ Bxd6 12.
exd6 c5 {, Black picks up the d6-pawn and secures at least equal chances in
the ending}) 7... Qb6 8. Bg2 Bb7 9. d5 exd5 10. Nd4 Bc5 {, followed by ...Ngf6,
is okay for Black.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A: 5 g3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 {Now Black must decide on his
plans. The choice is: (i) to support the c4-pawn immediately; (ii) support it
later; (iii) leave it to the mercy of fate. Let us begin with the last
approach, which is less typical for the Triangle.} -- ({A1:} 5... Nf6) ({A2:} 
5... b5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A1: 5...Nf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E01"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 Nf6 {This knight development,
which transposes to the Catalan, isn't completely in the spirit of the
Triangle. However, modern players should be flexible. Good opening erudition
aids the playing of different types of position; and sometimes the ideas,
typical for certain lines, may be used in other systems.} 6. Bg2 Nbd7 {A solid
continuation. Black isn't in a hurry to support the c4-pawn by ...b7-b5 which
weakens his queenside. In some cases he's ready to give it up, intending to
bring his light-squared bishop into play by ...e6-e5, while his pawn formation
with b7 and c6 restricts the opponent's Catalan bishop.} 7. -- ({A11:} 7. O-O)
({A12:} 7. a4) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A11: 7 0-0"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E01"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. O-O {Here
we'll take a look at:} -- ({A111:} 7... Be7) ({A112:} 7... b5 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A111: 7...Be7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. O-O Be7 $5 8.
e4 O-O 9. Bf4 {Preventing the thematic ...e6-e5.} Re8 {A safe, if somewhat
passive, approach.} ({Instead:} 9... Nh5 $5 10. Be3 Nhf6 {is rather
interesting, aiming to transpose to the 7 a4 variation after} 11. a4 e5 12.
dxe5 Ng4 13. Bf4 Qa5 {(see note 'b' to White's 9th move in line A12).}) (9...
b5 $5 {is playable but risky, due to} 10. d5 $1 Qb6 $5 ({, alternatives are
probably worse; e.g.} 10... b4 $2 11. d6 $1) ({, or} 10... cxd5 {is less clear:
} 11. exd5 Qb6 {and White can choose between} 12. d6 $5 ({or} 12. dxe6 fxe6 13.
Nd4 Bb7 14. Nxe6 $5 {, as in the game R.Jumabayev-R.Kasimdzhanov, Asian Ch.,
Mashhad 2011}) 12... Bd8 13. Be3 {, V.Korchnoi-V.Kramnik, Geneva rapid 1996})
11. dxc6 ({, here} 11. Nd4 cxd5 12. exd5 e5 {is okay for Black; e.g.} 13. Ndxb5
({or} 13. d6 $6 Bxd6 14. Ndxb5 $6 Bc5 15. Bxa8 exf4 {intending ...a7-a6 with
the better chances, R.Ris-M.Ragger, German League 2010}) 13... Bc5 14. Bd2 Rb8
{with acceptable play, P.H.Nielsen-A.Beliavsky, European Team Ch., Gothenburg
2005}) ({, while} 11. d6 $5 Bd8 {isn't so bad either, B.Tadic-B.Abramovic,
Serbian Ch., Pancevo 2006, although White may yet find some resources to
support his strong passer on d6}) 11... Nc5 $1 12. Nd2 $5 (12. e5 $5 {is worth
considering, with the possible continuation} Nd5 13. Bg5 $1 Rd8 $1 14. Nxd5
Rxd5 15. Qc2 Bxg5 $5 16. Nxg5 Nd3 17. Rfd1 Rxe5 18. c7 Bb7 19. Rxd3 cxd3 20.
Qxd3 Bxg2 21. Rc1 Bb7 22. Qxh7+ Kf8 23. Qh8+ Ke7 24. Qxa8 $1 Bxa8 25. c8=Q Rxg5
26. Qxa8 Rf5 27. Rc2 Qd4 {and Black holds on}) 12... Qxc6 13. e5 Nd5 14. Nxc4
bxc4 15. Nxd5 exd5 16. Bxd5 Qb5 17. Bxa8 Be6 18. Bg2 Qxb2 19. Rb1 Qa3 {with
reasonable compensation for the exchange, although White's chances are
preferable, A.Zontakh-D.Bocharov, Russian Team Ch. 2010.}) 10. a4 a5 (10... b6
$5 {also deserves attention, D.Jakovenko-A.Riazantsev, French Team Ch. 2010.})
11. Qe2 ({White has tried other options, such as} 11. Re1 Nf8 12. Qe2 Ng6 13.
Bg5 e5 $1 {, I.Sokolov-P.Harikrishna, Sarajevo 2009}) ({or} 11. Qc2 Nf8 12.
Rfd1 Ng6 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Qe2 Qb6 {, M.Prusikin-A.Yusupov,
Pulvermuehle 2006 - in both cases Black had acceptable play.}) 11... b6 12. Nd2
Ba6 13. Nxc4 Bf8 14. Rfd1 Nd5 15. Bd2 ({After} 15. Bc1 Nxc3 16. bxc3 Ne5 $1 17.
dxe5 Bxc4 18. Rxd8 Bxe2 19. Rxe8 Rxe8 20. Be3 Bc5 {Black equalized in R.
Ponomariov-P.Harikrishna, Spanish Team Ch. 2009.}) 15... Rc8 16. Be1 Qc7 {.
Black eventually defended this somewhat worse but solid position, B.Gelfand-A.Grischuk, World Team Ch., Bursa 2010.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A112: 7...b5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E07"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. O-O b5 $5 {
Black "suddenly" changes his plans, but of course this thematic advance is
always on the agenda in the Triangle. In fact, this move order has its point -
now White can't bother Black with a Ne5 jump.} 8. e4 ({Alternatively:} 8. a4 $6
b4 {, followed by ...Ba6 and later ...c6-c5, is good for Black.}) (8. Ne5 {is
harmless:} Nxe5 9. dxe5 Qxd1 ({after} 9... Nd5 10. Ne4 Bb7 11. a4 a6 12. Bg5 {
intending Nd6 at some point, White gets active play for the pawn, G.Mikanovic-A.Lesiege, Montreal 2001}) 10. Rxd1 Nd5 11. a4 b4 12. Ne4 (12. Nxd5
exd5 $1 13. e4 Bg4 $1 {is fine for Black, A.Bisguier-D.Herder, Los Angeles 1996
}) 12... Ba6 13. Be3 c3 14. bxc3 Bxe2 15. Rd2 Ba6 (15... Bh5 $5 {looks risky,
but White has no more than perpetual check by} 16. c4 Nxe3 17. Nf6+ gxf6 18.
Bxc6+ Ke7 19. Rd7+ Ke8 {etc}) 16. cxb4 Bxb4 17. Rc2 {and while White will
probably get the pawn back, he can't pretend to any advantage, I.Balinov-P.Lukacs, Austrian League 2002.}) (8. Bg5 Bb7 9. a4 {has been thoroughly tested
in practice. Black usually chooses between} a6 (9... b4) ({and} 9... Qb6 {with
complicated and double-edged play in each case.})) 8... Bb7 (8... h6 {would
allow} 9. d5) ({but both} 8... b4) ({and} 8... Be7 {are decent options.}) 9. e5
Nd5 10. Ng5 {Another complicated line of this version of the Catalan which is
playable for Black.} h6 ({The alternative} 10... Be7 11. Qh5 g6 12. Qh6 Bf8 13.
Qh3 {promises White more than sufficient compensation for the pawn, according
to the tournament practice.}) 11. Nxe6 $5 (11. Qh5 g6 12. Qh3 Be7 {is okay for
Black.}) 11... fxe6 12. Qh5+ Ke7 13. Ne4 Qe8 14. Bg5+ $1 hxg5 (14... N5f6 $5 {
seems playable, too:} 15. exf6+ (15. Qh4 hxg5 16. exf6+ gxf6 17. Qxh8 Qg6 18.
Qh3 f5 {might be a problem for White because of the awkward position of his
queen}) 15... gxf6 16. Bxf6+ Nxf6 17. Nxf6 Qxh5 18. Nxh5 {. White keeps some
pressure, but it's probably defendable for Black. For example, K.Bochev-Z.Stoyanov, corr. 2008, continued} Kf7 19. a4 a6 20. axb5 axb5 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22.
Ra1 Be7 23. Nf4 Bb7 24. Ra7 ({after} 24. Bh3 {Black has sufficient counterplay
due to his strong queenside pawns:} Bd6 $1 25. Ra7 Rb8 26. Nxe6 Kf6 27. Nc5
Bxc5 28. dxc5 Ke5 {and so on}) 24... Rb8 25. Be4 Kf6 26. Ng6 c5 $1 27. Rxb7
Rxb7 28. Bxb7 Kxg6 29. dxc5 Bxc5 {and a draw was agreed.}) 15. Qxh8 Kd8 $1 16.
Nxg5 {. In this messy position Black can choose between} Qe7 $5 {, Bu Xiangzhi-A.Galkin, Lausanne 2000;} ({and} 16... Kc8 $5 {, leaving c7 vacant
for the knight to protect the e6-pawn - with very complicated play in both
cases.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A12: 7 a4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E07"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Nbd7 7. a4 {This time
White takes the opportunity to prevent ...b7-b5.} Be7 $5 (7... Bb4 {is also
playable, and is actually a transposition to line B2 (5 a4 Bb4 6 g3 Nf6 etc).})
8. O-O O-O 9. a5 $5 {Perhaps the most promising continuation.} ({Instead, the
hasty} 9. Nd2 {allows} e5 10. Nxc4 exd4 11. Qxd4 {, when both} Nb6 ({and} 11...
Nc5 {give Black acceptable play.})) (9. e4 {can be met by the typical
counterblow} e5 $5 10. dxe5 (10. Nxe5 $2 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Ng4 {is simply better
for Black}) 10... Ng4 11. Bf4 Qa5 {. This position has been tested many times
and tournament practice indicates good counter-chances for Black; e.g.} 12. e6
fxe6 13. e5 ({after} 13. Qe2 Nge5 14. Nd4 Nd3 $1 15. Nxe6 Rf6 {Black
eventually crushed his opponent in V.Topalov-V.Kramnik, Linares 1997}) 13...
Ndxe5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Qh5 Bd6 $1 16. Ne4 Rf5 17. Qe8+ ({or} 17. Qe2 Be7 {and
Black is fine, A.Jayaram-S.Malikentzos, Bansko 2010}) 17... Rf8 18. Qh5 Rf5 19.
Qe8+ {with a repetition, V.Topalov-G.Kasparov, Sarajevo 2000.}) 9... Nd5 10.
Bd2 (10. e4 Nb4 {is okay for Black, and if} 11. b3 $5 {, he should probably
surrender the extra pawn and play} c5 $5 {.}) 10... b5 $5 (10... c5 $5 {is
also worth considering, although White maintains some pressure after} 11. Qa4
cxd4 12. Nxd4 Ne5 13. Rfd1 Bc5 14. Be1 Bd7 15. Qc2 {, I.Sokolov-Av.Grigorian,
European Ch., Rijeka 2010.}) 11. axb6 Qxb6 $5 (11... N7xb6 12. Ne4 Qc7 13. Qc2
{gives White a slight edge, I.Sokolov-T.Nyback, European Ch., Budva 2009.}) 12.
Na4 Qb5 13. Qb1 Bb7 14. Rc1 c5 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. Nd4 ({After} 16. Nxc5 $6 Bxc5
17. Ng5 g6 18. Ne4 Be7 19. Ra5 Qb6 {Black obtained the better chances and
eventually won, E.Bareev-V.Potkin, European Ch., Rijeka 2010.}) 16... Qd7 17.
Rxc4 Rfc8 {. Black has solved his problems and the position is roughly equal.}
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A2: 5...b5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 b5 {This ambitious and thematic
pawn advance seems more logical than the kingside development just considered.}
6. Bg2 Bb7 {Black takes the opportunity to fortify his queenside pawn mass.} ({
The routine} 6... Nf6 {would transpose to the Catalan, where 7 Ne5 promises
White active play for the pawn (as mentioned via 5 Ne5 at the start of the
chapter).}) ({The preliminary} 6... Nd7 $5 {, preventing an early Ne5, also
comes into consideration.} 7. -- ({. Then after} 7. O-O {Black can choose
between} Bb7 {, as in the main line below,} ({and} 7... Ngf6 {returning to
line A112.})) ({. However, he must be ready to face the undermining} 7. a4 $5
b4 8. Ne4 Ngf6 (8... Be7 9. O-O Ba6 10. Bf4 Ngf6 11. Nd6+ Bxd6 12. Bxd6 Nd5 13.
Ne5 {gives White a rather annoying initiative, O.Romanishin-I.Zaja, Bled 1998})
({but both} 8... Bb7 $5) ({and} 8... Ba6 $5 {are possible}) 9. Nxf6+ (9. Ned2
$2 {is too slow:} Ba6 10. Qc2 ({or} 10. O-O Rc8 {with a clear advantage, K.Nikuljshin-P.Tregubov, Budapest 1993}) 10... b3 $1) 9... gxf6 {(otherwise
White would achieve Ne5 after all) and then:} 10. -- (10. Nd2 Ba6 11. Qc2 (11.
Bxc6 $6 Rc8 {intending ...c4-c3 is better for Black, R.Czaja-J.De Backer, corr.
1999}) 11... b3 $5 (11... c5 $5 12. d5 $1 {should be in White's favour}) 12.
Qc3 (12. Nxb3 cxb3 13. Qxc6 Bb4+ 14. Kf1 Bxe2+ $1 15. Kxe2 Rc8 {followed by ...Rc2 is certainly good for Black}) 12... Rb8 13. O-O Bb4 14. Qe3 {, when White
keeps good compensation for the pawn, but Black has reasonable counter-chances
too.}) (10. O-O Ba6 11. Re1 ({both} 11. Qc2) ({and} 11. a5 $5 {also come to
mind}) 11... Qa5 12. Bf4 Be7 (12... O-O-O 13. Qc2 Nb6 14. Nd2 {is too risky
for Black}) 13. Nd2 Rc8 14. Rc1 $5 (14. e3 Nb6 ({but} 14... h5 $5 15. Ne4 Rd8 {
is rather unclear}) 15. Ne4 Rd8 16. Qg4 {gave White the initiative in N.Legky-I.Almasi, Budapest 1996}) 14... Nb6 15. e4 h5 ({the crazy-looking} 15...
b3 16. Qg4 Nxa4 {should not work as White's pieces are very powerful:} 17. d5
$1 Nxb2 18. Qg7 Rf8 19. d6 Nd3 20. dxe7 Kxe7 21. e5 $1 {and so on}) 16. Bf1 $1
{and White's chances seem preferable, but this line certainly deserves more
attention.}))) 7. O-O ({White may think about} 7. Ne5 $5 {with a possible
transposition to line A22 below after} Nd7 8. O-O ({capturing on c6 isn't good
for White:} 8. Nxc6 $6 Qb6) ({or} 8. Bxc6 $6 Bxc6 9. Nxc6 Qb6 {.})) 7... Nd7 $5
{Now White has a choice.} 8. -- ({A21:} 8. a4 $5) ({A22:} 8. Ne5 $1) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A21: 8 a4!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 b5 6. Bg2 Bb7 7. O-O Nd7 $5 8. a4
$5 a6 (8... b4 $6 {is dubious:} 9. Ne4 c5 10. Ne5 $1 Bd5 11. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 12.
Ng5+ Ke8 (12... Ke7 13. e4 Bb7 14. d5 $1) 13. e4 Bb7 14. Nxe6 Qb6 15. d5 {and
White proved his superiority in V.Mikhalevsky-A.Rabinovich, Israeli Team Ch.
1999.}) 9. Ne5 {This knight advance is typical for such positions. White is
trying to utilize the power of his Catalan bishop to put quick pressure on the
opponent's queenside. Here Black can't reply with ...Nf6-d5 since his knight
is still on g8, but he has other resources:} Qc8 $5 {A standard way to protect
the queenside. It looks like Black is playing draughts (or checkers), and this
would be terrible without the dark-squared bishop on the board.} ({Instead:} 
9... Nxe5 10. dxe5 Ne7 $1 {is a good alternative:} 11. -- (11. Bg5 $6 {is well
met by} h6 12. Bxe7 ({or} 12. Ne4 Qxd1 13. Rfxd1 Nd5) 12... Bxe7 13. axb5 axb5
14. Nxb5 Rxa1 $1 15. Qxa1 cxb5 16. Bxb7 O-O {and White has to fight for
equality, V.Mikhalevski-P.Tregubov, Cappelle la Grande 2000.}) (11. Qxd8+ Kxd8
12. Rd1+ ({after} 12. axb5 axb5 13. Rxa8+ Bxa8 14. Nxb5 cxb5 15. Bxa8 Kc7 {
Black is at least not worse}) 12... Kc7 13. Ne4 Nd5 {and White was unable to
prove full compensation for the pawn, P.Harikrishna-S.Haslinger, British Ch.,
Torquay 2002.}) (11. axb5 axb5 12. Bg5 {(White is very active here but Black
can defend)} h6 ({both} 12... Rxa1 13. Qxa1 {, V.Mikhalevski-A.Rabinovich,
European Ch., Saint Vincent 2000}) ({and} 12... Qc8 13. Ne4 Nd5 14. Rxa8 Bxa8
15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. exd6 h6 17. Bd2 {, followed by e2-e4, D.Khismatullin-A.Galkin, Russian Team Ch. 2008, fail to extinguish White's initiative}) 13. Ne4
Qxd1 14. Rxa8+ $1 Bxa8 15. Rxd1 Nd5 16. Ra1 Bb7 17. Ra7 hxg5 18. Rxb7 f6 $1 19.
Nd6+ ({not} 19. Nc5 $2 Bxc5 20. Rb8+ Kd7 $1 21. Rxh8 Bd4 {and Black's
queenside pawns become too strong}) 19... Bxd6 20. exd6 O-O $1 (20... Rf8 $6 {
is worse:} 21. e4 Nb4 22. Re7+ Kd8 23. Rxg7) 21. Bh3 (21. e4 {can be met by} c3
$1 22. bxc3 Nxc3 23. Rc7 Rd8 24. Rxc6 b4 {with a drawn ending, M.Sebenik-D.Doric, Nova Gorica 2007}) 21... g4 $5 (21... f5 $6 22. e4 $1 {might be a
problem for Black; e.g.} c3 23. bxc3 Nxc3 24. Rc7 Nxe4 ({or} 24... Rd8 25. e5)
25. d7 Nf6 26. Bg2 {, but he can probably escape by} b4 $1 27. Bxc6 b3 28. Rc8
Nxd7 29. Bxd7 b2 30. Bxe6+ Kh7 31. Bxf5+ Rxf5 32. Rb8 g4 33. Rxb2 Kh6) 22. Bxg4
f5 23. Bh5 b4 24. Kf1 c3 25. bxc3 bxc3 26. Ke1 Nf6 27. Bf3 Rd8 {with a
probable draw, P.Stolz-P.Daus, corr. 2008.})) (9... Ne7 {is also possible - as
long as Black isn't afraid of the astonishing piece sacrifice} 10. Nxf7 $1 ({
other options are harmless; e.g.} 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13.
Nxb5 cxb5 14. Bxa8 Nd5 {with good play, M.Hovhanisian-A.Savina, Antwerp 2011})
10... Kxf7 11. Ne4 Kg8 ({or} 11... Nf5 12. Ng5+ Kg8 13. e4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Nc5
15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. Be3 h6 17. Bxc5 hxg5 18. Bb6 {with the initiative in the
ending, V.Mikhalevski-A.Vydeslaver, Israeli Ch., Haifa 2008}) 12. Ng5 Nf6 13.
axb5 $1 Qb6 ({not} 13... axb5 $2 14. Bh3 $1) ({or} 13... Bc8 $6 14. bxc6 {with
powerful play, V.Mikhalevski-A.Rabinovich, Antwerp 1999}) 14. Bh3 Bc8 15. Rxa6
$1 Rxa6 16. bxa6 Qxa6 17. e4 {, when White has excellent compensation for the
piece, according to Mikhalevski.}) 10. Ne4 ({The immediate} 10. b3 {allows
Black to obtain a strong supported passed pawn by} Nxe5 ({or} 10... b4 11. Ne4
Nxe5 12. dxe5 {etc}) (10... cxb3 11. Qxb3 Ngf6 {is also playable; e.g.} 12. Ba3
b4 $1 13. Bxb4 c5 $1 {with good chances to equalize, although White keeps some
pressure after} 14. Bxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Bxc5 17. Rfc1) 11. dxe5 b4
12. Ne4 c3 {followed by ...c6-c5 and it's not so easy for White to exploit his
lead in development as the position is too closed.}) 10... Ngf6 (10... Be7 11.
b3 Ngf6 12. Nxd7 Qxd7 13. bxc4 Nxe4 14. Bxe4 O-O {was somewhat passive for
Black in V.Mikhalevski-Ar.Timofeev, Montreal 2006, but he managed eventually
to neutralize his opponent's pressure.}) 11. Nxf7 $6 {In contrast to the same
blow after 9...Ne7, this piece sacrifice is doubtful here.} ({On the other
hand,} 11. Ng5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 {followed by ...Be7 is okay for Black.}) 11...
Kxf7 12. Ng5+ Ke7 $1 (12... Kg8 $6 {isn't as good, though it's still far from
clear after} 13. Bh3 Bb4 $1 ({rather than} 13... g6 $2 14. e4 h6 15. Bxe6+ Kg7
16. e5 Nd5 17. Qf3 Qe8 18. Bf7 $1 {with a strong initiative, A.Grischuk-Ar.Timofeev, Russian Team Ch. 2008.})) 13. Bh3 ({In I.Khmelniker-Dm.Schneider,
Pardubice 2007, White failed to show any compensation for the piece after} 13.
e4 $2 h6 14. Nf3 Qe8 {.}) 13... c5 $1 {Apart from the extra piece, Black has
some positional trumps too.} 14. Nxe6 cxd4 15. Nxd4 (15. Qxd4 $2 {allows Black
to swap queens by} Qc6 16. f3 Qb6 {.}) 15... Kf7 (15... Qc5 $5 {is also worth
considering.}) 16. e4 $5 (16. Be6+ Ke8 {.}) 16... Bc5 $1 {. The most reliable
way to clarify the position. A possible continuation is} 17. e5 Nxe5 $5 ({Or} 
17... Bxd4 18. Qxd4 Qc5 $1 19. Qxc5 Nxc5 20. exf6 gxf6 {with a good ending.})
18. Bxc8 Raxc8 19. axb5 axb5 20. Re1 (20. Bf4 Bxd4 21. Bxe5 Bxe5 22. Ra7 Rc7 {
is clearly better for Black: his minor pieces are stronger than the queen as
White's king is rather vulnerable.}) 20... Bxd4 21. Rxe5 Bxe5 22. Ra7 Rc7 23.
f4 Rd7 24. Rxb7 Bd4+ 25. Qxd4 Rxb7 {and Black's advantage is beyond doubt, as
his rooks can work together against the opponent's king.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "A22: 8 Ne5!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. g3 b5 6. Bg2 Bb7 7. O-O Nd7 8. Ne5
$1 {Without the inclusion of a2-a4 and ...a7-a6, the knight's jump may pose
more problems. Black has a big choice here, but many options are not quite
acceptable.} ({For instance, White can't play} 8. Ne5 Nxe5 ({or} 8... Ngf6 $6
9. Nxb5) 9. dxe5 Ne7 $6 ({while} 9... Qc7 10. Ne4 {, allows White to develop
the initiative; e.g.} ({or} 10. a4 $5) 10... Rd8 11. Qc2 Qxe5 12. Bf4 Qf5 13.
b3 {and Black's defence isn't easy, A.Lupor-H.Reefschläger, Bad Wiessee 2000})
10. Nxb5 {.}) 8... Qc8 $5 {The same idea as in line A21, but here Black's task
is more difficult.} ({Other moves are:} 8... Qc7 9. Bf4 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Qd7 ({or
} 10... Qb6 11. b3 $1) 11. Ne4 f6 12. Bf4 g5 $5 13. Bd2 {and Black's position
is compromised, S.Lputian-E.Sveshnikov, Sochi (6th matchgame) 1993.}) ({The
modest} 8... a6 $5 {is quite interesting but doesn't seem to solve Black's
problems:} 9. Nxc6 (9. a4 {transposes unnecessarily to line A21}) ({while} 9.
Ne4 Ngf6) ({and} 9. b3 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Qxd1 11. Rxd1 cxb3 12. axb3 Rd8 {are okay
for Black}) 9... Qb6 10. Be3 $1 ({neither} 10. d5 exd5 11. Nd4 Ngf6) ({nor} 10.
Ne5 Bxg2 11. Kxg2 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Ne7 {should bother Black very much}) 10... Ngf6
({, not} 10... Bxc6 $2 11. d5) ({, while} 10... b4 $6 {is also suspicious after
} 11. d5 ({or} 11. Na4 $5 Qb5 12. d5 exd5 13. Nd4 Qa5 14. Bd2 $5 {followed by
a2-a3}) 11... Qc7 12. Na5 $1 Qxa5 (12... bxc3 $2 13. Nxb7 cxb2 14. Rb1 c3 15.
d6 Qc4 16. Na5 Qxa2 17. Bxa8 Qxa5 18. Qd3 {should win}) 13. dxe6 fxe6 14. Bxb7
Rd8 15. Nb1 {and Black's slight activity doesn't compensate for his pawn
weaknesses and delay in development; e.g.} Ngf6 16. Qc2 Qb5 17. Bg2 Ng4 ({or} 
17... Bc5 18. Bxc5 Nxc5 19. a4 $1 Qd7 20. Qxc4 Qd4 21. Nd2 $1 {and White
secures the extra pawn}) 18. Nd2 $1 Nxe3 19. fxe3 Ne5 20. Rac1 {.}) 11. d5 Bc5
{and now:} 12. -- (12. Bf4 {is bearable:} O-O ({or} 12... Rc8 $5 13. e4 Rxc6 $1
14. dxc6 Qxc6) 13. a4 exd5 (13... e5 $5 {is worth considering; e.g.} 14. Bg5 h6
15. Bxf6 Nxf6 16. Nxe5 Rad8 17. axb5 axb5 18. e4 Bd4 {when Black's strong
dark-squared bishop and queenside pawns compensate for the pawn minus}) 14.
Nxd5 Nxd5 (14... Qxc6 $5 15. Nxf6+ Qxf6 16. Bxb7 Ra7 {isn't bad either}) 15.
Qxd5 {and although White's position looks promising, Black should hold on after
} Rad8 $1 {; e.g.} 16. axb5 axb5 17. Ne7+ Bxe7 18. Qxb7 Qxb7 19. Bxb7 Nc5 20.
Bc6 Nb3 21. Ra7 Bc5 {followed by ...Nb3-d4 with a probable draw.}) (12. dxe6 {
seems more promising:} Bxc6 (12... fxe6 $5 {looks risky, but perhaps Black can
hold on after} 13. Bxc5 Qxc5 14. b4 cxb3 15. Qxb3 Kf7) 13. exd7+ ({or} 13. Nd5
Bxd5 14. exd7+ Ke7 15. Bxd5 Rad8) 13... Nxd7 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. Qxd5 Rd8 16. Bg5
(16. Qe4+ Qe6 17. Qxe6+ fxe6 18. Bg5 Be7 19. Bd2 {should be defendable for
Black}) 16... f6 17. Bd2 $1 {and White maintains the initiative, as} Ne5 {runs
into} 18. Ba5 $1 {.}) (12. Bxc5 $5 Nxc5 13. Qd4 {deserves serious attention
too.})) 9. b3 $1 {White must undermine the pawn chain without delay.} ({Black
can simply ignore} 9. a4 $6 {and play} Ngf6 $1 10. -- ({, since} 10. axb5 $6
cxb5 11. Nxb5 $4 {loses a piece:} Bxg2 12. Kxg2 Qb7+ {.}) ({. Other
continuations are no good for White either; e.g.} 10. e4 b4) ({, or} 10. Qc2
Be7) ({, while the ambitious} 10. a5 $6 a6 (10... c5 $5) 11. b3 cxb3 12. Qxb3
c5 {gives Black a clear advantage, L.Aronian-A.Galkin, Moscow 2003.})) 9...
cxb3 ({Playing for the strong passed pawn after} 9... Nxe5 10. dxe5 b4 11. Ne4
c3 {allows White to seize initiative with} 12. a3 c5 13. Qd3 {.}) ({The
thematic} 9... c5 $5 {is apparently not quite sufficient either:} 10. Bxb7 Qxb7
11. Nxd7 Qxd7 12. dxc5 $1 {with the better chances. If Black could find a way
towards a draw here it would solve his problems, but this task isn't so easy.
Perhaps he could try} b4 $5 13. Ne4 ({but} 13. Na4 $5 {might be stronger})
13... Qxd1 14. Rxd1 Nf6 {.}) 10. Qxb3 Ngf6 11. Bg5 a6 $5 ({The text is more
useful than} 11... h6 {, when} 12. Bxf6 gxf6 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. Ne4 Be7 15. Rfd1
{gave White more than enough for the pawn, A.Romero Holmes-E. Dizdarevic,
European Ch., Istanbul 2003.}) ({Instead,} 11... Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. Rfd1 {
is suspicious, as White's initiative is very dangerous - apart from the
natural Ne4, a preliminary Rxd7 is also on the agenda.}) 12. Bxf6 (12. Rfd1 {
is answered by the thematic} c5 $1 {.}) 12... gxf6 ({Unfortunately for Black,
he's unable to protect his queenside after} 12... Nxf6 13. a4 b4 ({not} 13...
Be7 $2 {, as White takes twice on b5}) 14. a5 $1 bxc3 {(otherwise 15 Na4)} 15.
Rab1 Nd5 16. Qxb7 Qxb7 17. Rxb7 {and White has a strong initiative in the
ending.}) 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. Ne4 {. White has excellent compensation for the
pawn, but Black doesn't stand too badly. For example:} Be7 (14... O-O-O $5 {is
worth considering.}) 15. Rfd1 O-O 16. Rac1 Rfd8 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. Rxc5 ({Or} 18.
dxc5 Qc7 {.}) 18... Qe7 19. e3 (19. Bxc6 Rac8 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 {is okay for Black.
}) 19... e5 {with reasonable chances to hold the balance.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "B: 5 a4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 {This time before going into the
Catalan, White calls the opponent's bishop to b4.} Bb4 6. g3 {Now Black faces
a common choice: to protect his c4-pawn, or take care of development first.
We'll consider:} -- ({B1:} 6... b5) ({B2:} 6... Nf6) ({B3:} 6... c5 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "B1: 6...b5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. g3 b5 7. Bg2 Bb7 8. O-O a6
{This set-up is suspicious. Compared with line A21 above, Black has played ...Bb4 instead of the more useful ...Nd7.} 9. Ne4 $5 {An interesting option:
White takes control of the important c5- and d6-squares, and prepares the
undermining b2-b3 without wasting time on Qc2.} ({Let's take a look at a
couple of other possibilities:} 9. e4 Nf6 ({on} 9... Nd7 {White can think about
} 10. d5 $5) 10. e5 ({the slow} 10. Qc2 Be7 11. Rd1 O-O {is okay for Black,
according to practice}) 10... Nd5 11. Ng5 Nd7 12. Qh5 g6 13. Qh6 Bf8 14. Qh3 {
gives White good compensation.}) (9. Ne5 $5 Ne7 (9... f6 10. Nf3 {always
offers White good compensation for the pawn, though some players may find it
bearable after} Ne7) 10. axb5 (10. h4 {isn't really necessary at the moment,
and after} Nd7 {Black is okay, S.Maze-S.Zhigalko, European Ch., Aix-les-Bains
2011}) ({but} 10. Ne4 $5 {may be more promising}) 10... axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12.
Nxb5 cxb5 13. Bxa8 f6 14. Nf3 Nbc6 15. Bxc6+ Nxc6 16. e4 O-O {is fine for
Black, E.Gleizerov-S.Solovjov, St. Petersburg 2004.}) 9... Nf6 $5 ({On} 9...
Nd7 {White can choose between} 10. b3 ({and} 10. Ne5 $5 {.})) 10. Nxf6+ gxf6
11. Qc2 ({In J.Vogel-J.Kort, Dutch Ch., Leeuwarden 1970, White played} 11. Bh6
Nd7 12. Qc2 {, when} Bf8 $5 13. Bxf8 Kxf8 {gave Black a playable position,
though White's compensation is beyond doubt.}) 11... Nd7 12. b3 {. Black's
position is compromised, so White has excellent compensation for the pawn.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "B2: 6...Nf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 O-O ({
Sometimes Black begins with} 7... Nbd7 {, though it usually leads to the same
position.}) 8. O-O ({Here} 8. Ne5 {would be met by} c5 $5 {.}) 8... Nbd7 $5 {
A solid choice. According to 'ECO' this position belongs to the Catalan
Opening; and it also arises via the Meran: 2...c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 g3 dxc4
6 a4 Bb4 etc.} ({The main alternative,} 8... c5 {, is examined in the notes to
line B3 below.}) 9. Qc2 Qe7 (9... a5 $5 {deserves attention. Then:} 10. -- (10.
e4 $6 {is dubious, since Black has the standard reply} e5 $1 11. dxe5 ({or} 11.
Rd1 Qb6 12. Na2 Be7 {, J.B.Pedersen-S.Volkov, Minsk 1998}) 11... Ng4 12. Bf4
Qe7 {with advantage, P.Lehtivaara-M.Apicella, Eupen 1997.}) (10. Rd1 {is
answered by} Qe7 {, and if} 11. Ne5 {then} Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. Bf4 f5 $5 14.
exf6 Nxf6 15. Ne4 e5 {followed by ...e6-e5 with good play.}) (10. Na2 Bd6 11.
Qxc4 e5 12. Rd1 (12. Nc3 $6 {turned out in Black's favour after} exd4 13. Qxd4
Nc5 14. Bf4 Bxf4 15. Qxf4 Qb6 $1 16. Rab1 Qb4 {K.Miton-A.Dreev, Moscow 2002})
12... Qe7 {and Black's position is very solid.})) 10. Bf4 {A natural move,
preventing the intended ...e6-e5.} ({Otherwise White has a huge choice, though
most options, such as} 10. Nd2 e5) (10. Ne5 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Nd7) ({or} 10. e4 e5
{are harmless for Black.}) ({White has also tried:} 10. Na2 Bd6 11. Qxc4 e5 12.
Qc2 ({or} 12. a5 exd4 13. Nxd4 Ne5) 12... Re8 13. Nc3 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nc5 $1 15.
Rd1 Be5 $1 16. Rb1 a5 {was good for Black, M.Ulibin-K.Sakaev, Russian Ch.,
Elista 1995.}) (10. Rd1 e5 11. d5 ({not} 11. dxe5 $6 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Bf4
Qh5 {with advantage, M.Milazzo-V.Mikhalevski, Trieste 2009}) 11... cxd5 ({not} 
11... Bxc3 $2 12. d6 $1) 12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. Rxd5 h6 {and Black is okay.}) (10.
a5 $5 e5 $5 11. dxe5 ({not} 11. Ra4 $6 exd4 12. Nxd4 Ne5) 11... Nxe5 12. Nxe5
Qxe5 13. a6 b6 14. Bxc6 Bf5 {and Black has good play.}) 10... a5 ({An
alternative is} 10... Nd5 11. Bd2 (11. Bg5 {doesn't promise much, as} f6 {
isn't so bad for Black here:} 12. Bd2 a5 ({but not} 12... c5 $6 13. Nxd5 exd5
14. Bxb4 cxb4 15. Nh4 Qe6 16. e4 {, I.Sokolov-J.Smeets, Hoogeveen 2008}) 13. e4
N5b6 14. Be3 {, S.Maze-I.Lysyj, Biel 2010, when Black could have obtained
excellent play by} e5 $1) 11... a5 12. e4 N5b6 {. This position was tested in
B.Gelfand-V.Anand, Moscow 1992, which continued} 13. Be3 (13. e5 $5 {deserved
attention - this and the following variations are given by Gelfand}) 13... h6 (
{or} 13... f6 $5 {followed by ...e6-e5}) 14. Rad1 (14. e5 Nd5 15. Nd2 N7b6 {is
equal}) 14... e5 $5 15. dxe5 ({better than} 15. Nxe5 $6 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Bc5)
15... Bc5 ({or} 15... Nc5 $5 {with ideas of ...Bg4, ...Ra6 followed by ...Nd3,
and ...Nbd7}) 16. Bf4 Re8 {and Black obtained good play,} ({though perhaps he
could have been even more ambitious and played} 16... g5 $5 17. Bc1 Nxe5 18.
Nxe5 Qxe5 {.})) 11. e4 (11. Rad1 $5 Nd5 12. Bc1 Bd6 13. Ne4 b5 {is unclear, B.
Gelfand-E.Lobron, Munich 1991.}) 11... b6 12. Rfe1 h6 13. d5 ({Or} 13. Rad1 Bb7
14. Nd2 e5 15. dxe5 Ng4 {with good play for Black, P.Peto-I.Hmelevsky, corr.
2007.}) 13... e5 ({The text move looks more reliable than} 13... cxd5 14. exd5
Bxc3 15. d6 Qd8 16. Qxc3 Bb7 17. Qxc4 Rc8 {, I.Sokolov-F.Caruana, European Ch.,
Rijeka 2010, though that is far from clear either.}) 14. dxc6 exf4 15. cxd7 Bb7
$1 {. The bishop belongs on the long diagonal. On the next move Black will
take on d7 and obtain somewhat better chances, P.Tregubov-K.Sakaev, Alushta
1994.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White Plays an Early g2-g3"]
[Black "B3: 6...c5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. g3 c5 $5 {An interesting
try - Black wants to undouble his c-pawns as quickly as possible and promote
the development of his queenside pieces. On the other hand, this may also
increase the power of White's light-squared bishop.} ({However, a delayed
advance of the c-pawn gives White extra options:} 6... Nf6 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O c5
$5 {and now} 9. Na2 $5 ({White tried} 9. dxc5 Nc6 10. Bg5 $5 {in L.Le Quang-R.Saptarshi, Manila 2010, when} h6 {seems the most reliable, clarifying the
situation on the kingside}) 9... Nc6 (9... Ba5 10. dxc5) 10. Nxb4 $5 (10. Qc2
cxd4 11. Nxb4 Nxb4 12. Qxc4 Nc6 13. Bf4 {doesn't promise sufficient
compensation for the pawn}) 10... cxb4 11. Bd2 $5 (11. Bg5 $5 h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6
13. Rc1 e5 14. Rxc4 exd4 15. Nxd4 Rd8 16. Bxc6 bxc6 17. e3 {creates a weakness
on c6, but White's king becomes vulnerable after} Bh3 18. Re1 Rd5 $1 {with
counterplay}) 11... a5 ({or} 11... Qb6 12. Rc1 Na5 13. Ne5 $1 Qxd4 14. Bxb4 $1
Qxe5 15. Bd6 $1 Qxb2 16. Rb1 $5 Qa2 17. Bxf8 {and White wins the exchange since
} Kxf8 $2 {fails to} 18. Qd8+ Ne8 19. Qxa5) 12. Bg5 $1 h6 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Rc1
c3 $5 ({or} 14... e5 15. d5 $1 {as the knight can't go to a5}) 15. bxc3 Rd8 16.
Qb3 {, and if} bxc3 {then} 17. e3 {with a small but stable advantage for White.
}) 7. Bg2 ({Let's take a look at some other possibilities:} 7. Be3 {is well
met by} Nf6 8. dxc5 ({after} 8. Bg2 Nd5 $5 ({or} 8... Nc6 9. dxc5 O-O 10. O-O
Ng4 11. Bd2 Bxc5 12. Qc2 f5 13. Rad1 Qb6 {Black has the better chances}) 9. Bd2
Nc6 10. e4 Nf6) 8... Nd5 (8... O-O $5) 9. Bd2 Na6 $5 10. e4 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Ba5
12. Bxc4 Nxc5 13. Qe2 O-O 14. O-O Bd7 {with good play.}) (7. dxc5 Qxd1+ 8. Kxd1
Nf6 {is also fine:} 9. Ne5 Nc6 $5 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Bg2 Bd7 12. a5 Bxc5 13. Ra4
{, V.Piza-M.Matlak, Moravian Team Ch. 1999, and now} Nd5 $1 14. Rf1 ({or} 14.
Rxc4 Bxf2 $1) 14... Nxc3+ 15. bxc3 Rb8 16. Rxc4 Rb5 {and so on.}) (7. Bg5 {is
so dangerous either:} Nf6 (7... Qa5 $5) 8. Bg2 Nc6 (8... h6 $5) 9. dxc5 {and
here Black should prefer} Qxd1+ $5 ({rather than} 9... Qa5 10. O-O O-O $6 11.
Bxf6 gxf6 12. Ne4 Kg7 13. Qc1 $1 Bxc5 14. Nxf6 $1 Be7 15. Ng4 Qh5 16. Qc3+ Kg8
17. Ne3 {with a clear advantage, B.Avrukh-A.Maksimenko, Katowice 1993}) 10.
Rxd1 Nd5 {with an acceptable game.}) (7. e3 $5 {appears a bit awkward combined
with g2-g3 but it might be playable. The point is that in a typical isolated
d-pawn position, which logically arises after} Nf6 8. Bxc4 O-O 9. O-O cxd4 10.
exd4 {, White has two extra tempi on a Rubinstein Nimzo-Indian. The extra
moves a2-a4 and g2-g3 don't look too useful, but they might be sufficient for
a slight edge; e.g.} b6 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Qb3 {and so on, M.Suba-G.Flear,
Castellar 1996.}) 7... Nc6 8. Be3 (8. dxc5 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Nf6 10. Nd2 Na5 {is
completely okay for Black.}) 8... Nge7 $5 {A clever idea - the threatened 9...
Nf5 forces White to capture on c5.} ({However, the natural} 8... Nf6 {should
be also good} 9. -- ({, as White can hardly find anything better than} 9. dxc5
Nd5 {, transposing to the main line}) ({, since} 9. O-O Ng4 $5 {is fine for
Black; e.g.} 10. Ne5 ({not} 10. Ne4 $6 O-O 11. Rc1 cxd4 12. Bxd4 f5 $1 {with a
big advantage, V.Ragozin-M.Tal, Riga 1951}) 10... Ncxe5 11. dxe5 Qxd1 $5 12.
Rfxd1 ({or} 12. Raxd1 Nxe5) 12... Nxe3 13. fxe3 Ke7 {.})) 9. dxc5 (9. O-O $6
Nf5 {would be a problem only for White.}) 9... Nd5 10. Bd2 Bxc5 $5 ({The
capture seems more reliable than} 10... Nxc3 11. Bxc3 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 Qa5 {,
when} 13. O-O {may still offer White a slight edge; e.g.} O-O ({or} 13... Qxc5
14. Rb1 $5 {with queenside pressure, P.Harikrishna-T.Nyback, Wijk aan Zee 2010}
) 14. Qb1 Qxc5 15. Qb5 {M.Taimanov-J.Randviir, Leningrad 1949.}) 11. O-O O-O
12. Qc2 {Black should not give up his extra pawn for free as, in such cases,
the Catalan bishop would promise White a stable advantage.} -- ({But here,
after} 12... Ndb4 $5 13. Qe4 Na5 14. Rad1 Qe7 {, Black is doing well.}) (12...
Ncb4 {is risky, as} 13. Qe4 Nb6 14. a5 {forces the weakening} f5) ({but} 12...
Be7 {is acceptable, P.Skatchkov-E.Sveshnikov, St. Petersburg 1997.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4: 5 a4 Bb4: Deviations"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 {We now begin to consider
the lines in which White doesn't allow Black comfortably to protect the
c4-pawn. In this part we'll discuss various deviations for both sides from the
main path.} 6. -- ({A:} 6. Bd2) ({B:} 6. e3) ({Of other moves:} 6. e4 {was
examined in Chapter 1.}) (6. g3 {was line B of the previous chapter}) ({while} 
6. Ne5 b5 7. e3 {transposes to line B2 below.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "A: 6 Bd2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. Bd2 {This bishop move
isn't very ambitious. It often leads to rather quiet positions, reminiscent of
the Rubinstein Nimzo-Indian. Black has a choice:} -- ({A1:} 6... a5 $5) ({A2:} 
6... Nf6) ({The attempt to transpose to the main lines by} 6... b5 $6 {fails to
} 7. axb5 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 cxb5 9. b3 {and Black is unable to secure his queenside
pawns. If White gets the c-pawn back for free, he obtains a stable advantage
thanks to his superiority in the centre. Thus Black has to go for} cxb3 {, but
now his lack in development begins to tell and he gets into serious trouble
after} 10. Qxb3 a6 ({or} 10... Qd5 11. Qxd5 exd5 12. e3 Bd7 13. Ne5) 11. e4 Bd7
12. Bd3 Nf6 13. O-O O-O 14. Ba5 {followed by Rfc1.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "A1: 6...a5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. Bd2 a5 $5 7. Qb1 $5 {This
rather unexpected manoeuvre should be familiar for the Noteboom, but here its
goal is a bit different from the instances we've seen before (for example, in
line A of Chapter 1).} ({White is aiming to prevent the formation of Black's
queenside pawn mass altogether, as} 7. Qb1 b5 $2 {(or later) would now fail to}
8. axb5 Bxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 10. Qxb5+ {.}) ({Now} 7. e3 b5 {enters the main
lines, beginning in Chapter 5}) ({while} 7. e4 b5 {returns to line A in
Chapter 1.}) 7... Nd7 {Black is still trying to protect the c4-pawn; otherwise
White will get a small but stable advantage with e2-e3 and Bxc4.} ({Instead,
the ugly} 7... Bd7 {isn't a satisfactory solution:} 8. e3 (8. e4 {is worse as
the e-pawn falls under attack:} b5 9. axb5 cxb5 10. b3 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 cxb3 12.
Qxb3 Nf6 {with good counterplay, A.Drogoon-A.Moroz, Pardubice 1996}) 8... b5 9.
axb5 cxb5 10. b3 Nf6 11. bxc4 bxc4 12. Bxc4 {and White is somewhat better, N.Zhukova-A.Moroz, Ukrainian Team Ch. 1999.}) (7... b6 $5 {might be playable; e.g.} 8. e3 Ba6 9. Ne5 Nf6 10. Bxc4 Bxc4 11. Nxc4 O-O 12. O-O Nbd7 {with an
inferior but solid position, T.Vasilevich-V.Neverov, Minsk 1996.}) 8. e3 ({
Again,} 8. e4 {gives Black good chances to clarify the position in his favour,
this time by} Nb6 9. Be2 f5 $5 {, though it's going to be double-edged:} 10.
O-O Nf6 11. Bg5 (11. exf5 exf5 12. Re1 O-O 13. Bxc4+ Nxc4 14. Qa2 Qc7 15. Qxc4+
Qf7 {is also good}) 11... h6 12. Bxf6 Qxf6 13. Qa2 O-O 14. Bxc4 Nxc4 15. Qxc4
Bd7 16. Ne5 Be8 {with unclear play, G.Hertneck-P.Backwinkel, German League
1987.}) 8... Nb6 9. Ne4 $1 {A concrete approach.} ({Otherwise Black would
hardly face any problems; e.g.} 9. Ne5 Nf6 10. Nxc4 Nxc4 11. Bxc4 O-O {and if}
12. O-O {then} e5 $1 {.}) 9... Ne7 $5 ({Alternatively:} 9... Nf6 $6 10. Nxf6+
gxf6 {is dubious:} 11. Qc2 ({or} 11. Bxb4 $5 axb4 12. a5 Nd5 13. Bxc4 Rxa5 14.
O-O {with good compensation for the pawn}) 11... Qd5 12. Bc3 e5 13. Rd1 Qe6 14.
Be2 Nd5 15. O-O {and Black's weaknesses begin to tell, D.Berkovich-A.
Kaliksteyn, New York 1993.}) (9... Be7 $5 {is playable, though White can still
hope for a slight edge once he regains the pawn: after} 10. Bc3 Nf6 11. Ned2 $5
{, for instance.}) 10. Bxb4 $5 (10. Qc1 $5 {is worth considering; e.g.} Ned5
11. Bxb4 Nxb4 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O {again with a slight edge after the eventual
capture on c4.}) 10... axb4 11. a5 $5 {This interesting action is connected
with a pawn sacrifice.} ({The restrained} 11. Qc2 {is also possible.}) 11...
Nbd5 12. Bxc4 f5 ({It looks risky to allow the knight's invasion after} 12...
Rxa5 13. Rxa5 Qxa5 14. Nd6+ Kf8 {, when White may choose between} 15. O-O ({
and the more concrete} 15. e4) ({or} 15. Ne5) 15... Qc7 16. Nxc8 Nxc8 17. e4 {.
}) 13. Nc5 Rxa5 14. O-O {. White has obtained very good compensation for the
pawn, while the strong e5-outpost may promise him somewhat better chances in
the long run.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "A2: 6...Nf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. Bd2 Nf6 {This developing
move, intending ...c6-c5, seems the most reliable way to solve Black's
problems.} ({The immediate} 6... c5 {is less precise, as after} 7. dxc5 Bxc5 {
, White can play the advance} ({or} 7... Nf6) 8. e4 $5 {in one step and thus
save time.}) 7. e3 ({Instead:} 7. Qc2 b5 (7... O-O $5 {followed by ...c6-c5 is
also good}) 8. axb5 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. e3 Bb7 ({and Black might have
thought about a concrete} 10... Nc6 $1 {, planning to answer b2-b3 with ...
b5-b4}) 11. b3 a5 12. bxc4 b4 {gave Black no trouble in the old game J.Vilardebo Picurena-D.Noteboom, Prague Olympiad 1931.}) (7. Qb1 $6 {is
senseless here as ...b7-b5 is actually not in Black's plans. F.Titschoff-R.Scherbakov, Berlin 1993, continued} c5 8. e3 $6 (8. dxc5 {had to be played})
8... cxd4 9. Nxd4 e5 10. Nc2 $2 ({but} 10. Nf3 Nc6 11. Bxc4 O-O 12. O-O Bg4 {
was also better for Black}) 10... Bf5 11. Qc1 $6 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 Bd3 13. Bxe5 Ne4
14. Ra3 Nc6 15. Bc3 Qh4 16. g3 Qh5 {and Black won quickly.}) 7... c5 ({Other
moves are inconsistent:} 7... b5 $2 {transposes to 6 e3 b5 7 Bd2 Nf6?!, which
favours White (see the notes to line B42).}) (7... O-O 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 9. O-O {is
also better for White. After} c5 {(9...b6!?), he has two extra tempi on a line
from the Rubinstein Nimzo-Indian, and although the moves a2-a4 and Bc1-d2
don't improve his position much, White should nevertheless be able to get some
edge; e.g.} 10. Re1 $5 (10. Qe2 b6 11. Rfd1 Bb7 12. Rac1 Qe7 {is okay for
Black, E.Lobron-I.Sokolov, Biel Interzonal 1993}) 10... b6 11. d5 exd5 12. Nxd5
Bxd2 13. Qxd2 Bb7 14. e4 Re8 15. Rad1 {with a small advantage for White, N.Erofeeva-P.Howard, corr. 2001.}) 8. Bxc4 Nc6 {Compared to a standard line from
the Nimzo-Indian (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 0-0 5 Bd3 d5 6 Nf3 c5 7 0-0
dxc4 8 Bxc4 Nc6), Black has carried out his thematic c-pawn advance in two
steps, while White has played Bxc4 in one. All the same, the extra moves a2-a4
and Bc1-d2 again don't help White much. In particular, he can't continue in a
normal way as his d-pawn lacks protection, while the typical a2-a3, pushing
the black bishop, is clearly not possible.} ({Instead, after} 8... cxd4 9. Nxd4
{White has a slight edge, according to Garry Kasparov, although the position
looks pretty harmless for Black.} ({Perhaps White should prefer the IQP
position after} 9. exd4 {, as in the next note.})) 9. dxc5 ({Following} 9. O-O
{Black might think about} cxd4 (9... O-O {, White should probably play} 10.
dxc5 {anyway}) 10. exd4 O-O {, but in the similar Nimzo-Indian positions after}
11. Bg5 {Black would generally prefer his queen's knight to be on d7.}) 9...
Bxc5 ({There's no point in delaying the capture:} 9... O-O 10. O-O Qe7 11. Qe2
Bxc5 12. e4 Nd7 ({or} 12... e5 13. Bg5) 13. e5 Nd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. Bf4 Bxc3
16. bxc3 Nc5 17. Qe3 (17. a5 $5 Bd7 18. Rfd1) 17... b6 18. Bg5 Qc7 19. Rfd1 Bb7
20. Rd4 {and White developed a strong initiative on the kingside, R.Scherbakov-L.Ortega, Linares 1996.}) 10. O-O O-O 11. Qb1 $1 {White is going to
play Ne4 - a typical idea for this type of the pawn structure, which often
arises from the Queen's Gambit Accepted.} (11. Qc2 {, with the same idea, is
less accurate due to} Nb4 $1 12. Qb3 b6 13. e4 $6 ({or} 13. Nb5 Qe7 {and Black
has nothing to worry about}) 13... Bb7 14. Rad1 Qb8 15. Ne2 Nc6 {with an edge
for Black, T.Papagorasz-A.Van de Oudeweetering, Budapest 1993.}) (11. Qe2 {
allows Black to solve his problems by} e5 $1 (11... b6 {gives White time to
seize initiative by} 12. Rad1 Bb7 13. e4) 12. Ng5 Bf5 {and now:} 13. -- (13.
Nxf7 $2 {doesn't work:} Rxf7 14. Bxf7+ Kxf7 15. Qc4+ Kg6 $5 16. e4 $5 Bg4 17.
Qxc5 Qxd2 {with a clear advantage for Black.}) (13. Rfd1 Qe7 14. Qf3 $5 ({not} 
14. e4 $2 Bg4 15. Nd5 Bxe2 16. Nxe7+ Nxe7 17. Bxe2 h6 18. Nf3 Nxe4 19. Be3 Bxe3
20. fxe3 Nc6 {with extra pawn in the ending, Zsu.Polgar-R.Scherbakov, Moscow
blitz 1993}) ({while} 14. f3 {can be met by} e4 $5) 14... Bc2 $5 ({not} 14...
Bg4 $2 15. Nd5) 15. Rdc1 Bg6 16. Nge4 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 Bb4 {and Black is fine.}) (
13. Rad1 $5 {is more challenging:} Qe7 14. f3 (14. Qf3 {could be met by} Bc2 $5
15. Rc1 Bg6 {and if} 16. Nge4 Nxe4 17. Nxe4 {then} Rad8 $5) 14... Bg6 ({but
the more accurate} 14... Rad8 15. Nge4 Nxe4 16. fxe4 Be6 17. Nd5 Qh4 {would
have left things unclear, according to Kasparov}) 15. Nge4 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Bb4 $6
(16... Bb6 {was still acceptable}) 17. Bd5 $1 Kh8 $6 (17... Rfd8 $5) 18. Qb5 {
led to some problems in G.Hertneck-G.Kasparov, Baden-Baden (team simul) 1992.})
) 11... e5 ({After} 11... b6 12. Ne4 {White maintains the pressure, B.Kohlweyer-F.Levin, German League 1995.}) 12. Ne4 (12. Ng5 $6 {is harmless for
Black:} h6 13. Nge4 Bf5 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 {and so on.}) 12... Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxe4 14.
Bxe4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Qe7 16. Rac1 Rfd8 {. White may still pretend to have a
slight edge, but Black is probably okay.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "B: 6 e3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 {White fortifies his
d-pawn, intending to challenge Black seriously on the queenside.} ({As we've
seen in Chapter 1, this task proves more difficult after} 6. e4 {.}) 6... b5 {
So we've finally approached the road which leads to the real Noteboom, as its
main lines may be called. However, there are still some more turns on the way...} 7. -- ({B1:} 7. Be2) ({B2:} 7. Ne5) ({B3:} 7. Nd2 $5) ({B4:} 7. Bd2) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "B1: 7 Be2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Be2 {White wants
to complete the development of his kingside first. This approach isn't very
logical, as he can hardly obtain any compensation for the pawn without
occupying the centre by e3-e4, but in that case why not place it there in one
step?!} Bb7 {Black comfortably fortifies his pawn mass.} ({As a rule, it's
better to secure the queenside before doing anything else; whereas
straightforward kingside development by} 7... Nf6 8. O-O O-O {, would force
him to part with his dark-squared bishop after} ({note that Black was already
too late with either} 8... Bb7 $2 9. axb5 Bxc3 10. bxc6 $1) ({or} 8... a6 9.
axb5 cxb5 $2 10. Nxb5) 9. axb5 Bxc3 10. bxc3 cxb5 11. Ne5 {, when White gets
good compensation for the pawn. His bishop hasn't yet moved to d2 and so can
take control over the a3-f8 diagonal without wasting time.}) 8. O-O ({The
early assault} 8. Ne5 Nf6 9. Bf3 {only promotes Black's development; e.g.} Qb6
10. O-O O-O ({or} 10... Nbd7 $5 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. e4 a6 13. e5 O-O 14. Ne4 c5
15. Be3 cxd4 16. Bxd4 Qc7 {and Black simply has an extra pawn, L.Tepojan-A.Vaisser, Yerevan 1996}) 11. Ne4 Nbd7 {, when A.Kogan-E.Lobron, Antwerp 1996,
continued} 12. a5 $6 {(as a rule, this pawn push is harmless for Black -
releasing the pressure on b5 makes it easier to carry out a thematic ...c6-c5)}
Qa6 13. Bd2 {and here Black could have already thought about} c5 $5 {.}) 8...
a6 9. Ne4 $1 {White at least finds a reason for delaying his e-pawn advance in
the centre. This knight lunge prepares an undermining b2-b3, as White can't
activate his pieces without breaking up Black's queenside pawn chain.} ({Let's
take a look at the other options:} 9. Ne5 $6 {again favours Black, who can
simply develop his queenside:} Nd7 ({or} 9... Nf6 10. f4 O-O 11. Bf3 Nd5 12.
Bd2 Be7 13. Be4 g6 14. g4 Nd7 15. g5 c5 $1 {with a big advantage, R.Dive-P.Tregubov, Groningen 1994}) ({but he should refrain from the weakening} 9... f6
$6 {, despite its winning two tempi, as after} 10. Nf3 {followed by Bd2 or Qc2
and b2-b3 White always obtains good compensation for the pawn}) 10. f4 (10. Bf3
$2 Nxe5 11. dxe5 Qc7 {is just better for Black, A.Baranovsky-R.Scherbakov,
Chelyabinsk 1995}) 10... Ngf6 11. Bf3 {, and although White has reinforced his
knight on e5 and got his light-squared bishop to the long diagonal, Black only
needs to achieve the thematic ...c6-c5 to prove his superiority; e.g.} Qb6 ({or
} 11... Qc8 12. Bd2 O-O 13. g4 c5 $1 {, D.Milanovic-R.Sergejev, World Junior
Ch., Matinhos 1994, with a big advantage in both cases}) 12. Ne4 Rd8 13. Qc2
Nxe4 14. Bxe4 f5 15. Bf3 O-O 16. g4 c5 $1 {, P.Kalagashvili-Z.Izoria, Tbilisi
2000.}) (9. Qc2 {is also harmless; e.g.} Nd7 10. e4 ({or} 10. Rd1 Ngf6 11. e4
h6 12. Bf4 O-O 13. Ne5 Qb6 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. b3 c5 {St.Pedersen-A.Kharlov,
Cheliabinsk 1991}) 10... Ngf6 {and Black has a position from Chapter 1 (line
B2) with the very useful extra move ...Nbd7 (due to White's e2-e3-e4). W.Uhlmann-R.Skrobek, Halle 1978, continued} 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 Be7 13. e5 Nd5 14.
Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Ne4 O-O 16. Nd6 N7b6 17. Nd2 f5 18. b3 c3 19. Nf3 Nc8 $1 {and
Black eventually converted his advantage.}) (9. Bd2 {can be answered by
dropping the bishop back with} Be7 $5 {, preventing an immediate b2-b3,
although White keeps some compensation for the pawn after} 10. Ne4 Nd7 11. b3
cxb3 12. Qxb3 Ngf6 13. Nxf6+ Nxf6 14. Rfc1 {.}) 9... Nf6 $5 {Black should not
be too relaxed, lest the forthcoming b2-b3 cause him a real headache.} (9...
Be7 $6 {is too slow:} 10. b3 $1 cxb3 11. Qxb3 (11. Ne5 Nf6 12. Nxf7 $5 Kxf7 13.
Ng5+ Kg8 14. Nxe6 {is creative but not too convincing, V.Babula-M.Matlak,
Czech League 1995}) 11... Nf6 ({or} 11... Nd7 12. Ba3) 12. Nxf6+ $1 ({not} 12.
Nc5 $6 Bxc5 13. dxc5 Nbd7 {followed by ...0-0 with good play, G.Gauglitz-C.Lupulescu, German League 2008}) 12... Bxf6 (12... gxf6 $5 {is possible, but in
that case there was no need to play ...Be7}) 13. Ba3 Be7 14. Bxe7 Qxe7 15. Rfc1
{and White maintains pressure.}) (9... Nd7 {is met by the same} 10. b3 $1 {,
when Black should already be thinking about giving the pawn back:} Ngf6 $1 11.
Nxf6+ Nxf6 12. bxc4 bxc4 13. Bxc4 c5 14. Bb2 O-O {and White's pressure should
be bearable.}) 10. Nxf6+ Qxf6 ({This capture seems safer than} 10... gxf6 $5
11. Bd2 (11. b3 {allows} c3 12. Qc2 Ba5 13. e4 b4 14. Be3 Nd7 {and the strong
c3-pawn gives Black a certain advantage, P.Ostberg-C.Bjork, Swedish Ch., Boras
1979}) 11... Be7 (11... c5 $5) 12. b3 cxb3 13. Qxb3 Nd7 {with unclear play,
although White has good compensation here.}) 11. Bd2 Qe7 {. Black has avoided
weakening his kingside and still keeps the extra pawn. However, he should not
be too complacent: the thematic ...c6-c5 must be his priority, even if in some
cases it means returning the material.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "B2: 7 Ne5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Ne5 {White
begins direct action without delay, activating the knight and opening the way
for his queen, which might create threats from f3, g4 or h5. Unfortunately,
this move order gives Black too many options.} ({The inclusion of} 7. axb5 cxb5
{doesn't help White, as after} 8. Ne5 -- (8... Bb7 9. Qg4 Kf8 $5 {, followed
by ...Nf6, and Black has a clear benefit on the same idea in the main line 
(see note 'a2' below).}) ({. In fact} 8... Nf6 {isn't bad either: Black must
be ready to part with his dark-squared bishop after} 9. Bd2 Bxc3 $1 ({not} 9...
Qb6 10. b3 $1) 10. Bxc3 Bb7 $1 11. b3 {, but he can transpose to a favourable
version of the main Noteboom by playing} a5 $5 (11... Ne4 $5 {seems a good
additional option}) 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bb2 {, where White is committed to an
early Ne5 (see line A in Chapter 7).})) 7... Nf6 {The most natural reaction:
Black resumes his kingside development and rules out any ideas of Qg4 or Qh5.}
({Instead:} 7... Qe7 $5 {deserves attention, avoiding some of White's options
such as 7...Nf6 8 Qf3 (though this is actually harmless). Then} 8. Be2 Bb7 9.
O-O a6 {gives Black acceptable play, even if the move ...Qe7 might be somewhat
wasteful:} 10. axb5 ({preparing b2-b3 by} 10. Bd2 $5 {might be more promising})
10... cxb5 $1 ({rather than} 10... axb5 $6 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. Bd2 Nf6 13. Qa1
Bb7 14. Qa7 O-O 15. Bf3 {with annoying pressure, I.Frog-A.Kharlov, Vladivostok
1990}) 11. Bf3 ({or} 11. Bh5 g6 12. Bf3 f6 13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. Nf3 Ne7) 11... Nf6
12. Nxb5 axb5 13. Rxa8 Bxa8 14. Bxa8 O-O {and Black is completely okay.}) (7...
Bb7 {allows White to carry on with} 8. Qg4 (8. Qf3 {is easily met by} Qe7) 8...
-- {, but the position is playable for Black, who has a choice:} (8... g6 {
weakens the kingside so that White gets sufficient compensation after} 9. Bd2 {
.}) (8... Kf8 $5 {isn't so bad:} 9. Be2 (9. Qf3 $5 {deserves attention here; e.g.} Qe7 10. Be2 Nf6 11. O-O a6 12. Rd1 {with good compensation}) 9... Nf6 10.
Qf4 $5 (10. Qh4 Nbd7 11. O-O a6 12. f4 {is bearable for Black, J.Spesny-M.Matlak, Ceske Budejovice 1995}) 10... Nbd7 11. O-O a6 12. Rd1 {and White has
reasonable compensation but Black should be okay, G.Juric-D.Doric, Rabac 2004.}
) (8... Qf6 $5 {This queen sortie is very unusual, but White has played
something unorthodox, so Black has the right to do the same. Here White has
several possibilities:} 9. -- (9. Bd2 {isn't quite necessary at the moment,
and is well met by} Nh6 $1 {'certainly not the best route for the knight but
time is more important'} ({this is better than} 9... h5 $6 10. Qd1 $1) 10. Qh3
({or} 10. Qh5 $5 O-O 11. axb5 cxb5 12. Nxb5 Bxd2+ 13. Kxd2 Nc6) 10... O-O 11.
Be2 Qe7 12. O-O f6 $5 13. Nf3 a6 14. Rfd1 Nd7 15. e4 Nf7 {and Black
consolidated the extra pawn in G.Manganelli-O.Zimina, Porto San Giorgio 2005.})
(9. e4 {looks strong, but Black has sufficient resources:} Nd7 $1 10. Nxd7 ({
not} 10. Bg5 $2 Nxe5 11. Bxf6 Nxg4 12. Bxg7 N8f6 13. Bxh8 Nxe4) 10... Qxd4 $5
11. Qg3 $1 (11. Bd2 $6 O-O-O $1 12. O-O-O Rxd7 {is better for Black}) 11...
Qxd7 $5 (11... Kxd7 $5 {is also playable; e.g.} 12. Bd2 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Qxe4+ 14.
Be2 Ne7 15. Qxg7 Rhf8 16. O-O-O+ $5 Nd5 {etc}) 12. Qxg7 O-O-O 13. Be2 Ne7 14.
O-O a6 $1 {, and if} 15. Qxf7 {then} Ng6 $1 {with good counter-chances.}) (9.
Be2 $5 {seems the best option, and after} Nh6 10. Qh3 O-O 11. O-O a6 12. e4 $5
{White's superiority is beyond doubt, as the knight is awkwardly placed on h6.
Nevertheless,} c5 $1 {offers Black reasonable counter-chances, since White's
pieces aren't perfectly placed either; e.g.} 13. Qg3 (13. Be3 Bxc3 14. bxc3
Bxe4 {is unclear}) 13... cxd4 14. Bg5 Nf5 $1 15. exf5 Qxf5 16. Na2 Bc5 {with
compensation for the piece.}))) 8. Bd2 (8. Qf3 $6 {is harmless.} -- ({. For
some reason Black has always replied with} 8... Qd5 $5 {which is okay but
White may find his chances too:} 9. Kd1 $5 ({otherwise Black simply castles; e.g.} 9. Qg3 O-O 10. f3 {, A.Fayard-G.Flear, French Team Ch. 1992, and here} Qd8
$5 {secures the better chances for Black}) 9... Qxf3+ 10. gxf3 Nd5 11. axb5
Bxc3 12. bxc3 cxb5 13. e4 Nb6 {and although Black is objectively better, White
isn't without compensation in the endgame.}) ({. Instead,} 8... O-O $1 {(which
has never been played) seems the simplest way to refute the early queen sortie;
e.g.} 9. axb5 ({or} 9. Bd2 Nd5) 9... Nd5 $1 10. Bd2 cxb5 $1 11. Nxb5 {
(otherwise White's whole approach is a waste of time)} Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Qb6 13.
Bxc4 Ba6 {with advantage, as the white king is unsafe.})) 8... Bb7 $5 ({
Alternatively:} 8... a5 {seems a bit strange here, but in fact transposes to 7
Bd2 a5 8 Ne5 Nf6 (see line B in the next chapter). In which case, if White has
an early Nf3-e5 in his plans, it looks more to the point to play 7 Bd2 a5
first, as that move order would seriously limit Black's choices.}) (8... O-O {
is again possible, but here White might obtain an edge after} 9. axb5 Bxc3 10.
Bxc3 cxb5 11. b3 Ne4 12. Bb4 ({or} 12. Ba5 $5 Qh4 13. g3 Qe7 14. bxc4 Bb7 15.
f3 $1) 12... f6 $1 13. Nf3 Re8 14. bxc4 {, O.Kniest-S.Klingelhöfer, Giessen
1993.}) (8... Qe7 {looks a bit artificial but it's still playable:} 9. axb5
Bxc3 10. bxc3 $1 ({not} 10. Bxc3 $6 cxb5 11. Ba5 Nfd7 $1 12. Qf3 $2 ({while} 
12. b3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nc6 {gives Black the better chances, R.Delcroix-A.Kharlov,
Torcy 1991}) 12... Nxe5 13. Qxa8 Nec6 {and wins}) 10... cxb5 11. Bc1 $1 {.
This thematic repositioning of the bishop gives White good compensation for
the pawn. Indeed, Black must be careful now:} -- (11... Nd5 $6 12. Ba3 Qh4 $6
13. Bxc4 $1 bxc4 14. Nxc4 {with a dangerous initiative, G.Negyesy-T.Florian,
Hungarian Ch., Budapest 1951.}) (11... Bb7 $6 {would be met by} 12. Bxc4 $1
bxc4 13. Qa4+ Nfd7 14. Ba3 Qd8 15. Nxc4 Bc6 16. Qc2 {and again Black's
position is difficult.}) (11... Qc7 $1 {is the best defence, and if} 12. Ba3 {
then} Bb7 ({or} 12... Nbd7 {when the game is still unclear.}))) 9. b3 $5 {
White has to act quickly, otherwise there's no point in sending the knight to
e5. However, this undermining move doesn't set any problems.} (9. axb5 Bxc3 10.
Bxc3 cxb5 11. b3 {is also fine for Black, as we saw via 7 axb5 cxb5 8 Ne5 Nf6
at the beginning of this section.}) 9... Bxc3 ({The standard, if rather
unexpected,} 9... c5 $5 {might be even stronger; e.g.} 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. axb5
cxb3 {and Black is doing well.}) 10. Bxc3 Nd5 11. Qd2 cxb3 12. axb5 O-O {.
Black is at least not worse, M.Korte-J.Klinger, Dortmund 1987.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "B3: 7 Nd2!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Nd2 $5 {This
unusual retreat may appear pretty harmless for Black, but it has its points:
White unpins the c3-knight and his threat against b5 may force Black to part
with his important dark-squared bishop. White could then develop his own
bishop to the a3-f8 diagonal, in combination with a queen jump to g4, and his
initiative would become annoying. In particular, it might be difficult for
Black to protect g7 without making positional concessions. --- To counter
White's idea, Black has several options:} Qd7 $5 {This move looks rather
awkward but it deserves serious attention. Black mechanically protects his
b5-pawn, while keeping his queen in contact with the vulnerable kingside.} ({
Instead:} 7... Nf6 $6 {gives White the chance to show the power of his set-up:}
8. axb5 Bxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 10. Ba3 a5 $6 11. Qf3 Ra6 12. Rb1 Bd7 13. Qg3 g6 14.
Nxc4 $1 {and Black can resign, J.Delemarre-J.Vosselman, Dutch Team Ch. 1994.})
(7... Ne7 {secures castling, but doesn't extinguish White's initiative:} 8.
axb5 Bxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 10. Ba3 Nbc6 {(11...Bb7 would lead to 7...Bb7 below)}
11. Be2 {and so on, S.Djuric-A.D.Martin, Hastings 1984/85.}) (7... Bb7 {isn't
so clear:} 8. -- (8. Qg4 $6 {at once runs into} Nf6 $1 9. Qxg7 Rg8 10. Qh6 a6 {
, and after} 11. Qh3 c5 12. dxc5 Nbd7 13. e4 Nxc5 {and Black developed a
strong attack, S.Kiselev-A.Dgebuadze, Pardubice 1995.}) (8. Qf3 {is also
harmless:} a6 $5 ({or} 8... Qd7 $5 {, transposing to the main line}) 9. axb5
axb5 10. Rxa8 Bxa8 11. Nxb5 cxb5 12. Qxa8 Qb6 {and Black safely completes his
kingside development with somewhat better chances, thanks to his strong
queenside pawn chain.}) (8. axb5 {is the most promising move, eliminating
Black's important bishop after} Bxc3 9. bxc3 cxb5 {, and then:} 10. -- (10. Rb1
Bc6 11. Qg4 Nf6 $1 12. Qxg7 Rg8 13. Qh6 Rg6 14. Qh4 Nbd7 {is fine for Black.})
(10. Qh5 $5 a6 11. Ba3 {looks interesting, but it's unclear whether White's
advanced queen is really dangerous for Black; e.g.} Ne7 ({on} 11... Nd7 {White
would think about} 12. Bxc4 $5 {with a strong initiative for the piece, L.Sopur-C.Santos, World Junior Ch., Singapore 1990}) 12. Rb1 Bc6 13. Be2 O-O 14.
O-O Re8 15. e4 Nd7 {with acceptable play.}) (10. Ba3 Ne7 11. Rb1 ({or} 11. Qb1
Bc6 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O Re8 14. e4 Nd7) 11... Bc6 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O a6 14. e4
Nd7 {, when White has definite compensation for the pawn, but Black's position
is okay.}))) (7... Qb6 {enables Black to keep his dark-squared bishop, though
it's a bit risky. White has a choice:} 8. -- (8. Qg4 {is well met by} Kf8 $5 {
and then:} 9. -- (9. axb5 $6 cxb5 10. Nd5 $6 {brings White nothing but trouble
after} exd5 11. Qxc8+ Ke7 {; e.g.} 12. g3 Qc6 $1 13. Bh3 a5 $1 14. Qg4 Nf6 $1 {
with a strong initiative. Y.Iljinsky-R.Scherbakov, Novgorod 1995, continued}
15. Qxg7 Rg8 16. Qh6 c3 17. bxc3 Qxc3 18. Rb1 Qd3 $1 {and White was soon
crushed.}) (9. g3 $5 Nf6 ({Flear suggests} 9... Bb7 10. Bg2 Nd7) 10. Qf3 Bb7
11. Bg2 a6 12. O-O Nbd7 {, when Black has completed his queenside development,
but some inconvenience on the opposite flank still gives White chances to
prove compensation; e.g.} 13. axb5 ({stronger than} 13. Na2 $6 Bd6 14. b3 cxb3
15. Nxb3 {, J.Speelman-G.Flear, London 1986, when Black could have obtained a
tangible advantage by} Rb8 $1 {preparing the thematic ...c6-c5, as pointed out
by Flear}) 13... axb5 14. Rxa8+ Bxa8 15. Nde4 Ke7 $1 ({not} 15... c5 $2 16.
Nxf6 $1) 16. Nxf6 Nxf6 (16... gxf6 $5) 17. e4 {with good compensation for the
pawn, A.Beliavsky-A.Kharlov, Russian Team Ch. 1991.})) (8. Qf3 $1 Bb7 9. Qg3 {
would pose more problems for Black. This queen manoeuvre has been a speciality
of Loek Van Wely:} Kf8 ({not} 9... g6 $2 10. Qe5) 10. Be2 Nf6 (10... Ne7 $5 11.
O-O Nd7 {is unclear and deserves attention, L.Van Wely-M.Makarov, Moscow rapid
1995}) 11. O-O Nbd7 ({or} 11... a6 12. Nde4 Nbd7 13. Nd6 {, L.Van Wely-J.Nogueiras Santiago, Matanzas 1994}) 12. Nde4 {and White has obtained more than
enough compensation for the pawn, L.Van Wely-I.Rausis, Gausdal 1994. Black's
rooks are disconnected and he can't castle by hand without making concessions.}
)) 8. Qf3 Bb7 9. Qg3 Kf8 (9... f5 {isn't so bad, though it seems a bit
weakening. Besides, the queen placement on d7 loses its main point as Black is
forced to give up his bishop:} 10. axb5 Bxc3 ({not} 10... cxb5 $2 11. Nxb5 $1
Qxb5 $2 12. Qxg7) 11. bxc3 cxb5 12. Ba3 Nf6 13. Be2 Nc6 14. O-O ({after} 14.
Bc5 Kf7 15. O-O Rhc8 16. Rfb1 a6 {White failed to prove any compensation for
the pawn, J.Delemarre-M.Van Der Werf, Wijk aan Zee 1995}) 14... Kf7 15. Rab1 a6
16. f3 {and the position is far from clear - both sides keep chances.}) 10. Be2
({The tactical shot} 10. axb5 $6 cxb5 11. Rxa7 $2 Rxa7 12. Qxb8+ {is parried
by the cool} Bc8 {with a decisive advantage, V.Tomovic-D.Djaja, Belgrade 1959.}
) 10... Nf6 11. Bf3 a6 12. O-O {Black has successfully fortified his queenside
pawn structure but the uncastled king will cause him some headaches.} -- ({A
possible continuation is} 12... Bd6 13. Qh4 (13. Qh3 $5) 13... -- (13... Qc7 $5
{, and if White takes the pawn back by} 14. axb5 ({not} 14. e4 $6 e5) ({or if} 
14. Nce4 Nxe4 15. Nxe4 {then} Be7 {followed by ...Nd7}) 14... cxb5 15. Nxb5
axb5 16. Rxa8 Bxa8 17. Bxa8 Nbd7 {and Black gets good play.}) (13... Be7 {also
looks natural. On} 14. Nce4 {, as in L.Sopur-V.Burmakin, Karvina 1992, Black
could consider} ({while after} 14. Qg3 {he could try the more ambitious} h5 $5
{, although the position remains complex and double-edged}) 14... Nd5 $5 {,
intending to resume queenside development by ...Qc7 and ...Nbd7.})) (12... h5
$5 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "B4: 7 Bd2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 {The main
continuation. White is going to break up Black's pawn chain by b2-b3. ---
Black tried a huge number of moves here, but most of them are unsatisfactory.
The best reply is the rather strange-looking 7...a5!, which begins in the next
chapter. But first let's take a look at the other options - otherwise it would
be unclear why Black has to play one more pawn move.} -- ({B41:} 7... Qb6 $6) (
{B42:} 7... Qe7 $6) ({B43:} 7... Bb7) ({Other rare moves are:} 7... a6 $2 8.
axb5 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 {and White breaks up the black pawn structure.})
(7... Bd7 $2 8. Ne5 {and Black doesn't have a good defence against a4xb5 and
Qf3.}) (7... Nf6 $6 {allows White to regain the pawn and obtain a stable
advantage without any risk after} 8. axb5 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 {and again
Black's pawn chain falls down; e.g.} O-O 11. bxc4 bxc4 12. Bxc4 ({or} 12. Bb4
Re8 13. Bxc4 Nc6 14. Bd2 {with a stable advantage in the old game J.Showalter-C.Walbrodt, Vienna 1898:} Ne4 15. O-O Nxd2 16. Qxd2 Qd6 17. Rfc1 {
and so on}) 12... Qc7 13. Qb3 Nc6 14. O-O Bd7 15. Rfc1 {. In such positions
White's solid centre and active pieces prevent Black from providing good
support to his passed a-pawn. After} Rfb8 {White can choose between} 16. Qa3 {
, R.Dautov-A.Nenashev, USSR Army Ch. 1987,} ({and} 16. Qa2 {, P.Varga-R.Skomorokhin, Budapest 1992, with a small but stable advantage in both cases.}))
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "B41: 7...Qb6?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 Qb6 $6 {This
defence of the b5-pawn is better than other rare attempts, but it's still
suspicious - the combination of ...Bb4 and ...Qb6 doesn't look very good.} 8.
Ne4 $5 ({Alternatively:} 8. Ne5 $5 {also promises better prospects for White:}
Nf6 ({or} 8... Nd7 9. axb5 Nxe5 10. dxe5 cxb5 11. Ne4 Be7 12. Qg4 Kf8 13. Qf4
a5 14. Be2 Bb7 15. O-O {and Black faced serious problems with kingside
development, A.Alekhine-I.Kashdan & H.Steiner, New York 1929}) 9. axb5 $1 ({not
} 9. b3 $2 Nd5 $1) 9... cxb5 10. b3 {and White breaks up the queenside. Here
Black's best chance seems to be} Nd5 $5 {, but it's insufficient due to the
unexpected} 11. Nxb5 $1 c3 $5 ({or} 11... Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 cxb3 13. Nc4 $1) 12.
Nxc3 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Nxc3 14. Qc2 {, regaining the piece and securing a healthy
extra pawn.}) (8. axb5 cxb5 {, on the other hand, favours Black, as after} 9.
Ne5 Bb7 10. b3 {he gets an extra option in} Nc6 11. bxc4 Bxc3 $1 ({not} 11...
Nxe5 $2 12. c5 $1 Bxc5 13. dxc5 Qxc5 14. Nxb5 {followed by Rc1 with the
advantage}) 12. Bxc3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 bxc4 {and Black has reasonable chances of
coming out unscathed, J.Lautier-J.Granda Zuniga, Biel Interzonal 1993.}) 8...
Na6 $5 {Black tries to generate more resources, but still fails to solve his
problems.} ({After} 8... Be7 {White gets a plus with the typical} 9. b3 {,
breaking up the queenside again; e.g.} cxb3 (9... a5 10. axb5 cxb5 11. bxc4 b4
12. Ne5 Qb7 {is too suspicious, N.Mikkelsen-A.Rasmussen, Helsingor 2009}) 10.
Qxb3 b4 ({or} 10... bxa4 $6 11. Qxa4 Nf6 12. Nxf6+ gxf6 13. Bd3 {followed by
0-0 with a clear advantage as Black's position is too weakened, L.Spassov-P.Popov, Bulgarian Ch. 1985}) 11. a5 Qb7 12. Bd3 Nd7 13. O-O Ngf6 14. Rfc1 {with a
strong pressure, L.Schandorff - I.Andersen, Denmark 1996}) ({Instead, in R.Scherbakov-D.Osipov, Voronezh 1986 - my first ever (and rather painful!)
experience with the Noteboom - I faced} 8... Bxd2+ 9. Qxd2 (9. Nfxd2 $5 {might
be more promising}) 9... Na6 10. b3 cxb3 11. axb5 cxb5 12. Ne5 ({or the solid} 
12. Bxb5+ $5 Ke7 13. Nc3) 12... Nc7 13. Qb4 a5 {and here I went astray:} 14.
Qd6 $2 ({simply} 14. Qxb3 {was preferable}) 14... Qxd6 (14... Ra6 $5) 15. Nxd6+
Ke7 {and now White had to fight for equality.}) 9. Bxb4 Nxb4 10. b3 (10. Ne5
Nh6 $1 {is less clear, J.Kregelin-W.Löffler, corr. 2008.}) 10... Qa5 $5 11.
Nfd2 f5 12. Nd6+ Ke7 13. Nxc8+ Rxc8 14. bxc4 -- ({Black's position is
compromised and concrete attempts to prove counterplay don't work; e.g.} 14...
Nf6 15. Be2 Ne4 16. O-O $1 {and if} Nc3 {then} 17. axb5 $1 Qb6 18. Qb3 $1 Nxe2+
19. Kh1 {and the knight on e2 will not survive.}) ({Another option is} 14... c5
{, but after the same} 15. Be2 cxd4 16. O-O {Black has no time for} Nf6 ({while
} 16... d3 {is well met by} 17. axb5 $1 dxe2 18. Qxe2 {with a strong
initiative for White thanks to his lead in development and Black's vulnerable
a-pawn and knight on b4}) 17. axb5 Qb6 18. Qa4 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "B42: 7...Qe7?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 Qe7 $6 {The
idea of this move is to control the b4-square, preparing for the forthcoming
a4xb5 and b2-b3, but it's insufficient.} 8. axb5 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. d5 $1 ({
Not now} 10. b3 $2 b4 11. Bb2 {and} c3 {.}) 10... Nf6 11. d6 $1 Qb7 12. b3 ({
The immediate} 12. Bxf6 $5 {inflicts damage in the enemy kingside, but after}
gxf6 13. b3 {Black could think about} Qd5 $5 {and if} 14. bxc4 {then} Qxd1+ 15.
Rxd1 b4 {with counterplay.}) 12... Nbd7 $1 ({Other options don't make Black's
life easier:} 12... Ne4 13. Bxg7 Rg8 14. Be5 {with advantage, G.Fish-M.Feygin,
Yalta 1996.}) (12... O-O 13. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 14. Qd4 e5 15. Qh4 Kg7 16. bxc4 bxc4
17. Bxc4 Qb4+ 18. Nd2 Qxd6 19. O-O f5 20. Rfd1 Nd7 21. Ne4 Qg6 22. Rd6 f6 23.
Bd5 Rb8 24. Ng3 {and the weakness of Black's kingside eventually played its
role, M.Gurevich-G.Kaidanov, Lvov 1987.}) (12... cxb3 13. Qxb3 a6 14. Bxf6 $1
gxf6 15. Be2 e5 16. O-O Be6 17. Qb4 Nd7 18. Rfc1 O-O 19. Bd3 {with a strong
initiative, A.Beliavsky-M.Feygin, German League 2001.}) 13. bxc4 b4 {Typically
for the Noteboom, Black gets connected passers on the queenside, but here
White's c- and d-pawns are even more powerful.} 14. Bxf6 $1 (14. Bd4 a5 {. The
immediate} 15. c5 {, looks stronger, but Black still has counter-chances;} (15.
Qa4 {is less clear:} O-O 16. c5 Qd5 17. c6 e5 $1 18. Bb2 Nc5 19. Qd1 Qxc6 20.
Nxe5 Qb6 21. Nc4 Qd8 22. Bd4 Nfd7 23. Be2 Bb7 24. O-O a4 {with good
counterplay, E.Bacrot-L.Fressinet, Enghien-les-Bains 2001}) 15... O-O 16. Rc1
Qc6 17. Bxf6 $5 (17. Ba1 $5) 17... Nxf6 18. Nd4 (18. Ne5 $5 Qe4 19. Qd4 $5 ({
and} 19. d7 Rd8 20. dxc8=Q Raxc8 21. Nd3 Qd5 {are also far from clear}) 19...
b3) 18... Qd5 19. Be2 a4 20. Bf3 Ne4 {and Black's queenside pawns keep the
game in tension.}) 14... Nxf6 (14... gxf6 15. Ra5 $1 {is clearly better for
White, E. Ovod-A.Skripchenko, Russian Team Ch. 2006.}) 15. Be2 $1 (15. c5 a5
16. Ne5 b3 17. Qd4 Bd7 18. Be2 {may give Black more hope of supporting his
passed pawns.}) 15... -- ({The modest developing move secures a clear
advantage for White; e.g.} 15... O-O 16. Ne5 $1) (15... b3 16. O-O) ({or} 15...
Qb6 16. Qd4 $1 Qxd4 17. exd4 {followed by c4-c5 and White's own passers are
too powerful.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5 a4 Bb4: Various Deviations"]
[Black "B43: 7...Bb7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 Bb7 {This
continuation may still lead to the main line but offers White some interesting
additional options.} 8. axb5 ({Alternatively:} 8. Ne4 $5 Bxd2+ 9. Nfxd2 ({or} 
9. Qxd2 $5 Nf6 10. Nc5) 9... Nf6 {is less clear, though White's compensation
is beyond doubt.}) (8. b3 $5 {at once deserves attention, though it's probably
less promising after} a5 {and then:} 9. -- (9. axb5 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 cxb5 {leads
to the main lines in Chapter 6 onwards.}) (9. Ne4 $5 {is interesting, but
Black has an adequate response:} f5 $1 10. Nc5 $1 ({not} 10. Neg5 $2 c3 $1 {
and White loses the bishop, G.Kasparian-V.Kirillov, USSR Ch., Moscow 1931})
10... c3 $1 11. Nxb7 Qe7 12. Nc5 e5 $1 13. Be2 e4 $1 14. O-O $1 ({not} 14. Bxc3
exf3 $1 15. Bxb4 fxe2) 14... exf3 15. Bxf3 cxd2 16. axb5 Nf6 17. bxc6 {and in
A.Morozevich-K.Miton, Russian Team Ch. 2007, White obtained the better chances
after} Ra7 $6 ({but Black's play can be improved by} 17... Na6 $1 18. Nxa6 ({if
} 18. c7 Nxc5 $1 19. Bxa8 Kf7 $1) ({or} 18. Nd3 Ne4 {and White did not have
sufficient compensation for the piece}) 18... Rxa6 19. Qc2 Ne4 $1 20. c7 Kd7 $1
{and White doesn't have enough for the piece}) 18. Nd3 $1 O-O 19. Nxb4 Qxb4 20.
Qc2 $1 {.}) (9. bxc4 bxc4 ({after} 9... Bxc3 10. Bxc3 b4 11. Bb2 Nf6 12. Bd3 c5
13. O-O Nbd7 {Black gets acceptable play, although objectively White has a
slight edge}) 10. Bxc4 (10. Ne4 {is met by} c3 $1 11. Nxc3 ({or} 11. Bxc3 f5 $1
12. Bxb4 fxe4 13. Ne5 axb4 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Nxg6 Nf6 16. Qh3 hxg6 17. Qxh8+ Kd7
{and Black is fine}) 11... Nf6) 10... Nf6 11. O-O O-O {, when nothing can
prevent Black's thematic ...c6-c5, so White can only hope for a slight edge
from his lead in development. A possible continuation is} 12. Qe2 c5 13. Rfd1 (
{or} 13. dxc5 Nbd7 (13... Bxf3 $5 14. gxf3 Nbd7 {also comes into consideration}
) 14. c6 Bxc6 15. Nd4 Bb7 {with acceptable play, according to practice}) 13...
Nbd7 14. Nb5 Qe7 15. Rac1 Rfd8 {and Black was doing well, J.Lautier-A.Atanasijadis, Belgrade 1988.})) 8... Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. d5 $1 {This pawn
push promises better chances for White.} ({Instead,} 10. b3 {leads to the main
lines again after} a5 $1 {- and it has been reached via exactly this move
order in numerous games.}) 10... Nf6 (10... f6 $6 {is dubious:} 11. dxe6 (11.
Nd4 $5) 11... Qxd1+ ({or} 11... Nc6 $6 {is even worse. White has a good choice,
for example,} 12. Nd2 $1 {and if} b4 $2 {then} 13. Bxb4 $1 Nxb4 14. Qh5+ g6 15.
Qb5+ Bc6 16. Qxb4) 12. Rxd1 Ne7 13. Nd4 $1 a6 14. b3 $5 cxb3 15. Nxb3 Nd5 16.
Bb2 Nc7 {and here in the old game F.Igel-A.Becker, Vienna 1933, White could
have secured a big advantage by playing or} 17. Nd4 $5 ({or} 17. Rd6 $5 Bd5 18.
Nd4) 17... Bd5 18. Rc1 $1 Nxe6 19. e4 $1 Ba2 20. Rc8+ Nd8 21. Be2 {with a
strong initiative in the ending.}) 11. dxe6 Qxd1+ 12. Rxd1 Bxf3 ({Both} 12...
fxe6 13. Nd4) ({and} 12... Nd5 13. Nd4 {are unsatisfactory for Black.}) 13.
exf7+ Kxf7 14. gxf3 {. With the bishop pair White should be better in this
ending. Black's queenside pawns may still promise him counter-chances, whereas
it isn't so easy for White to advance his central pawns. However, the idea of
getting such a position as Black straight from the opening seems at least
disputable. One possible continuation is} Nc6 15. Rd6 $5 Ne7 16. Bh3 Rhd8 17.
Ra6 $1 Nfd5 18. Ba5 $1 Nb6 19. Ke2 {and White gets another rook to a1, after
which Black can hardly defend his queenside without any losses, B.Gonchigsuren-P.Kotyk, corr. 2003.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5: Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 $1 {It
looks rather strange but in fact Black's strongest option here is yet another
pawn move. "The pawn is the soul of chess", as François-André Philidor said
more than 150 years before this position began to appear in tournament
practice! --- The most common reply at this point is the consistent capture
with 8 axb5, which is examined in the next five chapters. In this one we'll
take a look at White's other options, including two interesting sidelines:} 8.
-- ({A:} 8. Rb1 $5) ({B:} 8. Ne5) ({Slow play doesn't bother Black much. As a
rule, delaying queenside action gives Black useful time to consolidate his
position:} 8. Be2 Nf6 9. Qc2 Bb7 ({or} 9... Nbd7 $5 10. O-O Ba6 $5) 10. axb5 ({
or} 10. O-O Qb6 11. e4 Nbd7 12. e5 Nd5 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Bg5 f6 15. exf6 gxf6 16.
Bh6 Rg8 {with acceptable play, L.Pachman-H.Wright, Southsea 1949}) 10... Bxc3
11. Qxc3 cxb5 12. b3 {, N.Askali-I.Rogers, Singapore 1997, when Black could
have obtained a good game with either} O-O ({or} 12... b4 $5 13. Qxc4 O-O) 13.
bxc4 b4 14. Qc2 Nbd7 {.}) (8. Qc2 {and now:} -- (8... Nf6 9. axb5 (9. Ne5 {is
harmless, as after} O-O {White has to develop his kingside anyway:} 10. Be2 Bb7
11. O-O Qb6 12. f4 Nbd7 {, R.Djurhuus-A.Volzhin, Oakham 1992}) 9... Bxc3 10.
Bxc3 ({White can't regain the pawn by} 10. Qxc3 $6 cxb5 11. Rxa5 $2 {due to}
Nd5 12. Qa3 b4 $1 13. Qa4+ Bd7 {and Black wins material}) 10... cxb5 11. b3 Bb7
12. bxc4 b4 13. Bb2 Nbd7 14. Bd3 O-O 15. O-O {and we've reached one of the
main lines, but with White committed to Qc2 which isn't very popular nowadays 
(see Chapter 8).}) (8... Ba6 $5 {is a natural attempt to exploit White's slow
play and simply protect the pawn chain. In M.Abatino-M.Krasenkow, Cutro 1999,
Black quickly got the advantage:} 9. Be2 ({or} 9. Ne5 Ne7) 9... Ne7 10. Qe4 $6
(10. Ne4 $5) 10... Nd7 11. Ne5 $6 f5 $1 12. Qf3 Nxe5 13. dxe5 O-O {with a
clear extra pawn.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "A: 8 Rb1!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. Rb1 $5
{This mysterious rook move isn't without interest. It creates an immediate
threat of axb5 to destroy Black's pawn mass and this threat isn't so easy to
parry by normal means!} ({The similar} 8. Qb1 {(cf line A1 in Chapter 4) is a
bit limiting, as White's major pieces lose in power. Black continues} Ba6 (8...
Bd7 $5) 9. Ne4 {, and here not} Nd7 $6 {, as in A.Lesiege-G.Flear, Hyeres 1992,
which could have been met by} ({but} 9... Nf6 $1 {with good play}) 10. Bxb4 $1
axb4 11. Nd6+ Ke7 12. Ne5 {.}) 8... -- {Black has various ways to counter 8
Rb1. We'll concentrate on:} ({A1:} 8... Ba6 $5) ({A2:} 8... Bd7 $5) ({Other
moves:} 8... Qb6 {is suspicious for Black, because of} 9. axb5 cxb5 10. b3 Bxc3
({or} 10... Nf6 11. bxc4 Bxc3 12. Bxc3 b4 13. d5 $5 {with the initiative}) 11.
Bxc3 cxb3 12. Qxb3 b4 13. d5 {, even though he somehow managed to defend in D.Harika-G.Joshi, Mumbai 2009, after} Nf6 14. Bd4 (14. Qa4+ $5 Bd7 15. Qa1 {is
worth considering}) 14... Qb7 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Bc4 {, when} Nd7 $1 {seemed a
bit more precise.}) (8... bxa4 $5 {looks strange and dubious. Black is just
taking everything, despite his pawn structure being seriously weakened.
Nevertheless, things might still be unclear. First of all, it will take two
moves for White to get the pawns back; and secondly, the only real weakness
Black may end up with is his c6-pawn, but preparing the advance ...c6-c5
shouldn't be a difficult task. A possible continuation is} 9. Nxa4 Nf6 10. Bxc4
O-O 11. O-O Nbd7 {(this position is reminiscent of the Meran Variation;
Black's main aim is to achieve ...c6-c5 to solve the problem of his both
c-pawn and the light-squared bishop)} 12. Rc1 {(Black may already be happy -
the move 8 Rb1 has proved to be useless!)} Qe7 $1 ({better than} 12... Bb7 13.
Be2 Qe7 14. Bxb4 Qxb4 15. Ne1 $1 {, when fails to advance his c-pawn and so
faces problems, V.Babula-M.Matlak, Moravian Team Ch. 1997}) 13. Bd3 {and it
seems that White has successfully prevented ...c6-c5 here too, but Black has a
different idea in mind. A.Gupta-S.Chanda, Commonwealth Ch., Mumbai 2003,
continued} e5 $1 {, and yet White could have still maintained a small edge
after} 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 16. Bc3 $5 Bxc3 17. Rxc3 {, thanks to his
superior pawn structure.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "A1: 8...Ba6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. Rb1 $5
Ba6 $5 {This typical bishop advance allows a tactical blow, though it isn't as
dangerous as it looks.} 9. Ne5 Nf6 ({After the ugly} 9... Ra7 $6 {White can
choose between} 10. Nxc6 ({and} 10. Qf3 Rc7 11. Qg3) 10... Nxc6 11. axb5 Bb7
12. bxc6 Bxc6 {. In the latter case} 13. Bxc4 ({but the more solid} 13. Rc1 $5
{, intending to meet} {and if} Qg5 {with} 14. h4 $5 Qg6 15. Ne2 {, would have
promised White the advantage, as he has good chances to grab the c4-pawn for
free}) 13... Qg5 {gave Black good compensation for the pawn in V.Moskalenko-V.Malishauskas, Norilsk 1987.}) 10. Nxc6 ({The aggressive} 10. g4 $5 {is
interesting, but Black should be okay after} O-O 11. Bg2 Nd5 {, J.Ehlvest-Sa.
Nikolov, Pula 1997.}) 10... Nxc6 11. axb5 e5 $5 ({The text is stronger than} 
11... Nxd4 {, which nevertheless deserves attention as well:} 12. bxa6 Nb3 13.
Bxc4 Nxd2 14. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Ne4+ {and Black is holding on; e.g.} 16. Kc2
(16. Ke2 {leads to a draw after} Bxc3 17. Bd3 {followed by Bd3xe4}) 16... Nxf2
17. Rhc1 (17. Rhf1 Ng4 18. Rbe1 Ke7 {is okay}) 17... Ng4 18. Kb3 Nxe3 19. Bb5+
Ke7 20. Na2 Bd6 21. Ka4 {with a very sharp and unclear endgame in which Black
is not worse, A.Delchev-Sa.Nikolov, Bulgarian Ch., Pazardzik 1991. Curiously
enough, this may be the only case in the whole Noteboom where it's White who
gets connected passed pawns on a- and b-files!}) 12. Bxc4 exd4 13. exd4 Qxd4 $1
14. Qe2+ Ne5 $1 15. bxa6 Qxc4 $1 16. Qxe5+ Kd7 {. Despite his exposed king
Black is not worse, as White's king may be even more vulnerable.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "A2: 8...Bd7!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. Rb1 $5
Bd7 $5 {This certainly isn't the best square for the bishop, but the extra
pawn may justify the inconvenience!} 9. Ne5 Nf6 10. Qf3 $5 {A logical
follow-up. White has some other options, but they aren't dangerous.} (10. Be2
$6 {is too slow and allows Black to consolidate his forces:} O-O 11. O-O Ra7
12. f4 Be8 13. Bf3 Nd5 {with the better chances, A.Vaisser-M.Apicella, French
Ch., Besancon 1999.}) (10. g3 {isn't much faster. Black achieves comfortable
play by} O-O 11. Bg2 Ra6 $5 {(in similar positions one should not be worried
about leaving the knight on b8 without a move - let it stay home! - whereas
the rook may be more useful on a6 than on a7)} 12. O-O Be8 13. f4 Nd5 {and
Black is not worse, D.Komljenovic-R.Scherbakov, Paris 1996.}) ({The "Advanced
Catalan"} 10. g4 $5 {looks more interesting, but Black is okay:} O-O 11. Bg2
Ra7 $5 ({here the rook may get a chance to switch over to the kingside and
exploit a vulnerability of the opponent's king; by analogy with the previous
note,} 11... Ra6 12. O-O Be8 {isn't bad either}) 12. O-O Be8 13. f4 ({or} 13.
g5 Nfd7 $1 {with advantage, R.Janssen-A.Galkin, World Junior Ch., Yerevan 1999}
) 13... Nd5 14. e4 Nb6 15. Be3 f6 {and White failed to demonstrate any
compensation for his material losses in Y.Malinin-A.Galkin, St. Petersburg
1999.}) 10... Ra7 $1 {With White's bishop on the f1-a6 diagonal it looks more
reliable not to place the rook on a6.} 11. Be2 O-O 12. O-O Be7 $5 ({
Alternatively:} 12... Nd5 13. e4 Nb6 {looks a bit slow - White maintains good
compensation after} 14. Rfd1 {.}) (12... Bd6 $5 {deserves attention, intending
to increase the effect of ...c6-c5; e.g.} 13. Rbd1 $1 ({or} 13. Rfd1 Be8 14. e4
b4 15. Na2 c5 16. Nxc4 Nc6 $1) 13... Be8 14. e4 b4 15. Nb1 c3 $1 16. bxc3 c5 {
and Black is doing well.}) (12... Be8 $5 {is also worth considering, Fa.Müller-D.Sengupta, Dresden 2011.}) 13. Rfd1 Qc8 {. This complicated position
with mutual chances arose in D.Harika-Y.Yakovich, Chalkida 2009.} 14. -- ({
After} 14. e4 $6 b4 15. Na2 c5 $1 16. Nxd7 Nbxd7 17. e5 cxd4 $1 18. exf6 Bxf6
19. Rbc1 Rc7 {Black's formidable pawn phalanx decided the battle in his favour.
}) ({White should have thought about} 14. g4 $5 {, though I would still prefer
Black.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "B: 8 Ne5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. Ne5 {
Unlike the knight's jump on move 7 (see line B2 in Chapter 4), here, with the
inclusion of Bd2 and ...a7-a5, it's a serious challenge to Black.} Nf6 ({It's
already important to development the kingside:} 8... Bb7 $2 {leads to serious
problems after} 9. axb5 $1 Bxc3 10. bxc3 cxb5 11. Rb1 $1 Qd5 ({or} 11... Ba6
12. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 13. Qf3+ Nf6 14. Qxa8) 12. Qg4 Kf8 13. e4 $1 Qxe4+ 14. Qxe4
Bxe4 15. Rxb5 Nf6 16. Nxc4 {with a big advantage, G.Chepukaitis-A.Yuneev,
Leningrad 1980.}) 9. -- {Now White's most common option is 9 Qf3, but first
we'll take a look at the other moves:} ({B1:} 9. axb5) ({B2:} 9. Qf3) ({The
sudden push} 9. g4 {looks interesting, planning to disturb the f6-knight as
well as get his bishop to the long diagonal, but it shouldn't trouble Black
very much:} Bb7 10. Bg2 Nfd7 $5 ({or} 10... Nd5 {, E.Scanavino-H.Rossetto,
Buenos Aires 1963}) 11. axb5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 O-O 13. Qe2 Qb6 {and Black has the
better chances, Y.Lu-Ig.Schneider, US Team Ch. 2005.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "B1: 9 axb5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. Ne5 Nf6
9. axb5 {This capture makes Black's task easier.} Bxc3 10. Bxc3 ({Instead,} 10.
bxc3 cxb5 {is okay for Black. He can support his b5-pawn with the bishop,
which stands quite well on a6, whereas White's knight on e5 isn't dangerous
and may even be helpful for Black's development.} 11. Qb1 $5 ({or} 11. Rb1 Ba6
12. Be2 Nbd7 {with advantage, A.Felsberger-J.Klinger, Austrian League 1987}) ({
while} 11. Qf3 {is better without the preliminary capture on b5 - see line B2})
11... -- {. Black has a choice:} (11... Qd5 $5 {looks a bit suspicious, but in
fact isn't bad for Black:} 12. Be2 ({or} 12. f3 Nbd7 13. e4 Qb7) 12... Ne4 13.
Bf3 f5 14. Bxe4 fxe4 15. f3 exf3 16. O-O O-O 17. e4 Qb7 18. Nxf3 Nd7 19. e5 Rf5
20. Ng5 Nf8 {with the better chances, A.Simutowe-M.Luch, Panevezys 2008.}) (
11... Bd7 $5 {, intending to develop the knight to c6, is also worth
considering; e.g.} 12. Be2 O-O 13. O-O {is met by} (13. Bf3 Ra6 14. e4 Qb6 {
with complicated play, D.Lynn-G.Flear, Geneva 1991}) 13... Nc6 $1 {and if} 14.
Nxd7 ({or} 14. Qxb5 Nxd4 $1 15. Qxc4 Nxe2+ 16. Qxe2 Qc7) 14... Qxd7 15. Qxb5 {
then} Nxd4 $1 {.}) (11... Ba6 {is a natural reaction:} 12. Be2 ({after} 12. g4
$6 Nbd7 13. Nxd7 Qxd7 14. g5 Ne4 $1 {Black is clearly better, V.L.Ivanov-A.Kaspi, Moscow 1991}) ({while} 12. g3 $6 {, as in A.Simutowe-P.Vavrak, Dallas
2004, could also have been answered by} Nbd7 {, and if} 13. Bg2 {then} Nxe5 $1
14. dxe5 Nd7 15. Bxa8 Qxa8 {followed by ...Nxe5 with a big advantage}) 12...
O-O 13. O-O {arose in S.Hasecic-S.Galdunts, Walldorf 2006, and here, rather
than} Nd5 ({the typical} 13... Nfd7 $1 {was stronger, challenging the opposing
knight.}))) 10... cxb5 11. b3 Bb7 12. bxc4 b4 {. Here 13 Bb2 would transpose
to the main lines but with White committed to Nf3-e5, which isn't the
strongest (see line A in Chapter 7). So White should probably try something
else:} 13. Qa4+ $5 Nfd7 $5 {This manoeuvre has become a standard way to fight
against White's knight on e5 in such situations. The other knight is needed to
keep control over the important c6-square.} ({Nevertheless,} 13... Nbd7 {is
possible too:} 14. Bb2 ({the immediate} 14. c5 $6 bxc3 15. c6 Bxc6 16. Nxc6 Qc7
17. Bb5 O-O 18. O-O Nb6 {favours Black, A.Gulbrandsen-Kuindzhi, The Hague 1961}
) ({while} 14. Bd2 O-O 15. Nc6 $6 {allows Black to seize the initiative with}
Bxc6 16. Qxc6 e5 $5 17. Be2 Re8 18. c5 exd4 19. exd4 Ne4 20. Be3 Ndf6 21. O-O {
and here} Nxf2 $5 {is just one possibility}) 14... O-O 15. Nc6 ({instead,} 15.
Nxd7 Nxd7 16. c5 Nb8 $5 {transposes to the main line}) 15... Qb6 $5 16. Nxa5
Rfc8 17. Qb5 Qxb5 18. cxb5 Rc2 $1 19. Nxb7 Rxa1+ 20. Bxa1 Rc1+ 21. Kd2 Rxa1 {
with the initiative in the ending.}) 14. Bb2 ({Again,} 14. c5 $6 {only leads
to problems for White:} O-O (14... bxc3 $5 {is also possible, though perhaps
less clear after} 15. Bb5) 15. Nxd7 Bc6 $5 ({, other moves are also good:} 
15... Nxd7 $5 16. Bb2 Nb8 $1) ({, or} 15... Qxd7 16. Qxd7 Nxd7 17. Bd2 ({and
not} 17. Bb5 $2 Nxc5 $1 18. dxc5 bxc3 {when White is clearly worse, T.Gauffin-W.Winter, Hamburg Olympiad 1930}) 17... Rfb8 {and Black's chances are
preferable}) 16. Bb5 Qxd7 17. Bxc6 Qxc6 $5 (17... Nxc6 {is just fine}) 18. Bxb4
Qxg2 19. Rf1 Nc6 20. Bc3 {and here, apart from} Nb4 {with somewhat better
chances due to White's vulnerable king, J.Piket-M.Kuijf, Wijk aan Zee 1986,} ({
the immediate} 20... e5 $5 21. dxe5 Qd5 {deserved serious attention.})) 14...
O-O 15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. c5 Nb8 $5 {. Black combines prophylactics and
improvement, forestalling Bf1-b5 followed by castling, while shifting the
knight to better grounds, trying to remove the blockade of the queenside
passers or to increase pressure on the d4-square. White has to fight for
equality; for instance,} 17. Qc2 Qh4 $5 18. Bd3 a4 $5 19. O-O {and here, apart
from} Bxg2 ({Black can play for more with} 19... a3 20. Bc1 Nc6 {.}) 20. Kxg2
Qg4+ {with perpetual check.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "B2: 9 Qf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. Ne5 Nf6
9. Qf3 {This queen advance is both logical and the most promising follow-up to
8 Ne5. Black has to parry direct threats to his queenside pawn mass. We'll
take a look at:} -- ({B21:} 9... Bxc3) ({B22:} 9... Ra7 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "B21: 9...Bxc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. Ne5 Nf6
9. Qf3 Bxc3 {This capture has often been played but is perhaps not the best
choice.} 10. bxc3 $1 (10. Bxc3 {is well met by} Qd5 $1 {. White can get the
pawn back by} 11. axb5 cxb5 12. Rxa5 ({on} 12. b3 {the pawn should be captured
without hesitation:} cxb3 $1) 12... Rxa5 13. Bxa5 {, but it takes time and
Black gets comfortable play:} Nbd7 $5 (13... Qxf3 14. gxf3 {might offer White
an edge}) ({but} 13... Bb7 $5 {should be also okay}) 14. Qxd5 (14. Qg3 $2 {
fails to the sudden retreat} Qa8 $1 {and White is lost, Z.Salem-Wong Meng
Leong, Thessaloniki Olympiad 1984}) 14... Nxd5 15. Nxd7 Kxd7 $1 ({not} 15...
Bxd7 $6 16. e4 Nf6 17. f3 {with better chances in the ending, J.Wegerle-B.Grachev, European Junior Ch. 2001}) 16. e4 Ne7 {, followed by ...Bb7 and ...Ra8, and Black's counterplay comes quickly.}) 10... Qd5 11. Qg3 O-O 12. f3 Ne8
$5 (12... Nbd7 13. e4 Qd6 14. Be2 {gives White very good compensation for the
pawn, as known since E.Lundin-G.Abrahams, Bad Gastein 1948. Black's queen is
rather insecure on d6 and may fall into various tactics.}) ({The immediate
retreat} 12... Qd8 $5 {deserves attention but would most likely transpose to
the main line after} 13. e4 ({as} 13. Be2 Nfd7 $1 14. f4 f6 {is okay for Black.
D.Holzapfel-P.Krug, German League 1992, continued} 15. Nxd7 {, and here} Nxd7
16. Bf3 Ra6 {was preferable, intending to meet} 17. O-O {by} Nc5 $1) 13... Ne8
$5 {.}) 13. e4 Qd8 14. Be2 (14. Rb1 {, threatening Nxc4, can be parried by the
simple} Ba6 {.}) 14... f6 {Otherwise Black can't resume his development.} 15.
Ng4 Nd7 (15... Kh8 $6 16. O-O e5 {is dubious after} 17. Be3 {, as White is
better prepared for the opening of the centre, K.J.Schulz-G.Binder, corr. 1986.
}) 16. Rb1 (16. O-O {allows} Nc5 $1 ({or} 16... Nb6 $5) 17. Bc1 Nb3 $1 {, when}
18. Ba3 $6 {would be strongly met by} b4 $1 19. Rad1 $5 bxa3 20. Bxc4 Ba6 21.
Bxb3 Bxf1 22. Bxe6+ Kh8 23. Rxf1 Rb8 {with advantage to Black thanks to the
passed a3-pawn.}) 16... Ba6 17. Ne3 {In this complex position White maintains
good compensation for the pawn, T.Pähtz-G.Flear, Bad Mondorf 1991.} ({After} 
17. O-O {Black would think about} Nc5 $5 {again.}) 17... Nb6 {with acceptable
play, according to Flear.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Road to the Main Line"]
[Black "B22: 9...Ra7!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. Ne5 Nf6
9. Qf3 Ra7 $5 {This unexpected rook move is quite interesting.} 10. axb5 ({
White can restore the material balance with} 10. Nxc6 $6 Nxc6 11. Qxc6+ Bd7 12.
Qf3 {, but it takes time and grants Black excellent counter-chances:} bxa4 $1 (
{both} 12... Bxc3 13. bxc3 O-O) ({and} 12... Qb6 13. axb5 Bxb5 {are also far
from clear, but the capture on a4 is more energetic}) 13. Bxc4 ({the passive} 
13. Be2 $6 O-O {favours Black, T.Hillarp Persson-P.San Segundo Carrillo,
Saragossa 1995}) 13... a3 $1 (13... Rc7 {isn't bad either:} 14. Qe2 Qc8 15. Ba6
Qa8 16. O-O a3 {, but here White can defend with} 17. Bd3 $1 {intending} O-O ({
or} 17... axb2 $2 18. Nb5 $3 Bxb5 19. Bxb5+ Nd7 20. Bxb4 bxa1=Q 21. Rxa1 Qc8
22. Ba3) 18. Nd1 $1) 14. bxa3 $1 ({not} 14. Nb5 $6 axb2 15. Rb1 Bxd2+ 16. Kxd2
Bxb5 17. Bxb5+ Ke7 18. Rxb2 a4 {with advantage for Black}) 14... Bxc3 15. Bxc3
Qc8 16. Qe2 Rc7 $1 17. Ba6 $1 Qa8 $1 18. Bd2 Qxg2 19. Qf1 {. This position
arose in O.Kozlov-V.Burmakin, St. Petersburg 1995, which continued} Qc6 (19...
Qd5 $5 20. Rg1 g6 21. Qg2 Ne4 22. Bd3 f5 {was also good}) 20. Bd3 {, and here
Black could have secured the better chances by} ({or similarly} 20. Rg1 g6 21.
Bd3 O-O 22. Bxa5 Rb8 $1 {etc}) 20... O-O $5 {intending} 21. Bxa5 Rb8 $1 {with
the initiative.}) 10... Bxc3 ({The pawn sacrifice} 10... cxb5 {seems
insufficient after} 11. Nxb5 Bxd2+ 12. Kxd2 Bb7 ({or} 12... Rb7 13. Bxc4 O-O
14. Rhc1) 13. Qd1 Ra6 14. Nxc4 O-O 15. f3 {. However, the white king will
remain in the centre for quite some time, so Black may still obtain
compensation for the pawn.}) 11. Bxc3 cxb5 12. Qg3 ({The tricky} 12. Bb4 $6 {
doesn't bring its desired effect:} Ra6 $5 13. Bc5 Nbd7 14. Qg3 g6 {and Black
should overcome his castling problems and secure the extra pawn}) ({while after
} 12. b3 {Black can return to a standard set-up with} Bb7 13. Qf4 Ra8 14. bxc4
b4 15. Bd2 ({not} 15. Bb2 $6 a4) 15... O-O {, followed by ...Nbd7, when his
chances seem preferable.}) 12... O-O {Black seems just fine, but White has a
tactical shot:} 13. Nxc4 $1 {A nice move- if it works, of course. White not
only restores the material balance, he also breaks up Black's pawn phalanx.}
Ba6 $5 {This interesting retort isn't the only option.} ({Black has other
decent moves, such as} 13... Nc6 14. Ne5 Qb6 {is also not so clear}) ({or} 
13... bxc4 $5 14. Qxb8 Qd7 15. Qe5 Nd5 16. Bxc4 Nxc3 17. bxc3 Qc6 18. Bd3 Qxc3+
19. Ke2 Rb7 {, holding on.}) 14. Bxa5 (14. Nxa5 $6 Ne4 15. Qe5 Bb7 $1 {gives
Black a strong initiative; e.g.} 16. Qxb5 ({or} 16. Bd3 $6 Nd7 17. Qxb5 Ba6 18.
Qxa6 Rxa6 19. Bxa6 Qc7) 16... Qh4 17. Qe2 Bd5 18. Nb3 Rxa1+ 19. Nxa1 Nd7 {and
it's hardly possible for White to develop without serious concessions.}) 14...
Qe7 15. Nd6 $1 ({If White tries} 15. Nd2 Bb7 16. Bxb5 {he only gives himself
problems after} Rxa5 $1 17. Rxa5 Qb4 18. Qc7 Bxg2 {, and now White has to find}
19. Bd3 $1 ({not} 19. Rg1 $2 Ne4) 19... Nd5 (19... Bxh1 20. Rb5 Na6 21. Qb6 Qe7
22. Qxa6 Qc7 {is also unclear}) 20. Rxd5 Bxd5 21. Rg1 Qxb2 22. Ke2 ({otherwise
} 22. Bxh7+ Kxh7 23. Rxg7+ {forces a draw}) 22... Nc6 23. Rb1 Qa3 {and Black
is okay.}) 15... Rd7 16. Bd3 $1 (16. Bb4 $6 {is met by} Ne4 $1 {,} ({but not} 
16... Ne8 $6 17. e4 $1 {.})) 16... Qxd6 ({Unfortunately, Black can't keep the
queens on, which would be favourable for him with two minor pieces for the
rook; i.e.} 16... Rxd6 17. Bb4 Rfd8 18. O-O Nd5 19. Bc5 $1 Qc7 20. Bxd6 {and
now} Rxd6 $2 ({while after} 20... Qxd6 21. Qxd6 Rxd6 22. Rfc1 {Black can't
prevent Bxb5, when again he has to fight for a draw}) 21. Rfc1 Qd8 22. Bxb5 $1
Bxb5 23. Qxd6 $1 Qxd6 24. Rc8+ Qf8 25. Rxf8+ Kxf8 26. Ra8 {promises good
winning chances for White.}) 17. Qxd6 Rxd6 18. Bb4 Rfd8 19. Bxd6 Rxd6 20. Ke2
Nd5 21. Rhc1 f5 {. The ending is okay for Black - the white rooks can't easily
invade his camp.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6: 8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5 {
We now begin to examine the main line of the Noteboom. This queenside
challenge forces Black to give up his dark-squared bishop as well as his extra
pawn, but he does get something in return...} Bxc3 9. Bxc3 ({The other
recapture,} 9. bxc3 {(as in line A of Chapter 1), isn't very logical here.
White can hardly gain compensation without the e3-e4 advance, but in that case
he could have had his pawn there already! Following} cxb5 10. Qb1 $5 {Black
takes the opportunity to combine defence with development with} Ba6 {(the
bishop stands quite well on a6 and in some cases Black may even think about
the ...b5-b4 push). Then after} ({or} 10... Bd7 $5) 11. Be2 {he can choose
between} Nd7 ({and} 11... Nc6 {, while the other knight might go either to e7 
(as in Chapter 1) or f6. Thanks to his strong pawn centre White always keeps
some compensation for the pawn, but generally Black should be satisfied with
such positions, especially when White loses time getting his pawn to e4 in two
steps.})) 9... cxb5 10. b3 ({The immediate} 10. d5 $6 {isn't well supported
and the simple} Nf6 {is good for Black; e.g.} 11. dxe6 ({no better is} 11. b3
exd5 12. bxc4 bxc4) ({or} 11. d6 O-O) ({or} 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Nd4 Bd7 13. dxe6
fxe6 14. Qh5+ g6 15. Qc5 Na6 16. Qd6 Rf8 {, A.Jatsenko-A.Kaspi, Lutsk 1986})
11... Qxd1+ 12. Kxd1 ({or} 12. Rxd1 fxe6 $5 {with an extra pawn, O.De Hert-P.Negi, Vlissingen 2006}) 12... -- ({, when Black can choose between} 12... Nc6
$5 13. exf7+ Kxf7 14. Nd4 Rd8) ({, and} 12... Ne4 13. exf7+ ({or} 13. Be1 Nc6
$1 {, J.Donner-L.Pliester, Amsterdam 1982}) 13... Kxf7 14. Ke1 {, A.Belakovskaia-A.Skripchenko, Elista Olympiad 1998, and here} Nxc3 15. bxc3 Nc6 {
was the easiest ways to secure the advantage.})) 10... Bb7 {Black protects the
rook in order to prepare ...b5-b4.} 11. d5 ({Here the main line continues} 11.
bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 {, but first we'll take a look at the immediate central
pawn push: 11 d5.}) 11... Nf6 ({Of course not} 11... f6 $2 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxb4
$1 axb4 14. Rxa8 Bxa8 15. Qa4+ Nd7 16. dxe6 {and White wins a couple of pawns
for free.}) 12. bxc4 (12. dxe6 $6 {is dubious: after} Qxd1+ 13. Kxd1 Ne4 $1 {
Black seizes the initiative in the ending.}) 12... b4 13. Bxf6 ({The immediate
} 13. Qa4+ $2 {gives Black a good extra option in} Qd7 $1 ({instead of} 13...
Nbd7) 14. Bxf6 Qxa4 15. Rxa4 gxf6 16. Nd4 exd5 {with a clear advantage in the
ending; e.g.} 17. c5 $5 ({or} 17. cxd5 Bxd5 18. Bb5+ Kd8 $1 19. O-O Kc7 {, F.Garcia Monterde-J.Miranda Gonzalez, Saragossa 1995}) 17... Bc6 $1 18. Nxc6 Nxc6
19. Bb5 Kd7 20. Ke2 Rhb8 21. Bd3 h6 {with a safe extra pawn, M.Busch-Y.Solodovnichenko, Senden 2004.}) 13... Qxf6 ({The weakening} 13... gxf6 $2 14.
Nd4 $1 {gives White a strong initiative, according to tournament practice.})
14. Qa4+ Nd7 (14... Ke7 {is also possible but only if Black wants to play the
line} 15. Nd4 Nd7 {, examined in line B.} ({Other moves lead to trouble:} 15...
exd5 $6 {is dubious because of} 16. Qb5 $1 Qa6 $1 17. Qc5+ Kd8 $1 18. cxd5 Nd7
19. Qc2 {with an unpleasant initiative, A.Lewis-J.Burnett, British Ch.,
Torquay 1982}) ({while on} 15... e5 {White can think about} 16. Nb5 $5 {.}))
15. Nd4 {This position has been known since the middle of the last century.
There were some short periods when Black was under pressure, but generally it
has always been considered at least acceptable for him. He can consider:} -- ({
A:} 15... e5) ({B:} 15... Ke7 $5) ({C:} 15... Qe7 $5) ({We begin with the
natural and most common line. Note that the d5-pawn is untouchable:} 15... exd5
$2 {, the more popular} 16. c5 $5 {is less clear due to} (16. cxd5 $1 Bxd5 17.
Bb5 Ra7 18. O-O {with a strong initiative, D.Maedel-S.Swoboda, corr. 2004})
16... Bc8 $1 ({but not} 16... Ba6 $2 17. Qxa5 Bb7 18. Qxa8+ Bxa8 19. Rxa8+ Ke7
20. Rxh8 Qg6 21. Be2 Qb1+ 22. Bd1 Qd3 23. Bc2 Qc3+ 24. Ke2 Qc4+ 25. Kf3 {and
White won in A.Greenfeld-B.Kantsler, Tel Aviv rapid 1996}) 17. Bb5 Qe7 18. Bc6
Ra6 {and Black is defending even if he's still worse, A.Barnsley-H.Reschke,
corr. 1998}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A: 15...e5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 (16. Nb5 $2 {is futile: Black just replies} O-O {and if} 17.
Nc7 {then} Nc5 $1 18. Qb5 e4 $1 19. Rc1 Nb3 {and so on.}) 16... Ke7 ({There's
no need to give White the strong d4-square for his knight; i.e.} 16... e4 $6
17. Nd4 Ke7 18. Be2 {with the better chances. G.Fish-V.Burmakin, Kobanya 1992,
continued} Qb6 {and here White could have proved his superiority by} 19. Nf5+
$1 Kd8 20. O-O g6 21. Nd4 Nc5 22. Qc2 {, when Black's position is seriously
compromised.}) 17. -- {This is the starting position of the old main line.
It's very unbalanced - strategically and tactically complex - and it's
difficult to give a precise assessment. Both sides have connected passed pawns
and White's are very close to the black king, which is uncastled. Otherwise
the pawn structure seems to be in Black's favour. The fact that there are only
light-squared bishops on the board gives him a clear plan of a blockade on the
dark squares c5 and d6, followed by the improvement of his bishop by ...Bc8-d7,
which would secure the advance of his own pawns. Naturally, there are many
obstacles on the way. First of all, Black has to take care of his centralized
king. Furthermore, he has too many squares to keep under control - apart from
c5 and d6, the e5-square will soon be under pressure as the pawn push f2-f4 is
White's priority, in which case Black's pieces may become overloaded. Thus the
position promises chances for both sides and it's very important to be
familiar with the typical strategic and tactical subtleties.} ({A1:} 17. Qb5 $6
) ({A2:} 17. Be2) ({Other moves:} 17. Nxa5 $2 {is bad for White:} Qb6 18. Qb5 (
18. d6+ {doesn't change much:} Ke6 $1 19. Qb5 Qxb5 20. cxb5 Bd5 {and so on})
18... Qxb5 19. cxb5 Bxd5 {with a big advantage, V.Stoikov-P.De Boer, corr.
1995.}) (17. Rd1 {has rarely been played and can be met by} Qb6 $5 18. Bd3 ({or
} 18. Be2 Rhd8 {, V.Majorovas-N.Andrianov, Sochi 1980}) 18... Nc5 19. Nxc5 Qxc5
20. O-O Rhd8 {and Black is okay, G.Agamaliev-R.Vahidi, Iran 1997.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A1: 17 Qb5?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Qb5 $6 {Some 30 or so years ago this was supposed
to be an attempt to refute the whole Noteboom, but later it turned out that
only White faces problems here.} Ba6 (17... Rhb8 $5 {was supposed to be in
White's favour, but in fact it's an interesting option too:} 18. Rxa5 ({this
capture looks attractive but perhaps White should already restrict himself to} 
18. Be2 {and if} Ba6 {then} 19. Qa4) 18... e4 $1 19. Qxb4+ ({not} 19. Nd4 $6 b3
$1) 19... Ke8 20. Rb5 $5 ({other moves are in Black's favour:} 20. Nd4 $2 Bxd5
$1) ({or} 20. Be2 Bxd5 21. Rxa8 Bxa8 22. Qa5 Qe5 23. O-O Qxa5 24. Nxa5 Rb2) ({
or} 20. Nd2 Rxa5 21. Qxa5 Qb2 {, J.Dannehr-H.Bergmann, corr. 1991, with more
than enough compensation for the pawn}) 20... Ba6 21. Be2 Bxb5 22. cxb5 Ra2 $1
23. Nd4 ({after} 23. Qxe4+ Qe5 24. Qd4 Qxd4 25. Nxd4 Ra1+ 26. Bd1 Nf6 27. O-O
Nxd5 {only White can lose, though objectively it's a draw}) 23... Ra1+ 24. Bd1
Qg5 25. Nc6 Rxd1+ 26. Kxd1 Qxd5+ 27. Ke2 Qxb5+ 28. Qxb5 Rxb5 {with a drawn
ending.}) 18. Qc6 $5 {This queen advance allows White to hold the balance.} ({
Instead,} 18. Qxa5 $2 Rhb8 19. -- (19. Qc7 $6 {is well met by} Rc8 20. d6+ ({
not} 20. Qa5 $2 Qd6) 20... Qxd6 21. Qxd6+ Kxd6 22. Be2 (22. c5+ $2 Nxc5 23.
Nxc5 Bxf1 24. Ne4+ Kd5 {, as indicated in some old analysis by Taimanov}) 22...
Bb7 {and White is fighting for a draw, F.Hovde-P.Boll, corr. 1991.}) ({. In
this line} 19. d6+ $1 {was White's main trump in the late 1970s and early
1980s. After the cool retreat} Ke8 $1 {it turns out that all Black's pieces
have become very active and ready to hunt for the opponent's king, whereas
White is lagging behind in development.} ({after the natural but hasty} 19...
Qxd6 $2 20. c5 Qd5 21. Bxa6 {Black faces serious problems; e.g.} Qxb3 22. O-O
Qe6 $2 {, and here} (22... Rc8 $5) 23. Qc7 $3 {, first played in K.Kaunas-V.Mikenas, Plunge 1982, and successfully repeated in several games, gives White
a decisive advantage}) 20. -- {Practice shows that White defence is very
difficult:} (20. c5 $2 Bb7 21. Qc7 Rxa1+ 22. Nxa1 e4 {and Black wins, A.Nikolichev-S.Arzumanian, corr. 1992.}) (20. Qd5 $2 Bb7 21. Qd2 Rxa1+ 22. Nxa1
Nc5 $1 23. d7+ Kd8 24. Qxb4 Qd6 {and Black's initiative soon decided the game,
A.Kaspi-A.Maksimenko, Vrnjacka Banja 1991.}) (20. Nc5 $2 Bb7 21. Nxd7 Qf5 $1
22. Nxb8 Rxa5 23. Rxa5 Qb1+ 24. Kd2 Qb2+ 25. Kd1 b3 26. Rb5 Qc2+ 27. Ke1 Qc1+
28. Ke2 Qxc4+ 29. Ke1 Qc3+ {with a clear advantage, I.Lensky-G.Binder, corr.
1992.}) (20. Qc7 e4 $1 ({not} 20... Rc8 $4 21. Rxa6 $1) 21. Nd4 b3 $1 22. Be2
b2 23. Rb1 Rc8 24. Qa5 Bxc4 25. Qd2 Bxe2 26. Nxe2 Ne5 27. O-O Nd3 28. d7+ $1
Kxd7 29. Nf4 {, H.Marotz-Y.Dothan, corr. 1999, and here Black should have
played} Rab8 $1 {, supporting his main trump and securing winning chances after
} 30. Nxd3 exd3 31. Qxd3+ Ke7 {.}) (20. Be2 {is the most stubborn continuation:
} -- (20... Bb7 {is tempting but less promising:} 21. Qc7 Rxa1+ 22. Nxa1 Qg6 $5
({Black played} 22... Bxg2 {in S.Ionov-A.Moroz, Tallinn 1984, when} 23. Bg4 $1
{provides sufficient counterplay}) 23. Nb3 Bxg2 24. Nc5 $1 Qb1+ 25. Kd2 $1 ({
after} 25. Bd1 $2 Bf3 26. Qxd7+ Kf8 27. Kd2 Qb2+ 28. Bc2 Qc3+ 29. Kc1 b3 30.
Nxb3 Be4 {White got mated in B.Lindström-R.Sielaff, corr. 1995}) 25... Qb2+ 26.
Kd1 Ra8 27. Qxd7+ Kf8 28. Na4 $1 {and Black has no more than a draw by
perpetual check.}) (20... Qg6 $1 21. Qc7 Rc8 22. Bh5 $1 ({not} 22. Rxa6 $2 Qxg2
$1) 22... Rxc7 ({after} 22... Qxg2 $6 23. Bxf7+ Kxf7 24. Qxd7+ Kg8 25. Qe6+ Kh8
26. d7 Qxh1+ 27. Kd2 {White is okay}) 23. Bxg6 Rxc4 24. Bd3 Rc3 25. Rxa6 Rxa6
26. Bxa6 Rxb3 27. Ke2 Nc5 28. Bb5+ Kd8 {and now White has to fight for a draw.}
)))) ({Perhaps White might think about retreating his queen with} 18. Qa4 $5 {
(incidentally creating the threat of Nxa5), but in that case his queen
invasion has made no sense.}) 18... Qxc6 (18... Rhc8 {also leads to a draw
after} 19. Qxf6+ Kxf6 20. Rxa5 Nb6 21. d6 Bxc4 ({or} 21... Nxc4 22. Rxa6 $1
Rxa6 23. d7 Rd8 24. Bxc4 Rc6 25. Na5 Rc7 26. Ke2 Rdxd7 27. Bb3) 22. d7 Rd8 23.
Bxc4 Nxc4 24. Rxa8 Rxa8 25. Ke2 {and both passers are likely to be eliminated;
e.g.} Ke7 26. Rd1 Nd6 27. Nc5 b3 28. Nxb3 Kxd7 {.}) 19. dxc6 Nb6 20. Rxa5 ({Not
} 20. Nxa5 $2 Bxc4 {.}) 20... Bxc4 (20... Nxc4 $6 {only creates problems for
Black:} 21. Rc5 Nb2 22. Rxe5+ Kd6 23. Rg5 Bxf1 24. Rxf1 Ra2 25. Ke2 $1 {.}) 21.
Bxc4 Nxc4 22. Rc5 Ra3 $1 {The most accurate move.} 23. Rxc4 Rxb3 24. Ke2 Rc8
25. Rd1 Rc7 26. Rd5 Ke6 27. Rb5 Rc3 {. Further exchanges are inevitable,
leading to a dead drawn ending, M.Hackel-M.Stangl, German League 1999.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A2: 17 Be2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Be2 {This modest bishop development has always been
supposed to be harmless. However, a new approach, introduced by Yury Shulman
and Boris Gelfand in the 1990s, caused some headache for Black and forced him
to work seriously on defensive plans. --- An attack on the seemingly
well-fortified e5-square by f2-f4, followed by pressure down the f-file and
sometimes on the kingside, highlighted some drawbacks in Black's position. His
queen may get overloaded as it has to protect the c5- and e5-squares and, in
some cases, the d6- and d7-squares as well. Black's kingside, which isn't
protected by the king, may become vulnerable when the king's rook goes to the
c-file. The bishop on b7, which is restricted by White's pawn chain, is also a
kind of problem. Nevertheless, Black has good defensive resources.} -- ({A1:} 
17... Qd6) ({A2:} 17... Rhc8) (17... Qb6 $6 {is dubious as after} 18. Bg4 $1 {
White will gain control of the c5-square, securing the advance of his c4-pawn.
If Black responds with} Bc8 {White can already grab the pawn:} 19. Nxa5 $1 Nc5
20. Nc6+ Qxc6 21. Qxc6 Rxa1+ 22. Bd1 {with a simple win, S.Brynell-Ax.Smith,
Valby 2008.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A21: 17...Qd6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Be2 Qd6 {This queen move isn't the most precise
option for Black, as in some cases he can manage without it.} 18. f4 $1 {White
has to begin his plan without any delay!} ({Others don't promise much:} 18.
Nxa5 $2 {is bad:} Rxa5 $1 19. Qxa5 Ra8 20. Qxa8 Bxa8 21. Rxa8 b3 $1 22. O-O Qb4
23. Ra7 b2 24. Bd3 Qb6 $1 25. Ra2 Qb3 26. Bb1 Nc5 {and Black's knight is
heading to c3, whereas White is paralysed, A.Czerwonski-M.Krasenkow, Polish Ch.
, Plock 2000.}) (18. Bg4 $2 {fails to} Nb6 $1 19. c5 $5 (19. Qb5 Ba6) 19...
Qxd5 20. cxb6 Bc6 $1 21. Qa2 (21. Bf3 e4) 21... Qxg2 22. Rf1 Qxg4 {with a big
advantage, I.Rogers-M.Krasenkow, Hastings 1993/94.}) (18. O-O Nc5 19. Nxc5 Qxc5
{is acceptable for Black.}) (18. Qb5 {leads to a forced draw after} Ba6 19. Qc6
Qxc6 20. dxc6 Nb6 21. Rxa5 Bxc4 22. Bxc4 Nxc4 23. Rc5 Ra3 {etc.}) 18... Rhc8 ({
On} 18... exf4 {White continues with} 19. O-O $1 {, when} Nb6 {is strongly met
by} 20. Qa2 $1 {with the initiative,} ({but not} 20. Qb5 $2 Ba6 $1 21. c5 Qxd5
22. Qxb6 Bxe2 23. Rxf4 Rhb8 24. Qc7+ Kf8 {with advantage for Black.})) (18...
Qb6 {is still suspicious as Black loses too much time. After} 19. O-O Qxe3+ 20.
Rf2 {White has more than sufficient compensation for the pawn.}) 19. O-O Nc5 ({
Black faces various tactical problems here:} 19... Nb6 $2 20. Qb5 Ba6 21. fxe5
$1 {.}) (19... Kf8 $2 20. Nxa5 Nb6 21. Nxb7 $1 {.}) (19... e4 $2 20. Nxa5 $1
Qb6 {and here in Wang Lei-T.Stepovaia Dianchenko, Shanghai 2001, White could
have obtained an decisive advantage by} 21. Rfb1 $1 ({or} 21. Bg4 $5 Nc5 22.
d6+) 21... Qxe3+ 22. Kh1 Rxa5 23. Qxa5 Qxe2 24. Qxb4+ Nc5 25. Ra5 Qe3 26. d6+
Kxd6 27. Rxc5 Qxc5 28. Qxb7 {.}) (19... exf4 $6 {also favours White:} 20. Rxf4
$1 Kf8 21. Raf1 Ne5 22. Nd4 Kg8 {and here, in A.Belozerov-S.Beshukov, Russian
Team Ch. 1997, he could have thought about} 23. Nf5 $1 Qc5 24. Re4 $1 Qc7 ({or
} 24... f6 25. Rxe5 $1 fxe5 26. Qd7 Rc7 27. Qe6+ Kh8 28. d6 Qc6 29. Rf2 Re8 30.
Ne7 $1 Rcxe7 31. Qxe7 $1 {and wins}) 25. Rf2 $5 {and White's trumps are higher.
}) 20. Nxc5 (20. fxe5 Qxe5 21. Nxc5 Rxc5 22. Rf3 {can be met by} Ra6 $1 ({in J.Pichler-A.Naumann, German League 1997, after} 22... Bc8 $6 23. Raf1 f6 $6 24.
Qc2 $1 {Black's weaknesses began to tell}) 23. Raf1 Rf6 24. Rxf6 gxf6 {with
good play.}) 20... Rxc5 21. Rad1 {A good move. White gives support to his
d-pawn, preparing to advance it after f4xe5. At the same time he's ready to
include his queen in the attack via a1 or c2.} (21. Qc2 $6 {at once fails to}
Qxd5 $1 22. Bf3 e4 23. cxd5 Rxc2 24. Bxe4 Rc7 $1 {.}) (21. Rf3 $5 {(a
suggestion of Dorin Rogozenko) is more interesting:} exf4 $5 ({on} 21... e4 $6
{White continues} 22. Rh3 $1 {and if} h6 {then} 23. Rh5 $1) 22. Rxf4 Kf8 23.
Raf1 Rc7 (23... f6 24. Rh4 Kg8 25. Bd3 h6 26. Bb1 $5 {intending Qc2, as
pointed out by Rogozenko, looks dangerous for Black}) 24. Qc2 ({after} 24. Bh5
{Black can defend by} f6 25. Re4 Re7 26. Qc2 Rc8 $5) 24... Kg8 25. Bd3 h6 26.
Qf2 {and White's kingside initiative looks rather strong.}) 21... e4 {Black
closes the centre.} ({Other moves are unsatisfactory:} 21... Kf8 $2 {,
attempting to get the king to safety, fails after} 22. fxe5 Qxe5 23. Qd7 Qe7
24. Rxf7+ $1 Qxf7 25. Rf1 Qxf1+ 26. Bxf1 {and White's queen overwhelms the two
rooks, which is rather typical for this type of position.}) (21... Re8 $6 {
looks suspicious due to} 22. Qc2 $1 g6 23. f5 $5 ({this pawn push seems more
precise than} 23. Qe4 {, when Black can think about} f5 $5) 23... Kf8 24. Qe4 {
with the initiative, A.Rabinovich-V.Malakhov, European Junior Ch. 1997.}) (
21... Ra6 22. Qc2 g6 {was tried in S.Estremera Panos-M.Simonet Pons, Andorra
1997. Here White a promising options in} 23. Qb2 $5 ({or} 23. Qd2 $5) ({whereas
} 23. Qe4 {could have been more complicated had Black replied} f5 $1) 23... f6
24. Rf3 {and Black's position is compromised.}) 22. f5 $1 (22. Qa1 Kf8 23. Qe5
$2 {, which was successful for White in Y.Shulman-P.San Segundo Carrillo,
Pamplona 1996, is actually good for Black after} Qxe5 24. fxe5 {and then:} -- (
24... Kg8 $6 25. Rf4 b3 {was played in the aforementioned game, which was far
from clear.}) (24... b3 $5 {is another option; e.g.} 25. Rf4 a4 26. Rdf1 f6 27.
exf6 g6 $1 28. Rxe4 Rc7 29. Re6 a3 30. Rb6 {and here, in E.Stepanov-B.Dolinsky,
Russian Junior Ch. 2000, Black could have secured a decisive advantage by} Bxd5
$1 31. Rxb3 Rxc4 $1 32. Bxc4 Bxc4 33. Rbb1 Bxf1 34. Kxf1 a2 35. Ra1 Kf7 {.}) (
24... a4 $1 {is the most precise. The ending is sharp, but Black is playing on
better positional grounds, with passed pawns on the flank and the active king.}
25. -- ({. Practice proves his superiority:} 25. Rf4 a3 26. Rdf1 f6 27. exf6 g6
{was lost for White in E.De Haan-M.Kuijf, Dutch Team Ch. 1996}) ({, or} 25. Bh5
f6 $1 26. exf6 g6 $1 27. Bg4 a3 28. d6 b3 29. d7 Rd8 {and Black's strong
passers decided the game, K.Miton-M.Krasenkow, Warsaw 2003.}) ({. Since} 25.
Ra1 b3 26. Rfb1 Raa5 27. Kf2 Ba6 {is no good either}) ({, perhaps White has to
look for his chances in lines like} 25. e6 f6 26. g4 Ke7 27. g5 {, but Black
is still on top.} (27. --)))) 22... Kf8 23. f6 $1 {. This pawn push creates
weaknesses in the opposing kingside and maintains White's initiative. The
position remains complicated, so Black may find his chances, but I wouldn't
recommend playing this line as there are more reliable options.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A22: 17...Rhc8"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Be2 Rhc8 {The most natural and reliable approach.
Now White has a choice:} 18. -- ({A221:} 18. f4 $6) ({A222:} 18. Rd1) ({A223:} 
18. O-O) ({Other moves: The pawn on a5 is still untouchable:} 18. Nxa5 $2 Qb6
19. d6+ ({or} 19. Bg4 $2 Nc5 20. Qb5 Qxb5 21. cxb5 Rd8 22. O-O Bxd5 23. Rfb1 b3
{with a big advantage, P.Clement-W.Muir, corr. 1990}) 19... Ke8 $1 {(the only
move, but it's good enough)} 20. O-O Rc5 {and Black wins the knight, A.Islam-L.Johannessen, Dhaka 2002.}) (18. Qb5 $2 {is also bad:} Ba6 19. Qxa5 $2 Qd6 $1 {
followed by ...Bxc4, B.Molnar-H.Reefschläger, Seefeld 2003.}) (18. Bg4 $6 Qd6 (
18... Nb6 $6 19. Bxc8 Nxa4 20. Bxb7 {can hardly be better for Black; e.g.} Ra7
21. Rxa4 Qg6 $5 22. O-O Rxb7 23. Nxa5 Qc2 $1 24. Raa1 Rb6 {and here not} 25.
Rfc1 $2 ({but} 25. Rac1 $1 {and White's passers are becoming dangerous}) 25...
b3 $1) 19. -- {and now:} (19. Nxa5 $2 {fails to} Rc5 $1 20. Nxb7 Rxa4 21. Rxa4
Qg6 22. O-O Qxg4 23. Nxc5 Nxc5 24. Rxb4 Qe2 {, A.Naumann-M.Stangl, German
League 1996, when a kingside pawn attack will decide the game.}) (19. Bxd7 $2
Qxd7 20. Qxd7+ Kxd7 21. Rxa5 Rxa5 22. Nxa5 {fails to} Bxd5 $1 {.}) (19. O-O
Rxc4 $1 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Qxd7+ ({not} 21. Nxa5 $6 Qxd5 22. f3 Qc5 $1 23. Rfd1
Bd5) 21... Kxd7 {and Black gets good winning chances; e.g.} 22. Nxa5 (22. Rxa5
Rxa5 23. Nxa5 Rc3 $1 {is similar}) 22... Rc3 $1 23. e4 ({the bishop is
untouchable:} 23. Nxb7 $2 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 b3 {and Black is winning, according to
more old notes by Taimanov}) 23... Ba6 $1 24. Rfe1 Bb5 {with a decisive
advantage in P.San Segundo Carrillo-A.Galkin, European Ch., Ohrid 2001.}) (19.
Nd2 {may be necessary, but Black is fine after} Nc5 20. Qc2 {and here
something like} Re8 $5 21. Qxh7 a4 {.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A221: 18 f4?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Be2 Rhc8 18. f4 $6 {This thematic pawn thrust isn't
too dangerous just here.} Qb6 $1 {Taking the opportunity to attack the e3-pawn
in one step!} ({Instead,} 18... Nc5 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. O-O {would transpose to
line A223.}) 19. O-O Qxe3+ 20. Rf2 e4 $1 {Black keeps the central files closed.
} 21. Qb5 (21. Bg4 $2 Nb6 22. Qb5 Rxc4 $1 {is lost for White.}) ({But after} 
21. d6+ $5 {Black must be careful, as} {instead,} Ke8 $1 {is correct, when} (
21... Kd8 $2 {, sees his king fall under fire:} 22. Qb5 $1 Qxb3 23. Qg5+ $1 Nf6
24. Qe5 $1 Kd7 25. Bd1 $1 Qxc4 26. Qe7+ Kc6 27. Rc2 {.}) 22. Qb5 ({not} 22.
Nxa5 Qc5 $1) 22... Qb6 $1 {transposes to 22 d6?! in the main line below}) 21...
Qb6 (21... Ba6 $5 {is possible. White keeps drawing chances after} 22. d6+ Ke8
$1 23. Qg5 Kf8 $1 24. Qe7+ Kg8 25. Qxd7 Qxb3 26. Rxa5 Bxc4 27. Rxa8 Rxa8 28.
Qe7 Bxe2 29. Rxe2 {.}) 22. Rxa5 $1 {The most stubborn reply.} ({Instead,} 22.
Qxb6 $2 Nxb6 23. Nxa5 {failed to} Rc5) ({while the tempting} 22. d6+ $6 {turns
out to be futile after} Ke8 23. Rxa5 ({or} 23. Qg5 $6 Qxd6) 23... Rxa5 24. Qxa5
Qxd6 25. c5 {, as in C.Navrotescu-R.Scherbakov, Decin 1996, and here the most
accurate move is} Qe7 $1 26. Qxb4 Nxc5 {, securing the extra pawn.}) 22... Rxa5
23. Qxa5 Ra8 24. Qxb6 Nxb6 {. The connected passed pawn doesn't compensate for
Black's activity - White is fighting for a draw.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A222: 18 Rd1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Be2 Rhc8 18. Rd1 {White gives immediate support to
his passed d-pawn; but sometimes he obtains more chances without his rook on
d1 at all.} Qd6 $5 (18... Nc5 {is playable and leads to 20 Rad1 in line A223
after} 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. f4 ({or} 20. O-O) 20... Kf8 21. O-O) (18... Nb6 $6 {
leads to unnecessary problems:} 19. Qb5 Ba6 20. d6+ $1 Qxd6 21. Rxd6 Bxb5 22.
Rxb6 {, even though Black isn't without compensation after} Bxc4 {.}) 19. f4 $5
({Now} 19. O-O {allows Black to solve all his problems by the concrete} Nb6 $1
20. Qa1 (20. Qb5 $2 {fails to} Ba6 21. c5 Rxc5 $1) 20... Nxc4 21. Bxc4 Rxc4 22.
Nxa5 Rc3 23. Nxb7 Rxa1 24. Nxd6 Rxd1 25. Nf5+ Kf6 $1 ({not} 25... Kd7 $2 26.
Rxd1 b3 27. Ng3 $1 b2 28. Ne2 Ra3 29. Rb1 Ra1 30. Nc3 Ra3 31. Ne4 Ra1 32. Nd2 {
and White stops the pawn}) 26. Rxd1 Kxf5 {and the passers are going to be
exchanged soon. This variation, given by Boris Gelfand, later occurred in N.Nikcevic-P.Tregubov, Cetinje 1996, which was quickly drawn.}) 19... exf4 $5 ({
Instead:} 19... Qb6 $6 {is suspicious as it has taken two steps, so after} 20.
O-O Qxe3+ 21. Rf2 {White gets a whole extra move, Rad1, on line A221.}) (19...
Nc5 $6 {is risky but perhaps playable; e.g.} 20. Nxc5 Qxc5 $1 ({not} 20... Rxc5
$6 21. Qc2 $1 g6 22. O-O Kf8 23. Qe4 Re8 24. f5 {with the initiative - see 21..
.Re8?! in line A21}) 21. fxe5 Qxe3 22. Rf1 $1 Rxc4 (22... Qxe5 23. Qb5) 23. Rf3
Qg1+ 24. Rf1 Qe3 25. e6 $1 Qc3+ 26. Rd2 Qc1+ 27. Rd1 Qc3+ 28. Rd2 Qc1+ 29. Qd1
Qxd1+ 30. Kxd1 Bxd5 31. Rxd5 fxe6 32. Bxc4 exd5 33. Bxd5 Rd8 34. Rf7+ Kd6 35.
Ba2 a4 {and Black escapes, H.Amann-G.Roig Grau, corr. 2003.}) 20. O-O Kf8 (
20... fxe3 $5 {is fairly risky too, but again it might be playable:} 21. Nxa5
Ne5 {and now} 22. Rb1 $6 {, is well met by} ({while after} 22. Qa1 $1 {the
only reasonable defence against Nxb7xd6xc8 check is} Kd7 $1 {, and although
the black king looks even more vulnerable now, there's no simple way for White
to exploit it}) 22... Nxc4 $1 23. Bxc4 Rxa5 24. Qxa5 Rxc4 {and Black isn't
worse.}) 21. Nxa5 $1 {A principled continuation - Black must always be wary of
this capture!} ({Otherwise} 21. Rxf4 Kg8 {is okay; e.g.} 22. Rdf1 Rf8 23. Nxa5
({White came out worse after} 23. e4 $6 Nc5 24. Nxc5 Qxc5+ 25. Kh1 f6 26. Bd3
Rfe8 27. Rh4 Re5 {in S.Iskusnyh-R.Scherbakov, Ekaterinburg 1997}) 23... Qc7 24.
Ra1 Qe5 $5 (24... Rfb8 $5) 25. Rf3 Nc5 26. Qd1 Rfe8 27. Qd4 $1 ({slow play,
such as} 27. Bf1 $6 {, gives Black time to improve his bishop with} Bc8 $1)
27... b3 28. Qxe5 Rxe5 {and Black can't be worse in such ending.}) 21... Nf6 ({
On} 21... Qe7 22. Bg4 $1 {White gets an annoying initiative.}) 22. Nxb7 Qe7 23.
Qc2 ({Or} 23. Qb3 Ra3 {.}) 23... Qxb7 24. Rxf4 b3 {. Black has sufficient
compensation for the pawn.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A223: 18 0-0"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Be2 Rhc8 18. O-O {A natural continuation.} Nc5 (
18... Nb6 {doesn't solve Black's problems completely, though it might be
possible to hold the balance with precise play:} 19. Qb5 (19. Qa2 a4 20. Nd2 b3
{is rather unclear}) 19... Ba6 20. Qxa5 Bxc4 21. Qxb4+ Qd6 22. Qxd6+ Kxd6 23.
Rxa8 ({or} 23. Bxc4 Rxa1 24. Rxa1 Rxc4 25. Nd2 Rc2 26. Ne4+ Kxd5 27. Ng5 f6 28.
Rd1+ Kc6 29. Nxh7 Nd7 {and Black keeps drawing chances}) 23... Rxa8 24. Bxc4
Nxc4 25. e4 Ra3 26. Rb1 f5 {and Black's activity gives him excellent prospects
of half a point.}) 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. f4 $1 {White should try to open the
f-file as quickly as possible.} ({A preliminary} 20. Rad1 {is helpful for
Black, who should move his king to safety with} Kf8 ({the sophisticated} 20...
Ra6 $2 {allows White to seize the initiative by} 21. Qc2 a4 22. f4 $1 b3 23.
Qe4 $1 {, when B.Gelfand-J.Piket, Amsterdam 1996, continued} Kd6 24. Qxh7 e4
25. Qxe4 a3 26. Qd3 b2 27. Qb3 $1 Bc8 28. Qb8+ Kd7 29. Bg4+ Kd8 30. d6 a2 31.
d7 {and it has become the worst Noteboom nightmare - Black's passers witness
disaster just one step from glory}) 21. f4 ({here} 21. Qc2 {can be simply met
by} Kg8 {, protecting the kingside without creating any weaknesses}) 21... -- {
.Black has a good choice:} (21... e4 {transposes to the main line below.}) (
21... Rd8 {is both solid and playable; e.g.} 22. fxe5 ({or} 22. Qa1 Re8 23. Qb1
Kg8 24. Bd3 h6 {, when Black has solved all his problems and obtained some
edge, B.Gelfand-A.Vaisser, Cap d'Agde (rapid) 1996}) 22... Qxe5 23. Rf3 Bc8 $1
{(a typical manoeuvre, relocating the passive bishop to d7, where it can
support queenside passers)} 24. Rdf1 f6 {with a clear advantage for Black, J.Richardson-T.Van der Vorm, Lichfield 2000.}) (21... Re8 $5 {is interesting and
more active:} 22. Qc2 (22. Qd7 $6 {is well met by} Bc8 $1 23. Qa7 Qe7 {with a
clear advantage for Black, P.Mascaro March-M.Perez Candelario, Spanish Team Ch.
2008}) 22... Kg8 23. Bd3 h6 {, when Black is playing on better positional
grounds, so his chances are preferable.})) 20... e4 $1 {Black has to keep the
central files closed.} ({Black has no time to retreat the king with} 20... Kf8
$2 {due to the typical} 21. fxe5 Qxe5 22. Qd7 $1 Qe7 23. Rxf7+ $1 Qxf7 24. Rf1
Qxf1+ 25. Kxf1 {and White's queen is too powerful.}) (20... exf4 $6 {is also
dubious: after} 21. Rxf4 Qe5 22. Raf1 {White gets a strong initiative. R.Gross-H.Palsson, North Bay 1996, continued} Qxe3+ 23. Kh1 Rf8 (23... f6 {was
more tenacious, but Black still faces serious problems:} 24. Bg4 Kf8 25. Qc2
Kg8 26. Be6+ Kh8 27. R4f3 Qg5 28. Rg3 Qh4 29. Rh3 {and so on}) 24. Bg4 {with a
decisive attack.}) 21. -- {After the text White has a choice of continuations:}
({A2231:} 21. Rad1) ({A2232:} 21. Qd1 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A2231: 21 Rad1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Be2 Rhc8 18. O-O Nc5 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. f4 $1 e4 $1
21. Rad1 {This obvious move doesn't bother Black too much.} Kf8 {It's time to
move the king to safety!} ({Instead,} 21... Qd6 $6 {is unnecessary and returns
to the 17...Qd6 variation, which gives White good attacking chances after} 22.
f5 $1 Kf8 23. f6 $1 {(see line A21)}) ({whereas} 21... Qc3 {is a bit pointless:
after} 22. Kf2 {, the queen has to go back to f6, as} ({rather than} 22. d6+
Kd8 $1) 22... Ra6 $6 23. Rd4 f5 24. Rb1 {may give him problems with his queen,
A.Mandel-M.Stangl, German League 1999.}) 22. Rd4 Re8 {Black can be satisfied
with his position here.} 23. Bg4 $5 ({Other moves:} 23. f5 $6 {is harmless and
answered by the typical} Bc8 $1 {- the bishop on b7 is restricted by White's
pawn chain so Black moves it to an active position on d7, from where it can
support queenside passers. After} 24. Bg4 ({now} 24. Rf4 {allows the pawn grab}
Bxf5 {as} 25. g4 $6 {is parried by} Qg5 $1) 24... h5 $1 25. Bh3 Ba6 $1 {Black
takes the initiative, D.Madsen-L.Johannessen, Norwegian Ch., Alta 1996.}) (23.
Ra1 $6 {also gives Black time for the improving} Bc8 $1 24. d6 Rd8 25. Rad1 Bd7
{and the queenside pawns eventually decided the game, E.Platonov-J.Geller,
Russian Team Ch. 2003.}) (23. Qc2 {can be met by either} Qg6 ({or the more
concrete} 23... Qb6 $5 24. Rxe4 Bxd5 $1 25. Rxe8+ Kxe8 26. Rd1 b3 27. Qxh7 Bxc4
28. Bxc4 Rxc4 {with various draws by repetition, such as} 29. Qh8+ Ke7 30. Qh4+
f6 31. Qh8 {and so on}) 24. f5 Qf6 25. g4 ({or} 25. Rf4 Bc8) 25... h5 $5 26.
Rf4 hxg4 27. Bxg4 Bc8 {with good play.}) 23... Ba6 $5 {Black brings his bishop
into action from the other side!} ({The text seems more to the point than} 
23... Qb6 {, which nevertheless is also possible as} 24. Bd7 $6 (24. f5 $5) ({
or} 24. Rfd1 $5) 24... Rd8 25. Rxe4 $2 Ba6 {is only a problem for White, St.
Martin-W.Schröder, Oberwinden 2007.}) 24. Rc1 Qd6 {. White can only sit and
wait - and frankly speaking, Black doesn't have much to do either, though he
still has a few fruitful ideas, such as ...g7-g6 followed by ...f7-f5, and ...Bc8-d7.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "A2232: 21 Qd1!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 e5 16. Nb3 Ke7 17. Be2 Rhc8 18. O-O Nc5 19. Nxc5 Rxc5 20. f4 $1 e4 $1
21. Qd1 $5 {This rather unexpected retreat is very interesting and may pose
problems for Black. The queen is heading on d4 to put pressure on the key dark
squares, while its exchange would increase the power of White's passers!
Nevertheless, Black still has sufficient defensive resources.} Kd6 $1 {The
king must offer a helping hand!} ({Of course, Black would be happier to move
his king to safety, but unfortunately} 21... Kf8 $6 {is insufficient due to}
22. Qd4 $1 ({not} 22. Qb1 $6 Re8 23. Rxa5 Qc3 $1 24. Rxc5 Qxe3+ 25. Kh1 Qxc5
26. Qb2 Rb8 27. Rb1 Ba8 28. Qe5 Re8 {and Black holds on}) 22... Qxd4 23. exd4
Rc7 24. Ra4 {and Black faces serious problems in this ending, N.Andriuschenko-M.Genchev, corr. 2008.}) (21... Qc3 $6 {is also dubious, as after
} 22. Qd4 $1 Qxd4 23. exd4 {Black is a tempo down on the endgame in line 'a'
of the next note.}) ({However,} 21... Bc8 $5 {is possible, intending to play ...Kd6 on the next move.}) 22. Qd2 {Apart from this modest-looking, but
poisonous queen advance, White has various other possibilities.} (22. Qd4 {can
be answered by} Bc8 $5 {since the e4-pawn can't be taken for free (see note
'b31' below).} ({But the ending after} 22... Qxd4 {is already not so bad!
Black's active king helps him to stop White's passed pawns:} 23. exd4 Rc7 24.
Rfb1 (24. Ra4 {would be simply met by} Bc8 25. Rfa1 Rca7 {followed by ...Bd7})
24... Bc8 (24... e3 $5 {is worth considering}) 25. Kf2 $1 {(for White, this is
stronger)} ({when} 25. Rxb4 $2 axb4 26. Rxa8 b3 27. Ra1 b2 28. Rb1 Rb7 {is
problematic for White, A.Naumann-A.Galkin, World Junior Ch., Yerevan 1999 -
except that Black wasn't quite sure of the assessment of this ending and
agreed a draw here}) 25... Raa7 {. After} 26. Ke3 f5 {neither side can really
make progress, so a draw seems to be the most likely result in this complex
ending. White might still try to prepare some rearrangement of the bishop to
b3 hoping to play c4-c5, but Black should have enough resources to parry such
ideas.})) (22. Qb1 {is tricky and poses concrete problems for Black, as
illustrated in the following lines:} -- (22... Re8 $2 23. Rxa5 $1 Qc3 24. Ra4
$1 Qxe3+ 25. Rf2 {.}) (22... Qe7 $6 23. f5 $1 Qe5 24. Rf4 Re8 ({more tenacious
than} 24... Bc8 {which is strongly met by} 25. g4 $1 Qc3 26. Rxe4 {and the
black king is in trouble; e.g.} a4 $6 ({or} 26... Ra7 27. Qf1 Re7 28. Qf4+ Kd7
29. Rxe7+ Kxe7 30. Rd1 {and so on}) 27. Qf1 $1) 25. Rxa5 $1 {(carrying on with
the tactics)} Qc3 26. Ra4 Bxd5 $1 27. Qxb4 ({not} 27. cxd5 $4 Qxe3+ 28. Rf2
Rc1+) 27... Qxb4 28. Rxb4 Bc6 {and Black is a pawn down in the ending.}) ({.
However, Black can parry the threats by the thematic manoeuvre} 22... Bc8 $1 {
, after which White can't do much:} 23. -- (23. Qxe4 $6 {would bring White
nothing but trouble after} Bf5 24. Qd4 $2 ({if} 24. Qf3 {then} Re8 {with the
initiative}) 24... Qxd4 25. exd4 Rcc8 {and Black's passers are too strong.}) (
23. Ra2 Rb8 (23... Bd7 $5) 24. Rd1 ({similarly} 24. g4 Bd7 25. Qxe4 b3) ({while
} 24. Rb2 {might be met by} h5 $5) 24... Bf5 25. g4 Bd7 26. Qxe4 b3 27. Ra3 a4
{with compensation.}) (23. Rd1 Bf5 24. Qb3 {and then} h5 $5 {,} ({or even} 
24... Ke7 {, as when White's queen is far from the d4-square Black can think
about moving his king back to safety})) (23. Kh1 Bf5 ({again preventing g2-g4
by} 23... h5 $5 {is certainly good}) 24. g4 Bd7 25. Qxe4 Re8 26. Qb1 Qc3 27. e4
f6 {with very complicated play, where Black keeps excellent counter-chances.}))
) (22. Qc2 $5 {can be met by the same} Bc8 $1 {and then:} 23. -- (23. Rfd1 Bd7
24. Qxe4 $6 ({taking the e4-pawn doesn't promise much; but if} 24. Rd4 {then}
a4 {and so on}) 24... Bf5 25. Qf3 Re8 26. e4 Rxe4 27. g4 Qg6 28. h3 h5 29. Kf2
(29. g5 f6) 29... hxg4 30. hxg4 Bxg4 31. Qxg4 Qxg4 32. Bxg4 Rxf4+ 33. Bf3 Rfxc4
{and White is fighting for a draw.}) (23. Rfb1 Rb8 ({the most reliable move;
otherwise can try to force matters by} 23... Bd7 $5 24. Qxe4 Bf5 25. Qe5+ Qxe5
26. fxe5+ Kxe5 27. Rxb4 axb4 28. Rxa8 b3 29. Rb8 Bc2 30. Rb6 Ra5 {with a
probable draw}) 24. Ra2 Bd7 {reaches a position that is quite acceptable for
Black.})) 22... Bc8 $1 23. Rfb1 Bd7 24. Ra2 {. Black is doing well.} -- ({Here
} 24... Rb8 {is solid enough}) ({he could even consider} 24... Qc3 $5 25. Qxc3
bxc3 26. Rb6+ Kc7 27. Rb3 a4 28. Rxc3 Rb8 29. Kf2 Kd6 {followed by ...Ra5, ...Kc5, and White can hardly make progress.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "B: 15...Ke7!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 Ke7 $5 {This brave step forward has been considered dubious for years,
but it might in fact be one of the simplest ways to solve the problems.} 16.
d6+ {Otherwise Black is fine.} (16. Qb5 $6 {would be met by a simple} Rhb8 {.})
(16. Be2 $6 {allows Black to grab the d5-pawn by} exd5 {and then:} 17. -- (17.
Qb5 Qb6 $1 18. Nf5+ Kd8 {is good for Black.}) (17. O-O Rhc8 $5 (17... dxc4 $5)
18. Bg4 Rc7 19. cxd5 Nb6 $1 20. d6+ $1 (20. Qb5 Nxd5) 20... Kf8 $1 21. Qd1 ({or
} 21. Qb5 Qxd6 22. Rxa5 Rxa5 23. Qxa5 Qc5 $5) 21... Rc5 $1 ({not} 21... Qxd6 $4
22. Ne6+ $1) 22. d7 Rd8 {gives Black the advantage too.}) (17. cxd5 Rhd8 $6 ({
but after the correct response} 17... Bxd5 $1 18. O-O Rhc8 {White has to fight
for equality, since} 19. Qb5 $2 {just runs into} Rc5) 18. O-O {is okay for
White, T.Hillarp Persson-J.Ragnarsson, Reykjavik 1998.})) (16. Rd1 {can be
also met by} exd5 {, when both} 17. cxd5 ({and} 17. Qb5 Qb6 18. Nf5+ Kd8 19.
cxd5 Qxb5 20. Bxb5 Nc5) 17... Bxd5 (17... Nc5 18. Qc2 Rhc8 19. d6+ Kf8 20. Qxh7
g6) ({and} 17... Rhd8 $5 {are also good}) 18. Qb5 Be4 {, followed by ...Rhb8,
promise better chances for Black thanks to his strong queenside passers.})
16... Kxd6 $1 ({Of course not} 16... Kd8 $4 17. Qb5 {followed by c4-c5.}) 17.
Rd1 (17. Qb5 $6 {is dubious as it is too slow; e.g.} Kc7 18. Rxa5 e5 $5 19. Nc2
Rhb8 20. Nxb4 Be4 21. Qa4 Qd6 22. Nd5+ Bxd5 23. cxd5 Rb1+ 24. Kd2 Rab8 {with
an annoying initiative.}) 17... Nc5 $1 {This brave knight lunge is very
interesting and seems to solve Black's problems. In fact, it might already be
White who has to fight for equality!} ({Let's take a look at the other options:
} 17... Ke7 $2 {runs into} 18. Nf5+ $1 exf5 ({or} 18... Kf8 $2 19. Rxd7 Qc3+
20. Kd1 exf5 21. Rxb7 g6 22. Rd7 {followed by Bd3 with an extra piece, V.Gavrikov-V.Karasev, Severodonetsk 1982}) 19. Rxd7+ ({not} 19. Qxd7+ $2 Kf8 20.
Qxb7 Qc3+ 21. Ke2 Qxc4+ {with perpetual check}) 19... Ke6 20. f3 $1 f4 ({or} 
20... Rhd8 21. Rxb7 {, A.Naumann-V.Marques, World Junior Ch., Menorca 1996})
21. exf4 Rhe8 {, Y.Shulman-J.Petrov, European Junior Ch. 1993, and here White
could have secured a decisive advantage by} 22. Rxb7 Qxf4 23. Be2 Kf6 24. Rb6+
$1 Ke7 25. Qc6 $1 {, intending to swap the queens off.}) (17... Rhd8 $2 {is
also insufficient:} 18. c5+ $1 Nxc5 19. Qb5 Rdc8 $1 20. Nf5+ Ke5 21. Nd6 Bd5 $1
({not} 21... Qe7 $2 22. Qc4 $1) 22. Qb6 $1 {might be the most precise; e.g.} g5
({there's no good defence against f2-f4+:} 22... Rc6 23. Qxc6 $1) ({or} 22...
Qe7 23. f4+ Kf6 24. Rxd5 $1) 23. Nxc8 Rxc8 24. Qxa5 {and so on with a big
advantage.}) (17... Kc7 $5 {, retreating another way, may be playable:} 18. --
(18. Nb5+ Kd8 (18... Kc8 {is also possible}) 19. Nd6 {and then:} -- (19... Ra7
{isn't objectively bad but it's very complicated; e.g.} 20. Rd4 (20. Qb5 Qc3+
21. Rd2 Qa1+ 22. Ke2 Ba6 23. Qg5+ Kc7 24. Nb5+ Bxb5 25. Qxb5 Kc8 $1 {is unclear
}) 20... Ba8 21. c5 Ke7 22. c6 Rd8 $1 23. cxd7 ({after} 23. Be2 e5 $1 24. cxd7
exd4 25. Nc8+ Kf8 26. Nxa7 dxe3 27. O-O Qg5 {Black is at least not worse})
23... Raxd7 {. Not} 24. Nb5 $2 ({but} 24. Nc8+ $1 Kf8 25. Rxd7 Qc3+ {and
Black's initiative is sufficient to hold the balance}) 24... Rxd4 25. exd4 ({or
} 25. Nxd4 e5 26. Nb3 Qd6) 25... Qf4 26. Qc2 Bb7 $1 {intending ...Rc8 and
White is in trouble.}) (19... Kc7 $1 {is a more reliable defence:} 20. Nxb7 (
20. Nb5+ {is just a repetition}) 20... Qc3+ 21. Rd2 ({or} 21. Ke2 Qxc4+ 22. Ke1
Qc3+) 21... Nb6 22. Qd1 $1 {(otherwise White is simply worse)} Kxb7 23. Qf3+
Kb8 ({or} 23... Ka7 24. Qxf7+ Kb8 25. Qxe6 Qc1+ 26. Rd1 Qc3+) 24. Qc6 Qc1+ 25.
Rd1 Qc3+ {with a draw by repetition.})) (18. c5 $5 Bd5 {and now we have the
following:} 19. -- (19. Rc1 e5 {is fine for Black.}) (19. c6 Nc5 20. Qb5 Qe7
21. Rc1 {wins the knight but Black's strong passed pawns give him sufficient
compensation:} Rhb8 ({or} 21... b3 22. Qxc5 Qxc5 23. Rxc5 a4 24. Kd2 a3 {with
similar play}) 22. Qxc5 Qxc5 23. Rxc5 a4 24. Kd2 a3 25. Bc4 Bxc4 26. Rxc4 b3
27. Kc3 b2 28. Nb3 Rb6 29. Kc2 Rab8 30. Rc3 {with a probable draw.}) (19. Be2
$5 Bxg2 20. Nb5+ $5 ({or} 20. Rg1 Bd5) 20... Kd8 21. Rg1 {and White's
initiative looks threatening, but perhaps Black can still defend after} Bc6 22.
Rd6 Ra6 {. However, there's no need to go into this line - 17...Nc5! is
stronger.}))) 18. Nb3+ $5 {This discovered check doesn't give White more than
a draw but it already seems to be a reasonable choice!} ({The tempting} 18. Qb5
{only brings White problems after} Rhc8 $1 {and then:} 19. -- (19. Nb3+ Ke7 20.
Nxc5 Qc3+ 21. Ke2 ({or} 21. Rd2 Bc6 22. Qb6 Rd8 23. Nd3 Be4 24. Qc5+ Ke8 25.
Qe5 Rxd3 $1 26. Qb5+ Kf8 27. Bxd3 Bxd3) 21... Bc6 22. Qb6 Qxc4+ 23. Ke1 ({or} 
23. Nd3 b3 24. Rc1 Ra6 $1) 23... Qc3+ 24. Ke2 a4 {and White's defence isn't
easy.}) (19. Nf5+ Ke5 {(a rare occurrence in the middlegame - the commander is
in front of his army!)} 20. Nd6 Qe7 21. Nxc8 (21. Be2 Qc7 22. Nxc8 Rxc8 23. Ra1
Ra8) 21... Bxc8 $1 {(there's no need to give up the a5-pawn)} 22. Qb6 {. Now}
Bb7 $1 {, secures Black's advantage. White can't comfortably resume his
kingside development and his queen is stuck on the queenside. Meanwhile Black
is going to move his king from the centre and begin to push his connected
passed pawns.} (22... Ra7 $6 23. Qc6 $6 Qc7 $6 24. Qf3 {was fine for White in
A.Gupta-A.Jayaram, Subic Bay 2009}) 23. Be2 ({or} 23. f3 Kf6 24. Bd3 b3 25. O-O
g6 {and so on}) 23... Ra6 24. f4+ Kf6 25. Qb5 Qc7 26. Bf3 ({the tricky} 26. Rd7
{doesn't bother Black:} Qxd7 27. Qxc5 h6) 26... Bxf3 27. gxf3 Ra8 28. Ke2 b3
29. Rhg1 h6 {and Black eventually converted his advantage, V.Demian-A.Voll,
corr. 2007.})) 18... Ke7 19. Nxc5 Qc3+ 20. Rd2 Rhd8 21. Qc2 ({On} 21. Qd1 $6 {
Black can simply improve his position with} Bc6 {.}) 21... Rxd2 {This capture
forces a draw.} ({Otherwise Black might try and play on with} 21... Qxc2 $5 22.
Rxc2 Bc6 ({not} 22... a4 $4 23. Nxb7 $1 Rdb8 24. Nc5 $1 b3 25. Nxb3 $1 Rxb3 ({
or} 25... axb3 $2 26. Rc1 b2 27. Rb1 Ra1 28. Bd3) 26. Kd2 Rb1 27. Rc1 Rb2+ 28.
Kc3 Rb3+ 29. Kc2 Rab8 30. c5 Rb2+ 31. Kc3 R8b3+ 32. Kd4 Rxf2 33. g4 {with good
winning chances}) 23. -- {, but White should have sufficient resources:} (23.
Rb2 $6 {, attempting to stop Black's pawns, doesn't have the desired effect:}
a4 $1 24. Rxb4 a3 25. Rb1 a2 26. Ra1 Rdb8 27. Bd3 Rb2 {and White may have
problems.}) (23. Rd2 Rdb8 24. Bd3 a4 25. Ra2 f5 $1 26. Kd2 b3 27. Ra3 Kd6 28.
Nxa4 Bxa4 29. Kc3 Kc5 30. Rha1 Rb4 31. Kb2 g5 {looks drawish, though Black may
still try something.}) (23. Bd3 {seems the most reliable; e.g.} a4 24. Ke2 f5
$1 {(trapping the knight)} 25. Ra2 b3 26. Raa1 Rdb8 27. Rhb1 b2 28. Ra2 a3 29.
Kd2 Kd6 ({or} 29... Bxg2 30. Kc3) 30. Na6 $1 Rxa6 31. c5+ Kxc5 32. Bxa6 Rd8+ (
32... Be4 33. Bd3 Bxd3 34. Kxd3 Rb3+ 35. Kc2 Kc4 {is also drawish}) 33. Kc3 Be4
34. Rxa3 Bxb1 35. Kxb2 Be4 36. f3 {and White holds on.})) 22. Qxd2 Qa1+ 23. Qd1
({Not} 23. Ke2 $2 Rd8 24. Qc2 a4 $1 25. Nxa4 Ra8 {and Black wins.}) 23... Qc3+
24. Qd2 Qa1+ {. Black gives perpetual check.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 axb5: Introduction"]
[Black "C: 15...Qe7!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. d5 Nf6 12. bxc4 b4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Qa4+ Nd7
15. Nd4 Qe7 $5 {This modest queen retreat, which I analysed many years ago, is
quite interesting - Black simply prepares castling. White has to act quickly,
but his resources are insufficient to pose any real problems. Moreover, his
lack in development may eventually begin to tell!} 16. Qb5 {A principled
continuation.} ({After} 16. dxe6 $6 fxe6 17. Qb5 {Black grabs the initiative by
} Rb8 $1 {.}) ({Alternatively,} 16. c5 $5 Bxd5 17. Bb5 Ra7 18. Bxd7+ Rxd7 $1
19. Qxa5 O-O {is okay for Black, but it may be the most reliable way for White
to avoid difficulties:} 20. c6 Rc7 21. O-O {and the passed pawns are likely to
be exchanged.}) 16... Rb8 $1 {The only move, but it's sufficient;} ({whereas
other options are unsuccessful:} 16... Ba6 $2 17. Rxa5 $1 {and wins}) ({or} 
16... Ra7 $6 17. Rxa5 (17. c5 $5 {deserves attention, though after} Bxd5 18. c6
O-O 19. cxd7 Rxd7 {it isn't easy for White to complete his development without
concessions}) 17... Rxa5 18. Qxa5 O-O 19. Be2 $5 (19. Qc7 {should also be good,
but then} b3 20. d6 Qg5 21. Nxb3 Bxg2 {keeps counter-chances}) 19... exd5 20.
Qc7 {and Black has to fight for a draw.}) 17. Rxa5 (17. Qxa5 {only creates
problems for White:} exd5 ({or} 17... O-O 18. Rb1 exd5 19. Qxb4 Qe4 {with the
initiative}) 18. cxd5 O-O 19. Nc6 Bxc6 20. dxc6 {, J.Planas Gene-S.Pons Sastre,
Palma de Mallorca 2009, and here} Ne5 {would secure the better chances.}) 17...
Bxd5 $1 ({Not} 17... O-O $2 18. Ra7 Nc5 19. Be2 {when White has time to
develop his kingside.}) 18. Qa4 Be4 $1 (18... Bb7 $6 {is inferior due to} 19.
c5 $1 O-O 20. c6 {, although} Nb6 (20... e5 $2 {fails to} 21. Nf5 Qe6 22. Bd3
Bxc6 23. Qxc6 $1 Qxc6 24. Ne7+ Kh8 25. Nxc6 Rbc8 26. Bb5 Nb8 27. Nxb8 Rc1+ 28.
Ke2 Rxh1 29. Nd7 Rc8 30. Nxe5 {with a big advantage due to the unfortunate
position of Black's king}) 21. Qb5 Ba8 {followed by ...Nd5 should enable Black
to hold the balance.}) 19. f3 O-O $5 ({Here I had only considered} 19... e5 $5
{, after which White also has to fight for equality - a possible line is} 20.
fxe4 exd4 21. exd4 O-O 22. Bd3 Qh4+ 23. g3 Qf6 24. Ke2 Qxd4 25. Rd5 {and he
escapes to a drawish ending. However, castling poses more problems.}) 20. fxe4
Qh4+ 21. Kd1 ({If} 21. Ke2 b3 22. Rb5 {then} Rxb5 ({or} 22... Nc5 $5 23. Rxc5
b2 24. Nf3 Qg4 25. Rb5 b1=Q 26. Rxb1 Rxb1) 23. cxb5 Nc5 24. Qa3 Nxe4 25. g3 Qf6
{with a strong initiative.}) 21... Nf6 22. Bd3 Ng4 23. Nc6 $1 (23. Re1 Qf2 {is
bad for White}) ({while} 23. g3 $2 Qh6 24. Nc6 ({or} 24. Re1 Rfd8) 24... Qxe3
$1 25. Kc2 b3+ 26. Kc3 Nf2 {he could already resign, Gi.Goldsztejn-P.Tregubov,
French Team Ch. 2011.}) 23... Nf2+ (23... Rbc8 $5 {is worth considering, when
White's defence may also be uncomfortable.}) 24. Kd2 Rbd8 $1 ({After} 24...
Rfd8 25. Nxb8 Nxd3 26. Nd7 Qxe4 27. Ra1 Nb2 28. Qxb4 {White defends.}) 25. Nxd8
Qxd8 $1 26. Ke2 Nxh1 {The black knight is trapped in the corner, but White's
difficulties don't allow him pick it up for free. Furthermore, if Black's
queen is able to come to the rescue, the knight can take part in the attack
itself!} 27. Bc2 $5 {White has to be careful.} ({A hasty} 27. Qxb4 $6 Qh4 28.
Qe1 Qxh2 29. Kf3 Rd8 30. Bf1 h6 {, with the idea of ...g7-g5-g4+ followed by ...Rd1, only increases his problems.}) 27... h6 (27... Qh4 28. Ra8 {is most
likely a draw.}) 28. Qa1 b3 ({White holds on after either} 28... Qc7 29. Qe5
Qxc4+ 30. Bd3 Qb3 31. Qd4 $1 e5 $1 32. Qc4 Qxc4 33. Bxc4 Rc8 34. Bb3 Rc3 35.
Bd1) ({or} 28... Nf2 29. Rb5 Ng4 30. h3 Nf6 31. Qe5 $5 {.}) 29. Bxb3 Qb8 30.
Qxh1 Qxb3 31. Qc1 *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "7: Approaching the Main Line"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 ({Keeping control over the
opposing pawn chain by} 12. Bd2 {limits White's active possibilities:} Nf6 13.
Bd3 O-O 14. O-O Nbd7 15. Qc2 Qc7 16. Rfc1 ({after} 16. e4 $6 {Black's thematic
counter-thrust} e5 $1 {gains in power from the white bishop's placement:} 17.
d5 Nc5 18. Be3 Nfd7 {with the advantage, K.Plater-P.Trifunovic, Hilversum 1947}
) 16... e5 $5 17. Bf5 Rfb8 18. c5 Bc6 {and only Black can be better, T.Schroter-V.Burmakin, Eger 1993.}) 12... Nf6 {White has restored the material
balance, but in doing so has allowed Black to obtain connected passed pawns on
the queenside. Now, apart from the natural 13 Bd3 (the subject of the next
three chapters) White has tried a couple of other moves which aren't without
interest:} 13. -- ({A:} 13. Ne5) ({B:} 13. c5 $5) ({After the passive} 13. Be2
$6 Nbd7 {Black is fine:} 14. -- (14. Nd2 O-O 15. Bf3 $6 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Qc7 17.
f4 $2 {(White is treating the position too creatively)} a4 $1 18. d5 ({not} 18.
Rxa4 $4 Qc6) 18... exd5 19. Rg1 dxc4 {(perhaps the only case when Black
somehow managed to get three connected passers, though temporarily)} 20. Nxc4
a3 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Qd4 Ra6 {and Black soon converted his advantage, I.Janakiev-R.Scherbakov, Mlada Boleslav 1994.}) (14. O-O O-O 15. Nd2 Qc7 16. Bf3
({or} 16. Qc2 a4 $1 17. Rfb1 Rfb8 18. h3 Bc6 {with a big advantage, V.Belikov-A.Kharlov, Russian Ch., Kuibyshev 1990}) 16... Bxf3 17. Qxf3 a4 18.
Rab1 Rfb8 {and Black has the better chances, M.Vokac-E.Lobron, German League
1993.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Approaching the Main Line"]
[Black "A: 13 Ne5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Ne5 {This early
knight lunge isn't well supported by the other pieces.} Nbd7 (13... O-O {is
also possible:} 14. Bd3 ({on} 14. f3 {, apart from} Nbd7 ({Black might consider
} 14... Nfd7 $5) ({or} 14... Nh5 $5)) 14... Nbd7 (14... Bxg2 $2 {may be fatal
for Black's king:} 15. Rg1 Bb7 16. d5 $1 exd5 17. Ng4 $1 Nbd7 18. Nxf6+ Nxf6
19. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 20. Qg4+ Kh8 21. Qh4 {with deadly threats}) ({but} 14... Nfd7
$5 {is interesting; e.g.} 15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. O-O Qg5 {with good play, A.Lahiri-H.Tikkanen, Olomouc 2008}) 15. f4 Ne4 ({more reliable than} 15... Bxg2
$5 16. Rg1 Be4 {which still looks risky, though perhaps Black can defend; e.g.}
17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. d5 Bg6 $5 {and so on}) 16. O-O f5 {with acceptable play, Ge.Mendez-J.Alvarez Marquez, San Cristobal 2008.}) 14. Nd3 $5 (14. c5 $5 {seems
dubious, but in fact Black must be careful:} Nxe5 15. dxe5 Ne4 16. Bb5+ Ke7 17.
c6 $1 (17. Bd4 Qd5 18. f3 Nc3 {is fine for Black, R.Käppel-G.Lorenz, German
League 1997}) 17... Ba6 (17... Qxd1+ $6 18. Rxd1 Ba6 {is worse after} 19. Rd7+
Ke8 20. Be2 $1) 18. Qxd8+ Rhxd8 19. c7 $5 (19. Rxa5 Bxb5 20. Rxb5 {is harmless:
} Rdc8 $5 ({or} 20... Rd2 21. Rxb4 Rxb2 22. Rxb2 Ra1+ 23. Ke2 Rxh1 24. Rb7+ Kd8
25. Rxf7 Rxh2 26. Rxg7 h5 {with a probable draw}) 21. Rxb4 Rxc6 22. Rxe4 Rc2
23. Rb4 Ra2) 19... Rdc8 20. Bc6 Nc5 21. Bd4 ({not} 21. Bxa8 $6 Nd3+ 22. Kd2
Nxb2) 21... Nb3 22. Bb6 {and here Black has an excellent resource in} Ra7 $3
23. Rxa5 ({or} 23. Ba4 Rb7 $1 24. Rd1 $1 Rxb6 25. Rd7+ Kf8 26. Rd8+ Ke7 27.
Rd7+ {with perpetual check}) 23... Raxc7 $1 ({not} 23... Nxa5 $4 24. Bc5# {
mate!}) 24. Bxc7 Nxa5 25. Bxa5 b3 $1 {, when White has nothing better than} 26.
Bb4+ Kd8 27. Ba5+ Ke7 {with a draw by repetition.}) 14... O-O 15. f3 {The
knight transfer to d3 has its points. It increases White's control over
important central squares, while keeping an eye on the b4-pawn, thus helping
to contain Black's passers and make the thematic ...e6-e5 push less effective.
However, the delay in development should enable Black to organize sufficient
counterplay.} Ba6 $5 ({If instead} 15... Qc7 {, White can ignore the threat
and play} 16. e4 {, since} Qxc4 $4 17. Nc5 {just loses.}) (15... Nb6 16. Qb3
Qc7 17. Rc1 Bc6 18. e4 {fails to cause White any problems either, S.Mirkovic-D.Colovic, Senta 2007}) ({but} 15... Qe7 $5 {followed by 16...Rfc8 looks
playable, H.Gohil-K.Wornath, Griesheim 2003.}) 16. Rc1 ({After} 16. c5 {Black
has several options, one being} Nd5 17. Qd2 f5 {.}) 16... Rc8 17. Qb3 {. Here}
Rc6 $5 {is interesting, intending to increase the pressure on c4 by ...Qc7 and
...Rfc8. Black has good counter-chances.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Approaching the Main Line"]
[Black "B: 13 c5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. c5 $5 {This looks a
bit strange. The most natural plan seems to be connected with Bd3 and e3-e4,
trying to use the power of the pawn centre and both bishops pointed at the
kingside. However, as we'll see later, that leads to a very complicated and
double-edged play where Black has sufficient resources. Thus, after numerous
attempts, White began to pay more attention to positional approaches involving
the blockade of Black's queenside pawns. As a rule, White more often advances
c4-c5 after completing kingside development, but the early c-pawn push also
has its points and deserves attention.} O-O 14. Bb5 (14. Ne5 $5 {is worth
considering. The idea isn't so much to support the c-pawn as to shift the
knight to d6, but again the delay in development should give Black sufficient
counter-chances:} -- (14... Nc6 15. Nc4 {ensures White's kingside development
with somewhat better chances.}) (14... Nfd7 $6 15. Nc4 e5 $6 {doesn't work:}
16. Nd6 Qc7 {, Sa.Nikolov-N.Ninov, Bulgarian Team Ch. 1992, when} 17. Bc4 $1 {
would have secured a big advantage for White.}) (14... Ne4 $6 {is also dubious:
} 15. Qc2 ({or} 15. Be2 $5 Bd5 16. Nd3 $5) 15... Bd5 {and here, in P.Petran-M.Weyrich, Budapest 1990, White should have opted for a principled} 16. f3 $1
Qh4+ ({or} 16... b3 17. Qe2) 17. g3 Nxg3 18. Qf2 f6 ({or} 18... Nf5 19. e4) 19.
Nd3 Bxf3 $5 ({or} 19... Qh6 20. Qxg3 Qxe3+ 21. Be2) 20. Qxf3 Nxh1+ 21. Kd2 {,
when his two strong bishops are clearly better in the middlegame than Black's
rook and pawns.}) (14... Qc7 $1 {is the most precise response - Black should
not determine position of his knight on b8 too early. Then after} 15. Qa4 ({
after} 15. Nc4 Nbd7 16. f3 Bc6 17. Bd3 a4 {Black gets excellent
counter-chances, W.Browne-P.Wolff, Las Vegas 1996}) 15... Rd8 $5 ({or} 15...
Nc6 $5) 16. -- {, Black obtains good play:} (16. f3 Nc6 17. Nc4 e5 $1 {may
already have White feeling sorry about his lack of development; e.g.} 18. Nd6 (
{or} 18. dxe5 Nd7) 18... exd4 19. Bb5 ({or} 19. exd4 Rxd6 $1 20. cxd6 Qxd6 {
with a strong initiative}) 19... Rxd6 $1 20. cxd6 Qxd6 21. e4 Nd7 {and Black's
queenside pawns are becoming a real force.}) (16. Rc1 Nc6 17. Nc4 ({not} 17.
Bb5 $2 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nd5 19. c6 Ba6 {and White can hardly protect his c6-pawn})
17... Ne7 18. Nb6 $6 ({probably White should return with} 18. Ne5 $5 {to avoid
unnecessary problems}) 18... Ra7 19. f3 Nfd5 {gives Black the better chances,
V.Korchnoi-E.Lobron, Biel Interzonal 1993.}) (16. Bb5 $5 {looks interesting,
trying to keep the black knight out of c6 at any cost:} Bxg2 17. Rg1 Bd5 ({
more reliable than} 17... Be4 18. f3 Bg6 {which looks a bit slow: White could
even think about} 19. c6 $5 {, cutting the b8-knight out of the game; e.g.} Nd5
20. e4 Ne7 21. Rc1 {with complicated play}) 18. f3 Nbd7 19. Nxd7 Nxd7 20. e4 ({
not} 20. Rg3 $2 f5) 20... Qf4 $5 (20... Qxh2 21. O-O-O $1 {gives White very
active play, albeit unclear given the vulnerability of his king}) 21. exd5 Qe3+
22. Kf1 Qxf3+ {with perpetual check.}))) 14... -- {Black can choose between:} (
{B1:} 14... Qc7) ({B2:} 14... Bc6 $5) (14... Nc6 15. O-O Qd5 16. Qe2 (16. Re1
$5) 16... Ne4 (16... Ne7 $5) 17. Rfc1 {is better for White, S.Tatai-A.Antunes,
Andorra 1987.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Approaching the Main Line"]
[Black "B1: 14...Qc7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. c5 $5 O-O 14. Bb5 Qc7
15. O-O ({The prophylactic} 15. h3 {isn't obligatory as ...Ng4 would hardly be
annoying (see the next note). Instead, Black can play} Bd5 16. O-O {and then:}
-- ({. In N.Zhukova-V.Cmilyte, Plovdiv 2010, Black built a battery on the long
diagonal with} 16... Qb7 {, but it turned out to be futile after} 17. Qe2 Ne4
18. Rfc1 Nc6 ({instead,} 18... Bc6 $5 {deserved attention, with acceptable
play for Black after} 19. Bxc6 Nxc6 20. Qd3 Nf6) 19. Ba4 f5 20. Ne1 $1 {and
White maintained the edge, while the attempt to get counterplay by} f4 21. f3
Ng3 22. Qf2 Qa6 23. e4 $1 Ne2+ 24. Kh2 Nxc1 25. exd5 exd5 26. Bxc1 {only
increased White's advantage.}) (16... Nc6 $5 {is more to the point; e.g.} 17.
Qe2 ({on} 17. Nd2 {Black can consider} Ne7 $5 ({or} 17... e5 $5)) 17... Ne4 18.
Ba4 f5 {with good counter-chances.})) 15... Bd5 {Black doesn't want to
exchange his bishop, but this move is risky.} ({Instead:} 15... Ng4 $6 {is
dubious. Here} 16. g3 ({and a cool} 16. Re1 $5 {deserves attention, not fearing
} Bxf3 $6 17. Qxf3 Qxh2+ 18. Kf1 Qh4 {because of} 19. Ke2 $1 {with a strong
initiative}) 16... f5 17. Qe2 Bd5 18. Nd2 {gives White the upper hand, F.Peredy-P.Horvath, Pecs 1997.}) (15... Nbd7 16. Qe2 Bc6 17. Ba4 Ne4 18. Rfc1 {
is also somewhat better for White.}) ({Perhaps Black should restrain himself to
} 15... Bc6 $5 {, when} 16. Ba4 {transposes to line B2.}) 16. Qe2 Nc6 (16...
Qb7 {may not be the best position for the queen, as we saw in the note with 15
h3 above.}) 17. Rfc1 (17. Nd2 Ne7 {.}) 17... Ne4 18. Ne1 $1 {. This typical
rearrangement of the knight promises White the better chances. Then both f2-f3,
followed by e3-e4, and Nd3-f4 may be rather annoying for Black.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Approaching the Main Line"]
[Black "B2: 14...Bc6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. c5 $5 O-O 14. Bb5 Bc6
$5 {It isn't usually favourable for Black to exchange his strong light-squared
bishop, but here it's acceptable.} 15. Ba4 Qc7 ({The alternative} 15... Bxa4
16. Qxa4 {allows Black to choose the path for his queen, but the immediate
capture may not be the best.} -- ({. Here} 16... Qc8 17. O-O Nc6 18. Nd2 Qa6 {
deserves attention, though White would keep a slight edge after} 19. Rfc1 Rfb8
20. Nc4 {.}) ({. It looks more natural to put the queen in the centre with} 
16... Qd5 {. White may still be able to maintain some pressure, but it seems
bearable; e.g.} 17. O-O Nc6 {(Black already has his knight in its best
position on c6, whereas it often takes him two tempi to shift it there from d7)
} 18. Rfd1 Rfc8 $5 ({in practice Black has generally played} 18... Ne4 {, but
after} 19. Ne1 f5 20. Nd3 Qd7 21. f3 Nf6 {White could improve on previous
games with} 22. d5 $1 {, seizing the initiative; the text move looks more
reliable}) 19. Ne5 ({or} 19. Nd2 Ne4 {, M.Antonsen-M.Krasenkow, Helsingor 2011}
) 19... -- {, and then:} ({. After the natural} 19... Ne4 20. f3 ({but} 20.
Nxc6 $5 Qxc6 21. Qxc6 Rxc6 22. f3 Nf6 23. Ra4 {, followed by the king's march
towards queenside, might promise White a small but stable advantage in the
ending}) 20... Nxe5 $1 21. fxe4 Qxe4 22. dxe5 Qxe3+ 23. Kh1 Qxc5 {Black has
three pawns and good play for the bishop.}) (19... Ne8 $5 {looks a bit awkward
but might be more reliable; e.g.} 20. Nxc6 Rxc6 21. f3 f5 22. e4 $5 {
(otherwise Black increase his control over e4 with 22...Nf6)} fxe4 23. fxe4
Qxe4 24. Re1 Qd5 25. Re5 Qd7 26. d5 $1 {looks dangerous but Black can defend:}
Rc7 $1 ({not} 26... exd5 $2 27. Rae1) 27. d6 ({both} 27. c6 Qd6) ({and} 27.
Qxd7 Rxd7 28. d6 a4 29. Rxe6 a3 {are also defendable}) 27... Qxa4 28. Rxa4 Rc6
29. Rxe6 Rxc5 30. d7 Kf7 31. dxe8=Q+ Rxe8 32. Rxe8 Kxe8 {and the strong
queenside passers should guarantee a draw.}))) 16. O-O Bxa4 $5 {There's no
point in developing the knight to d7 as it will be restricted.} ({Besides,} 
16... Nbd7 $6 {might give White a whole extra tempo on later main lines with
c4-c5, in which the bishop comes to a4 in three steps (Bd3-c2-a4) rather than
two (Bb5-a4).}) 17. Qxa4 Nc6 18. Nd2 Nd5 19. Nc4 f5 20. Nd6 Rf6 $5 {. The
position is acceptable for Black. He can only be disturbed by e3-e4, which
will always be double-edged.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8: The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 {The most natural
move - White points both bishops towards Black's kingside.} Nbd7 ({Instead:} 
13... Be4 $6 {is dubious. In many cases the exchange of the light-squared
bishops is undesirable for Black, as it makes it harder to advance the
queenside. However, the main problem here is that White gains important time
with} 14. Bxe4 ({on} 14. Qa4+ {Black might change his mind and play} Bc6 $1)
14... Nxe4 {and now} 15. Qc2 ({also good is} 15. Ne5 $5 O-O 16. c5 $1 {, V.Bagirov-H.Blachmann, Berlin 1992}) ({or} 15. Qa4+ $5 Qd7 16. Qc2 $5 {, though
Black can still fight after} Qb7 $5 17. d5 $1 f5 18. Nd4 Nc5 19. O-O O-O {, A.Muir-A.Bernei, Aarhus 1990}) 15... f5 (15... Nf6 16. e4 Nfd7 17. O-O O-O 18. c5
Qc7 19. Rfc1 {, when Black has prevented c5-c6 but White is certainly better,
according to tournament practice.}) 16. d5 $5 {, followed by Nd4,} ({or} 16.
Ne5 O-O 17. O-O Nd7 18. Nd3 {with the better chances, M.Najdorf-J.Szmetan,
Buenos Aires 1973})) (13... O-O {is a valid move order and usually leads to
the main lines after 14 0-0 Nbd7. White can try other options but they aren't
too dangerous; e.g.} 14. Ng5 Nbd7 ({or} 14... h6 15. h4 Nbd7 ({but not} 15...
Bxg2 $6 16. Rg1 Bb7 17. d5 $1 {with excellent attacking chances})) 15. e4 ({
the crazy-looking} 15. f4 $6 h6 16. h4 $6 {would simply be ignored:} a4 $1 {
and if} 17. Rxa4 {then} Rxa4 18. Qxa4 Nc5 $1 19. Qd1 Nxd3+ 20. Qxd3 hxg5 21.
hxg5 Ne4 {with a safe extra piece}) 15... e5 $1 {and White's knight sally was
a waste of time, E.Borulya-T.Shumiakina, USSR Women's Ch., Podolsk 1990.}) 14.
O-O ({In the 1980s and '90s the immediate} 14. Qc2 {was a common alternative,
although in most cases it soon transposed to the main lines. Nowadays, 14 Qc2
has become a rare option as White more often plays this variation without
putting his queen on c2 at all, but we'll still take a look at it, in order to
become familiar with the various orders of moves.} -- ({. Here} 14... O-O {is
a simpler way to reach the main lines (B and D) after} 15. e4 e5 $1 16. O-O ({
not} 16. dxe5 $2 Nc5 $1) 16... Qc7 {and so on}) ({, but} 14... Qc7 {is also
possible. White's attempt to exploit this move order, playing the position
without castling, is very double-edged:} 15. e4 e5 $1 16. dxe5 ({otherwise} 16.
Nxe5 $6 Nxe5 17. dxe5 Nd7 {is fine for Black}) ({while} 16. c5 {may return to
the main lines after} O-O 17. O-O {- see line B}) 16... -- {, and now Black
has to decide where the knight should go:} (16... Nh5 {should be answered by}
17. Qd2 $1 {, cutting off the knight and threatening to win it with g2-g4, but
Black is in time for counter-measures with} ({after slow play such as} 17. g3
$6 Nc5 18. O-O O-O {, Wl.Schmidt-M.Matlak, Polish Ch. , Czestochowa 1993}) ({or
} 17. O-O Nf4 18. Rfe1 O-O {, R.De Leeuw-G.Prakken, Dutch Team Ch. 1994, Black
is clearly better}) 17... Nc5 {and then:} 18. -- (18. Bc2 $6 {, still trying
to catch the h5-knight, doesn't have the desired effect:} O-O ({or} 18... b3 $5
19. Bb1 Nxe4) 19. g4 $2 (19. O-O Ne6 $5 {would still be unclear}) 19... Rfd8 ({
Black can even consider the crazy} 19... f5 $5) 20. Nd4 ({White already needs
good advice:} 20. Bd4 b3 21. Bb1 Ne6 $1) ({and} 20. Qe3 b3 $1 21. Bb1 Qd7 $1 {
are simply bad}) 20... -- {, and here, in V. Beim-R.Scherbakov, Leeuwarden
1994, I spent a lot of time and failed to make the right choice from many
attractive continuations:} (20... Rxd4 $5 21. Bxd4 Ne6 22. Be3 Qxe5 23. O-O Rd8
24. Qe1 Nhf4 {.}) (20... Qxe5 $5 21. gxh5 Nb3 $1 22. Nxb3 Qxb2 23. Rb1 Rxd2 24.
Rxb2 Rxc2 $1 25. Rxc2 Bxe4 {.}) (20... Nf4 $5 {was what I actually played,
whereupon we agreed a draw, as after} 21. Qxf4 Rxd4 22. Bxd4 Ne6 23. Qe3 Qxc4 {
Black regains the piece with sufficient compensation for the exchange.}) ({
However, instead of all these sophisticated ideas, Black could have secured a
huge advantage with the simple} 20... a4 $1 21. Qxb4 ({or} 21. gxh5 a3) 21...
Nf4 {, and if} 22. O-O-O {then} Bxe4 23. Bxe4 Nxe4 {and White is defenceless.
For some reason I already counted my knight on h5 as lost and so supposed that
my compensation for the piece would be insufficient, whereas in fact the
number of pieces on the board is equal!})) ({. Nevertheless, White can improve
on all this with the unexpected} 18. Be2 $1 O-O {, and now the simple} ({not} 
18... Nb3 $2 19. Qe3 $1 Nxa1 20. Bxa1 g6 21. Nd4 {with powerful play}) 19. O-O
{is okay for White, since the h5-knight is no source of pride for Black.} ({
Instead,} 19. g4 $6 {still doesn't work:} Nxe4 20. Qe3 Nhf6 $1 21. exf6 Rfe8
22. Be5 Qc6 $1 23. Nd4 Qc5 24. Nf3 gxf6 $1 {and White faces problems}) ({while
} 19. Nd4 $6 {is also in Black's favour:} Qxe5 20. Nb3 Nxb3 21. Bxe5 Nxd2 22.
Kxd2 Rfd8+ {with an annoying initiative in the ending; e.g.} 23. Kc1 f6 $1 24.
Bc7 Rd7 25. Bxa5 Nf4 {and so on.}))) (16... Ng4 $5 {, which looks risky, might
be even simpler; e.g.} 17. e6 Nc5 $5 ({or} 17... fxe6 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Bd4 e5
$5 20. Bb2 O-O-O $5) 18. exf7+ ({the consistent} 18. Bxg7 $2 {fails to} O-O-O
$1 19. Bd4 Rxd4 $1 20. Nxd4 Qd8 $1) 18... Qxf7 {and Black is doing well.})))
14... O-O {We have finally reached the point in the game that might be called
the starting position for the main line Noteboom - it often comes to players'
minds when they hear the name of the opening. --- The position is very complex.
Both sides have emerged from the initial skirmish with high trumps. There are
neither damaged units on the battlefield nor weaknesses in either army! So the
forthcoming clash between two extreme powers is going to be really tough. Of
course, it cannot happen in chess that neither side's game has any drawbacks,
but here we have a rare case where the only real downside to each position is
actually a strength in the opponent's. --- Thanks to his strong pawn centre
White keeps more important squares under control and this gives him a wider
choice of possibilities. Black's main trump is his strong queenside passers,
but those are a bit too far advanced to help his pieces in fighting for good
squares. In fact Black's options are rather limited - in most cases he plays
the same manoeuvres, uses the same tactical tricks. Nevertheless, these
manoeuvres are more than sufficient - White should never feel comfortable! ---
Let's discuss a little how we'll consider the theory of the main Noteboom.
There are many possible continuations here, many move orders, and they can in
fact lead to the same positions! For example, it looks quite natural for White
to utilize the power of his pawn centre and his strong bishops, so the first
idea which comes to mind is to advance the pawn to e4, with the clear
intention of developing an initiative in centre and kingside. White can try to
carry out this plan with the aid of the queen on c2 and/or the rook on e1. In
the former case he may delay moving the rook to e1, or else bring it to c1 in
order to support the advance of the his c-pawn; he may also include c4-c5 at
some point... --- Thus it's quite difficult to consider variations move by
move, though it's still worth trying in some particular cases. However, for
better understanding and playing of the Noteboom it's more useful to study it
in the following way: White's possible plans and Black's reactions to them;
typical strategic and tactical ideas, thematic manoeuvres, possible dangers -
if you know all such things you feel more comfortable over the board, and of
course it brings better results. ---The main continuations nowadays are 15
Nd2!? and 15 Re1, which are examined in the next two chapters; 15 c5!? is also
covered in Chapter 10. We begin here with White's approach involving Qc2,
increasing his control over the e4-square and so secure the advance of his
e-pawn.} 15. Qc2 {This used to be White's main plan from the middle of the
1980s, when the Noteboom began to appear in practice more often.} Qc7 (15...
Bxf3 $6 16. gxf3 Qc7 {isn't totally bad, but Black hasn't yet obtained active
play and the exchange of his light-squared bishop may only decrease his
counter-chances.}) 16. -- {In this position White has a number of possible
plans and various ways to carry them out - we'll consider them one at a time:}
({A:} 16. Ne5 $2) ({B:} 16. e4 e5 $1 17. c5) ({C:} 16. Rfc1) ({D:} 16. e4 e5 $1
17. Rfe1) ({E:} 16. c5 $5) ({Note that lines B and D both begin with 16 e4 e5.
As I mentioned above, it isn't always easy to examine the Noteboom move by
move - here it makes more sense to see how the insertion of 16 Rfc1 Rfc8
affects things, before going on with the main line after 17 Rfe1. --- If White
instead tries to prepare f2-f4 by retreating his knight with} 16. Nd2 {, then
apart from} e5 {, which transposes to the next chapter (see 16 Qc2 in line B),}
({Black can think seriously about} 16... a4 $5 {as well.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "A: 16 Ne5?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. Ne5 $2 {Since White's e-pawn push will be met by the
counter-thrust ...e6-e5, he mechanically stops it with the knight, intending
to support it by f2-f4 and only then advance his e-pawn. Unfortunately, this
is a well-known mistake.} Nxe5 $1 17. dxe5 Nd7 18. Bxh7+ Kh8 {Black's response
looks rather risky - sacrificing the h7-pawn, which was a part of his king's
shield, with check. However, the important strategic pluses he has achieved
are more than sufficient to compensate this slight material loss. White's
strong pawn centre is ruined and he can't open the long diagonal; whereas on
the other side, Black's queenside passers can be supported by the knight
installed on c5, and are almost unstoppable! Practice shows that White has to
fight for equality.} 19. Rfd1 ({On} 19. Be4 {Black's pawns begin to roll
without the support of the knight:} a4 $5 20. Bxb7 (20. f4 $6 {is even worse:}
a3 21. Bxb7 Qxb7 22. Bd4 b3 23. Rfb1 bxc2 24. Rxb7 Rfb8 {and White resigned, A.Shneider-R.Scherbakov, Moscow rapid 1994; curiously enough, I spent only two
minutes for the whole game while my opponent used almost all his time}) 20...
Qxb7 21. Rad1 {(this fails to create any problems for Black's king)} ({instead,
} 21. Rfb1 $5 {might be more tenacious, though Black' superiority is beyond
doubts}) ({note that the pawn on a4 is still untouchable:} 21. Rxa4 $4 b3 {wins
}) 21... a3 22. Rd4 g6 23. Ba1 b3 {and Black's pawns quickly decide the game,
V.Khomyakov-M.Sorokin, Katowice 1992.}) 19... g6 (19... Nc5 $5 {might be
stronger.}) 20. Bxg6 fxg6 21. Qxg6 Nc5 22. Bd4 Nb3 $1 23. Qxe6 (23. Rab1 a4 {.}
) 23... Qg7 $1 24. Qh3+ Qh7 25. e6+ Nxd4 26. Qxh7+ Kxh7 27. exd4 {. This
unique position with two black and six (!) white connected passers arose in M.Kubala-A.Moroz, Decin 1997.} -- ({Black was successful after} 27... b3) ({but
perhaps it's more precise to support the pawns with the bishop by} 27... Be4 $5
{, as indicated by Genna Sosonko and Leon Pliester in some old annotations.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "B: 16 e4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 {White builds a formidable pawn centre. His position looks
very powerful, but Black has a strong antidote.} e5 $1 {This thematic
counter-strike is the main Noteboom trademark. Black is ready to give up his
central pawn, as it's vitally important to destroy White's pawn phalanx and
stop the further advance of his e-pawn, hence slowing the progress of his
initiative on the kingside. --- According to Megabase 2011 its first
appearance in reply to e3-e4 was in K.Plater-P.Trifunovic, Hilversum 1947 (see
the beginning of Chapter 7), with the small difference that White's
dark-squared bishop was on d2. Daniel Noteboom himself pushed his e-pawn
almost two decades earlier, but in different situations, when White's pawn was
still on e3 (in A.Voisin-D.Noteboom, Hamburg Olympiad 1930, and J.Vilardebo
Picurena-D.Noteboom, Prague Olympiad 1931).} 17. c5 {This advance is as vital
for White as the just played ...e6-e5 is for Black! By pushing his c-pawn
forward White obtains better prospects for his light-squared bishop, while
also preventing his opponent's knight from being installed on the strong
c5-square in the future.} ({White may also insert} 17. Rfe1 Rfe8 ({or} 17... h6
$5) {, and then play} 18. c5 $1 {- in fact this might be a more accurate move
order (see line D).}) ({Accepting the gift by} 17. Nxe5 $6 {allows Black to
demonstrate the power of his idea:} Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nd7 $1 ({stronger than} 18...
Ng4 {, which gives White a chance to activate his light-squared bishop by} 19.
c5 Nxe5 20. Bb5) 19. f4 ({or} 19. Be2 Nc5 $1) ({so perhaps} 19. c5 $5 {has to
be tried}) 19... Nc5 {is what Black is dreaming about! His powerful knight not
only gives huge support to his queenside passers, which are unstoppable now,
it also puts pressure on the centre. Conversely, White's central pawn mass
only looks impressive - in fact it's obstructing the bishops' diagonals and so
seriously limits White's attacking prospects. Black's advantage is almost
decisive; e.g.} 20. Rf3 Rfd8 21. Re1 a4 22. e6 Nxe6 {and White was unable to
offer any resistance, R.Kujawski-M.Matlak, Miedzybrodzie 1991.}) ({The
alternative capture} 17. dxe5 {is also good for Black after} Ng4 {, although
White gets more chances without the exchange of knights. Here he should
definitely play} ({or} 17... Nh5 $5) 18. c5 $1 {with counterplay, otherwise
he's just worse.}) 17... -- ({B1:} 17... h6 $6) ({B2:} 17... exd4 $1) ({After
17 c5, it's becoming dangerous for Black to maintain the tension in the centre.
We'll take a brief look at such an approach in line B1. Other "waiting" moves
are also suspicious:} 17... Rfe8 $6 {is mistimed. As a rule, Black should move
this rook only after its counterpart on f1 has clarified its intentions,
whereas this early deployment allows White to play} 18. Rfc1 $1 {with a strong
initiative; e.g.} Rac8 ({now} 18... Rec8 $6 {is too late due to} 19. c6) 19.
dxe5 Ng4 20. c6 $1 ({not} 20. Bb5 $2 Ndxe5 $1 21. Nxe5 Rxe5 $1 22. Bxe5 Qxe5
23. g3 Bxe4 $1 {with sufficient counter-chances, A.Czerwonski-H.Seifert,
Polish Junior Ch. 1991}) 20... Bxc6 (20... Qxc6 21. Qxc6 ({or} 21. Qd2 $5)
21... Rxc6 22. Rxc6 Bxc6 23. Rxa5 {is much better for White}) 21. Ba6 b3 {,
and now in Z.Jasnikowski-T.Luther, German League 1994, White should have played
} ({the exchange sacrifice} 21... Ndxe5 {doesn't help much:} 22. Nxe5 Nxe5 23.
Bxc8 Rxc8 24. Qd2 {followed by Rc5 with a decisive advantage}) 22. Qc3 $1 {
intending e5-e6, against which there's no good defence:} Qb6 23. e6 $1 Ndf6 24.
exf7+ Kxf7 25. Bxc8 Qxf2+ 26. Kh1 Rxc8 27. Qxb3+ {etc.}) (17... Ba6 $6 {is
more reliable, attempting to extinguish White's initiative, but doesn't fully
succeed:} 18. Bxa6 Rxa6 19. Rfc1 Rc6 ({or} 19... Rc8 20. dxe5) 20. dxe5 $1 Ng4
({or} 20... Rxc5 21. Qe2 Nh5 22. Qe3) 21. h3 {and Black faces problems, L.Van
Wely-K.Engedal, Gausdal 1993.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "B1: 17...h6?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "41"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 e5 $1 17. c5 h6 $6 {Black is still trying to provoke a
capture on e5, but this is an extremely risky and apparently dubious choice.}
18. Rfc1 $1 ({Inserting} 18. dxe5 Nh5 $1 19. Rfc1 {transposes to 19 dxe5 in
the notes below after} Rfc8) ({while} 18. Rfe1 $6 {allows Black to escape to
the main line with} exd4 19. Bxd4 Rfe8 {(see line D).}) 18... Rfc8 (18... Rac8
{is also insufficient:} 19. Qe2 (19. dxe5 $5) 19... exd4 20. c6 $1 Bxc6 21.
Nxd4 Qb6 $5 22. Nxc6 Rxc6 23. Rxc6 Qxc6 24. e5 {and White's initiative brings
concrete results; e.g.} Nd5 ({or} 24... Re8 25. Rxa5 Qc7 26. Rb5 {, winning
the b-pawn}) 25. Qe4 g6 26. Rxa5 N7b6 27. Qd4 Qe6 28. h4 {with a big plus.})
19. Qe2 $1 {This queen manoeuvre, which creates various tactical possibilities
on the c-file, has never been played in practice but it makes Black's life
difficult.} ({Instead, the usual} 19. dxe5 {looks promising} -- ({, as after} 
19... Ng4 $6 20. e6 $1 fxe6 21. Qb3 {White seizes a strong initiative}) ({,
while} 19... Nh7 $6 {gives him a good choice, such as} 20. e6 $5 fxe6 21. Nd4
Nxc5 22. Nb3 Nxd3 $5 23. Qxc7 Rxc7 24. Rxc7 Bxe4 25. Bxg7 a4 26. Nd2 Bf5 27.
Nc4 {with good chances of converting the exchange.}) ({. However, the familiar
(cf 14 Qc2 Qc7, note 'a', earlier in the chapter) swing to the edge of the
board with} 19... Nh5 $1 {gives Black acceptable play:} 20. -- (20. c6 Qxc6 $1
21. Qd2 Qg6 {is far from clear.}) (20. e6 fxe6 21. Bd4 Nf4 {is hardly much
better.}) (20. g3 $5 {is interesting, cutting off the h5-knight; but after}
Nxc5 $1 21. Bd4 Ne6 22. Qxc7 Nxc7 {Black has sufficient counter-chances in the
ending, as the direct} 23. Bb6 Ne6 24. Rxc8+ Rxc8 25. Nd2 Nc5 26. Be2 {is
parried by} Nxe4 27. Nxe4 Bxe4 28. Bxh5 b3 {.}) (20. Qd2 {, intending simply
to win the knight by g2-g4, looks promising, but Black's position is full of
interesting tactical resources, as demonstrated in B.Itkis-M.Matlak,
Miedzybrodzie 1991:} Nxc5 21. Bd4 Qe7 22. Rxc5 $1 Rxc5 23. g4 Qd7 $5 ({or} 
23... Qe6 $5 24. h3 Rcc8) 24. h3 ({not} 24. gxh5 $2 Qg4+ 25. Kf1 Qxf3 26. Bxc5
Qh1+ {and ...Qxa1}) 24... Rc3 $3 25. gxh5 ({or} 25. Bxc3 bxc3 26. Qxc3 Nf4 {
with good compensation}) 25... Qxh3 26. Bxc3 Qxf3 27. Bd4 {and White is unable
to secure his extra piece.} -- ({. After} 27... Rd8 28. Qe3 Qg4+ 29. Kf1 Qd7
30. Ke2 Qxd4 31. Qxd4 Rxd4 32. Ke3 Rd8 33. Rxa5 Bc6 {the game simplified into
drawish ending, but here time-trouble played its part and Black received a
gift for his inspired play:} 34. Ra6 $4 Rxd3+ {.}) ({. Furthermore, Black
might play for the initiative with} 27... Bxe4 $5 28. Bxe4 Qxe4 {when White
has to fight for equality - his king is now rather vulnerable and Black's
passed pawns have yet to be stopped.} (28... --))) (20. Bd4 {is a solid move,
securing the extra pawn, though Black isn't too worried about that after} Nf4
21. Bc4 Nf8 $5 (21... Ne6 22. Bxe6 fxe6 {isn't so clear, H.Klarenbeek-M.Kuijf,
Dutch Ch. 1992}) ({while} 21... Qc6 $6 22. Be3 Nxg2 $6 23. Kxg2 Qg6+ 24. Kf1
Bxe4 25. Qd1 Rd8 {failed to} 26. Nh4 $1 Qh7 27. Qh5 {gives White a decisive
advantage, M.Krasenkow-A.Volzhin, Katowice 1992}) 22. Be3 N8e6 {, playing for
the blockade of the opponent's e-pawns. White might still be somewhat better,
but the position certainly promises chances for both sides.}))) 19... exd4 20.
c6 $1 Bxc6 21. Nxd4 {. Thanks to the thematic c5-c6 push (e4-e5 is also on the
agenda!) White has developed a strong initiative. Black faces serious material
losses.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "B2: 17...exd4! 18 Bxd4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 e5 17. c5 exd4 $1 18. Bxd4 {Black tried various moves here,
but in most cases White is able to maintain the initiative, and so for a long
time this position was considered good for White. --- Nevertheless, while the
manoeuvre ...Ng4-e5 followed by the exchange of light-squared bishop may be
acceptable for Black, it isn't very attractive for the true Noteboom advocate.
Fortunately, Black has another possibility:} h6 $1 {At the end of the 1980s
this set-up breathed new life into Black's position! Since that time White
tried various ways of fighting for the advantage. Let's consider them step by
step.} ({For instance, the exchange of light-squared bishops by} 18... Ba6 $2 {
fails to the response} 19. e5 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Nh5 21. Ng5 g6 22. e6 $1 {, I.Pesorda-W.Egartner, Austrian League 2000.}) ({However, with the king's rooks
still on f1 and f8, the knight sally} 18... Ng4 $5 {might be playable and then:
} 19. -- (19. Bb5 {doesn't bother Black too much:} Nde5 (19... Bc6 20. Bxc6
Qxc6 21. h3 Ngf6 {also gives him good play, A.Hollis-M.Matlak, corr. 1992}) 20.
Nxe5 Nxe5 21. f4 ({if} 21. Qb2 {then} f6 {is acceptable, B.Züger-J.Klinger,
Bern 1991}) 21... Nc6 22. Bb2 Ba6 {and Black's chances already seem preferable,
D.Birnbaum-E.Relange, Cappelle la Grande 1995. The rest of the game is worth
playing through:} 23. Bxa6 Rxa6 24. Qe2 Qa7 25. Rf2 a4 26. Qg4 f5 $1 {(Black
has a clear advantage, but now huge complications begin)} 27. exf5 a3 28. Be5
b3 29. f6 b2 30. Rd1 Nxe5 (30... g6 $5) 31. fxe5 Qf7 32. Qe2 Qb3 $2 (32... Qe6
$5) 33. Rff1 $2 (33. f7+ $1 Kh8 34. Rff1) 33... a2 $2 (33... Raa8 $1) 34. f7+
$1 Kh8 35. Qxa6 b1=Q 36. Qd6 $1 Qb8 37. e6 $1 Qxd6 ({after} 37... a1=Q {Black
has three queens on the board!! - but perhaps he didn't have the third one in
his hand in time trouble, and in any case the result would be the same}) 38.
cxd6 a1=Q 39. e7 {and here Black had to find the only way to save the game and
his pride! Defeat would be too painful after he has managed to promote both
his Noteboom pawns:} Qb6+ $1 ({not} 39... Qa7+ $2 40. Kh1 Qbb8 41. d7 {and
White wins}) 40. Kh1 Qa8 $1 41. d7 Qxg2+ $1 42. Kxg2 Qg6+ 43. Kh1 Qe4+ {with
perpetual check.}) (19. Rfc1 Bc6 20. e5 $6 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Ndxe5 22. Bxh7+ Kh8 {
is better for Black, J.Nesterov-E.Relange, Groningen 1993.}) (19. h3 $5 Nge5
20. Nxe5 Nxe5 21. Bb5 {, M.Lacrosse-M.Strijbos, Dutch Team Ch. 1994 doesn't
look promising - compared with 19 Bb5 White has played the seemingly less
useful move h2-h3 (instead of f2-f4), but after} Nc6 (21... Rfd8 $5) 22. Bb2
Ba6 23. Bxa6 Rxa6 {it might give White the chance to get his rook to the
central file by} 24. Rfd1 {with some pressure, although Black should be okay.})
(19. Bc4 {, intending to put the bishop on d5, would be met by} Ba6 $5 {,
exploiting the position of White's rook on f1 and reducing his attacking
resources:} 20. c6 ({neither} 20. Bxa6 Rxa6 21. Qc4 Re6 $5) ({nor} 20. Bd5 Bxf1
21. Rxf1 {should be too dangerous}) 20... Nde5 21. Nxe5 Nxe5 22. Bxe5 Qxe5 23.
Rfd1 Bxc4 24. Qxc4 g6 25. Rac1 Rfc8 {and Black is okay, G.Dizdar-P.Bachmayr,
Austrian League 1997.})) 19. Rfc1 {This development of the rook looks harmless
as the threat c5-c6 can be easily parried. However, White still has active
possibilities so Black must be careful.} ({Instead:} 19. Rfe1 Rfe8) ({or} 19.
Rac1 Bc6 20. Rfe1 Rfe8 {transposes to the main variations, examined in line D
below.}) (19. h3 $6 {is too slow to bother Black, who has several good options
such as} Bc6 ({or the natural} 19... Rfe8 {- in most cases the move h2-h3 is
less useful than any Black reply.}) ({He might even play} 19... a4 $5 {, and if
} 20. Rxa4 Rxa4 21. Qxa4 {, then} Nxc5 22. Rc1 Nxa4 23. Rxc7 Bxe4 24. Bxe4 Nxe4
25. Rc4 Nac3 {with a draw.})) (19. e5 {at once is harmless. Black has a choice
of knight moves:} -- (19... Nd5 20. e6 $6 ({this only creates problems for
White; but} 20. Bc4 Qc6 {, A.Trisic-C.Lindner, Hamburg 1994}) ({or} 20. Bh7+
Kh8 21. Be4 Bc6 {is fine for Black}) 20... fxe6 21. c6 ({or} 21. Bh7+ $6 Kh8
22. Bxg7+ $2 Kxg7 23. Qg6+ Kh8 24. Qxh6 Nxc5) 21... Bxc6 22. Rfc1 Ne7 {and
Black is doing well, A.Zaichko-O.Karpeshov, Ufa 1999.}) (19... Nh5 $5 {again
deserves attention, not obstructing the bishop:} 20. Bh7+ Kh8 21. Be4 b3 22.
Qb1 a4 23. Re1 Nxc5 24. Bxb7 Nxb7 25. Qe4 ({instead} 25. Qf5 g6 26. Qg4 Kh7 27.
Rac1 Qe7 {is unclear}) 25... a3 26. Qe3 ({not} 26. g4 $2 b2 27. Rad1 Nc5) 26...
Qc2 27. Rac1 Qg6 28. Qxb3 Rfb8 {and Black is fine.})) 19... Bc6 {This simple
move not only halts White's c-pawn, it also supports the future advance of the
queenside passers. Here there's no need for Black's rook to copy its
counterpart - it can be more effectively developed to e8, where it will not
face opposition. Curiously, sometimes a situation which looks the same (cf 17...Rfe8?! 18 Rfc1! above) is actually the opposite - when Black's rook goes to
e8 early, its white counterpart goes to c1 with great effect! How is that
possible?! The point is that each side deploys their rook at the most
appropriate moment, when the situation in some particular area - in this case
around the c6-square - is favourable for them.} ({Although} 19... Rfc8 {isn't
strictly necessary here, it remains quite playable. This option will be
examined in line C, where White may force this position by using a different
move order.}) 20. e5 ({White should act quickly, as Black still has natural
improving moves to make, and slow play such as} 20. Qb2 $6 {gives him
important time; e.g.} Rfe8 21. h3 ({or} 21. e5 $6 Ng4 22. Bf5 Ndxe5 23. Nxe5
Nxe5 24. f4 Ng6 25. Bxg7 Qxf4 {, P.Haba-M.Kuijf, German League 1997}) 21... Re6
$5 22. Nh4 $6 ({or} 22. e5 Nh5 23. Bc4 Re7) 22... Ne5 $1 23. Bb1 {, V.Ikonnikov-R.Scherbakov, Chelyabinsk 1991, and now it was the right moment to
grab the pawn:} Bxe4 {with a big advantage.}) 20... Nd5 ({Once again} 20... Nh5
$5 {looks fairly interesting, and here, by leaving the long diagonal open, it
prevents the opposing queen from making use of the e4-square. White is able to
maintain some pressure, but it seems bearable:} 21. Bc4 (21. Bh7+ Kh8 22. Qf5 {
is harmless; e.g.} Rae8 $5 23. Re1 Bxf3 24. Qxf3 Kxh7 25. Qxh5 Kg8) 21... Bxf3
22. Qf5 $1 ({not} 22. gxf3 $2 Nxe5 23. Qf5 Nxc4 24. Rxc4 g6 {with a big
advantage for Black}) 22... Bxg2 $1 {and now White has a dilemma:} 23. -- (23.
Qxh5 {sees Black hold on after} Bb7 $1 24. c6 ({not} 24. e6 $6 Qf4 $1 25. exd7
({or} 25. exf7+ Kh8 26. Rd1 Nf6) 25... Qe4 $1 26. Kf1 Qxd4 27. Bb5 b3 {and
it's White who faces problems}) 24... Bxc6 {and then:} 25. -- (25. Bd5 Ra6 {is
okay:} 26. e6 ({or} 26. Qg4 Nxe5 $1) 26... fxe6 ({not} 26... Qd6 $6 27. Rxc6 $1
Rxc6 28. Re1 $1) 27. Bxe6+ ({not} 27. Qg6 $6 Nf6 28. Bxe6+ Kh8 29. Bf5 Rg8 $1)
27... Kh7 28. Bf5+ Kg8 {with a draw by repetition.}) (25. Bb3 $5 Rae8 $1 26. e6
(26. Qg6 $2 {fails to} Nxe5 $1 27. Bxe5 Rxe5 28. Rxc6 Qd7 {and Black is at
least not worse}) 26... fxe6 27. Qg6 Ne5 $1 {and now neither side has a choice:
} 28. Bxe6+ Kh8 29. Rxc6 $1 Rxe6 $1 ({not} 29... Qxc6 $4 30. Bxe5) 30. Qxe6
Nxc6 31. Qxh6+ Kg8 32. Qe6+ Rf7 $1 33. Qe8+ ({not} 33. Rc1 $2 Nxd4 $1 34. Qe8+
Rf8 35. Qxf8+ Kxf8 36. Rxc7 b3 {and wins}) 33... Rf8 34. Qe6+ Rf7 {with
another draw.})) (23. Kxg2 $5 {may be better:} Qc6+ 24. f3 (24. Qf3 Nf4+ 25.
Kg3 Qxf3+ 26. Kxf3 Ne6 {is unclear; e.g.} 27. Bxe6 fxe6+ 28. Ke4 b3 $1 29. c6
Nb6 $1) 24... g6 (24... g5 $5) 25. Qe4 $5 (25. Qg4 $5) 25... Qxe4 26. fxe4 {
and White keeps the initiative in the endgame. Black can hold on with} Nf4+ (
26... Rfe8 {is met by} 27. Rf1) 27. Kg3 Ne6 28. Bxe6 fxe6 29. c6 Nb8 30. c7 Nd7
31. Rc6 Rfc8 $1 {, but he remains under some pressure.})) 21. Bc4 $1 {Planning
Qe4-g4 and Nh4-f5 or f2-f4-f5 with an attack.} Rfe8 (21... a4 $5 {looks
suspicious, but in fact it is far from clear:} 22. Re1 (22. e6 {is harmless:}
fxe6 23. Re1 Rxf3 $1 24. gxf3 Nf8 {and Black is at least not worse}) 22... b3
23. Qf5 Ne7 24. Qh3 Bxf3 25. e6 $1 Qf4 26. exf7+ Kh8 27. Qxd7 Nf5 28. Rxa4 $1
Qg5 $1 29. Bf1 $1 ({not} 29. g3 $6 Rad8 30. Re8 Nxd4 $1) 29... Rad8 30. -- ({
, and now} 30. Qe8 {can be parried by} Qg6 31. Ra6 Rdxe8 $1 32. fxe8=Q Rxe8 33.
Rxg6 Rxe1 34. gxf3 ({or} 34. Bc3 b2 $1) 34... Nxd4 35. Rb6 {with a draw.}) ({
. Alternatively,} 30. Re8 {initiates crazy complications, which most likely
lead to the same outcome:} Rxd7 31. Rxf8+ Kh7 32. Rh8+ Kxh8 33. f8=Q+ Kh7 34.
h4 $1 Qg6 $1 35. h5 $1 {and here there are many ways to end the game with
perpetual check, so let's pick the most beautiful one:} Qg5 $5 36. Be3 $1 Qxh5
37. gxf3 b2 $5 ({or just} 37... Nxe3 38. Ra8 $1 Qg5+ 39. Kh1 {etc}) 38. Ra8 $1
b1=Q 39. Qg8+ Kg6 40. Ra6+ $5 ({or} 40. Qe6+ Kh7 41. Qg8+) 40... Nd6 $1 41.
Qe8+ $1 Rf7 $1 42. cxd6 $1 Kh7 43. d7 Qxf3 $1 44. d8=Q Qg4+ 45. Kh2 Qh5+ 46.
Bh3 Qxh3+ $1 47. Kxh3 Qh1+ 48. Kg4 $1 Qg2+ 49. Kh4 g5+ 50. Qxg5 $1 {and Black
has to give perpetual. All the same, getting the rook into play seems more
reliable than just pushing the queenside pawns and hoping that everything will
be fine.})) 22. Qe4 Qb7 $1 23. Qg4 ({The immediate} 23. Nh4 $5 {should be met
by} Re6 $1 {, when} 24. Qg4 {transposes to the main line.} ({. The direct} 24.
Nf5 {is parried by} Ne7 $1 25. Nxe7+ Rxe7 26. Qg4 Bd5 $5 {and Black is okay}) (
{; while} 24. f4 {is too double-edged:} N5b6 25. Qe3 Nxc4 26. Rxc4 Bd5 27. Rcc1
f6 $1 {(Black must break up the pawn chain)} 28. Qg3 ({or} 28. f5 Rxe5 29. Bxe5
Nxe5) ({or} 28. Nf5 fxe5 29. fxe5 Kh7 30. Nd6 Qc6) 28... fxe5 29. fxe5 b3 {and
Black is doing pretty well.})) 23... Re6 $1 24. Nh4 $1 {White's plan looks
promising, but Black has sufficient defensive resources.} ({On} 24. Re1 {he
has a good choice between} Rg6 {, followed by ...Nf8-e6,} ({and} 24... b3 $1
25. Nh4 Rae8 26. Qg3 ({not} 26. f4 $2 Qb4) 26... a4 {and so on.})) 24... Nxe5
$1 25. Qg3 $1 ({In Z.Jasnikowski-R.Scherbakov, Katowice 1992, White went
astray with} 25. Bxe5 $2 Rxe5 26. Nf5 {and here the exchange sacrifice} Rxf5 $1
({instead of} 26... g6 27. Nxh6+ Kh7) 27. Qxf5 b3 {could have posed serious
problems as Black's passers aren't easily opposed.}) 25... Ng6 $5 {The most
reliable.} ({Others are more risky:} 25... f6 26. Bxe5 $1 Rxe5 27. Re1 $5 Rg5 (
{or} 27... Rae8 $6 28. Rxe5 Rxe5 29. Qd3 {with the initiative}) 28. Qd6 {and
Black's king is vulnerable.}) (25... Rae8 {may be playable; e.g.} 26. Bxd5 $5 (
{after} 26. f4 Nxf4 $1 27. Qxf4 Nxc4 28. Rxc4 {both} g5 $5 ({and} 28... b3 $5 {
give Black sufficient compensation for the piece})) 26... Bxd5 27. f4 {can be
met by} b3 $5 ({or} 27... Rg6 $5 28. Nxg6 Nxg6) 28. Rf1 ({alternatives don't
promise much:} 28. f5 Ra6 29. Bxe5 Rxe5 30. Qxe5 b2) ({or} 28. Bxe5 Rxe5 29.
fxe5 b2 30. Nf5 g6 31. Nxh6+ Kg7 32. Nf5+ Kg8 33. Nh6+ {with a draw}) 28...
Bxg2 $1 29. f5 Bxf1 30. fxe6 f6 31. Bxe5 ({or} 31. Rxf1 Rxe6 32. Nf5 Kh7 33.
Bb2 a4) 31... fxe5 32. Rxf1 b2 ({or} 32... Rxe6 33. Qd3 Rf6) 33. Qg6 ({not} 33.
Rb1 $2 Qb4) 33... Rf8 34. Nf5 Rf6 {and Black holds on:} 35. Nxh6+ Kh8 36. Nf7+
({not} 36. Rxf6 $2 b1=Q+) 36... Kg8 37. Nh6+ Kh8 {with a draw by repetition.})
26. Nf5 {White's initiative gives him decent compensation for the pawn, but
Black is at least not worse.} -- ({He may choose between} 26... Ndf4 $5 27.
Nxg7 Bxg2 28. h4 Bd5 $5 29. Nxe6 Bxe6 30. Be3 Qe4 31. Bxf4 Bxc4 {with
excellent compensation for the exchange}) ({and} 26... Qc7 $5 27. Nxg7 (27.
Qxc7 $6 Nxc7 28. Bxe6 Nxe6 {is good for Black}) 27... Qxg3 28. hxg3 Re4 29. Nf5
Nde7 30. Nxe7+ Nxe7 {with the better ending.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "C: 16 Rfc1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "59"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. Rfc1 $5 ({Before examining the main lines after} 16. e4 e5 17.
Rfe1 Rfe8 18. c5 {, we'll take a look at a different move order in which White
develops his rook to c1 first, intending to push his central pawns in a
favourable situation.}) 16... Rfc8 {We've already seen that Black's rook
usually copies the deployment of its counterpart - this is especially the case
here, were White can consider the rapid advance of his c-pawn.} ({It isn't
usually in Black's plans to part with his light-squared bishop by} 16... Bxf3
$5 {, but some enthusiasts may find it playable here, as it enables him to
push the a-pawn forward quickly after} 17. gxf3 Qc6 {.}) 17. e4 ({The
preliminary} 17. c5 {can be met by} Bc6 {and if} 18. e4 {, then} (18. Ne5 $6 {
is still comfortably met by} Nxe5 $1 19. dxe5 Nd7 {- although the knight can't
reach c5, after} 20. Bxh7+ Kh8 {Black's passers are strong enough, so White
has to fight for equality, M.Zaitsev-Va.Popov, Pardubice 1999}) 18... h6 {
followed by ...a5-a4 with good counter-chances, C.Holst-Ca.Schmitt, Copenhagen
2010.}) 17... e5 18. c5 exd4 19. Bxd4 {So has White forced his opponent to
play ...Rfc8 instead of the more natural ...Bc6 (which we examined in line B2).
However, this difference doesn't bother Black very much.} h6 ({There are other
decent options:} 19... Qc6 $5 {, attacking the e4-pawn, is unusual but rather
interesting. D.Collas-G.Flear, Paris 1992, continued with a strong-looking
manoeuvre} 20. Nh4 $5 {, and after} g6 $6 ({instead of the cautious pawn
advance, a brave} 20... Nxe4 $1 {is much stronger, intending} 21. Nf5 Qe6 22.
Nxg7 Qd5 {with excellent play; e.g.} 23. Bxe4 Qxe4 24. Qxe4 Bxe4 25. f3 f6 $1 {
and White's initiative vanishes, while Black's queenside pawns are becoming
powerful}) 21. f3 a4 22. Qd2 $1 b3 {White could have obtained excellent
attacking prospects by} 23. Qg5 {.}) (19... Qf4 $5 {looks more risky, but
White's task isn't easy here either; e.g.} 20. Be3 ({or} 20. Re1 $5 Bc6) 20...
Qg4 ({the unexpected deep retreat} 20... Qb8 $5 {might be more reliable}) 21.
h3 (21. Nd2 Ne5 {is okay, D.Berczes-L.D'Costa, Budapest 2003;} ({Black might
have considered the tactical resource} 21... Qe6 $5 22. f3 Nd5 23. Bd4 Nf4 {,
though after} 24. Bf1 {it's still unclear})) 21... Qh5 22. Nd2 Ne5 23. Bb5 Qg6
{and now M.Kantorik-J.Sosna, Stare Mesto 2003, continued} 24. f4 $6 ({the
restrained} 24. f3 $1 {would still be okay for White}) 24... b3 $1 ({not} 24...
Qg3 $2 25. Nf1 $1 Nf3+ 26. Kh1 Nxe4 $5 27. Qxe4 $1) 25. Qb2 {, and here Black
could have obtained excellent play with} Bxe4 $1 26. Nxe4 Nf3+ 27. Kh1 ({not} 
27. Kf2 $2 {Which is met by} Nxe4+ 28. Kxf3 Qg3+ $1 29. Kxe4 Re8+ 30. Bxe8
Rxe8+ 31. Qe5 f5+ $1 32. Kd4 Rxe5 33. fxe5 b2) 27... Qxe4 28. Qxb3 Nh4 {and so
on.}) 20. e5 Nd5 21. e6 {Although this thematic pawn push is harmless, it's a
reasonable way for White to avoid any problems.} ({Instead, Black is fine after
} 21. Bc4 Nf8) ({as well as} 21. Bh7+ $5 Kh8 22. Be4 {and then:} -- (22... Ne7
{is risky because of} 23. c6 $1 Bxc6 (23... Nxc6 $5 24. Qd2 Qd8 $1 {may be
playable}) 24. Qb3 Qb8 $1 ({not} 24... Qb7 $2 25. Rxc6 $1 Nxc6 26. Ng5 $1 hxg5
27. Qh3+ Kg8 28. Qh7+ Kf8 29. e6 $1 fxe6 ({or} 29... Ke7 $1 30. Qxg7 Kxe6 31.
Re1 Kd6 32. Qxg5 Kc7 33. Qf4+ Kd8 34. Qxf7 {with a decisive attack}) 30. Qxg7+
Ke8 31. Rd1 $1) 25. e6 $1 Bxe4 26. exd7 Rxc1+ 27. Rxc1 Qf4 28. Re1 Kh7 {, but
perhaps White doesn't have more than} 29. g3 ({or} 29. Bb2 Rd8 30. Qc4 Rxd7 31.
Be5 Qf5 32. Rxe4 Rd1+ 33. Ne1 Ng6 {is far from clear}) 29... Qxf3 30. Qxf3 Bxf3
31. Rxe7 Bc6 32. Rxf7 Kg6 33. Re7 Rd8 ({not} 33... Bb5 $2 34. g4 $1) 34. Re6+
Kf5 35. Rxc6 Rxd7 {, when Black has reasonable chances to escape into a
drawish rook ending with 3 vs. 2 on the kingside.}) (22... Bc6 {is much more
reliable, as after} 23. Qd2 {there's no need to allow} Nf8 $5 ({the simple} 
23... Kg8 24. Nh4 Ne7 {gives Black a good game}) 24. e6 f6 {(even if it's
still playable).})) 21... fxe6 22. c6 $1 {It's time for White to force a draw.}
({The kingside assault} 22. Bh7+ $6 Kh8 23. Bxg7+ ({here} 23. c6 {is strongly
met by} N7f6 $1 24. Ne5 Bxc6 $1 25. Qg6 Nf4 $1 26. Nf7+ Qxf7 27. Qxf7 Ne2+ 28.
Kf1 Nxd4 29. Bd3 Nb3 {and Black is better; e.g.} 30. Rxc6 Rxc6 31. Rd1 Rd8 32.
Be2 Nd2+ $1 33. Ke1 Rcd6 {etc}) 23... Kxg7 24. Qg6+ Kh8 25. Qxh6 {is parried by
} Nf8 $1 {with advantage:} 26. Bg6+ ({or} 26. Be4+ Kg8 $1 27. c6 $1 Bxc6 28.
Rxc6 Qg7 $1 29. Qxg7+ Kxg7 {and it's not so easy to oppose Black's passers; e.g.} 30. Nd4 Rxc6 31. Nxc6 b3 32. Rxa5 Rc8 33. Ra6 {and if} Nd7 {then} 34. Ra7
N5f6 35. g3 b2 36. Rb7 Nxe4 37. Rxd7+ Kf6 38. Rb7 Rxc6 39. Rxb2 {and this
ending might be lost}) 26... Nh7 $1 27. c6 ({the ending after} 27. Ng5 Qg7 28.
Qxh7+ Qxh7 29. Bxh7 Nc3 {is again bad for White as the passed pawns are too
strong}) 27... Bxc6 28. Bxh7 Qxh7 29. Qxe6 Nc3 {and Black eventually converted
his advantage, B.Savchenko-Y.Shulman, Khanty-Mansiysk 2009.}) 22... Bxc6 ({Not
} 22... Qxc6 $6 23. Bh7+ Kf8 24. Bxg7+ $1 Ke7 25. Qd2 {and the black king is
vulnerable.}) 23. Bh7+ Kh8 24. Bxg7+ $1 Kxg7 25. Qg6+ Kh8 26. Qxh6 Nf8 27. Bf5+
Kg8 (27... Nh7 28. Rxc6 $1 Qg7 29. Qxg7+ Kxg7 30. Rxe6 Nhf6 {can hardly
promise winning chances, as after} 31. g4 {White is at least not worse.}) 28.
Rxc6 $1 Qxc6 29. Qg5+ Kh8 30. Qh6+ {. White gives perpetual check and the game
is a draw.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "D: 16 e4 e5! 17 Rfe1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 e5 $1 17. Rfe1 ({As we have seen,} 17. c5 {can lead to the
same position after} exd4 (17... h6 18. Rfc1) 18. Bxd4 h6 ({but without the
rooks on e1 and e8 Black may get reasonable chances to equalize by} 18... Ng4 {
- see the notes to line B2}) 19. Rfe1 Rfe8 {.}) 17... Rfe8 ({It seems possible
to begin with} 17... h6 {, when} 18. c5 exd4 19. Bxd4 Rfe8 {transposes below.})
18. c5 $1 exd4 19. Bxd4 {. As we saw in line B2, at the end of the 1980s Black
began to follow ...e5xd4 with:} h6 $1 ({Since the 1950s it has been known that
the transfer of the knight to e5 via} 19... Ng4 $6 {doesn't solve Black's
problems. After} 20. Bc4 Nge5 21. Nxe5 Nxe5 22. Bd5 {White achieves a powerful
set-up. Both white bishops are very active and it's impossible for Black to
neutralize them without making concessions. For example, capturing on d5 gives
White two strong passed pawns, which will outweigh the black ones because
White will combine their advance with the initiative on the kingside. This was
one of the reasons why the main Noteboom has been supposed favourable for
White. An old game M.Kamishov-V.Alatortsev, Moscow 1949, continued} Bc6 23. Qb3
{(intending Qg3)} Ng4 24. Qh3 (24. Qg3 {still deserves attention, but Black
can probably hold on after} Qxg3 25. hxg3 Rec8 26. Reb1 Bxd5 27. exd5 Nf6 28.
d6 Nd7 29. Rc1 Nb8 30. Ra4 Nc6 31. Be3 Kf8) 24... Bxd5 25. Qxg4 {, after which
Black had to sacrifice a pawn by} f5 $1 {. Here} 26. exf5 $5 ({instead of} 26.
Qxf5) 26... a4 27. f6 {looked more promising, although Black still has
counter-chances after} Qf7 28. f3 a3 {, thanks to his strong queenside passers.
}) 20. -- {This is one of the most critical positions in the whole Noteboom
variation. White has a choice:} ({D1:} 20. h3) ({D2:} 20. e5) ({D3:} 20. Rac1
$5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "D1: 20 h3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 e5 $1 17. Rfe1 Rfe8 18. c5 $1 exd4 19. Bxd4 h6 $1 20. h3 {
Such slow preparations merely give Black time to improve his position in an
effective way.} Bc6 21. Nh4 {This manoeuvre has its points, as the knight
would be rather annoying for Black on f5 - but it won't get there!} ({With the
inclusion of h2-h3 and ...Bc6, the straightforward} 21. e5 Nd5 22. e6 ({or} 22.
Be4 Nf4) 22... Rxe6 23. Rxe6 fxe6 {is harmless for Black; e.g.} 24. Bh7+ ({or} 
24. Re1 $6 Nf4 25. Be4 Rf8) 24... Kh8 25. Bxg7+ Kxg7 26. Qg6+ Kh8 27. Qxh6 Nf8
28. Bf5+ (28. Bg6+ $2 {is even worse:} Kg8 29. Ng5 Be8 $1 {and Black parried
the attack, P.Tregubov-D.Birnbaum, Cappelle la Grande 1995}) 28... Nh7 29. Bxh7
Qxh7 30. Qxe6 Ne7 $1 ({but not} 30... Qg7 31. Qxc6 $3 Rg8 $2 ({or} 31... Qxa1+
32. Kh2 {and White escapes as} Rd8 $2 {loses to} 33. Qh6+ Kg8 34. Qg5+) 32. Ne1
) 31. Re1 {(may confuse things a little)} (31. Ne5 Qg7 {and Black secured a
big advantage in V.Neverov-V.Kramnik, USSR Ch., Moscow 1991}) 31... Bxf3 $6 ({
Black can still obtain the advantage by playing} 31... Qg7 $1 32. Re5 ({the
knight is untouchable:} 32. Qxe7 $2 Qxe7 33. Rxe7 Bxf3 34. gxf3 a4 {and the
black pawns decide}) 32... Bxf3 33. g4 Be4 $1 34. Rxe4 Ng6 35. c6 Ra7 {and so
on}) 32. Qf6+ Qg7 33. Qxf3 {gives White good compensation for the knight, J.Candela Perez-P.Tregubov, Ubeda 2000.}) 21... Ne5 $1 (21... a4 22. Nf5 b3 23.
Qc1 Ne5 24. Bb1 {is less clear, A.Zanetti-P.Boll, corr. 1990.}) 22. f3 $5 (22.
Nf5 $6 {fails to} Nxd3 23. Qxd3 Bxe4 $1 24. Rxe4 $1 Rxe4 ({or} 24... Nxe4 $5
25. Nxg7 Re5 $1) 25. Bxf6 Rae8 26. Rf1 gxf6 27. Nd6 Re1 28. Nxe8 Rxe8 {and
White is fighting for a draw, J.Krouzel-N.Trexlerova, Czech League 2004.}) ({
After} 22. Bf1 $2 {Black also grabs the pawn:} Nxe4 $1 23. Rxe4 b3 $1 24. Qb1
Bxe4 25. Qxe4 Nc6 26. Qg4 Nxd4 27. Qxd4 Qe5 $1 {(ensuring the ending)} 28. Nf3
({or} 28. Qa4 Qe4 $1) 28... Qxd4 29. Nxd4 a4 {and the queenside pawns will
cost White too much, G.Bartsch-H.Van Unen, corr. 1999.}) 22... Bd7 $1 {This
bishop retreat negates White's knight manoeuvre and makes his play rather
senseless.} ({Again} 22... a4 23. Nf5 {is rather less clear.}) 23. Bf1 {Thanks
to his highly efficient bishop and - of course - queenside passers, Black's
chances are preferable without any doubt.} -- ({Here the tempting} 23... g5 $2
{, intending 24 Nf5? Bxf5 25 exf5 Nxf3!, proves too hasty after the powerful
counter-strike} 24. f4 $1 gxf4 ({or} 24... gxh4 25. fxe5) 25. Qf2 {and Black
has unnecessarily weakened his king.}) ({However, he has a good choice between
an immediate} 23... a4 {, not being much worried about} 24. f4 Nc6 25. Bxf6
gxf6) ({and the more reliable} 23... Nh5 $5 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "D2: 20 e5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 e5 $1 17. Rfe1 Rfe8 18. c5 exd4 19. Bxd4 h6 20. e5 Nd5 21.
e6 $5 ({Otherwise Black will prevent the text move; e.g.} 21. Be4 $6 Nf8 {, F.Adolph-H.Scholten, corr. 1988.}) ({The preliminary} 21. Bh7+ Kh8 22. Be4 {
should not change much, but Black needs to be accurate:} Nf8 23. Rac1 ({the
pawn sacrifice} 23. c6 $2 {is senseless:} Qxc6 24. Qxc6 Bxc6 25. Rac1 Bb7 26.
Rc5 {and here the quickest way to convert the advantage is} Ne6 $1 27. Rxd5 f5
$1 28. exf6 Bxd5 29. fxg7+ Nxg7 30. Bxd5 Rxe1+ 31. Nxe1 Rd8 32. Bxg7+ Kxg7 33.
Bb3 Rc8 {etc}) 23... Bc6 24. Qc4 {and now:} -- (24... Nf4 $6 {leads to sudden
problems:} 25. Bxc6 Qxc6 26. Be3 $1 (26. Qxf7 $2 N8e6 27. Qf5 Rad8 {is bad for
White}) 26... N4e6 27. Nd2 $5 (27. Red1 $5) 27... Ng6 28. f4 Red8 29. Qf1 $1 {
with such ideas as f4-f5 or Nc4 with the initiative, J.Van Oosterom-M.Matlak,
corr. 1992.}) (24... Red8 {runs into} 25. e6 $5 Nxe6 26. Be5 Qb7 27. Bf5 {,
with very active play for the pawn. For instance, if Black begins to push his
pawns forward by} ({or} 27. Bb1 $5) 27... b3 28. Qg4 a4 {, then after} 29. Rc4
$1 {, intending Be6 followed by Qh3 and Rh4(g4), he might be too late either
to make a new queen or defend his king.}) (24... Rad8 $5 {is apparently the
most reliable continuation, when Black is quite solid:} 25. Nh4 $1 (25. Bb2 Ne6
26. Red1 Qb7 {is fine}) 25... Ne6 26. Nf5 Nxd4 27. Nxd4 ({not} 27. Nd6 $2 Nc3
$1 28. Nxf7+ Qxf7 29. Qxf7 Bxe4 {with a big advantage}) 27... Rxe5 ({not} 27...
Ba8 $2 28. e6 fxe6 29. Bg6) 28. Nxc6 Qxc6 29. Bf3 $1 {, and here Black holds
on by} ({after} 29. f4 $6 Rxe4 30. Qxe4 a4 {Black can't be worse}) 29... Nb6 $1
(29... Rde8 30. Red1 $1 {forces} Rd8 {again}) ({, while} 29... Rxe1+ $2 30.
Rxe1 a4 31. Rd1 b3 {is no good after} 32. Rxd5 $1 ({but not} 32. Bxd5 $4 b2 $1)
) 30. Qxb4 ({or} 30. Qf1 Rxe1 31. Qxe1 Nd5) ({or} 30. Qc2 Rxe1+ 31. Rxe1 Qc7)
30... axb4 31. Bxc6 Nc4 $5 32. Rxe5 Nxe5 {and the queenside pawns will soon
disappear.})) 21... Rxe6 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. Re1 ({We've already seen the piece
sacrifice} 23. Bh7+ $6 Kh8 24. Bxg7+ $2 Kxg7 25. Qg6+ Kh8 26. Qxh6 {in other
situations (in lines B2 and C) and it's dubious here too:} N7f6 ({or} 26... Nf8
27. Bg6+ Nh7 28. Ng5 Qg7 $1 29. Qxh7+ Qxh7 30. Bxh7 a4) 27. Bg6+ Kg8 28. Ng5
Ng4 $1 {followed by 29...Qxh2 and Black's passed pawns will triumph.}) 23...
Nf4 $1 {Combining defence and activity.} ({The e6-pawn must be protected:} 
23... Rc8 $2 24. Rxe6 Nf8 ({not} 24... Nxc5 $2 25. Bh7+ Kh8 26. Rxh6) ({or} 
24... N7f6 $2 25. Bc4 $1 {and White's initiative is unbearable, M.Mraz-E.Sprenger, corr. 1983}) 25. Re4 $5 {with the superior position for White.}) ({
Other ways to defend the pawn are also unacceptable:} 23... Re8 $2 24. Bh7+ Kh8
25. Bxg7+ $1 Kxg7 26. Qg6+ Kh8 27. Qxe8+ Kxh7 28. Qf7+ Kh8 29. Rxe6 {and White
wins}) ({or} 23... Nf8 $6 24. Be5 Qc8 25. Nd4 {and Black is too passive, L.Olsson-E.Prang, corr. 1998.}) 24. Be4 ({Inserting} 24. Bh7+ $6 Kh8 {favours
Black, as White may need this option later:} 25. -- (25. Ne5 $2 {is bad, even
if Black's path is quite narrow:} Rf8 $1 26. c6 Nxe5 27. cxb7 Qxb7 28. Be4 Qb8
$1 29. g3 ({or} 29. Qb2 Ned3 $1 30. Bxg7+ Kg8 31. Bxd3 Nxd3 32. Qe2 Nxe1 33.
Bxf8 Kxf8) 29... Nfd3 $1 30. Rd1 ({or} 30. Bxd3 $2 Nf3+ 31. Kf1 Nxd4) 30... b3
31. Qc3 Rc8 32. Qxa5 b2 33. Kg2 Qb3 {with a decisive advantage.}) (25. Be4 Rc8
(25... Bc6 {is also good}) 26. g3 {, when Black can choose between} (26. Qc1 $2
{loses to} Bxe4 27. Rxe4 e5 $1 28. Nxe5 Nxc5 29. Rxf4 Ne6) 26... Nh3+ ({and} 
26... e5 $5 27. Nxe5 Nxe5 28. gxf4 Nc6 $5 29. Bb2 Qxf4 30. f3 Rd8) 27. Kf1 ({or
} 27. Kg2 Ng5 28. Nxg5 hxg5) 27... b3 $5 28. Qxb3 Nxc5 29. Bxc5 Qxc5 30. Kg2
Bxe4 31. Rxe4 Nxf2 {and White has to fight for a draw.})) 24... Rc8 {This move,
bringing Black's last piece into action, became popular after the game V.Kramnik-M.Sorokin, Russian Ch., Rybinsk 1991 (which is in fact the origin of
the whole line).} ({Later Black experimented with other moves, which are also
playable:} 24... Bxe4 {, and now:} 25. -- (25. Rxe4 b3 $5 26. Qxb3 ({instead,} 
26. Qc4 $6 {may lead to problems for White after} Nxc5 $1 27. Bxc5 $2 ({or} 27.
Be5 Qb7 28. Rxf4 b2 29. Bxb2 Qxb2 30. h4 Rc8 {with an extra pawn}) 27... b2 28.
Re1 Rc8 29. Nd2 a4 30. Qxa4 Nd3) 26... Nxc5 27. Qc2 Nfd3 {transposes to note
'b' below.}) (25. Qxe4 Ra6 {is okay for Black; e.g.} 26. Ne5 Nd5 27. Qe2 $5 ({
or} 27. Qg6 Nxe5 28. Qe8+ Kh7 29. Rxe5 Qe7 {with advantage, V.Umansky-P.Tregubov, Rowy 1999}) 27... Ra8 28. Qg4 {, and here after} Nxe5 ({but Black
can suddenly switch to line D21 below by playing} 28... Re8 $5) 29. Rxe5 Re8
30. Rxe6 Rxe6 31. Qxe6+ Qf7 32. Qd6 {White's activity seems sufficient to hold
the balance.})) (24... b3 $5 {is also playable:} 25. Qxb3 Bxe4 26. Rxe4 Nxc5
27. Qc2 Nfd3 28. Re3 {, when Black's pieces are rather unstable but it seems
that he can hold on thanks to his passed a-pawn. J.Madsen-J.Fries Nielsen,
corr. 1994, continued} Qd6 $5 ({Black can hardly keep his extra pawn by} 28...
Rc8 29. g3 $1 Nb4 $6 {as after} 30. Qg6 {White's pieces become very active})
29. Rxd3 Nxd3 30. Qxd3 a4 {and here White can't create a dangerous attack on
the black king as the a-pawn seriously distracts his attention - a draw seems
to be the most likely result.}) 25. -- {White has two logical continuations:} (
{D21:} 25. Ne5) ({D22:} 25. g3 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "D21: 25 Ne5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 e5 $1 17. Rfe1 Rfe8 18. c5 exd4 19. Bxd4 h6 20. e5 Nd5 21.
e6 $5 Rxe6 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. Re1 Nf4 $1 24. Be4 Rc8 25. Ne5 {This tempting
knight lunge isn't dangerous for Black.} Bxe4 $1 (25... Bd5 $6 {runs into} 26.
Bh7+ $1 {. In most cases this check is harmless, but here it poses serious
problems since Black's king has to go to the centre with} Kf8 {and then:} 27.
-- (27. c6 Nxe5 28. Bxe5 Qxc6 29. Qxc6 Rxc6 30. Bxf4 {wins a piece, although
after} a4 {Black might be not losing! The aforementioned Kramnik-Sorokin game
continued} 31. Rc1 -- (31... Rb6 32. Rc7 (32. Be5 $5) {, and here he should
have pushed another pawn:} 32... b3 $1 33. Be3 Rb5 34. Bc5+ ({not} 34. Bd3 $2
b2 $1) 34... Rxc5 $1 35. Rxc5 a3 36. Bb1 Ke7 37. Kf1 Kd6 38. Ra5 a2 39. Bxa2
bxa2 {and the ending might still be drawn.}) ({. Swapping the rooks off also
deserved attention:} 31... Rxc1+ $5 32. Bxc1 a3 33. Bd3 ({or} 33. Bf4 Kf7 34.
Bd3 Kf6) ({or} 33. Be3 Kf7) ({while} 33. Bd2 $2 {leads to a draw on the spot:}
g6 $1 34. Bxg6 a2 35. Bxb4+ Kg7) 33... Ke8 34. f3 (34. Be3 e5) ({or} 34. Bf4
Kd7) 34... Kd7 35. Kf2 Kc6 36. Ke2 e5 {and White seems unable to win.})) (27.
f3 $5 {might be more promising, playing for the attack; e.g.} b3 ({not} 27...
Nf6 $2 28. c6 $1 Bxc6 29. Bc5+ Ke8 30. Bg6+ Kd8 31. Qf2 N4d5 32. Nf7+ Kd7 33.
Rxe6 $1 Kxe6 34. Qe2+ Ne3 35. Bxe3 {with a strong initiative}) 28. Qc3 g5 29.
Bb1 {with reasonable chances to get to Black's king before his queenside
passers become dangerous. Nevertheless, after} Ke7 $1 {things may still be far
from clear.})) 26. Qxe4 Nd5 27. Qg4 $1 {The best choice.} (27. Nc4 $2 {led to
troubles in A.Obukhov-R.Scherbakov, Belorechensk 1992, after} Nxc5 $1 28. Bxc5
Qxc5 29. Qxe6+ Kh8 30. Nd6 (30. Ne5 Nf6 31. Qf5 $5 {is a bit more tenacious,
though after} Qc2 $1 32. Nf7+ Kg8 33. Nxh6+ Kf8 $1 34. Qf4 Qc7 $1 35. Qd4 Re8
$1 {followed by ...Qe5 Black wins anyway}) 30... Rf8 31. Nf7+ Kh7 32. Qf5+ g6
$1 33. Qd7 {and Black parries all the threats by} Nf6 $1 {- the key defence,
discovered in home analysis together with Maxim Sorokin. As} 34. Qe7 ({or} 34.
Qb7 Qd5 $1) 34... Qxe7 35. Rxe7 Re8 {is hopeless, White can already resign,
which he in fact did.}) (27. Nxd7 $2 Qxd7 28. Qxe6+ Qxe6 29. Rxe6 a4 {is
equally unacceptable for White:} 30. Kf1 a3 31. Rg6 Rc7 32. Ra6 Ne7 $5 {and
Black's passers decide the game, C.Robeson-Jo.Watson, corr. 1995.}) ({Other
options, such as} 27. Nd3 Re8) ({or} 27. Qg6 Nf8 {, also give Black reasonable
chances to prove that White's compensation for the pawn isn't quite sufficient.
}) 27... Re8 $5 {Black can still try to fight for the advantage.} ({There's no
need to give the pawn back:} 27... Nxe5 $6 28. Qxe6+ Nf7 29. Qxd5 {and White's
bishop might be annoying.}) ({Forcing matters by} 27... Nxc5 28. Bxc5 Qxc5 29.
Qxe6+ Kh8 {gives White a whole extra tempo on Obukhov-Scherbakov from the
previous note, though it doesn't promise him more than perpetual check after,
say,} 30. Qg6 Nf4 ({or} 30... Rf8) 31. Nf7+ Kg8 32. Nxh6+ Kh8 {etc.}) ({
Finally,} 27... Nf8 {is playable but passive, and after} 28. c6 ({or} 28. Nc4 {
followed by Nd6 White gets active play for the pawn.})) 28. c6 ({The tricky} 
28. Nf7 $6 {can be parried by} N7f6 $1 29. Nxh6+ Kh7 {and now} 30. Qh4 $6 ({
while after} 30. Bxf6 Nxf6 31. Qg5 Rf8 32. Ng4 Nxg4 33. Qxg4 Qxc5 34. Qh3+ Kg6
$1 {White has to fight for equality}) 30... gxh6 31. Bxf6 Qf4 $1 32. Qxf4 Nxf4
{gives Black a big advantage in the ending.}) (28. Nxd7 Qxd7 29. c6 Qf7 {is
also better for Black.}) 28... N7f6 ({Another possibility is} 28... Nxe5 29.
Bxe5 Qe7 $5 {, intending to meet} 30. Ra1 Ra8 31. Qc4 {with} a4 $1 32. c7 $2
Nxc7 $1 33. Bxc7 Rc8 34. Bd6 Rxc4 35. Bxe7 Kf7 36. Bd6 b3 37. Ba3 Rc2 {and
White has to fight for a draw.}) 29. Qg6 Rf8 30. g3 (30. Ng4 $6 {helps Black
clarify matters in his favour:} Qxc6 31. Bxf6 ({or} 31. Nxh6+ Kh8 32. g3 Qe8 $1
) 31... Rxf6 $1 32. Nxf6+ Nxf6 {with a big advantage.}) 30... Ne7 (30... a4 {
gives White a good chance to force a draw by} 31. Ng4 Qxc6 ({or} 31... Nxg4 32.
Qxg4 Re8 33. Rxe6 Rxe6 34. Qxe6+ Qf7 35. Qc8+ Kh7 36. Qd7) 32. Nxh6+ Kh8 33.
Nf7+ {etc.}) ({Instead, Black might set a trap with} 30... b3 $5 {, hoping for}
31. Ng4 $6 ({but the cool} 31. Bb2 {defends}) 31... Nxg4 32. Qxg4 Qf7 $1 33.
Rxe6 $2 b2 $1 34. Re1 Nc3 $1 {.}) 31. Qc2 Nfd5 {. The position remains
complicated. White no longer has a strong initiative, but his active pieces
and far-advanced c-pawn give him reasonable compensation. Nevertheless, I
still prefer Black.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "D22: 25 g3!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 e5 $1 17. Rfe1 Rfe8 18. c5 exd4 19. Bxd4 h6 20. e5 Nd5 21.
e6 Rxe6 22. Rxe6 fxe6 23. Re1 Nf4 24. Be4 Rc8 25. g3 $5 {This move is the most
challenging. Black must play precisely.} Nh3+ {The only way.} (25... Nh5 $2 {
is awkward and can be punished by} 26. c6 $1 Bxc6 27. Rc1 Bxe4 28. Qxc7 Rxc7
29. Rxc7 Bxf3 30. Rxd7 a4 31. Ra7 Bc6 32. Kf1 {with good winning chances}) ({
while moving the knight back is just pointless:} 25... Nd5 $2 26. Bh7+ $1 Kh8
27. Bxg7+ $1 ({even stronger than} 27. Rxe6 N5f6 28. Nh4 $1 {with the
initiative, A.Muir-M.Matlak, corr. 1992}) 27... Kxg7 28. Qg6+ Kh8 29. Qxh6 Nf8
30. Bf5+ {and the rook comes to e6 with decisive effect.}) 26. Kf1 (26. Kg2 {
allows Black to simplify with the line} Ng5 27. Nxg5 hxg5 {, albeit by making
his kingside pawn structure more vulnerable:} 28. -- (28. f3 $5 Bxe4 29. Qxe4
Nf8 $5 ({here} 29... Qc6 30. Qg4 e5 31. Bxe5 Re8 32. Qxg5 Qh6 33. Qxh6 gxh6 {
doesn't bring Black any benefit after} 34. c6 Nxe5 35. f4 {, when he has to be
accurate:} a4 36. Rxe5 Rc8 37. Re4 Rxc6 38. Rxb4 Ra6 39. Rb2 a3 40. Ra2 Kf7 {
with a draw}) 30. Rc1 ({otherwise Black can try to activate his rook:} 30. Bf2
Rd8) ({or} 30. Qg4 Rd8 31. Re5 Qd7 32. Bf2 b3 33. Rxg5 b2 34. c6 Qc7 35. Rb5
Rb8 {and wins}) 30... Qc6 31. Qe5 Rc7 32. Qxg5 a4 {and Black is better.}) (28.
Kg1 $6 {is weaker:} Bxe4 29. Qxe4 Qc6 30. Qg6 ({or} 30. Qg4 e5 31. Be3 ({for} 
31. Bxe5 $2 Re8 32. Qxg5 {see 30 Qg6 etc}) 31... Nf6 32. Qxg5 Qd5 {and Black
keeps control}) 30... e5 $1 {and here a draw was agreed in L.Van Wely-J.Dorfman, Brussels 1993. But Black can play on!} 31. Qxg5 Re8 $1 32. Qc1 (32.
Bxe5 $2 {fails to} Qh6 $1 33. Qxh6 gxh6 34. Bc3 ({or} 34. f4 Nxe5 35. fxe5 b3)
34... Rxe1+ 35. Bxe1 Nxc5 {and his passers quickly decided the game, Z.Holovsky-B.Toth, corr. 2000}) 32... a4 {and Black's chances are clearly better
thanks to his strong passed pawns.})) 26... Nf8 {This passive retreat gives
Black acceptable play.} (26... Ng5 $2 {loses on the spot:} 27. Nxg5 hxg5 28.
Bh7+ Kh8 29. Rxe6 Nf8 30. Rh6 $1 {.}) (26... e5 $2 {was successful in E.Magerramov-R.Scherbakov, Moscow 1992 (in which White introduced 25 g3!?), but
White failed to find the right path.} 27. -- ({. After a natural} 27. Nxe5 $2
Nxe5 $1 28. Bh7+ (28. Bxe5 $6 {runs into} Bxe4 $1 29. Rxe4 ({or} 29. Qxe4 Qxc5
30. Bd4 Qc4+) 29... Qxc5 30. Qxc5 Rxc5 31. f4 g5 $1) 28... Kh8 29. Bxe5 Qf7 $1
{White has to fight for equality.}) ({. Unfortunately, the strong} 27. Bxe5 $1
{(which both players missed)} Nxe5 ({not} 27... Qxc5 $2 28. Qa2+ $1 Kh8 29.
Bxb7) 28. Nxe5 Bxe4 29. Qc4+ $3 {gives White a decisive attack:} Kh8 30. Nf7+
$1 Kh7 31. Qxe4+ Kg8 (31... g6 {doesn't help:} 32. Ne5 Rg8 33. c6 Ng5 34. Qd5
Re8 ({or} 34... Rd8 35. Nd7) 35. h4 Ne6 36. Nd7 {and White wins}) 32. Nxh6+ $1
gxh6 33. Qg6+ Kh8 34. Qxh6+ Qh7 35. Qf6+ Qg7 36. Qf5 Rf8 37. Qxh3+ Qh7 38.
Qxh7+ Kxh7 39. Re7+ Kg6 40. Ra7 {followed by Rxa5 with technically winning
endgame.})) ({However, Black has another interesting try, which has never been
seen in practical play:} 26... Nxc5 $5 {, when White has a choice but seems
unable to get any advantage:} 27. -- (27. Bxb7 $2 {fails to} Qxb7 28. Qg6 Rf8
29. Bxc5 Qxf3 {.}) (27. Bh7+ Kh8 28. Qg6 {is also fine for Black:} -- (28...
Nb3 {leads to a draw after} 29. Qxh6 Nxd4 30. Qxh3 Bxf3 31. Bg6+ ({or} 31. Bf5+
Kg8 32. Bxe6+ Nxe6 33. Qxe6+) 31... Kg8 32. Qh7+ Kf8 33. Qh8+ Ke7 34. Qxg7+ Kd6
35. Qxd4+ Bd5 36. Qe5+ Kd7 37. Qg7+ {with repetition.}) (28... Ba6+ $5 29. Kg2
Bd3 30. Qxh6 Bxh7 31. Qxh3 Qb7 {fights for the advantage. Black's vulnerable
king gives White sufficient counter-chances, but it's still worth trying and
can lead to very exciting play:} 32. Bxc5 Rxc5 33. Qxe6 Rc8 ({after} 33... Rf5
34. Qe8+ Bg8 35. Re4 Rf6 36. Rh4+ Rh6 37. Rd4 {Black is okay but his pieces
are tied up}) 34. Kg1 $1 Qc6 35. Qh3 $1 {and then} Rf8 36. Ng5 Qc2 37. f4 $1
Qf5 38. g4 Qd3 39. Re3 Qb1+ 40. Kg2 Rc8 41. f5 $1 Rc2+ 42. Kg3 Qg1+ 43. Kh4
Rxh2 ({or} 43... Qf2+ 44. Kh5) 44. Re8+ Bg8 45. Nf7+ Kh7 46. Ng5+ Kh6 {and
White still gives perpetual check by} 47. Nf7+ $1 {etc.})) (27. Bxc5 Qxc5 28.
Qxc5 Ba6+ 29. Kg2 Rxc5 30. Kxh3 a4 {seems critical for the assessment of
Black's idea. White has an extra piece in the ending, but the Noteboom pawns
give Black sufficient compensation; e.g.} 31. Ra1 (31. Rb1 b3) ({or} 31. Nd4 b3
) 31... Bb5 32. Nd4 Bd7 33. Nc2 b3 34. Na3 Kf7 35. Rd1 Ke7 {and White's pieces
are too busy with the opposing passers to think about making progress.})) 27.
Ne5 ({In J.Palsson-P.Tombette, corr. 2001, White played} 27. Ra1 $6 {and after}
b3 (27... Bc6 $5) 28. Qe2 Bxe4 29. Qxe4 Ng5 30. Nxg5 hxg5 31. Kg1 e5 $5 32.
Qd5+ Qf7 33. Qxe5 Re8 34. Qxg5 Re4 {failed to cope with the problems.}) ({
Similarly,} 27. Rc1 $6 {would be met by} b3 28. Qe2 Bc6 $5 29. Ne5 Bxe4 30.
Qxe4 {and here Black has a good choice between} Ng5 $5 ({and} 30... a4 $5 {.}))
27... Ng5 $5 {The most reliable way to avoid any difficulties.} ({Other moves:
} 27... Ba6+ 28. Bd3 Bxd3+ (28... Rd8 29. Bxa6 Rxd4 30. c6) 29. Qxd3 Qb7 $5 ({
after} 29... Ng5 30. c6 Nf7 31. Nxf7 Kxf7 32. Rc1 {Black's pieces are too
passive}) 30. c6 Rxc6 31. Nxc6 Qxc6 {, and now the concrete} 32. Re5 $1 {may
promise White the better chances:} a4 33. Rc5 Qh1+ 34. Ke2 Ng1+ 35. Ke3 Qf3+
36. Kd2 {etc.}) (27... Bxe4 $5 28. Qxe4 Ng5 {might also be tried, though after}
29. Qg4 {White keeps good compensation for the pawn; e.g.} Rd8 (29... Qd8 $5) (
29... Nfh7 $5) 30. c6 ({or} 30. h4 h5 $1) 30... Nfh7 31. Ng6 Qf7 32. Bb6 $5 ({
or} 32. Ne5 Qc7 {repeating moves}) 32... Qxg6 $1 ({not} 32... Nf6 $6 33. Qc4 {
and the c-pawn becomes too strong}) 33. Bxd8 Qd3+ 34. Qe2 Qd5 $1 35. Qc2 Qh1+
36. Ke2 Qf3+ {with perpetual check.}) 28. Bxb7 Qxb7 29. c6 Qb5+ 30. Qe2 (30.
Kg1 $6 Qd5 {is worse.}) 30... Qd5 (30... Qxe2+ 31. Kxe2 Nf7 {is also drawish;
e.g.} 32. Nxf7 Kxf7 33. Ra1 e5 34. Bxe5 Ng6 35. Rxa5 Nxe5 36. Rxe5 Rxc6 {.})
31. Qa6 $1 {Otherwise White would face problems.} Qh1+ 32. Ke2 Qe4+ 33. Kf1
Qh1+ {. With perpetual check.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "D3: 20 Rac1!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. e4 e5 $1 17. Rfe1 ({As we've already seen (in the notes to
line B2), the position in the main line can also be reached via} 17. c5 exd4
18. Bxd4 h6 19. Rac1 Bc6 20. Rfe1 Rfe8 {. At this point it might be useful to
take a look at Y.Pelletier-A.Galkin, Kusadasi 2006, in which Black came up
with an interesting idea.} ({. Instead of the normal} 20... Rfe8) ({, he
suddenly played} 20... Nh5 $5 {, intending to shift the knight to the strong
f4-square. Here White could have thought about} 21. g3 $5 ({, or} 21. Bc4 $5) (
{, but he replied with an unexpected move himself:} 21. Ba1 $5 {. True, after}
a4 22. Nd4 Ne5 (22... b3 $5 23. Qc3 Rfe8) 23. Nb5 $6 ({White's approach
deserves serious attention and after the correct} 23. Bf1 $1 {, followed by
Nf5, he might have counted on the better chances}) 23... Qe7 24. Nd6 Qg5 {
Black seized the initiative:} 25. Be2 Nf4 26. g3 b3 27. Qc3 $2 {and now} a3 $1
{would have given him a decisive advantage.}))) 17... Rfe8 18. c5 exd4 $1 19.
Bxd4 h6 $1 20. Rac1 $5 {This rook move doesn't seem very dangerous for Black.
However, it's connected with an interesting follow-up.} Bc6 21. Ba1 $5 {The
same unexpected bishop retreat as we've just seen. White is trying to use all
his units at full strength - such ideas as Nd4-f5 and Qb2 look really
impressive! Frankly speaking, when I saw this move for the first time it
looked to me like a heavy blow to the whole Noteboom Variation! However, once
less emotional and after some investigation, I would say that Black is still
very much alive.} Ng4 $1 {Black sends his knight to e5, not waiting for
White's e4-e5 push.} ({Alternatively:} 21... a4 {allows White to begin first,
but perhaps Black can hold on:} 22. Qc4 $5 (22. e5 Ng4 {is far from clear})
22... Qf4 $5 ({neither} 22... Qb7 23. e5 Nd5 24. Nd4) ({nor} 22... Rab8 23. e5
Bxf3 24. exf6 Rxe1+ 25. Rxe1 Qxc5 26. gxf3 $5 Qxc4 27. Bxc4 {seems
satisfactory for Black}) 23. e5 ({or} 23. Qxb4 Nxe4 24. Rc4 Rab8) 23... Qxc4
24. Bxc4 Ne4 25. Nd4 Nxe5 26. Nxc6 Nxc6 27. Bd5 Nxc5 $1 28. Rxe8+ Rxe8 29. Bxc6
Rd8 30. g3 Nb3 31. Rb1 Nxa1 32. Rxa1 b3 {with a draw.}) (21... Rab8 $5 {is
also playable:} 22. Nd4 Ne5 ({or} 22... a4 $5 23. Nxc6 Qxc6 24. e5 b3) 23. f3
a4 24. Bf1 a3 25. Qb3 Qd7 $5 {with good counter-chances.}) 22. Bc4 a4 ({The
counter-action} 22... Qf4 $5 {also deserves serious attention:} 23. -- (23. h3
$6 {is a waste of time:} Ngf6 $5 24. e5 Bxf3 25. exf6 Qg5 26. Bf1 Bc6 $1 27.
fxg7 Ne5 {, and thanks to his active pieces and strong queenside passers,
Black's chances are preferable.}) (23. Bd5 Rac8 {is also good:} 24. h3 ({or} 
24. Bxc6 Rxc6 25. Qa4 Rec8 26. Qxa5 Rxc5 27. Rxc5 Nxc5) 24... Ngf6 $5 {(Black
changes plans and attacks the pawn on e4)} 25. Bxc6 Rxc6 26. Qa4 Rxc5 27. Rxc5
Nxc5 28. Qc6 Nfd7 29. Bd4 Rxe4 {and White has to force a draw; e.g.} 30. Bxc5
Rxe1+ 31. Nxe1 Qc1 32. Qa8+ Kh7 33. Bxb4 axb4 34. Qe4+ {and Qxb4.})) 23. h3 ({
Instead,} 23. Qb2 $2 Nde5 24. Nxe5 Qxe5 {is good for Black}) ({while} 23. Qd2
b3 (23... Rab8 $5) 24. Qc3 Nde5 {is okay too:} 25. Nxe5 Qxe5 26. Bxf7+ $1 Kf8
$1 27. Qxe5 Rxe5 $1 28. Bc4 Ree8 {, followed by ...Reb8, and White has to
fight for equality as Black's pawns are very strong.}) 23... Nge5 24. Nxe5 Nxe5
25. Qb2 {White has built a powerful battery on the long diagonal, but Black
has good trumps.} Rab8 $5 ({Instead,} 25... Qb7 {may be insufficient:} 26. Bd5
b3 $5 27. Bxc6 Qxc6 28. f4 {and Black has to fight for a draw by} Ra5 $1 29.
fxe5 Rxc5 30. e6 f6 31. e5 fxe5 32. Qa3 Rxc1 33. Rxc1 {, though White keeps
some winning chances.}) (25... b3 {is playable; e.g. after} 26. Qc3 {and then:}
-- (26... g5 $2 {is too optimistic: after the strong} 27. f4 $1 gxf4 28. Rf1
Bxe4 29. Rxf4 Bg6 30. Bb5 $1 ({or} 30. Re1 $5 Qxc5+ 31. Kh2) 30... a3 31. Qxb3
{Black's vulnerable king makes his defence difficult, B.Toth-I.Dimov, corr.
2000 - many thanks to Dutch chess enthusiast Franck Steenbekkers, who shared
this game with me in the early nineties.}) (26... Qe7 27. Rcd1 Qf8 $1 {is
apparently the only defence:} 28. Bd5 Rac8 29. Bb2 (29. Re3 Bxd5 30. exd5 Rxc5
31. Qe1 f6 32. f4 a3 33. fxe5 b2 {leads to a draw}) 29... Bxd5 30. Rxd5 Ng6 {
, and although Black's pieces are pressed to the back rank, it's not so easy
for White to achieve anything substantial; e.g.} 31. g3 ({or} 31. Qc4 Nf4 32.
Rf5 Ne6) 31... Ra8 32. Ra1 ({or} 32. Ba3 Qe7) 32... Rxe4 33. c6 Re2 34. c7 ({or
} 34. Rxa4 Rxb2 $1 35. Qxb2 Rxa4 36. c7 Ra8) 34... Rc2 35. Rxa4 Rxc3 36. Rxa8
Rxc7 37. Rxf8+ Nxf8 38. Rb5 {with a draw.})) 26. Re3 (26. Bd5 a3 27. Qb3 Ng6 {
is good for Black}) ({while} 26. f4 {is well met by} a3 27. Qd4 b3 {and
Black's pawns are rolling fast. White is still strong enough after} 28. Bc3 {
but only to hold the balance. Black has a choice between:} -- (28... Qd7 29.
Bd5 ({not} 29. fxe5 $6 Qxd4+ 30. Bxd4 Rb4) 29... b2 30. Rb1 Bxd5 31. exd5 Nf3+
32. gxf3 Rxe1+ 33. Rxe1 f6 34. Kg2 b1=Q 35. Rxb1 Rxb1 36. d6 {with a likely
draw due to some perpetual.}) (28... b2 29. Rb1 {, the more reliable (if this
word can be used in such messy positions)} ({not} 29. Rcd1 $2 Ba4 $1) 29...
Rbd8 (29... Ba4 30. fxe5 Bc2 {- suggested by Bela Toth}) 30. Bd5 a2 {, when
Black is okay thanks to his formidable Noteboom passers.})) 26... b3 $1 {This
is the way to neutralize White's powerful battery!} ({The other pawn push,} 
26... a3 $6 {, looks more to the point, but it fails to disturb the opponent's
plans:} 27. Qd4 Kh8 ({or} 27... Qd7 28. Bd5) 28. f4 {, and here Black has an
interesting resource in} ({not} 28. Bd5 $6 f6) 28... f5 $3 {, but it's not
quite sufficient;} ({not} 28... Rbd8 $2 29. Bd5 f5 30. Qxb4) 29. Rg3 ({not} 29.
fxe5 $2 Red8 30. Qd6 Rxd6 31. exd6 Qa5) ({or} 29. Bf1 $2 b3) 29... Rbd8 30.
Qxe5 $1 ({after} 30. Qf2 Nxc4 31. Rxg7 Qxg7 32. Bxg7+ Kxg7 33. Rxc4 Rd1+ 34.
Kh2 Ra8 {Black's powerful pawns force White to look for perpetual; e.g.} 35.
Qh4 a2 36. Qe7+ Kg8 37. Qe6+ Kg7 38. Qe7+ {etc}) 30... Rxe5 31. Bxe5 Qd7 ({or} 
31... Qb7 32. exf5) 32. exf5 ({or} 32. Rg6 Kh7 33. exf5 Qb7 34. Kh2) 32... Qd2
33. Rb1 a2 34. Ra1 Bd5 35. Bxa2 $1 Bxa2 36. Rxg7 $1 Rd5 $1 37. Bf6 $1 b3 $1 38.
c6 $1 b2 39. Rb7+ Kg8 40. Bxb2 Qc2 $1 41. Kh2 $1 Qxf5 42. c7 Qxf4+ 43. Kh1 Rc5
44. Rb8+ Kh7 45. c8=Q Rxc8 46. Rxc8 {and Black will not defend his king.}) 27.
Bd5 ({Alternatives are harmless; e.g.} 27. Qc3 Qb7 28. Bb2 Qb4) ({or} 27. f4 a3
$1 28. Qxa3 Nxc4 29. Rxc4 Qxf4 {.}) 27... Qa5 28. Qd4 (28. Qa3 {can be simply
met by} Qb5 {intending ...Bxd5 followed by ...Nc4}) ({while} 28. Bxc6 $6 {
fails to} a3 $1 29. Qb1 b2 30. Bxe8 a2 31. Qxb2 Rxb2 32. Bxb2 Qd2 33. Bxe5
Qxc1+ 34. Kh2 Qxc5 35. Ba1 Qc1 {, though White can draw by building a fortress.
}) 28... Bxd5 (28... Qb4 $5 29. Qxb4 Rxb4 {isn't bad either. The ending is
seems drawish as both sides' trumps probably cancel each other out; e.g.} 30.
f4 Ng4 $1 31. Ree1 ({or} 31. Bxc6 Nxe3 32. Bxe8 a3) 31... Bxd5 32. exd5 Rxe1+
33. Rxe1 Nf6 34. d6 b2 35. Bxb2 Rxb2 36. c6 Rb8 37. d7 Nxd7 38. cxd7 Kf8 39.
Ra1 Rd8 {with a dead draw.}) 29. exd5 f6 {. Black has successfully negated the
white battery on the long diagonal, while his passers are advanced enough to
solve any other problems. The position remains sharp, but again a draw is the
most likely result. A possible continuation is} 30. Bc3 (30. d6 a3 31. d7 Nxd7
32. Rxe8+ Rxe8 33. Qxd7 Re1+ 34. Rxe1 Qxe1+ 35. Kh2 Qxa1) ({and} 30. f4 a3 $1
31. fxe5 b2 {should lead to the same outcome.}) 30... Qa7 31. f4 a3 32. fxe5 b2
33. Rce1 $5 b1=Q 34. Rxb1 Rxb1+ 35. Kh2 fxe5 36. Rxe5 Rxe5 37. Qxe5 {. Things
might become more difficult after} a2 ({And here either} 37... Rf1) ({or} 37...
Rd1 {is the most accurate, preventing c5-c6 and forcing a draw.}) 38. c6 a1=Q
$6 39. c7 Qg1+ $1 40. Kg3 Qxg2+ 41. Kxg2 Qa2+ $1 {and Black's path becomes
narrow and much longer.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Main Line with Qc2"]
[Black "E: 16 c5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Qc2 Qc7 16. c5 $5 {Advancing the c-pawn before playing e3-e4 enables White
to avoid the main lines with ...e5xd4. However, this benefit doesn't come for
free, as we'll see.} h6 $5 {This prophylactic move is useful in most cases.} ({
Let's take a look at the other possibilities:} 16... e5 $2 {right now is bad:}
17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Ng4 19. Bxh7+ Kh8 {, A.Obodchuk-O.Kniest, Pardubice
1995, and here} 20. Bf5 {would have secured a clear advantage.}) (16... Rfe8 $6
{is pointless as Black can't counter} 17. e4 {with} e5 $6 {due to} 18. Rfc1 $1
{, transposing to 17...Rfe8?! in line B which is good for White.}) ({As a rule,
Black should think twice before exchanging his light-squared bishop, but here} 
16... Ba6 17. Bxa6 Rxa6 {is worth considering; e.g.} 18. Ra4 ({White should
probably refrain from} 18. e4 {as he can't keep things under proper control:}
Rfa8 ({not} 18... e5 $6 19. Rfc1 $1 {with the initiative, L.Van Wely-N.Engedal,
Skei 1993}) ({but} 18... Qc6 $5 {is quite good}) 19. e5 Nd5 20. Ng5 Nf8 {and
Black has nothing to worry about, N.Kalantarian-A.Baburin, Kstovo 1994}) 18...
Rfa8 ({or} 18... Nb6 19. Ra2) 19. Rfa1 Qc6 {and Black's position is acceptable.
}) ({Black can also experiment with other moves, such as} 16... Rfb8 17. e4 h6
18. Nd2 Bc6 {. Here White has time to begin some actions on the kingside by}
19. f4 a4 20. Rae1 {, but Black keeps decent counter-chances, J.Tihonov-M.Feigin, Yalta 1996.}) ({He may also begin with} 16... Bc6 $5 17. Ne5 {, is
still harmless due to the typical} (17. e4 h6 {transposes to the main line})
17... Nxe5 $5 (17... a4 $5 18. Nxc6 Qxc6 19. Rfb1 Rfb8 {is also playable}) 18.
dxe5 Nd7 19. Bxh7+ Kh8 20. Bd3 {, despite White being able to switch his queen
quickly to the kingside. Black can choose between} Nxe5 ({and the more
ambitious} 20... Rfd8 $5 21. Qc4 Kg8 22. Qh4 Nf8 {, trying to achieve
something with his passers}) 21. Qe2 Nxd3 (21... f5 $6 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23. Be2 {
followed by f2-f4 may lead to problems for Black}) 22. Bxg7+ Kxg7 23. Qg4+ {
with perpetual check, V.Ridky-Z.Vavrla, corr. 2001.}) 17. e4 {Although this is
natural and ambitious;} ({perhaps White should refrain in favour of something
like} 17. Bb5 {, playing for the blockade of Black's pawns - such plans are
considered later.}) 17... Bc6 {White has built a strong pawn centre, but it's
rather difficult to make further progress. He has already played c4-c5 so the
advance d4-d5 isn't a real threat, while another pawn push e4-e5 will just
close the centre forever and give Black a strong square on d5 for his knight.
White's best plan seems to be the knight's transfer to d6, but that takes time,
whereas Black's connected passers are ready to go forward!} ({Again} 17... e5
$2 18. Rfc1 $1 {is unacceptable (see line B1 above)}) ({while after} 17... Ba6
18. Bxa6 Rxa6 19. Rfc1 Rc8 20. Nd2 {White maintains the better chances; e.g.}
e5 ({or} 20... Qc6 $5 21. Qa4 {and so on}) 21. Qd3 Rc6 22. Nb3 {with the
initiative, V.Burmakin-P.Tregubov, St. Petersburg 1995}) ({though} 17... Qc6 $5
{followed by ...a5-a4 might be playable.}) 18. Nd2 ({Or} 18. Rfb1 a4 19. Nd2 {
, transposing below.} ({The immediate} 19. Bc1 $6 {is less precise since Black
can play} Qb7 $1 {, when the intended} 20. Nd2 $2 {runs into} b3 $1 {.}) ({
Perhaps White should think about} 19. Qe2 $5 Rfb8 20. Bc1 {, but after} a3 {
Black's pawns are still rather annoying.})) 18... a4 19. Rfb1 Rfb8 {White has
concentrated all his forces against the black queenside, but still fails to
pose any problems. Although his bishops point towards the opponent's kingside,
they aren't very efficient on the flank where they're actually placed.} 20. Bc1
({The immediate} 20. Nc4 $6 {is strongly met by} a3 21. Bc1 e5 $1 {, breaking
up White's pawn centre:} 22. Bd2 ({other options, such as} 22. Be3 $2 exd4 23.
Bxd4 Nxc5 $1 24. Bxc5 Ba4) ({or} 22. Nb6 Nxb6 23. cxb6 Qxb6 24. dxe5 b3 {, are
worse for White}) 22... exd4 $5 (22... b3 $5 23. Rxb3 Rxb3 24. Qxb3 exd4 {also
favours Black}) 23. Bxb4 a2 $1 24. Rxa2 Rxa2 25. Qxa2 Bxe4 {and Black wins the
c5-pawn, securing excellent winning chances, A.Gusev-M.Simantsev, Donskoj 2007.
}) 20... a3 $5 ({In L.Van Wely-G.Serper, Helsinki 1992, Black tried} 20... b3
$5 21. Qc3 e5 $1 22. d5 Bxd5 $1 23. exd5 Nxd5 24. Qc4 Qxc5 (24... Nxc5 $5) 25.
Bb2 Nb4 {, obtaining good compensation for the piece thanks to his strong
passers, though he can hardly be better.}) ({Another option is} 20... Qb7 21.
f3 b3 22. Qc3 Qb4 23. Qxb4 {, but here White is doing well:} Rxb4 24. Bc4 $1
Rd8 25. Ba3 Rbb8 26. Kf2 {with the advantage.}) 21. e5 Ba4 ({This intermediate
move is more promising than} 21... Nd5 22. Nc4 Ba4 23. Qd2 {, when the invasion
} Nc3 {is met by} 24. Rxb4 Rxb4 25. Qxc3 Rb3 26. Qc2 $1 {(Black has no more
than repetition)} ({but not} 26. Qd2 $2 Nxc5 $1 27. Bc2 Rbb8 28. dxc5 Qxc5 29.
Bd3 Bb5 $1 30. Bxa3 Bxc4 {and White resigned, K.Bruederle-M.Heitmann, corr.
1995}) 26... Rb2 27. Qc3 Rb3 28. Qc2 {etc.}) 22. Nb3 Nd5 23. Bd2 {. White has
stopped the enemy pawns and prevented ...Nc3 but he can forget about active
operations. On the other hand, Black doesn't have much to worry about and may
try something like} f6 $5 24. exf6 ({Or} 24. f4 f5 $5 {.}) 24... N7xf6 {,
while his queenside passers always keep White tied down.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "9: Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 $5 {This is an interesting and rather poisonous approach. White again
takes control over the e4-square, but before playing e3-e4, he's going to
advance his f-pawn! The forthcoming f2-f4 followed by e2-e4 would help him
build a formidable pawn centre. On the other side, he may use the vacant
c2-square to set up a blockade of Black's pawns by Bc2. --- In some cases
White may prefer a restrained f2-f3, neutralizing the black bishop's influence
on the long diagonal, and follow up with an improvement of the knight, which
may go to d6 via c4, or to f5 via f1-g3 (if Black advances his pawn to e5).
--- Black must react appropriately. He has two logical ways of countering his
opponent's plans: (i) ignore White's actions in the centre and concentrate on
queenside play; (ii) respond immediately with ...e6-e5. We therefore consider:}
-- ({A:} 15... Qc7) ({B:} 15... e5) ({C:} 15... Re8 $5) ({The preliminary} 
15... Bc6 $6 {is dubious, due to} 16. Bc2 Qc7 17. e4 $1 {. An attempt to get
counter-chances by} a4 $6 {, doesn't work;} ({the thematic} 17... e5 {would
cost Black two tempi after} 18. d5 Bb7) 18. -- (18. Bxa4 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 20.
Re1 Bc6 ({or} 20... Nf6 21. d5) 21. Bc2 {and Black has lost his main trump -
connected passers on the queenside - so White can apply pressure in comfort, R.Nechepurenko-D.Frolyanov, Russian Team Ch. 2010.}) (18. d5 $5 {may be even
stronger:} b3 ({or} 18... exd5 19. exd5 b3 20. Bxb3 axb3 21. dxc6 Rxa1 22. Bxa1
Qxc6 23. Qxb3) 19. Bxb3 axb3 20. dxc6 Rxa1 21. Bxa1 Qxc6 22. e5 $1 {with a
healthy extra pawn.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "A: 15...Qc7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 $5 Qc7 {This continuation is risky as it allows White to carry out his
plan and build a powerful pawn centre. Nevertheless, the position remains very
complicated and double-edged. White may be unable to keep full control over
the centre and oppose Black's queenside at the same time.} 16. f4 ({The
straightforward} 16. e4 e5 17. f4 $6 {looks interesting, but Black has an
adequate response:} exd4 18. e5 Nc5 $1 ({in practice Black generally played} 
18... Qc6 {, which is also good}) 19. exf6 ({or} 19. Bf5 Nfe4) 19... Nxd3 20.
Qg4 g6 21. Bxd4 Rfe8 {and White is in big trouble.}) ({White may also refrain
from 16 f4 in favour of a more restrained} 16. f3) ({or} 16. Bc2 {- then a
thematic} e5 {would transpose below, to lines B2 and B4 respectively.}) 16...
a4 17. Rb1 {This was my first acquaintance with the main Noteboom and I had
mixed feelings. Black's play looked so dubious and yet it wasn't obvious why
White had failed to find some convincing way of proving superiority. So, at
that time, I still thought that the Noteboom was a kind of gamble which should
not stand up to a serious challenge, though some doubts began to surface.} ({
Of course, the a4-pawn is untouchable (} 17. Rxa4 $2 {loses to the typical
tactic} Qc6 {)}) ({but White has some more serious options:} 17. e4 $6 {is
dubious, as after} a3 18. Bc1 {, White can't keep his centre under proper
control:} -- (18... Rfd8 $1 {is supposed to be bad but in fact it's good
enough:} 19. e5 (19. Bc2 Qb6) 19... Nc5 $1 (19... Ne8 $2 {is too passive:} 20.
Nb3 {and White prevailed, G.Kasparov-D.Tyomkin, team simul, Tel Aviv 1994}) 20.
dxc5 ({or} 20. Bc2 Nfe4) ({or} 20. Nf3 Nfe4) 20... Rxd3 21. exf6 Qxc5+ 22. Kh1
gxf6 ({or even the more direct} 22... b3 $5 {and White faces serious problems})
) (18... Qd6 $1 {is a concrete way to highlight the weaknesses in White's
position:} 19. d5 exd5 20. exd5 ({or} 20. cxd5 Nc5 21. Bc2 Rfe8 22. Qf3 Qe7 {
and White's centre collapses}) 20... -- ({. Many years ago I was satisfied
with Black's position after} 20... Nc5 21. Bc2 Nxd5 $5 22. cxd5 Qf6 $1 23. Bxa3
({or} 23. Qh5 Qd4+ 24. Kh1 f5 $1 25. Bxf5 Rxf5 26. Qxf5 Qxa1 {and Black wins})
23... Qd4+ 24. Kh1 Rxa3 {with a huge advantage.}) ({. Nevertheless,} 20... Rfe8
$5 {seems more reliable.} 21. Kh1 Nc5 22. Bc2 Nxd5 $1 23. cxd5 Qxd5 {and
Black's initiative and powerful queenside pawns will cost White too much.}))) (
17. Rc1 {can be met by} Bc6 $5 18. e4 -- (18... a3 $1 19. Ba1 Qb7 20. d5 Ba4 {
and Black's passers become annoying.}) ({. Delaying the a-pawn push by} 18...
Qb7 $6 {is dubious:} 19. d5 exd5 $6 ({here} 19... Qa7+ 20. Kh1 a3 {was better})
20. exd5 Qa7+ 21. Kh1 Bb7 22. Nf3 Rfe8 23. Ne5 {and White has obtained a
powerful position. This occurred in a consultation game at the training camp
of A.N.Panchenko's chess school in 1987. I was on the White side, headed by
Panchenko himself, while the main advocates for Black were Evgeny Gleizerov
and Maxim Sorokin. The game actually ended in disaster for White after} Nf8 24.
Ng4 $6 ({already short of time, we somehow forgot to include the obvious} 24.
Bd4 $1 Qa5 25. Ng4 {with a strong initiative}) 24... Nxg4 25. Qxg4 Ng6 26. f5
Ne5 27. Bxe5 Rxe5 28. f6 g6 29. Qd7 $1 Rf8 30. Qb5 b3 31. Ra1 Qd4 $1 32. Rad1
Qa7 {and here White, still sure that Black should be punished for their
"strange" play in the opening, rejected the repetition and quickly found
ourselves in big trouble after} 33. h3 $2 Bc8 $1 34. Ra1 $2 Bxh3 $1 35. c5 ({or
} 35. gxh3 Qe3) 35... Bd7 36. Qc4 Rc8 37. Rac1 b2 38. Rc3 a3 39. Bb1 Rh5+ 40.
Kg1 Bf5 {; when we threw in the towel.})) 17... Rfd8 $5 {The most popular
option.} (17... Bc6 $5 18. e4 a3 19. Ba1 Qb7 {also comes to mind, but after}
20. Qe2 {White maintains good control over the position and his chances seem
preferable, although the position still remains too complicated to be sure of
any result.}) 18. Qe2 (18. e4 $2 {fails to} Nc5 $1) ({while} 18. Ba1 {is
simply met by} b3 {.}) 18... b3 $5 {This move not only secures Black's b-pawn
- as we'll see, the b4-square might be useful for his ...knight!} ({Instead,} 
18... Nf8 19. e4 {doesn't look too encouraging for Black, though it remains
very complicated:} N6d7 20. e5 (20. Qe3 $5) 20... f5 $1 ({the ugly} 20... g6 $6
{was successful in B.Grachev-V.Malakhov, Russian Team Ch. 2004, but it seems
rather suspicious if White plays} 21. Ne4 {without delay}) 21. exf6 ({or} 21.
h3 Ng6 $5) 21... Nxf6 22. Qe3 Ra5 23. h3 Qd6 24. Rf2 {and although White's
chances seem preferable, Black's position is full of resources, D.Breder-D.Rombaldoni, Budapest 2009.}) 19. Ba1 {White has other ways to take care of
Black's passers.} (19. Ba3 {firmly stops the pawns but decreases White's
control over important central squares, and so makes it more difficult for him
to advance his own pawns. After} Nb8 $5 ({or} 19... Nf8 20. Rbc1 Ng6 21. f5
exf5 22. Rxf5 Re8 23. Rcf1 Ra6 {and Black is fine, F.Cleto-A.Voll, corr. 2004})
20. Qf2 $6 Nc6 21. h3 Qa5 22. Rbc1 Rab8 23. c5 Ba6 24. Bxa6 Qxa6 25. Nc4 Ne4
26. Qe1 Ne7 {Black outplayed his opponent, D.Tapia-Dm.Schneider, Minneapolis
2005.}) (19. Ra1 $5 {deserves serious attention, although the pawn push ...a4-a3 may still be possible at some point. Black has a choice:} -- (19... Nb8 {
looks suspicious due to} 20. f5 {, but perhaps it's playable:} Nc6 (20... Nbd7
21. fxe6 fxe6 22. c5 {is worse for Black}) 21. fxe6 fxe6 22. Ba3 Qd7 23. Bc5 {
and here} Ne5 $5 ({or} 23... Kh8 $5) 24. dxe5 Qxd3 25. Qxd3 Rxd3 26. exf6 gxf6
27. Rf2 Kf7 {and the strong passed pawns give Black good compensation for the
piece.}) (19... Nf8 20. f5 {and here Black can try an extremely risky version
of a typical pawn push:} e5 (20... Qe7 $5 {is more reliable}) 21. dxe5 N6d7 22.
e6 -- ({, when the natural} 22... fxe6 23. fxe6 Ne5 24. Bf5 Re8 25. Qf2 $1 {
gives White a strong initiative, S.Semenov-I.Yasakov, corr. 2006, since the
e6-pawn is protected indirectly:} Nxe6 $2 26. Rxa4 $1 {.}) ({. Instead of
taking on e6 Black should get his knight to the strong c5-square by} 22... Nc5
$5 {, which looks too impudent but is actually based on good positional
grounds! Although White's position appears promising, his task is far from
easy:} 23. -- (23. exf7+ Qxf7 24. Bb1 Nfd7 25. e4 Qe7 26. Qe3 Ne5 {is okay for
Black.}) (23. Qg4 $5 {is more testing, but Black seems able to parry the
attack after} f6 24. Bxf6 ({or} 24. Ne4 $6 Nxd3 25. Bxf6 h5 $1 26. Bxd8 hxg4
27. Bxc7 Bxe4 28. e7 Nd7 29. Rxa4 Kf7) 24... h5 $1 25. Bxd8 Rxd8 26. Qxh5 Rxd3
27. Rad1 {, and now he has a good choice between} b2 $5 ({and} 27... a3 28. Rf4
g6 $1 29. Qh4 $5 Qc6 30. e4 Nxe4 $1 31. e7 Qc5+ 32. Kh1 g5 $1 33. e8=Q $1 gxh4
34. Rg4+ Kh8 35. Rxh4+ Kg8 36. Rg4+ {with perpetual check}) 28. f6 gxf6 29.
Qg4+ Qg7 30. Qxg7+ Kxg7 31. e7 Kf7 32. exf8=Q+ Kxf8 33. Nb1 $1 Ke7 34. Rxd3
Nxd3 {with a good ending.}) (23. Bb1 $1 fxe6 24. f6 $1 {is the most energetic
continuation, breaking up the black king's pawn shield, after which White's
trumps may be higher; e.g.} e5 $5 ({or} 24... Rd7 25. Nf3 $1 gxf6 26. Bxf6 Ng6
27. Nd4) 25. f7+ Kh8 26. Nf3 {and then:} -- (26... Bxf3 27. Qxf3 Ra6 28. Qg3
Ncd7 29. Bf5 Nf6 ({or} 29... Rf6 30. Rxa4 Rxf7 31. Rb4) 30. Qxe5 $1 Qxf7 ({not
} 30... Qxe5 $2 31. Bxe5 a3 32. Rfb1) 31. Qb5 Qa7 32. Bd4 Qa8 33. c5 {and
White's bishops are overwhelming; e.g.} Rb8 34. Qc4 a3 35. Be5 Ra4 36. Qc3 b2
37. Bxf6 Qa7 38. Bxg7+ Qxg7 39. Rxa3 Qxc3 40. Rxc3 Ra1 41. Bb1 {with good
winning chances.}) (26... Ncd7 {seems more tenacious:} 27. Bf5 Bxf3 28. Qxf3
Nf6 {and Black is still fighting.}))))) 19... Nb8 $5 {The key manoeuvre -
Black is trying to improve his knight and counter White's e-pawn advance by ...Nc6. Of course White can still push his f-pawn, but it's less harmful for
Black, even if the position is still dangerous.} ({Other options:} 19... Nf8 {
and if} 20. f5 ({simply} 20. e4 $5 {looks more promising for White}) 20... e5
$1 {seems safer than after 19 Ra1 Nf8 above. The game G.Soppe-G.Varela, Boca
1997, continued} 21. dxe5 {, and here Black had to play} N6d7 $1 22. e6 Nc5 23.
Qg4 fxe6 24. f6 Rd7 25. Be4 $1 (25. fxg7 Rxg7 26. Bxg7 Qxg7 {is fine for Black}
) 25... Nxe4 26. Nxe4 h5 $1 27. Qh4 $1 Ng6 28. Qh3 $1 Qxc4 $5 ({not} 28... Qc6
$6 29. Ng5) 29. Ng5 {and now} Rd2 $1 ({but not} 29... Qg4 $2 30. Qxg4 hxg4 31.
f7+ Kh8 {due to the astonishing} 32. Rf6 $3) 30. f7+ Kf8 31. Rbc1 Rc2 32. Qg3
$1 Ke7 33. Bb2 $1 a3 34. Bxa3+ $1 Rxa3 35. Ne4 $1 Bxe4 36. Qxg6 $1 Ra8 37.
f8=Q+ $1 Rxf8 38. Qxg7+ Kd6 39. Qxf8+ Kc6 {and Black holds on.}) (19... Qb6 20.
e4 Nf8 21. e5 {looks clearly better for White, but Black might still try to
fish in troubled waters with} Ng4 $5 ({rather than} 21... Rxd4 $2 22. Qf2 $1 {
and Black found himself in trouble in E.Alekseev-D.Frolyanov, Russian Team Ch.
2002}) 22. c5 Qb4 23. Nc4 Nh6 24. Nd6 Bc6 $1 ({not} 24... Bd5 $2 25. Nb5 $1 {
threatening Bc3}) 25. Qe3 $5 (25. Bc4 $5) 25... a3 $2 ({while} 25... Ng6 {with
counter-chances}) 26. Rxb3 $1 Qxb3 $2 27. Bxh7+ $1 {.}) 20. f5 {The f-pawn
push, on the other hand, looks dangerous. Black's kingside becomes vulnerable,
while his queenside pawns are currently immobile. Nevertheless, it's still not
so easy for White to develop the initiative.} ({Instead,} 20. e4 $6 {justifies
Black's idea:} Nc6 21. d5 ({not} 21. e5 $2 Nxd4 $1) 21... Nb4 22. Rf3 $6 ({but
} 22. Bxf6 Qc5+ 23. Kh1 gxf6 24. Rf3 ({or} 24. e5 f5) 24... Kf8 {isn't
dangerous}) 22... exd5 23. exd5 Qb6+ {was clearly better for Black in P.Cramling-I.Turova, European Women's Ch., Dresden 2004. Then after} 24. Qf2 $6 (
{or if} 24. Kh1 Nxd3 25. Qxd3 {, then} Nxd5 $1 26. cxd5 Bxd5 27. Qc3 f6 28. Rg3
Kh8 {and White faces problems}) 24... Qxf2+ 25. Kxf2 Nfxd5 $1 {Black won a
pawn for free.}) (20. d5 $6 Nbd7 $1 21. e4 Qb6+ $5 22. Kh1 Re8 23. Qf3 exd5 24.
cxd5 Rac8 {also gives Black very active play.}) 20... Nbd7 ({Alternatively,} 
20... Qe7 $5 {is worth considering, getting the queen closer to the king. Play
might continue} 21. fxe6 fxe6 22. e4 e5 23. dxe5 Nfd7 24. e6 Qxe6 25. e5 Nc5
26. Bf5 Qh6 27. e6 Nc6 28. Ne4 Nd4 29. Bxd4 Rxd4 30. Qf2 $1 Rxe4 31. Bxe4 Qxe6
32. Bxb7 Nxb7 {and Black should hold the balance.}) ({Black can also play} 
20... Nc6 {, if he isn't worried about} 21. fxe6 fxe6 22. Rxf6 {(is unclear)} (
{instead of the exchange sacrifice, White has more restrained options, such as
} 22. Bc3 {, but then} Rf8 23. Nf3 Qe7 {isn't so bad for Black}) 22... gxf6 23.
Qg4+ Qg7 24. Qxe6+ Kh8 25. Be4 Re8 26. Qh3 Rxe4 $5 27. Nxe4 Qg6 28. Qe6 Ne5 $1
29. d5 Bc8 30. Qe7 Bf5 31. Nxf6 {and here, in V.Jakovljevic-R.Delabaca, Kemer
2007, Black could have held on with} Bh3 $1 32. Qxh7+ $1 Qxh7 33. Nxh7 Kxh7 34.
Bxe5 Bf5 35. Rf1 Bd3 36. Rf7+ Kg6 {.}) 21. fxe6 fxe6 22. -- ({Here both} 22. e4
$6 e5 $1) ({and} 22. Nf3 $6 Be4 {, R.Har Zvi-B.Kantsler, Tel Aviv 1996, are
fine for Black.}) (22. c5 $5 {seems to be best, with unclear play and mutual
chances.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B: 15...e5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 $1 {The most logical response, by which Black prevents a pawn
avalanche in the centre. Here White has various possible plans: --- (i) Force
Black to capture on d4 by playing f2-f4, and following up with d4-d5, which
opens the diagonal for the bishop on b2 and, at the same time, locks in
Black's bishop on b7 - then White can try to develop the initiative on the
kingside, while his connected passed c- and d-pawns might also become a real
power. --- (ii) Improve his knight by Nf1-g3 or Nc4-d6 - in such cases White
often puts his f-pawn to f3 to restrain the opponent's bishop. --- (iii) Stop
Black's queenside passers with the light-squared bishop - White can certainly
combine this idea with the others. --- Let's consider all these plans, and
Black's possible reactions to them, step by step.} 16. -- ({B1:} 16. f4) ({B2:
} 16. f3) ({B3:} 16. Re1 {(intending Nf1-g3)}) ({B4:} 16. Bc2 $5) ({It's
senseless for White to grab the pawn by} 16. dxe5 $2 Nxe5 17. Bxh7+ ({or} 17.
Bxe5 Qxd3 18. Bxf6 Qg6) 17... Nxh7 18. Bxe5 {, as after} Qg5 19. Bg3 Rfd8 {
Black's pieces become very active and his queenside pawns are ready to go, and
White has almost nothing to compensate; e.g.} 20. Qc2 a4 21. Rfb1 ({or} 21.
Rxa4 Rxa4 22. Qxa4 Rxd2 23. Qxb4 Rd7) 21... Qc5 {and White's chances of
opposing the far-advanced passers are very problematic since he has no real
counterplay, F.Forgo-H.Scholten, corr. 1987.}) ({White might also insert} 16.
Qc2 Qc7 {before playing} 17. f4 exd4 18. exd4 {but it seems that Black is the
only one to benefit:} -- (18... Rfe8 {is acceptable and then:} 19. -- (19. h3
h6 (19... a4 $5) 20. Rf2 ({or} 20. d5 Qb6+ 21. Kh2 a4 $1) 20... Qb6 $5 21. d5
Rac8 $5 22. Qd1 Ba6 $1 {helps Black to seize the initiative, V.Nedela-R.Scherbakov, Cappelle la Grande 1996, and after} 23. Qb1 $6 Nh5 24. Bf1 $6 Ng3
25. Qd3 Re3 26. c5 $6 Rxd3 27. cxb6 Nxf1 28. Nxf1 Rc5 {he began to collect
White's pawns.}) (19. d5 $5 {(blocking off the opponent's bishop and opening
the diagonal for his own)} Qb6+ 20. Kh1 {and then:} -- (20... Ng4 {is tempting,
but White's resources shouldn't be underestimated:} 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 ({or} 21...
Kf8 22. Nf3 $1 Ne3 23. Qd3 Nxf1 24. Rxf1 {with the initiative}) 22. Nf3 $1 ({
not} 22. Qf5 $2 Nf2+ 23. Rxf2 Qxf2 {threatening ...Re1+}) 22... Ne3 23. Qd3 Nc5
24. Qd4 {with a strong attack. All the same, perhaps Black can hold on by} Qf6
$1 25. Qxf6 gxf6 26. Ng5 $1 Kg7 27. Rf3 a4 $1 ({or} 27... Nxc4 28. Bd4 a4 29.
Rg3 Nb3) 28. Rg3 a3 29. Bd4 Nb3 {and White has to give perpetual check by, say,
} 30. Bc2 Nxd4 31. Ne6+ Kh8 32. Rh3+ {etc.}) (20... a4 $1 {looks stronger:} 21.
Nf3 ({not} 21. Rxa4 $2 b3 $1) ({or} 21. Bxf6 $6 Nxf6 $1 22. c5 b3 $5) 21... Nc5
$1 22. Bd4 (22. Bxf6 Qxf6 23. Bxh7+ Kh8 {and Black is doing well}) 22... b3 23.
Qc3 ({or} 23. Qb1 Qb4) 23... Nfe4 $1 {.}))) (18... a4 $1 {at once seems more
energetic:} 19. d5 ({of course} 19. Rxa4 $2 {loses to} Qc6 {again}) 19... Qb6+
$5 (19... b3 $1 {was even more precise:} 20. Qb1 ({after} 20. Qc3 a3 $1 {Black
wins a piece:} 21. Rxa3 Qc5+ 22. Kh1 Rxa3 23. Nxb3 Qd6 24. Bxa3 Qxa3 {and so on
}) 20... Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Rfe8 {and Black has a clearly favourable version of line
B1. He has already managed to push his passers forward, whereas White is late
putting his knight on f3 and bishop on d4, which now can be met by a simple ...Qb4}) 20. Kh1 {arose in O.Touzane-M.Apicella, Linares 1997, where Black should
have played} a3 $5 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. c5 Qc7 {, when the white pawns have to go
forward unsupported.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B1: 16 f4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 $1 16. f4 exd4 (16... exf4 $2 {unnecessarily gives White an extra
option in} 17. Rxf4 $1) ({whereas releasing tension by} 16... e4 $6 17. Bc2 {
is also in White's favour: he can prepare his kingside operations at leisure
and may even think about a g-pawn advance, while the opening of the long
diagonal for his dark-squared bishop by d4-d5 is ensured as well.}) 17. exd4 {
So White now has connected passed pawns too, and he intends to cut off the
bishop on b7 by d4-d5 and open the diagonal for his dark-squared bishop. In
this case it might be difficult for Black to defend his kingside and oppose
the central pawns at the same time. On the other hand, the advance f2-f4
doesn't really increase White's attacking chances; in fact it might just be
weakening and help Black obtain more counter-chances. Here Black has a wide
choice, but he must think first of all how to obtain counterplay as quickly as
possible and slow down his opponent's plans.} ({Of course not} 17. Bxd4 $2 Qe7
$5 {and Black gets the strong c5-square for free.}) 17... Qb6 $5 ({Let's take
a look at the other possibilities:} 17... Qc7 $6 {is too routine to solve
Black's problems:} 18. d5 Rfe8 {, and here the simple} 19. Kh1 $1 {, allows
White to proceed comfortably with his plans. This position is clearly in
White's favour. The c4/d5 pawn barrier restricts the b7-bishop and makes its
counterpart on b2 happy. Black hasn't managed to advance his queenside passers
as yet - and may never find the time to do so as White's kingside initiative
escalates. In V.Chuchelov-M.Kuijf, German League 1995, White's trumps quickly
led to a good result.} ({rather than} 19. Bd4 Nc5 20. Bf5 ({or} 20. Bc2 Nce4)
20... Bc8 $1 {with good play for Black, G.Rotariu-M.Matlak, corr. 1992}) 19...
Nc5 20. Bxf6 $1 Nxd3 21. Qg4 g6 22. Qh4 Ra6 23. Rf3 Rxf6 ({or} 23... Nc5 $2 24.
Qxh7+ $1) 24. Qxf6 Nc5 25. f5 a4 26. fxg6 fxg6 27. Raf1 b3 28. Re3 $1 Qd7 29.
h4 a3 30. h5 {and Black resigned. This game is a good example of what Black
should not allow in this variation!}) (17... Nc5 $6 18. Bc2 Nce4 {, as in O.Touzane-G.Flear, Toulouse 1996, should be met by} 19. Nf3 Qb6 20. Re1 Rfe8 21.
Ne5 {with a definite advantage.}) (17... Qe7 $5 {is more interesting:} 18. -- (
18. Re1 Qd6 19. Re5 $6 {looks attractive, but in fact it only brings problems
for White after} a4 $1 20. Rb1 b3 {. A.Torrecillas Martinez-M.Kuijf, Benasque
1996, continued} 21. Ba1 Nxe5 22. fxe5 Qe6 23. Qe2 Nd7 24. Kh1 {and here} Qh6 {
, preventing Qh5, seems the most reliable.}) ({. Otherwise Black would simply
play ...Rfe8; e.g.} 18. Rf2 Rfe8) ({, or} 18. Bc2 Rfe8 {.}) (18. Kh1 a4 $5 (
18... Rfe8 {is also good}) 19. Rxa4 $6 ({but if} 19. d5 Nc5 20. Re1 Qd6 21. Be5
Qb6 22. Bd4 Qd6 {and Black is okay, M.Umansky-Y.Solodovnichenko, corr. 2004})
19... Rxa4 20. Qxa4 {is met by} Qe3 21. Qc2 Ng4 ({or} 21... Nc5 $5 22. dxc5 Rd8
23. Bxf6 Rxd3 24. Nf3 gxf6 {with good counterplay}) 22. Nf3 b3 $1 23. Qb1 (23.
Qe2 $6 Be4 $1) 23... h6 {with the initiative.})) (17... Re8 {seems quite
natural - the only drawback is that it allows an immediate d4-d5.} 18. -- (18.
d5 Qb6+ ({or} 18... Nc5 19. Bc2) 19. Kh1 {and White may still count on an edge;
e.g.} Nc5 ({or} 19... h6 20. Nf3 {followed by Bd4}) ({while after} 19... Re7
20. Nf3 Nc5 21. Bd4 {the attempt to push the pawns doesn't work well:} a4 22.
Rxa4 Rxa4 23. Bxc5 Qxc5 24. Qxa4 Ng4 25. Qc2 b3 26. Qd2 {and Black's
compensation seems insufficient}) 20. Bc2 ({here} 20. Bd4 a4 $1 21. Bxc5 Qxc5
22. Rxa4 Rxa4 23. Qxa4 Re3 {gives Black very active play}) 20... Nce4 21. Nxe4
Nxe4 22. Bd4 Qc7 {, when White can choose between} 23. Bd3 (23. Qg4) ({or} 23.
Rc1 $5 {with somewhat better chances thanks to his strong bishops and central
pawn chain.})) (18. Nf3 $5 {deserves attention as well; e.g.} Be4 19. Be2 $1 (
19. Ne5 {is well met by} Nxe5 20. fxe5 Bxd3 21. Qxd3 Rxe5 $1 22. d5 $1 Rg5 23.
Bxf6 gxf6 24. Qd4 $1 a4 25. Rxf6 {, when White is fighting for a draw as
Black's passers have become very strong, M.Zajtsev-A.Galkin, Internet 2004})
19... Qb6 ({or} 19... Nb6 20. Ne5 a4 21. d5 $1) 20. Ne5 {and again White has
the better chances, M.Kiesekamp-V.Bagirov, Deizisau 1998.})) 18. Nf3 {The
point of Black's previous queen's move is to delay the thematic d4-d5 for as
long as possible.} (18. Kh1 $2 {is too slow here due to} a4 $1 {and Black's
pawns become strong; e.g.} 19. Rb1 ({not} 19. Rxa4 $4 Qc6) 19... Rfe8 ({or the
more concrete} 19... a3 $5 20. Ba1 a2 $5 21. Rb3 Bc6 {.})) (18. Bc2 {doesn't
bother Black much either:} Rfe8 ({or} 18... b3 $5 19. Bd3 a4) 19. Kh1 Ne4 ({
stronger than} 19... Be4 $5 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Ba4 Re7 22. Qf3 {and White was
slightly better, in D.Komljenovic-R.Scherbakov, Linares 1996}) 20. Ba4 Nxd2 21.
Qxd2 Bc6 {with good play.}) (18. Rf2 $5 {deserves attention, but Black can be
satisfied with his position after} Rfe8 (18... Rfd8 $5) 19. c5 $5 ({or} 19. d5
a4 $1 20. Nf3 Nc5 21. Bd4 b3 22. Ne5 Qb4) 19... Qc7 20. Nc4 {and then:} -- (
20... Bc6 $6 {allows White interesting tactics in} 21. Nd6 $1 (21. Ne5 a4 22.
Bc4 Nd5 23. Bxd5 Bxd5 24. Rxa4 Nxe5 25. fxe5 Reb8 {is fine for Black}) 21...
Re6 22. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 23. Bc4 {, although Black can still fight by} Ke7 $5 24.
d5 Nxd5 25. Bxd5 Bxd5 26. Qxd5 Qxc5 27. Qxa8 Re2 28. Qf3 Rxb2 29. Kf1 Qb5+ 30.
Re2+ Kf7 31. Qe3 Rxe2 32. Qxe2 Qf5 {.}) (20... Ne4 {is more reliable:} 21. Re2
({or} 21. Bxe4 Bxe4 22. Nd6 Re6 $5 23. d5 Rxd6 24. cxd6 Qxd6 25. Qd4 Nf6 {and
Black gets sufficient compensation for the exchange}) 21... Qxf4 22. Nxa5 ({or
} 22. Rxa5 Nc3 23. Bxc3 Rxe2 24. Qxe2 bxc3 25. Qf2 Qg4) 22... Nc3 $5 (22... Bd5
$5) 23. Rxe8+ Rxe8 24. Bxc3 Qe3+ $1 25. Kh1 Bxg2+ $1 26. Kxg2 Qg5+ 27. Kh1 Qd5+
{with perpetual check.}) (20... Bd5 $5 {is also quite playable.})) 18... Be4 $5
(18... Rfd8 $5 {is worth considering.}) 19. Bxe4 ({On} 19. Be2 {Black would
try to find something more useful than 19...Rfe8 (transposing to note 'd2' to
his 17th move). Here} Rfd8 ({or} 19... b3 {come to mind.})) 19... Nxe4 20. Re1
Rfe8 (20... Qc6 $5 {.}) 21. Ne5 ({Or} 21. Qa4 Qb7 22. Re2 f5 {.}) 21... Nxe5
22. fxe5 f5 $1 {. The position is very complicated. White now has three
connected passers, but it's still not easy for him to advance his d-pawn;
whereas Black's trumps - the strong knight on e4 and queenside passers - are
also quite high.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B2: 16 f3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 ({The positions below can also arise after} 15... Qc7 16. f3 e5 {.}
({In that case Black might think about alternatives, such as} 16... Bc6 $5 17.
Bc2 Rfb8 {, but the early bishop move might just encourage White to throw in}
18. e4 $5 {.})) 16. f3 {White isn't in a hurry to push his pawns too far.
First of all, he wants to limit his opponent's options by taking control over
the e4-square and building a pawn chain against the bishop on b7. After that
he plans to improve his pieces slowly - mainly the knight, which can go to c4
and d6 (after c4-c5) or sometimes to f1, g3 and f5 - perhaps halt Black's
queenside pawns with Bc2, restrict the light-squared bishop with d4-d5, and
then begin kingside operations.} ({If White doesn't intend to prevent ...a5-a4
with Bc2, it might be slightly more accurate to begin with} 16. Qc2 Qc7 {and
only then} 17. f3 $5 {.}) 16... Qc7 (16... Re8 $5 {is also worth considering;
e.g.} 17. Qc2 (17. Bc2 $5) 17... Qe7 $5 ({otherwise} 17... Qc7 {transposes to
line B21}) 18. Rfe1 e4 $5 {with mutual chances.}) 17. -- {After 16...Qc7 White
has a choice of plans:} ({B21:} 17. Qc2 {(intending c4-c5 and Nc4-d6)}) ({B22:
} 17. Kh1 $5 {(intending Bc2 and d4-d5)}) ({Instead,} 17. Re1 Rfe8 {is fine
for Black. Here the knight manoeuvre} 18. Nf1 $6 {, can be always met by} ({in
this case White might prefer the restrained} 18. Bc2) ({or} 18. c5) 18... e4
19. Be2 exf3 $1 20. gxf3 Ra6 $1 21. c5 Rae6 {with excellent counter-chances.})
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B21: 17 Qc2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 16. f3 Qc7 17. Qc2 Rfe8 ({Bearing in mind that White is going to
send his knight to d6, Black might consider other options, such as} 17... h6 {
, but in fact it isn't so easy to find useful moves. Besides, White could also
wait for a while - with} 18. Kh1 {, say - when Black would have to determine
the position of his rook anyway.}) 18. c5 (18. Rfc1 {doesn't promise much:} h6
({or} 18... exd4 19. exd4 Qf4 $5) 19. c5 ({on} 19. Nf1 {Black shows why he
needs his rook on e8:} e4 $1 20. Be2 exf3 21. gxf3 Ra6 22. c5 Rae6 {with
excellent counter-chances}) 19... Bc6 20. Nc4 a4 $1 (20... exd4 $6 21. Bxd4 {
is clearly in White's favour, J.Tihonov-V.Malakhov, Minsk 1998}) 21. dxe5 ({or
} 21. Nd6 a3) 21... Nxe5 22. Nd6 ({after} 22. Nxe5 $6 Rxe5 23. Bxe5 Qxe5 {
Black seizes the initiative}) 22... Re7 {and Black is doing well.}) 18... exd4
$1 (18... Bc6 {is weaker:} 19. Nc4 exd4 20. Bxd4 {followed by Nd6 or Nb6 with
the advantage, S.Ionov-S.Volkov, Novgorod 1995.}) 19. exd4 ({On} 19. Bxd4 {
Black can immediately activate his knight by} Ne5 {with good play, S.Lund-M.Antonsen, Borup 2009.}) 19... Bc6 20. Nc4 a4 21. Nd6 Re6 $1 {Black is ready to
sacrifice the exchange to get rid of the strong knight. His queenside pawns
are already rather annoying, so his future looks bright.} 22. Bc1 $5 {
Preventing Black's plans.} (22. Bc4 $6 Rxd6 23. cxd6 Qxd6 {is just good for
Black.}) 22... Qb8 $5 ({Instead,} 22... Rxd6 $2 {is met by} 23. Bf4) ({but
Black has other playable options such as} 22... b3 {followed by ...Nd5.}) ({
The move} 22... Qb8 $5 {gives more support to the queenside pawns as the queen
may jump to b4 after ...b4-b3, while ...Rxd6 may also still work.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B22: 17 Kh1!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 16. f3 Qc7 17. Kh1 $5 {Although White is proceeding slowly his plan
is rather poisonous. He intends to stop the Noteboom passers by Bc2 and
restrict the opponent's bishop by d4-d5, so he first moves the king away from
possible checks. --- Black's position, on the other hand, looks quite normal.
He can play whatever he wants - all the natural moves. However, he needs to do
something concrete, or he may suddenly find himself without any real
counterplay.} Rfe8 ({In S.Ganguly-A.Delchev, Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010,
Black faced problems after} 17... exd4 18. exd4 Ra6 $6 19. d5 Nc5 20. Bc2 Nfd7
21. f4 $1 {- his kingside is under pressure while his queenside troops aren't
doing much.}) 18. Bc2 ({Here} 18. Qc2 {would be inconsistent, and} h6 {is okay
for Black.}) ({In the case of} 18. d5 {, the natural} Nc5 (18... Ba6 $5 {,
giving the bishop a concrete task, should promise good counterplay}) 19. Bc2
Bc8 {might be premature, as Black's temporary loss of control over the
important e5-square encourages White to resume actions in the centre and on
the kingside by} 20. f4 $5 (20. h3 $5 Ra6 $5) 20... Ng4 21. Qe1 $1 exf4 22. Qh4
f5 23. exf4 {and White's chances seem preferable.}) 18... exd4 19. exd4 Nb6 $1
{This pressure against c4 disturbs White's plans.} 20. Rc1 a4 (20... Ba6 $5 {
is also very much in the spirit of the position. Black should not miss any
possibility to provide work to every piece. Sometimes, small but combined
efforts of all one's units can bring about great results! B.Dubessay-P.Tregubov, French Team Ch. 2011, continued} 21. d5 Qf4 22. Ne4 $6 {, and here} (
22. g3 Qh6 ({or} 22... Qg5 $5)) 22... Bxc4 $1 {would have led to clearly
better chances for Black.}) 21. d5 b3 22. Bb1 Nbd7 23. Bd4 Rac8 $5 {Black has
advanced his passers quite a long way, but he has two pieces not doing much -
the bishop on b7 and rook on a8. They must do something! With White keeping
proper control over the b3-pawn, the rook was doing nothing on a8, so Black
shifts it to the c-file.} ({In N.Vitiugov-Y.Yakovich, European Ch.,
Aix-les-Bains 2011, Black went for the natural, if a bit less concrete,} 23...
Ba6 24. f4 Qd6 25. Rc3 {when White's play looks effective, though Black still
keeps good counter-chances. Here he should have increased the pressure on c4 by
} Rac8 $5 ({or} 25... Nb6 $5) ({whereas} 25... Re7 {gave White more freedom.}))
24. Rc3 ({If White now continues as in the previous note with} 24. f4 $6 {,
Black has the thematic blow} Nxd5 $1 25. cxd5 Qxc1 26. Qxc1 Rxc1 27. Rxc1 Bxd5
{and White has to fight for equality}) ({while the attempt to reroute the
bishop to a3 with} 24. Bb2 $6 {fails to} Qd6 {.}) 24... Qd6 {Black is still
trying to prevent f3-f4, which may not actually be too dangerous.} ({Instead,
Black can consider} 24... Qf4 $5 25. Ne4 Ba6 26. g3 Qh6 {with acceptable play})
({as well as} 24... Ba6 $5 25. f4 Qd6 {(as in the note with 23...Ba6 above).})
25. Ne4 {There are no other fruitful ideas.} (25. f4 $2 {fails to} Nxd5 $1 26.
cxd5 Qxd5 27. Nf3 Rxc3 28. Bxc3 a3 {and Black's pawns are too strong}) ({while
} 25. Bf5 $6 {is met by} Qf4 {.}) 25... Nxe4 26. fxe4 f6 {. Black's position
looks compromised and he must be extremely careful about both e4-e5 and c4-c5
- so perhaps there's no reason to play this way, given that he had several
good options earlier on. Nevertheless, this should also be quite playable; e.g.
} 27. Qh5 Re5 $1 28. Qh4 ({Not} 28. Bxe5 Qxe5 29. Qh3 Nc5 30. Rf5 $2 ({or} 30.
Rcf3 Ra8 31. Rf5 $6 Bc8 $1) 30... Nxe4 $1) 28... Ba6 ({Or} 28... Qe7 $5 {which
seems more reliable - Black keeps control over the key dark-squares, while his
queenside is always a strong trump.}) 29. c5 $5 Rxc5 30. Bxc5 Nxc5 31. Rfc1 b2
{and so on.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B3: 16 Re1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 16. Re1 {White makes way for his knight.} Qc7 ({Again} 16... Re8 {
is also quite playable; e.g.} 17. d5 ({or} 17. Bc2 Qc7 {and so on}) 17... Nc5
18. Bc2 Bc8 $5 ({but not} 18... Qb6 $6 19. f4 $1 exf4 $6 20. Bd4 $1 {. However,
the move ...Qc7 is usually more accurate, as it enables Black to follow up
with ...a5-a4.})) 17. Nf1 {This plan is quite interesting. As a rule, the
knight is very powerful on the f5-square - and not only in the Noteboom. The
drawback is that it's a bit slow, so Black has more than enough time to
organize counterplay.} ({Instead,} 17. f3 Rfe8 {is fine for Black. Here White
can hardly continue} 18. Nf1 $6 ({a cautious} 18. Bc2) ({or} 18. c5 {must be
preferred, but then Re1 might be a waste of time}) {, due to} 18... e4 $1 {
(see the note with 18 f3?! below).}) 17... Rfe8 {This natural move isn't the
only option here.} ({In such positions Black rarely puts his rook on d8, but
here} 17... Rfd8 {is playable:} 18. f3 (18. Ng3 a4 $1) 18... e4 19. fxe4 ({or} 
19. Be2 exf3 20. gxf3 Nh5 {, Q.Shea-D.Fleetwood, corr. 1994}) 19... Bxe4 20.
Be2 Bg6 {with good counter-chances. All the same, Black's rook looks better on
the e-file.}) ({The immediate pawn push} 17... a4 $5 {was thought to be a
mistake, but in fact it's perfectly playable and just good for Black as we can
see:} 18. -- (18. Ng3 a3 19. Bc1 Rfb8 {gives Black simple play, based on his
queenside passers; e.g.} 20. f3 ({or} 20. Bd2 Bc6 21. Bc2 Qb7 22. d5 Bxd5 $1
23. cxd5 b3) 20... Qb6 $5 21. c5 ({or} 21. Bc2 Rd8 $5) 21... Qe6 22. Bf5 Qc4 {
and White's position is difficult.}) ({. Of course the a4-pawn is still
untouchable} 18. Rxa4 $4 Qc6) ({; while after} 18. Rb1 {Black has many good
moves, including} Be4 $5) (18. dxe5 Nxe5 (18... Ne4 {isn't bad either:} 19.
Bxe4 Bxe4 20. Ng3 Bg6 21. Rxa4 Rxa4 22. Qxa4 Nc5 {and so on}) 19. Bxe5 Qxe5 20.
Rxa4 {wins a pawn, but after} Qc3 $1 21. Rxa8 Rxa8 22. Re2 Bc6 {Black has more
than enough compensation.})) 18. Ng3 (18. f3 $6 {allows Black to begin
favourable complications:} e4 $1 19. Be2 exf3 $1 20. gxf3 Nh5 $5 {, and here
Black could have played} ({or} 20... Ra6 $5 21. c5 Rae6) 21. d5 ({or} 21. c5
Re6 {H.Hoeksema-M.Van der Werf, Dutch Ch. 1994}) 21... Ra6 $1 {(straight away,
seizing the initiative)} ({rather than} 21... Nc5 22. Bd4 Ra6 {as in H.Oei-M.Van der Werf, Wijk aan Zee 1994}) 22. f4 ({or} 22. Bd3 Nc5 $1 ({not} 22... Ne5
$2 23. Bxe5 $1 Qxe5 24. f4 Qc3 25. Rc1 Qa3 26. c5 {and Black faces problems})
23. Bc2 a4 {with a clear advantage as} 24. Bxa4 {is met by} Nxa4 25. Rxa4 Rg6+
26. Kh1 Qxc4 {etc}) 22... Rg6+ 23. Kh1 Nhf6 {and both black knights have
excellent prospects:} 24. Bd3 ({or} 24. Ng3 Nc5) 24... Ne4 (24... Rh6 $5) 25.
Bxe4 Rxe4 26. Nd2 Nc5 $1 {and if} 27. Nxe4 $2 Nxe4 28. Qf3 {then} Qxc4 {and
White is lost.}) 18... a4 $1 {Exploiting the fact there's no white pawn on f3.}
19. Rb1 b3 $5 ({An immediate} 19... Qa5 $5 {is also playable:} 20. Qd2 b3 $5 {
and the ending} 21. Qxa5 Rxa5 {is acceptable for Black - but it seems more
interesting to keep the queens on the board.}) 20. Ba3 g6 {Although this looks
weakening it isn't easy to exploit the dark squares around Black's king.
Meanwhile the pawn advance decreases White's activity and enables Black to
begin some concrete actions.} 21. Qd2 h5 $5 {An interesting attempt to disturb
White on the kingside, too.} ({There's no need to waste time on} 21... Ba6 {,
although after} 22. Rec1 h5 $5 23. f3 Qa7 24. Qf2 Rac8 {the position remains
very unclear and double-edged, P.Cramling-J.Gdanski, Osterskars 1995.}) 22. h4
({White's game isn't easy:} 22. d5 h4 23. Nf1 h3 $5 {followed by ...Nc5}) ({and
} 22. h3 h4 23. Nf1 Ne4 ({or} 23... Be4 $5) 24. Qb2 Ng5 $5 {both promise Black
the better chances. White is failing to achieve anything special, whereas he
has some headaches on both flanks.}) 22... Qb6 $5 23. -- ({Black is doing well;
e.g.} 23. d5 Nc5) ({while after} 23. Bf1 {he has a good choice between} {and
here Black might think about} Rec8 $5 {,} (23... Rac8 $5) ({or even} 23... Ne4
$5 24. Nxe4 Bxe4 {, when his bishop may find unusual shelter on the c2-square.}
)) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B4: 16 Bc2!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 16. Bc2 $5 {This bishop retreat, which halts Black's queenside
pawns, has recently become a common option in this and similar positions. On
the downside, it may also decrease White's active possibilities.} Qc7 ({
Considering White's possible plan with f2-f4 (see line B42), Black might begin
with} 16... Re8 {- and this position will be considered in line C.}) 17. -- {
After the queen move, White has two main plans:} ({B41:} 17. Ba4) ({B42:} 17.
f4) ({On} 17. d5 Ba6 $6 ({but both} 17... Rfc8 {, M.Lacrosse-H.Nezad,
Gibraltar 2011}) ({and} 17... Rfe8 18. Ba4 Re7 {(transposing to line C) are
acceptable}) 18. f4 $1 {Black would face problems.}) (17. Ra2 {doesn't promise
much either:} exd4 ({instead, the natural} 17... Rfe8 {, and if} 18. d5 {then}
Nb6 $1 {, gives Black good counter-chances}) 18. exd4 Rfe8 19. d5 {may be
somewhat better for White, M.Grabarczyk-M.Velcheva, Pula 1998, but there's no
need to increase the scope of the dark-squared bishop.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B41: 17 Ba4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 16. Bc2 $5 Qc7 17. Ba4 Rfd8 $5 (17... Nb6 {is worth considering:}
18. Bb5 ({not} 18. dxe5 $2 Nxa4 19. Qxa4 Nd7 {with a clear edge}) 18... a4 (
18... Rfd8 $5) 19. -- ({, and now attempts to win the a4-pawn fail:} 19. Bxa4
$4 Nxa4 20. Rxa4 Qc6) ({, or} 19. c5 $2 a3 $1 20. cxb6 Qxb6) ({; while} 19. Rc1
{is slow - Black may think about} a3 ({or} 19... Rfd8 {, E.Ovod-I. Zakurdjaeva,
European Women's Ch., Dresden 2004}) 20. Ba1 exd4 21. exd4 Ra5 $5 22. Nb3 (22.
d5 Qf4) 22... Rxb5 23. cxb5 Qf4 {with excellent compensation for the exchange.}
) ({. However, the concrete} 19. dxe5 $1 Nfd7 20. f4 Nc5 21. Bd4 {gives White
good attacking chances - Black's king may feel insecure after f4-f5 and Qh5, D.Yevseev-G.Arzumanian, Nefteyugansk 2002.})) ({In many cases the unforced
capture on d4 isn't in Black's favour, but here} 17... exd4 18. exd4 Nb6 19.
Bb5 {might be playable:} -- (19... Bc6 $6 {is suspicious:} 20. Bxc6 Qxc6 21. d5
Qd6 22. c5 $1 Qxc5 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Ne4 {with a dangerous-looking initiative;
e.g.} Qe7 25. Qf3 Nxd5 26. Rad1 Rfe8 27. Ng3 Nc3 28. Nh5 Kh8 29. Rde1 $1 {and
so on.}) (19... Ne4 $6 20. Nxe4 Bxe4 {would be okay for Black after} 21. Re1 $6
({unfortunately, White has better options, such as} 21. Rc1 $5 Bc6 22. Bxc6
Qxc6 23. d5) ({or} 21. Qg4 $5 Bc6 22. d5 f5 23. Qd4 Bxb5 24. d6 Qf7 25. cxb5
Nc4 26. Rfc1 Nxb2 27. Qxb2 {with the initiative}) 21... Bc6 22. d5 Bxb5 23. Qd4
f6 24. cxb5 Rfd8 25. Rac1 {, Se. Ivanov-Jor.Eriksson, Stockholm 2003, and now}
Qb8 $1 {, preventing d5-d6.}) (19... Ba6 $1 {is the most precise and gives
Black good play; e.g.} 20. Bxa6 ({or} 20. Rxa5 $6 Nxc4 21. Rxa6 Nxb2 22. Qb3
Qc3 23. Rb1 Rxa6 24. Bxa6 Qxd2 25. Qxb2 {with a likely draw, R.Janssen-A.Kharlov, Amsterdam 2005}) 20... Rxa6 21. d5 (21. Qb3 Rc8 22. Rfc1 h6) 21...
Nbd7 22. Re1 Rfa8 {and Black is okay.})) 18. Bb5 (18. d5 {is harmless:} Nb6 $5
19. Rc1 (19. Bb5 Ba6) 19... Nxa4 20. Qxa4 Nd7 {and Black has the better
chances, K.Sakaev-Ar.Timofeev, Moscow 2004.}) 18... exd4 (18... Ba6 $5 {.}) 19.
exd4 Bc6 $5 ({In I.Turova-T.Shumiakina, St. Petersburg 2009, Black tried the
active-looking} 19... Qf4 $6 {. Then} 20. d5 $1 {is more precise, when White
should be better.} (20. h3 $6 {, missed a chance to seize the initiative by}
Nc5 $1 {; e.g.} 21. Qe2 Re8 $1 22. Bxe8 Rxe8 23. Qd1 Nd3 {and if} 24. Qc2 $2 {
then} Qg5 $1 25. d5 Nf4 26. g3 Re3 $1 {with a crushing attack.}) 20... Nb6 (
20... Ng4 $6 {is a waste of time after the simple} 21. g3) 21. Qe2 Nbxd5 $5 ({
otherwise it's not easy to get counterplay; e.g.} 21... a4 22. Be5 Qf5 23. Bc7)
22. cxd5 Rxd5 23. Nf3 {and Black's compensation seems insufficient}) 20. Bxc6
Qxc6 21. d5 {. The exchange of light-squared bishops has reduced White's
attacking potential.} -- ({Black's position is acceptable - he can choose
between} 21... Qc7) ({and} 21... Qa6 $5 {, still trying to keep White occupied
with his passers.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "B42: 17 f4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 e5 16. Bc2 Qc7 17. f4 exd4 18. exd4 Rfc8 $5 {A concrete and
interesting idea - Black is trying to prevent, or at least delay, the thematic
d4-d5 advance.} ({The position after} 18... Rfe8 19. d5 {is similar to one
considered in line B1: 15 Nd2 e5 16 f4 exd4 17 exd4 and if 17...Qc7?! then 18
d5 Rfe8 19 Kh1! with the advantage. Here, instead of Kh1, White has played 19
Bc2 which isn't really necessary, but he can still count on an edge:} -- (19...
Rac8 {doesn't seem quite sufficient:} 20. -- (20. Ba4 Re3 21. Nb3 (21. Kh1 $5)
21... Qxc4 $1 22. Bxd7 {was tried in A.Smirnov-Y.Melnikova, St. Petersburg
2004, when Black should have played} Rd3 $1 23. Bxc8 Rxd1 24. Rfxd1 Qxc8 25.
Nxa5 Qc5+ 26. Bd4 Qxd5 27. Nxb7 Qxb7 28. Ra4 h5 29. Bxf6 gxf6 30. Rb1 b3 31.
Ra3 Qe4 32. Raxb3 Qxf4 {with a draw.}) (20. Bf5 $5) (20. Rc1 {is more
promising:} Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Ba6 22. Bf5 Rcd8 23. Nf3 Nc5 24. Bd4 {and White gets
the better chances, A.Zhigalko-S.Zhigalko, Minsk 2006.})) (19... Ba6 $5 {is
more accurate and after} 20. Rc1 {, then:} -- (20... Qb6+ 21. Kh1 Re7 (21...
Rac8 {transposes to note 'a2'}) 22. Bf5 Rae8 23. Nf3 {and White maintains the
edge.}) (20... Qa7+ $5 21. Kh1 Rac8 22. Bf5 Nxd5 $5 {is interesting, but White
has an adequate response:} 23. Ne4 $1 ({not} 23. cxd5 $6 Rxc1 24. Qxc1 Bxf1 25.
Qxf1 a4 26. Nf3 Qb7) 23... Ne3 24. Bd4 $1 Nxd1 25. Bxa7 Nc3 $5 ({after} 25...
Rc7 26. Rcxd1 Rxa7 27. Rfe1 {Black has to give up the exchange, though} Nf8 28.
Nf6+ gxf6 29. Rxe8 Kg7 30. c5 Rc7 31. Rc1 Bb7 {keeps drawing chances}) 26. Nxc3
Rc7 27. Rfd1 Nf6 28. Bb6 Rxc4 29. Na4 g6 30. Bb1 Rxc1 31. Rxc1 Bb5 32. Bd4 $1
Nd5 33. Nc5 {and White is better, but Black's strong passers give him decent
chances to hold on.}))) 19. Rc1 ({Of course not} 19. d5 $2 Bxd5 {- in order to
advance his pawn to d5 White must protect his bishop on c2.}) ({Similarly, on} 
19. Kh1 {Black has the principled} Nd5 $5 20. Qf3 a4 $5 (20... N7b6 $6 {is
dubious because of} 21. Rac1 $1 Nc3 22. Qh3 g6 23. Bxc3 bxc3 24. Qxc3) ({but
simply} 20... N5f6 $5 {is possible}) 21. Be4 ({the pawn is untouchable:} 21.
Bxa4 $2 N5b6 22. Qd1 Nxa4 23. Rxa4 Qc6 {and White loses}) 21... N7f6 $5 22.
cxd5 Nxe4 23. Nxe4 a3 {and Black is doing well:} 24. Bxa3 ({, other options
are also harmless; e.g.} 24. Bc1 $2 Bxd5 25. Nf6+ gxf6 26. Qxd5 Qc3) ({, or} 
24. Rac1 Qb6) ({, or} 24. Nc5 axb2 25. Rab1 Rd8 26. d6 (26. Nxb7 Qxb7 27. Rxb2
Rab8) 26... Qxc5 $1 27. dxc5 Bxf3 28. Rxf3 Ra5) 24... Rxa3 25. Rxa3 bxa3 26.
Qxa3 Bxd5 27. Nd2 h6 {and Black has nothing to worry about with his powerful
bishop on d5 and active major pieces.}) 19... Qb6 $5 {Still fighting against
d4-d5!} 20. Rf2 $5 (20. Ba4 {is well met by} Bc6) ({while} 20. Kh1 $6 {gives
Black a good opportunity to push his queenside pawns:} b3 $1 21. Bf5 ({or} 21.
Bxb3 a4 22. c5 Qb5) 21... a4 22. d5 {, S.Vijayalakshmi-M.Apicella, Paris 2005,
when Black might have thought about} Re8 $5 {, and if} ({or} 22... a3 $5 23.
Bxf6 Qxf6 24. Bxd7 b2 25. Bxc8 Bxc8 {and it's White who faces problems here})
23. c5 $6 {then} Nxc5 24. Bd4 Bxd5 25. Bxc5 Qb7 {with a clear advantage.})
20... Qa6 $5 ({White's previous move prevented} 20... b3 $6 {due to} 21. Bxb3
a4 22. c5 Qb5 23. Ba2 Qxb2 24. Nc4 Qb5 25. Nd6 Qc6 26. Rb2 Rab8 27. Nxf7 Nd5
28. Nd6 {with a strong initiative; e.g.} Kf8 29. Rcb1 $1 Rc7 30. Nb5 $1 {and
Black is in trouble.}) ({Perhaps he can try} 20... Re8 $5 {, but after} 21. d5
{White's chances are still preferable despite having played Rf2 instead of the
more natural Kh1.}) 21. Ra1 $5 ({Or} 21. Ba4 Bc6 {.}) 21... Nb6 $5 22. d5 $5
Nxc4 $1 23. Nxc4 Rxc4 ({Not} 23... Qxc4 $2 24. Bxf6 gxf6 25. Qh5 {with an
attack.}) 24. Bd3 Bxd5 25. Bxc4 Bxc4 {. Black keeps good compensation for the
exchange.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Nd2"]
[Black "C: 15...Re8!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Nd2 Re8 $5 {This move looks a bit mysterious as Black could have advanced
his e-pawn without support.} 16. Bc2 $5 ({However, 15...Re8!? has its points -
Black intends to meet} 16. f4 {with} Nc5 $1 17. Bc2 Nce4 {, setting up a
blockade on the e4-square. Then after} 18. Nf3 Ng4 $5 19. Qe2 f5 20. Rfc1 Re7
21. h3 Ngf6 22. Ne5 Nd7 {he gets acceptable play, L.Gomez Jurado-S.Ravot,
Barbera del Valles 2008.}) ({Instead,} 16. Qc2 e5 {may transpose to 15...e5
lines; for instance,} 17. f3 Qc7 {is line B21.}) 16... e5 ({Black also tried} 
16... Qc7 17. -- ({, when White can think about} 17. c5 $5 e5 18. Nc4 exd4 19.
exd4) ({, but the most tempting continuation is} 17. f4 {, which makes ...Rfe8
look a little odd. Nevertheless} Nb6 $5 {may still promise decent
counter-chances; e.g.} 18. Qe2 (18. c5 Nbd5 19. Re1 Bc6 {is far from clear, A.Smirnov-M.Matlakov, St. Petersburg 2002}) 18... a4 {and Black's passers are
rather annoying, S.Klimov-M.Matlakov, St. Petersburg 2007. The point is that}
19. Rfb1 {would be met by} a3 20. Bc1 Nbd5 $1 21. Rb3 Reb8 22. Qe1 Ba6 23. Bd3
Ne7 24. e4 Nc6 {and White can't keep everything under control.})) 17. Ba4 {
From this square the bishop not only stops Black's passers, it also supports
White's own pawns.} ({Instead, after} 17. f4 exd4 18. exd4 {Black would be
happy to play} Qb6 $1 {in one step.}) ({White might begin with} 17. d5 $5 {,
when} Qc7 ({but here, too, Black can think about} 17... Qb6 $5 {and if} 18. Ba4
{then} Re7 {with acceptable play}) 18. f4 exf4 19. exf4 {would lead to 18...
Rfe8 19 d5 in line B42, where White has an edge.}) 17... Qc7 ({Both} 17... exd4
18. exd4 Re7 19. d5 {is preferable for White.}) ({and} 17... Re7 $5 18. Nb3 ({
or} 18. c5 $5 {intending c5-c6}) 18... Qc7 19. Bb5 {, A.Sulypa-E.Moreno Tejera,
Villa de Albox 2002, are somewhat better for White.}) 18. d5 $5 (18. dxe5 {is
well met by} Rxe5 $1 19. Bxd7 ({or} 19. Bxe5 Nxe5) 19... Nxd7 20. Qg4 g6 21.
Bxe5 Nxe5 22. Qf4 Qe7 {with good compensation for the exchange.}) {After the
thematic pawn advance Black faces some problems, but he seems to have enough
resources.} 18... Re7 $5 ({It's logical to unpin, but Black should keep proper
control over the centre -} 18... Rec8 $2 19. f4 $1 {gives White an annoying
initiative, K.Aseev-I.Sudakova, St. Petersburg 2002.}) 19. f4 exf4 (19... Nc5
20. fxe5 Rxe5 21. Bxe5 Qxe5 22. Qf3 {is interesting, but probably not
sufficient.}) 20. exf4 Ne4 $5 {Black has to undertake some concrete actions
against the c4/d5 pawn chain, which seriously limits his possibilities and
gives White clear play.} ({Routine moves, such as} 20... Qb6+ $6 21. Kh1 Nc5
22. Bd4 {, don't interfere with White's plans.}) 21. Nxe4 Rxe4 22. Qg4 Nf6 $1
23. Bxf6 Qb6+ 24. Kh1 Qxf6 {It may seem that Black is perfectly fine, but this
is still far from true. White's bishop is much more useful than its
counterpart, which is locked in on b7.} 25. Rae1 {Now Black must defend
precisely.} Rxe1 ({Black's problems can be illustrated in the line} 25... Qe7
$2 26. Rxe4 Qxe4 27. Qd7 Qxc4 28. Re1 Qc8 29. Qxc8+ $1 Rxc8 30. d6 Rf8 31. d7 {
and the only way to stop White's passer is with} Bc8 {which is certainly
unacceptable.}) ({Perhaps Black can hold on after} 25... h5 $5 26. Qd7 Bc8 27.
Qc6 Qxc6 28. Bxc6 Rxe1 29. Rxe1 Ra7 {and if} 30. Re8+ Kh7 31. Rxc8 {then} a4
32. Bxa4 Rxa4 33. g3 b3 34. Rb8 Rxc4 35. Rxb3 Rd4 36. Rb5 Rd2 {, but this line
looks suspicious.}) 26. Rxe1 g6 ({The logical} 26... Qd6 $6 {fails to} 27. f5
$1 h6 28. Qd4 Rc8 29. f6 $1 Ba6 30. Qh4 $1 Bxc4 ({or} 30... Rxc4 $2 31. Re8+
Kh7 32. Bc2+ $1 Rxc2 33. Qe4+ g6 34. Rh8+ $1 Kxh8 35. Qe8+) 31. Qg4 $1 {and
Black is in trouble.}) 27. Qg5 $1 {The only way to cause Black any
difficulties.} ({After} 27. Qd7 Bc8 28. Qe8+ Kg7 29. c5 Qxf4 30. d6 Rb8 {Black
holds on; e.g.} 31. d7 Bxd7 32. Qxd7 b3 33. Qd6 Qf2 (33... Qxd6 $5 34. cxd6 b2
35. Rb1 Kf6 {is also good}) 34. Qe5+ Kh6 35. c6 b2 36. Rb1 Rb4 $1 37. Bb5 ({not
} 37. c7 $2 Rc4) 37... Qc2 ({and Black might even try for more with} 37... Qd2
$5 38. Qc5 Re4 39. Qf8+ Kg5 40. Qc5+ f5) 38. Qe3+ Kg7 39. Qe5+ Kh6 {is a draw
by repetition.}) 27... Qc3 $1 {The only defence.} (27... Qd6 $2 28. Qe7) ({and
} 27... Qxg5 28. fxg5 Rd8 29. Rd1 Rd6 30. Kg1 Kg7 31. Bb3 {are just bad for
Black.}) 28. Qe7 {Although White's initiative looks dangerous, it seems that
Black can hold the balance.} b3 $3 ({After} 28... Bc8 $6 29. Qe3 $1 Bf5 30. c5
Rc8 31. Qxc3 bxc3 32. c6 Rd8 33. c7 {a draw was agreed in the game D.
Brunsteins-M.Zubac, corr. 2007, which was perhaps premature: after} Rxd5 {
White could have chosen between} 34. Bc2 $5 ({or} 34. c8=Q+ Bxc8 35. Re8+ Kg7
36. Rxc8 Rd4 37. Bc2 Rxf4 38. Kg1) 34... Rc5 35. Bxf5 Rxc7 36. Bc2 {with
reasonable winning chances.}) 29. f5 $1 (29. d6 {is too slow:} Qd2 30. Rg1
Bxg2+ $1 31. Rxg2 Qd1+ 32. Rg1 Qf3+ 33. Rg2 Qd1+ {and Black forces a draw}) ({
while} 29. Be8 {can be parried by} Bxd5 $1 30. cxd5 Ra7 $1 31. Qe4 b2 32. d6
Rb7 $1 {and here, say,} 33. Bxf7+ ({or} 33. Rg1 Qb4 $1 34. Bc6 $1 b1=Q 35. Qe8+
Kg7 36. Bxb7 Qxb7 37. d7 Q7b6 38. Qe5+ Kh6 39. Qg5+ Kg7 40. Qe5+ {also with
perpetual check}) 33... Rxf7 34. d7 Qd2 $1 35. Qe8+ Rf8 {.}) 29... b2 $1 30. f6
$5 (30. Be8 {looks tempting, when Black escapes with} Rxe8 $1 (30... Bxd5 $2
31. cxd5 Ra7 {fails to} 32. Bxf7+ Kg7 33. f6+ $1 Kh6 34. Qe4 {.}) 31. Qxe8+ Kg7
32. fxg6 hxg6 33. Rf1 Qc1 $3 34. Qxf7+ Kh6 35. Qf8+ Kh7 $1 36. Qe7+ Kg8 $1 ({
but not} 36... Kh6 $2 37. Qh4+ Kg7 38. Qd4+ Kg8 ({or} 38... Kh7 39. Qg1 $1) 39.
Qd3) 37. Qd8+ Kh7 38. Qh4+ Kg8 $1 {and again White has no more than perpetual
check}) 30... Qb4 $1 31. Bc2 $1 h5 $3 {Apparently the only move! It's vitally
important to give the king a flight square, but, as we'll see, this pawn push
may also restrict the opposing king!} ({Instead, after} 31... h6 $6 32. h3 Rc8
33. Bd3 {Black can't play} Bxd5 $2 (33... h5 $1 {is still correct}) 34. cxd5 {
due to} Rc1 ({or} 34... Qxe1+ 35. Qxe1 Rc1 36. Qg1 Kf8 37. Kh2 Rxg1 38. Kxg1 a4
39. Bb1) 35. Rg1 $1 ({rather than} 35. Qe8+ Qf8 36. Kh2 Rxe1 37. Qxe1 Qd6+ 38.
Qg3 Qxf6 39. d6 Qd4) 35... Qc5 ({or} 35... Rxg1+ 36. Kxg1 Qd4+ 37. Kh1 $1) 36.
Qe8+ $1 Qf8 37. Qe7 $1 Qc8 38. Bxg6 $1 Rxg1+ 39. Kxg1 Qc1+ 40. Kf2 Qf4+ 41. Ke2
Qc4+ 42. Kf3 Qc3+ ({or} 42... Qxd5+ 43. Be4) 43. Kg4 $1 {and White wins!}) 32.
h3 {It might be useful to stop Black's h-pawn;} ({but} 32. h4 {would leave the
white pawn vulnerable to} Qxc4 33. Bxg6 Qxh4+ 34. Kg1 Qd4+ {with a draw.}) ({
Other moves are also harmless for Black:} 32. d6 $4 {even loses to} Qd2) ({
while} 32. Kg1 Rc8) ({and} 32. Bd3 Rc8 33. Kg1 ({or} 33. Qxb4 axb4 34. d6 Bc6)
33... Qb6+ 34. Kh1 ({not} 34. Kf1 $2 Ba6) 34... Qb4 {are fine for Black.})
32... Rc8 33. Bb1 ({Now} 33. Bd3 {leads to another draw after} Bxd5 $1 34. cxd5
Rc1 35. Rg1 Rxg1+ 36. Kxg1 Qd4+ 37. Kh2 ({not} 37. Kh1 $4 Qxd3) 37... Qf4+ 38.
Kh1 Qc1+ 39. Kh2 Qf4+ {with perpetual check.}) 33... Bxd5 $5 (33... h4 $5 {
might be even more reliable; e.g.} 34. Kh2 Qc3 35. Bxg6 Qg3+ 36. Kh1 Qxg6 37.
Qxb7 Rxc4 38. Qxb2 Rc2 39. Qb8+ Kh7 {and Black is okay.}) 34. cxd5 Rc1 35. Rg1
Qc5 $1 36. Qe8+ Qf8 37. Qe7 {This manoeuvre, which was winning with Black's
pawn on h6, can be parried here.} Qc8 $1 38. Be4 $5 {Trying to use the bishop
as a shelter for the king.} ({Instead:} 38. Bxg6 {leads to a draw after} Rxg1+
39. Kh2 $5 Rh1+ $1 40. Kxh1 Qc1+ 41. Kh2 Qf4+ 42. Kg1 Qc1+ 43. Kf2 Qf4+ 44. Ke2
Qc4+ 45. Kf3 ({or} 45. Ke3 Qc3+ 46. Bd3 Qxd3+ 47. Kxd3 b1=Q+) 45... Qc3+ ({or} 
45... Qf1+ {is sufficient as well:} 46. Kg3 ({while} 46. Ke3 Qg1+ $1 47. Kd2 $6
Qxg2+ 48. Kc3 Qxg6 {is worse}) 46... h4+ $1 47. Kxh4 Qf4+ 48. g4 Qh6+ 49. Bh5
b1=Q {and White has to give perpetual}) 46. Kf4 {(thanks to 31...h5! the white
king can't go to g4!)} Qc1+ 47. Ke5 Qc3+ 48. Kf4 ({not} 48. Kd6 $2 Qg3+) 48...
Qd2+ {with a draw.}) (38. Ba2 {doesn't create serious problems either:} a4 $5
39. d6 Rxg1+ 40. Kxg1 Qc1+ 41. Kf2 Qd2+ 42. Kf1 Qc1+ $1 43. Ke2 ({or} 43. Qe1
Qf4+ 44. Kg1 Qc1) 43... Qc2+ 44. Ke3 Qc3+ 45. Ke4 Qb4+ {and White's king can't
escape from the checks without serious concessions.}) 38... h4 $1 ({The hasty} 
38... Rxg1+ $2 {allows the king to escape from checks:} 39. Kxg1 Qc1+ 40. Kf2
Qd2+ 41. Kf3 Qc3+ 42. Kf4 {and Black needs his pawn on h4 very much, as after}
Qd2+ 43. Ke5 {White wins.}) 39. Qe5 $5 ({Or} 39. d6 Rxg1+ 40. Kxg1 Qc1+ 41. Kf2
Qd2+ 42. Kf3 Qc3+ 43. Ke2 ({not} 43. Kf4 $4 Qg3# {mate!}) 43... Qc4+ 44. Bd3
Qxd3+ 45. Kxd3 b1=Q+ {with a draw.}) 39... Qc5 40. Qe8+ Qf8 41. Qb5 $5 Qh6 $1
42. Qb8+ Kh7 $1 {. Black holds on.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "10: Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 {This is White's main approach nowadays. He wants to advance his pawn
to e4 without playing Qc2, leaving the c-file free for the rook to support his
c-pawn and the c2-square for the bishop to stop Black's passers.} ({White has
one further option which is included thematically in this chapter - the
immediate} 15. c5 $5 {. This is examined on page 179.}) 15... -- {After 15 Re1
Black has a choice:} ({A:} 15... Qc7 $2) ({B:} 15... Re8 $6) ({C:} 15... Be4) (
{D:} 15... Ne4) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "A: 15...Qc7?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Qc7 $2 {This typical queen advance has been played for years but
actually leads to serious problems for Black.} 16. e4 $1 ({On} 16. c5 {there's
no need to meet a future e3-e4 with ...e6-e5.}) 16... e5 17. c5 $1 exd4 (17...
Rfe8 $2 {is even worse, due to the thematic} 18. Rc1 $1 {followed by c5-c6}) ({
and} 17... Ba6 $6 {is equally bad:} 18. Rc1 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 Rfd8 ({or} 19... exd4
20. e5) 20. c6 {with a big advantage, A.Huzman-B.S.Reefat, Yerevan Olympiad
1996.}) 18. Rc1 $1 {The key idea - the queenside rook comes into action with
great effect! White leaves recapturing on d4, with either knight or bishop 
(whichever seems more beneficial), until later. The forthcoming pawn push
c5-c6 poses serious problems for Black, who simply has no time to exploit his
queenside passers. --- A series of disastrous results after 18 Rc1, backed up
by analysis, has forced Black to abandon this line. Let's see why.} Ne5 $5 ({
Other moves fail to solve Black's problems either:} 18... Rac8 $2 19. c6 $1
Bxc6 20. Nxd4 {with a strong initiative, E.Vegh-Dao Thien Hai, Hungarian Team
Ch. 1996.}) (18... Ba6 $2 19. e5 Nd5 20. Bxa6 Rxa6 21. Qxd4 {and Black has to
give up the pawn:} Nc3 22. Bxc3 bxc3 23. Red1 $1 {followed by Rxc3.}) (18...
Bc6 19. e5 Bxf3 ({not} 19... Nd5 $2 20. Nxd4 Nxe5 21. Nb5 $1) 20. Qxf3 Nxe5 21.
Qg3 Nxd3 $1 ({not} 21... Rfe8 $2 22. Bxd4) 22. Qxc7 Nxb2 {is unacceptable,
even if Black has some drawing chances with his passed pawns.}) (18... Nxc5 {
is stronger than previously considered attempts, but White is still on top:}
19. e5 $1 ({this pawn push, suggested by Alexander Huzman, is more energetic
than the natural} 19. Bxd4 Nfd7 20. Bb5 {, which also gives White a certain
advantage}) 19... Nfd7 ({not} 19... Nd5 $2 20. Bxd4 Nc3 21. Bxh7+ $1) 20. Bxh7+
$1 {(beginning a decisive attack)} Kxh7 21. Ng5+ Kg6 (21... Kh6 {fails to} 22.
Qxd4 $1 Kxg5 23. e6 $1) 22. Qg4 f5 ({or} 22... Nxe5 23. Rxe5 $1 Qxe5 24. Nf3+)
23. Qg3 f4 ({if} 23... Qc6 24. Nf3+ Kh7 {then} 25. e6 $1 Nf6 ({or} 25... f4 26.
Qh4+ Kg8 27. exd7) 26. Bxd4 {regaining the piece and continuing the attack})
24. Qg4 Qc6 {and here White can choose between} 25. f3 $5 ({and the more
spectacular} 25. Re4 $1 Nxe5 ({or} 25... Qd5 26. Nf3+ Kh7 27. Rxd4 Qc6 28. Rd6
Qa4 29. e6) 26. Rxe5 Qxg2+ 27. Qxg2 Bxg2 28. Rcxc5 Bb7 29. Ne6 Rf7 30. Rxa5
Rxa5 31. Rxa5 d3 32. Bc1 {with a technically won endgame}) 25... Rae8 26. Bxd4
Qd5 27. Bxc5 Nxe5 28. Rxe5 $1 Rxe5 29. Ne6+ Kf7 30. Qxg7+ $1 (30. Nxf8 Qd2 $1
31. Qd7+ $1 Qxd7 32. Nxd7 Re2 {is less clear}) 30... Kxe6 31. Bxf8 {with a
winning attack.}) 19. c6 $5 (19. Nxe5 $5 Qxe5 20. c6 {may give Black more
chances to escape after} Ba6 (20... Bc8 21. Bc4 {returns to the main line}) 21.
Bxa6 Rxa6 22. Bxd4 Qe6 23. c7 Raa8 ({in R.Bairachny-J.Geller, Tula 2000, Black
played} 23... Rc8 $6 {and here White could have secured decisive advantage by}
24. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 25. e5 $1 f5 26. Qd8+ Kg7 27. Red1 Raa8 28. Qg5+ Qg6 29. Qf4
Qg4 30. Qd2 {, when Black can't protect his king and combat the passed pawn at
the same time}) 24. Bxf6 Qxf6 25. Qd5 {, though his task is still not easy.})
19... Bc8 ({Instead,} 19... Nxc6 {is well met by} 20. e5 (20. Nxd4 Qe5 21. Nxc6
Qxb2 22. Re2 Qa3 23. Ra1 Qc3 24. Rc2 Qxc6 25. Rxc6 Bxc6 {is much less clear})
20... Nd5 21. Nxd4 {and White's initiative looks very strong - such ideas as
Nf5, Qg4 and e5-e6 are rather annoying}) ({while after} 19... Ba6 20. Bxa6 Rxa6
21. Nxd4 {Black's defence remains difficult, as proved in several games.}) 20.
Nxe5 Qxe5 21. Bc4 Rd8 ({Other moves don't make things any easier for Black; e.
g.} 21... Ng4 22. g3 Qh5 23. h4) ({or} 21... Be6 22. Bxd4 Qf4 23. Bxe6 fxe6 24.
Qb3 Rfe8 25. c7 {.}) 22. c7 $1 Qxc7 23. e5 Ng4 (23... Ne8 24. e6 $1 {.}) 24.
Be6 $1 ({Stronger than} 24. Bd5 $6 {, as in A.Yermolinsky-S.Bercys,
Indianapolis 2009, where Black could have developed strong counterplay by} Qe7
$1 25. Bxa8 Qh4 26. h3 Qxf2+ 27. Kh1 d3 $1 {.}) 24... Qe7 25. Bxg4 Bxg4 26.
Qxg4 d3 27. Rc4 Qe6 28. Qf4 Rd5 29. Rd1 {. Black has some compensation for the
piece but it's insufficient, F.Finocchiaro-V.Gefenas, corr. 1996.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "B: 15...Re8?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Re8 $6 {Black is again planning to counter the forthcoming e3-e4 with .
..e6-e5 but, as we'll see, this won't slow down the opponent's initiative. ---
Nevertheless, it will be useful to take a look first at White's more
restrained option in 16 c5?!, as similar positions are reached in other lines.}
16. -- ({B1:} 16. c5 $6) ({B2:} 16. e4 $1) (16. Rc1 $6 {leads to interesting
play:} a4 ({after} 16... e5 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Nd7 19. e6 $1 {White seizes
the initiative, Se.Ivanov-V.Malakhov, Cappelle la Grande 1999}) 17. e4 a3 18.
Ba1 e5 {(the further e4-e5 can hardly be allowed)} 19. c5 Bc6 20. d5 Ba4 {,
when Se.Ivanov-S.Solovjov, St. Petersburg 1999, continued} 21. Qd2 Qa5 22. c6
Nc5 {with wild complications and roughly equal chances.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "B1: 16 c5?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Re8 $6 16. c5 $6 {Although the idea behind this pawn advance isn't so
bad, just here it allows Black to get acceptable play.} Bc6 17. Bc2 {It's
reasonable to stop Black's passers.} (17. e4 $6 -- ({, would be in White's
favour after} 17... e5 $2 18. d5 Nxc5 19. Nxe5 {V.Chuchelov-M.Van Wissen,
Zwolle 1998.}) ({, but the logical} 17... a4 {gives Black excellent
counterplay; e.g.} 18. Bc2 {and then:} -- (18... Qc7 {is okay:} 19. e5 b3 20.
Bb1 Bxf3 $5 ({or} 20... Nd5 $5 21. Ng5 Nf8) 21. Qxf3 Nd5 22. Be4 Qc6 {and the
position is too closed for White's bishops, even if dangers still remain, A.Kogan-Sa.Nikolov, Bled 1998.}) (18... a3 $5 {might be more challenging:} 19.
Bc1 Qc7 (19... Ra7 $5) 20. e5 Nd5 21. Ng5 Nf8 22. Qd3 {and here Black has an
interesting resource in and here Black has an interesting resource} Reb8 $5 {
, after which White can hardly take the pawn;} ({instead of} 22... f5 23. exf6
Nxf6 24. Bd2 {with better prospects for White, D.Tyomkin-V.Malakhov, European
Junior Ch. 1997}) 23. Nxh7 $6 b3 $1 {.}))) 17... Ne4 {Since ...a5-a4 has been
stopped it seems logical to prevent e3-e4, even if the rook now looks a bit
misplaced on e8.} ({Instead, the consistent} 17... e5 $6 {is dubious:} 18. Bb3
exd4 19. Nxd4 {and White seizes the initiative, R.Janssen-T.Middelburg,
Apeldoorn 1999}) ({while after} 17... Qc7 {, rather than} 18. e4 ({White may
prefer} 18. Nd2 $5 {, heading for d6}) 18... a4 $5 {(which is 18...Qc7 in the
previous note).}) 18. Ba4 ({Repositioning the knight by} 18. Re2 Qc7 19. Ne1
Nef6 20. Nd3 {, doesn't promise much as Black can reply} ({or if} 20. f3 {then}
e5) 20... Ng4 {with good counter-chances.}) 18... Qc7 {White has firmly
blockaded the queenside pawns, at the cost of reducing his own active
possibilities. Practice promises acceptable play for Black.} 19. Qc2 ({Instead,
} 19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Qa4 {fails to maintain the blockade as Black has the
typical ...Ndxc5 resource:} -- (20... Rec8 21. Qxc6 ({or} 21. Rec1 Qxa4 22.
Rxa4 Ndxc5 $1 23. dxc5 Nxc5 24. Raa1 a4) 21... Rxc6 22. Ra4 Ndxc5 $5 ({not} 
22... Rca6 $6 23. Rea1 f5 {, when Black is essentially playing line C a tempo
down; e.g.} 24. Ne1 Nb8 25. Nd3 Nc6 26. f3 Nf6 27. Kf2 Kf7 28. Ke2 {and White
is slightly better, K.Sakaev-Va.Popov, St. Petersburg rapid 1999}) 23. dxc5
Nxc5 24. Raa1 a4 {with good compensation.}) (20... Qxa4 {is even simpler:} 21.
Rxa4 Ndxc5 $1 22. dxc5 Nxc5 23. Raa1 a4 {and the strong connected passers give
Black quite enough for the piece, A.Gershon-J.Geller, Moscow 2002.})) (19. Nd2
$6 {allows the same idea:} Bxa4 20. Rxa4 Ndxc5 $1 21. dxc5 Rad8 $1 (21... Red8
{looks more natural, but after} 22. Nxe4 $5 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 {Black can't play}
Qc6 $2 {due to} 24. Rxa5 $1 Qxe4 25. Rxa8+ Qxa8 26. c6 {and wins}) 22. Re2 ({
here} 22. Nxe4 $2 {fails to} Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Qc6) ({while on} 22. Bd4 $6 {Black
gets the advantage by} Nxd2 $1 23. Qxd2 e5 {, J.Piket-V.Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo
blindfold rapid 1999}) 22... Nc3 23. Bxc3 bxc3 24. Rd4 cxd2 25. Rexd2 Rxd4 26.
exd4 g6 {with a roughly equal position in which White should be a bit more
careful.}) 19... Reb8 $5 ({More concrete than} 19... f5 20. Rec1 Bxa4 21. Qxa4
Rec8 {, reaching a position we consider via 15 c5!? (see below)}) ({or} 19...
Rec8 20. Rec1 Qb7 21. Ne1 $1 {and White can proceed with his plans, D.Svetushkin-A.Tzermiadianos, Litohoro 2006.}) 20. Rec1 b3 $5 (20... Qb7 21. Ne1
$1 {may be slightly better for White, S.Bjerke-H.Lahlum, Copenhagen 2004.}) 21.
Qe2 {Leaving the d3-square vacant for the knight.} (21. Bxb3 $6 {can hardly be
advised. White isn't losing after} Qb7 22. d5 $1 exd5 23. Nd4 {, but he has to
fight for a draw:} Ndxc5 24. Ba2 ({or} 24. Nxc6 Nxb3 25. Nxb8 Rxb8) 24... Ba4
25. Qe2 Qxb2 26. Qxb2 Rxb2 27. Bxd5 Rab8 ({or} 27... Re8 $5 28. Bxe4 Nxe4 29.
Rxa4 Nxf2) 28. Bxe4 Nxe4 29. Rxa4 Rb1 30. Ra1 Rxc1+ 31. Rxc1 a4 {.}) 21... Rb4
22. Bxc6 Qxc6 23. Ne1 {. This typical repositioning may still promise White
somewhat better chances. Black can soon find himself without fruitful ideas,
but his advanced queenside pawns will keep White from feeling too comfortable.}
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "B2: 16 e4!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Re8 $6 16. e4 $1 {This straightforward approach poses problems for
Black.} e5 17. c5 $1 exd4 18. Rc1 $1 {This thematic inclusion of the rook
boosts White's initiative! His army is now fully mobilized and his c-pawn
becomes very powerful. Black's queen may not be on c7 (as in line A), but his
defence isn't much easier.} ({The immediate} 18. Bb5 $5 {seems less promising
after} Bxe4 $1 (18... Rc8 $6 19. Rc1 {would return to the main line}) 19. -- {
, and then:} (19. c6 Ne5 20. Nxd4 ({or} 20. c7 $2 Nxf3+ 21. gxf3 Qd5 22. fxe4
Qxb5) 20... Qb6 21. Rc1 Rac8 {is good for Black, G.Grigorov-S.Tzekov, Pleven
2006 (although after} 22. c7 {he should have simply played} Re7 $1 {).}) (19.
Qxd4 Bxf3 $1 20. gxf3 ({or} 20. Rxe8+ Qxe8 21. gxf3 Ne5 $1) 20... Rxe1+ 21.
Rxe1 Nf8 {, is also fine, P.Cooksey-A.Borg, British League 1999.}) (19. Nxd4 $5
{, which hasn't been tested in practice, might be the best; e.g.} Qc7 20. f3 (
20. c6 Nc5) ({or} 20. Nb3 Bc6) 20... Bd5 ({after} 20... Bg6 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22.
Nb3 {Black's bishop is misplaced}) 21. Rc1 Rxe1+ 22. Qxe1 Ne5 23. Nf5 Ng6 24.
Nd6 {with good compensation for the pawn.})) 18... Rc8 $1 {The best reply,
though it doesn't solve Black's problems.} ({Instead,} 18... Bxe4 $6 {is met by
} 19. c6 {, when the strong passed pawn, well supported by the pieces, gives
White a long-lasting initiative:} Nb6 (19... Bxf3 $6 20. Qxf3 Rxe1+ 21. Rxe1
Nb6 22. c7 $1 Qxc7 23. Bxd4 {, S.Krivoshey-G.Bogdanovich, Leutersdorf 1998, is
lost for Black as} Re8 {runs into} 24. Rxe8+ Nxe8 25. Qe3 {, winning a knight})
20. c7 $1 Qd5 $5 ({or} 20... Qd7 21. Bxd4 Bxd3 22. Rxe8+ Rxe8 23. Bxb6 Bf5 {,
T.Georgescu-B.Posedaru, Rumanian Ch., Cluj 2008, when} 24. Nd4 $1 {would
secure an almost decisive advantage}) 21. Bxd4 Bxd3 ({or} 21... Bxf3 22. Rxe8+
Rxe8 23. gxf3 Qg5+ 24. Kh1 {with a superior position}) 22. Qxd3 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1
{and White keeps the initiative.}) 19. Bb5 $1 (19. Bxd4 $2 Nxe4 {can only be
worse for White, V.Jianu-D.Moldovan, Rumanian Team Ch. 2006.}) 19... Bxe4 ({
After} 19... Bc6 $6 20. Bxc6 Rxc6 21. e5 $1 {White's initiative is hardly
bearable; e.g.} Nd5 ({or} 21... Nh5 22. Nxd4 Rxc5 23. Qxh5) 22. Qxd4 Nc3 23.
Bxc3 bxc3 24. Red1 $1 Re7 25. Qxc3 Qc7 26. Rd5 {with a decisive advantage.}) (
19... Rxc5 {is insufficient:} 20. Rxc5 Nxc5 21. Bxe8 Nxe8 22. Nxd4 {with a
clear advantage.}) 20. c6 {The c-pawn push is very logical.} (20. Nxd4 $5 {
deserves attention as well:} Qc7 (20... Re5 $6 21. c6 Nf8 22. Ba6 Rg5 23. f3 {
is lost for Black, D.Lekic-D.Doric, Rijeka 2009}) 21. f3 Bg6 ({or} 21... Bd5
22. Nf5) 22. Nc6 {gives White a certain initiative for the pawn, but here
Black may hold on.}) 20... Nf8 $1 {Other retreats look better, but in fact are
insufficient.} (20... Ne5 $2 21. Nxe5 $1 ({White should refrain from} 21. c7 $2
{, as in T.Georgescu-D.Baratosi, Rumanian Junior Ch. 2007, which is punished by
} Nxf3+ $1 22. gxf3 Qd5 $1 {and if} 23. Bxe8 $2 {then} Bxf3 24. Rc5 Qxc5 25.
Qxf3 Nxe8) 21... Rxe5 22. Ba6 $1 {gives White a big advantage:} Rc7 (22... Rg5
$2 23. Rxe4 $1 Nxe4 24. Bxc8 Qxc8 25. Qxd4 Nf6 26. c7 Rd5 27. Qc4) ({and} 22...
Rd5 $2 23. Bxc8 Qxc8 24. c7 {are no good}) 23. f3 {and White wins a piece, S.
Simenon-M.Vujadinovic, corr. 2002.}) (20... Nb6 $6 21. c7 Rxc7 22. Bxe8 Rxc1 ({
or} 22... Bxf3 23. Qxd4 Rxc1 24. Rxc1) 23. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 24. Ng5+ Kg8 25. Qxc1
{with a clear advantage to White.}) 21. Nxd4 {White's initiative is rather
unpleasant for Black. Perhaps he can still hold on, but the whole point of
playing the Noteboom is spoiled if he has to fight for a draw under such
circumstances.} (21. c7 {doesn't promise much:} Rxc7 22. Bxe8 Bxf3 23. Bxf7+ ({
or} 23. Qxd4 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 Qxe8 25. gxf3 Qa8) 23... Rxf7 24. Qxf3 Nd5 25. Qb3
Nc3 ({or} 25... Nf4 {with good compensation for the exchange.})) 21... Qb6 ({
After the passive} 21... Qc7 22. Ba4 {White maintains more pressure. Now Black
is going to play ...Red8.}) 22. Qb3 $5 ({Again the tempting} 22. c7 {doesn't
promise much, this time after} Re5 $1 23. Bd3 (23. Ba4 Rg5 $1) 23... -- {, and
then:} (23... a4 $5 24. Qxa4 ({if} 24. Nb3 Rd5 25. Bxf6 Qxf6 26. Rxe4 axb3 27.
Qxb3 Rd7 ({or} 27... Qd6 28. Bf1 Rc5 29. Rxc5 Qxc5 30. Rc4 Qd6)) 24... Rxc7 25.
Rxc7 Qxc7 26. Nb5 Qd7 $1 27. Bf1 $1 ({not} 27. Bxe5 $2 Bxd3) ({or} 27. Qxb4 Rg5
28. Bxe4 Rxb5 29. Qc3 Rxb2 $1) 27... Bc2 $1 28. Qxb4 Rxe1 29. Qxe1 Bd3 {and
Black holds on.}) (23... Ree8 {is more risky but perhaps still okay - here is
one possible continuation:} 24. Bxe4 ({or} 24. Nb5 Bxd3 25. Qxd3 Rxe1+ 26. Rxe1
Ne8 $1) 24... Nxe4 $1 25. Rc6 (25. Qg4 $6 h5 $1) 25... Qb7 26. Qc2 a4 $1 27.
Rxe4 ({not} 27. Qxa4 $2 Nc5 $1 28. Qd1 Rxe1+ 29. Qxe1 Nd3 {threatening ...Nxb2
and ...Rxc7}) 27... Rxe4 28. Qxe4 a3 29. Ba1 b3 {and here it seems a good time
to force a draw by} 30. Nf5 b2 31. Bxb2 axb2 (31... Qxb2 32. Qc2 $1) 32. Nh6+
$1 Kh8 $1 (32... gxh6 $2 33. Rg6+ $1) 33. Nxf7+ Kg8 34. Nh6+ $1 {etc.})) 22...
Ne6 ({Perhaps Black should pay more attention to} 22... Ng6 $5 {, after which
White maintains the pressure by} 23. Qg3 Bd5 24. Rxe8+ Nxe8 25. h4 {, but it
might be bearable.}) 23. Nxe6 Qxb5 $1 (23... Rxe6 $2 {is bad for Black:} 24.
Bc4 $1 Rcxc6 25. Bxe6 fxe6 26. Rxc6 Qxc6 27. Qe3 {with ideas of Rc1 and Qa7
and so on.}) 24. Nxg7 $1 Kxg7 25. Qg3+ $1 Bg6 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27. Qd6 Qg5 $1 {A
lucky defence.} ({Other moves lose:} 27... Qf5 $2 28. c7 Rc8 29. Qd8 {
intending Bxf6 and Qxc8}) ({or} 27... Re6 $2 28. Qxe6 $1 fxe6 29. c7 {etc.})
28. f4 $1 ({Not} 28. c7 $4 Qxc1+ $1 29. Bxc1 Re1# {mate!}) 28... Qf5 29. c7 {
. Thanks to his strong initiative White should be able to regain the material
with advantage. One possible continuation is} Rc8 30. Qd8 b3 31. h3 ({The hasty
} 31. Bxf6+ $2 Qxf6 32. Qxc8 {leads to the opposite result after} b2 {followed
by ...Qb6+ and ...b1Q.}) 31... a4 32. Rd1 $1 {and Black faces serious problems;
e.g.} a3 33. Bxa3 h6 ({Or} 33... Ne8 34. Rd7 $1 Qe6 35. Bb2+ Kf8 36. Qxc8 Bf5
37. Qxe8+ Qxe8 38. Rd8 f6 39. g4 Bc8 40. Bxf6 {.}) 34. Bb2 Kh7 35. Bxf6 Qc5+
36. Bd4 Qxc7 37. Qf6 Rg8 38. Re1 b2 39. f5 Bh5 40. Be3 {and White wins. The
main line isn't exactly forced, but we can still conclude that Black's defence
is far from easy here.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "C: 15...Be4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Be4 {Black mechanically prevents e3-e4 and makes the white rook move
looking wasteful. However, for a true Noteboom player it's always a bit
painful to swap his powerful light-squared bishop.} 16. Bxe4 ({Retreats of
White's bishop don't bother Black much; e.g.} 16. Bf1 Qc7 (16... Bc6 $5 {
planning to push the pawns might be even simpler}) 17. Nd2 Bb7 18. e4 e5 {.
Geo.Meier-P.Tregubov, Merida 2007, continued} 19. f4 exd4 20. e5 Ne8 21. Bxd4
Nc5 {and Black obtained good play, though his knight on e8 is yet to return to
the game.}) 16... Nxe4 17. Qc2 {White's usual choice, but why is it so
beneficial to provoke the f-pawn push?!} ({Instead, an exchange of the knights
} 17. Nd2 Nxd2 18. Qxd2 {reduces White's active potential:} Qc7 19. Rec1 Rfb8 {
and Black is fine, I.Stavrianakis-J.Sosna, Stare Mesto 2005.}) ({Perhaps he
should think more seriously about an immediate} 17. c5 $5 Qc7 18. Qa4 {, even
if Black is okay after} Rfc8 {.}) 17... f5 {This is a standard pawn advance
for such positions. Black secures his knight and increases control over the
e4-square, making it more difficult for White to proceed with f2-f3 and e3-e4
in the future. The drawback is also quite obvious - it weakens the e5-square
and the kingside as a whole.} ({On} 17... Ndf6 $6 {Black's knight on e4 lacks
support; e.g.} 18. Ne5 Qc7 19. c5 $5 {with a clear advantage, S.Meenakshi-J.Eric, Belgrade 2009.}) 18. c5 {This further advance not only brings the c-pawn
closer to the 8th rank, it restricts the enemy knights and so makes it more
difficult for Black to support his queenside passers.} Qc7 {A typical position
is reached. The exchange of light-squared bishops allows White to set up a
firm blockade on the queenside, but it also seriously reduces his active
possibilities. He may still plan an advance of his e-pawn after some
preparations, such as Rec1, Ne1-d3 and f2-f3. However, in this case most of
his pieces will be concentrated on the queenside, so he must be careful about
a possible counter attack on the kingside. Another plan involves blockading
the pawns with the queen, which often leads to an ending. Here Black should
keep in mind a thematic knight sacrifice on c5 - or if that isn't possible, he
often shifts the knight to c6 via b8, or to d5 via f6.} 19. Rec1 {White gives
more support to his c5-pawn - being fully aware of his opponent's ideas -
while also vacating e1-square for the knight.} ({White has numerous other
options, so let's take a look at them:} 19. Qb3 {can be met by} Qc6 (19... Ra6
$5) 20. Ra4 (20. Rec1 Rfb8 21. Ra4 Ra6 {doesn't change much}) 20... Ra6 21.
Rea1 {, as in M.Scalcione-I.Zaja, Reggio Emilia 2001/02, when Black should
have played the thematic} Ndxc5 $1 22. dxc5 Nxc5 23. Qd1 Nxa4 24. Rxa4 Qd5 $5 {
, securing the better chances.}) (19. Qa4 {may transpose to the main line after
} Rfc8 ({as a rule, Black shouldn't allow White's knight to go forward:} 19...
Ndf6 $6 20. Ne5 {, since} Ng4 {doesn't really work due to} 21. Qd7 $1 Qxd7 22.
Nxd7 Ngxf2 23. Nxf8 Kxf8 24. Re2 Ng4 25. Ra4 {intending Ba1 and Rea2}) 20. -- (
20. Rec1 Qc6 {.}) ({. Instead, the attempt to increase pressure on the a5-pawn
by} 20. Ra2 {doesn't bring the desired effect:} Qc6 ({or} 20... Ra6 $5 21. Rea1
Rca8 22. Ne1 Nef6 $5 23. Qb5 Nb8 24. Nd3 Nc6 25. Ra4 Qd7 26. f3 {with complex
play, A.Vaisser-E.Bacrot, French Ch., Besancon 1999}) 21. Qxc6 ({after} 21.
Rea1 $6 Qxa4 22. Rxa4 Ndxc5 $1 23. dxc5 Nxc5 {White has to fight for equality,
D.Frigato-V.Shapiro, corr. 2008}) 21... Rxc6 22. Rea1 Rca6 23. Ra4 {and now
Black can either play} e5 $5 {(as in Haufe-Gutsche below) or just take on c5
again.})) (19. Ra2 $5 {is worth considering, trying to apply pressure on the
a-file without placing major pieces on the a4- and b3-squares. Then after} Rfb8
({while} 19... Ra6 20. Rea1 Rfa8 21. Ne1 {might offer White somewhat better
chances}) 20. Qb3 Qc6 21. Rea1 {Black has to play the awkward} Rb5 {.}) (19. c6
$5 {is more ambitious, but also double-edged:} Rfc8 $5 ({an immediate} 19...
Nb6 {is also possible; e.g.} 20. Ne5 a4 21. f3 Nd6 22. e4 fxe4 23. fxe4 Ra5 $1
24. Rf1 Rc8 {and Black is ready to give up his rook for the strong knight on
e5 with good play, S.Brynell-I.Khenkin, Helsingor 2011}) 20. Rec1 (20. d5 exd5
21. Nd4 Ne5 {is okay for Black}) ({, while} 20. Rac1 {brings White nothing but
troubles after} a4 $5 21. cxd7 ({or} 21. Qc4 Qd6) 21... Qxc2 22. d8=Q+ $1 Rxd8
23. Rxc2 a3) 20... Nb6 21. Ne5 a4 22. f3 Nd6 {with a very complicated and
sharp position, in which Black should not be worse.}) 19... Qc6 20. Qa4 Rfc8
21. Qxc6 Rxc6 {The ending is acceptable for Black. Frankly speaking, he can't
do much, but White's active possibilities are also rather limited. In fact
White has only one reasonable approach - blockade on the a4-square, transfer
the knight to d3, push the opposing knight away by f2-f3, and at the same time
bring the king closer to the queenside. Such a plan can pose real problems for
Black, but he still keeps sufficient counter-resources.} 22. Ne1 ({On} 22. Ra4
{Black can think about} e5 $5 {, when W.Haufe-D.Gutsche, corr. 2002, continued}
23. Rca1 Rca6 24. Kf1 g5 $5 25. Ke2 Kf7 26. Nd2 Nxd2 27. Kxd2 Ke6 28. Kd3 Kd5
29. f3 e4+ 30. fxe4+ fxe4+ 31. Kc2 Kc4 32. Bc3 Nb8 $1 33. Bd2 Nc6 34. Rf1 Ne7
$1 35. Rf7 Nd5 {and Black had a decisive advantage.}) 22... Nd2 $5 {A concrete
and interesting option - Black's knight invades the opponent's camp.} ({The
tempting} 22... a4 $2 {suddenly fails to} 23. Rc4 $1 {and Black loses the pawn:
} a3 24. Rxb4 {.}) ({Instead, the typical rearrangement} 22... Nb8 23. Nd3 Rca6
24. f3 Nf6 25. Kf2 Nc6 {helps Black secure his pawns with an acceptable
position, but after} 26. Ra4 {he has no real counterplay. So White keeps a
slight edge, even if his dreams of somehow bringing his king to c4 and
advancing his central pawns don't seem too realistic:} Rd8 (26... Kf7 $5 {is
worth considering:} 27. Rca1 R6a7 28. Ke2 g5 {etc}) 27. Rca1 Raa8 28. Ke2 Nd5 {
with a slightly worse but defendable position, K.Sakaev-A.Kharlov, Russian
Team Ch. 2001.}) 23. Ra2 ({Or} 23. Rc2 Nb3 24. Ra4 e5 {.}) 23... e5 $5 24. Nd3
Nb3 25. Rb1 Rca6 {The knight on b3 is rather isolated but it can't be trapped,
so Black is doing well.} 26. -- ({After} 26. c6 Rxc6 27. Nxb4 Rc4 28. Nd5 Kf7
29. dxe5 Rc2 30. Ra3 Rb8 31. Bc3 Nd2 $1 32. Rd1 Rb1 {White began to face
problems in A.Shadrin-J.Thorn Leeson, corr. 2006.}) (26. Ba1 $5 {is more
reliable:} Nxa1 27. Rbxa1 b3 28. Ra3 exd4 29. exd4 a4 ({after} 29... Rb8 30.
Kf1 Nf6 31. Nb2 Rb4 32. Rxa5 Rxa5 33. Rxa5 Rxd4 34. c6 {White has good chances
of an endgame with 3 vs. 2 pawns on the kingside}) 30. Kf1 Nf8 $1 31. d5 Nd7
32. c6 Nf6 33. Nc5 b2 $1 34. Rb1 Ra5 35. Nd3 Nxd5 36. Rxb2 {with a drawn
ending as both sides' passers are likely to be eliminated.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D: 15...Ne4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 {Blockading the e-pawn with the knight is more in the spirit of
the Noteboom, as Black keeps his light-squared bishop alive. White has several
possibilities here, of which 16 Qc2 and 16 c5 constitute the main lines.} 16.
-- ({D1:} 16. Bxe4) ({D2:} 16. Nd2) ({D3:} 16. Qc2) ({D4:} 16. c5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D1: 16 Bxe4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. Bxe4 {This rather unexpected way of getting rid of the knight
doesn't look very dangerous, but it enables White to build a pawn chain on the
light squares quite rapidly, so Black must know how to respond.} Bxe4 17. Nd2
Bb7 $5 ({There are two other viable retreats:} 17... Bc6 {allows the bishop to
be attacked with} 18. e4 e5 19. d5 {, when} Bb7 {looks like a waste of a whole
tempo; but the fact that the central pawn structure is now fixed can be
helpful for Black:} 20. -- (20. Nb3 {is well met by} a4 $1 ({but not} 20... Qb6
$2 21. Rc1 Rfc8 22. Qg4 {and Black faces problems, F.Elsness-H.Lahlum,
Norwegian Team Ch. 1999}) 21. c5 $1 axb3 22. c6 Bxc6 23. dxc6 Rxa1 24. Qxa1 Nc5
25. Bxe5 Ne6 {and Black holds on.}) (20. Rc1 $5 Qe7 21. Nb3 a4 22. c5 axb3 23.
c6 Bc8 24. cxd7 Bxd7 25. Qxb3 {and White has a small advantage thanks to his
superior pawn structure.})) (17... Bg6 $5 {is worth considering. Here} 18. c5
$6 ({while after} 18. e4 e5 19. d5 Re8 {Black gets acceptable play}) {, fails
to} 18... a4 $1 19. Rxa4 Rxa4 20. Qxa4 Nxc5 $1 21. dxc5 Qxd2 {M.Kubelka-P.Pecina, corr. 2003.}) 18. c5 (18. e4 e5 19. d5 ({or} 19. Re3 $6 exd4 20. Bxd4
Re8) 19... Qc7 {is fine for Black.}) 18... Bc6 ({Black gets his bishop in
position, supporting his queenside passers; whereas} 18... Qc7 19. Nc4 a4 20.
Nd6 a3 21. Bc1 Bc6 22. e4 {may be better for White.}) 19. e4 ({Now the knight
manoeuvre isn't so effective:} 19. Nc4 $6 a4 20. Nd6 a3 21. Bc1 Qf6 $1 {and
Black grabs the initiative, with ideas of ...Nxc5, as well as ...Rfb8 and ...b4-b3.}) 19... a4 20. d5 {This pawn push is harmless, but White can hardly
pose problems anyway.} (20. Nc4 $6 {is still in Black's favour:} a3 21. Bc1 Qf6
$1 22. Nd6 ({or} 22. Ra2 Rfd8 23. Nd6 e5 24. Be3 exd4 25. Bxd4 Qe6) 22... Nxc5
$1 23. Qc2 Qxd4 24. Be3 Qxd6 25. Bxc5 Ba4 $1 26. Bxd6 Bxc2 27. Bxb4 Rfb8 28.
Bxa3 Bxe4 {with an extra pawn.}) (20. Rc1 $6 {attempting to play powerful
chess with Nc4, Re3-g3 and d4-d5, is no good either:} a3 $1 (20... Qg5 $6 {
allows} 21. Nf3 ({rather than} 21. Ba1 $2 {, as in A.Yermolinsky-V.Strugatsky,
US Ch., Seattle 2002, where} a3 $1 22. Nf3 Qh5 23. Qb3 Rfb8 {followed by ...Ba4 is good for Black}) 21... Qh5 22. d5 $1 exd5 23. Nd4 {with active play for
pawn}) 21. Ba1 {and here Black can choose between} Ba4 {, trying to advance
the b-pawn even further,} ({or} 21... Qg5 $5 {(see 20...Qg5?! 21 Ba1? a3! in
the bracket above). In both cases the far-advanced passers promise him the
better chances.})) 20... exd5 21. exd5 Bxd5 22. Qg4 f6 23. Qxb4 Qb8 $5 24. Qd4
Qb7 {. Black is at least not worse.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D2: 16 Nd2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. Nd2 {This exchange is also rather harmless for Black.} Nxd2 17.
Qxd2 Qc7 ({Instead:} 17... e5 {is less effective when White's pawn is still on
e3, though it might be playable:} 18. f4 $5 (18. Qc2 $5) 18... Nc5 $5 (18... e4
$6 19. Be2 {is clearly better for White, B.Lalic-S.Conquest, Southend 2001})
19. fxe5 $5 ({after} 19. Bc2 Ne4 20. Qd3 Qh4 21. Rf1 exd4 22. exd4 Qf6 $1 {
Black doesn't stand so badly}) 19... Nb3 20. Bxh7+ Kh8 21. Qd1 Qg5 22. d5 Nxa1
23. Bd3 a4 24. Bxa1 {and White has excellent compensation for the exchange,
although Black's queenside passers still give him counter-chances.}) (17... Qg5
$5 {deserves attention:} 18. f4 Qe7 $5 19. Bc2 ({or} 19. e4 a4) 19... Rfc8 (
19... f5 $5) 20. Qd3 ({perhaps White should try} 20. d5 $5 {which is more
energetic}) 20... f5 21. d5 Nc5 22. Qd4 {and here, in J.Schröder-H.Namyslo,
Markdorf 2004, Black should have preferred an immediate} a4 ({or the
preliminary} 22... Qf7 {with good counter-chances.})) (17... f5 $5 {at once is
also possible; e.g.} 18. f3 ({or} 18. c5 Bc6) 18... Qg5 $5 (18... Nf6) 19. Kh1
({or} 19. Qe2 a4) 19... Bc6 {followed by ...Nf6 with acceptable play.}) 18. c5
({Moves such as} 18. f3 f5) ({or} 18. Qc2 f5 {don't change much.}) ({White has
also tried:} 18. e4 e5 {is fine for Black, H.Ellers-M.Stangl, German League
1997.}) (18. Rec1 {can be met by the straightforward} Rfb8 $5 (18... f5 {is
also playable:} 19. f3 Nf6 20. Bc2 Rfd8 $5 21. Ba4 Bc6) 19. c5 {and now Black
has a choice between:} a4 $5 (19... Bc6 $5 20. e4 a4 {and if} 21. d5 {then} a3
$1 22. Bd4 b3 23. dxc6 Qxc6 {and the advancing pawns will cost White a piece
soon}) 20. c6 Bxc6 21. Be4 a3 $5 ({or} 21... Rb6 $5 22. Bxc6 Rxc6 23. Qxb4
Rxc1+ 24. Rxc1 Qb8) 22. Rxc6 axb2 23. Rb1 Qd8 {with good play, Nguyen Anh
Dung-S.Chanda, Asian Team Ch., Jodhpur 2003.}) (18. Rac1 f5 (18... Rfb8 $5) 19.
f3 Nf6 {is also fine for Black:} 20. h3 (20. d5 $5 Qe7 $5) 20... Qg3 21. d5
exd5 22. c5 Bc6 23. Bxf5 {with complicated play, F.Vareille-I.Khenkin, French
Team Ch. 2000.}) 18... f5 ({Black can hardly challenge in the centre and keep
proper control over the passed c-pawn at the same time:} 18... e5 $6 19. Rac1
Bc6 20. Bb1 $5 exd4 21. Qxd4 f6 22. Qh4 g6 23. Red1 {and despite working at a
distance, White's pieces become very powerful.}) ({But} 18... Rfb8 $5 {is
worth considering:} 19. Rac1 ({the more cautious} 19. Bc2 $5 {deserves
attention}) 19... a4 $1 ({not} 19... Qc6 $6 20. e4 a4 21. Qxb4 Ba6 22. d5 $1 {
with the initiative, A.Onischuk-Dm.Schneider, US Ch., San Diego 2006}) 20. c6
$1 Bxc6 21. Be4 Rb6 $1 22. Bxc6 Rxc6 23. Qxb4 Qb6 {and Black is doing well.})
19. f3 (19. Bc4 Bd5 {is okay for Black}) ({while the immediate} 19. e4 {can be
met by} fxe4 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 Nf6 $1 22. Rxe6 Ng4 23. Rd6 Nxf2 ({not} 
23... Rxf2 $6 24. Qg5 $1) 24. Qe2 $5 a4 {with good counter-chances.}) 19... Nf6
20. Bc4 ({Again, the attempt to build a powerful pawn centre by} 20. e4 $6 {
would only bring problems for White after} fxe4 21. fxe4 Ng4 22. g3 Rf2 {with
an annoying initiative; e.g.} 23. Re2 ({if} 23. Qg5 {then} h5 $5 ({or} 23...
Ne5 $5 24. Qxe5 Qxe5 25. dxe5 Rxb2)) 23... Raf8 24. Rxf2 ({not} 24. Bc4 $2 Nxh2
$1 25. Bxe6+ Kh8 26. Rxf2 Qxg3+ 27. Rg2 Nf3+ 28. Kh1 Qh4+) ({or} 24. Qg5 $2 Qf7
$1 25. Qxg4 Rf1+ 26. Kg2 Rxa1) 24... Nxf2 25. Rf1 Nxd3 26. Rxf8+ Kxf8 27. Qxd3
a4 {and White has to fight for a draw.}) 20... Bd5 {Here an exchange of
light-squared bishops is fine for Black.} 21. Bxd5 Nxd5 $5 ({More ambitious
than} 21... exd5 22. Ra4 {, which is too boring for both sides.}) 22. Qc2 (22.
e4 $6 {is still too double-edged:} fxe4 23. fxe4 Nf6 24. h3 ({the knight's
jump must be stopped:} 24. d5 $6 Ng4 $1) ({or} 24. Rac1 $6 Ng4 25. g3 a4 $1) ({
but} 24. Qd1 $5 {might be more accurate}) 24... Qc6 {and Black's chances are
preferable, M.Sadler-M.Krasenkow, German League 1998.}) 22... Qc6 (22... Qb7 $5
{.}) 23. Qa4 Rfc8 ({An attempt to get his knight to c6 by} 23... Ne7 {might be
helpful for White; i.e.} 24. e4 fxe4 25. fxe4 {with unclear play.}) 24. -- {
Black can be satisfied with his position.} ({The central advance} 24. e4 fxe4
25. fxe4 {may still cause problems for White after} Nf6 {, intending to
undermine the c5-pawn by ...e6-e5}) ({while in the ending after} 24. Qxc6 Rxc6
25. Ra4 {Black is also doing well after the reply} e5 {, with ideas of either ...e5-e4 or ...f5-f4.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D3: 16 Qc2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 $5 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O
O-O 15. Re1 Ne4 16. Qc2 ({As we'll see later, it may be more accurate for
White to begin with} 16. c5 {.}) 16... f5 17. c5 ({The attempt to rearrange
the pieces by} 17. Re2 Qc7 18. Ne1 $6 {runs into} a4 $1 {and the pawn is again
untouchable, albeit for a different reason than usual:} 19. f3 (19. Rxa4 $2 b3
$1 20. Qxb3 Ndc5 $1 21. dxc5 Nxc5 {etc}) 19... b3 20. Qc1 {gives Black a nice
choice between} Rf6 $5 ({and} 20... Nef6 21. c5 Nd5 22. Bc4 Qc6 23. Nd3 Ba6 {
, G.Spiess-M.Bartel, German League 2011, with the better chances in either case
}) 21. c5 ({not} 21. fxe4 $2 fxe4 22. Bb1 Raf8) 21... Rh6 22. h3 Ng3 23. Rf2
Qc6 {. --- The text move is a typical way of countering the Noteboom nowadays.
White advances his c-pawn, cutting Black's pieces off from his main trump -
the queenside passers - and preparing to blockade them on the light squares.
White has also provoked some weakening of the opposing kingside, which might
be useful later, if he can release the blockade of his own pawn chain and
proceed with e3-e4. --- On the other hand, White must bear in mind that
Black's f-pawn advance may actually become the first step in a kingside
assault! In such cases the advance c4-c5 might be even help Black as it keeps
the position rather closed, making it more difficult for White to combat a
kingside action in the proper way with some counter-strike in the centre.})
17... Qc7 {White's move order gives Black some choice.} ({Here} 17... Bd5 $5
18. Bb5 Qc7 {return to the main line below}) ({while} 17... Bc6 $5 {will be
considered via 16 c5 Bc6 17 Qc2 f5 in line D4.}) 18. Bb5 {As the c2-square is
occupied White finds another route for his bishop to take control over a4.
Besides, it may also support the c-pawn advance on the way.} ({Other options
are:} 18. Bc4 $5 {and now:} -- (18... Rfe8 {can be met by} 19. Nh4 $5 ({or} 19.
Ra2 Kh8 20. Rea1 {with pressure, Va.Popov-A.Galkin, Russian Team Ch. 1999})
19... Kh8 20. f3 Nef6 21. e4 (21. Bb3 $5) 21... fxe4 22. fxe4 e5 23. Nf5 {with
the initiative.}) (18... Bd5 $5 {should be acceptable, but it's not the worst
idea for White to force the exchange of light-squared bishops or at least get
control over Black's bishop:} 19. Bb3 ({or} 19. Rec1 Bxc4 20. Qxc4 Qc6 21. Ne1
a4 $5 22. Qxb4 Rfb8 23. Qa3 Rb3 24. Qa2 Rab8 25. Rc2 Ndf6 {with an initiative
for the pawn}) 19... Bxb3 $5 (19... Rfb8 $5 {is also playable}) ({Black was
less successful with} 19... Ra6 20. Red1 Bxb3 21. Qxb3 Ndf6 $6 22. Ne5 Nd5 $6
23. f3 Nec3 {in A.Goganov-D.Melnikov, St. Petersburg 2008, when} 24. Qc4 {
would have given White a big advantage}) 20. Qxb3 Qc6 {and Black is okay.})) (
18. Rec1 Bd5 ({Black needs to be accurate:} 18... Rfc8 {allows the typical
manoeuvre} 19. Ne1 $1 {followed by f2-f3, Bc4 and Nd3, S.Friesinger-G.McDonald,
corr. 2002}) ({while} 18... Bc6 19. Bc4 {might also be a problem}) 19. Bb5 {
transposes to the main line D31 below.}) 18... Bd5 $5 {Black is still trying
to keep the bishop alive, but it may be unrealistic.} ({Instead,} 18... Ndf6 $6
{is actually dubious as it gives White an excellent opportunity to improve his
knight by} 19. Ne5 {followed by f2-f3:} Bd5 20. f3 Nd6 21. Ba4 Rfc8 22. Rac1 {
with a clear advantage. White has arranged all his pieces efficiently, while
Black is still looking for a good square for his d6-knight. P.San Segundo
Carrillo-P.H.Nielsen, European Ch., Ohrid 2001, continued} Qb7 23. Qd3 Nf7 24.
Nc4 Bc6 25. Ra1 {and Black had problems.}) (18... Bc6 $5 {has been played many
times. It's more reliable but some players may find it boring:} 19. -- (19.
Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Qa4 Rfc8 {reaches a similar position to line C (15...Be4), the
difference being that White's rook is still on e1. A.Voyna-P.Boll, corr. 2001,
continued} 21. Qxc6 Rxc6 22. Ra4 {and here the rook's absence from c1 enabled
Black to solve all his problems by} Ndxc5 $1 23. dxc5 Nxc5 24. Ra2 a4 25. Rb1
a3 $1 26. Kf1 Rca6 27. Bd4 b3 28. Raa1 b2 {with a draw, in view of} 29. Bxb2
axb2 30. Rxa6 Rxa6 31. Rxb2 {.}) (19. Ba4 Bxa4 20. Qxa4 Rfc8 {also gives Black
good play. This position is considered in line C (see the note with 19 Qa4
Rfc8) - here it just took one extra move to reach it.} (20... --))) 19. -- {
After 18...Bd5!? White has tried many options. 19 h3! is the strongest, but
first let's find out why other options are weaker.} ({D31:} 19. Rec1) ({D32:} 
19. h3 $1) ({Other moves:} 19. Qa4 $6 {is the computer's first idea, but it's
certainly not the best. White's queen strays too far from the kingside and
only pushes the black knight towards his own king:} Ndf6 20. h3 {(this
prophylactic move is a bit late now; indeed 20...Ng4!? is still possible)} g5
$1 {(this risky-looking pawn push appeared in practice only recently, but it
has already become typical for this type of position - modern chess is
becoming more and more concrete)} 21. Ne5 g4 $1 ({stronger than the preliminary
} 21... Qg7 {, A.Goganov-T.Molchanova, St. Petersburg 2009, though that isn't
bad either}) 22. h4 ({both} 22. hxg4 Nxg4) ({and} 22. Re2 gxh3 23. f3 Ng5 {are
unsatisfactory for White}) 22... Qg7 23. g3 ({, otherwise Black's pawn comes
on with decisive effect:} 23. Re2 g3) ({, or} 23. Bc6 g3 $1 24. f3 Qh6 $1 25.
fxe4 fxe4 26. Bxd5 Nxd5 27. Qd1 ({or} 27. Qd7 Kh8 $1 28. Ng4 Qg6 $1 29. Ne5 Qf6
$1 30. Ng4 Qf5 $1 31. Nh6 Qf2+ $1 32. Kh1 Qf6 {and wins}) 27... Nf6 $1 28. h5
Qg5) 23... Nd2 24. Bc6 Nf3+ $1 {and Black's superiority is beyond doubt.}) (19.
Qe2 $6 Ndf6 {is also fine for Black} 20. -- ({; e.g.} 20. Ne5 Ng4 $1 21. f3
Nxe5 22. fxe4 Ng4 $1 23. e5 Nh6 $5 {and the knight is heading for e4 via f7
and g5, securing the better chances}) ({; while} 20. h3 $6 {allowed Black to
create fantastic play by} g5 $1 21. Ne5 g4 $1 {with a strong attack. A.Onischuk-A.Shirov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2007, continued} 22. hxg4 ({other moves
were hardly better; e.g.} 22. f3 gxf3 23. gxf3 Ng5 $1 24. Kh1 Nxf3 $3 25. Nxf3
Nh5) ({or} 22. h4 g3 23. f3 Nf2 24. Rf1 Qg7 $1 25. Rxf2 Qh6 $1 26. Qe1 Qxh4 27.
Rd2 Ne4 $1 {etc}) 22... fxg4 23. Nd3 Qg7 24. Nf4 Qh6 25. Rf1 g3 $1 26. Nh3
gxf2+ 27. Rxf2 Nxf2 28. Nxf2 Bxg2 $1 29. Kxg2 Ra7 30. Rh1 Qg6+ 31. Kf1 Ng4 {
and Black won.})) (19. Bxd7 $6 Qxd7 20. Ne5 {intending to push the central
pawns, as in R.Skomorokhin-D.Frolyanov, Kazan 2009, is harmless due to} Qb5 $1
21. f3 Nf6 {and again Black has the better chances.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D31: 19 Rec1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 $5 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O
O-O 15. Re1 Ne4 16. Qc2 f5 17. c5 Qc7 18. Bb5 Bd5 $5 19. Rec1 Ndf6 ({There's
no need to insert} 19... Rfb8 20. Ba4 Ndf6 {, as Black's rook might be useful
on the kingside.}) 20. Ne5 (20. h3 {can be met by} b3 $5 ({or again} 20... g5
$5 21. Ne5 g4) 21. Qe2 ({other queen moves are worse:} 21. Qb1 g5 $1) ({or} 21.
Qd1 Ng4 $1 22. hxg4 fxg4 23. Ne5 Nxf2 24. Qe2 Qe7) ({or} 21. Qd3 Nxf2 $1 22.
Kxf2 Bxf3 $1 23. gxf3 Ne4+ $1 24. Ke1 Qg3+ {and Black wins in all cases}) 21...
Ng4 $1 22. hxg4 fxg4 23. Ne5 Rxf2 24. Qxf2 Nxf2 25. Kxf2 Qe7 {with the
initiative; e.g.} 26. Ke2 Qh4 27. c6 Qh2 28. c7 Qxg2+ 29. Ke1 Bb7 {and so on.})
20... Ng4 $1 {The standard method of assault.} 21. f3 ({Not} 21. Nxg4 $2 fxg4
22. Rf1 Rf6 {and Black's attack is irresistible; e.g.} 23. f4 gxf3 24. Rxf3 Rh6
$1 25. g3 {and here even} Nxg3 $1 {decides:} 26. Rxg3 Qxg3+ 27. hxg3 Rh1+ 28.
Kf2 Rh2+ {and ...Rxc2.}) 21... Nxe5 22. dxe5 Nc3 $1 {The most reliable
approach.} 23. Bxc3 Qxc5 24. Qd3 bxc3 25. Rxc3 Qb6 {. Thanks to his passed
a-pawn Black can claim a small but definite advantage, V.Jianu-D.Baratosi,
Bucharest 2008.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D32: 19 h3!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 $5 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O
O-O 15. Re1 Ne4 16. Qc2 f5 17. c5 Qc7 18. Bb5 Bd5 19. h3 $1 {The prophylactic
move is the most accurate - White takes care of any possible kingside actions
in advance - and may still promise somewhat better chances, although Black
doesn't stand so badly either.} Qb7 $5 ({Here the attempt to a launch kingside
attack by} 19... g5 $6 {is dubious after the simple} 20. Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Ne5 {
followed by f2-f3 and e3-e4.}) ({Similarly, in L.Van Wely-M.Esserman, Ledyard
2009, Black tried} 19... Rfb8 20. Ba4 g5 $2 {, and quickly collapsed after} ({
instead, he had to play} 20... Bc6 $5) 21. Bxd7 Qxd7 22. Ne5 Qb5 23. f3) ({
while an immediate} 19... Bc6 {might be okay for Black too, but in that case
why not play ...Bc6 in one step?!}) 20. Ba4 Rfc8 {White has everything under
control, but it's rather difficult for him to come up with any active plan.}
21. Qe2 ({The immediate} 21. Rec1 {is less accurate due to} Nb6 $1 {.}) 21...
Bc6 $5 {It seems Black can't keep his bishop after all, as he has no fruitful
ideas.} 22. Rec1 Qa6 $5 (22... Bxa4 23. Rxa4 Ndf6 (23... Qa6 $5) 24. Rca1 Qc7
25. Ne5 Nd5 26. Qc4 {looks favourable for White.}) 23. Qxa6 Rxa6 24. Bxc6 Rcxc6
25. Ra4 Ra8 {. Preparing to defend the a5-pawn after} 26. Rca1 Rca6 {. The
ending is acceptable for Black, even if White has two extra moves - h2-h3 and
Ra4 - on the similar ending in line C.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "White plays 15 c5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 {. Before we go on to the
main lines after 15 Re1 Ne4 16 c5!? it might be useful to make a small detour
and take a look at one curious approach for White. Let's go back to the
beginning of the main Noteboom:} 13. Bd3 ({Curiously, some games have reached
the position after 17 Ba4 with White to move, specifically after} 13. c5 O-O
14. Bb5 Bc6 15. Ba4 Qc7 16. O-O Nbd7 {, when the bishop manoeuvre to a4 has
taken one move less.}) 13... Nbd7 14. O-O O-O {And now White has an
interesting option:} 15. c5 $5 {As we've already seen, White's set-up with Qc2
and e3-e4 has lost its popularity, so that Rfe1 has become the more usual
attempt to support an advance of the e-pawn. However, Black usually prevents
this by placing a piece on e4, after which White often switches to blockading
play with c4-c5 and Bb5-a4, followed by Re1-c1 to support his c-pawn. So a
logical question arises: is it really necessary to provoke ...Ne4 and ...f7-f5? If White is going to blockade Black's pawns anyway, it might be
reasonable to omit Rfe1 altogether!} Bc6 ({Black can begin with} 15... Qc7 {,
when} 16. Bb5 (16. Qc2 {transposes to line E in Chapter Eight}) 16... Bc6 ({but perhaps Black could
think about} 16... Bd5 $5 {, securing the bishop}) 17. Ba4 {returns to the
main line.}) 16. Bc2 $5 ({Again} 16. Qc2 Qc7 {is line E in Chapter 8.}) 16...
Qc7 17. Ba4 {White has completed his blockading plan but, as usual, it's now
more difficult for him to find active ideas. Obviously Black should react to
this move order in a more concrete way, for which see line B2 in Chapter 7.}
Ne4 {A natural response. Since Black's passed pawns are firmly blockaded he
needs to increase his influence in the centre. Incidentally, a very similar
position arose in line B1 above, the only difference being the inclusion of
Rfe1 and ...Rfe8. As we noted there, transpositions are quite possible if and
when the rooks move again.} ({Here} 17... Bd5 {is a waste of time: White would
try} 18. Nd2 $5 {, which brought him somewhat better chances after} e5 19. Qe2
exd4 20. Bxd4 {in A.Keatinge Clay-R.Poehlmann, San Francisco 2003.}) 18. Qc2 {
White remains patient.} ({Simplifying into the ending by} 18. Bxc6 $6 Qxc6 19.
Qa4 {, hoping to obtain a solid position with a slight edge, falls into
Black's thematic resource:} -- (19... Qxa4 20. Rxa4 Ndxc5 $1 21. dxc5 Nxc5 {
with sufficient compensation for the piece.}) ({. Black can also delay with} 
19... Rfc8 $5 {, when it still isn't easy for White to prevent both ...a5-a4
and ...Ndxc5; e.g.} 20. Qxc6 Rxc6 21. Rfc1 {, and now Black has the more
concrete} ({not} 21. Ra4 $6 Ndxc5 $1 22. dxc5 Nxc5 {with the initiative, D.Buckley-A.Ashton, England 2011}) 21... Rcc8 ({rather than} 21... a4 $6 22. Rc4
$1) ({or} 21... f5 $5 {(which suddenly transposes back to line C)}) ({or} 21...
Rca6 22. Ra4 Ndf6 {, heading for d5 and c3}) 22. Ra4 {with} Ndxc5 $1)) 18... f5
{This pawn advance may be weakening but otherwise Black may lose control of
the important e4-square.} ({Alternatively,} 18... Rfb8 $5 {deserves attention,
intending to push the b-pawn. Then} 19. Rfc1 {would transpose to 20 Rec1 in
line B1.}) 19. Rfc1 {Thanks to his move order White can claim some benefit
over, for example, line C (15 Re1 Be4 16 Bxe4 Nxe4 17 Qc2 f5 18 c5) or line D3
(15 Re1 Ne4 16 Qc2 f5 17 c5) since he has brought his rook to c1 in one go,
without stopping over on e1. On the other hand, after the typical manoeuvre
Ne1-d3 White often thinks about f2-f3 and e3-e4, in which case he may need his
rook on e1 after all, or at least his queen on e2. Well, such things aren't
easy to foresee in practice - in many cases players should build shorter plans,
adjusting them according to the opponent's reaction.} Bxa4 {This may not be
Black's best option.} ({Instead, he could consider} 19... Bd5 $5 {, when} 20.
Ne1 $6 {, would be met by} ({but White has other options too, such as} 20. h3 {
. It would be useful to compare this with line D3 as well}) 20... Ndf6 $1 {and
if} 21. f3 {then} Ng4 $1 {with a strong attack.}) 20. Qxa4 Rfc8 $5 {This seems
the most reliable move, waiting for his opponent's knight manoeuvre. Now the
position resembles line C, the difference here being that Black's queen is on
c7 rather than c6.} ({The attempt to install a knight on c3 via} 20... Ndf6 {
doesn't completely equalize:} 21. -- (21. Ne5 $5 Ng4 $5 ({or} 21... Nd5 $5) 22.
f3 Nxe5 23. dxe5 Nxc5 $5 (23... Ng5 24. c6 Rfd8 25. Rc5 {favours White, R.Akesson-V.Koziak, Rewal 2006}) 24. Qb5 Rfb8 25. Rxc5 ({Dreev also suggests} 25.
Qxc5 $5 {, when} Qxc5 26. Rxc5 a4 27. Bc1 a3 28. Kf1 $1 ({not} 28. Kf2 $2 b3
29. Rxa3 b2) 28... a2 29. Bb2 b3 30. Rac1 Rd8 31. Ke2 Kf8 32. R5c3 Rab8 33. Rc7
Ra8 34. h3 {certainly leaves White with the advantage, though it's unclear
whether he can convert it into a full point}) 25... Rxb5 26. Rxc7 a4 {and
Black has reasonable drawing chances with his passed pawns, A.Dreev-I.Chirila,
European Ch., Budva 2009 - but is it so interesting to fight for a draw in
such a way right from the opening?!}) (21. Qb3 $5 Nd5 22. Ne5 {and White's
chances are somewhat better, A.Dreev-S. Zhigalko, Tashkent 2010.})) 21. Ne1 $5
Nb8 $5 {Both sides are improving their knights in a typical way.} 22. f3 Nf6
23. Nd3 Nc6 {. Black's position is quite playable, even if White might still
hope for a slight edge. This approach with 15 c5 might be attractive to White
advocates who prefer clear play to messy complications (which we're about to
consider). On the other hand, the exchange of light-squared bishops certainly
decreases the potential of White's position too.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D4: 16 c5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 ({This move order is more precise than} 16. Qc2 f5 17. c5 {
(line D3) as it limits Black's choice.}) 16... Bc6 $1 ({As a rule, it's risky
to put the queen on c7 when the c-file is free for White's rook and this
position is no exception:} 16... Qc7 $6 17. Rc1 $1 Bc6 (17... Bd5 $6 18. c6 $1)
18. Bxe4 $1 Bxe4 19. Ng5 $1 ({rather than} 19. Nd2 $6 Bc6 20. e4 a4 21. d5 {,
D.Barria Zuniga-V.Burmakin, Sitges 2009, when Black might tried} a3 $1) 19...
Bg6 ({or} 19... Bc6 20. Qd3 Nf6 21. d5 $1 h6 22. d6 Qb7 23. Nf3 Nd7 24. Nd4)
20. e4 {and White gets the advantage.}) 17. Qc2 ({White played the careless} 
17. Nd2 $2 {in S.Ernst-J.Smeets, Groningen 2002, when} Ndxc5 $1 {won a pawn}) (
{while} 17. Bxe4 $6 Bxe4 18. Nd2 Bc6 19. e4 a4 {is also fine for Black.}) ({A
restrained approach with} 17. Bc2 Qc7 18. Ba4 {is possible but, compared with
the 15 c5!? line we have just examined, White has already played the less
useful move Rfe1 (instead of Qc2). Black has a wide choice:} -- (18... Ra6 $5
19. Qc2 Rfa8 20. Rec1 Bxa4 21. Qxa4 Ndf6 22. Ne5 Nd5 {gave Black acceptable
play in D.Svetushkin-M.Krasenkow, European Ch., Istanbul 2003 (in this game
White's bishop actually came to a4 via the b5-square!).}) (18... Rfc8 19. -- (
19. Bxc6 Qxc6 20. Qa4 Qxa4 21. Rxa4 {fails to the thematic} Ndxc5 $1 22. dxc5
Nxc5 23. Raa1 a4 {and White is in trouble, E.Van Beers-F.Kroeze, Dutch Team Ch.
1998.}) ({. Instead,} 19. Qc2 {is more to the point - White can hardly manage
without this move - but now he's a tempo down on the game
Svetushkin-Tzermiadianos seen in the notes to line B1 (in which Black's rook
visited e8-square on the way to c8). Here Black would continue} Qb7 $5 (19...
Bxa4 20. Rxa4 f5 21. Qe2 $5) 20. Rec1 {and then either} Bxa4 ({or} 20... Qa6 $5
) 21. Qxa4 ({not} 21. Rxa4 $6 Qb5 $5 22. Rca1 $2 Nb6 $1) 21... Qc6 {with
acceptable play.})) (18... f5) ({, and} 18... Rfb8 {also come into
consideration. Note that in all these variations White will find himself a
whole tempo down on 15 c5!? lines if he proceeds with Re1-c1 and Ne1-d3, since
the rook could have gone to c1 in one step.})) 17... f5 18. Bc4 {One of the
ideas behind the c-pawn advance - it increases the white bishop's scope. Now
Black has to decide how to protect the e6-pawn:} -- ({D41:} 18... Qe7) ({D42:} 
18... Qe8 $5) (18... Rf6 $6 {, hoping to use the rook in kingside actions,
looks suspicious:} 19. Red1 ({not} 19. d5 $2 exd5 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Bd3 a4 {
and Black's pawns are very strong, L.Katov-K.Karakehajov, Pleven 2006}) 19...
Qe7 20. d5 exd5 21. Bxd5+ Bxd5 22. Rxd5 Rc6 23. Rxf5 {with a big advantage, D.Svetushkin-G.Grigorov, Kavala 2005.}) (18... Re8 {doesn't seem to be the best
choice either. After} 19. Bb3 ({or} 19. Qb3 $5 Qe7 20. Red1) 19... Qc7 (19...
Ra7 $5) 20. Red1 (20. Nh4 $5) 20... Kh8 $6 (20... Bd5 $5 {is an improvement,
as in Y.Gozzoli-N.Ninov, La Fere 2008, but} 21. Ne1 $5 {still promises
somewhat better chances for White}) 21. Ne1 $1 Nef6 22. Nd3 Bd5 23. f3 Nb8 24.
Ba4 {Black faced serious problems in L.Van Wely-E.Alekseev, Foros 2008, which
the careless} Nc6 $2 25. Nf2 $1 {, threatening e3-e4, didn't help at all.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D41: 18...Qe7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe7 {This move looks natural but,
apart from defending e6, the queen isn't doing much on e7. Now White has a
choice:} 19. -- ({D411:} 19. Qb3) ({D412:} 19. Bb3) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D411: 19 Qb3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 $5 Bc6 $1 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe7 19. Qb3 {White immediately
takes aim at the vulnerable e6-pawn.} Kh8 $5 {A typical way to defend it!} (
19... a4 20. Bxe6+ Kh8 21. Qc4 a3 22. Bc1 Rab8 ({or} 22... Ra4 {isn't so clear
either.})) 20. Ra2 $5 ({The e6-pawn is untouchable:} 20. Bxe6 $2 Nexc5 $1 21.
dxc5 Nxc5 22. Qc4 Bxf3 23. Bxf5 ({or} 23. gxf3 Nxe6) 23... Rxf5 24. gxf3 Rxf3 {
with an extra pawn, A.Bykhovsky-A.Galkin, Internet (blitz) 2007.}) (20. Rec1
Rfb8 {is also fine for Black.}) 20... a4 $5 {This tempting pawn push forces
White to give up a piece, though he gets excellent compensation.} ({The
alternative} 20... Rf6 21. Rea1 Qd8 {isn't quite acceptable for Black:} 22. --
(22. Bxe6 $5 {promises White somewhat better chances:} a4 23. Qc4 a3 24. Bxa3
$1 ({not} 24. Bc1 $6 Ndxc5 $1 25. Ne5 Nxe6 26. Nxc6 Rc8 $1 27. f3 Rxc6 $1 28.
Qxc6 Nxd4 $1 29. Qc4 Rc6 {and White has to fight for a draw}) 24... bxa3 25.
Bxd7 Qxd7 26. Ne5 Qb7 27. Nxc6 Rxc6 28. Rxa3 Rxa3 29. Rxa3 {and so on.}) (22.
Qd1 $1 {intending d4-d5 is stronger:} Qc7 (22... Rg6 $6 {allows White to
obtain winning chances by} 23. Bxe6 Rxe6 24. d5 Ndxc5 25. dxe6 Qxd1+ 26. Rxd1
Nxe6 27. Nd4 Nxd4 28. Rxd4) 23. d5 exd5 24. Bxd5 Nc3 25. Bxc3 bxc3 26. Rc2 Rd8
({or} 26... Nxc5 27. Rxc3 Ne4 28. Rxc6 Rxc6 29. Bxc6 Qxc6 30. Rxa5 $1) 27. Bxc6
Rxc6 28. Nd4 $1 Nf8 29. Rxc3 Rxc5 30. Rxc5 Qxc5 31. g3 {and Black faces
problems due to his vulnerable pawn structure.})) 21. Qxb4 a3 $1 22. Rxa3 ({Of
course not} 22. Ba1 $4 Rfb8 {and White's queen is trapped.}) 22... Rab8 23. Qa5
Ng5 $1 ({Not} 23... Rxb2 $6 24. Qc7 $1 {with an annoying initiative.}) 24. Nxg5
Qxg5 25. g3 Rxb2 26. Qc7 Nb8 27. Bxe6 Be4 {. White would be much better if his
king wasn't so vulnerable. As it is, Black has sufficient counter-chances; e.g.
} 28. d5 Qg4 29. Qd6 $5 Re8 30. Qf4 Qe2 (30... Qxf4 31. gxf4 g6 {might be
drawn too.}) 31. Raa1 Ra2 $5 {and Black should hold on with accurate play.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D412: 19 Bb3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe7 19. Bb3 {A logical approach -
White stops the opponent's passers.} Ra7 ({After} 19... Rfc8 20. Ra2 {Black
should look after his a-pawn with} Ra7 {anyway,} ({since the piece sacrifice} 
20... Nexc5 $6 21. dxc5 Nxc5 {isn't quite sufficient:} 22. Bc4 $1 Be4 23. Qe2
$5 (23. Qd2 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Ne4 $1 25. fxe4 Rxc4 26. Qd3 Rxe4 27. f3 Rh4 28. Be5
Qc5 29. Bg3 Rc4 {isn't so clear, B.Avrukh-E.Moreno Tejera, Andorra 2002}) 23...
a4 24. Nd4 {with better chances for White.})) ({Black might also consider} 
19... g5 $5 {again; e.g.} 20. Red1 g4 21. Ne1 Ndf6 {and if} 22. Nd3 {then} Qe8
{with decent counter-chances, though it doesn't seem entirely convincing.}) 20.
Ba4 ({The direct} 20. Ra2 Rfa8 (20... Rb8 $5) 21. Rea1 {, can be met by} (21.
Ba4 $5) 21... a4 $5 22. Rxa4 $1 ({not} 22. Bxa4 $6 Bd5 $1) 22... Bxa4 23. Rxa4
Rxa4 24. Bxa4 {with unclear play, J.Eriksson-A.Matros, Swedish Team Ch. 2000.})
({Alternatively,} 20. Rec1 Rfa8 21. Ba4 Bxa4 22. Qxa4 Qe8 (22... Ndf6 $5) 23.
Ne1 Nef6 24. Nd3 {gave White a small advantage in F.Peralta-F.Bellini,
Badalona 2006, but Black's position is playable.}) 20... Bxa4 21. Rxa4 Rfa8 22.
Rea1 Qe8 $1 {The queen is cut off from the queenside so Black improves it.} ({
Other regrouping attempts fail:} 22... Qd8 $6 23. Qc4) ({or} 22... Nb8 $6 23.
Ne5) ({or} 22... Ndf6 $6 23. Ne5 {- as a rule, Black should wait for the
manoeuvre Ne1-d3 before improving his knight on d7.}) 23. Ne1 (23. Qc4 Ndf6 24.
Ne5 Nd5 {is okay for Black:} 25. f3 {(White has to keep the e2-square under
control)} (25. Qb3 $2 Nec3 26. Bxc3 Nxc3 {, Z.Azmaiparashvili-A.Galkin,
European Ch., Saint Vincent 2000 is unacceptable for him, since} 27. R4a3 {
runs into} Ne2+ 28. Kf1 Nxd4 $1) 25... Nec3 26. Bxc3 Nxc3 27. R4a3 bxa3 28.
Qxc3 {and although White has reasonable compensation for the exchange, he can
hardly be better.}) 23... Nb8 {Black also improves his knight.} 24. Nd3 $5 {
Delaying the f2-f3 advance and continuing the knight's manoeuvre.} ({Instead,
after} 24. f3 Nf6 25. Nd3 (25. e4 $6 {isn't well supported:} fxe4 26. fxe4 Qg6
{and only White may face problems}) 25... Nc6 {, M.Sebenik-H.Reefschläger,
Salzburg 2004, Black fortifies the a5-pawn, allowing him to release his rooks
to be used in the centre or on the kingside. White still has things under
control, but the position is rather closed and it's not easy for him to make
progress.}) 24... Nc6 25. Nc1 $5 {. White moves his knight to b3 to increase
the pressure on a5 and keep Black's rooks busy, while the extra support to the
d4-pawn may increase his ability to carry out f2-f3 and e3-e4 with good effect.
On the other hand, White shouldn't forget that his kingside is now rather
lacking in defenders. The position remains very complex and both sides keep
their chances.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D42: 18...Qe8!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe8 $5 {The previous variations, in
which Black played 18...Qe7 and then later ...Qe8, prompts this idea. The
black queen is more useful and flexible on e8. It may work in several
directions: defending the e6-pawn, supporting the passers on the queenside (to
which it can switch more quickly if needed), or taking part in possible
kingside operations. --- As in line D41, White's main continuations are:} 19.
-- ({D421:} 19. Qb3 $6) ({D422:} 19. Bb3) ({White might try to exploit the
black queen's absence from e7 by playing} 19. Nh4 $6 {, threatening to take on
f5 after or before f2-f3, but it's harmless:} Qe7 $1 (19... a4 20. f3 Ng5 21.
Nxf5 $1 a3 22. Nd6 axb2 23. Rxa8 Qxa8 24. Qxb2 {gives White excellent
compensation for the piece}) ({but both} 19... g5 20. Nxf5 $1 Rxf5 21. f3 Ndf6)
({and} 19... Kh8 $5 20. f3 Nef6 {are playable}) 20. f3 Qxh4 21. Bxe6+ ({or} 21.
fxe4 Bxe4 22. Bxe6+ Kh8 23. Qf2 Qe7 24. Bb3 Nf6) 21... Kh8 22. Bxd7 b3 $1 23.
g3 $5 ({or} 23. Qe2 $6 Bxd7 24. fxe4 Qxe4) 23... Qe7 24. Qd1 Qxd7 25. fxe4 Bxe4
26. Qxb3 a4 {and the superiority of the his bishop, coupled with the weak
light squares in the white camp, give Black more than enough for the pawn.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D421: 19 Qb3?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "58"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe8 $5 19. Qb3 $6 {As we've already
seen in line D411, this attack on e6 isn't very effective.} Kh8 $1 (19... Rf6
$6 {is dubious:} 20. d5 Ndxc5 {and here in V.Jianu-V.Slovineanu, Predeal 2007,
White could have secured the better chances by} 21. Qa2 $1 exd5 22. Bxd5+ Kh8
23. Bxf6 Nxf6 24. Bxc6 Qxc6 25. Rec1 {.}) 20. Qa2 {Resuming the threat to the
e6-pawn.} ({Otherwise Black can show his trumps:} 20. Rec1 $6 Qg6 21. Be2 Rfb8)
({or} 20. Red1 $6 Qg6 {as} 21. Bxe6 $6 {is still met by} Ndxc5 $1 {.}) 20... a4
$1 ({More energetic than} 20... Qg6 21. Bxe6 Nd2 $1 (21... Nexc5 $6 22. d5 $1 {
is better for White}) 22. Nh4 $1 Nf3+ ({not} 22... Qg4 $6 23. d5 $1) 23. Nxf3
Bxf3 24. g3 Nf6 {, even if Black still has excellent counter-chances here.})
21. Bxe6 b3 $1 22. Bxd7 Qxd7 23. Qa3 {White has won the pawn and stopped
Black's passers, but his army is now too passive.} Rae8 $1 {Shifting to the
kingside - Black needs both rooks there!} (23... Rfe8 {allows White to hold on
after} 24. Ne5 Rxe5 $5 25. dxe5 Qd5 {and then:} 26. -- (26. f3 $2 {fails to}
Nd2 27. e4 ({both} 27. Qb4 $2 Nxf3+ 28. gxf3 Qxf3 29. e4 fxe4 30. Qd2 e3 31.
Rxe3 Qh1+ 32. Kf2 Qxh2+ 33. Ke1 Qg1+ 34. Ke2 Bb5+ 35. Rd3 Qg6) ({and} 27. Rf1
Nxf1 28. Rxf1 Qd2 29. Bd4 f4 $1 {are bad for White}) 27... fxe4 28. fxe4 Nxe4
29. Re2 Rb8 {with a clear advantage.}) (26. Rad1 Nd2 27. e4 $1 fxe4 28. Qb4 $1
({not} 28. Kh1 $6 e3 29. f3 Qg8 $5 30. Qb4 Nc4) 28... e3 29. Qg4 exf2+ 30. Kxf2
{and Black has no more than a draw; e.g.} a3 31. Bxa3 ({or} 31. Bd4 h5 32.
Qxh5+ Kg8 33. Qg4 Rf8+ 34. Kg1 Rf4 $1 35. Qc8+ Rf8 36. Qg4 {etc}) 31... h5 32.
Qxh5+ Kg8 33. Qg4 Rxa3 ({not} 33... Ra4 $2 34. Bb4) 34. Qc8+ Kh7 ({or} 34...
Kf7 35. Qf5+) 35. Qh3+ Kg6 36. Qg4+ {with perpetual check.})) 24. Ne5 ({
Perhaps White should think about} 24. d5 $5 {, but he already has to fight for
a draw:} Qxd5 25. Nd4 f4 26. f3 fxe3 $1 27. Nxc6 Qxc6 28. Qxa4 ({after} 28.
fxe4 $2 Rxe4 {followed by ...Rg4 White can't defend his king}) 28... Qxa4 29.
Rxa4 Nxc5 {and Black keeps winning chances.}) 24... Rxe5 25. dxe5 Qd5 26. f3 ({
Here} 26. Rad1 $2 {fails to} Nd2 $1 27. e4 fxe4 28. Qb4 e3 {and Black's rook
plays a decisive role on the f-file.}) 26... Nd2 27. Rf1 {The only way to
defend the f3-pawn.} Nxf1 (27... Nc4 $2 {gives White chances to survive after}
28. Rad1 $1) ({but} 27... Qd3 $5 {is worth considering.}) 28. Rxf1 {Despite
still being a pawn down, Black's superiority is beyond doubt.} Qd3 $5 29. Re1
Rb8 {. White's defence isn't easy.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D422: 19 Bb3!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe8 19. Bb3 $1 {Again, this is the
most challenging response, stopping the opponent's passed pawns.} Ra7 $5 {The
same rook move as in line D421. It is rather useful - Black isn't only trying
to give more support to his a-pawn, the rook might also be helpful on the
kingside after a possible ...g7-g5.} ({More direct kingside actions are also
more risky as White can break in the centre; e.g.} 19... g5 20. d5 $1 (20. Ba4
$5) 20... Bxd5 (20... exd5 21. Red1) 21. Bxd5 exd5 {, when D.Lybin-E.Prang,
corr. 2001, continued} 22. Qd3 Ndf6 23. Rec1 a4 24. c6 g4 25. Nh4 (25. Ne5 $5)
25... Qe6 26. c7 a3 27. Bd4 Rfc8 28. f3 gxf3 29. gxf3 Nd6 30. Kh1 {and White
maintained the initiative - his strong bishop is very annoying for Black's
vulnerable king.}) ({or} 19... Rf6 20. Red1 {.}) ({The solid} 19... Ndf6 {
isn't so bad, but it allows White to bring his knight forward with} 20. Ne5 (
20. Ba4 $6 {is dubious as Black's counterplay comes quickly:} Bxa4 21. Qxa4 ({
or} 21. Rxa4 Nd5 22. Qb3 Qb5 23. Ne5 Rfe8 {and White faces a difficult task on
the queenside}) 21... Nd5 {and Black easily breaks blockade of his passed pawns
}) 20... a4 21. Bc4 {and then:} -- (21... a3 $6 22. Bc1 Nd5 {is insufficient
due to} 23. f3 Nec3 24. e4 fxe4 25. fxe4 {and White seizes the initiative.}) (
21... Nd5 22. f3 Nef6 ({not} 22... Nec3 $2 23. Bxc3 Nxc3 24. Nd3 $1 Rb8 25.
Nxb4 $1) 23. Qd3 $1 (23. e4 fxe4 24. fxe4 Nf4 {gives Black good counterplay})
23... Rb8 24. e4 (24. Bc1 $6 b3) 24... fxe4 25. fxe4 {and White's powerful
centre gives him a certain advantage; e.g.} Nf4 26. Qe3 Nxg2 27. Kxg2 Bxe4+ 28.
Kg1 {and Black's compensation doesn't look sufficient.}) (21... Bd5 22. f3 (22.
Bxd5 Nxd5 23. f3 Nef6 ({but not} 23... Nec3 $6 24. e4 fxe4 25. fxe4 a3 26. Bxc3
Nxc3 27. Qb3 Rb8 28. c6) 24. e4 fxe4 25. fxe4 Nc7 26. c6 a3 27. Bc1 Qb8 $5 {is
fine for Black}) 22... Ng5 23. Bxd5 $5 Nxd5 (23... exd5 24. c6 a3 25. Bc1 Qb8
26. Qb3 {is clearly better for White}) 24. c6 a3 25. Bc1 Qe7 26. Nd3 $5 Rfb8
27. Qb3 {and the forthcoming e3-e4 gives White the better chances.})) 20. Ra2
$5 {Highlighting a drawback in Black's arrangement - the a5-pawn can't be
comfortably defended when Black's queen is on e8.} ({Other options are:} 20. h3
Ndf6 (20... g5 $6 21. d5 Bxd5 22. c6 Bxb3 23. Qxb3 Ndc5 24. Qc4 Qxc6 25. Qd4
Nc3 26. Bxc3 bxc3 27. Qxc3) 21. Ne5 a4 22. Bc4 Bd5 23. f3 Ng5 24. Bxd5 Nxd5 25.
c6 a3 26. Bc1 {and here Black can get rid of White's powerful knight by} Nf7
27. Nd7 Rxd7 28. cxd7 Qxd7 {with good compensation.}) (20. Ba4 {allows Black
to choose between} Qc8 ({and} 20... Qa8 $5 21. Rec1 Bxa4 22. Qxa4 Qd5) 21. Rec1
Qa6 22. Ne1 Nef6 $5 23. Nd3 Nd5 {with acceptable play.}) 20... Qg6 {This is
one the ideas behind Black's 18th move - the queen can shift to the kingside.}
({The counter-attack with} 20... Ndf6 $6 21. Rea1 Ng4 22. Rxa5 Rxa5 23. Rxa5
Ngxf2 {fails to} 24. Ra7 Bd5 25. Bxd5 exd5 26. Qb3 {and Black faces problems.})
21. Rea1 (21. Ba4 {would be answered by} Bd5 {.}) 21... -- {Play has been
fairly logical up to here. Both sides are trying to maintain their strengths
and use them as effectively as possible. We'll examine this position in more
detail, going deeper into various tactical clashes - this is a good
illustration of how deeply top professionals are preparing their openings
nowadays. --- Here we'll consider:} ({D4221:} 21... f4) ({D4222:} 21... Rfa8) (
21... Nd2 $6 {fails to solve Black's problems:} 22. Nh4 $1 Nf3+ 23. Nxf3 Bxf3
24. g3 Qh6 25. Qd3 {and White keeps the edge.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D4221: 21...f4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe8 19. Bb3 $1 Ra7 $5 20. Ra2 $5 Qg6
21. Rea1 f4 {This active pawn push is interesting, but White seems to be able
to get the advantage.} 22. Qe2 $5 ({Both} 22. exf4 Rxf4 23. Qd3 Ra8 $1 (23...
Rg4 $6 24. Ne1 Nd2 $1 25. Qxg6 Rxg6 26. Bd1 Nc4 27. Bc1 {followed by Bb3 is
good for White}) 24. Bd1 Raf8 25. Rxa5 Rg4 26. g3 h5 $1) ({and} 22. Re1 Rfa8 $5
(22... Rf6 $5) 23. Nh4 Qg4 24. exf4 Ndf6 25. g3 a4 {give Black good
counter-chances.}) 22... a4 (22... fxe3 23. Qxe3 a4 (23... Rfa8 24. Ba4) 24.
Rxa4 $1 Bxa4 25. Rxa4 Rxa4 26. Bxa4 Ndf6 27. Bc2 {also seems to be in White's
favour.}) 23. Rxa4 $1 {White gives up the exchange in order to reduce his
opponent's counterplay significantly. His unopposed light-squared bishop
becomes especially strong. Nevertheless, Black still has counter-chances.} (23.
Bxa4 {is less promising:} Bd5 24. exf4 ({or} 24. Bb3 Rxa2 25. Bxa2 fxe3 26.
Qxe3 Bxa2 27. Rxa2 Nexc5 $1) 24... Rfa8 {and so on.}) 23... Bxa4 24. Rxa4 Rxa4
25. Bxa4 Ndf6 (25... Nc3 $6 26. Bxc3 bxc3 27. Bc2 {gives White a stable
advantage.}) 26. Bc2 ({On} 26. Ne5 Qg5 27. f3 ({or} 27. exf4 Qxf4 28. Nd3 Qf5)
27... Nc3 28. Bxc3 bxc3 {Black gets excellent counter-chances; e.g.} 29. Qa6 $5
(29. e4 Rb8) 29... Qh4 $1 30. Nd3 Kh8 31. e4 ({not} 31. Qxe6 $6 Ra8) ({or} 31.
exf4 $6 Nd5 32. g3 Qf6 33. Qc4 g5 $1) 31... Nxe4 $1 32. fxe4 f3 {and White has
to be careful.}) 26... Nd5 (26... Ng4 $6 {is insufficient:} 27. exf4 Ngxf2 28.
Kf1 $1 (28. Qxf2 $6 Nxf2 29. Bxg6 Nd1 30. Bc2 Nxb2 {is unclear}) ({but} 28. Bc1
$5 Nh3+ 29. Kf1 Nxf4 30. Qxe4 $1 Qxg2+ 31. Ke1 {might also be better for White}
) 28... b3 $5 ({not} 28... Rxf4 $2 29. Qxf2 Nxf2 30. Bxg6 Nd1 31. Bc1) 29. Bxb3
({if} 29. Bb1 Rxf4) 29... Rb8 ({or} 29... Rxf4 30. c6) 30. Bc4 {and White
keeps things under control.}) 27. Ne5 Nec3 28. Bxc3 Nxc3 29. Qc4 $1 Qh6 ({Of
course not} 29... Qxc2 $4 30. Qxe6+ Kh8 31. Nf7+ Kg8 32. Nh6+ Kh8 33. Qg8+ {
and mates}) ({while after} 29... Ra8 30. h3 {White maintains the edge.}) 30.
Ng4 ({Not} 30. e4 $6 f3 $1 {.}) 30... Qh5 31. h3 $1 (31. Qxe6+ Qf7 32. Bb3 Qxe6
33. Bxe6+ Kh8 {is okay for Black thanks to his passed b-pawn.}) 31... fxe3 (
31... Qf7 $2 32. Ne5 {.}) 32. Qxe6+ Qf7 33. Qxe3 {. White's advantage is
beyond doubt but Black still has chances to hold on; e.g.} Kh8 34. Ne5 Qd5 35.
c6 b3 36. Qxc3 bxc2 37. c7 Qxd4 $1 38. Nf7+ $1 ({Not} 38. c8=Q $2 Qxf2+ 39. Kh2
Qf4+ {.}) 38... Kg8 39. Qxc2 ({Still not} 39. c8=Q $2 Qd1+ 40. Kh2 Rxc8 {.})
39... Kxf7 40. c8=Q Rxc8 41. Qxc8 {and despite White's extra pawn the endgame
is drawn.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D4222: 21...Rfa8"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe8 19. Bb3 Ra7 20. Ra2 Qg6 21. Rea1
Rfa8 {This is more to the point - Black's position isn't so bad that desperate
measures are required. Now White has a choice:} 22. -- ({D42221:} 22. Nh4 $5) (
{D42222:} 22. Ne1 $5) (22. Qd1 {can be met by} Bd5 $5) ({while the attempt to
extinguish Black's activity by} 22. d5 $6 {fails to a simple} Bxd5 23. Bxd5
exd5 24. c6 Ndc5 {intending to continue ...b4-b3.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D42221: 22 Nh4!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe8 19. Bb3 Ra7 20. Ra2 Qg6 21. Rea1
Rfa8 22. Nh4 $5 {A concrete decision - White is trying to exploit the power of
his bishops.} Qf6 {A natural retreat.} ({Instead,} 22... Qf7 $5 {looks a bit
awkward, but it's playable after} 23. f3 Ng5 $5 24. Nxf5 a4 $1 {and then:} 25.
-- (25. Bxa4 Bd5 ({otherwise simply} 25... Rxa4 26. Rxa4 Rxa4 27. Rxa4 Bxa4 28.
Qxa4 exf5 {should be okay for Black:} 29. h4 Ne6 30. c6 Nf6 31. Qxb4 Nc7 {and
so on}) 26. Ng3 $1 ({not} 26. Nd6 $6 Nxf3+ $1 27. gxf3 Qxf3) 26... Bxa2 ({not} 
26... e5 $6 27. Bxd7 Rxa2 28. Rxa2 Rxa2 29. c6) 27. Rxa2 Nf6 {is far from
clear.}) (25. Qd3 Nxf3+ (25... Rf8 $5 {also deserves attention; e.g.} 26. e4
axb3 27. Rxa7 exf5 28. exf5 Qd5 29. Re1 $1 Rxf5 30. Re3 Ne6 31. Qxb3 Nf4 32.
Qxd5+ Nxd5 33. Re8+ Rf8 34. Rxf8+ Kxf8 {and Black should be okay, though he
must keep defending}) 26. gxf3 Qg6+ 27. Kf2 Kh8 {leads to wild complications:}
28. -- (28. Bxe6 a3 29. Bc1 ({or} 29. Bc3 bxc3 30. Bxd7 Bxd7 31. e4 Bxf5 32.
exf5 Qh6 33. Kg1 Re8 34. Qxc3 Rae7 {and White's king isn't safe}) 29... Qxe6
30. e4 Rf8 {and Black's trumps are high enough; e.g.} 31. d5 Nxc5 $1 32. Qd4
Nxe4+ (32... Bxd5 {is also possible:} 33. Qxc5 Rxf5 $1 34. exf5 Qxf5 {etc}) 33.
fxe4 Bxd5 $1 34. Qxa7 Qe5 $1 35. Re2 Bc4 36. Bf4 $5 Qxf4+ 37. Kg1 Qe5 $1 38.
Ree1 a2 $1 {and Black's superior position gives him sufficient compensation
for the rook.}) (28. Rg1 $5 Qxf5 29. Qxf5 exf5 30. d5 Nxc5 31. dxc6 Nxb3 32.
Be5 {might still pose some problems for Black.}))) 23. d5 $1 Qxh4 24. dxc6
Ndxc5 25. Bd4 {Black's problems aren't insoluble.} Qe7 ({Not} 25... a4 $2 26.
Bxa4 Rxa4 27. Rxa4 Nxa4 28. c7 Rc8 29. Qxa4 Qe7 30. Be5 {and Black's life is
difficult.}) 26. f3 ({Not} 26. Rc1 $6 Nxb3 27. Qxb3 a4 {.}) 26... Nxb3 27. Qxb3
Nc3 28. Bxa7 (28. Bxc3 bxc3 29. Qxc3 a4 {is okay for Black.}) 28... Nxa2 29.
Bb6 Nc3 30. Rxa5 Rxa5 31. Bxa5 Nd5 32. Qc4 b3 $1 33. Qxb3 Qc5 34. c7 Kf7 {. A
draw is inevitable.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Main Line with 15 Re1"]
[Black "D42222: 22 Ne1!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nc3 dxc4 5. a4 Bb4 6. e3 b5 7. Bd2 a5 8. axb5
Bxc3 9. Bxc3 cxb5 10. b3 Bb7 11. bxc4 b4 12. Bb2 Nf6 13. Bd3 Nbd7 14. O-O O-O
15. Re1 Ne4 16. c5 Bc6 17. Qc2 f5 18. Bc4 Qe8 19. Bb3 Ra7 20. Ra2 Qg6 21. Rea1
Rfa8 22. Ne1 $5 {White tries to carry out his standard knight rearrangement,
despite coming under fire.} Ndf6 $1 {Black must keep his troops together.} ({
After} 22... Ng5 23. d5 $5 {his lack of coordination may cause problems.}) 23.
f3 $1 (23. Bxe6+ $6 Kh8 24. f3 {allows Black to initiate favourable
complications:} Ng4 $1 ({or} 24... Qh6 $5) 25. d5 $5 Qh6 $1 26. fxg4 Qxe3+ 27.
Kh1 b3 $1 ({not yet} 27... Nf2+ $4 28. Qxf2 Qxf2 29. Bxg7+ $1 Rxg7 30. Rxf2 {
and wins}) 28. Bd4 $1 ({if} 28. Ra3 $2 {then} Nf2+) 28... Qxd4 29. Qxb3 Nxc5 {
and White has to fight for a draw.}) 23... Ng5 24. Qe2 (24. Bc1 Kh8 25. Kh1 Qh5
{is unclear.}) 24... a4 $1 (24... Bd5 25. Bxd5 Nxd5 26. Ra4 {might be better
for White.}) 25. h4 $5 {At the moment White's bishop on b3 isn't really
threatened, but it's dangerous to stay under attack - he has to force matters.}
(25. Bc4 {would be simply met by} Bd5 $5 ({or} 25... Nd5 {.})) 25... Nh3+ $1 {
This seemingly desperate check eventually leads to a draw after a series of
crazy-looking moves;} ({whereas the faint-hearted} 25... Nf7 26. Nd3 {should
be preferable for White.}) 26. Kh2 Nh5 $1 {The cavalry isn't always bad on the
edge of the board!} 27. gxh3 Qg3+ 28. Kh1 axb3 $1 {Black's army is divided
into two parts, but his action is well coordinated!} 29. Rxa7 Rxa7 30. Rxa7 Bb5
$1 31. Qxb5 Qxe1+ 32. Kg2 Qd2+ 33. Kg1 {Although White is a rook up and
threatening mate in one, Black has sufficient resources to hold the balance.}
h6 $1 {A cool defence under fire!} 34. Qe8+ ({Otherwise Black is okay; e.g.} 
34. Qf1 Qxb2 {and his b-pawns may soon become dangerous.}) 34... Kh7 35. Qxh5
Qxe3+ 36. Kg2 Qe2+ 37. Kg3 Qe1+ (37... Qxb2 {is also good, but the text is
much more spectacular.}) 38. Kf4 {White has a huge material advantage, but
after the diabolical...} Qe2 $3 {...which takes the bishop under control and
prepares perpetual check by ...Qh2-g1-f1 etc, White cannot win. The remains of
the Noteboom passers are still playing a great role in restricting the enemy
king!} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Pt.2: The Marshall Gambit"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

{Building the Triangle has one obvious drawback - by delaying the development
of his king's knight Black has less control over the centre. Thus, after the
initial moves} 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 {, the immediate advance} 4. e4 {
suggests itself. --- This is the Marshall Gambit, which is a natural, as well
as the most ambitious, way to counter the Slav Triangle. It has been known
since the beginning of the 20th century, when Frank Marshall played it in
several games. Much later, at the end of 1940s, David Bronstein and other
Soviet players began to sacrifice the pawn, so in Russian-speaking countries
and Russian books (and of course, by myself) this system has been known as the
Slav Gambit or, more rarely, the Bronstein Gambit. However, the disintegration
of the Soviet Union and development of computers made more information
available, and now one can easily judge from existing databases that the
American was the pioneer. --- Since the Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez is
one of the most popular (and quite problematic for White!) opening systems, it
was rather interesting for me to look at Marshall's games more thoroughly. In
my opinion, his approach to the openings was very close to what we often see
nowadays: active, well-planned and concrete play, based on good positional
grounds, with the intention of putting pressure on the opponent from the very
beginning. It seems that, in his day, Frank Marshall was one of the best - if
not the best - players in the opening, including the World Champions, and his
invention against the Slav Triangle certainly poses problems for Black! ---
White gets a lead in development, greater control over the centre, and seizes
the initiative. It costs him a pawn after a series of logical and principled
moves:} dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+ 8. Be2 {But White obtains
some obvious pluses. First of all he eliminates the opponent's important
bishop, after which a complex of dark squares in Black's camp - and so his
position - become vulnerable. In addition, Black falls behind in development,
while the advanced position of his queen helps promote White's initiative. ---
If we compare the arrangement of Black's pieces here and in the Noteboom we
come to the natural conclusion that, in the Marshall, Black finds himself on
very shaky grounds. His game isn't at all easy and his strategy must somehow
combine development with measures to reassert control over the key dark
squares. His advanced queen may also play an important role by disturbing
White's plans, despite the dangers to itself. In other words, it's vitally
important for Black to improve his position! In order to achieve his goal
Black must utilize the full range of available resources and weapons,
including various tactical tricks and positional sacrifices, and be ready to
fight back when given a chance!} -- {My experience on the black side of the
Marshall (+2-2=2) may be some kind of proof that it's more challenging and
more dangerous than the Noteboom. On the other hand, playing a pawn down from
the start isn't to everyone's taste. Besides, the Marshall has always remained
a rather unexplored and slightly miraculous opening, its theory full of wrong
conclusions and blank spots. These are perhaps the reasons why the gambit has
never been really popular. --- However, this situation may change soon. Modern
computers are rapidly increasing in power and are often more helpful to the
side with the initiative. Black's advocates should be ready to face the
challenge!} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "11: 4...Bb4 and Deviations"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 {Here we will examine two moves:} -- ({A:} 
4... Bb4) ({B:} 4... dxe4) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "A: 4...Bb4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4 {This somewhat strange-looking
continuation is reminiscent of the Winawer Variation in the French Defence,
though, of course, the addition of pawns on c4 and c6 changes things somewhat.
Some years ago, when 4...Bb4 still came as a surprise, White faced serious
problems getting any real advantage, and even now his task isn't altogether
easy. He does have a few ways to obtain a small edge, but Black's position
remains playable. --- Moreover, the course of the game is quite different from
the usual Slav positions, so while this line might be suitable for those with
the French in their repertoire, it might otherwise be slightly confusing,
especially for White players who never open the game with 1 e4.} 5. -- ({A1:} 
5. a3 $5) ({A2:} 5. Bd2 $5) ({A3:} 5. cxd5) ({Other moves:} 5. e5 {is examined
in the first note to line A3 below.}) (5. Qg4 {is well met by} Nf6 $1 6. Qxg7
Rg8 7. Qh6 {and here apart from} dxe4 ({alternatives such as} 7... c5 $5) ({or
} 7... Nxe4 $5 {with good counter-chances deserve attention}) 8. Nge2 {, which
might still be somewhat better for White.}) (5. Bd3 dxe4 6. Bxe4 Nf6 7. Bc2 c5
8. a3 Ba5 $5 {gives Black acceptable play; e.g.} 9. Nf3 Nc6 10. Be3 cxd4 11.
Nxd4 Bxc3+ 12. bxc3 O-O 13. O-O Bd7 {, O.Kniest-V.Malakhatko, Deizisau 2009,
even if White's activity fully compensates for the damage to his pawn
structure.}) (5. exd5 exd5 6. cxd5 {may promise White a symbolic edge; e.g.}
cxd5 7. Bd3 Nc6 8. Nge2 Nge7 (8... Nf6 $5) 9. Qc2 {, when} Bd6 ({instead,
Black might try to justify the position of his bishop on b4 with} 9... g6 $5
10. a3 ({if} 10. Bg5 O-O) ({or} 10. Bh6 Nf5) 10... Bxc3+ {followed by ...Bf5})
10. a3 h6 11. Be3 O-O 12. O-O Be6 13. f4 {is a bit better for White, M.Gurevich-B.Gelfand, Khanty-Mansiysk 2005.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "A1: 5 a3!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4 5. a3 $5 {This simple move shouldn't be
too dangerous for Black.} Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 dxe4 7. Qg4 Nf6 8. Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qh6 c5
$1 {Black tried other options but the immediate counter-strike seems the most
promising. He gets his knight to c6 quickly, attacking the opposing centre,
while it isn't so easy for White to develop his army.} 10. Ne2 ({Or} 10. Bb2
Bd7 $5 11. d5 Ba4 $1 {followed by ...Nbd7.}) 10... Nc6 $1 11. dxc5 $5 {This
concrete decision is rather interesting. White tries to exploit the vulnerable
dark squares in Black's camp.} Ne5 $5 12. Nd4 Bd7 13. Rb1 Qa5 (13... Rc8 $5 14.
Rxb7 Rxc5 {is also worth considering.}) 14. Bd2 (14. Rxb7 {can be met by} Rxg2
$1 {and Black holds the balance; e.g.} 15. Bxg2 Qxc3+ 16. Qd2 Nd3+ 17. Kf1 Qxd4
18. Bb2 Qxc4 19. Bxf6 Nf4+ 20. Kg1 Ne2+ {with perpetual check.}) 14... Rg6 15.
Qf4 Qxc5 16. Nb5 {Black looks fine, but precise play is still required.} (16.
Rxb7 Rc8 {.}) 16... Nfg4 $1 17. h3 Rf6 $1 18. Be3 $1 Nxe3 19. Qxf6 Nxf1 20.
Kxf1 ({Of course not} 20. Qh8+ $2 Ke7 21. Qxa8 Nd3+ {with a decisive attack.})
({Other moves don't promise anything either; e.g.} 20. Nd4 Nxc4 21. Rxb7 Rc8 {
and so on.}) 20... Bxb5 $5 (20... Nxc4 21. Kg1 Bxb5 22. Qh8+ Qf8 23. Qxf8+ Kxf8
24. Rxb5 b6 {should be defendable.}) 21. cxb5 ({Or} 21. Qh8+ Ke7 22. Qxa8 Bxc4+
23. Kg1 Nf3+ $1 24. gxf3 Qg5+ 25. Kh2 Qf4+ {with a draw.}) 21... Rd8 {Thanks
to the activity of his pieces Black has sufficient compensation for the
exchange.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "A2: 5 Bd2!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4 5. Bd2 $5 {This idea is more interesting
and is actually one of White's most promising options.} dxc4 ({Curiously
enough, the main line of the Marshall Gambit can still arise after} 5... dxe4
6. Nxe4 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+ {and so on.}) ({Instead,} 5... Ne7 {can be met by}
6. a3 Bxc3 ({or} 6... Ba5 7. Nf3) 7. Bxc3 {with better chances; e.g.} dxe4 8.
Qg4 Nf5 9. Qxe4 Nd7 10. Nf3 {and so on, V.Erdos-I.Cosma, Rumanian Team Ch.
2007.}) 6. Bxc4 $1 (6. Qg4 {doesn't promise much:} Nf6 $1 7. Qxg7 Rg8 8. Qh6
Rg6 9. Qe3 {and here in D.Cramling-A.Matros, Swedish Team Ch. 2000, Black
could have obtained good counter-chances by} e5 $1 10. dxe5 Ng4 11. Qf4 Bc5 12.
Bxc4 Qe7 {.}) 6... Qxd4 (6... Nf6 7. Qe2 $1 ({or} 7. e5 Qxd4 $1) 7... Qxd4 {
would just transpose below.}) 7. Qe2 {In return for the lost pawn, White gains
an advantage in development by exploiting the advanced position of Black's
queen.} Nf6 ({Inserting} 7... b5 {doesn't help Black:} 8. Bd3 ({or} 8. Bb3 Nf6
9. Nf3 Qb6 10. O-O {with good compensation for the pawn, E.Najer-Ar.Timofeev,
Russian Ch., Krasnoyarsk 2003}) 8... Nd7 (8... e5 $5) 9. Nf3 Qb6 10. O-O Bxc3
11. Bxc3 {with a superior position, V.Potkin-N.Vitiugov, St. Petersburg 2005.})
({White takes the initiative after} 7... e5 {as well:} 8. Nf3 Qd6 9. a3 Ba5 10.
O-O {with active play, V.Potkin-P.Govciyan, Sautron 2007.}) ({Black might
consider other moves, such as} 7... Qd8 $5 8. Rd1 Nd7 {, A.Aleksandrov-D.Mastrovasilis, European Ch., Warsaw 2005}) ({or just} 7... Nd7 $5 {, but they
don't change much.}) 8. Nf3 (8. e5 Nd5 9. Nf3 Qb6 10. O-O {seems less
promising:} Nd7 11. Ne4 Be7 12. Bg5 f6 {and the strong knight on d5
strengthens Black's position, although White still has compensation.}) 8... Qd8
9. a3 ({In P.San Segundo Carrillo-A.Shirov, Madrid 1996, White maintained
pressure after} 9. O-O Nbd7 10. a3 Be7 11. Rac1 O-O 12. e5 Nd5 13. Rfd1 b6 14.
Ne4 Bb7 15. Bd3 {, with ideas of Neg5 and Qe4-h4, though Black's position
should be solid enough.}) 9... Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Bf4 $5 {The tempting e4-e5
pawn push followed by Ne4 would give White more space and more attacking
chances, but again it allows Black to fortify his position behind his strong
knight on d5. Keeping the pawn on e4 for the time being is reasonable - White
wants to make some preparations first.} b5 12. Rad1 Nbd7 13. Ba2 {. White
keeps good play for the pawn, A.Zhigalko-N.Huschenbeth, Moscow 2011.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "A3: 5 cxd5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4 5. cxd5 {The most popular continuation -
White makes the d5-square unavailable for Black's pieces.} ({The immediate} 5.
e5 c5 6. a3 Bxc3+ (6... Ba5 $6 {is strongly met by} 7. b4 $1 cxb4 8. Nb5 {with
the initiative, S.K.Williams-D.Barua, British Ch., Torquay 2002}) (6... cxd4 $6
{is also dubious:} 7. axb4 dxc3 {and here} 8. Qg4 $5 {is interesting}) 7. bxc3
{leads to a position from the French Winawer, where White has somehow managed
to play the extra move c2-c4. At first sight this position seems good for
White, who has more influence in the centre and the chance to undouble his
c-pawns. However, it isn't totally clear. Black may also find some pluses - it
would help him to solve the problem of his light-squared bishop, as well as
occupy the strong d5-square with his pieces:} Ne7 8. Nf3 Nbc6 (8... cxd4 9.
cxd4 b6 $5 {is also interesting}) 9. Bd3 cxd4 10. cxd4 b6 11. cxd5 Qxd5 12. O-O
Bb7 {is acceptable for Black, who has the superior pawn structure. White has
to find some active plan quickly, but it's not so straightforward; e.g.} 13.
Bb2 ({, after} 13. Re1 $6 {, S.Webb-A.Matros, Swedish Team Ch. 2001, Black
could have grabbed the pawn:} Nxd4 $1 14. Qa4+ ({or} 14. Be4 Nxf3+ 15. Qxf3
Qxe5 $1 16. Bc6+ $2 Bxc6) 14... Nec6) ({, while} 13. Be3 Rd8 14. Bc2 h6 {is
also good, C.Kratochwil-P.De Boer, corr. 1995}) 13... h6 14. Re1 O-O {and
Black's position is both solid and easier to play, as he still has several
improving moves to make. In L.Van Wely-Z.Rahman, Elista Olympiad 1998, White
tried to create a kingside attack by} 15. Re4 Qd7 16. Rg4 {, but it didn't
bother Black very much:} Nf5 17. Bxf5 ({or} 17. Qe2 Rfd8) 17... exf5 {and
after the consistent} 18. Rxg7+ $2 (18. Rg3 {was more tenacious, but White
obviously wasn't satisfied with his position after} f4 19. Rh3 Ne7) 18... Kxg7
19. d5 {Black defended with the cool} Kh7 $1 20. Ng5+ Kg6 $1 21. Nh3 Ne7 22.
Nf4+ Kh7 23. Qh5 Qa4 {and his extra rook eventually told.}) 5... exd5 6. e5 {
Now Black has a choice: to complete the development of his kingside or put
pressure on White's centre first.} -- ({A31:} 6... Ne7) ({A32:} 6... c5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "A31: 6...Ne7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. e5 Ne7 {A solid approach
- Black can hardly play without this move. However, delaying the thematic
advance ...c6-c5 may give White more choice.} 7. a3 (7. Nf3 {is a natural
alternative - the position after a possible} c5 8. a3 Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Nbc6 {will
be considered in line A322.}) 7... Bxc3+ 8. bxc3 c5 9. Bd3 {White wants to
gain more control over the f5-square, bearing his f-pawn march in mind. The
drawback is that it allows Black to exchange light-squared bishops.} ({White
can also develop his kingside pieces in the other way:} 9. Nf3 Nbc6 10. Be2 {
, which is in no way weaker (see line A322 again).}) 9... Nbc6 10. Ne2 Bf5 11.
O-O ({After} 11. Bg5 Qd7 12. Bxe7 Nxe7 13. O-O Rc8 14. Ng3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 h5 $5
{Black prevented the intended f2-f4-f5 advance in N.Murshed-A.Dreev, Yerevan
Olympiad 1996. So perhaps White could have switched to pushing e5-e6 with} 16.
Rfe1 $5 h4 17. Ne2 {.}) 11... O-O 12. Ng3 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Qd7 14. f4 f6 $5 {This
counter-thrust puts pressure on White's pawn chain and makes it more difficult
for him to carry on his ambitious kingside plans.} 15. exf6 c4 16. Qf3 Rxf6 {
. Black has acceptable play, M.Bluvshtein-M.Zubac, Kitchener 2006.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "A32: 6...c5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. e5 c5 7. a3 {Now Black
faces a dilemma: to take the knight or spend a tempo retreating the bishop.} --
({A321:} 7... Ba5) ({A322:} 7... Bxc3+) (7... cxd4 $6 {is dubious:} 8. axb4
dxc3 9. bxc3 Nc6 (9... Ne7 {can be met by either} 10. f4 ({or} 10. Bd3 $5)
10... O-O 11. Nf3 Bf5 12. Be3 Nd7 13. Be2) 10. f4 Nh6 11. Nf3 (11. b5 $5) 11...
O-O 12. Be2 $1 {with a stable advantage for White, J.Lautier-V.Zvjagintsev,
Poikovsky 2003.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "A321: 7...Ba5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. e5 c5 7. a3 Ba5 {This
retreat isn't without risk.} 8. b4 $5 {This move, which is a standard response
in the French Defence, seems never to have been tried in this position,
although it gives White very active play for the pawn and might be promising.}
({The simple} 8. Bd2 {might also be good, but Black isn't without counterplay;
e.g.} Nc6 9. dxc5 ({or} 9. Nb5 $5) 9... Bxc3 10. Bxc3 d4 11. Bd2 Nge7 $5 (11...
Nxe5 $6 12. Nf3 Nxf3+ 13. Qxf3 Qe7+ 14. Be2 Nf6 15. O-O O-O 16. Bd3 {led to
problems in R.Van Ketel-J.De Roda Husman, Haarlem 2005}) 12. f4 d3 $5 13. Nf3
Bf5 {and the d3-pawn disturbs White's development, though he might still be
able to prove an edge.}) 8... cxb4 ({The usual French reply} 8... cxd4 {is no
good here since the d5-pawn is en prise after} 9. Qxd4 $1 {.}) 9. Nb5 Nc6 (9...
Ne7 {is no better:} 10. Nd6+ Kf8 11. Bd2 ({or} 11. Nf3 Nbc6 12. Bd2) 11... Nbc6
12. axb4 $5 Bxb4 13. Bxb4 Nxb4 14. Nf3 {with excellent compensation for the
pawn. Then an attempt to get rid of the annoying knight doesn't work out well:}
Qb6 (14... h6 $5 15. Bd3 a5 16. O-O b6 17. Nh4 $5) 15. Bd3 Bd7 16. O-O Nc8 {,
because White can suddenly begin a strong attack with} 17. Nxf7 $3 Kxf7 18. e6+
$1 {and then:} Bxe6 (18... Bxe6 19. Ng5+ Kg8 20. Qh5 Ne7 21. Rxa7 $3 ({
stronger than} 21. Bxh7+ Rxh7 22. Qxh7+ Kf8 23. Ra3 Bg8 24. Rf3+ Ke8 25. Qxg7
Kd7 26. Re1 Nbc6 27. h4) 21... Qxa7 22. Bxh7+ Rxh7 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Nxe6+ Ke8
25. Nxg7+ Kd8 26. Ne6+ Kd7 27. Nc5+ Kd8 28. Qh8+ Kc7 29. Qe5+ Kd8 30. Qd6+ Ke8
31. Re1 b6 32. Nb3 {and White wins the knight on b4.}) (18... Kxe6 19. Bf5+ $1
Kd6 ({not} 19... Kxf5 $2 20. Ne5) 20. Bxd7 Kxd7 21. Ne5+ Kd8 ({or} 21... Kc7
22. Rc1+ Nc6 23. Qg4 Rd8 24. Qxg7+ Kb8 25. Nxc6+ bxc6 26. Rb1) 22. Rb1 $1 a5
23. Qa4 Qc7 24. Rxb4 axb4 25. Qxa8 {with a huge advantage due to the
vulnerable Black's king.})) 10. Bd2 bxa3 (10... Nge7 11. Nd6+ Kf8 {was
considered via 9...Ne7.}) 11. Rxa3 ({Or} 11. Nd6+ Kf8 12. Rxa3 Bxd2+ 13. Qxd2
Qb6 14. Rc3 $5 Nge7 15. Nf3 Nf5 16. Nxf5 Bxf5 17. Be2 {, again with good
compensation for the pawn.}) 11... Bc7 $5 (11... Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 Nh6 {doesn't
solve Black's problems:} 13. Nd6+ Kf8 14. Bb5 $5 Nf5 15. Nxf5 Bxf5 16. Bxc6
bxc6 17. Ne2 {and White's kingside actions are going to be annoying.}) 12. Bd3
({The tempting} 12. Rg3 {is far from clear:} Nge7 13. Bd3 ({or} 13. Rxg7 Nf5
14. Rg5 h6 15. Rh5 Nfxd4 16. Nxd4 Nxd4 17. Qa4+ Nc6) 13... a6 14. Nxc7+ Qxc7 {
with complicated play.}) 12... a6 13. Ne2 (13. Qh5 $5 {.}) 13... Nge7 14. Qb1
$5 Bg4 15. Nxc7+ Qxc7 16. f3 ({Here the alternative} 16. Ng3 $5 {deserves
attention; e.g.} Nxd4 17. Ra4 $1 Qxe5+ 18. Be3 Ndf5 19. Rxg4 Nxe3 20. fxe3 {
and Black doesn't seem to have enough compensation for the piece.}) 16... Be6
$5 ({Or} 16... Bh5 17. O-O Bg6 18. f4 Bxd3 19. Qxd3 g6 20. f5 $1 Nxf5 21. Bg5 {
with the initiative since Black can't castle:} O-O $4 {loses to} 22. Rxf5 gxf5
23. Bf6 {etc.}) 17. O-O Qd7 {White has more than sufficient compensation for
the pawn.} 18. -- ({He can choose between} 18. Nf4) ({and} 18. f4 {with active
play on the kingside, combined with some pressure on the opposite flank.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "A322: 7...Bxc3+"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. e5 c5 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. bxc3
{Compared with the similar position (after 5 e5 etc) discussed at the start of
line A3, the exchange on d5 has given White a kingside pawn majority and
prevented any black piece from appearing on that square. On the other hand,
Black no longer has any problems with his queen's bishop, and in the future he
may be able to set up a blockade on the light squares.} Nc6 9. Nf3 ({On} 9. Bd3
{Black just can grab the pawn:} cxd4 10. cxd4 Nxd4 {.}) 9... Nge7 10. Be2 (10.
Bd3 Bf5 ({or} 10... cxd4 $5 11. cxd4 Bf5) 11. O-O O-O {is acceptable for Black,
A.Gupta-G.Joshi, Commonwealth Ch., New Delhi 2007.}) 10... O-O ({The attempt
to put pressure on d4 by} 10... Bg4 11. O-O cxd4 12. cxd4 Nf5 {is worth
considering, but White maintains a small advantage after} 13. Bb2 ({or} 13. Be3
O-O 14. Rb1 {.})) 11. O-O Bg4 12. Rb1 b6 ({Black's potential problems can be
illustrated by A.Khalifman-A.Galkin, Hoogeveen 2000:} 12... Qc7 13. h3 Bh5 $6
14. a4 Bg6 15. Bd3 Rfd8 16. Bg5 $1 Rd7 17. Rb5 $5 b6 18. Re1 a6 19. Rb1 c4 20.
Bc2 Nd8 21. Nh4 $1 {and White secured the advance of his f-pawn.}) 13. a4 (13.
dxc5 bxc5 14. Rb5 c4 {is okay for Black, I.Krush-Z.Izoria, Connecticut 2007.})
13... Qc7 14. Ba3 {. White's chances are somewhat better. K.Maslak-D.Navara,
Pardubice (rapid) 2008, continued} Nd8 15. c4 $1 dxc4 16. dxc5 bxc5 17. Qd6 $5
(17. Bxc4 $5 {.}) 17... Rc8 18. Rfc1 {and Black had to fight for equality.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "B: 4...dxe4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 {The most common and principled option
- Black accepts the challenge.} 5. Nxe4 (5. f3 $5 {isn't dangerous, but Black
should refrain from capturing on f3, as} exf3 ({. Instead,} 5... Bb4 $5 6. fxe4
({or} 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Qc2 c5 8. O-O-O Qa5) 6... e5 $5 {is good enough. After} 7.
dxe5 Qh4+ 8. Kd2 Qxe4 ({or} 8... Nd7 {Black's chances are preferable})) ({, or
} 5... Nf6 $5) 6. Nxf3 Nf6 7. Bd3 c5 8. d5 {would promise White very active
play for the pawn.}) 5... Bb4+ 6. Nc3 ({The main line of the gambit continues} 
6. Bd2 $1 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+ {and is examined in the next six chapters. The
knight retreat allows White to maintain the material balance, but gives Black
time for development.}) 6... c5 ({Another counter-strike} 6... e5 $5 {is
rarely played, but perhaps it's been underestimated as it isn't easy for White
to pose real problems. The most testing line seems to be} 7. dxe5 $5 ({,
alternatives, such as} 7. a3 Bxc3+ $5 8. bxc3 Qa5 9. Bd2 Nf6 10. Bd3 Be6 {
followed by ...Nbd7}) ({, or} 7. Nf3 exd4 8. Nxd4 Nf6) ({, or} 7. Be3 Qa5 ({or
} 7... Ne7 $5 8. dxe5 Qa5 {, H.Mecking-M.Ragger, Bahia Feliz 2011, are all
acceptable for Black}) 8. Nge2 Nf6 9. a3 Be7 {, O.Korneev-E.Lecha Rosquilla,
Manresa 1995}) 7... Qxd1+ 8. Kxd1 Bf5 9. Nf3 ({, here} 9. Bd2 Nd7 10. a3 Ba5
11. f4 f6 {gives Black good compensation for the pawn}) ({, while after} 9.
Nge2 Nd7 10. Ng3 Bg6 11. f4 h5 $5 ({or} 11... Nh6 12. Bd2 O-O-O {, A.Brkljaca-G.Todorovic, Yugoslav Team Ch. 1993, Black seizes the initiative}))
9... Nd7 10. Nh4 $1 Be6 11. f4 O-O-O 12. Kc2 Nh6 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Nf3 Nc5 15.
Nxc5 Bxc5 {, although it's unclear whether White can prove his advantage since
Black's pieces are very active.}) 7. a3 ({Other ideas are either harmless or
transpose elsewhere:} 7. Nf3 Nf6 8. a3 ({similarly,} 8. Be2 Nc6 9. a3 {,
though in this case} Ba5 $5 {seems more precise, and comes to the same thing
after either} (9... Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 {gives Black an inferior variation (see 9...
Nc6 in line B1)})) 8... Bxc3+ ({or} 8... Ba5 {(line B2)}) 9. bxc3 {(line B1).})
(7. Be3 {is also met by} Nf6 {and then:} 8. -- (8. a3 {Black gets a good play
by} Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qa5 ({or} 9... Nc6 {gives Black good play.})) (8. dxc5 Qa5 $5
(8... Bxc3+ $5 9. bxc3 Qa5 {is also fine, I.Miladinovic-Z.Ribli, Bosnian Team
Ch. 2007}) ({or} 8... O-O $5 9. Nf3 Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1 Ne4 11. a3 Nxc3 12. Rd3 Bxa3
13. bxa3 Na4 14. Rd6 Nd7 15. c6 bxc6 16. Rxc6 Rb8 {with good counter-chances})
9. Nge2 Bxc5 (9... O-O $5 {is again interesting:} 10. a3 Rd8 $1 11. Qb1 Bxc5 $1
12. b4 Bxe3 13. bxa5 Bd2+ 14. Kd1 Bxc3+ 15. Kc2 Bxa1 16. Qxa1 Nc6 {followed by
...e6-e5, ...Be6, ...Rac8 with good play for the queen}) 10. Nd4 Bb4 11. Qc2
O-O 12. Be2 e5 13. Nb3 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Qc7 15. O-O Bg4 16. Bd3 Nbd7 {and Black
is okay, P.Ricardi-S.Slipak, Argentine Ch. 1995.}) (8. Nf3 cxd4 (8... Nc6 $5) (
8... O-O $5) ({and} 8... Qa5 {aren't bad either}) 9. Nxd4 O-O ({or} 9... Bxc3+
10. bxc3 O-O {, Y.Seirawan-Z.Ribli, Barcelona 1989}) 10. Be2 e5 (10... Bxc3+ $5
) 11. Ndb5 Nc6 12. O-O {was Y.Seirawan-D.Strauss, USA 1990, and here} Be6 {
seems preferable:} 13. Qxd8 Raxd8 14. Rfd1 a6 15. Nc7 Nd4 {with good play.}))
7... -- ({B1:} 7... Bxc3+) ({B2:} 7... Ba5 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "B1: 7...Bxc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 c5 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8.
bxc3 Nf6 ({The immediate} 8... Qa5 {might be less precise, as after} 9. Bd2 Nf6
{White can prevent ...Ne4 by} 10. Bd3 {though it's still playable:} O-O ({or} 
10... Bd7 $5 11. Nf3 O-O 12. O-O Bc6 13. Ne5 Be4 {, J.Horber-C.Flear, Brocco
1990}) 11. Nf3 b6 12. O-O Bb7 13. Re1 Nbd7 {with a solid position, F.Bentivegna-J.Borisek, Bratto 2009.}) 9. Nf3 Qa5 $1 ({Instead:} 9... O-O {
allows White to develop more actively:} 10. Bd3 b6 11. O-O {, when A.Adorjan-P.Lukacs, Hungarian Ch., Budapest 1984, continued} Bb7 12. Bg5 Nbd7 13. Ne5 Qc7
14. Re1 cxd4 15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. cxd4 Rfe8 17. Qg4 {and White had the better
chances in this Nimzo-Indian type of position.}) (9... Nc6 {is also less
precise as White can develop his kingside without wasting time:} 10. Be2 Qa5
11. O-O $1 ({not} 11. Bb2 $6 cxd4 12. Nxd4 Bd7 13. O-O O-O {and White had no
compensation for his damaged pawn structure, F.Dus Chotimirsky-B.Verlinsky,
Kiev 1938}) ({while} 11. Bd2 Ne4 {is fine for Black too}) 11... O-O ({both} 
11... Qxc3 12. Rb1) ({and} 11... Ne4 12. d5 $1 Nxc3 13. Qd3 Nxe2+ 14. Qxe2 Ne7
15. Bb2 {O.Stepanov-M.Rhode, corr. 2002, are suspicious for Black}) 12. Qc2 Rd8
13. Rd1 {and White has somewhat better chances, V.Piro-C.Pappier, Argentine Ch.
, Buenos Aires 1951.}) 10. Bd2 ({White has to protect the c3-pawn, as} 10. Be2
{just allows} cxd4 {.}) 10... Ne4 $5 {Taking the chance to simplify the
position.} (10... O-O 11. Bd3 {was considered via 8...Qa5.}) 11. Bd3 Nxd2 12.
Qxd2 O-O {There's no need to capture on d4 just yet.} (12... cxd4 13. cxd4
Qxd2+ {allows White to capture with the king,} ({while} 13... Nc6 14. Rb1 ({or
} 14. Be4 $5) ({whereas} 14. Qxa5 Nxa5 15. Ke2 b6 16. Rab1 Bb7 {is okay for
Black, E.Ubilava-E.Sveshnikov, Tashkent 1984}) 14... O-O 15. Be4 {is somewhat
better for White, M.Al Sayed-S.De Filomeno, Biel 2010.})) 13. O-O ({Other
continuations, such as} 13. Bc2 cxd4 14. cxd4 Nc6 15. Be4 Bd7 {, U.Bönsch-R.Knaak, Baden-Baden 1992}) ({or} 13. Ke2 Nd7 (13... e5 $5) 14. Rhd1 Rd8 {, G.Hertneck-L.Portisch, Berlin 1997}) ({or} 13. Ra2 Nc6 14. O-O cxd4 15. cxd4 Qxd2
16. Rxd2 b6 {, are also fine for Black.}) 13... cxd4 14. cxd4 ({The attempt to
keep the queens on the board by} 14. Qc2 {is hardly promising:} dxc3 15. Bxh7+
Kh8 16. Bd3 Bd7 {and so on.}) 14... Qxd2 15. Nxd2 {. This ending is okay for
Black. As a rule, simplifications aren't desirable for the side with "hanging
pawns" as they lessen his chances of developing an initiative. A possible
continuation is} Rd8 16. Nf3 ({Or} 16. Nb3 Nc6 17. Rad1 a5 $5 18. d5 exd5 19.
cxd5 Ne5 20. Be4 Nc4 {.}) 16... Nc6 17. Rfd1 {and here, as well as} b6 {, A.Potapov-E.Sveshnikov, Miass 2007,} ({Black might consider} 17... Bd7) ({and} 
17... Na5 {with good play in all cases.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4...Bb4 and Other Deviations"]
[Black "B2: 7...Ba5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 c5 7. a3 Ba5 $5 {A
more ambitious approach - Black keeps his bishop alive, intending only to give
it up if White captures on c5. In contrast to the positions in line A321,
White can't develop the initiative here.} 8. Nf3 ({Let's take a look at
White's other possibilities:} 8. dxc5 {seems harmless for Black. White wins a
pawn but his queenside pawn structure is wrecked:} Bxc3+ 9. bxc3 Qxd1+ (9...
Qa5 $5) 10. Kxd1 Nf6 (10... Nc6 $5) 11. Nf3 Bd7 (11... O-O $5) 12. Bd3 O-O (
12... Na6 $5 {is interesting:} 13. Be3 Rc8 ({while} 13... Ng4 $5 14. Bd4 O-O-O)
({and} 13... O-O $5 {are also possible}) 14. c6 Bxc6 15. Bxa7 Nc5 16. Bxc5
Bxf3+ 17. gxf3 Rxc5 18. Rb1 Rc7 {followed by ...Nd7-c5}) 13. Rb1 Bc6 ({or} 
13... Ba4+ $5 14. Ke2 Nbd7) 14. Ne5 {arose in the game D.Khismatullin-A.Tzermiadianos, European Ch., Warsaw 2005. White maintained some pressure after}
Nfd7 ({but the principled} 14... Bxg2 $5 {deserved serious attention, and if}
15. Rg1 {then} Nc6 $1 {with good play}) 15. Nxc6 Nxc6 16. Be3 Rab8 17. Kc2 {.})
(8. Nge2 {can be met by either} cxd4 ({or} 8... Bxc3+ $5 9. bxc3 Nf6 10. g3 Bd7
$1 11. Bg2 Bc6 {, D.Berg-E.Preissmann, Geneva 1990}) 9. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Nf6
({or} 10... a6 $5 11. a4 Ne7 {, S.Grishchenko-D.Frolyanov, Voronezh 2008}) 11.
Nb5 Qxd1+ 12. Kxd1 Na6 13. Be2 O-O 14. Be3 Ne4 15. Kc2 {, S.Grishchenko-S.
Yudin, Miass 2007, though here White keeps the black queenside under some
pressure.}) (8. Be3 {and then:} -- (8... Ne7 $5 9. Nge2 $5 ({both} 9. Rc1 $6
cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Bxd4 Nf5 {, O.Chernikov-A.Galliamova, Moscow 2002}) ({
and} 9. dxc5 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qa5 11. Nf3 O-O 12. Qc2 Nf5 {, K.Szeles-T.Halasz,
Zalakaros 1988, are good for Black}) 9... cxd4 10. Nxd4 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 O-O {is
playable.}) (8... Nf6 {is more common:} 9. Rc1 ({, other lines are harmless; e.
g.} 9. Nge2 cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Bxd4 Nc6 12. Be3 Ng4 13. Bc5 Nge5 14. Nd4 {
, S.Guliev-A.Volzhin, Orel 1992, and here} Nd7 $1 {is clearly better for Black}
) ({, or} 9. dxc5 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qa5 11. Nf3 O-O 12. Qc2 Nbd7 ({Black might
also have considered} 12... Bd7 $5) 13. c6 bxc6 14. Be2 c5 15. O-O Bb7 16. Bf4
Rfd8 17. Rfd1 Nf8 18. Qb2 Ng6 19. Be3 Qc7 {, D.Khismatullin-N.Vitiugov, Kazan
2005, with a slight edge for Black}) 9... cxd4 10. Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Bxd4 Nc6 12.
Bxf6 gxf6 13. b4 Bc7 {and the ending is okay for Black; e.g.} 14. Nf3 Ke7 ({or
} 14... b6 15. c5 Bf4 16. Rc2 bxc5 17. Bb5 Bd7 18. Ne4 Ke7 19. Rxc5 Rac8 20.
Ba6 Rc7 21. g3 Nb8 {, A.Groszpeter-G.Flear, Lenk 1992}) 15. g3 Ne5 16. Nxe5
fxe5 17. Bg2 {½-½ A.Groszpeter-P.Lukacs, Hungarian Ch., Budapest 1991.
Here Black would have chosen between} a5 ({and} 17... f5 {intending ...e5-e4.})
)) 8... Nf6 (8... cxd4 9. Qxd4 Qxd4 10. Nxd4 {looks acceptable for Black, but
perhaps White is able to maintain some pressure after} Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 {and
then:} -- (11... Nf6 12. Nb5 $1 {favours White. We saw a similar position
arise after 8 Ne2 cxd4 above, but in that case the white king was worse placed
on d1. Here B.Gulko-I.Khenkin, Moscow (rapid) 1992, continued} Na6 13. Be3 Bd7
$5 14. Nd6+ Ke7 15. Nxb7 Ng4 16. Bf4 e5 17. Bg3 Rab8 (17... h5 $5) 18. c5 $1
Nc7 19. Na5 {with better chances, though Black's position remains playable.}) (
11... a6 $5 12. Bf4 f6 13. Bd6 (13. Bc7 $5) 13... e5 14. Nc2 Ne7 15. Ne3 Nbc6 (
15... Nf5 $5) {, and here in the old game F.Marshall-R.Teichmann, London (5th
matchgame) 1902,} 16. Rb1 $5 {seemed more promising.})) 9. Be3 ({After} 9. Be2
{Black has a good choice.} -- ({. The simple} 9... cxd4 $5 10. Nxd4 ({or} 10.
Qxd4 Qxd4 11. Nxd4 Ne4 12. Ndb5 a6 13. O-O Nxc3 14. Nxc3 Bxc3 15. bxc3 Bd7)
10... Ne4 {is quite okay; e.g.} 11. Ndb5 Qxd1+ 12. Bxd1 Nxc3 13. Nxc3 Bxc3+ 14.
bxc3 Bd7 15. a4 Bc6 16. O-O Nd7 17. a5 a6 18. Ba3 {½-½ V.Babula-I.Khenkin,
German League 2003.}) ({, or} 9... Ne4 $5 {.}) ({. Nevertheless,} 9... Nc6 {is
more popular:} 10. dxc5 ({on} 10. Be3 {Black can choose between} Ne4 $5 {, K.Grigorian-V.Karasev, Cheliabinsk 1972,} ({and} 10... Ng4 $5 {- the inclusion
of a2-a3 and ...Ba5 might favour Black here as he can retreat his bishop to c7
if necessary})) 10... Qxd1+ 11. Bxd1 Ne4 12. Bd2 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 ({or} 13. bxc3
Nxc5 $5 14. Be3 Nd3+ 15. Kd2 Nde5 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Be2 Bd7 {with good play})
13... Nxc3 14. bxc3 {and the ending is fine for Black. White's tripled pawns
are hardly something to be proud of - then again, one of them is extra so
Black shouldn't overestimate his chances:} -- (14... Na5 15. Rb1 Ke7 16. Ne5 $5
(16. Rb5 $6 Nxc4 17. Be2 a6 {is fine for Black, M.Gurevich-I.Khenkin, Polanica
Zdroj 1999}) 16... f6 17. Rb5 $1 b6 $1 ({after} 17... Nc6 $6 18. Nxc6+ bxc6 19.
Rb4 {White's c-pawns are rather useful as they keep many important squares
under control}) 18. Bf3 ({or} 18. Rxa5 bxa5 19. Bf3 Ba6 20. Bxa8 Rxa8 21. Nc6+
Kd7 22. Nxa5 Rc8 23. c6+ Kc7 24. c5 $6 Rb8) 18... Bb7 19. Bxb7 Nxb7 20. Nd3
Rhc8 {and Black holds on.}) (14... Bd7 $5 15. Rb1 O-O-O 16. Ng5 ({or} 16. O-O
f6 17. Nd2 Be8 18. Ne4 Bg6 19. Bc2 Ne5 20. Rb4 Kc7 21. Rfb1 Rb8) 16... Ne5 {
arose in C.Crouch-M.Sorokin, Katowice 1992, which continued} 17. Ne4 ({either} 
17. Be2 $5 Bc6 18. f4 h6 $1 19. fxe5 hxg5 20. O-O Rd7) ({or} 17. Bf3 $5 {might
have helped White avoid problems, though he certainly isn't better}) 17... Bc6
18. Nd6+ Kc7 19. O-O Rhf8 {and White's weaknesses eventually told.}))) 9... Nc6
{The most natural continuation - Black applies more pressure on the centre.} ({
Alternatively,} 9... O-O {is also playable}) ({whereas both} 9... cxd4 10. Nxd4
Ne4 11. b4 Nxc3 12. Qc2 Bc7 13. Qxc3 {, B.Gulko-Zsu.Polgar, Aruba 1992}) ({and
} 9... Ne4 10. Qc2 Nxc3 11. bxc3 cxd4 12. Bxd4 O-O 13. Bd3 {allow White to
maintain an edge, according to tournament practice.}) 10. dxc5 (10. Rc1 $5 {is
interesting and perhaps White should pay more attention for this rare move.} --
({. For instance,} 10... cxd4 11. Nxd4 e5 12. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 13. Kxd1 bxc6) ({, or
} 10... Qb6 11. Rc2 Ng4 12. Qd2 cxd4 13. Bxd4 Nxd4 14. Nxd4 Bxc3 15. Rxc3 O-O
16. c5 Qd8 17. Bd3 {, P.Turati-K.J.Schulz, corr. 2008}) ({, or} 10... Ne4 11.
d5 Ne7 12. Bd3 {might all be somewhat better for White.}) ({. The most
reliable response seems to be} 10... Bxc3+ $5 11. bxc3 ({offering a pawn
sacrifice;} 11. Rxc3 {is more reliable, but it allows Black to equalize by} Ne4
12. Rd3 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 Nxd2 14. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 cxd4 16. Nxd4 Nxd4 17. Rxd4
e5 18. Rd5 f6) 11... cxd4 ({declining by} 11... O-O 12. Bd3 $5 cxd4 13. cxd4 e5
$5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Nxe5 Qa5+ 16. Qd2 Qxe5 17. O-O Bf5 18. Bxf5 Qxf5 19. Rfd1
{might promise White an edge}) 12. cxd4 Qa5+ 13. Qd2 Qxa3 14. Bd3 Qa5 {and
although White has definite compensation for the pawn, the ending should be
acceptable for Black.})) 10... Qxd1+ (10... Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Qa5 $5 {is playable,
but White has chances to develop an initiative after} 12. Be2 (12. Qc2 Ng4 13.
Qc1 O-O {is okay for Black, Zsu.Polgar-L.Portisch, Budapest 1993}) 12... Qxc3+
({or} 12... Ne4 13. Qc2 Qxc3+ 14. Qxc3 Nxc3 15. Bd3) 13. Bd2 Qb2 14. O-O {; e.
g.} O-O ({or} 14... Ne4 15. Rb1 Qxa3 16. Bc1 Qxc5 17. Qd3 f5 18. Rb5 $5 Qd6 19.
Qe3) 15. Bd3 Rd8 16. Bb1 $1 Nd4 17. Kh1 $1 b6 $1 ({not} 17... Nxf3 $6 18. Bc3
$3 Rxd1 19. Rxd1 Bd7 20. Bxb2 Ng4 $1 21. Bd4 $1) 18. c6 Ba6 19. c7 Rdc8 {and
while Black is defending, the whole line still seems rather risky.}) 11. Rxd1
Ne4 {The ending is fine for Black.} 12. Rc1 (12. Bd2 Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Nxc3 14.
bxc3 {is harmless after} Bd7 (14... Ke7 $5) 15. Rb1 ({or} 15. Ng5 Nb8 $5 {
intending ...Bc6 (or ...Ba4) and ...Nd7xc5}) 15... Rb8 {followed by ...Ke7 and
...Rhc8.}) 12... Nxc3 13. bxc3 e5 14. Nd2 {Trying to shift the knight to
better position.} f5 $5 ({After} 14... Bf5 15. f3 O-O-O 16. Ne4 (16. Kf2 $5)
16... Bc7 ({but} 16... Bxe4 $5 17. fxe4 Nd4 {was simpler}) 17. Be2 Bg6 18. g4
f6 19. Kf2 {White maintained an edge in K.Lerner-P.Lukacs, Polanica Zdroj 1986.
}) 15. f4 Bc7 16. -- ({Black is doing well; e.g.} 16. g3 Be6 17. Bg2 O-O-O) ({
or} 16. fxe5 Nxe5 17. Be2 Be6 {followed by ...0-0-0 and ...Rhe8.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "12: 8 Ne2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 $1 {This move
justifies the name of the opening - it is a gambit after all!} Qxd4 7. Bxb4
Qxe4+ {Now White has two logical ways to cover his king from check. The main
line, 8 Be2, is the subject of the next four chapters. In this one we'll
examine:} 8. Ne2 {This move doesn't leave the g2-pawn en prise, but on the
other hand it slows down White's development. Here Black has a choice. We'll
look at:} -- ({A:} 8... Nd7 $5) ({B:} 8... Na6) ({Instead:} 8... e5 $6 {is
less precise:} 9. Qd6 Nd7 10. O-O-O c5 ({or} 10... a5 11. Ba3) 11. Ng3 $1 (11.
Bc3 Ne7 {would transpose to line A below}) 11... Qf4+ 12. Bd2 Qg4 ({or} 12...
Qf6 13. Ne4) 13. Be3 Qg6 14. Bxc5 Qxd6 15. Bxd6 {with a big advantage, E.Najer-V.Grabliauskas, Pardubice 1996.}) (8... Ne7 {, developing the other
knight, isn't what Black needs at the moment - he has somehow to disturb
White's bishop on b4. Yes, it prevents Qd6, but White is still able to develop
an initiative; e.g.} 9. Qd2 Nd7 10. f3 Qh4+ 11. g3 Qf6 12. Nc3 c5 13. Ne4 Qxf3
14. Bg2 Ne5 $1 15. Nd6+ Kf8 16. Rd1 Nd3+ $1 17. Qxd3 Qxd3 18. Rxd3 cxb4 19. O-O
f6 20. Nxc8 Rxc8 21. Bxb7 Rb8 22. Rd7 Kf7 23. c5 {and despite stubborn defence,
Black still failed to solve his problems, S.Lputian-D.Pavasovic, Cannes 1996.})
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "A: 8...Nd7!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 $1 Qxd4 7. Bxb4
Qxe4+ 8. Ne2 Nd7 $5 9. Qd6 $1 (9. Qd2 {is less promising:} c5 10. Bc3 Ngf6 11.
O-O-O O-O 12. Ng3 Qh4 $1 13. Be2 b6 ({or} 13... b5 $5 14. cxb5 Bb7) 14. Bf3 Rb8
15. Bc6 Qxc4 16. Rhe1 b5 {and Black has the better chances, S.Brynell-H.Tikkanen, Swedish Ch., Vaxjo 2008.}) 9... c5 {This pawn push is always in
Black's plan - it's vitally important for him to fight for the dark squares
and get his light-squared bishop into play.} (9... Qe5 $5 {can be answered by
the retreat} 10. Qd2 {as now Bc3 comes with tempo. All the same,} Ngf6 11. Bd6
Ne4 $1 12. Bxe5 Nxd2 13. Bxg7 Rg8 14. Kxd2 Rxg7 {isn't so bad for Black, who
has a slightly worse but acceptable ending, D.Harika-A.Nasri, Dubai 2007.}) (
9... a5 $5 {is also worth considering:} 10. Ba3 (10. Bc3 {doesn't promise much:
} Ngf6 $5 11. b3 ({or} 11. O-O-O $2 Qxc4 {and ...Qc5}) 11... c5 12. Rd1 Ra6 13.
Qd2 O-O {and Black is okay, E.Grigore-C.Cozianu, Rumanian Ch. 1993}) 10... Qe5
$1 {(the point of ...a7-a5 - White's bishop doesn't reach the long diagonal)}
11. Qd2 ({in the ending after} 11. O-O-O Qxd6 12. Bxd6 {White has sufficient
compensation for the pawn, but Black is also okay}) 11... Ngf6 12. f4 ({the
natural} 12. O-O-O {is well met by the unexpected} Ne4 $5 13. Qe3 b5 $1 14. f4
Qc7 {, when} 15. Qxe4 $6 ({while} 15. b3 $1 f5 16. Ng3 Ndf6 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18.
Bb2 a4 {leads to sharp play, although White is playing on better positional
grounds and might still be preferable after} 19. g4) 15... b4 16. Bxb4 axb4 {
was clearly better for Black, A.Hauchard-J.Dorfman, Brussels 1993.}) 12... Qb8
$5 ({alternatives are no better:} 12... Qe4 $6 13. O-O-O c5 14. Nc3 Qc6 15. Be2
O-O 16. Bf3 Qb6 17. g4 {with a big advantage, P.Wells-O.Korneev, Ubeda 1996}) (
{or} 12... Qc7 13. Bd6 Qb6 14. Nc3 {and Black has problems with castling}) 13.
Nc3 ({not} 13. Bd6 $2 Ne4 $1) ({or} 13. O-O-O $6 b5 14. Bd6 Ne4 $1) 13... c5
14. g4 $5 b6 15. Bg2 Bb7 16. g5 Nh5 17. O-O Bxg2 18. Qxg2 O-O 19. Rad1 Rd8 20.
Qf3 g6 21. b3 {and White has more than sufficient compensation for the pawn as
the black king is vulnerable.}) 10. Bc3 (10. Bxc5 Nxc5 11. Qxc5 Bd7 {is
acceptable for Black.}) 10... Ne7 (10... Ngf6 $6 {is weaker due to} 11. O-O-O
Qc6 {, and here} 12. Qg3 $1 ({or} 12. Qxc6 bxc6 13. Ng3) 12... Rg8 ({not} 12...
O-O $2 13. Rxd7 $1 Nh5 14. Qg4) 13. f3 {, G.Giorgadze-M.Matlak, Naleczow 1989,
poses problems for Black.}) 11. O-O-O e5 $1 ({After} 11... Nf5 {White can
choose between} 12. Qc7 $5 ({and} 12. Qd2 O-O 13. Ng3 {with more than
sufficient compensation for the pawn, according to tournament practice.})) 12.
Ng3 Qf4+ 13. Kb1 $5 ({On} 13. Rd2 {Black gets good play with the thematic} a5
$1 {intending ...Ra6; e.g.} 14. Nh5 Qg5 15. Be2 Ra6 16. Qd3 (16. Qc7 $6 O-O 17.
g4 Nc6 18. f4 Qe7 {favours Black, G.G.Grigore-V.Malakhov, Genoa 2000}) 16...
O-O {and Black is doing well. Pr.Nikolic-E.Sveshnikov, Ljubljana 1995,
continued} 17. f4 $5 Qxg2 18. Bf3 ({if} 18. Re1 Re6 $1) ({or} 18. Rdd1 e4 $1
19. Qc2 g6) 18... Qg6 19. fxe5 (19. Qe2 $5) 19... Qxd3 20. Rxd3 Nf5 21. Re1 {
and here Black gave a pawn back to extinguish White's initiative:} Nd4 22. Bxd4
cxd4 23. Rxd4 Re6 24. Rd5 b6 {with roughly equal chances.}) 13... a5 $1 {The
idea of attacking the enemy queen with the rook is not only typical but vital
for Black in such positions!} 14. Be2 $5 ({Other options are:} 14. Qc7 Ra6) ({
or} 14. f3 Ra6 15. Qc7 Rc6 16. Qxa5 Ra6 17. Qb5 Rb6 18. Qa4 Nc6) ({or} 14. Bd3
Ra6 15. Qc7 Rc6 16. Qxa5 Ra6 17. Qb5 O-O 18. f3 Nc6 {with acceptable play for
Black.}) 14... Ra6 15. Qc7 ({Perhaps} 15. Qd2 $5 {is more promising:} Qxd2 16.
Rxd2 Nc6 17. Bg4 {with the initiative in the ending, although after the
continuation} Nd4 18. Re1 f6 19. Bxd4 cxd4 20. Rxd4 g6 {Black's position
should be defendable.}) 15... Rc6 16. Qxa5 Ra6 17. Qb5 Rb6 ({On} 17... Nc6 {
White gets better chances by} 18. Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 19. Rd1+ Kc7 20. Qxc5 Rd8 21.
Rxd8 Kxd8 22. Bd3 {followed by Ne4.}) 18. Qa4 Nc6 19. Bd3 ({Here the exchange
sacrifice} 19. Rxd7 {isn't so dangerous:} Kxd7 20. Qa3 Nd4 21. Bd3 Ne6 ({or} 
21... Rd8 $5 22. Ba5 Rc6 23. Bxd8 Kxd8) 22. Qa4+ Ke7 23. Nf5+ Kf6 24. Ne3 Rd6 {
with unclear play.}) 19... O-O 20. Qc2 {The queen has come home after a long
journey. White's chances look preferable, but in fact Black doesn't stand so
badly in this position.} -- ({He can think about} 20... Nf6) ({or even} 20...
Nd4 $5 {, when it's rather risky for White to grab the pawn:} 21. Bxh7+ Kh8 22.
Bxd4 cxd4 23. Bd3 Nc5 {with powerful counterplay.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B: 8...Na6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 {This way of developing the knight is common in the Marshall Gambit,
as it also disturbs the annoying white bishop.} 9. Bf8 $1 {This isn't only the
most attractive move, it's also the most precise!} ({Instead,} 9. Bc3 {gives
Black more choice after} f6 $5 ({or} 9... e5 $5 10. Qd6 f6 {etc}) 10. Qd6 {and
then:} -- (10... e5 11. Rd1 (11. O-O-O Bf5 {favours Black:} 12. Nd4 $1 Qb1+ 13.
Kd2 Rd8 $1 14. Qxd8+ Kxd8 15. Ne6+ $1 Ke7 16. Rxb1 Bxb1 17. Nxg7 Bg6 {etc})
11... Kf7 {, when V.Malaniuk-A.Kharlov, Moscow 1992, continued} 12. f4 exf4 13.
Rd4 Qe7 14. Qxf4 Nh6 15. Re4 Qd8 16. Qf3 Bf5 17. Rd4 Qc8 18. h3 Re8 19. g4 Bg6
20. Bg2 Kg8 21. O-O Nc5 {and White's compensation wasn't entirely sufficient.})
(10... Nh6 $5 11. O-O-O ({or} 11. Rd1 Nf7 12. Qg3 Qg6 13. Qe3 e5) 11... Nf7 12.
Qg3 e5 ({or} 12... Qg6 13. Qe3 O-O 14. f4 e5 $1 {, A.Trifonov-Y.Zinchenko,
Alushta 2004}) 13. f3 Qg6 {and White failed to prove his compensation for the
pawn, B.Van Gaalen-M.Van der Werf, Dutch Team Ch. 1997.})) ({Other options are
rarely played:} 9. Bd6 {can be met by} Ne7 ({or} 9... Nh6 {.})) (9. Ba3 Ne7 10.
Qd2 c5 11. O-O-O O-O {is also fine for Black.}) (9. Ba5 {, threatening mate in
one, isn't without interest. Black should be careful:} Bd7 $1 ({after} 9... b6
$6 10. Qd6 $1 {, intending 0-0-0, White seizes the initiative}) 10. Qd6 Nf6 11.
O-O-O ({or} 11. Rd1 Qxc4 12. Ng3 Qc5) 11... Qxc4+ 12. Nc3 Qc5 13. Bxa6 Qxd6 14.
Rxd6 bxa6 15. Rhd1 Rb8 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Rxd7 O-O 18. f3 Nf6 19. Rxa7 Ra8 {and
White's initiative is insufficient.}) 9... Ne7 ({The usual move; although} 9...
Qg6 $5 {might also be interesting; e.g.} 10. Qd6 ({or} 10. Nf4 $5 Qg5 $1 ({not
} 10... Qe4+ $2 11. Be2) 11. Qd6 Ne7 12. h4 Qa5+ 13. b4 Qxb4+ 14. Qxb4 Nxb4 15.
Bxg7 Rg8 16. Nh5 Nc2+ (16... Rxg7 $6 17. Nxg7+ Kf8 18. Rb1 {keeps the exchange}
) 17. Kd2 Nxa1 18. Nf6+ Kd8 19. Nxg8 Nxg8 20. Bd3) 10... f5 $1 ({not} 10... f6
$2 11. Rd1) 11. Qa3 (11. O-O-O Qf6 {is unclear:} 12. Qd8+ Qxd8 13. Rxd8+ Kxd8
14. Bxg7 Ke7 15. Bxh8 Nf6 {followed by ...Bc8-d7}) 11... Qf6 12. Bd6 Nh6 13.
O-O-O Nf7 14. c5 $5 {White keeps good compensation for the pawn but Black's
position is quite playable. In both cases White keeps good compensation for
the pawn, but Black's position is quite playable.}) 10. Bxg7 {And now:} -- ({
B1:} 10... Rg8) ({B2:} 10... Nb4 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B1: 10...Rg8"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 $1 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Rg8 {Moving the rook is the obvious reply,
but it's not the only option (see line B2). Now White has a choice:} 11. -- ({
B11:} 11. Qd4) ({B12:} 11. Bc3 $5) ({B13:} 11. Bf6 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B11: 11 Qd4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 $1 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Rg8 11. Qd4 {This forces the exchange of
queens, but White doesn't get much in the ending despite his pair of bishops.}
Qxd4 12. Bxd4 c5 $1 {It's vitally important for Black to take control over
some key dark squares.} 13. Bc3 (13. Bf6 $5 Nb4 $1 (13... Rg6 $6 {is less
accurate:} 14. Bc3 Nb4 15. Nf4 $1 Rg5 16. h4 $1 Rf5 17. Nd3 $1 Nc2+ 18. Kd2
Nxa1 19. g4 $1 Rf3 20. Be2 $1 Rxd3+ 21. Bxd3 {and White obtained an edge, Ar.Timofeev-D.Frolyanov, Taganrog 2011}) 14. Kd2 ({or} 14. Rd1 Rg6) 14... Rg6 15.
Bc3 e5 $1 {is a possible transposition to an acceptable variation for Black in
line B13 below (see note 'c1' after 11...Rg6), but this might still be more
promising for White than 13 Bc3.}) 13... Nb4 $1 ({Delaying this jump leaves
Black with bad knight on a6:} 13... Nc6 $6 14. a3 $1 e5 15. Ng3 Be6 16. O-O-O
Ke7 17. Bd3 {with a definite edge, M.Steadman-J.Humphrey, Auckland 2005.}) 14.
Bxb4 (14. Kd2 {is harmless:} b6 (14... e5 $5 15. Bxe5 ({but White might have
thought about} 15. Ng3 $5) 15... Bf5 16. Ng3 O-O-O+ 17. Kc3 Bg6 {gave Black
good compensation in N.Batsiashvili-D.Frolyanov, Yerevan 2004}) 15. a3 Nbc6 16.
Rd1 Bb7 (16... e5 17. Kc1 Be6 18. Ng3 Nd4 {, G.Tunik-A.Maksimenko, Minsk 1993})
({and} 16... Ba6 17. b3 O-O-O+ 18. Kc2 Rxd1 19. Kxd1 Nf5 {, M.Jounousov-A.Vul,
Russia 1997, are also good}) 17. Kc1 Nf5 {, G.Grigore-A.Kharlov, Porz 1993,
and Black plays ...Rad8 next, securing the strong d4-square for the knight -
he can't be worse.}) 14... cxb4 15. Nd4 ({On} 15. Ng3 {Black can consider} f5
$5 {, cutting off White's knight:} 16. f4 Bd7 17. Be2 Bc6 18. O-O Kf7 {with
good play}) ({while} 15. g3 Bd7 {followed by ...Bc6 is also harmless for Black,
as proven in a number of games; e.g.} 16. Bg2 Bc6 17. O-O ({or} 17. Bxc6+ Nxc6
18. O-O-O Rg5 19. Nd4 Rc5 20. b3 Nxd4 21. Rxd4 b5 {and so on, I.Provotorov-A.Belozerov, Russian Team Ch. 2005}) 17... O-O-O 18. Rad1 Nf5 {, keeping an eye
on the d4-square, G.Halldorsson-M.Perez Candelario, Kallithea 2008.}) 15... Nc6
(15... Bd7 16. O-O-O {might still promise White an edge due to his superior
pawn structure.}) 16. Nxc6 (16. Nb5 Ke7 {.}) 16... bxc6 17. g3 (17. a3 Rb8 {.})
17... Bb7 18. Bg2 O-O-O 19. Rd1 Rxd1+ 20. Kxd1 c5 21. Bxb7+ Kxb7 {. Black must
still be careful about his h-pawn, but the ending is certainly drawish - and
in fact in G.Giorgadze-E.Sveshnikov, Podolsk 1992, the players signed the
scoresheets right here.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B12: 11 Bc3!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Rg8 11. Bc3 $5 {This retreat may offer White
better chances.} e5 $5 {A rare but interesting option. Perhaps White can
maintain a small advantage, but his task isn't so easy.} ({Apart from this,
Black tried several other possibilities:} 11... Nc5 12. Qd4 $1 {leads to a
better ending.}) (11... Bd7 12. Qd2) ({and} 11... Nf5 $6 12. Qd2 {, J.Sarkar-Ar.Das, Gurgon 2009, are good for White.}) (11... c5 {also favours
White:} 12. f3 Qe3 13. Bd2 Qe5 14. Qb3 Nc6 {, R.Van Ketel-M.Okkes, Dutch Team
Ch. 2009, and here} 15. O-O-O {would have secured a clear advantage.}) (11...
Qxc4 $5 {deserves attention but doesn't completely solve the problems:} 12. Ng3
Qh4 13. Qd6 Bd7 14. Bxa6 bxa6 15. O-O Nd5 {(although Black's knight is strong,
his position is seriously compromised - White's chances are preferable)} 16.
Rfe1 (16. f4 $5 Qe7 17. Qe5 f6 18. Qh5+ Kd8 19. Ne4 Be8 20. Qd1 Bd7 21. Bd4 {
is also good for White, D.Bunzmann-E.Bauer, Bad Wiessee 2000}) 16... Qe7 17.
Qe5 Qg5 {and now:} 18. -- (18. Qxg5 $6 Rxg5 19. Ne4 Rg8 {is a lesser evil for
Black, A.Onischuk-L.Milman, Philadelphia 2002.}) (18. Qe2 f5 19. Qf3 O-O-O 20.
Be5 {keeps somewhat better chances, V.Erdos-C.Lupulescu, Budapest 2004.}) (18.
Qe4 $5 {might be interesting:} h5 19. Rad1 h4 20. Nf5 Qg4 21. f4 {etc.}) (18.
Qd4 $5 {is perhaps the most promising retreat; e.g.} f5 19. Bd2 $5 Qg4 20. Qxg4
$5 fxg4 21. Rac1 Ke7 22. Rc4 Rab8 23. b3 {with a stable advantage for White
due to Black's damaged pawn structure.} (23. --))) 12. Qd6 ({The ending after} 
12. Qb1 $5 Qxb1+ 13. Rxb1 Nc5 14. Ng3 f6 {is acceptable for Black; e.g.} 15.
Bb4 Ne6 16. Ne4 Kf7 17. Nd6+ Kg7 {, and now} 18. Nxb7 ({while after} 18. Nxc8
Nxc8 19. Rd1 Nb6 {, followed by ...c6-c5, Black holds the balance thanks to
the strong knight outpost on d4}) 18... Bxb7 19. Bxe7 c5 20. b4 Kf7 21. Bxc5
Nxc5 22. bxc5 Bxg2 23. Bxg2 Rxg2 {is drawish.}) 12... f6 $1 {This is the
point! White can't grab this pawn for free as it allows Black's knight to jump
quickly to d3.} ({Other possibilities are weaker:} 12... Bf5 $6 13. f3 $1 (13.
Rd1 $6 f6 $1 14. f3 Qe3 {would return to the main line}) 13... Qxc4 14. Qxe5 {
is preferable for White.}) (12... Ng6 13. Rd1 Bf5 $5 (13... Be6 14. b3 {is
better for White, R.Van Ketel-S.Zhigalko, Groningen 2004}) 14. Ba5 $5 ({or} 14.
f3 $5 Qe3 15. Bd2 Qc5 16. Bg5 Qxd6 17. Rxd6) 14... Rc8 ({or} 14... Be6 15. h4
$5) 15. h4 $5 b6 ({not} 15... Nxh4 $4 16. Qf6) 16. f3 Qe3 17. Bd2 Qc5 18. Bg5
Qxd6 19. Rxd6 {and White maintains the advantage.}) 13. f3 ({After} 13. Qxf6
Nc5 $1 14. Qf3 Qxf3 15. gxf3 Nd3+ 16. Kd2 Bf5 {Black's initiative gives him
decent compensation for the pawn:} 17. Ke3 O-O-O ({or} 17... b5 18. Nc1 bxc4
19. Nxd3 cxd3 20. Bxd3 Nd5+ 21. Kd2 Bxd3 22. Kxd3 Nxc3 23. bxc3) 18. Ng3 b5 $1
19. cxb5 ({or} 19. Bxd3 Rxd3+ 20. Ke2 bxc4) 19... Bg6 $1 20. bxc6 Nd5+ 21. Kd2
Nxc3 22. Kxc3 Kc7 {and White's king is unsafe.}) 13... Qe3 (13... Qh4+ 14. g3
Nf5 $5 {looks interesting, but White seems to keep an edge:} 15. Qd3 Qg5 16.
Bd2 Qg6 17. O-O-O Be6 18. g4 Nh4 19. Qe3 O-O-O 20. Nf4 $1 exf4 21. Qxe6+ Kb8
22. Bxf4+ Ka8 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Be2 Nb4 25. Qe4 Re8 26. Qxg6 Nxg6 27. Bd2 Rxe2
28. Bxb4 Ne5 {and Black is still fighting for a draw. Then again, this line is
quite long, so Black may be able to find an improvement somewhere.}) 14. Rd1 (
14. Bd2 Qc5 15. Qxc5 ({or} 15. Qxf6 Nb4 $1) 15... Nxc5 {is okay too.}) 14...
Bf5 (14... Kf7 $5 {.}) 15. Qxf6 Nc5 16. Qxe5 Nd3+ 17. Rxd3 Qxe5 18. Bxe5 Bxd3 {
. The ending is acceptable for Black.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B13: 11 Bf6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 $1 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Rg8 11. Bf6 $5 Qxc4 $5 ({It seems that the
common} 11... Rg6 {doesn't completely solve Black's problems. In response
White has:} 12. -- (12. Bxe7 Kxe7 13. Qd2 {isn't so promising:} e5 14. Rd1 ({or
} 14. O-O-O Qxc4+ 15. Nc3 Qf4) 14... Bf5 15. f3 Qc2 $5 16. Ng3 Qxd2+ 17. Rxd2
Be6 18. Bd3 {and here in G.Nakauchi-M.Dunn, Cammeray 2011,} Rg5 $5 {seemed
more precise; e.g.} 19. Kf2 Rd8 20. Rhd1 Nc5 21. Bc2 Rdg8 22. b4 Nd7 {with
good play in the ending.}) (12. Bc3 $5 {is worth considering. The position of
the black rook may give White some benefit over line B12 as Bd3 comes with
tempo. A possible continuation is} e5 13. Qb1 $5 Qxb1+ 14. Rxb1 Nc5 15. Ng3 f6
16. Be2 Bg4 17. f3 Be6 18. Kf2 {with a small advantage in the ending.}) (12.
Qd4 $1 {seems the strongest:} Qxd4 13. Bxd4 c5 ({or} 13... f6 14. O-O-O e5 15.
Bc3 Bg4 16. f3 Be6 17. Ng3 {with a definite edge, D.Martinez Martin-M.Perez
Candelario, Madrid 2008}) 14. Bc3 Nb4 {and now:} 15. -- (15. Kd2 $6 {is
strongly met by the thematic pawn sacrifice} e5 $1 {, which allows Black to
get the rest of his pieces into play quickly and launch an attack on the king,
despite the fact it's an ending! G.Tunik-E.Sveshnikov, St. Petersburg 1994,
continued} 16. Bxe5 Nec6 {, and here the astonishing} ({Black could have begun
with} 16... Bf5 $1 17. Nf4 O-O-O+ 18. Kc3 Rb6 {with excellent play for the pawn
}) 17. Bc7 $3 {was correct, taking the d8-square under control and so
disturbing Black's development.}) (15. Bxb4 cxb4 16. Nf4 {deserves attention,
but Black should be able to hold the balance:} Rg5 $5 17. Nd3 a5 18. g3 Bd7 19.
f4 Rg8 20. Ne5 ({or} 20. Bg2 Bc6 21. Bxc6+ Nxc6) 20... Bc6 21. Nxc6 Nxc6 22.
Bd3 ({or} 22. Bg2 O-O-O) 22... f5 {and so on.}) (15. Nf4 $1 {is the strongest
option:} Nc2+ ({or} 15... Rg5 16. h4 $5 Rf5 17. Nd3 Nc2+ 18. Kd2 Nxa1 19. g4
Rf3 20. Be2 Rxd3+ 21. Bxd3 {etc}) 16. Kd2 Nxa1 17. Nxg6 {followed by Bd3 and
Rxa1, when the two bishops give White a clear advantage in the ending.}))) 12.
Ng3 ({In A.Voll-C.Ludwig, corr. 2006, White tried} 12. a3 {but without much
success:} Qd5 (12... Nd5 {is weaker:} 13. Bd4 c5 14. Rc1 Qb5 15. Nc3 Qa5 16.
Be5 Bd7 17. Qh5 {with better chances}) 13. Qc2 ({or} 13. Nc3 Qxd1+ 14. Rxd1 Nc5
$5 15. b4 Nd7 16. Ne4 Nd5 17. Bh4 f6) 13... Qf5 14. Qxf5 exf5 15. Nf4 Nc7 {and
Black is okay as he can fortify his position by placing his minor pieces on d5
and e6.}) 12... Qf4 13. Bc3 (13. Bxe7 {isn't so dangerous:} Kxe7 ({not} 13...
Qe5+ 14. Be2 Kxe7 15. O-O Nc7 16. Re1 {with the initiative}) 14. Bxa6 Qb4+ $1
15. Qd2 ({or} 15. Kf1 bxa6 16. Qc2 Bb7) 15... Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 bxa6 17. Rac1 Bb7
({or} 17... Rb8 18. b3 Bd7 19. Rc4 Rb5) 18. Rc5 Rad8+ 19. Ke3 Rd5 20. Rhc1 Rgd8
21. R1c3 Rd1 {and despite his positional drawbacks Black should be okay with
his active rooks.}) 13... Nb4 $1 ({Instead:} 13... Nd5 $6 14. Bxa6 Nxc3 15.
bxc3 bxa6 16. O-O {leaves Black's position too compromised, since his king
can't find a safe place with the queens on the board.}) (13... Nc5 {is
playable, but White may prove an edge:} 14. Qc2 e5 $5 15. Bd2 $1 (15. b4 Ne6
16. Qxh7 Nd4 17. Bd2 Qf6 18. Ne4 Qg6 19. Qxg6 Rxg6 20. O-O-O Bf5 {is far from
clear}) ({; while in A.Kharlov-Va.Filippov, Kazan 2001, White grabbed the pawn:
} 15. Qxh7 {and here} Bf5 $5 {deserved attention:} 16. Nxf5 Ne4 $1 17. f3 Nxc3
18. bxc3 Rd8 19. Be2 Qxf5 20. Qxf5 Nxf5 {with a good ending}) 15... Qd4 16. Rc1
{followed by kingside development.}) (13... Nc7 $5 {is solid but less active.})
14. Be2 ({Or} 14. Nh5 Qe4+ 15. Be2 Ned5 {.}) 14... Nbd5 15. Bd2 Qf6 16. O-O Bd7
{. Black has secured the extra pawn and he can be satisfied with his position,
thanks to the rock-solid knight on d5.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B2: 10...Nb4!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 $1 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Nb4 $5 {This counter-strike is a more
reliable way to get acceptable play. The position looks very sharp, but
knowledge should give you confidence. Besides, it's going to calm down soon.
Here we'll look at:} 11. -- ({B21:} 11. Bxh8 $6) ({B22:} 11. Qd6 $1) (11. f3 $2
{is no good at all:} Qe3 12. Qd2 Nd3+ 13. Kd1 Nf2+ 14. Kc2 Qxd2+ 15. Kxd2 Rg8
16. Rg1 Rxg7 17. Ke3 Ng4+ 18. fxg4 Rxg4 {with an extra pawn, S.Zhukhovitsky-N.Novotelnov, Baku 1951.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B21: 11 Bxh8?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 $1 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Nb4 $5 11. Bxh8 $6 {Grabbing the rook
actually makes Black's task easier.} e5 $1 {Black simply continues his
development!} ({The tempting} 11... Nd3+ $2 {is much weaker:} 12. Kd2 Nxf2 13.
Qc2 Qxc2+ 14. Kxc2 Nxh1 15. Bd4 ({or} 15. Nc3 $5 Nf2 16. Be2) 15... Nf5 16. Bg1
{and Black's knight is trapped in the corner.}) 12. Qd6 $5 {White has a huge
number of alternatives, but none of them promise him any advantage. Indeed,
this queen advance seems the most accurate way for White to avoid problems!} ({
Ignoring Black's ideas would be fatal; e.g.} 12. f3 $2 Nc2+ 13. Kd2 Qe3+ $1 14.
Kxc2 Bf5+) ({or} 12. Bf6 $2 Bf5 $1 13. f3 Qe3) ({or} 12. a3 $2 Nd3+ 13. Kd2 Bf5
) ({or} 12. Bxe5 $2 Nd3+ {.}) (12. Rc1 $2 {is no better:} Nd3+ 13. Kd2 ({or} 
13. Qxd3 Qxd3 14. Bxe5 Qe4 15. Bf4 Be6 16. Be3 O-O-O 17. Ng3 Qe5 {, P.Haugli-H.Lahlum, Oslo 2006}) 13... Bf5 $1 14. f3 Qh4 15. g4 Rd8 $1 ({stronger than} 
15... O-O-O) 16. Kc3 Qf2 $1 17. gxf5 Nxc1 18. Qxc1 Qxf3+ 19. Kb4 a5+ $1 20. Ka4
b5+ 21. Kxa5 Ra8+ 22. Kb4 c5+ {and White gets mated.}) (12. Qb3 {is harmless
for Black too:} -- (12... Nc2+ {is imprecise, though it isn't bad:} 13. Kd2
Nxa1 14. Qd3 Qxd3+ $1 (14... Qh4 $2 15. Bxe5 Bf5 {, as in T.Fodor-Kr.Szabo,
Budapest 2009, should have been refuted by} 16. g3 $1) 15. Kxd3 Bf5+ 16. Kc3
O-O-O 17. Ng3 $1 Rxh8 18. Nxf5 Nxf5 19. Bd3 Nh4 ({or} 19... Nd6 $5) ({whereas} 
19... Nd4 20. Rxa1 c5 21. Re1 f6 22. f4 exf4 23. Re7 {gave White some
initiative in A.Adamski-M.Kukawski, Warsaw 2011}) 20. g3 Nf3 21. Rxa1 Kc7 {and
Black holds the balance in the ending.}) (12... Nd3+ $1 {is stronger:} 13. Kd2
Bf5 14. f3 Qh4 15. Ng3 Qg5+ 16. Ke2 ({not} 16. Kc3 $2 Nc5) 16... O-O-O 17. Qc3
Ng6 18. Nxf5 Ngf4+ 19. Kd1 Qxf5 {with the initiative.})) (12. Qd2 {allows
Black to force a draw by} Nd3+ (12... Nc2+ $6 {is weaker:} 13. Kd1 Nxa1 14. Nc3
Qg6 15. Kc1 $1) 13. Kd1 Nxf2+ 14. Kc1 Nd3+ ({whereas} 14... Nxh1 15. Nc3 Qf4
16. Qxf4 exf4 {might only give himself problems after} 17. Be5 ({or} 17. Bd4
Nf5 18. Bg1 {.}))) 12... Nc2+ 13. Kd2 Bf5 $1 ({Simpler than} 13... Nxa1 14. f3
$1 Qc2+ 15. Ke1 {, which transposes unnecessarily to line B222.}) 14. Ng3 $1 (
14. Rd1 $6 {looks interesting but may in fact be worse for White:} Rd8 15.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 16. Kc1+ (16. Ng3 $2 {gives Black a strong initiative:} Qf4+ 17.
Kc3+ Nd5+ $1 18. Kb3 ({or if} 18. cxd5 $4 {them just} Qb4# {mate!}) 18... Nd4+
19. Rxd4 Qxd4 20. cxd5 Bd3 $1 {with a mating attack against the lonely white
king, K.Berg-J.Hector, Aarhus 1993}) 16... Kc8 ({or} 16... Nd4 17. Nxd4 Qb1+
18. Kd2 Qxb2+ 19. Ke3 Qc3+ {, O.Kniest-F.Klein, Werther 2005, where White
should have accepted a draw by} 20. Ke2 Qxc4+ 21. Ke1 Qc3+ {etc}) 17. Nc3 Qf4+
18. Rd2 Ng6 {and the vulnerability of the white king makes Black's queen
stronger than the two rooks.}) 14... Qf4+ 15. Kc3 Nd5+ $1 {The simplest.} ({
There's no need to go into} 15... Nxa1 16. Qd2 $1 Qxd2+ 17. Kxd2 O-O-O+ 18. Kc3
Rxh8 19. Nxf5 Nxf5 20. Bd3 {, which suddenly transposes to 12 Qb3 Nc2+ above.})
16. cxd5 Qd4+ 17. Kb3 Nxa1+ 18. Ka3 Nc2+ 19. Kb3 Na1+ {. Black gives perpetual
check.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B22: 11 Qd6!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 $1 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Nb4 $5 11. Qd6 $1 {This is stronger than
capturing the rook, but it still doesn't promise much. Now Black has a solid
and a more risky choice:} -- ({B221:} 11... Nd3+) ({B222:} 11... Nc2+ $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B221: 11...Nd3+"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 $1 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Nb4 $5 11. Qd6 $1 Nd3+ {The following moves
are forced:} 12. Kd2 Nf5 13. Qxd3 Qxd3+ 14. Kxd3 Nxg7 {The ending is slightly
better for White thanks to his more compact pawn structure, but it can hardly
promise him winning chances.} 15. Kc3 ({Instead,} 15. g3 {is harmless:} e5 $5
16. Bg2 Bf5+ 17. Kc3 O-O-O 18. Rad1 Ne6 {and so on, H.Reefschläger-K.Müller,
German League 1996.}) (15. Ng3 {is a natural option:} c5 (15... b6 16. c5 $5 {
gives White some hopes of an advantage, D.Pruess-Y.Shulman, Connecticut 2004})
16. Be2 b6 (16... Bd7 17. Bf3 O-O-O 18. Kc3 Kc7 19. Rhe1 Bc6 20. Bxc6 Kxc6 21.
Rad1 b6 22. a3 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Ne8 24. b4 Nd6 {is also acceptable, D.Pruess-R.Robson, US Ch., Stillwater 2007, although it looks more accurate to keep the
king in centre to protect the weaker part of the pawn structure}) 17. Bf3 Rb8
18. Rad1 ({or} 18. Kc3 Bb7 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Rad1 Rd7 21. a3 Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Ke7
23. b4 Rc8 {and Black is okay, E.Zaiatz-I.Sudakova, Russian Team Ch. 2004})
18... Bb7 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 {and Black can be satisfied with his position, J.Van
Oosterom-V.Tomkovich, corr. 1996.}) 15... Ke7 ({After} 15... e5 {White
maintains a slight edge:} 16. Re1 O-O 17. f4 Re8 18. Ng3 exf4 19. Rxe8+ Nxe8
20. Nh5 {, A.Kharlov-A.Galkin, Dubai 2002.}) (15... c5 {is more reliable:} 16.
g3 (16. g4 $5) 16... b6 17. Bg2 Rb8 18. Rhd1 Bb7 19. Bxb7 Rxb7 20. Rd3 Rd7 21.
Rad1 Rxd3+ 22. Rxd3 Ke7 {and Black is okay. A.Vaisser-G.Flear, San Sebastian 
(rapid) 1992, continued} 23. Kc2 Rb8 24. Ra3 Rb7 25. g4 h5 26. gxh5 Nxh5 27.
Nc3 Nf6 28. h3 Nd7 29. Nb5 a5 30. Rg3 Rb8 {and Black held on.}) 16. Re1 (16.
Ng3 c5 17. Bd3 b6 18. Be4 Rb8 19. Rhe1 Bb7 20. Rad1 Bxe4 21. Rxe4 f5 22. Ree1
Rbd8 {gave Black no problems either, A.Kharlov-A.Galkin, European Ch., Batumi
2002.}) 16... Bd7 ({Again,} 16... c5 {is quite playable:} 17. g4 $5 {
(preventing ...Nf5-d4)} b6 18. Bg2 Rb8 19. Nf4 Bb7 20. Bxb7 Rxb7 {and Black is
okay since} 21. Nd5+ Kd6 22. Nf6 Ke7 {doesn't promise much.}) 17. g3 Rad8 18.
Bg2 f6 19. f4 h5 20. Nc1 Be8 21. b4 Bg6 22. a4 {. This position arose in A.Aleksandrov-S.Zhigalko, Belarusian Ch., Minsk 2010. Perhaps White still has a
slight edge, but Black's position is solid and perfectly acceptable.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Ne2"]
[Black "B222: 11...Nc2+!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Ne2 Na6 9. Bf8 $1 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Nb4 $5 11. Qd6 $1 Nc2+ $5 {A more ambitious,
but also more risky, approach.} 12. Kd2 Nxa1 13. Bxh8 (13. Nd4 $6 {is dubious:
Black obtains better chances with} e5 14. Bxe5 Qb1 $1 15. Bxh8 ({or} 15. Bf6
Qxb2+ 16. Ke3 Qxd4+ $3) 15... Qxb2+ 16. Ke3 Nc2+ 17. Nxc2 Qxh8 {and so on.})
13... Qc2+ (13... e5 14. f3 ({while} 14. Qxe5 Qc2+ 15. Ke3 Be6 16. f3 {looks
harmless}) 14... Qc2+ 15. Ke1 Be6 {also leads to the main line.}) 14. Ke1 e5 ({
Instead:} 14... Qb1+ 15. Qd1 Qxa2 16. Nc1 Qa6 17. Bc3 {is in White's favour.})
(14... Qxc4 $5 15. Nc3 Qb4 $1 {looks interesting but it's insufficient:} 16. --
(16. Qd2 {is well met by} e5 $1 {and then:} 17. -- (17. Qc1 $6 Bg4 $1 {is fine
for Black:} 18. f3 ({or} 18. Qxa1 O-O-O 19. f3 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Qh4+) 18... Bxf3
$1 19. gxf3 ({not} 19. Bf6 $2 Nd5 20. Bxe5 Qe7 21. gxf3 Qxe5+ 22. Be2 ({or} 22.
Kf2 Qd4+ 23. Kg3 Ne3 24. Bh3 Nac2 25. Nd1 f5 $1 {with a decisive attack, L.Christiansen-R.Robson, US Ch., St. Louis 2009}) 22... Nb4) 19... Qh4+ 20. Ke2
Ng6 {with initiative}) (17. Bd3 $1 Bf5 ({or} 17... Be6 18. Ne4 Qd4 19. Bb1) 18.
Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Bf6 Qg4 ({or} 19... Nd4 $6 20. Kd1 $1 {- castling would be much
better but the king has already moved -} Nac2 21. Kc1 Qd6 22. Qg5) 20. f3 Qg6
21. Ne4 Ne3 $1 22. Bg5 Nd5 23. Kf2 f5 24. Nc3 Nc2 {and Black is still fighting.
})) (16. Qd1 $1 {enables White to prove his superiority:} Qxb2 17. Bd3 e5 $5
18. Qd2 $1 Qa3 19. Ne4 $1 Be6 20. Bb1 $1 Nd5 $1 21. Bxe5 O-O-O 22. Bxa1 Nb4 23.
Bb2 $3 Qa5 $1 24. Nd6+ Rxd6 $1 (24... Kc7 25. Bc3 $1 Rxd6 26. Bxb4) 25. Qxd6
Nd3+ 26. Ke2 Nxb2 27. Rc1 {and the position has finally simplified in his
favour.})) 15. f3 Be6 $1 {Other moves are unsatisfactory for Black.} (15...
Qb1+ $2 16. Kf2 Nc2 17. Bf6 Qe1+ 18. Kg1 Qb4 19. Bxe7 {and White won, R.Wojtaszek-Kr.Szabo, Stockholm 2007.}) (15... Qxc4 16. Qxe5 Be6 17. Nf4 Qc2 18.
Nxe6 fxe6 19. Rg1 O-O-O 20. Be2 Rd7 21. Kf2 Ng6 22. Qc3 Rd2 23. Re1 Nf4 24.
Qxc2 Nxc2 25. Bc3 $1 {and Black has to fight for equality.}) (15... Qxb2 {, as
in A.Kharlov-G.Arzumanian, Tula 2002, is also insufficient:} 16. Bf6 $5 Qb4+
17. Qxb4 Nc2+ 18. Kd2 Nxb4 19. a3 Na6 20. Bxe5 {gives White more of an
advantage.}) 16. Bf6 ({After} 16. Qxe5 O-O-O 17. Bf6 Ng6 18. Qe3 Qd1+ 19. Kf2
Nc2 20. Qc1 ({not} 20. Qxa7 $6 Qe1+ 21. Kg1 Rd1 22. Qf2 Bxc4) 20... Qxc1 21.
Nxc1 Rd1 22. Ne2 Bxc4 23. g3 Kc7 24. Nc3 Rd2+ 25. Be2 {White might still hope
for a slight edge, but objectively the ending is okay for Black.}) 16... Ng6
17. h4 $1 ({Or} 17. Kf2 Qf5 18. Bg7 Nc2 {.}) 17... Qf5 18. Bg5 h6 $1 (18... f6
$6 {is worse:} 19. Ng3 Qb1+ 20. Kf2 Qxb2+ 21. Be2 Qd4+ 22. Qxd4 exd4 23. h5 $5
Nf8 24. Bxf6 {and White is clearly better.}) 19. Bxh6 Rd8 20. Qc5 Qb1+ $1 21.
Kf2 Nc2 {The shuttle movements of Black's queen have helped him fulfil some
important tasks and obtain real counter-chances.} 22. Bg5 ({Here} 22. h5 {is
strongly met by} Nf4 $1 (22... Ne1 $2 23. Nc1 $5 ({or} 23. Kg1 Nd3 24. Qe3 {,
I.Nepomniachtchi-D.Pavasovic, Rogaska Slatina 2011, is bad for Black})) 23.
Nxf4 Qe1+ $1 24. Kg1 Nd4 $1 25. Qf8+ $1 ({not} 25. Qa3 $2 exf4) 25... Kd7 26.
Qa3 Bxc4 ({not} 26... exf4 $2 27. Qd3 Kc8 28. Qe4) 27. Qc3 Qxf1+ 28. Kh2 Qf2 {
with sharp play.}) ({After} 22. Qa5 {Black solves his problems by} Qd1 $1 ({not
} 22... Qxb2 $6 23. Bg5 {followed by h4-h5}) 23. Bg5 ({not} 23. h5 $2 b6 24.
Qc3 Rd3) ({or} 23. g4 Nf4 $1 24. Nxf4 Rd2+) 23... f6 $1 24. Bxf6 b6 $1 25. Qxa7
({or} 25. Qc3 $2 Rd3) 25... Qe1+ 26. Kg1 Ne3 27. Kh2 Rd7 28. Qb8+ Kf7 29. Ng3
Qf2 {and Black's initiative more than compensates for the pawns:} 30. Ne4 ({
after} 30. Bg5 Nxh4 $1 31. Bxh4 Rd2 $1 {Black is at least not worse}) 30...
Nxf1+ 31. Rxf1 Qxf1 32. Bg5 Rd1 $1 33. Qc7+ Bd7 34. Qd8 {and the game ends in
perpetual check by} Qh1+ 35. Kg3 Qe1+ 36. Kh2 Qh1+ {etc.}) 22... Qe1+ ({Again} 
22... f6 $6 {is weaker:} 23. h5 $1 Nf4 ({or} 23... Qe1+ 24. Kg1 Rd1 25. Qf2
fxg5 26. hxg6 Ne3 27. Rh8+ Ke7 28. Qxe1 Rxe1 29. Kf2 Rxf1+ 30. Kxe3 Kf6 31. b3)
24. Nxf4 Qe1+ 25. Kg1 Nd4 ({the tricky defence} 25... Ne3 26. Bxf6 Qxf1+ 27.
Kh2 Ng4+ $1 {fails to solve Black's problems:} 28. Kg3 $1 Qf2+ $1 29. Qxf2
exf4+ 30. Kh4 Nxf2 31. Re1 Rd1 $1 32. Rxe6+ Kf7 33. Re2 Kxf6 34. Rxf2 Kf5 35.
g4+ fxg3 36. Kxg3) 26. Bh4 Qe3+ 27. Bf2 Qxf4 28. Rh4 Qg5 29. Qa3 c5 30. h6 Kf7
{and although Black has some compensation for the pawn, White's chances are
preferable.}) 23. Kg1 Rd1 24. Kh2 Nd4 25. Nxd4 Rxd4 (25... exd4 $6 {is worse:}
26. Bf6 $5 ({or} 26. b3 $5) 26... Qe3 27. Qd6 Qf4+ 28. Qxf4 Nxf4 29. Bg5 Nd3
30. Bxd3 Rxd3 31. Rc1 {with good winning chances.}) 26. Bd3 ({Both} 26. Qxa7
Bc8 27. h5 Qf2 $1 28. hxg6 fxg6 {, threatening ...Rh4 mate}) ({and} 26. g4 f6
$1 27. Bg2 Qe2 $1 28. Bxf6 Rd2 29. Rg1 Qxf3 30. Bg5 Qxg4 {are good for Black.})
26... Rxh4+ 27. Bxh4 Qxh4+ 28. Kg1 Qe1+ 29. Bf1 Bxc4 $1 30. Qf2 (30. Qxc4 Qe3+
31. Kh2 Qh6+ {leads to perpetual check.}) 30... Qc1 31. g3 Bxf1 (31... Bxa2 $5
32. Qxa7 ({or} 32. Kg2 Bd5 33. Bd3 Qg5 34. Bxg6 Qxg6 35. Qxa7 Qd3) 32... Bd5 {
is also worth considering.}) 32. Qxf1 Qxb2 33. Qf2 {. White might claim a
slight edge here, but it's extremely difficult to win such positions. Indeed,
he shouldn't go too far in trying as Black also has some trumps. A possible
continuation is} Qb1+ ({The ending after} 33... Qxf2+ 34. Kxf2 Kd7 {looks
defendable, but keeping the queens on the board seems more reliable.}) 34. Kg2
Qd3 35. Re1 ({On} 35. Qxa7 {Black gives perpetual check by} Nf4+ 36. gxf4 Qg6+)
35... b6 {and so on.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "13: 8 Be2: Various 8th Moves"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 {Blocking the check with the bishop is the more common and ambitious
approach. White doesn't care about his g2-pawn. His aim is clear enough - to
develop his pieces as quickly as possible, seize the initiative, and exploit
the vulnerability of dark squares in the opponent's camp. --- Black has a wide
choice here, from which 8...Na6 (the main line) and 8...c5 are examined in
subsequent chapters. So let's begin with some rarer options.} -- ({A:} 8...
Qxg2 $6) ({B:} 8... Ne7 $6) ({C:} 8... Nd7) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2: Various 8th Moves"]
[Black "A: 8...Qxg2?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Qxg2 $6 {Although it's quite dangerous for Black to accept the gift, it
might still be playable in, for example, rapid games. The position always
remains very complicated and at some point it might not be so easy for White
to make a right choice from amongst many attractive possibilities.} 9. Bf3 ({
The alternative} 9. Qd6 $6 {seems premature:} Nd7 10. O-O-O Qxf2 $5 ({
retreating the queen with} 10... Qg5+ 11. f4 Qe7 {allows White good
compensation for the pawn:} 12. Qd2 c5 13. Bc3 Ngf6 14. Bf3 O-O 15. Qg2 Rb8 16.
Ne2 Ne8 17. Rhg1 g6 18. h4 (18. f5 $5 {and 17 Ng3!? followed by Rhe1 also come
into consideration}) 18... Nd6 19. h5 {with an annoying kingside initiative, S.
Furman-N.Kopaev, Vilnius 1949}) 11. Bf3 (11. Bh5 {should be met by} Qf5 $1 12.
Bf3 e5 {intending ...Qf6}) 11... a5 $1 (11... Qb6 $5 {intending ...c6-c5 is
also interesting}) ({whereas Black found himself under pressure after} 11...
Qe3+ 12. Kb1 Qe5 13. Qd3 Ngf6 14. Nh3 c5 15. Bc3 Qf5 16. Qxf5 exf5 17. Rhe1+
Kf8 18. Nf4 {in Bu Xiangzhi-S.Lu, Chinese Ch., Xinghua 2010}) 12. Ba3 (12. Bc3
Ne7) 12... Qe3+ 13. Kb1 Qe5 ({or even} 13... a4 $5 {intending to lock the
white bishop up completely after ...Qe5, ...Ngf6 and ...c6-c5}) 14. Qd3 Ngf6 {
and Black is doing well - White's bishop on a3 isn't so effective in this
position.}) 9... Qg5 (9... Qg6 {is worse - the queen is less useful here; e.g.}
10. Ne2 Nd7 11. Rg1 Qh6 12. Ng3 a5 ({or} 12... c5 13. Bc3 Ngf6 14. Qd6) 13. Bd2
({or} 13. Bc3 $5 Ngf6 14. Qd6) 13... Qh4 14. Qe2 {and White's pieces are much
more active.}) 10. Ne2 {White has already developed all his minor pieces and
it won't be much longer before he has the rest of his army in play. Conversely,
Black hasn't really started his mobilization at all, so he must hurry up!} Ne7
({Black tried various other options but none of them really help to slow down
White's initiative:} 10... c5 11. Bc3 e5 12. Rg1 ({or} 12. Ng3 Nf6 13. Qd6 Nfd7
14. Ne4 Qe7 15. Rg1 {, V.Ragozin-M.Botvinnik, training match, Moscow 1951})
12... Qe7 13. Rxg7 Qf6 14. Rg3 Ne7 15. Be4 Nbc6 16. f4 Be6 17. Qd6 Rd8 18. Qxc5
{and White restores the material balance and maintains the initiative, I.Kan-M.Botvinnik, training match, Moscow 1952.}) (10... Na6 11. Rg1 Qf6 (11... Qxg1+
12. Nxg1 Nxb4 13. Qd2 {and 0-0-0 is clearly insufficient for Black}) ({who
also faces problems after} 11... Qf5 12. Bc3 $1 Nf6 13. Nd4 Qe5+ 14. Kf1 {, A.Vaisser-M.Geenen, Athens rapid 1997}) 12. Bc3 e5 13. Ng3 {and with such ideas
as Ne4-d6 and Qd2, followed by 0-0-0, Black's defence isn't easy, S.Volkov-B.
Grachev, Russian Ch., Krasnodar 2002.}) (10... Nd7 11. Rg1 Qh4 $5 12. Bc3 $5 (
12. Qd6) ({and} 12. Rxg7 {are also worth considering}) 12... e5 13. Rxg7 Qf6 ({
or} 13... Ne7 14. Ng3 Qh6 15. Nh5) 14. Rg3 Ne7 15. Qd2 Nf5 16. Rg1 {and White
obtains excellent compensation for the pawn.}) 11. Rg1 (11. Ng3 $5 {.}) 11...
Qh4 $5 (11... Qf6 $6 {merely promotes White's plans:} 12. Nc3 Nf5 13. Ne4 Qd8 (
13... Qxb2 $2 {fails to} 14. Bc3 Qa3 15. Bg4 $1 Qe7 16. Kf1 $1 {and Black is
defenceless}) ({while} 13... Qe5 14. Qd2 {followed by 0-0-0 is no good either})
14. Rxg7 $1 Qxd1+ ({or} 14... Nxg7 15. Nd6+) 15. Rxd1 Nd7 16. Nd6+ Nxd6 17.
Bxd6 Nf8 18. Be5 Nd7 19. Bc3 Ke7 20. Bh5 Rf8 21. Bd2 e5 22. Bg5+ Nf6 23. Rxh7
Bf5 24. Rh6 {and White had a decisive advantage in B.Wood-C.H.Alexander,
London 1948.}) 12. Ng3 ({White has other playable options, such as} 12. Rxg7
Qf6 13. Rg3 {, R.Huss-M.Hofer, Nuremberg 2008}) ({or} 12. Rg4 $5 Qxh2 13. Ng3
Nd7 14. Qd6 c5 15. Bc3 e5 16. Rd1) ({or just} 12. Bc3 $5 {.}) 12... Nd7 13. Ne4
Nf5 14. Rxg7 (14. Nd6+ $5 Nxd6 15. Qxd6 {also promises White good compensation.
}) 14... c5 $1 15. Rg4 $1 Qxh2 $1 16. Bd2 $5 ({After} 16. Bc3 Ne5 $1 17. Rg5 $1
Nd4 ({or} 17... Ke7 18. Rh5 Qg1+ 19. Ke2 Qxd1+ 20. Rxd1 f6) 18. Bxd4 cxd4 19.
Kf1 d3 20. Ng3 Nxf3 21. Qxf3 Qh6 {Black's position is unsafe, but he may feel
a couple of extra pawns are worth the inconvenience.}) 16... Qc7 (16... Ne5 $2
{fails to} 17. Bf4 $1) ({while} 16... e5 $2 {can also be met by} 17. Bf4 $1 ({
stronger than} 17. Bg5 $5 Nd4 $1 18. Kf1 $1 h6 19. Rh4 hxg5 20. Rxh2 Rxh2 21.
Nxg5 {when Black has enough for the queen with his powerful knight on d4})
17... exf4 18. Qd5 Qh6 $1 19. Qxf5 Qe6 20. Qxf4 {with a big advantage.}) 17.
Kf1 Nd4 ({Or} 17... e5 18. Rg5 $1 Nd4 19. Bg2 a5 $5 20. f4 {with the
initiative.}) 18. Bg2 {. White's activity gives him more than enough
compensation for a couple of pawns. It might not be quite what he was hoping
for after Black's risky capture on g2, but White's chances are still
preferable. A possible continuation is} h6 ({Not} 18... f5 $2 19. Rg7 {.}) 19.
Rh4 Nf5 {and here White can try} 20. Qh5 $5 ({Or} 20. Rh5 Rg8 21. Bxh6 Nxh6 22.
Rxh6 Qf4 23. Rh7 {.}) 20... Nxh4 21. Qxh4 a5 22. Rd1 Ra6 23. Bg5 {intending
Be7 followed by Nd6+.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2: Various 8th Moves"]
[Black "B: 8...Ne7?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "39"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Ne7 $6 {This rare move doesn't look necessary at the moment. Black
neither disturbs the bishop on b4, nor prepares castling. The idea is to
follow up with the tricky ...Nd5, but this doesn't bother White very much.} 9.
Nf3 {A natural and good continuation.} (9. Qd2 $5 {is also interesting, as it
both prevents the opponent's idea and prepares queenside castling.
Nevertheless, it seems less promising:} Ng6 10. Nh3 $1 c5 $5 ({Black's
problems can be illustrated by} 10... f6 11. O-O-O Kf7 12. f3 (12. g4 $5 {is
also interesting, D.Fridman-A.Moroz, Pardubice 2005}) 12... Qh4 13. Bc5 $1 e5
14. Nf2 $1 f5 15. g3 Qf6 16. Rhf1 $1 Na6 17. Ba3 Be6 18. Ne4 $1 {and White's
initiative is threatening, A.Khalifman-Va.Filippov, Russian Team Ch. 1995}) 11.
Bxc5 Qxg2 12. O-O-O Nd7 13. Ng5 f6 14. Rhg1 $5 ({after} 14. Nxe6 Nxc5 15. Nc7+
Kf7 16. Nxa8 Qc6 17. Qd5+ Qxd5 18. cxd5 Ne4 19. Rd4 Bf5 20. Nc7 Rc8 21. d6 Nxd6
22. Rxd6 Rxc7+ 23. Kd1 Ne5 24. Rg1 {White is better, but Black has reasonable
chances to hold on}) 14... Qc6 15. Ba3 fxg5 16. Qxg5 {with a strong initiative,
though perhaps after} Rf8 $5 {Black can still defend.}) 9... Nd5 {The point of
the previous move.} (9... Nd7 {is apparently more reliable, but in that case
Black might have played 8...Nd7 (see line C below).}) 10. Nd2 $1 (10. Ba3 Nf4
11. O-O Nxe2+ 12. Kh1 c5 $5 {gives Black acceptable play, according to
tournament practice.}) 10... Qd4 11. Ba3 Nf4 12. g3 $1 ({This is stronger than
the usual} 12. O-O {which only gives White sufficient compensation; e.g.} e5 $5
13. Re1 (13. Bf3 Bf5 {is less clear, R.Scherbakov-E.Sveshnikov, Novgorod 1995})
13... Be6 {, and now, rather than} ({after} 13... Bf5 $6 {, A.Yermolinsky-A.Kaliksteyn, US Ch., Seattle 2002,} 14. Bg4 $1 {gives White a big advantage})
14. Qb3 {as in L.Pliester-V.Bagirov, Haarlem 1996,} ({White should prefer} 14.
Bf1 $5 Nd7 15. Qc2 ({or} 15. Ne4 $5 Qxd1 16. Raxd1 O-O-O 17. Be7 Rdg8 18. g3
Ng6 19. Bb4 f6 20. h4) 15... Qb6 16. Ne4 c5 17. Rad1 O-O 18. Rd6 Qc7 19. Red1 {
, when his pressure more than compensates for the missing pawn.})) 12... Nh3 (
12... Nxe2 13. Qxe2) ({and} 12... Ng6 13. Qc2 {are hardly acceptable for Black.
}) 13. Rf1 $1 {. Not a move White normally wants to play, but here it's
effective! He intends simply to castle queenside and cut off Black's knight
with f2-f4, which might be caught even after its retreat to g5. Black's
position is suspect; e.g.} a5 ({Or} 13... Nd7 14. Qc2 Nf6 15. Nb3 $1 Qd8 16. f4
{.}) 14. Qc2 Na6 15. Ne4 Nb4 16. Bxb4 axb4 17. Rd1 Qe5 18. f4 Qa5 19. Nd6+ Ke7
20. b3 {and the knight is in trouble.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2: Various 8th Moves"]
[Black "C: 8...Nd7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Nd7 {With this knight development Black plans to cut off the opposing
dark-squared bishop by ...c6-c5. This approach is playable, but it's a bit
slow and gives White time to arrange his pieces in the best possible way.} 9.
Nf3 (9. Qd6 $6 {gives Black a good choice: apart from} Qxg2 $5 {(which was
considered via 8...Qxg2 9 Qd6?! in the notes to line A),} ({he can also insert
} 9... a5 $5) ({or} 9... c5 $5 {.})) 9... c5 ({Other moves:} 9... Ngf6 $6 10.
Bd6 $1 {prevents Black from castling, A.Machulsky-A.Antunes, Malaga 1991.}) (
9... Ne7 {allows White several options} 10. -- ({; e.g.} 10. O-O c5 11. Bc3) ({
, and} 10. Qd2 c5 11. Bc3 {are considered in line C2 below}) ({, while after} 
10. Bxe7 $5 Kxe7 11. Qd2 Re8 12. O-O-O Kf8 13. Bd3 Qg4 14. h3 Qh5 ({not} 14...
Qxg2 15. Qe3) 15. g4 Qc5 16. Bxh7 Qxc4+ 17. Kb1 {White had more than enough
for the pawn, A.Vaisser-H.Namyslo, Bern 1992.})) (9... b6 $6 {, a risky
invention of Maxim Sorokin, gives White too much freedom:} 10. -- (10. Qd6 $5
Bb7 11. Ng5 $5 Qg6 12. Qc7 c5 $1 13. Rd1 Ngf6 14. Bc3 Qxg5 15. Qxb7 O-O 16. O-O
{and Black is under pressure.}) (10. Nd2 $5 Qf4 11. Bf3 Ne5 12. Be4 Bb7 13. Bc3
(13. g3 Qg4 14. f3 Qh5 {is more or less acceptable for Black, S.Ionov-M.Sorokin, Chelyabinsk 1991}) 13... f6 14. g3 Qg4 15. Qa4 $5 Ne7 16. Bxe5 fxe5
17. h3 Qg5 18. Nf3 Qf6 19. O-O-O O-O 20. Rhe1 {and White gets the better
chances.}) (10. O-O $5 c5 11. Ng5 $5 Qf5 ({not} 11... Qe5 $6 12. Nxe6 $1) 12.
Bd2 Bb7 13. Bg4 Qf6 14. h4 $5 Qe7 ({or} 14... Nh6 15. Bc3 Qf4 16. Bxe6 $1 fxe6
17. Nxe6 Qe4 18. f3) 15. Bf4 {and Black's defence is difficult.}) (10. Qd2 $5
Ngf6 11. Ng5 $1 (11. Bd6 $5) 11... Qg6 ({or} 11... Qf5 12. f4 c5 13. Bc3 Bb7
14. O-O-O O-O 15. g4 {with the initiative}) 12. Bd3 Qh5 ({after} 12... Qh6 13.
O-O-O c5 14. Bc3 Bb7 15. Bc2 Rd8 16. h4 {Black's defence is difficult}) 13. Ne4
$5 (13. h4 $5 c5 14. Bc3 Bb7 15. f3 {is also worth considering}) 13... Qe5 ({or
} 13... Nxe4 14. Bxe4 Qe5 15. f3 Nc5 16. O-O-O O-O 17. Bxc6 Rb8 18. Qd6 Qxd6
19. Rxd6) 14. f3 {, and White's initiative more than compensates for the pawn;
e.g.} (14. Qe3 $5) 14... Bb7 15. O-O-O c5 16. Bc3 Qc7 17. Nxf6+ gxf6 18. Qh6
O-O-O 19. Rd2 Ne5 20. Rhd1 Nxd3+ 21. Rxd3 Rxd3 22. Rxd3 {and so on.})) 10. Bc3
{Here Black faces an important choice - where to develop the other knight.} --
({C1:} 10... Ngf6) ({C2:} 10... Ne7) (10... f6 $6 {is dubious. White takes the
initiative with the typical} 11. Nd2 $1 Qf4 {and here, for example,} 12. Bh5+
$5 g6 13. Bf3 Ne5 14. Be4 Nf7 15. O-O Qc7 16. Qf3 {and Black faces problems, J.Dorfman-D.Ruzele, Lyons 1994.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2: Various 8th Moves"]
[Black "C1: 10...Ngf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "47"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Nd7 9. Nf3 c5 10. Bc3 Ngf6 11. Qd6 $1 {The best response.} ({After} 11.
O-O O-O) ({or} 11. Qd2 O-O {Black gets more or less acceptable play, judging
by tournament practice.}) 11... Qg6 $1 ({Instead,} 11... Qc6 {doesn't bring
any relief. White has a good choice:} 12. -- (12. Qg3 $5 O-O {and here} 13. Rd1
$1 {is the most precise, as played by Frank Marshall himself! F.Marshall-C.Schlechter, Monte Carlo 1902, continued} Nh5 $6 (13... Ne8 {is more tenacious
but White more than enough compensation after} 14. O-O f6 15. Bd3 Rf7 16. Rfe1
Nf8 17. b4 {, L.Christiansen-V.Raicevic, Lone Pine 1980}) 14. Qh4 (14. Qg5 $1)
14... g6 (14... Nhf6 $1) 15. Rxd7 $1 Qxd7 16. g4 Qd8 17. gxh5 Qxh4 18. Nxh4 e5
19. hxg6 hxg6 20. Rg1 Re8 21. Nf3 f6 22. Rxg6+ Kf7 23. Rg3 Bd7 24. Nd2 Rh8 25.
Ne4 b6 $2 26. Rf3 f5 27. Bxe5 Rh4 28. Nd6+ {and Black resigned.}) (12. Qxc6
bxc6 13. Nd2 {and Black faces problems in the endgame because of his passive
pieces and weakened pawn structure; e.g.} Bb7 14. O-O-O (14. Bf3 $5) 14...
O-O-O 15. Bf3 e5 16. g4 h6 17. h4 {and White's knight soon came to e4 with
great effect, Zsu.Polgar-Kir.Georgiev, Pardubice 1994.})) (11... a5 12. Rd1 Ra6
13. Qd2 O-O 14. O-O {doesn't solve Black's problems either, L.Esposito-M.Lazic,
Verona 2005.}) 12. Nd2 $5 {The most ambitious approach;} ({but other options,
such as} 12. Bd3 $5) ({and the simple} 12. Ne5 $5 Nxe5 13. Qxe5 {followed by
Bf3, allow White to maintain pressure. The latter might be the most reliable
way to secure a small, stable advantage.}) 12... a5 $1 {The best defence -
Black must push enemy queen out of his camp.} 13. O-O (13. Bd3 $5 {, trying to
force Black to open files on the kingside, looks interesting but it's not so
clear:} Qxg2 14. O-O-O Qxf2 (14... Ra6 $5 15. Qf4 Qh3 {may be better,
preparing ...Nh5 as well as attacking the bishop, while} 16. Nf3 Qh6 $1 {is
also unclear}) 15. Rhf1 Qe3 16. Rde1 Qh6 17. Kb1 Ra6 18. Qg3 O-O 19. Nf3 Nh5 {
and despite all dangers, Black eventually defended in R.Van Hooff-R.Sekret,
corr. 2006.}) 13... Ra6 14. Qc7 ({Retreating with} 14. Qf4 $5 {is also worth
considering.}) 14... O-O (14... Rc6 {doesn't solve the problems:} 15. Qxa5 e5
16. Bf3 b6 17. Qa7 Re6 {, O.Touzane-D.Laclau, French Team Ch. 1996, and here
the natural} 18. Rfe1 {is good enough to secure the advantage:} O-O 19. Ne4 Ne8
$5 20. Rad1 Re7 21. Bd2 $5 Kh8 22. Nc3 {and so on.}) 15. Bf3 {White maintains
the pressure, although Black still has defensive resources.} e5 $5 ({Instead:} 
15... Qd3 16. Rfd1 $5 Qd6 17. Qxd6 Rxd6 18. Bxa5 {promises White a stable
advantage with the bishop pair.}) (15... Re8 $6 16. Rfe1 {also favours White,
B.Ahlander-E.Gausel, Hillerod 1995.}) (15... a4 {gives White time to increase
his central control:} 16. Rfe1 $1 (16. Rad1 {prevents Black's idea, but then}
a3 17. b4 ({or} 17. b3 Qc2 18. Rc1 Qd3) 17... e5 {isn't so bad for him}) 16...
Qd3 $5 17. Ne4 $1 {(otherwise ...Qd6 with good chances to equalize)} Nxe4 18.
Rad1 $1 ({not} 18. Bxe4 Qd6 $1) 18... Qxc4 {and here both captures are
promising for White:} 19. -- (19. Rxe4 $5 Qxa2 ({after} 19... Qb5 20. Re3 $1 {
White is dominating}) 20. Be2 Qb3 $1 21. Rxd7 Bxd7 22. Bxa6 a3 $1 23. Qxd7 a2 (
{or} 23... axb2 24. Bxb2 bxa6 25. Qd2) 24. Qa4 {and here Black has a
study-like trick} c4 $1 {, but it doesn't help:} 25. Rxc4 bxa6 ({or} 25... Ra8
26. Rg4 Qxa4 27. Rxa4 Rxa6 28. Rxa6 bxa6 29. b3) 26. Rg4 $1 e5 $5 27. Bxe5 Rd8
({or} 27... Rc8 28. Rxg7+ Kf8 29. Rg8+ $1 Kxg8 30. Qg4+ Kf8 31. Bd6+ Ke8 32.
Qxc8# $1 {mate!}) 28. Rd4 $1 {and White escapes with the extra piece.}) (19.
Bxe4 $5 Qxa2 {arose in I.Stohl-I.Seitaj, Moscow Olympiad 1994. Here White
missed the chance to launch a strong attack by} 20. Qg3 $1 e5 ({or} 20... f6
21. Qh4 h6 22. Bd3 $1) 21. Rxd7 $1 Bxd7 22. Qxe5 Rf6 ({or} 22... f6 23. Bd5+
Kh8 24. Qh5 c4 25. Be4 f5 26. Bxf5 $1) 23. Bd5 c4 24. Qe7 $1 Be6 25. Be4 $1 Qb3
26. Bxf6 gxf6 27. Qxf6 Re8 28. h3 {and Black can't defend his king.})) 16. Rfe1
$5 ({More ambitious than} 16. Bxe5 Nxe5 17. Qxe5 Qf5 $5 (17... Qc2 18. Rfd1 Nd7
19. Qc3 $5 Qxc3 20. bxc3 {is slightly better for White}) 18. Qc7 Qd7 19. Qxd7
Bxd7 20. Rad1 Be6 21. b3 Rb8 {and Black defends.}) 16... Ra8 $1 {Intending to
disturb the white queen by ...Ne8.} 17. Ne4 (17. Bxe5 {leads to a repetition
of moves by} Ne8 $1 18. Qd8 Nef6 19. Qc7 ({as} 19. Qe7 $6 {is suspect:} Re8 20.
Bxf6 ({not} 20. Qd6 $2 Ra6) 20... Rxe7 21. Bxe7 h6 {and Black is not worse, E.Van Seben-R.Sekret, corr. 2003}) 19... Ne8 $1 {etc.}) 17... Ne8 $1 18. Qd8 f5 (
18... Nd6 $5 {might be more reliable:} 19. Qg5 $5 ({or} 19. Qh4 Nf5 {and ...Nd4
}) 19... -- (19... Qxg5 20. Nxg5 Nxc4 21. Rad1 {, when Black is under severe
pressure but he does have a couple of extra pawns.}) (19... Nf5 $5 {also
deserves attention; e.g.} 20. Qxg6 hxg6 21. Rad1 Nd4 22. Nd6 Rd8 $5 23. Bxb7 ({
or} 23. Bxd4 exd4 24. Re7 Nf6 25. Nxb7 Bxb7 26. Rxb7 Rab8 27. Rb5 a4) 23...
Bxb7 24. Nxb7 Rdb8 25. Nxa5 f6 26. Rd2 g5 {and Black has good compensation for
the pawn.})) 19. Nxc5 $5 Nxc5 20. Bd5+ Kh8 21. Rxe5 Nd7 $1 22. Re7 Nef6 23. Qc7
f4 24. Rae1 {. Although Black has an extra piece he has almost no moves.
Nevertheless, it's still unclear whether White can deliver a decisive blow.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2: Various 8th Moves"]
[Black "C2: 10...Ne7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Nd7 9. Nf3 c5 10. Bc3 Ne7 {This knight development is typical for the
Marshall. Black's knights defend more effectively if they don't duplicate each
other.} 11. O-O ({Other moves:} 11. Bxg7 {doesn't promise much as Black
regains his extra pawn after} Rg8 12. Bc3 Rxg2 {, when J.Norri-Jon.Eriksson,
Helsinki 2004, continued} 13. Qd3 $5 Qxd3 14. Bxd3 f6 $5 (14... b5 $5) 15. Bxh7
e5 {with acceptable play - Black's knights have good prospects in this ending.}
) (11. Qd2 $5 {is a decent alternative:} O-O 12. O-O-O Ng6 13. g3 ({or} 13. Ng5
Qf4 14. g3 Qxd2+ 15. Rxd2 b6 16. Rhd1 h6 17. Ne4 Bb7 18. Rxd7 Bxe4 19. Rc7 Rfc8
20. Rdd7 Rxc7 21. Rxc7 {and despite his extra pawn, Black has to fight for
equality}) 13... f6 ({on} 13... h6 {White develops his initiative by} 14. Nh4
$1 Nxh4 15. gxh4 e5 16. Rhg1 {, N.Steffensen-J.P.Wallace, Canberra 1994}) 14.
h4 Nge5 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 {and here, in A.Vaisser-G.Lagumina, Mendrisio 1989,
White should have played} 16. b3 a5 17. f4 Nc6 18. Rhe1 {with good
compensation for the pawn.}) 11... O-O (11... f6 $6 {gives White a wide choice:
} 12. Re1 (12. Nd2 $5) ({and} 12. Bd3 $5 {are also good}) 12... Qc6 ({not} 
12... e5 $2 13. Nxe5 $1) 13. Bd3 ({the straightforward} 13. Ng5 $5 {is also
interesting:} fxg5 14. Bf3 Qa6 15. Bxg7 Rg8 16. Bh5+ Ng6 17. Qg4 Kf7 18. Bc3 e5
19. Rad1 {with a strong initiative for the piece, S.K.Williams-N.Ninov, French
Team Ch. 2009}) 13... Nf8 {arose in A.Onischuk-J.P.Wallace, Moscow Olympiad
1994, which continued} 14. b4 (14. h4 $5) 14... Nfg6 15. Be4 Qc7 16. bxc5 Qxc5
17. Qb3 O-O 18. Bb4 Qc7 {and here the immediate} 19. Nd4 $1 {could have
secured the advantage; e.g.} a6 (19... Re8 $6 20. Nb5) 20. Bxg6 hxg6 21. Nxe6
Bxe6 22. Rxe6 Rf7 23. Rd1 {and so on.}) 12. Bd3 (12. Re1 $5 {deserves serious
attention, not hurrying to challenge the enemy queen:} -- (12... f6 13. Bd3 {
and Black's choice is limited - he has to retreat to the queenside:} Qc6 14.
Qc2 f5 ({or} 14... g6 15. h4) 15. b4 $5 Ng6 16. b5 Qd6 17. Rad1 Qe7 {arose in
S.Savchenko-F.Lamprecht, Biel 1994, and here the energetic} 18. h4 $1 Nxh4 19.
Nxh4 Qxh4 20. Rxe6 {would have given Black serious problems; e.g.} Qg5 21. Rde1
Nf6 22. Re7 {and so on.}) (12... Ng6 13. g3 $5 (13. Bd3 Qg4 {would transpose
to the main line, which continues} 14. Re4 Nf4 15. g3 e5 $1 {- the whole idea
to delaying Bd3 is to prevent such counter-action}) 13... Qc6 (13... b6 $6 14.
Bd3) ({or} 13... e5 14. Ng5 Qf5 15. h4) 14. Bd3 ({or} 14. h4 $5 {and White
seizes the initiative.}))) 12... Qg4 $5 {Apparently the strongest move.
Black's keeps the queen on the kingside both to guard his own king and to
disturb the opposing monarch.} ({Moving queen to the queenside gives White a
certain initiative:} 12... Qc6 13. Re1 ({the tempting sacrifice} 13. Bxh7+ Kxh7
14. Ng5+ {can be parried by} Kg6 $1 15. Qg4 Nf6 $1 ({but not} 15... f5 $2 16.
Qh4 Nf6 17. Bxf6 Kxf6 18. Nf3+ $1 {etc}) 16. Bxf6 e5 $1 17. Qg3 ({or} 17. Ne6+
Kxf6 18. Qxg7+ Kxe6 19. Qxf8 Ng6 20. Qh6 Kd6 $5 21. f4 Kc7 {and Black is okay})
17... Nf5 $1 {and Black is okay}) 13... Ng6 14. Ng5 ({or} 14. h4 $5) 14... e5
15. Qc2 Re8 16. f4 $5 {and so on, A.Belozerov-Se.Ivanov, St. Petersburg 1994.})
({Provoking g2-g3 by} 12... Qf4 {doesn't make much sense either - Black just
deprives himself of the defensive resource ...Ng6-f4; e.g.} 13. g3 ({or} 13.
Re1 $5 Ng6 14. g3 Qh6 15. h4 {, C.Crouch-P.Wells, Dublin 1993}) 13... Qg4 14.
Re1 {and after} Nc6 $6 15. Re4 Qg6 16. h3 $1 e5 17. Rxe5 Qh6 18. Rg5 Nd4 19.
Rg4 f5 20. Rh4 Nxf3+ 21. Qxf3 {Black was in trouble in K.Chernyshov-V.Zakhartsov, Voronezh 2002.}) 13. Re1 {White develops his rook and plans to
disturb the enemy queen with Re4! Meanwhile it isn't so easy for Black to
continue his development.} Ng6 {This risky way of countering White's idea is
typical for such positions.} 14. Re4 ({The preliminary} 14. h3 $5 {deserves
serious attention and may be even more promising:} Qf4 ({while after} 14... Qh5
{White has a good choice between} 15. Qd2 (15. Bc2 $5) ({and} 15. a4 $5 {when
Black is under pressure in all cases})) 15. g3 Qc7 16. Ng5 $5 {.}) 14... Nf4 ({
Of course not} 14... Qh5 $2 15. g4 $1 Qh6 16. Bd2 Qh3 17. Bf1 {and the queen
is trapped.}) 15. g3 e5 $1 {The point of Black's defence.} (15... g5 $2 {fails
to} 16. Nxg5 $1 Qxd1+ 17. Rxd1 Nxd3 18. Rxd3 {with a strong initiative in the
ending.}) 16. h3 $5 {This attempt to win the knight is rather interesting.} ({
Instead,} 16. Nxe5 {doesn't promise much:} Nxe5 17. Rxe5 Qxd1+ 18. Rxd1 Nxd3
19. Rxd3 {and a draw was agreed in B.Abrashkin-M.Rodin, Russia 1994, as the
obvious} b6 {would have neutralized White's activity:} 20. Re7 ({or} 20. b3 Be6
) 20... Be6 21. b3 Rfe8 {etc.}) (16. Bxe5 Nxe5 17. Rxe5 {gives White a slight
edge, but Black should be able to hold on; e.g.} b6 $5 18. Be4 Rb8 19. Nh4
Qxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Ne2+ 21. Kg2 Be6 22. Bd5 Nd4 23. Bxe6 fxe6 $5 {and so on.})
16... Nxh3+ 17. Kf1 (17. Kh2 $6 Qe6 $1 18. Rh4 Nf6 $1 19. Qd2 e4 20. Bxf6 exd3
21. Bc3 Qf5 {is okay for Black.}) 17... Qe6 18. Rh4 (18. Nxe5 {allows the
knight to escape:} Ng5 19. Re3 ({or} 19. Nxd7 Nxe4 20. Nxf8 Qh3+ 21. Kg1 Bg4)
19... Nxe5 20. Rxe5 Qh6 21. Kg1 b6 $1 {and if} 22. f4 {then} Bb7 $1 {.}) 18...
h6 19. Qc2 {. White can't win the knight but he has managed to point many of
his pieces towards the opponent's king and his initiative looks threatening.
Play might continue:} f5 $5 (19... e4 $5 20. Rxe4 Qc6 {is also worth
considering}) ({but not} 19... Qf6 $2 20. Bh7+ $1 Kh8 21. Be4 Ng5 22. Nxg5 Qxg5
23. Bd2 Qf6 24. Kg2 {followed by Rah1 and Black can't defend his king.}) 20.
Rxh3 e4 21. Re1 Nf6 22. Qc1 Qd6 ({The inclusion of} 22... f4 $2 23. Rh4 Qd6 {
favours White:} 24. Bxe4 Nxe4 25. Rxe4 Qd3+ 26. Re2 fxg3 ({or} 26... Qxf3 $2
27. Re7 {etc}) 27. Rxh6 $1 Rf7 ({note that the f3-knight couldn't be taken due
to} 27... Qxf3 $2 28. Rh8+ $1) 28. Qg5 $1 Bf5 29. Ne1 $1 {and White escapes
with extra piece.}) 23. Bc2 exf3 24. Rxh6 $1 gxh6 25. Qxh6 Bd7 26. Qg6+ Kh8 {
and here White can try for more than perpetual check by playing} 27. Re5 $3
Rad8 $1 28. Kg1 ({Not yet} 28. Rd5 Qe7 29. Bxf5 $4 Bxf5 30. Rxf5 Rd1+) 28...
Rde8 $1 29. Rd5 Qe7 30. Bxf5 Bxf5 31. Rxf5 Qg7 32. Bxf6 Re1+ 33. Kh2 Rxf6 34.
Qxf6 Qxf6 35. Rxf6 Re2 36. Rxf3 Rxb2 {and the smoke has cleared. Black has
good counter-chances, but White can still play for a win after} 37. g4 Rxa2 38.
Kg3 {, intending to push the pawns forward.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "14: 8 Be2 c5"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 c5 {Before capturing on g2 Black offers his c-pawn to lure the white
bishop to the c5-square. White can either accept or decline:} 9. -- ({A:} 9.
Bc3) ({B:} 9. Bxc5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 c5"]
[Black "A: 9 Bc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "35"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 c5 9. Bc3 {This retreat seemingly justifies the opponent's idea but it
would be useful to take a look at this type of position anyway. Black obtains
the comfortable c6-square for the knight, while the threat to the g7-pawn is
usually harmless. Nevertheless, his army remains undeveloped, so White still
has reasonable compensation for the pawn.} Ne7 (9... Qxg2 $6 {might be
playable but it's still suspicious:} 10. Bf3 Qg5 ({or} 10... Qg6 11. Ne2 Nf6
12. Qd6) 11. Ne2 e5 12. Rg1 Qe7 13. Rxg7 {and White's chances seem preferable.}
) (9... Nc6 $5 {is worth considering and might transpose to 11 0-0 in the main
line after} 10. Nf3 ({, not} 10. Bxg7 $2 Qxg2 11. Bxh8 Qxh1 12. Kf1 e5) ({,
alternatively, White can consider} 10. Qd6 $5 Nge7 11. Nf3 O-O 12. Qxc5 Nf5 (
12... b6 13. Qe3 Qxe3 14. fxe3 {is better for White, G.Möhring-J.Fichtl, Halle
1974}) 13. Nd2 $5 Qxg2 14. O-O-O {with good compensation for the pawn}) 10...
Nge7 $5 (10... f6 {can be met by} 11. Nd2 $1) 11. O-O O-O {.}) (9... f6 $5 {
deserves attention.} 10. -- ({. Here} 10. Qd6 $5 {is interesting, and if} Na6 {
, as in A.Huss-E.Prie, Moscow Olympiad 1994, then} 11. O-O-O {seemed promising.
}) ({. Instead, White has more often played} 10. Nf3 {and then:} -- (10... Ne7
{is a natural continuation:} 11. O-O ({, here} 11. Qd6 {would be met by} Qc6 $5
) ({, or if} 11. Nd2 $5 {then} Qf4 $5 ({or even} 11... Qxg2 12. Bf3 Qh3 $1 13.
Ne4 O-O 14. Rg1 Ng6 {and although White has active play for the two pawns,
Black isn't worse}) 12. g3 Qc7 13. Bh5+ Ng6 {with acceptable play, E.Zaiatz-A.Kosteniuk, Russian Women's Ch., Moscow 2011}) 11... Nbc6 (11... Qf4 $5) ({and} 
11... O-O {are both considered below}) 12. Re1 ({otherwise} 12. Nd2 Qf4 {is
note 'c2'}) 12... Qf4 13. Bd3 {and here Black can try} Bd7 $5 (13... O-O 14.
Nd2 {is note 'c2' again}) 14. a3 Qc7 $5 ({after} 14... O-O-O $5 15. b4 Nd4 16.
Bxd4 cxd4 17. b5 Kb8 18. c5 {the strong queenside pawns give White good
compensation though Black can fight, M.Tempone-S.Slipak, Buenos Aires 1995})
15. b4 e5 {and Black is okay.}) (10... Qf4 $5 {was introduced by Vladimir
Kramnik. This unexpected queen move avoids any series of moves starting with
Nd2, while also preventing Qd6. Of course Black delays his development for one
more move, but White can't exploit it quickly:} 11. O-O ({there are other
options, such as} 11. b4 $5) ({or even} 11. Qd2 Qxd2+ 12. Nxd2 {with good
compensation in the ending}) 11... Nc6 ({or} 11... Ne7 $5 12. b4 $5) 12. Nd2 $5
{(nevertheless! - Black hasn't prepared castling yet, so this thematic knight
manoeuvre still has its point)} Nge7 {and now:} 13. -- (13. Bd3 O-O (13... b6
$5) 14. Re1 {isn't so dangerous:} Rd8 ({or} 14... e5 $5 15. Ne4 Rd8) 15. Ne4 f5
(15... b6 $5) 16. g3 (16. Nxc5 $2 {fails to} Qd6 17. b4 b6 {and White loses a
piece}) 16... Qxe4 $1 ({stronger than} 16... Qc7 17. Ng5 e5 18. Qh5 h6 19. Qf7+
Kh8 20. Nf3 Nd5 $1 {, as in the game I.Sokolov-P.San Segundo Carrillo, Madrid
1994, though this is also defendable}) 17. Rxe4 fxe4 18. Bxg7 ({or} 18. Qg4 $6
e5 19. Qxe4 Bf5) 18... Rxd3 $1 19. Qg4 e5 20. Qg5 Ng6 {with better chances for
Black.}) (13. Bh5+ $5 {is interesting - in such positions White often uses
this check to force some concessions:} Ng6 (13... g6 {weakens the long
diagonal:} 14. g3 Qc7 15. Ne4 {with the initiative}) 14. g3 Qc7 15. Ne4 O-O 16.
Nxc5 {was G.Kamsky-V.Kramnik, New York (5th matchgame) 1994, and here} b6 $5 (
16... Nce5 17. Ne4 Qxc4 {was more risky}) 17. Ne4 Rd8 18. Qe2 e5 {might have
been a more reliable line, according to Kramnik.})))) 10. Nf3 ({Black is okay
after} 10. Bxg7 -- (10... Qxg2 $5 11. Bf6 (11. Bxh8 $6 Qxh1 {is good for Black}
) 11... Qxh1 12. Qd6 Nbc6 13. O-O-O Qe4 $1 {. The position looks dangerous but
there's no concrete way to exploit the power of White's position; e.g.} 14.
Bxh8 ({not} 14. Bxe7 $2 e5 $1) ({or} 14. Bd3 Qg2 15. Bxh8 Qxf2) 14... e5 15.
Qxc5 Bf5 {and Black is doing well.}) (10... Rg8 {might also be playable:} 11.
Bf6 Nd7 ({not} 11... Qxg2 $2 12. Qd6 Nbc6 13. O-O-O Qxh1 14. Nf3 Qg2 $2 ({or} 
14... Qxd1+ 15. Bxd1 {and Black is in trouble, R.Babinetz-K.Enigl, Wattens 1994
}) 15. Qc7 $1) 12. Bxe7 Kxe7 13. Nf3 Rxg2 14. Qd2 e5 (14... a5 15. O-O-O Ra6
16. Rhe1 {is also far from clear, but White's position looks promising}) 15.
Rd1 ({or} 15. O-O-O Qf4) 15... Rg6 {and although Black is defending, his task
isn't easy as he can't develop his queenside.})) 10... O-O (10... f6 $5 {is
also playable - see 9...f6!? 10 Nf3 Ne7 above.}) 11. Qd2 $5 {Black's quick
development of the kingside prompts White to send his king to the opposite
flank.} ({Otherwise} 11. O-O {is natural, and then:} -- (11... Nbc6 12. Bd3 Qf4
(12... Qg4 {isn't so bad:} 13. Re1 Rd8 14. Qc2 Qh5 15. Rad1 b6) 13. Re1 {and
now} Ng6 {, is somewhat inaccurate as the position of the knight might enable
White to develop initiative by} ({instead,} 13... f6 $5 14. Nd2 {would return
to Sokolov-San Segundo above (see note 'c21' to Black's 9th move)}) ({while} 
13... Rd8 $5 {also deserves attention}) 14. g3 Qc7 15. h4 ({or} 15. Ng5 {.})) (
11... f6 $5 {is still possible, restricting the bishop on c3. Then} 12. Bd3 Qf4
13. Re1 ({while} 13. Qc2 Ng6 14. h4 $6 ({but if} 14. Bxg6 $6 hxg6 15. Qxg6 e5)
({or} 14. Rfe1 Nc6 {with decent play}) 14... Qg4 $1 {was good for Black in A.Onischuk-J.Piket, Wijk aan Zee 1995}) 13... Nbc6 14. Nd2 {is Sokolov-San
Segundo again.})) 11... f6 $5 (11... Ng6 {is a decent alternative:} 12. O-O-O
$5 ({consistent;} 12. Ng5 $5 {is also interesting:} Qf4 13. Qxf4 Nxf4 14. Bf3
e5 $5 15. O-O-O {with active play for the pawn}) ({whereas after} 12. O-O Qf4 {
Black is okay, B.Vladimirov-E.Stoliar, Leningrad 1955}) 12... Nc6 (12... f6 $5)
13. Bd3 Qf4 14. h4 $1 {and White has good compensation for the pawn, V.Cmilyte-S.Vega Gutierrez, European Team Ch., Heraklio 2007. Here Black might
have thought about} Qxd2+ ({or} 14... f6 15. h5 Qxd2+ 16. Nxd2 Nge5 ({or} 16...
Nf4 {with acceptable play in the ending})) 15. Bxd2 e5 $5) 12. O-O-O e5 $5 13.
Bd3 Qg4 $5 14. h3 Qe6 {This position is okay for Black as his knights have
good prospects. Play might see:} 15. Qe3 $5 {Otherwise Black develops his
knight comfortably on c6.} Na6 16. a3 (16. g4 Nb4 {.}) 16... Nc6 $5 ({After} 
16... Qf7 17. g4 Nc6 18. g5 {White gets good compensation.}) ({Instead,} 16...
Bd7 $5 {might be more reliable. White can restore the material balance, but
Black gets acceptable play:} 17. Bxe5 ({or} 17. Bxh7+ Kxh7 18. Qd3+ Ng6 19.
Qxd7 Qxc4) 17... Nf5 ({or} 17... fxe5 18. Ng5 Nf5 19. Bxf5 Qxf5 20. g4 Qg6 21.
Rxd7 Nb8 $1 22. Rxb7 Nc6 {, followed by ...Nd4, with good play for the pawn})
18. Bxf5 Qxf5 19. Bg3 Rfe8 20. Qd3 Qxd3 21. Rxd3 Be6 22. b3 Nb8 {, followed by
...Nc6 with an equal ending.}) 17. g4 ({Both} 17. Be4 Kh8) ({and} 17. Qe4 g6
18. h4 Qf7 19. h5 g5 {are good for Black.}) 17... Nd4 18. g5 {. White keeps
reasonable compensation for the pawn, but Black has sufficient resources. The
position is unclear.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 c5"]
[Black "B: 9 Bxc5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 c5 9. Bxc5 Qxg2 (9... Nd7 $6 {is dubious. White can choose between} 10.
Bd6 $5 ({and} 10. Ba3 $5 Qxg2 11. Bf3 Qg5 12. Qa4 $1 Ne7 13. Rd1 O-O 14. h4 $1
Qe5+ 15. Kf1 $1) 10... Qxg2 11. Bf3 Qg5 {, which will be considered in line
B11 below.}) 10. -- {After the text, 10 Bf3 is the most obvious reply, but
it's not the only move. White has other options, which will be considered in
B2.} ({B1:} 10. Bf3) ({B2:} 10. Qd6 $5 {(and other queen moves)}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 c5"]
[Black "B1: 10 Bf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 c5 9. Bxc5 Qxg2 10. Bf3 Qg5 {Having drawn the white bishop to the
vulnerable c5-square, Black can now retreat his queen with tempo. We'll
examine:} 11. -- ({B11:} 11. Bd6) ({B12:} 11. Qd6 $5) ({The modest bishop
retreat} 11. Ba3 $5 {is worth considering, but Black's position is playable
after} Qa5+ $5 12. Kf1 $1 Ne7 13. Ne2 Nbc6 14. Rg1 Bd7 15. Qb3 (15. Rxg7 Qe5 $1
{is unclear,} ({whereas} 15... Nf5 $6 {runs into} 16. Rxf7 $1)) 15... Nf5 16.
Rd1 O-O-O {and so on, M.Bosboom-A.Goloshchapov, Hoogeveen 1999.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 c5"]
[Black "B11: 11 Bd6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 c5 9. Bxc5 Qxg2 10. Bf3 Qg5 11. Bd6 {This is White's usual reply and
for many years it was reckoned to be good for him. However, as we shall see,
that assessment isn't so simple.} Ne7 ({Other moves:} 11... Nd7 {, which can
also arise via 9...Nd7 10 Bd6 Qxg2 11 Bf3 Qg5, looks suspicious as it doesn't
enhance Black's development. White gets better chances by} 12. Ne2 ({on} 12. h4
{Black might reply} Qa5+ $5 13. b4 Qf5 {, after which it isn't easy for White
to find a safe shelter for his king; e.g.} 14. Qb3 Qf6 $5 15. O-O-O ({or} 15.
Rd1 $5 Ne7 16. Be4 O-O {with complicated play}) 15... Ne7) 12... Ne5 ({or} 
12... Ne7 13. Rg1 Qf6 14. Qb3) 13. Be4 Nf6 14. Rg1 Qh5 ({or} 14... Qh4 15. Bxe5
Nxe4 16. Qd4) 15. Qd4 Ng6 16. Bh1 {and Black is under pressure.}) (11... Nc6 {
gives White an extra option in} 12. Bxc6+ $5 ({otherwise} 12. Ne2 Nge7 {
returns to the main line}) 12... bxc6 13. Nf3 ({the direct} 13. Qf3 $5 {is
also interesting; e.g.} Bd7 14. Ne2 Ne7 15. Rg1 Qf6 16. Qa3 {, as in R.Wade-J.Fichtl, Marianske Lazne 1956, and Y.Drozdovsky-D.Tishin, Alushta 2003}) 13...
Qf5 ({White also keeps the initiative after} 13... Qd8 14. Qd4 f6 15. O-O-O Ne7
16. Qc5) ({or} 13... Qa5+ 14. b4 Qf5 15. Qe2 Nf6 16. Rg1 {, A.Vaisser-F.Cheremisin, Odessa 1977}) 14. Qe2 Nf6 15. Rg1 {with more than enough
compensation for the pawn, W.Golz-T.Van Scheltinga, Budapest 1960.}) 12. Ne2
Nbc6 ({Other moves seem to be weaker:} 12... O-O $6 13. Rg1 Qf6 14. Ng3 {.}) (
12... Qf6 $6 13. Nc3 Nf5 14. Nb5 Na6 15. Qb3 $1 Nxd6 16. Nxd6+ Kf8 17. Qa3 $1 {
and Black faces serious problems, P.San Segundo Carrillo-O.Korneev, Linares
1995.}) (12... Nf5 13. Ba3 Nc6 14. Bxc6+ $5 bxc6 15. Rg1 Qd8 16. Qa4 Bd7 17.
Bc5 Qc7 18. Qa3 {with good compensation, M.Aigmuller-J.Blaskowski, corr. 1991.}
) 13. Rg1 (13. Be4 e5 14. Rg1 Qf6 (14... Qh6 $5) 15. Nc3 Bf5 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17.
Bxb7 Rb8 18. Qa4+ Bd7 19. Qxa7 O-O {is far from clear, A.Lugovoi-V.Karasev, St.
Petersburg 1999.}) 13... Qf6 (13... Qa5+ $5 {deserves attention too:} 14. Kf1
$5 ({on} 14. Nc3 {both} Nf5 ({and} 14... Bd7 {give Black acceptable play,
according to tournament practice})) 14... Nf5 15. Ng3 $5 ({or} 15. Be4 e5)
15... Ncd4 {and Black doesn't stand badly; e.g.} 16. Be4 ({after} 16. Nxf5 Nxf5
17. Qd3 Qd8 18. c5 Nxd6 19. cxd6 O-O 20. Rc1 {White has good compensation, but
his king is a bit exposed}) 16... Qa6 17. Nxf5 Nxf5 18. Bxf5 exf5 19. Rxg7 Be6
20. Be5 Qxc4+ 21. Kg1 Qd5 {and Black should hold on.}) 14. Nc3 ({White has
also tried:} 14. Bxc6+ $5 Nxc6 15. Qb3 {with good compensation for the pawn,
although Black can be satisfied with his position after} b6 {, as in Zhu
Chen-A.Nasri, Dubai 2007.}) (14. Qb3 {is worth considering:} Nf5 15. Bxc6+ ({or
} 15. O-O-O Nxd6 16. Rxd6 Ne5 17. Be4 Qxf2 $5 18. Qb5+ Nd7 19. Rd2 Qc5 20. Rxg7
Qxb5 21. cxb5 Nf6 22. Bf3 Rb8) 15... bxc6 16. Ba3 Qe5 17. Rd1 f6 {, and here
White should play} (17... Rb8 $5) 18. Kf1 $5 {, when his activity fully
compensates for the missing pawn, although the vulnerability of his king makes
his task more difficult;} ({rather than} 18. Qf3 Bd7 19. Qh5+ g6 20. Rxg6 O-O-O
{and Black is fine, G.Von Baudissin-H.Jühe, Gütersloh 1952.})) 14... Nd4 $1 (
14... Nf5 $6 {is a serious mistake:} 15. Bxc6+ $1 bxc6 16. Ne4 {and Black
faces problems, K.Spraggett-V.Majorovas, Cannes 1992.}) 15. Be4 {This position
was thought to be favourable for White, but that is far from true.} ({Another
possibility is} 15. Bh1 {, leaving the e4-square vacant for the knight. Black
has usually replied} Ndf5 ({not} 15... Nef5 $6 16. Ne4 Qd8 17. Rxg7 $1 {, H.G.Lachmann-H.Jühe, Minden 1951}) ({but} 15... e5 $5 {might be playable}) 16. Ba3
Qe5+ $5 17. Qe2 $5 ({if} 17. Be4 {then} Bd7 ({or} 17... Qxh2 $5 {K.Spraggett-K.Gentes, Canada 1992})) 17... Qxe2+ 18. Kxe2 {with reasonable compensation for
the pawn, but Black's position is acceptable.}) 15... e5 $1 {This seemingly
risky pawn push is the most convincing way for Black to solve his problems.
It's important for him to get his bishop into play.} ({Other moves are worse:} 
15... Ndf5 $2 16. Bxf5 exf5 17. Nb5 O-O 18. Qe2 {and White wins material, A.Tolush-St.Szabo, Bucharest 1953.}) (15... Nec6 16. Rg3 (16. Qd3 $5) 16... e5 $2
(16... Bd7 {was necessary}) 17. Bxc6+ $1 Nxc6 18. Nb5 {and Black found himself
in trouble, A.Zubov-Y.Zinchenko, Alushta 2004.}) (15... Nef5 {is met by} 16.
Bxf5 $1 exf5 17. Nd5 Qxd6 ({inserting} 17... Qe6+ $6 18. Kf1 Qxd6 19. Qxd4 Be6
20. Rxg7 O-O-O {allows} 21. Qxa7 $1) 18. Qxd4 Be6 19. O-O-O $5 {with a small
but stable advantage.}) 16. Bc5 $5 ({The direct} 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Rxg7 {
regains the pawn but gives Black time to consolidate his position:} Be6 18.
Qa4+ Kf8 19. Rg3 f5 $5 (19... Rc8 $5) 20. Bd5 f4 21. Rg2 Bh3 $5 (21... Bxd5 $5
{isn't bad either:} 22. Nxd5 ({or} 22. cxd5 Rg8 23. Rxg8+ Kxg8 24. O-O-O Qg5)
22... Qd6 {etc}) 22. Rg1 Bf5 23. O-O-O {(otherwise White's king is too
insecure)} Bc2 24. Qa5 Bxd1 25. Rxd1 b6 26. Qa6 Rd8 {. Black's rook is going
to g6 and his chances are at least not worse.}) (16. c5 Bf5 17. Bxb7 Rd8 {is
fine for Black.}) 16... Bf5 (16... Be6 $5 {is worth considering:} 17. Qa4+ Bd7
18. Qa3 Bc6 {.}) 17. Bxe7 $5 Qxe7 18. Bxf5 Nxf5 19. Qd3 Qd7 20. Nd5 f6 {. This
position arose in A.Borwell-W.Löffler, corr. 2008. Black is defending well,
even if White still has sufficient compensation for the pawn. The game
continued} 21. Qh3 Rc8 22. b3 Qe6 23. O-O-O Nd4 ({Not} 23... b5 $2 24. Nf4 $1
Rxc4+ 25. bxc4 Qxc4+ 26. Kb1 {.}) 24. Qg2 ({Or} 24. Qh5+ Kf8 $1 {.}) 24... g6
25. Rge1 Nf5 26. f4 O-O 27. fxe5 fxe5 28. Nc3 Rf7 29. Qd5 Re8 30. Qxe6 Rxe6 31.
Rd5 Kg7 32. Rexe5 {and, with White having restored the material balance, a
draw was agreed.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 c5"]
[Black "B12: 11 Qd6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "33"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 c5 9. Bxc5 Qxg2 10. Bf3 Qg5 11. Qd6 $5 {Although very rare, this option
is of definite interest.} Nd7 (11... Qe7 {is met by} 12. Qg3 $1 Qf6 13. O-O-O
Nd7 14. Ba3 Ne7 15. Ne2 {and Black's defence isn't easy.}) 12. Ba3 $1 ({Other
retreats are harmless:} 12. Bd4 e5) ({or} 12. Be3 Qa5+ $5 13. Kf1 (13. b4 Qe5)
13... Ne7 {, M.Dyballa-E.Maljutin, Wisla 1992}) ({while after} 12. Bb4 {,
apart from} Ne7 {,} ({Black might also consider} 12... a5 {followed by ...Ra6.}
)) 12... Ne7 ({The tempting} 12... Qe5+ {doesn't completely solve Black's
problems. In the ending after} 13. Ne2 Qxd6 14. Bxd6 {White's pressure more
than compensates for the pawn:} f6 ({otherwise White plays Nd4; e.g.} 14... Ne7
15. Nd4 a6 16. O-O-O) ({or} 14... Nh6 15. Nd4 a6 16. c5 e5 17. c6 $1 bxc6 18.
Bxc6 Ra7 19. Bxe5 O-O 20. Bd6 Re8+ 21. Kd2 {with a clear advantage}) 15. Nd4 ({
White may consider other options too, such as} 15. O-O-O Ne7 16. Be4 $5) ({or} 
15. Nf4 Kf7 16. Rg1) ({or} 15. Rg1 Nh6 16. O-O-O Nf5 17. Bc7) 15... Ne5 $5 ({
after} 15... Kf7 16. O-O-O {Black found himself under serious pressure in the
game Geo.Meier-A.Thorsteinsson, Reykjavik 200}) 16. Bxe5 fxe5 17. Nc6 $1 e4 18.
Bxe4 Nf6 19. Bg2 {and thanks to a superior pawn structure and active bishop
White maintains a small but stable advantage.}) 13. Be4 $1 {The most precise
move.} ({The natural} 13. Ne2 $2 {fails to} Ne5 $1 {and the double attack
enables Black to eliminate the annoying dark-squared bishop, Raksin-V.Karasev,
USSR 1972.}) 13... Qh4 $5 (13... Nf5 $2 {is simply bad:} 14. Bxf5 exf5 15. Nf3
Qf6 16. Qd3 {and Black's king gets stuck in centre}) ({while after} 13... Ng6
14. Nf3 ({or} 14. Ne2 $5 Qe5 15. Rg1) 14... Qf4 15. Qxf4 Nxf4 16. O-O-O Nf6 $5
17. Rhe1 $5 (17. Bc2 Bd7) 17... Nxe4 18. Rxe4 Ng6 19. Nd4 {White keeps the
initiative, although Black's position may still be defendable.}) 14. Bc2 $5 (
14. Bd3 {may give Black more chances to extinguish White's initiative:} Ng6 15.
Nf3 (15. Rd1 Qf4 16. Bxg6 Qxd6 17. Bxf7+ Kxf7 18. Bxd6 b6 {is okay for Black})
15... Qf4 16. Rg1 Qxd6 (16... Nde5 $5) 17. Bxd6 Nf6 {, though he's still under
pressure after} 18. O-O-O Bd7 19. Ne5 {.}) 14... Ng6 ({After} 14... Nc6 $5 15.
Nf3 Qg4 $5 16. Qd3 Qf4 17. Bd6 e5 18. Rd1 f6 19. Rg1 {White fully mobilizes
his army - Black's position is quite dangerous.}) 15. Nf3 Qf4 16. Qxf4 Nxf4 17.
O-O-O {. White maintains the initiative. Nevertheless, Black's defensive
resources and extra pawn shouldn't be underestimated.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 c5"]
[Black "B2: 10 Qd6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 c5 9. Bxc5 Qxg2 10. Qd6 $5 {This aggressive move might be the most
dangerous for Black. White's idea is clear - to launch a direct attack against
the black king by doubling his major pieces on the d-file.} ({White might also
attempt the same thing with different queen moves, so let's take a look at
other similar possibilities:} 10. Qd2 $2 {doesn't work because of} Qxh1 11.
O-O-O Nd7 12. Nf3 Qg2 $1 ({not} 12... Qxd1+ $2 {White's queen is better than
the undeveloped rooks:} 13. Qxd1 Nxc5 14. Qd4 Ne7 15. Qxc5 Bd7 16. Ne5 Nc6 17.
Bf3 {when, typically for such positions, White's queen is better than the
undeveloped rooks, A.Yusupov-Y.Dokhoian, German League 1994}) 13. -- {, and
then:} (13. Ne5 $2 Ngf6 {enables Black to parry all the threats despite the
apparent dangers:} 14. Bf3 ({no better is} 14. Qd6 Qg5+ 15. f4 Qxf4+ 16. Kc2
Ng8 $1) ({or} 14. Bh5 Nxh5 15. Nxd7 f6 $1 16. Qd6 Kf7) 14... Qxh2 15. Qd6 Qf4+
$1 16. Kb1 Ng8 $1 {and White's resources are insufficient.}) (13. Ba3 {is
stronger, but Black still has a good choice:} -- (13... Ne7 {is natural and
okay:} 14. Ne5 $1 O-O ({or} 14... Qxh2 $5 15. Nxd7 Qc7) 15. Bxe7 Nxe5 16. Bxf8
Bd7 {and White is struggling to prove compensation for the pawn, G.Flear-R.Vera, Elgoibar 1994.}) (13... a5 $1 {may be the best option. This pawn advance
looks insane, but it seems that Black can defend:} 14. Ne5 (14. Nd4 {allows
Black to demonstrate his defensive idea:} Ra6 $1 15. Nb5 Rc6 ({or even} 15...
f6 $5) 16. Na7 Qd5 $1) 14... Ngf6 15. Bh5 $5 ({not} 15. Qd6 $2 Qg5+ 16. Kb1 Ne4
$1) {, the brave} 15... Nxh5 $1 ({now} 15... Ra6 $2 {allows White to escape
with} 16. Bxf7+ Kd8 17. Bh5 $1 {, N.Sulava-M.Palac, Croatian Ch., Slavonski
Brod 1995}) {, secures Black's advantage:} 16. Nxd7 f6 $1 17. Nb6 ({or} 17. Qd6
$2 Kf7) 17... Kf7 $1 (17... Qg5 18. Qxg5 fxg5 19. Nxa8 {is unclear}) 18. Nxa8
Qxh2 $1 {(Black can resume his lunch!)} 19. Bc5 Qf4 20. Be3 Qxc4+ 21. Kb1 e5 {
and White doesn't have enough compensation for the pawns.}))) (10. Qd4 {is
also less promising.} -- ({. For some reason Black has never tried} 10... Nc6
$5 {, which might be playable:} 11. Qd6 Nge7 12. O-O-O ({or} 12. Bf3 Qg5 13.
Ne2 Qe5) 12... e5 $5 13. Nf3 Qg4 $5 {intending ...Qe4 and ...Bf5.}) ({.
Instead, the constant response is} 10... Nd7 {and then:} 11. -- (11. O-O-O $5
Qg5+ (11... e5 $5 12. Qd6 Qc6 {might be playable}) 12. f4 Qf6 13. Nf3 (13. Ba3
$5 {deserves attention:} Qxd4 14. Rxd4 Ne7 15. Nf3 {with some pressure for the
pawn}) 13... Nxc5 14. Qxc5 Qxf4+ 15. Nd2 Nf6 16. Rhg1 Bd7 $5 17. Rxg7 {and
here Alexander Moroz played} Bc6 {, successfully in a couple of games, but his
opponents never disturbed him with} ({instead} 17... Rf8 $5 {is more reliable,
with acceptable play}) 18. Rxf7 $1 Kxf7 19. Rf1 Qxf1+ 20. Nxf1 {, when White's
queen is very powerful against Black's vulnerable king.}) (11. Bf3 Qg5 {is
also okay for Black, according to tournament practice; e.g.} 12. Bb4 Ne7 13.
Rd1 Nf5 14. Qe4 ({another queen retreat is} 14. Qd3 {, but Black is okay after}
Ne5 15. Qe2 f6 16. Be4 a5 $5 17. Bc5 ({or} 17. Bc3 O-O) 17... Kf7 {and so on})
14... Nh4 (14... Qf6 $5) 15. Be2 ({or} 15. Bd6 Nf6 16. Qd3 Qf5 $5) 15... Qf4 $5
16. Qd4 Qxd4 17. Rxd4 Nf5 18. Rd1 a5 19. Bc3 Nc5 20. Bf3 f6 21. Ne2 e5 {and
White failed to prove compensation in P.Cody-A.Barnsley, corr. 1997.}) ({, or} 
11. Bd6 Nh6 $5 {.}))) 10... Nd7 11. O-O-O (11. Bf3 $5 {is a good alternative
and transposes to line B12 after} Qg5 {.}) 11... Qc6 ({Black falls further
behind in development after} 11... Qg5+ $6 12. Be3 Qe7 ({or} 12... Qa5 $6 13.
Nf3 Ne7 14. Nd4 a6 15. Rhg1 Qe5 16. Qa3 {with ideas of Rg5 or Nb5, A.Haik-G.Flear, Paris 1986}) 13. Qg3 {. However, the exchange of queens doesn't
extinguish White's initiative.}) 12. Qxc6 $5 {Taking the opportunity to
shatter Black's queenside pawn structure.} (12. Ba3 {is also worth considering:
} Qxd6 13. Rxd6 (13. Bxd6 Ne7 14. Bd3 Nc6 15. Nf3 b6 16. Nd4 $1 Bb7 17. Nb5
O-O-O 18. Bg3 Nde5 19. Be4 f6 {is unclear}) 13... Ngf6 14. Nf3 ({or} 14. Rd1
Ne4 15. Nh3 {, B.Gulko-C.Weldon, New York Open 1987}) 14... b6 (14... O-O $5)
15. Rc6 $1 Ba6 16. Rg1 g6 17. Rd1 Rc8 18. Nd4 {and White maintains the
pressure, I.Smirin-D.Ruzele, Berlin 1997.}) 12... bxc6 13. Bd6 ({Instead:} 13.
Ba3 Bb7 14. Nf3 c5 15. Rhg1 g6 {seems defendable for Black. In E.Ragozin-P.San
Segundo Carrillo, Ubeda 1996, White came up with} 16. Rxd7 Kxd7 17. Ne5+ Ke8
18. Bd1 Rc8 19. Ba4+ Kf8 20. Rd1 ({or} 20. Bxc5+ Kg7 21. b4 Nh6) 20... Nf6 21.
b3 {and here Black could have defended by} Rc7 $1 {.}) (13. Bf3 Bb7 14. Bd6 {
is harmless:} Ne7 ({or} 14... Nh6 $5 15. Ne2 Nf5 {, L.Miron-K.Karakehajov,
Galatzi 2007}) 15. Be4 Nf6 16. Bg2 Nf5 {intending ...Nh4, M.Bluvshtein-G.Grigorov, World Junior Ch., Belfort 2005.}) 13... Ne7 (13... Bb7 $5 {, trying
to disturb White's plans, can be met by} 14. Nf3 $5 ({or} 14. Nh3 $5 Ne7 15.
Bd3 c5 16. Rhg1 $5 g6 17. Rge1) ({whereas} 14. c5 Ne7 15. Nf3 Nf5 16. Rhg1 Nxd6
17. Rxd6 Nxc5 18. Rxg7 Ke7 {is fine for Black, V.Shishkin-M.Kantorik, Krakow
2001}) 14... Ne7 15. Ne5 Nxe5 16. Bxe5 f6 17. Bd6 Kf7 18. Bc5 {and Black's
queenside is under pressure.}) 14. Bd3 $1 {Preventing ...Nf5.} ({Instead,} 14.
Bf3 $6 Bb7 {was examined via 13 Bf3.}) 14... Bb7 15. Ne2 {Thanks to his active
pieces (the bishop on d6 is especially strong!) White keeps good compensation
in the endgame.} -- ({R.Pogorelov-A.Kharlov, Saragossa 1994, continued} 15...
Ng6 $6 16. f4 O-O-O $6 17. c5 Rhe8 18. Rhg1 {and Black was almost paralysed.})
({The thematic} 15... c5 {is more reliable:} 16. Rhg1 Nc8 17. Bc7 g6 18. Nc3 {
, and although Black is under pressure, those who like to defend may find this
ending playable.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "15: 8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 {The main continuation. Black immediately challenges the
dark-squared bishop, which is a key piece in opponent's plans. Now all
reasonable bishop moves promise White decent compensation for the pawn, but he
certainly wants to pose problems for Black as well. To this end White's
preferences have changed during many years of practice. We'll begin with one
of the older variations:} 9. Bd6 $5 {White places his bishop on a strong
square, intending to resume his development and then demonstrate the power of
his position. This is one of the main lines developed in the 1950s, which was
then forgotten for years due for a simple reason - it was supposed to be
drawish. However, some new ideas have recently been discovered. Black has a
wide choice. We'll consider:} -- ({A:} 9... e5) ({B:} 9... b6) ({C:} 9... Qxg2
$5) ({Other moves are unpopular because they're dubious:} 9... Bd7 $6 {is
usually played only if there are no other options. The bishop is still passive
here, while long castling doesn't make Black's king much safer. The natural}
10. Nf3 c5 11. Ne5 {, looks good enough, even if Black has a tricky defensive
resource in} ({or} 11. O-O $5) 11... f6 $1 12. O-O $5 ({both} 12. Nxd7 O-O-O $1
13. Nxc5 Nxc5 14. b4 Nd3+ $1 15. Qxd3 Qxd3 16. Bxd3 Rxd6 17. O-O-O Ne7 {, L.Rosko-J.Sosna, Czech League 2011}) ({and} 12. f3 Qe3 13. Nxd7 O-O-O $1 {V.Rojicek-J.Sosna, Czech League 2010, are acceptable for Black}) 12... fxe5 13.
Bh5+ Kd8 ({or} 13... g6 14. Bf3 Qf5 15. Bxb7 Rd8 16. f4 $1 e4 17. g4 Qf7 18.
Be5 Nf6 19. g5 O-O 20. Bxf6) 14. Qb3 ({or} 14. Bf3 $5 Qd4 15. Bxb7) 14... Nb4
15. Rad1 Qf5 16. Bxc5 $1 Qxh5 17. Qxb4 b6 ({or} 17... Rc8 18. Qxb7 Nf6 19. Qxa7
) 18. Bxb6+ $1 axb6 19. Qxb6+ Ke8 20. Rxd7 $1 Kxd7 21. Qb7+ Ke8 22. Qxa8+ Ke7
$1 23. Qb7+ Kf6 24. Qc8 {and White's advantage is beyond doubt.}) (9... f6 $6
10. Nf3 e5 {is too slow:} 11. O-O Bf5 ({or} 11... Be6 12. Bd3 Qg4 13. Re1 O-O-O
14. Re4 Qh5 15. c5 {with good attacking prospects, M.Dyballa-M.Matlak,
Naleczow 1989}) 12. Nxe5 $1 Qc2 ({if} 12... fxe5 {then} 13. Bh5+ {and 14.Re1}) 13. Qe1 $1 O-O-O ({or} 13... fxe5 14. Bh5+ Kd7 15. Qxe5) 14. Nf7
{and White's initiative brings him a material advantage.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "A: 9...e5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "43"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 $5 e5 {This move isn't very popular either. Black's desire
to solve the problem of his light-squared bishop is logical, but his lack of
development makes such play in centre rather risky. In this line Black is
generally unable to keep his extra pawn, so his only hope is to make a draw
with careful play.} 10. Nf3 (10. Qb3 {isn't dangerous, as the queen isn't very
effective on b3:} Qxg2 $1 ({or} 10... Nh6 $5 11. Nf3 f6 12. O-O Nf7) 11. Bf3
Qg5 12. Ne2 e4 $5 13. Bxe4 Nf6 {followed by ...Nc5 with good play.}) 10... Bg4
11. O-O (11. Nxe5 {is also harmless for Black:} Bxe2 12. Qxe2 Qxe2+ 13. Kxe2
Nh6 14. Rhd1 O-O-O 15. Kf1 Rhe8 16. Nf3 Nf5 {and the endgame is level.}) 11...
O-O-O 12. b4 $5 {An ambitious and logical approach. White begins direct
actions against opponent's king.} ({Instead, the endgame arising after} 12. Bd3
Qf4 13. Bxe5 Qxe5 14. Nxe5 Bxd1 {is defendable for Black:} 15. Bf5+ (15. Raxd1
Nh6 16. Bc2 f6 17. Nf3 g6 {is equal, according to practice}) 15... Kc7 16. Nxf7
Nh6 $1 ({Black experiences problems after both} 16... Ne7 $6 17. Bxh7 $1 {, M.Tal-J.Dorfman, USSR Ch., Tbilisi 1978}) ({and} 16... Bh5 $6 17. Nxd8 $1 Kxd8
18. g4 Nh6 19. Rad1+ Kc7 20. Rd7+ Kb6 21. Rxg7 Nxf5 22. gxf5 Rf8 23. Re1 {, L.Aronian-F.Vallejo Pons, Morelia/Linares 2006}) 17. Nxd8 ({, other options are
also harmless:} 17. Nxh8 Nxf5 18. Nf7 Rd7 19. Ne5 Be2 $1 20. Nxd7 Bxf1 21. Ne5
Be2 22. Re1 Nd4 $1) ({, or} 17. Nxh6 Bh5 ({or} 17... Be2 $5 18. Rfe1 Rd2) 18.
Bg4 Bxg4 19. Nxg4 Rd2 {, E.Bacrot-P.Tregubov, Ajaccio rapid 2005}) 17... Rxd8
18. Bxh7 Be2 {followed by ...Rd2 with sufficient compensation for the pawn, J.Tait-K.Kögler, corr. 2006.}) 12... Nf6 (12... Nxb4 $2 {fails to} 13. Re1 $1 Nf6
14. Nd2 $1 Bxe2 15. Rxe2 Qxe2 {(forced, since the knight on b4 was hanging)}
16. Qxe2 Rxd6 {and Black's chances of holding this position are problematic.})
13. c5 $5 {The most promising continuation.} (13. Re1 {has been played more
often, but Black holds on:} Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Qxc4 $1 ({after} 14... Qd4 $5 15.
Qxd4 exd4 16. Be7 Rde8 17. Rad1 Nc7 18. Kf1 Ne6 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Bg4 {White
keeps better chances in the endgame}) 15. Rxe5 {looks rather promising for
White, but he has one problem which makes his play less comfortable - the pin
on the d-file. Here Black has a choice:} -- (15... Nxb4 $6 {allows White to
obtain the advantage:} 16. Re7 Nbd5 17. Rc1 Qh4 18. g3 Qh3 19. Bxd5 Rxd6 20.
Qb3 Nd7 21. Bg2 Qh6 (21... Qh5 22. h4 $5 Rd8 23. Rxf7 {is insufficient, A.Riazantsev-A.Galkin, Russian Team Ch. 2006}) ({but} 21... Qf5 $5 {might be
playable}) 22. Rb1 b6 23. Qxf7 $5 ({if} 23. Qa3 {, as in S.Mamedyarov-P.Tregubov, Reykjavik 2006, then} Qf6 $5 {is more tenacious}) 23... Qg6 (23...
Rf8 $5 24. Qxg7 Qxg7 25. Rxg7 h6 {is more stubborn but still worse for Black})
24. Qxg6 $1 hxg6 25. Rxg7 {with a clear advantage, E.Sveshnikov-V.Sveshnikov,
Guernsey 2010.}) (15... Nc7 $5 {is more reliable. Now} 16. Rc1 ({while} 16. Re7
{can be parried by either} Nfe8 ({or} 16... Ncd5 17. Rc1 Qh4 18. Bg3 Nxe7 19.
Bxh4 Rxd1+ 20. Bxd1 Ned5) 17. Bg4+ Ne6 18. Rc1 Qe4 19. b5 $5 (19. Bf3 Qd4)
19... Rxd6 $1 (19... Nxd6 20. bxc6 b5 21. h3 {gave White good attacking
chances in C.Larsen-J.Contreras Poblete, corr. 2006}) 20. Rxe8+ Rxe8 21. Qxd6
Rd8 22. Qg3 f5 23. Bf3 Qf4 24. Qxf4 Nxf4 25. bxc6 b6 {with a solid position})
16... Qf4 17. Rd5 Qxc1 $1 18. Qxc1 Nfxd5 19. Bg3 f5 {is fine for Black.}))
13... Ne8 $1 {Fighting against the dangerous bishop.} ({Taking the pawn isn't
so clear after} 13... Nxb4 14. Rc1 ({but White can improve by} 14. h3 $5 Bxf3 (
{or} 14... Bh5 15. Rc1) 15. Bxf3 Qd4 16. Qb3 {with the initiative}) 14... Nbd5
15. Rc4 Qf5 {, D.Gumula-E.Sveshnikov, Pardubice 2007.}) ({while} 13... Nd5 $6
14. Re1 {is just bad for Black, V.Borovikov-E.Porper, Senden 2006.}) 14. Bd3
Qf4 $1 {The best retreat.} (14... Qd5 15. Nxe5 $1 Bxd1 16. Bf5+ Qe6 17. Bxe6+
fxe6 18. Raxd1 Nxd6 19. cxd6 Rhf8 {is worse but perhaps defendable for Black})
({whereas} 14... Qxb4 $2 {is just asking for trouble:} 15. Rb1 Qa3 16. Nxe5 $3
Bxd1 ({or if} 16... Be6 {D.Doric-Z.Ribli, Slovenian Team Ch., then} 17. Nxf7 $1
{is the quickest win}) 17. Bf5+ Rd7 18. Bxd7+ Kd8 19. Rxb7 Nec7 20. Rxd1 {and
Black is defenceless.}) 15. Bxe5 Qxb4 16. Rb1 (16. Qc2 Nxc5 17. Rab1 Qa5 {
transposes.}) 16... Qa5 17. Qc2 (17. Bxa6 Qxa6 18. Qb3 f6 19. Bg3 Nc7 {is okay
for Black.}) 17... Nxc5 {Black's position is very dangerous, but White must
play precisely to prove his superiority.} 18. Bf5+ $1 ({The tempting} 18. Rb5
$5 cxb5 19. Qxc5+ Nc7 20. Rc1 Rxd3 $1 21. Bxc7 Rd1+ $1 22. Rxd1 Qxc7 23. Qxa7
Bxf3 $1 24. gxf3 Qc2 $1 {and Black solves his problems, N.Vitiugov-D.Frolyanov,
Russian Team Ch. 2006.}) 18... Bxf5 19. Qxf5+ Nd7 20. Qxf7 Rf8 21. Qb3 b6 22.
Bg3 {. White has more than enough compensation for the pawn. His chances of
launching a direct attack may not be high, but Black's need to concentrate his
forces in defence of his king may enable White to regain the pawn - and more -
on the other flank.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "B: 9...b6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 b6 {This is old response to White's bishop invasion. Black
is going to develop his bishop on the long diagonal.} 10. Nf3 Bb7 {Now White
has two main options:} 11. -- ({B1:} 11. Ne5) ({B2:} 11. O-O $5) (11. Qd2 {can
be met by} c5 $1 (11... Rd8 12. O-O-O {is better for White}) 12. O-O ({, other
moves are harmless:} 12. Ne5 $6 f6) ({, or} 12. Qg5 Qg6) ({, or} 12. O-O-O $6
Nb4 13. b3 Rd8 ({or even} 13... O-O-O 14. Qb2 Nh6 $5) 14. Qb2 Nf6) 12... O-O-O
13. Rfd1 (13. Rad1 Nh6 $5 {is similar, G.Gauglitz-P.Haba, German League 2006})
({, while after} 13. Bd3 Qc6 {Black is okay:} 14. Be5 $2 ({or} 14. Bg3 Ne7)
14... Nb4 $1 15. Bxg7 Ne7 16. Bxh8 Qxf3 $1) 13... Nh6 $5 {(developing the
other knight to the edge of the board is the most effective - it's actually
heading to f5!)} 14. Bf1 f6 (14... Qc6 $5) 15. Qc3 e5 {and White faced
problems in M.Krasenkow-A.Galkin, European Ch., Batumi 2002, which he failed
to solve by} 16. Nxe5 fxe5 17. Bxe5 Nf5 18. Re1 Qg4 19. f3 Qg5 {with an extra
piece for Black.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "B1: 11 Ne5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 b6 10. Nf3 Bb7 11. Ne5 {White gave attention to this
ambitious knight sally more than half a century ago!} f6 (11... Qf5 $6 {is
suspicious - Black is wasting time:} 12. Qd2 $5 (12. Bd3 Qf6 13. Be4 Ne7 {is
far from clear, S.K.Williams-M.Van der Werf, Hoogeveen 2003}) 12... c5 13. O-O
O-O-O 14. Rad1 {and White keeps control; e.g.} Qf6 15. f4 Nh6 16. g4 $1 {and
so on.}) 12. O-O $1 {The point of the previous move.} fxe5 13. Bh5+ g6 14. Re1
{White's initiative looks dangerous, but Black has adequate defensive
resources.} Qxc4 $1 {This brave capture seems to be Black's only way!} (14...
Qd4 $2 {fails to the simple} 15. Bxe5 Qxd1 16. Bxd1 Nf6 17. Bxf6 O-O 18. Bg5 {
with a big advantage in the ending, E.Bacrot-A.Goloshchapov, Moscow 2004.}) (
14... Qh4 $6 15. Bg4 Rd8 16. Rxe5 Nc5 $1 ({after} 16... Nc7 $2 17. Bxe6 Ne7 18.
Bxc7 $1 Rxd1+ 19. Rxd1 Kf8 20. Re3 $1 {White launches a decisive attack, V.Ragozin-Y.Shaposhnikov, corr. 1952}) 17. b4 Nh6 18. bxc5 Qxg4 {. After} 19. f3
$1 ({this position was thought to be drawish due to an old line given by
Viacheslav Ragozin:} 19. Qxg4 Nxg4 20. Rxe6+ Kd7 21. Re7+ Kc8 22. Rae1 bxc5 23.
Rc7+ Kb8 24. Rb1 Rxd6 25. Rbxb7+ {with perpetual check}) 19... -- {, Black
faces real problems:} (19... Qh4 20. Rxe6+ Kf7 21. g3 Qg5 22. Qe2 Rd7 (22...
Rde8 {is more tenacious, though clearly unacceptable:} 23. Re1 Qd8 24. Re7+
Rxe7 25. Qxe7+ Qxe7 26. Rxe7+ Kf6 27. Rxb7 {with good winning chances}) 23. Re1
Nf5 {and now in V.Buturin-V.Borovikov, Dnepropetrovsk 1993, White could have
won by} 24. h4 $1 Qd8 ({or} 24... Nxh4 25. Re8 $1) 25. g4 $1 Nxd6 26. cxd6 {
followed by Qe5 and Re7+.}) (19... Qxc4 20. Rc1 $1 Qxa2 21. Ra1 Qc4 22. Ra4 Qc3
23. Rxe6+ Kf7 24. Re7+ Kf6 {and here in G.Schmidt-J.Czukor, corr. 2000, White
could have secured a big advantage by} 25. Qf1 $1 Rxd6 ({or} 25... Bc8 26. Be5+
) 26. cxd6 {, when Black has no time to save the bishop since} Ba8 {loses to}
27. Rc4 Qa5 28. Qc1 {with a mating attack.})) 15. Bxe5 ({Instead,} 15. Rxe5 $6
{favours Black:} O-O-O 16. Be2 (16. Bg4 {is well met by} Nc5 17. b4 Nh6 $5 18.
Bh3 Nf7 19. bxc5 Nxe5 20. Qe1 Rhe8 21. Qxe5 Qd5) 16... Qh4 17. Rxe6 ({after} 
17. g3 $2 Qf6 $1 18. Rxe6 Qxe6 $1 19. Bg4 Rxd6 $1 {Black obtained a decisive
material advantage, A.Maksimenko-M.Sorokin, Kramatorsk 1989}) 17... Nh6 $1 18.
Bxa6 Bxa6 19. Rc1 Bb5 20. Qf3 Rxd6 21. Rxd6 Qe7 {and White has to fight for
equality.}) (15. Be2 {is harmless:} Qd5 ({or} 15... Qd4 $5) 16. Qxd5 cxd5 17.
Bxe5 Nf6 18. Bxf6 O-O 19. Bxa6 Bxa6 20. Rxe6 {and although the pawn structure
makes White's bishop more efficient, the position is obviously drawn, D.Doric-J.Geller, Pardubice 2005.}) 15... Nf6 16. Bxf6 O-O {Black's king has
escaped from the centre but is still in danger!} 17. Bc3 (17. Be5 $5 {secures
the bishop, since} c5 {is fine for Black as his e6-pawn isn't under pressure} (
{while} 17... gxh5 $2 {, loses to} 18. Re3 h4 19. b3 $1 Qb4 20. a3 $1 Qe7 21.
Qg4+ Kf7 22. Re4 $1 Ke8 23. Bd6 $1 {.})) 17... gxh5 $5 ({This time Black can
grab the bishop; whereas after} 17... c5 18. Bg4 Bd5 {, Akhmadulin-S.Arzumian,
corr. 1993, White's chances are now somewhat better, even if Black still has
acceptable play.}) 18. Re3 h4 19. Rd3 $5 {White must be wary of the defensive
resource ...Qf4.} ({Such actions as} 19. Qh5 $2 Qf4 $1 ({but not} 19... Rf5 $2
20. Qh6) 20. Rf3 Rf5 $3) ({or} 19. b3 $2 Qf4 $1 {may stop his attack}) ({while
} 19. Re5 $6 Qf4 20. Qe2 Nc5 21. g3 Ba6 $5 22. gxf4 Bxe2 23. Rxe2 Rad8 {gives
Black an extra pawn in the ending.}) ({Finally,} 19. Bd4 Rf4 $1 20. Be5 Rf5 21.
Rc1 Qb4 22. Qd7 Rf7 23. Qxe6 Nc5 24. Qh6 Qg4 25. h3 Qg6 26. Qxh4 Nd3 27. Rg3
Nxe5 {is also very acceptable for Black.}) 19... e5 {After this move White
must force a draw.} (19... Qf4 $5 {is still possible:} 20. Rd4 Qxf2+ 21. Kh1 h5
$5 22. Rd7 e5 23. Bxe5 Rf7 24. Rd8+ Rxd8 25. Qxd8+ Kh7 26. Qh8+ Kg6 27. Qg8+
Kh6 {with a draw by repetition.}) 20. Rd4 $1 exd4 ({The rook must be taken:} 
20... Qe6 $2 21. Rg4+ Kh8 22. Rg5) ({or} 20... Qc5 21. Qg4+ Kh8 22. Re1 Rae8
23. Rd2 {and Rde2 is fatal for Black's king.}) 21. Qg4+ Kf7 22. Qf5+ Kg7 23.
Qg5+ {. With a draw.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "B2: 11 0-0!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 b6 10. Nf3 Bb7 11. O-O $5 {This simple move seems to be
White's most promising option.} Rd8 ({Other moves:} 11... c5 {allows White to
choose between the rather shocking} 12. Nh4 $1 {(after which Black fails to
keep control over the f3-c8 diagonal)} ({and} 12. Qa4+ Qc6 13. Qxc6+ Bxc6 14.
Ne5 Rd8 15. Bf8 $5 Kxf8 16. Nxc6 Rd6 17. Nxa7 Rd2 18. Bf3 {with some edge in
the ending}) 12... O-O-O $5 (12... Qxh4 $2 {loses to} 13. Qa4+ Kd8 14. Rad1 Kc8
15. g3 $1 Qd8 16. Be5) 13. Bf3 Qxc4 ({still not} 13... Qxh4 $4 14. Bxb7+ Kxb7
15. Qf3+ Kc8 16. Qc6+) 14. Bxb7+ Kxb7 15. Qf3+ Qd5 16. Qxf7+ Ka8 17. Rad1 Qb7
18. Qxe6 Nf6 19. Be5 {and White's chances are preferable thanks to his strong
bishop, although Black doesn't stand so badly.}) (11... O-O-O {doesn't solve
Black's problems either:} 12. Ne5 $1 Qf5 {, and here} 13. g4 $1 {is the most
energetic. After} Qf4 ({or} 13... Qf6 14. f4 h6 15. Bf3 Ne7 16. Qd2 {and White
is in control, Y.Dubois-C.Bontems, corr. 2008}) 14. Ng6 Qxd6 15. Qxd6 Rxd6 16.
Nxh8 Rd7 ({or} 16... Rd2 17. Rfe1 f6 18. Rad1 Rxb2 19. Nf7 Kc7 20. Nd6 Nc5 21.
Ne8+ Kc8 22. Nxg7 Ba6 23. Bf1 {, F.Sage-F.Lorin, corr. 2006}) 17. Rad1 Re7 18.
g5 c5 19. Rfe1 Bc6 20. f4 {White's knight is trapped in the corner, but he
keeps reasonable winning chance as Black can't easily attack it.}) 12. Qd2 $5 {
White continues his development, intending to give more support to his bishop
on d6.} ({Instead:} 12. Bd3 $6 Qg4 13. h3 Qh5 14. Bc2 Ne7 15. Qd4 Nb4 $1 {is
in Black's favour, M.Gurevich-M.Krasenkow, Vlissingen 2006.}) (12. Ne5 {
doesn't promise much as the f7-pawn is protected by the king:} Ne7 13. Re1 Qh4
14. g3 Qf6 15. Ng4 Qf5 (15... Qg6 $5 {might be simpler with a possible
repetition after} 16. Ne5 Qf6) 16. Qd4 O-O 17. Bd3 Qf3 $1 (17... Qh5 $6 18. Qf4
{is better for White, I.Sokolov-R.Vera Gonzalez, Portoroz 1987}) 18. Be4 ({or} 
18. Be2 Qf5) 18... Nf5 $1 19. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 20. Qxf6 Qg4 21. Be5 Qg7 22. Bxf5
Qxf6 23. Bxf6 exf5 24. Bxd8 Rxd8 25. Rad1 Rb8 $1 {and Black is okay.}) (12. Ng5
$5 {deserves attention:} Qg6 $5 (12... Qf5 13. f4 {favours White, according to
tournament practice}) 13. f4 Nf6 14. Re1 Rd7 15. Bd3 Qh5 16. Bf5 $1 Qxd1 17.
Raxd1 {with very active play in the ending.}) 12... c5 ({Other moves, such as} 
12... Ne7 13. Rad1 Nc8 14. Bd3 Qg4 15. Bg3 O-O 16. Ne5 Qh5 17. Be2 $1 Rxd2 18.
Bxh5 Rxd1 19. Rxd1) ({or} 12... Nf6 13. Rad1 c5 14. Rfe1 {allow White a rather
annoying initiative.}) 13. Rad1 Nf6 ({Alternatives are unsatisfactory:} 13...
Ne7 $2 {is strongly met by} 14. Qg5 $1 Rxd6 ({or} 14... Nf5 15. Bd3) 15. Rxd6
Qxe2 16. Re1 Qxb2 17. Ne5 {and Black is defenceless.}) (13... Nb4 $6 14. a3 $1
Nc6 15. Bd3 Qg4 16. h3 $1 Qh5 17. Qf4 {leaves Black unable to complete his
development, I.Cheparinov-M.Krasenkow, Wijk aan Zee 2008.}) (13... Qg6 14. Qc3
Ne7 15. Bd3 Qg4 16. h3 Qh5 17. Bc2 Bxf3 18. Ba4+ $1 Bc6 19. Qxg7 Kd7 20. Bxc5+
Kc8 21. Bxe7 Bxa4 22. Bxd8 Rxd8 23. Rxd8+ Kxd8 24. Qf8+ Kc7 25. Qe7+ Bd7 26. b4
{was also problematic for Black in G.Kleiser-D.Kuerten, corr. 2009.}) 14. Rfe1
{White has completed his development and is ready to undertake some concrete
actions, such as Bd3-c2; whereas Black can neither get his king out of the
centre, nor really disturb the annoying bishop on d6.} (14. a3 {looks a bit
slow but it still gives White more than enough for the pawn:} h6 (14... Qg6 $5)
15. Rfe1 Qg6 16. Nh4 $5 Qg5 17. Qxg5 hxg5 18. Nf5 $1 {with the initiative in
the ending, F.Sage-K.Stalmach, corr. 2004.}) 14... Nb4 (14... Qg6 $6 {is
dubious:} 15. Bd3 Be4 16. Bxe4 Nxe4 17. Qc2 $1 Rxd6 18. Qa4+ Ke7 19. Rxd6 Nxd6
20. Ne5 {with a strong attack.}) 15. a3 Qc6 {This tricky attempt doesn't solve
Black's problems.} 16. axb4 Ne4 17. Qf4 Nxd6 18. Rd2 {. White maintains the
initiative, while Black's position is uncomfortable. C.Larsen-R.Ralls, corr.
2008, continued} f6 19. Nh4 $1 O-O 20. Bf3 e5 $1 21. Bxc6 exf4 22. Rxd6 Rxd6
23. Bxb7 cxb4 (23... Rd2 $6 {is worse:} 24. Bd5+ Kh8 25. bxc5 ({or} 25. b5 $5)
25... bxc5 26. Nf5 {with the initiative.}) 24. Bd5+ Kh8 25. Nf5 Rdd8 26. Nd4 {
and the two pieces were stronger than Black's passive rooks in this ending.
White eventually converted his advantage.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "C: 9...Qxg2!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 Qxg2 $5 {This adventurous capture was suspicious on the
previous move, whereas here, with the inclusion of ...Na6 and Bd6, it looks
more interesting. The bishop on d6 is strong, but it obstructs the d-file and
so prevents White from creating immediate threats.} 10. Qd2 $5 {The most
promising.} ({Instead:} 10. Bf3 Qg5 ({or} 10... Qg6 $5) 11. Ne2 Ne7 {gives
Black obvious benefits over the similar positions after 8 Be2 Qxg2?! above 
(see line A in Chapter 13).}) (10. Qd4 $6 {can be strongly met by} Nh6 $1 11.
O-O-O Nf5 ({not} 11... Qxh1 $4 12. Ba3) 12. Qd2 {and here the brave} Qxf2 $1 {
, intending ...Qe3 is critical. After the only reasonable move} ({rather than
the careless} 12... Nxd6 $2 {(which leads to trouble after} 13. Bf3 $1 Qg6 14.
Bxc6+ $3 bxc6 15. Qxd6 {and Black loses the exchange, Ba.Jobava-V.Potkin,
European Ch., Batumi 2002)}) 13. Bc5 $1 Qh4 14. Nf3 Qf6 15. Ba3 c5 {White's
activity can't compensate for three pawns.}) (10. Qd3 {runs into the thematic}
e5 $1 11. O-O-O ({worse is} 11. Bf3 $6 Qg6) ({or} 11. Qe3 $6 Qxh1 12. Qxe5+ Be6
13. Qxg7 O-O-O 14. Bf3 Nf6 $1 15. Bxh1 Rhg8 16. Qxg8 Rxg8 17. O-O-O Bxc4) 11...
-- {, and then:} (11... e4 $5 12. Qe3 Be6 13. Bf1 $1 {and here Black can
choose between} Qxh1 ({and} 13... Qg6 $5 14. Ne2 Nh6 $5 {intending to meet} 15.
Nf4 {with} Nf5 $1) 14. Qg5 Rd8 $1 15. Bg2 ({not} 15. Qxg7 $2 Rxd6 $1 16. Rxd6
Qxh2) 15... Rxd6 $1 16. Bxh1 Rxd1+ 17. Kxd1 Nf6 18. Qe3 (18. Ne2 O-O) 18... O-O
19. Qxa7 Nb4 {with active play for the queen.}) (11... Qg5+ {is less precise,
although Black might hold on after} 12. Rd2 Bf5 13. Qb3 Qg2 $5 ({a rather
unexpected return;} 13... Qxd2+ 14. Kxd2 O-O-O 15. Kc1 Rxd6 16. Nf3 f6 {was
somewhat better for White in F.Bindrich-D.Baramidze, Budapest 2010}) 14. Qxb7
Rd8 15. Nf3 Qxh1+ 16. Rd1 Qg2 17. Qxc6+ Bd7 18. Qxa6 Qxf2 {and so on.})) 10...
Nf6 $1 {As we've already seen, this development of the knight - the natural
one for most openings - is less common in the Marshall, but here it's the best.
The threat of ...Ne4 gives Black time to consolidate.} ({Instead,} 10... Qxh1
$2 {is too greedy:} 11. O-O-O Qe4 12. Bg3 f6 13. Qd8+ Kf7 14. Bd6 {followed by
Qf8+, Bd3 and wins.}) (10... Ne7 $2 {is also bad:} 11. O-O-O $1 f6 12. Bg3 Qe4
13. f3 Qf5 14. Qd8+ Kf7 15. Qxh8 Nb4 16. Kd2 $1 {and Black's initiative
doesn't compensate for the rook.}) (10... Bd7 $2 {is slow. If possible, Black
should try to get his bishop to a more active position after ...e6-e5. Here
the simple} 11. O-O-O {gives White a strong initiative; e.g.} Qe4 12. Nf3 f6
13. Bc7 $1 {S.Meissner-K.Lange, corr. 1990.}) (10... e5 $5 {followed by ...Bf5
might be playable though.}) 11. Bf3 (11. O-O-O $2 Ne4 {is just fine for Black:}
12. Qf4 ({or} 12. Qd4 Nxd6 13. Qxd6 Qg5+ 14. f4 Qe7) 12... Qg5 {.}) 11... Qg6 {
A rather important position has been reached. White has a choice:} 12. -- ({C1:
} 12. Ne2) ({C2:} 12. O-O-O) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "C1: 12 Ne2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 Qxg2 $5 10. Qd2 $5 Nf6 $1 11. Bf3 Qg6 12. Ne2 e5 $1 {This
thematic pawn push is vital for Black! Not only does it solve the problem with
the bishop; more importantly, it prepares long castling which, in its turn,
will secure the king and disturb the invader on d6!} ({Other moves are clearly
worse:} 12... Ne4 $4 {leads to catastrophe on dark squares after} 13. Bxe4 Qxe4
14. Qg5 {, M.Kekelidze-M.Nekrasov, Neustadt 2008.}) (12... Qf5 $2 {is too slow:
} 13. Nd4 $1 ({even more energetic than} 13. Qc3 Bd7 14. Rg1 {which is also
good for White, G.Flear-P.Isler, Brocco 1991}) 13... Ne4 14. Qe3 Qa5+ 15. b4 $1
Nxb4 ({or} 15... Qd8 16. Be5 f6 17. O-O-O $5) 16. Qxe4 Nc2+ 17. Ke2 Nxa1 18.
Rxa1 {and Black can't hold this position.}) 13. O-O-O ({After} 13. Rg1 $6 {
Black, of course, won't mind playing} Qf5 {. D.Yevseev-S.Yudin, Tomsk 2006,
continued} 14. Qe3 e4 15. Bh1 Be6 16. O-O-O Ng4 17. Qd4 {and here Black could
have obtained more advantage by the concrete} Nxf2 $1 18. Rdf1 e3 19. Qxe3 Qd3
$1 20. Qxf2 Qxd6 {.}) (13. Bxe5 {is a logical alternative, but by deviating
from his main strategy White gives his opponent time for development. Black
now has a choice, as long as he bears in mind that in most cases his king will
be unsafe on the kingside:} -- (13... Be6 14. O-O-O {is examined via 12 0-0-0
e5 13 Bxe5 Be6 14 Ne2 in line C2 below.}) (13... O-O $6 {is dubious:} 14. Rg1
Ng4 15. Bc3 Nc5 16. O-O-O {with a strong initiative, T.Nyback-A.Muir, European
Team Ch., Heraklio 2007.}) (13... Qf5 $6 {is also insufficient due to} 14. Qe3
$1 {and Black has to castle kingside:} O-O 15. O-O-O {, when White has
excellent attacking chances; e.g.} {after} Nb4 ({or} 15... Qe6 16. Rhg1 g6 17.
Qf4 Nd7 18. Bc3 {and Black can hardly defend his king, V.Neverov-G.Airapetian,
Lipetsk 2010}) 16. Nd4 $1 Nxa2+ 17. Kd2 Rd8 18. Ke2 {and Black faces serious
problems. His most tenacious defence seems to be} Qg6 (18... Rxd4 $2 {fails to}
19. Bxf6 $3 Be6 20. Bxd4 Re8 21. Kd2 $1) 19. Rhg1 Ng4 ({or} 19... Bg4 20. Bxf6
Qxf6 21. Rxg4 c5 22. Nb5 Qxb2+ 23. Kf1 Rxd1+ 24. Bxd1 {and Black does not have
sufficient compensation for the piece}) 20. Bxg4 Bxg4+ 21. f3 h5 22. fxg4 f6 {
, but then} 23. Nf5 $1 Re8 24. Rd7 $1 Kh8 ({not} 24... hxg4 $6 25. Qe4 $1 Kh8
26. Rxg4 Rxe5 27. Rxg6 Rxe4+ 28. Kf3 Re5 29. Nxg7) 25. Rxg7 Qxg7 26. Nxg7 Rxe5
27. Qxe5 fxe5 28. Nxh5 {gives White good winning chances in the endgame.}) (
13... Bg4 $5 {is playable:} 14. Rg1 ({not} 14. Nf4 $2 Qf5 15. Bxf6 Bxf3) 14...
Qf5 ({not} 14... Rd8 $5 15. Bd4 O-O 16. Bxg4 Nxg4 17. h3 f5 18. hxg4 fxg4) 15.
Bxf6 Qxf3 16. Bxg7 ({or} 16. O-O-O Qxf6 17. Rxg4 O-O) 16... Rg8 {and Black is
okay; e.g.} 17. O-O-O Rxg7 18. Nd4 Qf6 19. Rxg4 Rxg4 20. Qe2+ Kf8 21. Qxg4 Rd8
{with equal play.})) 13... Bg4 (13... Be6 $5 {isn't bad either, when} 14. Bxe5
{transposes to line C2 again.} ({Otherwise White can try} 14. Rhg1 Qf5 15. Qe3
{and now:} -- (15... O-O-O {is playable:} 16. Rg5 $1 ({on} 16. Rxg7 $6 {Black
grabs the initiative with the thematic} Rxd6 $1 17. Rxd6 Nb4 {, T.Fodor-D.Doric, Split 2008}) 16... Qh3 17. Ng3 {and White keeps sufficient compensation
for the pawn, but Black is also fine. B.Simon-V.Baklanov, corr. 2004, continued
} Qh4 18. b3 Bg4 19. Rxe5 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qg4 21. Qxg4+ Nxg4 22. Re7 Nh6 23. Be5
Rxd1+ 24. Kxd1 Rd8+ 25. Ke2 f6 26. Bf4 Rd7 27. Re8+ {with a draw.}) (15... h6
$5 {might be more promising:} 16. Rg3 $5 ({, otherwise White faces problems:} 
16. Ng3 Qf4 17. Qxf4 exf4 18. Bxf4 Rd8 19. Bd6 Rd7 {with a good ending}) ({; or
} 16. Bxe5 $6 Nb4 17. Nd4 Nxa2+ 18. Kd2 O-O-O 19. Ke1 Rxd4 $1 20. Rxd4 Nb4 21.
Bd1 Re8 {with the initiative, D.Lavrik-D.Frolyanov, Zvenigorod 2008}) ({, or} 
16. Rxg7 $6 O-O-O 17. Rg3 $1 ({while} 17. Bxc6 $2 Rxd6 $1 18. Rxd6 Nb4 19.
Bxb7+ Kxb7 20. Qb3 a5 21. a3 $2 Ne4 $1 22. axb4 Nxd6 23. bxa5+ Kc8 {leaves
Black with an extra piece, S.Logashov-R.Bagirov, Moscow 2009}) 17... Rxd6 18.
Rxd6 Nb4 19. Qb3 e4) 16... O-O-O 17. Qxa7 Rxd6 $1 18. Rxd6 Nb4 {and Black's
thematic counter-action gives him sufficient compensation for the exchange; e.g.} 19. Qa4 ({or} 19. Rd2 Nd3+) 19... e4 20. Qa8+ Kc7 21. Qxh8 Nd7 $3 22. Bg4
Qxf2 23. Bxe6 Kxd6 24. Kd2 $1 Nd3 25. Bxd7 Qe1+ 26. Ke3 Qf2+ {with perpetual
check.}))) 14. -- {After the text, White again has a choice. We'll look at:} ({
C11:} 14. Rhg1) ({C12:} 14. Bxg4 $1) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "C11: 14 Rhg1"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 Qxg2 $5 10. Qd2 $5 Nf6 $1 11. Bf3 Qg6 12. Ne2 e5 $1 13. O-O-O
Bg4 14. Rhg1 {This natural attempt to win a piece doesn't work out very well.}
O-O-O $1 {Black simply ignores the threat!} ({A faint-hearted} 14... Qf5 $2 {
would justify White's approach:} 15. Bxg4 Nxg4 16. Ng3 ({or} 16. f3 $5) 16...
Qe6 17. Ba3 c5 18. Nh5 {with a strong initiative.}) 15. Qe3 ({All attempts to
win the pinned bishop fail:} 15. h3 $6 Ne8 $1 {and White faces the same
problem with his bishop on d6:} 16. c5 ({or} 16. Bxg4+ f5) 16... Nxc5 17. Bxg4+
f5 18. Nd4 $1 Nxd6 $5 19. Bxf5+ Nxf5 20. Rxg6 Nxd4 21. Rg3 Ndb3+ 22. axb3 Rxd2
23. Rxd2 Ne4 24. Rxg7 Nxd2 25. Kxd2 Rd8+ 26. Ke3 Rd7 {and Black has an extra
pawn in the ending.}) (15. Bxg4+ $6 Nxg4 16. h3 Qh6 $1 17. Rxg4 Rxd6 {again
with an extra pawn.}) (15. Bxc6 $2 bxc6 16. Qa5 {is futile:} Kb7 17. Rg3 Qh6+
18. Kb1 {, B.Itkis-S.Bargan, Kishinev 2007, and here} Nd7 $1 {was the simplest
win.}) 15... h5 ({There's no need to go into a risky} 15... Qh5 $6 16. Bxc6 $1
Rxd6 $1 17. Rxd6 bxc6 {, even if it's not actually that bad.}) ({Black also
survives after} 15... Rd7 $5 16. Nc3 Qh5 $1 ({not} 16... Rhd8 $2 17. Nb5 $1 {
, L.Babujian-J.Geller, Lvov 2008}) 17. Ne4 $1 ({otherwise White faces problems;
e.g.} 17. Bxg4 $2 Nxg4 18. Qxa7 Qh6+) ({or} 17. Rxg4 $5 Nxg4 18. Qxa7 Qh6+ 19.
Kb1 Rxd6 20. Qa8+ Kc7 21. Nb5+ $1 cxb5 22. Qxb7+ Kd8 23. Qb6+ Ke7 24. Qa7+ Ke6
25. Bxg4+ f5 26. Rxd6+ Kxd6 27. Bxf5 bxc4 28. Qxa6+ Ke7 29. Qxc4 Qb6) 17...
Bxf3 18. Qxa7 $1 Qh6+ $1 19. Rg5 $1 Rc7 $1 ({the natural} 19... Nc7 $2 {
favours White:} 20. Nc5 $1 Qxg5+ 21. Kb1 Qf5+ 22. Ka1 Rxd6 23. Qxb7+ Kd8 24.
Rxd6+ Nd7 25. b4 $1 {followed Rxd7+ and b4-b5}) 20. Qa8+ Kd7 21. Bxc7+ Bxd1 22.
Qxh8 Nxc7 23. Qxg7 Qxg7 24. Rxg7 Ke7 $1 {with a drawish ending.}) 16. h3 (16.
Qxa7 $2 {is a clear mistake:} Qg5+ ({or} 16... Qh6+ 17. Kb1 Rxd6 18. Rxd6 Bxf3)
17. Kb1 Qf5+ 18. Ka1 Rxd6 19. Rxd6 Qxf3) ({while} 16. Bxc6 $2 {fails to} Qh6 $1
17. f4 bxc6 18. Qxa7 Rxd6 19. Qxa6+ ({or} 19. Rxd6 Nb8) 19... Kd7 {and Black's
king escapes:} 20. Qb7+ Ke6 21. Rxd6+ Kxd6 22. Rd1+ Ke6 23. Qc7 $5 Kf5 $1 24.
Qxe5+ Kg6 {and so on.}) 16... Rxd6 $1 17. Rxd6 Nb4 {This thematic
counter-action allows Black to seize the initiative. White must be careful.}
18. Qb3 ({In J.Hellsten-F.Vallejo Pons, Turin Olympiad 2006, White was
eventually successful after} 18. Bxg4+ $2 hxg4 19. Qb3 Qe4 ({, but Black had
some stronger options, such as} 19... Qh6+ 20. Kd1 $5 ({or} 20. Kb1 Ne4 $1)
20... Qh7 $5 ({or} 20... gxh3 $5 21. Qxb4 h2 22. Rh1 Qh3) ({or} 20... a5 $5 21.
hxg4 Qh7 22. f3 e4 23. f4 e3 24. f5 Qh2 25. c5 Qe5 26. Rd4 Nfd5) 21. Kc1 Na6 $5
22. hxg4 Ne4 {with a clear advantage}) ({, or} 19... a5 $5 20. hxg4 Rh3 $1) 20.
Qxb4 Qxe2 21. Rd2 Qe4 22. hxg4 Qf4 23. Kb1 Ne4 24. Rc2 Rd8 25. a3 $1 {.}) 18...
Qh6+ 19. Kd1 Bxf3 20. Qxf3 Qh7 $1 21. Nc3 Qc2+ (21... Re8 $5 {, intending to
push the e-pawn, is also interesting.}) 22. Ke1 e4 $1 23. Qf5+ Kb8 {Black has
more than enough compensation for the exchange.} 24. Qf4 $5 {White shouldn't
be too ambitious.} (24. Qe5 {is acceptable but gives Black more choice:} Ka8 (
24... Kc8 $5) 25. Qd4 Nd3+ 26. Kf1 Rb8 27. Rd8 a6 28. Rxg7 Qc1+ 29. Kg2 Ne1+
30. Kf1 ({not} 30. Kg3 $4 h4+ $1 {and mates}) 30... Nd3+ {with perpetual check.
}) (24. Rxg7 {is risky:} Nd3+ 25. Kf1 (25. Rxd3 $5 exd3 26. Kf1 $1 {is unclear
and reasonable, but Black has nothing to worry about}) 25... Qc1+ 26. Kg2 Nf4+
{and White has to be careful with his king. It's hard to believe but in the
2007 European Championship Dusko Pavasovic has managed to collect two big
scalps in two days:} 27. Kh2 (27. Kh2 Ng4+ $1 28. Rxg4 $6 (28. Kg3 $1 {was the
only way:} Ne6 $1 29. Rxe6 $1 fxe6 30. Qf4+ Qxf4+ 31. Kxf4 Nxf2 32. Ke3 Rf8 33.
Rh7 {with reasonable drawing chances}) 28... hxg4 29. Rd1 Rxh3+ 30. Kg1 Ne2+ $1
31. Kf1 (31. Kg2 Rh2+ $1 32. Kf1 Ng3+ {comes to the same thing}) 31... Ng3+ 32.
fxg3 Rh1+ 33. Kg2 Rxd1 34. Nxd1 Qxd1 {and Black has a technically winning
endgame, A.Moiseenko-D.Pavasovic, Dresden 2007.}) (27. Kg3 Qg1+ $1 28. Kxf4
Qxf2+ 29. Ke5 $1 ({not} 29. Kg5 $4 Qg3+ $1 30. Kxf6 Qxd6+ 31. Kg5 Qh6+ {and
Black won again, L.Van Wely-D.Pavasovic, Dresden 2007}) 29... Qc5+ 30. Rd5 $5
Qe7+ 31. Kf4 cxd5 32. Qe5+ Qxe5+ 33. Kxe5 Nd7+ 34. Kxd5 e3 35. Rxf7 {and White
holds on.})) 24... Kc8 (24... Ka8 25. Qd2 Nd3+ 26. Ke2 Qxd2+ 27. Kxd2 Nxb2 28.
Kc2 Nxc4 29. Rd4 {followed by Rxg7 can only be worse for Black.}) 25. Qf5+ Kb8
26. Qf4 {. With a draw by repetition.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "C12: 14 Bxg4!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "29"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 Qxg2 $5 10. Qd2 $5 Nf6 $1 11. Bf3 Qg6 12. Ne2 e5 $1 13. O-O-O
Bg4 14. Bxg4 $1 {This simple-looking capture poses more problems, but they can
be solved.} Nxg4 (14... Qxg4 $2 15. Bxe5 {gives White a strong initiative.})
15. -- {Here we'll consider:} ({C121:} 15. f3) ({C122:} 15. Ba3 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "C121: 15 f3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 Qxg2 $5 10. Qd2 $5 Nf6 $1 11. Bf3 Qg6 12. Ne2 e5 $1 13. O-O-O
Bg4 14. Bxg4 $1 Nxg4 15. f3 Nf2 (15... O-O-O $5 {is interesting but probably
not quite sufficient:} 16. fxg4 Rhe8 ({if} 16... Qxg4 {, as in A.Khruschiov-A.Lastin, Voronezh 2008, then} 17. Qc2 $5 ({or} 17. c5 $5 Nxc5 18. Qe3 {would
secure an edge for White})) 17. c5 $5 ({or} 17. Nc3 Re6 18. c5 Nxc5 19. Qe3
Rexd6 20. Qxc5 Qg5+ 21. Kb1 b6 22. Qc4 Qg6+ 23. Ka1) 17... Nxc5 18. Qe3 Rxd6
19. Qxc5 Qg5+ 20. Kb1 Rxd1+ (20... Qg6+ 21. Ka1 Red8 22. Rde1 $5) 21. Rxd1 Qxg4
22. Nc3 Qf5+ 23. Ka1 Rd8 24. Re1 f6 25. Qxa7 {and White has the better chances.
}) 16. Bxe5 Nxd1 17. Rxd1 {In this position White's initiative fully
compensates for the sacrificed material, but he can hardly hope for anything
more substantial.} Nc5 {The only defence;} ({since the alternative} 17... Qe6
$2 {loses to} 18. Bxg7 Rg8 19. Nf4 Qe7 20. Nh5 {.}) 18. Qe3 ({Here White has a
choice:} 18. Qd4 {can be parried by} Qg5+ $1 19. Nf4 ({or} 19. Bf4 Qe7 20. Qxg7
Rf8 21. Bh6 Ne6 ({Black might even try} 21... Nd7 $5) 22. Qxh7 Ng5 23. Qg7 Ne6
24. Qh7 Ng5 {with repetition}) 19... Rd8 $5 (19... Ne6 20. Qd7+ Kf8 {
transposes to 18 Nf4 below}) 20. Qxc5 Rxd1+ 21. Kxd1 f6 22. Bd6 Qxc5 23. Bxc5
Kf7 {with a good ending.}) (18. b4 Qf5 $1 {(the most reliable)} 19. Bxg7 Rg8
20. Bc3 Ne6 21. Qd7+ Kf8 22. Qd6+ (22. Qxb7 Rd8 {is fine for Black}) 22... Ke8
23. Qd7+ Kf8 24. Qd6+ Ke8 25. Qd7+ {with a draw, L.Kresz-R.Ralls, corr. 2006.})
(18. Nf4 {is well met by} Qg5 $1 ({not} 18... Qh6 $2 19. Qd4 $1) 19. Qd6 Ne6 $5
(19... Qe7 $6 20. Qxe7+ Kxe7 21. Bd6+ Kf6 22. Bxc5 {gives White the better
chances, G.Gajewski-R.Kempinski, Polish Team Ch. 2006}) ({but} 19... Rd8 $5 20.
Qxc5 Rxd1+ 21. Kxd1 f6 {is quite good for Black - see note 'a' above}) 20. Qd7+
Kf8 21. Bb8 $1 ({this strong and unexpected resource is actually the only way
to avoid problems - otherwise Black could be better; e.g.} 21. Qd6+ $6 Kg8 22.
h4 Qxh4 $1 23. Nxe6 Qxc4+ 24. Kb1 Qxe6 25. Qxe6 fxe6 26. Rd7 b5) ({or} 21. Qxb7
$6 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Nxd8 23. Qb8 h5) 21... Nxf4 $5 ({or just} 21... Rxb8 22. Qd6+
Ke8 23. Qd7+ {with perpetual, W.Löffler-K.Schulz, corr. 2008;} ({while} 23.
Qxb8+ Ke7 24. Qxh8 Qxf4+ 25. Kb1 Qxf3 {is also okay for Black})) 22. Qc8+ ({or
} 22. Qxb7 g6 23. Qxa8 Kg7 24. Qxa7 Ne2+ 25. Kc2 ({but not} 25. Kb1 $2 Rd8)
25... Re8) 22... Ke7 23. Qd7+ ({not} 23. Qxh8 $2 Ng6+ 24. f4 Qxf4+ $1 25. Bxf4
Rxh8) ({while} 23. Qxb7+ Kf6 24. Qxa8 Ne6+ 25. Kb1 Qf5+ 26. Kc1 $1 Kg6 $5 {
certainly isn't better for White}) 23... Kf8 24. Qc8+ Ke7 {with another draw
by repetition.}) 18... Ne6 19. Rg1 Qf5 20. Ng3 Qh3 21. Ne4 (21. Bxg7 $6 Rg8 22.
Be5 O-O-O 23. Qxa7 Nc7 {favours Black.}) 21... f6 22. Nd6+ Kf8 (22... Kd7 23.
Bf4 {looks risky for Black, but it may be playable too.}) 23. Bc3 ({Moving the
bishop to the other side doesn't bother Black much:} 23. Bg3 Ng5 24. f4 Qe6 (
24... Nf7 {is weaker:} 25. f5 $1 Ne5 26. Qb3 $1 {with the initiative}) 25. Qa3
Nf7 26. Nf5+ ({or} 26. f5 Qe7 27. Re1 Ne5) 26... Kg8 27. Ne7+ Kf8 {and White
has no more than perpetual check.}) 23... Qxh2 $1 {The simplest way to solve
the problems.} 24. Qxe6 ({Not} 24. Nf5 $2 Qf4 {.}) 24... Qxg1+ 25. Be1 Qg6 (
25... Qg5+ 26. f4 {could force} Qg6 {anyway.}) 26. Bb4 {White's queen and
knight are very powerful but not enough to give him an edge.} ({Or} 26. Nf5 Qf7
27. Bb4+ Kg8 28. Ne7+ Kf8 {and so on.}) 26... a5 {Now White can either give
perpetual check himself by} 27. Nc8+ ({Or else pass this duty over to his
opponent with} 27. Ba3 Qg5+ {.}) 27... axb4 28. Qd6+ *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "C122: 15 Ba3!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 Qxg2 $5 10. Qd2 $5 Nf6 $1 11. Bf3 Qg6 12. Ne2 e5 $1 13. O-O-O
Bg4 14. Bxg4 $1 Nxg4 15. Ba3 $5 {This calm retreat is rather interesting.} Qe6
(15... Qh6 {is met by} 16. f4 $1 {.}) 16. Nf4 $1 {White must hurry up,
otherwise Black will prepare castling by ...c6-c5.} exf4 (16... Qxc4+ $6 {is
weaker:} 17. Kb1 Qe4+ 18. Ka1 Qd4 19. Qxd4 exd4 {and here White can choose
between} 20. Rhe1+ ({or} 20. Rxd4 c5 21. Re1+ Kf8 22. Rd7 {, when Black's
defence isn't easy}) 20... Kd8 21. Rxd4+ Kc8 22. Nh5 {.}) 17. Rhe1 Ne3 18. fxe3
f3 $1 {Although Black has managed to keep the e-file closed, his king is still
in danger. Nevertheless, his extra pawns, especially the one on f3, enable him
to defend, while White's bishop may be cut off by ...c6-c5 at some point.} 19.
Rg1 ({Or} 19. Qd4 f6 20. e4 c5 $1 {.}) 19... g6 (19... c5 20. Rxg7 Kf8 21. Rdg1
Re8) ({and} 19... Rg8 $5 {might be playable too.}) 20. Qd4 ({Or} 20. Qc3 f6 21.
Rd6 Qe5 {.}) 20... Rg8 ({Not} 20... f6 $2 21. Rg4 $1 c5 22. Re4 $1 cxd4 23.
Rxe6+ Kf7 24. Re7+ Kg8 25. Rxd4 {and Black's army is too passive.}) 21. b3 $5 (
21. Rgf1 {is okay for Black:} c5 22. Qf4 f5 23. Rd5 Kf7 24. Rxf3 Rgd8 25. e4
Kg8 {etc.}) 21... c5 $5 22. Qf4 (22. Bxc5 Nxc5 23. Qxc5 {is harmless after} b6
({or} 23... Rc8 $5 24. Qxa7 b5) 24. Qd4 g5 $5 {.}) 22... f5 23. Qxf3 ({Not} 23.
Rd6 $2 Qe4 {.}) 23... Rd8 {The most reliable way - Black exchanges a pair of
rooks.} ({Instead,} 23... Rg7 24. e4 $1 fxe4 (24... Rf7 25. Qc3 $1) 25. Qc3 Qe7
{looks risky, but perhaps Black can hold on:} 26. Rg4 ({or} 26. Rd5 Nb4 $1 27.
Bxb4 cxb4 28. Qd4 Kf8) 26... e3 $5 27. Re4 $5 ({not} 27. Rg3 $2 e2 28. Re1
O-O-O $1) 27... Qxe4 28. Qxg7 e2 29. Qg8+ Ke7 30. Qg7+ Ke8 {with perpetual
check.}) 24. Qxb7 Qxe3+ 25. Kc2 Qe2+ 26. Kc1 Qe3+ 27. Kb1 Rxd1+ 28. Rxd1 Qe4+
29. Qxe4+ fxe4 30. Re1 Kd7 31. Rxe4 Rf8 {and the ending is drawn.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bd6"]
[Black "C2: 12 0-0-0"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bd6 Qxg2 $5 10. Qd2 $5 Nf6 $1 11. Bf3 Qg6 12. O-O-O {White
castles without delay, intending to create threats along the d-file. However,
his strong bishop on d6 may actually play a negative role.} e5 $1 {As we've
already seen, it's vitally important for Black to develop his queenside.} 13.
Bxe5 (13. Ne2 {would return to line C1 above.}) 13... Be6 $1 {The best defence.
} ({Again, Black shouldn't be in a hurry to castle kingside; e.g.} 13... O-O $6
14. Ne2 Qf5 15. Qe3 $1 {is good for White (see note 'c' to 13 Bxe5 in line C1).
}) 14. Ne2 Qf5 15. Bf4 $1 {The only move.} (15. Qe3 $4 {fails to} Nb4 $1 16.
Nd4 Nxa2+ 17. Kd2 O-O-O $1 18. Ke1 Rxd4 $1 19. Rxd4 Nb4 20. Bd1 Re8 {with a
decisive advantage, K.Sakaev-Ar.Timofeev, Russian Ch., Moscow 2007}) ({while} 
15. Qc3 $6 {is met by the same} Nb4 $1 16. Qxb4 Qxe5 {and Black is better.})
15... Bxc4 (15... Qc5 {is also playable:} 16. -- (16. b3 $5 Nd5 (16... Qa3+ 17.
Kb1 Bf5+ 18. Ka1 O-O 19. Bd6 Nc5 20. Qe3 Nfd7 21. Bxf8 Rxf8 22. Nd4 Bg6 23. h4
{is slightly better for White}) 17. Be5 O-O-O 18. Bd4 (18. Bxg7 $5 {is
interesting but Black gets sufficient counterplay after} Ndb4 $1 19. Nd4 Rhg8
20. Bf6 Bxc4 $5 21. bxc4 Rd6 22. a3 Qxc4+ 23. Kb1 Rxf6 24. Be2 $1 Qc5 25. axb4
Nxb4) 18... Qa3+ 19. Qb2 Qxb2+ 20. Kxb2 Nf6 21. Bxa7 {arose in J.Gustafsson-D.Pavasovic, Rogaska Slatina 2009, and at this point} Bg4 $5 {looked simplest,
exchanging the light-squared bishops to reach an acceptable ending.}) (16. Nc3
$5 Qxc4 17. Be2 Qc5 18. Bxa6 $1 ({not} 18. Bd6 $6 Qa5 19. Bxa6 $6 Qxa6 20. Ba3
Nd7 21. Rhe1 O-O-O 22. Be7 Bg4 $1 {is very good for Black, Av.Grigorian-S.Yudin, Moscow 2009}) 18... bxa6 19. Bd6 {and White has at least excellent
compensation for the pawn, A.Gupta-I.Gaponenko, Paleohora 2009.})) 16. Rhg1 ({
Other moves:} 16. Qe3+ Be6 17. Bd6 Nd5 18. Bxd5 cxd5 19. Rhg1 Qe4 {is okay for
Black.}) (16. Nd4 Qc5 17. Rhe1+ Be6+ 18. Nc2 $1 (18. Kb1 $2 O-O-O $1 19. Bg3
Rhe8 {favours Black, A.Gupta-D.Frolyanov, Differdange 2008}) 18... O-O $5 ({
more reliable than} 18... Nd5 19. Bxd5 cxd5 20. Be5 O-O-O 21. Kb1 b6 22. Nd4
Kb7 {, K.Boldysh-P.Rak, corr. 2009, though Black's position is still acceptable
}) 19. Bd6 Qb6 {with a solid position for the exchange.}) (16. Ng3 {deserves
attention:} Qc5 17. Be3 $5 ({if} 17. Rhe1+ Be6+ 18. Kb1 O-O 19. Bd6 {, then}
Rfd8 $5 ({or} 19... Qc4 20. b3 Qh4 21. Bxf8 Rxf8) 20. Bxc5 Rxd2 21. Rxd2 Nxc5 {
with good play}) 17... Qb4 $5 ({after} 17... Qb5 18. Ne4 Nxe4 19. Qd7+ Kf8 20.
Bxe4 {Black is under pressure, C.De Almeida-M.Pauw, corr. 2008}) 18. Nf5 Qxd2+
19. Rxd2 Kf8 (19... Bd5 20. Nxg7+ Kd7 {is somewhat better for White, A.Gupta-A.Jayaram, World Junior Ch., Gaziantep 2008}) 20. Rhd1 Bd5 21. Bf4 h5 {, when
White's initiative fully compensates a couple of pawns, though Black's
position should be defendable, J.Ebner-G.Kleiser, corr. 2009.}) 16... Bxa2 $1 {
White has already mobilized his army, so Black must be very precise with his
king stuck in centre. Although it looks risky to grab another pawn, Black also
weakens the opponent's king, which enables him to generate counterplay.} ({
Other ideas aren't quite acceptable; e.g.} 16... Nd5 17. Rg5 Qf6 18. Re1 ({or} 
18. Bxd5 $5 O-O-O $5 19. Bxc4 Rxd2 20. Rxd2) 18... Ne7 19. Nd4 Nb4 $5 20. Be4 {
intending Be5.}) ({Or} 16... Qc5 17. Nc3 {.}) 17. Qe3+ (17. Nc3 $2 Nb4 {,
meeting} 18. Rxg7 {by} Nd3+ $1 19. Qxd3 Qxf4+ {, is good for Black.}) 17... Qe6
(17... Be6 $2 {is bad:} 18. Rg5 Qh3 19. Ng3 {gives White a strong initiative,
since} O-O $2 {is impossible due to} 20. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 21. Be5 {with a
decisive attack.}) 18. Be5 $1 {White should obviously keep the queens on the
board.} ({After} 18. Rxg7 $6 Qxe3+ 19. Bxe3 Rg8 {Black gets reasonable chances
to defend}) ({while after} 18. Qc3 $6 Qc4 $1 19. Rxg7 Rg8 20. Rxg8+ Nxg8 21.
Nd4 Nc5 {White didn't have enough for the pawns in A.Salem-T.Kotanjian, Moscow
2009.}) 18... Qe7 $5 ({After} 18... Rd8 $6 19. Nf4 Qe7 20. b3 $5 Nc5 21. Rxg7
Rxd1+ 22. Bxd1 Nfd7 23. Rg5 $1 {Black faces real problems with his bishop on
a2.}) ({But} 18... Nd5 $5 {is playable:} 19. -- (19. Qg5 $6 {brings White
nothing but trouble:} Nc5 20. Bxg7 Nb3+ 21. Kc2 Rg8 ({after} 21... Nb4+ $2 22.
Kc3 {the white king is safe despite being surrounded by enemy pieces}) 22. Nf4
({not} 22. Rge1 $4 Rxg7 $1 23. Qxg7 Qf5+) ({or} 22. Bxd5 $2 cxd5 23. Rge1 Qe4+
24. Rd3 Rxg7 $1 25. Qxg7 Bb1+ $1 26. Rxb1 Qxe2+ 27. Kxb3 Qxd3+) 22... Ne3+ $1
23. Kd3 $1 ({not} 23. fxe3 $2 Qc4+ 24. Bc3 Rxg5 25. Rxg5 Qa4) 23... Rxg7 $1 24.
Nxe6 Rxg5 25. Rxg5 Nxd1 26. Rg8+ Kd7 27. Rxa8 Bb1+ $1 28. Ke2 (28. Kc4 $2 Nd2+)
28... Nxb2 29. Nd8 {and Black's invasion looks quite impressive, whereas
White's counter-action won't get him more than a draw, due to his lack of
pawns.}) (19. Bxd5 $1 {(White has to eliminate the knight)} Bxd5 20. Nf4 ({on} 
20. Nd4 {Black defends by} Qe7 21. Bxg7 ({or} 21. Nf5 Qc5+ 22. Qxc5 Nxc5 23.
Bxg7 Rg8 24. Nh6 O-O-O 25. Nxg8 Rxg8 26. b4 Ne6 27. Bf6 Rg6) 21... Rg8 22. Nf5
Qxe3+ 23. fxe3 Nc5 24. Nh6 Kd7 25. Nxg8 Rxg8 26. b4 Ne4 27. Bd4 Ra8 {followed
by ...a7-a5 with sufficient counterplay}) 20... Qe7 21. Nxd5 cxd5 22. Rxg7 Qc5+
23. Qxc5 Nxc5 {and the endgame is okay for Black. White keeps the initiative
but he still has to restore the material balance, which will take time; e.g.}
24. Rg3 ({or} 24. Rxd5 Rc8 25. Kb1 Ke7) 24... f6 25. Bxf6 Rf8 26. Re3+ Ne4 27.
Bh4 Rc8+ 28. Kb1 Kf7 29. Rxd5 Rc4 {with a probable draw.})) 19. Qg5 ({Instead:
} 19. Qf4 Rd8 20. Bd6 Rxd6 $1 21. Rxd6 ({or} 21. Qxd6 Qxd6 22. Rxd6 Nc5 23.
Rxg7 Ne6 24. Rg3 Bd5 25. Bxd5 cxd5 26. Rb3 Ke7) 21... Nc5 22. Rxg7 Nd5 23. Qg3
Rf8 {leaves White's position a bit shaky.}) (19. Ng3 {might be met by} Qc5+ (
19... Nd5 $5 {is more reliable, when} 20. Bxd5 Bxd5 21. Nf5 {transposes to 18..
.Nd5!? above (see 20 Nd4 Qe7 21 Nf5 in note 'b')}) 20. Qxc5 Nxc5 21. Nf5 Rd8
22. Nxg7+ Ke7 23. Bd6+ $5 Rxd6 24. Nf5+ Ke6 25. Nxd6 Nd5 {with good
compensation, but it isn't quite necessary.}) (19. Nc3 Bd5 (19... Bb3 {might
be met by} 20. Nb5 $5) 20. Nxd5 Nxd5 21. Bxd5 cxd5 {also, and curiously,
returns to 18...Nd5!? note 'b' (this time to 20 Nf4 Qe7 21 Nxd5 cxd5 etc).})
19... Nd7 20. Qxe7+ Kxe7 21. Bd6+ (21. Bxg7 $6 Rhg8 {.}) 21... Kf6 22. Nc3 Bb3
({Not} 22... Be6 $4 23. Ne4+ Kf5 24. Rg5# {mate!}) 23. Ne4+ Ke6 24. Ng5+ Kf6 {
. Black's king looks rather exposed but White can't pose any real problems:} {
or} 25. Rd3 ({Not} 25. Rd4 $2 g6 {.}) ({In D.Doric-D.Pavasovic, Slovenian Team
Ch. 2011, White simply repeated moves by} 25. Ne4+ Ke6 26. Ng5+ Kf6 {, which
actually seems quite sensible.}) 25... Nac5 26. Ne4+ Nxe4 27. Bxe4 Bd5 $5 (
27... Rhe8 $5) ({and} 27... Bc4 $5 {also come into consideration.}) 28. Bxd5
cxd5 29. Re1 Rhc8+ 30. Kb1 g5 31. Be7+ Kg7 $1 ({Not} 31... Kg6 $2 32. Rxd5 Nf6
33. Rd6 Rc6 34. Red1) 32. Rxd5 Nf8 33. Rxg5+ Ng6 {and Black is okay.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "16: 8 Be2 Na6 9 Bc3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bc3 {This time White simply retreats his bishop, leaving the
d-file open, while attacking the pawn on g7. 9 Bc3 was considered to be
White's main move for many years, although Black always kept good defensive
resources.} ({Attacking g7 from another direction with the tricky} 9. Bf8 $6 {
merely gives Black a good extra option in} Qxg2 ({otherwise} 9... Ne7 10. Bxg7
{would transpose to line A below - though, as we'll see, it seems more
promising for Black not to give up his g7-pawn}) 10. Qd6 (10. Qd2 e5 $5) 10...
Bd7 11. Bf3 ({not} 11. O-O-O $6 O-O-O 12. Nf3 Nh6 $1 13. Be7 Nf5) 11... Qg5 (
11... Qg6 $5 12. Ne2 e5 $5 13. Rg1 Qxd6 14. Bxd6 Ne7 {is also fine}) 12. Nh3 (
12. h4 $2 Qf6 {is just helps Black, N.Aratovsky-L.Shamkovich, Russian Ch.,
Yaroslavl 1951}) (12. Ne2 Ne7 13. Rg1 Qa5+ 14. b4 Qxb4+ 15. Qxb4 Nxb4 16. Bxg7
Rg8 {is also good for him}) 12... Qf6 13. O-O-O O-O-O 14. Bg2 Qg6 $5 (14... g5
$5) 15. Nf4 Qh6 16. Rd2 e5 $1 17. Qxh6 (17. Qxe5 $2 Nf6) 17... Nxh6 18. Bxg7
exf4 19. Bxh6 Bf5 20. Rhd1 Rxd2 21. Kxd2 Nc5 22. Bxf4 Rd8+ 23. Ke2 Nd3 {and
Black's initiative should win a pawn soon.}) 9... -- {After 9 Bc3 Black has to
decide whether to secure his g7-pawn or continue his development. We'll
consider:} ({A:} 9... Ne7) ({B:} 9... f6 $5) ({The routine} 9... Nf6 $6 {
doesn't put any obstacles in White's path:} 10. Nf3 Bd7 11. O-O (11. Ne5 $5) ({
and} 11. Qd2 $5 {are also promising}) 11... O-O-O 12. Bd3 Qg4 13. Qc2 {and
Black has no counterplay to distract White from his simple attacking plan on
the queenside, beginning with b2-b4, I.Sokolov-V.Akopian, Groningen 1991.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bc3"]
[Black "A: 9...Ne7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bc3 Ne7 {A common way to develop the knight in the Marshall,
since it can fight for the key dark squares more effectively after ...Ng6 or ...Nf5. Moreover, it allows Black to build the f6/e5 pawn chain to counter the
white bishop, which is vitally important.} 10. Bxg7 {A principled decision.} (
10. f3 $6 {is passive:} Qg6 ({or} 10... Qh4+ $5 11. g3 Qh6) 11. g4 f6 {and
Black is fine, P.Korzubov-I.Novikov, Bukhara 1981.}) ({Alternatively, White
can reject the gift and simply continue his development by} 10. Nf3 O-O ({or} 
10... f6 $5) 11. O-O (11. Qd2 Ng6 {is good for Black, according to tournament
practice}) 11... f6 {, which is considered via 9...f6 10 Nf3 Ne7 in line B1
below.}) 10... Rg8 (10... Qxg2 $2 {loses to} 11. Bf6 $1 Nc5 ({or} 11... Qxh1
12. Qd6) 12. Qd6 {and Black can resign already, D.Rovner-A.Kotov, Leningrad
1949.}) 11. Bf6 {The point of this move is to provoke Black into putting his
queen or rook on an inferior square, which might be tactically favourable for
White.} ({Instead:} 11. Bc3 $6 {is well met by} Nd5 $1 ({not yet} 11... Qxg2 $2
{because of} 12. Qd2 $1 Qxh1 13. O-O-O Nd5 14. Nf3 Qxd1+ $2 ({or} 14... Qg2 15.
cxd5 cxd5 16. Qd4 $1 {with a strong initiative}) 15. Bxd1 Nxc3 16. Qxc3 {and
White's queen is stronger than Black's uncoordinated rooks, D.Bronstein-A.Kotov, Budapest Candidates 1950}) 12. cxd5 Qxg2 13. dxe6 ({not} 13. Bf3 $2 Qxh1
$1 14. Bxh1 Rxg1+ {etc}) 13... Bxe6 14. Bf6 Rg6 $1 (14... Qxh1 {allows White
to escape by} 15. Qd6 $1 Rxg1+ 16. Kd2 Qd5+ 17. Qxd5 {and 18.Rxg1}) 15. Bf3 ({
not} 15. Qd4 $2 Qxh1 16. O-O-O Qd5 {and Black consolidates, E.Melikhov-D.
Efremov, corr. 1954}) ({or} 15. Bh4 $2 Qxh1 16. Qd6 {, when Black parries the
mating threat by} Rg5 $1 {and obtains a decisive advantage:} 17. O-O-O Rc5+ 18.
Kb1 Qe4+ 19. Bd3 Qxh4) 15... Qxh1 $1 16. Bxh1 Rxg1+ 17. Ke2 Rxd1 18. Rxd1 Bc4+
19. Kd2 Bxa2 {and White has to fight for equality.}) (11. Qd4 {is harmless:}
Qxd4 12. Bxd4 c5 $5 (12... Rxg2 {is also possible, though after} 13. Bf3 Rg6
14. O-O-O {White has decent compensation for the pawn}) 13. Be5 Nb4 14. Kf1
Nec6 {with good play for Black.}) 11... -- ({A1:} 11... Qf4) ({A2:} 11... Rg6)
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bc3"]
[Black "A1: 11...Qf4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bc3 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Rg8 11. Bf6 Qf4 {This is playable but perhaps
makes Black's task slightly more difficult.} 12. Bc3 (12. Bxe7 Kxe7 13. g3 {
doesn't promise much:} Qe5 ({or} 13... Qe4 $5 14. Nf3 Rd8) 14. Qb1 $5 b6 15.
Nf3 Qf6 16. O-O Bb7 17. Qe4 {and here} Rab8 {followed by ...c6-c5 should hold
the balance,} ({rather than} 17... Nc5 $6 18. Qe3 Nd7 19. Bd3 c5 20. Be4 Bxe4
21. Qxe4 {with a stable advantage, R.Scherbakov-I.Novikov, St. Petersburg 1995.
})) 12... Rxg2 13. Nf3 f6 {Other moves are unsatisfactory.} (13... Ng6 $2 {is
bad:} 14. Kf1 $1 Nh4 $5 15. Be5 $1 Qf5 16. Bg3 Qh3 17. Ke1 $1 ({not} 17. Ng5 $4
Rg1+ $1) 17... Rxg3 18. fxg3 Qg2 19. Rf1 {and White keeps the exchange.}) ({
Similarly,} 13... Nc5 $6 14. Be5 Qh6 15. Qd4 $1 b6 16. Rd1 Nd7 17. Bg3) ({and} 
13... Bd7 $6 14. Be5 Qh6 15. Bg3 Nf5 16. Qc1 $1 {would leave the black rook on
g2 stranded}) ({while after} 13... Rg8 14. Qd2 $1 Qxd2+ 15. Nxd2 f5 16. O-O-O
Bd7 17. Nf3 Ng6 18. Rhe1 {, Y.Yakovich-P.San Segundo Carrillo, Oviedo (rapid)
1993}) ({or} 13... Nf5 14. Be5 $1 Qh6 15. Qd2 $1 Qxd2+ 16. Nxd2 Rg6 17. Ne4 Ke7
18. h4 {, A.Onischuk-I.Novikov, Lindsborg 2002, White gets an annoying
initiative for the pawn.}) 14. Qd2 $1 {A typical method in such positions.
White exchanges the opponent's strong queen and develops an initiative in the
ending, using the power of his minor pieces, especially the dark-squared
bishop.} ({After} 14. Qd3 e5 $1 15. Qxh7 {Black isn't worse:} Be6 (15... Bg4 $5
) 16. Rd1 ({or} 16. Rg1 Qxf3 $5 17. Qh5+ $1 Ng6 $1 18. Bxf3 Rxg1+ 19. Ke2 O-O-O
$1 20. Rxg1 Nf4+ 21. Ke1 Nxh5 22. Bxh5 Rh8 23. Be2 Rxh2 24. Rg6 Nc5) 16... Bxc4
$5 ({after} 16... e4 {, as in B.Abrashkin-A.Vul, Ryazan 2003, White could have
equalized by} 17. Rd4 $1 Qc1+ 18. Rd1) 17. Rg1 $1 Bxe2 18. Qh5+ Kf8 19. Rxg2
Bxf3 20. Qh8+ Kf7 21. Rg7+ Ke6 22. Rxe7+ $1 Kxe7 23. Qg7+ Ke8 24. Qg8+ {with
perpetual check.}) 14... Rg4 $1 ({Black has several moves here, but again most
of them are insufficient:} 14... Qf5 $2 15. O-O-O) ({and} 14... e5 $2 15. Qxf4
exf4 16. Nh4 $1 Rg8 17. O-O-O) ({and} 14... Ng6 $6 15. Qxf4 Nxf4 16. Bxf6 {
don't solve Black's problems}) ({while in the ending after} 14... Qxd2+ {White
regroups his forces in the most efficient way:} 15. Nxd2 e5 16. Ne4 {intending
to break up Black's pawn chain by f2-f4; e.g.} Kf7 17. Rd1 ({or} 17. Bh5+ $5
Kg7 18. Rd1) 17... Nf5 $5 (17... Rg8 $6 18. f4 $1 {gave White a strong
initiative in J.Lautier-M.Gurevich, Biel Interzonal 1993, which continued} Ng6
19. Rd6 Ke7 20. Rxf6 Nxf4 21. Bxe5 Nxe2 22. Bd6+ $1 Ke8 23. Kxe2 {and Black
faced serious problems}) 18. Rd8 ({or} 18. Rd2 Ke7 19. f4 Nd4) 18... Nc7 19.
Bh5+ Kg7 20. h4 Ne6 21. Rd2 Nf4 22. Bf3 Be6 23. Bxg2 Nxg2+ 24. Kd1 Kf7 {and
although Black's position is playable, the extra exchange certainly gives
White the better chances.}) 15. h3 ({Other possibilities are harmless; e.g.} 
15. Rd1 Kf7) ({or} 15. Qc2 e5 $5 ({or} 15... Rg6 16. Bd2 Qf5) 16. Qxh7 Qf5 17.
Qh8+ Rg8 18. Qh6 {and here Black has a good choice between} Qg6 (18... Nc5) ({
and} 18... Ng6 {- his knights have good prospects, whereas White's bishops
aren't so effective.})) 15... Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 ({After} 16. Nxd2 {Black
restricts the knight by} Rf4 $1 {.}) 16... Rg6 (16... Rf4 {is also possible.
White can trap the rook by} 17. Bd4 e5 18. Be3 {, but after} Ng6 {Black's
stronghold on f4 should provide good compensation, especially as White is
parting with his dark-squared bishop.}) 17. Bd3 Nf5 18. Rae1 Kf7 19. Nd4 Bd7 {
. The last black piece - the rook - is coming into play. White still has
sufficient compensation for the pawn, but Black shouldn't be worse.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bc3"]
[Black "A2: 11...Rg6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bc3 Ne7 10. Bxg7 Rg8 11. Bf6 $1 Rg6 {The main response for Black.
} 12. Bc3 ({After} 12. Bxe7 Kxe7 13. Qd2 e5 14. Rd1 Be6 {White's pieces aren't
powerful enough to pose any serious problems:} 15. f3 Qd4 $5 (15... Qh4+ {is
risky but playable:} 16. g3 Rxg3 17. hxg3 Qxh1 18. Qg5+ f6 (18... Kf8 $5 {is
also possible}) 19. Qg7+ Bf7 20. Rd7+ Kxd7 21. Qxf7+ Kc8 22. Kf1 b6 23. Bd3 Qh6
24. Bf5+ Kb8 25. Qd7 Qf8 26. Qxc6 {and although White keeps the initiative,
Black can probably hold on, J.Plesek-E.Trexler, corr. 2002}) 16. Qxd4 exd4 17.
Kf2 Rd8 18. Bd3 Rh6 $5 {and Black is okay; e.g.} 19. b3 Nb4 20. Bb1 d3 ({or} 
20... c5 $5) 21. Rd2 b5 $5 {with good counterplay.}) (12. f3 {doesn't promise
much either:} Qf5 $5 (12... Qf4 13. Bxe7 Kxe7 14. g3 Qe3 15. Qd3 Qxd3 16. Bxd3
{gives White a slight edge in the ending thanks to his superior pawn structure,
Y.Yakovich-R.Scherbakov, Russian Team Ch. 1994}) 13. Bxe7 ({or} 13. Bc3 Rxg2
14. Bf1 Rg8 15. Qd2 e5 16. O-O-O Be6) 13... Kxe7 14. Qd2 ({if} 14. Bd3 Qe5+ 15.
Kf1 Rg8 $5) ({or} 14. Kf1 Qg5 15. g3 e5) 14... Rxg2 15. O-O-O Kf8 16. f4 ({or} 
16. Qh6+ Ke7) 16... e5 $1 17. fxe5 Qg5 $1 18. Qxg5 Rxg5 19. Nf3 Rg2 {and Black
is doing well.}) 12... Qxg2 ({Other moves:} 12... Nd5 $2 {, which worked well
against 11 Bc3?! earlier, is impossible with Black's rook on g6, as after} 13.
cxd5 Qxg2 14. Qd4 $1 {the threat of Qh8+ causes big trouble:} Qxh1 15. Qh8+ Ke7
16. Bf6+ $1 {(the most convincing way)} Rxf6 17. d6+ Kxd6 ({or} 17... Kd7 18.
Qxf6 {, G.Borisenko-Kagan, Leningrad 1952}) 18. Qd8+ $1 Ke5 19. O-O-O Qd5 20.
Rxd5+ exd5 21. Nf3+ Rxf3 22. Bxf3 {with a decisive advantage.}) (12... e5 $5 {
is rare but very interesting - the idea of ...Bf5 makes White's queenside
castling rather problematic:} 13. Nf3 ({, not} 13. Qd2 $2 Rxg2 14. O-O-O Bf5) (
{, or} 13. f3 $6 Qh4+ 14. Kf1 Be6 $5 ({or} 14... Nf5 15. Qd2 Rd6 $1 16. Qc1 Qe7
$5 {and Black's superiority in centre gives him the better chances})) 13...
Rxg2 $5 {and White's position isn't easy.} (13... f6 {is also possible, but
why not grab the pawn?!}) 14. -- (14. Qd2 $2 f6 15. Qd6 ({or if} 15. Qh6 {, S.
K.Williams-D.Bryson, Hastings 1995/96, then} Nc5 $1 {is convincing}) 15... Bg4
$1 16. Qxf6 Bh5 $1 {intending ...Rg6 and ...Bxf3, winning a piece.}) (14. Nxe5
$6 Rg8 $1 {and White faces problems with his rook on h1, J.Garcia Rovira-J.Urban, corr. 1998.}) (14. h4 $6 {is also dubious:} Bf5 15. Nxe5 Rd8 16. Qc1 f6
17. Nf3 Rd3 $1 {.}) (14. Qd3 Qxd3 15. Bxd3 Nc5 ({or} 15... f6 $5 16. Bxh7 Be6
17. b3 Kf7) 16. Bxh7 e4 {with advantage, A.Rawlings-G.Sprott, corr. 2001.}) (
14. Qb1 $5 Qxb1+ 15. Rxb1 e4 (15... f6 16. Nh4 Rg8 17. Rd1 {is unclear}) 16.
Nh4 Rg8 17. Rd1 ({or} 17. f3 Nf5 $5) 17... Be6 18. f3 Nc5 {and Black can't be
worse with his extra pawn.})) 13. Qd2 (13. Qd4 $2 {is a big mistake due to} e5
$1 14. Qd2 Qxh1 15. O-O-O Bf5 16. Nf3 Qg2 17. Nxe5 Nc5 {with a decisive
advantage.}) 13... Qxh1 14. O-O-O Nd5 {The only defence.} (14... f6 $2 {loses
to} 15. Nf3 Qxd1+ ({or} 15... Qg2 16. Qd8+ Kf7 17. Bxf6 $1) 16. Qxd1 {. As
we've already seen, Black's undeveloped army can't extinguish White's
initiative in such positions; e.g.} Nf5 17. Nd2 {and so on.}) 15. Nf3 Qg2 16.
cxd5 exd5 $1 {Many years ago I analysed this position with Maxim Sorokin and
we supposed this capture was dubious. However, modern computers don't agree
with that.} ({The alternative} 16... cxd5 $6 {is weaker:} 17. Ne5 Bd7 18. Qf4
Rg7 $6 ({here} 18... Qg5 19. Nxg6 Qxg6 20. Bd3) ({and} 18... f6 19. Nxg6 Qxg6
20. Qxf6 $5 Qxf6 21. Bxf6 {give White more than enough for the pawn, but these
options would be more reliable for Black}) 19. h4 $1 (19. Nxd7 $6 {, as in K.Berg-R.Scherbakov, Cappelle la Grande 1995, should be met by} Qg5 $1 {,
swapping the queens:} 20. Nf6+ Ke7 21. Qxg5 Rxg5 22. Nxh7 Rf5 {with acceptable
play since White has some problems with his knight on h7}) 19... Nc5 ({or} 
19... Rc8 20. Qf6 {intending Bh5}) 20. Bf1 $1 Qe4 21. Qf6 {and Black is in
trouble; e.g.} Ba4 22. b3 Kf8 23. bxa4 Rc8 24. Nc6 $1 Qg6 25. Qe7+ Kg8 26. Nxa7
{and so on.}) 17. Qd4 {This is the move which seemed dangerous to us.} ({Other
options are harmless:} 17. Nh4 $6 {allows} Qg5 $1 {.}) (17. Ne5 $6 {is also
dubious:} Nc5 ({or} 17... Qxf2 $5 18. Nxg6 hxg6 19. Qh6 Bf5 20. Qh8+ Kd7 21.
Qxa8 Qxe2 22. Qxb7+ Nc7 23. Qb3 Qxh2) 18. Nxg6 hxg6 19. Qd4 Qg5+ 20. f4 Qe7 21.
Re1 Bf5 $1 {and Black has a big advantage, J.Matlak-V.Volodin, corr. 2001.}) (
17. Re1 Be6 18. Bxa6 (18. Qe3 Nc7) 18... bxa6 19. Qf4 d4 $5 ({or} 19... O-O-O
20. Qa4 ({while} 20. Ba5 $6 Rd7 21. Ne5 Rg4 $5 {is worse for him}) 20... Kb7
21. Qb4+ Ka8 22. Qc5 Rc8 23. Bd4 Rc7 24. Qf8+ {and White has to repeat}) 20.
Qxd4 Rd8 21. Qh8+ Rg8 22. Qf6 Qg6 {and Black is okay, A.Rawlings-G.Morais,
corr. 2003.}) 17... Qg4 $1 18. Qe5+ Be6 19. Rd4 $5 ({The attempt to break
Black's coordination by} 19. h3 $5 {is interesting but fails to bring the
desired result:} Qg2 ({not} 19... f6 $2 20. Qd6 Qxh3 21. Nd4) 20. Rg1 Qxf3 $1 (
20... Qxg1+ $2 21. Nxg1 Rxg1+ 22. Kd2 {is good for White}) ({but} 20... Qxf2 {
is acceptable:} 21. Rxg6 hxg6 22. Qh8+ Kd7 23. Qxa8 Qxe2 24. Qxb7+ Ke8 {and
White should give perpetual}) 21. Rxg6 Qh1+ 22. Kd2 hxg6 23. Qh8+ Kd7 24. Qxa8
Nc7 25. Qxb7 Qh2 {and Black keeps the extra pawn, although White has
reasonable compensation.}) 19... Qg2 $1 {White wanted to push the black queen
back, but instead it goes forward again!} ({The routine} 19... Qf5 $2 {just
loses to} 20. Qh8+ {, winning the rook.}) 20. Bxa6 bxa6 21. Rb4 $1 {The only
move, incidentally.} Qxf3 22. Qh8+ Ke7 23. Rb7+ Bd7 24. Qe5+ Kf8 {. White
gives perpetual check.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bc3"]
[Black "B: 9...f6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bc3 f6 $5 {Since the 1950s this pawn advance was thought to be
suspicious, but in fact it's rather interesting. It's vitally important for
Black to restrict the opponent's dark-squared bishop and knight, as well as
make way for his own bishop - and here it also saves the pawn! A slight delay
in development therefore seems bearable. Nevertheless, such a slow approach
gives White more freedom - and he can castle both sides:} 10. -- ({B1:} 10. Nf3
{(White castles kingside)}) ({B2:} 10. Qd6 {(White castles queenside)}) (10.
Qd2 {doesn't promise much:} e5 ({or} 10... Ne7 11. O-O-O O-O 12. Nf3 Ng6 13.
Rhe1 e5 14. Bf1 Qf4 {and Black is fine, E.Lobron-R.Knaak, Baden-Baden 1992})
11. f3 (11. O-O-O $2 Bf5) ({and} 11. Rd1 Be6 {are also good for Black}) 11...
Qh4+ 12. g3 Qh6 {and White may even be unable to prove compensation for the
pawn; e.g.} 13. f4 exf4 14. Bf3 Bd7 ({or} 14... Bf5 $5 15. g4 Rd8 16. Qe2+ Kf7)
15. O-O-O fxg3 16. Re1+ Kf7 $1 ({stronger than} 16... Kf8 17. Re3 Re8 18. Bd4
g2 19. Bxg2 Ne7 20. Bxa7 Nf5 21. Rxe8+ Kxe8 {, still with better chances, B.Gulko-G.Kaidanov, Philadelphia 1997}) 17. Re3 Re8 $1 {and Black parries all
the threats, since} 18. Qxd7+ $2 {fails to} Re7 19. Bd5+ cxd5 20. Qxd5+ Ke8 21.
Bd2 Rxe3 {with a decisive material advantage.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bc3"]
[Black "B1: 10 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bc3 f6 $5 10. Nf3 Ne7 ({Building a barrier on the long diagonal
and freeing the bishop on c8 as soon as possible by} 10... e5 $6 {involves
unnecessary risk, as Black falls behind in development:} 11. O-O Ne7 12. Nxe5
$1 ({a principled decision - White is trying to get to the black king before
it escapes; after} 12. Nd2 Qf5 13. Bh5+ g6 14. Bf3 O-O 15. Ne4 Qe6 16. Re1 Nf5
{Black was okay, V.Dobrov-R.Saptarshi, Calcutta 2008}) 12... fxe5 13. Bh5+ g6 (
13... Ng6 $2 14. Re1 Qxc4 15. Qd6) 14. Re1 Qxc4 $1 (14... Qh4 $2 15. Bf3 $1 {
leads to serious problems - the black king finds no shelter on the kingside
after} {or} O-O 16. Rxe5 {, N.Kosenko-S.Javorskij, corr. 1993}) 15. Rxe5 (15.
Be2 {doesn't promise much:} Qd5 16. Bxa6 Qxd1 17. Raxd1 bxa6 18. Rxe5 Rb8 19.
Rde1 ({or} 19. Rxe7+ Kxe7 20. Bxh8 Be6) 19... Rb7 {and White has to exchange
all the rooks to get the piece back, which leads to a draw}) 15... gxh5 16. Qd6
Qf7 17. Rxe7+ ({alternatively:} 17. Rae1 O-O 18. Rg5+ Ng6 19. f4 Bg4 20. f5
Bxf5 21. Qe5 Qf6 22. Qxf6 Rxf6 23. Bxf6 Bc2 24. Re7 Nb4) ({or} 17. f3 Be6 18.
Rae1 Rd8 19. Qxe6 Rd7 20. Qxf7+ Kxf7 21. Rxe7+ Rxe7 22. Rxe7+ Kxe7 23. Bxh8 Ke6
{and Black defends, though he's under pressure in both cases}) 17... Qxe7 18.
Re1 Qxe1+ 19. Bxe1 Rg8 {and Black's position looks dangerous, but White seems
unable to exploit vulnerability of the enemy king. A.Vaisser-M.Apicella,
French Ch., Aix-les-Bains 2003, continued} 20. Qe5+ Kd8 21. Qf6+ Kc7 22. Qe5+
Kd8 23. Qf6+ {and the players soon agreed a draw.}) 11. O-O ({After} 11. Qd2 e5
{, the idea of ...Bf5 prevents White from castling long, which makes Qd2 a
waste of time.}) ({The attempt to exploit Black's move order (i.e. ...f7-f6
before ...0-0) by} 11. Nd2 {doesn't bother him much:} Qxg2 $1 (11... Qf4 {
isn't bad either:} 12. g3 Qc7 13. Bh5+ Ng6 14. Qc2 ({or if} 14. f4 O-O 15. Qe2
{, rather than} Ne7 {as in Zhu Chen-A.Kosteniuk, World Women's Ch., Moscow
2001,} ({Black had some better options, such as} 15... e5 $5) ({or} 15... Nc5
$5 {with ideas of ...Na4})) 14... e5 $1 {with excellent play since Bxg6 is
nothing to worry about}) 12. Bf3 Qh3 13. Rg1 O-O 14. Ne4 e5 {and White has
nothing for the two sacrificed pawns, D.Fuhrmann-D.Komljenovic, Ischia 1997.})
11... O-O 12. Re1 {Black is behind in development and his advanced queen may
help White generate an initiative. Nevertheless, Black is a pawn up and his
position is solid enough. He keeps some simple but effective ideas in mind: to
complete a barrier on the long diagonal by ...e6-e5, at the same time making
way for the bishop, and to shift his knight to g6 or even to f4, which is
typical for such positions (as we've already seen in Chapter 13 - line C2).
The rest of his pieces - the knight on a6 and the rook on a8 - also have clear
objectives.} (12. Bd3 {can be met by} Qg4 13. Qc2 Ng6 ({or} 13... Qh5 $5) 14.
h3 Qh5 {and Black is fine, O.Bjarnason-T.Markowski, Reykjavik 2000.}) 12... Ng6
{As a rule, in such positions Black shouldn't hurry up to get his queen back
to safety, despite any apparent dangers. He has many improving moves, whereas
the troubled queen might in fact disturb the opponent's plans.} (12... Qf4 {
isn't really in the spirit of the opening, and} 13. b4 Qc7 14. Bd3 e5 15. Qc2 {
gives White a good initiative for the pawn. Nevertheless, Black's position is
playable:} Ng6 $1 ({weakening the long diagonal with} 15... g6 $2 {would be
fatal:} 16. Nxe5 $1 fxe5 17. Bxe5 Qd8 18. Bb2 $1 {intending Qc3, T.Reilly-I.Bjelobrk, Melbourne 2002}) 16. h4 {could be answered by} Qf7 $5 ({or} 16... Bg4
$5 17. Nh2 Be6 18. h5 Nf4 19. Bxh7+ Kh8) 17. h5 Nf4 18. Bxh7+ Kh8 {with
counter-chances.}) (12... e5 {can lead to the main line after 13 b4 Ng6.
Instead, White might begin with} 13. Bd3 $5 {, but then} Qg4 {isn't bad for
Black:} 14. -- (14. b4 Nc7 (14... Ng6 15. h3 Qh5) ({and} 14... Qh5 $5 {are
also possible}) 15. Re4 Qd7 16. Qc2 Ng6 17. h4 Ne6 {is good for Black, S.
Flohr-J.Szily, Budapest 1949.}) (14. h3 Qh5 15. Nxe5 $5 ({or} 15. Re4 Qf7)
15... Qxd1 16. Raxd1 fxe5 17. Rxe5 Rf7 {is hardly promising for White either.})
(14. Re4 $5 {is the most challenging move. Then} Qe6 ({after} 14... Qd7 15.
Nxe5 $1 fxe5 16. Rxe5 {White gets a strong initiative for the piece}) 15. -- (
15. b4 {was played in the old game F.Marshall-E.Schrader, St. Louis 1904,
which continued} Qf7 16. Nh4 g5 $1 17. Nf3 Bf5 18. Re3 Rad8 {and White didn't
achieve much for the pawn.}) ({. White does have more promising options:} 15.
Ng5 $5 fxg5 ({but it's more reliable for Black to reject the gift with} 15...
Qd7 $5 16. Nxh7 Nc5 17. Re3 Rf7) 16. Rxe5 Qf7 17. Qe2 Re8 18. Re1 Kf8 19. Rxg5
g6 20. Re5) ({. Similarly, while the typical sacrifice} 15. Nxe5 $1 {looks
strong, Black can defend with} Nc5 $1 ({not} 15... fxe5 $2 16. Rxe5 Qf7 17.
Rxe7 $1 Qxe7 18. Qh5 {and Black faces serious problems}) 16. Rf4 Nxd3 17. Nxd3
Ng6 18. Rd4 b6 {, when he has acceptable play.}))) 13. b4 {White set up his
forces to act in the centre and on the kingside, but first he wants to disturb
his opponent on the queenside.} ({Otherwise Black has a solid position and
good defensive resources:} 13. Bd3 Qg4 $1 14. Re4 $6 (14. h3 Qh5) 14... Nf4 15.
g3 {is strongly met by} e5 $1 {, combining defence and attack with the better
chances.}) (13. g3 e5 14. Nd2 Qf5 15. h4 $6 Rd8 16. h5 Nf8 17. h6 Nc5 {merely
promotes Black's plans, P.Wells-D.Bronstein, Hastings 1993/94.}) (13. Nd2 Qf4 (
13... Qf5 $5) 14. g3 Qc7 {followed by ...e6-e5 is also good.}) 13... e5 (13...
Nf4 $5 {is good too:} 14. Bf1 Qg6 15. g3 e5 16. Nh4 ({or} 16. b5 cxb5 17. cxb5
Nc5) 16... Qg5 17. b5 cxb5 18. cxb5 Nc5 19. Bb4 b6 {and so on, G.Estevez
Morales-J.Diaz, Bayamo 1984.}) 14. b5 $1 (14. Nd2 {, trying to get the knight
to d6, doesn't bring the desired effect:} Qf5 15. b5 cxb5 16. cxb5 Nc7 $1 (
16... Nc5 {is weaker:} 17. Bb4 b6 18. Bxc5 bxc5 19. Bc4+ Kh8 20. Ne4 {and
White can still hope for an edge}) 17. Nc4 ({after} 17. Bf3 $6 Nf4 $1 18. Bb4
Rd8 $1 19. Ba5 b6 20. Bxa8 Nxa8 {followed by ...Bb7 Black gets powerful play})
17... Nf4 $1 {and Black seizes the initiative. B.Lalic-R.Scherbakov, Hastings
1994/95, continued} 18. Bb4 Ncd5 $3 19. Bxf8 Nc3 20. Bg4 $5 ({if} 20. Qd8 $5 {
then} Qd7 $1) 20... Qxg4 $1 21. Qxg4 Bxg4 22. Bb4 Nce2+ $1 23. Kf1 Nd4 24. Na3
$6 ({or} 24. Ne3 $5 Be2+ 25. Kg1 Bxb5) 24... Be2+ 25. Kg1 Nd3 26. Reb1 Rc8 {
and Black obtained a decisive advantage. Black's minor pieces have settled in
White's camp as if it were their own and control most of the board, from the
b- to the f-file!}) 14... cxb5 ({Keeping the position closed by} 14... Nb8 $6 {
retards Black's development, and after} 15. Nd2 $1 Qf5 16. g3 $1 {both his
knights are restricted.}) ({Instead,} 14... Nc5 {isn't so bad:} 15. Bb4 b6 16.
Nd2 $5 (16. Bf1 Qg4 17. bxc6 Nf4 {is more or less acceptable, P.Ollier-H.Lefebvre, Nimes 2009}) 16... Qf5 17. Nb3 Nf4 18. Nxc5 bxc5 19. Bxc5 Qg6 20. g3
Nxe2+ 21. Qxe2 Re8 {with decent counter-chances against the white king.}) (
14... Nc7 $5 {might be playable as well.}) 15. cxb5 Nc7 $5 {As we have seen,
the knight has good prospects on c7.} ({Nevertheless,} 15... Nc5 {is also
playable:} 16. -- (16. Bf1 {is harmless:} Qg4 17. h3 ({or} 17. Qd5+ $6 Ne6 18.
h3 Ngf4 $1 19. hxg4 Nxd5 {, D.Gordievsky-D.Sanzhaev, Russian Junior Ch. 2009})
17... Qd7 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19. Bb4 b6 {and Black is at least not worse.}) (16. Qd6
Nf4 (16... Ne6 $5) 17. Bf1 Qd5 18. Bxe5 $1 fxe5 19. Qxd5+ Nxd5 20. Bc4 Be6 21.
Rxe5 {was A.Bangiev-P.W.Smith, corr. 1993, and here it seemed more accurate to
play} Nc3 22. Rxc5 Bxc4 23. Rxc4 Nxb5 {with a drawish ending.}) (16. Nd4 Qd5
17. Nb3 Qxd1 18. Raxd1 Nxb3 19. Bc4+ Kh8 20. Bxb3 {and Black holds on after}
Re8 $5 ({or} 20... Bg4 21. f3 Rfc8) 21. Bb4 Be6 22. Bxe6 Rxe6 23. Rd7 a6 24. a4
axb5 25. a5 $1 h5 26. Rxb7 Nf4 {etc.}) (16. Nd2 $1 {is the strongest option:}
Qa4 (16... Qf5 {transposes to 14 Nd2 above, where Black chose the less
promising 16...Nc5}) 17. Qxa4 (17. Nb3 $6 Ne4 $1) 17... Nxa4 18. Bc4+ Kh8 19.
Bb4 Rd8 20. Ne4 {and White is going to play Nd6, when his initiative looks
rather annoying. However, Black has sufficient defensive resources:} Nb2 $5 21.
Bb3 ({or} 21. Bf1 Nf4 22. Nd6 Be6 23. Nxb7 Rd5 24. Nc5 Bf5) 21... Nd3 22. Red1
{and now, rather than} Bg4 ({while} 22... Rd4 $1 {may lead to a draw by
repetition by} 23. Bc3 Rd8 24. Bb4 Rd4 {etc}) 23. Nd6 Rxd6 24. Bxd6 Bxd1 25.
Rxd1 {and Black is still under pressure.})) 16. Rc1 Ne6 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bb4 ({
After} 18. Bg4 Qd3 19. Qb3 Ngf4 20. Ne4 Qd5 21. Qxd5 Nxd5 {White's initiative
fully compensates for the pawn, but Black's position is defendable.}) 18... Re8
19. Nc4 Ngf4 20. Nd6 Qg6 21. g3 Nxe2+ 22. Rxe2 Nf4 23. Rd2 Be6 24. Nxe8 Rxe8 {
. Thanks to the vulnerable white king and an extra pawn, Black has reasonable
compensation for the exchange.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Bc3"]
[Black "B2: 10 Qd6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Bc3 f6 $5 10. Qd6 {This move looks very powerful but Black has
no need to be scared.} Ne7 (10... Nh6 $6 {is dubious:} 11. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 12.
O-O-O Qg6 $1 13. Qd8+ Kf7 14. Qxh8 Nb4 15. Bh5 $1 Nxa2+ $1 16. Kd2 Qxh5 17.
Qxh7+ Ke8 18. Nf3 e5 19. Rhe1 {and Black's pieces lack coordination.}) (10...
Bd7 11. O-O-O O-O-O {is playable. After} 12. Qg3 -- ({, the simplest way to
solve Black's problems is} 12... e5 $5 {intending ...Bf5. I analysed this with
Maxim Sorokin fifteen or so years ago, though it still hasn't been played. Then
} 13. Qxg7 ({or} 13. Bd3 Qg4 $1) 13... Bf5 14. Rxd8+ Kxd8 15. Kd2 {(the white
king is also unsafe)} Qc2+ 16. Ke1 Qb1+ {with a probable repetition of moves
since} 17. Kd2 {leads to a repetition of moves,} ({since} 17. Bd1 {is risky
for White:} Bc2 18. f3 Qxd1+ 19. Kf2 Ke8 $5 20. Qxh8 Kf7 {with very active
play.})) ({. Alternatively,} 12... Qg6 $5 {is more ambitious:} 13. Qe3 b6 ({or
} 13... Qh6 $5 14. f4 e5 $5) 14. Nh3 Ne7 ({after} 14... Qh6 15. f4 Ne7 16. g4
e5 17. Bd2 Nc5 18. Qa3 {White has good compensation for the pawn, D.Bronstein-J.Szily, Budapest 1949}) 15. Nf4 Qf7 {and Black is solid enough.})) (
10... e5 $5 {, trying to prevent White from queenside castling, may be even
more precise. Then} 11. Nf3 ({as} 11. O-O-O $2 Bf5) ({and} 11. Rd1 Kf7 {are
nothing to fear}) 11... Ne7 12. O-O-O {would transpose to the main line.}) 11.
O-O-O (11. Rd1 {isn't dangerous either:} Kf7 12. Nf3 e5 ({while} 12... Ng6 {
suggests a draw by repetition after} 13. Rd4 Qb1+ 14. Rd1 Qe4 {.})) 11... e5 $5
({Black has other options, such as} 11... Kf7 {, trying to defend with an
extra pawn and somehow extinguish White's initiative. It seems playable,
though it's certainly risky:} 12. Bd3 $5 ({or} 12. Qg3 e5) 12... Qxg2 13. Ne2
Qg5+ 14. Kb1 Nf5 $1 ({not} 14... Qc5 $6 15. Qg3 e5 16. Rhg1 g6 17. Qf3 Nf5 18.
Ng3 Nxg3 19. Qxg3 {with a strong initiative, J.P.Wallace-A.Ashton, British
League 2007}) 15. Qa3 {, when White's activity and the vulnerability of the
opposing king give him good compensation for a couple of pawns, although some
Black advocates might be satisfied with this position.}) (11... Ng6 $5 {
deserves serious attention, with the simple idea of ...Qf4+ to swap queens; it
might even be more reliable than the main line.}) 12. Nf3 $1 {We've already
seen that the white king may not be safe on the queenside. Black's typical
pawn advance prepares ...Bf5, so White must hurry up.} ({The straightforward} 
12. Qd8+ Kf7 13. Qxh8 {is well met by} Bf5 14. Bd3 Qxd3 $1 15. Rxd3 Rxh8 {
followed by ...Nc5 with excellent compensation for the exchange; e.g.} 16. Rd2
Nc5 17. Nf3 ({not} 17. f3 $6 Nd3+ 18. Kd1 b5) 17... Ne4 18. Re2 Ng6 $5 19. g3 (
{or} 19. Bd2 Nc5 $1 20. Ne1 Nd3+ $1) 19... Nxc3 20. bxc3 Bg4 $5 (20... Bd3 21.
Rb2 Be4 22. Rxb7+ Ke6 23. Nd4+ $1 exd4 24. Re1 Kf5 25. cxd4 {might be somewhat
better for White}) 21. Re3 Bxf3 $5 22. Rxf3 e4 23. Re3 Ne5 $1 24. Rd1 ({not} 
24. Rxe4 $2 Nd3+ 25. Kc2 Nxf2) 24... f5 {and Black is very solid.}) ({Other
options are harmless. After} 12. Bh5+ $6 {Black can force a draw by} Ng6 ({but
he might try for more with} 12... g6 $1 13. Bf3 (13. Qxf6 $2 {loses to} Bf5 $1
14. Qxh8+ Kf7 15. Qxh7+ Kf8 16. Qh8+ Ng8) 13... Qf4+ 14. Rd2 ({not} 14. Kb1 $2
Bf5+ 15. Ka1 Kf7) 14... Kf7 15. b3 Bf5 16. g3 Qh6 17. Kb2 Rhd8 18. Qxd8 Rxd8
19. Rxd8 Nc5 {and his initiative is rather unpleasant}) 13. Qd8+ Kf7 14. Rd7+
$1 ({not} 14. Qxh8 $4 Bf5 15. Rd7+ $5 Ke6 $1) 14... Ke6 15. Rd6+ Kf7 {, M.Gurevich-F.Vallejo Pons, Dos Hermanas 2001.}) (12. Bf3 Qf4+ 13. Rd2 Kf7 {is
similar and also good for Black.}) 12... Qxe2 {Black has to accept the gift.} (
12... Bf5 $6 {is dubious:} 13. Bd3 Qf4+ 14. Bd2 Qg4 15. h3 Qg6 ({or} 15... Qxg2
$6 16. Bxf5 Rd8 17. Qxd8+ $1 Kxd8 18. Nh4 {and White is clearly better}) 16.
Nh4 Qh5 17. Nxf5 Nxf5 18. Bxf5 Qxf5 19. Be3 {with the initiative.}) 13. Rhe1 ({
Here} 13. Qd8+ $4 Kf7 14. Qxh8 {just loses to} Bf5 {.}) 13... Qxf2 (13... Qxc4
$2 {looks more logical, but pinning the bishop is actually wrong:} 14. Nxe5 $1
fxe5 15. Rxe5 Qf4+ 16. Rd2 O-O 17. Rxe7 $1 {with a decisive attack.}) 14. Rxe5
$1 {White has no more improving moves - it's time for action!} ({Here} 14. Nxe5
$2 {doesn't come with tempo, so Black has time for} O-O {; e.g.} 15. Nd3 Qxg2
16. Nf4 Qg5 17. Rxe7 Bf5 18. b3 b6 {with better chances.}) 14... O-O $1 15.
Qxe7 ({Not} 15. Rxe7 $6 Bf5 {.}) 15... Bg4 $1 ({The rook on e5 is still
untouchable:} 15... fxe5 $4 16. Qxe5 {and wins.}) 16. Rd2 ({Or} 16. Re2 Qb6 {.}
) 16... Qxd2+ (16... Qf1+ $2 17. Re1 Qxc4 {fails to} 18. Rd4 Qxa2 19. Rxg4 Rf7
20. Qd6 {with a strong attack thanks to the extra piece.}) 17. Nxd2 $1 ({Other
captures are harmless:} 17. Kxd2 Rf7 18. Qa3 fxe5 19. Nxe5 Rd8+ 20. Ke3 Re8) ({
or} 17. Bxd2 fxe5 18. Qxb7 Nc5 19. Qxc6 Rac8 {.}) 17... Rf7 $1 ({After} 17...
fxe5 $6 18. Qxe5 Rf7 19. Ne4 {White again has the initiative.}) 18. Ne4 $1 (18.
Qa3 fxe5 {is fine for Black.}) 18... Rxe7 19. Rxe7 {More or less forced play
has led to this ending, in which White's very active pieces give him more than
sufficient compensation for the pawn. However, Black's position should be
defendable.} b5 $5 {Black must not be passive!} (19... b6 $2 {is strongly met
by} 20. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 21. Nxf6+ Kf8 22. Rxh7 Bc8 $1 23. g4 {and Black's defence
isn't easy; e.g.} Rb8 24. g5 Bf5 25. g6 $1 Bxg6 26. Nd7+ Ke8 27. Nxb8 Bxh7 28.
Nxa6 {etc.}) (19... Kf8 $5 20. Rxb7 Bc8 21. Rb3 Be6 22. Nd2 {also leaves White
with an edge.}) (19... Rb8 20. Nd6 Rd8 21. Nxb7 Rd1+ 22. Kc2 Rg1 23. Re8+ Kf7
24. Ra8 Rxg2+ 25. Kb3 Nc7 26. Rxa7 {didn't solve Black's problems in R.Rain-I.Swan, corr. 2004, though he eventually held on after} Kg6 27. Nd8 Ne6 28. Nxe6
Bxe6 {, as his kingside pawns shouldn't be underestimated.}) 20. Bxf6 $1 {
Otherwise Black has no problems.} gxf6 21. Nxf6+ Kf8 22. Rxh7 Bc8 $1 {. The
only way to secure a material advantage. Despite having an extra piece in the
endgame, Black's position remains quite dangerous. His army is very passive,
whereas White is simply going to push the kingside pawns forward. ---
Nevertheless, Black has sufficient resources. A possible continuation is} 23.
g4 ({Or} 23. cxb5 cxb5 24. g4 Rb8 25. g5 Bf5 26. Rxa7 Nc5 27. h4 Rc8 28. Kd2
Ne6 {.}) 23... bxc4 24. g5 Rb8 {and counterplay comes just in time:} 25. h4 ({
If} 25. g6 Rb7 $1 26. Nh5 ({or} 26. Rh8+ Kg7 27. Rxc8 Nb4 $1) 26... Kg8 $1 27.
Nf6+ Kf8 {with a draw.}) 25... Nb4 26. h5 Nd3+ 27. Kd2 Rxb2+ 28. Kc3 Be6 29. h6
Rg2 30. Rh8+ Kf7 31. h7 Rh2 32. Ra8 Nc1 $1 33. h8=Q Nxa2+ 34. Kd4 Rxh8 35. Rxh8
c3 {and Black holds the balance.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "17: 8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 {During the entire century of its existence, the theory
of the Marshall Gambit has faced many changes. Lines which were supposed to be
either winning or much better for White, turned out to be lost or much worse 
(and vice versa). The reason is rather simple: this opening system is
extremely complicated and contains many sharp, complex and still unexplored
variations. --- However, the most important step in the Marshall's evolution
has been taken over the past ten years or so. Even at the beginning of the
1990s this strange-looking bishop move still wasn't being considered seriously;
it was just a rare option which, curiously enough, creates a threat of mate in
one. That is until the middle of the same decade - since when 9 Ba5!? hasn't
only gained in popularity, it's actually become the main and the most
dangerous continuation! Black has various ways to parry the mating threat:} --
({A:} 9... Bd7) ({B:} 9... f6 $5) ({C:} 9... b6) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "A: 9...Bd7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 Bd7 {An old but still playable continuation.} 10. Nf3 (10.
Qd6 $6 {is strongly met by} Qxg2 $1 (10... Nf6 11. Nf3 {would return to line
A1 below}) 11. Rd1 ({or} 11. Bc3 O-O-O 12. Bf3 Qg6) 11... Nf6 12. Bf3 Qg5 {and
White failed to prove compensation for the two pawns, A.Vaisser-P.Tregubov,
French Team Ch. 2005.}) 10... Nf6 {For many years this was considered to be
the main line. Black protects the bishop and prepares ...0-0. The drawback of
such an approach is also clear: neither the knight on f6, nor the bishop on d7
is well placed. --- White's active plans - and indeed his compensation for the
pawn - are usually based on exploiting the dark square weaknesses in Black's
camp. Thus, as we've already seen in other lines, the most harmonious set-up
for Black involves building a pawn chain on f6 and e5, which gives him control
over key dark squares and restricts the opposing minor pieces, while opening
the diagonal for his own bishop. In this case the knight would have much
better prospects on e7 - it could be shifted to g6 and f4, while the other
knight might be improved by going to e6 via c5 or c7, or even to c6 after a
possible ...c6-c5 and ...Nb8. What we see here is that White's strange bishop
advance has somehow prompted Black to arrange his minor pieces in a way he
would never otherwise have considered!} ({Other moves:} 10... b6 $5 {tries to
transpose to one of the topical Marshall variations after} 11. Bc3 f6 12. Qd6 {
(see line C222 below),} ({but White can also think about} 12. O-O $5 {with
good compensation - the position of Black's bishop on d7 makes it more
difficult for him to castle kingside, while castling the opposite way isn't
very safe.})) (10... Ne7 {looks a bit awkward in combination with ...Bd7 and
so is extremely rare. White is able to maintain pressure for the pawn, but
perhaps it's still bearable:} 11. O-O (11. Qd2 $5) ({and} 11. Qd6 $5 {are also
worth considering}) 11... c5 ({or} 11... f6 12. Re1) 12. Qd2 ({after} 12. Bd3
$5 Qg4 13. h3 Qh5 14. Be2 $5 {White keeps good compensation, but some players
might not be satisfied with that}) 12... Bc6 13. Rfe1 Ng6 {is acceptable; e.g.}
14. Bd3 Qg4 15. h3 Qh5 16. Be2 Qf5 17. Bd3 Qh5 18. Ng5 O-O 19. Qe3 {, L.Van
Wely-D.Bryson, Elista Olympiad 1998, and here Black might have thought about}
e5 ({or even} 19... Nb4 $5 20. Bb1 e5 {, intending} 21. a3 Nf4 $1 {with
serious kingside counterplay.})) 11. -- ({A1:} 11. Qd6) ({A2:} 11. O-O $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "A1: 11 Qd6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 Bd7 10. Nf3 Nf6 11. Qd6 {In turn, White prevents his
opponent from castling.} Qf5 {Again, not the most natural but a concrete move.}
({Neither} 11... b6 12. Bc3) ({nor} 11... c5 12. Rd1 b6 (12... Qc6 $6 13. Qg3 {
is worse, O.Touzane-E.Roumegous, Paris 1997}) 13. Ne5 Rd8 14. Bc3 {is quite
sufficient, as Black is under pressure - these positions are actually
considered in line C21 below.}) 12. Ne5 ({The knight's jump is almost forced
because} 12. Bc3 $6 {is in Black's favour after} Ne4 13. Qd4 f6 14. Nh4 e5 $1 {
.}) 12... Qxf2+ $1 {The only move.} ({Otherwise Black's previous moves make
little sense; e.g.} 12... b6 $2 13. Bd3 $1 Qg5 ({or} 13... Qh5 14. Bc3 Nc5 15.
Rd1 O-O-O 16. Be2) 14. Bd2 ({or} 14. Bc3 $5) 14... Qxg2 15. O-O-O Qxf2 16. b4
$1 {(preventing ...Qc5)} O-O-O 17. Rdf1 Qh4 18. Nxf7 {and so on.}) 13. Kxf2
Ne4+ 14. Kf3 Nxd6 15. Rhd1 (15. Rad1 Ke7 16. Rd2 ({but this move order rules
out} 16. c5 $5 {for White, as after} Nxc5 17. Bb4 b6 {the h1-rook can't get to
c1}) 16... Be8 17. Rhd1 {is another route to line A13 below.}) 15... Ke7 {This
ending is very important for the assessment of the whole line and has been
thoroughly tested in practice. White's initiative is sufficient to compensate
for a couple of pawns; the question is whether he can obtain any real winning
chances. Actually, Black isn't without prospects either - and not only for
successful defence. His material advantage may eventually tell if White fails
to maintain his initiative with precise play. --- Here White faces an
important choice. We'll take a look at:} 16. -- ({A11:} 16. Rxd6) ({A12:} 16.
c5 $5) ({A13:} 16. Rd2 $1) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "A11: 16 Rxd6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "45"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 Bd7 10. Nf3 Nf6 11. Qd6 Qf5 12. Ne5 Qxf2+ $1 13. Kxf2 Ne4+
14. Kf3 Nxd6 15. Rhd1 Ke7 16. Rxd6 Kxd6 17. Nxf7+ {This simple capture is
probably the best.} ({The tempting} 17. Rd1+ $6 {was proved dubious in I.Sokolov-R.Scherbakov, Leeuwarden 1994:} Kxe5 18. Bc3+ ({not} 18. Rxd7 $2 Kf6 {
intending ...e6-e5}) 18... Kf5 19. Rxd7 {and here the material advantage,
together with the unfortunate placement of some of the white pieces, allowed
Black to obtain the advantage by the spectacular "triangulation"} Kg6 $1 ({on} 
19... e5 20. Rxf7+ Kg6 21. Rxb7 {White has full compensation}) 20. Bd3+ Kg5 $3
{. Of course, in such a sharp position the idea isn't to lose a tempo, but to
lure White's bishop into the fork. The game continued} 21. Bxg7 Nc5 $1 22. h4+
Kxh4 23. Bf6+ Kh5 24. g4+ Kh6 25. g5+ Kh5 26. Be2 $1 Kg6 $1 27. Rd2 $1 e5 $1
28. Ke3 $1 e4 $1 29. Bg4 $1 h5 $1 30. Bd1 a5 $1 31. Bc2 Rhe8 32. Rh2 {and here}
Rad8 $1 {would have been Black's task much simpler.}) 17... Ke7 18. Nxh8 Rxh8
19. Bc3 {The bishop pair fully compensates for the missing pawn. Black is also
fine, though he needs to be accurate.} c5 $1 {It's important to get the
queenside pawns on dark squares, so as to improve the bishop.} (19... Rg8 20.
b4 c5 21. b5 Nc7 22. Be5 Ne8 23. Rd1) ({or} 19... Rf8+ 20. Ke3 Rf7 21. b4 Nc7
22. Rd1 Ne8 23. Be5 Rf5 24. Bd4 b6 25. g4 Rf7 26. Be5 {, Vl.Belov-T.Dovramadjiev, Internet (blitz) 2006, can easily lead to problems for Black.})
20. a3 (20. Bxg7 Rg8 21. Be5 Bc6+ 22. Ke3 Nb4 $1 ({not} 22... Rxg2 $6 23. a3)
23. Rc1 $5 Bxg2 $1 24. Rg1 Rg6) ({and} 20. Rd1 Bc6+ 21. Kg3 ({or} 21. Ke3 Nb4 {
intending ...Nc2+}) 21... Nb8 $5 {are fine for Black.}) 20... Bc6+ 21. Ke3 Rg8
22. g4 Nb8 23. b4 {. White maintains the pressure, but Black's extra pawn is
satisfactory compensation for that.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "A12: 16 c5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 Bd7 10. Nf3 Nf6 11. Qd6 Qf5 12. Ne5 Qxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Ne4+ 14.
Kf3 Nxd6 15. Rhd1 Ke7 16. c5 $5 {A very interesting pawn push! White has
already given up a couple of pawns so it's a bit late to start counting
material now. In fact it helps him get the rest of his pieces quickly in
action and bind the opponent hand and foot. Nevertheless, even though his army
isn't fully mobilized, Black still has sufficient defensive resources. As
we've seen in a previous chapter, the most important defender becomes Black's
king itself!} Nxc5 17. Bb4 b6 ({Not} 17... Nce4 $2 18. Rxd6 Nxd6 19. Rd1 {.})
18. Rac1 Nce4 ({Other moves are unsatisfactory for Black:} 18... f6 $2 {is
just met by} 19. Nxd7 Kxd7 20. Rxc5 bxc5 21. Bxc5) ({while the inclusion of} 
18... a5 $2 19. Ba3 {is in White's favour, as after} Nce4 20. Rc4 $1 {the pawn
advance} c5 {doesn't come with tempo so White can play} 21. Rxe4 {.}) 19. Bd3
$1 {White has to be very precise. He shouldn't forget that he's three pawns
down and Black will be quite happy to part with some material in order to
simplify the position.} (19. Rc4 $6 {fails to} c5 $1 20. Rxe4 Be8 $1 ({not} 
20... f6 $2 21. Rg4 $1) 21. Rxd6 Kxd6 22. Bc3 f6 23. Nc4+ Ke7 {and Black
certainly isn't worse in this ending with a rook and three pawns for the two
pieces.}) (19. Nxd7 {gives Black a choice:} c5 $5 ({or} 19... Kxd7 20. Rc4 Kc7
21. Rxe4 Nxe4 22. Kxe4 Rad8 23. Rf1 f6) 20. Ne5 cxb4 21. Rc7+ Kf6 22. Nxf7 (22.
Ng4+ Kg5) 22... Rhc8 (22... Nd2+ $5 23. Ke3 Nxf7 24. Kxd2 Rad8+ 25. Bd3 Ne5 26.
Rf1+ Kg5 27. Rxg7+ Kh6 28. Rg3 Rxd3+ 29. Rxd3 Nxd3 30. Kxd3 Rd8+ 31. Ke3 Kg6 {
with extra pawn in the rook ending, though a draw is the most likely result})
23. Rxc8 Nxc8 24. Kxe4 Kxf7 25. Ke5 Ne7 26. Rf1+ ({but not} 26. Rd7 Rd8 $1)
26... Kg6 27. Kxe6 Nc6 {would be roughly equal.}) (19. Nxc6+ Bxc6 20. Rxc6 Rhd8
{, intending ...Nc5, defends:} 21. Rc7+ ({or} 21. Bd3 Nc5 22. Bxc5 bxc5 23.
Rxc5 Rac8) 21... Rd7 22. Rxd7+ Kxd7 23. Bb5+ Kc7 $1 24. Rc1+ Nc5 {, securing
at least one extra pawn.}) 19... Ng5+ $1 {The best reply.} (19... a5 $6 {loses
a piece:} 20. Bxe4 axb4 21. Bxc6 {, and if} Bxc6+ {then} 22. Nxc6+ Kd7 23. Ne5+
Ke7 24. Rc7+ {.}) (19... Nf6 {loses the exchange:} 20. Bxd6+ Kxd6 21. Nxf7+ Ke7
22. Nxh8 Rxh8 {, though Black's his position may still be defendable.}) (19...
f5 $5 {also looks dubious as it allows a series of energetic blows, but White
is unable to prove a clear advantage after} 20. Bxe4 fxe4+ {and then:} 21. Kg4
(21. Kg4 c5 22. Rxd6 (22. Be1 h5+ 23. Kh3 g5 24. Ng6+ Kf6 25. Rxd6 Rh7 $1 26.
Rcd1 Bb5 27. Bc3+ Kxg6 28. Rxe6+ Kf7 29. Rxe4 Re8 {is drawish despite Black's
extra pawn}) 22... Bb5 (22... Kxd6 $2 {justifies White's idea:} 23. Rd1+ $1
Kxe5 $4 24. Bc3# {mate!}) 23. Rd4 {and here in J.Wempe-A.Vul, Hoogeveen 2008,
Black might have tried} Kf6 $5 24. Rxe4 cxb4 25. Rc7 h5+ 26. Kg3 Be8 {with
some chances to convert the extra material.}) (21. Kf4 $5 Rhf8+ ({not} 21... c5
$6 22. Rxd6 $1) 22. Ke3 c5 23. Rxc5 bxc5 24. Bxc5 Rf5 25. Bxd6+ Ke8 26. g4 Rf6
{with a probable draw; e.g.} 27. Nxd7 Kxd7 28. Be5+ Ke7 29. Bxf6+ gxf6 30. Kxe4
{.}) (21. Ke3 c5 22. Rxc5 $1 bxc5 (22... Nf5+ {is more risky:} 23. Kxe4 bxc5
24. Rxd7+ Ke8 25. Bxc5 h5 $1 {and White is more active, though Black may be
okay}) 23. Bxc5 Be8 24. Bxd6+ ({or} 24. Rxd6 $5 Kf6 25. Bd4 Bb5 26. Kxe4) 24...
Kd8 {and although White is dominating he doesn't seem able to land the
decisive blow:} 25. b4 ({or} 25. h4 a5 26. g4 Rg8 27. b3 Ra6 28. h5 Bc6 29.
Bc5+ Kc7 30. Rf1 Be8 {and Black is doing well, L.Van Wely-L.Fressinet, French
Team Ch. 2001}) 25... a5 $5 {and here the players signed the scoresheets in Y.Yakovich-A.Galkin, Dubai 2001. All the same, Black is very passive in this
variation and can only play for a draw.})) 20. Kf4 $1 c5 21. Nxd7 {The
critical moment of the opening.} e5+ $3 {This wonderful resource solves
Black's problems.} ({The obvious} 21... cxb4 $6 {is weaker:} 22. Ne5 ({not} 22.
h4 $6 e5+ $5 ({or} 22... f6 23. hxg5 Rac8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. gxf6+ gxf6 {and
White can't rescue the knight; e.g.} 26. Ba6 Rg8 27. Nxf6 $2 Rf8 28. Ke5 Rxf6
29. Rxd6 Rf5+)) 22... -- {and now:} (22... Rac8 23. Nc6+ ({not} 23. h4 $6 f6
24. Nc6+ Rxc6 25. Rxc6 e5+ 26. Ke3 Ne6) 23... Kf6 24. h4 e5+ 25. Ke3 $1 Ne6 26.
Rf1+ Nf4 27. g3 Rc7 28. gxf4 e4 29. Ba6 $1 {and White was clearly better in
Kir.Georgiev-R.Scherbakov, Yugoslav Team Ch. 1996. In fact I found 21...e5!!
and the key idea of trapping the knight during the game, and spent almost all
my time on it, but somehow I gave my opponent two moves in some variation and
so rejected it as a whole.}) (22... f6 23. Rc7+ Kf8 24. Bc2 ({Black defends
after} 24. h4 fxe5+ 25. Kxg5 e4 26. Bc2 Ne8 27. Rb7 e3 28. Rf1+ Nf6) 24...
fxe5+ (24... Ngf7 25. Nxf7 Nxf7 26. Rdd7 {is hardly acceptable, S.Volkov-S.Beshukov, Moscow 2002}) 25. Kxg5 Ne8 {and although Black isn't losing yet, his
position looks very suspicious.})) 22. Nxe5 (22. Kxg5 {is a natural
alternative. Here Black secures his extra pawn because the knight on d7 is
trapped, but White keeps sufficient compensation:} f6+ ({or} 22... cxb4 {, when
} 23. Rc7 $2 ({but} 23. Nxe5 $1 f6+ {gives White more options with his king}) {
, fails to} 23... Rhc8) 23. Nxf6 ({or} 23. Kg4 cxb4 24. Nxe5 h5+ $5 25. Kh3
fxe5 26. Rc7+ Ke6) 23... gxf6+ 24. Kh5 $1 ({not} 24. Kh6 $6 Rhg8 $5 ({or} 24...
cxb4 25. Rc7+ Ke6 26. Bc2 Nf5+)) 24... cxb4 25. Rc7+ Ke6 26. Bc2 $1 b5 27. Bb3+
Nc4 {and a draw by repetition after} 28. Rc6+ Ke7 29. Rc7+ Ke6 {would be a
logical conclusion.}) 22... Ne6+ {Another point to 21...e5!! - the knight can
retreat with tempo!} 23. Kg3 cxb4 24. Nc6+ Kf8 (24... Kf6 $6 {is weaker: after}
25. Bb1 {Black has to sacrifice the exchange with} Rhd8 {,} ({since} 25... Nf5+
$6 26. Bxf5 Kxf5 27. Rd5+ {gives White a very strong initiative.})) 25. Bb1 Ne8
$1 {. White's activity gives him decent compensation for the pawn, but Black's
position is quite acceptable.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "A13: 16 Rd2!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "70"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 Bd7 10. Nf3 Nf6 11. Qd6 Qf5 12. Ne5 Qxf2+ 13. Kxf2 Ne4+ 14.
Kf3 Nxd6 15. Rhd1 Ke7 16. Rd2 $1 {White plans simply to double his rooks on
the d-file. This continuation was supposed for many years to be in Black's
favour, but it's actually White's most promising option!} Be8 17. Rad1 Nf5 (
17... f6 $2 {fails to} 18. Rxd6 fxe5 19. Ke3 $1 {, intending Bg4, and Black
faces problems. A.Grischuk-Y.Shulman, Khanty-Mansyisk (rapid) 2005, continued}
h5 20. Bd8+ Kf7 21. Rf1+ Kg8 22. Be7 (22. Bg5 $5) 22... Nc7 $6 (22... Nc5 {was
more tenacious but Black's life was already difficult:} 23. Rf8+ Kh7 24. Rxh8+
Kxh8 25. Rd2 Nd7 26. Bxh5 $1 Nf6 27. Be2 {with a big advantage}) 23. Rd2 Rc8
24. Bd3 g6 25. Rdf2 Kh7 26. Bd6 Na6 27. Bxe5 Rg8 28. Rf7+ $1 Bxf7 29. Rxf7+ Kh6
30. Bf4+ {and Black resigned as he's getting mated.}) 18. Rd8 $1 {The point of
White's approach.} ({Instead:} 18. Bd8+ $2 Rxd8 $1 19. Rxd8 f6 20. Ng4 e5 $1 {
, when White faces problems, was the reason this line was formerly assessed as
good for Black. This position lately occurred in T.Kotanjian-M.Sadatnajafi,
Tehran 2006, which continued} 21. Ra8 ({not} 21. R1d7+ $2 Bxd7 22. Rxh8 Nd4+
23. Ke3 Nxe2) 21... Nd4+ 22. Kf2 Nxe2 23. Kxe2 f5 24. Rxa7 Bh5 25. Rxb7+ Ke6
26. Rdd7 Bxg4+ 27. Kf2 Nc5 28. Re7+ Kd6 {and Black's passed e-pawn decided the
game.}) (18. Rd7+ Bxd7 19. Rxd7+ Ke8 20. Rxb7 {is parried by} f6 $1 21. Nxc6
Nc5 $1 22. Rc7 ({the exchange of the last rook would certainly be in Black's
favour:} 22. Rxa7 $2 Rxa7 23. Nxa7 Nd4+ 24. Ke3 Nxe2 25. Kxe2 Kd7 {etc}) 22...
Na6 23. Rb7 Nc5 24. Rc7 Na6 25. Rb7 {with a draw by repetition, M.Dziuba-D.Frolyanov, European Ch., Warsaw 2005.}) (18. g4 $5 {is an interesting
alternative:} Nh4+ ({not} 18... f6 $6 19. Rd8 Nd4+ 20. R8xd4 fxe5 21. R4d2 {
with a similar initiative as in Grischuk-Shulman above}) 19. Kg3 Ng6 20. Bd8+
Kf8 21. Nd7+ Kg8 22. Bg5 {and White has decent compensation for the pawns.})
18... Rxd8 19. Bxd8+ Kf8 20. g4 Nh6 ({Unfortunately, the central retreat} 20...
Ne7 $2 {fails to} 21. Nd7+ Bxd7 22. Rxd7 Ke8 23. Rxe7+ Kxd8 24. Rxf7 Re8 25.
Rxg7 {and Black's defence is very difficult.}) 21. Nd7+ $1 {This check looks
like a serious mistake, which allows Black to simplify the position, but it's
actually strong!} ({Alternatively,} 21. b4 $5 {is worth considering, but Black
seems to be okay after} f6 $1 ({not} 21... Nxb4 $2 22. Nd7+ $1 Kg8 23. Nf6+ $1
gxf6 24. Bxf6) ({or} 21... Ng8 $6 22. b5 cxb5 23. cxb5 Nb4 $1 24. Bc7 Nd5 25.
Bd6+ Nge7 26. Bc4 f6 27. Bxd5 exd5 28. Re1 $1 {and White maintains winning
chances}) 22. Nd7+ Kg8 $1 ({stronger than} 22... Kf7 $6 23. a3 $1 Kg6 24. h4
Nf7 25. Bd3+ Kh6 26. Nxf6 $1 Ne5+ 27. Kg3 Nxd3 28. Nxe8 Rxe8 29. Rxd3 Nb8 30.
Kf4 {and White is dominant}) 23. b5 ({or} 23. Nxf6+ gxf6 24. Bxf6 Nf7) 23...
cxb5 24. cxb5 ({or} 24. Nxf6+ gxf6 25. Bxf6 Nf7 26. cxb5 Nc5 {and the white
rook can't find entry}) 24... Nb4 25. Nxf6+ gxf6 26. Bxf6 Nd5 $1 27. Bxh8 Kxh8
{with a roughly balanced endgame.}) 21... Kg8 (21... Bxd7 $2 22. Rxd7 Ke8 {
seems fine for Black, but here White has the strong} 23. Rxb7 $1 Kxd8 24. c5 $1
{, regaining the piece and securing the advantage:} f5 25. g5 Nxc5 26. Rb8+ Ke7
27. Rxh8 Nf7 28. Ra8 Nxg5+ 29. Kg2 {with reasonable winning chances. These
tactics in fact justify White's whole approach.}) 22. Kf4 ({White can also
think seriously about} 22. Ke3 $5 {, moving the king away from possible checks.
} -- ({. For instance, after} 22... f6 23. Nxf6+ gxf6 24. Bxf6 Nf7 25. g5 Kf8
26. Bxh8 (26. Bd3 Rg8 27. h4 Rg7) 26... Nxh8 27. Rd8 Nf7 28. Ra8 {the pawn push
} e5 {isn't check, so White has chances to maintain an edge after} 29. h4 ({or
} 29. Bh5 $5 {.})) ({. Therefore Black should consider} 22... f5 $5 23. g5 ({or
} 23. h3 Nf7 24. Be7 Nc7 25. Kf4) 23... Nf7 24. Be7 Nc7 {, when he's defending
well, though his game still isn't easy. All White's pieces are very active and
he certainly has sufficient compensation for a couple of pawns.})) 22... f6 $1
{This time the shorter pawn move is apparently the most reliable continuation.}
({Instead,} 22... f5 23. g5 (23. h3 $5) 23... Nf7 24. Be7 {gives White more
than enough for the pawns. In response Black should play} g6 $1 {, even though
it looks weakening, as otherwise he has nothing to do. Now Black has a bit
more space and can get his rook into play after ...h7-h6. White has a choice
here:} 25. -- (25. Bf6 {doesn't promise much:} h6 $1 26. Bxh8 hxg5+ 27. Kg3
Nxh8 {with more or less acceptable play for Black.}) (25. Nf6+ Kg7 26. -- (26.
Nxe8+ Rxe8 27. Rd7 e5+ {was seen in Li Chao-Y.Shulman, Khanty-Mansiysk
Olympiad 2010, and here White should have preferred} 28. Ke3 $1 Rc8 29. Rxb7
Rc7 30. Rxc7 Nxc7 31. b4 h6 32. gxh6+ Kxh6 33. a4 {, when Black still has to
fight for a draw. In some cases he might escape to a position with the knight
versus two bishops, but it certainly isn't much fun to defend in such a way
straight from the opening!}) ({. Apart from the capture on e8 White had some
interesting alternatives, such as} 26. Ke3 $5 Nb8 ({not} 26... e5 $2 27. Nd7) (
{or} 26... h6 27. Nxe8+ $5 Rxe8 28. Rd7 {and if} Rc8 {then} 29. gxh6+ Kxh6 30.
Rxb7 Rc7 31. Rxc7 Nxc7 32. Bc5 a6 33. Bb6 Ne8 34. c5 {and Black might be too
late with his counterplay}) 27. c5 h6 28. h4 hxg5 29. hxg5 {with some pressure}
) ({, or} 26. Kg3 $5 {, keeping control of the h-file after} h6 ({after} 26...
Nb8 27. c5 h6 28. h4 hxg5 29. hxg5 {Black would find himself in a real zugzwang
}) 27. h4 hxg5 28. hxg5 e5 29. c5 $5 {.})) (25. h4 $5 {also deserves attention:
} h6 26. gxh6 $1 Nxh6 {and here White might think about} 27. Bf3 $5 (27. Ne5) (
{and} 27. b4 {are other options}) 27... Nf7 28. b3 $5 Nc7 {(the knight is bad
here, but there were no other moves)} 29. Ne5 Rh7 30. Bf6 {and White keeps up
maintains the pressure.})) 23. Nxf6+ $1 {Otherwise Black plays ...Nf7.} gxf6
24. Bxf6 Nf7 25. g5 Kf8 {. Black should be able to hold on, but he's
definitely under pressure and still has a lot of work to do; e.g.} 26. Bxh8 ({
Other options require accurate play too:} 26. h4 Rg8 27. Bd3 e5+ 28. Ke3 Rg6 $1
) ({or} 26. Bd3 $5 e5+ 27. Kg4 Nc5 ({or} 27... h5+ $5 28. Kh4 Rg8 29. Bh7 Rg7))
26... Nxh8 27. Rd8 e5+ 28. Ke3 Nf7 29. Ra8 Nd6 30. Bd3 ({Or} 30. b3 c5 31. Rxa7
Bc6 {.}) 30... c5 31. Bxh7 Nxc4+ 32. Kf2 Nd6 33. Bc2 Nc7 34. Rxa7 Ne6 35. h4
Bc6 {when the passed e-pawn and active pieces should give Black sufficient
counterplay.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "A2: 11 0-0!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 Bd7 10. Nf3 Nf6 11. O-O $5 {It's quite understandable why
11 Qd6 is much more popular - it prevents the opponent from castling and just
looks very powerful! However, it also forces matters and leads to concrete
play, in which Black gets good chances to justify his set-up. Meanwhile, the
arrangement of Black's pieces is far from perfect - especially the d7-bishop
and ...f6-knight, which do nothing to correct the fundamental drawback of his
position: the lack of control on the dark squares. Thus a simple castling
might well be more promising!} Qf5 ({After} 11... O-O {White has a good choice:
} 12. Re1 ({, other moves are worth considering too:} 12. Bc3 Rad8 13. Bd3 Qf4
14. Be5 Qg4 15. Bd6 Rfe8 16. c5 {, M.Purtseladze-M.Avetisian, Batumi 2003}) ({
, or} 12. Bd3 Qf4 $5 13. Qe2 Rfe8 $6 ({or} 13... c5 14. Ne5) 14. Ne5 {, H.Nezad-C.Seyfried, Gibraltar 2011}) 12... c5 13. Bd3 Qc6 ({or} 13... Qf4 14. Ne5
) 14. Bc3 {S.Matveeva-T.Shumiakina, Yugoslav Team Ch. 2001 - in all cases
White's position looks rather promising.}) ({Black has other options but the
problems still remain:} 11... c5 12. Re1 b6 13. Bc3 Rd8 (13... O-O-O 14. Qc1)
14. Qc1 $5 h6 15. Bd1 $1 {with a strong initiative}) ({or} 11... Qf4 12. Qb3 $5
Nc5 ({after} 12... b6 13. Bd2 Qc7 14. Bc3 O-O 15. Rad1 {with ideas of Be5 and
Ng5, when the queen may swing over to the kingside}) 13. Qa3 Nce4 14. Rad1 {
and if} c5 {then} 15. Ne1 $1 {intending f2-f3.}) 12. Qe1 $1 {An interesting
prelude - White prepares his bishop's return.} ({The immediate} 12. Bc3 {can
be met by} Ne4 $1 {(otherwise White simply improves by Bd3, Re1 etc)} 13. Bxg7
({not} 13. Bd4 $2 c5) ({or} 13. Ne5 $2 Rd8) 13... Rg8 14. Be5 O-O-O {and Black
completes his development:} 15. Qc1 ({or} 15. Qb3 f6 {, P.Grott-R.Nagel, corr.
2005}) 15... f6 16. Bg3 Nxg3 17. hxg3 e5 18. Qe3 Kb8 {with acceptable play.})
12... O-O ({On} 12... c5 {White can also bring his bishop back to the long
diagonal:} 13. Bc3 Bc6 ({with White's queen on e1,} 13... Ne4 $4 {fails to} 14.
Bd3) ({while after} 13... Rd8 14. Ne5 Bc8 15. Bf3) ({or} 13... O-O 14. Ne5 Nb4
15. Qc1 $5 {, threatening to trap the black queen by g2-g4, White keeps the
initiative}) 14. a3 Nb8 (14... Rd8 15. Ne5 Nb8 {improves, but White still has
excellent compensation for the pawn}) 15. Ne5 Nbd7 $6 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. f4 Qc2
$6 18. Rd1 Qb3 19. Rf3 Qb7 20. Rfd3 O-O-O 21. Bf3 Qc7 22. Qg3 Rhg8 23. Rd6 {
and Black found himself in trouble, I.Lysyj-N.Vitiugov, Serpukhov 2008.}) 13.
Bc3 Rfd8 14. Ne5 {Black's lack of control over the dark squares allows White
to advance his knight to this strong central post.} Nc5 15. f4 Be8 16. Rf3 $1 (
{White isn't yet prepared for such drastic measures as} 16. g4 $6 Qe4 17. Qf2 {
, when Black has} Nfd7 ({or} 17... Na4 {with decent counter-chances.})) 16...
h5 $5 ({Immediate counter-actions don't work well:} 16... Nfe4 $2 17. g4 $1 Qf6
18. Nxc6 {, P.Nett-S.Richkov, corr. 2003}) ({or} 16... Nce4 $6 17. Bd3 Rxd3 18.
Nxd3 c5 19. Rd1 Nxc3 20. Qxc3 Bc6 21. Re3 Rd8 22. Ree1 {and Black doesn't have
enough for the exchange.}) 17. b4 (17. Rc1 $2 {allows} Nfe4) ({but} 17. Bd1 $5
{, intending Rac1 and Bc2, deserves attention - as} Nfe4 $4 {now loses to} 18.
Bc2 {.}) 17... Na4 $5 ({On} 17... Nce4 18. Bd3 c5 {White can maintain his
queenside pawn structure by} 19. a3 {.}) 18. Bd3 Rxd3 19. Nxd3 Ne4 20. Bd4 c5
21. Bxc5 ({If} 21. bxc5 Rd8) ({or} 21. Re3 $5 Rd8 $5 22. Rxe4 Bc6 {.}) 21...
Naxc5 22. bxc5 Nxc5 23. Qe5 $5 {Black's bishop is coming to c6, so it's
reasonable for White to swap queens to avoid any possible problems in regard
to the position of his king.} Qxe5 24. fxe5 Rc8 {. White has somewhat the
better chances in this ending, but it seems defendable for Black, who should
avoid exchange of the rooks. A possible continuation is} 25. Rd1 Ba4 $5 26. Rc1
Nxd3 27. Rxd3 Rc5 {and so on.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "B: 9...f6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 f6 $5 {This interesting idea only appeared in practice at
the very end of the 20th century. Black allows his opponent to give check on
d8 at move 10! However, this isn't White's only option - we'll consider:} 10.
-- ({B1:} 10. Qd8+) ({B2:} 10. Nf3) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "B1: 10 Qd8+"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 f6 $5 10. Qd8+ {This is very tempting, but it's actually
harmless for Black!} Kf7 {Again, White has a choice:} 11. -- ({B11:} 11. Nf3) (
{B12:} 11. O-O-O) ({In G.Kacheishvili-J.Sammour Hasbun, Internet (blitz) 2011,
White experimented with} 11. f3 $5 {and after} Qc2 ({other retreats, such as} 
11... Qg6 $5) ({or} 11... Qe5 $5 {look acceptable for Black, but White's idea
may still deserve more attention}) 12. Bc3 e5 13. f4 $1 {obtained chances to
seize the initiative.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "B11: 11 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 f6 $5 10. Qd8+ Kf7 11. Nf3 b6 (11... e5 $5 {is playable but
Black still needs to put his bishop on the long diagonal:} 12. Rd1 b6 13. Bc3
Nc5 14. Bb4 $5 Ne7 $1 ({not} 14... Ne6 $2 15. Rd7+ $1 Bxd7 16. Qxd7+ Kg6 17.
Qxe6) 15. Qxh8 Bb7 16. Rd8 Qb1+ 17. Bd1 Qe4+ 18. Kd2 ({not} 18. Kf1 $2 Rxd8 19.
Qxd8 Qxc4+ 20. Be2 Qxb4) 18... Qf4+ 19. Kc2 Qf5+ $1 ({stronger than} 19... Qe4+
$6 20. Kc1 Rxd8 21. Qxd8 Nd3+ 22. Kd2 Nxb4 23. Re1) 20. Kc1 ({or} 20. Kd2 Qf4+)
20... Nd3+ 21. Kd2 Rxd8 22. Qxd8 Nxb4 23. a3 Qf4+ 24. Ke1 Na6 {with decent
compensation for the exchange.}) 12. Bc3 Bb7 $1 {This looks like a blunder but
it's actually not!} ({The attempt to exchange two passive rooks for White's
queen by} 12... Ne7 $2 13. Qxh8 Bb7 {fails to} 14. Ng5+ $1 {.}) ({Instead,} 
12... Nc5 {might be a transposition to 11 ..e5:} 13. Rd1 (13. Nd2 Qg6 {is fine
for Black: after} 14. b4 $2 ({while} 14. Bb4 Ne7 15. Qxh8 Bb7 {is good for
Black too}) 14... Ne7 $1 15. Qxh8 Nd3+ $1 16. Kf1 Nf4 {White found himself in
trouble in A.Abdulla-D.Barua, Asian Ch., Tehran 1998}) 13... e5 $1 {transposes
to 11...e5 above,} ({since} 13... Bb7 $6 {is dubious:} 14. Rd7+ $1 Nxd7 ({if} 
14... Kg6 $2 15. Qc7 Nxd7 {, as in K.Miton-T.Markowski, Cappelle la Grande
1999, then} 16. Nd2 $1 Qxg2 17. Bf3 Qg5 18. Qxd7 {wins quickly}) 15. Qxd7+ Ne7
16. Nd2 $1 Qxg2 17. Bh5+ $1 g6 18. Bf3 {followed by Qxb7 with the advantage.}))
13. Ng5+ $5 {This unexpected check has never been played, but it seems a
reasonable way for White to avoid unnecessary problems.} ({Strangely enough,
the natural} 13. Qd7+ {may lead to difficulties for White:} Ne7 14. Qxb7 ({or} 
14. Nd2 Qf4) 14... Nc5 15. Qc7 {(it seems that White's queen has escaped, but
the pursuit isn't over yet)} Rhc8 16. Qg3 Nf5 {and now:} 17. -- (17. Ne5+ $6
fxe5 18. Qf3 Qxf3 19. Bxf3 e4 20. Bh5+ g6 21. Be2 Rd8 {is clearly better for
Black.}) ({. Or} 17. Qh3 $2 Nd3+ 18. Kf1 Nf4 {.}) (17. Ng5+ fxg5 18. Qxg5 Nd3+
19. Kf1 Rf8 $1 ({, the most precise continuation;} 19... Nf4 $6 20. Re1 $5 ({or
} 20. Qg4 Rd8 21. Re1 Nd4 22. Bd1 Qd3+ 23. Kg1 Qf5 {is okay for White, A.Goloshchapov-P.Tregubov, European Ch., Ohrid 2001}) 20... Kg8 21. Qg4) (19...
Kg8 $5 {is also good, but here} 20. Rd1 Nf4 21. Bf3 Qxc4+ 22. Kg1 Ne2+ 23. Bxe2
Qxe2 24. Rd7 Rc7 $1 25. Rd8+ Kf7 $1 26. h4 Rxd8 27. Qxd8 Re7 {, A.Potapov-S.Yudin, Moscow 2006, gives White decent compensation for the pawn thanks to the
strong bishop on c3, even if Black is still somewhat better}) 20. Bxd3 ({with
Black intending simply ...Rad8 and ...Kg8, White must do something, but it
isn't so easy:} 20. Qg4 $4 {fails to} Ne3+ $1 21. fxe3 Kg8+) ({while after} 20.
f3 Qe3 21. Qxe3 Nxe3+ 22. Kg1 Rad8 {Black's strong knights are overwhelming
the bishops - White's pieces are too passive; M.Morss-J.Negri, corr. 2002,
continued} 23. b3 Nf4 24. Bf1 g5 25. Re1 Nxf1 26. Kxf1 Rd3 27. Rc1 g4 $1 28.
fxg4 Kg6 29. Kf2 Nd5+ 30. Ke2 Re3+ 31. Kd1 Nxc3+ 32. Kd2 Re2+ 33. Kxc3 Rxg2 {
and White failed to defend}) 20... Qxd3+ 21. Kg1 Rad8 22. h4 ({White's lack of
development means that he can't maintain the material balance:} 22. Qg4 Kg8 23.
h4 Nd4 24. Re1 Rf6 25. Rh3 Qxc4 {and so on}) 22... Qxc4 23. h5 {and although
White's strong bishop still gives him some compensation for the pawn, it
doesn't look quite sufficient. Black can choose between} Rd7 ({and} 23... h6
24. Qg6+ Kg8 {with better chances thanks to his extra pawn.})) (17. Qg5 $5 {
(this tricky move seems to be only way to equalize!)} Ke7 $1 ({, still trying
to pose problems;} 17... Qxf3 18. Qxf6+ gxf6 19. Bxf3) ({, and} 17... Nd3+ 18.
Kf1 Nf4 19. Re1 {are okay for White}) ({, instead, continuing the pursuit by} 
17... h6 $5 {is interesting, as the white queen can't find shelter in its own
camp:} 18. Qd2 $2 ({but} 18. Qh5+ g6 19. Nd2 $1 gxh5 20. Nxe4 Nxe4 21. Bxh5+
Ke7 22. Bb4+ c5 23. Bf3 {holds the balance}) 18... Rd8 19. Qc1 Nd3+ {wins}) 18.
Qh5 $5 (18. Nd2 fxg5 19. Nxe4 Nxe4 20. Be5 Rd8 {allows Black to keep an edge
with his extra pawn and strong d4-square for the knight}) 18... Nd3+ 19. Kf1
Nf4 20. Bxf6+ $1 Kxf6 ({after} 20... gxf6 21. Qxh7+ {White gives perpetual
check, as} Kd6 22. c5+ $1 Kxc5 23. Rc1+ Kd6 24. Rd1+ Nd5 25. Bd3 {can hardly
be good for Black}) 21. Qg5+ (21. Qf7+ Kxf7 22. Ng5+ Ke7 23. Nxe4 Rd8 {is
slightly better for Black}) 21... Kf7 22. Re1 Kg8 23. Nd2 $1 Qd4 24. Nf3 Qd6 $5
25. Rd1 ({or} 25. c5 $5 bxc5 26. Bc4 Rf8) 25... Qc7 26. g3 Nxe2 27. Kxe2 Rf8
28. Rhe1 {and the position is roughly balanced. White's pawn structure is
superior but his king is unsafe, while the half-open f-file and strong
d4-square for the knight make Black's play a bit easier.})) 13... fxg5 ({Not} 
13... Kg6 $2 14. Qd7 {.}) 14. Qxg5 Nf6 15. O-O-O e5 $1 ({Not} 15... Qxe2 $2 16.
Bxf6 {.}) 16. Bh5+ $5 ({The immediate} 16. Bxe5 {is also good enough, but it
may give Black some extra options:} Qxe2 $1 17. Rd6 $1 ({not} 17. Bxf6 $2 gxf6
18. Rd7+ Ke8 19. Qg7 Rf8) 17... Qxc4+ $5 ({otherwise} 17... Nb4 {leads to a
draw:} 18. Rxf6+ Kg8 $1 19. Rf8+ $1 Kxf8 20. Qxg7+ Ke8 21. Qxh8+ Kd7 $1 22.
Qg7+ $1 ({but not} 22. Qxh7+ $2 Ke6) 22... Ke8 $1 23. Qg8+ Ke7 $1 {etc}) 18.
Bc3 Qxc3+ 19. bxc3 Rhe8 {with three pieces for the queen, though White should
be okay as long as he plays actively; e.g.} 20. f3 Nc5 21. Qh4 h6 22. Rhd1 Re7
23. g4 {and so on.}) 16... g6 17. Bxe5 Qxc4+ (17... Nxh5 18. Rd7+ Kg8 19. Rd8+
Rxd8 20. Qxd8+ Kf7 21. Qd7+ Kf8 {is the same.}) 18. Kb1 Nxh5 19. Rd7+ Kg8 20.
Rd8+ (20. Rhd1 Nc5 21. Rd8+ {is another draw}) ({but not} 20. Rxb7 $2 Nb4 $1 {.
}) 20... Kf7 21. Rd7+ Kg8 {. White gives perpetual check.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "B12: 11 0-0-0"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 f6 $5 10. Qd8+ Kf7 11. O-O-O {A natural move - White unpins
his bishop and quickly gets his rook in action. However, his king isn't safer
on c1 and it gives Black concrete and strong counterplay.} e5 {Black's
intention is perfectly clear - the bishop is coming to f5.} ({The preliminary} 
11... b6 $5 {is also good:} 12. Bc3 ({or} 12. f3 Qf4+ 13. Bd2 Qc7) 12... e5 13.
Bd3 (13. Bh5+ $6 {favours Black:} g6 14. Bf3 Qxc4 $1 15. Rd6 (15. Ne2 Rb8 $1 {
and White can neither curtail the enemy bishop nor create any threats}) 15...
Rb8 $1) ({, while} 13. f3 $6 {is a waste of time:} Qe3+ 14. Bd2 ({or} 14. Rd2
Rb8) 14... Qd4 {etc}) 13... Qxg2 $1 14. Ne2 Rb8 $1 ({Black's play looks rather
ugly but somehow he gets a good position - his last move prepares to deploy
the bishop, which is vitally important; this is better than} 14... c5 $5 {, D.Zilberstein-M.Esserman, Internet 2010}) 15. c5 $1 Be6 16. Qd6 Nxc5 $1 17. Rhg1
Qxf2 18. Qxb8 Nxd3+ 19. Rxd3 Qxe2 20. Rd2 Qc4 ({or} 20... Qe3 $5 21. Rg3 Qf4)
21. Rd8 g5 22. Qxa7+ Kg6 {and Black looks okay, though the position remains
very complicated.}) 12. Bd3 (12. Bh5+ $2 {is still futile:} g6 13. Bf3 ({or} 
13. Be2 Bf5) 13... Qxc4+ 14. Bc3 Nb4 {and White is in trouble, T.Kotanjian-D.Yevseev, St. Petersburg 2002}) ({while} 12. f3 $6 {also helps Black:} Qe3+ 13.
Bd2 Qd4 (13... Qb6 $5) 14. Qxd4 exd4 15. c5 Nxc5 16. Bb4 Ne6 {and White had to
fight for a draw, A.Fernandes-O.Korneev, Santo Antonio 2002.}) 12... Qxg2 $5 {
This brave capture might be the best option.} ({Instead:} 12... Qg4 $6 13. Nf3
b6 14. Bc3 Bb7 15. Qd6 Re8 16. Rhe1 {gives White a strong initiative, A.
Zhigalko-S.Zhigalko, Belarusian Ch. Minsk 2005.}) (12... Qf4+ $5 {is playable,
but White's activity is sufficient to compensate for his material deficit after
} 13. Kb1 (13. Bd2 $6 Qg4 $1 14. Bc2 {, S.Volkov-A.Goloshchapov, Rethymnon
2003, and now} Rb8 {is good for Black}) 13... b6 $1 (13... Nc5 $6 14. Ne2 {
gives White a promising initiative, according to tournament practice}) 14. -- {
, and now:} (14. Ne2 Qxf2 (14... Qg4 $5) 15. Ng3 {looks dangerous, but Black
can defend by the typical} Rb8 $1 ({not} 15... bxa5 $4 16. Ne4) 16. Ne4 Bg4 $1
17. Nd6+ Ke6 {and White has to force a draw due to the problems with his queen:
} 18. Nc8 $1 Kf7 $1 19. Nd6+ Ke6 20. Nc8 Kf7 {½-½ S.Grigoriants-V.Potkin,
Ismailia 2004.}) (14. Bc3 $5 {gives Black a choice:} -- (14... Nc5 15. Ne2 Qg4
16. f3 Qe6 17. Bc2 Bb7 18. Qd2 Ne7 ({not} 18... a5 $2 19. f4 e4 20. Nd4 Qc8 21.
Qe2 {and Black's defence is difficult, S.Lputian-D.Pavasovic, Calvia Olympiad
2004}) 19. b3 $5 (19. b4 $6 Rad8 20. Qxd8 Rxd8 21. Rxd8 Qxc4) 19... Rhd8 {,
getting good play after} 20. Qxd8 Rxd8 21. Rxd8 Nf5 22. Rhd1 {, though White's
chances might still be preferable.}) (14... Bb7 $5 {, forcing matters, seems
more precise:} 15. Qd7+ ({or} 15. Qd6 Ne7 16. Ne2 Qxf2 17. Rhf1 Qc5) 15... Ne7
16. Ne2 ({not} 16. Qxb7 $2 Nc5 17. Qc7 Nxd3) 16... Nc5 $1 17. Qxe7+ Kxe7 18.
Nxf4 exf4 19. Bc2 Rad8 20. Rhe1+ Kf7 {with a satisfactory ending; e.g.} 21. b4
Ne6 22. c5 $5 bxc5 23. Bb3 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Ke7 25. bxc5 Bc8 {and Black is okay.}
))) 13. Ne2 Nc5 $1 ({Black must be precise in defence:} 13... b6 $2 {fails to
the thematic} 14. c5 $1 b5 15. Bc2 $1 Nxc5 16. Rhg1 Qxf2 17. Qc7+ Ne7 18. Rxg7+
$1 {and wins, P.Nguyen-M.Kukawski, Warsaw 2011.}) 14. Rhg1 ({After} 14. Bc2 Ne6
15. Qd3 Ne7) ({or} 14. Ng3 Ne6 $1 15. Qd6 Ne7 {P.Grott-S.Ratzmann, corr. 2004,
Black consolidates.}) 14... Nxd3+ 15. Rxd3 Qe4 $1 {Only this move justifies
Black's approach.} ({In T.Kononenko-O.Korneev, Dos Hermanas 2006, Black went
wrong:} 15... Qxf2 $2 {, when the white bishop could have played a decisive
role after} 16. Bb4 $1 Qxe2 17. Qc7+ Ke6 18. Rd6+ Kf5 19. Qxg7 {with a mating
attack.}) 16. b3 $1 {It's more important to protect the c4-pawn than the
knight!} (16. Bb4 $2 {is no good because of} Qxc4+ $1) ({while} 16. Qc7+ $6 {
forces matters in Black's favour:} Ne7 17. Rxg7+ Kxg7 18. Qxe7+ Kg6 19. Rd6 (
19. Rg3+ Bg4 {is parried by} {is parried by} 20. h3 Qxc4+ 21. Bc3 h5 22. hxg4
hxg4 23. Qd7 Rh1+ $5 24. Kd2 Qd5+ 25. Qxd5 cxd5 26. Rxg4+ Kf7 {with a big
advantage}) 19... Qf3 $1 20. Qxe5 Kf7 21. Qd4 c5 $1 22. Qh4 h5 23. Bc3 Rh6 {
and despite the seeming dangers, Black has sufficient defensive resources and
his chances are preferable.}) 16... Bf5 ({The greedy} 16... Qxe2 $2 {gives
White the time to launch a very strong attack by} 17. Bb4 $1 g5 18. Qf8+ Kg6
19. Qe8+ Kf5 20. Rgg3 $1 {.}) ({Black might consider} 16... Bg4 $5 {, which
avoids the forced draw, but White can hardly be worse in the complications
after} 17. Qc7+ Ne7 18. Re3 Qf5 19. Reg3 h5 20. h3 {.}) 17. Qc7+ Ne7 18. Rxg7+
Kxg7 19. Qxe7+ Kg8 20. Rg3+ Bg6 {. White gives perpetual check by} 21. Qe6+ Kg7
22. Qe7+ Kg8 {.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "B2: 10 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 f6 $5 10. Nf3 {Rather than the check on d8 (as in line B1),
this developing move seems preferable.} b6 {This is more or less forced.} ({
Instead,} 10... Kf7 $6 {is dubious:} 11. O-O Ne7 12. Bd3 ({or} 12. Re1 Qf5 13.
Bc3 {, E.Vorobiov-A.Krapivin, Moscow 2003}) 12... Qf4 13. g3 Qb8 14. Re1 {and
Black's position is very unsafe, L.Mkrtchian-E.Sveshnikov, Chelyabinsk 2004.})
(10... e5 $6 {is also suspicious as Black has no development; e.g.} 11. O-O Bg4
({or} 11... Bf5 12. Re1 Ne7 13. Nxe5 $1 {B.Lalic-A.Longson, Denham 2011}) 12.
Re1 Qf5 ({or} 12... Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Qxc4 14. Qd6 Qc5 15. Qe6+ Kf8 16. Red1 Qe7
17. Qh3) 13. Nd4 $1 Bxe2 14. Qxe2 {and White has a strong initiative.}) 11. --
{After the text, White has a choice:} ({B21:} 11. Bc3) ({B22:} 11. Nd2 $1) ({
The inclusion of} 11. Qd6 Ne7 ({not} 11... bxa5 $4 12. Nd2 $1 Qxg2 13. Bf3) 12.
Bc3 {is harmless:} Bb7 (12... Nf5 $5 13. Qd2 O-O {and Black secures his extra
pawn, although the f5-square certainly isn't the best for the knight}) 13. Nd2
({but} 13. O-O-O $1 {is stronger:} Qxe2 14. Rhe1 Qxc4 15. Rxe6 O-O 16. Rxe7 Bc8
17. Nd4 {with somewhat better chances}) 13... Qg6 14. Qxe6 Nc5 15. Qh3 O-O 16.
O-O Rad8 {Black obtained good play in M.Kanep-P.Smirnov, Istanbul 2004.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "B21: 11 Bc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 f6 $5 10. Nf3 b6 11. Bc3 Ne7 (11... Bb7 {is weaker:} 12. O-O
c5 13. Bd3 Qc6 14. Bc2 {with excellent compensation, N.Tolstikh-A.Galkin,
Russian Team Ch. 2002.}) 12. O-O O-O {We've already examined a very similar
position after 9 Bc3 f6 10 Nf3 Ne7 11 0-0 0-0 in Chapter 16 (line B1). The
extra move ...b7-b6, which White has provoked by Ba5, might be helpful for him
in some cases thanks to the vulnerability of the c6-pawn, but generally it
shouldn't increase Black's problems.} ({Sometimes Black can play ...e6-e5
without castling, but not here, as} 12... e5 $2 13. Nxe5 $1 fxe5 14. Bh5+ g6
15. Re1 {gives White a strong attack:} Qxc4 ({after} 15... Qh4 16. Bf3 $1 {
Black is already defenceless; e.g.} O-O 17. Rxe5 Nc5 18. g3 Qf6 19. Re3 {and
Black can't move the queen due to Qd4, A.Goloshchapov-T.Halasz, Austrian
League 2001}) 16. Rxe5 Nc5 (16... gxh5 $2 {fails to} 17. Qd6 Qf7 18. Qxc6+) 17.
Be2 Qf4 18. Rxc5 bxc5 19. Bxh8 {is very good for White.}) 13. Re1 ({Other
options, such as} 13. Bd3 Qg4 14. Qc2 Qh5 $5) ({or} 13. Nd4 Qf4 {, A.Shneider-P.Tregubov, Corsica (rapid) 2003, are good for Black.}) 13... e5 $1 (
13... Ng6 $6 {, which was fine for Black in Chapter 16, is less precise here
due to} 14. Nd4 $1) ({while} 13... Qf4 14. b4 Qc7 15. Bd3 {is somewhat passive.
O.Cvitan-A.Kharlov, European Ch., Warsaw 2005, continued} Rf7 (15... e5 $5 16.
Qc2 Ng6) 16. Qc2 {and White took the initiative.}) 14. b4 {White is playing in
a standard manner.} ({Instead:} 14. Qd6 {isn't dangerous - Black can choose
between thematic} Ng6 $5 ({and} 14... Nf5 15. Qa3 Rd8 16. Rad1 Rxd1 17. Bxd1
Qd3 {, with acceptable play in both cases}) 15. Nd2 Qf5 16. Qxc6 Rb8 {.}) (14.
Nd2 Qf5) ({or} 14. Bd3 Qg4 {is also harmless:} 15. h3 ({or} 15. Qc2 $6 Bf5 16.
h3 Qg6 17. Bxf5 Qxf5 {and Black is just a pawn up, S.Volkov-Ar.Timofeev,
Internet blitz 2004}) 15... Qh5 16. b4 Be6 {with better chances, R.Sefton-A.Barker, corr. 2000.}) 14... Qg6 $5 {An interesting retreat.} ({Usually this
square belongs to the knight, but} 14... Ng6 {(which was fine in Chapter 16
with the pawn on b7) might be a bit uncomfortable here after} 15. Nd2 Qf5 16.
Bf3 {.}) ({Otherwise Black used to play} 14... Bf5 {, but this leaves the
queenside rather vulnerable, which White can try to exploit by} 15. Qa4 Nc7 {
and then:} 16. -- (16. Rad1 Ne6 17. Rd6 ({not} 17. Bd3 $6 Qg4 18. h3 Qh5) 17...
Rfd8 (17... Rfe8 $5) 18. Nd2 ({or} 18. Rxd8+ Nxd8) 18... Qh4 (18... Qf4 $5 19.
Rxd8+ Rxd8 {also comes into consideration}) 19. Rxd8+ Nxd8 20. Bf3 Ne6 21. Qa6
Ng5 22. Qb7 Re8 23. Be2 {and here in A.Dreev-K.Sakaev, Khanty-Mansyisk 2005,}
Ng6 $1 {would have given Black good counter-chances.}) (16. Bf1 Qg4 $1 (16...
Qc2 17. Qa3) ({or} 16... Qf4 17. Nxe5 $1 fxe5 18. Bxe5 Qxf2+ 19. Kxf2 Bc2+ 20.
Kg1 Bxa4 21. Bxc7 {are good for White}) 17. h3 Qg6 (17... Qh5 $5 {might be
playable:} 18. g4 Bxg4 19. hxg4 Qxg4+ 20. Bg2 Qxc4 21. Rac1 Qf7 {and Black
doesn't stand so badly}) 18. Nh4 Qg5 19. Nxf5 Qxf5 20. Rad1 Ne6 21. Bd3 Qh5 22.
Be4 {and White has more than sufficient compensation for the pawn.})) 15. Nh4
Qf7 16. f4 e4 (16... exf4 17. Qd6 {is unclear.}) 17. Qd6 (17. Qd4 Nf5 18. Nxf5
Bxf5 19. Qe3 c5 {certainly isn't worse for Black, F.Geider-A.Kucukali, corr.
2006.}) 17... Re8 {After 17 Qd6 White has good compensation for the pawn, but
Black is okay.} (17... Qe6 $5) ({or an immediate} 17... c5 {and if} 18. b5 {
then} Nb4 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "B22: 11 Nd2!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 f6 $5 10. Nf3 b6 11. Nd2 $1 {A thematic manoeuvre for the
Marshall - the knight is heading for e4 and d6, while at the same time making
way for the bishop.} Qf4 ({Of course the g2-pawn is untouchable:} 11... Qxg2 $2
12. Bf3) ({while} 11... Qf5 {may just transpose below after} 12. Bh5+ $1 g6 13.
Bf3 Qe5+ $1 ({since} 13... Ne7 $6 {allows White to seize the initiative:} 14.
Bc3 e5 15. O-O O-O 16. Ne4 $1 (16. Be4 $6 Qf4 17. b4 Nc7 {is okay for Black, Y.Yakovich-Ar.Timofeev, Moscow 2006}) 16... Qe6 17. Re1 $1 {(it's hard to
believe but Black has no good defence against the forthcoming positional piece
sacrifice!)} Nf5 ({on} 17... Bb7 {White has another beautiful way to open the
long diagonal:} 18. Ng5 $3 {and if} Qc8 {, then} 19. Rxe5 $3 fxe5 $6 ({or} 
19... Nf5 20. c5 $1 {with powerful play}) 20. Qd6) 18. Nxf6+ $3 {. This
sacrifice destroys the black pawn chain and White's dark-squared bishop
becomes a monster, although the danger isn't so obvious at first sight:} Rxf6 (
18... Rxf6 19. Rxe5 -- (19... Qd7 $6 20. Qe2 Bb7 21. Bg4 $1 {(intending simply
to remove the protector of the e7-square)} Rf7 22. Bxf5 gxf5 23. Rd1 Qc7 24.
Rxf5 $1 {and White won quickly in A.Riazantsev-S.Sjugirov, Ulan Ude 2009.}) ({
. Instead,} 19... Qd6 $1 {is more tenacious, though Black still faces problems
after} 20. Qe1 $1 ({not} 20. Qe2 $6 Nc7 $1 21. Rd1 Qf8) 20... Nc7 ({no better
is} 20... Kf7 21. Rd1 Qc7 22. Qd2 $1) ({or} 20... Bd7 21. Rd1 Qc7 22. g4 $1 Nh4
23. Be2 Rf7 24. f4 $1 Qd8 25. Rg5 Qe7 26. Qxh4 Qe3+ 27. Qf2 Qxf2+ 28. Kxf2
Rxf4+ 29. Kg3 {with a clear advantage}) 21. Rd1 Qf8 22. Bb4 $1 c5 23. Bxc5 $1
bxc5 24. Bxa8 {and so on.})) (18... Qxf6 $5 {is another try, but after} 19.
Rxe5 $1 Qd6 $1 20. g4 $5 (20. Qxd6 Nxd6 21. Rd1 Nf7 22. Re7 {gives White a
dominating position, but Black might defend somehow}) 20... Qxd1+ 21. Rxd1 Nd4
$1 22. Rxd4 Rxf3 23. Re8+ Rf8 24. Re7 Bxg4 $1 {(the only move)} 25. Rxg4 Rf7 {
Black is certainly worse and will have to do a lot of good work to hold this
ending.}))) 12. Bh5+ $1 {As we've just seen, it's very useful to provoke a
weakening of the long diagonal, as this increases power of White's
dark-squared bishop.} g6 (12... Ke7 $5 {looks dubious but might be playable.
Black maintains his dark square pawn chain at the cost of leaving his king in
the centre:} 13. Bc3 Nh6 ({after} 13... Bb7 14. O-O Nh6 15. Qe2 c5 ({though
Black might try} 15... Rhd8 $5) {, S.Matveeva-A.Krapivin, Moscow 2005, the
natural} 16. Rfe1 Nc7 17. b4 {would strengthen White's initiative}) 14. g3 ({
perhaps White should look more at} 14. O-O $5 Rd8 15. Qe2 Nc5) 14... Qf5 15.
Bf3 Rd8 $5 16. O-O (16. Bxc6 Nc5 17. O-O Bb7 {is okay for Black}) 16... Rb8 (
16... Bb7 $5) 17. Be4 Qg4 18. f3 Qh5 {and Black's position seems acceptable; e.g.} 19. b4 (19. Qe2 $5) 19... Bb7 20. Qe2 ({or if} 20. Qa4 {, K.Maslak-I.Kosov,
Novokuznetsk 2008, then} Kf8 {is solid enough}) 20... c5 21. b5 Bxe4 22. Qxe4
Nc7 (22... Nb4 $5) 23. Qxh7 Kf7 {and Black has obtained good play, Vl.Belov-R.Kempinski, Polanica Zdroj 2006. All the same, playing with the king in centre
seems a bit suspicious.}) 13. Bf3 Qe5+ $5 {Before bringing the queen back home,
Black prevents White from castling.} (13... Ne7 14. Bc3 {promises better
chances for White:} O-O (14... Nc5 15. O-O ({whereas} 15. g3 Qc7 $1 {is less
clear:} 16. Bxf6 O-O 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. O-O {with only a slight edge}) 15... O-O
16. b4 {followed by Ne4 is certainly in White's favour}) 15. O-O Qc7 16. Ne4 e5
17. Re1 Nf5 ({in V.Akobian-Y.Shulman, Internet 2010, Black made too many moves
with his queen:} 17... Qd7 $6 18. Qe2 Qe6 19. Rad1 {and White has all his
pieces in action}) 18. Nxf6+ $1 Rxf6 19. Bxe5 Qe7 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Re8+ Kg7
22. Qd8 Qf7 23. Rae1 Bb7 24. R1e7 $1 Rxd8 ({not} 24... Nxe7 $2 25. Qd4+ $1 Kh6
26. Qe3+) 25. Rxf7+ Kxf7 26. Rxd8 {with the advantage in the ending.}) 14. Kf1
{Obviously White wants to keep the queens on the board.} Qc7 ({Black will have
to play this anyway after Bc3, so he might as well play it at once, rather
than waste time defending c6 with his bishop:} 14... Bd7 $6 15. Bc3 Qc7 16. Ne4
{, T.Kotanjian-L.Ravi, Dubai 2008}) ({or} 14... Bb7 $6 15. Bc3 Qc7 16. Ne4 Rd8
17. Qe2 Qe7 18. g4 $5 ({or} 18. h4 $5 h5 19. Rd1 e5 20. Rxd8+ Kxd8 21. Kg1)
18... h6 19. Kg2 {followed by Rad1, and Black's defence isn't easy.}) 15. Bc3
e5 (15... Nc5 $6 16. b4 Nb7 {is dubious. D.Fridman-Y.Solodovnichenko, corr.
2003, continued} 17. Ne4 e5 18. Qe2 Kf8 {and here White might have tried the
thematic} 19. g4 $1 {, intending to break up the black pawn chain with g4-g5.})
16. Ne4 Kf7 $5 (16... Nc5 $6 17. Qd6 $6 ({however,} 17. Nxc5 $1 {was much
stronger:} bxc5 18. Ba5 $1 Qxa5 19. Bxc6+ Kf7 20. Bxa8 {with the advantage.
Black has some compensation but it doesn't seem fully sufficient; e.g.} Ne7 21.
Qe1 Qa6 22. b3 Rd8 23. h4 h5 24. Rd1 Rxd1 25. Qxd1 Qxa2 26. g3 {and so on})
17... Qxd6 18. Nxd6+ Ke7 19. Bxc6 Rb8 20. Nxc8+ Rxc8 21. Bd5 {gave Black
acceptable play in I.Lysyj-A.Galkin, Russian Team Ch. 2005, and he eventually
won this ending! --- The text looks rather dangerous but, fortunately, White
can't get his rook quickly to the e-file and destroy the black pawn chain, so
he has to look for other plans.}) 17. b4 (17. Nd6+ $5 Kf8 18. Nb5 {is
interesting:} cxb5 (18... Qd7 19. Qe2 Bb7 20. Rd1 Qe7 21. Nd6 Rd8 22. Nxb7
Rxd1+ 23. Qxd1 Qxb7 24. Qd6+ {is good for White}) 19. Bxa8 b4 $5 (19... bxc4
20. f4 $1 exf4 21. Bd5 Nc5 22. Qd4) 20. Bd2 Ne7 {and Black gets acceptable
play, but perhaps White can still count on somewhat better chances.}) (17. g4
$5 {deserves attention too:} Nc5 $5 ({if} 17... Ne7 {then} 18. h4 Nc5 19. g5)
18. Qd6 $1 (18. Nxc5 {is less promising:} bxc5 19. Qe2 Ne7 20. g5 ({or} 20. Qe3
Be6 21. b3 ({or} 21. Qxc5 Qb6) 21... Rad8 {with good play for Black}) 20... Nf5
21. gxf6 Nd4) 18... Qd7 $5 (18... Qxd6 19. Nxd6+ Ke7 ({or} 19... Kg7 20. Bxc6
Rb8 21. f4 $1) 20. Bxc6 Rb8 21. Nxc8+ Rxc8 22. Bd5 {is better for White}) 19.
Bb4 Qxd6 20. Nxd6+ Kg7 21. Rd1 ({or} 21. Bxc6 Rb8 22. Nxc8 Rxc8 23. Bd5 Ne7)
21... Ne7 22. Kg2 Be6 {and Black is still under some pressure, but here the
extra pawn makes it bearable.}) 17... Ne7 {Black's king isn't exactly safe,
but its counterpart on f1 isn't too comfortable either.} 18. Qe2 $5 {This
isn't just a developing move - White clearly shows his intention to sacrifice
on f6 at some point.} ({Here the thematic} 18. g4 {can be met by} Rd8 ({or} 
18... Be6 $5 19. Qe2 b5 $5) 19. Qe2 Be6 20. Kg2 b5 $5 (20... g5 $5) 21. Qe3
Bxc4 22. Qh6 Nd5 $1 23. Qxh7+ Kf8 24. Qh8+ Kf7 25. Qh7+ Kf8 {with a draw, A.Lastin-S.Yudin, Russian Team Ch. 2006.}) 18... Nf5 {Black also shows his
trumps without delay - posting a strong knight on d4 after ...Rhd8 would
really fortify Black's position and extinguish White's initiative.} 19. h4 $5 (
19. g4 {is again a natural alternative, but Black has sufficient resources:}
Nd4 (19... Nh4 20. Rg1 {is unsafe - Black must neutralize the dark-squared
bishop as a priority}) 20. Bxd4 exd4 21. b5 Nc5 (21... cxb5 $5 {is also worth
considering:} 22. cxb5 Nb4 23. Qd2 Nd5 24. Ng5+ $1 ({or} 24. Qxd4 Be6) 24...
fxg5 25. Bxd5+ Be6 {and Black should be okay}) 22. Nxc5 bxc5 23. Re1 $1 Qd6 24.
Bxc6 Be6 $1 25. Bxa8 Rxa8 {with good compensation for the exchange.}) 19... h5
({Black has to be wary of the thematic knight sacrifice; e.g.} 19... Be6 $6 20.
Nxf6 $1 Kxf6 21. Re1 Kf7 22. g4 {looks dangerous.}) ({Instead,} 19... Rd8 {is
risky but possible:} 20. h5 ({if} 20. b5 cxb5 21. cxb5 ({or} 21. Ng5+ $5 fxg5
22. hxg5 h5 $1 23. Bxe5 Qxc4 24. Qxc4+ bxc4 25. Bxa8 Nc5 26. g4 Ba6 $1 {with
sufficient compensation}) 21... Bb7 $1) 20... g5 21. h6 $5 ({for White} 21. c5
$5 {is worth considering}) ({whereas} 21. b5 $5 cxb5 22. cxb5 g4 $1 23. Bxg4
Nc5 {isn't so clear}) 21... Qe7 22. b5 Nc7 {and despite any apparent dangers,
Black seems able to consolidate his forces - in particular, his knights have
good prospects on the d4-square.}) 20. Re1 Qe7 ({Here} 20... Rd8 {is even more
risky, though perhaps it's still playable:} 21. -- (21. b5 Nc5 (21... cxb5 $5 {
deserves attention:} 22. Nxf6 ({or} 22. cxb5 Be6 $1 23. Bxe5 $5 Bc4 $1 24. Bxc7
Bxe2+ 25. Bxe2 Nxc7) 22... Be6 $1 23. Kg1 Bxc4 24. Qb2 Nc5 25. Bxe5 Qe7 {and
Black is holding on}) 22. Nxf6 $1 Nd3 $1 23. Rd1 $1 Be6 24. Ne4 Nf4 25. Ng5+
Ke7 26. Qe4 Rxd1+ 27. Bxd1 Rd8 28. Bb3 cxb5 29. Nxe6 Nxe6 30. Bxe5 Qc5 {with
good counter-chances.}) (21. g4 $5 {is more dangerous:} Nd4 $1 ({not} 21...
hxg4 $2 22. Bxg4 Nd4 23. Bxd4 Rxd4 24. h5 g5 25. Qf3) 22. Bxd4 Rxd4 23. gxh5
Be6 $1 24. hxg6+ Kg7 $1 {and now:} 25. -- (25. Qe3 Bxc4+ 26. Be2 ({or} 26. Kg2
Nxb4 {, planning to switch the knight quickly to f4}) 26... Rxe4 ({not} 26...
Bd5 27. Nxf6 $1) 27. Qxe4 Bd5 28. Qg4 Bxh1 29. h5 Rh8 30. Bxa6 b5 {and the
position is still far from clear.}) (25. Rc1 $5 Nxb4 26. h5 {looks very
dangerous for Black, but he's still alive; e.g.} Nd3 27. h6+ Kxg6 28. Rg1+ Kxh6
29. Bg4 Nf4 30. Qf3 Rd3 $1 31. Qh1+ Rh3 32. Bxh3 Bxh3+ 33. Ke1 Rd8 34. Rc3 Rd3
$1 ({not} 34... Qd7 35. Nd6 $3 {and wins}) 35. Rxd3 Nxd3+ 36. Kd2 Nf4 37. Rg3
Qd7+ 38. Kc2 Qe6 39. Kb2 {and although White has the advantage, converting it
won't be easy.}))) 21. g4 $1 {Consistently trying to get at the enemy king.} ({
Instead,} 21. a3 Nc7 22. Nxf6 Qxf6 23. Qxe5 ({or} 23. Bxe5 Re8 24. Bxf6 Rxe2
25. Rxe2 Kxf6 26. Bxc6 Rb8) 23... Qxe5 24. Bxe5 Be6 25. Bxc7 Bxc4+ 26. Kg1 Bd5
{is okay for Black.}) ({Or} 21. Nxf6 Qxf6 22. Bxe5 Re8 23. Bxf6 Rxe2 24. Rxe2
Kxf6 {.}) 21... hxg4 22. Bxg4 {Black's position is rather unsafe but he
maintains decent resources. Here he faces an important choice.} Nd6 $5 {The
most reliable continuation - Black is trying to force simplifications.} ({The
principled} 22... Rxh4 $5 23. Rxh4 Nxh4 {allows White to keep the initiative,
but Black might be able to hold on.} 24. -- ({. For instance, the tempting} 24.
Bxc8 $6 Rxc8 25. c5 {only leads to a draw:} Qe6 $1 26. Nd6+ Kg7 27. Qxa6 Qh3+
28. Ke2 Qxc3 29. Qxc8 {and Black gives perpetual check, P.Maletin-J.Geller,
Moscow 2011.}) ({. Black's task is more difficult after the energetic} 24. f4
$1 {. The best defence is} Nc7 $1 (24... Be6 $6 25. Bxe5 $1 Bxg4 26. Qxg4 fxe5
27. Ng5+ Kg8 28. Rxe5 Qg7 29. Qxh4 {is certainly better for White}) ({while
after} 24... Bxg4 $6 25. Qxg4 Nf5 26. fxe5 fxe5 27. Bxe5 $1 Nxb4 28. Nd6+ $1
Nxd6 29. Bc3 $1 {Black has to give up his queen}) 25. -- {, when White has a
choice:} (25. Bxc8 Rxc8 26. Qg4 ({or} 26. Qf2 Nf5 27. fxe5 fxe5 28. Bxe5 Ne8 {
with reasonable chances to hold on}) 26... Rh8 27. fxe5 f5 28. e6+ Nxe6 29.
Ng5+ Qxg5 30. Qxg5 Nxg5 31. Bxh8 Ne4 {is okay for Black.}) (25. fxe5 $5 f5 ({
not} 25... fxe5 $6 26. Qf2+ $1 Nf5 27. Bxe5 Ne8 28. Ba1 $5) 26. Nd6+ (26. Qf2
$5 Be6 27. Be2) 26... Kg8 27. Bf3 Nxf3 28. Qxf3 Qh4 $5 29. Qxc6 ({or} 29. Re4
Qh6) 29... Qh3+ 30. Qg2 f4 $5 31. Kf2 Qxg2+ 32. Kxg2 {and White's pieces are
more active, but Black should be able to hold the balance.}) (25. Qh2 $5 {is
interesting:} Bxg4 26. Qxh4 Bh5 $1 27. fxe5 fxe5 28. Qf2+ Kg7 {, when White
has the beautiful tactic} 29. Nf6 $3 Rf8 30. Rxe5 $1 {, but Black can still
defend:} Qd6 $1 ({not} 30... Qd8 $2 31. Kg2 $1 Rxf6 32. Qxf6+ $3 Kxf6 33. Re8+
Kf5 34. Rxd8) 31. Rxh5 $1 ({after} 31. c5 bxc5 32. bxc5 {Black can play} Qd8 $1
33. Kg2 Rxf6 {, since if} 34. Qxf6+ $3 Qxf6 35. Re7+ Kf8 36. Bxf6 {, he
escapes with} Nd5) 31... Qd3+ $1 32. Kg2 gxh5 {and Black survives.}) (25. Kf2
$5 {may be the most promising continuation, including the rook in the kingside
operations.}))) 23. h5 (23. Bxc8 {is less promising:} Raxc8 24. h5 Nxe4 ({not} 
24... gxh5 $6 25. Nxf6 $1 Qxf6 26. Bxe5 Qe6 27. c5 $1 Nf5 28. Qxa6 Rce8 29. Qd3
) 25. Qxe4 gxh5 $1 ({not} 25... Rxh5 $2 26. Rxh5 gxh5 27. Bxe5 $1 Rh8 28. Qf3
$1) 26. Qf5 Qe6 27. Rxe5 Qxf5 28. Rxf5 Rh6 29. Rfxh5 Rxh5 30. Rxh5 Kg6 {with a
probable draw.}) 23... Bxg4 24. Qxg4 gxh5 25. Rxh5 Nxe4 (25... Rag8 $6 26. Qf3
{is good for White.}) 26. Rxe4 {White's attack looks threatening, but Black
can defend.} Qd6 $1 ({Not} 26... Qe6 $2 27. Qf3 {.}) 27. Re3 $5 ({Instead,} 27.
Rexe5 fxe5 28. Rf5+ Ke8 29. Bxe5 Qd1+ $1 30. Qxd1 Rh1+ 31. Ke2 Rxd1 32. Kxd1
Rd8+ 33. Ke2 Nxb4 {is just drawn}) ({while after} 27. Qf3 Nxb4 $1 {White can't
exploit the vulnerability of Black's king; e.g.} 28. Reh4 ({or} 28. Bxb4 Qxb4
29. Rhxe5 Rad8) 28... Rxh5 29. Qxh5+ Ke7 30. Qh7+ Ke6 {and so on.}) 27... Rag8
({Not} 27... Nxb4 $2 28. Bxe5) ({or} 27... Rad8 $2 28. Rxh8 Rxh8 29. Rg3 $1 {.}
) 28. Qf3 Qe6 $1 {Swapping the queens is vitally important for Black!} 29.
Rexe5 ({Other captures are no better:} 29. Rhxe5 Qxc4+ 30. Re2 Rh1+ $1 31. Qxh1
fxe5 32. Qh5+ Ke7 33. Qxe5+ Kd8) ({or} 29. Bxe5 Rxh5 30. Qxh5+ Rg6 {and Black
is okay.}) 29... Qg4 30. Qxg4 ({If} 30. Rhf5 {, then} Rh1+ $5 31. Qxh1 Qd1+ 32.
Be1 Qd3+ 33. Re2 Qxf5 {solves Black's problems.}) 30... Rxg4 31. Rxh8 fxe5 {.
White might still hope for a slight edge, but the ending is drawn; e.g.} 32. a3
({Or} 32. Rh7+ Ke6 33. Rh6+ Kd7 34. a3 Rxc4 35. Bxe5 Rc2 36. f4 Ra2 37. f5 Rxa3
38. Rh7+ Ke8 {.}) 32... Rxc4 33. Bxe5 Ke6 34. f4 Rc2 35. Ke1 ({Or} 35. Rh7 Ra2
$1 36. Rxa7 $2 Nxb4 {.}) 35... Ra2 36. Rh3 {and although Black's knight is
locked out of the game, White is unable to exploit this fact.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C: 9...b6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 b6 {The point of White's bishop manoeuvre was exactly to
provoke this move, in order to weaken the c6-square and the long light-squared
diagonal. For many years, therefore, 9...b6 was supposed to be dubious, but I
suspect there was more psychology than chess behind this. "Why justify my
opponent's idea?!", Black might think - besides which, other options,
especially the old 9...Bd7, had served him well. However, as we've already
seen, White has recently discovered some promising ideas, which has forced
Black to direct more attention to other moves, such as 9...b6 - and this is
gradually becoming Black's main response nowadays.} 10. -- ({C1:} 10. Bc3 $6) (
{C2:} 10. Qd6 $1 {. --- The queen move is White's most common and strongest
reply, but first we'll take a look at the bishop retreat.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C1: 10 Bc3?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 b6 10. Bc3 $6 {This is harmless for Black. White
transposes to the 9 Bc3 line (see Chapter 16) with the extra move ...b7-b6
inserted, but it's unclear whether he can benefit from that.} Bb7 $5 {A
logical move - Black is trying to use ...b7-b6 to his own advantage.} ({
However, he has other good options too:} 10... f6 11. Nf3 {would transpose to
a less testing version of line B; i.e. 9...f6 10 Nf3 b6 11 Bc3 (see line B21
above).} ({The attempt to pose problems with} 11. Qd6 {is answered by} Ne7 ({
not} 11... Nh6 $2 12. Bxf6 $3 gxf6 13. O-O-O Rg8 14. Bh5+ Rg6 15. Qd8+ Kf7 16.
Qh8 {and Black is defenceless, S.K.Williams-Z.Zhao, Witley 2001}) 12. Nf3 Nf5 {
and so on.})) (10... Ne7 {is also playable:} 11. Nf3 ({, after} 11. Bxg7 Rg8 {
the extra ...b7-b6 doesn't seem bad for Black}) ({, while} 11. Qd2 {can be met
by the typical} e5 12. Rd1 ({or} 12. O-O-O $2 Bf5) 12... O-O 13. Nf3 Ng6 {and
Black is fine, P.Pisk-J.Zawadzka, Brno 2003}) 11... f6 ({Black can begin with} 
11... O-O 12. O-O Ng6 13. Bd3 Qf4 {, I.Brener-S.Matsenko, European Junior Ch.
2003, but it seems more reliable to build the dark square pawn chain first})
12. O-O O-O {and again we've returned to line B21, which is acceptable for
Black.}) 11. Nf3 ({Instead,} 11. Bxg7 $2 {would only cause trouble for White:}
Qxg2 12. Qd4 c5 13. Qg4 Qxg4 ({or} 13... Qxh1 $5 14. O-O-O Qe4) 14. Bxg4 {and
here, in Vl.Belov-V.Shinkevich, Russian Junior Ch. 2001, Black could have
secured his advantage by} Bxh1 15. Bxh8 Ke7 16. Bc3 Nf6 {with a healthy extra
pawn.}) (11. Qd2 {is harmless:} Rd8 12. Qg5 Ne7 13. f3 ({, the routine} 13. Nf3
$6 {gives Black time for improvement:} c5 14. Qxg7 Rg8 15. Qf6 Rxg2 16. Ne5 Qf5
17. Qxf5 ({or} 17. Qh4 $2 Nb4) 17... Nxf5 {with an extra pawn in the ending, M.Turov-V.Potkin, Moscow 2002}) ({; while after} 13. Nh3 Nc5 ({Black can also
consider} 13... Rg8 $5) 14. f3 Nd3+ ({Black can also consider} 14... Qc2 $5)
15. Kf1 Qxc4 16. Qxg7 Rg8 17. Qxh7 Ba6 {Black's pieces become very active})
13... Qf5 (13... Qc2 $5) 14. Qxg7 Rg8 15. g4 $1 Qc2 16. Qh6 Nb4 $5 {,
intending ...Nxa2, and Black obtains good counter-chances.}) 11... Rd8 $1 {
Black is consistent with his approach, developing the queenside first of all.}
({As we already know, the natural} 11... Nf6 {is rather unusual in the
Marshall Gambit - Black doesn't improve his control of the dark squares, so
White gets a free hand to develop his initiative with} 12. Ne5 ({, here} 12.
Qd2 Rd8 13. Qg5 Qg6) ({, and} 12. O-O Rd8 13. Nd2 Qg6 14. Bf3 Nc5 15. Qe2 ({or
} 15. b4 $6 Nce4) 15... O-O {, S.Volkov-S.Sjugirov, Novokuznetsk 2008, don't
bother Black much}) 12... Rd8 13. Qc1 {and now:} -- (13... Qxg2 $6 {is risky:
after} 14. Bf3 Qh3 15. Rg1 Rg8 16. Qf4 {White's pieces are getting quickly
into play; e.g.} Nc5 17. Ke2 Qf5 18. Bxc6+ Bxc6 19. Qxf5 exf5 20. Nxc6 Rd6 (
20... Nfe4 $5 21. Nxd8 Nxc3+ 22. bxc3 Kxd8 {might be better}) 21. Nxa7 Nfe4 22.
Nb5 Nxc3+ 23. Nxc3 {and White keeps the edge thanks to his queenside pawn
majority.}) (13... c5 {was Black's initial plan, but it doesn't solve his
problems under the circumstances:} 14. f3 Qh4+ 15. g3 Qh3 16. Qg5 Rg8 ({the
disruptive attempt} 16... Qg2 $5 {is interesting, but White is able to
maintain his initiative:} 17. Rf1 Rg8 18. Rf2 Qh1+ ({or} 18... h6 $6 19. Qf4
Qh1+ $2 20. Bf1 Ke7 21. Ke2 $3 Nb4 22. Re1) 19. Bf1 {etc}) 17. Kf2 {, when
Black's pieces are scattered around the board and lack coordination. White's
chances are preferable, B.Savchenko-J.Geller, St. Petersburg 2010.}) (13... Nd7
$5 {might be playable:} 14. f3 Qh4+ 15. g3 Qh3 16. Nxd7 (16. Ng4 f6) 16... Rxd7
17. Bxg7 Rg8 18. Qh6 Qxh6 19. Bxh6 Nb4 20. Kf2 c5 {and a strong outpost on d4
gives Black acceptable play in the ending.}) (13... Nc5 $5 {is also possible:}
14. f3 Qh4+ 15. g3 Qh3 16. Qg5 Qg2 $1 (16... Rg8 17. Qe3 $5 Qg2 18. Rg1 Qxh2
19. Bd4 Ncd7 20. O-O-O {is better for White}) 17. Rf1 Rg8 {is very complicated.
Black's position looks rather unsafe and his queen is in danger (even though
it's doing quite a good job disturbing the opponent's comfortable development);
White might try to invade with his queen on the dark squares after} 18. Rd1 (
18. Qh4 {can be met by} h5 $1 {and ...g7-g5}) 18... Rxd1+ 19. Kxd1 {and then
Qf4, or in some cases Qh4, Bd4 and Rg1.})) 12. Nd2 ({The routine} 12. Qc1 Ne7
13. Qg5 c5 {is fine for Black}) ({but White has an interesting option in} 12.
Bxg7 Rxd1+ 13. Rxd1 {and then:} -- (13... h6 $6 {is too restrained and allows
White to develop an annoying initiative:} 14. Bxh8 f6 15. Nd4 e5 $5 ({after} 
15... Nc7 $6 16. O-O Qh7 17. Rfe1 c5 18. Nxe6 $1 Nxe6 19. Bg4 {Black is
defenceless, E.Pakhomov-S.Solovjov, Orsha 2009}) 16. O-O $1 exd4 17. Bf3 Qf5 ({
after} 17... Qh7 18. Rxd4 Qxh8 19. Re1+ Kf8 ({or} 19... Ne7 20. Bh5+) 20. Bh5 {
wins}) 18. Rxd4 Ne7 19. Re1 {with a strong attack; e.g.} Nc5 20. b4 Nd3 21.
Rxd3 $1 Qxd3 22. Bh5+ Kf8 23. Rd1 Qxd1+ 24. Bxd1 Kf7 25. Bh5+ {with a big
advantage.}) (13... h5 $1 {is more precise:} 14. Bxh8 f6 15. Nd4 e5 16. O-O (
16. Ne6 {favours Black:} Ke7 17. f3 Qg6 18. Nd8 Qxg2 19. Rf1 Nb4) 16... exd4
17. Bf3 Qh7 {and White's bishop can't go to h5, so his initiative seems
bearable; e.g.} 18. Rxd4 Qxh8 19. Rfd1 Qh6 ({or} 19... Nc5 $5 20. Rd8+ Kf7 21.
b4 Ne6 22. R8d7+ Ne7 23. Rxb7 f5) 20. Rd8+ Kf7 21. R8d7+ Kg6 22. Rxb7 Nc5 23.
Rxa7 Qf4 {with better chances for Black.})) 12... Qxg2 $1 13. Bf3 Qg6 14. Qe2
Nc5 15. Ne4 ({Or} 15. Kf1 Nf6 16. Rg1 Qh6 {.}) 15... Nxe4 $5 (15... Ne7 16.
Nxc5 bxc5 17. Kf1 Qh6 18. Rg1 {gives White good compensation for the pawn,
though Black is also okay:} Nf5 (18... Ng6 $5) 19. Qe5 Qh3+ 20. Ke2 Nd4+ 21.
Bxd4 cxd4 {and so on, A.Yermolinsky-V.Mezentsev, San Francisco 2007.}) 16. Bxe4
Qh6 17. Qf3 Ne7 18. Rg1 {. White's pieces are active but as the position has
been simplified somewhat, he may not find sufficient resources to prove
compensation for the two pawns. In fact Black's chances seem preferable - he
can choose between} f6 ({and} 18... Rg8 $5 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C2: 10 Qd6!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 b6 10. Qd6 $1 {The most energetic and dangerous
continuation.} Bd7 ({Black has a big choice here, but most of his moves are
insufficient:} 10... Ne7 $2 {loses on the spot:} 11. O-O-O f6 12. Qd8+ Kf7 13.
Qxh8 bxa5 14. Rd8 {, F.Elsness-I.Argandona Riveiro, Donostia 2011.}) (10... Bb7
{doesn't solve Black's problems either:} 11. O-O-O c5 ({or} 11... Nc5 12. Bc3
Nf6 13. f3 Qe3+ 14. Kb1) 12. Qd7+ Kf8 13. Qd6+ Ke8 ({not} 13... Ne7 $4 14. Qd8+
$1) 14. Bc3 Nb4 15. Bxb4 cxb4 16. Nf3 {with more than enough compensation for
the pawn. M.Kobalia-E.Sveshnikov, Stepanakert 2004, continued} Nf6 $2 (16...
Qc6 17. Qxb4 {was more tenacious}) 17. Ne5 $1 Rc8 18. Bf3 Qf4+ 19. Kb1 Bxf3 20.
gxf3 {and Black found himself helpless against the threat of Rd4 followed by
Nc6.}) (10... f6 $6 {is well met by} 11. f3 $1 Qf5 12. Bxb6 $1 (12. Qxc6+ $6
Kf7 13. Bc3 Rb8 {isn't so bad, S.K.Williams-A.Domont, Swiss Ch., Graechen 2009}
) 12... axb6 13. Qxc6+ Kf7 14. Qxa8 {and Black's compensation for the exchange
is insufficient.}) (10... Nc5 {, threatening to win the bishop after ...Nb7,
seems dubious as Black is wasting time:} 11. Bb4 Nd7 12. O-O-O a5 13. Bc3 {
with a strong initiative for the pawn.}) ({Finally, it has long been thought
that the bishop on a5 is untouchable, but that may not be as clear as it seems:
} 10... bxa5 $5 11. Rd1 $1 ({not} 11. f3 $2 Qh4+ 12. g3 Qd8 13. Qxc6+ Bd7 14.
Qxa6 Qc7) 11... f6 12. f3 Qe3 $1 ({not} 12... Qe5 $2 13. Qxc6+ Kf7 14. Qxa8 Ne7
15. Qxa7 Qxb2 16. Nh3 Qxa2 17. Nf2 {followed by Ne4-d6 with a decisive
advantage, S.Volkov-J.Geller, Moscow 2002}) 13. Qxc6+ Kf7 14. Qxa8 Ne7 {and
the weakened dark squares in the white camp gives Black decent compensation
for the exchange; e.g.} 15. Qe4 Qb6 16. Qd4 (16. Qc2 e5) 16... Nc5 17. Nh3 $6
e5 $1 ({after} 17... Nf5 $6 18. Qd2 e5 19. Nf2 {White got the advantage in A.Naiditsch-R.Buhmann, European Ch., Aix-les-Bains 2011}) 18. Qf2 Bxh3 19. gxh3
Qb4+ (19... Ng6 $5) 20. Kf1 Ng6 {and Black has acceptable play. So there might
be followers.}) 11. Bc3 ({Inserting castling with} 11. O-O-O O-O-O {is in
Black's favour:} 12. Bc3 f6 $5 {is considered in line C221 below.} ({Black can
also play} 12... Nf6 13. Qa3 ({this is harmless; but} 13. Qg3 Qf5 $5 {is also
fine,} ({or else} 13... Qg6 14. Nf3 Ne4 15. Qxg6 hxg6 16. Bxg7 Rh7 17. Bd4 c5
18. Be3 f6 {with acceptable play in the ending})) 13... Kb7 14. Bf3 ({not} 14.
Qe7 $2 e5 $1 15. Qxe5 Nb4 $1) 14... Qf4+ 15. Kb1 (15. Rd2 $2 e5 $1 16. Ne2 Qxc4
{is good for Black, A.Goloshchapov-D.Frolyanov, Moscow 2004}) 15... e5 16. Ne2
Qxc4 17. Ng3 Nc5 ({or} 17... Qc5 18. Qxc5 Nxc5) 18. Bxe5 Bg4 ({or} 18... Be6 {
and Black keeps the extra pawn with a solid position.}))) 11... -- {After the
text Black must protect the g7-pawn - there are two possibilities:} ({C21:} 
11... Nf6) ({C22:} 11... f6) ({Unfortunately,} 11... Ne7 $2 {is just bad:} 12.
O-O-O (12. Rd1 $5 Rd8 13. Bxg7 $1 Nf5 14. Qe5 Qxe5 15. Bxe5 Rg8 16. Bf6 Rc8 17.
g4 ({or} 17. Nf3 $5 {is also good})) 12... Rd8 13. Bxg7 Nf5 14. Qe5 Qxe5 15.
Bxe5 Rg8 16. g4 {and White has a definite advantage in the endgame.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C21: 11...Nf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 b6 10. Qd6 $1 Bd7 11. Bc3 Nf6 ({Once again, this knight
development is less common in the Marshall but, as we've just seen,} 11... Ne7
$2 {is no good here.}) 12. Nf3 (12. O-O-O O-O-O {was considered via 11 0-0-0
above}) ({while} 12. Rd1 O-O-O 13. Qa3 Kb7 14. Nf3 e5 $1 {is no good for White
either, though he may be able to equalize after} 15. Nxe5 Bg4 $5 ({or} 15...
Rhe8) 16. Qe7+ Nc7 17. f3 Rxd1+ 18. Kxd1 Qb1+ 19. Kd2 Qxh1 20. Nxf7 $1 {.})
12... c5 ({Black tried other moves but none of them completely solve his
problems:} 12... Qf5 $6 {is rather pointless here:} 13. Ne5 (13. O-O-O $5)
13... Qxf2+ ({or} 13... Nc5 14. f3 Nb7 15. Qd2 {and Black's queen is in danger,
M.Matlakov-D.Khachykian, European Junior Ch. 2005}) 14. Kxf2 Ne4+ 15. Kf3 Nxd6
16. Rhd1 f6 ({with White's bishop on c3,} 16... Ke7 $4 {fails to} 17. Rxd6 ({or
} 17. Nxd7 f6 18. c5) 17... Kxd6 18. Rd1+) 17. Rxd6 fxe5 18. Bxe5 O-O+ 19. Ke3
Be8 20. Bf3 {and Black is under pressure, T.Kotanjian-M.Sharbaf, Iranian Team
Ch. 2005.}) (12... O-O-O $6 13. Ne5 {offers a clear advantage for White,
according to tournament practice; e.g.} Rhf8 14. f3 Qe3 15. Bd4 Qg5 16. c5 $1 (
16. O-O Qd2 {gives Black more chances, A.Khalifman-B.Grachev, Russian Team Ch.
2004}) 16... Kb7 ({or} 16... b5 17. O-O) 17. cxb6 axb6 18. O-O {with a
decisive attack, A.Gupta-G.Joshi, Hyderabad 2006.}) (12... Rd8 13. Rd1 (13. Ne5
Bc8 14. Qxc6+ Bd7 15. Qxe4 Nxe4 {is okay for Black}) 13... c5 ({not} 13... Nc5
$2 14. Ne5 $1) 14. Qd2 $1 ({stronger than} 14. Ne5 Qb7 15. Bf3 Qb8 {, for
which see 13...Rd8 in the main line below}) 14... Nb4 $5 15. O-O {and White
has a promising initiative.}) 13. Ne5 {A natural knight advance.} ({However,
the thematic retreat} 13. Nd2 $5 {might be more promising:} Qg6 14. a4 $5 (14.
O-O O-O-O) 14... Rd8 15. Bf3 {and White keeps up the pressure; e.g.} Nb4 ({or} 
15... Bc8 16. Bc6+ Bd7 17. O-O Bxc6 18. Qxc6+ Nd7 19. Qb7) 16. Bxb4 cxb4 17. a5
$5 {and Black's queenside is in great danger.}) 13... Ba4 $1 {An interesting
resource: Black temporarily takes control of the d1-square, intending to drive
White's queen out of his camp with ...Rd8.} ({The immediate} 13... Rd8 {gives
White a nice choice:} 14. Rd1 $5 ({alternatively, after} 14. f3 $5 Qb7 15.
O-O-O ({or} 15. Nxd7 $5 Rxd7 16. Qg3 Kf8 17. O-O) 15... Qb8 16. Qd2 {Black's
play isn't easy as White's dark-squared bishop and e5-knight are very powerful}
) 14... Qb7 (14... Nb8 $6 15. f3 Qh4+ 16. g3 Qh3 17. Kf2 {is just good for
White}) 15. -- {, and now:} (15. Bf3 {doesn't promise much, but it's useful to
look at this in more detail:} Qb8 16. O-O ({not} 16. Nc6 $2 Qxd6 17. Rxd6 Bxc6
18. Rxd8+ Kxd8 19. Bxc6 Nb4 {and Black eventually converted his extra pawn, K.Mekhitarian-V.Sveshnikov, Reykjavik 2011}) 16... Qxd6 17. Rxd6 Ke7 18. Rfd1 {
and then:} -- (18... Nb8 $6 19. b4 $5 {keeps the initiative. The old game V.Mikenas-A.Suetin, USSR Ch., Moscow 1950, continued} Ne8 20. R6d2 f6 21. bxc5 $1
bxc5 22. Nd3 ({or} 22. Ba5 $5 fxe5 23. Bxd8+ Kxd8 24. Rb1 Kc8 25. Rxb8+ Kxb8
26. Rxd7) 22... Bc6 {and here it was more precise to include} 23. Be2 {,} ({it
was more precise to insert} 23. Bg4 $1 f5 ({not} 23... h5 $2 24. Nf4 $1) 24.
Be2 {, when White has clearly better chances thanks to the numerous weaknesses
in the black pawn structure.})) (18... Ba4 $1 {was stronger: after} 19. Rxd8
Rxd8 20. Rxd8 Kxd8 21. Nxf7+ Ke7 22. Ne5 {White has regained the pawn and
might hope for an advantage due to his bishop pair, but Black is able to shift
his knight to the strong d4-square in time to solve his problems:} Nb4 23. a3
Nc2 24. Bb7 Nd4 25. Kf1 Nd7 {, A.Mena-M.Zubac, corr. 2006.})) (15. Nxd7 $1 Rxd7
16. Qg3 {is more straightforward and promising:} Rxd1+ 17. Kxd1 Kf8 18. Kc2
Nb4+ 19. Kb3 Ne8 20. Bf3 Qc8 21. Rd1 {and Black is under pressure.})) 14. f3
Qb7 15. Qd2 (15. Bd1 Bxd1 16. Rxd1 Rc8 {and ...Qc7 is okay for Black.}) 15...
Nd7 $1 {Aiming both to simplify the position and decrease White's influence on
the dark squares by ...f7-f6.} ({Instead, after} 15... O-O 16. b3 Be8 17. O-O-O
{,} ({or a restrained} 17. Rd1 {followed by 0-0, White maintains the
initiative.})) 16. Qg5 (16. Ng4 $5 {is interesting, keeping the knight on.
Then after} f6 17. O-O O-O 18. Bd3 Rf7 {White keeps good compensation for the
pawn, though Black's game is solid enough. He can defend his kingside by ...
Nf8, meanwhile improving the rest of his pieces.}) 16... Nxe5 17. Qxe5 O-O-O {
. This position is acceptable for Black. A possible continuation is} 18. O-O ({
Not} 18. Qxg7 $2 Rhg8 19. Qxh7 Rxg2 {and Black has the initiative.}) 18... f6
$5 ({Or} 18... Rhg8 $5 {.}) 19. Qxe6+ Kb8 20. Qf5 Qd7 21. Qxd7 Bxd7 {with a
defendable ending. As usual Black has the strong d4-square for the knight,
whereas the pawn structure is rather too closed for White's bishops to be
effective.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C22: 11...f6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "23"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 b6 10. Qd6 Bd7 11. Bc3 f6 {The standard way to deal with
White's dark-squared bishop in the Marshall. Now White has a choice:} 12. -- ({
C221:} 12. O-O-O) ({C222:} 12. Nf3) ({Other moves:} 12. Qg3 Qg6 13. Bh5 $6 Qxh5
14. Qxg7 O-O-O 15. Qxh8 Qg6 {and only White would have problems.}) (12. f3 {is
harmless:} Qg6 ({or even} 12... Qc2 $5 13. Rd1 Nc5 {and the queen disturbs
White's development - perhaps he should already acquiesce to a repetition by}
14. Rd2 Qb1+ 15. Rd1 Qc2) 13. Nh3 e5 {with good play for Black.}) (12. Rd1
O-O-O 13. Nf3 e5 ({or} 13... c5 $5) 14. Qa3 Kb7 {is also fine for Black.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C221: 12 0-0-0"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 $5 b6 10. Qd6 Bd7 11. Bc3 f6 12. O-O-O {This straightforward
option doesn't promise White much.} O-O-O 13. Qa3 {The best continuation.} ({
Instead,} 13. b3 $6 {is dubious:} Qxg2 14. Bf3 Qg5+ 15. Kb2 Qc5 {and White's
compensation for two pawns seems insufficient, L.Van Wely-A.Shirov, Monaco 
(rapid) 2002.}) (13. Qg3 {allows Black to choose between} e5 $5 ({and} 13...
Qg6 $5 {, keeping the extra pawn}) 14. Qxg7 Bf5 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 {with a
guaranteed draw.}) (13. Bf3 $2 {can be met by} Qxc4 14. Qa3 ({after} 14. Be2 $2
Qxa2 15. Nf3 Nc5 {White was two pawns down with an exposed king and resigned
shortly, L.Van Wely-J.Gustafsson, Dortmund 2008}) 14... Nc5 15. Qxa7 Qa6 16.
Qxa6+ Nxa6 17. Ne2 e5 {with a healthy extra pawn in the ending.}) (13. b4 Nh6 {
is also fine for Black, I.Krush-Zhu Chen, Moscow (blitz) 2010.}) 13... Kb7 14.
Bf3 (14. c5 $6 {merely helps Black consolidate his position by} Nc7 ({not} 
14... Nxc5 $2 15. b4 {and the knight is trapped.})) 14... Qf4+ ({The c4-pawn
is untouchable:} 14... Qxc4 $4 15. Be2 Qf4+ 16. Bd2 {wins a piece.}) 15. Rd2 $1
({This is stronger than the obvious} 15. Kb1 $6 Qc7 16. Ne2 e5 $1 17. Ng3 (17.
Ka1 Nh6 {, with ideas of ...Bg4, is good for Black, K.Akshat-J.Sriram, Indian
Ch., Chennai 2008}) 17... Nh6 18. b4 Bg4 $1 (18... Nf7 $6 19. b5 Nb8 20. Ka1
Be6 21. bxc6+ Nxc6 22. c5 Ng5 23. Be2 {gives White excellent compensation for
the pawn, H.Vardanian-D.Frolyanov, Yerevan 2004}) 19. b5 Nb8 20. Bxg4 Nxg4 21.
Ne4 Ka8 $5 22. h3 Nh6 {and Black's chances are preferable.}) 15... Qc7 ({
Instead,} 15... Nb8 $2 {is too passive, as well as being unnecessary at the
moment:} 16. Ne2 (16. c5 $5) 16... Qxc4 17. Rhd1 {with a very strong
initiative, E.Najer-V.Malakhov, Moscow 2002}) ({while} 15... e5 $2 {is
suspicious too:} 16. Ne2 Qxc4 17. Rhd1 Qe6 ({or} 17... Nb8 $6 18. Ng3 Qf4 19.
Kb1 {followed by Ne4-d6}) 18. Rd6 (18. b4 $5) 18... Qe7 19. Bxc6+ Bxc6 20. Rxd8
Qxa3 21. bxa3 Nc5 22. f4 $1 {and Black is in trouble.}) 16. Ne2 ({The pawn push
} 16. b4 {doesn't achieve much here:} Ne7 17. b5 Nc5 18. Bb4 Kb8 19. Bxc5 bxc5
20. Qxc5 Rhe8 $5 ({or} 20... Bc8 $5 {and Black certainly isn't worse.})) 16...
e5 {Restricting the opposing knight. This position is quite acceptable for
Black, according to tournament practice. White's main problem is actually his
dark-squared bishop, which is rather useless in the queenside operations.} 17.
Rhd1 (17. Ng3 {is a natural alternative, as the white knight has no other way
to go in any case. In fact it may lead to the same positions after} Nh6 18. Ne4
-- (18... Bg4 $5 {(the most reliable move)} 19. Bxg4 Nxg4 20. Rhd1 {(see the
main line).}) ({. Instead, Black might try to improve his chances with} 18...
Nf7 {, but White's activity is sufficient to maintain good compensation for
the pawn:} 19. -- (19. b4 $5 Bf5 20. b5 Nb8 21. Rhd1 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 {and now:}
-- (22... Bxe4 $5 23. Bxe4 Rd8 {looks suspicious, but Black may hold on:} 24.
c5 $5 ({or} 24. bxc6+ Nxc6 25. Bd5 Kb8 26. c5 Rd7) 24... Rxd2 25. Bxd2 g6 26.
bxc6+ ({or} 26. g4 Kc8 27. cxb6 axb6 28. Qf8+ Nd8 29. Qxf6 cxb5+ 30. Kb1 Nd7)
26... Nxc6 27. Qb3 f5 28. Bd5 Nfd8 29. Be3 f4 30. cxb6 axb6 31. Bc5 Ka7 {with
a possible repetition after} 32. Qa3+ Kb7 33. Qb3 Ka7 {.}) (22... Rd8 23. bxc6+
Nxc6 24. Nc5+ $1 Ka8 ({not} 24... bxc5 $6 25. Ba5 $1) 25. Qa4 $1 e4 $5 ({after
} 25... Rc8 26. Na6 Qb7 27. Bd5 Nfd8 28. Nb4 {Black is under some pressure})
26. Nxe4 Rc8 27. Ng3 Bd7 {and Black's slight disadvantage should be bearable,
I.Brooks-C.Persson, corr. 2007.})) (19. Rhd1 $6 {helps Black to simplify the
position by} Be6 ({or} 19... Bf5 $5 20. b4 Bxe4 21. Bxe4 Rxd2 22. Rxd2 Nd6) 20.
c5 Rxd2 21. Rxd2 Rd8) ({, while the ambitious} 19. c5 $6 {isn't well supported:
} Be6 $5 ({or} 19... Bf5 20. Nd6+ Nxd6 21. cxd6 Qd7 22. b4 Nb8 {and despite
his strong-looking position, White has yet to prove compensation; S.Atalik-D.Pavasovic, Nova Gorica 2003, continued} 23. b5 $6 e4 $1 24. bxc6+ Qxc6 25. Be2
Nd7 {and Black was clearly better}) 20. Nd6+ Nxd6 21. cxd6 Qd7 22. b4 Nb8 23.
b5 Bg4 $1))) 17... Nh6 18. Ng3 ({Other moves:} 18. Qe7 $6 {as in I.Khenkin-A.Maksimenko, Bratto 2003, is strongly met by} Bg4 $1 {.}) (18. Bxe5 $6 {is
tricky and interesting, but it doesn't work:} fxe5 19. Nc3 e4 $1 (19... Nf5 {
also gives Black an edge:} 20. Nb5 Qc8 21. Be4 Be6 $1 22. Rxd8 Rxd8 23. Rxd8
Qxd8 24. Bxf5 Bxf5 25. Nd6+ Ka8 26. Nxf5 Nc5 27. Qe3 g6 28. Ng3 Qh4) 20. Bxe4
Bc8 $1 21. Nb5 Qf4 22. g3 Qxe4 23. Rd7+ $1 Ka8 $1 24. Rxd8 ({or} 24. Nc3 Qf5 $1
) 24... Rxd8 25. Rxd8 Qxc4+ 26. Nc3 Qf1+ 27. Nd1 Kb7 28. Qe7+ Nc7 29. Qxg7 Ng4
{and Black is better with two minor pieces for the rook and pawn and queens on
the board.}) (18. b4 Nb8 19. b5 Bg4 $5 (19... Nf7 $5 {also comes into
consideration}) 20. bxc6+ Nxc6 21. Bxc6+ Kxc6 22. h3 $1 Rxd2 ({not} 22... Bxe2
$2 23. Qa4+ Kb7 24. Rd7 Kb8 25. Rxc7 Rxd1+ 26. Kb2 Kxc7 27. Qxa7+ Kc6 28. Qxg7
{and Black's king is too open}) 23. Rxd2 Bc8 $1 {and here White has to play
precisely to hold the balance:} 24. Bxe5 $1 (24. c5 $6 Kb7 25. Bb4 Rd8 26. Nc3
Rxd2 27. Nb5 Rd1+ $1 28. Kxd1 Qd7+ 29. Nd6+ Kb8 {is good for Black}) 24... Qxe5
({not} 24... fxe5 $4 25. Qf3+ {and mates}) 25. Qxa7 Nf5 26. g4 $1 Re8 27. gxf5
Qa1+ 28. Kc2 Rxe2 $1 29. Qa4+ Kb7 30. Rxe2 Bxf5+ 31. Kd2 Qd4+ {and Black gives
perpetual check by} 32. Ke1 Qc3+ 33. Rd2 Qe5+ {etc.}) 18... Bg4 $5 {Black
takes the opportunity to trade light-squared bishops, neutralizing White's
pressure on the long diagonal.} ({As we've seen in the note with 17 Ng3, slow
play allows White to maintain sufficient compensation for the pawn:} 18... Nf7
19. b4 (19. Ne4 $6 {is good for Black - see 19 Rhd1?! after 17 Ng3 above})
19... Ng5 ({or} 19... Nb8 20. b5) 20. b5 (20. Be2 $5) 20... Nb8 21. Bb4 Nxf3
22. Qxf3 {, followed by Ne4, when White's pieces are very active, even if
Black's position is probably defendable.}) 19. Bxg4 Nxg4 20. Ne4 Rxd2 21. Rxd2
({After} 21. Bxd2 $6 Rd8 22. f3 Rd4 $1 {White has to fight for equality, T.Kotanjian-D.Frolyanov, Moscow 2005.}) 21... Rd8 22. h3 Nh6 23. Nd6+ Kb8 {.
Although the knight on a6 is unprotected, White can't grab it for free as his
own knight on d6 isn't secured. Any delay would give Black time to consolidate,
so it's time to force a draw: i.e.} 24. Ne4 Kb7 25. Nd6+ Kb8 {with a
repetition of moves.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C222: 12 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 b6 10. Qd6 Bd7 11. Bc3 f6 12. Nf3 {This position is
currently the most topical in the whole of the Marshall Gambit. Black has a
wide choice here. We'll examine:} -- ({C2221:} 12... Ne7 $6) ({C2222:} 12...
Rd8 $5) ({C2223:} 12... Nh6 $5) ({Other moves:} 12... O-O-O {is considered in
the first note to line C2222.}) (12... e5 $6 {is dubious - it prevents
queenside castling, but White can go both ways so it becomes a waste of time
after} 13. O-O $1 O-O-O 14. Rfe1 Qf5 15. c5 $1 Kb7 16. Bxa6+ Kxa6 17. cxb6 axb6
18. Rad1 Nh6 ({or} 18... Kb7 19. a4) 19. Qc7 Nf7 20. a4 {followed by a4-a5 and
Black was soon crushed, M.Parligras-Kr.Szabo, Sarajevo 2011.}) (12... Nc5 {
also looks suspicious as it seems more logical to develop the other knight,
but it isn't easy for White to prove an edge:} 13. b4 ({or} 13. Bb4 $5 Ne7 14.
Bxc5 bxc5 15. Rd1 Rd8 16. Qxc5 Ng6 {with counter-chances, K.Weber-P.Daus, corr.
2003}) 13... Qc2 $1 ({an adequate response; whereas after} 13... Na4 $6 14.
O-O-O Rd8 ({or} 14... O-O-O 15. Bd3 Qg4 16. c5 $1 {White seizes the initiative:
} Kb7 17. Ne5 $1 Qf4+ 18. Kc2 Nxc3 19. Nxc6 $3 Qxd6 20. Nxd8+ Kb8 21. cxd6 Nxd1
22. Nf7 Nxf2 23. Rc1 {with good winning chances}) 15. Bd3 Qg4 16. Ba1) 14. Qd4
({or} 14. Bd4 Ne4 $5 15. Qf4 Nc3) 14... Ne4 15. Bb2 c5 {and Black is okay:} 16.
Bd3 cxd4 17. Bxc2 Nd6 18. c5 bxc5 19. bxc5 Rc8 {and so on.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C2221: 12...Ne7?!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "55"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 b6 10. Qd6 Bd7 11. Bc3 f6 12. Nf3 Ne7 $6 {This is the most
common - Black develops the other knight, intending to push the opposing queen
out of his camp with ...Nf5. However, it might be not quite sufficient.} 13.
O-O-O $1 {White takes the opportunity to evacuate his king from the centre
with tempo. Although we've seen that it might be unsafe on c1 in previous
lines, here Black is unable to get his bishop on f5.} ({Otherwise} 13. Rd1 Rd8
{would transpose to 13 Rd1 Ne7 in line C2222 below.}) 13... Qxe2 (13... Rd8 {
is good for White:} 14. Rhe1 -- (14... c5 $2 15. Ng5 $1 Qc6 16. Nxe6 $1 Qxd6
17. Nxg7+ Kf7 18. Rxd6 {and Black can resign, O.Artemenko-B.Saidov, Uzbeki Ch.,
Tashkent 2011}) (14... Nc5 $2 {, as in K.Maslak-I.Bukavshin, Pardubice 2008,
is well met by} 15. b4 $1 Nb7 16. Qc7 c5 17. Ng5 $1 Qc6 18. Bh5+ $1 g6 19. Qxc6
Bxc6 20. Bxf6 {etc}) (14... Nc8 15. Qd2 Qg6 16. Bd3 Qf7 17. g4 {gives White a
strong initiative}) (14... Qg6 15. g4 $5 {Black's defence isn't easy either.} (
15. --))) 14. Qxd7+ Kf7 15. Rhe1 $1 (15. Qd4 {is less promising:} Rhd8 16. Qg4
Kf8 $1 17. Rde1 Qd3 18. Rxe6 ({not} 18. Nd4 $2 Rxd4 $1 19. Qxd4 Nb4 $1 20. Qxd3
Nxd3+ 21. Kc2 Nxe1+ 22. Rxe1 e5 {with a healthy extra pawn, S.Volkov-D.Frolyanov, Moscow 2008}) 18... h5 $5 (18... Nc5 $2 {fails to} 19. Rxe7 $1) ({
but} 18... Qg6 $5 {seems playable}) 19. Qxh5 ({on} 19. Qf4 $6 Nc5 {White has
to sacrifice the rook:} 20. Rxf6+ $1 gxf6 21. Qxf6+ Ke8 22. Ne5 Qh7 23. Re1 {
, but his attack doesn't seem sufficient after} a5 $5 ({or if} 23... Rac8 24.
Bb4 {, S.Safin-J.Geller, Nizhnij Tagil 2005, then} Nd7 $1 25. Qxe7+ Qxe7 26.
Bxe7 Kxe7 27. Nxc6+ Kd6 28. Nxd8 Rxd8 29. Rd1+ Kc6 {and White has to fight for
a draw})) 19... Qxc4 {and:} 20. -- (20. Rhe1 Nb4 $1 {(Black's counterplay
comes just in time)} 21. Rxe7 (21. Qh8+ $6 {gives Black chances to play on:}
Ng8 22. Re7 Nxa2+ 23. Kc2 {and here in I.Bukavshin-J.Geller, Naberezhnye
Chelny 2010, he could have tried} Qd3+ $5 24. Kb3 Nc1+ $1 25. Rxc1 Kxe7 26.
Qxg7+ Kd6 {though it is risky}) 21... Nxa2+ 22. Kc2 Nb4+ {with a draw by
repetition, G.Kaganskiy-J.Geller, Moscow 2006.}) (20. Re3 $5 {is worth
considering, but Black holds on by} Rd3 $5 ({on} 20... Nb4 21. Ng5 $1 {White
gets good attacking chances:} Nxa2+ 22. Kb1 Nxc3+ 23. Rxc3 Qd5 24. Rf3 $1 Rd6
25. Re1) 21. Ne5 ({or} 21. Rxd3 Qxd3 22. Qh8+ Ng8 23. Rd1 Qc4) 21... fxe5 22.
Qf3+ Kg8 23. Rxd3 Nc5 24. Rhd1 $5 ({or} 24. Rdd1 Nd5 25. Kb1 Rf8 26. Qh3 Rxf2)
24... Nxd3+ 25. Qxd3 Qf4+ (25... Qxa2 $5) 26. Rd2 Nd5 27. g3 Qf6 28. Re2 Nxc3
29. Qxc3 Rf8 {with a slightly worse but defendable position.})) 15... Qxc4 16.
Re3 Rhe8 $1 ({Not} 16... Rhd8 $2 17. Ne5+ $1 fxe5 18. Rf3+ {and Black has to
give up his queen:} Qf4+ 19. Rxf4+ exf4 20. Qxd8 Rxd8 21. Rxd8 {, D.Dubov-G.Morozov, Moscow 2010.}) 17. b3 ({White has an interesting resource in} 17. Ng5+
$5 {, but Black can defend:} fxg5 18. b3 Qg4 ({after} 18... Nc5 19. Qxe8+ Rxe8
20. bxc4 Nf5 21. Re2 {White is better in the endgame}) 19. Rd4 ({or} 19. h3 Nc5
$1 20. Qxe8+ Rxe8 21. hxg4 Nd5 22. Rf3+ Kg6) 19... Qf5 $1 (19... Qxg2 $2 {
fails into} 20. Qxe6+ Kf8 21. Rd2 $1 Nc5 22. Qe5 Nf5 23. Qxf5+ Kg8 24. Rg3 Re1+
25. Kb2 Qe4 26. Qxg5 Qb1+ 27. Ka3 Qc1+ 28. Bb2 Ne6 $1 29. Qe7 Qc5+ 30. Qxc5
bxc5 31. Bxg7 $1 {and wins}) 20. Rf3 Nc5 21. Qc7 ({or} 21. Rxf5+ exf5 22. Qd6
Nd5) 21... Qf6 $5 22. Rxf6+ gxf6 23. b4 e5 24. Rd1 Ne6 {and Black's position
is solid enough to thwart the queen.}) 17... Qg4 $1 {As we'll see, the point
of this move isn't in fact to protect the e6-pawn.} ({Instead,} 17... Qf4 $2 {
fails to} 18. Rd4 $1 Qh6 19. Qxe6+ Kf8 20. Rh4 Nc5 21. Qh3 $1 Qg6 22. Nd4 $1 {
, and White's initiative is unbearable} ({and now not} 22. Rxh7 $2 Nd5 23. Rh8+
Kf7 {, when it's White who faces problems, A.Barsov-J.Geller, Moscow 2006})
22... h6 ({or} 22... Nd5 23. Rg3 Nd3+ 24. Rxd3 Nxc3 25. Rxc3 Re1+ 26. Kb2 Qb1+
27. Ka3 {and Black can resign, I.Lysyj-S.Sjugirov, Moscow 2009}) 23. Rg3 Qh7
24. b4 $1 Nd5 25. Bd2 Ne4 26. Rxg7 $1 Kxg7 27. Rxh6 Qg8 28. Nf5+ Kf7 29. Rh7+ {
and White wins.}) 18. h3 (18. Rd4 $2 {looks strong but actually favours Black:}
Qxg2 $1 19. Qxe6+ Kf8 {, and if} 20. Rg4 {then} Qf1+ 21. Re1 Qd3 22. Re3 Nc5 $1
{.}) 18... Qf4 $1 {Only now, when White has moved his pawn to h3!} 19. Rd4 Qh6
20. Qxe6+ Kf8 21. Qd6 $1 {Only this small adjustment of the queen allows White
to maintain the pressure.} ({If instead} 21. Rh4 $6 Nc5 $1 {, the white queen
can't retreat to h3 (as after 17...Qf4? above), so Black is okay:} 22. Qc4 Qg6
{and now the ambitious} 23. Ne5 $6 ({while after} 23. Rg4 Qf7 24. Bb4 Qxc4+ 25.
Rxc4 Na6 26. Bxe7+ Rxe7 27. Rxe7 Kxe7 28. Rxc6 Rd8 {the ending is drawn}) 23...
fxe5 24. Rf3+ Nf5 25. g4 {leads to favourable simplifications for Black:} Qe6
$1 26. gxf5 Qxc4 27. bxc4 Kg8 28. f6 Rf8 29. Rg4 g6 30. Bxe5 Rad8 {and White
has to fight for equality, N.Vitiugov-E.Romanov, Moscow 2009.}) 21... c5 $1 {
The best defence.} ({After} 21... f5 $6 22. Qxh6 ({or} 22. Qe5 $5 Nd5 23. Qxf5+
Kg8 24. Rxd5 $1 Rxe3 25. fxe3 Rf8 26. Qd3 cxd5 27. Qxa6 Qxe3+ 28. Kb2 Qf2+ 29.
Nd2) 22... gxh6 23. Re6 {Black faces serious problems due to his numerous pawn
weaknesses, K.Sakaev-V.Papin, Belgorod 2010.}) (21... Nc5 $6 22. Bb4 {.}) 22.
Rd2 Rac8 23. Kb2 $1 ({This prophylactic move seems stronger than an immediate} 
23. g4 $5 {, which also helps White to maintain the pressure:} Rc6 $1 24. Qd7
Rc7 25. Qa4 Nb4 26. a3 $1 {Black faces an important choice.} Nbc6 (26... Nec6
$5) ({and} 26... a5 $5 {are worth considering}) 27. g5 $5 fxg5 28. Qc4 $5 Qh5
29. Nxg5 $1 Qxg5 30. Rg3 Qxd2+ 31. Kxd2 Nf5 32. Rf3 g6 {and White keeps the
better chances, though Black's fortress should hold out.}) 23... Nc7 ({Other
moves allow White to proceed with his plan:} 23... Nb8 24. g4 Nbc6 25. g5 fxg5
26. Re6 Qh5 ({not} 26... Qxh3 $2 27. Rf6+ $1 Kg8 28. Rf7 $3 {and wins}) 27. Ne5
Red8 (27... Rcd8 {again runs into} 28. Rf6+ $1 gxf6 29. Qxf6+ Kg8 30. Rxd8 Rxd8
31. Nxc6 Qe2+ 32. Ka3 Qa6+ 33. Na5 Rd4 34. Qxe7 bxa5 35. Bxd4 cxd4 36. Qxg5+ {
with good winning chances}) 28. Nd7+ ({now if} 28. Rf6+ Ke8 29. Nd7 gxf6 30.
Nxf6+ Kf7 {and Black escapes}) 28... Rxd7 29. Qxd7 Rd8 30. Qc7 Rxd2+ 31. Bxd2
Qd1 32. Qd6 {.}) (23... Rc6 24. Qd7 Rc7 25. Qa4 Nb8 {and here, apart from} 26.
g4 {,} ({White can also think about} 26. Ne5 $5 {.})) 24. a4 Qg6 25. g4 Qf7 26.
g5 Kg8 27. gxf6 Nf5 {. Black is hanging on somehow, but he's unable to
extinguish the opponent's initiative.} 28. -- ({White has a good choice between
} 28. Qd3 $5 Nxe3 29. Ng5 Qh5 30. f7+ Kh8 31. fxe8=Q+ Rxe8 32. h4 $5 Ned5 33.
Qf5 Qg6 34. Qxg6 $5 (34. Rxd5 {is less clear though still good for White:} Nxd5
35. Qxd5 h6 36. Nf7+ Kh7 37. Ne5 Qf5 38. Ka3) 34... hxg6 35. Be5 $1 Kg8 36.
Bxc7 Nxc7 37. Rd7 Rc8 38. Ne4 Ne6 39. Rxa7 {with a clear advantage in the
ending}) ({and} 28. Rxe8+ Nxe8 29. Qd5 $1 ({stronger than} 29. Qf4 Nd4) 29...
Nd4 30. Qxf7+ Kxf7 31. Bxd4 cxd4 32. fxg7 Nxg7 33. Rxd4 {with an extra pawn,
though White still has some work to do to convert it.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C2222: 12...Rd8!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 b6 10. Qd6 Bd7 11. Bc3 f6 12. Nf3 Rd8 $5 {Black plans to
drive the white queen away with the rook.} ({If instead} 12... O-O-O {, with a
similar intention, White can maintain the initiative with the thematic} 13. Nd2
$1 (13. Rd1 {is less accurate as White might like to castle long:} c5 (13...
Nc5 $5 {also come into consideration}) 14. Nd2 Qxg2 (14... Qg6 $5 {also come
into consideration}) 15. Bf3 {and here, apart from} Qh3 {, A.Greenfeld-E.Sveshnikov, Tel Aviv 2011,} ({Black could also play} 15... Qg6 $5 {, not
worrying about} 16. Nb3 Nh6 17. Na5 $1 {due to} Nc7 $1 18. Nc6 Bxc6 19. Qxc6
Rxd1+ 20. Kxd1 Qb1+ {with perpetual check if he wants it})) 13... Qxg2 ({or} 
13... Qg6 14. a4 $5) 14. Bf3 Qh3 ({attempts to keep the g-file under control
aren't quite acceptable:} 14... Qg5 $2 15. Qa3 $1 Kb7 16. Ne4 Qf4 17. Nd6+ Ka8
18. Bd2 Qe5+ 19. Be3) ({or} 14... Qg6 $6 15. Qa3 Kb7 16. Ne4 Be8 17. Nd6+ Rxd6
18. Qxd6 {with a definite advantage}) 15. Rg1 (15. Qa3 $5 Kb7 16. Rg1 e5 17.
O-O-O {deserves attention too}) 15... Nc7 16. Qa3 Kb8 17. Rxg7 e5 ({or} 17...
Qh6 18. Rf7 $1) 18. O-O-O {and White has a strong initiative for the pawn, S.Volkov-A.Goloshchapov, Dubai 2003.}) 13. Nd2 $1 {White has a big choice here,
but this thematic manoeuvre might be the only way to fight for an advantage.} (
{Other moves:} 13. Qg3 Qg6 {is okay for Black. F.Vallejo Pons-D.Pavasovic,
Crete 2007, continued} 14. Nh4 Qxg3 15. hxg3 Nh6 $1 ({avoiding the trap} 15...
Kf7 $2 16. Ng6 $3 Kxg6 17. Bh5+ Kh6 18. Bf7+ Kg5 19. Rh5+ Kg4 20. Ke2 {and
Black's king will soon be get mated}) 16. f4 Nc5 17. O-O-O Ne4 18. Be1 c5 {
with an extra pawn in the ending.}) (13. Qa3 {can be met by} Nc5 14. Rd1 e5 15.
Qxa7 Ne6 $1 {with concrete play against the uncastled white king; e.g.} 16. Bd2
$5 ({or} 16. Nd2 Qxg2 17. Bf3 Qh3 18. Rg1 Ne7 {with mutual chances}) 16... Ne7
17. Qxb6 c5 18. Be3 Nd4 {and Black has good compensation for the pawn thanks
to his superior position in centre.}) (13. Rd1 {is a more serious attempt, but
Black keeps good counter-chances:} -- (13... c5 $5 {at once is worth
considering, cutting the white queen off from the a3-square:} 14. Nd2 (14. Qg3
Qg6) ({or} 14. Qd2 Ne7 15. O-O O-O) 14... Qxg2 (14... Qg6 $5) 15. Bf3 Qh3 (
15... Qg6) 16. Rg1 Ne7 17. Bg4 (17. Rxg7 {may lead to a draw after} Nf5 18. Ne4
Nxd6 19. Nxd6+ Kf8 20. Bxf6 {and White gives perpetual check by Rf7-g7 etc})
17... Qh6 18. Ne4 Kf7 {and Black is defending, although White's pieces are
very active.}) (13... Ne7 14. Qa3 $5 ({instead,} 14. Nd4 $6 {favours Black:} c5
15. f3 Qh4+ 16. g3 Qh3 17. Bf1 Qh6 18. Nb5 Nf5 {and White's compensation is
insufficient, O.Annageldyev-O.Korneev, Ashkhabad 1996}) (14. Nd2 $6 {allows
Black to grab the pawn:} Qxg2 15. Bh5+ Ng6 16. Bf3 Qh3 {and White's
compensation is insufficient}) ({while} 14. Rd4 Qb1+ 15. Rd1 Qe4 {repeats the
position, unless Black wants to try 14...Qg6!?}) 14... Ng6 $5 {(an interesting
if risky counter-action)} (14... Bc8 $5 15. Rxd8+ Kxd8 {looks more reliable})
15. Rd4 $1 (15. Qxa6 $6 Nf4 {is fine for Black}) 15... Qb1+ 16. Bd1 c5 (16...
Nc5 $5) 17. Nd2 Qf5 18. Bg4 ({on} 18. Rxd7 Rxd7 19. Qxa6 O-O {Black has
sufficient counterplay}) 18... -- {, and now:} (18... Qc2 {looks dubious
because of} 19. Rxd7 Rxd7 20. Qxa6 {, but Black still gets decent
counter-chances after} Rxd2 $1 21. Bxd2 ({or} 21. Qc8+ Rd8 22. Qxe6+ Kf8 23.
O-O Qd3) 21... Qb1+ 22. Bd1 Qe4+ 23. Be3 O-O {and White can't neutralize
Black's powerful queen and knight without making serious concessions:} 24. O-O
Nh4 25. Bf3 Nxf3+ 26. gxf3 Qxf3 27. h3 Qxh3 28. Qb7 Rd8 29. Qe4 e5 {with
decent compensation for the piece. Black's pawns are well arranged to restrict
the bishop, while White's king is somewhat exposed.}) (18... Qg5 19. h4 Qh6 20.
Ne4 $5 (20. Rxd7 Rxd7 21. Qxa6 Kf7 {and Black gets his other rook into play by
...Rhd8 with good counter-chances}) 20... O-O 21. Bd2 Nf4 22. Rxd7 $1 {looks
very strong, since} Rxd7 $4 ({but Black has a good antidote:} 22... Qg6 $1 {,
when} 23. Bxf4 ({while after} 23. Bf3 {the most convincing way is} Rxd7 24.
Bxf4 Nb4 {with active play}) 23... Qxe4+ 24. Qe3 Qxe3+ 25. fxe3 Rxd7 26. Bxe6+
Rff7 {is good for Black}) 23. Bxe6+ {wins.}))) 13... Qg6 (13... Qxg2 $6 {looks
suspicious:} 14. Bh5+ (14. O-O-O $5) 14... g6 15. Bf3 Qh3 16. O-O-O e5 17. Rhe1
$5 (17. Bxe5 Qe6) 17... Qe6 18. Qa3 Nc5 19. Ne4 Nxe4 20. Bxe4 Nh6 21. Rd6 (21.
f4 $5) 21... Qe7 22. Red1 Kf7 23. Bb4 c5 24. Qxa7 $1 Bc6 $1 ({not} 24... Bg4 $2
25. Bd5+) 25. Qxe7+ Kxe7 26. Rxc6 Rxd1+ 27. Kxd1 cxb4 28. Rxb6 {and White's
bishop should support his passers better than Black's knight.}) 14. Qa3 {This
queen retreat has become typical for such positions. Since White can't pose
serious problems for Black's king, he puts pressure on his queenside instead -
in particular, on the knight on a6, which is playing a miserable role,
passively shielding the a7-pawn from the white queen, and now requires
protection from the bishop too.} Bc8 (14... Nc5 15. O-O {.}) 15. O-O Ne7 16.
Rad1 c5 ({Apart from this typical pawn advance, which prepares castling and
increases control over the dark squares, Black might think about} 16... Kf7 $5
{with the following possibilities:} 17. -- (17. Rfe1 c5 18. Qa4 Rhf8 19. Ne4
Nf5 20. Bd3 Qh5 {is unclear.}) (17. b4 Rd7 $5 18. c5 Nd5 19. Nc4 bxc5 20. bxc5
Nf4 21. Rxd7+ Bxd7 22. Nd6+ Ke7 23. Bf3 Nh3+ 24. Kh1 Nxf2+ $1 {with a draw by
repetition.}) (17. Bf3 {and if} c5 ({but another thematic advance} 17... e5 $5
{deserves attention}) {, then} 18. Ne4 (18. Qa4 Nf5 {transposes to the main
line}) 18... Nf5 19. Ng3 $5 Nxg3 20. hxg3 {keeps up the pressure.})) 17. Qa4+
Kf7 18. Bf3 (18. a3 $5 {is a logical alternative, which also maintains some
pressure, though it seems bearable:} Rhe8 19. b4 Bb7 20. Nf3 (20. Bf3 $2 Rxd2
$1 21. Bxb7 Qc2 $1 22. Qxc2 Rxc2 23. Rd3 Nb8 {solves Black's problems}) 20...
Qe4 $5 21. Rfe1 ({or} 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Re1 cxb4 23. axb4 Qf4) 21... Rxd1 22.
Qxd1 Qf4 ({or} 22... Ng6 {with acceptable play.})) 18... Nf5 19. Be4 Rhf8 20.
Nf3 Qh5 (20... Qg4 $5 {, planning to bring the queen back to the queenside via
f4, deserves serious attention - and might actually be more reliable.}) 21. Bb7
$1 ({In A.Potapov-M.Feygin, Ceske Budejovice 1995, where this position was
reached via a very different move order, White achieved nothing after} 21. Bc6
Kg8 $1 22. Rxd8 (22. Bb5 {is answered by} Bb7 $1 {, intending} 23. Bxa6 $2 ({or
} 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Ne1 Qd1 $1 25. Qa3 Nc7 26. Qxa7 Nxb5 27. cxb5 Bd5) 23...
Bxf3) 22... Rxd8 23. Rd1 Rxd1+ 24. Qxd1 Qf7 {and Black defended.}) 21... Bxb7
22. Rd7+ Rxd7 23. Qxd7+ Ne7 24. Qxb7 Nb4 25. Bxb4 (25. Qxa7 Nd3 $1 {.}) 25...
cxb4 26. Rd1 ({Or} 26. Qxa7 Rc8 27. b3 b5 {.}) 26... Qa5 27. Rd7 Re8 28. Qxa7 (
{White could try to include the knight in the action by} 28. g3 Qxa2 29. Nd2 {
, but Black seems to have sufficient counter-resources; e.g.} Qxb2 30. Ne4 Kg6
31. Nd6 {and here after the astonishing} Qe2 $3 {the far-advanced b-pawn saves
Black's skin:} 32. Nxe8 ({or} 32. Rxe7 Rxe7 33. Qxe7 b3 34. Qe8+ Kh6 35. Nf7+
Kg6 {with a draw}) 32... b3 33. Rxe7 b2 34. Rxg7+ Kf5 35. Kg2 -- ({, and here,
not the tempting} 35... Qe4+ $2 36. Qxe4+ Kxe4 37. Nd6+ $1 {, when White's
knight works wonders:} Kd3 ({or} 37... Ke5 38. Nb5 $3 b1=Q 39. f4+ $1 Kf5 40.
Nd6# {mate!}) 38. Nb5 b1=Q 39. Rd7+ {, winning the newly-born queen with a fork
}) ({, but the simple} 35... b1=Q $1 {and it's White who has to escape by
perpetual check after} 36. Rg5+ $1 Kxg5 37. h4+ $1 Kh5 $1 38. Qf7+ Qg6 39.
Nxf6+ Kh6 40. Ng8+ {. Of course, it's just a coincidence, but the same
fantastic queen move to e2 saved Black, despite his opponent's huge material
advantage, at the end of the Noteboom section (see the very last move of
Chapter 10).})) 28... Qxa7 29. Rxa7 Rc8 30. Nd2 Rd8 31. Nf1 {. White still has
an edge in the endgame, but it should be defendable.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C2223: 12...Nh6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "25"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 b6 10. Qd6 Bd7 11. Bc3 f6 12. Nf3 Nh6 $5 {Another knight
enters the game via the side of the board! As a rule, a player considers such
squares for the knights as a last resort, but in the Marshall Black's cavalry
often chooses unusual paths. The idea is clear enough - to drive the enemy
queen away and fight for other key dark squares, such as d4. It's the same
plan as after 12...Ne7 (line C2221) but, strangely enough, the knight has
better prospects on the edge!} 13. -- ({C22231:} 13. O-O-O) ({C22232:} 13. Rd1
$1) ({The thematic} 13. Nd2 $5 {is worth considering, but Black can defend:}
Qg6 $1 14. O-O c5 ({instead,} 14... Nf5 15. Qa3 Nc5 16. b4 Nb7 17. Ne4 O-O 18.
Rad1) ({and} 14... O-O-O 15. Qa3 Kb7 16. b4 Nc7 17. b5 {look better for White,
but they may be playable for Black}) 15. Bd3 Qf7 {, intending ...Qe7 and 0-0
with reasonable chances to consolidate.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C22231: 13 0-0-0"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 b6 10. Qd6 Bd7 11. Bc3 f6 12. Nf3 Nh6 $5 13. O-O-O {This
natural move apparently isn't White's most promising option.} Nc5 $1 ({The
automatic} 13... O-O-O $6 {doesn't solve Black's problems:} 14. Qa3 $1 Kb7 15.
Rhe1 Qg6 $5 (15... Qf4+ $6 {is worse:} 16. Bd2 Qc7 17. c5 $1 {and White seizes
the initiative, V.Iotov-Z.Stanojoski, European Team Ch., Novi Sad 2009}) 16. c5
Nc7 {(Black has parried the immediate threats but White still keeps the
initiative)} 17. Ne5 $1 Qg5+ ({if} 17... fxe5 $6 18. Bxe5 a5 ({or} 18... Nb5
19. Bxb5 cxb5 20. c6+ $1 Bxc6 21. Qe7+ {wins}) 19. Bxc7 Kxc7 20. cxb6+ Kxb6 21.
Qe3+ Kb7 22. Rd3 a4 23. Red1) 18. Bd2 $1 Qxe5 ({or} 18... Qh4 19. Nc4 Nf5 20.
cxb6 axb6 21. Nxb6 $1 Kxb6 22. Ba5+ Kb7 23. Bxc7) 19. cxb6 axb6 20. Ba6+ $1
Nxa6 21. Rxe5 fxe5 22. Bg5 Nf5 23. Bxd8 Rxd8 24. Qf3 {, followed by g2-g4 and
Qf7, when White's queen should prevail over Black's minor pieces.}) 14. Rhe1 (
14. Bd3 $6 {is no good, though} Qg4 $5 {, as in S.Volkov-T.Kotanjian, Jermuk
2010, isn't bad either} (14... Nxd3+ $5 15. Rxd3 O-O-O {seems the simplest way
for Black to obtain the advantage}) 15. Bc2 O-O-O $1 16. Ne5 $5 fxe5 17. Bxe5
Kb7 18. b4 Na6 {and Black looks to consolidate:} 19. Qe7 Kc8 (19... Nxb4 $5)
20. b5 Qh5 (20... cxb5 21. Qa3 Kb7 22. Rd4 $1 b4 $1 23. Qe3 Qh5 {is less clear}
) 21. f4 Ng4 22. bxa6 Nxe5 23. fxe5 Qxe5 {with the better chances.}) 14...
O-O-O ({After} 14... Nf7 15. Qc7 $5 e5 16. Bf1 Qf4+ 17. Bd2 Qf5 18. Be3 Qe6 19.
Bxc5 bxc5 20. Nd2 O-O 21. Ne4 {White keeps up the pressure.}) 15. Bf1 (15. b4 {
is well met by} Nb7 ({whereas} 15... e5 $6 {isn't quite sufficient:} 16. Nd2
Qf5 17. bxc5 Be8 18. g4 $1 Nxg4 19. Ne4 $1 Qf4+ $1 20. Bd2 Qxe4 21. f3 Qg6 22.
Qe7 Rd7 23. Qe6 Nf2 24. cxb6 Nxd1 25. bxa7 Kb7 26. Rxd1 f5 27. Qxe5 Qd6 28.
a8=Q+ $1 Kxa8 29. Qa5+ Kb8 30. Bc3 Qe7 31. Be5+ Kb7 32. f4 {with a clear
advantage}) 16. Qd2 e5 17. Bf1 Qg6 18. c5 Be6 {and Black is better.}) 15... Qg6
(15... Qf5 {is worth considering, trying to prevent White's active options,
even if this square isn't the best for the queen. After} 16. Nd4 Qxf2 17. Nxc6
Bxc6 18. Qxc6+ Kb8 {Black is still under pressure, but perhaps it's bearable.})
16. Ne5 $1 {Otherwise Black kicks the white queen out of his camp and
continues the consolidation of his forces. One of White's problems in such
positions is that his key piece, the dark-squared bishop, doesn't work
effectively when Black's king is on the queenside. The point of this clever
knight sacrifice is exactly to reactivate the bishop!} fxe5 {Black takes up
the gauntlet.} (16... Qe8 {isn't so bad either: after} 17. Nxd7 $1 (17. g4 Qf8
$5 ({or} 17... Nf7 18. Nxf7 Qxf7 19. f4 Rhe8 {is fine})) 17... Qxd7 18. Qxd7+ (
18. Qg3 $5) 18... Rxd7 19. b4 Na4 20. Ba1 {White's chances in the ending look
preferable, as the a4-knight is shut out of the game, but the extra pawn may
enable Black to hold the balance.}) 17. Bxe5 Kb7 {White's initiative looks
dangerous, but Black has sufficient defensive resources.} 18. b4 (18. Re3 {is
interesting, if a bit slow:} Ka8 (18... Na6 {may be acceptable too:} 19. Rg3 ({
or} 19. c5 b5 20. Bxb5 cxb5 21. Ra3 Bc6 22. Qe7+ Kc8 23. Rxd8+ Rxd8 24. Rxa6
Rd1+ $1 25. Kxd1 Qd3+ {and Black gives perpetual check}) 19... Ng4 20. h3 Nxe5
21. Rxg6 Nxg6) 19. Ra3 ({not} 19. b4 $4 Nf5) 19... Rb8 20. b4 Nf7 21. Qd4 -- ({
, and here Black can choose between} 21... Rbd8 22. bxc5 Bc8) ({, and} 21...
Rb7 22. bxc5 ({or} 22. f4 Nxe5 23. Qxe5 Rf8 24. bxc5 Rf5 25. Qe4 Qf7) 22...
bxc5 23. Qxc5 Nxe5 24. Qxe5 Rb1+ 25. Kd2 Rxd1+ 26. Kxd1 Qb1+ 27. Kd2 Rf8 {with
a probable draw in both cases.}) (21... Nxe5 $6 22. Qxe5 Rhf8 23. bxc5 Rxf2 24.
Be2 ({after} 24. Rxa7+ Kxa7 25. cxb6+ Ka6 $1 26. c5+ Rxf1 27. Rxf1 {Black has
some possibilities:} Qxg2 $5 28. Rf4 Rd8 {with probable draw by perpetual})
24... bxc5 25. Rdd3 $1 {might still offer White an edge})) 18... Na6 19. b5
cxb5 20. cxb5 ({After} 20. g3 Nf7 21. Bg2+ Kc8 22. Qa3 Nc5 {Black survives
thanks to his strong knight on c5; e.g.} 23. Bd4 ({or} 23. Qxa7 Nxe5 24. Rxe5
Bc6 $1 25. Rxd8+ Rxd8 26. Rxc5 $1 Rd1+ $1 27. Kxd1 Qd3+) 23... b4 ({or} 23...
Bc6 $5 24. Bxc6 e5) 24. Qxa7 Ba4 25. Qa8+ ({or} 25. Be4 Qh5) 25... Kc7 26. Qa7+
Kc8 {with perpetual check.}) 20... Nf7 ({Inserting} 20... Rc8+ $6 {would be in
White's favour:} 21. Kb2 Nc5 ({or} 21... Qc2+ $2 22. Ka1 Nc5 23. g4 $1) 22.
Qxd7+ $1 Nxd7 23. Rxd7+ Ka8 24. Bd3 Qxg2 25. Be4+ Qxe4 26. Rxe4 Rhd8 27. Rc4 $1
{and Black is under pressure.}) 21. bxa6+ Ka8 22. Qd3 $1 {White's king isn't
exactly safe either, so he has to swap queens.} Nxe5 ({After} 22... Ba4 23.
Qxg6 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 hxg6 25. Rd4 $1 {White obtains a small advantage in the
ending.}) 23. Rxe5 Qxd3 24. Bxd3 Kb8 {. Black is slightly worse, but the
ending is obviously drawish.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8 Be2 Na6 9 Ba5"]
[Black "C22232: 13 Rd1!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e4 dxe4 5. Nxe4 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Qxd4 7. Bxb4 Qxe4+
8. Be2 Na6 9. Ba5 b6 10. Qd6 Bd7 11. Bc3 f6 12. Nf3 Nh6 $5 13. Rd1 $1 {This
seems the most challenging continuation.} Rd8 $1 ({For Black, too, the simple
rook move is better than castling; i.e.} 13... O-O-O $6 14. Qa3 Kb7 {and then:}
15. -- (15. Qe7 {would be parried by} Nc5 16. Qxg7 Ng4 $1 17. Bxf6 (17. Bd4
Rhg8 $1 18. Qe7 Rge8) ({or} 17. Rd4 Rhg8 18. Qe7 Qf5 {is also fine}) 17... Rhg8
18. Qe7 Rge8 ({or} 18... Nxf6 19. Qxf6 a5 $5) 19. Qxd8 Rxd8 20. Bxd8 Be8 {and
Black is okay; e.g.} 21. Be7 ({or} 21. b4 Na4 22. Kf1 Ne5) 21... Bh5 $1 22.
Bxc5 bxc5 23. Rd2 Ne5 24. O-O Nxf3+ 25. gxf3 Bxf3 26. Bxf3 Qxf3 {with a
probable draw.}) (15. c5 $1 {develops an annoying initiative:} -- (15... Nxc5
16. b4 {allows White to trap the knight on c5, though after} Bc8 17. bxc5 Rxd1+
18. Kxd1 {Black is still fighting:} Rd8+ ({not} 18... Ng4 $6 19. cxb6 axb6 20.
Bd4) 19. Nd2 Qb1+ 20. Qc1 Qxa2 {and while White's extra piece is clearly
better than the three pawns, his exposed king gives Black chances to hold on.})
(15... Nc7 {seems more reliable but in fact it's rather dangerous for Black:}
16. Nd2 Qxg2 ({or} 16... Qd5 17. O-O Qxc5 18. Bb4) 17. Bf3 Qg6 (17... Qg5 18.
Ne4 Qf4 19. Nd6+ Kb8 20. Bd2 $1 Qe5+ 21. Be3) ({, and} 17... Qh3 18. Bxf6 $1
Nd5 ({or} 18... gxf6 19. Bxc6+ $1 Bxc6 20. Qxh3 Bxh1 21. Qxh6) 19. Bxd8 Rxd8
20. Nc4 Nf7 21. Rg1 g6 22. Rg3 {give White the better chances}) 18. cxb6 axb6
19. Nc4 Nf7 20. Ba5 $1 Nd5 ({not} 20... bxa5 $2 21. Qb3+) 21. Bxb6 $1 Ra8 22.
Ba5 Ra6 23. Kf1 $1 {, intending Rg1-g3 with a strong attack against Black's
vulnerable king.}))) 14. Qa3 Bc8 (14... Nc5 15. b4 Nb7 16. Qxa7 {is good for
White.}) 15. Nd2 $1 ({This thematic manoeuvre seems more promising than} 15.
Rxd8+ Kxd8 16. Qd6+ Bd7 {, when Black's position is acceptable, even if White
has sufficient compensation for the pawn:} 17. Qd1 ({, not} 17. O-O $2 Qxe2 18.
Rd1 Nc5) ({, while} 17. Nd2 Qxg2 18. Bf3 Qg6 $1 19. Bxc6 ({or} 19. Qa3 Bc8)
19... Qe8 {is also good for Black}) 17... -- {, and now:} (17... e5 {leads to
complex play; e.g.} 18. O-O Kc8 19. Bd3 (19. Re1 c5 $5) 19... Qg4 20. h3 Qh5
21. b4 Nc7 22. Be4 Rd8 23. Qa4 Kb8 24. Rd1 ({or} 24. Bxc6 Bxc6 25. Qxc6 Qe8 26.
Qe4 Qg6) 24... Nf7 {.}) (17... c5 {is also natural:} 18. O-O Qf4 (18... Kc8 $5)
19. g3 ({other options are} 19. Qb3 $5) ({and} 19. a3 $5) 19... Qc7 {and again
Black has acceptable play: after} 20. Qd2 $6 Nf5 21. Rd1 Kc8 22. g4 $6 Ne7 23.
Qe3 Nc6 24. g5 e5 25. gxf6 gxf6 26. Qh6 Nd4 {Black eventually exploited
White's inaccuracies in K.Sakaev-I.Bukavshin, Taganrog 2011.})) 15... Qf4 ({Not
} 15... Qxg2 $2 16. Bh5+ $1 Nf7 17. Bf3 Qg5 18. Bxc6+ Bd7 19. Bxd7+ Rxd7 20.
Qxa6 {with an extra piece}) ({while after} 15... Qg6 16. Bf3 c5 17. Bc6+ Kf7
18. O-O {White's chances are also to be preferred.}) 16. Bh5+ $5 ({Both} 16.
O-O c5 17. Bh5+ Ke7) ({and} 16. Bf3 c5 17. Qa4+ Kf7 18. O-O Nf5 {are good for
Black, whose knight is heading for the strong d4-square.}) 16... Nf7 17. O-O
Qd6 {Black is trying to force matters.} ({An alternative is} 17... c5 $5 18.
Qa4+ Ke7 19. Rfe1 Rhe8 {with a solid, if passive position.}) 18. b4 O-O 19. Ne4
Qf4 $5 (19... Qe7 {is a natural alternative, keeping the extra pawn. It's
playable, but Black is under pressure here and needs to defend precisely; e.g.}
20. c5 (20. f4 c5) 20... Rd5 $5 (20... e5 $5) 21. Be2 b5 $5 (21... Rfd8 22.
Rde1 $1) 22. f4 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 24. Rxd8+ Qxd8 {and here the straightforward}
25. Bh5 {is well met by} Qd3 $1 26. Bxf7+ Kxf7 27. Nd6+ Kf8 28. Nxc8 Qd1+ 29.
Kf2 Qc2+ 30. Kg3 Qg6+ {with perpetual check. However, White a lot of choice in
this line and may find other ways to pose problems.}) 20. Bxf7+ $1 {A concrete
decision.} ({On} 20. Rfe1 {Black can initiate simplifications with} Rxd1 21.
Bxd1 Rd8 {.}) 20... Kxf7 21. Nd6+ $1 Rxd6 22. g3 Qxc4 23. Rxd6 {White has won
the exchange, but two extra pawns and the opponent's weaknesses on the light
squares should provide Black with sufficient compensation.} -- ({He can choose
between the thematic advances} 23... c5) ({and} 23... e5) ({while the
preliminary} 23... Re8 {might also be an option.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Pt.3: Anti-Triangle Systems"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 {. White's responses to the Triangle aren't limited to the
Noteboom Variation and the Marshall Gambit. He has numerous other options,
which might be termed "Anti-Triangle Systems". Almost all of them have
something in common - the c4-pawn isn't left unprotected. As a rule, it means
that White doesn't want to involve himself in major complications. Instead, he
tries to obtain a small but stable advantage without too much risk involved -
though that can hardly be guaranteed! --- All the same, in some cases play may
become a bit boring, which isn't what Black might have been expecting from his
opening. Well, a player must be flexible - it isn't always possible to get
very active positions with Black, especially against a well-prepared opponent
who tends to be very solid.} 3. -- {Perhaps this section, along with the
just-considered Marshall Gambit, will provide some answers as to why Black's
set-up isn't so popular at the very top level. Nevertheless, these solid
systems shouldn't frighten the reader off from venturing the Triangle. Black's
position remains quite acceptable and in most cases he's able to obtain active
play with good counter-chances!} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "18: The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. -- ({A:} 3. Nc3) ({B:} 3. Nf3 {. --- We begin with
situations where White develops his queen's knight first.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A: 3 Nc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 {White protects his c4-pawn, getting ready
to play the Meran Variation should Black reply with ...Nf6. Of course the
Meran is a decent option for Black too, but apart from helping to avoid
dangerous systems with Bg5 (such as the Botvinnik or Moscow Variations), the
Triangle also gives him other possibilities, including the option of playing ...f7-f5. --- Here we'll examine:} -- ({A1:} 4... f5 $5) ({A2:} 4... Bd6 $5) ({
A3:} 4... Nd7 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A1: 4...f5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "27"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 f5 $5 {Transposing to the Stonewall is very
tempting! The name "Triangle Stonewall" doesn't belong to any unusual type of
Stonewall - it just means that Black switches to this pawn structure from the
Triangle in response to his opponent's slow approach. In fact White could
arrange his pieces in the same way even if Black played the Stonewall from the
beginning, though he rarely does that. Why not? We'll see soon! One of
White's main strategic ideas in this pawn structure is the exchange of
dark-squared bishops, but here he has already played both Nc3 and e2-e3, so he
can't use such typical plans as Bf4 or b2-b3 followed by Ba3. However, the
immediate ...f7-f5 does give White an interesting possibility.} 5. g4 $5 {
White also tries to benefit from the fact that he hasn't developed his king's
knight yet! The idea behind this aggressive thrust is to prove that Black's
wall isn't as solid as it seems. White hopes to isolate the black d-pawn by
exchanging on f5 and d5 and then apply pressure on it by moving his knight to
f4, queen to b3 and bishop to g2! Nevertheless, the position remains
complicated, so White can never feel very comfortable.} ({Of course} 5. Bd3 {
is also possible, playing normal lines after} Nf6 6. Qc2 $5 {and then:} -- (
6... Bd6 {is a common response:} 7. cxd5 ({otherwise} 7. f3 O-O 8. Nge2 {
transposes to line A212 below}) 7... cxd5 (7... exd5 $6 {is insufficient:} 8.
Bxf5 Bxf5 9. Qxf5 O-O 10. Qe6+ $5 Kh8 11. Nf3 Na6 12. O-O Nc7 13. Qh3 {and
White's position is very solid}) 8. Nb5 Nc6 $5 (8... Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Nc6 10. Nc7+
$1 Qxc7 11. Bxb4 {promises White a slight edge, L.Aronian-A.Morozevich, Moscow
2009}) 9. Nxd6+ Qxd6 {(a typical situation - it may seem that the exchange
should be clearly in White's favour, who swapped his knight for Black's
important bishop, but it has also promoted Black's development)} 10. a3 O-O 11.
Ne2 (11. Nf3 Bd7 12. b4 Rfc8 $5 13. Qe2 Be8 14. Bb2 Bh5 15. O-O Ne4 {is fine
for Black, V.Akobian-P.Tregubov, Khanty-Mansiysk 2009}) 11... Bd7 12. f3 Rac8
13. Qd1 e5 $5 (13... Na5 14. b3 Qb6 15. Rb1 Bb5 16. O-O Bxd3 17. Qxd3 Qd6 18.
Bd2 {is somewhat better for White, Z.Sturua-A.Poluljahov, Pula 1999}) 14. dxe5
Qxe5 $5 15. O-O Rfe8 {and Black's activity compensates for the drawbacks of
his pawn structure.}) ({. If Black wants to avoid the simplifying c4xd5 and
Nb5 just seen, he can start with} 6... a6 $5 7. Nge2 Bd6 8. f3 O-O {, which is
considered later (see the first note to line A2122). However, this has its own
drawbacks - as you'll see, the early ...a7-a6 gives White an interesting
option in} 9. c5 $5 {.})) ({White can also build a counter-stonewall by} 5. f4
{- such positions (with} Bd6 6. Bd3 {) will be examined in line A211 below.
Here, however, each side might instead develop their king's bishop to e7 or e2,
which is often more to the point in such a pawn structure. It allows each
player to capture an intruding knight (on e5 or e4) without subsequently
having to waste time retreating the bishop. More importantly, the squares d5
and d4 should be under proper control when Black comes up with thematic ...c5
pawn advance.}) 5... Nf6 (5... fxg4 {is less reliable after} 6. Qxg4 Nf6 7. Qg2
{- this rather strange post for the queen isn't bad at all, as it keeps both
the kingside and the centre under pressure. Black should still try to break in
centre, but after} c5 $5 8. Nf3 (8. dxc5 {seems less promising, even if} Nc6 (
8... Na6 $5 {is also possible, E.Bareev-Va.Popov, Russian Team Ch. 2001}) 9.
Bd2 Bxc5 10. Nf3 O-O 11. Rg1 Qe7 12. O-O-O {gave White slightly better chances
in S.Iskusnyh-V.Kosyrev, Moscow 1996}) 8... Nc6 9. Bd2 {, White's lead in
development should make the tense situation in the centre favourable for him;
e.g.} Bd7 10. O-O-O Qe7 11. Ne5 {with the initiative, although White was later
crushed in R.Dautov-M.Krasenkow, Essen 2002.}) 6. gxf5 exf5 7. Qb3 (7. cxd5 {
can be met by} Nxd5 $1 8. Nge2 (8. Bc4 Be6 {followed by ...Bb4 in fine for
Black}) 8... Be6 9. Bg2 Na6 $1 {(an excellent manoeuvre - Black's main task in
this position is to fortify the d5-square)} 10. O-O Nac7 {, when White's
rather unsafe king gives Black the better chances, S.Volkov-V.Malakhov,
Russian Ch., Elista 2001.}) (7. Nf3 {is less dangerous for Black, who has a
good choice:} Be7 $5 (7... Bd6 8. Qb3 dxc4 ({but the typical pawn sacrifice} 
8... O-O $5 9. cxd5 Kh8 $1 {should offer Black decent compensation}) 9. Bxc4
Qe7 10. Ng5 $1 Rf8 11. Bd2 {might promise White an edge, A.Nadanian-S.Lputian,
Armenian Ch., Yerevan 1999}) (7... Be6 $5 8. Qb3 Qb6 {is also possible, A.Moiseenko-A.Kharlov, Moscow 2002}) 8. Qb3 (8. Bd3 O-O 9. Qc2 Kh8 {is fine, A.Rotstein-E.Gleizerov, Polish Team Ch. 1991}) 8... O-O 9. Bd2 Kh8 {with good
counter-chances.}) 7... dxc4 ({Of Black's other tries here,} 7... Na6 $5 {
might deserve more attention.}) 8. Bxc4 {Tournament practice suggests that
White has the better chances, but the position remains complicated and Black
isn't without counterplay.} Qe7 $5 ({On} 8... Bd6 {White would think about} 9.
Bf7+ $5 (9. Nf3 $5 {transposes to 7 Nf3 Bd6 above}) 9... Ke7 (9... Kf8 $5) 10.
Bc4 b5 11. Bd3 Be6 (11... Re8 $5) 12. Qc2 {with an edge, A.Nickel-N.Sehner,
corr. 2004.}) 9. Nh3 $5 ({The routine} 9. Nf3 $5 {might also be in White's
favour:} b5 10. Be2 ({or} 10. Bd3 $5 Be6 11. Qd1 g6 12. Ng5 $5 Bg8 13. O-O)
10... Be6 11. Qc2 g6 12. Ng5 Bg8 13. Bf3 h6 14. Nh3 g5 15. Nxb5 Qd7 16. Ng1 {
with an extra pawn, though Black isn't without compensation, C.Ward-I.Krush,
Oakham 2000.}) 9... b5 10. Bd3 Be6 ({After} 10... g6 11. Nf4 Bh6 12. Nce2 g5
13. Ng2 Be6 14. Qc2 {Black faces problems with the f5-pawn, L.Portisch-P.Haba,
Yerevan Olympiad 1996.}) 11. Qc2 g6 12. Nf4 ({Or} 12. Ng5 Bg8 {.}) 12... Bf7
13. Bd2 Bh6 14. Nce2 {. Black's king is more vulnerable, but his position is
still playable.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A2: 4...Bd6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 $5 {Black postpones building the wall,
waiting to see what White will do.} 5. -- ({A21:} 5. Bd3) ({A22:} 5. Nf3) ({
Alternatively,} 5. Qc2 f5 6. Bd3 Nf6 {is sometimes played. This was examined
briefly in the notes to line A1.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A21: 5 Bd3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 $5 5. Bd3 f5 {Here White has various
possible plans. We'll consider:} 6. -- ({A211:} 6. f4) ({A212:} 6. Nge2) ({
A213:} 6. Nf3) ({Other moves:} 6. g4 {is harmless here as White can't increase
the pressure on d5 with Bg2. Besides, after ...d5xc4 he loses a tempo on the
same idea in line A1, as his bishop comes to c4 in two steps:} Nf6 7. gxf5 ({or
} 7. g5 Ne4) 7... exf5 ({or} 7... dxc4 $5 8. Bxc4 exf5) 8. cxd5 ({or} 8. Qb3
dxc4 9. Bxc4 Qe7 {, E.Agrest-J.Lautier, Harplinge 1998}) 8... cxd5 9. Qb3 Nc6
10. Bd2 {and now A.Dreev-R.Scherbakov, Russian Ch., Elista 1996, continued} O-O
({nevertheless,} 10... Qe7 $5 {might be stronger:} 11. Nge2 O-O (11... Be6 $5)
12. Nxd5 Nxd5 13. Qxd5+ ({after} 13. Bc4 $6 Kh8 14. Bxd5 f4 $1 {Black seized
the initiative in S.Foisor-A.Kashlinskaya, Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010})
13... Be6 14. Qg2 Nb4 (14... Rf6 $5) 15. Bxb4 Bxb4+ 16. Kf1 Bd6 {with
sufficient compensation for the pawn}) 11. Nxd5 Nxd5 12. Qxd5+ Kh8 13. a3 Ne7
14. Qg2 Be6 15. Nf3 Rf6 16. h4 Qb6 {, when Black obtained good compensation
thanks to his active pieces.}) (6. Qc2 Nf6 {again returns to 5 Bd3 Nf6 6 Qc2
Bd6 in the notes to line A.}) (6. Qh5+ $5 {, a rather unexpected kingside
action, provokes the weakening} g6 {but loses time:} 7. Qe2 Nf6 8. b3 (8. Nf3
Nbd7 9. Bd2 Qe7 10. h3 b6 11. g4 Bb7 {is unclear, N.Eliet-M.Apicella, French
Team Ch. 2001}) 8... Nbd7 9. Bb2 Qe7 10. Nh3 b6 11. f3 Bb7 12. O-O O-O {and
Black is well prepared for an aggressive} 13. e4 dxe4 14. fxe4 e5 {and has
good counter-chances, I.Sokolov-Ar.Timofeev, Sarajevo 2008.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A211: 6 f4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 $5 5. Bd3 f5 6. f4 {A very solid
approach, which leads to closed and rather boring positions. Nevertheless,
there are White players who may like it and Black players who may not! Thanks
to the more advanced c-pawn White might be slightly better, but generally
Black can be satisfied with his game.} Nf6 7. Nf3 O-O 8. O-O b6 $5 {This
development of the light-squared bishop has already become more common for the
Stonewall than the old ...Bd7-e8-h5 manoeuvre.} ({Instead:} 8... Ne4 {is a
natural alternative, occupying the strong e4-square immediately.} 9. -- ({.
Here} 9. Ne5 Nd7 {is fine for Black; e.g.} 10. Bxe4 (10. Qc2 {would transpose
to line A2131}) 10... fxe4 11. b3 Nxe5 12. fxe5 Rxf1+ 13. Qxf1 Bb4 {and the
position is too closed for either side to have serious winning chances, A.Beliavsky-Ar.Timofeev, European Ch., Istanbul 2003.}) ({. However, White can
still fight for an edge with} 9. Bd2 $5 {, aiming to transfer the bishop to h4
(White is also playing Stonewall after all!):} Nd7 (9... b6 {transposes to the
main line}) 10. Rb1 (10. Be1 b6 11. Ne5 Bb7 {is already okay for Black, P.Vezzosi-S.Lputian, Reggio Emilia 1998/99}) ({instead,} 10. c5 $5 Bc7 11. b4 {
is always worth considering in such positions, though it's rather difficult to
convert this sort of space advantage into something substantial}) 10... Ndf6
11. b4 Nxd2 $5 ({in S.Savchenko-E.Sveshnikov, Bled 1996, White got a small
advantage after} 11... Nxc3 12. Bxc3 dxc4 13. Bxc4 Nd5 14. Bxd5 $5 cxd5 15. b5
Bd7 16. Qd2 Rf7 17. Rfc1) 12. Qxd2 dxc4 13. Bxc4 b5 14. Bd3 a5 15. a3 axb4 16.
axb4 Qe7 17. Ne5 Bd7 18. Qb2 Ra6 {and a draw was agreed in here I.Farago-A.Dgebuadze, Triesen 2009.})) (8... Kh8 {doesn't seem necessary at the moment,
although it worked well in A.Aleksandrov-P.Tregubov, European Ch., Saint
Vincent 2000, after the hasty} 9. Ne5 $6 {, which weakened the d4-square:} c5
$1 10. cxd5 exd5 11. Qf3 $6 Nc6 12. Ne2 Ne4 {and Black obtained the better
chances.}) 9. Bd2 $5 {The most promising continuation.} ({Routine development
such as} 9. b3 Ne4 10. Bb2 Bb7 11. Ne5 Nd7 {doesn't bother Black:} 12. Nxe4 ({
while} 12. Qc2 Qe7 {would transpose to S.Iljin-R.Scherbakov, Polanica Zdroj
1997, where White was punished for his incomprehensible play:} 13. a4 $6 (13.
Nxd7 Qxd7 14. Nxe4 fxe4 15. Be2) ({or} 13. Nxe4 fxe4 14. Be2) ({or even a
direct} 13. cxd5 {could have avoided unnecessary problems}) 13... a5 14. Be2 $6
Nxc3 $1 15. Qxc3 $6 Nxe5 $1 16. fxe5 Bb4 17. Qc2 c5 18. Bf3 Rfd8 19. Kh1 Rac8 {
and Black eventually converted his advantage}) 12... fxe4 (12... dxe4 $5) 13.
Be2 Qe7 {is okay, A.Aleksandrov-Ar.Timofeev, Moscow 2008.}) ({On} 9. Qe2 {
Black can choose between} Bb7 ({or} 9... Ba6 10. Ne5 ({otherwise} 10. Bd2 {
transposes to the next note}) 10... Ne4 11. Rd1 Bxe5 $5 12. fxe5 Nd7 13. Bd2
Kh8 14. Be1 Rc8 15. Rac1 Qe7 {with good play, J.Lautier-E.Sveshnikov, Tallinn 
(rapid) 2002}) 10. Bd2 Ne4 11. Rac1 a6 (11... Nd7 $5) 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Ne5 Nd7
14. a4 Qe7 {with acceptable play, E.Bareev-J.Lautier, Enghien-les-Bains 2001.})
9... Ne4 (9... Ba6 $5 {is good too:} 10. Qe2 Nbd7 11. a4 Rc8 $5 12. a5 ({or} 
12. b3 Ne4) 12... dxc4 13. Bxc4 Bxc4 14. Qxc4 Qe7 {with a solid position.}) ({
Black can also begin with} 9... Bb7 $5 {.}) 10. Ne5 ({White could try to
transform the pawn structure by} 10. cxd5 $5 exd5 ({but a cool} 10... cxd5 11.
Nb5 Be7 {is okay for Black}) 11. Ne5 Bb7 12. Nxe4 $1 fxe4 13. Be2 {with a plus,
G.Sargissian-G.Altanoch, Mallorca Olympiad 2004.}) 10... Bb7 (10... Ba6 11.
Nxe4 fxe4 12. Be2 {might offer White an edge, as Black can't play ...Nd7
immediately.}) 11. cxd5 (11. Rc1 Nd7 {.}) 11... Nxc3 $1 ({Here} 11... cxd5 12.
Nb5 Be7 ({though perhaps he could simply play} 12... Nc6 $5) 13. Rc1 {would be
a problem for Black.}) 12. bxc3 (12. Bxc3 cxd5 {is harmless.}) 12... cxd5 13.
c4 Nd7 {. Black is okay.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A212: 6 Nge2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 $5 5. Bd3 f5 6. Nge2 {This ambitious
set-up to counter the Stonewall is possible if White delays Ng1-f3. It's a
logical attempt to justify the position of his bishop on d3, though White can
also play it voluntarily, for example, if the game begins 1 d4 f5.} Nf6 7. f3 (
7. Qc2 O-O 8. f3 {just transposes,} ({while} 8. cxd5 cxd5 9. Nb5 {is harmless:}
Nc6 ({or} 9... Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Nc6 {, N.I.Orlov-S.Yudin, St. Petersburg 2005}) 10.
Nxd6 Nb4 11. Qb3 Nxd3+ 12. Qxd3 Qxd6 {and Black is okay, since he gets his
bishop to the a6-f1 diagonal after ...a7-a5 and ...b7-b6, E.Dragomarezkij-V.Malakhov, Moscow 2002.})) 7... O-O 8. Qc2 ({White could also play} 8. O-O {,
but he can hardly justify his pawn arrangement without Qc2 anyway. Besides, he
may still have queenside castling in his plans.}) 8... -- {White's set-up
looks quite powerful. He has everything under proper control, all his pieces
are playing their roles, and the possible push with e3-e4 might be a headache
for Black. It's also rather flexible, as White has the option of moving his
king to the queenside and beginning kingside actions with h2-h3 and g2-g4. ---
Nevertheless, Black's position is full of counter-chances. Sometimes the way
he develops his pieces may look a bit awkward, but the specific pawn structure
and his lack of space don't allow him to play more naturally; and he has
various ways to organize counterplay. For instance, he can develop his
queenside and prepare the thematic ...c6-c5 - but first we'll look at the
plans which involve the capture ...d5xc4.} ({A2121:} 8... Na6 $5) ({A2122:} 
8... b6 $5) ({Other moves:} 8... a6 {is examined in the first note to line
A2122 below.}) (8... Kh8 {is a typical prophylactic move - Black wants to meet
e3-e4 by advancing his own e-pawn. However, in some cases ...Kh8 might be a
waste of time:} 9. -- (9. Bd2 Qe7 {is acceptable for Black:} 10. O-O dxc4 11.
Bxc4 Nbd7 $5 ({both} 11... b5 12. Bd3 Na6 13. a3 b4 {, V.Yasinsky-E.Sveshnikov,
Novgorod 1995}) ({and} 11... e5 12. dxe5 Qxe5 13. f4 Qe7 {, R.Scherbakov-E.Sveshnikov, Russian Ch., Elista 1994, are playable but slightly worse}) 12. Bd3
({or} 12. Ng3 b5 13. Bd3 b4 14. Na4 c5 {and White has to be accurate, G.Sargissian-S.Zhigalko, Moscow 2009}) 12... Nb6 13. e4 fxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15.
fxe4 Rxf1+ 16. Rxf1 e5 {and Black solves his problems, D.Swiercz-S.Zhigalko,
World Junior Ch., Puerto Madryn 2009.}) (9. O-O dxc4 $5 ({trying to justify
the previous move;} 9... a6 $6 10. c5 $1 Bc7 {favours White - see line A2122
again}) 10. Bxc4 e5 {and White has somewhat better chances, according to
practice, though Black's position is playable.})) (8... dxc4 $5 {immediately
is worth considering:} 9. Bxc4 b5 10. Bb3 ({on} 10. Bd3 {Black can omit ...Kh8;
e.g.} Nbd7 $5 ({or} 10... Na6 11. a3 b4 $5 12. Na4 bxa3 13. bxa3 c5 {though
his position still isn't quite safe})) 10... Kh8 11. e4 ({or} 11. O-O Na6 $5
12. a3 Rb8) 11... e5 $5 12. exf5 b4 (12... Na6 $5) 13. Ne4 Bxf5 14. Bg5 Bxe4
15. fxe4 Nbd7 16. O-O-O $5 c5 {with complicated play.}) (8... Nbd7 $5 {is also
playable:} 9. Bd2 dxc4 $5 (9... b6 $2 {is bad because of simply} 10. cxd5 cxd5
11. Nb5) (9... a6 $6 {can be met by} 10. c5 $5 {again}) ({but} 9... Qe7 $5 {is
possible, keeping ...e6-e5 in mind:} 10. cxd5 Nxd5 $1 11. a3 N7f6 {, followed
by ...c6-c5 or ...e6-e5, A.Bykhovsky-N.Vekshenkov, Pavlodar 1991}) 10. Bxc4 Nb6
11. Bb3 Kh8 {, intending ...Qe7 and ...e6-e5. K.Sasikiran-M.Krasenkow, Calvia
Olympiad 2004, continued} 12. a3 (12. O-O-O Nbd5 $5) 12... e5 13. O-O-O Qe7 {
and Black achieved good play.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A2121: 8...Na6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 $5 5. Bd3 f5 6. Nge2 Nf6 7. f3 O-O 8. Qc2
Na6 $5 9. a3 dxc4 10. Bxc4 b5 11. Ba2 {This retreat looks natural - White
plans to fix the opposing queenside by b2-b4.} ({Instead,} 11. Bb3 Kh8 12. O-O
Rb8 13. Bd2 c5 {is fine for Black, I.Ibragimov-N.Firman, Chicago 2003.}) 11...
Kh8 (11... b4 $5 {is quite logical, though for some reason Black has always
begun with the prophylactic king move. Then} 12. Na4 Kh8 (12... Rb8 $5 {is
also worth considering}) 13. O-O Qc7 {transposes to the main line.}) 12. O-O (
12. b4 $5 {looks consistent, but the position remains acceptable for Black:}
Nc7 13. e4 fxe4 ({or} 13... e5 $5) 14. Nxe4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Nd5 16. Bb1 Rf5 17.
h4 ({not} 17. g4 $2 Qh4+) 17... Qg8 18. Bd2 Bd7 {and Black consolidates his
position.}) 12... b4 $5 {A typical pawn push, which lessens White's influence
in the centre.} (12... Qe7 13. b4 Nc7 14. Bd2 (14. e4 $5) 14... a5 {is unclear,
V.Pushin-S.Volkov, Moscow 2011.}) 13. Na4 Qc7 14. g3 Rb8 15. Bd2 Qe7 16. Bc4
bxa3 17. bxa3 c5 {. This position arose in Al.David-S.Feller, Paris 2010.
Black keeps good counter-chances, as White's king position is somewhat
weakened.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A2122: 8...b6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 $5 5. Bd3 f5 6. Nge2 Nf6 7. Qc2 O-O 8. f3
b6 $5 {A typical way to develop the light-squared bishop and prepare ...c6-c5.}
({In practice Black has more often begun with} 8... a6 9. -- ({, playing ...b7-b6 on the next move; e.g.} 9. Bd2 b6 10. O-O-O Kh8 $5 11. e4 fxe4 12. fxe4
dxc4 $1 13. Bxc4 e5 14. Rhf1 b5 15. Bb3 Qe7 16. dxe5 Bxe5 17. Bf4 a5 {and
Black seized the initiative in V.Kosyrev-A.Grischuk, Elista 2000.}) ({.
However, White has the annoying} 9. c5 $1 {, which makes Black's a-pawn
advance pointless. After} Bc7 10. O-O ({or} 10. Bd2 $5 Qe7 11. O-O-O e5 12.
dxe5 Bxe5 13. Na4 {followed by Nd4 with the advantage, I.Bukavshin-J.Geller,
Moscow 2011}) 10... -- {, and then:} (10... Kh8 $6 {isn't really necessary
with White committed to c4-c5, but in some games Black had already played this
move earlier:} 11. Bd2 $5 (11. e4 fxe4 12. fxe4 Ng4 13. Bg5 $1 Bxh2+ 14. Kh1
Qe8 15. Rxf8+ Qxf8 16. Ng1 {is also good for White, V.Akopian-A.Grischuk,
Ubeda 1999}) 11... Nbd7 12. b4 b6 13. Na4 {and White obtained a stable plus, V.Kramnik-P.Tregubov, French Team Ch. 2002.}) (10... Qe8 11. e4 fxe4 12. fxe4 Ng4
13. Nf4 {with better chances, S.Mamedyarov-Dm.Schneider, World Junior Ch.,
Heraklio 2002.}) (10... Nbd7 $5 {.}))) 9. O-O (9. e4 $6 {at once is harmless
for Black:} dxe4 $1 10. fxe4 e5 ({or} 10... Na6 $5 {.})) (9. cxd5 {can be met
by} Nxd5 $5 (9... cxd5 {justifies White's idea, though in fact it's also
playable:} 10. Nb5 {- this only makes sense if White has played Qc2 -} Ba6 $5
11. Bd2 Ne4 $5 ({or} 11... Bxb5 12. Bxb5 a6 13. Bd3 b5 {etc})) 10. a3 (10. Nxd5
cxd5) 10... Qh4+ 11. g3 Qh3 {with complicated play.}) (9. Bd2 {gives Black
various options:} c5 $5 ({or} 9... Na6 $5 10. a3 Nc7) ({or} 9... Ba6 $5 10. b3
dxc4 $5 11. bxc4 c5 12. Nb5 Nc6 {with good play, P.Karthikeyan-M.Anurag, New
Delhi 2008.})) 9... a6 $5 {At first sight Black's approach looks suspicious
since he lacks development. However, it keeps proper control over key squares,
while White can't open the position in his favour.} ({Other playable options
are} 9... Ba6 $5) ({or} 9... Qc7 $5 {.}) 10. Bd2 ({Here} 10. c5 $2 {just loses
a pawn:} bxc5 11. dxc5 Bxc5 {, as} 12. Nxd5 $4 {doesn't get it back due to
simply} Qxd5 {.}) ({Instead, the immediate pawn push} 10. e4 {is answered by}
fxe4 11. fxe4 Bxh2+ $1 12. Kxh2 Ng4+ 13. Kg1 Qh4 14. Rxf8+ Kxf8 {and White
can't avoid perpetual check:} 15. Nf4 ({or} 15. Bf4 Qf2+ 16. Kh1 Qh4+) 15...
Qe1+ 16. Bf1 Qg3 17. Bd3 Qe1+ {etc.}) ({Whereas slow play, such as} 10. h3) ({
or} 10. Kh1 {, allows Black to respond with the thematic} c5 11. cxd5 Nxd5 {
with decent counter-chances.}) 10... Qc7 $1 {The most precise continuation.} (
10... Kh8 $6 {gives White time for the important} 11. Rac1 $1 {.} ({Note that} 
11. Rad1 {isn't such a useful square for the rook - in A.Chernin-A.Grischuk,
European Team Ch., Batumi 1999, Black solved his problems by} Qc7 12. cxd5 cxd5
({not} 12... Bxh2+ $2 13. Kf2 $1) 13. h3 Nc6 14. a3 Bb7 {.})) 11. h3 ({Here} 
11. Rac1 $6 {seems dubious:} Bxh2+ (11... c5 $5 {isn't bad either:} 12. dxc5
bxc5 13. Na4 Bxh2+ 14. Kh1 Bd6 15. cxd5 Nxd5) 12. Kf2 ({or} 12. Kh1 Bd6 13. e4
dxe4 14. fxe4 Ng4 $1) 12... Bd6 {and Black is okay.}) 11... c5 $1 {White has
more pieces in play, but the Stonewall gives Black more control over the
centre.} 12. dxc5 {White begins direct action against the c5-pawn, but it
doesn't bother Black much.} ({Then again,} 12. b3 dxc4 $5 13. bxc4 Nc6 {is
fine for Black}) ({while} 12. cxd5 $2 {is impossible due to} c4 {, winning the
bishop.}) 12... bxc5 13. Na4 ({After} 13. Rad1 Nc6 14. cxd5 ({or} 14. a3 Ne5 $1
) 14... Nb4 15. Qb1 c4 $5 16. Bc2 Nfxd5 {Black's pieces are now more active.})
13... Nc6 14. Rac1 (14. cxd5 $5 Nxd5 15. Bc4 Ne5 (15... Ncb4 $5) 16. Bxd5 exd5
17. Nf4 ({or} 17. Rac1 Bd7 $1 18. Nxc5 Bb5 19. Rf2 Rac8 20. b4 Nd3) 17... Qc6 {
is okay for Black. L.Johannessen-B.S.Reefat, Dhaka 2002, saw} 18. Rac1 c4 $5 (
18... g5 $5) 19. Nc3 g5 $1 20. Nfxd5 Nd3 {and Black had excellent compensation
for the pawn.}) 14... Bd7 (14... Ne5 $5 {.}) 15. cxd5 Nxd5 16. Bc4 ({Of course
not} 16. Nxc5 $2 Ncb4 {, as} 17. Qb3 Bxc5 18. Bxb4 Nxb4 19. Qxb4 {doesn't work
due to} Bxe3+ {and ...Bxc1.}) 16... Ne5 {. Black's cavalry in the centre is
quite impressive and his chances certainly aren't worse. In fact C.Bauer-A.Grischuk, Enghien-les-Bains 2001, and Zhu Chen-P.Negi, Moscow 2006, both ended
with a disastrous result for White: 0-2!} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A213: 6 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A85"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bd3 f5 6. Nf3 {White develops his
knight normally to increase his control over the key e5-square. Of course this
position can also be reached if White develops his knights in reverse order.}
Nf6 7. O-O ({Here the undermining} 7. h3 O-O 8. g4 $5 {doesn't bother Black
too much; e.g.} Ne4 (8... Kh8 $5) ({and} 8... Na6 $5 {are also possible}) 9.
gxf5 exf5 10. cxd5 Nxc3 (10... cxd5 $5) 11. bxc3 cxd5 12. Qb3 Be7 {and while
White would be better if he had his bishop on f4, here the position is unclear.
The game A.Shneider-A.Summerscale, Bratislava 1996, continued} 13. Ba3 Bxa3 14.
Qxa3 Nc6 15. O-O-O Be6 16. Rhg1 Kh8 {and White can't feel totally secure
because of his vulnerable king.}) ({Alternatively,} 7. Qc2 {can be met by} Ne4
{(as in line A2131 below)} ({but} 7... O-O {is quite possible.} 8. -- ({. Then
a slow} 8. b3 Ne4 9. Bb2 Nd7 {is okay for Black - sometimes White has tried
castling queenside but it's too double-edged:} 10. O-O-O ({or} 10. h3 Ndf6 11.
O-O-O Qe7 12. Kb1 Nxc3+ 13. Bxc3 a5 14. c5 Bc7 15. Ne5 Ne4 16. Bb2 a4 $1 {, A.Czerwonski-S.Zhigalko, Warsaw 2010}) 10... Qe7 11. Kb1 a5 12. h3 Nxc3+ 13. Bxc3
a4 $1 14. bxa4 dxc4 15. Bxc4 b5 {and Black seized the initiative, A.Galliamova-R.Scherbakov, Novgorod 1995.}) ({. The more concrete} 8. cxd5 cxd5
9. Nb5 {is also harmless:} Nc6 ({or} 9... Bb4+ $5 10. Bd2 Nc6 {, C.Wilhelmi-V.Chuchelov, Hamburg 1995}) 10. Nxd6 Qxd6 11. Bd2 Ne4 12. O-O Bd7 13. Rfc1 Rfc8
14. Qd1 Be8 15. Rc2 Bh5 16. Be2 Rc7 {and Black is fine, G.Lazovic-S.Savchenko,
Ljubljana 1996.}))) 7... O-O {This version of the Stonewall is comfortable for
Black. He has good control over the centre - especially the e4-square, which
in some cases becomes a base for his kingside assault. --- In turn, White
should try to exploit the e5-square, which would be aided by the exchange of
dark-squared bishops. However, with White having already played both e2-e3 and
Nb1-c3, his bishop can't go to f4 and doesn't have enough support on a3 - and
yet he has to find a use for it anyway. Instead, the bishop can be developed
on the long diagonal after b2-b3, or else White can just put it on d2.} 8. -- (
{A2131:} 8. Qc2) ({A2132:} 8. b3) ({If White plays without a plan, such as by} 
8. h3 Ne4 9. Ne5 {, Black has good chances to get the advantage. Here a natural
} Nd7 {would be fine, but it allows White to close the centre with 10 f4.} ({
So, in Z.Pyda-R.Scherbakov, Polanica Zdroj 1998, Black took a seemingly
strange decision and played} 9... Bxe5 $5 10. dxe5 Nd7 {, exchanging his
best-looking piece. However, this plan has its plus points - Black gains time
for development, while White doesn't have the e5-square anymore. From now on,
Black's task is to get his queen's bishop into play before White does the same:
} 11. f4 Ndc5 12. Nxe4 fxe4 13. Be2 dxc4 $1 14. Bxc4 ({if White were mindful
about the future of his bishop, he might consider} 14. b3 $1 Nd3 ({or} 14...
cxb3 15. Ba3 $1) 15. Ba3 c5 16. Bxd3 cxd3 17. Bxc5 {and the now strong piece
compensates for Black's strong d3-pawn}) 14... b5 $1 15. Be2 Nd3 16. Qb3 Qd7 $1
17. Rd1 Rd8 18. a4 a5 $1 19. axb5 $6 (19. Bxd3 $1 exd3 20. Ra3 {is stronger,
if still fine for Black after} b4 21. Rxd3 Qe7 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Ra1 c5) 19...
cxb5 20. Bd2 a4 $1 {(Black is playing the whole game on the light squares!)}
21. Qa3 Qa7 $1 {(continuing the strategy of restricting the opponent's bishop).
White already needed good advice and collapsed after} 22. b4 $2 Bb7 23. Bc1 Qb6
24. Bxd3 exd3 25. Ra2 (25. Rxd3 Qc6 26. Rxd8+ Rxd8) 25... Rac8 26. Rf2 Rc2 {
and so on.})) ({The immediate} 8. Ne5 {is more to the point. White is going to
support his knight with f2-f4, though as we saw after 6 f4 above, placing the
knight on e5 too early makes Black's task easier.} -- ({. Here} 8... Bxe5 {is
less attractive:} 9. dxe5 Ng4 10. f4 d4 11. Ne2 ({or} 11. Na4 {, G.Kozlov-G.
Morozov, Moscow 2008}) 11... Nxe3 12. Bxe3 dxe3 13. Qb3 {, G.Van der Stricht-M.Van der Werf, Dutch Team Ch. 2005, when Black may be late in activating his
light-squared bishop.}) ({. But there are other playable options, such as} 8...
b6) (8... Qe7) (8... c5 $5 {(exploiting White's lack of control over d4, M.Astengo-E.Sveshnikov, Brescia 2009)}) ({, or} 8... Nbd7 9. f4 Ne4 {and Black
is okay (see 8...Ne4 in line A211).})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A2131: 8 Qc2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A85"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bd3 f5 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2
Ne4 9. Ne5 ({White can also close the centre by} 9. Nd2 Nd7 10. -- (10. f4 {,
though Black is fine after} Ndf6 {.}) ({. In any case White has to be careful
about his opponent's kingside activity; e.g.} 10. a3 $6 Rf6 11. f3 $6 (11. f4
$1) 11... Rh6 $1 12. fxe4 $2 Bxh2+ 13. Kf2 fxe4 {gave Black a strong attack in
E.Grishin-N.Tolstikh, St. Petersburg 2000.})) 9... Nd7 (9... b6 10. f4 Bb7 {is
another option, and if} 11. cxd5 {, as in D.Laylo-P.Negi, Asian Ch., Cebu City
2007, then} cxd5 $5 ({whereas Negi eventually scored a full point after} 11...
exd5) {, is more reliable, not fearing} 12. Nb5 {due to} Ba6 {with good play.
Yet, this would also decrease Black's winning chances.}) 10. f4 ({Black has no
problems after} 10. f3 Nxc3 11. Qxc3 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Be7 {.}) 10... Nxe5 $5 {As
we've seen after 8 Ne5 and in line A211 above, the early white knight invasion
is harmless, and here Black can simply take it.} ({Instead,} 10... Ndf6 {would
make it more difficult for him to get the light-squared bishop into play.}) 11.
fxe5 Be7 12. Bd2 ({On} 12. Nxe4 {breaking the symmetry with} dxe4 $5 {deserves
serious attention:} 13. Be2 b6 {intending ...Qc7 and ...c6-c5, E.Baglaev-A.Voinov, Novokuznetsk 2007.}) 12... Bd7 {. The position is very closed and
rather boring. White has an advantage in space, but it can hardly promise him
anything substantial. Nevertheless, in H.Grünberg-V.Bagirov, Würzburg 1998,
the players fought for over 100 moves before agreeing a draw.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A2132: 8 b3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A85"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bd3 f5 6. Nf3 Nf6 7. O-O O-O 8. b3 {
This plan looks pretty harmless against the Stonewall, but it isn't without
poison.} Ne4 ({It's worth considering developing the queenside first:} 8... b6
$5 9. Bb2 Bb7 10. Rc1 Nbd7 {, though} 11. cxd5 Nxd5 {, is playable, White's
superior pawn structure might still promise him an edge;} (11... cxd5 12. Nb5 {
would be a problem}) 12. e4 (12. Qe2 Qe7) 12... Nxc3 (12... Nf4 $5) 13. Rxc3 $1
({better than} 13. Bxc3 fxe4 14. Bxe4 Nf6 15. Bd3 c5 $5) 13... fxe4 14. Bxe4
Nf6 {and so on.}) ({Alternatively,} 8... Qe7 {would transpose to line B2 below
- in which White begins with Nf3 and Black plays ...Qe7 earlier to prevent Ba3
- though it makes less sense in this actual position.}) 9. Ne2 Nd7 10. Bb2 {
The idea behind White's set-up becomes clear: he intends to follow with Ne5
and then push the invader back from e4 with f2-f3. This might promise him an
edge as well, though Black's position is also acceptable.} Qf6 {This queen
advance is tempting - Black takes the e5-square under control and so prevents
the white knight advance for the time being. However, White can probably
overcome this problem.} ({Instead:} 10... Qe7 {would transpose to line B2
again, which is solid enough.}) (10... b6 $5 {is playable, but it looks like
Black just loses time retreating his knight:} 11. Ne5 (11. Rc1 Bb7 {would
transpose I.Sokolov-J.Lautier, German League 2003, which continued} 12. cxd5
cxd5 13. Ne5 Qe7 {and Black has eventually held on}) 11... Bb7 12. f3 ({or if} 
12. cxd5 {, as in I.Sokolov-D.Frolyanov, European Ch., Warsaw 2005, then as
usual} cxd5 {is more reliable}) 12... Nef6 (12... Nec5 $5 {looks interesting,
but} 13. Bc2 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bc7 15. b4 Nd7 {is good for White, thanks to the
strong d4-square for the knight, G.G.Grigore-E.Sveshnikov, Predeal 2006}) 13.
Nf4 Qe7 14. Qe2 {and White has an edge, Kir.Georgiev-E.Sveshnikov, Warsaw 
(rapid) 2005.}) (10... Rf6 $5 {might also be considered, planning to switch
the rook to h6.}) 11. Nf4 $1 {At first sight this knight advance looks helpful
for Black, but in fact it's probably the most promising continuation.} ({Let's
take a look at the other options:} 11. a4 a5 ({or} 11... g5 $5 {, Zhou
Jianchao-A.Krapivin, Moscow 2006}) 12. Ba3 Bxa3 13. Rxa3 b6 14. Ra2 Bb7 {is
acceptable for Black, R.Stern-V.Erdos, Berlin 2009.}) (11. Rc1 {(with ideas of
Rc2, Qa1 and Ne5) can be met by} g5 $5 12. Rc2 g4 13. Nd2 Qh6 14. g3 {, O.Cvitan-S.Erenburg, European Ch., Warsaw 2005, and here} Ng5 $5 {seems
preferable with good counter-chances.}) (11. Qc1 $5 {, intending to swap the
dark-squared bishop, would be met by the same} g5 $5 12. Ba3 Bxa3 ({or} 12...
g4 13. Bxe4 fxe4 14. Nd2 e5 15. cxd5 cxd5 16. Nc3 Bxa3 17. Qxa3 {, E.Agdestein-Ar.Danielsen, Norwegian Team Ch. 1992, when} Qe6 $5 {might have been
more precise, though Black's position is still strategically risky}) 13. Qxa3
g4 (13... b6 $5) 14. Bxe4 dxe4 $5 15. Ne1 e5 16. Nc2 b6 {followed by ...c6-c5
with good counter-chances.}) 11... b6 {Black's problem is that he actually
can't stop Ne5! Of course the position remains complicated and he may find
counter-chances, but it still casts doubts on his whole approach with ...Qf6.}
({Instead,} 11... Qh6 $6 {allows} 12. Ne5 {straight away}) ({while} 11... g5 $6
12. Nh5 Qh6 ({not} 12... Qh8 $2 13. Bxe4 fxe4 14. Nxg5) 13. Ne5 {is also
clearly better for White, L.Zsinka-B.Tabernig, Oberwart 1996.}) ({Black might
try} 11... a5 $5 {, but the Stonewall pawn structure isn't conducive to
queenside operations. A.Satici-G.Chouraqui, corr. 2009, continued} 12. Rc1 Rd8
({or} 12... a4 13. bxa4) 13. Qe2 a4 14. Ne5 Qe7 15. f3 Ng5 {and White
maintained the better chances.}) 12. Rc1 $5 (12. Qe2 {is a good alternative:}
Bb7 13. Ne5 Rad8 ({or} 13... Qe7 14. f3 {etc}) 14. f3 (14. Rac1 $5) 14... Nec5
$5 15. Ng4 fxg4 16. dxc5 Be5 17. Bxe5 Nxe5 18. fxg4 Qe7 19. cxb6 axb6 {and
Black is fighting for equality.}) 12... Bb7 13. Rc2 {Preparing his next move.}
Rac8 14. Ne5 $5 -- ({Now} 14... Nxe5 $4 {loses a piece to} 15. dxe5 Bxe5 16.
Nh5 {, because} Bxh2+ {and ...Qxb2 is impossible as the bishop is protected.})
({So Black should probably retreat his queen with} 14... Qe7 {, but in that
case a logical question arises: why not put the queen on e7 in one step?! Well,
this will be considered later - in line B2.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A22: 5 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Nf3 f5 6. Ne5 $5 ({Of course} 6. Bd3 {
would return to line A213 above.}) 6... Nf6 7. f4 {It seems as if we've seen
an approach like this before (in line A211) and that it's rather harmless for
Black. However, there's an important difference here - the black bishop is
already committed to d6, whereas White can still develop his to e2. This is
favourable for him because he can capture an opposing knight on e4 without
having to waste time retreating his bishop; it also gives him more control
over the centre in the event of the opponent's ...c6-c5. Nevertheless Black
should be able to obtain acceptable play.} ({Sometimes White begins with} 7.
Be2 O-O 8. O-O {, trying to force Black to play something less useful, but it
doesn't change the course of play much:} b6 (8... Nbd7 9. f4 Ne4 10. Nxe4 fxe4
{is considered below}) 9. f4 {and so on.} ({If White tries} 9. Qc2 {, still
holding the f-pawn back, Black can choose between} Qe7 $5 ({or} 9... Ne4 $5 {
, Y.Yakovich-Ar.Timofeev, Russian Ch., Krasnodar 2002}) ({whereas} 9... Ba6 10.
f4 {isn't completely satisfactory, N.Vitiugov-Ar.Timofeev, Russian Ch., Moscow
2008}) 10. f4 Bb7 {and after} 11. cxd5 cxd5 {he can use the rook to cover
c-file comfortably, A.Smirnov-P.Tregubov, Russian Team Ch. 2009.})) 7... O-O 8.
Be2 $1 b6 (8... Ne4 {is a natural and perhaps more reliable choice, leading to
very closed and fairly boring positions with a slight edge for White:} 9. Nxe4
fxe4 10. O-O Nd7 11. Bd2 Nxe5 ({or} 11... a5 $5 {, V.Zvjaginsev-S.Lputian,
Vienna 1996}) 12. fxe5 ({after} 12. dxe5 Bc5 ({but} 12... Be7 {is okay; e.g.}
13. Bc3 ({or} 13. Kh1 Bd7 14. Rc1 b5 15. cxb5 cxb5 16. Bc3 b4 17. Bd4 Qa5 18.
Qd2 Rac8 19. b3 Bc5 {and Black equalizes, V.Tkachiev-E.Bareev,
Enghien-les-Bains 2001}) 13... a5 14. a3 b6 15. Qd2 Ba6 16. Rad1 Qe8 {with
good play, L.Van Wely-V.Moskalenko, Spanish Team Ch. 2004}) 13. b4 Bb6 14. Qc2
Bd7 {Black eventually failed to hold in the old game A.Rubinstein-E.Cohn,
Carlsbad 1911}) 12... Rxf1+ (12... Be7 {is similar:} 13. b4 Bd7 14. a4 Rxf1+ ({
or} 14... a6 15. g3 Qe8 16. Rxf8+ Bxf8 17. Qf1 Be7 {and Black defended, V.Zvjaginsev-Zhang Zhong, Poikovsky 2004}) 15. Qxf1 a6 16. Ra2 Qf8 17. Qb1 g6 18.
b5 axb5 19. axb5 Rxa2 20. Qxa2 Qc8 21. b6 Qd8 22. Qa7 Bc8 {, J.Lautier-A.Pridorozhni, Khanty-Mansyisk 2005}) 13. Bxf1 Be7 {(unlike his opponent Black
has to waste time retreating his bishop)} 14. b4 Bd7 15. Qb3 {, R.Wojtaszek-M.Bartel, Polish Ch., Warsaw 2010, and here I would prefer to defend by} a6 {-
as in the games with 12...Be7.}) ({Or else} 8... Nbd7 9. O-O Ne4 10. Nxe4 fxe4
{, which comes to the same thing.}) 9. O-O Bb7 ({After} 9... Ba6 $5 10. Bd2 (
10. Qc2 $5 {is also good - see 7 Be2}) 10... Nfd7 11. Qb3 Nxe5 12. fxe5 Be7 {
Black was under pressure in D.Sellos-R.Scherbakov, Paris 1996.}) 10. cxd5 $5 ({
On} 10. Bd2 {Black can play} c5 $1 {at once with good counter-chances; e.g.}
11. Nb5 ({or} 11. cxd5 Nxd5 {, O.Krivonosov-D.Frolyanov, Internet 2006}) 11...
Be7 12. Bf3 Nc6 {, M.Kazhgaleyev-J.Lautier, Aix-en-Provence (rapid) 2004.})
10... cxd5 ({In the pawn structure which arises after} 10... exd5 {, White has
reasonable chances to prove an edge:} 11. Bd2 c5 (11... Nbd7 $5) 12. Qa4 (12.
Qb3 $5) 12... a6 13. Qc2 {, when S.Savchenko-P.Tregubov, Rostov-on-Don 1993,
continued} Ne4 $6 {(Black should keep his knight on f6 in such positions)} 14.
Nxe4 $1 fxe4 15. Bg4 {and White seized the initiative. Black should avoid this
kind of thing.}) 11. Bd2 a6 ({After} 11... Nc6 12. Qa4 Rc8 13. Rac1 {White
maintains the pressure, N.Vitiugov-A.Kim, St. Petersburg 2005.}) 12. Rc1 {
Black is slightly worse, but it should be bearable.} ({On} 12. Qb3 {he can play
} Nc6 $5 13. Rac1 Na5 {followed by ...b6-b5.}) 12... Nbd7 ({Here} 12... Nc6 13.
Na4 $5 Rc8 14. Bd3 {would allow White to keep some pressure}) ({but other
options, such as} 12... b5 $5 {, are playable.}) 13. a4 Rc8 {. This position
is acceptable for Black. He can continue ...Rc7, or ...Be7 and ...Nxe5, with
good chances to hold the balance. Nevertheless, it must be admitted that this
line isn't only boring, it hardly promises Black any winning chances either -
he's playing for two results, even if a draw is still the most likely one. As
we have seen, an early 4...Bd6 may favour White in some cases. Therefore Black
might consider another developing move which also postpones ...f7-f5.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "A3: 4...Nd7!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c6 4. e3 Nd7 $5 {The point is clear enough - to stop
White's Ne5 and f2-f4, after which it's extremely difficult for Black to
obtain winning chances. However, this knight move isn't without drawbacks -
one of which is that Black may face some problems in building the Stonewall at
all!} 5. Nf3 ({Other moves:} 5. Bd3 {makes building the Stonewall with} f5 {
look suspicious, given the early ...Nbd7, but perhaps it isn't too bad - as
we'll see below, it might be more promising for White to develop his bishop to
e2.} ({. It isn't so attractive for Black to play} 5... Bd6 {here, as after} 6.
e4 $5 {the typical} dxc4 7. Bxc4 e5 8. Nf3 Ngf6 {would transpose to an
unacceptable sideline of the Meran (2...c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Bd3
Bd6 - instead of the usual 6...dxc4 7 Bxc4 b5 - 7 e4! dxc4?! 8 Bxc4 e5 etc),
where} 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 Bxe5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Bxf7 Rf8 13. Bb3 Bxc3+ 14.
bxc3 Nxe4 15. O-O {gives White an annoying initiative in the ending.} (15. --))
({. Black might play} 5... dxc4 6. Bxc4 b5 {, but this would most likely
transpose to a normal Meran after a later Nf3 and ...Ngf6}) ({; while} 5...
Ngf6 6. Nf3 {is just a Meran at once.})) (5. Qc2 {is another attempt to
disturb Black's plans, though in that case White has to be ready to play the
Anti-Meran after} Bd6 ({or} 5... Ngf6) 6. Nf3 Ngf6 {,} ({while} 6... f5 $5 {
might be playable as well (see 6...Bd6 in the main line).})) (5. e4 {in two
steps is harmless due to} dxe4 6. Nxe4 Ngf6 {, when A.Obukhov-R.Scherbakov,
Perm 1997, continued} 7. Nxf6+ Nxf6 (7... Qxf6 $5) 8. Nf3 b6 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O
Bd6 11. Ne5 $6 Qc7 12. Bf4 $6 Nd7 {and White had to fight for equality.}) 5...
f5 ({Black should take control over the e4-square, as after} 5... Bd6 {White
would respond with} 6. e4 {.}) ({Of course} 5... Ngf6 {is a different story,
but that takes the game into the main lines of the Semi-Slav.}) 6. Qc2 {The
main problem now for Black is that a subsequent c4xd5 would be rather annoying.
The f5-pawn isn't well supported, making the recapture ...e6xd5 problematic,
whereas ...c6xd5 is usually undesirable after ...Nd7 - in that case the knight
belongs on c6.} Nh6 $5 {Black combines defence with development, but this is a
rather awkward place for the knight in the Stonewall.} ({If Black continues
routinely with} 6... Bd6 $5 {then the immediate} 7. cxd5 {looks strong} -- ({
, as after} 7... cxd5 8. Nb5 Bb8 9. Bd2 $1 {White is in time to double his
major pieces on the c-file:} a6 ({or} 9... Ne7 10. Bb4 Nf6 11. Ne5 a6 12. Bxe7
Kxe7 13. Qc5+ Ke8 14. Rc1 $1 Bd7 15. Nd6+ Bxd6 16. Qxd6 Rc8 17. Rxc8 Qxc8 18.
Bd3 $1 {with a clear advantage, Liang Chong-L.Bergez, Cappelle la Grande 2001})
10. Qa4 $1 ({stronger than} 10. Rc1 $6 Ne7 11. Nc7+ Bxc7 12. Qxc7 Qxc7 13. Rxc7
Nc6 14. Bxa6 $5 Kd8 15. Bxb7 Kxc7 16. Bxa8 Na7 {and the bishop is trapped})
10... Ne7 11. Bb4 Nc6 12. Nd6+ Bxd6 13. Bxd6 Nf6 {and White is definitely
better, even if his edge isn't so large.}) ({. Instead, Black might sacrifice
the f-pawn with} 7... exd5 $5 8. Qxf5 ({after} 8. Bd3 {, apart from} g6 ({
Black can also play} 8... Ne7) ({or} 8... Nh6 {, not fearing the capture on f5
which transposes to the next note})) 8... Ne5 9. Qc2 Nxf3+ 10. gxf3 {, and here
} Qf6 ({or maybe} 10... Qh4 $5 {would promise Black decent compensation for
the pawn; e.g.} 11. e4 (11. Rg1 Ne7 12. Rxg7 Nf5 13. Rg2 Qh5 {and ...Nh4})
11... Ne7 12. Be3 O-O 13. Be2 Ng6 {with complex play. If this proves to be
acceptable for Black, there's no need to put the knight on the edge of the
board.}))) 7. Be2 $5 {This isn't as passive as it looks! In fact White is
thinking about a thematic g2-g4 and so protects his knight against a possible
opening of the f-file.} ({The text is stronger than} 7. Bd3 Bd6 {, when Black
is ready to give up his f5-pawn:} 8. cxd5 $6 ({routine play like} 8. O-O O-O {
is also harmless: Black's knights have good prospects - the d7-knight is
heading for e4, while its partner will cover the e5-square from f7}) 8... exd5
9. Bxf5 $6 Nxf5 10. Qxf5 Ne5 11. Qc2 Nxf3+ 12. gxf3 O-O {(White has grabbed
the pawn but got nothing but trouble - Black's initiative escalates quickly)}
13. Qe2 Qh4 ({or} 13... Bh3 14. f4 Qd7 $5 ({or} 14... Qh4 15. Qf3 Rae8 16. Qg3
Qh6 17. Ne2 Rf6 {, E.Bacrot-R.Scherbakov, Metz 1994})) 14. h3 Bf5 15. f4 $6
Rae8 {and White found himself in serious difficulties, E.Magerramov-A.Kharlov,
Rostov-on-Don 1993.}) ({Slow play such as} 7. a3 Bd6 8. b4 {gives Black time
to consolidate his forces:} a6 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Bd3 Kh8 11. c5 $6 Bc7 12. Ne2 Qe7
13. h3 Nf7 {, I.Koniushkov-R.Scherbakov, St. Petersburg 1995, and here the
careless} 14. g4 $2 {allowed Black to seize the initiative by} e5 $1 15. Bxf5
e4 16. Nd2 Nh6 {.}) 7... Bd6 8. h3 Nf6 ({Black could have taken control of e5
by} 8... Qf6 {and ...Nf7, but this square isn't actually his main problem here.
}) 9. Bd2 {In this complex position Black tried various possibilities.} O-O ({
Alternatively:} 9... Nf7 {allows} 10. g4 {, but this isn't so bad for Black:}
O-O 11. Rg1 Ne4 (11... Qe7 $5) 12. gxf5 exf5 13. Qb3 Be6 $5 ({after the
over-enthusiastic} 13... f4 $6 14. cxd5 Nxd2 15. Kxd2 fxe3+ 16. fxe3 Bf5 $6 17.
e4 Bf4+ 18. Kc2 Bg6 19. Rxg6 $5 hxg6 20. Qxb7 {, White eventually proved his
superiority in M.Sadler-R.Scherbakov, Hastings 1993/94}) 14. c5 $5 Bc7 15. Qxb7
Bd7 $1 16. Qb3 Rb8 (16... Kh8 $5) 17. Qc2 Qf6 {and the activity of Black's
pieces gives him good compensation for the pawn.}) (9... Ne4 $5 {deserves
attention as well:} 10. g4 ({White can try} 10. Nxe4 $5 fxe4 11. Ne5 {, but}
O-O 12. O-O Nf5 {should be okay for Black}) 10... O-O {, when it isn't so easy
for White to continue with his plans, since} 11. Rg1 $2 {, is actually a
serious mistake;} ({while} 11. gxf5 Nxd2 12. Nxd2 Nxf5 {is okay for Black})
11... fxg4 (11... Nxf2 $5) 12. hxg4 Nxf2 $1 13. g5 Nhg4 14. Nd1 Nh2 $1 15. Nxf2
Nxf3+ 16. Bxf3 Rxf3 17. Rh1 g6 {and Black has a clear advantage, G.Sapundjiev-M.Hedrera, corr. 1999.}) 10. O-O-O Ne4 11. Be1 Nf7 12. g4 b5 {.
Black has good counter-chances, A.Constantinou-V.Dambrauskas, corr. 1999.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "B: 3 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 {Now we begin to consider lines where White brings
his king's knight into play first. This approach is more flexible and gives
him a wider choice.} c6 4. e3 ({As a rule, White connects the move Nf3 with
other systems, such as} 4. Nbd2) (4. Qc2) ({and} 4. Qb3 {, which are examined
in the next three chapters; whereas the Meran-type position after 4 e3 isn't
so dangerous for Black.}) 4... f5 {In contrast to the position with 3 Nc3 
(line A11), here the immediate Stonewall works fine. Since White developed his
knight to f3, the pawn push g2-g4 has lost its attractiveness, which means
there's no need for Black to delay ...f7-f5.} ({Of course Black can begin with
} 4... Bd6 {, but then, as we've just seen, White may have more chances in the
symmetrical Stonewall.}) 5. Bd3 ({An early} 5. Ne5 {doesn't worry Black. After}
Nf6 {can take care of the invader by ...Nbd7xe5, since he hasn't played ...Bd6
yet. White has a choice:} 6. -- (6. g4 {isn't well supported:} Nbd7 $5 (6...
fxg4 {is also quite playable, according to practice}) ({while} 6... Bd6 7. gxf5
exf5 8. Nc3 O-O {if good too}) 7. gxf5 exf5 8. Nc3 ({or} 8. Nxd7 Bxd7 9. Nc3
Be6 {, L.Polugaevsky-V.Bagirov, Sverdlovsk 1957}) 8... Bd6 9. Nxd7 Bxd7 10. Qb3
{. This position arose in B.Kouatly-G.Flear, Wijk aan Zee 1988, and here,
apart from} Ng4 ({Black could have thought about} 10... O-O $5 11. cxd5 Kh8) ({
or} 10... dxc4 $5 {with good counter-chances}) 11. Bd2 $1 Qh4 12. O-O-O {with
complicated play.}) ({. In other cases, too, Black can get rid of the invader
by ...Nbd7:} 6. Bd3 Nbd7 7. f4 Nxe5 8. fxe5 Ne4 {, A.Pixton-A.Stripunsky, US
Ch., Seattle 2002.}) (6. Nd2 Nbd7 7. f4 Nxe5 8. fxe5 Ng4 9. Qf3 Be7 10. h3 Nh6
11. Bd3 O-O 12. O-O Nf7 13. Qe2 Ng5 {and Black's chances are somewhat better,
V.Zhidkov-A.Kharlov, Vladivostok 1994.}) (6. f4 {is consistent, building a
symmetrical Stonewall - but here, in contrast to line A211, Black can avoid
the d6-square for his bishop:} Be7 ({or} 6... Nbd7) 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O {and now:
} -- (8... b6 9. Nc3 ({or} 9. Nd2 Bb7 10. Ndf3 Ne4 {, R.Soffer-V.Malakhov,
Chalkidiki 2002}) 9... Bb7 {with good play, according to tournament practice.
Then after a possible} 10. cxd5 {it's more reliable to play} cxd5 {, J.Bosch-J.Smeets, Dieren 2003;} ({whereas} 10... exd5 {is more risky, though Black can
still try it if he wants more chances to outplay his opponent, as in P.
Stempin-M.Krasenkow, Warsaw 2002.})) (8... Nbd7 9. Nc3 Nxe5 ({or} 9... Ne4) 10.
fxe5 Ne4 ({in V.Bezman-S.Guliev, Moscow 1995, Black has eventually won with} 
10... Ne8 11. Rb1 g5 {, but it looks suspicious}) 11. Nxe4 ({or} 11. Qc2 Nxc3
$5 12. bxc3 b6 {, S.Yuferov-M.Krasenkow, St. Petersburg 1994}) 11... fxe4 (
11... dxe4 $5) 12. Rxf8+ Bxf8 13. Bd2 Bd7 14. Bg4 b5 15. b3 a5 {and Black has
no problems, E.Gleizerov-M.Matlak, Polish Team Ch. 1993.}))) ({On} 5. Be2 {
Black can develop his army in a typical manner with} Bd6 6. O-O Nf6 7. b3 Qe7
8. Bb2 O-O 9. Qc1 b6 10. Ba3 {and then:} -- (10... Bxa3 11. Qxa3 Qxa3 12. Nxa3
a5 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Rfc1 Bb7 15. Ne5 Rc8 16. Nb1 Nbd7 17. f4 Kf8 18. Nc3 Ke7
19. Rc2 {gave Black a slightly worse endgame in Zhou Jianchao-Ar.Timofeev,
Sochi (rapid) 2009, which he eventually failed to hold.}) (10... c5 {is
possible, though the bishop seems better placed on e2 against "hanging pawns";
i.e. after} 11. cxd5 (11. Nc3 Nbd7) 11... exd5 12. Nc3 Nbd7 13. Nb5 Bb8 14.
dxc5 bxc5 15. Nbd4 (15. Nfd4 $5) 15... Ne4 16. Nc6 Qe6 17. Nxb8 Rxb8 {with a
shaky, if playable position for Black, K.Lerner-S.Beshukov, Moscow 2005.}) (
10... Bb7 {seems more reliable:} 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. Qa3 c5 {with good play for
Black; e.g.} 13. Nc3 Ne4 ({or} 13... Nbd7 $5 14. Rfd1 Qe7) 14. Rac1 Nd7 15.
Rfd1 Qe7 16. cxd5 ({or} 16. dxc5 Nxc3 $1 17. Rxc3 Nxc5) 16... Nxc3 17. Rxc3
Bxd5 {and so on, M.Kursova-J.Kochetkova, Kemer 2007.})) 5... Nf6 6. b3 {A
typical plan - the exchange of dark-squared bishops suggests itself, as it
will increase White's control over key dark squares. However, Black has
sufficient resources.} ({Instead,} 6. O-O Bd6 7. b3 {comes to the same thing})
({while} 6. Nc3 Bd6 {would return to line A213 above.}) 6... Bd6 7. O-O (7. Ba3
$4 {is too hasty:} Bxa3 8. Nxa3 Qa5+ {and Black wins a piece.}) 7... Qe7 {
Black's queen move is useful anyway, so there's no need for him to allow Ba3
unopposed. Here White has two main approaches. He can prepare the exchange the
dark-squared bishops via a3 in any case, or use his bishop on b2 to support a
knight invasion on e5. --- This position actually belongs to the Dutch Defence,
so we'll not go into things too deeply. The main continuations are:} 8. -- ({
B1:} 8. Bb2 {(intending Qc1 and Ba3)}) ({B2:} 8. Nc3 {(intending Ne2)}) ({
White can also exchange dark-squared bishops with} 8. a4 a5 9. Ba3 {, but this
plan is less popular as White's queenside pawn structure gets fixed and it
makes more difficult for him to generate play there. After} Bxa3 10. Nxa3 O-O {
Black will develop his bishop on b7, while the queen's knight may go either to
d7 or a6 and b4. Later he can also think about the thematic ...c6-c5. One
example:} 11. Qb1 Ne4 12. Qb2 Na6 ({, there are other playable options:} 12...
b6 13. Rac1 Bb7 {Z.Ilincic-P.Tregubov, Yugoslav Team Ch. 2001}) ({, or} 12...
Nd7 13. Rac1 {, when Black can't play} b6 ({but he can prepare it with} 13...
Qd6) {, immediately due to} 14. cxd5) 13. Ne5 Nf6 $5 14. Rac1 Nd7 15. Nf3 Nb4
16. Be2 b6 17. Nc2 Nxc2 18. Rxc2 {and here a draw was agreed in P.Kiriakov-A.Galkin, Tomsk 2004.}) ({Sometimes} 8. Qc2 O-O {is also seen - because White
may have played Qc2 already, but it isn't very useful here.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "B1: 8 Bb2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A84"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. e3 f5 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. b3 Bd6 7. O-O Qe7 8. Bb2 O-O
({Black can begin with} 8... b6 {, but after} 9. Ne5 $5 {it's sensible to
castle anyway, since} Bb7 10. cxd5 $5 {may be risky for Black. G.Sargissian-P.Tregubov, European Ch., Istanbul 2003, continued} cxd5 11. Bb5+ Nbd7 12. Bxd7+
Nxd7 13. Qh5+ $1 g6 14. Nxg6 Nf6 15. Qh3 hxg6 16. Qxh8+ Kf7 17. Qh3 g5 {and
after} 18. a4 $1 {, followed by Ba3, Black's compensation proved insufficient.}
) 9. Qc1 {The plan of exchanging dark-squared bishops seems consistent and
promising, but Black has sufficient resources. His remaining bishop on c8,
which looks bad, is actually rather useful. It can be improved by ...b7-b6 and
...Bb7 (or ...Ba6), and then after ...c6-c5 and ...Nbd7 (or ...Nc6) Black
would obtain decent control over the dark squares and good counterplay. What
he has to be careful about is that after the common ...c6-c5, c4xd5, ...e6xd5,
both his d5- and f5-pawns might become vulnerable.} b6 (9... Nbd7 $5 {is a
good alternative, though this knight might sometimes be developed more
actively on c6. After} 10. Ba3 Ne4 ({if} 10... c5 {then} 11. cxd5 $5 ({or} 11.
Nc3 b6 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 exd5 14. Qc2 {and White maintains an edge})) 11.
Bxd6 Qxd6 {and then:} 12. -- (12. Qa3 {is well met by} c5 $1 {; e.g.} 13. Nbd2
({after} 13. cxd5 exd5 14. dxc5 Ndxc5 15. Be2 f4 $1 {Black seized the
initiative in E.Bareev-A.Yusupov, Prague rapid 2002 - the plan of advancing
the f-pawn is quite typical for isolated pawn positions}) ({while} 13. dxc5
Ndxc5 14. Rd1 b6 15. Be2 Bb7 16. b4 Nd7 17. cxd5 exd5 $1 {, with the same idea
of ...f5-f4, was good for Black in L.Aronian-T.Radjabov, European Ch., Antalya
2004}) 13... b6 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Rfd1 Bb7 {and so on, H.Koneru-I.
Nepomniachtchi, Wijk aan Zee 2008.}) (12. Nc3 b6 13. Ne2 Bb7 14. Qb2 c5 15.
Rfd1 {and although Black can be satisfied with his position, he's still under
some pressure. Here} Qe7 {, A.Moiseenko-A.Galkin, Kallithea 2008,} ({and} 15...
Rad8 {, leaving the other rook to protect f5-pawn, V.Laznicka-P.Tregubov,
European Ch., Aix-les-Bains 2011, have been tried.}) ({Perhaps} 15... a5 $5 {
intending ...a5-a4 would be worth considering as well.}))) 10. Ba3 ({On} 10.
cxd5 {Black can keep the symmetry:} cxd5 11. Ba3 Ba6 {, as in P.H.Nielsen-M.Krasenkow, Esbjerg 2003.}) 10... c5 $5 {Why not?! Black would like to keep his
good bishop, while his queenside minor pieces can now get into play more
actively.} ({Instead:} 10... Bxa3 11. Qxa3 Qxa3 12. Nxa3 Ba6 13. Rfc1 Nbd7 14.
b4 {is somewhat better for White and in a game between two Stonewall experts,
V.Malakhov-E.Gleizerov, Russian Ch., Krasnoyarsk 2003, White eventually
prevailed.}) (10... Bb7 $5 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 {is playable:} 12. Nc3 ({other
options are fine for Black; e.g.} 12. Qa3 c5 13. Nbd2 ({or} 13. cxd5 Nxd5 (
13... Bxd5 $5 {doesn't look bad either}) 14. dxc5 bxc5 15. Be2 Nd7 {, A.Kharitonov-V.Savon, Moscow 1995}) 13... Nc6) 12... Nbd7 ({after} 12... Ne4 $5
13. cxd5 $5 exd5 14. Ne2 Nd7 15. Qb2 a5 {, R.Buhmann-A.Shabalov, Bridgetown
2009, Black's activity compensates for the structural weaknesses and he
eventually prevailed, though White's chances still look somewhat better at
this point}) 13. cxd5 cxd5 (13... Nxd5 14. Rd1 {has been considered good for
White since V.Ivanchuk-J.Nogueiras Santiago, Havana 2007}) 14. Nb5 ({this is
the reason the pawn capture is supposed to be bad, but it's actually far from
clear; whereas the restrained} 14. Qb2 $5 {followed by Ne2 might still give
White an edge}) 14... Qe7 15. Qc7 Ba6 16. Rac1 Rac8 $1 ({rather than Ivanchuk's
} 16... Rfc8 $6 17. Qd6 $1) 17. Qxa7 Ra8 18. Qc7 Rac8 {, and if} 19. Qg3 {then}
Rxc1 20. Rxc1 Qb4 21. Nc7 $5 Qa3 $1 22. Rc6 $1 f4 $5 23. Bxh7+ $5 ({or} 23. Qg5
Nc5 $1) 23... Nxh7 24. exf4 Rf7 {with complicated play.}) 11. cxd5 (11. dxc5
bxc5 12. Nc3 Ba6 {, T.Petrik-S.Zhigalko, European Ch., Aix-les-Bains 2011,} ({
or} 12... e5 $5 {is good for Black})) ({while} 11. Nc3 {can be also met with}
Ba6 {, as in V.Korchnoi-V.Malakhov, Russian Team Ch. 2001, though after} 12.
dxc5 {Black preferred} Bxc5 13. Bxc5 Qxc5 14. Nd4 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Bxc4 16. Na4
Qc8 17. Qxc4 Qxc4 18. bxc4 Kf7 19. c5 Nbd7 20. Rfc1 {and here a draw was
agreed.}) 11... Nxd5 $5 {Black should try to maximize his activity in order to
compensate for the drawbacks of his pawn structure.} ({After} 11... exd5 12.
Nc3 {White maintains pressure, R.Kasimdzhanov-R.Slobodjan, German League 2000.}
) 12. dxc5 bxc5 13. Nc3 ({Or} 13. Nbd2 Nd7 {.}) 13... Nd7 ({In T.Nyback-D.Breder, German League 2011, Black preferred to keep the pawn structure
unchanged:} 13... Nxc3 14. Qxc3 Bb7 15. Ne5 Na6 16. Bxa6 Bxa6 17. Rfd1 Bb7 18.
f3 Bd5 {with a slightly inferior, but acceptable position.}) 14. Nxd5 (14. Nb5
Bb8 15. Rd1 Bb7 16. Bb2 a6 17. Nc3 Nxc3 18. Bxc3 Bxf3 19. gxf3 Ne5 {is fine
for Black, V.Ivanov-D.Stewart, corr. 2009.}) 14... exd5 15. Qc2 Bb7 $5 {A very
tempting pawn sacrifice - Black must play actively with "hanging pawns".} ({
Instead,} 15... g6 16. Rac1 Bb7 {, followed by ...Rac8, is worse because of
the weakened long diagonal}) ({but Black could think about} 15... a5 $5 {and ...a5-a4, obtaining good compensation for the pawn after} 16. Bxf5 g6 17. Bxd7
Bxd7 18. Qd3 Bc6 {.}) 16. Bxf5 {This position was tested in A.Aleksandrov-V.Malakhov, European Ch., Istanbul 2003.} -- ({Here, instead of} 16... Ne5 $6) ({
either} 16... d4 $5) ({or even} 16... Rae8 $5 {would have promised Black an
excellent play for the pawn.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Triangle Stonewall"]
[Black "B2: 8 Nc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. e3 f5 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. b3 Bd6 7. O-O Qe7 8. Nc3 {
It may look as if White has suddenly lost faith in his idea of swapping the
dark-squared bishops, but this knight development is actually a beginning of
another interesting plan. Obviously this move could have been played earlier 
(see line A2132 above), but then Black might have found something more useful
than ...Qe7, which is actually rather problematic.} O-O ({Black can also begin
with} 8... Ne4 {, when} 9. Ne2 Nd7 10. Bb2 O-O {transposes to the main line.})
9. Bb2 Ne4 10. Ne2 Nd7 ({Another option is} 10... Rf6 11. Ne5 Rh6 12. f4 (12.
f3 $5) 12... Nd7 {and Black obtained decent counter-chances, A.Shariyazdanov-A.Galkin, Russian Team Ch. (rapid) 2004.}) 11. Ne5 {This knight invasion is the
whole point of White's set-up.} ({In other cases Black develops his
light-squared bishop without delay; e.g.} 11. Qc2 b6 12. Ne5 Bb7 13. f3 Nec5 $5
({or} 13... Nef6 {, when the aggressive} 14. e4 $2 {led to the problems for
White after} dxe4 15. fxe4 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Bc5+ 17. Kh1 Ng4 18. exf5 Qh4 19. h3
Ne3 {, R.Hafner-D.Pavasovic, St. Veit 2000.})) ({After} 11. Rc1 {Black can play
} a5 ({the typical} 11... b6 {is also good:} 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Bc5 14. Nf4
a5 15. Qe2 Bd7 16. f3 Ng5 {with mutual chances, E.Gasanov-S.Zhigalko, European
Ch., Rijeka 2010}) 12. Qc2 ({or} 12. a4 g5 $5 13. Ne5 Nxe5 14. dxe5 Bb4 {, Geo.
Meier-M.Krasenkow, Spanish Team Ch. 2010}) 12... b6 13. Ne5 Bb7 ({or} 13...
Nxe5 $5 14. dxe5 Bb4) 14. Nf4 Rac8 15. f3 Ng5 $5 (15... Nef6) 16. Kh1 Nxe5 17.
dxe5 Bb8 $5 18. Ne2 Nf7 (18... Ne4 $5) 19. f4 c5 {with good counter-chances, J.Lautier-A.Pridorozhni, Khanty-Mansiysk 2005.}) 11... Nxe5 ({Of the
alternatives,} 11... Nec5 $5 {deserves attention. E.Bareev-A.Galkin, Ramenskoe
2006, continued} 12. Bc2 Nxe5 13. dxe5 (13. dxc5 Bc7) 13... Bc7 14. f4 Ne4 (
14... b5 $5) ({and} 14... Bd7 $5 {are other options}) 15. Nd4 Bd7 16. a4 Rad8 (
16... Rfd8 $5) 17. Ba3 c5 18. cxd5 exd5 19. Bxe4 dxe4 20. Qc1 b6 {with good
play.}) 12. dxe5 Bc7 ({Black can also keep his bishop on the a3-f8 diagonal:} 
12... Bc5 13. Bd4 (13. Qc1 b6 14. a3 a5 15. f3 Ng5 {is okay for Black, L.Javakhishvili-S.Gvetadze, Tbilisi 2010}) 13... Ba3 $5 14. Rb1 b6 15. Bb2 Bxb2
16. Rxb2 Bb7 17. f3 Nc5 18. Nd4 Rad8 19. b4 Nxd3 20. Qxd3 dxc4 21. Qxc4 Rd5 22.
f4 Rc8 23. Rd2 c5 {and Black took the initiative, Mi.Olszewski-S.Zhigalko,
World Junior Ch., Puerto Madryn 2009.}) 13. Rc1 Bd7 14. Qc2 Rac8 ({In V.Tkachiev-A.Grischuk, FIDE World Ch., New Delhi/Tehran 2000, Black put the
other rook on c8, which leaves the kingside looking vulnerable, but he didn't
have any problems:} 14... Rfc8 15. f3 Bb6 16. Nd4 Nc5 17. Be2 a5 18. Rfd1 Na6
19. Qd2 {and here a draw was agreed.}) 15. f3 {. Black's position is solid
enough and he keeps decent counter-chances.} -- ({In E.Romanov-N.Huschenbeth,
Moscow 2011, he retreated immediately with} 15... Ng5 {, maintaining a solid
and flexible, if somewhat passive position.}) ({Otherwise} 15... Bb6 $5 16. Nd4
Nc5 {deserves attention, following Alexander Grischuk's play in the previous
note.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "19: 3 Nf3 c6 4 Nbd2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nbd2 {White firmly defends the c4-pawn while
developing the knight. This is a safe, if not very ambitious approach.
Nevertheless, White might be able to obtain somewhat better chances, so Black
should know what to do. First of all he must prevent e2-e4 - there are two
natural options:} -- ({A:} 4... Nf6) ({B:} 4... f5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Nbd2"]
[Black "A: 4...Nf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E01"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. g3 {Switching to a Catalan-type
set-up gives White a solid game - though, with the knight committed to d2 so
early, Black's chances of solving his problems are increased.} ({White has a
decent alternative in} 5. e3 {, aiming for a Meran-type position - but here,
too, it would be more promising with the knight on c3, so Black gets
acceptable play:} Nbd7 ({instead,} 5... c5 {is often played but then} 6. b3 {
might promise White an edge}) ({Chebanenko fans can consider} 5... a6 $5 {
though here the knight would be rather useful on d2 if Black later comes up
with ...b7-b5}) ({while Stonewall fans can try} 5... Ne4 $5 {intending ...f7-f5, though in that case why they didn't play it before ...Nf6?!}) 6. Bd3 Bd6
7. O-O O-O 8. e4 e5 $1 ({a principled choice, since the line} 8... dxe4 9. Nxe4
Nxe4 10. Bxe4 h6 {gives White a small but stable advantage}) 9. cxd5 cxd5 {.
As a rule, it's fairly risky to maintain symmetry in such tense situation but
here Black is okay. This position has been thoroughly tested in practice - a
common continuation is} 10. exd5 exd4 11. Ne4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 Nf6 {, after which
White chooses between} 13. Qxd4 (13. Bg5) ({and} 13. Bc2 {but in all cases
Black has very good chances to equalize.})) 5... Nbd7 {Black plays solidly in
turn.} ({Attempting to solve the problems with the direct} 5... dxc4 6. Nxc4 c5
{is dubious: after} 7. Bg2 Nc6 8. O-O cxd4 {Black finds himself in a famous
line of the Catalan (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 dxc4 5 Bg2 c5 6 0-0 Nc6 7
Na3 cxd4 8 Nxc4), but here it's White to play again!}) ({The immediate} 5... c5
{unsurprisingly gives White a small, stable advantage too, as Black
voluntarily opens the position for the Catalan bishop:} 6. Bg2 ({both} 6. cxd5
Nxd5) ({and} 6. dxc5 Bxc5 {are okay for Black}) 6... Nc6 7. O-O $5 (7. cxd5
exd5 8. O-O {leads to the Tarrasch Defence with an extra tempo for White, but
this has been spent on the less than optimal Nbd2, so Black may obtain
acceptable play}) 7... cxd4 8. cxd5 Nxd5 (8... exd5 9. Nb3 {is good for White,
since Black has captured on d4 a bit early}) 9. Nb3 Be7 10. Nbxd4 {and White
has the better chances, as his fianchettoed bishop puts pressure on the black
queenside.}) 6. Bg2 {Here Black needs to decide whether to prioritize the
development of his kingside or his queenside. We start with the former
approach.} -- ({A1:} 6... Bd6) ({A2:} 6... b6 $5) ({The cautious} 6... Be7 {is
also playable:} 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 ({or} 8. b3 b6 9. Bb2 Bb7) 8... b6 {. In
this sort of Catalan White often does put his knight on d2, though he doesn't
usually commit it so early, instead waiting for the black bishop to come to a6.
Then} 9. e4 -- (9... Nxe4 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Qxe4 Bb7 12. Rd1 {gives White an
edge, according to tournament practice, though Black seems solid enough and
has chances to free himself with} Qc8 {and ...c6-c5.}) ({. Moreover, rather
than capturing on e4, the cool} 9... Bb7 $5 {might be better. Here the direct}
10. e5 {, is asking to be played; but in the French-type position after} ({
other options are} 10. Rd1) ({or} 10. b3) 10... Ne8 {White's light-squared
bishop would be more effective on the b1-h7 diagonal, so Black has time to
improve his pieces and gain counterplay on the queenside.})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Nbd2"]
[Black "A1: 6...Bd6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E01"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. g3 Nbd7 6. Bg2 Bd6 {A natural
continuation.} 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 ({White can begin with} 8. b3 {, but then
Black just plays} e5 {straight away, with a possible transposition to the main
line after} 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Bb2 Nxf3+ 11. Nxf3 dxc4 12. bxc4 Qe7 13. Qc2 Re8 {
.}) 8... Re8 {Black should proceed with ...e6-e5. If he continues developing
the queenside, White responds with e2-e4 - and in this case the bishop would
be better placed on e7.} (8... Qe7 {is less popular as the queen may play its
role where it is.}) 9. b3 (9. e4 {is harmless for Black:} Nxe4 {(this is
usually more accurate than ...d5xe4, which gives White the option of Ng5)} 10.
Nxe4 dxe4 11. Qxe4 e5 {and Black solves his problems.}) (9. Rd1 {is a common
alternative:} Qe7 (9... e5 {leads to an isolated pawn position, which isn't to
everyone's taste:} 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Bxe5 13. Nf3 {and so on
}) 10. e4 Nxe4 11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Qxe4 e5 {and there are no serious
difficulties; e.g.} 13. Bg5 (13. Re1 $5) 13... Qf8 $5 14. dxe5 Nxe5 15. Bf4
Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Bxf4 17. Qxf4 Be6 {and Black is okay, as proved in various
games, including M.Stojanovic-V.Bologan, Bosnian Team Ch. 2008.}) 9... e5 ({On
} 9... Qe7 10. Bb2 e5 11. cxd5 cxd5 ({if} 11... Nxd5 12. Nc4 ({or} 12. e4 $5))
12. dxe5 Nxe5 13. Nd4 {White can still counts on an edge, E.Solozhenkin-P.Kekki, Jyvaskyla 2003.}) 10. dxe5 $5 ({The natural} 10. cxd5 {doesn't bother
Black much:} cxd5 11. dxe5 Nxe5 12. Bb2 {and here he can save the useful
knight by} Nc6 $1 {, when} 13. Rfe1 ({while} 13. e3 Bg4 {is also acceptable,
according to practice: White's pieces aren't well arranged to put pressure on
the isolated pawn}) 13... Bg4 14. Rad1 Rc8 15. Qb1 Qe7 {gives him very active
play - exactly what Black needs in IQP positions, R.Jumabayev-Z.Rahman,
Chennai 2010.}) 10... Nxe5 11. Bb2 Nxf3+ $5 ({Instead:} 11... dxc4 12. Nxc4
Nxc4 13. bxc4 {comes to the same thing, albeit with a different knight on f3.})
(11... Bg4 {is more common, but it allows White to exchange more pieces, which
is in his favour:} 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Nxe5 Bxe5 14. Bxe5 Rxe5 15. Nf3 {and
while Black's position is defendable, again it may not be to everyone's taste;
e.g.} Re7 (15... Bxf3 16. Bxf3 {gives White a small, stable advantage}) 16. Nd4
Rc8 17. Qb2 {and White maintains some pressure in practice.}) (11... Qe7 $5 {
might be worth considering, planning to meet} 12. cxd5 {with} Nxf3+ 13. Nxf3
Nxd5 {.}) 12. Nxf3 dxc4 13. bxc4 $1 {White shouldn't allow Black to install a
piece on d5.} Qe7 14. e3 (14. Rfd1 Bc7 15. Qc3 Bg4 $5 16. h3 {was seen in the
old game K.Opocensky-J.Diaz Perez, Buenos Aires Olympiad 1939, when Black
could have thought about} Bf5 $5 {with good play.}) 14... Ne4 (14... Bg4 $5 {
intending ...Rad8 deserves attention, A.Butnorius-J.Garnelis, Lithuanian Ch.,
Nemencine 2010, and if White plays Nf5, then simply ...Bxf5 and ...Be5.}) 15.
Rab1 {. This position arose A.Greenfeld-Zsu.Polgar, Pardubice 1994. White may
still hope for an edge, but the position remains complicated and Black
certainly has counter-chances. Here she might have considered} a5 $5 16. Rfd1
a4 {, with the idea of getting the queen's rook into play via the a5-square.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Nbd2"]
[Black "A2: 6...b6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "21"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Nbd2 Nf6 5. g3 Nbd7 6. Bg2 b6 $5 {An
interesting approach - Black develops his queenside, intending to prevent
White's thematic e2-e4.} 7. O-O Bb7 8. e4 $5 {A logical attempt to disturb
Black's plan.} ({Otherwise White has a wide choice:} 8. Ne5 Be7 (8... Nxe5 $5
9. dxe5 Nd7) 9. e4 O-O 10. Qe2 dxc4 11. Ndxc4 c5 12. Rd1 cxd4 13. Rxd4 {was
played in F.Gheorghiu-B.Larsen, Riga Interzonal 1979, and here} Bc5 14. Rd1 Ba6
{followed by ...Rc8 and ...Qe7 would almost solve Black's problems.}) (8. Re1
Be7 (8... c5 $6 {may be more difficult due to} 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. e4 Nb4 11. d5
$1 {with the initiative}) 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 (10. Ne5 c5 $1) 10... Nxe4 11.
Rxe4 O-O 12. Re1 c5 {is acceptable for Black.}) (8. Qc2 c5 {is exactly what
Black is aiming for - this position will be examined via 4 Qc2 Nf6 5 Nbd2 Nbd7
6 g3 b6!? in line C32 of the next chapter.}) (8. b3 $5 {deserves serious
attention, switching to a particular version of the Closed Catalan. Here Black
can either play} Be7 ({or take the opportunity to post the bishop more
actively with} 8... Bd6) 9. Bb2 O-O {, which more often arises via the Catalan
or the Réti Opening. In both cases White keeps somewhat better chances, though
Black's position is solid and quite playable.}) 8... dxe4 ({Other options
don't solve the problems:} 8... dxc4 {can be met by} 9. Nxc4 $1 {and White
should keep his strong centre, since} Nxe4 ({or} 9... Be7 10. Qe2) 10. Nfe5 {
gives him a strong initiative.}) (8... Nxe4 9. Nxe4 dxe4 10. Ng5 Nf6 11. Nxe4 {
promises White a small, but stable advantage:} Nxe4 (11... Be7 $5) 12. Bxe4 Be7
13. Be3 O-O 14. Qc2 g6 15. Rfd1 {, Va.Filippov-B.Grachev, Russian Team Ch.
2006.}) 9. Ng5 e3 $5 {An interesting attempt to complicate things.} (9... Be7
10. Ngxe4 O-O {is somewhat worse, though also playable, M.Maki Uuro-V.Grabliauskas, Jyvaskyla 1997.}) 10. fxe3 Qc7 $5 (10... Be7 $6 {is suspicious
due to} 11. e4 e5 12. Ndf3 {.}) 11. -- ({Thanks to his central pawns White
looks somewhat better, but the game is still double-edged and Black's position
is full of counter-chances; e.g.} 11. e4 {is well met by} e5) ({while} 11. Nde4
h6 12. Nxf6+ Nxf6 13. Ne4 (13. Nf3 Bd6) 13... Nxe4 14. Bxe4 {is also harmless
for Black, who might give a little reminder to White's king with} h5 $1) ({
Instead, the queen advance} 11. Qf3 {looks more to the point, even if Black
gets acceptable play after} Be7 12. b3 Rb8 ({or perhaps} 12... h6 13. Nge4
O-O-O 14. a4 {, though it looks suspicious}) 13. Qe2 O-O 14. Bb2 c5 15. Nge4
Nxe4 16. Nxe4 f5 $5 17. Nc3 Bxg2 18. Qxg2 Nf6 19. d5 Rbd8 $5 {and so on.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Nbd2"]
[Black "B: 4...f5!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "A90"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. Nbd2 f5 $5 {Transposition into the Stonewall is
tempting, since White is already committed to Nbd2 and so can't play more
aggressive systems, such as with Bf1-f4, or exchange the dark-squared bishops
via the a3-square. Nevertheless, White might still hope for an edge: 4 Nbd2
can be utilized as a first step in a classical rearrangement of the knights to
the e5- and d3-squares by Ne5 (or Ne1), Ndf3, Ned3, Nfe5 and f2-f3, pushing
away any intruding knight on e4. Many years ago, this plan was considered
promising for White, but nowadays Black gets acceptable play by developing his
light-squared bishop to b7 and then aiming for the thematic ...c6-c5.} 5. g3 {
The bishop fianchetto is a common choice against Black's set-up - in fact this
variation belongs more properly to the Stonewall Dutch.} (5. e3 {is harmless.
This position can also be reached via 4 e3 f5, though in that case 5 Nbd2
looks a little odd. Nevertheless, White's position always remains solid unless
he goes too far. Play can continue} Nf6 6. Bd3 Bd6 {and then:} 7. -- (7. b3 O-O
8. Bb2 {and here Black can choose between} Ne4 ({or} 8... b6 {, A.Othman-P.Tregubov, Dubai 2002}) 9. O-O Nd7 {, when the old game D.Janowski-F.Marshall,
Suresnes (2nd matchgame) 1908, continued} 10. Ne5 {, and here} Nxe5 $5 11. dxe5
Bc5 {deserved attention.}) (7. Rb1 O-O 8. Qc2 Ne4 9. b4 {was seen in A.Baratz-D.Noteboom, Nice 1931, and after} a6 (9... Nd7 $5) 10. c5 Bc7 11. Bb2
Nd7 {Black had acceptable play, .}) (7. O-O O-O 8. b3 b6 9. Bb2 Bb7 10. Qe2 Ne4
{, T.Kotanjian-Av.Grigorian, Armenian Ch., Yerevan 2011, is also fine for
Black, who can prepare ...c6-c5 by ...Qe7 and ...Nd7.})) 5... Nf6 ({The
immediate} 5... Nd7 $5 {, deserves attention, preventing the white knight
invasion to e5, with a likely transposition to the main line after} 6. Bg2 Bd6
7. O-O Ngf6 {.}) 6. Bg2 Bd6 7. O-O (7. Ne5 {is well met by} Nbd7 {, when} 8.
Nd3 ({otherwise, after} 8. Ndf3 {Black can capture on e5, since} Nxe5 9. dxe5
Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Bxd2+ 11. Qxd2 Ne4 {is completely okay}) ({while} 8. f4 O-O {is
also fine:} 9. O-O Ne4 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. Be3 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Be7 13. Qb3 c5 {
with good play, A.Alekhine-G.Fuster, Munich 1941}) 8... O-O 9. O-O {is the
main line again.}) 7... Nbd7 $5 {Nowadays White's pressure often arises from
the knight invasion on e5, so preventing that certainly deserves attention.} ({
The text might be more accurate than the more popular} 7... O-O {, even though
Black's position is quite playable there too; e.g. after} 8. Ne5 $5 b6 {and
then:} 9. -- (9. cxd5 exd5 {, as in Pr.Nikolic-P.Tregubov, Amsterdam 2004, is
somewhat worse for Black,} ({but} 9... cxd5 {is solid enough:} 10. Ndc4 Bc7 11.
Bf4 Ne4 (11... Ba6 $5) 12. Nd2 {and here Black can solve his problems by the
concrete} Bxe5 $5 (12... g5 13. Nxe4 dxe4 14. Be3 Bb7 15. Qc1 h6 16. h4 {is
more dangerous; E.Postny-M.Krasenkow, Copenhagen 2010, continued} Bxe5 17. dxe5
Nd7 18. hxg5 Rc8 19. Qd2 Nxe5 20. gxh6 Qxd2 21. Bxd2 Kh7 22. Rfc1 Nc4 23. Bb4
Rfd8 24. b3 Ne5 {and White still had the edge, though Black managed to hold on}
) 13. Bxe5 ({or} 13. dxe5 Nc6 14. Rc1 Bb7 {, followed by ...Rc8}) 13... Nc6 14.
Nf3 ({or} 14. Nxe4 dxe4) 14... Ba6 {and Black is doing well. His light-squared
bishop is more useful than its white counterpart, which compensates for the
weakness of the e5-square.})) (9. Ndf3 {allows Black to choose between} Qe7 (
9... Ne4) ({and} 9... Bb7 {. His plan is rather similar in all cases: to
prepare ...c6-c5 with such moves as ...Qe7, ...Ne4, ...Nbd7 and ...Rac8.
Practice suggests that White has the edge, but the position remains
complicated (no exchanges yet!) and Black certainly keeps counter-chances.})))
8. Ne1 $5 {Since Ne5 is prevented, White finds another way to rearrange his
knights.} ({Otherwise he could continue with development of his queenside, but
it doesn't bother Black much:} 8. b3 O-O 9. Bb2 b6 ({or} 9... Ne4 10. Rc1 Qe7
11. Ne5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Bc5 13. Rc2 b6 {and Black is just fine, V.Epishin-N.Huschenbeth, Deizisau 2011}) 10. Ne5 Bb7 {can be followed by ...Qe7, ...Rac8
and ...c6-c5, while ...Ne4 is always in Black's plans; e.g.} 11. e3 Ne4 ({or} 
11... Qe7 12. Qe2 Rac8 13. a4 a5 {and ...Ne4, S.Slipak-P.Tregubov, Buenos
Aires 1998}) 12. Nd3 Qe7 13. Rc1 c5 (13... a5 $5) 14. Qe2 Rad8 {with good play,
K.Hulak-D.Pavasovic, Croatian Team Ch. 2004.}) (8. Qc2 {is very similar:} Qe7
9. b3 b6 10. Bb2 Bb7 11. Ne5 O-O 12. Rac1 Rac8 {and so on, Zhou Jianchao-S.Zhigalko, Moscow 2009.}) 8... O-O 9. Nd3 Ne4 ({Even if White manages to play
b2-b4, Black doesn't stand badly:} 9... Qe7 $5 10. Qc2 b6 11. b4 Bb7 ({better
than} 11... Bxb4 12. Nxb4 Qxb4 13. a4 Qd6 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Ba3 c5 16. Nb3) 12.
c5 Bc7 13. Bb2 Ne4 14. a4 bxc5 15. bxc5 a5 16. Nb3 Ba6 {, I.Lysyj-N.Huschenbeth, Moscow 2011.}) 10. Qc2 Qe7 11. Nf3 ({An immediate} 11. f3 {is
interesting, but Black is okay after} Nxd2 12. Bxd2 c5 $1 ({this thematic pawn
advance comes in time to secure good counter-chances; whereas} 12... Kh8 $6 13.
e4 dxc4 14. Qxc4 e5 15. f4 $1 {is good for White, L.Le Quang-S.Zhigalko,
Moscow 2010}) 13. e4 ({after} 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. cxd5 exd5 {White can't put
pressure on d5-pawn so comfortably as he's committed to the weakening f2-f3})
13... dxc4 $1 14. Qxc4 Nb6 15. Qc2 c4 16. Ne5 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Qc5+ 18. Kh1 Bd7 $1
{, followed by ...Bc6 and Black solved all his problems, D.Bocharov-S.Zhigalko,
Moscow 2010.}) 11... b6 12. Bf4 {White realizes his main idea of exchanging
dark-squared bishops, but Black is able to keep decent control over the key
squares.} ({Other moves don't bother Black much:} 12. Nfe5 Bb7 13. Bf4 Nxe5 14.
Bxe5 $6 (14. dxe5 Bc7) 14... dxc4 $5 15. Bxd6 Qxd6 16. Nf4 g5 17. Nh5 $6 {, A.Goloshchapov-M.Galyas, German League 2010, and here} c5 $1 {would have been
better for Black.}) (12. cxd5 cxd5 13. Bf4 Ba6 $5 ({or} 13... Bb7 14. Bxd6 Nxd6
15. Rfc1 Rfc8 {, A.Riazantsev-A.Iljushin, Oropesa del Mar 1998})) ({and} 12. b4
Ba6 13. c5 Bc7 {, J.Lautier-E.Schmittdiel, Berlin 1997, are also okay.}) 12...
Bxf4 ({It seems reasonable to distract one of White's knights from e5, though
alternatives, such as} 12... Ba6 13. Bxd6 Qxd6) ({or} 12... Bb7 13. Bxd6 Qxd6 {
, are also quite playable.}) 13. Nxf4 ({After} 13. gxf4 {both} Bb7 ({and} 13...
Ba6 $5 {are good for Black.})) 13... Bb7 {White keeps a slight edge, but
Black's position is okay.} 14. Rac1 ({After} 14. cxd5 {Black can recapture
with either pawn}) ({while} 14. Nd3 Rac8 15. b4 {is fine too:} Nd6 ({or} 15...
c5 $5) 16. Nfe5 Nxe5 17. Nxe5 Ba6 18. c5 Nc4 {, J.Cruz-V.Moskalenko, Sitges
2010.}) 14... a5 15. b3 Rac8 {. The forthcoming ...c6-c5 gives Black
acceptable play, Z.Hracek-S.Dolmatov, Panormo 2001.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "20: 3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 {This method of protecting the c4-pawn is
popular, not only in the Slav but also in some lines of the Queen's Gambit, so
transpositions are possible. Black has various options:} -- ({A:} 4... Bd6 $5)
({B:} 4... dxc4) ({C:} 4... Nf6) ({Other moves:} 4... f5 {, transposing into
the Stonewall, leads to problems here:} 5. Bf4 Nf6 6. e3 Be7 (6... Bd6 $5 {is
more reliable and gives Black a playable position, though he's certainly worse}
) 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bd3 Ne4 9. g4 {and White gets a tangible advantage, according
to tournament practice.}) (4... Nd7 {can be played as a waiting move, but then
Black must be ready to face} 5. cxd5 $5 exd5 (5... cxd5 6. Bf4 {is also tricky}
) 6. Nc3 ({or} 6. Bf4 {when he's lost the option of bringing his bishop out to
f5 quickly (cf line B3 in Chapter 22).})) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "A: 4...Bd6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "37"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Bd6 $5 {Black waits for the opponent to
show his hand. We've already seen this idea after 3 Nc3 e6 4 e3 (line A2 in
Chapter 18), but here it might be less comfortable for Black, as the white
c1-bishop isn't obstructed by a pawn on e3.} 5. Bg5 $5 ({Instead,} 5. e4 {is
harmless since White has to recapture with the queen:} dxe4 6. Qxe4 Nf6 7. Qc2
c5 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. Bd3 Nc6 {with good play.}) (5. g3 {can be met by} Nf6 {,
when} (5... f5 $5 {might also be considered with White committed to g2-g3,
though he can still play Bf4}) 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O Nbd7 8. Nbd2 {transposes to
line A1 in the previous chapter.}) (5. Nc3 {. Black could try a typical
Noteboom} dxc4 $5 {, but it looks suspicious as the d6-square isn't the best
for the bishop in such positions.} ({5 Nc3 should probably be answered by} 5...
f5 {, even though White has} 6. Bg5) 6. -- {. White has a good choice:} (6. a4
{can be met by} Na6 $5 ({Black might experiment with} 6... Bd7 $5) ({or} 6...
Qd7 $5 {, planning to secure the extra pawn by ...b7-b5, as in the next two
variations}) 7. e4 ({or} 7. e3 Nb4 8. Qd1 c5 9. Bxc4 cxd4 10. exd4 Nf6 11. O-O
O-O {with a normal position, even if the bishop would be better placed on e7})
7... Nb4 8. Qd1 {, R.Gunawan-Z.Rahman, Dhaka 1995, and now} c5 $5 9. Be3 Be7 $5
10. Bxc4 Nf6 {with good chances to equalize.}) (6. e3 b5 7. a4 Qd7 $5 ({or} 
7... Bd7 8. Ne4 Be7) 8. Ne4 Be7 {might be playable.}) (6. e4 b5 7. a4 Bd7 $5 ({
Black played} 7... Bb4 $5 {in N.Sulava-R.Vera Gonzalez, Saint Vincent 1999,
but White's extra move Qc2 is useful in this version of the Noteboom}) 8. Be2
Ne7 {and, compared with the positions we've considered after 4...dxc4 5 e4 b5
6 a4 Bb4 7 Be2 (see line B in Chapter 1), Black's piece arrangement looks
awkward, though he may still find his chances in the complications.})) 5... f6
(5... Ne7 {is a logical alternative. After} 6. e3 Nd7 ({neither} 6... h6 7. Bh4
Qa5+ 8. Nc3 Nf5 9. Bg3 Nxg3 10. hxg3) ({nor} 6... O-O 7. Nc3 {is completely
equal, though Stonewall fans may be satisfied with the position after} f5 $5)
7. -- (7. Nc3 f6 8. Bh4 (8. Bf4 $5) 8... Nf5 9. Bg3 Nxg3 10. hxg3 f5 {Black is
only slightly worse. N.Zhukova-P.Negi, Wijk aan Zee 2005, continued} 11. cxd5 (
11. Be2 $5) 11... cxd5 12. Bd3 Nf6 13. Nb5 Bb4+ 14. Ke2 O-O {with acceptable
play.}) ({. However, White can improve with} 7. Bd3 $5 {, when he obtains a
small and stable advantage; e.g.} dxc4 8. Bxc4 Qc7 9. Bh4 Ng6 (9... Nf5 $5 10.
Bg3 Nxg3 11. hxg3 Nf6 {is playable but not fully equal}) 10. Bg3 O-O 11. Nc3 {
, R.Scherbakov-An.Sokolov, Novgorod 1997.})) 6. Bh4 ({After} 6. Bd2 {Black
would play} f5 {.}) 6... Ne7 7. Bg3 (7. e3 $5 Nf5 8. Bg3 Nxg3 9. hxg3 f5 10.
Nc3 Nd7 {is acceptable for Black (see 5...Ne7 above).}) 7... c5 $5 {A concrete
and interesting attempt. Black is trying to exploit White's loss of time with
his bishop manoeuvres.} ({Instead, after} 7... Nf5 8. Bxd6 Nxd6 9. Nbd2 O-O 10.
g3 ({the simple} 10. e3 {secures a slight advantage}) 10... Nd7 11. Bg2 {Black
might try} e5 $5 (11... f5 12. O-O Qf6 13. e3 {is good for White, A.Iljin-M.Apicella, Fügen 2006}) 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. dxe5 fxe5 {and although Black's pawn
centre looks vulnerable, it's not easy for White; e.g.} 14. Qd3 Qa5 15. b4 Qb5
16. Qb3 Nf7 $5 {and so on.}) 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. cxd5 Qa5+ $5 (9... Bb4+ 10. Nbd2 (
{or} 10. Nc3 exd5 11. e3) 10... exd5 11. e3 {is again better for White.}) 10.
Nbd2 exd5 ({Not} 10... Nxd5 $2 11. Rc1 {.}) 11. e3 ({The ambitious} 11. e4 $5 {
is interesting, but the complications aren't bad for Black:} Nbc6 12. exd5 Nb4
13. Qc4 Bf5 $5 (13... Bd7 14. Be2 Rc8 15. O-O Bxf2+ 16. Rxf2 Rxc4 17. Nxc4 Qd8
18. Nd6+ Kf8 {gave White a rather annoying initiative in A.Dreev-A.Grischuk,
Ubeda 1999, though it may be defendable}) 14. Nb3 ({after} 14. Qb5+ Qxb5 15.
Bxb5+ Kf7 ({or} 15... Bd7 16. Bxd7+ Kxd7 17. O-O Rac8 {Black has good chances
to equalize})) 14... Nd3+ 15. Ke2 Qb6 16. Rd1 $1 ({not} 16. Nh4 $6 Bd7 $1) ({or
} 16. Nfd4 Bxd4 17. Qxd4 O-O-O 18. d6 Nc6 19. Qxb6 axb6) 16... Bxf2 $5 (16...
Nxf2 17. Qxc5 Nxh1 18. Bc7 Qxc5 19. Nxc5 {looks dubious as Black may lose his
knight in the corner}) 17. Rxd3 Bxd3+ 18. Qxd3 Bxg3 19. hxg3 O-O-O {with
acceptable play.}) 11... Nbc6 12. Rc1 Bb6 13. a3 {. Thanks to his superior
pawn structure White maintains a small advantage. R.Scherbakov-M.Feygin,
Kakhovka 1997, continued} Bf5 ({Or} 13... Bg4 $5 14. Be2 Rc8 15. Qd1 {.}) 14.
Bd3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Qa6 $5 16. Qxa6 bxa6 17. Nb3 Rc8 18. Ke2 Kf7 19. Rhd1 {and
Black faced problems, though the ending is certainly defendable.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "B: 4...dxc4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 dxc4 {Although this capture is typical for
the Triangle, it's a risky choice here. Then again, Black's whole approach
isn't for the faint-hearted.} 5. Qxc4 ({The immediate} 5. e4 $5 {isn't very
popular but it might be interesting, as} b5 6. b3 cxb3 7. axb3 {gives White
good compensation for the pawn. Play can continue} Nf6 ({or} 7... Bb7 8. Bd2 a5
9. Bd3 Na6 10. O-O Nb4 11. Bxb4 Bxb4 {, Zhao Xue-I.Berzina, World Junior Ch.,
Heraklio 2002}) 8. Bd2 Bb7 9. Bd3 (9. b4 a5 $5 10. bxa5 b4 ({or} 10... Nbd7 {
is unclear})) 9... a5 10. O-O Be7 11. Nc3 Na6 $1 12. Ne2 Nb4 13. Bxb4 Bxb4 14.
Nf4 Rc8 15. Rfd1 h6 {and Black obtained good play in the game E.Miroshnichenko-P.Tregubov, Moscow 2006. All the same, this line deserves more
attention from White's point of view.}) 5... -- {After the queen capture,
Black has a choice:} ({B1:} 5... b5) ({B2:} 5... Nf6) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "B1: 5...b5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 b5 {This pawn push is more
effective when White's knight is on c3, as the knight can then be attacked by ...b5-b4 if necessary.} 6. Qc2 {White retreats his queen and prepares to occupy
the centre with e2-e4.} Bb7 7. e4 ({Other moves:} 7. Bg5 Nf6 {transposes to 5...Nf6 lines considered later (see line B2 below).}) (7. g3 {, switching to a
Catalan-type position, allows Black to achieve the thematic ...c6-c5 quickly:}
Nd7 8. Bg2 c5 {, solving all his problems (cf line C2: 4...Nf6 5 g3 etc).}) (7.
Nbd2 Nd7 8. Nb3 $5 {, aims to prevent ...c6-c5, but Black has decent resources
after} (8. e3 $6 {is too passive:} Ngf6 9. Be2 Rc8 10. O-O c5 $1 {and Black
seizes the initiative, D.Agaragimov-A.Korobov, Pardubice 2010}) 8... Ngf6 ({or
} 8... Qb6 $5 9. Be3 Ngf6 10. Rc1 Rc8 $5 11. Nc5 Nxc5 12. dxc5 Qa5+ 13. Bd2 ({
or} 13. Nd2 Rd8 $5 14. g3 Ng4) 13... Qxa2 {with unclear play}) 9. -- {and now:}
(9. Bg5 Qb6 10. Rc1 Rc8 11. Nc5 {and here in E.Pigusov-Wang Lei, Shanghai 2000,
it was better to take with the knight:} Nxc5 12. dxc5 Qa5+ 13. Nd2 ({if} 13.
Bd2 {then} Qxa2 {reaches the same position as after 8...Qb6}) 13... Rd8 $5 (
13... Qxa2 14. e4 Qa4 15. Qxa4 bxa4 16. Be2 Nd7 17. Be3 {is also unclear}) 14.
e4 h6 15. Bxf6 ({not} 15. Bf4 $6 e5 $1 16. Bxe5 Nxe4 $1) 15... gxf6 {with
complicated play.}) (9. Bd2 b4 10. e4 (10. Rc1 $5) 10... Rc8 (10... c5 $5) 11.
e5 Nd5 12. Rc1 ({or} 12. Nc5 Nxc5 13. dxc5 Qa5) 12... c5 {is okay for Black. Z.Kozul-Ar.Timofeev, Sarajevo 2005, continued} 13. dxc5 Bxc5 $5 14. Qe4 Qb6 15.
Nxc5 Rxc5 16. Rxc5 Nxc5 17. Qg4 g6 18. Bc4 {, when Black solved his problems
with a typical Meran manoeuvre} Ne7 $1 19. O-O Nf5 20. Re1 O-O {and eventually
outplayed his opponent.})) 7... Nd7 8. Bd3 {The most natural choice although
White has tried other options.} (8. Bg5 $5 {can be met by} Ngf6 {, transposing
to line B21 below.}) 8... Ngf6 (8... a6 {is a natural alternative, which may
lead to the same position:} 9. a4 (9. O-O c5 10. a4 {gives Black more options;
e.g.} c4 $5 11. Be2 Ngf6 {with good counter-chances, I.Nikolaidis-J.Zawadzka,
Chalkida 2009}) 9... Ngf6 ({after} 9... Rc8 10. Qe2 c5 11. axb5 c4 12. Bc2 axb5
13. O-O Ngf6 14. d5 Bc5 15. Nc3 Qb6 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. e5 {White's initiative
looks promising, A.Vaulin-B.Grachev, Samara 2002}) 10. O-O ({or if} 10. Bg5 {
then} c5 $5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 $1) 10... c5 $5 {and so on.}) 9. O-O ({By playing} 9.
Nc3 {White could claim to have gained a move (Qc2) on a well-known line of the
Meran: 2...c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Bd3 dxc4 7 Bxc4 b5 8 Bd3 Bb7 9 e4,
but whether that is in his favour is rather unclear:} b4 10. Na4 Rc8 11. e5 Nd5
{and ...c6-c5 cannot be prevented.}) 9... a6 10. a4 {White is fighting against
the thematic ...c6-c5. Practice promises him the better chances, but Black can
fight.} c5 $5 {The most interesting continuation, connected with a pawn
sacrifice after which Black gets active play, though it doesn't seem quite
sufficient.} 11. axb5 axb5 12. Rxa8 Qxa8 13. dxc5 ({Not} 13. e5 $6 c4 $1 {.})
13... Bxc5 14. e5 $1 {The only way to fight for advantage.} ({After the obvious
} 14. Bxb5 $6 O-O 15. Nc3 Rc8 16. Qe2 Nf8 17. e5 Nd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 19. Bd3 Ng6
{Black had very active play for the pawn in D.Sharavdorj-T.Gareev, Lubbock
2009.}) 14... Nd5 ({The tempting} 14... Bxf3 15. gxf3 Qxf3 {promises White the
better chances after} 16. Nd2 $1 Qg4+ 17. Kh1 Nd5 18. Bxb5 Qb4 19. Bc6 Ke7 20.
Ne4 {with the initiative.}) 15. Bxb5 Bc6 16. Bxc6 Qxc6 17. Nc3 Nb4 18. Qe2 ({Or
} 18. Qe4 Qxe4 19. Nxe4 Nd5 20. Bd2 Ke7 {.}) 18... O-O 19. Rd1 Rb8 {. Black's
activity gives him chances to hold on, but it doesn't seem very attractive
having to fight for a draw in such a way straight from the opening.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "B2: 5...Nf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Nf6 ({This developing move is
more reliable than the immediate} 5... b5 {. However, a minor drawback to
Black's position become apparent if we consider the line 2...c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4
Qc2 (or 4 Qb3) 4...dxc4 5 Qxc4 when, instead of the logical and consistent 5...
Bf5, Black has suddenly played 5...e6. On the other hand, if the bishop comes
forward it might be exchanged, sometimes for the knight; whereas those who
like a Meran-type of position would definitely prefer to keep it alive, with
the aim of disturbing the opponent on the long diagonal.}) 6. Bg5 ({A quick
look at the other options:} 6. Nc3 {seemingly justifies Black's approach, but
in fact it leads to a rather popular variation, which will be considered via 4
Qb3 Nf6 5 Nc3 dxc4 6 Qxc4 (see line B in the next chapter).}) (6. g3 {
transposes to line C2 below.}) (6. Nbd2 {is examined via 4...Nf6 5 Nbd2 dxc4 6
Qxc4 in the notes to line C31.}) (6. Qc2 {, though a bit strange-looking, has
the idea of returning to line B1 above after} b5 ({however, 6...b5 certainly
isn't Black's only option - instead, he could try} 6... c5 $5 7. dxc5 Nc6 (7...
Qc7 $5) 8. Bd2 Qd5 9. Nc3 Qxc5 {with good play, N.Kuznetsov-V.Shinkevich,
Kazan 2009}) 7. e4 Bb7 8. Bd3 Nbd7 {.}) 6... b5 ({Alternatively:} 6... Nbd7 {
deprives Black of ...b7-b5, though he may consider something like} 7. Nc3 Qa5 (
{or} 7... Qb6 {(see Chapter 21, line A2, note with 6...dxc4).})) (6... Be7 {
looks passive but it may have a point - for instance after} 7. Nc3 {, which is
also considered in the next chapter (see line B21).} ({Instead, the cautious} 
7. e3 $5 {might be a more reliable way for White to secure a small advantage
here; e.g.} O-O ({or} 7... b6 8. Qc2 Bb7 9. Nc3 Nbd7 10. Rd1 {, M.Sorokin-B.S.Reefat, Sangli 2000}) 8. Bd3 h6 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10. Nc3 Nd7 11. Rd1 Qe7 12. Bb1 {
, V.Kramnik-J.Lautier, Tilburg 1998.})) ({A rather important question is
whether Black can insert} 6... h6 $5 {. If yes, then he can certainly grab the
c4-pawn before playing ...Nf6, thus avoiding many of White's options. We'll
discuss} 7. Bh4 {in line C1 below,} ({while after} 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 {Black intends
to continue as in the Moscow Variation with ...Nd7, ...g7-g6, ...Bg7 and so on.
This move order is rare in practice, but it may be playable; e.g.} 8. e4 ({or} 
8. Nbd2 Nd7 9. g3 g6 10. Bg2 Bg7 {, Shen Yang-A.Stefanova, Jermuk 2010}) 8...
Nd7 9. e5 (9. Nc3 e5 10. d5 Nb6 11. Qb3 Bc5 12. dxc6 bxc6 {is okay for Black,
M.Hebden-M.Kazhgaleyev, Isle of Man 2006, even if his subsequent} 13. Be2 g5 $5
{wasn't really necessary}) 9... Qd8 (9... Qg6 $5) 10. Nc3 Nb6 11. Qb3 Nd5 12.
Bc4 Be7 13. O-O O-O 14. Rfe1 b6 15. Rad1 Bb7 {and Black gets acceptable play,
P.Cramling-T.Nyback, German League 2009.})) 7. Qc2 Bb7 {This position has been
regularly tested in practice. White has a principled choice - whether to put
his pawn on e3 or e4.} 8. -- ({B21:} 8. e4) ({B22:} 8. e3) ({White can
postpone the decision by playing} 8. Nbd2 {, but after} Nbd7 {he faces the
same dilemma again; and as we'll see below, it isn't always useful for White
to develop his knight to d2 in any case.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "B21: 8 e4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Nf6 6. Bg5 b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 8. e4
Nbd7 (8... h6 9. Bxf6 ({whereas} 9. Bh4 {is line C11}) 9... Qxf6 10. Nbd2 Nd7 {
transposes below.}) 9. Nbd2 {This move seems natural, but sometimes White
might prefer his knight to be on c3.} ({Instead:} 9. e5 $5 {is met by} h6 10.
Bd2 Nd5 11. Nc3 Nxc3 $5 ({this seems more to the point than} 11... a6 12. Nxd5
cxd5 {, A.Korotylev-J.Geller, Russian Team Ch. 2005, when} 13. a4 $5 {may give
White an edge}) 12. bxc3 Qc7 {with acceptable play.}) (9. Bd3 $5 a6 ({
preparing the thematic ...c6-c5;} 9... h6 10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. O-O {is good for
White}) 10. a4 ({if} 10. O-O {then} c5) ({or} 10. e5 h6) 10... -- {, and then:}
(10... h6 11. Bh4 {, gives Black good counter-chances;} (11. Bxf6 $5 Qxf6 12.
O-O {secures an edge for White}) 11... Rc8 ({or} 11... g5 $5 12. Bg3 c5) ({or} 
11... Qb6 $5 {A.Lastin-A.Grischuk, Elista 2000}) 12. Nbd2 (12. O-O {is met by}
c5 $5 13. axb5 c4 $1 14. Be2 axb5 15. Nbd2 ({or} 15. e5 g5) 15... Qb6 ({or} 
15... Bb4 $5)) 12... Qb6 ({or} 12... c5 $5 13. axb5 cxd4) 13. O-O c5 {with
good play, M.Ulibin-A.Galkin, Oberwart 1999.}) (10... c5 $5 {at once is
interesting:} 11. Bxf6 $1 ({inserting} 11. axb5 axb5 {helps Black:} 12. Bxf6
gxf6 $1 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. dxc5 Bxc5 {with good play, R.Rapport-P.Vavra,
Marianske Lazne 2010}) 11... gxf6 $1 12. O-O {and in this complicated position
Black has a wide choice:} cxd4 (12... Rg8 $5) (12... Qb6 $5) ({or} 12... c4 $5
13. Be2 Bd6 {, though the compromised pawn structure may still offer White
somewhat better chances.}))) 9... h6 (9... Qb6 {looks a bit suspicious, but it
might be playable; e.g.} 10. a4 Bb4 (10... a6 $5) 11. Bd3 h6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13.
O-O Nd7 14. Nb3 (14. e5 $5) 14... bxa4 15. Rxa4 a5 16. Rc1 O-O {, M.Mchedlishvili-P.Tregubov, European Ch., Istanbul 2003.}) ({Black can also
begin with} 9... a6 $5 {and if} 10. a4 {then} h6 {,} ({or maybe something else,
such as} 10... Bb4 {.})) 10. Bxf6 $5 {A safe approach - White is playing for a
small but stable advantage.} (10. Bh4 {is line C11 again, which promises good
counter-chances for Black.}) 10... Qxf6 11. a4 (11. Bd3 {comes to the same
thing after} a6 12. a4 {,} ({since White can't prevent ...c6-c5 by} 12. e5 {
due to} Qd8 13. Be4 ({or} 13. Ne4 c5) 13... Qb6 {.})) (11. e5 Qd8 12. Be2 (12.
Bd3 Be7 {is similar to 11 a4 a6 12 e5 below}) 12... Qb6 13. a4 a6 14. O-O Rc8
15. Qd3 Be7 16. Rfb1 b4 17. Nc4 {, A.Yermolinsky-D.Pruess, San Francisco 2005,
is also acceptable for Black, though here he should have preferred} Qc7 {,
intending ...c6-c5, while keeping the white knight out of a5.}) 11... a6 (11...
Bb4 $5 {is also interesting, with the idea of} 12. axb5 c5 $1 {.}) 12. Bd3 ({
After} 12. e5 Qd8 {, again White can't prevent ...c6-c5:} 13. Bd3 Be7 14. O-O
O-O 15. Bh7+ $5 ({or} 15. Ne4 c5 $1 16. axb5 axb5 17. dxc5 Rxa1 18. Rxa1 Bxe4
19. Bxe4 Nxc5 20. g3 Qb6 {½-½ A.Karpov-A.Grischuk, Linares 2001}) 15... Kh8
16. Be4 Qb6 17. Rfc1 (17. a5 $6 {is always dubious if not connected with some
concrete idea - White just weakens his Q-side:} Qa7 {followed by ...c6-c5 with
better chances for Black in J.Schwarz - J.Nejtek, corr. 2005}) 17... Rac8 18.
Nb3 c5 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 20. axb5 axb5 21. dxc5 Nxc5 22. Nbd4 Kg8 {with good play
for Black.}) 12... Bb4 (12... Rc8 $5 {.}) 13. O-O O-O 14. e5 (14. axb5 axb5 15.
Nb3 $6 {doesn't have the desired effect, as Black comes up with another pawn
advance:} e5 16. Rxa8 Bxa8 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 18. dxe5 Qxe5 19. f4 Qb8 20. Qe2 Qb6+
21. Kh1 c5 22. Bxb5 Bxe4 {and White eventually lost, K.Lerner-V.Malakhov, Bad
Wiessee 2002.}) ({Or} 14. Nb3 $6 {.}) 14... Qd8 15. Bh7+ $5 ({After} 15. Be4
Qb6 16. Rfd1 c5 17. Nf1 Rac8 (17... bxa4 $5) 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. axb5 axb5 20.
Qb3 {, Black was okay in Y.Kuzubov-A.Tzermiadianos, European Ch., Warsaw 2005,
though here he should have opted for something like} Rfd8 21. Ng3 Nf8 {, when
White can't exploit the position of the bishop on b4.}) 15... Kh8 16. Be4 {
It's useful to push Black's king into the corner - the advance ...f7-f5 is not
in his plans, while f7-pawn might now be vulnerable in some cases.} Qb6 17.
Rfd1 c5 {. As a rule, this thematic pawn push solves Black's problems and this
position doesn't seem to be an exception. It would be better for Black to have
his bishop on e7, but the b4-square is also acceptable.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "B22: 8 e3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Nf6 6. Bg5 b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 8. e3
{White prefers to keep the d4-pawn supported and leave the e4-square for his
minor pieces. This approach looks a bit passive, but it's rather poisonous as
he may get more chances to prevent Black's vital pawn push with ...c6-c5.} Nbd7
{And now White can choose between:} 9. -- ({B221:} 9. Nbd2) ({B222:} 9. Bd3) ({
First, we'll consider the situations where White develops his light-squared
bishop to e2. Although this looks less ambitious, it may decrease the effect
of Black's thematic ...c6-c5. White can also start with} 9. Be2 {, in the hope
of deploying the queen's knight more actively; e.g.} a6 10. a4 (10. O-O c5)
10... Rc8 (10... c5 $5) 11. O-O Be7 ({nevertheless, this position is far from
clear, while Black might also try} 11... b4 $5 12. Nbd2 c5 {, which looks to
provide acceptable play}) 12. Nc3 $5 {with chances to seize the initiative. M.Cebalo-D.Feletar, Bizovac 2005, continued} b4 (12... O-O $5) 13. Ne4 c5 14.
Bxf6 gxf6 (14... Nxf6 {seems insufficient:} 15. Nxc5 Ne4 16. Nxb7 Rxc2 17. Nxd8
Rxe2 18. Nc6 f6 $5 19. Rab1 Kd7 20. d5 $1 e5 21. Rfc1 b3 $1 22. Rc4 Nxf2 23.
Kf1 Rc2 24. Rxc2 bxc2 25. Rc1 Nd1 26. Ke2 Nxb2 27. a5 {with a favourable
endgame}) 15. d5 $1 {and after} exd5 $5 ({instead,} 15... Bxd5 16. Bxa6 {was
good for White in the game}) ({but} 15... b3 $5 {might be considered}) 16. Ng3
{, the compromised enemy pawn structure gives White good compensation for the
pawn.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "B221: 9 Nbd2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Nf6 6. Bg5 b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 8. e3
Nbd7 9. Nbd2 a6 (9... Rc8 {gives White an interesting extra option in} 10. a3
$5 {, when} Be7 ({the thematic} 10... c5 $5 {is worth considering, but White
might still be better after} 11. Bxb5 cxd4 12. Qd3 dxe3 13. fxe3 Rc5 (13... Bc6
$5) 14. b4 Rd5 15. Qe2) 11. b4 (11. Bxf6 $5) 11... a5 12. Rb1 axb4 13. axb4 {
was good for White in P.Kotsur-A.Ismagambetov, Kazakh Ch., Astana 2011.}) 10.
a4 {White is trying to prevent ...c6-c5 by taking control over the b5-square,
but this only delays the inevitable.} Rc8 ({Black has tried several other
moves here, of which} 10... Bb4 {deserves attention:} 11. Be2 ({for} 11. Bd3 {
see 10...Bb4+ 11 Nbd2 in the notes to line B222}) 11... c5 $5 12. Bxf6 gxf6 $5
13. axb5 (13. O-O $5) 13... axb5 14. Rxa8 (14. O-O $5) 14... Qxa8 {and Black's
active play fully compensates for his damaged pawn structure, S.Collas-G.Flear,
Saint Affrique 2009.}) 11. Be2 (11. Qb3 $5 {may give Black some extra options
this time, such as} Be7 ({or} 11... Nb6 $5) 12. Be2 Nb6 $5 {.}) 11... c5 $5 12.
d5 $1 exd5 ({In Y.Drozdovskij-J.Geller, Internet (blitz) 2006, Black played in
Meran style with} 12... c4 $5 13. dxe6 fxe6 14. axb5 (14. O-O Qb6 15. Bxf6 Nxf6
16. Ng5 Bb4 17. axb5 axb5 18. Bf3 Bxf3 19. Ndxf3 O-O {is acceptable}) 14...
axb5 15. O-O Qb6 16. Bf4 Be7 17. Ne5 {and here Black should have castled
immediately, keeping the knight on d7; i.e.} O-O {and if} 18. Bf3 {then} Nc5 {
with good play.}) 13. axb5 axb5 14. Bxb5 Be7 (14... Bd6 $6 {is too risky:} 15.
Bxf6 $1 Qxf6 16. Bxd7+ $1 Kxd7 17. O-O Rhe8 18. Rfd1 {followed by e3-e4 with
the initiative.}) 15. Bxf6 (15. O-O O-O {is fine for Black:} 16. Rfd1 Qc7 ({or
} 16... h6 $5 17. Bh4 Qc7) 17. Qf5 ({the tricky} 17. Nc4 {doesn't work either:}
dxc4 18. Bxd7 Be4 19. Qc3 Rcd8 20. Bb5 Qb7 21. Qxc4 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Bxf3 23.
gxf3 Rb8 $5 24. Bxf6 Bxf6 25. Ba4 Qxf3) 17... Rfd8 18. Rac1 Nf8 19. Bd3 Ng6 20.
h4 Rb8 {and Black already has the better chances as ...Bc8 is threatened, J.Karr-P.Guichard, French Team Ch. 2009.}) 15... Bxf6 16. Qf5 Qc7 {This position
arose in T.Nyback-M.Kobalia, European Ch., Warsaw 2005.} (16... g6 $5 17. Bxd7+
Ke7 18. Bxc8 gxf5 19. Bxb7 Qd7 {and ...Rb8 is playable, but it might be worse
for Black.}) 17. Ra7 (17. Ne5 Bxe5 18. Bxd7+ Qxd7 19. Qxe5+ Kf8 20. O-O Qe7 {
is also fine for Black; e.g.} 21. Qf4 h5 22. Ra7 Rh6 {etc.}) 17... Ra8 18.
Rxa8+ Bxa8 19. O-O Bc6 20. Bxc6 Qxc6 21. e4 dxe4 22. Nxe4 O-O 23. Nxf6+ Nxf6 {
and the players signed the scoresheets.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "B222: 9 Bd3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 dxc4 5. Qxc4 Nf6 6. Bg5 b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 8. e3
Nbd7 9. Bd3 {The more aggressive approach: White points his bishop at the
opposing kingside, while keeping options for his queen's knight, which might
be more useful on c3. However, this plan isn't without its drawbacks: Black's
thematic ...c6-c5 may gain in power as the bishop can be vulnerable on d3,
either to the black queen or the further advance ...c5-c4; the knight on f3 is
also less supported, which may lead to the damaging of White's pawn structure.}
a6 (9... Rc8 {is possible, when} 10. O-O ({after the slow} 10. Qe2 {Black
might try} c5 $5) 10... a6 11. a4 {is examined via 10...Rc8 11 0-0 in the
notes to the main line.}) ({Black might also try inserting} 9... h6 {, when}
10. Bh4 {transposes to line C122 below,} ({but} 10. Bxf6 $5 {is always
possible. Then} Qxf6 ({or} 10... gxf6 {gives away a whole tempo on similar
positions from line C122}) ({while after} 10... Nxf6 11. O-O {White has good
chances of stopping ...c6-c5.}))) 10. a4 ({On} 10. O-O {Black can play} c5 {
without delay:} 11. Bxf6 gxf6 $5 (11... Nxf6 12. dxc5 Bxc5 $5 {, looks
interesting, but after} 13. Bxb5+ axb5 14. Qxc5 Bxf3 15. Qxb5+ Nd7 16. gxf3 {
White can secure his extra pawn; e.g.} Rb8 17. Qa4 Qg5+ 18. Kh1 Rxb2 19. Nc3
Qf6 20. Rab1 $1 Rxb1 21. Rxb1 O-O 22. Qxd7 Qxc3 23. Qd6 {, when} Qc2 $4 24. Rb8
{would lose at once}) 12. Be4 Bxe4 13. Qxe4 f5 14. Qd3 Bg7 {with acceptable
play.}) 10... c5 $5 {This thematic pawn push has never been considered
seriously in this precise position, but it might be underestimated. Black has
tried various alternatives, without demonstrating a convincing way to equalize.
} (10... h6 {would be met, as usual, by} 11. Bxf6 $5 Bb4+ 12. Nbd2 Qxf6 13. O-O
O-O 14. axb5 axb5 15. Rfc1 {with small but stable advantage, G.Margvelashvili-J.Friedel, Schaumburg 2006.}) (10... b4 {secures ...c6-c5 but
weakens Black's queenside, so that after} 11. Nbd2 {White keeps a typical
slight edge, even if the position remains complicated.}) (10... Qb6 {can be
countered by} 11. Nc3 {, restoring control over the b5-square. After} b4 12. a5
$1 {, followed by Ne4 (or Na4), White gets the better chances, M.Cebalo-N.Curien, Davos 2003.}) (10... Bb4+ 11. Nc3 $1 (11. Nbd2 {is fine for Black; e.g.
} c5 12. O-O ({or} 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. axb5 Bxf3 14. gxf3 axb5 15. Bxb5+ Ke7 {,
M.Sorokin-P.Tregubov, Russia 2005}) 12... c4 13. Be4 Qb6 14. Bxb7 Qxb7) 11...
c5 $5 (11... h6 12. Bxf6 Nxf6 13. O-O O-O 14. Ne4 Nd7 15. Rfd1 {gives White a
slight edge, J.Gustafsson-J.Smeets, Lippstadt 2003 - it isn't easy to maintain
such an advantage, but equally some players might find it uncomfortable to
defend as Black}) 12. -- {, and now:} (12. O-O $6 Bxf3 13. gxf3 cxd4 14. exd4
bxa4 15. Rxa4 a5 {is fine for Black.}) (12. Bxf6 $5 Nxf6 13. dxc5 $1 ({after} 
13. axb5 axb5 $5 14. Bxb5+ Ke7 15. O-O Bxf3 16. gxf3 cxd4 {Black is okay})
13... O-O 14. axb5 axb5 15. O-O {and Black will lose a pawn, though he obtains
a lot of play for it:} Rc8 $5 16. Nxb5 (16. Rfd1 $1 {seems more accurate:} Qe7
17. Nxb5 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Rxc5 19. Qe2 {and White is better with his extra pawn,
though the vulnerability of his king makes the task of winning rather difficult
}) 16... Rxc5 17. Qe2 Bxf3 18. gxf3 {transposes to B.Gelfand-M.Krasenkow, Lvov
2000, where} Rh5 19. f4 e5 {gave Black full compensation for the pawn. The
game continued} 20. fxe5 $2 (20. Ra4 {had to be played:} exf4 $1 21. Rxb4 f3 $1
22. Qxf3 ({but not} 22. Qd1 $6 Ne4 $3) 22... Qxd3 23. Rd1 Qg6+ 24. Kh1 Qh6 {
with a probable draw}) 20... Ng4 21. f4 Qh4 22. Nd4 Nxh2 {and White found
himself in trouble.}) (12. axb5 {seems stronger:} axb5 ({, after} 12... cxd4 {
, apart from} 13. exd4 {, J.Gustafsson-P.Tregubov, Amsterdam 2001,} (13. Nxd4
$5 {comes into serious consideration})) ({; otherwise} 12... c4 $5 {is
interesting:} 13. Bxc4 ({White can improve by playing} 13. Bxf6 $5 cxd3 $1 14.
Bxd8 dxc2 15. Bh4 {and the c2-pawn will probably fall, but Black has
compensation and some enthusiasts may still try to prove it sufficient}) 13...
axb5 14. Ba2 Ra5 $5 15. O-O Qa8 {and Black gets good counterplay}) 13. O-O c4
14. Be4 $1 Bxe4 15. Nxe4 Rxa1 16. Rxa1 O-O 17. Bxf6 Nxf6 18. Nxf6+ gxf6 ({or} 
18... Qxf6 19. Ra7) 19. Qe4 Qd7 {and Black stands worse (even if his position
is playable, it's better to avoid such things if possible),} ({while the
ending after} 19... Qd5 $6 20. Qxd5 exd5 21. Kf1 {is just good for White.}))) (
10... Rc8 {is a typical option:} 11. O-O ({after} 11. Qe2 {Black achieves ...
c6-c5 quickly:} Qa5+ (11... c5 $5 {is also interesting:} 12. axb5 c4 $1 13. Bc2
axb5 {, but here White can develop his knight more actively to c3}) 12. Nbd2 c5
{, M.Gagunashvili-B.Sambuev, Montreal 2010}) 11... c5 12. axb5 (12. Qe2 c4 {is
okay for Black - cf 10...Rc8 11 Qe2 etc in the notes to line C122}) 12... Bxf3
$5 ({after} 12... c4 13. Be2 axb5 14. b3 {Black faced problems in D.Paunovic-B.Kalezic, Herceg Novi 2001}) ({while} 12... cxd4 13. Qe2 dxe3 14. bxa6 exf2+ 15.
Kh1 Ba8 16. Bb5 {may also be good for White}) 13. gxf3 cxd4 14. Qe2 axb5 (14...
a5 $5) 15. Bxb5 Be7 ({not} 15... dxe3 $4 16. Rd1) 16. Rd1 O-O 17. Rxd4 Nd5 {
and although the exposed white king gives Black compensation for the pawn, it
may not be fully sufficient.}) 11. axb5 (11. O-O {gives Black a good choice
between} Bxf3 (11... c4) ({and even} 11... b4)) ({or if} 11. Bxf6 {, then} gxf6
12. Be4 Bxe4 13. Qxe4 f5 {with good play.}) 11... axb5 12. Rxa8 (12. Bxf6 gxf6
13. Rxa8 Qxa8 {is okay for Black, C.Rodriguez Amezqueta-A.Tucci, corr. 2009.})
12... Qxa8 13. Bxb5 Bxf3 (13... cxd4 {may be good for White after} 14. Bxf6 $5
gxf6 ({or} 14... Qa5+ 15. Nc3 $1) 15. Qc7 Bb4+ 16. Nfd2 {.}) 14. gxf3 Qxf3 15.
Rg1 Qb7 16. Qa4 {White maintains the initiative but his king isn't exactly
safe, which gives Black good chances to hold the balance.} cxd4 17. Nd2 Be7 ({
After} 17... dxe3 18. fxe3 ({but White can improve with} 18. Bxe3 $1 {,
keeping the initiative}) 18... Bc5 19. Nb3 Bb6 20. Bxf6 ({or} 20. Ke2 O-O 21.
Bxd7 Nxd7 22. Bh6 g6 23. Bxf8 Kxf8) 20... gxf6 21. Ke2 Qc7 22. Rd1 Qxh2+ 23.
Kd3 O-O $1 24. Bxd7 Rd8 {Black gets excellent compensation for the piece.}) (
17... Bd6 $6 {is answered by} 18. Nc4 {.}) 18. exd4 O-O $1 {This piece
sacrifice is apparently the best solution.} ({Otherwise White's chances are
preferable:} 18... h6 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Rg3) ({or} 18... Kf8 19. Bc6 $5 ({more
testing than} 19. Nc4 h6 20. Bc6 Qc7 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Qa8+ Bd8) 19... Qc7 20.
Bxd7 Qxd7 21. Qxd7 Nxd7 22. Bxe7+ Kxe7 23. Rxg7 Rb8 24. b3 {with an extra pawn
in the ending.}) 19. Bc6 Qxb2 20. Bxd7 Bb4 21. Ke2 Nd5 {. Black has good
compensation for the piece - especially as it's extremely difficult for White
to convert his advantage here.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C: 4...Nf6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 ({This variation can also be reached via} 3... Nf6
4. Qc2 {if Black plays} e6 {it seems more reliable than the immediate 4...dxc4.
On the downside, White now has a wide choice of reply, but it's useful to
consider all these options anyway - partly in order to become familiar with
the different types of position that can arise, and also because
transpositions to and from other systems are possible in some cases.} ({
Instead of} 4... dxc4 5. Qxc4 Bf5 ({or} 5... e6 $5 {- see the first note to
line B2 above.}))) 4. Qc2 Nf6 {We'll examine more thoroughly:} 5. -- ({C1:} 5.
Bg5) ({C2:} 5. g3) ({C3:} 5. Nbd2 $5) ({White has some other options, which
are theoretically harmless and hence rarely played, but these need to be
examined as there are potentially confusing issues with move order:} 5. Nc3 {
could be reached via 2...c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 - if, instead of the entering
the main lines with 5 e3 or 5 Bg5, White suddenly played 5 Qc2!?. The ideas of
e2-e4 or maybe c4xd5 (after ...Nbd7) might be uncomfortable for those who are
unprepared to grab the c4-pawn; but for Triangle adherents} dxc4 $1 {,
followed by ...b7-b5, is a natural choice - especially as Qc2 may not be very
useful in Noteboom positions. After} 6. e4 ({if White begins with} 6. a4 {then,
apart from} Bb4 {,} ({Black can think about} 6... Na6 $5 {, H.Stefansson-Cu.Hansen, Aarhus 1997}) ({or} 6... c5 $5 {A.Ooms-A.Vul, Cappelle la Grande 1995})
) 6... b5 7. a4 {(otherwise Black has time to fortify his queenside) any of}
Bb4 (7... Qb6) ({and} 7... b4 $5 {are playable, with possible transpositions
to Chapter 1}) ({(e.g.} 7... Bb4 8. Be2 {is line B2 therein).})) (5. e3 $5 {is
another possibility which might be poisonous.} -- ({. Yes, this limits White's
own choice, as after} 5... Nbd7 {he's almost forced to play the Anti-Meran (2...c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Qc2 etc) - but, of course, that isn't a
problem for anyone who has this variation in their opening repertoire.
Actually, it would be useful to have the Anti-Meran (or even the Meran itself)
as a part of Black's repertoire - then no deviation with e2-e3 would ever be a
problem.}) ({. Black can also think about} 5... b6 $5 {, with a possible
transposition to the recently popular Anti-Meran with an early ...b7-b6 after}
6. Nc3 Bb7 {and ...Nbd7.} ({Instead, R.Scherbakov-A.Akhmetov, Moscow 2005, saw
} 6... Ba6 $5 7. e4 $5 Bxc4 8. Bxc4 dxc4 9. O-O {, when White obtained
somewhat better chances as Black seems unable to support his c4-pawn and
safely complete development at the same time.})) ({. For those who would
prefer something more typical for the Triangle, since it would be senseless to
take on c4, the only reasonable try is to switch to the Stonewall with} 5...
Ne4 $5 {and ...f7-f5. The drawback to this plan is obvious - as we saw in
Chapter 18, Black isn't often in a hurry to place his knight on e4 as it might
constitute a loss of time after the eventual f2-f3. Nevertheless, White's
set-up can't be regarded as the most dangerous for Black. Play can continue:}
6. Bd3 ({after} 6. Nc3 f5 7. Ne5 Nd7 8. Nd3 Bd6 {, Z.Azmaiparashvili-M.Krasenkow, FIDE World Ch., Groningen 1997}) ({or} 6. Be2 Nd7 $5 7. O-O Bd6 8.
Nc3 f5 {, V.Chekhov-M.Matlak, Polish Team Ch. 1993, Black has acceptable play})
6... f5 7. O-O (7. Ne5 Nd7) ({or} 7. g4 $5 Na6 $5 8. a3 Bd6 {, L.Hetey-P.Govciyan, Sautron 2007, are also fine for Black}) 7... Bd6 (7... Nd7 {would be
met by} 8. b3 {and Ba3, S.Flohr-I.Bondarevsky, Parnu 1947}) 8. b3 ({or} 8. Ne5
O-O 9. f3 Nc5 10. Be2 Nbd7 $5 {, B.Tadic-M.Tosic, Yugoslav Ch., Herceg Novi
2001}) 8... Qe7 9. Bb2 Nd7 {with a reasonable game, B.Züger-M.Stangl,
Altensteig 1993, though White's chances in such positions are usually somewhat
better (cf Chapter 18).})) (5. cxd5 {might be an unexpected move, the idea
being to switch to the Exchange Variation after} exd5 ({otherwise, some
players might try to solve Black's problems with the wry} 5... cxd5 {,
claiming that Qc2 isn't in White's plans in the Exchange Slav (cf 4...cxd5 in
the notes to line B in Chapter 22 again)}) 6. Nc3 {, though this isn't
actually so dangerous. Black usually chooses between} Na6 ({, or} 6... g6 7.
Bg5 Be7) ({, or} 6... Be7 7. Bg5 g6 $5 {, getting his light-squared bishop to
f5,} ({rather than going into the traditional main lines} 7... Nbd7) ({or} 7...
O-O {. All this belongs to the Queen's Gambit Declined, so we won't go into
details here - more ideas can be found in Chapter 22 (see line B3, where the
same position is reached with the king's knights still at home).}))) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C1: 5 Bg5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 {Here we begin to consider
positions with the inclusion of ...h7-h6 and Bh4. These are very similar to
those reached in line B2 above, except that the inserted moves might give
Black a good resource ...g7-g5, while White's capture on f6 (as we saw in the
earlier variations) would be already a loss of tempo.} 6. Bh4 (6. Bxf6 Qxf6 {
may lead (after a subsequent Nc3) to a version of the Moscow Variation where
White is already committed to Qc2 lines. He can try to avoid this, but
developing the knight elsewhere would hardly promise much:} 7. Nbd2 Nd7 8. g3 (
{on} 8. e3 {, apart from the normal} g6 ({or} 8... Bd6) ({Black can also
consider} 8... g5 $5)) 8... Bb4 $5 (8... g6 9. Bg2 Bg7 10. O-O O-O 11. e4 {may
offer White an edge, D.Kosic-Ar.Timofeev, Bosnian Team Ch. 2008, though
Black's position is acceptable}) 9. Bg2 Nb6 $5 ({after} 9... O-O 10. O-O Bxd2
11. Qxd2 dxc4 12. Qc3 b5 {, I.Sokolov-Ar.Timofeev, Izmir 2004,} 13. Ne5 {would
be somewhat better for White}) 10. c5 $6 (10. b3 {is preferable with complex
play}) 10... Nc4 11. e3 e5 $1 {and Black has solved all his problems, K.Abdel
Razik-D.Pavasovic, Istanbul Olympiad 2000.}) 6... dxc4 ({In a few games Black
has experimented with} 6... Qa5+ $5 7. Nbd2 ({White might consider other ways
of blocking the check, such as} 7. Nc3 $5) ({or} 7. Nfd2 $5) 7... Ne4 {, after
which it may not be easy for White to gain the advantage since he has to waste
time parrying the threats of ...g7-g5-g4 and ...Bb4.}) 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qc2 (8.
Qd3 $5 {looks a bit strange but it has its point - White keeps his eye on the
b5-pawn and so tries to make the thematic ...c6-c5 more difficult. It's useful
to compare such positions with those arising after 4 Qb3 Nf6 5 Nc3 dxc4 6 Qxc4
b5 7 Qd3 (see line B12 in the next chapter) - White is trying to play without
Nc3 which is often harassed by ...b5-b4. Nevertheless, Black should be okay:}
Nbd7 (8... a6 $5) 9. e4 Bb7 (9... c5 $5) 10. Nbd2 $5 ({otherwise} 10. Nc3 {
transposes to line B1231 in Chapter 21}) 10... a6 ({or} 10... g5 $5 11. Bg3 a6)
11. a4 ({or} 11. e5 g5) 11... g5 12. Bg3 Bb4 $5 (12... c5 $5) 13. e5 Nh5 14.
Be2 g4 15. Nh4 Qg5 (15... c5 $5) 16. Rd1 Rd8 17. Qc2 Nxg3 18. hxg3 c5 19. axb5
{, T.Banusz-D.Berczes, Zalakaros 2011, and here Black could have secured the
better chances with} a5 $1 20. O-O cxd4 {, intending to grab the e5-pawn next.}
) 8... Bb7 {As in line B2 above (where ...h7-h6 and Bh4 were omitted), White
now has to choose where to place his e-pawn.} 9. -- ({C11:} 9. e4) ({C12:} 9.
e3) ({White has occasionally tried the unexpected} 9. Bxf6 $5 {, inviting the
opponent's queen to a slightly awkward square before he plays ...Nbd7. However,
as we've already seen, this may be acceptable for Black even if the bishop
takes on f6 in one step:} Qxf6 10. e3 (10. Nbd2 Nd7 11. e3 a6 12. a4 Bb4 13.
Bd3 O-O 14. O-O Qe7 {is okay for Black, A.Chernin-R.Scherbakov, Moscow rapid
1994}) 10... Nd7 11. Nc3 ({or} 11. Bd3 a6 12. Nbd2 Bd6 13. O-O Qe7 14. a4 O-O {
with good play, G.Tunik-R.Scherbakov, Minsk 1997}) 11... a6 12. Bd3 Bd6 13. O-O
(13. Ne4 $5 Qe7 14. Rc1 Bb4+ 15. Ke2 c5 16. Nxc5 ({or} 16. dxc5 Nxc5 $1 17.
Nxc5 Rc8) 16... Nxc5 17. dxc5 Rc8 18. Be4 Rxc5 19. Qd3 O-O 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 {is
acceptable for Black}) 13... Qe7 14. Rac1 Rc8 15. Rfd1 c5 $1 {and Black solves
his problems, J.Speelman-R.Scherbakov, Calcutta 1996 - though after} 16. dxc5 {
it was simpler to play} Bxf3 $1 17. gxf3 Rxc5 {, as in the later game A.Bormida-K.Chorfi, corr. 2001.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C11: 9 e4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qc2
Bb7 9. e4 {This aggressive move isn't very popular here. White's centre will
soon be attacked by ...c6-c5, when he may need more control over the d4-square.
Besides, in contrast to line B21, Black has the important resource ...g7-g5.
This line usually leads to very complicated positions, reminiscent of the
Anti-Moscow Variation. Black doesn't have the extra pawn on c4 here, but his
counterplay comes more quickly.} Nbd7 (9... g5 10. Bg3 g4 11. Nfd2 Qxd4 {wins
a pawn, but after} 12. Nc3 {White has more than enough compensation, V.Korchnoi-D.Pavasovic, Dresden 1998.}) 10. Nbd2 ({On} 10. Nc3 {Black obtains
good counterplay by} Qa5 $5 ({or} 10... b4 $5 11. Na4 Rc8) 11. Nd2 ({or} 11.
Bd3 b4) 11... Qb6 $5 {. B.Esen-D.Frolyanov, Moscow 2006, continued} 12. f4 $6 (
12. Be2 $5) 12... Ng4 (12... a6 $5) 13. Qd3 {, and here} c5 $5 {seems more to
the point.}) 10... a6 ({Other moves:} 10... Rc8 11. Be2 c5 12. d5 $1 exd5 13.
e5 (13. Bxb5 $5) 13... g5 14. Bg3 Ne4 15. Bxb5 {is unsafe for Black, Y.Drozdovskij-A.Galkin, Internet 2004.}) (10... Qb6 {is playable:} 11. a4 (11.
Qb3 $6 g5 12. Bg3 g4 13. Ne5 Qxd4 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 {favours Black, D.Sharavdorj-Dao Thien Hai, Asian Team Ch., Shenyang 1999}) 11... Bb4 12. Be2 O-O
13. O-O Rac8 {with reasonable counterplay. I.Khenkin-C.Wichmann, Dresden 
(rapid) 2010, continued} 14. e5 Nd5 15. Qe4 c5 $1 16. Bxb5 {and here the simply
} Nc7 $1 {, is more reliable;} ({rather than} 16... Nc3 $6 17. bxc3 $1 Bxe4 18.
Nxe4 Bxc3 19. Nxc3 cxd4 20. Ne4 {when the three pieces are stronger than the
queen}) 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Qe2 Nxb5 19. axb5 Rc7 {and only Black can be better.}
) 11. a4 (11. e5 {is always answered by} g5) ({while} 11. O-O-O {is too
double-edged as White's king is unsafe on the queenside:} c5 12. d5 e5 (12...
Qb6 $5) 13. g4 {, as in Y.Kuzubov-S.Zhigalko, Kirishi 2004, where there was no
need to play} g5 ({Black already stands well after} 13... c4 {.})) 11... Bb4
12. Be2 c5 {. This thematic pawn push gives Black good counter-chances in a
complicated position. B.Grachev-A.Galkin, Novokuznetsk 2008, continued} 13. O-O
Qb6 (13... c4 $5 {.}) 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. axb5 axb5 17. Rxa8+ Bxa8
18. Nd4 Ke7 19. Nxb5 Bxd2 20. Qxd2 Nxe4 21. Qf4 $6 ({White could have avoided
unnecessary problems by} 21. Qb4+ $5 Qc5 22. Qxc5+ Nxc5 23. Ra1 Rb8 24. Ra7+
Nd7 25. b4 Bc6 26. Nd4 Bd5 {with a drawish ending.}) 21... Rd8 {and with his
more active pieces, Black certainly isn't worse and in fact eventually
triumphed.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C12: 9 e3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "19"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qc2
Bb7 9. e3 Nbd7 {As in line B22 above, White now has to decide where to develop
his light-squared bishop. Here Black may again benefit from the inclusion of ...h7-h6 and Bh4, but the basic ideas are very similar.} 10. -- ({C121:} 10. Nbd2
) ({C122:} 10. Bd3) ({White can also develop his bishop to e2 immediately, when
} 10. Be2 a6 ({or} 10... Rc8 11. O-O a6 12. a4) 11. a4 Rc8 12. O-O Be7 ({but
Black can consider} 12... b4 $5 {, resuming his idea of pushing ...c6-c5. M.Cebalo-D.Pavasovic, Croatian Team Ch. 2004, continued} 13. e4 $5 Be7 14. Nbd2 {
and here again there was no need to play ...g7-g5 - the thematic} c5 {was
already quite good}) 13. Nbd2 {would lead to 12...Be7 in line C121 below.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C121: 10 Nbd2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "34"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qc2
Bb7 9. e3 Nbd7 10. Nbd2 Rc8 (10... a6 11. a4 Rc8 {usually comes to the same
thing; i.e. after} 12. Be2 {.}) 11. Be2 ({Having begun with 10 Nbd2, White he
has to limit himself to Be2, as after} 11. Bd3 a6 12. a4 {Black's thematic} c5
{gains in power.}) 11... a6 ({Instead:} 11... c5 $6 {is premature due to} 12.
Bxf6 $1 gxf6 13. d5 $1 {and Black's pawn structure is compromised, I.Ibragimov-Va.Filippov, Russian Ch., Elista 1996.}) (11... Be7 {is playable:}
12. O-O c5 $5 ({on} 12... O-O {White would think about} 13. Bxf6 $5 {- cf the
next note}) 13. d5 ({or} 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 14. Ne4 Bxe4 15. Qxe4 Qb6 {, Z.Izoria-A.Galkin, European Ch., Ohrid 2001}) 13... exd5 14. Bxb5 O-O {with an acceptable
position, A.Delchev-A.Galkin, FIDE World Ch., Tripoli 2004.}) 12. a4 c5 $5 ({
After} 12... Be7 13. O-O O-O 14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Ne4 Be7 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. dxc5
Qc7 18. Nd4 Rfd8 19. Bf3 {Black is under some pressure, A.Stefanova-V.Malakhov,
Solin 2006.}) 13. d5 $5 ({Not} 13. axb5 $6 cxd4 {.}) 13... exd5 14. axb5 axb5
15. Bxb5 {. This position arose in D.Semcesen-Ax.Smith, Valby 2008. Here it
was more reliable to play} Be7 (15... Qb6 $5 {.}) 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Qf5 Qc7 {
, by analogy with Nyback-Kobalia in line B221 (where Black's pawn was still on
h7).} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C122: 10 Bd3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 dxc4 7. Qxc4 b5 8. Qc2
Bb7 9. e3 Nbd7 10. Bd3 a6 ({Black can also begin with} 10... Rc8 {, trying to
achieve ...c6-c5 without spending time on ...a7-a6, as well as force White to
waste time himself moving his queen to e2. Then:} 11. -- (11. Nc3 a6 12. a4 ({
or} 12. O-O c5) 12... b4 13. Ne4 c5 {is fine for Black, M.Mchedlishvili-D.Breder, German League 2005.}) (11. Qe2 {seemingly justifies Black's approach:}
a6 12. O-O ({on} 12. a4 {apart from} c5 ({Black can consider} 12... Qa5+ $5 13.
Nbd2 c5 {, M.Gagunashvili-Ar.Timofeev, European Ch., Warsaw 2005})) 12... c5
13. a4 c4 14. Bc2 Be7 $5 (14... b4 $5 {is also worth considering:} 15. Nbd2 c3
16. bxc3 Rxc3 {with unclear play}) ({whereas} 14... Qb6 {is risky as it delays
kingside development for one more move, and the queen doesn't necessarily
belong here in any case - after} 15. axb5 axb5 16. Nc3 $1 {White has chances
to develop the initiative, V.Bologan-Av.Grigorian, Moscow 2011, though it's
still far from clear}) 15. axb5 axb5 16. e4 ({or} 16. Nc3 b4) 16... g5 $5 17.
Bg3 Nh5 {with mutual chances.}) (11. O-O Be7 ({, the immediate} 11... c5 {
might not be fully acceptable after} 12. Bxb5 cxd4 ({or} 12... Bxf3 13. gxf3
cxd4 14. Qa4 ({or} 14. Qd3)) 13. Qe2) ({, otherwise} 11... a6 {transposes to
11...Rc8 in the main line}) 12. Qe2 O-O 13. Rd1 (13. a3 $5) 13... a6 ({more or
less forced now, as there aren't really any other useful moves; e.g.} 13... b4
14. a3 a5 15. axb4 axb4 16. Nbd2 c5 17. Nc4 {is good for White}) 14. a4 Nd5 15.
Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Nc3 Nb4 17. Be4 {and White gets a slight edge but Black's
position is acceptable. Ba.Jobava-Ar.Timofeev, Skanderborg 2005, continued} Rc7
18. Nd2 bxa4 19. Rxa4 c5 20. dxc5 Qxc5 21. Bxb7 Rxb7 22. Nde4 {and here} Qe7 {
would have avoided unnecessary problems.})) 11. O-O ({After} 11. a4 {Black has
a good choice:} -- (11... Bb4+ {is playable, if unnecessary:} 12. Nbd2 ({or} 
12. Nc3 c5 $5 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. dxc5 O-O 15. axb5 axb5 16. O-O Rc8 $5 {with
counterplay, as in the notes to B222}) 12... c5 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. axb5 Bxf3 15.
gxf3 {and here in M.Gurevich-A.Grischuk, Cannes (rapid) 2001, Black should
have opted for} axb5 $1 {with a good position; e.g.} 16. Bxb5+ Ke7 17. O-O Qb6
{etc.}) (11... Rc8 {also comes into consideration (cf line B22 again).}) (11...
c5 $5 {at once is the most interesting continuation:} 12. Bxf6 ({on} 12. axb5 {
Black can choose between} axb5 {as in line B222,} ({or} 12... g5 $5 {, trying
to utilize the inclusion of ...h7-h6 and Bh4; e.g.} 13. Bg3 g4 14. Nh4 ({or} 
14. Ne5 Bxg2 15. Rg1 axb5 16. Rxa8 Bxa8) 14... axb5 15. Rxa8 Qxa8 {with
complicated play})) 12... gxf6 13. Be4 Bxe4 14. Qxe4 {arose in E.Agrest-Ax.Smith, Malmö 2008, and here the advance} f5 $5 {would have promised good play
for Black; e.g.} 15. Qd3 cxd4 16. Nxd4 ({or} 16. exd4 Nc5 $5 17. Qc2 Nxa4 18.
Qc6+ Ke7) 16... Nc5 17. Qc2 Qd5 18. O-O Nxa4 {and so on.})) 11... c5 $5 {This
thematic pawn advance has rarely been tried in this precise position, but it
might be the most effective solution.} ({Instead:} 11... Rc8 {is met by} 12. a4
{and then:} -- (12... Be7 13. Qe2 O-O {is playable but a bit passive:} 14. Nbd2
{gives White a slight edge, P.Eljanov-D.Frolyanov, Moscow 2004;} ({while} 14.
Nc3 {also maintains some pressure; e.g.} b4 15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Bxe7 Qxe7 17. Bxe4
Nf6 18. Bd3 a5 19. Nd2 c5 20. Nb3 cxd4 21. Nxa5 Ba8 22. exd4 Qd8 23. Nc4 {, J.Kopacz-E.Mazurek, Polish Team Ch. 1998 (which actually arose via the Queen's
Gambit Declined).})) (12... c5 $5 {may not be quite acceptable here because of}
13. axb5 $1 (13. Qe2 {returns to 10...Rc8 11 Qe2 above}) 13... Bxf3 ({or} 13...
c4 14. Be2 axb5 15. b3) 14. gxf3 cxd4 ({or} 14... c4 15. Be2 axb5 16. Nc3 $1
Qb6 17. b3 cxb3 18. Qxb3 b4 19. Nb5 Be7 20. Ra6 $5) 15. Qe2 axb5 ({or} 15... a5
16. exd4) 16. Bxb5 Be7 17. Rd1 O-O 18. Rxd4 {with an extra pawn, though Black
isn't without compensation.})) (11... Be7 12. Nbd2 ({but White does better with
} 12. a4 {, when} Rc8 {transposes to note 'a1'}) 12... Rc8 (12... c5 $5) 13.
Bxf6 Nxf6 (13... gxf6 $5) 14. Nb3 c5 $1 15. Nxc5 ({or} 15. dxc5 Nd7) 15... Bxc5
16. dxc5 Bxf3 17. gxf3 Qd5 {followed by ...Qxf3 is more or less acceptable for
Black, P.Eljanov-D.Frolyanov, St. Petersburg 2002.}) 12. Bxf6 $5 gxf6 (12...
Qxf6 $6 13. Be4 {favours White}) ({as does} 12... Nxf6 $5 13. dxc5 -- (13...
Rc8 $6 14. b4 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nd5 16. a3 {, A.Chjumachenko-S.Beshukov, Krasnodar
1997}) ({, but perhaps} 13... Bxc5 $5 {isn't so bad:} 14. Bxb5+ axb5 15. Qxc5
Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nd7 17. Qxb5 Rb8 18. Qa4 Qg5+ 19. Kh1 Rxb2 20. Nc3 Qf6 21. Rab1
$1 Rxb1 22. Rxb1 O-O 23. Qxd7 Qxc3 {. We've already considered this variation
with the pawn on h7 (see the notes to line B222), but here Black's extra ...h7-h6 is very useful in securing his king, whereas White is unable to convert
the extra pawn because of his own vulnerable king; e.g.} 24. Qa4 ({or} 24. Qd6
Qc2 25. Rb8 Rxb8 26. Qxb8+ Kh7) 24... Rc8 25. Kg2 Qd2 26. Rd1 Qe2 {with
sufficient counter-chances.})) 13. Be4 Bxe4 14. Qxe4 f5 15. Qd3 Bg7 {. Black's
strong bishop and active queenside pawns should provide sufficient
compensation for his weakened kingside pawn structure.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C2: 5 g3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 ({The position after 8...Nbd7 can arise via various move orders and even
from other openings: for example, after} 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2
dxc4 5. Qa4+ c6 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 8. d4 {etc, or from the Catalan itself.})
1... d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. g3 {Switching to the Catalan isn't
too promising here.} dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qc2 ({Other retreats don't offer much
either; e.g.} 7. Qb3 Bb7 8. Bg2 Nbd7 ({a common option; but Black has other
possibilities too, such as} 8... a6 $5 9. a4 ({or} 9. O-O c5 10. dxc5 Nbd7)
9... c5 $1 (9... Nbd7 10. Ne5 $5) 10. axb5 c4 $1 11. Qc2 Be4 12. Qd1 axb5 13.
Rxa8 Bxa8 14. O-O Be7 15. b3 cxb3 16. Qxb3 b4 17. Nbd2 O-O {and Black has no
problems, Y.Kuzubov-A.Jayaram, Helsingor 2008}) 9. O-O a6 {and now} 10. a4 {,
is well met by the typical} ({instead of 10 a4 White do better to play} 10. Ne5
$5 {as in the main line below}) 10... c5 $1 11. axb5 Bd5 {and Black gets the
pawn back. Practice shows that he has no problems in this line:} 12. -- (12.
Qd1 axb5 13. Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Nc3 Bc6 15. Be3 ({or} 15. Nh4 Bxg2 16. Nxg2 b4 17.
Nb5 Qc6 18. Qa4 Be7 19. dxc5 O-O 20. Be3 Bxc5 {and White has to be careful, H.Urday Caceres-P.Tregubov, Berlin 1995}) 15... c4 16. Qa1 Qb7 17. Qa5 Be7 {and
White can be only worse. M.Gurevich-R.Scherbakov, Moscow (rapid) 1994,
continued} 18. Nh4 $6 Bxg2 19. Nxg2 b4 {and Black 's queenside pawns
eventually cost White too much.}) (12. Qd3 {allows Black to repeat moves by}
Be4 ({or go for} 12... c4 13. Qc2 axb5 14. Rxa8 Qxa8 15. Nc3 Bc6 {, although
in this case White has} 16. d5 $5 exd5 17. Nd4 {with chances for an edge, E.Bacrot-Dao Thien Hai, Wijk aan Zee 1997.})) (12. Qc2 axb5 (12... Be4 $5) 13.
Rxa8 Qxa8 14. Nc3 Bc6 {is also fine; e.g.} 15. dxc5 (15. e4 $6 Nxe4 16. dxc5
Nxc3 17. Qxc3 b4 18. Qb3 Bxc5 {is just good for Black, V.Tukmakov-A.Kharlov,
Bern 1992}) 15... Bxc5 {gives Black good play} ({rather than} 15... b4 $6 {,
which may fail to} 16. Nb5 $1 Bxb5 17. Nd4 Qa5 18. c6 {with the initiative.})))
7... Bb7 8. Bg2 Nbd7 9. Ne5 $5 {The most interesting attempt, allowing White
to maintain some pressure, though this is bearable.} ({Whereas after} 9. O-O {
Black just plays} c5 {and solves all his problems.}) 9... Qb6 (9... Nxe5 $5 10.
dxe5 Nd7 $6 ({but} 10... Nd5 {is playable:} 11. Nc3 Be7 12. a4 O-O 13. O-O a6
14. Bd2 c5 15. Ne4 Qc7 16. Bg5 Nb4 17. Qc1 Bxg5 18. Qxg5 h6 19. Nf6+ Kh8 20.
Qh5 Bxg2 21. Kxg2 Nc6 {and Black is fine, R.Scherbakov-P.Mahesh, Raipur 2002})
{, is dubious, as White can simply ignore the threat:} 11. O-O {and if} Nxe5 {
then} 12. Bf4 Nd7 13. Nc3 Qb6 14. a4 {with an annoying initiative, O.Todorov-P.Tregubov, Cappelle la Grande 1995.}) 10. Be3 ({Again} 10. O-O c5 $1 {is fine
for Black.}) ({Perhaps White's best chance to fight for an advantage is} 10.
Nxd7 $5 Nxd7 11. Nc3 $5 c5 (11... Be7 12. O-O c5 13. d5 Nf6 14. e4 {is similar}
) 12. d5 Nf6 (12... b4 $6 13. dxe6 Bxg2 14. exd7+ Kxd7 15. Rg1 Bb7 16. Ne4 Ke8
17. Be3 Rc8 18. Rc1 {is good for White since Black can't castle}) 13. e4 b4 $5
14. Qa4+ Nd7 15. Ne2 {, though Black should be okay after} Ba6 ({or} 15... Qa6
{.})) 10... c5 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. O-O Rc8 (13... cxd4 14. Bxd4 Rc8
15. Nc3 {may still offer White an edge, according to tournament practice.}) 14.
Rc1 Be7 $1 {This cool developing move avoids unnecessary problems.} (14... c4 {
is more risky:} 15. a4 a6 $6 ({but} 15... b4 $1 {is still playable:} 16. Nd2 c3
17. a5 Nf6 18. Bg5 {, as in R.Mogranzini-S.Brunello, Turin 2010, where} Be7 19.
Bxf6 gxf6 {was more reliable, with good chances to equalize}) 16. axb5 axb5 17.
Nc3 b4 ({or} 17... Bb4 18. d5 $1) 18. Qe4 $1 Qxe4 19. Nxe4 Nb6 20. Nc5 {and
Black can't secure his queenside, M.Leon Hoyos-B.Socko, Tromso 2010.}) 15. dxc5
Nxc5 $1 {Black isn't worried about the pin on the c-file.} 16. b4 (16. a4 b4
17. Nd2 O-O {is also okay for Black, M.Larsson-P.Daus, corr. 2009; while in
other cases he simply castles.}) 16... Bf6 17. Nc3 ({Both} 17. Nd2 $6 Bxa1 18.
Ne4 Be5 19. Bxc5 f6) ({and} 17. bxc5 Bxa1 18. c6 ({or} 18. Na3 Qa6 $5 19. Qb3
Be5) 18... Qa6 $5 19. Qc5 Qb6 {would only cause problems for White.}) 17... Nd7
(17... Na4 $6 {doesn't work because of} 18. Qe4 $1 Qa8 {(otherwise White is
simply better)} 19. Nxb5 $3 Qxe4 20. Rxc8+ Ke7 21. Rc7+ Kf8 22. Rd1 $1 {with a
strong initiative.}) 18. Qe4 ({Or} 18. Nxb5 O-O {.}) 18... Qa6 19. Bd4 ({Or} 
19. Qd3 O-O $1 {.}) 19... O-O 20. a4 Rc4 21. Nxb5 Rxb4 {. Black has no
problems, A.Raetsky-H.Rasch, Biel 1997.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C3: 5 Nbd2!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Nbd2 $5 {White wants to take the
game into some kind of Closed Catalan, but before playing g2-g3 he supports
the c4-pawn with the knight. Now Black has a choice - we'll look at:} -- ({C31:
} 5... dxc4 $5) ({C32:} 5... Nbd7) ({The immediate} 5... c5 {is also worth
considering:} 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. cxd5 ({or} 7. e3 O-O 8. a3 {, as in V.Ivanchuk-B.Savchenko, Russian Team Ch. 2011, and here Black should have retreated his
bishop the other way:} Be7 ({rather than} 8... a6 9. b4 Ba7) {, and if} 9. b4 {
then} a5 {with good play}) 7... Qc7 $5 8. e3 Nxd5 {(threatening ...Bxe3!)} 9.
Bc4 Be7 ({better than} 9... Bb6 10. O-O O-O 11. b3 Qe7 12. Bb2 Nc6 13. Ne4 f6
14. Rfd1 {with an edge, M.Taimanov-V.Simagin, Szczawno Zdroj 1950}) 10. a3 O-O
{and Black is fine, F.Levin-M.Van der Werf, Dieren 2003.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C31: 5...dxc4!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Nbd2 $5 dxc4 $5 {This capture seems
helpful for White, though it may be playable. Black intends to follow up with ...c6-c5 as soon as possible.} 6. Nxc4 (6. Qxc4 {looks a bit strange after Nbd2,
but White isn't doing anything wrong in trying to stop ...c6-c5. Then:} -- (
6... b5 7. Qc2 Bb7 {, which may transpose to the position, which we considered
in 4 Qc2 dxc4 5 Qxc4 b5 6 Qc2 Nf6 after} 8. Nb3 ({but} 8. e4 Nbd7 9. Bd3 a6 10.
a4 {deserves attention}) 8... Nbd7 {transposes to a position from line B1 (see
7 Nbd2 in the notes).}) (6... b6 $5 {is another typical option, especially
when White brings his queen to c4:} 7. e4 (7. g3 Be7 8. Bg2 O-O) (7. Qc2 c5 8.
e4 Nbd7 9. Bc4 Bb7 {, G.Bagaturov-M.Matlak, Mlada Boleslav 1993, are also fine
for Black}) 7... Ba6 8. Qa4 Bxf1 9. Kxf1 Be7 10. g3 O-O 11. Kg2 Qd7 12. Qc4 Qb7
13. Re1 Nbd7 14. Nb3 c5 15. dxc5 Rfc8 {and Black is okay, C.Bauer-P.Tregubov,
Nancy 2009.})) 6... c5 7. dxc5 ({Instead:} 7. e3 cxd4 8. Nxd4 ({or} 8. exd4 Nc6
) 8... Bc5 9. Nb3 (9. Bd2 $5) 9... Be7 10. Bd2 O-O {is good for Black, A.Iljushin-Ar.Timofeev, Russian Team Ch. 2005.}) (7. Be3 {hardly bothers Black
much either:} cxd4 (7... Ng4 $5) 8. Nxd4 {, B.Kurajica-D.Pavasovic, Solin 
(rapid) 2002, and here he might choose between} Na6 $5 ({and} 8... Bd7 {
followed by ...Nc6.})) 7... Bxc5 {Here White has a choice, but Black gets
acceptable play in all cases as the comfortable development of his
light-squared bishop to the long diagonal can't be prevented.} 8. g3 (8. a3 $5
{can be met by} b5 $5 (8... O-O 9. b4 Be7 10. e4 $5 ({or} 10. Bb2 Nbd7 11. e4
b6 12. Bd3 h6 13. O-O Bb7 {is a bit worse for Black, Z.Izoria-S.Beshukov,
Hoogeveen 2003})) 9. Nce5 Qc7 $5 ({or} 9... Be7 10. e4 O-O 11. Bd3 Bb7 12. O-O
a6 {, M.Roiz-A.Galkin, European Ch., Istanbul 2003}) 10. e3 (10. e4 Nbd7) 10...
Nbd7 {, when E.Gausel-B.S.Reefat, Gausdal 2001, continued} 11. Bxb5 Qa5+ 12. b4
Qxb5 13. bxc5 {and here Black should have opted for the simple} Qxc5 14. Qxc5
Nxc5 {.}) 8... b5 $5 ({After} 8... b6 9. Bg2 Bb7 10. O-O O-O 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12.
Rfd1 Qc8 13. Rac1 Be4 14. Qd2 {White maintained some pressure in P.H.Nielsen-A.Grischuk, New York Open 2000.}) 9. Nce5 Qc7 10. Qb3 a6 11. Bg2 Bb7 12. O-O Bd5
13. Qc3 Ne4 14. Qe1 O-O 15. Nd3 Bb6 16. Bf4 Qe7 {. Black is doing well, M.Carlsen-V.Ivanchuk, Sofia 2009.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qc2"]
[Black "C32: 5...Nbd7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qc2 Nf6 5. Nbd2 $5 Nbd7 6. g3 ({As White
already has sufficient control over the e4-square, the immediate} 6. e4 dxe4 7.
Nxe4 {is logical, and then:} -- (7... c5 $5 {deserves serious attention,
utilizing the fact that, unlike the Anti-Meran, there's no bishop on d6:} 8.
Nxf6+ ({other options are harmless:} 8. dxc5 Nxe4 9. Qxe4 Bxc5 {, D.Nutu
Gajic-E.Cosma, Nadole 1995}) ({or} 8. Bf4 Nxe4 9. Qxe4 Nf6 10. Qd3 Bd6 11. Bxd6
Qxd6 12. Be2 cxd4 13. Qxd4 Qb4+ 14. Qd2 Qxd2+ 15. Nxd2 Bd7 16. Bf3 Ke7 17. Ke2
Rac8 18. Rac1 Bc6 {and Black equalized in O.Biriukov-A.Galkin, St. Petersburg
1998}) 8... Nxf6 9. dxc5 ({or} 9. Be3 cxd4 10. Bxd4 Bb4+ 11. Bc3 Qa5) 9... Bxc5
10. Bd3 b6 $5 ({or} 10... Bd7 11. O-O Qc7) 11. O-O Bb7 {and if} 12. b4 {then}
Be7 {with a solid position.}) (7... Nxe4 8. Qxe4 {transposes to the Anti-Meran
2...c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Qc2 Bd6 7 e4 dxe4 8 Nxe4 Nxe4 9 Qxe4,
except that in our case the bishop is still on f8 as White played e2-e4 in one
step. This means Black's options are limited - he can't play the typical} c5 ({
, or} 8... e5 {right now}) ({, but} 8... Bb4+ {(normally this would be ...
Bd6-b4+)} 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Nxd2 {isn't bad. In this well-known position Black
has a choice:} -- (10... c5 $5 {is interesting as it forces the capture} 11.
dxc5 (11. O-O-O $2 {fails to} Nf6 {and ...Qxd4}) ({while} 11. Nb3 {can hardly
worry Black; e.g.} O-O 12. O-O-O cxd4 13. Rxd4 ({or} 13. Bd3 Nf6 {with good
play}) 13... e5 14. Rd2 Qc7 15. Bd3 Nf6 16. Qh4 Be6 {with advantage, M.Tosic-P.Tregubov, Alushta 1993}) 11... Qa5 (11... Qf6 $5) ({and} 11... Qc7 $5 {also
come into consideration}) 12. a3 (12. Be2 Qxc5 13. O-O Nf6 14. Qc2 O-O 15. Rad1
Qc7 {, followed by ...Bd7, gives Black a solid, if slightly worse position, Iv.Hernandez-D.Alsina Leal, Barcelona 2008}) 12... Qxc5 13. b4 Qc7 $5 (13... Qe5
14. Qxe5 Nxe5) ({and} 13... Qe7 14. Bd3 a5 15. Rb1 axb4 16. axb4 Nf6 17. Qe3
O-O 18. O-O Rd8 19. Nf3 Qc7 20. Ne5 b6 21. Rfd1 Bb7 {, R.Kasimdzhanov-H.Nakamura, Corsica rapid 2007, are somewhat inferior, though still playable})
14. Bd3 Nf6 15. Qe2 O-O (15... b6 $5) 16. O-O Rd8 {and Black conclusively
neutralized White's pressure, D.Svetushkin-A.Galkin, Moscow 2006.} (16... Bd7
$5)) (10... O-O {is more or less okay after} 11. O-O-O ({the most promising
continuation;} 11. Bd3 {allows} Nf6 12. Qe5 Ng4 $1) 11... c5 (11... Qa5 12. Bd3
$1 Nf6 13. Qh4 {gives White a small, but stable advantage}) 12. Nf3 {and:} -- (
12... Qa5 13. Bd3 Nf6 14. Qh4 b5 $5 {and after} 15. Ng5 (15. Ne5 $5 {intending
Ng4 comes to mind}) 15... g6 16. dxc5 bxc4 17. Bxc4 Qxc5 18. Kb1 Rb8 {left
Black with the better chances, H.Cardon-J.Van der Wiel, Dutch Ch. 1987.}) (
12... cxd4 13. Bd3 Nf6 14. Qxd4 (14. Qh4 {can be met by either} Qc7 {, E.Tomashevsky-A.Kharitonov, Russian Junior Ch. 2006,} ({or} 14... b5 $5)) 14...
Qc7 {is reminiscent of the Caro-Kann Defence. Black's position is acceptable:
the light-squared bishop will enter the game via d7, while the exchange of
dark-squared bishops certainly makes his kingside safer.}))))) 6... b6 $5 {An
interesting approach, popularized by Maxim Sorokin - Black develops his
queenside first of all. We've already considered it in a similar situation in
Chapter 19 (see line A2), but in that case the omission of Qc2 meant that
White had more choice.} 7. Bg2 Bb7 8. O-O ({The attempt to forestall Black's
plans with} 8. e4 {is answered by} dxe4 9. Nxe4 Nxe4 (9... c5 10. Nxf6+ Nxf6
11. O-O {might be better for White}) 10. Qxe4 Nf6 11. Qe2 Bb4+ 12. Bd2 Bxd2+
13. Qxd2 Qc7 {and ...c6-c5 with acceptable play; e.g.} 14. O-O ({or} 14. c5 $6
bxc5 15. dxc5 Rd8 16. Qc3 Ba6) 14... c5 {and so on.}) 8... c5 {Just in time to
prevent e2-e4!} 9. cxd5 ({Other options are harmless: after} 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10.
cxd5 {, apart from} Nxd5 {, G.Makarov-D.Ruzele, Minsk 1986,} ({Black could play
} 10... Bxd5 $5) ({or} 10... Rc8 $5)) ({while} 9. Rd1 Rc8 10. b3 dxc4 $5 11.
Qxc4 Be7 {, N.Davies-K.Sakaev, Gausdal 1992}) ({and} 9. b3 cxd4 ({or} 9... Rc8
10. Bb2 Be7) ({or just} 9... Be7) 10. Nxd4 Bc5 11. Bb2 O-O {, O.Yaksin-R.Skomorokhin, Kazan 2007, are also fine for Black.}) 9... Nxd5 {Of course Black
didn't play this set-up in order to take on d5 with the pawn.} 10. a3 ({White
has tried numerous alternatives to this modest pawn advance:} 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11.
Ne4 Be7 12. Bg5 O-O {gives Black no problems, P.Staniszewski-R.Scherbakov,
Polanica Zdroj 1996.}) (10. e4 {is answered by} Nb4 11. Qb3 cxd4 (11... b5 $5 {
might be interesting}) ({whereas} 11... Ba6 $6 {fails to} 12. d5 $1 {, as} Bxf1
13. Bxf1 {and a2-a3 traps the knight on b4}) 12. Nxd4 Bc5 (12... a5 $5 {is a
possibility:} 13. a3 Nc5 14. Qc3 Nbd3 15. Rd1 Qf6 16. f4 e5 {with
complications, although leaving the kingside undeveloped is obviously risky})
13. Nc4 O-O 14. Rd1 Qe7 15. Be3 {with a slight edge for White, E.Magerramov-M.Sorokin, Cheliabinsk 1991.}) (10. Qa4 {can be met by} a6 11. Ne4 b5 12. Qd1 Be7
{as in L.Christiansen-V.Topalov, Las Palmas 1993, where White came up with} 13.
Bg5 f6 14. dxc5 $5 Nxc5 (14... fxg5 $5) 15. Nxc5 Bxc5 16. Rc1 {and here Black
might have preferred} Qe7 $5 17. Bd2 Nb6 $5 {, preparing for Qb3.}) (10. Nb3
Be7 ({or} 10... Rc8 $5 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Bg5 Be7 {, A.Mastrovasilis-P.Haba,
Calvia Olympiad 2004}) 11. Bd2 Rc8 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Nxc5 Bxc5 {gives Black no
problems. V.Epishin-M.Sorokin, Minsk 1990, continued} 14. Qa4+ Qd7 (14... Bc6
$5) 15. Qxd7+ Kxd7 16. Ne5+ Ke7 17. Nd3 Ba6 $1 18. Nxc5 Rxc5 19. Rfc1 Rhc8 (
19... Bxe2 $4 20. Rxc5 bxc5 21. Bxd5 exd5 22. Re1 {wins}) 20. Rxc5 Rxc5 21.
Bxd5 {and a draw was agreed.}) (10. Nc4 $5 {hopes to follow up with 11 Bg5
Be7? 12 Nd6+, but Black should be okay after} b5 $5 ({or} 10... Rc8 11. Bg5 Qc7
$5) 11. Nce5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 Be7 {and so on.}) 10... Rc8 ({Instead, after} 10...
Be7 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. b4 Nd7 13. Bb2 O-O 14. e4 Rc8 15. Qb3 N5f6 16. Nd4 {
White maintained some pressure in R.Ponomariov-B.Grachev, Moscow (blitz) 2008})
({but} 10... cxd4 11. Nxd4 Rc8 {is quite playable; e.g.} 12. Qa4 a6 13. Ne4 b5
14. Qd1 Be7 {and Black is okay, J.L.Chabanon-E.Relange, French Ch., Nantes
1993.}) 11. e4 (11. Qd3 Be7 12. e4 N5f6 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 h6 (14... cxd4 $5)
15. Bd2 O-O {is quite acceptable for Black, L.Voloshin-B.Grachev, Pardubice
2007.}) 11... cxd4 12. Qa4 Ne7 $5 {This seems the most precise retreat.} ({The
routine} 12... N5f6 {was rapidly successful in U.Andersson-S.Atalik, Tallinn 
(rapid) 1998, after} 13. Qxa7 $4 ({but} 13. e5 Nd5 14. Ne4 {might pose some
problems for Black}) 13... Nc5 {and ...Ra8 etc.}) 13. Nxd4 ({Again not} 13.
Qxa7 $2 Nc5 {.}) 13... Nc6 {. Black is doing well.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "21: 3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E07"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 ({After} 3. Nc3 e6 {White rarely supports the c4-pawn
with his queen, as} 4. Qb3 {, allows Black to play a series of thematic moves
with tempo;} ({or} 4. Qd3 {may lead to the same}) 4... dxc4 5. Qxc4 b5 6. Qd3 {
, which is the same position as in line B12 below, except that the king's
knights haven't yet been mobilized.} {Black can try to exploit this with} Ba6
$5 (6... b4 $5 {and 7...Ba6 comes to the same thing}) ({otherwise} 6... Bb7) ({
and} 6... Nd7 {will probably transpose to lines B121 and B123 respectively
after Nf3 and ...Ngf6}) ({whereas} 6... a6 {, as in line B122, is disrupted by}
7. g3 $1 c5 8. Bg2 Ra7 9. Bf4 Nd7 10. Nf3 Ngf6 11. O-O {and Black faces
problems due to his lack of development}) 7. Ne4 ({or} 7. Qd1 b4 8. Na4 Nf6 {
followed by ...Nbd7 and ...c6-c5, Y.Zilberman-So.Polgar, Netanya 1993}) 7... b4
8. Qd1 ({or} 8. Qe3 Nd7) 8... Qd5 9. Ng3 {and here in M.Turov-A.Zakharov,
Belorechensk 2009, Black could already have played} c5 {with at least equal
chances.}) 3... e6 ({The position after 5 Nc3 can arise via various move
orders, such as} 3... Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 {and here} 5. Qb3 ({instead of the usual} 
5. Bg5) ({or} 5. e3 {.})) 4. Qb3 {Apart from Qc2 (examined in the previous
chapter), White can also protect the c-pawn from b3, which allows him to
develop his queen's knight more actively on c3. The obvious drawback is that
the white queen isn't always best placed on b3.} Nf6 ({Let's take a quick look
at the other options:} 4... dxc4 5. Qxc4 {was considered via 4 Qc2 dxc4 - see
line B in Chapter 20.}) (4... f5 {comes to mind as Qb3 isn't quite necessary
in the Stonewall, but at least White can play} 5. Bf4 {.}) (4... Bd6 $5 {is
possible, with ideas of a later ...f7-f5 - but as we saw after 4 Qc2 Bd6,
White can disturb his opponent's plans by} 5. Bg5 {. Then} f6 6. Bh4 Ne7 7. Bg3
O-O 8. Nc3 Nf5 9. e3 Nxg3 10. hxg3 f5 11. Bd3 {gave White a stable advantage
in A.Kharlov-A.Grischuk, Russian Ch., St. Petersburg 1998. Black's problem was
that he couldn't move his knight to f6 quickly due to} Nd7 $2 12. cxd5 exd5 13.
Nxd5 $1 {and wins.}) (4... a5 $5 {has been experimented with a few times and
might be playable:} 5. g3 ({or} 5. Bg5 Nf6 6. Nbd2 h6 7. Bh4 a4 8. Qc2 dxc4 9.
Qxc4 a3 10. b3 Nbd7 11. e3 Qa5 12. Bd3 Nd5 {with counter-chances, D.Magalashvili-B.Grachev, World Junior Ch., Yerevan 2006}) 5... a4 6. Qc2 Nf6 7.
Bg2 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. c5 b6 10. cxb6 Qxb6 11. Nc3 Qa7 12. e4 h6 13. Bf4 Nbd7 {
with an acceptable, if slightly inferior position, Wang Hao-Ar.Timofeev,
Ningbo (rapid) 2010.}) 5. Nc3 ({Instead,} 5. g3 {gives Black an extra option in
} dxc4 ({otherwise} 5... Nbd7 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Nc3 {leads to line A1
below}) 6. Qxc4 {, transposing to line C2 in the previous chapter, which is
fine for Black.}) ({However,} 5. Bg5 $5 {deserves attention, as this move
order may help White avoid some sharp variations. For instance, after} Nbd7 ({
; Black might try to insert} 5... h6 $5 6. Bh4 ({but here White could also
think about} 6. Bxf6 Qxf6 7. Nc3 {, switching to the Moscow Variation in which
Qb3 is a decent choice for him})) ({, finally,} 5... dxc4 6. Qxc4 {returns to
Chapter 20 again (see line B2 this time)}) {, White can play solidly with} 6.
e3 Be7 {, transposing to line A2, while ruling out Black's alternatives at
move 6.}) 5... -- {After the standard 5 Nc3 Black can either take on c4 or
refrain from an immediate capture.} ({A:} 5... Nbd7) ({B:} 5... dxc4) ({Black
can defer his decision with} 5... Be7 $5 {, though this will generally
transpose below:} 6. -- (6. Bg5 Nbd7 {(line A2),} (6... O-O 7. e3 Nbd7 {(line
A22)}) ({or} 6... dxc4 7. Qxc4 {(line B21)})) ({, and} 6. g3 Nbd7 ({, or} 6...
dxc4 7. Qxc4 {(line B22).}) ({. In the latter case} 6... O-O 7. Bg2 Nbd7 {
would also reach line A1,} ({but here he might try} 7... b6 8. O-O Ba6 $5 {,
when} 9. Ne5 ({while} 9. cxd5 cxd5 10. Bf4 Nc6 11. Qa4 Bb7 12. Rfc1 a6 13. Ne5
Nxe5 14. Bxe5 Rc8 {is also fine for Black, J.Gdanski-A.Riazantsev, European Ch.
, Warsaw 2005}) 9... Nfd7 $1 10. cxd5 Nxe5 $1 ({not} 10... cxd5 $2 11. Nxd5
exd5 12. Nxf7 $1) 11. dxe5 cxd5 {.})))) ({Another option worth considering is} 
5... Qb6 $5 6. e3 (6. c5 Qc7 7. g3 b6 8. Bf4 Qd8) ({or} 6. g3 Nbd7 7. Bg2 Qxb3
8. axb3 b6) 6... Qxb3 7. axb3 b6 (7... Na6 $5) 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O Nbd7 {with a
slightly inferior but playable ending, P.Tregubov-O.Maiorov, Krasnodar 1999.})
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "A: 5...Nbd7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E07"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "11"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 {This solid approach isn't
totally in the spirit of the Triangle, so we won't examine it in great detail.
Here we'll take a look at:} 6. -- ({A1:} 6. g3) ({A2:} 6. Bg5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "A1: 6 g3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "E07"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "20"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. g3 {Switching to the
Catalan with the queen on b3 is harmless for Black.} Be7 7. Bg2 O-O 8. O-O Nb6
$5 {This unexpected knight leap underlines the drawback of White's queen
manoeuvre - the c4-pawn can't be protected by b2-b3, so White has to clarify
the pawn structure.} ({Black has other playable options as well:} 8... b6 {is
solid enough:} 9. Bf4 Bb7 ({or} 9... Nh5 $5 {, E.Miroshnichenko-V.Ivanchuk,
Greek Team Ch. 2009}) 10. cxd5 cxd5 11. Rfc1 Nh5 $5 12. Bd2 Nhf6 {, P.Tregubov-V.Ivanchuk, Russian Team Ch. 2005.}) (8... a5 $5 {is interesting too:}
9. Rd1 (9. cxd5 exd5) ({and} 9. c5 e5 $1 {are okay for Black}) 9... a4 10. Qc2
dxc4 11. Nxa4 b5 12. Nc3 Bb7 {with good counter-chances, J.Borges Mateos-R.Ponomariov, Villarrobledo 2006.}) 9. c5 $5 {A principled continuation.} ({
Instead,} 9. Ne5 $6 {just loses a pawn after} dxc4) ({while} 9. cxd5 exd5 {is
pretty harmless for Black, as is generally the rule with a bishop on g2 in a
Carlsbad pawn structure; e.g.} 10. Ne5 Ng4 $5 11. Nd3 Nc4 12. Rd1 Nf6 13. Bf4
Nd6 {with good play, M.Serov-A.Khalifman, European Ch., Aix-les-Bains 2011.})
9... Nbd7 (9... Nc4 {is unnecessary:} 10. Qc2 b6 11. b3 Na5 12. Na4 Ba6 13. Ne5
{with some pressure, P.Schlosser-Kir.Georgiev, Austrian League 2009.}) 10. Qa4
{After 10 Qa4 White is again planning to play b2-b4, so Black must act quickly.
} ({White is unable to fortify his queenside pawn chain with} 10. Qc2 {and
b2-b4, because of} b6 11. b4 $6 (11. Na4 $5 Ba6) 11... a5 12. b5 Bb7 $1 {and
White has to fight for equality, which he failed to achieve in P.Martynov-R.Scherbakov, Taby 1991:} 13. cxb6 cxb5 14. Nxb5 Qxb6 15. Rb1 Rfc8 16. Qd3 Ba6
17. a4 Bb4 18. Bd2 Bxb5 19. axb5 Rc4 {and the b5-pawn soon dropped off.}) 10...
b6 $2 {would just lose the c6-pawn.} ({While} 10... b5 11. Qc2 b4 12. Na4 Ba6 {
F.Gheorghiu-N.Murshed, Novi Sad Olympiad 2000, is also somewhat worse for
Black, despite his temporary activity on the queenside.}) ({Instead, a
possible continuation is} 10... e5 $1 11. dxe5 ({Black is fine after} 11. Nxe5
Nxe5 12. dxe5 Nd7) ({or} 11. b4 exd4 12. Nxd4 a5 13. Rb1 Re8 {as in F.Raupach-Z.Straka, corr. 2008}) 11... Nxc5 12. Qc2 Nfe4 {with good
counter-chances.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "A2: 6 Bg5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D60"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Bg5 {The most promising
and probably the only way to fight for an advantage. White takes the game into
a kind of Queen's Gambit Declined. However, the b3-square isn't the best for
White's queen in these lines - and moreover, he has spent a move getting it
there.} Be7 ({Black has some significant alternatives:} 6... h6 7. Bh4 -- ({,
leads to line A21 below after} 7... Be7 8. e3) ({, unless Black wants to try
other options, such as} 7... g5 8. Bg3 Nh5 9. e3 Nxg3 10. hxg3 Bg7 {, E.Postny-A.Dreev, European Ch., Aix-les-Bains 2011}) ({, or} 7... dxc4 8. Qxc4
Qb6 9. Rb1 (9. O-O-O $5) 9... Nd5 10. Nd2 {, Wang Yue-S.Lu, Chinese Team Ch.
2010, though White's chances are preferable here.})) (6... dxc4 $5 {at once
might be worth considering:} 7. Qxc4 {and now both} Qa5 $5 ({and} 7... Qb6 $5 {
are risky but playable; e.g.} 8. e4 $5 (8. Rb1) 8... Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. Bc1 (
10. Be2 $5) 10... Qa5 11. Bd3 Be7 12. Bd2 {and here in I.Rausis-N.Huschenbeth,
Hamburg 2011, Black should have preferred} e5 $5 {with unclear play.})) (6...
Qa5 $5 {is rather interesting too - in the spirit of the Cambridge Springs,
except that White has played Qb3 instead of e2-e3. Play might continue} 7. Bd2
(7. cxd5 exd5 8. e3 {isn't a transposition to the Carlsbad Variation as Black
has the immediate} Ne4 {with good counter-chances}) 7... Qb6 $5 ({or} 7... Qc7
$5) 8. Qc2 $5 Be7 9. e3 O-O 10. Bd3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 c5 12. O-O Qc7 {with a solid
position. Then after} 13. e4 (13. Rac1 $5) 13... cxd4 14. Nb5 Qb8 15. Nbxd4 Ne5
{, followed by ...Bd7, Black solved all his problems, E.Romanov-I.Sokolov,
European Ch., Budva 2009.}) 7. e3 {The type of position mostly arises in the
Queen Gambit Declined; e.g. 2...e6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 e3 Nbd7 (or 5...0-0)
6 Nf3 c6 (via some move order or other). However, White very rarely places his
queen on b3 there - he usually chooses between 7 Qc2, 7 Rc1 and 7 Bd3. --- As
a rule, the manoeuvre Qd1-b3 is used to increase pressure on the d5-square and
so make it more difficult for Black to carry out the thematic c-pawn push - as
for example, in a similar position from the Tartakower Variation: 2...e6 3 Nc3
Nf6 4 Bg5 Be7 5 e3 0-0 6 Nf3 h6 7 Bh4 b6 8 Qb3 Bb7 9 Bxf6 Bxf6 10 cxd5 exd5 11
Rd1 and now Black usually limits himself to ...c7-c6 (either immediately or
after 11...Re8). --- In our case, however, Black has already played ...c7-c6 -
and this set-up is usually connected with ...d5xc4 followed by ...b7-b5,
rather than ...b7-b6. Furthermore, the knight on f6 is already supported by
the other one, so Black always keeps proper control over the d5-square. We can
therefore conclude that White's approach with Qb3 shouldn't be too harmful for
Black. --- Rather than the position itself, the only possible problem is that
such a course of play might be unsuitable for some Triangle players! Well, for
those who don't mind, let's continue:} -- ({A21:} 7... h6) ({A22:} 7... O-O) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "A21: 7...h6"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Bg5 Be7 7. e3 h6 {
Although it looks quite useful to push the bishop, it may not always be in
Black's favour, as it allows White to meet a typical ...d5xc4 and ...Nd5 (or
indeed c4xd5 and ...Nxd5) with Bg3, avoiding an exchange of dark-squared
bishops.} 8. Bh4 O-O 9. Be2 $5 {With ...h7-h6 and Bh4 having already been
included, this modest development might promise White a small but stable
advantage.} ({Instead,} 9. Bd3 {can be met by} dxc4 10. Qxc4 c5 $5 11. -- (11.
O-O b6) ({, or} 11. dxc5 Nxc5 12. Bc2 b6 13. Rd1 Qe8 {with solid play for Black
}) ({; or if} 11. Bc2 $5 {(which has been tried successfully in a couple of
games) there is the interesting resource} {However, Black seems to have an
interesting resource} b5 $5 (11... b6 $5 12. Rd1 Bb7 {should also be okay, A.Fominyh-R.Ramesh, Chennai 2004}) 12. Nxb5 ({or} 12. Qxb5 Rb8 13. Qe2 Qa5 14.
O-O ({while} 14. Bd3 $6 {is answered by} c4 $1 15. Bxc4 Ba3 $3 16. Bb3 Ba6 17.
Qc2 Rfc8) 14... Ba6 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Rxb2) 12... Qa5+ 13. Nc3 Ba6 14. Qa4
Qb6 {with excellent compensation for the pawn.})) 9... dxc4 (9... b6 $5 {.})
10. Qxc4 (10. Bxc4 a6 11. a4 ({or} 11. Rd1 $6 b5) 11... c5 12. O-O cxd4 13.
exd4 b6 {is okay for Black.}) 10... Nd5 (10... a6 $5 11. O-O Ra7 $5 {intending
...b7-b5 deserves attention.}) 11. Bg3 ({Or} 11. Bxe7 $5 Qxe7 12. O-O {.})
11... Nxc3 12. Qxc3 Nf6 13. O-O (13. Nd2 $5 {.}) 13... Ne4 14. Qc2 Nxg3 15.
hxg3 Bd7 16. Ne5 Rc8 {, Pr.Nikolic-V.Kramnik, Monte Carlo (rapid) 1999. This
passive but solid position is strongly reminiscent of the Cambridge Springs
Variation (in particular the line with 7 Nd2 dxc4).} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "A22: 7...0-0"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D60"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "22"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nbd7 6. Bg5 Be7 7. e3 O-O 8. Bd3
({White has tried several other moves:} 8. Rd1 {(postponing the development of
the light-squared bishop)} b6 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Ne4 $5 {is okay for Black, A.Lugovoi-M.Makarov, Russian Ch., Elista 1997.}) (8. Rc1 $5 {can also be met by}
b6 {, when} ({or first} 8... h6 $5) 9. cxd5 cxd5 $5 {gives Black a solid, if
rather passive position.}) (8. Be2 b6 (8... dxc4 9. Qxc4 Nd5 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 {is
also okay here}) 9. O-O Bb7 10. Rfd1 dxc4 11. Bxc4 Nd5 {is acceptable for
Black; e.g.} 12. Bxe7 ({or} 12. Bf4 Nxf4 13. exf4 Qc7 14. Ne5 Rad8 15. Rac1 Kh8
$5 16. Be2 ({though} 16. Bd3 $5 c5 17. Be4 {might improve}) 16... c5 17. Nb5
Qb8 18. Bf3 a6 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 20. Na3 Nxe5 21. dxe5 b5 {was good for Black in E.Agrest-S.Movsesian, Calvia Olympiad 2004}) 12... Qxe7 13. Nxd5 $5 ({White
didn't achieve much after} 13. Rac1 Nxc3 14. Rxc3 c5 15. d5 exd5 16. Bxd5 Bxd5
17. Qxd5 Nf6 18. Qf5 Rad8 {in R.Swiderski-D.Janowski, Hanover 1902}) 13... exd5
14. Bf1 Rfc8 15. Rac1 Rc7 16. g3 g6 17. Bg2 {, J.Hellsten-A.Dreev, Calvia
Olympiad 2004, and now} Rac8 $5 {intending ...c6-c5 was more reliable.}) 8...
dxc4 $5 ({Alternatively,} 8... b6 {is again a solid option.}) ({Black has also
experimented with} 8... a5 $5 9. a3 ({or} 9. cxd5 exd5) 9... h6 10. Bh4 dxc4
11. Qxc4 a4 $5 12. O-O b5 {, after which A.Vyzmanavin-E.Sveshnikov, Tashkent
1984, continued} 13. Qxc6 (13. Qa2 $5) 13... Ra6 14. Qxb5 Ra5 15. Qc4 Ba6 16.
Qxa6 Rxa6 17. Bxa6 g5 18. Bg3 Nh5 {with unclear play.}) ({However, an
interesting question is whether Black can interpose} 8... h6 $5 {, trying to
transpose to acceptable position from line A21 after} 9. Bh4 {.} ({. Instead,
White can try} 9. Bxf6 $5 Nxf6 (9... Bxf6 $5 {might be playable; e.g.} 10. O-O
Nb6 $5 11. cxd5 exd5 12. Qc2 Re8 13. b4 Bg4 14. Nd2 Be7 {with normal play in
this Carlsbad-type position, A.Fominyh-Dao Thien Hai, Calcutta 2004}) 10. O-O
b6 11. Rac1 Bb7 12. Rfd1 {, as in A.Lugovoi-A.Drogoon, Moscow 1998, after which
} Rc8 $5 {might have been more reliable.}) ({. Another option is} 9. Bf4 $5
dxc4 ({or} 9... Nh5 10. Be5 $5) 10. Qxc4 Nd5 11. O-O $5 Nxf4 12. exf4 {and
Black is a bit late in developing his queenside (cf Agrest-Movsesian in the
note with 8 Be2 b6 above).})) 9. Qxc4 $1 (9. Bxc4 {doesn't promise any
advantage - as demonstrated in the 19th century (!)} b5 10. Be2 a6 11. a4 b4
12. Nb1 c5 13. Nbd2 Bb7 {and Black is at least not worse, W.Steinitz-Em.Lasker,
Moscow (17th matchgame) 1897.}) 9... a6 $5 ({Other moves:} 9... Nd5 10. Bxe7
Qxe7 {is always somewhat better for White.}) (9... h6 $5 {again deserves
attention, trying to lure White into 9 Bd3 positions in line A21. Instead,} 10.
Bxf6 Nxf6 ({or} 10... Bxf6 $5 {gives Black a slightly worse but acceptable
position.})) (9... c5 {is also worth considering:} 10. dxc5 $5 (10. Bxf6 Bxf6
11. dxc5 Qc7) (10. Rd1 cxd4 11. Qxd4 h6 12. Bf4 Qb6 {was okay for Black in A.Khalifman - L.Oll, New York 1994}) 10... Nxc5 11. Bc2 {and here after the
correct} Qb6 $1 {Black should be okay,} ({rather than} 11... Qa5 {(without ...h7-h6 and Bh4 included)} 12. O-O Ncd7 13. Rfd1 {and White is clearly better, V.Akopian-P.San Segundo Carrillo, Madrid 1997.}) (11... b6 $2 {fails to} 12. Rd1
Qe8 13. Qh4 {.})) 10. O-O (10. Bc2 {allows Black to solve all his problems by}
b5 {and ...c6-c5, since the c6-pawn is untouchable:} 11. Qxc6 $4 Ra7 {and
White faces inevitable material losses after ...Rc7 and ...b5-b4.}) 10... h6 {
If Black isn't worried about Bxf6 here, he could certainly play ...h7-h6 on
the previous move.} 11. Bh4 -- ({Now Black has a choice:} 11... c5 $5 {is
worth considering:} 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Qxc5 Qxd3 15. Rad1 Qg6 16.
Ne5 Qh5 (16... Qf5 $5) 17. f4 {and Black's position should be defendable after}
b6 $5 {.}) (11... Ra7 $5 {, intending ...b7-b5, was tried in M.Roiz-L.B.Hansen,
Bornholm 2008, which continued} 12. b4 b6 (12... b5 $5 {was still interesting:}
13. Qb3 c5 $1 14. bxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Qxd3 16. Rfd1 Qf5 {etc}) 13. Rfd1 Bb7 14.
e4 Nh5 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16. Bc2 a5 {and Black obtained good play.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B: 5...dxc4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 ({The position after 6 Qxc4 can also be reached via the
Vienna Variation (} 2... e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Nf3 dxc4 {) or Queen's Gambit
Accepted (2...dxc4 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6) - if White chooses the sideline} 5. Qa4+
(5. e4 Bb4 6. Bg5 c5 {is the main line}) {, and Black replies with} 5... c6 6.
Qxc4 {.}) 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 {Here the pawn push 6...b5
is thematic, but it isn't Black's only option.} -- ({B1:} 6... b5) ({B2:} 6...
Be7 $5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B1: 6...b5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 {Here White can
choose between:} 7. -- ({B11:} 7. Qb3) ({B12:} 7. Qd3 $1) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B11: 7 Qb3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 {Now
Black must decide how he's going to achieve the thematic ...c6-c5.} Nbd7 {The
most popular but not necessarily the best continuation.} ({The c-pawn advance
can be also prepared by} 7... a6 $5 {:} 8. Bg5 {(otherwise Black plays ...
c6-c5 unhindered)} c5 ({for} 8... Nbd7 {see 8...a6 in the notes to line B112})
9. Bxf6 $5 ({Black is okay after} 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. Ne4 Be7 11. Rd1 Nbd7 $5 ({or
} 11... Nd5 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 {, J.Werle-J.Smeets, Groningen 2008})) 9... gxf6 10.
dxc5 Bb7 11. Rd1 Nd7 12. a4 $5 (12. g3 $6 Qa5 13. a3 Nxc5 14. Qc2 Ne4 15. Bg2
Nxc3 16. bxc3 Rc8 {was just good for Black in A.Anastasian-H.Melkumyan,
Armenian Ch., Yerevan 2009}) 12... Qa5 13. axb5 Nxc5 14. Qc2 {and White
secures his development, but Black is also okay; e.g.} Bg7 $5 15. bxa6 Nxa6 16.
e4 Nb4 17. Qb1 O-O 18. Be2 f5 $5 19. exf5 Nd5 {and so on.}) 8. -- {After the
text we'll consider:} ({B111:} 8. g3) ({B112:} 8. Bg5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B111: 8 g3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 Nbd7 8. g3
{The fianchetto is harmless for Black, who has already secured both ...c6-c5
and the development of his light-squared bishop on the long diagonal.} b4 (8...
Bb7 9. Bg2 a6 {is also good; e.g.} 10. Ne5 $5 (10. O-O c5 {is fine for Black})
10... Qc8 $5 11. O-O c5 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. Nxd7 Nxd7 14. d5 c4 15. Qc2 Be7 16.
Rd1 O-O {with acceptable play, G.Sargissian-B.Gelfand, Yerevan (rapid) 2008.})
({Or Black can begin with} 8... a6 {, intending} 9. Bg2 c5 $5 {at once, as in
S.Rosberg-P.H.Nielsen, Swedish Team Ch. 2007 - except that} 10. Ne5 $1 {is
more concrete here:} cxd4 11. Ne4 Nxe5 12. Nxf6+ Qxf6 ({or} 12... gxf6 13. Bxa8
h5 14. h4) 13. Bxa8 Be7 14. O-O O-O 15. Bd2 {and Black's compensation for the
exchange may be insufficient.}) 9. Na4 (9. Nb1 c5 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. O-O Be7 {is
fine for Black, P.Szuper-V.Erdos, Gibraltar 2011.}) 9... c5 {As a rule, once
Black achieves this thematic pawn break, he solves most of his problems. The
only downside here is that, in advancing his b-pawn so far, Black has also
made the c4-square comfortable for White's pieces.} (9... Ba6 $5 {is an
interesting alternative, but Black must be careful as this increases the power
of White's fianchettoed bishop:} 10. Bg2 (10. Bg5 $6 Qa5 11. Bxf6 gxf6 {and ...Bb5 is fine for Black, J.Rubinetti-E.Sveshnikov, Rio de Janeiro 1985}) ({while
} 10. Bd2 Ne4 $5 11. Qc2 Nxd2 12. Nxd2 Rc8 13. e3 Bxf1 14. Kxf1 Be7 {should
also be okay; e.g.} 15. Nb3 O-O 16. Kg2 c5 $1 17. dxc5 Nxc5 18. Naxc5 Bxc5 19.
Nxc5 Qd5+ {with equality}) 10... Qa5 11. Qd1 {and now} Bb5 $5 12. b3 c5 $5 13.
O-O Bxa4 (13... Qa6 $5) 14. bxa4 c4 {leads to very complicated play. All the
same, this line look quite risky for Black.}) 10. Bg2 Bb7 11. Nxc5 ({On} 11.
dxc5 {Black would think about} Qa5 $5) ({while} 11. O-O {can be met by} Bd5 12.
Qd1 c4 $5 ({or} 12... Rc8 13. dxc5 Nxc5 {, S.Mihajlovskij-M.Matlakov, St.
Petersburg 2008, though after} 14. Bd2 {it was more accurate to play} Ncd7 $5 {
, leaving White with his knight on a4}) 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Nd2 Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Nb6 {
and so on, V.Epishin-L.Oll, Uzhgorod 1987.}) 11... Nxc5 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. O-O (
13. Be3 {is harmless:} Bxe3 ({or} 13... Bd5 $5 14. Qa4+ Qd7 15. Qxd7+ Nxd7 16.
Bxc5 Nxc5 17. O-O Ke7) 14. Qxe3 O-O (14... Qb6 $5) 15. O-O Nd5 $5 16. Qe5 Qb6
17. Rfd1 Rac8 {with good play, G.Markzon-R.Robson, Ledyard 2009.}) 13... O-O
14. Ne5 {White exchanges light-squared bishops and manoeuvres his knight to a
stable position on d3.} Bxg2 15. Kxg2 Qc7 16. Nd3 a5 $5 {. Black needs to play
actively. Now he plans to answer} 17. Bg5 {by} Qb7+ 18. f3 ({Or} 18. Kg1 Bd4
19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. a3 Qe4 {.}) 18... Be7 19. Bxf6 a4 $1 20. Qc4 Bxf6 {with good
play.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B112: 8 Bg5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qb3 Nbd7 8.
Bg5 Be7 {The most popular continuation - even if suddenly resuming kingside
development doesn't seem completely in the spirit of the Triangle. The idea is
to prevent e2-e4.} ({Other moves:} 8... Qa5 $5 9. e3 {promises White better
chances, according to tournament practice.}) (8... c5 $5 {straight away is
interesting. Now} 9. Qxb5 ({, or} 9. Nxb5 {is rather dangerous for White due to
} Rb8 {.}) ({. The most challenging response is} 9. d5 $1 c4 $1 10. Qxb5 Rb8
11. Qxc4 (11. Qc6 Bb7 {is unclear}) 11... exd5 12. Nxd5 Qa5+ 13. Nc3 Bc5 $5 ({
after} 13... Nc5 $6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 {, S.Cvetkovic-D.Kosic, Yugoslav Team Ch.
1995, White might have played} 15. Rb1) 14. Rb1 O-O 15. Bd2 Ba6 (15... Rb4 16.
Qd3) 16. Qa4 Qb6 17. e3 {and although Black is very active, White's position
is very solid with good chances of slowly extinguishing his opponent's
initiative.})) (8... a6 {is a natural alternative:} 9. e4 ({, Black is also
okay after} 9. a4 Qa5 $5) (9. Rd1 Bb7 10. e4 c5) ({; and} 9. e3 c5 10. Be2 Bb7
11. O-O Bd6 $5 ({or} 11... cxd4 12. Nxd4 Bd6 $5)) 9... c5 (9... h6 $5) 10. d5
c4 11. Qc2 Qc7 {with acceptable play for Black, V.Korchnoi-I.Novikov, Pamplona
1990. In this sort of Meran position White got his pawn to e4 in one step, but
then his queen went to c2 in two.}) 9. e3 {Such routine development as this
won't bother Black, but it isn't easy - if indeed possible - for White to get
an advantage anyway.} (9. Rd1 $5 {leads to the main line after} O-O 10. e3 a6 {
.}) (9. g3 {isn't improved by the inclusion of Bg5 and ...Be7 (on line B111
above):} O-O 10. Bg2 b4 11. Na4 Ba6 12. Bxf6 gxf6 $5 13. Qc2 Rc8 {followed by ...Qa5 with good play for Black, V.Buturin-O.Korneev, Ubeda 1997.}) (9. Bxf6
Nxf6 10. g3 {is also fine for Black:} Bb7 ({perhaps} 10... b4 $5 {is more
precise:} 11. Na4 Nd7 $5 12. Bg2 Ba6 13. Rc1 O-O $5 ({or} 13... Qa5 $5)) 11.
Bg2 O-O 12. O-O a6 (12... Rb8 $5) (12... Qb6 $5) 13. Rfd1 (13. Na4 $5 Nd7 14.
Rac1 {might improve here}) 13... Qc7 14. Ng5 c5 15. dxc5 Bxg2 16. Kxg2 Qxc5 17.
Nce4 Qf5 {with an advantage Black eventually converted in U.Adianto-A.Dreev,
Beijing 2000.}) (9. e4 {was tried by Korchnoi against two future world
champions, but White can hardly hope for anything after} b4 {and then:} 10. --
(10. Na4 Nxe4 11. Bxe7 Qxe7 12. Bd3 Nef6 13. O-O O-O 14. Rac1 a5 15. Rfe1 Bb7
16. Ne5 Rac8 17. Qc2 {and White maintains good control, though he can't pose
any real problems. V.Korchnoi-V.Anand, Tilburg 1991, continued} h6 18. Bc4 Qd6
19. Bb3 Rfe8 20. Rcd1 Rcd8 21. h3 Nd5 22. Nc4 Qc7 23. Nc5 Bc8 24. Ne5 Nxc5 25.
Qxc5 Ne7 26. Rd3 Rd6 {and Black slowly consolidated and eventually scored the
full point.}) (10. Bxf6 Nxf6 11. Na4 Nxe4 12. Bd3 Nf6 (12... Qd5 $5) 13. O-O
O-O 14. Rac1 {gave White compensation in V.Korchnoi-V.Kramnik, Tilburg 1998,
thanks to his control over the c5-square. His main difficulty is that his
opponent doesn't mind losing the c6-pawn:} a5 (14... Bb7 $5) 15. Rfd1 ({not} 
15. Rxc6 $2 Bb7) 15... Bd6 16. Ne5 Nd5 $5 17. Qc2 g6 18. Qxc6 Ra7 19. Nc5 Rc7
20. Qb5 Bxe5 21. dxe5 Qg5 {, when Black had good counterplay and went on to
win.})) 9... a6 $5 ({Black can begin with} 9... Bb7 {, since he can't get his
bishop to a6 anyway; but the text is probably more accurate as it enables him
to play the thematic ...c6-c5 at once.}) 10. Rd1 $5 ({Other lines are harmless
too:} 10. Qc2 Bb7 (10... c5 $5) 11. a4 b4 (11... Qa5 $5) 12. Bxf6 gxf6 $1 13.
Ne4 c5 14. Nxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Rc8 16. Bc4 Rxc5 17. Qe2 Qa8 18. Nd4 Rg8 19. Rg1
Qc8 20. b3 h5 21. g3 h4 22. Qd3 f5 {and Black was clearly better, C.Barus-Zhang Zhong, Jakarta 2011.}) (10. Bxf6 Bxf6 11. Ne4 Be7 12. Rc1 Qa5+ $1
13. Nfd2 Bb7 14. Bd3 Rd8 15. O-O c5 $1 16. dxc5 Ne5 {also gave White problems,
U.Adianto-A.Shabalov, New York Open 1994.}) (10. Be2 c5 11. O-O Bb7 {is fine
for Black, who can either maintain the tension and simply continue development,
or push his c-pawn forward to create an effective queenside pawn majority; e.g.
} 12. Rad1 c4 $5 13. Qc2 Rc8 {, S.Cvetkovic-D.Blagojevic, Tivat 2011.}) 10...
O-O 11. Bd3 ({Against} 11. Be2 {as well, Black can choose between} Bb7 ({or} 
11... c5 {, and if} 12. dxc5 {then} Qc7 {with an edge, U.Adianto-E.Handoko,
Jakarta 1994.})) ({In a few games White has played} 11. Qc2 {, seeing that his
queen has nothing to do on b3. Then it's useful to compare the position
arising after} Bb7 {with that after 4 Qc2 dxc4 5 Qxc4 Nf6 6 Bg5 b5 7 Qc2 Bb7 8
a3 Nbd7 (see line B22 in Chapter 20). It becomes clear that in the current
case White has just wasted a tempo in his queen manoeuvre Qb3xc4-b3-c2, so
Black should be fine:} 12. Bd3 ({or} 12. Ne5 {is met by} Nxe5 ({or first} 12...
h6 $5) 13. dxe5 Nd7) 12... Rc8 ({or} 12... h6 $5 13. Bh4 Rc8 14. O-O c5 15.
dxc5 Rxc5 {and Black is somewhat better, A.Kharitonov-S.Dolmatov, Sverdlovsk
1984}) 13. O-O c5 {and White has to fight for equality, P.Tregubov-K.Sakaev,
Russian Team Ch. 2000.}) 11... c5 (11... Bb7 {is also possible:} 12. Bb1 h6 $5
13. Bxf6 ({or} 13. Bh4 c5) 13... Nxf6 14. Ne4 Qa5+ $5 15. Ke2 c5 $5 16. Nxf6+
Bxf6 17. Qc2 Rfd8 18. Qxc5 ({or} 18. dxc5 b4 $1) 18... Rac8 {with good play
for the pawn.}) 12. Bb1 c4 ({It might be useful to insert} 12... h6 $5 {, since
} 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. dxc5 Qc7 15. Ne4 Bb7 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Qc2 Rfc8 $5 18.
Qh7+ Kf8 {is nothing to worry about.}) 13. Qc2 Bb7 {. Black is okay. G.Soppe-A.Hoffman, Argentine Ch., Villa Martelli 1998, continued} 14. a3 {and here
Hoffman came up with} Bxf3 $5 (14... Re8 $5 15. e4 Nf8 {is also fine.}) 15.
gxf3 g6 16. h4 Nh5 17. f4 Nb6 18. Qe4 Re8 19. Qf3 Kg7 {with a solid position.}
*

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B12: 7 Qd3!"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 $1 {This
queen retreat looks rather unusual, but it's actually the only way to fight
for an advantage. White's queen takes control of the e4-square, so he's ready
to build a strong pawn centre without worrying about ...b5-b4. Curiously
enough, after the forthcoming e2-e4 the position is very similar to a Meran -
and with White nominally a tempo up as his e-pawn won't have paused on e3, but
he can hardly be satisfied to see the queen on d3 instead of the bishop.
Indeed, this gives Black some extra possibilities, though in general his
counter-actions are typical for the Meran - and the Triangle, of course. ---
Now Black must decide how to develop his pieces in order to prepare the
thematic ...c6-c5. There are some obvious moves, such as ...Bb7(a6) or ...Nbd7,
but Black still has to do something about his b-pawn. He can either support it
by ...a7-a6 or, more often, advance it to b4, followed sometimes by ...Qa5,
and then ...c6-c5. Black can realize such plans by various move orders, so
we'll consider them one by one. As for the concrete moves, we'll focus on:} --
({B121:} 7... Bb7) ({B122:} 7... a6 $5) ({B123:} 7... Nbd7) ({Rare options
include:} 7... Ba6 $6 {is met by} 8. Ne4 $5 {, which makes the black bishop
move rather useless; e.g.} Nxe4 ({or} 8... b4 9. Nxf6+ {followed by Qc2, g2-g3
and Bg2}) 9. Qxe4 Qd5 10. Qc2 Bb4+ 11. Bd2 Bxd2+ 12. Qxd2 ({the creative} 12.
Kxd2 Nd7 13. e4 Qd6 14. e5 Qb4+ 15. Qc3 {is also good for White, K.Sakaev-N.Guliyev, French Team Ch. 2005}) 12... c5 13. dxc5 Qxc5 14. Rc1 Qb6 15. Qb4 {
and e2-e3 with a stable advantage.}) (7... b4 $6 8. Ne4 {is similar to line
'a' and would transpose after} Ba6 {.}) (7... Be7 $6 {is too routine and
allows White to take time for} 8. a3 $1 {, neutralizing both ...c6-c5 and ...b5-b4, when} O-O {and then occupy the center by} 9. e4 {gives him the better
chances, according to tournament practice.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B121: 7...Bb7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 $1 Bb7 {
This move doesn't prepare ...c6-c5 straight away, which may be the reason why
it isn't so popular, but it has its point - now it's more difficult for White
to carry out his programmed e2-e4 undisturbed.} 8. e4 (8. Bg5 Nbd7 {will be
considered later (in line B1231),} ({while for} 8... a6 {see the notes to line
B122.})) ({In this position} 8. a3 {is ineffective, as Black can simply play}
a6 {and then:} 9. -- (9. b4 {is risky, as after} a5 10. Rb1 axb4 11. axb4 Na6
$5 {the white b-pawn comes under pressure.}) (9. e3 c5 {can only be worse for
White:} 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Bd2 Ke7 13. Bd3 Nbd7 {and Black had a
small advantage in the endgame, A.Karpov-G.Kasparov, Las Palmas 1996 - his
knight on d7 is more efficient than its counterpart on c3.}) (9. e4 {is also
met by} c5 {, when the inclusion of a2-a3 and ...Bb7 (compared with 7...a6 8
e4 c5 in the notes to line B122) should be in Black's favour:} 10. e5 ({or} 10.
dxc5 Bxc5 $5 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {- note that Black hasn't wasted a tempo on ...Be7
here}) 10... Nd5 (10... cxd4 11. Nxb5 $1 Nfd7 12. Nbxd4 Nxe5 $1 {isn't bad
either, N.Kiseleva-N.Lakos, German League 2002}) 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Ne4 Nd7 $5
13. Be2 Be7 14. O-O h6 15. Bd2 {and now} Qb6 $5 {, would be more accurate; e.g.
} ({rather than} 15... Nc5 16. Nxc5 Bxc5 17. Qe4 Qe7 18. Qg4 {with some
kingside pressure, P.Tregubov-Va. Filippov, Koszalin 1999}) 16. Rac1 ({or} 16.
Bd1 Rc8) 16... O-O 17. Bd1 Rfd8 18. Bc2 Nf8 {and Black is okay.})) 8... b4 9.
Na4 Qa5 {Here, or on the next move, ...Nbd7 is quite possible, switching to 7...Nbd7 lines (see B12321 below).} 10. b3 c5 $5 {Black attacks the white centre
immediately.} 11. e5 ({In the endgame after} 11. Qb5+ $6 Qxb5 12. Bxb5+ Bc6 13.
Bxc6+ Nxc6 {Black certainly isn't worse, T.Meynard-G.Flear, French Team Ch.
2006}) ({while after} 11. Nxc5 Bxc5 12. dxc5 Nxe4 ({or} 12... O-O $5 {Black is
again doing well, thanks to his lead in development.})) 11... Nfd7 $5 {Black
must keep the centre under pressure.} (11... Ne4 $5 {might also be playable}) (
{whereas the seemingly natural} 11... Nd5 {would render both the knight and
the light-squared bishop less effective.}) 12. Bb2 ({On} 12. dxc5 {, apart from
} Nc6 ({or just capturing on c5, Black can play for a lead in development after
} 12... Be7 $5 {and ...0-0.})) 12... cxd4 13. Qxd4 Nc6 14. Qf4 ({Or} 14. Qe4
Rb8 {.}) 14... Be7 $5 ({Prophylaxis with} 14... h6 {isn't really necessary at
the moment, though it isn't bad:} 15. Be2 Ne7 $5 {Joh.Mayer-M.Bley, corr. 2008.
} ({Black might also think about} 15... Rd8 $5 16. O-O Nc5) ({or even} 15... g5
$5 16. Qg3 Ne7 {.})) 15. Be2 {The position after 15 Be2 is also okay for Black.
} (15. Qg3 {is met by} O-O 16. Bc4 Nc5 17. Nxc5 Bxc5 18. O-O Rad8 ({or an
immediate} 18... Ne7 {and Black is fine})) ({while after} 15. Bc4 {the pawn
push} g5 $5 {gains in power:} 16. Qg3 ({not} 16. Nxg5 $6 Ncxe5) 16... h5 {with
interesting play on the kingside, which is well supported by other pieces.})
15... O-O {gives him acceptable play;} ({or he can again consider the more
risky} 15... g5 $5 16. Qg3 ({or} 16. Nxg5 Ncxe5) 16... h5 17. Nxg5 h4 18. Qe3
Ncxe5 {with sharp complications.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B122: 7...a6!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 a6 $5 {
This modest pawn advance is quite logical - Black wants to play ...c6-c5 on
the very next move.} 8. Bg5 ({Let's take a look at White's other options:} 8.
g3 {isn't very consistent with Qd3 and e2-e4, besides which it's harmless
because Black achieves ...c6-c5 and ...Bb7 comfortably:} c5 9. Bg2 Bb7 10. O-O
Nbd7 {is fine for Black. Some examples:} 11. Bg5 ({after} 11. Bf4 cxd4 12. Qxd4
Bc5 13. Qd3 O-O 14. Bd6 Bxd6 15. Qxd6 Nb6 16. Qf4 Rc8 {, E.Moradiabadi-S.Sjugirov, Greek Team Ch. 2010}) ({or} 11. Rd1 b4 12. Na4 Be4 13. Qd2 Qa5 14. b3
c4 $1 {, Bu Xiangzhi-A.Wirig, Biel 2011, Black has somewhat better chances})
11... Qb6 (11... c4 $5) (11... Be7 $5) 12. Rad1 {and despite developing all
his pieces, White he has no clear target. H.Teske-L.Fressinet, German League
2010, continued} Be7 13. Ne5 Bxg2 14. Kxg2 Qb7+ (14... cxd4 $5 15. Nxd7 Qc6+
16. Kg1 dxc3 {is also good}) 15. Qf3 Qxf3+ 16. Nxf3 c4 17. d5 exd5 18. Nxd5
Nxd5 19. Rxd5 Nb6 20. Rd4 f6 21. Be3 Kf7 {and Black eventually converted his
queenside pawn majority into a full point.}) (8. a4 Bb7 9. Bg5 Nbd7 10. e3 {
gives Black no problems. In I.Nemtzev-R.Skomorokhin, Nizhnij Novgorod 1998, he
played aggressively with} Qa5 $5 11. Be2 c5 12. O-O c4 13. Qd1 b4 14. Nb1 Rc8
15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Nbd2 Nb6 {and obtained excellent counter-chances.}) (8. Ne4 {
is safe but harmless:} Nxe4 (8... Nbd7 $5) 9. Qxe4 Bb7 10. e3 ({or} 10. Bd2 Nd7
11. b4 a5 $1 12. bxa5 b4) 10... Nd7 11. Be2 Qb6 (11... Qb8 $5) 12. O-O c5 {and
again Black has no problems, M.Grabarczyk-P.Prohaszka, German League 2011.}) (
8. e4 {is naturally answered by} c5 {and then:} 9. -- (9. e5 cxd4 ({both} 9...
c4 10. Qc2 Nd5 {, A.Sharafiev-S.Yudin, Ulan Ude 2009}) ({and} 9... Nd5 {, L.Le
Quang-Geo.Meier, Dortmund 2011, are playable too}) 10. Nxb5 $1 ({, typical
tactics for the Meran - other moves are harmless:} 10. Qxd4 $6 Qxd4 11. Nxd4
Nfd7 12. f4 Bb7 {, E.Zaiatz-N.Paikidze, Russian Women's Ch., St. Petersburg
2010}) ({, or} 10. Nxd4 Nd5 11. Qg3 Bb7 12. Be2 Ne7 $5 ({or} 12... Nb4 {, R.Ekström-P.H.Nielsen, European Ch., Ohrid 2001})) 10... axb5 11. exf6 Nc6 $1 12.
fxg7 Bxg7 13. Be2 {was P.Tregubov-T.Gelashvili, Dubai 2002, when it was more
reliable to play} O-O 14. Bd2 ({or} 14. O-O Nb4 $5 15. Qb3 d3 16. Rd1 Qc7 17.
Bxd3 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Qc4) 14... Qd6 15. O-O b4 {and Black's activity should be
compensate for his compromised pawn structure.}) (9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. e5 (10.
Qxd8+ Kxd8 {is okay for Black:} 11. Ne5 ({or} 11. Bd3 Nbd7 12. O-O Bb7 13. e5
Nd5 14. Ne4 Ke7 15. Bg5+ f6 16. exf6+ gxf6 17. Bh6 Kf7 {, P.Tregubov-B.Gelfand,
Russian Team Ch. 2005}) 11... Ke7 12. f3 Bd4 13. Nd3 Nc6 14. Bd2 Bb7 {, A.Kveinys-P.Tregubov, Manama 2009}) 10... Ng4 11. Qxd8+ Kxd8 12. Bg5+ Ke8 13. Ne4
Bb4+ 14. Bd2 (14. Ke2 Bb7 15. Rd1 Nd7 16. Nd6+ Bxd6 17. exd6 Rc8 18. h3 Nge5
19. Nxe5 Nxe5 {was good for Black in M.Chiburdanidze-B.Munguntuul, Ulan Bator
2010}) 14... Bxd2+ 15. Nexd2 Nd7 ({or} 15... Nc6 $5 16. a4 Rb8) 16. a4 bxa4 17.
Nc4 Ke7 18. h3 Nh6 19. Rxa4 Bb7 20. Be2 Rhc8 21. O-O Bd5 22. Rfa1 Rab8 {and
Black is doing well, H.Hernandez Carmenates-D.Jakovenko, Dresden Olympiad 2008.
})) 8... c5 (8... Bb7 {looks a bit slow seeing as Black can play ...c6-c5 at
once, but it isn't bad either:} 9. e4 h6 (9... c5 {is mistimed due to} 10. d5
h6 11. Bxf6 $1) 10. Bh4 ({or} 10. Bxf6 $5 Qxf6 $5 {followed by ...Nbd7 and ...c6-c5 after some preparation}) 10... g5 $5 ({Black can also do without this:} 
10... c5 $5 11. e5 ({or} 11. d5 c4 12. Qe2 Qb6) 11... cxd4 $5 12. exf6 g5) 11.
Bg3 c5 $1 12. d5 $1 ({Black is fine after} 12. dxc5 $6 Qxd3 13. Bxd3 Bxc5 14.
Rc1 ({or} 14. e5 Nh5 15. Be4 Bxe4 16. Nxe4 Bb4+ 17. Ke2 Nd7 {, H.Melkumyan-A.Pashikian, Armenian Ch., Yerevan 2011}) 14... Nbd7 15. O-O Ke7 {, M.Chiburdanidze-T.Kosintseva, World Team Ch., Ekaterinburg 2007}) 12... exd5 $1 (
{not} 12... b4 $6 13. Na4 exd5 14. exd5 Bxd5 15. O-O-O {with a dangerous
initiative, R.Ponomariov-S.Movsesian, Warsaw blitz 2010}) 13. exd5 Bg7 $1 {and
Black has good counter-chances; e.g.} 14. h4 ({or} 14. Qe3+ Qe7 15. Qxe7+ Kxe7
16. O-O-O Nbd7) 14... O-O $1 15. hxg5 Re8+ 16. Be2 hxg5 17. Nxg5 ({or} 17.
O-O-O b4 18. Na4 Qa5 $1 19. b3 c4 $1 {with excellent play; e.g.} 20. Qc2 cxb3 (
{or} 20... Rxe2 $5 21. Qxe2 Nbd7 {and White's position is insecure}) 21. axb3
Nbd7 22. Bc7 Rxe2 $1 23. Bxa5 Rxc2+ 24. Kxc2 Rc8+ 25. Kb1 Bxd5) 17... b4 18.
Nce4 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Qxd5 {and here it wouldn't be such a bad idea for White to
force a draw by} 20. Nf6+ $5 Bxf6 21. Qh7+ Kf8 22. Qh6+ Kg8 23. Qh7+ {etc,} ({
or if} 23. Qxf6 {then} Rxe2+ $1 24. Kxe2 Qe4+ {and Black gives perpetual check.
})) 9. Bxf6 {Probably the best option.} ({Instead,} 9. e3 {is passive:} Nbd7
10. Be2 Bb7 11. O-O Be7 {and Black has no problems; e.g.} 12. Rfd1 O-O 13. dxc5
Nxc5 14. Qd4 Qxd4 15. Rxd4 Rfd8 {, A.Karpov-J.Timman, Arnhem (4th matchgame)
1993.}) (9. O-O-O $6 {is too double-edged. Black is usually happy to see the
opposing king in front of his queenside pawns:} c4 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Qe4 Ra7
12. Qe3 Nd7 13. Ne5 ({or} 13. Ne4 Qd8 14. d5 Qb6) 13... Rc7 14. g4 Bb4 (14...
Bb7 $5) 15. Bg2 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Qe7 17. Ne4 O-O 18. g5 c3 $1 {and Black
eventually proved his superiority in M.Krasenkow-P.Eljanov, Copenhagen 2010.})
(9. a4 {can be met by} cxd4 ({or} 9... b4 10. Ne4 Nbd7) 10. Nxd4 bxa4 $5 11. e4
Bc5 (11... Nbd7) 12. Rxa4 Nbd7 {with good play.}) 9... gxf6 (9... Qxf6 $5 {is
somewhat worse for Black, though it may be sufficient for half a point:} 10.
Ne4 Qf5 {The game continued} 11. Nxc5 (11. g4 $5) 11... Bxc5 12. Qc3 $1 b4 ({or
} 12... Bb7 $5 13. dxc5 O-O) 13. Qxc5 Qxc5 14. dxc5 Bb7 15. Rc1 Ke7 16. e3 Rc8
{and it's difficult for White to hang on to his detached c5-pawn. Wang Hao-J.Smeets, Wijk aan Zee 2011, continued} 17. Nd4 Bd5 18. Kd2 Nd7 19. Bc4 Rxc5 20.
Bxd5 Rxd5 21. Ke2 a5 22. Rc7 Rc5 23. Rc1 Rxc1 24. Rxc1 {and Black held on.})
10. d5 {A logical pawn push;} ({an exchange on d4 would certainly make Black's
defence easier; e.g.} 10. Qe4 $2 cxd4 $1 11. Nxd4 ({not} 11. Qxa8 $2 dxc3 12.
bxc3 $4 Qc7) 11... Ra7 12. e3 Rd7 {followed by ...Bb7.}) ({Other moves:} 10.
O-O-O {is again double-edged:} c4 ({perhaps} 10... Bb7 $5 {is more reliable})
11. Qe4 Ra7 12. d5 Rd7 {and now} 13. g3 ({or if} 13. Qf4 {, M.Krasenkow-A.Istratescu, French Team Ch. 2011, then similarly} Bb7 $5) 13... Bb7 14. Bh3 {
is well met by} b4 15. dxe6 Rxd1+ 16. Rxd1 Qxd1+ 17. Kxd1 Bxe4 18. Nxe4 Ke7 {.}
) (10. e3 Bb7 11. Be2 {seems harmless for Black, but he shouldn't be too
relaxed given his compromised pawn structure. V.Korchnoi-J.Piket, Sarajevo
1998, continued} Nc6 (11... f5 $5 12. O-O Nd7 {seemed more to the point}) 12.
O-O cxd4 (12... f5 $5) 13. exd4 Nb4 14. Qd2 h5 15. a4 bxa4 16. Nxa4 Rb8 17.
Rfd1 Bc6 18. Ne1 $5 h4 19. Bf3 (19. h3 $5) 19... Bxf3 20. Nxf3 h3 21. g3 {and
White had somewhat better chances.}) 10... Bb7 $5 ({Alternatively:} 10... b4
11. Na4 {looks a bit suspicious. A.Khalifman-Av.Grigorian, Moscow 2011,
continued} Bd7 (11... Ra7 $5) 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Rd1 Qa5 (13... Qc7 $5 14. b3 c4
{might improve}) 14. b3 Bxa4 15. bxa4 b3+ 16. Nd2 Nd7 ({or} 16... bxa2 17. Qe4)
17. Qe4 {and Black faced certain problems.}) (10... Ra7 {(a rather unusual
manoeuvre but typical for such positions)} 11. e4 Rd7 {probably isn't quite
sufficient:} 12. Qc2 Bh6 13. g3 O-O 14. Bh3 Rd6 15. O-O Nd7 16. Rad1 {with
better chances, D.Khismatullin-D.Alsina Leal, Kavala 2010, though Black's
position is playable.}) (10... Bg7 $5 {fortifies the kingside and leads to
very complicated play, since ...f6-f5 will be necessary at some point. A.Cabrera-C.Sandipan, Gibraltar 2011, continued} 11. e4 (11. g3 $5 {may be
better:} f5 ({or} 11... O-O 12. Rd1 $5 ({or} 12. Bg2 Bb7 13. Qe3 $5 {with
chances of an edge due to the superior pawn structure})) 12. Bg2 O-O 13. O-O)
11... O-O 12. Be2 f5 $1 13. Rd1 Bb7 14. Qe3 {and now Black should have played}
exd5 $1 15. Nxd5 ({or} 15. exd5 Re8 16. Qxc5 $6 Nd7 17. Qb4 Nb6 {with the
initiative}) 15... Nd7 (15... Re8 $5) 16. O-O fxe4 17. Qxe4 Re8 18. Qc2 c4 {,
when his strong pieces, especially his bishops, more than compensate for the
damage to his king's shelter.}) 11. e4 {Protecting the d5-pawn in view of the
forthcoming ...b5-b4.} ({Instead,} 11. O-O-O $2 {would allow Black to grab the
pawn by} b4 12. Na4 Bxd5 $1 {, as White can't win the bishop with} 13. e4 {due
to} Bh6+ {. Then both} 14. Kb1 $4 (14. Kb1 $4 Bxe4 $1) ({, and} 14. Kc2 $2 b3+
$1 15. axb3 Nc6 {are terrible for White}) ({, while after} 14. Nd2 {Black can
choose between the solid} Bc6 ({and a somewhat crazy} 14... Bxa2 $5 15. Qxd8+
Kxd8 16. Kc2 Kc7 17. b3 Rd8 {, when it isn't so easy for White to round up the
trapped bishop without making concessions; e.g.} 18. Bc4 ({or} 18. Nxc5 Nc6)
18... Nc6 19. Nf3 Na5 20. Nb2 Kb6 {, planning to give up the bishop on b3 and
support the resulting passers with the king}) 15. Qxd8+ Kxd8 16. Nxc5 Kc7 {.}))
(11. Rd1 $5 {deserves attention:} b4 ({after} 11... Nd7 $5 12. dxe6 fxe6 {
Black's position looks vulnerable, but it might be playable}) 12. Na4 Qxd5 13.
Qxd5 Bxd5 14. Nb6 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Ra7 16. f4 f5 17. Rg1 Rb7 18. Nc4 {and White
has enough for the pawn, W.Browne-B.Kogan, US Ch., Estes Park 1986, though
Black doesn't stand badly either.}) 11... Nd7 12. Be2 (12. Qc2 Qc7 13. Be2 {
comes to the same thing after} c4) ({while} 12. Rd1 c4 13. Qd2 Nc5 {is also
acceptable, A.Ipatov-S.Chanda, Rethymnon 2011}) ({whereas} 12. O-O-O $6 {is
again in Black's favour:} c4 13. Qc2 Qb6 (13... Qc7 $5) (13... Rc8 $5) 14. Kb1
O-O-O 15. g3 Kb8 {with the better chances, Z.Gyimesi-V.Erdos, Hungarian Team
Ch. 2011.}) 12... c4 (12... Nb6 $6 13. Qc2 b4 {may give Black an extra pawn,
but it's too suspicious:} 14. Na4 exd5 15. exd5 Nxa4 16. Qxa4+ Qd7 17. Qc2 {
etc.}) 13. Qc2 Qc7 14. O-O -- ({Here Black might play} 14... Nc5 $5) ({or} 
14... Bd6 {, when his typical Meran set-up offers decent counter-chances. All
the same, Black's structure is compromised, so White can still hope for
advantage - something like} 15. a4 b4 16. Nd1 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B123: 7...Nbd7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "15"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Nbd7 {The
most popular continuation. Black gains more control over the c5-square,
preparing the sequence ...b5-b4 and ...c6-c5. --- Here White has a common
choice: whether to build a pawn centre or develop the dark-squared bishop
first. In many cases he plays both e2-e4 and Bg5, so transpositions are very
much possible. However, the move order is important, as both sides are trying
to carry out their plans under the most favourable circumstances.} 8. -- ({
B1231:} 8. Bg5) ({B1232:} 8. e4) ({Other moves:} 8. a3 $5 {, attempting to
disturb Black's plans, is worth considering but doesn't promise much here:} b4
({or} 8... a6 9. e4 c5 {, when} 10. e5 cxd4 ({but} 10... c4 $5 11. Qc2 Nd5 {is
playable}) 11. Qxd4 Bc5 12. Qf4 {is good for White, P.Tregubov-O.Maiorov,
Krasnodar 2000}) 9. axb4 ({after} 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 Bb7 {White can't
prevent ...c6-c5}) 9... Bxb4 {and Black is okay; e.g.} 10. e4 ({or} 10. g3 Bb7
11. Bg2 c5 12. O-O O-O 13. Be3 a5 14. Rfd1 Qe7 {, E.Agrest-L.Fressinet,
Corsica rapid 2005}) 10... c5 11. e5 Nd5 12. Bd2 Bb7 13. Be2 cxd4 ({
alternatives are reasonable too:} 13... h6 14. O-O O-O 15. Bd1 Ne7 $1 {, M.Stojanovic-Kir.Georgiev, Valjevo 2007}) ({or} 13... Qb6 14. O-O cxd4 15. Ne4
O-O 16. Neg5 g6 {, N.Sedlak-M.Godena, Arvier 2007}) 14. Qxd4 O-O 15. O-O Nxc3
16. Bxc3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Nb6 {and Black has no serious problems, P.Tregubov-D.Yevseev, Russian Team Ch. 1999.}) (8. g3 {is also harmless:} Bb7 (8... a6 $5)
9. a3 ({for} 9. Bg2 a6 10. O-O c5 {see 8 g3 in the notes to line B122}) 9... c5
$1 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Qxb5+ Nfd7 {and Black gets a lot of activity for the pawn.
A.Aleksandrov-Kr.Szabo, European Ch., Rijeka 2010, continued} 12. Qc4 Nb6 (
12... Rb8 $5) 13. Qf4 {and here} f6 $5 {deserved attention; e.g.} 14. Qg4 ({,
if} 14. Bg2 {then} g5 $1 15. Qd2 Nb3 16. Qxd8+ Rxd8 17. Rb1 Nc4) ({, while} 14.
h4 {can be met by} e5 ({or} 14... Qd7 $5 15. Bh3 Bd6) 15. Qf5 Nd5 16. Bg2 Nxc3
17. bxc3 Be4 18. Qh3 Qc8 $5) 14... f5 15. Qh5+ g6 16. Qh3 Nb3 {with the
initiative.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B1231: 8 Bg5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "40"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Nbd7 8.
Bg5 {This continuation might not be the most precise.} Bb7 (8... Qa5 $5 {might
warrant some attention; e.g.} 9. e4 b4 10. Nb1 c5 11. Nbd2 Bb7 {.}) 9. e4 ({
After} 9. a3 {it's worth inserting} {it is better to play} h6 ({on} 9... a6 {
White might play} 10. b4) 10. Bxf6 ({if} 10. Bh4 a6 11. b4 {then} a5 12. Rb1
axb4 13. axb4 Ra3 {gives Black good counterplay, as the rook can't be expelled
by Bc1}) 10... Nxf6 11. e4 b4 12. axb4 Bxb4 {and Black is fine, D.K.Johansen-J.P.Wallace, Sydney 1992.}) 9... h6 $5 ({The immediate} 9... b4 {has been played
more often, but it isn't necessarily Black's best option. The position arising
after} 10. Na4 Qa5 11. b3 c5 {will be considered in line B12321 below.}) 10.
Bh4 (10. Bxf6 Nxf6 {is harmless as White can hardly gain control over the
c5-square. M.Gurevich-R.Ovetchkin, European Ch., Dresden 2007, continued} 11.
Qc2 ({or} 11. e5 Nd7) 11... a6 12. O-O-O $6 Qa5 13. Kb1 Rc8 14. e5 Nd7 15. Ne4
$6 c5 $1 {and White had problems.}) 10... b4 ({Alternatively,} 10... a6 $5 {
looks interesting, if somewhat risky:} 11. e5 {(otherwise Black just plays ...c6-c5)} g5 12. Nxg5 hxg5 13. Bxg5 {reaches a Botvinnik-type position. Although
Black doesn't have an extra c-pawn here, he does have two extra moves (...a7-a6 and ...Bb7) and it is his turn again:} c5 $1 ({this thematic move is
good enough; there's no need to go in for} 13... Rg8 $6 14. h4 b4 $6 15. Ne4
Rxg5 16. Nxg5 Qa5 17. exf6 b3+ 18. Ke2 c5 19. Qc3 Qb5+ 20. Ke1 Qc6 21. axb3 {
, when Black has no compensation for the material losses, M.Chiburdanidze-M.Sebag, Ulan Bator 2010}) 14. exf6 {and here either} Qa5 $5 ({or} 14... Qc7 $5 {
gives Black decent compensation, albeit for two pawns! For a while I couldn't
believe my eyes, but after thorough checking I had to admit that Black really
is two pawns down. And yet, this doesn't decrease his activity - the
compensation is still there.})) (10... Qa5 {is also worth considering:} 11. e5
({, or} 11. Be2 b4 12. Nb1 Nh5 $5 ({or} 12... c5 {, J.Stocek-V.Bhat, Pula 2006}
) 13. Qe3 g5 14. Bg3 g4 $5 15. Nfd2 Qg5 $5 {is acceptable for Black.}) ({.
Instead,} 11. Nd2 $5 {poses more problems, B.Savchenko-S.Grigoriants, Moscow
2009, but the position is very unclear and might be playable.}) 11... Nd5 12.
Nd2 Nxc3 $5 13. Nb3 Qa4 14. bxc3 c5 $1 {.}) 11. Na4 Qa5 ({The simple} 11... Be7
{isn't bad either. It allows White to exchange dark-squared bishops, but his
lack of development prevents him from gaining any real benefit from Black's
weakened c5- and d6-squares:} 12. e5 Nd5 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Rc1 (14. Nd2 $6 {is
fine for Black:} N5b6 ({or} 14... O-O 15. Ne4 f6 $5) 15. Nxb6 axb6 {, A.Cherepov-S.Zhigalko, Minsk 2010, when} 16. Qe4 $6 Ra7 $1 17. Bd3 c5 18. Qg4 Qg5
{gave Black a big advantage}) 14... O-O {and Black is okay; e.g.} 15. Qe4 ({or
} 15. Nc5 Nxc5 16. Rxc5 ({while after} 16. dxc5 f6 {the c5- and d6-squares
become inaccessible for White's pieces}) 16... Nb6 17. Be2 Nd7 18. Rc2 c5)
15... f5 $5 16. Qc2 {and here maybe even} c5 $5 17. Nxc5 Rac8 {with good
compensation.}) 12. b3 Nb6 $5 {An interesting idea.} ({Black isn't in a hurry
to play} 12... c5 {, as this would make it easier for White to find a target
after} 13. Bxf6 gxf6 {. An equivalent position is considered later with
Black's pawn on h7, which is actually preferable for him - it's less weakening
and the bishop can be useful on h6 in some cases (see line B12321).}) 13. Nb2 (
13. Nxb6 axb6 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Be2 {is acceptable for Black, who can even
think about} O-O-O {, with ideas of ...Rg8, ...Kb8, ...c6-c5, and possibly ...f6-f5 with good counter-chances.}) 13... Be7 (13... Rd8 $5 {.}) 14. Nd2 O-O {
. This position arose in Y.Vovk-A.Korobov, Ukrainian Ch., Kiev 2011. Black is
doing well - he's ready to play the advance ...c6-c5, whereas White's only
reasonable attempt to gain control of the key dark squares,} 15. e5 Nfd5 16.
Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Ne4 {, doesn't have the desired effect due to his lack of
development:} Rad8 18. Nd6 Ba8 (18... Bc8 $5 {is also worth consideration.})
19. Qa6 $6 Qd5 20. O-O-O {Black might have begun disturbing the white king
already with} c5 {.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B1232: 8 e4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Nbd7 8. e4
{This natural and consistent pawn advance is the best - White can develop his
dark-squared bishop later, as required.} b4 ({Prevaricating with} 8... Bb7 $6 {
runs into} 9. e5 Nd5 10. Nxd5 exd5 {and Black has nothing to compensate for
his compromised pawn structure, D.Arutinian-A.Ismagambetov, Pardubice (rapid)
2008.}) ({However, the immediate} 8... Qa5 $5 {may be worth considering, and if
} 9. e5 {then} b4 $1 10. Ne4 $5 ({or} 10. Bd2 bxc3 11. Bxc3 Qb6 12. exf6 Nxf6
13. Ne5 Be7 {with acceptable play, according to practice}) 10... Nxe4 11. Qxe4
b3+ (11... Bb7 $5) 12. Bd2 Qxa2 13. Rb1 (13. Rc1 $5) 13... Ba6 14. Bd3 Bxd3 15.
Qxd3 Qa4 {and Black is okay, E.Karavade-M.Cornette, Montreal 2008.}) 9. Na4 {
Here Black has to decide whether to play ...Qa5 straight away or later. We'll
consider:} -- ({B12321:} 9... Bb7) ({B12322:} 9... Qa5) (9... c5 $6 {is
insufficient:} 10. e5 Nd5 11. Nxc5 Nxc5 12. dxc5 Qc7 13. Bd2 Bxc5 14. Rc1 {and
Black has to develop his light-squared the wrong way with} Bd7 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B12321: 9...Bb7"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Nbd7 8. e4
b4 9. Na4 Bb7 10. Bg5 ({White has a number of other options:} 10. Be2 Qa5 11.
b3 c5 12. e5 Nd5 (12... Ne4 13. Be3 {is more risky since the knight isn't well
supported here, V.Malakhov-A.Grischuk, 4th matchgame, Elista 2007}) 13. O-O {
should be okay for Black, who can prevent the forthcoming Bd2 and a2-a3 by}
cxd4 $5 ({otherwise White's plan succeeds - e.g. after} 13... h6 14. Bd2 Be7 {
, D.Bocharov-D.Frolyanov, Moscow 2008}) ({or} 13... Rc8 14. Bd2 Be7 {, M.Umansky-A.Dreev, Gorky 1989}) ({or} 13... Be7 14. Bd2 O-O {, J.Piket-L.Van
Wely, Monte Carlo blindfold rapid 1999, the thematic} 15. a3 $5 {gives White
the better chances in all cases}) 14. Qxd4 N7b6 $5 ({stronger than} 14... Be7
15. Bg5 ({while} 15. Bd2 $5 O-O 16. a3 Rfd8 17. Rfc1 {might also cause some
problems}) 15... Bxg5 16. Nxg5 Bc6 17. Rac1 Bxa4 18. bxa4 {with some pressure
for White, Jo.Horvath-E.Sveshnikov, Sochi 1985}) 15. Bd2 Rd8 {and in this
situation White has no time for a2-a3.}) (10. e5 Nd5 11. Bd2 -- ({, and then} 
11... Qa5 12. b3 c5 {will be considered via 9...Qa5 (see 11 e5 Nd5 12 Bd2 in
the notes to line B12322)}) ({, but} 11... N5b6 $5 {is also interesting:} 12.
Qc2 ({or} 12. Nxb6 Qxb6 13. Be3 c5 14. Rc1 Rc8 15. Be2 Be7 16. Nd2 O-O 17. Nc4
Qc6 18. Bf3 Qa6 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 20. O-O Rfd8 21. Nd6 Bxd6 22. exd6 Qd5 {with
good play, P.Tregubov-Y.Yakovich, Paris 2005}) 12... Nxa4 13. Qxa4 a5 $5 14.
Bg5 (14. Rc1 Be7 15. Bd3 $2 Nc5 $1 {gave Black a clear advantage in another
Tregubov-Yakovich game, Kazan 2005}) 14... Be7 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 {and White has to
fight for equality as he can't prevent ...c6-c5, after which Black's minor
pieces are more efficient, S.K.Williams-P.Wells, British Ch., Edinburgh 2003.})
) (10. Be3 {is a more serious challenge. Now we have:} -- (10... Be7 {,
delaying ...Qa5, allows White to try and benefit by playing} 11. Nd2 $5 ({
otherwise} 11. Rc1 Qa5 12. b3 {transposes to note 'c2' below}) 11... O-O 12. f3
(12. Nb3 a5 (12... Qc7 $5) 13. f3 Ba6 14. Qc2 Bb5 15. Nbc5 Nxc5 ({Black might
also consider} 15... Qb8 $5) 16. Nxc5 Nd7 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 {, A.Dreev-L.Van Wely,
Khanty-Mansiysk 2005, was acceptable for Black}) 12... Qa5 13. Qc2 {,
protecting the knight with the queen (instead of the b-pawn) while gaining
more control over the c5-square and making way for the f1-bishop. Despite all
that, it isn't so bad for Black:} Rac8 14. Nc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 {arose in M.Krasenkow-I.Nepomniachtchi, Wijk aan Zee 2007. Here Black came up with} b3 (
15... Nd7 $5 {might have been stronger:} 16. Nc4 Qc7 17. Qf2 f5 $5) 16. Qxb3 (
16. Qc3 $5) 16... Bxc5 17. Bxc5 Qxc5 {and after} 18. Qc3 $6 (18. Qxb7 Rb8 19.
Qa6 Rxb2 20. Qd3 Rfb8 {was more principled, though White's task still isn't
easy}) 18... Qg5 19. Nc4 Ba6 20. Qe3 Qh5 21. Be2 Bxc4 22. Bxc4 Qa5+ 23. Kf2 Qe5
{obtained acceptable play and eventually scored the full point.}) (10... Qa5
11. b3 c5 {transposes to line B12322,} ({but Black can postpone ...c6-c5 for a
while, resuming his kingside development and not giving White a clear target
so early:} 11... Be7 12. Nd2 $5 (12. Rc1 {is harmless:} O-O ({or} 12... Rc8 13.
Nd2 O-O 14. Be2 c5 15. O-O Rfd8 {and White's centre is under pressure, M.Hoffmann-N.Huschenbeth, German League 2011}) 13. Be2 Rfd8 14. e5 Nd5 15. O-O c5
16. dxc5 Rac8 17. Rfd1 Nxe3 18. Qxe3 Bc6 {is good for Black, O.Romanishin-E.Sveshnikov, Sochi 1983}) 12... O-O 13. f3 {(building an f3/e4 pawn chain helps
White restrict an enemy b7-bishop and f6-knight in many openings, so Black has
to find a way to get counter-chances)} Rfd8 ({here} 13... c5 {allows White to
obtain a small but stable advantage by} 14. Nxc5 Nxc5 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. Nc4 Qc7
17. Bxc5 Qxc5 18. Qd6 Rfc8 ({while the active} 18... Qh5 $5 {can be met by} 19.
Rd1 ({or} 19. h4 $5 {, intending to grab on b4, which is impossible at the
moment; i.e.}) (19. Qxb4 $6 Bxe4 $1 20. fxe4 $2 Qh4+ 21. Kd1 Rfd8+ {with a
strong attack})) 19. Be2 {, L.Aronian-M.Gurevich, Khanty-Mansiysk 2005}) 14.
Qc2 c5 $5 ({delaying this further would allow White to prevent it forever:} 
14... Rac8 15. Rc1 Qc7 16. Nc5 Nxc5 17. dxc5 {, though Black's position is
still playable:} Nd7 18. Be2 a5 19. Rd1 ({or} 19. O-O $2 Bxc5 20. Bxc5 Nxc5)
19... Ra8 20. O-O a4 {intending ...a5 or ...Ba6, getting rid of the bad bishop}
) 15. dxc5 (15. Nxc5 Nxc5 16. dxc5 Rac8 17. Nc4 Qc7 18. Qf2 Nd7 19. Be2 Ba6 $5
{is completely okay for Black, L.Schandorff-Ad.Horvath, Turin Olympiad 2006})
15... Rac8 16. Rc1 {promises better chances for White since the c5-pawn is
untouchable:} Nxc5 $4 ({Black also failed to equalize after} 16... Bc6 17. Nc4
Qc7 18. Ncb2 {, Z.Gyimesi-A.Naumann, German League 2007}) ({or} 16... Rc6 17.
Be2 Rdc8 18. Nc4 Qc7 19. Qd2 Nxc5 20. Bf4 {, M.Kazhgaleyev-S.Yudin, Moscow
2009.}) ({However,} 16... Qc7 $5 17. Be2 Qb8 {, planning to counter} 18. O-O {
with} Bd6 19. f4 Nxc5 $1 20. Nxc5 Bxc5 21. Bxc5 Nd7 {, might still be
acceptable for Black}) 17. Bxc5 Bxc5 18. Qxc5 $3 {1-0 V.Borovikov-Ad.Horvath,
Metz 2009.}))) 10... Qa5 ({Black is already committed to ...b5-b4, so the
attempt to interpose} 10... h6 {would be answered by} 11. Bxf6 $5 {, though} (
11. Bh4 {returns to line B1231 above}) 11... Qxf6 (11... Nxf6 $5) 12. Be2 {, M.Sulashvili-Y.Drozdovskij, Cappelle la Grande 2009, isn't necessarily so bad.
Here Black might consider} Qd8 $5 13. Rc1 Qa5 14. b3 Be7 15. O-O O-O {, even
if White has chances to prove an edge.}) 11. b3 c5 ({Again} 11... h6 {would be
met by} 12. Bxf6 $1 {with somewhat better chances, B.Savchenko-S.Sjugirov, St.
Petersburg 2008.}) ({We've already seen} 11... Nb6 $5 {without ...h7-h6 (in
line B1231) - Anton Korobov has tried his idea here too:} 12. Nb2 Be7 13. e5
Nfd5 14. Bxe7 Nxe7 {(the extra move ...h7-h6 would be useful in this position,
but Black is doing okay anyway):} 15. -- (15. Nc4 $6 Nxc4 16. Qxc4 {and now A.Wirig-A.Korobov, European Ch., Aix-les-Bains 2011, continued} c5 ({
alternatively,} 16... O-O $5 {looks interesting, trying to save ...c6-c5 for a
more appropriate moment; e.g.} 17. Be2 ({or} 17. Bd3 c5 18. dxc5 Bxf3 19. gxf3
Rac8 20. Rc1 Rc7 21. O-O Rfc8) ({whereas after} 17. Qc5 Qxc5 18. dxc5 Nd5 {
Black is by no means worse. He can exchange bishops by ...a7-a5 and ...Ba6,
while his knight has good squares on d5 or even c3}) 17... Nd5 18. O-O c5) 17.
Qb5+ Qxb5 18. Bxb5+ Kf8 19. dxc5 Rc8 20. Rc1 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Ng6 22. Ke2 Ke7 23.
Rhd1 Rc7 24. Rd4 Rb8 25. Ba4 Nxe5 {and Black was fine.}) (15. Be2 {, resuming
development, is more accurate, though Black should be okay:} Rd8 16. Qc2 Ned5
17. Nd3 Nc3 ({after} 17... Nd7 18. O-O Ba6 19. Rfc1 {White maintains the
pressure thanks to his control over c5, while} O-O {can be met by} 20. Ng5 g6 (
{or} 20... h6 $2 21. Nxb4 $1) 21. Ne4) 18. Nc5 Ba8 19. O-O Nd7 {, when Black
gets rid of the blockading knight and almost solves his problems; e.g.} 20. a3
Nxc5 21. dxc5 Qxc5 22. axb4 Nxe2+ 23. Qxe2 Qxb4 24. Rxa7 ({or} 24. Ng5 Qe7 25.
Ne4 O-O 26. Qe3 c5) 24... h6 $5 25. Qe3 c5 26. Ra4 Qb5 27. Rc1 O-O {and Black
is holding on.})) 12. Bxf6 (12. d5 $5 exd5 13. exd5 {was successful for White
in Bu Xiangzhi-E.Gasanov, Moscow 2010, though it's far from clear:} Bd6 (13...
Bxd5 $5) 14. Qe2+ Kf8 15. Qc2 Re8+ 16. Be2 {and here, apart from} Ba6 ({Black
had other interesting options such as} 16... c4 $5) ({or first} 16... h6 $5)
17. Be3 Nxd5 {.}) 12... gxf6 ({Black can't play} 12... Nxf6 $2 {due to} 13.
Qb5+ Qxb5 14. Bxb5+ Kd8 15. Ne5 a6 ({or} 15... Ke7 $2 16. Nxc5 Bxe4 17. Nxe4
Nxe4 18. Bc6 {and wins}) 16. Bc4 Ke8 17. dxc5 Bxe4 18. f3 Bd5 19. Rc1 {and he
seems unable to secure the queenside. Fortunately, the pawn recapture is quite
typical for such positions - Black gets more control over important dark
squares, while the new possibilities of ...Bh6 and ...Rg8 may be useful too.})
13. Be2 {Black has a big choice here and it isn't easy to make a decision, but
he has more than one playable option.} ({Instead:} 13. Rc1 {would be met by}
Bh6 (13... cxd4 $5) 14. Rc2 (14. Rxc5 Nxc5 15. Nxc5 Rc8 $1 {is good for Black})
14... O-O $1 ({in V.Jeremic-I.Ivanisevic, Bosnian Team Ch. 2009, Black came up
with} 14... c4 $5 {, but here White might have played} 15. Rxc4 $5 Ba6 16. Qc2
Bxc4 17. Bxc4 {with good compensation}) 15. Nxc5 ({or} 15. dxc5 Bc6 16. Qa6 Qc7
) 15... Nxc5 16. dxc5 Rfd8 {and White is unable to protect all his vulnerable
pawns.}) (13. d5 {is risky for White given his lack of development:} O-O-O $1 (
13... c4 {isn't bad either}) 14. Be2 ({resuming development, since both} 14.
dxe6 Nb6 $1 15. Nxb6+ Qxb6 16. Qe3 Qxe6 {, D.Polajzer-A.Maksimenko, Lvov 1998})
({and} 14. Rd1 exd5 15. exd5 Re8+ 16. Kd2 Nb6 {, S.Kalinitschew-P.Acs, German
League 2007, are in Black's favour}) 14... -- ({, and now the restrained} 14...
Nb6 15. Nxb6+ Qxb6 16. O-O Rg8 {intending ...f6-f5 gives Black good play, A.Vaulin-A.Korotylev, Moscow 1999.}) ({. Alternatively, Black can play} 14... f5
$5 {without delay, trying to open lines for his long-range pieces as soon as
possible:} 15. -- (15. exf5 $6 {promotes Black's plans:} Nb6 ({or} 15... exd5
16. O-O Rg8 {with better chances, R.Pogorelov-M.Perez Candelario, Seville 2006}
) 16. Nxb6+ Qxb6 17. O-O $6 (17. fxe6 {was more resilient:} Rxd5 18. Qc4 Qxe6
19. O-O Rg8 20. g3 Bg7 21. Rad1 Re8 {with just an edge for Black}) 17... Rxd5
18. Qe3 Rxf5 {and Black had a big advantage, V.Korchnoi-V.Ivanchuk, Lvov 2000.}
) (15. dxe6 Nb6 16. Nxb6+ Qxb6 17. Qe3 ({not} 17. Qc4 $6 fxe4 18. Ng5 Rd5 $1)
17... Qxe6 $5 ({stronger than} 17... fxe6 18. exf5 exf5 19. Qe5 Bd6 20. Qxf5+
Kb8 21. O-O Rdf8 22. Qh5 Rhg8 23. Rad1 {, which is rather unclear, T.Banusz-Sa.Martinovic, Zagreb 2011}) 18. exf5 Qxf5 19. O-O Rg8 20. Rfd1 Bd6 {and Black is
doing well.}) (15. Ng5 $5 {is the most challenging response, but Black's
activity should give him sufficient counter-chances:} Rg8 (15... Ne5 16. Qg3 {
may be good for White}) 16. Nxf7 fxe4 17. Qh3 exd5 $5 (17... Bxd5 18. Nxd8 Qxd8
{seems less effective after} 19. Rd1) 18. Nxd8 Qxd8 ({or} 18... Kxd8 $5 19. O-O
c4 $5) 19. Bb5 (19. Rd1) 19... Rg7 20. O-O Kb8 {with a playable position,
though energy and accuracy are still required; e.g.} 21. Rac1 c4 22. bxc4 Ne5
$1 23. cxd5 Qxd5 24. Rfd1 Nd3 25. Bc4 Qe5 26. Rc2 Nf4 27. Rd8+ Kc7 28. Rc8+ ({
if} 28. Rd7+ Kb8 29. Rxb7+ Rxb7 30. Qb3 {then} Nxg2 $3) 28... Bxc8 29. Bf1+ ({
or} 29. Ba6+ Kd6 30. Qxc8 Rxg2+ 31. Kh1 Rxh2+ 32. Kxh2 Qh5+) 29... Qc5 $1 30.
Rxc5+ Bxc5 31. Qb3 Nh3+ 32. Kh1 Nxf2+ {with perpetual check.}))) 13... O-O-O {
The queenside isn't totally safe for Black's king, but he wants to bring the
rook quickly into play!} ({Instead:} 13... Rd8 $6 {, leaving the king in the
centre, would be worse:} 14. d5 c4 15. Qe3 {etc.}) (13... Rg8 {is worth
considering:} 14. O-O c4 $5 15. Qe3 ({or} 15. Qxc4 Bxe4) 15... f5 $5 (15... Rc8
$5) 16. exf5 ({or} 16. e5 c3 17. a3 bxa3 18. Nxc3 a6 19. Rfc1 Nb6) 16... Qxf5
17. bxc4 Nb6 {gives Black reasonable compensation for the pawn; e.g.} 18. Nb2
$5 ({after} 18. Qb3 {there is} Nxc4 $1 19. Qxc4 Rxg2+ $1 20. Kxg2 Qg4+ 21. Kh1
Bxf3+ 22. Bxf3 Qxf3+ {with perpetual}) 18... Bh6 $1 19. Qb3 $5 ({or} 19. Qxh6
Rxg2+ $1 {again}) 19... Bd2 $1 20. Rad1 Bc3 21. Rd3 $1 Be4 22. Rxc3 bxc3 23.
Qxc3 Rc8 {and Black can be satisfied with his position.}) (13... c4 $5 {is
interesting:} 14. Qe3 ({or} 14. Qxc4 Bxe4 15. O-O Qd5) 14... c3 {is
interesting:} 15. -- (15. a3 bxa3 (15... f5 $5) 16. O-O Rc8 17. Rfc1 ({or} 17.
d5 Bb4 18. Nd4 O-O $5) 17... Bb4 18. d5 exd5 19. exd5+ Kd8 {and despite the
apparent dangers Black might be okay - in some cases he can give some material
back; e.g.} 20. Qf4 (20. Nd4 Re8 21. Qh3 Qxd5 22. Rd1 Rxe2 $1 23. Nxe2 Qe6)
20... Re8 21. Bc4 Rxc4 $1 22. Qxc4 Bxd5 23. Qd3 Be4 {and his queenside pawns
keep White's pieces busy.}) (15. O-O {is more natural, as in V.Kamble-S.Arun
Prasad, Chennai 2010, where Black should have opted for} f5 $5 {without
further delay:} 16. a3 ({or} 16. d5 fxe4 17. dxe6 fxe6 18. Rad1 Rg8 19. Nd4 Qe5
) 16... fxe4 17. axb4 Qxb4 18. Ne5 (18. Ne1 Rc8) ({or} 18. Ng5 Bh6) 18... Nxe5
19. dxe5 c2 $5 20. Rfc1 Rc8 21. Ra2 Bg7 {with good play.})) (13... cxd4 $5 {is
also playable:} 14. Qxd4 ({on} 14. O-O {Black should play} Rd8 $5 {intending ...Ne5,} ({since both} 14... e5 15. Nh4) ({and} 14... O-O-O 15. Qxd4 {are better
for White})) 14... Rd8 15. O-O ({if} 15. Rd1 {then either} Be7 ({or} 15... Bh6
16. O-O O-O {, followed by ...Ne5}) 16. Qe3 O-O $5 {is okay for Black; e.g.}
17. O-O Nc5 18. Nxc5 Qxc5 19. Qf4 Qc2 20. Rfe1 Rxd1 21. Bxd1 Qc3 22. Be2 Rc8)
15... Ne5 16. Qe3 Be7 17. Nd4 h5 {and Black keeps decent counter-chances,
though such a position may not be to everyone's taste.}) 14. O-O (14. d5 $6 {
would be an unnecessary transposition to 13 d5?! above.}) 14... Kb8 15. d5 ({
The attempt to open the a-file by} 15. a3 {is answered by} bxa3 $1) ({after} 
15. Qe3 {Black can think about} h5 $5 {with ideas of ...Bh6}) ({while} 15. Rac1
Bh6 {followed by ...Rhg8 brings all Black's pieces into action, T.Sachdev-D.Lemos, Gibraltar 2010.}) 15... Nb6 $5 {An accurate approach.} ({In Kir.
Georgiev-I.Ivanisevic, Serbian Team Ch. 2006, Black unsuccessfully tried} 15...
Bd6 16. dxe6 $5 Nb6 17. Nxb6 Bxh2+ $6 18. Nxh2 Rxd3 19. Nc4 Qd8 20. e7 $1 Qd4
21. Bxd3 Qxd3 22. Rad1 Qxe4 23. Rd8+ Kc7 24. f3 $1 Qxe7 25. Rxh8 {and White
converted his advantage.}) ({After} 15... f5 $6 16. Ng5 $1 {might be a problem}
) ({while} 15... Ne5 $6 16. Nxe5 fxe5 {devalues the dark-squared bishop:} 17.
Rac1 $5 exd5 18. exd5 Rxd5 19. Qf5 {and so on.}) 16. Nxb6 Qxb6 17. Rad1 ({After
} 17. Qe3 exd5 18. exd5 Rxd5 19. Bc4 Rd8 20. Rad1 Bd6 21. Rd3 Rhe8 22. Qh6 Be4
23. Re3 f5 24. Rfe1 Bc7 {Black was fine in M.Kazhgaleyev-V.Erdos, Croatian
Team Ch. 2007.}) 17... f5 $1 {This thematic pawn break seems the best option,
even if the inclusion of Rad1 and ...Kb8 benefits White slightly in comparison
with Korchnoi-Ivanchuk above (see note 'b1' to 13 Be2).} ({Instead:} 17... exd5
$6 18. exd5 Rxd5 {is too suspicious, as the solid} 19. Qc2 ({the
over-enthusiastic} 19. Qxd5 $6 Bxd5 20. Rxd5 Bd6 {and ...Rd8 is fine for Black,
who would be happy to swap a pair of rooks}) 19... Bd6 20. Rxd5 Bxd5 21. Rd1 {
is unpleasant - White would exchange light-squared bishops via f3 and secure a
stable advantage.}) (17... Bh6 18. Qc4 Rd6 19. dxe6 Rxe6 ({or} 19... fxe6 20.
e5 $1) 20. Rd5 $5 (20. Bd3 $5) 20... Rhe8 21. Bd3 {also gave better chances in
A.Karpov-B.Gelfand, Linares 1993.}) 18. Ng5 (18. exf5 $6 {is harmless:} exd5 (
18... Rxd5 19. Qe3 Rxf5 {isn't bad either:} 20. Ne5 Qc7 21. f4 $6 ({or} 21.
Nd7+ Ka8) 21... Bg7 22. Rd7 $4 Rxe5) 19. Ne5 Qc7 20. Ng4 h5 21. Ne3 {and here
Black can choose between} Bd6 ({and} 21... Bg7 22. Bf3 Bd4 {with good play.}))
18... fxe4 {The knight sally is stronger, but Black has no problems after the
text move.} 19. Qxe4 ({While} 19. Qh3 {can be answered by} exd5 $5 ({or} 19...
Rxd5 20. Nxf7 Rg8 21. Bc4 Rd4 {with excellent counter-chances}) 20. Nxf7 Bd6
21. Nxh8 Rxh8 {.}) 19... Qc7 ({or} 19... Rg8 {.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B12322: 9...Qa5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "38"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 b5 7. Qd3 Nbd7 8. e4
b4 9. Na4 Qa5 10. b3 c5 {Black carries out the thematic pawn push without
developing his bishop to b7 - though it's likely to go there soon.} ({The
immediate} 10... Bb7 {mostly transposes elsewhere:} 11. -- (11. Bg5 c5) ({, and
} 11. Be3 Be7 {were examined in line B12321,} ({and} 11... c5 {is the current
main line})) ({; while} 11. e5 Nd5 12. Bd2 ({if} 12. Ng5 {then} h6 $5 ({or} 
12... Be7 13. Qf3 Bxg5 14. Bxg5 N5b6 15. Nxb6 axb6 {, E.Bareev-E.Sveshnikov,
Biel Interzonal 1993, is okay for Black}) 13. Ne4 N5b6) 12... c5 {is also
considered below.} ({In this last case Black can postpone ...c6-c5 in favour of
} 12... N7b6 $5 13. Nc5 ({the straightforward} 13. Ng5 Nxa4 14. Qf3 $6 {is
dubious:} f6 $1 15. exf6 gxf6 16. Qh5+ Kd7 17. Qf7+ Be7 18. Nxe6 {, V.Korchnoi-Ju.Polgar, Hoogeveen 2001, when Black could have secured the
advantage by} Nac3 19. Bd3 Rag8 20. Bf5 ({or} 20. O-O Kc8 21. Rfe1 Kb8 {and
White doesn't have enough for the piece}) 20... Kc8 $1) 13... Bxc5 14. dxc5
Qxc5 15. Rc1 Qa5 16. a4 Nd7 17. Qe4 Nc3 18. Bxc3 bxc3 19. Bc4 c2+ 20. Ke2 Rb8
21. Rxc2 c5 (21... O-O $5) 22. Qe3 O-O {followed by ...Nb6 and only White
would face problems, P.Tregubov-K.Maslak, Novokuznetsk 2008.}))) 11. Be3 $5 {
The most promising continuation.} (11. Bg5 Bb7 {transposes to lines examined
in B12321,} ({though Black might try to exploit White's move order by playing} 
11... cxd4 12. Bxf6 (12. Qxd4 Bb7 {favours Black, H.Titz-T.Luther, Austrian
League 1999}) 12... gxf6 $5 13. Nxd4 Bb7 {. Va.Filippov-A.Kharlov, Kemerovo
1995, continued} 14. Nb5 $6 {and here the concrete} Ne5 $1 15. Nd6+ Kd7 $1 16.
Qb5+ Qxb5 17. Nxb5 Bxe4 {would have been good for Black.})) ({Or} 11. Be2 Bb7 {
.}) (11. d5 {is well met by} exd5 ({Black was okay after} 11... c4 $5 12. Qxc4
exd5 13. Qc6 ({but the simple} 13. exd5 Qxd5 14. Qxd5 Nxd5 15. Bc4 {offers
White a small advantage in the ending}) 13... Rb8 14. e5 Bb7 15. Qb5 Qxb5 16.
Bxb5 a6 17. Bxd7+ Nxd7 18. Be3 Rc8 {in M.Chiburdanidze-K.Lahno, World Team Ch.,
Ekaterinburg 2007}) 12. exd5 (12. e5 $6 c4 $1 {favours Black, who agreed a
draw prematurely after} 13. bxc4 {in A.Dreev-P.Smirnov, Kemer 2007, as} Nxe5 $3
14. Nxe5 Bd6 15. Bb2 O-O {gives White problems}) 12... Bd6 13. Qe2+ ({or} 13.
Qe3+ Kd8 $1) 13... Kf8 {and White's lack of development allows Black to
consolidate his forces; e.g.} 14. Qc2 Bb7 15. Bc4 Re8+ 16. Be3 Qc7 ({or the
more concrete} 16... Ng4 {.})) (11. e5 Nd5 {is also acceptable for Black:} 12.
-- (12. Be2 {is slow - Black can choose between} cxd4 ({and} 12... Bb7 {, for
which see 10 Be2 in line B12321 above}) 13. Nxd4 Nc5 (13... Nxe5 14. Qg3 {
looks risky}) 14. Qc2 Bd7 15. Nb2 Be7 16. Nc4 Qc7 17. O-O O-O {with solid play,
and a draw after} 18. Bf3 Rac8 19. Bd2 Rfd8 20. Rac1 Be8 21. Rfd1 Qb8 22. Qb1
h6 23. h3 a6 {, P.Harikrishna-Wang Hao, Sarajevo 2009.}) (12. Bd2 {doesn't
pose serious problems either:} Bb7 13. Rc1 cxd4 ({or} 13... a6 14. Ng5 cxd4 15.
Qxd4 Be7 {, P.Tregubov-S.Sjugirov, Novokuznetsk 2008}) 14. Nxd4 Be7 ({after} 
14... a6 15. Qg3 {might be troublesome}) 15. Qg3 ({or} 15. Qb5 Qxb5 16. Bxb5 a6
17. Bc6 Bxc6 18. Nxc6 f6 {½-½ D.Jojua-M.Ragger, World Junior Ch., Yerevan
2007}) 15... O-O 16. Bb5 (16. Bh6 g6 17. Bxf8 Bxf8 {is fine for Black:} 18. Bb5
Bh6 $1 {followed by ...Bf4 and ...Nxe5}) 16... Rfd8 17. O-O Nf8 18. Bc6 Qa6 {
and Black was fine, D.Navara-R.Kasimdzhanov, German League 2007.}) (12. Nd2 {
is a fresh continuation - the knight is heading for the d6-square so accuracy
is required:} cxd4 13. Nc4 Qd8 14. Qxd4 Bb7 15. Bb2 Be7 16. Bd3 O-O 17. O-O Bc6
$1 18. Bc2 Rc8 19. Rac1 g6 {and Black is doing well, L.Aronian-J.Smeets, Wijk
aan Zee 2011.})) 11... Bb7 (11... cxd4 12. Nxd4 a6 ({or} 12... Ng4 $6 13. Nc6
Qc7 14. Rc1) 13. Rc1 Bb7 14. f3 {favours White}) ({while} 11... Be7 {doesn't
seem to equalize either:} 12. Nxc5 $5 ({Black was okay after} 12. dxc5 Bb7 13.
Qb5 Qc7 14. Qxb4 Bxe4 15. Be2 O-O 16. O-O Bc6 17. Bf4 e5 18. Bg3 Ne4 {as White
was unable to hold onto the c5-pawn, V.Akopian-L.Fressinet, Khanty-Mansiysk
Olympiad 2010}) 12... Nxc5 13. dxc5 O-O ({or} 13... Bxc5 14. Qb5+ {offers
White the better chances}) 14. Rc1 {.}) 12. Nxc5 (12. Nd2 cxd4 13. Bxd4 Be7 {
is good for Black. Kir.Georgiev-D.Berczes, Sarajevo 2011, continued} 14. Qb5 $6
({instead,} 14. f3 O-O 15. Rc1 {is more to the point, when Black must play
concretely:} Rac8 ({the routine} 15... Rfc8 16. Nc4 Qd8 $6 ({though} 16... Qh5
$5 17. Be2 Nb6 $5 {might improve}) 17. Be2 Bc6 18. Nab2 {gave White a solid
position and a stable advantage, T.Sachdev-J.W.De Jong, Wijk aan Zee 2011,
since Black's pieces are restricted}) 16. Nc4 Qh5 $5 ({or} 16... Qc7 $5 17. Be2
Nh5) 17. Be2 Ba6 $5 18. O-O Bxc4 19. Rxc4 Ne5 20. Bxe5 Qxe5 {and so on}) 14...
Qc7 15. Be2 Nxe4 16. Nxe4 Bxe4 17. O-O a6 18. Qh5 e5 19. Bf3 Qc6 20. Bxe4 Qxe4
21. Bb2 O-O 22. Rae1 Qd5 {and White had to fight for equality.}) 12... Bxc5 (
12... Nxc5 13. dxc5 a6 {has never been tried but may not be too bad; e.g.} 14.
Nd2 Rd8 15. Nc4 Qc7 16. Nd6+ Bxd6 17. cxd6 Rxd6 18. Qc4 Rc6 19. Qxb4 a5 20. Qd4
({or} 20. Qa3 Qe5) 20... O-O 21. f3 Rc2 {with counter-chances.}) 13. dxc5 Bxe4
({Other moves:} 13... Nxe4 {doesn't give White any difficulties:} 14. Qb5 Qc7
15. Qxb4 a5 16. Qa3 O-O 17. Rc1 Rfc8 18. Be2 {followed by 0-0 with a stable
advantage.}) (13... O-O 14. Qb5 Qxb5 (14... Qc7 $5) 15. Bxb5 Bxe4 {was tested
in D.Jakovenko-S.Karjakin, Sochi 2008:} 16. Rc1 (16. Nd2 $5 {deserved
attention:} Bxg2 ({or} 16... Bd5 17. O-O) 17. Rg1 Bd5 18. Bh6 g6 19. Bxf8 Kxf8
20. Rc1) 16... Rfc8 17. c6 Nb6 18. Ne5 a6 19. Be2 Nbd5 20. Bd2 Bxg2 21. Rg1 Be4
22. f3 Bf5 23. Kf2 a5 {with acceptable play for both sides as White has
sufficient compensation for the pawn. All the same, this approach looks
somewhat suspicious.}) 14. Qb5 (14. Qa6 $5 Qc7 (14... Qxa6 15. Bxa6 Ke7 16. O-O
Nb8 17. Be2 Nd5 {might be defendable too}) 15. Qd6 {deserves attention, but
Black should hold on after} Qxd6 16. cxd6 Nd5 ({or} 16... Bxf3 $5 17. gxf3 O-O
18. O-O-O Rfd8 {and ...Nd5.})) 14... Qxb5 (14... Qc7 $5 {is also playable:} 15.
Qxb4 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nd5 ({or} 16... O-O 17. Rc1 Nd5 18. Qd4 Rfd8 19. Be2 N7f6
20. O-O Nxe3 21. Qxe3 Nd5) 17. Qd4 Nxe3 18. fxe3 Qxc5 19. Qxc5 Nxc5 {with an
inferior but defendable ending.}) 15. Bxb5 a6 ({This looks more to the point
than} 15... O-O {, transposing to Jakovenko-Karjakin above.}) 16. Ba4 (16.
Bxd7+ Nxd7) ({and} 16. Be2 Ke7 17. Rc1 Rhc8 ({or} 17... Nd5 {are okay for
Black.})) 16... Rc8 17. Rc1 Bxf3 $5 ({The game D.Navara-S.Sethuraman,
Pardubice (rapid) 2010, saw the natural} 17... Bc6 18. Bxc6 Rxc6 19. Nd4 $1
Rxc5 {, when} 20. Nc2 $1 ({whereas after} 20. Rxc5 Nxc5 21. Nc2 {, then} Kd7 $1
{solves Black's problems}) 20... Rc6 21. Nxb4 Rxc1+ 22. Bxc1 {would have
secured a small advantage for White.}) 18. gxf3 Nd5 19. Bd4 Ke7 {. Thanks to
the strong knight on d5, together with White's compromised pawn structure and
sidelined a4-bishop, this ending is okay for Black, who has ideas of ...e6-e5
or first doubling his rooks on the c-file. Either way it's difficult for White
to give proper support to his c-pawn.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B2: 6...Be7!?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 Be7 $5 {Although
this waiting move looks a bit inconsistent after the capture on c4, it does
have its point. As a rule, Black logically follows ...d5xc4 with ...b7-b5, but
he has to resume his kingside development at some point. So here he's trying
to do the opposite: delaying the thematic b-pawn push in the hope of a more
favourable situation later on. For example, in some cases Black may get a
chance to play ...Ba6 in one step or with greater effect. Furthermore, this
move order allows Black to test his opponent's opening erudition, as many
transpositions to previously considered lines are possible. He must just be
careful to avoid those positions where ...Be7 constitutes an unfavourable
delay in queenside operations - whereas White, of course, will try to do the
opposite. We'll consider:} 7. -- ({B21:} 7. Bg5) ({B22:} 7. g3) ({One of the
points behind the bishop move is to meet} 7. e4 {with} b5 8. Qd3 b4 9. Na4 Qa5
10. b3 Ba6 {, when} 11. Qc2 Bxf1 12. Kxf1 Nbd7 $1 13. Bg5 (13. Qxc6 O-O {is
too risky for White}) 13... -- (13... c5 14. e5 Nd5 15. Bxe7 Kxe7 {gave Black
acceptable play in A.Lugovoi-D.Fridman, Hamburg 1997.}) ({. But he can
actually try for more with the astonishing} 13... Nxe4 $3 {, which forces
White to fight for equality:} 14. -- ({. White doesn't, as it might appear,
win a piece - in fact, any attempt to do so gives Black the better chances:} 
14. Bxe7 $6 Qf5 $1 15. Qc4 ({or} 15. Kg1 Kxe7 16. Re1 Ng3) 15... Kxe7 16. Qxb4+
c5) ({; or} 14. Qxe4 $6 Qb5+ $1 ({not} 14... Bxg5 $2 15. Qxc6 Ke7 16. Nc5) 15.
Kg1 ({or} 15. Qe2 $2 Bxg5 $1 16. Qxb5 cxb5) 15... Bxg5 16. Nxg5 Qxg5 17. Qxc6
Ke7 {.}) ({. The only way for White to avoid unnecessary problems is by} 14.
Qxc6 $1 Qd5 15. Qxd5 {, and here a draw was agreed in G.Vescovi-R.Scherbakov,
Moscow 2010, even though after} exd5 {Black is still somewhat better. Frankly
speaking, the whole approach with 6...Be7 was an improvisation over the board 
(having arisen via the Vienna Variation). I was more or less familiar with the
main ideas, but couldn't remember the concrete details - so, when my opponent
played his first moves with confidence, I took some time and decided to lure
him into unexplored territory with the modest bishop move.}))) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B21: 7 Bg5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "26"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 Be7 $5 7. Bg5 {This
bishop advance may justify Black's approach too, as he sometimes plays ...Be7
in reply to Bg5 in any case.} b5 ({Black can also consider the restrained} 7...
b6 $5 {, which doesn't weaken the c5-square - on the other hand, it doesn't
disturb the white knight on c3 either.} 8. -- ({. Here} 8. e4 {is okay for
Black:} Ba6 9. Qb3 Bxf1 10. Rxf1 ({or} 10. Kxf1 Nbd7) 10... O-O 11. O-O-O Nbd7
{with good play, E.Akhmilovskaya-N.Alexandria, Kislovodsk (6th matchgame) 1980.
}) ({. For White,} 8. g3 $5 {seems more promising:} Ba6 9. Qa4 Nd5 10. Bxe7
Qxe7 11. Bg2 (11. Nxd5 exd5 12. e3 Bxf1 13. Kxf1 Qe4 14. Ke2 O-O {is
acceptable for Black, Z.Ribli-M.Krasenkow, German League 1999}) 11... O-O 12.
Ne5 $5 {with some pressure.})) 8. Qd3 {Now Black's standard queenside actions
may be hindered by the inclusion of an early ...Be7, so he has to look for
other ideas. To this end, Black has a rather wide choice.} (8. Qb3 {doesn't
promise much:} -- (8... Nbd7 {would return to line B112 above which is fine
for Black.}) ({. It might also be useful to look at} 8... h6 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 10.
O-O-O {, which was reached (via the Queen's Gambit Declined) in J.Timman-A.Yusupov, Tilburg (6th matchgame) 1986:} a5 $5 11. e4 a4 12. Qc2 Nd7 13. d5 ({or
} 13. e5 Be7 14. Ne4 Qb6) 13... cxd5 14. exd5 a3 (14... O-O {is good for Black}
) 15. dxe6 axb2+ 16. Kb1 fxe6 17. Qe4 ({if} 17. Qg6+ Kf8) ({or} 17. Nxb5 O-O)
17... Bxc3 $1 18. Qxa8 O-O 19. Qc6 b4 $1 20. Bc4 Kh8 {and Black's grip on the
queenside helped him to win the game, though White's chances would have be
objectively improved had he played} 21. Rd6 $1 {.})) 8... b4 ({Alternatively:} 
8... O-O 9. e4 (9. a3 $5) 9... b4 10. Na4 Ba6 11. Qc2 Bxf1 12. Kxf1 Nbd7 13. g3
{doesn't completely equalize, according to practice, as White has a favourable
version of the 7 e4 line above.}) (8... Qa5 9. Bxf6 Bxf6 (9... gxf6 $5) 10. g3
({or} 10. Nd2 O-O 11. e3 Nd7 12. Qc2 e5 13. Nb3 Qb6 {, L.Portisch-J.Van der
Wiel, Thessaloniki Olympiad 1988}) 10... Ba6 11. Qd2 b4 12. Ne4 Be7 13. Bg2 {
is also somewhat better for White, B.Savchenko-Y.Shulman, Khanty-Mansiysk 2009.
}) (8... Ba6 9. Qc2 Qa5 $5 {looks rather awkward and White should be able to
maintain the advantage - though he didn't manage to do so in V.Korchnoi-C.Gabriel, Zürich 1999:} 10. Bxf6 (10. e3 $5) 10... Bxf6 11. e3 Nd7 12. Bd3 c5 $1
13. O-O {, as here} cxd4 14. exd4 b4 15. Ne4 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Be7 ({or} 16... O-O
{would have given Black good play.})) (8... Nbd7 9. e4 (9. a3 $5) 9... b4 10.
Na4 Qa5 11. b3 {reaches a position from line B12321, except that Black has
swapped ...Bb7 for the inferior ...Be7, though it might still be okay:} h6 12.
Bh4 O-O {with reasonable chances of advancing ...c6-c5 in due course, H.Hernandez Carmenates-J.Aagaard, Spanish Team Ch. 2008.}) 9. Bxf6 $5 (9. Na4 Qa5
(9... Ba6 10. Qc2 Qa5 {gives White the extra option of} 11. Nc5 $5) 10. b3 Ba6
11. Qc2 Nbd7 {looks okay for Black. White can't occupy the centre by} 12. e4 $6
Bxf1 13. Kxf1 {due to} Nxe4 $3 {, as we've already seen via 7 e4.}) 9... gxf6
$5 (9... Bxf6 10. Ne4 Be7 {is risky, as Black loses time and so may be unable
to achieve ...c6-c5.}) 10. Na4 ({After} 10. Ne4 Nd7 11. g3 Bb7 12. Bg2 f5 13.
Ned2 c5 {Black is okay.}) 10... Qa5 11. b3 Nd7 12. e4 Bb7 13. Be2 {. Here
again we have a position from line B12321, this time with ...Be7 inserted
instead of ...c6-c5. Nevertheless, this might be playable too - such typical
ideas as} c5 ({or} 13... Nb6 $5 {are still on the agenda.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3 Nf3 c6 4 Qb3"]
[Black "B22: 7 g3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D43"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Qb3 Nf6 5. Nc3 dxc4 6. Qxc4 Be7 $5 7. g3 {A
natural attempt to disturb the opponent's plans. In this instance the move ...Be7 looks really unnecessary - as a rule, Black counters a white fianchetto by
taking quick counter-action on the queenside - see, for example, 8 g3 in lines
B122 and B123. Nevertheless he seems able to overcome this problem.} b5 8. Qd3
({As usual,} 8. Qb3 {doesn't really worry Black, since White lacks control
over the important e4-square:} b4 9. Na4 O-O (9... Nbd7 $5) 10. Bg2 Nbd7 11.
O-O Ba6 12. Qc2 Qa5 13. b3 {, D.Gurevich-G.Sigurjonsson, Brighton 1982, and
here} Qb5 $5 {followed by ...Rac8 and ...c6-c5 was the most accurate
continuation.}) 8... Ba6 $5 {This way of developing the bishop looks a little
awkward but it accelerates Black's queenside play;} ({whereas after} 8... Bb7
9. Bg2 Nbd7 10. O-O {, White maintains a small advantage, according to
tournament practice, as it's more difficult for Black to achieve ...c6-c5 -
sometimes because the bishop on b7 isn't protected.} (10. a3 $5)) ({Similar
problems can arise after} 8... b4 9. Ne4 Nxe4 10. Qxe4 Bb7 11. Bg2 Nd7 {, when
even a successful ...c6-c5 may not fully equalize.}) 9. Ne4 (9. Qc2 Nbd7 10.
Bg2 b4 (10... Rc8 $5) 11. Ne4 Rc8 12. Nxf6+ Nxf6 {is okay for Black, since the
only attempt to prevent ...c6-c5,} 13. Ne5 {, can be met by} O-O ({or} 13...
Bb5 $5) 14. Nxc6 Bd6 $1 {and White is the one with problems - even if these
might be solved by} 15. Bg5 Bb5 16. Rc1 Qb6 17. Bxf6 gxf6 18. Qe4 f5 19. Qe3
Bxc6 20. Qg5+ {with perpetual check.}) 9... Nbd7 10. Bg2 ({Or} 10. Nxf6+ Nxf6
11. Ne5 Rc8 12. Bg2 Qb6 {.}) 10... Nxe4 (10... Rc8 {is also possible, as in P.Wells-M.Thesing, German League 1988:} 11. Nxf6+ Nxf6 12. Ne5 Qb6 13. O-O O-O (
13... b4 14. Nc4 $5) {, though} 14. Bg5 {might have given White somewhat
better chances here.}) 11. Qxe4 Rc8 {. The absence of the bishop from b7 makes
it easier for Black to carry out the thematic c-pawn advance. H.Schussler-G.Sigurjonsson, Gausdal 1982, continued} 12. O-O O-O (12... c5 $5 {.}) 13. Rd1 b4
14. Bf4 {, and here} Nf6 $5 15. Qc2 Nd5 {followed by ...c6-c5 might have been
more accurate.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "22: White doesn't Protect c4"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "5"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 {In this, the final chapter we'll examine the remaining
Anti-Triangle systems in which White doesn't protect the c4-pawn on move 4 -
though this doesn't necessarily mean Black is allowed to take it!} 3. -- ({A:} 
3. Nf3) ({B:} 3. Nc3) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White doesn't Protect c4"]
[Black "A: 3 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "7"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 {And now we'll look at:} 4. -- ({A1:} 4. g3) ({A2:
} 4. Bg5) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White doesn't Protect c4"]
[Black "A1: 4 g3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c6 4. g3 {To complete the Catalan approach against
the Triangle we must consider the only deviation from the main lines that
allows Black to grab the c4-pawn. Nowadays the Catalan is very popular, so
some players may certainly choose this path. Black faces the usual dilemma -
to take or not to take.} dxc4 $5 ({Other moves:} 4... Nf6 {is solid and leads
to the Closed Catalan, but in that case White can be satisfied to have avoided
the ...Bb4+ (provoking Bd2) defence, which is currently popular for Black (e.g.
3 Nf3 Nf6 4 g3 Bb4+ 5 Bd2 Be7 followed by ...c7-c6). Here White can adopt a
more active approach:} 5. Bg2 Nbd7 (5... Bb4+ {would be met by} 6. Nbd2 {when ...c7-c6 is inappropriate}) ({after} 5... Be7 6. O-O O-O {White would play} 7.
Nc3) ({while} 5... b5 6. c5 {also gives him the advantage}) 6. O-O {with
better chances in all cases; e.g.} dxc4 (6... Bd6 7. Nc3) (6... Be7 7. Nc3) ({
or} 6... b6 7. Nc3) 7. a4 {. Black's position remains playable but somewhat
passive.}) (4... f5 {enters the Stonewall, if someone feels comfortable with
that - alternatively, they can play 4...Bd6 first.}) (4... Nd7 $5 5. Bg2 dxc4
$5 {is another option, intending} 6. O-O ({but here} 6. a4 $5 Ngf6 7. O-O {
gives White a small advantage, according to practice}) 6... b5 {, having
pre-empted an early Ne5.}) 5. Bg2 b5 {True to the spirit of the Triangle! Now 
(or later) Nb1-c3 would take the game towards Noteboom variations with an
early g2-g3 (see Chapter 3, in particular line A2). Here we'll look at White's
attempts by benefit from omitting, or at least delaying, that move.} 6. O-O ({
The immediate} 6. Ne5 $5 {deserves attention, preventing an early ...Nbd7.
After} Bb7 {:} 7. -- (7. O-O -- (7... Nf6 8. a4 {transposes to the main line})
({; whereas} 7... f6 8. Nf3 {always gives White good compensation for the pawn
thanks to the weakened e6-square}) ({; but Black can consider} 7... Nd7 $5 8.
a4 $5 ({not yet} 8. Nxc6 $6 Qb6 9. Be3 Qa6 {etc}) ({otherwise} 8. Nc3 {returns
to Chapter 3}) 8... Nxe5 $5 (8... a6 {allows White to grab the c6-pawn:} 9.
Nxc6 Qb6 10. Be3 $1 Ngf6 11. d5 Bc5 12. dxe6 {, when a2-a4 is more useful than
Nc3, as} Bxc6 $2 {, runs into} ({while} 12... fxe6 13. Bxc5 Qxc5 {is also
suspicious}) 13. exd7+ Nxd7 14. Bxc6 Qxc6 15. axb5 axb5 16. Rxa8+ Qxa8 17. Bxc5
Nxc5 18. Qd6 {and the black king gets stuck in the centre}) 9. dxe5 a6 {and
here White has nothing better than} 10. Nc3 ({or} 10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8
12. Nc3 Ne7) 10... Ne7 {transposing to Chapter 3 (see 9...Nxe5 in the notes to
line A21).})) (7. a4 $5 {looks interesting. White immediately puts pressure on
the opponent's queenside, trying to force concessions:} -- (7... Bb4+ 8. Nc3 a6
9. O-O {gives White good compensation for the pawn (see Chapter 3: 9 Ne5!? in
the notes to line B1).}) (7... a6 8. O-O Nf6 9. b3 $5 (9. Nc3 {is also a true
Catalan - here Black usually opts for} Qc8 ({and} 9... Nd5 10. e4 Nxc3 11. bxc3
Nd7 {with acceptable play})) 9... cxb3 10. Bb2 {is a well-known Catalan line.
White has decent compensation for the pawn, but Black's position is playable.
He can choose between} Nd5 (10... Be7) (10... Qb6) ({or} 10... Nbd7 $5 {with
complicated play and mutual chances.})) (7... Qc7 $5 {is another possibility,
trying to do without ...a7-a6. Then} 8. O-O ({if} 8. Bf4 {then} Bd6) ({or} 8.
Nc3 Nf6) 8... Nf6 {returns to the main line below}) ({, or similarly} 7... Qc8
$5 8. O-O Nf6 {, which is covered in the notes.}))) 6... Bb7 ({Or} 6... Nd7 $5
{, when} 7. a4 Bb7 {transposes to the next note.}) 7. a4 Nf6 ({Here} 7... Nd7
$5 {again offers a return to the Noteboom with} 8. Nc3 {(see line A21 in
Chapter 3)} ({, but White might prefer} 8. Ne5 {(see 6 Ne5!? above)}) ({, or} 
8. b3 $5 cxb3 9. Qxb3 {, when tournament practice promises him good
compensation after either} a6 ({and} 9... b4 {.}))) 8. Ne5 Qc7 $5 {This is
somewhat unusual and risky but quite interesting.} ({Instead:} 8... a6 {was
discussed via 6 Ne5 (in note 'b2').}) (8... Qb6 $6 {is suspicious as the queen
may come under attack:} 9. b3 (9. e4 Nbd7 10. Be3 Qc7 11. Bf4 Qb6 12. Be3 Qc7
13. Bf4 Qb6 14. Nxd7 Nxd7 15. Be3 {is less clear, O.Romanishin-D.Pavasovic,
Solin rapid 2002}) 9... cxb3 10. Qxb3 Nbd7 11. Be3 {and White's initiative is
rather annoying, A.Khalifman-E.Sveshnikov, Russian Ch., Elista 1996.}) (8...
Qc8 $5 {is also typical for such Catalan positions. Black protects his bishop
on b7 and prepares the thematic ...c6-c5. After} 9. b3 $1 (9. Nc3 $6 Nbd7 $1 {
gives Black a favourable variation in Chapter 3 - see 9 a4?! in the notes to
line A22}) 9... cxb3 10. Nd2 $5 (10. Qxb3 b4 11. Bb2 c5 $5 {is okay; e.g.} 12.
Bxb7 Qxb7 13. Rc1 {, P.Bodiroga-D.Doric, Senj 2008, when} Nbd7 $1 {would be
somewhat better for Black}) 10... bxa4 ({or} 10... Nbd7 $5 11. Nxb3 b4) 11.
Rxa4 c5 12. Bxb7 (12. Qxb3 $5 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 Nbd7 14. Qf3 $5 {deserves attention
}) 12... Qxb7 13. Nxb3 Nbd7 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. Nxc5 Bxc5 16. dxc5 O-O 17. Qc2
Rfc8 {Black has good chances to neutralize the pressure, A.Khalifman-J.Geller,
Moscow 2009.}) 9. b3 ({White has tried other options, but Black seems able to
defend:} 9. e4 Nbd7 10. Bf4 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 Qd7 {is unclear.}) (9. Nc3 {can be
met by} b4 10. Ne4 ({or} 10. Na2 $6 c5 11. Bxb7 Qxb7 12. Nxc4 Qd5 13. b3 cxd4 {
with a clear advantage, J.Van den Bersselaar-E.Postny, Bad Wiessee 2006}) 10...
Nxe4 11. Bxe4 c5 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. Be3 Nc6 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Rc1 c3 $1 16. bxc3
c4 17. cxb4 Bxb4 {and Black solves his problems, as demonstrated in V.Mikhalevski-E.Postny, Ashdod 2004.}) (9. Bf4 $5 {suggests itself but can be
parried by} Nh5 10. Bd2 Nd7 11. axb5 (11. Na3 $5 {is worth considering:} Bxa3
12. Rxa3 Nhf6 ({or} 12... O-O {is unclear, but White certainly has excellent
compensation for the pawn})) 11... cxb5 12. Ba5 Qc8 13. e4 Nhf6 14. Nc3 a6 15.
f4 Be7 {and Black has decent play, V.Mikhalevski-Av.Bykhovsky, Ashdod 2003.})
9... cxb3 10. Qxb3 b4 $1 {The best reply - Black prevents the opening of the
queenside.} 11. Bf4 ({Alternatively, there is} 11. a5 $5 {and then:} -- (11...
c5 $6 {seems premature due to} 12. Qa4+ $1 ({rather than} 12. Bxb7 $6 Qxb7 13.
a6 $6 Qd5 14. Qa4+ Nbd7 {which is good for Black, R.Ruck-Z.Varga,
Balatonbereny 1997}) 12... Nbd7 13. Nxd7 $1 Nxd7 14. Bf4 Qc8 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16.
a6 Qd5 ({or} 16... Qb6 17. dxc5 Bxc5 18. Nd2 Rc8 19. Ne4 Ke7 20. Rfd1 Rhd8 21.
Rac1) 17. dxc5 Rc8 18. Qxb4 Bxc5 19. Qb7 O-O 20. Nd2 {and Black has to fight
for equality as his a7-pawn is under pressure.}) (11... Na6 $5 {looks a better
way to halt the advance of the a-pawn. After} 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Nd2 Nd5 14. Ne4 {
White maintains the pressure, but it seems bearable:} Be7 $5 ({trying to
safeguard the important bishop - after} 14... Nxf4 15. Nxd6+ Qxd6 16. gxf4 O-O
17. e3 {followed by Rac1, Black doesn't have much play, though he may be able
to hold on}) 15. Nxf7 (15. Rfc1 O-O {is acceptable too}) 15... Nxf4 16. Nxh8
Nxe2+ 17. Kh1 Nxd4 18. Qd1 O-O-O $1 19. Nf7 Rd7 {and Black has good
counter-chances.})) 11... Nh5 (11... Bd6 $5 {is worth considering} 12. Nd2 Nd5
13. Ne4 Nxf4 14. gxf4 O-O 15. Rac1 a5 16. Rfd1 {and the pressure seems
bearable for Black, C.Rodriguez Amezqueta-A.Zlotkowski, corr. 2007.}) 12. Be3 (
{Instead,} 12. a5 Nxf4 13. gxf4 Bd6 14. Rc1 O-O {is okay for Black, H.Reefschläger-J.Rudolph, German League 2009}) ({while} 12. Bd2 {is met by a cool
} a5 $1 {as in the main line} ({rather than} 12... c5 $6 {, N.Heck-E.Postny,
Dresden 2005, when} 13. Bf3 $1 Nf6 14. Na3 $1 a6 15. Nac4 {would have given a
strong initiative.})) 12... a5 $5 13. Nd2 Be7 14. Rac1 O-O {. White has
maintained pressure, but Black's extra pawn should compensate.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White doesn't Protect c4"]
[Black "A2: 4 Bg5"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D30"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 e6 4. Bg5 {This attempt to disturb Black's plans
isn't too dangerous, but it may lead to quiet strategic play, more typical of
the Queen's Gambit Declined than the Triangle.} Be7 {The most reliable
response.} ({Instead,} 4... f6 {may be playable, but it's weakening and so
more risky:} 5. Bf4 $5 ({after} 5. Bd2 {Black would think about} f5 $5 {,
effectively gaining a tempo in the Stonewall as the move Bd2 is quite useless
there}) 5... dxc4 ({here} 5... f5 6. e3 Nf6 7. Nc3 {is favourable for White,
according to practice}) 6. e4 b5 7. Be2 Bb7 8. Nc3 Ne7 9. O-O {and the
weakness of the e6-square guarantees White good compensation for the pawn (cf
line A in Chapter 2).}) (4... Nf6 {can't be recommended unless Black feels
comfortable in all the systems that can arise after} 5. Nc3 ({or} 5. e3 {-
such as the Botvinnik, Moscow, Cambridge Springs, Carlsbad or, indeed, any
other variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined.})) 5. Bxe7 Qxe7 {This position
is reminiscent of lines of the QGD, where Black can face difficulties
mobilizing his light-squared bishop. However, the early exchange on e7
promotes his development and gives him reasonable chances to solve this
problem with either ...c6-c5 or ...e6-e5.} 6. e3 ({Some may prefer} 6. Nbd2 $5
{, which has its points, as the typical equalizing attempt ...d5xc4, followed
by ...c6-c5, may be less comfortable when White can recapture on c4 with the
knight:} Nf6 7. e3 ({after} 7. g3 O-O 8. Bg2 b6 9. O-O Bb7 10. Qc2 Nbd7 11.
Rfd1 Rac8 12. Rac1 c5 {Black has no problems, E.L'Ami-Ar.Timofeev, Amsterdam
2005}) 7... -- (7... O-O {and now:} 8. -- (8. Qc2 b6 $5 9. Bd3 Bb7 10. O-O Nbd7
({or} 10... dxc4 $5 11. Qxc4 Ba6 12. Qc2 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Nbd7 14. Rac1 c5 15. Qa6
{, as in Bu Xiangzhi-Ar.Timofeev, Sochi blitz 2009, when} e5 $5 {would have
given Black good play}) 11. Rac1 ({or} 11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Qc7 Rab8) 11... dxc4
$5 12. Nxc4 c5 {and Black is fine, L.Lenic-D.Pavasovic, Slovenian Team Ch.
2011.}) (8. Bd3 Nbd7 {and then:} 9. -- (9. cxd5 {, transposing to a Carlsbad
pawn structure, isn't dangerous:} exd5 10. O-O Ne4 11. Qc2 {; e.g.} Re8 ({or} 
11... Ndf6 $5) 12. Rfe1 Ndf6 13. Nf1 g6 14. Rab1 a5 15. a3 Be6 16. Ne5 Nd7 (
16... Nd6 $5) 17. Nxd7 Qxd7 18. f3 Nd6 {with good play, Ch.Lutz-J.Piket,
Dortmund 1994.}) (9. Qc2 {might make Black think twice about ...e6-e5 and ...c6-c5 as they can both lead to isolated pawn positions - but he should be okay:
} Re8 ({instead,} 9... e5 10. cxd5 exd4 11. Nxd4 cxd5 12. O-O {may not be to
everyone's taste}) ({but} 9... dxc4 10. Nxc4 c5 11. O-O b6 12. Nce5 ({or} 12.
e4 h6) 12... Bb7 {is acceptable for Black, Bu Xiangzhi-S.Beshukov, Moscow 2004}
) 10. O-O e5 11. dxe5 ({not} 11. cxd5 $6 e4) 11... Nxe5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. cxd5
Qxd5 {and Black solves his problems.}))) ({. Alternatively, with White having
less control over the centre after Nbd2, Black might consider freeing himself
with ...e6-e5 directly:} 7... Nbd7 $5 8. Be2 ({or if} 8. Bd3 e5 9. cxd5 {then}
Nxd5) 8... O-O 9. O-O e5 {with good play; e.g.} 10. dxe5 Nxe5 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12.
Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Nc4 Qe7 14. Qd4 Rd8 15. Rfd1 c5 16. Qe5 Qxe5 17. Nxe5 Be6 18. Bc4
Kf8 {and Black eventually outplayed his opponent, E.L'Ami-P.Tregubov, German
League 2010.})) 6... Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Qc2 {The most popular continuation,
postponing the development of the light-squared bishop in order to make ...d5xc4 less attractive.} ({Instead:} 8. Be2 b6 $5 ({or just} 8... dxc4) 9. a4
dxc4 10. Bxc4 Bb7 11. O-O c5 {is fine for Black, Liren Ding-Ar.Timofeev, Sochi
(blitz) 2009.}) (8. Bd3 dxc4 9. Bxc4 c5 10. O-O Rd8 11. Qe2 Nc6 (11... cxd4 12.
exd4 Nc6 13. Rad1 {is slightly better for White due to his greater activity})
12. Rad1 ({or} 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13. Rfd1 Bd7 14. a3 Ne5 15. Nxe5 Qxe5 {, E.Vladimirov-B.Spassky, Salamanca 1991}) 12... Bd7 13. a3 Be8 14. dxc5 Qxc5 15.
Ba2 h6 16. Rxd8 Rxd8 17. Rd1 {and it was time to sign the scoresheets, W.Unzicker-B.Spassky, German League 1989.}) (8. Rc1 {is another common option.
Then} Rd8 9. Qc2 dxc4 $5 10. Bxc4 c5 {(Black considers himself well prepared
for this thematic pawn advance, especially as White's major pieces on the
c-file wouldn't be very useful if he recapture on d4 with the e-pawn)} 11. O-O
{has been tested several times in practice, with Black usually doing rather
well:} -- (11... Nc6 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13. Ne4 $1 Qe7 14. Nxf6+ (14. a3 {is a bit
slow:} Bd7 15. Bd3 ({or} 15. Rfd1 Be8 {½-½ R.Vaganian-A.Karpov, London 1984
}) 15... h6 16. b4 Rac8 17. Qb2 Be8 {and Black eventually equalized and even
went on to win, Pr.Nikolic-U.Andersson, Niksic 1983}) 14... Qxf6 15. Bd3 g6 16.
Be4 Bd7 17. Qb3 Rab8 18. Rc5 {and White maintained some pressure, A.Rustemov-A.Galkin, Moscow 2006.}) (11... cxd4 {is more accurate:} 12. Nxd4 ({after} 12.
exd4 Nc6 13. Rfd1 Bd7 {and ...Rac8 Black is fine: in IQP positions White's
play usually comes in the centre and on the kingside, whereas here his pieces
are concentrated on the queenside}) 12... Bd7 {and with ...Nc6 secured, Black
solves his problems. D.Arutinian-A.Galkin, Turkish Team Ch. 2010, continued}
13. Rfd1 Nc6 14. Nxc6 Bxc6 15. Rxd8+ Rxd8 16. Rd1 h6 17. h3 Rxd1+ 18. Qxd1 Qd7
19. Qxd7 Nxd7 {and was soon drawn.})) 8... Nbd7 ({Other moves:} 8... dxc4 9.
Bxc4 c5 10. O-O cxd4 11. exd4 {is somewhat better for White, even if Black
managed to draw in I.Khenkin-D.Frolyanov, Russian Team Ch. 2005, and B.Grachev-D.Pavasovic, Sibenik 2009.}) (8... b6 9. cxd5 cxd5 $5 {is playable:}
10. Rc1 $5 ({or} 10. Bd3 Ba6 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 {, M.Roiz-Ar.Timofeev, Moscow 2005})
10... Bb7 11. Bd3 Nc6 12. a3 Rfc8 {with an acceptable, if slightly worse
position (due to the inferior bishop), A.Dreev-F.Klein, Ohrid 2009.}) (8... c5
$5 {deserves attention, trying to exploit White's lack in development, though
he might be able to maintain a slight edge after} 9. cxd5 exd5 10. dxc5 Qxc5
11. Be2 Nc6 12. Rd1 (12. O-O d4 13. Nxd4 Nxd4 14. exd4 Qxd4 15. Rfd1 Qe5 {is
okay, A.Rustemov-P.Tregubov, German League 2008}) 12... Rd8 13. Nd4 {,
blockading the isolated pawn. Black's position is acceptable as long as it's
to the player's taste.}) 9. cxd5 $5 {A common choice - White reasons that ...c6xd5 would be in his favour since the black knight is already on d7 and can
no longer go to c6.} ({Instead,} 9. O-O-O e5 {gives Black good counter-chances,
S.Feller-V.Papin, Moscow 2010.}) 9... cxd5 $5 {Nevertheless! Black accepts a
slightly inferior but defendable position without pawn weaknesses.} ({Instead:
} 9... exd5 10. Bd3 Re8 11. O-O {gives White a slight advantage, according to
tournament practice. The Carlsbad structure is unbalanced and White has
standard plans to create weaknesses; e.g.} Nf8 ({or} 11... Ne4 12. b4) 12. a3 (
{or} 12. Rab1) 12... Ng6 13. Nd2 Be6 (13... Nh4 $5) 14. b4 Rad8 15. Rfc1 a6 16.
Na4 Ng4 17. Nf1 Qh4 18. Ra2 Re7 19. Nc5 Bc8 20. a4 {and White has secured his
kingside, while maintaining annoying pressure on the opponent's queenside, A.Chernin-T.Markowski, Budapest 2000.}) (9... Nxd5 $5 {is more combative,
leading to positions akin to the Lasker Defence; e.g.} 10. Be2 ({or} 10. Rd1
Nxc3 11. Qxc3 c5 12. Bb5 b6 13. Bc6 Rb8 {½-½ A.Riazantsev-P.Tregubov,
Moscow 2005}) 10... Nxc3 11. Qxc3 c5 12. O-O b6 13. Rac1 Bb7 14. dxc5 Rfc8 15.
b4 bxc5 16. b5 a6 17. a4 axb5 18. axb5 Nb6 {and Black is okay, A.Kornev-S.Yudin, Saratov 2006.}) 10. Be2 ({Or} 10. Bd3 b6 11. O-O Bb7 12. Rfc1 Rfc8 13.
Qb3 Nb8 $5 14. Ne5 Nc6 {and Black gradually solved his problems, V.Shishkin-A.Das, Calvi 2010.}) 10... b6 (10... a6 $5 11. a4 (11. Na4 Ne4 {was good for
Black in E.Ghaem Maghami-S.Zhigalko, Moscow 2010}) 11... b6 {would probably
come to the same thing.}) 11. O-O Bb7 12. Rac1 a6 13. a4 Rfc8 14. Qb3 Qd6 {.
Black stands slightly worse, but his position is quite acceptable, D.Komljenovic-C.Sandipan, Ubeda 2001.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White doesn't Protect c4"]
[Black "B: 3 Nc3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. cxd5 {This exchange, which usually leads to a
Carlsbad pawn structure, gives White a solid position, though he can hope only
for a very slight edge.} exd5 (4... cxd5 {is a somewhat cynical switch to the
Exchange Slav. Maxim Sorokin used to play this way and, for those who don't
mind leaving the bishop on c8, it's certainly reasonable. Black may find
chances to complicate things later; for instance, after} 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bf4 Nf6
7. e3 Nh5 $5 {- a line I have also played several times.}) 5. -- {Now White
has a choice. We'll consider:} ({B1:} 5. Bf4) ({B2:} 5. Nf3) ({B3:} 5. Qc2) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White doesn't Protect c4"]
[Black "B1: 5 Bf4"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "24"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bf4 {Although this looks quite
natural, it actually leaves White a tempo down on the line 3 Nc3 Be7 4 cxd5
exd5 5 Bf4 and now 5...c6 6 e3 Bd6!?, which is one of the most reliable ways
for Black to get a playable, albeit slightly worse position.} Bd6 {Now the
bishop comes here in one step!} ({Black can also begin with other moves, such
as} 5... Bf5) ({or} 5... Nf6 {, with similar play.}) 6. Bg3 (6. Bxd6 Qxd6 {
hardly promises any advantage:} 7. e3 Bf5 ({the immediate} 7... Ne7 {is also
possible - the knight can be improved later by ...Nf5-d6 or ...Ng6-h4}) 8. Nge2
(8. Bd3 {is harmless:} Bxd3 9. Qxd3 Nf6 10. Nge2 (10. Nf3 Nbd7 {transposes to
line B2}) 10... Nbd7 11. Ng3 O-O 12. O-O Rfe8 {with good play - White's plan
of f2-f3 and e3-e4 can be usually met by ...d5xe4 and ...c6-c5, plus ...Rad8
if necessary, while Black himself can think about disturbing the enemy knight
with ...g7-g6 and ...h7-h5-h4}) 8... Ne7 ({or} 8... Nf6 9. Ng3 Bg6 10. h4 h5
11. Be2 Nbd7 12. Bf3 Nf8 13. Qb3 O-O-O 14. Rc1 Kb8 {with unclear play, A.Deze-E.Sveshnikov, Novi Sad 1979}) 9. Nf4 (9. Ng3 Bg6 10. Bd3 Nd7 11. O-O O-O {
is okay for Black; instead, Z.Gyimesi-S.Lputian, Vienna 1996,} ({saw} 11... h5
$5 12. e4 dxe4 13. Ngxe4 Qxd4 14. Bc4 Qxd1 15. Raxd1 Nf5 16. Ng5 Nb6 17. Rfe1+
Kf8 18. Bb3 {, when White had enough play for the pawn})) 9... Nd7 ({after} 
9... Ng6 10. Nh5 O-O 11. Ng3 Be6 12. Bd3 {Black hasn't arranged his pieces in
the best way, V.Gavrikov-Y.Dokhoian, German League 1993}) 10. Be2 O-O (10... g5
11. Nd3 O-O-O 12. b4 Bxd3 13. Qxd3 Qxb4 14. O-O {gives White good play, T.Kosten-E.Sveshnikov, Bratislava 1996}) 11. O-O ({the kingside assault with} 11.
g4 {isn't well prepared:} Be6 12. Bd3 c5 $1 13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Bc2 Nc6 15. h3 $6
d4 $1 {and Black seized the initiative, A.Kosten-M.Sadler, Isle of Man 1997})
11... Nf6 {followed by ...Ng6 is okay.}) 6... Ne7 ({Alternatively, Black can
just develop his pieces in a normal way:} 6... Bf5 7. Qb3 Bxg3 8. hxg3 Qb6 {
with acceptable play, L.B.Hansen-V.Kramnik, Gausdal 1992.}) ({Switching to the
Stonewall by} 6... f5 $5 {is worth considering too:} 7. e3 Nf6 8. Bd3 O-O 9.
Nf3 Ne4 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. Qb3 Kh8 12. O-O Nd7 {and again Black has acceptable
play, S.Guramishvili-M.Sulashvili, Tbilisi 2010.}) ({Or} 6... Nf6 7. e3 ({
while for} 7. Qc2 g6 {of 5...g6 in line B2}) 7... Bf5 {.}) 7. e3 Nf5 (7... Bf5
{would be a bit inconsistent with the previous move}) ({but} 7... O-O {is a
valid option with the idea of trying to exchange his light-squared bishop
later; e.g.} 8. Nf3 ({or} 8. Bd3 Bf5) 8... Re8 9. Be2 Bf5 10. Nh4 Bg6 {and
Black is okay. A.Vaisser-Y.Pelletier, Paris 2008, continued} 11. Qb3 Nc8 $5 12.
Nxg6 hxg6 13. Bd3 Qb6 14. Qc2 Na6 15. O-O-O Nb4 16. Qe2 Nxd3+ 17. Rxd3 Re6 18.
Kb1 Qd8 {and Black eventually outplayed his opponent.}) 8. Bd3 (8. Bxd6 Nxd6 9.
Nf3 Bf5 10. Bd3 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 O-O 12. O-O Nd7 13. Rac1 Re8 {, L.Zsinka-R.Scherbakov, Berlin 1993, is fine for Black, who has a favourable version of
line B2. He has managed to exchange light-squared bishops and arranged his
knights in the most efficient way. To get more ideas about this type of
position it would be useful to look at such classical games as M.Bobotsov-T.V.Petrosian, Lugano Olympiad 1968.}) 8... Nxg3 9. hxg3 Nd7 10. Qc2 Nf6 {Black is
okay but he shouldn't overestimate his chances - White's position is extremely
solid and some players might try and squeeze something out of it.} 11. O-O-O (
11. Nge2 Qe7 12. Bf5 Bxf5 13. Qxf5 g6 14. Qh3 h5 {certainly isn't worse for
Black, A.Anastasian-S.Lputian, Long Beach 1994.}) 11... g6 (11... Qe7 $5 {.})
12. Kb1 {. This position arose in A.Istratescu-J.Lautier, Aix-en-Provence 
(rapid) 2004, and here, rather than} Kf8 ({something like} 12... Qe7 {seemed
more to the point, getting ready to castle queenside.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White doesn't Protect c4"]
[Black "B2: 5 Nf3"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "28"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Nf3 Bf5 {The Triangle enables
Black to solve the problem of his light-squared bishop more easily.} (5... Nf6
{is also playable, but would allow the unnecessary transposition to other
lines after} 6. Bg5 ({or} 6. Qc2 {.})) ({Alternatively, Black can begin with} 
5... Bd6 {, when} 6. e4 ({or} 6. Bg5 Ne7 7. e3 ({while} 7. Qc2 {is line B3
below}) 7... Bf5) 6... dxe4 7. Nxe4 Qe7 $5 ({or} 7... Nf6 8. Nxd6+ Qxd6) 8. Qe2
Bb4+ {is fine, A.Ianovsky-R.Scherbakov, Minsk 1997.}) 6. Bf4 ({Instead:} 6. Bg5
Be7 ({Black can also think about} 6... Qb6 $5 {followed by ...Nd7, ...Ngf6 etc}
) 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 {is okay for Black.}) (6. Qb3 Qb6 {is also fine, as the
exchange of queens will, in most cases, alter the pawn structure in Black's
favour:} 7. Na4 ({or} 7. Qxb6 axb6 8. Bf4 Nf6 9. e3 b5 10. Nd2 Nbd7 {, T.Lampen-R.Scherbakov, Jyvaskyla 1994}) 7... Qxb3 8. axb3 Na6 9. Bd2 Nf6 10. e3
Nb4 11. Rc1 Ne4 12. Nc5 Nxd2 13. Kxd2 b6 14. Nd3 f6 15. Be2 a5 16. Rhd1 Bd6 {
with a clear advantage, A.Onischuk-R.Scherbakov, Berlin 1993.}) 6... Bd6 ({
Again, Black can try to confuse his opponent by} 6... Qb6 7. Qc1 Nf6 8. e3 Be7
{, preventing simplifications with Bd3 - though if White keeps cool, he's
obviously fine.}) 7. Bxd6 (7. Bg3 {looks a bit more interesting, even if it
still doesn't promise much; e.g.} Nf6 8. e3 O-O 9. Qb3 Bxg3 10. hxg3 Qb6 11.
Nh4 Be6 12. Bd3 Na6 13. Nf3 Qxb3 14. axb3 Nb4 15. Ne5 g6 {and Black has a good
ending, A.Anastasian-A.Pashikian, Armenian Ch., Yerevan 2011.}) 7... Qxd6 8. e3
Nd7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Ngf6 11. O-O O-O {Black doesn't have any real
problems in the Carlsbad pawn structure without light-squared bishops. White's
main plan - the queenside "minority attack" - is parried comfortably by taking
control of the c4-square.} 12. Rab1 {This is a typical move to prepare the
advance of the b-pawn, but White shouldn't be in a hurry to carry this out.} ({
For instance, the immediate} 12. b4 $6 {is well met by} b5 $1 {which gives
Black excellent play. With light-squared bishops on the board the central
thrust e3-e4 would be a problem, but here it's harmless for Black:} 13. a4 a5
$1 ({even better than} 13... a6 14. Rfb1 Nb6 {and ...Nc4}) 14. axb5 (14. bxa5
b4 15. Na2 Rxa5 16. Rab1 Rb8 {favours Black, Y.Lou-T.Kotanjian, Manila 2010})
14... axb4 15. Ne2 cxb5 {and White has to fight for equality, L.Perdomo-R.Leitao, Sao Paulo 2008.}) ({Slow moves, such as} 12. h3 {, don't bother Black
either:} Rfe8 13. Nd2 Nf8 14. Rfe1 Ng6 15. a3 Nh4 $5 16. g3 Ng6 {with good
play, H.Tikkanen-A.Korobov, Pardubice 2010.}) 12... Rfe8 (12... a5 $5 {is more
popular here, when White has tried several options, but Black is okay whatever;
e.g.} 13. Qc2 ({increasing the effectiveness of his queen, while planning to
meet the thematic ...Rfe8 and ...Ne4 by capturing the knight; instead, after} 
13. Rfc1 Rfe8 14. Nd2 Re6 15. Na4 Ne4 16. Nxe4 Rxe4 17. Nc5 Nxc5 18. Rxc5 Qg6
19. Rbc1 f5 20. Qb3 Qf7 21. g3 g5 {Black began typical kingside operations in
M.Boguslawsky-U.Bönsch, Berlin 1994}) 13... Rfe8 14. Rfc1 {(trying to put
pressure on the black queenside in a more subtle way than the direct b2-b4)}
Ra6 $5 ({, a sophisticated response;} 14... Nb6 $5 15. Ne5 Nfd7 {also deserves
attention}) ({; whereas} 14... Ne4 15. Nxe4 Rxe4 ({or} 15... dxe4 16. Nd2 {is
somewhat better for White}) 16. a3 {might be slightly better for White}) 15. h3
h6 16. Ne1 Nb6 17. b3 Ne4 18. Nd3 ({here} 18. Nxe4 $6 dxe4 {leaves the knight
on e1 restricted}) 18... Nxc3 19. Qxc3 Nd7 20. Rc2 {was A.Riazantsev-A.Galkin,
St. Petersburg 1999, when a2-a4 and b3-b4 gave White a small initiative,
though Black had little trouble in defending.}) ({Perhaps he might also find
time for a rearrangement like} 12... Qe7 $5 {, intending to improve his king's
knight by ...Ne8-d6.}) 13. b4 {Again, this is harmless.} ({Something like} 13.
Qc2 {seems more to the point, though Black always keeps a good position.})
13... Ne4 ({Other options are good, such as} 13... b5 $5) (13... Nb6 $5) ({or
even} 13... Rac8 {, intending to meet b4-b5 with either ...c6-c5 or ...c6xb5.})
14. b5 Nb6 $5 {. This is one of the standard plans in this type of position
without light-squared bishops. The knight on b6, supported by the a7-pawn,
puts a stop to White's queenside ambitions, as in V.Prosviriakov-V.Komliakov,
Moscow 2008.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "White doesn't Protect c4"]
[Black "B3: 5 Qc2"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Annotator "Ruslan Scherbakov"]
[PlyCount "30"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.06.20"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Qc2 {A logical move, preventing ...Bf5 for the time being, though this isn't a serious problem for Black.} Bd6 ({
There's no need for Black to enter the Queen's Gambit Declined with} 5... Nf6
6. Bg5 {, even if it isn't objectively bad.}) ({Instead:} 5... g6 {is a
reasonable alternative, aiming to develop the light-squared bishop to f5 after
all; e.g.} 6. Bf4 ({the direct} 6. e4 dxe4 7. Qxe4+ Be7 ({or} 7... Qe7 $5) 8.
Bg5 Bf5 ({Black can also consider} 8... Be6 $5) 9. Qe3 Nd7 {, J.Avila
Jimenez-O.Korneev, La Roda 2005, is okay for Black}) 6... Bd6 (6... Bf5 $5 7.
Qd2 Nf6 8. e3 Nbd7 {is acceptable too, according to tournament practice}) 7.
Bg3 ({again} 7. Bxd6 Qxd6 8. e3 {doesn't promise much after} Bf5 $5 ({or} 8...
Ne7 9. Nge2 Nd7 10. Ng3 Nf6 11. Bd3 h5 $5 {, M.Kazhgaleyev-P.Negi, Dubai 2011})
) 7... Bf5 8. Qd2 Qe7 ({or just} 8... Nf6 9. e3 O-O {with good play, B.Nadera-C.Sandipan, Asian Ch., Calcutta 2001}) 9. e3 Nd7 10. Nf3 Bxg3 11. hxg3
Ngf6 12. Nh4 Be6 13. Bd3 {and here, instead of the weakening} b5 $6 {as in R.Scherbakov-G.Kallai, Sochi 1989,} ({the simple} 13... O-O {would be okay for
Black.})) (5... Na6 {is more often played with the earlier insertion of Nf3
and ...Nf6. Here it doesn't create an immediate threat of ...Nb4 (since there
is no subsequent ...Ne4), but it still isn't bad:} 6. -- (6. a3 Nc7 7. Nf3 Nf6
{, which usually arises via a different move order, is good for Black, who is
dreaming about something like this:} 8. Bg5 g6 $5 9. e3 Bf5 10. Bd3 (10. Qb3
Rb8) 10... Bxd3 11. Qxd3 Be7 12. O-O O-O 13. b4 (13. Bxf6 $5 Bxf6 {was worth
considering, pre-empting Black's next move; but then} 14. b4 {could be met by}
Qe7 {and White can't continue with} 15. b5 $6 {since he doesn't have
sufficient control over the c5-square; i.e.} c5 $1) 13... Ne4 $1 14. Bf4 (14.
Bh6 Re8) 14... Nxc3 15. Qxc3 $6 ({White should have avoided unnecessary
problems by} 15. Bxc7 $1 Qxc7 16. Qxc3 {would have avoided unnecessary
problems, R.Vaganian-G.Kasparov, Horgen 1995}) 15... Bd6 16. Bxd6 Nb5 $1 17.
Qb3 Nxd6 {and thanks to White's inaccurate play, Black hasn't just managed to
simplify the position in his favour, he has also transferred his knight to an
almost perfect post (at d6) for this pawn structure, where it works very
efficiently, keeping control over the key squares e4, c4 and b5, while
protecting the b7-pawn. L.Portisch-G.Kasparov, Skelleftea 1989, continued} 18.
a4 a6 19. Ne5 Re8 20. Rfe1 Qg5 21. h3 Kg7 22. Qc2 Re6 23. Rac1 Rae8 {, after
which Black could concentrate on his kingside actions, leaving White with the
joyless task of trying - and failing - to defend:} 24. Qb1 Qh5 25. Qb3 f6 26.
Nd3 g5 27. Qd1 Qg6 28. Qc2 R6e7 29. Red1 h5 30. Qb1 h4 31. Qc2 g4 32. Nf4 Qxc2
33. Rxc2 g3 $1 {and Black went in to win.}) (6. Bf4 Nf6 (6... Nb4 $6 {is
premature:} 7. Qd2 Bf5 8. Rc1 {followed by a2-a3}) 7. a3 ({after} 7. e3 Nb4 8.
Qd2 Bf5 9. Rc1 {Black now has} Ne4 10. Nxe4 dxe4 11. a3 Nd5 {, getting the
knight to a strong post, E.Bricard-S.Semkov, Sofia 1990}) 7... Nc7 (7... Bd6 8.
Bxd6 Qxd6 9. e4 $6 dxe4 10. Bxa6 bxa6 11. Nxe4 Qe6 12. f3 O-O {was okay for
Black, Y.Seirawan-G.Kaidanov, US Ch., Chandler 1997}) 8. e3 Bd6 9. Bxd6 Qxd6
10. Bd3 O-O 11. Nf3 {and although Black's position is acceptable, White has
the better chances here. For instance, the typical plan of} g6 12. O-O Nce8 $5
13. b4 Ng7 {and ...Bf5 is rather time consuming, so White can maintain the
pressure with} 14. Rfc1 ({or} 14. Na4 {followed by Nc5.}))) 6. Nf3 Ne7 {Black
develops his kingside, while resuming his plan of bringing the light-squared
bishop into play.} ({Alternatively,} 6... Bg4 $5 {is another possibility}) ({
while the unexpected} 6... f5 $5 {may also be playable - since White can't put
his bishop on f4, it seems as if he has exchanged on d5 unnecessarily; however,
he can still obtain a small advantage after} 7. Bg5 $1 Ne7 (7... Nf6 $2 8. Bxf6
Qxf6 9. Nxd5 $1) 8. e3 O-O 9. Bd3 Be6 10. O-O Nd7 11. Bf4 {, B.Ivkov-L.Zinn,
Dresden 1959.}) 7. Bg5 (7. e4 {looks natural, but this leads to an isolated
queen's pawn position which is acceptable for Black:} dxe4 8. Nxe4 Bb4+ ({or} 
8... Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxe4 10. Bxe4 Nd7 11. O-O h6 {, O.Cvitan-A.Pashikian, European
Ch., Rijeka 2010}) ({or} 8... Bg4 9. Be2 Bb4+ 10. Bd2 Bxd2+ 11. Qxd2 Nd5 12.
O-O O-O {, T.Lanchava-S.Volkov, Groningen 1998, also provide solid play}) 9.
Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 Bf5 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Bc4 Nd7 13. O-O Nb6 14. Bb3 Qd6 {and so
on, O.Cvitan-D.Pavasovic, Sibenik 2008.}) 7... Bg4 $5 {An interesting attempt
to complicate things.} ({Black has a big choice of alternatives:} 7... Bf5 {is
playable; e.g.} 8. Qxf5 Nxf5 9. Bxd8 Kxd8 10. e3 Bb4 11. Rc1 Nd7 12. Bd3 Nd6
13. Ke2 Bxc3 14. Rxc3 a5 {and the endgame is fine for Black, O.Rodriguez
Vargas-V.Akopian, Barcelona 1992, but it may not be so attractive for anyone
who hopes to outplay their opponent.}) (7... O-O 8. e3 Bf5 {isn't bad either,
except that in the possible ending (after} 9. Qxf5 {etc) Black might prefer to
have his king still in the centre.}) (7... f6 {is a popular option, breaking
the pin in the most direct way, though it might prove to be a weakness if
White manages to achieve the active central pawn advance e2-e4.} 8. -- (8. Bh4
Bf5 9. Qd2 ({not} 9. e4 $2 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb4+) 9... Nd7 10. e3 O-O {is
acceptable for Black:} 11. Bg3 $5 ({or} 11. Bd3 Nb6 12. b3 Qd7 13. Bg3 Nbc8 14.
O-O Bxg3 15. hxg3 Nd6 {, S.Vitri-O.Korneev, Trieste 2006}) 11... Nb6 12. Nh4
Be4 $5 (12... Be6 13. Bd3) 13. Be2 Qd7 {and Black can be satisfied with his
position, V.Grabliauskas-Dm.Schneider, New York Open 2000.}) (8. Bd2 $5 f5 ({
otherwise White gets to play e2-e4; e.g.} 8... Bf5 9. e4 $1 dxe4 10. Nxe4 O-O
11. Bd3 {, M.Vokac-J.Sosna, Czech League 2009}) ({or} 8... Bg4 9. e4 $1) ({or} 
8... O-O 9. e4 $1 dxe4 10. Nxe4 {with somewhat better chances, P.Kekki-S.Volkov, Rethymnon 2010 - here the move ...f7-f6 gives White more chances to
develop an initiative}) 9. Bg5 ({or} 9. e3 Nd7 10. Bd3 Nf6 11. O-O-O Ne4 12.
Be1 O-O {½-½ M.Ezat-S.Savchenko, Cairo 2003; objectively, the position is
complicated and both sides have their chances}) 9... h6 ({after} 9... O-O 10.
e3 Nd7 {White exchanges dark-squared bishops by} 11. Bf4 {, Polish Ch., W.Sapis-M.Matlak, Czestochowa 1993}) ({while the ambitious} 9... f4 $6 {can be
met energetically by} 10. e4 $1 fxe3 11. Bd3 $1 exf2+ 12. Kxf2 {with the
initiative; e.g.} O-O $5 13. Bxh7+ Kh8 14. Rhe1 {and so on}) 10. Bxe7 Bxe7 11.
e3 Bd6 12. Bd3 O-O {and Black is okay.})) 8. e3 ({Both} 8. Ne5 $6 Bxe5 9. dxe5
Nd7 $5) ({and} 8. Nd2 {are harmless:} Qd7 ({or} 8... h6 $5 9. Bh4 Qd7 10. e3
Nf5 11. Bg3 Nxg3 12. hxg3 Qe7) 9. e4 h6 10. Bxe7 ({or} 10. Be3 O-O) 10... Bxe7
11. f3 Bh5 12. exd5 O-O $5 {and Black took over the initiative in M.Socko-T.Shumiakina, Kishinev Interzonal 1995.}) 8... Qd7 $5 {This looks awkward since
it blocks the natural development of the queen's knight, but it contains the
interesting idea of trapping White's bishop by ...Ng6.} ({Instead:} 8... Qc7 {
, intending ...Ng6, places the queens in opposition on the c-file, which might
be in White's favour.}) (8... Nd7 9. Bd3 Nf8 10. Bh4 Nfg6 11. Bg3 O-O {, P.Gomez Peco-F.Bertona, La Roda 2006, is playable, but here Black's knights
duplicate each other, which might be a problem.}) (8... Bxf3 {seems a bit
hasty as White can castle queenside after} 9. gxf3 Qd7 $5 10. e4 $5 {- though
with the unbalanced pawn structure, Black may also get his chances.}) (8... Bh5
{, intending ...Bg6, is solid, if somewhat passive.}) 9. Bd3 ({Other moves
don't bother Black:} 9. Ne5 $6 Bxe5 10. dxe5 Ng6 {, A.Savurko-J.Kochetkova,
Kemer 2007}) ({or} 9. Be2 Ng6 10. e4 $5 O-O $5 11. e5 Be7) ({or} 9. Bh4 Nf5 (
9... O-O) 10. Bg3 Qe7 $5 11. Bxd6 Nxd6 12. Ne5 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Nxd3 Nd7
15. O-O O-O {and so on.}) 9... Bxf3 $5 ({The immediate} 9... Ng6 {allows White
to disrupt his opponent's plan by} 10. Nh4 $1 {, as in S.Reuben-R.Scherbakov,
Hastings (rapid) 1995, which continued:} f6 $6 {(unexpected and interesting,
but it's actually dubious)} 11. Nxg6 ({not} 11. Bxg6+ $6 hxg6 12. Nxg6 $4 ({
while} 12. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 13. Qxg6+ Kf8 14. Qxf6+ Kg8 {leads to a draw}) 12...
Bf5) 11... hxg6 12. Bxg6+ Kd8 $1 ({not} 12... Kf8 $6 13. f3 $1 fxg5 $6 14. fxg4
) 13. Bf4 (13. f3 $5 fxg5 14. fxg4 Qxg4 15. Bf5 Qh4+ 16. Ke2 {is unclear})
13... Bxf4 14. exf4 {. Here Black consistently played} f5 $6 ({instead,} 14...
Qe6+ {was more reliable, though even then} 15. Kd2 Qd6 16. g3 Qb4 17. Rae1
Qxd4+ 18. Kc1 {would be good for White}) 15. f3 $6 ({but the correct} 15. h3 $1
{would have cast doubt on his approach:} Qe6+ 16. Kd2 Qxg6 17. hxg4 Rf8 18. g5
{with a clear advantage}) 15... Qe6+ 16. Kf2 (16. Ne2 Bh3 $1) 16... Qxg6 17.
fxg4 Qxg4 18. g3 Nd7 {and obtained somewhat better chances.}) 10. gxf3 Ng6 (
10... Qh3 $5 {comes to mind as well.}) 11. O-O-O f6 $1 (11... h6 $6 12. Bxg6
hxg5 13. Bf5 {followed by e3-e4 would be unsafe for Black's king.}) 12. Bxg6+
hxg6 13. Qxg6+ Qf7 14. Qf5 (14. Qxf7+ $2 Kxf7 15. Bf4 Bxf4 16. exf4 {just
gives White a difficult endgame due to his ruined pawn structure; e.g.} Rh3 17.
Rd3 Na6 {etc.}) 14... Qd7 ({Of course not} 14... fxg5 $4 15. Qc8+ Ke7 16. Qxh8
{.}) 15. Qg6+ Qf7 ({Since} 15... Kf8 $6 {would be too dangerous with queens on
the board, neither side can avoid the repetition of moves.}) *

