% BOOKTITLE = The Sicilian Taimanov: Move by Move
[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "About this Publication"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 {. This new series provides an ideal
platform to study chess openings. By continually challenging the reader to
answer probing questions throughout the book, the 'Move by Move' format
greatly encourages the learning and practising of vital skills just as much as
the traditional assimilation of opening knowledge. Carefully selected
questions and answers are designed to keep you actively involved and allow you
to monitor your progress as you learn. This is an excellent way to study any
chess opening and at the same time improve your general chess skills and
knowledge. --- In this book, John Emms examines his favourite Sicilian
variation, which is one of Black's most reliable answers to 1 e4. He shares
his knowledge from over 15 years studying and playing the Sicilian Taimanov at
grandmaster level, examines the opening from both sides of the board and
offers answers to the all the key questions.} 5. -- {John Emms is a
Grandmaster and has captained the English Team at two Chess Olympiads. He's an
experienced coach who has worked with many top players, including World
Championship finalist Michael Adams. He's also a highly respected chess writer,
with many outstanding works to his name.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "What is the Taimanov?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "8"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

{This book is about the Sicilian Defence, and more specifically the Taimanov
Variation, which has been my favourite reply to 1 e4 for more than 15 years.
--- The Sicilian Taimanov arises after the opening moves} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3.
d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 {. It's named after the Russian Grandmaster and former
World Championship Candidate Mark Taimanov, who has played hundreds of games
with it and helped to develop many lines.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Why play the Taimanov?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "r3k2r/1bqp1ppp/p1n1pn2/1pb5/8/8/8/4K3 w kq - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "1"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

{The Sicilian Defence really needs no selling at all. It's the most famous
chess opening of all - and the most popular one too. Its main attraction is
that by choosing an asymmetrical pawn structure, Black is able to unbalance
the position from move one, and crucially he can to do so in a sound way. This
allows Black to fight for the initiative from the very start of the game. It
also means that White is less likely to gain a risk-free edge, as the position
will always contain some measure of imbalance. --- Of all the Sicilian
variations on offer - and there are many! - why choose the Taimanov? I can
think of two attractions which are immediately evident: -- 1. These days it's
virtually impossible to expect success in any mainline opening without
learning at least some opening theory, and the Sicilian Taimanov is no
exception. However, the amount of theory you have to contend with in the
Taimanov is still minimal in comparison to more illustrious variations such as
the Najdorf or the Dragon, and developments in theory also tend to move at a
slightly slower pace. The Taimanov Variation is certainly a manageable project
for anybody wishing to take up the Sicilian. -- 2. Black's system of
development is arguably one of the more active ones in the Sicilian, and it
also allows a good degree of flexibility and creativity.} 1. -- {The diagram
shows a kind of "ideal" development system for Black. Of course in the real
world, White is making moves too, and putting obstacles in Black's way, but
even so this set-up is well worth noting. The Taimanov is characterized by the
d7-e6 pawn structure, which allows the king's bishop to play an active role.
Depending on the situation, this bishop sometimes develops to e7, d6, b4, c5
(as in the diagram) or occasionally, as you'll find out, even a3! Both knights
are developed on their favourite squares, and the light-squared bishop can be
activated via the queenside fianchetto ...a6, ...b5 and ...Bb7. Finally, the
queen is virtually always deployed on c7, her favourite square in most
Sicilian lines, and certainly in the Taimanov.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "What this book covers"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 {. I approached this book in exactly
the same manner as my previous one in the 'Move by Move' series, which studied
the Nimzo-Indian Defence. With apologies to those who have seen it, I'd like
to borrow from the introduction to that book. I mentioned a key moment in
virtually every game we play: the moment where our opening knowledge runs out,
we are "out of book" and we have to think for ourselves. To help to understand
what we need to do in these situations, I've again focussed on the following
themes: -- 1. Typical situations in opening and middlegame positions (and very
occasionally thematic endings). -- 2. Typical plans for both sides and how
players react to these. -- 3. Typical and thematic tactical opportunities for
both sides. -- 4. The principles and guidelines of each variation covered. --
5. The key questions we should be asking ourselves during study and in game
situations.} 5. -- {I've presented the opening theory for each variation
covered, and delved into and updated my long-running Taimanov study files.
I've highlighted move-order issues and possible transpositions into other
lines. --- I've covered main lines, but generally my choices are those which I
feel teach us a great deal about the basic principles of the Sicilian Taimanov.
For example, barring a few exceptions, I've chosen lines where Black maintains
a Taimanov set-up rather than transposing to a Scheveningen with an early ...d6. Also, I've focussed on the modern main lines in which Black plays ...Nf6,
rather than Taimanov's original treatment with ...Nge7. --- This book is
primarily aimed at those who play (or want to play) the Sicilian Taimanov as
Black. I've covered a sufficient number of lines so that those playing Black
can choose at least one option against every main line White can play. I do
feel, though, that the general study of Sicilian Taimanov positions, as well
as the opening theory, will also be of value to those who prefer playing the
White side. --- Again I'd like to say that my studying and writing has been
made easier by the creative efforts of so many players whose games and ideas
have contributed immensely to the development of the Sicilian Taimanov over
the years. Some of these players are featured in this book, and they all
deserve a huge amount of appreciation. To list just a very few, I would
mention Vishy Anand, Judit Polgar, Alexander Morozevich, Sergei Movsesian,
Pavel Tregubov, Bartlomiej Macieja, Igor Miladinovic, Sergei Rublevsky,
Aleksander Delchev, Pia Cramling and, of course, Taimanov himself. It's
certainly worth playing through their Sicilian Taimanov games to gain ideas
and inspiration.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The Move by Move Series"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "0"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

{The 'Move by Move' format used in this book is designed to be interactive,
and is based on questions asked by both teachers and students. It aims - as
much as possible - to replicate chess lessons. So the reader is encouraged to
do some work! To gain the most benefit, please pause for thought to consider
each question asked, and allow yourself a few minutes to try each exercise
before moving on to the answer below. I've highlighted some of the more
difficult exercises and also included a few hints in places. --- Many thanks
go to all those who have been kind enough to offer inspiration, advice and
assistance in the creation and development of 'Move by Move'. Special thanks
go to Darren Reed. --- Now let's begin our Sicilian Taimanov journey! --- 
John Emms, Kent, March 2012.} *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "1. 6 Be2 main lines"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

{In the first two chapters we'll study one of the most important lines of the
Sicilian Taimanov:} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2
{. White's set-up with Be2 is the traditional main line of the Sicilian
Taimanov and it continues to be popular at all levels. --- One of the
attractions of playing Be2 is a practical one. White can use Be2 against a
number of Sicilian Variations, including the Najdorf, Scheveningen, Taimanov,
Kan, Dragon and Classical. In effect, White can employ the same system of
development against all these lines. This reduces the amount to learn,
especially given that many Sicilian lines can transpose to each other: Najdorf
to Scheveningen, Taimanov to Scheveningen, Kan to Taimanov, Classical to
Dragon, and so on. --- Many players enjoy the controlled aggression which Be2
brings against the Sicilian. Instead of trying to blast Black off the board in
no time, White prefers to develop classically and logically, and to apply
pressure only later on. Karpov was the ultimate master of this approach
against the Sicilian and it remains a relevant one today, despite the
emergence of more aggressive options such as the English Attack. --- Moving
back to specifics, and the Taimanov Variation, in this chapter we'll study the
Be2 main lines, while in Chapter Two we'll take a look at alternatives for
White.} -- (6... -- {Key Notes: -- 1. The Sicilian Taimanov move in the Be2
variation is 8...Bb4!, attacking the e4-pawn. If Black chooses either 8...Be7
or 8...d6, we get a Sicilian Scheveningen instead. -- 2. The natural reaction
by White against 8...Bb4 is to defend the e4-pawn, either with the bishop or
with 9 f3. This type of reaction often happens at club level, if the White
player is unfamiliar with the theory. Panagiotopoulos-Miladinovic and Vilar
Lopez-Pogorelov demonstrate that Black has no difficulties at all if this
happens. Indeed, he even has good chances of gaining an advantage. -- 3. If
White exchanges knights on c6, Black usually recaptures with ...bxc6!,
strengthening his centre (see Vilar Lopez-Pogorelov as an example). -- 4. The
outwardly surprising 9 Na4! is White's best response to 8...Bb4, and the only
idea that's really challenging. Black must be wary of premature pawn grabs on
e4 - see, for example, the note on 9...Nxe4? in Shirov-Kasimdzhanov. -- 5.
White's gambit 9 Na4 Be7 10 c4!? Nxe4 (Shirov-Kasimdzhanov) leads to sharp,
interesting positions in which the chances look level. -- 6. Taimanov players
should remember Black's effective dark-square plan which was implemented in
Grodzensky-Soberano, with 17...d6!, 19...Be5! and 21...c5!. -- 7. The current
main line is 9 Na4 Be7 10 Nxc6 bxc6 11 Nb6 Rb8 12 Nxc8 Qxc8 13 Bd4!. Black's
most popular response is the solid 13...c5 (Coenen-Haba) but both 13...Qc7 and
13...Nxe4 (Areshchenko-Brandenburg) are interesting alternatives.}) *

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "The First Few Moves"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

{We need to begin at the start! Before our first game, let's run through the
initial few moves of the Sicilian Taimanov and the 6 Be2 line:} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3
e6 ({The other move order to reach the Taimanov is} 2... Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4
e6 {. See Kornev-Geller for a brief discussion on the choice between 2...e6
and 2...Nc6.}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 {This is by far the most popular
move for White in this position. A Sicilian Taimanov player would expect to
face it around 75% of the time.} (5. Nb5 {
comes a distant second, at around 15%.}) 5... Qc7 {QUESTION: Why does Black
make this queen move in the Sicilian Taimanov? --- ANSWER: The c7-square is
the natural home for the queen in many Sicilians, and especially in the
Taimanov. From here she patrols two important lines: the half-open c-file and
the b8-h2 diagonal, which includes the key e5-square. --- QUESTION: Okay, but
why does Black play ...Qc7 so early?} ({ANSWER: That's a good question, and
the answer might seem quite surprising. In the Taimanov, Black wants to
develop the dark-squared bishop actively, and not hem it in with ...d6.
Ideally Black would like to play ...Nf6 and ...Bb4 in the next couple of moves,
but if played straightaway White can spoil Black's plans with Ndb5!. For
example, after} 5... Nf6 6. Ndb5 $1 {
the positional threat of Nd6+ forces Black to either block his bishop in with}
d6 ({or exchange it with} 6... Bb4 7. a3 Bxc3+ 8. Nxc3 {.}) ({
. Neither of these options are bad for Black -} 6... d6 {
will probably transpose to a Sveshnikov Variation after} 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 {
, while the latter is the Four Knights Variation. But we want to play the
Taimanov, not something else!})) ({The idea behind} 5... Qc7 {is to prevent
Ndb5, so that Black can develop his kingside the way he wants. --- QUESTION:
Wait just a second! 5...Qc7 preventing Ndb5? It looks like it encourages it!
--- ANSWER: That's true, and many would-be Taimanov players could easily get
scared off by the thought of} 6. Ndb5 {. The truth, however, is that Black
needn't be scared of this move at all, as long as he responds with} Qb8 $1 {
. The key point is that Black manages to keep control of the d6-square and is
ready to gain time on the knight with ...a6, which would then have nothing
better to do than retreat back to d4. White's only attempt to land the knight
on d6 consists of} 7. g3 ({
the only way for White to make 6 Ndb5 even playable is by} 7. Be3 $1 {
, and this line is covered in the final chapter}) 7... a6 8. Bf4 $2 {
, but this is refuted simply by} e5 $1 {, winning a piece. For now, it's
enough to know that 6 Ndb5 isn't a refutation of the Taimanov!}) ({
QUESTION: How about preventing Nb5 with} 5... a6 {? --- ANSWER: This often
transposes to 5...Qc7, because sooner or later Black plays ...a6 to prevent
Nb5 once and for all. In this book I'm focussing on the main line, which is
the 5...Qc7 move order. This move order has the significant merit of avoiding
the popular response to 5...a6, namely} 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 {. If White takes
on c6 after 5...Qc7 (see the final chapter), Black's queen development is much
more useful than ...a6.}) 6. Be2 ({It's worth noting already that there are a
number of move orders to reach the same position, including} 6. Be3 a6 7. Be2
Nf6 8. O-O {.}) 6... a6 {QUESTION: Can Black get away with avoiding this move?}
({ANSWER: Taimanov players could delay ...a6 for one further move and play} 
6... Nf6 {, but after} 7. O-O {the best option is still} a6 $1 {.} ({
If Black delays further and chooses} 7... Bb4 {White might reply} 8. Ndb5 Qb8 {
and now} 9. a3 $1 {.})) 7. O-O ({White could play} 7. Be3 Nf6 8. O-O {
, with another transposition.}) 7... Nf6 8. Be3 {Alternatives to this typical
bishop development will be considered in Chapter Two.} Bb4 $1 {
The Taimanov move, and the subject of this chapter and the next one.} ({
Black could, if he wished, transpose to the main lines of the Sicilian
Scheveningen, by playing} 8... Be7 9. f4 d6 {.}) *

[Event "Kavala"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Panagiotopoulos, O."]
[Black "Miladinovic, I."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "36"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3 ({As mentioned
before, there's more than one move order to reach the game position. The most
common one is} 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Be3 {.}) 6... a6 7. Be2 Nf6 8. O-O Bb4
9. f3 {White defends against the threat to his e4-pawn. --- QUESTION: This
move hardly looks worrying. Doesn't White have better options? --- ANSWER: Yes
he does, and we'll move on to those a little bit later. But it's very useful
to first look at 9 f3, which is quite a natural choice amongst White players
who are unfamiliar with the theoretical recommendations. After all, something
needs to be done about the threat to the e4-pawn. --- The problem with 9 f3 is
that essentially it's a passive move. When White castles kingside against the
Sicilian, his natural attacking plan on the kingside typically involves f2-f4,
and 9 f3 is at odds with this plan. Basically, 9 f3 puts Black under no
pressure. He can develop freely and reach a very comfortable position. ---
QUESTION: How about if White defends the e4-pawn with his bishop? --- ANSWER:
Even this isn't ideal, if nothing else because the bishop has to move again so
soon after going to e2.} ({If White defends with} 9. Bf3 {
Black can respond with} Ne5 $1 {. This is a classic Taimanov move and it's
particularly effective here, for a number of reasons: -- 1. By uncovering the
queen on the c-file, Black increases the pressure on the c3-knight. -- 2. From
e5, the knight can either take on f3 or go to c4, hitting both e3 and b2. -- 3.
There are possibilities of ...Neg4, threatening mate on h2 and hitting e3, if
Black prepares it with ...h5 or if White's queen moves away from the d1-h5
diagonal. --- A crucial point also is that Black doesn't need to fear} 10. Bf4
{pinning the knight. Black has more than one good move against 10 Bf4, but
typically} d6 {, breaking the pin, is a good response. --- QUESTION: What about
} 11. Bxe5 {, doubling Black's pawns? --- ANSWER: Black should welcome an
exchange on e5, because the very slight weakening of his pawn structure is
heavily outweighed by his superior piece mobility and control of the key
central squares. After} dxe5 12. Nde2 O-O 13. a3 Be7 14. g3 b5 15. Nc1 Bb7 16.
Nd3 Rfd8 17. Qe2 Rd4 18. Bg2 Rad8 {Black already enjoyed a big advantage in A.Bonafede-I.Miladinovic, Lido Estensi 2003. Notice how Black's pawns on e6 and
e5 do a great job of denying the white knights any outposts in the centre.}) ({
EXERCISE: Black could respond to} 9. Bd3 {also with} Ne5 {
, but can you see another option for him?}) ({ANSWER: With the white queen no
longer defending d4, there's an equally tempting option after} 9. Bd3 {in} Nxd4
$1 10. Bxd4 e5 $1 11. Be3 Bxc3 12. bxc3 {. This is a good illustration of the
Taimanov's renowned flexibility. Two similar moves by White (9 Bf3 and 9 Bd3)
can be met quite differently, leading to different piece and pawn formations.
In both cases, though, the important thing is that Black is at least equal if
not already slightly better. Here Black could capture on c3, but} d6 {
is probably stronger, and} 13. c4 Be6 14. Qe2 Rc8 {
is an edge for Black, A.Hidalgo Mena-B.Kurajica, Valencia 1990.}) {
Now let's return to the game, and to the position after 9 f3:} 9... d5 {
Black forces the issue in the centre by attacking the e4-pawn again.} ({
This is by no means Black's only option, and in fact the flexible} 9... O-O {
has been Black's most common choice in practice. An example:} 10. a3 Bxc3 11.
bxc3 Ne5 {(here we see this knight move again; obviously Black doesn't want to
exchange on d4 and straighten out White's pawns)} 12. Qe1 ({if} 12. f4 {then}
Nc4 13. Bxc4 Qxc4 {followed by ...b5 or ...d5}) 12... d5 (12... d6 {followed by
...b5 and ...Bb7, or just ...Bd7 and then pressure down the c-file, is another
way to play}) 13. f4 ({White should probably choose} 13. Bf4 {, even though}
Nh5 $1 {is a more than adequate response}) 13... Nc4 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. exd5
exd5 16. f5 Re8 17. Rf3 Bd7 {
and Black is firmly in control, B.Guijarro Arca-L.Filip, Cambados 2008.}) 10.
exd5 {EXERCISE: Black has two ways to recapture on d5. Which one is best? ---}
{ANSWER:} exd5 $1 {We've now reached an isolated queen's pawn (IQP) position.
If White's f-pawn were back on f2, where it normally stands in IQPs, the
position would be in White's favour. As it stands, the weaknesses in White's
position created by f2-f3 offer Black good prospects.} (10... Nxd5 {is not as good, since the exchange of knights "frees" White's position to some extent.
After} 11. Nxd5 exd5 {White can more easily reinforce the blockading d4-knight,
with c2-c3, or he can even consider striking with} 12. c4 $5 {.}) 11. Kh1 ({
White moves his king to avoid any tricks on the g1-a7 diagonal like} 11. Bg5
Nxd4 12. Qxd4 Bc5 {- an unfortunate necessity after playing f2-f3.}) (11. Nxc6
$2 bxc6 {only helps Black by strengthening his centre, and here the pawn on f3
really does stick out like a sore thumb.}) 11... O-O {EXERCISE: With the white
king off the a7-g1 diagonal, 12 Bg5 is now playable. Find a good response to
this move.} 12. Nb1 $2 {A terrible move. Perhaps White was afraid of a trade
on c3 (he shouldn't be - Black wants to keep his dark-squared bishop) or he
desperately wanted to support the d4-knight with c2-c3. Either way,
undeveloping the knight is clearly too high a price to pay.} ({ANSWER:} 12. Bg5
{is a natural move which creates a threat of Bxf6 followed by Nxd5. However,
Black has a strong response in} Qe5 $1 {. After} 13. Bxf6 (13. Nxc6 bxc6 14.
Bh4 {looks wiser, but} Re8 {is still a bit better for Black}) 13... Qxf6 {
the pressure on d4 is very awkward for White, and of course} 14. Nxc6 bxc6 {
solves the problem of the d5-pawn and leaves Black with a great position.}) (
12. Qd2 {is a sensible move. White protects the e3-bishop and, given time,
will continue with moves such as Rfe1, Bf1, Rad1 etc. This position actually
occurred in the grandmaster clash N.De Firmian-L.Christiansen, US Championship,
Parsippany 1996, and led to a quick draw agreement after} Re8 $1 13. Rfe1 h6
14. Bf1 Be7 15. Rad1 {
, although of course there is plenty of play left in the final position.}) ({
EXERCISE: Returning to the position after} 12. Qd2 Re8 13. Rfe1 {, can you find
an amazing idea for Black, which both grandmasters overlooked? --- ANSWER:
Black can sacrifice the exchange with} Rxe3 $3 14. Qxe3 Bc5 $1 {. --- The pin
on the d4-knight is a real annoyance for White. He's not able to simply return
the exchange, and the tactics appear to be in Black's favour. The key point is
that} 15. Ne6 {can be met by a brilliant desperado:} ({
some other sample lines: if} 15. Ndb5 Qb6 $1 {,}) ({while if} 15. Rad1 Bd7 $1 {
(intending ...Re8, or ...Nxd4 and ...Qb6)} 16. Ne6 Qxh2+ $1 {(again this move)}
17. Kxh2 Bxe3 18. Bf1 Bxe6 19. Rxe3 d4 20. Rxe6 fxe6 {and Black is a pawn ahead
}) 15... Qxh2+ $3 16. Kxh2 Bxe3 {leaves White in big trouble, since} 17. Nc7 {
loses to} Bf4+ {.}) ({After} 12. Qd2 Re8 {Black's exchange sacrifice is a
fitting punishment of White's f2-f3. It looks like White has to avoid it by
retreating with} 13. Bf2 ({or} 13. Bg1 {,}) ({instead of} 13. Rfe1 {.})) 12...
Re8 $1 {Miladinovic isn't slow to grab the initiative. In fairness Black
doesn't have to do anything special to achieve an advantage here, since he was
given a major helping hand with White's previous move. To his credit, though,
Miladinovic takes full advantage and the game actually lasts only a further
six moves!} 13. Bg1 Bd6 14. c3 ({White's best move here is probably} 14. Nc3 $1
{.}) 14... Nxd4 $1 {Forcing White to capture with the c-pawn. This makes the
structure symmetrical and means that Black's advantage in piece activity is
the only factor in the position.} 15. cxd4 Qb6 $1 16. Qd2 {EXERCISE: Find a
way for Black to increase his initiative by generating threats. ---} {ANSWER:}
Nh5 $1 {Now there are various possibilities on the kingside, including ...Bf4
and ...Ng3+, and White's defence is becoming stretched to the limit.} 17. Nc3
$2 {Missing the main threat.} (17. Be3 {
hangs on, although Black maintains a big advantage after} Bb4 18. Nc3 Qe6 19.
f4 Nf6 20. Rf3 Ne4 {.}) 17... Bf4 $1 18. Nxd5 {
Black has an easy win after this, but queen moves don't help either.} ({If} 18.
Qc2 {Black can force mate with} Ng3+ $1 19. hxg3 Qh6+ 20. Bh2 Bxg3 {.}) (18.
Qe1 {is slightly better, but} Qh6 $1 {
is still winning for Black. --- EXERCISE: Find Black's knockout punch after}
19. Bf2 {. (Hint: It involves a double piece sacrifice.) ---} {ANSWER:} Bxh2 $3
{wins. If} 20. Kxh2 {then} Ng3+ $3 21. Kxg3 g5 $1 {
forces mate with either ...Qh4 or ...Qd6!}) 18... Ng3+ $1 ({After} 18... Ng3+
19. hxg3 {Black wins simply by} Qh6+ {and ...Bxd2. --- A nice win by
Miladinovic, even though he was significantly helped by his opponent's play.
In summary, Black can be very confident when White defends the e4-pawn with 9
f3, 9 Bd3 or 9 Bf3.}) 0-1

[Event "Cetinje"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Vilar Lopez, M."]
[Black "Pogorelov, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 {Pogorelov chooses a different move
order to our standard one, but we soon arrive back in the normal position. ---
QUESTION: Does playing 4...Qc7 make any difference?} ({ANSWER: A few Taimanov
players choose this move order, I suspect mainly to prevent the line} 4... e6
5. Nb5 {(see Chapter Seven).}) ({However, the queen move isn't a fool-proof
way to reach the main lines. For example, White could play} 4... Qc7 5. c4 {
, when the critical line runs} Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxe4 $5 7. Nxe4 Qe5 8. Nb5 $1 Qxe4+
9. Be2 ({or} 9. Be3 {, with good compensation for the pawn.})) 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3
Nf6 7. Be2 a6 8. O-O Bb4 9. Nxc6 {
This time White exchanges on c6 before defending the e4-pawn.} ({By doing this
she gives herself more options, and avoids some of Black's options (for
example,} 9. Bf3 Ne5) ({or} 9. Bd3 Nxd4 {as seen in our previous game). The
price White has to pay is seen after Black's next move:}) 9... bxc6 $1 {
QUESTION: Does Black normally recapture this way? --- ANSWER: Yes, ...bxc6 is
the most desirable recapture. Taking with the b-pawn gives Black greater
control of the centre, and he is ready to advance with ...d5. The half-open
b-file might also prove to be useful.} (9... Qxc6 {, hitting c3 and e4, might
look tempting, but White has more than one good way of dealing with this. One
option, created by the exchange on c6, is} 10. Bd4 {, and if} Bxc3 11. Bxc3
Qxe4 12. Bf3 {White has excellent compensation for the pawn. In the Taimanov,
Black always has to be slightly wary of trading his dark-squared bishop. An
early exchange, coupled with many pawns being on light squares, can sometimes
lead to problems due to holes or a general lack of dark-square control. This
is a good example and something to avoid as Black.}) 10. Bd3 {Now the e-pawn
is sufficiently protected and White is ready to advance in typical fashion
with f2-f4. --- EXERCISE: Find a good move for Black after 10 Bd3.} ({
Two alternatives for White: --- A newly created option for White after the
exchange on c6is} 10. Qd4 {, which not only defends the e4-pawn but attacks
the b4-bishop, and also hits g7 if the knight moves. This is a rare but decent
option for White, although Black is okay if he reacts properly. For example,}
c5 (10... Bxc3 $2 11. Qxc3 $1) 11. Qc4 Bb7 (11... O-O $5 {is a good alternative
}) 12. a3 d5 $1 ({White gets good compensation for the pawn after} 12... Bxc3
13. Qxc3 Bxe4 14. f3 Bg6 15. Qxc5 Qxc5 16. Bxc5 Bxc2) 13. exd5 exd5 14. Qf4
Qxf4 15. Bxf4 Bxc3 16. bxc3 O-O 17. Rfb1 Rfe8 18. Kf1 Bc6 19. Rb6 Ba4 {
with an equal position, J.De la Villa Garcia-M.Sion Castro, Leon 1996.}) ({
It's also worth noting the move} 10. f4 $5 {. --- QUESTION: Doesn't this just
hang the e-pawn? --- ANSWER: White is actually offering the e-pawn, and hopes
to gain compensation in the form of initiative and dark-square control.} -- ({
. For example,} 10... Bxc3 11. bxc3 Nxe4 12. Bf3 Nd6 $5 ({both} 12... Nf6 13.
Bc5 $1) ({and} 12... d5 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. Bc5 $1 {
illustrate what White is looking for}) 13. Rb1 ({now} 13. Bc5 {can be met by}
Nb7 {and if} 14. Ba3 d6) 13... Nf5 14. Bb6 Qd6 15. c4 O-O $1 16. Qxd6 Nxd6 17.
Bc5 Nxc4 18. Bxf8 Kxf8 {with a dynamically balanced position where Black will
bring his king to the centre and try to use his extra centre pawns, I.Georgiadis-G.Timoshenko, Paleohora 2009.}) ({
. If Black doesn't want to grab the pawn,} 10... O-O {
is a good alternative. A typical continuation is} 11. e5 Nd5 12. Nxd5 cxd5 13.
Qd4 Rb8 14. c4 {. Previously here} dxc4 {has been played,} ({
but I like the idea of} 14... d6 $5 {fighting back in the centre. For example:}
15. cxd5 ({or} 15. exd6 Bxd6 16. c5 (16. cxd5 Rb4 $1) 16... Be7 17. Qc3 Bf6 18.
Bd4 Bxd4+ 19. Qxd4 a5 20. a3 a4) 15... Bc5 16. Qc3 exd5 ({or} 16... Bxe3+ 17.
Qxe3 dxe5) 17. Bxc5 dxc5 {
; in all cases with complex play where Black is holding his own.}))) {
--- ANSWER (to Exercise):} 10... d5 $1 {Pogorelov immediately attacks in the
centre, virtually forcing White to exchange on d5.} ({
For this reason 10...d5 is stronger than} 10... O-O {
which gives White the time to play} 11. f4 {and answer} d5 {with} 12. e5 Nd7 {
. This certainly isn't bad for Black either, but Pogorelov's choice leaves
White struggling even to gain equal chances, and because of this White should
prefer either 10 Qd4 or 10 f4 to 10 Bd3.}) 11. exd5 cxd5 {After only 11 moves
Black has managed to gain 2-0 pawn majority in the centre. If White isn't
careful he could quickly be overrun by these pawns.} 12. Bd4 {White prepares
Re1, clamping down on the e5-square - he has to prevent the ...e5 advance.} ({
Another option is} 12. Na4 Bb7 13. c4 $1 {chipping away at Black's centre.} O-O
(13... dxc4 14. Rc1 $1) 14. Rc1 Qc6 15. f3 Rad8 {
was roughly equal in R.Hübner-L.Ogaard, Oslo 1974.}) 12... Bd6 $1 {Pogorelov selects the most active option. He hits the h2-pawn, fights to control e5 and
correctly judges that Black doesn't have to fear an exchange on f6.} (12... Be7
13. Re1 {is very solid for Black, but White - for the moment at least - has
some hold on Black's centre.}) 13. Re1 $5 {EXERCISE: Should Black capture on
h2 with check? Try to work out the consequences. (Warning: Difficult!)} (13. h3
$2 e5 $1 {shows very clearly that White cannot afford to play passively. He
has failed to prevent ...e5 and is already in big trouble, e.g.} 14. Be3 d4 {.}
) ({The key alternative to 13 Re1 is} 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Qh5 Bb7 {. Black will
castle queenside, after which his centre, two bishops and activity on the
g-file should be at least sufficient to offset to his weaknesses. One example
from here continued} 15. Ne2 Rg8 16. Ng3 f5 17. Rfe1 O-O-O 18. c4 f4 $1 19. Nf1
{(M.Kislov-E.Sosnowska, Jaroslawiec 1995) and here after} Bc5 $1 {
Black's attack looks much further developed than White's.}) 13... Bb7 ({
ANSWER: This is a tricky one.} 13... Bxh2+ {has been played twice, and on both
occasions Black won quickly, but objectively it might be good for White. After}
14. Kh1 {White threatens to trap the bishop with g2-g3, and also to take on f6
and then d5. --- Black should probably allow the first threat and give up a
piece for three pawns:} Bb7 $1 (14... Bd6 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. Nxd5 Qd8 17. Qh5 {
looks good for White}) 15. g3 Bxg3 16. fxg3 Qxg3 17. Re2 Ne4 {. We've been
following the game V.Strupinsky-A.Krutko, Nizhniy Tagil 2006, which ended
abruptly after} 18. Rh2 ({
on top of this, White might have improvements earlier, such as} 18. Qe1 Qh3+
19. Rh2 Qf3+ 20. Rg2) 18... e5 19. Qe2 $1 Qf4 {
and "0-1" according to the database, but here White has} 20. Nxe4 dxe4 21. Bb5+
$1 Kf8 22. Be3 Qf3+ 23. Qxf3 exf3 24. Bf1 $1 {when White is doing much more
than surviving. Overall, I'm a bit suspicious of 13...Bxh2+ and prefer
Pogorelov's choice.}) 14. h3 Qe7 {
Now the knight is defended by the queen so Black can safely castle kingside.}
15. Qe2 O-O 16. Be5 Rfe8 {White has succeeded in preventing ...e5 for the
moment, but Black still enjoys a very slight edge. White's pieces look active
enough, but essentially her position is a passive one because she needs to use
up a lot of resources to prevent Black's centre from expanding. Black is in no
rush and can slowly improve his position.} 17. Rad1 Bc5 $5 ({The immediate} 
17... Nd7 {was also possible. In fact I prefer this because in the game White
gains counterplay against the centre. After} 18. Qh5 h6 19. Bxd6 Qxd6 {
, followed by ...Nf6, Black keeps an edge.}) 18. Qd2 ({
I feel that White should have taken the opportunity to play} 18. Na4 Ba7 19. c4
$1 {, the same plan we saw earlier.}) 18... Nd7 19. Bg3 Qf6 20. Na4 $1 {
Finally White finds the right plan.} Ba7 21. c4 $1 dxc4 22. Bxc4 Bc6 23. Qa5 $6
({If White recentralizes with} 23. Nc3 $1 {the position is roughly equal.})
23... Qg6 $1 {EXERCISE: Find White's best move. --- White is experiencing some
problems now, and the game ends abruptly after the main threat is missed:} 24.
Bd3 $4 ({White also loses after} 24. Kh2 $4 Bxf2 $1) ({or} 24. Rd3 Bxa4 $1 25.
Qxa4 Nc5 {.}) ({ANSWER:} 24. Kf1 $1 {
would hang on. Black could keep a small advantage with} Nf6 25. Bd3 Ne4 26.
Bxe4 Bxe4 {.}) 24... Qxg3 $1 {. --- After 10...d5! Black was at least equal,
and perhaps already slightly better. 10 Qd4 and 10 f4!? are more challenging,
but Black still gets a full share of the chances.} 0-1

[Event "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shirov, A."]
[Black "Kasimdzhanov, R."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "46"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Be3 Bb4 {So far in this chapter it's been pretty much plain sailing for Black,
who reached very comfortable positions when White safeguarded the e4-pawn. But
now we arrive at a far more challenging move, and a game which covers one of
the most critical lines of the entire Sicilian Taimanov!} 9. Na4 $1 {QUESTION: 
What's the point of this move? Doesn't it just leave the e4-pawn hanging? ---
ANSWER: As soon as it was discovered that White could leave the e4-pawn en
prise, 9 Na4 became the main line, and it's the only move to seriously
challenge Black. Instead of reacting passively to Black's threat against e4,
White counters with some threats of his own. 9 Na4 introduces many active
possibilities for White. The obvious one is Nxc6 followed by Nb6, but there
are others too, as we'll soon see. --- QUESTION: What happens if Black takes
on e4 here?} ({ANSWER: That is a good place to start. One of the merits of} 9.
Na4 {is that it removes the possibility of ...Bxc3 and so leaves the bishop on
b4 rather out on a limb and vulnerable to attack. This is seen clearly after}
Nxe4 $2 10. Nxc6 $1 -- ({, and} 10... bxc6 $2 11. Qd4 $1 {, when White wins a
piece with a simple double attack. Definitely a line Black needs to avoid!}) ({
. Black can avoid losing a piece with} 10... Qxc6 {, but White's initiative
becomes terribly strong after a series of straightforward forcing moves:} 11.
Nb6 $1 Rb8 12. Qd4 Bf8 ({or} 12... Bc5 13. Qxg7 Rf8 14. Nc4) 13. Bf3 f5 (13...
d5 14. c4 $1) 14. Rad1 {and Black is already in big trouble, e.g.} d6 15. Bh5+
Ke7 $2 16. Qxe4 $1 Qxb6 17. Qh4+ {
1-0, L.Frander-L.Kovacs, Hungarian League 2001})) 9... Be7 $1 {EXERCISE: Find
a good response for Black to 10 f3, protecting the e4-pawn. --- 9...Be7 has
been the main line for a number of years, and it's the move I've chosen to
focus on here. --- QUESTION: Why does Black retreat his bishop? And why does
he do it so quickly? --- ANSWER: To answer this question we need to look at 9
Na4 again. One further merit of the knight move is that it makes way for the
advance of White's c-pawn. c2-c4 is a desirable idea because it gives White a
better hold of the centre. Moving further on, c4-c5 is perhaps even more
desirable, as this has a certain cramping effect on Black's position. If the
bishop is still on b4 when White gets the pawn to c5, Black could be in
serious trouble, as the bishop would be in danger of getting trapped.} ({
9...Be7 avoids the possibility of the bishop becoming trapped before it even
arises, but it's not just prophylaxis. The bishop retreat also renews Black's
threat to take the e4-pawn, and this reduces White's options. If we compare
the line} 9... O-O 10. c4 $1 {and only now} Be7 {
, White has the option here of retreating with} 11. Nc3 {, defending the
e4-pawn in a natural way after having set up the Maroczy e4/c4 bind - there is
no time to do the same thing after 9...Be7.}) ({Continuing with} 9... O-O 10.
c4 {, the critical question is whether or not Black can grab on e4.} {
Unfortunately,} Nxe4 {looks too risky, and despite several efforts I haven't
been able to find anything fully satisfactory for Black after} 11. Bf3 ({or} 
11. c5 {.})) ({QUESTION: In the line} 9... O-O 10. c4 {
, how about retreating to d6 instead of e7.} Bd6 {gains a tempo by hitting the
h2-pawn, and can't Black then grab on e4? --- ANSWER: The retreat to d6 is
possible here (and in similar positions), but White always gets some
compensation for the pawn, and often it's more than "some". For example, after}
11. g3 Nxe4 12. Bf3 (12. c5 {is also possible}) 12... Nf6 13. c5 Be7 14. Rc1 {
we reach a very similar position to the one in our main game, but White is
effectively a tempo ahead because Black has played ...Bd6 and then ...Be7.}) ({
Going back a move,} 9... Bd6 {is also played, but after} 10. g3 {
taking on e4 is again risky, e.g.} Nxe4 ({instead the main line runs} 10... b5
$1 11. Nb6 $1 Rb8 (11... Qxb6 12. Nxe6 {followed by Nxg7+ is good for White})
12. Nxc8 Rxc8 13. a4 {with perhaps a slight edge for White}) 11. Bf3 Nf6 12.
Nxc6 bxc6 13. Nb6 Rb8 14. Nc4 $1 {with problems on the h2-b8 diagonal.}) ({
Finally, it's worth noting that the tempting} 9... b5 {is well met by} 10. Nxc6
$1 dxc6 ({or} 10... Qxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. e5 $1) 11. Bc5 $1 {
with an edge for White.}) 10. c4 $5 {Shirov offers the e-pawn. On this
occasion it's a genuine gambit - White definitely gets some compensation for
the pawn, but accepting it is the critical test of 10 c4. It's true that Black
has to suffer for a while, but a free centre pawn is often worth some
suffering.} ({The main move,} 10. Nxc6 {, is studied in the next four games.})
({ANSWER to Exercise:} 10. f3 $6 {
is toothless. Black can exploit White's mistake with} b5 $1 {
to reach a good position. This forces the knight back to c3, since} 11. Nxc6
Qxc6 12. Nb6 $2 {is met by} Bc5 $1 {winning two pieces for a rook:} 13. Nxa8
Bxe3+ 14. Kh1 Qxa8 {.}) 10... Nxe4 {QUESTION: Does Black have to take the pawn?
} ({ANSWER: From an objective viewpoint I feel that this is definitely a case
where accepting the pawn is the most challenging option. However, if Black
wants to avoid the game continuation, and is quite happy with a solid albeit
slightly passive position, then} 10... d6 {
is a reasonable alternative. For example,} 11. Nc3 O-O 12. Rc1 Nxd4 13. Qxd4
Bd7 14. Rfd1 Rac8 15. b4 {
with a small edge for White, A.Grischuk-J.Polgar, Moscow 2002.}) 11. c5 $1 {
EXERCISE: Try to work out what's wrong with 11...Nxc5. --- As mentioned above,
c4-c5 is desirable because it further cramps Black's position.} ({11 c5 is by
far the most popular choice here, but White has another interesting
possibility with the forcing sequence} 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. Qd4 Nf6 13. Nb6 Rb8
14. c5 {. Black best option here is probably to break the bind with} d6 {, e.g.
} 15. cxd6 Bxd6 16. Nc4 Bxh2+ 17. Kh1 c5 $1 18. Qxc5 Qxc5 ({
Delchev and Semkov assess} 18... Bb7 19. Qa3 Qc6 20. f3 Bc7 21. Rfd1 Nd5 22.
Bd4 f6 23. Rac1 Qd7 {as "unclear"}) 19. Bxc5 Bc7 20. Rac1 Ne4 21. Ba7 Rb7 22.
Be3 O-O 23. Bf3 f5 {with a roughly equal position, J.Aldrete Lobo-C.Costa,
correspondence 2000. White has enough play for the pawn, but no more than that.
}) 11... O-O ({ANSWER:} 11... Nxc5 $2 {loses a piece:} 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. Nxc5
Bxc5 14. Rc1 {followed by 15 b4.}) 12. Rc1 $1 {Increasing the pressure. Shirov
realizes that Black, at some point, will have to break with ...d6 (or ...d5),
and the rook on c1 will be perfectly positioned after an exchange on d6.} Rb8
$1 {QUESTION: What's the point of this move?} ({ANSWER: Prophylaxis. It's very
useful, especially in some tactical sequences, to ensure that Nb6 doesn't come
with tempo. At some moment Black will want to free himself by advancing his
d-pawn, but if the advance is premature he could find himself in trouble when
the position opens up. For example,} 12... d5 13. cxd6 $1 {
(White must open up the position to exploit his development lead)} Bxd6 14. Bf3
$5 f5 ({or} 14... Bxh2+ 15. Kh1 f5 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. Bxe4 fxe4 18. Bb6 Qe5 (
18... Qf4 19. Qh5 $1) 19. Bd4 Qc7 20. g3 Bxg3 21. fxg3 Rxf1+ 22. Qxf1 Qxg3 23.
Qg2 {and White is better}) 15. g3 Bd7 16. Bxe4 fxe4 17. Nb6 $1 Rad8 (17... Qxb6
18. Nxe6 $1) 18. Nxd7 Qxd7 19. Nxc6 bxc6 20. Qa4 {
. White regains his pawn and Black is left with many pawn weaknesses.}) 13. g3
{This move has two points: -- 1. It creates the possibility of Bf4 at some
moment. -- 2. It gives the light-squared bishop a retreat square on the long
diagonal after Bf3.} ({
Following on from point 2, Black could answer the immediate} 13. Bf3 {
not only with} Nf6 ({but also with} 13... Ng5 $5 {
; Black would welcome a knight-for-bishop exchange, so} 14. Bh5 {makes sense
when f2-f4 followed by Bf3 is White's plan, and a typical sequence is} f5 15.
f4 Ne4 16. Bf3 d5 $1 17. cxd6 Bxd6 18. Nxc6 bxc6 19. Bxe4 fxe4 20. Rc4 e5 $1 {
- Black has successfully broken free and has the edge here, D.Mastrovasilis-I.Miladinovic, Porto Carras1998}) {
, which would likely transpose to our main game after} 14. g3 {.}) 13... Nf6
14. Bf3 $1 {EXERCISE: Try to find a plan for Black. --- 14 Bf3! increases the
pressure even further. With the knight on c6 under attack from potentially
three white pieces, Black is not yet in a position to break with ...d6 or ...
d5. ---} {ANSWER:} g6 $1 {The ...d5 advance is unlikely at the moment because
of the pressure on c6, so Kasimdzhanov chooses a variation of this plan. He
wants to play ...e5 first, to kick the knight away from d4, and only after
this (and a preparatory ...Rd8) will he advance his d-pawn. 14...g6! is an
important precursor to the plan because it prevents Nf5 in answer to ...e5.}
15. Nb6 Rd8 ({The immediate} 15... e5 {is certainly also possible, although I
feel White was very slightly better after} 16. Nb3 d6 17. cxd6 Bxd6 18. Bxc6
bxc6 19. Qf3 Bf5 (19... Qd8 $5 20. Nxc8 e4) 20. Qxc6 Qxc6 21. Rxc6 Be7 22. Bc5
Bxc5 23. Nxc5 {in G.Kamsky-L.Nisipeanu, Sofia 2007.}) 16. Qa4 ({
A more recent try for White is} 16. Bg5 {
. It's very possible that Black should return his extra pawn here by} h6 $5 ({
White has prevented} 16... e5 {in view of} 17. Bxf6 {and 18 Nd5}) 17. Bxh6 {
in order to enforce his central advance:} d5 18. Re1 (18. cxd6 Qxb6 $1) 18...
e5 19. Nxc6 bxc6 {with an unclear position. For example,} 20. Qe2 Nd7 21. Bxd5
Nxc5 22. Nxc8 Rxd5 23. Nxe7+ Qxe7 24. Red1 {
was S.Brenjo-D.Sarenac, Belgrade 2009, and here Rybka gives} e4 25. Be3 Nd3 26.
Rxc6 Qd7 27. Rxa6 Rxb2 {with good compensation for Black.}) 16... e5 $1 17. Nb3
(17. Nxc6 $2 dxc6 $1 {also frees Black's position. The difference here is that
White won't regain his pawn.}) 17... d5 $1 {Finally Black frees himself.} 18.
cxd6 Rxd6 19. Na5 {The position has opened up and Black still seems to be
under some pressure. Kasimdzhanov's next move, however, solves all Black's
problems.} e4 $1 {It's worth giving up the e-pawn in order to exchange White's
strong light-squared bishop, especially with White's light squares having been
weakened with g2-g3. Kasimdzhanov's move was actually an important novelty at
the time (and still is!).} ({It improved over the previously played} 19... Bd7
20. Nxd7 Qxd7 21. Bxc6 bxc6 22. Bc5 Re6 23. Rfd1 Qe8 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. Nxc6 Qe8
26. Qxa6 {when White was better in G.Kamsky-A.Karpov, Buenos Aires 1994.}) 20.
Bxe4 Nxe4 21. Qxe4 Bh3 $1 {Emphasizing both Black's newly found freedom and
White's light-squared weaknesses. White is the one who now needs to be careful.
--- EXERCISE: Try to find a good response to 22 Rfd1.} 22. Rfe1 $1 ({ANSWER:} 
22. Rfd1 $2 {is met by} Rxd1+ $1 23. Rxd1 Rd8 $1 ({but not} 23... Nxa5 $4 24.
Nd5) {, which leaves White in big trouble because of back rank problems. If}
24. Rc1 {Black has the winning shot} Nd4 $3 {, e.g.} 25. Rxc7 Ne2+ 26. Kh1 Rd1#
{!}) 22... Re6 23. Qf4 Qxf4 ({The players agreed a draw here, but on another
day - or against another opponent - Kasimdzhanov might have been tempted to
carry on. After} 23... Qxf4 24. Bxf4 Nd4 $1 25. Rxe6 Bxe6 26. Bxb8 Ne2+ 27. Kf1
Nxc1 28. Nxb7 Nxa2 29. Bd6 Bf6 30. Ba3 {
(Kasimdzhanov) Black's bishop pair gives him a slight edge in the endgame.})
1/2-1/2

[Event "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shirov, A."]
[Black "Anand, V."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. Be3 Nf6 8.
O-O Bb4 9. Na4 ({QUESTION: Does} 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Na4 {
transpose to the game, after} Be7 {?}) ({
ANSWER: Most White players choose 9 Na4, because after} 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Na4 {
the earlier exchange on c6 gives Black more options. White's plan is still
c2-c4(-c5), and transposing to the game with} Be7 {
is certainly Black's simplest option.} ({
Readers might wish to investigate the alternatives} 10... Bd6 {,}) (10... O-O)
({and even} 10... Rb8 {. My opinion is that these options are stronger than
when played after 9 Na4, although I'm not convinced any of them are better
than 10...Be7; they are just different.})) 9... Be7 10. Nxc6 {The main line.
White exchanges on c6 before dealing with the threat to the e4-pawn.} ({
Before moving on, it's worth noting} 10. Nb6 $5 {, in this specific position
and as an idea in general. Both players should be aware of this sacrificial
possibility, and the fact that White doesn't always have to exchange on c6
before playing Nb6.} -- ({
. If Black accepts the piece White gets two key pawns and compensation after} 
10... Qxb6 11. Nxe6 $1 Qa5 12. Nxg7+ Kf8 13. Nf5 {.}) ({
. In view of this, the wisest choice for Black is probably} 10... Rb8 $1 {
, after which} 11. Nxc6 (11. Nxc8 Rxc8 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. e5 Nd5 14. Bd2 {
was equal in G.Franzoni-P.Cramling, Biel 1988, assuming Black avoids} Qxc2 $4
15. Rc1 $1) 11... bxc6 {is the main line (see the next game).})) 10... bxc6 {
As usual, capturing towards the centre is best.} ({Black must certainly avoid} 
10... Qxc6 $2 {which is met very strongly by} 11. Nb6 $1 Rb8 12. e5 $1 {.}) 11.
Bd3 {The e-pawn is safely protected and White is ready to advance with c2-c4,
and, if possible, c4-c5. --- EXERCISE: Anand now advances a pawn to gain space
and combat White's plan. Assess both 11...d5 and 11...c5. Which would you
choose? ---} (11. Nb6 {is White's main choice, and this is covered next game.})
({Black should also be aware of Bb6 possibilities. For example,} 11. Bb6 Qf4 (
11... Qb8 {is also reasonable}) 12. Bd3 ({if} 12. Bf3 {
Black can safely grab on e4, since} Nxe4 13. g3 Nxg3 $1 {
uncovers an attack on a4}) 12... O-O ({in contrast, here} 12... Nxe4 {
is unwise because of} 13. g3 Nxg3 ({or} 13... Qe5 14. Re1) 14. fxg3 Qxa4 15.
Rf4 $1) ({, but} 12... d5 {is okay}) 13. c4 d5 14. g3 Qb8 15. Qc2 e5 16. cxd5
cxd5 17. exd5 Bd7 18. Be3 Bxa4 19. Qxa4 Nxd5 20. Bxh7+ Kxh7 21. Qe4+ Kg8 22.
Qxd5 Rd8 23. Qc4 Qxb2 {
with an equal position, Z.Farkas-K.Koegler, correspondence 2009.}) {ANSWER:}
11... c5 $1 {This pawn advance has a number of qualities: -- 1. It gains space
and prevents c4-c5. -- 2. It opens up the long diagonal for Black's
light-squared bishop, which will sit very nicely on b7. -- 3. It prevents both
Nb6 and Bb6, and so negates the effect of White's knight on a4.} (11... d5 {
is also tempting, and we've already seen in Vilar Lopez-Pogorelov the merit of
occupying the centre in this way. On this occasion, however, it's not so
effective, since White is immediately ready to organize an attack on the
centre with the typical c2-c4 break. For example,} 12. exd5 cxd5 13. c4 $1 {
(wasting no time!)} O-O (13... dxc4 14. Rc1) 14. Rc1 {
and White enjoys a slight advantage.}) 12. c4 $1 {This is still a good move
because it's vital for White to get an equal share of the centre and space on
the queenside.} Bb7 13. Nc3 {The knight was no longer doing anything special
on a4 (it hit c5 but Black could simply play ...d6), so retreating it back to
c3, where it protects the e4-pawn, is a sensible idea.} O-O 14. f4 {With play on the queenside no longer a realistic option for White, Shirov begins typical
Open Sicilian kingside action.} d6 {QUESTION: Should Black be aiming for a ...d5 break? --- ANSWER: Breaking with...d5 is certainly one of Black's weapons,
but Anand's play in this game demonstrates that Black can achieve more than
enough counterplay without it, using only piece manoeuvres. Anand's 14...d6
prevents e4-e5 and leaves Black with a rock-solid position and pawn structure.
White can try to attack on the kingside - and Shirov certainly tries! - but
this always carries some risk. As we shall see, it's difficult for White to
attack without making any positional concessions.} ({The immediate} 14... d5 {
is premature. For example,} 15. exd5 (15. e5 d4 $1) 15... exd5 16. Nxd5 Nxd5
17. cxd5 {and now} Bxd5 ({or} 17... c4 18. Rc1) 18. Qh5 $1 {.}) ({However,} 
14... Rad8 $5 {is an interesting alternative to Anand's 14...d6.} 15. -- ({
Black is now much better prepared for ...d5 here, e.g.} 15. Qf3 d5 16. cxd5
exd5 17. exd5 Nxd5 18. Nxd5 Bxd5 {.}) ({The key question is whether} 15. e5 {
causes Black any problems. It certainly didn't in the GM clash A.Brkic-M.Perunovic, Zupanja 2007:} Ne8 16. Qg4 d6 $1 {(it's vital to strike back at the
centre before White is able to increase his attacking power)} 17. exd6 Nxd6 18.
Qh5 f5 $1 19. Qe2 Rf6 $1 20. Qc2 Rg6 21. Rf2 Bf6 {
and by this stage it was Black with the more active possibilities.})) 15. Qf3
Rad8 16. Qh3 $1 {EXERCISE: Find a plan for Black. --- 16 Qh3 is another
typical move, and a good one. Now Black has to be wary of tactics against h7
involving the e4-e5 advance. Notice, though, that e4-e5 isn't possible at the
moment because ...dxe5 would uncover an attack on the d3-bishop.} {ANSWER:}
Rfe8 $1 {Typical Sicilian play. Anand intends to manoeuvre his pieces so that
they are ideally placed against any assault by White on the kingside. This
could be called "active defence" by Black, and it's very common in Open
Sicilian positions. --- 16...Rfe8 as a starting move has quite a few qualities:
-- 1. It allows the possibility of a reshuffle with ...Bf8, ...g7-g6 and ...Bg7 - a typical defensive plan. -- 2. It allows the idea of ...Nd7-f8 and ...Bf6, as played by Anand in the game. -- 3. It may not seem obvious at the
moment, but the rook often gains activity on the e-file. This is because White
finds it difficult to do without f4-f5 in his attacking plans, and an exchange
of pawns opens the e-file for the rook.} (16... d5 {
is still a possibility even here, because after} 17. e5 {Black can play} Ne4 {
. Even so, following the exchanges} 18. cxd5 exd5 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Bc4 {
I feel that White has the edge, and I prefer Anand's more patient approach.})
17. Rae1 {Shirov continues to strengthen his attack before committing to any
pawn advance.} ({QUESTION: I would be worried about} 17. g4 {followed by g4-g5.
Isn't Black going to get squashed? --- ANSWER: It may look scary at first, but
Sicilian players are quite used to meeting this kind of aggression. In fact,
Sicilian players often welcome a g2-g4 lunge, because it virtually always
means that Black will gain some degree of counterplay, often long-term,
against the white king. Let's see what happens if Black continues to regroup
his pieces:} Nd7 18. g5 Bf8 {
, planning ...g6 and ...Bg7. The natural attacking urge for White is to play}
19. f5 {, but all these pawn moves are double-edged as they leave behind
weaknesses. This pawn move gives Black the e5-square, and after} Ne5 20. Be2
exf5 21. exf5 d5 $5 22. cxd5 Bxd5 {Black's counterplay is shining through.})
17... Nd7 $1 18. Rf3 {Shirov still refuses to commit to a pawn move.} ({
QUESTION: How about} 18. e5 {here? --- ANSWER: Black will defend against the
threat to h7, and counterplay should arise naturally after the exchange of
pawns in the centre. For example,} Nf8 ({threatening ...dxe5;} 18... g6 {
is also fine}) 19. exd6 ({or} 19. f5 exf5 20. Qxf5 Bh4 $1) 19... Bxd6 20. Be4
Ng6 {etc.}) 18... Nf8 {Now h7 is securely defended and Black is ready to play ...Bf6. There could follow ...g6, ...Bg7 and even a strike with ...f5, amongst
other options. If White isn't careful, he could find his pieces offside on the
kingside when the key battle is taking place in the centre. With this in mind,
Shirov finally takes some action:} 19. f5 {This looks more desirable now that
the black knight is two moves away from e5, but the knight isn't the only
black piece which can use this square...} Bf6 $1 20. fxe6 {It was difficult to
avoid playing this move. Otherwise White would have to deal with the
possibility of ...exf5 followed by ...Bxc3 and ganging up on the weak e4-pawn.
--- EXERCISE: Black has two options, both of which are reasonable. Try to
assess both 20...Rxe6 and 20...fxe6.} Rxe6 ({ANSWER: Anand suggests that} 20...
fxe6 {is an improvement. This way Black keeps control of the d5-square. If
White does nothing Black will continue with a combination of ...Be5, ...Ng6, ...Qe7 etc, with excellently placed pieces. A critical response by White is the
sacrifice} 21. e5 $5 Bxf3 $1 (21... Bxe5 $4 {loses to} 22. Rxf8+ {,}) ({while} 
21... dxe5 $2 22. Be4 {
kills the bishop on f6 and gives White superb compensation}) 22. exf6 Bc6 {
and it's unclear whether White has enough compensation for the exchange. Anand
analyses the direct try} 23. f7+ Qxf7 24. Rf1 {and refutes it with} Qb7 $1 25.
Rxf8+ Kxf8 26. Qxh7 Qxb2 $1 27. Qh8+ Kf7 28. Qh5+ Ke7 {when the king escapes
and Black wins. --- Anand's choice in the game is much safer from a practical
viewpoint, because Black doesn't need to analyse the complicated lines after
20...fxe6 21 e5!?. However, it's very possible that 20...fxe6 is objectively
the stronger move.}) 21. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 22. exd5 {
EXERCISE: Find the best move for Black. ---} {ANSWER:} Rxe3 $1 {
This "exchange" of pieces is a wise choice.} ({If} 22... Ree8 {
Shirov might well have been tempted to sacrifice with} 23. Rxf6 $5 gxf6 24. Rf1
{, with excellent compensation.}) 23. Rfxe3 Bd4 24. Kh1 ({Anand gives} 24. Qh4
{as an improvement, based on the tactic} Re8 $2 ({Black should prefer} 24... h6
{with a roughly equal position}) 25. Qxd4 $1 cxd4 26. Rxe8 {.}) 24... Bxe3 25.
Qxe3 Qb8 $1 {Preparing ...Nd7. If Black can safely get his knight to the e5
outpost and consolidate, he will gain the advantage because the knight will
certainly outshine the bishop. White needs to find ways to disrupt this plan.}
26. Qe7 Nd7 27. Bc2 Ne5 28. Ba4 (28. b4 $5 {
, as suggested by Kasparov, is a way to disrupt Black:} Re8 (28... cxb4 29. c5
$1) 29. Qh4 Qxb4 30. Qxh7+ Kf8 31. Qh8+ Ke7 32. Qh4+ {
when Black can either invite a repetition with} Kf8 ({or play for the win with
} 32... Kd7 {.})) 28... Ng6 $1 {
A neat idea, forcing the queen away before hopping back into e5.} 29. Qg5 h6
30. Qd2 Ne5 {Now Black definitely enjoys an edge.} 31. b3 Qc7 32. h3 Rf8 $2 {
EXERCISE: Anand's last move is a mistake. How did Shirov seize the opportunity?
---} ({As an improvement to 32...Rf8?, Anand offers} 32... f6 $1 {intending ...Rf8-f7-e7 to challenge for control of the e-file. Black's advantage of good
knight versus bad bishop would persist after an exchange of rooks.}) {ANSWER:}
33. Rxe5 $1 {Shirov seizes the chance given to him by Anand. The exchange
sacrifice gives White a powerful passed d-pawn - and it also justifies White's
bishop being placed on a4!} dxe5 34. d6 Qd8 35. Qd5 Qg5 {Anand goes for
perpetual check, a wise choice since passive play could easily leave him
struggling.} 36. Qxc5 Qc1+ 37. Kh2 {
Shirov allows the battle to end with a perpetual check.} ({
It's a shame that he didn't play on with the admittedly risky} 37. Qg1 $5 {
, as this could have led to a fascinating four-queen position after} Qd2 38. c5
e4 39. d7 e3 40. c6 e2 41. c7 e1=Q 42. c8=Q {
(Anand) where all three results are still possible.}) 37... Qf4+ 38. Kg1 Qc1+
39. Kh2 Qf4+ 40. Kh1 Qc1+ {. --- A tense, well-played battle between two
world-class players. Anand's play in the middlegame demonstrates good "active
defence" by Black in a typical Sicilian position.} 1/2-1/2

[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Grodzensky, S."]
[Black "Soberano, J."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Qc7 7. Be2 Nf6 8.
O-O Bb4 9. Na4 Be7 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 {The most popular choice. White
seizes the opportunity to exchange knight for bishop, before Black stops the
possibility with, for example, Anand's 11...c5 in the previous game.} Rb8 12.
Nxc8 Qxc8 $1 {Keeping the a6-pawn protected.} ({It's true that after} 12...
Rxc8 13. Bxa6 Rb8 {Black regains his pawn, but} 14. Bd3 Rxb2 15. Bd4 ({or} 15.
a4 {is known to be a bit better for White.})) 13. e5 {The old main line. By
attacking the knight, White deals with the double threat to the e4- and
b2-pawns.} (13. Bd4 {is covered in the next two games.}) 13... Nd5 14. Bc1 $1 {
Sometimes you have to go backward before going forward. The b2-pawn was still
hanging and ...Nxe3 was a positional threat too. --- EXERCISE: After 14 Bc1
Black cannot prevent c2-c4, but he can prepare for it. What should he do?
(Hint: Find or create a good square for the knight.)---} ({
Ideally White would like to play} 14. Bd4 {
, but this allows Black to force the swap of White's bishop with} c5 $1 {, and}
15. c4 $1 {(the only possible follow-up)} cxd4 16. cxd5 Qc5 ({or} 16... Rxb2
17. Rc1 Qb8 18. d6 Bd8) 17. Bf3 Bg5 {is considered to be equal.}) {ANSWER:}
14... Bc5 $1 {This move is dual-purpose: -- 1. The bishop is actively placed
on the a7-g1 diagonal; at the moment it prevents f2-f4. -- 2. The bishop move
vacates the e7-square for the knight, which allows the knight to keep an
active role in the game.} ({An alternative with a similar intention is} 14...
c5 {, since after} 15. c4 Nb4 {the knight finds a good home on c6. This isn't
quite as good as the text, though, as ...c5 leaves Black's bishop restricted.})
15. c4 $1 {Even though the knight has a fine retreat square on e7, it still
makes sense for White to kick it from d5 straightaway.} ({
Black's creative play in J.Radulski-B.Macieja, Budapest 2000, is worth seeing:
} 15. Qd3 Qc7 $1 16. Qe4 ({
Black is generally happy to swap his a-pawn for White's e-pawn, and} 16. Qxa6
$6 Qxe5 {leaves Black very active}) 16... O-O $5 ({
offering a pawn; there's absolutely nothing wrong with} 16... a5 {either}) 17.
Bd3 ({if} 17. Bxa6 f5 $1 18. exf6 Rxf6 {
and Black's incredibly active pieces provide excellent compensation}) 17... f5
$1 18. exf6 ({virtually forced, since} 18. Qe2 {can be met by} Bd4 $1) 18...
Nxf6 19. Qh4 d5 20. b3 (20. Bxa6 $2 Ne4 $1) 20... e5 21. Bd2 a5 22. Kh1 e4 {
. Black has taken over the centre and enjoys a clear advantage. This game
provides an excellent example of the type of counterplay Black can strive for
against less than forceful play by White.}) 15... Ne7 {EXERCISE: White might
try 16 Bd3 here, activating his bishop. Find a good reply for Black.} 16. b3 $1
{Getting ready to provide the e5-pawn with some much needed support, by Bb2.} (
{ANSWER: If White isn't careful, the e5-pawn could come under fire very
quickly, and he might not be able to hold onto it. For example, moving the
bishop to a more active diagonal with} 16. Bd3 $6 {
might look desirable, but it allows Black to assault the e-pawn:} Bd4 $1 ({or} 
16... Qc7 $1 17. Qe2 Bd4) 17. Qe2 Qc7 18. Re1 Ng6 $1 19. Bxg6 {(obviously not
what White wants, but otherwise there was no way to safeguard e5)} fxg6 $1 (
19... hxg6 $1 {is also good, as} 20. Rb1 {can be met by} Bc3 $1) 20. Kh1 O-O
21. f4 g5 $1 22. Rb1 ({if} 22. fxg5 Rf2 ({or} 22... Qxe5 $1)) 22... gxf4 23.
Qe4 c5 24. Bxf4 Rxb2 25. Rxb2 Bxb2 {and Black converted his pawn advantage in
S.Winge-T.Welin, Stockholm 1988. If White doesn't play the most accurate
moves in this line - which, of course, is possible at most levels! - be ready
to take over the initiative by hammering away at the e5-pawn.}) 16... Qc7 17.
Bb2 d6 $1 {QUESTION: Doesn't this move open things up for White's b2-bishop?
Won't the g7-pawn hang? --- ANSWER: It does activate White's bishop, but Black
has a specific idea in mind which will become clear in a couple of moves. Also,
after the exchange on d6 Black will have a threat against the h2-pawn to
counter White's on g7. --- The truth is that Black's two main pawn breaks, ...
d6 and ...f6, both bring the b2-bishop to life. But without a pawn break,
either now or soon, Black might be in danger of becoming cramped and passive.
This is why 16 b3 and 17 Bb2 was such a good idea - Black's natural pawn
breaks improve White's bishop. --- A sound alternative for Black is to carry
on developing, either with 17...Ng6 or 17...0-0, although ...d6 still tends to
come sooner or later.} ({Some examples: --} 17... Ng6 18. Kh1 $1 {
(allowing White to play f2-f4)} O-O ({if} 18... Nxe5 19. f4 $1 {and Bxg7}) 19.
Bd3 $5 (19. f4 Rfd8 20. Qc2 d6 21. exd6 Rxd6 {is roughly equal}) 19... -- ({
. EXERCISE: Calculate the variations after} 19... Nxe5 {
and assess the resulting positions. (Warning: Difficult!)}) ({. ANSWER: After} 
19... Nxe5 $6 {White regains the pawn with the combination} 20. Bxh7+ Kxh7 21.
Qh5+ Kg8 22. Bxe5 {, with a small advantage. However, Black must play} Bd6 {
here,} ({since} 22... d6 $2 {loses on the spot.})) ({. Instead, after} 19...
Rbd8 20. Qh5 d6 21. exd6 Bxd6 22. Rad1 c5 (22... f5 $5) 23. g3 Rfe8 24. f4 {
White has a small edge in view of his bishop pair, although Black's positions
remains very solid, S.Bouaziz-U.Andersson, Szirak 1987.})) ({
Black could consider beginning with} 17... O-O {. Then} 18. Bd3 Ng6 19. Kh1 {
transposes to the note above,} ({but if White plays} 19. Qh5 {
Black can respond with the tricky} Qa5 $1 {. The crude idea of the disruptive ...Qd2 is surprisingly difficult to meet effectively, unless White decides to
retreat his queen. If} 20. Rfd1 {Black could even play} f5 $5 {intending to
surround the e5-pawn after swapping bishops with ...Ba3. --- EXERCISE: What
does Black play if White captures en passant?} {ANSWER:} 21. exf6 $4 Bxf2+ $1 {
wins the white queen with a discovered attack. With three pieces blocking the
fifth rank after 20...f5, this tactic is not so easy to spot!})) 18. exd6 Bxd6
19. g3 {EXERCISE: Black could either castle here or play 19...Be5. Which one
do you think is better? ---} ({Black is fine after} 19. Bxg7 Rg8 20. Bc3 Bxh2+
21. Kh1 Be5 {- his king on e8 is at least as safe as White's on h1.}) (19. Qd4
$5 {is a tricky move which leads to complicated positions. Some examples:}) {
ANSWER:} 19... Be5 $1 {An excellent positional move. Black follows the
principle "When your opponent has the advantage of the bishop pair, try to
exchange one of the bishops". This is usually a good idea because the two
bishops make an excellent team, the value of which is greater than the
individual parts. Being able to play ...Be5 is the whole reason Black played
17...d6. Compare this to the lines with 17...Ng6, where White was able to
prevent ...Be5 by various means (e.g. Qh5).} ({If Black doesn't grab the
opportunity to play ...Be5, it could be taken away. For this reason} 19... O-O
{is not as good. White can maintain a slight edge with} 20. Qd4 $1 Nf5 21. Qe4
{.}) 20. Bxe5 (20. Qc2 O-O 21. Rad1 Bxb2 $1 22. Qxb2 c5 $1 23. Bd3 Nc6 24. f4
Nd4 25. f5 exf5 26. Bxf5 Rbe8 {(A.Friedman-D.Cummings, Toronto 1998) is an
excellent example of how Black can gain the advantage if White plays
inaccurately. Black has seized the d4-square, his knight is much stronger than
White's remaining bishop, and White's f-pawn advance only weakened his own
king. The game concluded} 27. Bd3 Qe5 28. Qf2 a5 29. Kg2 Qe6 30. Rde1 Qc6+ 31.
Kh3 Rxe1 32. Rxe1 Nf3 33. Re3 Ng5+ 34. Kg4 f5+ 35. Bxf5 g6 36. Re5 Qf6 37. Qxc5
gxf5+ 38. Rxf5 h5+ {0-1.}) 20... Qxe5 21. Bf3 {Moving the bishop onto a more
active diagonal and preparing Re1 to force the queen away from her central
outpost.} ({
Black has to be slightly more careful if White switches the move order with} 
21. Re1 $5 {.}) 21... c5 $1 {QUESTION: Why is ...c5 a good move here? ---
ANSWER: After the exchange of dark-squared bishops, Black should be looking to
play ...c5 as soon as it's safe to do so, since it has a number of benefits:
-- 1. Most obviously, the c-pawn is no longer a target for the bishop. -- 2.
The advance puts a clamp on the queenside and makes it much more difficult for
White to use his pawn majority there. -- 3. Black secures control of the
d4-square, and later on the knight will be aiming to reach this square. We've
already seen how Black can seize the advantage like this in Friedman-Cummings,
above.} 22. Re1 Qc7 {Black enjoys a full share of the chances in this position.
He is ready to castle and contest the d-file, White's queenside pawn majority
is more or less immobile, and later on Black may have the possibility to
create weaknesses with ...a5-a4. If White isn't careful, the knight could get
to d4 and then Black will be better. --- EXERCISE: Find a move for White which
allows him to keep an equal position. ---} {ANSWER:} 23. Be4 $1 {
Now the bishop covers both f5 and c6, so Black's plan of ...Nd4 is thwarted.}
O-O 24. Qc2 h6 25. Rad1 Rfd8 26. Qc3 Kf8 $5 {An interesting psychological
choice by Black, which is rewarded straightaway. In reality it's difficult for
either side to make significant progress in this position without taking risks.
26...Kf8 puts the onus on White to come up with something.} (26... Nc6 {
is the most "logical" continuation. White shouldn't allow ...Nd4, so} 27. Bxc6
$1 Qxc6 28. Rd3 Rxd3 29. Qxd3 a5 $1 {and the two grandmasters agreed to a draw
in V.Spasov-I.Miladinovic, Varna 1994. White can control the d-file with} 30.
Rd1 {, but this control is meaningless because Black weakens White's queenside
pawns with} a4 $1 {.}) 27. f4 $2 {White is stirred into action, but the
weakness caused by this pawn lunge will hurt him later on.} Kg8 $1 {
Kings can change their minds, but pawns can't!} 28. Qe5 {
EXERCISE: Should Black exchange queens or avoid it? ---} {ANSWER:} Qa5 $1 {
White's king is slightly vulnerable after f2-f4, but only if the queens remain
on the board. After 28...Qa5 the a-pawn is attacked and things are already a
bit awkward for White.} ({In contrast,} 28... Qxe5 $2 29. fxe5 {gives White
the better of the ending where his "active" king will be an asset rather than
a worry.}) 29. Rf1 $5 {Rather than going on the defensive, White temporarily
sacrifices a pawn to set up his next move and enter a tactical sequence.} Qxa2
30. Rd7 $1 {Using tactics based on the Qxb8. Black's reply is forced.} Nf5 31.
Bxf5 exf5 32. Rfd1 $1 Re8 $1 {A clever nuance.} ({At first sight} 32... Rf8 {
looks more logical, but White can still play} 33. Rxf7 $1 {.}) 33. Qxf5 Rf8 34.
Qxc5 Qxb3 35. Qd5 Rb4 $1 {The smoke has cleared, material equality has been
restored but Black enjoys the advantage. Put White's pawn back on f2 and White
would be fine. As it stands, however, White has serious problems because of
his weakened king.} 36. Rd8 {
White chooses to take his chances in a pawn-down rook ending.} ({If instead} 
36. c5 {, then} Qe3+ 37. Kh1 Rb5 $1 38. Rc7 Rb2 $1 {
and the threats are beginning to mount, e.g.} 39. Rb7 Rc2 40. c6 $2 Qe2 {.})
36... Rxd8 37. Qxd8+ Kh7 38. Qd3+ Qxd3 39. Rxd3 Rxc4 40. Rd6 a5 41. Ra6 Ra4 {
With his rook behind the passed pawn, normally the defender should be able to
draw this type of position. But even here the advance of the f-pawn ruins his
chances, as it leaves his king and kingside pawn vulnerable in many lines.
Once again White would love to be able to play the movef4-f2!} 42. Kf2 g6 43.
h4 Kg7 44. f5 ({Passive defence with} 44. Kf3 Ra3+ 45. Kf2 h5 46. Ra7 a4 {
also looks winning for Black.}) 44... gxf5 45. Kf3 h5 46. Rc6 f6 47. Rc1 Ra3+
48. Kf4 a4 49. Rc8 Ra1 50. Kxf5 a3 51. Rc2 Rf1+ 52. Ke4 Re1+ 53. Kf3 Re7 $1 ({
The rook gets behind the passed pawn, and after} 53... Re7 54. Ra2 Ra7 55. Kf4
Kf7 56. Ke4 Ke6 57. Kf4 Ra4+ 58. Ke3 Ke5 {White is driven back and Black wins.
--- A tough battle, well played by both players, with White's impulsive 27 f4
the only obvious mistake. Black's dark-squared plan involving 17...d6!, 19...Be5! and 21...c5 is well worth remembering.}) 0-1

[Event "European Club Cup, Ohrid"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Coenen, N."]
[Black "Haba, P."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "132"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Be3 Bb4 9. Na4 Be7 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Qxc8 13. Bd4 $1 {
This protects the b2-pawn and allows White to take on g7 if Black captures on
e4. Next move White plans to make his e-pawn safe, and he hopes that the
bishop pair will give him a long-term edge. However, there is more than one
positional imbalance here, and Black can argue that his strengthened centre
offers him sufficient counter-chances.} ({Around 15 years ago players began to
realize that White doesn't actually need to safeguard his e-pawn with} 13. e5 {
, and since then 13 Bd4 has replaced 13 e5 as the main choice at grandmaster
level.}) 13... c5 {The most popular move.} ({
We'll take a look at the sharper alternatives} 13... Qc7) ({and} 13... Nxe4 {
in the next game.}) ({QUESTION: What about simply} 13... O-O {
? --- ANSWER: This isn't a bad move, but} 14. e5 Nd5 15. c4 $1 {demonstrates
one of the merits of 13 Bd4. Compare this position to 13 e5 Nd5 14 Bd4 c5!. In
this instance White has been able to play c2-c4 before Black's ...c5. After} {
After} Nf4 16. g3 $1 c5 17. Bc3 Nxe2+ 18. Qxe2 f5 19. Rad1 Qc6 20. f4 Rf7 21.
b3 {(V.Anand-J.Polgar, Sofia 2005) Black is solid but pretty passive. Even
though Polgar drew this game, I feel that this is a position Black should be
trying to avoid.}) 14. Be5 {
EXERCISE: Find the best square for the attacked rook. ---} {ANSWER:} Rb6 $1 {
On b6 the rook protects the a6-pawn and also allows Black to play ...d6 to
force the bishop away.} (14... Rb4 {is only superficially attractive, because
once White defends the e4-pawn the rook is vulnerable to attacks by, for
example, Bc3.}) 15. Qd3 {White defends the e4-pawn.} ({
The alternative line here is} 15. b3 Nxe4 $1 (15... O-O 16. Qd3 {
transposes to 15 Qd3 0-0 16 b3!, below}) 16. Bxg7 Rg8 {with a double-edged
position. White has the bishop pair, cleaner pawn structure, and Black can no
longer castle. On the other hand, all of Black's pieces look very active, and
his king is fairly safe behind a wall of central pawns. White has a choice of
bishop retreats, and here are a few sample lines:} 17. -- (17. Be5 Bd6 $1 {
(as we've seen before, Black is happy to exchange dark-squared bishops)} 18.
Bg3 (18. Bxd6 Rxd6 19. Bd3 Qc6 20. f3 Nf6 {is roughly level}) 18... f5 $5 (
18... Nxg3 19. fxg3 $5 {shows a point behind 18 Bg3 - White may be able use
the opened f-file to attack Black's king}) {, and now} 19. Bd3 (19. Re1 $1 {
, keeping options open for the bishop, feels stronger to me:} Qc7 20. Qd3 Kf8
21. Rad1 Rg7 {prematurely ended as a draw in a very complex position, P.Verde-C.Fernandez Vicente, correspondence 2008}) 19... Nf6 20. Qe2 Kf7 21. Rad1
Qb7 {(threatening ...f4)} 22. f4 c4 $1 23. Bxc4 Rxg3 $1 24. hxg3 Bc5+ 25. Kh1
d5 26. Bd3 Ng4 $1 {is a nice line given by Delchev and Semkov. White is in
huge trouble here, as ...e5 and ...Rh6 mate is on the horizon.}) ({. If} 17.
Bb2 {Black can choose between complications or positional play. For example:}
-- (17... Rd6 18. Bd3 c4 $5 {
(temporarily sacrificing a pawn to wreck White's queenside structure)} 19. bxc4
Qc6 20. Qf3 ({Delchev and Semkov analysed} 20. g3 $5 {which at first sight
looks very risky, but White has a key defensive resource in} Ng5 21. f3 Qb6+
22. c5 $1 Qxc5+ 23. Kh1) 20... Nd2 21. Qxc6 Rxc6 22. Rfd1 Nxc4 {is equal.}) ({
. The tricky} 17... c4 $5 {
was suggested on the ChessPublishing.com forum. Semkov and Delchev suggest} 18.
Qd4 ({White lands in trouble if he takes the pawn:} 18. Bxc4 Qc6 19. g3 Bc5 $1
20. Bd4 Ng5 21. f3 Bxd4+ 22. Qxd4 Qxf3 $1) 18... c3 19. Bc1 Qc6 20. Bf3 d5 21.
Be3 Rb4 22. Qd3 Ng5 23. Be2 {and "White might be slightly better". In the
final analysis, this assessment might well be true of both 17...Rd6 and 17...c4, although of course it's completely different playing these positions over
the board than it is analysing with the computer at home!}) (17... Bf6 {
(the positional approach - exchange those dark-squared bishops!)} 18. Bxf6 Nxf6
19. Bf3 Rg5 20. Re1 Qc7 21. Qd2 Re5 22. Qc3 Rxe1+ 23. Rxe1 Ke7 24. a3 Rb8 25.
g3 a5 {with equal chances, I.Balinov-N.Sommerbauer, Tweng 2007. Again we see
much of the dynamism in White's position disappear with the exchange of
bishops.}))) 15... d6 $1 {
QUESTION: Why the exclamation mark for such an obvious move?} ({ANSWER: The
exclam is for the timing of ...d6, which pushes the bishop back to c3. If
Black delays this advance for just one more move, White can improve his
position with} 15... O-O 16. b3 $1 d6 17. Bb2 {. The bishop is better placed
on b2 than on c3 because it is less vulnerable to harassment. For example,} d5
18. exd5 Nxd5 {should be compared with the main line, below, where the bishop
is on c3. This is a favourable version for White, because he doesn't have to
waste time moving his bishop again.}) 16. Bc3 O-O 17. b3 {EXERCISE: One plan
for Black here is 17...Nd7, intending to offer a swap of bishops with 18...Bf6.
Find a good response for White to this plan.} d5 {Haba chooses to advance and
make use of his central pawn majority. White now faces a difficult decision:
advance with e4-e5 or exchange in the centre?} ({ANSWER: We've seen more than
once how the exchange of dark-squared bishops helps Black. So a good answer to
} 17... Nd7 {is} 18. Rad1 $1 {intending to meet} Bf6 {with} 19. Ba5 $1 {
. It's actually more important for White to maintain the bishop than to
control the long diagonal, and he keeps a slight edge after} Rc6 20. Qg3 {.})
18. e5 {EXERCISE: Choose between 18...Ne4 and 18...Nd7. ---} ({Coenen opts for
the aggressive 18 e5, gaining space and planning kingside action with f2-f4.
The alternative is the more positional} 18. exd5 {. White cedes some space but
opens the position up for the bishop pair and hopes that this will give him a
slight edge.} -- (18... exd5 {appears at first sight to be the most natural
recapture, but White is quickly able to pressure Black's centre. After} 19.
Rad1 d4 20. Ba5 Rd6 21. Bf3 {
Black's pawns are static and White's bishops are looking quite impressive.}) ({
. Therefore the more dynamic} 18... Nxd5 $1 {
, gaining time by hitting the bishop, is Black's best recapture. Some examples:
} 19. -- (19. Bd2 Bf6 20. Rad1 Nb4 $1 {
(Black must try to cause some disruption before White consolidates)} 21. Qc4
Rd8 22. Bc3 ({if} 22. Be3 {Black has} Nd5 {, intending} 23. Bxc5 Rc6 24. b4 Be7
{- Delchev and Semkov}) 22... Bxc3 23. Rxd8+ Qxd8 24. Qxc3 Qc7 {and White's
advantage is only very small, E.Gonzalez Alcon-C.Fernandez Vicente,
correspondence 2008.}) ({. If} 19. Be5 -- ({, Black can play} 19... f6) ({, or
} 19... Rd8 {followed by ...f6.}) ({
. Even so, I feel that the best approach might still be exchanging bishops with
} 19... Bf6 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 {. White may have a very small edge here, but Black
hasn't weakened himself on the kingside and remains very solid. Let's follow
the high-level game Z.Efimenko-Bui Vinh, Al Ain 2008, which provides a good
model for Black:} 21. Rad1 Qc7 22. Rd2 h6 23. Rfd1 a5 24. Bf3 Rc8 $1 {
(White dominates the d-file, but this doesn't help much because all the entry
points are covered)} 25. Qc3 Rbb8 (25... Rb4 $5 26. a3 Rd4) 26. g3 Qb6 27. Qe3
(27. Rd6 {might be more challenging; Black can continue} Qb4 28. Qe5 Qa3 $5)
27... Qb4 $1 {(gaining counterplay)} 28. c3 Qa3 29. Be2 Nd5 30. Qe5 a4 $1 31.
Bc4 axb3 32. Bxb3 c4 $1 33. Bxc4 Qxc3 34. Rd4 $1 Rd8 35. Qe4 Rb4 $1 36. Qd3 (
36. Bxd5 Rxd5 $1 {is a nice double-pinning idea!}) 36... Qxd3 37. R1xd3 Kf8 38.
Bb3 Rxd4 39. Rxd4 Ra8 40. Ra4 Rxa4 41. Bxa4 Ke7 42. Kg2 Kd6 43. f4 Kc5 44. Kf3
Nc3 45. Bb3 Kd4 46. f5 e5 47. Bxf7 Kd3 48. Kf2 Kd2 49. Bc4 e4 50. g4 {½-½.}
)))) {ANSWER:} 18... Nd7 $1 {The knight is well placed here, both for defence
(the kingside) and counterattack (the queenside).} ({The more active} 18... Ne4
{is clearly tempting, but after} 19. Ba5 Rb5 20. Be1 $1 {the knight is in
danger of being trapped with f2-f3 followed by h2-h4, and Black is also
vulnerable to c2-c4 ideas. Activity is good, but only if it is safe!}) 19. f4 {
EXERCISE: Find a way for Black to gain immediate counterplay. ---} {ANSWER:} c4
$1 {Opening up the queenside, the area where Black enjoys the advantage.} 20.
bxc4 Rc6 $1 {Black uses the pin on the c4-pawn to keep his options open as to
how to recapture. In many cases it's favourable to recapture with a piece (e.g.
...Rxc4 or ...Nb6xc4) so that Black keeps a super-solid pawn structure.} ({
This is stronger than} 20... dxc4 {.}) 21. Qh3 $1 {White would be fighting a
losing battle on the queenside, but of course it's the other side of the board
which interests him most!} Nb6 {
Lining up possibilities of ...Nxc4, ...dxc4 and ...Nd5, or even ...Na4.} 22.
Bd3 g6 23. f5 $5 {EXERCISE (multiple choice): Should Black: -- a) Play 23...gxf5; -- b) Play 23...exf5; or -- c) Ignore the f-pawn and play 23...Nxc4.
--- White doesn't hold back on the kingside. Things are looking dangerous here,
but Sicilian players are used to dealing with such aggression, and Black is
fine as long as he defends with a cool head. ---} ({The alternative for White
is a more deliberate build-up on the kingside, although sooner or later he
usually has to push with f4-f5. Play is extremely sharp. Some examples: ---} 
23. Rf3 Re8 $1 {
(a crucial defensive move, allowing Black to meet Qh6 with ...Bf8!)} 24. Rg3
Qc7 25. Rf1 Nxc4 {and now:} 26. -- (26. Bd4 $2 Nd2 $1 27. Ra1 (27. Rf2 $2 Rxc2
$1 28. Bxc2 Qxc2 {leaves White with an unsolvable back rank problem, pretty
much of his own making!}) 27... Ne4 28. Bxe4 dxe4 29. c3 Bc5 30. Re3 Bxd4 31.
cxd4 Rb8 32. Rxe4 Rb2 33. Ree1 Rcc2 34. Kh1 Qc4 35. Rg1 Qxd4 36. Raf1 Rxa2 {
with a decisive advantage to Black, B.Baroin-C.Fernandez Vicente, correspondence
2008. This is a good demonstration of what can happen to White if he dallies
too much on the kingside.}) (26. f5 $1 {(it's now or never)} exf5 27. e6 $1 (
27. Bxf5 Nxe5 $1 {defends and leaves White without a good continuation}) 27...
Bc5+ $1 ({watch out for} 27... Rxe6 $4 28. Qxh7+ $1 {- the point of 27 e6!})
28. Kh1 Bf8 $1 (28... fxe6 $4 29. Rxg6+ $1) 29. Bxf5 Bg7 $1 30. Bxg7 Kxg7 31.
Qh4 (31. exf7 Qxf7 32. Bd3 Rf6 $1 {leaves Black better}) 31... Ne5 $1 {
. The knight on e5 is a powerful defender, and White's attack was good only
for a draw} 32. Bh3 Qd8 (32... Qe7 $5) 33. exf7 Nxf7 34. Rxf7+ Kxf7 35. Qxh7+
Kf8 36. Qh8+ Kf7 37. Qh7+ {
with perpetual, F.Mayr-G.Gerhards, correspondence 2006.})) {ANSWER:} 23... exf5
$1 {Haba gets rid of White's f-pawn while keeping the three defensive pawns in
front of his king.} ({23...exf5 also opens up the third rank so that Black's
rook on c6 can defend laterally. This was a wise decision because allowing
f5-f6 would give White all sorts of mating possibilities. For example,} 23...
Nxc4 $2 24. f6 $1 Bc5+ 25. Kh1 Kh8 26. Rf4 $1 {and Rh4.}) ({Instead} 23... gxf5
$2 {feels wrong, and is wrong! Black has exposed his king unnecessarily, and
White can take advantage with} 24. Rf3 $1 {, intending Qh6,} ({or even} 24.
Rxf5 $1 {.})) 24. Rxf5 $1 ({If} 24. Bxf5 $2 {Black can safely grab the bishop:}
gxf5 25. Rxf5 Rg6 {and White's attack is nowhere near worth a piece.}) 24...
Qe6 $5 ({Now, however,} 24... gxf5 $2 25. Bxf5 {double attacks c8 and h7}) ({
but} 24... Nxc4 $1 {is also possible:} 25. e6 $5 {(threat: 26 Qxh7+!!)} f6 ({
the computer likes} 25... fxe6 $1 {when} 26. Qxh7+ {no longer works:} Kxh7 27.
Rh5+ Kg8 28. Rh8+ Kf7 29. Rf1+ Ke8 {and the king escapes}) 26. Rxd5 Nb6 $1 27.
Bxg6 $1 hxg6 28. Qh6 Nxd5 29. Qxg6+ Kh8 30. Qh6+ Kg8 31. Qg6+ {
was a draw by perpetual check in S.Zigangirova-A.Stiri, Oropesa del Mar 2001.})
25. cxd5 Nxd5 26. Bd2 Bc5+ ({The safest move here is probably} 26... Nb4 $5 {
which forces White to exchange one of his bishops. Black is a pawn down but
this is only temporary as White has so many pawn weaknesses, and I feel Black
has a slight edge here.}) 27. Kh1 Be3 $5 28. Bxe3 Nxe3 29. Rf3 $6 ({
White should try} 29. Qxe3 $1 gxf5 30. Rf1 Qh6 {.}) 29... Qxh3 30. Rxh3 Ng4 $1
31. Kg1 Nxe5 {Because of his better pawns, Black has a slight advantage in
this endgame. I suspect it should really be drawn with best play, but Haba's
perseverance and technique finally comes out on top.} 32. Bf1 Rd8 33. Re1 f6
34. Ra3 Rdd6 35. c3 Kg7 36. Re4 Rd1 37. Kf2 h5 38. h3 Rd2+ 39. Kg1 a5 40. Rxa5
Rxc3 41. Rf4 g5 42. Ra7+ Kg6 43. Rf2 Rd6 44. Ra6 Rxa6 45. Bxa6 Ra3 46. Bb7 g4
47. hxg4 hxg4 48. Be4+ Kg5 49. Rf5+ Kh4 50. Rxf6 Rxa2 {
This is still not easy for White, despite the reduction of pieces on the board.
} 51. Rf2 Ra3 52. Bd5 Kg3 53. Rf1 Rd3 54. Bb7 Re3 55. Rb1 Nd3 56. Bc6 Nf4 57.
Ba4 Ne2+ 58. Kf1 Nc3 $1 59. Ra1 $2 Nxa4 $1 {
The rook and pawn ending is winning.} 60. Rxa4 Rb3 61. Ra1 Kh2 $1 62. Ra4 Rb1+
63. Kf2 g3+ 64. Kf3 Rb3+ 65. Kg4 Kxg2 66. Ra2+ Kh1 {. --- After the centre
closed with 18 e5, the position was on a knife-edge. White's obvious attacking
chances on the kingside were counterbalanced by Black's defensive resources,
structural advantage and counterplay on the queenside.} 0-1

[Event "German League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Areshchenko, A."]
[Black "Brandenburg, D."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Be3 Bb4 9. Na4 Be7 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Nb6 Rb8 12. Nxc8 Qxc8 13. Bd4 Qc7 $5 {
This move is a favourite of the Greek Grandmaster and Sicilian Taimanov expert
Igor Miladinovic. Recently it's been taken up by other grandmasters and also
recommended in Delchev and Semkov's repertoire book 'The Safest Sicilian'. ---
QUESTION: What's the idea behind 13...Qc7? --- ANSWER: By introducing ideas
such as ...e5, Black makes the threat to the e4-pawn real. In fact, 13...Qc7
more or less forces White to advance the e-pawn, so we get a different type of
position to the one seen in our previous game.} ({QUESTION: Is} 13... Nxe4 {
playable? --- ANSWER: I feel that 13...Nxe4!? is risky, but by no means bad,
and it's worth studying if Black wants to employ a sharp alternative on
occasions.}) ({It can be compared to} 13... c5 14. Be5 Rb6 15. b3 Nxe4 {
, although perhaps Black isn't quite as active as in that line.}) ({
One of the critical lines after} 13... Nxe4 {is} 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. Be5 d6 16.
Qd3 f5 17. Bh5+ Kf8 $1 ({this was an improvement over} 17... Kd7 18. Rad1 Rb5
19. Bf4 Rd5 20. Qh3 {with advantage to White, J.Emms-L.Fressinet, Hastings
1998/99 - this was actually the first game played in this variation!}) 18. Bf4
Kg7 {and Black's king heads for h8. The key question in this position is
whether Black's rolling centre will become powerful, or whether White will be
able to exploit Black's weaknesses. After} 19. Rae1 (19. Bf3 Nf6 20. Rae1 e5
21. Bxe5 dxe5 22. Rxe5 {
is an interesting sacrifice suggested by Nisipeanu and Stoica}) 19... e5 20.
Bc1 Kh8 21. b3 Qe6 {
things were still very unclear in A.Galkin-E.Shaposhnikov, Russia 2005.}) 14.
e5 ({QUESTION: What happens if White just defends his e-pawn with} 14. Qd3 {
, as in the previous game? --- ANSWER: 14 Qd3 can be answered strongly by} e5
$1 15. Bc3 Bb4 $1 {. Not only does Black force the exchange of dark-squared
bishops, he also fixes White's e-pawn on the same colour as the remaining
bishop.} 16. Bf3 Qa5 17. Bxb4 Qxb4 18. b3 a5 19. Rfd1 Qc5 20. Qd2 h6 21. h4 Ke7
$1 {(the king is perfectly safe here)} 22. g4 d6 23. c3 Rhd8 24. Kg2 Nh7 $1 {
is an excellent example of how to exploit a good knight versus bad bishop
situation, A.Sebbar-I.Miladinovic, Marrakesh 2010. Black's next idea is ...Nf8-e6-f4.}) ({QUESTION: How about if White takes the a6-pawn? --- ANSWER: One
benefit of 13...Qc7 is that White doesn't seem able to exploit the a6-pawn
being en prise. After} 14. Bxa6 {Black can regain the pawn with} e5 (14... c5
$5 15. Bc3 Nxe4 {is also interesting, intending} 16. Bxg7 Rg8 17. Bc3 $4 Nxc3
18. bxc3 Qc6 {threatening both mate and the bishop}) 15. Bc3 Nxe4 16. Qg4 Ng5
17. Bd3 Ne6 {, with a strong centre, L.Schut-R.Swinkels, Maastricht 2010.})
14... Nd5 {Now Black is threatening to play ...c5 (that is the answer to 15
Bxa6?!), so White must make a decision: either kick the knight again or
safeguard the d4-bishop.} 15. c4 ({The alternative is} 15. b3 {giving the
p a retreat square on b2. Here Black finally makes his a-pawn safe with} a5 {
and again White must decide what to do:} 16. -- (16. g3 {
prevents ...Nf4, but now Black creates more room for his pieces.} c5 $1 {
solves the problem of the knight - if attacked by c2-c4 it can make its way to
the excellent c6-square via b4. Black is fine here; for example,} 17. Bb2 O-O
18. a4 (18. Qd2 a4 19. Bf3 Nb4 20. Rfd1 Rfd8 21. Qe2 Nc6 22. Bxc6 Qxc6 23. Bc3
Ra8 24. Qg4 Rf8 25. Rd2 f6 26. Rad1 Ra7 {
is a line given by Delchev and Semkov, leading to an equal position}) 18... Nb4
19. Re1 f6 $1 ({
White's Re1 intended to prevent the ...Be5 plan to exchange bishops after} 
19... d6 20. exd6 Bxd6 21. Bf3 $1) 20. Bb5 Nc6 21. Qd2 fxe5 22. Bxc6 Qxc6 23.
Bxe5 Rb7 24. Qe2 Bf6 25. Rad1 Bxe5 26. Qxe5 c4 {with an equal position, soon
drawn, in E.Van den Doel-D.Brandenburg, Netherlands League 2009.}) (16. Qd2 {
similarly prevents ...Nf4, but also activates the queen.} O-O 17. c4 Nb4 ({if} 
17... Bb4 $5 {then the clever} 18. Qc1 $1 {still prevents ...Nf4, and} Ne7 19.
c5 $1 ({if} 19. a3 Nf5 $1) 19... Nf5 20. Bb2 Qa7 21. g4 Ne7 22. Bd4 a4 23. a3
Ba5 24. b4 Bc7 25. f4 Nd5 26. Qd2 {
is promising for White, W.Fischer-J.Stephan, correspondence 2009}) 18. Bc3 c5
$1 {(notice that it's the same plan as in the previous example)} 19. Bf3 ({if} 
19. Rad1 {then} Rbd8 {followed by ...f6 or ...d6, but this is more challenging
than White's play in the game}) 19... d6 20. exd6 Bxd6 21. g3 Be5 $1 {
(again this desirable move; Black is at least equal now)} 22. Rfd1 Bxc3 23.
Qxc3 a4 24. bxa4 Nc6 25. Bxc6 Qxc6 26. a5 Qa4 27. a3 Rb3 28. Qe5 Qxa5 29. a4
Rb4 {½-½ (from a game quoted on the ChessPublishing.com forum).})) 15...
Nf4 {QUESTION: Isn't this like the line 13...0-0 14 e5 Nd5 15 c4 Nf4, the one
you said that Black should be trying to avoid? --- ANSWER: It is similar, but
Black has played ...Qc7 instead of ...0-0. We'll see later how this can make a
difference in the plans Black chooses.} 16. g3 ({If} 16. Bf3 {Black's plan is
to drop the knight back to g6 and then break with either ...d6 or ...f6 at the
appropriate moment. For example,} O-O ({the immediate} 16... Ng6 $5 {
is interesting - the natural response} 17. Re1 $2 ({White should instead play} 
17. Qe2) {is met strongly by} 17... Bb4 $1 {followed by 18...c5}) 17. Re1 Ng6
18. c5 $1 (18. g3 $2 {again walks into} Bb4 $1 {,}) ({while if} 18. b3 {
Black can carry out the typical plan} c5 19. Bb2 d6 $1 20. exd6 Bxd6 21. g3 Be5
$1 {, recommended by Kasparov}) 18... f6 19. exf6 Bxf6 20. Be4 Nf4 21. Bxf6
Rxf6 22. Qc2 h6 23. Rad1 Nd5 24. g3 a5 {, G.Kasparov-V.Anand, Linares 2002.
Kasparov thought he was slightly better here, but I feel Black has enough
counterplay, and other grandmasters have been willing to repeat Anand's play
in this line.}) 16... c5 17. Bc3 ({QUESTION: Can't White win a pawn here with} 
17. gxf4 cxd4 18. Qxd4 {
? --- ANSWER: He can, but Black gains excellent compensation after} Bc5 19. Qc3
O-O {followed by ...f6!, to exploit White's kingside weaknesses.}) 17... Nh3+
$1 {This is the difference from the 13...0-0 line! Instead of exchanging on e2,
Black maintains more tension in the position by keeping his knight.} 18. Kg2
Ng5 {The knight continues to make a nuisance of itself. Now White must deal
with the positional threat of ...Ne4, and this gives Black the time required
to prevent the knight from being trapped with h2-h4.} 19. f3 ({Other examples
illustrate what both sides are trying to achieve in this position: --} 19. Qd3
Qc6+ 20. f3 ({or} 20. Bf3 Nxf3 21. Qxf3 Qxf3+ 22. Kxf3 d5 $5 23. exd6 Bf6 24.
Bxf6 gxf6 25. Rfd1 Kd7 {with an equal ending, as White cannot hold on to his
extra pawn, M.Nikolov-I.Miladinovic, Bar 2006}) 20... f6 $1 {. This is a
crucial move in Black's plan. Of course the knight needed to be saved from
h2-h4, but f7 is an excellent home for it because here the knight can protect
the king and control some key dark squares. After} 21. Rad1 Nf7 22. exf6 Bxf6
$1 23. Bxf6 gxf6 24. Qc3 Ke7 25. Rd2 h5 $1 {a draw was agreed in a position
still full of play, D.Mastrovasilis-I.Miladinovic, Valjevo 2011. Note how
Miladinovic kept his king safe in the centre, usefully defending d7, and was
ready to activate his h8-rook with ...h4. This, of course, would not be
possible if Black chooses 13...0-0 instead of 13...Qc7.}) (19. Bd3 Qc6+ 20. f3
f6 21. Qe2 (21. exf6 Bxf6 {is similar to the previous note}) 21... f5 $1 {
. The exchange of pawns was a one-time offer! The centre is closed, the knight
will still be well placed on f7, and Black can still keep his king in the
centre.} 22. Rad1 h5 23. Bc2 {
(S.Fedorchuk-D.Brandenburg, Maastricht 2010) and now} h4 {
looks the most consistent, with good counterplay for Black.}) (19. b3 Qc6+ 20.
f3 f6 21. exf6 Bxf6 22. Qd3 $5 {
(White avoids changing the pawn structure - for the moment)} Nf7 ({
there's a case here for simply} 22... Bxc3 23. Qxc3 O-O) 23. Rad1 Nh6 $6 (23...
Bxc3 24. Qxc3 O-O {looks better}) 24. Bxf6 $1 {
(now he does it, with the knight misplaced on h6)} gxf6 25. Qc3 O-O 26. Bd3 $1
{with an edge for White, M.Adams-H.Banikas, Porto Carras 2011.}) 19... f6 20.
exf6 Bxf6 $1 {Once again Black wants to exchange those dark-squared bishops.}
21. Bxf6 gxf6 22. Qd2 {EXERCISE: Try to find a good plan for Black. ---} {
ANSWER:} h5 $1 {Just like in the Mastrovasilis-Miladinovic game above, Black
seeks to activate his rook on its home square with ...h4, and the king will be
perfectly happy on e7. Black enjoys excellent counterplay in this position.}
23. Rad1 h4 24. b3 Ke7 25. Qe3 Qe5 ({
The most logical follow-up to Black's previous play would be} 25... hxg3 26.
hxg3 Rbg8 {threatening something very nasty on g3:} 27. -- ({
White can save the day with} 27. f4 $1 {, after which} Qc6+ 28. Bf3 Nxf3 29.
Qxf3 {will reach an ending similar to the one in our main game}) 27... Qxg3+ $3
28. Kxg3 Ne4+ 29. Kf4 Rh4# {!}) 26. Qd3 $1 Qc7 27. f4 Qc6+ 28. Bf3 Nxf3 29.
Qxf3 Qxf3+ 30. Rxf3 hxg3 31. hxg3 {EXERCISE: What should Black do here?} {
ANSWER:} a5 $1 {This is a plan we've seen before. The ...a4 advance will leave
White with at least one weakness on the queenside. Black has a small edge here
because of his stronger pawns, but it's not serious enough to give him any
real winning chances, at least not against a 2664-rated grandmaster.} 32. Rfd3
Rb7 33. g4 a4 $1 34. bxa4 Ra8 35. Rb3 Rb4 36. Rh3 $1 {
The safest, allowing White to force a draw.} Raxa4 37. Rh7+ Ke8 38. Rh8+ $1 (
38. Rhxd7 Rxa2+ 39. Kf1 {is also okay for White}) ({but he has to avoid} 38.
Rdxd7 $4 {which loses to} Rxa2+ 39. Kf3 Rb3+ 40. Ke4 Re2# {.}) 38... Ke7 39.
Rh7+ Ke8 1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "2. Alternative 6 Be2 lines"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "16"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

{Not every White player chooses the main line after 6 Be2, and in this chapter
we'll take a look at some other options. After} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 {
, the most important alternative to 8 Be3 is} 8. Kh1 {, but there's also 8 Bg5
and 8 Nxc6 to consider. In addition, White can play an early a2-a3, either
before or after castling. Let's begin with the most popular alternative to 8
Be3 - the 8 Kh1 variation.} -- (8... -- {Key Notes: -- 1. In the 8 Kh1
variation (Szelag-Beshukov), a key idea to remember is 12...h5!. This crucial
move allows Black's knight to jump into g4 after e4-e5. In some favourable
situations, Black might also be able to play ...h4 and ...Nh5. This sets up a
potentially devastating knight check on g3. -- 2. In the same variation
(Szelag-Beshukov), g4 is a good square for the knight but f5 is often an even
better one! Look out for opportunities to carry out the manoeuvre ...N(g4)
-h6-f5. However, also be wary of White meeting ...Nh6 with the tactic Qf3,
threatening both Qxh5 and a discovered attack on the queen with Nf6+. -- 3.
Again in the same variation (Szelag-Beshukov), Black is usually very happy to
swap his dark-squared bishop for White's knight after Nd6+, since his
remaining knight is normally superior to White's dark-squared bishop. White
might instead try to force the exchange of bishops, which could allow his
knight to jump into d6 unopposed. This is something Black should be trying to
avoid. -- 4. 8 Bg5 is not as good as it looks, because it leaves White
vulnerable to ...Nxe4 tactics after ...Be7 (see Vukovic-Poluljahov). -- 5. In
general, lines with an early a2-a3, to prevent ...Bb4, are fairly harmless
because a tempo is of considerable significance in Open Sicilian positions.
There is, however, a notable exception. If White chooses the move order 5 Nc3
Qc7 6 Be2 a6 7 Be3 Nf6 8 a3!?, it suddenly becomes a dangerous line and a
challenging one to face (see Alexandridis-Miladinovic and Polivanov-Geller).})
*

[Event "Koszalin"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Szelag, M."]
[Black "Beshukov, S."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Kh1 {QUESTION: What's the idea behind this king move?} ({ANSWER: White wants
to play the typical f2-f4 advance, but that's impossible at the moment -
although} 8. f4 $4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Bc5 {
has claimed a number of victims and is always worth hoping for!}) (8. Kh1 {
, just like 8 Be3, removes this problem and f2-f4 is now on the cards. If
Black responds with} Be7 {, then} 9. f4 d6 {
transposes to the Sicilian Scheveningen (just like 8 Be3 Be7 9 f4 d6 does).})
8... Nxd4 $1 {Black changes tack from the first chapter. This time the bishop
comes to c5, and with gain of tempo against the white queen. Of course this
wouldn't be possible against 8 Be3.} ({
QUESTION: Can Black simply play as in the last chapter, with} 8... Bb4 {
? --- ANSWER: Yes, he can, and this is certainly a playable alternative. White
has more than one option against, but to me the most consistent move is} 9. Bg5
{utilizing the fact the bishop didn't commit to e3 last move. White's idea is
to answer} Bxc3 ({Taimanov specialist Miladinovic prefers} 9... Qd6 $5 {, e.g.}
10. Nxc6 Qxd1 11. Nxd1 bxc6 12. e5 Ne4 13. Be3 f6 14. f3 Ng5 15. Nf2 Nf7 16.
Nd3 Be7 17. f4 {with a very slight edge for White, but Black is solid, V.Kotronias-I.Miladinovic, Kallithea 2003}) {with} 10. Bxf6 $1 gxf6 (10... Bxb2
11. Bxg7 $1) 11. bxc3 {and White has scored well from this position.}) 9. Qxd4
Bc5 10. Qd3 $1 {EXERCISE: Consider how Black should continue his development.
--- 10 Qd3 is the most logical retreat. The e-pawn is protected and in many
lines the queen can use the third rank to swing over to the kingside. ---} {
ANSWER:} b5 $1 {Typical Sicilian play! -- 1. The bishop will be very actively
placed on b7, where it will attack the e4-pawn. -- 2. The pressure on the
e4-pawn might be intensified by ...b4, threatening its defender. -- 3. Black
can increase the pressure down the half-open c-file with ...Rc8.} ({
10...b5 is better than} 10... O-O {
which rather invites White's attacking plans after} 11. f4 ({or} 11. Bg5 {.}))
11. f4 {White carries on his plan.} ({The alternative is} 11. Bg5 {. --- QUESTION: Should Black be worried about Bxf6, doubling the f-pawns? --- ANSWER: Not
really - at least he shouldn't be taking any special precautions against it,
like moving the bishop back to e7. After} Bb7 {White has:} 12. -- ({. Following
} 12. Bxf6 gxf6 {Black has very good compensation for the slight structural
damage: the bishop pair, the opened g-file, and of course the king can still
castle long. For example,} 13. Bh5 (13. f4 h5 $1) 13... Rg8 14. Rad1 Rg7 15. a3
O-O-O 16. Bf3 h5 17. Rd2 h4 {
with good play for Black, L.Bensdorp-H.Van der Poel, Dieren 2007.}) ({
. White is more likely to play} 12. f4 {
as in our main game, but with the dark-squared bishop outside the pawn chain.}
-- ({The position after} 12... h6 $5 13. Bxf6 gxf6 {
still looks playable for Black, despite the tempo loss.}) (12... Bb4 {
is more usual, and here} 13. Bf3 Rc8 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Rad1 Bxc3 16. bxc3 Ke7 {
is roughly equal.}) ({Note, though, that the tempting} 12... b4 {is well met by
} 13. e5 $1 {, and here} bxc3 14. exf6 cxb2 15. fxg7 $1 bxa1=Q 16. Rxa1 Rg8 17.
Qxh7 Rxg7 18. Qxg7 {is slightly in White's favour.}))) 11... Bb7 $1 12. Bf3 $1
{Szelag adds protection to e4 and opposes Black's bishop on the long diagonal.
With ...Nd5 no longer an option, White threatens to drive Black's knight back
to g8 with 13 e5. --- EXERCISE: Beshukov's next move is a creative solution to
Black's problems. Can you guess what it is? (Hint: Find an attractive square
for the knight.) ---} ({Black doesn't fear} 12. e5 {, as} Nd5 13. Nxd5 (13. Ne4
$2 Nb4 $1) 13... Bxd5 {is fine for him.}) {ANSWER:} 12... h5 $1 {If you found
this move, you are most definitely a natural Sicilian Taimanov player! If you
didn't, don't worry - the most important thing is to remember the concept now.
--- The g4-square is an enticing option for the black knight; 12...h5 makes
this possible and immediately gives Black counterplay. It's worth noting that,
because of the position of White's king, Black can still play ...Ng4 even
after h2-h3. Or he might play ...h4 intending ...Nh5 and ...Ng3+!} ({
Black could play} 12... O-O {, intending} 13. e5 Ne8 {
, but 12...h5 is probably better - and much more fun!}) ({
QUESTION: How about driving White's knight away with} 12... b4 {? Then e4-e5
can be answered by ...Nd5 again. --- ANSWER: Always consider counter-threats.
Instead of moving the knight, White can play} 13. e5 $1 bxc3 14. exf6 {
. Black cannot avoid weakening himself, and White has scored well from this
position.}) 13. e5 {
Szelag continues in the most direct fashion, and with the most popular move.} (
{The game J.Degraeve-A.Horvath, Charleville 2000, is a good demonstration of
Black's counterattacking possibilities against less direct play by White:} 13.
Bd2 h4 $1 {(idea: ...Nh5, ...Ng3+! and mate)} 14. e5 Nh5 15. Be3 {
(White stops the mate threat, but...)} Ng3+ $1 {(Black plays it anyway!)} 16.
hxg3 hxg3+ 17. Kg1 Qb6 18. Rfe1 ({if} 18. Rae1 {then a clever switchback} Qd8
$3 {and White gets mated}) 18... Bxf3 19. gxf3 ({
perhaps White should bail out with} 19. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 20. Qe3) {
, and here Rybka gives the long line} 19... Qd8 $1 ({instead of Horvath's} 
19... Bxe3+) 20. Ne4 (20. Bxc5 Rh1+ 21. Kxh1 Qh4+ 22. Kg1 Qh2+ 23. Kf1 g2+ 24.
Ke2 g1=Q+ {wins}) 20... Qh4 21. Kf1 Qh1+ 22. Ke2 Rh2+ 23. Kd1 ({if} 23. Nf2
Rxf2+ 24. Bxf2 Qg2) 23... Qxf3+ 24. Kc1 Bxe3+ 25. Rxe3 Qxf4 26. b3 Rh1+ 27. Kb2
Rxa1 28. Kxa1 g2 29. Nd6+ Ke7 30. Re1 Qf2 31. Qd1 Rh8 32. Nf5+ (32. Kb2 {
is a better try, intending} Qxe1 $2 ({but after} 32... f5 {Black should win})
33. Qxe1 Rh1 34. Qb4 {winning}) 32... Kd8 $1 {winning!}) ({
Assuming White wants to avoid these tricks, exchanging bishops with} 13. Be3 {
is wiser. An example:} Bxe3 14. Qxe3 b4 (14... d6 {is also possible}) 15. Na4 (
{on this occasion the counter-threat} 15. e5 $2 {
is met by a counter counter-threat:} Ng4) 15... Ng4 ({Black should avoid} 15...
Qxc2 $2 16. Nc5) 16. Qb6 Qxb6 17. Nxb6 Rb8 18. Nc4 Ke7 19. e5 Bxf3 20. gxf3 $5
({or} 20. Rxf3 Rbc8 21. b3 f6 $1 22. h3 fxe5 23. fxe5 Rc5 24. Re1 Nh6) 20...
Nh6 21. b3 Rb5 22. a3 a5 {
with an equal position, C.Santagata-A.Mastrovasilis, correspondence 2003})
13... Ng4 14. Bxb7 ({Black has more than one good way to meet} 14. Ne4 {
. One is} Rb8 {
threatening to take on e4 and play ...Nf2+. Black is very happy after} 15. Nd6+
(15. Qe2 {is better, and} Bxe4 16. Bxe4 Qb6 $5 (16... Ba7 $5 {intending ...Qc4}
) 17. h3 Nf2+ 18. Kh2 Nxe4 19. Qxe4 g6 {
gives level chances, M.Mosquera-J.Magem Badals, Bled Olympiad 2002}) 15... Bxd6
16. exd6 Qc5 {, e.g.} 17. Bxg4 hxg4 18. f5 {and now} Rh3 $3 {followed by ...g3
is an absolute killer, D.Von Wantoch Rekowski-V.Djuric, Belgrade 2001.}) 14...
Qxb7 15. Ne4 {With the light-squared bishops exchanged, the knight is more
secure on this excellent central outpost.} Rc8 ({Black can also play} 15... Be7
{and this often transposes to 15...Rc8, but the rook move is slightly more
active.}) ({QUESTION: Should Black allow White to exchange knight for bishop?
--- ANSWER: He should not only allow it; he should welcome it! At the moment
at least, White's knight on e4 is stronger than Black's bishop. Likewise,
Black's knight is stronger than White's bishop. So lines like} 15... Rc8 16.
Nxc5 $6 ({and} 16. Nd6+ $2 Bxd6 17. exd6 Qb6 $1) 16... Rxc5 {are very much to
Black's liking. White would ideally like to exchange bishop for bishop, as
this would leave the knight free to jump into the juicy d6 outpost.}) 16. h3 {
Forcing the knight back so that White can play Be3 next go. This might seem a
logical course for White, but in fact it doesn't challenge Black at all. ---
QUESTION: Why is this? It looks like a good idea to force the knight back to
h6. --- ANSWER: g4 is a good square for the knight, but f5 is even better!
Black often plays ... N(g4)-h6-f5 of his own accord, so it's not such a great
idea to spend a tempo forcing Black to do what he wants. Furthermore, the
g3-square is weakened, and this offers Black tactical possibilities when ...
Nf5 comes.} ({Before moving on with the game, let's look at some more
challenging plans by White: --- The first is} 16. Bd2 Be7 17. a3 $5 {. --- QUESTION: Challenging? What's the point of this little move? --- ANSWER: White's
idea is Bb4! to force an exchange of bishops which, as mentioned just above,
is one of his positional goals. After an exchange of bishops, Nd6 is very much
on the cards. --- QUESTION: So what should Black do? --- ANSWER: He must
disrupt White's plan, and one way to do so is} Qd5 $5 {. If} 18. Bb4 ({instead
} 18. Qxd5 exd5 {is no problem, because the c-pawn hangs after} 19. Nd6+ Bxd6
20. exd6 Rxc2) {there follows} 18... Qxd3 19. cxd3 {and now} f5 $1 {
comes just at the right time - Black is fine here.}) ({
Another option for White is to centralize his forces with} 16. Bd2 Be7 17. Rae1
{. --- EXERCISE: Can you find a small tactical idea for White if Black plays}
Nh6 {intending ...Nf5?} ({. ANSWER: If} 17... Nh6 {White has} 18. Qf3 $1 {
with a double threat: the pawn on h5 and a decisive discovered attack on the
queen with Nd6+ or Nf6+. This tactic is well worth remembering as the possibility of it crops up in many variations.}) ({. A wiser option for Black is} 17...
Qc6 $1 {which safeguards the queen against this tactic and prepares the knight
manoeuvre:} 18. -- ({. S.Movsesian-C.Lutz, German League 2001, demonstrates
some typical play from this position:} 18. Bc3 b4 19. Bd2 Nh6 $1 ({
here comes the knight manoeuvre to f5;} 19... Qxc2 $6 20. Nd6+ Bxd6 21. Qxd6 {
threatens Rc1 and the b4-pawn}) 20. c3 bxc3 21. Bxc3 Nf5 22. Qf3 h4 23. Rd1 Qb6
24. Rfe1 Rc4 25. h3 {, and here Lutz suggests} Qc6 $1 26. Kh2 Ra4 27. a3 O-O {
with good counterplay for Black. Notice how the knight on f5 is both strong
and secure.}) ({. If White tries to prevent the ...Nh6-f5 plan, with} 18. Qf3
$5 {, Black has another possibility:} f5 $1 19. exf6 gxf6 20. a3 $6 ({
White should try} 20. f5 e5 $1 {, when ...d5 is the plan}) 20... f5 $1 21. Qc3
Rg8 22. Ng5 Qxc3 23. Bxc3 Rc4 {with a great position for Black, Yu Shaoteng-Ye
Jiangchuan, Yongchuan 2003. He has better pieces, a 2-0 central pawn majority,
and the exchange of queens means that Black's king is "active" in a good
sense!}))) ({c) A third possibility for White is the pawn break} 16. a4 {.} --
({. White's idea is} 16... b4 17. c4 $1 bxc3 {
(otherwise White plays b2-b3 and kills any queenside counterplay)} 18. bxc3 O-O
{and now} 19. h3 $1 Nh6 20. Qf3 $1 {
with the same double attack mentioned above. White wins a pawn, but after} Qb3
21. Qxh5 Nf5 22. Kh2 Be7 {, as in N.Short-D.Stellwagen, Hoogeveen 2004, Black
gets some compensation in view of his active pieces and White's queenside
weaknesses.}) ({. Black can also allow the a-file to open, and this also
involves sacrificing a pawn for positional compensation. For example,} 16...
Be7 17. axb5 axb5 18. Ra5 {(White needs to continue energetically)} Rc4 $5 ({
Delchev and Semkov suggest} 18... b4 19. Bd2 Qc6) 19. Nc3 O-O 20. Rxb5 Qc6 21.
h3 Nh6 22. Rd1 {(M.Acher-M.Cornette, French League 2007) and now} Rd8 $1 {
. Again Black has compensation, with active pieces, pressure on the c-file and
possibilities of ...Bb4, ...Nf5 and ...d6.})) 16... Nh6 {EXERCISE: Why does 17.
..Nf5! slow down White's queenside play if he tries the 17 a4 plan here?} 17.
Be3 ({ANSWER: If} 17. a4 Nf5 $1 {White doesn't have time for} 18. axb5 {
because Black's previous move contains a nasty threat:} Qxe4 $1 19. Qxe4 Ng3+ {
with a souped-up version of the family fork - the knight captures both the
queen and the rook!} 20. Kh2 Nxf1+ $1 21. Kh1 Ng3+ 22. Kh2 Nxe4 {and Black wins.
This ...Qxe4 tactic may seem obvious, but I have seen it missed.}) 17... Be7 {
Black doesn't want to exchange bishops, and obviously there's no choice here
anyway!} 18. Bf2 {
A good square for the bishop, which now covers two key diagonals.} Nf5 19. Rad1
h4 {Fixing the knight on f5. EXERCISE: Evaluate the position after 20 Nd6+
Bxd6 21 exd6.} 20. Rfe1 $1 {
White keeps the tension and usefully protects the knight a second time.} ({
ANSWER:} 20. Nd6+ $2 Bxd6 $1 21. exd6 O-O {gives Black everything he wants: --
1. A monster knight on f5. -- 2. A great queen, dominating the long diagonal.
-- 3. A clear plan of doubling rooks on the c-file. -- 4. Weak white pawns on
d6 and f4. -- 5. No counterplay at all for White.}) 20... Rh6 $5 {The beginning
of some creative play by Beshukov which is eventually rewarded with a nice win.
He keeps his king in the centre, behind the solid f7-e6-d7 pawn wall, and
activates his king's rook on the third rank. The plan involves an eventual ...
f6 and ...Kf7, and of course ...Rg6 is also possible now.} ({
In truth, Black has a more straightforward plan of} 20... O-O {
intending ...Rfd8 and then ...d6 or ...d5. For example,} 21. c3 (21. Qxd7 Qxd7
22. Rxd7 Rxc2 {is good for Black}) 21... Rfd8 22. Kg1 $6 ({
White should play more aggressively, e.g.} 22. Qf3 Qb8 23. Qg4 b4 $1 {
, which is dynamically balanced; White seems to be well set to do something on
the kingside, but the defensive power of Black's bishop and knight mustn't be
underestimated -if} 24. Nf6+ Bxf6 25. exf6 bxc3 26. bxc3 Rc4 $1 27. Bd4 g6 {
Black's knight remains a monster in both defence and attack}) 22... d5 $1 23.
exd6 Bxd6 24. Nxd6 Rxd6 25. Qe2 Rcd8 {
with an edge for Black in view of his strong knight and better pawns.}) 21. Qf3
Qb8 {Remember the threat!} 22. Rd2 Rd8 23. Red1 Qc7 24. c3 f6 $1 {
Planning ...Kf7.} 25. Nd6+ {Finally Szelag releases the tension, but Black
isn't unhappy to see this knight check.} Bxd6 $1 26. exd6 Qb8 {With the centre
sealed up, Black's king will be very safe on f7. White must try to open up the
queenside before Black assumes control with ...Rc8-c4. Play begins to progress
more quickly, with both sides carrying out their plans.} 27. a4 Rc8 28. axb5
Qxb5 $5 29. b4 Kf7 30. Ra2 Rc6 31. Ra5 Qb8 32. Bc5 Qc8 33. Kh2 Rg6 $1 34. Qh5
$1 {Otherwise the rook lands on g3.} Qb7 35. Ra2 Qb5 $5 {Beshukov goes for it,
possibly in mutual time trouble, and is ultimately successful.} 36. Qh8 $1 {
Suddenly White is getting all sorts of counterplay based on Qd8 ideas.} Qc4 (
36... Rg3 $1 {is better, meeting} 37. Qd8 {with} Qb7 $1 {.}) 37. Qd8 $5 ({After
} 37. Rf2 $1 {White defends, and the threat of Qd8 still looms.}) 37... Rxc5 $1
38. Qxd7+ Kg8 39. Qe8+ (39. bxc5 Qxa2 40. Qb7 {
is likely to end in a draw! One possible finish is} Ne3 41. Rg1 Qf2 42. d7 (42.
Qf3 $4 Rxg2+ $1) 42... Qxf4+ 43. Kh1 Nf1 44. d8=Q+ Kh7 45. Qbb8 Ng3+ 46. Kh2
Nf1+ 47. Kh1 Ng3+ {with perpetual check.}) 39... Kh7 40. bxc5 $2 {
This loses, as White gets a much inferior version of the previous note.} ({
He is still okay after} 40. Rf2 $1 {.}) 40... Qxa2 41. Qc6 Ne3 42. Rg1 Qf2 $1
43. d7 Qxf4+ 44. Kh1 Nf1 $1 45. Qd6 ({Or} 45. Rxf1 Qxf1+ 46. Kh2 Qf4+ 47. Kg1
Qd2 {.}) 45... e5 46. d8=Q Qh2# {. --- This was an excellent game by Beshukov,
demonstrating how imaginative play can be rewarded in the Sicilian Taimanov.}
0-1

[Event "Cetinje"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Vukovic, Z."]
[Black "Poluljahov, A."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1996.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Bg5 {This active development of the bishop is seen as much less of a threat to
Black than either 8 Be3 or 8 Kh1. ---} {
QUESTION: Why is that? It looks like a very natural move to make.} Be7 $1 {
ANSWER: This is the reason! Black hadn't committed his bishop yet, so answering 
Bg5 with ...Be7 is the natural thing to do. Black will follow up with ...0-0
and ...d6, and play a Sicilian Scheveningen where White's bishop is slightly
misplaced on g5. --- QUESTION: Scheveningen? I want to play a Taimanov! And
why is White's bishop misplaced on g5 in the Scheveningen? --- ANSWER:
Regardless of which Sicilian variation or structure you prefer, it always pays
to maintain some flexibility because this allows you to exploit opportunities
like this one. We'll find out why the bishop isn't completely happy on g5 as
the game progresses.} 9. Kh1 ({Already we see one reason. With the bishop on
e3 White could go ahead with the immediate 9 f4, but here a preparatory king
move is still required -} 9. f4 $4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 Bc5 {is still on!}) 9... O-O
10. f4 d6 11. Nf3 ({
Let's take a look at a more typical Scheveningen set-up by White:} 11. Bf3 Rd8
12. Qd2 h6 13. Bh4 {
. --- EXERCISE: Can you spot a tactic for Black in this position? ---} ({
In fact the only way to avoid losing a pawn is by giving up the bishop pair with
} 13. Bxf6 Bxf6 {, but this is clearly undesirable.}) {ANSWER:} 13... Nxe4 $1 {
wins a clean pawn due to the discovered attack on the bishop. This is another
problem with developing the bishop to g5 - White always has to watch out for
this type of tactic.}) ({QUESTION: How about if White avoids Qd2? --- ANSWER:
The queen doesn't necessarily have to be on d2 for the tactic to be effective.
For example, after} 11. a4 h6 12. Bh4 {Black can again play} Nxe4 $1 {
. This time he doesn't win a pawn, but} 13. Bxe7 Nxc3 14. Bxd6 $1 Qxd6 15. bxc3
Bd7 {is still very nice for him. Now we see one reason why Vukovic felt it
necessary to retreat the knight to f3: the bishop will be protected if it has
to go back to h4.}) 11... b5 $1 {
Poluljahov begins typical queenside counterplay.} 12. Bd3 h6 13. Bh4 Nb4 $5 {
Another typical move. Black creates the possibility of trading off White's
light-squared bishop, but it also allows an immediate e4-e5 by White.} ({
Even though Black is fine in the ensuing position, I would be tempted to play} 
13... Bb7 {first, and then if} 14. Qe2 Nb4 {.}) 14. e5 Nfd5 15. Bxe7 Qxe7 16.
Be4 ({Instead, I think White does better with} 16. Nxd5 Nxd5 17. Qd2 Bb7 {
which looks about equal.}) {Vukovic spots an idea to cause Black trouble, but
Poluljahov comes up with a neat resource.} 16... Bb7 17. exd6 Qxd6 18. a3 {
EXERCISE: The knight on b4 is attacked and the d5-knight is pinned. How does
Black solve his problems?---} {ANSWER:} Qc7 $1 {
This simple retreat untangles the knights.} (18... f5 {was also possible}) ({
while} 18... Qxf4 {is riskier but also seems playable, e.g.} 19. Qe1 $1 Ne3 20.
g3 Qxe4 $1 21. Nxe4 Nbxc2 22. Qe2 Bxe4 23. Rac1 f5 $1 {.}) 19. Qc1 $6 ({If} 19.
axb4 {then} Nxc3 20. bxc3 Bxe4 {regains the piece and leaves Black with better
pieces and pawns. But even if White doesn't do this, Black will enjoy an edge
due to his stronger structure.}) 19... Nxc3 20. Bxb7 Qxb7 21. axb4 Nd5 22. c3 {
This is a classic Sicilian gone wrong for White. He no longer has a whiff of
an attack on the kingside, and is left only with the weaknesses caused by the
pawn advances.} Rfd8 (22... Rac8 $1 {, exploiting White's poor decision on
move 19, is much stronger. The only way to protect both f4 and b4 is by} 23.
Qd2 {but then} Rfd8 $1 {
keeps up the pressure and Black is definitely better here.}) 23. Rd1 Qc7 24.
Rd4 a5 {Poluljahov eliminates his only weakness. The problem for White is that
it's extremely difficult to ever completely eliminate his own kingside
weaknesses (since the move f4-f2 is illegal!). Having said that, White isn't
significantly worse in this position, especially as the rooks are soon
exchanged.} 25. bxa5 Rxa5 26. Rxa5 Qxa5 27. h3 Nf6 28. Kh2 Rxd4 29. Nxd4 Nd5
30. f5 $6 {White tries to rid himself of his weak f-pawn, but this only leads
to bigger problems. Judging from the sudden end to the game, I suspect Vukovic
was in severe time trouble here.} e5 $1 {
This passed pawn suddenly becomes very strong.} 31. Nf3 $6 Qc7 $1 32. Kh1 e4
33. Nd4 {. --- I'm pretty sure Vukovic lost on time in this position. Although
White's position is extremely difficult, it's certainly not yet resignable.}
0-1

[Event "Kavala"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Alexandridis, V."]
[Black "Miladinovic, I."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "44"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be2 a6 7. O-O Nf6 8. a3
{With this little move, White prevents all ...Bb4 possibilities before doing
anything else. White is again trying to steer the position into a Scheveningen
Variation, but Black can still play Taimanov-style.} ({QUESTION: If Black does
decide on a Scheveningen set-up, won't the a2-a3 advance be a waste of a
tempo? --- ANSWER: Not really. It's true that there are some critical lines
White can no longer play, the obvious example being a2-a4 lines. However,
there are plenty of lines where the a2-a3 advance is useful. For example,} 8.
a3 Be7 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 d6 11. Qe1 ({or} 11. Kh1 {. In these positions Black
normally plays ...b5 sooner or later, and then White's a3-pawn holds back the ...b4 advance. Of course these lines are perfectly okay for Scheveningen
players, but in this book it's the Taimanov way or no way!})) ({QUESTION: Is
it worth White avoiding any ...Nxd4 problems by taking on c6? Then he can play
f2-f4 without fearing the pin on the diagonal. --- ANSWER:} 8. Nxc6 {
is occasionally played. After} bxc6 $1 {White can at least continue} 9. f4 $1 {
in order to answer} d5 {with} 10. e5 Nd7 {. Even so, it's widely accepted that
Black's newly strengthened centre gives him a comfortable position. An example:
} 11. Kh1 Be7 12. Qe1 O-O 13. Qg3 f5 $5 (13... f6 $5) 14. Na4 ({
I prefer Black after} 14. exf6 Nxf6 15. Bf3 Bd6 {
, L.Galego-B.Damljanovic, Mondariz 1997}) 14... c5 15. c4 d4 16. Bd2 Bb7 17. b3
a5 18. Nb2 Nb8 19. Bf3 Nc6 {
and Black is fine, L.Galego-K.Spraggett, Lisbon 1998.}) 8... Nxd4 {
We've seen this idea before, against 8 Kh1 (Szelag-Beshukov).} 9. Qxd4 Bd6 $1 {
This move underlines the flexibility of the Sicilian Taimanov. We've seen the
bishop developed to b4, c5, e7, and now d6! Black gains time by attacking the
h2-pawn, exploiting the fact that White's most desirable response, f2-f4, is
impossible at the moment. It doesn't matter that the bishop blocks the d-pawn,
especially since Black plans to develop his other bishop on b7.} ({
QUESTION: Can Black play} 9... Bc5 {
just like in the 8 Kh1 line? --- ANSWER: Yes, this is fine too. After} 10. Qd3
b5 11. Kh1 ({if White plays} 11. Bf3 {instead, Black just needs to avoid} Bb7
$6 ({and instead choose} 11... Rb8 $1) 12. e5 $1) 11... Bb7 12. f4 h5 $5 {
it is very similar to Szelag-Beshukov, except White has committed to a2-a3
quite early.}) 10. g3 {Assuming that f2-f4 isn't possible, White typically has
three ways to meet the threat to the h2-pawn. The one chosen here is probably
the worst option, and Miladinovic demonstrates why later in the game.} ({
First, though, let's take a brief look at other moves: ---} 10. Kh1 $1 {
. QUESTION: Why the exclamation mark?} -- ({. ANSWER: This king move is
frequently the most desirable way to meet the threat to the h2-pawn. It may
still be taken, but as it's no longer check White has time to trap the bishop
with g2-g3 - after} 10... Bxh2 $2 11. g3 Bxg3 12. fxg3 Qxg3 13. Qe3 {
Black has no attack and White's extra piece is worth more than three pawns.}) (
{. Furthermore, the king move means that White is ready to advance with f2-f4.
In view of this, Black plays} 10... Be5 $1 {. He won't be able to prevent
f2-f4, but will be ready to take on c3 when it arrives. After} 11. Qd3 {
Black must decide how to develop his light-squared bishop:} -- (11... b5 {
feels the most natural, but White has a sneaky trick:} 12. Nxb5 $1 axb5 13. f4
{(there's no longer a knight to capture!)} Bd6 14. e5 Be7 15. exf6 Bxf6 16. f5
{, S.Grigoriants-A.Kogan, Montreal 2000. White has regained the piece and has
a slightly better position.}) (11... b6 $5 {prevents White's tactic. There's
no obligation for Black to always play ...b5; sometimes one square is just as
good.} 12. f4 ({or} 12. Be3 Bb7 13. Bd4 Bxd4 14. Qxd4 e5 $5 15. Qe3 O-O 16.
Rad1 b5 17. Rd2 Bc6 18. Rfd1 Rfe8 19. Bf3 a5 $1 {again with good counterplay,
D.Lintchevski-A.Smirnov, St Petersburg 2006; notice that Black has employed
yet another pawn structure here, fixing the centre to make White's remaining
bishop bad}) 12... Bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb7 14. e5 Ne4 15. Bf3 Nc5 {
and Black is fine, R.Slobodjan-M.Preuschoff, German League 1992.}))) (10. h3 b5
{(there's no need to play ...Be5 until White threatens f2-f4, which he does
next move)} 11. Be3 Bh2+ 12. Kh1 Be5 13. Qd3 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Bb7 15. Bf3 O-O 16.
Rfe1 d5 17. exd5 Nxd5 {and again Black is doing well, M.Martic-H.Teske,
Wattens 1998. --- QUESTION: Why did Black flick in 11...Bh2+ before going to
e5? --- ANSWER: Black often has to make a decision on this in-between check.
Teske felt that White's king was slightly worse on h1 than on g1, and looking
at the position after 17...Nxd5, he was right.}) 10... b5 {
EXERCISE: Can you see a tactical possibility for White here?} ({If Black wants
to rule out the following tactical possibility, he can simply play} 10... Be5
11. Qd3 {and only now} b5 {, e.g.} 12. f4 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Bb7 14. e5 Ne4 {
with a nice position, A.Bradvarevic-M.Matulovic, Sochi 1966. Here we see a
potential problem with White's decision to play 10 g3. Once Black's bishop
reaches b7 and White advances his e-pawn to e5, there could easily be some
worries for White down the fully opened long diagonal.}) 11. Bf3 ({
ANSWER: White can play} 11. Bxb5 $5 {, since} axb5 $2 ({
the tactic only works here because after the infinitely stronger} 11... Be5 $1
{White has the resource} 12. Qa4 $1 {; I have a feeling that Miladinovic
allowed the possibility, because Black gets quite good compensation here}) 12.
Nxb5 {regains the piece with two extra pawns and a huge advantage. This is an
appropriate place to note that Black must always be very wary of possible
tactics on the b5-square, especially when he plays ...Bd6.}) 11... Bb7 12. Qd3
Rc8 ({The immediate} 12... Be5 {also looks good.}) 13. Re1 ({
I feel that White should play} 13. Be3 {here, to answer} Be5 {with} 14. Bd4 {.}
) 13... Be5 14. Bd2 {EXERCISE: Find a strong plan for Black. ---} {ANSWER:} h5
$1 {An excellent move by Miladinovic, which demonstrates another potential
problem with White's g2-g3 move. Black plans ...h4, activating the h8-rook and
weakening White's king position. This isn't the first time we've seen the
h8-rook becoming active without Black castling (remember Szelag-Beshukov?).
Taimanov players should always be looking out for these possibilities.} ({
An alternative plan for Black is} 14... O-O 15. Bg2 Rfd8 {, intending ...d5.})
15. Bg2 {White will fight fire with fire, by arranging f2-f4.} ({
Let's look at what might happen if White tries to keep the h-file closed: ---} 
15. h4 {succeeds in doing so, but only at the cost of weakening the g4-square.
Black could even play the immediate} Ng4 {, threatening ...Bxg3. If} 16. Bxg4
hxg4 {Black's light-squared bishop will begin to fancy its chances of causing
havoc on the long diagonal, e.g.} 17. Qe2 O-O 18. Qxg4 f5 $1 19. exf5 Rxf5 {
with a huge attack for Black.}) (15. h3 h4 16. g4 {also keeps it closed on the
kingside, but again White must accept a weakness. This time it's the f4-square.
--- EXERCISE: Can you find a manoeuvre which Black should be considering,
either now or at some moment? (Hint: Where would Black's knight most like to
be?) ---} {ANSWER: Black should consider increasing his grip on the kingside
dark squares, by manoeuvring his knight. This could even be done immediately,
e.g.} Nh7 $1 17. Rad1 Nf8 $1 18. Bg2 Ng6 $1 {.}) 15... h4 $1 {
Miladinovic presses on, unafraid of White's possibility of f2-f4 and e4-e5.}
16. f4 Bd6 $1 17. b4 $2 {White obviously wanted to prevent checks on c5, but
Black has many other active ideas and 17 b4 only creates more weaknesses.} ({
The critical move here is} 17. e5 {. Black gains a clear advantage after} Bc5+
18. Be3 (18. Kf1 $2 Ng4 $1) 18... Ng4 $1 (18... Bxg2 19. exf6) 19. Bxb7 Bxe3+
20. Rxe3 Qxb7 21. Re2 hxg3 22. Qxg3 Nh6 $1 23. Ne4 Nf5 {
, but White is still kicking.}) 17... hxg3 18. hxg3 Ng4 $1 19. Kf1 Rh2 20. Qe2
{EXERCISE: Find a strong move for Black. ---} {ANSWER:} f5 $1 {This pawn advance increases the pressure on White's position, which is almost at breaking
point. If White sits, Black might even play ...g5! next. Instead Alexandridis
tries something desperate:} 21. Nd5 $5 Qc4 $1 {Efficient and accurate play by
Miladinovic. There's no flashy checkmate for Black, but White's position
collapses after the queens are exchanged.} ({
There was certainly no need to go into} 21... exd5 22. exf5+ $1 {.}) 22. Ne3 ({
Or} 22. Nb6 Qxe2+ 23. Rxe2 Rxc2 {.}) 22... Nxe3+ ({After} 22... Nxe3+ 23. Bxe3
Bxe4 24. Qxc4 Rxc4 25. Bxe4 fxe4 {Black will win a second pawn and keep a
dominating position. --- In summary, 8 a3 is innocuous and Black has more than
one way of reaching a good position.}) 0-1

[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2008.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Polivanov, A."]
[Black "Geller, J."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2008.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Be2 ({
The note to Black's 9th move, below, demonstrates one reason why White's a2-a3
is challenging only with the particular move order of the game. Let's consider
White playing a2-a3 a move earlier. After} 7. a3 b5 8. Nxc6 {
Black now has the option of} Qxc6 $1 {, because the black knight isn't yet on
f6 and so the sting is taken from the e4-e5 advance. This position is
comfortable for Black, who can delay the knight's develop until it is most
convenient, e.g.} 9. Be2 Bb7 10. Bf3 Qc7 11. O-O Bd6 $1 ({
it's still too early for} 11... Nf6 $2 {, because of} 12. e5 $1) 12. g3 {
and now either} Nf6 ({or even} 12... Ne7 {.})) 7... Nf6 8. a3 $5 {Beware! This
move is far more dangerous than it looks. I even suggested it as a weapon for
White in 'Dangerous Weapons: The Sicilian'. --- QUESTION: Wait a minute! In
the previous game you called 8 a3 "innocuous" and yet here you claim it's
"dangerous"! Why the difference? --- ANSWER: Generally speaking, a very early
a2-a3 advance should never strike fear into a Sicilian Taimanov player. After
all, to prevent ...Bb4 White is spending a tempo in an opening where time is
seen as precious. This particular position, however, can be viewed as an
exception to the rule, because certain factors add up to make the idea much
more challenging than normal.} ({Firstly, even though we are focusing on
Taimanov lines here, it's worth noting that if Black chooses to adopt a
Scheveningen set-up, White has more options than normal because he has played
Be3 instead of 0-0. This allows him the possibility after} 8. a3 {
to castle long and to choose violent lines such as} Be7 ({or} 8... d6 9. g4 $5)
9. f4 d6 10. g4 $5 {.}) ({QUESTION: So how does it affect Black's Taimanov
options? --- ANSWER: Black has fewer options than in our previous game, or at
least fewer good options. With White's bishop already on e3, ...Nxd4
possibilities are less desirable. For example,} 8. a3 Nxd4 9. Bxd4 ({or just} 
9. Qxd4 {as ...Bc5 is no longer possible}) 9... Bd6 10. Qd3 {
(in contrast to the previous game, there is no threat to h2)} b5 11. Rd1 Be5
12. Bxe5 Qxe5 {(T.Lematschko-A.Salvetti, Swiss League 1999) and here I feel
White can keep some advantage with the logical} 13. O-O Bb7 14. f4 Qc5+ 15. Kh1
O-O 16. e5 Nd5 17. Ne4 {.}) ({
Another typical Taimanov plan is ...Ne5-c4, but after} 8. a3 {
this also seems to be pleasant for White:} Ne5 $5 9. f4 Nc4 {
and now, instead of trading on c4, I'm in favour of} 10. Bc1 $1 {. White aims
to prove that, far from being a strength on c4, the knight is actually a
liability. For example,} d6 {(otherwise e4-e5)} 11. Qd3 b5 $6 12. a4 $1 {
and Black's position is falling apart, K.Lahno-L.Javakhishvili, Port Marly
2011. --- Fortunately for Black, there is a Taimanov option which is reliable,
and this what Geller chooses here.}) 8... b5 {With ...Bb4 ruled out, ...b5 is
a natural alternative plan for Black. --- EXERCISE: White could either castle
here or exchange knights on c6. Which do you think is the best option? ---} {
ANSWER:} 9. Nxc6 $1 {Polivanov follows a useful guideline in Sicilian
positions: as soon as Black plays ...b5, exchange knights on c6. White is
exploiting a small window of opportunity to leave Black with the fewest
possible options for recapture. Black can no longer recapture towards the
centre with the b-pawn, and the bishop hasn't yet reached b7 to allow ...Bxc6.}
({For this very reason} 9. O-O {is less accurate, and after} Bb7 $1 10. Nxc6 ({
if White instead tries} 10. f4 {, Black can strike in typical Taimanov style:}
Bc5 $1 {puts White's centre under pressure; Black intends to meet} 11. e5 {with
} Qb6 $1 {when the variations favour him: for example,} 12. exf6 Bxd4 13. Bxd4
Nxd4 14. fxg7 Rg8 15. Kh1 Rxg7 {with a clear advantage to Black, M.Massoni-Y.Vovk, Calvi 2005 - this sort of piece play by Black (10...Bc5!, 11...Qb6!)
often succeeds when White handles the opening inaccurately}) 10... Bxc6 $1 {
Black's development is harmonious and his position is comfortable.}) 9... dxc6
$1 {In fact, for "fewest", read "one"! Black is forced to capture away from
the centre and make the pawn structure symmetrical again.} (9... Qxc6 $2 {
is not a good idea, in view of} 10. e5 $1 Nd5 11. Nxd5 exd5 {
which is clearly not what Black wants.}) 10. f4 {White could castle first, but
there is nothing to gain by delaying this natural move, preparing e4-e5.} Bb7 {
This is a natural response by Black. The bishop will be activated by ...c5,
and ...Rd8 is coming too.} ({
The alternative strategy is to fight back in the centre with} 10... e5 {
, to gain space and prevent White from making the advance himself. White's
best chance is probably to open the position and try to exploit the lead in
development, e.g.} 11. fxe5 Qxe5 12. Bd4 $1 Qe6 13. O-O Be7 14. e5 Ng4 15. Bf3
O-O 16. Qe2 {with a slight edge for White, Y.Dembo-B.Munguntuul, Antakya 2010.}
) 11. O-O ({The immediate} 11. e5 {
leads to similar play to the main game. For example,} Rd8 12. Bd3 Nd7 13. Qg4
$1 {(forcing Black to deal with the defence of g7 before he can develop his
f8-bishop)} c5 14. O-O g6 $1 15. Qh3 Be7 16. Qg3 ({or} 16. Rad1 O-O 17. Qg3 c4
18. Be2 Nc5) 16... c4 $1 17. Be4 Nc5 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. Rad1 O-O 20. Qf2 Qc6 {
with level chances, V.Minchev-J.Moucka, correspondence 2008.}) ({It's worth playing through a crushing win for White in this line, to show just what White is
aiming for and what Black needs to avoid:} 11. Bf3 c5 12. O-O Be7 13. e5 Rd8
14. Qe2 Nd5 (14... Nd7 {should be met by} 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. f5 $1) 15. Nxd5
Bxd5 16. Bxd5 exd5 $6 (16... Rxd5 $1 17. a4 $1 {
keeps White's advantage to a minimum}) 17. a4 d4 18. Bd2 Qc6 19. f5 $1 {
(White's kingside pawn majority is tremendously powerful)} c4 20. Qg4 g6 21.
axb5 axb5 22. e6 $1 {with a decisive attack for White, V.Belikov-S.Gasanov,
Czestochowa 1992. The game concluded} Qd5 23. exf7+ Qxf7 24. f6 Bc5 25. Bh6 d3+
26. Kh1 d2 27. Qe4+ Kd7 28. Qb7+ Ke6 29. Rae1+ dxe1=R 30. Rxe1+ Be3 31. Rxe3+
Kf5 32. Qf3# {.}) ({QUESTION: What else can Black play against} 11. Bf3 {
? --- ANSWER: Well, the plan with} e5 $5 {looks more logical than before,
because Black seems better equipped to deal with the position opening up, e.g.}
12. fxe5 ({White can also meet 11...e5 by} 12. f5 {
planning g2-g4, and g5 if possible; after} Rd8 13. Qe2 c5 14. g4 $5 {
Black should slow down White's play with} h6 $1) 12... Rd8 $1 13. Qc1 Qxe5 14.
Bf4 Qd4 $1 {. This is an example of how a slight change in a position (...Bb7
by Black and Bf3 by White) can alter the assessment of a particular plan.})
11... Rd8 $1 {
EXERCISE: Decide on what Black should play if White chooses 12 Bd3 here.} ({
For reasons we'll see in the next note, 11...Rd8 is more forcing than} 11...
Be7 {, which would give White the option after} 12. e5 Rd8 {of playing} 13. Bd3
{,} ({as well as} 13. Qe1 {.})) 12. Qe1 {
A good stepping stone for the queen. From here she is ready to jump out to g3.}
({ANSWER: We saw Bd3 as a response to ...Rd8 in the note on 11 e5, above, but
the difference with} 12. Bd3 {is that Black's knight isn't attacked. This
means Black can seize the initiative with} c5 $1 {, intending to meet} 13. e5 {
with} c4 $1 14. exf6 cxd3 15. cxd3 gxf6 {
followed by ...Rg8 with excellent counterplay.}) 12... Be7 (12... c5 {
is also possible, and might transpose since ...c5 is always in Black's plans.})
{With 12...Be7 Black decides to complete his kingside development first.} 13.
e5 {EXERCISE: Black now faces a tricky decision, as two moves look reasonable.
Weigh up the pros and cons of 13...Nd5 and 13...Nd7.} Nd7 $1 {White has more
space and e4 is a good square for the knight, but in contrast to the positions
after 13...Nd5 it's not entirely clear what his best plan is. Crucially, Black
has a straightforward plan to improve his position by advancing with ...c5
followed by ...c4 and/or ...b4. My feeling is that Black is okay here, as long
as he is careful of course.} ({ANSWER: I think that Geller made the right
choice here. Initially it might appear that 13...Nd7 looks more passive than
13...Nd5, and it might seem like a good idea to exchange knights. But
crucially the knight retreat makes it much more difficult for White to make
effective progress. The problem for Black after} 13... Nd5 14. Nxd5 $1 {
is that none of the recaptures are particularly appealing, for various reasons:
} -- ({. I chose} 14... Rxd5 {
(B.Green-J.Emms, London League 2006), but didn't really like my position after}
15. Qg3 g6 16. c4 $1 {(an obvious and good pawn break for White)} bxc4 17. Bxc4
Rd7 18. b4 $1 {. One problem for Black here is that} O-O {is met strongly by}
19. f5 $1 {.}) (14... cxd5 {is passive and rather depressing for Black, e.g.}
15. c3 Bc5 ({or} 15... O-O 16. Bd3 Bc5 17. Bd4 $1 Qb6 18. Qe3 Bxd4 19. cxd4 {
- I'm sure this was not the sort of life Black's b7-bishop was envisaging
after ...b5}) 16. Bd4 $1 {(preventing ...d4, and killing the b7-bishop)} O-O
17. Qd2 Rc8 18. Bd3 f6 19. exf6 Rxf6 20. Qe3 Qb6 21. b4 Bxd4 22. cxd4 Qd6 23.
g3 {with a classic good versus bad bishop situation, A.Brkic-J.Geller, Dresden
2007. No doubt this earlier experience persuaded Geller to change his opinion
and choose 13...Nd7 in our current game.}) (14... exd5 {is more ambitious - at
least now Black can think about a pawn roller with ...c5, ...d4 etc.
Unfortunately for him, the absence of an e6-pawn makes his kingside less
secure, and after} 15. Qg3 $1 O-O 16. f5 {
threats are beginning to loom. Black can defend with} f6 {
but only at the cost of allowing a protected passed pawn on the sixth rank with
} 17. e6 $1 {.})) 14. a4 {With this move Polivanov attempts to stall the ...c5
advance. --- QUESTION: What happens if White just focuses on the kingside,
where he has the space advantage?} ({ANSWER: It does seem logical to avoid
contact on the queenside, where Black is quite strong, and instead concentrate
on the kingside. However, it's not especially easy for White to make progress
on the kingside. Black is solid there and it's difficult to arrange an
effective f4-f5 break with so much pressure on the e5-pawn.} 14. Qg3 O-O 15.
Rae1 c5 $1 16. Bf3 Bxf3 17. Rxf3 Qc6 $1 {(preventing Ne4)} 18. f5 exf5 19. Rxf5
b4 $1 20. Ne2 bxa3 21. bxa3 {(D.Baramidze-Z.Ribli, Austrian League 2006) is a
good example of Black's defensive resources. White has managed to play f4-f5,
but Black still has no kingside weaknesses and White will have to watch his
e-pawn. The chances are roughly equal.}) (14. Ne4 {
is another enticing option for White:} c5 $1 {(again this move)} 15. Bf3 O-O
16. a4 $5 Bd5 (16... b4 $1 {is also okay,}) ({but Black should avoid} 16... c4
$2 17. axb5 axb5 18. Ra7 $1) 17. axb5 axb5 18. b3 Qb7 ({or} 18... Qc6 19. Bf2
c4) 19. Bf2 Ra8 {, R.Antoniewski-E.Hermansson, Obro 2006. Again Black's
queenside counterplay offers him a full share of the chances.}) 14... O-O 15.
Qf2 b4 {This is necessary if Black wants to play ...c5.} 16. Ne4 c5 17. Bf3 ({
An earlier game went} 17. Nd2 Nb6 18. Nc4 Nd5 ({or} 18... Bd5 $5 19. Nd6 f6 $1
{intending} 20. Bxc5 Nc8 $1 21. Qe3 Nxd6 22. exd6 Bxd6 23. Bxd6 Rxd6 {- Macieja
}) 19. Bd2 Nb6 {with an equal position, B.Socko-B.Macieja, Krakow 2006.}) 17...
Bd5 18. Nd2 Nb6 19. Bxd5 Nxd5 20. Nc4 Nb6 $1 {QUESTION: Both knights looked
strong. Why does Black want to exchange them? --- ANSWER: Polivanov's earlier
14 a4 meant that Geller had to cede some control of the c4-square with ...b4,
so that he could play ...c5. With 20...Nb6! he is scrapping for the square
again.} 21. Qe2 Nxc4 22. Qxc4 Qc6 $1 {A strong move, for two reasons: -- 1.
The queen hits the a4-pawn and so Rd1 is prevented for at least one move. -- 2.
The black queen patrols the light squares, so she complements Black's
remaining bishop which controls the other colour.} 23. c3 $6 {
White runs into trouble after this move.} (23. b3 {
is safer, although Black is fine after} Rd5 24. Rad1 Rfd8 {.}) 23... Rb8 $1 24.
Rfc1 $6 bxc3 25. Qxc3 Qe4 $1 {Advantage Black! Once again in the Sicilian,
White's long-term weaknesses on the kingside come back to haunt him.} 26. Re1
Rfd8 $1 27. Bxc5 Bxc5+ 28. Qxc5 Qxf4 29. Rf1 Qd4+ $1 30. Qxd4 Rxd4 {In view of
White's pawn weaknesses, Black has excellent chances to win this double rook
ending.} 31. Rfd1 Re4 $1 32. a5 ({Or} 32. Rd6 h5 $1 33. Rxa6 Rxb2 {
and the rooks double on the seventh rank.}) 32... g5 33. Ra2 Re2 34. Kf1 Rbxb2
35. Rxb2 Rxb2 36. Rd6 Rb5 37. Rxa6 Rxe5 38. Ra8+ Kg7 39. a6 Ra5 $1 {The rook is
ideally placed - behind White's passed pawn. Geller wins by advancing
carefully on the kingside, using his pawns to shield his king from potential
checks.} 40. Ke2 Ra2+ 41. Kf3 h5 42. h3 h4 43. Ra7 Kf6 44. Ra8 Kf5 45. a7 Ra3+
46. Kf2 e5 47. Ke2 e4 48. Kd2 Kf4 49. Ke2 Ra2+ 50. Kd1 f6 51. Kc1 Kg3 $1 52.
Kb1 Ra6 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "3. White plays Be3 and Bd3"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "14"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Bd3 {
. In this chapter we'll study another popular option for White, the set-up
with Be3 and Bd3. --- QUESTION: How does this differ from Be3 and Be2 lines?
--- ANSWER: One of the key differences is that White offers greater protection
to the e4-pawn, the defence of which often caused him problems in the previous
two chapters. --- Since the e4-pawn is better protected, it makes less sense
for Black to play as in Chapters 1 and 2, with 7...Nf6 8 0-0 Bb4, which would
rather justify White's decision. Instead Black should choose a plan which is
more appropriate against Bd3. In fact, Black has several good options against
6 Be3 and 7 Bd3, but the one I've chosen to focus on in this chapter is 7...b5,
plus the very closely related and transpositional 7...Nf6 8 0-0 b5. We've
already seen, for example in Polivanov-Geller, that ...b5 is sometimes played
early on, and it's considered to be a reliable choice against the Be3/Bd3
set-up. --- Without further ado, let's move on to the first game.} -- (7... --
{Key Notes: -- 1. An effective way for Black to meet the 6 Be3/7 Bd3 set-up is
with a quick ...b5. Black often gets activity and pressure down the long a8-h1
diagonal, to a certain extent because White can't easily oppose bishops on the
diagonal with his light-squared bishop on d3 rather than e2. -- 2. Mrdja-Kogan
is an excellent example of how Black can seize the initiative if White plays
too deliberately. 10...h5! was the star move to begin Black's attack on
White's king. -- 3. Taimanov's plan of 10...Nxd4!, 11...Bc5! and 13...b4! in
Stuerzenbaum-Taimanov is a typical one to free Black's position. 15...e5!, to
fix White's e-pawn, is another key idea. -- 4. In the main line, Polgar's 11...h5!? (Hracek-Polgar) is ambitious and thematic, whereas 11...Be7
(Fressinet-Rublevsky) is the more solid alternative. -- 5. The 7...b5 and 7...Nf6 8 0-0 b5 move orders usually transpose, but in a few lines there are some
subtle differences between the two (see Cabrera Trujillo-Macieja).}) *

[Event "Cannes"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Mrdja, M."]
[Black "Kogan, A."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "50"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3 a6 7. Bd3 b5 8. O-O
{White keeps the tension in the centre for the moment, castles and gets ready
to play for f2-f4.} ({The main move,} 8. Nxc6 {, is covered in later games.})
8... Bb7 {EXERCISE: Find a good move for Black if White chooses 9 f4 here. Try
to work out some variations.} 9. Kh1 ({ANSWER: The immediate} 9. f4 {
can be answered strongly by} Bc5 $1 {. This demonstrates a weakness of Bd3 in
comparison to Be2: the e4-pawn may be better protected, but the d4-knight
certainly isn't! This pin on the a7-g1 diagonal can prove to be a powerful
weapon for Black and very awkward for White to meet. Let's look at a few
possible variations, which demonstrate some key ideas:} 10. -- (10. Be2 $4 {
doesn't solve the problem at all:} Qb6 $1 {
intensifies the pressure on the knight and White can't avoid losing a piece.})
(10. Nce2 {does safeguard the knight, but at a cost of going backwards. Black
is fine here, e.g.} Nf6 11. c3 Ng4 12. Bc1 O-O 13. Kh1 e5 $1 {
, O.Skage-B.Macieja, Tromsoe 2007.}) ({. Congratulations if you found} 10. Nf5
$5 {, a tricky resource for White. This idea is actually seen in a few
Taimanov lines. Instead of trading on e3, Black can still win a piece with} Qb6
$1 11. Nxg7+ ({if} 11. Nd6+ Ke7 $1) 11... Kf8 12. Bxc5+ Qxc5+ 13. Kh1 Kxg7 {
, I.Tarasov-A.Poluljahov, Orel 1997. In similar lines White sometimes has good
compensation in view of Black's weak king, but here it looks insufficient.}) (
10. Qg4 $5 {, hitting g7, is another resource worth remembering, and in fact
this might even be the best of White's options here. The following game is
entertaining:} Qb6 $5 11. Nxc6 (11. Qxg7 Bxd4 12. Qxh8 $1 Bxe3+ 13. Kh1 O-O-O {
is unclear}) 11... Bxe3+ 12. Kh1 Bxc6 $5 13. Qxg7 Bd4 14. e5 Qb7 15. Rg1 O-O-O
16. Qxh8 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Nh6 18. Qxh7 Rg8 19. Bf1 Rg6 $1 {
(incarcerating the queen)} 20. a4 Kc7 $1 21. axb5 axb5 22. Qh8 Nf5 23. Re1 $2
Rh6 24. Qg8 Qb8 (24... Qa8 $1 {is even stronger!}) 25. Qxb8+ Kxb8 26. Re3 Nxe3
{and Black won, R.Baxter-M.Franklin, Tel Aviv Olympiad 1964.})) 9... Nf6 {
EXERCISE: Find a good response for Black to 10 f4.} 10. a3 ({ANSWER: Mrdja's 9
Kh1 was a prophylactic measure against ...Bc5. Since ...Bxe3 no longer comes
with check,} 10. f4 Bc5 $2 {is no longer an awkward pin. In fact it's just a
blunder now, walking into a discovered attack with} 11. Ndxb5 $1 {.}) ({
However, Black can still seize the initiative after} 10. f4 {. Kogan's previous
move, 9...Nf6, added pressure to the e4-pawn, and this can be increased to win
the pawn by} b4 $1 {. After} 11. Na4 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Nxe4 13. Qe2 Nc5 $1 14. Nxc5
Bxc5 {(M.Voigt-V.Jansa, Hamburg 1995)} 15. Bxg7 $2 {walks into} Rg8 {so White has no real compensation for the loss of his centre pawn. This line explains
why Mrdja spent another tempo on a prophylactic move, 10 a3, to prevent ...b4.
The problem is that it's all a bit slow. In the meantime Kogan has played two
useful moves in ...Bb7 and ...Nf6, and now he seizes the initiative, Taimanov
style!}) 10... h5 $1 {Threatening ...Ng4, and of course h2-h3 doesn't stop it!
Mrdja decides to hold back with the f-pawn for the moment in order to prevent
the knight coming in.} 11. f3 {EXERCISE: How can Black follow up his previous
move now that ...Ng4 is prevented? ---} ({
The alternative plan for White here is} 11. f4 {
so that the bishop can retreat to g1 after} Ng4 12. Bg1 {. --- EXERCISE: Can
you see a creative way for Black to continue his activity on the kingside? ---
ANSWER:} g5 $1 {, exploiting the fact that the g1-bishop is overworked, seizes
the initiative on the kingside. Black has been very successful from this
position. For example:} 13. -- (13. Be2 gxf4 14. Bxg4 hxg4 15. Qxg4 O-O-O 16.
Nxc6 Bxc6 17. Rad1 Bd6 18. h3 f5 $1 19. Qe2 (19. exf5 Rdg8) 19... Be5 20. Bd4
Bxd4 21. Rxd4 Qe5 22. Rfd1 Rdg8 23. R1d2 Rg3 {
0-1, A.Zozulia-S.Ganguly, Canberra 2008 - a crushing win for Black.}) (13. Nxc6
dxc6 14. Bd4 (14. fxg5 Bc5 15. Rf3 $1 {looks a better try}) 14... f6 15. e5
O-O-O 16. Bg1 c5 17. Qe1 f5 18. b3 gxf4 19. a4 Nxe5 20. Bxb5 axb5 21. Nxb5 Qg7
{0-1, G.Antunac-B.Kurajica, Yugoslavia 1967.})) {ANSWER:} 11... h4 $1 {
An excellent response by Kogan. The role of Black's h-pawn isn't just to
support a possible ...Ng4; it also gets involved in the action itself. Black's
strategy includes ...h3, weakening the defences around White's king. Notice
that 9 Kh1 put the white king in the line of fire of the b7-bishop. For the
moment there are a lot of bodies between them, but this changes in a few moves.
} 12. Qd2 ({QUESTION: Should White block the h-pawn's advance by playing} 12.
h3 {? --- ANSWER: This would often be a sensible idea. But in this particular
situation, with White already having played f2-f3, it would leave a big hole
on g3. While it's true that this could be covered after} Nh5 13. Nce2 {
, in the long term the weakness is clearly undesirable for White. Even so,
judging by what happens to White in the game, 12 h3 might have been the lesser
evil.}) 12... Ne5 $1 {Another typical Sicilian Taimanov idea, and an effective
one in this position. The b7-bishop is uncovered, and the knight can hop into
c4 to force White to trade one of his bishops.} 13. Rae1 ({If} 13. f4 Nc4 14.
Bxc4 Qxc4 {and Black's light-squared bishop is getting stronger by the move.
It becomes even stronger after} 15. e5 h3 $1 {.}) 13... Rc8 14. Nde2 h3 $1 {
Here it comes! White has no choice but to advance. Exchanging pawns would only
succeed in creating more weaknesses and activating Black's h8-rook.} 15. g4 {
EXERCISE: How should Black continue? ---} {ANSWER:} d5 $1 {The only really
logical follow-up to 14...h3. Kogan chips away at White's pawn shield on the
long diagonal, and White's king is beginning to feel the presence of the
bishop on b7. Kogan correctly judges that his own king on e8 will not suffer,
certainly not as much as White's, when the position opens up.} 16. exd5 Nxd5
17. Nxd5 $2 (17. Ne4 {, trying to block the diagonal, looks more resilient.})
17... Bxd5 18. Nd4 Bc5 $1 {Finally the dark-squared bishop develops, and with
an immediate threat to take on d4 and then f3 drops.} 19. Kg1 Rh4 $5 {
Adding more fuel to the fire.} ({Black could have cashed in with} 19... Bxd4
20. Bxd4 Nxf3+ 21. Rxf3 Bxf3 22. Qg5 {, but it's understandable that Kogan
didn't want to release the pressure, even for some material.}) ({
Rybka likes simply} 19... O-O {followed by ...Rfd8 with enormous pressure on
White's position. Of course with the temptation to use the rook on the h-file
being so strong, it's sometimes easy to forget that castling is still a good
option!}) 20. Be2 Qb7 21. Kf2 Bc4 $1 {
A clever idea, threatening to sacrifice on g4 and then ...Qg2 mate.} 22. Kg3 (
22. Rd1 $1 {, vacating e1 for the king, looks wiser.}) 22... Be7 (22... Be7 {
renews the threat:} 23. -- Rxg4+ $1 24. fxg4 Qg2+ 25. Kf4 Ng6# {.}) ({
However, Rybka shows that the immediate} 22... Rxg4+ $1 {also works:} 23. fxg4
Qg2+ 24. Kh4 Bxd4 25. Bxd4 Rd8 $1 {
and White is in big trouble despite the extra rook.}) 23. Rd1 Qc7 24. f4 Bxe2
25. Qxe2 Nxg4 {. There's no immediate win for Black, and White could fight on
for a while, but Black has just won a key pawn and White's king is still all
over the place. --- A very nice game by Kogan, and a good example of how Black
can grab the initiative when White's build-up play is too pedestrian.} 0-1

[Event "World Senior Ch., Bad Zwischenahn"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Stuerzenbaum, A."]
[Black "Taimanov, M."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 {
It's Taimanov, playing the Sicilian Taimanov!} 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 ({
The actual game followed an unusual move order, with} 6. f4 a6 7. Nxc6 Qxc6 8.
Bd3 Bc5 ({the main move,} 8... b5 {, is covered in Chapter Five}) 9. Qe2 b5 10.
Be3 Bb7 11. O-O b4 12. Nd1 Nf6 13. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 14. Nf2 O-O 15. Kh1 {
. I've altered it here so that we can study lines specific to 6 Be3 a6 7 Bd3.})
6... a6 7. Bd3 b5 8. O-O Bb7 9. Qe2 $1 {QUESTION: Why the exclamation mark?} ({
ANSWER: In the previous game we looked at} 9. Kh1 Nf6 10. a3 h5 $1 {. The queen
move to e2 has more purpose, because it both takes the sting out of ...Bc5
ideas and indirectly defends the e4-pawn. In effect, 9 Qe2 is trying to do the
combined jobs of Kh1 and a2-a3, thus aiming to save time in preparation for
f2-f4.}) 9... Nf6 10. f4 {White is now ready to play e4-e5. Black could
prevent the advance with 10...d6, but this would lead to a Scheveningen, and
quite an active-looking one for White. --- EXERCISE: Look at possible
"Taimanov" ways for Black to react, and decide on the best option. ---} ({
If White waits with} 10. Kh1 {, Black has a number of options. Here are two:}
-- ({. As before,} 10... h5 $5 {is interesting, e.g.} 11. f4 ({or} 11. Nxc6
Bxc6 12. Bd4 h4 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 Bd6 {
with level chances, J.Zezulkin-O.Gritsak, Swidnica 1999}) 11... Ng4 $5 12. Bg1
Nxd4 ({or} 12... g5 $5 {again, although with a queen on e2 White can play} 13.
Nxc6 Bxc6 14. Nd5 $1) 13. Bxd4 Bc5 14. Bxc5 (14. Bxg7 $2 Rg8) 14... Qxc5 15. e5
Qe3 16. Qxe3 Nxe3 17. Rf2 f5 18. Re2 Nd5 19. Nxd5 Bxd5 {
with a level position, R.Felgaer-F.El Debs, Sao Paulo 2006.}) (10... Bb4 11. a4
Bxc3 12. bxc3 Nxd4 13. cxd4 Nxe4 14. axb5 axb5 15. Rxa8+ Bxa8 16. Bxb5 O-O {
, again with a level position, V.Topalov-J.Benjamin, Groningen 1993.})) {
ANSWER:} 10... Nxd4 $1 {Black enters a forcing sequence, exchanging two pairs
of minor pieces to ease his position. This idea is another typical resource in
the Taimanov, and worth remembering.} ({Two alternatives: ---} 10... b4 11. Nd1
Nxd4 12. Bxd4 {shows how 9 Qe2 safeguards the e4-pawn. After} Qc6 13. Nf2 Be7
14. Rae1 {White is well coordinated and a bit better, S.Gligoric-A.Giustolisi,
Madrid 1960.}) (10... Nb4 11. a3 $1 Nxd3 12. cxd3 {. Black has forced the
exchange of White's light-squared bishop, but at a cost: -- 1. White's centre
has been strengthened. -- 2. Black has lost time and is behind in development.
-- 3. White may use the fully opened c-file. --- White is better here, e.g.} d6
13. a4 $1 b4 14. Na2 Qd7 15. Rac1 Qxa4 16. Rc7 Bc8 17. b3 Qa5 18. Rfc1 {
with a near-decisive initiative, A.Motylev-B.Savchenko, Moscow 2008.}) 11. Bxd4
Bc5 $1 12. Bxc5 ({Black can always hope for} 12. Qe3 $4 Ng4 $1 {.}) 12... Qxc5+
13. Kh1 {EXERCISE: Should Black attack the knight with 13...b4 or keep this
move in reserve? ---} {ANSWER:} b4 $1 {Black is often faced with this type of
decision in Sicilian positions. In this situation 13...b4 is a good idea,
because the knight's temporary retreat (14 Na4? Qc6! wins a pawn) buys Black
some time - enough to consolidate his position. More concretely, White was
ready to advance with e4-e5, which would give White's knight access to an
outpost on e4. 12...b4 kicks the knight away before this happens.} ({
For this reason, Black should avoid} 13... O-O $6 14. e5 Nd5 15. Ne4 $1 {
when White's attacking options include Ng5, Nd6, Qh5 and f4-f5.}) (13... d6 {
is better than 13...0-0, but White can still play} 14. e5 $1 {. After} dxe5 15.
fxe5 Nd7 $1 ({now Black should definitely avoid} 15... Nd5 $4 16. Ne4 $1) 16.
Rae1 {another typical Sicilian situation arises. The position has opened up
with White gaining attacking chances, but on the other hand the e5-pawn is a
permanent weakness. Black should play} O-O $1 {.} (16... b4 $2 {
is now too late. White gives up the pawn because the initiative is worth more:}
17. Ne4 $1 Qxe5 18. Qd2 $1 Qc7 19. Qxb4 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Nb6 21. a4 Ra7 22. a5 Nc8
23. Qa4+ Ke7 24. Qh4+ Ke8 25. Qd4 Kf8 26. Rxe6 {
and White soon won, H.Pesch-J.Eising, Bad Pyrmont 1961.}) {
Here White can win a pawn with the little combination} 17. Bxh7+ Kxh7 18. Qd3+
Kg8 19. Qxd7 Bc6 {, but Black gains some compensation because of his strong
bishop. Even so, 13...b4! is the best choice.}) 14. Nd1 {EXERCISE: Does Black
need to guard against e4-e5? --- With 14 Nd1 White intends to get the knight
back into action via f2, after which he will be ready to continue with his
kingside action.} (14. Nb1 {is very similar, this time the knight rejoining
the action via d2. Black has more than one good way to respond:} -- (14... d5
15. e5 Ne4 $1 {(this knight jump is only possible because of 13...b4)} 16. Nd2
Nxd2 17. Qxd2 g6 $1 ({to prevent the f5 break;} 17... O-O 18. f5 $1 exf5 19.
Rxf5 {favours White, R.Forster-B.Larsen, Zürich 1998}) 18. Rae1 a5 $1 {
(to exchange bishops)} 19. Rf3 Ba6 20. a3 Bxd3 21. Rxd3 Rc8 {
with level chances, E.Vorobiov-G.Vescovi Moscow 2002.}) (14... d6 {. --- QUESTION: Isn't the position now like a Scheveningen? --- ANSWER: Yes it is.
Sicilian Taimanov players tend to be flexible, and if the best decision is to
adopt a Scheveningen structure with ...d6 they won't avoid it just because
they are "Taimanov players". --- In the Taimanov, Black often plays ...d6 a
bit later on, like here, after one or two pairs of minor pieces have been
exchanged. In comparison to the Scheveningen proper, these exchanges usually
ease Black's defensive task. Notice also that in comparison to the note on 13...d6, above, White's attack is slower because he has to get his knight back
into the game.} 15. Nd2 O-O 16. e5 dxe5 17. fxe5 Nd7 18. Rae1 {reached a typical Scheveningen-type position, offering level chances, E.Wiersma-F.Nijboer,
Netherlands League 1998. The game concluded} Qe7 19. Nc4 Rad8 20. Rf4 g6 21.
Na5 (21. Nd6 $2 Nxe5 $1) 21... Bd5 22. Nb3 a5 $1 23. Bc4 $2 {(missing a tactic)
} Qg5 $1 24. Rg4 Qxe5 $1 25. Nxa5 $2 Bxc4 26. Nxc4 Qxe2 27. Rxe2 Nf6 $1 {
and White resigned. Black kingside structure is super-solid, and White's
attack is always hampered to some extent by the weakness of the e5-pawn.}))
14... O-O $1 ({ANSWER to Exercise: No, he doesn't, and this shows the
advantage of pushing the knight back with 13 ...b4. After} 14... O-O 15. e5 $6
Nd5 {a key difference is that Ne4 isn't available to White, and it won't be
for the foreseeable future given that Nf2 leaves the f4-pawn hanging. If White
continues aggressively with} 16. f5 exf5 17. Bxf5 {then} Rae8 $1 {highlights
e temporary disharmony in White's camp caused by the backward knight.} 18. Bxd7
Re7 19. Bh3 Qc7 {regains the pawn, with some advantage to Black.}) ({
Black could also play} 14... d5) ({or} 14... d6 {
, with similar play to 14 Nb1 d5 (or 14...d6).}) 15. Nf2 e5 $1 {We've seen
k employing this idea before. Once the dark-squared bishops are exchanged,
Black stifles White's remaining bishop by fixing the e4-pawn.} 16. Ng4 $2 {
EXERCISE: Black's next move is virtually forced, but try to find a strong
follow-up to it.---} ({16 Ng4 looks tempting, and is consistent with White's
previous play, but White clearly overlooked Taimanov's response. A wiser
option for White is} 16. fxe5 Qxe5 {and only now} 17. Ng4 {. After} Nxg4 18.
Qxg4 Bc6 19. b3 {the position is roughly equal. Black will play ...a5 and ...Rae8, and the pressure against the e4-pawn will always promise him enough
counterplay.}) ({Setting up a pawn wedge with} 16. f5 {, intending g2-g4-g5,
is more ambitious but probably too optimistic. With a ...d5 counter in the
centre impossible to prevent, Black should welcome such misplaced optimism by
White! A possible continuation is} a5 17. g4 d5 $1 ({or} 17... h6 {first}) 18.
g5 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Bxe4 Bxe4+ 21. Qxe4 Rac8 {with an edge for Black. In
this type of position White's king is always weaker than Black's.}) {ANSWER:}
16... Nxg4 17. Qxg4 f5 $1 {An excellent move by Taimanov. White might have
been dreaming of some initiative on the kingside, but after 17...f5! it's
Black who seizes the initiative.} 18. Qe2 {
EXERCISE: How does Black secure his advantage after 18 Qe2? ---} ({If} 18. exf5
{there follows} e4 $1 19. Be2 d5 $1 {. Black may temporarily be a pawn down,
but his powerful centre pawns promise him a clear advantage. For example,} 20.
Rac1 d4 21. b3 Rxf5 22. Bc4+ Kh8 23. h3 Raf8 24. Qh4 Qd6 25. Rcd1 e3 26. Bd3 {
(N.Sedlak-D.Stojanovic, Subotica 2000) and here} Qg6 $1 27. Rg1 Rh5 $1 {
would have won for Black. White could have defended better in this example,
but even so he is still struggling against Black's mighty centre pawns.}) {
ANSWER:} 18... fxe4 $1 19. Bxe4 d5 $1 {18 Qe2 made no real difference - Black
still gets his powerful pawns in the centre.} 20. Bf3 e4 21. Bg4 Rf6 22. Bd7 $2
{White wants to get his poor bishop back into the game, via a4 and b3, but
this is too slow to have any chance of success. Besides, it allows Black to
win a pawn with a double attack.} ({It's not easy to suggest a way forward for
White here, but maybe he should try to distract Black with something like} 22.
a3 {.}) 22... Qd6 23. Ba4 Rxf4 24. Rxf4 Qxf4 25. Rf1 Qd6 26. Bb3 Rf8 $1 27. Rd1
Qe5 28. h3 $2 (28. Qe3 {
, preventing Black's next move, puts up more resistance.}) 28... e3 $1 29. c3
$2 bxc3 30. bxc3 Rf2 $1 {Now Black wins easily.} 31. Qd3 Kf8 32. Re1 Qg5 33.
Rg1 d4 {. The first time the long diagonal has been completely open to g2, and
it's immediately decisive!} 0-1

[Event "Istanbul Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2000.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hracek, Z."]
[Black "Polgar, J."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2000.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 {
The Sicilian Taimanov is one of Judit Polgar's favourite defences to 1 e4.} 5.
Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Bd3 b5 8. Nxc6 {The main line. White follows the
guideline "As soon as Black plays ...b5, exchange knights on c6". This way
Black's recapturing options are limited...} Qxc6 $1 {
...but Black can capture with the queen!} 9. O-O {
QUESTION: Does White ever castle queenside in this line?} ({ANSWER: Hardly
ever. His set-up isn't really conducive to queenside castling, and if White
wants to do so it's much better to choose the more direct 7 Qd2 (see Chapter
Four). Something like} 9. Qd2 Bb7 10. O-O-O b4 $1 11. Ne2 Nf6 12. f3 Bc5 {
looks nice for Black. My feeling is that his attack on the queenside will
arrive before White's does on the other wing.}) 9... Bb7 10. a3 {Once again,
White prevents Black from kicking the knight away. Some alternatives are
discussed in Cabrera Trujillo-Macieja.} Nf6 (10... Ne7 $5 {used to be popular,
but is hardly seen these days. I'm not exactly sure why - it looks like a
decent alternative for Black. One of the ideas is to meet} 11. f4 {with} Nf5 $1
12. Bf2 Bc5 {.}) 11. Qe2 {We are following the main line. Just as in the
previous game, before playing f2-f4 White improves the position of his queen.}
({Let's take a quick look at some other possibilities: ---} 11. f4 Bc5 {
(choosing the same plan as in our previous game)} 12. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 13. Kh1 d6 {
(again we see Black adopting a Scheveningen set-up, now that two sets of minor
pieces have been exchanged)} 14. Qe1 O-O 15. Qh4 Qh5 $5 16. Qxh5 Nxh5 17. e5
dxe5 18. fxe5 Rad8 19. Rad1 f5 20. exf6 Nxf6 {
with a level ending, V.Baklan-A.Istratescu, Baile Tusnad 2005.}) (11. Qf3 Bd6
$5 {. As usual with ...Bd6, Black's plan involves ...Be5. ---} {
EXERCISE: Find a tactical idea for Black against} 12. Bd4 {.} ({. ANSWER: If} 
12. Bd4 {Black has the tactic} Bxh2+ $1 13. Kxh2 Qd6+ {forking king and bishop.
This isn't the end, though, as White can keep his extra piece with} 14. e5 {
. However, after} Qxd4 15. Qxb7 Qh4+ 16. Kg1 Ng4 $1 17. Rfe1 (17. Qxa8+ $4 Ke7
{wins}) 17... Qxf2+ 18. Kh1 Qh4+ 19. Kg1 {
Black has at least a perpetual check, and could consider playing on with} O-O
$5 {.}) ({. Let's return to the position after 11...Bd6, and see how Kramnik
treated this variation as Black:} 12. Bf4 O-O 13. Rfe1 Bxf4 14. Qxf4 d6 {
(once again, two pairs of minor pieces off -and Black plays ...d6!)} 15. Re3
Nd7 ({I prefer} 15... Qc5 {, keeping the knight on f6 for the moment}) 16. Qh4
Ne5 17. Nd5 $5 ({the lack of minor pieces means that White's attack on the
kingside is less threatening than it might initially look: for example, White
could try} 17. Rh3 $5 h6 18. f4 Ng6 19. Qg4 {
(Shipov), but this position is genuinely unclear after} b4 20. Ne2 bxa3 21.
bxa3 Rab8) 17... Ng6 $1 18. Ne7+ Nxe7 19. Qxe7 Rae8 20. Qg5 Qc5 21. Qxc5 dxc5 {
was equal, and soon drawn, in P.Leko-V.Kramnik, Dortmund 2005.})) (11. Re1 Bd6
$5 ({the Scheveningen set-up with} 11... Be7 12. Qf3 d6 {
has scored well for Black,}) ({and} 11... h5 $5 {is another option}) 12. Bd4 $1
e5 $1 ({this time} 12... Bxh2+ {fails, to} 13. Kxh2 Qd6+ 14. e5) 13. Be3 Bc5
14. Qf3 Bxe3 15. Rxe3 Qc5 16. Qf5 Kf8 $1 ({avoiding} 16... O-O 17. Nd5 $1 Bxd5
18. exd5 d6 $2 19. Rg3 Kh8 20. Rxg7 $1) 17. Rg3 h6 18. h4 d6 19. h5 Rg8 20. Re1
Re8 21. Qf3 {, B.Macieja-V.Anand, New Delhi 2000. White couldn't get anything
going on the kingside, despite Black moving his king.}) 11... h5 $5 {
Polgar plays the same ambitious idea we saw in Mrdja-Kogan.} ({
If Black is looking for something safer, then} 11... Be7 {
is a good option and this move is covered in the next game.}) ({
QUESTION: Even though White has played a2-a3, can Black still play} 11... b4 {
here? --- ANSWER: In general, ...b4 is less attractive once White plays a2-a3.
There are some exceptions, but usually the opening of the a-file for the white
rook is more significant than Black's active bishop development to b4. Here} 12.
axb4 Bxb4 13. Ra4 a5 (13... Bxc3 14. Rc4 $1) 14. Bb5 Qc7 15. Bd4 e5 16. Nd5
Nxd5 17. exd5 f6 {(A.Fernandez-B.Martinez, Cardenas 2002)} 18. f4 $1 {
is better for White.}) 12. f4 $5 {The alternative is to prevent ...Ng4, and
White has tried both ways of doing so.} ({
Here are some possible continuations: ---} 12. h3 Rc8 13. f4 Bc5 14. Kh1 $6 {
. --- EXERCISE: Find a good move for Black. ---} ({
White should have saved time with} 14. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 15. Qf2 {
, with level chances.}) {ANSWER:} 14... h4 $1 {, with the simple plan of ...Nh5, exploits the hole on g3 and secures excellent counterplay. For example,}
15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Qf2 {(a clear sign that 14 Kh1 was a mistake)} d6 17. Rae1
Qxf2 18. Rxf2 Ke7 19. Kh2 Nd7 $1 {
(intending to activate the knight, either by ...Nc5 or ...Nb6-c4)} 20. Ne2 e5 {
(fixing White's e-pawn)} 21. Ref1 f6 {with an edge for Black, I.Teran
Alvarez-K.Spraggett, Dos Hermanas 2001. This edge increased after the
impatient} 22. g4 $2 {resulted only in more weaknesses for White, and after}
hxg3+ 23. Nxg3 g6 24. Ne2 Rh6 25. Rg1 Nc5 26. Nc3 Ne6 27. Ne2 Rch8 28. Rg3 Bc8
$1 {Black won a pawn and eventually the game.}) (12. f3 Bd6 (12... Qc7 13. Bd4
Bc5 14. Qe3 d6 {
looks solid enough for Black, M.Parligras-J.Trescastro Julia, Barcelona 2005})
13. Bd4 h4 $5 14. e5 Bc5 15. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 16. Rf2 Nh5 17. Be4 Ng3 $5 18. hxg3 (
18. Qd3 Nxe4 19. Nxe4 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 Rd8 {looks equal}) 18... hxg3 19. Bxb7
gxf2+ ({Rybka suggests} 19... f5 $5 {with the idea} 20. exf6 $4 Rh1+ $3 {
and mate in four!}) 20. Qxf2 Rh1+ 21. Kxh1 Qxf2 22. Bxa8 Qxc2 {with an unclear
ending, perhaps slightly better for Black, H.Saldano Dayer-A.Strikovic,
Granada 2007.}) 12... Ng4 {This is consistent, the move everyone has played,
and certainly the most enticing option for Black. But it's not only option.} ({
I quite like} 12... Bc5 $5 {as an alternative, especially in view of White's
probable improvement later on in our main game. A typical continuation could
be} 13. Bxc5 ({if} 13. h3 {then} h4 $1) 13... Qxc5+ 14. Kh1 {
. --- EXERCISE: Find a way for Black to continue. --- ANSWER:} h4 $1 {
is a key point: the pawn advance can be strong even if White hasn't played
h2-h3. With or without h2-h3, Black still threatens ...Nh5-g3, and ...h3 is
also a major possibility.} 15. Qf2 Rc8 16. Qxc5 Rxc5 17. Rae1 Nh5 $1 18. Rf3 ({
the threat was} 18. -- Ng3+ $1 19. hxg3 hxg3+ 20. Kg1 Rch5 {and mate on h1})
18... g5 19. fxg5 Rxg5 20. Ree3 f5 21. Ne2 Rhg8 22. Rf2 Nf6 $1 23. h3 Nxe4 {
and Black won in M.Kokkonen-P.Harju, correspondence 1965.}) 13. Bd2 Bc5+ 14.
Kh1 Bd4 (14... Qb6 15. Nd1 (15. h3 $5) 15... d5 (15... Qd8 $5) 16. b4 (16. e5
$1 {looks better}) 16... Bd4 17. c3 dxe4 $1 18. Bxe4 Bf6 19. Bxb7 Qxb7 {
was roughly level in M.Listmangof-E.Urjubdshzirov, St Petersburg 2006.}) 15.
Rae1 {
EXERCISE: Polgar castles next move. Which side do you think she chose? ---} ({
In a later game, White came up with a major improvement which casts some doubt
on Black's position:} 15. a4 $1 b4 (15... Qb6 $5) 16. Nd5 $1 Nf2+ $2 (16... a5
$5) 17. Rxf2 Bxf2 18. Qxf2 exd5 19. exd5 Qd6 ({if} 19... Qxd5 $2 {then} 20.
Re1+ {and Be4}) 20. Qd4 {, when White's initiative outweighed Black's small
material advantage in V.Kotronias-P.Cramling, Gibraltar 2003. It's interesting,
though, that Pia Cramling - another Sicilian Taimanov specialist - has played
11...h5 since this game, so she obviously believes in the line.}) {ANSWER:}
15... O-O-O $1 {Castling queenside clearly involves some risk, purely because
Black's king has only a little bit of pawn cover, but Polgar correctly
assesses that she will be able to generate sufficient counterplay on the
kingside.} ({Castling kingside would have inconsistent with Black's previous
play. This wouldn't necessarily matter if there were concrete reasons for
castling kingside at this moment - there are plenty of times when Black does
castle kingside even after ...h5. But here it's actually just a bad move:} 
15... O-O $2 16. h3 $1 Nf6 17. e5 Nd5 18. Qxh5 {is close to winning for White.}
) 16. Nd1 $6 {
Hracek seems strangely reluctant to attack Black's queenside in this game.} ({
Even though the rook has left the a1-square, White should still try} 16. a4 $1
{as suggested by Ribli. After the text move Polgar is able to seize the
initiative:}) 16... f5 $1 {A key move, striving to open up the long diagonal.
If Black succeeds, she will have two bishops and a queen pointing menacingly
in the direction of White's king.} 17. Ba5 ({White can grab a pawn with} 17.
exf5 exf5 18. Bxf5 {, but then} Rhe8 $1 {is strong.}) 17... Rdf8 18. c3 Ba7 {
EXERCISE: White is about to make a critical decision with his e-pawn. Should
he advance to e5 or capture onf5?} 19. e5 $2 {ANSWER: This move kills any
possible play White had along the e-file. With the centre completely blocked,
Polgar can do virtually as she pleases on the kingside. It's difficult to
understand how a strong grandmaster such as Hracek could make this decision.
Probably it was just a bad day at the office for him. --- EXERCISE After 19 e5
decide on the best way for Black to begin her attack on the kingside. ---} (19.
exf5 $1 exf5 {
at least gives White chances to create some threats down the open e-file.}) {
ANSWER:} 19... g5 $1 {Clearly an open g-file would help Black's attack
enormously, and Polgar realizes that this desirable pawn thrust requires no
preparation.} 20. c4 (20. fxg5 Nxe5 $1 {is the idea behind Polgar's move - the
knight cannot be captured due to the mate threat on g2. After} 21. Bc2 h4 $1
22. h3 Rfg8 {White has no good defence to Black simply capturing on g5 and
piling up the pressure on the g2-pawn. Instead Hracek tries to open up the
queenside, but it's too little too late.}) 20... bxc4 21. Bxc4 gxf4 22. Rf3 ({
If} 22. Rxf4 {then} Rfg8 $1 {and ...Nxe5 is coming.}) 22... Rhg8 23. b4 Nxe5 $1
{With the capture of this pawn, White's position collapses.} 24. Qxe5 Qxc4 25.
Nb2 Bxf3 $1 {A simple tactic to win the game.} 26. gxf3 ({If} 26. Nxc4 {then}
Bxg2# {.}) 26... Qc2 {. There is no good defence to ...Qg2 mate.} 0-1

[Event "Aeroflot Open, Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2003.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Fressinet, L."]
[Black "Rublevsky, S."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2003.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 {Russian GM Sergei
Rublevsky is a Sicilian Taimanov expert. He usually plays the 5...a6 move
order rather than 5...Qc7.} 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bd3 Qc7 8. O-O b5 {QUESTION: Black
has played ...Nf6 earlier than normal. Is it likely to transpose to the main
line? --- ANSWER: Yes it is. In fact, many Sicilian Taimanov players choose
the move order 5...Qc7 6 Be3 a6 7 Bd3 Nf6 8 0-0 and only now 8...b5. This
virtually always leads to a transposition.} 9. Nxc6 Qxc6 10. a3 ({
If White plays} 10. e5 {instead of 10 a3, Black simply replies} Bb7 $1 {
. This is a key point, which justifies Black's plan of answering the Bd3 line
with ...b5. In general, Black can recapture on c6 with the queen because
White's bishop is less able to harass the queen on d3 than on e2, when Bf3
becomes possible. Compare this with Polivanov-Geller, where 9...Qxc6 would
have been a blunder. Black is fine here, e.g.} 11. f3 Nd5 (11... Bc5 {
is also okay}) 12. Be4 Nxc3 13. Bxc6 Nxd1 14. Bxb7 Nxe3 15. Bxa8 Nxf1 16. Kxf1
Bc5 17. c3 Ke7 {and the series of captures has led to an equal position, C.Zuidema-M.Matulovic, Hamburg 1965.}) 10... Bb7 {
Now we've transposed directly to the previous game.} 11. Qe2 Be7 ({
This is less ambitious but also safer than Polgar's} 11... h5 {.}) ({QUESTION: 
How about developing the bishop more actively, as we've seen before, with} 
11... Bc5 {? If White trades bishops, the f-pawn is pinned so f2-f4 is delayed.
--- ANSWER: In a strange way, the f-pawn being pinned is actually a problem
for Black! After 11...Bc5?!} 12. Bxc5 Qxc5 {, the key point here is that the
queen isn't giving check on c5, and this gives White time to seize the
advantage with} 13. e5 $1 Qc6 (13... Nd5 $2 14. Ne4 {and Nd6+}) 14. f4 Nd5 15.
Ne4 {. It's because of this and similar lines that Black normally waits for
f2-f4 before playing ...Bc5.}) 12. f4 O-O {QUESTION: Is 11...Be7 really safer
than 11...h5? It looks like Black is walking into a kingside attack! ---
ANSWER: If you haven't seen this line before, it does seem a little scary. But
this is an old line, and Black's defensive resources have been known for a
long time. As long as Black knows what he is doing, he doesn't have a great
deal to fear.} 13. e5 {
The obvious continuation, and by far the most common choice for White.} ({
Let's look at a few alternatives: ---} 13. Qf3 Bc5 $1 14. Kh1 ({if} 14. Bxc5
Qxc5+ 15. Kh1 {then} e5 $1) 14... Rac8 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. Qg3 {
. EXERCISE: White is ready to play e4-e5. What should Black do? ANSWER:} d6 {
is playable,} ({but safer and stronger is} 16... d5 $1 {
. If Black's knight had to retreat to d7 after} 17. e5 {
this would favour White, but here Black's knight can jump into e4:} Ne4 $1 18.
Qe1 f5 19. Ne2 d4 $1 {. Black was more active and had the edge in A.Khalifman-V.Salov, Wijk aan Zee 1994.})) (13. Bd4 Bc5 14. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 15. Kh1 d6
$1 ({this time} 15... d5 {is less desirable, since after} 16. e5 {
the knight must retreat to d7}) 16. e5 dxe5 17. fxe5 Nd7 {and now:} 18. -- (18.
Bxh7+ Kxh7 19. Qd3+ {is a combination we've seen before in a similar position,
(in the notes to Stuerzenbaum-Taimanov), and after} Kg8 20. Qxd7 {Black has compensation for the pawn because of his monster bishop. In this particular
position, he has his own combination:} Bxg2+ $1 21. Kxg2 Rad8 22. Qb7 Rd2+ 23.
Kf3 $1 {(all other moves lose)} Qxe5 {
when his attack is definitely worth the piece.}) (18. Rae1 Rae8 $5 ({
intending ...f5; instead} 18... Qe7 19. Qh5 h6 20. Be4 Bxe4 21. Nxe4 f5 22.
exf6 Nxf6 23. Qe2 Nxe4 24. Qxe4 Rxf1+ 25. Rxf1 Rd8 {
is equal, T.Dvorak-J.Bernasek, Litomysl 1997}) 19. Bxh7+ Kxh7 20. Qd3+ Kg8 21.
Qxd7 Bc6 22. Qd2 Rd8 23. Qf2 Qc4 {
with good compensation for the pawn, U.Atakisi-G.Sax, Chalkidiki 2002.})) ({
Finally, it's definitely worth noting that if} 13. Rae1 {
Black has the cheeky pawn grab} Bxa3 $1 {
. White can maintain material equilibrium with} 14. Nxb5 $1 {, but after} axb5
15. Bxb5 Qc7 ({or} 15... Qxe4) 16. bxa3 Nxe4 {White's centre has disappeared
and Black is at least equal, if not better, K.Jedryczka-A.Hnydiuk, Krynica
1997.}) 13... Nd5 14. Nxd5 $1 ({QUESTION: Why didn't Fressinet play} 14. Ne4 {
here? --- ANSWER: Ne4 is less effective here, with Black's e7-bishop still on
the board patrolling the dark squares, not to mention the knight on d5 hitting
the bishop on e3. Black has more than one way to reach a decent position, e.g.}
f5 ({or} 14... Nxe3 15. Qxe3 f5 16. exf6 Bxf6) 15. exf6 Nxf6 {.}) 14... Qxd5
15. Rad1 ({White has a major alternative with} 15. c4 bxc4 16. Bxc4 Qc6 17.
Rac1 {. --- QUESTION: This looks a little uncomfortable for Black. What does
he do about his queen? --- ANSWER: This is all old theory, and Black is okay
as long as he knows it. The only downside is that there are very few winning
chances for Black. The key move here is} Bc5 $1 {forcing the exchange of
bishops and so giving the queen some more squares. The main line runs} 18. Bxc5
Qxc5+ 19. Qf2 ({if} 19. Kh1 Rac8) 19... Qxf2+ 20. Rxf2 {
and now another key move:} Rfb8 $1 {, first played by Taimanov expert Semkov.
--- Black uses all his forces against White's queenside pawn majority. He
plans ...Bc6 and ...a5, either gaining pressure down the b-file or forcing a
pawn exchange if White plays b2-b4, leaving White's remaining pawn vulnerable.
Another idea is to bring the king to e7 and then to break with ...f6. For
example:} 21. -- (21. Rd2 Bc6 22. Bf1 ({or} 22. Kf2 Kf8 23. Rc3 {
, E.Ermenkov-S.Semkov, Sofia 1989, and now just} Ke7 ({or} 23... a5)) 22... a5
$1 23. g3 Kf8 24. Bg2 Bxg2 25. Kxg2 Ra7 {with an equal position, M.Mueller-J.Emms, German League 2003. The game concluded} 26. Rc4 Ke7 27. b4 Rb5 28. Rb2
axb4 29. axb4 f6 ({
I could have possibly made things slightly uncomfortable for White with} 29...
Ra4 30. Kf3 f6 $1 31. exf6+ gxf6) 30. exf6+ gxf6 31. Rc8 Kf7 32. Rh8 Kg6 33. g4
Rab7 34. Rg8+ Kf7 35. Rh8 Kg7 36. Rd8 d5 37. f5 e5 38. Kg3 h5 39. h3 Kh6 (39...
d4 $5) 40. Rh8+ Kg7 41. Rd8 Rxb4 {and a draw was agreed.}) (21. b4 Bc6 22. f5
a5 $1 {(now White wins a pawn, but only temporarily)} 23. fxe6 fxe6 24. Bxe6+
dxe6 25. Rxc6 axb4 26. axb4 Ra1+ 27. Rf1 Rxf1+ 28. Kxf1 Rxb4 29. Rxe6 Rb5 30.
Kf2 Kf7 31. Ra6 {½-½, K.Landa-P.Tregubov, Novokuznetsk 2008.})) 15... Qc6 {
White's position looks harmonious and he has a straightforward plan of attack.
However, Black has many defensive resources, and the power of the queen and
bishop battery on the long open diagonal can never be overestimated.} 16. f5 {
EXERCISE: This is a critical moment. Try to work out the best way to deal with
White's pawn advance.---} {ANSWER:} f6 $1 {Rublevsky fights back on the
kingside. Black certainly doesn't want to allow f5-f6, and Rublevsky correctly
judges that Black will benefit from the position opening up.} 17. c4 {
Fressinet increases the tension.} ({
Let's look at some possible variations if White trades pawns: ---} 17. fxe6
fxe5 $1 18. Rxf8+ Rxf8 {leaves White with a problem, since} 19. exd7 ({
Rybka shows how White can get out of jail:} 19. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 20. Rxd7 Bc5 21.
Qh5+ Kg8 22. Rxg7+ $1 Kxg7 23. Qh6+ Kg8 24. Qg6+ {and it's perpetual check}) {
is met by} 19... e4 $1 {trapping the bishop.}) (17. exf6 Bxf6 18. fxe6 Rae8 $5
(18... Qxe6 {looks equal}) 19. Rxf6 $5 ({Black's idea was} 19. exd7 Rxe3) 19...
Rxf6 20. exd7 Rd8 21. Qg4 Rf7 22. Bxh7+ $1 Kxh7 23. Qh4+ Kg6 $1 24. Qg5+ Kh7
25. Qh4+ $1 {and again it's perpetual check.}) 17... bxc4 18. Bxc4 Kh8 19. fxe6
dxe6 20. exf6 Rxf6 {EXERCISE: Assess both recaptures by Black after 21 Rxf6.
--- Rublevsky has managed to free his position with the exchanges. The
concession for doing so is an isolated e-pawn, but Black still possesses the
counterbalancing advantage of the strong queen and bishop battery.} 21. Rxf6
gxf6 $1 {ANSWER: Rublevsky creates another imbalance in the position. At the
cost of a slight weakening to his king, Black: -- 1. Opens the g-file, ready
for ...Rg8 to hit White's soft spot on g2. -- 2. Gives some strength to his
e-pawn, which will be protected if it advances to e5.} (21... Bxf6 {
is solid, although perhaps very slightly better for White after} 22. b4 {.})
22. Bf4 $1 {Fressinet hurries to deal with the ...Rg8 threat, with the bishop
ready to block the g-file. The downside is that Black can now create
possibilities on the a7-g1 diagonal.} Rg8 23. Bg3 Rd8 $1 24. Rxd8+ Bxd8 25. Kh1
({Fressinet declines to take on e6, which is perfectly understandable given
that White is walking on a tightrope dealing with all Black's threats. For
example,} 25. Bxe6 Bb6+ 26. Kh1 $1 Qc1+ 27. Be1 Qc5 $1 28. Qf1 Qe5 29. Bc4 Qxb2
30. Bxa6 Bxa6 31. Qxa6 Qd4 32. Qf1 Qa1 $1 33. Qe2 $1 Ba5 34. Qe8+ Kg7 35. Qd7+
{. White survives and once again it's perpetual check.}) 25... Bb6 26. b3 Bd4 {
Preparing ...e5.} ({The immediate} 26... e5 $2 {runs into} 27. Bxe5 $1 {.}) 27.
Bf4 ({Again Fressinet is reluctant to take the e-pawn. After} 27. Bxe6 Qc1+ 28.
Qe1 Qb2 {White can parry the mate threat with} 29. Bh3 {after which} Qxb3 30.
Qe8+ Qg8 31. Qe7 Qc4 {is another draw.}) 27... e5 $1 28. Bg3 a5 29. Bh4 f5 30.
Qf3 $1 Kg7 $1 ({If} 30... Qxf3 $4 {White doesn't walk into a mate in one with}
31. gxf3 $4 ({but instead provides a mirror-image mate with} 31. Bf6# $1) 31...
Bxf3# {.}) ({In the final position after Rublevsky's} 30... Kg7 {, Black's game
is the more comfortable of the two. His pieces are well coordinated and the f- and e-pawns have become a strength rather than a weakness. --- In conclusion,
11...Be7 is solid and a good option for Black if you prefer to play more
"classically", as long as you remember the old theory and that White's
initiative is not as threatening as it looks.}) 1/2-1/2

[Event "Spanish League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Cabrera Trujillo, J."]
[Black "Macieja, B."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be3 a6 7. Bd3 b5 ({
Black can avoid the possibility for White on move 9 (see below), if he wishes
by adopting the} 7... Nf6 8. O-O b5 {move order, when} 9. Nxc6 Qxc6 10. e5 Bb7
$1 {works for Black, as we saw in our previous game.}) ({
If Black chooses the move order} 7... Nf6 8. O-O b5 {after} 9. Nxc6 Qxc6 10. f3
{there's a very subtle difference with our main game. Black can play as there,
but delay the development of his light-squared bishop. Crucially, the extra
tempo gained seems to allow Black to get sufficiently organized to be able to
answer a2-a4 with a more favourable ...b4. Let's see:} Bc5 11. Qe1 d6 $1 12.
Kh1 Bxe3 13. Qxe3 O-O $1 {. Compare this position to the one in our main game.
Here Black's pieces are better coordinated because he has already castled, and
this means the impact of a2-a4 is lessened. Black will likely play ...Bb7
sooner or later, but in some cases he might even develop the bishop elsewhere,
for example d7, or e6 (after ...e5). Here are some possible lines:} 14. -- (14.
a4 b4 15. Ne2 ({if} 15. Na2 {
Black can utilize the omission of ...Bb7 by protecting the b4-pawn with} Rb8 $1
) 15... Bb7 ({
only now does Black play ...Bb7, although there's also an argument for} 15...
e5 {and ...Be6}) 16. c3 Qc5 17. Qd2 bxc3 18. Nxc3 Rfd8 19. Rfc1 Qb4 20. a5 Bc6
21. Qe2 Qb7 22. Rab1 Nd7 23. b4 Ne5 24. Bc2 Rac8 {
with level chances, J.Subervi-Y.Quesada Perez, Mendes 2009.}) (14. Rfd1 Bb7 ({
or} 14... e5) 15. Qd4 Qc5 16. Qxc5 dxc5 17. a4 b4 18. Nb1 Nd7 19. Nd2 Ne5 20.
Be2 a5 21. Kg1 g5 {, again with an equal position, M.Carlsen-G.Kamsky,
Khanty-Mansiysk 2005. --- This is certainly something to consider when
deciding between the 7...b5 and 7...Nf6 8 0-0 b5 move orders.})) 8. Nxc6 Qxc6
9. O-O ({An interesting alternative which White can play against the 7...b5
move order is} 9. e5 $5 {. White takes the opportunity to advance the e-pawn
before Black can play ...Bb7, so that he can contest the long diagonal with
his own bishop - obviously there's already a threat of Be4. In this position 9.
..Bb7 and 9...Bb4 are both decent responses, and so is} f5 $5 {. For example:}
10. -- (10. exf6 Nxf6 11. Be2 Bb7 12. Bf3 Qc7 13. O-O Be7 14. Bxb7 Qxb7 15. Bd4
O-O 16. Qd3 Qc6 17. a3 Rac8 {
and Black is fine, M.Senff-W.Hendriks, German League 2003.}) (10. Be2 $5 Bb7
11. Bf3 Qc7 12. Bxb7 Qxb7 13. O-O Rc8 ({or} 13... Ne7) 14. a3 Ne7 {
looks okay for Black.} 15. Qh5+ Ng6 16. Ne2 Bc5 $5 17. Bxc5 Rxc5 {was played
O.Korneev-V.Lazarev, Assisi 2003. The grandmasters agreed to a draw at this
point; after} 18. Nf4 O-O 19. Nxg6 hxg6 20. Qxg6 Rxc2 {
if anything Black is better.})) 9... Bb7 (9... Nf6 $5 {
returns play to the notes to Black's 7th move, above.}) 10. Kh1 (10. Re1 Nf6
11. a3 ({instead} 11. Bd4 Be7 12. Qf3 b4 13. Nd1 d6 14. b3 O-O 15. Bb2 {
was J.Polgar-P.Leko, Dortmund 1996, and here Leko suggests simply} Rfe8 {
with an equal position}) 11... Bd6 $5 {
was covered in the notes to Hracek-Polgar.}) 10... Nf6 11. f3 {QUESTION: This
looks a little slow. What is White's idea with Kh1 and f2-f3? --- ANSWER:
White's strategy is not as toothless as it looks. Instead of playing actively
on the kingside, advancing with the usual f2-f4, White keeps it solid there.
He securely defends his e4-pawn and will seek activity by opening up the
queenside with a timely a2-a4. When we consider that in the main lines Black
gains considerable counterplay on the long diagonal, there's certainly some
logic behind blunting the queen and bishop battery with f2-f3.} Bc5 ({
A key alternative for Black is to keep the dark-squared bishops on the board
and play} 11... Qc7 {. --- QUESTION: Why move the queen again? --- ANSWER:
Generally speaking, if White blocks the diagonal with f2-f3, the queen isn't
so effective on c6, and c7 is a better square.} 12. Qd2 Be7 13. a4 b4 14. Ne2
O-O 15. Rfe1 {was played in J.Hector-P.Cramling, Malmo 2001.} ({In a later
between the same two players, Hector prevented Black's idea by playing} 15. Bf4
$1 {and after} Qa5 (15... Qc5 $5) (15... e5 $5) 16. Nd4 $1 Rfc8 17. Rfd1 Qd8
18. Qe1 d5 (18... Qb6 $5) 19. e5 Nd7 20. a5 {White had an edge in J.Hector-P.Cramling, Gothenburg 2006, although there are some possible improvements for
Black in this sequence.}) {The first game continued} 15... Rfc8 $6 ({
however, the immediate} 15... d5 $1 {
looks more accurate, as it doesn't give White time to deal with the idea:} 16.
e5 Ne4 $1 ({rather than} 16... Qxe5 $4 17. Bf4 Qh5 18. Ng3) {
, and again Black is fine as} 17. fxe4 dxe4 {regains the piece with advantage})
16. Rad1 $6 d5 $1 17. e5 Ne4 $1 {and Black gained the advantage.}) 12. Qe1 d6
13. a4 $1 {Here comes the key move in White's plan.} bxa4 $5 {Sometimes you
have to take the "necessary" option rather than the "desirable" one. Here
Macieja judges that his position is going to be okay even after ...bxa4.} ({
The problem with ...b4 is that the pawn might become vulnerable there, or
White might be able to grab the initiative by opening up the queenside. For
example:} 13... b4 14. Nd5 $1 Bxe3 15. Nxe3) ({or} 13... Bxe3 14. Qxe3 b4 15.
Na2 Qc5 16. Qe1 a5 17. c3 $1 bxc3 18. Bb5+ $1 Ke7 19. Nxc3 Rhd8 20. Rc1 Qb6 {
, D.Lima-J.Granda Zuniga, Evora 2008; although in this second case White has
only a very small advantage, and in fact Black was fine after the further} 21.
f4 Kf8 22. e5 Ng4 $1 {. --- QUESTION: Is there another way for Black to play
this line? --- ANSWER: Yes there is, but we need to go back quite a long way
to the notes to Black's 7th move!}) 14. Rxa4 (14. Bxc5 {looks more accurate.}
Qxc5 15. Nxa4 Qc7 16. Ra3 ({or} 16. b3 Nd7 17. f4 O-O 18. Qe3 Rfe8 {
, P.Weichhold-B.Macieja, Wroclaw 2011}) 16... O-O 17. Qc3 Bc6 18. Rfa1 Rfb8 {
was played in M.Carlsen-E.Paehtz, Lausanne 2005. This feels very slightly
better for White, and it probably is, but it's not especially easy for White
to focus his attack on the a6-pawn without allowing counterplay elsewhere.
Even Carlsen wasn't able to, and after} 19. b3 Qd7 (19... d5 $5) 20. Qd4 e5 21.
Qe3 Qb7 22. Nc3 a5 23. Bc4 Qb4 24. R3a2 g6 25. Kg1 Kg7 {
Black was by this stage fully equal.}) 14... Nd7 $1 {This position looks like
an improvement for Black over the previous note. Now after the exchange of
dark-squared bishops, the knight reaches a good square on the queenside and
Black can be fully satisfied with his position.} 15. Bxc5 Nxc5 16. Rd4 O-O 17.
e5 Nxd3 18. Rxd3 dxe5 19. Qxe5 Qb6 20. Qd6 Qxd6 21. Rxd6 Rfc8 22. Kg1 Bc6 {
This position can only be described as equal, but Macieja keeps plugging away
and eventually his persistence is rewarded.} 23. Ra1 a5 24. Ra2 Be8 25. Rd2 a4
26. Ra3 Kf8 27. Kf2 Rab8 28. Nd1 g5 29. Ke3 Ke7 30. c3 Rb7 31. Nf2 f5 32. Nh3
f4+ 33. Ke2 h6 34. Kd1 e5 35. Nf2 Ke6 36. Kc1 Bb5 37. Ne4 Rd7 38. b3 Rxd2 39.
Kxd2 axb3 40. Rxb3 Bc6 41. Rb6 Kd7 42. Nc5+ Kd6 43. Ne4+ Kc7 44. Ra6 Rb8 45.
Ra7+ Kb6 46. Re7 Ra8 47. Kd3 Ra2 48. Nd2 Bb5+ 49. c4 Ra3+ 50. Ke2 Re3+ 51. Kf2
Bc6 52. Nf1 Rc3 53. Rxe5 Rxc4 {It's difficult to believe that White can lose
this position at all, never mind in a few moves, but that's exactly what
happens!} 54. Re6 Rc2+ 55. Kg1 Kc7 56. Re1 $2 {White was clearly worried about
losing his knight to ...Rc1 and ...Bb5, but he is in difficulties now.} ({
The calm} 56. h3 {, allowing the knight to go to h2, should draw comfortably.
A key point, perhaps overlooked by White, is that after} Bb5 57. Nh2 $1 Rc1+
58. Kf2 Rh1 {Black isn't actually threatening to take the knight, since Kg1
would trap the rook!}) 56... g4 $1 {Suddenly it's very tricky for White.} 57.
Rd1 $4 {White wants to play Rd2 but allows a simple winning tactic.} ({
He had to try} 57. Re7+ Kd6 58. Rf7 {.}) 57... Rxg2+ $1 58. Kxg2 Bxf3+ 59. Kf2
Bxd1 60. Nd2 Kd6 61. Ne4+ Ke5 62. Nc3 Bb3 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "4. The English Attack"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "18"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 {
. This signals White's intention to play the English Attack. The English
Attack is actually a system of development which can be used against more than
one Sicilian Variation. It first came to prominence in the 1980s when it was
utilized with success against the Najdorf and Scheveningen Variations. It took
a bit longer for players to appreciate that it can also be effective against
the Sicilian Taimanov, but nowadays it's a popular option for White and many
experts see it as a critical test of the Taimanov. --- QUESTION: What is
White's idea in the English Attack? --- ANSWER: In simplistic terms, White's
general plan in an English Attack includes the following: -- 1. Castle
queenside. -- 2. Play f2-f3 and g2-g4-g5, forcing Black's defensive knight
away from f6. -- 3. Continue the kingside pawn storm with h2-h4-h5. -- 4. Open
up lines against Black's castled king, usually with g5-g6. --- This plan might
seem crude and sometimes it is, but often it involves considerable subtlety
too. There's no doubting, though, that the English Attack can be mightily
effective, especially against the unprepared - so it's vital for Taimanov
players to study it closely. The good news for Taimanov players is that, as in
most opposite-side castling situations in the Sicilian, Black's counterplay is
assured. Not only will he get his usual action on the queenside, this time it
will be in the direction of White's king!} Nf6 {The main line.} ({In general,
I'm not covering the older ...Ne7 Taimanov lines in this book, but it's still
worth noting that Black must be very careful if he mixes ...Nge7 and ...Qc7.
Here, for example,} 7... Nge7 $4 {would be a game-losing blunder:} 8. Ndb5 $1
axb5 9. Nxb5 {and Nd6+ wins immediately, e.g.} Qa5 10. Nd6+ Kd8 11. Qxa5+ $1
Rxa5 12. Bb6# {!}) (7... b5 {?}) ({QUESTION: How about playing the same way as
against 7 Bd3 in the previous chapter, with} 7... b5 {? --- ANSWER: The ...
b7-b5 advance is certainly in Black's plans, and indeed 7...b5 has been played
many times. However, it's not quite as straightforward for Black as in the
previous chapter. The key difference is that following} 8. O-O-O {, White's queen and rook battery on the open d-file gives him opportunities (big tactical
ones!) which aren't available in the 7 Bd3 line.} -- ({. For example:} 8... Bb7
9. Bf4 $1 e5 (9... Qb6 $4 10. Nxe6 $1) 10. Nxc6 Bxc6 ({if} 10... dxc6 11. Bxe5
$1) 11. Nd5 $1) ({, or} 8... Nf6 9. Bf4 $1 e5 (9... Qb6 10. e5 {
is also considered to be better for White} ({or even just} 10. Nxc6)) 10. Nxc6
exf4 (10... dxc6 11. Bxe5 $1) 11. e5 dxc6 12. exf6 {
with some advantage to White in both cases.}) ({
. Black certainly does have other options in this line, e.g.} 8... b4 9. Na4
Nf6 10. f3 Ne5 11. Nb3 Rb8 {, but overall I prefer the main lines with 7...Nf6.
})) 8. O-O-O (8. f3 {is covered in Borisek-Cvek.}) 8... Be7 ({QUESTION:} 8...
Bb4 {looks tempting. Shouldn't Black develop his bishop more actively? ---
ANSWER: I've chosen to focus on the 8...Be7 line in this book, for two reasons:
-- 1. I feel that the positions are easier to understand strategically. -- 2.
8...Be7 has arguably overtaken 8...Bb4 as the main line. It's certainly the
favoured choice amongst most of the world's leading Sicilian Taimanov experts.}
) ({The older} 8... Bb4 {remains an important move, even though it has come
under some theoretical pressure from a number of directions in recent years.
Although 8...Bb4 is outwardly attractive, White's system of development is
actually quite well suited to meet this bishop development. For one thing,} 9.
f3 {, supporting the e4-pawn, is part of White's plan in any case. Black's
main choice here is} Ne5 {
and this is answered by an initially strange-looking knight retreat} 10. Nb3 $1
{.} {One key factor which justifies White's play is that exchanges on c3 are
generally unattractive for Black. After, for example,} Bxc3 ({
instead Black's bishop often ends up retreating to e7 - for example after} 
10... b5 11. Qe1 $5 {(with Nxb5 ideas)} Be7 {
- because on b4 the bishop gets in the way of Black's natural pawn push ...b4})
11. Qxc3 Qxc3 12. bxc3 {Black's horrible dark-square holes on the queenside
outweigh White's compromised pawn structure.}) ({QUESTION: After} 8... Be7 {
is Black going to transpose to a Scheveningen with ...d6? --- ANSWER: There
are a few lines where ...d6 needs to be played for a concrete reason, but in
general the idea is to leave the pawn on d7. As we'll see, it's very useful
for Black to be able to do so.}) 9. f3 {
. Black has two main options here, and we will study both:} -- (9... O-O {
or 9...b5 followed by ...0-0 is covered in the first four games of this chapter.
}) (9... h5 $5 {
is covered in Nijboer-Giri and Guerra Mendez-Iturrizaga Bonelli.}) (9... -- {
Key Notes: -- 1. The theory of the English Attack is developing much more
rapidly than in any other Sicilian Taimanov line. For this reason it's a good
idea to go through recent games involving Taimanov experts, to check for new
ideas and to see which lines remain in fashion. -- 2. The main line with 11...
Nh5 produces incredibly sharp positions with forcing play. In Kazantsev-Terekhov
and Shomoev-Geller, the critical lines involved piece sacrifices by Black. --
3. Brunello's 13...f5!? (Pacher-Brunello) is an idea to remember, both in this
particular position and in general. The risk of such a pawn move is offset by
the counterplay gained on the f-file and the pressure on White's backward
f3-pawn. -- 4. A major plan for White after 11...Nh5 is N(c3)-e2-g3!, trying
to force an unfavourable exchange for Black. Black usually combats this by
preparing to meet Ng3 with ...Nf4, typically after an exchange on d4. -- 5.
White can play h2-h4-h5 before g4-g5, thus preventing ...Nh5. In this case,
Black must respond actively to utilize the extra time, as Leitao does
effectively in Mosquera-Leitao. -- 6. 9...h5!? (Nijboer-Giri and Guerra
Mendez-Iturrizaga Bonelli) is a very interesting alternative to the main line.
This prophylactic move deprives White of his main idea, g2-g4. I feel it's a
good practical choice for Black because it often leaves White players
grappling for a decent plan. It's possible that the most challenging options
are counter-intuitive ones, such as 10 Nxc6!? in Guerra Mendez-Iturrizaga
Bonelli.}) *

[Event "Livigno"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2011.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Pacher, M."]
[Black "Brunello, S."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "60"]
[EventDate "2011.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8.
O-O-O Be7 9. f3 b5 ({Black has more often played} 9... O-O 10. g4 {
and only then} b5 {, but Brunello's choice of move order simply transposes.})
10. g4 $1 {White gets on with his plan. There's no point delaying this advance.
} ({QUESTION: What about} 10. Bf4 {here? It worked against 7...b5. --- ANSWER:
The key difference here is that Black's bishop is already on e7. So Black can
play} e5 $1 11. Nxc6 dxc6 $1 {. Because the d8-square is covered, White can't
take on e5 and must lose another tempo with his bishop. Black is fine.}) 10...
O-O 11. g5 Nh5 {EXERCISE: Consider the following three options and try to work
out which gives Black the most problems to solve: a) 12 Bh3; b) 12 Nce2; c) 12
f4. --- Choosing between the h5- and e8-squares is a critical decision for
Black, and not an easy one to make. (For his part, White must often make a
similar decision after ...b4: does the knight go to a4 or e2?) Brunello's
choice, 11...Nh5, is more active. It provides an obstacle to White's
pawn-storming ambitions on the kingside simply by blocking the path of the
h-pawn, and slowing down White's attack is certainly desirable for Black. The
downside is that the knight is also slightly vulnerable on h5, and White's
attempts to gain an advantage typically focus on this factor. Even so, at this
moment in time 11...Nh5 is considered to be the main line, and the choice of
most Taimanov experts. ---} ({
Let's take a look at how play may develop after Black's alternative,} 11... Ne8
{:} 12. -- (12. h4 {
(with nothing to stop h4-h5, this becomes the obvious plan!)} Ne5 $1 13. Kb1
Bb7 14. h5 Rc8 15. Qg2 b4 16. Na4 {, S.Karjakin-A.Morozevich, Wijk aan Zee
2009. At first sight this position looks a bit grim for Black, as White's
kingside attack looks far more developed than Black's on the other wing.
However, Morozevich demonstrated that Black's position is quite resilient:} f5
$1 {(surprisingly Black fights back on the kingside!)} 17. gxf6 Nxf6 18. Bd3
Rf7 19. b3 Rcf8 20. Rdg1 Ne8 21. Rh3 Bf6 22. Nb2 {. White is a bit better here;
} -- ({, but Karjakin admitted that after} 22... Nd6) ({, or} 22... Nxd3 23.
cxd3 Nd6 {, "there is nothing special, and there is still a lot of play". I
agree with this. White is more active, and has the open g-file, but g7 is well
protected, Black's pieces are well placed and there is definite scope for
counterplay.}) ({. Unfortunately for Morozevich he chose the unnatural retreat
} 22... Nc6 $2 {and after} 23. Nxc6 Qxc6 24. Nc4 $1 {the assessment had swung
dramatically in White's favour. Karjakin quickly gained a decisive attack:} d5
$2 25. exd5 exd5 26. h6 $1 {and Morozevich resigned in view of} g6 ({or} 26...
dxc4 27. Bxh7+ $1) 27. Bxg6 hxg6 28. Qxg6+ Kh8 29. Qg7+ $1 {.})) (12. Nxc6 {
(White stops the ...Ne5 plan before pushing the h-pawn)} dxc6 13. h4 e5 14. h5
Be6 15. g6 Rd8 16. gxh7+ Kh8 $1 {(a typical defensive resource: Black's king
uses White's doubled h-pawn as a shield against White's attack)} 17. Bd3 {
, C.Balogh-D.Mastrovasilis, Novi Sad 2009. I feel that White is slightly
better here, but again it's certainly not as clear as it initially looks. In
fact, getting to this stage of the attack is the easy bit. Finding a way to
break down Black's defences on the kingside is a lot harder, and meanwhile
Black has opportunities for counterplay on the other wing. Still, I wouldn't
dispute the fact that White holds an edge in a complicated position.})) {
ANSWER:} 12. Nce2 $1 {This is a strong plan for White. His idea is to play Ng3
which would leave Black with an unenviable choice: exchange on g3 and open up
the h-file for White's rook, or play ...g6 and allow White to shatter his
kingside pawns by exchanging knights on h5. Giving in to either of these
depressing events could be more or less fatal, but fortunately Black's
position contains enough resources to avoid such a scenario. --- The other two
options for White are not as good.} (12. f4 $2 {actually loses a pawn to} Nxd4
$1 13. Qxd4 Nxf4 {.}) (12. Bh3 {
intends Bg4, but leaves the c4-square unprotected. Black can exploit this with}
Ne5 $1 {threatening ...Nc4} (12... Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Nf4 {is also pretty good}) {
. If} 13. Bg4 {there follows} Nc4 14. Qf2 Nf4 {
and Black has done much more than solve the problem of his knight on the rim!})
12... Nxd4 $5 {Brunello reacts to the challenge by exchanging knights which,
as we saw in the previous note, crucially removes a white defender from the
f4-square.} ({In fact, Black's main choice here has been} 12... Rd8 {
which is covered next game.}) ({QUESTION: Could Black play} 12... g6 {
, so that Ng3 can be met by ...Ng7? --- ANSWER: Yes, he could, except that} 13.
Ng3 Ng7 {would rather defeat the object of playing 11...Nh5 in the first
place! White will now find it easier to open up the kingside with h2-h4-h5
(after safeguarding his g3-knight). Basically, if Black has to resort to this,
it would be much better to abandon 11...Nh5 and choose Morozevich's 11...Ne8.})
13. Qxd4 {This has the merit of preventing 13...Bb7, so Brunello finds another
way to gain activity.} (13. Bxd4 {has also been played. For example,} Bb7 14.
Ng3 ({or} 14. Bh3 Rac8 {- threatening to win with ...Bxg5 -} 15. Kb1 f5 $1 {
- Mekhitarian}) 14... Nf4 $1 (14... Nxg3 15. hxg3 Qxg3 {looks incredibly risky}
) 15. h4 Rac8 16. Be3 ({or} 16. Kb1 f5 $5 {
with level chances, G.Gopal-A.Diamant, Bursa 2010}) 16... Ng6 (16... Bd6 $5)
17. Qf2 ({or} 17. h5 Ne5 $1 18. f4 Ng4 19. Bd4 Bd6 $1 20. e5 Bc5 $1) 17... Ne5
(17... f5 $1 {also looks promising}) 18. Bd3 d5 ({again} 18... f5 $1) 19. Kb1
dxe4 20. Bxe4 Nc4 21. Bxb7 Qxb7 22. Ne4 b4 23. Rd3 Rfd8 {
, V.Talla-S.Brunello, Chur 2010. Black is fine here and went on to win.}) 13...
f5 $5 {QUESTION: How can Black get away with this advance? It looks very risky
opening up lines on the kingside. --- ANSWER: We've already seen in a few
examples, above, that ...f5 is a key resource for Black in this line. Of
course there's an element of risk in advancing on the kingside, but ...f5
gains counterplay by activating the rook on the f-file. Remember that White's
advance of the g-pawn has left the f3-pawn backward and vulnerable, while ...f4 followed simply by ...Bxg5 is another idea. --- It's worth noting that this
...f5 advance is seen far less in Scheveningen positions. By keeping the pawn
on d7 rather than moving it to d6, Black maintains a solid d7/e6 pawn
structure. The ...f5 advance would be far riskier with Black's pawn on d6, as
the e6-pawn would automatically become vulnerable.} 14. exf5 {Natural though
it looks, Black gets an excellent position after this capture, so this is a
good place to look for a more challenging try by White.} (14. gxf6 {
is an obvious candidate. After} Bxf6 15. Qd2 {
Black can get some grip on the position with} Be5 $5 {
preventing the f3-f4 advance. If} 16. Bg2 {
, to defend f3, Black can continue with} Rf7 {(preparing ...Bb7)} ({or} 16...
a5 {with ...Ra6-d6! ideas.})) ({Another possibility for White, and perhaps the
most critical one in the position, is} 14. Ng3 $1 {which virtually forces} Nf4
{. The position remains complicated, but I wouldn't be surprised if White had
an edge of some sort here, for example after} 15. exf5 Bxg5 16. Ne4 e5 17. Qd6
Ne2+ 18. Bxe2 Bxe3+ 19. Kb1 Qxd6 20. Nxd6 {.}) 14... Rxf5 15. Qg4 {
EXERCISE: Find a good move for Black. ---} {ANSWER:} Bb7 $1 {An excellent move
by Brunello. Black doesn't have to defend the knight with ...g6, at least not
yet.} 16. Nd4 Re5 $1 {
Of course Black's previous move only works because of this counter-threat.} 17.
Bd3 ({If} 17. Qxh5 {, planning} Rxe3 ({
Black can kill White's hopes with the powerful zwischenzug} 17... g6 $1 {
before taking on e3 with some advantage}) 18. Bd3 {.}) 17... g6 $1 18. Rhe1 Rf8
{Black has the advantage. His army is perfectly coordinated, with every single
piece well placed and his king secure. In addition, White has pawn weaknesses,
for example f3 and g5. Finally, there are numerous tactical possibilities for
Black (...Rxe3 followed by ...Rf4 is just one).} 19. Kb1 Nf4 $1 {
This is another!} 20. h4 Nxd3 $5 21. Rxd3 Bd5 {Threatening ...Qa5.} 22. b3 Bc4
$1 23. bxc4 $2 ({Then calm retreat} 23. Rdd1 $1 {
is much more resilient. Pacher was probably afraid of} Bb4 {, but here} 24. Qg3
$1 Bxe1 25. Qxe1 {isn't straightforward for Black, despite the material
advantage. He definitely has the advantage, but considerable work needs to be
done to convert it.}) 23... bxc4 24. Rdd1 Rb8+ 25. Nb3 {This is forced.} (25.
Kc1 Qa5 {wins}) ({as does} 25. Ka1 Qa5 {(threatening ...Qc3+...)} 26. Ne2 Qxa2+
{(...and this!)} 27. Kxa2 Ra5# {.}) 25... Rc8 $1 {A surprising calm move.} 26.
Qg2 ({It seems that White can't do anything useful to defend his position. For
example:} 26. Nd4 Qb6+ 27. Kc1 Qa5 $1) (26. Nd2 Bb4 27. Qf4 Rb5 $1) ({
or, finally,} 26. Rc1 cxb3 27. cxb3 Rxe3 $1 {.}) 26... cxb3 27. axb3 ({If} 27.
cxb3 {then} Ba3 $1 {threatens ...Rxe3 and should win, e.g.} 28. Qd2 Rd5 29. Qe2
Qe5 30. Rxd5 exd5 31. Qd2 Qf5+ 32. Ka1 Rc2 {.}) 27... Bb4 $1 {
Now the bishop comes to c3, and mate on a1 is looming.} 28. Re2 Bc3 29. b4 Ra5
$1 ({Another player might have preferred the flashier} 29... Qa5 $1 {.}) 30.
bxa5 Qxa5 0-1

[Event "Correspondence"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kazantsev, R."]
[Black "Terekhov, A."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "48"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8.
O-O-O Be7 9. f3 O-O 10. g4 b5 11. g5 Nh5 12. Nce2 (12. Kb1 {
is covered next game.}) ({QUESTION: How does Black recapture if White takes on
c6? --- ANSWER: Here, and in similar positions, Black normally recaptures with
the d-pawn rather than the queen, for three reasons: -- 1. It automatically
solves any problems regarding pressure on the d7-pawn. -- 2. With a pawn on c6,
covering the d5-square, it suddenly becomes much more desirable for Black to
play ...e5, which clamps down on the f4-square and allows the bishop to
develop to e6. -- 3. With the d-file open, Black can play ...Rd8 with a gain
of time on the white queen. --- After} 12. Nxc6 dxc6 $1 {
I feel that Black's position has become more comfortable. For example:} 13. Qf2
(13. f4 b4 14. Ne2 Rd8 15. Qe1 Rxd1+ 16. Qxd1 g6 17. Bg2 e5 $1 {
was at least equal for Black in G.Dulic-O.Jovanic, Bol 2011}) 13... e5 $1 14.
h4 Be6 15. Bh3 Qc8 $1 16. Qg2 Bxh3 17. Rxh3 g6 18. Qg4 Rd8 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 20.
Rh1 Qc7 21. Rd1 Rd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 {is slightly better for Black, despite the
simplification, K.Gulamali-A.Zapata, Chicago 2008. The problem White faces is
that his kingside pawns are vulnerable and also fixed, and it's worth playing
through the rest of the game to see how Zapata squeezed out a win from here:}
23. Nd1 h6 $1 24. Nf2 hxg5 25. hxg5 c5 26. Qg1 c4 27. Ng4 Bxg5 28. Nxe5 Ng3 $1
29. Kb1 Bxe3 30. Qxe3 Qd6 $1 {(winning a pawn)} 31. f4 Nxe4 32. a4 $2 Qd1+ 33.
Ka2 Qxc2 34. axb5 c3 35. Nd3 cxb2 36. Nxb2 Nc3+ 37. Ka3 Nxb5+ 38. Ka2 Nc3+ {
and White resigned.}) 12... Rd8 {
QUESTION: Why did Terekhov play this move? Why not just 12...Bb7?} ({ANSWER: Black wants to play ...Bb7, but plays ...Rd8 first to protect the d7-pawn. The
immediate} 12... Bb7 {might be met by} 13. Nxc6 $1 {. As mentioned above,
Black's most desirable recapture in this line is usually ...dxc6, but after}
dxc6 ({also, if Black chooses} 13... Bxc6 {there follows} 14. Ng3 $1 {
and Black has to make a concession on the kingside}) {
White can exploit a temporary disharmony in Black's camp by playing} 14. Qd7 $1
{.}) (12... Nxd4 $5 {was covered in the previous game, Pacher-Brunello.}) 13.
Ng3 {This is the logical follow-up to 12 Nce2;} ({
but let's also take a look at some other possibilities: ---} 13. Kb1 {
is covered next game.}) (13. Bh3 $5 {, intending Bg4, is another way to try to
exploit the knight's position on h5. One possible line is} g6 14. Bg4 e5 15.
Nb3 ({if} 15. Nf5 gxf5 16. Bxh5 d5 $1) 15... d5 $1 (15... Ng7 $2 {
allows White to get a bind with} 16. Nc3 $1) 16. exd5 Nb4 17. Nc3 Bb7 18. Qf2
Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Rxd5 20. Rxd5 Bxd5 21. Bxh5 gxh5 {. --- QUESTION: Why has Black
allowed White to split his kingside pawns with Bxh5? --- ANSWER: In some
scenarios - and this is one of them - Black can allow an exchange on h5, for a
number of reasons: -- 1. White had to give up his light-squared bishop to
force the exchange. This is not as desirable as exchanging knights on h5 and
gives the bishop pair to Black. -- 2. By playing ...d5, Black managed to
liberate his light-squared bishop, which no longer has an opponent after the
exchange on h5. -- 3. Even though Black's kingside pawns are ugly, his king is
in no immediate danger. The enemy pawn on g5 acts as a useful shield.}) (13. f4
{expands on the kingside, but Black gains more possibilities for counterplay
because the e4-pawn has been weakened:} Bb7 (13... g6 {is also decent}) 14. Bg2
Rac8 15. Kb1 ({if} 15. Bf3 {Black has the resource} Nxd4 16. Nxd4 ({or} 16.
Bxd4 Nxf4 $1 17. Nxf4 e5) 16... Nxf4 $1 17. Bxf4 e5 18. Bg3 d6 $1 {
and if the knight moves then 19...Bxg5!}) 15... g6 $5 {
(giving the knight the g7-square and also protecting f5...)} 16. Bf3 (16. Nb3
$5) 16... e5 $1 {(...in preparation of this move!)} 17. Nf5 (17. Nxc6 dxc6 18.
Qc1 Nxf4 19. Nxf4 exf4 20. Bxf4 {looks equal}) 17... gxf5 18. Bxh5 d5 (18...
Na5 $1 {threatening both ...Nc4 and ...Bxe4 looks very good for Black}) 19.
exd5 $2 ({White had to play} 19. exf5) 19... Nb4 $1 20. Nc3 Nxd5 21. Nxd5 Bxd5
22. Qf2 Bxh1 23. Rxh1 Bc5 {
0-1, K.Ambarcumova-K.Mekhitarian, Cappelle la Grande 2011.}) 13... Nxd4 $1 {
The only move: Black has to divert White's queen or bishop so that he can play
...Nf4.} 14. Qxd4 {White has two alternatives in 14 Bxd4 and 14 Nxh5.} ({
Some possible lines: ---} 14. Bxd4 Nf4 15. h4 Bb7 16. Be3 Ng6 17. h5 {
(White gains time for his attack by hitting the black knight; on the other
hand, the knight is being chased right back into the game!)} Ne5 $1 18. Qf2 $5
d5 $1 {(this leads to a forcing tactical sequence)} 19. Bb6 Bxg5+ 20. Kb1 dxe4
21. Be2 Rxd1+ 22. Rxd1 Qc6 23. f4 $1 Rc8 24. c3 Nd7 25. Rxd7 Qxd7 26. fxg5 b4 {
, S.Pawlowski-R.Heinke, correspondence 2009. Chances look roughly equal here.})
(14. Nxh5 Nxf3 $1 {
is actually an exchange sacrifice rather than a win of a pawn. After} 15. Qf2
$1 Ne5 $1 ({not} 15... Nxg5 $2 16. Rg1) 16. Bb6 Qb8 17. Nf6+ $1 Kh8 $1 18. Bxd8
Bxd8 {Black's extra pawn, bishop pair, strong knight and dark-square control
give excellent compensation. R.Francisco-A.Zapata, Arlington 2010, continued
tactically with} 19. Qc5 $1 (19. Qh4 gxf6 {gets nowhere}) 19... Ng6 20. Nxd7 ({
Rybka prefers the aesthetic} 20. Ne8 {, and here} Qe5 21. Qxe5 Nxe5 22. h4 Bb7
23. Nd6 Bc6 24. Be2 Bc7 {looks roughly equal}) 20... Bxd7 21. Rxd7 Qf4+ 22. Kb1
Qxe4 23. Bg2 Qxg2 24. Rhd1 Bxg5 (24... Ba5 $2 25. b4 $1) 25. Rg1 Qxh2 26. Qxg5
h6 {. Black has been forced to give back the piece, but he now has three pawns
for the exchange.}) 14... Nf4 15. h4 (15. Kb1 {is another critical try. ---
QUESTION: It hardly looks critical. Isn't it just a typically cautious move to
nudge the king to a safer square? --- ANSWER: That's true of many Kb1 moves in
the Sicilian, but in this instance it carries greater significance. Some of
Black's tactical resources only work if the king is on c1. A basic example is
that, with a king on b1, a queen recapture on f4 no longer comes with check.
This means that White already threatens a tactical idea with 16 Bxf4 Qxf4 (no
check!) 17 Nh5, or even 17 Qxg7+ and 18 Nh5+. Let's look at few possibilities:}
-- ({. Black can often get away with taking on g5, but here it looks dubious:} 
15... Bxg5 $2 16. e5 $1 {.}) (15... Bb7 {(ignoring White's threat)} 16. Bxf4
Qxf4 17. Nh5 (17. Qxg7+ Kxg7 18. Nh5+ Kf8 19. Nxf4 Bxg5 {is nice for Black})
17... e5 $1 {(an only move)} 18. Qf2 Bc5 $1 (18... Qxg5 19. Nxg7 $1) 19. Qxc5
Qxf3 20. Nf6+ $1 gxf6 21. Bd3 {, Y.Quesada Perez-A.Fier, Sabadell 2010.
Despite Black's ingenious defence, I still prefer White's chances in view of
Black's shaky king.}) (15... Ng6 {(dealing with the threat)} 16. Qb6 (16. Nh5
e5 17. Qb6 Qc6 18. c4 bxc4 19. Qxc6 {
½-½, D.Kokarev-J.Geller, St Petersburg 2010 - after} dxc6 20. Rxd8+ Bxd8
21. Bxc4 {both sides have pawn weaknesses}) 16... Qxb6 17. Bxb6 Re8 18. h4 d5
19. exd5 exd5 20. Nh5 Bd6 21. Bd4 Be5 {
with level chances, N.Huschenbeth-A.Fier, Moscow 2011.})) 15... Bb7 $1 {
QUESTION: Why the exclamation mark for such a natural move?} ({ANSWER: Because,
as we'll soon see, it is the precursor to a very clever piece sacrifice. Black
could avoid the sacrifice, but only at a cost of accelerating White's attack.
For example,} 15... Ng6 $2 16. h5 $1 Qxg3 (16... Ne5 17. h6 $1) 17. hxg6 fxg6 (
{or} 17... hxg6 18. Rh3 Qc7 19. e5 {followed by Qh4}) 18. Rh3 Qc7 19. Be2 {
intending Rah1 (Terekhov). This is the sort of position that Black should be
doing anything to avoid - even giving up apiece!}) 16. Qb6 $1 {We've already
seen this idea in the notes, above. Here the situation becomes critical
because Black cannot exchange queens on b6 without losing the d7-pawn, nor can
he allow an exchange on c7 without losing the knight on f4. So he is forced to
move his queen.} Qb8 $1 {Black is ready to break out advantageously with ...d5,
but Kazantsev's next move is very annoying for Black:} 17. Kb1 $1 {
This king move again! --- QUESTION: So what does Black do? ---} ({After} 17.
Kb1 {, ...Qxf4 no longer comes with check so} d5 ({
Black could retreat the knight with} 17... Ng6 {, but then White gains time:}
18. h5 Ne5 19. f4 Ng4 20. Bh3 Nxe3 21. Qxe3 {and White's attack on the
kingside already looks well advanced, D.Klein-D.Naroditsky, Wijk aan Zee 2011})
{can be met by} 18. Bxf4 Qxf4 19. Qxb7 Qxg3 20. Qxe7 {
and White's a piece ahead.}) {ANSWER:} 17... d5 $3 {
He plays it anyway and sacrifices a piece!} 18. Bxf4 {White has gone too far
down the road to turn back now. Any other move would leave Black with a good
position (and without being a piece down).} Qxf4 19. Qxb7 Bc5 $1 {A key move.
White is a whole piece ahead but Black is able to exploit a temporary
disharmony in White's position: -- 1. The knight is attacked; -- 2. ...Qxf3 is
a useful tactical resource; and, most importantly -- 3. White's queen lacks
squares and is in danger of being trapped.} 20. exd5 {
Kazantsev decides to return the extra piece immediately.} ({
If White saves the knight with} 20. Ne2 {Black replies with the calm} Qd6 $1 {
. Suddenly White's queen is threatened to be trapped with 21...Ra7, and if
anyone is better here it is Black.}) (20. Rh3 {
also safeguards the knight, and now} Rdb8 ({if instead} 20... Qd6 {
White has more resources to get his queen out of trouble, e.g.} 21. Nf5 $1) 21.
Qc6 Rc8 22. Qb7 {is a perpetual attack on the queen. A draw was agreed here in
J.Neumann-I.Bern, correspondence 2008 - this is possibly the first game where
Black played the piece sacrifice.}) 20... Qxg3 21. Bd3 ({If} 21. f4 {
Black can play either} Qxf4 ({or} 21... Qf3 $5 22. Bd3 g6 {
and ...Qxd5, as indicated by Terekhov}) {, e.g.} 22. Bg2 Rdb8 23. Rhf1 Rxb7 24.
Rxf4 Rd8 {, with an equal position in both cases.}) 21... Rdb8 {
Terekhov settles for the draw by a perpetual attack on the queen.} ({
Black could play on with} 21... exd5 {
, but White is perhaps a little bit better after} 22. f4 {.}) 22. Bxh7+ $1 {
EXERCISE: Find the best move for Black. --- 22 Bxh7+ is one final try before
bowing to the inevitable.---} (22. Qc6 Rc8 23. Qb7 Rcb8 24. Qc6 {(½-½, S.Oliveira-R.Leitao, Americana 2009) is the "perpetual check" on the queen.}) {
ANSWER:} 22... Kf8 $1 {One final accurate move by Black. The pawn grab on h7
makes no difference - it will still be a draw by repetition.} (22... Kxh7 $2
23. Qxf7 {
leaves Black in some trouble. Qh5+ followed by g5-g6 is White's idea, and if}
Qe5 {there follows} 24. Rhe1 Qf5 25. Qxe6 {
(Terekhov) when White has four pawns for the bishop.}) 23. Qc6 Rc8 24. Qb7 Rcb8
{. --- An entertaining battle, and one which demonstrates the astonishing
depth of opening preparation in the modern era of computer-assisted analysis.}
1/2-1/2

[Event "Russian Championship, Irkutsk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Shomoev, A."]
[Black "Geller, J."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8.
O-O-O Be7 9. f3 O-O 10. g4 b5 11. g5 Nh5 12. Nce2 {In this game we'll look at
12 Nce2 Rd8 13 Kb1. We've already seen in a few examples the benefit of
playing Kb1, and some choose to play it early, before committing to any
particular plan of action.} ({In fact the king move is sometimes played before
the knight manoeuvre. Let's check out some possibilities after} 12. Kb1 {
. --- QUESTION: Can Black play 12...Bb7 here?} -- ({. ANSWER: Once more} 12...
Bb7 {can be met by an exchange on c6, making Black recapture with a piece
rather than the more desirable ...dxc6:} 13. Nxc6 $1 Bxc6 ({
as we've seen before,} 13... dxc6 14. Qd7 $1 {is awkward for Black}) {
, and now White can continue with either} 14. Bh3 {planning Bg4,} ({or} 14. Ne2
{intending Ng3.})) ({
. Let's check out some other possibilities after 12 Kb1: ---} 12... Rd8 13.
Nce2 {transposes to our main game.} ({Richard Palliser suggests} 13. Qf2 $5 {
with Bb6 ideas, and gives} Nxd4 (13... Rb8 $5) 14. Bxd4 Rb8 15. Ba7 Rb7 16. Be3
d5 $1 17. exd5 Nf4 {
and "it's quite possible that Black has enough counterplay".})) (12... Ne5 $5
13. f4 {and now:} -- (13... Nc4 $6 14. Bxc4 bxc4 (14... Qxc4 $1 {
is better, but White's attack is quite advanced, with f4-f5 an obvious plan})
15. Nf5 $1 Bc5 ({if} 15... exf5 {then} 16. Nd5 Qd6 17. Qe2 $1 {
threatening both Qxh5 and Nd6+}) 16. Bxc5 Qxc5 17. Ng3 $1 Nxg3 18. hxg3 {
. The open h-file is going to be decisive:} Rb8 19. Ka1 f6 20. Qh2 fxg5 21.
Qxh7+ Kf7 22. f5 {and White soon won, O.Kurmann-S.Brunello, Merlimont 2011.}) (
13... Ng4 $1 {
is better, forcing the exchange of White's light-squared bishop. After} 14. e5
$1 (14. Bg1 $2 Qxf4) 14... Bb7 15. Rg1 Nxe3 ({
Black should seriously consider gambiting a pawn with} 15... b4 $1 {
(Mekhitarian) instead of 15...Nxe3; after} 16. Rxg4 bxc3 17. Qxc3 Qxc3 18. bxc3
Rfc8 {Black certainly has reasonable compensation for the pawn, in view of
White's various pawn weaknesses}) 16. Qxe3 b4 17. Ne4 Bxe4 18. Qxe4 d5 19. exd6
Bxd6 20. f5 {White's initiative gives him some advantage, A.Motylev-V.Laznicka,
Poikovsky 2011.})) (12... Nxd4 13. Qxd4 $1 {(preventing ...Bb7)} g6 14. Bh3 (
14. Ne2 $5) 14... b4 15. Ne2 (15. Na4 $5) 15... d5 $5 16. exd5 Rd8 17. Qb6 Qxb6
18. Bxb6 Rxd5 19. Rxd5 exd5 20. Bg4 $5 (20. Bxc8 Rxc8 {is equal}) 20... Ng7 ({
Palliser suggests} 20... Bd6 $5 21. Bxh5 gxh5 {when Black's bishop pair and
light-square control compensate for his pawn weaknesses}) 21. Bxc8 Rxc8 22. Nf4
Bxg5 23. Nxd5 {
with a slight edge for White, I.Saric-S.Movsesian, Porto Carras 2011.})) 12...
Rd8 13. Kb1 (13. Ng3 {was covered in our previous game.}) 13... e5 {QUESTION: This looks quite radical. Why not 13...Bb7 now that the d7-square is protected?}
({ANSWER:} 13... Bb7 {looks okay, but it does allow White to demonstrate one
of the benefits of an early Kb1. After} 14. Ng3 $1 (14. Bh3 {
, as usual, is the other possibility}) {
Black's natural reaction, as we have seen before, is to play} 14... Nxd4 15.
Qxd4 Nf4 {. Here, however, White can play} 16. Bxf4 $1 Qxf4 17. Nh5 $1 {
- see the note on 15 Kb1 Bb7 in our previous game:} e5 18. Qf2 Bc5 19. Qxc5
Qxf3 20. Nf6+ gxf6 21. Bd3 {, Y.Quesada Perez-A.Fier, Sabadell 2010. Basically,
Black has been induced into playing a line he might have otherwise avoided (by
answering 15 Kb1 with 15...Ng6! in the previous game).}) 14. Nf5 $1 {EXERCISE: 
Choose between 14...Bf8, keeping the bishop, and 14...d5, advancing in the
centre. --- 14 Nf5 is obviously White's most enticing choice, and it's also
best. ---} (14. Nxc6 $2 dxc6 {would give Black everything he wants, and after}
15. Qe1 Rxd1+ 16. Qxd1 Be6 {he has a clear advantage.}) ({On} 14. Nb3 {
Black can free his position with} d5 $1 15. exd5 Nb4 {. If} 16. Nc3 Bb7 {
and Black regains his pawn with a good position.}) {ANSWER:} 14... d5 $1 {
Once you commit to a certain course of action, it usually needs to be followed
up consistently. This is certainly the case with 13...e5, which left big holes
on f5 and d5. 14...d5 is Black's only logical follow-up. There's simply no
time for luxuries such as keeping the dark-squared bishop.} ({If} 14... Bf8 $2
{White returns the knight to c3 -} 15. Nc3 $1 {
- with an vice-like grip on the position.}) 15. Nxe7+ Nxe7 16. Ng3 $1 {
If it wasn't for this move Black would be doing very well. It's the only move
to cause problems.} Nf4 $1 {Once again, Black avoids opening the h-file.} 17.
Bxf4 $1 {This forcing sequence looks like the only thing to worry Black.} exf4
18. Nh5 $1 {EXERCISE: Try to find Black's next move. (Warning: difficult!) ---}
({It looks like Black is in real trouble here. He desperately needs just one
move to connect his rooks, when everything would be more than fine, but there
are some threats. The main concern isn't the attack on the f4-pawn, but the
threat of Qd4. For example, if} 18. Nh5 Bb7 $2 19. Qd4 $1 {and Black is in
dire straits. In such positions, often the only solution is something quite
radical...}) {ANSWER:} 18... Bg4 $3 {Geller pays a high price - a bishop! -
for the tempo he needed to solve all his problems.} 19. fxg4 dxe4 20. Qe1 Rxd1+
21. Qxd1 Rd8 22. Qe1 {The forcing sequence has resulted in a position which is
very difficult to evaluate with any degree of certainty. Let's begin by
listing Black's compensation for his sacrificed piece: -- 1. He has an extra
pawn. 2. He has two monster passed pawns on the fifth rank. -- 3. White is
lacking in development. -- 4. White's knight is at least temporarily sidelined,
and White's bishop has very few squares. --- Does all this compensation add up
to be worth more than, as much as, or less than a bishop? Let's see what
happens in the game. Interestingly, Rybka assesses this position as completely
equal!} Qd6 (22... Qd7 {is also possible and has been played more recently:}
23. -- (23. Be2 f3 24. Qc3 f6 25. Bxf3 ({if} 25. Qb3+ Nd5 $1 26. Bd1 ({or} 26.
c4 Qxg4 27. Ng3 fxe2 28. cxd5 Qf3 29. d6+ Kf8) 26... Qxg4 $1) 25... Nd5 26. Qb3
exf3 27. Qxf3 fxg5 {, A.Chernobai-L.Galojan, Voronezh 2011. Black has regained
his piece and the position is level.}) (23. Bh3 $5 Ng6 24. a3 {and now:} -- (
24... e3 25. Qc3 $1 Qd4 26. Qxd4 Rxd4 27. Re1 Rd2 28. Bf1 $1 {
(White must get the bishop back into the game)} Rxh2 {was wildly unclear in A.Morozevich-P.Maletin, Apatity 2011. Here Palliser suggests} 29. c4 $1 {
so that White can get going with his own pawn majority. One possible line he
gives is} Rh1 30. Rc1 f3 31. Ng3 Rg1 32. cxb5 $1 axb5 33. Nf5 $1 Rxf1 $5 34.
Rxf1 e2 35. Rc1 h5 $1 36. Nd4 hxg4 37. Kc2 Nf4 38. Kd2 f6 $5 39. gxf6 g5 40.
Ke3 Kf7 41. Nxb5 Kxf6 42. Nc3 {and "White should surely be winning".}) ({
Palliser also suggests} 24... Qd4 $5 {to avoid Morozevich's idea. This might
indeed be a stronger choice. White is still tied up, and after say} 25. Qc1 e3
26. Re1 Qe5 {and ...Rd2 Black's compensation remains very serious.}))) 23. Be2
Nd5 {QUESTION: How about 23...f3 here, like in the previous note?} ({ANSWER:} 
23... f3 {has actually been played, but White came out on top:} 24. Qc3 f6 25.
Qb3+ Nd5 {and here} 26. Bd1 $1 {demonstrates a difference from the previous
line. With the queen on d7, ...Qxg4 is possible. Here it isn't, and Black's
compensation is less clear. In J.Kotainy-N.Potpara, Albena 2011, Black lost
the thread: after} fxg5 $2 27. Ng3 Qe5 28. Nxe4 $1 {
White was winning in view of} Qxe4 29. Bxf3 {and Rd1 follows.}) 24. Qd2 ({
White can try to play more actively with c2-c4 ideas, but I can understand
Shomoev not wanting to add a vulnerable king to his list of concerns. For
example,} 24. Rf1 g6 25. c4 bxc4 26. Nf6+ Nxf6 27. gxf6 Qxf6 28. Bxc4 Rd4 {
(Palliser)}) ({or} 24. c4 $5 bxc4 25. Bxc4 e3 26. Rf1 Qe5 27. Bxd5 e2 {
intending} 28. Rf2 f3 $1 {; in both cases the position remains very unclear.})
24... g6 25. Qxd5 Qxd5 26. Nf6+ Kg7 27. Nxd5 Rxd5 {We've now reached an
endgame and Black still has only one pawn for the bishop, but those passed
pawns on e4 and f4 are ready to cause havoc.} 28. c4 $1 {Wisely, Shomoev
begins his queenside counterplay without further delay. He also wants to
create more squares for his bishop.} ({
If White spends time defending the g5-pawn with} 28. h4 $2 {there follows} f3 {
, and if} 29. Bd1 $2 {then} Rxd1+ $1 30. Rxd1 e3 {
and the two pawns on the sixth defeat the rook!}) 28... Rd2 $5 {Risky.} ({
Black could play simply} 28... Rxg5 $1 29. h4 Re5 {
followed by ...f3, and this looks stronger.}) 29. cxb5 (29. Bf1 $1 f3 30. cxb5
axb5 (30... e3 31. bxa6 Rd1+ 32. Kc2 Rxf1 33. Rxf1 e2 34. Rh1 f2 35. a7 f1=Q
36. a8=Q $1) 31. Bxb5 e3 {reaches a fascinating position. White now has two
passed pawns of his own, but Black's f- and e-pawns are still very strong.} 32.
Kc1 $1 Rd5 (32... f2 $2 33. Rd1 $1 {was White's idea}) 33. Ba6 $1 ({if} 33. a4
{then} f2 {threatens ...Rxb5, and} 34. Be2 Rd2 35. Bb5 Rd5 {draws}) 33... Ra5
34. Re1 Rxa6 35. Rxe3 f2 36. Rf3 Rxa2 37. Rxf2 Ra5 38. h4 Ra4 39. Rg2 f6 {
and this pawn-down rook ending looks drawn.}) 29... Rxe2 30. bxa6 f3 {
EXERCISE: This leads to a forced draw. See if you can work out the rest of the
game. ---} {ANSWER:} 31. a7 f2 32. a8=Q Re1+ 33. Kc2 $1 Rxh1 34. Qxe4 f1=Q {
Black is a rook ahead, but White has perpetual check:} 35. Qd4+ Kf8 36. Qd8+
Kg7 37. Qd4+ Kf8 38. Qd8+ Kg7 1/2-1/2

[Event "Pan American Team Championship, Mendes"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Mosquera, M."]
[Black "Leitao, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

{In this game we'll conclude our coverage of the 9...0-0 line by looking at
one or two other attacking possibilities for White.} 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4
cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Qc7 ({The game's actual move order was} 5... a6 6. Be3
Nf6 7. f3 Qc7 8. Qd2 Be7 9. g4 O-O 10. O-O-O {.}) 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8. O-O-O
Be7 9. f3 ({QUESTION: What should Black do if White changes tack and plays} 9.
f4 {? --- ANSWER: We'll study the main f4 lines next chapter, but it's worth
noting that White can play f2-f4 in a number of positions, not just on move
six. Scheveningen players might be happy to play} d6 {here,} ({
but Taimanov players will prefer} 9... b5 {. The ...b7-b5 advance is
especially logical given that f2-f4 disregards the defence of White's e4-pawn,
and Black already threatens ...b4. Let's check a couple of lines:} 10. -- (10.
Bd3 b4 11. Na4 Rb8 ({to prevent the knight coming to b6;} 11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4
Bb7 13. Nb6 Rb8 {- Palliser - also looks good}) 12. Kb1 d6 {(Black goes to
Scheveningen mode to prepare ...Bd7, and White must spend time safeguarding
his knight on a4)} 13. b3 O-O 14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Rhe1 Qc7 16. Qe2 Bd7 $1 17. Nb2
Bb5 {and Black was fine, V.Gashimov-S.Movsesian, Reggio Emilia 2010.}) (10. e5
{feels more challenging. --- EXERCISE: How do you think Black should respond
to the attack on his knight? --- ANSWER:} b4 $1 {is the move Black wants to
play, and indeed e4-e5 is often answered by a counterattack with ...b4.} ({
. Black's knight doesn't want to move first, as this allows White's c3-knight
to win their mini-battle in the centre. After, for example,} 10... Ng4 11. Nxc6
Qxc6 12. Be2 $1 Nxe3 13. Qxe3 Bb7 14. Bf3 Qc7 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 16. Ne4 {
White's knight has found a nice outpost on e4.}) ({. In contrast, after} 10...
b4 $1 11. Na4 Nd5 {it's Black's knight who has won the battle.}) ({
. In view of this, it's more challenging for White to meet} 10... b4 {with} 11.
exf6 bxc3 12. Qxc3 Bxf6 {. Black will be happy that he's swapped his b-pawn
for a centre pawn. On the other hand, White can still strive for the
initiative. For example,} 13. g4 $1 h6 14. h4 Bb7 15. Rh2 $1 (15. Bg2 $2 {
is worse: after} Rc8 {White can't play} 16. Qd2 {as} Nxd4 {
wins due to mate on c2:} 17. Bxd4 Bxd4 18. Bxb7 Be3 $1) 15... Rc8 16. Qd2 Be7
$5 {(clever prophylaxis; Black doesn't want to castle and walk into g4-g5)} 17.
Kb1 $6 (17. Nxc6 {looks roughly equal}) 17... Nb4 $1 {with good counterplay
for Black, J.Aagaard-A.Rasmussen, Odense 2011. The knight might come to d5,
and} 18. c4 {allowing ...Be4+ doesn't look right.})))) 9... O-O 10. g4 b5 11.
h4 $5 {White delays the g4-g5 advance. This isn't just a prelude to a
transposition. As we'll soon realize, Mosquera has a specific idea in mind.}
Bb7 {EXERCISE: Can you find a way for White to prevent Black from playing ...Nh5 in response to g4-g5? --- ANSWER: By occupying the square!} 12. h5 $5 {
Now ...Nh5 is out of the question when White plays g4-g5, so Black must make
different arrangements. Fortunately for Black, the two extra tempi taken by
h2-h4-h5 have given him time to organize his forces and he is ready to
counterattack on the queenside and in the centre.} Nxd4 13. Bxd4 b4 ({
Black has also played} 13... e5 {here, e.g.} 14. Be3 d5 $1 {
(an idea we've seen before)} 15. g5 (15. exd5 Rfd8 {regains the pawn}) 15...
Nxe4 (15... b4 $5) 16. fxe4 d4 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. exd5 dxe3 19. Qxe3 {with roughly level chances, A.Ismagambetov-S.Brunello, Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad 2010.})
14. Na4 Rac8 $1 {EXERCISE: Leitao's 14...Rac8 threatens something, and it
works against both 15 g5 and 15 Nb6. Work out what it is.} 15. Bd3 ({
ANSWER: Black's threat is seen after} 15. g5 Nxe4 $1 16. fxe4 Bxg5 $1 {
, winning the queen because of the mate on c2.}) ({It also works after} 15. Nb6
Nxe4 $1 16. fxe4 Bg5 $1 {.}) ({Mosquera's move defends c2 and lines up g4-g5
again, but on the evidence of the game perhaps White should prefer either} 15.
Rh2 {or 15 Qh2.}) 15... d5 $1 {Leitao makes sure that White's attack isn't
allowed to progress smoothly. Also, 15...d5 offers Black's knight a nice
retreat square on d7, which is much more desirable than e8. --- EXERCISE: How
does Black intend to meet: a) 16 g5; and b) 16 Nb6?} 16. e5 ({ANSWER: If} 16.
g5 {, a similar tactic works for Black:} Nxe4 $1 ({not} 16... dxe4 17. gxf6)
17. fxe4 dxe4 {and the bishop can't move because ...Bxg5 would win again.}) ({
If} 16. Nb6 {Black could just move the rook to d8, but} e5 $1 {is just the
sort of sacrifice a Sicilian player should always be watching out for. After}
17. Nxc8 ({or} 17. Bf2 dxe4 $1) 17... Rxc8 {
, bishop retreats are met simply by ...dxe4, e.g.} 18. Be3 ({White could try} 
18. g5 {, but then Black still refuses to retreat the knight:} Nxe4 $1 19. fxe4
dxe4 {
; despite temporarily being a rook down, Black has the advantage here, e.g.}
20. Rhe1 (20. Be2 Bxg5 $1) 20... exd4 21. Bxe4 (21. Rxe4 $1 Bxe4 22. Bxe4 {
is relatively best}) 21... Bxe4 22. Rxe4 Bxg5 $1) 18... dxe4 19. fxe4 Nxe4 {
with huge compensation.}) 16... Nd7 {Finally the knight retreats, but White
still isn't allowed to focus on where he wants to - the kingside. His
attention is urgently required elsewhere. 16...Nd7 covers the b6-square, and
this suddenly makes the knight on a4 vulnerable.} 17. Qe3 Qa5 $1 18. b3 ({
Of course, Black must answer} 18. h6 {with} g6 $1 {
, here and in similar positions.}) 18... Bc6 $1 {
A key move, forcing the knight to move before White has a chance to play Kb1.}
19. Nb6 Nxb6 20. Bxb6 Qxa2 {Black has won the a2-pawn and at first sight the
position just looks winning for him. Mosquera's next move, however, nearly
turns the tables:} 21. Kd2 $1 {EXERCISE: Suddenly White threatens to trap
Black's queen with Ra1 followed by Bd4. How did Leitao escape? ---} {ANSWER:}
Bb5 $1 {The next few moves are forced:} 22. Ra1 ({If} 22. Bd4 {then} Bxd3 23.
Qxd3 Bg5+ {wins, as c2 drops.}) 22... Qb2 23. Bd4 Rc3 $1 24. Rhb1 (24. Bxc3 {
loses to} bxc3+ 25. Ke2 Qxc2+ {.}) 24... Rxd3+ $1 25. Qxd3 Bg5+ 26. Kd1 Qxb1+
27. Rxb1 Bxd3 28. cxd3 {Black has forced a liquidation into an endgame where
he has good chances to convert his extra pawn.} Rc8 29. Ra1 g6 30. Bb2 (30.
Rxa6 gxh5 31. gxh5 Rc1+ 32. Ke2 Rc2+ {is similar to the game.}) 30... gxh5 31.
gxh5 Ra8 32. Bd4 Kg7 33. Ke2 Rc8 $1 34. Rxa6 Rc2+ 35. Ke1 Rd2 36. Rb6 Rxd3 37.
Rxb4 Rxf3 38. Rb8 Rf4 39. Bc5 Re4+ 40. Kd1 Kh6 41. b4 Bf4 (41... Kxh5 {
looks cleaner.}) 42. Rf8 $1 Kg7 43. b5 Bxe5 44. b6 Ra4 45. b7 $2 ({After} 45.
Rd8 $1 {White's passed b-pawn offers him good drawing chances.}) 45... Ra1+ $1
46. Kc2 Ra2+ 47. Kc1 Rb2 {Winning the b-pawn, and the game.} 48. h6+ Kf6 $1 0-1

[Event "Dieren"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Nijboer, F."]
[Black "Giri, A."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "68"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8.
O-O-O Be7 9. f3 h5 $5 {QUESTION: Another ...h5 in the Taimanov! But what's the
idea this time? --- ANSWER: In the previous two chapters we saw examples of ...h5 as an attacking idea, either preparing ...Ng4 or ...h4 and even ...h3. This
time, though, it's a prophylactic idea. White's plan was g2-g4, so Black
simply prevents it! Chess is just as much about stopping your opponent's plans
as it is about implementing your own, and this is especially the case when
your opponent has only one plan! --- QUESTION: So g2-g4 is White's only plan?}
({ANSWER: Not quite, but g2-g4 is the plan which requires the least amount of
imagination, and it's amazing how easy it is for even strong players to drift
when deprived of their main plan. For this reason, I feel that} 9... h5 {
is a good practical choice for Black. --- The following game is a good example
of how Black's strategy can be successful:} 10. Kb1 b5 11. Bd3 Ne5 12. Rhe1 Bb7
13. Qf2 d6 14. Nb3 Nfd7 $1 15. Bd4 b4 16. Ne2 a5 17. f4 a4 $1 18. Nd2 Nxd3 19.
cxd3 Ba6 20. Qf3 Nc5 21. e5 $2 Bxd3+ 22. Ka1 d5 23. Bxc5 Bxe2 24. Qxe2 Qxc5 {
and Black converted his advantage in C.Balogh-B.Macieja, Warsaw 2008. ---
Individually White's moves all looked okay, but he seemed to struggle to find
any coherent plan and finally Black seized the initiative on the queenside.
And it's not just club players who may struggle after 9...h5 - it was a
2624-rated grandmaster playing White in this game. --- The cost of preventing
White's main plan is, of course, a slight weakening to Black's kingside.
Twenty years ago no-one dared to play like this, but in recent years ...h5 has
become widely accepted as a serious option for Black - not just in the
Taimanov but in other Sicilian lines like the Najdorf and Scheveningen. For
example, 2...d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Be3 e5 7 Nb3 Be6 8 f3 h5!?,
with similar motives to 9...h5 in our game, has been played successfully at
the very highest level.}) 10. Qf2 {This move contains two ideas: -- 1. The
queen and bishop battery on the g1-a7 diagonal might cause Black problems,
with Bb6 (after Nxc6 or Nb3) an obvious idea. -- 2. White's queen might be
able to create threats on the kingside by going to g3 or h4 at the appropriate
moment.} d6 {QUESTION: Does Black need to play this "Scheveningen" move? ---
ANSWER: Black can sometimes avoid ...d6, or delay it for a bit (as in
Balogh-Macieja, above), but ...d6 does tend to feature quite frequently in the
9...h5 line.} ({One point to remember is that Black doesn't have the option of
castling early in this line -} 10... O-O $2 {would be totally inconsistent
with Black's previous move, and Black would soon regret the decision when
White opens the kingside h2-h3 and g2-g4.}) ({
The alternative which immediately comes to mind is} 10... b5 {, as in Balogh-Macieja, above. This natural move isn't bad here either, but in some ways it's
exactly the move which 10 Qf2 was designed for. After} 11. Nxc6 dxc6 (11...
Qxc6 12. e5 $1) 12. Bb6 $1 Qf4+ 13. Be3 Qc7 14. Bb6 Qf4+ 15. Kb1 Nd7 16. Bd4 e5
17. Be3 Qf6 18. h4 $1 Bb4 19. Bg5 Qe6 {
Black's queen was rather awkwardly placed, and} 20. Ne2 f6 21. Be3 Qe7 22. g4 {
gave White the edge in R.Edouard-B.Damljanovic, La Massana 2008. --- Giri's
choice of 10...d6 takes much of the sting out of the Bb6 idea, and also allows
Black to recapture on c6 with the queen without worrying about e4-e5.}) 11. h3
{Nijboer decides to prepare g2-g4, which will become possible again once
White's rooks are connected.} ({Alternatively: ---} 11. Nxc6 bxc6 $1 12. Bb6
Qb7 {achieves little for White now, apart from giving Black a potentially
strong centre.}) (11. Qg3 {attacks g7 but Black can reply} h4 $1 {since} 12.
Qxg7 {allows a perpetual attack on the queen with} Rh7 13. Qg5 Rh5 14. Qg7 Rh7
{etc. Even though this is obviously a theoretical success for Black, it might
be a practical problem in certain games - where a draw is not a good result -
since objectively 11...h4 does look like Black's strongest move. That said,
I've yet to see an example of this sequence occurring in a real game.}) 11...
b5 12. Nxc6 {As we've seen many times before, White exchanges knights on c6
immediately after Black plays ...b5 and before Black plays ...Bb7, to minimize
Black's options for recapturing.} Qxc6 13. Bd3 {Now White is finally ready to
play g2-g4. --- EXERCISE: Find a good positional move for Black. ---} {ANSWER:}
h4 $1 {Preventing White's idea of g2-g4 again, or rather making it much less
desirable because it would lead to weaknesses in White's pawn structure. Now
White has to think again!} ({Allowing g2-g4 is of course possible, but it does
mean that White's play is much more straightforward. The following example is
something that Black must try to avoid:} 13... b4 14. Ne2 e5 15. g4 $1 {
(of course!)} Be6 16. Kb1 hxg4 ({
opening the h-file only helps White; Black should try the immediate} 16... d5)
({or hold with} 16... g6 {- in either case I still prefer White though}) 17.
hxg4 Rxh1 18. Rxh1 d5 19. Ng3 dxe4 20. Nxe4 Nd7 21. Rh8+ {
(now Black is in real trouble)} Nf8 22. Bc5 a5 23. Rg8 g6 24. Nf6+ Bxf6 25.
Rxf8+ Kd7 26. Be4 Bd5 27. Rxa8 Qxa8 28. Qd2 Ke6 29. f4 exf4 30. Qxf4 Be5 31.
Bf5+ Kf6 32. g5+ {1-0, M.Vachier Lagrave-B.Macieja, German League 2008. Black
certainly could have defended better here, but given this experience it's
hardly surprising that Macieja decided to use the ...h4 idea in later games!})
({EXERCISE: After} 13... h4 {find a good response to} 14. Bg5 {
, hitting the h4-pawn.}) 14. Kb1 ({ANSWER: The possibility of Bg5 comes into
play a bit more after ...h5, since Black can no longer force it back with ...
h6. Here, though,} 14. Bg5 $6 {is a mistake. Black can reply} b4 $1 {when White
must either give up his bishop for the knight or lose a pawn to the tactic} 15.
Ne2 Nxe4 $1 16. Bxe4 Bxg5+ {.}) {After Nijboer's 14 Kb1, White is ready to
play Bg5 - the ...Nxe4 tactic no longer works because ...Bxg5 doesn't come
with check.} 14... b4 15. Ne2 e5 $1 {QUESTION: Why is ...e5 a good move here?
--- ANSWER: This is an ideal moment for Black to adopt a Najdorf pawn
structure: -- 1. With the knight on e2, White has less chance to exploit the
hole on d5. -- 2. Black's pawn on e5 covers d4 and f4, heavily restricting
White's knight. -- 3. Black's light-squared bishop might go to e6, where it
points at White's king. In this position, e6 is probably a better square for
the bishop than b7, because on b7 the bishop hits a solid wall on e4 and Black
must rely on ...d5 to fully bring it to life. This isn't the case with ...Be6
- the bishop is active regardless, whether Black plays ...d5 or not.} 16. Bg5
$1 {EXERCISE: How should Black save his h-pawn? ---} ({After} 16. c4 bxc3 $5
17. Nxc3 Be6 18. Rc1 Qb7 19. f4 exf4 20. Bxf4 O-O $1 21. Ka1 Nd7 $1 22. g4 Nc5
23. Bb1 a5 {, Black's attack on the queenside is stronger than White's on the
other wing, F.Perez Ponsap-P.Cramling, Gibraltar 2009. This example shows that
castling kingside certainly isn't out of the question for Black; it's just
that Black usually delays doing so for quite a while.}) {ANSWER:} 16... Nd7 $1
{Giri realizes that losing castling rights is not a disaster here. Black's
king will be relatively, though not completely, safe in the centre, behind the
d6- and e5-pawns. Certainly it seems worth doing this in order to keep the
h-pawn and carry out a favourable bishop exchange.} 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 {Strategically Black is doing well here. He has a strong pawn structure, a good bishop and
a measure of dark-square control. On the other hand, Black's king is less safe
than White's. Overall, I feel the chances are balanced.} 18. Qe3 ({
Some more examples from games reaching this position: ---} 18. f4 Qc5 19. Qe1
Nf6 20. Rf1 a5 21. Ng1 {(eyeing the h4-pawn)} a4 $1 22. fxe5 dxe5 23. Nf3 a3 $1
24. b3 Be6 25. c4 $2 ({
but even without 25 c4 Black is doing well; the key point is that} 25. Nxh4 {
can be met by} Rxh4 $1 26. Qxh4 Qc3 27. Kc1 Bxb3 $1 {with advantage to Black})
25... bxc3 26. Bc2 Rhd8 27. Nxh4 Rxd1+ 28. Qxd1 Rd8 29. Qc1 Rd2 {
was very good for Black in L.Mazi-V.Malakhatko, Feffernitz 2011.}) (18. Nc1 {
(White plays positionally)} a5 19. Qe2 Nf6 (19... a4 $5) 20. Bb5 Qc7 21. Ba4
Be6 22. Rhe1 Rad8 23. Qd2 Bc4 24. Nd3 Qb6 25. Nf2 Nh5 26. Ng4 Nf4 27. Ne3 Be6
28. Bb3 g6 29. Bxe6 fxe6 {
with equal chances, N.Kosintseva-L.Javakhishvili, Ohrid 2009.}) (18. g3 $5 {
(White ignores positional considerations to get at Black's king)} Qc5 19. Qg2
hxg3 20. Qxg3 Nf6 21. f4 Be6 22. fxe5 dxe5 23. Rdf1 Nh5 24. Qf3 {(S.Melia-A.Giri, Enschede 2009) and here I would be tempted to get going on the queenside
with} a5 {.}) 18... Qc5 $1 {QUESTION: Why does Black want to exchange queens?
--- ANSWER: A queen trade would certainly suit Black more than White, because
at a stroke Black's only weakness - a king in the centre - would become a
strength! Unsurprisingly Nijboer isn't accommodating. --- EXERCISE: Assess 19
Qg5+ Nf6 20 Qxg7.} 19. Qd2 ({ANSWER:} 19. Qg5+ Nf6 20. Qxg7 $2 {
is not a wise pawn-grab by White.} -- ({After} 20... Be6 {
the only way for White to extricate his queen is by} 21. Qg5 {, but then} Rag8
22. Qd2 Rxg2 {regains the pawn with Black seizing the initiative.}) ({
If this wasn't already enough, there's also} 20... Bxh3 {
- a bishop for a tempo! -} 21. Rxh3 Rag8 {and this time the queen is trapped.})
) 19... Nf6 20. Rhf1 Be6 21. f4 {
EXERCISE: Choose between 21...exf4 and 21...a5. ---} {ANSWER:} a5 $1 {
Giri simply holds on the kingside, keeping things as closed as possible, and
begins his own assault on the queenside. He's not worried about f4-f5, even
though it kicks the bishop from its active diagonal back to d7, because this
pawn advance would block things up and White's attack would grind to a virtual
standstill.} ({In contrast, Black should avoid} 21... exf4 $2 22. Nxf4 {
, which criminally brings White's knight right back to life. Suddenly White
has all sorts of attacking possibilities.}) 22. fxe5 (22. Rf3 a4 23. g4 $2 hxg3
24. Nxg3 a3 25. b3 Rxh3 26. f5 Bc8 27. Qg2 Qc3 28. Kc1 Rh4 {was winning for
Black in M.Kanarek-B.Macieja, Chotowa 2009. The ...a4-a3 push, forcing further
weaknesses on White's dark squares (including b2!) is a common theme.}) 22...
dxe5 23. Qg5 {EXERCISE: Find a good move for Black. ---} {ANSWER:} Rh5 $1 24.
Qd2 ({
Even with an open f-file and a white rook on f1, the g7-pawn is poisoned. If} 
24. Qxg7 {then} Ne8 $1 {traps the queen, so White is simply forced to retreat.
This means that 23 Qg5 is definitely a mistake. On the other hand, it's not
easy to suggest a good alternative for White after 22...dxe5. Perhaps his
whole plan was flawed and he would have been better off choosing another route
at move 18.}) 24... Rd8 25. Qc1 a4 {With advantage to Black, who has taken
over the initiative. Now it's definitely White's king which is under greater
threat.} 26. Rf3 Rd6 27. Re1 Kf8 28. b3 Nd7 29. Ref1 f6 $1 {Planning ...Kf7
and then to bring the rook back to h8 and over to the queenside.} 30. Qe1 Kf7
$1 31. Rg1 Rh8 32. g3 {
Finally it comes, but Black's attack is still the quicker.} Rc8 $1 33. gxh4 $2
{Missing the threat.} ({White had to protect c2 with, say,} 33. Qd2 {
when Black's position remains "only" very good after} axb3 34. cxb3 Qc6 ({or} 
34... Qa5 {intending ...Nc5.})) 33... axb3 34. Qg3 ({If} 34. axb3 {then} Rxd3
$1 35. cxd3 Qc2+ 36. Ka1 Ra8# {.}) 34... Rxd3 $1 {
. --- An excellent game by Anish Giri, and a good advert for the 9...h5 line.}
0-1

[Event "Collado Villalba"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Guerra Mendez, J."]
[Black "Iturrizaga Bonelli, E."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8.
O-O-O Be7 9. f3 h5 10. Nxc6 $5 {QUESTION: This doesn't look right. Why is
White taking on c6 when Black can still recapture with the b-pawn? --- ANSWER:
10 Nxc6 is a good example of thinking outside the box. Under normal
circumstances, exchanging knights on c6 while Black still has the possibility
to recapture with the b-pawn is something White would hardly ever consider in
this type of position. It does, after all, significantly strengthen Black's
centre and give him a half-open file down which to attack the white king.
However, White is trying to reach a situation where Black's ...h5 is
irrelevant, or, perhaps more precisely, relevant only because it's a weakness!}
({Another creative idea is} 10. Bg5 {, moving the bishop for a second time as
if to emphasize the weakness on g5 created by Black's previous move. This
shouldn't worry Black a great deal, though. For example,} b5 ({or} 10... d6 11.
h4 Ne5 12. Qe1 Bd7 13. Kb1 b5 {- Quesada Perez}) 11. Nxc6 dxc6 12. h4 ({
Palliser suggests} 12. h3 {
as an improvement; Black should just play in the same way}) 12... e5 $1 13. Qf2
Be6 {, S.Movsesian-A.Horvath, Ohrid 2009. Black is fine here, and will gain
straightforward counterplay on the queenside.}) ({EXERCISE: Returning to} 10.
Nxc6 {
, use knowledge from our previous game to find a good positional move against}
dxc6 {.}) 10... bxc6 {As usual, when there's a choice of recaptures, ...bxc6
is the most desirable option.} ({ANSWER: If Black plays} 10... dxc6 {, intending the usual follow-up ...e5, White can interfere with Black's plan with} 11.
Qf2 $1 {, an idea which should hopefully be very familiar by now.} -- ({. If} 
11... e5 {then} 12. Bb6 $1 Qb8 13. Bc4 ({or} 13. Na4 {really ties Black up})) (
{, or} 11... Nd7 {(to prevent Bb6)} 12. f4 $1 {intending e4-e5 and Ne4.}) ({
. Perhaps Black's best bet is} 11... b5 {, although then} 12. Bb6 $1 {
transposes to the note on 10...b5 from our previous game.})) 11. Bf4 {
QUESTION: Why is White encouraging Black to play ...e5? It's not as though ...
e5 leaves a hole on d5 - this square is now covered by the c6-pawn. --- ANSWER:
White wants to induce ...e5 for two reasons: -- 1. It makes it more difficult
for Black to achieve the ...d5 advance. -- 2. It opens the a2-g8 diagonal,
thereby giving White's light-squared bishop a clear-cut role in the future. Of
course, a bishop on the a2-g8 diagonal makes ...d5 even more difficult to
achieve. Also, if the bishop drops back to b3 it helps to reduce Black's
attacking threat by blocking the b-file.} ({
In the game I.Cheparinov-P.Cramling, Zafra 2009, White first threw in} 11. h3
h4 ({Black can obviously improve in this line, and it's possible that he could
start at the very beginning by forgoing 11...h4 in favour of} 11... Rb8 $1 {
, as suggested by Palliser, who gives} 12. Bf4 e5 13. Bg5 O-O {"when Black's
attack comes somewhat faster" and I agree that Black has good play on the
queenside; one possible line from here is} 14. g4 d5 $1 15. exd5 Nxd5 16. Bxe7
Qxe7 17. Nxd5 cxd5 18. Qxd5 Bb7 {with excellent play for the pawn}) {
, and only then} 12. Bf4 e5 13. Bg5 {. Cheparinov gained the advantage after}
Rb8 14. Bc4 Rb4 ({'Chess Informant' suggests} 14... Qa5 $5) 15. Bb3 a5 16. a3
Rxb3 $2 17. cxb3 O-O 18. f4 {
- Cramling's exchange sacrifice was too optimistic.}) 11... e5 {
QUESTION: White was trying to force this move. Can Black avoid playing it?} ({
ANSWER: It looks like the strongest option. If Black avoids ...e5 he runs the
risk of allowing a dark-square bind, for example after} 11... Qb7 12. Bd6 $1) ({
or} 11... Qb6 12. Na4 Qd8 13. Bd6 $1 {.}) 12. Bg5 d6 {Planning ...Be6, but
there is more than one way for Black to play this position.} ({For example: ---
} 12... Bb7 {(intending ...Rd8 and pushing for ...d5)} 13. Bc4 Rd8 14. Bb3 ({
Pikula suggests} 14. Qf2 O-O 15. Be3 {with a slight advantage for White}) 14...
O-O 15. g4 d5 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. exd5 cxd5 18. Nxd5 $2 ({White should play} 18.
Bxd5 {instead, and here Pikula assesses} hxg4 19. Rhg1 e4 20. fxe4 Be5 {
as unclear}) 18... Rxd5 $1 19. Bxd5 Rd8 {
and Black went on to win, B.Bok-F.Nijboer, Netherlands League 2009.}) (12... a5
{. --- QUESTION: What's the point behind this move? --- ANSWER: As mentioned
above, one of White's ideas is to move his bishop to b3, blocking Black's
counterplay on the b-file. Black's idea is to prevent this plan by playing ...a4, but spending two tempi to do so obviously entails some risk and White can
probably keep an advantage by playing actively:} 13. Bc4 a4 14. a3 Qb6 15. f4
$1 {. This position looks difficult for Black, e.g.} Qc5 $6 ({
however, Pikula shows how Black can improve with} 15... Rb8 {
when the amazing variation} 16. Nxa4 Qa7 17. fxe5 Qxa4 18. exf6 Qxa3 $1 19.
Qxd7+ $1 Bxd7 20. bxa3 gxf6 21. Bf4 Bxa3+ 22. Kd2 {
restricts White to only an edge}) 16. fxe5 Ng4 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. e6 $1 dxe6 19.
Qd4 O-O 20. h3 c5 21. Qd6 Qg5+ 22. Qd2 Qxd2+ 23. Rxd2 Ne5 24. Bb5 {
and White is on top, R.Robson-T.Hughes, Saint Louis 2010.}) 13. Bc4 $1 Be6 $1 {
EXERCISE: Which recapture should Black make after 14 Bxf6? a) 14...Bxf6; b) 14.
..gxf6; or c) 14...Bxc4.} 14. Bb3 ({ANSWER:} 14. Bxf6 {should be met by} gxf6
$1 {. Black's compromised pawn structure is compensated by the potential of
the bishop pair and the open files for his rooks. The tension between the
light-squared bishops helps Black, since if White exchanges on e6 Black's
pawns are strengthened, he gains more control of the centre, and ...d5 cannot
be prevented.} ({In any case, other options are hardly possible:} 14... Bxf6 $2
15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Qxd6 {leaves Black a pawn down and with a terrible position,}
) ({while if} 14... Bxc4 $6 {White can also grab a pawn with} 15. Bxg7 Rh7 16.
Bh6 {.})) 14... Rd8 ({I wonder about} 14... a5 {here. If Black was willing to
play the position after 14 Bxf6 gxf6, then logically he shouldn't fear} 15.
Bxf6 gxf6 {either.}) 15. h3 {White returns to the g2-g4 plan.} ({
A slightly earlier game continued} 15. Qe2 a5 16. Kb1 O-O 17. h3 ({
Pikula suggests} 17. Bxe6 fxe6 18. Rhe1 Rb8 19. b3 {
with a slight edge for White}) 17... Qb7 18. g4 d5 $5 ({
Black doesn't have to play 18...d5, of course, and} 18... Rb8 {
, a suggestion from Palliser, is worth consideration; he gives the line} 19.
Bxf6 Bxf6 20. Rxd6 Be7 21. Rdd1 c5 $1 {
threatening ...c4 and inducing White to sacrifice the exchange with} 22. Rd5 $5
{, with unclear consequences}) 19. exd5 Nxd5 20. Bxd5 cxd5 {
, P.Negi-M.Vachier-Lagrave, Biel 2010. Here White could have played} 21. Qxe5
$1 {since after} d4 22. Qe4 $1 {
Black probably doesn't have quite enough compensation for the pawn,} ({
rather than} 22. Ne4 $2 Rd5 $1 {.})) 15... Bxb3 16. axb3 {
EXERCISE: Find a good positional plan for Black. ---} {ANSWER:} h4 $1 {
This move has two points: -- 1. White's g-pawn has become fixed. -- 2. Black
plans ...Nh5!, aiming for a favourable exchange of bishops (White's is the
more active) and eyeing f4 as an outpost for the knight.} 17. Kb1 Nh5 $1 18.
Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Qf2 Rb8 {To prevent Qb6.} 20. Rd2 O-O 21. Rhd1 Rfd8 {Black is fully organized, d6 is sufficiently protected, and ...Nf4 is up next. White
distracts Black by attacking his queenside pawns.} 22. Qf1 a5 23. Qc4 {
EXERCISE: Black would like to play 23...Qc7 here. Why didn't he?} Rbc8 ({
ANSWER: The c7-square is the ideal home for the queen, but here} 23... Qc7 $2 {
allows the tactic} 24. Nd5 $1 {. White wins a pawn, since if} Qb7 {then} 25.
Qxc6 $1 {is still possible!}) 24. Qa4 Qc7 25. Ne2 ({
The most consistent and critical move is} 25. Qa3 {
, targeting the d6-pawn. The only option is counterattack with} Nf4 $1 ({
here is no way Black would agree to play the disgusting} 25... c5 {, even if}
26. Nb5 {wasn't available}) {. After} 26. Rxd6 Rxd6 27. Qxd6 Qxd6 28. Rxd6 Nxg2
{White has to play} 29. Ne2 $1 {to prevent ...Nf4. This endgame looks
approximately level. One possible sequence is a knight dance and repetition of
moves with} Ne1 30. Ng1 Ng2 31. Ne2 {.}) 25... Nf6 26. c4 {EXERCISE: Find a
desirable manoeuvre for Black's knight and a way to implement it. --- Instead
of playing 26 c4?, White should have just returned his knight to c3. I'm
pretty sure he simply didn't realize that Black's reply was possible. ---} {
ANSWER:} Nd7 $1 {The c5-square is a wonderful outpost for Black's knight,
especially after White's decision to play 26 c4?. Fortunately for Black, he
doesn't need to protect the d6-pawn - see the next note.} 27. b4 ({After} 27.
Rxd6 $2 Nc5 $1 28. Rxd8+ Rxd8 29. Rxd8+ Qxd8 {
the infiltration by Black's queen will prove instantly decisive, e.g.} 30. Qxc6
Qd3+ 31. Ka1 Qd1+ 32. Ka2 Qxb3+ 33. Kb1 Nd3 $1 34. Qc8+ ({or} 34. Qb5 Qd1+ 35.
Ka2 Qxe2) 34... Kh7 35. Qf5+ Kh6 $1 {
. White's checks have run out, and Black checkmates.}) ({White's idea with 27
b4 is to create another square for the queen before taking on d6, but} 27. Nc3
{would have been more resilient.} Nc5 28. Qa3 Rb8 {
is obviously good for Black but White can fight on with the resource} 29. Na4
$1 {, which contains the tactical point} Rxb3 $4 30. Qxc5 $1 dxc5 31. Rxd8+ Kh7
32. R1d7 {trapping the queen.}) 27... axb4 28. Rxd6 ({If} 28. Qxb4 {then} Nc5 {
followed by ...Rb8 or ...Ra8 with advantage Black.}) 28... Nc5 $1 29. Rxd8+
Rxd8 30. Rxd8+ Qxd8 31. Qxb4 {In contrast to the 27 Rxd6 variation, White's
queen can help out in defence. But it doesn't matter - Black is still winning!
--- EXERCISE: Which move is best: 31...Qd3+ or 31...Qd1+? ---} {ANSWER:} Qd1+
$1 {Correct.} ({After} 31... Qd3+ 32. Ka2 $1 {White is surviving -} Na6 {
is met by} 33. Qa4 $1 {.}) 32. Ka2 Nd3 $1 33. Qb8+ Kh7 34. Nc3 Qc2 $1 {
The queen check on b8 allowed White the time to save his knight, but he is
still losing - despite the fact he currently even a pawn ahead: -- 1. White's
queen is tied to the defence of b2. -- 2. White's knight cannot move. -- 3.
Black will take on g2, and if h3 drops Black's h-pawn will promote very
quickly. --- Let's see how Iturrizaga finishes the game off:} 35. c5 Qxg2 36.
Ka3 Qf2 (36... Qxh3 {wins easily too.}) 37. Qb6 Qxc5+ 38. Qxc5 Nxc5 39. Nd1 Kg6
40. Kb4 Ne6 41. Nf2 Kg5 42. Nd3 f6 43. Kc4 Nf4 44. Nf2 Ne2 45. Kc5 Kf4 {
. White is losing all his kingside pawns.} 0-1

[Event "Turin Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2006.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Borisek, J."]
[Black "Cvek, R."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B48"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2006.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8. f3
b5 {QUESTION: Black has played ...b5 earlier than normal. Can he get away with
this? --- ANSWER: Yes, he can. The key difference in this game is that White
has chosen 8 f3 instead of the more modern move-order with 8 0-0-0, which we
saw in the earlier games, and this gives Black more options.} ({Previously we
saw that 8 0-0-0 b5 9 Bf4! is a bit awkward for Black, but in our current
position after} 8... b5 {,} 9. Bf4 $6 {is toothless:} e5 $1 10. Nxc6 dxc6 {
and without a rook on d1 there's no Bxe5 trick so the bishop has to move again.
}) ({Similarly,} 8... Ne5 {would be risky against 8 0-0-0, as it invites 9 f4,
e.g. 9...Nc4 10 Bxc4 Qxc4 11 e5 Nd5 12 Nxd5 Qxd5 13 Kb1 and White's
development advantage is quite serious. However, against 8 f3 the knight move
becomes more attractive, as any f3-f4 push by White would acknowledge a loss
of tempo - and the immediate} 9. f4 ({White normally plays} 9. O-O-O {and now}
b5 {transposes to our main game}) {can even be met by the interesting} 9... Bb4
{.}) ({QUESTION: Can Black just transpose to lines we looked at earlier? ---
ANSWER: Yes he can.} 8... Be7 {should transpose, since after} 9. g4 (9. O-O-O {
transposes directly}) 9... O-O 10. g5 Nh5 {
I don't believe that White can do without castling queenside.}) ({However, if
Black wishes to play the ...h5 line he should do it now before White can
advance his g-pawn:} 8... h5 $1 9. O-O-O Be7 {
transposes to the previous two games.}) 9. O-O-O ({
QUESTION: How does Black recapture after} 9. Nxc6 {
? --- ANSWER: With the d-pawn. The position after} dxc6 $1 10. O-O-O Be7 11. g4
O-O $1 12. g5 Nh5 {was covered within the notes to Kazantsev-Terekhov.}) ({
White could also delay castling in favour of} 9. g4 $5 {
, which does at least try to utilize the 8 f3 move order. After} h6 ({
Black doesn't have to play 9...h6, though;} 9... Be7 {
will transpose to the main line,}) ({while also possible is} 9... Bb7 10. g5
Nh5 11. O-O-O Ne5 $5 {- see 11...Bb7, below; finally, Black could choose the 8.
..Ne5 move order (see above)}) 10. Nxc6 $5 dxc6 11. O-O-O {it's similar to 9
Nxc6 except White has a hook to attack on h6. M.Adams-V.Anand, Linares 1999,
went} e5 12. h4 Be6 13. Bh3 Rd8 14. Qf2 Rxd1+ 15. Rxd1 Nd7 {
and here White keeps some initiative if he chooses} 16. f4 {(Adams).}) 9... Ne5
{QUESTION: Should Black be afraid of 10 f4, hitting the knight? Or 10 Bf4,
pinning it?} ({
Black still had the opportunity to transpose to the main line with} 9... Be7 {
, but Cvek chooses to accelerate his queenside development.}) (9... Bb7 {
would lead to similar play.}) 10. g4 ({ANSWER:} 10. f4 {is a natural move. As
mentioned previously, f4 becomes less attractive if White has already played
f2-f3, but it should still be firmly kept in mind. After} Nc4 11. Bxc4 Qxc4 {
it's useful for Black that} 12. e5 {can be met strongly by the typical counter}
b4 $1 {.}) (10. Bf4 {might initially look a bit scary. However, it's worth
considering the following points: -- 1. It's difficult for White to add
further pressure to the pinned knight. -- 2. Black is usually happy to break
the pin with ...d6, and even happier if White then trades on e5. His bishop
pair and extra central control would outweigh the "weakness" of the doubled
e-pawns. --- On the other hand, Black does need to be wary of possible
sacrifices on b5. For example,} Bb7 ({I would be tempted to play} 10... Be7 {
first, so that Black is nearer to castling; if} 11. Bxe5 Qxe5 12. f4 Qc7 13. e5
{, once again Black has the resource} b4 $1) 11. Bg3 Rc8 12. Kb1 d6 13. Ndxb5
$5 axb5 14. Nxb5 Qc5 15. b4 Qb6 16. Bf2 {
with unclear play, A.Grischuk-S.Rublevsky, Foros 2006.}) 10... h6 $5 {
This pawn move has been Black's most popular choice here. Black's idea is to
delay the g4-g5 advance, which buys him some time to arrange counterplay on
the queenside and in the centre. The price Black must accept when playing ...h6 is that if and when g5 does arrive, it usually arrives with greater force
because the kingside opens up.} ({I haven't found any games with} 10... Bb7 11.
g5 Nh5 {
, but this doesn't look bad for Black and might be worth exploring further.}
12. -- (12. f4 {can be met by} Ng4 $1) ({, so} 12. Be2 {preparing the advance
makes sense. Black has to be careful, because after the natural continuation}
Rc8 ({for this reason Black should instead consider playing} 12... Bb4) 13. f4
$1 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 {White has} 15. Ndxb5 $1 {uncovering an attack on d7.}))
11. h4 b4 {EXERCISE: Consider White's options and choose the best square for
the knight. ---} {ANSWER:} 12. Na4 $1 {This is definitely the best option for
White. In some lines the knight does become vulnerable on a4, but more than
anything White needs to remain active as otherwise he could easily end up
worse - and 12 Na4 is clearly the most active move.} ({
Black seizes the initiative after} 12. Nb1 $6 d5 $1 {. For example,} 13. exd5
Nxd5 14. Qe1 {(the b1-knight must get back into the game somehow, but vacating
d2 means another lost tempo)} Nxe3 15. Qxe3 Bc5 16. Nd2 Bb7 {. Black's raking
bishops gave him a clear edge in O.Korneev-S.Beshukov, St Petersburg 1996,
even before White lost a pawn to} 17. N2b3 $2 Bxf3 $1 {.}) (12. Nce2 {
isn't quite as bad as 12 Nb1, but it does rather invite} Nc4 {, and following}
13. Qd3 d5 14. exd5 Nxe3 15. Qxe3 Nxd5 {I prefer Black's position.}) 12... d5
$1 {QUESTION: This looks double-edged. Why is Black opening up the centre when
his king still remains there?} ({ANSWER: It is doubled-edged, but Black
committed to this action when playing 10...h6, and backing out now would be
inconsistent and wrong too! If, say,} 12... Bb7 13. Be2 Rc8 {then} 14. g5 $1 {
comes with some force - the price of playing ...h6.}) ({With} 12... d5 {
Black is trying to seize the initiative before White can play g4-g5, while
fully realizing that there might be risks involved. White must respond
aggressively, otherwise he will simply be worse. If, say,} 13. Kb1 $2 {then}
Bd7 $1 {demonstrates one of Black's more obvious possibilities.}) 13. Bf4 {
EXERCISE: Which move should Black choose here? The options are a) 13...Bd7; b)
13...dxe4; c) 13...Bd6.---} ({Pinning with 13 Bf4 looks logical now that the
position is opening up and Black can no longer play ...d6. Even so, it's very
possible that} 13. Be2 $1 {
, preparing g4-g5, is more critical. Here are a few examples from games:} -- (
13... Bb7 14. g5 hxg5 15. hxg5 Rxh1 16. Rxh1 Nfd7 17. exd5 Bxd5 18. b3 Qb7 19.
Rh3 {is better for White, I.Cheparinov-D.Bocharov, Warsaw 2005.}) (13... Bd7 {
is clearly an important try, but White can ignore the attack on the knight and
press on with} 14. g5 $1 {. Then} Nh5 15. exd5 Bxa4 16. dxe6 Ng3 17. Rhe1 hxg5
18. hxg5 Nxe2+ 19. Qxe2 Rh2 20. Bf2 $1 {left White with excellent compensation
in R.Robson-J.Fedorowicz, Philadelphia 2010.}) (13... dxe4 14. Nb6 $5 Rb8 $2 ({
the critical response must be} 14... Qxb6 $1 {since after} 15. Nc6 {
Black has the clever resource} Nd3+ $1 16. Bxd3 Qc7 $1 17. Bf4 ({or} 17. fxe4
Bb7) 17... e3 $1 (17... Qxc6 $4 18. Bb5 $1) {, and now} 18. Bxc7 ({or} 18. Bxe3
Nd5 19. Nd4 Bb7) 18... exd2+ 19. Rxd2 Bb7 20. Ne5 Bc5 {
, with roughly level chances in either case}) 15. Nxc8 Qxc8 16. Bf4 $1 {
was good for White in A.Kovchan-A.Goloshchapov, Alushta 1999.})) {ANSWER:}
13... Bd6 $1 {Cvek breaks the pin and prevents some tactical possibilities.
He's happy to gambit the b-pawn as this would mean White exchanging his
dark-squared bishop.} ({Opening the d-file with} 13... dxe4 $4 {
just asks to be punished, and is with} 14. Nb5 $1 axb5 15. Bxe5 Qa5 16. Bxb5+
$1 {.}) ({If} 13... Bd7 $2 {White's a4-knight enters the game with effect:} 14.
Bxe5 $1 Qxe5 15. Nb6 Ra7 ({or} 15... Rd8 16. Nxd7 Rxd7 17. Bxa6 {and Bb5}) 16.
exd5 {and Black is in some trouble.}) 14. Bxe5 $1 {Borisek accepts the
challenge. In fact White doesn't really have a great deal of choice, as the
threat of ...Bd7 still looms.} Bxe5 15. Qxb4 Bd7 $5 16. Nc5 ({
Black had prevented} 16. Nb6 {due to} Rb8) ({and threatened to win a piece with
} 16. -- Rb8 17. Qa3 Bd6 {.}) 16... Rb8 17. Qa3 Bxd4 ({If} 17... Bd6 {
White escapes with} 18. Nxa6 $1 {.}) 18. Rxd4 Rc8 $1 {This was Cvek's idea
behind 17...Bxd4. White can only protect his c5-knight by weakening his king,
and this guarantees Black good compensation for his pawn.} 19. b4 a5 $1 20. Qb3
Qf4+ 21. Kb1 O-O $1 {Finally Black castles! The threat is simply to capture on
b4, undermining White's knight. --- EXERCISE: Find a strong reply for Black if
White chooses to protect the b4-pawn with 22 a3.} 22. Nxd7 {Borisek would have
played this move very reluctantly, as the knight was trying to hold White's
position together. Unfortunately, there was no other choice, and now White
must suffer with a weak king.} ({ANSWER:} 22. a3 {loses to} Rxc5 $1 23. bxc5
Rb8 {.}) 22... Nxd7 23. Bb5 ({Or} 23. b5 Nc5 24. Qa3 dxe4 {
with advantage to Black,} ({or even} 24... e5 25. Rxd5 Nxe4 {.})) 23... Ne5 24.
Be2 $2 {Under pressure, Borisek blunders.} (24. Rf1 {
is more resilient, although it remains highly uncomfortable for White after}
axb4 25. Rxb4 Qd2 {intending ...Rc3.}) 24... Nc6 {
A key pawn goes, and now Black is winning easily.} 25. Rdd1 Nxb4 26. c3 Rb8 27.
Ka1 Nd3 28. Bxd3 ({If} 28. Qc2 Nf2 {.}) 28... Rxb3 29. axb3 Rb8 30. Kb2 Qxf3
31. exd5 exd5 32. g5 a4 33. b4 d4 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "5. White plays f4"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "13"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. f4 {. The f4 variation.
White can play an early f2-f4 against numerous Sicilians, and the Taimanov is
no exception. --- QUESTION: What's the idea behind playing f2-f4 so early? ---
ANSWER: If White decides to play an f4 line, then playing it straightaway has
some advantages. He can then see how Black reacts and choose his development
accordingly. Also, as we saw in the first two chapters, if White develops
first before playing f2-f4 he often has to make further preparatory moves,
such as 8 Kh1 (see Szelag-Beshukov). By playing f2-f4 early on, White is
trying to avoid losing any momentum.} a6 {. As usual, Black can hardly do
without this move. Another decent option is 6...Nxd4 7 Qxd4 and only now 7...a6, but here we will focus solely on the main line. --- After 6...a6 White has
a number of choices, including 7 Be2, 7 Be3, 7 Nxc6 and 7 Nf3. All these are
covered within the games of this chapter.} 7. -- (7. -- {Key Notes: -- 1. In
general Black should meet f4 lines with ...b5. Chances of counterplay down the
long a8-h1 diagonal automatically increase after f2-f4, because e4 can no
longer be protected by a pawn. -- 2. In many lines Black must be very careful
with the timing of ...Nf6. This knight development often needs some
preparation (see Kosanovic-Banikas and Adams-Stefansson). -- 3. Banikas's 15...e5! (in Kosanovic-Banikas), fixing the pawn structure after the exchange of
dark-squared bishops, is an idea well worth remembering. -- 4. Look out for
tactics involving both ...Bxa3! (Kosanovic-Banikas) and ...Ba3!
(Tolnai-Eingorn). These are key weapons for Black and are often overlooked. --
5. Remember the idea of meeting e4-e5, attacking the f6-knight, with the
counter-threat ...b5-b4. This proved to be effective (to put it mildly!) in
Ermenkov-Nikolov. -- 6. The current main line is 6 f4 a6 7 Nxc6 Qxc6 8 Bd3 b5
9 Qe2 Bb7. Here 10 Bd2! (Adams-Stefansson) is far more challenging than the 10
0-0 of Ermenkov-Nikolov. -- 7. If White doesn't exchange knights on c6, keep
an eye open for ...Na5-c4 possibilities (see Tolnai-Eingorn).}) *

[Event "Korinthos"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1999.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kosanovic, G."]
[Black "Banikas, H."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B49"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "1999.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Qc7 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be2 {
QUESTION: I thought we were looking at 6 f4 lines?} ({ANSWER: We are, but
there are numerous transpositions where White plays f2-f4 on the 7th or 8th
move. The 6 f4 move order would be} 6. f4 a6 7. Be2 {.}) 6... a6 7. f4 {
EXERCISE: How should Black develop? Decide between 7...Nf6 and 7...b5. ---} {
ANSWER:} b5 $1 {We've already spoken about the advantages of playing an early
f2-f4. The disadvantage, of course, is that any pawn move is committal, and
White's decision to play f2-f4 should guide Black towards his most effective
way of developing. --- QUESTION: Why is ...b5 a good answer to f4? --- ANSWER:
An early ...b5 and ...Bb7 becomes a more enticing option for Black when
White's e4-pawn lacks support, and the one thing White's f-pawn lunge doesn't
do is safeguard the e-pawn - quite the opposite in fact!} ({In contrast} 7...
Nf6 {, which is fine against 7 0-0 or 7 Be3, is less effective here because it
allows White to demonstrate a positive of f2-f4 - control of e5! After} 8. e5
$1 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Bc5 10. Qd3 {Black's knight doesn't have a good square -} Nd5
11. Nxd5 exd5 12. Bd2 {and 0-0-0, with some advantage to White.}) 8. Nxc6 {
White again follows the principle "Take on c6 immediately after ...b5".} Qxc6 {
Black keeps the diagonal open to increase chances of counterplay, even though
White can use the diagonal himself with his next move:} 9. Bf3 Bb7 10. Be3 ({
White can open up the diagonal at various points, including as early as this:} 
10. e5 Qc7 11. Ne4 {
. --- EXERCISE: Find a good way for Black to develop here. --- ANSWER:} Nh6 $1
{. We've seen before that this knight likes the f5-square if White plays e4-e5,
and on this occasion it gets to f5 very quickly. Black gets a full share of
the chances after} 12. Be3 Nf5 13. Bf2 h5 (13... Rd8 {intending} 14. g4 d5 $1 {
is also good}) 14. O-O h4 ({or} 14... Rc8) 15. a4 b4 {
, J.Nunn-M.Sion Castro, Leon 1997.}) 10... Rc8 ({
Black can't yet play ...Nf6 because of e4-e5, and} 10... Bc5 {is unplayable
for the same reason. So Banikas chooses another useful move and waits to see
what White does.}) (10... Bb4) ({QUESTION: How about} 10... Bb4 {, putting pressure on c3 and, indirectly, on e4? --- ANSWER: 10...Bb4 has been played and
isn't bad, but White does have a strong reply in} 11. Bd4 $1 {
keeping chances an edge, e.g.} Nf6 12. O-O Bxc3 13. Bxc3 Nxe4 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15.
Bd4 {, as played in a numerous games.}) 11. a3 {
Preventing ...Bb4 and also discouraging ...b4.} ({If} 11. O-O {
it is now safe for Black to play} Bc5 $1 {, since e4-e5 is impossible because ...Bxe3 comes with check. Black is okay here; for example,} 12. Qe1 Qb6 (12...
Nf6 $2 {is still met by} 13. e5 $1 {,}) ({but} 12... Ne7 {is a good alternative
}) 13. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 14. Kh1 b4 $1 15. e5 $5 ({after} 15. Nd1 {
Black is ready to play} Nf6) 15... bxc3 16. Bxb7 Rb8 17. b4 {
(W.Unzicker-G.Franzoni, Bern 1987) and here Unzicker assesses} Qc4 $1 18. Bf3
Rxb4 19. Be2 Qc6 20. Rf3 Ne7 21. Rxc3 Qe4 22. Rf3 {as equal.}) ({
Another option for White is} 11. e5 Qc7 12. O-O {. Just as we saw with 10 e5,
Black should be in a hurry to occupy the f5-square with the knight. So} Ne7 $1
({or} 12... Nh6 $1) 13. Bxb7 Qxb7 14. Qd3 Nf5 15. Bf2 h5 $1 16. Ne4 Be7 {
and Black is fine. The position is very similar to those we studied in Chapter
Two (Szelag-Beshukov), but this ought to be a slightly favourable version
given that Black's knight has reached f5 in only two moves.} 17. Rad1 Qc6 18.
c3 O-O 19. Rfe1 Rfd8 20. Qe2 g6 21. Rd3 d6 22. exd6 Nxd6 23. Nxd6 Rxd6 24. Bd4
Rd5 25. Red1 Rcd8 {was more or less level in T.Tsekouras-H.Banikas, Kallithea
2008. However, as usual Black can point to White's f4 weakness, and Banikas
eventually ground down his lower-rated opponent in a long ending.}) 11... Qc4 (
11... Nf6 {was still not possible, so Banikas removes his queen from the line
of fire on the long diagonal.}) ({After} 11... Qc4 {Black is now ready to play}
12. -- Nf6 {, because the queen on c4 would allow} 13. e5 {to be met by} Ne4 $1
{. Usefully, the queen also prevents White from castling.}) ({
Black has a important alternative here in} 11... Qc7 {, similarly removing the
queen and thus taking the sting out of e4-e5. Some lines:} 12. -- (12. O-O Ne7
$1 ({Black still needs to avoid} 12... Nf6 13. e5 $1) 13. Qe1 Ng6 $1 14. g3 Bc5
{is equal, M.Matulovic-M.Damjanovic, Yugoslavia 1972.}) (12. Qd4 $5 h5 $5 {
. --- QUESTION: I realize Black often plays ...h5 in the Taimanov, but here it
looks a bit strange. What's the idea? --- ANSWER: Sometimes Black plays ...h5
even before ...Nf6, as a way of preparing the knight's development. Now when
the knight reaches f6, e4-e5 can be met by ...Ng4!, as we've seen on a number
of occasions before. Here are a couple of possible lines:} 13. -- (13. O-O-O
Nf6 14. e5 Ng4 15. Rd3 Bxf3 (15... a5 $5 {is also interesting}) 16. gxf3 Nh6 (
16... Nxe3 17. Qxe3 d5 {looks like an improvement for Black}) 17. Rhd1 Nf5 18.
Qb6 $1 {gave White the edge in F.Nijboer-R.Swinkels, Haaksbergen 2009.}) (13.
h3 {prevents ...Ng4 and puts the ball back in Black's court. --- EXERCISE: How
can Black pave the way for ...Nf6 here? --- ANSWER:} h4 $1 {gives the knight
more squares - h5 and even g3! Now Black is ready to play ...Nf6 again and
there is no good way for White to stop him. After} 14. O-O Nf6 15. e5 Nh5 {
Black is fine, e.g.} 16. Bxb7 Qxb7 17. Qd3 Ng3 18. Rfe1 Qc6 19. Bf2 {, L.Gofshtein-P.Tregubov, Montpellier 1998. Here Tregubov's choice in the game of} Bc5 {
was okay,} ({but he prefers} 19... Nf5 $1 20. Re2 Qc4 $5 21. Qf3 d5 22. exd6
Bxd6 {with a slight edge for Black.})))) 12. Qd3 {
Kosanovic blocks the diagonal so that he can castle kingside.} ({
He's not afraid of a queen exchange, as} 12. Qd3 Qxd3 13. cxd3 {
would strengthen White's centre by giving the e4-pawn extra support.}) ({
Even so,} 12. Qd4 $1 {is probably a more challenging move.} -- ({
. One its points is that} 12... Nf6 {is still not full satisfactory, in view of
} 13. e5 $1 {intending} Bxf3 $2 14. exf6 $1 {and fxg7.}) ({. Another point is
that in some lines Qb6 or Qa7 may prove annoying for Black. Black shouldn't
fear a queen exchange this time, because} 12... Qxd4 13. Bxd4 {doesn't improve
White's structure like it did after 12 Qd3 Qxd3?! 13 cxd3. Even so, Black has
to be a bit careful in this queenless middlegame.} Ne7 $1 (13... Nf6 $2 {
is still met by} 14. e5 $1) 14. O-O-O {and now:} -- (14... Nc6 15. Bb6 $1 d6
16. a4 $1 b4 17. Nb1 Nb8 18. Nd2 Nd7 19. Ba5 Nc5 20. Kb1 Nxa4 21. Bxb4 {
with a slight edge for White, V.Kupreichik-M.Tal, Moscow 1981.}) (14... d6 $1 {
looks more flexible, as the knight might still go to g6:} 15. Rhe1 (15. a4 b4
16. Nb1 Ng6 $1) 15... Nc6 (15... Ng6 $5) 16. Bb6 Be7 17. e5 (17. a4 b4 18. Nb1
b3) 17... dxe5 18. fxe5 Ba8 19. Re2 O-O {with level chances, I.Ivanisevic-B.Abramovic, Nis 1995. Black has counterplay against the e5-pawn, as shown by
the game's} 20. Rd7 Bg5+ $1 21. Kb1 Bf4 {. I don't think that Black has to
fear 12 Qd4, but if he prefers to keep the queens on the board then 11...Qc7,
above, is a good solution.}))) ({Finally,} 12. Bd4 {is also interesting:} Nf6
13. b3 (13. Qd2 $5) 13... Qc7 14. e5 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 {. --- EXERCISE: It looks
like Black has to retreat the knight, which is obviously unwanted. However,
there's a better solution - can you find it? --- ANSWER: Black can create a
counter-threat on White's knight:} Bc5 $1 16. Bxc5 Qxc5 17. exf6 ({not} 17. Kd2
$4 Qd4+ $1) 17... Qxc3+ 18. Qxc3 Rxc3 19. fxg7 Rg8 20. O-O-O Rxg7 21. g3 Ke7
22. Rhf1 f5 {½-½, F.Nijboer-V.Lazarev, Belgian League 2009. Black might
consider playing on here, with ...h5-h4 an obvious plan.}) 12... Nf6 $1 {
Finally Black is able to develop his knight.} 13. O-O ({Now} 13. e5 {
can be met by} Bxf3 14. gxf3 Nh5 $1 {.}) 13... Bc5 {
EXERCISE: Can you see a tactical possibility for Black if White plays 14 Rad1?}
14. Bxc5 ({ANSWER: Remember that when the queen and rook line up on the c-file
there are always tactical possibilities based on ...Bxa3. If White's rook
leaves the a1-square, with} 14. Rad1 {, then} Bxa3 $1 {becomes possible. Well
done if you found this idea, because psychologically it's not easy to consider
...Bxa3 when the bishop has only just gone to c5 last move. However, 14...
Bxa3! isn't just a simple win of a pawn. There are a number of lines to work
out, with Black just about coming out on top:} 15. -- (15. bxa3 Qxc3 {.}) (15.
Nxb5 axb5 16. Qxa3 Bxe4 {.}) (15. e5 $1 Bxf3 16. exf6 Qxd3 ({Marjanovic gives} 
16... Bxd1 17. fxg7 Rg8 18. Qxh7 Bxb2 {, but Rybka spots} 19. Nd5 $1 exd5 20.
Re1) 17. Rxd3 Bxb2 18. fxg7 Rg8 19. Bd4 Bb7 20. Rb1 Bxc3 21. Rxc3 Rxc3 22. Bxc3
f5 {. Black is a pawn up, but the passed pawn on g7 offers White serious
drawing chances.})) 14... Qxc5+ 15. Kh1 {
EXERCISE: Find a good move for Black. ---} {ANSWER:} e5 $1 {Typical Sicilian
Taimanov strategy, and an idea we've already seen more than once. With the
dark-squared bishops exchanged, Black's plan is to nullify White's remaining
bishop by fixing White's pawn on e4. In fact, in this position 15...e5 is
virtually a necessity, given White's threat to advance his e-pawn.} (15... d6
$2 {doesn't help, as} 16. e5 $1 {is still possible - and very strong!}) (15...
O-O {isn't so bad, but} 16. e5 $1 Bxf3 17. Rxf3 ({or} 17. Qxf3 {
still favours White.})) 16. Rae1 {
QUESTION: 16 Nd5 looks interesting. How should Black respond?} ({ANSWER:} 16.
Nd5 $5 {is an active move and certainly should be considered. Black needs to
be a bit careful, but he should be fine if he is.} Nxd5 ({Black can also play} 
16... Bxd5 17. exd5 exf4 $1 18. Rae1+ Kf8 $1 {
intending ...g6 and ...Kg7, or even ...g5 in some lines}) 17. exd5 Qxc2 18. Qe3
O-O $1 19. Qxe5 {looks roughly level.}) 16... O-O 17. g4 $5 {
Kosanovic charges forward, intending g5, f5, etc. There's no way back now!} ({
After} 17. fxe5 Qxe5 18. Rd1 Rfe8 {I slightly prefer Black's position,
although White has good chances of equalizing, probably by exchanging off
Black's strongly placed queen by Qd4.}) 17... Ne8 $5 {Banikas creatively
demonstrates an advantage of holding back on ...d6 - the knight wishes to use
that square!} ({
Black could also employ the same plan, but first protect the d-pawn with} 17...
Rfd8 {. For example, after} 18. g5 Ne8 19. f5 Nd6 20. f6 Nc4 $1 {, threatening
...Nxb2, I like Black's position. Notice how he has completely ignored White's
attack on the kingside, not even playing ...g6. If} 21. Nd1 {
Black can continue counterattacking with} d5 $1 {.}) 18. f5 ({
Kosanovic was understandably concerned about his queen getting trapped after} 
18. Qxd7 Nd6 $1 {, but the computer shows how White can escape by} 19. Rd1 $1
Rcd8 20. Qe7 exf4 ({or} 20... Rfe8 21. Rxd6 $1) 21. Rxd6 Rxd6 22. Qxb7 Rd2 {
, with an unclear position.}) 18... Nd6 $1 19. Re2 $2 {
This is too slow - White simply doesn't have time to make consolidating moves.}
({White's best bet is probably} 19. f6 $1 {. Here} g6 {
always carries some risk because of Qh6 ideas,} ({
so as Black I would choose either} 19... gxf6) ({or even} 19... Qd4 20. fxg7
Kxg7 {. In either case, things are a lot less clear than they are in the main
game, which is simply very good for Black.})) 19... Nc4 $1 20. Nd1 {EXERCISE: Black counterplay is now in full swing and he enjoys the advantage. Find a plan
to increase this advantage. ---} {ANSWER:} Rfd8 $1 {With this rook move
Banikas not only protects the d7-pawn but also prepares its advance to d5,
which can't be prevented. This advance will allow Black to seize the
initiative and take full control of the position.} 21. Bg2 d5 $1 22. g5 $5 {
Realizing that he has lost the battle for control, Kosanovic gives up a pawn
and goes into swindle mode - perhaps the best practical decision given the
other options.} ({After} 22. exd5 Bxd5 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 {the position has opened
up, Black is the more active and he is bound to catch up with White's airy
king sooner or later.}) 22... dxe4 23. Qh3 Nd2 24. g6 fxg6 25. fxg6 h6 $1 26.
Rf7 {White is a pawn down but at least he has one or two attacking
possibilities. The trouble is, Black has more!} Nf3 {
Threatening the knight and also a sneaky mate on g1. White's reply is forced.}
27. Ne3 Rc6 $1 {There was nothing wrong with just safeguarding the bishop, but
Banikas's move gets full marks for creativity. --- EXERCISE: Work out how
Black wins if White captures the bishop on b7.} 28. Rd7 $1 ({ANSWER: If} 28.
Rxb7 {Black manages to get to White's g1-square:} Rd1+ $1 29. Bf1 (29. Nxd1
Qg1#) 29... Rxg6 $1 {(the point of Banikas's 27...Rc6)} 30. Rg2 Rxf1+ $1 31.
Nxf1 Qg1+ $1 32. Rxg1 Rxg1# {! A lovely checkmating idea, and full marks if
you saw it all the way through to the end.}) 28... Qb6 $1 {Keeping cool.} ({
There was still time to go wrong with} 28... Rxd7 $4 29. Qxd7 {.}) 29. Rxd8+ ({
White's last chance was} 29. Red2 $5 {, hoping for} Nxd2 $2 ({
however, the cold-eyed} 29... Rxd7 30. Qxd7 Rxg6 {is good enough for Black})
30. Nd5 $1 {and it's game on again.}) 29... Qxd8 30. Qg4 Rd6 31. Rf2 Qb6 {
. Black picks up the g6-pawn, after which all of White's swindling chances
disappear. --- An excellent game by Banikas. 15...e5! was a key move, and it's
also worth remembering his imaginative ...N(f6)-e8-d6 idea.} 0-1

[Event "Vienna"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tolnai, T."]
[Black "Eingorn, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B43"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "1995.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 ({In fact, the actual game travelled through two other
Sicilians before reaching the Taimanov:} 2... a6 {(O'Kelly Sicilian!)} 3. Nc3
e6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 {(Sicilian Kan!)} Qc7 6. f4 b5 7. Bd3 Bb7 8. Qf3 Nf6 9.
Be3 Nc6 {(Sicilian Taimanov!). I've changed it to a pure Taimanov move order
so that we can look at deviations before move 9.}) 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5.
Nc3 Qc7 6. f4 ({Or, alternatively,} 6. Be3 a6 7. f4 {.}) 6... a6 7. Be3 b5 8.
Bd3 {White sets up as in the 6 Be3/7 Bd3 line, but with the addition of an
early f2-f4. --- EXERCISE: How can Black win a pawn here? Does White get
compensation?} ({
Before moving ahead with 8 Bd3, let's look at two other lines here: ---} 8.
Nxc6 Qxc6 9. Be2 {and now:} -- (9... Bb7 10. Bf3 {
transposes to our previous game.}) ({. QUESTION: Isn't} 9... b4 {stronger than
9...Bb7? White's knight is forced back to b1, isn't it? --- ANSWER: If} 10. Nb1
{were forced, then 9...b4 would certainly be worth playing.} ({
However, White can create a counter-threat with} 10. Bf3 $1 bxc3 ({if} 10...
Bb7 {then} 11. e5 {and Ne4}) 11. e5 cxb2 12. Rb1 {. This line is by no means
completely clear - Black will get compensation for the exchange - but White
gained the advantage after} Bb4+ 13. Kf2 Qc3 14. Bxa8 f6 15. Be4 {in B.Spassky-A.Suetin, Moscow 1964, and Black players have been reluctant to repeat this
line ever since.})) ({. However, an alternative to 9...Bb7 does exist:} 9...
Ba3 $5 {. We've already seen some tactical ideas based on ...Bxa3, especially
when White moves the rook from a1. But the ...Ba3 possibility also exists if
White hasn't played a2-a3, and here it actually helps Black that the rook is
on a1 because ...Bxb2 is a serious threat. This theme is well worth
remembering, because it could be a real shocker for an unsuspecting opponent
(it has to work of course!). After 9...Ba3 the "main line" runs} 10. Bd4 ({
White should instead try} 10. Bc1) ({or} 10. Nxb5 axb5 11. bxa3 Qxe4 12. Qd4)
10... Bxb2 11. Nxb5 Bxa1 12. Bxa1 axb5 13. Bxg7 Nf6 $1 14. Bxh8 Nxe4 15. Bd3
Bb7 {with advantage to Black, J.Fichtl-V.Jansa, Havirov 1970.})) (8. Be2 Bb7 {
and now:} 9. -- (9. O-O Bc5 $5 ({not the only move -} 9... Rc8 {is less committal - but it seems logical to exploit the pin if White doesn't play Nxc6}) 10.
Qd2 ({if} 10. Kh1 {then} Qb6 $1) 10... Nf6 11. e5 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Ne4 13. Nxe4
Bxe4 14. c3 O-O 15. Qe3 Bxd4 16. Qxd4 Qc6 17. Bf3 Bxf3 18. Rxf3 f6 19. exf6
Rxf6 {with a level position, S.Ter Sahakyan-B.Adhiban, Chennai 2011.}) (9. Bf3
{. EXERCISE: Find another good plan for Black, one which doesn't involve ...
Nxd4. (Hint: This plan became more desirable after White's 9 Bf3.) ANSWER:}
Na5 $5 {intending ...Nc4 is a good alternative} ({to a solid move like} 9...
Rc8 {.}) {In general the ...Na5-c4 plan becomes more enticing for Black if
White's light-squared bishop has moved off the f1-a6 diagonal, (normally to f3)
. When the bishop remains on e2, White not only has the option of an immediate
exchange on c4, but also the knight on c4 is less stable if White avoids the
exchange. Here} 10. O-O Nc4 11. Bc1 $1 Bc5 12. Kh1 Ne7 13. b3 Nd6 14. Qd3 Rc8
15. Bb2 O-O 16. Rad1 Rfd8 17. Nce2 f5 $1 18. exf5 Ndxf5 {
was roughly level in S.Polgar-M.Taimanov, Amsterdam 2001.})) 8... Bb7 ({
ANSWER: Black can snatch a pawn by playing} 8... Nxd4 9. Bxd4 Qxf4 {
, but I would advise against this. After} 10. Rf1 {Black suddenly looks to be
way behind in development, and White's initiative is pretty obvious.}) 9. Qf3 {
With 9 Qf3, White adopts an aggressive formation and keeps his options open as
to which side he will castle. --- EXERCISE: Can Black get away with playing 9...Nf6 here?} ({An important alternative for White here is} 9. Nb3 {. --- QUESTIO
N: This retreat doesn't look threatening. What's the idea? --- ANSWER: 9 Nb3
isn't as toothless as it looks. An exchange on d4 is very often a key way for
Black to make progress, so by removing this possibility White forces Black to
rethink on how he can develop his pieces. Furthermore, it soon becomes clear
that Black wants to play ...d6, so we reach a Scheveningen-type position which
might be quite alien to a devout Taimanov player. The good news is that it's
hardly the most critical Scheveningen line. I'm suggesting a fairly simple
approach for Black if White chooses this option:} Nf6 10. O-O (10. e5 b4 $1 {
is okay for Black}) 10... d6 11. Qf3 Be7 {and now:} 12. -- (12. Qh3 Nb4 $1 {
(by no means the only move, but simplifying with ...Nxd3 is an easy way for
Black to play)} 13. a3 Nxd3 14. cxd3 O-O 15. Rac1 Qd7 ({or} 15... Qd8 16. f5 e5
17. Bg5 h6 18. Bh4 d5 $1 {
with good counterplay, C.Balogh-D.Mastrovasilis, Warsaw 2007}) 16. Na5 Bd8 $5
17. Nxb7 Qxb7 18. f5 Bb6 19. Bxb6 Qxb6+ 20. Kh1 Rae8 21. Rc2 Qd4 $1 22. Rcf2 d5
$1 23. fxe6 {½-½, J.Emms-J.Gallagher, Catalan Bay 2004. Black is fine after
} Rxe6 {.}) (12. a3 b4 $5 {
(again there are other options, but I can't see anything wrong with this)} 13.
axb4 Nxb4 14. Na5 O-O 15. Nxb7 Qxb7 16. Rf2 {
with roughly level chances, T.Gara-I.Farago, Dresden 1997. The game continued}
Rfc8 17. g4 $5 d5 $1 18. e5 Nd7 {
intending ...Nc5 and Black's queenside counterplay is in full flow.})) ({
Another, rarer, idea for White is} 9. Qd2 {, e.g.} Nf6 10. e5 Ng4 $1 11. Bg1
Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bc5 13. Be2 Nh6 14. O-O-O Bxd4 15. Qxd4 Rc8 16. Rd2 Nf5 17. Qb4
Qc5 {, again with equal chances, I.Smirin-J.Polgar, Netanya 2009.}) 9... Nf6 $1
{ANSWER: Yes he can! The downside of White's last move is that the queen is on
the same diagonal as Black's light-squared bishop, so Black need not fear the
e4-e5 advance - something he immediately exploits by developing the knight to
its preferred square.} 10. g4 {White shows real aggression. The obvious
intention is g4-g5, pushing Black's knight back. --- EXERCISE: Find a good way
for Black to meet the threat of g4-g5. ---} ({Let's take a brief look at
alternatives, all of which lead to good counterplay for Black: --- If} 10. O-O
{then the ...Na5-c4 plan is effective, e.g.} Na5 $1 11. Kh1 Nc4 12. Bc1 Bc5 13.
Nde2 Nd6 $1 14. a3 a5 $1 {and White's e4-pawn comes under severe pressure, A.Martin Gonzalez-V.Jansa, Biel 1985.}) (10. Nb3 d5 $1 {
(there's no need for ...d6 here)} 11. exd5 (11. e5 d4 12. exf6 dxc3 13. O-O-O
cxb2+ 14. Kxb2 Nb4 15. Qf2 gxf6 {
gave Black a clear advantage in V.Popov-I.Miladinovic, Korinthos 1999}) 11...
Nb4 $1 12. Bd4 Nxd3+ 13. Qxd3 Nxd5 14. Nxd5 Bxd5 15. O-O Rd8 16. Rf2 Bxb3 $5
17. axb3 Bc5 18. c3 Bxd4 19. cxd4 Qb6 {
and Black is slightly better, S.Duric-M.Cebalo, Bjelovar 1979.}) (10. O-O-O Na5
$5 {(again the ...Na5-c4 plan looks like a good idea)} 11. g4 $2 ({
White must play} 11. Kb1 $1 Nc4 12. Bc1 $1 Bb4 {with roughly equal chances})
11... Nc4 $1 12. g5 $2 {. --- EXERCISE: White has just fallen headlong into a
trap. Can you see what it is? --- ANSWER:} Nxb2 $3 {
gives Black a winning advantage:} 13. Kxb2 Ba3+ $1 14. Kb1 ({if} 14. Kxa3 {then
} Qxc3+ 15. Nb3 Bc6 {- threatening mate -} 16. Bc5 a5 {
and White must give up his queen with} 17. Bxb5 Qxf3) 14... Qxc3 15. Bc1 Bxc1
16. Rxc1 Nxe4 {and White resigned in T.Tolnai-M.Sjoberg, Zalakaros 1992:} 17.
Bxe4 Qb4+ 18. Qb3 Qxb3+ 19. axb3 Bxe4 {leaves Black two pawns ahead.}) {ANSWER:
} 10... h5 $1 {This pawn lunge is a good idea only if Black can answer g4-g5
with the disruptive ...Ng4. On g4 the knight is vulnerable to h2-h3, but
Eingorn realizes that Black has more than enough resources for this not to
become a problem.} ({An alternative way to meet g2-g4 is by} 10... b4 11. Nce2
d5 $1 {which follows the principle "Meet an attack on the flank by countering
in the centre". Pushing the knight away from c3 allows Black to answer} 12. e5
{with} Ne4 {, with a complex position.}) ({Another possibility is} 10... h6 {
, but this doesn't feel like the best option here. White is pretty quick with
0-0-0 and h2-h4.}) 11. g5 ({Black should be very happy to see} 11. gxh5 {
, which only helps to activate his position. For example,} Nxh5 ({or} 11...
Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Nxh5 {hitting f4}) 12. Nxc6 Qxc6 13. f5 {, as in Z.Andriasian-V.Potkin, Belgorod 2010. Potkin got a good game after playing} Nf6 {,} ({
but here is a position where the shot} 13... Ba3 $1 {
(see above!) should also be considered. If} 14. Nd1 {Black can continue with}
Bxb2 $1 {- another tactic for the memory banks!})) 11... Ng4 12. Bg1 Nxd4 13.
Bxd4 {EXERCISE: How does Black deal with the threat of h2-h3? ---} {ANSWER:} e5
$1 {This move, in conjunction with Black's next, creates a safe outpost for
the knight on e5.} ({It's possible that} 13... Bc5 $5 {
is just as strong. Indeed, after} 14. Bxc5 ({
the other possibility to consider is} 14. Bxg7 Rg8 15. h3 {
; Black can meet this with} Nf2 {
winning the exchange, but White's compensation looks reasonable after} 16. Be5
d6 17. Bf6 Nxh1 18. Qxh1) 14... Qxc5 15. Ke2 (15. h3 Ne3) 15... f5 $1 16. h3 b4
$1 {Black is fine, since} 17. Nd1 $4 ({and} 17. Na4 {is answered by} Qd4 $1) {
is met by} 17... fxe4 18. Bxe4 Qc4+ {, V.Ryanova-I.Korchenkova, Sochi 2007.})
14. fxe5 ({After} 14. Bxe5 Nxe5 15. fxe5 {it might be time for} Ba3 $1 {again.}
) 14... Bc5 $1 {This is the key follow-up to 13...e5. Eingorn's idea is that
after the exchange of dark-squared bishops the knight will sit on an
impregnable outpost on e5.} ({His choice is much stronger than} 14... Nxe5 15.
Qf5 $1 Nxd3+ 16. cxd3 {, which looks nice for White.}) 15. e6 $6 {Tolnai uses
a tactic to disrupt Black's plan, but his choice only leads him into trouble.}
({After} 15. Bxc5 Qxc5 16. O-O-O Nxe5 {Black has achieved his goal (which
began all the way back with 10...h5!). Even so, this position isn't so bad for
White after} 17. Qg3 {.}) 15... dxe6 $1 {
Black is going to get huge compensation for his pawn investment.} 16. Bxg7 Rg8
17. Bf6 Nxf6 ({
Black is spoilt for choice here. Eingorn goes for the simplest option, but} 
17... Bf2+ 18. Ke2 Bh4 $1 {(Tregubov) also looks good.}) 18. gxf6 ({If} 18.
Qxf6 {Black has} Be7 {.}) 18... Qe5 $1 19. O-O-O Bd4 20. Rdf1 Rg6 21. Nd1 O-O-O
$1 {Eingorn doesn't even bother capturing on f6. Black is still a pawn down
but he enjoys a wonderful position, with two fantastic bishops, absolute
control of the g-file, a dominating queen in the centre, and white weaknesses
everywhere. Perhaps White could have defended more resiliently from here, but
his task is an unenviable one.} 22. Kb1 Rdg8 23. c3 Bb6 24. Bc2 Rg2 25. Nf2 h4
$1 {White can hardly move, and Black calmly increases the pressure.} 26. a3 h3
$1 {Now that the rook on g2 is protected, Black is ready to play ...Rd8-d2,
winning, so White's position collapses.} 27. Nd3 ({If} 27. Nxh3 Rxc2 $1 {.})
27... Qxe4 28. Qxe4 Bxe4 29. Rf4 Re2 $1 30. Rd1 Rgg2 31. Ka1 Bxd3 32. Bxd3 Rxb2
33. Bb1 Rb3 {. Black's many threats include ...Ba5 and ...Bxc3.} 0-1

[Event "Mizia"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2002.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Ermenkov, E."]
[Black "Nikolov, S."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "32"]
[EventDate "2002.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 ({As in this game,} 5. Nc3 Qc7
6. f4 a6 7. Nxc6 Qxc6 {is the main line after 6 f4. --- QUESTION: Wait a
minute! First of all White takes on c6 before Black plays ...b5, and then
Black recaptures with the queen instead of the b-pawn! What's going on? Why is
this the main line?}) ({ANSWER: Sigh! Chess would be so much easier if
everyone stopped breaking all the rules! --- To try to understand the
reasoning behind 7 Nxc6 and 7...Qxc6, we need to go back to the position after
} 5. Nc3 {. Assuming Black can recapture with the b-pawn, an early trade on c6
is usually only desirable for White if the following two conditions are met:
-- 1. Black has spent a move on ...a6 (since this move's value is minimal
after Nxc6, ...bxc6). -- 2. White's piece set-up is optimal for the resulting
pawn structure. This set-up usually involves Bd3, 0-0, Qe2 or Re1, and often
f2-f4.} -- ({. Now let's look at some specific lines. If Black plays} 5... a6 {
, then} 6. Nxc6 {is a good move - indeed, it's actually the most popular
choice for White. Both conditions are met, the second one because White hasn't
committed any of his pieces. The main line runs} bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8. O-O Nf6 {
and now either} 9. Qe2 ({or} 9. Re1 Bd6 {.})) ({
. The problem for White arises if Black instead chooses} 5... Qc7 {, because White has to make a move before the first condition is met (i.e. ...a6 by Black).
} 6. -- ({. So if} 6. Be2 a6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 {, the first condition is met but
the second one isn't - White's bishop is misplaced e2 and would rather be on
d3. After} 8. O-O Nf6 9. f4 d5 {we've actually reached the note to White's 8th
move in Alexandridis-Miladinovic, which is fine for Black.}) ({. How about} 6.
Be3 a6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 {? Here the second condition again isn't met, since White
wouldn't normally choose to develop the bishop to e3, at least not as quickly
as this. After} 8. Bd3 Nf6 9. O-O d5 {it becomes clear that the bishop isn't
optimally placed on e3. For example, Qe2 or Re1 no longer directly supports a
possible e4-e5 advance, and also White has to watch out for ...d4, after say ...c5.}) ({. Now let's compare} 6. f4 a6 7. Nxc6 bxc6 {. On this occasion both
conditions are met: -- 1. Black has played ...a6. -- 2. White hasn't committed
any of his pieces. --- It's true he's played f2-f4, but this pawn advance is
quite useful in this structure. Play typically continues} 8. Bd3 d5 9. O-O Nf6
{. White can choose between positional plans such as} 10. e5 ({
or more direct play:} 10. Kh1 Be7 11. Qf3 Bb7 12. f5) 10... Nd7 11. Na4 {
followed by c2-c4. Although 7 Nxc6 bxc6 lines are fully playable for Black,
White has fair chances of keeping an edge. Most Black players actually prefer
the more "Taimanov-like" 7...Qxc6, and this is the move we'll focus on here.}))
) 5... Qc7 6. f4 a6 7. Nxc6 Qxc6 8. Bd3 {One of the merits of capturing on c6
is that White can play Bd3 without also having to play Be3 to protect the
knight on d4.} (8. Be2 b5 {would transpose to Kosanovic-Banikas.}) 8... b5 9.
Qe2 Bb7 10. O-O {It will soon become clear that Black has no problems at all
after Ermenkov's choice in this game. Even so, it's still a bit surprising to
see a grandmaster losing as White in just another six moves! Read on to see
how...} ({A much more challenging move here is} 10. Bd2 $1 {
, the main line, and this is covered next game.}) 10... Nf6 $1 {Unlike in some
other lines (for example, Kosanovic-Banikas), there's nothing to stop Black
from playing ...Nf6 so early. Now White must deal with the threat of 11...b4,
winning a pawn.} 11. e5 {EXERCISE: Choose between 11...Nd5 and 11...b4. ---} ({
The alternative for White is} 11. a3 {. Black can continue actively by playing}
Bc5+ {and now} 12. Kh1 {
. --- EXERCISE: Find a way to increase the pressure on e4.} ({Instead} 12. Be3
O-O (12... d6 $5) 13. Bxc5 Qxc5+ 14. Kh1 d6 {
transposes to note 'b' to White's 13th move in Fressinet-Rublevsky.}) {ANSWER:}
12... Bd4 $1 {threatens ...Bxc3 followed by ...Nxe4, and it's not a trivial
threat to deal with:} 13. -- (13. e5 Bxc3 14. bxc3 Nd5 ({or} 14... Ne4 {
is fine for Black.})) ({. After} 13. Bd2 Bxc3 $1 14. Bxc3 Nxe4 {
White can regain his pawn with} 15. Bxg7 {, but only temporarily:} Rg8 16. Rae1
({if} 16. Bd4 Nc3 $1 {and something nasty is happening on g2}) 16... Nc5 17.
Qg4 Qxg2+ $1 18. Qxg2 Bxg2+ 19. Kxg2 Rxg7+ {with a solid extra pawn for Black,
L.Orozco Lopez-J.Chirivi Castiblanco, Bogota 2010.}) (13. Na2 $1 {is tricky because it poisons the e4-pawn. However, the idea of Nb4 in itself is nothing to
fear, and Black can achieve a good position with the typical Taimanov thrust}
h5 $1 (13... Nxe4 $4 {is met by} 14. Nb4 $1) {. EXERCISE:} 14. e5 {can be met
by 14...Ng4, 14...Ne4 or 14...Nd5, but Black has possibly an even stronger
response. Can you see the idea?} ({ANSWER: If} 14. e5 {
Black doesn't have to move the knight at all!} h4 $1 {
, planning ...h3, might be the strongest choice of all. After} 15. exf6 h3 16.
Rf2 hxg2+ 17. Rxg2 ({if} 17. Kg1 {then} Rxh2 $1 18. Kxh2 g1=Q+ 19. Kxg1 Qh1#)
17... gxf6 {
, threatening ...Rg8, White is in some trouble. The only defence appears to be}
18. Nb4 {, but here the simple} Qxg2+ 19. Qxg2 Bxg2+ 20. Kxg2 Ke7 $1 {
followed by ...Rag8+ leaves Black well on top.}) ({
Instead White should probably play} 14. Nb4 {, e.g.} Qb6 15. c3 Bc5 {
with level chances.}))) {ANSWER:} 11... b4 $1 {Once again we see theme of
meeting the exf6 threat with a counter-threat on the c3-knight. If the white
knight gives way, then as usual the black knight hops into the centre.
Moreover, Nikolov also realizes that a capturing "exchange" also favours Black.
} ({There's nothing wrong with Black's position after} 11... Nd5 12. Nxd5 Qxd5
{- it reminds me a bit of Fressinet-Rublevsky. However, there's no reason why
Black shouldn't aim for more with 11...b4! - and Nikolov is soon to be richly
rewarded for doing so!}) 12. exf6 $6 {White should probably give way with his
knight. This obviously gives Black a very comfortable position, but it's
infinitely better for White than what happens in the game!} (12. Nb1 Ne4 13.
Be3 Bc5 14. Bxc5 Nxc5 $1 15. Nd2 Nxd3 16. cxd3 {and Black has an edge due to
his strong bishop on the long diagonal. V.Malisauskas-V.Arbakov, Berlin 1994,
continued} Qc2 $5 17. Qe3 O-O 18. b3 Rac8 19. Ne4 Bxe4 20. Qxe4 a5 {
and Black was still better, now due to his control of the c-file.}) (12. Nd1 $1
{looks like White's best bet:} Ne4 ({or} 12... Nd5) 13. Be3 {and now} Bc5 ({or
} 13... Nc5 $5 14. Bc4 d5 15. exd6 Bxd6 16. c3 bxc3 17. Nxc3 O-O 18. Rac1 Rac8
{, A.Borowiec-M.Boccia, correspondence 2006}) 14. Rf3 O-O 15. c3 bxc3 16. Bxe4
Qxe4 17. Nxc3 {, W.Rosen-M.Taimanov, Bad Liebenzell 1996; with roughly level
chances in both cases.}) 12... bxc3 {QUESTION: Why is this position good for
Black? --- ANSWER: There are many Sicilian lines involving a knight "exchange"
on f6 and c3, and clearly the assessment always depends on specifics. This is
a good version for Black because the opening of the g-file will only help to
increase the pressure on White's already sensitive g2-pawn. If White were able
to move his f-pawn back to f3, the assessment might be different, but -
unfortunately for White - pawns can't move backwards!} 13. fxg7 $4 {
This makes things ten times worse.} ({White should play} 13. bxc3 {
and accept an inferior position after} Bc5+ ({or} 13... gxf6) 14. Kh1 gxf6 {.})
13... Bxg7 14. b3 {
EXERCISE: Black has a forced win. Try to calculate it through to the end. ---}
(14. bxc3 Rg8 $1 15. Rf3 Qxf3 $3 {
wins in similar fashion, S.Bednikova-B.Andonov, Borovetz 2003.}) {ANSWER:}
14... Bd4+ $1 15. Kh1 Rg8 16. Rf3 {The only move to shield g2, but...} Qxf3 $3
({A shocking end for White! It's mate after} 16... Qxf3 17. gxf3 ({or} 17. Qxf3
Bxf3 18. gxf3 Rg1#) 17... Rg1# {. --- Games like this should persuade White to
play the English Attack, just to keep the long diagonal firmly blocked with
f2-f3!}) 0-1

[Event "Istanbul Olympiad"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2000.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Adams, M."]
[Black "Stefansson, H."]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2000.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. f4 a6 7. Nxc6 ({
One further option for White worth mentioning is} 7. Nf3 {. --- QUESTION: Why
does White retreat the knight? --- ANSWER: The Nf3 idea is similar to Nb3. By
removing the possibility of a knight exchange on d4, or just an attack on d4,
White hopes to reduce Black's counterplay. White intends to follow up with Bd3
and 0-0, when the knight on f3 might prove to be useful for attacking purposes
on the kingside. However, as with Nb3 the price is a lost tempo, and Black has
no need to fear 7 Nf3 if he responds positively, with} Bc5 {(preventing 0-0)}
8. Bd3 b5 {. Black has done well from this position. Some examples:} 9. -- ({If
} 9. Qe2 {Black can exchange knights anyway:} Nd4 $1 10. Nxd4 Bxd4 {
and Black is fine, e.g.} 11. Bd2 Bb7 12. e5 f5 $1 {(stopping Ne4)} 13. Nd1 $5
Ne7 14. c3 ({or} 14. Be3 Bc5 $1 {
intending ...Nd5, although this is preferable for White than what follows})
14... Bb6 15. Be3 Nd5 $1 16. Bxb6 Qxb6 17. Rf1 O-O {
and Black has a clear advantage, J.Lauridsen-A.Kogan, Bergen 2001.}) (9. e5 {
(intending Ne4)} f5 $1 {(again Black prevents it)} 10. exf6 (10. Qe2 Qa7 $5 {
- preventing Be3 -} 11. g4 $5 fxg4 12. Ng5 Nh6 13. Nce4 Nd4 14. Qd1 Bb7 {
and White's aggression backfired in J.Hector-V.Zvjaginsev, Berlin 1993}) 10...
Nxf6 11. Ng5 {was N.Kirov-M.Taimanov, Wroclaw 1979. Black has a few good
options here, one of which is Taimanov's suggestion of} Nb4 $1 12. Nce4 ({or} 
12. Bxh7 Nxh7 13. Qh5+ Ke7 14. Qf7+ Kd6 $1 {and the king escapes}) 12... Nxd3+
13. Qxd3 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 {with an edge for Black.})) 7... Qxc6 8. Bd3 b5 9. Qe2
Bb7 10. Bd2 $1 {The main choice and the most challenging move for Black to
face. With 10 Bd2 White does the following: -- 1. He keeps his options open as
to which side he will castle. -- 2. He prevents Black from developing as
rapidly as he did in our previous game, Ermenkov-Nikolov. --- EXERCISE: How
should White meet 10...b4?} ({ANSWER: After} 10. Bd2 {White plans to meet} b4 {
with} 11. Nd5 $1 {, exploiting the potential discovered check on the e-file.
This is probably a line Black should avoid.}) 10... Be7 $5 {QUESTION: 10...Be7
looks strange. What's Black's idea? Why not develop the knight?} ({ANSWER: As we've seen before, if Black wants to play ...Nf6 he needs to get the timing
spot on. If} 10... Nf6 {then} 11. e5 $1 b4 ({alternatively,} 11... Nd5 12. Be4
Qc5 13. O-O-O Nxc3 14. Bxc3 Bxe4 15. Qxe4 Rc8 16. Rd4 {
with an edge for White, O.Reeh-So.Polgar, Budapest 1991}) 12. exf6 bxc3 13.
Bxc3 $1 {demonstrates one of the points behind 10 Bd2 - the bishop can
recapture on c3 and White has some advantage.}) ({The idea behind Stefansson's
} 10... Be7 {is to wait for the right moment for ...Nf6, and in the meantime
play other developing moves. Another point to note is that 10...Be7 usefully
blocks the e-file. This means Nd5 no longer works and so ...b4 comes into play
again. --- QUESTION: Does Black have other any other options apart from 10...
Be7?}) ({ANSWER: Yes he does, and the most popular line has been} 10... Bc5 11.
O-O-O Ne7 {. --- QUESTION: Why is the knight going to e7 here?} ({
. ANSWER: More out of necessity than anything else. If} 11... Nf6 {
there follows} 12. e5 Nd5 13. Ne4 $1 {and Black's dark-squared bishop would
have been better off back on e7, out of the knight's range.}) ({
. In contrast, after} 11... Ne7 {the sting is drawn from the e4-e5 advance and
White must try to gain the initiative another way. The most logical way - and
the main line - is} 12. Qh5 {, exploiting the absence of a black knight from
f6. In this sharp position Black usually plays} g6 {to attack the queen,
castles queenside and then breaks with ...f5 or ...d5. For example:} 13. -- (
13. Qh4 b4 14. Qf6 ({or} 14. Ne2 d5 15. Ng3 O-O-O 16. Kb1 Qb6 {
, as in S.Drazic-B.Grachev, Rijeka 2008}) 14... O-O-O 15. Ne2 d5 $1 16. Ng3 ({
if} 16. exd5 Nxd5 17. Qxf7 $4 {then} Rd7 $1 {traps the queen}) 16... dxe4 17.
Bxe4 Nd5 $1 18. Qh4 (18. Qxf7 Rd7 {traps the queen again}) 18... f5 $1 19. Bf3
Qa4 20. Kb1 Be7 21. Qh3 Bf6 {with good play for Black, M.Bezold-L.Milov,
German League 2002; White's queen is at least temporarily out of the game.}) (
13. Qg5 $1 {is probably stronger. Even so, Black's resources have proved to be
sufficient in this line. For example,} O-O-O ({now} 13... b4 {
can be met by the trick} 14. Na4 $1) 14. Rhe1 f5 $1 15. Be3 Rde8 16. Bxc5 Qxc5
17. exf5 h6 18. Qh4 gxf5 {with roughly level chances in the super-GM clash S.Rublevsky-E.Alekseev, Irkutsk 2010.}))) 11. a3 {With Nd5 no longer a certain
option, Adams decides to safeguard his knight on c3.} ({If} 11. O-O {
Black gains good counterplay with} b4 $1 12. Nd1 Nf6 {, e.g.} 13. Nf2 d5 14. e5
Ne4 15. Be3 ({or} 15. Rae1 Bc5) 15... Rc8 16. Rae1 O-O 17. Bd4 Bc5 18. Qe3 Bxd4
19. Qxd4 Qc5 {, S.Gross-M.Diekers, German League 2001.}) ({Or if} 11. a4 {then}
b4 12. Na2 a5 13. c3 Nf6 $1 {
and Black's counterattack on e4 arrives just in time.}) 11... Rc8 {
QUESTION: Why is Black still delaying the knight's development?} ({ANSWER:} 
11... Nf6 {
is possible here, although it still runs into White's principled response} 12.
e5 $1 Nd5 13. Be4 $1 {. In the game Zhang Pengxiang-D.Jakovenko, Taiyuan 2006,
Black managed to gain counterplay with} b4 14. axb4 Bxb4 15. Nxd5 Bxd2+ 16.
Qxd2 exd5 17. Bf3 Qb6 18. O-O-O O-O 19. Bxd5 Bxd5 20. Qxd5 Rab8 21. b3 Rfc8 {
, with good compensation for Black, although my feeling is that White should
be a touch better somewhere in this line.}) 12. O-O {
EXERCISE: Is it now safe to play 12...Nf6?} ({
Recently some White players have started to choose the sharper} 12. O-O-O $5 {
, and for good reason as it may well be a more challenging option. For example,
} Nf6 13. g4 $1 b4 ({
as an alternative to 13...b4, I feel that Black should consider} 13... d5 {
: for example,} 14. exd5 (14. e5 Nd7) 14... Nxd5 15. Rhf1 (15. Be4 Qc4 $1)
15... Nxc3 16. Bxc3 O-O 17. g5 Qb6 {(with ...Rxc3 ideas)} 18. Qe5 f6 19. gxf6
Bxf6 20. Qh5 {and here Black has the crucial resource} Be4 $1 21. Bxe4 Qe3+)
14. axb4 Bxb4 15. g5 Bxc3 16. Bxc3 Nxe4 17. Bxg7 Rg8 18. Be5 {looks slightly
better for White, M.Leon Hoyos-Y.Hernandez Guerrero, Toluca 2009.}) 12... Nf6
$1 ({ANSWER: Yes it is safe. Of course ...Nf6 was playable on the previous
move too, but it's worth remembering that after} 12... Nf6 {
if White castles (either side) the idea of} 13. e5 Nd5 14. Be4 {
no longer works, since} Nxc3 15. Bxc6 Nxe2+ {comes with check!}) 13. e5 (13.
Rae1 O-O 14. Rf3 d5 $1 {promises Black good counterplay:} 15. exd5 (15. e5 Ne4
$1 {and c2 drops if White keeps taking on e4}) 15... Bc5+ 16. Be3 exd5 $1 17.
Bxc5 Qxc5+ 18. Qf2 $2 d4 $1 19. Re5 Qc7 20. Ne4 Bxe4 21. Bxe4 Nxe4 22. Rxe4
Qxc2 23. Qxc2 Rxc2 {and Black went on to win in D.Gross-V.Neverov, Prerov 2001.
}) 13... Nd5 14. Ne4 {Adams' choice of 14 Ne4 is motivated by the desire to
keep the diagonal as blocked as possible, and of course e4 is a nice outpost
for the knight. --- QUESTION: Shouldn't Black be worried about 14 f5?} ({
ANSWER: Black should certainly be wary of} 14. f5 {, but doesn't need to panic.
White's initiative looks strong, but we must never underestimate the value of
Black's queen and bishop battery on the long diagonal. After} Nxc3 15. Bxc3
exf5 16. Rxf5 O-O 17. Rh5 g6 18. Rh3 f5 {Black had at least an equal share of
the chances when the players prematurely agreed a draw in N.Sedlak-M.Matulovic,
Budva 2002. It's difficult for White to do anything when he has the constant
worry of something nasty happening on g2.}) 14... f5 $1 {
Stefansson fights back, forcing the diagonal open.} ({Black could also play} 
14... O-O {and ...f5 next move.}) 15. exf6 Nxf6 16. Ng5 $1 ({
Black is fine after} 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. c3 O-O {
. Adams' choice keeps much more tension in the position.}) 16... O-O 17. Kh1 {
QUESTION: Is this king move necessary? Can't White just get on with his attack?
} ({ANSWER: Adams must have felt it was worth a tempo to eliminate any tactics
based on checks on the a7-g1 diagonal. Indeed, after} 17. Rae1 {
Black has the option of} b4 $5 (17... Qc7 $5) 18. axb4 Bxb4 {
, as in V.Hort-M.Taimanov, Moscow 1999, since} 19. Bxb4 Qb6+ {
regains the piece.}) ({Ideally White would like to increase the pressure with
Bc3, but if played too quickly it could easily backfire.} 17. Bc3 $2 h6 18. Nf3
{and now} Nh5 $1 ({or} 18... Ne4 $1 {- Adams}) {
demonstrates some of Black's potential for rapid counterplay:} 19. g3 Nxf4 $1
20. gxf4 Rxf4 {and White is in huge trouble.}) 17... Bc5 {The position is
balanced on a knife-edge, with both sides' pieces pointing menacingly at each
other's kings. In this type of situation one slip by either side can be fatal,
as the game demonstrates.} 18. Rae1 Bd4 $1 {QUESTION: Doesn't this move just
lose a tempo if White plays 19 c3? --- ANSWER: Stefansson is actually
encouraging c2-c3. It's worth spending a move to prevent Bc3, which is one of
White's attacking ideas.} 19. Bc1 Rce8 20. c3 Ba7 21. Qc2 h6 ({
Another possibility is} 21... g6 $5 {. If} 22. Bxg6 ({while} 22. Re2 {
gives Black the time to defend against the threat by playing} Re7 {
as indicated by Adams, who assesses the position as unclear}) {
Black has the resource} 22... Qxg2+ $1 23. Qxg2 Bxg2+ 24. Kxg2 hxg6 {.}) 22.
Nf3 d6 23. Bg6 Re7 24. Nh4 e5 $5 {It looks like Black is inviting trouble, but
he has many resources in the following complications.} 25. Bf5 Ree8 26. Ng6
exf4 $4 {Unfortunately, just as the position is reaching boiling point,
Stefansson makes a losing blunder.} ({As indicated by Adams, after} 26... Rf7
$1 {it's very much game on. The key point is that} 27. fxe5 dxe5 28. Nxe5 {
can be met by} Rfe7 $1 {and if} 29. Nxc6 {there follows} Rxe1 30. Bd3 Bxc6 {
and all three results are still possible.}) 27. Re7 $1 {. A crushing blow.
Stefansson must have been expecting to give up an exchange and get some action
with ...f3, but this move kills off all hope. The devastating threat is Be6+
followed by Nxf8 double check, and there is no good defence.} ({Adams gives} 
27. Re7 Qc4 28. Be6+ Qxe6 29. Rxe6 Rxe6 30. Nxf8 Kxf8 31. Bxf4 {and White wins.
}) 1-0

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "6. The Fianchetto Variation"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "12"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. g3 {. The Fianchetto
Variation isn't very popular at club level, but it is appreciated a bit more
at higher levels. 6 g3 is a very solid option. White shuns all-out aggression,
and instead aims for a small positional edge and to keep Black's counterplay
to a minimum. --- In this chapter we will study the main line, 6...a6 7 Bg2
Nf6 8 0-0 Nxd4 (and, briefly, 8...Bc5). Black can also choose a Scheveningen
set-up with 7...d6 or 7...Nf6 8 0-0 d6, but once again we'll be focusing on
pure Taimanov options for Black.} -- (6... -- {Key Notes: -- 1. The Fianchetto
Variation is a solid line. White tries to minimize Black's counterplay and
aims for just a small positional advantage. -- 2. Remember that g2-g3 supports
Bf4, so this bishop development is much more prevalent than in other Taimanov
lines. -- 3. In the main line, 11 Qd3 can be well met by 11...Nd7!, as in
Kostin-Geller, but 11 Qd2 is best answered by 11...h6! (Tiviakov-Van der
Sterren and Adams-Anand). -- 4. 13...Be6! is a key move in the main line.
Black shouldn't castle too early, as then Qd2-d6 becomes strong (see
Tiviakov-Van der Sterren). -- 5. The line with 15 Nd5 Bxd5 16 exd5 is the most
challenging. Black should, when possible, try to blockade the passed d-pawn.
The most critical lines are those where White gambits a pawn to break the
blockade (see Adams-Anand). -- 6. 8...Bc5 (see Kostin-Geller) is a decent
alternative for Black to 8...Nxd4.}) *

[Event "Voronezh"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kostin, A."]
[Black "Geller, J."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. g3 a6 {
It's worth playing this move at the first opportunity.} (6... Nf6 $6 {
is inaccurate because of} 7. Ndb5 $1 Qb8 8. Bf4 $1 {
, which is most unwelcome for Black.}) 7. Bg2 Nf6 {
QUESTION: Can Black play 7...b5 here, to oppose bishops on the long diagonal?}
({ANSWER: In the previous chapter we saw that 6 f4 encourages ...b5. In
contrast, 6 g3 very much discourages it. In theory ...b5 looks like a decent
plan, but Black struggles to find a good way forward after} 7... b5 $6 8. O-O
Bb7 9. Re1 $1 {, a position from which he has scored poorly. The strength of
White's rook move is illustrated by lines such as} Nf6 ({or} 9... d6 10. a4 b4
11. Nd5 $1) ({and even} 9... Bc5 10. Nb3 Be7 11. Nd5 $1) 10. e5 $1 {.}) 8. O-O
Nxd4 {An idea we've seen before - see, for example, in Szelag-Beshukov. By
exchanging knights on d4 and following up with ...Bc5, Black can develop his
dark-squared bishop with a gain of time. --- QUESTION: How about just
developing the dark-squared bishop without exchanging on d4?} ({
ANSWER: This is possible too.} 8... Bb4 {, though not terrible, makes less
sense here because White's e4-pawn is protected,}) ({and you can work out why} 
8... Bd6 $4 {deserves two question marks. But the other two bishop moves have
been played many times.}) ({If} 8... Be7 {White can reply} 9. Re1 $1 {
intending Nxc6 followed by e4-e5 - this demonstrates an advantage of not
cluttering up the e-file with bishops on e2 ande3!} -- ({
. Black remains solid after} 9... O-O 10. Nxc6 dxc6 ({or} 10... bxc6 11. e5 Nd5
12. Na4 {intending c2-c4}) 11. e5 Rd8 $1 12. Qf3 Nd5 {
, but White enjoys a small but undeniable edge.}) ({
. Instead of castling, Black could try} 9... Nxd4 $5 10. Qxd4 ({indeed, for a
while this was considered to be the main line but that was before the
discovery of} 10. e5 $1 {, which is a very dangerous pawn sacrifice considered
to be good for White, e.g.} Nc6 11. exf6 gxf6 12. Qg4 {and Qg7 is coming})
10... Bc5 {, like in our main game. Black's clever idea is that the tempo loss
(...Be7-c5), allowing White an extra move in Re1, actually helps Black because
the resource ...Ng4 will arrive with tempo by hitting the f2-pawn.}) ({
. QUESTION: Could Black play} 9... d6 {and go into a Scheveningen? --- ANSWER:
9...d6 is certainly playable. However, adopting a Scheveningen set-up against
6 g3 isn't always quite as straightforward as it would be if Black chose the
proper Scheveningen move-order, where Black might delay or avoid ...Qc7 and/or
...a6. In this particular situation, White can alter the position to his
advantage with} 10. Nxc6 $1 bxc6 11. e5 $1 dxe5 12. Rxe5 {. Black cannot take
on e5, the g2-bishop has been unleashed and White enjoys an edge here too.})) (
8... Bc5 {is logical and has also been played many times. I quite like Black's
chances in the 9 Nb3 Ba7 line, but he seems to be having a few problems at the
moment after 9 Nxc6, which I feel is the critical line. If these problems can
be overcome (perhaps with 11...h5!? - see below), then 8...Bc5 is certainly
another option for Black and a worthy alternative to 8...Nxd4. Some lines:} 9.
-- (9. Be3 Ne5 {transposes to 8 Be3 Ne5 9 0-0 Bc5 - see Adams-Anand.}) (9. Bf4
e5 10. Nb3 exf4 11. Nxc5 d6 12. Nd3 fxg3 13. hxg3 {
and Black is okay after either} Be6 ({or the more ambitious} 13... h5 $5 14.
Nd5 Qd8) 14. Nd5 Bxd5 15. exd5 Ne7 {.}) (9. Nb3 Ba7 10. Bg5 (10. Bf4 Ne5 11.
Qe2 d6 {is level}) 10... Ne5 11. Qe2 d6 12. Kh1 h6 $5 {(it's important to
realize that Black isn't afraid of the doubled f-pawns, as other factors
-bishop pair, increased dark-square control etc - provide enough compensation}
13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. f4 Nc4 15. f5 Ne3 (15... Nxb2 16. Qf3 $1) (15... h5 $5) 16.
Rf3 Nxg2 17. Kxg2 Bd7 18. fxe6 fxe6 19. Rxf6 h5 {and Black has decent
compensation for the pawn, P.Leko-J.Lautier, Dortmund 1995.}) (9. Nxc6 $1 dxc6
(9... bxc6 {is met in the same way}) 10. Na4 $1 Ba7 11. c4 {
. White is threatening to create a bind with c4-c5.} -- ({
. Ideally Black would like to respond with} 11... b5 {, but} 12. e5 $1 Nd7 13.
Nc3 {has proved to be annoying.}) (11... Nd7 {
is a better option, but Black is still under some pressure in this line after}
12. b4 {, e.g.} a5 13. b5 e5 {and now either} 14. Rb1 ({or} 14. Ba3 Bd4 15. Qg4
{.})) ({. If Black wants to resurrect this line, maybe the place to look is} 
11... h5 $5 {. This move allows the bind with c4-c5 but gains counterplay in
return by opening the h-file. For example, after} 12. c5 h4 13. Bg5 hxg3 14.
hxg3 e5 15. Re1 Be6 16. b3 Kf8 17. Qe2 Ng4 18. Rad1 f6 19. Bc1 Re8 20. f3 Nh6
21. Be3 Qf7 {. White might still be a touch better, but Black certainly has
his chances too in this complex position, A.Ivanov-J.Benjamin, Philadelphia
2006.}))) 9. Qxd4 Bc5 {QUESTION: Where should the queen retreat?} 10. Bf4 $1 {
ANSWER: Nowhere! White deals with the threat by employing his own counter-threat
to Black's queen. We mustn't forget that one of the advantages of g2-g3 is
that the bishop move to f4 is supported, and this is a key resource for White
in a number of positions.} d6 {QUESTION: Why not a queen exchange?} ({
ANSWER: Black's position actually becomes more difficult if the queens are
exchanged with} 10... Bxd4 11. Bxc7 {. The problem for Black is that his
dark-square weaknesses on the queenside have suddenly become quite prominent,
and furthermore he cannot easily free himself with ...b5 because e4-e5 always
looms. A few games have continued} Bxc3 12. bxc3 d5 13. exd5 Nxd5 14. Be5 f6
15. c4 $1 {with White scoring well.}) 11. Qd3 {EXERCISE: Choose between the
following three options: a) 11...0-0; b) 11...e5; c) 11...Nd7. ---} ({
The alternative retreat,} 11. Qd2 {, is covered next game.}) {ANSWER:} 11...
Nd7 $1 ({The obvious follow-up for White after 11 Qd3 is 12 Rad1, hitting the
d6-pawn, so Black needs to be ready for this. The idea behind} 11... Nd7 {
is to meet} 12. Rad1 {by} Ne5 {, blocking the attack on d6 and gaining a
useful tempo on the queen in the process.}) ({If Black waits with} 11... O-O {
, after} 12. Rad1 $1 {
he is forced to safeguard the d6-pawn in a less desirable way, either by} Ne8 {
messing up his development} ({or by} 12... e5 13. Bg5 $1 {
leaving a hole on d5 which White is ready to exploit after Bxf6.}) ({
Unfortunately for Black,} 12... Rd8 $2 {is unplayable, simply because of} 13.
e5 $1 {.})) ({Similarly, if Black plays the immediate} 11... e5 {then} 12. Bg5
$1 Be6 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Nd5 {favours White.}) 12. Na4 $1 {Kostin increases
the pressure. Now the threat is to win a pawn with Nxc5 followed by taking on
d6. --- EXERCISE: How should Black meet this threat? Choose between a) 12...
Ne5 and b) 12...e5. ---} ({Instead} 12. Rad1 Ne5 $1 {is fine for Black. We've
seen in similar positions that Black should hardly ever fear the
bishop-for-knight exchange with} 13. Bxe5 ({what's more, if White retreats with
} 13. Qe2 {this gives Black enough time to get organized:} Bd7 $1 14. Be3 Bb4 {
is already very nice for Black, who threatens ...Bxc3 followed by ...Bb5, W.
Mueller-D.Ruzele, Berlin1994}) 13... dxe5 {, since the advantages he gains
from this imbalance (bishop pair, dark-square control, central control)
normally outweigh the slight structural disadvantage.}) {ANSWER:} 12... e5 $1 {
QUESTION: Weren't we trying to avoid a hole on the d5-square? --- ANSWER: True,
but Black has no other choice. Crucially, though, White cannot immediately
exploit the d5-square because his knight has wandered to a4, and Geller is
soon able to demonstrate Black's resources in this position.} ({
12...e5 is more or less forced, since} 12... Ne5 {is met by} 13. Qc3 $1 {
when Black is in some trouble.}) 13. Bd2 ({After} 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 b5 15.
Nc3 Bb7 $1 {
Black covers the d5-square just in time, and Nd5 can be met by an exchange.})
13... Bd4 ({
QUESTION: Why does the bishop go here, where it can be hit by c2-c3? Why not} 
13... Ba7 {? --- ANSWER: Geller is actually trying to provoke c2-c3 before
retreating to a7, because this pawn move would get in the way of White's idea
of Nc3-d5.}) ({Not only that, after} 13... Bd4 14. c3 Ba7 {
Black actually threatens to trap the knight with 15...b5!.}) ({
After the immediate} 13... Ba7 {White should definitely choose} 14. Nc3 $1 {
and if} Nf6 {White can follow up with} 15. Bg5 $1 {.}) ({
The alternative for Black is to allow his bishop to be exchanged on c5.} 13...
b5 14. Nxc5 ({if} 14. Nc3 {then} Bb7) 14... Nxc5 {looks solid for Black, but
Mickey Adams has more than once demonstrated that White has long-term chances
to exploit his bishop pair. For example,} 15. Qc3 Bb7 (15... a5 $5 {
might be stronger}) 16. a4 $1 Qc6 17. axb5 axb5 18. Rxa8+ Bxa8 19. f3 Ke7 20.
Qe3 f6 21. Rd1 Bb7 22. Bb4 Rd8 23. c3 Bc8 24. Bf1 $1 {and White is slowly
applying some pressure, M.Adams-G.Hernandez, Mallorca Olympiad 2004.}) 14. Bc3
{Kostin is looking to exchange bishops and at the same time bring the knight
back to c3.} ({QUESTION: What does Black do if White plays} 14. Nc3 {
? --- ANSWER: Black responds with} Nf6 $1 {covering d5, and this is where we
see the value of having the bishop on d4 instead of a7: if White plays Bg5
Black can always chop the knight off on c3 before Bxf6 and Nd5 arrives. After}
15. Ne2 Ba7 ({not} 15... Bxb2 16. Rab1) 16. c4 Be6 17. Rac1 O-O 18. b3 Nd7 19.
Nc3 Bd4 {White can finally land a knight on d5, but Black can either take it
or even play around it with ...Qd8. In B.Firat-J.Geller, Izmir 2011, White
instead chose} 20. Ne2 {which was followed by a draw agreement after} Bb6 21.
Nc3 Bd4 {.}) ({White's other main option here is} 14. c3 Ba7 (14... Nc5 15.
Nxc5 Bxc5 {leads to similar play}) 15. c4 {
(preparing Nc3 again, and of course dealing with the threat of ...b5)} Nc5 16.
Nxc5 Bxc5 {leading to a similar position to the main game:} 17. -- (17. b4 Bd4
18. Bc3 Bxc3 19. Qxc3 a5 20. a3 Be6 21. Rfc1 O-O {
is level, S.Marinkovic-D.Rajkovic, Bled 1989.}) (17. Rac1 Be6 18. Kh1 $1 {
intending f2-f4 is more ambitious, and} Bd4 ({
as a possible improvement I can suggest} 18... O-O {
so that f2-f4 can be met by ...exf4}) 19. b3 O-O 20. f4 $1 f6 21. f5 Bf7 22. g4
b5 $1 23. cxb5 Qb7 24. g5 fxg5 25. Bxg5 axb5 {leaves White slightly better in
a complicated position, D.Kanovsky-S.Milliet, Merlimont 2011.})) 14... Nc5 $1 {
Forcing the exchange of knights. The hole on d5 only becomes a problem if
White can exploit it, usually by occupying it. By exchanging knights Black
virtually eliminates the problem.} 15. Nxc5 Bxc5 16. Kh1 $5 {Ambitious play.
White intends to continue with f2-f4. His aim is to prove that Black's
dark-squared bishop, while being actively placed on c5, does little to help
Black's defence on the kingside.} ({A more modest continuation is} 16. Rad1 Bg4
17. Rd2 O-O {(Black isn't afraid of b2-b4 as this leaves the c3-bishop
temporarily vulnerable)} 18. b4 Ba7 19. Bb2 Rac8 20. Rc1 Rfd8 21. c4 Be6 22.
Bf1 a5 23. a3 {, E.Moradiabadi-J.Geller, Moscow 2006. The chances are level
here, with the weaknesses on c4 and d6 cancelling each other out.}) 16... Bd7
$1 {Forcing White to deal with the threat of ...Bb5, which he does so at the
cost of leaving a temporarily vulnerable pawn on a4.} 17. a4 O-O 18. f4 {
EXERCISE: Black has a decision to make. Should he capture on f4 or hold with
18...f6? Consider both approaches.} exf4 {ANSWER: The choice certainly isn't
easy, but I think I prefer Geller's decision to take on f4. It's true that
White's c3-bishop comes to life, but Black can still partially blunt it with ...f6. In any case, it's important for Black to get some counterplay, which he
now has in the shape of ganging up on e4.} ({After} 18... f6 {
White will probably push on with} 19. f5 {and aim to combine pressure on the
d-file with a possible g4-g5 break. This position is by no means clear either,
as Black can aim for queenside counterplay with, for example, ...b5.}) 19. gxf4
(19. Rxf4 {is met in the same way.}) 19... Rae8 $1 {QUESTION: Why this rook?} (
{ANSWER: The other rook is required to defend the kingside and support ...f6.
In fact,} 19... Rfe8 20. Qg3 $1 {would leave Black in trouble. It doesn't
matter that the f8-rook is hemmed in for the moment, as Black is probably
going to double rooks on the e-file eventually.}) 20. Qg3 {
This is tempting, but it soon turns out that White's "attack" is going nowhere.
} ({Black is certainly helped in this position by the vulnerable a4-pawn,
which prevents White from playing the desirable Rad1. Perhaps White should
settle for something like} 20. b3 f6 21. Rad1 Rf7 {, although even this is
fine for Black. He still has a clear-cut plan of piling up on e4 with ...Rfe7
and ...Bc6. Meanwhile,} 22. b4 Ba7 {
doesn't help White because c3 and a4 become loose.}) 20... f6 21. a5 {
Freeing the a1-rook.} Bc6 $1 22. Rae1 {QUESTION: White has got all his pieces
in their optimum positions, but what next? --- ANSWER: Exactly - nothing!
White can't improve his position but Black can - by increasing the pressure on
e4.} b5 $1 {Preparing ...Qb7 to hit e4 for a third time. Advantage Black.} 23.
axb6 Qxb6 24. b4 $2 {Perhaps realizing that things are getting difficult,
Kostin tries to solve his problems with a tactic, but Geller calculates
precisely, finds a flaw and realizes that the pawn can be grabbed.} ({
White can't liquidate with} 24. e5 {since Black has} fxe5 25. fxe5 Bf2 $1 {.})
({The best chance is} 24. f5 $1 Rf7 25. Rf4 {
to add further support to e4, but Black remains better after} Bd4 $1 {.}) 24...
Bxb4 $1 25. Rb1 Rxe4 $1 {And another pawn!} 26. Qd3 ({After} 26. Bxb4 Rxb4 27.
Rxb4 Bxg2+ 28. Qxg2 Qxb4 {Black is simply two pawns ahead.}) 26... Rfe8 $6 (
26... Qb7 $1 {is more accurate. If then} 27. Bd2 {
, planning c2-c3, Black wins by} Rd4 $1 28. Qxd4 Bxg2+ 29. Kg1 Bxf1 {.}) 27.
Bxf6 $2 (27. Bd2 $1 {is more resilient, as then White has Qb3 checking ideas.
White is still just about in the game after} Kh8 28. Rxb4 (28. c3 Re2 $1) 28...
Rxb4 29. Bxb4 Bxg2+ 30. Kxg2 Qxb4 31. Qxa6 {.}) 27... gxf6 28. c3 Kh8 29. Rg1 (
{If} 29. cxb4 {then} Re2 $1 {intending} 30. Bf3 R2e3 {is winning for Black.})
29... Re2 $1 30. Qg3 (30. cxb4 {loses to} Bxg2+ 31. Rxg2 Re1+ $1 {.}) 30...
Rxg2 31. Rxg2 Bxg2+ 32. Qxg2 Bc5 $1 {. A nice final touch.} 0-1

[Event "Netherlands Championship, Rotterdam"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2000.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Tiviakov, S."]
[Black "Van der Sterren, P."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2000.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. g3 a6 7. Bg2 Nf6 8. O-O
Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Bc5 10. Bf4 d6 11. Qd2 {This time White retreats to d2, but the
plan is still the same: pressure down the d-file with Rad1. --- EXERCISE: Work
our whether Black's plan from our previous game, of ...Nd7-e5, is affected by
White's decision to play 11 Qd2.} ({
ANSWER: It is affected, and in a negative way. The key point is that after} 11.
Qd2 Nd7 $6 12. Rad1 ({
there's also a second and less obvious reason: White can play} 12. b4 $1 Bxb4
13. Nd5 $1 exd5 14. Qxb4 {with advantage}) 12... Ne5 {White's queen isn't
under attack. This extra tempo for White proves to be crucial, and after} 13.
Na4 $1 {Black cannot successfully hold his position together.}) 11... h6 $1 {
This is Plan B. --- QUESTION: What's the point behind this pawn move? Shouldn't 
Black be developing? --- ANSWER: Black realizes that he will be able to deal
with the pressure against the d6-pawn only by blocking with ...e5. As we saw
in our previous game, White likes to meet ...e5 with Bg5, to allow Bxf6 and
Nd5, so Black plays ...h6 to prevent this key plan.} 12. Rad1 e5 13. Be3 {
EXERCISE: Choose between one of the following three options: a) 13...Bxe3; b)
13...0-0; c) 13...Be6.---} {ANSWER:} Be6 $1 {Black has solved the problem of
defending d6, since Bxc5 can always be met by ...dxc5. However, the battle is
only just beginning. White has a number of plans and Black must know the right
way to deal with them.} (13... O-O {
looks perfectly natural, but now White demonstrates one of his ideas:} 14. Bxc5
dxc5 15. Qd6 $1 Qxd6 16. Rxd6 {and White has a slight but unmistakable
advantage because he dominates the d-file. By playing 13...Be6, Black takes
measures against the Qd2-d6 idea, because after the exchange of queens Black's
king is usually much happier in the centre (see below).}) (13... Bxe3 $2 {
would be fine if White recaptured with the queen, but} 14. fxe3 $1 {is a more than justified breaking of the rules. White wins a pawn by force, since} Ke7 $4
{loses to} 15. Rxf6 $1 {.}) ({Finally, in a number of games Black has tried} 
13... Ke7 {. This idea certainly has some logic, and indeed there are a number
of Sicilian positions where the black king is surprisingly safe on e7 (for a
model example, look up Bobby Fischer's game against Matulovic, Vinkovci 1968).
However, in this position, White has worked out a way to make life very
difficult for Black, with} 14. Bxc5 Qxc5 15. Na4 $1 Qc6 16. f4 $1 {
, and this line is best left alone.}) ({
Finally, it's worth comparing the note to White's 15th, below, with} 13... Bg4
14. Bxc5 dxc5 15. Qd6 $1 Qxd6 16. Rxd6 Ke7 17. Rb6 $1 {, and here} Kd7 $2 {
doesn't work as the f-pawn is unprotected after} 18. Rxb7+ {.}) 14. Bxc5 dxc5
15. f4 ({White's other main option is} 15. Nd5 {
, which is covered next game, but the two moves often transpose.}) ({
QUESTION: What happens if White plays} 15. Qd6 {here? --- ANSWER: This is
another critical try, but Black is much better placed here than he was after
13...0-0 because he can use his king in the battle. For example,} Qxd6 16. Rxd6
Ke7 $1 17. Rb6 $1 ({if} 17. Rfd1 Rhd8) {. In this position Black can play}
17... Rab8 {,} ({but perhaps the best option is} 17... Kd7 $1 {. If Black can
get his king to c7 then he is doing very well - the rook might just get
trapped. The obvious question is what happens on} 18. Rxb7+ ({
another option for White is} 18. Nd5 {, but after} Bxd5 19. exd5 Kc7 20. Rb3
Rab8 21. a4 b6 22. Rd1 Kd6 $1 {Black's king proves to be an effective blocker:}
23. Bf1 a5 24. Bb5 Ne8 25. Rbd3 f5 26. f3 Nf6 {
and Black is fine in this ending, R.Zenklusen-E.Aranovitch, Swiss League 2008})
{, but after} 18... Kc6 {the rook is lacking squares.} 19. Re7 {
is forced, when Black can choose between} Kd6 {
repeating moves and ...Ng8 (perhaps preceded by ...Rhb8) winning the exchange.}
)) 15... O-O $1 (15... Rd8 16. Nd5 $1 Bxd5 17. exd5 e4 18. Rfe1 $1 Rxd5 19.
Rxe4+ $1 Kd8 20. Qe2 Rxd1+ 21. Qxd1+ Qd7 22. Qxd7+ Kxd7 23. Re5 {gave White a
long-term advantage in R.Fischer-M.Taimanov, Vancouver 1971, a famous endgame
which demonstrates perfectly how to exploit a bishop-for-knight advantage on
an open board. Compare the scope of White's bishop here with the previous note,
where it was blocked by White's pawn on d5.}) 16. Qd6 {Now that Black has
committed to castling, Tiviakov logically goes for the queen exchange. ---
EXERCISE: Choose between 16...Qxd6 and 16...Qa5. ---} ({The alternative is} 16.
Nd5 Bxd5 17. exd5 {which transposes to our next game, Adams-Anand.}) {ANSWER:}
16... Qa5 $1 {A strong response by Van der Sterren, not giving White what he
wants. In the previous examples of Qd6, above, Black was obliged to swap
queens but here Black doesn't need to, and shouldn't.} 17. f5 $6 {
Tiviakov continues aggressively, but this proves to be misguided.} ({
The key point which justifies Black's decision is that} 17. Qxe5 Rfe8 $1 {
leaves White's queen dangerously short of squares and vulnerable to numerous
threats:} 18. f5 Bc4 19. Qf4 Bxf1 20. Rxf1 c4 {
and Black is clearly better, A.Shchekachev-A.Fominyh, Omsk/Perm 1998.}) ({
Similarly, if} 17. fxe5 {then} Ng4 {. Because of the ...Rad8 threat, Black
will take the pawn on e5 and reach a fine position.}) ({
Perhaps White's best option is to beat the retreat with} 17. Qd2 {
, although this would obviously accept that the whole idea of 16 Qd6 is flawed.
} Rad8 18. Nd5 Qxd2 19. Rxd2 Bxd5 20. exd5 exf4 21. Rxf4 {
was M.Adams-J.Polgar, Wijk aan Zee 2000. Here Polgar played the crucial move}
Ne8 $1 {intending ...Nd6, following the principle of blocking a passed pawn
with a knight.}) 17... Bc4 $1 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 $1 {Now White really does have to
retreat, as otherwise ...Rad8 will trap the queen.} 19. Qd2 Rad8 20. Qe3 {
EXERCISE: Find a good move for Black. ---} {ANSWER:} Rd4 $1 {Advantage Black!
The rook has found a strong outpost and can't be captured. It's worth
comparing this position to the one after 16 Qd6 - Black has made huge progress.
Ironically, after some of the variations we saw above, it's now Black who will
be dominating the d-file. Also, White's bishop on g2 is now just a bad piece.
The only concern for Black is the safety of his bishop on c4, which lacks
squares after White's next move, but Van der Sterren is able to deal with this
skilfully.} 21. a4 Red8 22. Bf3 ({At the moment} 22. b3 $2 {loses to} Ng4 $1
23. Qf3 Rxd1 24. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25. Nxd1 Qe1+ {, so Tiviakov prevents ...Ng4.})
22... Qb4 23. Rb1 ({If now} 23. b3 {Black has the clever resource} Bd3 $1 24.
Na2 Qa3 $1 {.}) 23... Rd2 {Continuing the threats.} 24. Red1 ({Now} 24. b3 {
is answered by} Rxc2 $1 {.}) 24... Rxd1+ 25. Bxd1 {
Tiviakov wants to keep the b2-b3 idea alive.} ({If} 25. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 26. Nxd1 {
Black can even play} Ba2 $5 {.}) 25... b5 26. axb5 (26. b3 {can still be met by
} Bd3 $1 {.}) 26... Bxb5 {Finally the bishop has escaped from any potential
trapping. Black's advantage remains, but it won't be easy to make progress
against accurate defence.} 27. Bf3 Qd4 28. Re1 Qd2 29. Nxb5 axb5 30. Re2 Qd1+
31. Kg2 c4 32. Qc5 {Allowing a tactic.} Rd2 ({The shot} 32... Nxe4 $1 {
wins a pawn:} 33. -- (33. Rxe4 Rd2+ {.}) (33. Qxe5 Nd2 $1 34. Qe8+ (34. Rf2
Nxf3 35. Rxf3 Rd2+ {wins a pawn}) 34... Kh7 $1 {wins, as noted by Ribli.}) ({
. However, White has chances to survive in the ending by playing} 33. Qg1 $1
Qxg1+ 34. Kxg1 {.})) 33. Rxd2 Qxd2+ 34. Qf2 Qc1 35. c3 Qb1 36. Qe2 Nd7 {
Planning ...Nc5-d3.} 37. Qd2 $5 Nc5 {EXERCISE: 37...Nc5 actually allows White
to force a draw, but Tiviakov, perhaps in time trouble, fails to spot it. Can
you see what he missed?} ({Objectively} 37... Nf6 {
was better, and Black starts again after} 38. Qe2 {.}) 38. Qd5 $2 ({
ANSWER: White should play} 38. Qd8+ $1 Kh7 {and only now} 39. Qd5 {. Black has
various tries but can't seem to do anything about Qxf7 followed by perpetual
check. For example,} Qxb2+ 40. Kh3 Qf2 41. Qxf7 {.}) 38... Nd3 $1 39. Qxb5 {
Now Van der Sterren is able to demonstrate the legendary attacking power of
the queen and knight combination, with White's king being forced into a mating
net.} ({Perhaps Tiviakov had overlooked that} 39. Bh5 {can be met by} Qc2+ $1
40. Kh3 Nf2+ 41. Kh4 Qxe4+ {.}) 39... Ne1+ (39... Qc2+ $1 {is quicker, but
it's likely that Van der Sterren decided to repeat moves to reach the time
control.}) 40. Kf2 Nd3+ 41. Kg2 Qc2+ $1 42. Kh3 Nf2+ 43. Kh4 Qd2 $1 {
Mate cannot be prevented.} 44. Qe8+ Kh7 45. Qe7 f6 $1 46. g4 Qf4 $1 0-1

[Event "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2001.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Adams, M."]
[Black "Anand, V."]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "96"]
[EventDate "2001.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 Qc7 7. Bg2 Nf6 8. O-O
{QUESTION: What does Black do if White prevents the ...Nxd4 and ...Bc5 plan,
either by playing 8 Be3 or by retreating the knight? --- ANSWER: Neither
option should cause Black any real worries.} ({
Let's take a quick look at them in turn: ---} 8. Be3 {obviously makes an
exchange on d4 much less desirable, but Black can easily change plans. One
good option is} Ne5 {introducing ...Nc4 and ...Ng4 ideas:} 9. O-O Bc5 10. h3 ({
if} 10. Bf4 {then} d6) 10... b5 11. b3 Bb7 12. f4 {
was N.De Firmian-M.Sjoberg, Stockholm 1998. Here Sjoberg's} {Here Sjoberg's} d6
$1 {is a nice trick to remember. If White takes the knight Black regains the
piece with advantage. Instead the game went} 13. Kh2 Rd8 14. Qe2 Nc6 (14...
Ned7 $5) 15. Nxc6 Qxc6 16. Nd5 Nxe4 $5 17. Bxe4 exd5 18. Bxd5 Qxd5 19. Bxc5+
Qe4 20. Rfe1 O-O 21. Qxe4 Bxe4 22. Rxe4 dxc5 {and was soon drawn.}) (8. Nb3 b5
9. O-O Bb7 10. a3 Be7 11. f4 d6 12. Be3 {. As we've seen before (in the note
on 9 Nb3 in Tolnai-Eingorn), an early Nb3 by White usually means that Black is
obliged to play a Scheveningen set-up with ...d6. The good news for Black is
that an early Nb3 isn't usually the most critical option in Scheveningen lines.
Having said that, the resulting positions from here are actually very sharp.
Let's see what Taimanov himself did here:} O-O ({the immediate} 12... Nd7 {
and ...Nb6 looks interesting}) 13. g4 Nd7 14. g5 Nb6 ({the alternative is} 
14... Rfe8 {
intending the typical defensive regrouping with ...Bf8, ...g6 and ...Bg7}) 15.
Kh1 Nc4 16. Bc1 {, Y.Habu-M.Taimanov, Paris 2002. Here Taimanov played} Rfd8 {,
} ({but I feel that} 16... Rfe8 {is a wiser choice, so that Black can meet} 17.
f5 {with} Bf8 $1 {and his rook offers vital support to the e6-pawn.})) 8...
Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Bc5 10. Bf4 {QUESTION: Does White have to play this bishop move
here? Could he reserve it for later?} ({
ANSWER: Yes he could, although if he does forgo Bf4 and retreat the queen, then
} 10. Qd3 {obviously looks more natural than 10 Qd2.} -- ({
. Black can answer 10 Qd3 with} 10... d6 {
, and here it's likely that White's most challenging response is} 11. Bf4 {
, transposing directly to Kostin-Geller.}) ({
. However, Black also has the option here of} 10... Ng4 {
intending ...Ne5. Some examples:} 11. -- (11. Bf4 Ne5 12. Qe2 d6 {
is fine for Black. Here} 13. Rad1 Bd7 $1 {transposes to Mueller-Ruzele (see
the note to White's 12th move in Kostin-Geller).}) (11. Qe2 {
is the main choice:} -- (11... Ne5 12. Kh1 $1 {
(f2-f4 is the only test for Black)} d6 13. f4 Nc6 14. Be3 (14. Qg4 $5 O-O 15.
f5 Ne5 16. Qh3 Qe7 17. f6 $5 gxf6 {is unclear, S.Tiviakov-J.Emms, Mondariz 2000
}) 14... Bxe3 15. Qxe3 O-O 16. a4 $1 {(to prevent ...b5)} Bd7 17. Rad1 Rfd8 18.
Qd2 Be8 $1 19. Rf3 {, V.Baklan-D.Ruzele, Berlin 1997. Here I prefer} Rac8 ({
over Ruzele's choice of} 19... Nb4 {, because I feel it's important for Black
to maintain the option of playing ...Ne5 in answer to f4-f5 for as long as
possible.})) ({. Black's defensive set-up in the previous note might not be to
everyone's liking, and some might prefer the more ambitious (and more
Taimanov-like)} 11... h5 $5 {. Black keeps the knight on g4, at least for the
time being, and creates the possibility of counterplay with ...h4. For example:
} 12. -- (12. h3 $2 {can be answered by} Qxg3 $1 13. hxg4 hxg4 14. Rd1 Bxf2+
15. Qxf2 Rh1+ $1 16. Kxh1 Qxf2 {
which, although not completely clear, looks better for Black.}) (12. Bf3 Ne5 $1
13. Bxh5 b5 {is an interesting pawn sacrifice. Black will follow up with ...Bb7 and ...0-0-0, and try to make something happen down the h-file.} 14. Bf4
Bb7 15. Rfe1 O-O-O 16. Bf3 Rdg8 17. Bg2 g5 $1 18. Bd2 g4 19. a4 b4 20. Nd1 Nf3+
$1 21. Bxf3 gxf3 22. Qxf3 f5 $1 23. Bf4 e5 24. Bd2 fxe4 25. Qe2 Rxg3+ ({or} 
25... e3 $1 26. Bxe3 Rxh2 $1) 26. hxg3 e3 27. f3 exd2+ 28. Kg2 {(0-1, T.Penson-J.Goormachtigh, Belgian League 2006) is the type of dream scenario Black is
hoping for. No doubt White can defend better, but in any case this feels like
a promising gambit for Black.}) (12. Bf4 {
(this looks like the most logical response)} Ne5 13. Na4 Ba7 14. b3 ({or} 14.
Be3 b5 15. Bxa7 Rxa7 (15... Qxa7 $5) 16. Nc3 Qc5 17. Nd1 Rc7 18. Ne3 h4 $1 {
with good play for Black, J.Barle-M.Corvi, Italy 1998}) 14... b5 15. Nb2 Bd4 (
15... h4 $5) 16. Rab1 Bb7 17. Nd3 f6 18. Rbc1 Bc3 19. Rfd1 h4 20. Bd2 hxg3 21.
hxg3 Rc8 {with roughly level chances, C.Weiss-M.Schlosser, Austrian League
1994. The open h-file always gives Black counterplay.}))))) 10... d6 11. Qd2 h6
12. Rad1 e5 13. Be3 Be6 14. Bxc5 dxc5 15. Nd5 $1 {The main choice for White.} (
15. f4 {was covered in our previous game.}) 15... Bxd5 16. exd5 {
EXERCISE: Black really has one only good move here. What is it? ---} {ANSWER:}
Qd6 $1 {Black can't allow the passed d-pawn to move forward to d6, unleashing
the g2-bishop, at least not yet.} (16... O-O 17. d6 $1 {is simply good for
White. The queen is not the happiest blocker of passed pawns - a knight would
be preferable! - but she is the only one able to do the job for the moment.
One of the reasons Black took on d5 with the bishop was to preserve the knight
for possible blockading purposes, although a more immediate concern was to
make sure Black got a tempo to play ...Qd6.}) 17. f4 $1 {
QUESTION: Why the exclamation mark? Shouldn't White play more slowly?} ({
ANSWER:} 17. f4 {is a crucial move. White is exploiting his slight lead in
development in order to force the black queen from the blockading square -
Black can't really allow} exf4 ({and} 17... e4 18. Rfe1 {wins a pawn}) 18.
Rde1+ {.}) ({If White plays it more slowly with} 17. c4 O-O 18. Rfe1 Rfe8 {
, Black has a rock-solid position and may continue by doubling rooks on the
e-file in anticipation of f2-f4. Instead Adams strikes while the iron is hot.})
17... O-O 18. fxe5 Qxe5 {
EXERCISE: Suggest options for Black after the sequence 19 c4 Qd6 20 Qf4.} 19.
d6 $1 {Again critical. White is willing to give up a pawn in order to break
the blockade on d6.} ({ANSWER: After} 19. c4 Qd6 20. Qf4 {
Black should be looking to maintain the blockade on d6.} -- ({
. One good way to do so is by} 20... Rfd8 $1 {, which has the added benefit of
vacating f8 for the king on its journey to the centre in an endgame. After} 21.
Qxd6 Rxd6 22. Rfe1 Kf8 $1 23. Bh3 Re8 24. a3 Rxe1+ 25. Rxe1 a5 26. Re3 Rb6 $1 {
(to prevent Rb3)} 27. b3 Rd6 28. Bc8 Rb6 29. Kf1 Ne8 $1 30. Ke2 Nd6 {the knight
has finally reached its ideal square, blockading the d5-pawn, G.Guseinov-E.Hossain, Kolkata 2009.}) ({
. Another option for Black, perhaps an even more logical one, is} 20... Ne8 $1
{so that the knight can get to d6 immediately after the queen exchange.} 21. b3
Qxf4 22. gxf4 $1 Nd6 23. Rfe1 Rfe8 24. Re5 Kf8 25. Rde1 a5 26. Bh3 Rad8 (26...
a4 $5) {and the monster knight holds Black's position together perfectly well,
J.Sikora-P.Haba, Ostrava 2010. This position should probably be drawn with
best play, but here Black got a helping hand with} 27. a3 $2 a4 $1 {
and White's queenside pawns crumbled.})) 19... Qxb2 $1 {
QUESTION: Should Black really be grabbing this pawn? Isn't it better to defend?
} ({ANSWER: If Black doesn't take the pawn then White gains something - the
lifting of the d6 blockade - for nothing. It's important to note that there's
no immediate danger of White's passed pawn promoting, so Black doesn't need to
play ...Rd8 just yet. By accepting the gambit on b2 Black at least puts some
pressure on White to utilize his positional advantage. In contrast, after} 
19... Rab8 20. c4 Rfd8 21. Rfe1 {White is under no pressure at all.}) 20. c4 {
QUESTION: Surely White has better chances to win if he keeps the queens on?} ({
ANSWER: But also better chances to lose! In any case, there's still a lot of
play left in the position even after the queens come off. The alternative
approach is} 20. Rb1 Qxa2 $1 21. Rxb7 Rad8 {, which is genuinely unclear
because Black's pieces are well placed to deal with White's strong d-pawn. For
example,} 22. Rd1 Rfe8 23. Qf2 ({if} 23. d7 Re5 24. Qd6 {then} Qe6 $1 {
is a key resource -} 25. Rb8 Re1+ {will be perpetual check}) 23... Re5 $1 24.
Ra7 $6 {(T.Horvath-A.Fominyh, Budapest 1996) and here Black could have played}
Qe6 $1 {intending to meet} 25. Rxa6 {with} Ng4 $1 {, with advantage.}) 20...
Qxd2 21. Rxd2 Rab8 22. a4 $1 {EXERCISE: How does White intend to meet 22...b5?
White's best chance in this ending is to keep the queenside pawns on the board,
and Adams' 22 a4 is designed to do just this.} (22. Rb1 {is met by} b5 $1 {
. For example,} 23. cxb5 ({or} 23. d7 Rfd8 24. Bc6 Rb6 25. cxb5 axb5 26. Bxb5
Rxd7 $1 27. Rxd7 Nxd7 {with a likely draw}) 23... Rxb5 24. Rc1 Rd8 25. d7 $2 ({
White can draw by} 25. Bc6 Rb6 26. Rxc5 Rc8 27. Rdc2 (27. d7 Nxd7 $1) 27... Rd8
28. Rd2) 25... Rb6 26. Rxc5 Rxd7 {and by this stage Black is simply a pawn up,
R.Kotter-R.Frombach, German League 2009.}) 22... Rfd8 ({ANSWER: The reason 22
a4 prevents Black from liquidating the queenside pawns is that} 22... b5 {
can be answered by} 23. cxb5 axb5 24. a5 $1 {. Black gets two passed pawns of
his own but White's second passed pawn, with the bishop controlling its
coronation square, is the decisive one.}) 23. Rb1 Nd7 {
Anand gives up the b-pawn so that he can activate his knight via e5.} ({
The alternative is} 23... b6 {when White can continue to test Black with} 24.
Re1 $1 {. --- QUESTION: Why does White play 23 Rb1 b6 and then 24 Re1, instead
of 23 Re1 immediately? --- ANSWER: White's idea with 23 Rb1 was actually to
induce ...b6, because now in some lines it's important that White can play Bc6
to control d7 and e8. One possible line which demonstrates the danger in
Black's position is} Kf8 ({Black does much better to challenge immediately with
} 24... Re8 $1 {intending} 25. Rxe8+ ({or} 25. Re7 Kf8) (25. Red1 $5) 25...
Rxe8 26. Rb2 Rb8 {and ...Kf8, when all three results are still possible but
most money would be on the draw}) 25. Bc6 Nd7 (25... Rbc8 26. Bb7) 26. Kg2 $5
f6 27. Kf3 $1 Ne5+ 28. Rxe5 $1 fxe5 29. Ke4 {
and despite being the exchange down, White is still the one pushing to win.})
24. Rxb7 ({White should avoid the self-pin} 24. Bxb7 $2 Ne5 $1 {.}) 24... Rxb7
25. Bxb7 Ne5 $1 {The point: the a6-pawn can't be touched because of ...Nf3+.
Black gets both the c-pawn and the d-pawn, but it's still not the end of the
story because White's a-pawn remains!} 26. Rd5 Nxc4 27. Bxa6 ({If} 27. d7 Nb6
$1 28. Rd6 Nc4 $1 {draws.}) 27... Nxd6 28. a5 Kf8 29. Bf1 {White's a-pawn,
about to advance to a6, looks very dangerous. This ending still appears to be
tricky for Black, but he has a very important resource which will become
apparent in a few moves.} ({Since this stem game, a few players have repeated
this endgame from 23...Nd7, but all have ended in draws. Another example is} 
29. Rxc5 Ra8 30. Bf1 Nb7 $1 31. Bg2 $1 Nxc5 32. Bxa8 Ke7 33. Bd5 f5 34. Bc4 Kf6
35. Kg2 g5 36. Be2 Ke5 37. Kf2 f4 38. a6 Nxa6 $1 39. Bxa6 g4 $1 {
½-½, P.Bobras-B.Macieja, Poznan 2005. Black draws in exactly the same way.}
) 29... Nb7 $1 {Forcing an exchange of rooks.} 30. Rxd8+ Nxd8 31. Bg2 $1 {
Black is going to have to give up his knight for the a-pawn.} Ne6 32. a6 Nc7
33. a7 Ke7 34. Kf2 Kd6 35. Ke3 c4 36. a8=Q Nxa8 37. Bxa8 Ke5 38. Bf3 f5 39. Be2
g5 $1 {This is it! To force a draw Black only needs to exchange off White's
g-pawn. This would leave White with the dreaded rook's pawn and wrong-coloured
bishop, and Black draws as his king can't be evicted from h8. So Anand just
ignores the attack on his c4-pawn and focuses on forcing the exchange.} 40.
Bxc4 f4+ 41. Kf2 $1 {The best chance - White keeps a g-pawn.} fxg3+ 42. hxg3 {
EXERCISE: Black to play and draw. ---} {ANSWER:} g4 $1 {White can do nothing
about the plan of bringing the king to g5 and then ...h6-h5-h4.} (42... h5 $4 {
, however, loses:} 43. Bf7 $1 h4 44. g4 $1 {
and White keeps his final pawn on the g-file. White wins here, e.g.} Ke4 45.
Bg6+ Kf4 46. Bf5 Ke5 47. Ke3 Kd5 48. Bc8 Ke5 49. Bb7 Kd6 50. Kd4 {etc.}) 43.
Bf7 Kf6 44. Be8 Kg5 45. Ke3 h5 46. Bxh5 Kxh5 47. Kf4 Kh6 48. Kxg4 Kg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "7. White plays Nb5"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "10"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 {. --- QUESTION: Moving the
knight a third time looks a bit strange. What's the idea? --- ANSWER: By
threatening to come into the d6-square with check, White induces Black into
playing ...d6 and accepting a Scheveningen pawn structure. --- QUESTION: Won't
White lose time when the knight is eventually kicked back with ...a6? ---
ANSWER: It does seem as though White is ignoring his development to force ...d6, and there's certainly an artificial element to White's play. However, as
long as White follows up in the correct way, meeting 5...d6 with either 6 Bf4
or 6 c4, his early knight sally can be justified. The loss of time means that,
from a theoretical viewpoint at least, 5 Nb5 isn't the most critical test of
the Sicilian Taimanov. However, even if that's the case, it's hardly important.
Much more relevant is that fact that 5 Nb5 leads to positions which are very
different from those after 5 Nc3, and the Taimanov player needs to understand
how to handle them.} d6 {QUESTION: Is this forced? --- ANSWER: Not completely,
but it's virtually the unanimous choice. Black normally can't allow Nd6+, and
Bf4 can also be annoying.} ({For example: --- If} 5... d5 $2 {then} 6. exd5
exd5 7. Bf4 $1 {is already very bad for Black.}) (5... Nf6 {
, counterattacking on e4, is better. However, as well as} 6. Bf4 $5 {,} ({
White also has the simple} 6. N1c3 {
which transposes to another Sicilian variation - either the Four Knights after}
Bb4 {,} ({or the Sveshnikov after} 6... d6 7. Bf4 e5 8. Bg5 {.}))) ({
Returning to the position after} 5... d6 {, White's normal response is either}
6. Bf4 ({or} 6. c4 {. We shall study the former in Medvegy-Vescovi and
Erenburg-Gofshtein, and the latter in Olivier-Jakovenko and Isupov-Maletin.}))
(5... -- {Key Notes: -- 1. White's opening play in the 6 Bf4 line is
sophisticated, but in the cold light of day he does make two consecutive moves
with the same knight and then three consecutives ones with the same bishop.
Development matters! -- 2. Black should if possible wait for N1c3 before
playing ...a6, because this then forces a knight back to the miserable
a3-square. In Medvegy-Vescovi we reached a Sveshnikov Sicilian where Black was
a full tempo ahead, and Vescovi was able to exploit this to the full with 11...d5!. -- 3. Erenburg's choice of 9 Bxf6 gxf6 10 Nd2! (Erenburg-Gofshtein) is
more challenging than 9 N1c3, but Black still gets a full share of the chances
in the resulting complex positions. -- 4. In the Maroczy vs. Hedgehog line
(Olivier-Jakovenko and Isupov-Maletin), Black's early ...Ne5 attacks the
e-pawn and forces White to make a decision over whether to play f2-f3 or f2-f4.
-- 5. In the f2-f3 lines, Black should be looking to break with ...d5 or ...b5
when possible, but sometimes he needs to be patient. One key idea to remember
is the manoeuvre ...B(e7)-d8-c7!, as played by Jakovenko in his model handling
of the Hedgehog (see Olivier-Jakovenko). -- 6. In the f2-f4 lines, a crucial
prophylactic move for Black is ...h6!, which has the merit of slowing down or
discouraging action by White on the kingside. Black can often meet g2-g4
aggression by White with some of his own, with ...Nh7 and ...g5!. If White
plays more deliberately, Black must be patient but always look out for
possible pawn breaks: ...d5, ...b5 or even ...e5 (see Isupov-Maletin).}) *

[Event "Rio de Janeiro"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Medvegy, Z."]
[Black "Vescovi, G."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. Bf4 {Just as with 5 Nb5,
White's idea by playing 6 Bf4 is to force another change in the pawn structure:
} e5 {Now we reach a Sveshnikov pawn structure! --- QUESTION: A Sveshnikov?
Can Black avoid this?} ({
ANSWER: Not really, because the only other way to defend d6 is with} 6... Ne5 {
, and that looks like a very ropey move. So we get a Sveshnikov, but the good
news is that we'll soon discover it's a very favourable version for Black.}) 7.
Be3 ({QUESTION: How should Black respond to} 7. Bg5 {
? --- ANSWER: He should take the bishop!} Qxg5 $1 8. Nc7+ Kd8 9. Nxa8 Nf6 {
. In return for the rook, Black already has a bishop, he leads in development
and will more than likely win the stranded knight on a8. In fact, few are
willing to play this position as White, and Black's score is excellent from
here. Two examples:} 10. -- (10. Nd2 Be7 11. b4 {
(a desperate-looking attempt, trying to save the knight)} Bg4 12. f3 Be6 13. b5
$2 Nd4 14. b6 Qe3+ $1 15. Be2 Nh5 $1 16. g3 (16. bxa7 Bh4+ $1) 16... Nf4 $1 {
and Black won very quickly, F.Grafl-V.Jansa, Fürth 2002.}) (10. Nc3 Nd4 11. Qd3
Bd7 12. Ne2 Kc8 13. f4 Qg4 14. fxe5 dxe5 15. Nxd4 exd4 16. Qxd4 Qxe4+ 17. Qxe4
Nxe4 18. Bd3 Nf6 {(the knight on a8 is doomed)} 19. Bc4 Bc6 20. Bxf7 Bc5 21.
O-O-O Rf8 22. Bc4 Kb8 23. Rhe1 Kxa8 {
with advantage to Black, H.Schneider-R.Schiendorfer, correspondence 2007.}))
7... Nf6 ({Black's other options here are} 7... a6) ({and} 7... Be6 {, and there are transpositional possibilities with those moves. Here I will focus on the
most common choice, 7...Nf6.}) 8. Bg5 $1 {QUESTION: What's going on? Three
moves in a row with this bishop, and an exclamation mark! Can White really
hope to gain an advantage like this?} ({ANSWER: I know - it looks strange!
However, there is cast-iron strategical logic to justify White's play. Now
that the pawn structure has been fixed to a Sveshnikov one, the d5-square
becomes of paramount importance. White can only justify his previous play if
he keeps a grip on this square (for example, he should probably avoid} 8. Nd2 {
, allowing} d5 $1 {), and if that is the case the bishop clearly belongs on g5.
So White is playing a move he knows he wants to play before deciding on
anything else - simply following solid development principles! Of course
ideally he would have liked to have played Bg5 a move earlier, but
unfortunately for him 7...Qxg5 is just too good.}) ({
The only alternative which makes any real sense is} 8. N1c3 a6 9. Na3 {.} -- ({
. In this position Black has several good options, including} 9... Be7) (9...
Be6) ({, and} 9... b5) ({, but perhaps the cleverest of all is} 9... Rb8 $5 {
. --- QUESTION: What's the point of this move? --- ANSWER: With 9...Rb8 Black
firmly discourages Nc4, which can now be met by ...b5! and the rook covers the
b6-square.}) ({. Black could of course prevent Nc4 directly with 9...b5, but 9.
..Rb8 does the same without allowing the unclear complications of} 9... b5 10.
Nd5 Nxd5 11. exd5 Ne7 12. c4 $5 {.}) ({. Returning to} 9... Rb8 {
, White still normally plays} 10. Nd5 {and here} Nxd5 11. exd5 Ne7 {
followed by ...Nf5 is fine for Black, e.g.} 12. c4 Nf5 13. Bd2 Be7 ({or} 13...
g6 {and ...Bg7, as played by Taimanov himself}) 14. Bd3 O-O 15. O-O Bg5 $1 16.
Nc2 Re8 {with level chances, G.Sax-A.Adorjan, Hungary 1981.})) 8... Be6 {
QUESTION: Shouldn't Black be doing something about Bxf6, when he would have to
recapture with the g-pawn?} ({
ANSWER: No, because there is nothing really effective he can do to stop it.} 
8... Be7 $6 {doesn't do the trick because} 9. Bxf6 $1 {still forces} gxf6 {,})
({while theory considers} 8... Qa5+ 9. Qd2 Nxe4 10. Qxa5 Nxa5 11. Be3 $1 {
to be better for White. If White wants to capture quickly on f6 Black has to
get used to accepting doubled f-pawns. Every Sveshnikov player will tell you
they are an asset rather than a burden!}) ({
QUESTION: Why doesn't Black force the issue immediately by playing} 8... a6 {
? --- ANSWER:} 9. Bxf6 gxf6 10. N5c3 {has been seen often, and certainly isn't
bad. But there's a reason behind Vescovi's decision to hold off on ...a6, and
this will be revealed next move.}) 9. N1c3 {If we compare what we have here
with the mainline Sveshnikov (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 e5
6 Ndb5 d6 7 Bg5) we can see that Black has an extra move with ...Be6. In such
a sharp line, this has to make a significant difference, and it does!} ({
White's alternatives,} 9. Bxf6) ({and} 9. Nd2 {, will be covered next game.})
9... a6 $1 {Only now does Vescovi force the knight to retreat, after the
c3-square has been occupied by its comrade. That only leaves the miserable
a3-square.} 10. Bxf6 {Sensibly, Medvegy inflicts Black with the doubled
f-pawns while the opportunity exists.} ({Black has more options against} 10.
Na3 {.} -- ({. As well as} 10... Be7) ({, or} 10... b5) ({, there's the logical
} 10... Rc8 {. After} 11. Nc4 Nd4 $1 12. Ne3 {there's nothing wrong with} Be7 {
,} ({but if Black is feeling more ambitious he might try the computer-approved
positional exchange sacrifice} 12... Rxc3 $5 13. bxc3 Qa5 $1 {, e.g.} 14. Bd3
Qxc3+ 15. Kf1 Nd7 ({or} 15... Be7) 16. Qe1 Qa3 17. Nd1 Nc5 18. Qc3 Qa4 19. Qb2
Be7 {with good compensation, S.Alonso-P.Lafuente, Buenos Aires 2006.}))) 10...
gxf6 11. Na3 d5 $1 {This move, perhaps more than any other, is a direct
attempt to exploit Black's extra ...Be6. It's ironic that White's whole
game-plan has been to dominate the d5-square and prevent this advance, and yet
here Black is playing ...d5 at virtually the earliest possibility! ---
EXERCISE: Try to work out what Black's idea is against 12 exd5. The answer is
what Vescovi plays!} (11... b5 {
is the main alternative for Black, preventing Nc4 and threatening ...b4. After}
12. Nd5 f5 ({assuming Black would rather put his extra tempo to good use (and
not have to learn another main line!), then the plan of} 12... Bg7 {
intending to oppose White's central knight with ...Ne7 makes sense; after} 13.
c3 Ne7 $1 14. Nc2 Bxd5 ({or} 14... Nxd5 $5 15. exd5 Bd7) 15. exd5 f5 16. Be2
O-O 17. O-O f4 18. f3 f5 {Black continues with ...Ng6 and ...Qg5, and gains
active play on the kingside, D.Nancheva-S.Nikolov, Teteven 2010}) 13. exf5 Bxf5
{we've actually transposed to the Sveshnikov proper - Black has returned the
extra move with ...Bc8-e6xf5.}) 12. exd5 {
The obvious capture, forking bishop and knight. ---} ({
Black gets good play after} 12. Nxd5 Bxa3 (12... Qa5+ 13. Qd2 Qxd2+ 14. Kxd2
O-O-O {also looks promising}) 13. bxa3 f5 $1 {
, gnawing away at the knight's support. For example:} 14. -- (14. Nc3 Qa5 15.
Qd2 Rg8 16. Rd1 Nd4 $1 17. Bd3 Rxg2 18. Kf1 Rg4 19. exf5 $2 Bd5 20. Bb5+ Qxb5+
$1 21. Nxb5 Bc4+ {
is a crushing win for Black, M.Kiran-O.Korneev, Balaguer 2007.}) (14. Bc4 Qa5+
(14... fxe4 $1 {might be even better}) 15. Qd2 Qxd2+ 16. Kxd2 O-O-O 17. f3 Ne7
18. Ke3 Nxd5+ 19. exd5 Bxd5 {with an edge for Black due to his better pawn
structure, A.Pachmann-P.Kubala, Prague 1997.}) (14. Bd3 fxe4 15. Bxe4 Qa5+ 16.
Qd2 Qxd2+ 17. Kxd2 O-O-O 18. c4 f5 {with advantage to Black.})) {ANSWER:} 12...
Bxa3 $1 13. bxa3 Qa5 $1 14. Qd2 O-O-O $1 {With 12...Bxa3, 13...Qa5 and 14...
0-0-0 Black has successfully dealt with the pawn fork. More than this, he has
seized the initiative and White's position is already quite difficult. ---
QUESTION: So where did White go wrong? --- ANSWER: 10 Na3 would have avoided
this mess, but probably the wisest option of all is to choose 9 Bxf6 - as in
our next game - instead of 9 N1c3.} 15. Bc4 {
White tries to hold on to his d-pawn.} ({
Only Black can claim an advantage after} 15. Rd1 Bxd5 16. Nxd5 Rxd5 17. Qxa5
Rxa5 {
. Depressingly for White, this might still be his wisest course of action!})
15... Rhg8 $1 {If White could castle kingside he would be doing well. 15...
Rhg8! prevents White from doing so because of 16...Bh3!.} 16. O-O-O {So White goes the other way, but in view of his open queenside this is clearly far less
attractive.} ({The stem game for this whole line with 11...d5! was a famous
one, between Fischer and Petrosian (Buenos Aires 1971). Fischer played} 16. Rd1
{and after} Bf5 ({Petrosian's 11...d5 didn't get the reward it deserved, but
it didn't take long for major improvements to be found; probably the most
convincing one is} 16... Rxg2 $1 {with advantage to Black, e.g.} 17. Ne4 ({or} 
17. Qe3 Nd4 18. Kf1 Nf5 $1) 17... Qb6 $1 18. Qe3 Qxe3+ 19. fxe3 Bg4 $1) 17. Bd3
Bxd3 18. Qxd3 Nd4 19. O-O {he'd escaped intact and even went on to win.}) 16...
Qxa3+ 17. Kb1 Nd4 {EXERCISE: How does Black answer 18 dxe6?} 18. Ka1 ({
ANSWER: If} 18. dxe6 {then} Qb4+ $1 {
regains the piece and keeps a big advantage, e.g.} 19. Bb3 $2 (19. Ka1 {
is much better, but} Qxc4 $1 20. e7 Rd6 {is still very good for Black}) 19...
Nxb3 20. Qe3 Nd2+ {0-1, M.Medina-J.Rodriguez, San Fernando 1991.}) ({
Computer engines suggest that} 18. f3 {
is White's most resilient move, but that Black remains in control after} Rd6 $1
{.}) 18... Bf5 19. Bd3 Bxd3 20. Qxd3 Kb8 $1 {Threatening ...Rc8. White manages
to exchange queens but his position still crumbles.} 21. Ne4 Qxd3 22. Rxd3 f5
23. Nd2 Rxd5 24. Kb1 Rxg2 25. Nf3 Rb5+ 26. Kc1 Ne2+ 27. Kd2 Nf4 0-1

[Event "Israeli League"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2004.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Erenburg, S."]
[Black "Gofshtein, L."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2004.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. Bf4 e5 7. Be3 Nf6 ({
The game's actual move order was} 7... Be6 8. Nd2 Nf6 9. Bg5 a6 10. Bxf6 gxf6 {
.}) 8. Bg5 Be6 9. Bxf6 {QUESTION: What happens if White delays taking on f6,
and plays Nd2 a move earlier?} ({ANSWER: Against} 9. Nd2 {Black can still play}
a6 {,} ({but I feel that} 9... Be7 $1 {
avoiding the doubled pawns, may be stronger. The critical line runs} 10. Bxf6 (
10. Nc4 $2 Nxe4 $1 11. Bxe7 Kxe7 $1 {is good for Black}) 10... Bxf6 11. Nc4 {
, but here} O-O $1 {is a promising gambit. Play continues} 12. Qxd6 $1 (12.
Ncxd6 $2 Qb6 {leaves White struggling,}) ({while} 12. Nbxd6 Qe7 13. Nf5 Bxf5
14. exf5 Rad8 {looks strong for Black}) 12... Qc8 $1 13. c3 ({both} 13. Qc7
Bxc4 14. Bxc4 Nd4 $1) ({and} 13. Qd2 Rd8 14. Qc1 Nb4 $1 {are good for Black})
13... Be7 $1 {. Black's development lead, coupled with White's clumsy knights,
assures Black of at least enough compensation for the pawn, and probably a bit
more. Games have proved to be favourable for Black. For example:} 14. -- (14.
Qd2 Rd8 15. Qc1 (15. Qe3 Nb4 $1) 15... Bxc4 ({or} 15... h6 $5 {
with ...Bg5 ideas}) 16. Bxc4 a6 17. Na3 Qg4 18. O-O Bxa3 19. bxa3 Qxe4 20. Bb3
Rd7 {, Z.Varga-J.Borges Mateos, Elista Olympiad 1998. Black has regained his
pawn and stands better.}) (14. Qc7 Rd8 $5 (14... Bxc4 15. Bxc4 a6 16. Qxc8
Raxc8 17. Na3 Na5 18. Bd5 Bxa3 19. bxa3 Rxc3 {is equal}) 15. Qxc8 Raxc8 16.
Nba3 Nd4 $5 17. cxd4 $2 ({White can get away with} 17. Rd1 $1 {since if} Bxc4
18. Nxc4 Nc2+ 19. Ke2 Rxc4 {he regains the piece with} 20. Rxd8+ Bxd8 21. Kd3)
17... Bb4+ 18. Ke2 Bxc4+ 19. Nxc4 Rxc4 20. Kf3 Rcxd4 {, J.Borisek-D.Navara,
Balatonlelle 2003. Once more Black has regained his pawn, and once more he has
the edge.}))) 9... gxf6 10. Nd2 $1 {QUESTION: Why is 10 Nd2 a good move? ---
ANSWER: If White really is a tempo down on the Sveshnikov, he can at least
make a virtue out of a necessity. He can actually exploit the fact his queen's
knight is not yet on c3 by deploying it to d2 instead. This means the knights
aren't stepping on each other's toes and the other one may retreat to c3.
White's position with knights on c3 and d2 looks more harmonious than with
knights on c3 and a3.} a6 {QUESTION: White hasn't kept full control of the
d5-square. Shouldn't Black exploit this by advancing with 10...d5?} ({ANSWER:} 
10... d5 {is without a doubt a logical move, and for a long time it was
considered to be a complete answer to 10 Nd2. However, the discovery of} 11.
exd5 Bxd5 12. Bc4 $1 {changed this assessment. For example:} a6 (12... Bxg2 13.
Rg1) ({or} 12... Rc8 13. Qg4 $1 {, L.McShane-J.Plaskett, Hastings 1997/98}) 13.
Bxd5 axb5 14. Ne4 $1 {(Leko), with some advantage to White in all three cases.}
) 11. Nc3 {EXERCISE: Choose between 11...b5 and 11...f5. ---} {ANSWER:} f5 $1 {
Black has many alternatives, most of them decent (e.g. 11...Rc8, 11...Bg7, 11..
.Bh6 and 11...Rg8), but 11...f5 is probably the choice which most represents
typical Sveshnikov strategy. Black uses his doubled f-pawn positively, to
nibble away at White's centre.} ({Playing ...b5 is also a typical Sveshnikov
idea, but usually that's when White's knights are sitting uncomfortably on c3
and a3. Although} 11... b5 {has been played here, to me it makes less sense to
play it when White's knight is on d2. While the position after} 12. a4 $1 b4
13. Nd5 f5 14. Bc4 {certainly isn't disastrous for Black, I do feel that
somehow White's play has been fully justified. It seems wiser to forgo ...b5
and use the extra tempo elsewhere.}) ({
As mentioned above, Black has many options here, and} 11... Rg8 $5 {
looks like a good alternative. After} 12. Nc4 Rc8 13. Ne3 Bh6 $1 14. Ncd5 Bxe3
15. Nxe3 Qb6 {Black's activity and development lead counterbalance White's
structural advantages, D.Prasad-T.Luther, Ubeda 1998.}) 12. Bc4 {EXERCISE: Choose between 12...Bxc4 and 12...Qg5. --- 12 Bc4 is a positionally well-motivated
move, for two reasons: -- 1. White wants to get rid of one of Black's bishop
pair. -- 2. An exchange of bishops should increase White's control of the
light squares. ---} ({The alternative line is} 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc4 ({
I can't find any examples, but} 13. Nd5 Be6 14. Bc4 {looks interesting}) 13...
Be6 14. Ne3 {
, when White has rearranged his knights in order to dominate the d5-square.} --
({. Here} 14... Bg7 {can be met by} 15. Bc4) ({, but the stronger} 14... Bh6 $1
{prevents White's plan, introduces the possibility of ...Bxe3 and assures
Black of good counterplay. Some examples:} 15. -- (15. Ncd5 Bxe3 $1 16. Nxe3 (
16. fxe3 Qa5+ $1) 16... d5 {and White has lost control of the d5-square.} 17.
Be2 Rg8 18. O-O d4 19. Nc4 Qg5 20. g3 O-O-O {
and it's advantage Black, C.Pilalis-K.Dietrich, correspondence 2000.}) (15.
Ned5 {keeps a firm grip on d5, but Black can play around White's knights and
gain counterplay anyway:} O-O 16. g3 f5 $1 17. Bg2 Kh8 18. O-O Rc8 19. Kh1 Nd4
20. f4 Bg7 21. Rf2 Qa5 {with typical Sveshnikov activity for Black, K.Spraggett-Y.Shulman, New York 1998.}) ({. It might be better for White to
forget about occupying d5 for the moment, and get on with development
(remember that?). For example, after} 15. g3 Bxe3 16. fxe3 Qb6 (16... Qg5 $5)
17. Qd2 O-O-O 18. O-O-O d5 19. Na4 Qc7 {the position is complex and offers
level chances, H.Edighoffer-S.Kerr, correspondence 2002.}))) ({Finally, another
idea Black always has to watch out for is Qh5. In this position,} 12. Qh5 {
was well met by} Qf6 $5 13. Bc4 Qg6 $1 14. Qxg6 hxg6 {in J.Mercant Simon-V.Laznicka, Benasque 2009. The exchange of queens has helped Black by improving
his pawn structure.}) {ANSWER:} 12... Qg5 $1 {There was a clue in the mention
of pawn structure in the previous sentence. Black cannot really avoid the
exchange of bishops, but he shouldn't be cooperative either.} (12... Bxc4 13.
Nxc4 {
would only help to further White's development, with a key tactical point being
} fxe4 14. Nxe4 (14. Qd5 {is also good in any case}) 14... d5 15. Qxd5 $1 {
. By leaving the bishops as they are, Black is allowing an exchange, but only
one which would improve his pawn structure and control of key squares.
Meanwhile, the threat to g2 is a real one, and Black also prepares long
castling.}) 13. g3 (13. Bxe6 fxe6 {gives Black exactly what he wants.}) 13...
O-O-O 14. Qe2 {White prepares to castle queenside. I definitely prefer Black's
position by this stage. His pieces are really active, ...Bh6 and ...Nd4 (with
tempo) are fast arriving and White has to watch out for a pawn avalanche in
the centre too. --- It's likely that White can do better than 14 Qe2, which
does rather invite ...Nd4.} (14. Nf3 Qh5 15. Bd5 fxe4 $1 16. Nxe4 Bxd5 17. Qxd5
Nb4 $1 18. Qc4+ Kb8 19. Qxb4 Qxf3 20. O-O d5 {
"is very strong for Black" - Kosten.}) ({The immediate} 14. Bd5 {
is probably White's best bet, introducing the idea of Bxc6.} -- ({. In O.Korneev-L.Aroshidze, Sort 2007, Black allowed White to take on c6, which clearly
carries some risk. However, after} 14... Qg6 15. Bxc6 bxc6 16. Qe2 Kb7 17. Nb3
Ra8 $1 18. O-O-O fxe4 (18... a5 $5) 19. Nxe4 Kc7 20. f3 a5 {White hadn't got
anywhere on the queenside. The players agreed a draw here, which suggests that
Korneev, the higher-rated player, was worried about Black's long-term
prospects with the bishop pair and pawn centre.}) ({
. A further option for Black is to avoid the exchange on c6:} 14... Nb4 $5 15.
O-O ({if} 15. a3 Nxd5 16. exd5 Bd7) 15... fxe4 16. Ndxe4 Qg6 17. Qd2 ({or} 17.
Re1 Kb8) 17... Bh6 18. Bxe6+ fxe6 19. Qe2 Nc6 20. Rad1 d5 21. Nc5 Nd4 {
looks absolutely fine for Black, E.Mantu-G.Pogrzeba, correspondence 2008.}))
14... Bh6 ({Gofshtein suggests} 14... Nd4 $1 {
and this does look stronger to me. For example,} 15. Qd3 fxe4 16. Ncxe4 (16.
Ndxe4 Qh5) 16... Qf5 {and if} 17. c3 {then} d5 $1 {.}) 15. O-O-O ({
White should try} 15. Nf3 Qh5 16. Bxa6 $1 Kb8 {with unclear play.}) 15... fxe4
16. Qxe4 Bf5 17. Qg2 ({Gofshtein suggests} 17. Qd5 $1 {
as an improvement. Black can repeat moves with} Be6 18. Qe4 {, but otherwise
it's not obvious whether he can exploit White's centrally placed queen.}) 17...
Qg6 18. Bd5 Kc7 19. h4 Bg4 $1 ({White's last dealt with the threat of} 19...
Bxc2 {, which can now be met by} 20. h5 $1 {.}) 20. f3 $2 {
EXERCISE: 20 f3? allows a tactical idea. Can you spot it? ---} ({
White had to try} 20. Be4 {.}) {ANSWER:} 20... Nd4 $1 21. Be4 $2 ({Best is} 21.
Kb1 Qxc2+ 22. Ka1 Bf5 {when Black has won a clear pawn but there's still a lot
of fight left in the position.}) 21... Bxf3 $1 {Game over! A classic overload
tactic on the e4-bishop. Not only does Black win a vital pawn, he also gets a
completely dominating position.} 22. Bxg6 ({Or} 22. Qxf3 Nxf3 23. Bxg6 fxg6 {.}
) 22... Bxg2 23. Rhg1 hxg6 (23... Bf3 {
also wins, but I like Gofshtein's method which maintains complete control.})
24. Rxg2 Nf3 $1 25. Ncb1 {Forced, but this is totally grim for White, who
wouldn't have been blamed for resigning here.} e4 26. Rh1 d5 27. Kd1 Ne5 28.
Nc3 f5 29. Ne2 Ng4 30. Nf1 d4 31. Nf4 Bxf4 32. gxf4 Rh7 33. Rxg4 fxg4 34. Ng3
e3 35. Ke2 Rf8 36. c3 dxc3 37. bxc3 Rxf4 38. Nf1 Re7 39. Rh2 Ra4 0-1

[Event "French Cup, Challons"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Olivier, J."]
[Black "Jakovenko, D."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "90"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 $1 {QUESTION: Why is
6 c4 a good move? --- By playing 6 c4 White sets up the so-called Maroczy Bind
- pawns on e4 and c4 which restrain Black's play both in the centre and on the
queenside. Usually the Maroczy set-up provides Black with a stiff challenge.
Specifically here, though, the key question is how much will White's loss of
time moving his knight affect things? Let's see!} ({ANSWER: 6 c4 is another
way to justify White's decision to play 5 Nb5. If White does "nothing", Black
will simply force the knight back with ...a6, and we end up with a
Scheveningen where Black has gained two tempi, e.g.} 6. N1c3 $6 a6 7. Nd4 Nf6
8. Be2 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Be3 {. In a typical Scheveningen White would have
played f2-f4 and, say, Kh1 or a2-a4 by now. The position we have here is
undoubtedly much more promising for Black by comparison, and basically very
comfortable after, for example,} Bd7 11. f4 b5 {.}) 6... Nf6 {
QUESTION: Could Black kick the knight back first, with 6...a6?} ({ANSWER:} 6...
Nf6 {is considered to be more accurate. By attacking e4, Black invites the
b1-knight to go to c3. Only then will he play ...a6, when the c3-square is no
longer available to the b5-knight. We saw virtually the same idea in
Medvegy-Vescovi. --- QUESTION: But can't White protect the e4-pawn with the
b5-knight? --- ANSWER: Yes he can, but in that case Black still gains out of
the deal because he no longer needs to play ...a6. He can continue} 7. N5c3 Be7
8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O b6 {and ...Bb7. Black might still play ...a6 at some moment,
but it's certainly neither a priority nor a necessity.}) 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3 {
QUESTION: Four moves by this knight, and it ends up on a3! Isn't 8 Nd4 more
natural? --- The knight is well placed on a3(!) to deal with both of Black's
plans - it protects the c4-pawn and doesn't block the queen's attack on d5.
And this is the key point. At some moment White will undoubtedly want to
re-route the knight to a more appealing square, but that can, and must, wait.
The priority for the next few moves is to complete development and to prevent
Black from exploiting his extra time to break free.} ({ANSWER: I'm tempted to
say that 8 Na3 is played more often because no-one wants to admit to losing
two tempi and would rather keep up the pretence of manoeuvring the knight to a
better square - a3! In fact on the one occasion I faced 8 Nd4, I wondered why
it wasn't played very much and failed to come up with a convincing answer.
However, there are solid reasons why 8 Nd4 isn't a popular choice. It does
seem that Black can fairly easily exploit his two extra moves after} 8. Nd4 {
, and in more than one way:} -- ({. One example is a quick ...d6-d5, e.g.} 8...
Be7 9. Be2 O-O 10. O-O d5 11. exd5 exd5 12. cxd5 Nxd5 13. Nxc6 bxc6 14. Nxd5
cxd5 {with an equal, albeit dull position, J.Ehlvest-E.Bacrot, Dubai 2002.}) ({
. Another, more interesting, idea for Black is a rapid counter-attack against
the c4-pawn:} 8... Bd7 9. Be2 Rc8 $5 {intending} 10. O-O ({of course White can
deal with the threat to c4, but he has to accept some inconvenience to do so;
for example,} 10. Nc2 {(another knight move!)} Be7 11. O-O Ne5 12. Ne3 (12. b3
b5 $5) 12... g5 $5 {(ambitious play, securing the knight's position on e5)} 13.
b3 b5 $1 14. a3 Qb6 15. Rb1 Bc6 16. f3 g4 $1 {
with very active play for Black, P.Giusti-G.Milos, Araraqua 1999}) 10... Na5 $1
11. b3 b5 $1 {. --- After seeing these two examples against 8 Nd4, it becomes
easier to appreciate the merits of 8 Na3.})) 8... b6 {Black adopts the
so-called Hedgehog formation, distinguished by the pawn line-up on the third
rank, e6, d6, b6 and a6.} ({More typically Black plays} 8... Be7 9. Be2 O-O 10.
O-O {and only then} b6 {, but Jakovenko prefers to fianchetto straightaway.
Transpositions are very likely, and an early fianchetto might even give Black
one or two more options.}) ({Before moving on, I should mention Garry
Kasparov's attempt to refute the whole line with the amazing gambit} 8... d5 $5
9. cxd5 exd5 10. exd5 Nb4 11. Be2 Bc5 {. Indeed, he was successful with it,
winning a brilliant - and famous - game against Karpov in their 1985 World
Championship match. That game continued} 12. O-O ({later, however, the gambit
was dealt a blow, by Karpov himself, with the big improvement} 12. Be3 $1 Bxe3
13. Qa4+ $1 {and it hasn't fully recovered since}) 12... O-O 13. Bf3 Bf5 {
when Black has excellent compensation in view of his active pieces and White's
poorly placed knight on a3.}) 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Be7 11. Be3 {It's impossible
to sum up the vast complex of Maroczy vs Hedgehog positions in a few lines,
but here are just some factors to take into consideration: -- 1. White has a
space advantage. -- 2. Black will attempt to break free and neutralize White's
space advantage. He will try to achieve this via a pawn break: ...b5, ...d5 or
sometimes both. White will usually try to prevent or discourage these advances.
-- 3. White doesn't have any obvious pawn breaks, but he can try to gain the
advantage by slowly advancing his pawns to gain more space - on the kingside,
on the queenside or occasionally on both flanks. -- 4. Black has weak pawns on
d6 and b6, but they aren't static weaknesses - they have the ability to
advance. It's not easy for White to organize enough attacking force on a pawn
without letting his guard slip elsewhere. -- 5. Black will target White's
e4-pawn, which may become vulnerable if White advances with the typical f2-f4.
White might decide instead to reinforce the pawn by the solid f2-f3. This
kills Black's attack on e4, but it still weakens White's kingside, something
which becomes more evident if Black can get in ...d5. --- Returning to the key
pawn breaks ...d5 and ...b5, it's sometimes the case that Black cannot play
them, or he can but they would be premature. In these cases Black just has to
be patient (look at the current position - Black will certainly need to be
patient with ...b5!) and wait to see what White does. It often becomes a game
of cat and mouse (or "chess" as a commentator might describe a cagey football
game!). It could be said that White holds an edge in these positions where
Black's pawn breaks are prevented, because only White can "do something".
However, any edge White gets tends to be an uneasy one. Hedgehog players are
used to shuffling around and biding their time, and the onus is on White to
make progress. The problem is that White's control tends to be precarious,
with so many resources used up preventing pawn breaks. Any "progress" by White
often allows Black to gain counterplay - and that's why we see so many
instances of a White aggressor being impaled by a Hedgehog spike!} Ne5 {
QUESTION: Why did Jakovenko play this knight move? Wasn't he worried about
f2-f4? --- ANSWER: There are two reasons to play 11...Ne5: -- 1. The e4-pawn
is attacked, so White must immediately make a fundamental decision over
whether to play f3 or f4. -- 2. In the Hedgehog formation Black's queen's
knight usually sits more comfortably on d7 than on c6. On d7 it protects the
vulnerable b6-pawn. Furthermore, it doesn't obstruct the b7-bishop, which
means more pressure against e4 and a greater likelihood of a ...d5 break. So
Black is ready to meet f2-f4 because the knight will improve its position from
c6 to d7.} ({It's worth noting that Black can also play} 11... Nb8 {
in an attempt to prevent the f2-f4 option, and now} 12. f3 Nbd7 {is the usual
course. The advantage of Jakovenko's choice is that the knight may remain on
e5 - in some lines there's no obligation to drop back to d7 and Black can
exploit this to good effect.}) ({QUESTION: Can Black simply castle here and
keep all options open? ANSWER: Yes he can and} 11... O-O {is a perfectly good
move. It should be noted that White can if he wishes prevent the ...Ne5-d7
plan after 11...0-0 by hitting b6 with} 12. Qb3 {, but also that} Nd7 {
- another main line - has proved to be fully acceptable for Black.}) 12. f3 {
White chooses the solid, restrained approach.} ({Next game we'll look at} 12.
f4 {.}) 12... O-O 13. Qe1 $1 {A typical Maroczy/Hedgehog idea. White's queen
heads for f2. She's safe on that square but still applies pressure by setting
up a queen and bishop battery on the b6-pawn. Furthermore, the d1-square is
vacated for a rook, to keep tabs on Black's ...d5 possibilities.} (13. Qd2 {
is a natural-looking alternative but this does allow Black, if he so wishes,
to break in the centre with} d5 ({in practice Black just as often refrains from
playing 13...d5 here, not because it's bad, but because a player might prefer
to keep the tension with something like} 13... Rc8 {,}) (13... Re8) ({or} 13...
Qc7) {. For example,} 14. exd5 exd5 15. cxd5 (15. Rfd1 dxc4 16. Qxd8 Bxd8 17.
Nxc4 Nxc4 18. Bxc4 Re8 19. Kf2 Rc8 {
with a level position, T.Fogarasi-L.Portisch, Hungarian League 1995,}) ({or} 
15. Nxd5 Bxd5 $1 16. cxd5 Nxd5 17. Bf2 Bg5 $1 18. Qd4 Nf4 $1 {
with an edge for Black}) 15... Nxd5 (15... Bxd5 $5 {is also possible}) 16. Nxd5
Bxd5 17. Rfd1 Be6 18. Qxd8 Rfxd8 19. Bxb6 Rxd1+ 20. Rxd1 Bxa2 {
with equality, Z.Szabo-J.Horvath, Hungarian League 2001.}) ({
QUESTION: Can't White just pile up on the b-pawn? How does Black deal with} 13.
Qb3 Ned7 14. Na4 {? --- ANSWER: Naturally Black always has to watch out for
attacks against b6, but his position is surprisingly resilient against them.
This triple attack can be rebuffed by} Bc6 $1 {
when it becomes clear that the pawn is poisoned:} 15. Bxb6 $2 ({or} 15. Nxb6 $2
Rb8 $1) 15... Nxb6 16. Nxb6 Rb8 {.}) ({In view of this after} 13. Qb3 Ned7 {,}
14. Na4 $6 {is actually premature} ({
and White does better to carry on as normal, with} 14. Rfd1 Qc7 15. Rac1 Rac8
16. Bf1 Rfe8 {reaching a typical Hedgehog position.})) ({
Another way to attack the b6-pawn and therefore force ...Nbd7 is by} 13. Qd4 {
, and here} Ned7 14. Rfd1 Re8 {was played in V.Kramnik-P.Svidler, Dortmund
2005. --- EXERCISE: In this position Kramnik decided to retreat his queen back
to d2, just two moves after playing Qd4. Work out why he didn't play the more
natural-looking 15 Rac1. --- ANSWER: Kramnik's sense of danger didn't escape
him here. He was rightly concerned about the pawn break ...d5 and sensibly
retreated his queen out of the firing line. If instead} 15. Rac1 {there follows
} d5 $1 {and suddenly White is on the receiving end of ...Bc5 tricks, the most
straightforward one being} 16. exd5 ({
it's not a disaster for White if he takes some care, but after, say,} 16. cxd5
Bc5 17. Qd2 Bxe3+ 18. Qxe3 exd5 {(P.Sabuk-L.Cyborowski, Gora Sw Anny 2009)
he's certainly the one fighting for equality}) 16... exd5 17. cxd5 $4 Bc5 $1 {
winning.}) (13. -- {So, with either 13 Qb3 or 13 Qd4 White can force the
knight back and prevent an early ...d5. But neither square is ideal for the
queen: on b3 she looks a bit clumsy and gets in the way of future queenside
expansion plans, while we saw the need for Kramnik to quickly retreat from d4
because of ...Bc5 tactics. Returning to our main game, it becomes easier to
see the attraction of the Qe1-f2 plan: ...d5 is prevented for the moment at
least, Black will have to retreat with ...Ned7, and White's queen reaches a
good, safe square.}) 13... Qc7 (13... d5 14. cxd5 exd5 15. Rd1 $1 {looks unpromising for Black, and instead Jakovenko focuses his attention on finalizing his
Hedgehog set-up.}) 14. Qf2 Ned7 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. Rfd1 {
EXERCISE: Choose between 16...Rfe8 and 16...Rfd8. ---} {ANSWER:} Rfe8 $1 {
It might initially seem that d8 is the best square for the rook if Black is
aiming for a ...d5 break, but when we take into account that the knight is
likely to remain on d7 for a while, to protect b6, the rook's value on d8
would be limited. As we saw above, the rook on e8 can play a part in arranging
...d5, since favourable tactics might occur down the e-file once the position
is blown open.} 17. Kh1 {QUESTION: This looks like a "nothing" move. What's
the idea? --- ANSWER: Olivier is continuing with restraint and prophylaxis.
Removing the king from g1 prevents any possible tricks on the a7-g1 diagonal;
for example, the e-file opening up, some ...Rxe3 and then ...Bc5!. This type
of tactic may appear to be a long way off, but White prefers to eliminate it
altogether while he has the time to do so.} Qb8 {Another typical Hedgehog move,
with more than one point: -- 1. Black's queen moves off the same file as
White's rook, and this increases the chances of a successful ...d5 break. -- 2.
On b8 the queen may support a ...b5 break, after say ...Bc6. -- 3. The queen
has even been known to go to a8(!) to add further support to ...d5. ---
There's a further idea behind ...Qb8 - to be revealed later!} 18. Nab1 {
Now that White has mobilized the rest of his forces, he follows the principle
"improve your worst-placed piece". Given time, White will slowly enhance his
position with a mini-plan such as Nd2, a2-a3, b2-b4 and Nb3. Of course, all
the time he has to watch out to see whether any of these moves would allow
Black to break out.} ({Some alternatives: ---} 18. Bxb6 $6 {
is met favourably by} Bxe4 $1 {- this is the reason 17...Qb8 is possible.}) (
18. Na4 {hits the b6-pawn but loosens White's control elsewhere - a typical
Hedgehog scenario!} d5 $1 19. exd5 exd5 20. Nxb6 Nxb6 21. Bxb6 Bd6 $1 {
(suddenly Black is really active, so White sensibly bails out)} 22. Ba7 Rxe2 $1
23. Bxb8 Rxf2 24. Bxd6 Rxb2 25. Rb1 Rxb1 26. Rxb1 Ne8 {
½-½, P.Acs-Z.Almasi, Budapest 2003.}) ({
QUESTION: What happens if White lunges forward on the kingside, with} 18. g4 {
? How does Black react? --- ANSWER: I suspect most Hedgehog players are very
happy to see this type of aggression on White's part, because Black's chances
for counterplay automatically increase once White commits himself like this.
Black players would be much more fearful of a slow positional strangulation in
which counterplay is non-existent. --- After 18 g4 it's clear that Black must
be on his guard, but it's equally clear that action such as ...d5 potentially
becomes much more rewarding given White's weakening of his king, which
suddenly feels considerably closer to Black's b7-bishop. 18 g4 was once played
by Tal (who else?) against Polugaevsky, and Polugaevsky's response is worth
seeing:} h6 19. h4 Nh7 (19... d5 $5 {is interesting too}) 20. Bf4 g5 $1 21.
hxg5 hxg5 22. Bg3 Nhf8 {
(Black has also weakened himself, but has gained a dark-square grip in return)}
23. Qh2 Ne5 24. Qh6 Nfg6 25. Kg2 Qc7 26. Rh1 Bf6 {
(Black's king is perfectly safe because h8 is firmly under control)} 27. Nc2
Qe7 28. Ne3 Nh4+ $1 29. Kf2 Neg6 30. Rcd1 Bg7 31. Qh5 Be5 $1 32. Bxh4 gxh4 33.
Ng2 Bg3+ {½-½, M.Tal-L.Polugaevsky, Alma-Ata 1980. By this stage Black is winning -}
34. Kf1 Kg7 35. g5 Rh8 36. Qg4 Ne5 {- and the only reason Polugaevsky agreed
to a draw was to secure overall victory in their match.}) ({Here's an example
of what could happen if White allows ...Bc7 and ...d5 (see too the notes to
White's 20th, below:} 18. Bf1 {(instead of Olivier's 18 Nab1)} Bd8 19. Rc2 ({
another option for White is Bf4 at some moment; for example,} 19. Bf4 Ne5 (
19... Bc7 $5 {intending ...Nh5}) 20. Bxe5 $5 dxe5 21. Nc2 Nh5 22. b4 Qc7 23.
Qd2 Be7 24. a3 h6 25. Rb1 {reaches another position containing imbalances -
White's queenside pawn majority provides compensation for giving up the bishop
pair and some control of the dark squares, P.Acs-J.Polgar, Hoogeveen 2002})
19... Bc7 20. Rcd2 (20. Bf4) 20... d5 $5 {
(Black goes for it - swapping d-pawn for h-pawn)} 21. cxd5 exd5 22. exd5 ({or} 
22. Nxd5 Bxh2) 22... Bxh2 23. d6 Bg3 $5 (23... Be5 24. Nc4 Bxc3 25. bxc3 b5 26.
Ba7 Qa8 27. Na5 Rxc3 {
is also unclear, R.Vazquez-M.Illescas Cordoba, Palma de Mallorca 1991}) 24.
Qxg3 Rxe3 25. Nc4 Re6 26. Qf2 b5 27. Ne3 Rc5 {with a position of imbalances, A.Minasian-V.Eingorn, Lucerne 1993. White's passed d-pawn is well supported but
also well blocked. White's king has been weakened, and Black's pieces,
especially his rooks, are active. Overall I feel the chances are roughly level.
}) 18... Bd8 $5 {QUESTION: This bishop retreat looks strange. What's the point
of it? --- ANSWER: It's actually yet another typical Hedgehog idea! Let's list
what it does: -- 1. The bishop gives added protection to the b6-pawn. -- 2. It
unblocks the e-file, useful in the event of ...d5. -- 3. Most importantly,
Black plans ...Bc7!, lining up the queen and bishop along the b8-h2 diagonal.
Any ...d5 would then unleash an attack against the h2-pawn, and so the chances
of a successful ...d5 increase.} 19. Nd2 {Olivier makes good use of his
previously offside knight. The idea is to meet ...Bc7 with Nf1, safeguarding
the h2-pawn without incurring any further weaknesses.} Bc7 20. Nf1 Bc6 $1 {
Compare this position to the one we saw after 11 Be3. In that position the
idea of ...b5 looked like pie in the sky, but now it's suddenly a reality!
Olivier's play has been perfectly logical, and yet Black is still going to
achieve one of his desired breaks. It just goes to show how difficult it is to
keep the Hedgehog fully under control. --- This doesn't mean that allowing ...b5 is a disaster from White, far from it. The play remains as complex as ever.
Black does gain some extra space for his pieces, but he also has to be careful
that the b5-pawn doesn't become a target.} 21. Ng3 ({
White could actually prevent ...b5 with} 21. a4 {
, but only at the cost of creating a weakness which Black might exploit with}
Nc5 {followed by ...a5. Olivier prefers to allow it.}) 21... h5 $5 {A sure sign
that Jakovenko is willing to take some risks - a permanent weakening of his
kingside - to create chances against his lower-rated opponent. Black might
play ...h4-h3, and this possibility worries Olivier enough that he retreats
his knight.} ({The alternative was the immediate} 21... b5 {.}) 22. Nf1 ({
White could have tried} 22. b4 {intending to meet} h4 23. Nf1 h3 {with} 24. g4
{.}) 22... b5 23. cxb5 axb5 24. a3 Ne5 25. Na2 $1 {
The b4-square will be an excellent outpost for the knight.} Qb7 26. Nb4 Bd7 27.
Bd4 Bb8 $1 28. Ne3 Ng6 29. Bf1 $2 {The chances in this complex position were
still pretty level, but here Olivier makes his first significant mistake. He
was understandably reluctant to take on f6 - even though this further weakens
Black's kingside - because it would leave White struggling on the dark squares.
} ({However,} 29. Bc3 $1 {
would have prevented Black's idea and kept the game balanced.}) 29... Rxc1 30.
Rxc1 {EXERCISE: Find a strong positional idea for Black. (Hint: Think "to get
something you have to give something".) ---} {ANSWER:} e5 $1 31. Bc3 Ba7 $1 {
Black's dark-squared bishop comes to life with a vengeance, whereas its
counterpart has been blocked firmly out of the game. Jakovenko understood that
it was worth conceding a hole on d5 to achieve this...} 32. Qd2 Qb6 $1 {
...and this is why! The knight on e3 cannot move due to mate on g1. White gets
tied up and is in no position to utilize the outpost on d5.} 33. Re1 Be6 34.
Bd3 $6 {It's understandable that Olivier wanted to rule out the mate on g1,
but this actually makes things worse.} Nf4 35. Bb1 h4 $1 {
Black is now in complete control.} 36. Ba2 Bxa2 37. Nxa2 {EXERCISE: Find a
strong move for Black. (Hint: It's been one of his goals all game!) ---} {
ANSWER:} d5 $1 {It's fitting that an excellent Hedgehog game by Jakovenko
involves both of Black's desirable pawn breaks, ...b5 and ...d5.} 38. Nxd5 ({If
} 38. exd5 {, Black's initiative continues with} e4 $1 {.}) 38... N6xd5 39.
exd5 h3 $1 {Jakovenko's decision to play 21...h5 becomes fully justified.} 40.
gxh3 $2 ({Black's idea was to meet} 40. g3 Nxd5 41. Qxd5 $4 {with} Qf2 $1 42.
f4 e4 $1 {mating.}) ({White should still play} 40. g3 Nxd5 {
and then try to hang on with something like} 41. Qe2 {.}) 40... Nxh3 $6 (40...
Qg6 $1 {intending ...Qh5 or ...Qf5 is decisive, e.g.} 41. Nb4 Qh5 42. Rf1 Qxh3
{.}) 41. Kg2 $2 (41. d6 {is better, although} Re6 42. d7 Rd6 {
still wins for Black.}) 41... Nf4+ 42. Kh1 Qh6 $1 {Now he sees it! The queen
creeps into White's position, with fatal consequences.} 43. h4 {
EXERCISE: Black to play and win. ---} {ANSWER:} Qh5 $1 ({
This is much stronger than} 43... Qxh4+ 44. Qh2 {
, which allows White to struggle on for a while.}) 44. Rf1 Qf5 $1 45. Qh2 Qd3
$1 {. --- A wonderful game by Jakovenko. He perfectly demonstrated the
Hedgehog's great flexibility and potential for counterplay.} 0-1

[Event "Siberian Team Championship, Berdsk"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2009.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Isupov, V."]
[Black "Maletin, P."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "100"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Nb5 d6 6. c4 Nf6 7. N1c3 a6 8. Na3
Be7 {
Here Maletin decides to complete his kingside development before playing ...b6.
} ({In our previous game Jakovenko chose} 8... b6 9. Be2 Bb7 10. O-O Be7 11. --
(11. Be3 Ne5 {, and here} 12. f4 Ned7 13. Bf3 O-O {
would transpose to this game.}) ({; in some ways I prefer Jakovenko's choice
because Black gets to attack the e4-pawn more quickly; also, if} 11. f4 {then}
d5 $1 {is known to be a good response, e.g.} 12. cxd5 exd5 13. exd5 ({or} 13.
e5 Bc5+ 14. Kh1 Ne4) 13... Nb4 14. Qb3 O-O 15. Rd1 Bc5+ 16. Kh1 Re8 {
with excellent play for Black, A.Nokso Koivisto-A.Pyhala, Tampere 1992})) 9.
Be2 O-O 10. O-O b6 11. Be3 Ne5 {QUESTION: Why did Maletin play this move
before ...Bb7? --- ANSWER: As soon as White plays Be3, Black has to be wary of
attacks on the b6-pawn. If he definitely wants to play the ...Ne5 lines, as
Maletin does here, then this is the moment to do so. Now Black is ready to
meet attacks on b6 with ...Ned7, as we saw in the previous game.} ({
If Black plays} 11... Bb7 {
he must be willing to adopt a different formation if White chooses} 12. Qb3 {
, with} Nd7 {
. As I mentioned before, this is a perfectly acceptable line for Black too.})
12. f4 {This time White takes a more aggressive approach on the kingside.} Ned7
13. Bf3 Bb7 {
EXERCISE: What tactic by White must Black watch out for if White plays 14 Qc2?}
14. Qe2 ({ANSWER: After} 14. Qc2 {Black has to defend against the
double-attack threat 15 e5!. With the queen on d1 or e2, Black is okay because
e4-e5 can be met by ...Bxf3. However, after 14 Qc2 it becomes a threat because
15...Bxf3 no longer hits the queen and can be answered by the decisive
zwischenzug 16 exf6! winning a piece. The most natural way for Black to meet
this threat is by playing} Qc7 {, to protect the bishop.}) ({Here's an example
of Black's ...g5 plan (which we'll discuss further in the notes to his 14th
move, below) in action, taken from one of my own games, R.Eames-J.Emms,
British League 2002:} 14. Qc2 $5 Qc7 {(Black must defend against e4-e5)} 15. g4
h6 16. Rac1 (16. h4 $5 {is critical, but Black can break with} d5 $1 {, e.g.}
17. e5 Bxa3 18. bxa3 Ne4 ({or} 18... d4 $5 19. exf6 Bxf3 20. fxg7 Rfc8 21. Rxf3
dxe3) 19. Nxe4 dxe4 20. Bxe4 Bxe4 21. Qxe4 Nc5 {with good compensation}) 16...
Nh7 $1 {(preventing h2-h4)} 17. Qf2 g5 $1 18. Rfd1 $6 (18. Rcd1 {
looks more natural}) 18... gxf4 19. Bxf4 Ne5 $1 20. Bxh6 Ng5 21. Bxg5 Bxg5 {
. Black has a clear advantage here, because his active pieces and dark-square
control are worth much more than White's extra pawn. The game concluded} 22. Rc2
f5 $5 (22... Kg7 {followed by ...Rh8 is safe and strong}) 23. gxf5 exf5 24. Bh5
$2 ({White should try} 24. Bg2 {or}) (24. Nd5) 24... Qg7 25. Qg2 fxe4 26. Rxd6
Nf3+ 27. Kh1 Ne1 28. Qh3 Bc8 $1 29. Re6 Bxe6 30. Qxe6+ Kh8 31. Qh3 Qh6 32. Re2
Rf3 {and White resigned. --- Clearly there's an element of risk involved when
advancing with ...g5. But we must remember that it's a positionally
well-motivated move, and that White has also weakened himself - perhaps even
more - by playing g2-g4.}) 14... h6 $1 {QUESTION: What's the point of this
move? Doesn't it just unnecessarily weaken the kingside? --- ANSWER: 14...h6!
is actually a clever piece of prophylaxis. One of White's most active plans
here is g4-g5. If timed correctly, it could force Black backwards, give White
a considerable space advantage and offer chances for a direct kingside attack.
--- The idea behind 14...h6 is to prevent or discourage White's pawn-storm
plan. Now g2-g4 is typically met by ...Nh7!, preventing both g4-g5 and h2-h4.
Crucially, ...Nh7 isn't just a defensive measure - Black also has the
possibility to counterattack on the kingside. --- QUESTION: Counterattack?
How? --- ANSWER: By ...g5!, fighting to gain control of the dark squares, and
the key e5-square in particular, in a similar way to how Polugaevsky outplayed
Tal in the notes to our previous game.} ({
The sort of thing White might be aiming for is} 14... Re8 15. Rfd1 {
(restraining ...d5 first)} Qc7 16. Rac1 Rac8 17. g4 $5 h6 18. h4 $1 Nh7 19. Qh2
({or} 19. g5 {. This position is by no means completely clear, as White always
has to accept some risk when he lunges forwards on the kingside. However,
there's a danger of Black getting squashed, and defending this type of
position won't appeal to everyone, especially given that there's an enticing
alternative in 14...h6.})) 15. Rfd1 {Isupov brings his rooks to the centre and
focuses on restraining Black's position.} ({
Here's another example of how Black can meet the g2-g4 lunge:} 15. Rad1 Qc7 16.
g4 Nh7 $1 17. Bg2 ({if} 17. Qf2 {, intending h2-h4, then} g5 {
comes into consideration again}) 17... Rac8 18. Kh1 Rfe8 19. h3 Nhf8 $1 20. Qf2
Ng6 {, H.Spangenberg-Z.Hracek, Yerevan Olympiad 1996. On this occasion Black
has gained some dark-square control without the need for ...g5, and he stands
fine here. The game continued} 21. g5 ({or} 21. f5 Nge5) 21... hxg5 22. fxg5
Rf8 23. Qg3 Nge5 24. Bf4 g6 {and it's difficult to see past the monster knight
on e5, which does everything for Black.}) 15... Qc7 16. Rac1 Rac8 {EXERCISE: White could prepare g2-g4 by first playing 17 h4. Find a way for Black to
prevent White's pawn storm in that case.} 17. Nab1 $1 {Excellent play by
Isupov. He realizes that trying to make progress on the kingside could easily
backfire, so just as White did in our previous game, he improves his
worst-placed piece - the knight on a3.} ({ANSWER:} 17. h4 {was played in the
game P.Nielsen-Y.Razuvaev, Valby 1991. White is ready to play g2-g4, but Black
exploited a window of opportunity to fix the kingside pawns:} h5 $1 {not only prevented g2-g4 but also left White with a permanent weakness on that square.
The game continued} 18. Nab1 (18. Bxh5 Nxe4 {
is a favourable pawn swap for Black}) 18... g6 19. Nd2 Rfe8 20. b4 Qb8 21. Qf2
Ng4 $1 22. Bxg4 hxg4 23. g3 Ba8 24. a3 f5 25. Kh2 Bf6 26. Bd4 b5 {and Black eventually won due in no small part to his domination of the long a8-h1 diagonal:}
27. cxb5 axb5 28. Bxf6 Nxf6 29. Re1 fxe4 30. Qd4 e5 31. fxe5 Rxe5 32. Rf1 Rf8
33. Rce1 e3 34. Rxe3 Qb7 35. Rg1 Nd5 36. Rxe5 dxe5 37. Qxd5+ Qxd5 38. Nxd5 Bxd5
{0-1. Perhaps White lost on time here, as his position is not yet resignable.})
({Back to the game's} 17. Nab1 {. --- EXERCISE: Black could have captured on
c4 here. Consider replies by White and why Maletin might have rejected the
pawn grab.}) 17... Qb8 ({ANSWER: When considering} 17... Qxc4 {Black has to
analyse and assess discovered attacks by White's c3-knight, especially with}
18. Nd5 {.} ({Black also has to consider queen moves by White, maintaining the
threats. For example, after} 18. Qd2 $5 {the idea of Nd5 still exists, even
after ...Qc7, and there's also the possibility of e4-e5, an idea we saw
earlier. Here} Qb4 19. e5 $1 Bxf3 20. exf6 Bxd1 21. fxe7 Rfe8 22. a3 $1 {
is messy, but possibly just good for White.}) {
Black must give up his queen here, but he gets some material in return after}
18... Bxd5 $1 19. Rxc4 Bxc4 {and ...Bxa2. Overall it's quite understandable
that Maletin chose to decline the pawn grab, which feels like a high-risk and
low-reward move to me.}) 18. Nd2 Bc6 19. b4 $1 {
White begins to gain space on the queenside.} Qa8 {QUESTION: What is Black
doing here? --- ANSWER: Not a great deal! This is one of those positions I
referred to in our previous game. Black has to show some patience and wait to
see what White does. --- QUESTION: Can't Black break with 19...b5?} ({
ANSWER: Sometimes the ...b5 break is premature, even if it is possible.
Maletin probably rejected} 19... b5 {here on account of} 20. cxb5 axb5 21. Nb3 {
. The b5-pawn is fixed and vulnerable to ideas such as Nd4 and Na5.}) 20. Bf2 (
{QUESTION: How about} 20. a4 {here? --- ANSWER: It's tempting to aggressively
lunge forward, but we must always remember that pawns can't move backwards.
Black can fight back on the queenside with} a5 $1 {
which gains control of the key c5-square after either} 21. b5 ({or} 21. bxa5
Qxa5 ({or} 21... bxa5 {; in this case it's worth giving up b5 to get c5}))
21... Bb7 {.}) 20... Rfe8 21. a3 Qb8 22. Bg3 {White prepares a possible e4-e5
break, and this is enough to stir Maletin into action.} e5 $5 {QUESTION: Can
Black get away with giving up the d5-square like this? --- ANSWER: Yes he can,
at least in certain situations. We actually saw something similar from
Jakovenko last game, albeit under more favourable circumstances.} ({Still, it isn't obligatory, and Black could continue to hold with something like} 22...
Red8 {, and if} 23. e5 $6 {then} Bxf3 24. Nxf3 Nh5 $1 {.}) 23. f5 b5 $1 {
Immediately loosening White's grip on d5. Maletin judges that now is the right
time for this pawn break. If Black delays it, he really does run the risk of
being strangled for space.} 24. Bf2 Rc7 {Preparing to double rooks on the
c-file. --- The position is finely balanced and decisions are becoming
critical. White's next move, tempting though it looks, is probably a mistake.}
({Another option here is} 24... Nh7 $5 {with ...Bg5 or ...Ng5 ideas.}) 25. Nd5
{EXERCISE: Which way should Black capture: with the bishop or the knight? ---}
(25. cxb5 axb5 26. Nb3 {
, with Na5 ideas, looks like a better bet for White. After} Rec8 27. Qd3 ({not
} 27. Na5 $2 Bxe4 $1) 27... Nf8 28. Be3 ({again} 28. Na5 $2 Bxe4 $1) 28... N8h7
29. Na5 Be8 30. h4 h5 $1 {
White might even have the edge, but all three results remain possible.}) {
ANSWER:} 25... Bxd5 $1 ({
The knight is stronger than the bishop, which hits a brick wall after} 25...
Nxd5 $2 26. cxd5 {.} ({Furthermore,} 26. exd5 $1 {is even better:} Ba8 27. c5
$1 dxc5 28. Ne4 {is very strong.})) 26. cxd5 (26. exd5 Rec8 $1 {sets up an annoying pin, but this is still unclear and probably a better option for White
than the game continuation.}) 26... Rec8 27. Nb3 Rxc1 28. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 29. Nxc1
Qc7 30. Na2 Nb6 {I prefer Black here: -- 1. He controls the only open file. --
2. The e4- and a3-pawns are targets. -- 3. White's light-squared bishop looks
like a big pawn. -- 4. Black's only problem piece, the e7-bishop, may later be
activated via g5 or b6. --- Let's see how Maletin converts these advantages:}
31. Qd3 $6 Qc4 $1 32. Be2 Qxa2 33. Bxb6 Nd7 34. Bc7 (34. Be3 {
is more resilient, but it's still a real struggle for survival for White after}
Bg5 ({or} 34... Bd8 {followed by ...Bb6.})) 34... Qa1+ 35. Kf2 Qc1 $1 36. Ba5
Qh1 $1 {Now it's easy. With White's bishop going on a walkabout to a5, Black
has a power play and makes it count on the kingside.} 37. Qg3 Bg5 38. h3 Nf6
39. Bd3 Nh5 40. Qg4 Qc1 $1 41. Qxh5 Qe3+ 42. Kf1 Qxd3+ 43. Qe2 Qxa3 44. Qc2
Qa1+ 45. Kf2 Qd4+ 46. Kf1 Bd2 $1 47. f6 {EXERCISE: Find the forced mate. ---} {
ANSWER:} Qa1+ 48. Kf2 Qe1+ 49. Kf3 Qe3+ 50. Kg4 Qf4+ 0-1

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "8. Other Lines"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "9"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 {. In this final chapter we'll
conclude our study of the Sicilian Taimanov by examining some less common
lines for White, which Taimanov players are likely to face in around 10% of
their games. These include fifth-move options such as 5 c4 and 5 Be3, early
Nxc6 lines and 5 Nc3 Qc7 6 Ndb5. In Kornev-Geller we'll also briefly discuss
the differences between the 2...e6 and 2...Nc6 move orders. --- Without
further ado, let's move on to the first subject: 5 c4.} 5. -- (5. -- {
Key Notes: -- 1. With 5 c4 (Czerniak-Bolbochan) White is aiming to get a
Maroczy vs. Hedgehog position. However, Black can dash White's hopes by
playing 5...Nf6! 6 Nc3 Bb4!, which virtually forces 7 Nxc6 bxc6 and a favourable
change in pawn structure for Black, who can follow up with ...e5. -- 2. An
early Nxc6 (Hou Yifan-Dzhumaev and Munguntuul-Cmilyte) isn't very threatening,
but it's a relatively popular choice among White players who wish to avoid
mainline opening theory. -- 3. Remember the idea of ...Nd7-c5, aiming to swap
off the d3-bishop which is usually White's best minor piece. This idea occurs
repeatedly in lines where White plays Nxc6 and Black plays ...d5. -- 4. In
Nxc6 lines combined with Nc3, Black needs to be a bit careful with the timing
of ...d5. One possibility for White which should be remembered is ...d5,
exd5!?, ...cxd5, Nb5!, which can prove to be awkward. Black can often meet
exd5 with the counterintuitive ...exd5!, leading to Scotch-type positions
which are fine for Black (see Munguntuul-Cmilyte and Mitkov-Illescas Cordoba).
-- 5. 5 Be3 can be met by 5...Nf6! 6 Nc3 Bb4!, reaching a good line of the
Sicilian Four Knights (see Mitkov-Illescas Cordoba). -- 6. 5 Nc3 Qc7 6 Ndb5!?
Qb8! (Kornev-Geller) is simply bad for White, unless he follows up with the
piece sacrifice 7 Be3! a6 8 Bb6!. Even here, Black has good chances in the
resulting positions with three pieces for the queen. -- We've reached the end
of the book, so it only remains for me to wish you good luck in your Sicilian
Taimanov adventures!}) *

[Event "Mar del Plata"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1941.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Czerniak, M."]
[Black "Bolbochan, J."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B44"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "1941.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 ({Note that the line we'll consider here can also occur from the English
Opening. In fact, the actual move order of this game was} 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6
3. e4 c5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bb4 {.}) 1... c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4.
Nxd4 Nc6 5. c4 {White aims for a Maroczy Bind position. --- EXERCISE: Find a
logical plan against 5 c4. ---} {ANSWER:} Nf6 $1 6. Nc3 Bb4 $1 {Black develops
quickly and utilizes the fact he hasn't committed to ...d6 to put White's
e-pawn under immediate pressure. It's for this reason White should prefer 5
Nb5 d6 and only then 6 c4! if he wants to force a Maroczy/Hedgehog position.}
7. Nxc6 {White is more or less obliged to make this concession, which
strengthens Black's structure. The resulting positions are neither bad for
White, nor lifeless, but they aren't bad for Black either!} (7. Bd3 {
is of course impossible}) ({while if} 7. f3 {
Black will just blow the position open with ...d5!.}) 7... bxc6 (7... dxc6 {
is also possible, but most prefer recapturing with the b-pawn. A key line here
is} 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. e5 $5 Ne4 10. a3 $5 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nxc3 12. a4 {
and White has compensation for the pawn.}) 8. Bd3 (8. e5 Ne4 {is fine for
Black, as aggressive attempts by White seem to fall short; for example,} 9. Qg4
({or} 9. Qd4 Qa5 $1) 9... Nxc3 10. a3 {and now} Qa5 ({
there's also just a safer option with} 10... Bf8 11. bxc3 Qa5 12. Qg3 g6 {
when Black stands better}) 11. Qxg7 Ne4+ {looks good for Black.}) 8... O-O ({
The move order} 8... e5 9. O-O O-O {
looks more accurate to me because it avoids the possibility in the next note.})
9. O-O ({If} 9. e5 $5 {Black can win a pawn with} Qa5 {
, but White gets some compensation after} 10. Bf4 $1 Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Qxc3+ 12.
Kf1 {. After the game's 9 0-0, e4-e5 is certainly a threat, so Black must
decide what to do in the centre.}) 9... e5 $1 {Gaining a strong foothold in
the centre. This move is all the more appealing when White has played c2-c4,
as it gives Black potential use of an outpost in the centre on d4. ---
QUESTION: Can Black play 9...d5 here?} ({ANSWER: Yes,} 9... d5 {is a decent
alternative, even if it does seem to justify White's opening play - as we've
seen before, c2-c4 is a typical breaking move against ...d5. For this reason I
slightly prefer 9...e5!.}) 10. f4 {This active pawn break is an obvious course
of action for White, but it's by no means the only option.} ({EXERCISE: What
idea, relating to his bishop on b4, must Black guard against? Find a good move
for White after} 10. Be3 d6 $6 {. --- ANSWER: Black must watch out for Na4
possibilities, leaving his bishop hitting thin air on b4 (remember 9 Na4! in
Chapter One!). This becomes more relevant once Black has played ...d6 - after}
11. Na4 $1 {is a strong move. Even Kasparov failed to appreciate the idea,
albeit in a rapidplay game, and after} d5 12. exd5 cxd5 13. a3 Be7 14. cxd5
Nxd5 15. Bc5 {
White enjoyed a nice edge in V.Kramnik-G.Kasparov, New York (rapid) 1994.}) ({
QUESTION: So what should Black do after} 10. Be3 {? ---} {ANSWER:} Bxc3 $1 {
is stronger, as Kasparov recognized after his game with Kramnik. For example,}
11. bxc3 d6 12. h3 {(to prevent ...Ng4)} Be6 13. f4 exf4 14. Bxf4 Qb6+ 15. Kh1
Qc5 {and Black is fine, M.Chandler-J.Emms, Hastings 1999/2000.}) ({QUESTION: Shouldn't Black be taking on c3 at the first opportunity, giving White doubled
pawns and avoiding Na4? --- ANSWER: No. It's better to stay flexible, as
sometimes Black wants to keep his dark-squared bishop. In my game against
Murray Chandler, taking on c3 was the right idea in view of a number of
factors. For example, White's bishop on e3 isn't ideally placed if White wants
to play f2-f4 - Chandler had to spend a tempo with h2-h3 to prevent ...Ng4
hitting the bishop. Contrast this with} 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bh4 {. In this position
Black might prefer to keep his dark-squared bishop, either retreating it to e7
or, perhaps more effectively, playing} Bc5 $1 {
. L.Christiansen-Z.Ribli, German League 1992, continued} 12. a3 a5 13. Qd2 d6
14. Kh1 Be6 15. f4 $6 exf4 16. Rxf4 g5 $1 17. Raf1 Bd4 $1 {with an advantage
to Black, although he was already well placed even before 15 f4: Na4 could
always be met by ...Bd4 and there were also ...Nxe4 ideas with a discovered
attack on the h4-bishop.}) ({QUESTION: How about if White plays} 10. Na4 {
preventing both ...Bxc3 and ...Bc5? --- ANSWER: If White plays Na4 too early,
Black can strike hard in the centre. Here} d5 $1 {is a logical response, and}
11. cxd5 cxd5 12. exd5 Qxd5 {is much more favourable for Black than the
Kramnik-Kasparov game - Black is effectively a tempo up.}) 10... d6 {Black could throw in a ...Bc5+ before playing ...d6, but it's much more flexible to
retain all options.} 11. Kh1 {This prophylactic move is understandable of
course, but it does justify Black's decision to avoid ...Bc5+ last turn. If
White is going to play Kh1 anyway, why spend a move forcing him to do so?} ({
QUESTION: What should Black do against} 11. Na4 {? --- ANSWER: There's solid
reasoning behind 11 Na4 because Black has already played ...d6. However, Black
should still react by attacking the centre, and} Re8 $1 {is a good choice. Now}
12. Qf3 $6 (12. Qc2 {is wiser, but even here} d5 {is interesting, intending}
13. fxe5 $2 dxe4 $1) 12... d5 $1 {leaves White struggling because of forking
threats with ...e4, A.Van Weersel-A.Burtasova, Kusadasi 2006.}) ({
Moving the rook to e8 is useful against certain other moves too. For example,} 
11. Qe1 Re8 {, and if} 12. f5 {then Black should again consider} d5 $5 {.}) ({
QUESTION: What about} 11. f5 {, trying for a clamp on the kingside? --- ANSWER:
Once more Black should look to answer in the centre, at least before White has
time to charge with g2-g4-g5. In fact, the immediate} d5 $1 {
looks fine. For example,} 12. cxd5 ({or} 12. Qe2 Ba6 $1) 12... Bxc3 $5 13. bxc3
cxd5 14. Qf3 $6 (14. exd5 Qxd5 15. Bg5 Bb7 {is equal}) 14... Bb7 15. Qg3 dxe4
16. Bh6 $4 {(R.Harper-D.Musanti, Dos Hermanas 2003) and here} Nh5 {
wins on the spot.}) 11... Ng4 $1 {
Threatening ...Qh4, but this isn't the only merit of the knight move.} 12. Qe1
Bxc3 $1 13. bxc3 {EXERCISE: Find a good move for Black. ---} ({
Ideally White would like to recapture with the queen, but after} 13. Qxc3 Qh4
$1 14. h3 Nf2+ 15. Kg1 Nxh3+ $1 16. gxh3 {
Black has at least a draw, and possibly more.}) {ANSWER:} 13... exf4 $1 {
One of the points of ...Ng4 is that the knight eyes the key e5-square. Black
is usually happy to exchange on f4 if it means he can land a knight on that
square, and this position is no exception. We've seen on numerous occasions
how influential a black knight can be when safely entrenched on e5. Of course
Black must capture on f4 now, before White has a chance to drive the knight
back with h2-h3.} 14. Bxf4 Ne5 15. Qg3 c5 $1 {Preventing c4-c5 and fixing the
pawns. Black is already a bit better, for the following reasons: -- 1. White
has nothing on the kingside (Bh6 can be answered by ...Ng6). -- 2. White has a
typically bad bishop on d3. -- 3. The pawn structure is static - there are no
breaks for White. -- 4. Once Black fully mobilizes his forces he can begin to
target White's pawn weaknesses. --- Let's witness how Bolbochan slowly takes
control:} 16. Be2 $6 {I don't think White should be in a hurry to move this
bishop, as it only leads to problems with the e4-pawn.} (16. Rab1 Qe7 17. Bxe5
dxe5 18. Qe3 {looks like a better chance to minimize the disadvantage.}) 16...
Qe7 17. Rad1 Bb7 18. Rd2 {EXERCISE: Decide between 18...Bxe4 and 18...Rad8. ---
} {ANSWER:} Rad8 $1 {White's weaknesses can't run away, so it's better for
Black to fully consolidate before grabbing any pawns.} (18... Bxe4 {
is too hasty, and it allows White to regain the pawn with} 19. Rfd1 Rad8 20.
Bxe5 dxe5 21. Rxd8 Rxd8 22. Rxd8+ Qxd8 23. Qxe5 {.}) 19. Rfd1 f6 $1 {Black's position is rock-solid, and now he can turn his attention to the weakling on e4.}
20. Qe3 Rfe8 21. h3 Nf7 $1 22. Bf3 Qe6 $1 23. Qe2 Bxe4 {
Finally Black takes on e4, and now he enters a pawn-up ending.} 24. Bxe4 Qxe4
25. Qxe4 Rxe4 26. Bxd6 Rxc4 27. Rd5 Rc8 (27... Nxd6 28. Rxd6 Rxd6 29. Rxd6 {
looks tempting (if} Rxc3 30. Ra6 {regains the pawn), but there's constantly a
danger of all the queenside pawns being exchanged to leave a theoretically
drawn rook ending. So Bolbochan decides to keep the minor pieces on. Possibly
Black's play could be improved over the next few moves, as Czerniak succeeds
in gaining counterplay by getting both rooks to the seventh rank.}) 28. R1d3
Ng5 29. Bh2 Ra4 30. Bg1 Ne4 31. Rd7 Re8 32. Rb7 Rxa2 33. Rdd7 Ng3+ 34. Kh2 Nf5
35. Rxa7 {EXERCISE: Decide between 35...Rxa7 and 35...Rc2. ---} {ANSWER:} Rc2
$1 {It might seem like a wise move to eliminate one of White's rooks on the
seventh rank, but in reality their major threat has disappeared now Black's
knight has reached f5 to protect g7. Indeed, Black wants to keep both rooks on
the board so he can double on the seventh rank!} ({
White has good drawing chances after} 35... Rxa7 36. Rxa7 {.}) 36. Bxc5 h5 $1 {
Giving the king an escape square on h7, and thus releasing the e8-rook.} 37. h4
$2 {White fails to spot the threat.} ({
The best chance for White is to try and block the rook's path, with} 37. Be7 {
, when Black keeps excellent winning chances with} Kf7 ({or} 37... Ne3) 38.
Bc5+ Kg6 {.}) 37... Ree2 $1 {This is immediately decisive.} 38. Kg1 Rxg2+ 39.
Kf1 Ng3+ ({It's mate after} 39... Ng3+ 40. Ke1 Rc1+ 41. Rd1 Re2# {
. --- This was an old game, and still a very instructive one for this line.})
0-1

[Event "Kuala Lumpur"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2010.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Hou Yifan"]
[Black "Dzhumaev, M."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B40"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2010.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 ({The game's actual move order was} 
4... Nf6 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 {.}) 5. Nxc6 {This is not a fearsome move for
Black to face because, as we already know, the change in pawn structure after ...bxc6 normally favours Black. However, 5 Nxc6 is still a relatively popular
choice, especially among those who want to steer clear of more theoretical
lines. If White really wants to play Nxc6, there's certainly an argument for
doing so straightaway (see below).} bxc6 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. O-O ({Without doubt, if
White sets his stall out with a quick c2-c4, intending Nc3 to add pressure
against ...d5, then ...e5 becomes an attractive alternative. Indeed, here I
would be very tempted to meet} 7. c4 {with} e5 $1 {.}) 7... d5 {
QUESTION: Is there an alternative plan to ...d5?} ({ANSWER: Yes, there is.
Black can choose the same set-up as in our previous game, with} 7... e5 {.} 8.
-- ({. If White follows up with} 8. c4 {we have exactly the same structure as
our last game, and furthermore Black's dark-squared bishop can develop to a
more favourable diagonal:} Bc5 $1 {.}) ({. Against} 8. Nd2 {
Black could just play} Be7 {,} ({but} 8... Bc5 {is possible here too. After} 9.
Nb3 Bb6 10. Qe2 (10. c4 {, intending to meet} d6 {with} 11. c5 $5 {
, looks more challenging}) 10... d6 11. Kh1 Ng4 $1 12. h3 Qh4 13. Kg1 Nf6 14.
Be3 Nh5 $1 15. Bxb6 axb6 {
Black was a shade better in V.Simagin-D.Bronstein, Leningrad 1960.}))) 8. Nd2 {
EXERCISE: This position can actually be reached via another mainline opening.
Try to work out (or just guess!) what it is. --- ANSWER: It's the French
Defence, Tarrasch Variation: 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nd2 c5 4 Ngf3 cxd4 5 Nxd4 (5
exd5 is the main line) 5...Nc6 6 Nxc6 bxc6 7 Bd3 Nf6 8 0-0. --- The Women's
World Champion demonstrates a benefit of playing Nxc6 so early - White hasn't
committed any of her other pieces and can develop them accordingly: bishop to
d3 and knight to d2. --- QUESTION: Why did White develop the knight to d2
rather than c3? --- ANSWER: As we've seen before, with this pawn structure
c2-c4 may be a key break for White. If that is the case then it's logical not
to block the c-pawn with the knight. Of course the drawback is that on d2 the
knight exerts less direct pressure on the centre and temporarily blocks in the
dark-squared bishop, so it's certainly not a clear-cut case of d2 being better
than c3.} ({QUESTION: How should Black react if White pushes immediately with} 
8. e5 Nd7 9. f4 {? --- ANSWER: Black has more than one reasonable way to
respond, but one possibility definitely worth remembering, here and in similar
positions, is} Nc5 $1 {. This knight move is nearly always a good idea.
White's light-squared bishop is his most active minor piece, and exchanging it
(or even just threatening to) is usually beneficial to Black. White's chances
of a kingside initiative automatically decline if this bishop is exchanged -
there are no Greek Gift sacs on h7 to worry about for a start!}) 8... Qc7 $5 {
QUESTION: Why did Black choose this queen move over, say, 8...Be7?} ({
ANSWER: 8...Be7 is in fact Black's most popular choice here, but there's
something to said about} 8... Qc7 {. Black prepares to develop more actively
with ...Bd6, further covering the e5-square and gaining a tempo by hitting the
h2-pawn.}) ({After} 8... Be7 {White typically chooses either a restrained
approach with c2-c4, or a quick e4-e5 and kingside action. For example:} 9. --
(9. Qe2 O-O 10. c4 a5 $1 {. --- QUESTION: What's the idea behind this pawn
move? --- ANSWER: White wants to fianchetto his dark-squared bishop, which
would complete a harmonious set-up. But now b2-b3 can be met by ...a4, which
creates a weakness and automatically gives Black counterplay on the queenside.
I found this out after} 11. Rd1 Ba6 12. b3 a4 $1 13. Bb2 Qb6 14. Rab1 axb3 15.
axb3 Rfd8 {with a level position, J.Emms-O.De La Riva Aguado, Mondariz 2000.})
(9. Re1 O-O 10. e5 Nd7 11. c3 {(to keep the bishop after ...Nc5)} f5 $1 {
(fighting back on the kingside before White strengthens his attack)} 12. exf6 {
(if White doesn't capture, the d3-bishop is blocked out and chances to attack
are minimal)} Nxf6 13. Nf3 Bd6 $1 {(fighting for e5)} 14. Qe2 $2 ({White's 14th
move was a blunder, as he clearly mustn't allow ...e5 if he can help it;
almost anything else (e.g.} 14. Bg5) ({or} 14. Qc2 {- Delchev/Semkov) would
have been infinitely wiser, when the chances look roughly equal}) 14... e5 $1 {
and Black has a clear advantage, S.Kaplan-D.Blokh, Rishon Le Ziyyon 2004, since
} 15. Nxe5 {loses to} Bxe5 16. Qxe5 Re8 {.})) 9. f4 {EXERCISE: Black can
utilize a tactic here in order to achieve a positional goal. What is it? (Hint:
The tactic involves a check.) ---} ({One of the points behind 8...Qc7 is that
White finds it more difficult to force the e5 advance. It can be done, but
only if White is willing - as Hou Yifan is here - to commit with f2-f4. For
example, after} 9. Qe2 Bd6 10. h3 O-O 11. Re1 {White is ready to play e4-e5
(of course it's a big threat!), but Black gets in first with} e5 $1 {
and reaches a fine position with control of the centre.}) ({
If White defends h2 by playing} 9. Qe2 Bd6 10. Nf3 {
instead then Black doesn't hesitate to grab the bishop pair:} dxe4 $1 11. Bxe4
Nxe4 12. Qxe4 Bb7 {. The key question here is does White's development lead
compensate for Black's potential advantage of the bishop pair in an open
position? Probably it just about does, which means the position offers levels
chances. For example,} 13. Rd1 c5 14. Qg4 $1 {
(White must continue actively or else he is just worse)} O-O-O (14... h5 $5)
15. Be3 f5 16. Qc4 Bd5 17. Qa6+ Kb8 (17... Qb7 $5) 18. b4 $5 cxb4 19. a3 f4 20.
Bd4 b3 21. c4 Qb7 22. Qxa7+ Qxa7 23. Bxa7+ Kxa7 24. cxd5 {and the sharp
middlegame has fizzled out into a soon-to-be drawn position, I.Smirin-L.Oll,
Odessa 1989.}) ({Another option for White is} 9. c4 Bd6 {and now:} 10. -- (10.
h3 O-O 11. Qc2 dxe4 $1 12. Nxe4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4 f5 $1 {. Exchanging on e4 and
then expanding on the kingside is a typical plan for Black, and one to
remember:} 14. Bf3 (14. Bd3 c5 $1) 14... e5 $1 15. c5 Be7 16. Qc4+ Kh8 17. b3 (
17. Rd1 $5) 17... e4 $1 18. Be2 Qe5 19. Ba3 Be6 20. Qc2 f4 {, A.Chiari-G.Vescovi, Belo Horizonte 2010. Black has a strong kingside attack here, and a
rather one-sided contest finished} 21. Rae1 Qg5 22. Bg4 Bd5 23. Kh2 h5 24. Bd1
Rae8 25. Bc1 Bd8 26. Kh1 Qh4 27. Rg1 Bc7 28. b4 Re6 29. Ref1 f3 30. Be3 Rg6 {
0-1.}) (10. exd5 $5 {is critical. This led to great complications in D.Campora-M.Tissir, Dos Hermanas 2006:} Bxh2+ 11. Kh1 Bd6 12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Bxe4
exd5 14. cxd5 Qe7 (14... O-O $5) 15. Kg1 O-O 16. Re1 (16. dxc6 Qe5 $1) 16... f5
17. Bc2 ({if instead} 17. Bf3 {then} Qh4 18. g3 $1 (18. dxc6 $4 Qh2+ 19. Kf1
Ba6+ {mates}) 18... Bxg3 19. fxg3 Qxg3+ {
and White either offers a perpetual check or tries to survive} 20. Bg2 f4 21.
Rf1 Bg4 {, the former seeming the wiser option to me}) 17... Qh4 18. f4 {
, which looked favourable for Black.})) {ANSWER:} 9... Ba6 $1 {Exchanging bishops must be to Black's benefit, because White's light-squared bishop is usually
his best minor piece.} (9... Be7 {is certainly also possible, but it's rare
for Black to be able to utilize this ...Qb6+ tactic in this line, so it seems
a good idea to do so when offered the chance. Don't forget that the
opportunity arose only because White played f2-f4, which was induced to some
extent by Dzhumaev's 8...Qc7.}) 10. e5 Nd7 11. Nf3 Be7 12. b3 Bxd3 $1 {
Previously there was no harm in delaying the exchange, but now after 12 b3
White might prevent it with c2-c4 if Black delays any longer.} 13. cxd3 $1 {
The usual recapture, opening the c-file and increasing White's control in the
centre.} O-O 14. Bb2 c5 $1 15. Kh1 {EXERCISE: Find a good plan for Black. ---}
{ANSWER:} a5 $1 {A simple idea, intending ...a4 to leave White with pawn
weaknesses. If White prevents this with a2-a4 then b3 becomes weak anyway.
White's own plan is to arrange f4-f5, but it's not as straightforward as it
looks. Dzhumaev's play during the next few moves looks convincing, and it's
entirely possible that White's f2-f4 and e4-e5 plan just isn't that strong.}
16. Qe2 Qb6 $1 ({The immediate} 16... a4 {
was also possible, but Dzhumaev quite understandably prevents the idea of} 17.
f5 $5 exf5 18. e6 {first.}) 17. Nd2 a4 $1 18. f5 $2 {Any further delay to this
move and White would be firmly on the defensive - Black might continue with ...Ra6 and doubling on the a-file. Unfortunately for White, she still isn't
completely prepared for the advance.} exf5 $1 {
Of course this pawn must be taken when it reaches f5.} 19. Rxf5 a3 $1 {
This is really strong.} 20. Bc1 ({The bishop is forced back to the first rank,
which leaves White hopelessly uncoordinated, as} 20. Bc3 {loses a piece to} d4
$1 21. Nc4 Qe6 $1 {.}) 20... Qe6 $1 {Ideally White would want to meet this
move with Raf1. That isn't possible here, so the rook on f5 has to retreat,
White loses the e5-pawn and her whole position falls apart.} 21. Rh5 g6 22. Rh3
Qxe5 23. Qxe5 Nxe5 {. A pawn up and with many other advantages, Black has a
completely winning position. Dzhumaev converts without any real difficulty:}
24. Nf1 Bf6 25. Rb1 Rfe8 26. Bd2 Ng4 27. Rf3 Bd4 28. h4 Re2 29. b4 Rb8 30. b5
Bb2 31. d4 c4 32. Bb4 Nf2+ 33. Kh2 Bxd4 34. Rxa3 Be5+ 35. Kg1 Nd3 36. Bd2 Bd4+
37. Kh2 Re4 38. Kg3 Bf2+ 39. Kf3 Bxh4 40. g3 Be7 41. Ra7 Bc5 42. Ra6 Ne5+ 43.
Kg2 Re2+ 44. Kh3 Nf3 45. Bb4 Ng1+ 46. Kh4 Re4+ 47. g4 Bf2+ 48. Ng3 h5 49. Rxg1
Rxg4+ 50. Kh3 Bxg1 51. a4 Re8 52. Bd6 c3 53. Rc6 Rc4 54. Rxc4 dxc4 55. a5 c2
56. Bf4 Be3 0-1

[Event "Russian Women's Team Ch., Sochi"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Munguntuul, B."]
[Black "Cmilyte, V."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Nxc6 {Another relatively non-threatening line, similar to 5 Nxc6 but with White's knight committed to
c3 and Black's queen to c7. In this game we'll examine how this makes a
difference.} bxc6 7. Bd3 Nf6 8. O-O Be7 {
QUESTION: How about the immediate 8...d5 here, so that Black can play ...Bd6?}
({ANSWER: One difference with the knight on c3 is that Black needs to be a bit
more careful with the timing of ...d5, and here 8...Be7 is the safest option.
If Black plays the immediate} 8... d5 {White can try the counter-intuitive} 9.
exd5 $5 cxd5 {. White has given up the centre, but he can follow up with the
crude but surprisingly effective} 10. Nb5 $1 {. This gives Black some problems
because White's development lead produces an initiative. For example,} Qb8 ({if
} 10... Qb6 11. Bf4 $1) 11. Qf3 ({or} 11. c4 $5) 11... Be7 12. Re1 O-O ({or} 
12... e5 13. Qg3 a6 14. Nd4 $1) 13. Bf4 Qb6 14. a4 a6 15. a5 Qd8 16. Nd4 Bb7
17. Qh3 Re8 18. Be5 {, A.Slabek-B.Sikora Gizynska, Poland 1991. Black's
central pawns are well and truly blockaded and White stands better here. So
with a knight on c3, be wary of exd5, ...cxd5, Nb5! ideas.}) 9. f4 {
As previously, White chooses the direct f2-f4 and e4-e5.} ({
The other main option is} 9. Qe2 d5 {.} 10. -- ({. Here} 10. b3 O-O 11. Bb2 Bb7
12. e5 Nd7 13. Na4 c5 14. c4 d4 $1 15. Rae1 Bc6 16. f4 g6 $1 {
(slowing White down by preventing f5)} 17. Bc1 a5 {
reaches a roughly level position, I.Prol Nogueira-A.Colovic, Burgas 2003.}) ({
. QUESTION: How should Black recapture if White plays} 10. exd5 {? --- ANSWER:
Perhaps surprisingly (or maybe not if you read the note on 8...d5), 10...exd5
is probably best;} -- ({, even though} 10... cxd5 {looks the most attractive.
The problem with 10...cxd5 is that White can again disrupt Black with} 11. Nb5
{, on this occasion answering} Qb8 {with} 12. g3 $1 {, e.g.} O-O 13. Bf4 Qb6
14. a4 a6 15. a5 Qc6 16. Nd4 {with the type of central bind we saw against 8...
d5, D.Olafsson-B.Thorfinnsson, Bolungarvik 2009.} (16. --)) ({
. Black doesn't have this problem with} 10... exd5 $1 {
. Furthermore, the pin on the e-file after} 11. Re1 {is easily dealt with by}
Be6 {. Even though Black has one pawn in the centre instead of two, he still
enjoys considerable presence there - he still has one more pawn than White! To
me this looks like a slightly favourable version (for Black) of the Four
Knights Scotch (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 d4 exd4 5 Nxd4 Bb4 6 Nxc6 bxc6 7
Bd3 d5 8exd5 cxd5 9 0-0 0-0 10 Bg5 c6), which is in itself a solid line for
Black. After} 12. Qf3 O-O 13. h3 Bd6 {a draw was agreed in A.Kovchan-M.Kobalia,
Aix-les-Bains 2011. The final position is fine for Black, e.g.} 14. Bg5 Nd7 $1
{.}))) 9... d5 10. e5 Nd7 11. Qe2 {
EXERCISE: Find a good positional move for Black. ---} ({It's very possible that
} 11. Na4 {is a more challenging option. White's knight move is a typical idea
which: -- 1. Prepares a knight exchange after ...Nc5 (or ...Nb6) thus allowing
White to keep the light-squared bishop; and -- 2. Creates a possible pawn
break with c2-c4, so White has possibilities for action on either side of the
board. --- Let's follow the game A.Nokso Koivisto-P.Cramling, Eksjo 1990, to
see how Grandmaster and Sicilian Taimanov expert Pia Cramling handled this
position:} Nc5 (11... Nb6 $5) 12. Nxc5 Bxc5+ 13. Kh1 a5 $1 {
(lining up the possibility of ...Ba6)} 14. Qe1 g6 $5 {
(preventing, or at least slowing down, f4-f5)} 15. Be3 Bxe3 16. Qxe3 Qa7 $1 {
(a queen trade will favour Black, who has the better structure)} 17. Qh3 $1 O-O
18. c4 $6 ({White's troubles in this game really began when he started action
on the queenside, with 18 c4, which just played into Black's hands because she
was stronger on that side of the board; it would have been much wiser to focus
entirely on the kingside, for example with} 18. Qh6 {intending Rf3-h3,
although even here Black's resources are considerable, and the chances roughly
equal: for example,} Rb8 19. Rab1 ({after} 19. Rf3 Rxb2 20. Rh3 {
Black defends with} f5) 19... Ba6 $1 20. Bxa6 Qxa6 21. Rf3 f6 22. exf6 Rxf6 23.
Qh4 Rbf8) 18... Ba6 19. cxd5 $6 cxd5 20. Rac1 Rfc8 $1 {
(Black has a clear advantage now)} 21. Bxa6 Qxa6 22. Qe3 $2 Rc2 $1 23. Rxc2
Qxf1+ 24. Qg1 Qxf4 {and Black went on to win.}) {ANSWER:} 11... Nc5 $1 {
This again! Hopefully the idea of trading the d3-bishop should be firmly in
your minds by now.} 12. Be3 g6 {QUESTION: What's going on? Why not exchange on
d3? --- Cmilyte chooses to wait on the exchange. White wasn't yet threatening
f4-f5, but Cmilyte decides to prevent it anyway for the foreseeable future.} ({
ANSWER: Here the threat is stronger than its execution. The light-squared
bishop can't run away, and even if e2 were available that would clearly be an
inferior square to d3. White may trade her other bishop, and in fact this is
what White chooses to do in the game, but Cmilyte recognizes that this swap is
equally beneficial to Black. All in all, there is no requirement to take on d3
at the earliest moment. Furthermore, if Black does do this, it might give
White possibilities for a new plan. For example, after} 12... Nxd3 13. cxd3 $1
O-O 14. Na4 $1 {
White can aim for a bind on the queenside dark squares, aided by Rc1.}) 13. Kh1
O-O 14. Rac1 {
Getting ready in case Black takes on d3, but it's not going to happen yet!} Rb8
15. Bxc5 {White cracks first and exchanges.} ({If} 15. b3 {
Black could continue to delay ...Nxd3 until the time was right, with} Rd8 ({and
} 15... Qa5 {possibilities for consideration.})) 15... Bxc5 16. Na4 $1 Be7 17.
c4 $1 {
White's follow-up to 15 Bxc5 is totally logical, but Black is fine anyway.}
dxc4 $5 18. Bxc4 c5 $1 {Black's queenside pawns are split, but suddenly from
nowhere the light-squared bishop threatens to become a monster piece down the
long diagonal. Throw in the potential for counterplay down the d- and b-files,
and I slightly prefer Black's position.} 19. Nc3 Bb7 20. b3 Rbd8 21. Bd3 {
Understandably White wants to exchange the light-squared bishops, but how the
roles have been reversed from move10!} Qb6 22. Qe3 $2 {
EXERCISE: White's last move allows a strong pawn sacrifice. Can you see it? ---
} (22. Be4 {wasn't possible, because of} Ba6 {.}) ({Instead} 22. Rcd1 $1 {
would have just about kept things equal.}) {ANSWER:} 22... c4 $1 {Freeing the
e7-bishop, forcing a queen exchange and getting a rook to the seventh rank
where it targets g2 - all for a measly pawn!} 23. Qxb6 axb6 24. Bxc4 ({
White could and probably should decline with} 24. Be4 {, but} Ba6 $1 {
still leaves Black in control.}) 24... Rd2 $1 {
Now Black's rooks and bishops are too powerful for White to handle.} 25. Be2 ({
If} 25. Rg1 Bc5) ({or} 25. Ne2 Ba3 26. Rcd1 Rfd8 27. Rxd2 Rxd2 {
and White is completely tied up - ...Bc6 and ...b5 is one idea.}) 25... Ba3 $1
{This wins the exchange.} 26. Rb1 Rc2 $1 27. Bf3 Ba6 $1 28. Ne4 Bxf1 29. Rxf1
Rfc8 30. Kg1 Rxa2 31. Rd1 Rc1 {. The simplest. When the exchange ahead,
swapping off your opponent's remaining rook is usually a good idea. The rest
of the game is pretty straightforward for Cmilyte:} 32. Kf1 Rxd1+ 33. Bxd1 Bc1
34. g3 h5 35. h4 Be3 36. Be2 Rb2 37. Bc4 Bd4 38. Ke1 Kg7 39. Kd1 Rg2 40. Ke1
Rb2 41. Kd1 Bg1 42. Ke1 Bh2 43. Kf1 b5 44. Bxb5 Rxb3 45. Kg2 Rb2+ 46. Nf2 Bxg3
47. Kxg3 Rxb5 48. Ne4 Rb3+ 49. Kg2 Kf8 50. Nf6 Ke7 51. Ne4 Re3 52. Nf6 Ra3 53.
Ne4 Ra4 54. Kf3 Ra1 55. Kg2 Re1 56. Nf6 Kd8 57. Nh7 Rd1 58. Ng5 Rd7 59. Kf3 Kc7
0-1

[Event "Spanish League, Ponferrada"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1997.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Mitkov, N."]
[Black "Illescas Cordoba, M."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B45"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "64"]
[EventDate "1997.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. Be3 {By playing 5 Be3, White
keeps his options open regarding the development of his queen's knight and
c-pawn. Depending on circumstances, he might choose a Maroczy Bind set-up with
c2-c4, develop with Nd2, or even just transpose to main lines with Nc3.} ({
Before moving on, let's briefly look at two other tries for White where he
delays Nc3: ---Against} 5. Be2 {the most straightforward choice for Black is}
Qc7 6. O-O Nf6 {when White doesn't really have anything better than} 7. Nc3 a6
{with a transposition to main lines.}) ({QUESTION: Why not meet} 5. Be2 {with}
Nf6 6. Nc3 Bb4 {? --- ANSWER: This is very tempting, and certainly isn't bad.
However, it's possible that Black could play this without realizing he has
transposed to another Sicilian Variation, the Four Knights: 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3
d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 Nc6, and now the tricky 6 Be2!? (instead of the more
popular 6 Ndb5 or 6 Nxc6). The idea is to meet 6...Bb4 with} 7. O-O $1 {
gambiting the e-pawn. Games have shown that White gets dangerous play after}
Bxc3 8. bxc3 Nxe4 9. Qd3 ({or} 9. Bd3 $5 {because of his development lead and
control on the dark-squares - Ba3 is a key move in most lines.})) ({
White's idea with} 5. g3 {is to meet} d5 {with} 6. Bg2 $1 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 8.
Kxd1 bxc6 9. Bxe4 Bb7 {
and to claim an edge in view of Black's compromised queenside pawns.}) ({
Black has many good ways to meet} 5. g3 {- and 5...d5 isn't bad -} {
but the most Taimanov-like approach would be to carry on as normal:} a6 6. Bg2
Qc7 7. O-O Nf6 {. The big question here is does White have a stronger move than
} 8. Nc3 {, transposing to the Fianchetto Variation?} ({
I'm not convinced he has. The most obvious attempt is} 8. c4 {, but Black can
secure a good position using similar methods to those we saw in Chapter Six:}
Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Bc5 10. Qd3 (10. Bf4 {doesn't work this time}) 10... d6 11. Nc3
O-O 12. Bf4 Ng4 13. Na4 e5 14. Bd2 Bd4 15. h3 Nf6 16. Rac1 Be6 17. b3 Qd7 18.
Kh2 b5 {with good counterplay, L.Gostisa-K.Kiik, Debrecen 1992.})) 5... Nf6 $1
{By attacking the e-pawn, Black forces White to make an immediate decision
over his development plans (and exploits the fact that 6 e5 is impossible due
to 6...Qa5+).} ({Question: Can Black play the typical Taimanov move} 5... Qc7 {
here? --- ANSWER: Yes, it's certainly playable. In practice White has typically 
replied} 6. Nc3 {, returning to the main lines. 5 Be3 is much more popular at
club level than grandmaster level, and White might simply be focusing on
developing, but in no particular order.} ({
However, White could also answer 5...Qc7 with} 6. c4 $5 {setting up a Maroczy
Bind. This is of course okay for Black, but it's worth noting that the
solution against 5 c4 (see Czerniak-Bolbochan) with} Nf6 7. Nc3 Bb4 (7... a6 $1
{is better}) {looks much less attractive here in view of} 8. Ndb5 $1 {
- the extra moves Be3 and ...Qc7 seem to help White more than Black.})) 6. Nc3
{Another transposition! We are back in the Sicilian Four Knights, but this
time with White choosing the sideline 6 Be3 (instead of 6 Ndb5, 6 Nxc6 or, as
mentioned above, 6 Be2). Indeed, the game's actual move order was via the Four
Knights rather than a Taimanov with 5 Be3. --- QUESTION: How should Black
react if White protects the e4-pawn with 6 Bd3 or 6 Nd2, instead of 6 Nc3?} ({
ANSWER: Black has a number of good options, including those involving Scheveningen set-ups, but probably the most logical plan is to strike in the centre with
...d5. For example,} 6. Bd3 d5 $1 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Nxc6 bxc6 {
gains time because White would be reluctant to give up his e3-bishop. If} 9.
Bd4 {Black can continue} Qg5 $1 10. O-O Bd6 $1 {gaining more time in view of ...Qf4 and ...Bxh2+ threats, S.Svoboda-L.Molnar, Budapest 1998.}) ({
Similarly, after} 6. Nd2 Be7 ({or} 6... d5 7. Bb5 Bd7) 7. Bd3 {
Black can strike with} d5 $1 {. If White develops with} 8. O-O {
Black can make further strides in the centre:} e5 $1 9. Nxc6 bxc6 {.}) 6... Bb4
$1 {Black continues actively, attacking the e4-pawn again. This line of the
Four Knights has a good reputation for Black.} ({
QUESTION: Can Black transpose back to the 6 Be3 Taimanov main lines, by playing
} 6... Qc7 {? --- ANSWER: Not quite, because Black has committed to ...Nf6
instead of ...a6. If Black chooses 6...Qc7 White isn't forced to play ball and
respond with} 7. Bd3 {,} (7. Qd2) ({or} 7. f3 {, transposing to main lines.}) (
{Instead he can try the very dangerous} 7. f4 $1 {
which leads to sharp play after} Bb4 8. Ndb5 $1 Qa5 9. e5 {.})) ({Similarly,} 
6... a6 {can also be answered by} 7. f4 $5 {
. From a practical viewpoint, 6...Bb4 seems like a much wiser choice for Black.
}) 7. Bd3 (7. f3 {angles for an English Attack, but Black is well set up to
meet this aggressively by} d5 $1 {when White is struggling to equalize!} 8. Bb5
$1 {is probably best, intending to keep things blocked after} Bd7 9. Bxc6 Bxc6
(9... bxc6 $5) 10. e5 Nd7 11. f4 {
. I still slightly prefer Black here; one option is} Qh4+ 12. g3 Qh3 {
to prevent kingside castling.}) 7... d5 $1 {The logical follow-up to 6...Bb4.
The ...d5 break is more attractive here than in mainline Taimanov positions,
because Black is quicker on the draw. No time has been spent on ...a6 and ...Qc7, moves which normally aren't vital for the preparation of ...d5 (but of
course are vital for the Taimanov!). Now White must once again deal with the
threat to his e-pawn:} 8. Nxc6 ({Against} 8. exd5 {
Black has a choice of recaptures:} -- (8... Nxd5 {
is logical because the knight attacks both c3 and e3.} 9. Nxc6 bxc6 {and now:}
10. -- (10. Bd2 O-O 11. O-O Nxc3 12. bxc3 Bd6 13. Qh5 f5 {, D.Frolov-V.Filippov, Smolensk 2000. The chances look roughly level, with Black's better
structure counterbalancing White's edge in activity.}) (10. O-O $5 Nxe3 ({
White gets good compensation after} 10... Nxc3 11. bxc3 Bxc3 12. Rb1) 11. fxe3
Bxc3 12. bxc3 O-O 13. Qf3 {
with exactly the same assessment as the previous note.})) ({
. It might just be stylistic preference, but I would probably choose} 8... exd5
{. I do enjoy playing IQPs, and this one seems to be a nice version for Black,
whose pieces are actively developed. After} 9. O-O O-O 10. Nce2 Re8 11. c3 Bd6
12. Qc2 h6 (12... Ng4 $5) 13. h3 Ne4 14. Rfe1 Qf6 15. Rad1 a6 16. a3 Bd7 {
Black was fine in E.Grant-V.Salov, Groningen 1983.})) 8... bxc6 9. e5 ({
QUESTION: Which way should Black recapture after} 9. exd5 {
? --- ANSWER: Let's look at all three options:} -- (9... Nxd5 {
transposes to 8 exd5 Nxd5 9 Nxc6 bxc6, above.}) (9... cxd5 {is the most
natural recapture. We saw from similar positions in our previous game that
it's vitally important for White to blockade Black's centre, so} 10. O-O O-O
11. Bd4 $1 {is best, e.g.} Bd6 12. f4 $1 {and chances look fairly equal.}) ({
. We also realized that recapturing with the e-pawn was a good option for
Black, and it's just the same here. After} 9... exd5 {it's like a Scotch Four
Knights where White has played a less-than-optimal Be3. Black is fine here;
for example,} 10. Bd4 O-O 11. O-O Bd6 12. Qf3 $2 (12. h3 {is better, and} Be6
13. Na4 Qe7 {roughly level}) 12... Ng4 $1 {
(the beginning of a surprising and very effective attack)} 13. h3 Qh4 $1 14.
Rfd1 Nh2 $1 15. Qe3 Bf4 16. Qe1 Nf3+ $1 17. gxf3 Qxh3 18. Be3 {(C.Peptan-A.Skripchenko, Moscow 2001) and here Black could have won immediately with} Qh2+
19. Kf1 Re8 $1 {.})) 9... Nd7 $1 (9... d4 $5 {
is another option, but I prefer Illescas' choice.}) 10. Qg4 $1 ({If} 10. f4 {
then} Nc5 $1 {should be the first move that comes to mind by now! Mitkov's
choice, hitting both g7 and b4, provides a sterner challenge.}) 10... Bf8 $1 {
QUESTION: Can Black really get away with retreating the bishop back to base?
Isn't this using up two tempi? --- ANSWER: Black wants to keep his bishop
because it's such an important piece in helping to control the dark squares.
--- Black can afford the time spent on ...Bb4-f8 for the following reasons: --
1. The centre has become blocked, so quality of development becomes more
important than quantity. Black might follow-up with ...g6 and ...Bg7, adding
further pressure to e5. -- 2. White has played e4-e5 very early on, even
before castling, and this pawn requires protection. -- 3. White has spent a
move on Be3, but e3 is not an optimal square for the bishop now that we've
reached this structure - in fact c1 might be better! On e3 the bishop blocks
the e-file and runs into potential ...d4 tactics. Furthermore, Black can gain
rapid counterplay by attacking b2.} (10... Qa5 {is another option, but after}
11. O-O $1 {Black still needs to do something about the attack on g7.}) 11. f4
Rb8 {EXERCISE: Black has a very strong response to 12 b3. Can you find it?
(Hint: the combination involves a discovered attack.) Illescas immediately
begins counterplay on the queenside.} ({A solid alternative was} 11... g6 12.
O-O Bg7 {, and completing development before embarking on queenside action or
the ...f6 break.}) 12. Nd1 ({ANSWER:} 12. b3 {runs into the tactic} d4 $1 13.
Bxd4 Nf6 $1 14. exf6 ({White can avoid the piece loss with} 14. Qd1 $1 Qxd4 15.
Ne2 {, but Black has a large advantage, e.g.} Bb4+ 16. Kf1 Qd8 17. exf6 Qxf6 {
, S.Melia-T.Tsereteli, Batumi 2002}) 14... Qxd4 {winning a piece.}) ({
I feel that White's best move here might be} 12. Rb1 $1 {. Although not ideal,
it does minimize White's inconveniences on the queenside. J.Kubala-R.Pokorna,
Slovakian League 1997, continued} c5 (12... g6 $5 {intending} 13. Bxa7 Rb4 $1)
13. Bf2 g6 14. O-O Be7 $1 ({avoiding} 14... Bg7 15. Nb5 $1) {. If now} 15. b3
O-O 16. Rbe1 {Black can gain counterplay with} Qa5 {, e.g.} 17. Ne2 c4 $1 18.
bxc4 dxc4 19. Bxc4 Rb4 20. Bb3 Nxe5 $1 {.}) 12... Qa5+ $1 13. Bd2 ({If} 13. c3
{then} Ba6 $1 {.}) 13... Qb6 {Illescas continues to harass White. This second
queen move prevents castling. --- EXERCISE: White could offer a repetition of
moves here with 14 Be3, but it fails to a combination. Can you see how Black
wins a pawn?} 14. Qg3 ({ANSWER:} 14. Be3 $2 Qb4+ $1 15. Bd2 ({or} 15. c3 Nxe5
$1) 15... Nxe5 $1 {wins a pawn because the f4-pawn in pinned, R.Gonell
Aparici-J.Baron Isanta, Barcelona 1996.}) 14... Nc5 $1 {Here it is yet again!
Black achieves the positional goal of swapping knight for light-squared bishop.
} 15. b3 Nxd3+ {
Black could also consider delaying this capture, just as in our previous game.}
({An alternative is} 15... h5 $5 {intending ...h4, forcing the queen to either
abandon the third rank or her attack on g7.}) 16. cxd3 Ba6 17. Rc1 f5 $6 {
This move doesn't feel right, even though it works to perfection in the game.}
({Black has various other options including Rybka's first choice} 17... Bb4 $5
{, which temporarily sacrifices two pawns in return for an attack on White's
king:} 18. Qxg7 Rf8 19. Qxh7 {and now Black can choose between} Bxd2+ ({and} 
19... Qd4 $5 20. Qh3 Bxd2+ 21. Kxd2 Rg8) 20. Kxd2 Qa5+ 21. Ke2 Qxa2+ 22. Kf3
Rxb3 23. Nf2 Rb2 {with promising play.}) 18. Rc2 $2 {The bluff works!} ({
Perhaps Mitkov was afraid of giving Black a big centre with} 18. exf6 $1 gxf6 {
. However, after} 19. Nf2 $1 {followed by 0-0 White is going to get
considerable play by attacking e6 and c6, so I'm a bit baffled by both
players' decisions here.}) 18... Kf7 $1 {Now Black's king has found a safe
place, g7 is protected and White has no attacking ideas at all. Black enjoys a
clear advantage, and it is increased next move when the queens come off.} 19.
Qe3 $2 Qxe3+ 20. Nxe3 c5 21. Ke2 Be7 22. Rhc1 Rhc8 23. g3 h6 {Planning ...g5.
With Black able to play on both sides of the board, White's chances of holding
a position with so many disadvantages are slim, and so it proves.} 24. Be1 g5
25. Ng2 $2 c4 $1 {Blasting the position open for the bishop pair, after which
the end comes quickly. White had to keep his knight on e3 to prevent this.} 26.
dxc4 dxc4 27. bxc4 Ba3 28. Rd1 Rxc4 29. Rxc4 Bxc4+ 30. Kf2 Bc5+ $1 31. Ne3 Rb2+
32. Rd2 Rb1 $1 0-1

[Event "Moscow"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Kornev, A."]
[Black "Geller, J."]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B47"]
[Annotator "John Emms"]
[PlyCount "66"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
[Source "Everyman Chess"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.07"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 {QUESTION: Do most Sicilian Taimanov players choose 2...e6
or 2...Nc6? --- Looking at the statistics, it appears that 2...e6 Taimanov
players outnumber their 2...Nc6 comrades by about three to one. This seems to
suggest that Taimanov players like to avoid facing the Rossolimo if at all
possible.} ({ANSWER: The decision on whether to play 2...e6 or 2...Nc6 all
depends on which Anti-Sicilians you are willing to face or trying to avoid. If
you play} 2... Nc6 {you must be ready to meet the popular and quite
challenging Rossolimo Variation,} 3. Bb5 {.}) ({If you play} 2... e6 {
White has a greater choice of Anti-Sicilians, because all of} 3. d3 {
(the King's Indian Attack),} (3. c4) (3. b3) ({and} 3. g3 {are thought to be
more appealing against 2...e6 than against 2...Nc6 (especially 3 d3).}) ({
White can also revert back to the c3 Sicilian (with} 3. c3 {) against 2...Nc6
or 2...e6, and in both cases Black has committed himself to some extent.})) 3.
d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 Qc7 6. Ndb5 $5 {We're ending this book where we
started it, on the subject of why Black needn't fear this attack on the queen
- see also the introduction to Chapter One.} Qb8 $1 7. Be3 $1 ({
As noted in Chapter One, White's attempt to get the knight to d6 is refuted:} 
7. g3 a6 8. Bf4 e5 {wins a piece.}) (7. a4 {
tries to justify 6 Ndb5 by planning Na3 in response to ...a6. After} Nf6 8. Bd3
a6 (8... Bc5 {is a good alternative}) 9. Na3 {, the most logical move to me is}
d5 {preventing the knight from re-entering the game via c4. Black looks fine
here, e.g.} 10. O-O Be7 11. Re1 O-O {, R.Moor-M.Klebel, German League 1999.})
7... a6 {EXERCISE: White doesn't retreat his knight next move! Try to work out
what Kornev plays instead. ---} ({If Black is unwilling to enter the
complications and material imbalance which follows, he could delay ...a6.
Instead} 7... Nf6 8. f4 $1 d6 (8... a6 9. e5 $1) {leads to a Scheveningen-type
position. An entertaining miniature between two 2700+ grandmasters went} 9. Qf3
a6 10. Nd4 e5 $5 (10... Be7 {is more typical}) 11. Nf5 g6 12. Ng3 exf4 13. Qxf4
Ng4 $5 (13... Bg7) 14. Nd5 Bh6 $1 15. Nf6+ $1 Ke7 ({or} 15... Kf8 16. Qxh6+ $1
Nxh6 17. Bxh6+ {with compensation!}) 16. Nd5+ Ke8 17. Nf6+ Ke7 18. Nd5+ Ke8 19.
Nf6+ {½-½, D.Jakovenko-E.Alekseev, Jermuk 2009.}) {ANSWER:} 8. Bb6 $1 {
This is the only way to justify White's previous play. He sacrifices a piece
to set up some dangerous threats.} ({After} 8. Nd4 Nf6 9. Be2 ({or} 9. Qd2 {
Black could transpose back to normal lines by returning the queen to c7, but
it's easy to believe that he could exploit the gain in time by doing something
more energetic.})) 8... axb5 9. Nxb5 {White threatens 10 Bc7, trapping the
queen, and also 10 Nc7+ Ke7 11 Bc5+. --- EXERCISE: Black finds a way to cover
the c7-square a second time. How does he do this? (Hint: think of "indirect
protection".) ---} {ANSWER:} Bb4+ $1 ({The alternative is} 9... Ra5 {, but} 10.
Nc7+ Ke7 11. Qd3 $1 {is a dangerous line for Black.}) 10. c3 Ba5 $1 {Covering c7! Black is willing to give up his queen, but he will get three minor pieces
in return.} 11. Nc7+ Qxc7 $1 ({This is much better than} 11... Kf8 $2 12. Nxa8
Qxa8 {. --- EXERCISE: White can actually win a piece in this position. How
does he do it? --- ANSWER:} 13. Qd6+ $1 Nge7 14. Qa3 $3 {pins the bishop
against the queen, and White then wins it with b2-b4. Black has fallen for
this trick in quite a few games.}) 12. Bxc7 Bxc7 {The smoked has cleared and
we've reached a position where Black has two knights and a bishop for queen
and pawn. So roughly equal in value, but I suspect that most strong players
would prefer to take Black in this position. In many situations three minor
pieces can overpower a queen through sheer weight in numbers. --- EXERCISE:
Find a good move for White. ---} {ANSWER:} 13. Qg4 $1 {White must take this
opportunity, before Black has the chance to play ...Nf6. 13 Qg4! forces a
concession from Black, however he deals with the threat to the g-pawn.} Kf8 $5
{This move might not look very appetizing, but in the game Geller convincingly
demonstrates that the king actually feels quite comfortable on f8. And see how
the h8-rook later plays a starring role!} ({Both} 13... g6) ({and} 13... Be5 {
are good alternatives. In the latter case White gains a bit of time with} 14.
f4 Nf6 15. Qf3 Bc7 {, but Black hasn't weakened himself and can still castle.})
14. Bd3 (14. f4 d5 15. e5 Ra4 $1 16. Qf3 Nge7 17. Bd3 g5 $5 18. Qd1 $5 Rxf4 19.
g3 Rf5 20. Bxf5 Nxf5 {resulted in a crazy material distribution: two bishops
and two knights (and soon a pawn) versus queen and rook! Who knows what's
going on here, but the rest of the game is well worth playing through to
witness four minor pieces defeat two major ones:} 21. Qe2 h5 22. O-O-O Nxe5 23.
Rhf1 Kg7 24. b3 f6 25. Kb2 Bd7 26. a4 Bc6 27. Rd2 h4 28. g4 Nd6 29. Rd4 Ne4 30.
Ra1 Ba5 31. b4 Bb6 32. b5 Bxd4 33. cxd4 Nc4+ 34. Kb3 Bd7 35. Kb4 Rc8 36. Rc1 b6
37. Rc2 e5 38. dxe5 fxe5 39. h3 Be6 40. Rc1 Ng3 41. Qg2 e4 42. Qa2 e3 43. Qa1+
Kg6 44. Qd4 Ne4 45. Re1 Ncd6 {and White resigned, M.Kauppinen-O.Strengell,
correspondence 2008 - an amazing game!}) 14... Nf6 15. Qe2 h5 $5 {
QUESTION: What is Black's idea with this move? Why not 15...d5?} ({ANSWER: Despite the material imbalance, Geller is still playing in typical Taimanov style
- with ...h5! Black takes some space on the kingside, gives his h8-rook some
room, and allows ...Ng4 if needed. By avoiding ...d5, Black limits the scope
of White's only remaining minor piece. Having said that,} 15... d5 {
is a natural move, and looks fully playable too. For example,} 16. O-O g6 $1 {
(preparing ...Kg7)} 17. b4 $1 {
(a typical plan for White is to utilize his queenside pawn majority)} Kg7 18.
a4 Rd8 19. Rfb1 (19. a5 $5) {
was I.Kurnosov-E.Vorobiov, Togliatti 2001, and now Rybka likes} 19... Ne5 $1 {
intending} 20. Bc2 dxe4 21. Bxe4 Neg4 $1 22. h3 Nxf2 $1 23. Kxf2 $2 Rd2 $1 {.})
16. O-O g5 $1 {I really like this move. Black prevents f2-f4, gets a grip on
the kingside dark squares (e5 becomes an attractive outpost) and further
restricts the d3-bishop. He will develop his final minor piece with ...b6 and ...Bb7, and follow up with ...Ne5, after which his pieces will be very well
coordinated.} 17. a4 $1 {White gets going with his queenside pawn majority.} b6
18. b4 $1 Bb7 19. f3 Ne5 20. Bb5 h4 ({Black might also consider} 20... Ke7 {
first, especially considering the possibility White has next move.}) 21. Qe3 $2
{Now Black's activity on the kingside accelerates exponentially.} ({
Rybka suggests the cold-blooded} 21. h3 $1 {. Humans would be reluctant to
play a move which leaves holes everywhere, but White does succeed in blocking
things up, and he can follow up with Qe3 and action on the queenside.}) 21...
h3 $1 22. g3 g4 $1 23. Qg5 $2 {EXERCISE: Find a very strong move for Black. ---
} ({White needed to play} 23. fxg4 {
. Black's attack is in full swing after, say,} Nexg4 24. Qd4 Be5 25. Qxb6 Bxe4
26. Bxd7 Bxg3 $1 {, but there's still a lot going on.}) {ANSWER:} 23... Rh5 $3
{If the queen takes the knight she gets trapped, but otherwise Black takes on
f3 with check and White's position collapses.} 24. Qxf6 ({
White won't last long after} 24. Qe3 Nxf3+ 25. Kh1 Nxe4 {.}) 24... Bd8 25. fxg4
({If} 25. Qf4 {then} Bg5 $1 26. Qxe5 ({or} 26. Qxg5 Rxg5 27. f4 Nf3+ $1 28.
Rxf3 Rxb5) 26... Be3+ $1 {.}) 25... Bxf6 26. gxh5 Bg5 {At the moment White
actually has a rook and two pawns for bishop and knight, but he is still
totally lost. Pawns are dropping off, Black's bishops are rampant, and there's
an immediate threat of ...Be3+.} 27. Kf2 Ng4+ 28. Ke2 Bxe4 29. Bd3 Bg2 30. Rfb1
Nxh2 31. a5 bxa5 32. bxa5 Ng4 33. a6 h2 0-1

